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The Publishing Ministries Department of the Adventist Church in Central Philippines (CPUC) recently concluded the highly anticipated CPUC-wide Literature Evangelists' (LE) Congress and Spirit of Prophecy (SOP) Summit 2023, held at Winter's Farm Resort in Masbate, Philippines. With the theme of "Identity, Purpose, and Mission," these consecutive events brought together delegates, pastors, and guest speakers to explore the profound significance of Adventist beliefs and the role of the Spirit of Prophecy.

During the LE Congress, held from May 21 to May 24, over 300 delegates from various missions and conferences convened to gain knowledge and insights. The opening night featured a powerful message from God through Pastor Rey Cabañero, Publishing Ministries director for the Southern Asia-Pacific region (SSD), setting the tone for the event. Distinguished guest speakers, including Dr. Reuel Almocera, director of the Ellen G. White Estate of the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) branch; Dr. Edgar Bryan Tolentino, service director of the Ellen G White Resource Center in the Southern Asia-Pacific region; Pastor Kenroy Campbell, a Jamaican minister, together with his wife, Raquel Campbell, who served as devotional speakers; and Mr. Wilson Christian Garrett, as a lecturer, contributed to the enriching experience.

Following the LE Congress, the Spirit of Prophecy Summit officially commenced on May 24 and concluded on May 28, gathering nearly  200 pastors, officers, and directors from across the Central Philippines. The summit placed significant emphasis on Ellen G. White as an inspired prophetess and messenger of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Her writings were recognized as a vital source of support for the church's Biblical truths, beliefs, and doctrines, including topics such as righteousness by faith, justification, sanctification, and perfection.

During the opening night, Pastor Calev Maquirang, CPUC executive secretary, highlighted the importance of the Spirit of Prophecy. He stressed, "The Seventh-day Adventist Church is grateful for the gift of prophecy through Ellen G. White. This gift revealed in her life and ministry is viewed as a distinctive mark of the church before the return of Jesus. It is given to help believers have anticipation for His second coming and encourage believers to utilize their spiritual gifts to prepare the world for His inevitable return." He also added, "Ellen G. White emphasized the importance of spreading Adventist literature widely, comparing it to the scattering of autumn leaves, and that she called for distribution in cities and villages and reaching as many people as possible. We encourage everyone to engage in this very important work before the probation of salvation closes so that many will be prepared for the coming of Jesus."

Pastor Ferdinand Esico, CPUC Publishing Ministries director, affirmed the significance of Adventist teachings, beliefs, and doctrines in defining the identity of the church. He emphasized, "The Spirit of Prophecy, often regarded as one of the identifying marks of the remnant church, had not received equal importance in previous gatherings. This summit aimed to prioritize and provide more emphasis on this important matter."

Participants expressed their gratitude for the CPUC LE Congress and SOP Summit 2023, recognizing the reinforcement of Adventist identity, purpose, and mission. One of the attendees expressed, "All I can say is that I am grateful for the opportunity to attend. These two events served as platforms to strengthen church members in local congregations, enabling us to address current issues and create a unified vision for the future."

The organizers hope that the commitment made during these gatherings will guide participants in fulfilling their mission with greater zeal and effectiveness until the Lord's return.

Nadeth Quinto, Central Philippine Union Conference