We aresharing with the readers of THE MINISTRY the inspiration our workers received during the ministerial retreat that was held recently by the East Visayan Mission, Central Philippine Union.
This mission has the largest membership of all the missions in the Philippines with more than 12,500 members. The shepherding of a vast flock such as this is no little responsibility and demands wise planning. The president, Pastor B. R. Arit, and secretary-treasurer, J. R. Coloma, with the committee, planned for a mission-wide ministerial institute.
All the office and field workers, including some wives, attended. The retreat was held up in the mountains, far from the noise and confusion of the city. The officers of the YMCA graciously offered their camp to us free of charge.
Our two presidents in attendance, Pastor E. A. Capobres, president of the Central Philippine Union, and Pastor Arit, handled the subjects on administration. J. R. Coloma lectured on financial stewardship. The different departmental functions were presented by the secretaries concerned. A. Z. Roda presented subjects on pastoral ministry and evangelism.
The ministers and evangelists enjoyed the refreshing from the Lord, and the workers' fellowship amid God's beautiful garden in the mountains. They will linger long in the memory. All went home determined to attain to a higher level of spiritual living and to bear a more fruitful ministry in souls won. Only a few weeks have elapsed since, and reports of baptisms are pouring in.
Rightly conducted, ministerial institutes offer great spiritual dividends to those who are privileged to attend.
