Bulacao, Talisay, Cebu (February 1, 2025)—Central Philippines’ Ministerial Spouses Association Seminar and Back to the Altar Convocation concluded today with emotional moments as participants shared unspoken encouragement through the language of their hugs.
The event focused on equipping and empowering ministerial spouses to bring their families back to the altar and effectively contribute to their ministries, going beyond the role of supportive partners to their pastor husbands.
It also gave delegates valuable insights on building their identities, enhancing strength and self-esteem, and promoting personal development.
The convocation took place at the Adventist Academy Cebu International Church in Bulacao, Talisay City, Cebu, from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1, 2025. Over 240 ministerial spouses and supporting staff from across the Central Philippine Union Conference were in attendance.
The event featured guest speakers who gave the delegates valuable insights and learning experiences. Mrs. Glenda Catane, a retired CPUC Women’s Ministries director and Ministerial Spouses Association coordinator, spoke for the morning devotional sessions.
Pastor Christopher S. Del Monte, a psychologist and counseling professional, delved into understanding the nature of trauma and other mental health aspects. He also serves as the program head of the Hoffen Clinic-Center for Mental Health at Adventist Hospital Davao.
Other featured guest speakers were Mrs. Danita Caderma, who serves as the Ministerial Spouses Association coordinator and Adventist Children’s Ministries director for the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, and Mrs. Delba B. de Chavez, who is the Family and Women’s Ministries director for the Southern Luzon Philippine Union Mission in Lipa City, Batangas.
After each lecture, delegates were given time for open forums to raise questions or seek advice regarding troubling situations at home, in their workplace, or areas of assignments. They were also divided into groups where they could share thoughts and experiences, allowing them to encourage one another.
In her devotional messages, Mrs. Catane emphasized the importance of raising an altar in the ministerial home. She enumerated the struggles faced by ministerial families that lead to spiritual exhaustion and negative impacts on their children.
With these challenges, Mrs. Catane stressed the importance of strengthening altars in the ministerial homes as the only source of healing and unity. It is also the avenue where each member can lay down their burdens and bring them to the Lord in prayer.
On the other hand, Mrs. de Chavez elaborated on the seven principles of the Back to the Altar initiative. Initiated by the General Conference, this initiative encourages the daily, habitual practice of morning and evening worship.
As she said, the Back to the Altar principles offer a comprehensive path to discipleship, emphasizing a return to core spiritual practices. Beginning with accepting God’s grace and acknowledging His authority, they stress the importance of nurturing intimacy with Him through Scripture and prayer.
The principles emphasize the importance of seeking the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit and extending Christ-like love to one’s family. In the final steps, believers are called to actively participate in the Great Commission by both discipling others and living out their unique, God-given purposes.
Moreover, Pastor Del Monte presented a unique approach to empowering ministerial spouses. He explored the psychological aspects of trauma, helping the delegates understand how these experiences could affect human behavior and impact those surrounding individuals with their traumatic issues.
By gaining understanding, pastors’ spouses can achieve personal healing. By gracefully confronting their struggles, they can deepen their faith and become more resilient in the face of life’s challenges.
During the vesper worship, Mrs. Caderma defined the ministerial spouses as the quiet strength behind the pulpit. She also likened them to an assistant to a lighthouse keeper, the roots of a plant, and the bright moonlight illuminating a dark and sleeping world—unseen but giving much without seeking recognition.
On the Sabbath’s hour of worship, she encouraged the spouses to gracefully hold the figurative position of honor and influence as cupbearers to the kings. In this analogy, the image of a cupbearer as the king’s protector and trustee expresses the unique and valuable role a pastor’s wife plays in supporting her husband and his ministry.
The convention concluded in the afternoon with a commitment service and a candle-lighting ceremony after preludes of musical renditions. The ministers’ spouses wrote their commitments to the Lord and placed them on the box by the candlelights, signifying their complete surrender and renewed dedication to His will.
In a dedicatory prayer, Pastor Fernando Narciso, CPUC vice-president for the IEL/NDR, delivered their supplications and commitments to the Lord.
The closing moments of the event after the commitment service evoked deep emotional responses among the spouses. They embraced each other with tears in their eyes, finding comfort and sharing encouragement in the silent language of their hugs.
Michelle Nogra, AAC vice-principal for junior high school and one of the ministerial spouses, shared her impression of the event: “I’m deeply inspired and motivated to strengthen my family back to the altar. The messages are so inspiring and informative, making me understand others better.”
In another interview, Jacyl Alburo, also a pastor’s spouse, expressed her gratitude for having attended the event. She shared, “This event significantly deepened my understanding of trauma and its impact on behavior. I gained valuable insights into my own behavior and the behaviors of those around me. The seminar provided me with practical knowledge that I believe will greatly improve my interactions with my fellow church members, enabling me to serve them more effectively.”
In addition, Mrs. Melodie Mae K. Inapan, CPUC Ministerial Spouses Association coordinator, Adventist Children and Family Ministries director and organizer of this convention said in her closing remarks, “We are grateful that the Lord has given us the opportunity to have this MSA Convocation. We encourage you to share what you learned here with the churches in your territory.”
For these spouses, the learnings and the memories they gained from the event were priceless and unforgettable.
By Lyn Lucero, CPUC Communication Department