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Spouses of ministers across the Central Philippines gather at the Adventist Academy International Church in Bulacao, Talisay City, Cebu, for the first Ministerial Spouses Association and Back to the Altar Convocation for the year 2025.

The event, held Jan. 29-Feb. 1, officially opened Wednesday night with 240 ministerial spouses and supporting staff in attendance. Its insights and learnings are centered on the theme, "Stronger Together, Embracing Ministerial Families Back to the Altar."

Mrs. Melodie Mae K. Inapan, Ministerial Spouses Association coordinator and Adventist Children and Family Ministries director of the Central Philippine Union Conference, defined the goals and objectives of the event during her welcome address.

She stated, "My dear ministerial spouses, our goal—no, the goal of this convention—is to equip you and empower you in both our ministries and, of course, our personal lives so that every one of us here can effectively team up with our pastors—husbands in the ministry."

"So ladies, I encourage you to take full advantage of the opportunity to learn and connect with your fellow ministerial spouses. This is your chance to meet new friends," she added.

Mrs. Inapan was also the organizer of this four-day CPUC-wide ministerial spouses' convention.

Pastor Charles Nogra, president of the Central Visayan Conference, and Mrs. Ruby Myrrh C. Ortega, AAC principal for Junior High School, greeted the ministerial spouses in separate welcome addresses. Both expressed a desire for this seminar to achieve its goals and objectives.

Setting the tone for the event was the participants' spectacular "Entrance Parade" featuring various missions and conferences, where each group donned colorful attire.

"Everyone seems excited. The atmosphere is lively, and people are chatting happily," Jeralyn Vanzuela, one of the attendees said while observing the event.

Moreover, for the night's spiritual enrichment and emphasis on "Back to the Altar," Pastor Fernando Narciso, CPUC vice-president for the Integrated Evangelism Lifestyle/Nurturing, Discipleship, and Retention, delivered a message about the importance of bringing each one's family back to the altar.

"Family is God's design for nurturing faith, love, and responsibility," Pastor Narciso said, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing family, particularly in their spiritual development. He highlighted the need to restore family worship in the morning and evening, explaining that this is the essence of the "Back to the Altar" initiative.

"Back to the Altar" is an initiative by the leaders of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church," says Aurora Canals, GC associate ministerial secretary for pastoral spouses and families, on GC's official website for pastors' spouses.

"It's a call to every member to restore personal and family worship. This initiative seeks to educate, inspire, and encourage members to strengthen their relationship with God by spending more time in prayer and Bible study and less time on digital devices. It prioritizes allowing the Holy Spirit to talk to us through the Word of God and encourages healthy ways to use media."

Following this opening ceremony and special midweek worship was the cultural presentation and display of local delicacies per mission or conference. This part of the program allowed the spouses to showcase the diverse cultural backgrounds of their respective provinces, including their talents and skills.

For the spouses, this part of the night's program was particularly enjoyable and exciting, as they had the opportunity to sample the various delicacies presented on a long table set up in the center aisle.

The opening night ended with a wonderful experience for all, preparing them for the next day's learning and activities.