Pr. Lasarusa Senikau
Jan-Mar 2025
AIIAS is not just about academia; its mission statement clearly states that part of its purpose is ‘to develop leaders to also excel in spirituality and service.’ In alignment with this mission, from January 7-9 of this year, five members of our AIIAS South Pacific Community—Jale Koroitubuna, Jimmy Garae, James Roriri, Goeffery Karae, and I—joined a team of five professors and thirteen other seminary and graduate school students on a journey to conduct a revival meeting at 20 locations in General Santos, Mindanao Island, in the southern region of the Philippines. Our objective was to encourage, empower, and equip church members in small group ministry as they continue on with soul-winning leading up to the July harvest.
We left AIIAS for Manila and took a two-hour and ten-minute flight to General Santos on Friday morning. Upon our arrival, we were warmly received and welcomed by the Southern Mindanao Mission Conference President, Pr. Nildo Mamac, and his team. We were all accommodated in the Southern Mindanao Mission Conference Guest rooms. From there, the respective district pastors to whom we were assigned transported us to our designated locations for the meetings and back. Minister James Roriri and Mr. Goeffery Karae were assigned to GenSan West 2 District, which comprises four organized churches with a total membership of 400. Minister Jimmy Garae was assigned to Metro-GenSan West 3 District, consisting of approximately 150 members, while Mr. Jale Koroitubuna and I were designated to Tupi 2 District, which includes 12 churches and 250 members.
We primarily engaged in preaching the Word, rendering offerings of praise, facilitating group discussions, organizing prayer sessions after each presentation, fellowshipping with members over meals, and conducting training on the Sabbath afternoon. Two weeks before our departure, we had been praying together as a team three mornings a week at 5 AM in the AIIAS Prayer Garden, seeking the Holy Spirit’s empowerment and anointing over our GenSan members and for our calling to serve that weekend. As our ministry in GenSan came to an end that Sabbath, witnessing the joy, appreciation and recommitment of our church members to Jesus and his mission of saving souls was humbling. We could only acknowledge that it was all God—He still answers prayers.
On Sunday, as it was our team’s fun day, Pr. Mamac, who had previously tasted “Lovo” at AIIAS while studying, asked me to do one for lunch for the whole team. Through the help of my South Pacific colleagues, we gladly fulfilled his request, and everyone enjoyed a lovo feast that day. After lunch, some of our team members headed straight to the airport to catch their flight back to Manila, while the rest of us returned on Monday.
As I reflect on our short trip, I am reminded of at least three things: Firstly, Christian service and Mission has no unemployment. God has work enough for everyone. Jesus not only encouraged his disciples not just to do the work but also to pray for more workers (Luke 10:2). Secondly, God’s work can only be done God’s way and in His power (John 15:5; Phil.4:13). I am limited in what I can do, but the Holy Spirit is Unlimited, so staying connected to Him in Prayer and Personal devotion is the key to growth and success. Finally, “whoever refreshes others will himself be refreshed” (Prov.11:25; Luke 6:38). What do I gain from giving my time, money, resources, etc) to others in this mission trip? Freedom from enslavement to our possessions, the joy of helping others, and a deeper relationship with God through an increased awareness of our dependence on Him.
In conclusion, this mission experience has been a profound testament to God’s faithfulness, reinforcing that true fulfillment in ministry comes not from what we receive but from what we give in service to others.