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ALMAGRO, Western Samar – A remote island church that was close to shutting down has come back to life after a recent evangelistic crusade. The event brought 16 new baptisms and led to a full reorganization of the local congregation.

The evangelistic meeting, held in Barangay Biasong in the island municipality of Almagro, was launched specifically to breathe life into what local leadership described as a "dying" church. Prior to the crusade, the Adventist church in Biasong had dwindled to just six active members.

Pastor Ildefonso Baquilabat, stewardship director of the East Central Philippine Union Conference and the speaker of the evangelistic crusade, said the island's geographical isolation wasn't the only hurdle the church faced.

"This island is a remote area," Baquilabat said. "The church members, only six active remained. The church was dying."

Leaders also pointed out major logistical and spiritual challenges before the event. Many members had stopped attending, and other local religious groups had strong outreach programs that at first kept residents from joining the meetings.

Despite these challenges, the event brought the local community together. Samar Mission leaders, including stewardship director Pastor Alberto Garzon Jr., district leader Pastor Juvy Ablay, local church members, and Bible workers, all helped make the crusade possible.

International sponsors funded the outreach. Korean church members, through Pastor Kim and Pastor Chester Clark III from the United States, provided important financial support. Also, several church members supported the event financially and with their presence until the end.

The effort culminated in a baptismal ceremony in which 16 people joined the faith. Baquilabat said that, beyond the numbers, the new members made it possible to reorganize the congregation so the church can work well in the future. They elected a new set of church officers who will take the helm of leadership, spiritual services, and community outreach.

Local church members said they were overjoyed by the new believers and the renewed energy in their community. One attendee said the event was more than a gospel campaign, calling it, "It's not just a crusade, but a revival."

"Now they are happy because of 16 additional new members," Baquilabat said. "We reorganized them so that the church functions well. They are very happy."

On June 6, the church in Biasong celebrated its first Sabbath following the reorganization, along with the newly-baptized family members.

Lyn Lucero ⎸ East Central Philippine Union Conference