Church inaugurates an Edifice of Faith

For more than a decade, faith has become a potent tool in the making of a new multi-million Adventist Church in Catarman, Samar in Central Philippines. As church members convened on May 9 to inaugurate their beautiful church—the Edifice of Faith—several church and government leaders joined them to praise God for keeping their faith through difficult times as funds came in trickles through these years.

“We walk our faith believing that what the Lord started in us He will bring it into completion,” said Jeane Tejano Pelayo, master of ceremony of the event and one of the church members.

“Even before we started constructing this church we had been facing financial struggles and challenges but we didn’t shelve our plans despite years of making it a reality,” recounted former Congressman Harlin Castillo Abayon, when asked of his personal testimony and involvement in the project.

Prior to the church celebration at Sabbath School and inaugural worship, a cutting of ribbon was done with the participation of Atty. Abayon; incumbent Congresswoman Daryl Grace Abayon; Dr Jonathan Catolico, communication director for the Adventist Church in the southern Asia-Pacific region (SSD); church elders; and government dignitaries.

“This edifice is evident that faith works through people who know no limit to God’s beneficence,” said Dr Catolico in his inaugural address. “And we are here to praise God for a four-fold celebration: A brand-new Sabbath, a brand-new church, a brand-new congresswoman who has recently taken her oath at the Philippine Congress, and an unwavering faith that propels church members to begin a more aggressive but gentle stance in expanding the Lord’s kingdom here in Catarman,” Catolico added.

During the celebration, a special recognition was given to the benefactors of the project and sponsors of the program, including those who traveled from Luzon, other places of the Visayas and Mindanao. The three officers of the Church in Northeastern Mindanao also came to the event.

The Paranaque Choir, the Chosen Few Quartet, and several others made the celebration joyful with their beautiful musical renditions.

In the afternoon of the Sabbath, a special dedication of the church officers and members was done. [AND Staff]

Church members share Hope in Silang

Two days into the three-week health and spiritual expositions, May 24-June 13, hundreds of visitors and church members made the event a good start.

Cars, scooters and bicycles decorated with balloons paraded the streets of Silang town and signaled the opening of the event that enabled the populace to learn of various health topics and demonstrations and evangelism series designed to help people cope with crisis in today’s world. Besides the caravan, church members distributed invitations and literature.

Three Adventist churches pooled their members to participate in this big event as leaders from the regional headquarters led by Pastor Alberto Gulfan, Jr, president; Pastor Abraham Carpena, health director; and the pastors in the Silang area, led out. They were assisted by the students from the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) and several volunteers. These three churches were the Silang Adventist Church, Tubuan 1 Adventist Church and Biga Adventist church.

As people left their homes in the morning for their day’s activities, church members handed them information of the three-week health expo and evangelistic series.

At the opening night, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to start the health expo. Mrs Helen B Gulfan, SSD women ministries director, led in this ceremony. She was assisted by Dr Liza Capopos, program head of the Provincial Health Office and Healthy Lifestyle Promotion of the Province of Cavite.

The first night’s presentations focused on the overview of the healthy lifestyle program given by Pastor Carpena and Facing Tomorrow Unafraid by Pastor Gulfan. The second night topics both on health and Bible inspiration messages dealt on Choice: The Cradle of Your Destiny and World History in Advance.

Health screening to determine blood sugar, cholesterol, and some other tests were scheduled on the third and fourth mornings at the SSD headquarters.

Pastor Gerry D Karst, vice-president for the Seventh-day Adventist world church based in Silver Springs, Maryland, USA, will be the last two weeks’ presenter for the biblical messages. Later in the series, he will be joined by the Emmanuel Quartet from the United States.
Silang is the home town of the SSD headquarters, AIIAS, Adventist University of the Philippines, and the 1000 Missionary Movement. [RTDeles]

Church organizes media for outreach

Media ministry plays a vital role in spreading the mission of the church. The Communication Department for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Myanmar (MYUM) took this as a challenge and designed a program to enhance the skills of its field directors, institutional media enthusiasts, and Adventist World Radio (AWR) team members.

On May 21, 23, and 24, 12 of these enthusiasts participated in a video and documentation seminar and workshop hosted by MYUM engaging the services of Ko Yoe, an international award-winning movie director.

