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'ROWING 3OUTH "Y $ANIEL 7EBER 4HE CHURCH IN 3OUTH !MERICA IS GROWING AT AN UNPRECEDENTED RATE
2EGISTRATION $ATE *UNE 2EGISTRATION .UMBER +YONGGI ,A )SSUE !UGUST 3ERIAL .UMBER 0UBLISHER ,EE *AIRYONG .ORTHERN !SIA 0ACIlC $IVISION OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS TH mOOR 3AMHEE 0LAZA *UYEOP DONG )LSAN 3EO GU 'OYANG 0UBLISHED BY THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS AND PRINTED AT ,ANE 0RESS "URLINGTON 6ERMONT FOR FREE 0UBLISHED BY THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS AND PRINTED BY THE 2EVIEW AND (ERALD 0UBLISHING !SSOCIATION !DVENTIST 7ORLD )33. IS ISSUED TIMES A YEAR ON THE lRST 4HURSDAY OF EACH MONTH BY THE 2EVIEW AND (ERALD #ITY 'YEONGGI DO +OREA 0HONE .UMBER %DITOR #HUN 0YUNG $UK 0RINTER +OREAN 0UBLISHING (OUSE $ATE OF )SSUE DISTRIBUTION BY THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN !FRICA (AGERSTOWN -$ FOR USE OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN THE )NTER !MERICAN AND 4RANS %UROPEAN DIVISIONS 0UBLISHING !SSOCIATION #OPYRIGHT C 6OL .O !UGUST !UGUST 4HIS MAGAZINE IS EDITED BY THE !DVENTIST 2EVIEW EDITORIAL TEAM HEADED BY "ILL +NOTT ACCORDING TO THE LICENSE CONTRACT AND PRINTED IN +OREA FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION THROUGHOUT !SIA
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ !UGUST
/. 4(% #/6%2 #HEN ,IYAN PASTOR OF THE 'ANGWASHI !DVENTIST CONGREGATION IN "EIJING PRAYS DURING ONE OF ITS SERVICES 0HOTO BY 2AJMUND $ABROWSKI !..
7/2,$ 6)%7 (IS NAME 7E MEETˆWE THREEˆIN PLAIN UNVARNISHED CONVERSATION ABOUT THE STRUGGLES SORROWS JOYS AND NEEDS OF LIVING THE DISCIPLED LIFE !ND FAITH IS BUILT AND GRACE IS PRAYED WITH AN OLD FRIEND LAST NIGHTˆHANDS CLASPED SHARED AND EYES REFOCUS ON THAT DAY WHEN WE THREE SHALL HEARTS BOWED TOWARD HEAVEN AND EACH OTHER 7E HAVE BEEN MEET IN PERSON AND IN PERPETUITY PRAYING TOGETHER FOR MOST OF YEARS NOW BEGINNING WHEN ) AM MORE SURE THAN EVER IN MY LIFE THAT THE VITAL QUESTION WE WERE BOTH TEENAGERS AND NOVICES AT TALKING WITH 'OD OF #HRISTIAN SPIRITUAL LIFE IS NOT h&OR WHOM DO YOU PRAY v )N DORM ROOMS IN RESTAURANTS AT PASTORS MEETINGS BUT h7ITH WHOM DO YOU PRAY v 4HE SOLITARY #HRISTIAN SO AND CAMP MEETINGS WE VE PRAYED EACH OTHER THROUGH THE MUCH LAUDED IN OUR USUAL DESCRIPTIONS OF SPIRITUAL LIFE IS NOT STUFF OF OUR LIVES SINGLENESS AND MARRIAGE CLASSWORK AND WELL SUITED TO THE CRISIS SOON TO BREAK UPON THE WORLD #HRIST EMPLOYMENT GRIEFS AND CELEBRATIONS TIMES OF CRISIS AND A CALLS (IS PEOPLE IN THESE AWESOME TIMES TO h0RESS TOGETHER GROWING QUEST FOR BALANCE PRESS TOGETHER PRESS TOGETHER v 4HE ,ORD WHO PROMISED h,O (IS IS THE OLDEST PRAYING FRIENDSHIP OF MY LIFE A PLACE ) AM WITH YOU ALWAYS EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLDv -ATT WHERE ) lND LIMITLESS SECURITY IN THE MEMORIES OF HIS +*6 HOLDS AS WE HOLD EACH OTHER FREQUENT INTERCESSIONS FOR ME 4HOUGH WE HAVE ONLY RARELY 4HIS MONTH SEEK OUT A PRAYING FRIEND OR MAKE ONE AS LIVED IN THE SAME TOWNˆA YEAR IN COLLEGE SOME MONTHS IN YOUR NEED MAY BE &IND IN THAT PRAYERFUL FELLOWSHIP THE SEMINARYˆWE LONG AGO COVENANTED THAT PRAYER WOULD BE A STRENGTH YOU LACK THE COURAGE NEEDED TO STAND FOR THE RIGHT PART OF EVERY MEETING HOWEVER MANY MONTHS MIGHT HAVE hTHOUGH THE EARTH BE REMOVED AND THOUGH THE MOUNTAINS LAPSED SINCE LAST THE ,ORD ALLOWED OUR PATHS TO CROSS BE CARRIED INTO THE MIDST OF THE SEA v 7HEN PRAYING WITH MY FRIEND ) LOSE THE NEED TO BE h4HE ,ORD OF HOSTS IS WITH US THE 'OD OF *ACOB IS OUR SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE MAN 'OD MADE ME 7HATEVER IS REFUGEv 0S TRUE AUTHENTIC BASIC IN MY LIFE WITH #HRIST EMERGES IN OUR
3EE %LLEN ' 7HITE 3ELECTED -ESSAGES BOOK P TIMES OF PRAYER !ND THIS IS AS THE ,ORD INTENDED IT FOR (E ANNOUNCED THAT (E WOULD JOIN WHENEVER TWO WERE GATHERED IN ˆ "ILL +NOTT
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#OMMON 0RAYER 5NCOMMON 'RACE
7/2,$ 2%0/24 )T S 3IR 0ATRICK .OW AS 1UEEN (ONORS *AMAICA S !DVENTIST 'OVERNOR 'ENERAL N 4HE lRST 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST PASTOR TO SERVE AS GOVERNOR GENERAL OF *AMAICA IS NOW A +NIGHT #OMMANDER OF THE /RDER OF 3T -ICHAEL AND 3T 'EORGE 3IR 0ATRICK ,INTON !LLEN /. $# '#-' THE IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT OF THE 7EST )NDIES 5NION OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS WAS KNIGHTED
!$6%.4)34 +.)'(4%$ "RITAIN S 1UEEN %LIZABETH )) KNIGHTS GOVERNOR GENERAL OF *AMAICA 3IR 0ATRICK !LLEN ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WIFE ,ADY 0ATRICIA !LLEN WHERE HE WAS PRESENTED HIS CREDENTIALS DURING A PRIVATE AUDIENCE IN "UCKINGHAM 0ALACE 3IR 0ATRICK A FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE 7EST )NDIES 5NION WAS MADE A +NIGHT #OMMANDER OF THE /RDER OF 3T -ICHAEL AND 3T 'EORGE 4 ) - ) 2 % , ! . $ Ú 0! 7 ) 2 % 0 2 % 3 3 ! 3 3 / # ) !4 ) / . ) - ! ' % 3 5 3 % $ " 9 0 % 2 - ) 3 3 ) / .
!UGUST \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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BY 1UEEN %LIZABETH )) ON *UNE IN A "UCKINGHAM 0ALACE CEREMONY /N &EBRUARY !LLEN BECAME *AMAICA S SIXTH GOVERNOR GENERAL SINCE INDEPENDENCE SHORTLY AFTER STEPPING DOWN AS UNION PRESIDENT (E HAD BEEN ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE 7EST )NDIES 5NION IN AND BEGAN HIS PASTORAL SERVICE IN THE CHURCH IN AFTER A DECADE OF WORKING FOR THE *AMAICAN GOVERNMENT 4HE ORDER IS hAWARDED TO MEN AND WOMEN OF HIGH OFlCE OR WHO RENDER EXTRAORDINARY OR IMPORTANT NON MILITARY SERVICE IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY v ACCORDING TO THE OFlCIAL 7EB SITE OF THE "RITISH -ONARCHY /RIGINALLY INTENDED FOR THOSE SERVING IN THE )ONIAN )SLANDS AND -ALTA THE ORDER EXPANDED TO OFlCIALS IN THE -EDITERRANEAN h4OWARDS THE END OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY DUE TO THE EXPANSION OF THE "RITISH %MPIRE THE /RDER WAS THEN EXTENDED TO THOSE WHO HAD GIVEN DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN THE $OMINIONS AND #OLONIES AS WELL AS FOREIGN AFFAIRS GENERALLY v THE -ONARCHY 7EB SITE INDICATES h4ODAY THE /RDER CONSISTS OF THE 3OVEREIGN A 'RAND -ASTER CURRENTLY 4HE $UKE OF +ENT AND INCLUDES THREE CLASSES +NIGHTS AND $AMES 'RAND #ROSS '#-' +NIGHTS AND $AMES #OMMANDER +#-' AND $#-' AND #OMPANIONS #-' v 3IR 0ATRICK AS HE SHALL HENCEFORTH BE KNOWN IS A +NIGHT #OMMANDER OF THE 'RAND #ROSS HIS WIFE IS NOW CALLED
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ !UGUST
,ADY !LLEN )N AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH !DVENTIST 7ORLD 3IR 0ATRICK SAID THAT WHILE HE MISSED CHURCH WORK h) AM SURE AND CONlDENT THAT THIS IS WHAT THE ,ORD WANTS ME TO DO NOWv *ULY 3IR 0ATRICK SAID h!S MUCH AS ) MISS IT ) AM AWARE THAT MY SERVICE IS IN A BROADER SCOPEx 7HERE ) WORK ;NOW= ) HAVE A VAST AND COMPREHENSIVE UNIVERSE IN THE NATION v 3IR 0ATRICK IS NEITHER THE lRST !DVENTIST GOVERNOR GENERAL NOR THE lRST TO BE KNIGHTED BY 1UEEN %LIZABETH 4HOSE TWIN DESIGNATIONS WENT TO 3IR *AMES #ARLISLE A LAY MEMBER FROM !NTIGUA WHO SERVED AS GOVERNOR GENERAL OF THAT NATION FROM TO 3IR *AMES INVESTITURE INTO THE SAME /RDER OF 3T -ICHAEL AND 3T 'EORGE CAME IN ALSO AT "UCKINGHAM 0ALACE ˆ"Y -ARK ! +ELLNER NEWS EDITOR .)'%2)! 0AULSEN 2ETURNS TO &ORMER !PPOINTMENT /BSERVES 3CHOOL 'ROWTH N $URING HIS lRST VISIT TO .IGERIA IN A DECADE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST WORLD CHURCH PRESIDENT *AN 0AULSEN SPOKE ABOUT THE CHURCH S COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION AND LIFE GOVERNED BY INTEGRITY IN HIS ADDRESS AT "ABCOCK 5NIVERSITY S *UNE GRADUATION /NCE A MISSIONARY TO 'HANA AND .IGERIA IN THE S 0AULSEN PARTICIPATED IN THE lFTIETH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF "ABCOCK 5NIVERSITY "5 WHERE HE ONCE SERVED AS PRINCIPAL )NITIALLY ESTABLISHED AS THE !DVENTIST #OLLEGE OF 7EST !FRICA !#7! THE SCHOOL IS LOCATED IN
)LISHAN 2EMO /GUN 3TATE SOME KILOMETERS NORTH OF ,AGOS h7E ARE COMMITTED TO DOING OUR UTMOST IN EDUCATION HEALTH AND SOCIAL ISSUES AND x TO BE GOOD PARTNERS IN BUILDING COMMUNITY v 0AULSEN SAID DURING A MEETING WITH 'OODLUCK *ONATHAN VICE PRESIDENT OF .IGERIA IN THE NATION S CAPITAL !BUJA TWO DAYS EARLIER h;!DVENTIST= STANDARDS ARE EXCEPTIONAL v THE VICE PRESIDENT TOLD 0AULSEN REFERRING TO THE CHURCH S IMPACT ON SOCIETY IN .IGERIA $URING HIS VISIT 0AULSEN ALSO MET WITH THE COUNTRY S FORMER PRESIDENT /LUSEGUN /BASANJO WHO IS HIMSELF A "ABCOCK ALUMNUS h"ABCOCK 5NIVERSITY MADE A MARK AMONG PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN .IGERIA v /BASANJO SAID APPLAUDING THE CHURCH S DEDICATION TO CHARACTER BUILDING AND MORAL VALUES WHICH hOTHER UNIVERSITIES TEND TO IGNORE v .OTING /BASANJO S INVOLVEMENT IN CONmICT RESOLUTION IN :IMBABWE 3OMALIA AND #ONGO 0AULSEN CALLED THE FORMER PRESIDENT A hMINISTER OF PEACE AND RECONCILIATION ON THE !FRICAN CONTINENT v /BASANJO NOTED HE RETURNED HOME THE PREVIOUS EVENING FROM 3UDAN WHERE HE WAS INVOLVED WITH PEACE TALKS /BASANJO WHO RECEIVED AN HONORARY DOCTORATE FROM "5 IN ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE GRADUATION CEREMONIES ON 3UNDAY *UNE WHERE HE PRAISED CHURCH MEMBERS FOR THEIR HONESTY
,EFT %8%#54)6% %.#/5.4%2 *AN 0AULSEN PRESIDENT OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST CHURCH AND DELEGATION VISITED .IGERIA S VICE PRESIDENT 'OODLUCK % *ONATHAN IN THE CAPITAL !BUJA 2IGHT '2!$5!4)/. 0!24)#)0!.43 STUDENTS GRADUATED ON *UNE FROM "ABCOCK 5NIVERSITY )LISHAN 2EMO .IGERIA 0ICTURED ARE *AN 0AULSEN /LUSEGUN /BASANJO FORMER PRESIDENT OF .IGERIA "ABATUNDE /SOTIMEHIN MINISTER OF HEALTH AND * ! +AYODE -AKINDE PRESIDENT AND VICE CHANCELLOR OF "5 0 ( / 4 / 3 " 9 2 ! * - 5 . $ $ ! " 2 / 7 3 + ) ! . .
$URING A VISIT WITH A GROUP OF CHIEFS FROM )LISHAN 2EMO 0AULSEN THANKED THEM FOR THEIR SUPPORTˆLOCAL CHIEFS ORIGINALLY DONATED ACRES OF LAND WHEN THE CHURCH ESTABLISHED "5 IN h9OU GAVE LAND TO ESTABLISH A SCHOOL IN )LISHAN 2EMO 3UCH A DECISION REQUIRED VISION AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE v 0AULSEN SAID CALLING THE MOVE AN hINVESTMENTv IN THE COMMUNITY
)N 0AULSEN JOINED THE COLLEGE AS A TEACHER AND REGISTRAR THREE YEARS LATER BECOMING ITS PRINCIPAL $URING HIS COMMENCEMENT SPEECH 0AULSEN SAID HE HARDLY RECOGNIZED THE AREA h4HERE WAS ONLY ONE DIRT ROAD THAT LED BETWEEN OLD BAKERY BUILDINGS AT ONE END TO THE STAFF HOUSES 7E BEGAN WHERE EVERY SUCH INSTITUTION STARTSˆSMALL !ND LOOK WHERE YOU ARE NOW v HE SAID $URING HIS BACCALAUREATE ADDRESS 0AULSEN CONGRATULATED THE NEW GRADUATES AND SPOKE ABOUT IDENTITY AND !DVENTIST VALUES AND EDUCATION
h) WANT THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN .IGERIA TO BE A HEALING COMMUNITY v 0AULSEN SAID h/UR EDUCATION x DEALS WITH THE WHOLENESS OF A PERSON 7E WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT ONLY DEALING WITH A FAITH BASED REALITY BUT A PHYSICAL REALITY TOO v HE SAID !DDRESSING THE ISSUES OF ()6 !)$3 AND MALARIA 0AULSEN TOLD THE CONGREGATION THAT THE CHURCH WOULD CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE WITH RELIGIOUS
!UGUST \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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(!009 $!9 3OME OF THE HUNDREDS OF "ABCOCK 5NIVERSITY GRADUATES LISTEN TO THE COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS 2 ! * - 5 . $ $ ! " 2 / 7 3 + ) ! . .
