The Malaysia Union Mission of Seventh-day Adventists (MAUM) ushered in a significant season of renewed mission focus with the launch of the Global Total Member Involvement (GTMI) Congress, marked by the commissioning of MissionReach 26 and the introduction of OneVoice 27 across the Malaysian territory. The three-day event, held from Friday, January 30, to Sunday, February 1, at Kota Kinabalu Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Likas, was a collaborative effort between the MAUM Sabbath School and Personal Ministries spearheaded by MAUM SSPM Director, Madam Rozelene Gulon with NDR-IEL, led by MAUM Vice President for NDR-IEL, Pr. Justin Ginsud. The congress was streamed live on the MAUM Facebook page and brought together church leaders, departmental directors, pastors, youth, and lay members, all united by a shared vision to advance the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Malaysia and beyond.
Onsite attendance grew over 600 on Friday evening and was estimated to surpass 1000 on Sabbath morning. Meanwhile, live online viewership averaged approximately 7,000, reflecting not only strong digital engagement but also a widespread desire to learn how to effectively share the good news of the gospel.
The Congress was further enriched by the presence of distinguished speakers, including Pr. Daniel Ebenezer, General Conference Director for Sabbath School and Personal Ministries; Pr. Joe Reeves, General Conference Assistant Director for Sabbath School and Personal Ministries; and Pr. Segundino Asoy, Southern Asia-Pacific Division Director for Sabbath School and Personal Ministries. Their presentations brought a wealth of knowledge, practical insights, and encouraging experiences to the attendees. The event was also attended by MAUM leaders, including MAUM President, Pr. Abel Bana, MAUM Executive Secretary, Pr. Nelson Bendah, departmental directors, leaders from local Missions, and representatives from Adventist institutions.
During the launching ceremony, Pr. Abel Bana called upon church members to embrace GTMI, MissionReach 26, and OneVoice 27 not merely as programmes, but as a personal and collective call to united service in fulfilling God’s mission. He urged members to respond to the Holy Spirit’s call to serve, witness, and unite in purpose, fulfilling the mission entrusted to all. The launch concluded with a vibrant display of attendees dressed in traditional cultural attire, symbolising unreached territories and people groups across the Malaysian region, followed by a dedicatory prayer committing these ethnicities to the work of the Holy Spirit.
From the outset, the Congress set a rhythm of worship, teaching, fellowship, and strategic orientation. Speakers emphasised the importance of engaging every member in the mission of spreading the gospel, acknowledging that fulfilling the Great Commission requires not only organisational structures but also wholehearted participation from every believer. During his Sabbath sermon, Pr. Daniel Ebenezer encouraged members, saying, “Keep sowing and build up your interest list, because we will never know whether our efforts are falling on good ground.”
Rooted in the global emphasis on Total Member Involvement (TMI), the MissionReach 26 and OneVoice 27 initiatives contextualise this mandate for the Malaysian field. Churches, families, and individuals are encouraged to reflect on practical ways to reach neighbours, colleagues, and digital networks, with the love of Jesus. In one of his seminars, Pr. Joe Reeves shared, “A disciple is a loving, self-denying soul-winner, like Jesus.” He further shared in a post-interview that the seeds of service need to be planted at a young age, encouraging families to share the love of service in their homes.
Participants across the Union shared testimonies of inspiration and renewed commitment during the sessions. Brother Merlon Duak from Lobou I Church, Menggatal, described the seminars as practical and easy to understand, yet rich in depth. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to attend and added, “Those of us who attended now have the opportunity to help other members through learning and training, so more people can share the gospel and be reached.”
In his seminar, Pr. Segundino Asoy echoed his predecessors’ sentiments, reminding attendees that the mission is not limited to evangelistic campaigns or large public meetings, but is lived out through daily spiritual conversations, acts of compassion, and relational discipleship. In post-event interviews, several participants expressed appreciation for the emphasis on global total member involvement. Sister Lainah Sulukang, a delegate from Sabah Mission, shared, “It is important to involve all members, not just pastors. We, as regular church members, can and should disciple others as well.”
The GTMI Congress, MissionReach 26 Launching, and OneVoice 27 Launching represented more than organisational initiatives—they stood as declarations of purpose, calling all members of the church to rise in unity and engage proactively in God’s mission. During the Commitment Ceremony, Pr. Daniel called on all attendees to answer the Lord’s call to be workers of the gospel, and prayed for the outpouring of the Spirit to work, bringing people to share the gospel through Bible study.
As the journey ahead unfolds, every Adventist in Malaysia is invited to embrace this call—to be present in mission fields near and far, to reflect Christ’s love through their lives, and to proclaim the everlasting gospel with one voice until Jesus comes. Pr. Ewoddy Abnor of the Kunak SDA Church summarised this conviction, stating, “We cannot just be members of the church. We must be workers—active workers—sowing the seeds of the gospel.”
As MAUM continues to nurture these initiatives, departments are developing resources, training programmes, and discipleship support to equip members for MissionReach 26 and the broader OneVoice 27 emphasis. Congregations are encouraged to integrate these mission focuses into their church calendars, small groups, prayer initiatives, and evangelistic planning.
Below is the highlights video for the MAUM Global Total Member Involvement Congress 2026 | It Starts with Me:
Reported by Hazel Wanda Ginajil-Gara, MAUM Communication Department
27, January 2025, Tuesday.