Through the power of digital evangelism, Discover Your Way with God Season 2 (DYWGs2), the timeless Word of God reached souls behind walls and bars resulting to one Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel and thirty-nine 39 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) willingly received water baptism on the September 12 Sabbath. Their desire chose to follow the Lord Jesus and commitment of their lives and hearts to God, proved that no boundary can silence His message of hope.
Under the leadership of JSINSP EVERETT JUN S TEMBLOR, Jail Warden, the PDL of Island Garden City of Samal City Jail presented the 15-day spiritual online series using the projector and a wall inside the jail. This brought the Word of God closer to people through live streaming across the world and a collaboration of nine Adventist churches, under Babak District – San Antonio, Malacoma, Gogon, Tabeel, Upper Limao, Tapopongan, Overlooking, Cabadiangan and Babak Central Adventist Church who has initiated this Babak Jail Ministry even long before. The shepherding was led by Pastor Antonio Taguibalos, their district pastor.
Regular attendee of the online presentations was Hon. Clavel Ann David, a city councilor of the city who also provided packed dinner for the attendees while the unified believers in the territory handed hygiene kits, food items and other necessities inside the cell. A portion of the facility will also be enhanced by God’s generous people.
Pr. Reynald Dela Cruz, president of Davao Mission, with Pr. Taguibalos, did the solemn ceremony of baptism at a makeshift baptistry and had the first submersion under the water of new life was Deputy Warden Ronald Elima who is one the responsible officers providing security, rehabilitation programs, and managing daily operations inside detention facilities.
One inmate who accepted Christ that day said: “I am so grateful for the truth I received today and praying that someone will reach out my family and share them this revelation I got.” His testimony shared his dark past as a drug dependent who sold almost everything, he got just to have a piece of drug, which destroyed his life.”
They believed in the promise of Jesus who comforted His followers with this truth in John 14:1-3: "Let not your heart be troubled... In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." Yes. in that celestial city, true justice will reign, and the heavy chains of guilt, sin, and confinement will be replaced by the boundless liberty of God's presence.
The jail authorities allowed them to use a chapel at one portion of the rehabilitation facility that will be their worship area, and the need for a separate rest room will be provided by Davao Mission and the nurturing of the new believers will be rendered by the unified believers who weeks before DYWGs2, provided two Bible teachers, Bro. Loloy Cabugngan and Bro. Joven Cabaǹog to teach the gospel with them.
DYWG, now on its second year of presentation, is a production of Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM), that travelled from one the five regional headquarters and two institutions, presenting online eight speakers, six venues and utilizing dozens of media and communication volunteers, used and transport studio cameras and lights for dynamic visuals, vision mixers and capture cards to manage live feeds, while broadcast microphones, audio interfaces, and intercom systems ensure clear sound and crew coordination with hybrid transmission equipment and streaming encoders for polished, multi-platform broadcasts.
The BJMP - IGACOS City Jail Facebook page was quoted: “This was more than an activity—it was a celebration of faith, hope, transformation, and new beginnings. May their decision to follow God mark the start of a life continually refreshed by His love, guided by His Word, and strengthened by His Spirit. In this connected age, their story reminds us that transformation is not only personal—it is global, echoing through every device, every platform, and every heart that dares to believe.”
At this juncture, allow us to thank Republic Act No. 10575 (The Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013), This law mandates the modernization of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and it defines Moral and Spiritual Enrichment as one of the essential core reformation programs required for inmates. Under this act, BuCor actively partners with religious organizations to foster rehabilitation and reduce prison violence.
This milestone was a celebration of faith, hope, transformation, and spiritual renewal. As these 40 precious souls emerged from the baptismal waters, they claimed the promise of 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
The prison cell must be cold of hot with their liberty is deprived, but like Paul who was freed from his prison cell, these PDLs and all the believers in their community enjoying temporal freedom will soon achieve eternal happiness, liberty, justice and peace.
Photo and story credits:
Pastor Antonio Taguibalos
Hon. Clavel Ann David
