After several weeks of dedicated groundwork by Bible teachers in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, the Building Bridges Seminar concluded with 74 individuals publicly committing their lives to Christ through baptism in the waters of the Pacific Ocean and nearby rivers.
The week-long evangelistic series was developed by the Adventist Communication Department of the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM) as part of its mission initiative, “Building Bridges of Hope.” The program highlights the vital role of communication in connecting people to Christ through creative, relational, and hope-centered storytelling.
Throughout the series, the Building Bridges concept was expanded into six inspiring messages — the Bridge of Grace, Bridge of Hope, Bridge of Love, Bridge of Forgiveness, Bridge of Faith, and Bridge of New Life — each emphasizing how the gospel rebuilds relationships between God and humanity.
The nightly meetings were held at the Barangay Magulibas Gymnasium, with Rhoen Shane Peralta Catolico, SePUM Communication, Media, Public Affairs, and Religious Liberty Director, serving as the main speaker. The event was supported by Hon. Nomeriano Salamida Jr., Barangay Captain, and his council, who generously provided the venue, equipment, and power supply for the entire week.
Under the leadership of Pastor Leonardo Bualan, the Caburan Small Central Adventist Church, along with 12 organized churches and eight companies under the Davao Mission, joined forces to support the nightly gatherings. Pastor Melvin Kier Asorna, district leader, coordinated the united participation of church members, who brought friends and family to hear the messages of hope.
The SePUM Communication Department also distributed road signage materials for churches in Caburan Central, Cayaponga, Culaman, Sabang, Kalbay, Magulibas, Malalan, Marabatuan, Meybio, Nalupon, Pigbaluyan, Tabayon, and Tanuman—all enlisted in the Adventist Church Management System (ACMS)—to strengthen church visibility and accessibility in their communities.
A distinct feature of the ministry’s growth in the area is the Walkie-Talkie God's Ministry (WATAGOM), founded by Pastor Leonardo Bualan. The group uses handheld radios to reach residents in 26 barangays where cellular signals are limited. Through these devices, WATAGOM members conduct Bible studies, prayer sessions, and share messages of salvation across mountains and coastal plains.
“The walkie-talkies became our bridge to reach people here—it’s the best way to communicate through mountains and plains facing the vast Pacific Ocean,” Pastor Bualan shared. “This invisible bridge connects people from the worries of this world to the peace of knowing Jesus.”
During a special Thursday-morning meeting with WATAGOM, Catolico encouraged the team: “We must take courage and never miss the opportunities God places before us. He has already equipped us with tools to reach out, reach up, and reach across in every possible way. And if this simple device is the only one that can build the bridge—then so be it!”
The Building Bridges initiative demonstrates how creativity, communication, and collaboration can advance the mission of the church. As the Apostle Paul declared, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16, NIV).
Ellen G. White also reminds us, “God expects personal service from everyone to whom He has entrusted a knowledge of the truth. All are to labor for Him according to their ability” (Christian Service, p. 9).
With this conviction, SePUM Communication continues to build bridges of grace, hope, love, forgiveness, faith, and new life—linking every story, every medium, and every heart to Jesus Christ.
