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JAVIER, Leyte — Five pastors were ordained into the gospel ministry at the East Visayan Adventist Academy in Javier, Leyte, on Saturday. 

The ceremony, organized by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the East Central Philippines and Eastern Visayas, officially recognized Pastors Roger L. Acain, John B. Carillo Jr., Ammon E. Gorme, Jerome L. Tapaya, and Venerando G. Tomoling Jr. as ordained ministers.

In the Adventist Church, ordination to the gospel ministry is the global church's official recognition of a pastor's divine calling, character, and proven effectiveness in ministry.

Once a pastor is ordained, they hold the highest level of ministerial authority and global recognition the denomination offers. Future roles—whether as a local church pastor, conference president, or global church leader—all stem from this single foundational ordination.

They are authorized to perform all church rites—including baptisms, weddings, communion, organizing churches, and ordaining local church elders and deacons.

Pastor Eliezer "Joer" T. Barlizo Jr., first president of the East Central Philippine Union Conference, delivered the homily. In his address, Barlizo outlined the essential traits of a minister, emphasizing that a pastor's true strength relies on prayer rather than talent, education, or strategy. 

He urged the candidates to be appreciative, service-oriented, trustworthy, and open-minded to constructive criticism, warning that defensiveness hinders personal growth and protects pride.

Emphasizing a life of service, Barlizo quoted Booker T. Washington, saying, "Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others."

Above all, he reminded the newly ordained ministers that the church's highest mission is to carry the gospel, calling them to be "rescuers of souls."

Pastor Jomar Campuesto, the union's executive secretary, led the ordination prayer and laying on of hands, while Pastor Gaudencio C. Buque Jr., ministerial and family ministries director, delivered the ministerial charge.

Maryvic Siega, education, children, and women's ministries director for the EVC and Ministerial Spouses Association coordinator, formally welcomed the spouses of the newly ordained ministers.

She spoke candidly about the unique realities of ministry life, acknowledging challenges such as isolation, tight budgets, emotional burdens and a lack of privacy.

Balancing these hardships with the joys of their calling, Siega highlighted the privilege of sharing the gospel and receiving the congregation's love.

"Please remember that your fellow ministry wives are praying for you. So we offer ourselves to be your special support leader," Siega said.

Witnessed by hundreds of church members across Eastern Visayas, ECPUC officers and directors, and the family and friends of the ordained pastors, the latter thanked the support that led them to this remarkable milestone in a pastor's life.

The ceremony concluded with the official presentation of the ordained with their official ordination certificates and new ministerial credentials. 

Moving forward, the five pastors will continue their respective assignments across the Eastern Visayas, now serving with the full global authorization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.