Northern Davao Mission (NDM) Children’s Ministries department, headed by its director, Mrs. Mary Chyl P. Suan, as among the five missions in the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM) to launch the Alive in Jesus Sabbath School Curriculum (AIJ) and Vacation Bible School (VBS) Training and Workshop, held it on March 8, 2026, at Tagum SDA Elementary School–Main, Purok 4, Magugpo North, Tagum City. It was attended by children’s ministries leaders and delegates from various local congregations representing 282 churches in 51 districts all throughout NDM.
Alive in Jesus (AIJ) Training is for Sabbath School teachers, parents, and caregivers to help children develop a personal relationship with Jesus, love for Scripture, and practical discipleship habits. The target audience divided into age brackets will be: Babies (birth–12 months); Beginners (1–3 years); Kindergarten (4–6 years); Primary (7–9 years), and; Junior and Youth levels (up to 18 years).
Every participant learned how to use lesson guides and teacher manuals using age-appropriate teaching methods, incorporating music, storytelling, and interactive activities and most all, the involvement of parent engagement strategies.
In consonance with the advice in Proverbs 22:6 “to train up a child in the way he should go,” the Spirit of Prophecy tells: “I feel deeply interested in the education of children in the Sabbath-school. It is a most solemn work to so mold the minds of youth that they shall not be satisfied with the form, or to be mere machines. God has given them intelligence, and this needs to be cultivated, especially in the younger members of the Sabbath-school. Special efforts should be made to draw out the minds of the children, not merely upon the subject of the lesson, but in the direction of religious life and Christian experience.” Ellen G. White, Sabbath School Worker, Oct. 1, 1885, par 1.
Meanwhile, Vacation Bible School (VBS) Training is to prepare churches and volunteers to run evangelistic seasonal or summer programs for children, primarily with ages 4–12, using themed kits. The tasks will include organizing and promoting VBS events, teach Bible-centered lessons through crafts, games, and music. Importantly, it involves outreach strategies to involve families and communities.
“Such meetings for children and youth, if rightly conducted, will be attended by many who are not of our faith, and the lessons learned at the meetings will be repeated at home. Through the children the parents may be reached.” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, 106.1
Keynote messages, presentations, and demonstrations were delivered by resource speakers Ma’am Jill A. Palomares, Children’s Ministries Director of the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission, and Ma’am Nice Chel Leonado of NDM. Leonado presented topics such as “Teaching with Impact Using AIJ Curriculum” and “How to Nurture Children’s Faith,” where she shared practical methods for effective teaching using the Alive in Jesus Curriculum.
This was followed by a Junior Demonstration on “How to Nurture Children’s Faith,” presented by Ma’am Arleen T. Punay, who showcased actual approaches to teaching and guiding children’s spiritual growth at the Junior Sabbath School level. The delegates actively participated in discussions, demonstrations, and sharing of their experiences in ministering to children.
The program concluded with a commitment ceremony led by Pastor Raul Emnace, SEPUM Sabbath School/PM/ASI Director, who reminded everyone to use their talents in nurturing children, expressed gratitude for their dedication, and presented plaques of appreciation to the speakers and contributors to the success of the program. Participants expressed their thankfulness for the opportunity to learn and enhance their skills as Children’s Ministries leaders.
This event reinforced the church’s mission of guiding children to draw near to and follow Jesus through effective teaching and spiritual nurturing and will be done all over the SePUM territory in the days to come.
“It is still true that children are the most susceptible to the teachings of the gospel; their hearts are open to divine influences, and strong to retain the lessons received. They need to be educated in spiritual things, and parents should give them every advantage, that they may form characters after the similitude of the character of Christ.”—Desire of Ages, p. 515
Photo and story credits: HOPE Channel Northern Davao
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