Local church Publishing coordinators from the 47 districts of Zamboanga Peninsula Mission came together on the Sabbath, July 6, 2024 for orientation of their new church post. Publishing leaders of South Western Philippine Union Conference and Philippine Publishing House served as resource persons.
“This seminar aims to train and guide the elected LCPC to lead his fellow church members in getting involved in the literature ministry of the church,” said Pastor Samuel J. Labag, ZPM Publishing director.
A collaboration of Publishing leaders in SWPUC, the seminar brought in a wealth of experience, wisdom, and capability to equip the LCPCs to do the work of sharing the Gospel through the printed page.
Since not all LCPCs were colporteurs, this symposium was not only an orientation but also a recruitment for them to become part-time or full-time literature evangelists.
Pastor Lemuel Nietes, Western Mindanao Conference Publishing director, explained the philosophy and objectives of the literature ministry. He said, “The Publishing work started the Adventist work here, it will also continue till the end of time. In the canvassing work, no high educational attainments are a prerequisite. Whether you are a professional or not, ifyou are hard-working, patient, faithful and true in your relationship with God, you are in. You are accepted here.”
Pastor Antonio Duroy, Jr North Central Mindanao Conference director, discussed the role or work of the LCPC in the church: 1) Getting involved in literature evangelism 2) Forming the literature evangelism council the members of which are a church elder, personal ministry leader, LCPC, church/district pastor ex-officio 3) Establishing the literature ministry composed of the literature evangelism council, the in reach church-based literature evangelist, and the outreach church-based literature evangelist 4) Leading revival and evangelism thru lending libraries 5)Engaging church members in literature evangelism thru selling and joining the “Big Week.”
According to Sir Elbert Esperanzate, PPH Vice President for Home Health Education Service and Adventist Book Center operations, a survey was donein 2018 among Adventist church members. It revealed three main issues: 1) Very low personal devotion and family worship 2) Very high engagement in digital technology and 3) Lost love for mission.
In still another survey whose respondents were mostly Roman Catholics, the Bible was still the most-read book, and a printed book was still the most preferred form of reading material, Sir Esperanzate said.
With all the challenges in the church and their resulting consequences, Philippine Publishing House intends toaddress the issues at hand by producing and providing the reading materials for the church and the community.
Pastor Elmer Abesta, SWPUC Publishing director,reminded the congregation in the hour of worship, “The purpose of our message is to prepare people for heaven, for God’s soon return. When we participate in God’s work, we also prepare ourselves for His soon return. We learn humility, we practice patience. Because if an LE isn’t patient, he won’t last in the work.
“Those who have more, buy books to give away. Those who have little, join the “Big Week.” Spreading the Gospel becomes easier with the printed page. We are all missionaries as long as life shall last,” Pastor Abestasaid.
“The book that you give is a soul at Jesus’ feet. So make the wise and best choice in your life,” Pastor Emilio Sabio, Central Mindanao Mission Publishingdirector enthused. “Be a soul winner. Be a literature evangelist.”
“I carry a book wherever I go to give to someone,” Dr. Mansueta Sabellina, a medical practitioner in Zamboanga City, told of her habit in purchasing message books. “The book placed in someone’s hand becomes that person’s responsibility. If he doesn’t read it, some other person will. Nobody is too young or too old to get involved in the work of God.”
The seminar was culminated by a commitment service led by Pastor Vilmar Mandalupa, ZPM executive secretary. In view of the soon coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, he charged the seminarians to get involved in the noble and sacred work of the Publishing and literature ministry.
