Grace Force Ministry’s simultaneous evangelistic crusades across seven sites in Metro Cebu, widely known in the Philippines as “Dan Smith crusades,” resulted in 168 baptisms. Marked by collaborative groundwork and inspired by a shared mission, this series of simultaneous campaigns centered on a single, ultimate objective: to hasten the coming of Christ.
The event, themed “Nothing but the Best,” ran from September 12 to 19. Facilitated by Pastor Ely Garrado and Pastor Isaias S. Guisando, the education director and IEL-NDR coordinator for the Central Visayan Conference, the multi-site evangelistic initiative brought together local congregations and international speakers to spread the gospel.
Widely known as the “Dan Smith crusades,” the culminating Sabbath took place at the third-quarter care group harvest celebration. Pastor Dan Smith is a retired pastor and an international evangelist, whom Pastor Berdandino Maniego, CVC president, introduced to the AAC congregation as someone passionate about evangelism. With his group, he has held several evangelistic crusades in the Philippines over the past 50 years.
The simultaneous crusades featured speakers across seven key locations, including Smith, who was assigned to the Capitol Center Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Other speakers included Pastor Kim Chin, an international evangelist assigned to Cebu City SDA Church; Pastor Jeb Bersebal, another international evangelist holding the evangelistic meeting at the Cabangahan SDA Church; and Pastor Joseph Hobson, an international evangelist at the Lapulapu SDA Church.
Some more speakers included Pastor Ely Garrado, co-facilitator of the initiative alongside Guisando, and a retired administrator of the Southern Luzon Mission assigned to the Cabreros SDA Church; Pastor Leslie Aragon, a retired pastor from New Mexico holding the evangelistic meeting at the Clarita Village SDA Church; and Sandy Firestone, a retired worker assigned to the Canduman SDA Church.
With an average attendance of around a thousand per night across all locations, the campaign earned acceptance in local communities and received support from Metro Cebu churches.
“Organizing a multi-site crusade of this scale is no small feat,” one church leader said. “But praise God for the success.”
The organizing team faced several hurdles before, during, and after the campaign, including managing travel between hotels and individual sites, working within a tight preparation window, adapting to changes in translators, and boosting initial church member involvement to counter lower-than-expected audiences.
Despite these challenges, the initiative achieved wonderful triumphs, as shown by enthusiastic positive feedback from attending community members, the involvement of local brethren, and a remarkably higher turnout of baptisms.
The baptismal ceremony took place on a Sabbath afternoon at the baptistry of Adventist Academy Cebu (AAC) following a Sabbath worship attended by church members across Metro Cebu.
“Praise God for the plentiful harvest of souls! After a blessed and fruitful week of evangelism in Metro Cebu, 168 precious souls have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior,” Pastor Edgar Bojos, CVC communication director, said.
He said he was so thankful for the dedication and faithfulness of the Bible workers, together with the visiting evangelists from the Grace Force Ministry.
“To God be all the glory for every life touched, every decision made, and every soul won for His kingdom,” Bojos added.
Moreover, the success of the Grace Force Ministry crusades relied heavily on a vast, dedicated support network. Church pastors, district pastors, local churches, care groups, and local brethren—along with committed lay members—laid the groundwork, working hand in hand with dedication and energy.
Special recognition went to the Grace Force Ministry group, CVC administrators and workers, field pastors, Bible workers, local church leaders, and service personnel for working on the front lines to make this initiative a success.
“The event wouldn’t be successful without their support and cooperation,” one church member commented. “But above all, it’s God’s and God’s alone.”
Leaders extended their deepest gratitude to the East Central Philippine Union Conference (ECPUC) and CVC administration, directors, staff, AAC leaders and cafeteria crew, district pastors, church leaders, brethren, and care groups whose collective prayers and labor made the event possible.
Pastor Eliezer “Joer” Barlizo Jr., first ECPUC president, also thanked the group for its passionate dedication under Pastor Smith’s leadership. “May you not grow weary in winning souls for Christ. Heaven rejoices for every soul you welcome into the fold.”
By Lyn Lucero, East Central Philippine Union Conference Communications