Adventist Church Adds 4,484 New Members through SePUM-Wide Friendship Camp 2024/VOY 2.0

David, Daniel, and his friends, Joseph, the dreamer and the God-fearing youth of the present times, became instruments by God to save others and triumph for the truth. Recently, the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM) Youth Department, headed by its Youth Director, Pr. Nelo Seda, Jr. witnessed the baptism of 4,484 converts through the Friendship Camp 2024 (Fcamp) and Voice of Youth 2024 (VOY) 2nd Wave.

Before the Friendship Camporee 2024 or FCamp, most missions have just concluded their Voice of Youth 2024 conduct due to conflicting and hectic activities. Incidentally, most of their VOY attendees joined FCamp, and the two youth-oriented activities of the church were knitted to become a sturdy safety net of evangelism as fishers of men. Like the disciples who joined Jesus’ ministry, the campers chose the theme “PINILI,” or Chosen, to be the light of the world.

Despite the unpredictable outpouring of rain, the camping fun and plenaries at Southeastern Caraga Mission strengthened camaraderie among campers from Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur. Though newly organized, resulting from bifurcation, ministers baptized 1,944 after the FCamp.

South Central Mindanao Mission (SCMM), another mission recently bifurcated with Southern Mindanao Mission (SMM), has the territory of Cotabato provinces, Maguindanao del Sur, and Maguindao del Norte, as well as the cities of Cotabato and Kidapawan. SCMM baptized 813 campers in its seven campsites.

Davao Mission (DM) also has seven campsites to cater to the seven established clusters from the provinces of Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, including Davao City, Digos City and Island Garden City of Samal, and a small portion of Cotabato and Bukidnon provinces. United like many other believers, the unique youth gathering brought 716 new believers to the feet of Jesus through baptism.

SMM and its districts in South Cotabato and Sarangani, as well as the cities of General Santos and Koronadal, yielded 605 newly baptized campers from its 24 campsites. At the same time, Northern Davao Mission (NDM), which covers the provinces of Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, and Davao de Oro, has brought 406 converted young campers to the baptistry and to Jesus’s feet.

The amiable character, the spirit-driven leadership of those leading the camps, the “sword-like” yet life-changing contents of the plenary sermons, the unique experiences that the team building activities and challenging games, “all things worked together for good” (Romans 8:28) for them whom God hath chosen.

As a caring church aiming to propagate the gospel in the best way we can, we should always adhere to this advice: “Parents whose children desire to be baptized have a work to do, both in self-examination and in giving faithful instruction to their children. Baptism is a most sacred and important ordinance, and there should be a thorough understanding as to its meaning. It means repentance for sin and the entrance upon a new life in Christ Jesus.” Ellen G. White. Testimonies to the Churches, vol. 6, p. 93.

With a strong desire and fervent prayers to nurture our youth, adults, and children, Pr. Danielo Palomares, Pr. Edwin Magdadaro and Sir Lawrence Lamera, SePUM President, Executive Secretary and Treasurer of SePUM, respectively, along with all their counterparts in the mission fields, the directors, field workers, church officers and members, must unite like a family, we will share and care for each one, then reach one.

Mrs. White continues to bring light on the participation of our young people in the proclamation of the Three Angels’ message in these last days: “God calls young men (and women) in the vigor and strength of their youth to share with Him self-denial, sacrifice, and suffering. If they accept the call, He will make them His instruments to save souls for whom He died. But He would have them count the cost and enter upon their work with a full knowledge of the conditions upon which they serve a crucified Redeemer.” Testimonies for the Church, 5.87. (SePUM Communication)