News

TANGERANG, Indonesia — Church leaders from across the Southern Asia-Pacific Division have gathered for the SSD-Wide Ministerial Convention and Stewardship Summit.

Running from July 28 to August 2, 2026, at the Basilea Convention Center in Tangerang, the five-day gathering centers on the unifying theme "Building Up His People". 

Among the 3,150 delegates, 142 are from the East Central Philippine Union Conference.

The ECPUC group includes 47 from the Central Visayan Conference, 31 from the East Visayan Conference, 28 from the Negros Oriental-Siquijor Mission, 16 each from the Samar Mission and the ECPUC office, and two each from Adventist Academy Cebu and Adventist Hospital Cebu.

Reports from Adventist Asia say the convention focuses on pastoral renewal, leadership development and aligning with division initiatives such as Mission REAPS and the OneVoice27 movement.

REAPS is the SSD five-year strategic plan and roadmap for 2026–2030. It serves as a region-wide movement guiding the church's mission initiatives across its territory. REACH means Reach, Expand, Advance, and Proclaim.

Throughout the week-long program, attendees—including chaplains, theology instructors, departmental directors, and field administrators—are engaged in intensive training modules covering spiritual leadership, biblical stewardship, integration of holistic health ministry, and collaborative evangelism. 

As thousands of delegates unite in prayer and cross-cultural fellowship, division leadership aims to inspire every participant to return to their local fields firmly anchored in Christ, highly mission-driven, and fully equipped to strengthen communities of faith until the return of Jesus.

Pastor Eliezer Barlizo Jr., the first ECPUC president, expressed appreciation for all the support he has seen for this initiative. "I want to express my deepest appreciation to every institution, mission, and conference under the ECPUC for their generous support of this vital initiative.”

For him, sending the pastors, administrators, directors, and ministry leaders—bringing our total ECPUC delegation to 142—shows his constituents' steadfast commitment to our shared mission. 

“May this gathering powerfully equip each of you to return to your local fields more Christ-centered and unified than ever as we build up His people together,” he added. 

By Lyn Lucero ⎸ East Central Philippine Union Conference Communications