Ministerial Spouses Association from the Southwestern and Southeastern Philippine Union territories, Undergo Certification
The Ministerial Spouses Associations (MSA) from both the Southwestern Philippine Union Conference (SWPUC) and Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM) gathered numerous delegates for the Bi-Union Ministerial Spouses Association Certification held at the Davao City Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School Gymnasium of Davao Mission on March 22-23.
Pastors’ spouses arrived from the North Central Mindanao Conference (NCMC), Western Mindanao Conference (WMC), Zamboanga Peninsula Mission (ZPM), Northeastern Mindanao Mindanao (NEMM); and Central Mindanao Mission (CMM) of SWUPC. Delegation from Davao Mission (DM), Northern Davao Mission (NDM), Southern Mindanao Mission (SMM), South Central Mindanao Mission (SCMM); and Southeastern Caraga Mission (SECM) represented the newly-established SePUM.
Though divided into two unions through bifurcation, they are one in bringing out the importance of ministers’ spouses to the highpoint; a continuing education program takes place where their pastors and their families are commissioned to shepherd the flock, to refresh the memory and acquaint the pastors’ wives of their duties and obligations as partners of their husbands in ministry.
The sessions covered beneficial topics like acceptance as a pastor’s spouse and roles as a parent, wife, and shepherdess of the flock her husband herds, challenges in the ministry, effective communication, time and money management, organizational skills, dealing with anger, loneliness, depression and pastors’ need for enriched relationship and emotional support.
The first session was a contest for the clusters by mission. They must design apparel from 3 pieces of linen, a pair of scissors, and safety pins, and their model paraded with the dress. At the same time, the designer explained the features of the dress and how it conforms to the topic: “The Pastor’s Wife and Her Dress,” tackled by Ma’am Marife Patalinghug, MSA Coordinator of SWPUC and has served Sri Lanka Mission for quite some time. The simplicity and the dignified style of the dress make it peculiar and an example for all believers. “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel.” 1 Timothy 2:9. Mrs. Ellen G. White, one of the pioneers of the church, gave this motherly advice: “But our clothing, while modest and simple, should be of good quality, of becoming colors, and suited for service.” Ministry of Healing, p. 289.
The Sabbath fellowship started at Vesper’s Program with Ma’am Jill Palomares, SEPUM MSA Coordinator, who gave a lively message about Women and Self-Esteem. It will be boosted through prayers and actively supporting their husbands as pastors.
The Sabbath School was filled with insights on “Warning Signs of Trouble in a Pastoral Ministry,” being discussed by Maam Shirley Bacus, and “Hope Beyond Depression” was a beautiful deliberation with Marife Patalinghug, who at the end of the lecture solicited testimonies. A minister’s wife from Zamboanga fought depression and stage 3 cancer and won the battle through prayers and family support. Another selfless woman in the crowd survived difficulties and troubles attending to the needs of her husband suffering a stroke, and a widowed pastor’s wife shared her struggles during her husband’s hospital ordeal and death.
Enriched relationship with God, family, and church members became the central message of the Hour of Worship speaker, Ms. Danita Perez-Caderma, MSA Coordinator and spouse of the President of Southern Asia-Pacific Division, Adventist headquarters for the 11 countries in the Southeast Asia region. Highlighting the contents of the message of forgiveness and enriched relationship were the testimonies of a delegate who had marred a relationship with her sister-in-law and another wife who had diverted her attention to a former friend when her husband failed to provide quality time and communication. In contrast, another delegate who bravely shared her sexual abuse experience offered forgiveness to the culprit and was rewarded by God by answering her prayers for a responsible partner. One loving theologian, later ordained as a pastor, provided love and an enduring relationship after accepting her as she was. Forgiveness earns unlimited blessings.
These remarkable and supportive partners of God’s shepherds in Mindanao, being equipped with education experience along with family and brethren’s support, got charged and supplemented by the knowledge they obtained from the training. The camaraderie and their stories will fire their commission that “a minister’s success or failure depends very much on the spouse—The wife of a minister of the gospel can be either a most successful helper and a great blessing to her husband or a hindrance to him in his work. It depends very much on the wife whether a minister will rise daily in his sphere of usefulness, or whether he will sink to the ordinary level”.—The Adventist Home, 355.
After the sessions and the beautiful Sabbath filled with dedication and thanksgiving came the bonding moments and laughter as sisters ready to fulfill the missions in different ways and avenues until Jesus comes. (SePUM Communication)
#ministerialspousesassociation #swupc_and_sepum_unite #bi_unioncertification #adventistwomenempowerment #SePUMcommunication #Adventistmedia