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0UBLISHED BY THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS AND PRINTED AT ,ANE 0RESS "URLINGTON 6ERMONT FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION BY THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN !FRICA
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
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EARLY YEARS AGO THE )RISH POET 7ILLIAM "UTLER 9EATS LAMENTED THE CERTAINTY OF CHAOS IN A SIN STAINED WORLD )N A MYSTIC POEM HE TITLED h4HE 3ECOND #OMING v 9EATS ANNOUNCED h4HINGS FALL APART THE CENTRE CANNOT HOLD v 9EAT S DECLARATION WAS ONE OF THE MOST QUOTED LINES OF HIS ERA )T WAS BOTH AN ASSERTION OF FACT AND A PROPHECY OF THE MOST VIOLENT AND ANARCHIC CENTURY THE WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN )N A WORLD THAT LACKS A CENTRAL AND ORGANIZING BELIEF IN A GOOD 'OD THE NATURAL CENTRIFUGAL FORCE OF BODIES IN MOTION SPINS PERSONS GROUPS CULTURES AND SOCIETIES OFF INTO RANDOM AND VIOLENT COLLISIONS h4HE BLOOD DIMMED TIDE IS LOOSED v 9EATS DESPAIRED hAND EVERYWHERE THE CEREMONY OF INNOCENCE IS DROWNED v "UT #HRISTIANS GENERALLY AND !DVENTISTS SPECIlCALLY VIEW LIFE THROUGH A VASTLY DIFFERENT LENS 4HOUGH WE CANNOT HELP BUT AGREE THAT THE WORLD IS GOING MAD WITH PRIDE LUST ENVY
VIOLENCEˆALL THE SO CALLED hDEADLYv SINSˆWE AFlRM THAT THERE IS A COHESIVE FORCE AT THE CENTER OF ALL THINGS THAT PRESERVES WHAT ELEMENTS OF RATIONALITY AND GOODNESS ARE STILL AVAILABLE IN THIS WORLD h(E #HRIST IS BEFORE ALL THINGS v THE APOSTLE 0AUL WROTE IN A HYMN THAT ONLY #HRIST COULD HAVE INSPIRED hAND IN (IM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHERv #OL .!3" 4HE SIMPLE FACT OF GATHERING TO WORSHIP THE RISEN ,ORD IS A TESTIMONY TO (IS COHESIVE POWERˆIN (IS CHURCH AND IN THE WIDER WORLD 4HE GODLY DESIRE WE lND IN OUR SOULS TO MEET WITH OTHER #HRISTIANS TO LEARN FROM THEM AND PRAY WITH THEM IS A WITNESS TO (IS AUTHORITY OVER THE OTHERWISE CHAOTIC FORCES THAT THREATEN OUR PEACE 4HE PRESENCE OF THIS REMNANT PEOPLE IN THE WORLDˆALL MILLION OF USˆAS A PEOPLE OF HOPE AND A COMMUNITY OF FAITH REMINDS A DESPAIRING WORLD THAT WE ARE NOT DESTINED FOR A MEANINGLESS END 4HROUGH THE POWER OF THE /NE WHO HOLDS ALL THINGS TOGETHER INCLUDING (IS PRECIOUS CHURCH WE MAY LIVE WITH JOY AND CONlDENCE AS WE WAIT FOR THE TRUE 3ECOND #OMING 7E RAISE THIS HYMN IN THE NIGHT AND LOSTNESS OF A GROANING WORLD )N #HRIST THINGS HOLD TOGETHER #HRIST THE CENTER HOLDS (IS PEOPLE WITH A GREAT AND TENDER TENACITY ˆ"ILL +NOTT
7/2,$ 2%0/24 /LIVER 4APPED AS 3OUTH 0ACIlC !DVENTIST ,EADER N ,EADERS OF THE 3OUTH 0ACIlC $IVISION 30$ %XECUTIVE #OMMITTEE HAVE ELECTED "ARRY /LIVER THE CURRENT GENERAL SECRETARY FOR THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN THE 3OUTH 0ACIlC AS THE NEW PRESIDENT FOR THE REGION ,AURIE %VANS PRESIDENT OF THE 30$ SINCE ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT AT THE .OVEMBER MEETING $URING HIS TERM AS PRESIDENT %VANS OVERSAW A MAJOR REORGANIZATION OF RESOURCES REDUCING THE NUMBER OF ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS TO FREE UP MONEY DURING HIS TERM (E ALSO DIRECTED A LEGAL RESTRUCTURE THAT HAS SEEN THE INCORPORATION OF THE 3ANITARIUM (EALTH &OOD #OMPANY AND 3YDNEY !DVENTIST (OSPITAL
KNOWN AS hTHE 3AN v %VANS WAS KNOWN AS A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR USING MODERN TECHNOLOGY NOTABLY SATELLITE TELEVISION AND VIDEO CONFERENCING TO CARRY OUT THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH /LIVER HAS SERVED THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN THE 3OUTH 0ACIlC AS A MINISTER EVANGELIST LECTURER AND ADMINISTRATOR (E IS MARRIED TO *ULIE A TEACHER AND HAS THREE SONS /LIVER GREW UP AS AN !DVENTIST IN 'OULBURN .EW 3OUTH 7ALES (E ATTENDED !VONDALE #OLLEGE THE CHURCH S #OORANBONG .EW 3OUTH 7ALES BASED TERTIARY INSTITUTION COMPLETING A BACHELOR S DEGREE IN THEOLOGY )N THE /LIVERS ACCEPTED A CALL TO MINISTER IN SOUTHERN 1UEENSLAND 4HEY CARED
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02!9).' 4/'%4(%2 &ROM LEFT "ARRY /LIVER ,AWRENCE 4ANABOSE RETIRING 30$ PRESIDENT ,AURIE %VANS AND WORLD CHURCH PRESIDENT *AN 0AULSEN UNITE IN PRAYER DURING DIVISIONAL MEETINGS IN WHICH /LIVER WAS ELECTED 30$ PRESIDENT AND 4ANABOSE GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE DIVISION *ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
7/2,$ 2%0/24 FOR CHURCHES IN -ARYBOROUGH AND (ERVEY "AY IN SOUTHERN "RISBANE AND ON THE $ARLING $OWNS DURING THE NEXT lVE YEARS /LIVER WAS ORDAINED AS A MINISTER IN 4HE CHURCH CALLED /LIVER TO SERVE AS DISTRICT SUPERVISOR EVANGELIST AND UNIVERSITY CHAPLAIN FOR THE 0ORT -ORESBY DISTRICT OF 0APUA .EW 'UINEA AT THE END OF (E TRANSFERRED TO 2ABAUL AS PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH S .EW "RITAIN .EW )RELAND -ISSION AFTER ONE YEAR /LIVER JOINED THE THEOLOGY FACULTY AT !VONDALE lVE YEARS LATER AND COMPLETED HIS MASTER S IN RELIGION /LIVER AND HIS FAMILY MOVED TO !NDREWS 5NIVERSITY IN -ICHIGAN 5 3 ! AT THE END OF (E COMPLETED A DOCTORATE IN #HRISTIAN MINISTRY AND MISSION WITH A FOCUS ON !DVENTIST ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE (E RETURNED TO !VONDALE FOR NINE YEARS AND DEVELOPED A lELD BASED MINISTERIAL TRAINING PROGRAM INTEGRATING THEORY WITH PRACTICE (E ALSO PIONEERED EVANGELISTIC TRAINING THAT HELPED STUDENTS PREPARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE FOR BAPTISM /LIVER WAS ELECTED GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE 3OUTH 0ACIlC $IVISION IN (E SERVED FOR YEARS AS THE SECOND OFlCER OF THAT CHURCH REGION ! MUCH PUBLISHED AUTHOR /LIVER HAS WRITTEN MORE THAN ARTICLES FOR CHURCH PERIODICALS INCLUDING COVER FEATURES FOR BOTH !DVENTIST 2EVIEW AND !DVENTIST 7ORLD MAGAZINES 2EPLACING /LIVER AS GENERAL SECRETARY ,AWRENCE 4ANABOSE HAS BECOME THE lRST 0ACIlC )SLANDER TO BE APPOINTED AS AN OFlCER OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN THE 3OUTH 0ACIlC #URRENTLY PRESIDENT OF THE 4RANS 0ACIlC 5NION -ISSION 405- 4ANABOSE AND HIS WIFE 2OSINA HAVE SERVED THE !DVENTIST #HURCH SINCE (E WAS ELECTED 405- PRESIDENT IN .EARLY CHURCH MEMBERS RESIDE IN THE 4RANS 0ACIlC REGION WHICH INCLUDES COUNTRIES SUCH AS &IJI 4ONGA +IRIBATI 6ANUATU AND
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
THE 3OLOMON )SLANDS )N HIS lRST YEAR AS PRESIDENT 4ANABOSE OVERSAW THE FORMATION OF A SINGLE ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE FOR THE CHURCH IN THE 3OLOMON )SLANDS 0REVIOUSLY THREE MISSIONSˆ%ASTERN 3OLOMON )SLANDS -ISSION -ALAITA -ISSION AND 7ESTERN 3OLOMON )SLANDS -ISSIONˆCARED FOR THE CHURCH MEMBERS IN ORGANIZED CHURCHES AND COMPANIES IN THE 3OLOMONS 4ANABOSE WAS BORN IN 0APUA .EW 'UINEA TO 3OLOMON )SLANDER MISSIONARY PARENTS (E HAS SERVED THE CHURCH AS A "IBLE LECTURER PASTOR lELD EVANGELIST DEPARTMENTAL DIRECTOR AND GENERAL SECRETARY IN THE 405- !S A REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE !DVENTIST #HURCH HE HAS ALSO WORKED CLOSELY WITH GOVERNMENTS IN 6ANUATU THE 3OLOMON )SLANDS AND &IJI (E HOLDS A DIPLOMA IN ADMINISTRATION AND A MASTERS DEGREE IN THEOLOGY (E AND HIS WIFE HAVE A DAUGHTER AND THREE SONS +NOWN FOR HIS PASSION FOR EVANGELISM AND A DESIRE TO BRING PEOPLE TO #HRIST 4ANABOSE STILL PREACHES EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGNS REGULARLY 7ORLD CHURCH PRESIDENT *AN 0AULSEN OVERSAW THE NOMINATION OF DIVISION OFlCERS ! DIVISION PRESIDENT IS ALSO A VICE PRESIDENT OF THE '# AND AS SUCH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE 30$ %XECUTIVE #OMMITTEE IS SUBMITTED TO THE '# %XECUTIVE #OMMITTEE FOR RATIlCATION 0AULSEN EXPRESSED APPRECIATION TO %VANS FOR HIS LEADERSHIP h7E HAVE WORKED CLOSELY TOGETHER AND ) HAVE ALWAYS APPRECIATED ,AURIE S EXPERIENCE AND CREATIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE WORK OF THE GLOBAL CHURCH v HE REmECTED h!ND ) THINK THE WORK IN THIS DIVISION HAS BEEN LOOKED AFTER WELL h) AM ALSO EXTREMELY DELIGHTED WITH THE RECOMMENDATION THAT IS NOW BEING BROUGHT v SAID 0AULSEN IN CONGRATULATING /LIVER ON HIS NOMINATION /LIVER SAID h) HAVE ALWAYS BEEN
AMAZED AT HOW ) HAVE BEEN CONTENT WORKING IN A ROLE AND 'OD HASˆ SEEMINGLY OUT OF THE BLUEˆMOVED ME TO A DIFFERENT PLACE OF SERVICE v (E SHARED *ULIE S REACTION TO THE NEWS OF HIS APPOINTMENT WITH COMMITTEE MEMBERS h3HE SAID TO ME @7E VE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT WHERE THE ,ORD CALLS AND WHAT (E ASKS US TO DO (E WILL HELP US TO DO IT !ND THIS IS NO DIFFERENT ) WILL COVET YOUR PRAYERS AND ) WILL PRAY FOR YOU v /LIVER SAID HE IS EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES AND PARTICULARLY THE PEOPLE OF THE CHURCH IN THE 3OUTH 0ACIlC h7E NEED TO KEEP DOING THE THINGS WE VE DONE WELL AND lND BETTER WAYS TO DO THE THINGS WE HAVE NOT DONE AS WELL AS WE COULD HAVE v HE COMMENTS h) WANT THE CHURCH TO BE OPEN TO WHERE 'OD IS LEADING US AND TO BE READY AND WILLING TO GO THERE ) WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CHURCH UTILIZING ITS FULL POTENTIAL USING THE DIVERSITY IN THE CHURCH AND OUR VARIOUS GIFTS TO FURTHER OUR MISSION TOGETHER v ˆBY -ELODY 4AN COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR 3OUTH 0ACIlC $IVISION AND .ATHAN "ROWN EDITOR 2ECORD .%4(%2,!.$3 -EMBERSHIP 5P .EW ,EADERS %LECTED IN 9EAR END -EETINGS N 7IM !LTINK A PASTOR OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN 4HE (AGUE .ETHERLANDS IS THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH IN THAT COUNTRY ONE OF %UROPE S MOST SECULAR hPOSTMODERNv NATIONS ! LONGTIME LOCAL CHURCH PASTOR !LTINK SUCCEEDS 2EINDER "RUINSMA VETERAN CHURCH LEADER WHO ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT 4WO OTHER LEADERSHIP CHANGES WERE ANNOUNCED 'ERARD &RENK WHO HAS SERVED FOR YEARS AS 3ABBATH SCHOOL DIRECTOR AND SECRETARY OF THE -INISTERIAL !SSOCIATION IS THE NEW GENERAL SECRETARY WHILE * !NDRE !MSEN WAS ELECTED TREASURER $URING THE PAST lVE YEARS MEMBERSHIP IN THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN THE .ETHERLANDS
./24( 3%! "!04)3- 7IM !LTINK AT LEFT IN PHOTO BAPTIZES A YEAR OLD IN THE CHILLY WATERS OF THE .ORTH 3EA IN -ARCH ! LONGTIME LOCAL CHURCH PASTOR !LTINK IS NOW PRESIDENT OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN THE .ETHERLANDS ! 7 & ) , % 0 ( / 4 /
HAS INCREASED NEARLY PERCENT AND FROM BAPTISMS NOT IMMIGRATION LOCAL CHURCH LEADERS ANNOUNCED DURING RECENT LEADERSHIP MEETINGS 4OTAL !DVENTIST #HURCH MEMBERSHIP STANDS AT APPROXIMATELY IN A NATION OF MILLION PEOPLE ! KEY ITEM WAS THE ADOPTION OF A STATEMENT ABOUT h5NITY IN $IVERSITY IN THE $UTCH !DVENTIST #HURCH v 4HE DOCUMENT WENT THROUGH AN INTENSE PREPARATORY PROCESS AND IS INTENDED TO OFFER GUIDELINES AS TO HOW A CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE CAN BE FOSTERED IN THE MIDST OF CONSIDERABLE DIVERSITY IN THEOLOGICAL VIEWPOINTS AND ETHICAL STANDPOINTS )N RECENT YEARS THE $UTCH CHURCH HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY MULTICULTURAL AND MULTIETHNIC #HURCH LEADERSHIP HAS STIMULATED A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO FACING THESE CHALLENGES RECOGNIZING THE POSSIBILITIES FOR ENHANCED GROWTH AND MUTUAL ENRICHMENT 3IXTEEN RECOMMENDATIONS WERE PROCESSED BY THE 0LANS #OMMITTEE AND WERE APPROVED ON THE mOOR BY THE DELEGATES 4HE RECOMMENDATIONS
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COVERED A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES FROM EVANGELISM AND YOUTH WORK TO AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH FOR USING THE )NTERNET FOR BOTH INTERNAL COMMUNICATION AND ALSO FOR TRAINING )N REMARKS AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY "RUINSMA BRIEmY REFERRED TO THE WORDS -OSES SPOKE TO HIS SUCCESSOR ABOUT EXPECTING TOTAL SUPPORT FROM 'OD !LTINK URGED DELEGATES TO FOCUS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CHURCH COMMUNITY AS A FORCE OF HEALING IN THE WORLD ˆ!7 3TAFF WITH REPORTING FROM THE .ETHERLANDS 5NION
POSTERS WERE CAPTIONED h4HE BLASPHEMY AND HERESY OF -ARTIN ,UTHER v AND PICTURED A DEVIL WHISPERING IN THE 0ROTESTANT REFORMER S EAR 4HEY WERE DISPLAYED THROUGHOUT ,UBLIN TO ADVERTISE LECTURES BY 2YSZARD -OZGOL AN OFlCIAL WITH 0OLAND S .ATIONAL 2EMEMBRANCE )NSTITUTE THE BODY CHARGED WITH HANDLING THE RECORDS OF THE COUNTRY S COMMUNIST ERA SECRET POLICE 4HE LECTURES WERE HELD ON /CTOBER AND THE FOUR HUNDRED AND NINETIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ,UTHER S 0ROTESTANT 2EFORMATION AND WERE 0/,!.$ !DVENTISTS *OIN /THER PLANNED BY THE /RGANIZATION OF 0OLISH 0ROTESTANTS IN $ENOUNCING !TTACKS -ONARCHISTS &OUNDED IN THE ON -ARTIN ,UTHER GROUP CLAIMS TO HAVE SEVERAL THOUSAND MEMBERS AND SEEKS TO ESTABLISH A N 0ROTESTANT LEADERS IN ONE OF 0OLAND S LARGEST CITIES HAVE CONDEMNED h#ATHOLIC 3TATEv WITHIN 0OLAND /F 0OLAND S MILLION PEOPLE A POSTER CAMPAIGN DENOUNCING -ARTIN PERCENT ARE #ATHOLIC ,UTHER THE TH CENTURY 'ERMAN h)T S SHOCKING AND UNBELIEVABLE 0ROTESTANT LEADER AS A BLASPHEMER AND THAT DEPICTIONS OF ,UTHER AS ANTI HERETIC A NEWS RELEASE BY %CUMENICAL #HRIST COULD STILL BE APPEARING IN THE .EWS )NTERNATIONAL REPORTED ST CENTURY v -AIKOWSKI TOLD %.) h7HAT WOULD HAPPEN IF SOMEONE -AIKOWSKI SAID THE CAMPAIGN HUNG PLACARDS OUTSIDE A #ATHOLIC CHURCH HAD hCAUSED DEEP OFFENSEv TO ,UBLIN S ATTACKING THE @BLASPHEMY AND HERESY 0ROTESTANT AND /RTHODOX COMMUNITIES OF *OHN 0AUL )) OR THE @BLASPHEMY (E ALSO SAID LOCAL PROSECUTORS SHOULD OF -UHAMMAD AT A MOSQUE v ASKED MOUNT AN INVESTIGATION -ARIUSZ -AIKOWSKI A PASTOR OF THE 4HE 2EV $ARIUSZ #HWASTEK A 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN ,UBLIN ,UTHERAN PASTOR FROM ,UBLIN DESCRIBED IN EASTERN 0OLAND h4HESE ACTIONS ARE THE POSTERS AS hHIGHLY DAMAGING v CLEARLY ILLEGAL ;IN 0OLAND= YET THE LOCAL #HWASTEK WHO OVERSEAS ,UBLIN S (OLY COUNCIL HAS SAID AND DONE NOTHING v 4RINITY PARISH SAID h) THINK TOO MUCH -AIKOWSKI TOLD %.) BLOOD HAS mOWED AND TOO MANY STAKES !CCORDING TO THE RELEASE THE BEEN BURNED TO REIGNITE THESE DISPUTES AGAIN CENTURIES LATER v 3500/24).' 4(% 2%&/2-!4)/. 4HE MONARCHIST ORGANIZATION S -ARIUSZ -AIKOWSKI A PASTOR OF THE PRESIDENT ,UKASZ +LUSKA REFUSED TO 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN APOLOGIZE AND WAS QUOTED BY 0OLAND S $ZIENNIK 7SCHODNI NEWSPAPER ,UBLIN IN EASTERN 0OLAND VOICED THE AS SAYING THAT MINORITY CHURCH CONCERNS OF MANY 0ROTESTANTS IN THE REPRESENTATIVES COULD HAVE PRESENTED COUNTRY WHEN HE SAID A RECENT AD THEIR OPINIONS DURING THE LECTURE CAMPAIGN LINKING 0ROTESTANT RE ˆBY *ONATHAN ,UXMOORE %CUMENICAL FORMER -ARTIN ,UTHER WITH A DEVIL WAS .EWS )NTERNATIONAL WITH !DVENTIST hSHOCKINGv AND hDEEPLY OFFENDING v .EWS .ETWORK 3TAFF *ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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#HURCH $EDICATION 7ORLD CHURCH PRESIDENT VISITS ISLAND DIVISION HOLDS MEETINGS
