AW NAD English-June 2017

The International Paper for Seventh-day Adventists

Ju n e 2 01 7

Eastern Europe experiences Total Member Involvement

19 Good Bacteria 40 Mining Steps to Christ 43 When God Is Silent

North American Division | n a d

June 2017 The International Paper for Seventh-day Adventists

C O V E R

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Ju ne 2017

F E AT U R E

Inspired by Romania

By Andrew McChesney

Eastern Europe experiences Total Member Involvement

Evangelism’s “priority one” in several European countries.

19 Good Bacteria 40 Mining Steps to Christ 43 When God Is Silent

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F U N D A M E N T A L

B E L I E F S

The Bible Is Unique

By Gerhard Pfandl

Lots of books claim to change lives, but this one really does.

31 The Overloaded Ark? F A I T H

A N D

S C I E N C E

By L. James Gibson

Two by two by two by two . . . that’s a lot of animals!

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W O R L D

V I S T A

The Latter Rain Is Coming

By Ted N. C. Wilson

Are we ready?

N A D F E AT U R E Make Me a Servant

32

By Felecia Datus

Three women, three stories, three ways the Holy Spirit is working.

20 Little Things

D E V O T I O N A L

By Caleb Ramos

Good habits start small, but last a lifetime.

40 Mining Steps to Christ

D I S C O V E R I N G T H E S P I R I T O F P R O P H E C Y

By Michael Sokupa

For a small book, it has plenty to say about Bible study, prayer, and service.

D E PA RT M E N T S 3 W O R

L D

R E P O R T

3 News Briefs

6 News Feature

10 FastChat 11 NAD News 14 NAD Update 17 NAD Perspective 18 NAD Letters

19 W O R L D H E A Good Bacteria

L T H

B I 42

B L E Q U E S T I O N S A N S W E R E D

43 B I B L E S T U D Y When God Is Silent 44

I D E A

E X C H A N G E

A Question About Judgment

www.adventistworld.org Available in 10 languages online The Adventist World® (ISSN 1557-5519), one of the Adventist Review® family of publications, is printed monthly by the Pacific Press® Publishing Association. Copyright © 2017. Send address changes to your local conference membership clerk. Contact information should be available through your local church. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. Vol. 13, No. 6, June 2017.

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Concentrated Effort

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WORLD REPORT

Adventist Youth Blanket the World With

Acts of Service

Participants serve as “the hands and feet of Jesus.”

C O K E

By Marcos Paseggi, senior correspondent, Adventist World

N I G E L

unt Gladys was building a summer cabin, but she wasn’t a builder herself.

So she summoned the men in the family, purchased and gathered all the materials, and waited for a designated Sunday.

I watched, fascinated, as my father, uncles, and cousins laid floor joists on foundations, cut and pieced floor decking, and erected walls. Even at my tender age they let me wield a hammer, anchoring the plywood floor.

It seemed unbelievable to me that it could all happen so quickly—that what had once been a level spot covered with blueberry brush could now boast a habitable building, rising rapidly with the skilled labor of men who had been building things all their lives. One Sunday later the trusses were up. Soon I was nailing the last shingle on the finished roof.

It was the first lesson I remember about how easily a task gets done when everyone “swarms” to the worksite. The job that would have taken a solo worker weeks or months was accomplished in three Sundays. And if you were old enough to use a hammer, you owned some of the satisfaction.

As Christ’s people seek new ways to fulfill the Great Commission, moments come when unusual opportunities require the convergence of laborers. Just such a moment is now happening in Eastern Europe, as a yearlong emphasis on outreach and evangelism has brought thousands of members and hundreds of international friends together in a calculated “surge.” In only a few months that surge has dramatically increased the profile of Adventism in the Inter-European and Euro-Asia divisions—and caused many regions to rethink witness and outreach.

As you read this month’s cover feature, “Inspired by Romania,” ask the Lord what He wants you to do with the hammer He has put in your hands.

T

housands of Seventh-day Adventist young people and their mentors took part in a special event that encourages church members under the age of 35 to go into their communities to perform acts of service and kindness.

In its fifth edition, the worldwide annual event known as Global Youth Day (GYD) rallied young people on March Nine-year-old Calyndra Campbell 18, 2017, to offer free hugs and hands out cooked meals in the prayers, clean beaches and parks, streets of Mandeville, Jamaica sing on sidewalks and in prisons, during Global Youth Day activities. offer tips about healthy living, Looking on is Dane Fletcher, youth and show themselves ready to ministries director for the church in empower, encourage, and share Jamaica. the hope they have in God. Some of the day’s highlights were broadcast during a 24-hour live transmission from Hope Channel Germany, and livestreamed around the world from the event Web site, GlobalYouth.org.

Blood Drive

GYD 2017 was marked by concerted efforts to encourage young people and their mentors to donate blood. By partnering with various blood donor organizations, including the Red Cross, Adventists from Peru to England to Kenya donated blood to help save other people’s lives.

In many cases participants used the occasion to highlight the importance of giving blood as a symbol of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. “I give some of my blood because Jesus gave all of His blood for me,” said one donor from India as he tried not to look at the needle going his right arm.

The connection between blood and good health was not lost either. In South America many blood drive organizers and donors Continued on next page

June 2017 | Adventist World - nad

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WORLD REPORT wore red T-shirts with the phrase, “Great blood is the result of good habits!”

The generosity of Adventist youth took many hospitals and blood banks by surprise. “They couldn’t believe so many people were coming to donate,” shared one young donor.

Many young people also pledged to make a long-term habit out of this lifesaving practice.

Refugees

The 2017 edition of GYD reflected the reality of the recent worldwide influx of refugees—mostly Syrian nationals fleeing from war—and Adventist young people’s desire to provide them with relief assistance, words of encouragement, and prayers.

Adventist young people reached out to newly arrived refugees in their communities as they offered food, clothes, toys for their children, and heartwarming smiles.

An encounter with refugees moved a group of young people to tears in Antalya, on the flourishing southern coast of Turkey. Local Adventist youth had planned to minister to those who are homeless, but after driving around for more than 30 minutes, they had not managed to find a single homeless person in that prosperous resort city.

They prayed, asking God to show them which way to go. Minutes later they received a tip about a nearby road where a few Syrian families were squeezed in cramped living quarters.

The families had fled from Syria a couple months before, and one family had one of their children die a few days before.

“They were so happy that someone took the time to visit,” one of the young adults involved said. “Even though they have nothing, they went

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inside and prepared tea for all of us, as they thanked us repeatedly for stopping by. We will never forget their smiles.”

Elderly and Children

According to statistics from various organizations, the elderly population has grown exponentially around the world. Knowing this, and the related loneliness, health and financial problems many seniors face, in several countries young Adventists did their best to make them feel cared for, accepted, and loved.

In Taiwan Adventist young people visited apartments and residences, offering songs, massages, and healthy meals to seniors. In Tunisia young people successfully engaged with those who are elderly in their communities.

“The message we gave them loud and clear was, ‘You are not abandoned!’ ” shared one of the participants.

In Lebanon Seventh-day Adventist students put together a special day for refugee children who struggle to integrate into their new country. In Tel Aviv, Israel, a group of Adventist youth in clown costumes visited a children’s hospital, bringing songs and smiles to the little ones. Leading to GYD 2017, in Morocco, young Adventists organized sports activities for children, including soccer, their favorite sport. “For me, it’s very clear,” said one of the organizers. “My talent is my ministry.”

Creative Youth

The creativity of young committed Adventists during the day of service was remarkable.

Donning military-green helmets and T-shirts, young Adventists in Belgrade, Serbia, gave away roses to tourists and residents as a symbol of

peace at a military memorial. Meanwhile, a youth group in Cape Town, South Africa, went to a local fire station to thank firefighters for their service. In Krakow, Poland, Adventists staged a reenactment of the Reformation’s defining moment in a public square, as one of them, playing the Reformer Martin Luther, “nailed” his theses on a door to call attention to the 500th anniversary of that movement.

In Milan, Italy, young people paraded on a bridge known for being a place from which many hopeless locals jump to their deaths. They marched, displaying banners that offered messages of hope in God and the future.

In Zimbabwe, Adventists took part in a massive distribution of sanitary pads for teenage girls, who often are forced to miss school when sanitary pads are unavailable.

More Than a Day, a Lifestyle

“Global Youth Day is not only here to stay, but also to trigger a different way of thinking about life,” said organizers. “GYD must not be an event,” said Pako Mokgwane, associate youth director of the Seventh-day Adventist world church and main organizer of the special day. “GYD must be a lifestyle.”

Youth leaders and participants across the world echoed his definition.

“Activities won’t end today,” said one young man from Kenya. “This is just the beginning.”

Opportunities for serving are many, reminded Gilbert Cangy, a former youth director of the world church. “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Many organizations are looking for volunteers. We can join in to serve,” he said. n

Pastors and Health-Care Practitioners

Partner for Mission

Health camps result in more than 400 baptisms.

By Marcos Paseggi, senior correspondent, Adventist World

A

dventist pastors and healthcare practitioners teamed up for mission in Kenya in an initiative that resulted in 419 baptisms in the western part of that African nation. Church leaders and lay members set up “health camps” on the sidelines of evangelistic meetings held across the country, where they offered free checkups and basic treatments.

The project combined what is known as Total Member Involvement (TMI) with comprehensive health ministry initiatives (CHM) from March 3 to 18, 2017.

“We give glory and honor to God for these successful TMI and CHM events in Kenya,” said Fesaha Tsegaye, health ministries director in the EastCentral Africa Division (ECD), a church region that includes Kenya.

Total Member Involvement is an ini-

tiative of the world church that encourages every church member to get involved in sharing the gospel.

Comprehensive health ministry seeks to use health care and health education as “the right arm of the body,” as Ellen G. White, a cofounder of the denomination, first described them more than a century ago.

In Kenya 19,248 people received free medical treatment in 59 sites in both regions during the two weeks of TMI evangelistic meetings, reported Tsegaye, who was personally involved in six medical camps in Kisumu, in western Kenya. The 419-baptism figure is not the total number of people baptized after the meetings, but the number of people who were baptized after reporting coming to the meetings because they were inspired by the free medical service they had received.

F E S A H A T S E G AY E

A partial view of one of the 59 health camps that offered health check-ups and health education in Kenya.

Tsegaye also reported that more than 200 health practitioners, including physicians and nurses, staffed the 59 sites every day during the two weeks. Kendu Adventist Hospital, a church-operated healthcare institution in western Kenya, was responsible for six health camps where 1,064 people were offered free checkups and various treatments.

Kenya’s Ministry of Health supported the initiative wholeheartedly, providing counseling and screening services for cervical and breast cancer.

Government officials also distributed free medicine to the people who stopped by the health camps.

Some health camps also offered health expos and health education options, reported Tsegaye. In some places they set up a tent where an elder or pastor invited people to register for Bible study classes.

“Our goal was to bring physical, social, and spiritual healing to the people who desperately need it,” said Tsegaye. He added that the church can only achieve this when health professionals and pastors work together.

“Through teamwork we can blend and balance each other so that we meet the needs of the people more effectively,” he explained.

In an e-mail to the regional church leaders, Peter Landless, Health Ministries director for the world church, commended what he called the “wonderful report” about the efforts of church leaders and members in EastCentral Africa. “Thank you for your . . . commitment to the message, commission, and mission of the Lord we love and serve,” he wrote.

Landless concluded that he would add his efforts to those praying “for ongoing divine wisdom, guidance, energy, and resources” for the region. n

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WORLD REPORT

Adventist Students

Accommodated in Sweden Students will benefit from a national exam day change from Saturdays to Sundays

By Rainer Refsbäck, Swedish Union Conference

R

adio Sweden news and other media recently highlighted that the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Sweden is behind the change in how the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test (SweSAT), a mandatory test for senior students across the country, will be administered.

Beginning in 2018 the test will be offered alternately on Sunday and Saturday, instead of only on Saturdays.

The SweSAT is one important way to gain admission to higher education.

Since the introduction of the SweSAT in the late 1970s, it has been administered only on Saturdays. For many years the Seventh-day Adventist Church has challenged this situation on behalf of its Sabbathkeeping students. In 2001 the passing of the Equal

Treatment Act gave Adventist students legal grounds to ask for an alternative examination day. Since then a fallback test has been administered just once every five years. While other students had the chance to take the test again and again, Adventist students had only one chance.

Göran Hansen, president of the Swedish Union, and Bernard OseiFofie, a member of the union’s executive committee, have been engaged in dialogue over the issue with the Swedish Council of Higher Education for some time. In September 2016 the council announced the SweSAT would be administered alternately on Saturdays and Sundays beginning 2018.

It was only in early March, however, that the news about the change

Scandinavian youth at a church event at Ekebyholm Adventist School, Sweden.

C H R I S T I A N

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H J O R T L A N D / A D A M S

was released to the media. Hansen was interviewed by Radio Sweden and the Christian daily newspaper Dagen.

Major newspapers in Sweden have covered this news, and other members and pastors have been contacted by local media.

Not all coverage has been positive.

In the highly secular Swedish society, media have asked how a Christian faith of fewer than 3,000 members can exert such an influence on a government agency. “Why is this so important when, in a given year, no more than 10 students ask for the alternative examination day among the 80,000 people taking the test?” they asked.

Hansen said it is not a question of numbers. “This is rather a question of equal treatment,” he said. “Only a few students take the alternative SweSAT test because you can take it only once.”

In the past, many Adventist and Jewish students have been tempted to compromise their conscience by taking the test on a Saturday.

Swedish Council of Higher Education spokesman Åke Lernefalk explained in a radio interview that the fallback test is expensive to produce, and that the council sympathizes with the Seventh-day Adventist Church request for a better solution. “Offering the SweSAT on Saturdays and Sundays is a sensible alternative,” he said. “I believe this arrangement will be beneficial to many, regardless of religious beliefs.”