AND SECULAR ORGANIZATIONS TO hCREATE A GOOD AND HEALTHY SOCIETY ;AND= A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN v 4HE CHURCH S lRST COLLEGE IN SUB 3AHARA !FRICA SOON SOUGHT BROADER ACCREDITATION OUTSIDE OF THE !DVENTIST #HURCH %VENTUALLY THE SCHOOL BEGAN OFFERING THEOLOGY DEGREES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH !DVENTIST OWNED !NDREWS 5NIVERSITY IN THE 5NITED 3TATES 3OME YEARS AFTER ITS FOUNDING THE SCHOOL TRANSFORMED FROM A PRIMARILY MINISTERIAL INSTITUTION TO A MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCHOOL ADOPTING ITS CURRENT NAME "ABCOCK 5NIVERSITY IN
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ !UGUST
4ODAY THE UNIVERSITY HAS AN ENROLLMENT OF AND OFFERS DEGREES RANGING FROM THEOLOGY LAW AND PUBLIC HEALTH TO TECHNOLOGY AGRICULTURE AND MASS COMMUNICATION 0AULSEN WAS ALSO BRIEFED ON THE EARLY STAGES OF EXPANSION PLANS FOR THE UNIVERSITY WHICH INCLUDE ESTABLISHING A HEALTH AND MEDICAL SCIENCES COMPLEX 3PEAKING AT THE GRADUATION ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTRY S PRESIDENT "ABATUNDE /SOTIMEHIN .IGERIA S MINISTER OF HEALTH REFERRED TO "5 S hOUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO LIFE IN .IGERIAv AND CHALLENGED THE UNIVERSITY TO INTEGRATE RESEARCH WITH ITS PLANS TO OPEN A MEDICAL SCHOOL
h$EVOTE PERCENT OF YOUR RESOURCES FOR RESEARCH v HE SAID (IS REMARKS ADDRESSED THE LARGER ISSUE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH FOR THE BENElT OF NATION BUILDING h)T IS ONLY THROUGH ;RESEARCH= THAT WE CAN MAKE PROGRESS BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT NATIONAL SECURITY GROWTH AND INDEED THE HERITAGE WE ARE TO LEAVE FOR THE PEOPLE COME FROM v HE SAID (E LAUDED RELIGIOUS GROUPS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO .IGERIA S EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT -ATTHEW "EDIAKO THE !DVENTIST #HURCH S WORLD GENERAL SECRETARY AND AN ALUMNUS OF THE COLLEGE REFERRED TO "5 S hBREAD BASKET BEGINNINGS v 4HE UNIVERSITY COMPLEX HAS GROWN FROM A SINGLE BAKERY ON CAMPUS TO INCLUDE HEALTH FOOD PRODUCTION FOUR BANKS AND A WATER BOTTLING FACTORY !BOUT PERCENT OF THE UNIVERSITY S STUDENTS ARE !DVENTISTS GIVING THE SCHOOL A MISSION EMPHASIS "EDIAKO SAID .EARLY PEOPLE JOINED THE CHURCH THIS YEAR AS AN OUTCOME OF AN EVANGELISTIC OUTREACH PROGRAM CONDUCTED AT THE NEWLY COMMISSIONED UNIVERSITY STADIUM BY EVANGELIST -ARK &INLEY A GENERAL VICE PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD CHURCH h7HEN EACH SCHOOL YEAR ENDS THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO GRADUATE AS !DVENTISTS INCREASES v SAID * ! +AYODE -AKINDE "5 PRESIDENT AND VICE CHANCELLOR h/UR SCHOOL EMPHASIZES SPIRITUALITY AND SHARES !DVENTIST VALUES WITH THOSE WHO STUDY HERE v ˆ"Y 2AJMUND $ABROWSKI COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS
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3W NE FLU ) AM WORRIED ABOUT THE OUTBREAK OF THE NEW mU CALLED SWINE mU 7HAT IS IT AND HOW DO ) GET INFECTED FlCIALLY THE NEW INmUENZA IS CALLED ( . INmUENZA ! )T HAS GENES FROM mU VIRUSES THAT NORMALLY CIRCULATE IN PIGS IN %UROPE AND !SIA AS WELL AS AVIAN BIRD AND HUMAN VIRAL GENES 4HE VIRUS WAS lRST CALLED hSWINE mUv BECAUSE IT ORIGINATED IN PIGS AND WAS SPREAD FROM PIG TO PIG /RIGINALLY CONlNED TO PIGS IT UNDERWENT SOME GENETIC CHANGES THAT MADE IT POSSIBLE TO INFECT HUMANS 4HE WAY THIS CHANGE OCCURS IS RELATED TO THE WAY VIRUSES LIVE 4HEY CANNOT SURVIVE FOR LONG PERIODS OUTSIDE THE HOST CELLS 7HEN THE VIRUS ENTERS THE HOST CELL IT DOES SO THROUGH A SPECIAL hDOORv CALLED A RECEPTOR 7HEN IT IS INSIDE THE CELL IT TAKES OVER THE HOST CELL TO COPY ITS OWN VIRAL 2.! )N THE PROCESS IT MAY PICK UP AND INCLUDE SOME OF THE HOST S GENETIC MATERIAL )F TWO SEPARATE VIRUSES A HUMAN VIRUS AND A PIG VIRUS ENTER THE SAME PIG CELL FOR EXAMPLE THIS SETS THE SCENE FOR MUTATION OR SHARING OF GENETIC MATERIAL CHANGING THE ABILITY OF THE VIRUS TO INFECT NEW HOSTS )N THIS SCENARIO A PIG VIRUS NOW IS ABLE TO INFECT A HUMAN HOST 4HE VIRUS SPREADS BRISKLY FROM PERSON TO PERSON ESPECIALLY BECAUSE IT IS hNEWv TO THE HUMAN IMMUNE SYSTEM %MERGENCY MONITORING OF SUCH VIRAL OUTBREAKS IS PUT IN PLACE BECAUSE IT IS NOT KNOWN HOW AGGRESSIVE OR SERIOUS THE ILLNESS PRODUCED BY THE NEW STRAIN OF VIRUS WILL BE 4HE EMERGENCE
/
OF VARIOUS STRAINS OF THE INmUENZA VIRUS MAKES IT NECESSARY TO MODIFY THE VACCINE FOR EACH mU SEASON )T SPREADS BY DROPLET INFECTION FROM RESPIRATORY SECRETIONS VIRUSES ARE READILY PROPELLED INTO THE AIR IN LARGE NUMBERS WHEN PEOPLE COUGH AND SNEEZE AND THIS IS THE MOST COMMON WAY IN WHICH WE BECOME INFECTED 4HE VIRUS TENDS TO LINGER FOR A TIME ON SURFACES SUCH AS DESKS DOOR HANDLES STAIR RAILS AND OF COURSE HANDS 7HAT CAN ) DO TO AVOID BEING AFFECTED HERE IS NO VACCINE AVAILABLE YET BUT THE HOPE IS THAT ONE WILL BE READY WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS "UT EVEN THEN ONE NEEDS TO PRACTICE APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO DECREASE THE CHANCES OF INFECTION N #OVER YOUR NOSE AND MOUTH WHEN YOU COUGH $ISCARD USED TISSUES N 7ASH HANDS REGULARLY WITH SOAP AND WATER ESPECIALLY AFTER COUGHING OR SNEEZING /NE CAN ALSO USE ALCOHOL BASED HAND SANITIZERS TO CLEAN THE HANDS N !VOID TOUCHING YOUR EYES NOSE OR MOUTH BECAUSE GERMS SPREAD VERY READILY THIS WAY N !VOID CLOSE CONTACT WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE mU 4HIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO PRACTICE WHEN YOU YOURSELF ARE ILL WITH THE mU N 3TAY HOME FOR SEVEN DAYS WHEN YOU ARE SICK OR UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN TOTALLY SYMPTOM FREE FOR HOURS N &OLLOW SCHOOL AND WORK CLOSURES AS WELL AS RECOMMENDED PUBLIC HEALTH
4
"Y !LLAN 2 (ANDYSIDES AND 0ETER . ,ANDLESS
MEASURES FOR YOUR REGION !VOID CROWDED PLACES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE 7HAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ( . INmUENZA ! HEY ARE THE SAME AS SEASONAL mU WITH FEVER COUGH SORE THROAT RUNNY NOSE BODY ACHES CHILLS AND FATIGUE ! SIGNIlCANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH THIS mU HAVE COMPLAINED ALSO OF NAUSEA VOMITING AND DIARRHEA !S WITH SEASONAL mU SOME INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN VERY ILL AND SOME HAVE DIED AS A RESULT
4
(AS THE WORLD S REACTION TO THIS NEW VIRUS BEEN EXCESSIVE O IT HAS NOT 4HE PATTERN OF A PANDEMIC CANNOT BE PREDICTED AS IT UNFOLDS OVER AT LEAST A TWO YEAR TIME PERIOD 7E ARE STILL IN THE EARLY DAYS WITH PARTS OF THE WORLD ENTERING THE PEAK mU SEASON AND OTHERS APPROACHING IT 7E NEED TO BE WISE PRUDENT AND VIGILANT
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!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 THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE (EALTH -INISTRIES $EPARTMENT !UGUST \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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3OME WORK IN -USLIM AREAS WHERE THEIR SAFETY DEPENDS ONLY ON THE ,ORD MANY ARE IN CHARGE OF CHURCHES OR MORE 4HE MAJORITY OF THE CHURCHES THEY SERVE ARE IN THE POOREST OF CONDITIONS 9ET THE MINISTERS WHO SHARE THEIR TESTIMONIES HERE ARE HAPPY TO BE SERVING THE ,ORD AND THEY ARE GRATEFUL FOR MINISTRIES SUCH AS !DOPT A -INISTER )NTERNATIONAL WHICH HELPS THEM SURVIVE AND ENABLES THEM TO SERVE 2EAD THEIR GRIPPING ACCOUNTS OF WORKING FOR 'OD IN CHALLENGING PLACES %DITORS
!FTER A LONG TIME MY FATHER DECIDED TO SURRENDER TO THE GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES AND WAS PUT IN PRISON 3OMETIME LATER HE WAS PARDONED -Y FATHER CONTINUED TO GET INVOLVED IN KILLING PEOPLE (E WAS HIRED AND PAID TO KILL OTHERS /UR LIVES WERE TROUBLED -Y FATHER HAD SO MUCH ANGER IN HIS HEART (E STAYED DRUNK ALL THE TIME IT WAS HIS WAY OF COPING WITH HIS LIFESTYLE 3OMETIMES MY FAMILY AND ) WOULD RUN AWAY IN THE NIGHT TO ESCAPE MY FATHER S CRUELTY ! 0ROMISE -ADE TO "E "ROKEN 3EVERAL YEARS LATER HOWEVER THINGS "Y #HRISTOPHER 6 ,UAYA CHANGED AND MY FATHER DEDICATED h&ATHER WHEN ) GROW UP ) WILL KILL MOST OF HIS TIME TO FARMING OUR LAND ALL THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN YOUR DEATH v "UT ONE DAY WHILE HE AND HIS ) MADE THIS PROMISE AT MY FATHER S FRIENDS ATTENDED A TOWN lESTA THEY WERE GRAVE IN ARRESTED AND THROWN INTO JAIL ! FEW DAYS ) GREW UP IN A NON !DVENTIST FAMILY LATER THEY WERE KILLED 7E WERE TOLD THAT &OR MANY YEARS MY FATHER WAS KNOWN THE POLICE SHOT THEM WHILE THEY TRIED TO AS h+UMANDER )NGO v (E WAS A REBEL ESCAPE BUT WE KNEW THIS WAS A LIE COMMANDER OF THE .EW 0EOPLE S !RMY ) WAS DEVASTATED TO SEE MY FATHER S &ROM TIME TO TIME 0HILIPPINE MILITARY WOUNDS (IS ELBOWS AND KNEES WERE MEN CAME TO OUR HOUSE LOOKING FOR MY BROKEN "ULLET WOUNDS COVERED HIS ENTIRE FATHER 7E WERE TOLD BY THE REBEL LEADERS BODY ) WAS ENRAGED !S ) LOOKED AT HIM NEVER TO DISCLOSE HIS WHEREABOUTS ) PROMISED TO TAKE REVENGE ) WOULD KILL
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ !UGUST
THOSE RESPONSIBLE WHEN ) GOT OLDER "UT WHEN ) TURNED ) HEARD ABOUT A 3AVIOR *ESUS #HRIST WHO DIED ON #ALVARY FOR ME )N ) ACCEPTED (IM INTO MY LIFE AND INSTANTLY MY VENGEFUL SPIRIT WAS CHANGED 4HE LOVE OF *ESUS lLLED MY HEART ) NO LONGER WANTED TO KILL THE PEOPLE WHO KILLED MY FATHER ) WENT TO #ENTRAL 0HILIPPINE !DVENTIST #OLLEGE AS A WORKING STUDENT FOR EIGHT YEARS AND GRADUATED WITH A BACHELOR S DEGREE IN THEOLOGY ) HAVE ALREADY INTRODUCED MANY PEOPLE TO *ESUS 4ODAY MY WAY OF THINKING IS TO CONSIDER EVERY SOUL PRECIOUS TO 'OD &OR #HRIST S SAKE A PROMISE IS SOMETIMES MADE TO BE BROKEN 4HE "OMB AND THE !LL +NOWING 4IMER
"Y *UN #ABER 4HE SUN HAD JUST SET )T WAS A -ONDAY EVENING AND ) HAD JUST LEFT THE HOUSE OF A PARALYZED PATIENT WHOM ) HAD BEEN LOOKING AFTER FOR SEVERAL MONTHS (UNGER PAINS MADE ME HURRY BACK TO THE !DVENTIST #ENTER A
05",)# %6!.'%,)3- !S THE RESULT OF PUBLIC EVANGELISM BY 3OUTH 0HILIPPINE !DVENTIST #OLLEGE THEOLOGY STUDENTS SOME ARE SPONSORED BY !-) MANY ARE BAPTIZED IN -ARAGUSAN ON $ECEMBER 2 % 6! , - / / 2 %
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!DOPT A- N STER I N T E R NAT I O NA L
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PARSONAGE AND MISSION STATION WHERE ) AND MANY OTHERS WERE STAYING 4HE STATION IS BUILT ON STILTS ON THE WATER JUST LIKE THE OTHER BUILDINGS ON THIS SMALL ISLAND IN 4AWI 4AWI IN THE WESTERN PART OF -INDANAO 0HILIPPINES ) JOINED MY GROUP FOR SUPPER AND AFTER A HEARTY MEAL ) RESTED MY BACK ON THE WALL BY THE FRONT DOOR *ERRY A STUDENT STEPPED OUTSIDE AND ONTO THE SIX INCH WIDE WOODEN PLANK THAT SERVED AS OUR PATHWAY TO THE MISSION STATION 4HE PLANK WAS NINE FEET ABOVE THE WATER 7HILE STANDING THERE *ERRY NOTICED A MAN DOWN BELOW IN THE WATER 4HE MAN WASN T MOVING !LARMED *ERRY QUICKLY RAN BACK INSIDE h7HAT S THE MATTER v WE ALL CHORUSED h4HERE S A MAN IN THE WATER AND HE LOOKS DEAD v *ERRY WHISPERED POINTING DOWN TO THE mOOR 7HILE *ERRY WAS STILL TALKING ) HEARD AN OBJECT DROP INTO THE WATER FOLLOWED BY SPLASHING SOUNDS -AYBE IT WAS JUST SOMEONE TRYING TO STEAL OUR SMALL BOAT 7E DIDN T GET ALARMED
!DOPT A -INISTER )NTERNATIONAL !-) IS A NONPROlT ORGANIZATION THAT PAYS THE SALARIES OF UNEMPLOYED MINISTERIAL GRADUATES IN THE 0HILIPPINES AND OTHER COUNTRIES THROUGH DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIPS OF PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD !-) WORKS WITH THE CONFERENCE OFlCERS OF THE 0HILIPPINES WHO PLACE MINISTERIAL GRADUATES IN PASTORAL POSITIONS IN THE 0HILIPPINES !CCORDING TO !-) THERE ARE MORE THAN UNEMPLOYED THEOLOGY GRADUATES IN THE 0HILIPPINES !ROUND TO NEW GRADUATES ARE ADDED EVERY YEAR TO THE TOTAL NUMBER OF THE UNEMPLOYED ! FEW WORK FOR A SMALL STIPEND OR FOR A SACK OF RICE PER MONTH PROVIDED BY CHURCH MEMBERS !FTER MUCH SOUL SEARCHING AND PRAYER 2EVA ,ACHICA -OORE ORIGINALLY FROM THE 0HILIPPINES AND CURRENTLY LIVING IN THE 5NITED 3TATES DECIDED TO START !-) HELPING SCORES OF THEOLOGY GRADUATES FOLLOW THEIR CALLING 3INCE .OVEMBER MORE THAN GRADUATES HAVE RECEIVED HELP FROM THIS ORGANIZATION #URRENTLY ABOUT GRADUATES ARE PART OF THE !-) PROGRAM 4HEY RECEIVE ABOUT PER MONTH SALARY -OST OF THE DONATIONS THAT GO TO SUPPLEMENT WORKER SALARIES COME FROM !DVENTIST CHURCH MEMBERS -ANY LEARN OF THIS PROGRAM THROUGH BENElT CONCERTS PERFORMED BY PIANIST -ARY 'RACE 'ELLEKANAO 'ELLEKANAO A YOUNG ADULT WITH THE CONGENITAL ABSENCE OF HER RIGHT ARM IS ALSO &ILIPINA AND HAS BEEN USING HER SIGNIlCANT MUSICAL TALENTS TO SERVE 'OD FOR YEARS 3AYS 'ELLEKANAO h3INCE THE TIME ) LEARNED TO PLAY THE PIANO ) HAVE DEDICATED MY LIFE TO SERVING THE ,ORD AND OTHERS )T S BEEN A HUMBLING EXPERIENCE ) GIVE CONCERTS TO RAISE FUNDS AND lND SPONSORS WHO WOULD PAY THE SALARIES OF ;THESE= UNEMPLOYED MINISTERIAL GRADUATES v 4HE GRADUATES !-) HELPS WORK IN SOME OF THE MOST CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES IMAGINABLE 9ET THESE WORKERS ARE HAPPY TO BE SERVING THE ,ORD AND THANKFUL FOR THE MINISTRY THAT HELPS MAKE THIS POSSIBLE &OR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW A A M ORG
4HE 4WO !LARM #LOCKS
2 % 6! , - / / 2 %
