Mission 360° Magazine by Adventist Mission - Vol 13 No 3
I’m sharing an encouraging letter with you that was recently shared with me. It’s a powerful confirmation that your prayers and financial gifts are touching lives for Jesus around the world. Thank you for your support!
“I grew up with a father who had a violent temper. I hated it, and I swore I’d never be like him. But when I was bullied at school, my father told me, ‘Fight back. Don’t come home until you’ve beaten them up.’ At first, I resisted. But over time, I started doing exactly what he said. Little by little, I became like him. My temper grew worse, and before I knew it, anger controlled my life.
“As an adult, I became an educator, teaching about my religion in schools. But my temper didn’t stay hidden. One day, a student didn’t listen to me, and I lost it. I beat him so badly I was fired. I thought the problem wasn’t me—it was the student. So, I found work at another school, vowing never to raise my hand to a student again. But I did. And I was fired again.
“I felt trapped. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t control my temper. I began to wonder if there was any hope for me.
“Then, a friend, who serves as a frontline worker, invited me to his wedding. I didn’t want to go, so he visited me instead. When he came, he brought a book with him. He started reading it out loud. The words touched something deep inside me. They spoke of peace, hope, and a God who changes hearts. I didn’t know it then, but my friend was reading from the Bible.
“Those words stayed with me. I couldn’t get them out of my mind. Slowly, I noticed something changing in me. The anger that had controlled me for so long started to lose its grip. I began to experience a peace I had never known.
“When I told my friend I wanted to learn more about the book, he explained who Jesus was, and I realized the peace I felt came from Him.
“I couldn’t go back to teaching something I didn’t believe in. I had found the truth in Jesus, and it changed my life. Today, I share my story with others because I know that if God can transform me, He can transform anyone.”
Laurie Falvo, Editor
Photo
Chairman: Erton Köhler
Editor: Laurie Falvo
Consulting Editor: Gary Krause
Senior Editorial Assistant: Mwamba Mpundu
Contributing Editors: Rick Kajiura, Elbert Kuhn, Hensley Moorooven, Ricky Oliveras, Karen J. Porter, Gerson Santos, Karilyn Suvankham, David Trim
Editorial Advisors: Petras Bahadur, Jose Cortes, Jr., Varaprasad Deepati, Daniel Jiao, Sun Hwan Kim, Wayne Krause, Bledi Leno, Silas Muabsa, Paul Muasya, Umesh Nag, Josiah Nwarungwa, Joni Oliveira, Brendan Pratt, Bill Quispe, Florian Ristea, Clifmond Shameerudeen, Reinaldo Siqueira, Dragan Stojanovic, Zhan Taraniuk, Samuel Telemaque, Anthony WagenerSmith, Gregory Whitsett
12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904-6601, USA Telephone: (301) 680-6005
Questions? Comments? Email us at Questions@adventistmission.org.
Adventist® and Seventh-day Adventist® are the registered trademarks of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists®
Unless otherwise noted, Bible verses are quoted from the King James Version. Follow
They Said Yes!
What would you give up for someone to know Jesus? For many missionary families, this isn’t just a question—it’s a query that shapes their lives.
In response to Mission Refocus, a global initiative responding to the world’s most significant mission challenges, the South American Division (SAD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is sending missionaries to areas of need.
When I talked with some of these families, it was evident they shared similar experiences— leaving behind careers, adjusting to unfamiliar cultures, and stepping into uncertainty. They had counted the cost and said yes. Why? Because someone, somewhere, needed to know Jesus.
Here are some of their stories. I’ve withheld their names, where they serve, and where they’re from in some cases to protect their ministries.
Pastor V and family
Pastor V and his family are missionaries who serve in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. They’ve dedicated their lives to sharing God’s love, where doing so is often difficult.
Pastor V first sensed a call to mission when he was 15, inspired by the legacy of his missionary parents and grandfather. When he was 20, he studied English and Portuguese, gaining the tools he needed for service.
Pastor V’s wife grew up in an Adventist home, but it was at university that her faith came alive. She felt a clear calling to help others find God. She also felt impressed to study English, Portuguese, and French. She didn’t understand the reason but followed the Spirit’s leading.
The couple’s passion for mission brought them together. Three years after their marriage, they accepted their first assignment.
Their original destination was Mongolia, but Jessica’s multilingual gifts led them to the MENA region instead.
“It was a crazy decision,” Pastor V recalls. “We were working well in our country and changed everything to come to the unknown. But we believed God had chosen us to come here.”
The couple arrived in a country that hadn’t had missionaries in years. Locals kept their distance. There was no church in the community. But slowly, with love and intentional friendship building, they began gaining people’s trust. “Here, mission must be personal,” Pastor V says. “It must be one-on-one.”
The couple’s children have also become powerful missionaries, inviting friends home and showing them what a Christian family is like.
Pastor V and his family don’t measure their success in this challenging region by the number of people baptized. Instead, their focus is on discipleship. “We want to leave disciples who continue the work. We won’t be here forever,” Pastor V adds.
The couple asks for your prayers for more missionaries, guidance from the Holy Spirit, and God’s blessings on a new children’s ministry project they dream of starting.
To those considering mission, they say: “Everyone is called to be a missionary. Don’t be afraid. The same God that calls you will provide everything. Parents, work with your children to love mission. The sooner they start loving mission, the better.”
Pastor G and family
Once a college student new to the Adventist Church, Pastor G serves in cross-cultural ministry with his wife in the 10/40 Window region. From the start of their marriage, they shared a conviction to serve. His wife’s roots in mission run deep. Her parents helped plant a church, and
she was active in outreach from a young age.
After they married, the couple decided to become missionaries. To prepare, Pastor G enrolled in the seminary, and he and his wife read widely, prayed constantly, and studied languages and cultures. Pastor G also trained as a health responder to serve in areas with medical needs. Their foray into the mission field was challenging. They faced culture shock, and learning the local language seemed impossible. But God sent a seasoned missionary to offer encouragement and practical help. From this, fluency came, connections formed, and locals began to receive the gospel.
The couple states that this cross-cultural experience has strengthened their faith and broadened their perspective about the gospel. “God has prepared in the gospel provision for all cultures, all languages, all peoples on earth,” Pastor G says. “If someone struggles with shame, there’s a message for them. With guilt, there’s a message. With fear, there’s a message.”
The couple’s children, born in the mission field, learn firsthand what it means to serve cross-culturally. Pastor G and his wife hope they’ll grow into culturally intelligent disciples of Christ.
The couple asks for prayers for spiritual growth in their family and in the lives of those to whom they minister.
Matheus and Ana Lessa
Pastor Matheus and Ana Lessa, a Brazilian couple, are preparing to serve in Hungary. Matheus is an evangelistic pastor who once served as a missionary in England with Adventist Volunteer Service. Ana is a journalist working for the Adventist University of São Paulo. Pastor Matheus and Ana were content with their lives in Brazil. However, they began to sense a call to mission service during the Maranatha SAD youth convention. When they received a call to go to Hungary, Ana was overjoyed. Initially, Matheus was concerned about going somewhere unreceptive to the gospel.
