CEBU CITY — Thirteen members of the 1000 Missionary Movement’s 66th batch arrived at the East Central Philippine Union Conference (ECPUC) headquarters this morning, preparing to serve as ambassadors for Christ across the territory. The diverse group includes missionaries from South Korea and Nepal, joining Filipino volunteers from Pangasinan, General Santos City, and various regions across Mindanao and the Central Philippines.
Of the 82 commissioned missionaries for this batch, these 13 will be dispatched to six mission fields across the ECPUC on April 5. Pairs will be assigned to Danao City, Cebu; Mandaon and Masbate City in Masbate; Tacloban, Leyte; and Samar Island. One missionary will take over a vacant post in Basdacu, Loon, Bohol, as the current missionary has completed his term.
Before heading to their permanent posts, the group will conduct an inaugural evangelism project in Caduawan, Tabogon, Northern Cebu. They will begin groundwork on March 25, leading up to evangelistic meetings held from March 29 through April 4.
This first evangelistic activity would be personally supervised by Pastor Lemmuel Lauron, 1000 Missionary Movement coordinator for the ECPUC.
A Call to Service
During a morning devotional for ECPUC workers, Pastor Eliezer “Joer” Barlizo Jr., the first ECPUC president, welcomed the group and thanked them for their dedication and for leaving their homes to serve the Lord. He assured the missionaries of the conference’s continued support throughout their service.
Moreover, Pastor Lauron, in his message to the batch, emphasized the weight of their calling as laborers in “God’s vineyard.”
“You are workers of God, someone who prepares souls for heaven,” Pastor Lauron said, drawing from Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
Lauron explained that this mandate covers every aspect of life—from school or family responsibilities to mission work. He reminded the missionaries that even without direct human supervision in the field, their efforts are seen by a higher power.
“Remember that no task is too small or insignificant,” Lauron said. “Whatever we do should be done not haphazardly, but with diligence. God watches you, and everyone’s work is far better exposed than any CCTV can do.”
Joining the leaders in offering words of inspiration, Adventh Joy Cabulay, Hope Channel Central Philippines senior writer, emphasized the necessity of a personal relationship with God.
“I have nothing better to encourage you than to have Him in your life,” Cabulay told the missionaries. “Never start a day without reading His Word because you are sharing about Him—and how can you share about Him if you don’t have Him in your life?”
The missionaries are scheduled to depart Tuesday following a courtesy call with leaders of the Central Visayan Conference in Talisay City.
By Lyn Lucero ｜East Central Philippine Union Conference