July 18, 2025
Article adapted from a summary created by the Philippine Bible Society available here.
On June 30, over 250 pastors, teachers, students, and church leaders gathered in Manila for the Creation Care Forum, organised by Philippine Bible Society (PBS) in partnership with Christians in Conservation Philippines, the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC) Creation Care Commission, and Asian Theological Seminary.
Titled “Pagdiriwang ng Buhay” (Celebration of Life), the forum invited those in attendance to reflect on the biblical mandate to care for creation.
PBS has produced a highlights video from this recent Creation Care forum, available here.
Biblical Call to Action
In her opening remarks, PBS General Secretary Mrs. Esperanza “Perry” Cartera challenged the audience to engage both their hearts and hands:
“As we listen to our speakers, we must think about how we will care for creation and pass this on to our church members and communities.”
Dr. Carmela Española, a wildlife biologist and Associate Professor at the University of the Philippines, presented the stunning biodiversity of the Philippines, which is home to species found nowhere else on earth. She also issued a sobering warning: the Philippines is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, with species and ecosystems under threat from pollution, illegal wildlife trade, and habitat destruction.
Dr. Española offered hope through practical steps: tree planting, reducing plastic use, composting, habitat protection, and education. She reminded the audience that even simple acts, when done together, can create a big impact.
Pastor Noli Mendoza, Assistant Professor at Asian Theological Seminary and Head of the PCEC Creation Care Commission, then led the attendees to the Psalms. Drawing from Psalm 104, he reminded listeners that worship involves more than song—it also includes the care and reverence we show for the natural world.
Inspiration and Transformation
The forum was filled with personal testimonies and vision for the future. Attendees shared how their perspective on the relationship between the Bible and creation care had shifted, seeing clearer connections between faith and environmental stewardship. Bible college student Eicelle Dela Cruz remarked:
“We are stewards. We’re not meant to destroy creation but maintain its beauty, which has been entrusted to us by God.”
Values education teacher Annaliza Roque found new inspiration in Psalm 104 and shared how she plans to reintroduce this theme more intentionally in her classes. She was inspired to write a song about creation care, which resonates with PBS’s ongoing plans to launch a new song focused on reation care.
Sister Evangeline Gamazon, from the Diocese of Malolos Biblical Apostolate, summed up the day with the phrase:
“Plant, Preserve, Protest… and Pray. Because staying connected to God gives us the strength to act for Him.”
A Shared Commitment to Stewardship
As the forum progressed, participants formed local working groups to brainstorm initiatives for their communities. Their suggestions included:
- Organising seminars
- Hosting tree planting drives
- Promoting recycling and waste segregation
- Creating church gardens
- Teaching children about biblical creation
- Including environmental themes in Sunday preaching
- Using social media to spread awareness
- Supporting leaders who advocate for sustainability and stewardship
What became clear is that creation care has become a biblical concern, woven into our worship, discipleship, and witness. PBS General Secretary Designate Mrs. Laura Valledo closed the forum with this powerful reminder:
“Our care for God’s creation is a form of worship.”
Egmond Affirmation Priority
Creation Care is one of the seven Egmond Affirmations (EA), reaffirmed at the World Assembly in Egmond, the Netherlands. PBS is acting upon this EA call to proactively work with churches and create “good biblical content to promote climate justice issues”.
More information on Creation Care is available via the EA Resource Hub here.
Moving Forward Together
This forum is an example of how Bible engagement and ecological stewardship can be combined in ministry. Whether through the Psalms, Genesis, or Romans 8, the Bible affirms God’s love for all creation and our call to steward it.
PBS has taken a bold step in leading this conversation regionally. As Bible ministries around the world reflect on their engagement efforts, this question remains deeply relevant:
“What kind of world will we leave behind?”
May our shared commitment to God’s Word inspire personal faith and faithful stewardship for the flourishing of both people and the planet.
