The Southern Luzon Mission, the regional office of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Bicol region, celebrated its 100th year since its official establishment in February 1926 through a four-day centennial gathering held from February 25 to 28, bringing together church workers, guests, and members from across the province.

More than the numbers and activities, the celebration showcased something deeper—the faith, unity, and mission that have carried the church through the years.

The Early Years of SLM

As the mission celebrated a century of God’s faithfulness, it also looked back on its humble beginnings.

The groundwork for the Adventist work in the Bicol region dates back even before 1926, when it was still under the administration of the Central-Southern Luzon Conference. In 1924, the territory was separated from its mother conference to better support evangelistic efforts in the southernmost part of Luzon.

With only three churches—Matnog, Bulan, and Magarao—and a total membership of 80, the growing work laid the foundation for what would soon become an organized mission.

On February 2, 1926, during the 42nd meeting of the Philippine Union Mission Executive Committee, the Southern Luzon Mission was officially established, becoming the third mission in the then North Philippine Union Mission. It covered the Bicol-speaking provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, and Sorsogon, as well as the islands of Ticao and Burias, with its headquarters in Albay.

By 1929, just three years after its organization, the progress of the work had already become evident. Membership grew from 80 to 350, while the number of churches increased from three to eleven. As the work expanded, the mission office was later transferred from Albay to Legazpi. In June 1967, a new mission office was inaugurated on the third floor of the Legazpi Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School.

Today, the Southern Luzon Mission has grown to 24,220 members across 216 congregations—a testimony of God’s continued leading through the years.

Oldest Attendee Shares His Story

Among those who attended was 92-year-old Dulcisimo Gonzales from Catanduanes, one of the oldest participants. Despite his age, he remained mentally sharp and spoke with clarity. His story traces back to the early days of the church, when believers gathered in homes because there were no church buildings yet. He recalled waking as early as 4:00 in the morning as a child to study the Bible with his family, and how, in 1954, they were baptized through the work of literature evangelists.

Looking back, he shared that in the 1960s, there were only 26 churches in the Bicol region—compared to the many congregations present today. Yet despite limited resources at the time, members actively supported evangelistic work, often at their own expense.

For Gonzales, faith begins in the home—nurtured through family worship, Bible reading, personal involvement, and a growing experience with God. His appeal to the younger church members is simple: nurture the faith, make disciples, and care for those who are newly baptized.

His presence at the celebration became a testimony in itself. Just days before the event, he was involved in a motorcycle accident and sustained a wound on his head and pain in his ribs. He was disheartened by the thought of being unable to attend after many years of faithful service as a church member, including his time as a literature evangelist and lay district leader.

In prayer, he asked God for healing, and by His grace, the pain subsided. He recovered enough to attend the celebration with his wife.

Unity of Members Is SLM’s Strength

This same spirit of commitment was seen throughout the gathering.

Pastor Edgardito Franche, a retired SLM pastor, expressed joy in witnessing how the mission has grown over the years. He encouraged younger workers to carry the same spirit as the pioneers—willing, committed, and faithful in service, even to the point of sacrifice.

He emphasized that the mission advances more effectively when members are involved, noting that growth slows when participation is limited but accelerates when everyone takes part. For him, the strength of the Southern Luzon Mission lies in the unity of its members.

He added that this unity is strengthened by the members’ confidence in the leadership. According to him, the growth of the mission and the strong support seen in recent years are closely linked to that trust. He also expressed appreciation for the present leadership, noting that when leaders are spiritually grounded, members are more willing to support and actively take part in the work.

This unity was also evident in the way members supported the celebration itself.

Pastor Renante Bareja, SLM Executive Secretary, shared that he was deeply moved by the overwhelming support of church members. Despite limited resources, many willingly contributed—offering their own equipment, assisting in technical needs, and even providing fuel during outreach activities such as grass cutting.

These simple acts showed their commitment to the mission and how the work moves forward when members take ownership together.

Mission Lived in the Community

The celebration extended beyond the church and into the community.

It opened with a grand motorcade joined by around 2,000 church members and approximately 400 vehicles and motorcycles, passing through major roads around Legazpi City proper. The procession allowed the public to witness the celebration and served as a visible expression of the church’s presence in the city.

A color run, participated in mostly by young people, also formed part of the activities, adding a vibrant and energetic expression of involvement from the younger generation.

