The Sabbath has arrived, and with it the conclusion of the 4-day Davao Mission-wide Children’s Integrated Convention and Workshop at South Philippine Adventist College in Matanao, Davao del Sur. The workshops and team-building activities have ended, leading to enriched relationships with God and fellow kids, which have fueled each delegate’s heart and mind for the Sabbath of June 6.
The integrated training for children involved collaborative efforts from various ministries dedicated to children’s welfare, including Children’s Ministries, Home and Family, Education, Sabbath School, Health Department, NDR-IEL, Youth Department, Stewardship, and the Communication Department through platforms like Hope Channel, Adventist World Radio, and social media to share the message. The children’s forum provided 15 classrooms, serving as venues for their holistic growth.
The SPAC Auditorium was full during the Vespers Service and Commissioning Program. The children were dressed in white, which symbolizes purity and represents the robe of righteousness that Jesus will give to each victorious heir of heaven.
Dr. Perlyn Panes, Education Director of the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM), emphasizes the importance of reading the Bible as part of a child’s lifestyle. This is based on the idea from Psalms 119:105, where King David describes God’s words as a guiding light. Teaching children to communicate with God through prayer is also essential, as it empowers them to serve God by sharing the message of Jesus with others. It is believed that by involving young believers in this way, they will continue to follow this path as they grow older, as mentioned in the proverb, “train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Prov. 22:6)
After an inspiring motherly sermon at our church, the Commitment Service took place. Mrs. Jill Palomares, the Children’s Ministries Director of the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM), led the commissioning by grouping the joyful children with Ma’am Emelyn A. Merin, DM Children’s Ministries Director. In front of our mission and union directors, the children received their crowns, reminding them of the promise in 2 Timothy 4:8: “Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
From morning until afternoon, children, delegates, and adult worshipers from nearby communities wore their Sabbath apparel to celebrate God’s eternal seal and dominion.
During Sabbath school, Pastor Dante Dabucol, the SEPUM Stewardship Director, emphasized the importance of children offering their talents and whole selves as an inheritance of God’s kingdom. He also stressed the need to acknowledge Him as the Creator of everything through faithfulness in giving tithes and offerings.
The Hour of Worship message from Pastor Reynald Dela Cruz, SePUM Ministerial Secretary, emphasized the importance of awakening the church’s adult and young members, ministers, and Bible teachers to take care of our children and develop their abilities for ministry while awaiting the soon return of our Lord. “But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 3:20
The event featured music from the DM Children’s Convention Mass Choir led by Pastor Jaffet Legario, the DCC Music Ensemble, SPAC Kids, Upper Room Fellowship Center Kids, and many other talented children’s singing groups. Throughout the convention, their performances created an atmosphere of intimacy and a yearning for heaven among all of us.
The Commitment Service, led by Pastor Rene Rosa, NDR-IEL Director of SePUM, expresses gratitude for the individuals helping to prepare children for heaven. These young individuals are seen as modern-day Davids, Josephs, Daniels, Shadrachs, Meshachs, and Abednegos in this troubled world. They are considered to be God’s messengers and warriors, whose strength and wisdom in their young bodies echo the Three Angel’s Message.
During the rejuvenating fellowship Sabbath, nineteen smiling faces, filled with innocence, were baptized to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Along with over 400 other delegates, they will return home equipped with new knowledge and a heavenly desire to prepare more children for Heaven. (SePUM Communication)
Photo Credits: Pr Rey dela Cruz / Florante Vacalares Callo / Ivan Mae Flores
