Live communion service to link Adventists across North America Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 19.12.2007 | International Pastor Don Schneider, president of the Adventist Church in North America, will lead the first live televised communion service for the church Seventh-day Adventists will unite in sharing the sacred act of communion through a live televised program that will transcend the boundaries of church buildings and join hundreds of thousands of church members across North America. Pastor Don Schneider, president of the Adventist Church in North America, will lead the December 28 service "From the Heart
Adventist world church president Paulsen: "Christ is 'true hope' of the holidays" Silver Spring, Maryland/U.S.A., | 17.12.2007 | International With a strong focus on the hope that inherently comes from a relationship with God, Pastor Jan Paulsen, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, recorded greetings for the season for the nearly 16 million church members worldwide. Acknowledging the past year's "fires, storms, earthquakes, and accidents," Paulsen reminded members that "true hope is anchored in something solid and secure -- in the sureness of Christ's victory over death, and in His pledge to return and 'make all things n
Azerbaijan: Raid at Baku Adventist Church - Pastor and Church members fined Baku/Azerbaijan | 16.12.2007 | Religious Liberty Five Seventh-day Adventists and three visitors were allegedly questioned, fined and warned not to meet again after what the small congregation is calling a government "raid" on their meeting hall in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku December 8. The church members said seven men in police uniforms and six wearing plainclothes interrupted Church services mid-morning on December 8, initially demanding passports of those attending, they reported. The 13 officials searched the premises. They confis
Adventist Church Calls for Greater Emphasis on Fundamental Human Rights New York, N.Y./USA | 13.12.2007 | Religious Liberty The Seventh-day Adventist Church called on December 10 for a greater emphasis on fundamental human rights, both in society and in the church. Adventist Church's representative to the United Nations, Dr Jonathan Gallagher, was speaking at the launch on Human Rights Day in New York of a year-long UN program designed to re-affirm rights and freedoms ahead of the 60th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights. "Sadly since 1948 and the implementation of the Universal Declaration we have
Christian Communicators call for global recognition of communication rights Toronto, Ontario/Canada | 10.12.2007 | unknow In a statement released to mark Human Rights Day 2007 on December 10 a global communication advocacy organization is calling on governments, non-governmental organizations and the private sector to recognize and strengthen communication rights as a vital component in the development and implementation of political, economic, social and cultural policies. The World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) states that communication rights are integral to achieving the United Nations' Mill
British Adventist Woman Receives National Honor London/United Kingdom | 07.12.2007 | Health & Ethics A Seventh-day Adventist woman has received the queen of England's recognition for her community service. Joan Saddler, a member of the Hampstead Adventist Church and the London Adventist Chorale, received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) from Queen Elizabeth II during a ceremony on December 6 at Buckingham Palace. [img id=1109 align=left]Saddler was recognized for her promotion of equality and diversity in healthcare, volunteer service, and for her work with the Adventist Development
Church leaders, religious liberty advocates address faith freedoms in Europe since 9/11 Binfield, Bracknell, Berkshire/UK | 06.12.2007 | unknow Conference of experts analyzes anti-terror laws that could hinder religious expression A one-day conference at Seventh-day Adventist-owned Newbold College addressed responses to anti-terrorism laws -- including privacy and hate speech law proposals -- that could affect freedom of religion in the workplace and society. Church leaders and religious freedom experts met on November 25 for the "Religious Freedom in Europe Since 9/11" conference at Newbold's Centre for Religious and Cultural Di
Dominican Republic President meets with national Adventist Church Leaders Santo Domingo/Dominican Republic | 04.12.2007 | Religion + State Top Seventh-day Adventist leaders met with Dominican Republic's President Dr. Leonel Fernandez Reina on November 22 to discuss the church's work on the island and worldwide. The one-hour private meeting at the National Palace was the first such meeting between national leaders and a religious non-Catholic organization, Adventist leaders said. "We had the opportunity to meet with President Fernandez and tell him about the Adventist Church's work in educating youth, strengthening families, ser
Partnership between Adventist Church and Mozambique Government to battle Illiteracy Maputo/Mozambique, | 03.12.2007 | International Under a new literacy education program, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mozambique is partnering with national leadership to address the country's abysmal illiteracy rates, including among new Adventists. An agreement signed November 20 by the church's Education director, Miguel Simoque, and Maria da Conceicao Bila, secretary for Mozambique's Ministry of Education, is an attempt to boost the nation's estimated 47 percent literacy rate. At the signing, Bila noted the Adventist Church'
Christian communication rights group calls for public role for HIV+ people in churches Toronto/London, | 30.11.2007 | Health & Ethics The World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) is calling on its members and partners to encourage their faith communities and their local media to make visible the contributions of people living with HIV and AIDS in parish and community life. In a statement issued today, the organisation's General Secretary, the Rev. Randy Naylor says, "Men and women living with HIV and AIDS make daily contributions to the life of their faith communities. Sadly, these contributions are not always
Anglican Theologian Gibaut To Lead WCC Faith And Order Geneva/Switzerland, | 26.11.2007 | Ecumenism The Executive committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Council’s governing body, which met September 25-28 in Etchmiadzin, Armenia, ratified the election of Rev. Canon Dr John Saint Helier Gibaut, from the Anglican Church of Canada, as director of the WCC Faith and Order Programme. He will head the Secretariat of Faith and order as of January 2008. A scholar specialized in liturgical and historical theology, Gibaut has extensive ecumenical experience, particularly in the area of
OSCE Publishes Guide on Teaching about Religions and Beliefs in Public Schools Madrid/Warsaw | 27.11.2007 | Religious Liberty The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), will launch a new guide on preparing curricula for teaching about religions and beliefs in a manner sensitive to human rights concerns on November 28 in the Spanish capital Madrid, ahead of the OSCE's Ministerial Council. The 134-page publication, "Toledo Guiding Principles on Teaching about Religions and Beliefs in Public School", is designed to assist educators
