The Sabbath holds a deeply profound significance, standing as a special sanctuary in time that God Himself made holy, setting it apart as a day of true rest and restoration. Imbued with this sacred atmosphere, delegates from the Southwestern Philippine Union Conference (SwPUC) and the broader Adventist family gathered in Bangkok with cheerful hearts to open the Sabbath morning program. Filling the halls with uplifting songs and praises, the attendees celebrated the final, climactic day of the Mission Refocus Conference. The morning seamlessly blended spiritual nourishment and global inspiration, moving from a deep study of the Sabbath School lesson to hearing wonderful, transformative reports from the farthest corners of the globe, culminating in a beautiful first part of the Sabbath program.

For the SwPUC delegates, the undeniable highlight of the morning was the powerful sermon delivered by General Conference President Pastor Erton Kohler, centered entirely on the profound concept of "Dreams." Challenging the congregation, he asked whether they were bold enough to go where God calls, emphasizing that God is actively seeking dreamers among us today. He drew heavily on the story of Joseph, a young man whose only real asset was a God-given dream. To those who thought they knew how the world worked, Joseph's vision seemed naive and fantastical. Though his ordinary family refused to believe him, everyone identified him as a dreamer, and even from a distance, he was recognized as one.

Pastor Kohler masterfully connected Joseph’s resilience to the modern calling to reach the world's unreached populations. He warned that others may not well receive our spiritual dreams, and skeptics might claim, "That's not realistic! This method does not work! We do not have the budget!" However, if the message truly comes from God, the dreamer will endure. "You will survive the pit," he declared, reminding the leaders that the pit is not a burial of a dream, but rather a school for the dreamer, teaching them that they are not dreaming for themselves, but for the salvation of others.

To actualize these God-given visions, Pastor Kohler outlined three vital frameworks for this mission:

A Dream of Presence: This is not merely a strategy, but a profound act of love.

A Dream of Readiness: Ensuring the church is fully prepared to welcome and nurture others.

A Dream of Multiplication: Fostering a vision that faithfully spans across generations.

Building on these pillars, he issued a special, stirring call for the attendees to harbor impossible dreams and to truly become "God's Dreamers." He urged the leaders to:

Expect Great Things: Trust that God intends to do far more than they ever imagined, as the God who gives the dream is always larger than the dreamer's capacity to imagine the outcome.

Step Out Boldly: Recognize that the world is currently suffering through a massive spiritual famine, and expect the Lord to do great things without letting our efforts flag or weaken.

Embrace the Calling: Accept a mission so vast it might demand everything, so that others will look at them and say, "Look, this dreamer is coming!"

The deeply emotional Sabbath afternoon commenced with the stirring chords of "Amazing Grace," setting the tone for the final batch of global reports and a heartfelt thanksgiving segment. Acknowledging the immense effort required to host such an integrated global gathering, Pastor Petras Bahadur, General Conference Director of the Global Centre for Adventist Muslim Relations, took the stage to express his profound gratitude. He warmly thanked all the Standing Committee heads and members, giving special commendation to the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) team, led by SSD AM Director Pastor Joni Oliveira, for a spectacular job in coordinating the complex event. A deeply moving special mention was dedicated to Mrs. Jane Fajut, the SSD GMP Specialist. Having worked tirelessly behind the scenes, arranging every logistical detail and coordinating with delegates from around the world, she was welcomed to the stage with a resounding round of applause, a beautiful testament to her dedication and the collective appreciation of the Adventist family.

With enthusiasm running high, leaders eagerly announced the plans for next year's Mission Refocus Conference. As the historic gathering drew to a close, GC Executive Secretary Pastor Rick McEdward led a solemn and unifying pledge for each division officer and delegate. Pastor Erton Kohler then returned to deliver the final charge, emphasizing that true integration means standing together. Drawing on the powerful transition from Moses and Joshua in Deuteronomy 31:8, he went word by word, reminding the attendees that each promise is for them: the Lord goes before them and will always be with them. With a final, resonant appeal to be strong, to be of good courage, and to go trusting completely in the Lord, the conference concluded not just with an end, but with a unified rallying cry: "May the Lord count on you. I will go. I'm in."

Photo Credits:
Adventist Asia Media