Southeastern Caraga Mission (SeCM) held its Ministerial Ordination at Bayugan Center Seventh-day Adventist Church, Taglatawan, Bayugan City, on June 19. Ordination is a sacred act of recognition, rooted in Scripture and affirmed by Ellen G. White’s counsel. It is not about human prestige but about affirming God’s call, empowering ministers to serve faithfully, and uniting the church in mission.
With the soul-stirring belief that ordination is not a human invention but a sacred recognition of God’s call, and through prayer and the laying on of hands, the church affirms those whom the Holy Spirit has set apart. Pastor Elgene Jim Suson, who currently serves Tandag City Central Church, was born in Tagum City on November 27, 1993, and has been a member of Anoling Central Church since his baptism on July 3, 2010. He is married to Juana Andrea Olaco Suson, who hails from Esperanza, Loreto, Dinagat Island. Pr. Suson joined the ministry on January 1, 2016, and worked in various districts and churches prior to his ordination.
The next ordinand was Pastor Lolito Mosinabre, 41 years old, who was born in Barobo, Surigao del Sur, and was baptized on September 12, 1995, at Jordan River, Getsemane, Bayugan City, by Pastor Ruel Arogante. He is married to Marelyn Garcesa Mosinabre from Surallah, South Cotabato, on June 21, 2016, the year when he first joined the ministerial work at Northeastern Mindanao Mission. His present district assignment is Sta. Josefa District in Agusan del Sur. He believes that ordination is recognition of divine appointment, not human authority.
Pastor Ranie Panganoron is 49 years old. He was baptized in San Sotero Javier, Leyte, and is married to Sis. Gimonesa Panganoron from Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental. His first assignment in January 2011 was Sibagat District, and he is presently serving San Francisco South District, Agusan del Sur. He believes that ordination empowers ministers to baptize, preach, and plant churches.
The fourth ordinand was Pr. Rolando Tobes from Loreto, Agusan del Sur, who is married to Sis. Genelyn Tobes from Bitaugan West, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur. He first joined the ministry on July 20, 2012, and is presently serving Cantilan District, Surigao del Sur. He holds the belief that ordination also safeguards doctrinal integrity and strengthens organizational cohesion as it aligns leaders with the global mission of the church.
The ceremony was officiated by Pastor Danielo Palomares, President of Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM), with Pr. Baby Larry Labang, Ministerial Secretary; Pr. Raul Emnace, SS/PM/ASI Director; and Mrs. Jill Palomares, Children’s Ministries Director/Ministerial Spouses Association President. Ministers, directors, and administrators of Southeastern Caraga Mission also joined hands to support the newly ordained ministers and their spouses.
As newly ordained pastors in the Adventist Church, they will continue to serve as spiritual shepherds, guiding members through preaching, teaching, and administering sacred ordinances. They also provide organizational leadership, mentoring elders and aligning local congregations with the global mission. Beyond the church, they engage the community through interfaith dialogue, social service, and advocacy, embodying servant leadership that unites faith and society.
Let us recall the story of commissioning God’s servants in Acts 13:2–3: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”
The leaders of the church reiterated 1 Timothy 4:14 for the newly ordained pastors to contemplate: “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.”
In addition, the Spirit of Prophecy emphasized: “Men are needed who are sanctified by the Spirit of God, who will not misrepresent the sacred truth, but will present it in its purity. Such men should be set apart to the work by prayer and laying on of hands.” (Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 598)
Photos: Southeastern Caraga Mission Adventist Media
