Obeying the gospel commission of Jesus, the HEALTH AND GOSPEL Seminar stirred interest with vibrant lectures at the Barangay Covered Court of Binoongan, Arakan, Cotabato, on July 5–11. Led by two dedicated leaders of the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM), the event resulted in the baptism of 70 precious souls.
Sir Laurence Lamera, SePUM Treasurer, delivered doctrinal topics to an attentive crowd of about 200, while his spouse, Ma’am Aida Lamera, R.N., SePUM Adventist Possibilities Director, presented health lectures that inspired healthy living. After 31 years of hospital service, she felt the urgency to share the gospel in the midst of a cold, foggy mountain.
“I was initially hesitant to speak before such a large crowd since it was my first time, but seeing the audience quickly memorize the "Adto Ta Langit" theme song and sing it with so much life, it added fire to my lectures in the cold mountains.” Mrs. Lamera explained.
Binoongan lies 17 kilometers from Greenfield, the central part of Arakan, and 19 kilometers from Katipunan–Arakan Road, Marilog District, Davao City, along the Bukidnon–Davao Highway. Once a thick forest, it has become a haven for bananas and fruits, home to about 1,500 residents in 250 households. About ten families in the community are Adventists. Binuongan borders Sumalili, Kinawayan, and Gambodes, where Sahmyook International Academy Inc., an Adventist high school, is located.
Assisting the nightly sessions were the Adventist churches of Salasang, Kinawayan, Tababa, Binuongan, North Central, Duruluman, Sundungan, Datu Inda, Cabalantian, Mantangkil, and Angan, comprising the Arakan North District under the care of District Pastor Rodrigo Naraga. Night after night until Sabbath, these brethren prepared food for eager listeners.
“I am so inspired by the evangelistic efforts of the brethren, showcasing unity and a deep desire to share the gospel, when neither mountain nor heavy rain could hinder their support and presence,” Pastor Naraga shared.
Couple Mode and Marina Hemoroz of Adventist Mission, together with lay workers Bro. Eddie Buenafe from Matalam and Bro. Darwin Mingke from Sarangani Province, assisted in house-to-house visitations and Bible studies.
On the evening of July 9, Pr. Danielo Palomares, SePUM President, visited the venue with his spouse, Ma’am Jill Palomares, Children’s Ministries Director and MSA Coordinator. Joining them were Pr. Edwin Magdadaro, Executive Secretary; Pr. Jonathan Hemoroz, Adventist Mission Director; Pr. Larry Labang, Ministerial Secretary; Elder Esmiraldo Cantila, Associate Treasurer; and the Adventist Media staff.
“I reminisce the years when I served Arakan from 2001 to 2007 and entered this place in 2006, when there were no roads, only trails for horses and travelers on foot,” testified Pastor Jonathan Hemoroz, former lay intern at Arakan District and now SePUM Adventist Mission Director. “When horses could hardly carry the generator and amplifiers for evangelism, several men carried them along steep, muddy trails.” He added.
The administrators, directors, and staff of South-Central Mindanao Mission (SCMM), led by President Pr. Welnie Q. Miado, also showed full support. Night after night, they traveled from the SCMM headquarters in Matalam to mingle with children and adults and lead prayer bands.
The Medical Mission conducted by Adventist Hospital Davao (AHD) and a medical team from SCMM on July 5 further aroused community interest in the speakers’ messages and the songs. The tokens distributed each night served as gifts for everybody’s support and gratefulness for their presence.
Let us ponder upon these questions: “We have long been looking and waiting for the coming of the Lord; but are we doing all in our power to hasten His coming? While the Lord is ever working, while all heaven is engaged in the work on earth to draw men to Christ and repentance, what are the human agents doing to be channels of light, that they may cooperate with the divine agencies? Are they daily inquiring, ‘Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?’ (Acts 9:6), Ye Shall Receive Power, p. 176.
Photo Credits: SePUM Media and Karl Jay Canonero
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