Dozens of dedicated volunteers from the Atlantic Union traveled to Manila, Philippines, to participate in the “Manila for Christ” evangelism series. This collaborative effort between the Northern Luzon Philippine Union Mission (formerly the North Philippine Union Conference) (NLPUM), the Central Luzon Philippine Conference (CLPC), and the Atlantic Union Conference launched on January 17 with evangelistic meetings held at 60 locations across Metro Manila, aiming to reach the area’s more than 15 million residents.
Atlantic Union servant-leaders served as guest speakers at 20 of these locations for nine days. Driven by missionary zeal, they stepped out in faith each evening, with some traveling hours to their host sites. Whether in churches, garages, or makeshift outdoor sanctuaries, every venue became a sacred space where the Holy Spirit touched the hearts of attendees of all ages.
Troubled by problems at work, Ruel Ayala was walking by a meeting site on his way to go drinking with some friends. He stopped as he “saw people singing heavenly songs,” he later told Hope Channel North Philippines. Transfixed, Ayala kept listening. “I realized that the anger I was feeling was slowly disappearing; even my mind suddenly became clear. That’s when I realized that I had been separated from the Lord for a long time.” Ayala faithfully attended the nightly meetings and decided to give his heart to Jesus. “I had been searching for Him, but now I’ve found Him again.” Ayala was one of more than 1,000 people baptized at the end of the series.
During the day, medical professionals and volunteers from the three conferences worked together to provide free medical care to more than 1,000 patients at six different locations across Metro Manila. Often coordinated with a local host church, these clinics met physical needs and ministered to communities where active church planting efforts were underway. Volunteers provided free medication, offered health screenings, gave massages and free haircuts, distributed literature, and prayed with visitors.
“It was an honor to be there with all the doctors and nurses and be the hands and feet of Jesus, bringing His healing ministry to communities that need a lot of help,” says Elias F. Zabala, Sr., Atlantic Union Conference treasurer, who collaborated with various ministry leaders from NLPUM and CLPC to organize the free clinics. The Atlantic Union Conference also donated dental chairs, sterilization equipment, and additional dental equipment that will be used to serve the communities for years to come. “This is a gift from the Atlantic Union Conference to the NLPUM so they can continue to advance the work of Jesus Christ through their health ministries.”
Daniel Malabad, NLPUM president, expressed his gratitude to the Atlantic Union Conference for its service and support during the Manila for Christ meetings as part of NLPUM’s Harvest 2025 campaign. “Many were helped, and most importantly, they came to know the Lord as their personal Savior. We continue to pray that the fruits of this ministry will not only be seen now but will sustain them in the new truths they have received. And more importantly, may they continue to walk with the Lord.”
“One of the things I love about being part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is that no matter where you go, we are all part of the same mission,” says Ted Huskins, Atlantic Union Conference executive secretary who helped organize the mission trip. “We believe that the people of the Philippines are God’s children, and we are blessed to be able to do our part to help prepare them to meet Jesus and be part of His kingdom.”
