Bukidnon, Philippines — A compassionate call to service echoed across Central Mindanao as 42 administrative assistants from across Southwestern Philippines gathered to preach, serenade, and lead Bible studies. This week-long evangelism activity conducted in collaboration with Central Mindanao Mission and lay workers, headed by Pastor Max Dante Obbus, the Executive Secretary of Southwestern Philippine Union Conference.

From early mornings to warm evenings, the office workers who used to just be working behind their desks managed to go out and reach out people with a singular purpose: to share hope through song, conversation, and study. The nightly program is blended with music and message that leads people to discover on the steps of a life closer to God. Between melodies, small group discussions are done where they facilitated thoughtful Bible studies designed to welcome questions, foster dialogue, and invite participants to explore scripture in a non-pressured environment. Every team conducted home visits, listening to residents’ stories, offering encouragement through prayers, and sharing practical resources tailored to individual needs.

By the conclusion of the evangelistic meetings, 179 individuals had accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior and were baptized as the new members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

With the leadership of Pastor Max Dante Obbus, he emphasizes that the impact of what AA is doing extends beyond numbers, highlighting the seeds of curiosity, connection, and renewed purpose sown in the hearts of the nightly attendees. He also highlighted that from last year’s Evangelism efforts in Dinagat Island, to this year’s evangelism in Central Mindanao, God has never failed to blessed and used God’s people to spread the gospel all throughout the earth.

Among those touched by the evangelism is Elvie, and in a testimony she said, “Ako karon kay nagdawat sa Ginoo kay akong mag experience gipa realized niya sa akoa kung unsa siya ka maayo sa akoa. Sa before wala pa nako siya (Ginoo) gibali-bali, morag layaw diri, layaw didto (akong kinabuhi). One time naka decide ko nga mo abroad kay dili enough ang income, pero na reject ko kay morag dili gyud plano sa Ginoo nga ipalayo ko sa pamilya. Sa dihang na reject ko ug naa ko sa Manila, ug naka saka ko ug balay sa usa ka missionary. Ug didto Nakita nako kung unsaon ang pag-alagad sa Ginoo. Sa dihang miuli ko sa Bukidnon, ako gyud giistoryahan akong bana sa akong nahuptan nga kalipay kung naa ang Ginoo. Nagpasalamat pud mi sa layman nga kanunay gyud nag Bible Study namo ug sa matag gabii nga naminaw mi sa wali. Ug karong adlawa, kami kauban sa akong bana ug mga anak magadawat sa bawtismo ug among giampo nga ang Ginoo magbantay ug magpanalangin kanamo isip pamilya.

“I am now receiving from the Lord, for I have experienced Him making His goodness real in my life. In the past, before I fully surrendered, life felt uneven—some days were comfortable, others not. There was a time I decided to go abroad because our income as a family was not enough, but I was rejected because it seemed God did not intend to separate me from my family. After that rejection, I found myself in Manila and ended up staying with a missionary family. There I learned how to serve the Lord.

When I returned to Bukidnon, I shared with my husband the happiness I found in having God in my life. We are grateful for the laypeople who regularly study the Bible with us and for every evening we spent listening to the preaching of the secretaries. Today, my husband, our children, and I are about to be baptized, and we prayerfully ask that God watch over and bless us as a family.”

The initiative of involving administrative assistants in the work that perceived to be the work of ministers and pastors demonstrated that everyone can be a vessel of hope and God can use anyone in making disciples for Christ. This second time evangelistic effort succeeds after last year’s initial efforts in Dinagat Island, reflects a commitment to the missionary work of our women in the office and fosters unity among administrative assistants throughout Southwestern Philippines.

By Charm Senining-Pamisa
SwPUC Dept