On September 26 and 27, 2025, Camp Xalostoc hosted a Festival of Small Group Leaders (FELIGRUP), the bigger meeting of training and celebration of evangelistic strategies of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific Conference, which includes the states of Morelos and Guerrero, in Mexico.

With the theme “Jesus is Coming, let us persevere in mission,” more than 900 small group leaders, elders, evangelists, and pastors gathered to renew their commitment to preaching the gospel.

The FELIGRUP represents a space where the church receives “its marching orders” for mission, organizers said. Year after year, the challenges posed at this gathering prompt missionary members and couples to reach new communities and individuals, thus consolidating small group ministry, they explained.

Abimael Manzano, pastor of the Xoxocotla district, said that the event usually has the greatest impact on the district since it is attended by the largest number of church members and leaders.

“This year we had 102 registered in my district alone,” one of the organizers said.

A Special Keynote Speaker

In 2025, the event included international evangelist Pastor Robert Costa, speaker of the Escrito Está ministry. Costa shared experiences of evangelistic series in different countries with thousands of baptisms thanks to the efforts of small groups and missionary couples.

“His message reminded us that mission is global and that the Adventist family is part of a worldwide movement,” regional church leaders said. “Pastor Robert Costa brought us a worldwide perspective of the church’s progress, as he recounted how the Holy Spirit works in other regions.”

After the event, Costa celebrated that many of the attendees traveled for hours and camped even in heavy rain to attend. He also shared that at the time of an altar call, dozens of children and teenagers had come forward, expressing their desire to become missionaries. In another call, those who accepted the challenge to plant a church in 2026 also walked to the front for a special prayer.

“I was amazed to see the number of doctors, lawyers, architects, educators, and other very busy professionals committed to planting new churches,” he said.

According to Costa, “it is an inspiration to work with lay people, pastors, and administrators who are so committed to mission…. I see a great future in that conference and union because of the way they approach mission work, discipleship, and retention.”

Immediate Results

“In a festive atmosphere we listened to the reports that showed how God is leading,” said Leonel Antonio José, president of the South Pacific Conference. “More than 75 percent of the delegates took a pledge: some to work to bring in 10 new members, others five, and a special group committed to establishing an Adventist presence in new places. We pray that the Lord will bless the church in our region."

Rubén Alcántara, district pastor in Cuautla, shared how they were able to see fruits of the meeting immediately.

“As soon as we returned from FELIGRUP, a small group leader called me to ask for materials, because she wanted to start meetings with her group and invite her neighbors,” Alcántara said. “These events revitalize the missionary spirit of the leaders.”

Aarón Omaña, ministerial secretary of the Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union Conference, said that “the South Pacific Conference is a field with a lot of development and growth. They have been opening districts, planting and organizing churches, which is valuable to the entire union. Their enthusiasm, colorful reports, and motivational testimonials are inspiring; as they grow, so does the Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union.”

According to church leaders, the event also reaffirmed concrete commitments, including reaching 27 new places by 2026, baptizing more than 1,000 people, and forming at least 267 new small groups in the region.

“At FELIGRUP 2025, the more than 900 leaders in attendance returned to their districts with a clear vision–they said—to multiply small groups, persevere in mission, and proclaim together that Jesus is coming.”

Vicente Ángel Temich contributed information to this article. The original article was published on the Inter-American Division news site. Join the ANN WhatsApp Channel for the latest Adventist news.