SUPIT, TITAY, ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY — In a remarkable act of faith and generosity, Bro. Luciano Lumaksi, a newly baptized member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and Indigenous People Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Supit, Titay, has donated a 5,900-square-meter parcel of his land to the Zamboanga Peninsula Mission (ZPM). This gesture, rooted in spiritual conviction and community vision, is a powerful testament to the transformative mission of the church: to magnify God’s gift of love and grace.
Once a Barangay Captain and now a respected tribal leader, Bro. Lumaksi’s journey into Adventism is recent—but his commitment runs deep. In the presence of ZPM leaders—Pastor Marlon Maratas (District Pastor), Pastor Pepito Natividad (Stewardship Director), and Pastor Arnold Sombilon (President)—he handed over the land with a heart full of hope and a vision anchored in faith.
Though new in the faith, Bro. Lumaksi’s decision reflects the essence of Adventist stewardship: giving not out of abundance, but out of conviction. “I want the best portion of my land to be where the church will stand,” he shared, pointing to the fertile 900-square-meter plot where he envisions a sanctuary that will proclaim the gospel and nurture souls.
The remaining 5,000 square meters will serve as a youth camp—a place of revival, discipleship, and fellowship. Pastor Sombilon, moved by the gesture, named it the Seventh-day Adventist Youth Tumaksi Camp, honoring the Lumaksi family’s legacy and their commitment to the church’s mission.
The donated land is not only symbolic—it is strategic. Blessed with year-round water from a stream and a spring, and rich in soil fertility, it offers a sustainable foundation for ministry. It is a place where faith can flourish, where young people can gather, and where the Lumad community can encounter the love of Christ through education.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church exists to proclaim the everlasting gospel, to reveal the character of Christ, and to prepare people for His soon return. Bro. Lumaksi’s gift is more than a donation—it is a declaration of that mission. It is a living sermon, preached not from a pulpit, but from the soil of Supit.
Pastor Sombilon expressed deep gratitude on behalf of ZPM: “This is a sacred moment. Bro. Lumaksi’s faith reminds us that the church’s mission is alive. It is growing. And it is being embraced by hearts we never imagined.”
The Lumaksi Clan, known for their humility and generosity, has opened a door for the gospel to reach deeper into the indigenous communities of Zamboanga Sibugay. Their gift will echo through generations—through Sabbath services, youth camps, and perhaps one day, classrooms filled with Lumad children learning of God’s grace.
In a world often driven by self-interest, Bro. Lumaksi’s story is a beacon of selflessness. It reminds us that the mission of the church is not confined to buildings or programs—it lives in the hearts of believers who dare to give, to build, and to believe.
From Barangay Captain to baptized believer, from tribal leader to spiritual trailblazer—Bro. Lumaksi’s journey is a living parable of grace. And on the land he gave, the Seventh-day Adventist Church will continue its mission: to magnify the love of God, to proclaim His grace, and to prepare a people for His kingdom.
Communication Department
