The Missão Calebe (Caleb Mission) is an evangelistic program of the Seventh-day Adventist Church developed in the territory of the South American Division (SAD) and is now a global initiative. Its goal is to promote the participation of young Adventists in voluntary and mission endeavours during school vacations. It aims at utilizing the creative energies of students (particularly on Public Campuses) to dedicate some of their vacation time to Jesus. The initiative encourages anyone over sixteen years of age to actively participate in community outreach and evangelism through home visits, Bible studies, and other activities. Those who participate in the Caleb Mission are commonly called “Calebs,” and usually go to the mission field wearing shirts and carrying backpacks, Bibles, and other materials stamped with the project’s name and logo.
They have a unique Caleb greeting. Having an outstretched arm, pointed forward with an open hand, illustrating that their hands are open to mission, helping others and being of service.
On 16 May 2024, they embarked on 2 projects in East London. The first one was cleaning – decorating clubhouses of a local Cricket Club, and the second was helping to refurbish one of the local churches in Vauxhall.
Last week, on 18 May 2024, about 30 Calebs graced the SEC World Adventurer Day at Newbold College, by offering their voluntary assistance to bless over 1000 Adventurers and their parents.
The day itself was different because we planned it as an ‘Action Service’. The Adventurers would have been able to choose between 4 Zones, hosted in the Sports Hall, Parking and Football Field. The zones would allow the children to engage with two chosen Bible Stories, through crafts, riddles, activities, games, and stories.
The promise of rain caused us to reduce the activities to the Sports Hall, but yet allowed the Adventurers to make crafts, listen to dramatizations of the story of Jairus Daughter and the 10 Lepers, and participate in an amazing praise and worship service.
The Calebs made a real difference because distributing craft resources to over 1000 people did involve a great strategic task, but they made it look so simple because of their willing attitude to serve God and bless His children.
The Calebs in the UK have been inspired by the East London Portuguese Church in Barking and joined by other Portuguese-speaking churches in the South England Conference.