"Y !RNIE 2OA ) AM ASSIGNED IN MAINLAND "ONGAO IN 4AWI 4AWI 0HILIPPINES UNDER !DOPT A -INISTER )N THIS TERRITORY -USLIM MISSIONARIES CALLED TABLEGS DISLIKE THE PRESENCE OF #HRISTIANS ON THEIR ISLAND ESPECIALLY EDUCATORS SUCH AS ME ,A )SLAND ANOTHER SMALL ISLAND IN 4AWI 4AWI IS KNOWN TO BE A PRIVATE SANCTUARY WHERE -USLIM BANDITS AND SMALL REBEL FACTIONS TAKE REFUGE (ERE THE ISLANDERS MAKE SURE THAT EVERY MAN OWNS A GUN TO BE ABLE TO lGHT THEIR ENEMIES (/-% 37%%4 (/-% 3ONNY -ERCURIO CURRENTLY EMPLOYED BY THE .EGROS 7ITH THIS KIND OF SITUATION IN /CCIDENTAL #ONFERENCE IS AN ORDAINED MINISTER AND MARRIED WITH THREE ,A )SLAND EVEN OTHER -USLIMS ARE CHILDREN 4HIS IS A PHOTO OF -ERCURIO AT THE HUT HE LIVED IN WHEN HE WAS AFRAID TO GO THERE WITHOUT ESCORT "UT SPONSORED BY !DOPT A -INISTER SEVERAL YEARS AGO A GROUP OF !DVENTIST TEACHERS FROM -OUNTAIN 6IEW #OLLEGE CAME TO LIVE ON ,A )SLAND 4HIS (OWEVER BECAUSE OF MY FEAR MY MIND ALARMED THE TABLEGS AND A GROUP WENT BECAUSE THE BOAT WAS SECURELY TIED BY TO ,A )SLAND TO INVESTIGATE WENT INTO hAUTOPILOT v ) NOTICED MY THE DOOR AND WITHIN SIGHT ! TABLEG APPROACHED ME IN THE UNlNISHED LAUNDRY IN THE CORNER AND ! FEW MINUTES LATER THREE OF MY "ONGAO PIER AS ) WAS BOARDING A BOAT FOR COMPANIONS AND "ERT OUR LEADER WENT WITHOUT CONSCIOUS THOUGHT PICKED ,A )SLAND h3IR v HE CALMLY INQUIRED hARE UP THE BUCKET OF CLOTHES AND STARTED OUTSIDE TO CALL OUR NEIGHBOR !BULA YOU ONE OF THE TEACHERS OF ,A )SLAND v HANGING THEM ON A CLOTHESLINE INSIDE !RMED WITH A BOLO A SHARP LONG h.O v ) SAID h"UT THE TEACHERS THERE THE PARSONAGE KNIFE AND A mASHLIGHT !BULA WENT ARE MY COMPANIONS )S THERE ANYTHING "ERT WONDERED WHY ) WASN T AROUND OUR PARSONAGE IN HIS BOAT "Y ) CAN DO FOR YOU MY BROTHER v COMING OUT SO HE WALKED PART OF THIS TIME IT WAS ALREADY DARK "Y THE h6ERY WELL v HE SAID h) AM A LIGHT OF A mASHLIGHT WE SAW A PAIR OF mIP THE PLANK TO SEE WHAT WAS KEEPING TABLEG ASSIGNED TO THAT ISLAND ) AM ME INSIDE (E SAW ME WRINGING MY mOPS mOATING APPARENTLY LEFT BY THE JUST CONCERNED ABOUT THE LESSONS THE CLOTHES AND PUTTING THEM ON THE LINE mEEING MAN ! PIECE OF WOOD WITH RED !DVENTIST TEACHERS ARE TEACHING !LL TO DRY ELECTRICAL TAPE WAS mOATING NEXT TO IT OF YOUR TEACHINGS ARE VERY GOOD AND h(EY GET BACK OUT HERE &ORGET "ERT USED A STICK TO TURN THE WOOD OVER MY RELATIVES ON THE ISLAND ARE VERY ABOUT YOUR LAUNDRY v "ERT ANGRILY 7HAT WE SAW NEXT MADE US SHAKE THANKFUL AND PROUD OF YOUR PEOPLE "UT YELLED AT ME WITH FEAR A HAND GRENADE TAPED ONTO ONE THING ) AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT 3TILL IN A DAZE ) EMPTIED THE WATER THE PIECE OF WOOD AND CONNECTED TO IS THE @VALUES SUBJECT ) SAW IN YOUR FROM THE BUCKET OUTSIDE WHERE THE A TIMER WITH RED ELECTRICAL TAPE THAT NOTEBOOKS THAT @'OD AND @PRAYER AND BOMB WAS mOATING )MMEDIATELY ) COULD EXPLODE ONCE LOOSENED REALIZED THE DANGER AND ) RAN OUTSIDE ) OTHER THINGS ARE TAUGHT THE #HRISTIAN -Y COMPANIONS STARTED TO PACK UP WHILE EXCLAIMING h7E WILL DIE 7E QUICKLY TIED THE BOAT TO A POST ONLY SIX WAY ) M AFRAID YOUR TEACHERS ARE TEACHING MY PEOPLE TO BE #HRISTIANS v FEET AWAY FROM THE BOMB WILL DIE v )N ALL THE CHAOS AND PANIC 4HE TABLEG GOT ANGRY AS HE /NCE ON THE GROUND "ERT AND ) ) MANAGED TO ASK ALL OF US TO KNEEL EXPLAINED HIS VIEW (E EXCUSED HIMSELF RAN TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BUILDING DOWN AND PRAY WITH "ERT S LEADING SO ) DIDN T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO *UST AS WE REACHED SAFETY THE BOMB !FTER THE PRAYER WE FELT BETTER WENT OFF 7E ALL WERE GRATEFUL THAT OUR CLARIFY THAT THE !DVENTIST TEACHERS "ERT ASKED ME TO GO INSIDE THE HEAVENLY &ATHER DIDN T ALLOW THE BOMB WERE USING %NGLISH AS THEIR METHOD OF PARSONAGE TO GET THE LONG CHAIN AND INSTRUCTION SO THAT 'OD PRAYER AND TO GO OFF WHILE WE WERE INSIDE THE PADLOCK SO WE COULD SECURE THE BOAT ALL THE TERMS THAT PERTAIN TO WORSHIP PARSONAGE 7ITH mASHLIGHT IN MY HAND AND WERE IN %NGLISH NOT !RABIC )F THEY )N THE MORNING WE SAW THE NUMBED WITH FEAR ) WALKED THE PLANK USED !RABIC WHAT WOULD APPEAR IN THE DEVASTATION /UR PARSONAGE AND BOAT TO THE PARSONAGE DOOR ) STARED AT THE STUDENTS NOTEBOOKS WOULD BE !LLAH WERE DESTROYED "UT REMEMBERING BOMB UNDERNEATH FOR A FEW SECONDS FOR 'OD 3AMBAYANG FOR PRAYER ETC MY HEART POUNDING ) FOUND THE CHAIN 0SALM ) THANKED 'OD FOR ) QUICKLY RETURNED TO ,A )SLAND KEEPING US ALIVE AND PADLOCK AND HEADED BACK OUT
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ !UGUST
AND TOLD THE TEACHERS OF THE ALARMING COMMENTS OF THE TABLEG 4HAT NIGHT WE HAD A SPECIAL PRAYER AND SLEPT SOUNDLY ) DIDN T KNOW THAT THE TEACHERS HAD SCHEDULED NIGHTLY PRAYERS AT MIDNIGHT -ICHARD ONE OF THE TEACHERS SET THEIR ONLY ALARM CLOCK TO WAKE THEM UP ) DID NOT HEAR THE ALARM NOR DID THEY WAKE ME WHEN IT SOUNDED !S THEY PRAYED ANOTHER ALARM CLOCK WENT OFF NEAR MY FEET 4HIS WOKE ME UP 7HEN ) OPENED MY EYES ) SAW THROUGH THE MOONLIGHT THE SILHOUETTES OF THE FOUR TEACHERS ON THEIR KNEES !S ) PREPARED TO KNEEL ) TOUCHED ANOTHER lGURE ON HIS KNEES WHERE THE CLOCK WAS BUZZING ) PRAYED BESIDE THE ONE WHO WAS KNEELING BY ME 7HEN ) lNISHED PRAYING THE FOUR HAD ALREADY lNISHED AND THEY WERE WAITING FOR ME "UT WHO IS THIS ONE PRAYING BESIDE ME ) ASKED MYSELF ) LIT THE GAS LAMP TO SEE WHO IT MIGHT BE BUT THE LIGHT REVEALED NO ONE ) TOLD THE TEACHERS ABOUT THE PRAYING VISITOR BESIDE ME AND THEY COULDN T BELIEVE THEIR EARS 4HEY SAID THEY HEARD TWO ALARM CLOCKS GO OFF AND COULDN T UNDERSTAND IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ONLY ONE 7E DIDN T CALL IT A MYSTERY 7E KNEW THAT 'OD SENT (IS ANGELS TO WATCH AND PRESERVE OUR LIVES 0S 'OD #ALLED -E "ACK
"Y 3ONNY -ERCURIO ) WORKED MY WAY THROUGH COLLEGE AND WHEN ) lNALLY GRADUATED ) WAS THRILLED "UT MY JOY INSTANTLY TURNED TO DESPAIR .EGROS /CCIDENTAL -ISSION WASN T HIRING AND MORE THAN A DOZEN GRADUATES HAD APPLIED AHEAD OF ME %MPLOYMENT THROUGH THE MISSION COMES ONLY WHEN SOMEONE RETIRES OR PASSES AWAY ,IKE THE OTHERS ) VISITED THE MISSION OFlCE OFTEN LOOKING FOR SHORT TERM WORK "UT WITH SO MANY OTHER APPLICANTS ) WAS PASSED OVER MANY TIMES ) WORKED FOR CHURCHES AS A VOLUNTEER RECEIVING ONLY FOOD AND LODGING !FTER MONTHS WITHOUT FUNDS ) ABANDONED THE MINISTRY TO SELL BOTTLED WATER 7ITH A HEAVY HEART ) DROVE THE
WATER TRUCK ON MY lRST DAY OF WORK ) PLEADED WITH 'OD TO SEND ME lNANCIAL HELP SO ) COULD GO BACK TO WORK FOR (IM )T WAS AT LUNCHTIME WHEN THE MISSION PRESIDENT CALLED TO TELL ME OF THE GOOD NEWS ) WAS BEING SPONSORED BY !DOPT A -INISTER )NTERNATIONAL ! FEW DAYS LATER ) FOUND MYSELF WORKING FOR 'OD IN A MOUNTAINOUS PLACE FOUR HOURS FROM TOWN 2OMEO #ASTRO MY SPONSOR IN !MERICA HAD ASKED THAT ) BE ASSIGNED IN HIS HOMETOWN HERE IN THE 0HILIPPINES 4HE CHURCH WAS OLD AND LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF A SUGARCANE lELD 4HE FEW MEMBERS WHO ATTENDED EVERY 3ABBATH WALKED THROUGH A MUDDY lELD DURING RAINY SEASON TO GET TO IT ) MADE FRIENDS WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY AND ) VISITED #ASTRO S RELATIVES ) GAVE THEM "IBLE STUDIES AND
INVITED THEM TO CHURCH )N A YEAR S TIME THE CHURCH S MEMBERSHIP GREW TO MORE THAN 4ODAY #ASTRO IS BUILDING A NEW CHURCH CLOSER TO THE ROAD /N MY LIST OF CONVERTS ARE #ASTRO S RELATIVES AND THREE "APTIST MINISTERS ) THANK 'OD FOR !DOPT A -INISTER ) DON T KNOW WHERE ) WOULD BE TODAY IF THIS PROGRAM WERE NOT IN EXISTENCE
#HRISTOPHER 6 ,UAYA WAS A MINISTERIAL APPLICANT IN THE .EGROS /CCIDENTAL #ONFERENCE IN THE 0HILIPPINES WHEN HE WROTE THIS ARTICLE 4HE MILITARY WING OF THE #OMMUNIST 0ARTY OF THE 0HILIPPINES #00 THE .0! IS A -AOIST GROUP FORMED IN -ARCH WITH THE AIM OF OVERTHROWING THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH PROTRACTED GUERRILLA WARFARE *UN #ABER NOT HIS REAL NAME WAS A YOUNG VOLUNTEER MISSIONARY IN THE 0HILIPPINE MOUNTAIN TRIBES OF "UKIDNON (E ALSO WORKED IN THE -USLIM TERRITORY IN 7ESTERN -INDANAO FOR TWO YEARS &IVE YEARS AGO HE WAS CALLED TO WORK IN 3OUTH +OREA AND IS CURRENTLY SERVING AS A MISSIONARY IN THE NORTHERN PART OF 4HAILAND UNDER !DOPT A -INISTER !RNIE 2OA WORKS AS A LAYMAN WITH THE :AMBOANGA 0ENINSULA -ISSION (E AND HIS WIFE A TEACHER AT THE "ONGAO !DVENTIST %LEMENTARY 3CHOOL ARE THE PARENTS OF A HEALTHY MONTH OLD WHO WAS BORN WEIGHING ONLY LBS 3ONNY -ERCURIO IS NOW AN ORDAINED MINISTER OF .EGROS /CCIDENTAL #ONFERENCE AND MARRIED WITH THREE CHILDREN
'IVING "ACK 2EVA ,ACHICA -OORE RECEIVED A GIFT AND PASSED IT ON -ORE THAN ANYTHING 2EVA WANTED AN !DVENTIST EDUCATION 3HE COULD NOT AFFORD IT HOWEVER (ER SISTER SUGGESTED THAT SHE WRITE TO SOMEONE IN THE 5NITED 3TATES BECAUSE SHE HAD HEARD THAT KIND PEOPLE LIVE THERE /NE DAY 2EVA DISCOVERED A RETURN LABEL ON A PACKAGE OF USED !DVENTIST PUBLICATIONS THAT MY GRANDMOTHER "ERYL -C,ARTY HAD COLLECTED AND SENT TO THE 0HILIPPINES 2EVA S FATHER HAD WARNED THE CHILDREN NOT TO TOUCH THE PACKAGE BUT WHEN 2EVA SAW THE LABEL SHE COULDN T RESIST 3HE TORE THE LABEL OFF HID IT IN HER ROOM AND EVENTUALLY WROTE TO THE PERSON 4HE REQUEST MONEY TO GO TO SCHOOL -Y GRANDMOTHER OPENED HER HEART AND HER MEAGER FUNDS AND SENT 2EVA TO 0HILIPPINE 5NION #OLLEGE WHERE SHE COMPLETED A DEGREE IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 3OME OF THE MONEY UNDOUBTEDLY CAME FROM MY FATHER BUT 'RANDMOTHER TOOK IN BOARDERS ETC TO RAISE MONEY FOR HER MISSION PROJECTS $URING THAT TIME MY FATHER mEW 2EVA TO THE 5 3 AS A -OTHER S $AY SURPRISE FOR 'RANDMOTHER -Y FATHER ALSO BROUGHT 2EVA TO MY GRADUATION FROM !NDREWS 5NIVERSITY IN )N THE 5NITED 3TATES 2EVA MARRIED A MAN WHO EVENTUALLY DIED OF A BRAIN TUMOR 3HE USED THE LIFE INSURANCE MONEY TO BUILD A CHURCH IN "OITIANO 0HILIPPINES -Y FATHER CONTRIBUTED TO THAT PROJECT WHEN SHE RAN OUT OF MONEY TO lNISH THE CHURCH $AD HAS ALSO BEEN PART OF HER !DOPT A -INISTER PROGRAM /N !PRIL 2EVA DROVE FROM ,OUISIANA TO 4ENNESSEE FOR MY MOTHER S MEMORIAL SERVICE 7HEN SHE STOOD AND SPOKE 2EVA RECOUNTED ALL MY PARENTS AND GRANDMOTHER HAD DONE FOR HER AND CONCLUDED HER COMMENTS BY SAYING SHE WAS hTHE SEVENTH -C,ARTY CHILD v 4HAT lNAL STATEMENT SUMS UP HER RELATIONSHIP TO OUR FAMILY ˆ-!2),9.. 0%%+% #OLUMBIA -ARYLAND 5NITED 3TATES
!UGUST \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
$ % 6 / 4 ) / . ! ,
!
SMALL lRE BLAZES IN THE DIRT STREET 4HIN ORANGE mAMES DANCE GENTLY THEIR INCANDESCENT TENDRILS IGNITING GLOWING EMBERS IN THE PILE OF RUBBISH )T IS A HARMLESS BLAZE A RITUAL REALLY SET EVERY EVENING ABOUT THIS TIME TO BURN THE TRASH ACCUMULATED THROUGHOUT THE DAY
!T THE VOICE THE SMALL GIRL S EYES DART TOWARD HER MOTHER THEN BACK TO THE STICK STILL GLOWING WITH INTRIGUING SPARKLES )T IS OBVIOUS THE PROHIBITION HAD SPARKED A SHIFT FROM INNOCENCE TO INTENTION 3HE IS NO LONGER SATISlED WITH INSPECTION .OW SHE MUST TOUCH THE FORBIDDEN COAL
"Y *ENNI 'OODWIN
4OUCHING
RE &
! SMALL CHILD AND A BURNING STICK TAUGHT ME AN IMPORTANT LESSON ! THOUSAND lRES LIKE THIS ONE HAPPEN AROUND THE CITY EACH DAY ! TODDLER NOT MORE THAN PLAYS QUIETLY IN THE STREET FASCINATED BY THE COLORS AND MOVEMENT OF THE lRE 3HE DAWDLES BY THE mAMES GRIPPING A LONG THIN STRIP OF WOOD IN HER HAND -USSY WISPS OF HAIR CLING TO HER CHEEKS AS SHE STARES INTENTLY THINKING HARD 3LOWLY CAREFULLY THE LITTLE TYKE STRETCHES THE LONG SLIVER OUT IN FRONT OF HER UNTIL THE TIP IS GLOWING A WARM ORANGE THEN PULLS BACK TO EXAMINE IT CLOSELY !S SHE IS EXAMINING HER PRIZE HER MOTHER CATCHES SIGHT FROM THE SALES TABLE h*OS¤AS v A WARNING VOICE CALLS SHARPLY h$ON T TOUCH THE lRE )T WILL BURN YOU v
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ !UGUST
$ElANCE x AND 'UILT
*OS¤AS lNGERS TWITCH ! SHORT BATTLE RAGES IN HER MIND AS SHE CONSIDERS THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES SHOULD HER MOTHER CATCH HER DISOBEDIENCE $ECISION MADE ONE SMALL HAND CREEPS TOWARD THE DORMANT lRE %YES FOCUSED BROWS FURROWED WITH GUILT *OS¤AS GLANCES ONCE TOWARD HER MOTHER FURTIVELY 4HEN SHE TOUCHES "ROWN EYES WIDEN TO SHOW THE WHITES -OUTH DROPS OPEN (AND JERKS BACK RECOILING INVOLUNTARILY FROM THE SURPRISE OF PAIN )T IS A WHOLE BODY REACTION AS THE BURN WREAKS ITS HAVOC ON HER TENDER mESH 4EARS WELLING IN HER EYES *OS¤AS NURSES HER INJURED
lNGER COMFORTING HERSELF FOR JUST A MOMENT 4HEN SHE TURNS HER ATTENTION TO EVALUATE THE CAUSE OF HER PAIN THE GLOWING STICK 4HE TRIAL IS SET 4HE DEFENDANT IS IDENTIlED 0ASSING BLITHELY BY THE FAULT OF HER OWN BLATANT DISOBEDIENCE AN INANIMATE HUMANLY MANIPULATED OBJECT THE STICK IS JUDGED GUILTY 7ITH THE SAME RESPONSE THAT HUMANITY HAS USED FOR AGES TO EXCUSE ITS OWN MISDEEDS THE DIMINUTIVE CHILD SMILES VINDICTIVELY &ORGETTING HER BURN SHE CONCENTRATES ON METING OUT ILL DESIGNATED JUSTICE 3ECURING THE SLENDER TWIG IN BOTH HER BABY HANDS *OS¤AS SMASHES THE GLOWING EMBER INTO THE DIRT WITH ALL
%VEN OUR BIRTH INNOCENCE IS TAINTED 4HERE IS NOTHING GOOD IN OUR HUMANNESS 7E ARE IN DIRE NEED OF A SPIRITUAL REBIRTH
THE VIOLENT FORCE HER TODDLER S BODY CAN PRODUCE x REPEATING THE PROCESS UNTIL THE STICK IS BLACK AND MANGLED !FTER A SHORT PAUSE SHE CARRIES THE STICK BACK TO THE lRE RELIGHTS IT AND THEN SMASHES IT INTO THE DUST !GAIN !ND AGAIN !ND AGAIN 4HAT S (OW )T !LL "EGAN
) SIT MY BACK LEANING AGAINST SOME RICKETY SLATS AS ) WAIT WATCHING ) AM THE SOLE OBSERVER (OW BLATANT HER DElANCE CHOOSING TO DO EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT HER MOTHER HAS INSTRUCTED x TO HER OWN DETRIMENT 3HORT LIVED INNOCENCE INTENTIONALLY TRADED FOR THE PROMISED KNOWLEDGE OF EXPERIENCING THE REALITY OF GOOD
AND EVIL 7ARNING WAS PROVIDED 5NDERSTANDING WAS PRESENT *OS¤AS USED THE RATIONAL ABILITY OF HER LITTLE MIND TO CHOOSE AND SHE CHOSE TO DISOBEY )T DOESN T MAKE ANY SENSE REALLY "UT IT DOESN T STOP THERE *OS¤AS RECEIVED THE CONSEQUENCES OF HER CHOICE YET SHE REFUSED TO ACCEPT THEM AS SUCH "LAME CAME AUTOMATICALLY THE PASSING OF HER SELF OWNED GUILT TO AN INNOCENT THIRD PARTY 0UNISHING ANOTHER FOR ONE S OWN SIN )T WAS A CLASSIC PARADIGM REPETITION OF SIN S BIRTH ON THIS PLANET ) RISE SLOWLY TO MY FEET AND START TOWARD HOME REPLAYING THE CHILD S ACTIONS IN MY MIND AMAZED AT THE RESEMBLANCE OF *OS¤AS ENCOUNTER WITH SIN TO THAT OF !DAM AND %VE S lRST EXPERIENCE IN THE GARDEN "OTH PARTIES WERE PREVIOUSLY COMPLETELY INNOCENT "OTH RECEIVED INSTRUCTION FROM THE ONE WHO CARED FOR THEM WITH THE SOLE PURPOSE OF PREVENTING THEM PAIN AND SUFFERING "OTH MADE A DELIBERATE CHOICE TO DISOBEY THOSE INSTRUCTIONS "OTH REFUSED TO ACCEPT THEIR OWN RESPONSIBILITY IN THE RESULTING CONSEQUENCES INSTEAD PASSING THE BLAME TO SOMEONE OR SOMETHING ELSE (OW FAR ) MARVELED WE HAVE FALLEN AS A SINFUL RACE WITH SINFUL TENDENCIES NOW ENGRAINED IN OUR BEINGS FROM BIRTH