"Y 2AJMUND $ABROWSKI DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS WRITING FROM "UEY !RRIBA #UBA
,EFT 0!#+%$ /54 ! CROWD OF MORE THAN AT THE "UEY !RRIBA (OUSE OF ,IGHT lLLED EVERY AVAILABLE SEAT AND EVEN A FEW WINDOWSILLS DURING THE SANCTUARY S DEDICATION .OVEMBER 4HE HOUSE OF WORSHIP IS ONE OF MANY IN #UBA THAT SERVE AS BOTH PAS TORS RESIDENCES AND SANCTUARIES 2IGHT #5"! $)3#533)/.3 $URING A FOUR DAY VISIT TO #UBA !DVENTIST #HURCH WORLD PRESIDENT *AN 0AULSEN DISCUSSED THE CHURCH S POSITION IN THE COUNTRY WITH $ANIEL &ONTAINE PRESI DENT OF THE !DVENTIST #HURCH ON THE ISLAND NATION WHICH THIS .OVEMBER HOSTED REGIONAL CHURCH MEETINGS FOR THE lRST TIME IN YEARS 2 ! * - 5 . $ $ ! " 2 / 7 3 + ) ! $ 6 % . 4 ) 3 4 . % 7 3 . % 4 7 / 2 +
7HEN CHURCH OFlCIALS AND GUESTS JOINED A STRONG CROWD FOR THE OPENING OF A NEW HOUSE OF WORSHIP IN "UEY !RRIBA IT WAS 2AUL !LVAREZ WHO RECEIVED THE LOUDEST APPLAUSE ! RECENTLY RETIRED PASTOR !LVAREZ WAS GIVEN A HERO S WELCOME FOR HIS CONTRIBUTION TO A 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST CONGREGATION WHICH ON 3UNDAY .OVEMBER OFlCIALLY DEDICATED A NEW SANCTUARY /NCE A POLITICAL ADVISOR TO THE LEADERS OF THE #UBAN REVOLUTION IN THE EARLY S !LVAREZ EMBRACED !DVENTISM AND ANSWERED A DIFFERENT CALLING 5NTIL RECENTLY HE SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH IN THE REGION *OINING HUNDREDS OF OTHERS FOR A STANDING ROOM ONLY RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY !LVAREZ COULDN T HIDE HIS EMOTIONS 9EARS OF TRYING TO BUILD A SANCTUARY WITH LIMITED RESOURCES CULMINATED ON THAT 3UNDAY EVENING WITH JOYFUL TEARS AND EMBRACES 2EFERRED TO AS THE h"UEY !RRIBA (OUSE OF ,IGHT v THE CHURCHˆA PASTOR S HOME IN WHICH THE LIVING ROOM CAN SEAT A MEMBER CONGREGATIONˆCELEBRATED IN STYLE (EAVY RAINS ON THE DAY OF THE CELEBRATION DELAYED THE ARRIVAL OF LEADERS FROM 5 3 BASED -ARANATHA 6OLUNTEERS )NTERNATIONAL -6) ˆAN ORGANIZATION RESPONSIBLE FOR BUILDING THE SANCTUARYˆALONG WITH OFlCIALS OF THE !DVENTIST #HURCH 7HEN THEY ARRIVED AT P M THEY WERE ALREADY TWO HOURS LATE FOR THE CEREMONY "UT A CROWD OF MORE THAN PEOPLE PACKED INTO THE SANCTUARY BUILT TO SEAT JUST ,AURA .OBLE OF -6) REMEMBERS VISITING THE "UEY !RRIBA HOUSE OF WORSHIP A FEW YEARS AGO )N HER MANY TRAVELS THIS WAS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES THAT REALLY SCARED HER SHE RECALLED 4HE ROOF WAS MADE OF VERY HEAVY RED TILE HELD UP WITH A FRAMEWORK OF STICKS NAILED AT THE APEX WITH A SINGLE NAIL AT EACH JOINT 7ORSE YET SHE REMEMBERS EVERY STICK WAS ABSOLUTELY RIDDLED WITH TERMITE HOLES 4HE NEED FOR A NEW HOUSE OF WORSHIP BECAME ACUTE AS THE CONGREGATION GREW TO ACCORDING TO !DALBERTO
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
'ONZALEZ CHURCH PASTOR )NSTEAD OF APPROVING THE PLANS FOR A CHURCH BUILDING HOWEVER THE #UBAN GOVERNMENT EXTENDED PERMISSION TO BUILD A h(OUSE OF ,IGHT v ! -ARANATHA (OUSE OF ,IGHT ACTS AS BOTH A HOME TO THE PASTOR AND HIS FAMILY AND AS A HOUSE OF WORSHIP h"UT IT LOOKS SUSPICIOUSLY LIKE A CHURCH v .OBLE SAID &OLLOWING THE DEDICATION CEREMONY NEW CANDIDATES WERE BAPTIZED $ANIEL &ONTAINE PRESIDENT OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN #UBA EXPRESSED GRATITUDE FOR THE (OUSE OF ,IGHT IN "UEY !RRIBA h)T IS VERY MEANINGFUL FOR US 7E AT LEAST CAN HAVE ONE PLACE ONE LIGHT WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO IN SEARCH OF THE PEACE AND HOPE THAT ONLY *ESUS #HRIST CAN GIVE h!ND FOR OUR COUNTRY TO LET US HAVE A PLACE LIKE THAT v HE SAID hWE ARE VERY THANKFUL v !CROSS THE ISLAND IN (AVANA THE !DVENTIST #HURCH IN #UBA WELCOMED *AN 0AULSEN PRESIDENT OF THE !DVENTIST WORLD CHURCH /N &RIDAY .OVEMBER 0AULSEN JOINED DELEGATES OF THE CHURCH S )NTER !MERICAN )!$ REGION ATTENDING AN ANNUAL MEETING OF ITS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE #ARIDAD $IEGO THE HEAD OF THE COUNTRY S 2ELIGIOUS !FFAIRS /FlCE WELCOMED 0AULSEN AT THE (AVANA AIRPORT 3PEAKING AT A 3ABBATH WORSHIP SERVICE IN (AVANA S 6IBORA !DVENTIST #HURCH 0AULSEN TOLD CHURCH MEMBERS h) FEEL THE STRENGTH OF YOUR COMMITMENT AND SPIRITUALITY 4HERE IS SO MUCH lRE IN YOUR SOUL v )SRAEL ,EITO PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH IN )NTER !MERICA SAID h4HIS VISIT TO #UBA IS VERY SIGNIlCANT ESPECIALLY FOR THE CHURCH AND THE GOVERNMENT IN #UBA v !LTHOUGH #UBA IS ONE OF THE MAJOR TERRITORIES IN THE REGION IT HAS NOT HOSTED THE )!$ %XECUTIVE #OMMITTEE MEETINGS IN YEARS ACCORDING TO CHURCH SOURCES &OR TWO YEARS IN THE MID S THE )NTER !MERICAN $IVISION WAS HEADQUARTERED IN #UBA 7ITH MORE THAN MILLION MEMBERS IN COUNTRIES )NTER !MERICA REPRESENTS THE LARGEST REGION IN THE !DVENTIST WORLD CHURCH
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HAILAND IS A NATION WITH NATURAL BEAUTY A RICH CULTURE AND A DISTINCT RELIGIOUS HERITAGE )NHABITING hTHE ,AND OF 3MILES v THE PEOPLE OF 4HAILAND ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR WARM HOSPITALITY AND POLITE MANNER 4HAILAND IS THE ONLY NATION IN SOUTHEAST !SIA THAT WAS NEVER COLONIZED BY A %UROPEAN POWER )T HAS BEEN RULED BY THE #HAKRI DYNASTY SINCE ALTHOUGH IN THE NATION BECAME A CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY 4HE YEAR MARKED THE SIXTIETH YEAR OF +ING "HUMIBOL !DULYADEJ S REIGN !LTHOUGH THE KING DOES NOT PRESIDE OVER THE DAY TO DAY AFFAIRS OF GOVERNMENT THE PEOPLE LOOK TO HIM WITH AFFECTION AND RESPECT 7HILE THE MAJORITY OF 4HAI ARE "UDDHISTS OTHER PEOPLE GROUPS LIVE THROUGHOUT THE NATION 4HE SOUTHERN PART OF 4HAILAND IS PREDOMINATELY -USLIM 4HIS REGION HAS EXPERIENCED VIOLENCE DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS AS TENSION BETWEEN VARIOUS GROUPS HAS ERUPTED 4HE CURRENT GOVERNMENT IS NEGOTIATING WITH LEADERS OF VARIOUS GROUPS IN THE SOUTH TO BRING PEACE TO THE REGION 4HE LARGEST ETHNIC MINORITY GROUP IN 4HAILAND IS 4HAI #HINESE AND MANY 4HAI #HINESE PLAY A LARGE ROLE IN THE BUSINESSES OF THE NATION !N ESTIMATED PERCENT OF THE RESIDENTS OF "ANGKOK ARE OF PARTIAL #HINESE HERITAGE /THER GROUPS INCLUDE (MONG 3HAN +HMER +AREN -IEN !KKA ,AHU AND OTHER TRIBAL GROUPS THAT INHABIT THE NORTHERN REACHES OF THE COUNTRY -ISSIONARY OUTREACH HAS BEEN MOST EFFECTIVE AMONG THESE GROUPS WHILE THE ETHNIC 4HAI MAJORITY REMAIN DIFlCULT TO REACH WITH THE GOSPEL REMAINING LOYAL TO THEIR "UDDHIST HERITAGE
#APITAL ,ANGUAGES 2ELIGION
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"ANGKOK 4 HAI %NGLISH ETHNIC AND REGIONAL DIALECTS " UDDHIST PERCENT -USLIM PERCENT #HRISTIAN PERCENT 0OPULATION MILLION !DVENTIST MEMBERSHIP !DVENTIST TO POPULATION RATIO -INISTERS ORDAINED LICENSED #HURCHES AND COMPANIES ORGANIZED CHURCHES COMPANIES
!DVENTISTS IN 4HAILAND
4HE lRST !DVENTIST PIONEER 2 ! #ALDWELL ARRIVED IN 4HAILAND IN TO DISTRIBUTE !DVENTIST LITERATURE -ORE THAN YEARS LATER OTHER COLPORTEURS ARRIVED AND DISCOVERED 3ABBATHKEEPING GROUPS IN "ANGKOK ! #HINESE BUSINESSMAN 4AN 4HIAM 4SUA SETTLED IN "ANGKOK AND HELPED ESTABLISH THE lRST !DVENTIST CHURCH IN THE COUNTRY 4HE EARLY WORK OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH GREW AMONG #HINESE LIVING IN "ANGKOK 4HE 4HAILAND !DVENTIST -ISSION WAS ESTABLISHED IN BY MISSIONARY FAMILIES THOSE OF % , ,ONGWAY AND &ORREST ! 0RATT 4HE DEVELOPMENT OF !DVENTIST INSTITUTIONS HAS PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THE GROWTH OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN 4HAILAND -ISSION #OLLEGE OFFERS FOUR YEAR DEGREES IN BOTH 4HAI AND %NGLISH AND HAS ADDED A MASTER S PROGRAM 3EVERAL SECONDARY AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS OPERATE IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE COUNTRY WITH AN ACTIVE %NGLISH LANGUAGE SCHOOL IN "ANGKOK 4HERE ARE TWO HOSPITALS "ANGKOK !DVENTIST (OSPITAL AND -ISSION (OSPITAL 0HUKET -ISSION (EALTH &OODS OPERATES A FACTORY THAT PRODUCES AND DISTRIBUTES VARIOUS HEALTH FOOD PRODUCTS &OLLOWING THE $ECEMBER TSUNAMI BOTH !$2! 4HAILAND AND -ISSION (OSPITAL 0HUKET PLAYED KEY ROLES IN THE RECOVERY EFFORTS /NE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES TO MISSION IS IN THE "ANGKOK REGION WHERE ONLY SEVEN ORGANIZED CHURCHES REACH OUT TO MORE THAN MILLION PEOPLE )N SEVERAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH CENTERS WERE OPENED TO TEACH %NGLISH TO NEARBY RESIDENTS %ACH OUTREACH CENTER HAS A TEAM MADE UP OF ONE FOREIGN %NGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER AND ONE 4HAI CHURCH PLANTER 4ODAY MORE THAN CHURCH MEMBERS SERVE 'OD IN 4HAILAND 4HE 4HAILAND -ISSION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH 'LOBAL -ISSION AND OTHER SUPPORTING MINISTRIES HAS STARTED NEW CONGREGATIONS OR COMPANIES THROUGHOUT THE NATION 4HE NEW CONGREGATIONS ALONG WITH THE OUTREACH DONE BY MEMBERS INSTITUTIONS AND CHURCHES INDICATE THAT THE FUTURE FOR THE CHURCH IN 4HAILAND IS BRIGHT WITH THE HOPE OF ETERNITY 0REPARED BY 2ICK -C%DWARD !DVENTIST -ISSION DIRECTOR 3OUTHERN !SIA 0ACIlC $IVISION
*ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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S H A R E D
2ESPONSIBILITY
4RUST S H A R E D
4HIS ARTICLE IS ADAPTED FROM A SERMON GIVEN BY 0ASTOR *AN 0AULSEN 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE PRESIDENT ON 3ABBATH /CTOBER AT !NNUAL #OUNCILˆA GATHERING OF CHURCH LEADERS FROM EVERY DIVISION OF THE WORLD CHURCH HE APOSTLE 0AUL IS CONFRONTED WITH A DILEMMA THAT HE DESCRIBES IN #ORINTHIANS TO )T S A DILEMMA FACED BY EVERY CHURCH LEADER WHETHER THEIR ASSIGNMENT IS WITHIN THE LOCAL CONGREGATION OR CHURCH ADMINISTRATION )T S A DILEMMA THAT GOES TO THE HEART OF CHURCH UNITY 4HE QUESTION BEFORE 0AUL IS THIS HOW DO YOU COUNSEL PEOPLE ABOUT EATING MEAT THAT HAS BEEN OFFERED TO IDOLS (IS CONCLUSION IS THIS h!S FOR ME ) DON T BELIEVE IN IDOLSˆ THEY ARE NOTHING TO MEˆSO ) CAN EAT MEAT OFFERED TO IDOLS WITHOUT DOING DAMAGE TO MYSELF v "UT HE SAYSˆAND THIS IS THE CRITICAL POINTˆIF THE EXERCISE OF MY FREEDOM CAUSES DAMAGE TO YOU THEN IT IS WRONG AND NOT IN HARMONY WITH THE WILL OF #HRIST -Y EXERCISE OF FREEDOM AND THE CHOICES ) MAKE MUST BE DISCIPLINED BY LOVE AND CONCERN FOR THOSE WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY IT 4HIS BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE MUST DElNE THE ACTIONS OF ALL WHO EXERCISE CHURCH LEADERSHIP h%VERYTHING IS PERMISSIBLE v 0AUL SAYS hBUT NOT EVERYTHING IS BENElCIAL v !ND HE ADDS h.OBODY SHOULD SEEK HIS OWN GOOD BUT THE GOOD OF OTHERSv #OR .)6 !ND THEN HE CONCLUDES BY SAYING h&OLLOW MY EXAMPLE AS ) FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF #HRISTv .)6 #LEARLY FOR 0AUL THE ISSUE IS NOT FOOD &OOD IS JUST THE ILLUSTRATION 4HE REAL ISSUE IS 7HAT VALUES SHOULD GOVERN OUR DECISIONS AND ACTIONS (IS ANSWER IS CLEAR CONSIDERATION AND DEFERENCE )T IS ABOUT BEING WILLING TO FORGO RIGHTS RATHER THAN ASSERT THEM )T IS ABOUT ASKING IF ) DO THISˆWHICH ) THINK ) HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO DOˆHOW WILL OTHERS BE IMPACTED )T IS A RECOGNITION THAT OUR DUTY TO OTHERS IS GREATER THAN OUR
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!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
DUTY TO OURSELVES 4HIS PASSAGE IS ABOUT DISCOVERING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE PART OF SOMETHING LARGER THAN ANY OF US AND OUR IMMEDIATE COMMUNITIES !ND IT S A PRINCIPLE THAT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO US AS A GLOBAL CHURCH ) WOULD LIKE TO DRAW OUT PERHAPS USING SOME LICENSE A FEW THOUGHTS THAT WE CAN TAKE FROM THIS PASSAGE ,EARNING TO TRUST )T IS GOOD TO BE ABLE TO SHARE RESOURCES WHILE AT THE SAME TIME LETTING GO OF THE CONTROLS 7ITHOUT TRUST WE CANNOT FUNCTION AS A CHURCH 9OU AND ) HAVE OUR DESIGNATED AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY ,ET S DO OUR BEST THERE AND TRUST OTHERS TO LOOK AFTER THE LIFE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH WHERE THEY ARE !LL OF US WILL EVENTUALLY BE HELD ACCOUNTABLEˆPERHAPS IN THIS LIFE BUT CERTAINLY IN THE ONE TO COMEˆFOR HOW WE HAVE PERFORMED !CCEPTING DIFFERENCES 0AUL S WORDS ALSO OFFER COUNSEL ABOUT ACCEPTING THAT WHICH IS DIFFERENT FROM ME AND MY WAY OF THINKING h!CCEPTANCEv DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT ) TAKE IT ON AS MINE BUT THAT ) REFRAIN FROM JUDGING ITS VALUE TO OTHERS WHO LIVE IN DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES AND CULTURES 7E ARE NOT ALL CHILDREN OF THE SAME CULTURE BUT WE ALL SHARE THE SAME FAMILY TIES 7E ARE BONDED IN UNITY AND WE HAVE TO TRUST EACH OTHER TO DO RIGHT 5NDERSTANDING THE ESSENTIALS 4HERE IS A HINT IN THIS PASSAGE THAT TELLS US TO BE SENSITIVE TO WHAT IS AT THE HEART OF THE !DVENTIST FAITH AND WHAT IS NOT THAT WE MUST NOT UNDULY ELEVATE A PARTICULAR PERSPECTIVE THAT OCCUPIES ME AND IMPOSE IT ON OTHERS THAT ) MUST NOT OVERRATE THE VALUE OF MY PARTICULAR CULTURE AS ) RELATE TO OTHERS .URTURING FAMILY TIES 6ERY FUNDAMENTALLY THIS PASSAGE HAS TO DO WITH NURTURING THE BONDS THAT HOLD US TOGETHER AS A hFAMILY v FOR THAT IS WHAT THE GLOBAL 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IS 9OU SUPPORT THIS FAMILY BECAUSE OF YOUR LOVE AND LOYALTY TO THE ,ORD AND (IS PEOPLE 9OU WILL GIVE NO SUPPORT TO THOSE WHO SEEM BENT ON OFFERINGˆOR
#OMMITMENT TO UNITY