China Christian Council produced first ever Jesus Film DVD Nanjing/China | 26.11.2007 | Bible Recently, Campus Crusade for Christ Asia (CCCA) and United Bible Societies (UBS) were able to support the China Christian Council (CCC) in producing their first ever "Jesus Film" DVD, packaged with the Luke Gospel booklet. The DVD comes in 8 languages and dialects: Mandarin, English, Korean, Mongolian, Lisu, Chaozhou (Teochew), Guangdong (Cantonese), Minnan (Hokkien). UBS has supported the Church in the distribution of 290,000 sets of this Video CD with a Luke Gospel portion over the past yea
50 Million Bibles printed in China Nanjing/China | 26.11.2007 | Bible On September 11, 2007, the 50 millionth Bible rolled off the Press at Amity Printing Company (APC) in Nanjing, the capital of China's Jiangsu Province. A celebration will be held in Nanjing on December 8 to celebrate this major milestone in Bible production in China. At the December celebration, the United Bible Societies (UBS) and Amity Foundation (AF) will sign an agreement to extend the Joint Venture Agreement between UBS and AF for a further 10 years when the current Agreement expires in
Principality of Liechtenstein Plans Separation of Church and State Vaduz/Principality of Liechtenstein | 13.11.2007 | Religion + State Liechtenstein plans to reorganize the relationship between Church and State. Prime Minister Otmar Hasler has presented a concept for disentangling Church and State. Constitutional amendments and new laws will govern the new relationship between the State and the various religious communities. Under the Constitution of the Principality of Liechtenstein, which entered into force in 2003 after a popular vote on a partial revision, the Roman Catholic Church continues to enjoy a special status. Th
Polish Adventists join other Protestants in denouncing posters attacking Luther Lublin/Poland | 08.11.2007 | International Protestant leaders in one of Poland's largest cities have condemned a poster campaign denouncing Martin Luther, the 16th century German Protestant leader, as a blasphemer and heretic, a November 7 news release by Ecumenical News International (ENI) reported. "What would happen if someone hung placards outside a Roman Catholic church attacking the 'blasphemy and heresy of John Paul II,' or the 'blasphemy of Muhammad' at a mosque?" said Mariusz Maikowski, a pastor of the Seventh-day Adventist
Let's take risks, WCC General Secretary Kobia tells Global Christian Forum Limuru/Kenya | 08.11.2007 | Ecumenism "Some would have said that this event was not possible, but here we are - and the world wonders what will come next," said the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia at the opening of the Global Christian Forum (GCF) taking place in Limuru, near Nairobi, Kenya, from 6-9 November. Stressing the "unprecedented breadth" of the event in his address to a room packed with some 240 high level representatives from Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, Catholic, Evangelical
Billy Graham's 89th Birthday Caps Year Of Transition Charlotte, North Carolina/USA | 06.11.2007 | International As evangelist William (Billy) F. Graham marks another birthday, turning 89 on November 7 (Wednesday), he expressed gratitude for his health, his family and the ongoing hope of being reunited with his wife Ruth in Heaven. Since the passing of his marriage and ministry partner of nearly 64 years on June 14 this year, Billy Graham said he has been surprised at the depth of his grief, but simultaneously encouraged by the commensurate magnitude of God's grace. "At times, I feel as if part of m
Urban population overtakes rural areas; Adventist Church focusing mission Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 06.11.2007 | International Populations in urban areas now outnumber those in rural areas, United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) officials said in an announcement earlier this year. But as Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders create strategic plans, leaders say the church's presence in urban areas remains minimal. "When you see the raw statistics it's frightening," says Gary Krause, director of the world church's Office of Adventist Mission. "We're just not touching the cities." But he notes that the Adventist Church h
Loma Linda University Centennial Complex: New Global Gateway Loma Linda, California/USA | 05.11.2007 | International By David James Heiss, Staff Writer [img id=1067 align=right]The US$78 million Centennial Complex at Loma Linda University promises to be a virtual global gateway. The four-story complex, started in January, is being built by McCarthy Construction Inc. of Newport Beach and was designed by Los Angeles-based Cannon and Associates. So far US$51 million has been raised, funded mostly through philanthropic efforts, according to university Chancellor Richard Hart. The Centennial Complex will
Kenya: Presidential Elections Planner Caters To Adventists, Muslims Nairobi/Kenya | 02.11.2007 | Religion + State Kenyans won't have to choose between worship services and civic duty during this year's presidential elections, according to remarks made by Samwell Kivuitu, chairman of the Electoral Commission of Kenya, during a press conference earlier this month. To accommodate the country's Muslims, Kivuitu said, the December Election Day will not fall on a Friday -- the Muslim day of worship -- as it did in 2002. Kivuitu also indicated government officials would consider Seventh-day Adventists in choosi
Jamaica: Government leaders commend Adventist church's integrity, community visibility Mandeville, Manchester Parish/Jamaica | 30.10.2007 | International Jamaican government leaders commended Seventh-day Adventists for their integrity and leadership role in the island nation during a recent visit to the country by the Adventist world church's President Jan Paulsen. Governor-General Sir Kenneth Octavius Hall thanked the church for its "committed public citizenship" in a meeting with Paulsen on October 26. "Adventists can be trusted," Hall said, adding that the church is in an ideal position to offer guidance and moral leadership to the cou
Adventist world church leader urges greater role for young people Mandeville/Jamaica | 30.10.2007 | International Seventh-day Adventist world church president Pastor Jan Paulsen gave a resounding endorsement of Adventist young people October 27 -- even offering a "yeah mon!" in Jamaican slang -- during "Let's Talk Caribbean", the 17th such program in a series of unscripted, unedited conversations between the Adventist church president and its under-30 crowd. "You don't have to be elected to an office to own the church. You don't have to be a local elder to own the church. The church is a place of mutual