This engagement continued through a large-scale literature distribution, with approximately 3,700 books shared in key locations such as bus terminals, the provincial capitol, city hall, malls, public parks, and even a Catholic church.

A community feeding program followed, serving around 250 individuals through the efforts of women’s groups and the Ministerial Spouses Association.

A medical outreach was also conducted, providing free services to the community. These included optical, dental, cardiovascular, general medical, and pediatric care, serving 514 individuals and extending practical care to those in need.

Inside the venue, the celebration featured a full program showcasing the talents of church members—through music, presentations, and creative expressions—all offered in thanksgiving and praise to God.

The impact of the church’s work was also recognized by local leaders.

Albay Governor Noel Rosal extended his congratulations to the Adventist Church and recognized its significant contribution to the community, particularly in promoting health and wellness. He noted that Legazpi City was recognized by the Department of Health for three consecutive years as a model local government unit for its anti-smoking campaign—an achievement made possible in part through the active involvement and strong support of the Adventist Church.

At the city level, the local government likewise acknowledged the church’s contribution through the mayor’s representative, recognizing the Adventist Church as a consistent partner in promoting healthy homes and strong communities.

This partnership was further demonstrated when the city granted the free use of the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation as the event venue, allowing the church to save an estimated ₱120,000 in expenses.

Sabbath Worship Draws a Full House

Among the highlights of the celebration was the vesper service themed Heaven at Last. Church members came dressed in white, portraying the day when God’s people are finally in heaven. It was a sight to behold—filled with singing, messages of hope, and a renewed call to be involved in the mission so that we may one day go home to the heavenly home Jesus has prepared.

A particularly meaningful part of the worship experience was the participation of children, who delivered short, eye-opening messages—making it even more powerful to see the younger generation actively taking part in the mission.

The spiritual heart of the celebration was seen during the Sabbath worship service, which drew a crowd of roughly 7,000 members. The 5,000-seat hall was filled beyond capacity, with additional seating arranged for members from across the Bicol region.

During Sabbath School, former SLM president Pastor Apolonio Panganiban and his wife were also asked about the threats to the church’s growth. Despite the physical challenges that come with age, Panganiban’s presence spoke of his enduring commitment to the mission. In their response, they pointed to spiritual complacency—becoming lukewarm in faith and neglecting personal Bible study—as one of the greatest dangers to the church’s growth.

Pastor Eliseo Garrado, who served as SLM president during the pandemic, shared how the mission navigated that difficult season. He emphasized that it was not human strategy, but God who led them through. “Only God was our strategy,” he said. What began as a ten-day prayer initiative grew into a sustained movement—10 days became 20, then 50, and eventually continued throughout the year.

He added that it was during this time of prayer that the mission was able to settle its ₱13 million debt to the Union, even after coming from a negative working capital.

SLM President Pastor Joven Hitosis affirmed this emphasis, highlighting prayer as the driving force of the mission. “Prayer is what sustains the work – much kneeling and more prayer,” he said.

During the second service, Pastor Arden Perdon, former SLM Education Director emphasized the importance of unity within the church. He encouraged members to practice humility, patience, and a willingness to yield for the sake of harmony, stressing the need for believers to work together in unity.

More importantly, he challenged the congregation to make Jesus not only their Savior, but also the Lord of their lives. When Christ becomes Lord, he explained, our lives will reflect Him. “As self is set aside and Christ is lifted up, His character is seen more clearly, and His people begin to shine.”

Looking Ahead: Plans for a New Mission Office

The centennial celebration also became a fitting occasion to present the Southern Luzon Mission’s plan to construct a new mission office in Maticol, Legazpi City, Albay, with an estimated cost of ₱40 million, including fixtures and furnishings.

This has long been a vision for the mission and has become increasingly urgent, as the current office—used for nearly 60 years—has become cramped, congested, and prone to flooding.

The Southern Luzon Mission aims to complete the building before the end of the current quinquennium. Church members have expressed their support for the project, and the leadership remains hopeful that, with God’s guidance and collective effort, the plan will be realized.

As the Southern Luzon Mission marks a century of God’s faithfulness, the celebration became more than a remembrance of the past. It points to a mission that continues—carried by a people united in faith, grounded in prayer and the Bible, and committed to sharing hope with others.