The first Living Hope Evaluation and Life Coach Reclaimer’s Training in the East Indonesia Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church was held April 3-6 in Tahuna, on Sangihe Island, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

More than 70 attendees, including mission and conference administrators, field secretaries, and ministerial association directors from across the East Indonesia Union, participated in the event.

Arnelio Gabin, a vice president of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, led the sessions. This event represents a significant milestone, Gabin said, as Tahuna, in the territory of the Northern Island Mission of the Adventist Church, hosts its inaugural union-wide gathering, sparking enthusiasm among church members and leaders alike. “The introduction of Life Coach training within the East Indonesia Union adds a new dimension to pastoral education and care, enhancing the capabilities of ministers in this region,” he said.

Gabin emphasized the pressing need to “explore every avenue and seize all opportunities to extend the message of hope.” He underscored the importance of collaboration across all ministries within the church, advocating for a comprehensive approach that leads individuals to a profound encounter with Jesus Christ for salvation.

Participants delved into the training, which had particular emphasis on the art of asking probing questions and guiding individuals toward self-realization and problem-solving. As one delegate noted, “This training is so useful for a pastor as a counselor or life coach. We are trained to refrain from offering direct suggestions and instead focus on empowering clients to identify their own solutions.”

Reflecting on the transformative impact of the training, local pastor Douglas Paral expressed gratitude, saying, “Praise the Lord, He is truly miraculous. The newly acquired knowledge, perspectives, and approaches to reaching hearts, especially those who have strayed from the church, are invaluable. With God’s power, His mission is carried out according to His plan and will.”

The purpose of the Living Hope Evaluation and Life Coach Reclaimer’s Training in the East Indonesia region, organizers said, is to equip pastors and pastoral leaders with the tools and strategies necessary to build deeper connections within their communities and advance the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The original version of this story was posted on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division news site.