After the official announcement, Hansen said he was pleased with the decision. “It is with great satisfaction that we have been able to come to this solution to make it possible for our young people to have equal opportunities to enter into higher education,” he said. n

Fritz Bissereth, ADRA Haiti director, explains how to use the water purification units distributed in the southern peninsula.

adra Bumps Up Aid

to Haiti

Thousands still affected by hurricane

L I B N A

By Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division

W

hile other charities and relief agencies are winding down their short-term relief projects in Haiti, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is bumping up its aid to the country on behalf of displaced families still affected by Hurricane Matthew, which hit the island nation in October 2016.

The hurricane moved into Haiti’s south peninsula on October 3, and stayed for nearly 36 hours with winds of 136 miles an hour, causing mudslides, flooding, and the collapse of bridges and roads.

ADRA Haiti is distributing water purification units and food kits in the area, at the beginning of an ADRA response project that will assist more than 1,700 families in the Roche-àBateau municipal district, as well as provide assistance to more than 3,000 families in Haiti’s south peninsula, said Fritz Bissereth, ADRA Haiti director.

“Two hundred of the neediest families received one Sawyer water purification unit, and three boxes of 108 packs of rice rich in nutrients and vitamins from Stop Hunger Now, a nongovernmental organization,” said Bissereth. He added that families are still in dire need of homes, food, and hope, and ADRA is doing what it can to bring some relief.

More than 500 people were already in line, waiting for ADRA’s delivery on February 22, 2017, at the St.-Michel Catholic Church property in Roche-à-Bateau. The 200 held small pink notes as they stood in a tight line under the coastal afternoon sun to hear instructions about how to use the water purification unit to prevent cholera in their homes and communities.

Antojean Claude, a 26-year-old farmer and father of a 2-year-old son, waited for hours. “My house was destroyed, and I lost everything I owned,” said Claude. He was among many farmers who lost all their crops when Matthew swept in and uprooted their crops.

“We are waiting for the rain so that we can plant corn, beans, and cassava to sell so that I can support my family,” explained Claude. In the meantime, he is grateful for the help ADRA is giving his hometown.

The deputy mayor of Roche-àBateau, Luvana Beaubrun, thanked ADRA and its volunteers for their commitment to providing assistance to her district. Beaubrun is among three mayors overseeing shelters with local officials to coordinate relief assistance with ADRA in the district. Like the 23,000 people who live Roche-àBateau, Beaubrun, too, was affected by the hurricane.

S T E V E N S

“My house was completely destroyed, and I had to stay at a shelter. I sympathize with all our homeless families here,” said Beaubrun. Beaubrun said she had never seen such a disaster. The last severe storm to hit Haiti was in 1963, according to the National Meteorological Center.

“We are so thankful for the continued assistance ADRA will be providing for our people here in upcoming weeks and months,” she said.

ADRA Haiti will make a dozen similar deliveries in coming months, said Enock Bertrand, ADRA Haiti coordinator in the south region office, which is headquartered 46 kilometers (29 miles) east of Roche-à-Bateau in Les Cayes.

“We have been doing many activities here in Roche-à-Bateau, because our interest is not only to provide assistance but to give them tools to rebuild their lives after a disaster like this,” said Bertrand.

Improving the lives of people is at the heart of ADRA’s mission, with its long-term development programs and emergency response to affected communities, reaffirmed Bissereth.

There are still challenges to reach so many more who were affected by Hurricane Matthew, said Bissereth, but “ADRA continues to work hard to make a difference.” n

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W O R L D

V I S T A

The

This article is adapted from a worship talk given by Pastor Wilson at the world headquarters on March 30, 2017. Elements of oral style have been retained.—Editors

I

want to talk about the latter rain and the shaking that will take place. In Joel 2:21-23 we read: “Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things. . . . Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain” (KJV).

Many of us participated in the wonderful activities in Romania. It was a fabulous experience. Anyone who was there will tell you something exciting happened, and it wasn’t human-made. It was the work of the Holy Spirit. And the same thing is happening elsewhere. God is doing something radically different. It’s almost believable.

One evening, during an appeal I was making for baptism, a young adult came forward looking so peaceful and calm. I later learned he was the son of the church treasurer. While he came forward the head elder wept.

This young man, 30-something, had been estranged from the church. But after giving his heart to the Lord, he attended every night.

After a baptism on Sabbath, I made another appeal. Praise God, family members of a brother and his wife who had just been baptized came forward. The Holy Spirit is working!

On June 3 there will be a massive baptism across Romania. Imagine how heaven will rejoice as thousands of people are baptized!

Total Member Involvement (TMI)—everyone being involved—is a power, not from the General Con-

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Latter Rain Is

Coming

Adventist World - nad | June 2017

By Ted N. C. Wilson

ference, but from heaven itself. The Holy Spirit is working in a mighty way.

Not Reserved

In Joel 2:28, 29 we read: “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit” (KJV).

The Holy Spirit falls on all people.

The blessing isn’t reserved for just a special group. It’s not reserved just for ordained ministers. It’s poured out on everyone who submits to the power of the Holy Spirit.

When will the latter rain come?

The Lord is now preparing His church for it through revival and reformation, through challenges and trials that we are experiencing. To read something encouraging about how God will take us through, read

Are You Ready?

Prophets and Kings, chapter 13 (http:// bit.ly/ProphetsKings).

The early rain came at Pentecost in A.D. 31. The disciples humbled their hearts in repentance. They prayed with earnestness, and put away all differences.1 How important, as we face the latter rain, to do the same. The early rain produced power from God in unity and the proclamation of the message to the world.

In The Acts of the Apostles we read: “The ambition of the believers was to reveal the likeness of Christ’s character and to labor for the enlargement of His kingdom.”2 So it is with the latter rain. God is asking us—through His D AV I D

B .

S H E R W I N

The shaking will come,

but not by something that you or I do! power—to reveal the likeness of Christ’s character and to labor for the enlargement of His kingdom.

A Special Bestowal of Grace

As we near the close of earth’s harvest, a special bestowal of spiritual grace—the latter rain—is promised to prepare the church for the coming of Jesus. We are about to see this. But other things must happen first.

“At that time the ‘latter rain,’ or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come, to give power to the loud voice of the third angel, and prepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out,” wrote Ellen White.3 But before that, the shaking will come. We’re not quite sure what the shaking will be, but it will come.

People will be enamored with strange beliefs and unbiblical concepts, even within the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

During this year, the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, let’s stay close to the Holy Word— God’s precious instructions for us.

Some Adventists are being deceived into thinking that you don’t really need to know a lot about the Bible or its doctrines; just have an emotional connection with Jesus.

But Jesus is the center of every one of the 28 Fundamental Beliefs.

If He isn’t, why would we have voted them? If He isn’t, let’s reject them.

Don’t be swept away by a superficial brand of Seventh-day Adventist faith. There will be unity, not tension

and differences.

The shaking will come, but not by something that you or I do! It comes only through the power of the Holy Spirit, and by the proclamation of the straight message of Bible truth. As we know: “The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out—the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place.”4 Will we be part of those leaving? I hope not. By God’s grace, stay close to His Word.

A Storm Approaches

We are warned that “as the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel’s message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition.”5 This is why we need revival and reformation in our own lives, staying close to Jesus.6 “Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times.”7 Can you imagine what it will be like? The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children.

Let’s humble ourselves before God. Let’s put away strife, selfishness, pride of opinion, and stubbornness. Let’s fall before God and ask forgiveness for self-will. Let’s accept the humble character of Christ.

We are promised: “Let Christians

put away all dissension and give themselves to God for the saving of the lost.

Let them ask in faith for the promised blessing, and it will come.”8 Will we have true revival and reformation? Yes. Will God’s people humble themselves and give up self?

Yes. Will the shaking come? Yes. Will the church stand firm, though it appears about to fall? Yes. Will the third angel’s message, and the fourth angel of Revelation 18, be preached with power? Yes. Will God’s people be united in this message? Yes. Will the latter rain fall? Yes. Will all this be a result of God’s Holy Spirit being poured out upon all flesh? Yes. Will Jesus come soon? A resounding Yes! Through revival and reformation, through the power of the Holy Spirit, through Total Member Involvement, through God’s power alone. Let’s be a part of it!

As Joel says, God has, and He will, do great things. n 1 See

Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1948), vol. 8, p. 20.

2 Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1911), p. 48.

3 Ellen G. White, Early Writings (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1882, 1945), p. 86.

4 Ellen G. White, Selected Messages (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1958, 1980), book 2, p. 380.

5 Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1911), p. 608.

6 See E. G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 121.

7 E. G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 464.

8 E. G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 21.

Ted N. C. Wilson is

president of the Seventhday Adventist Church.

June 2017 | Adventist World - nad

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GENERAL CONFERENCE MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION

Evangelism Here and Now FASTCHAT is a monthly ministry feature/interview for Adventist World.

This month we spoke with Jarod Thomas, media and communications manager for the General Conference Ministerial Association.—Editors.

Jarod, you were on the ground in Romania; tell us a short story worth sharing.

On the first night of the meetings I had the privilege of meeting a man named John. He lives and works in Italy, but he scheduled a vacation to come back to his home village to visit family. I’m not sure why he chose that time frame, but he arrived in the village for the two weeks our meetings were scheduled. We had some great conversations with him, and he was thankful to learn new things from the Bible.

It’s circumstances like these that show God’s hand working with us.

Since you’re involved with the Revival and Reformation initiative, what did you see in Romania that sparked some of that flame of revival in your own heart?

I loved meeting people who were taking personal responsibility for the people within their circle of influence. A woman was using her clothing business to share with her customers. At the seminars some of those people made decisions to follow Jesus.

There are about 150 churches in the Banat Conference, where I was working.

But they had more than 200 seminars, and the vast majority of them were held by local church members, not guest speakers or pastors. God really is doing something to stir up His people and plug them into ministry.

What do you think effective evangelism will look like in the Western world in the next five years?

To learn more about Revival and Reformation, visit revivalandreformation.org.

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The West is an interesting case, because it’s becoming increasingly secular. Since Christianity was historically strong in

Adventist World - nad | June 2017

the West, we don’t typically have a missionary mind-set. But we should!

The only safe and successful way to work is the way Jesus did: spend time with people, show you care, minister to their needs, win their confidence. Only then can we effectively share Christ with others. In a world where love is dying out, this type of ministry will be like water on dry ground.

You recently joined the GC Ministerial Association, and you lead out with media and communications. Are there any exciting projects you’re working on?

We recently relaunched the Web site for the Revival and Reformation initiative, and there are a bunch of new resources for people’s spiritual growth.

You have a passion for how the gospel is being spread in hostile territories. What do you think it’s going to take to see the gospel shared more widely in those places?

Our desire to reach the dear people in these challenging territories is shown by our prayer for them and our mission offerings. Financial giving to missions is low, and that probably indicates that we’re not really pleading for God to pour out His Spirit in these countries, either. Yes, we need money and missionaries, but we are in a spiritual battle. If we want the disciples’ success, we need to experience the disciples’ revival in Acts 2. When we’re connected to Jesus, He’s going to do the heavy lifting for us.

NAD NEWS

North American Division Helps Through

Literacy Program

bique, India, and countries in Central America for more than 15 years.

According to the April 2017 Adventist World cover story, “As the literacy program of the El Salvador Union Mission, now nearly 12 years old, has settled in, a growing percentage of Adventist church members have joined one of the nearly 200 literacy circles that cover this small nation of 6.5 million people. Encouraged by the determined efforts of the Inter-American Division to link literacy skills with church membership, thousands of Adventists in El Salvador who previously couldn’t read or write have enrolled in the literacy circles and finished one, two, or three eightmonth courses.”1 DiPinto, according to the Adventist World article, “has been one of the primary architects of the agreement between the two divisions, and has personally made more than a dozen visits to El Salvador to inspect, evaluate, and promote the literacy effort.”2 In the video DiPinto says, “The Adventist Church is a family . . . and we are united in mission to reach the world with the distinctive Seventh-day Adventist message of hope and wholeness. . . . [The NAD] . . . has a particular interest in helping to expand the adult literacy initiative that the NAD has helped support for several years in a number of countries.”

Adventist World has become a partner with the NAD and the InterAmerican Division in the literacy program. The NAD hopes to continue building more partnerships with other Adventist Church divisions around the globe. n

Partners in Mission By the North American Division Office of Communication shot during a January 2017 trip to El Salvador. In the video Maitland DiPinto, Adventist Community Services (ACS) associate director and Partners in Mission coordinator, reports on the progress of the initiative—and how lives have been changed by it.

ACS’s Hope for Humanity has been providing literacy training in Mozam-

1 Bill

W E B E R

Daniel R. Jackson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America, introduces the Partners in Mission literacy program during the 2017 General Conference Spring Meeting on April 12. Adventist World editor, Bill Knott, joins him for the announcement.

Knott, “If They Can’t Read the Words . . . ,” Adventist World, April 2017, p. 27.

2 Ibid.

Continued on next page

D A N

O

n April 12, during the 2017 General Conference Spring Meeting, Daniel R. Jackson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America (NAD), and Adventist World editor Bill Knott shared a report on the interdivision Partners in Mission literacy program.

Part of the report included a video

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NAD NEWS

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During Paul Penaranda’s memorial service, Elden Ramirez, director of OVM, reads a letter of condolence to the Penaranda family from the North American Division.

serving the Lord and His church with the integrity of heart, a surrendered will and skillfulness of hand, such that people may know Him and His love and apply the Word to their lives.”

In an e-mail letter written by teen son Joshua to friends and family, the Penaranda family said, “We are truly thankful for everyone who made the effort to lift him up in their prayers.

We would also truly appreciate it if you will pray not only for us, but for the other people who were grieved by this event.”

