An estimated 15,000 delegates met daily at the Festival of Laity, the first event of its kind in the church’s Southern Asia-Pacific region, at Mountain View College, an Adventist institution in Southern Philippines, April 26 to May 1.

“There is a need for each one of you to get involved in fulfilling the mission of the church,” said Jonathan Kuntaraf, associate personal ministries director of the world church. “The pews are not our only and ultimate place—we must move on, we must get involved in proclaiming the gospel.”

Attendees came from Bangladesh, Guam, Micronesia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Sri Lanka and the Philippines.The event drew so many people that it was broadcast over local Adventist television and radio stations.

“While only 12,000 were registered, by our estimate we had a daily participation of 15,000 [people]. The rest of the delegates gathered in front of television sets and around radios installed under trees, tents and open spaces,” says Ultimino Rivera Jr., communication director for the church in the southern Philippines and coordinator for coverage of the event.