In full force, administrators and officers of the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM) flocked to Tagum SDA Elementary School at Magugpo North, Tagum City, to witness and support the 3rd Constituency Session of the Northern Davao Mission (NDM). NDM was organized in 2021 as a separate mission field from the Davao Mission (DM) to focus its ministries in the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental.
The work is vast, covering 29 municipalities and three cities, with a population of more or less 2.5 million people according to the 2020 census. NDM was reorganized in 2023 to better serve the specific needs of its territory, which now comprises 226 churches, 151 companies, 51 districts, and a membership of around 74,000 believers.
Seeking firsthand the leading of the Holy Spirit, regular delegates from churches, districts, and institutions, together with guests from supportive missions and delegates-at-large from SePUM who coached and guided the proceedings, were inspired by God’s mouthpiece in the morning devotional. Pr. Edwin Magdadaro, Executive Secretary, highlighted the story of Balaam in Numbers 22–24, a prophet who knew God’s voice but struggled with divided loyalties. Gifted yet compromised, Balaam had spiritual discernment and could hear God’s instructions, but he allowed greed and ambition to cloud his judgment. Tempted by King Balak’s rewards to curse Israel, even though God had clearly forbidden it, Balaam fell into error, fulfilling the words: “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).
The story of Balaam (Numbers 22–24, 31) is a solemn reminder of how spiritual gifts can be misused when motives are corrupted. Though he knew God’s voice, Balaam allowed greed and ambition to sway his heart. When he stubbornly pursued his own path, God used his donkey to rebuke him, showing how the Lord intervenes to prevent leaders from bringing harm to His people. Ellen G. White warns: “The sin of covetousness is especially offensive to God, and it is fatal to the soul” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 439). His downfall came not from ignorance but from divided loyalty—seeking reward while pretending obedience.
As the Adventist Church elects leaders, Balaam’s example calls for vigilance. Leadership must never be chosen for prestige or personal gain, but for consecration to Christ and His mission. Ellen White counsels that leaders should not be selected for “worldly honor” but for their devotion to God (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 619). Balaam tried to bend God’s will to suit his desires, but true leaders are those who prayerfully listen to God’s voice and align decisions with Scripture and mission. His counsel to Balak led Israel into sin, reminding us that integrity is essential. Ellen White affirms that leaders must be “men of prayer, men of faith, men who will not be swayed by selfish motives” (Gospel Workers, p. 447).
Even when Balaam intended harm, God turned his words into blessings. This assures us that when elections are bathed in prayer, the Holy Spirit overrules human weakness to appoint leaders who will bless the church. As Ellen White further emphasizes: “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).
In conclusion of his morning advices, he reminded that Balaam’s story warns against ambition and compromise, while God’s sovereignty assures us that prayerful elections will result in Spirit-led leaders. Leadership is not about position but about humble service. May every choice be guided by humility, integrity, and consecration, ensuring that those elected are true shepherds who will bless God’s people and advance His mission. God is always with our voyage, whether personal, institutional, or missional.
Just as Balaam was tempted by rewards, leaders today must resist personal ambition, favoritism, or hidden agendas. Balaam knew God’s will but tried to bend it, and his compromise harmed Israel. Even when human motives falter, God can overrule, and truth will always prevail. Therefore, delegates must seek God’s glory, not personal honor: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). Decisions should align with Scripture and mission, not convenience. Elections should be guided by prayer, humility, and the desire to serve Christ.
Elder Magdadaro further reminded: “One wrong step prepares the way for another. A wrong act causes us to lose confidence in ourselves, and opens the door to temptation. Defeat may at first seem small, but it prepares the way for greater failures.” EG White, Messages to Young People, p. 105.
Elder Laurence Lamera, SePUM Treasurer, emphasized faithfulness in leading God’s people on mission, as we are empowered for mission. He reminded everyone of the kind of mission that should dominate in us, citing Romans 15:20: “It has been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on anyone else’s foundation.”
He illustrated this by recalling the astronauts of Apollo 11—Neil Armstrong as Commander, Buzz Aldrin as Lunar Module Pilot, and Michael Collins as Command Module Pilot—who left Kennedy Space Center, Florida, landed on the moon on July 20, and returned to Earth on July 24 of the same year. Their mission fulfilled President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 goal: to land a man on the Moon and return him safely to Earth. For 8 days, 3 hours, and 18 minutes, they accomplished their desired goal.
Highlighting that our mission is not as brief or short-term as the mission to the moon, which focused on putting the U.S. in space and conducting scientific exploration of the lunar surface, Elder Lamera stressed that we are aiming for heaven. The Bible and Spirit of Prophecy provide details and descriptions of that beautiful home. Yet, even if our destination is most attractive, we cannot explore or enjoy its majestic offers unless we proclaim and preach the gospel to the world, making it known that Jesus Christ is the Owner, the Savior, and the One to whom we owe everything.
Though our responsibilities differ, we should render our best to the utmost of our ability. As Acts 9:15 specifies, we are chosen by God in this manner: “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
The SePUM leaders worked separately but in one accord, the different groups in choosing the 36 members of the organizing committee who chose the 32 nominating committee members who finally after the prayerful and intricate process of selection, finally presented their Spirit-driven decision and list of God’s servants who will serve various ministries, as follows: Field Secretary – Pr. Jasper Love Panuncio; Ministerial Secretary – Pr. Harlie Ybañez; Youth - Elvin Lloyd Palomares; Health – Pr. Diego Balanza; Stewardship – Pr. Felix Ombayan; Children/MSA – Mrs. Mary Chyl Suan; Sabbath School /Personal Ministries – Pr. Julie Esteban; Communication / Public Affairs and Religious Liberty – Pr. Regie Mahinay; Education – Mrs. Emalen Anilao; Publishing/ Spirit of Prophecy – Pr. Bethwel Arendain, and Family/Women’s Ministries/ Adventist Possibilities Ministries – Mrs. Stella Castor.
These servant leaders will work in accord with Pastor Seth Suan, President, Pr. EM Vladimir Undalok, Executive Secretary and Elder Lloyd Chinedo, Treasurer who were already voted by SePUM Constituency Committees last November 19.
Pr. Danielo Palomares shared many inspiring thoughts at the end of the day. After commending the delegates for their different functions, he affirmed that they showcased the presence of the Holy Spirit in the plenary and throughout all the business of the day. Everyone carried the conviction that “we are not serving the organization but serving the Lord.” We may differ in opinions and clash in reasoning, yet this does not mean we quarrel. It simply affirms that we are free moral agents, endowed with the power to choose.
He reminded everyone that what we ought to present is not our bankbooks, proofs of achievements, or property documents, but the life of Jesus reflected in our lives. Finally, Ellen G. White, whose books and writings have had a powerful impact upon Adventists and all readers, wrote: “The badge of Christianity is not an outward sign, not the wearing of a cross or a crown, but it is that which reveals the union of man with God. By the power of His grace manifested in the transformation of character the world is to be convinced that God has sent His Son as its Redeemer. No other influence that can surround the human soul has such power as the influence of an unselfish life. The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian.” (Ministry of Healing, 470.1).
With hearts and mind integrated in the mission, with the deep desire to be “Grounded in the Bible and Focused on the Mission”, NDM will be safeguarding its Noble Devotion to the Master.