Elden Ramirez, director of the Office of Volunteer Ministries (OVM) for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America (NAD), spoke at the April 8 service. He also read a letter of condolence to Penaranda’s wife and children from the NAD’s administration team.

“We pray that you are drawing comfort from your new family at the school where you are working,” said the letter. “Please draw strength from the many hearts that are reaching up to heaven, asking God to lay His hands of comfort and compassion on each of you.”

—Kimberly Luste Maran/NAD Office of Communication

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Adventists Appeal Court Ruling on Sabbath Accommodation Case ■■ On March 22, 2017, two former Kellogg employees made their appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit after a lower court found insufficient evidence that the two Adventist plaintiffs were treated unfairly when they were fired for failing to work on Sabbath. A decision from the court of appeals in Denver, Colorado, is expected in approximately three months.

The United States District Court for the District of Utah granted Kellogg’s motion for summary judgment on the claims for disparate treatment, reasonable accommodation, and retaliation on July 7, 2016. At that time, the court also accordingly denied Richard Tabura and Guadalupe Diaz’s motion for summary judgment.

Tabura and Diaz were both fired in 2012 from their manufacturing jobs at a Kellogg USA, Inc., plant in Utah for missing work on Saturdays. In 2011 Kellogg increased production and implemented a new work scheduling program known as “continuous crew-

R OY

■■ On April 1, 2017, Paul Penaranda, 45, an Adventist Volunteer Service (AVS) volunteer, passed away while being treated in the intensive-care unit of Capitol Medical University Center in the Philippines. Penaranda is survived by his wife, Sheryl, and three children, Joshua, Jared, and Rachel.

A memorial service was held at the South Philippine Union Conference church on Sabbath, April 8.

At the time of his death, Penaranda was serving as a Bible teacher at Nanuri International School (North Central Mindanao Conference) in Cagayan de Oro City. Although his assignment was to have ended May 1, according to AVS Penaranda had recently requested to extend his service for another year.

“Paul was passionate about serving his church as a volunteer with the North American Division’s AVS,” said Bill Miller, Potomac Conference president, in a statement. “Our hearts are heavy as we’ve learned of the sudden and untimely death of one of Potomac’s shining lights.”

Penaranda, a member of the Leesburg Seventh-day Adventist Church in Virginia, had been active in youth ministry through the Pathfinder Club.

Previously he had served as a lay pastor in California, a Bible teacher in Palau, a Bible worker in Bahrain, and a Bible teacher in Mindanao, Philippines. Penaranda was a graduate of Mountain View College in the Philippines.

When preparing his AVS application, Penaranda wrote: “As a servant of Jesus Christ, I am passionate about

P E R E Z

Adventist Volunteer Services Worker Remembered

ing.” This program created four separate rotating shifts in which employees were to work approximately two Saturdays a month—26 Saturdays a year.

While both plaintiffs attempted to use paid days off and work swaps with other employees, they eventually were assessed too many absence points within a 12-month period and, after what Kellogg described as “progressive-discipline measures” were exhausted, were terminated.

“The plaintiffs lost at the trial court level,” said Todd McFarland, associate general counsel for the General Conference (GC) of the Seventhday Adventist Church. “The court said that Kellogg offering the use of their vacation time and swaps was enough.

They didn’t have to actually eliminate the conflict; they just had to give them the opportunity to do it, and that the fact that there wasn’t enough vacation time or enough people to swap with wasn’t Kellogg’s problem.”

The GC Office of General Counsel was part of the Tenth Circuit appeal.

The appeal argues that the district court erred in holding that an “accommodation” can be legally sufficient even if it does not eliminate the conflict between a work requirement and a religious practice. It also contends that treating the forfeiture of vacation and sick time as a legitimate accommodation is not appropriate.

“It’s a ‘cold comfort’ to an Adventist to say, ‘You only have to break half the Sabbaths.’ If you don’t have to eliminate the conflict, then that does no good,” said McFarland. “So this [case] is important to people of faith about what’s required from employment to accommodate Sabbath.”

Ironically, Kellogg, a food manufacturing company, was founded as

the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company in 1906 by Will Keith Kellogg as an outgrowth of his work with his brother John Harvey Kellogg. John Harvey, at the time, was a Seventh-day Adventist and director of the Battle Creek Sanitarium, owned and operated by the Adventist Church. The sanitarium’s operation was based on the church’s health principles, which include a healthful diet, a regimen of exercise, proper rest, and abstinence from alcohol and tobacco. According to the Kellogg Web site, the brothers “changed breakfast forever when they accidentally flaked wheat berry.” Will Keith kept experimenting until he was able to flake corn, creating the recipe for Kellogg’s Corn Flakes. John Harvey eventually turned away from church beliefs.

—Kimberly Luste Maran/NAD Office of Communication

Public Campus Ministry in Tennessee Reaches Youth ■■ Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, had its biannual student organizations fair on January 24, 2017. Most of the 367 groups listed on MTSU’s Web site convened in the Student Union Building. Each group sought out students who leisurely walked through the crowded room. Organizations varied from sororities to social justice causes and Christian groups.

Adventist Christian Fellowship (ACF) interacted with several students in two hours through lively conversation. For instance, meet “Gary,” an international student from Singapore.

He is pursuing a business major as an exchange student. Gary misses rice and soup, he responded without hesi-

tation. Gary also shared about his interest in Christianity. He is searching for meaning.

ACF representatives point out that international students represent a great missional opportunity. Churches could provide transportation, food, and friendship for lonely students such as Gary. Gary could eventually become a missionary to his friends and family in Singapore.

Meet “Seth,” a young adult searching for God. He attends Bible studies and wonders if the Bible is true. He is even considering traveling to Israel with his roommate to continue his search for meaning and God. Gary and Seth are not alone on the quest. Other students who attended the fair picked up GLOW tracts that address the existence of God. ACF gave away almost 100 copies of the Desmond Doss story. MTSU showed the movie Hacksaw Ridge six times during three days in January.

—Nelson Silva, reported in the March 2017 Southern Tidings

Nelson Mercado (left), Rogelio Ortiz, and Emily Alessandra stand at the Adventist Christian Fellowship booth during the MTSU student organization’s fair.

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N A D U P D AT E

Sonscreen

Film Festival 2017

Students and professionals network, recognize excellence, and build community.

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“This year’s festival showcased some of the best student filmmaking we’ve ever had. We were also able to host several award-winning professional filmmakers to share their knowledge with the students,” said Julio Muñoz, director of the Sonscreen Film Festival and associate director of the NAD Office of Communication. “We want these students to grow artistically, and to know that their films play an important part in sharing hope and making our world more inclusive.”

For 17 years Sonscreen has provided young adult filmmakers with an opportunity to share their work, learn from professionals, network, and receive recognition for their work.

The 39 official selections were divided into five categories: animated short, dramatic short, documentary short, comedy short (a new category), and high school short.

Filmmakers Recognized

The festival concluded with the presentation of 11 Sonny Awards: Best Sound Design, Best Animated Short, Best Cinematography, Best Documentary Short, Best High School Short,

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P I E T E R

M

ore than 200 student and professional filmmakers and guests attended the 2017 Sonscreen Film Festival held at Loma Linda University. The three-day festival, organized by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America (NAD), screened 39 official selections from student filmmakers. The event culminated with a closing reception and awards ceremony, with 10 student films garnering awards.

Ten professional films were also screened at this year’s festival. Question-and-answer sessions were conducted after film screenings and guest presentations. Special guests at the festival included Bill Mechanic (producer, Hacksaw Ridge), Debora Galloway (head of grassroots marketing, Hacksaw Ridge), Terry Benedict (producer, Hacksaw Ridge), Kevin Ekvall (director, Come Before Winter), Stew Harty (director, Loma Linda University church media department), David George (professor, Southern Adventist University), NAD president Daniel R. Jackson, and Williams Costa, Jr., Communication Department director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church world headquarters.

D A M S T E E G T

By Kimberly Luste Maran, North American Division

Best in Festival award winners John Butler (left) and Brady Griffin, from Southern Adventist University

Best Comedy Short, Best Dramatic Short, Best Original Screenplay, Jury Selection, Audience Choice, and Best in Festival. Honorable Mention awards were also given for Comedy, Dramatic, Documentary, and Animated shorts.

The Sonscreen Vision Award was presented to Mechanic. The award recipient, as described by Sonscreen organizers, is “a visual storyteller who, through a distinguished career, shares their unique artistry and creative vision with the world through cinema.” Mechanic, president and CEO

of Pandemonium Film, was a producer of the Academy Award-winning film Hacksaw Ridge. He was also the CEO and chair of Twentieth Century Fox Filmed Entertainment, overseeing the production of Titanic, Braveheart, and Castaway, among many more, which helped the studio earn 42 Oscar nominations during his term.

Terry Benedict, a producer on Hacksaw Ridge and the producer/ director of the award-winning documentary The Conscientious Objector, received the Sonscreen Vanguard Award for his numerous professional achievements, as well as his leading the way for Christian filmmakers to find success in mainstream cinema.

Schools and student groups represented at the festival included Andrews University, Hawaiian Mission Academy, La Sierra Academy, La Sierra University, Loma Linda Academy, Loma Linda University, Pacific Union College (PUC), Plantation Seventh-day Adventist Church (Florida), Spencerville Adventist Academy (Maryland), Southern Adventist University (SAU), Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU), and Walla Walla University.

documentary was really moving. I learned what I could expect after school.”

Practical tips on directing and cinematography were takeaways for Judy Yong, a SWAU communication— radio, TV, and film—major. Yong, who wants to be a Christian filmmaker, said that the “testimonies in Life After Film School were meaningful to me. The realities of after school and working hard for what you want inspired me. Most of [those who gave testimonies] didn’t know where they were going and didn’t feel that they were up to the challenge at first.”

David George, film professor from SAU and producer of Life After Film School, a documentary filled with

interviews of recent Adventist film graduates, also expressed appreciation for Sonscreen. “Just a few years ago it wasn’t clear that the festival was going to continue. So I want to express my gratitude to Julio and Dan [Weber] for bringing it back from the brink and putting it on a really solid foundation; for [NAD] allocating resources—time and energy and money—to make this possible,” said George. “One of the most important things to all of us is community; this is one of the most important events that the church sponsors to help foster this community.”

Visit http://www.sonscreen.com/ sonscreen2017film/ for the list of 2017 Sonny Award nominees and winners. n

P I E T E R

Jackson Ausmus, a senior film major at PUC who has been to the festival before, recommended the event for students at all skill levels.

“The films are great, for one, and it is a really fun atmosphere,” he said.

“Everyone asks lots of questions, and you learn a lot even if you don’t have much experience.”

Two films in particular stood out for Ausmus: “Come Before Winter, on Dietrich Bonhoeffer, was really inspiring. And the Life After Film School

D A M S T E E G T

More Than Watching Movies

Julio Munoz (left) and Kimberly Luste Maran (right) stand with first year film students from Andrews University Denae Keizs, Heidi Ramirez, Kiana Gurley, and Madai Villa after they received the Audience Choice Award for “Foreign Native.”

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NAD PERSPECTIVE

By Terri Saelee

Our Moment

in History

J

esus.” For three and a half years the name inspired hope, love, warmth, and gratitude. But overnight that name suddenly became charged with political implications. He was wrongly labeled as a threat to the nation, and popular opinion turned against Him. The very mention of the name incited instant anger, and, caught up in a mob mentality, most deemed Him worthy of death. Believing they were doing what was best for the nation, they murdered their Savior.

“Refugees.” For 34 of the 35 years I have been working with them, the word has inspired love, compassion, empathy, generosity, and the most positive and unselfish of human impulses. But almost overnight, it seems, that word has suddenly become charged with political implications.

Refugees have been incorrectly labeled a threat to the nation and popular opinion has turned against them, to the point that many are willing to reason away the most basic principles of our faith and disenfranchise them from the most pointed commands of Scripture: “Love your neighbor as yourself ” (Matt. 19:19) and “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matt. 5:44).

If the fact that this editorial is about refugees raises your adrenaline

level and incites a combative spirit in your heart, I certainly understand given the political air we breathe. But I invite you to prayerfully surrender those feelings to God. What I am about to say is not about politics; it’s about the plan of salvation. It’s not about national pride; it’s about spiritual humility. It’s not about what our government should do; it’s about what you and I should do as followers of Jesus. It’s not about protecting our children for a few short years on this earth; it’s about instilling in them a love that is stronger than death, the only principle that will outlast governments and fit them for a place in God’s eternal kingdom of love.

We are living in a pivotal moment of earth’s history. If we are in tune with God, and what He is about to do, and are available for Him to use, we will have the privilege of being part in one of the most phenomenal and farreaching events: the lighting of the whole earth with His glory. Imagine reaching 2.9 billion people (43 percent of the world’s population), who live in ethno-linguistic groups that have no Christian influence, with the everlasting gospel in our lifetime!

But the enemy is intent on blinding the very elect to the humble means God has chosen to accomplish His great work. We, like God’s chosen peo-

ple of old, are in danger of rejecting the very people He has sent to help us.

The burden on my heart is that God will help us to look a little higher (see Isa. 55:8, 9), from the seen to the unseen, from the temporal to the eternal; that we will see God’s eternal purpose for us in this crucial moment of earth’s history.

Ellen White wrote that “if we were quick in discerning the opening providences of God, we should be able to see in the multiplying opportunities to reach many foreigners in America a divinely appointed means of rapidly extending the third angel’s message into all the nations of earth. God in His providence has brought men to our very doors and thrust them, as it were, into our arms, that they might learn the truth, and be qualified to do a work we could not do in getting the light before [men and women] of other tongues.”* Prayerfully consider that refugees and immigrants are “the stone the builders rejected” of our day. Our attitudes and actions toward refugees will go down in history as our attitude toward Jesus Himself.

