Pastors’ wives from the East Visayan Conference gathered for the Ministerial Spouses Association Continuing Education Level 3 at the East Visayan Conference Worship Hall in Tacloban City, Leyte, from Oct. 16 to 18, 2025. It culminated in a graduation ceremony during which 16 ministerial spouses completed the course.
The event, themed “Stronger Together,” offered spouses a three-day journey of learning, reflection, and spiritual renewal. It also highlighted the vital role that every pastor’s spouse plays in supporting the ministry and strengthening the church.
The program began with a series of insightful lectures. On the first day, Mae Dean Romanillos, EVC MSA coordinator, talked about “What Every Pastor’s Wife Should Know About Her Husband’s Ministry?” In this topic, she emphasized the importance of understanding and supporting pastors in their ministry.
Meanwhile, Melodie Mae K. Inapan, family and children’s ministries director and MSA coordinator for the Central Philippine Union Conference, discussed the “Warning Signs of Trouble in a Pastoral Marriage.”
Here, she also addressed common challenges in pastoral marriages, elaborating on how misunderstandings and stress can lead to emotional distance between couples, including those in ministry.
However, she emphasized that as pastoral spouses, they are viewed as role models, making it crucial to be intentional about nurturing their marriage. Her message was one of sincerity and optimism, encouraging everyone to seek help when needed, to communicate openly, and to consciously choose one another every single day.
Both these speakers’ discussions encouraged attendees to foster patience and communication in their relationships as pastors’ wives.
The Sabbath day featured four enriching lectures from a variety of speakers. Adelaida Onde, a retired EVC MSA coordinator, shared principles for enhancing marital and spiritual relationships based on love and faith.
Mary Grace Lucero, MSA leader from the Ormoc-Albuera district, facilitated a lively rap session to encourage openness among participants.
Romanillos returned to discuss the significance of modesty and grace in appearance, while Inapan focused on self-esteem and recognizing one’s worth in ministry.
The Continuing Education culminated in a Graduation Ceremony during which 16 ministerial spouses received their certificates and MSA pins after completing all three levels of the MSA Continuing Education Program.
During the commitment ceremony, Inapan delivered a message urging graduates to “thrive with purpose where God has planted you,” emphasizing the shared mission of the spouse and the pastor.
The ceremony also highlights the signing of the MSA Covenant—symbolizing a dedication to faithful service—and a prayer of blessing offered by Pastor Onde.
The event concluded with a surprise gesture as the husbands presented their wives with bouquets of flowers, symbolizing love and appreciation for their vital role in the ministry. The warm gesture also added a note of celebration to the occasion.
For the pastors’ wives, this event served not only as a space for educational enrichment but also as a celebration of the bonds formed among ministerial spouses, reinforcing the conclusion that they are indeed “Stronger Together.”
Lyn Lucero/ CPUC Communication Department