PAKISTAN
30 Years of Women’s Ministries Marked by Leadership Certification, Celebration
From April 16–19, the Women’s Ministries (WM) and Family Ministries (FM) departments of the Pakistan Union Section (PKU) offered ways to empower women and families across the nation. These included leadership certification programs held at the PKU headquarters in Lahore and streamed via Zoom for participants in remote regions. More than 130 women joined the programs, which focused on spiritual leadership, mentoring, mission, and practical strategies for strengthening families.
Raquel Arrais, WMFM director in the Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD); PKU president Myun Ju Lee, and other key leaders equipped and inspired attendees to serve effectively in their churches and families.
“Each certification track focused on mission-driven leadership. Women’s ministries sessions sharpened participants’ spiritual and organizational leadership skills,” organizers reported. At the same time, the family ministries training emphasized helping couples and parents build resilient relationships under the motto “My Family. My Ministry.” “Programs offered biblical and practical training and instilled a sense of purpose and empowerment among participants,” organizers said.
The event “was a time of joy, reflection, and renewed dedication to God’s calling,” Arrais said. The newly certified participants returned to their churches carrying certificates and a fresh vision to lead, mentor, and bless others.
ITALY
Piedmont Adventist Youth Gather for Outreach, Fellowship, and Inspiration
A ceremony commemorating the one-hundreth anniversary of the first Adventist chapel in Italy was held in April in Montaldo Bormida, Piedmont. The following month, on May 17, young Seventh-day Adventists from across the region met in that historic place.
The special guest and speaker was Davide Romano, president of Italian Adventist University Villa Aurora in Florence. Romano’s worship message focused on the importance of historical memory within the church and the family. “What was done in the past contributes to what and who we are now,” he said. Some of the school’s students who accompanied Romano oversaw special music items during the event.
In the afternoon, participants divided into groups and went to downtown Montaldo Bormida. Some visited members of the local church while others headed to a nursing home, bringing joy to the elderly through songs, smiles, and hugs. The day ended with an opportunity to share experiences.
“We spent a different kind of Sabbath,” a participant said. “We were in a church full of history, which was born during the years of fascism, and which, with God’s help and the pioneers’ efforts, was able to go on, despite going through hard times.”
VANUATU
Malekula Volunteers Rebuild Classrooms at Aore Adventist Academy
A volunteer organization known as PLBW (Parker, Lavalsal, Botovro, and Wurari) comprises committed Adventist church members from those four organized churches. Originally formed in 2021 as a discipleship group, PLBW quickly expanded their focus to include practical mission work. They embraced a vision to support communities by repairing and rebuilding damaged churches, classrooms, homes, clinics, and other critical infrastructure across Vanuatu.
Following the devastation caused by Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Harold in 2020, which severely damaged the Aore Adventist Academy campus, PLBW responded. The cyclone left the school in ruins, forcing the government to relocate students temporarily. With the assistance of insurance funding, most of the staff houses were rebuilt to a much-improved standard, and the PLBW volunteer group played a vital role in this reconstruction effort.
PLBW plans to continue traveling from island to island in Vanuatu to respond to needs in the wake of natural disasters, group leaders said. “We want to offer hope, strength, and restoration through our Christ-centered mission,” they said.
MALAYSIA
Unionwide Congress Reaffirms Spirit of Prophecy and Literature Evangelism
The Malaysia Union Mission brought together dedicated literature evangelist workers, leaders, and church members from across the territory April 16 to 19 in Sarawak to celebrate and strengthen the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church through the literature ministry and the prophetic writings of Ellen G. White.
Guided by the theme “Lest We Forget; Sharing the Vision, Sharing God’s Love Through the Literature Ministry,” the event served as a spiritual and practical platform to reignite commitment to the Adventist Church’s publishing work and reaffirm the lasting relevance of the Spirit of Prophecy, organizers said.
The four-day congress featured a well-structured program that included seven sessions focused on the Spirit of Prophecy and four sessions dedicated to literature evangelism. A total of 103 participants took part in the congress, including 77 official delegates and 11 speakers and presenters, including Stephen Apola, General Conference associate publishing ministries director.
A special segment titled “Miracle of Grace” featured 12 literature evangelists who shared personal experiences that illustrated how God’s grace continues to work mightily through the ministry of literature.
BANGLADESH
Couples Seminar Sought to Inspire Commitment to Christ and Each Other
On May 16 and 17, the Family Ministries department of the Bangladesh Adventist Union Mission (BAUM) and the North Bangladesh Mission (NBM) hosted a couple’s seminar at Monosapara Adventist Seminary and School. The two-day event brought together 49 couples from various regions of NBM for a time of reflection, renewal, and spiritual growth.
BAUM family ministries director Mahuya Roy and NBM family ministries director Indira Mrong led the program under the theme “Back to the Altar and Each One Reach One.” Roy and Mrong highlighted the importance of God-centered worship in the home and encouraged each family to reach others for Christ.
Mahuya Roy; Timothy Roy, BAUM secretary; and Benjamin Mrong, NBM president, delivered keynote messages during the event. Their presentations offered practical insights as they sought to help couples strengthen their faith and build Christ-centered marriages, organizers said.
On Friday evening every couple attending the seminar participated in a marriage vow-renewal ceremony. Many were brought to tears as husbands and wives recommitted themselves to God and to each another.
According to organizers, “the couples seminar left a lasting impact on all participants, reminding them of the sacredness of marriage and the power of faith in transforming homes.”