The Bantayan Island District Association of Seventh-day Adventist Churches concluded its weeklong public evangelistic series on May 2, reporting 23 adult baptisms following a program marked by unexpected venue relocation shifts and high spiritual engagement.
The event, themed “Grounded in the Bible, Focused on the Mission,” ran from April 26 to May 2 in the municipality of Madridejos. Unlike traditional series that often include health or family life seminars, the district leadership opted for a deeper scriptural approach, focusing exclusively on the exposition of eschatological Bible prophecies and the “final call” for His other sheep who are not yet in His flock found in John 10:16.
A Dynamic Journey: Three Venues in Seven Days
The series was characterized by an unusual series of relocations. The guest speaker, Pastor Edwin Gulfan noted that in his years of ministry, this was the first time a seven-day program required three different settings.
Pastor Gulfan, retired president of the former South Philippine Union Conference (before it was divided into two unions), and former field secretary of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division for evangelism.
The meetings commenced with a program at the Madridejos College Complex. However, the mission faced an immediate challenge when college administrators requested the group to vacate the premises. This forced a move to the barangay gymnasium in Mancilang, a transition that Gulfan described as a “blessing in disguise,” as it led to a high number of adult attendees.
The program reached its peak on the closing Sabbath of May 2, when the assembly moved to the Madridejos Cultural Center to accommodate brethren traveling from all corners of the island.
Integrated Fellowship and Outreach
The nightly prophecy presentations were supported by a full daytime schedule of activities that the churches engaged. Throughout the week, the island’s youth participated in organized sportsfests while other church members engaged in various spiritual workshops and activities. These daytime initiatives strengthened the fellowship among the local churches and mobilized the brethren to support the nightly evangelistic sermons.
Results and Follow-up
The event culminated in the baptism of 23 individuals who accepted Jesus into their lives. Furthermore, the church leaders and lay evangelists have also identified a significant number of additional interested individuals who will receive continued visitation and Bible study in the coming weeks.