The spirit of Sabbath celebration filled the Philippine International Church as the Adventist University of the Philippines welcomed global church leaders for a special Sabbath worship on November 8, 2025, as an initiation to the Southern-Asia Pacific Division Annual Council. 

A historic moment for the division where three executive officers of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists came together— Pastor Erton C. Köhler, GC president; Pastor Richard McEdwards, GC executive secretary; Pastor Paul Douglas, GC treasurer. Gracing the worship also were Pastor Magdiel Pérez Schulz, assistant to the president of the General Conference, and Pastor Robbie Berghan, the newly elected vice president for Global Media and Engagement of Hope Channel International.

From Tagalog to Bahasa, Burmese to Vietnamese, his words “Happy Sabbath” echoed in the languages of the 11 nations represented by the Southern-Asia Pacific Division, symbolizing the global family of faith.

Affirming AUP’s Mission and Academic Excellence

“I am very impressed with the kindness of people; we really feel like family here,” Pastor Köhler said. “I’m impressed with the music, the orchestra and the choir play with their hearts. And I am very impressed with the academic excellence of AUP. Congratulations, Dr. Rosario, for the high level of this institution,” Pastor Köhler expressed admiration for the spirit and standard of the University. “May the Lord bless AUP in a very special way and make this institution a light and an agent of mission, not only for the Philippines, not only for the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, but also for the entire world.”

His words affirmed AUP’s identity as a center for academic excellence, Christ-like character, and exemplary service of shaping leaders who serve with integrity, compassion, and faith.

The Movement Born in the Scriptures

Preaching from Revelation chapter 10, Pastor Köhler reflected on the prophetic identity of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a movement “born with an open Bible in hand.”

“Revelation 10 is our birth certificate,” he declared. “This is the chapter where the books of Daniel and Revelation meet, appear together in this chapter.” From the beginning, we have been a people grounded in the Bible.” He underscored that the Adventist Church did not arise from dispute or division, but from Bible study and prophetic understanding.

“We are the people of the Book, the Bible, we are the people of the Bible,” Pastor Köhler reminded the congregation that being grounded in Scripture defines not only the church’s identity but also its mission.

A Call to Urgency for the Mission

Moving through Revelation 10:6, he emphasized the phrase “there should be delay no longer,” a divine reminder that the Adventist movement was raised in the last days with an urgent message.

“We were born with a sense of urgency,” Pastor Köhler declared. “No more delay!” He called not to wait for better times, for more leaders, or for the financial resources. “Our call is to move forward now — with urgency in our hearts, accomplishing the task the Lord has entrusted to us. The best chapters of God’s church are in front of us.”

He reminded the congregation that mission is the remedy for every kind of doubt, disappointment, or discouragement. “The mission is not what we can do for God, but what God can do through us.”

Bold to be Grounded in the Bible, Focused on the Mission

Reaching the appeal of his message, Pastor Köhler repeated the core theme: “Our goal is to be a church that is grounded in the Bible and focused on the mission. This is who we are.”

He invited every listener to become an active part of the fulfillment of Revelation 10, to live out their prophetic calling with faith and boldness. He also delivered that the Revelation 14 message is to be preached by these people. He called to attention in both chapters is to be preached with a loud voice. “Let us preach with a loud voice. Let us be bold in faith. Let is be bold in courage. Nothing is impossible to the Lord.”

“Let us be bold in our projects and in all our initiatives. Let us plan beyond the ordinary. Let us do great things for God and expect great things from God,” Pastor Köhler stated. He also reminded the congregation that in God’s church, “money follows the mission, not the mission follows the money.”

One Voice for the Mission

In closing, Pastor Köhler introduced a global evangelistic movement called “One Voice 27,” a worldwide initiative that will unite Adventist believers in a month of evangelism through all media platforms in September 2027.

“This is a call for AUP,” he included this challenge. He called for every student, teacher, and leader to be part of this movement.

“Let us move forward together grounded in the Bible and focus on the mission,” he emphasized. “We are called to be God’s voice not the echo of the culture. Our call is to use everything that we have and everything that we are for the mission of the church.”

“May the Lord count on you,” Köhler concluded. “To be bold in your faith, your courage, your investments, and your influence for the mission of the church. May the Lord count on you to be grounded in the Bible and focused on the mission.”

He ended with a powerful challenge to “ keep our eyes, our hearts, our energies, and our influence always grounded in the Bible, and focus on the mission.”