Cayman Islands Christmas stamps with stained-glass windows series from major Churches George Town, Grand Cayman/Cayman Islands | 29.10.2007 | International Churches in the Cayman Islands boast some beautiful stained–glass windows, and the Cayman Islands Postal Service (CIPS) wants to share them with stamp collectors and remind residents of their beauty. The CIPS has therefore released six stamps and a First Day Cover in the Christmas 2007 – Stained–glass windows series. The stamps feature stained–glass windows at Wesleyan Holiness Church (25¢); Elmslie Memorial Church (50¢); St. George’s Anglican Church (75¢); East End Seventh–Day Adventist Chur
Jewish Philosopher Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich Dies Basel/Switzerland | 22.10.2007 | International Ernst Ludwig Ehrlich, a Jewish religious philosopher who escaped the Nazis and became a European bridge-builder between Christians and Jews, has died at age 86. According to a family notice, Ehrlich died on October 22 at his home in Riehen, a suburb of Basel. The Berlin-born Ehrlich studied at Higher Institute for Jewish Studies, Rabbi Leo Baeck's rabbinical seminary, until the Nazis closed it in 1942. He was made to perform forced labour until he was able to find shelter with a Berlin coupl
Adventist Church approves 10-year mission initiative for Central Asia Washington D.C./USA | 17.10.2007 | International The Adventist Mission Committee of the Seventh-day Adventist Church recently approved a 10-year initiative for the 60 million indigenous people of Central Asia. The five countries of Central Asia--Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan--represent a highly challenging area to Christian mission, Adventist church leaders said. In September, two Adventist pastors in Uzbekistan were sentenced by a court for "unduly organizing and holding worships." In 1999 an Adventis
Adventist Guidelines anticipate potential tension of church mission, social legislation Silver Spring, Maryland/USA, | 17.10.2007 | Religion + State Adventist Guidelines anticipate potential tension of church mission, social legislation[img id=1044 align=right] Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders took action on October 15 at their Annual Council Meeting in offering guidelines for instances when the church's beliefs are at odds with social legislation, particularly with hiring practices at church institutions. Meeting at the Adventist world church's headquarters near Washington, D.C., the church's executive committee approved a docume
Adventists with largest church growth rate since 2002 audit Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 15.10.2007 | International Every Seventh-day Adventist -- worshipping from Albania to Zimbabwe -- is now in the company of 15,433,470 likeminded members of the global Protestant denomination, Adventist world church secretary Matthew A. Bediako told some 300 Annual Council delegates gathered at world church headquarters October 14. More than 1 million of those members joined the Adventist Church between July 2006 and June 2007, making the year in review the fifth consecutive to net such a measurable response to the Gos
Adventist World Church president: Leaders share responsibility, trust Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 14.10.2007 | International More than 300 leaders hear President Jan Paulsen's Saturday sermon October 13 at the church's world headquarters near Washington, D.C. Paulsen addressed leaders as part of Annual Council, the world church's business meeting, which runs through October 17. Church leaders should focus on their own responsibilities and trust leaders in other areas of the world to do the same, the Seventh-day Adventist world church president told leaders of the global Protestant denomination. During worship,
Russia: Monument dedicated to Adventists killed during Stalin regime St. Petersburg/Russia | 10.10.2007 | International Seventh-day Adventists and community members in St. Petersburg, Russia, dedicated a monument on October 7 to Adventists killed during the Great Purge political repressions under Soviet Leader Josef Stalin in the 1930s. About 100 people, including a representative of the city's governor, gathered for the memorial at the Levashovsky Cemetery, according to Viktor Vitko, the Adventist Church's Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director for the church's Euro-Asia Division based in Moscow.
Christian Bookstore Manager in Gaza City kidnapped and murdered Gaza City | 07.10.2007 | Bible The manager of the Gaza Strip's only all-Christian bookstore was found stabbed to death on Sunday (October 7) in what appears to have been an act of aggression. Rami Khader Ayyad, a prominent Gaza Christian, disappeared on Saturday (October 6), following months of death threats from local Muslims. Ayyad ran the Teacher's Bookshop, which is a ministry of the Palestinian Bible Society (PBS) and the local Gaza Baptist Church. Ayyad was accused by area Muslims of spreading the Gospel. The 32-yea
Uzbekistan: Court fines two Adventist pastors for home church meeting Tashkent, Uzbekistan | 07.10.2007 | Religious Liberty Two Seventh-day Adventist pastors were sentenced September 27 by a court in Tashkent for "unduly organizing and holding worships," Adventist Church officials in the region said. The ministers, whose names were withheld, were each fined 80,000 soum, or about half a month's salary for a pastor, said Victor Vitko, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director for the Adventist church's Euro-Asia region based in Moscow. Two other church members will also have to pay a combined fine of 30,000
Jamaikaner leitet Siebenten-Tags-Baptisten in Nordamerika Kingston/Jamaika | 01.10.2007 | International Der aus Jamaika stammende Pastor Andrew Samuels (45) ist neuer Präsident der Generalkonferenz der Siebenten-Tags-Baptisten in den USA und Kanada. Seine Grosseltern und Eltern gehörten bereits der Kirche an. Er ist mit der Grundschullehrerin Kay verheiratet und hat zwei Töchter. Samuels arbeitete zunächst im Aussenministerium und ab 1982 in der Ständigen Vertretung Jamaikas bei den Vereinten Nationen in New York. Dort studierte er berufsbegleitend Theologie. 1988 wurde er zum Pastor der Seventh-d
Pakistan Territorial Commander of Salvation Army Murdered Lahore/Pakistan | 30.09.2007 | International Colonel Bo Brekke (50), Territorial Commander of The Salvation Army's Pakistan Territory, was shot and killed on September 27 at the territorial headquarters compound in Lahore. The incident occurred shortly after the Norwegian born colonel had presided a meeting and returned alone in his office. Information to date points to an individual act of criminality. There is nothing to suggest that this is related in any way to terrorism. Lahore police reported that a man has been arrested on possib
British Government backs voluntary schools for faith minorities London/United Kingdom | 14.09.2007 | Religion + State The British Government is to back the establishment of more minority-faith schools and make it easier for about 150 low-cost private religious schools to come into the maintained education sector. They include 115 Muslim schools and 37 schools that serve ultra-orthodox Jewish communities. But the Government is not offering a blank cheque, reports Margaret Holness, Education Correspondent of the Anglican weekly newspaper "Church Times". The new schools would have to conform to the duty placed
