RECENTLY, after the division council in Davao City, I decided to conduct an evangelistic effort in response to the challenge given by Robert H. Pierson, president of the General Conference.
For a few months before the beginning of the series of meetings I was quite fearful at the prospect of mounting an offensive campaign after some years in another aspect of the Lord's work. It took many nights of fervent prayer before I was given the courage to accept the challenge that came to me.
Digos, a progressive town and the probable capital city of the province of Davao del Sur, was the place approved by the mission committee where I was to conduct my effort. One month was spent in ground preparation. Careful planning was done before the start of the meetings. The opening night was graced by the presence of the governor of the province of Davao del Sur, Ramon de los Cientos. His inspiring opening remarks prepared the minds of the entire congregation for the message of hope that evening.
The Spirit of Cooperation
Graduates of the pilot school that I conducted one week before the campaign contributed in a large degree to the success of the meetings. I was very much impressed with the excellent spirit and willingness of our laymen, especially in the Digos church, to assume responsibility. Every leader given a job carried out his assignment efficiently. Our talented, dedicated young men and young women in the church gladly gave their help, time, and money during the meetings.
Seventy-three Baptisms
One hundred interested persons took the Bible-marking class. It was the best Bible-marking class I ever had in my ministry, because almost all religious sects in Digos were represented and almost all of them accepted the Advent message and were baptized. At the close of the effort sixty souls decided for baptism. On June 29, 1968, at Dawis, Digos, Davao del Sur, these precious souls were buried in baptism. Not long after this, two more baptisms were conducted. Eight were baptized in the second baptism and five in the third, making a total of seventy-three.
As I came to the close of the meetings I felt that someone should stay and continue the follow-up work. Some good interests were developing after the nightly meetings. So an intern worker is at present following up our interest, and another baptism is expected in the near future.
Surely great joy and satisfaction come to the Lord's servant when he accepts the challenge of the Lord to "preach the word." God will surely give him the reward of his labors if he works with Him in faith and humility.
It is a very solemn experience to look into the faces of hundreds of people night after night and realize that the Lord is interested in their salvation. These people should be visited in their homes. To visit in the homes of the interested ones and see them casting their lot with God's people is, to me, the romance of the ministry. There is no more thrilling experience than that of seeing men and women accept Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour through baptism and make ready for His glorious second coming.