At the end of the training, the participants formed themselves into a media production team to start a video magazine project in order to effectively communicate the gospel to the unreached people of Myanmar.

“This is the first step to involving ourselves through the media ministry in this getting highly sophisticated society,” said Maung Maung Myo Chan, MYUM communication director. [AND staff]

Health Expo offers Hope in times of crises

While many people want a better life, such quality does not come easily. The Seventh-day Adventist Church, taking the commission to help people enjoy life, has lined up various events and activities. The “Hope in Times of Crises” held at the Dusit Thani Hotel in the business hub of Metro Manila, in Makati, on May 3-8 and 10-15, was one envisioned for such purpose.

Hundreds came to the health exposition displays, presentations and lectures. They came with much longing to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

After an hour or so of introduction to different booths every night, visitors were feted to health lectures by church world health leaders, Drs. Allan Handysides and Kathleen Kuntaraf, while the inspirational messages from God’s word were presented by Pastor Ted N C Wilson, vice president for the world Seventh-day Adventist Church.

While the health expo was primarily intended for the elite in the city of Makati, several persons and groups from surrounding cities and urban centers came to listen to the nightly presentations that centered on CELEBRATIONS, an acronym that stands for Choices, Exercise, Liquid, Environment, Belief, Rest, Air, Temperance, Integrity, Optimism, Nutrition, and Social Support.

Healthy Lifestyle booths were propped on all corners of the ballroom, and those who came early availed of free body check-up, health lectures and consultations. Volunteers attended to every need of the visitors and media practitioners including well-known TV personalities like Korina Sanchez, who made a 10- minute video clip on the advantage of vegetarian diet to longevity on her weekend Rated K program. Cory Quirino, another well-known TV personality, who deals mostly on healthy lifestyle on her television programs, spent a day at the booths to record clips for her TV shows. Rated K on Sunday, May 17, featured the Adventist lifestyle providing proof of longevity resulting from vegetarian diet and healthy lifestyle.

Nightly live interviews were also held for Internet viewers. As indicated, there were more than 8,000 visitors to the site who listened to the nightly presentations.

During the last night of the event, the Andrews University ensemble from the United States which was in the country for a music festival filled the ballroom of the hotel with heavenly music.

The Sabbath services culminating the 12-day Hope in Times for Crises event were held at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. At this event, 147 accepted the Adventist lifestyle through the rites of baptism. [RTDeles | Photos by Adventist Photography Club]

“Noah’s Ark” afloat anew

Exactly one year after Cyclone Nargis took more than 150 thousand lives and devastated homes and properties of 2.4 million people in the delta region of Myanmar, the Aung Gone Seventh-day Adventist Church, one of the five churches destroyed, is again standing as a lighthouse in this thickly populated region of the country.

The big waves of May 2-3, 2008 sent more than 300 people from their homes to a small nearby church which they later called the Noah’s Ark, where they sought cover from the deadly storm. All of them were spared from death despite evidences of the storm’s fury on the physical structure that made the Aung Gone Church unusable for some months.

The dedication ceremony of the reconstructed Aung Gone Church on Sabbath, May 2, was a scene of mixed emotions—sorrow and jubilation. Sorrow for thousands of people who lost their lives, including scores of church members on the same day a year back and joyful because these church members have regained their composure, inspiring them to rededicate this rebuilt church.

The community has also organized the anniversary and memorial services for the Cyclone Nargis victims that were attended by Pastor Muller Kyaw, president of the Church in Myanmar, and his party from the church headquarters.

“It is interesting to note that my father was here among the 300 saved on this church when the cyclone came rushing that destroyed thousands of lives and properties,” said Saw See Lar, church pastor. “And my father was 106 years old at that time!”

“We praise the Lord for His mercies that enabled us to live and see Aung Gone Church stands again,” said church members. [Myo Chan]

Congress—A respite for burdened souls

Tired and worn out, thousands came to Mountain View College (MVC) in the center of a region that has been battered with fear as armed conflicts for years between rebel forces and government soldiers dominated their day-to-day life.

