Discover Your Way with God (Season 2), a digital online production of Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM), was formally launched on Sept. 29 Sabbath at Tandag Central Seventh-day Adventist Church. The celebration of God's love was mounted through Southeastern Caraga Mission (SCM) with a soul‑stirring message from Pastor Edwin Magdadaro, executive secretary of SePUM.
His message, entitled “Identity Crisis at the Lake” (Luke 5:1–11), discussed the story at Genesareth where Jesus spoke from the boat of Peter. This story differentiated IDENTITY CRISIS and CRISIS IN IDENTITY. The verses reveal how Jesus transforms ordinary fishermen into disciples, showing that true identity is found in His call. An identity crisis is confusion about who we are, while a crisis in identity is the moment when our true identity is tested and redefined by God’s purpose.
Pastor Edwin put the emphasis on the fact that “only he who identifies himself as a sinner will be saved.” Romans 3:23 states, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This establishes that every person must first acknowledge their sinful condition before seeking salvation. When Peter saw the miraculous catch, his immediate reaction was not pride but confession. He fell to his knees and cried, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8). He was in the midst of an identity crisis—seeing himself only through the lens of failure and sin. Peter realized his unworthiness. He felt undone, overwhelmed by holiness. This moment was crucial. Peter identified himself as a sinner, not as a successful fisherman. That recognition became the doorway to salvation and discipleship. Jesus did not deny Peter’s sinfulness; instead, He redefined Peter’s identity. He did not leave him there. Instead, He reshaped that confession into a crisis in identity, declaring, “From now on you will catch men” (Luke 5:10). In that moment, Peter’s identity was no longer defined by weakness but by Christ’s calling: “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be fishers of men” (Luke 5:10).
This is the heart of salvation: only those who acknowledge their sin find mercy, for Jesus Himself said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). Self‑righteousness blinds us to grace, but humility opens the door to transformation. Ellen White reminds us, “Those who feel themselves sinners are the ones whom Christ came to save” (Steps to Christ, ch. 3). True discipleship begins when we let Christ redefine us—not by our failures, but by His purpose. What begins as emptiness becomes abundance; what feels like crisis becomes calling. That calling is what we need to answer, and we are tasked to ask others to answer that call in one voice. In answering His commission, we will do this, "They forsook all and FOLLOWED HIM." Luke 5:11
When we face emptiness, like the empty nets of Peter, we may feel an identity crisis. But when Christ steps in, that crisis becomes a turning point—a crisis in identity—where He redefines us for His kingdom. Identity crisis often comes from failure, rejection, or confusion. A crisis in identity is God’s way of confronting us with His call, forcing us to choose between old definitions and His new purpose. The sermon inspired every live audience and online viewer that our worth is not defined by worldly success or failure, but by the way we respond to Christ’s invitation to join His mission.
The gathering at the small church had a blend of music from Banikanhon Singers, Fishers of Men, Shekinah Hymns, and SCM Melody, whose original compositions of Cebuano gospel music reverberated through the hall. The presentation of the blessed Sabbath was a collaboration of Tandag Church Media, SCM Adventist Media, Adventist Possibility Ministries’ sign language interpreters, and the SePUM Media Team.
The most admirable moment of the day was historical, when Pr. Louwayne Van Magdadaro, church pastor of Davao City Chinese Adventist Church and host of the DYWG segment, “The Conversations” for Seasons 1 and 2, did something for the first time. He introduced his father, who would speak for the keynote sermon, with so much love and respect, after his mother, Ma’am Lindy Lou S. Magdadaro, Women and Family Ministries director of SePUM, shared the children’s sermonette. It was a picture of strong Adventist family connection in the midst of a world filled with troubled relationships.
The promotional talk on OneVoice27 and digital evangelism was shared by Ma’am Ivan Mae Flores, media manager of SePUM Media, and the interactive discussion about “Love‑driven Ministry” was led by Pr. Elgene Jim Susovan, Tandag City Central Church pastor, Pr. Jezreel Mercader, SCM Communication/Education, and Elder Jun Durano, Treasurer, both from SCM.
God’s people in these mission fields of SePUM share the gospel with urgency and unity in diversity because “…the most convincing argument we can give to the world of Christ’s mission is to be found in perfect unity. … In proportion to our unity with Christ will be our power to save souls.”
.webp&w=3840&q=75)