Seventh-day Adventists wave their small group ministry flags, representing different regions, during the South Pacific Mexican Conference’s Festival of Small Group Leadership held in Xalostoc, Morelos, Mexico, on Sept. 26–27, 2025. [Photo: Courtesy of Robert Costa]
In Morelos and Guerrero in the Inter-Oceanic Mexican region, members pledge to planting new churches, increasing small group ministry.

October 8, 2025 |  Xalostoc, Morelos, Mexico | Cristel Romero and IAD News Staff

On September 26 and 27, Camp Xalostoc hosted a Festival of Small Group Leaders (FELIGRUP), the bigger meeting of training and celebration of evangelistic strategies of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific Conference, which includes the states of Morelos and Guerrero, in Mexico. With the theme “Jesus is Coming, let us persevere in mission,” more than 900 small group leaders, elders, evangelists, and pastors gathered to renew their commitment to preaching the gospel.

The FELIGRUP represents a space where the church receives “its marching orders” for mission, organizers said. Year after year, the challenges posed at this gathering prompt missionary members and couples to reach new communities and individuals, thus consolidating small group ministry, they explained.

Hundreds gathered to celebrate their commitment to sharing the gospel in their communities during the Festival of Small Group Leadership held on Sept. 26–27, 2025. [Photo: Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union]
Abimael Manzano, pastor of the Xoxocotla district, said that the event usually has the greatest impact on the district since it is attended by the largest number of church members and leaders. “This year we had 102 registered in my district alone,” one of the organizers said.

A Special Keynote Speaker

In 2025, the event included international evangelist Pastor Robert Costa, speaker of the Escrito Está ministry. Costa shared experiences of evangelistic series in different countries with thousands of baptisms thanks to the efforts of small groups and missionary couples. “His message reminded us that mission is global and that the Adventist family is part of a worldwide movement,” regional church leaders said. “Pastor Robert Costa brought us a worldwide perspective of the church’s progress, as he recounted how the Holy Spirit works in other regions.”

Evangelist Robert Costa of Escrito Está ministries encourages members to continue sharing their faith in their neighborhoods and communities. [Photo: Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union]
After the event, Costa celebrated that many of the attendees traveled for hours and camped even in heavy rain to attend. He also shared that at the time of an altar call, dozens of children and teenagers had come forward, expressing their desire to become missionaries. In another call, those who accepted the challenge to plant a church in 2026 also walked to the front for a special prayer. “I was amazed to see the number of doctors, lawyers, architects, educators, and other very busy professionals committed to planting new churches,” he said.

According to Costa, “it is an inspiration to work with lay people, pastors, and administrators who are so committed to mission…. I see a great future in that conference and union because of the way they approach mission work, discipleship, and retention.”

Small group leaders from the South Pacific Mexican Conference report on growth and completed Bible studies. [Photo: Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union]
Immediate Results

“In a festive atmosphere we listened to the reports that showed how God is leading,” said Pastor Leonel Antonio José, president of the South Pacific Conference, said. “More than 75 percent of the delegates took a pledge: some to work to bring in 10 new members, others five, and a special group committed to establishing an Adventist presence in new places. We pray that the Lord will bless the church in our region,” José said.

Rubén Alcántara, district pastor in Cuautla, shared how they were able to see fruits of the meeting immediately. “As soon as we returned from FELIGRUP, a small group leader called me to ask for materials, because she wanted to start meetings with her group and invite her neighbors,” Alcántara said. “These events revitalize the missionary spirit of the leaders.”

Pastor Leonel Antonio José, president of the South Pacific Conference, highlights member commitments and God’s guidance during the Festival of Small Groups held last month. [Photo: Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union]
Pastor Aarón Omaña, ministerial secretary of the Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union Conference, said that “the South Pacific Conference is a field with a lot of development and growth. They have been opening districts, planting and organizing churches, which is valuable to the entire union. Their enthusiasm, colorful reports, and motivational testimonials are inspiring; as they grow, so does the Inter-Oceanic Mexican Union.”

According to church leaders, the event also reaffirmed concrete commitments, including reaching 27 new places by 2026, baptizing more than 1,000 people, and forming at least 267 new small groups in the region. “At FELIGRUP 2025, the more than 900 leaders in attendance returned to their districts with a clear vision–they said—to multiply small groups, persevere in mission, and proclaim together that Jesus is coming.”

Vicente Ángel Temich contributed information to this article.