Culminates with 47 Baptized Souls
The Children’s Integrated Children Convention for the Adventist Children of the Northern Davao Mission (NDM) was held at Max Mirafuentes Academy (MMA) in Tagum City. The event, which took place from July 10 to 12, brought together kids from 7 Fields or clusters from the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao de Oro, including Tagum City, Panabo City, and Digos City. At the convention, 47 newly baptized believers better understood Jesus and His ministry.
Based on the biblical day reckoning, the Sabbath begins at sunset on Friday and includes 15 sets of workshops, breakout sessions, and lectures on the following topics: Sunlight and Temperance (ST); Activity and Rest (AR); Trust in God and Nutrition (TN); Oxygen and Water (OW); Stewardship for Kids (STW); Bible Journey (BJ); Spirit of Prophecy (SOP); Kids Care Group (KCG); Storytelling (ST); Preaching (PR); Bible Art and Craft (BAC); Music and Conducting (MC); Church Decorum (CD); Kids Digital Missionary (KDM), and Kid’s Chef (KC). The Sabbath also marked the end of friendship-enriching games and team-building activities.
As the sun set on the Sabbath, boys and girls dressed in white walked to the gymnasium. They listened to a message from Ma’am Lindy Lou Siban-Magdadaro, the Family Life and Women’s Ministries Director of SePUM. She shared her experiences of having open-heart surgery, emphasizing that God answered prayers. She encouraged every kid to connect with God, accept Jesus as their personal Savior, and share Jesus with others.
During the commitment service led by Ma’am Jill Alfaro-Palomares, Children’s Ministries Director and Ministerial Spouses Association coordinator of SePUM, ordained pastors, union and mission directors, and administrators placed crowns on the heads of children. This symbolized their commissioning as ambassadors of Jesus, ready to share the everlasting gospel in their simple ways.
The Sabbath morning filled the air with musical performances, games, and three inspiring sermons.
Mrs. Perlyn Panes, Education Director of SePUM, was delighted by the active involvement of young and adolescent children in obeying their parents, teachers, and God, who sustains us all. Mrs. Panes emphasized that one of the most effective ways to prepare our children for heaven is to offer Adventist education that includes essential life lessons in its curriculum.
Please remember the following text:
As a testament to someone trained in our denominational learning system, Redgh Emery Tampus is an 11-year-old boy from Iba Adventist Church, San Isidro, Davao Oriental. He was always in front of the pulpit with his notebook and pen. He shared, “Our family lives on a farm, and I am so grateful to be here and have learned many things in our school and at this convention. I love copying every important detail I heard in my notebook as my guide, and I always wanted to become a pastor.” Redgh is studying at Rang-ay SDA Elementary School in Banay-Banay, Davao Oriental.
After conducting Stewardship for Kids sessions for 15 groups of children at the convention, Pr. Dante Dabucol, the SePUM Stewardship Director, asked trivia questions about tithes and offerings. Those who could provide the most convincing explanations received prizes. The randomly selected kids from the audience gave impressive and astounding answers.
During the Hour of Worship, Sir Lawrence Lamera, SePUM Treasurer, filled the room with energy and assurance. As he descended from the pulpit with a bag in hand, he revealed a fake snake and presented it to the children, sparking a conversation about fear. Subsequently, the compassionate church administrator shared personal anecdotes and those of fellow believers, along with relevant Bible verses about God’s assurance and love. He quoted Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
During the joyful potluck gatherings at the tents, 46 children and one adult made their commitment to Jesus through baptism in two makeshift baptistries set up in the MMA gymnasium and main building. The commitment ceremony was led by Pastor Rey dela Cruz, SePUM Ministerial Secretary, who emphasized the importance of children’s involvement in the ministry and encouraged them to maintain a separate outlook from that of the world.
Devrex Jay Anding, an 11-year-old boy from Tamia Dos, DMM, Mati City, expressed his decision to be baptized, saying, “I wanted to be a real Adventist, so I decided to be baptized today. My parents and older sister are active church members, and I thank them for allowing me to join the convention. I love the Kid Chef lessons. This has been my best summer vacation ever!”
The interviewer asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” The interviewee replied, “I aspire to become a disciplined and law-abiding policeman because of my Adventist upbringing.”
Certificates were awarded to delegates and chaperones, and the children hugged each other as the convention ended, but the memories they shared will endure.
“Christian friends are not half as plentiful as they should be. In hours of temptation and crisis, what a true friend’s value is! Satan at such times sends along his agents to cause the trembling limbs to stumble, but the true friends who will counsel, impart magnetic hopefulness, the calming faith that uplifts the soul—oh, such help is worth more than precious pearls.” The SDA Bible Commentary 3:1163.
Mrs. Mary Chyl P. Suan, the Children’s Ministries Director and Ministerial Spouses Association coordinator of NDM, expressed her gratitude to everyone who contributed to the successful convention. Committee members, mission and union administrators and directors, devotional and plenary speakers, facilitators and lecturers in the 15 learning stations, and district and church pastors were given tokens packed in impressive tote bags to show appreciation for their efforts. Special thanks to the ministerial spouses and secretariat for promptly adding new kits when the registration numbers increased. They prepared over 600 aprons, IDs, booklets, and other necessary items for each child participating in the special gathering.
Sister Mercedes Cadiz, 33, is a mother of two. Her older son, Vince, was a delegate. “It was Vince’s first time joining big events like this because my husband and I were doubtful he could manage. But from Day 1 until this Sabbath, he kept bragging about his beautiful camping experiences. I was baptized two years after I met my Adventist husband because I wanted to observe first. I am happy to see my family happily serving God with the brethren of Compostela SDA Central Church,” Ma’am Mercy confided.
The Sabbath was filled with mesmerizing moments, including a huge mass children’s choir with two conductors rehearsing for only a few hours before the Sabbath. The instrumental rendition by the Tagum City youth and the mission field kids, featuring the melodeon, violin, and ukulele, was truly astounding. It was indeed a heavenly experience.
The motherly Ellen G. Write, whose scribbled notes guided the church for decades, reminded, “Let parents and children remember that day by day they are each forming a character, and that the features of this character are imprinted upon the books of heaven. God is taking pictures of His people, just as surely as an artist takes pictures of men and women, transferring the features of the face to the polished plate. What kind of picture do you wish to produce? Parents, answer the question! What kind of picture will the great Master Artist make of you in the records of heaven? We must decide this now. Hereafter, when death shall come, there will be no time to straighten the crooked places in the character.” Child Guidance, 562.1 (SePUM Communication)
