With the thrust of bringing quality Adventist education as an important frontrunner ministry, the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD)-wide Teachers’ Convention was held in Pattaya, Thailand on the last week of May convening the “Called to be Faithful Educators”.
A total of 168 educational workers from Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM) attended the gathering, led by Dr. Perlyn Panes, SePUM Education Director, who spearheaded the bandwagon of educators from its five missions. South Philippine Adventist College also contributed a splendid musical performance during the cultural presentation.
With the theme "Mission Refocus: Dynamic Adventist Education Promoting Scholarship, Spirituality, and Discipleship," supervising education leaders from SSD and the General Conference, the worldwide Adventist headquarters, shared valuable insights with approximately 1,840 delegates.
Having the heart to become more effective in their chosen ministry, they came with 2 Timothy 2:15 in mind: Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
Pr. Roger Caderma, SSD President, delivered the keynote message, inspiring educators to refocus on their mission and reaffirm the educational vision and spiritual growth of Adventist education. Dr. Hudson Kibuuka and Dr. Richard Sabuin, Associate Education Directors of the worldwide church or General Conference, shared their expertise on Adventist education and leadership.
Pastor Jacinto Adap, SSD Treasurer, emphasized financial stewardship in education, while his spouse, Ma’am Darlene Adap, led a thought-provoking discussion on Risk Management Strategies for Schools. Ma’am Leni Casimiro, an educator, researcher, and administrator affiliated with the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) as the Director of AIIAS Online and Professor of Education, spoke about scholarship and academic excellence.
The transformative gathering also featured Dr. Philip Maiyo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Eastern Africa, who provided insights into academic excellence and spiritual growth, and Pastor Wendell Mandolang, SSD Executive Secretary, who engaged educators in discussions on effective leadership.
Along with SePUM delegates, came the happy delegation from the academe hailing from various fields: Southwestern Philippine Union Conference (SwPUC); North Philippine Union Conference (NPUC); East Indonesia Union Conference (EIUC); West Indonesia Union Mission (WIUM); Central Philippine Union Conference (CPUC); South Eastern Asia Union Mission (SEUM); Myanmar Union Mission (MYUM); Malaysia Union Mission (MAUM); Sri Lanka Mission (SLM); Bangladesh Union Mission (BAUM); Pakistan Union Section (PU); Singapore Adventist Conference ( SDACC), and; Timor Leste Mission (TLM). Noteworthy was the supervision of SSD team dedicated for the growth of Adventist education within the territory.
A noteworthy highlight was the SSD team's dedicated supervision, ensuring the continued growth of Adventist education within the territory.
This career-enriching and faith-fueling convention reflected God's desire for our children’s education, as expressed by Mrs. Ellen G. White:
"True education does not ignore the value of scientific knowledge or literary acquirements; but above information, it values power; above power, goodness; above intellectual acquirements, character. The world does not so much need men of great intellect as of noble character. It needs men in whom ability is controlled by steadfast principle." (Education, p. 225)
Additionally, she wrote:
"Our school is to take a higher position in an educational point of view than any other institution of learning, by opening before the young nobler views, aims, and objects in life, and educating them to have a correct knowledge of human duty and eternal interests. The great object in the establishment of our college was to give correct views, showing the harmony of science and Bible religion." (Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, p. 220)
This gathering stands as a beacon of scholarship, spirituality, and discipleship, igniting a renewed passion for transformative education that nurtures not only the mind but also the heart and soul.
