ALMERIA, Biliran — Pastor Eliezer “Joer” Barlizo Jr., the first president of the East Central Philippine Union Conference, conducted a weeklong evangelistic meeting that concluded May 16, 2026. New converts participated in a mass baptism during the harvest celebration in Kawayan, Leyte, marking the culmination and harvest of a coordinated missionary initiative across multiple municipalities.
The meetings, which ran from May 10-16, 2026, were held at the Pili Barangay Gymnasium in Almeria, with corresponding synchronized events in the neighboring towns of Culaba, Kawayan, and Naval.
The East Visayan Conference (EVC) organized and facilitated the initiative, with support from the East Central Philippine Union Conference (ECPUC) and participating local districts.
The initiative concluded with a mass baptism in Kawayan, Leyte, where 72 converts were officially welcomed into the church.
Pastor Barlizo stated that the event achieved its main goal of uniting and mobilizing local churches for evangelistic work.
“I praise God for giving us the opportunity to unite the workers and church members for the purpose of winning souls for Christ,” Barlizo said. “I have seen their commitment and support through giving Bible studies, visiting families, and offering prayers for the people they ministered to. They also gathered attendees each night for the seminar. Even local government officials regularly attended the nightly seminar sessions”.
The evangelistic event succeeded despite several logistical and financial hurdles during the planning stages. Facilitators shared that they faced early challenges with community outreach, securing invitations, and covering the costs of preparation and transportation.
Ultimately, the week-long initiative achieved its core objective of uniting local church workers and members in active ministry. With the simultaneous crusades concluded and 72 new members baptized, the East Visayan Conference plans to build upon this collaborative framework for future evangelical campaigns across the region.
Lyn Lucero | ECPUC Communication Department