More Than 150

–John Graz, former general secretary of the International Religious Liberty Association, at the national Brazil conference on religious freedom titled “Freedom 25.” The event took place in São Paulo, May 13-15. Freedom 25 suggested 100 practical ideas to strengthen religious freedom, all to be implemented by 2025. It trained and mobilized students, pastors, and volunteer leaders to promote, advocate, and protect religious freedom. It also sought to advance 25 specific topics in five areas: church, society, state, labor, and education.

The number of Pathfinder teams that participated in the 2023 Pathfinder Bible Experience in Tampa Bay, Florida, United States, April 21-22. This was the second year the event was back in person after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the event online in 2020 and 2021. This will also mark the second year that teams unable to travel could participate remotely in real time with those gathered in Florida. Organizers are thrilled about the high number of teams that attended the event held this year at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall. (->)

“My purpose was to build on Paul preaching in Athens about the Holy Spirit as recorded in Acts 17. But more than preaching about the Holy Spirit, we prayed for and taught [about] and sang [of] and experienced the Holy Spirit! It was an international audience with Greeks as well as people from Zambia, China, the Philippines, Ghana, Romania, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Serbia, France, Cyprus, Cameroon, Tunisia, and the U.S.—all in one place!”

–Glenn Aguirre, pastor of the Calhoun church in the Georgia-Cumberland Conference, North American Division, about an evangelistic series held in Athens, Greece, April 28-May 3. The series was part of the Christ for Europe initiative and had a steady attendance of more than 60 people for the entire time.

The number of young people that participated in the twelfth motivation camp, which was hosted by the Sabah Mission and took place in Ranau, Sabah, Malaysia. The camp, held at one of the region’s recreational campgrounds, included a variety of activities, such as archery, fishing, boating, swimming, team-building exercises, group challenges, and more. The Sabah Mission Youth Ministries Department organizes the motivation camp each year. The program, which is specifically intended for high school graduates who are awaiting the results of their national examinations, attempts to prepare students for their forthcoming move to higher education. It gives these young people a chance to get out of their comfort zones and prepare for the difficulties that await them at college or university.

–G. Alexander Bryant, president of the North American Division, about the grand opening of The Well worship complex in Apopka, Florida, United States, March 17-18. When the church acquired the Apopka property in 2019, it wasn’t designed as a church building; instead, it included space for athletic and community programs. The Well serves hundreds of people who participate in activities such as gymnastics, basketball, tutoring, and workplace screening. The complex also has space for worship, which provides a spiritual complement to the physical activities that are offered.