GOOD IN OUR HUMANNESS 7E ARE IN DIRE NEED OF A SPIRITUAL REBIRTH ) VE KNOWN IT ALL ALONG BUT SUDDENLY IT MAKES MUCH MORE SENSE h"UT WHEN THE KINDNESS AND LOVE OF 'OD OUR 3AVIOR APPEARED HE SAVED US NOT BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUS THINGS WE HAD DONE BUT BECAUSE OF HIS MERCY (E SAVED US THROUGH THE WASHING OF REBIRTH AND RENEWAL BY THE (OLY 3PIRIT WHOM HE POURED OUT ON US GENEROUSLY THROUGH *ESUS #HRIST OUR 3AVIORv 4ITUS h4HEREFORE IF ANYONE IS IN #HRIST HE IS A NEW CREATION THE OLD HAS GONE THE NEW HAS COME v #OR (OW OFTEN ) REmECT DO ) PLAY h*OS¤ASv WITH 'OD 'OD SETS GUIDELINES TO PROTECT AND CARE FOR ME (E KNOWS WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN ) DISOBEY AND (E WANTS TO PREVENT ME FROM EXPERIENCING PAIN 7ARNING IS PROVIDED )NSTRUCTION IS CLEAR ) KNOW WHAT S RIGHT ) UNDERSTAND ) DON T WANT TO EXPERIENCE PAIN )T S REALLY QUITE SIMPLE 3O WHY DO ) STILL CHOOSE TO TOUCH THE lRE 4ODAY A SMALL CHILD AND A BURNING STICK OPENED MY EYES AND TAUGHT ME A VALUABLE LESSON )T S TIME TO BREAK THE MOLD OF BURNING lNGERS AND BASHING STICKS )T S TIME TO DITCH THE PERVERSION OF OUR SUPPOSED BIRTH INNOCENCE AND BE INTENTIONALLY REBORN 2EBORN THROUGH (IS MERITS INTO (IS PERFECTION
!LL OF 5S 4ARNISHED
4O SEE THE INNOCENT CHILD SOILED IMMERSED IN THE BLEEDING STAIN OF EXPERIENCING SIN ) AM SHARPLY REMINDED OF MY OWN LIFE GRUBBY AND TARNISHED WITH A THICK CRUST OF ACCUMULATED SIN )T S NOT SO FRESH AND SHOCKING ANYMORE 3IN FOR ME ISN T SO NEW IT S REALLY ROUTINE -ORE ACCEPTED %VEN EXPECTED ) REALIZE SUDDENLY THE TRAP HUMANITY HAS FALLEN INTO AND THE DESPERATE NEED WE HAVE SPIRITUALLY %VEN OUR BIRTH INNOCENCE IS TAINTED 4HERE IS NOTHING
" # , % ! 2 9 3 ! 2 ! ( * / . % 3 $ ) ' ) 4! , ,9 - / $ ) & ) % $
!LL 3CRIPTURE REFERENCES ARE FROM THE .EW )NTERNATIONAL 6ERSION
*ENNI 'OODWIN A NURSE AND PARAMEDIC IS COORDINATOR OF 4OUCH OF ,OVE A NONPROlT MINISTRY OF !MBASSADORS -EDICAL /UTREACH AND 2ELIEF 0ROJECTS IN NORTHEASTERN 0ERU
!UGUST \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
4HE
! $ 6 % . 4 ) 3 4 , ) & %
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/NE MAN S ENCOUNTER WITH AN !)$3 VICTIM
/NLY
HE lRST RAYS OF THE EARLY DAWN LAY IN LONG SHADOWS OVER THE CORRUGATED ROOFS OF THE 0HILLIPI SQUATTER CAMP AS ) FOLLOWED $ENNIS OVER THE WHITE SAND DUNES TO A LITTLE TIN SHANTY ! STRONG SMELL OF SMOLDERING SMOKE HUNG IN THE AIR 4HE DOOR CREAKED AS $ENNIS UNHOOKED THE WIRE CATCH (E STOOPED LOW AS HE PEERED INTO THE DIM LIGHT OF THE LITTLE SHACK )N HIS ONE HAND HE CLUTCHED A YELLOW PLASTIC BAG lLLED WITH GROCERIES FROM THE STORE ) FOLLOWED CLOSE BEHIND HIM AS HE MADE OUR PRESENCE KNOWN h'OOD MORNING -IRIAM ) VE "Y (EIN 6ON (ORSTEN COME TO VISIT YOU AND ) HAVE A FRIEND WITH ME v (IS VOICE BROUGHT WARMTH TO THE CHILLY AIR OF THE EARLY WINTER MORNING (E MADE HIS WAY TO HER BEDSIDE IN THE FAINT LIGHT SEEPING THROUGH THE OPEN DOOR )NSIDE ) VAGUELY DISCERNED THE FEW ODD PIECES OF FURNITURE IN THE SMALL ROOM !S MY EYES GREW ACCUSTOMED TO THE LOW LIGHT ) COULD SEE $ENNIS STANDING NEXT TO HER BED IN ONE CORNER OF THE ROOM )N THE OPPOSITE CORNER ) NOTICED A CHAIR AND A LITTLE WOODEN TABLE COVERED WITH A RED CLOTH !S ) STOOD THERE IN THE DIM LIGHT OF THE TIN SHANTY ) SUDDENLY BECAME AWARE OF A STRANGE FEELING OF DISCOMFORT 7)4.%33).' ,/6% $ENNIS 7ADLEY HELD THAT FOR A mEETING MOMENT TOOK ME THE WOMAN S HAND IN HIS AND ASKED h-IRIAM BACK TO MY CHILDHOOD DAYS AND MY DO YOU KNOW THAT *ESUS LOVES YOU v GREAT GRANDMOTHER S LITTLE HOUSE ON THE ( % ) . 6 / . ( / 2 3 4 % . PRAIRIEˆTHE DANCING SHADOWS OF THE CANDLELIGHT ON THE WALLS AND THE FEAR OF THE DARK THAT TIED MY STOMACH IN KNOTS OUT SHARPLY AND ) WATCHED AS $ENNIS THIS DREADED DISEASE THAT BROUGHT )T WAS THEN THAT ) SAW THE BIG BROWN KNELT BESIDE HER BED AND TOOK HER SHAME UPON THE FAMILY 4HEY FEARED EYES OF -IRIAM (ER CHEEKBONES STOOD HAND IN HIS &OR A FEW MOMENTS THERE REJECTION AND STIGMATIZATION FROM WAS A SILENCE IN THE ROOM AS ) WATCHED THE COMMUNITY SO THEY ABANDONED HIM STROKE HER HEAD LOVINGLY -IRIAM AND LEFT HER TO DIE 4HE PREDOMINANTLY "LACK 4HEN $ENNIS BROKE THE SILENCE COMMUNITY OF 0HILLIPI LIVES UNDER VERY AGAIN h(OW ARE YOU -IRIAM v HARSH CIRCUMSTANCES CAUGHT UP IN THE ,ICKING HER DRY LIPS WITH HER (EIN 6ON (ORSTEN IS STRANGLEHOLD OF POVERTY AND !)$3 TONGUE SHE SAID h) AM VERY TIRED v (IS AN !DVENTIST PASTOR -IRIAM S FAMILY HAD LEFT HER BECAUSE HAND KEPT STROKING HER BONY lNGERS WHOSE MINISTRY SERVES SHE CONTRACTED THE !)$3 VIRUS 4HEY h) HAVE BROUGHT YOU SOME GOOD THE !DVENTIST MEDICAL PERSONNEL LIVING AND WORKING IN 3OUTH !FRICA DID NOT WANT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH FOOD THAT WILL MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER
,OVE )
NOW +
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ !UGUST
-IRIAM !ND ) WANT YOU TO MEET MY FRIEND (EIN (E HAS JOINED ME SO THAT HE CAN TAKE SOME PICTURES ) AM GOING TO SEND THE PICTURES OVERSEAS SO THAT THE FOLK THERE CAN SEE HOW PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING HERE AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL SEND US DONATIONS FOR MEDICINE AND FOOD 7ILL THAT BE /+ WITH YOU v (E TURNED AND WITH A NOD OF HIS HEAD INVITED ME TO COME CLOSER -IRIAM S EYES SLOWLY MOVED ACROSS THE ROOM TO WHERE ) WAS STANDING AND THEY SEEMED EVEN BIGGER THEN 7ITH GREAT EFFORT SHE LIFTED HER HAND AS A SIGN OF GREETING
4HE WOUNDED LEFT BEHIND ON THE BATTLElELDS OF !)$3 HAVE BEEN TENDED WITH SUCH LOVE THAT EVEN THE ANGELS HAVE WATCHED IN AWE
h(ELLO -IRIAM v -Y VOICE SOUNDED HOARSE UNDER THE CORRUGATED IRON ROOF ) DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE GOING CLOSER TO HER BED SO ) INSTINCTIVELY STARTED lDDLING WITH THE KNOBS ON MY CAMERA ) WASN T AFRAID OF ANYTHING BUT ) BECAME AWARE OF A STRANGE REALIZATION AS THOUGH DEATH UNOBTRUSIVELY WANTED TO SNEAK IN UNDER HER BLANKETS h-IRIAM ) VE COME TO ANOINT YOU TODAY v $ENNIS S VOICE WAS lLLED WITH WARMTH AND COMPASSION AS HIS KNEES
DUG DEEPER INTO THE WHITE SAND mOOR !S HE REACHED FOR THE BOTTLE OF SUNmOWER COOKING OIL IN THE YELLOW PLASTIC BAG HER BROWN EYES STARED AT HIM h-IRIAM DO YOU KNOW THAT *ESUS LOVES YOU v (IS HAND REACHED OUT AND TOUCHED HER CHEEK !S ) STOOD WATCHING AMID THE SOLEMN SILENCE IT WAS AS IF A VOICE WHISPERED h4AKE OFF YOUR SHOES FOR YOU ARE STANDING ON HOLY GROUND v 4HE SILENCE ENFOLDED US AGAIN -IRIAM STARED UP AT THE ROOF AS $ENNIS HELD HER HAND IN HIS h$O YOU KNOW THAT (E LOVES YOU -IRIAM v (ER HEAD SLOWLY TURNED TOWARD HIS h4HE ONLY LOVE ) KNOW v SHE SAID hIS THE LOVE THAT YOU HAVE SHOWN ME v !S SHE CLOSED HER EYES ) COULD SEE HOW THE TEARS GLEAMED DOWN HER CHEEKS )T WAS AS IF /NE HAD COME TO lLL HER -ARTHA AND -ARY HOME WITH (IS PRESENCE AS THE SILENCE ECHOED THE MELODY OF HER WORDS h4HE ONLY LOVE ) KNOWx v ! ,IFE OF 3ERVICE
) WAS INTRODUCED TO $ENNIS 7ADLEY BY !RTHUR !MMANN PRESIDENT OF 'LOBAL 3TRATEGIES FOR ()6 0REVENTION IN #ALIFORNIA 5NITED 3TATES $ENNIS IS THE DIRECTOR FOR "RIDGES OF (OPE AN INTERNATIONAL GROUP THAT SEEKS TO BRING HOPE TO THE DESTITUTE THROUGH ITS OUTREACH MINISTRY $ENNIS AND HIS FAMILY LEFT THE COMFORT OF THEIR HOME IN 3ANTA "ARBARA WHERE HE PASTORED A LARGE AND WEALTHY CHURCH TO COME TO 3OUTH !FRICA AS MISSIONARIES ,IKE -OTHER 4ERESA HE AND HIS STAFF HAVE BEEN LABORING AMONG THE POOR OF 0HILLIPI 4HE OUTCASTS AND ORPHANS HAVE BEEN CARED FOR THE WOUNDED LEFT BEHIND ON THE BATTLElELDS OF !)$3 HAVE BEEN TENDED WITH SUCH LOVE THAT EVEN THE ANGELS HAVE WATCHED IN AWE 4HE 'REATEST 3ERMON
) HAVE OFTEN THOUGHT OF MY EXPERIENCE IN 0HILLIPI AND THE WORDS
SPOKEN BY -IRIAM THAT WINTER MORNING IN HER TIN SHANTY 7ITHOUT DOUBT IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE GREATEST SERMON ) HAVE EVER HEARD )T TOUCHED MY LIFE IN SUCH A MEANINGFUL WAY AND REITERATED THE OLD TRUTH THAT IT S NOT WHAT YOU KNOW IN LIFE BUT WHAT YOU GIVE OF YOURSELF 0RIOR TO MY EXPERIENCE IN 0HILLIPI ) WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ENROLLED IN THE COURSE ()6 !)$3 IN THE 7ORKPLACE AT 3OUTH !FRICA S 3TELLENBOSCH 5NIVERSITY &OR MONTHS WE SAT AT THE FEET OF LECTURERS AND COVERED THE SOCIAL LEGAL PHYSICAL EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL ASPECTS OF THE EPIDEMIC ! YEAR LATER WE WERE CAPPED AND RECEIVED OUR WELL EARNED DIPLOMAS "UT IT WAS ONLY IN -IRIAM S TIN SHANTY A YEAR LATER THAT ) WAS CONFRONTED WITH THE TRUTH TRUE LOVE UNSELlSH LOVE IS NOT WRAPPED UP IN KNOWLEDGE BUT IN THE COMPASSION THAT WE SHOW TO OTHERS 4RUE LOVE IS THE WILLINGNESS TO UNHOOK THE WIRE CATCHES OF THE DOORS OF THE DESERTED TO STOOP LOW INTO THE DIM LIGHT OF THEIR SUFFERING TO FEEL THE SAND UNDER MY KNEES AS ) KNEEL AT THE BEDSIDE OF THE STIGMATIZED TO REACH OUT WITH A LOVING HAND AND TOUCH THE AFmICTED TO AFlRM THE LOVE AND PARDON OF 'OD FOR SINNERS TO ANOINT THE DOWN AND OUT 4HE LAST RAYS OF THE TWILIGHT OF EARTH S HISTORY ARE CASTING LONG SHADOWS OVER THE SUFFERING OF HUMANKIND !MID THE PLEASURE SEEKING MULTITUDES OF THE MOTHER CITIES YOU AND ) ARE DAILY CONFRONTED WITH THE TIN SHANTIES OF SOCIETY )F WE DECIDE TO LABOR FOR THOSE WHO ARE DOWN AND OUT THOSE WHO ARE DESERTED AND REJECTED BY SOCIETY THOSE WHO ARE STIGMATIZED BY SIN IF WE DECIDE TO REACH OUT AND BUILD BRIDGES OF HOPE WE WILL ALSO HEAR THE MELODIOUS WORDS h4HE ONLY LOVE ) KNOW IS THE LOVE THAT YOU HAVE SHOWN ME v 4HEN WE WILL KNOW THAT OUR LIVES HAVE NOT BEEN IN VAIN !UGUST \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
&INDING
0 ( / 4 / 3 " 9 2 ! * - 5 . $ $ ! " 2 / 7 3 + ) ! . .
4HE "EIGUAN !DVENTIST #HURCH IN 3HENYANG SERVES MORE THAN MEMBERS
,EFT '2%%4).' 4(% &!)4(&5, 0ASTOR *AN 0AULSEN PREACHES AT THE "EISHI !DVENTIST #HURCH IN 3HENYANG #HINA WHILE %UGENE (SU TRANSLATES "ELOW 4HE WORLD CHURCH PRESIDENT GREETS MEMBERS OF THE 7UXI CONGRE GATION AFTER A 7EDNESDSAY EVENING PRAYER MEETING
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&OR THE lRST TIME SINCE -AO :EDONG PROCLAIMED THE 0EOPLE S 2EPUBLIC OF #HINA IN A 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST WORLD CHURCH PRESIDENT HAS BEEN ABLE TO LEAD AN OFlCIAL DELEGATION TO VISIT !DVENTIST BELIEVERS IN #HINA )N -AY 0ASTOR *AN 0AULSEN AND OTHER CHURCH LEADERS FROM THE WORLD CHURCH HEADQUARTERS AND THE .ORTHERN !SIA 0ACIlC $IVISION TRAVELED TO #HINA FOR A WEEK LONG ITINERARY COORDINATED BY 0ASTOR %UGENE (SU A #HINESE BORN WORLD CHURCH VICE PRESIDENT 0ASTOR 0AULSEN SPOKE TO !DVENTIST CONGREGATIONS IN "EIJING 7UXI AND 3HENYANG VISITED WITH LOCAL CHURCH PASTORS AND MET WITH RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL OFlCIALS
LITTLE !ND YET ) SAW AGAIN AND AGAIN HOW THEY REJOICE AND HOW HIGHLY THEY VALUE THAT WHICH THEY HAVE IN #HRIST "UT LET ME BE MORE SPECIlC 3OMETIMES YOU MEET A PERSON AND THERE IS A SPIRITUAL ATMOSPHERE THAT SURROUNDS THEM )T DElES EXPLANATION YOU CAN T REALLY DESCRIBE IT OTHER THAN THAT THEY EXUDE A SENSE OF hSPIRITUALv POWER AND STRENGTH ) SENSED THIS WITH TWO SENIOR WOMEN PASTORS WE MET ) THINK ALL OF US IN THE DELEGATION SENSED THAT AS WELL
(AO 9A *IE IS THE SENIOR PASTOR OF "EIGUAN !DVENTIST #HURCH IN 3HENYANG 7HEN SHE BEGAN HER MINISTRY YEARS AGO THERE WERE ONLY A FEW DOZEN MEMBERS !ND NOW YEARS ON SHE HAS A COMMUNITY OF 4HREE THOUSAND ARE THERE AT THE MAIN CHURCH AND THE OTHERS ARE SPREAD OUT IN THE DISTRICT AMONG CHURCHES "EFORE ) PREACHED IN HER CHURCH SHE SAID TO ME h!FTERWARD ) WOULD LIKE TO INVITE PEOPLE TO COME FORWARD ) DO THIS EVERY TIME v !ND ) WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS HER PATTERN EVERY 3ABBATH 3HE HAS SEVEN FULL TIME ASSISTANTS AND SO WHEN AT THE END OF THE SERMON PEOPLE CAME FORWARD THESE ASSISTANTS STEPPED IN AND IMMEDIATELY TOOK CARE OF THOSE WHO RESPONDED )T WAS DONE IN SUCH AN EXTRAORDINARY MANNER 7HEN (AO 9A *IE LOOKS AT YOU EVEN THOUGH SOMEBODY ELSE IS TRANSLATING HER WORDS THERE IS AN INCREDIBLE SENSE OF STRENGTH AND WARMTH IN HER EYES $ID YOU HEAR THE PASSION IN HER PRAYER (ER VOICE ALMOST BROKE AS SHE PRAYED FOR PEOPLE TO RESPOND TO HER APPEAL ) WISHED WE COULD HAVE HEARD A LIVE TRANSLATION OF HER PRAYER
!ND THIS SENSATION OF SPIRITUAL STRENGTH WAS REINFORCED BY THE SECOND PASTOR WE MET WHO CAME FROM THE NORTHEASTERN PROVINCE OF *ILIN :U 8IU (UA IS IN CHARGE OF A DISTRICT OF MEMBERS 4WENTY THOUSAND 7HEN RESTRICTIONS ON RELIGION WERE LOOSENED IN THE S THE CHURCH IN THAT AREA EXPERIENCED MAJOR GROWTH FOR MORE THAN A DECADE 3HE RELATED ONE STORY OF A HUGE BAPTISM CONDUCTED BY THE ONLY !DVENTIST PASTOR THERE AT THE TIME (E WAS PLANNING TO DO ALL THE BAPTIZING BUT IT BECAME TOO MUCH FOR HIM TO HANDLE 3O HE STOOD IN THE RIVER AND SPOKE THE WORDS AND THE DEACONS LOWERED THE CANDIDATES INTO THE WATER AND BROUGHT THEM UP 4HE PASTOR STOOD IN THE RIVER FOR THREE DAYS AND BAPTIZED PEOPLEˆ A DAY ) MEAN ) VE STOOD IN A RIVER IN !FRICA WHEN WE BAPTIZED AND IT TOOK FOUR HOURS OF SINKING DOWN INTO THE MUD OF THE RIVER "UT THISˆTHIS IS INCREDIBLE 7E ASKED :U 8IU (UA h(OW DO YOU ACCOUNT FOR THIS 7HAT IS THE EXTRAORDINARY APPEAL v 3HE SAID h4HE PEOPLE COME TO THE +./44 4HE WEEK IN #HINA WAS lLLED WITH AMAZING SIGHTS AND EXPERIENCES 7HAT IMPRESSIONS FROM YOUR VISIT WERE MOST STRIKING TEACHINGS AND THEY SEE OUR ZEAL AND THE (OLY 3PIRIT v TO YOU h4HEY SEE OUR ZEAL v (ERE IS A DISARMINGLY SIMPLE ANSWER 0!5,3%. ) DON T THINK ) HAVE EVER BEEN ANYWHERE WHERE AND YET SO POWERFUL !ND ) SAID TO MYSELF 7OULD THAT OUR PEOPLE EVERYWHERE HAD THIS ZEAL WHICH IS SO VISIBLE AND SO ) HAVE BEEN SO STIRRED SPIRITUALLY AND EMOTIONALLY /N THE WHOLE THE PEOPLE ARE NOT WELL OFF 4HEY HAVE COMPARATIVELY STRONG !DVENTISTS IN #HINA WORSHIP UNDER EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES 4HE STATE CONSIDERS THE !DVENTIST #HURCH PART OF THE BROADER #HINESE 0ROTESTANT CHURCH WHICH IS COORDINATED BY THE GOVERNMENT SPONSORED #HINA #HRISTIAN #OUNCIL 4HREE 3ELF 0ATRIOTIC -OVEMENT !LTHOUGH RECOGNIZED AS A DISTINCT BELIEF GROUP !DVENTISTS HAVE NO AUTONOMOUS ADMINISTRATION NO INSTITUTIONS TO PROVIDE !DVENTIST PASTORAL TRAINING AND CONGREGATIONS OFTEN SHARE CHURCH BUILDINGS WITH 3UNDAYKEEPING GROUPS "UT IN SPITE OF THE CHALLENGES THEY ARE A GROWING GROUP WITHIN #HINESE #HRISTENDOM #URRENT ESTIMATES SUGGEST THERE ARE ALMOST !DVENTISTS IN #HINA MEETING IN AROUND CONGREGATIONS AND HOME CHURCHES !DVENTIST 7ORLD EDITOR "ILL +NOTT WAS PART OF THE DELEGATION (E SAT DOWN WITH 0ASTOR 0AULSEN JUST A FEW DAYS AFTER THEIR RETURN TO 3ILVER 3PRING -ARYLAND FOR A CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS HISTORIC VISIT