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4HE CHURCH IS UNIQUE )T IS NOT ONLY 'OD S IDEA BUT IT IS A COMMUNITY OF THE HIGHEST VALUE TO 'OD %LLEN 7HITE WROTE h%NFEEBLED AND DEFECTIVE AS IT MAY APPEAR THE CHURCH IS THE ONE OBJECT UPON WHICH 'OD BESTOWS IN A SPECIAL SENSE (IS SUPREME REGARD v 4HE CHURCH IS DEEPLY LOVED BY 'OD )T IS THE hTHEATER OF (IS GRACE v AND (E HAS AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO IT 4HE MESSAGE FROM 3CRIPTURE FROM THE PEN OF %LLEN 7HITE AND FROM OUR OWN HISTORY TELLS US THAT 'OD WANTS THIS CHURCH TO STAY UNITED &ROM TIME TO TIME ISSUES COME UP THAT TEST OUR COMMITMENT TO UNITY !ND THIS IS WHEN SHARED TRUST AND SHARED RESPONSIBILITY PROVIDE GUIDEPOSTS FOR MOVING FORWARD
PERHAPS EVEN MORE DANGEROUSLY FEEL hCALLEDv TO GIVEˆ JUDGMENTAL STATEMENTS AND MESSAGES OF NEGATIVE CRITICISM WHICH BECOME AN OFFENSE TO THE ,ORD AND HARASSMENT OF THE CHURCH AND ITS LEADERS 4HAT HABIT IS HARMFUL AND DESTRUCTIVE TO THE CHURCH AS A FAMILY 2EPRESENTING #HRIST AND (IS VALUES )N EVERYTHING ) DO SAYS 0AUL ) WANT #HRIST TO LOOK GOOD !LTHOUGH ) AM FREE ) MAKE MYSELF A SLAVEˆ) DISCIPLINE MYSELFˆFOR THE SAKE OF #HRIST THE GOSPEL AND (IS PEOPLE 7HATEVER ) DO SAYS 0AUL ) DO IT hSO THAT ) MIGHT WIN AS MANY AS POSSIBLE v AND SO THAT THE VOICE OF #HRIST AND (IS LOVE FOR THE CHURCH MAY BE CLEAR AND COMPELLING 4HIS MIND SET OF SHARED RESPONSIBILITY AND SHARED TRUST FOR THE SAKE OF #HRIST AND THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH DElNES !DVENTIST LEADERSHIP 4HE CHURCH IS FAR FROM A PERFECT COMMUNITY "UT THE CHURCH IS 'OD S PEOPLE THE BODY OF #HRIST AND LOOKING AFTER THE CHURCH IS AN ACT OF WORSHIP 7HATEVER OUR SPHERE OF RESPONSIBILITY THERE IS ALWAYS A TEMPTATION TO BECOME DISTRACTED BY TASKS GIVEN TO SOMEONE ELSE OR BY INTERESTING CHALLENGES OUT THERE THAT WE WOULDN T MIND TAKING ON 9OU MAY RECEIVE UNSOLICITED REQUESTS FOR INTERVENTION IN SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD CHURCH 9OU MAY FEEL DRAWN INTO IT BECAUSE YOU FEEL YOU HAVE THE SOLUTION -Y COUNSEL IS h$ON T v 9OU PROBABLY HAVEN T GOT THE FULL PICTURE ) FREQUENTLY GET WHAT ) CALL h PERCENT STORIESvˆIT IS IN THE PERCENT THAT ) AM NOT TOLD THAT THE TRUE SUBSTANCE OF THE ISSUE IS FOUND &OCUS INSTEAD ON THE TASKS YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN TO HANDLE !LLOW OTHERS TO DEAL WITH THE RESPONSIBILITIES THEY HAVE BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH 4O THE EXTENT THEY SUCCEED OR FAIL THEY WILL HAVE TO ANSWER TO THE ,ORD AS WILL EACH ONE OF US 7HAT YOU DO AS A LEADER IN THE CHURCH DO IT WITH LOVE FOR THE ,ORD AND (IS PEOPLE DO IT WITH INTEGRITY AND KEEP YOUR HEART CLEAN !ND SOMEHOW ) THINK THAT IS ALL THE ,ORD EXPECTS OF ANY OF US
3HARED BELIEF
) KNOW OF NOTHING THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF DIVIDING THE CHURCH MORE THAN THEOLOGY ITSELF )T HAS ALWAYS BEEN LIKE THAT 3OME OF YOU WHO ARE STUDENTS OF CHURCH HISTORY MAY REMEMBER FROM YOUR READING THAT MANY CENTURIES AGO A CONTROVERSY AROSE THAT SPLIT THE CHURCH OF THE %AST FROM THE 7EST #ONSTANTINOPLE FROM 2OME AND THE /RTHODOX #HURCH AND 7ESTERN #HRISTIANITY PARTED WAYS 4HE HEART OF THE ISSUE BECAME KNOWN AS THE hlLIOQUEv CONTROVERSY )T HAD TO DO WITH THE PROCESSION OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT AFTER #HRIST S ASCENSION %ASTERN #HRISTIANITY SAID THAT THE (OLY 3PIRIT PROCEEDED FROM THE &ATHER THE 7ESTERN #HURCH ADDED hAND FROM THE 3ON v !ND THAT DIVIDED THE CHURCH !S 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS WE HAVE STRONG CONVICTIONS REGARDING DOCTRINES AND THEOLOGY 4HAT SHOULD NOT SURPRISE ANY OF US )T HAS TO DO WITH OUR ROOTS AND OUR SELF UNDERSTANDING )T HAS TO DO WITH ESCHATOLOGY AND IT HAS VERY MUCH TO DO WITH PREPARING A PEOPLE TO BE READY FOR #HRIST S RETURN ) SAY TO ALL CHURCH LEADERS WE HAVE THE STATEMENT OF &UNDAMENTAL "ELIEFS 4HEY HOLD TOGETHER OUR CORE IDENTITY IN TERMS OF FAITH AND DOCTRINE 2ESIST ANY TENDENCY TO PLUCK OUT STRAINS FROM ANY OF THESE AND MAKE THEM INTO A SEPARATE AND NEW DOCTRINE THAT WILL DIVIDE THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST GLOBAL COMMUNITY 7E ARE IN SUCH RAPID GLOBAL GROWTH TODAY AS A CHURCH AND TO ME IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THE &UNDAMENTAL "ELIEFS AS STATED UNDERSTOOD AND HELD TO BY ALL THE NEW MEMBERS WHO ARE JOINING US 4HAT IN ITSELF IS A MONUMENTAL TASK 4HE WONDERFUL FACT THAT WE ARE GROWING RAPIDLY AROUND THE GLOBE IS ALSO OUR GREAT CHALLENGE AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO BECOME DISTRACTED *ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
7 / 2 , $ 6 ) 3 4! &INDING CONSENSUS
4HERE ARE ALSO SUCH CHALLENGES AS THE OFT DISCUSSED MATTER OF THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY )T IS A CONCERN THAT KEEPS SURFACING FROM TIME TO TIME WHETHER IN MY CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUNG ADULTS OR DURING A RECENT TELEVISED CONVERSATION WITH A GROUP OF PASTORS FROM .ORTH !MERICA !ND SOME ASK h$O WE HAVE TO KEEP TALKING ABOUT THIS v 7ELL IT SEEMS SO 7E MAY WELL BE OF THE OPINION THAT WE SHOULD HAVE HANDLED IT DIFFERENTLY FROM THE BEGINNING "UT WE CONSULTED TOGETHER AS A GLOBAL FAMILY AND WE CAME TO A DECISION 7E SHARED IN THE PROCESS AND WE SHARE THE OUTCOME AND WE CANNOT STEP OUT OF OUR SHARED PAST AND SAY h) DON T LIKE IT 7HATEVER OTHERS MAY THINK ) WILL
WITHIN BOTH THE LARGER SOCIETY AND THE CHURCH ,AWS WILL INCREASINGLY IMPACT OUR CONDUCT AS A CHURCH PERHAPS PARTICULARLY IN EMPLOYMENT MATTERS AND IN THE WAY WE RUN OUR INSTITUTIONS ) SEE TENSION AHEAD BETWEEN OUR BEING FAIR TO ALL AND NOT ATTRACTING LITIGATION ON THE ONE HAND WHILE ON THE OTHER HOLDING FAST TO IMPORTANT BIBLICAL VALUES 7E ARE A LAW ABIDING PEOPLE OBEDIENT CITIZENS OF ANY COUNTRY BUT OBEDIENCE TO 'OD TAKES lRST PRIORITY )T IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THAT WHEN THE VALUES OF TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS COLLIDE "UT EVEN WHEN THAT HAPPENS AND THINGS GET DIFlCULT WE HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES HOW DO WE DO MISSION IN AN IMPERFECT WORLD SURROUNDED BY LEGAL AND SOCIAL VALUES WE CANNOT ACCEPT )N SUCH A SCENARIO ) BELIEVE WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT WE ARE CALLED TO DO MISSION IN A WORLD WHERE SIN ABOUNDS )N SOME INSTANCES THE LAWS OF THE LAND MAY RESTRICT US IN OUR PUBLIC RESPONSE TO THAT WHICH WE DO NOT CONDONE OR SHARE 4HIS IS DIFlCULT BUT THIS IS THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE AND WE CANNOT STEP OUT OF IT 4HIS IS WHERE WE HAVE BEEN PLACED TO DO MISSION
(OW DO WE DO MISSION IN AN IMPERFECT WORLD SURROUNDED BY LEGAL AND SOCIAL VALUES WE CANNOT ACCEPT
/BEDIENCE
3O WHAT IS IT THAT REALLY MATTERS WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE TO US INDIVIDUALLY AND PERSONALLY AS WELL AS TO US AS LEADERS OF THE CHURCH WE BELIEVE IS 'OD S COMMUNITY IN THESE LAST DAYS OF EARTH S HISTORY )F ) WERE TO EXPRESS IT WITH JUST CORRECT IN MY LITTLE CORNER OF THE VINEYARD WHAT ) THINK WAS ONE WORD ) WOULD PROBABLY USE THE WORD hOBEDIENCEvˆ OBEDIENCE TO 'OD &OR OBEDIENCE EXPRESSES THE PRACTICAL A MISTAKE v )T DOES NOT WORK LIKE THAT IN THE CHURCH "EFORE SIDE OF FAITH ITS REFERENCE POINT IS ALWAYS SOMEONE OR WE EMBARK ON A NEW COURSE PARTICULARLY IN A DIFlCULT AND SOMETHING OUTSIDE MY OWN PERSON &AITH HAS NO OTHER WAY POTENTIALLY DIVISIVE MATTER A BROAD BASED CONSENSUS OF OF EXPRESSING ITSELF LEADERSHIP MUST LISTENING TO EACH OTHER CONCLUDE THAT THE (OW SHOULD THOSE WHO LEAD THE CHURCH RESPOND TO TIME HAS COME TO THINK DIFFERENTLY 4HE GREATER CONCERN OF MANY WOMEN WHO FEEL CALLED TO DIFlCULT ISSUES HOW SHOULD WE APPROACH DECISIONS WHERE THE CONSEQUENCES ARE UNCERTAIN OR UNPREDICTABLE )F AFTER THE MINISTRY AND WHO HAVE PURSUED PROFESSIONAL TRAINING WE HAVE TALKED THE MATTER THROUGH AND PRAYED ABOUT IT IS NOT THE ORDINATION ISSUE BUT JUST BEING EMPLOYED IN MINISTRY ,OCAL CHURCHES ARE RELUCTANT AND CONFERENCES lND AND OUR MIND lNDS REST WITH WHAT WE BELIEVE IS RIGHT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE PROSPECT OF UNCERTAIN CONSEQUENCES THEM DIFlCULT TO PLACE 4HIS ) THINK IS A MOST UNFORTUNATE DOES NOT HINDER US FROM MOVING FORWARD )F YOU ARE CLEAR FAILURE 9OUNG PEOPLE BOTH MEN AND WOMEN MUST FOLLOW ABOUT WHAT IS RIGHT JUST DO IT $ON T BE POLITICAL +EEP THE CALLING 'OD HAS PLACED WITHIN THEM 7E ARE GOING TO YOUR HEART CLEAN "E SELF CRITICAL WITH REFERENCE TO POTENTIAL NEED EVERYONE TO lNISH OUR MISSION AND FOR 'OD TO USHER CONmICTS OF INTEREST AND THEN JUST DO WHAT YOU KNOW IS IN ETERNITY RIGHT 9OU WILL SLEEP BETTER FOR IT FOR YOU DID YOUR BEST TO BE LOYAL AND OBEDIENT TO 'OD )N AN UNCERTAIN WORLD WITH -ISSION IN AN IMPERFECT WORLD AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE THAT IS ) BELIEVE THE ONLY SAFE STAND 3ECULAR SOCIETY AND THE CHURCH SHARE THE SAME WORLD CHURCH LEADERS CAN TAKE BUT ARE DIVIDED BY SOME IMPORTANT VALUES !ND SOCIETY WILL TEST OUR CONDUCT IN SOME OF THESE AREAS -ARRIAGE COHABITATION AND SAME SEX PARTNERSHIPS ARE ALREADY ISSUES 4HE !CTS OF THE !POSTLES P
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
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)NTERSTITIAL -Y DOCTOR DIAGNOSED ME WITH INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS BUT ) AM HAVING CONSIDERABLE DIFlCULTIES $O YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE NTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS )# IS A CHRONIC INmAMMATION OF THE BLADDER THAT IS POORLY UNDERSTOOD 3TUDY OF ITS EPIDEMIOLOGY OR PATTERNS HAS GIVEN SOME INSIGHT BUT THE ESSENTIAL QUESTION ABOUT CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIlED &OR EXAMPLE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A FAMILY HISTORY OF )# ARE AT GREATER RISK FOR DEVELOPING THE DISORDER AND EVEN PEOPLE WHO WERE BED WETTERS PAST THE AGE OF YEARS HAVE A GREATER POSSIBILITY OF HAVING IT )# OCCURS MUCH MORE COMMONLY IN WOMEN )T IS CHARACTERIZED BY BLADDER PROBLEMS OF URINARY URGENCY FREQUENCY AND PAIN IN THE LOWER ABDOMEN -ANY PEOPLE ARE DIAGNOSED INITIALLY AS HAVING A RECURRENT URINARY TRACT INFECTION BUT SUCH A DIAGNOSIS REQUIRES A URINE CULTURE NOT JUST A POSITIVE DIPSTICK 3O IF CULTURES ARE NOT DONE THE TRUE DIAGNOSIS CAN BE MISSED .EWER UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONDITION IS LEADING DOCTORS TO BELIEVE IT IS A MORE COMMON PROBLEM THAN WAS EARLIER THOUGHT TO BE THE CASE !S MANY AS OF A PATIENT GROUP MAY HAVE A DEGREE OF THE DISORDER )T IS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH OTHER SYMPTOMS SUCH AS IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME OR A CONDITION IN WOMEN CALLED VULVODYNIA OR PAIN )T IS BELIEVED THAT THE LONGER A PERSON HAS PAIN URGENCY FREQUENCY AND BLADDER DYSFUNCTION THE HARDER IT IS TO GET CURED ! MECHANISM EXISTS BY WHICH CHRONIC PAIN SENSITIZES THE NERVES IN THE SPINAL CORD TO INCREASE IN NUMBER AND ACTIVITY AND THERE MAY
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"Y !LLAN 2 (ANDYSIDES AND 0ETER . ,ANDLESS BE A SPILLOVER OF SENSITIVITY INTO OTHER ORGANS IN THE AREA CAUSING IRRITABILITY AND PAIN !BOUT PERCENT OF PATIENTS WITH INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS DEVELOP AN IRRITABILITY OF THE PELVIC MUSCLES CALLED THE PELVIC SLING OR LEVATOR ANI MUSCLES 4HESE MAY BECOME SPASTIC RESULTING IN CHRONIC PELVIC TENDERNESS AND CAN INTERFERE WITH SEXUAL FUNCTION 4HE MUSCLES MAY BE PALPABLY TENSE AND FELT BY A DOCTOR AS TIGHT BANDS 4HE LONGER A PATIENT GOES UNTREATED THE MORE DIFlCULT IT IS TO GET A GOOD RESPONSE -ANY PERSONS BENElT FROM DIETARY AND mUID CHANGES 3PICY ACIDIC AND HEAVY CITRUS INTAKES MAY IRRITATE THE BLADDER #AFFEINE AND COFFEE IRRITATE THE BLADDER OF MANY WITH THIS SYNDROME 3OME PEOPLE REDUCE THEIR mUID INTAKE IN A DESIRE TO CUT DOWN ON THE NUMBER OF TIMES THEY VOID BUT THIS MAY RESULT IN AN INCREASED CONCENTRATION OF IRRITATING SUBSTANCES IN THE URINE ! URINARY DIARY WILL PERMIT DOCUMENTATION OF HOW MANY TIMES A PERSON ACTUALLY VOIDS IN HOURS WHICH IS NORMALLY ABOUT EIGHT TIMES ON AVERAGE -ANAGEMENT OF )# IS NOT ALWAYS EASY BECAUSE IT TAKES PATIENCE AND DISCIPLINE 4HE lRST STEP IS TO MODIFY THE DIET AND REGULATE WATER INTAKE ! DIET THAT IS MORE ALKALINE SUCH AS A VEGETARIAN DIET MAY WELL BE HELPFUL )T IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO HAVE YOUR DOCTOR BE CERTAIN OF THE DIAGNOSIS (E OR SHE MAY WISH TO PERFORM SOME TESTS WHICH MAY INVOLVE A QUESTIONNAIRE THE INSTILLATION OF POTASSIUM CHLORIDE
INTO THE BLADDER OR EVEN AN ANESTHETIC SOLUTION #YSTOSCOPY USED TO BE THE GOLD STANDARD TEST BUT WHILE IT CAN CONlRM CLASSIC CASES IT MAY MISS THE EARLY ONESˆWHICH RESPOND BEST TO TREATMENT 4REATMENT AIMS AT PREVENTING THE UP REGULATION OF THE PAIN PATHWAYS AND SO AVOIDS A WIDENING OF THE DISCOMFORT ZONE 4HIS OFTEN USES A MEDICATION CALLED AMITRIPTYLINE IN LOW DOSES !NOTHER MEDICATION HELPS MAKE THE BLADDER WALL LESS PERMEABLE TO IRRITANTS BUT THIS MEDICATION %LMIRON PENTOSAN POLYSULFATE MAY TAKE WEEKS TO WORK -USCLE RELAXING MEDICATIONS MAY BE USED TO RELAX THE PELVIC SLING MUSCLES AND IN THIS AREA MASSAGE OR EVEN ELECTRICAL STIMULATION AT HIGH FREQUENCY HAS OFTEN REDUCED THE PELVIC PAIN AND DISCOMFORT DRAMATICALLY ! TEAM APPROACH OF GYNECOLOGISTS UROLOGISTS PHYSICAL THERAPISTS DIETICIANS AND NURSE PRACTITIONERS IS OFTEN REQUIRED TO GIVE THE BEST RESULTS
!LLAN 2 (ANDYSIDES - " #H " &2#0# &2#3# &!#/' IS DIRECTOR OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE (EALTH -INISTRIES $EPARTMENT
0ETER . ,ANDLESS - " " #H - -ED & # 0 3! & ! # # IS )#0! EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF (EALTH -INISTRIES *ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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4HE EXPERIENCE TAUGHT ME A THING OR TWO ABOUT PEOPLE
!PPLES
3EVERAL OF THE TERMS AND EXPRESSIONS IN THIS ARTICLE MAY BE PECULIAR TO THE 5NITED 3TATES "UT WE BELIEVE READERS WILL HAVE LITTLE DIFlCULTY RELATING THEM TO EXPERIENCES WHEREVER THEY HAPPEN TO LIVE IN THE WORLD ˆ%DITORS
