CEBU CITY, Philippines — More than 35 residents in San Miguel, Purok 6, Barangay Apas, attended a weeklong evangelistic crusade led by the Capitol Center Seventh-day Adventist Church from Aug. 9 to 15.
The event, part of the Capitol Center SDA Church Elder’s Crusade – Phase 1, featured nightly sermons by Elder Khevin Carl Monloy. The theme was “Tinubdan sa Paglaum,” or “Source of Hope.”
Monloy, one of the church’s young elders, served as an evangelistic speaker and delivered messages of hope, faith, and salvation each evening.
The program included free nightly medical consultations and small raffle prizes for attendees. Church leaders said the initiative aimed to address the community’s spiritual and physical needs as part of the church’s response to the Great Commission call.
“More than five people publicly expressed their intent to accept Jesus Christ during the closing night on Aug. 14,” another church leader said.
On Aug. 15, the church held a baptismal ceremony and baptized four people. Among those baptized were the parents of Naomi Wines, wife of Elder Ruben Wines from Capitol Church.
Church leaders also shared that the event faced challenges but ultimately saw strong participation from the local community.
“The journey was not without challenges. There were moments of uncertainty and doubt, but the experience reminded everyone that God is always working, even when the results are not immediately visible. The church may plant and water the seed, but God gives the increase,” one church member shared. “But as 1 Corinthians 3:6 says, ‘I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.”
At a vesper worship service, Pastor Kim Bernabe T. Felias, CCSDAC pastor, expressed gratitude for the support of church elders, deacons, deaconesses, youth and other members.
He emphasized that every accomplishment in God’s work ultimately results from prayer, sacrifice, unity, and God’s guidance. “The success of the Elders’ Evangelistic Crusade was not simply measured by attendance or numbers, but by lives touched, hearts opened, seeds planted, and souls led closer to Jesus,” he said.
For CCSDAC members, the program became a powerful reminder that when God’s people work together with faith, He can accomplish extraordinary things through ordinary people.
“The ‘Tinubdan sa Paglaum’ evangelistic series has now concluded, but its mission continues. The four newly baptized souls represent not an ending, but a new beginning. The seeds planted in San Miguel, Purok 6, will continue to be nurtured through prayer, visitation, Bible study, fellowship, and continued Christian witness,” a church leader added.
By Deomar D. Macabugwas | Head Elder |Capitol Center SDA Church