Former boxing champion-turned-evangelist Manny Pacquiao urged a gathering of thousands of Christians to those unreached people worldwide with the gospel.

Pacquaio delivered a powerful evangelistic message at the Arise Asia 2026 Missions Conference held in Manila, Philippines, from July 27-31, where he shared his personal testimony of conversion, CBN News reported.

"Before that, people know my old life," he said. "A lot of vices in life, drunkenness, gambling, everything like that. I had that. But when God changed my heart and gave me conviction, and I surrendered my life to Jesus and accepted him as my Lord and Savior, then I obeyed."

The legendary boxer also encouraged attendees to set a goal in reaching people for Christ. He added that he has done the same for himself, as he works to reach and share the gospel with the lost.

"We should set a goal in our day-to-day life: how many souls that you can target in one year to bring to the kingdom of God?" he said. "My target this year is to bring two souls to the kingdom of God. Just two. And then next year, maybe I can make five souls. So that's my goal in life. I encourage you to do the same."

Also during the event, Bishop Noel Pantoja, who is the National Director of the Philippines Council of Evangelical Churches and chair of the Arise Asia board, made a call for prayer that young believers would serve as ambassadors for Christ, Christian Daily International reported.

"I invite you to pray with me that thousands of young people will rise up as God's agents and ambassadors to bring the gospel to these nations," Pantoja said.

In addition to discussing evangelism, Pastor Peter Tan-Chi, the founder and senior pastor of Christ's Commission Fellowship (CCF) in the Philippines, made a plea to those already saved and who have given their lives to Christ. He encouraged the believers in attendance to continue living out their faith and remain committed to Christ.

"God has told you to run the race," Tan-Chi said. "Serve God with joy. Finish well. It does not mean you will never fall down. It does not mean you will never get hurt. But you get up."

The minister went on to add that remaining strong in the faith and pleasing God above all is the ultimate goal of a Christian’s life, their race, because they will have to give an account of their lives to Him.

"You can please people. You can please your denomination. You can please your church organization. But God is emphatic — you are going to give an account of your life," Tan-Chi said.

"For the Joy” was the theme for this year’s Arise Asia, a massive gathering in the Philippines. That theme was reportedly based on Hebrews 12:2, which says, "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

The event was also attended by fifty representatives, including company and church leaders.

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