AW English - September 2010.pdf

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!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ 3EPTEMBER

TH 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE 3ESSION

7/2,$ 6)%7 7HERE &AITH ,IVES h*ERUSALEM *ERUSALEMˆ3ING FOR THE NIGHT IS O ER xv ) WIPED THE TEARS FROM MY EYES AS THE /AKWOOD 5NIVER SITY !EOLIANS PUNCTUATED THE lFTY NINTH 'ENERAL #ONFER ENCE SESSION S lNAL PROGRAM WITH A BURST OF TRIUMPHANT CONlDENCE 4ENS OF THOUSANDS AROUND ME IN THE DARKENED 'EORGIA $OME WHISPERED THE WORDS THAT WE EXPECT TO SING SOMEDAY GATHERED IN THE #ITY OF ,IGHT h(OSANNA IN THE HIGHEST HOSANNA FOREVERMORE v 4OMORROW 'OD WILLING WE WOULD PACK UP OUR BELONG INGS BOARD BUSES TRAINS AND AIRPLANES AND RETURN TO THE THOUSANDS OF PLACES ATTENDEES CALL hHOME v &ORTUNATE ONES LIKE ME MIGHT BE THERE IN ONLY A FEW HOURS /THERS WOULD TAKE DAYS PERHAPS EVEN WEEKS TO COMPLETE THE CIRCUIT THAT HAD BROUGHT THEM FROM HALFWAY ROUND THE WORLD TO !TLANTA "UT FOR TONIGHTˆFOR THIS LAST AND LINGERING MOMENTˆWE STOOD IN OUR IMAGINATIONS ON THAT SEA THAT LOOKS LIKE GLASS AND MEASURED THE DISTANCE FROM !TLANTA TO THE .EW *ERUSALEM WITH THE SHORT CHRONOLOGY OF HOPE

AND WITH MEASURING RODS MARKED IN METERS AND YARDS NOT KILOMETERS AND MILES

4HIS IS WHAT FAITH DOES INSTRUCTED AND ASSURED BY THE PROMISES OF *ESUS IT LEAPS FORWARD TO STANDˆTO REJOICEˆIN A REALITY IT DOES NOT YET FULLY SEE BUT WHICH IT HAS ALREADY BEGUN TO ENJOY 4HE WORLD OUTSIDE THE 'EORGIA $OME WAS DEMONSTRABLY DARK EVEN THE HEADLINES OF A SUNNY 3UNDAY MORNING WOULD TELL FAMILIAR TALES OF WAR AND GREED EARTHQUAKES AND HUR RICANES HEARTBREAK IN A MILLION PRIVATE SETTINGS "UT FAITH ALWAYS lXES ITS EYES ON THE PLACE WHERE *ESUS IS AND JUDGES ALL THINGSˆINCLUDING THE MASSIVE CHALLENGES STILL FACING THIS REM NANT PEOPLEˆBY THE CERTAINTY OF HOW IT ALL WILL END 'OD S CHURCH NEEDSˆREQUIRESˆMOMENTS SUCH AS THESE WHEN OUR SACRED IMAGINATIONS ARC ACROSS THE INTERVAL UNTIL *ESUS COMES

AND CELEBRATE THE lNAL h)T IS lNISHEDv OF OUR SALVATION )N THE PAGES OF THIS EDITION OF !DVENTIST 7ORLD WE BRING YOU SOME OF THE EXPERIENCES AND IMAGES THAT STRENGTHENED OUR FAITH DURING THE RECENT 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE SESSION IN !TLANTA !S YOU TURN THESE PAGES TURN YOUR THOUGHTS TO THE SOON COMING REALITY OF A GATHERING WHERE THE CHORUS WILL BE MEASURED NOT IN DOZENS BUT IN MILLIONS AND WHERE THE JOY WILL NEVER END

ˆ "ILL +NOTT

7/2,$ 2%0/24 %LECTED TO 3ERVE

.EW LEADERSHIP TEAM AT THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE "9 !.3%, /,)6%2 !.$ -!2+ ! +%,,.%2 7)4( #/.42)"54)/.3 &2/- # (!.4!, * + ,).'"%),

N 4ED . # 7ILSON A GENERAL VICE PRESIDENT OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS WAS ELECTED *UNE TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT OF THE MILLION MEMBER GLOBAL 0ROTESTANT DENOMINATION 7ILSON

WAS APPOINTED BY THE CHURCH S MEMBER .OMINATING #OMMITTEE AND CONlRMED BY THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE SESSION DELEGATION AN INTERNATIONAL BODY OF

APPOINTED MEMBERS THE HIGHEST GOVERNING BODY IN THE CHURCH (E SUCCEEDS *AN 0AULSEN WHO HAD SERVED AS PRESIDENT SINCE 4HE APPOINTMENT TOOK PLACE AT THE CHURCH S lFTY NINTH 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE SESSION HELD *UNE n*ULY AT THE 'EORGIA

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3EPTEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

T H ' E N E R A L # O N F E R E N C E 3 E S S I O N 7/2,$ 2%0/24 $OME ADJACENT TO THE 7ORLD #ONGRESS #ENTER IN !TLANTA 'EORGIA 5NITED 3TATES 4HIS NEW RESPONSIBILITY hBRINGS US TO OUR KNEES v 7ILSON SAID h) DO NOT KNOW EVERYTHING BUT ) SHALL SEEK WISDOM FROM COUNSELORS AND FROM THE "IBLE AND FROM THE 3PIRIT OF 0ROPHECY v (E ADDED h4HE 3PIRIT OF 0ROPHECY IS ONE OF THE GREAT GIFTS 'OD HAS GIVEN TO THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH )T APPLIES TO THE PAST AND TO THE FUTURE !ND WE ARE GOING HOME SOON v 4HE CHURCH SHOULD hFALL ON OUR KNEES AND ASK FOR 'OD S GUIDANCE x AND PRAY THAT THE (OLY 3PIRIT WOULD BRING US REVIVAL AND REFORMATION v 7ILSON SAID 2EACTION IN THE 'EORGIA $OME WAS SWIFT AND POSITIVE 7ILSON AND HIS WIFE .ANCY ,OUISE 6OLLMER 7ILSON

WERE GREETED WITH A STANDING OVATION AS THEY WALKED OUT ON THE PLATFORM 7ILSON WAS ELECTED AS A GENERAL VICE PRESIDENT OF THE !DVENTIST #HURCH IN DURING THE 'ENERAL #ONFER ENCE SESSION IN 4ORONTO (IS YEARS OF DENOMINATIONAL SERVICE INCLUDE ADMINISTRATIVE AND EXECUTIVE POSTS IN THE -ID !TLANTIC REGION OF THE 5NITED 3TATES !FRICA AND 2USSIA 7ILSON BEGAN HIS CHURCH CAREER AS A PASTOR IN IN THE CHURCH S 'REAT ER .EW 9ORK #ONFERENCE (E SERVED AS AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AND THEN DIRECTOR OF -ETROPOLITAN -INISTRIES THERE FROM TO (E WENT ON TO SERVE IN THE CHURCH S THEN !FRICA )NDIAN /CEAN $IVISION BASED IN !BIDJAN

#¯TE D )VOIRE UNTIL 4HERE HE SERVED AS A DEPARTMENTAL DIRECTOR AND LATER AS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY THE SECOND HIGHEST OFlCER &OLLOWING HIS POST IN 7EST !FRICA HE SERVED AT THE CHURCH S WORLD HEADQUAR TERS IN 3ILVER 3PRING -ARYLAND 5NITED 3TATES AS AN ASSOCIATE SECRETARY FOR TWO

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ 3EPTEMBER

YEARS BEFORE ACCEPTING THE POSITION OF PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH S %URO !SIA $IVISION IN -OSCOW 2USSIA FROM TO 7ILSON THEN CAME BACK TO THE 5NITED 3TATES TO SERVE AS PRESIDENT OF THE 2EVIEW AND (ERALD 0UBLISHING !SSOCIATION IN (AGERSTOWN -ARYLAND

UNTIL HIS ELECTION AS A 'ENERAL #ONFER ENCE VICE PRESIDENT IN !N ORDAINED MINISTER 7ILSON HOLDS A DOCTORATE DEGREE IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FROM .EW 9ORK 5NIVERSITY

A -ASTER OF $IVINITY DEGREE FROM !NDREWS 5NIVERSITY AND A MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN PUBLIC HEALTH FROM ,OMA ,INDA 5NIVERSITY S 3CHOOL OF 0UBLIC (EALTH 7ILSON IS THE SON OF FORMER 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE PRESIDENT .EAL # 7ILSON WHO SERVED IN THE POST FROM TO 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST PASTOR ' 4 .G A 3INGAPOREAN WHO HAS SERVED AS ASSOCIATE SECRETARY OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH FOR THREE YEARS

WAS ELECTED EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE .G S PASSION FOR MISSION WAS KINDLED WHEN HE BEGAN HIS MINISTRY IN WAR TORN #AMBODIA IN THE S (E AND HIS WIFE HAD TO BE EVACUATED SHORTLY BEFORE THE CAPITAL CITY 0HNOM 0ENH FELL TO +HMER 2OUGE FORCES (E WAS LATER TRANSFERRED TO 4HAILAND -ALAYSIA AND 3INGAPORE WHERE HE SERVED AS A PASTOR

CHAPLAIN HEALTH EDUCATOR AND UNION DEPARTMENTAL DIRECTOR (IS SECOND MISSIONARY PILGRIMAGE BEGAN WHEN HE SERVED NINE YEARS AS A PROFESSOR AND DEAN OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AT THE !DVENTIST )NTERNATIONAL )NSTITUTE OF !DVANCED 3TUDIES !))!3 IN THE 0HILIPPINES FROM TO (E WAS CALLED TO BE THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY AT THE 3OUTHERN !SIA 0ACIlC $IVISION 33$ FROM TO .G HOLDS A BACHELOR S DEGREE FROM THE 3OUTHEAST !SIA 5NION #OLLEGE IN

3INGAPORE A MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE FROM THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST 4HEOLOGICAL 3EMINARY &AR %AST IN THE 0HILIPPINES AND A DOCTORATE FROM THE 4HEOLOGICAL 3EMINARY AT !NDREWS 5NI VERSITY (E IS MARRIED TO )VY 5P TO THE TIME OF HIS ELECTION .G SERVED AS THE SECRETARIAT LIAISON BETWEEN THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE AND THREE WORLD DIVISIONS .ORTHERN !SIA 0ACIlC $IVISION .3$

3OUTHERN !SIA $IVISION 35$ AND 4RANS %UROPEAN $IVISION 4%$ 2OBERT % ,EMON WORLD CHURCH TREASURER SINCE WAS REELECTED TO ANOTHER TERM IN THAT OFlCE (E HAS HELD VARIOUS lNANCE RELATED POSITIONS IN THE CHURCH FOR SOME YEARS &ROM TO HE WORKED AS ASSOCIATE WORLD CHURCH TREASURER AND FROM TO HE WAS UNDERTREASURER ,EMON SPENT MORE THAN YEARS OF HIS CAREER IN !FRICA lRST IN :AIRE AND LATER THE )VORY #OAST ,EMON COMMENTED THAT THE GOAL OF THE TREASURY CHURCH WORK IS TO CHANGE OFFERINGS INTO hTHE ETERNAL CURRENCY OF HEAVEN TO CHANGE CASH FOR SOULS v

'# 60S 3ECRETARIAT AND 4REASURY ,EADERS %LECTED "9 %$7). -!.5%, '!2#)! !..

N /N *UNE THE lFTY NINTH 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE SESSION VOTED NINE GENERAL VICE PRESIDENTS AND LEADERS FOR THE 3ECRETARIAT AND 4REASURY &OUR VICE PRESIDENTS ARE NEW TO THE POSITION $ELBERT "AKER /AKWOOD 5NIVERSITY PRESIDENT 'EOFFREY ' -BWANA %AST #ENTRAL !FRICA $IVISION PRESIDENT "ENJAMIN $ 3CHOUN A GEN ERAL lELD SECRETARY AND !RTUR ! 3TELE

PRESIDENT OF THE %URO !SIA $IVISION "AKER HAS HEADED /AKWOOD 5NIVERSITY IN (UNTSVILLE !LABAMA

'EORGE / %GWAKHE $AISY /RION AND 2OY % 2YAN * 2AYMOND 7AHLEN ))

PREVIOUSLY DIRECTOR OF THE CHURCH S 3UN0LUS !CCOUNTING 3OFTWARE WAS ALSO ELECTED AS AN ASSOCIATE TREASURER ˆ7ITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY 4IM ,ALE

.EW 0RESIDENTS %LECTED IN .ORTH !MERICAN

%AST #ENTRAL !FRICA AND %URO !SIA $IVISIONS * / % , $ 3 0 2 ) . ' % 2

SINCE -BWANA WAS A CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR AND UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT BEFORE BECOMING PRESIDENT IN OF THE .AIROBI BASED DIVISION 3CHOUN HAS SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF !DVENTIST 7ORLD 2ADIO SINCE 3TELE HAS BEEN %URO !SIA PRESIDENT SINCE 4HE NEW MEMBERS REPLACE THREE VICE PRESIDENTS WHO ARE RETIRINGˆ-ARK ! &INLEY %UGENE (SU AND 'ERRY $ +ARST ! FOURTH POSITION WAS MADE VACANT BY 4ED . # 7ILSON S ELECTION AS 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE PRESIDENT

&IVE OTHER VICE PRESIDENTS WERE REELECTED TO lVE YEAR TERMS ,OWELL # #OOPER !RMANDO -IRANDA 0ARDON + -WANSA -ICHAEL , 2YAN AND %LLA 3 3IMMONS !SSOCIATE 3ECRETARY (OMER 7 4RECARTIN WAS NAMED UNDERSECRETARY 4WO OTHER ASSOCIATE SECRETARIES

2OSA 4 "ANKS AND !GUSTIN 'ALICIA WERE REELECTED *UAN 2 0RESTOL WAS REELECTED UNDERTREASURER AND THE THREE ASSOCIATE TREASURERS REMAIN IN THEIR POSITIONS

"EARDSLEY HEADS ' # %DUCATION /LIVERS TO ' # &AMILY -INISTRIES

"9 -!2+ ! +%,,.%2 .EWS %DITOR

N $ELEGATES TO THE lFTY NINTH 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE SESSION *UNE ELECTED THREE NEW EXECUTIVES TO HEAD REGIONS OF THE MILLION MEMBER WORLD CHURCH $AN *ACKSON

IS THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE .ORTH !MERICAN $IVISION OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS (E REPLACES $ON 3CHNEIDER WHO HAS SERVED AS PRESIDENT SINCE %LECTED AS THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE %AST #ENTRAL !FRICA $IVISION %#$

* / % , $ 3 0 2 ) . ' % 2

3EPTEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

T H ' E N E R A L # O N F E R E N C E 3 E S S I O N 7/2,$ 2%0/24 A REGION THAT ENCOMPASSES NATIONS AND MILLION MEMBERS FROM %RITREA IN THE NORTH TO 4ANZANIA IN THE SOUTH

WAS "LASIOUS 2UGURI (E WAS FORMERLY THE SECRETARY OF THE %#$ AND SUCCEEDS 'EOFFREY ' -BWANA WHO WAS ELECTED A WORLD CHURCH GENERAL VICE PRESIDENT 4HE NEW LEADER OF THE %URO !SIA $IVISION %3$ IS 'UILLERMO % "IAGGI 3TRETCHING OVER THE NATIONS THAT REPLACED THE FORMER 3OVIET 5NION THE %3$ MINISTERS TO MORE THAN

MEMBERS "IAGGI THE FORMER TREASURER OF THE %3$ WILL FOLLOW !RTUR ! 3TELE

WHO WAS ALSO ELECTED A GENERAL VICE PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH /THER DIVISION PRESIDENTS WERE RETURNED TO OFlCE "RUNO 2 6ERTALLIER IN THE %URO !FRICA $IVISION )SRAEL ,EITO

)NTER !MERICAN $IVISION *AIRYONG ,EE

.ORTHERN !SIA 0ACIlC $IVISION %RTON # +šHLER 3OUTH !MERICAN $IVISION "ARRY $ /LIVER 3OUTH 0ACIlC $IVISION 0AUL 3 2ATSARA 3OUTHERN !FRICA )NDIAN /CEAN $IVISION *OHN 2ATHINARAJ 3OUTHERN !SIA $IVISION !LBERTO # 'ULFAN 3OUTHERN !SIA 0ACIlC $IVISION "ERTIL 7IKLANDER

4RANS %UROPEAN $IVISION AND 'ILBERT 7ARI 7EST #ENTRAL !FRICA $IVISION 4HE NEW .!$ PRESIDENT REACTED TO HIS ELECTION h'OD NEVER CALLS US TO DO THINGS WE ARE CAPABLE OF AND THIS THING IS SO MUCH BIGGER THAN ME "UT (E HAS CALLED AND ) ACCEPT THIS WITH THE GREAT EST HUMILITY AND WITH EXTREME GRATITUDE TO $ON 3CHNEIDER v *ACKSON SAID *ACKSON IS A NATIVE #ANADIAN AND

WITH THE EXCEPTION OF lVE YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE 3OUTHERN !SIA $IVISION

HAS LIVED AND MINISTERED IN #ANADA 3EPARATELY ,ISA - "EARDSLEY WHO HOLDS A -ASTER OF 0UBLIC (EALTH DEGREE FROM ,OMA ,INDA 5NIVERSITY A DOCTOR ATE IN %DUCATIONAL 0SYCHOLOGY FROM THE 5NIVERSITY OF (AWAII AT -ANOA

AND A -ASTER OF "USINESS !DMINISTRA

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ 3EPTEMBER

TION FROM #LAREMONT 'RADUATE 5NIVERSITY IN #ALIFORNIA HAS BECOME THE lRST WOMAN TO SERVE THE !DVENTIST #HURCH AS %DUCATION $IRECTOR 7ILLIE AND %LAINE /LIVER WHO CURRENTLY LEAD &AMILY -INISTRIES FOR THE .ORTH !MERICAN $IVISION WILL SUCCEED 2ON AND +AREN &LOWERS IN RUNNING THE PROGRAM FOR THE WORLD CHURCH (E HOLDS A DOCTORATE IN &AM ILY 3OCIOLOGY AND MASTER S DEGREES IN 0ASTORAL #OUNSELING AND &AMILY 3OCIOLOGY %LAINE HOLDS A GRADUATE DEGREE IN (IGHER %DUCATION WITH CON CENTRATIONS IN STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND COUNSELING 3HE IS ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR %NROLLMENT -ANAGEMENT AT 7ASHINGTON !DVENTIST 5NIVERSITY AND SERVES WITH 7ILLIE IN MINISTRY CONDUCTING MARRIAGE CONFERENCES

RETREATS AND RELATIONSHIP SEMINARS !LONG WITH THE APPOINTMENTS OF "EARDSLEY AND /LIVER OTHER DEPARTMENTAL DIRECTORS ELECTED DURING THE lFTY NINTH 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE SESSION INCLUDE 0AUL ( $OUGLAS !UDITING 3ERVICE ,INDA +OH #HILDREN S -INISTRIES 7ILLIAMS #OSTA *R #OMMUNICATION !LLAN 2 (ANDYSIDES (EALTH -INISTRIES *ERRY 0AGE -INISTERIAL !SSOCIATION SEC RETARY 4HOMAS ! +APUSTA 0LANNED 'IVING AND 4RUST 3ERVICES *OHN 'RAZ