Matheus and Ana Lessa
However, he gave his fears to God and trusted His plan.
The couple has been preparing for service for more than a year, studying Scripture, reading mission books, learning about Hungarian culture, and trying to master the complex Magyar language. Though the experience has been challenging, they are determined.
The Lessa’s journey has already involved sacrifice. They sold most of their belongings and moved in with Matheus’ parents, who allowed them to live rent-free in their home. “We’re leaving everything behind to go to the mission field, so we’re fully depending on God,” they say. They ask for prayers for their language skills, adaptability, open hearts, and joy during this unfamiliar experience.
Pastor Y and his wife
Pastor Y and his wife are preparing to serve in the 10/40 Window. Their hearts were stirred whenever they heard stories about mission work in this region. During a pastoral meeting, they were asked to draw their desire for the future. Their sketch included a Bible, an airplane, and the words “Asia Travel.”
6 Mauricio and Camila Villarreal
Just months later, God opened the door for them to serve in Indonesia.
When the invitation came, they felt joy, nerves, and gratitude. Their family and friends were surprised but could all see God’s hand at work.
Pastor Y and his wife are preparing through prayer, Bible study, and learning the Bahasa language. They expect challenges with acclimating to a new environment, but know God will guide them.
“We long to see lives transformed by the love of Christ,” they say. “We want to be instruments in His hands to bring hope, education, and present truth to those who have not yet known the eternal gospel.” They plan to teach English, support community projects, and focus on disciple-making.
The couple asks for prayers for the hearts of the people they will minister to, wisdom, protection, spiritual strength, adaptability, and God’s provision.
To anyone thinking about mission service, they say, “Accept the challenge! Go beyond borders. If God places the desire to serve in your heart, He will open paths where there seem to be none. Mission isn’t easy, but it’s an eternal privilege.”
The Villarreal family
Mauricio and Camila Villarreal, an Argentinian couple, are preparing to leave for Slovenia. Mauricio was the principal of an Adventist school where Camila taught. Their shared passion for education and service has been a strong foundation for their marriage.
Camila’s interest in mission began when she was a teenager. She watched videos of missionaries and dreamed of becoming one herself.
Mauricio’s call came in his early twenties after volunteering for a year in Central Asia. He had accepted the invitation, thinking it would be a one-time experience. But the desire for mission service never left him.
Serving in Slovenia, a post-Christian country, will be difficult, so their preparation is essential. While waiting for their departure date, Mauricio and Camila have focused on their spiritual, mental, and physical health.
The Villarreals had to vacate their on-campus residence and sell most of their belongings. However, God helped them find a temporary home fully furnished. This experience strengthened their belief that God is walking with them.
Mauricio and Camila plan to focus on health initiatives and building relationships with the people of Slovenia. They ask you to pray for those they will minister to.
Pastor R and his wife
Pastor R and his wife are preparing to leave for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Both communication professionals, the couple has built a ministry centered on sharing Jesus in person and online. Now, they’re stepping into a new chapter, trusting God will continue using their gifts in a region where the gospel can be challenging to share.
Pastor R first sensed the call to mission at the age of eight, the same year he was baptized. He knew he wanted to preach the gospel one day, so he studied theology.
The couple was excited when they heard about an opportunity to serve in the Middle East. But reality soon set in, bringing anxiety and uncertainty. They would be leaving family and a thriving ministry. Some friends questioned the decision. They told them, “The church needs you here.” Still, the couple moved forward in faith.
Pastor R and his wife have been preparing through Bible study, learning the local language, and seeking advice from those who have served in MENA. They’re aware of the challenges they’ll face, particularly language barriers and the limitations on media in the region. But their plans are clear: build friendships, meet people where they are, and share health lessons as an avenue to introduce Jesus. Digital ministry, when possible, will also be a key part of their outreach.
“If we leave behind people who were touched by the Holy Spirit and decide to go into mission, that would be success to us,” Pastor R says.
As the family gets ready to leave, they ask for your prayers—for God’s guidance, continued spiritual growth, and clarity as they prepare their hearts for service.
Pastor R encourages others who feel called to mission: “If you have that desire in your heart, let it grow. Don’t think too hard about how things will be. Your questions are important, but don’t allow them to distract you. We need to be focused on the people who need the message of salvation.”
Mission Refocus is a global strategy whereby the world church is prayerfully recalibrating its personnel, funds, resources, and goals to reach the greatest mission challenges facing it today: the 10/40 Window, the Urban Window, and the Post-Christian Window.
BLESS You!
Europe was once the heartland of Christianity, but today, many of its cities are among the most secular places on earth. What would it take to plant a church there?
Church planters Rob and Bethany Folkenberg moved to Copenhagen, Denmark, in November 2024 to help the local church reach its post-Christian population for Jesus. Recently, we asked Rob about their experiences.
Mission 360°: Rob, what motivated you and your wife, Bethany, to take on church planting?
Rob: We had pastored an established Adventist church and then went to seminary. As we studied, we realized we wanted to rub shoulders with people outside our Adventist bubble. We wanted to have friends we could introduce to Jesus. We prayed about it, and God answered that prayer. He threw us into a church-planting experience in Squamish, British Columbia, which was way outside our comfort zone! After four years of
establishing a new church there, we received a call to church-plant in a cross-cultural setting. The personal lessons of learning how to make friends and represent our faith equipped us and made us excited to serve God in Copenhagen.
Mission 360°: What makes your ministry there challenging?
Rob: The hyper-secular, post-Christian folks we live around don’t seem interested in faith. Furthermore, Denmark is a well-established, smooth-running society. It’s hard to identify immediate needs the gospel can fill because most folks live a decent life without too many worries. Yet people here certainly have needs and pains, along with desires that Jesus can fill. Our first task is to look, learn, and discover what Jesus wants to do to transform lives in Copenhagen.
Mission 360°: What have you learned that you could share with someone who wants to minister to their neighbors in a city?
Church planters Rob and Bethany Folkenberg with their children
Rob: I use an acronym to help us embody our faith in a relationally meaningful way. We can’t just go up to someone and start preaching, but we can imitate Jesus’ method. The acronym is BLESS, and it is adapted from the observations of author Michael Frost in his book Surprise the World: The Five Habits of Highly Missional People. Frost examined the ministry habits of Jesus and noticed five themes. The B stands for Begin with Prayer. You must pursue your mission-focused life with an attitude of prayer, pursuing a friendship with Jesus first and asking for His divine guidance. Next is L, which stands for Listen. To make connections, you need to have your ears open and your mouth shut to learn the needs and what God wants to do. The third point is the most fun: Eat. Eating together means quality time, presence, and shared experience—all key to building friendships. The fourth point is Serve. Look for ways you can bless people. Acts of service build trust and connection and are surprisingly rare in our self-centered world. And the last S, and it’s last for a reason, is Share. When God opens a door and a question gets asked, this is your chance to share what God has done in your life.
Mission 360°: What has church planting in challenging areas done for your faith?
