Global Church Votes to Reorganize Central Philippines and West Indonesia Unions to Strengthen Mission Focus

In a landmark decision aimed at enhancing mission efficiency and administrative growth, the General Conference (GC) Executive Committee voted during the 2025 Annual Council to reorganize the Central Philippine Union Conference (CPUC) and the West Indonesia Union Mission (WIUM). The action, which received 150 votes in favor, will take effect on January 1, 2026.

Central Philippines to Form Two New Unions

The recommendation to reorganize the Central Philippine Union Conference, headquartered in Cebu City, Philippines, came after a thorough survey conducted by a General Conference–appointed team chaired by Dr. Samuel Saw, General Conference vice president, with Elder Elbert Khun, associate executive secretary, serving as secretary. Other members included Sabrina De Souza from the GC Treasury, Pastor Roger Caderma, SSD president, the presidents of the Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD) and Euro-Asia Division (ESD), and administrators and representatives from the Southern Asia-Pacific Division.

The CPUC currently oversees 224,000 members, comprising four missions, four conferences, one college, and three Adventist healthcare institutions—namely, Adventist Medical Center Bacolod, Adventist Hospital Calbayog, and Adventist Hospital Cebu. The territory includes 1,431 churches and 563 companies, supported by steady tithe growth of 47%.

The survey confirmed that CPUC is well-prepared to proceed with a bifurcation, resulting in the formation of two administrative territories:

1. East Central Philippine Union Conference (ECPUC) – to include the Central Visayan Conference, East Visayan Conference, Negros Oriental-Siquijor Mission, and Samar Mission. The new union will continue to operate from the existing CPUC building in Cebu.

2. West Central Philippine Union Mission (WCPUM) – to comprise the Negros Occidental Conference, Northwestern Panay Mission, Romblon Mission, and West Visayan Conference. The new office will be established in Iloilo, on land donated by an Adventist family.

SSD President Pastor Roger Caderma expressed gratitude for the strong leadership and faithful stewardship of church members in the region. “This reorganization reflects the vibrant growth of the work in the Central Philippines and our commitment to bringing mission closer to where people live and serve,” he said.

Mission Expansion Across the Indonesian Archipelago

The GC Annual Council also approved the proposed reorganization of the West Indonesia Union Mission, a region that continues to grow amid complex demographic and geographical challenges. The GC survey team for this territory was chaired by Former General Conference Vice President Abner Delos Santos, with Former Associate Secretary Samuel Saw as secretary. Other members included Sabrina De Souza from the Treasury Team, Pastor Roger Caderma; SSD president; the presidents of the NSD and South Pacific Division (SPD), and and administrators and representatives from the Southern Asia-Pacific Division.

Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago, is home to 283 million people, spread across 16,000 islands, and represents the largest Muslim-majority nation, with 87 percent of the population identifying as Muslim. Despite these challenges, the Adventist Church in Indonesia continues to grow.

The West Indonesia Union Mission, that will be headquartered in Pematang Siantar, North Sumatra, will be home to 35,607 members, while the Central Indonesia Union Mission, that will be based in Jakarta, will have 66,616 members. Combined, the unions serve 105,000 church members, representing 7 percent of the division’s total membership, with encouraging indicators of growth—5% increase in churches, 13% in membership, 18% in tithe, and 17% in working capital.

The territory now includes 941 churches, 318 companies, 601 ministers, 4 hospitals, 2 universities, 281 schools, and 1 publishing house. The proposed reorganization seeks to address administrative complexity, promote strategic mission outreach, and strengthen leadership development across the archipelago’s diverse and challenging context of 1,300 ethnic groups and 700 languages.

SSD leaders affirmed that the move aims to equip local fields with stronger administrative structures to sustain evangelism and nurture initiatives in both urban and remote settings.

Commitment to Mission Continues

As the Seventh-day Adventist Church continues to expand worldwide, these reorganizations highlight the denomination’s commitment to refining its mission strategy and empowering local leadership. The actions voted during the Annual Council reaffirm the Church’s dedication to fulfilling the gospel commission in every corner of the world—especially within the 10/40 Window, where millions have yet to hear the message of hope in Jesus Christ.

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