Pastor Eliezer “Joer” Barlizo Jr., president of the Central Philippine Union Conference, conducted a Happy Family and Hope Seminar at the recently inaugurated NSM Gymnasium in Brgy. Tubtubon, Sibulan, Negros Oriental. It culminated with the baptism of 82 individuals from the seven districts of Negros Oriental-Siquijor Mission.
The week-long evangelistic meeting took place from Oct. 26 to Nov. 1, 2025, and was streamed live by the Hope Channel-Negros Oriental, one of the regional television and media production centers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church under the CPUC territory.
One of the highlights of the evangelistic event was the special dedication, turnover, and inauguration of NSM’s new infrastructures on Oct. 31, including its main venue: the new NSM Gymnasium.
The other new facilities, which significantly boost the mission’s capacity for ministry and outreach, also include a media center extension, a heritage center, a duplex apartment, and a new conference room.
During the nightly series, Pastor Barlizo delivered messages focused on themes of family happiness and hope. He also incorporated daily life experiences and testimonies aimed at strengthening marital and family bonds. While participants found these messages hilarious, they recognized the spiritual and practical importance of cultivating a happy home life.
During his message during the divine service, Pastor Barlizo presented a visual lesson on resilience, featuring an image of a large tree that had endured numerous tempests yet stayed rooted. He explained that this tree represented the ideal life in Christ.
The key to such endurance, he said, is a deep, unshakeable connection to Christ. “We will remain anchored safely in Jesus through the storms of life,” he preached. He concluded with a promise of character change: “If our faith is rooted in the word of God, there will be a change in our undesirable character. We no longer focus on others’ weaknesses and shortcomings. We no longer think badly of others.”
The evangelistic series concluded with the baptism of 71 individuals who chose to accept Jesus.
Pastor Ildefonso Baquilabat, NSM president, expressed joy and gratitude to all who supported the evangelistic meetings. They include the church members from the different districts across NSM, the district leaders, and the district pastors.
He also thanked the CPUC administrators, led by Pastor Barlizo, for selecting NSM for his major evangelistic effort area and for the support in the construction of the projects mentioned above.
Lyn Lucero ⎸ CPUC Communication Departments