This is the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) Progress Report for the year 2023. In this report, we'll take you on a journey through the remarkable initiatives that have shaped our division over the past nine months.
SSD started the year with a strong focus on evangelism. This year, as of August 2023, the Adventist Church in the Southern Asia-Pacific Division welcomed 70,748 precious members to join the mission of the church. Our churches have grown significantly, adding 119 new churches from the 8,235
recorded in 2022. (8354 total churches in SSD)
New Applications for Missions and Conferences Status
Leaders and church members in SSD are motivated to distribute and establish our presence in various locations to better address the need to share hope and healing in this vast territory.
With strong support for the Mission Refocus initiative, several applications for new mission and union status organizations are lined up for approval in the upcoming SSD Year-End Meeting. West Visayan Conference
1. Jakarta Conference
2. Northeastern Mindanao Mission
3. Southern Mindanao Mission
4. Papua Mission
5. West Papua Mission
6. Mindoro Mission
7. New attached field on the border of Thailand and Myanmar
SSD Baptism Updates
The mission to spread the gospel mobilizes every member of the church to fulfill this important mandate.
The 'Christ for Thailand' initiative brought hope to 435 souls. The recently concluded Hope for Malaysia welcomed 1,637 new members. In the Central Philippines, the ASi Union-wide evangelism meetings changed more than 1,721 lives. The Quiet Hour Simultaneous evangelistic meetings led to the conversion of 5,640 individuals.
The historical Youth Congress held at the Mountain View College in South Philippines, which accommodated more than 40 thousand people in attendance, baptized more than 1,500 young people during the concluding Sabbath.
With an overwhelming display of collaboration and unity, Sri Lanka had a staggering increase in baptisms of more than 2000% in 2022.
Upcoming Initiatives
There are more mission programs planned in the coming months and years.
In its fourth season, the South Philippine Union Conference, through its partnership with Hope Channel, is now amid its 40-day My Journey with God campaign. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this initiative proved its viability and widespread coverage.
The impact of this hybrid ministry, which will end in the next few weeks, will be felt for a long time. (Show reports of baptisms beginning 2020 to 2023) In October, Sri Lanka will launch its first nationwide evangelistic campaign, taking place simultaneously in more than 30 venues. This initiative was inspired by the responses of church leaders from different regions of the division, uniting to reach the predominantly Buddhist nation of Thailand.
In support of the Global Mission Discipleship Program of the General Conference, SSD is set to organize urban city evangelistic campaigns throughout the division from 2024 to 2025 (Myanmar, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines) 2023 is a year of celebration. Understanding the Bible thoroughly is central to the Adventist Church's mission of leading people to Jesus Christ’s salvation.
After 160 years, the missionary work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church has had an effect in the fields of education, healthcare, and media. Over 22 million people from more than 200 countries are now part of the movement that started with 3,500 people and six conferences.
Centennial celebrations are held at Lakpahana College and Seminary in Sri Lanka, and the Tikala Adventist Church in Indonesia marked significant years of service in nurturing minds and Spirit.
Training and Development Programs
Like Paul and Timothy, the Adventist Church values the contributions of all generations.
Back to the Altar Champion Training equipped officers and directors for leadership responsibilities in Tunnel Hill, Georgia.
The Leadership Summit held in Thailand last March encouraged the SSD Leadership to adopt the LeadLab training program for leaders from various organizations and institutions in the Southern Asia-Pacific. After the successful launch, SSD Leadership aims to contextualize the training for unions next year so they too can benefit from the training, as this offers a holistic approach to leadership and spiritual development.
The collaboration of the Youth and Health Ministries Departments resulted in the Youth Alive Facilitator’s Training in Thailand. This is an initiative that equips young people with the resources they need to make healthy lifestyle decisions, thereby bolstering their resilience and values. The Youth Alive Program helps young people) recognize and develop their unique abilities and establish a community to which they can belong.
With the advent of digital technology and artificial intelligence, our content creators, creatives, and communication leaders are at the forefront of exploring possibilities to incorporate technology in amplifying the church’s presence and reach in this culturally diverse territory. GAiN Asia was the first of its kind where a continental gathering of communicators from the Northern Asia-Pacific, Southern Asia-Pacific, and Southern Asia Divisions teamed up to host GAiN Asia in the next three years.
This year's event was held on Jeju Island, South Korea. In collaboration with ATS and Hope Channel International. Next year’s global GAiN will be held in Chiang Mai, Thailand. And in 2025, it will be in India.
New Leaders for Mission
SSD took the mission seriously. In response, several leaders were elected to address the growing need for ministries in the division.
Pastor Felixian Felicitas was elected as the Associate Director for the Mission Refocus Program and Pastor Bryan Tolentino as Service Director for the Ellen G. White Center for SSD. It is the Southern Asia-Pacific Division’s commitment to explore endless possibilities to share freedom, healing, and hope in Jesus.
Sharing the gospel message and creating an impact, one life at a time, one initiative at a time
Edward Rodriguez, SSD Communication Department