TAWI-TAWI, PHILIPPINES (ANS) -- Following the first Purpose Driven Life seminar conducted on August 24, 2012, in the province of Tawi-Tawi, the birthplace of Islam of the Philippines, another similar seminar was conducted at the Mindanao State University of the same province on August 29th.

A Tawi-Tawi girl displays her welcome poster to the seminar

The Purpose Driven Life seminar is derived from the best-selling book of the same name written by Rick Warren, senior pastor of Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, California.

Tawi-Tawi, the southernmost province of the Philippines, has lately begun to welcome other faiths. The province’s capital hosts on one street, different buildings of worship that are side by side. It has one of the oldest mosques, as well as the Iglesia ni Kristo, a Catholic church, and a few blocks away, is the Christian and Missionary Alliance and the Seventh Day Adventist churches.

University scholars and graduates attended the seminar that taught the principles of knowing God and how God our creator desires for his children to be successful.

The island province is very remote and university scholars have less opportunity to experience inspiring seminars like the Purpose Driven Life.

A group of University and graduate students listen attentively to resource speaker. The seminar was held at the Youth Center of the Christian Outreach Ministry.

The seminar was organized by Peace Builders Training Group, and Christian Outreach Ministry who is also working with Open Doors teaching tribal children in the province.

Islam was introduced in the Philippines in 1384 or 600 years earlier than the Evangelical Christians. The first mosque in Tawi-Tawi, then become the cradle of Philippine Islam which then spread to other provinces in Mindanao then later to Visayas and Luzon. Some historians believe that if it were not for the arrival of American missionaries in the 1900s, the Philippines at present would have an Islamic form of government.

Tawi-Tawi is the farthest and southernmost province of the Philippines. It is 1,300 kilometers (807 miles) away from Manila Central government. The province is stricken with poverty because government services are not able to reach this area.

Youth leaders, who are mostly honor students and academic scholars, say that they look forward that there will be another Purpose Driven Life seminar conducted in their province.

Noel Tarrazona is a permanent resident of Canada but is presently in the Philippines doing humanitarian work. He can be reached at email address: noelcanada36@gmail.com