Rob: It’s taught me my need for prayer. During my first church-planting experience in Canada, I did pray, but for the most part, I tried to do things myself, separate from divine help. I drew on whatever training I had and whatever strategies I could read about. Over time, I burned myself out. No matter how hard I struggled, I didn’t have the perfect solutions. I’m learning that I need to trust God. He has ways and wisdom that I don’t know.
Mission 360°: Can you share a story of someone whose life was changed because of your work?
Rob: A friend grew up in church but had a negative experience. The picture he’d received of Jesus didn’t draw him in, and he became skeptical as he entered adulthood. Then, through becoming friends with my family, he observed how we did our best to live out the BLESS principles. He could sense that the life of service, sharing, and pastoring we were doing was genuine. That we really cared. And we were inspired by the example of Jesus—a different picture of Jesus than he had grown up with. I didn’t push my faith on him, but when he asked questions, I’d share. During a crisis, my friend
chose to trust this new Jesus he was coming to see, and now he’s a passionate Christian. This journey happened because God used our family to show what Jesus is like. By living our faith intentionally in our relationships, my friend was drawn to Jesus.
There’s nothing more exciting than being a part of someone’s spiritual experience. Start with the basics of representing Jesus through the BLESS principles and then experience the joy that comes with the results.
The Post-Christian Window
Rob and Bethany Folkenberg serve in the Post-Christian Window, one of our church’s greatest mission challenges. This window includes Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and increasingly North America—countries that can no longer be called Christian and are abandoning Christian values. Please help reach hearts for Jesus in the Post-Christian Window by supporting Global Mission church planters today.
Ways to Give ONLINE
Make a secure financial gift quickly by scanning this QR code or visiting GMsda.org/Give
PHONE
Call 800-648-5824
MAIL
In the United States:
Global Mission, General Conference 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904-6601
In Canada: Global Mission SDA Church in Canada 1148 King Street East Oshawa, ON L1H 1H8
Transform Lives, One Month at a Time: Join Our Recurring Donor Family!
Please remember Global Mission in your will and trusts. Visit GMsda.org/PG or call 800.648.5824.
Every Step of the Way
Ron Kuhn stretched his muscles, stiff from studying for exams. He was 19 and was finishing his second year of studies at an Adventist university in Brazil. I’m too young to be a pastor, he thought. There’s so much I need to learn about our church and its worldwide mission.
Ron grew up on a farm in southern Brazil, the eldest of six siblings. His parents had instilled in their children the importance of hard work and the belief that service to God and humanity was the highest calling one could have in this world. If I took a break from my studies, Ron wondered, what could I do that would help prepare me to serve God better throughout my career?
One day, a visitor came to Ron’s university to promote student mission service. Ron applied and, in time, accepted a position at the Adventist University in Rwanda. The call was for a year, but near the end of his service, the Adventist Developement and Relief Agency (ADRA) called him to go to Sudan to work with refugees and famine relief. He gained useful experience during this service and returned to Brazil after two years in Africa, to finish his studies.
That’s where he met a young student named Jackie, who also felt called to serve God. After they graduated, the couple married. “We had no idea what God had in store for us!” Ron says.
Just a few days after returning from their honeymoon, the couple were called to serve with ADRA in war-torn Mozambique. Their first home was a reed hut with no running water or electricity.
One day, while they were on vacation in Brazil, sparks from a nearby fire landed on their thatched roof and burned their home to the
ground. While neighbors rebuilt the hut, the couple lost all their possessions. “Jackie was dismayed,” says Ron, “but when I reminded her that we’d have to replace the ancient stove she had struggled to use with a new one, she smiled and then laughed.”
The Kuhns worked in a food distribution program in Mozambique’s neediest areas. But their trucks carrying food to the villages were constantly at risk of being robbed and attacked by rebel fighters. They hired soldiers to ride on the bags of corn and beans to protect the food—and themselves.
Then God gave Ron an idea. “I asked the local Adventist believers to introduce me to some of the gang leaders in our village who would openly rob the food aid brought by the United Nations and other humanitarian aid agencies,” Ron explained. “They agreed, and soon, several gang leaders came to talk with me. I told them this food was coming to feed their families, and if they stole it, the community members would starve. ‘I need your help,’ I told them. ‘I want your men to be our guards, to protect the food that will feed you and many more starving people.’”
The plan worked; the rebels began guarding the food, and the Kuhns developed good community relationships by caring for the needs of people with love and respect.
Ron and Jackie hated to leave the people of Mozambique, but two years later, they were called to continue working with ADRA in Angola. But when fighting broke out there, they had to leave. They went to Sudan to work and then returned to Peru before acccepting the call to serve
Charlotte Ishkanian, Office of Adventist Mission
The Kuhn family: from left, Daniele, Ron, Jackie, and Caroline
as ADRA director and Global Mission coordinator for the South American Division.
“God gave me a wonderful, committed woman who was willing to follow this crazy man to all these difficult places to serve God,” Ron says. The couple had two daughters born in the mission field who became used to moving around the world.
After three years in South America, the Kuhns were called to Thailand to work in a new regional office for ADRA in Asia. They were settling in when the 2004 tsunami hit. “We left our unpacking and hurried to the devastated region of Thailand,” Ron says. “What a terrible introduction to our new field!”
After five years in Thailand, the Kuhns served with ADRA Canada for four years and were then called to the United States to work at the Seventh-day Adventist world headquarters in Maryland. There, Ron serves as associate director of the Institute of World Mission, helping train missionaries for cross-cultural ministry, and Jackie helps support missionary families around the world.
“God has prepared us for this work with every assignment,” Ron says. “There have been many challenges and a lot of blessings along the way, and we thank the Lord for His leading in our lives every step of the way!”
Adventist Volunteer Service
Would you like to help make a positive impact in the lives of others? If so, please consider volunteering through Adventist Volunteer Service, which facilitates church members’ volunteer service worldwide. Volunteers age 18 to 80 may serve as pastors, teachers, medical professionals, computer technicians, orphanage workers, farmers, and more. Find a call at AMsda.org/Call
VividFaith
A service of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, VividFaith is an online platform connecting people with service opportunities, including Adventist Volunteer Service. To learn more, visit VividFaith.com.
Jackie cooks at a church kitchen in Mozambique in 1989
Run cuts a red ribbon at the inauguration ceremony for a water sanitation project in Peru in 1999
Ron and Jackie pose beside the sign for the Bongo Adventist Mission and Hospital in Angola in 1992
Ron pretends to rescue an ADRA vehicle from a flooded river in Angola in 1992, which nearby community members later rescued
Begun in a Bar
People in the village scoffed. “These Christians must be deluded to think we would worship God in a building with such a wicked past,” they declared.
Leenus, a Global Mission pioneer in Kenya, had an unlikely setting for growing a thriving congregation—a small room that used to be a bar. His ministry as a Global Mission pioneer also had an unlikely beginning. He was previously a church pastor of a different faith, but he was now raising a new group of Seventh-day Adventist believers.
Leenus became an Adventist after attending evangelistic meetings and studying the Voice of Prophecy (VOP) Bible lessons. “I found there was truth in them,” he stated. He set out to share that truth with his former members as soon as he was baptized.