!UGUST \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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#().! 3.!03(/43 5PPER LEFT ! CHOIR OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS PERFORMS AT THE 7UXI 0ROTESTANT #HURCH DURING A SERVICE AT WHICH 0AULSEN PREACHED 5PPER RIGHT (AU 8AJIE PASTOR OF THE "EIGUAN !DVENTIST #HURCH IN 3HENYANG ,OWER RIGHT 0ASTOR 0AULEN *AIRYONG ,EE %UGENE (SU AND 2EVEREND 'AO &ENG PRESIDENT OF THE #HINA #HRISTIAN #OUNCIL 3ELF 0ATRIOTIC -OVEMENT HOLD A SPECIAL h&OLLOW THE "IBLEv COPY OF THE "IBLE WRITTEN IN SEVERAL LANGUAGES ' , % . . - ) 4 # ( % , , . 3 $
/NE OF OUR COLLEAGUES ON THE TRIP ASKED HER h7HAT DO YOU MOST LIKE TO PREACH ABOUT v !ND SHE LOOKED AT HIM AND SAID h4HE CROSSˆWHAT ELSE v )N HER INTERVIEW SHE ALLUDED TO THIS ISSUE OF ZEAL THAT THIS IS WHAT DISTINGUISHES !DVENTISTS FROM OTHER 0ROTESTANT GROUPS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE
!ND FOR THAT REASON THE !DVENTIST #HURCH HAS SEEN REMARKABLE GROWTH )N SOME PLACES THE GROWTH HAS BEEN UNREAL 4HIS SENSE OF THE MEMBER S ZEAL CONTINUES TO LINGER WITH ME )T MADE THE WHOLE VISIT FOR ME SUCH A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE ) HAVE SAID TO THE ,ORD MORE THAN ONCE h) WENT THERE WANTING AND PRAYING TO BE AN INSTRUMENT OF SOME KIND AND YET ) WAS THE ONE WHO RECEIVED SO MUCH v )F THESE TWO WOMEN WERE PASTORS IN A .ORTH !MERICAN OR 7ESTERN SETTING THEIR VOLUMES WOULD BE ON BOOKSHELVES EVERYWHERE BECAUSE THEY WOULD BE THE PASTORS OF MEGACHURCHES (OW SHOULD THE REST OF THE !DVENTIST #HURCH LOOK AT THE PHENOMENAL GROWTH IN #HINA AND RELATE TO ITS EMERGING LEADERS
7ELL #HINA IS INCOMPARABLE 7HATEVER YOU SEE IN #HINA YOU CAN T PLACE OTHER THINGS NEXT TO IT AND SAY h4HEREFOREx v 4HEIR JOURNEY HAS TO DO WITH HARDSHIP AND IT HAS TO DO WITH 'OD lNDING AN %LIJAH IN A SETTING WHERE THINGS ARE SO DIFlCULT 'OD IS lNDING THESE VOICES THIS COMMITMENT THESE PEOPLE AND IS SPIRITUALLY EQUIPPING THEM AND USING THEM IN THIS PHENOMENAL MANNER 4HE FACT IS WE HAVE AT LEAST HALF A DOZEN WOMEN PASTORS
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ !UGUST
WHO ARE ORDAINED AS MINISTERS IN #HINA 7E RECOGNIZE THEM AS ORDAINED MINISTERS THEY ARE IN OUR RECORDS IN THE STATISTICS IN THE 9EARBOOK 3HOULD ANYONE FROM THE 7ESTERN WORLD SAY TO ME h4HERE YOU SEE THEY DID IT IN #HINA THEY CAN DO IT HERE v -Y RESPONSE WOULD BE h7OULD YOU WANT TO BECOME LIKE #HINA v #HINA IS UNIQUE AND THE FACT IS WE DON T HAVE TRUE CONTROL OVER WHO IS ORDAINED 4ECHNICALLY THE ### ;THE STATE REGULATED #HINA #HRISTIAN #OUNCIL= HAS THE lNAL SAY BUT THE DECISION IS USUALLY MADE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE LOCAL !DVENTIST CONGREGATION )N REALITY THOUGH IT S A PROCESS THAT DOESN T ALWAYS WORK THE SAME WAY IN EVERY SITUATION 7E NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT 'OD WORKS WITH REALITY IN A GIVEN PLACE ) VE SAID MANY TIMES BEFORE h/BEDIENCE TO 'OD IS ALWAYS OBEDIENCE WHERE YOU ARE v !ND YOU CAN T SIMPLY TRANSFER THAT TO ANOTHER PLACE BECAUSE YOU DON T HAVE THE SAME SITUATION OR THE SAME INGREDIENTS 3OMEONE ON THE TRIP SPOKE OF TWO BIBLICAL ANALOGIES FOR WHAT S HAPPENING IN #HINA &IRST THE *ERUSALEM #OUNCIL WHERE THE CHURCH HAD TO COME TO GRIPS WITH THINGS IT COULDN T CONTROL !ND SECOND THE BAPTISM OF #ORNELIUS WHICH FORCED THE CHURCH TO RECOGNIZE THE (OLY 3PIRIT WORKING IN UNEXPECTED WAYS AND PLACES !RE THESE GOOD PARALLELS TO WHAT YOU ARE DESCRIBING
7HEN WE THINK OF #HINA WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT IT S
UNIQUE 4HERE ARE LIMITATIONS THAT OPERATE THERE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME THERE S AN ALMOST UNLIMITED POTENTIAL 7E MUST HAVE THE STRENGTH AND COURAGE TO ALLOW THIS TO DEVELOP EVEN IF GROWTH IN #HINA TAKES A DIFFERENT SHAPE FROM THAT TO WHICH WE RE ACCUSTOMED )T S CLEAR THE (OLY 3PIRIT IS AT WORK IN #HINA )N ONE CHURCH WHERE WE WORSHIPPED THERE WERE TWO HALLS ONE ON EACH mOOR BOTH THE SAME SIZE AND BOTH OF THEM WERE lLLED !ND PEOPLE WERE SITTING IN THE STAIRWAYS BETWEEN THEM JUST SITTING SO THEY COULD CATCH SOME OF WHAT WAS GOING ON 4HERE IS SUCH A HUNGER FOR BOTH THE 7ORD OF 'OD AND FOR FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER BELIEVERS "ILL HOW CAN YOU EXPERIENCE THIS WITHOUT FEELING 7OULD THAT WE HAD THIS EVERYWHERE ) SAW THOSE BELIEVERS SITTING IN THE HALLWAY FACES ALIGHT SINGING HYMNS AS THOUGH THEY WERE ON THE FRONT ROW !ND THEY WERE ONLY WITHIN EARSHOT OF AN OLD DECREPIT LOUDSPEAKER )T WAS DEEPLY MOVING TO ME TO SEE HOW ABSOLUTELY ATTRACTIVE THE GOSPEL IS TO THEM
!NOTHER SENTIMENT WHICH LODGED IN MY MIND AND ) M SURE ALSO IN YOURS HAS TO DO WITH THEIR VISION FOR TRAINING LAY PEOPLE /UR MINISTRY IN #HINA IS BASICALLY LAY DRIVEN AND LAY TRAINED 7E HAVE A FEW PEOPLE WHO GO TO SEMINARIES OPERATED BY THE #HINA #HRISTIAN #OUNCIL )N THESE INSTITUTIONS OUR PEOPLE RECEIVE GENERAL THEOLOGICAL TRAINING AND BIBLICAL INSTRUCTION BUT THEY DON T AT THIS TIME GET THE PARTICULAR !DVENTIST DIMENSION THEY NEED 4HEREFORE MOST OF THOSE WHO SERVE OUR CHURCHES AS PASTORS AND DEACONS WHO ARE IN REALITY PASTORS BUT NOT FULLY EMPLOYED AS SUCH ARE TRAINED IN THE LOCAL CHURCH )T S ON THE JOB TRAINING BUT IT S ALSO VERY FOCUSED AND DISCIPLINED /NE MIGHT BE TEMPTED TO SAY -OST OF THE PEOPLE WHO WILL LEAD THE TRAINING ARE THEMSELVES NOT FULLY TRAINED "UT THEN YOU LOOK INTO THE EYES OF THESE TWO PASTORS WE SPOKE OF EARLIER )F SOMEHOW THIS ZEAL CAN BE TRANSFERRED FROM ONE GENERATION OF CHURCH LEADERS TO ANOTHER WHAT A BLESSING ) WAS TOUCHED AS WE WERE LEAVING THE "EIGUAN CHURCH BY A SPONTANEOUS MOMENT WHEN THE CHOIR CAME OUT AND SURROUNDED YOU AND JUST STARTED SINGING )T WASN T SOMETHING THEY D PLANNED TO DOˆIT GREW UP IN THE MOMENT 4HIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS OF THE TRIP FOR ME ) HAD SEEN THE POLITENESS THE RESERVE THE DECORUM OF THEIR SOCIETY "UT SUDDENLY THERE WAS THIS MOMENT WHEN ) THOUGHT ) WAS IN 7EST !FRICA 4HE SINGING THE CLAPPING 9OU VE TALKED ABOUT WHAT THIS VISIT MEANT TO YOU 7HAT DO YOU THINK THIS VISIT BY A DELEGATION FROM THE WORLD CHURCH MEANT TO !DVENTISTS IN #HINA
7ELL ) HOPE THEY FELT ENORMOUSLY AFlRMED THAT THEY RECEIVED THE SENSE THAT h7E RE PART OF A FAMILY 7E HAVEN T BEEN FORGOTTEN 7E RE NOT OUTSIDE THE CIRCLE !ND THESE PEOPLE BY COMING HERE HAVE SHOWED US THAT WE RE FAMILY v 9OU SPOKE IN THIS WAY AT EACH PLACE WE VISITED AND ) THOUGHT 4HIS IS WHAT THEY RE HUNGRY FOR 4HIS SENSE NOT ONLY OF A CONNECTION WITH
EACH OTHER BUT A SENSE OF CONNECTION WITH A WORLD FAMILY (OW YOU WOULD ASSESS THE LONGER TERM IMPACT OF THIS VISIT $O YOU THINK IT WILL HAVE ANY EFFECT ON THE CHURCH S ABILITY TO OPERATE MORE SUCCESSFULLY IN #HINESE SOCIETY
9ES AND NO ) THINK INTERNALLY THE CHURCH WILL FEEL EMPOWERED BY ITS OWN EXPANDING STRENGTH TO lND WAYS TO HOLD THINGS TOGETHER "UT ) THINK AS FAR AS THE PUBLIC OFlCIALS ARE CONCERNED IT COULD INCREASE SUSPICION 2ELIGIOUS AUTHORITIES ARE COMMITTED TO LIMITING THAT WHICH IS TOO hDISTINCTIVEv THEY DESCRIBE 0ROTESTANT #HRISTIANITY IN #HINA AS hPOSTDENOMINATIONAL v "UT ) FEEL STRONGLY THAT THIS IS A POLITICAL DESCRIPTION WHICH HAS LITTLE TO DO WITH THE TRUE ESSENCE OF #HRISTIANITY )T LACKS THE FREEDOM THAT IS SO PRECIOUS TO ALL #HRISTIANS THE FREEDOM TO BE WHO YOU ARE CHOSEN TO BE AND TO EXPRESS YOUR VALUES )T S DIFlCULT TO PREDICT FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS ) SENSE THAT !DVENTISTS IN #HINA NEED TO EXPLORE THE BOUNDARIES OF WHAT S POSSIBLE !S LONG AS THE CHURCH IS #HINESE LED BY #HINESE PEOPLE AND AS LONG AS WE RESPECT THE LIMITATIONS OF HOW WE INTERNATIONALLY RELATE TO THE CHURCH IN #HINA THE AUTHORITIES CAN PROBABLY TOLERATE A FAIR BIT 4HEY SEEM NOT TO BE OVERLY EMBARRASSED BY THE FACT THAT h9ES YOU HAVE YOUR SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS SUCH AS 3ABBATHKEEPING v "UT AS FAR AS LINKING INTERNATIONALLY IS CONCERNED WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAUTIOUS AND PRUDENT 4HERE ARE MANY MINISTRIES WITHIN THE WORLD OF !DVENTISM THAT MAY HAVE AN INTEREST IN HOW THEY MIGHT SERVE IN #HINA 7HAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THOSE MINISTRIES BASED ON THIS VISIT
) WOULD SAY THAT !DVENTISTS IN #HINA BECAUSE OF THE EXTREMELY DELICATE NATURE OF THEIR SITUATION ARE BEST PLACED TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN MISSION 3OMETIMES WHEN SUPPORTING MINISTRIES GO INTO PLACES SUCH AS #HINA THEY CREATE VULNERABILITY AND EXPOSURE THAT IS NOT HELPFUL TO THE CHURCH 3O ) WOULD SAY h0LEASE PRAY FOR YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN #HINA )F THERE ARE RESOURCES YOU CAN MAKE AVAILABLE TO HELP THEM THEN DO SO 4HEY NEED MORE CHURCHES "UT LET THEM CARRY THE INITIATIVE v +EEP IN MIND ALSO THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO A LOT OF PRINTED !DVENTIST LITERATURE &ORTY lVE %LLEN ' 7HITE BOOKS ARE ALREADY TRANSLATED INTO #HINESE -Y SENSE FROM THIS VISIT AND ALSO FROM VISITS IN THE LATE S IS THAT 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISM IN #HINA HAS NOT hGONE ASTRAY v ) SENSE IT IS VERY MAINLINE !DVENTIST VERY TRADITIONAL AND RICHLY NURTURED IN ITS !DVENTIST IDENTITY 3O YOU WOULD SAY h2ESOURCE THE CHURCH BUT DON T FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TO GO IN AND RESHAPE IT v
%XACTLY ) FEEL THAT NO ONE SHOULD TAKE SUCH AN INITIATIVE UPON THEMSELF )F SOMEONE IS WONDERING HOW THEY CAN SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH IN #HINA THEN LET S TALK ,ET S COUNSEL TOGETHER AND lND A GOOD WAY
!UGUST \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
& 5 . $ ! - % . 4 ! , " % , ) % & 3
REATION #W O N D E R S .5-"%2
7HY SPECIAL CREATION MATTERS
"Y *OHN 4 "ALDWIN ,EONARD 2 "RAND !RTHUR #HADWICK AND 2ANDALL 7 9OUNKER
#
HARLES $ARWIN FAMOUSLY CON CLUDED THAT THE /LD 4ESTAMENT CONTAINS A hMANIFESTLY FALSE HISTORY OF THE WORLDv AND THEREFORE THE "IBLE IS hNO MORE TO BE TRUSTED THAN x THE BELIEFS OF ANY BARBARIAN v -EMBERS OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH LIVE IN A WORLD THAT TAKES EVOLUTION FOR GRANTED AND GENERALLY FOLLOWS $ARWIN S LOGIC &URTHERMORE AN INCREASING NUMBER OF #HRISTIAN SCHOLARS AND SCIENTISTS CONCLUDE THAT SINCE THE ACCOUNT OF THE BEGINNINGS IS NOT TO BE TRUSTED OTHER hTRUTHSv OF THE "IBLE CANNOT BE ACCEPTED AT FACE VALUE (OWEVER !DVENTISTS CONTINUE TO CHERISH THE BIBLICAL TEACHING OF SPECIAL CREATION THAT IS A RECENT CREATION WEEK 7HY 4HIS ARTICLE CONSIDERS WHY THE DOCTRINE OF SPECIAL CREATION STILL MAT TERS SO DEEPLY BY ADDRESSING lRST ITS SCRIPTURAL BASIS AS RECENTLY ENDORSED BY THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE %XECUTIVE
4HIS ARTICLE REPRESENTS A UNIQUE COLLABORATION BETWEEN BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL SCHOLARS AND SCIENTISTS *OHN 4 "ALDWIN IS PROFESSOR OF THEOLOGY IN THE 4HEOLOGY AND #HRISTIAN 0HILOSOPHY $EPARTMENT AT !NDREWS 5NIVER SITY ,EONARD 2 "RAND IS PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY AND PALEONTOLOGY AT ,OMA ,INDA 5NIVERSITY !RTHUR #HADWICK IS PROFESSOR OF GEOLOGY AND BIOLOGY AT 3OUTHWESTERN !DVENTIST 5NIVERSITY AND 2ANDALL 7 9OUNKER IS PROFESSOR OF /LD 4ESTAMENT AND BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY AT THE SAME UNIVERSITY
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ !UGUST
#OMMITTEE WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A CLOSER LOOK AT THE IMPACT OF THE DOCTRINE OF SPECIAL CREATION TO FOUR KEY DOCTRINES
OF EARTH YEARS AMOUNTING TO A FEW BILLION YEARS 4HE DAYS OF #REATION WERE DAYS LIKE OUR OWN COMPRISING LITERAL HOURS !DDITIONALLY THE CHRONOLOGICAL 3PECIAL #REATION IN 3CRIPTURE MATERIAL IN 'ENESIS AND -ATTHEW 4HE BIBLICAL TEACHING OF SPECIAL ARE ONLY COMPATIBLE WITH A TIME SINCE CREATION IS BASED ON SEVEN KEY BIBLICAL CREATION OF A FEW THOUSAND YEARS NOT PASSAGES REGARDING SPECIAL CREATION MILLIONS OF YEARS DEEP TIME "UT WHY NAMELY 'ENESIS %XODUS DOES IT MATTER HOW LONG AGO IT WAS 0SALMS AND 7HY DO WE CARE ABOUT TIME )T MATTERS (EBREWS WHICH NEED TO BE LINKED A GREAT DEAL AND THE REASON INVOLVES TO 2EVELATION OUR RESPONSE TO MODERN SCIENTIlC 4HE LISTING OF 'ENESIS AND IS INTERPRETATIONS OF GEOLOGIC TIME AND IMPORTANT 4HESE TWO COMPLEMENTARY WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT THE NATURE OF 'OD CHAPTERS INTENTIONALLY TEACH THE ACC AND OF THE "IBLE $EEP TIME AND THE OUNT OF EARTH S HISTORY AND OF THE ORIGIN THEORY OF THE EVOLUTION OF ALL CREATURES OF THE lRST LIFE FORMS ON THIS PLANET GO HAND IN HAND /UR CHOICE IS BETWEEN %XODUS WRITTEN BY THE lNGER DEEP TIME PLUS EVOLUTION OF LIFE FORMS OF 'OD REMINDS US OF THE CENTRAL OR A RECENT BIBLICAL CREATION WEEK PLACE OF THE SEVENTH DAY 3ABBATH AS 4HE CONCEPT OF A RECENT CREATION THE MEMORIAL OF CREATION 4HE FOURTH IS IMPORTANT )T GUARDS AGAINST THE COMMANDMENT ONLY MAKES SENSE IF CONCEPT OF THEISTIC EVOLUTION OR CREATION WEEK WAS A LITERAL SEVEN DAY PROGRESSIVE CREATION WHICH SEEMS EVENT AND CLEARLY REFERS BACK TO THE TO CREEP INTO SOME !DVENTISTS 'ENESIS ACCOUNTS )T UNAMBIGUOUSLY UNDERSTANDING OF SPECIAL CREATION DESCRIBES 'OD S CREATION IN TERMS OF 2EVELATION HIGHLIGHTS THE A SHORT PERIOD (IS WORK CULMINATED IMPORTANCE OF THE DOCTRINE OF SPECIAL WITH CREATURES BEARING 'OD S CREATION IN THE CONTEXT OF TODAY S POST OWN IMAGE AND CHARGED WITH THE MODERN CULTURE 4HE SPECIlC LANGUAGE RESPONSIBILITY TO CARE FOR THE WORLD OF 'OD S LAST MESSAGE TO THE WORLD IS !DVENTISTS HAVE GENERALLY ENDORSED SUCH THAT IT EARNESTLY CALLS ALL PEOPLE THE VIEW THAT THESE HISTORICAL DAYS OF TO WORSHIP 'OD BECAUSE (E CREATED #REATION WERE NEITHER MYTHICAL META BY THE BRIEF PEACEFUL COMPASSIONATE PHORICAL DAYS NOR SO CALLED LITERAL DIVINE METHOD OF SIX DAYS ALLUDED TO IN DAYS IN WHICH EACH OF THE SIX DAYS %XODUS )T REAFlRMS A SPECIAL ALLEGEDLY TRANSLATES INTO MULTIMILLIONS CREATION WORLDVIEW IN THE END TIME