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Y WIFE AND ) WANTED TO PUT IN A LITTLE ORCHARD IN OUR BACKYARD 3O WE GOT OUT THE CATALOGS AND MULLED OVER THE VIRTUES NOT ONLY OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FRUIT BUT ALSO THE DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF THE SAME FRUIT "ECAUSE OF THE LIMITED SPACE OF OUR PROPERTY HOWEVER WE SETTLED ON
$ 2EID -C#RARY AND HIS WIFE -ARILYN HAVE RETIRED AFTER A CAREER OF TEAM TEACHING IN SMALL SCHOOLS IN THE .ORTH 0ACIlC 5NION #ONFERENCE 4HEY LIVE IN THE HILLS OF /ROlNO )DAHO
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
"Y $ 2EID -C#RARY
JUST TWO APPLE TREES AND ONE PLUM TREE 4HEN THE FUN BEGAN &ROM THOSE GARDEN BOOKS AND CATALOGS WE QUICKLY BECAME INUNDATED WITH A MULTITUDE OF MIND BOGGLING CHOICES 7HAT AT lRST HAD SEEMED AN EASY lVE MINUTE DECISION NOW TURNED INTO A MAZE OF POSSIBILITIES
ZONE /N TOP OF THAT WE HAD TO DECIDE WHETHER WE WANTED TO EAT OUR APPLES IN *UNE *ULY !UGUST OR EVEN LATER )N ADDITION WHETHER WE WANTED RED ONES DARK RED ONES GREEN ONES GREEN ONES WITH RED STRIPES OR RED ONES WITH GREEN STRIPES 3HOULD IT BE LUNCH BOX SIZE OR BIG ENOUGH FOR TWO 4HEN WE HAD TO DECIDE WHETHER !N !PPLE )S AN !PPLE WE LIKED TART OR SWEET CRISP OR .OT 2EALLY hTENDER mESHED v $ID WE WANT TO USE 7E SUDDENLY FOUND OURSELVES WITH THEM IN PIES FOR 3ABBATH DINNER &OR MORE THAN TWO DOZEN VARIETIES OF APPLES APPLESAUCE $ID WE WANT DRIED APPLES VYING FOR OUR ATTENTION WITH ONLY A FOR #HRISTMAS GIFTS /R DID WE JUST HANDFUL THAT WE RECOGNIZEDˆSUCH AS WANT TO EAT OUR APPLES OFF THE TREE 2ED $ELICIOUS *ONATHAN AND 7INESAP 7HAT KIND WOULD KEEP OVER LONG "UT MOST OF THEM WE D NEVER HEARD WINTERS IN THE BASEMENT OF BEFOREˆWITH NAMES LIKE (OLLAND )N MAKING OUR lNAL SELECTION .ORTH 3PY AND "UCKLEY 'IANT WE HAD TO CONSIDER ALMOST A DOZEN 4HE CHOICE WAS STILL SIMPLE ENOUGH DIFFERENT APPLE CHARACTERISTICS ) THOUGHT *UST PICK ONE WE GREW UP 4HEY WERE ALL APPLES OF COURSE BUT WITH AND ENJOYED "UT NOT SO 7E GREW THEY EACH TOOK SUNLIGHT WATER AND UP QUITE IGNORANTLY ) MIGHT ADD IN A NUTRIENTS AND REARRANGED THEM IN A SO CALLED ZONE AREA "UT WE WERE SINGULAR FASHION MAKING EACH ONE NOW LIVING IN A ZONE AREA OR WAS IT UNIQUE IN COLOR TASTE USE ETC 7E VE 2 ! # ( % , + ) 2 + $ ) ' ) 4! , ,9 - / $ ) & ) % $
CONSIDER THE hCLIMATE ZONES v hmAVOR v hRESISTANCE TO DISEASE v hUSE v ETC THAT MAKE US WHO WE ARE THE POSSIBLE COMBINATIONS SEEM LIMITLESS !LL OF THE FOLLOWING FACTORS PLUS MANY MANY MORE HELP SHAPE OUR OWN PERSONAL UNIQUENESS #LIMATE :ONES 7HAT WAS THE COUNTRY IN WHICH YOU GREW UP 7AS IT DEMOCRATIC #OMMUNIST &ASCIST $ID YOU LIVE IN A TIME OF DEPRESSION OR AFmUENCE $ID YOU LIVE IN A BIG FAMILY OR A SMALL ONE 7ITH A SINGLE PARENT OR ) #AN 3EE "ETTER .OW WITH BOTH PARENTS 7ERE THEY lGHTING !FTER THAT MIND BOGGLING PARENTS OR GENTLE PARENTS 7HAT KIND ADVENTURE THROUGH THE GARDENING OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS DID YOU HAVE CATALOGS ) COULD UNDERSTAND MORE 7HICH CHILD WERE YOUˆTHE lRST THE CLEARLY THAN EVER BEFORE THE DIVERSITY MIDDLE THE LAST $ID YOU LIVE IN AN OF THE hFRUIT OF THE 3PIRITv IN 'ALATIANS ABUSIVE OR IN AN ACCEPTING CLIMATE +*6 3AYS THE APOSTLE h"UT &LAVOR 7AS YOUR CULTURE THE FRUIT OF THE 3PIRIT IS LOVE JOY PEACE RESERVED OR EXPRESSIVE $ID YOU GROW LONGSUFFERING GENTLENESS GOODNESS UP IN A #HRISTIAN HOME /F WHAT FAITH MEEKNESS TEMPERANCEx v NATIONALITY ARE YOU $ID YOU GROW UP )F WE WERE TO GO TO THE HEAVENLY IN A hRACISTv HOME OR IN A HOME THAT 'ARDENER S CATALOG AND PERUSE THE WAS THE VICTIM OF RACISM OR PREJUDICE VARIETIES OF LOVE (E HAS LISTED NOT TO 7HAT ABOUT YOUR CULTURAL TIES 9OUR MENTION JOY PEACE PATIENCE ETC PERSONALITY TYPE 9OUR LIKES AND ) BELIEVE WE WOULD lND AS MANY DISLIKES YOUR TEMPERAMENT VARIETIES AS THERE ARE HUMAN BEINGS 2ESISTANCE TO $ISEASE 7HAT WHO HAVE EVER LIVED INHERITED OR CULTIVATED TENDENCIES TO )N CHOOSING APPLES WE HAD EVIL DO YOU HAVE 7ITH WHAT DEFECTS TO CONSIDER CLIMATE ZONES SHAPE WERE YOU BORN 7HAT HEALTH PROBLEMS SIZE TASTE MATURATION DATES COLOR DID YOU INHERIT TEXTURE RESISTANCE TO DISEASE NEED 5SE 7HAT ABILITIES TALENTS AND OF POLLINATORS AND USE 7HEN ) EDUCATION DID YOU RECEIVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF APPLES !ND AFTER WE D MADE OUR MOMENTOUS AND ENLIGHTENED DECISION WE REALIZED WE HADN T EVEN GOTTEN TO THE PEARS AND PLUMS &OR NOVICE hORCHARDISTS v THIS WAS NOT AN EASY DECISION %VEN THOUGH IT WOULD HAVE MADE THE CHOICES MUCH EASIER TO HAVE HAD ONLY ONE KIND OF APPLE ) M THANKFUL FOR THE WIDE VARIETY 'OD OFFERS US
$ID YOU LIVE IN A BIG FAMILY OR A SMALL ONE 7ITH A SINGLE PARENT OR WITH BOTH PARENTS 7ERE THEY lGHTING PARENTS OR GENTLE PARENTS
4RULY IT TAKES HEAVENLY COMPUTERS TO KEEP TRACK OF IT ALL 4HIS EXPERIENCE HAS HELPED ME TO REALIZE THAT IF ) M A TRANSPARENT APPLE WHO AM ) TO TELL A 'RANNY 3MITH THAT SHE IS TOO SLOW IN MATURING /R IF ) M A 'RAVENSTEIN WHOSE mAVOR GETS RICHER AND FULLER THROUGH HEAT AND PRESSURE AND IS POURED OUT INTO APPLESAUCE JARS HOW CAN ) CRITICIZE A 2ED *UNE WHICH BY NATURE IS GOOD FOR FRESH EATING (OW CAN ) CRITICIZE IT FOR BEING TOO hTENDER mESHEDv TO TAKE THE HEAT /R PERHAPS ) M A *ONATHAN THAT DOESN T NEED A POLLINATOR $OES THAT GIVE ME THE RIGHT TO CHASTISE A -C)NTOSH JUST BECAUSE IT NEEDS EXTRA HELP 2ESPECTING /UR $IFFERENCES
)T ALL REMINDS ME OF THE CHAPTER IN -INISTRY OF (EALING ENTITLED h)N #ONTACT 7ITH /THERS v )T BEGINS WITH THESE WORDS P h%VERY ASSOCIATION OF LIFE CALLS FOR THE EXERCISE OF SELF CONTROL FORBEARANCE AND SYMPATHY 7E DIFFER SO WIDELY IN DISPOSITION HABITS EDUCATION THAT OUR WAYS OF LOOKING AT THINGS VARY 7E JUDGE DIFFERENTLY /UR UNDERSTANDING OF TRUTH OR OUR IDEAS IN REGARD TO THE CONDUCT OF LIFE ARE NOT IN ALL RESPECTS THE SAME 4HERE ARE NO TWO WHOSE EXPERIENCE IS ALIKE IN EVERY PARTICULAR 4HE TRIALS OF ONE ARE NOT THE TRIALS OF ANOTHER 4HE DUTIES THAT ONE lNDS LIGHT ARE TO ANOTHER MOST DIFlCULT AND PERPLEXING v )T ALSO HELPS TO GIVE NEW MEANING TO THE TEXT FROM 0SALM +*6 h4HE ,ORD SHALL COUNT WHEN (E WRITETH UP THE PEOPLE THAT THIS MAN WAS BORN THERE v !S WE LIVE IN THE hORCHARDSv OF SOCIETY WE ALL TAKE THE SAME SUNLIGHT THE SAME WATER THE SAME NUTRIENTS "UT WE REARRANGE THEM IN A UNIQUE FASHION TO MAKE US SPECIAL EXPRESSIONS OF THE FRUIT OF THE 3PIRIT LOVE JOY PEACE PATIENCE KINDNESS GOODNESS FAITHFULNESS GENTLENESS AND SELF CONTROL *ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
! $ 6 % . 4 ) 3 4 , ) & %
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O ONE IS BEYOND THE REACH OF 'OD EVEN THOSE SERVING TIME IN PRISONˆPEOPLE WHO HAVE ROBBED MURDERED AND ABUSED OTHERS 4HEY TOO ARE OF INESTIMABLE VALUE TO OUR HEAVENLY &ATHER AND WE ARE INSTRUCTED IN -ATTHEW NOT TO NEGLECT THEM SEE VERSES 4HE !DVENTIST #HURCH IN 2OMANIA IS TAKING THAT COMMISSION SERIOUSLY )TS "EGINNINGS
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
B E H I N D 0 ( / 4 / 3 # / 5 2 4 % 3 9 / & 4 ( % 2 / - ! . ) ! . 5 . ) / .
!FTER THE FALL OF #OMMUNISM IN THE 2OMANIAN 5NION OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS FOUNDED AN INSTITUTION FOR PRISON MINISTRIESˆ4HE (UMANITARIAN 3ERVICE FOR 0RISONS (30 0ASTORS AS WELL AS VOLUNTEER LAYPEOPLE ARE DEDICATED TO THIS MISSION SERVICE AND ARE SHARING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE WITH PRISONERS SERVING SENTENCES IN 2OMANIAN PRISONS !DVENTIST PASTOR ,UCIAN #RISTESCU INITIATOR OF THE (30 PROGRAM AS WELL AS COORDINATORS IN THE UNION S SIX CONFERENCES HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS AND MISSION MINDED INDIVIDUALS IN THE 5NITED 3TATES ASSIST WITH AND SUPPORT THE mOURISHING PROGRAM 4HE COORDINATORS AND VOLUNTEERS lRST DELIVER "IBLES TO THE PRISONERS FOLLOWED BY THE DISTRIBUTION OF 4HE $ESIRE OF !GES AND OTHER BOOKS PRINTED SPECIALLY FOR THE (30 PROGRAM 4HOUSANDS OF THESE BOOKS HAVE ALREADY BEEN GIVEN TO PRISONERS !S lNANCIAL SUPPORT INCREASES THE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO GROW 3INCE AN (30 COORDINATING DIRECTOR WAS INSTALLED AT THE 2OMANIAN 5NION LEVEL IN THE NUMBER OF PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS HAS INCREASED FROM TO 4HE (UMANITARIAN 3ERVICE FOR 0RISONS IS RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE STRONGEST HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS IN 2OMANIA )T IS CURRENTLY OPERATING IN PRISONS AND TWO PRISON HOSPITAL WARDS OUT OF A TOTAL OF PRISONS AND lVE PRISON HOSPITAL WARDS THAT EXIST IN 2OMANIA TODAY #OORDINATORS
ARS "
"Y " "Y 'EOR RGE 5 5BA A 'EORGE 5BA
2OMANIAN !DVENTISTS SPOTLIGHT PRISON MINISTRIES
h$URING THE MEETINGS WITH THE WOMEN FROM -OLDOVA PRISONS WHILE STUDYING ABOUT FAMILY v SAYS -IHAI %NEA ASSISTANT (30 DIRECTOR IN THE -OLDAVIA #ONFERENCE hWE WERE FREQUENTLY ASKED THIS QUESTION @!M ) STILL A MOTHER h7E WOULD ASK THEM IN RETURN @7HAT MAKES YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE NO LONGER A MOTHER 4HEIR ANSWER USUALLY GIVEN WITH TEARS WAS @7HAT KIND OF A MOTHER AM ) IF MY CHILDREN OF THE SIX BRANCHES OF (30ˆTHE SIX ARE GROWING UP IN ORPHANAGES OR CONFERENCES IN THE UNIONˆCONVENE IN DIFFERENT FAMILIES ) DESERVE MY REGULARLY WITH LEADERS OF THE UNION S SENTENCE BUT WHERE IS THE FAULT OF 3ABBATH 3CHOOL AND 0ERSONAL -INISTRIES $EPARTMENT TO MAKE PLANS MY CHILDREN ) HAVEN T SEEN THEM FOR YEARSx $O THEY EVEN STILL KNOW ME AND DEVELOP PROJECTS TO MEET THE 7HAT ARE THEIR FEELINGS ABOUT ME v PRISONERS NEEDS %NEA SAYS HE OFTEN ASKS HIMSELF WHAT *ESUS WOULD DO IF (E WERE IN HIS #URRENT 0ROJECTS PLACE h-ANY TIMES ) HAVE ASKED THE /NE VENTURE NOW IN THE lNAL ,ORD THIS QUESTION IN MY PERSONAL STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES PRAYERS v HE SAYS h"UT ONE THING ) LOCAL CHURCHES TO hADOPTv A PRISON AM SURE OFˆTHESE MOTHERS DESERVE AND MEET THE VARIOUS NEEDS OF THE A SECOND CHANCE v 3O HE AND OTHER PRISONERS AND PRISON ADMINISTRATORS COORDINATORS ORGANIZE OPPORTUNITIES !DOPTING A PRISON INCLUDES HOLDING FOR CHILDREN TO VISIT THEIR MOTHERS IN HEALTH EXHIBITIONS JOB SKILL TRAINING PRISON COURSES STOP SMOKING SEMINARS AND %NEA DESCRIBES A PARTNERSHIP WITH "IBLE STUDIES THE "OTOSANI 0ENITENTIARY AND THE (30 HAS ALSO DEVELOPED A "IBLE $EPARTMENT OF #HILD 0ROTECTION ON A CORRESPONDENCE COURSE WHICH HAS A CURRENT ENROLLMENT OF MORE THAN PROJECT THAT EMPHASIZES THE NEEDS OF PRISONERS FAMILIES !FTER IDENTIFYING STUDENTS /RGANIZERS ARE EXPECTING NUMEROUS WOMEN PRISONERS WHO HAD ENROLLMENT TO DOUBLE IN 4HESE INTENSIVE EFFORTS ARE RESULTING NOT SEEN THEIR CHILDREN FOR A LONG TIME IN CHANGED LIVES AND PRISONERS ACCEPTING (30 COORDINATORS SET UP A VISIT %NEA CLEARLY REMEMBERS THE EXPERIENCE *ESUS AS THEIR &RIEND AND 3AVIOR )N h7E CANNOT FORGET THE MOMENT THE LAST FEW MONTHS PRISONERS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED NINE OF THEM SERVING LIFE WHEN THE CHILDRENxWHO WERE PLACED IN DIFFERENT FOSTER FAMILIES LIVING IN SENTENCES -ORE THAN OTHERS HAVE DIFFERENT COUNTIES WERE ALL MEETING EXPRESSED A DESIRE TO BE BAPTIZED TOGETHER ;WITH THEIR MOTHERS= FOR THE (UNDREDS OF CHURCH MEMBERS lRST TIME IN THREE OR FOUR YEARS v HE CORRESPOND BY MAIL WITH PRISONERS SAYS h7HEN THE MOTHERS ENTERED THE IN ALL PRISONS AND THEIR NUMEROUS HALL AND SAW THEIR OWN CHILDREN IT VISITS TO THEM OFTEN LEAD TO THE WAS A DRAMATIC MOMENT 4HEY WERE DEVELOPMENT OF STRONG RELATIONSHIPS CRYING NOT KNOWING ;WHICH OF THEIR FOR SPIRITUAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT CHILDREN= TO EMBRACE lRST v 5NITING &AMILIES "UT ALTHOUGH MOST OF THE FAMILIES (30 COORDINATORS ALSO UNDERSTAND WERE OVERJOYED TO SEE ONE ANOTHER THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING AGAIN NOT ALL THE REUNIONS WERE HAPPY RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PRISONERS AND ONES ! YEAR OLD BOY NAMED )ONUT THEIR CHILDREN SAID HE DID NOT WANT TO TALK TO HIS
4OP TO BOTTOM 02/5$ -/-3 !DVENTIST PRISON MINISTRIES IN 2OMANIA ORGANIZE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MOTHERS BEHIND BARS TO VISIT WITH THEIR CHILDRENˆFOR SOME THE lRST VISIT IN YEARS ')&4 ')6).' -OTHERS IN PRISON GIVE SMALL GIFTS TO THEIR CHILDREN DURING THE VISITS
MOTHER %NEA EXPLAINED (IS MOTHER TRIED TO OFFER HIM A GIFT BUT HE REFUSED IT AND ASKED h7HY DID YOU ABANDON ME 7HY DO ) HAVE TO BE RAISED BY A STRANGER v 4HESE ARE THE TYPES OF CHALLENGES (30 TRIES TO HELP FAMILIES WORK THROUGH TOGETHER %XPANDING )TS 6ISION
(30 IS NOW ESTABLISHING A CENTER FOR SOCIAL REINTEGRATION AT "UCIUMENI IN $AMBOVITA #OUNTY 4HE FACILITY WILL BE EQUIPPED TO ACCOMMODATE PEOPLE AT A TIME FOR A PERIOD OF UP TO SIX MONTHS 4HE CENTER S STAFF WILL AID THE EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL RECOVERY OF PRISONERS RELEASED INTO SOCIETY AND ASSIST WITH THE SOCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL REINTEGRATION OF FORMER PRISONERS WHO HAVE NEITHER FAMILIES NOR SHELTER !LONG WITH THIS PROJECT (30 HAS PLANS TO DEVELOP ANOTHER CENTER ON DONATED PROPERTY IN 4ARGSOR $AMBOVITA #OUNTY FOR SOCIAL REINTEGRATION OF FORMER WOMEN PRISONERS %NCOURAGING 2ESULTS
)T IS ENCOURAGING TO SEE FORMER PRISONERS WHO ARE NOW SHARING THEIR LOVE OF *ESUS WITH OTHERS AND SERVING AS (30 VOLUNTEERS BUSINESS OWNERS CHURCH OFlCERS SOCIAL WORKERS AND IN VARIOUS OTHER lELDS 7E ARE ALL hPRISONERSv ON THIS EARTH BUT SOONˆWHEN *ESUS COMES TO TAKE US HOME WITH (IM TO HEAVENˆWE WILL MEET OUR LOVED ONES AGAIN 4HE MOTHERS WILL LOOK FOR THEIR CHILDREN 4HE CHILDREN WILL RUN TO THEIR MOTHERS AND THEIR FATHERS "UT UNTIL THEN WE IN THE 2OMANIAN 5NION DO WHAT WE CAN TO OFFER HOPE AND JOY TO THOSE BEHIND PRISON BARS