Australia: National Health Conference Encourages Health Professionals To Discuss Spirituality With Patients Adelaide, South Australia/Australia | 11.09.2007 | Health & Ethics The Second Australian Conference on Spirituality and Health encouraged health professionals to discuss their patients’ spiritual beliefs and to pray with them if patients asked. More than 300 health professionals, academics and pastoral workers attended the conference initiated and organised by the South Australian branch of Adventist Health. It was held in late August at the Festival Theatre in Adelaide. “Physicians should take the spiritual history of their patients and identify their sp
North American Adventists and Presbyterians affirm common beliefs Louisville, Kentucky/USA | 07.09.2007 | unknow Delegates of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of North America met with leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) at the Presbyterian Church's national headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky August 22 to 24 to affirm common beliefs and dispel stereotypes. The Louisville meeting marked the second conversation between the two denominations. Last November, Presbyterian delegates joined Adventists at Adventist world church headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland after pitching the idea of a conv
ADRA Helps Hurricane Felix-Devastated Nicaragua Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 07.09.2007 | ADRA In response to the destruction caused by Hurricane Felix as it swept over the Nicaragua-Honduras border on September 4, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has dispatched an emergency team equipped with rescue devices, blankets, food items, and first aid kits for nearly 250 Nicaraguan families devastated by the recent disaster. ADRA’s team of 10 emergency rescue specialists based in Managua is flying to the heavily hit Atlantic coast to provide emergency aid, including first a
E-tithing across North America expands Adventist church's donor base Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 05.09.2007 | International When the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kettering, Ohio (USA), decided to accept donations through the Internet, treasurer Ed Mann noticed contributions from people who hadn't usually given. The increase came mostly from college students away at school who maintained their membership back at their home church. "It wasn't a huge amount of money but they had an opportunity to give that they wouldn't have otherwise," Mann says. After the Adventist Church in North America launched the I
Romanian Inmate Trades Parole for Prison Witness Craiova/Romania | 24.08.2007 | unknow A Romanian criminal, once labelled the country's fourth most dangerous, is electing to forgo parole after becoming a Seventh-day Adventist Christian—he would rather stay in prison to share his new-found faith. Valeriu Curin, age 33, was a household name in the southeastern European country 11 years ago for his involvement in organized crime. Curin was one of eight life-term inmates to step into a portable baptismal tank July 21 in a prison in the city of Craiova and declare commitment to a
Peru earthquake damages Adventist churches, schools Lima/Peru | 23.08.2007 | International Seventh-day Adventists are struggling with recovery and grief while assisting survivors after a magnitude-8 earthquake struck off the coast of Peru 90 miles southeast of the capital, Lima, on August 15. The earthquake has killed more than 510 people and left more than 2.000 injured throughout the coastal region, according to reports issued by Peruvian Civil Defense authorities. Adventist Church officials in the region said three church members are among the dead and that the earthquake d
ADRA Expands Response to Flooding Across Southern Asia Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 15.08.2007 | ADRA As conditions worsen in the aftermath of recent heavy rainfall and flooding in South Asia, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is expanding its assistance to include emergency response projects in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and China. Recent reports state that the heavy flooding has affected millions of people across the region. Although rainfall has halted and floodwaters have begun to recede, thousands of villages are still submerged, with more than 30 million people in India
Adventists and Evangelicals developed statement of common goals Berrien Springs, Michigan/USA | 09.09.2007 | Ecumenism Theologians representing the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) and the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) met August 5 to 10 at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan (USA) for their second round of theological conversation on world-level. The result of this dialogue between the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the World Evangelical has been the development of the joint statement identifying the common goals and results of theological discussions between the two institutions, delegat
Australia: Adventist Church Hosts Its First National Indigenous Women's Convention Uluru/Australia | 12.08.2007 | Ecumenism A conference to address issues facing indigenous women of Australia is being called "long overdue" by some Seventh-day Adventists. The Women at the Centre conference, running August 8 to 12 in Uluru, was the church's first national meeting for indigenous, or Aboriginal, women, church Women's Ministries leaders said. 100 participants attended the meetings. "Domestic violence, addiction, nutrition education and how to provide healing are some of the issues that many people in the community
Cuban Adventist Youth Permitted to Attend Convention in Columbia Medellin/Cuba | 31.07.2007 | unknow Forty-four young Seventh-day Adventist Cubans joined more than 5,000 Adventists gathered July 26 to 28 in Colombia for the church's Inter-American Youth Leadership and Prayer Convention. Securing group travel permission from the Cuban government for the Adventist young people -- the largest such delegation to travel from the country since 1959 -- was a yearlong process, church leaders there said. Twenty-two members of the delegation reported difficulties clearing visas and detoured to Ve
South Pacific: New Adventist weekly online TV news Wahroonga NSW/Australia | 29.07.2007 | Media A new weekly TV news service about Seventh-day Adventists in the South Pacific has started on July 27. It is called Adventist News. Viewers will be able to watch the three to five minutes long Adventist News on the internet each week. People who have iTunes will be able to subscribe to the weekly news service for free and watch it on their iPods and MP4 players. Produced by the "Adventist Media" Network, this initiative will deliver the news very quickly. Each weekly bulletin will be availa