Leenus registered 360 people in the VOP Bible study course. He went from home to home, answering their questions until every one of them had completed the course. To his delight, 15 of them requested baptism.
The region’s conference leaders conducted the baptisms and told Leenus he would lead the new flock. But then, they changed their minds. They were so impressed by Leenus’ ability to reach others that they made him a Global Mission pioneer. “They told me to go into the interior and fetch more people,” Leenus said, smiling.
When Leenus arrived in the new town, there was no Adventist presence. He went door to door, sharing the Adventist faith. After
much effort, Leenus was delighted when one person accepted the message. “I told this man, ‘Hold my hand, and together we will reach others.’”
Leenus held a series of evangelistic meetings, and several community members attended. When they asked, “Where is your church?” Leenus had to tell them they were meeting in a shop.
“No, no!” they responded emphatically, learning that the shop was once a bar. “We can’t worship God there. That’s impossible.”
Leenus was tempted to feel discouraged, but he soon realized God had a plan. “God
Rick Kajiura is the communication director for the Office of Adventist Mission.
Kenya
Mission360°on the issuu app. It’s the perfect way to spend a Sabbath afternoon!
wanted us to start in a bar so He could use His power and people to support us.”
Leenus prayed about having a church and, eventually, God helped him acquire land and people to help build the structure.
Now, 10 members meet weekly every Sabbath in the brand-new church. And some come from as far as seven miles away.
Leenus plans to hold evangelistic meetings in the community. “That way, people can see we are here,” he explained. He believes having a new church has helped people feel God is with the church plant. “They can see that God is doing something for us. He is helping us grow.”
Please pray for Leenus as he plants churches in Kenya and for all our Global Mission pioneers as they raise new Seventh-day Adventist congregations worldwide.
Global Mission pioneers start new groups of believers in unreached areas or among unreached people groups. Please support their ministry with your prayers and financial gifts at GMsda.org/Give.
High-End Fashion for Christ
Isabelle Donola spreads joy on the subway in New York City
States
Cameras and smartphones are poised, ready to shoot. Models sporting hairstyles that defy gravity and wearing trend-setting fashions wait to walk the runway. A high-end fashion show in New York City is about to begin.
If you listen, you can hear Christian music playing in the background. And if you peek backstage, you’ll see the woman running the show pray with each model before sending them down the catwalk.
Meet Isabelle Donola, a high-end fashion designer in New York City. She has competed in the American television series Project Runway and rubbed shoulders with well-known fashion designers and celebrities. But what stirs her heart most is the ministry at Bryant Park Life Hope Center, an urban center of influence where a new church is being planted.
Raised as an Adventist, Isabelle was taught that the world is a ripe field of souls for God. Whatever she has done—ballet, modeling, skateboarding, and now fashion design—she does for Christ. But since God cured her from a debilitating injury, her desire to serve Him has intensified.
When Life Hope Center began in 2021, she had recently been healed. “At that moment, I had experienced so many miracles in my life I wanted everybody to know,” Isabelle said. “When the Life Hope Center leaders asked for volunteers, I said yes. I volunteered for everything.” She passed out flyers for evangelistic meetings, attended nightly community Bible studies, and supported every event that Life Hope Center and area churches offered the community.
But Isabelle’s impact reaches beyond the doors of Life Hope Center. Because God has blessed her with success in fashion, she can influence an industry where few, if any, Adventists mingle. She leverages her design concept, fashion show themes, and personal interactions to point people to Christ.
Isabelle’s design concept is based on the foundational belief found in Genesis 1–2 that humans are stewards of the earth and its resources. So, her clothing line is designed to reduce waste common in the fashion industry.
“I started doing fashion shows inspired by the Bible and my experience with God and His power in my life,” Isabelle shared. In one of her shows, the models were all draped in a chain,
except one with a broken chain in her hands, like one bringing hope because she had been set free.
Fashion shows are highly conceptual, but Isabelle issues a press release with an explanation of the inspiration behind each show, so no one misses the message. “In every collection of clothing I present, I’m always pushing the same button, asking the audience to search their hearts, investigate their actions and motives, and ask themselves, is there a God out there? Should I change? Is there hope for me?” Isabelle explained. “I’m always trying to put a question mark in people’s hearts to open the gate for the Holy Spirit to work in them.”
Isabelle also reaches out with her warm personal touch to share God’s love and peace. “After Fashion Week, the people who worked with me would call just to listen to my voice because they said it gives them peace,” Isabelle said. “I know that’s God because I speak too fast to be peaceful!” She prays with the models, the organizers, and anyone in this highly competitive industry who appears anxious. “Because I can see their stress, I say, ‘Can I pray with you?’ Then, they start asking me to pray for them,” Isabelle shared. “Some people ask me what church I go to. They say, ‘Wherever you go, I want to go.’”
Then, Isabelle brings them to Life Hope Center for a program or Bible studies or to one of the Adventist churches in the area.
Isabelle finds joy in volunteering at this center of influence. But wouldn’t you say that as she intentionally uses every aspect of her life to win people to Christ, she also is a center of influence?
What would happen if every follower of Jesus saw themselves as a center of influence?
Urban Centers of Influence
Global Mission supports wholistic mission to the cities through the ministry of dozens of urban centers of influence. These centers follow Christ’s method of ministry to meet people’s needs and start new groups of believers. Please support urban centers of influence by visiting GMsda.org/Give.
Sandra Dombrowski is a freelance writer living in Connecticut, United States.
She has a passion for highlighting, promoting, and working in urban ministry.
United
Remembering a Man of God
Former missionary Kleyton Feitosa
Kleyton Feitosa, former director of the Global Mission Centers at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (GC), passed away on November 20, 2024. Pastor Kleyton’s career spanned local, regional, and global mission work, providing leadership and direction within the Adventist Church.
“We have lost a great spiritual mission leader,” remarked Pastor Ted Wilson, former president of the Adventist Church. “Kleyton brought a positive, balanced, mission-focused approach to everything he did as he served as the Global Mission Centers director for Adventist Mission at the General Conference.”
A Ministry Built on Leadership and Service
Kleyton began his pastoral ministry at Curitiba Central Church in Brazil, the largest community church in South America. Stanley Arco, president of the South American Division, observed, “Even at the beginning of his ministry in Curitiba, Kleyton’s passion for young people and his ability to connect with them were evident.”
As the associate pastor for youth, he led programs fostering engagement and spiritual development, seeking to connect the young
people with Christ and the Adventist Church. Arco added, “His innovative leadership and his influence have continued to inspire generations, especially in global mission work.”
In 2001, Kleyton relocated to the United States to pursue advanced theological studies at Andrews University. After completing his studies, he was called to the Chesapeake Conference, where he served as pastor of the Waldorf Seventh-day Adventist Church and successfully planted a new congregation in St. Charles County, Maryland.
