The Light Bearer Association of the Panaon District emerged as the overall champion at the Soul Winners Federation of Churches 2026, held April 19-25 in the coastal village of Bongbong, San Francisco, Southern Leyte.
The annual gathering is designed to promote spiritual growth and community service among members of the Adventist Church across the East Visayan Conference. This year’s camp, themed “Grounded in the Bible, Focused on the Mission,” drew delegates from four church associations: Valiant of Limasawa, Hope Well of Sowers, Maranatha of Maasin, and Light Bearer of Panaon.
Each day began with morning devotionals featuring guest speakers from the East Visayan Conference and the Central Philippine Union Conference. The speakers emphasized that while “mission” involves visible community service and outreach, it becomes unsustainable without a daily “grounding” in Scripture.
These spiritual sessions set the tone for a schedule that balanced leadership training with physical and intellectual competition. They taught delegates that a deep understanding of the Word provides the necessary endurance and dedication for the church’s soul-winning objectives.
Under the summer sun, attendees competed in basketball, volleyball, and racket sports, alongside intellectual matches in Scrabble and Word Factory.
The evenings were reserved for talent showcases and drama presentations, which served as a creative extension of the daily teachings. Rather than mere entertainment, these performances allowed the youth to dramatize biblical themes, translating abstract theological concepts into relatable modern-day stories.
Organizers noted that these showcases are critical for helping participants internalize the mission through music and storytelling. Moreover, the youth showcased their talents in Bible storytelling and verse memorization on the final day.
Ultimately, the Light Bearer Association secured the overall title after a week of consistent performance in both the spiritual and recreational categories, earning high marks for teamwork and active participation.
Furthermore, the event culminated with the baptism of 10 individuals who publicly declared their faith. For the youth, the baptism served as the victory of the camp’s true purpose—to bring souls closer to God. For them, it was a defining moment that transformed the gathering from a simple event into a life-changing experience.
Cathlyn S. Lecito/Move Media Ministry/East Visayan Conference