After the Voice of Youth (VOY) Ignite 2021 successfully reaped 10,586 new members, the Southern Asia-Pacific Division launches the VOY EXPAND 2022 on January 28-29, 2020. EXPAND stands for Exponential Advancement through Nurturing and Discipleship. VOY EXPAND 2022 aims to nurture and disciple the new members following the Christian Life Cycle: Bring them in Christ, build them up in Him through spiritual disciplines, train them how to minister using their spiritual gifts, and send them out to witness through the VOY EXPAND.
The VOY EXPAND 2022 envisions equipping 1,507 church-based VOY teams with 12 young people in each team (18,084), prayerfully to lead 10,549 new baptized disciples while discipling the new members brought through VOY Ignite 2021.
Referring to the lecture of Engr. Nyrh Cabance, a church elder of an Adventist Church in Manila, Philippines, on “Nurturing New Members in Local Church,” Gayle Anne Saquiton, a delegate from the North Philippines chats, “We always have these ideas of nurturing but just so unorganized. This lecture puts everything in place and even gave more additional inputs. I love the 12 lessons. This would be of great help. Praying for an increase in membership retention by God's grace.”
Jasper and Lourd Jane Delgado from the South Philippines exclaim, “What a beautiful nurturing strategy. I’m excited and eager to share this with our youth and church here in our district.”
Engineer Cabance also quoted Ellen White on her emphasis on nurturing new members:
“After individuals have been converted to the truth, they need to be looked after… these newly converted ones need nursing, watchful attention, help, and encouragement. These should not be left alone …. they need to be educated with their duties, to be kindly dealt with to be led along, and to be visited and prayed with….” Evangelism p. 322
Pastor Roger Caderma, SSD director for Nurturing, Discipleship, Reclamation, and Integrated Evangelism Lifestyle pointed out the solemn responsibilities of the young people. He quotes,
“Upon the youth rest grave responsibilities. God expects much from the young men who live in this generation of increased light and knowledge. He desires to use them in dispelling the error and superstition that cloud the minds of many. If the youth will consecrate mind and heart to the Lord’s service, they may reach a high standard of efficiency and usefulness.” MYP, p. 210
Dr. Bienvenido Mergal, SSD Education Director, lead the youth to understand the details on how to win souls to Jesus and how to keep them in the faith.
Mrs. Virgie Balayo, SSD Women and Family Director, shared the Health and Happy Evangelism Manual to empower the youth in proclaiming the gospel and the health message.
Elder Ted Wilson, GC President, during the divine worship focused on the Three Angels’ Messages, inviting the youth to take an active part in proclaiming the eternal gospel and in joining the church to its “I Will Go” initiative.
The launching and orientation ended with a commitment message from Elder Samuel Saw, SSD President. He reiterated his administration's support to the VOY EXPAND and challenged them to connect with Jesus as they actively reach out to others.
Pastor Ron Genebago, SSD Youth Servant