Recognized for his administrative capabilities, Kleyton was appointed executive secretary of the Chesapeake Conference in 2011, where he worked under then-President Rick Remmers. “Kleyton demonstrated sound judgment as an administrator, which allowed him to be effective in a wide variety of settings,” recalled Remmers, now assistant to the president of the North American Division. “Kleyton had a warm and gracious spirit that drew people in. Throughout his long battle with cancer, he demonstrated a deep and abiding trust in the Lord.”
Kleyton’s cross-cultural leadership experience expanded in 2014 when he accepted a call to serve as president of the Egypt-Sudan Field. In this role, Kleyton navigated complex cultural and religious contexts, focused on building local leadership capacity, and developed mission strategies
Alyssa Truman is the director of communication at the Seventhday Adventist Church world headquarters.
The Feitosa family: Derek, Kleyton, Delma and Malton
in areas where Adventists were a minority.
Rick McEdward, then president of the Middle East North Africa Union Mission and now General Conference executive secretary, expressed his profound sense of loss.
“I have lost a dear colleague and friend. I worked closely with Kleyton when he was president of the Egypt-Sudan Field—he was a man of God whose dedication and humility inspired everyone around him . . . There will be people from at least three continents in heaven singing the song of the Lamb as a result of God’s work through Pastor Kleyton. He leaves a legacy of leadership and witness, and his impact will be felt for generations. My heart is heavy, but I thank God for his faithful life and legacy.”
In 2017, Kleyton returned to the United States due to health concerns and served as pastor of the Living Word Seventh-day Adventist Church in Glen Burnie, Maryland. His ability to connect with diverse communities remained a defining feature of his ministry.
Leadership at the General Conference
In 2023, Kleyton was appointed director of the Global Mission Centers at the General Conference. In this capacity, he oversaw six mission centers dedicated to outreach and education for Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, post-Christian, and urban populations. The centers provide resources, training, and strategies to help Adventists build meaningful relationships and engage in working within these communities.
Under Kleyton, the Global Mission Centers flourished not just because of his administration, according to Gary Krause, director of the Office of Adventist Mission, but because of his Christ-like leadership. Krause reflected, “Kleyton didn’t just talk about Jesus’ love and compassion, he modelled them. He was wise and gentle, and his faith in the face of major health challenges was a constant inspiration.”
This was echoed by Petras Bahadur, director of the Global Mission Center for AdventistMuslim Relations, who worked closely with Kleyton and could sense God’s presence in Him. Bahadur noted, “I noticed in my interactions with Kleyton as our leader, he clearly had the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit was manifest in his life.”
Health Challenges and Resilience
Kleyton’s ministry journey included health challenges. Diagnosed with liposarcoma in 2011, he underwent multiple surgeries and
treatments, including the eventual amputation of his leg in 2018. Despite these trials, he continued to serve in leadership roles, demonstrating resilience and commitment to his work.
“Kleyton turned his illness into an opportunity to encourage missionaries and pastors who are struggling with other problems,” observed Erton Köhler, General Conference president. “He showed how we can turn even the worst adversities into a blessing to others.”
A Family Committed to Service
Kleyton’s family played a central role in his ministry. His wife, Delma, an educator, supported his work while contributing to the communities they served. Their two sons, Derek and Malton, often accompanied him during his ministry assignments, gaining firsthand experience in mission work.
The family’s involvement in ministry reflected their shared commitment to service and the values of Adventist mission. Their unity and faith were evident in every aspect of Kleyton’s work.
Acknowledging a Life of Dedication
Ted Wilson had the opportunity to visit Kleyton and his family two days before Kleyton passed away and was able to thank him for his and his family’s service to the world church. Wilson recalled, “He spoke very briefly, reminding us that the central focus of his life was mission—he cared about mission deeply. Then he just rested, with his wife by his side, holding his hand.”
The Seventh-day Adventist Church recognizes Kleyton Feitosa’s contributions to local, regional, and global ministry. From his early pastoral work in Brazil to his leadership at the General Conference, his dedication to mission work and cross-cultural ministry left a lasting impact on the church’s outreach efforts.
Wilson added, “Jesus is coming soon, and Kleyton will open his eyes and see his Savior coming in the clouds. Let’s lift up that beautiful truth.”
This article, reprinted with permission, originally appeared in Adventist News Network, a publication of the Communication Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church world headquarters. This article has been updated to reflect the elected positions voted at the 2025 General Conference Session.
Your generous and systematic mission offerings help support the ministry of hundreds of missionaries. Thank you for giving!
This Is God’s Agency
Paulo Lopes’ Journey From the Frontlines to ADRA’s Presidency
Paulo Lopes felt more than excited when he received the call confirming his appointment as the new president of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) effective March 2025.
“I’m humbled and honored,” Paulo says quietly. “Becoming the president of ADRA was never an ambition of mine. I simply wanted to serve.”
Iris Argueta is the communications and public relations director for ADRA International
For more than 30 years, Paulo has been a part of ADRA’s mission, delivering justice, compassion, and love to people in crisis around the world. His journey began not in an office or on a leadership path, but with the passion to be a missionary.
“I was born and raised in Brazil, but God has given me the privilege to serve our church and ADRA in different countries,” Paulo shares.
His calling led him to Africa, Armenia, Russia, India, and Brazil, each experience solidifying his dedication to ADRA’s mission and desire to go wherever he is needed.
“I met a missionary family working in Brazil, and we became friends,” Paulo recalls. “I told them I wanted to serve overseas. Later, they contacted me to ask, ‘Would you be willing to go to Angola? ADRA needs someone there.’ I said yes, and that changed everything.”
Paulo arrived in Angola in 1992 with his family at the age of 27. Shortly after, the country fell into civil war. Paulo, originally designated as finance director, found himself acting country director.
“I had no experience. But I prayed, ‘God, you brought us here for a reason. I’ll do my best and leave the rest to You.’ It was my baptism of fire. In those moments, you truly decide what kind of life you’re going to live.”
During one of the darkest points of the war, Paulo was unexpectedly invited by the United Nations to join a humanitarian mission into a conflict zone.
“They told me, ‘You’re on the first flight tomorrow morning to a war-torn area. The rebels are in control, and you’re going to meet with them.’”
He prayed for wisdom. “When they asked me who I was, I didn’t know what to say. I had to make promises to help the region, but in truth, I had no supplies, no team, and no resources. I was alone.”
But God was not finished. On the flight back, Paulo sat next to the country director for Save the Children.
“He asked what I planned to do. I was honest—I said, ‘I have nothing.’ The next day, he opened his warehouse to me. ‘Take whatever you need,’ he said. And soon, I returned to that
Paulo Lopes, appointed in March 2025, now serves as president of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA), leading the agency’s global humanitarian mission
Paulo and his new friend take selfies at an ADRA project in Peru in 2022
region with a plane full of supplies. God is the provider. Not USAID. Not the UN. They’re just channels. God is the one who provides.”
Now, decades later, Paulo sees a new season ahead for himself and the global ADRA network.
“ADRA today is not the same agency I joined,” he says. “We’ve grown, we’ve embraced technology, and we’re more prepared than ever to respond effectively. But I believe this moment is also a turning point.”