They came to experience peace from the challenges that often beset their community. And they believe that coming to MVC for a big congress would offer respite to their burdened souls. A 79-year-old woman voiced out this longing when she said, “I wish this event would have been in heaven! I am tired but I am confident that this will be my last congress here on earth, I long to be home with Jesus!”

As big congresses get more frequent at Mountain View College (MVC), in Valencia City, in southern Philippines, the number of attendees gets bigger, too. This was proven true at the last Sabbath School, Personal Ministries, and Small Group Leaders’ Congress held on April 12-18 when the final tally of attendees came close to 130,000 church members and officers which almost doubled the 2007 Youth Congress’ attendees.

The official delegates and observers represented 16 of the 18 countries within the southern Asia-Pacific region of the Adventist Church (SSD). While the registered delegates came close to 25 thousand, there were five-fold more of observers and church worshippers toward the end of the week and during the Sabbath (Saturday) services, April 18.

While most of the attendees were attracted by the spiritual festivities of devotional messages, songs, and presentations, many were at this congress to display their wares that they believe would help church believers enhance their ministries: DVDs, CDs, souvenir shirts, food, and a lot more.

The seminars and workshops conducted by the departments of the church attracted the delegates so much. “This was first to be done in big congresses like this,” said Pastor Leonardo L Asoy, SS/PM/SGL director for SSD and general coordinator for the Congress. “The participants at each of these departmental seminars were introduced to various ways of ‘Telling the World’ God’s wondrous love.”

Asked of their impressions of the Congress, 16 people were randomly interviewed. Of the 16, four appear here besides the old woman’s corporate voice of people who sought peace and joy amidst trouble in their places:

“I do not want this to be my first and last attendance at congress. I still haven’t grasps the significance of this congress, maybe next time I will be more mature to understand the things that go on here,” said a 12-year old girl. A 27-year old man contributed: “This is the second time I attended Congress like this. I was revitalized. I was awakened. I discovered myself and that no one else can finish the Lord’s work without me.”

“This is not only a feast on God’s word—it is the best of the meetings I attended. I learned a lot in terms of my responsibility to lead out in the outreach programs of our church,” said a 49-year old church leader, while a 65-year-old pastor, when asked why he had to attend the congress since he had a lot of these during his active service, responded, “I am retired from denominational work but I never get tired of doing God’s work. I want Jesus to come soon but I am quite concerned that there are still others who are complacent about it. May this Congress rekindle our desire to finished God’s work that He will return sooner!

At the start of the event, as thousands entered the gates of MVC and pitched their tents, many asked if the college had placed security as its priority of activities. Over the Congress’ Radio, Pastor Rogelio F Nomus, student affairs dean, allayed fears and guaranteed that “security and safety of the delegates inside the campus has taken top priority and we will see to it that everything will run according to logistics and physical plans.” Indeed, at the end of the Congress, except for minor incidents, everything went smooth. As one visitor observed, “This is the only congress with thousands in attendance I saw to have no untoward happenings. It must be because the Adventists practice what they believe!”

Delegation from the Philippines which came from north, central, and south regions consisted about 90 percent of the total congress’ registered attendance. However, the official Filipino delegates were outnumbered five times as much by their nonregistered counterparts who came primarily to enjoy the site and beauty of MVC and to establish new friendship and reconnect with old acquaintances. Another 65-year-old church member, Eugenio Tejada, from Davao City, wished that the Congress be the last one because he felt Christ is coming very soon to end all the troubles that surround us. “I believe this Congress would be the last…because Christ will come soon,” said Tejada in the Visayan dialect.

The foreign delegation came from the churches in Bangladesh, East and West Indonesia, Guam and Micronesia, Myanmar, the territories of Southeast Asia, and Sri Lanka.

At the opening ceremony, April 13, the delegates paraded from the administration building en route in front of Alumni Church going to the grandstand. Donning their official colored T-shirts, delegates smilingly showed vitality and pride as they waved their institutional flags and banners despite the scorching heat of afternoon sun.

Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, the Honorable Bienvenido V Tejano, himself an ordained Seventh-day Adventist pastor, inspired the delegates by his message of Christian servant-hood. The official declaration of the Congress’ opening was led by Pastor Leonardo Asoy. It was followed by the releasing of balloons and festive sounds of fireworks.

