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Executive committee members, invitees, and officers from the four missions, conferences, and affiliated institutions of the East Central Philippine Union Conference (ECPUC) convened Thursday morning for the mid-year executive committee meeting.

The meeting was held Thursday morning at the ECPUC headquarters on Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City, with over 32 members attending in person and via Zoom.

During the session, the committee approved agenda items, including long-term organizational planning, evangelism strategies, leadership appointments, local mission issues, and funding allocations for upcoming projects.

Pastor Elly Abejero, president of the Negros Oriental-Siquijor Mission, delivered the message during the morning devotional, emphasizing God’s call to service. He presented the call in three elements: a call to wake up and go, a call to prioritize Christ over activity, and a call with an end-time urgency. However, to heed His call, we must learn the only formula for divine success.

“True success comes from learning the secret of strength, which involves taking time to think, pray, and wait upon God for renewal,” he said.

On the other hand, Pastor Eliezer “Joer” Barlizo Jr., the first president of ECPUC and meeting chair, opened the formal session by stressing the importance of soul-winning. He quoted a passage in Ellen White’s “Testimonies of the Church, Vol. 4, p. 261, which says, “One soul is of more value to heaven than a whole world of property, whole world of houses, whole world of lands, and whole world of money.”

Among the approved agenda items were administrative policies and leadership appointments:

Data Privacy and Accountability: The committee voted to require all elected and appointed officers within the ECPUC territory to sign an oath of office. Additionally, officials must sign a data privacy consent and waiver form in compliance with Republic Act No. 10173, also known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012. The waiver authorizes the church to use official information, photographs and videos for administrative, promotional and ministry purposes across its communication channels.

The committee also finalized plans for "OneVoice27," a global evangelistic initiative. Under the approved measures, ECPUC officers and directors will serve as liaison officers to local missions and conferences to coordinate the program.

The committee concurred with directives from the Southern Asia-Pacific Division and the General Conference to hold a "OneVoice27 Launching Sabbath" across all local churches in the division territory on Sept. 5, 2026. Additionally, a designated theme song will be integrated into all regional religious programs.

In related actions, the committee approved holding the first ECPUC-wide ASI-PARL (Ad Pro) Summit from Oct. 21 to 24, 2026. The Central Visayan Conference will host the event at a venue to be announced later.

The committee recognized Jerome D. Ramos, president of Maranatha-Philippines, for the organization's sponsorship of three church construction projects within the Samar Mission territory. The completed project is the Guiuan SDA Church in Guiuan, while two others are still under construction, including the Paya SDA Church in Giporlos and the General MacArthur SDA Church in General MacArthur, all located in Eastern Samar.

The committee concluded the session by reviewing additional internal matters and scheduling its next assembly. Members briefly discussed outstanding agenda items, including updates on local mission challenges and ongoing community outreach reports, before voting to schedule the upcoming year-end executive committee meeting.

Crucially, the committee members united to support the launch and implementation of OneVoice27, with each leader committing to mobilize and drive the initiative within their respective local churches.

Lyn Lucero | East Central Philippine Union Conference