As ADRA grapples with funding shortages for its global operations, Paulo is honest about the path ahead. “Yes, these are difficult times, but every crisis comes with opportunity. We’re reassessing how we work, who we partner with, and what the future of ADRA looks like. We’re not just trying to survive; we’re committed to coming out of this stronger and more resilient.”
Despite the complexity of leading the global humanitarian organization during uncertain times, Paulo’s focus is clear, and his confidence in God’s faithfulness remains unshaken.
“Even as we face and navigate challenges, we are in His hands. God has always provided for us, and He always will,” he says. “This agency does not belong to us. It is God’s agency. We are just channels of His blessings, instruments to bring hope and relief.”
His message to the global Adventist family is heartfelt: “I invite you to join me on this journey. I count on your prayers and support. Looking into the future, my hope for ADRA is that we continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this broken world.”
ABOUT ADRA
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is the international humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, serving more than 120 countries. Its work empowers communities and changes lives around the globe by providing sustainable community development and disaster relief. ADRA’s purpose is to serve humanity so all may live as God intended. To learn more about ADRA International’s president, Paulo Lopes, and ADRA’s global mission, visit ADRA.org. When you give to the mission offering during Sabbath School, a portion of that offering helps fund ADRA’s important ministry around the world. Thank you for your generous support.
Paulo boards a plane to visit an ADRA project in Mozambique in 1998
Kids Will Be Kids
Kids will be kids. They will scrape their knees, laugh constantly, refuse to listen, attempt to take sugar from the fridge, and cry for attention as soon as they feel it’s necessary. Every day, from the rooster’s first crow to the cicada’s last hum, my full-time job as a house parent at Familia Feliz is to ensure that the needs of my 13 boys, ages 5-15, are met.
Even though I’ve been here for only about six weeks, my experiences have helped me notice daily miracles. And these miracles have made me view my kids’ lives in a different light.
As an orphanage/boarding school, Familia Feliz can reach the lives of many families that want or need help. Many of our children come from complicated backgrounds and didn’t get a chance to simply be kids. My experience with Eli,* one of my six-year-olds, perfectly describes this phenomenon.
It was a Thursday, the day off for my co-parent, Zoro. It was my second week here, and the boys had been learning more about me, just as I had been learning more about them. Everything had gone mostly smoothly that day until just before dinner. Then, the boys ran across a small bridge out front to avoid chores.
I couldn’t speak Spanish, and they couldn’t understand English. They knew what I wanted, but they looked at me with clueless expressions and occasional giggles as I helplessly tried to communicate the importance of being responsible. Finally, they relented and assumed their tasks, leaving me determined to expand my Spanish vocabulary.
After dinner, it was time for worship. Eli was yawning and sleepy, so I placed him on his mattress. I had just started a Spanish worship video for the boys when I heard distant crying. I left the video playing and ran upstairs to see what was happening. There was Eli in his bed, sleeping and crying.
I scurried over to him as the cries got louder and louder. When I arrived, I realized that I couldn’t do anything. He was asleep—a night terror. I couldn’t imagine what he was seeing. I don’t know where his dream came from. All I knew was that he had been smiling 30 minutes before. All I could do was hold him and pray.
Then, I began to hum any Christian song that came to mind. I don’t remember the songs, but his cries subsided as I continued. He was calmed by Christ.
Eli is a kid. He has no control over his dreams or the experiences that cause them, and I have no way of helping him other than praying and humming. Yet I trust God’s peace will heal him as he comes to Him as his Father.
*Name has been changed.
If you’re interested in volunteering, visit vividfaith.com to explore service opportunities.
Collin Emde, from the United States, wrote this story while serving as a student missionary at Familia Feliz in Bolivia. He is earning a degree in marketing from Southern Adventist University.
Bolivia
Curl up with a good story on the issuu app this Friday night. Search for “Mission360° magazine” and enjoy more mission stories.
Collin Emde poses with one of the children at Familia Feliz in Bolivia
Jake’s Prayer Journey
Jake* knew there was one thing he couldn’t miss in his daily life now that he and his wife were living in a veiled country† where Christians were scarce: prayer.
A church planter, Jake had devised a prayer plan. He decided to spend at least one hour a day praying. Then, at the end of each month, he would record all his prayer requests and the miracles that happened during those weeks.
Jake and a group of members at his church plant were each responsible for discipling one or two new attendees. The group gathered each day of the week to pray for these new attendees and reserved one day for fasting. They understood that the battles these new attendees faced were extremely difficult.
A Miraculous Introduction: Omar
During one house church meeting, a member introduced Jake to Omar, a cook who had discovered Jesus many years earlier. Guided by the Holy Spirit, Jake started a conversation with Omar, and soon, the two men exchanged phone numbers and promised to meet.
A few days later, Omar visited Jake and shared his testimony of discovering Jesus through the Bible. For the past 15 years, he had followed his faith carefully and cautiously, avoiding too much contact with other believers to avoid risking his life. His family and friends didn’t know about his beliefs. Jake listened intently as Omar expressed his desire to be baptized, a dream he had cherished for years.
A Godsent Connection: Wassim
During that same month, Jake met Wassim, a young man who had lived as a refugee in a Western country for some five years. Having left his homeland disillusioned, he had wrestled with questions that led him further away from his past beliefs. Wassim began exploring Christianity alone, finding a peace he had never known. Upon returning to his country, he searched online for other local believers, hoping to connect with someone who shared his faith. Eventually, he was introduced to Jake’s house church.
To Jake’s delight, he learned that Wassim also desired baptism. With an excitement that only comes through the Holy Spirit, Jake offered to lead him through Bible studies. Wassim’s gratitude was evident, and he agreed eagerly. Since then, Jake has met weekly with Wassim, delving into subjects such as faith, Jesus Christ, and eternity.
As Jake completed the first month of his prayer journey, he was overcome with a profound admiration for God’s responses. His request to the Lord had been to give Bible studies. Now, he had the privilege of sharing Bible studies with two eager individuals. Jake saw clearly that God had orchestrated these encounters, transforming his plan into something much more significant than he could ever imagine.
Jake felt like he was living in a moment where miracles were close at hand, and every moment of fellowship, prayer, and Bible study felt like a precious gift from God. As Jake prepares to step into the second month of his prayer journey, his heart is filled with amazement and anticipation. He knows that his journey has only begun, and he feels the strength of God leading him forward.
* Names have been changed.
† We call a country veiled when we have withheld its name to protect the lives and ministry of frontline workers serving there. The name of the church planter has been changed, and the region
Feeling both honored and moved by Omar’s declaration, Jake offered to help prepare him for this momentous event. Omar’s eyes brightened, and he surprised Jake by asking whether they could meet every day. “There is so much I want to learn,” he said. From that moment on, Jake and Omar met almost daily. Jake was grateful to see Omar’s dedication and desire to grow in faith.
A Veiled Country
Enjoy Mission360° on the go with the issuu app!
for illustration only
Global Mission reaches the unreached for Jesus in the 10/40 Window. We do this in various ways, including through the service of Global Mission pioneers, urban centers of influence, and tentmakers who use their careers to share Christ.
Please support Global Mission with your prayers and financial gifts at GMsda.org/Give.