When Jesus comes to separate the sheep from the goats, He will not ask about our national policies on immigration. He will remind us what we—personally and corporately— did or did not do for the strangers among us. n * In Review and Herald, Oct. 29, 1914.

Terri Saelee is coordinator

of the Adventist Refugee and Immigrant Ministries in North America.

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NAD Letters

Sabbath Delight

It’s great to emotionally connect with an author. That happened to me when I read Stephen Chavez’s “From Sundown to Sundown” (March 2017).

Chavez reminded me of the lengths to which my father went to make the Sabbath a delight when I was a boy. I often worried about what I considered his permissive attitude regarding Sabbath observance, and never revealed to my Adventist teachers, at school or at church, that my father sort of encouraged “sinning.”

He took me and a friend to Big Tujunga Canyon in the afternoon and just turned us loose to swim, hike, collect reptiles, and just generally explore anything and everything that caught our fancy while he took a nap in the car. We always got home for Saturday night worship.

I discovered later that as a farm kid in Iowa, he worked six days a week on the family farm, and was too exhausted as a young boy and teenager to do much besides walk to and from school, eat, sleep, milk cows, and plow fields behind a mule. His father, a Danish immigrant, believed that the Sabbath day was a day that should be enjoyed by everyone. After church and a special Sabbath meal, the adults took well-deserved naps, and the kids played baseball and king of the mountain on haystacks, swam in the creek, explored the hills behind the farm, and jumped into the hay from the

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barn rafters. They never missed Sundown worship, either.

I have to admit that my wife and I pretty much followed in my grandfather’s and father’s footsteps when it came to our children’s required Sabbath behavior. My two sons, along with my grandchildren, also consider the Sabbath a delight, and celebrate the end of the day with music and prayer.

Chavez concludes his essay with these words: “The Sabbath was never meant to be an exercise in legalism; it was meant to be a delight. . . . When the Sabbath is understood properly, we can appreciate it and revel in our relationship with Jesus long before the sun goes down on Friday evening, and long after it goes down on Saturday night.”

Andy Hanson Chico, California What a timely edition with the Sabbath emphasis. I appreciated all the articles and the beautiful testimonies.

It is sad to say that we need a revival of the true keeping of the Sabbath.

Many consider it a burden instead of a time of joy.

I will never forget the story I read in an airline magazine about a Jewish woman who had discovered the Sabbath. She changed her lifestyle completely and decided to make the Sabbath a delight! No shopping, no paying bills, no TV, focusing instead on family and nature.

When I became an Adventist, my mother made the Sabbath a special day; the food was delicious and different. I will not forget my first experi-

ence at Brazil College on Friday night vespers. In my former religion I would save my best outfit for Sunday morning. I was in a state of shock when I came to the cafeteria and everyone was in their best attire. It was embarrassing, but I learned the lesson.

We should never forget that when we come to the sacred hours of the Sabbath we are meeting the King of the universe!

Leo Ranzolin, Sr. Estero, Florida Education for Eternal Life

I appreciated the articles on Adventist education in Adventist World (February 2017). The quote on page 33, “Spirituality is caught, not taught,” is so true.

Parents are children’s first teachers.

They are responsible and accountable for the teaching and nurturing provided in the home. This is where children first learn spiritual and moral values.

Balance in life is helped with a support system. For children, this is best achieved when home, church, and school are on the same path, preparing for life here and now while looking forward to eternal life.

Unfortunately, many parents live a double standard. They expect the church and school to be responsible for all spiritual guidance. I am grateful that my parents “walked the talk.” Their life of Christian living was an example to follow. The support of the church and school reinforced the spiritual and moral values of Christian living.

Natalie Dodd Centerville, Ohio

My wife and I followed in my grandfather’s and father’s footsteps when it came to our children’s required Sabbath behavior.

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—Andy Hanson, Chico, California

W O R L D

H E A L T H

By Peter N. Landless and Zeno L. Charles-Marcel

Good Bacteria Is that a real thing?

I keep seeing articles about gut bacteria and microbiome lately.

These terms sound unusual to me.

What are they all about, and what do they have to do with my health?

A

microbiome is the collection of microorganisms (living, single-celled organisms) that inhabit an environment. Our human microbiome is made up of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that call our bodies home. Every part of us that is in contact with the outside environment has clusters of bacteria called microbiota, such as gut microbiota, also known as “gut flora.” This may not sound pleasant, but—at least partly—it’s a good thing. Research on the human microbiome is considered by many as a new frontier of medicine and health, but John Harvey Kellogg and others at the dawn of the twentieth century were already studying intestinal bacteria and discovering links between the number and patterns of bacteria present and various medical conditions.

Current estimates indicate that more than 10,000 different microbial species occupy our microbiome, but we are just scratching the surface. For every single human cell there are at least 10 microbial cells living in or on our bodies. Some of these are just “bystanders,” and others are poten-

tially dangerous, but most help us to perform life-sustaining functions that would be impossible without them.

Before birth we have no microbes; but within three years every exposed millimeter of our bodies is colonized by bacteria. During the normal birth process babies are covered by and ingest the bacterial contents of the birth canal. Babies born by Cesarean delivery don’t receive this beneficial maternal inheritance, but rather are covered with hospital bacteria, whose properties are different. The intestines of babies who are breast-fed are also populated in a more beneficial manner than bottle-fed infants.

Bacterial species shift and change a lot during early childhood, and generally vary widely among individuals.

Differences become fewer, however, as we get older. Illness and medication use, especially antibiotics; human interactions with one another (kissing, touching, playing together); what we eat; and our environment influence our microbiome, which, in turn, may affect our health for a lifetime.

Despite the early work of Kellogg and his health-reforming contemporaries, we have spent multiple decades trying to clean all “germs” from our bodies and our homes. While powerful antibiotics, natural and synthetic, have saved countless lives, we are only beginning to understand the cost of destroying our unseen microbial collaborators. Our microbiome is essential for the appropriate development of our immune system, which identifies microscopic friends from foes.

A healthy, diverse microbiome

controls the growth of potentially harmful bacteria and promotes the flourishing of the health-promoting ones, as well as keeps our own immune cells from attacking our own selves. On our skin, on our mucous membranes, and in our gastrointestinal tract our microbiota form a first line of defense as a barrier between our own cells and the external environment. A healthy oral microbiota reduces or eliminates the growth of bacteria that cause such problems as dental cavities; and our gut microbiota helps in digestion and plays a role in some cases of obesity, malnutrition, prediabetes, and diabetes.

Evidence is mounting about our gut microbiota and communication between the gut and the brain, and it is now thought that microbial changes in the gut may play a role in human brain diseases, including autism, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.

Human health depends upon healthy bacterial colonies—imagine that! With the psalmist we can surely declare that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps. 139:14). n

Peter N. Landless, a board-certified nuclear cardiologist, is director of Adventist Health Ministries at the General Conference.

Zeno L. Charles-Marcel, a board-certified

internist, is an associate director of Adventist Health Ministries at the General Conference.

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D E V O T I O N A L

ittle

By Caleb Ramos

Everyday small decisions can have big consequences.

A

couple weeks ago my sister and I were playing tag, and she was chasing me around the side of the house. I was running fast when I tripped over a little rise, or hill, on the lawn, lost my balance, and almost crashed into someone. The experience reminded me of a saying that goes something like this: “People do not trip over mountains; it is the little stone that trips us.” In my case, the little hill almost caused a head-on collision.

Little things can sometimes have the greatest impact in our lives—for both good and bad. We can see the effect of “little things” in heaven even before our planet was created.

Before sin entered, all was joy and peace in the universe.

All creation was in harmony with God and the principles of His law of love. But one individual, little by little, became discordant. Lucifer was created a perfect being and oversaw the angels: “You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you” (Eze. 28:15).

Lucifer didn’t suddenly decide to become the devil.

First, he began planting seeds of discord among the angels.

Little by little he kept feeding his desire for self-exaltation until he reached the point of open rebellion against God and His government. The result was that he was “brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit” (Isa. 14:15, KJV).

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Things

An American Traitor

Lucifer’s little-by-little fall into sin has since happened countless times throughout human history. Aldrich Hazen Ames, for example, was an American traitor. After he was caught, he was asked, “Why did you betray your country?”

He responded that he never planned on becoming a traitor.

So how did it happen?

Ames was a CIA agent, a person with access to highly classified information. One day, during the cold war, the Russian KGB approached him and offered him a large amount of money for information that Ames saw as harmless, so he accepted the offer. He later provided the KGB with some low-level classified information, for which he again was generously paid. Thus began his career as a traitor, which finally resulted in the betrayal of “at least 12 of the best secret agents working for the United States from within the Soviet Union and the Soviet bloc during the 1980s. All were jailed and most were executed.”1 “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much: and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much” (Luke 16:10).

Biblical Examples

Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden were living a per-

fect life in a perfect world. But there was just one little test: one tree that was out of their reach. As far as we know, there was nothing that appeared special about this tree; it was just a fruit tree like many others. It seemed a small thing to pick and eat its fruit, but we all know the results of that one “little” sin.

David told just one “little” lie to Ahimelech the priest when fleeing for his life from King Saul. The result was the slaying of 85 priests at Saul’s command. The entire town of Nob also was wiped out—women, children, cattle, everything—because of David’s lie. (See 1 Sam. 22:6-19.)

In Christ’s Object Lessons Ellen White wrote: “The importance of the little things is often underrated because they are small; but they supply much of the actual discipline of life. There are really no nonessentials in the Christian’s life. . . . Only by faithfulness in the little things can the soul be trained to act with fidelity under larger responsibilities.”2 The little things we do every day develop habits, and habits develop character.

If you were an Israelite, this might have seemed like the best deal in town. Your country just lost a war, and now you are to serve the conquering king.

I can imagine Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego thinking: This isn’t too bad, given the circumstances.

But there was a problem: “The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service” (verse 5, NIV).

This was a critical moment. Their parents had taught them that their bodies were the temple of the Holy Spirit and should be given special care. Also, “a portion having been offered to idols, the food from the king’s table was consecrated to idolatry; and one partaking of it would be regarded as offering homage to the gods of Babylon.”3 Ellen White wrote: “At the very outset of their career there came to them a decisive test of character.”4 Keep in mind she’s talking about a decision regarding what many may consider a little thing: food and drink.

What would have happened if they had eaten of the food?

“The first wrong step would lead to others, until, their connection with Heaven severed, they would be swept away by temptation.”5 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were faithful to God in Daniel 3, because they had been faithful to Him in Daniel 1.

Daniel and Friends

One Little Planet

In Daniel 3 we see Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego facing King Nebuchadnezzar and the fiery furnace. The matter was this: Bow down and obey the king, or be faithful to God and be thrown into the fiery furnace. What was their response?

“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up” (Dan. 3:17, 18).

Their answer was quick and straightforward. They didn’t ask King Nebuchadnezzar for time to think it over.

They didn’t need to form a committee to study the issue and see whether idol worship was OK in this situation.

Their answer was decisive: “We will not serve your gods.”

How did they become so determined to obey God regardless of the cost? To find the answer, we need to go back to Daniel 1, where the story of Israel’s captivity in Babylon begins.

It was general practice for a conquering nation to take the brightest young captives to the king’s court to be taught the Babylonian language and philosophy. Daniel and his friends were among those chosen (Dan. 1:3, 4).

Six thousand years ago lightning struck our earth, and it fell. It could have been very easy for Jesus to say, “I don’t need that one planet,” but He didn’t. He came down to this one planet—among billions of stars and other planets—to save us. Jesus was faithful with the least, and so God has exalted Him and given Him the whole universe to rule.

So let’s all be faithful in the least of things. Because if we are, then when Jesus returns, we will hear the following words: “Well done, good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matt. 25:21). n 1 www.nytimes.com/1994/07/31/magazine/why-i-spied-aldrich-ames.html?pagewanted=all 2 Ellen

G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1900), p. 356.

3 Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1917), p. 481.

4 Ibid.

5 Ibid., p. 483.

Fourteen-year-old Caleb Ramos presented this devotional as the Sabbath sermon at the Meridian Seventh-day Adventist Church in Idaho, United States, on November 12, 2016.

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F U N D A M E N T A L

B E L I E F S

NUMBER 1

E

very world religion has some scriptures (from Latin scriptura, meaning “writing”), that is, texts that their adherents consider to be sacred, or central to their religious tradition. Islam has the Qur’an, Judaism the Tanakh (the Old Testament), Christianity the Bible.

Buddhists and Hindus have many scriptures, among them the Sutras and the Tripitaka (Buddhism) and the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita (Hinduism). These texts teach spiritual truths, foster communal identity, and guide individuals in spiritual practices. The three monotheistic faiths (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism) believe that their texts are the “Word of God,” based on divine revelation.

While Christians respect other religions, they believe that the Bible is unique compared to the scriptures of other religious traditions for the following reasons: n The Bible Is Unique in Its Origin: In contrast to the Qur’an, which was written by Muhammad, the Bible was written by more than 40 authors over a time span of 1,500 years in three different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek), on three different continents (Africa, Asia, and Europe). Yet the authors, although dealing with hundreds of controversial subjects, wrote with a harmony and continuity that is unsurpassed in human history.

