13th MSPC Youth Congress Calls Mindanaon Youth to Live Out Faith Through Mission

Young people, youth leaders, coordinators, directors, and bishops representing 22 ecclesiastical territories across Mindanao and Sulu gathered in Davao City for the 13th Mindanao-Sulu Pastoral Conference (MSPC) Youth Congress, a four-day celebration centered on the theme, “Mindanaon Youth: Rooted in Love, Rising for Mission.”

Hosted by the Archdiocese of Davao, the congress brought together delegates for Eucharistic celebrations, formation sessions, community immersion, and fellowship activities aimed at deepening their faith and strengthening their commitment to the mission of the Church.

Participants were accommodated in various host parishes throughout the archdiocese, where they experienced local parish life and the hospitality of their foster families. Accompanied by the theme song “Pag Kay Kristo, Abante!”, the gathering emphasized the call for young people to remain grounded in Christ’s love and translate their faith into meaningful service.

The congress opened on October 21, 2026 with a Eucharistic Celebration at San Pedro Cathedral, presided over by Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao. The opening day continued with the formal program at the St. Francis Xavier, Regional Major Seminary.

On the second day, Most Rev. Jose R. Rapadas III, D.D., Bishop of Iligan, presided over the Eucharistic Celebration before the participants attended the first formation session, a talk show titled “From the Heart of Christ to the Heart of the World.” The session featured Bro. Raven Jard N. Castaneda, Bishop Rapadas, and Bro. Ramon Arthur B. Gungub.

The second session, “Hearts on Fire for Christ’s Mission,” was facilitated by Bro. Elbert F. Larua. The day’s activities also included a synthesis of the formation sessions, followed by the GKK Exposure and GKK Night, which provided opportunities for delegates to encounter communities and strengthen fellowship among participants.

For Ramel Pamplona, DaDiTaMa Youth Coordinator, the inclusion of the GKK Exposure was an intentional part of the congress’s planning, designed to remind delegates of the importance of serving their own communities.

“During the initial planning of the youth congress, our team was very clear on the inclusion of a GKK exposure for the delegates. Through this experience, we hoped to showcase the beauty and fulfillment of serving our own communities,” Pamplona said.

He expressed hope that the delegates would return to the grassroots of their service—the Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban (GKK)—and continue living out the congress theme through their involvement in their local faith communities.

“Hence, I am hoping that after the congress, our delegates will go back to the grassroots of our service—our GKKs, which are rooted in love, aiming at the very mission of bringing Christ to every family, and every person they meet each day,” he added.

On October 23, the third day began with a Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Most Rev. George B. Rimando, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of Davao. Participants then took part in community immersion across Davao City, visiting institutions that provide emergency response services, media ministry, and community assistance.

The immersion included tours of Davao City Central 911 Emergency Response and DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM. Delegates also visited the House of Hope Foundation for Kids with Cancer, Inc., and the Foundation of Balay Pasilungan, Inc., where they participated in gift-giving activities. At the Archdiocesan Nourishment Center (ANC) Badjao Community Center, the delegates took part in a feeding activity.

Through these visits and activities, the participants encountered different forms of service and community engagement, providing opportunities to reflect on how faith can be expressed through compassion, solidarity, and concern for others.

The community immersion was followed by a sharing of experiences and the third formation session, a plenary titled “Hearts Sent Forth to Serve,” facilitated by Rev. Fr. Ricky S. Montero. The day concluded with a Disco themed Solidarity Night celebrating unity and fellowship among the delegates.

For Rev. Fr. Junel Bustamante, DAYCA Director, the congress reflected the Church’s recognition of young people as active participants in its mission today, rather than merely its future members.

“I believe the 13th MSPC Youth Congress is a concrete expression of the Church’s vision that young people are not merely the future of the Church; they are the Church in the present, called to participate actively in her mission today,” Fr. Bustamante said.

He emphasized that youth ministry should not simply prepare young people for future responsibilities but accompany and empower them to contribute to the Church’s life and mission in the present.

“During the 13th MSPC Youth Congress, we are not simply preparing young people for the Church of tomorrow. We are journeying with them as they build the Church of today,” he added.

According to Fr. Bustamante, the responsibility of youth directors is not to do everything for young people but to walk alongside them, empower them, and create opportunities for them to use their gifts in service of the Church and society.

“Our mission as Youth Directors is not to do everything for the young people, but to walk with them, empower them, and allow God to work through them for the renewal of the Church and the transformation of our society,” he said.

The fourth and final day, October 24, featured an overnight vigil, a Eucharistic Celebration, and the closing program, formally concluding the four-day gathering.

For Kristelle Billones, delegation head of the Archdiocese of Davao, the congress was both challenging and meaningful. She said that assigning delegates to different foster parishes made coordination and monitoring more difficult, requiring the delegation to adjust, communicate, and work together to ensure that everyone felt supported throughout the event.

The experience deepened her understanding of leadership as a commitment to presence, patience, and service rather than simply managing people.

“You don’t have to be perfect to be part of God’s mission; you only have to be willing to say yes,” Billones said, encouraging young people to remain rooted in Christ’s love despite the challenges they may encounter.

She also urged the youth not to be afraid to serve, grow, and step beyond their comfort zones.

“Wherever God sends us, may we always remember that we are one Church, one youth, and one mission,” she added. Billones concluded her message with the call, “Padayon, Batan-on! Basta para kay Kristo, Abante!”

During the event, organizers announced that Butuan will host the next MSPC Youth Congress in 2029, continuing the gathering’s mission of faith formation, fellowship, and youth participation across Mindanao and Sulu.

As the delegates return to their respective dioceses and parishes, the congress challenges them to carry its message into their communities through active participation, service, and solidarity.

The call to be rooted in Christ’s love and rise for mission extends beyond the four-day celebration. It is a continuing invitation for young people to live their faith in their daily encounters, serve their local communities, and take an active role in building the Church today.

Padayon, Mindanaon Youth! Pag Kay Kristo, Abante! (Jushua Molina Samoy)