Two consecutive events recently concluded across the Samar Mission, equipping church leaders to enhance children’s discipleship and mobilize women for global community outreach.
From June 10 to 11, the Balicuatro district, in collaboration with the San Juanico districts, hosted a training and workshop to re-echo the new “Alive in Jesus” (AIJ) Children’s Sabbath School curriculum alongside a Vacation Bible School Experience (VBEx) training featuring the “Cactusville” series. Held at the Calbayog Central Church under the theme “Where Kids are Called to Follow Jesus,” the event aimed to shift local children’s ministry from basic biblical instruction to intentional, lifelong spiritual discipleship, while teaching kids to make choices grounded in Christian values.
Supported by the Ministerial Spouses Association (MSA), the training featured Melodie Mae Inapan, children’s and women’s ministries director and MSA coordinator for the East Central Philippine Union Conference, alongside Grace Intanto, children, family, and women’s ministries director and MSA coordinator for the Samar Mission.
The directors focused heavily on inclusive teaching strategies, demonstrating age-appropriate methods to disciple children, including those with special needs.
Janine Capangpangan, a ministerial spouse in attendance, emphasized the impact of the inclusive training.
“I was blessed by this topic because, in our district, there are children who need appropriate teaching methods, such as those who are deaf,” Capangpangan said. “They always attend church, but they are often overlooked. This topic helps us become more effective in teaching children with special needs.”
Another MSA member shared that the workshop successfully shifted the perspective of many adult leaders.
“Many delegates were blessed; they saw just how important it is to give attention to the children in every church,” she said. “Some were not previously fond of working with children, but after the lectures, their outlook on this ministry completely changed.”
Following the children-focused workshop, the Samar Mission shifted its focus to women’s leadership. From June 12 to 14, the Adventist Women’s Ministries launched its “I Will GROW” (Go Reach Our World) initiative during an onboarding and retreat at the Samar Mission Headquarters in Old Rizal, Catarman, Northern Samar.
This three-day gathering served as the official localized activation of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists’ global “I Will Go” strategic framework. It aimed to mobilize women across the province to spearhead community outreach and to evangelize through sthrough small groups and ongoing local discipleship.
The women’s event featured members of the Ministerial Spouses Association as speakers, who led specialized sessions focusing on spiritual and personal development. The lectures explored core themes of the “I Will GROW” initiative, including “Growing in Courage,” “Growing in Hospitality,” “Growing in the Language of Love” and “Growing in the Living Word.”
Rhea Noreen Mae Sumalpong, communication and women’s ministries director of the Samar Mission, delivered a keynote presentation titled “From Roots to Reach.” Sumalpong emphasized that spiritual growth and effective community outreach require deeply nourished roots. She explained that believers must sustain their faith through daily Bible study, consistent prayer and active sharing of the gospel. This spiritual foundation, she noted, ensures that when trials and challenges arise, an individual’s faith remains firmly grounded and resilient in the face of adversity.
During the divine worship, Inapan delivered the core component of the retreat focused on the global women’s ministries theme, “Hineni, Here Am I.” This is a Hebrew concept—the biblical response of total availability to God, exemplified by figures such as Abraham, Moses, and Isaiah—meant to challenge participants. Ministry leaders emphasized that hineni represents a heart posture that says “yes” to divine service before knowing the cost, moving participants beyond passive presence into active spiritual readiness for mission work.
One of the participants shared her thoughts on the retreat’s impact: “Most of our attendees were first-time retreat participants, and they were all blessed,” she said. “Even though many faced obstacles before joining—such as financial constraints and opposition from husbands who did not want them to leave home—they said fighting to be here was entirely worth it.”
For the leaders and participants, they could return to their home districts equipped with updated curriculum resources, fresh leadership insights, and a spiritual focus to meet the diverse needs of communities throughout Northern Samar.