New Testament scholar F. F. Bruce summarized this well: “The writers themselves were a heterogeneous number of people, not only separated from each other by hundreds of years and hundreds of miles, but belonging to the most diverse walks of life. In their ranks were kings, herdsmen, soldiers, legislators, fishermen, statesmen, courtiers, priests and prophets, a tentmaking rabbi and a Gentile physician, not to speak of others of whom we know nothing apart from the writings they left us. The writings themselves belong to a great variety of literary types. They include history, law (civil, criminal, ethical, ritual, sanitary), religious poetry, didactic treatises, lyric poetry, parable and allegory, biography, personal correspondence, personal memoirs and diaries, in addition to the distinctively biblical types of prophecy and apocalyptic. For all that the Bible is not simply an anthology; there is a unity which binds the whole together. An anthology is compiled by an anthologist, but no anthologist compiled the Bible.”1 The reason for this unity of course is that “holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). n The Bible Is Unique in Its Distribution: The Bible is also the most translated book in history. Currently the whole Bible has been translated into more than 530 different languages, the New Testament into more than 1,300 additional languages, and portions of the Bible (usually one of the Gospels) into an additional 1,000 languages,

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NUMBER 00

By Gerhard Pfandl

The

Bible Is Scripture continues to speak meaningfully to our hearts

making a total of more than 2,800 languages. No other sacred or secular book comes even close.

Every year millions of Bibles are distributed worldwide.

Why is the Bible still the world’s most wanted book?

Because, according to Ellen White, the truths revealed in it “meet the wants of men in all the circumstances and experiences of life.”2 n The Bible Has a Unique History: The Bible not only has a supernatural origin, but has also been miraculously preserved through the centuries. Although all the autographs of the biblical books have been lost, we have today more manuscript evidence for them than for any other ancient book. Hundreds of Old Testament manuscripts and about 5,000 Greek manuscripts of the New Testament compare favorably with the very limited number of manuscripts for other ancient books. For example, we have about 600 manuscripts for Homer’s Iliad, a dozen manuscripts of Caesar’s Gallic War, 20 manuscripts of Livy’s History of Rome, and two by which the Roman historian Tacitus is known.3 “No other book has ever been the object of such antagonism as has the Bible,” writes scholar Henry Morris. “In both ancient and modern times, kings and priests have tried desperately to destroy it and unbelieving intellectuals to ridicule and refute it. Untold numbers of copies have

been burned and mutilated, and hosts of its advocates persecuted and killed. But it has only multiplied the more, and today is read and believed by more people in more nations and languages than ever before.”4 n The Bible Includes Unique Prophecies: All world religions include some kind of prophecies. In Hinduism Lord Krishna predicted that a Golden Age will start 5,000 years after his time and will last for 10,000 years. Buddhism predicts an evil age in which people will no longer have any religion to which they can turn for solace. Islam has some specific prophecies. For example, “They will alter Allah’s creation” (Surah 4:119), which Muslims believe is being fulfilled in genetic engineering.

The Bible is the only book containing detailed prophecies concerning pagan nations and cities, Israel, and specific individuals. For example, in Daniel 2 God showed King Nebuchadnezzar that his kingdom would be followed by three other world powers (Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome), and that after the demise of the fourth kingdom (Rome) many nations will compete for supremacy, but none will succeed until God will establish His everlasting kingdom (the stone kingdom) following Christ’s second coming. History has proven the accuracy of this prophecy.

God promised Abraham that He would make him a great nation (Gen. 12:2), that his descendants would be afflicted in a strange land for 400 years (Gen. 15:13), but eventually they would have their own country between the river of Egypt and the Euphrates River (verse 18). All this was fulfilled in Israel’s history.

The

Holy

Concerning the kingdom of Babylon, the eighth-century prophet Isaiah prophesied “Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them. . . . And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldeans’ pride, will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah” (Isa. 13:17- 19). At the time of Isaiah the Medes were an insignificant people, but in 559 B.C. Cyrus the Great became king over Persia. Nine years later he conquered the Medes, thus unifying the kingdoms of the Medes and the Persians. Then in 539 B.C. the army of the Medes and the Persians conquered Babylon and destroyed it, as Isaiah had predicted.

Messianic prophecies predicted that Jesus would be born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:18-25) in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matt. 2:1-6); that He would be preceded by a messenger (Isa. 40:3; Matt. 3:1-3); enter Jerusalem on a donkey (Zech. 9:9; Matt. 21:1-7); be sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12; Matt. 26:14, 15); and crucified with thieves (Isa. 53:12; Matt. 27:38).

The Bible contains many more prophecies of nations, cities, and people that have been literally fulfilled in history.

Nothing like this can be found in any of the other world religions. n The Bible Has a Unique Message: While the Bible deals with many different subjects, it proclaims one unique message: the message of salvation by faith in contrast to salvation by works taught in all other religions. It is the only book from antiquity that gives coherent answers to the questions Where do we come from? Why are we here? and Where are we going? Above all, its message reveals God’s mercy and the steps He has taken to provide a remedy for the ruin sin has caused. It’s the only book from antiquity that has the power to convict humanity of sin and to lead them to the One who can free them from sin.

Therefore, Ellen White wrote, “It is the first and highest duty of every rational being to learn from the Scriptures what is truth, and then to walk in the light and encourage others to follow his example.”5 n 1 F. F. Bruce, The

The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration. The inspired authors spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to humanity the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the supreme, authoritative, and the infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the test of experience, the definitive revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God’s acts in history. (Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Heb. 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20, 21.)

Books and the Parchments, rev. ed. (London: Marshall Pickering, 1991), p. 88.

G. White, Selected Messages (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1958, 1980), book 1, p. 26.

3 Norman Geisler and William E. Nix, A General Introduction to the Bible (Chicago: Moody Press, 1968), p. 285.

4 Henry M. Morris, Many Infallible Proofs (San Diego: Creation-Life Publishers, 1974), p. 15.

5 Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy (Mountain View Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1917), p. 598.

2 Ellen

Gerhard Pfandl retired as an associate director of the Biblical Research Institute and lives in Burtonsville, Maryland, United States.

June 2017 | Adventist World - nad

23

C O V E R F E AT U R E In February and March of this year several European countries engaged in a coordinated large-scale evangelistic effort as part of the global Total Member Involvement (TMI) initiative. TMI aims to inspire as many Seventh-day Adventist believers as possible to participate in mission-oriented outreach activities, including public evangelism.

Initially the meetings were planned only for Romania. But the spirit of the project became contagious, and soon seven additional European nations joined the effort: Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine.

This month’s cover feature offers a variety of insights on the project itself, and on the experiences of those who participated.—Editors groundbreaking evangelistic endeavor surpassed expectations in Romania and will be expanded to other parts of Europe, Seventh-day Adventist leaders said.

Mario Brito, president of the Adventist Church’s Inter-European Division, whose territory stretches from Romania to Spain, expressed delight with a first wave of evangelistic meetings that concluded at more than 1,300 sites in Romania on the last

weekend of February 2017.

“This is where we can test evangelism,” Brito said. “It is like what they say about driving in the south of Italy.

If you can drive there, you can drive anywhere in Europe.”

The same principle applies to Ro­ mania, which has a highly secularized society, like much of Europe, said Brito, who led evangelistic meetings at a site in Romania. The Inter-European Division’s other two top leaders, executive secretary Barna Magyarosi and treasurer Norbert Zens, also led meetings.

“I have a deep conviction that these efforts here can be replicated in other cultures of our division,” Brito said, speaking to a gathering of Romanian and world church leaders as the evangelistic meetings wrapped up in Romania. “This will be the beginning of something bigger.”

Evangelistic meetings were held in February and March at thousands of sites in eight countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union as part of Total Member Involvement (TMI), a world church initiative that encourages church members to find ways to share Jesus in their communities. The evangelistic meetings represent the culmination of months of

prayer, cooking classes, health seminars, literature distribution, and other preparations.

“This experience has profoundly changed the lives of our church members,” said Michael Kaminskiy, president of the Euro-Asia Division, which organized hundreds of meetings in Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine. “Pastors will now seek to expand their reach in their communities and provide new programs that put church members’ talents to good use.”

Information about the number of people in all eight countries who attended the meetings and requested baptism will be released as they become available, church leaders said. The first major baptisms are expected in June.

“I do not know how many people have come forward for baptism: one or two, five or seven, 15 or 22, 30 or 41, 53 or more,” said Ștefan Tomoiagă, president of the Romanian Union. “But I know that a soul is so valuable that the Father is satisfied with the price paid.

Even if only one had come forward, all of this would have been worth it.”

Thousands of Baptisms

Estimates indicate that thousands of people will be baptized in Romania

By Andrew McChesney, Adventist Mission

Church leaders to take Total Member Involvement evangelism across Europe 24

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Preparation for the evangelistic meetings took place over many months at dozens of locations. As a result of health seminars, community service activities, and personal invitations, meetings were attended by a crosssection of society.

B O G D A N

N E A C S U

C O V E R F E AT U R E

Adventist students throughout the region provided music at area events. alone. Duane McKey, who oversees TMI for the world church, said that one Romanian conference president told him that his conference usually baptizes 150 to 200 people a year, but will baptize 1,000 in 2017.

“We never believed that this would happen,” the conference president told McKey. “We are now seeing a revival in Romania that we haven’t seen since the 1990s.”

Romania has about 65,000 church members, the largest Adventist membership of any country in Europe. The key to success has been the Holy Spirit working through lay people and pastors in a united way, said Adventist Church president Ted N. C. Wilson, who preached in Floresti in Giurgiu County, not far from Romania's capital, Bucharest.

“We have seen God’s Spirit moving in such a marked manner,” said Wilson, whose meetings saw 55 people request baptism. “Church members have become so involved and are so excited to see many people coming to the foot of the cross and asking for baptism.”

He said he was thrilled that the Inter-European Division intends to expand the initiative beyond Romania.

“My personal hope is that Romania and other places involved with TMI evangelistic outreach will be catalysts for the rest of Europe’s Seventh-day Adventist laypeople to say, ‘You know, we can do that in our country,’ ” Wilson said. “Certainly, there may need to

26

be some adaptation, but it is simply having everyone doing something for Jesus and sharing the wonderful Advent message in a very active way.”

In Romania the involvement of church members and the engagement of multiple church entities made a significant difference, McKey said.

Adventist World Radio (AWR), for example, featured meetings on its local broadcasts, drawing people to Adventist churches to learn more, said McKey, who was recently appointed AWR president. “We heard about public bus drivers who turned on AWR on their buses, and dozens of passengers came to our meetings and requested baptism as a result,” McKey said.

“I Hugged Every Single One”

Visiting evangelists—both pastors and laypeople—spoke about the meetings with enthusiasm. “My heart is overflowing,” Gina Wahlen, a General Conference employee, said after 41 teens responded to her call for baptism at the Bucharest Adventist Theological Institute, a high school of about 400 students in Bucharest.

“I hugged every single one,” Wahlen said in an e-mail to some of the 130 General Conference employees who preached in Romania.

Six inmates requested baptism in a Romanian prison where meetings were led by Bruce Parrish, a retired prison employee from California in the United States. He said about 50

Adventist World - nad | June 2017

inmates attended every meeting.

Derek Morris, president of Adventist Church-owned Hope Channel, described a revival at Bucharest’s Invingatori Church, where he preached.

Morris told of Stefan, a student from the neighboring country of Moldova who is studying at a university in Bucharest. “His homeland is Moldova, but God had a special blessing for him in Romania,” Morris said. “On Friday evening he requested baptism.”

On the sidelines of the meetings Morris asked Roxana, a violinist who played at many of his meetings, whether she had been baptized. She replied, “No, but God has really touched my heart through these meetings.”

“All I had to do was give her the invitation,” Morris said. “She plans to be baptized this summer.”

An 8-year-old boy, Vlad Gadea, checked a decision card for baptism.

“He requested his baptism for March 24, 2024,” Morris said. “Now, that is planning ahead! I affirmed him for his commitment to surrender his life fully to Jesus.”

Morris’ church had 16 requests for baptism and three requests for rebaptism, thrilling the pastor. “Our pastor, Claudiu Goran, openly admitted: ‘I didn’t expect much to happen. This is amazing! Our church is being revived,’ ” Morris said.

God is at work in miraculous ways, and “there is joy when we join Him in His harvest work,” Morris said. “Isn’t that the testimony recorded in Luke 10 after the 70 disciples came back from their first missionary adventure?” he said. “Luke tell us, ‘The disciples returned with joy!’ ” Morris added: “I’m going back home to the U.S. a changed person. Active involvement in evangelism changes you!” n

Andrew McChesney is editor of Mission, the quarterlies for Adventist Mission.

Volodymyr Grinchenko – Ukraine: Near the war zone area of Severodonetsk, Ukraine, locals provided not only for spiritual and emotional needs but also for physical needs. Food packages, medical care, massages, and many others things were a blessing to so many community families.

TMI

speakers share their experiences BELARUS

Artur and Galina Stele – Moldova: The need for constant connection with the Lord, and constant personal prayers, became even more obvious and important for us.

RUSSIA

UKRAINE MOLDOVA GEORGIA

Ron Hoffecker – Moldova: We all have been blessed and inspired to take the mission spirit back to our churches.

ROMANIA

ARMENIA BULGARIA

Joel Gladstone (12 years old) – Romania: I wasn’t scared. I would do it again!

Gina Wahlen – Romania: My experience in Romania taught me to be bold for Jesus. I learned the truth of the promise “All His biddings are enablings.”

RUSSIA

BELARUS

Derek Morris – Romania: The pastor at the church in Bucharest where our meetings were held said, “I didn’t think anything would happen. I’m amazed. Our church is being revived!”

UKRAINE

MOLDOVA Gabriel Constantinescu – Romania: By the end of the series many exclaimed with relief that they finally understood the pillars of faith that were grounded in a relationship with God.

ROMANIA

BULGARIA

Sue Hinkle: It was great to see our team ministering to hotel staff members throughout our stay. We took up a collection and purchased a Steps to Christ for each of the 25 hotel workers. The TMI team signed them and put 100 leu (approximately US$25) in each before wrapping them. The Friday before we left, arrangements were made to gather as many of the staff together so we could have a time of recognition and appreciation for them. Several staff members became emotional, and some commented, “No other group ever treated us the way your team has! We wish you could stay.” Before checking out of the hotel, we saw several staff members reading their books.

