In response to Harvest 2025, the Young Missionaries for Christ conducted a “Voice of Youth” evangelistic event from March 9 – 15, 2025.
The event, themed “A Community Transformed,” took place at Canduman Seventh-day Adventist Church, one of the churches under the Central Cebu District Association of Churches.
The series aimed to inspire individuals to embrace the potential for transformation within their communities, particularly encouraging the youth to consider how they can become agents of positive change.
On the first night, Brother Jeffrey Obsioma III, president of YMC for 2021-2022, presented the topic “Not Just Any Location or a Random Decision.” He emphasized that in fulfilling Jesus’ ministry, His followers must be bold enough to step outside their comfort zones. They need to overcome the limitations and fears that hold them back, fully committing themselves to the Great Commission, which calls them to go forth and preach the gospel around the world.
Bro. Stephen Oldinaria, a youth leader from Mandaue City Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, brought up the topic “Crossing Cultural Barriers” on the second night. His talk highlighted the importance of approaching individuals from different cultures with humility, respect, and genuine compassion. He encouraged building bridges of understanding and trust so that Jesus’ love could reach every corner of the world.
The third night featured Genesis Quilo, an AMiCUS officer, who spoke on “Your City, Your Mission.” This session focused on the church’s purpose within the city. Quilo discussed how God always took the initiative to connect with humanity, dynamically seeking the lost and being ever-present alongside them. He emphasized that the church was comprised not of buildings or programs but of the people who made up the community of faith. They were called to be living reflections of God, restoring others to His image through love and grace.
On the fourth night, Bro. Jikko Formentera, who served as the CPUC PCM coordinator for 2024, addressed the theme “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself.” He discussed how love was the foundational principle of God’s creation (1 John 4:8). As followers of Christ, they were called to show love to their neighbors in accordance with God’s command, demonstrating respect, kindness, and understanding in all their interactions.
Vic Adrian Atuel, a public information officer of the YMC-North Central Cebu District Association of Churches, delivered a discussion titled “God’s Plan for Ishmael Before the End of Time” on the fifth night. His message highlighted the universal love that God held for all people and emphasized the role of believers in guiding the descendants of Ishmael toward His kingdom.
On the sixth night, Emmee Jane Espinosa, who served as the vice president for religious affairs of YMC-CCDAC, spoke on the topic “A Community Transformed.” She emphasized the importance of personal transformation over conforming to the patterns of the world. In contrast to secular consumerism, which fostered self-centeredness and undermined community, she encouraged the celebration of the Sabbath and the cultivation of connections between generations within the church.
As stated in Romans 12, she highlighted that lives should be dedicated to worship, service, connection, growth, and sharing. Espinosa reminded everyone that they were called to lead transformed lives that reflected their commitment to Christ.
The Voice of Youth series culminated on March 15, 2025, with Mon Andrew Retuya, the president of YMC-CCDAC, presenting the last topic, “A Tale of Cities.” He explained that each city served as a battleground for the contrasting forces of Babylon, represented by Baal and Satan, and Jerusalem, represented by Yahweh, the Lord. Cities held significant importance to God, who desired to redeem and transform them into beacons of hope for the world.
In emphasizing the youth’s role in the ministry during the Sabbath worship, he said, “Wherever life takes us, whether in school or the workplace, it is part of God’s divine plan for us. We should be intentional in our community engagement.”
For the youth, as a community of believers in a multicultural context, they believed they were called to rewrite their stories through spiritual transformation. As bearers of God’s light, they should strive to build bridges characterized by trust, understanding, humility, respect, and genuine compassion to help spread God’s love and the gospel to the people.
Additionally, as young people of God, they understood that they should embody the change they wished to see in the world.
Emmee Jane Espinosa, Vice-President of the Young Missionaries for Christ for Religious Affairs
The article’s original version is published on the official Facebook page of the Young Missionaries for Christ -Central Cebu District Association of Churches.