In Manila, a week-long revival series titled “All About Jesus,” unfolded at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), drawing an average attendance of 3,500 individuals each night. The series culminated in a grand Sabbath worship and fellowship during which 256 individuals were baptized. The focus of the event was on cultivating a personal relationship with Jesus – the focal point and essence of the Christian life. It offered practical ways to deepen meaningful friendship with Him.
Lee Venden, a revivalist from the Arizona Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church served as the nightly speaker. He is a third-generation pastor within his family, following the footsteps of his late father, Pastor Morris Venden, a renowned Adventist preacher and author who previously graced the PICC stage as the speaker for Project Manila 1 and 2. With almost 40 years of experience as a pastor and educator, Pastor Lee has dedicated himself to seeking to know Jesus better and helping others become deeply acquainted with Him as well.
ALL ABOUT JESUS
Pastor Lee’s presentations were clear and practical. With a knack for storytelling, he engaged his audience throughout a one-hour presentation. Central to his message is the assertion that God desires to experience a two-way friendship with His people. “God begs for communion with us.” He encouraged the audience to find time alone at the beginning of every day in contemplation of the life of Christ, through His Word and prayer. He emphasized that Christianity is not only about a theological understanding of God but a heart relationship with Him. He asserted, “Christianity is not about what you do, but Who you know, and Who you know will change what you do.” Explaining the basis of salvation, Venden quipped, “Salvation has to have to do with something other than behavior, it has to do with Savior.”
Using a three-legged stool to illustrate the vital component of a Christian life represented by the three legs – Bible, prayer, and Christian witness – Venden emphasized the importance of daily growing in Jesus by sitting on it daily. He articulated, “If Jesus is worth spending eternity with, He is worth spending time with daily.” On the subject of prayer, he underscored, “Our success in developing and maintaining a relationship with Jesus depends largely on prayer. Prayer is keeping in touch with our friend. Prayer is connecting with the source of every good gift.”
He also delved into the essence of Christian witnessing. “The happiest people are those who find ways to make others happy.” He continued “Jesus doesn’t need us to finish the work. He has all the angels at His disposal to do as He commands, but God involves us in witnessing to share the joy. The only way to grow in grace is to work for Jesus. He appealed, “Every day ask God to open your eyes to opportunities where He can use you to make a specific difference for His kingdom – and give you a nudge. Tell your friends what Jesus means to you.”
When asked about his thoughts on Project Manila 3, he expressed that it is an inspiration to see people coming together to look at Jesus and be closer to Him. He said, “That’s what I’m here for, for us to draw closer to Jesus, to get to know Him better with every passing day. And if there are things, we can do that can help us grow daily in our personal walk with Him, that is what we want to focus on.”
PROJECT MANILA’S JOURNEY
The idea of organizing a revival series was first conceived in 1991 when some members of BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) batch 1980 of the then Philippine Union College (PUC) now known as Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) met for lunch one beautiful Sabbath afternoon. As they shared stories about their lives since graduation, the conversation shifted when one raised about their mission and duty to Jesus. They pondered, “What does God expect of us?” Someone in the group mentioned the necessity of being dependent on Jesus for salvation. Their discussion grew richer as they delved into the meaning of what it meant to accept God’s gift of grace and how much they appreciated it. They had that burning desire to communicate this joy to their countrymen – in Manila. What started as a simple catching-up soon evolved into a grand vision.
In 1995, Project Manila (PM) was born and fundraising efforts commenced. The response was overwhelming. The fundraising continued until early 1997. All the funds received were from direct contributions of individuals from the members of their batch which includes their family and friends.
January 1997, the first Project Manila, a weeklong revival meeting debuted at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) with Pastor Morris Venden as the speaker under the theme “Experience the Joy of Salvation.”
The success of PM1 inspired the batch to duplicate and organize a sequel. Three years later, in May 2000, PM2 unfolded at PICC, once again featuring Pastor Morris Venden as the speaker. The series focused on the theme “Coping with Life,” a topic that resonated deeply with the organizers. In the years leading up to PM2, many of the batch members were sorely tested. However, by God’s grace, they were able to complete what oftentimes seemed like an insurmountable mission. Notably, Jennifer LaMountain, a vocalist, and Kelly Mowrer, a pianist, who both participated in the inaugural Project Manila, returned to grace the second installment with their talents.