'EORGE 5BA IS DIRECTOR OF THE 3ABBATH 3CHOOL AND 0ERSONAL -INISTRIES $EPARTMENT OF THE 2OMANIAN 5NION *ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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TEPPING UP TO THE PODIUM THE SPEAKER PRAYS SILENTLY AS HE READIES HIMSELF TO DELIVER THE MESSAGE THE CONGREGATION IS EAGERLY AWAITING 4HE SINGER BEFORE HIM HIS SISTER HAS PREPARED THE AUDIENCE THROUGH SONG AND HE IS READY (E GREETS THE AUDIENCE WITH ENTHUSIASM AND VIGOR SMILING BRIGHTLY AS HE SURVEYS THE CROWD 7ITH "IBLE IN HAND MESSAGE COMMITTED TO MEMORY AND ZEAL FOR PREACHING THE 7ORD OF 'OD IN HIS HEART HE BEGINS (E PREACHES WITH lRE POWER AND CONVICTION 4APPING THE "IBLE FOR EMPHASIS PACING BACK AND FORTH WITH BOUNDLESS ENERGY HE PROCLAIMS THE GOSPEL WITH A PASSION THAT KNOWS NO BOUNDS 4HE CROWD IS CLEARLY MOVED AND HIS APPEAL AT THE END OF THE SERMON IS WELL ACCEPTED 4HIS PREACHER HAS MIGHTILY TOUCHED HEARTS AND SOULS FOR #HRIST 4HIS PREACHER IS ON lRE FOR THE ,ORD 4HIS PREACHER IS YEARS OLD 4HE ABOVE SCENARIO IS FAR FROM lCTION BUT RATHER A GLIMPSE INTO THE LIFE OF A REAL CHILD PREACHERˆ+EVIN 0ATI¶O +EVIN IS JUST YEARS OLD BUT HAS BEEN PREACHING FOR A FEW YEARS ALREADY (E IS THE SON OF %DGAR 0ATI¶O A MINISTER FROM THE )NTER !MERICAN $IVISION NOW LIVING AND WORKING IN -EXICO +EVIN AND HIS YEAR OLD SISTER $AILYN ARE EXTREMELY ACTIVE IN THEIR OWN MINISTRY FOR ,ORDˆPREACHING AND SINGING IN VENUES LARGE AND SMALL ACROSS THEIR DIVISION HOME TERRITORY
'ETTING 3TARTED
(OW DID THESE TWO CHILDREN BARELY IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BECOME INVOLVED IN PREACHING )T IS A CAREER PATH AND MINISTRY THAT TRADITIONALLY REQUIRES YEARS OF EDUCATION AND LIFE EXPERIENCE TO UNDERTAKE (AVE THESE CHILDREN COME INTO THIS PATH ON A WHIM /R IS THIS TRULY A CALLING FROM 'OD !S VERY SMALL CHILDREN BOTH +EVIN AND $AILYN WERE ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN THEIR CRADLE ROLL 3ABBATH SCHOOL CLASS LEARNING THEIR MEMORY VERSES AND SONGS PERFECTLY 4HEIR TEACHER NOTICED THIS AND RECOGNIZED THAT THESE TWO CHILDREN POSSESSED SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL !S A RESULT +EVIN WAS ASKED TO PREACH HIS lRST MESSAGE FOR A #HILDREN S $AY PROGRAM 0ASTOR %DGAR 0ATI¶O SAYS h7E BOTH ;MY WIFE AND )= STARTED PREPARING +EVIN AND $AILYN BUT WHAT WE DIDN T KNOW WAS THAT THE ,ORD WAS ACTUALLY PREPARING A SPECIAL MINISTRY FOR THEM 7HEN WE STARTED WORKING WITH THEM FOR THIS OCCASION WE NOTICED THAT THEY WERE BOTH FAST LEARNERS $AILYN WAS JUST YEARS OLD AND +EVIN WAS 7E DID NOT ENCOUNTER ANY LIMITATIONS TO WHAT THEY COULD DO BECAUSE OF THEIR AGE OR THE FACT THAT THEY COULDN T READ YET &OR THEM THERE WAS NOTHING MORE FUN THAN TO PARTICIPATE IN CHURCH v
7ILONA +ARIMABADI IS MARKETING AND EDITORIAL DIRECTOR FOR +IDS6IEW !DVENTIST 2EVIEW S MAGAZINE FOR CHILDREN
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
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,EFT 4(% 0!4)»/ &!-),9 *OGLY %DGAR $AILYN AND +EVIN 2IGHT 05",)# %80%2)%.#% +EVIN AND $AILYN 0ATI×O HAVE BEEN SINGING AND PREACHING THE WORD SINCE THEY WERE PRE SCHOOLERS
4HE #HILDREN S $AY PROGRAM WAS TO FEATURE AN AUDIENCE OF MORE THAN PEOPLE 4HE 0ATI¶OS DECIDED THAT IT WOULD BE BEST IF +EVIN GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO PREACH IN ANOTHER SETTING BEFORE THIS PARTICULAR EVENT 4HE DISTRICT PASTOR WAS APPROACHED AND HAPPILY ARRANGED FOR +EVIN TO SPEAK AT A MEETING OF +EVIN HAD TURNED AND HIS SISTER $AILYN WAS JUST h7E AS PARENTS WERE VERY STRESSED OUT BECAUSE OF THE EXPECTATIONS THE AUDIENCE HAD v SAYS 0ASTOR 0ATI¶O h0EOPLE WOULD ASK HOW COME THESE LITTLE CHILDREN ARE PREACHING 0EOPLE EXPECTED THE CHILDREN TO SAY SOME "IBLE VERSES AND OTHER THINGS BY MEMORY "UT IT WASN T LIKE THAT 4HE (OLY 3PIRIT WAS IN CHARGE AND WHEN +EVIN S MINUTE SERMON WAS OVER AND IT WAS TIME FOR THE ALTAR CALL THE ENTIRE CHURCH STOOD UP AND CAME FORWARDˆSOME CRYING AND SOME JUST PRAISING THE ,ORD FOR WHAT THEY HAD JUST HEARD v #LEARLY THE 0ATI¶O CHILDREN HAD MOVED INTO A VERY SPECIAL WORK FOR THE ,ORD h!S PARENTS WE NEVER THOUGHT THAT THIS PRESENTATION WAS GOING TO CAUSE SUCH AN IMPACT v 0ASTOR 0ATI¶O ADDS "UT THE WORD SOON SPREAD TO OTHER !DVENTIST CONGREGATIONS THROUGHOUT 0ANAMA ;WHERE THE 0ATI¶OS LIVED AT THE TIME= 7HEN THE #HILDREN S $AY PROGRAM ROLLED AROUND AND NEWS OF +EVIN AND $AILYN S PREACHING SPREAD MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION WERE EAGERLY AWAITING THESE YOUNG PREACHERS *UST ,IKE 3AMUEL
/BVIOUS GIFTS ASIDE HOW DID +EVIN 0ATI¶O COME TO BELIEVE THAT THE ,ORD WAS TRULY CALLING HIM TO BE A PREACHER 7HY NOW AS OPPOSED TO WAITING TILL HE WAS GROWN AND EQUIPPED WITH A SEMINARY DEGREE 0ASTOR 0ATI¶O AND HIS WIFE *OGLY PRAYED AND FASTED TO KNOW THE ,ORD S WILL ABOUT WHAT MINISTRY IF ANY WAS APPROPRIATE FOR THEIR CHILDREN h) ALWAYS WANTED TO DO WHAT MY FATHER DID TO IMITATE HIM SINCE ) ALWAYS WATCHED HIM PREACH OR HOLD MEETINGS )T WAS MY GREAT DESIRE TO DO THE SAME v SAYS +EVIN h/NE DAY SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL HAPPENED )T WAS P M ) WAS SLEEPING BUT MY PARENTS WERE PRAYING ;ABOUT THIS= AS THEY HAD BEEN DOING FOR SIX MONTHS 4HEY NEVER ASKED TO HAVE CHILDREN THAT WOULD PREACH THOUGH THEY OFTEN SAW MY SISTER AND ME @PLAYING PASTOR AND SINGER -Y FATHER SAID THAT SUDDENLY HE HEARD A VOICE SAYING @+EVIN WILL PREACH (E TURNED TO LOOK AT MY MOTHER TO ASK IF SHE HAD SAID ANYTHING AND CONTINUED PRAYING !GAIN THE VOICE SAID @+EVIN WILL PREACH (E CAME TO MY ROOM AND WOKE ME UP AND SAID @+EVIN DO YOU WANT TO PREACH ) REPLIED @/F COURSE 3O HE TOOK ME TO THE BALCONY AND EXPLAINED EVERYTHING THAT WAS GOING ON h-Y FATHER SAID @+EVIN THE ,ORD HAS CALLED YOU TO PREACH v HE ADDS h4O TELL YOU THE TRUTH ) DIDN T UNDERSTAND AND ) ASKED 'OD IF (E HAD CALLED ME JUST LIKE 3AMUEL !T THAT VERY SAME HOUR WE LIFTED OUR ARMS UP AND COMMITTED EVERYTHING WE HAD TO THE ,ORD 4HEN IT BECAME MY MISSION TO PREACH TO SHOW THAT MY FATHER WAS NOT MAKING THIS UP THAT 'OD HAD CALLED ME 7HEN ) PREACHED THAT lRST SERMON *ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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THE CHURCH WAS PACKED AND THE (OLY 3PIRIT DESCENDED AND CONlRMED THAT MY FATHER DID NOT MAKE ANYTHING UP v ,ITTLE SISTER $AILYN USING DIFFERENT GIFTS AT THE TIME WAS NOT EXCLUDED FROM THE CALL TO MINISTER 3HE SAYS h!T THE BEGINNING OF OUR MINISTRY ) USED TO ONLY SING -Y MOM WAS MY BIGGEST EXAMPLE 3HE SINGS BEAUTIFULLY AND LIKE ME HAS BEEN DOING IT SINCE SHE WAS LITTLE 3O ) ALSO SANG AND DID PRESENTATIONS 7HEN ) WAS AND MY BROTHER WAS WE DID OUR lRST MUSICAL SPEAKING PRESENTATION CALLED @*ESUS /UR 4RUE &RIEND h7HEN ) TURNED ) DECIDED THAT ) WOULD ALSO LIKE TO PREACH ) FELT IT INSIDE AND ) FELT ) COULD DO IT AND PRAISE 'OD ) AM DOING IT v $AILYN ADDS h) KNOW THAT THE ,ORD CALLED ME EVEN THOUGH (E DIDN T DO IT EXACTLY LIKE (E DID IT IN +EVIN S LIFE (E ALLOWED ME TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS AND TODAY ) FEEL EXTREMELY HAPPY TO SERVE OUR ,ORD v
"9 "!2!+! -5'!.$!
'ENERAL #ONFERENCE 9OUTH $EPARTMENT DIRECTOR "ARAKA -UGANDA HAS HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF MEETING AND WORKING WITH CHILD PREACHERS AROUND THE WORLD (E SHARES SIMPLE TIPS FOR RECOGNIZING THIS PARTICULAR GIFT IN A CHILD AND HOW TO RECOGNIZE AND NURTURE A BUDDING MINISTRY Â&#x2C6;%$)4/23 n )T IS ESSENTIAL THAT PARENTS CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT IN THE
HOME THAT ASSISTS CHILDREN IN IDENTIFYING AND DEVELOPING THE UNIQUE GIFT OF PREACHING n 0ARENTS PLAY A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN DEVELOPING CHILD PREACHERS THROUGH THEIR LOVE FOR THE 7ORD OF 'OD AND BY TAKING TIME DURING FAMILY WORSHIP TO READ THE "IBLE AND OTHER "IBLE STORY BOOKS 4HEY SHOULD ASK CHILDREN TO RECITE SOME OF THE KEY STORIES CONCEPTS $URING THIS TIME ONE CAN NOTICE HOW WELL THE CHILD IS DOING AND CAN OFFER HELP IN DEVELOPING PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS AS WELL AS HELPING A CHILD TO MAKE THE "IBLE REAL IN THEIR LIFE 3TART WITH SIMPLE STORIES FROM THE 'OSPELS AND THEN MOVE ON TO HARDER ONES n 4ELL "IBLE STORIES FROM MEMORY 4HE MORE YOUR CHILD LISTENS TO YOU THE MORE HE OR SHE WILL IMITATE YOU n 0RAYER IS THE FOUNDATION OF ALL SUCCESS IN CULTIVATING THE GIFTS 'OD HAS GIVEN CHILDREN 0RAY WITH AND FOR THE CHILD SO THAT THEY WILL REALIZE THIS GIFT AND CHERISH IT AS THEY GROW UP n !S CHILDREN PARTICIPATE IN THIS NOBLE EXPERIENCE THEY ARE IN TURN NURTURED AND MATURED IN THEIR SPIRITUAL LIVES 0ARENTS HAVE A HUGE ROLE TO PLAY IN THIS n 0ARENTS ARE THE HOMILETIC TEACHERS OF THEIR OWN CHILDREN BY THE WAY THEY TREAT WORSHIP TIME IN THEIR HOMES 7ORSHIP TIME IS THE BEST GROUND FOR RECOGNIZING AND CULTIVATING THIS GIFT IN OUR CHILDREN 4HE "IBLE SAYS THAT BY BEHOLDING ONE BECOMES CHANGED SEE #OR THE MORE THAT THE CHILDREN WATCH THEIR PARENTS GIVE STORIES AND TALK ABOUT *ESUS THE MORE THEY MAY WISH TO DO THE SAME -Y PARENTS PLAYED A VERY IMPORTANT PART IN MY LIFE AND THAT HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT IN HELPING ME ANSWER 'OD S CALL TO MINISTRY
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
3PREADING THE 'OOD .EWS
&ROM THAT lRST #HILDREN S $AY PROGRAM IN 0ANAMA THE PREACHING MINISTRY OF THE LITTLE 0ATI¶OS HAS BEEN STEADILY GROWING )T WAS DElNITELY NOT EASY IN THE BEGINNING AS THE SIGHT OF CHILD PREACHERS DELIVERING A SERIOUS MESSAGE WAS HARD FOR PEOPLE TO BELIEVE "UT SLOWLY THROUGH THE GRACE OF 'OD DOORS CONTINUED TO OPEN FOR THE FAMILY 7HAT STARTED AS A SPECIAL APPOINTMENT AT A CHILDREN S PROGRAM HAS NOW GROWN INTO AN INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY AND THE 0ATI¶OS TRAVEL THROUGHOUT THE )NTER !MERICAN $IVISION PREACHING AND SINGING ABOUT SALVATION 0REPARING A SERMON AND DELIVERING IT TO AN AUDIENCE IS NOT AN EASY TASKÂ&#x2C6;EVEN FOR ADULTS 3O HOW DO THE 0ATI¶O CHILDREN PREPARE THEIR MESSAGES 4HE FAMILY REFERS TO THEMSELVES AS A TEAM OF lVE COUNTING THE (OLY 3PIRIT AS THE MAIN FORCE BEHIND THE SERMONS AS (E IS THE ONE WHO HELPS THEM PREPARE THE MESSAGES AND TRAINS AND CONVERTS HEARTS 3ECOND IS 0ASTOR 0ATI¶O WHO WRITES +EVIN S SERMONS AFTER MUCH PRAYER AND TIME SPENT WITH THE ,ORD 4HEN A UNIQUE COMPONENT OF THEIR PREPARATIONS COMES INTO PLAY 4HE CHILDREN S MOTHER *OGLY TURNS THE TEXT OF THE SERMONS INTO DRAWINGS +EVIN AND $AILYN DO NOT MEMORIZE THE SERMONS BUT USE THESE SKETCHES TO BRING THE POINTS TO LIFE IN THEIR MINDS 4HEIR SERMONS TYPICALLY RUN MINUTES WITH ONE MESSAGE SOMETIMES CONTAINING TO DIFFERENT DRAWINGS ALL FROM *OGLY S OWN HAND !CCORDING TO 0ASTOR 0ATI¶O h) CONTRIBUTE TO THE SERMONS BUT +EVIN AND $AILYN DO NOT ALWAYS PREACH EVERYTHING THAT ) WRITE )N THE BEGINNING THAT WAS A REAL CHALLENGE FOR ME SINCE +EVIN ESPECIALLY DIDN T ALWAYS LIKE WHAT ) HAD PREPARED FOR HIM !S A THEOLOGY MAJOR ) HAVE TAKEN HOMILETICS HERMENEUTICS AND "IBLE EXEGESIS BUT ONE DAY ) CAME TO REALIZE THAT ) NEEDED THE (OLY 3PIRIT S TRAINING INSTEAD OF JUST THIS ACADEMIC PREPARATION 3O +EVIN AND ) PRAYED TOGETHER ASKING 'OD TO HELP BLEND OUR THOUGHTS AND THEREFORE BE ABLE TO ORGANIZE SERMONS THAT WOULD BE COMFORTABLE FOR +EVIN AND (E ANSWERED US IMMEDIATELY &ROM THAT MOMENT EVERY TIME ) PREPARE FOR A SERMON ) CALL +EVIN AND ASK HIM THINGS 7E PRAY TOGETHER AND THAT S IT )
PREPARE A SERMON THAT IS COMFORTABLE FOR HIM v "UT WHAT IS IT REALLY LIKE FOR A CHILD TO GET UP IN FRONT OF A LARGE CROWD OF PEOPLE MUCH OLDER THAN THEMSELVES AND PREACH 7HAT GOES THROUGH +EVIN AND $AILYN S MINDS +EVIN SAYS h4HERE IS A "IBLE TEXT THAT HAS BECOME ONE OF OUR FAVORITE ONES )T IS FOUND IN #ORINTHIANS @9ET WHEN ) PREACH THE GOSPEL ) CANNOT BOAST FOR ) AM COMPELLED TO PREACH 7OE TO ME IF ) DO NOT PREACH THE GOSPEL v
4HIS IS CLEARLY THEIR CHARGE IN MINISTRY h3OMETIMES WHEN WE ARE UP FRONT WITH A SMALL OR LARGE AUDIENCE ) FEEL SOMETHING SPECIAL THAT MAKES ME SAY THINGS THAT ARE NOT ALWAYS ON THE SERMON SKETCH AND ) MAY SAY THINGS AND NOT KNOW WHY ) SAID THEM "UT THEY TOUCH THE LIVES OF THE AUDIENCE AND PEOPLE MAKE A DECISION TO BE BAPTIZED v 3TILL #HILDREN
THEM TO REMEMBER THAT THEY ARE lRST AND FOREMOST BELOVED CHILDREN OF THE LIVING 'OD *OGLY SAYS h%VERY &RIDAY NIGHT NO MATTER WHAT S GOING ON OR WHERE WE ARE WE HAVE FAMILY NIGHT WITH THE CHILDREN CALLED @-OTA 4HIS SPECIAL NIGHT WE SLEEP TOGETHER IN THE SAME BED ALL SQUEEZED BUT WE DON T CARE 7E ENJOY IT 7E BELIEVE THAT DOING THINGS LIKE THIS KEEPS THE CHILDREN HAPPY AND ENCOURAGED v 4INY 6ESSELS -IGHTY 6OICES
#HILDREN WHO HAVE THE GIFT TO PREACH ARE PROVING AN ASSET TO THE AWESOME WORK OF SPREADING THE GOSPEL !S +EVIN AND $AILYN 0ATI¶O S MINISTRY ILLUSTRATES THE ,ORD CAN DO MIGHTY THINGS WITH INDIVIDUALSÂ&#x2C6;YOUNG AND NOT SO YOUNGÂ&#x2C6; WHEN THEY PLACE THEIR LIVES COMPLETELY IN (IS HANDS +EVIN AND $AILYN STATE THAT THEY HAVE THREE GOALS FOR THEIR MINISTRY h 7E DREAM OF lLLING UP BIG STADIUMS AND BAPTIZING MANY SOULS 7E WANT TO BE MODERN APOSTLE 0AULSÂ&#x2C6;FAITHFUL PREACHERS OF THE 7ORD OF 'OD AND 7E WANT TO CONTINUE TRAVELING THE ENTIRE WORLD CARRYING THE MESSAGE OF *ESUS SECOND COMING vo "ARAKA -UGANDA 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE 9OUTH $IRECTOR WHO HAS SEEN THE YOUNG 0ATI¶OS IN ACTION SAYS h) COMPARE CHILD PREACHERS TO SLEEPING GIANTS IN OUR CHURCHES 4HESE CHILDREN ARE READY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH IF THEY ARE GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES 4HEIR MINDS ARE SO SHARP AND THEY MASTER THE TRAINING SO FAST 4HEY BELIEVE IN THE TEACHINGS OF THE "IBLE AND ARE READY AND WILLING TO SHARE WITH OTHERS WITHOUT ANY FEAR 4HEY ARE BOLD TO DEFEND WHAT THEY BELIEVE ) HAVE BEEN SO AMAZED BY THEIR "IBLE KNOWLEDGE 9OU HEAR ADULTS ASKING THEMSELVES @)F THESE CHILDREN ARE SO INSPIRED BY THE 7ORD OF 'OD THERE MUST BE SOMETHING SPECIAL IN THIS "OOK v 3OMETHING SPECIAL INDEED
4HOUGH +EVIN AND $AILYN ARE INVOLVED IN A VERY GROWN UP WORK NO ONE FORGETS THAT THEY ARE STILL CHILDREN h)N WE WERE DOING AN EVANGELISTIC SERIES IN #OLOMBIA ! PASTOR ORGANIZED AN EVENT IN WHICH THERE WERE OVER PEOPLE )T WAS A 3ABBATH AFTERNOON AND WE HAD SUNG AND PREACHED 4HE NEXT DAY WE DID AN INTERVIEW AT THE LOCAL STATION 4HE PASTOR WHO DID THE INTERVIEW ASKED @+EVIN WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST FROM YESTERDAY S EVENT !ND ) TOLD HIMx @4HAT THERE WERE SO MANY CHILDREN TO PLAY WITH ) SAY THIS BECAUSE MANY FORGET THAT WE ARE STILL CHILDREN 7HEN WE ARE UP IN FRONT ON THE PLATFORM WE LOOK LIKE ADULTS BECAUSE THE ,ORD WORKS MIRACLES FOR US "UT OUR HEARTS ARE STILL YOUNG v ADD BOTH +EVIN AND $AILYN +EVIN AND $AILYN ARE ALSO NURTURED AND ENCOURAGED IN THEIR DAILY LIVES AS MANY CHILDREN ARE 4HEIR MOTHER *OGLY STAYS AT HOME AND TAKES THE BUSINESS OF CARING FOR HER CHILDREN VERY SERIOUSLY MAKING SURE THEIR MORNING AND EVENING WORSHIP TIMES ARE CONSISTENT THAT SHE IS AVAILABLE TO ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS FEED THEM NUTRITIOUS AND NOURISHING 4EXT TAKEN FROM THE .EW )NTERNATIONAL 6ERSION o4HE 0ATI¶OS WELCOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR MINISTRY AND CAN BE CONTACTED BY FOOD AND GET THEM TO GO TO BED ON TIMEÂ&#x2C6;WHILE STILL HELPING E MAILING CRECIENDOENVALORES YAHOO ES OR EDGARPATINO HOTMAIL COM
