Reported by Linda Lagason-Madius, Women’s Ministries & Children’s Ministries Director, Northern Sabah Mission
More than 600 women from 12 regions of Northern Sabah Mission gathered at SMAG Hall, Goshen, from 25–27 September 2026 for the Northern Sabah Mission Women’s Ministries Festival. Built around the “I Will GROW” initiative, the three-day Festival encouraged women to deepen their relationship with God and translate spiritual growth into active service and mission. The initiative carried the emphasis “Grounded in the Word • Ready for Mission.”
From registration, where participants received passports and boarding passes, to the airport-inspired setting, the Festival used the language of a journey to illustrate its spiritual focus: surrender what weighs you down, grow in Christ, and be ready to serve.
Checking In: Letting Go of the Baggage
The journey began Friday evening with Madam Faridah Lausin, Women’s Ministries Director of Malaysia Adventist Union, who presented the message “Lay It at the Feet of Jesus.”
Using the imagery of baggage, she challenged women to recognize the burdens that can hinder their spiritual growth and effectiveness in ministry.
“We cannot serve to our full potential in God’s mission as long as we continue carrying ‘extra baggage.’ Jesus invites us to lay at His feet every ‘piece of baggage’ that makes it difficult for us to carry out His mission. Then He will restore us, renew us, and send us to fulfill His mission.”
The message became personal during the Friday evening reflection led by Madam Linda Lagason, Women’s Ministries Director of Northern Sabah Mission. Participants identified the burdens they were carrying, symbolically crossed them out, and prayed together.
For Ms. Norsa Lisah of Region 1, the experience brought an awareness of burdens she had been carrying without realizing it.
“What touched me most was the reflection session during the opening of the Sabbath. As we prayed with the person beside us, tears flowed as we realized how much baggage we had been carrying without even being aware of it. Now, I am learning to give that baggage to God.”
I Will GROW: A Joint Call to Spiritual Growth
Sabbath morning marked the official launch of the “I Will GROW” initiative, a joint initiative of the Women’s Ministries and Family Ministries departments designed to encourage intentional spiritual growth and greater participation in mission.
The launch brought together leaders from the two departments and church leadership, including Madam Rozelene Gulon, Family Ministries Director of Malaysia Adventist Union, and Pastor Edwin Roy Dulis, Family Ministries Director of Northern Sabah Mission, who joined Madam Linda Lagason, Madam Faridah Lausin, Dr. Irelyn C. Gabin; and Pastor Feldinand Sawanai, President of Northern Sabah Mission, in the launch ceremony. Also present was Madam Fong Choi Chong, Women’s Ministries Director of Sabah Mission.
The initiative calls women and families to grow intentionally in their relationship with God, becoming grounded in the Word and ready for mission. It emphasizes that spiritual growth is not an end in itself, but prepares believers to serve within their families, churches and communities.
The launch culminated in an I Will GROW commitment, inviting the over 1000 attendees to personally respond to the call to deepen their faith and become more actively involved in God’s mission.
The initiative became the thread connecting the Festival’s three-day journey—from surrendering personal burdens, to trusting God as the Captain, to putting faith into action in the mission field.
Who Is Your Captain?
Following the launch, Dr. Irelyn C. Gabin delivered the Sabbath keynote, “Who Is Your Captain?”, emphasizing God’s constant presence and His role as the One who leads His people.
“God is constantly with us. He is the captain in our journey.”
The message encouraged participants to ground their spiritual growth and ministry in their relationship with God rather than relying solely on their own strength.
For Ms. Sylvia Santing of Region 3, this perspective gave her renewed confidence to reach people who had not yet encountered the gospel.
“I am no longer afraid to reach out to those who do not yet know the truth, because I can lay all my heavy baggage at Jesus’ feet, and Jesus is my Captain wherever I go to serve.”
Equipped to Equip Others
That Sabbath evening, 180 women marched into the AB Grand Event Hall in Kota Marudu for the Women’s Ministries Leadership Certification Graduation.
The graduates had completed all four levels of the Women’s Ministries Leadership Certification programme, followed by six to eight months of mentoring. Each graduate had mentored at least one woman in her local church, extending the impact of the programme beyond the classroom and into local congregations.
For Ms. Jenny Bernard, the experience was a journey of spiritual growth, fellowship, and preparation for continued service.
“I am deeply grateful and moved to have become part of the Adventist family and to have had the opportunity to learn and be equipped as a Women’s Ministries leader. This journey was not simply about completing the four levels of certification, but also about learning together, strengthening one another, and growing in ministry.”
The graduation gave visible expression to the Festival’s emphasis on multiplication: women who are equipped can equip and encourage others.
Landing in the Mission Field
On Sunday, Pastor Feldinand Sawanai, President of Northern Sabah Mission, welcomed the “weary travellers” to the Northern Sabah Mission field through his devotional message, “Pigilabah!”
Using the idea of landing, he emphasized that spiritual growth must lead to participation in mission.
“The most important part of evangelism is to be rooted in the Word … through the Word we will discover that salvation belongs to everyone… Pigilahbah! Go reach others for God.”
His message called participants to recognize their churches, families, workplaces, and communities as places where faith is lived and shared.
From the Festival to the Field
The regional booths and presentations reinforced this practical emphasis. Representatives from all 12 regions showcased their ministries, skills, and experiences, highlighting the diverse ways women are serving across Northern Sabah Mission.
Region 9, for example, created a “Hiking Club” display using camping equipment and natural elements to engage visitors and demonstrate how ordinary interests can create opportunities for connection and ministry.
For Ms. Masilianah Jonim of Region 9, the Festival strengthened her commitment to service.
“I returned home with a heart that has been strengthened and a renewed desire to continue serving God and to be a blessing to others.”
For Ms. Noumi Magansap of Region 1, the experience also carried an eternal perspective.
“Personally, I felt as though this journey of life is leading us toward a distant destination—the New Jerusalem.”
She connected that hope with the responsibility to share the gospel:
“We need to tell others about the message of salvation from Jesus so that many souls and friends may be saved.”
What We Have, We Give
The Festival concluded with a challenge from Dr. Irelyn Gabin to recognize and use what God has already placed in each person’s hands.
“Acknowledge what you have received from the Lord and use it. We are ordinary people, we have only little, but when we place it in the Master’s hand, it becomes great and much.”
Her words captured the Festival’s central call: spiritual growth is not simply about receiving, but about responding.
The women returned to their churches and communities with a renewed invitation to surrender their burdens, remain grounded in God’s Word, and put what they have received into service.
Grounded in the Word. Growing in Christ. Ready for Mission.
The journey continues.
