Southern Asia-Pacific Division Leads World in Membership Growth Rate

Southern Asia-Pacific Division Leads World in Membership Growth Rate

During the October 15, 2013 Annual Council, a yearly gathering of world-wide Seventh-day Adventist church leaders, church growth and the evangelistic efforts within the Southern Asia-Pacific Division were highlighted.
    
One of the brightest spots in rising membership in 2012 occurred in the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, which reported the fastest growth rate, at 7 percent.
    
Southern Asia-Pacific President Alberto C. Gulfan Jr. told ANN that most of the growth is occurring in the Philippines, which is undergoing a neighborhood-based evangelism campaign that is being credited for some of the 80,000 baptisms since 2011.

The Integrated Evangelism LIfestyle program as shown here in the central Philippines is credited with increasing church growth in the Southern-Asia Pacific Division. [photo by Virgie Baloyo]
The Integrated Evangelism LIfestyle program as shown here in the central Philippines is credited with increasing church growth in the Southern-Asia Pacific Division. [photo by Virgie Baloyo]

   
The care-group ministry program, called Integrated Evangelism Lifestyle, consists of an Adventist family praying for a family in their neighborhood, and inviting the family to a weekly study of health principles, family life matters and, later, Bible study.
    
"It's catching fire," Gulfan said. "We are seeing that in South Philippines, where the growth is fastest and largest. It's because they have strongly implemented the program of the Integrated Evangelism Lifestyle." [Edwin Manuel Garcia/AND]

A President for Such a Time as This: Erton Köhler Ushers a New Era of Unity and Mission

Newly Elected General Conference President Erton Köhler Speaks to Press

Total Member Involvement Reaffirmed during Friday Evening Program

Recap: The First Full Day of the 2025 GC Session

Erton Köhler Elected GC President: A New Era of Unity and Mission Begins

Erton C. Köhler Elected as President of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church

Original Agenda Approved on Day One of the 2025 General Conference Session

Delegates Vote against Amendment to Discuss 2015 Statement on Immunization

Delegates Approve 11 New Union Missions into the Seventh-day Adventist Church

How Does the Seventh-day Adventist Church Elect Its Leaders?

Global Mission on Display in President Ted Wilson’s 2025 Report

Pressing On Toward the Blessed Hope

Official Adventist General Conference Session App Available for Download

Where Spreadsheets Meet Miracles: Inside the Preparation of the 2025 General Conference Session

Singapore Team Supports Cambodian Adventist Schools and Churches

Adventist Church in Vietnam Joins Harvest 2025 Initiative

MVC Breaks Ground for Hemodialysis Building, Strengthens Commitment to Health Ministry

East and West Indonesia Couples Unite to "Cherish the Love"

Manila Adventist College Celebrates Top 7 PTLE Achievement

Hands That Speak: Deaf Ministry Missionaries from the Philippines Head to GC Session

Pathfinder Camporee in Cambodia Draws Over 600 Youth Leaders

Adventist Hospital Penang Elevates Interventional Care with New Imaging System

ADRA Responds to Flood-Hit Communities in South Philippines

Adventist Pastors in Cambodia Gear Up for Online Outreach

Adventist Medical Center-Bacolod Expands Patient Care With 26 New Beds