Hundreds of young delegates from eight church districts across Cebu gathered at Adventist Academy Cebu (AAC) from April 1–4 for the 2026 Cebu Federation of SDA Churches. Themed “Integrated for Mission,” the four-day event focused on spiritual revival programs led by church leaders and physical wellness through sports.
Each day began with morning devotionals led by pastors and youth leaders, followed by sports such as basketball, volleyball, and badminton. Other campers participated in Pathfinder activities.
Between sessions, youth from the eight districts showcased their talents through music and instrumental performances during worship services.
Many attendees reported feeling spiritually uplifted, building new friendships across districts. “This camp built my confidence to socialize with other people more,” said one attendee from the Southeast District. “I’m a shy person, but here I found many friends.”
Key speakers included Pastor Felixian T. Felicitas, Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) field secretary, and Pastor Berdandino Maniego, Central Visayan Conference president, along with his team of directors. Their sermons encouraged the youth to keep God in their hearts and commit to the church’s mission.
Pastor Felicitas particularly moved over 1,000 attendees with his presentation during vespers and Sabbath worship. He talked about discipleship and disciple-making, focusing on personal, relational, and missional commitment. He also emphasized the importance of understanding what discipleship truly means, and that it is not just a mere initiative.
“Good deeds without Christ are lawlessness,” Felicitas told the crowd. “Discipleship is best led out rather than preached out. Authentic Adventist discipleship is living out Christ in us and being missional about it.”
The event also presented challenges, with some attendees facing logistical difficulties. “We struggled to stay in one place during camp because we didn’t have a tent, so every night we slept in different places,” a youth from the Southwest District said.
Another attendee from the Southwest District mentioned discomfort from humidity and the intense sun. “Due to extreme dryness, the dust in the air triggered cough allergies. However, the fun, valuable lessons and insights, and friendship outweighed all inconveniences.”
Despite these challenges, most participants enjoyed the sports and Pathfinder activities and looked forward to sharing their experiences with their home churches. One Southeast District attendee described the event as life-changing: “I will never forget my experience here.”
Attendees concluded that the four-day gathering demonstrated the youth’s ability to remain united in their mission, despite coming from different districts.
The leaders also shared that as they departed AAC, both they and the delegates left with a renewed focus on their faith.
By Abigail R. Montalban ⎸ Carcar Seventh-day Adventist Church