The Love Care Group, one of three care groups under the East Central Philippine Union Conference (ECPUC), took to the streets on Tuesday to distribute Word of Hope, the designated missionary book for 2026. Members shared copies with neighboring banks, hotels, cafes, and pedestrians as part of “Hope Impact Day”—a global initiative officially celebrated across the territory on October 17.
While most churches joined the union-wide distribution on Oct. 17, the Love Care Group scheduled their outreach for Tuesday to accommodate a local bank that accepted their request to visit, sing, and pray.
Before heading out, the group held a Book Dedication and Prayer Program to seek divine guidance. Pastor Ildefonso Baquilabat, ECPUC field secretary and stewardship director, emphasized the importance of spiritual intention.
“Even if we give away millions, if those books do not come from a sincere heart, there will be no effect,” he shared. “If we do it from a sincere heart, our effort will not be wasted.” He stressed that while a book might sit on a table for months, its message of hope could be discovered right when a person faces a difficult experience.
During the distribution, the group encountered a wide range of reactions: some recipients were delighted, others declined, and some even requested copies of the Bible instead.
The initiative culminated in a brief program at a Metrobank branch near the ECPUC headquarters. The manager and staff warmly gathered to listen as the group sang and Pastor Baquilabat delivered a message on the book’s relevance.
“We live in an uncertain world, torn by natural calamities, political disputes, and unrest. Moreover, each of us is going through some brokenness that only you and God know about,” Baquilabat said. “That’s why we need to read the book, because it tells us about the hope that only Jesus can give.”
Returning to the office, the Love Care Group felt deeply fulfilled. “It feels amazing to be able to share God’s love, even through literature. The thought of how God will lead those recipients to read the book thrills me,” one member reflected.
While Hope Impact Day is an annual campaign aimed at uplifting the community spiritually, the Love Care Group concluded the event with a renewed goal: to turn this yearly initiative into a daily commitment.