0UBLIC !FFAIRS AND 2ELIGIOUS ,IBERTY (OWARD & &AIGAO 0UBLISHING *ONATHAN +UNTARAF 3ABBATH 3CHOOL AND 0ERSONAL -INISTRIES %RIKA & 0UNI 3TEWARDSHIP (EATHER $AWN 3MALL 7OMEN S -INIS TRIES 'ILBERT 2 #ANGY 9OUTH 0AGE +APUSTA AND #ANGY ARE NEW APPOINTMENTS TO THE WORLD HEADQUARTERS 0AGE WAS MOST RECENTLY PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH S #ENTRAL #ALI FORNIA #ONFERENCE +APUSTA WAS 4RUST 3ERVICES DIRECTOR AT &LORIDA (OSPITAL AND #ANGY WAS 9OUTH DIRECTOR IN THE 3OUTH 0ACIlC $IVISION ˆ7ITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY 'EORGE *OHNSON *R

0ROPOSED #HANGES IN %LECTION OF $EPARTMENTAL !SSOCIATES 6OTED $OWN

$ELEGATES CITE REPRESENTATIONAL

PRACTICAL ISSUES "9 %,):!"%4( ,%#(,%)4.%2 !DVENTIST .EWS .ETWORK WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM #(!.4!, * +,).'"%),

N 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH DELEGATES *UNE VOTED DOWN A MOTION THAT WOULD HAVE ALTERED THE TIME FRAME FOR CHOOSING ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS OF DEPARTMENTS AT THE CHURCH S WORLD HEADQUARTERS 4HE ACTION WOULD HAVE SHIFTED APPOINTMENTS FROM THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE SESSION TO THE lRST !NNUAL #OUNCIL OR BUSINESS MEETING AFTER THE SESSION USUALLY HELD IN /CTOBER #HURCH OFlCIALS INITIATED THE ITEM TO GIVE NEWLY ELECTED DEPARTMENT HEADS MORE TIME TO SHAPE THEIR RESPECTIVE DEPARTMENTS BY CHOOSING COMPLEMENTARY ASSOCIATES )N THE PAST

SOME DELEGATES HAVE SUGGESTED THAT

GIVEN THE VOLUME OF ELECTIONS VOTED ON AT SESSION THE PROCESS OF CHOOSING ASSOCIATES IS CONDUCTED IN A CURSORY MANNER LACKING IN DISCUSSION AND ADEQUATE CONSIDERATION !FTER LENGTHY ANIMATED DISCUSSION

THE TWO THIRDS MAJORITY NEEDED TO PASS A CONSTITUTIONAL MOTION WAS NOT ACHIEVED -ANY DELEGATES OPPOSING THE MOTION CITED REPRESENTATION AND LOGISTICS 3OME WERE OPPOSED TO THE PERCEIVED THREAT TO THE AUTHORITY OF THE .OMINATING #OMMITTEE TO CHOOSE ASSOCIATES WHILE OTHERS QUESTIONED THE PRACTICALITY OF THE ITEM 3EVERAL DELEGATES DEBATED WHETHER DEFERRING THE DECISION TO THE WORLD CHURCH S %XECUTIVE #OMMITTEE MEETING IN /CTOBER REALLY MADE MUCH

- ) # + % 9 . ) # + , % 3 3

DIFFERENCE IN REPRESENTATION +EVIN *ACKSON OF THE CHURCH S 3OUTH 0ACIlC REGION SAID THE hKEY DIFFERENCEv WAS THE INCLUSION OF THE PRESIDENTS OF EACH OF THE CHURCH S WORLD DIVISIONS ON THE %XECUTIVE #OMMITTEE h) WOULD SUGGEST THAT THEIR INCLUSION ACTUALLY BRINGS RIGOR TO THE PROCESS ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF THE DECISIONS v *ACKSON SAID #HURCH OFlCIALS MODERATING THE DISCUSSION CONlRMED THAT THE %XECU TIVE #OMMITTEE WITH MEMBERS IS A LARGER BODY THAN A SESSION .OMINAT ING #OMMITTEE WHICH HAS SLIGHTLY MORE THAN MEMBERS (OWEVER DELEGATES POINTED OUT THAT APPROVING THE MOTION WOULD EFFECTIVELY BLOCK THE VOTES OF THE APPROXIMATELY

BELIEF IN A hLITERAL RECENT SIX DAY CREATIONv ARE RAMPANT DELEGATES TO THE lFTY NINTH 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE SESSION IN !TLANTA 'EORGIA VOTED *UNE TO REAFlRM THAT BELIEF AND POSSIBLY STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH S FUNDAMEN TAL BELIEF LANGUAGE ON THAT POINT h4HE "IBLE IS ) BELIEVE TO BE THE AUTHORITATIVE WORD OF 'OD v SAID 0ASTOR 4ED . # 7ILSON 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE PRESIDENT h)T IS 'OD S WORD TO US AND IT IS CRITICAL WE ACCEPT 3CRIPTURE AS IT READS v 7ILSON SAID THE lRST ELEVEN CHAP TERS OF 'ENESIS hARE NOT AN ALLEGORY v BUT ARE hAN AUTHENTIC TRUE AND LITERAL EXPLANATIONv OF THE CREATION AND EVENTS FOLLOWING INCLUDING A GLOBAL mOOD h7E RE FACING A CRITICAL TIME v 7ILSON ADDED WHERE hTHE DEVIL IS TRY ING TO UNDERMINE BELIEF v 7HILE hOUR DOCTRINE AND OUR BELIEFS ARE CENTERED IN #HRIST AND (IS GRACE v HE ADDED THE SEVENTH DAY 3ABBATHˆWHICH CREATION SUPPORTSˆIS hTHE ONE SIGN 'OD IS GOING TO USE TO SEAL (IS PEOPLE AT THE END OF TIME v 0 ( / 4 / 3 & 2 / - 2 / " % 2 4 % ! 3 4 ! . .

4HE MOTION TO BOTH AFlRM THE !NNUAL #OUNCIL STATEMENT REAFlRMING

MEMBER DELEGATION 3ESSION BELIEF IN CREATION AND REVIEW THE FUN DELEGATES CAN VOTE TO ACCEPT OR REJECT DAMENTAL BELIEF hHAS MY PERCENT ANY RECOMMENDATION MADE BY THE SUPPORT 7E MUST LIFT UP THE 7ORD OF .OMINATING #OMMITTEE BROADENING 'OD x 'OD OUR #REATOR v 7ILSON SAID THE INPUT WHILE AT !NNUAL #OUNCIL

&OLLOWING THOSE COMMENTS THE THERE IS NO BODY TO CHECK OR BALANCE THE MOTION INTRODUCED BY GENERAL VICE PRESI DECISIONS OF THE %XECUTIVE #OMMITTEE DENT 'ERRY $ +ARST WENT TO THE mOOR h0ART ! ) MOVE THAT THE ;lFTY NINTH= SESSION OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE 3ESSION $ELEGATES ENDORSE THE !NNUAL #OUNCIL STATE 3TRENGTHEN !DVENTIST MENT REAFlRMATION OF CREATION 0ART #HURCH S #REATION &OCUS " FURTHER THAT THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE -OTIONS AFlRM CREATION ADMINISTRATION BE REQUESTED TO INITIATE POSITION REOPEN FUNDAMENTAL A PROCESS TO INTEGRATE &UNDAMENTAL BELIEF FOR ENHANCEMENT "ELIEF .UMBER AND THE STATEMENT @! ;2ESPONSE TO !N !FlRMATION= OF "9 -!2+ ! +%,,.%2 NEWS EDITOR #REATION AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE N )N THE FACE OF A SOCIETY AND ACADEMIC 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE 3ESSION PROTOCOL FOR AMENDING A &UNDAMENTAL "ELIEF v COMMUNITY WHERE CHALLENGES TO THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST FUNDAMENTAL

3EPTEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

T H ' E N E R A L # O N F E R E N C E 3 E S S I O N /BJECTING TO CONSIDERING THE MOTION S TWO PARTS TOGETHER 3OUTHERN !DVENTIST 5NIVERSITY PRESIDENT 'OR DON "IETZ MOVED TO DIVIDE THE RESOLU TION 4HE MOTION PASSED SEPARATING THE AFlRMATION OF THE STATEMENT FROM THE REOPENING OF &UNDAMENTAL "ELIEF FOR REVIEW AND REWRITING THE LATTER TO INCORPORATE THE INTENT OF THE STATEMENT "OTH PARTS OF THE NOW BIFURCATED MEASURE PASSED WITH STRONG VOTES !NOTHER .ORTH !MERICAN $IVISION DELEGATE $ONNA 2ICHARDS SUPPORTED THE CHURCH S HISTORIC POSITION ON #RE ATION SAYING THAT hTEACHING ANYTHING ELSE IS INACCURATE v !LBERTO 4IMM OF THE 3OUTH !MERICAN $IVISION ADDED HIS SUPPORT NOTING THAT hDOCTRINES DO NOT FUNCTION IN ISOLATION v AND THAT BELIEF IN #REATION IS hIMPORTANT FOR ALL OUR DOCTRINAL SYSTEMS v $AN *ACKSON THE NEW .ORTH !MERICAN $IVISION PRESIDENT ALSO TOOK TO THE mOOR TO AFlRM THE IMPORTANCE OF &UNDAMENTAL "ELIEF h-Y #REATOR IS MY 2EDEEMERˆTHE TWO ARE LINKED v 'ENERAL VICE PRESIDENT %LLA 3MITH 3IMMONS SAID THAT WHILE ACADEMIC mEX IBILITY IS IMPORTANT IT hMUST COME WITH OUT BETRAYING THE 7ORD OF 'OD 4HERE ARE ABSOLUTES v 3HE SAID THAT WHILE IT IS IMPORTANT TO HOLD !DVENTIST hSCHOOLS

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ACCOUNTABLEv FOR WHAT THEY TEACH hWE MUST lRST PROVIDE CLARITYv TO THOSE INSTITUTIONS +EITH -ATTINGLY DEAN OF COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES AT !NDREWS 5NIVERSITY

AVERRED THAT hHOW WE PROMOTE THE DOC TRINEv IS THE ISSUE SAYING HE S HAD STUDENTS WHO VE QUESTIONED THEIR FAITH BECAUSE OF HOW THE MATTER HAS BEEN HANDLED "ILL +NOTT EDITOR AND EXECUTIVE PUB LISHER OF !DVENTIST 2EVIEW AND !DVENTIST 7ORLD MAGAZINES URGED DELEGATES TO PASS BOTH PARTS OF THE MEASURE h)F YOU SUPPORT THE CLARITY OF PART

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ 3EPTEMBER

! BEFORE US YOU MUST THEN ALSO SUP PORT THE ENDORSEMENT OF PART " )F YOU WISH FOR CLARITY FOLLOW THROUGH AND YOU ACHIEVE WHAT THIS MOVEMENT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT v "OTH MEASURES PASSED BY LARGE MARGINS AND THE EXAMINATION AND POSSIBLE REVISION OF &UNDAMENTAL "ELIEF WILL PROCEED DURING THE NEW QUINQUENNIUM WITH THE RESULTS BEING PRESENTED TO THE NEXT SESSION

! , $ % . * ( /

7/2,$ 2%0/24

IN 3EOUL 3OUTH +OREA IN CONJUNC TION WITH THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS OF THE +OREAN 0UBLISHING (OUSE !DVENTIST 7ORLD S 3ILVER 3PRING BASED EDITORS EXPECT TO MEET THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN )NTERNATIONAL %DITORIAL 3EOUL IN EARLY .OVEMBER #ONFERENCE (ELD IN !TLANTA h7E WANT TO STRENGTHEN THE LINKS !DVENTIST 7ORLD MEETS WITH ITS BETWEEN OUR +OREAN COUNTERPARTS +OREAN EDITORIAL TEAM AND OUR 5 3 BASED EDITORS BY INVITING THEM TO THE 5NITED 3TATES AND UNDER "9 %6!. +./44 LINING THE IMPORTANT ROLE THEY PLAY IN N /N 7EDNESDAY *UNE !DVENTIST OUR OVERALL TEAM v 2ICHLI SAYS 7ORLD HELD ITS SEMIANNUAL )NTERNATIONAL 4HE CONFERENCES ARE AN OPPORTUNITY %DITORIAL #ONFERENCE WITH MEMBERS FOR !DVENTIST 7ORLD TO BRIEF THE +OREAN OF ITS +OREAN EDITORIAL TEAM IN !TLANTA

LEADERS ON MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS WITH 'EORGIA 5NITED 3TATES 3INCE ITS LAUNCH !DVENTIST 7ORLD IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS

IN 3EPTEMBER !DVENTIST 7ORLD AND TO ENGAGE IN EDITORIAL PLANNING HAS ENJOYED A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH FOR MAJOR STORIES AND FEATURES IN THE THE CHURCH IN 3OUTH +OREA BECAUSE MONTHS AHEAD !T THE *UNE MEETING

THE MAJOR FUNDING SOURCE FOR THE THE COMBINED EDITORIAL GROUP WAS INTERNATIONALLY DISTRIBUTED MAGAZINE BRIEFED ON THE EXPANSION OF TRANSLA IS FROM 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE FUNDS TIONS FOR !DVENTIST 7ORLD TO ONLINE CURRENTLY HELD IN 3OUTH +OREA EDITIONS AND SEVEN PRINT EDITIONS 4HE 4HE EDITORS FROM +OREA INCLUDED GROUP ALSO DISCUSSED THE LIKELY POS 0 $ #HUN FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE SIBILITY OF EXPANDING INTO EVEN MORE .ORTHERN !SIA 0ACIlC $IVISION AND LANGUAGES IN THE NEAR FUTURE CURRENTLY INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION !DDITIONALLY THE MEETING ATTENDEES MANAGER FOR !DVENTIST 7ORLD * + DISCUSSED UPCOMING PLANS TO LAUNCH #HUN SENIOR EDITOR OF THE +OREAN SEVERAL BOOKS TO PROMOTE !DVENTIST 0UBLISHING (OUSE IN 3EOUL AND * + 7ORLD 7AYS TO 3PELL 9OUR &AITH WILL #HOE EDITOR OF THE +OREAN 5NION FEATURE FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF ARTICLES #OMPASS THE MONTHLY MAGAZINE FOR PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED IN !DVENTIST THE !DVENTIST #HURCH IN 3OUTH +OREA 7ORLD !SK THE $OCTORS WILL FEATURE h3INCE THE MAGAZINE IS OFlCIALLY A COLLECTION OF THE POPULAR HEALTH REGISTERED IN +OREA IT S VERY IMPORTANT COLUMN !DVENTIST PUBLISHING HOUSES THAT WE MEET AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR FROM AROUND THE WORLD HAVE ALREADY IN THAT COUNTRY TO DOCUMENT OUR EXPRESSED STRONG INTEREST IN PUBLISHING ACTIVITIES v SAYS #LAUDE 2ICHLI ASSOCIATE BOTH VOLUMES IN THEIR REGIONS PUBLISHER OF !DVENTIST 7ORLD 4HE PREVIOUS MEETING BETWEEN THE TWO GROUPS WAS HELD ON /CTOBER

7 / 2 , $ 6 ) 3 4!

'O &ORWARD

#HURCH PRESIDENT AFlRMS FOUNDATIONAL !DVENTIST BELIEFS .EWLY ELECTED '# PRESIDENT 4ED 7ILSON S SERMON ON THE SECOND 3ABBATH OF THE lFTY NINTH 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE SESSION ADDRESSED ISSUES SUCH AS THE AUTHORITY OF 'OD S 7ORD BELIEF IN THE INSPIRATION OF %LLEN 7HITE S WRITINGS CREATION MUSIC

AND UNITY IN DIVERSITY 4HIS IS A GREATLY CONDENSED VERSION OF HIS MESSAGE TO THE ATTENDEES IN !TLANTA S 'EORGIA $OME 4O READ 7ILSON S FULL SERMON GO TO ADVENTISTREVIEW ORG WILSONGCSERMON ˆ%DITORS

4

HE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IS ON A HEAVEN DIRECTED JOURNEY AND WE ARE ALMOST HOME ) BELIEVE WITH ALL MY HEART THAT *ESUS IS COMING SOON ) APPRECIATE THE WONDERFUL SPIRIT AND ENTHUSIASM OF OUR WORLDWIDE FAMILY OF FAITH !ND WHILE WE ARE ALL PROUD OF OUR RESPECTIVE NATIONS AND CULTURES ) PRAISE THE ,ORD THAT THERE IS A CULTURE OF #HRIST THAT BINDS US TOGETHER AND SUPERSEDES ALL OTHERS

3IGNS OF #HRIST S COMING ARE INCREASING IN FREQUENCY AND INTENSITY $ESTRUCTIVE EVENTS IN NATURE THE GREAT CONFUSION OF WORLD POLITICS THE PERVASIVE AND COMPROMISING ACTIVI TIES OF ECUMENISM THE DRAMATIC INCREASE AND INmUENCE OF SPIRITUALISM THE DETERIORATION OF WORLD ECONOMIES THE DISINTEGRATION OF SOCIETAL AND FAMILY VALUES THE DISBELIEF IN THE ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY OF 'OD S HOLY 7ORD AND THE 4EN #OMMANDMENTS RAMPANT CRIME AND MORAL DECAY WARS AND RUMORS OF WAR ALL POINT TO THE CLIMAX OF EARTH S HISTORY AND THE ,ORD S RETURN 7HAT A BLESSING TO KNOW THAT EVEN AMID THE UNCER TAINTY OF THE WORLD AROUND US WE CAN REST WITH ABSOLUTE CONlDENCE IN THE UNCHANGING 7ORD OF 'OD 4HROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF HUMAN HISTORY AND AGAINST RELENTLESS ATTACK

'OD HAS PRESERVED (IS HOLY 7ORD 4HE "IBLE CONTAINS AN ACCURATE ACCOUNT OF OUR ORIGINS A RELIABLE RECORD OF OUR SALVATION AND A GLORIOUS GLIMPSE OF OUR SOON COMING DELIVERANCE !S 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS WE ACCEPT THE "IBLE AS THE FOUNDATION FOR ALL OUR BELIEFS AND SEE IN ITS

* ( / ! , $ % .

#HAOTIC 7ORLD 3OLID 7ORD

PAGES OUR UNIQUE PROPHETIC IDENTITY AND MISSION 7ITH THE POWER OF (IS TRUTH 'OD HAS CARVED OUT OF THIS CHAOTIC WORLD THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH 7E ARE TO BE A PECULIAR PEOPLE 'OD S REMNANT PEOPLE TO LIFT UP #HRIST (IS RIGHTEOUSNESS (IS THREE ANGELS MESSAGES OF 2EVELATION AND (IS SOON COMING !S 'OD S REMNANT PEOPLE IDENTIlED IN 2EVELATION AS THOSE hWHO KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF 'OD AND HAVE THE TESTIMONY OF *ESUS #HRIST v WE HAVE A UNIQUE MESSAGE OF HOPE AND A MANDATE TO PROCLAIM 'OD S GRACE TO THE WORLD /NE OF THE IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS OF 'OD S LAST DAY PEOPLE IS THAT THE MEMBERS OF (IS CHURCH ACCEPT AND BELIEVE ALL TEN OF 'OD S COMMANDMENTS INCLUDING THE 3EPTEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

T H ' E N E R A L # O N F E R E N C E 3 E S S I O N 7 / 2 , $ 6 ) 3 4!

