Over 70 writers hailing from the Adventist Church in Zamboanga, Philippines (ZPM), convened at the mission office in March 2024 for the Writers’ Summit. Themed 'Penning Hope, Preserving Memories, and Inspiring Lives,' the summit served as a platform for budding church journalists to harness their innate talents in sharing the narrative of God through various mediums such as news reporting, scriptwriting, and storytelling.
The event welcomed esteemed figures in the field, including Pastor Roxie Pido, Communication Director of the Southwestern Philippine Union Conference; Dr. Matilde Benito, retired Communications Director of ZPM; and Quin Salarda, a communication staff member of SWPUC.
Before the lectures and workshops started, participants were strategically grouped through a dynamic game, aimed at cultivating camaraderie and enhancing interactions among field writers. Throughout the summit, attendees immersed themselves in discussions and practical exercises, encouraging collaboration within their respective groups.
The summit emphasized practical facets of writing, encompassing a wide spectrum of skills ranging from storytelling techniques, refining one's perspective, and mastering the essentials of news and feature writing. Additionally, it delved into fundamental grammar principles, offered insights for elevating writing prowess, and provided diverse strategies for skill development, all tailored towards crafting content relevant to the church's audience.
In his message during the Saturday morning worship, Pastor Pido underscored the profound purpose of writing, emphasizing its potential to do more than merely convey ideas but to impact and transform lives for Christ. Encouraging writers to draw from the rich stories within their communities, he urged them to share these narratives as vessels of inspiration, ultimately guiding readers toward a deeper connection with the Savior.
"In the field, different stories unfold daily, each deserves to be shared in our Adventist community," expressed Pastor Roxie Pido, Communication Director of the Adventist Church in Southwestern Philippines. "A single narrative possesses the power to effect change, initiating a journey of inspiration and transformation in the hearts of our readers," Pido elaborated, emphasizing the significance of committing to share these impactful narratives.
Pastor Cart Gladden Aguillon oversaw the ZPM Communication Department, which was in charge of the Writers' Summit. The said department hopes that these writers can produce stories featured in Adventist media outlets, aiming to provide inspiration, motivation, and a message of hope to others.
The summit concluded with a pledge and commitment by writers to pen more news and stories for Christ.
Sandra Day E. Batobalunos, Zamboanga Peninsula Mission