Showcasing the profound importance of the stewardship program of the Adventist Church, the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM) launched on June 7 the Union-wide Tree Planting Activity across its territory, planting a total of 31,241 trees of various species. The theme, “Plant Today, Grow Tomorrow” proved to be a generational blessing, leaving a legacy of life and sustainability.
The SePUM family, headed by Pastor Danielo Palomares, President, and spearheaded by Pr. Dante Dabucol, Stewardship/PGTS Director, planted cacao trees at Tacunan, Davao City. The team chose cacao, or Theobroma—meaning “food of the gods” in Greek—because the trees enrich ecosystems by supporting biodiversity, improving soil health, and regulating microclimates, while also serving as a cornerstone of rural economies through chocolate production and global trade. In the years to come, it will be a source of seedlings for other families to obtain planting materials.
Stewardship begins with tending and preserving creation. Planting trees is a direct continuation of this Edenic mandate in Genesis 2:15: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
The South-Central Mindanao Mission (SCMM), believing that trees symbolize spiritual vitality and resilience, reminding us that stewardship nurtures both nature and faith, mobilized 40 districts, 245 churches, and 1,664 church members, who planted 15,047 trees of multiple species under the leadership of Pastor Eddie Remonde, Stewardship Director, and Pastor Welnie Q. Miado.
Emphasizing that tree planting points us toward the eternal vision of restoration and life in God’s kingdom, the Northern Davao Mission (NDM) planted 2,459 seedlings in 32 districts, with the participation of 201 churches and 1,604 church members. Pastor Seth Suan, as the father of the territory, alongside Pastor Felix Ombayan, Stewardship Director, inspired the planters to take part in the activity.
With the conviction that tree growing embodies care for creation, responsibility for resources, and a living testimony of faith in action, the Southern Mindanao Mission (SMM), under the leadership of President Pastor Nildo S. Mamac and Stewardship Director Pr. Joel Bagonoc, mobilized 36 districts and 202 churches, with 2,142 brethren planting 5,995 seedlings.
Trusting that tree planting is not merely ecological but also spiritual stewardship—aligning human labor with divine purpose—the Southeastern Caraga Mission (SCM) mobilized 42 districts and 300 churches, with the cooperation of 2,120 members, to plant 4,240 fruit trees that will soon bear fruit for food security and a sustainable economy. Pastor Jemsly Lantaya, President, and Peter Ganzo of the Stewardship Department elevated the cooperative effort to its highest level.
The Davao Mission, composed of 7 clusters, had the support of 35 districts and 110 churches, with 950 members planting 3,500 trees such as durian, guava, guyabano, agarwood, narra, mahogany, molave, lanzones, and other species. They believe that trees remind us of growth, rootedness, and eternal hope. Under the helm of their new leaders—President Pr. Reynald Dela Cruz and Stewardship Director Pr. Harold Saavedra—they dug the ground and laid the plants with love and unity.
The Spirit of Prophecy beautifully explains its importance this way: “The creation of the earth is a token of God’s love. We are to cooperate with Him in preserving and beautifying it.” (Ellen G. White, Education, p. 26)
Furthermore, “The earth is the Lord’s garden, and He has placed us in it to care for it.” (Counsels on Health, p. 169). Let us then unite to nurture our abused earth by planting more trees, even if others neglect such a vital duty.