)N A NEO $ARWINIAN WORLD 'OD IS THEREBY SHOWN TO BE WHOLLY WORTHY OF WORSHIP BECAUSE OF THE BRIEF RECENT TEMPORAL METHOD (E USED IN #REATION !S THE CLIMAX OF #REATION 'OD RESTED ON BLESSED AND SANCTIlED THE SEVENTH DAY THEREBY INSTITUTING FOR ALL HUMANITY -ARK THE CREATION BASED SEVENTH DAY 3ABBATH THE DAY CALLED 3ATURDAY IN OUR CURRENT CALENDARS 4HE 3ABBATH SERVES AS AN UNCHANGEABLE MEMORIAL OF A COMPLETED #REATION IN SIX DAYS AND AS A SIGN OF THE SANCTIFYING RELATIONSHIP EXISTING BETWEEN THE #REATOR AND THE BEINGS CREATED IN (IS IMAGE 7HEN #REATION WAS lNISHED 'OD DECLARED (IS CREATION WORKS AS hVERY GOODv 'EN 4HE LATER AUTHOR OF 0SALM ECHOES THIS DIVINE APPROVAL AND EXCITEMENT BY LINKING #REATION TO 'OD S GLORY 0S 3PECIAL #REATION AND /THER "IBLICAL $OCTRINES
&OUR KEY REASONS COMBINE TO SHOW WHY BELIEF IN A RECENT HISTORICAL CREATION MATTERS &IRST SPECIAL CREATION IS INDISSOLUBLY LINKED WITH THE AUTHORITY AND INSPIRATION OF 3CRIPTURE )F A LITERAL READING OF 'ENESIS AND CANNOT BE TRUSTED WHO OR WHAT WILL BE THE GUIDE TO INDICATE hTRUSTWORTHYv OR hDOUBTFULv PARTS OF 3CRIPTURE 3ECOND THE ALTERNATE WORLDVIEW OF THEISTIC EVOLUTION AND PROGRESSIVE CREATION PRODUCES INTRACTABLE PROBLEMS INVOLVING THE BIBLICAL TEACHING OF THE LOVING CHARACTER OF THE #REATOR *OHN )F ONE WOULD ACCEPT THEISTIC EVOLUTION AS THE SUPPOSED INTENTIONAL DIVINE METHOD OF CREATION ONE WOULD HAVE TO HARMONIZE MORE THAN BILLION YEARS OF TRAUMA PREDATION DISEASE DEATH MASS EXTINCTIONS SUFFERING COUNTLESS REGIONAL GEOLOGIC CATASTROPHES OF ALL SORTS AND OTHER NATURAL EVILS WITH THE BIBLICAL IMAGE OF A LOVING AND CARING 'OD 3CIENTIST $AVID (ULL AGREES BY SAYING THAT THE 'OD IMPLIED BY EVOLUTIONARY THEORY IS NEITHER LOVING NOR A 'OD TO WHOM ONE WOULD BE
INCLINED TO PRAY BUT IS NEARLY DIABOLICAL 4HIS IS DElNITELY NOT THE 'OD WHO SEES EVERY SPARROW THAT FALLS -ATT 4HIRD THE MILLIONS OF YEARS CREATION WORLDVIEW NECESSARILY REQUIRES THE DENIAL OF A HISTORICAL LITERAL &ALL A GLOBAL mOOD AND A HISTORICAL !DAM THROUGH WHOM SIN AND DEATH PASSED TO ALL HUMANITY AND ULTIMATELY INVOLVES THE DENIAL OF THE NEED TO ACCEPT *ESUS AS 3AVIOR THROUGH (IS LIFE AND DEATH ON THE #ROSS 'EN 2OM #OR )N THIS VIEW DEATH IN THE ANIMAL REALM INCLUDING PROTOHUMANS APPEARS MILLIONS OF YEARS BEFORE SIN THEREBY UNDERMINING THE ATONEMENT AND REDEMPTION &OURTH A HISTORICAL SPECIAL CREATION CONlRMS THE DIVINE RATIONALE FOR OBSERVING THE 3ABBATH #ONSIDER SOME IMPLICATIONS IF AS SOME SUGGEST 'OD IN THE 3ABBATH COMMANDMENT OF %XODUS IS ONLY USING LANGUAGE HUMANS CAN UNDERSTAND AND IS NOT TELLING US THE ACTUAL WAY IN WHICH (E CREATED LIFE FORMS ON EARTH IN SIX LITERAL DAYS )F SO 'OD (IMSELF BEARS PROHIBITED FALSE WITNESS AT LEAST TWICE IN THE 3ABBATH COMMANDMENT #ONTRARY TO ITS CLAIMS READ LITERALLY (E NEITHER CREATED IN SIX DAYS NOR RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY $ID (E EVEN BLESS THE SEVENTH DAY )F THE COMMANDMENT IS UNDERSTOOD IN THIS NONHISTORICAL SENSE 'OD GROUNDS THE DIVINE RATIONALE FOR WORSHIPPING ON THE SEVENTH DAY ON EVENTS THAT NEVER
HAPPENED )N SO DOING IT WOULD SEEM THAT 'OD WOULD IMPEACH (IS OWN WISDOM AND TRUSTWORTHINESS "RINGING )T !LL 4OGETHER
3PECIAL CREATION PRESERVES THE INTEGRITY OF 3CRIPTURE SAFEGUARDS THE LOVING PRAISEWORTHY CHARACTER OF 'OD ESTABLISHES THE REALITY OF THE ATONEMENT AND REDEMPTION AND THE SOUNDNESS OF THE SEVENTH DAY 3ABBATH 4HESE REASONS AND MORE SHOW WHY A SPECIAL CREATION WORLDVIEW MATTERS SO DEEPLY TO THE !DVENTIST MESSAGE AND MISSION
.ORA "ARLOW ED 4HE !UTOBIOGRAPHY OF #HARLES $ARWIN .EW 9ORK .ORTON P ,ANGDON 'ILKEY 2ELIGION AND THE 3CIENTIlC &UTURE 2EmECTIONS ON -YTH 3CIENCE AND 4HEOLOGY -ACON 'A -ERCER 5NIVERSITY 0RESS P $UE TO THE IMPORTANCE OF SPECIAL CREATION THE !DVENTIST #HURCH RECENTLY SPONSORED TWO )NTERNATIONAL &AITH 3CIENCE #ONFERENCES ON #REATION AND AND ENCOURAGED REGIONAL CONFERENCES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD IN ! CONSENSUS DOCUMENT EMERGED AT THE $ENVER )NTERNATIONAL &AITH 3CIENCE #ONFERENCE ENTITLED h!N !FlRMATION OF #REATION v WHICH WAS FORWARDED TO THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE %XECUTIVE #OMMITTEE AT ITS !NNUAL #OUNCIL 4HIS MEMBER 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE BODY DISCUSSED AND ACCEPTED THE REPORT FROM $ENVER AND VOTED A HISTORIC REPLY CALLED h! 2ESPONSE TO AN !FlRMATION OF #REATION v 4HIS DOCUMENT PUBLISHED AMONG OTHER PRINTING CHANNELS BY THE .!$ EDITION OF THE !DVENTIST 2EVIEW !UGUST P AFlRMED A RECENT LITERAL HISTORICAL CREATION WEEK COMPOSED OF DAYS LIKE OUR OWN ALONG WITH A GLOBAL mOOD 4HE WORD GLOBAL WAS SIGNIlCANTLY USED FOR THE lRST TIME IN A VOTED 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE STATEMENT ON #REATION 2ANDALL 7 9OUNKER h'ENESIS ! 3ECOND #REATION !CCOUNT v IN #REATION #ATASTROPHE #ALVARY ED *OHN 4 "ALDWIN (AGERSTOWN -D 2EVIEW AND (ERALD PP 4HIS VIEW IS FORMULATED BY 'ERALD , 3CHROEDER 4HE 3CIENCE OF 'OD 4HE #ONVERGENCE OF 3CIENTIlC AND "IBLICAL 7ISDOM .EW 9ORK &REE 0RESS 3EE 4HANE (UTCHERSON 5RY h4HE %VOLVING &ACE OF 'OD AS #REATOR %ARLY .INETEENTH #ENTURY 4RADITIONALIST AND !CCOMMODATIONIST 4HEODICAL 2ESPONSES IN "RITISH 2ELIGIOUS 4HOUGHT TO 0ALEONATURAL %VIL IN THE &OSSIL 2ECORD v 0H $ DISS !NDREWS 5NIVERSITY $AVID , (ULL h4HE 'OD OF THE 'ALÕPAGOS v .ATURE VOL .O !UG P
#REATION
'OD IS #REATOR OF ALL THINGS AND HAS REVEALED IN 3CRIPTURE THE AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT OF (IS CREATIVE ACTIVITY )N SIX DAYS THE ,ORD MADE hTHE HEAVEN AND THE EARTHv AND ALL LIVING THINGS UPON THE EARTH AND RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF THAT lRST WEEK 4HUS (E ESTABLISHED THE 3ABBATH AS A PERPETUAL MEMORIAL OF (IS COMPLETED CREATIVE WORK 4HE lRST MAN AND WOMAN WERE MADE IN THE IMAGE OF 'OD AS THE CROWNING WORK OF #REATION GIVEN DOMINION OVER THE WORLD AND CHARGED WITH RESPONSIBILITY TO CARE FOR IT 7HEN THE WORLD WAS lNISHED IT WAS hVERY GOOD v DECLARING THE GLORY OF 'OD 'EN %X 0SS (EB
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!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ !UGUST
h4HEN THEY THAT FEARED THE ,ORD SPAKE OFTEN ONE TO ANOTHER AND THE ,ORD HEARKENED AND HEARD IT AND A BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE WAS WRITTEN BEFORE HIM FOR THEM THAT FEARED THE ,ORD AND THAT THOUGHT UPON HIS NAME !ND THEY SHALL BE MINE SAITH THE ,ORD OF HOSTS IN THAT DAY WHEN ) MAKE UP MY JEWELS AND ) WILL SPARE THEM AS A MAN SPARETH HIS OWN SON THAT SERVETH HIM v )SAIAH NOT ONLY BEHELD THE GLORY OF #HRIST BUT HE ALSO SPAKE OF (IM 7HILE $AVID MUSED THE lRE BURNED THEN SPAKE HE WITH HIS TONGUE 7HILE HE MUSED UPON THE WONDROUS LOVE OF 'OD HE COULD NOT BUT SPEAK OF THAT WHICH HE SAW AND FELT 7HO CAN BY FAITH BEHOLD THE WONDERFUL PLAN OF REDEMPTION THE GLORY OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN 3ON OF 'OD AND NOT SPEAK OF IT 7HO CAN CONTEMPLATE THAT UNFATHOMABLE LOVE EXPRESSED IN DYING UPON THE CROSS OF #ALVARY THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN (IM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE AND HAVE NO WORDS TO UTTER TO EXTOL THE 3AVIOUR S GLORY 7HO CAN BECOME PARTAKERS OF (IS LOVE AND NOT ADMIRE AND REVERENCE AND ADORE !S THEY BEHOLD #HRIST THOSE WHO LOVE AND FEAR THE ,ORD WILL BE LED TO ASSEMBLE TOGETHER AND SPEAK TO ONE ANOTHER IN WORDS THAT ARE FULL OF FERVOUR h9EA HE IS ALTOGETHER LOVELY v (E IS hTHE CHIEFEST AMONG TEN THOUSAND v h)N HIS TEMPLE DOTH EVERY ONE SPEAK OF HIS GLORY v 4HE SWEET SINGER OF )SRAEL PRAISED (IM UPON THE HARP h) WILL SPEAK OF THE GLORIOUS HONOUR OF 4HY MAJESTY AND OF THY WONDROUS 0 ( / 4 / " 9 - !4 4 ( % 7 ( % 2 : % ,
WORKS v h!ND MEN SHALL SPEAK OF THE MIGHT OF THY TERRIBLE ACTS AND ) WILL DECLARE THY GREATNESS 4HEY SHALL ABUNDANTLY UTTER THE MEMORY OF THY GREAT GOODNESS AND SHALL SING OF THY RIGHTEOUSNESSx 4HEY SHALL SPEAK OF THE GLORY OF THY KINGDOM AND TALK OF THY POWER TO MAKE KNOWN TO THE SONS OF MEN HIS MIGHTY ACTS AND THE GLORIOUS MAJESTY OF HIS KINGDOM v 3UCH WILL BE THE CONVERSATION OF THOSE WHO ARE SPECIlED IN THE SCRIPTURE h4HEY THAT FEARED THE ,ORD SPAKE OFTEN ONE TO ANOTHER v !ND 'OD IS REPRESENTED AS LISTENING TO THEIR WORDS AND WRITING THEM IN A BOOK
BEAMS OF LIGHT FROM THE 3UN OF 2IGHTEOUSNESS AND DIFFUSE THIS LIGHT TO A WORLD IN DARKNESS /H WHY CANNOT WE SEE FROM THE LESSONS AND ESPECIALLY FROM THE PRAYER OF #HRIST HOW #HRISTIANS MAY BE PERFECT IN ONE AND THUS REPRESENT THE GLORY OF THEIR 2EDEEMER )F THOSE WHO BELIEVE THE TRUTH WOULD BRING THE PRAYER OF #HRIST INTO THEIR PRACTICAL LIFE THEY WOULD GROW IN GRACE AND IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH 4HEY WOULD GROW UP UNTO THE FULL STATURE OF MEN AND WOMEN IN #HRIST *ESUS !S BELIEVERS IN #HRIST THEY hARE BUILT UPON THE FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS *ESUS #HRIST HIMSELF BEING THE CHIEF CORNER STONE IN WHOM ALL THE BUILDING lTLY FRAMED TOGETHER GROWETH UNTO AN HOLY TEMPLE IN THE ,ORD IN WHOM YE ALSO ARE BUILDED TOGETHER FOR AN HABITATION OF 'OD THROUGH THE 3PIRIT v 4HE BELIEVER IN #HRIST NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THE WORKING OF THE POWERS OF DARKNESS TO BRING DISSENSION AND DIVISION INTO THE CHURCH THAT ITS MEMBERS MAY NOT PRESENT THE ONENESS FOR WHICH #HRIST PRAYED 'OD S PEOPLE HAVE GREATLY DISHONOURED (IS NAME AND MISREPRESENTED THE TRUTH BY THEIR ALIENATION THEIR LACK OF LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER !S LOVE FOR 'OD HAS GROWN COLD THEY HAVE LOST THE CHILDLIKE 9OUR 7ITNESS 5PLIFTS SIMPLICITY THAT KNIT HEART TO HEART IN LOVE AND TENDERNESS 4HE TESTIMONY OF *OHN THE BELOVED DISCIPLE IS h4HAT (ARDHEARTEDNESS HAS COME IN 4HERE IS A DRAWING AWAY WHICH WAS FROM THE BEGINNING WHICH WE HAVE HEARD WHICH FROM ONE ANOTHER -ANY ARE SAYING BY THEIR ACTIONS ) CARE WE HAVE SEEN WITH OUR EYES WHICH WE HAVE LOOKED UPON NOT FOR THE PRAYER OF #HRIST 4HEY FEEL UNDER NO SPECIAL AND OUR HANDS HAVE HANDLED OF THE 7ORD OF LIFE FOR THE OBLIGATION TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS #HRIST HAS LOVED THEM LIFE WAS MANIFESTED AND WE HAVE SEEN IT AND BEAR WITNESS *ESUS CAN DO LITTLE FOR THESE SOULS FOR (IS WORDS AND 3PIRIT AND SHOW UNTO YOU THAT ETERNAL LIFE WHICH WAS WITH THE ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ENTER INTO THE HEART &ATHER AND WAS MANIFESTED UNTO US THAT WHICH WE HAVE 9OUR 7ITNESS 3AVES SEEN AND HEARD DECLARE WE UNTO YOU THAT YE ALSO MAY HAVE -ANY ARE IN DARKNESS AND KNOW NOT THE CAUSE 4HEY ARE FELLOWSHIP WITH US AND TRULY OUR FELLOWSHIP IS WITH THE NOT AT PEACE WITH 'OD THEY ARE NOT ONE WITH #HRIST NOR &ATHER AND WITH HIS 3ON *ESUS #HRIST !ND THESE THINGS IN UNITY WITH ONE ANOTHER 4HEY SEEM TO THINK THEY ARE AT WRITE WE UNTO YOU THAT YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL 4HIS THEN IS THE MESSAGE WHICH WE HAVE HEARD OF HIM AND DECLARE UNTO LIBERTY TO ACT OUT THE NATURAL FEELINGS OF THE HEART 7ORDS AND ACTIONS TESTIFY THAT THEY DO NOT DESIRE TO BE IN UNION WITH YOU THAT 'OD IS LIGHT AND IN HIM IS NO DARKNESS AT ALL v THOSE WHO DO NOT EXACTLY MEET THEIR MINDS EVEN AMONG 3URELY THOSE WHO SPEAK TO ONE ANOTHER OF THE GOODNESS BELIEVERS .OW ALL WHO ENTERTAIN THESE IDEAS AND CHERISH OF THE ,ORD ARE HIGHLY PRIVILEGED h9E ARE A CHOSEN THESE FEELINGS NEED TO BE CONVERTED 4HEY NEED TO LIVE BY GENERATION A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD AN HOLY NATION A PECULIAR EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF 'OD 4HE PEOPLE THAT YE SHOULD SHOW FORTH THE PRAISES OF HIM WHO RELIGION OF #HRIST IS NOT TO BE CONTROLLED BY IMPULSE HATH CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELLOUS LIGHT v ,OVE FOR ONE ANOTHER IS NOT TO BE MANIFESTED IN PRAISE 7E HAVE RICH THEMES FOR THOUGHT AND CONVERSATION THEMES AND mATTERY BUT IN TRUE lDELITY )F WE SEE ONE IN DANGER THAT IT WILL INTEREST AND ENCOURAGE AND UPLIFT THE SOUL TO WE SHOULD TELL HIM PLAINLY KINDLY EVEN AT THE RISK OF HIS DWELL UPON AND IF 'OD S WITNESSES THOSE WHO ARE THE DISPLEASURE 7E MUST LEAN WHOLLY UPON 'OD WE NEED TO SUBJECTS OF (IS GRACE UPON WHOM THE BRIGHT BEAMS OF THE PRAY MUCH 7E SHOULD HOLD THE TRUTH WITH lRMNESS BUT 3UN OF 2IGHTEOUSNESS ARE SHINING SHOULD HOLD THEIR PEACE THE STONES WOULD IMMEDIATELY CRY OUT 'OD WILL BE GLORIlED WE ARE TO HOLD IT IN RIGHTEOUSNESS 7HILE WE SPEAK THE TRUTH WITH lDELITY WE SHOULD SPEAK IT IN LOVE
TNESS 9OUR 7ITNESS 5NITES
)F THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH ARE ONE WITH #HRIST THEY WILL BE IN UNION WITH ONE ANOTHER !ND THIS UNITY OF BELIEVERS WILL BE A LIVING TESTIMONY TO THE WORLD OF THE POWER OF THE 'OSPEL 5NITED IN ONE THEY RECEIVE BRIGHT
4HIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN 4HE 0RESENT 4RUTH *ANUARY 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS BELIEVE THAT %LLEN ' 7HITE EXERCISED THE BIBLICAL GIFT OF PROPHECY DURING MORE THAN YEARS OF PUBLIC MINISTRY
!UGUST \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
! $ 6 % . 4 ) 3 4 3 % 2 6 ) # %
7
TION OF THE OFFERING WAS 0ETR˜POLIS LOCATED IN THE MOUNTAINS OUTSIDE OF 2IO DE *ANEIRO 4HIS SCHOOL IS NOW HOME TO MORE THAN STUDENTS MORE THAN HALF OF WHOM LIVE IN CAMPUS HOUSING 4HE OFFERING IS NOW EX PANDING THE BOYS DOR MITORY AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR IN *ANUARY 3TUDENTS ON THIS CAMPUS ARE LEARNING HOW TO WITNESS FOR *ESUS 4HE PEOPLE WORKING IN THE FAVELAS OF 2IO DE *ANEIRO ALSO BENElTED FROM THE OFFERINGS 4HESE CRIME RIDDEN NEIGHBORHOODS ARE HOME TO MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN TRYING AND DIFlCULT CIRCUMSTANCES 4HE WORK HERE IS HARD AND PROGRESS IS SLOW 9OUR OFFERINGS HAVE HELPED BUY LAND WHERE 7ORKING THE .EIGHBORHOODS A NEW CHURCH WILL BE BUILT TO NURTURE /NE OF THE 4HIRTEENTH 3ABBATH THE NEW MEMBERS WHO HAVE COME TO /FFERINGS IN HELPED BUILD CHAPELS LIVE A NEW LIFE IN *ESUS AND CHURCHES IN NORTHERN !RGENTINA 0ASTOR 3AL #OSTA BEGAN HAVING EXPAND SCHOOLS IN "RAZIL AND START THE "IBLE STUDIES IN A GARAGE (IS SMALL WORK OF REACHING OUT TO THE PEOPLE IN GROUP STARTED OUT WITH THREE MEMBERS THE FAVELAS OF 2IO DE *ANEIRO AND NOW MORE THAN PEOPLE HAVE /NE OF THE SCHOOLS TO RECEIVE A POR BEEN BAPTIZED AND ARE ATTENDING ITH A MEMBERSHIP OF MORE THAN MILLION MEMBERS THE 3OUTH !MERICAN $IVISION IS GROWING AT A RAPID RATE 9ET THE CHURCH FACES CHALLENGES THAT THREATEN TO SLOW THE PACE OF GROWTH &ROM BIG CITIES TO RURAL AREAS MILLIONS OF PEOPLE STILL NEED TO HEAR THE GOSPEL 4HERE IS ALSO THE NEED TO EDUCATE PASTORS AND LAY MEMBERS TO HELP SUSTAIN THE GROWTH THAT HAS ALREADY TAKEN PLACE h7E ARE PART OF THE WORLD CHURCH DOING OUR PART WITH SPEED AND PASSION v SAYS %RTON +šHLER PRESIDENT OF THE 3OUTH !MERICAN $IVISION h7ITH THE GROWTH WE HAVE HAD AND THE CHALLENGES WE FACE WE NEED THE WORLD CHURCH TO JOIN HANDS WITH US IN THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH IN 3OUTH !MERICA &INANCIAL RESOURCES GIVE US THE MEANS TO PREACH THE GOSPEL v
