TALISAY CITY, Philippines — The first East-Central Philippine Union Conference-wide ASI-PARL Convention officially opened Wednesday as Seventh-day Adventist professionals, legal practitioners, public servants and church leaders convened at Adventist Academy Cebu.
The four-day conference, scheduled to run Nov. 4-7 under the theme “Faith at Work: United in Mission,” combines initiatives from Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries and Public Affairs and Religious Liberty. Leaders designed the event to address religious freedom, legal compliance, workplace ethics and public service across the union’s territory.
Leaders of the three host institutions formally welcomed attendees. Harry Nogra, AAC principal, said he hoped the event would be fruitful, full of learning and insights.
“This event will allow us to exchange inspiring ideas and renew our passion for the service,” Nogra said.
Pastor Lelord Arranguez, executive secretary of the Adventist Church in Central Visayas and ASI-PARL coordinator, expressed hope that the inaugural convention would be meaningful and successful. Meanwhile, Christian Abenir, legal, human resources and trust services director for the East Central Philippines, officially declared the event open.
Pastor Nelson Paulo, former PARL director for the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, delivered the keynote address focused on the convention’s theme and elaborated on trusting and obeying. He compared the message to the biblical account of the disciples fishing all night without success. He said that when Jesus told them to cast their net on the other side, they caught more than they expected.
“Trusting God’s plan,” he said, “and obeying His call brings the community together.” By highlighting that people of all ages and backgrounds belong, the message showed that when everyone trusts and obeys, they function effectively as “one body in Christ” with a shared purpose.
“Because in God’s work, everyone is involved; in God’s church, everyone is counted; in God’s heart, everyone is valued,” Paulo added as his closing message.
The convention will feature a lineup of lectures from government officials, judges, and industry specialists on the second day and through Nov. 7.
Plenary sessions will address topics at the intersection of faith, legal compliance and professional life. Other sessions will discuss how to uphold personal principles and maintain religious liberty, focusing on balancing religious freedom with the rule of law and standing firm during difficult times.
Lectures will also cover modern communication issues, including guidance on cyber libel and speaking the truth with legal wisdom. Part of the program will focus on integrating faith into professional life, with sessions on turning workplaces into mission fields and using business for ministry.
The schedule also includes updates on regional science and technology initiatives and perspectives on security and law enforcement. Seminars on property taxation and the government’s one-time tax abatement program for micro-taxpayers will address practical financial compliance.
The convention will conclude Saturday with a joint worship service, organizational reports and a commitment pledge for wider evangelism.
By Lyn Lucero ⎸ East Central Philippine Union Conference