"IBLE IS NOT OUTDATED OR IRRELEVANT NEITHER IS THE TESTIMONY OF 'OD S END TIME MESSENGER 'OD USED %LLEN ' 7HITE AS A HUMBLE SERVANT TO PROVIDE INSPIRED INSIGHT ABOUT 3CRIPTURE

PROPHECY HEALTH EDUCATION RELATIONSHIPS MISSION

FAMILIES AND MUCH MORE !S 'OD S FAITHFUL REMNANT MAY WE NEVER MAKE OF NONE EFFECT THE PRECIOUS LIGHT GIVEN US IN THE WRITINGS OF %LLEN ' 7HITE /UR .EED OF *ESUS

7HEN WE USE THE TERM hREMNANT CHURCH v OR hREMNANT PEOPLE v WE MUST NEVER USE IT IN A SELF CENTERED EXCLUSIVE MANNER 7E ARE TO BE THE HUMBLEST PEOPLE ON EARTH RECOG NIZING OUR COMPLETE NEED OF *ESUS OUR 3AVIOR AND PRAISING (IM FOR CALLING US INTO THIS MIGHTY !DVENT MOVEMENT 4HROUGH #HRIST S ATONING SACRIlCE AND HIGH PRIESTLY MINIS TRY WE CAN hCOME BOLDLY TO THE THRONE OF GRACE THAT WE MAY OBTAIN MERCY AND lND GRACE TO HELP IN TIME OF NEEDv (EB 2 / " % 2 4 % ! 3 4 ! . .

7HEN WE LEAN COMPLETELY ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS OF OUR ,ORD (E WILL WORK THROUGH US IN A MIGHTY WAY TO GIVE THE lNAL MESSAGE OF MERCY TO A DYING WORLD FOURTH COMMANDMENT TO REMEMBER THE ,ORD S HOLY 3AB %LLEN 7HITE MAKES CLEAR THAT hA REVIVAL OF TRUE GODLINESS BATH DAY 4HE OBSERVANCE OF THE 3ABBATH IS NOT ONLY A SIGN AMONG US IS THE GREATEST AND MOST URGENT OF ALL OUR NEEDSv OF (IS CREATORSHIP IN THE BEGINNING BUT WILL BE THE SIGN OF 3ELECTED -ESSAGES BOOK P !S WE CONNECT WITH 'OD S PEOPLE IN THE LAST DAYS #HRIST DAILY AND ALLOW (IM TO WORK THROUGH US WE WILL BE 3ALVATION USED BY THE (OLY 3PIRIT TO PROCLAIM (IS GRACE AND TO HASTEN 7E RELY WHOLLY ON *ESUS AND OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMING OF THE ,ORD *ESUS #HRIST (IM FOR OUR SALVATION 7E DO NOT OBTAIN SALVATION 7HEN THE %GYPTIANS WERE PURSUING THE CHILDREN OF THROUGH WORKS BUT THROUGH THE GRACE OF #HRIST 'RACE IS )SRAEL AT THE TIME OF THE %XODUS THE )SRAELITES FELT TRAPPED THE PROMISE OF 'OD S PARDON AND THE PROVISION OF 'OD S

BY THE DESERT TO THEIR RIGHT THE MOUNTAIN AHEAD OF THEM

POWERˆJUSTIlCATION AND SANCTIlCATION 9OU CANNOT THE 2ED 3EA TO THEIR LEFT AND THE APPROACHING ARMY OF SEPARATE WHAT #HRIST DOES FOR YOU JUSTIFYING YOU DAILY AS IF %GYPT BEHIND THEM 4HEY FAILED TO PUT THEIR TRUST IN THE YOU HAD NOT SINNED FROM WHAT (E DOES IN YOU SANCTIFYING POWER OF 'OD !LL THEY COULD SEE WERE THE BARRIERS 7HAT BARRIERS ARE YOU FACING TODAY -OUNTAINS OF YOU DAILY AS YOU SUBMIT TO (IM AND ALLOW THE POWER OF SECULAR DOUBT IN THE "IBLE ! SEA OF FAMILY AND PERSONAL THE (OLY 3PIRIT TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE TO BECOME MORE AND CONmICTS &ORCES OF NEGATIVE SOCIAL CHANGE 2EGARDLESS OF MORE LIKE *ESUS )T IS THIS MARVELOUS POWERFUL REDEEMING YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES 'OD HAS A WAY FORWARD GRACE WE HAVE BEEN CALLED TO PROCLAIM TO A SIN SICK WORLD h7E HAVE NO GROUND FOR SELF EXALTATION /UR ONLY GROUND %LLEN 7HITE WRITES IN 0ATRIARCHS AND 0ROPHETS P OF HOPE IS IN THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF #HRIST IMPUTED TO US h/FTEN THE #HRISTIAN LIFE IS BESET BY DANGERS AND DUTY ;JUSTIlCATION= AND IN THAT WROUGHT BY (IS 3PIRIT WORKING SEEMS HARD TO PERFORM 4HE IMAGINATION PICTURES IMPEND IN AND THROUGH US ;SANCTIlCATION= 3TEPS TO #HRIST P ING RUIN BEFORE AND BONDAGE OR DEATH BEHIND 9ET THE VOICE OF 'OD SPEAKS CLEARLY @'O FORWARD 7E SHOULD OBEY THIS 4HE 3PIRIT OF 0ROPHECY COMMAND EVEN THOUGH OUR EYES CANNOT PENETRATE THE 2EVELATION TELLS US THAT 'OD S REMNANT PEOPLE DARKNESS AND WE FEEL THE COLD WAVES ABOUT OUR FEET 4HE WILL hHAVE THE TESTIMONY OF *ESUS #HRIST v 2EVELATION OBSTACLES THAT HINDER OUR PROGRESS WILL NEVER DISAPPEAR EXPLAINS THAT hTHE TESTIMONY OF *ESUS IS THE SPIRIT OF BEFORE A HALTING DOUBTING SPIRIT v PROPHECY v 4HE SAME SPIRIT THAT MOVED THE HOLY MEN OF 3O LOOK TO THE !LMIGHTY 'OD WHO CAN TAKE YOU THROUGH OLD HAS AGAIN IN THESE LAST DAYS RAISED UP A MESSENGER FOR ANYTHING YOU WILL FACE IN THE FUTURE .EVER LOSE YOUR FULL THE ,ORD 4HE ,ORD HAS GIVEN US ONE OF THE GREATEST GIFTS CONlDENCE AND TRUST IN (IM !LWAYS OBEY (IS COMMAND TO POSSIBLE IN THE WRITINGS OF THE 3PIRIT OF 0ROPHECY *UST AS THE h'O FORWARD v

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ 3EPTEMBER

'O &ORWARD .OT "ACKWARD

'O FORWARD NOT BACKWARD $O NOT SUCCUMB TO THE MIS TAKEN IDEA OF ACCEPTING WORSHIP OR EVANGELISTIC OUTREACH METHODS MERELY BECAUSE THEY ARE NEW AND hTRENDY v 7E MUST TEST ALL THINGS ACCORDING TO THE SUPREME AUTHORITY OF 'OD S 7ORD AND THE COUNSEL WITH WHICH WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED IN THE WRITINGS OF %LLEN ' 7HITE $ON T REACH OUT TO MOVEMENTS THAT PROMISE YOU SPIRITUAL SUCCESS BASED ON FAULTY THEOLOGY BUT LOOK TO EVANGELISTIC METHODS AND PROGRAMS THAT ARE BASED ON SOLID BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES AND THE 'REAT #ONTROVERSY THEME 'O FORWARD NOT BACKWARD 5SE #HRIST CENTERED "IBLE BASED WORSHIP AND MUSIC PRACTICES IN CHURCH SERVICES 7HILE WE UNDERSTAND THAT WORSHIP SERVICES AND CULTURES VARY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD DON T GO BACKWARD INTO CONFUS ING SETTINGS WHERE MUSIC AND WORSHIP BECOME SO FOCUSED ON EMOTION AND EXPERIENCE THAT YOU LOSE THE CENTRAL FOCUS ON THE 7ORD OF 'OD !LL WORSHIP HOWEVER SIMPLE OR COMPLEX SHOULD LIFT UP #HRIST AND PUT DOWN SELF 'O FORWARD NOT BACKWARD $ON T SUCCUMB TO LOOSE THEOLOGY THAT WRESTS 'OD S 7ORD FROM THE PILLARS OF BIBLICAL TRUTH AND THE LANDMARK BELIEFS OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH 4HE HISTORIC BIBLICAL BELIEFS OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH WILL STAND SECURE TO THE END OF TIME 3ELECTED -ESSAGES BOOK PAGES

READS h7HAT INmUENCE IS IT THAT WOULD LEAD MEN AT THIS STAGE OF OUR HIS TORY TO WORK IN AN UNDERHAND POWERFUL WAY TO TEAR DOWN THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FAITHˆTHE FOUNDATION THAT WAS LAID AT THE BEGINNING OF OUR WORK BY PRAYERFUL STUDY OF THE 7ORD AND BY REVELATION x -ESSAGES OF EVERY ORDER AND KIND HAVE BEEN URGED UPON 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS TO TAKE THE PLACE OF THE TRUTH WHICH POINT BY POINT HAS BEEN SOUGHT OUT BY PRAYERFUL STUDY AND TESTIlED TO BY THE MIRACLE WORKING POWER OF THE ,ORD "UT THE WAYMARKS WHICH HAVE MADE US WHAT WE ARE ARE TO BE PRESERVED (E CALLS UPON US TO HOLD lRMLY WITH THE GRIP OF FAITH TO THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES THAT ARE BASED UPON UNQUESTIONABLE AUTHORITY v 'O FORWARD NOT BACKWARD 3TAND lRM FOR 'OD S 7ORD AS IT IS LITERALLY READ AND UNDERSTOOD 7E MUST ALWAYS HUMBLY RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE lNITE FALLEN CREATURES OBSERVING THE WORKS OF AN INlNITE OMNIPOTENT 'OD AND THERE ARE THINGS IN BOTH NATURE AND 3CRIPTURE THAT WE DO NOT FULLY COMPRE HEND "UT THAT WHICH THE ,ORD IN (IS MERCY HAS GIVEN TO US IN CLEAR LANGUAGE TO BE TAKEN AS FACT SIMPLY BECAUSE (E SAID SO MUST NOT BE SHROUDED IN SKEPTICISM $ON T MISINTERPRET THE lRST CHAPTERS OF 'ENESIS OR OTHER AREAS OF 3CRIPTURE AS ALLEGORICAL OR MERELY SYMBOLIC 4HE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH TEACHES AND BELIEVES IN THE BIBLICAL RECORD OF #REATION WHICH TOOK PLACE IN SIX LITERAL CONSECUTIVE

CONTIGUOUS HOUR DAYS )F 'OD DID NOT CREATE THIS WORLD IN SIX LITERAL DAYS AND THEN BLESS THE 3ABBATH DAY WHY ARE WE WORSHIPPING (IM ON THE SEVENTH DAY 3ABBATH AS 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS 4O MISINTERPRET THIS DOCTRINE IS TO DENY 'OD S 7ORD AND THE VERY PURPOSE OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST MOVEMENT AS THE REMNANT CHURCH OF 'OD $ON T GO BACKWARD TO ATHEISTIC OR THEISTIC EVOLUTION GO FORWARD TO THE PROPHETIC UNDERSTANDING THAT LOYALTY TO 'OD THE #REATOR AND 2EDEEMER WILL BE SEEN IN THE OBSERVANCE OF THE SEVENTH DAY 3ABBATH AS THE DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTIC OF 'OD S PEOPLE IN THE VERY END OF TIME !GAIN WE READ IN 3ELECTED -ESSAGES BOOK P h$O NOT OVERSTRAIN THE MEANING OF SENTENCES IN THE "IBLE IN AN EFFORT TO BRING FORTH SOMETHING ODD IN ORDER TO PLEASE THE FANCY 4AKE THE 3CRIPTURES AS THEY READ v 'O FORWARD NOT BACKWARD ,ET 3CRIPTURE BE ITS OWN INTERPRETER /UR CHURCH HAS LONG HELD TO THE HISTORICAL BIB LICAL OR HISTORICAL GRAMMATICAL METHOD OF UNDERSTANDING 3CRIPTURE ALLOWING THE "IBLE TO INTERPRET ITSELF 4HE HISTORI CAL CRITICAL METHOD OF EXPLAINING THE "IBLE HOWEVER PUTS A SCHOLAR OR INDIVIDUAL ABOVE THE PLAIN APPROACH OF THE 3CRIPTURES AND GIVES INAPPROPRIATE LICENSE TO DECIDE WHAT HE OR SHE PERCEIVES AS TRUTH BASED ON THE RESOURCES AND EDUCATION OF THE CRITIC 4HIS TYPE OF APPROACH LEADS PEOPLE TO DISTRUST 'OD AND (IS 7ORD 'O FORWARD NOT BACKWARD !CCEPT THE 3PIRIT OF 0ROPHECY AS ONE OF THE GREATEST GIFTS GIVEN TO THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVEN TIST #HURCH NOT JUST FOR THE PAST BUT FOR THE FUTURE 7HILE THE "IBLE IS THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY AND lNAL ARBITER OF TRUTH

THE 3PIRIT OF 0ROPHECY PROVIDES CLEAR INSPIRED COUNCIL TO AID OUR APPLICATION OF "IBLE TRUTH AND IS A MARVELOUS BLESSING TO DIRECT 'OD S CHURCH IN THE LAST DAYS OF THIS EARTH S HISTORY #OMING !GAIN

*ESUS IS COMING SOON 3OON WE WILL SEE IN THE EASTERN SKY A SMALL DARK CLOUD ABOUT HALF THE SIZE OF A MAN S lST )T WILL GET LARGER AND LARGER AND BRIGHTER AND BRIGHTER !ND THERE SEATED IN THE MIDDLE OF MILLIONS OF ANGELS WILL BE THE /NE WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR NOT THE HUMBLE BROKEN ,AMB

NOT THE MINISTERING (IGH 0RIEST BUT THE +ING OF KINGS AND ,ORD OF LORDS *ESUS #HRIST OUR 2EDEEMER 7E WILL LOOK UP AND SAY h4HIS IS THE 'OD WE HAVE WAITED FOR v #HRIST WILL LOOK DOWN AND SAY h7ELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS %NTER INTO THE JOY OF YOUR ,ORD v AND WE WILL RISE TO MEET THE ,ORD IN THE AIR TO GO HOME TO BE WITH (IM FOREVERˆTHE BEAUTIFUL END OF THE !DVENT JOURNEY !CCEPT #HRIST S MARVELOUS GRACE IN YOUR LIFE h'O FORWARDv BY RENEWING YOUR COMMITMENT TO (IM AND PRO

CLAIMING 'OD S GRACE AND THE THREE ANGELS MESSAGES

3EPTEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

$ % 6 / 4 ) / . ! ,

4HE FOLLOWING DEVOTIONAL IS A CONDENSA TION OF A MESSAGE PRESENTED DURING THE 7OMEN S -INISTRIES MEETINGS AT THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE SESSION IN !TLANTA

'EORGIA 5NITED 3TATES ON *UNE

ˆ%DITORS

4

WO CATEGORIES OF PEOPLE EXIST IN OUR COMMUNITIES THOSE DESPERATELY IN NEED OF A 3AVIOR AND THOSE EQUIPPED TO PROCLAIM 'OD S MESSAGE OF GRACE ABOUT A 3AVIOR !ND THE PROBLEM FACING US IS THAT THOSE IN THE SECOND CATEGORY TYPICALLY lND ALL KINDS OF EXCUSES TO AVOID SHARING WHAT THEY HAVE "AD WEATHER IS A FREQUENT EXCUSE /THER OBSTACLES TO SHARING INCLUDE TIREDNESS SELlSHNESS BUSYNESS LOW SELF ESTEEM THE BELIEF THAT WE RE UNPREPARED THAT IT S NOT OUR PERSONAL CALLING ETC 4HE LIST IS ENDLESS !N IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION FOR US IS THAT *ESUS SACRIlCED (IS LIFE THAT WE MIGHT OBTAIN ETERNAL LIFE (E ENDURED TEMPTATION REJECTION HUMILIATION

INSULTS BETRAYAL FALSE ACCUSATIONS

AND lNALLY THE CROSS 4HROUGH IT ALL

HOWEVER (E REMAINED FOCUSED ON (IS MISSION AND SO MUST WE 3ALVATION IS NOT CHEAP SOMEONE HAD TO PAY THE PRICE !ND *ESUS PAID IT WITH (IS LIFE (E DOES NOT ASK US TO PAY FOR OUR SALVATION WITH OUR LIVES "UT (E CALLS ON US TO SACRIlCE OUR TALENTS OUR TIME

OUR TREASURE ALL FREELY GIVEN IN ORDER TO CONTINUE (IS MISSION IN THE WORLD %ACH INDIVIDUAL IS TO GIVE ACCORDING TO WHAT 'OD HAS GIVEN THEM 7HEN YOU VE HAD A PERSONAL ENCOUNTER WITH *ESUS WHEN YOU VE RECEIVED (IS GRACE

WHEN YOU VE RECOGNIZED (IS TENDER

LOVING CARE YOU WILL SEE WHAT OTHER EYES MAY NOT HURTING PEOPLE AS THE APPLE OF 'OD S EYE 4HE GOSPEL IS NOT JUST A STORY IT S AN EXPERIENCE THAT

ONCE WE ACQUIRE IT DOES NOT ALLOW US TO REST UNTIL WE SHARE IT )N THE SENTIMENTS OF 0AUL THE LOVE OF #HRIST COMPELS SEE #OR

0ROCLAIMING

GOD S GRACE 7ITH

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ 3EPTEMBER

OVE ,

"Y *OY 'ASHAIJA

4HROUGH THE GIFTS THAT (E SUPPLIES

)NHERITANCE OR 0ERSONAL #OMMITMENT

! #ATHOLIC WOMAN ONCE ASKED ME

h*OY WHY ARE YOU A 0ROTESTANT v h"ECAUSE MY FATHER IS 0ROTESTANT v ) RESPONDED HONESTLY )T WAS AN ISSUE OF INHERITANCE

THENˆAN ISSUE OF CULTURE HAVING NOTHING TO DO WITH PERSONAL CONVIC TION "UT THE QUESTION PROMPTED ME TO SEEK 'OD S GRACE TO REVEAL TO ME THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL AND THE KNOWLEDGE OF THAT TRUTH CHANGED MY LIFE COMPLETELY )T WAS NO LONGER ABOUT MY FATHER ABOUT INHERITANCE

ABOUT CULTURE BUT ABOUT #HRIST ABOUT CHOICE ABOUT COMMITMENT 4ODAY ) POSE THE SAME QUESTION TO YOU 7HY ARE YOU A 3EVENTH DAY

!DVENTIST #HRISTIAN "ECAUSE OF INHERITANCE -ARRIAGE "ECAUSE YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR JOB /R IS IT BECAUSE YOU BELIEVE THE WORDS OF *OHN

THAT h'OD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT (E GAVE (IS ONLY BEGOTTEN 3ON THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN (IM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE v (AVE WE TRULY PERSONALLY BELIEVED )S OUR BELIEF STRONG ENOUGH TO FORM THE BASIS FOR US TO PROCLAIM 'OD S GRACE WITH LOVE TO THE COMMUNITY $O WE BEAR A BURDEN FOR THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING AND PERISHING WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF 'OD S GRACE $O WE CONSIDER IT OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROCLAIM 'OD S GRACE TO OUR COM MUNITIES USING THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS THAT 'OD HAS (IMSELF GIVEN US , % . . / 8 ! # / ( ! , ,

