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Local church administrators across Negros Occidental Conference convened Jan. 31-Feb. 1, 2025, at the NOC Convention Center for their 3rd annual conference.

The event, with the theme "Called to be Faithful: Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus," primarily discussed the goals and objectives of Harvest 2025, a year-long intensive evangelism strategy launched by the Southern Asia-Pacific Division.

Harvest 2025 utilizes the Total Member Involvement (TMI), an initiative that mobilizes and equips every church member, regardless of age or background, to actively participate in evangelism and share the gospel.

Nearly a thousand delegates from the 41 NOC districts gathered, including district pastors, district leaders, and local church administrators.

Pastor Eliezer "Joer" Barlizo Jr., president of the Central Philippine Union Conference, and Pastor Renito Inapan, CPUC treasurer, also attended the event in person to further encourage and reinforce the implementation of Harvest 2025.

During the vesper worship, Pastor Barlizo further emphasized the initiative's significance. With the magnitude of the empowerment, he also encouraged the attendees to rely on God's leading by saying, "Stay calm. God will fight for you."

To elaborate on the significance of TMI, he quoted Ellen White's book "Acts of the Apostles." In it, she emphasizes that the church is God's chosen agency for the salvation of humanity, with the mission of sharing the gospel with the world.

"We need to be prayerful and seek God's guidance for the effectiveness of His work," he concluded during the interview.

In preparation for Harvest 2025, Pastor Jophone Galanza, NOC president, presented a timeline for preparation and implementation, encouraging every church member to participate and get involved in every possible way.

"May we all be united in the work of God to finish it,"  Pastor Galanza also told NOC News Flash during an interview, expressing his hopes to the entire NOC.

Furthermore, Pastor Inapan, in his sermons during the hour of worship and commitment ceremony, inspired and encouraged the congregation to be faithful to the Lord and be involved in the ministry.  

Pastor Brendo Caroz, NOC executive secretary, also shared his desire for Harvest 2025 to be successful. He also impressed the minds of
congregation the importance of getting involved.

"We are mandated to bring the good news to the whole world," he said, stressing everyone's role in the Great Commission.

The church went home enlightened and renewed, carrying the weight of their calling for greater service with renewed strength and vision.

Stephanie Loriezo, Negros Occidental Conference

The original version of this article is posted on the official Facebook page of the Negros Occidental Conference.