Reported by Earie Madius, Spirit of Prophecy Coordinator, Northern Sabah Mission
Local church leaders, Spirit of Prophecy (SOP) coordinators, elders, and lay members gathered in Kota Marudu from September 11–12, 2026, for the Malaysia Union Mission (MAUM) SOP Convention. Held across two venues—the Goshen Youth Hall and Lotong Seventh-day Adventist Church—the two-day event drew a focused delegation of 50 attendees dedicated to deepening their understanding of prophetic guidance and strengthening SOP ministry across local congregations.
Organized to align leadership and equip church coordinators, the convention featured international guest speakers from the Ellen G. White (EGW) Research Center in Thailand: Pastor Mahaingam Varah, Director, and Pastor Adolpho Alex, Assistant Director. Joining them were the MAUM SOP Coordinator alongside local mission SOP directors from across the Malaysia Union Mission.
Anchoring Faith Through Contextual Hermeneutics
The convention highlighted the importance of reading Ellen G. White’s writings with proper context and sound hermeneutical principles. Plenary sessions led by Pastors Varah and Alex focused on practical tools for applying prophetic guidance to modern church life without falling into misinterpretation.
“Understanding Ellen G. White’s writings in their proper context anchors our faith and equips our local churches to navigate end-time challenges with clarity and confidence,” emphasized Pastor Mahaingam Varah during his keynote presentation.
Expanding on sound methods of study, Pastor Adolpho Alex urged delegates to examine the foundational context behind published statements. “Our responsibility when studying prophetic writings is to avoid selective reading,” Pastor Alex noted. “We must understand the historical backdrop, the audience, and the overarching biblical principles behind every statement so that we live out present truth rather than legalistic traditions.”
Key Convention Highlights
- Keynote & Plenary Presentations: In-depth study modules on hermeneutics, contextual application, and navigating contemporary issues through the lens of biblical and prophetic principles.
- Resource Orientation: Hands-on guidance introducing authentic EGW Research Center materials, study aids, and digital software to help local church coordinators share trusted resources.
Fostering Unity and Empowering Local Churches
Delegates praised the accessibility of the resource speakers and the rich dialogue made possible by the focused convention size. The event provided local leaders with practical answers to complex questions, directly benefiting their home churches.
“Attending this convention refreshed my perspective on prophetic ministry,” shared Elder Lasmah Sigo, one of the attendees. “Having leaders from the EGW Research Center directly answer our practical questions gave us clearer insights to share with our local congregations.”
Host organizer Pastor Earie Madius highlighted the long-term goal of the gathering. “Bringing together SOP leaders from across the Malaysia Union Mission creates a unified vision,” said Pastor Madius. “Our aim is to ensure every local church coordinator is fully empowered with authentic resources and solid guidance to uphold biblical dynamic faith.”
Looking Forward
Participant feedback reflected strong appreciation for the expertise of the international guest speakers, and the meaningful personal interactions facilitated by the focused group size. To build on this success, several delegates suggested extending future conventions by an extra day to accommodate more interactive workshops and comprehensive Q&A sessions.
The convention demonstrated a strong spirit of fellowship, unity, and hunger for spiritual growth among leaders and lay members alike. Despite the intimate delegation size of 50 attendees, the active engagement during Q&A sessions highlighted a deep commitment across local missions to preserve and promote prophetic guidance within the SDA church in Malaysia in general and in the Northern Sabah Mission in specific.