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)N VETERAN CHILDREN S AND TEEN MINISTRIES LEADER AND PASTOR $ON -AC,AFFERTY EMBARKED ON A UNIQUE PROGRAM JUST FOR CHILDREN /FTEN TAUGHT A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF "IBLE DOCTRINE TO PREPARE FOR BAPTISM KIDS ARE THEN OFTEN LEFT ALONE AS THEY ATTEMPT TO MAP OUT A #HRISTIAN WALK FOR THEMSELVES
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/PPORTUNITIES FOR MINISTRY UTILIZING THEIR INDIVIDUAL GIFTS AND TALENTS ARE NOT ALWAYS READILY AVAILABLE AND SOMETIMES MENTORS FOR THOSE ENDEAVORS ARE NOT EASILY FOUND "UT AT THE +IDS IN $ISCIPLESHIP #ENTER BASED AT THE #OLLEGEDALE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH #OLLEGEDALE 4ENNESSEE 5 3 ! THOSE PATTERNS ARE CHANGING
!CCORDING TO THEIR 7EB SITE h4HE CENTER S PURPOSE IS TO LEAD CHILDREN TO BE FAITHFUL FRUITFUL DISCIPLES OF *ESUS #HRIST v 4HIS MISSION IS ACCOMPLISHED IN SEVERAL WAYS ONE OF WHICH IS TO HELP EACH CHILD DISCOVER THEIR UNIQUE GIFTS AND PASSION FOR MINISTRY AND BE EQUIPPED TO SHARE THEM NOWÂ&#x2C6;IN THEIR HOMES SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES 4HIS INCLUDES PREACHING SINGING AND SO MUCH MORE #ONGREGATIONS COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO DISCOVER HOW THIS MINISTRY PROGRAM CAN WORK WONDERS WITH DEVELOPING DISCIPLESHIP FOR *ESUS IN THEIR OWN CHILDREN &OR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW THEKIDSCENTER ORG
*ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
& 5 . $ ! - % . 4 ! , " % , ) % & 3
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7HAT )S )T 2EALLY ,IKE TO 4HE ANSWER HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH OUR SENSE OF ASSURANCE IN *ESUS 7HAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A #HRISTIAN 4HE QUESTION IS IMPORTANT AND MANY PEOPLE GIVE UP ON #HRISTIANITY BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT UNDERSTOOD WHAT IT S SUPPOSED TO FEEL LIKE ) CARE A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THIS BECAUSE SOME OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN MY FRIENDS &IRST OF ALL WE NEED TO GO BACK TO THE PROCESS OF HOW WE BECAME #HRISTIANS AND EXAMINE WHAT THAT IS LIKE "ECOMING A #HRISTIAN
5SUALLY A COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE BRINGS US TO #HRISTIANITY /UR EXPERIENCE AS A NON #HRISTIAN IS A GLOOMY ONE !S WE EXAMINE OUR LIFE APART FROM 'OD WE lND THAT THERE S MUCH ABOUT IT THAT WE DISLIKE 7E COULD PROBABLY ACCEPT A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF LAZINESS AND CARELESSNESS AS PART OF OUR HUMAN CONDITION BUT THE PROBLEM IS WORSE THAN THAT !T TIMES WE ACT IN A WAY THAT CAN BE DESCRIBED ONLY AS EVIL 7E DO THINGS THAT WE KNOW ARE WRONG AND INJURIOUS TO OURSELVES AND OTHER PEOPLE "UT EVEN WORSE WHEN WE TRY TO IMPROVE WE lND THAT WE CANNOT EVEN CHANGE OUR ACTIONS LET ALONE OUR MOTIVES 7E WANT TO BE DIFFERENT BUT NO MATTER HOW HARD WE TRY WE ALWAYS FALL SHORT !ND TO OUR HORROR WE DISCOVER THAT THE BIBLICAL DESCRIPTION OF OUR CONDITION IS RIGHT 7E ARE ALL SINNERS 2OM 4HIS IS OUR EXPERIENCE 4HE TRUTH WE LEARN FROM THE "IBLE OUR KNOWLEDGE BOTH MAKES THINGS WORSE AND GIVES US HOPE AT THE SAME TIME )T MAKES THINGS WORSE BECAUSE THE "IBLE TELLS US THAT 'OD IS RIGHTEOUS AND THAT IT IS DEATH FOR ANY SIN TO APPEAR BEFORE (IM .OT ONLY THAT WE LEARN THAT 'OD WILL COME BACK TO GIVE EVERYONE THE KIND OF REWARD
2OBERT + -C)VER IS SENIOR LECTURER IN BIBLI CAL STUDIES AT !VONDALE #OLLEGE .EW 3OUTH 7ALES !USTRALIA
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
"E A
"Y 2OBERT + -C)VER
THEIR DEEDS DESERVEÂ&#x2C6;BOTH THOSE WHO ARE ALIVE AT THE TIME AND THOSE WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY DIED 2EV 3O THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR EVIL WILL MEET US BEYOND THE GRAVE 9ET THE "IBLE GIVES US HOPE 4HAT HOPE IS FOUND IN *ESUS WHO THOUGH (E WAS 'OD BECAME HUMAN 0HIL WHO THOUGH (E WAS SINLESS ACCEPTED OUR PUNISHMENT WHEN (E DIED ON THE CROSS FOR OUR SINS 'AL #OL *OHN #OR 4HE "IBLE ALSO TELLS US THAT WE CAN BE SAVED FROM OUR SINS IF WE BELIEVE IN *ESUS AND ACCEPT (IM AS OUR 3AVIOR AND ,ORD 2OM !CTS )N OTHER WORDS ) BECOME A #HRISTIAN WHEN ) RECOGNIZE MY NEED AND ACCEPT THE SALVATION *ESUS OFFERS ) PRAY THE PRAYER 'OD ALWAYS HEARS h'OD HAVE MERCY ON ME A SINNERv ,UKE .)6 7HAT IS IT LIKE TO BECOME A #HRISTIAN /NCE A PERSON ACCEPTS THE FORGIVENESS OFFERED BY *ESUS THERE IS A SENSE OF RELEASE JOY AND PEACE 2OM 7E ARE NO LONGER CONDEMNED TO LIVE UNDER THE SLAVERY OF SIN 2OM BUT CAN LIVE LIVES OF FREEDOM IN #HRIST !LL THIS IS TRUE YET WE lND THAT THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE DIDN T EXPECT 7E lND THAT WHILE NEW IMPULSES COME INTO OUR LIVES OLD ONES REMAINÂ&#x2C6;WHICH CREATES AN APPARENT CONTRADICTION &OR AFTER ALL WE BECAME #HRISTIANS PRECISELY TO ESCAPE THE POWER OF SIN 3O DOES BECOMING A #HRISTIAN REALLY GIVE US OVERCOMING POWERÂ&#x2C6;POWER OVER SIN /R IS #HRISTIANITY BASED ON A LIE .O IT S NOT BASED ON A LIE BUT SUCH QUESTIONS ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE DISCOURAGEMENT THAT COMES FROM RECOGNIZING THE DEPTH OF OUR SIN PROBLEM CAN CAUSE MANY BEGINNING #HRISTIANS TO GIVE UP 3O HOW DOES A MATURE #HRISTIAN RELATE TO SIN IN THEIR LIFE ) WANT TO APPROACH THIS QUESTION FROM TWO ANGLES ONE THEOLOGICAL THE OTHER PRACTICAL 3IN IN -Y ,IFE Â&#x2C6;A 4HEOLOGICAL !NSWER
4HE THEOLOGICAL ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION IS TIED UP WITH THE WAY #HRISTIANS UNDERSTAND THE END OF TIME 4HEY LOOK FORWARD TO A TIME WHEN *ESUS WILL RETURN TO THIS EARTH TO MAKE A lNAL END OF SIN 4HE DEAD WILL BE RAISED THE WICKED
DESTROYED AND ALL THINGS WILL BE REMADE SO THAT 'OD S WILL WILL BE PERFECTLY REmECTED IN THE WORLD !T THAT TIME DEATH AND SIN WILL BE NO MORE 2EV 9ET WITH THE lRST COMING OF *ESUS THE BLESSINGS OF THIS NEW AGE HAVE ARRIVED )F WE BELIEVE IN (IM WE HAVE PASSED FROM DEATH TO LIFE *OHN WE IN FACT CAN HAVE ETERNAL LIFE NOW *OHN 2ESURRECTION AND ETERNAL LIFE BELONG TO THE BLESSINGS OF HEAVEN YET THE #HRISTIAN CAN ENJOY THEM NOW 4HIS ENJOYMENT HOWEVER IS BUT AN ANTICIPATION OF THE FUTURE BLESSINGS 7HEN 0AUL EXPLAINS WHY A #HRISTIAN
3IN IN -Y ,IFE Â&#x2C6;A 0RACTICAL !NSWER
)F #HRISTIANITY DID NOT BRING A CHANGE TO THE LIFE OF BELIEVERS THEN IT WOULD BE BASED ON A FALSEHOOD THAT FEW COULD ACCEPT )NDEED FOR EVERY #HRISTIAN THAT IS A HYPOCRITE WE CAN THINK OF TWO OR THREE WHO GROW MORE AND MORE LIKE THEIR ,ORD EVERY YEARÂ&#x2C6;LOVING KIND CONSIDERATE AND FREE FROM GUILE 9ET THE ISSUE OF SIN IN THE LIFE OF A #HRISTIAN REMAINS EVEN IN THE LIVES OF THE BEST #HRISTIANS ) THINK THE ANSWER LIES IN THE VIEWPOINT OF THE OBSERVER /BSERVED FROM OUTSIDE IT CAN BE SEEN THAT *ESUS HAS BROUGHT DRAMATIC CHANGES TO THE LIVES OF PEOPLE AND THAT WHILE THEY RE STILL HUMAN THE GENERAL TENOR OF THEIR LIVES IS TO BECOME MORE AND MORE LIKE *ESUS "UT IF YOU WERE TO ASK THOSE VERY PEOPLE WHAT THEIR EXPERIENCE OF COMING CLOSER TO THEIR ,ORD IS LIKE THEY LIKELY WOULD REPLY THAT THEY RE SEEING MORE AND MORE CLEARLY HOW SINFUL THEY REALLY ARE AND HOW MUCH MORE THEY NEED TO DEPEND ON *ESUS )N OTHER WORDS THEIR GROWTH AS #HRISTIANS IS IN THEIR INCREASING DEPENDENCE ON *ESUS ) DON T KNOW WHAT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A #HRISTIAN HAS BEEN LIKE BUT MINE HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS PROCESS OF RELEARNING THAT APART FROM *ESUS ) CANNOT HELP SINNING )NDEED AS ) HAVE UNDERSTOOD MORE ABOUT MYSELF ) REALIZE HOW MUCH MORE ) NEED *ESUS 3O WHAT IS IT REALLY LIKE TO BE A #HRISTIAN )T S BUILT ON THE INSIGHTS THAT lRST BROUGHT US TO #HRISTIANITY THAT WITHOUT *ESUS WE ARE LOST !S WE GROW AS #HRISTIANS WE GROW IN OUR DEPENDENCE ON #HRIST !S WE MAKE REAL IN OUR OWN LIVES THE REALITY OF THE NEW LIFE THAT *ESUS HAS BROUGHT WE WILL EXPERIENCE THE BLESSINGS OF THE AGE TO COME RIGHT HERE AND NOW WE WILL HAVE PEACE ACCEPTANCE AND JOY
#HRISTIANS ARE CHILDREN OF HOPE THEY ARE IN #HRIST WOULD NO LONGER WISH TO SIN HE DOES SO BY POINTING TO BAPTISM 7HEN WE WERE BAPTIZED WE JOINED *ESUS IN (IS DEATH 2OM 4HEN HE SAYS THAT WE ARE TO CONSIDER OURSELVES TO BE DEAD TO SIN BUT ALIVE TO *ESUS 2OM &OR 0AUL THIS IS THE SECRET OF BEING A #HRISTIAN 7E ARE STILL IN THIS AGE AND OUR SINFUL NATURES ARE STILL WITH US "UT WE ARE TO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE NEW REALITIES THAT *ESUS HAS MADE AVAILABLE TO US )N OTHER WORDS WE STILL LIVE IN THIS AGE AND BECOMING A #HRISTIAN DOES NOT CHANGE THAT 7E REMAIN CHILDREN OF !DAM "UT AS #HRISTIANS WE NOW HAVE A NEW REALITY THAT DOMINATES OUR LIVES 7E CAN LIVE IN THE BLESSINGS OF THE AGE TO COME RIGHT NOW AS WE CONSIDER OURSELVES DEAD TO SIN BUT ALIVE TO *ESUS #HRISTIANS ARE CHILDREN OF HOPE THEY ARE IN #HRIST
%XPERIENCE OF
3ALVATION
)N INlNITE LOVE AND MERCY 'OD MADE #HRIST WHO KNEW NO SIN TO BE SIN FOR US SO THAT IN (IM WE MIGHT BE MADE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF 'OD ,ED BY THE (OLY 3PIRIT WE SENSE OUR NEED ACKNOWLEDGE OUR SINFULNESS REPENT OF OUR TRANSGRESSIONS AND EXERCISE FAITH IN *ESUS AS ,ORD AND #HRIST AS 3UBSTITUTE
AND %XAMPLE 4HIS FAITH WHICH RECEIVES SALVATION COMES THROUGH THE DIVINE POWER OF THE 7ORD AND IS THE GIFT OF 'OD S GRACE 4HROUGH #HRIST WE ARE JUSTIlED ADOPTED AS 'OD S SONS AND DAUGHTERS AND DELIVERED FROM THE LORDSHIP OF SIN 4HROUGH THE 3PIRIT WE ARE BORN AGAIN AND SANCTIlED THE
3PIRIT RENEWS OUR MINDS WRITES 'OD S LAW OF LOVE IN OUR HEARTS AND WE ARE GIVEN THE POWER TO LIVE A HOLY LIFE !BIDING IN (IM WE BECOME PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE AND HAVE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION NOW AND IN THE JUDGMENT #OR *OHN 'AL 4ITUS *OHN 'AL 0ETER 2OM ,UKE -ARK %PH 2OM #OL 2OM 'AL *OHN 0ETER 2OM (EB %ZE 0ETER 2OM
*ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
3 0 ) 2 ) 4 / & 0 2 / 0 ( % # 9
/UR
ACRED 3 "Y %LLEN ' 7HITE
$O PEOPLE SEE #HRIST WHEN THEY LOOK
4
O BE A #HRISTIAN MEANS TO BE #HRISTLIKE TO FOLLOW THE 3AVIOUR &OLLOWING IMPLIES OBEDIENCE .O SOLDIER CAN FOLLOW HIS LEADER UNLESS HE OBEYS ORDERS &OLLOWING MEANS IMITATION h,EARN OF -E v THE GREAT 4EACHER SAYS TO THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN THE NAME OF #HRISTIAN +EEP YOUR EYES lXED ON THE -ODEL $O ALL THINGS FOR (IS GLORY AND IN AND THRU THE LOVE (E HAS FOR YOU 4HE #HRISTIAN IS THE WORLD S LIGHT AND THE ONLY "IBLE THAT MANY READ 4HROUGH #HRISTIANS MEN SEE 'OD (OW CAREFUL THEN SHOULD THOSE BE WHO HAVE TAKEN THE NAME OF #HRISTIAN "UT MANY PROFESSING #HRISTIANS CRUCIFY THE 3ON OF 'OD AFRESH AND PUT (IM TO OPEN SHAME (E WHO FAILS TO CORRECT THE MISTAKES
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
SHOWN HIM IN THE DIVINE MIRROR PRESENTS BEFORE THE WORLD A MISERABLE REPRESENTATION OF #HRIST !NGELS VEIL THEIR FACES IN SORROW 4HE WORLD SEES THAT HE IS NOT WHAT HE PROFESSES TO BE AND THEY TURN FROM HIM AS A COUNTERFEIT #HRISTIANS ARE EITHER UNDER #HRIST S RULE OR UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE ENEMY 4HEIR INmUENCE IS EITHER A SAVOR OF LIFE UNTO LIFE OR OF DEATH UNTO DEATH 4HEY ARE EITHER DOING POSITIVE GOOD OR INCALCULABLE HARM ,IVING AS /VERCOMERS
#HRIST S CHILDREN HAVE BEEN REDEEMED FROM 3ATAN S BONDAGE AND THEY ARE TO STAND UNDER THE BLOOD STAINED BANNER OF 0RINCE %MMANUEL WORKING WITH UNSELlSHNESS AND
lDELITY FOR THE /NE WHO OWNS THEM %VER THEY ARE TO REMEMBER THE WORDS h9E ARE NOT YOUR OWN FOR YE ARE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE THEREFORE GLORIFY 'OD IN YOUR BODY AND IN YOUR SPIRIT WHICH ARE 'OD S v 7HEN THEY TOOK THE NAME OF #HRISTIAN THEY PLEDGED THEMSELVES TO BE TRUE TO 'OD 4HEY ARE BOUND UP WITH (IM AND THE ANGELS IN FAMILY RELATION BECAUSE *ESUS HAS DELIVERED THEM FROM A TYRANT S OPPRESSION )N EVERY RESPECT THEIR ACTIONS ARE TO BE SUCH AS BECOME SAINTS $ISCARDING ALL THAT IS UNBECOMING THEY ARE TO LIVE A NEW AND HOLY LIFE "Y DOING THIS THEY SHOW THAT THEY ARE WORTHY OF THE SACRED TRUST CONFERRED UPON THEM THAT THEY HAVE BEEN BORN AGAIN NOT OF THE mESH BUT OF THE 3PIRIT THAT THEY NO
4HE GOSPEL IS THE VOICE OF DUTY ANGELS IT MAY BE REVEALED THAT #HRIST HAS NOT DIED IN VAIN
AND THE VOICE
! (IGHER #ALLING
4 ( / - ! 3 + ! 2 5 6 % , ) ,
OF 'OD
AT (IS FOLLOWERS MORE LIVE TO SELF BUT TO 'OD WHOSE THEY ARE AND WHOM THEY SERVE 0AUL SAYS h$O ALL THINGS WITHOUT MURMURINGS AND DISPUTINGS THAT YE MAY BE BLAMELESS AND HARMLESS THE SONS OF 'OD WITHOUT REBUKE IN THE MIDST OF A CROOKED AND PERVERSE NATION AMONG WHOM YE SHINE AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD v ,IKE BRAVE TRUE SOLDIERS #HRISTIANS ARE TO OBEY THE ORDERS OF THEIR #APTAIN FOR THEY HAVE MADE A SACRED PLEDGE TO RULE THEMSELVES WELL 4HEY ARE TO STRIVE EARNESTLY TO OVERCOME EVERYTHING THAT HINDERS THEM FROM FULlLLING THEIR HIGH AND HOLY RESOLVE -IND AND BODY ARE TO BE TREATED WITH THE GREATEST RESPECT FOR THEY ARE #HRIST S $AY BY DAY THEY ARE TO BE IMPROVED THAT TO THE EARNEST GAZE OF THE WATCHING