'ROWING
3OUTH "Y $ANIEL 7EBER
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ !UGUST
4HE CHURCH IN 3OUTH !MERICA BENElTS FROM THE GENEROSITY OF !DVENTISTS AROUND THE WORLD
CHURCH EACH 3ABBATH h7E ARE THANKFUL FOR THE OFFERING FOR THE WORK IN THE GARAGE AND WE CONTINUE WITH THIS SMALL GROUP v SAYS #OSTA h7E HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PURCHASE A SMALL HOUSE TO CONTINUE THE WORK v
RESPECTIVELY TO ATTEND AN !DVENTIST COLLEGE LEVEL SCHOOL -OST ATTEND LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHERE THEOLOGY TRAINING IS UNAVAILABLE 7HEN CONSTRUCTION IS lNISHED THE SCHOOL WILL BE THE MAJOR SOURCE OF NEW PASTORS TO HELP GROW AND NURTURE THE CHURCH IN NORTHERN "RAZIL
HER .OW -AR¤A ALONG WITH HER SON AND DAUGHTER ARE BAPTIZED MEMBERS OF THE !DVENTIST #HURCH #RUZ SAYS THAT THE RADIO STATION IS A GREAT WAY TO ENTER THE HOMES OF THE PEOPLE IN %CUADOR h'OD IS IN THIS RADIO STATION v HE SAYS ! PORTION OF THE 4HIRTEENTH 3ABBATH !FFORDABLE AND !CCESSIBLE /FFERING THIS QUARTER WILL HELP TO EXPAND %DUCATION 2EACHING /UT 7ITH 2ADIO THE OUTREACH OF THE RADIO MINISTRY IN /NE OF THE FASTEST GROWING AREAS /N THE WESTERN COAST OF 3OUTH %CUADOR -IGUEL -ART¤NEZ SAYS h7E OF THE 3OUTH !MERICAN $IVISION IS THE !MERICA IS THE MOUNTAINOUS COUNTRY HOPE THIS OFFERING WILL BE A GENEROUS .ORTH "RAZIL 5NION #ONFERENCE GROWING OF %CUADOR ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING ONE BECAUSE IT WILL BE USED TO PURCHASE AT SUCH A RAPID RATE THAT IN IT WILL REGIONS IN THE 3OUTH !MERICAN ANTENNAS AND REPEATERS THAT WILL LINK OUR BE SPLIT INTO TWO UNION CONFERENCES $IVISION %CUADOR IS HOME TO FOUR CURRENT RADIO STATIONS v 4HE .ORTH "RAZIL 5NION #ONFERENCE MILLION PEOPLE AND THE !DVENTIST ! THREE HOUR DRIVE FROM 1UITO HAS BEEN ADDING ABOUT MEMBERS #HURCH HAS MORE THAN IS THE SMALL TOWN OF 3ANTO $OMINGO EACH YEAR AND NOW HAS A MEMBERSHIP MEMBERS 4HE CHURCH HAS GROWN HERE DE LOS #OLORADOS (ERE THE CHURCH OF MORE THAN PEOPLE 4HIS BECAUSE OF A STRONG EFFORT TO REACH RUNS #OLEGIO !DVENTISTA DEL %CUADOR MAY SOUND LIKE A LOT BUT THE 5NION PEOPLE THROUGH RADIO MINISTRY A + SCHOOL THAT IS ALSO HOME TO COVERS MORE THAN PERCENT OF "RAZIL S 4HE CHURCH OPERATES A NETWORK OF SEMINARY STUDENTS -ORE THAN ENTIRE LAND MASS AND ENCOMPASSES RADIO STATIONS THAT REACHES AN AUDIENCE STUDENTS ATTEND THIS SCHOOL FROM ALL MILLION SQUARE KILOMETERS OF SOME LISTENERS )N THE PAST OVER THE COUNTRY TO RECEIVE AN !DVENTIST ALMOST MILLION SQUARE MILES lVE YEARS THE RADIO STATION HAS BEEN EDUCATION ! PORTION OF THE 4HIRTEENTH 4HIS HAS LED TO TWO MAJOR RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE THAN PEOPLE 3ABBATH /FFERING WILL HELP RENOVATE THE CHALLENGES FOR THE CHURCH IN NORTHERN JOINING THE CHURCH WHILE GIVING BOYS DORM WHICH HOUSES SEMINARY "RAZIL &IRST BECAUSE OF THE INCREDIBLE OUT "IBLE STUDIES IN NORTHERN STUDENTS THE DORM IS BADLY IN NEED OF GROWTH THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE THERE IS %CUADOR ALONE REPAIR SO THAT THE SCHOOL CAN CONTINUE NOW A GREAT NEED FOR TRAINED PASTORS TO 4HE STATION FOCUSES ON PROGRAMS TO HELP TRAIN FUTURE PASTORS OF THE SHEPHERD NEW mOCKS OF BELIEVERS THAT DEAL WITH HEALTH FAMILY AND !DVENTIST #HURCH IN %CUADOR !S THE 3ECOND IS THE NEED TO REACH OUT SPIRITUAL GROWTH 4HE MAJORITY OF CHURCH CONTINUES TO GROW THROUGH ITS TO THE OUTLYING AREAS OF THIS UNION TO THE AUDIENCE IS EDUCATED AND SOME OUTREACH MINISTRIES THE NEED FOR NEWLY TOUCH THE UNREACHED PEOPLE WHO LIVE PERCENT ARE NOT 3EVENTH DAY TRAINED PASTORS ALSO GROWS IN THE FORESTS AND ALONG THE RIVERS OF !DVENTISTS 4HE PROGRAMS ARE CREATED %VER SINCE 4HIRTEENTH 3ABBATH NORTHERN "RAZIL AND BROADCAST FROM A SMALL STATION -ISSION /FFERINGS BEGAN IN 4O HELP PREPARE WORKERS TO SUPPORT IN 1UITO THE CAPITAL OF %CUADOR 4HE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS HAVE THIS DRAMATIC GROWTH THE 3OUTH STAFF OF THREE PEOPLE IS LED BY -IGUEL SUPPORTED THE GROWTH OF THE CHURCH !MERICAN $IVISION IS BUILDING !DVENTIST -ART¤NEZ DIRECTOR OF THE RADIO STATION THROUGH THEIR FAITHFUL PRAYERS AND !MAZON #OLLEGE WHICH WILL OPEN ITS *ORGE #RUZ RADIO STATION CHAPLAIN OFFERINGS 4ODAY THESE SAME OFFERINGS DOORS TO THEOLOGY STUDENTS IN ! OVERSEES THE "IBLE STUDY PROGRAM HELP TO SPREAD A MESSAGE OF HOPE IN PORTION OF THIS QUARTER S 4HIRTEENTH -ORE THAN VOLUNTEERS GIVE "IBLE *ESUS SOON RETURN TO THE PEOPLE OF 3ABBATH /FFERING WILL HELP BUILD A STUDIES AND MEET WITH LISTENERS WHO 3OUTH !MERICA 4HANK YOU FOR YOUR DORMITORY ON THE CAMPUS TO HOUSE HAVE REQUESTED VISITS IN THEIR HOMES PRAYERS AND SUPPORT THESE FUTURE PASTORS 4HE SCHOOL WILL /NE VOLUNTEER COUPLE 9OLANDA AND 4O READ MORE ABOUT THE PROGRESS EVENTUALLY EXPAND TO OFFER lVE MAJORS !UGUSTO WORK IN THE TOWN OF !LANGASI OF !DVENTIST MISSION VISIT WWW AND WILL BE HOME TO MORE THAN ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF 1UITO 2ECENTLY !DVENTIST-ISSION ORG STUDENTS 4HE BUILDINGS ARE DESIGNED TO THEY VISITED THE HOME OF -AR¤A 2OQUE BE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WITH THE A SINGLE MOTHER LATEST ENERGY SAVING TECHNIQUES TO KEEP 7HILE VISITING WITH -AR¤A THE COST OF EDUCATION AFFORDABLE 9OLANDA SUGGESTED SHE LISTEN TO THE $ANIEL 7EBER IS A VIDEO #URRENTLY !DVENTIST YOUNG !DVENTIST RADIO STATION -ARIA LIKED PRODUCER FOR THE /FlCE OF PEOPLE HAVE TO TRAVEL EITHER TO 3áO WHAT SHE HEARD AND SOON ASKED 9OLANDA !DVENTIST -ISSION 0AULO OR "AH¤A OR KMS AND !UGUSTO TO STUDY THE "IBLE WITH 0 ( / 4 / 3 " 9 / & & ) # % / & ! $ 6 % . 4 ) 3 4 - ) 3 3 ) / .
!UGUST \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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4HIRD IN THE NARRATIVE THE VERB hTO SEEv IS UNDERSTOOD IN A LITERAL SENSE 7E ARE TOLD THAT .OAH PUNISHED FOR SEEING HIS FATHER NAKED 'EN UNCOVERED HIMSELF AND (AM SAW HIM 7E ARE ALSO TOLD HE BIBLICAL PASSAGE YOU REFER TO HAS BEEN INTERPRETED THAT HIS TWO BROTHERS TOOK PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID SEEING IN DIFFERENT WAYS SUGGESTING THAT IT IS INDEED A THEIR FATHER NAKED 4HEY hTOOK A GARMENT AND LAID IT DIFlCULT ONE 4HE MAIN PROBLEM IS DElNING THE ACROSS THEIR SHOULDERS THEN THEY WALKED IN BACKWARD SIN OF (AMˆWHAT DOES THE PHRASE HE hSAW HIS FATHER S AND COVERED THEIR FATHER S NAKEDNESSv VERSE .)6 NAKEDNESSv MEAN 4HE SECOND PROBLEM IS THE SEVERITY OF 4HE TEXT EVEN ADDS hTHEIR FACES WERE TURNED THE OTHER THE PUNISHMENT ITSELF "EFORE ) ADDRESS THESE QUESTIONS LET WAY SO THAT THEY WOULD NOT SEE THEIR FATHER S NAKEDNESS v ME SUMMARIZE THE DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS OF THE PASSAGE )T IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ARGUE THAT THE VERB hTO SEEv IS USED )NAPPROPRIATE 3EXUAL !CT -ANY INTERPRETERS HAVE HERE FIGURATIVELY 4HE BROTHERS DID ALL THEY COULD TO ARGUED THAT THIS NARRATIVE AVOID SEEING WHAT (AM HAD SEEN IS ABOUT (AM S SEXUAL 4HIS IS THE PLAIN SENSE OF THE TEXT MISCONDUCT 4HIS IS BASED AND IT DOES NOT SUPPORT ANY OTHER ON THE PHRASES hTO SEE HIS INTERPRETATION FATHER S NAKEDNESS v hTO UN 4HE 3IN OF (AM )N THE COVER THE NAKEDNESS OF v ANCIENT .EAR %AST THIS WOULD HAVE SOMEONE 4HESE SAME PHRA BEEN A SERIOUS MATTER 4HE OBVIOUS SES ARE EMPLOYED IN ,EVITICUS QUESTION IS 7HY )N THE CASE OF .!3" TO DESIGNATE (AM THE PROBLEM WAS NOT WHAT HE SEXUAL INTERCOURSE 3O SOME SAW BUT THAT HE TOLD OTHERS ABOUT SUGGEST THAT THIS IS A CASE IT 4HESE TWO ACTIONS EVEN IF THE OF PATERNAL INCEST HOMO FIRST ONE MAY HAVE BEEN ACCIDENTAL "Y SEXUALITY /THERS HAVE SUG THOUGH THE VERB RA AH hTO SEE v !NGEL -ANUEL COULD MEAN hTO INSPECT TO LOOK GESTED THAT SINCE THE PHRASE 2ODR¤GUEZ hTO SEE THE FATHER S NAKED ATv ;'EN .UM CF 'EN NESSv COULD MEAN TO HAVE A = SHOWED GREAT DISRESPECT FOR SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE .OAH AND CONSTITUTED A VIOLATION FATHER S WIFE CF ,EV (AM VIOLATED .OAH S WIFE OF THE COMMANDMENT TO HONOR ONE S PARENTS 4HE 3TILL OTHERS HAVE ARGUED THAT (AM CASTRATED HIS FATHER 4HIS NARRATIVE SUGGESTS THAT (AM DISHONORED AND DISGRACED IS BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE "IBLE DESCRIBES WHAT (AM HIS FATHER 4HE CURSE PRONOUNCED WAS AN INVOCATION DID AS hWHAT HIS YOUNGEST SON HAD DONE TO HIMv AND THAT TO 'OD A REQUEST FOR JUSTICE )T WAS NOT INTENDED TO FIX NOTHING ELSE IS SAID ABOUT .OAH HAVING MORE CHILDREN THE FATE OF #ANAAN BUT (AM S SON BECAME THE OBJECT 4HESE SUGGESTIONS HOWEVER IGNORE OR EXPLAIN AWAY THE OF THE CURSE THUS IMPLYING SIMILARITY OF CHARACTER 4HE IMMEDIATE CONTEXT OF THE STORY HEAD OF THE FAMILY WAS PUNISHED THROUGH COMMUNAL #ONTEXTUAL AND ,INGUISTIC #ONSIDERATIONS 7HAT IS RESPONSIBILITY BASED ON FAMILY SOLIDARITY OCCASIONALLY OVERLOOKED IS THAT THE PHRASE hTO UNCOVER THE 4HE NARRATIVE MAY SOUND SOMEWHAT STRANGE BUT IT TELLS NAKEDNESSv IS NOT FOUND IN 'ENESIS 7HAT WE lND IS US SOMETHING ABOUT FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE NEED TO A DRUNKEN .OAH WHO BEFORE FALLING UNCONSCIOUS REMOVED AVOID CONmICTS THAT MAY RESULT IN PAIN FOR PARENTS CHILDREN HIS CLOTHES AND WAS LYING hUNCOVERED INSIDE HIS TENTv VERSE AND EVEN DESCENDENTS .)6 !CCORDING TO (EBREW LEXICONS THE VERB GALAH IN 4HE STORY ALSO POINTS TO THE NEED TO BE VIGILANT BECAUSE THIS PARTICULAR CASE MEANS hTO EXPOSE ONESELF v .OTHING IN THE WHAT TAKES PLACE IN THE FAMILY AS A SOCIAL NUCLEUS WILL HAVE CONTEXT SUGGESTS THAT (AM UNCOVERED HIS FATHER 4HEREFORE A NEGATIVE OR POSITIVE IMPACT EVEN ON THE NATION ! FAMILY THAT PHRASE SHOULD NOT BE IMPORTED INTO THE STORY TO CLARIFY UNITED IN LOVE AND SERVICE TO 'OD AND OTHERS WILL FULlLL (AM S SIN 4HIS MAKES HIGHLY UNLIKELY THE SUGGESTION OF INCEST 'OD S INTENDED PURPOSE FOR IT 3ECOND THE MEANING OF THE PHRASE hTO SEE THE NAKED NESSv SHOULD BE DETERMINED BY ITS IMMEDIATE CONTEXT )N ,EVITICUS IT DESIGNATES HETEROSEXUAL INTERCOURSE NEVER HOMOSEXUAL RELATIONS 4HIS RULES OUT THE SUGGESTION THAT !NGEL -ANUEL 2ODRÓGUEZ IS DIRECTOR OF THE "IBLICAL 2ESEARCH )NSTITUTE OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE (AM VIOLATED HIS FATHER
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2EVELATION THE "IBLE S LAST BOOK DESCRIBES *ESUS AS OUR LIVING ,ORD (E IS ALIVE (E REIGNS FROM (IS THRONE IN THE HEAVENLY TEMPLE 4HE AFFAIRS OF THIS WORLD ARE IN (IS HANDS (E WATCHES CONSTANTLY OVER (IS CHILDREN %VERYTHING THAT CONCERNS US CONCERNS (IM /UR RESURRECTED ,ORD MINISTERS BEFORE 'OD S THRONE ON OUR BEHALF !S WE GAZE INTO HEAVEN THROUGH THE EYES OF 3CRIPTURE THIS MONTH WE WILL ONCE AGAIN MARVEL AT (IS INlNITE LOVE AND TENDER CARE
(OW DID *OHN DESCRIBE *ESUS OUR RESURRECTED 3AVIOR h'RACE TO YOU AND PEACE FROM (IM WHO IS AND WHO WAS AND WHO IS TO COME AND FROM THE SEVEN 3PIRITS WHO ARE BEFORE (IS THRONE AND FROM *ESUS #HRIST THE FAITHFUL WITNESS THE lRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD AND THE RULER OVER THE KINGS OF THE EARTHv 2EV *ESUS IS THE
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*ESUS THE FAITHFUL WITNESS UNDERSTANDS EACH EXPERIENCE WE PASS THROUGH (E HAS CONQUERED DEATH ITSELF SO (E IS FULLY CAPABLE OF HANDLING ANY CHALLENGE WE FACE &ROM (IS THRONE (E GUIDES THE DESTINY OF OUR PLANET /UR ULTIMATE FUTURE IS IN (IS HANDS
7HAT DID *ESUS DECLARE ABOUT (IMSELF h) AM (E WHO LIVES AND WAS DEAD AND BEHOLD ) AM ALIVE FOREVERMORE !MEN !ND ) HAVE THE KEYS OF (ADES AND OF $EATHv 2EV *ESUS WAS DEAD BUT NOW IS
7HAT PROMISE DID *ESUS GIVE TO THE CHURCH AT 0HILADELPHIA IN 2EVELATION h) KNOW YOUR WORKS 3EE ) HAVE SET BEFORE YOU AN OPEN DOOR AND NO ONE CAN SHUT IT FOR YOU HAVE A LITTLE STRENGTH HAVE KEPT -Y WORD AND HAVE NOT DENIED -Y NAMEv 2EV 'OD HAS SET BEFORE THE CHURCH AN
)N 2EVELATION *OHN STOOD AMAZED AS HE LOOKED AND SAW A DOOR STANDING OPEN IN HEAVEN 'AZING UP INTO HEAVEN HE SAW THE &ATHER SEATED UPON (IS THRONE AMID THE PRAISE AND ADORATION OF THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE )N CHAPTER *ESUS THE SLAIN ,AMB NOW THE LIVING 0RIEST STANDS IN OUR BEHALF (E IS THERE AT THE &ATHER S THRONE INTERCEDING FOR US 7HEN THE QUESTION IS RAISED h7HO IS WORTHY TO OPEN THE SCROLL v VERSE *ESUS STEPS FORTH (E IS THE ONLY ONE IN ALL OF HEAVEN WHO IS WORTHY 4HERE AT THE THRONE OF 'OD OUR INTERCEDING PRIEST PRESENTS (IS PERFECT SINLESS LIFE ON OUR BEHALF (E PRESENTS THE MERITS OF (IS ATONING SACRIlCE BEFORE ALL OF HEAVEN JUST FOR US !UGUST \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
7HERE IS *ESUS NOW h.OW THIS IS THE MAIN POINT OF THE THINGS WE ARE SAYING 7E HAVE SUCH A (IGH 0RIEST WHO IS SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE THRONE OF THE -AJESTY IN THE HEAVENS A MINISTER OF THE SANCTUARY AND OF THE TRUE TABERNACLE WHICH THE ,ORD ERECTED AND NOT MANv (EB )S THERE A REAL SANCTUARY IN HEAVEN #IRCLE THE RIGHT ANSWER 9ES
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)N YOUR OWN WORDS WRITE WHY IT IS SO ENCOURAGING TO KNOW THAT *ESUS IS ALIVE AND MINISTERING IN HEAVEN S SANCTUARY
7HAT IS *ESUS DOING NOW h4HEREFORE (E IS ALSO ABLE TO SAVE TO THE UTTERMOST THOSE WHO COME TO 'OD THROUGH (IM SINCE (E EVER LIVES TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR THEMv (EB *ESUS EVER LIVES TO MAKE