'ENERAL #ONFERENCE 3ESSION

,EFT '!4(%2%$ &/2 2%.%7!, !DVENTIST 7OMEN S -INISTRIES AND 3HEPHERDESS )NTERNATIONAL SPONSORED A FOUR DAY SERIES OF MEETINGS *UNE *ULY FOR NONDELEGATE WOMEN DURING THE '# SESSION IN !TLANTA

)F YOU AND ) HAVE ACCEPTED #HRIST AS OUR PERSONAL 3AVIOR THEN WE HAVE AN URGENT RESPONSIBILITY OF EMBRACING THE 'REAT #OMMISSION OF -ATTHEW THROUGH THE INDIVIDUAL USE OF OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS TO PROCLAIM 'OD S GRACE )N (IS MINISTRY *ESUS FOCUSED ON PEOPLE IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE "UT (E ESPECIALLY HAD A SOFT SPOT FOR THE POOR

THE HURTING THE VICTIMIZED 7E SEE THIS IN (IS PARABLE OF THE JUDGMENT IN -ATTHEW 'OD HAS BLESSED MOST OF US WOMEN WITH THE GIFT OF REACHING THE HURTING IN OUR COMMUNI TIESˆWIDOWS THE TERMINALLY ILL THE LONELY THE ABUSED THE REJECTED THE DESTITUTE PROSTITUTES PRISONERS THE ILLITERATE THE MARGINALIZED AND ALL OTHERS WHO FEEL HOPELESS /THERS IN OUR COMMUNITIES MAY HAVE ALL THAT THE WORLD OFFERS BUT STILL FEEL EMPTY WITHIN 7HILE THEY LONG FOR TRUE FULlLLMENT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO lND IT 4HEY LOOK FOR JOY THROUGH DRUGS ALCOHOL TOBACCO

SEX AND OTHER THINGS THAT OFFER ONLY TEMPORAL RELIEF 3TILL OTHERS IN OUR COMMUNITIES ARE DAILY SEEKING FOR TRUTH 7HAT THESE ALL NEED IS THE GOSPEL OF LOVE AND COMPASSION &INDING /UR 3PIRITUAL 'IFT S

3OMEONE SAID THAT hA TRUE SPIRITUAL GIFT OPENS DOORS CHANGES LIVES AND BUILDS UP THE BODY OF #HRIST v !ND THE lRST STEP IN IDENTIFYING OUR OWN GIFT IS ACCEPTING #HRIST FULLY /NLY THEN WILL (E TURN OUR TALENTS INTO SPIRITUAL GIFTS 4HE REASON WE STILL HOLD SO lRMLY AND SELlSHLY TO OUR OWN TALENTS OUR OWN TIME OUR OWN TREASURES IS THAT WE VE

NOT FULLY ACCEPTED OR APPRECIATED 'OD S AMAZING GRACE 7HEN WE TALK ABOUT PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL WE TEND TO THINK OF IT AS A JOB FOR EXPERTSˆTHOSE WHO VE MAS TERED THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING WITH DOCTRINAL FORMULAS AND FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS AT THEIR lNGERTIPS !ND YES

THIS MAY BE RIGHTˆIF WE HAVE IN MIND THE FEW WHO ARE GIFTED IN THAT AREA OF PUBLIC EVANGELISM "UT WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF US 7HERE DO WE FALL $OES -ATTHEW APPLY ONLY TO THOSE WHO ARE ELOQUENT IN SPEECH /R DOES IT APPLY ALSO TO THOSE WHO HAVE NO CREDENTIALS TO BAPTIZE ) SUGGEST IT DOES 4HE "IBLE MEN TIONS A GREAT DIVERSITY IN THE TYPES OF GIFTS 'OD WANTS TO PUT TO USE GIVING

EXHORTATION DISCERNMENT KNOWLEDGE

LEADERSHIP PROPHECY TEACHING WIS DOM SERVICE MERCY HEALING FAITH SEE #OR "Y 'OD S OWN DESIGN

SUCH DIVERSITY PROVIDES CAPABILITIES TO BELIEVERS TO SERVE AS POWERFUL TOOLS FOR THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL 7HAT IS YOUR GIFT 3O MANY THINK THEY HAVE NONE !N OLD WOMAN AFTER LISTENING TO A TOUCHING SERMON FROM HER PASTOR ON SPIRITUAL GIFTS FELT THAT THOUGH SHE D BEEN A #HRISTIAN FOR MANY YEARS SHE D NEVER DISCOVERED HER OWN 'OD GIVEN GIFTˆNOT EVEN FROM THE LIST OF THE THE PASTOR GAVE IN HIS SERMON 5NEDU CATED SHE D ALL HER LIFE BEEN EMPLOYED AS A HOME CLEANER "UT HER PASTOR REASSURED HER THAT 'OD HAD INDEED GIVEN HER AT LEAST ONE GIFT AND THAT ALL SHE NEEDED WAS TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF DISCOVERING IT h*UST THINK ABOUT THE THINGS YOU DO BEST v THE PASTOR TOLD HER hAND PRAY THAT 'OD WOULD SHOW YOU WHICH ONE OF THEM TO USE FOR (IS GLORY v !S SHE PRAYED IT KEPT COMING TO HER MINDˆAGAIN AND AGAINˆTHAT SHE LOVED TO BAKE BREAD AND THAT SHE DID IT WELL #OULD THIS BE HER GIFT EVEN THOUGH NOT MENTIONED IN THE LIST THE PASTOR MENTIONED

!N IDEA CAME TO HER ! YOUNG COUPLE HAD JUST MOVED IN NEAR HER HOME 3HE COULD BAKE SOMETHING AS A WELCOME PRESENT FOR THEM !ND SO SHE DID h) LIVE NEXT DOOR v SHE SAID AS THE NEW NEIGHBOR ANSWERED HER DOOR h(ERE S A HOUSEWARMING GIFT FOR YOU v !ND WITH THAT SHE TURNED AND RAN AWAY 4HE NEW NEIGHBOR REMAINED GLUED TO THE SPOT THINKING TO HERSELF 4HERE ARE SOME FUNNY PEOPLE LIVING AROUND HERE "UT IT S NICE THAT THEY SHOULD WELCOME US IN THIS WAY 4HEN AS SHE UNFOLDED THE NAPKINS THE SMELL OF GOOD FRESH BREAD lLLED THE PLACE !T DINNER SHE TOLD HER HUSBAND WHAT HAPPENED AND PUT THE BREAD ON THE TABLE ITS PLEASING AROMA lLLING THE ROOM )T ALSO TASTED GREAT /UR SISTER MADE A LOAF FOR THE NEIGHBORS EVERY DAY THAT WEEK BUT ON 3ABBATH SHE DIDN T 4HE NEIGHBORS WAITED BUT NO LOAF CAME ON 3ABBATH (AVING COME TO ENJOY THIS SPECIAL BREAD THEY WERE DISAPPOINTED /N 3UNDAY MORNING WHEN OUR SISTER TOOK OVER ANOTHER LOAF THE NEIGHBORS DELIGHTED TO SEE HER AGAIN

ASKED WHAT HAD HAPPENED THE PREVIOUS DAYˆWHICH GAVE HER A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT HER FAITH AND THE 3ABBATH 4HEY WANTED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT !DVENTISTS

SO OUR SISTER INVITED HER PASTOR TO MEET WITH THEM &OR THEIR PART THEY INVITED THEIR OWN PRIEST TO JOIN THE MEETING )N THE END TO CUT THE STORY SHORT

THE YOUNG COUPLE TOGETHER WITH THEIR PRIEST ACCEPTED THE !DVENTIST MES SAGE !LL BECAUSE OUR SISTER USED HER GIFTˆTHE GIFT OF BAKING BREAD 7HAT ARE WE DOING WITH WHAT WE HAVE

*OY 'ASHAIJA IS 7OMEN S -INISTRIES DIRECTOR FOR THE %AST #ENTRAL !FRICA $IVI SION WITH HEADQUARTERS IN .AIROBI +ENYA

3EPTEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

& % !4 5 2 %

4HE ' E N E RA L # O N F E R E N C E

3ESSION

0AGAN SM

"ENJAMIN (ACHEKED

PRESIDENT OF .ORTH #AMEROON #ONFERENCE

TELLS HIS STORY "Y 3ANDRA "LACKMER

"

ENJAMIN SIGHED WITH RELIEF AS A SLIGHT WHITENING TINGED WITH GOLD AND BLUE BEGAN TO EMERGE ON THE !FRICAN HORIZON )T WILL SOON BE CLEAR ENOUGH TO HEAD DOWN THE MOUNTAIN HE THOUGHT -ORNING COULDN T COME SOON ENOUGH FOR "ENJAMIN (IS UNCLE WHO HAD HELPED CARE FOR HIM AFTER THE DEATH OF HIS FATHER DIDN T UNDERSTAND HIS NEW BELIEFS (E KNEW HIS UNCLE WAS WORRIED THAT THE VILLAGERS WOULD LOSE RESPECT FOR HIM IF THEY LEARNED HIS NEPHEW WAS NOW A #HRISTIAN A 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HRISTIAN AT THAT !FRAID THAT THIS TIME HIS UNCLE WOULD FORBID HIM TO ATTEND CHURCH "ENJAMIN DECIDED THAT &RIDAY NIGHT TO SLEEP ON THE MOUNTAINSIDE AND THEN WALK THE SEVERAL KILOMETERS TO 3ABBATH SCHOOL AND CHURCH "ENJAMIN LOVED HIS UNCLE BUT HIS NEWFOUND FAITH AND LOVE FOR *ESUS OVERRODE HIS FEAR OF DISPLEASING HIM (E WAS NOW A FOLLOWER OF *ESUS AND EVEN AT THE YOUNG AGE OF HIS COMMITMENT TO 'OD LED HIM IN A NEW DIRECTION

3ANDRA "LACKMER IS AN ASSISTANT EDITOR OF !DVENTIST 7ORLD

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ 3EPTEMBER

! 5 3 4 ) . 2 ( /

0ULLED &ROM

./24( #!-%2//. #/.&%2%.#% 02%3)$%.4 "ENJAMIN (ACHEKED

4ODAY YEARS LATER "ENJAMIN (ACHEKED SERVES HIS CHURCH AS PRESIDENT OF THE .ORTH #AMEROON #ONFERENCE

HEADQUARTERED IN THE 7EST !FRICAN TOWN OF -AROUA 4HE ALMOST !DVENTIST #HURCH MEMBERS WHO WORSHIP IN SOME CHURCHES IN THAT ARID RUGGED REGION LOOK TO HIM FOR SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP (E ALSO OVERSEES THE CONFERENCE S THREE PRIMARY AND THREE SECONDARY SCHOOLS (ACHEKED S UNCLE THOUGH NOT YET A #HRISTIAN NOW SOMETIMES ATTENDS WORSHIP SERVICES WITH HIS NEPHEW AND "ENJAMIN SAYS HE S DOING WHAT HE CAN TO LEAD HIM TO *ESUS h) CAME TO KNOW THE ,ORD AND JOIN THE !DVENTIST #HURCH THROUGH A YOUNG MAN NAMED -ALLAM OUR NEIGHBOR S SON WHO WAS OLDER THAN ME v (ACHEKED EXPLAINS h(E ENCOURAGED ME v !DVENTIST EDUCATION (ACHEKED ADDS ALSO PLAYED A ROLE (IS lRST FOUR YEARS OF hREADING WRITING AND ARITHMETICv TOOK PLACE WITHIN THE WALLS OF AN !DVENTIST SCHOOL IN THE TOWN OF +OZA WHERE THERE IS ALSO AN !DVENTIST HOSPITAL (E SPENT THE REMAINING ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY YEARS AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS BUT THEN LOOKED TO THE !DVENTIST 3EMINARY OF 7EST !FRICA NOW "ABCOCK 5NIVERSITY IN .IGERIA FOR HIS HIGHER EDUCATION &OLLOWING GRADUATION (ACHEKED BECAME A PASTOR AND THEN 0UBLISHING -INISTRIES DIRECTOR FOR THE .ORTH #AMEROON #ONFERENCE (E WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT THERE IN

!BOVE 3#(//, ). #!-%2//. 0RINCIPAL OF THE !DVENTIST MISSION SCHOOL IN $OGBA NORTHERN #AMEROON PREPARES FOR CLASS .O BOOKS OR OTHER SUPPLIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR USE BY TEACHERS OR STUDENTS THERE ,EFT &%,,/73()0 !DVENTIST WOMEN MEETING TOGETHER ON A &RIDAY AFTERNOON

,IFE IN .ORTHERN #AMEROON

h) FEEL VERY PRIVILEGED TO SERVE THE ,ORD IN #AMEROON v (ACHEKED SAYS h4HE PEOPLE ARE MISSION FOCUSED AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE ,ORD IS STRONG 4HEY RE HAPPY THEY WORK HARD THEY RE FAITHFUL )N THIS WORLD NOT EVERYTHING IS PERFECT BUT THEY ARE DOING THEIR BEST v #HURCH MEMBERS THERE SHARE THEIR FAITH WITH OTHERS LARGELY THROUGH PUBLIC EVANGELISM h-OST OF THE PEOPLE IN THE VILLAGES HAVE NO EDUCATION THEY DON T KNOW HOW TO READ v (ACHEKED EXPLAINS h"UT WHEN THOSE WHO DO KNOW HOW TO READ ORGANIZE A PUBLIC EVANGELISM EVENT EVERYBODY COMES v (ACHEKED NOTES THAT NORTHERN #AMEROON IS A MOSTLY -USLIM REGION AND THAT MANY VILLAGERS HAVE NEVER SEEN A "IBLE (E ADDS HOWEVER THAT h-USLIMS RESPECT !DVENTISTS 4HEY LIKE OUR MESSAGE 4HEY SAY THAT !DVENTISTS HAVE THE TRUTH "UT THEY RE AFRAID BECAUSE IF THEY BECOME #HRISTIANS

THEIR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY WILL REJECT THEM )T S NOT EASY h) PRAY FOR THE DAY WHEN OUR PEOPLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO BELONG TO ANY RELIGION THEY WANT TO v (ACHEKED SAYS h4HAT WILL BE A HAPPY DAY v ,ARRY "LACKMER VICE PRESIDENT OF THE .ORTH !MERICAN $IVISION FOR EDUCATION VISITED NORTHERN #AMEROON LAST &EBRUARY TO SPEAK TO THE 7EST #ENTRAL !FRICA $IVISION 0 ( / 4 / 3 " 9 , ! 2 2 9 $ " , ! # + - % 2

5NIVERSITY #OUNCIL AT !DVENTIST 5NIVERSITY #OSENDAI 7HILE IN #AMEROON (ACHEKED TOOK HIM TO VISIT THE CHURCH S MISSION SCHOOL IN REMOTE $OGBA h7E SAW HEART RENDING SCENES OF ABJECT POVERTY AND MALNUTRITION v "LACKMER SAYS hAND THE MISSION SCHOOL FUNCTIONS WITHOUT ACCESS TO BOOKS OR OTHER SUPPLIES "UT THE PEOPLE ESPECIALLY THE CHILDREN WERE WONDERFULˆALWAYS SMILING AND FRIENDLY ) LOVED MEETING THEM ) ALSO FOUND #AMEROON TO BE A VERY BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY WITH BREATHTAKING VIEWS AND FANTASTIC WILDLIFE v *OSTLING TOGETHER FOR MANY HOURS ALONG PRIMITIVE ROADS DOTTED WITH POTHOLES "LACKMER SAYS HE GOT TO KNOW (ACHEKED WELL h(E WAS A MOST GRACIOUS HOST AND A SINCERE #HRISTIAN v HE SAYS h(E S OBVIOUSLY LOVED BY HIS PEOPLE v !TTENDING '# 3ESSION

&OR (ACHEKED WHO HAD NEVER BEFORE TRAVELED OUTSIDE 7EST !FRICA TOUCHING DOWN AT THE !TLANTA 'EORGIA AIRPORT TO SERVE AS A DELEGATE AT THE CHURCH S lFTY NINTH '# SESSION SHATTERED HIS PRECONCEPTIONS OF LIFE IN THE 5NITED 3TATES 4HE 7ESTERN WORLD HE SAYS WAS hBEYOND MY EXPECTA TIONSvˆAND RADICALLY DIFFERENT FROM LIFE AT HOME h4HERE ARE MORE THAN TRIBES IN #AMEROON v 3EPTEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

& % !4 5 2 %

4RAVELI "Y 3ANDRA "LACKMER

(ACHEKED EXPLAINS h%ACH TRIBE OR GROUP OF TRIBES HAS ITS OWN TRADITIONS AND CULTURES )N THE CHURCH IN NORTHERN #AMEROON FOR EXAMPLE WOMEN SIT ON ONE SIDE OF THE CHURCH AND MEN ON THE OTHER SIDE 4HE WOMEN VEIL THEIR HEADS WHEN THEY PRAY 4RADITIONALLY AND CULTURALLY SPEAK ING THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WEAR TROUSERS v 6ILLAGERS THERE LIVE IN ADOBE HUTS WITHOUT THE LUXURY OF ELECTRICITY OR RUNNING WATER 4HEY SHOP DAILY FOR THEIR FOOD BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO REFRIGERATION TO KEEP IT FRESH 3O FOR (ACHEKED !TLANTA IS A MENTAL PARADIGM SHIFT h) DON T KNOW THE RIGHT WORDS TO DESCRIBE WHAT ) SEE HERE IN !TLANTA v (ACHEKED SAYS %VERYTHING IS NICE AND IN ORDERˆTHE TRAINS AND THE ROADS !LL THE VEHICLES SEEM NEW AND OF THE BEST QUALITY h4HE 'EORGIA 7ORLD #ONGRESS #ENTER IS ANOTHER MIRACLE ) WONDER HOW PEOPLE CAN BUILD SOMETHING LIKE THIS v (ACHEKED S EXPERIENCE WITH THE PEOPLE HE S MET IN !TLANTA HAS ALSO LEFT A GOOD IMPRESSION h%VERYBODY YOU MEETˆMAN OR WOMANˆTHEY ARE GENTLE THEY ARE KIND v HE SAYS 7HEN ASKED WHETHER HE FELT THE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH GATHERING WAS WORTH THE COST (ACHEKED SAID h-ONEY IS MADE TO BE SPENT 'OD CAN PROVIDE IF THIS BRINGS ABOUT SOMETHING POSITIVE )T S TRUE THAT IT COSTS A LOT OF MONEY BUT '# SESSIONS STRENGTHEN FAITH ATTRACT SPECIAL GUESTS AND RAISE OPINIONS OF THE !DVENTIST #HURCH 4HESE ARE VERY GOOD THINGS v 3TORIES TO 4ELL

7HEN HE RETURNS HOME TO HIS WIFE 4CHIVED 2ACHEL

AND THE COUPLE S YEAR OLD SON .ANELA (ACHEKED 3AMUELˆAND A SECOND CHILD ON THE WAY WHO (ACHEKED SAYS MIGHT BE BORN BY THE TIME HE RETURNSˆHE WILL HAVE STORIES TO TELL h) WILL LET MY FRIENDS AND COWORKERS KNOW THAT 'OD IS REALLY LEADING (IS CHURCH AND THAT (E IS IN CONTROL OF CHURCH BUSINESS ) VE LEARNED THAT THIS CHURCH IS TRULY DEMOCRATIC AND HAS A VISION FOR THE FUTURE )T S WELL ORGA NIZED AND FOLLOWS PRINCIPLES h) M HAPPY TO BELONG TO THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH v HE ADDS h) VE COME FROM PAGANISM TO THIS ) M GRATEFUL THAT THE ,ORD ALLOWED ME TO READ THE TRUTHS IN THE "IBLE ABOUT (IM AND ABOUT WORSHIPPING ON THE 3ABBATH DAY 7E ARE TRULY 'OD S PEOPLE v

