The Southeastern Caraga Mission (SCM), one of the two newest organized mission fields in Mindanao, gathered its official delegates for its 2nd Constituency Meeting at the Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc., (ASELCO), San Isidro, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, on December 2. The assembly convened to address important agenda items and to elect directors who will lead the believers in the territory established in January 2024.
The bifurcation of the Southern Philippine Union Conference (SPUC) into the Southwestern Philippine Union Conference (SWPUC) and the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM) was driven by the need for more focused leadership, manageable territories, and stronger mission impact. As a result, the Northeastern Mindanao Mission (NEMM) was also divided into two, ensuring greater organizational efficiency, localized ministry, and renewed momentum for evangelism and community service across the Caraga region.
SCM was born with territorial jurisdiction over Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur as part of the newly organized SePUM, along with four other missions. Meanwhile, its mother mission, NEMM, remains under the care of SWPUC with jurisdiction over Surigao del Norte and Agusan del Norte.
The 2025 SCM Officers in-session
Under the leadership of Pastor Jemsly Lantaya, one of the longest-serving Youth Directors in Mindanao, SCM ministers to 623 barangays, 30 municipalities, and three cities, serving an estimated 2022 population of about 1.4 million. Of this number, only 78,432 are Adventists, who join Spirit-driven forces in 320 organized churches, around 200 companies, and 43 districts. Remarkably, SCM has topped soul-winning efforts across Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) for two consecutive years.
The constituency assembly gathered its official delegates, with SePUM leaders present in full force, alongside guests from other mission fields who offered selfless support through their presence. Their spirits were uplifted by an inspiring message from Pastor Edwin Magdadaro, a former youth director and mission executive secretary who became the last Executive Secretary of SPUC and the first Executive Secretary of SePUM.
His message was anchored in Mark 9:33–37, where Jesus confronted His disciples after they argued about greatness. Placing a child in their midst, Christ declared, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35). True greatness in God’s kingdom is measured by humility, reconciliation, and childlike faith.
The speaker reminded that God knows every heart, echoing Hebrews 4:13: “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Ellen G. White affirms that in choosing men and women for His service, God does not ask whether they possess learning or eloquence or worldly wealth. He asks: “Do they walk in such humility that I can teach them My way? Can I put My words into their lips? Will they represent Me?” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7, p. 144). The path to greatness is downward—marked by surrender and service.
Applied to the church, this principle calls SCM and all leaders to resist ambition and self-exaltation. Success rests not on titles but on teamwork and reliance on God. Ellen White reminds us: “The work of God demands men of earnest devotion and integrity, men who fear God, who are not lovers of self but lovers of Christ and the souls for whom He died” (Gospel Workers, p. 412).
The talk concluded with a call to fix our eyes on Jesus. Elder Erton Koller said: “If you want to be discouraged, look at yourself. If you want to be disappointed, look at others. But if you want to be saved, look at Jesus.” The President of the worldwide church emphasized that reliance upon Jesus is the only key to lead and serve.
In this spirit, the delegates were reminded that the gospel of God’s kingdom must be the driving force for service, inspiring every officer and member to embrace the spirit of a servant, welcoming others with childlike faith, and letting Christ’s example be their guiding star.
Today, every agendum is discussed with reliance upon the wisdom that God promised to provide to all who seek it. Later, during deliberations of the organizing and nominating committees, it was emphasized that true qualification for leadership in the church is not found in titles, eloquence, or human ambition, but in a heart surrendered to God—marked by humility, integrity, and a spirit of service. The theme, “Integrated for Mission: Grounded in the Bible, Focused on the Mission,” reminds everyone that greatness in His kingdom is measured by selfless devotion to His words and diverse ministries. Thus, the true leader is one who fears God, loves Christ, and seeks not to exalt self but to save souls, embodying the servant-hearted example of Jesus.
After choosing 35 lay delegates and SCM denominational workers to comprise the Organizing Committee, also referred as the Special Committee, chose 17 members from the population of delegates to serve as the Nominating Committee to select the directors who will serve the territory for the next quinquennium, after the SePUM Constituency Committees have already voted Pastor Jemsly Lantaya – President; Pr. Jerry Taguno - Executive Secretary and Elder Reynaldo Durano, Jr., - Treasurer, on November 19.
The 2025 SCM Organizing Committee Members
Nearing the end of the beautiful day, the assigned forum has chosen through the leading of the Holy Spirit, the following directors: Pr. Ranillo Jagmoc - NDR-IEL; Pr. Azer Tepan – Adventist Mission; Pr. Ariel Bagnol – Sabbath School/Personal Ministries; Pr. Jesreel Mercader – Education/Communication; Pr. Agapito Orendain- Ministerial Secretary; Mrs. Luzijun Lantaya – Children’s Ministry/Ministerial Spouses Association Coordinator; Mrs. Marchie Mercader – Women and Family/Adventist Possibilities Ministry; Pr. Minuro Efren Estrada – Youth/Health; Pr. Donald Torreon – Publishing/Spirit of Prophecy, and; Pr. Peter Ganzo – Stewardship.
The 2025 SCM Nominating Committee Members
Elder Laurence Lamera, SePUM Treasurer, shared a mid-day devotional message focused on being empowered for power as this gathering looks over the church leadership to connect with the growing work and ministries. Each one has the great privilege to serve the church and render God’s goodness and love to others. The emphasis on Romans 15:20 is our “ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known.” Just like Paul, our focus should be on expanding the reach of the gospel, not securing recognition, as we seek new frontiers where the gospel has not yet taken root. The key text warns against “building on another’s foundation.” In elections, this means resisting the temptation to rely on human prestige or past accomplishments as the basis for leadership, but keeping the focus on Jesus, who will be coming soon.
Through adopting appropriate innovations by studying, planning, and devising methods for the advancement of ministries, as suggested by Mrs. Ellen G. White in Evangelism 122.3, we must serve collaboratively and model sincerity, humility, and devotion to Christ.
Using another quote from the President of the worldwide church, Elder Erthon Kohler, everyone was reminded that “the mission is not what we can do for God, but what God can do through us.”
The day ended with the gathering of God’s workers and believers at Taglikid, San Isidro, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, to witness the groundbreaking of the new SCM headquarters—a soon-to-be center of influence, a testament of God’s leading for His people in this part of the planet, a pillar that will glow and magnify Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.
Photos: SCM Media