Photo
The Davis Indians
Ovid Elbert Davis was born in Michigan on April 3, 1868. In 1902, he was inspired by Ellen White’s counsel to become a missionary, so he completed a ministerial course and accepted a call to work among indigenous peoples of Alaska and then British Columbia.
Michael W. Campbell is the director of the North American Division Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research. This story is adapted from his biographical article in the online Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists. We invite you to visit encyclopedia. adventist.org to enjoy more stories about Adventist missionaries.
On January 19, 1906, the General Conference voted to send Davis to British Guiana (Guyana), where the Adventist work had recently started. He married Carrie Rosley in April, and the couple went to their new mission field the following month.
Davis distributed literature during his first two years in British Guiana. Then, in 1910, he reported organizing a new church 160 miles up the Barama River. It would become the Rio Paruime Mission. It was also in 1910 that Davis received a request from tribes deep in the interior that had never been visited by white people, asking to be taught the message of salvation.
These tribes had learned about the Adventist work through contact with indigenous people at the mission at Tapagruma Creek. There were reports that an old chief had been visited by a “shining being” who taught them about Creation, the entrance of sin, the story of the promised Redeemer, and Christ’s Second Coming. He also showed them how to worship on the seventh-day Sabbath and live a healthful life. He told him that a man with a black book would
come and teach them more.
The journey took Davis two months. In one report, he stated that he had traveled 29 days by boat and an additional 10 days through dense forest.
Davis taught the Word of God to the forest tribes with his “black book” and reported the establishment of three mission bases among them. He noted that 187 people took their stand to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. He built three church buildings and began to instruct the new believers “on the points of our faith.” He also taught them to sing a song in English, “There’s Not a Friend Like the Lowly Jesus.”
Davis returned for a second visit in 1911. He complained about a fever and heart problems just before departure. The last entry in his diary in his handwriting was “Monday, July 17—The day was spent in further instruction and naming the people.” Naming people referenced the desire of new converts for a new name
Guyana
Ovid Elbert Davis
representative of their resolve to follow the Christian’s God and learn His ways.
Davis dictated his last entry to the guide: “God has especially blessed in this trip. I had a complete mission at Paruima River, another at Mt. Tulameng, and then we came to Mt. Roraima. Just finished establishing a mission when I was taken sick.” This station was officially established on June 25, 1911, as the first Seventh-day Adventist mission in this region. On his deathbed, Davis promised that someone would come and teach the people. He died July 31, 1911, from blackwater fever and was buried by Chief Jeremiah at Mt. Roraima. Carrie would return alone to her home in the United States.
Following Davis’ death, the Indians gathered every Sabbath by his grave to sing. Despite their numerous appeals for another teacher, it was 14 years before Adventist missionaries finally followed up on his work.
In about 1918, an explorer found a group of Indians who were singing “There’s Not a Friend Like the Lowly Jesus” in English. Finding this strange, he discovered that they would bring out the effects of Brother Davis and hold a simple service.
In 1922, after more than a decade of waiting, Chief Jeremiah hiked for four weeks to the Adventist mission office in Georgetown to plead for a teacher. In 1924, the division committee decided they must not wait another year despite
budget cuts. W. E. Baxter and C. B. Sutton visited Mt. Roraima the following year. They arrived at the grave of Davis on October 25, 1925, after a lengthy journey to find the Davis Indians. Chief Jeremiah and his son brought them a bundle of papers. In it was a letter from Davis dated July 17, 1911, certifying that 130 persons at Mt. Roraima had “solemnly declared their intentions to live true and loyal to the Gospel of Christ and the doctrines and principles of the Seventh-day Adventist church.” The trip up to the mission resulted in both Baxter and Sutton suffering an attack of malaria.
In August 1927, thanks to a special offering, Arthur and Elizabeth Cotts were able to continue the work at Mt. Roraima that had begun so many years earlier.
The death of Davis “shook Adventists” and served as “a continuing reminder . . . that they were to fulfill the gospel commission even in remote regions.”
Today, the 54-bed Adventist hospital in Georgetown, Guyana, is named in Davis’ honor. Also, in 1956, the Davis Indian Training School at Paruima in the Kamarang became part of the Mount Roraima Mission. In the early 1980s, it was reported that there were more than 1,500 Adventists among the “Davis Indians.”
For citations, please see the original article at encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=9IMH.
than 4,000 articles and 11,000 photographs featuring
House of Hope
Sharing With Jewish Friends
Share the digital version with friends via the issuu app.
Photo for illustration only
United States
For more than 20 years, a group of Jewish Adventists longed to connect with their Jewish neighbors living in one of California’s cities. Inspired by their vision, Michael Levin, director of Jewish Ministries for the Southern California Conference, began sharing his dreams with church leaders.
In 2023, that dream came to life. A new urban center of influence, House of Hope, was launched under the leadership of Pastor Alex Ivanov, a local church minister with an international congregation.
The House of Hope team shares God’s love through many creative avenues, but personal relationships are at the heart of what they do. Most of the Jewish population in the region comes from Russian and Ukrainian backgrounds, making Pastor Ivanov and his multicultural congregation uniquely suited to connect with them. Although not Jewish himself, Ivanov speaks their languages fluently.
“I’ve always had a deep interest in this community,” Ivanov said. “I wanted to understand how they think, how they live, and how they view God. Now the Lord has opened that door.”
To connect with secular, non-practicing Jews, Ivanov and his team—including two bilingual Bible workers—began by hosting neutral, community-oriented events. As people grew more comfortable, they introduced spiritual elements for those who showed interest, all while continuing to welcome newcomers through the secular events.
Their calendar includes concerts (both secular and sacred), casual gatherings with refreshments in local parks, hiking trips, and visits to area attractions. They also celebrate Jewish holidays and host Kabbalat Shabbat, a Friday evening service to welcome the Sabbath.
“The more activities we offer, the more people join us!” Ivanov shared.
Each event deepens trust and builds bonds, allowing the team to gently share God’s love, biblical truths, and the promise of the Messiah’s return.
At one Friday evening gathering, Mira,* a first-time visitor, noticed Ivanov’s kind, attentive care for another guest, Rina. After the service, she approached him with a warm smile and said, “I see there’s a motherly heart in this community—which means it’s a good one!” Over time, Ivanov became close friends with Mira and her partner, Ben.
One day, Mira observed Ivanov studying the Bible with Rina and said with mock seriousness,
“When are you going to study the Bible with me?”
“Whenever you’re ready,” Ivanov replied, thrilled that she had taken the initiative. “Had I invited her, I think she would have made an excuse and said no,” he reflected. “That’s how our Bible study journey began. Praise God!”
Every Tuesday, Ivanov and his team hand out literature at a local park, engage in conversations, and host a follow-up program. On one occasion, two married couples who had previously kept their distance surprised him by approaching together. “They asked, ‘Who are you? And why are you doing so much for the Jewish people?’”
Ivanov explained who Adventists are and what their ministry is about. He then introduced them to the prophecy of the world kingdoms in Daniel 2. “This represents the coming of the Messiah, whom we are all waiting for,” he told them.