3ESSION OFFERING TO SUSTAIN HEALTH MINISTRIES EDUCATION AND EVANGELISM IN WINDOW

(

E STOOD TRANSlXED WATCHING THE YOUNG GIRL

ABOUT YEARS OLD HE GUESSED CRAWL OUT OF THE LARGE CARDBOARD BOX 4WO SMALL BOYS APPAR ENTLY HER YOUNGER BROTHERS FOLLOWED CLOSE BEHIND 3ORES COVERED THE BOYS BODIES 4HEY WERE PALE AND LISTLESS (E SAW THE SMALLEST BOY LEAN AGAINST HIS SISTER S CHEST AND QUIETLY BEGIN TO SOB (E COULD HEAR THE COMPAS SION IN THE GIRL S VOICE AS SHE SPOKE SOFTLY TO HIM AND GENTLY PATTED HIS HEAD 3HE THEN REACHED BACK INTO THE BOXˆTHEIR hHOMEvˆAND PULLED OUT THREE SMALL BOWLS h4HAT PICTURE STILL BURNS IN MY MIND v SAID '# VICE PRESIDENT -ICHAEL , 2YAN DURING THE OFFERING APPEAL ON THE lRST 3ABBATH OF THE SESSION h(OW ) WISH ) COULD HAVE DONE MORE TO CHANGE THEIR LIVES THAN WHAT THE FEW DOLLARS ) GAVE THEM WOULD DO v 4HE GOAL OF THE SESSION S OFFERINGS 2YAN SAID IS TO HELP LIGHTEN A PATH OF HOPE WORLDWIDE FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE SUCH AS THIS YOUNG FAMILY h4HIS CHURCH WAS ORGANIZED FOR MISSIONˆGLOBAL MISSION v 2YAN SAID h"UT THE GLOBAL NATURE OF THE !DVENTIST #HURCH WAS NOT DONE IN OUR POWER BUT THE POWER OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT 7E RE A FAMILY WITH A MISSION v 4HIS SESSION S OFFERINGS ARE TAGGED TO SUPPORT OUTREACH IN A REGION MARKED BY THE ANCIENT 3ILK 2OAD A ROUTE THAT CROSSES AREAS SUCH AS #HINA )NDIA 0AKISTAN !FGHANISTAN

#ENTRAL !SIA 4URKEY AND THE -IDDLE %ASTˆALL PART OF THE WINDOW

3ANDRA "LACKMER IS AN ASSISTANT EDITOR OF !DVENTIST 7ORLD

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ 3EPTEMBER

'ENERAL #ONFERENCE 3ESSION

NG

THE 3ILK 2OAD

$ESCRIBING THE WINDOW AS AN IMAGINARY RECTANGLE DEGREES NORTH OF THE EQUATOR AT THE BOTTOM AND DEGREES NORTH AT THE TOP AND EXTENDING FROM NORTHWEST !FRICA THROUGH THE -IDDLE %AST AND INTO !SIA !DVENTIST -ISSION DIRECTOR 'ARY +RAUSE SAYS h)T S A SYMBOLIC WAY OF DIRECTING ATTENTION TO THAT AREA AND SAYING THAT THIS IS WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE WORLD S POPULATION LIVESˆIN THAT WINDOW )T S ALSO THE AREA WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE THE POOREST

WHERE THERE ARE THE FEWEST #HRISTIANS AND WHERE #HRISTIANS HISTORICALLY HAVE SENT THE FEWEST RESOURCES v +RAUSE TOLD !DVENTIST 7ORLD THAT THE MONEY WILL BE ALLOCATED TO THE APPROPRIATE DIVISIONS WHICH WILL THEN

# / 5 2 4 % 3 9 / & ! $ 6 % . 4 ) 3 4 - ) 3 3 ) / .

SELECT SPECIlC PROJECTS 4HEY LL BE ENCOURAGED HOWEVER hTO USE A WHOLISTIC APPROACH OF EVANGELISTIC OUTREACH TO TRY TO BUILD BRIDGES IN THESE COMMUNITIESv IN AREAS SUCH AS HEALTH MINISTRIES EDUCATION AND 'LOBAL -ISSION PIONEERS HE SAYS h%VERY CENT OF IT WILL BE GOING TO FRONTLINE WORK AND IT WILL BE CONTEXTUALIZED TO REACH PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE h4HE CHURCH CHOSE THE 3ILK 2OAD BECAUSE WE WERE LOOKING AT REGIONS OF THE WORLD THAT HAD THE GREATEST NEED

PLACES WHERE PERHAPS THE CHURCH IS THE WEAKEST v +RAUSE SAYS h7E WANT TO REACH THOSE WHO ARE WAITING FOR THE HOPE OF THE GOSPEL v

3EPTEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

& % !4 5 2 %

-INISTRIES IN THE "Y %VAN +NOTT

(IGHLIGHTS FROM THE EXHIBIT mOOR

3POTLIGHT

-

ORE THAN EXHIBITS TAKING UP APPROXI MATELY SQUARE FEET DAZZLED THE IMAGINATIONS OF THE THOUSANDS OF !DVENTISTS WHO ATTENDED THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE SESSION IN !TLANTA $EAN 2OGERS EXHIBIT MANAGER FOR THE SESSION REPORTED A SIMILAR NUMBER OF EXHIBITS AT PREVIOUS SESSIONS h) THINK THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE THIS TIME IS THE QUALITY OF THE EXHIB ITS v HE SAID h7E HAVE SOME OUTSTANDING DISPLAYS THAT ARE VERY INVITING TO THE PEOPLE WHO COME THROUGH v !MONG THE IMPRESSIVE DISPLAYS WAS 5NION #OLLEGE WHOSE EXHIBIT FEATURED A FOOT HIGH CLIMBING WALL 4HE WALL WAS A MAJOR ATTRACTION FOR KIDS AND YOUNG ADULTS BUT ACCORDING TO 5NION #OLLEGE STUDENT AND EXHIBITOR +ARLA .AVARRETE IT WASN T JUST THE USUAL SUSPECTS WHO ENJOYED CLIMBING THE WALL h7E HAD A LADY WHO WAS YEARS OLD v SHE LAUGHED h3HE WAS CLIMBING AND THE CROWD WAS ROOTING FOR HER v .AVARRETE SAYS THE CHEERING AND ENCOURAGEMENT THAT ACCOMPANIED PERSONS ATTEMPTING TO CLIMB THE WALL WERE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE KIND OF ATMOSPHERE ONE CAN EXPECT AT 5NION #OLLEGE h7E SUPPORT OUR KIDS WE STICK TOGETHER v !LSO ON DISPLAY WAS ,A 6OZ DE LA %SPERANZA OR h6OICE OF (OPE v A MEDIA MINISTRY THAT AIMS TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL TO (ISPANIC PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD -ANAGER AND TREASURER #HARLES 'ARCIA SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE BOOTH WAS TO

%VAN +NOTT IS A SOPHOMORE RELIGION AND COMMUNICATION MAJOR AT !NDREWS 5NIVERSITY IN "ERRIEN 3PRINGS -ICHIGAN 5NITED 3TATES

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ 3EPTEMBER

PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THEIR 3PANISH TELEVISION MINISTRIES

AS WELL AS THEIR MORE THAN RADIO STATIONS h7E RE TRYING TO EXPOSE OURSELVES TO THE WORLD LET PEOPLE KNOW WHO WE ARE AND TRY TO REACH OUT FOR HELPˆNOT ONLY lNANCIALLY BUT ALSO IN TERMS OF GETTING PEOPLE TO KNOW THERE S ACTUALLY A PROGRAM IN 3PANISH ALMOST EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHERE THEY CAN TUNE IN AND LISTEN TO THE 7ORD OF 'OD v 4HE 4RANS %UROPEAN $IVISION 4%$ EXHIBIT DEMON STRATED A NEW )NTERNET MINISTRY CALLED h,IFE #ONNECT v AN ONLINE MINISTRY THAT ESSENTIALLY WORKS LIKE &ACEBOOK )N ADDITION TO THE (4-, FORMAT A $ VIRTUAL SPACE CALLED h,IFE #ONNECT 7ORLDv IS LAUNCHING THIS 3EPTEMBER ,IFE #ONNECT 7ORLD WILL ALLOW PEOPLE TO EXPLORE A VIRTUAL WORLD WHERE THEY CAN INTERACT WITH OTHER USERS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS RANGING FROM SHARING RECIPES IN VIRTUAL CAF£S TO

'ENERAL #ONFERENCE 3ESSION

! 5 3 4 ) . 2 ( /

PREVIEWING #HRISTIAN MEDIA TO HAVING "IBLE STUDIES AT THE ,IFE #ONNECT 5NIVERSITY h7E RE ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO BE DIGITAL MISSIONARIES v SAID *EMINA DA 3ILVA -ACEDO OF TED-%$)! 0RODUCTIONS h7E RE NOT FORCING #HRISTIANITY OR !DVENTISM DOWN ANYBODY S THROAT 7E RE TRYING TO CONNECT TO PEOPLE BY lNDING COMMON INTERESTS AND THEN LEADING THEM INTO SPIRITUAL CONCEPTS v ,ONG A lXTURE AT 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE SESSIONS THE EXHIBITION HALL OFFERED A CHANCE FOR !DVENTIST ORGANIZA TIONS TO BRING THEIR MESSAGE TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF VISI TORS AND ATTENDEES AND TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR THEIR UNIQUE ROLES IN SPREADING THE THREE ANGELS MESSAGES 0 ( / 4 / 3 " 9 ! , $ % . * ( /

/PPOSITE PAGE -)2!#,% "5),$).' )MAGINE THE MIRACLES IN THE LIVES OF THE MANY CHILDREN WHO WILL ENJOY THE BLESS INGS OF THE /NE $AY 3CHOOL A PROJECT OF -ARANATHA 6OLUN TEERS )NTERNATIONAL 4OP TO BOTTOM 4(2%% 47/ /.%ˆ !#4)/. %VERY DAY THOUSANDS OF VISITORS ENJOYED THE HUGE EXHIBIT HALL WITH ITS HUNDREDS OF BOOTHS 7HO COULD RESIST ,IDIA !BIGAIL -ONROY FROM 'UATEMALA ENTHUSIASTICALLY SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT THE )NTER !MERICAN $IVISION 6)245!, -)33)/. *EMIMA DA 3ILVA -ACEDO OF THE 4RANS %UROPEAN $IVISION 4%$ DEMONSTRATES TED-EDIA S VIRTUAL REALITY SOFTWARE TO 4IHOMIR ,AZIC

3EPTEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

& 5 . $ ! - % . 4 ! , " % , ) % & 3

-

ARRIAGE IS HARD WORK 3TAND ING IN THE OPEN DOORWAY OF A TRAIN AT 3YDNEY #ENTRAL 3TATION ) LOOKED AT THE PILE OF LUGGAGE

AND THEN GLANCED AT MY WATCH 7HY WAS MY WIFE TAKING SO LONG TO PURCHASE A BOTTLE OF WATER 3HE HAD BEEN GONE FOR AGES AND ) WAS BECOMING ANXIOUS ABOUT THE TIME OF DEPARTURE $ID ) NEED TO OFmOAD OUR LUGGAGE AND WAIT FOR THE NEXT TRAIN (AD SHE TRIPPED AND FALLEN $ID SHE NEED MY HELP !H x THERE SHE WAS 7ITH A SIGH OF RELIEF WE FOUND SEATS PILED OUR BAGS AROUND US AND WISHED EACH OTHER HAPPY ANNIVERSARYˆOUR THIRTY FOURTHˆAND CONTEMPLATED OUR JOURNEY &OLLOWING OUR COURTSHIP AS PEN NILESS COLLEGE STUDENTS #AROL TAUGHT AS A STUDENT MISSIONARY IN 3AMOA FOR MONTHS IN THE DAYS OF SNAIL MAIL 7E MARRIED THE NEXT YEAR WITH JUST BETWEEN US AND HONEYMOONED IN A TENT AT A NATIONAL PARK 7E WERE IN LOVE AND WHEN $AVID SAID TO ONE OF HIS PROFESSORS AT THE WEDDING h)T SEEMS LIKE A DREAM v THE PROFESSOR WRYLY REPLIED h9OU LL WAKE UP ONE DAY v -AYBE THIS COMMENT REmECTS THE PAIN EXPERIENCED BY FAMILIES TODAY "UT WHY SHOULD WE BE SURPRISED )F 3ATAN S INTENTION HAS BEEN TO MALIGN THE CHARACTER OF 'OD AND IF FAMILY

-ARRIAGE

&AMILY .5-"%2

%NJOYING THE JOURNEY TOGETHER "Y #AROL AND $AVID 4ASKER

WAS 'OD S IDEA THEN IT IS UNDERSTAND ABLE THAT 3ATAN WOULD CONDUCT AN ALL OUT ATTACK ON THE ONE INSTITUTION THAT MAKES POSSIBLE hTHE WELL BEING OF SOCIETY THE SUCCESS OF THE CHURCH

;AND= THE PROSPERITY OF THE NATION v -ARRIAGE 'ENESIS AND &ALL

"EGUN IN AN IDEAL SETTING WITH TWO PERFECT PEOPLE MARRIAGE WAS TO BE A RELATIONSHIP OF MUTUAL COMPANIONSHIP

JOY AND CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENTˆWITH THE #REATOR AS COACH AND CONSULTANT "UT ,UCIFER ALSO SAW THE TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL OF THE FAMILY (E HAS RELENT LESSLY TRIED TO DESTROY THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FAMILIES IN EACH SUCCESSIVE GENERATION 7ITH THE EXIT OF PERFECT PEACE AND HARMONY FAMILY HISTORIES HAVE BEEN LIVED OUT IN COMBAT CONDITIONS 4HE

AND THE

-ARRIAGE WAS DIVINELY ESTABLISHED IN %DEN AND AFlRMED BY *ESUS TO BE A LIFELONG UNION BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN IN LOVING COMPANIONSHIP &OR THE #HRISTIAN A MARRIAGE COMMITMENT IS TO 'OD AS WELL AS TO THE SPOUSE AND SHOULD BE ENTERED INTO ONLY BETWEEN PARTNERS WHO SHARE A COMMON FAITH -UTUAL LOVE HONOR

RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY ARE THE FABRIC OF THIS RELATIONSHIP WHICH IS TO REmECT THE LOVE SANCTITY CLOSENESS AND PERMANENCE

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ 3EPTEMBER

&AMILY

OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN #HRIST AND (IS CHURCH 2EGARDING DIVORCE *ESUS TAUGHT THAT THE PERSON WHO DIVORCES A SPOUSE

EXCEPT FOR FORNICATION AND MARRIES ANOTHER COMMITS ADULTERY !LTHOUGH SOME FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS MAY FALL SHORT OF THE IDEAL MARRIAGE PARTNERS WHO FULLY COMMIT THEMSELVES TO EACH OTHER IN #HRIST MAY ACHIEVE LOVING UNITY THROUGH THE GUIDANCE OF THE 3PIRIT AND THE NURTURE OF THE CHURCH 'OD BLESSES THE FAMILY AND INTENDS THAT ITS

GREAT COSMIC CONTROVERSY BETWEEN #HRIST AND 3ATAN BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL PLAYS OUT ITS lNALE NOT ONLY IN EARTH S HISTORY BUT ALSO BEHIND THE CLOSED DOORS OF TODAY S FAMILIES *OSH AND 3ALLY ARE CASUALTIES IN THIS BATTLE 4HEIR YEAR OLD MARRIAGE IS TIRED AND WEARING THIN 4HE hFOR BETTER OR WORSEv IS DElNITELY FEELING hWORSE v -INOR IRRITATIONS HAVE BECOME MAJOR SHOWDOWNS *OSH IS BECOMING MORE DISILLUSIONED WITH HIS JOB 4HE PROMO TIONS HAVE NOT EVENTUATED AND HE FEELS HE IS BEING SUCKED INTO A DARK TUNNEL WITH NO ESCAPE ROUTE 3ALLY IS LOOKING FOR A CHANGE IN PACE TOO 4RYING TO BALANCE HER ROLES AS WIFE MOTHER HOMEMAKER AND EXECUTIVE IS TAKING ITS TOLL ON HER MIDLIFE YEARS -EANWHILE TEENAGERS

MEMBERS SHALL ASSIST EACH OTHER TOWARD COMPLETE MATURITY 0ARENTS ARE TO BRING UP THEIR CHILDREN TO LOVE AND OBEY THE ,ORD "Y THEIR EXAMPLE AND THEIR WORDS THEY ARE TO TEACH THEM THAT #HRIST IS A LOVING DISCIPLINARIAN EVER TENDER AND CARING

WHO WANTS THEM TO BECOME MEMBERS OF (IS BODY THE FAMILY OF 'OD )NCREASING FAMILY CLOSENESS IS ONE OF THE EARMARKS OF THE lNAL GOSPEL MESSAGE 'EN -ATT *OHN #OR %PH -ATT -ARK ,UKE #OR %X %PH $EUT 0ROV -AL

,ANGUAGES OF !NDY AND "RETT ARE FACING STRUGGLES WITH THEIR PEERS FRUSTRATION AT SCHOOL

UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THEIR FUTURE

PORNOGRAPHY ADDICTION AND DISINTER EST IN THE CHURCH 4HEY FEEL LOST AND DISCONNECTED FROM THEIR PARENTS

!POLOGY

ARE TOLD THAT (E IS hTOUCHEDv WITH THE FEELINGS OF OUR INlRMITIES )SA (EB AND (IS WORDS OF AFlRMA TION INSPIRE US 0ETER

N %XPRESSING 2%'2%4

h) AM SORRYv N !CCEPTING 2%30/.3)"),)49

h) WAS WRONGv

3PEAKING THE 2IGHT ,ANGUAGE

-ANY HAVE FOUND THE lVE hLOVE -ARRIAGE #OVENANT LANGUAGESv HELPFUL IN DISCOVERING .OT TOO PROMISING A PICTURE 9ET IN THE BEST WAYS TO GIVE AND RECEIVE LOVE THE "IBLE WE SEE 'OD MOVING REMARK -ORE RECENTLY 'ARY #HAPMAN AND ABLY AMONG DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES )N *ENNIFER 4HOMAS HAVE IDENTIlED 4HE THE MIDST OF FAMILY DISPUTES DESPAIR

&IVE ,ANGUAGES OF !POLOGY WHICH DECEPTION RAPE AND MURDER WE ALSO RELATE TO COMMUNICATION PATTERNS IN SEE THE POSSIBILITIES OF RESTORATION GRACE FAMILIES COMMUNITIES SCHOOLS THE AND REDEMPTION )NDEED 'OD S INTEN WORKPLACE AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICS TION WAS THAT ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH 7HEN ONE HAS BEEN HURT BY ANOTHER

MIGHT BE BLESSED THROUGH !BRAHAM S APPROPRIATE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THAT EXTENDED FAMILY 'EN )T WAS THE WRONG IS NECESSARY IN ORDER FOR HEALING COVENANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN 'OD AND AND RECOVERY TO BEGIN (IS PEOPLE THAT BECAME THE FOCUS OF )N TWO YEARS OF RESEARCH THEY FOUND HOPE IN THE MOST DESPERATE OF TIMES THAT DIFFERENT PEOPLE REQUIRE DIFFERENT #OVENANT IS NOT BASED ON HUMAN TYPES OF APOLOGY -ERELY SAYING hSORRYv EFFORT OR FAILURE BUT ON 'OD S MAY SOUND INSINCERE TO SOME PEOPLE