C O V E R F E AT U R E

Two friends reminisce about Romania—as first-time evangelistic preachers This issue of Adventist World features expanded coverage of the coordinated evangelistic meetings in Romania and Eastern Europe. Senior correspondent Marcos Paseggi chatted with Lori Yingling and Lori Williams, who serve as director and associate director of human resources, respectively, at the headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Maryland, United States. In February Yingling and Williams flew to Romania to preach in evangelistic meetings for the first time. Yingling preached at the Gabor church, a small congregation in the capital city of Bucharest. Williams preached in the farming town of Radovanu, about an hour south.—Editors.

Tell us about the beginning of it all.

What triggered your decision to take part in the Romania series?

Williams: I had been thinking about some sort of a mission trip for a while, and when this opportunity was announced, and after praying about it, I felt impressed to go.

Yingling: After listening to the reports on Rwanda [evangelistic meetings] a year ago, I felt a nudging, and it never stopped until I communicated I was in. Even then the feeling didn’t stop, otherwise I might have backed out!

Did you feel supported in your decision? What did your family and colleagues say?

Williams: I had mixed reactions.

Lots of support from some and concern and worry from others. Disbelief

28

from a few that I would actually do something like this.

Yingling: I was fortunate. I had a lot of encouragement from those around me. They kept telling me I could do it even when I thought I couldn’t. To be gone from family, friends, and work for almost three weeks was a huge commitment for me, but also for those not going.

Things had to keep going at home!

Did you ever get cold feet, either before or during the meetings?

Williams: As the time got closer to leave, I became extremely nervous about the thought of preaching. I’m not a preacher, I would say to myself.

Even several days into the series I questioned my decision to come, but God encouraged me through His Word (2 Tim. 1:7; 4:17) that He was

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right there, standing beside me. It helped tremendously.

By whom, and in which ways, did you feel supported as you preached in Romania?

Williams: The people in the group staying in the same motel were a huge support. We spent time each morning reviewing the previous meeting and praying together. On a more personal level, Lori Yingling became my biggest support. She was a sounding board and a prayer partner, giving me encouragement to keep going. My daughter, Megan, at home was also a huge cheerleader—she had all of her friends and colleagues praying for me!

Yingling: Being in Romania was tough, but I had a close colleague with me, and we spent a lot of time in prayer and discussion, and would boost each other up when one of us was discouraged. When you feel impressed to go but then you have days when you wonder why you are there, you begin to question your worthiness. But having support from fellow presenters is priceless.

Please share a happy, rewarding moment you experienced.

Williams: The pastor and I sort P H O T O S :

E VA N

B A M B R I C K

of tag-teamed on the calls that were made. I would make the call from the sermon notes; then he would continue the call after I was finished.

After our first call, four people came forward. That was thrilling. At our last meeting, we had a vespers service with lots of music. I had the oppor­ tunity to sing with the pastor. After we sang a few verses of a hymn in English, the entire congregation sang the same hymn in Romanian. It was very moving.

Yingling: A happy moment? There were many. On my last night many of the members got up and shared what the series had meant to them and how they had been blessed. It was amazing. One gentleman told how the meetings helped him and his wife and their marriage. The blessing I received from all their comments reinforced to me that God had blessed me more than those who attended the meetings.

What about a difficult, challenging moment along the way?

Williams: The church was far away from the motel, and I had to leave each day by 3:00 p.m. for a 5:00 p.m. meeting. I didn’t feel that I had

enough time to prepare for my sermons—especially since we had meetings every morning—so I felt extrastressed some days. The very first night, we couldn’t get the projector to work, and when it finally did, the clicker wouldn’t work. That issue—on top of my nervousness—made for a challenging first meeting.

Yingling: I think the devil works overtime when you decide to be all in for Christ. There were bouts of illness, days of discouragement, even a car accident—the enemy would try just about anything to keep me from speaking. One night our meeting room was filled with smoke from the wood-burning stove, and there wasn’t any heating in our place of worship.

But God prevailed every time. And through tears and talking with God, I received the strength to carry on.

Overall, what impressed you the most about the initiative?

Williams: The teamwork and support of the others in our group.

Also, how well we were treated during our stay. People went out of their way to make sure we were taken care of.

Yingling: What impressed me the most is that it works! We kept being

told that this type of evangelism wouldn’t work in Europe, that people wouldn’t come, but they did! People are hungry for God’s message. People want something bigger than they can find in society.

In which ways did your life change after the experience, if you noticed a change?

Williams: It became obvious to me that I can do nothing without God. It helped me to learn to trust Him more fully, because I was so far out of my comfort zone. I hope it has taught me to surrender completely, because I feel I have become more dependent on God. Yingling: Being immersed in evangelism for almost three weeks changes you! It changes your perspective on little things that you used to find so important or all consuming, things that now have their proper place. I feel more content and happier with God than I think I’ve ever been. Someone at church told me I was glowing. I hope I keep that glow forever— because that’s the blaze of the Holy Spirit, who changed me in a little meeting room in an industrial center in Bucharest. n

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C O V E R F E AT U R E

By Ovidiu Radulescu, pastor, Arkansas-Louisiana Conference, United States moved to the United States from Romania 18 years ago. I came with a green card in my pocket and a mission in mind: to change what would be my new home. In the end I was the one who changed.

In February I went back to Romania, to my former home, once again with a mission: to change it. I was one of hundreds of lay members, pastors, and church leaders who went to share the gospel. I returned to the U.S. changed—again. This time with a new vision about evangelism.

I was assigned to the BucharestGhencea Seventh-day Adventist Company, the smallest, youngest company of believers in the heart of the Romanian capital. It had a modest membership of 19. Yet every night we had 30 to 35 people attending the Revelation of Hope seminar: Greek Orthodox, agnostics, messianic Jews, even atheists.

By the time our meetings ended, seven of them were ready to be baptized.

The results surprised me. To be honest, I was a bit skeptical at first.

Bucharest has developed into a tremendously cosmopolitan city. And here I was—a country preacher among many seasoned and articulate church leaders and pastors holding meetings in many other locations around the city. How effective could I possibly be?

I was also skeptical about the meth-

30

ods and materials being used. All speakers were asked to use the same material, in the same order, using the same Power­Point slides. I said to myself, “This is Romania, a country with educated, sophisticated people. We should have come with some new methods, matching twenty-first-century tech-savvy standards, and with a unique strategy to address the postmodern mind-set.”

I was obviously wrong. I didn’t add to the equation the number-one factor for a successful evangelistic campaign: not a Mac Book Pro or an HD projector; not a renowned name, a popular face seen on Adventist television; or a deep baritone voice heard on Adventist radio.

The factor missing in my early assessments was the Holy Spirit without whom no heart can be impressed, no soul can be touched, no person would ever step forward to be buried with Christ in baptism. Ever.

I considered this often-overlooked factor as I pondered countless ministry professionals scrambling to find the Holy Grail of evangelism, trying to reinvent themselves to be more efficient and effective in the soul-winning business-science-art.

To be fair, the world—including Romania—has changed. What was successfully done years ago in the United States—attracting crowds into big tents pitched in cities and villages all over the country, with the intriguing beasts of Revelation posted on banners or more recently on flyers in every mailbox—seems harder to repli-

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cate in some contexts.

Romanian church leaders themselves sound nostalgic when looking back to the time immediately after the fall of Communism, when churches were packed and enthusiasm for public evangelism soared. Although the Romanian Union leads the Inter-European Division in number of members, growth is slower than before, making church leaders eager to try new methods that will produce growth as before.

In the case of the Ghencea company, the local pastor, Gabriel Dinca, led that tiny congregation in doing prework long before I arrived. Health and nutrition seminars, exercise in parks with community residents, exchanging books, calling and visiting neighbors and coworkers, mingling with them as the only proven method patented by Jesus Himself—all these activities created a network of friends and acquaintances.

The Holy Spirit was active long before I arrived, through the lives of those 19 members. Under His influence I shared the compelling truths found in Scripture and in those Power­Point slides. More than that, I opened my own heart, sharing stories from my life and how Jesus saved me from myself. I learned their names. I listened to their stories. I prayed for them every morning and every night.

Despite the challenges of modern society, they came. They came to the meetings, and ultimately they came down the aisle to claim what was theirs: the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. That’s because, although the world has changed, the Holy Spirit has not. It was the most important lesson I learned.

By the end of the series the kingdom of heaven had grown by seven names—Ioana, Alexandra, Lucian, Mariela, Mariana, Pandele, and Mihai.

No single person could take credit. Yet through the work of the Holy Spirit, every one of us had a part in it.

That’s evangelism! n

The

Overloaded

F A I T H

Ark?

M

ost of us are familiar with the story of the global flood that Noah and his family survived by building an ark as instructed

by God. A common question asked about the biblical flood story is how the ark could have held all the different animals we see today. No one has a list of the animals that were on the ark, but we do have information that can help us address this question.

Let’s Count

The named living species number more than 1 million, and the number remaining to be named is thought to be more than that. One recent estimate1 is that there are between 2 and 8 million living species, but there is no general agreement on the figure.2 How could all these species fit into the ark?

They couldn’t, and they didn’t need to. Common sense tells us that creatures that cannot survive out of water could not survive in a boat, nor would they need one, since they are designed to live in water. A careful reading of the biblical text reveals the same point. Those animals that were saved in the ark were those that walked upon the ground and had nostrils (Gen. 7:22). This description fits only the terrestrial vertebrates, such as mammals, birds, and reptiles, and, arguably, perhaps some amphibians. The number of living species of terrestrial vertebrates is only about 25,000. That may still be more than could realistically fit on the ark.

The Power of Adaptation

Science can help us with this problem. Both circumstantial and experimental evidence show that living organisms adapt to varying environmental conditions, and this process can produce different species in different habitats. A single type of animal preserved on the ark could produce several localized species as it spread out across the earth after the Flood. In this manner a whole family of related species might form. Many creationists suspect that such a group of species might often be represented by a scientifically classified family. An example

A N D

S C I E N C E

By L. James Gibson

might be the dog family, Canidae, which includes localized species throughout the world.

Could the ark hold two individuals (more for clean animals) from each living classification? The number of families of living terrestrial vertebrates is about 320. Scientific classification is not a precise science, and experts differ in the numbers of families they recognize, so different figures are sometimes used. Our estimate of 320 families that live on land includes about 120 families of mammals, about 160 families of birds, and about 40 families of landdwelling reptiles. Could these many animals fit on the ark?

Various creationists have estimated how many animals the ark could hold. One estimate is that it could hold 16,000 animals, including their food and water.3 This would be enough to house 50 individuals from each living family of land-dwelling vertebrates. This allows plenty of leeway for uncertainties in classification, the extent of speciation as the animals dispersed after the Flood, and for the possibility that some types went extinct after the Flood.

Although there are many questions about the story of the biblical flood that challenge our thinking, the capacity of the ark need not concern us.

There was plenty of room for the ancestors of the land-dwelling vertebrates living today. The question of how all the animals fit in the ark illustrates how a careful reading of the Bible, together with a competent understanding of science, combine in a coherent and faith-affirming way. n 1

M. J. Costello et al., “Can We Name Earth’s Species Before They Go Extinct?” Science 339 (2013): 413-416.

2 M. J. Caley, R. Fisher, and K. Mengersen, “Global Species Richness Estimates Have Not Converged,” Trends in Ecology and Evolution 29 (April 2014): 187, 188.

3 J. Woodmorappe, Noah’s Ark: A Feasibility Study (Dallas: Institute for Creation Research, 1996).

L. James Gibson, Ph.D., serves as

director of the Geoscience Research Institute of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

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N A D F E AT U R E

Paintbrushes, stethoscopes, and Bibles are some of the tools used by these servants of God. Here are the stories of three young women whose response to God’s call was like Mary’s: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto to me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38, KJV).—Editors.

er

Three y

Health and Fitness to Art Therapy

In 2012 Cathy Tang, along with 18 youth from Hong Kong Adventist College, boarded a plane from Hong Kong to Malaysia for a two-week mission trip. Little did Tang know that her artistic skills were about to save a woman from committing suicide.

The group’s aim was to carry out a series of religious meetings, combined with English classes and volunteer work. Each day Tang and the other volunteers met with children from the villages to teach them songs about Christ, as well as participate in other activities designed to uplift the spirits of the villagers. Some of their duties also included packing materials for distribution among the villagers.

One night the youth were jolted from their sleep by sounds of someone attempting a break-in. Even though no one managed to break into the house, rumors and stories quickly circulated. “I was so disappointed,” Tang explained.

“We’re Christians on a mission trip, and here we are afraid.”

While everyone else bickered back and forth, and fear stifled their once-joyous disposition, Tang grabbed a few markers lying around the living room. She vented her frustration on a box of supplies stacked in a corner of the living room that was supposed to be delivered to needy villagers.

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Cathy Tang realized that God was capable of using anything, even her own purposeless doodle on a cardboard box, to save someone from death.

rvant

By Felecia Datus

e young women answer God’s call.

God’s power works with simple things to achieve life-transforming results.

“The drawing was really abstract,” Tang described, in reference to what she drew that night. “It was just graffiti.”

The scribbles included the words “hope” and “faith.” By the time she was finished with her doodle on the box, the tension and fears had subsided, and everyone returned to bed.

Four days later the missionaries returned to Hong Kong, and Tang forgot about her drawings—until two months later.

P H O T O S :

R O B E R T

F U S T E

A N D

J O A N N A

J O N E S

“An e-mail came to our choir director who headed the trip, asking who did the drawing on the box,” Tang remembered. “I thought I was in trouble.”

The choir director explained that messengers delivered the box to a home where a woman was struggling with an ill daughter. The child’s illness had driven the mother to despair, and she made a decision to end her own life.

Moments before doing so, she went outside and saw the delivered box. The words “faith” and “hope,” artfully drawn on the box seemed like a message from heaven.

