As part of the simultaneous evangelism program of the Central Philippine Union Conference, the “Reaching All for Christ Care Group” held an evangelistic campaign in five various locations in Bohol, which resulted in 42 baptisms.
This unified evangelism program, held from Sept.15 – 21, 2024, was also a part of the Third Care Group Harvest Celebration, which took place in the same week.
ReACh Care Group, comprising a CPUC administrator, officers, and staff, is one of the care groups established within CPUC.
In this evangelism program in Bohol, two directors were assigned to Southwestern Bohol Districts. These directors include Pastor Calev Maquirang, the CPUC executive secretary and the adviser of the ReACh Care Group, and Pastor Gaudencio Buque, CPUC Health Ministries director.
Pastor Jenboy Luston, Hope Channel Central Philippines production head, and Mrs. Fe Pigon, CPUC Women’s Ministries director, were assigned to Western Bohol. Meanwhile, Dr. Lemuel Banday, CPUC Education director, was Southern Bohol District.
During these weeklong evangelistic campaigns, church leaders and members across the district supported the event. This included addressing needs arising during the meetings, accommodations for the speakers, transportation for attendees, appointments of other nightly program participants, and pre-event preparations.
In one location, specifically in Brgy. Tabalong, Dauis, Bohol, where Pastor Maquirang was the speaker, several Adventist physicians volunteered to conduct free medical consultations and distribute free medications during the meetings. Among them was Dr. Sharleen Lim, an Adventist pediatrician affiliated with Holy Name University Hospital.
These simultaneous evangelistic efforts resulted in 42 individuals accepting Jesus Christ through baptism. The baptisms took place in each district where the Bible seminars were conducted.
With prayers, the ReACh Care group left the area, looking forward to the day the seeds sown this week in many undecided or hesitant hearts will be reaped abundantly in God’s own time.
In an interview, Mrs. Juliet Buque, the health educator at Adventist Hospital-Cebu, said, “Care Group ministry is healthy and effective. You can draw strength and excitement from each other to do the work.”
She added, “This kind of ministry also allows each member to create deeper bonds. You get to be more motivated. You feel at home because there is a sense of family belongingness.”
Pastor Eliezer “Joer” Barlizo, CPUC president, expressed gratitude to the members of the ReACh Care Group, the district pastors assigned to those locations, and all the leaders and church members who dedicated their time to support these evangelistic campaigns.
He quoted Ellen G. White’s message from her book “Counsels on Health” which says, “I pray earnestly that the work we do at this time shall impress itself deeply on heart and mind and soul. Perplexities will increase; but let us, as believers in God, encourage one another. Let us not lower the standard, but keep it lifted high, looking to Him who is the Author and Finisher of our faith.”