Fiji: New Indigenous Land Rights Might Relocate Adventist College Tailevu/Fiji | 29.07.2007 | International The future of a Seventh-day Adventist college in Fiji is uncertain after a court ruled this month that indigenous people can now deny the lease of their land. The Suva High Court confirmed that Fulton College in Tailevu -- about 50 kilometers northeast of Fiji's capital, Suva -- is built on an indigenous reserve. Native reserve land is set aside in Fiji for exclusive use by indigenous people and can only be leased by others if first de-reserved. The Adventist Church in Fiji has leased th
Serbia: Neo-Nazi Vandals Post Message on Adventist Church Belgrade/Serbia, | 16.07.2007 | International Seventh-day Adventist Church in Serbia was the target of vandalism July 10 in the posting of a message signed by a neo-Nazi group. A poster, which read "sects are the death of the Serbian nation" and signed by the "Nacionalni Stroj" movement, was posted on the wall of the Adventist Church in Belgrade. Several young men arrived on a motorcycle to post the message, said Miodrag Zivanovic, president of the Adventist Church in South-east Europe. The incident was caught on surveillance ta
Ukraine: Arson Causes Fire at Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kharkiv Kharkiv/Ukraine | 05.07.2007 | International A fire broke out in Community Number One (#1) Seventh-day Adventist Church in eastern Ukrainian Kharkiv during the night from June 21 to 22. The fire-fighters said arson was the cause. According to Local Adventist Pastor Petr Popelishko, there was a married couple who temporarily resided in a small semi-detached utility room to look after the church building. They were sleeping and woke up only when the roof in the mail building collapsed. The neighbours had already called the fire-fighters.
Adventist World President Assured on Religious Freedom During Portugal Visit Ponta Delgada, Azores/Portugal | 04.07.2007 | Religious Liberty Assuring a commitment religious freedom, the president of the Provincial Government of Azores, Carlos César, affirmed his support for equality of all faiths before the law in a meeting with Seventh-day Adventist Church President Jan Paulsen June 28. Though the Adventist Church is not large in the mostly Roman Catholic islands of Portugal, César said the church is "highly respected" by the community, Paulsen said. Paulsen said he was also assured that the Adventist Church, a minority, as well
Bible Study Podcast Targets Young People, Commuters Wahroonga, New South Wales/Australia, | 01.07.2007 | Media In a world where the Internet helps people fit news, entertainment and even spiritual enrichment into their increasingly multitasked lives, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific now offers the Adult Bible Study Guide on podcast. Digital mp3 files of each Sabbath School lesson, podcast onto the Internet, are available for free download worldwide and are playable on iPods, mobile phones and other podcast-supporting devices. Church officials in Australia hope the new lesson
French, German Adventist Universities Partnership Offers Joint Degree with State Recognition Berne/Switzerland, | 19.06.2007 | International Members of Salève Adventist University (Campus Adventiste du Salève) and Friedensau Adventist University (Theologische Hochschule Friedensau) academic administrations signed a joint degree agreement offering a fully-accredited master's degree in theology, during a regular mid-year meeting of the Adventist Church's Euro-Africa region, held May 21-23 in Krattigen, Switzerland. Salève Adventist University in Collonges-sous-Salève, France, announced plans last month to adopt a German university m
Adventist Youth March in Central London London/UK, | 30.05.2007 | International The banging of drums and the sounds of some 700 marching Pathfinders and young people from Adventist churches around Southern England brought Central London to a standstill on Saturday, May 19. Spectators lined the streets and burst into spontaneous applause at the sight of the London Youth Federation's "Put It Down" anti-gun crime sign. Adventist youth flowed past Temple Place, Downing Street, Parliament Square and Big Ben on route to the majestic 2,300-seater Westminster Central Hall, for
South Africa: Grandmothers with HIV, AIDS Find Support in Churches Johannesburg/ South Africa | 25.05.2007 | Health & Ethics Young people are not the only ones living with HIV or AIDS. Yet when one thinks of the spread of HIV and AIDS, particularly in Africa, the image that usually comes to mind is that of young parents leaving behind orphaned children. "No one thinks of older people contracting the disease," says Dr. Eugenia Giordano, associate director for Johannesburg-based Adventist AIDS Ministry (AAIM). "But there is a subset of specifically grandmothers living with HIV or AIDS." As Dr. Giordano and her h
Adventist Woman Nominated as U.S. Brigadier General Washington D.C./USA | 25.05.2007 | International The U.S. Department of Defense has announced, that President George W. Bush has nominated Colonel Loree K. Sutton (47), a Seventh-day Adventist, for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Colonel Sutton, a psychiatrist by training, is commander of Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort. Hood, Texas. She assumed command of the center in July 2005. "Colonel Sutton would be the first female Adventist to ever obtain that rank," said Gary Councell, associate director of Adventist Cha
United Kingdom: Clerics fume over 'No Smoking' signs at churches London/United Kingdom, | 24.05.2007 | Health & Ethics When legislation banning smoking in public places comes into force in the United Kingdom on July 1, even cathedrals must have signs at the door warning people smoking is forbidden inside. Wedding cars and hearses will also have to display signs. The crematorium and associated bereavement services, which are run by the city council, have been non-smoking for 15 years. When the ban on smoking in public places comes into force it will be an offence not to display signs at all entrances to pu
ADRA to Improve Access to Safe Drinking Water in Togo Lomé/Togo, | 23.05.2007 | ADRA The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is set to begin in June a one-year project that will improve access to safe drinking water for approximately 13,500 people in nine villages in the Maritime region of Togo. Funded by the ADRA United Kingdom office for US$118,000, the project will provide access points for clean water, create local water committees to manage the new water sources, and educate beneficiaries on improved health and hygiene practices. "Safe drinking water is si
German Bible Society and EKD present Chinese Bible Exhibition To German Kirchentag 2007 Stuttgart/Germany | 21.05.2007 | Bible After Hongkong, Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York the German city of Cologne will be the next venue of the Bible Ministry Exhibition of the Protestant Church of China. At the invitation of the German Bible Society (DBG) and the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) the impressive display of historic bibles, over seventy information panels and Christian art exhibits will be shown during the German Protestant Kirchentag in Cologne from June 6th to 10th. With nearly 4.000 guests from abroad and over
