12 April 2009

Congress ­ A respite for burdened souls

Tired and worn out, thousands came to Mountain View College (MVC) in the center of a region that has been battered with fear as armed conflicts for years between rebel forces and government soldiers dominated their day-to-day life.

They came to experience peace from the challenges that often beset their community. And they believe that coming to MVC for a big congress would offer respite to their burdened souls. A 79-year-old woman voiced out this longing when she said, “I wish this event would have been in heaven! I am tired but I am confident that this will be my last congress here on earth, I long to be home with Jesus!”

As big congresses get more frequent at Mountain View College (MVC), in Valencia City, in southern Philippines, the number of attendees gets bigger, too. This was proven true at the last Sabbath School, Personal Ministries, and Small Group Leaders’ Congress held on April 12-18 when the final tally of attendees came close to 130,000 church members and officers which almost doubled the 2007 Youth Congress’ attendees.

The official delegates and observers represented 16 of the 18 countries within the southern Asia-Pacific region of the Adventist Church (SSD). While the registered delegates came close to 25 thousand, there were five-fold more of observers and church worshippers toward the end of the week and during the Sabbath (Saturday) services, April 18.

While most of the attendees were attracted by the spiritual festivities of devotional messages, songs, and presentations, many were at this congress to display their wares that they believe would help church believers enhance their ministries: DVDs, CDs, souvenir shirts, food, and a lot more.

The seminars and workshops conducted by the departments of the church attracted the delegates so much. “This was first to be done in big congresses like this,” said Pastor Leonardo L Asoy, SS/PM/SGL director for SSD and general coordinator for the Congress. “The participants at each of these departmental seminars were introduced to various ways of ‘Telling the World’ God’s wondrous love.”

Asked of their impressions of the Congress, 16 people were randomly interviewed. Of the 16, four appear here besides the old woman’s corporate voice of people who sought peace and joy amidst trouble in their places:

“I do not want this to be my first and last attendance at congress. I still haven’t grasps the significance of this congress, maybe next time I will be more mature to understand the things that go on here,” said a 12-year old girl. A 27-year old man contributed: “This is the second time I attended Congress like this. I was revitalized. I was awakened. I discovered myself and that no one else can finish the Lord’s work without me.”

“This is not only a feast on God’s word—it is the best of the meetings I attended. I learned a lot in terms of my responsibility to lead out in the outreach programs of our church,” said a 49-year old church leader, while a 65-year-old pastor, when asked why he had to attend the congress since he had a lot of these during his active service, responded, “I am retired from denominational work but I never get tired of doing God’s work. I want Jesus to come soon but I am quite concerned that there are still others who are complacent about it. May this Congress rekindle our desire to finished God’s work that He will return sooner!

At the start of the event, as thousands entered the gates of MVC and pitched their tents, many asked if the college had placed security as its priority of activities. Over the Congress’ Radio, Pastor Rogelio F Nomus, student affairs dean, allayed fears and guaranteed that “security and safety of the delegates inside the campus has taken top priority and we will see to it that everything will run according to logistics and physical plans.” Indeed, at the end of the Congress, except for minor incidents, everything went smooth. As one visitor observed, “This is the only congress with thousands in attendance I saw to have no untoward happenings. It must be because the Adventists practice what they believe!”

Delegation from the Philippines which came from north, central, and south regions consisted about 90 percent of the total congress’ registered attendance. However, the official Filipino delegates were outnumbered five times as much by their nonregistered counterparts who came primarily to enjoy the site and beauty of MVC and to establish new friendship and reconnect with old acquaintances. Another 65-year-old church member, Eugenio Tejada, from Davao City, wished that the Congress be the last one because he felt Christ is coming very soon to end all the troubles that surround us. “I believe this Congress would be the last…because Christ will come soon,” said Tejada in the Visayan dialect.

The foreign delegation came from the churches in Bangladesh, East and West Indonesia, Guam and Micronesia, Myanmar, the territories of Southeast Asia, and Sri Lanka.

At the opening ceremony, April 13, the delegates paraded from the administration building en route in front of Alumni Church going to the grandstand. Donning their official colored T-shirts, delegates smilingly showed vitality and pride as they waved their institutional flags and banners despite the scorching heat of afternoon sun.

Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, the Honorable Bienvenido V Tejano, himself an ordained Seventh-day Adventist pastor, inspired the delegates by his message of Christian servant-hood. The official declaration of the Congress’ opening was led by Pastor Leonardo Asoy. It was followed by the releasing of balloons and festive sounds of fireworks.

The first day culminated with the keynote message, “Tell the World–The Marching Order” given by Pastor Joshua Mok, SSD executive secretary. An overwhelmed observer quips: “If only everyone here would really commit to ‘Tell the World’ the Good News, then Jesus’ coming will be hastened.”

During the course of the event, a lot of people continued to voice out their impressions more particularly on the huge number of attendees. “This is my first time to see such a big crowd of Adventists. And I felt very proud and amazed on how big our church is at SSD since we are located in a very small island with a small membership,” said Pastor David Ebenezer, SS/PM and Youth director of Adventist Church in Sri Lanka.

“I am very impressed about the attendance and enthusiasm of our fellow Adventists for attending a program such as this for one week,” Pastor Ronny Wenas, executive secretary of Jakarta Conference, said. “I felt an overwhelming happiness and excitement to see a huge crowd of God’s people,” said Ismael Caroro, district pastor of Southern Metro Manila.

Church leaders from the world headquarters who gave inspiring messages and lectures included Pastor Mark Finley, general vice-president; Dr Jonathan Kuntaraf, world director for Sabbath School and Personal Ministries; Dr Kathleen Kuntaraf, associate director, Health Ministries; Dr Linda Koh, director, Children’s Ministries; and May Ellen Colon, director for Adventist Community Services. [AND Staff]