TALISAY CITY, Cebu— Professionals and lay members from across Central Visayas gathered at the Adventist Academy Cebu cafeteria in Bulacao, Talisay City, for the annual joint summit of Adventist Laymen’s Services and Industries, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, and Adventist Professionals.
This year’s summit centered on the theme “Grounded in the Bible, Renewed in Christ: Bringing Hope in the Marketplace and Workplace.”
The two-day event, which ran June 5–6, focused on empowering Adventist professionals and entrepreneurs to integrate their faith into their respective professional and corporate fields. Organizational leaders and guest speakers delivered inspirational messages and testimonies to redirect attendees’ minds toward the gospel commission.
Testimonies of Faith and Strategic Plans
The summit featured entrepreneurs and professionals who take active roles in elite evangelism. These individuals shared testimonies of divine intervention, illustrating how God’s hand guides and sustains movements dedicated to his service.
Guest speakers and leaders outlined the organization’s core objectives, bridging its history with its future outlook. In addition to visionary insights, leaders presented concrete plans for local and union-wide evangelism while showing the results of previous years’ initiatives.
These plans include the East Central Philippine Union Conference-wide simultaneous evangelism initiatives from June 28 to July 4. Leaders reported that throughout the union’s territory, there would be 18 participating working classes and 264 evangelistic crusades for general audiences, for a total of 282 campaigns.
Pastor Edgar Bojos, Central Visayas Conference communication director and ASI coordinator, announced that 12 of the working-class campaigns and 47 for general audiences would come from Central Visayas.
Attendees were invited to participate in these upcoming initiatives and to contribute not only their financial resources but also their time, skills and energy.
A Call to Marketplace Ministry
The summit commenced with a Friday evening vesper service. Pastor Berdandino Maniego, Central Visayas Conference president, and Pastor Jomar Compuesto, East Central Philippine Union Conference executive secretary and ASI coordinator, delivered messages that set the tone for the event, encouraging everyone to engage in gospel work.
Maniego defined the true nature of Christian service in the workplace through three distinct principles: relationship (connecting with others), representation (reflecting Christ’s character) and reward focus (possessing an eternal perspective).
“Having these principles, many faithful believers labor without human recognition,” Maniego said. “Some serve quietly. Some give their best and receive little earthly appreciation.”
Shifting From Observation to Action
Complementing this message, Compuesto drew from the Old Testament, highlighting the story of the Shunammite woman who recognized the sacred calling of the prophet Elisha.
Citing 2 Kings 4:8–10, he pointed out that scripture defines her as a “great woman”—a greatness that began with spiritual discernment. She possessed the rare ability to look past outward appearances and perceive Elisha as a holy man of God.
Furthermore, her admiration quickly moved into action. Shifting from a silent observer to an active partner in God’s mission, she built a room where the prophet could rest.
“Like the Shunammite woman, God’s people become truly great when they recognize the value of God’s work, move from observation to action, and give generously without seeking recognition,” Compuesto concluded.
On Sabbath morning, more speakers inspired attendees with lessons, insights and deep realizations.
Speakers included Junipher Tumarong, vice president for the Southern Asia-Pacific Division’s ASI evangelism. He first debunked myths concerning ASI, including claims that it is only for the rich, leaders and businessmen. He also explained that ASI is not only active during conventions, does not only focus on tours, and does not require large donations.
He then emphasized the true meaning of discipleship and what it takes to be a true disciple of Jesus. “Discipleship is not a one-time decision but a lifetime journey of following Jesus,” Tumarong said. “He is not just a believer, but a follower who is changed by Jesus every day.”
Norman Sabdao, an attorney and CPUC ASI president, emphasized that success without soul-winning has no eternal value. He added that Christ’s disciples can only win souls for him if they have compassion, a desire to bring more people to Jesus and the ability to overcome obstacles to coming to Christ.
Moreover, Jonathan Lamorin, an executive committee member of the General Conference and the SSD ASI immediate past president, drew lessons of stewardship from the life of the Sidonite woman.
“When Elijah asked the widow to bake a cake for him first, he symbolized Jesus’ calls for us to make him first in everything, including our resources,” Lamorin said.
Pastor Eliezer “Joer” Barlizo, the first ECPUC president, delivered the sermon during Divine Worship. He drew the minds of the worshippers to Christ’s method of presenting spiritual truths in simple language so that it would be well understood.
Further emphasizing the objectives and advocacy of elite evangelism, he cited a passage by Ellen White in her book “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 4, p. 261: “One soul is of more value to heaven than a whole world of property, whole world of houses, whole world of lands and whole world of money.”
In the afternoon, Conrado Avila, an engineer and SSD ASI vice president, enumerated prominent professionals and administrators in both the Old and New Testaments. By listing these biblical figures, he emphasized that ASI and Ad Pro’s advocacy began with them.
The summit culminated in a commitment service conducted by Compuesto, during which he called on professionals and entrepreneurs to follow God’s pattern for his church by being united, committed and empowered.
Following the commitment service, those who publicly and silently committed to step forward to join the ministry were dedicated to service through a series of dedicatory prayers.
For the leaders, organizers and attendees, the event concluded successfully as many hearts were moved to support the evangelism. Many stepped forward to pledge financial and concrete support, as evidenced by the large sum committed to support evangelism in 2027 and commitments to personally conduct elite evangelism.