MANDAUE, Philippines — The East Central Philippine Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church concluded its weeklong ASI-PARL Simultaneous Evangelism Initiative on Saturday with a unionwide live broadcast that tracked hundreds of baptisms. Initial count reached 2, 068 baptisms across the territory.
The initiative, which began June 28, mobilized church leadership, local congregations, and Adventist Services and Industries (ASI), Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL), and Adventist Professional teams across multiple missions and conferences in the region.
Church officials stated that final baptismal numbers are still being tallied as reports continue to arrive from remote districts, but initial counts show significant engagement across the central Philippines. Initial turnouts included 488 baptisms in Central Visayan Conference; 910 in East Visayan Conference; 106 in Negros Oriental-Siquijor Mission; and 564 in Samar Mission.
Pastor Jomar Compuesto, executive secretary of the ECPUC, expressed gratitude for the broad mobilization across local churches, missions, conferences, and educational and medical institutions.
Compuesto credited the initiative’s momentum to the active involvement of the union leadership. “The enthusiasm of a president is always contagious to all his subordinates,” Compuesto said. “If the leader is faithful and prayerful, then the members will also be inspired and follow.”
During the live broadcast, ECPUC President Pastor Eliezer “Joer” Barlizo Jr. discussed his role in leading the campaign’s evangelistic efforts after the hostess asked him about the secret behind his hunger to win souls.
“I am always reminded by a professor in Mountain View College who said that God wants us to be a leader in soul-winning because that is our mission,” Barlizo said.
Atty. Christian Abenir, legal and human resources director and ASI coordinator, visited multiple sites with a field team during the week. He reported strong cooperation between institutional leaders and local church members.
Leaders stated the live coverage was intended to document the immediate outcomes of the weeklong campaign and encourage local congregations. A comprehensive final statistical report is expected in the coming days.
Lyn Lucero | East Central Philippine Union Conference