When Tang was told this, she replied, “Wow! I saved someone’s life!” She realized that God was capable of using anything, even her own purposeless doodle on a cardboard box, to save someone from death.

The experience changed Tang’s life. Years later, having already obtained a degree in health and fitness, Tang decided to pursue a Master of Arts degree in art therapy at Andrews University.

“With art, I can help persons who are suffering from PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] or those who are autistic. I can help them share feelings that are difficult to express through words.” Tang realizes that she need not limit herself, because God’s power works with simple things to achieve life-transforming results.

June 2017 | Adventist World - nad

33

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Adventist World - nad | June 2017

A conversation with a dynamic, practical, Spirit-filled female pastor during a Week of Prayer changed everything.

Aspiring Architect to Gospel Minister

Although she grew up as a pastor’s kid, Dana Connell viewed the Bible as a boring book. Though she was active in church, school, and community, in high school she wrestled to understand the purpose of religion, as it seemed to her as if church people were just as bored and stressed out as everyone else. Religion seemed to provide no life-changing joy or solution for the struggles she witnessed in people’s lives. She wondered whether there could be more to life.

In desperation she told God, “I need to see You are the same God I see in the Bible; the one who speaks clearly, guides clearly, and interacts clearly today.” As her academy years were ending, her search for a field of study came into focus.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to be,” Connell says.

“During a mission trip to Nicaragua, we were working on a multipurpose building, and it was affirmed that I had a good eye for laying blocks and making good mortar.”

Mission work created a love for physical labor, working outdoors, and experiencing purposeful Christian service.

With this new love, combined with her passion for interior design, Connell enrolled at Andrews University in 2001 and launched into her study. “I wanted to change the world through architecture.”

She saw how lighting and colors affected people’s moods and health. She saw that strategic city planning could reduce crime, build community, create spaces of peace, and provide more efficient systems for people to get home more quickly, as well as opportunities for humanitarian work.

During her sophomore year a conversation with a dynamic, practical, Spirit-filled female pastor during a Week of Prayer changed everything. The pastor told Connell, “I believe God has called you to be a pastor. Go back to your dorm room and pray about it, and God will show you from the Bible.”

Dana Connell continues to allow the Lord to train her focus to remain completely on Him and gospel work, in whatever form that appears, and wherever that may take her.

A devastating relationship, unease in her chosen field, and wrestling with God during her student missionary year led Connell to study theology at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was still not convinced about what she would do after her studies. Having graduated in 2007, she would not entertain the thought of going to the seminary.

Instead, she traveled to Indonesia and preached an evangelistic series organized by Share Him Ministry. “I was amazed to see Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, celebrities, and atheists come to accept Christ!” Connell exclaims, recalling the mission trip.

Later God led her step by step to work in an organic cereal factory, where workers of different faiths came to her to request prayer; doing literature evangelism among a Muslim and atheist population in England; being a caregiver; and doing chaplaincy and Bible work. Connell was saturated with a love to see people connect to God and grow in their relationships. In time God routed her to return to Andrews University to enter the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary.

Connell continues to allow the Lord to train her focus to remain completely on Him and gospel work, in whatever form that appears and wherever that may take her.

June 2017 | Adventist World - nad

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Her long-standing but unstable relationship with God started to take shape.

Forensic Scientist to Nurse

Monique Brown stared at the whiteboard, pen in hand, hunched over her desk. Chemistry formulas danced as the professor’s voice came out as nothing more than a contorted speech on forensic science.

Nothing registered in the doctoral student’s mind. What am I doing here? she thought. It dashed across her mind as quickly as the professor’s lecture. I can’t live like this! I can’t do this! She left class that day knowing what she must do.

One year later, she dropped a resignation letter onto the desk of her superior and walked out of the forensic lab of the New York City Police Department. Though her early upbringing presented challenges, including watching her parents divorce and witnessing her mother spiral downward into mental illness, Brown graduated college with honors, earning a degree in forensic chemistry. “I chose the field because I was good in math and science, and loved watching crime shows like CSI.” Finding employment after school was a challenge. But thanks to a mass hiring that was taking place in the New York City Police Department, Brown was employed six months after submitting her application. She quickly settled into the lab scene.

However, the gruesome murder of a coworker and fellow trainee shattered Brown and caused a major turning point in her life. “I realized that you don’t know the impact that you have on people. I wondered whether I had showed Christ to her through my life, and if I presented the gospel.”

During this period her long-standing but unstable relationship with God started to take shape. “I was searching,” she says. Despite the fact that she was not completely devoted to God at the time, she recalls sincerely wanting to find truth and serve Him. Brown was baptized into the Adventist faith in June 2009.

From a forensic scientist working to solve crimes, to a nursing student serving God by teaching others about a healthy lifestyle, Monique Brown looks forward to other work that God has for her.

Before long, Brown, who was overweight at the time, was invited to health expos and other activities centered on presenting the gospel through the tool of health evangelism.

“I started applying the principles to my own life and lost 50 pounds,” she says. Physical and spiritual improvements became evident in her life. Other attendees at the health workshops where Brown began volunteering were reporting drops in blood pressures that were once dangerously high; overweight individuals showed tremendous change, and, above all, souls were being won to Christ.

“I felt called more and more to health ministry,” Brown recalls. “But I was still working in forensics. I was being called to testify against so many young men, and I thought it was so unfair.” Brown felt an inner struggle as her work was helping to send people to prison who needed Christ.

She battled with the decision either to go into full-time health ministry or to remain in the crime lab.

During this time, Brown enrolled in a Ph.D. program, seeking higher education in the field of forensic science. As the time drew closer for her to make a decision, Brown says, “I was sitting in class, and I knew I didn’t want to do this for the rest of my life. I didn’t want to spend all my time in the lab.” Health ministry overpowered her desires as she saw the impact it had on her life and on the lives of others. She had been in the forensic science program for a year by now, and fears began to swirl in her mind.

“Then I heard this sermon; and the preacher spoke June 2017 | Adventist World - nad

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N A D F E AT U R E

about how God will provide and that we shouldn’t worry. I knew it would work out.”

In September 2011 Brown drafted and delivered her resignation letter to the NYPD. She got on a plane to Arizona, where she learned about growing her own food and participated in a health program that yielded many baptisms. Preaching, leading out in cooking classes, and colporteur work brought the joy that Brown sought. After initially being accepted to Loma Linda University in California, she enrolled at Andrews University. “I wanted to work more closely with the patients, so I chose to do nursing,” she says without a hint of regret.

From a forensic scientist working to solve crimes, to a nursing student serving God by teaching others about a healthful lifestyle, Brown looks forward to other work that God has for her. n

Felecia Datus is working on her graduate thesis.

This article originally appeared in Andrews University’s 2016 Envision magazine.

Keeps Working

One year after these young women were interviewed, author Felecia Datus reached out to them for updates.

Datus writes, ”It’s amazing how much can happen in one year! Monique Osborne, Cathy Tang, and Dana Connell are three extraordinary young women who experienced God’s tug on their lives to go into an unexpected field of study that would make a life-changing impact on the people with whom they interact. One year after sharing their stories, the young women recount again how the Lord has been moving in their lives.”

Datus shares the women’s continued stories on the North American Division Web site. She says, “Although these women were led to paths they had not previously envisioned, God continued to guide according to His wisdom and grace.

Perhaps one of the greatest lessons to be drawn out of it is that as long as we are willing to follow Him, God keeps leading, no matter the circumstances.”

To read these updates, visit http://ow.ly/66f730b0gSz .

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June 2017 | Adventist World - nad

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D I S C O V E R I N G

T H E

S P I R I T

T

he year 2017 marks the 125th anniversary of the book Steps to Christ. Every Seventh-day Adventist is encouraged to read and share this book again this year. Tim Poirier, vice director of the Ellen G. White Estate, in his Steps to Christ centennial anniversary article in 1992 gave an historic overview of the book and observed that “profound truths await discovery with each new reading.”1 James Nix, director of the White Estate, published an article in which he identified the “many choice quotes” as one of the reasons for the continuing popularity of the book.2 Both articles offer a complementary, rich, and interesting history of Steps to Christ.

Many other helpful related resources are available on the Ellen G. White Estate Web site: EllenWhite.org/ content/article/125-years-steps-christ.

Another spiritual gold mine is found in the themes of the book that are woven carefully through its chapters. Anyone desiring to go on this journey of discovery will benefit from reading the book several times to have a grasp of the larger picture. After reading Steps to Christ a few times, you will discover certain key themes.

Let’s look at Bible study, prayer, and service as examples.

40

P R O P H E C Y

She also emphasized the importance of an independent study of the Bible. She cautioned, “We should not take the testimony of any man as to what the Scriptures teach, but should study the words of God for ourselves” (p. 89).

Ellen White also provided a practical method to Bible study. She advised: “There is but little benefit

derived from a hasty reading of the Scriptures. One may read the whole Bible through and yet fail to see its beauty or comprehend its deep and hidden meaning” (p. 90).

She also suggested an approach that may be even more beneficial: “One passage studied until its significance is clear to the mind and its relation to the plan of salvation is evident,

By Michael Sokupa

Bible Study

Ellen White touches on Bible study in many sections of the book. A sampling of these quotes shows how she presents the theme.

She wrote that we should “study God’s word prayerfully” (p. 35).3 After quoting Bible passages that focus on the importance of Scripture, such as John 5:39 and John 1:3, she stated: “If you would become acquainted with the Savior, study the Holy Scriptures” (p. 88). For Ellen White, the central theme of our study of the Bible is the “theme of redemption” (p. 88).

O F

Mining

Steps to Christ

Adventist World - nad | June 2017

A classic book about spiritual disciplines continues to inspire.

After reading Steps to Christ a few times, you will discover certain key themes. is of more value than the perusal of many chapters with no definite purpose in view and no positive instruction gained” (p. 90).

She encouraged consistent study of the Bible: “Keep your Bible with you.

As you have opportunity, read it; fix the text in your memory. Even while you are walking the streets you may read a passage and meditate upon it, thus fixing it in the mind” (p. 90).

Many more statements and discussions about Bible study are offered.

Prayer

In Steps to Christ prayer is defined as “the opening of the heart to God as to a friend” (p. 93). Ellen White highlighted the fact that “when Jesus was upon the earth, He taught His disciples how to pray. . . . And the assurance He gave them that their petitions should be heard, is assurance also to us” (p. 93).

Our need for prayer is expressed in these words about the prayer life of Christ: “If the Savior of men, the Son of God, felt the need of prayer, how much more should feeble, sinful mortals feel the necessity of fervent, constant prayer” (p. 94).

Ellen White presented the “golden rule” of prayer: “If we expect our own prayers to be heard we must forgive

others in the same manner and to the same extent as we hope to be forgiven” (p. 97). She presented several texts from Scripture that point to perseverance in prayer: Roman 12:12; Colossians 4:2; 1 Peter 4:7; Jude 20, 21.

Catch this beautiful imagery explaining a difficult concept to grasp: “Unceasing prayer is the unbroken union of the soul with God, so that the life from God flows into our life; and from our life, purity and holiness flow back to God” (p. 98).

After encouraging readers to “carry everything to God in prayer,” Ellen White shared an important rule: “Make it a rule never to utter one word of doubt or discouragement.

You can do much to brighten the life of others and strengthen their efforts, by words of hope and holy cheer” (pp.

119, 120).

Discover more of these gems on the theme of prayer.

Service

Ellen White described the life of service in these words: “By faith you become Christ’s, and by faith you are to grow in Him by giving and taking.

You are to give all, your heart, your will, your service” (p. 70). This life of dedication is also expressed in terms of a daily commitment to God’s ser-

vice: “Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, ‘Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service’ ” (p. 70).

The Lord’s work is something in which we all play a part. She wrote: “Many have excused themselves from rendering their gifts to the service of Christ because others were possessed of superior endowments and advantages. . . . When the master of the house called his servants, he gave to every man his work” (p. 82).

Service in this context may imply representing Christ: “Christians are set as light bearers on the way to heaven.

They are to reflect to the world the light shining upon them from Christ.

Their life and character should be such that through them others will get a right conception of Christ and of His service” (p. 115). This theme cuts across several chapters in the book and highlights the importance of service in the life of a Christian.

These three themes provide a useful spiritual tool kit in our Christian journey. Read, discover, and glean more from Steps to Christ, especially during this anniversary year. n 1

Tim Poirier, “A Century of Steps,” Adventist Review, May 14, 1992, p. 14.

2 James Nix, “Steps to Christ at 125,” Adventist World, November 2016, p. 32.

3 Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1956).

Finding Steps to Christ Steps to Christ can be read online in more than 10 languages. Visit EGWwritings.org, and type Steps to Christ in the dialogue box. Then click on one of the flags in the upper right hand corner to choose the language you prefer.

Michael Sokupa, White Estate.

originally from South Africa, is an associate director of the Ellen G.

June 2017 | Adventist World - nad

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B I B L E

Q U E S T I O N S

A N S W E R E D

A Question When I read the Old Testament prophets, there are so many references to judgment, punishment, and destruction that I wonder, What’s the purpose of it all?

About

Judgment

The prophecies of judgment use very strong language: “I myself am against you, Jerusalem. . . . In your midst parents will eat their children. . . . I will inflict punishment on you” (Eze. 5:8-10, NIV); I “will cut off its food supply and send famine upon it” (Eze. 14:13, NIV); “Their children also will be dashed to pieces; . . . and their wives ravished” (Isa. 13:16); “I will deliver you into the hands of brutal men, men skilled in destruction. You will be fuel for the fire” (Ezek. 21:31, 32, NIV). The list could be multiplied. I will provide a few principles to help us interpret these prophecies.

