Adventist Church in the Southern Asia-Pacific Elects New Leader for Timor-Leste Mission

The Executive Committee of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) elected Pastor Israel H. Bacdayan as president of the Timor-Leste Mission during its meeting on June 2, 2026, entrusting him with the leadership of the Adventist Church’s work in the Southeast Asian nation.

Bacdayan succeeds Pastor Ritus Keni, who was recently called to serve as Field Secretary of the East Indonesia Union Conference after leading the mission in Timor-Leste.

A veteran pastor and church administrator with more than four decades of denominational service, Bacdayan currently serves as Ministerial Secretary, Field Secretary, and Chaplaincy Coordinator of the Southern Luzon Philippine Union Mission (SLPUM), a position he assumed following his election during the union’s second constituency meeting in November 2025.

Before his union assignment, Bacdayan served as president of the Cavite Mission from 2018 to 2025, where he helped strengthen evangelism initiatives, church development, and organizational growth. During his tenure, the mission completed the planning, fundraising, and construction of its new headquarters in Amadeo, Cavite, which was inaugurated in December 2024.

Throughout his ministry, Bacdayan has held numerous leadership positions, including Stewardship Director, Executive Secretary, and Associate Ministerial Secretary of the Central Luzon Conference. He also served as senior pastor of the AIIAS Church and Pasay Adventist Church and ministered in several districts throughout Central Luzon.

Known for his commitment to evangelism, Bacdayan has led more than numerous evangelistic campaigns throughout his ministry and has played a key role in church planting initiatives that established new congregations in South Luzon. His ministry has consistently emphasized leadership development, pastoral mentoring, and the expansion of the church’s mission.

Bacdayan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Philosophy of Religion from Philippine Union College, now Adventist University of the Philippines, a Master of Ministry degree from the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Adventist University of the Philippines.

Bacdayan is married to Aurea Custodio Bacdayan, who has served the church in various capacities, including as a school treasurer, departmental leader, and administrative support worker. The couple has two sons, John Riel and Bryl Daniel. John Riel works in the business process outsourcing industry, while Bryl Daniel is pursuing medical training at the Adventist University of the Philippines. Throughout his ministry, Bacdayan has often emphasized the importance of family support in sustaining long-term service to the church.

Church leaders expressed confidence that his extensive experience in administration, pastoral ministry, and evangelism will contribute to the continued growth of the Adventist Church in Timor-Leste as it seeks to share the hope of Jesus and strengthen local congregations throughout the country.

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