The first day culminated with the keynote message, “Tell the World–The Marching Order” given by Pastor Joshua Mok, SSD executive secretary. An overwhelmed observer quips: “If only everyone here would really commit to ‘Tell the World’ the Good News, then Jesus’ coming will be hastened.”

During the course of the event, a lot of people continued to voice out their impressions more particularly on the huge number of attendees. “This is my first time to see such a big crowd of Adventists. And I felt very proud and amazed on how big our church is at SSD since we are located in a very small island with a small membership,” said Pastor David Ebenezer, SS/PM and Youth director of Adventist Church in Sri Lanka.

“I am very impressed about the attendance and enthusiasm of our fellow Adventists for attending a program such as this for one week,” Pastor Ronny Wenas, executive secretary of Jakarta Conference, said. “I felt an overwhelming happiness and excitement to see a huge crowd of God’s people,” said Ismael Caroro, district pastor of Southern Metro Manila.

Church leaders from the world headquarters who gave inspiring messages and lectures included Pastor Mark Finley, general vice-president; Dr Jonathan Kuntaraf, world director for Sabbath School and Personal Ministries; Dr Kathleen Kuntaraf, associate director, Health Ministries; Dr Linda Koh, director, Children’s Ministries; and May Ellen Colon, director for Adventist Community Services. [AND Staff]

Youths lead youths to Christ

God wants the youths to live a joyful life as He desires to partner with them in expanding His kingdom on earth.

Fired up by this thought, 12 young people provided the messages in the Week of Prayer, April 18-25, at Kellogg Mookerjee Memorial Seminary in Bangladesh, while five others led out in the program they called Journey to the Cross.

“These 12 boys and girls were preaching for the first time in their lives but they were delivering their messages devoid of fear and hesitation,” said the organizers. “And God blessed them and the school community for their powerful sermons!”

Their theme song, “Things are different now—something happened to me when I gave my heart to Jesus,” left hearts touched and revived for the Lord.

The Journey to the Cross (JTTC), a program adapted from the Adventist University of Philippines (AUP) that takes youth to experience what Ellen White envisioned in her book, Desire of Ages(page 83), saying: “It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross.”

This interactive journey on Jesus’ final days and His resurrection brought 460 young people and adults to experience life-changing events in their lives. “Now I love Jesus more than ever, I want to be baptized,” joyfully confessed Deepa Baroi, a young girl at Standard 10.

“Even though I am a baptized member, only now that I learned to know Jesus better. Indeed, I found new life in Him,” said Anik Bala, a young boy at Standard 8 class.

A heart-rending testimony was given by Sharon Quia, who said: “I used to curse Jesus. I stopped praying because the doctor said that one my one eyes will not be able see again. But this spiritual experience has made me a changed person. Now I learned that Jesus has suffered much more than the loss of my eye because He gave His life that I may have eternal life! I thank Him for my remaining eye by which I can see.”

An elder sojourner, Mrs. Bulbul Harder, said that her Journey to the Cross “brought me to realize that I will make prayer stations in my home so that many would come to know what Jesus has done for them.” [Milton Das]

Government shows interest on church’s role in nation building

Upon invitation of the Director General of the Water Resources Utilization Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation of Myanmar, Maung Maung Myo Chan, communication and Public Affairs director for the Church in Myanmar (MYUM); and Saw Teddy of ADRA Myanmar Country office, visited Naypyidaw, the new administrative capital of Myanmar, including the Dry Zone Greening Projects on May 12-15.

The Adventist leaders met with the personnel from the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation. On the same occasion, Myo Chan and Saw Teddy visited the dry zone greening projects in Meikhtila district, where the government has been implementing special development project related to dry zone greening plan.

The ministry officials expressed their high regard to the Adventist development program and invited them to participate in future nation building.

“We are greatly elated by the ministry’s interest in involving our church with community projects. This way we can forge better relationship with the community and government,” said Maung Maung Myo Chan.

“I hope that the fruitful coordination and cooperation between the government and the Adventist church will continue to grow in Myanmar,” concluded the Ministry’s Director General. [AND staff]