4HE ENTIRE PURPOSE OF *ESUS LIFEˆTHE REASON (E EVER LIVESˆ IS TO SAVE US .OTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT TO (IM (EAVEN WOULD HOLD NO JOY FOR (IM IF WE WERE NOT THERE WITH (IM
7HAT GRACIOUS INVITATION DID THE APOSTLE 0AUL MAKE h&OR WE DO NOT HAVE A (IGH 0RIEST WHO CANNOT SYMPATHIZE WITH OUR WEAKNESSES BUT WAS IN ALL POINTS TEMPTED AS WE ARE YET WITHOUT SIN ,ET US THEREFORE COME BOLDLY TO THE THRONE OF GRACE THAT WE MAY OBTAIN MERCY AND lND GRACE TO HELP IN TIME OF NEEDv (EB /UR ,ORD INVITES US TO THE
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*ESUS OUR INTERCEDING (IGH 0RIEST STANDS BEFORE 'OD S THRONE TO PRESENT (IS PERFECT RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE PLACE OF OUR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS !LL THAT WE ARE NOT (E IS (E PROVIDES PARDON FOR OUR PAST AND POWER FOR OUR PRESENT )N *ESUS WE lND MERCY AND STRENGTH COMFORT AND HOPE JOY IN OUR SORROW (E NOT ONLY UNDERSTANDS OUR NEEDS BUT (E IS FULLY CAPABLE OF DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THEM (E NOT ONLY OFFERS SYMPATHY (E OFFERS HELP IN TIMES OF NEED 7HAT A WONDERFUL 3AVIOR IS *ESUS OUR ,ORD /UR INTERCEDING (IGH 0RIESTˆ*ESUS #HRIST THE RESURRECTED ,ORDˆPROVIDES EVERYTHING NECESSARY FOR US TO LIVE HAPPY CONTENTED GRACE lLLED OBEDIENT #HRISTIAN LIVES 0LACE YOUR FAITH IN THE LIVING #HRIST TODAY &OCUS YOUR ATTENTION ON HEAVEN S SANCTUARY AND REJOICE IN ALL THAT *ESUS OFFERS YOU
.EXT MONTH S "IBLE STUDY WILL OUTLINE h2EVELATION S %ND TIME #ONmICT v
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ !UGUST
,%44%23
! 1UESTION OF #OMPASSION
) JUST READ "ILL +NOTT S EDITORIAL h! 1UESTION OF #OMPASSIONv !DVENTIST 7ORLD *UNE )T S NOT JUST THE CONTENT AND THE WRITING THE FLOW OF LANGUAGE AND IDEAS IT S ALSO THE TONE AND POIGNANCY !ND MORE 'OD BLESS US MORE THROUGH THESE WORDS AND !DVENTIST 7ORLD MAGAZINE ,AEL #AESAR " ERRIEN 3PRINGS -ICHIGAN 5NITED 3TATES -EET -Y &ATHER
) WAS TOUCHED BY THE -ARCH !DVENTIST 7ORLD ARTICLE h-EET -Y &ATHER v BY #LINTON 7AHLEN ) GREW UP IN THE POOR FAMILY OF THE FATHERLESS AND ) HAVE NOT KNOWN HOW GOOD OR BAD IT IS HAVING A FATHER ) ALWAYS WEEP WHEN ) THINK ABOUT MY SITUATION ) AM FACING DAILY THE CHALLENGES OF BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR FAMILY ,IVING IN A POOR FAMILY WHERE ) HAVE NO ONE TO TELL MY SORROWS ) HAVE KNOWN THAT THERE EXISTS THE &ATHER OF THE FATHERLESS 4O (IM ) POUR OUT ALL MY NEEDS 4HIS HAS HELPED ME LEAN ON (IMˆ) KNOW THAT ) HAVE 'OD AS MY &ATHER ) AM CURRENTLY FACING DIFFICULTIES IN PAYING FOR MY FEES AT 3OLUSI !DVENTIST 5NIVERSITY IN :IMBABWE BUT ) KNOW THAT (E WILL DO GOOD THINGS FOR ME ) DO ASK FOR PRAYERS FROM THE CHURCH SO THAT ) KEEP ON TRYING (IM
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AS ) LOOK FOR A SPONSOR TO CONTINUE MY THEOLOGY STUDIES ,ASTLY ) SAY TO ALL THE FATHERLESS -EET OUR &ATHER !KIM "ULAWAYO 3OLUSI :IMBABWE ) WOULD LIKE TO THANK !DVENTIST 7ORLD FOR THE ARTICLE h-EET -Y &ATHERv -ARCH !S A GROWING PERSON ) LEARNED THAT OUR EARTHLY FATHERS CHANGE BUT OUR HEAVENLY &ATHER DOES NOT )T THRILLED ME TO NOTE THAT (E KNOWS WHAT WE WANT BEFOREHAND 4HIS ARTICLE LIFTED ME UP SPIRITUALLY 0LEASE KEEP ON PUBLISHING SUCH ARTICLES $IANA .CUBE "ULAWAYO 3OLUSI :IMBABWE
4HE ,AST -ISSIONARY
) WENT THROUGH THE !DVENTIST 7ORLD MAGAZINE DATED /CTOBER WITH THE COVER ON h4HE ,AST -ISSIONARY v 4HE WHOLE ISSUE WAS A BLESSING BUT WHAT TOOK MY ATTENTION MOST WAS THIS h&OR INDIVIDUALS OR CHURCHES TO REMAIN HEALTHY NEW IDEAS INSIGHTS AND PERSPECTIVES NEED TO BE CONTINUALLY AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLEv SEE ARTICLE h4HE ,AST -ISSIONARY v BY (OMER 4RECARTIN ) NEED TO GET MORE NEW IDEAS ESPECIALLY ON THE CHALLENGES OUR
!UGUST \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
,%44%23 YOUTH FACE BECAUSE ) AM A YEAR OLD YOUNG MAN ) HOPE YOU PRINT ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC IN THE NEAR FUTURE )SAAC "ARASA .AMASAKA +ITALE +ENYA ! 'REAT -AGAZINE
4HANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR !DVENTIST 7ORLD ) AM ONE OF YOUR REGULAR READERS AND ENJOY EVERY ARTICLE IN !DVENTIST 7ORLD )T IS A GREAT MAGAZINE OF OUR DENOMINATION -AY THE GOOD ,ORD BLESS ALL OF YOU IN YOUR SERVICE TO THE WHOLE WORLD CHURCH + -EGUERDITCHIAN "EIRUT ,EBANON
&OR INDIVIDUALS OR CHURCHES TO REMAIN HEALTHY NEW IDEAS INSIGHTS AND PERSPECTIVES NEED TO BE CONTI NUALLY AVAILABLE AND ACCESSIBLE ˆ)SAAC "ARASA .AMASAKA +ITALE +ENYA 7E ARE GRATIlED THAT READERS ARE ENJOYING !DVENTIST 7ORLD "E SURE TO LOOK FOR US ON THE )NTERNET TOO AT WWW ADVENTISTWORLD ORG ˆ%DITORS
,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 )T S NOT EASY FOR ME TO STUDY IN A SECULAR UNIVERSITY PLEASE PRAY THAT ) WILL NOT DISAPPOINT 'OD AND WILL BE ABLE TO lNISH MY STUDIES ) THANK 'OD FOR THE MANY MIRACLES (E ALREADY HAS PERFORMED FOR ME -ARGARITA 0ARAGUAY
0LEASE PRAY FOR A FRIEND WHO HAS MOVED AWAY FROM HIS FAMILY AND IS AN ALCOHOLICˆPRAY THAT HE WILL RETURN TO HIS FAMILY AND CHURCH AND MOVE AWAY FROM THE FRIENDS WHO HAVE LED HIM DOWN A BAD ROAD "ERTILIA -EXICO
0LEASE PRAY FOR HEALING FOR MY CHILDREN 4HEY SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY DIABETES KIDNEY DISEASE AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE 0RAY THAT THEY WILL HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH *ESUS ,INDA 5NITED 3TATES
0LEASE PRAY FOR MY HEALTH ) AM NOT WELL !LSO PRAY FOR MY RELATIONSHIP ) AM SUPPOSED TO GET MARRIED SOON BUT MY FUTURE HUSBAND AND ) ARE BANKRUPT .ETSAI :AMBIA
)T S GOOD NEWS TO HEAR SOMEONE IS PRAYING FOR YOU WHEN YOU ARE IN ADVERSITY $ESPONDENCY IS WEIGHING ME DOWN ) BELIEVE IN 'OD AND AM STILL CONVINCED THAT (E HAS NOT ABANDONED USˆ(E WILL MAKE A WAY ) NEED YOUR PRAYERS FOR FAITH %DMORE :IMBABWE
&OR MORE THAN A YEAR ) HAVE SUFFERED FROM lBROMYALGIA ) WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT 'OD HEALS ME ACCORDING TO (IS WILL OR THAT (E GIVES ME COURAGE AND FAITH IN THE PAINFUL MOMENTS 4HANK YOU ' ILLES 'UADELOUPE &RENCH 7EST )NDIES
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ !UGUST
0LEASE PRAY FOR THE (OLY 3PIRIT TO BE IN ALL WHO ARE MEMBERS OF MY CHURCH IN 'UATEMALA 7ENDY 'UATEMALA ) WOULD LIKE YOUR HELP IN PRAYING FOR MY MOTHER WHO WAS IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT SEVERAL YEARS AGO 3HE IS IN A WHEELCHAIR NOW UNABLE TO WALK AND SUFFERS FROM DIABETES !LSO PRAY FOR ME TO GET A PERMANENT JOB AND A HUSBAND TO HELP ME RAISE MY DAUGHTER #ARREN +ENYA
4HE 0LACE OF 0RAYER SEND TO PRAYER ADVENTISTWORLD ORG 3END US YOUR PRAYER REQUESTS AND PRAISE THANKS FOR ANSWERED PRAYER +EEP YOUR ENTRIES SHORT AND CONCISE WORDS MAXIMUM )TEMS SENT TO THIS CATEGORY WILL BE EDITED FOR SPACE AND CLARITY %VEN THOUGH WE WILL PRAY FOR EACH ENTRY DURING OUR WEEKLY STAFF MEETINGS NOT ALL SUBMISSIONS WILL BE PRINTED 0LEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND YOUR COUNTRY S NAME WITH YOUR ENTRY 9OU MAY ALSO FAX REQUESTS TO OR MAIL THEM TO !DVENTIST 7ORLD /LD #OLUMBIA 0IKE 3ILVER 3PRING -$ 5 3 !
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/UR MISSION IS TO UPLIFT *ESUS #HRIST UNITING 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS EVERYWHERE IN BELIEFS MISSION LIFE AND HOPE
!RE 7E
1UALIlED 4HIS MONTH
A READER SHARES THOUGHTS ON BEING QUALIlED FOLLOWERS OF 'OD
&
OR MANY PEOPLE PAPER QUALIlCATIONS HAVE BECOME ALL IMPORTANT 3OME EVEN RESORT TO hPURCHASINGv A DEGREE SO THEY CAN PRESENT THEMSELVES WITH THE hRIGHT QUALIlCATIONS v /THERS HAVE EVEN RESORTED TO FRAUD AND MISREPRESENTATION BY FALSIFYING CERTIlCATES BUYING FORGED QUALIlCATIONS ! PERSON ) KNOW WHO HAD NEVER BEEN TO UNIVERSITY ONCE JOKINGLY EXPRESSED TO ME THAT HE HAD STUDIED AT THE )./'/ 5NIVERSITY OF (AWAII (E THEN EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS HIS WAY OF EXPRESSING h) NO GO UNIVERSITYv IN POOR BROKEN %NGLISH )T MADE ME WONDER IF ) SHOULD PUT -71 THAT IS h-Y 7IFE S 1UALIlCATIONS v AS ONE OF MY CREDENTIALS !S ) CONSIDERED THE TOPIC OF QUALIlCATIONS AND THE IMPORTANCE PLACED ON THEM ) THOUGHT ABOUT THE QUALIlCATIONS THAT MIGHT IMPRESS 'OD $O WE NEED QUALIlCATIONS BEFORE WE CAN SERVE (IM ) GOT MY ANSWER FROM 3CRIPTURE )T IS RECORDED IN )SAIAH THAT THE ,ORD S QUESTION OF h7HOM SHALL ) SEND v WAS ANSWERED BY )SAIAH AFTER HE HAD REPENTED AND 'OD HAD FORGIVEN HIM )SAIAH S RESPONSE WAS h(ERE AM ) 3END ME v ) BEGAN TO REALIZE THAT 'OD ASKS WHOM (E FORGIVES TO ALSO SERVE (IM 4HE hQUALIlCATIONv 'OD SEEKS IN (IS SERVANTS IS A REPENTANT HEART 4HIS NOTION IS AFlRMED IN (EBREWS h(OW MUCH MORE SHALL THE BLOOD OF #HRIST WHO THROUGH THE ETERNAL 3PIRIT OFFERED (IMSELF WITHOUT SPOT TO 'OD CLEANSE YOUR CONSCIENCE FROM DEAD WORKS TO SERVE THE LIVING 'OD v 2EPENTANCE FORGIVENESS AND READINESS ARE FAR MORE IMPORTANT QUALIlCATIONS THAN PAPER QUALIlCATIONS ˆ-ERVYN !PPADU +WAZULA .ATAL 3OUTH !FRICA
0UBLISHER 4HE !DVENTIST 7ORLD AN INTERNATIONAL PERIODICAL OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH 4HE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE .ORTHERN !SIA 0ACIlC $IVISION OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS§ IS THE PUBLISHER %XECUTIVE 0UBLISHER "ILL +NOTT !SSOCIATE 0UBLISHER #LAUDE 2ICHLI )NTERNATIONAL 0UBLISHING -ANAGER #HUN 0YUNG $UK 0UBLISHING "OARD *AN 0AULSEN CHAIR 4ED . # 7ILSON VICE CHAIR "ILL +NOTT SECRETARY !RMANDO -IRANDA 0ARDON + -WANSA *UAN 0RESTOL #HARLES # 3ANDEFUR $ON # 3CHNEIDER (EATHER $AWN 3MALL 2OBERT 3 3MITH 2OBERT % +YTE LEGAL ADVISOR !DVENTIST 7ORLD #OORDINATING #OMMITTEE ,EE *AIRYONG CHAIR !KERI 3UZUKI $ONALD 5PSON 'UIMO 3UNG 'LENN -ITCHELL #HUN 0YUNG $UK %DITOR IN #HIEF "ILL +NOTT %DITORS BASED IN 3ILVER 3PRING -ARYLAND 2OY !DAMS 'ERALD ! +LINGBEIL ASSOCIATE EDITORS 3ANDRA "LACKMER 3TEPHEN #HAVEZ -ARK ! +ELLNER +IMBERLY ,USTE -ARAN %DITORS BASED IN 3EOUL +OREA #HUN *UNG +WON #HOE *EONG +WAN /NLINE %DITOR #ARLOS -EDLEY 4ECHNICAL #OORDINATOR -ERLE 0OIRIER %XECUTIVE !SSISTANT TO THE %DITOR 2ACHEL * #HILD %DITORIAL !SSISTANTS -ARVENE 4HORPE "APTISTE !LFREDO 'ARCIA -ARENKO 2EADER 3ERVICES -ERLE 0OIRIER !RT $IRECTION AND $ESIGN *EFF $EVER &ATIMA !MEEN "ILL 4YMESON #ONSULTANTS *AN 0AULSEN -ATTHEW "EDIAKO 2OBERT % ,EMON ,OWELL # #OOPER -ARK ! &INLEY %UGENE +ING 9I (SU 'ERRY $ +ARST !RMANDO -IRANDA 0ARDON + -WANSA -ICHAEL , 2YAN %LLA 3 3IMMONS 4ED . # 7ILSON !LBERTO # 'ULFAN *R %RTON +šHLER *AIRYONG ,EE )SRAEL ,EITO 'EOFFREY ' -BWANA *OHN 2ATHINARAJ 0AUL 3 2ATSARA "ARRY /LIVER $ON # 3CHNEIDER !RTUR ! 3TELE "RUNO 6ERTALLIER 'ILBERT 7ARI "ERTIL ! 7IKLANDER 4O 7RITERS 7E WELCOME UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS !DDRESS ALL EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE TO /LD #OLUMBIA 0IKE 3ILVER 3PRING -$ 5 3 ! %DITORIAL OFlCE FAX NUMBER % MAIL )NTERNET WORLDEDITOR GC ADVENTIST ORG 7EB SITE WWW ADVENTISTWORLD ORG 5NLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED ALL "IBLE REFERENCES ARE TAKEN FROM THE .EW +ING *AMES 6ERSION #OPYRIGHT Ú BY 4HOMAS .ELSON )NC 5SED BY PERMISSION !LL RIGHTS RESERVED 4EXTS CREDITED TO .)6 ARE FROM THE (OLY "IBLE .EW )NTERNATIONAL 6ERSION #OPYRIGHT Ú )NTERNATIONAL "IBLE 3OCIETY 5SED BY PERMISSION OF :ONDERVAN "IBLE 0UBLISHERS !DVENTIST 7ORLD IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY AND PRINTED SIMULTANEOUSLY IN +OREA "RAZIL )NDONESIA !USTRALIA AND THE 5NITED 3TATES 6OL .O
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!$6 % .4 ) 3 4 , ) &% *ESUS SAID h) HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE AND THAT THEY MAY HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLYv *OHN 7HEN MY YOUNGER BROTHER +ENNETH WAS OR YEARS OLD ONE BEAUTIFUL SUMMER DAY HE 1 5 / 4 % / & 4 ( % - / . 4 ( WAS OUT IN THE YARD ALL BY HIMSELF SITTING IN HIS h7HEN YOU RETURN TITHE YOU ARE SAYING @'OD IS WAGON LAUGHING AND LAUGHING 3UDDENLY HE STOPPED AND SAID h) SURE GET A KICK OUT OF LIFE v 'OD IN MY LIFE 7HEN YOU GIVE AN OFFERING YOU ) THINK HE WAS ENJOYING THE hABUNDANT LIFE v ARE SAYING @'OD IS GOOD TO ME v ˆ$ON "URGESON -ESA !RIZONA 5NITED 3TATES
/NE 3ABBATH ) EXPLAINED #ORINTHIANS AND TO THE CHILDREN IN 3ABBATH SCHOOL AND HOW 'OD WANTS OUR BODIES TO BE hTEMPLESv FOR THE (OLY 3PIRIT 4HE NEXT 3ABBATH ) BAKED HEALTHFUL APPLE RASPBERRY AND hPUMPKINv HOME GROWN BUTTERCUP AND SWEETMEAT HYBRID WINTER SQUASH PIES 2ATHER THAN TRYING TO lGURE OUT WHICH PIE TO EAT ONE YEAR OLD BOY WANTED A SMALL PIECE OF EACH (E DEVOURED THE APPLE AND PUMPKIN SLICES BUT THE RASPBERRY WAS RATHER TART FOR A CHILD HIS AGE 7HEN HE TOLD ME HE WASN T GOING TO lNISH EATING THE RASPBERRY DESSERT HE DEMONSTRATED DIPLOMACY AND REMEMBRANCE SAYING h) DON T WANT TO EAT TOO MUCHˆBECAUSE ) WANT 'OD TO LIVE IN ME v ˆ0ASTOR 4EODORO #ARPINTERO )DAHO 5NITED 3TATES
ˆ0ASTOR 7ATSON -BIRIRI AT THE !PRIL CAMP MEETING FOR ,USAKA #ENTRAL "RENTWOOD AND 5NIVERSITY CHURCHES IN ,USAKA :AMBIA
3(!2 % 7) 4( 53 0EOPLE S 0LACE IS A CORNUCOPIA OF ITEMS FROM ACROSS THE WORLDˆ SHORT SLICES OF LIFE THAT WILL MAKE READERS THINK LAUGH AND ENJOY THEIR !DVENTIST FAMILY MORE 7E ARE LOOKING FOR BRIEF SUBMISSIONS IN THESE CATEGORIES 15/4%3 PROFOUND OR SPONTANEOUS 7(%2% ). 4(% 7/2,$ HIGH QUALITY PHOTOS OF MEMBERS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE -%%4 9/52 .%)'("/2 HIGH QUALITY PHOTOS WITH SHORT BIOGRA PHICAL PROlLES OF NEWLY BAPTIZED MEMBERS !DVENTISTS ENGAGED IN ACTIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE OR SMALL GROUPS UNDERTAKING NEW EFFORTS IN SHARING THE GOSPEL MAXIMUM WORDS % MAIL TO MARANK GC ADVENTIST ORG FAX TO OR SEND TO 7ORLD %XCHANGE !DVENTIST 7ORLD /LD #OLUMBIA 0IKE 3ILVER 3PRING -ARYLAND 5 3 !
! .37 %2 )N #HINA !DVENTISTS ATTEND THE CHURCH SERVICE AT THE "EIGUAN 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN 3HENYANG #ROWDS ON MANY 3ABBATH MORNINGS TOP INCLUDING THOSE GATHERED IN THE MAIN SANCTUARY AND LARGE MEETING HALL WITH ONE INCH CLOSED CIRCUIT 46 TELEVISING THE SERVICE 3EE THIS MONTH S COVER STORY INSIDE FOR MORE ON THE CHURCH IN #HINA