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As countries worldwide gradually started to open their doors to foreign visitors, this encouraged businesses, organizations, and national governments to begin organizing face-to-face meetings. The Adventist Church, a closely knitted family church, through its leaders, started organizing conventions and seminars while strictly following government-mandated policies for safety and protection against the Covid 19 pandemic. 

After a successful Literature Evangelists Convention in the Philippines comprising three unions, the Adventist church in Indonesia organized a Bi-Union convention attended by delegates from the West Indonesia Union Mission (WIUM) and East Indonesia Union Conference (EIUC). A first after more than two years in lockdown, Adventist Literature evangelists and Adventist Book Center (ABC) Leaders fellowshipped together looking forward to new thrusts and initiatives of the church in the field of publishing ministry.

With the theme, It’s our time: I am a Messenger, I Will Go, the Bi-Union Publishing Leadership and Literature Evangelist Congress is the first Adventist convention in Indonesia after the lockdown. Leaders from the General Conference, Southern Asia-Pacific Division, and more than 200 delegates from across the Indonesian archipelago attended the convention in Bali, Indonesia, to grace this long-sought-after event.

Delegates from the General Conference Associate Publishing Ministries Director Stephen Apola, newly elected GC Associate Secretary Saw Samuel, newly elected GC Children's Ministry Director Dr. Orathai Chureson, and Jovian Lubis, GC Human Resource Payroll Manager were present during the convention. Newly elected Southern Asia-Pacific Division officers Pastor Wendell Mandolang, executive secretary; and Elder Jacinto Adap, treasurer, and Pastor Johnny Lubis, SSD Vice President ad his family graced the meeting to join literature evangelists in this region. Also present at the convention are the Southern Asia-Pacific Division Publishing Director, Pastor Rey Cabañero, Publishing Union, missions, and conference directors, Adventist Book Center Managers, and literature evangelists from the two unions.

“It’s been a while since we have not had this gathering. This fellowship reminds us of our desire to be together and to be working hand in hand to further God’s mission,” Pastor Rey Cabañero said, Publishing Ministries Director of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division. 

“These meetings remind us of how working together in God’s workforce can be encouraging and a drive that lifts our spirit to do more for God’s service,” Cabañero added.

Adventist Book Center Managers (ABC) and literature evangelists came together for this event to learn new trends in sales, marketing, and fellowship. Adventist Book Centers are located in different parts of Indonesia. These centers are strategically located for marketing and ministry to disseminate Adventist books to more people within the 10/40 window. 

Value of Risk Management for Literature Evangelists
Darlene Adap, Director for the Southern Asia-Pacific Division Risk Management Services, jumpstarted the meeting by introducing an Adventist Service that has been existing to provide insurance and security to the Adventist church.
 
The ARMS works closely with Adventist organizations, institutions, literature evangelists, hospitals, schools, and laypeople to provide security and insurance during unprecedented situations. ARMS exists to protect the valuable assets of the church and its ministries. 
 
***Adventist Risk Management Services®, Inc. (ARM) is the official insurance and risk management company for the Seventh-day Adventist Church and Adventist ministries worldwide. ARMS provide timely, real-world insurance products and innovative risk management solutions for minimizing risk within Adventist ministries at all levels. In addition, ARMS recommend best practices to eliminate oversights that can lead to costly accidents. Resource: https://adventistrisk.org/en-ph/about-us/about-arm
 
God’s call to be financially responsible
The newly elected treasurer of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, Elder Jacinto Adap, reminded the delegates about the global financial challenges and how one can rise above the challenges in this generation. 
 
Adap reminded everyone about the responsibility and wisdom entrusted to us to make judgments and decisions that follow the biblical instructions of stewardship. Biblical reminders on stewardship help us manage our finances and attend to our financial responsibilities.
 
He stressed the value of identifying our priorities and spending within our means so we can attend to our responsibilities and achieve financial freedom. 

“The best way to manage our finances is to dedicate our plans and budget to the Lord. It is only through His wisdom that we can make the right choices and plans,” Adap said.

Edward Rodriguez, SSD Communication Department