An opening ceremony was held at Kakaolong Barangay, where local government representatives delivered welcoming remarks and a memorandum of understanding was signed to strengthen cooperation for community health initiatives.

Medical services included internal medicine, dentistry, traditional Korean medicine and pharmacy care. On the first day, approximately 300 residents received treatment, and on the second day, around 200 more residents were cared for. This marked the fourth medical mission conducted in the Pandi area.

Pandi City is recognized by the United Nations as a major underserved area, where access to medical care is extremely limited. In this context, medical missions provide vital support to the community’s health and well being.

Alongside medical services, the team engaged in worship, prayer and community outreach, including school volunteer activities and home visits. Local medical professionals were also connected to the faith community, reflecting the mission’s broader aim to bring encouragement and hope.

By combining practical care with spiritual support and acts of service, the mission sought to address needs in a holistic way. This approach emphasizes the importance of serving the whole person body, mind and spirit, while bringing both immediate assistance and lasting hope to the community.

The OA SEA General Secretary opened by emphasizing the urgency of time and the need to understand their commission, drawing from Apostle Paul’s ministry as an example. While Paul traveled widely, he invested deeply in the churches he served, particularly in Ephesus. In the same way, delegates were reminded that the General Assembly was a time of gathering, but their calling now was to scatter and continue the work with renewed clarity and purpose.

Referencing Paul’s farewell to the elders in Acts 20, he described the emotional weight of the moment as Paul anticipated suffering and hardship. The speaker highlighted Paul’s charge to shepherd the church, connecting it to Jesus’ command in John 21 to care for His sheep and His compassion in Matthew 9:36 for those without guidance. He stressed that those in ministry are entrusted with caring for people who belong to God, requiring both responsibility and compassion.

He also addressed the realities of ministry, noting the challenges of guiding others and the perseverance it demands. Citing Acts 20:19, he pointed to humility, tears, and endurance as essential qualities of a shepherd, especially when facing difficulties or slow progress. He encouraged delegates to remain committed in prayer, emphasizing that true change comes not through human effort alone but through the Word of God and persistent intercession.

As the service concluded, delegates were reminded to carry the heart of a shepherd marked by humility and prayer as they entered a new season of ministry, leaving the General Assembly with renewed unity and expectation that its impact will shape and strengthen the Southeast Asia mission in the year ahead.

During the final session, the missionaries reflected on Haggai 1:2-12, where Israel’s neglect of the temple revealed misplaced priorities. They were urged to avoid similar pitfalls by seeking first to please God and by dedicating themselves to building His church with faith and perseverance.

It was emphasized that faith is essential to mission work, drawing from Hebrews 11:6 that “without faith it is impossible to please God”. The missionaries were encouraged to persist in prayer, trust God’s provision for people and resources, and endure challenges as opportunities to witness His answers.

Church planting, the missionaries were reminded, is not about numbers or organizational expansion but an act of love and devotion to God. Each new congregation is meant to bring Him glory, as they are to live in obedience greater than sacrifice, modeled on the Israelites’ immediate response to Haggai’s message.

Over the course of the Church Planter Training, sessions covered the Biblical purpose of church planting, evangelism, Bible study, prayer, discipleship, and shepherding. Additional lectures stressed the importance of faith and order in maintaining a clear vision and unified mission strategy throughout the region.

The program concluded with a time of prayer, as the SEA missionaries renewed their determination to please God by planting churches with urgent hearts, trusting that each new congregation will glorify Him and advance the Gospel across the region.

As part of the series of ‘Mission Challenge’ sessions during GCMC, the presentation highlighted research from Joshua Project showing that 51.8 percent of Southeast Asians, or more than 360 million people, have never heard the Gospel. The 11 countries of the region, home to nearly 696 million people, are largely influenced by three major religions: Islam, Buddhism, and Roman Catholicism, each presenting distinct barriers to evangelism.

In Muslim-majority nations, legal restrictions and persecution continue to hinder outreach. Church closures, blasphemy laws, and censorship of Christian materials online limit the spread of the Gospel. Meanwhile, syncretism and folk practices complicate discipleship in Roman Catholic nations. Traditional rituals often overshadow Scripture study and personal devotion, while nominalism results in widespread church attendance without deep spiritual growth.

As for predominantly Buddhist nations, Buddhism is deeply intertwined with national identity, making conversion culturally challenging. Minority tribal Christians in rural areas encounter poverty and limited discipleship resources, while communicating the Gospel in culturally resonant ways remains a pressing task.

Despite these obstacles, it was emphasized that the opportunity for Gospel advancement has never been greater. Drawing on John 4:35, “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest,” participants were challenged to be awake to the spiritual needs of the region, to ask God for guidance, and to act as the answer to those needs themselves.

The session concluded with participants uniting in prayer for Southeast Asia, committing to be alert to mission realities, seek divine guidance, and actively reach over 360 million people who have yet to hear the Gospel.

The closing message began with a reflection on the creation story, explaining that the rest God experienced on the seventh day extended beyond physical repose. It symbolized perfect harmony with God, with one another, and with all creation; which is a state tragically disrupted by humanity’s fall into sin. It was highlighted that the access to this divine rest is restored only through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ on the Cross.

Participants were then challenged to confront a pressing spiritual danger: seeking security in worldly achievements or treating God as a means to fulfill personal ambitions. The message emphasized that true rest is not derived from material comfort or external stability but arises from a heart fully satisfied in God. They were urged to examine the foundations of their trust and release attachments that hinder deeper intimacy with the Lord, highlighting that walking with God must go beyond concepts and rituals into a personal, daily relationship.

During the retreat, in addition to attending Bible lectures, the participants engaged in a series of fellowship activities designed to strengthen community and spiritual growth, including beachside games, prayer sessions, and small group sharing, fostering both personal reflection and mutual encouragement among attendees.

By the conclusion of the three-day retreat, the participants left with a renewed understanding of rest in God, equipped to integrate the lessons into their spiritual disciplines and daily walk, and inspired to pursue a deeper, enduring relationship with Him.

The training initiative is designed to prepare missionaries to thrive in challenging mission environments, especially those culturally unfamiliar. With a strong emphasis on Biblical foundations and practical skills, the program will feature a blend of lectures and workshops focused on four core areas: Bible, church history, culture, and mission strategy.

The Church Planter Training will equip missionaries with core skills in spiritual formation, mission strategy, church planting, Bible teaching, and pastoral care. It will also address practical areas such as financial management, digital ministry tools, and personal well-being to ensure holistic preparation for effective ministry in diverse mission contexts.

As more missionaries respond to the call to pioneer new churches, this training is expected to serve as a vital launchpad, equipping them with the knowledge, spiritual discipline, and practical tools needed to establish and grow churches across Southeast Asia and beyond.

The sessions focused on the coming of the Holy Spirit during the first Pentecost and examined how the Early Church was empowered to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God with boldness.

Through the Bible lectures, the attendees explored how the Spirit enabled ordinary believers to witness fearlessly even in the face of persecution, demonstrating the transformative power of God at work in the life of the church.

In addition to Bible lectures, the retreats also incorporated small group sharing, prayer meetings, and interactive activities, which allowed attendees to reflect on the teachings, strengthen fellowship, and deepen mutual encouragement. These moments of community reinforced the lessons of Scripture and helped participants internalize the message of Spirit-led service.

Inspired by the faithful footsteps of the Early Church amid persecutions, the retreats concluded with a renewed commitment among OA SEA churches to co-work in harmony with the Holy Spirit, pursuing revival and actively proclaiming the Gospel in their local communities and beyond.