Interview with Vivencio R. Bermudez
Publishing Director for the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD)

Wilmar Hirle: During the week I spent with you in Philippines we had the opportunity to visit Mountain View College. Please tell me about the history of this beautiful college.

Vivencio Bermudez: Mountain View College was the first Adventist College in the South Philippine Union Conference. It was established more years ago. Today there are more than 2,000 students in attendance. The college owns more than 1,000 hectares of land.

WH: How did the church find this place for the college?

VB: A missionary doctor from the United States, Dr. Nelson, came to this area. Dr. Nelson had a vision. Then one day Dr. Nelson came to this province and he saw our very beautiful hilltop. Dr. Nelson knelt down right there and prayed. He asked God if this was the right place for a college. Today you can see the magnificent answer to his prayer.


WH: The weekend I spent at the college I saw a very strong student LE program. Please tell me more about this.

VB: Praise the Lord! The first student LE club was organized by the school administrators in conjunction with the South Philippine Union Conference, and the local mission conferences. Together they asked God to bless the college with this kind of club. The college donated the land and the student LEs built a center for the Student LE offices. The club has been very helpful for the Publishing Ministry. The students themselves organized the Student LE club and elected their own student leaders. Today there are 18 groups of student LEs with approximately 400-500 members. These student LEs are assigned to go into either the South Philippine Union r or the Central Philippine Union.


WH: What are your plans for 2008?

VB: This year we hope to have a larger number of student LEs willing to go out into the field. Last year we tried some new strategies. We challenge the students to read Colporteur Ministry and then to take an exam. This encourages the student LEs to buy and read the book for themselves. We, the administrators, give them words of counseling too. Another way we are creating interest in literature evangelism is by holding a poster contest. The club decides on a theme like Tell the World through Literature and then the students create posters which reflect that theme. At the end we give out awards. We are very grateful to Pastor Wilmar Hirle, Associate Director for GC Publishing Ministries, for coming to visit us here in the Philippines. He inspired all of our students and administrators with stories of student LEs from other parts of the world.


WH: Pastor, while I was visiting the college I saw a unique group of student LEs who loved to sing. They are using their singing talents to sell books. How does this work?

VB: Out of the 18 student LE groups who annually go to different cities 3-4 groups are composed of singers. All together there are more than 20 singing groups in this college! Our students love to sing! These 3-4 groups go out as LEs but they use the Singing Approach. During the summer vacation these singing groups visit different cities. They prepared spiritual and secular songs. Then the group leader contacts schools, offices, and companies to make arrangements for the group to share their program.


WH: So, these students present a small concert, is that correct?

VB: Yes. On the appointed date, the group gives a musical concert for 30-45 minutes. Then the presenter explains that these students are earning scholarships to pay for school. They are doing community service teaching about health, character building, and good citizenship through the publications. The employees listen to the presentation and an explanation about the nature of the work. Then the students meet each employee. After listening to the music the employees are emotionally attached. They understand how the books and publications will benefit them and their families. And they feel good that they can help the students continue their studies. Many employees are happy to buy books.


WH: Pastor, during this week we had the opportunity to visit three different conferences and to meet with the administrators and publishing directors. We conducted an evaluation at each meeting. Why are you doing this and what is the result?

VB: This annual survey and evaluation is mandated by a Division policy. The Union representative visits each territory, conference, and mission to review their accomplishments from the past year. It also helps us to understand the strengths and weakness in each territory, and what kind of support they need. For example, this evaluation helps us understand the market and the sales potential in each territory. We also weigh factors like population levels. These evaluations help our publishing house know what kind of books and magazines are needed in the field. After the evaluation is complete we look to the future and project a new action place for the next year. Understanding these things helps strengthen the entire publishing ministry. This kind of instrument and survey evaluation helps to open the minds of the administrators. It reminds the LEs of their solemn responsibilities in this ministry.


WH: Pastor, you and your leaders are using the book The Ten Commandments as your 2008 Missionary Book. I understand that you have already printed 250,000 copies with which to start the program. What are your dreams for this book in your Division?

VB: We have an exciting program. We are in the process of selling this idea to the administrators as part of the Tell the World program. We will use this media ministry to help us make use of the church’s publications to the maximum in order to nurture the church.

As you mentioned here in the Philippines we printed the book, in English, The 10 Commandments. In Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka the number of copies will reach almost 500,000! Each union places their order and sends books to the local mission and conferences. In turn the local administration sends books to the district pastors so they can present this mission to their churches. This is a very effective way for each church member to help fulfill the Spirit of Prophecy comment that every believer can scatter the print page, books, and magazines which contain the present truth. So far we have received a very positive response from students LEs, and from the churches where we started. We encourage the local leaders to begin this campaign with a dedication prayer in the church. We put a large number of books on the platform in the shape of an altar. Then during the sermon Sabbath morning we have a special dedication prayer for these books. We encourage each member to give a book to their neighbors, friends, and family as gifts. We believe that 500,000 copies means there are 500,000 witnesses telling the world through literature about Christ.

WH: Pastor, what are your plans for you Student LEs in 2008?

VB: We believe much more can be done. There are many Adventist students in the local churches who should be invited to become a student LE and then to join a club. This is our vision for the quinquennium — to increase the number of student LEs in our division.


 

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