11/12/2017
BIBLE QUR’AN STUDIES CELEBRATES 4TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY THROUGH A FORUM IN MANTICAO CENTRAL SDA CHURCH
True to its mission, the Bible Qur’an Studies celebrated its 4th year anniversary through a Forum held in Manticao Central Church, Misamis Oriental on November 12-14, 2017. The BQS is a conference-recognized supporting student ministry of Seventh-day Adventist students and professionals from Mindanao State University in the Islamic City of Marawi and in other parts of the Philippines.
With sponsorships by Stephen Dickie of the Adventist Muslim Relations of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Atty. Ronald Magallano of the Advent Professionals Ministry and the leadership of the Seventh-day Adventists in Manticao District to name a few, the BQS led the big church in its worship from Friday vespers until Sabbath sunset. The group also hosted a recreational swimming and bonding come Sunday morning at a nearby beach attended by more than 45 youths from MSU Marawi, MSU IIT, MSU Naawan and Manticao Central SDA Church.
The Forum which lasted the whole Sabbath from sunset to sunset, featured topics such Islam in the Bible Prophecy, Revelation 9, Allah’s Imputed Taqwah, Isaiah 60, Is the Bible Corrupt? (which address a common challenge for Muslims), The Al Fatihah, Is Allah God? (for our brethren who may not feel comfortable with the identity of God in the Islamic context), the Crucifixion of Jesus in the Qur’an and Abraham: A Leader to Mankind.
The topics were carefully selected and adapted for the brethren in Manticao with the intention of equipping all attendees with ways and manners by which Muslims may be more open in receiving us as their kin following the Abrahamic faith. Despite challenges in reception which goes along the line of being first time hearers of such messages for ministries for reaching Muslims, the long standing fear of Muslims, and apprehensions due to cultural barriers, the group is very much appreciative of help from elders, church officers’ and district pastors’ encouraging messages, reassurances and positive feedback.
Indeed, with multitude of help and counsellors there is safety (Prov. 11:4). There were numerous questions from the brothers and sisters who attended the Forum ranging from observations on the worldwide scale to the attitudes of local Mranao and Muslims in Mindanao such as: Why are Muslims are always portrayed as involved in conflict? How come they are allowed multiple wives? What is the basis of interpreting Islam and Mohammad in Revelation? among others.
The Bible Qur’an Studies shall forever be grateful to God for growing and continually sustaining His ministry through the students, faculty members and sponsors from Mindanao State University and abroad. We would like to gratefully recognize our sponsors in the person of Lorie Ann Damiles, Rhanie Agang, Christopher Caduyac, Elglane Pacaldo, Dayoc Family for with your support this Ministry continues to fulfill its mission and grow. May the Lord bless you more and may your own ministries flourish, may we all never tire in the Work of our Lord.
While the Muslim world is vastly unreached, both in the Philippines and throughout the 10/40 window, the Seventh-day Adventist Church continues to have youth and professionals working hard in spreading the Three Angels Message in fulfillment of the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19 and 20 and hasten His soon return.
