The Publishing Leadership Summit, held from August 22-24, 2024, at the Literature Ministry Seminary—Center of Influence in Cebu City, Philippines, was more than just a gathering; it was a powerful reaffirmation of the vital role literature evangelism plays within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Delegates from eight conferences and missions in the region came together because they were all dedicated to using the printed word to spread God's message, a strategy that is still having a significant impact on the global mission.
Ferds G. Esico, Publishing Ministries director in the Adventist Church in Central Philippines (CPUC), officially opened the summit, welcoming attendees with a message that set the tone for the event. Joer Tamboler Barlizo, the president of the CPUC, echoed his sentiments in a stirring speech in which he emphasized the enduring significance of literature evangelism.
With the continued development of digital technology, the summit is a call that the publishing work remains effective and reaches people in ways one cannot imagine. According to Askanadventistfriend.org, roughly 150,000 people request baptism every five years as a direct result of literature evangelism efforts strongly support this sentiment.
The summit featured a series of motivational speakers who reminded the attendees—particularly the dedicated colporteurs—of their critical role in this ministry. The presence of several leaders, including Almir Marroni, Adventist World Church (GC) Publishing Ministries director; Rey P. Cabanero, Southern Asia-Pacific region (SSD) Publishing Ministries director; Tercio Marques, Middle East and North African Union Publishing director, and others, underscored the global significance of the publishing work. These leaders shared powerful testimonies, such as the story of Flor de Liz, a colporteur in South America who has sold over 15,000 books and led more than 75 people to baptism. Her story served as an inspiration and a reminder of the transformative power of literature evangelism.
The summit's theme, "Lest We Forget Jesus is Coming, Get Involved in Literature Ministry," was a call to action, urging the church to actively participate in spreading the gospel through literature, especially as the world approaches the end of time. The event not only reinforced the commitment of CPUC to the mission but also highlighted the broader impact that literature evangelism has worldwide.
This summit seeks to inspire literature evangelists to remain committed, persevere through challenges, and stand firm in their mission. Participants are encouraged to leave the summit with renewed enthusiasm and a stronger resolve to amplify their efforts in spreading the gospel. The global success and growth of literature evangelism, highlighted throughout the event, underscored the enduring relevance and vital importance of this ministry in fulfilling the church’s mission.
The original article was published on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division website.