News

God has used David, Daniel and his companions, Joseph the dreamer, and today's godly youth to defend the truth and save others. Through the Friendship Camp 2024 (F-Camp) and the second wave of the Voice of Youth 2024 (VOY), the Adventist Church in the Southeastern Philippines (SePUM), under the direction of Youth Director Pr. Nelo Seda, Jr., recently initiated and witnessed the baptism of 4,484 people.

What is F-Camp?
Friendship Camp 2024 is a regional camping event designed to develop camaraderie and spiritual growth among both Adventist and non-Adventist participants. This transformative experience provides a week of personal development, spiritual enrichment, and community activities across 80 camp locations. Organized by Adventist Churches in the Southeastern Philippines, the event spans 230 districts from five missions across multiple provinces in the region.

Prior to the Friendship Camporee 2024 (FCamp), most Adventist regional offices in the Southeastern Philippines had just completed their Voice of Youth 2024 (VOY) activities despite having a busy and conflicting schedule. Many VOY attendees also participated in FCamp, seamlessly blending the two youth-oriented initiatives into a robust evangelistic effort, akin to a sturdy safety net for "fishers of men." Embracing the discipleship spirit of those who joined Jesus’ ministry, the campers adopted the theme “PINILI” or "Chosen," with the mission to be the light of the world.

Camping Experience by Missions
The Adventist Church in Southeastern Caraga Mission (SECM) organized the Friendship Camp, which continued to foster strong camaraderie among campers from Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur despite the unpredictable downpours. Although SECM is a newly organized entity following a recent reorganization, its ministers successfully welcomed 1,944 individuals after FCamp.

The Adventist Church in South Central Mindanao (SCMM), a mission recently bifurcated to cover the provinces of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, and the cities of Cotabato, Tacurong, and Kidapawan, successfully welcomed 813 visiting campers into the Adventist faith community across seven campsites.

The Adventist Church in Davao Mission (DM) organized 7 campsites to accommodate the 7 established clusters from Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao City, Digos City, the Island Garden City of Samal, and parts of Cotabato and Bukidnon. In a spirit of unity, this distinctive youth gathering led 716 individuals to embrace their faith and join the church through baptism.

The Adventist Church in Southern Mindanao Mission (SMM), covering districts in South Cotabato, Sarangani, and the cities of General Santos and Koronadal, welcomed 605 newly baptized campers across 24 campsites. Meanwhile, the Northern Davao Mission (NDM), serving the provinces of Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, and Davao de Oro, brought 406 young campers to faith, leading them to the baptistry and to a closer walk with Jesus.

Counsel to Parents in Guiding the Youth
The amiable character, the spirit-driven leadership of those leading the camps, the “sword-like” yet life-changing contents of the plenary sermons, the unique  experiences of the team building activities and challenging games—"all things worked together for good” (Romans 8:28) for those whom God hath chosen.

As a compassionate church dedicated to spreading the gospel effectively, it should always adhere to the counsel of the Spirit of Prophecy, which says, “Parents whose children desire to be baptized have a work to do, both in self-examination and in giving faithful instruction to their children. Baptism is a most sacred and important ordinance, and there should be a thorough understanding as to its meaning. It means repentance for sin, and the entrance upon a new life in Christ Jesus.” Ellen G. White, Testimonies to the Churches, vol. 6, p. 93.

Pastor Danielo Palomares (President), Pastor Edwin Magdadaro (Executive Secretary), and Lawrence Lamera (Treasurer) of SePUM, along with their counterparts in the mission fields, directors, field workers, church officers, and members, fervently desire and pray to nurture young people, adults, and children. They are committed to uniting as a family to share, care for each individual, and reach out to others.

Mrs. White continues to emphasize the role of young people in proclaiming the Three Angels’ message in these last days: "God calls young men and women in the vigor and strength of their youth to join Him in self-denial, sacrifice, and suffering. If they answer the call, He will use them as instruments to save souls for whom He died. However, they must understand the challenges and willingly accept the conditions of serving a crucified Redeemer before embarking on this mission." (Testimonies for the Church, 5.87).

Southeastern Philippines Union Mission Communication Department

The original article was published in the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission Facebook Page.