22/08/2026
๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ฑ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ข๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐น ๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐๐๐ฟ๐
Four Adventist pastors from Northern Luzon Mission (NLM) territory of the Seventh-day Adventist ChurchโPastor Benjie Mantiles, Pastor Joseph Marcelino, Pastor Daniel Mortel, and Pastor Eljon Samsonโwere solemnly ordained to the gospel ministry during a sacred ordination service held on Sabbath, August 22, 2026, at Poblaspil Church, Suyo, Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur.
The momentous occasion brought together church leaders, pastors, workers, ministerial families, and members to witness the setting apart of the four ministers for a lifetime of dedicated service to God and His people. The ordination was led by Pastor Daniel Malabad, president of Northern Luzon Philippine Union Mission (NLPUM), together with the Union administrators and directors who were present to give their full support and encouragement to the newly-ordained ministers.
In his solemn commission to the ordinands, Pastor Malabad emphasized several principles that must remain foundational throughout their ministry. He urged them to keep Christ at the center of their lives, shepherd people rather than merely manage them, guard their private lives, preach the Word faithfully, and finish well the work. His charge reminded the ordinands that pastoral ministry is not simply an office or profession, but a sacred stewardship entrusted by Godโa calling that requires faithfulness both in the public ministry and in private life of the minister.
The ordination service followed a meaningful sequence of sacred and ceremonial acts. Pastor Leonell Diaz, ministerial secretary of NLM, presented the ordinands and the litany of ordination. This was followed by the solemn act of ordination through the laying on of hands and prayer for the ordinands, led by Pastor Maximino Cadalig, executive secretary of NLPUM. After which the special rendition of a dedicatory song by Pastor Sherman Fiedacan, Communication director of NLPUM.
Pastor Marvin Diaz delivered the charge to the ordinands, emphasizing the responsibilities and privileges that accompany their new ministerial standing. Pastor Leonell Diaz then led the newly-ordained pastors in the recitation of their ministerial vow, signifying their commitment to remain faithful to God, His Word, His Church, and the sacred responsibilities entrusted to them.
The newly-ordained ministers were subsequently welcomed into the circle of ordained ministers by Pastor Ismael Cabason, president of NLM, together with Mr. Miller Payoyo, NLM treasurer, who presented tokens of appreciation and welcome alike. A special moment was also extended to the ordinandsโ wives as they were welcomed into the circle of the Ministerial Spouses Association (MSA). Maโam Josie Calera, MSA director of NLPUM, led the welcome and presented tokens to the ministerial spouses. This was followed by a special charge to the wives of the newly-ordained ministers by Ma'am Jenny Diaz, MSA director of NLM, recognizing their vital partnership and sacrificial support in God's ministry.
The occasion was further made memorable through the presentation of special recognitions to the ordinands. Each newly-ordained pastor received the ministerial association insignia and an official certificate of ordination. Their wives were likewise honored with personalized certificates given and fresh flower bouquets as expressions of appreciation for their steadfast support, partnership, and shared commitment to the gospel ministry.
Ordination to the Seventh-day Adventist gospel ministry is a sacred act of the Church, formally recognizing and setting apart qualified ministers for expanded responsibilities in the service of God and His people. Through this ministry, pastors are entrusted with the privilege of proclaiming the everlasting gospel, leading people to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, nurturing believers in their faith, conducting baptisms, anointing the sick, dedicating children, officiating marriages, providing pastoral care, and proclaiming God's Word in times of joy, sorrow, crisis, and spiritual needs.
More than a ceremonial milestone, ordination serves as a solemn reminder of the minister's calling to serve faithfully wherever God may lead. It represents a renewed commitment to Christ, to His mission, and to the people entrusted to their pastoral care.
๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฝ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐น ๐ฆ๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐๐ณ๐๐น๐น๐ ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ
The sacred ordination service formed part of a larger weekend gathering that coincided with the Area 1 and Area 2 Care Group Festival, bringing together churches and members from Abra, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte. The festival provided an avenue for church members and Care Group leaders to celebrate God's blessings, share testimonies, and recognize the impact of small-group ministry in strengthening the mission of the Church.
During Sabbath morning, inspiring Care Group testimonies were shared, highlighting experiences of transformed lives, answered prayers, strengthened relationships, and renewed commitment to mission. In the afternoon, representatives from the respective areas presented their reports, sharing the progress, accomplishments, and continuing challenges of Care Group ministry within their territories.
A significant highlight of the Care Group Festival was the introduction and emphasis on OneVOICE27, particularly the upcoming September 5 Special Sabbath launching. During the presentations and lectures, the role of the local church will be underscored, challenging every congregation to prepare, to participate, and to take ownership of this united mission initiative.
NLPUM directors, Pastor Marvin Diaz, NDR-IEL Field Secretary, and Pastor Sherman Fiedacan, presented the mechanics of the September 5 launching and the preparations to be undertaken in the days leading to the Special Sabbath.
Care Group ministry is a worldwide initiative of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that emphasizes fellowship, discipleship, spiritual nurture, prayer, Bible study, community care, and evangelistic outreach through small groups. In Northern Luzon Mission, the ministry continues to receive strong support as an important avenue for carrying out Christ's Great Commission and reaching people where they live, work, and worship.
The festival served as a powerful reminder that the mission of the Church is not accomplished only from the pulpit. It is also carried forward through ordinary members who open their homes, build relationships, pray with others, share God's Words, and lovingly lead people toward Jesus.
๐ ๐๐๐น๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ช๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป, ๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐๐๐ฟ๐, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐ถ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐
The culmination of the weekend gathering was the pastors' and workers' meeting of Northern Luzon Mission, where ministers and workers were reminded of the various programs, initiatives, and priorities of the NLM administration and its departments. The gathering provided an opportunity for church workers to receive direction, strengthen unity, and renew their commitment to the mission entrusted to the Church.
The emphasis was clear: OneVOICE27 is not simply a program to be launched, but a movement to be implemented. From the Care Groups to the local churches, and from pastors and workers to every member, everyone has a part to play in turning the vision into action. The weekend gathering therefore became not only a celebration of what God is doing through Care Group ministry, but also a powerful call to mobilize the Church toward one united mission, one purpose, and OneVOICE27.
From the celebration of Care Group ministry to the solemn ordination of four pastors and the gathering of pastors and workers, the weekend became a meaningful testimony of the continuing work of God in Northern Luzon Mission territories.
As Pastors Benjie Mantiles, Joseph Marcelino, Daniel Mortel, and Eljon Samson begin this new chapter of their ordained ministry, the Church joins them and their families in prayerโthat they may remain faithful to the sacred trust placed upon them, shepherd God's people with compassion, proclaim His Word with courage, and, above all, keep Christ at the center of their lives and ministries until the day they can truly say that they have finished well.
