SMM Hosts “Alive in Jesus” Children’s Sabbath School Teachers’ Training
The Southern Mindanao Mission (SMM) Children’s Ministries Department, under the leadership of Mary Joy Mamac, Children’s Ministries Director and Ministerial Spouses President, organized the “Alive in Jesus” Children’s Sabbath School Teachers’ Training on December 1. The Wong’s Multipurpose Hall event in the SMM Compound, General Santos City, gathered three representatives from SMM’s 48 districts. The training also launched the Baby Steps and Beginner Curriculum.
A Training for Nurturing Lifelong Service
The program emphasized the theme, “Kids are to be taught and nurtured into a loving bond with the Lord. They must be guided and trained into a lifelong service with Him.” Recognizing Sabbath School as the heart of the church, the curriculum features ladderized lessons tailored to specific age groups:
- Beginner Class: 0–2 years old
- Kindergarten: 3–4 years old
- Primary Class: 5–9 years old
- Juniors: 10–12 years old
Collaboration with Neighboring Missions
Prominent Children’s Ministry leaders from neighboring missions accompanied Ms. Mary Joy Mamac in the lectures and discussions. These included Gina Miado from the South Central Mindanao Mission (SCM), Luzijun Lantaya from the Southeastern Caraga Mission (SCM), Mary Chyl Suan from the Northern Davao Mission (NDM), and Emelyn Merin from the Davao Mission (DM).
Overseeing the event was Jill Palomares, Children’s Ministries Director of Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM). She announced plans to replicate the training across all missions to strengthen the ministry for children. Reflecting on the mission’s vision, Palomares shared Psalm 127:3: “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.”
Inspiring Stories from Young Leaders
Among the participants was 14-year-old Leah Grace S. Gamban, a Sabbath School teacher from Badiangon, Palembang Adventist Church. Leah shared her journey from being a member of three different churches to becoming an active teacher after her family’s baptism in February 2022.
“I developed a keen interest in storytelling, especially about Bible heroes and characters,” Leah recounted. “Day by day, I gained a deeper understanding of our fundamental beliefs, and I love sharing these lessons with kids.” Sponsored by her district pastor, Leah has continued teaching children, whether in the junior or beginner classes, as her passion for nurturing young minds grows.
Commitment to Collaboration
During the commitment service led by Pr. Raul Emnace, SePUM Sabbath School Director, he emphasized the importance of collaboration among parents, teachers, and the church in a child’s spiritual development. He quoted Ellen G. White:
“The Sabbath school affords precious opportunities and privileges for the young. Parents should highly prize these advantages and show their children that they appreciate them. If they manifest no decided interest in the school themselves, they cannot expect their children to do so. In the Sabbath school, parents may be learners as well as the children. Both parents and children should seek to have a knowledge of the Scriptures.” (Counsels on Sabbath School Work, 52.3)
This initiative reflects SMM’s commitment to building a strong foundation for children in the church, preparing them for lifelong service and leadership in their faith community.