On April 6, 2014, thirty enthusiastic leaders from the Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD) arrived at different intervals during the day at the SDA Language Center in Cavite, Philippines, to start their third round of English and leadership training under a program called CLAP (Communication and Leadership Advancement Program).
These leaders from Korea, China, Taiwan and Japan sat under the tutelage of expert English teachers, Erica Hole from Newbold College and Joy Carado from Central Philippines Adventist College, for two weeks. Leadership lectures were given by Dr. Joo MinHo, NSD assistant to the president, and Dr. Lawrence Domingo, SSD education director, Dr. Chek Yat Phoon, education director, and Dr. Sally Phoon, the main coordinator of the program. At the center, English-speaking missionaries assisted in the daily tutorial sessions.
This time, the program consisted of visits to two distinguished educational institutions in the Philippines, Adventist International Institute for Advanced Studies (AIIAS), a General Conference educational institution, and the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP). The group also visited the opulent offices of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division and enjoyed the well-landscaped lawns and gardens.
Whether they were concentrating in their classes or engaged in avid discussion with their classmates or visiting churches in the mission fields or even riding the jeepney on a field trip, the participants were encouraged to maximize their time by speaking English and connecting with their fellow leaders. We are confident that CLAP will help lay the foundation for our future leaders in sharpening their communication abilities in English, honing their leadership skills, and strengthening networks with other leaders within the NSD territories.
We thank Pastor Kim ChoongKook, SDA language director, for the use of their facilities and their personnel and his wife, who provided delicious meals for us duringour stay.
By Sally Lam-Phoon