In uncertain times, it’s true to say, “God is sovereign”. But unless you live in a way that demonstrates your belief, aren’t those words just hollow theology? 

This is why the organising team for IFES East Asia’s Graduate Conference (EAGC) tweaked the title of their 2025 gathering in the Philippines. They added to “Sovereign God in Uncertain Times” the Filipino phrase, Pataas ug Padayon. Literally, it means “upward and forward”.  

The phrase carries the sense of progress communicated by “onwards and upwards” in English. But in this setting, the “upward” stood for eyes looking up to the Lord of heaven and earth. And the “forward”? A resultant, faith-propelled step onward. 

In this Conexión blog, we explore the impetus for IFES graduate ministry. We’ll feel the forward thrust generated by EAGC. And we’ll observe how momentum is building across the fellowship for support beyond university.  

About 300 graduates and alumni from 15 movements across East Asia gathered in Tagaytay, Philippines, in August 2025. But it wasn’t just another IFES conference. Granted, it was the 13th EAGC, traditionally a triennial event. But this time around, the region had waited six long years. 

Although planning started in 2019, the intended 2022 date had to be abandoned due to COVID-19 restrictions. Throughout those uncertain times, Ching Lopez and Edward Sampaga, graduate volunteers in IVCF Philippines, were part of the regional steering group and co-led the host committee.  

Edward remembers: 

Others felt it too. In the midst of COVID, the steering group – with representatives from across the region – explored Scripture together and were drawn to the book of Esther. They agreed on the title of ‘Sovereign God in Uncertain Times’. 

Ching adds: 

Edward explains: 

But for that to happen, Ching and Edward had to themselves take forward steps in faith. 

Besides their full-time jobs – Ching working in textile research for the Department of Science and Technology and Edward managing a department at an online language school – they spent evenings and weekends tending to EAGC logistics. 

It was hard. Along the way, some committee members left. Ching sympathises, noting how she often felt she could have also given up.  

Edward had wanted EAGC to come to the Philippines ever since his first experience of it in Thailand in 2016. But he’d never imagined he’d become part of the organising team – or how much that would involve.  

When the time came, Edward saw God’s faithful hand: 

But another sign for Edward has been the ongoing impact. In his area of the Philippines, in Cebu and surrounding islands, he’s heard that graduate groups have revived. He’s been tagged into social posts about graduates inspired by EAGC now meeting together.  

This was what he’d hoped for: 

To capitalise on this momentum, Edward and Ching are in conversation with IVCF leadership. They are exploring if their relatively unstructured graduate network can be organised into a more systematic ministry over the next decade. 

Having benefitted from IVCF ministry as students, both Ching and Edward were eager to help local campus groups when they graduated. And, as they offered support to students, they also supported each other with the transition into working life. 

Ching sees the need for a “bridge” at this stage in life: 

Such experiences are widespread. In 2019, Barna Group and World Vision surveyed 18-35 year-olds across 25 countries for The Connected Generation report. They found that more than half of those from a church background had “dropped out”. 

Graduate Impact, an IFES Global Resource Ministry, also conducted research in 2017-2021. Among  young Christian adults in Europe and Eurasia, they found: 

It is such issues that the six-module Cross-Current course is addressing – not only in Europe and Eurasia, but now also in East Asia and Latin America. 

At EAGC, Ching and Edward were encouraged to see how God had stirred many young graduates to attend.  

Dalin recently graduated after serving as a student in SONOKO Cambodia for almost five years. She shares: 

Lydia, from FES Hong Kong, left ready for new challenges: 

Many IFES movements are seeking to respond to their graduates’ desire to serve fruitfully in the workplace. Fellowship surveys from the last three years reveal that many movements consider it a Top 10 ministry priority for which they would appreciate support. 

Many movements already have graduate ministry as an integral part of their organisation. SMD Germany, SCOM Malawi, and NBCBS Nepal. are three good examples. This shows that IFES can be instrumental in facilitating a sharing of ministry experiences and best practices. 

For EAGC, each movement was asked to share a three-minute presentation about how they are ministering among graduates. Ching notes: 

As always in the IFES family, each context is different. But the cross-pollination of ideas and stories can be inspirational. And successful content and programs can also be adapted. 

Over 20 years, the Graduate Impact team has developed successful training programs. Movements in over 40 countries have adopted and adapted them – with translations into Portuguese, Norwegian, Russian, Romanian, Malaysian, French, and Spanish. A recent training session in Ecuador, drew 30 professionals from 10 countries in the region. 

Guadelupe (Lupita) Muñoz, General Secretary of CECE Ecuador, said: 

To boost the reach of Graduate Impact, the team recently launched an ambitious three-year plan. It includes the nurturing of more local leaders of Cross-Current and the development of resources – with up to 50 videos of key Bible talks.