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Delegates from all missions and conferences under the Family Ministries Department of the Central Philippine Union Conference gathered in Cebu City for the Family Ministries Leadership Training. While most of them were leaders of the said department, some were ministerial spouses, pastors, and volunteers who desired to learn and gain insights from this seminar.

The event, held at the CPUC headquarters on Gorordo Ave., Kamputhaw, Cebu City, from March 6 to 8, 2025, aimed to establish biblical, social, and relational foundations to develop and strengthen effective ministries. It focused on enhancing the understanding of contemporary families and their specific needs while equipping leaders with the skills necessary to plan family-centric ministries.

Additionally, the event aimed to train leaders in diverse approaches and methods for family-based evangelism. It also desired to provide opportunities for spiritual reflection, growth, and creativity among participants.

The seminar included a lineup of speakers whose expertise aligned with its post-training goals and objectives. They were Mrs. Virginia P. Baloyo, director of family and women's ministries for the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, and Mylene Gumarao, Ph.D., program chair for the graduate psychology program at the Adventist University of the Philippines.

Other speakers include Dr. Sheryll Ann Castillo, director of guidance services at AUP, and her husband, Pastor Joshua E. Castillo, head of the Bible department at AUP Academy.

The event commenced on March 6, 2025, and was officially opened with welcome remarks from Pastor Eliezer "Joer" Barlizo Jr., the CPUC president, and Pastor Renito Inapan, the CPUC treasurer. Both administrators shared encouraging words, urging the delegates to take full advantage of the opportunity to learn and enjoy the program.

In setting the spiritual tone for the event, Pastor Orley Fajilan, president of the Romblon Mission, delivered a message emphasizing the importance of family as a fundamental unit of society, one that exerts a powerful influence on our lives.

He highlighted that God can use families for His purposes if, like Abraham, the heads of families trust in His faithfulness. Conversely, Pastor Fajilan pointed out several vulnerabilities that can lead to dysfunction within families. By presenting both strengths and weaknesses, participants were able to see themselves in the context of the message and reflect on the areas that could bring their families back to the altar.

On the second day, the morning devotional featured a message from Pastor Nicolas Palarao Jr., ministerial secretary and director of Adventist chaplaincy, Adventist mission, and family ministries for the East Visayan Conference. He emphasized the important role of families in the ministry.

Pastor Palarao drew profound moral lessons from Hannah's life, highlighting her remarkable spiritual achievement in dedicating her son to the Lord. He noted the key aspect of her life that generations admire: the beautiful character she displayed in prayer, marked by her complete submission to the Lord and her strong faith that God would answer her prayers.

The learning sessions were divided into plenaries, group discussions, and open forums. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions, seek clarification on troubling issues, and request advice on personal or situational dilemmas that entangled them.

Mrs. Baloyo emphasized the spiritual aspects of family ministries, highlighting its biblical foundations and the beauty of having spiritually vibrant families. In contrast, Dr. Sheryll Ann and Pastor Castillo focused on building and guiding families by uncovering secrets to resilience in the face of daily life's challenges.

The couple also discussed the key principles of a happy marriage, God's intended design for family relationships, the true meaning of Christian parenting, and the blessings and rewards that come from placing God at the center of the home.

On the other hand, Dr. Gumarao focused on the psychological aspects each family member must learn and understand about each other to attain a harmonious family relationship.

Her discussions focused on understanding human development as a blueprint for shaping the future. She emphasized the importance of interpersonal communication within families, the necessity of educating children about sexuality, and the role of guidance in navigating the digital age. Additionally, she addressed the challenges of supporting children's mental health in today's technology-driven environment.

On the Sabbath, Mrs. Baloyo shared a message encouraging everyone to rebuild the family altar in the spirit of Elijah. She emphasized the importance of this endeavor by citing Elijah's desire to unite people and restore the altar. In discussing how to perfect the family altar, she outlined the common pitfalls that can lead to failure. For each weakness she identified, she also offered practical solutions.

In closing her message, she said, "God is calling for Elijahs. All of us, like Elijah, have trumpets to blow. Let's build, rebuild, and restore the family altars. Let's be an Elijah."

In a message of commitment, Pastor Castillo expressed his inspiration from the lectures he attended. "I am truly humbled," he said. "I stand before you by the grace of God, alongside my wife and Mrs. Inapan, who invited us. I feel privileged to be here. I am inspired to give my best and to do more for the Lord."

Mrs. Melodie Mae K. Inapan is the coordinator of the CPUC Ministerial Spouses Association, the Adventist children and family ministries director, and the organizer of this seminar.

Thankful to God for the event's success, she expressed her appreciation to the administrators, fellow leaders in the family ministries department, and every CPUC member who helped in the preparation and execution of the event.

"Your efforts contributed to the remarkable success of the Family Ministries Leadership Training," she said. "To every CPUC family member whose names and contributions may have gone unmentioned, your efforts have been vital in making the Family Ministries Leadership Training a success."

Furthermore, Mrs. Marilou Fajilan, the director of children and health ministries and coordinator of the ministerial spouses association for the Romblon Mission, shared, "The seminar has given me light in a different dimension. It was so engaging that the time wasn't enough for more discussions. It served as a reminder of my mistakes, and I resorted to making things better this time."

"It is life-changing indeed. I was so blessed. And yes, what I really wanted to know was discussed in the presentations," she added.