Adventist youth teams from the five missions and conferences of the Southwestern Union Philippines have accepted the call to serve their communities through the Voice of Youth Arise 2026 program. This was celebrated during a virtual commissioning night attended by youth leaders across the union.

The commissioning event took place on Friday, April 24, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. It was organized by the Southwestern Philippine Union Conference (SwPUC) Youth Ministries Department, led by Pr. Junifer Colegado (SwPUC Youth Director) and Sis. Myrtle Ashlei Vasquez (SwPUC VOY Coordinator). The program brought together youth directors, youth presidents, and VOY coordinators from the Western Mindanao Conference (WMC), the Zamboanga Peninsula Mission (ZPM), the North-Central Mindanao Conference (NCMC), the Northeastern Mindanao Mission (NEMM), and the Central Mindanao Mission (CMM).

Program leaders reported that VOY Arise 2026 follows a three-phase journey: Stand Up, Step Out, and Shine On. The Stand Up phase included the #ChristInME Challenge, a 14-day nightly prayer journey designed to spiritually prepare participants. The Step Out phase, the focus of the commissioning night, encourages youth to engage with their communities and share the gospel using their spiritual gifts. The Shine On phase will culminate in simultaneous evangelistic series across all five missions and conferences.

“The Voice of Youth is more than an event; it is a movement—one of young people reaching out to other young people, sharing hope, faith, and the message of salvation,” stated Pr. Junifer Colegado, SwPUC Youth Director. “As our VOY teams step forward, they carry not just their talents but also the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.”

Sis. Myrtle Ashlei Vasquez, SwPUC VOY Coordinator, noted that all program materials and resources were developed based on a youth survey conducted across the union. This survey identified the lack of a consistent personal devotional life, internet addiction, and anxiety as the most pressing struggles facing Adventist youth today, while indicating that friends are their strongest source of encouragement to serve God. These insights informed the program’s prayer journey, health lectures, and evangelistic materials. Program leaders also mentioned that VOY teams across the union are preparing for the simultaneous evangelistic series in the coming weeks.

The participation of the youth teams during this event has been guided by their respective leaders, demonstrating a collective effort rather than individual achievement. Program coordinators highlighted that this approach showcases the beauty of relationship-based ministry, where small, caring connections lay the groundwork for evangelism, often referred to as a “bring a friend, not a stranger” philosophy. The commissioning charge, delivered by Pr. Petronio M. Genebago, Associate Youth Director of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, reinforced this theme through the acronym ARISE - Abide, Reflect, Illuminate, Seek, and Endure. “I am blessed to see the Voice of Youth Program being embraced here,” said Pr. Genebago. “I pray that the Voice of Youth will also be accepted by other divisions.”

Anticipated follow-up activities will continue as VOY teams begin their simultaneous evangelistic series, culminating in live reporting and baptisms on May 2, 2026, across the five missions and conferences of the Southwestern Philippine Union Conference.

By: Myrtle Ashlei Vasquez
SwPUC VOY Coordinator