679 Joins Children’s Convention in Northern Davao Mission
Today, a total of 679 children gathered at the Max Mirafuentes Academy (MMA) campus for the NDM-Wide Children’s Integrated Convention from June 10-13. The event included delegations from the entire Northern Davao Mission, which consists of Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and the three cities of Tagum, Panabo, and Mati.
The congregation has been divided into 15 teams. Each of these groups will have the opportunity to participate in workshops that introduce children to the integrated ministries of the church. These ministries include Children’s Ministries, Home and Family, Education, Sabbath School, Health Department, NDR-IEL, Youth Department, Stewardship, and Communication Department through the media services, and social media for sharing the precious message.
Sir Samuel Sibala, President of Max Mirafuentes Academy (MMA) and head elder of Maximo Mirafuentes Adventist Church, welcomed all the young delegates and their chaperones. He expressed gratitude for the free accommodation provided by MMA, including access to the gymnasium, school buildings, camping grounds, and classrooms. MMA is not a church-funded high school but a lay-led school. Its curriculum and methodologies are designed in line with the Adventist worldwide educational system.
Air-conditioned classrooms of MMA’s impressive buildings were utilized for multi-faceted lectures and workshops. The beneficial topics were: Sunlight and Temperature (ST); Activity and Rest (AR); Trust in God and Nutrition (TN); Oxygen and Water (OW); Stewardship for Kids (STW); Bible Journey (BJ); Spirit of Prophecy (SOP); Kids Care Group (KCG); Storytelling (ST); Preaching (PR); Bible Art and Craft (BAC); Music and Conducting (MC); Church Decorum (CD); Kids Digital Missionary (KDM), and Kid’s Chef (KC). Parents, guardians, and chaperons will be attending separate sessions on Parenting.
Pastor Seth Suan began his keynote message by mimicking the sounds of animals. He emphasized the importance of capturing the children’s attention, especially when sharing with them the everlasting gospel of Jesus. This gathering of children from three provinces will provide vital training for our children to grow in Jesus.
The administrators and officers of NDM and its supervising entity, the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM), along with district and church pastors and teachers serving our Adventist learning institutions, were present during the opening ceremony.
The inexplicable power of the Holy Spirit worked effectively with all the committees, particularly with Ma’am Mary Chyl P. Suan, NDM Children’s Ministries Director and Ministerial Spouses Association President. The parents and teachers provided unwavering support to their children despite limited resources at times.
During the learning workshops, delegates learned how to take video shots, host events, mark the bible, make pancakes, give tithes, tell stories, and more. Additionally, games and team-building activities created an exciting atmosphere for participants and helped strengthen their involvement and friendships.
The upcoming days will be filled with engaging and spiritually motivating sessions as plenary and devotional speakers share life-changing insights.
FIELD 4, which includes Tagum Central, the districts of Tagum Urban, Maco, Mabini, Pantukan Central, Pantukan District, and Max Mirafuentes Academy, sent the largest delegation of 138 children out of the 679 registrants from seven diverse fields or clusters within Northern Davao Mission (NDM) to the ongoing NDM-Wide Integrated Children’s Convention at Max Mirafuentes Academy on June 10-13.
FIELD 1 came with joy with 76 delegates, and the cluster
involves Compostela Center Church, New Bataan District, Compostela District, Monkayo District, Montevista District, and Maragusan District.
FIELD 2 has 77 kid participants from the cluster of the districts of Kapalong-Asuncion, Laak 1, Laak 2, Laak 3, San Isidro, and Laak Central Church.
Another 115 children arrived from FIELD 3, which includes Panabo Mega Church; Panabo Central Church, Panabo 1 District; Panabo 2 District; Talaingod Main District; Talaingod 1 District; Talaingod 2 District; Sto. Tomas Central Church; Sto. Tomas District and North Davao District (North Davao College).
FIELD 5 is another cohesive group with 72 delegates from the composition of Mati Kapaglaum District, Mati A District, Tarragona / San Ignacio District, the districts of Manay, Caraga, Cateel, Bagangga, and Boston District.
FIELD 6 is a united cluster, comprising Mati Central; Mati B District; San Isidro/Lupon District; Banaybanay Lupon District; Governor Generoso /Tibanban District and Governor Generoso /Jamboree District. They sent a delegation of 68 participants, all filled with happiness and unity.
FIELD 7, with 132 young contingents, is another growing church group in Nabunturan District, Mawab District, New Corella A District, New Corella B District, Tagum Center Church, and Tagum South Central Church.
Meanwhile, Paolo Caoile is a 12-year-old delegate from New Bataan Adventist Church, Davao de Oro, who shared an impression: “I loved the church decorum sessions and kids’ digital class so far. My mother gave me an allowance of 50 pesos only, but I always desired to attend. Later, I learned that both my father and mother would come with us.”
This week at Max Mirafuentes Academy includes learning about Jesus. The academy has air-conditioned classrooms, impressive buildings, and grounds for team-building activities and talks that will guide children to Jesus, who said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mark 10:14-15).
Mrs. Ellen G. White, a writer who gave importance to children in every home, once wrote, “The youth should be carefully and judiciously trained, for the wrong habits formed in childhood and youth often cling to the entire life-experience. May God help us to see the necessity of beginning right.” Child Guidance 27.3 (SePUM Communication)