SAN MIGUEL, Philippines — More than 500 church members, business owners, and professionals gathered at the HFL Resort this weekend for a summit focused on integrating faith with business and professional careers.
The event, held from May 15–17, 2026, was the East Visayan Conference (EVC) Adventist-laymen’s Services & Industries (ASI) and Adventist Professionals (AdPro) Summit 2026.
The summit, themed “Businessmen and Professionals for Mission: Sharing Christ in the Marketplace and Workplace,” aimed to encourage attendees to use their careers and professional influence in advancing God’s work.
The three-day summit featured lectures, group discussions, and personal testimonies focusing on workplace ethics, stewardship, and networking.
Engr. Meljune Orillosa, the president-elect of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) ASI, spoke to attendees about the importance of collaborative efforts in both business and faith.
Using the biblical story of four men who carried a paralyzed friend to Jesus, Orillosa emphasized teamwork.
“The mission of the church and the mission of ASI is not a one-man show,” Orillosa said. “It was four men united in one vision.”
He challenged participants to view their workplaces, friends, and families as opportunities for service, asking, “Whose roof are you willing to break through to bring someone to Jesus?”
Tenten E. Duarte, the president-elect of EVC Ad Pro, also spoke at the event, urging attendees to prioritize spiritual devotion alongside their professional pursuits.
“Time for God is never wasted,” Duarte said. “Let us be grounded in the Bible, focused on the mission, and say, ‘I’ll do whatever it takes to win souls for Christ.’”
Duarte added that professional success should be balanced with faithfulness and community service.
The weekend concluded May 17, with a dedication and commitment prayer led by Pastor Samuel Salloman, president of the East Visayan Conference.
Vince Pelesco from ASI-AdPro Biliran shared, “I was deeply inspired by the speakers’ testimonies, which showed how God is using Adventist businessmen and professionals in powerful ways in the marketplace and workplace.”
He added that the summit emphasized strengthening connections among members to support one another through shared services and expertise. “It fostered a deeper sense of fellowship and family despite differences in social status, and I truly admire the dedication of the ASI and AdPro leaders, whose presence and encouragement greatly uplifted the members.”
Deborrah Madrazo, a delegate from Limasawa, shared, “Being surrounded by people from different professions made me realize that God can use each of us in unique ways, but the mission remains the same. I felt encouraged seeing everyone working together with one spirit and one purpose.”
For the participants, the event reminded them that the mission is not limited to the pulpit or the church building, but that God calls His people to become instruments of service and witness in every office, business, classroom, hospital, and workplace. They can use their influence to lead others closer to Christ until Jesus comes.
By Julie Ann Ducay & Mara C. Rodriguez ⎸ East Visayan Conference
The article’s original version was published on the official Facebook page of the East Visayan Conference.