One of the oldest mission headquarters of Adventism in Mindanao, the Southern Mindanao Mission (SMM) gathered its leaders and official delegates at the Adventist Convention and Media Center Building, SMM Headquarters, on December 11. Administrators and directors of the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM) were present in full force as overseers and advisory team during the selection of directors who will serve the territory through various ministries in the next quinquennium. This 16th Constituency Meeting coincided with SMM’s 75th year of existence.
Organized in 1950 as a separate entity from the Mindanao Mission (now North Central Mindanao Conference), SMM first operated at the corner of Sta. Ana Avenue and Adriatico Street, Davao City. It later transferred to another location and became the Davao Mission (DM), which eventually gave birth to the Northern Davao Mission in 2021. The first church in the area was organized in 1940 at Libungan, Cotabato Province, and records from 1951 show 35 churches with 2,583 members, according to the Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. SMM was reorganized in 1965 and 2023 due to territorial growth, and again in 2024, resulting in the creation of the South Central Mindanao Mission. This reorganization also placed SMM under the newly established Southeastern Philippine Union Mission, which was bifurcated from the South Philippine Union Conference, now Southwestern Philippine Union Conference (SWPUC).
Its present territory includes the cities of General Santos with 27 barangays and Koronadal with 27 barangays; the provinces of South Cotabato with 10 municipalities and 199 barangays, and Sarangani with 142 barangays in 7 municipalities. It also covers Sarangani town in Davao Occidental with 12 barangays, including Balut Island, as well as Kalamansig, Lebak, and Palembang in Sultan Kudarat, and the barangays of Bai Saripinang, Busok, and Knayao in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat. SMM has 243 churches and 324 companies organized into 46 districts, shepherding around 155,874 baptized members and still growing.
After delegate registration, a devotional message was delivered by a college professor turned district pastor, mission director, and president, who also served as Executive Secretary in two Mindanao unions. Drawing inspiration from the life of Joshua (Yehoshua, “Yahweh is salvation”), he emphasized that victory comes not through human strength but through God’s saving presence. He stressed that true leadership depends on God’s guidance. When Joshua led Israel across the Jordan, the Ark of the Covenant went before them, symbolizing God’s throne among His people: “The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8). Before crossing, Joshua commanded the people to consecrate themselves, teaching that holiness precedes victory: “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you” (Joshua 3:5). Israel’s crossing demanded faith and obedience, as the priests stepped into the river before the waters parted, modeling courage and trust in God’s word (Hebrews 11:29; Proverbs 3:5). Faith requires action, and courage is proven when we step forward even before the miracle. The Ark reminded Israel that their inheritance was a gift of God’s covenant faithfulness (Deuteronomy 7:9). Leadership and victory are gifts of grace, rooted in covenant loyalty, not human entitlement. “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them” (Joshua 1:6), the Lord instructed His people.
At the heart of Israel’s crossing stood the Ark of the Covenant, borne by consecrated priests. Inside were the tablets of the Law, reminders of covenant faithfulness. As the priests stepped into the Jordan, “the waters flowing downstream were cut off and stood in a heap… while the people crossed over opposite Jericho” (Joshua 3:16). Just as God parted the Red Sea under Moses, He now parted the Jordan under Joshua, affirming Joshua’s leadership and proving His presence remained with Israel. In the same way, SMM leaders are chosen to carry the presence of God.
After the devotional and prayer sessions, the 251 official delegates, assisted by SePUM administrators, selected 27 Organizing Committee members, who in turn chose 19 members of the Nominating Committee. Elder Laurence Llamera, SePUM Treasurer—born in General Santos City and son of a former SMM president—led the congregation in prayer and reflection on the work of the Holy Spirit.
Using Luke 4:18–19 as his key text, he reminded everyone of Jesus’ mission: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” He emphasized that the Holy Spirit is the principal agent of the Godhead in our times—our Guide, Director, and Transformer. Just as He converted Saul into Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, the Spirit empowers believers to witness and preach the gospel. He likened prayer to an ATM connection: uninterrupted access to God is essential, for an offline instrument cannot dispense what is needed.
Later in the day, the Spirit-led committee has chosen the following servants of the Lord, as follows: Pr. PENNY M. GARCESA - Field Secretary / NDR-IEL; Pr. EDMOND G. BOBO, Ministerial Secretary; Pr. ELMER J. ROMANO - Communication / Media / PARL; Pr. JUANITO E. DOTE, JR. - Sabbath School/ Personal Ministry; Pr. JOEL B. BAGUNOC - Stewardship; Pr. IAN RAY B. BASCO -Publishing/ Spirit of Prophesy; Pr. JOEL C. HUBERO - Adventist Mission; Pr. ARSENIO R. JUANGA - Health / PGTS; Pr. HEAVENLY PEACE M. PATRICIO - Education; Pr. EDILBERTO T. JANGAYAN, JR. – Youth Ministries / 1000 Missionary; MRS. MARIE JOY C. MAMAC – Children’s Ministries / Ministerial Spouses Association; MRS. JOY C. YATA – Family Life/ Women’s Ministries, and; Pr. WILLIAM P. GALAGNARA, Ph.D. – Principal, Matutum View Academy.
With unified hearts and minds, being grounded in the Bible and focused on the mission, they will work hand in hand with their administrators chosen by the SePUM Constituency Assembly on November 19, as follows: Pr. NILDO S. MAMAC, President; Pr. ENRILE S. YATA, Executive Secretary, and; Elder ALDRIN R. HERAMIL, Treasurer.
The day drew to a close with a prayer of rare beauty, lifted by Pastor DANIELO PALOMARES, president of this vast territory embracing five missions and two institutions, all gathered in one accord. His words rose as a supplication of gratitude, guidance, and empowerment—an earnest plea that the entire body of delegates, leaders and believers be bound together under the radiant presence of God. It was a prayer that sought not the strength of men, but the leading of the Holy Spirit, acknowledging that leadership is no mere office but a sacred trust. With reverence, it asked for divine wisdom to illumine the path, humility to temper ambition, and courage to sustain those chosen to serve.
At its heart, the prayer became a benediction for Southern Mindanao Mission and the whole Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM). It envisioned leaders and members steadfast in God’s covenant, rooted deeply in Scripture, and emboldened to proclaim the gospel with compassion and holy fire. It breathed hope for unity across all territories, resilience for families and churches, and revival springing forth from consecration and prayer. Ultimately, it was a vision of SePUM shining as a beacon of God’s saving presence—its light reaching every barangay, every city, and every soul, carrying heaven’s flame into the heart of the community.
