The Spirit of Prophecy Convention participated by all missions and conferences across the Central Philippine Union Conference culminated on Oct 12, 2024.
The event, themed “Sharing the Vision,” started on Oct 9, 2024, and took place at Adventist Academy Cebu International Church in Bulacao, Talisay, Cebu City, Cebu.
It featured keynote speakers, including Pastor Mark Joseph Percival Pearce, the director of EGW Research Center Avondale University in New South Wales, Australia; Pastor Edgar Bryan Tolentino, SOP and Adventist Heritage director of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division; and Donny Chrissutianto, Ph.D., an associate professor of Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies.
Other keynote speakers were Pastor Felixian Felicitas, the field secretary of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division; Pastor Eldyn Toledo, D.Min., CPUC director of the Ellen G. White Study Center and Spirit of Prophecy; and Pastor James Rubrico, CPUC ministerial secretary and Adventist Mission/Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries director.
The primary objective of the convention was to provide a platform for these speakers to guide the delegates in a comprehensive review of historical and prophetic events. This journey began before the Great Spiritual Awakening in the 1730s – 1740s and extended to the events leading up to and following the Great Disappointment in 1844.
They reviewed a group of Christian pioneers who, together with William Miller, a Baptist preacher, believed in the imminent Second Coming of Christ on Oct 22, 1844. When the expected event did not occur, it led to disillusionment and division among them.
However, a small group of Millerites remained convinced of their beliefs and continued to study the Bible. They eventually formed the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which has since grown into a global denomination with millions of members.
One of this small group was Ellen G. White, a visionary and author who played a central role in the development of Adventist theology and doctrine. Her writings are considered inspired by God and are widely read within the Adventist Church.
These speakers discussed several more topics related to these historical and prophetic events, including understanding Ellen White’s writings, the development of Gift of Prophecy doctrines, the supporting factors to the acceptance of the Trinity in the Adventist Church, the last church in the prophecy, vegetarianism, and many others.
Moreover, the messages of encouragement related to the Spirit of Prophecy during the morning devotionals, midweek, and vesper worship ignited resounding exclamations of “Amen!” from the delegates. It signified spiritual inspiration and understanding that God had impressed them through these messengers.
These speakers included Pastor Agapito Catane Jr., a retired CPUC president; Pastor Ildefonso Baquilabat, Negros-Siquijor Mission president; Pastor Dianito Pantaleon, D.Min., Cebu City SDA Church pastor; and Pastor Richard Dean Masangcay, D.Min., West Visayan Conference executive secretary.
On the Sabbath, Pastor Felicitas expounds on “Country living and the Cities.” He led the listeners to understand where the concept of country living started in history. In his explanation, it arose during the American Depression Era, when country living was encouraged because it was safer.
He quoted Dwight Delafield’s counsel in his book “Country Living is Safer.” It said, “The suddenness with which disaster may strike on this atomic age and the uncertainty of life should lead every sober Christian to consider seriously these factors relating to the welfare of every man.”
Eventually, various publications on country living were published. Unfortunately, many Adventists misinterpreted these contexts of country living. They read just one or two quotations without understanding the whole concept or considering the historical background during which country living was encouraged.
Pastor Felicitas said, “Let us not take Ellen White out of context. That will make things obscure to us.” He further stressed that misreading Ellen White will lead to misleading. He then challenged the pastor to guard the pulpits, preach sound biblical theology, and read Ellen White correctly.
Furthermore, Pastor Pearce, during the hour of worship, inspired the worshippers with his message about the “Ocean of God’s Love.” Relating his message to Ellen White, he explained that White only understood God’s love in the 1880s.
Pastor Pearce quoted her saying, “I have seen the tender love that God has for His people, and it is very great.”
Until she had dreams, and in one of her dreams, she saw an angel over every saint with their wings spread about them. If the saint weeps over discouragement or were in danger, the angel who ever attended them would fly quickly upward to carry the tidings, and the angels of the city would cease to sing.
Then Jesus would commission another angel to comfort them, and when the saints wouldn’t be comforted, the angels would look sad and weep. If the saints praised God, the angels would sing.
Ellen White defined God’s love as great and encompassing; thus, those who know Him are blessed.
In the afternoon, the organizers closed the event with a commitment ceremony, during which Pastor Calev Maquirang, CPUC executive secretary, delivered the commitment message.
Pastor Maquirang shared that in sharing the vision and sharing the message requires us a commitment to devote ourselves to Jesus and to sharing His message.
In closing his message, he challenged everyone to commit to having a close, daily devotion to Jesus and sharing the Gospel message from that moment onward.
A candle lighting ceremony followed, inviting the Holy Spirit to have a deeper focus on prayer and meditation as the ministers dedicated everyone present to the continual service in the ministry and constant walk with Him until He comes.
Lyn Lucero, CPUC Communication Department