“When will this happen?” one woman asked.
“Very soon,” Ivanov replied.
“This is very interesting,” they responded, clearly moved. “We need to think more about this.”
In its first year, House of Hope has welcomed more than 600 people to it gatherings. Many are now requesting literature and even asking for personal copies of the Bible. But the team remains mindful of the many more in their broader Jewish community. Their goals include expanding their events, increasing small group Bible and Torah studies, securing a permanent meeting space, and deepening meaningful relationships.
By God’s grace, House of Hope has only just begun to share the blessings that spring from warm friendships and the promise of a soon-coming Savior.
* Names have been changed.
Urban Centers of Influence
Global Mission supports a wholistic mission to the cities through the ministry of dozens of urban centers of influence. These centers follow Christ’s method of ministry to meet people’s needs and start new groups of believers. Please support urban centers of influence by visiting GMsda.org/Give.
Sandra Dombrowski is a freelance writer living in Connecticut, United States.
She is passionate about highlighting, promoting, and working in urban ministry.
A Dream Job
Jenny never planned to move to Chile from the United States. When she graduated from Andrews University, she volunteered to teach English there for a year. She thought she would return to the United States at the end of the year. But five years later, she found herself teaching Bible classes at Chile Adventist University.
Here is what happened.
Jenny had wanted to become a missionary ever since she was a young girl.
While completing undergraduate theology studies at Andrews University in Michigan, she spoke about her desire with one of her teachers. The teacher had helped another student go to Chile for a year with Adventist Volunteer Service and suggested that Jenny consider a similar path.
Jenny liked the idea. After graduating from the university, she visited the Adventist Volunteer Service website. She saw an opening in Chile and sent her resume. Before long, she was accepted and went to Chile to spend a year teaching English at a center of influence.
The year passed in a flurry of English classes, Bible studies, and friendships. Jenny was invited to stay a second year, and she agreed. By the end of the second year, she could speak fluent Spanish, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Central Chile Mission was looking for a bilingual assistant. She was offered the position as a volunteer. Jenny agreed, and, for the next three years, managed church membership records, trained church secretaries, and served as the local leader for Adventist Volunteer Service—the very organization for which she was volunteering.
Along the way, she also got married to a Chilean.
Then, Chile Adventist University called, asking if she would be willing to teach Bible classes. Jenny was excited to return to her roots after majoring in theology at Andrews University. When she became a legal resident of Chile, she transitioned to a Bible teacher at the university. For the first time in five years, she wasn’t part of Adventist Volunteer Service but a full-time university employee.
Today, Jenny is one of five Bible teachers at the university. She and the other teachers teach general Bible classes that are required of all students but theology students, who have their own classes. Many of Jenny’s students learn about God and the Bible for the first time in her classes. About three-fourths of the university’s 3,000 students come from non-Adventist families.
Jenny, who is 28 years old, couldn’t be happier. Being a missionary with Adventist Volunteer Service opened the door to a career she had never dreamed possible.
“I meant to come to Chile for one year, and now it has been more than six years,” she said. “I feel like it was here that God wanted me.”
“I believe that God opens doors for those willing to walk through them. For me, Adventist Volunteer Service was the first of many doors that led me not to one year only, but to a career in mission service as a Bible professor at the Chile Adventist University.”
—Jenny
If you’re interested in volunteering, visit AdventistVolunteers.org to explore service opportunities.
Chile
Have you checked out the issuu app yet? Find past issues of Mission360° magazine.
Jenny poses with her husband Alexis in Chile
Scary Bike Ride
Tich’s mom sent him on a very important errand. She needed him to go to the store and stop by his aunt’s house. The store and his aunt’s house weren’t a quick walk away. Tich lived deep in the bush of northern Zambia. He would have to ride his bike into town to complete the errand. It was a long ride. It would take an hour to follow the road there and another hour to follow the road back home.
It was late afternoon when Mother asked Tich to go. Tich wanted to return home before dark when lions, elephants, and snakes came out of the bush.
He hopped on his bike and prayed, “Dear God, I’m going to town. Please keep me safe from dangerous animals. You have protected
me before. I know You can do it again. Amen.”
Then, he rode his bike to town. While he pedaled, he sang his favorite hymns. He especially liked the hymn “He Leadeth Me” and sang it with gusto.
When Tich reached the town, he went straight to the store and bought sugar, salt, cooking oil, and laundry detergent.
Then, he went to his aunt’s house to pick up a bag of clothing for his mom.
The errand took longer than he had expected. The sun was setting as he headed back home. Long shadows stretched across the ground. It was getting dark.
Tich felt uneasy. He wouldn’t be able to see much in the dark. There were no lights along the road. He had a small flashlight, but it
Illustrations by Diogo Godoy
Zambia
wasn’t bright enough to light the whole road.
Tich pedaled faster. He wanted to get home before it got really, really dark.
Then, he saw a shortcut. It was a dirt path cutting through the thick bush. He could take the dirt path and reach home faster. He turned off the road and onto the dirt path.
The sky got darker and darker. Tich pedaled faster and faster.
Then, something very strange happened. No matter how hard Tich pedaled, the bike wouldn’t go any faster. He turned his feet as fast as he could, but the bike only slowed down. He pedaled furiously, and the bike came to a complete stop!
Tich was amazed and confused. He whipped his flashlight out of his pocket to see what was wrong with the bike. The chain was in place. Everything looked fine. He was even more confused.
Then, he turned the flashlight toward the dirt path ahead. Suddenly, he jumped. His body began trembling. Ahead, in the dim light, he saw a big snake. It was about 12 feet, or 4 meters long, lying across the dirt path. If he had kept riding his bike, he would have hit it.
Tich had prayed before leaving home, and now he prayed again.
“My God, thank You so much for saving my life,” he said. “Now I pray that this snake leaves so I can go home. Amen.”
When he opened his eyes, the snake began to move. Then, it disappeared into the darkness. Tich got back on the bike. The pedals worked perfectly, and he rode quickly home.
There, he excitedly told his mom about what had happened.
“I didn’t understand why the bike wasn’t moving,” he said. “But now I see. God held the bike to save me from that dangerous snake. In the thick bush, where there are no homes, no one could have helped me. But God saved my life.”
Mother was so happy that God had protected her son, and she thanked Him for His loving care. But from that day, she stopped sending Tich to town in the afternoon. Now, she only sends him in the morning, so he has plenty of time to get home before dark.
Your Thirteenth Sabbath Offerings help children know about the God Who protects people from snakes and other dangerous animals.
One such offering helped provide children in Tich's area of the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division receive their own Adventurer's Bible.
More Children’s Mission Stories
Find dozens of inspiring mission stories for children at AdventistMission.org/childrens-mission-quarterly
Missionaries:
Still Called. Still Going.
Still Changing the World
Our missionaries are the hands and feet of our church, spreading hope and love in places that need it most. Your prayers and support are vital to continue this sacred mission.
Pray for their strength, courage, and wisdom
Support them with your generous contributions Mark your offering envelope “World Mission Offering.” Your faith can reach across continents.
