Pastor Violeto Bocala, the first retired president of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD), conducted a large-scale evangelistic effort in Iloilo, Philippines.
The 14-day seminar, held at the Iloilo Science and Technology University in Lapaz, Iloilo, Philippines, from October 13 to 26, 2024, culminated with 144 individuals deciding to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
Driven by the church's core mission to prepare the world for Christ's return, Pastor Bocala's seminar incorporated the integrated approach of Total Membership Involvement (TMI). This initiative, aligning with the church's objective of mobilizing all members, provided spiritual and health education to audiences on-site and online.
Before Pastor Bocala's session each night, different health professionals conducted lectures elaborating on the church's belief in the importance of physical and mental well-being as integral to health.
These medical professionals included Dr. Ted Chew from Aenon Health Center, Dr. Glenn Maypa, a retired CPUC health director, and Dr. Janice Taleon, a psychologist.
Numerous working committees and volunteers across the city's Adventist churches joined this effort, including pastors, Bible workers, and Hope Channel Western Visayas volunteers, who enabled live broadcasts to reach an even broader audience. Moreover, the WVC administrators, church leaders, and church members all contributed to the smooth flow and success of the event.
Since the start of 2024, the West Visayan Conference has committed to a long-term plan for city evangelism, with the first steps taken in January to prepare the ground for this event. These collaborative efforts have led to the baptism of 758 individuals, marking a significant milestone in the conference's evangelistic mission.
Reflecting on this event, Pastor Bocala and the West Visayan Conference leaders look forward to expanding initiatives, recognizing that this work fulfills the commission to make disciples of all nations.
As they always emphasized, their passion is rooted in the great commission call found in Matthew 28:19-20: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."
By Catherine Princetia Bernal, West Visayan Conference
The original version of this article is posted on the official Facebook page of the West Visayan Conference.
City Evangelism Leads to 758 Baptisms
Pastor Violeto Bocala, the first retired president of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD), conducted a large-scale evangelistic effort in Iloilo, Philippines. The 14-day seminar, held at the Iloilo Science and Technology University in Lapaz, Iloilo, Philippines, from October 13 to 26, 2024, culminated with 144 individuals deciding to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.…
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