SULADS STORIES

FIRST SULADS BAPTISM AT UPPER BALAMBANGAN

Six new members were baptized into the Upper Balambangan church on Sabbath, March 2, 1996.  This was a milestone for the SULADS as this was the first baptism of the Talaandig tribe since the establishment of the misson schools in that area.

The Ministerial Seminar Church Planting Team established a Seventh-day Adventist Church in Upper Balambangan in 1994.  The residents of Upper Balambangan are members of the Talaandig tribe of indigenous people of Bukidnon.  The SULADS were invited to establish a mission school in Upper Balambangan in 1995 and were able to do so in June of that year.

 The SULADS not only established a school but began working with the children and youth in a gymnastics and acrobatics team.  Along with this, they have been able to develop a good working relationship with many of the children and through the children, with the parents.

 

On March 2, 1996, three of these students chose to unite their lives with Christ by publicly joining the body of Christ.  Along with these three young ladies, a young married couple and another gentleman took their step for Christ as well.  The SULADS working with the Upper Balambangan School are Bobby  Fabriquel and Toto Canete.  They were assisted in their efforts by the church pastor, Peter Estanon who is also a student at MVC.  These baptisms bring the total membership to 12 and the weekly attendance at church to 20-30. 

 Also working with the children at Upper Balambangan were the Branch Sabbath School Teachers.   These Branch Sabbath School Teachers are young ladies from MVC who are willing to hike the seven Kilometers to Upper Balambangan each Sabbath morning, present a program for the children in the morning and another program in the afternoon before hiking the seven Kilometers back to MVC.  During most of the year, rains fall each afternoon so much of the hike is over slippery trails which become treacherous at night.  The students who go out to visit these villages each week really give of themselves to spread the Gospel.  Their theme is to “Shine on till Jesus comes!”