Salug, Zamboanga del Norte — Inmates at Salug District Jail were recently uplifted through a meaningful gift-giving event, marking the 28th day before the concluding week of My Journey with God Season 5, a spiritual program led by the Southwestern Philippine Union Conference and Southeastern Philippine Union Mission.
The outreach was spearheaded by Mrs. Sharon Dulang, Women’s and Family Life Directress, who provided each of the 116 inmates with essential care packages containing towels, soap, and toothbrushes. The brethren of Salug Central Seventh-day Adventist Church oftenly visit the cell during their Adventist Youth program thus, conducting Bible games, teaching the inmates with religious songs is not foreign to them.
During his message that afternoon, he ZPM Ministerial Secretary, Pr. Elmer Dulang emphasized forgiveness. He repeatedly reminded everyone about how loving our God is, that even if one’s sin is red like blood it can be white as snow if we surrender our all to Jesus. Assuring each one, Pr. Dulang calmly said that Jesus would just forgive us if we confess and turn to Him for strength and guidance.
As some of the prisoners had been given time to say their thanks, a prisoner grabbed his guitar and started to play a song in which all of the inmates joined in and sang a song praising God and acknowledging Him as our Creator. The brethren couldn’t contain their happiness as they went there hoping that they would be a blessing but instead they were the ones who were blessed as they witnessed how God works in the hearts of the prisoners.
Senior Jail Officer 1 (SJO1), Mari Fe Tabotabo, stated that these 116 inmates have been so happy since the brethren visited them for they too have been wondering if they are still in the thoughts of their loved ones. The presence of the brethren consoled such a lonely thought.
The ministry has also enriched the lives of the church members, with young and old actively participating. Moreover, Jemaima Caupit, one of the young people at Salug Central SDA Church stated, “I’m happy to be a part of this ministry because this strengthen me more to believe in Christ who freed us from the bondage of slavery and it also pushed me to do good for others.”
This ongoing jail ministry continues to bring hope and connection to the inmates, demonstrating the church’s commitment to sharing the love of Christ even within the walls of the prison.
Adventist Mission
Zamboanga Peninsula Mission
