The final phase of the travel from one mission field to another in the conduct of the mission constituency meeting happened at Kidapawan Central Seventh-day Adventist Church last December 16, for the election of its directors who will help the administration in shepherding the various ministries of South-Central Mindanao Mission (SCMM), one of the two newest territories created as part of Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM).
Pastor Edwin T. Magdadaro, as SePUM Executive Secretary, was tasked to give the morning devotional message during our five-constituency meeting journey. He narrated the different themes he shared during the journey, wherein the full force of the union administrators and officers, headed by its President, Pr. Danielo Palomares, Elder Laurence Lamera, Treasurer and Elder Esmiraldo Cantila, Jr., Associate Treasurer, who afforded 100% supervisory and mentoring support.
At Southeastern Caraga Mission (SCM), the first leg of the journey, he emphasized the subject of greatness, which should not be measured by what you possess but by who possesses you. It should not be lobbied with achievements but promoted by your service, and it has to be a downward path emphasizing humility. “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35).
At Northern Davao Mission (NDM), he talked about the road of Balaam, a warning against compromising with other authorities instead of God and pursuing personal gain over obedience. “Having forsaken the straight way, they have gone astray, having followed in the way of Balaam son of Bosor, who loved the wage of unrighteousness” (2 Peter 2:15).
At Davao Mission (DM), he shared about Elisha, who did not rely on his own strength but depended upon the Lord. Kindness can overcome every evil and difficult challenge. Elisha demonstrated the Spirit of heaven by responding to evil with kindness every time (2 Kings 6:8–23).
At Southern Mindanao Mission (SMM), Pr. Edwin highlighted the life of Joshua and the Israelites confronting the Jordan River before entering Canaan, setting themselves apart in sanctification by putting aside self for God’s guidance. God reminded them: “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you” (Joshua 3:5).
The story of David in 2 Samuel 24:1–25 highlighted the devotional message at SCMM, a territory comprising the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, and Tacurong; and the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat (except the towns of Kalamansig, Lebak, and Palimbang; and the Bai Saripinang, Busok, and Knayao barangays of Bagumbayan).
The Bible regards David as the model king of Israel, and the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles describe his many successes. Yet even David, as “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14), abused his power and acted faithlessly at times. The Lord helped David win his battles wherever he went, notably in 2 Samuel 8:6, 14 and 1 Chronicles 18:13, highlighting that David’s remarkable military success was not just his skill but God’s divine favor and covenant faithfulness—a pattern that foreshadows Christ’s ultimate victory and the believer’s reliance on God for success.
The story of David in the latter days of his reign speaks of the danger of going ahead of God. Doubt crept into his heart about whether he would still win future battles, and he made the move to count his soldiers, taking a census of Israel and Judah. At first glance, counting people may seem harmless, but the deeper issue lay in David’s motives. Instead of trusting in God’s power and provision, David sought security in numbers—military strength, human resources, and national pride. His action revealed a subtle but dangerous shift: reliance on human might rather than divine sovereignty.
2 Samuel 24:10 records: “David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, ‘I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.” His humility opened the way for mercy.
God gave David a choice of three punishments, and David chose to fall into God’s hands rather than human hands, saying, “Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great.” (2 Samuel 24:14). This shows David’s deep understanding: even in judgment, God’s mercy is greater than human cruelty.
Finally, David built an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah. He insisted on paying for the site and the offerings, declaring: “I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” This act of costly worship restored the relationship between God and His people. The plague that killed 70,000 people was stopped, and the altar became a symbol of reconciliation.
In the same way, when we make human plans apart from God—especially in matters of leadership—we risk stepping outside His divine order. For SCMM, this means that as we entrust the election of leaders to Him, we can rest in the assurance that His mercy will guide, His Spirit will choose, and His grace will sustain.
Earlier on November 19, during the constituency assembly of Southeastern Philippine Union Mission at South Philippine Adventist College, nominating committee out from the delegates from the five missions and two institutions has voted for SCMM its President, PR. WELNIE Q. MIADO, MPh; Pr. EDWILIE D. SELIOTE, MPh., as Executive Secretary and Elder NILO A. CABATINGAN as its Treasurer.
This day, the Spirit-led Nominating Committee has voted for Pr. HENIE N. REYES – Ministerial Secretary / ADMMS / Chaplaincy; Pr. JUNELINO BASILISCO – Field Secretary / NDR-IEL; Pr. RUSTICO ALPAJANDO – Sabbath School/ Personal Ministries/ ASI/ ACS; Pr. JASPER DAVE P. ALMOCERA – Youth Ministry /Public Campus Ministry; Pr. HENIE N. REYES – Ministerial Secretary / ADMMS / Chaplaincy; Sir JUNE CLYDE L, MURILLO – Education / Communication / Media / PARL; Mrs. GINA C. MIADO – Children’s Ministry / Adventist Possibilities Ministry/ Ministerial Spouses Association; Pr. ZALDY C. DEMANGNAONG – Health / Planned Giving and Trust Services; Pr. RODELIO F. SIAOTONG – Adventist Mission / 1000 Missionary / Adventist Muslim Relation/ SULADS; Pr. ELFRED S. REGONIEL – Publishing / Spirit of Prophecy; Pr. EDDIE S. REMONDE – Stewardship.
Written 118 years ago by a virtuous woman, Mrs. Ellen G. White, whose books inspire hundreds of church leaders, she advised: “Great care should be exercised in choosing men to occupy positions of responsibility as guardians of the churches. My brethren, do not make this choice blindly, lest the flock of God be given an example that will teach them to tear and devour. The men who bear responsibilities in the cause of Christ should be men of prayer and humility. They are to act like men who in all their dealings with their brethren are guided by the Spirit of God. They are to give an example of righteousness. They are sacredly to guard the reputation of those who are doing the work of God.”—The Review and Herald, November 14, 1907.
As one family of God grounded in the Bible and focused on the mission, let us help through our prayers and material support for the territories of Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat with balanced mix of Muslim Maguindanaon, Christian settlers: Cebuano, Ilonggo, and Ilocano, and Lumad: Manobo and T’boli while Maguindanao is the home of overwhelmingly Maguindanaon Muslim, making it one of the most homogenous provinces in BARMM. We lay upon God’s hands the growth of 300 churches, 231 companies, 44 districts and around 92,000 baptized members around their diverse yet unified communities.
The challenges may loom large before us, yet they are never greater than the God who reigns above them. His strength surpasses every trial, His wisdom outshines every uncertainty, and His mercy carries us through what seems impossible. Truly, no burden is too heavy, no obstacle too high, for the God we serve is always bigger than the challenges we face.
Photo Credits: Pastor Elmer Romano