It took 24 years before a sequel to the last Project Manila was realized. Nida Clemente, one of the batch members prayed to God, saying, “Lord, if you provide the initial funding, we will hold Project Manila 3 again. Sure enough, God answered her prayers.
Despite initial scheduling for 2023, the series was delayed due to various reasons, including the Covid-19 pandemic. But God paved the way. Through the initiative and contributions of PUC BSN Batch 1980, and the support of the North Philippine Union Conference, and Central Luzon Conference, Project Manila 3 successfully ran from February 11-17, 2024. This time, Pastor Lee Venden, son of Pastor Morris Venden, served as the keynote speaker, accompanied by musical talents such as Steve Darmody, a baritone, and Michael Andrews, a pianist. Notably, Jennifer LaMountain, who participated in PM efforts 1 and 2, was also present.
BEHIND THE PROJECT
When God’s children are busy with Jesus, Satan is also busy at work to throw them off balance and dampen their spirits. This has been the experience of some of the batch members, including Nida Clemente, the key person responsible for organizing and coordinating Project Manila efforts 1, 2 and 3.
Barely two months before her scheduled flight from the US to the Philippines for Project Manila 3, she collapsed, her left hip striking the floor upon impact. When she regained consciousness a few minutes later, she found herself unable to move her entire body. She was rushed to the emergency room, where she remained hospitalized for six days. Upon discharge, she was confined to a wheelchair, prescribed painkillers, and assigned a physical therapist to aid in her mobility improvement and pain management. Recalling the intense pain, she remarked, “I would scream in pain.”
Reflecting on the ordeal, Nida expressed, “I could have died. It was my second chance at life.” She remembered pleading with God, “Lord, I don’t want to die yet. I still want to put my house in order.”
Throughout this time, she was thinking about the fast-approaching Project Manila 3. Despite her condition, she was determined to come to the Philippines, knowing it was unlikely that her physician would permit it. She religiously followed all orders, adhering to exercise routines and prescriptions. Two weeks before her departure, she stopped the pain medication. Though still painful, it was bearable Gradually, she managed to walk without a walker. Instead of seeking permission from her doctor to travel, she simply informed him of her plans. She declared, “I can manage without the walker. I’m off the pain meds. I am going to the Philippines because I must sign all financial obligations for our project.”
During the PM3 nightly meetings, Nida could be seen sitting right in the very first row. When asked about organizing the project again, she expressed, “It’s a joy to organize these efforts. I’m willing to do this all over again. This third time, the amount we solicited was way bigger and my classmates gave more.” She also shared insight on soliciting funds, advising, “Start by approaching your friends. Even if they are not very positive about the project, they will give because of the relationship.” She further emphasized, ‘If you’re converted, even your pocket is converted.”
As it turned out, the project was something the donors were so happy about. While Nida played a pivotal role, the launch of Project Manila 1, 2, and 3 was largely made possible by the generous contributions of the PUC BSN Batch 1980. During the inaugural series, the batch members found themselves standing outside PICC in awe of what God had done in a short time. Here’s a glimpse of their sentiments captured in a video clip prepared by the batch:
“Project Manila gave us a better understanding of God’s character. We faced many trials during the inception of the project but we are convinced that God can do anything. Many of us came there with certain expectations but none of us were quite the same by the time we left. God’s Spirit influenced our class to give generously. God’s Spirit influenced those who attended the meeting to reach up, to take God’s hand and allow Him to transform them. We’ve come to a greater appreciation of the gift of grace, but our greatest desire is this, “Lord, I want to know you more.”
The Project Manila 3 was a huge success. Church members who have come every night, conveyed how the messages have struck a chord, leaving a lasting impact. The practical approach and clear presentations were particularly appreciated. One said, “The messages have made Jesus and spending time with Him something truly desirable.” Overall, the series has prompted attendees to up their spiritual life and seek God as never before.
North Philippine Union Conference