Even in Adventist homes, marital struggles and challenges are not uncommon. Amidst these trials, couples need a guiding resource—a reminder to uphold their vows, reaffirm their values, and reconstruct their foundation of love in God. Centered on the pivotal message 'Charity begins at home,' the Family Ministries of the Adventist Church in the Southern Asia-Pacific (SSD) region purposefully allocated this year's weeklong celebration of Christian Home and Marriage Week to the families serving at the division headquarters from Feb. 12 to 16, 2024.

With the theme #LoveMyFamily, singles and married workers in the Southern Asia-Pacific Division spent the entire week’s morning devotionals learning about God’s plan and order for families and family members. Invited speakers shared inspiration and their experiences, such as Dr. Angie Pagarigan, one of the SSD associate treasurers, who spoke about family finance, and Pastor Rudi Situmorang, SSD Ministerial Secretary, who shared a 2024 Family Ministry Resource topic, Boundaries for Spiritual Leaders. In closing, Situmorang emphasized that since every worker is a spiritual leader, we should “live and serve with financial, professional, relational, and marital integrity.”

“Knowledge of biblical principles and research on healthy relationships are like vaccines that will prevent broken families and broken marriages,” said Mrs. Virginia Baloyo, SSD Family Ministries director, in her opening remarks. Applying this knowledge requires time, work, dedication, and wisdom. With the help of the Holy Spirit, families should experience more harmonious connections, she concluded.

On the morning of Sabbath, February 17, 2024, married couples gathered in the convention hall for seminars on communication, conflict resolution, and healthy sexuality. Pastor Joe Orbe, Jr., a marriage and family development advocate, and his wife, Dr. Joy, a nursing professor at the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP), led the seminars. The afternoon witnessed over 40 couples renewing their vows, clad in elegant white and cream attire, as they strolled down the flower-adorned aisle, transforming the Life Hope Center into a scene reminiscent of a church wedding. Adding to the ambiance, four directors' wives, whose spouses were away on travel, gracefully showered the aisle with additional flowers, embodying the role of true flower girls.

In full support, the Division Administration and Human Resources departments also gave the pairs a lovely dinner and a free over-night stay at the LHC guest rooms. 

During Christian Home and Marriage Enrichment Week, there is a strong connection between the efforts to strengthen family bonds and the broader positive shifts within the church community. This week helped promote greater unity and solidarity among couples and family members, encouraging healthier relationships within families and consequently reducing conflicts. Moreover, the commitment to zero tolerance of abuse underscores a collective dedication to nurturing safe, loving environments within both homes and churches, reinforcing the values of compassion, respect, and protection for all members of the community.

The original article was published on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division news site.