On its 15th Constituency Assembly on November 11, Davao Mission of the Seventh-day Adventists gather its regular delegates from its five sections hailing from the provinces of Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur, the three cities of Davao City, Digos and the Island Garden City of Samal with several churches in the territory of Bukidnon, Cotabato and Davao del Norte.
After the acknowledgement of guests by its outgoing president. Pr. Reynaldo Merin, who will soon serve Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM) as one of its directors, the outgoing treasurer, Sir Reymund Robles welcome everyone with these warm and sweet phrases: “It is my joy and honor to welcome each one of you to our 15th constituency meeting. We gather not only as representatives of our churches, departments, and institutions, but as one family united, grounded in the Bible, and focused on the mission. This event is more than a business session. It is a sacred opportunity to reflect on God’s leading, to evaluate our stewardship, and to chart a clear path for the future of our church.
As a consequence, dear brethren, we carry with us responsibilities and privileges that shape the direction of our mission, so that the gospel may advance with greater strength and clarity. We thank the Lord for bringing us safely together. Thank you very much for giving your time to participate in this important gathering. Your dedication is a testimony of your love for God’s work.”
SePUM administrators and directors were in perfect attendance as the delegates-at-large and the administrators of other four sister missions as well. The regular delegates represent the 5 sections composed of 50 districts with 182 churches and 137 companies with about 93,000 baptized members all over the growing territory. Based from the 2024 estimate, this mission field is serving Davao City with 1.85 million population, Digos City with around 193,000 in 26 barangays, Island Garden City of Samal of an estimated 120,000 in 46 barangays and the 9 municipalities of Davao del Sur with 513,000 in 232 barangays. In addition, Davao Occidental with its five municipalities and 105 barangays has around 317,159 people.
The morning devotional speaker was Pastor Edwin Magdadaro, SePUM Secretary, who was born in Sulop, Davao del Sur and spent most of his life in Davao Mission as a district leader, church pastor, college chaplain, mission youth director and as DM President before serving as the last Executive Secretary of the bifurcated South Philippine Union Conference and the first and current Executive Secretary of SePUM.
The main theme of his message for people “grounded in the Bible, focused on the mission,” was the life Prophet Elisha in 2nd Kings 6:8-23. During the reign of a Syrian King Ben-Hadad of Aram, secret plans were laid to ambush Israel. Yet time and again, the prophet Elisha warned King Jehoram of Israel, saving the nation from surprise attacks. Frustrated, the Aramean king sent a great army to capture Elisha in Dothan. At dawn, Elisha’s servant trembled at the sight of the surrounding forces, but the prophet reassured him: “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” In answer to prayer, the servant’s eyes were opened to behold the hills filled with horses and chariots of fire. Elisha then prayed, and the enemy was struck with blindness.
Calmly, he led them into Samaria, where the King of Israel awaited. Instead of destruction, Elisha urged mercy—food and drink were given, and the soldiers were sent home. The raids ceased, and peace followed. Romans 12: 14-17 reechoed this by Paul’s words: “Do not overcome evil with evil, but overcome them with good.” The story of Joseph demonstrated this principle of love against hatred, especially when He said: “Do not be afraid because it was God who sent me ahead of you.”
Pastor Edwin used a line from Angus Buchan on his book “Faith Like Potatoes: The Story of a Farmer Who Risked Everything for God”, which denotes: “There is power in prayer. When men work, they work. but when men pray, God works.” He citied also a saying from William Cowper emphasizing that the strongest man is the man who bends his knees because “Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees." Therefore, God is in complete control of everything.
The story of Elisha here gave as lessons like visionary leadership so we should elect leaders who can see beyond immediate problems and discern God’s direction for the mission. With faith anchored in God, leaders should inspire confidence in God’s power, not just human strategies. Using integrity and calmness, leaders who remain steady and prayerful in times of conflict will safeguard unity and with compassionate service, leaders must reflect Christ’s mercy, prioritizing healing and reconciliation over division. Every leader should seek strategic guidance since just as Elisha guided Israel away from danger, leaders should guide the mission toward growth, safety, and spiritual renewal. Like Elisha, leaders must choose compassion over retaliation, fostering reconciliation and peace within the church and community.
The selection of the organizing committee which chose the nominating committee went guided by the Spirit and the plenaries at the venue, the Adams Center Adventist Church went smoothly as it was planned. The midday devotional was shared by Elder Laurence Lamera who is serving SePUM as Treasurer. He emphasized that if we are fully united in the Lord and fully devoted, the work of the Lord will prosper. The mission statement of our church is to proclaim the message, to make disciples for Jesus, in teaching and healing. In evangelizing, the most important thing is living that reflects God’s heart. Our direction is to have self-empowered goodness for mission and follow the directions in Matthew 5:16, that we should “let light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The plenaries ended and the deliberation at the committee sessions were done and the guidance of the Holy Spirit prevailed. Under the new leadership of the Ministerial Secretary of SePUM chosen as DM President, Pr. Reynald Dela Cruz; Pr. David Bornales, Executive Secretary and Sir Jessie Alfanta as Treasurer, the Nominating Committee has voted the following Spirit-driven individuals to tackle various ministries, as follows: Mrs. Charity Q. Allarse - Children’s Ministry/ Ministerial Spouses Association; Mrs. Cheryl L. Hodge - Education; Pr. Jaffet L. Legario – Communication/ Public Affairs and Religious Liberty; Mrs. Rosalyn S. Quipanes- Family/Women Ministries; Pr. Elmer G. Arrogante -Health/ Spirit of Prophecies; Pr. Harold R. Saavedra -Stewardship; Pr. Ranel Fortich – Ministerial/ Chaplaincy; Pr. Dominador M. Tipdas – Publishing; Pr. Irnie A. Hemoroz - Youth/ Public Campus Ministries; Pr. Robert G. Mirasol – Sabbath School / Personal Ministries / Adventist Community Services; Pr. Edmund Z. Basco – Field Secretary/ Nurturing, Discipleship & Reclamation- Integrated Evangelism Lifestyle; Sir Raymund C. Robles – Planned Giving and Trust Services / Adventist Layman’s Services and Industries / Adventist Possibilities Ministries, and; Pr. Joel R. Quipanes – Adventist Mission/ Adventist Muslim Relation/ Global Outreach/SULADS.
Elder Danielo Palomares, so fatherly and Spirit-filled in his Commitment Message shared many inspiring conversion stories which highlighted the goodness and acts of kindness of believers which inspired others to accept Jesus through baptism. The central point of his message was the difference between deeds and personality or being, that anybody can fake his deeds and hide his personality. The commitment ceremony aimed everyone should have compatibility of their deeds and their being.
1 Corinthians 9:27 recorded the thoughts of Paul, saying: “But, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”
Ellen G. White, a noble American writer inspiring the church, commented on this verse this way: “This glorious contest is before us. The apostle seeks to inspire us to enter into a noble emulation, a competition in which will be seen no selfishness, unfairness, or underhanded work. We are to use every spiritual nerve and muscle in the contest for the crown of life. No one who does his best will fail in this contest.” 6Bible Commentary 1089.4
In addition, Sister White reminded, “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. The Ministry of Healing, 469, 470
