BINOGAWAN, Philippines — Pastors and their spouses from the Samar Mission gathered Oct. 23-25 in Eastern Samar for a three-day retreat focused on family relationships, practical ministry training and the election of new leadership.
The event, themed “Growing Together, Serving Better,” provided pastoral families with plenary and breakout sessions on balancing church responsibilities with home life.
Pastor Antonio C. Gobi Jr., Samar Mission president; and Pastor Renito C. Inapan, treasurer of the East Central Philippine Union Conference, opened the retreat Friday evening, emphasizing that effective ministry relies on a healthy home environment.
On Saturday, participants separated into specialized sessions. Melodie Mae K. Inapan, ECPUC women and children’s director and Ministerial Spouses Association (MSA) coordinator, led discussions for spouses on nurturing children’s spiritual formation and coping with ministry life.
Pastor Inapan led pastoral sessions, emphasizing that a pastor’s family is their first responsibility, and later delivered the divine worship service sermon, “Lord, Bring Our Family Home!” He reminded participants that caring for their families is an essential part of their calling and encouraged them to make Jesus Christ the center of their homes.
During the Saturday afternoon program, the pastors’ wives continued to engage in more discussions, reflections, and sharing of sentiments and experiences. Meanwhile, the husbands gathered at Binogawan Seventh-day Adventist Church for their respective sessions.
During the sharing, Liezl, one of the young ministerial spouses, emotionally shared her experience of adjusting to pastoral life. She reflected on how the retreat helped her understand that being a minister’s wife also involves a personal calling to serve God and others.
She acknowledged the challenges of supporting her husband in district ministry and expressed her desire to grow spiritually, face difficulties with a more positive attitude, and depend on God’s strength.
Grace, another participant, described the retreat as a meaningful and enriching experience. She expressed appreciation for the practical lessons that helped ministerial spouses better understand their responsibilities, particularly in serving women and children in their churches.
Moreover, the spouses’ reflections highlighted the importance of providing ministerial spouses with encouragement, practical preparation, and opportunities to learn from one another.
Another significant highlight of the event was the election of new Samar Mission MSA officers to a three-year term. Karen Taripe was elected president. Other newly elected officers include:
- Joy Gobi, vice president for religious affairs
- Helen Grace Majaras, vice president for social affairs
- Jacqueline Risos, treasurer
- Janeth Naagas, public information officer
- Imelda Lebaresos, musical coordinator
- Janine Capangpangan, artist
Grace Intanto, Samar Mission MSA coordinator, will serve as the group’s adviser. Following the election, ordained pastors led a dedication prayer for the new leaders.
Sunday’s sessions shifted to practical pastoral duties. Melodie Inapan facilitated lectures on leading women’s and children’s ministries, caring for members in crisis, cultural sensitivity and maintaining marriages amid the demands of pastoral service.
Pastor Inapan and Pastor Gaudencio C. Buque, ECPUC ministerial and family ministries director, led concurrent sessions for pastors on financial stewardship and resource management.
Buque delivered the culmination message, “The Servant’s Only Boasting: The Cross,” telling participants that ministry success is measured by leading people to Jesus Christ rather than through positions or achievements.
Buque and Rene Inapan led a final commitment prayer dedicating the pastoral families to continued service, followed by a closing prayer from Pastor Albert Pancito Jr., ministerial director for the Samar Mission.
Gobi concluded the event by thanking the ECPUC resource speakers, Pancito and Intanto, for organizing the gathering, and everyone who contributed to its success.
Beyond the lectures and fellowship, the three-day retreat provided pastoral couples with valuable opportunities to strengthen their marriages, share experiences, and gain practical lessons for family life and ministry.
As they returned to their respective districts, the participants carried a renewed understanding that faithful service to God begins with Christ-centered homes and lives dedicated to His mission.
By Rhea Noreen Mae Sumalpong, Samar Mission of the Seventh-day Adventists