Trento Churches Baptize 45, Koronadal Urban Districts Yield 86 Souls in Separate Evangelistic Series
August 11 to 17 became a fruitful week, with two separate evangelistic meetings involving the Communication and the NDR-IEL departments of the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission of Seventh-day Adventists (SePUM).
Lately, Pr. Rene Rosa, SePUM Vice President for NDR -IEL or Nurturing, Discipleship, and Reclamation-Integrated Evangelism Lifestyle, launched “THE STAR WARS: Battle for the Truth” seminar at Purok Garcia, Rotonda, Koronadal City, bringing 86 priceless souls to Jesus.
The Star Wars stories had seven episodes: “Battle in Heaven,” / “Satan Seized the Planet Earth,”/”Rescue Mission: Jesus Left His Throne (Badly Punished),” / “He Has Risen, Jesus Won the Battle Over Death” / “Satan Waged War Against the Remnant” / “Choose You This Day Whom You Will Serve”, and; “The Final Showdown Between Good and Evil.”
The realistic presentations of the occurring great controversy between the vast deceiving armies of Satan and the few yet growing remnant congregation of Jesus resulted in amazing revelations and impact.
Sir Jongjong, an experienced hog raiser who operates a piggery at Koronadal, regularly attended the nightly meetings and accepted the hurting revelations about God’s health laws. Thus, convinced that his source of livelihood was a source of abomination in the sight of God, he pledged to sell his enterprise to recover from expenses and accepted Jesus through baptism along with his sons; he had high hopes that his wife would soon understand his tough decision and begging for prayers for the entire family and the rest of the hearers of “the word of God which is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and Spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 can cut through to the innermost depths of a person’s heart and soul.
The impressive cooperation of the believers in the urban part of the city resulted in beautiful stories of redemption. We are glad for the support of churches from Koronadal 1 District, headed by Pr. Novien Alegado, while Koronadal 2nd District is under the shepherding of Pr. Junnil Fray. The cohesive Koronadal City Central Church, under the shepherding of Pastor Pr. John Louie Arranguez also made extraordinary contributions.
On the other side of the territory, Sir Rhoen Shane Peralta Catolico, Communication and Media Director of SePUM, launched the Hope for the Family Seminar at Kapatungan, Trento, Agusan del Sur, which was an “unentered” territory. For several years, the brethren in the Trento district sought permission to conduct an evangelistic campaign in the area, but the community leaders in the area did not allow it, probably influenced by three big denominations present in the barangay.
With unwavering faith, they proposed again a moral recovery seminar, the Hope For the Family Series, and a permit was granted. The 19 churches within the Trento district, under district Pr. Marcelino Espinosa, Jr. and Bro. Modesto De Jose, Jr., Elders Council President, then mobilized their resources and collaborative efforts for the challenging mission of presenting the gospel in a less-receptive community.
The first night hampered Sir Catolico’s presence due to illness and Pr. Jesreel Mercader, Communication /Education Director of Southeastern Caraga Mission (SeCM), deliberated the first topic with a fatherly ambiance and expertise. The brethren distributed packed dinners for the entire week before the lecture and handed gifts after the program. Rice, cooker, and fans were given via raffle on Friday. Pr. Jemsly Lantaya, President of Southeastern Caraga Mission (SCM), and spouse Luzijun attended the Tuesday presentation, providing the needed boost to everyone present.
The succeeding night until Thursday had illustrations about family and its relationship with God from Sir Rhoen, while the attendance kept increasing. He then moved to Forest Hills Academy at Bayugan City to participate in the ongoing “Sharing Christ through Media” Adventist Communication Training. On Friday night, with visitors rising to over 220, Pr Raul Emnace, SePUM Sabbath School/ Personal Ministries/ ASI Director, took time for his hometown sermons, and on Sabbath evening, after sundown Friday, he baptized 14 precious souls at a makeshift baptistry with water supplied from a manual water pump.
On the Sabbath morning, Pr Emnace, the simple boy from San Ignacio, Trento, who became an Adventist pastor after facing many odds, reviewed the 28 Adventist fundamental beliefs. Sir Rhoen gave the concluding lecture and altar call, convincing 31 more souls to accept Jesus through baptism, including one ministerial Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation ministerial servant. One OFW Adventist friend and fraternity sister gave advice online about eating pork and gave him a link to Bible Study on the Air by Bro. Dante Villas over AWR93.5 Hope Radio Butuan. With the help of bible teachers and online programs, he fully understood the Sabbath, the health doctrines, the Second Coming, the Millennium, The New Earth, stewardship, and many more. Before baptism, Bro. Anthony already observed Sabbath and tithe-giving faithfully.
The week-long series ended with a medical, dental, and optical mission conducted by the 28-man TEAM LAAG or “The Effort and Mastery of Living An Advocacy of Generosity,” a group of Adventist doctors, dentists, optometrists, nurses, midwives, and volunteers providing free medical, dental and optical services to more than 200 clients. They offered that day services like medical consultation, minor surgery, circumcision, tooth extraction, eye check-ups, free reading eyeglasses, and free medicines for every client. The brethren in the district also provided volunteers for free haircuts, massages, manicures, pedicures, and handsaw sharpening, with sumptuous breakfast and lunch.
Barangay officials provided water, tables, and chairs. The 10 Barangay Health Workers of Kapatungan volunteered as registration clerks, taking vital signs, while the newly baptized Bro. Agravante prepared vegetarian Taquitos and calamansi—cucumber juice for snacks. It was a pool of blessings, indeed!
“The Spirit came upon the waiting, praying disciples with a fullness that reached every heart. The Infinite One revealed Himself in power to His church… The sword of the Spirit, newly edged with power and bathed in the lightning of heaven, cut its way through unbelief.”—Mrs. Ellen Gould White. The Acts of the Apostles, p. 38. (SePUM Communication)