#HRISTIANS WHEN YOU TOOK THIS NAME YOU PROMISED TO PREPARE IN THIS LIFE FOR THE HIGHER LIFE IN THE KINGDOM OF 'OD 4AKE THE #HRISTLIFE AS YOUR PATTERN +EEP ETERNITY EVER IN VIEW &OLLOW RIGHTEOUS PRINCIPLES OF ACTION WHICH WITH THEIR RElNING ENNOBLING INmUENCE WILL RESTORE IN MAN THE MORAL IMAGE OF 'OD !S BY FAITH WE ADOPT THE PRINCIPLES WHICH ARE AN EXPRESSION OF THE LIFE OF #HRIST THEY ARE IN THE SOUL AS A WELL OF WATER SPRINGING UP UNTO EVERLASTING LIFE 4HE SOUL OVERmOWS WITH THE RICHES OF THE GRACE OF #HRIST AND THE OVERmOW REFRESHES OTHER SOULS 4HUS MAY THE HUMAN AGENT SHOW THAT HE IS KEEPING THE PLEDGE HE HAS MADE 4HUS HE MAY WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH #HRIST SHOWING TO THE WORLD WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A #HRISTIAN 4HE GOSPEL IS THE VOICE OF DUTY AND THE VOICE OF 'OD 7HAT IS MEANT BY A FAILURE TO OBEY ITS PRINCIPLES IS SHOWN IN THE HISTORY OF 3ATAN WHO FOR HIS DISOBEDIENCE WAS CAST OUT OF HEAVEN 4HE HIGHEST GIFTS THAT COULD BE BESTOWED IN A CREATED BEING WERE GIVEN TO ,UCIFER THE COVERING CHERUB "EFORE HIS FALL HE WAS A GLORIOUS BEING OCCUPYING A POSITION NEXT TO #HRIST IN THE HEAVENLY COURTS "UT IN SEEKING TO BE EQUAL WITH 'OD HE BROUGHT UPON HIMSELF IRRETRIEVABLE RUIN 7ITH THIS LESSON BEFORE US LET US HIDE OURSELVES IN #HRIST (E IS THE SOURCE OF ALL WISDOM AND POWER "EHOLD IN THE CROSS OF #ALVARY THE GUARANTEE FOR OUR SALVATION "EHOLD THE 3AVIOUR GIVING (IS LIFE FOR US THAT WE MIGHT BE #HRISTIANS ,IVING AS (E ,IVED
4HOSE WHO LIVE THE LIFE OF A #HRISTIAN ARE BATTLING AGAINST THE DEVIL S LIEÂ&#x2C6;THAT MAN CANNOT KEEP
'OD S LAW #AN WE DOUBT THE RESULT OF THIS CONmICT 'OD LIVES 'OD REIGNS AND DAILY (E IS WORKING (IS MIRACLES h4HEY THAT ARE #HRIST S HAVE CRUCIlED THE mESH WITH THE AFFECTIONS AND LUSTS v "EFORE THE UNIVERSE THEY SHOW THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO LIVE OUT THE WORDS h7HATSOEVER THINGS ARE TRUE WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE HONEST WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE JUST WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE PURE WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE LOVELY WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE OF GOOD REPORT xTHINK ON THESE THINGS v h,OVE JOY PEACE LONG SUFFERING GENTLENESS GOODNESS FAITH MEEKNESS TEMPERANCEvÂ&#x2C6;THESE ARE THE FRUIT OF THE #HRISTIAN TREE 4HE TREE THAT BEARS ONLY LEAVES THE LIFE THAT HAS ONLY PROFESSION MUST BE WITHERED BY THE CURSE OF 'OD EVEN AS THE FRUITLESS TREE WHICH mAUNTED ITS ABUNDANT FOLIAGE BEFORE THE 3AVIOUR 'OD HELP US TO BE TRUE #HRISTIANS CONSISTENT TODAY CONSISTENT TOMORROW UPRIGHT IN ACTION KINDLY IN WORD PURE IN THOUGHT 4HE TRUE #HRISTIAN LIVES THE #HRIST LIFE )N ALL HIS TRANSACTIONS HE LIFTS THE BANNER OF THE CROSS )F HE IS MISUNDERSTOOD HE TAKES NO OFFENSE BUT PURSUES THE EVEN TENOR OF HIS WAY (E IS KIND THOUGHTFUL AND FORBEARING (E CLOSELY EXAMINES HIMSELF LEST IN WORD OR DEED HE SHALL DENY HIS ,ORD (E CHOOSES 'OD S WAY %ACH DAY OF HIS LIFE HE UNSELlSHLY MINISTERS TO OTHERS 4HE LIGHT THAT IS IN HIM SHINES FORTH AND HE STILLS THE STRIFE OF TONGUES $AY BY DAY THOUGH UNCONSCIOUSLY TO HIMSELF HE IS WORKING OUT BEFORE MEN AND ANGELS A VAST SUBLIME EXPERIMENT (E IS SHOWING WHAT THE GOSPEL CAN DO FOR FALLEN HUMAN BEINGS
4HIS ARTICLE lRST APPEARED IN THE 3IGNS OF THE 4IMES *ULY 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS BELIEVE THAT %LLEN ' 7HITE EX ERCISED THE BIBLICAL GIFT OF PROPHECY DURING MORE THAN YEARS OF PUBLIC MINISTRY
*ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
! $ 6 % . 4 ) 3 4 3 % 2 6 ) # %
h7HY SHOULD NOT THE MEMBERS OF A CHURCH OR OF SEVERAL SMALL CHURCHES UNITE TO SUSTAIN A MISSIONARY IN FOREIGN lELDS v ASKED !DVENTIST PIONEER %LLEN 7HITE 'OSPEL 7ORKERS P 4HE 2ADOI FAMILY NEEDED A HELPING HAND 4HE HUSBAND AND WIFE AND THEIR EIGHT YOUNG CHILDREN LIVED IN A SMALL 2OMANIAN VILLAGE IN ONE ROOM OF AN OLD HOUSE SAYS #RISTIAN -ODAN 2OMANIA S YOUTH DIRECTOR AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAM ASSISTANT %VEN WORSE THE HOUSE WAS UNLIVABLE h4HERE WERE NO WINDOWS AND THE ROOF WAS LEAKING v SAYS -ODAN h"ECAUSE OF THIS TWO OF THE SMALL CHILDREN WERE ALREADY SICK 4HE FATHER SICK WITH TUBERCULOSIS COULD NOT WORK SO THE MOTHER WAS LEFT TO lND WORK EVERY DAY WHEREVER SHE COULD v ,IFE CONTINUED LIKE THIS FOR THE 2ADOI FAMILY UNTIL A GROUP OF YOUNG 2OMANIAN VOLUNTEERS BANDED TOGETHER TO HELP 4HROUGH FUND RAISING SAYS -ODAN hTHE VOLUNTEERS RAISED EUROS AND BOUGHT A HOUSE FOR THE FAMILY v *UST WHO ARE THESE VOLUNTEERS WHO WERE ABLE TO MAKE SUCH A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF ONE 2OMANIAN FAMILY 4HEY ARE A SMALL SAMPLE OF PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD WHO ARE CURRENTLY TAKING PART IN (IS(ANDS AN !DVENTIST 6OLUNTEER 3ERVICE INITIATIVE THAT SEEKS TO HELP VOLUNTEERS SERVE AS 'OD S HANDS IN A WORLD OF NEED "ORN OF .ECESSITY
&IRST IMPLEMENTED IN LATE THE (IS(ANDS PROGRAM WAS INSPIRED BY THE (OLY 3PIRIT AND THE ACUTE NEED FOR !DVENTIST VOLUNTEERS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD BUT ESPECIALLY IN PLACES SUCH AS #AMEROON AND #¯TE D )VOIRE IN 7EST !FRICA SAYS 6ERNON 0ARMENTER 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE DIRECTOR OF THE !DVENTIST 6OLUNTEER #ENTER 7ITH THE HELP OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE 0ARMENTER WAS ABLE TO DEVELOP IT INTO A SIGNIlCANT OUTREACH TOOL 4HE INITIAL IDEA OF (IS(ANDS WAS
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
S E R V I N G A S
GOD S
AND ( "Y *ILL 7ALKER 'ONZALEZ
!DVENTISTS AROUND THE WORLD ARE SERVING OTHERS IN 'OD S NAME
THAT CHURCHES OR ORGANIZATIONS IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES COULD SPONSOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH SPECIlC LONG TERM MISSIONARY PROJECTS OVERSEAS !LL EXPENSES WOULD BE PAID BY THE SPONSORING CHURCH OR INSTITUTION SO THAT CALLING ORGANIZATIONS COULD RECEIVE THE VOLUNTEER MISSIONARIES AT NO COST 4HIS WOULD BE IDEAL FOR ALL THOSE ORGANIZATIONS THAT NEEDED THE HELP OF VOLUNTEERS BUT COULDN T AFFORD THE COSTS OF HOSTING THEM 7HEN (IS(ANDS WAS PRESENTED IN .IGERIA IT CAUGHT ON QUICKLY BUT WITH A TWIST 'IDEON # .WAOGWUGWU PRESIDENT OF THE %ASTERN .IGERIA 5NION -ISSION %.5- SAYS THAT BECAUSE MISSIONARIES RARELY CAME TO .IGERIA hWE DECIDED THAT WE DIDN T NECESSARILY NEED MISSIONARIES FROM OVERSEAS 7E HAD MISSIONARIES RIGHT HERE ALREADY IN OUR OWN CHURCHES v 7ITH THIS IN MIND %.5- STARTED THE PROGRAM WITH .IGERIAN CHURCHES SPONSORING .IGERIAN (IS(ANDS VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH PROJECTS IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY !S A RESULT .IGERIAN (IS(ANDS VOLUNTEERS HAVE MADE A SUBSTANTIAL
AND ONGOING CONTRIBUTION . *OHN %NANG VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR FOR THE 7EST #ENTRAL !FRICA $IVISION 7!$ REPORTS THAT A TOTAL OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED THERE AS A RESULT OF PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY (IS(ANDS VOLUNTEERS /NE SUCH PROJECT WAS AN EVANGELISTIC SERIES LATE LAST YEAR IN /KOITA .IGERIA 4HE STORY STARTS IN ACTUALITY LONG BEFORE THE CAMPAIGN "ASSEY 5DOH EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF %.5- RELATES THAT MONTHS IN ADVANCE OF THE SERIES EIGHT (IS(ANDS VOLUNTEERS HAD BEEN SPONSORED TO GO TO /KOITA h4HEY WENT ROUND THE TOWN GIVING "IBLE STUDIES AND INTERACTING WITH PEOPLE v HE SAYS "Y THE TIME THE MEETINGS STARTED THE TOWN WHICH ACCORDING TO 5DOH HAD BEEN hVERY RESISTANT TO THE !DVENTIST MESSAGE v SEEMED READY TO HEAR WHAT THE SPEAKERS HAD TO SAY h$AILY ATTENDANCE WAS OVER PEOPLE v EXCLAIMS 5DOH h4HIS TYPE OF TURNOUT HAS NEVER BEEN EXPERIENCED BEFORE IN THIS TERRITORY EVEN WHERE WE HAVE ;A= STRONG !DVENTIST PRESENCE -ANY ARE ALREADY INDICATING AN INTEREST IN BAPTISM v
"ELOW 4(% %80!.$).' !$6%.4)34 7/2,$ 4HESE NEW BELIEVERS IN /KOITA .IGERIA DISPLAY THEIR BAPTISMAL CERTIlCATES AND COPIES OF !DVENTIST 7ORLD 4HEY WERE BAPTIZED AS PART OF THE EVANGELISTIC MEETINGS CONDUCTED BY (IS(ANDS VOLUNTEERS
S
!BOVE ! "%44%2 "5),$).' )N A ROOM OF THE OLD HOUSE WHERE THE 2ADOI FAMILY HAD BEEN LIVING VOLUNTEERS GET READY TO MOVE THEM TO A BETTER MORE HOSPITABLE HOME
# / 2 ) . ! 2 5 3 : ! ! . $ - ! $ ! , ) . 6 / ) . % !
4HE .EXT 3TEP
!S 0ARMENTER OBSERVED WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN .IGERIA HE AGAIN FELT IMPRESSED TO RETHINK THE STRATEGY OF THE PROGRAM (E REALIZED THAT (IS(ANDS VOLUNTEERS NEED NOT ONLY GO FROM DEVELOPED COUNTRIES TO UNDEVELOPED COUNTRIES THEY COULD BE SPONSORED BY THEIR HOME CHURCHES TO HELP OUT WITH MISSION PROJECTS IN THEIR OWN COUNTRIES OR DIVISIONS 4HIS IS HOW IT HAPPENS ALREADYÂ&#x2C6;NOT ONLY IN .IGERIA AND 2OMANIA BUT IN OTHER COUNTRIES AS WELL (IS(ANDS IS OFF TO A GOOD START IN THE %URO !SIA $IVISION %3$ !CCORDING TO -ICHAEL +AMINSKY VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR AND EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF %3$ EXCITING REPORTS FROM THE (IS(ANDS PROGRAM HAVE COME IN FROM ALL OVER THE DIVISION (IS(ANDS VOLUNTEERS IN "ELARUS HAVE INTRODUCED 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISM IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS SAYS +AMINSKY AND AS A RESULT INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED +AMINSKY TELLS A STORY OF A (IS(ANDS VOLUNTEER FROM -OLDOVA h)N THE VILLAGE OF +ISHKAREN IN -OLDOVA 9ESHANU +ONSTANTIN WAS INVITED BY A 0ENTECOSTAL FAMILY TO
COME TO THEIR CHURCH +ONSTANTIN SOON BECAME FRIENDS WITH THE ELDER OF THE CHURCH AND WAS ASKED TO PREACH A SERMON THERE )N HIS SERMON +ONSTANTIN USED 2EVELATION 3EMINAR MATERIALS 4HE CHURCH MEMBERS LISTENED CAREFULLY AND TRIED TO WRITE DOWN EVERY WORD HE SAID /NE WOMAN WAS SO INTERESTED IN THE MESSAGE SHE ASKED +ONSTANTIN TO CONDUCT A 2EVELATION 3EMINAR FOR HER FAMILY +ONSTANTIN OF COURSE CONDUCTED THE SEMINAR AND AS A RESULT THE ENTIRE FAMILY JOINED THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH v 9ESHANU +ONSTANTIN IS ONLY ONE 9ET THROUGH THE (IS(ANDS PROGRAM HE IS DOING A MIGHTY WORKÂ&#x2C6;THE WORK OF 'OD S HANDS -ORE /PPORTUNITIES
!ROUND THE WORLD OTHERS ARE ALSO OFFERING THEMSELVES AND THEIR TALENTS TO DO THE WORK OF (IS(ANDS 4HOUGH THE PROGRAM IS STILL RELATIVELY NEW PROGRAM LEADERS HAVE ALREADY STARTED (IS(ANDS RELATED ACTIVITIES IN lVE DIVISIONS AND A RICH HARVEST OF BELIEVERS IS ALREADY BEING REAPED AS
A RESULT !FTER ONLY A FEW MONTHS AT LEAST PEOPLE HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED !ND THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING /THER DIVISIONS SUCH AS THE .ORTHERN !SIA 0ACIlC $IVISION .3$ ARE STILL PLANNING AND GEARING UP FOR (IS(ANDS PROGRAMS OF THEIR OWN 7HETHER (IS(ANDS VOLUNTEERS COME FROM OUR OWN BACKYARDS OR FROM OTHER DIVISIONS THE (OLY 3PIRIT WILL LEAD MORE OF THEM TO SERVE 4HEIR WORK SPEAKS FOR ITSELF ONE CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAPPEN WHEN THOUSANDS MORE COMMIT THEMSELVES TO SPREADING THE GOSPEL BY THE POWER OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT 4O LEARN MORE ABOUT THE (IS(ANDS PROGRAM VISIT HISHANDS ADVENTIST ORG (ERE DIVISIONS CAN LEARN HOW TO ADVERTISE THEIR NEEDS AND CHURCHES ORGANIZATIONS CAN ADOPT A PROJECT
*ILL 7ALKER 'ONZALEZ IS ASSISTANT VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR AT !DVENTIST 6OLUNTEER 3ERVICES AT THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE
*ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
")",% 15%34)/.3 15%34)/. 7HAT BIBLICAL SYMBOLISM IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FOUR CARDINAL DIRECTIONS
RETURN TO THE 'ARDEN OF %DEN 7HEN THE )SRAELITES TRAVELED TO AND WORSHIPPED IN THE 4EMPLE THEY FACED THE WEST AND HAD THE RISING SUN BEHIND THEM 4HIS MOVEMENT TO THE WEST BEGAN WITH !BRAM WHO LEFT THE EAST AND WENT TO ARDINAL COMPASS POINTS IN THE "IBLE ARE RICH IN #ANAAN IN THE WEST IN OBEDIENCE TO 'OD 'EN )T IS MEANING +NOWING THEIR SYMBOLISM CAN HELP A SYMBOL OF DIVINE BLESSING /NCE THE EXILES WERE LIBERATED INTERPRET SOME BIBLICAL PASSAGES 7E OFTEN ORIENT FROM THEIR ENEMIES IN THE EAST THEY TRAVELED WEST TO THE OURSELVES BY FACING NORTH )N THE ANCIENT WORLD THE POINT OF ORIENTATION WAS EAST 4HE EAST WAS BEFORE THEM THE WEST LAND OF )SRAEL )N THAT JOURNEY THE ,ORD (IMSELF TRAVELED BEHIND THE SOUTH TO THE RIGHT AND THE NORTH TO THE LEFT 4HE WITH THEM %ZE 4HE .ORTH "IBLE STUDENTS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT THE FUTURE WASN T IN FRONT BUT BEHIND THAT IS TO SAY INVISIBLE NORTH IS A SYMBOL OF THE PERMANENT OR THE ETERNAL PERHAPS 4HE %AST 4HE IMPORTANCE OF THE EAST AS THE MAIN POINT OF ORIENTATION MAY BE RELATED TO THE RISING OF THE SUN BECAUSE THE POLAR STARS WERE PERMANENTLY VISIBLE IN THE SKY )T IS THE PLACE OF 'OD S CELESTIAL DWELLING )SA AND AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN THE RELIGIONS OF THE ANCIENT .EAR FROM WHICH (IS GLORY DESCENDS *OB WITH BLESSINGS %AST )N THE "IBLE ITS SYMBOLISM EMERGES FOR THE lRST TIME OR JUDGMENTS %ZE IN 'ENESIS 4HE 'ARDEN (E IS THE TRUE +ING OF OF %DEN WAS PLACED IN THE THE .ORTH %AST CHAP AND ITS "UT THE NORTHÂ&#x2C6; ENTRANCE FACED THE EAST REPRESENTED BY THE LEFT CHAP !FTER SINNING HANDÂ&#x2C6;IS ALSO A SYMBOL !DAM AND %VE LEFT THE OF DISASTER 4HE ENEMY GARDEN AND WENT TOWARD OF 'OD S PEOPLE CAME THE EAST CHAP FROM THE NORTH *ER 4HIS EASTWARD MOVEMENT %ZE BRINGING CONTINUED WITH #AIN CHAP DESTRUCTION )N A SENSE AND CULMINATED THE ENEMY WAS THE FALSE IN THE MOVEMENT OF THE KING OF THE NORTH WHO HUMAN RACE TOWARD THE "Y !NGEL -ANUEL 2ODR¤GUEZ TRIED TO USURP 'OD S ROLE EAST CHAP AND IS lNALLY DESTROYED 7ITHIN THIS CONTEXT BY THE ,ORD :EPH THE EAST IS SYMBOLICALLY $AN AMBIVALENT 4HE GARDEN 4HE 3OUTH 4HE PLACED THERE SYMBOLIZED SOUTH IS PRIMARILY A NEGATIVE SYMBOL "UT THE FACT THAT IT SAFETY AND SECURITY !FTER SIN WHEN IT WAS THE DIRECTION IS REPRESENTED BY THE RIGHT HAND MAKES IT ALSO A POSITIVE OF THE EXILE IT REPRESENTED A CONDITION OF ALIENATION ONE )T IS NEGATIVE BECAUSE TO THE SOUTH OF )SRAEL WAS THE FROM 'OD )T WAS ALSO THE PLACE OF THE WILDERNESS FROM WILDERNESS A REGION WHERE LIFE DOES NOT PROSPER )SA WHICH DESTRUCTIVE WINDS CAME THREATENING LIFE 0S 4O THE SOUTH WAS %GYPT WHICH OPPOSED 'OD S POWER AND %ZE 4O THE PROPHETS THE EAST WAS A SYMBOL OF OPPRESSED (IS PEOPLE "UT THE SOUTH WAS ALSO THE PLACE "ABYLONIAN EXILE AND THE SAVING PRESENCE OF 'OD (E WHERE THE ,ORD APPEARED TO -OSES WENT WITH (IM TO TRAVELED TO "ABYLON AND ULTIMATELY REDEEMED (IS PEOPLE %GYPT LIBERATED (IS PEOPLE AND APPEARED TO THEM ON %ZE 4HE EAST BECAME A PLACE WHERE -OUNT 3INAI E G $EUT 'OD INTERVENED ON BEHALF OF (IS PEOPLE BRINGING THEM 4HE AMBIVALENT NATURE OF THE SYMBOLS OF THE FOUR SALVATION CF 2EV CARDINAL DIRECTIONS SEEMS BASED ON THE FACT THAT EVIL WAS 4HE 7EST 4HE WEST SYMBOLIZES BOTH NEGATIVE AND PERCEIVED TO BE PRESENT EVERYWHERE AND THAT 'OD S SAVING POSITIVE ELEMENTS 4O THE WEST OF THE LAND WAS THE SEA PRESENCE WAS ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE TO (IS PEOPLE FROM ANY REPRESENTING EVIL AND DEATH $AN )N FACT THE TERM hSEAv OFTEN REFERRED TO THE WEST .UM )T IS ALSO THE PLACE CORNER OF THE WORLD 0S )N A SENSE THEY POINTED BEYOND THE POINTS OF THE COMPASS TO THE COSMIC CONmICT OF DARKNESS BECAUSE THAT S WHERE THE SUN SETS 0S BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL 4HE POSITIVE MEANING IS ITS ASSOCIATION WITH THE )SRAELITE TABERNACLE 4EMPLE !LTHOUGH IT FACED EAST ACCESS TO IT REQUIRED MOVEMENT TOWARD THE WEST )N THAT !NGEL -ANUEL 2ODRÃ&#x201C;GUEZ IS DIRECTOR OF THE "IBLICAL 2ESEARCH SENSE THE WEST POINTED TOWARD RESTORED UNITY WITH 'OD A )NSTITUTE OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE
