he second day of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division Year-End Meetings brought fresh insights and focused discussions among leaders, church members, and department heads. Building on the momentum from Day 1, today’s sessions addressed crucial developments, strategic mission plans, and collaborative efforts aimed at strengthening outreach across challenging territories. Here’s a closer look at the highlights and key takeaways from Day 2 of our gathering.
Harvest 2025 Evangelism Initiative Program
The Southern Asia-Pacific Division Executive Committee has approved Harvest 2025, a comprehensive evangelism initiative designed to mobilize every Adventist member, institution, and church within its territory to actively participate in the mission of sharing the gospel. Recognizing the profound biblical metaphor of the "harvest," this initiative is built upon Jesus' call to action in passages such as Luke 10:2 and John 4:35, which underscore the urgency and importance of engaging in evangelism.
Harvest 2025 will roll out in strategic phases, starting with prayer initiatives, member training, and groundwork in communities. Following these events, there will be widespread, coordinated evangelistic gatherings and reaping campaigns run by local churches, districts, and unions with the goal of winning people to Christ. Each phase is designed to encourage participation from pastors, lay members, youth, and leaders, fostering a unified approach to the work of evangelism.
A key aspect of Harvest 2025 is its commitment to nurturing and integrating new believers through structured discipleship and retention programs, ensuring each individual’s spiritual growth and engagement within the Adventist community. This initiative, which has received approval from the SSD Executive Committee, affirms the Adventist Church's commitment to carrying out the Great Commission by encouraging every believer to take an active part in bringing hope and transformation to communities both inside and outside of the division.
Missionary Vision of Hope
The "Missionary Vision of Hope Channel Network" sets an ambitious goal for Hope Channel to reach one billion people with the message of hope by 2030. Presented and approved in the recent SSD year-end meeting, this vision aligns closely with the Adventist Church’s broader mission, emphasizing outreach to diverse audiences, including secular viewers and individuals from non-Christian backgrounds, particularly within the 10/40 window.
Under this approved strategy, Hope Channel affiliates are encouraged to collaborate with local church entities, Divisions, Unions, and other Adventist media ministries, such as Adventist World Radio, to strengthen evangelistic impact. The plan includes producing and distributing content that is culturally relevant and inspiring, ensuring it resonates with a wide range of viewers and communicates the hope found in Christ.
This approach enables the creation of targeted content designed specifically for seekers and those desiring deeper growth in God’s mission.
A hybrid media approach, utilizing both digital platforms and traditional broadcasting, has been recommended to increase accessibility, particularly in regions with limited internet connectivity. Additionally, the network will use storytelling to highlight its impact, sharing testimonies of life transformation and fostering support for the mission.
With a commitment to collaboration, cultural adaptability, and innovative media strategies, Hope Channel Network will consistently promote its message of hope and contribute meaningfully to the global church’s mission.
Children Registry Book for Children
The Children’s Registry Book is a newly approved initiative aimed at supporting children ages 0–14 in their spiritual journey within the church. This registry will allow local churches to record each child’s spiritual growth, track important milestones, and provide age-appropriate programs and mentorship. By creating a structured record, the church can support parents and guardians in nurturing a faith-filled environment, guiding children through every stage of development to strengthen their relationship with Jesus. The goal is to prepare young believers to become disciples and active participants in the church’s mission.
Adventist Possibilities Ministry
The Adventist Possibility Ministries (APM) initiative, as outlined in the newly adopted handbook and reiterated in the Church Manual, is designed to guide pastors and church leaders in fostering an inclusive ministry that reflects the compassionate service of Jesus. The handbook provides practical instructions to help leaders support individuals with special needs, including those who are deaf, blind, have physical or developmental challenges, as well as vulnerable groups like orphans, widows, and caregivers.
This initiative emphasizes that all individuals, regardless of any limitations, are valued, created in God’s image, and integral to the church community. The mission of APM is to create awareness of needs, promote acceptance, and develop action plans that empower those with special needs to find purpose and fulfillment in life and ministry. By highlighting individuals’ strengths and possibilities over their limitations, APM seeks to build a community where everyone can contribute meaningfully.
The APM leader will now be elected as a church officer by the nominating committee and will serve on the church board, underscoring the importance of involving the entire church in inclusive ministry. This move aligns with Ellen G. White’s vision of caring for those who need support, as a testament to the church’s commitment to Christian character and compassionate ministry.
Developments in the Youth Department
The recent approvals for the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) emphasize structured guidance, recognition, and spiritual development within youth and Master Guide programs. First, the adoption of the Master Guide Club Manual, as presented in a business meeting in Malaysia, establishes a formal framework to bring consistency to Master Guide Club activities. Similarly, the SSD Junior Youth Ministries Faith-Based Goals for 2025-2030 outline a strategic spiritual and developmental path for young members.
An e-book for Pathfinder Honors and Adventurer Awards was also approved, providing a digital resource that supports and celebrates youth achievements. Additionally, recognition for leadership roles has been formalized: Education Directors and Administrators with Master Guide status are now authorized to wear shoulder boards with gold stripes, reflecting their leadership level—four stripes for division, three for union, and two for conference or mission positions. Appointed Master Guide Coordinators will wear similar shoulder boards with silver stripes, denoting their specific role within youth ministry.
For pastors actively engaged with Pathfinder or Adventurer Clubs, a new shoulder board with a single gold stripe recognizes their contribution, and conference and mission Youth Directors will receive formal recognition at significant youth ministry events. To further enrich youth programs, SSD has approved a partnership with the Stewardship Department to integrate stewardship principles across all youth events and promote these values on social media, fostering a foundation of responsible, faith-based practices for young people.
These initiatives collectively enhance the structure, visibility, and mission alignment of youth ministries within the SSD, supporting the division’s overall goal of nurturing faith and commitment in young Adventist members.
Edward Rodriguez
Email: erodriguez@ssd.org