1. Foundation of Judgment: A common element is present in all messages of judgment against God’s people, namely, the violation of the covenant. After redeeming them from Egypt, God entered into a covenant relationship with His people, making it possible for them to enjoy His blessings. The violation of the covenant was the rejection of the Lord, and it resulted in idolatry. They abandoned the sphere of blessings and entered into the sphere of curses and death. Their only alternatives were repentance and covenant renewal or permanent separation from and abandonment by the Lord. God’s judgments were based on serious covenant violations.

2. Predictions of Judgment: The Lord predicts coming judgments for several reasons. First, in some cases He wanted people to repent in order to avoid the judgment. Second, the prediction demonstrated that the Lord anticipated what would happen, and that consequently He was not surprised by it, but that, on the contrary, He was in control of history. Third, by announcing the defeat of His people, the Lord indicated that the nations were not more powerful than He was. He was the one punishing His people for their sins, even using the nations to accomplish His purpose.

3. Judgment and the Enemies: Breaking with the Lord left His people at the mercy of their enemies. The rejection of the Lord, their only source of blessings and life, resulted in famine and plagues. This is not the impersonal, auto-

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matic result of sin, but of God’s decision to abandon the city, the Temple, and the land. They chose to abandon Him, and He “honors” their decision by abandoning them.

Most of the language used in the messages of judgment against God’s people is of a military or political nature. We often read what a military attack would look like: the siege of the city (which brings famine and cannibalism inside the city); the destruction of the city and the Temple; the raping of women; the killing of women, children, and men; and a few survivors, many of whom would have wished to die during the attack. The language describes the cruelty and inhumanity of war. When the Lord claims to be doing this to His own people, He is defending His righteousness and His sovereignty over His people and the nations. The nations are not defeating Him and taking His people from His hands; He is handing His people over to their enemies.

4. Judgment and Cosmic Conflict: God’s people have always existed in the context of a cosmic conflict. The enemies of Israel were primarily the political and military powers of the nations that surrounded them. But behind the nations were their gods and demonic powers that influenced God’s people, often leading them into idolatry and making them vulnerable to military defeat and political submission. In the words of judgment the Lord was telling His people that there was hope for them. He was not only in control of what was happening to them, but would also be fighting for them against their enemies. Ultimately, through His judgments, He will defeat the nations and their gods.

God’s last word for His people is not judgment, but salvation through a remnant of His people and the nations who will come and worship Him in His temple. n

Angel Manuel Rodríguez lives in Texas, United States, after serving as a pastor, professor, and theologian.

B I B L E

S T U D Y

When

God Is

B A N D A

Silent

N H I L

By Mark A. Finley

W

4 What promises does God give to reassure us of His constant concern? Read Psalms 23 and 139:7-14

1 How did Daniel experience God’s silence near the end of His life? How long did he have to pray before his prayers were answered? Read Daniel 10:2-12.

5 What is another reason God may seem silent?

Read Isaiah 55:8, 9.

e have all had times in our lives when God appears to be silent. We have prayed, sought God’s guidance, and desired His will, but we only experience His silence. In times like these, we wonder where God is. Where is God when we need Him most?

Why can’t we hear His voice? Why does He seem so silent when we feel so alone? This month’s Bible study will answer these questions directly from the Word of God.

Daniel fasted and prayed for three weeks. He was perplexed when he had no apparent answer to His prayers. After three weeks of silence the heavenly messenger explained that Daniel’s prayers were heard from the “first day.” Beyond what his eyes could see, a great controversy between good and evil in the universe had holy angels battling evil angels to answer his prayers. Although we may not always see it, God is working to answer our prayers.

2 How did the apostle Paul relate to God when his prayer for healing was not answered in the way he wished? Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

The apostle Paul learned to trust God in every trial. He claimed Christ’s promise “My grace is sufficient for you” (verse 9), and believed that in his weakness Christ would make him strong.

3 Where is God when we cannot hear His voice and He seems so silent? Read Hebrews 13:5 and Matthew 28:20.

The Bible assures us that we can go nowhere that God is not present. Our ever-present, all-knowing God constantly watches over His children. He may appear to be silent, but Scripture says, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him” (2 Chron. 16:9).

Our knowledge is limited; but God’s knowledge is perfect.

Sometimes we ask for things that are out of harmony with God’s will for our lives, or that may not be for our best good. God doesn’t withhold His answers because He does not love us, but because He does love us.

6 How does Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11 help us understand God’s silence?

God has a divine timetable. There are times that He appears silent because answers to our prayers do not come immediately. God not only knows what we need—He knows the best time to give it to us.

7 What spiritual quality is most necessary when God is silent? Read 2 Corinthians 5:7.

The most significant and important spiritual quality is faith. When we learn to trust God, we recognize that even when He appears to be silent, He is working in ways we do not understand to accomplish His best will in our lives. He loves us and will never do harm. Accepting this reality by faith, we can rest in His love and be at peace. n

June 2017 | Adventist World - nad

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IDEA EXCHANGE While our natural reaction to life’s challenges is self-preservation, Christ calls us to a higher standard.

—Elsbeth Van Marter, Haarlem, Netherlands

Letters Consensus

I was baptized into the Adventist faith when I was 10 years old on December 7, 1940, along with my family. God has blessed us in many ways, and I have never regretted being a member of the Adventist family. The debate over women’s ordination has been of special interest to me from the time it was first addressed in the magazine.

In one of the earliest articles I remember on the subject, and I don’t remember who wrote it, the author said that the core issue of the debate was over authority. There’s no ques-

Prayer

some kind of legislative session at which the majority ruled over the minority. The Holy Spirit led, so that by the time it was over, everyone felt as if they had been guided by the Spirit.

The kingdom of God is not a democracy. It’s a reality where every believer hears and responds to the Holy Spirit. I would like to see somebody address that in Adventist World.

Beth Ann Samuelson Florida, United States Sabbath

I’m proud to be a lifelong Seventh-day Adventist. And I’m grateful for the unity in faith and practice displayed

by Adventists around the world.

But I don’t buy Mark Finley’s assertion that the Council in Jerusalem was the first “General Conference session” (a term, I admit, he didn’t use). The Jerusalem Council was not

I loved the tone of the Adventist World about the Sabbath (March 2017).

The articles by Gerald A. Klingbeil, Ted N. C. Wilson, and Stephen Chavez so perfectly captured the essence of the Sabbath: having a relationship with Jesus.

I also enjoyed reading “Sabbath Memories From Around the World.”

It’s such a blessing to be part of a

PRAISE

I’m praying for a piano so I can teach children to play.

Shirley, Jamaica

44

tion that the church must have authority to maintain order and be consistent in what it teaches. However, I take issue with how we determine God’s will for us.

In the record of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), it does not appear that the decision was based on a vote.

They prayed and talked until they came to a consensus. If we would do the same, there would be much less division among us. A vote of 47 to 53 percent is far from consensus.

Paul McMillan California, United States

Please pray I will pass the licensure examination for teaching, and that I can begin teaching this coming school year.

Alyssa, Philippines

Adventist World - nad | June 2017

Please pray for me because I face many challenges at my workplace.

Andrew, Uganda Pray for me to find a husband who loves God above all things.

Bruna, Brazil

It’s

worldwide fellowship that is centered on Christ and His special day. Thank you again.

Clifford Ngubwe Windhoek, Namibia

Official!

Here are a few numbers that show the scope of the recent evangelistic effort in Romania:

2,020 Locations served January through March 2017

Serving Others, Serving Christ

The article “God and the Needy” (February 2017) is particularly suited to our time and situation. There’s practically nowhere in the world where extreme poverty is unknown.

And refugees fleeing violence in their native countries only magnifies the need.

While our natural reaction to life’s challenges is self-preservation, Christ calls us to a higher standard. After we have satisfied our need for food, shelter, and security, we are obligated to serve those who live in poverty as we would serve Jesus. That’s the surest sign that we understand the claims of the gospel.

Elsbeth Van Marter Haarlem, Netherlands

How many speakers were pastors?

How many were lay people?

Pastors

400

Lay speakers

1,030

120 speakers from the General Conference

40

80

100 Romanian speakers from other parts of the world

40

60

The difference between total speakers, 1,650, and locations, more than 2,000, is represented by the fact that some speakers spoke at more than one venue.

Speakers from Romania

Speakers from other countries

220

1,430 Letters Policy: Please send to: letters@adventistworld.org.

Letters must be clearly written, 100-word maximum. Include the name of the article and the date of publication with your letter.

Also include your name, the town/city, state, and country from which you are writing. Letters will be edited for space and clarity. Not all letters submitted will be published.

Please pray for me so I can find a government job, and also for my struggle with anxiety.

Kagiso, South Africa

8%

92%

Two speakers were

12 years of age.

Female

I am suffering with breast cancer, and I need help to undergo treatment.

Please pray for me.

Jane, Kenya

Male

The Place of Prayer: Send prayer requests and praise (thanks

for answered prayer) to prayer@adventistworld.org. Keep entries short and concise, 50-words or less. Items will be edited for space and clarity. Not all submissions will be printed. Please include your name and your country’s name. You may also fax requests to: 1-301-680-6638; or mail them to Adventist World, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600 U.S.A.

June 2017 | Adventist World - nad

45

IDEA EXCHANGE “Behold, I come quickly…”

118 O

Our mission is to uplift Jesus Christ, uniting Seventh-day Adventists everywhere in beliefs, mission, life, and hope.

Years Ago

n June 4, 1899, the first Seventh-day Adventist church was organized in Tokyo, Japan, with a membership of 13.

In July a monthly paper, Owari no Fukuin (The Gospel for the Last Days), was launched and paid for by profits from the sale of health foods.

It was renamed Toki no Shirushi (Signs of the Times) in June 1917.

As early as the spring of 1889, not long after reaching Hong Kong, Abram La Rue, the pioneer self-supporting missionary to China, made a number of trips to Japan and distributed Adventist publications in Yokohama and Kobe.

S. N. Haskell visited Japan in 1890. Writing from Hong Kong on July 16, he reported, “We baptized one man in Japan. There are others there who are interested; and we learned that the Sabbath question has been discussed among the Japanese, and that there are some of them keeping the Sabbath.”* The first Seventh-day Adventist missionaries to Japan were W. C. Grainger, former president of California’s Healdsburg College; and T. H. Okohira, a native of Japan and a former student at Healdsburg. * Review and Herald, Aug. 26, 1890.

Dedicated to Service Wilbur Olson and Lloyce Dickinson exemplified true missionary spirit. Children of missionary parents, they met and fell in love as teenagers when traveling with their parents and others during a mission trip in South America. The group spent two weeks on a balsa raft floating down the Amazon River.

Wilbur proposed to Lloyce soon after, and the two were married on June 10, 1951. The couple served as missionaries for 17 years in South America, nine of them in Peru. They helped open medical clinics and schools. Olson served as treasurer of Lake Titicaca Mission and East Brazil Union, and later as assistant treasurer of the South American Division.

The couple eventually had four children, 12 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

When they returned to the United States in 1969, Wilbur became treasurer of Pacific Press Publishing Association in Mountain View, California.

The couple died in an automobile accident on February 7, 2017. They lived a life of love and service for God and others.

46

Adventist World - nad | June 2017

Publisher The Adventist World, an international periodical of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The General Conference, Northern Asia-Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists®, is the publisher.

Adventist Review Ministries Board Ted N. C. Wilson, chair; Guillermo Biaggi, vice chair, Bill Knott, secretary; Lisa Beardsley-Hardy, Williams Costa, Daniel R. Jackson, Peter Landless, Robert Lemon, Geoffrey Mbwana, G. T. Ng, Daisy Orion, Juan Prestol-Puesán, Ella Simmons, Artur Stele, Ray Wahlen, Karnik Doukmetzian, legal advisor Executive Editor/Director of Adventist Review Ministries Bill Knott Associate Director of Adventist Review Ministries International Publishing Manager Chun, Pyung Duk Adventist World Coordinating Committee Jairyong Lee, chair; Yukata Inada; German Lust; Chun, Pyung Duk; Han, Suk Hee; Lyu, Dong Jin Editors based in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA André Brink, Lael Caesar, Gerald A. Klingbeil (associate editors), Sandra Blackmer, Stephen Chavez, Costin Jordache, Wilona Karimabadi Editors based in Seoul, Korea Chun, Pyung Duk; Park, Jae Man; Kim, Hyo-Jun Senior News Correspondent Marcos Paseggi Operations Manager Merle Poirier Editors-at-large Mark A. Finley, John M. Fowler Senior Advisor E. Edward Zinke Financial Manager Kimberly Brown Editorial Assistant Marvene Thorpe-Baptiste Management Board Jairyong Lee, chair; Bill Knott, secretary; Chun, Pyung Duk; Karnik Doukmetzian; Han, Suk Hee; Yutaka Inada; German Lust; Ray Wahlen; Ex-officio: Juan Prestol-Puesán; G. T. Ng; Ted N. C. Wilson Art Direction and Design Jeff Dever, Brett Meliti, Kim Pollock Consultants Ted N. C. Wilson, Juan Prestol-Puesán, G. T. Ng, Guillermo E. Biaggi, Mario Brito, Abner De Los Santos, Dan Jackson, Raafat A. Kamal, Michael F. Kaminskiy, Erton C. Köhler, Ezras Lakra, Jairyong Lee, Israel Leito, Thomas L. Lemon, Solomon Maphosa, Geoffrey G. Mbwana, Blasious M. Ruguri, Saw Samuel, Ella Simmons, Artur A. Stele, Glenn Townend, Elie Weick-Dido To Writers: We welcome unsolicited manuscripts. Address all editorial correspondence to 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600, U.S.A. Editorial office fax number: (301) 680-6638 E-mail: worldeditor@gc.adventist.org Web site: www.adventistworld.org Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible references are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011

by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.

Adventist World is published monthly and printed simultaneously in Korea, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, Germany, Austria, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, and the United States.

Vol. 13, No. 6

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