A historic milestone in prison ministry unfolded on April 4, 2026, as Adventist members and church leaders conducted the first-ever Communion Service inside the chapel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)–Guimaras, Philippines offering Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) a meaningful opportunity for spiritual reflection and renewal.
The special Sabbath gathering began with a worship service led by Faith Works Ministry President Marleen Wirtz, who shared a message centered on God’s love, redemption, and the transforming power of faith. President of the Adventist Church in West Visayas, Pastor Ephraim Reyno, served as the translator, helping communicate the message clearly and personally to the congregation.
Following the worship service, Reyno led the Communion Service with the assistance of ordained elders and deacons from the local Adventist church in San Miguel, a town in the same island province. Participants gathered in an atmosphere of humility, reverence, and gratitude as they reflected on Christ’s sacrifice and renewed their commitment to follow Him.
The service marked another significant chapter in the ministry taking place inside BJMP–Guimaras. The chapel, built through prayer, faith, and the support of mission partners, has become a place where inmates can worship, study the Bible, and grow in their relationship with God. Church leaders described the facility as a testimony to God’s provision and a reminder that hope can flourish even in the most unlikely places.
Communion is a sacred ordinance established by Jesus Christ to commemorate His death on the cross. The service includes partaking of unleavened bread and unfermented wine, symbols of Christ’s body and blood, as well as the Ordinance of Humility, during which believers wash one another’s feet as an expression of service, forgiveness, and unity. Rooted in Christ’s example recorded in John 13, the ceremony invites participants to experience spiritual renewal and deeper fellowship with God and one another.
Many of the PDLs expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the service, describing a sense of peace and encouragement as they remembered Christ’s sacrifice. The experience served as a reminder that while physical freedom may be limited, spiritual freedom remains available through faith in Jesus Christ.
“This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19), a Scripture that resonated deeply with participants throughout the service.
The historic occasion was made possible in part through the support of members of Fannin Seventh-day Adventist Church, whose generosity helped establish the chapel and sustain ongoing ministry efforts within the facility. Their partnership has contributed to the development of a growing faith community among inmates seeking hope and transformation through the gospel.
The significance of the Communion Service reflects the counsel of Ellen G. White, who wrote, “The ordinances of the Lord’s house are simple and plainly understood, and the truths represented by them are of the deepest significance” (The Desire of Ages, p. 650).
As the service concluded, participants left with renewed faith and gratitude. Church leaders expressed appreciation for God’s leading and affirmed their commitment to continue ministering to those behind prison walls.
The first Communion Service inside BJMP–Guimaras will be remembered as more than a historic event. For many who participated, it represented a sacred encounter with God’s grace—one that strengthened faith, renewed hope, and demonstrated that Christ’s love reaches every heart, regardless of circumstance.
The original article was published on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division news site.
