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The Adventist Church in Northeastern Mindanao (NEMM) recently hosted a discipleship seminar called “Mission Refocus: Training on Discipleship, Evangelism Lifestyle, and Care Group Ministry.". More than 600 delegates from the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands attended the seminar, which took place from February 1 to 3 at the Northeastern Mindanao Mission Academy. They included church elders, Sabbath School directors, and local church leaders in the health, youth, and stewardship ministries.

The seminar focused on the central theme of "engaging every member of every church in every nation to make disciples using Christ's method." The sessions covered practical aspects that were rooted in the Bible and Christ's ministry. The lectures addressed essential topics such as inviting friends to care groups, conducting visitations, nurturing new converts, and involving individuals in church evangelism.

Organizers aimed to empower the foundation of every initiative by equipping local church leaders and reminding them of the essence of true Christianity, which is found not only in programming but more importantly in the character and influence they reflect towards others.

“Only through genuine, untainted, and transparent relationships can we truly share the identity of Jesus. The joy of serving Him will be reflected in our lives, inspiring those who witness the transformation happening within us,” said Pastor Jeramil Pamunag, Vice President for NDR-IEL in the Southwestern Philippine region. 

“We encourage our church community to seek God through the scriptures, cultivate a deep relationship with Him through prayer, and revel in His presence in all aspects of our lives. Through this, our lives will radiate a message that speaks volumes to the world,” Pamunag added.

The seminar aimed to inspire the active participation of church members in diverse church activities, particularly in evangelism. It equipped participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively engage in these activities.

The event was a collaborative effort involving key departments such as the Ministerial Association, Sabbath School and Personal Ministries, Health, NDR-IEL, and the Youth Ministries Department. Among the attendees were lecturers and heads of these departments from the Southwestern Philippine Union Conference.

Pr. Jeramil Pamunag, Vice President for NDR-IEL, expressed his excitement for the total member involvement advocacy. He encouraged church members to embrace the program so that they would be more prepared and equipped for evangelism and other church activities this year. Ultimately, he hopes that church members will be motivated to actively contribute to the mission of making disciples using Christ's method.

Quin Salarda, SWPUC Communication Department

The original version of this story was posted on the Southwestern Philippine Union website.