DAVAO CITY, Philippines (April 2026) — Understanding the need to share the gospel with those whose speaking and listening abilities are impaired, the Adventist Possibility Ministries (APM) department of the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM) launched a Union-wide Basic Sign Language Training at the Davao Mission Conference Room.
Mrs. Aida Lamera, APM director, emphasized that sign language holds a profound place in evangelism because it embodies inclusivity, love, and accessibility. “It extends the truth to those whose ‘tongue’ is expressed through their hands, ensuring no one is excluded from hearing the words of truth and salvation,” citing Revelation 7:9.
The training was led by staff and volunteers from the SULADS Deaf Literacy Center in San Jose, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. The team, headed by Ms. Lucienne Ruth Sabuga-a of Digos City, included Mr. Irel Jones Causing, Lornie Jane Martinez, Elvie Torres and Joel Nacorda of Valencia City; Leonard Tecson of Davao City; Jonnie and Kaycee Talibar of Sinuda, Bukidnon; Dianne Crodua of Agusan del Sur; and Leomer Deoric of Sultan Kudarat.
Sabuga-a, a special education teacher and the center’s school head, shared her journey into deaf ministry. “I actually didn’t like teaching deaf students because I found it very difficult, but I realized that God has redirections,” she said. “I joined SULADS thinking I would serve in Tawi-Tawi, but God placed me at the deaf center. I fell in love with the ministry and felt the needs of the deaf community.”
Delegates studied alphabet and fingerspelling, basic vocabulary, contextual signs for rural life, grammar and sentence structure, and conversational skills in Filipino Sign Language. They practiced greetings, role-play dialogues, and storytelling, often tied to Bible lessons.
Audimer Alcomendras of Agusan del Sur, a MAS-AMICUS leader, said he joined the training to better serve. “I lived in a place where many schools for the deaf exist and I saw their difficulty in interacting with other people,” he said. “That’s when I desired to volunteer for this ministry in our own institution.”
Hope Channel missionary Abigail Lumagbas of Surallah, South Cotabato, added: “The ministry is new to me, but it taught me that sign language can relay the message to those with hearing or speech impairment through various media. I will ask God’s leading to enhance our skills so we can interpret His messages on digital platforms.”
Joel Nacorda, Jr. of Valencia City is a registered nurse and a nursing review center lecturer, shared his thoughts this way: “I came to the center as a volunteer, expecting no material return, and learned sign language by heart. This sector is often neglected because of language barriers. As a health professional, I want to listen and share health issues and the gospel of salvation.”
Sabuga-a concluded: “If we are not learning their language, definitely we are neglecting this community. It is our first time to teach a group of people willing to share Jesus to them with barriers in life and I thank SePUM for training interpreters so we will not be wasting the precious message of salvation but share them with them with special needs attending our church services, evangelistic meetings and digital broadcasts.”
Pr. Edwin Magdadaro, SePUM Executive Secretary, in his welcome message, said using sign language in evangelism reflects Christ’s compassion and shows that the church embraces the deaf community as part of the body of Christ. He highlighted that when we learn and use sign language, we demonstrate the Gospel in action, expressed through love, patience and inclusion.
Elder Laurence Lamera added during the Sabbath commitment service that sign language is a modern “tongue of fire” uniting believers across differences, a living testimony that God's love is communicated through every possible means. “In essence, sign language in evangelism is not just a tool—it is a ministry of presence, love, and equality,” Lamera said. “It reflects the Kingdom of God where no one is left out, for everyone joins in worship and all could understand.”
Ma’am Sabugaa shared a Spirit of Prophecy writing that is worthy of every believer's attention, “Widows and orphans, the blind, the deaf, the lame, and persons afflicted in a variety of ways have been placed in close Christian relationship to His church; it is to prove His people and develop their true character. Angels of God are watching to see how we treat these persons who need our sympathy, love, and disinterested benevolence. This is God’s test of our character.” Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church 3:511
Photos: HOPE Channel Davao and SePUM Media
