13 June 2009

99 take stand for the Lord

The Health Expo and Hope in Times of Crises evangelistic seminar ended June 13, with 99 people accepting Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Hundreds more were inspired and blessed as they attended the nightly meetings and witnessed the baptism that was held at Villa Julia Resort located in Silang town, just a short distance from the headquarters of the church in the southern Asia-Pacific region (SSD).

The Expo reached out to the community and brought in more than 300 people to the nightly meetings that lasted three weeks despite occasional downpour. During the nightly meetings, May 24-June 13, health and gospel presentations stirred the attendees as they came to the convention hall at Unida Christian Church.

This 21-night event was a joint effort of the health ministries department under Pastor Abraham Carpena, director; and the SSD leadership with Pastor Alberto Gulfan Jr, president, in coordination with the churches in Silang. Pastor Carpena conducted most of the health lectures and Pastor Gulfan presented the gospel message during the first week and the health presentation at the last few days of the event.

Pastor Gerry Karst, vice president for the World Church continued the biblical presentations starting on the second week and was later joined by the Emmanuel Quartet, who work for the Adventist World Radio (AWR) and were on their mission tour from America. The members of the Quartet were Philip White, Joey Davis, Tim Reutebuch, and Ryan Pierce.

For the health expo, a team was organized to facilitate the CELEBRATIONS booths. The booths’ caretakers were doctors, nurses, health promoters, student volunteers, young professionals, masseuses, physical fitness coach, teachers and missionaries.

The booths started buzzing from 5:00-7:00 in the evening and closed just before the health and biblical presentations started. Music supplied by singers gave life to the program. The Visionaries led by Judy and Jun Briza from Angeles City, Pampanga, volunteered as song leaders for the three-week event.

On Saturday, June 13, after the baptism rites, the new members were welcomed with songs of praise provided by guest singers and the Adventist University of the Philippines along with the Emmanuel Quartet. They were also accepted for church membership at the church of their choice within Silang the following Sabbath (Saturday).

Nanay Raquel Asuncion, daughter of a pioneer missionary in Silang, threw a victory party for the steering committee and the teams, greatly encouraging Pastor Alberto Soltero, district leader and coordinator of the 3-week event.

As of press time, preparation is being made for 20 others who will be baptized as a result of the follow-up work by the lay pastors. [Romhelyn Gay Deles]