The South-Central Luzon Conference (SCLC) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Philippines has been approved to reorganize and establish the Mindoro Island Mission. The recommendation was approved and formally announced during the Southern Asia-Pacific Division Midyear Executive Committee meetings recently held at the Life Hope Impact Center in Silang, Cavite, Philippines, May 2-3.

The SCLC is set to be reorganized into two territories, in accordance with the recommendation made by the Conference/Mission Status Survey Commission during their February 2 meeting. The reorganization of the SCLC, which oversees the work of the church in the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, and Marinduque, aims to strengthen the mission and ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the region, leaders said.

The creation of the Mindoro Island Mission is in response to the growing need for a more focused evangelistic effort in the province of Mindoro. The mission will cover the two provinces of Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro and will be led by a mission president, leaders reported.

According to SCLC president Jasper Flores, the reorganization and creation of the Mindoro Island Mission was approved after thorough deliberation and prayerful consideration. “We believe that these changes will enable us to reach more people with the message of hope and salvation and to strengthen our impact in the communities we serve,” Flores said.

Part of the commission’s approved recommendation as the new organization begins its operation will be limited to three executive officers, each with full departmental responsibilities, three department directors (one of them being a female department director), three accounting staff (cashier, accountant, and auditor), and two secretaries (office secretary and administrative secretary) for the first three years of operation.

To help with the construction of the new mission office, the Southern-Asia Pacific Division will be contributing US$50,000, while the North Philippine Union Conference will be requested to grant US$50,000 as well. Furthermore, all conferences are recommended to grant at least PHP750,000 each and all missions at least PHP500,000 each.

The reorganization of SCLC is expected to significantly impact the church’s mission in the region, church leaders said. “[We are] optimistic about the future and look forward to the continued growth and success of the church’s mission in the Philippines,” they said.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in South-Central Luzon has been actively involved in various ministries such as evangelism, education, health, and community service. With the reorganization and the creation of the Mindoro Island Mission, the church hopes to expand its outreach and touch more lives across the region.

The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-American Division news site.