#
OVE ,IN !NY
$IRECTION
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
*ESUS
T HE
" ) " , % 3 4 5 $ 9
-IGHTY #ONQUEROR "Y -ARK ! &INLEY
/UR PLANET HAS BECOME A WAR ZONE !LL AROUND US THERE IS A STRUGGLE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL A COSMIC BATTLE BETWEEN #HRIST AND 3ATAN 4HROUGHOUT THE CENTURIES *ESUS HAS ALWAYS BEEN VICTORIOUS OVER 3ATAN !T TIMES IT APPEARS THAT THE POWERS OF HELL HAVE TRIUMPHED BUT *ESUS IS CONSTANTLY WORKING TO ACCOMPLISH (IS PURPOSES
(OW DOES THE APOSTLE 0AUL DESCRIBE THE REALITY OF THIS SPIRITUAL WARFARE 2EAD THE TEXT AND WRITE YOUR ANSWER ON THE LINE BELOW h&OR WE DO NOT WRESTLE AGAINST mESH AND BLOOD BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES AGAINST POWERS AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS AGE AGAINST SPIRITUAL HOSTS OF WICKEDNESS IN THE HEAVENLY PLACESv %PH /UR SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS AGAINST A B C
7HERE DID THIS CONmICT BEGIN 2EAD THE TEXT BELOW AND lLL IN THE BLANK h!ND WAR BROKE OUT IN HEAVEN -ICHAEL AND HIS ANGELS FOUGHT AGAINST THE DRAGON AND THE DRAGON AND HIS ANGELS FOUGHTv 2EV 4HE lRST WAR BEGAN IN
,UCIFER A PERFECT BEING OF DAZZLING BRIGHTNESS REBELLED AGAINST 'OD (E SOWED SEEDS OF REBELLION IN THE UNIVERSE 4HE REASON THERE ARE WARS ON EARTH IS BECAUSE THERE WAS lRST WAR IN HEAVEN
7HAT WORDS FROM THE BOOK OF 2EVELATION WARN THE PEOPLE OF THIS EARTH ABOUT THE COSMIC STRUGGLE IN WHICH WE ARE NOW INVOLVED 2EAD THE TEXT BELOW AND lLL IN THE BLANKS h7OE TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH AND THE SEA &OR THE DEVIL HAS COME DOWN TO YOU HAVING GREAT WRATH BECAUSE HE KNOWS THAT HE HAS A SHORT TIMEv 2EV h &OR THE DEVIL HAS COME DOWN TO YOU HAVING
TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH AND THE SEA v
*ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
7HY DID *ESUS COME TO THIS WORLD 2EAD THE TEXT BELOW AND CIRCLE THE ANSWER h&OR THIS PURPOSE THE 3ON OF 'OD WAS MANIFESTED THAT (E MIGHT DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVILv *OHN
(OW DID *ESUS DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL 2EAD THE TEXT BELOW AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS h&OR (E MADE (IM WHO KNEW NO SIN TO BE SIN FOR US THAT WE MIGHT BECOME THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF 'OD IN (IMv #OR A $ID *ESUS EVER SIN
B $ID *ESUS BECOME SIN FOR US
9%3
./
9%3
./
C 3INCE *ESUS BECAME SIN FOR US WHAT CAN WE RECEIVE FROM (IM
*ESUS LIVED A PERFECT SINLESS LIFE (E FACED THE TEMPTATIONS OF 3ATAN HEAD ON AND DEFEATED THE DEVIL ON OUR BEHALF /UR WONDERFUL 3AVIOR BORE THE GUILT AND SHAME OF OUR SIN TO THE CROSS 4HROUGH (IS DEATH WE RECEIVE LIFE
7HAT DID OUR ,ORD PROMISE EACH OF THOSE WHO ACCEPT (IM 2EAD THE TEXT AND lLL IN THE BLANK BELOW h"UT AS MANY AS RECEIVED (IM TO THEM (E GAVE THE RIGHT TO BECOME CHILDREN OF 'OD EVEN TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN (IS NAMEv *OHN 4O RECEIVE *ESUS IS TO BECOME
*ESUS IS A MIGHTY CONQUEROR (IS DEATH RESCUES US FROM THE AUTHORITY OF 3ATAN AND GIVES US AUTHORITY TO BECOME 'OD S CHILDREN
7HAT IS 'OD S PROMISE TO (IS CHILDREN 2EAD THE TEXT AND lLL IN THE BLANKS h&OR WHATEVER IS BORN OF 'OD OVERCOMES THE WORLD !ND THIS IS THE VICTORY THAT HAS OVERCOME THE WORLDÂ&#x2C6;OUR FAITHv *OHN 4HROUGH *ESUS WE TOO CAN BE
6ICTORY OVER THE POWER OF 3ATAN COMES THROUGH
4HE "IBLE S LAST BOOK 2EVELATION DESCRIBES 'OD S END TIME PEOPLE AS OVERCOMERS 2EV )N EARTH S lNAL CONmICT THE ,AMB *ESUS OVERCOMES THE DRAGON 3ATAN 2EV 4HROUGHOUT 2EVELATION 'OD S PEOPLE ARE VICTORIOUS 3ATAN IS POWERLESS AGAINST THEM (ERE IS THE WONDERFUL INCREDIBLE GOOD NEWS THROUGH *ESUS ALL THE DEVIL S CHAINS ARE BROKEN 4HROUGH *ESUS WE ARE VICTORIOUS
.EXT MONTH WE WILL EXPLORE MORE OF 'OD S PROMISES FOR LIVING THE #HRISTIAN LIFE !DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
,%44%23 #ELEBRITY #ULTURE 2EVISITED
) AM WRITING ABOUT THE ARTICLE h#ELEBRITY #ULTURE v BY $AVID . -ARSHALL IN THE /CTOBER !DVENTIST 7ORLD 4HANK YOU FOR THIS TIMELY ARTICLE 4HE ALLURE OF hSTARDOMv IS RAMPANT IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY 5NFORTUNATELY IT HAS FOUND ITS WAY INTO THE CHURCH )N FACT %LLEN 7HITE STATED IN FORCEFUL TONE h) LIFT MY VOICE OF WARNING AGAINST PRAISING OR mATTERING THE MINISTERS ) HAVE SEEN THE EVIL THE DREADFUL EVIL OF THIS .EVER NEVER SPEAK A WORD IN PRAISE OF MINISTERS TO THEIR FACES %XALT 'OD %VER RESPECT A FAITHFUL MINISTER REALIZE HIS BURDENS AND LIGHTEN THEM IF YOU CAN BUT DO NOT mATTER HIM FOR 3ATAN STANDS READY AT HIS WATCHTOWER TO DO THAT KIND OF WORK HIMSELF v 4ESTIMONIES VOL P 4HAT IS NOT TO SAY THAT WE SHOULDN T LET THE PASTOR KNOW THAT HIS COMMENTS HAVE HELPED US IN OUR JOURNEY FROM TIME TO TIME IF INDEED THEY HAVE )N ADDITION CONCERNING -ARSHALL S STATEMENT THAT THE hINAPPROPRIATE @LIFTING UP IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE PREACHER x 4HE FAULT IS IN THE ATTITUDES OF THE LISTENERS TOWARD THE PREACHER v LET ME SAY THAT AT TIMES THE PREACHER DOES SHARE SOME CULPABILITY HERE !S A PASTOR MYSELF ) AM AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF GUARDING AGAINST THIS MENTALITY WHILE STANDING IN THE SACRED DESK ) NEED TO ALWAYS BE CAREFUL NOT TO SPEAK OR LEAD THE CONGREGATION IN SUCH A WAY THAT WOULD FOSTER SUCH A RESPONSE AS TO CALL ATTENTION TO MYSELF RATHER THAN TO #HRIST
0LEASE DO NOT ALLOW MY TAKING ISSUE ON THIS ONE POINT TO CLOUD IN ANY WAY MY APPRECIATION FOR THE UNIQUE AND POWERFUL PERSPECTIVE THAT -ARSHALL MADE IN HIS ARTICLE $AVE -OENCH 7ASHINGTON 5NITED 3TATES ) HAD JUST READ THE CHAPTER IN 4HE $ESIRE OF !GES ENTITLED h(E -UST )NCREASE v AND $AVID . -ARSHALL S ARTICLE HELPED ME TO APPLY THE PRINCIPLES TO MYSELF ) EVALUATED MY RECENT ELATION IN THE PRESENCE OF TWO OF OUR h!DVENTIST 'REATS v AND REMEMBER HOW ) FELT AND ACTED ) lND MYSELF GUILTY AS CHARGED *OHN THE "APTIST HAD TO REMIND HIS FOLLOWERS THAT IT WAS *ESUS WHO WAS TO BE LIFTED UP NOT *OHN THE "APTIST )T WASN T *OHN S FAULT THAT THE PEOPLE IDOLIZED HIM BUT HE GENTLY REDIRECTED THEIR ADORATION TO *ESUS 4HANK YOU FOR REDIRECTING ME TO (IM AS WELL +ATHY ,OEWEN /REGON 5NITED 3TATES ! #ONCERT 4HREE 'IRLS AND A 0REACHER
) WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND -ARK &INLEY FOR HIS ARTICLE h! 2OCK #ONCERT 4HREE 'IRLS AND A #ONFUSED 0REACHERv 3EPTEMBER !DVENTIST 7ORLD ) TOO BELIEVE AS &INLEY CONCLUDES THE ARTICLE THAT hWE SERVE A GREAT BIG 'OD WHO WORKS IN WAYS THAT WE CANNOT UNDERSTAND v
4HE "IBLE IS REPLETE WITH TRUE TO LIFE STORIES OF 'OD S PEOPLE WHO TRUSTED (IM AND MADE IT TO A REWARDING ENDING 4HE STORY OF *OSEPH PROVES ONE THING TRUST IN 'OD IS REWARDED 7HO WOULD EVER BELIEVE THAT *OSEPH WOULD BECOME A GREAT GOVERNOR AND PRIME MINISTER OF ALL %GYPT AFTER HIS BROTHERS SOLD HIM TO THE )SHMAELITES THEN THE )SHMAELITES TO 0OTIPHAR &ROM THERE AS A SLAVE *OSEPH WAS THROWN INTO PRISON "UT 'OD WAS WITH *OSEPH AND IN ALL HE DID HE WAS GUIDED BY THE ALL POWERFUL 'OD WHOM WE ALSO SERVE IN THESE LAST DAYS *OSEPH S PASSION AND MISSION ARE NOT DIFFERENT FROM OURS )F WE ANALYZE HIS TUMULTUOUS LIFE WE CAN CONCLUDE THAT HE PASSED ALL THE TESTS AND TRIALS HE BRAVELY FACED )N THE END HE WAS REWARDED BECAUSE OF HIS TRUSTWORTHINESS AS A MAN OF 'OD ,ARRY 2 6ALOROZO .EW 9ORK 5NITED 3TATES 4HE 2IGHT -ESSAGE AND THE 2IGHT 4IME
4HANK YOU FOR THE MINISTRY YOU PROVIDE THROUGH !DVENTIST 7ORLD )T S GREAT WORK DONE )T ENLIGHTENS ME MUCH MORE OF THE MINISTRY IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE WORLD ALTHOUGH ) AM MUCH MORE INTERESTED IN THE EXPERIENCES OF THE MINISTRY IN UNENTERED AREAS &OR THAT REASON ALLOW ME TO PASS MY SPECIAL THANKS FOR THE 3EPTEMBER ISSUE TO 'ARY 3WANSON ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE 3ABBATH 3CHOOL AND 0ERSONAL -INISTRIES $EPARTMENT FOR THE ARTICLE h4HE 2OAD TO #LARITYv
*ANUARY \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
,%44%23 "ETTINA +RAUSE SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD CHURCH OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS FOR THE CHURCH PLANTING MOVEMENT IN UNENTERED AREAS AND !BRAHAM (ENRY S EXPERIENCE MENTIONED IN h4ELL THE 7ORLDv AND -IRIAM 4AYLOR WHO GOT ME THINKING WITH HER ARTICLE h+EEP -Y &EET v !LL THESE ARTICLES WERE A SPECIAL BLESSING ESPECIALLY SINCE THE MAGAZINE IS RARELY RECEIVED HERE OR IT ARRIVES LATE 0RAY FOR US AS WE PRAY FOR YOU 'EOFFREY ,WOKYAZA *INJA 5GANDA !LL !RE 'IFTED
'REETINGS TO YOU IN THE NAME OF OUR ,ORD *ESUS #HRIST ) AM WRITING TO YOU
ABOUT THE &EBRUARY !DVENTIST 7ORLD ARTICLE h!LL !RE 'IFTED v BY %LLEN 7HITE )F ONLY A LOT OF #HRISTIANS WERE WILLING TO GROW IN THE 7ORD OF 'OD AS -RS 7HITE DESCRIBES )T WOULD HELP IN WINNING SOULS )T WOULD ALSO BENElT THESE #HRISTIANS IN CARRYING OUT THEIR DIFFERENT GIFTS AS THEY HELP BUILD THE KINGDOM OF 'OD ) M HAPPY TO COME ACROSS SUCH A MAGAZINE AND ) BELIEVE THAT MANY WHO TAKE THEIR TIME TO READ IT WILL KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO BE IN #HRIST AND LIVE FOR (IM BECAUSE THERE IS NO GAIN IN THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD WHEN YOU DON T HAVE #HRIST 'OD BLESS YOU FOR GIVING US THIS MESSAGE +EEP IT UP / / /BAFEMI 6IA % MAIL
-ESSAGES OF 4HANKS
) WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME ENOUGH KNOWLEDGE ;IN THE PAGES OF !DVENTIST 7ORLD= IN ORDER FOR ME TO STRENGTHEN MY SPIRITUAL BELIEFS 3HERWIN 3OLLANO 0HILIPPINES ) THINK IT IS SUCH A BLESSING TO HAVE THE !DVENTIST 7ORLD MAGAZINE ONLINE WWW ADVENTISTWORLD ORG 4HANK YOU SO MUCH FOR A JOB WELL DONE -ARLENE "ACCHUS -ARYLAND 5NITED 3TATES ,ETTERS 0OLICY 0LEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO THE EDITOR TO LETTERS ADVENTISTWORLD ORG ,ETTERS MUST BE CLEARLY WRITTEN AND TO THE POINT WORD MAXIMUM "E SURE TO INCLUDE THE NAME OF THE ARTICLE THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND PAGE NUMBER WITH YOUR LETTER !LSO INCLUDE YOUR NAME THE TOWN CITY STATE AND COUNTRY FROM WHICH YOU ARE WRITING ,ETTERS WILL BE EDITED FOR SPACE AND CLARITY .OT ALL LETTERS SUBMITTED WILL BE PUBLISHED
4 ( % 0 , ! # % / & 0 2 !9 % 2 /UR LOCAL CHURCH IS GOING THROUGH INTERNAL MISUNDERSTANDINGS 0LEASE INCLUDE US IN YOUR PRAYERS !LSO PRAY FOR ME AS ) AM STRUGGLING TO MEET MY LIFE S STRATEGIC GOALS 0HALULA VIA E MAIL 0RAY FOR ME TO GET A JOB AND BE STRONG IN FAITH :ACHARY +ENYA &OR A LONG TIME NOW THERE HAS BEEN CONmICT BETWEEN #HRISTIANS AND IDOL WORSHIPPERS WHERE ) LIVE 4HIS PAST *UNE AN h)BONOv FESTIVAL WAS HELD IN WHICH MEN AND WOMEN ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO SEE EACH OTHER 7E DECIDED TO CHANGE OUR WORSHIP TIME SO WE AS A CHURCH COULD MEET TOGETHER BUT UNFORTUNATELY THESE IDOL WORSHIPPERS GOT INFORMATION ABOUT OUR NEW
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ *ANUARY
TIMETABLE AND STORMED OUR SMALL HALL DESTROYING OUR DOORS WINDOWS AND ROOFS 3OME OF US WERE INJURED 7E WERE TOO SMALL TO lGHT THEM SO WE LEFT EVERYTHING IN THE HANDS OF 'OD 0LEASE PRAY THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO lND A WAY TO REPAIR OUR HALL 4HANK YOU *OHN .IGERIA ) FEEL HOPELESS 0LEASE PRAY THAT ) lND HELP TO ATTEND ANY !DVENTIST COLLEGE ) WANT TO STUDY THEOLOGY !SA +ENYA
-Y HUSBAND S BUSINESS IS NOT DOING WELL ) EXPERIENCED A STILLBIRTH EARLY THIS YEAR 0LEASE PRAY THAT OUR lNANCIAL STANDING IMPROVES AND THAT MY CURRENT PREGNANCY BE WITHOUT ANY COMPLICATIONS .ANCY :AMBIA 0LEASE JOIN ME IN PRAYING FOR MY CHILDREN 7E NEED TO lND THE RIGHT SCHOOL FOR THEM NEXT YEAR 4HANK YOU 3ARA 5NITED 3TATES
0LEASE PRAY THAT 'OD HEALS MY MOTHER $AN 5GANDA
4HE 0LACE OF 0RAYER SEND TO PRAYER ADVENTISTWORLD ORG
0LEASE PRAY FOR MY FRIEND WHO HAS BLURRY VISION AND BREAST CANCER WHICH HAS METASTASIZED TO BONE CANCER -ARJORIE 0HILIPPINES
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7 % , # / - % 4 / h4 ( % 0 % / 0 , % 3 0 , ! # %v ) . 4 ( % . % 7 9 % ! 2 7E INVITE OUR READERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO MAKE THIS PAGE THEIR SPECIAL PLACE 7E HOPE YOU WILL SEND PHOTOS OF INTER ESTING PLACES IN YOUR PART OF THE WORLD FOR h7HERE IN THE 7ORLD )S 4HIS v 7E ALSO INVITE YOU TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF OR A LEADER OR LAY MEMBER OF YOUR CHURCH OR A NEWLY BAPTIZED MEMBER IN YOUR CHURCH TO YOUR WORLDWIDE FAMILY BY SENDING A PHOTO AND PROlLE FOR OUR h-EET 9OUR .EIGHBORv SECTION )F YOU CAN T SHARE A PHOTO OR A PROlLE PLEASE CONSIDER SHARING A QUOTE OR A HUMOROUS AND OR INSPIRING SHORT ANECDOTE ABOUT !DVENTIST LIFE IN YOUR CHURCH 9OUR CONTRIBUTION HERE ON 4HE 0EOPLE S 0LACE PAGE CAN ENCOURAGE AND INSPIRE YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AROUND THE WORLD TO GROW IN #HRIST AND TO SHARE THEIR FAITH AND JOY IN *ESUS IN WAYS THEY MAY NOT HAVE CONSIDERED BEFORE 3HARE WITH YOUR WORLDWIDE FAMILY BY INTRODUCING YOURSELF RIGHT HERE ON 4HE 0EOPLE S 0LACE % MAIL US AT PEOPLESPLACE ADVENTISTWORLD ORG OR FAX TO 9OU MAY WRITE TO US AT !DVENTIST 7ORLD /LD #OLUMBIA 0IKE 3ILVER 3PRING -ARYLAND 53!
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