CEBU CITY, Philippines — Pastor Thomas Dodge, an international evangelist based in San Bernardino, California, visited the East Central Philippine Union Conference (ECPUC) headquarters Thursday morning to serve as the guest speaker for the staff’s corporate worship.
Pastor Dodge is the featured speaker for an evangelistic series facilitated by the Capitol Center Seventh-day Adventist Church, which began July 13 and is scheduled to conclude July 18. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the CCSDAC and the Waterman Visayan Fil-Am SDA Church in Waterman Ave., San Bernardino, California.
During his devotional message to ECPUC workers, Dodge drew upon the biblical account of the two spies Joshua sent to scout Jericho.
Using the story of the spies to emphasize the shift in their task from just observing to carrying out God’s mission to the house of Rahab, Dodge challenged the audience to look beyond mere observation in their professional roles and to actively identify and address the dire needs of their communities. He emphasized that God’s mission often transcends initial human plans.
“God has a different mission for us today,” Dodge said. “I don’t know what it is, but our eyes need to be open, and our ears need to hear the voice that is saying, ‘This is the way. Walk in it.’”
ECPUC President Eliezer “Joer” Barlizo Jr. welcomed the evangelist’s visit, expressing appreciation for the message and hope for Dodge to return for future speaking engagements.
By Lyn Lucero | East Central Philippine Union Conference Communications