By Karren Jay G. Asgar

Attendees during the “Praxis of Leadership Forum 2024” gather for a photo opportunity with resource speakers, Bishop Timothy Wilbur and Rev. Jaideep Mukjerji Namburi.

On November 14, 2024, Central Philippine University’s College of Theology in collaboration with the Convention Baptist Ministers’ Association Iloilo Chapter, hosted the “Praxis of Leadership Forum 2024.” The event took place at CPU’s Pani Hall in the Christian Education Building, University Church.

The forum highlighted two distinguished resource speakers: Bishop Timothy Wilbur from Kansas City, Kansas, USA, and Rev. Jaideep Mukjerji Namburi from India.

“Indeed, it is a wonderful privilege for the CBMA chapter to have this lecture. Our friends from India and US are here to share their experiences in the ministry and of course to challenge us to our respective churches and organizations,” Rev. Rosendo Mije, President, CBMA-Iloilo Chapter said in his greetings and welcome remarks.

Participants came from different 8 circuits from the province of Iloilo which are the following: Northern Iloilo, Central Coastline, Pasad Circuit, Lambunao Circuit, Calinog-Bingawan Circuit, Inner Iloilo Circuit, Southern Iloilo Circuit, and Iloilo City Circuit.

“I think this leadership seminar comes quite significantly especially at a time when many of our institutions are suffering from leadership crisis,” Rev. Dr. Jerson Narciso, Program Coordinator, Graduate Program of the College of Theology said in his rationality of the forum.

In the morning session, resource speaker Bishop Timothy Wilbur focused on two topics: “Leaders as Examples” and “The Leader’s Inner Life.” In his presentation, Bishop Wilbur emphasized the critical role of leaders in setting a positive example for others.

“Sometimes, we lose touch with non-believing people, and we don’t always know how to make a good connection. We need to be prayerfully considering how do stay in touch with those and reach them with the Gospel,” Bishop Timothy Wilbur mentioned in his speech.

After the presentation, Pastor Joshua Zonita, a faculty member of the CPU College of Theology, facilitated a discussion alongside Bishop Timothy Wilbur. Together, they engaged with the audience by answering a series of questions.

In the afternoon presentation, Rev. Jaideep Mukherji Namburi shared profound insights, addressing two impactful topics about “The Price of Disobedience” and “10 Good Qualities God Saw in King Saul.” Through his reflections, he explored the consequences of disobedience in the Biblical context, emphasizing the importance of aligning one’s actions with God’s will.

“It is not about the starting, it is about the finishing. What we see in the days to come is that we have not yet finished. God has given us the work to do, and it is important for us to see that the finish line, but not to deviate ourselves into other things,” Rev. Jaideep Mukjerji Namburi emphasized in his speech.

The forum concluded with an open discussion session, where participants had the opportunity to share their thoughts, ask questions, and engage in dialogue on the topics covered. This was followed by a closing prayer, which offered a moment of reflection and gratitude, bringing the event to a meaningful and peaceful close.