FAITHFULNESS (IS FAITHFULNESS EXTENDS AND INSUFlCIENT TO BIND THE WOUNDS TO FAMILIES TODAY *ESUS LINKED THE NEW 3OME NEED TO HEAR A PERSON ACCEPT COVENANT TO FORGIVENESS AT THE ,AST RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ACTIONS OTHERS 3UPPER 4HE CUP SYMBOLIZED (IS SPILLED NEED TO HEAR HOW A REPETITION OF THIS BLOOD PROVIDING FORGIVENESS AND REC PROBLEM WILL BE AVOIDED IN THE FUTURE ONCILIATION !ND IN FAMILIES TORN APART )N THE "IBLE WE HAVE A CLASSIC

BY IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES GRACE AND EXAMPLE OF THESE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES FORGIVENESS BECOME INDISPENSIBLE .OT OF APOLOGY BEING USED TO SEEK FORGIVE JUST FROM 'OD BUT FROM EACH OTHER NESS AND RECONCILIATION !BIGAIL S 0ARENTS OFTEN ASK HOW CHILDREN IN STRENUOUS EFFORTS TO SHOWER ON THE SAME FAMILY CAN BE SO DIFFERENT $AVID A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT LANG 6IVE LA DIFFERENCE h)T IS IN THE ORDER UAGES OF APOLOGY CERTAINLY RESULTED IN OF 'OD THAT PERSONS OF VARIED TEM A NUMBER OF UNEXPECTED AND FAR PERAMENT SHOULD ASSOCIATE TOGETHER v REACHING BENElTS SEE 3AM ,EARNING TO APPRECIATE DIFFERENCES %NJOYING THE *OURNEYˆ4OGETHER WITHIN THE FAMILY PREPARES US FOR -ARRIAGE IS HARD WORK "UT GETTING ALONG WITH ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE MARRIAGE CAN ALSO BE PROFOUNDLY IN THE WIDER COMMUNITY "ECAUSE OF OUR UNIQUE DIFFERENCES SATISFYING 7HAT IF ) HAD ACTED ON MY SUDDEN IMMATURE IMPULSES OF ENDING 'OD SHOWS (IS LOVE TO US IN MANY OUR MARRIAGE WHEN MY OWN SELlSH DIFFERENT WAYS (E DELIGHTS TO SPEND INCLINATIONS WERE CHALLENGED IN THE TIME WITH US AND GIVES US (IS FOCUSED EARLY YEARS OF OUR MARRIAGE 7HAT AN ATTENTION -ATT 2EV (E GIVES GOOD GIFTS -ATT 2OM UNSPEAKABLE LOSS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN TO US 4WO SONS THEIR YOUNG FAMILIES

*AMES AND (IS ACTS OF SERVICE MISSION SERVICE AND A mOOD OF INCLUDE HUMILITY AND THE ULTIMATE IRREPLACEABLE MEMORIES REMIND US OF A SACRIlCE OF (IS LIFE 0HIL 7E

N -AKING 2%34)454)/.

h7HAT CAN ) DO TO MAKE IT RIGHT v N 'ENUINELY 2%0%.4).'

h) LL TRY NOT TO DO THAT AGAINv N 2EQUESTING &/2')6%.%33

h7ILL YOU PLEASE FORGIVE ME v

DEEPLY SATISFYING JOURNEY WITH THE 'OD WHO IS FAITHFUL EVEN WHEN WE ARE NOT 4HE JOURNEY HAS BEEN NEITHER STATIC NOR PREDICTABLE %VERYTHING HAS CHANGED ALONG THE WAY THE ROAD THE VEHICLE THE LANDSCAPE THE WEATHER FELLOW TRAVELERS AND EVEN THE DETERMINATION AND ENERGY LEVELS TO KEEP GOING )N THE MIDST OF CHANGING CIRCUM STANCES SURROUNDINGS AND NEIGHBORS

'OD S PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS FOUND THEIR SOURCE OF STRENGTH AND SECURITY IN THE FAITHFULNESS OF 'OD 4HE 'OD WHO IS THERE WHO DOESN T CHANGEˆTHE SAME YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVERˆIS ALWAYS THERE FOR US

%LLEN ' 7HITE 4HE !DVENTIST (OME .ASHVILLE 3OUTHERN 0UBLISHING !SSN

P )BID P

'ARY #HAPMAN 4HE &IVE ,OVE ,ANGUAGES WWW LOVELANGUAGES COM

'ARY #HAPMAN AND *ENNIFER 4HOMAS 4HE &IVE ,ANGUAGES OF !POLOGY (OW TO %XPERIENCE (EALING IN !LL 9OUR 2ELATIONSHIPS #HICAGO )LL .ORTHlELD

#AROL AND $AVID 4ASKER CELEBRATE A CROSS CULTURAL MARRIAGE #AROL IS FROM !USTRALIA AND $AVID HAILS FROM .EW :EALAND AND SERVE AS PROFESSORS AT THE !DVENTIST )NTERNATIONAL )NSTITUTE OF !DVANCED 3TUDIES 0HILIPPINES

3EPTEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

3 0 ) 2 ) 4 / & 0 2 / 0 ( % # 9

4RUST "Y %LLEN ' 7HITE

4HE FOLLOWING MESSAGE WAS PRESENTED BY %LLEN 7HITE AS A MORNING DEVOTIONAL AT THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE CONNECTED TO THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE SESSION IN "ATTLE #REEK

-ICHIGAN )T NOT ONLY IS PERTINENT TO THAT GENERATION OF CHURCH WORKERS BUT CHALLENGES EACH CHILD OF 'OD PERSONALLY

7

HAT A SACRED TRUST 'OD HAS COMMITTED TO US IN MAKING US HIS SERVANTS TO AID IN THE WORK OF SAVING SOULS (E HAS INTRUSTED TO US GREAT TRUTHS A MOST SOLEMN TESTING MESSAGE FOR THE WORLD /UR DUTY IS NOT SIMPLY TO PREACH

BUT TO MINISTER TO COME CLOSE TO HEARTS 7E SHOULD USE OUR INTRUSTED TALENTS WITH SKILL AND WISDOM THAT WE MAY PRES ENT THE PRECIOUS LIGHT OF TRUTH IN THE MOST PLEASING MANNER

THE WAY BEST ADAPTED TO WIN SOULS

'OD IN

0AUL THUS SPEAKS OF THE MINISTRY OF THE NEW COVENANT h7HEREOF ) AM MADE A MINISTER ACCORDING TO THE DISPENSA TION OF 'OD WHICH IS GIVEN TO ME FOR YOU TO FULlL THE WORD OF 'OD EVEN THE MYSTERY WHICH HATH BEEN HID FROM AGES AND FROM GENERATIONS BUT NOW IS MADE MANIFEST TO HIS SAINTS TO WHOM 'OD WOULD MAKE KNOWN WHAT IS THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF THIS MYSTERY AMONG THE 'ENTILES WHICH IS #HRIST IN YOU THE HOPE OF GLORY WHOM WE PREACH WARNING EVERY MAN AND TEACHING EVERY MAN IN ALL WISDOM THAT WE MAY PRESENT EVERY MAN PERFECT IN #HRIST *ESUS WHEREUNTO ) ALSO LABOUR STRIVING ACCORDING TO HIS WORKING WHICH WORKETH IN ME MIGHTILY v 7HAT A RESPONSIBILITY IS THIS !

WORK IS HERE BROUGHT TO VIEW THAT IS MORE LABORIOUS THAN MERELY PREACHING THE WORD IT IS TO REPRESENT #HRIST IN OUR CHARACTER TO BE LIVING EPISTLES KNOWN AND READ OF ALL MEN 7HAT $RIVES 5S

h4HE LOVE OF #HRIST CONSTRAINETH US v 7E MUST CHERISH LOVE AND IF THOSE FOR WHOM WE LABOR DO NOT APPRECIATE OUR EFFORTS WE MUST NOT ALLOW DISCONTENT OR WRONG FEELINGS TO RULE IN OUR HEARTS -URMURING THOUGHTS JEALOUSIES AND EVIL SURMISINGS EMBITTER THE LIFE AND MAR THE LABORS )T IS

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ 3EPTEMBER

* / 3 % & + ) 3 3 ) . ' % 2 ! . .

)T IS AN EXALTED PRIVILEGE TO BE CONNECTED MAY HAVE THE CONSOLATION OF HIS PRESENCE 7E

2%!#().' /54 )MPACT !TLANTA INVOLVED HUNDREDS 2 2%!# %!#() ().' .' / /54 54 ))MPA PACT C ! !TLTLAN ANTA TA INVOL I LVE VED D HUNDDRE REDS D DS OF YOU OF YOUNG AND YOUNG ADULTS SEEKING CREATIVE WAYS OUNG NG AND AND YYOU OUNG NG ADULTTS

S SEEEKINGG CRE EATIV IVE WA WAYYS YS TO REA TO REACH THE PEOPLE OF !TLANTA 4HIS IMAGE WAS EACH CH THE THE P PEOPLE E OFF ! !TLANTA T 4H 4HIS IS IM MAGEE WASS TAKE TAKEN DURING THE 9OUTH ON 0ARADE PROGRAM ON KEN N DUURIING NG THE HE 9OU 9OUTH T ON 0A 0ARA ADE D PRO OGR GRAM AM OON 3 BB 3A 3ABBATH *ULY BBAT ATH

H * *UL ULYY

'ENERAL #ONFERENCE 3ESSION

THE ,ORD WHO HAS CALLED US TO THIS WORK AND WE SHOULD HAVE AN EYE SINGLE TO HIS GLORY 7E CANNOT TRUST TO OUR OWN EFFORTS AS THOUGH WE COULD DO THE WORK OF CONVERTING SOULS 'OD ALONE CAN CONVICT AND CONVERT *ESUS INVITES SINNERS TO COME TO HIM WITH ALL THEIR BURDENS AND HE WILL GIVE THEM REST AND PEACE ,ET US NEVER FORGET THAT *ESUS LOVES US (E DIED FOR US

AND NOW HE LIVES TO MAKE INTERCESSION IN OUR BEHALF !ND THE &ATHER ALSO LOVES US AND DESIRES OUR HAPPINESS h(E THAT SPARED NOT HIS OWN 3ON BUT DELIVERED HIM UP FOR US ALL HOW SHALL HE NOT WITH HIM ALSO FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS v "RETHREN YOU SHOULD SET AN EXAMPLE OF FAITH CONlDENCE

AND LOVE TO THE CHURCHES OVER WHICH THE ,ORD HAS MADE YOU OVERSEERS 7ILL YOU DO YOUR WORK WITH lDELITY IN THE FEAR OF 'OD 7ILL YOU FEEL THAT YOU MUST AVAIL YOURSELVES OF

DONE TO DAY !S WE TAKE UP OUR DUTIES ONE BY ONE EACH WILL COME IN ITS PROPER PLACE AND THE FAITHFUL DISCHARGE OF THESE DUTIES HOWEVER SMALL OPENS A lELD WHERE ALL THE POWERS OF THE MIND CAN BE EMPLOYED IN THE SERVICE OF 'OD 7E SHALL KNOW AND OBEY HIS WILL "RETHREN IN THE FAITH EXPRESS NO DOUBTS &OLLOW CLOSELY YOUR 'UIDE 9OU MUST DISPENSE WITH HIM BEFORE YOU CAN LOSE YOUR WAY FOR THE ,ORD HAS HEDGED YOU IN ON EVERY SIDE )N THE DARKEST HOUR *ESUS WILL BE OUR LIGHT h4HE PATH OF THE JUST IS AS THE SHINING LIGHT THAT SHINETH MORE AND MORE UNTO THE PERFECT DAY v )T IS AN EXALTED PRIVILEGE TO BE CONNECTED WITH *ESUS )N EVERY CONDITION OF TRIAL WE MAY HAVE THE CONSOLATION OF HIS PRESENCE 7E MAY LIVE IN THE VERY ATMOSPHERE OF HEAVEN /UR ENEMIES MAY THRUST US INTO PRISON BUT PRISON WALLS CANNOT CUT OFF THE COMMU

WITH *ESUS )N EVERY CONDITION OF TRIAL WE MAY LIVE IN THE VERY ATMOSPHERE OF HEAVEN EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN GRACE AND POWER FROM ON HIGH

THAT YOU MAY RENDER TO 'OD THE VERY BEST SERVICE POSSIBLE )F AS LABORERS IN THE CAUSE OF 'OD YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE BORNE GREATER CARES AND TRIALS THAN HAVE FALLEN TO THE LOT OF OTHERS REMEMBER THAT FOR YOU THERE IS A PEACE UNKNOWN TO THOSE WHO SHUN THESE BURDENS "UT DO NOT FORCE YOUR TRIALS UPON OTHERS DO NOT GROAN OVER THEM 4HERE IS COMFORT AND JOY IN THE SERVICE OF #HRIST 4HE #HRISTIAN GIVES THE ,ORD HIS ENTIRE AFFECTIONS BUT HE TAKES AS WELL AS GIVES AND HIS LANGUAGE IS NOT THAT OF A MURMURER OR A CONSTANT BACKSLIDER (E MAKES NO EFFORT TO APPEAR RIGHTEOUS BUT HIS LIFE SHOWS THAT HE IS LED BY THE (OLY 3PIRIT (E CAN SPEAK WITH ASSURANCE OF HIS HOPE IN #HRIST FOR HAS HE NOT THE PROMISE OF 'OD )F HE HAS COMPLIED WITH THE CONDITIONS UPON WHICH THESE PROMISES ARE BASED 'OD S WORD IS PLEDGED THAT HE WILL DO FOR HIM MORE THAN HE ASKS

NICATION BETWEEN #HRIST AND OUR SOULS /NE WHO SEES OUR EVERY WEAKNESS WHO IS ACQUAINTED WITH EVERY TRIAL IS ABOVE ALL EARTHLY POWERS AND ANGELS CAN COME TO US IN LONELY CELLS

BRINGING LIGHT AND PEACE FROM HEAVEN 4HE PRISON WILL BE AS A PALACE FOR THE RICH IN FAITH DWELL THERE AND THE GLOOMY WALLS WILL BE LIGHTED UP WITH HEAVENLY LIGHT AS WHEN 0AUL AND 3ILAS PRAYED AND SANG PRAISES AT MIDNIGHT IN THE 0HILIP PIAN DUNGEON "UNYAN WAS CONlNED IN "EDFORD JAIL AND THENCE ISSUED A LIGHT THAT HAS ILLUMINATED THE PATHWAY TO THE CELESTIAL CITY 'OD IS THE h2OCK OF OUR SALVATION v A PRESENT HELP IN EVERY TIME OF NEED 4HEN LET US BE NO LONGER BABES IN #HRIST BUT BOLD AND lRM SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS REJOICING IN SUFFERING THE WILL OF 'OD 3CRIPTURE QUOTATIONS IN THIS ARTICLE ARE FROM THE +ING *AMES 6ERSION

4ALK &AITHˆ.OT $OUBT

7E HONOR 'OD MOST WHEN WE TRUST HIM MOST !NXIETY AND WORRIMENT IN HIS SERVICE TALKING FEARS AND DOUBTS AS TO WHETHER WE SHALL BE SAVED SAVORS OF SELlSHNESS AND UNBELIEF 4RUE FAITH IS MORE SOLICITOUS TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE

4HIS ARTICLE WAS TAKEN FROM PAGES TO OF THE EDITION OF 'OSPEL 7ORKERS 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS BELIEVE THAT %LLEN ' 7HITE EXERCISED THE BIBLICAL GIFT OF PROPHECY DURING MORE THAN YEARS OF PUBLIC MINISTRY

3EPTEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

! $ 6 % . 4 ) 3 4 3 % 2 6 ) # %

#OMMUNITY "Y +IMBERLY ,USTE -ARAN

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BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND HELP OTHERS

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ELENA $EAZLE FROM 7OKINGHAM "ERKSHIRE %NG LAND WASN T SURE WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN SHE DECIDED TO ATTEND )-0!#4 !TLANTA I!4, A YOUNG ADULT LEADERSHIP AND DISCIPLESHIP EVENT THAT RAN CONCURRENTLY WITH THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE '# SESSION HELD *UNE THROUGH *ULY ! FRIEND HAD TOLD HER ABOUT )-0!#4 3T ,OUIS THE YOUNG ADULT EVENT HELD DURING THE '# SESSION SO WHEN THE TIME CAME TO REGISTER FOR THE EVENT $EAZLE EAGERLY SIGNED UP h-Y FRIEND THOUGHT ) D REALLY ENJOY IT x AND IT WAS FANTASTIC v SAYS $EAZLE h)T S REALLY GOOD TO HELP OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AND TO EVEN JUST BE MORE AWARE OF PEOPLE S NEEDS )T IS QUITE GOOD TO TAKE TIME OUT SUPPORT THE CHURCH

AND JUST DO COMMUNITY WORK v $EAZLE WAS ONE OF MORE THAN YOUNG ADULT CHURCH LEADERS AND LAYPEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD WHO CON VERGED ON !TLANTA 'EORGIA 5NITED 3TATES TO ACCORDING TO COORDINATOR ! !LLAN -ARTIN hACTIVELY ENGAGE IN THE 'REAT

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ 3EPTEMBER

! 5 3 4 ) . 2 ( /

#OMMISSION AND GREAT COMMANDMENT THROUGH TRAINING

MINISTERING AND WORSHIP v -ARTIN HOPES THAT DELEGATES

WHO MET WITH !TLANTA HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES AND COMMU NITY RESIDENTS INVOLVED IN PROJECTS TOOK A hHUMANITARIAN GIFT OF GRACE TO THEIR COMMUNITIES v -ARTIN SAYS THAT THESE DELEGATES SHOULDN T WAIT lVE YEARS TO BECOME INVOLVED AGAIN h7E WANTED TO IMPACT THE CITY OF !TLANTA "UT BEYOND THIS x WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO SAY @'OD WAS THERE WHEN WE WERE THERE AND OUR LIVES WERE TRANSFORMED v 4RANSFORMATION IN 0ROCESS

3EVERAL OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENTS AND DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING SESSIONS MADE LASTING IMPRESSIONS UPON ,A4OYA 7OLFE &ROM #HICAGO )LLINOIS 5NITED 3TATES 7OLFE PARTICI PATED IN THE FOUR MAIN COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES THAT WERE PART OF THE I!4, EXPERIENCE %XCITED TO BE HERE WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE INVESTED IN YOUTH 7OLFE SAYS h) REALLY WANTED TO PICK UP SOME TOOLS FROM YOUTH MINISTRY LEADERS FROM OTHER

'ENERAL #ONFERENCE 3ESSION

PARTS OF THE GLOBEx 3TUDYING AT !NDREWS 5NIVERSITY YOU GET CAUGHT UP IN THE ACADEMICS OF MINISTRYx WE SOMETIMES MISS THE DAILY GROWTH 7E GET THE CONTENT BUT CAN MISS THE PROCESSx 7ATCHING ALL THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED DOWN ;IN !TLANTA= THAT WERE UNSCRIPTED WAS JUST AMAZING v 7HILE DELEGATES HAVE BEEN COOKING SERVING MEALS