Madagascar's President Calls on Adventists to be "Green" Antananarivo/Madagascar, | 09.05.2007 | Religion + State "I have a vision for our country," Madagascar's president, Marc Ravalomanana, told some 30,000 Seventh-day Adventists gathered on May 5 for the opening day of an outreach effort in Mahamasina (Sacred) Stadium in Madagascar's capital. Referring to the effects of deforestation on the island country, Ravalomanana urged those gathered to help make Madagascar a "green island" once again. He indicated that the Adventist Church can and is playing a significant role in the environmental development
ADRA Expands Assistance to Tsunami-Hit Solomon Islands Honiara/Solomon Islands, | 09.05.2007 | unknow The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is continuing its assistance to the tsunami-affected Solomon Islands with a rehabilitation project to help 440 households on Choiseul Island rebuild their homes. The 14-week project began the first week of May and will benefit approximately 2,640 tsunami survivors. In early April, a massive underwater earthquake triggered a 33-foot tsunami that swept through the western region of the Solomon Islands, leaving devastation in its wake. ADRA res
German churches signed comon agreement on baptism Magdeburg/Germany | 07.05.2007 | Ecumenism Eleven German denominations - including Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Anglican churches —recognized formally each other's baptism, at an ecumenical ceremony in the eastern German city of Magdeburg. "As a sign of the unity of all Christians, baptism is a bond with Jesus Christ, the foundation of this unity," states a common declaration which was signed at the service on April 29. "This mutual recognition of baptism is an expression of the bond of unity founded in
Adventist Church Humanitarian Assistance Arrives in North Korea Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea | 28.04.2007 | International Following the signing of a memorandum of cooperation with the government authorities of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Pyongyang, in June, 2006, Pastor Jairyong Lee, president of the Northern Asia-Pacific region of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (NSD), visited the country again in late March. He led a delegation of South Korean church leaders to discuss shipments of humanitarian supplies to the country. According to Pastor Lee, the first shipment took place on February
World Evangelical Alliance Responds to Turkey Murders New York, N.Y./USA, | 20.04.2007 | International Three workers at a Bible publishing house in Malatya, Turkey were killed on Wednesday, April 18, in the latest apparent attack on Turkey's minority Christian community. The three Christian men -- Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel of Turkey, and Tilman Ekkehart Geske of Germany -- were bound and had their throats slit in a Christian book publishing office. Several people have been detained for questioning regarding the killings. The murder has sent shockwaves across the Christian minority in Tu
ADRA Empowers Internally Displaced Women in Colombia Bogotá/Colombia | 20.04.2007 | ADRA Female heads of household and women who have been displaced by war in Colombia are becoming more empowered through vocational training and personal development classes provided by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). ADRA’s one-year project, which began in March of 2007, will benefit 240 displaced women and female heads of households between two training centers, one in Cartagena and one in Bogotá. Beneficiaries will receive training in tailoring and cosmetology, providing the
Adventist Andrew’s University Student Arrested After Beating Professor Berrien Springs, MI/USA, | 18.04.2007 | International A student at Adventist-owned Andrews University threatened and assaulted Seminary professor Russell Burrill in his office at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary on campus. There was no weapon involved. The 28-year-old student Romana Baciu from Romania also assaulted a police officer and medic personnel. The student is in police custody, and has been dismissed from the university. Rusell Burrill received medical attention, was released, and returned to the classroom in the afternoo
Adventist World Church President Responds to Virginia Tech Tragedy Washington D.C./USA | 18.04.2007 | International Commenting on the deadly mass shooting that claimed the lives of 33 students and teachers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia on April 16, Seventh-day Adventist world church president, Pastor Jan Paulsen, offered a message of compassion and solidarity to family members, friends and classmates of the victims in a statement released yesterday evening. "What words are sufficient in the face of a tragedy such as this?" said Pastor Paulsen. "Within momen
Children in Kenya Receive Helping Hand from ADRA Nairobi/Kenya | 18.04.2007 | ADRA The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has initiated a two-year project—the Helping Hands Partnership—to support orphans, vulnerable children, and young adults aged 10 to 24 years in Nyanza province, on Lake Victoria in southwestern Kenya. In addition to interventions that will directly benefit children, the project will strengthen the support children receive in the community by building the capacity of 25 school management committees throughout the province. Adults, chosen from
New U.S. Television Series on Religion "I believe" also available online Washington D.C.,/USA | 12.04.2007 | Media "I believe", a new weekly half-hour television series, has begun distribution to U.S. Public Broadcasting Service stations and is now available for online viewing at www.ibelieve-tv.com Each week veteran television host and interviewer Dennis Wholey visits a different church, synagogue, mosque or temple to learn about that religion or faith. The centrepiece of each program is a conversation with the religious leader of the featured house of worship, a visit inside, and a brief look at a typic
ADRA Assists Tsunami Survivors in the Solomon Islands Honiara/Solomon Islands | 10.04.2007 | ADRA When a deadly tsunami swept through the western region of the Solomon Islands on April 1, causing widespread damage throughout the many coastal areas, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) responded immediately, providing urgently needed supplies to families as they begin rebuilding their lives. A state of emergency was declared the following day after an underwater earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale triggered the 33-foot tsunami. The earthquake lifted an entire island
United Kingdom: New Research Report Finds Only Teddington, Middlesex/U.K | 05.04.2007 | International A research report on church attendance in the United Kingdom (UK) published on April 3 by the British Charity, Tearfund, makes somber reading for church leaders. It found only one in 10 people in the United Kingdom attend church on a weekly basis even though 53 percent of the British population identify themselves as Christian. This reflects a drop of 20 percent from a similar survey conducted just six years ago. The survey is based on a representative poll of 7,000 adults indicated that 26.
