9th AMEN Annual Conference: Living Jesus’ Mind, Sharing His Healing

9th AMEN Annual Conference: Living Jesus’ Mind, Sharing His Healing

The AMEN Philippines 9th Annual Conference at Eden Nature Park, Toril, Davao City, held Aug. 13–16, 2026, contributed to the OneVoice27 preparations of the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM) with the theme “His Mind in You,” led by Dr. Zeno Charles-Marcel, Health Ministries director of the worldwide headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, or General Conference.

AMEN, or Adventist Medical Evangelism Network, is a ministry of Seventh-day Adventist healthcare professionals dedicated to combining medical service with evangelism, equipping doctors, dentists, nurses and other practitioners to share Christ’s healing love through their professional work.

Their mission is to inspire and equip healthcare workers to integrate ministry into their careers, making medical practice a channel of evangelism and focusing on whole-person care—addressing physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs. As the apostle Paul wrote, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you… Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Ellen G. White likewise counseled, “Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power—these are the true remedies” (Ministry of Healing, p. 127), reminding believers that health reform is part of Christian duty.

The nightly presentations gathered 125 adult attendees, 15 children and 72 Sabbath visitors—participants from various walks of life aiming to find knowledge on mental health, emotional resilience and Christ-centered lifestyle.

The first day of the gathering included registration, fellowship and a thorough understanding of the theme, presented by Dr. Charles-Marcel, who has a strong background in biophysics, medicine, internal medicine and leadership. He is highly experienced in lifestyle medicine, medical missionary work and global health diplomacy.

Other topics discussed were Overcoming Fear and Anxiety and Nutrition and Mental Health, with a panel discussion on medical evangelism in the Philippines. “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22) was emphasized as a biblical foundation for mental health. Ellen G. White also wrote, “The relation that exists between the mind and the body is very intimate. When one is affected, the other sympathizes” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, p. 485), underscoring the importance of emotional resilience.

Speakers included Elder Narlon Edwards, a health evangelist, international speaker and founder of Red River Outpost, an Adventist supporting ministry dedicated to training missionaries and modeling “Outpost–City Mission Cycles” that combine wellness, agriculture, industry and evangelism to reach urban communities with the everlasting gospel.

Also in the pool of speakers were Elder Monet St. Justi, president of Eden Lifestyle; Sis. Ashley Riesenberger, RDN, CHWC, health coach of Only Longevity; and Dr. Tim Riesenberger, MD, MPH, director and health coach of Only Longevity, a health coaching ministry focused on lifestyle medicine, nutrition and longevity principles inspired by the world’s longest-living populations.

Present to provide more health insights was Sir Robert Jay Gamboa, representative for sidewalk evangelism of the General Conference, a simple Adventist outreach method where church members set up tents or tables in busy sidewalks, parks or marketplaces to mingle with passersby, invite them to Bible studies and nurture them toward baptism. Also among the visiting missionaries was Sis. Charinette Gamboa, chief executive officer of Sound Mind Solution, a Christ-centered mental health and healing ministry with the initiative to provide holistic, faith-based care that restores emotional, spiritual and psychological well-being.

Workshops were also conducted on lifestyle medicine and addiction recovery, emotional intelligence and spiritual resilience, practical evangelism in clinical practice, and youth and student tracks on medical missionary training. “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31) was highlighted as a guiding principle for health reform. Ellen G. White reinforced this by writing, “Health is a treasure. Of all temporal blessings it is the most precious. Wealth, learning, and honor are dearly purchased at the loss of vigor of health” (Counsels on Health, p. 20).

The convention ended with testimonies from participants and volunteers, a commitment service themed “Christ’s Mind in Our Practice” given by Dr. Charles-Marcel.

Special features of the gathering included a free clinic outreach with local doctors and nurses who provided medical, dental and vision services to underserved communities in Davao. There was also a youth involvement program, with student volunteers assisting in health screenings and evangelism activities.

Present in most of the sessions were Pr. Reynald Dela Cruz, president of Davao Mission, and Pr. Victor Navarro, Health Ministries director of SePUM.

(Philippians 2:5) says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Aiming for us to be transformed by His mind and serving with His heart, the AMEN Philippines 9th Annual Conference reminded every participant that true healing flows from Christ alone. As Ellen G. White wrote, “It is the duty of every person, for his own sake, and for the sake of humanity, to inform himself in regard to the laws of life, and conscientiously to obey them” (Counsels on Health, p. 38).

Thus, the gathering ended not merely as an event, but as a call: to live a Christ-centered lifestyle, to honor God in body and spirit, and to let every act of care become a testimony of His love.

Photo credits: HOPE Channel Davao