PACKING CLOTHES FOR THE HOMELESS CARTING DIRT AND MULCH TO A COMMUNITY GARDEN AND DOING ALL SORTS OF TASKS TO HELP PEOPLE IN VARIOUS NEIGHBORHOODS IN !TLANTA THEY VE BEEN LEARNING ALSO HOW TO REACH OUT AND HOW TO WORK TOGETHER 3AYS 7OLFE h7E NEED TO BE IN TOUCH WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVEN T MADE THAT STEP YET INTO REACHING OUT TO MINISTRY TO PEOPLE %VEN JUST RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DON T EVEN KNOW WE EXIST DON T EVEN KNOW *ESUS EXISTS !S !DVENTISTS WE ARE VERY COMFORTABLE IN OUR OWN POCKETS x BEING HERE WE ARE FORCED TO STEP OUT OF ,EFT TO RIGHT #,%!. 50 #AMILLE 2 -ERCED FROM 0UERTO 2ICO

AND 3AHANA 2ICHARD )NJETY FROM )NDIA NOW LIVING IN 3OUTH !FRICA SPEND THE AFTERNOON ORGANIZING THE BEDROOM OF THE YEAR OLD SON OF h-ISS %DITH v A NEIGHBOR OF 2USTIN AND 3TACY 3WEENEY A COUPLE WHO MOVED THEIR FAMILY INTO A LOW INCOME APARTMENT COMPLEX IN ORDER TO LIVE THE GOSPEL AND BUILD UP THE COMMUNITY FROM WITHIN 7/23()0 ,A4OYA 7OLFE CENTER FROM #HICAGO )LLINOIS AND FELLOW DELEGATES SING DURING AN hENCOUN TERS CAF£v WORSHIP SERVICE AT I!4, ! 7/-!. ). 4(% 0!2+ !N I!4, DELEGATE HELPS MIXED MEDIA ARTIST AND YOUTH PASTOR -ILTON #ORONADO lNISH A MURAL IN #ENTENNIAL /LYMPIC 0ARK DEPICTING A WOMAN AND THE WORDS h%ND )T .OW v OUR COMFORT ZONE AND SEE SOME OF THE SAME PEOPLE *ESUS WALKED UP TO TALKED TO HUNG OUT WITH 7E NEED TO FOLLOW *ESUS AND REMEMBER WHAT (E COMMANDED US TO DO v &IDI -WERO 2EDLANDS #ALIFORNIA 5NITED 3TATES APPRE CIATED THE CONCEPT OF DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING IN THE MORNING

VISITING THE COMMUNITY IN THE AFTERNOON AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS DURING THE EVENING WORSHIP MEETINGS -WERO

THE NEW #ALIMESA CHURCH ASSOCIATE PASTOR FOR YOUTH AND MEDIA EXPLAINED AS FOLLOWS h9OU CAN PUT THE MORNING TRAINING TO GOOD USE IMMEDIATELY !ND IN GOING TO THE PLACES WE HAVE ) VE REALIZED THAT x MISSION ISN T ME GOING THERE AND TRYING TO MAKE THEM ME MAKE THEM !DVENTIST TO TRY TO lX THEM OR lX WHAT WE SEE IS WRONG )T IS JUST GOING IN AND FORMING RELATIONSHIPS AND BUILDING BRIDGES AND TRYING TO SHOW THEM 'OD S LOVE )N SOME CASES MAYBE ALL WE SHARED WAS OUR AGE GROUP BUT WE LEARNED WE BONDED WE CHANGED LIVES TOGETHER (OPEFULLY WE GO BACK TO WHERE WE RE FROM AND BECOME THE SPARK IN OUR COMMUNITY v

)N 4HIS 4OGETHER

&ROM SORTING CRAYONS TO WASHING DISHES FROM BABYSIT TING TO PULLING UP WEEDS FROM LISTENING TO TESTIMONIES OF RECOVERING DRUG ADDICTS TO ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO SIGN A PETITION TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

I!4, GAVE DELEGATES THE TOOLS TO DISCOVER OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVANT LEADERSHIP IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES WHILE MINISTERING TO THE NEEDS OF !TLANTA RESIDENTS *ANELLE #UTHBERT FROM -ELBOURNE !USTRALIA ATTENDED )-0!#4 3T ,OUIS IN AND BELIEVES SHE LEARNED SOMETHING IMPORTANT AT BOTH EVENTS h)T S NOT DIFlCULT TO DO YOU JUST NEED TO LOOK FOR PEOPLE TO HELP 7E ALL NEED HELP AT DIFFERENT TIMES 7E DON T ALWAYS NEED TO HELP PEOPLE WHO WILL GIVE THEIR APPRECIATION BACK ) WAS AT (OSEA AND WE SORTED CRAYONS AND ) HELPED FOLD 4 SHIRTS x WHEN WE GO AND SERVE WE GET TO KNOW PEOPLE v $ELEGATES SPENT DAYS GETTING TO KNOW 'OD THEIR COMMUNITY AND ONE ANOTHER !ND WHILE SERVICE WAS THE MAIN COMPONENT OF THE EXPERIENCE IT WAS NOT THE ONLY FOCUS !CCORDING TO -ARTIN WORSHIPPING 'OD AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WERE JUST AS VITAL h7E HAVE TRIED TO SHOW DELEGATES THAT A #HRISTO CENTRIC RELATIONAL COMPONENT TO SERVICE IS CRUCIALˆTHAT GENTLE RELATIONAL TOUCHES ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN BEING @TRAINED 'OD WILL GIVE US WHAT WE NEED WE JUST NEED TO ANSWER (IS CALL v h)-0!#4 WAS A CATALYST IN MY LIFE TO GET BACK TO KNOW ING WHO 'OD IS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND HOW TO SHARE MY FAITH v #UTHBERT SAYS h) HAVE SO MUCH MORE COURAGE TO DO SOME OF THOSE THINGS AND ) M NOW ABLE TO SERVE IN MY LOCAL CHURCH IN CERTAIN CAPACITIESx 9OU NEED TO BECOME FRIENDS WITH PEOPLE TO SHARE *ESUS WITH THEM v

-ATTHEW AND ,UKE 4RACKS AND EVENTS INCLUDED 4HE $ISCIPLESHIP !DVENTURE (ABITUDES hENCOUNTERS CAF£ v AND '/$ENCOUNTERS WORSHIP SERVICES

!TLANTA 5NION -ISSIONˆ-Y 3ISTER S (OUSE 4HE 3ALVATION !RMYˆ-ETRO !TLANTA 2ED 3HIELD 3ERVICES (OSEA &EED THE (UNGRY AND THE 3WEENEY FAMILY HOME COMMUNITY PROJECT

!NDREWS 5NIVERSITY IS LOCATED IN "ERRIEN 3PRINGS -ICHIGAN 5NITED 3TATES

4HE #ALIMESA 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN #ALIMESA #ALIFORNIA 5NITED 3TATES

hENDITNOWv IS A GLOBAL CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN /CTOBER IN A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE !DVENTIST $EVELOPMENT AND 2ELIEF !GENCY !$2! AND THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE 7OMEN S -INISTRIES $EPARTMENT AND ENDORSED BY THE !NNUAL #OUNCIL AT THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH 4HIS CAMPAIGN SEEKS TO UNITE MILLIONS OF SUPPORTERS WHO WILL WORK TOGETHER TO HELP BRING AN END TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS 4HE CAMPAIGN PARTNERED WITH I!4, FOR A PETITION SIGNING IN DOWNTOWN !TLANTA 'EORGIA 4HESE COLLECTED SIGNATURES WILL BE PART OF MANY PETITIONS THAT WILL BE PRESENTED AT THE 5NITED .ATIONS TO ENCOURAGE NEW POLICIES AND LAWS THAT PROTECT AND EMPOWER WOMEN AND GIRLS

+IMBERLY ,USTE -ARAN IS AN ASSISTANT EDITOR OF !DVENTIST 7ORLD

3EPTEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

")",% 15%34)/.3

4

HIS QUESTION PHRASED IN DIFFERENT WAYS IS OFTEN PROBLEMS FOR THOSE WHO WOULD MAKE (IM VERY MUCH LIKE ASKED !ND ) M ALWAYS RELUCTANT TO DEAL WITH IT US )T IS AT THIS POINT THAT (IS UNIQUENESS IS MANIFESTED BECAUSE IT IS AN INVITATION TO SPECULATE ON MATTERS WITH GREAT POWER 7HETHER WE WANT IT OR NOTˆAND ) PER ABOUT WHICH WE KNOW NOTHING 7HAT S SURPRISING IS THAT SONALLY WANT ITˆ(E IS DIFFERENT FROM ALL OF US (E NEVER SOME TAKE THEIR SPECULATIONS SO SERIOUSLY THAT THEY BECOME COMMITTED A SIN IN ANY FORM TYPE ACTION OR THOUGHT DOGMATIC ABOUT THEM (UMILITY SHOULD BE A FUNDAMENTAL (E IS THE ONLY AND EXCLUSIVE HUMAN BEING WHO HAS EVER CHARACTERISTIC OF ANY "IBLE STUDENT LIVED WITHOUT SINNING )T IS THIS UNIQUENESS THAT SEEMS TO )N THIS PARTICULAR CASE MY RELUCTANCE IS DETERMINED BY PROMPT PEOPLE TO ASK 7HAT IF (E HAD SINNED 7E SEEM TO WHAT WE DO KNOW 7E KNOW THAT *ESUS DID NOT SIN 4HAT FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE WITH (IS SINLESSNESS "UT WE SHOULDN T SHOULD BE ENOUGH "UT THOSE INTERESTED IN THE QUESTION BE BECAUSE IT IS THE PREREQUISITE FOR THE ATONEMENT PRESS THE ISSUE #OULD (E *ESUS &UTURE 7E CAN HAVE SINNED (AD (E SINNED

ALSO AFlRM THAT THE FUTURE WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE OF *ESUS AND OUR FUTURE CONSEQUENCES OF (IS SIN )N ARE ONE BECAUSE (E WAS ORDER TO AVOID DEALING WITH VICTORIOUS OVER EVIL AND THIS QUESTION AGAIN LET ME RECONCILED US TO (IS &ATHER MAKE SOME COMMENTS THAT #OULD WE POSTULATE THAT YOU MAY OR MAY NOT lND THERE WAS AN ALTERNATIVE 15%34)/.

HELPFUL FUTURE FOR *ESUS IN CASE (E (AD *ESUS SINNED WHAT SINNED *ESUS AND 3IN #OULD *ESUS HAVE SINNED -Y UN (ERE S WHERE THE SPECU WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AMBIGUOUS ANSWER 9ES 4HIS LATION COMES IN THE FORM OF IS SOMETHING THE "IBLE SUP A THEOLOGICAL ARGUMENT ,ET TO (IM PORTS *ESUS WAS ABSOLUTELY ME PUT IT AS BLUNTLY AS ) CAN HUMAN AND WAS SUBJECT TO (AD *ESUS FAILED THE 'OD TEMPTATIONS SUCH AS THE ONES WE NOW KNOW WOULD NOT BE "Y OUR 'OD )N OTHER WORDS

WE CONFRONT AS WELL AS TO !NGEL -ANUEL WITH RESPECT TO US (E OTHERS THAT WE WILL NEVER HAVE 2ODR¤GUEZ WOULD HAVE CEASED TO EXIST TO FACE (EB %VERY 4HE FAILURE OF *ESUS WOULD DAY *ESUS STRUGGLED AGAINST HAVE MEANT THAT 'OD WAS SIN AND WAS VICTORIOUS OVER UNABLE TO OVERCOME THE FORCES OF EVIL AND THAT 3ATAN WAS IT 4HIS WAS A REAL CONmICT NOT BECAUSE (E HAD A NATURE POWERFUL ENOUGH TO OVERCOME (IM BY DERAILING (IS PLAN OF CORRUPTED BY SIN BUT BECAUSE (E LIKE EACH ONE OF US HAD SALVATION THUS FORCING 'OD TO ABANDON US FREE WILL )T IS FREE WILL THAT ALLOWS US TO CHOOSE 'OD S SIDE !S YOU CAN SEE IN MY SPECULATIONS THE STAKES ARE VERY IN THE COSMIC CONmICT 2EBELLION IS THE REJECTION OF THAT HIGH 4HE DEFEAT OF OUR BIBLICAL 'OD AT THE MOMENT OF (IS FREEDOM OR MORE SPECIlCALLY GIVING IT UP AND CHOOSING GREATEST MANIFESTATION OF POWER ON THE CROSS OF #HRIST IS DEATH SOMETHING WE CAN HARDLY BEGIN TO IMAGINE MUCH LESS TAKE 4HE TYPICAL EXAMPLE OF *ESUS POTENTIAL FOR SINNING IS (IS EXPERIENCE IN 'ETHSEMANE WHEN (IS WILL WOULD HAVE SERIOUSLY URGED (IM TO PRESERVE (IS PERSONAL LIFE WHILE (IS DUTY 3INCE THE BIBLICAL 'OD IS BY DElNITION UNBEATABLE OUR TO THE &ATHER AND THE SALVATION OF HUMANITY CALLED (IM QUESTION REMAINS ALMOST UNANSWERED (AD THE HUMAN TO SELF SACRIlCE AND DEATH -ATT 4HE POWER AND NATURE OF THE 3ON OF 'OD FAILED 'OD (IMSELF WOULD HAVE REALITY OF THIS TEMPTATION WAS PREDICATED ON THE POSSIBILITY FAILED "UT (E DID NOT OF NOT DOING 'OD S WILL /THERWISE THE WHOLE STRUGGLE !MEN WOULD HAVE BEEN A PANTOMIME A SELF DECEPTIVE EXERCISE OR AN ILLUSION *ESUS 5NIQUENESS 4HE FACT THAT *ESUS OVERCAME EVERY TEMPTATION IS INCOMPREHENSIBLE TO US BECAUSE WE !NGEL -ANUEL 2ODRÓGUEZ IS DIRECTOR OF THE "IBLICAL 2ESEARCH )NSTITUTE OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE ARE ALL SINNERS 4HE SINLESSNESS OF *ESUS CREATES THEOLOGICAL

7HAT )F

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ 3EPTEMBER

,OVE S

" ) " , % 3 4 5 $ 9

&INAL !PPEAL "Y -ARK ! &INLEY

/UR JOURNEY THROUGH 'ENESIS HAS REVEALED A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THE CHARACTER OF 'OD ! LOVING 'OD CREATED OUR lRST PARENTS !DAM AND %VE TO LIVE LIFE TO ITS FULLEST POTENTIAL (E LONGED FOR THEM TO EXPERIENCE (IS JOY HAPPINESS AND PEACE FOREVER 7HEN OUR lRST PARENTS REBELLED AGAINST (IM 'OD PROVIDED FOR THEIR ETERNAL SALVATION THROUGH *ESUS #HRIST 4HROUGHOUT THE /LD 4ESTAMENT 'OD CONSTANTLY REVEALED (IS LOVE )N %XODUS (E IS THE 'OD WHO IS hGRACIOUSv %X *EREMIAH PICTURES (IM AS THE 'OD WHO LOVES (IS PEOPLE WITH hAN EVERLASTING LOVEv *ER -ICAH DESCRIBES (IM AS hPARDONING INIQUITY v DELIGHTING IN hMERCYv AND hCOMPASSIONv -ICAH

%VEN 'OD S JUDGMENTS REVEAL (IS COMPASSION 4HE STORY OF THE &LOOD REVEALS (IS EVERLASTING LOVE FOR (IS PEOPLE

(OW DID 'OD ATTEMPT TO SAVE THE HUMAN RACE DESPITE ITS REBELLION AGAINST (IM 2EAD THE TEXT BELOW AND WRITE YOUR ANSWER IN THE SPACE PROVIDED h!ND THE ,ORD SAID @-Y 3PIRIT SHALL NOT STRIVE WITH MAN FOREVER FOR HE IS INDEED mESH YET HIS DAYS SHALL BE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS v 'EN

??????????????????????????????????????????????????

'OD APPEALED TO HUMANITY THROUGH .OAH FOR YEARS )N THE MIDST OF ITS REBELLION AGAINST (IM (E POWERFULLY APPEALED THROUGH (IS 3PIRIT OF LOVE

7HAT ULTIMATELY LED 'OD TO DESTROY THE EARTH WITH THE &LOOD h4HEN THE ,ORD SAW THAT THE WICKEDNESS OF MAN WAS GREAT IN THE EARTH AND THAT EVERY INTENT OF THE THOUGHTS OF HIS HEART WAS ONLY EVIL CONTINUALLYv 'EN h4HE EARTH ALSO WAS CORRUPT BEFORE 'OD AND THE EARTH WAS lLLED WITH VIOLENCE 3O 'OD LOOKED UPON THE EARTH AND INDEED IT WAS CORRUPT FOR ALL mESH HAD CORRUPTED THEIR WAY ON THE EARTHv VERSES

4HE WICKEDNESS OF MAN WAS

IN THE EARTH

4HE THOUGHTS OF HIS HEART WERE ONLY

4HE EARTH WAS

AND lLLED WITH

!LL mESH HAD

THEIR WAY

(OW DOES THE "IBLE DESCRIBE .OAH h"UT .OAH FOUND GRACE IN THE EYES OF THE ,ORD .OAH WAS A JUST MAN PERFECT IN HIS GENERATIONS .OAH WALKED WITH 'ODv 'EN

,IST .OAH S CHARACTERISTICS ON THE LINES BELOW .OAH FOUND

IN THE EYES OF THE ,ORD

.OAH WAS A

MAN

.OAH

WITH 'OD

IN HIS GENERATION

3EPTEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

'RACE IS 'OD S LOVE POURED OUT TO US WHEN WE DON T DESERVE IT !LTHOUGH .OAH WAS A SINNER

HE COMMITTED HIS LIFE TOTALLY TO 'OD (E DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO DOING WHATEVER 'OD SAID

WHETHER HE FULLY UNDERSTOOD IT OR NOT 4HE WORD hPERFECTv IN THIS PASSAGE MEANS hSPIRITUALLY MATUREv OR hCOMPLETELY TRUSTING v .OAH KNEW 'OD S VOICE AND OBEYED 'OD S WILL

/F WHAT WAS THE ARK A SYMBOL h-AKE YOURSELF AN ARK OF GOPHERWOOD MAKE ROOMS IN THE ARK AND COVER IT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE WITH PITCH "UT ) WILL ESTABLISH -Y COVENANT WITH YOU AND YOU SHALL GO INTO THE ARKˆYOU YOUR SONS YOUR WIFE AND YOUR SONS WIVES WITH YOUv 'EN

4HE ARK WAS A SYMBOL OF 'OD S

4HE COVENANT REVEALS 'OD S AMAZING GRACE *UST AS IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR .OAH TO SAVE HIMSELF FROM THE COMING mOOD IT S IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO SAVE OURSELVES FROM SIN 7E ARE SAVED AS WE mEE TO THE ARK OF SAFETY FOUND IN THE GRACE OF *ESUS #HRIST

7HAT OTHER SYMBOL OF GRACE DO WE lND IN THE mOOD STORY h!ND 'OD SAID @4HIS IS THE SIGN OF THE COVENANT WHICH ) MAKE BETWEEN -E AND YOU AND EVERY LIVING CREATURE THAT IS WITH YOU FOR PERPETUAL GENERATIONS ) SET -Y RAINBOW IN THE CLOUD AND IT SHALL BE FOR THE SIGN OF THE COVENANT BETWEEN -E AND THE EARTH v 'EN

4HE

IS A SIGN OF 'OD S COVENANT

4HE "IBLE S LAST BOOK 2EVELATION PICTURES A RAINBOW AROUND 'OD S THRONE *UST AS A RAINBOW IS A BLEND OF COLORS 'OD MINGLES (IS JUSTICE WITH MERCY (E IS A 'OD OF BOTH LOVE AND LAW