UN Expert Defends Importance of Combating Religious Intolerance Geneva/Switzerland, | 28.03.2007 | International The U.N. Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Asma Jahangir In her report to the UN Human Rights Council, notes with concern that freedom of religion or belief is not a reality for many individuals throughout the world. She reiterated her concerns at a special meeting with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on March 28 at the UN Palais des Nations in Geneva. Responding to a question from the U.N. representative of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Jonathan Gallagher, she s
Adventist Statement on Islam to Provide Strovolos/Cyprus | 28.03.2007 | International On the initiative of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Middle East (MEU), Adventist leaders in the church's Trans-European (TED) recently adopted an official Statement on Islam to help foster a more constructive relationship between Muslims and Christians. "As [the Adventist] movement continues to grow in the world," the statement begins, "we are looking for [a] good relationship with Islam, a faith with a similar sense of godly calling that is followed by one-fifth of the world's populati
ADRA São Tomé and Principe Marks Completion of Anti-Malaria Campaign São Tomé, | 21.03.2007 | ADRA In February, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) celebrated the successful completion of an anti-malaria social marketing project in the African nation of São Tomé and Principe that promoted the use of ITNs (Insecticide-Treated bed-Nets) to fight the spread of the dangerous disease. The official closing ceremony was held February 23 in the capital city of São Tomé. R. Barrie Walkley, the U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Gabon and São Tomé and Principe, opened the ceremony by
British ADRA-Team Robbed at Gunpoint in Papua New Guinea Port Moresby/PNG | 21.03.2007 | ADRA Bert R. Smit, director of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency in the United Kingdom (ADRA-UK), program officer Pansi Katenga, and three other ADRA team members were held at gunpoint by armed robbers on March 1 while visiting Port Moresby, capital of Papua New Guinea (PNG) to monitor adult literacy education programs there. The robbers ambushed the ADRA minibus the group was travelling in following a visit to the Jesus Centre Halfway House training centre. The driver of the minibus wa
ADRA Rehabilitates Flooded Farmlands in Bolivia Santa Cruz/Bolivien, | 15.03.2007 | ADRA In response to severe flooding in eastern Bolivia, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is providing emergency and long-term agricultural rehabilitation assistance to households affected by the disaster in the rural farming village of San Luis, approximately 10 miles from the town of Camargo in Chuquisaca, Bolivia. In January, heavy rain caused extensive flooding in the eastern region, overflowing riverbeds, flooding villages, and destroying homes, buildings, and public infrast
Evangelical Religious Liberty Organizations Form Historical Network Amsterdam/The Netherlands | 15.03.2007 | Religious Liberty At a conference held from March 6-8 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, fifteen human rights organizations promoting religious freedom including the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) met and formed "The Religious Liberty Partnership" to find new ways of working together for the persecuted church. Chaired by Merwyn Thomas from Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), based in the U.K., the network will meet annually, while a working group of five members will lead various works during the year. The mem
Adventist Church's AIDS Ministry in Africa Expands, Calls for More Regional Coordinators Nairobi/Kenya | 14.03.2007 | unknow The Adventist AIDS International Ministry (AAIM), set up by the Seventh-day Adventist world church in 2003 and based in Johannesburg, South Africa to minister to those on the continent of Africa suffering from AIDS, may have started small. But at its fourth annual tri-regional advisory held February 12 to 14 in Nairobi, Kenya, its growth was evident. When Drs. Oscar and Eugenia Giordano began directing the office, just four delegates showed up for AAIM's first advisory. Four years later, that nu
Brazilian Police Arrest Man Who Raped and Strangled 20-month-old child in Adventist Church Joinville/Brazil, | 14.03.2007 | International The Brazilian police say they have solved a macabre crime involving a rapist and a one and a half year old girl, who after being raped was thrown in the baptismal font of a Seventh-day Adventist church in Joinville, a small town in the southern state of Santa Catarina. Gabrielli Cristina Eichholz, was violated and strangled on March 3, during the church's Saturday services. According to authorities, the murderer is Oscar Gonçalves do Rosário, a 22-year-old jobless mason who has confessed t
Iraq: Adventist College Graduate Killed Washington D.C./USA | 14.03.2007 | International U.S. Army Sergeant Jonathan D. Cadavero, 24, a medic and 2004 psychology graduate of Seventh-day Adventist-owned Columbia Union College (CUC) in Takoma Park, Maryland (USA), died soon after sustaining major head injuries improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle in Baghdad (Iraq) on February 27. Cadavero was on a Operation Iraqi Freedom mission when the explosion occurred. Also killed in the blast were Sergant Richard A. Soukenka, 30, and Corporal. Lorne E. Henry, Jr., 21. The men
South African Adventists Host Women Somerset West/South Africa | 09.03.2007 | Ecumenism This year marked the 77th time that South African women participated in a woman-led worldwide day of prayer. But it was the first time that the women of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Helderberg Basin in Somerset West, near Cape Town, South Africa, hosted the interdenominational day of prayer. The day of prayer took place Friday, March 2, from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. The Women's World Day of Prayer (WWDP) is a worldwide movement of Christian women from various cultures, races and churche
