BAYAWAN CITY, Negros Oriental — The Bayawan District gathered hundreds of church members and children for a district fellowship on Oct. 10 at the Bayawan Central Church.
Organized by the children’s ministries department, the event carried the theme “Save Our Children, Redeeming the Time,” focusing on the children’s spiritual revival and upbringing.
The district fellowship followed a three-night Revival and Reformation series from Oct. 7 to 9 at the same venue.
Pastor Renito C. Inapan, treasurer of the East Central Philippine Union Conference (ECPUC), served as the speaker and led a foot-washing and Holy Communion service on Oct. 9.
During the Sabbath morning worship on Oct. 10, children from District 14 led the program, including the Sabbath School and Divine Service, handling scripture readings, prayer, and congregational singing.
Seeing the children on the pulpit, one mother was visibly moved. “This is exactly what we pray for — that our children don’t just sit in the pew, but take ownership of their faith,” she said. “It reminds us as parents that we need to model a godly life, because they are watching and learning to lead by our example.”
Addressing the congregation, Melodie Mae K. Inapan, women’s and children’s ministries director for the Adventist Church in East Central Philippines and one of the keynote speakers, warned against the adverse effects of excessive screen and gadget use among children.
Along with the precautions she discussed, she offered practical strategies to keep children’s minds off excessive screen time.
Melodie Mae also encouraged regular family worship and shared ways to make it engaging and consistent. She further emphasized that the home environment remains the primary influence on a child’s spiritual development.
“Family worship is a big factor—regular and consistent family worship,” she said. “While church programs and children’s ministries play supportive roles, the foundation should be built at home.”
Caryl Abejero, women’s, children’s and family ministries director for the Adventist Church in Negros Oriental-Siquijor, echoed these sentiments and stressed that parental modeling is essential to teaching children the Word of God.
“First of all, we must be a model to our children,” Abejero said. “If you want them to grow up God-fearing, we parents must also be a Godly model to them.”
During the divine hour of worship, Pastor Inapan, alongside church elders, conducted a special child dedication ceremony. He offered a prayer not only for the parents, family, relatives, and church community, but also for the child, highlighting their vital role in nurturing the child’s spiritual growth.
Pastor Inapan later delivered a message titled “Preparing Our Family for Heaven,” drawing from Joshua 24:15: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Addressing the congregation, Pastor Inapan emphasized that spiritual leadership begins at home, urging parents to deliberately put God first amid modern distractions.
“Faith in the home does not happen by accident; it requires a conscious, daily decision,” Pastor Inapan told the congregation. He reminded parents that the pulpit and the church building cannot replace the altar built in the living room, challenging them to lead daily devotions, prayer, and study of the Word of God together.
The afternoon continued with the Adventist Youth (AY) program, focusing on Christian stewardship—time, talent, treasure, temple, and testimony—based on Psalms 24:1 and Matthew 25:14-30.
Ultimately, the event closed with attendees committing to strengthen family worship and spiritual preparedness at home.
By Geneper Ansula and Jhieahlie Khate Arsenio | Negros Oriental-Siquijor Mission