(OW DID *ESUS DESCRIBE THE LAST DAYS h"UT AS THE DAYS OF .OAH WERE SO ALSO WILL THE COMING OF THE 3ON OF -AN BEv -ATT 4HE LAST DAYS OF EARTH S HISTORY WILL BE AS THE

OF

7HAT EARNEST APPEAL DOES *ESUS MAKE TO EACH ONE OF US h4HEREFORE YOU ALSO BE READY FOR THE 3ON OF -AN IS COMING AT AN HOUR YOU DO NOT EXPECTv -ATT *ESUS APPEALS FOR US TO BE

)N .OAH S DAY THE mOOD BURST UPON THE WORLD AS AN OVERWHELMING SURPRISE -ULTITUDES WHO COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED IF THEY HAD HEEDED 'OD S WARNING WERE SWEPT AWAY BY THE mOODWATERS *ESUS APPEAL TO US IS SIMILAR TO .OAH S APPEAL /UR ,ORD URGES US TO READJUST OUR PRIORITIES TO SEEK (IM IN PRAYER TO RECOMMIT OUR LIVES TO (IM AND PREPARE FOR (IS SOON RETURN 7ILL YOU OPEN YOUR HEART TO (IM AND GIVE (IM FULL CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE JUST NOW

h0RESERVING &AITHv IS THE TITLE OF NEXT MONTH S "IBLE STUDY

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ 3EPTEMBER

TH 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE 3ESSION

,%44%23 -ORE (ISTORY IN 2OME

) READ WITH ENTHU SIASM h!DVENTIST /UTREACH 4AKES 2OME BY 3TORMv *ULY WHICH ) CONSIDER TO BE A REAL MIRACLE A MODERN MIRACLE THAT 'OD ALLOWS TO HAPPEN 0RAISE (IS NAME ) LL BE PRAYING THAT THOSE PEOPLE IN 2OME WHO ARE ANXIOUS TO KNOW THE TRUTH WILL BE CONlRMED IN THE TRUTH OF *ESUS GOSPEL AND SOON JOIN (IS CHURCH THROUGH BAPTISM ) ALSO PRAY THAT THE MINISTRY OF )T )S 7RITTEN WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE APPROVAL FROM HEAVEN &ERNANDO 3ALAZAR -EDELL¤N #OLOMBIA 1UIET 4RAVELERˆ(ARDLY 3ILENT

) HAD THE JOY TO TOUCH AND READ THE BEAUTIFUL TRAVELING "IBLE DESCRIBED IN THE h&OLLOW THE "IBLEv ARTICLE *ULY $IANA -ACHADO 3ET¢BAL 0ORTUGAL ! 2EASON TO 2EAD

4HANK YOU FOR SENDING !DVENTIST 7ORLD TO 9ANGON !TTACHED $ISTRICT 9!$ 7E RECEIVE COPIES EVERY MONTH -EMBERS AROUND 9!$ ARE VERY HAPPY AND INSPIRED BY THIS MAGAZINE ESPECIALLY AS THEY READ STORIES ABOUT THE GOSPEL WORK AROUND THE WORLD ) AM ALSO INSPIRED BY THIS

-EMBERS AROUND 9!$ ARE VERY HAPPY AND INSPIRED BY THIS MAGAZINE ESPECIALLY AS THEY READ STORIES ABOUT THE GOSPEL WORK AROUND THE WORLD ) AM ALSO INSPIRED BY THIS MESSAGE IN ARTICLES AND STORIES 4HESE BECOME AN EXAMPLE FOR MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN CHURCH WORK AND MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES ˆ-AUNG -AUNG (TAY 9ANGON -YANMAR

AND WE ARE RECEIV ING THE &EBRUARY ISSUE +E E P D O I N G 'OD S WORK $OLPH .AIROBI

+ENYA

MESSAGE IN ARTICLES AND STORIES 4HESE BECOME AN EXAMPLE FOR MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN CHURCH WORK AND MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES 3OME CANNOT READ %NGLISH BUT WHEN ) MENTION THE MESSAGES FROM THE MAGAZINES IT ALSO BENElTS THEM ) AM VERY GRATEFUL 3OMETIME ) WONDER IF IT CAN BE TRANSLATED INTO -YANMAR LANGUAGE SO THAT MEMBERS MAY READ THE INTERESTING STORIES AND ARTICLES THEMSELVES 7E ARE BLESSED -AUNG -AUNG (TAY 9ANGON -YANMAR #OMMON 'ROUND

) AM WRITING ABOUT A FEATURE BY 7ILLIAM ' *OHNSSON h!DVENTISTS AND -USLIMS &IVE #ONVICTIONSv &EBRUARY &OR SO LONG ) HAVE BEEN TRYING TO lND OUT WHAT WE SHARE OR HAVE IN COMMON BUT NEVER FOUND IT CLEARLY UNTIL 3ABBATH WHEN ) HAD THE CHANCE TO READ IT IN !DVENTIST 7ORLD ) M WILLING TO UNDERSTAND MORE AND MORE AND EVEN BE ABLE TO REACH OUT TO MY FRIENDS 7E DO NOT RECEIVE THE MAGAZINE ON TIME HEREˆFOR INSTANCE IT S *UNE

) M AN !DVENTIST OF *EWISH ORIGINS ) JUST READ h!DVENTISTS AND -USLIMS &IVE #ONVICTIONS v BY 7ILLIAM ' *OHNSSON &EBRUARY ) M VERY GLAD 'OD IS WORKING TO DISPEL PREJUDICES THAT ARE UNBIBLICAL ) HOPE ANOTHER ARTICLE WILL DEAL WITH *EWISH !DVENTISTS -AY 'OD BLESS YOU A LOT FOR WORK LED BY THE 3PIRIT OF 'OD ,EANDRO DE !RA¢JO 2IO DE *ANEIRO "RAZIL ) SENT A COPY OF THE &EBRUARY !DVENTIST 7ORLD TO MY SON WHO HAS A -USLIM HOUSEMATE WITH WHOM HE IS ON FRIENDLY TERMS 4HIS -USLIM GENTLE MAN FOUND THE ARTICLE h!DVENTISTS

3EPTEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

T H ' E N E R A L # O N F E R E N C E 3 E S S I O N ,%44%23 AND -USLIMS &IVE #ONVICTIONSv VERY INTERESTING AND PUT IT STRAIGHT INTO HIS COMPUTER (E IS GOING TO SHOW IT TO HIS FRIENDS ) HAVE SINCE RECEIVED MAIL FROM HIM 4HIS IS ANOTHER WAY OF MAKING FRIENDS WITH PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS 3INCE THEN ) HAVE GIVEN COPIES TO TWO OTHER -USLIMS WHO ALSO FOUND THIS A VERY GOOD PIECE OF WORK !LL THREE PEOPLE HAVE A BETTER KNOWLEDGE OF OUR "IBLE THAN MANY 7ESTERNERS ) AM LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE CONTACT WITH ALL OF THEM 4O BE ON GOOD TERMS AND BE FRIENDS WITH -USLIMS IS SEEN BY THEM AS AN

HONOR 7E HAVE TO NURTURE THESE PLANTS * OHN AND .ELLY 3CHWEINSBERG -OONTA 3OUTH !USTRALIA 7ATCHING THE 7ORLD #HURCH 'ROW

7E GET !DVENTIST 7ORLD IN OUR CHURCH

BUT NOT EVERY ISSUE 7ITH A SHRINKING WORLD ) FEEL !DVENTIST 7ORLD IS ESSENTIAL TO MY GROWTH IN *ESUS ) M RETIRED FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS AND AM AWED BY THE GROWTH OF THE WORLD CHURCH 0ENNSYLVANIA #ONFER ENCE IS BEGINNING A COMMUNITY WORK

IN AN OLD FACTORY USED BY ARTISTS FOR THEIR STUDIOS AND A SPACE WAS AVAILABLE &OR A VARIETY OF REASONS MY WIFE AND ) HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED BUT WE DESIRE TO KEEP ABREAST OF MOVEMENTS OF THE ,ORD IN THE WORLD AMONG (IS PEOPLE 4HOMAS & (INRICHS , ANCASTER 0ENNSYLVANIA

5NITED 3TATES ,ETTERS 0OLICY 0LEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO THE EDITOR TO LETTERS ADVENTISTWORLD ORG ,ETTERS MUST BE CLEARLY WRITTEN AND TO THE POINT WORD MAXIMUM "E SURE TO INCLUDE THE NAME OF THE ARTICLE THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND PAGE NUMBER WITH YOUR LETTER !LSO INCLUDE YOUR NAME THE TOWN CITY STATE AND COUNTRY FROM WHICH YOU ARE WRITING ,ETTERS WILL BE EDITED FOR SPACE AND CLARITY .OT ALL LETTERS SUBMITTED WILL BE PUBLISHED

4 ( % 0 , ! # % / & 0 2 !9 % 2 ) AM FATHER OF FOUR CHILDREN AND THEY ) ASK PRAYER FOR MY HEALTH AND MY NEED TO GO TO SCHOOL 3O PRAY FOR ME TO FAMILY GET THE SCHOOL FEES 4HANK 9OU 'OD -IGUEL #OLOMBIA 2OBERT 4ANZANIA ) THANK 'OD FOR ANSWERING MY YOUR 0LEASE PRAY THAT MY HUSBAND WILL PRAYERS 'OD HAS PROVIDED FULL BELIEVE AND JOIN THE 3EVENTH DAY EMPLOYMENT AT THE COMPANY WHERE !DVENTIST #HURCH AND THE DEPRESSION ) WAS DOING MY ATTACHMENTS 4HIS ) SUFFER WILL BE LIFTED IS THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS -AY 'OD 0AT 5NITED 3TATES GREATLY BLESS YOU AS YOU CONTINUE BLESSING OTHERS IN THE SAME WAY 0LEASE PRAY FOR AN ORGANIZATION IN *INKS :AMBIA #ONGO THAT IS ATTEMPTING TO RAISE FUNDS FOR A LARGE NUMBER OF ORPHANS ) KNOW SOME VERY DIFlCULT TIMES THESE *EAN -ARIE $EMOCRATIC DAYS $URING AN EARTHQUAKE IN *ANUARY 2EPUBLIC OF THE #ONGO THE LAST BUILDING ) LIVED IN COLLAPSED ) LOST EVERYTHING AND MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS MY ONLY COMPANION DIED THAT DAY ) AM ALONE AND CLINGING TO THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE THAT *ESUS HAS GIVEN US 0RAY FOR ME PLEASE $ORCAS (AITI

!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ 3EPTEMBER

0LEASE PRAY FOR ME ) HAVE A SERIOUS HEADACHE PROBLEM WHICH STARTED LAST YEAR )T IS DISTURBING ME IN MY STUDIES AND AT WORK $OCTORS HAVE RECOM MENDED A VARIETY OF PILLS BUT THEY ARE NOT HELPING ME ) BELIEVE 'OD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN HEAL ME 4HANK YOU ,EONARD :IMBABWE

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 !

h"EHOLD ) COME QUICKLYxv

%8#(!.'% /& )$%!3

/UR MISSION IS TO UPLIFT *ESUS #HRIST UNITING 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS EVERYWHERE IN BELIEFS

MISSION LIFE AND HOPE

-EET 9OUR

.EIGHBORS

4HESE YOUNG ADULTS REPRESENT !DVENTISTS FROM NINE DIFFERENT COUNTRIES 7ITH AGES RANGING FROM TO THEY ALSO REPRESENT SOME OF THE DELEGATES TO THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE SESSION IN !TLANTA 'EORGIA 5NITED 3TATES %ACH WAS CHOSEN FOR STRONG LEADERSHIP SKILLS ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE DEDICATION TO THEIR CHURCH

AND THEIR PASSION FOR SPREADING THE GOSPEL (ERE ARE THEIR NAMES LEFT TO RIGHT 4HUY 4IEN LE 4RAN 6IETNAM 3RAY .EANG

#AMBODIA "LESSINGS 'ONBWE -ALAWI *USTIN -C.EILUS 5NITED 3TATES !LICE $ANLA )NDIA %MILIA 2OUHE &INLAND 3AMIA (ENRIETTE 3EY CHELLES $EEPAK "ORO )NDIA 2OCHAEL 3HEMALI 0ERERA 3INGAPORE AND 4SHWANELO "RYAN 3EKWABABE "OTSWANA PICTURED ON LEFT

A

OF &EELING &AMILY

(ERE S WHAT IMPRESSED THREE YOUNG DELEGATES TO THE '# SESSION

.OW THAT THE SESSION HAS COME TO AN END ) FEEL THAT ) HAVE LEARNED A LOT OF THINGS )T S ALSO VERY SAD BECAUSE ) AM LEAVING ALL OF MY NEW FRIENDSˆTHIS ALSO MAKES ME THINK THAT RELATIONSHIP FRIENDSHIP AND COMMUNICATION ARE VERY IMPORTANT WHEN YOU WANT ALL TO BECOME ONE IN ONE PLACE AND BELIEF 9OUNG OR OLD WE ARE ALWAYS PART OF ONE ANOTHER ˆ3REY .EANG #AMBODIA "USINESS SESSIONS LONG LINES MYSTERY FOOD x IT S ALL WORTH IT 4O FELLOWSHIP AND WORSHIP AND YES WORK LITERALLY WITH THE WORLD LIKE THIS IS A PRECURSOR TO HEAVENˆ) CAN T WAIT 4HIS WAS NOT SIMPLY A BUSINESS MEETING IT WAS A TESTIMONY TO THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL (OW COULD PEOPLE SEPARATED BY GEOGRAPHY LANGUAGE AND CULTURE BE UNITED AS ONE FAMILY )T S ONLY THE BLOOD OF *ESUS ˆ4UESDA 2OBERTS 5NITED 3TATES ) FEEL SO PRIVILEGED TO HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE CHURCH FAMILY AND PARTICIPATE IN THE FUTURE ORGANIZATION )T GAVE ME A SENSE OF BELONGING A SENSE THAT MY THOUGHTS AND MY THINKING DO MATTER TO OUR CHURCH !S ISSUES WERE DISCUSSED YOU COULDN T HELP FEELING A STRONG SENSE OF FAMILY AND LIKE ANY FAMILY THERE WAS A BIT OF DISAPPOINTMENT AND FRUSTRATION BUT IN THE END LOVE WAS STILL FOUNDˆLOVE FOR 'OD AND LOVE FOR EACH OTHER ˆ4SHWANELO "RYAN 3EKWABABE "OTSWANA 0 ( / 4 / 3 " 9 ! 5 3 4 ) . 2 ( / ! . $ + ) - " % 2 ,9 , 5 3 4 % - ! 2 ! .

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 4ED . # 7ILSON CHAIR "ILL +NOTT SECRETARY $ANIEL 2 *ACKSON !RMANDO -IRANDA 0ARDON + -WANSA *UAN 0RESTOL #HARLES # 3ANDEFUR (EATHER $AWN 3MALL -ARK 4HOMAS 2OBERT % +YTE LEGAL ADVISOR !DVENTIST 7ORLD #OORDINATING #OMMITTEE ,EE *AIRYONG CHAIR !KERI 3UZUKI +ENNETH /SBORN 'UIMO 3UNG #HUN 0YUNG $UK 'LENN -ITCHELL %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 #ONSULTANTS 4ED . # 7ILSON 2OBERT % ,EMON 'UILLERMO % "IAGGI

,OWELL # #OOPER %UGENE +ING 9I (SU $ANIEL 2 *ACKSON

!RMANDO -IRANDA 0ARDON + -WANSA -ICHAEL , 2YAN

"LASIOUS - 2UGURI %LLA 3 3IMMONS !LBERTO # 'ULFAN *R

%RTON +šHLER *AIRYONG ,EE )SRAEL ,EITO *OHN 2ATHINARAJ

0AUL 3 2ATSARA "ARRY /LIVER "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 'ERMANY

!USTRIA AND THE 5NITED 3TATES 6OL .O

3EPTEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD

4HE

0,% % 3 0 7(%2% ). 4(% 7/2,$ )3 4()3

0 , ! # %

1 5 / 4% /& 4(% - /. 4(

h3ATAN CANNOT PENETRATE A FAMILY THAT HAS STRONG FAMILY TIES v

! 5 3 4 ) . 2 ( /

) . 4 (% # /- - 5. )49 ). 4(% '!2$%. 2EBECCA 4URK WORKS AND CHATS WITH A NEIGHBOR BOY IN A COMMUNITY GARDEN PLANTED BY 2USTIN AND 3TACY 3WEENEY

! $ 6 %. 4) 3 4 , ) & %ˆ ' # 3 %33 ) /. - %- /2 ) %3 4HE EVENING MEETING WAS OVER 3T ,OUIS

-ISSOURI

AND THOUSANDS OF !DVEN TISTS WERE MAKING THEIR WAY OUTSIDE AND DOWN THE STAIRWAY TO THE TRANSIT TRAINS !S WE REACHED THE BOTTOM OF THE STAIRS WE WERE WALL TO WALL PEOPLE RIGHT UP TO THE EDGE OF THE PLATFORMˆNO BARRIERS BETWEEN US AND THE TRACKS SEVERAL FEET BELOW /NE LONELY PLATFORM GUARD WAS ON DUTY TO MAINTAIN ORDER AMONG THE SURGING CROWD (E ANX IOUSLY LOOKED THIS WAY AND THAT CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN /NE INADVERTENT PUSH OR SHOVE AND WE WOULD WITNESS A TERRIBLE DISASTER 4HE TENSION IN HIS FACE WAS CLEARLY VISIBLE THOUGH HE TRIED TO MAINTAIN HIS OFlCIAL COMPOSURE *UST THEN MY WIFE AND ) DECIDED TO START SINGING h7E (AVE 4HIS (OPE v 3OON IT SPREAD TO THOSE AROUND US EVENTUALLY SWELLING TO THE ENTIRE CROWD IN THAT CAVERNOUS ENVIRONMENT AND ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TRACKS )T WAS A VERY SPECIAL AND MOVING MOMENT AS WE CONTINUED WITH h!MAZING 'RACEv AND OTHER SONGS UNTIL THE TRAIN APPEARED 4HE EFFECT ON ALL INCLUDING THE GUARD WAS PALPABLE ) OFTEN WONDER WHAT IMPRESSION HE TOOK HOME FROM THAT EXPERIENCE 0ERHAPS HE THOUGHT 7HO ARE THESE PEOPLE SEE 2EV ˆ*IM (OFFER 3MITHSBURG -ARYLAND 5NITED 3TATES

! 5 3 4 ) .

2 ( /

ˆ 3ANG ,AE +IM PASTOR AND PROFESSOR IN THE $EPARTMENT OF 4HEOLOGY

3AHMYOOK 5NIVERSITY 3EOUL 3OUTH +OREA DURING THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE SESSION EVENING DEVOTIONAL ON *UNE

!. 3 7% 2 )N !TLANTA 'EORGIA 5NITED 3TATES A YEAR OLD BOY SHOWS OFF THE BUTTERmY THAT LANDED ON HIS HAND WHILE WORKING IN A COMMUNITY GARDEN PLANTED IN HIS NEIGHBORHOOD BY RESIDENTS 2USTIN AND 3TACY 3WEENEY 4HE PHOTO WAS TAKEN DURING A COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT HELD BY )-0!#4 !TLANTA A DAY YOUNG ADULT EVENT HELD CONCURRENTLY WITH THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE SESSION