Adventists Back Movement to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls New York, N.Y./USA | 09.03.2007 | International A delegation of five Seventh-day Adventists joined some 5,000 women at United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York this week for the organization's 51st Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The session, which began Feb. 26 and ends March 9, gives voice to the plight of millions of women and girls worldwide for whom abuse and basic human rights violation is a way of life. Reports from UN member states and experts indicated some 55 million girls do not attend formal school
Brazil: Local Adventist Church Leaders Denounce Crime that Occurred in the Joinville Church, Reiterate Commitment to Child Safety, Welfare Brasília, Brazil | 07.03.2007 | International Seventh-day Adventists in Brazil are grieving after a 20-month-old child was discovered strangled in the baptismal tank of an Adventist church in Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil on March 3. Church leaders there have released a statement denouncing the heinous crime and reiterating the Adventist church's commitment to the safety and welfare of all children. "The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Santa Catarina comes before the public, in light of this unfortunate episode ... to state that the
Queen Sofia of Spain Visits ADRA Water Project in Indonesia Jakarta/Indonesia | 06.03.2007 | ADRA On February 7, 2007, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency was honoured with a visit from Queen Sofia of Spain at their water and sanitation project site on the island of Nias, in the North Sumatera province of Indonesia. The queen’s own humanitarian foundation, La Fundación Reina Sofia (The Queen Sofia Foundation), along with ADRA Spain, and AECI (the Spanish Agency for International Development), provided funding for the one-year project. Leire Pajin, the Spanish state minister of
Adventist Development and Relief Agency Receives Highest Rating by Leading U.S. Charity Evaluator Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 02.03.2007 | ADRA The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has received for the second consecutive year a coveted four-star rating from Charity Navigator (CN), America's premier independent charity evaluator. "The four-star rating affirms ADRA’s focus on transparency and accountability," said Tereza Byrne, bureau chief for marketing and development at the ADRA International office. "With more than 95 percent of funding going toward direct humanitarian services, our donors are assured that their gifts
Thailand chosen for 2008 World Evangelical Alliance General Assembly Washington D.C./USA | 01.03.2007 | International The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), based in Vancouver, Canada, announced today, that its next General Assembly will be held in Thailand, October 27-31, 2008. "The General Assembly of the World Evangelical Alliance meets every four years to endorse WEA programs and brings together representatives of various regional and national evangelical alliance and fellowships," reports Geoff Tunnicliffe, WEA International Director. These WEA programs are then carried out through the office of the Int
Adventist Lawyers Review Services to Church in Africa Cape Town/South Africa | 01.03.2007 | Religious Liberty A conference of Seventh-day Adventist lawyers from throughout Africa was a first for the African continent. Religious liberty, the legal status of church properties and establishing legal offices were among several issues discussed at a conference of Seventh-day Adventist lawyers from throughout Africa meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, on February 26. Lawyers reviewed their role in serving the church in increasingly complicated operational governance throughout Africa, and compared not
Russia: Church Arsonist Convicted in Novgorod Novgorod/Russia | 28.02.2007 | Religious Liberty The Seventh-day Adventist Church has faced in the past years multiple persecutions in some areas of Russia, including a violent attack on an Adventist pastor’s son in Nizhnekamsk, a killing of a night guard at an Adventist Church in Cheboksary, and an arson attack which destroyed the only Seventh-day Adventist Church in Saransk. In 2003 on September 25 a destructive arson fire destroyed the Novgorod Adventist Church. Now, three and a half years later, Zazu Nikolaishvili, a 39 year old man was
Brazil: Adventists Plan Outreach During Pan American Games Niterói, Rio de Janeiro/Brazil | 28.02.2007 | International "While athletes will be breaking sports records, Seventh-day Adventist university students ... are going to transform Rio de Janeiro into the capital of service and witness," says Pastor Otimar Gonçalves, youth ministries leader for the Adventist church in South America. He spoke to a work group planning public outreach during the July 13 to 29 Pan American Games (CO-RIO) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. With delegations from 42 countries and 5,500 athletes competing for titles in 28 sports, the P
Mozambique Faces Flooding, ADRA Provides Emergency Relief Maputo/Mozambique | 25.02.2007 | ADRA In response to heavy flooding in Mozambique, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is helping displaced families to recover with desperately needed emergency relief supplies. In central Mozambique, as many as 285,000 people have been affected by the heavy flooding, with more than 120,000 of those displaced. The majority of survivors have been evacuated from their homes and are currently living in resettlement centers and emergency accommodation centers located throughout affecte
Adventist Representative Commends UN Initiative to Curb Violence against Women New York, N.Y.,/USA | 20.02.2007 | International Far more action is needed to curb the world-wide problem of violence directed against women, according to Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s representative to the United Nations. Attending a Communications workshop on "Addressing gender issues with the United Nations: Present and future" held in New York on February 15, Gallagher commended the ongoing UN initiative designed to develop practical methods to end gender-related violence and discrimination. The meeting was org
A letter to the Christians of Europe Lutherstadt-Wittenberg /Germany | 19.02.2007 | Ecumenism A third stage meeting preparing the Third European Ecumenical Assembly met in Lutherstadt-Wittenberg /Germany from 15th to 18th of February 2007 to share in prayer and reflection, and to continue the process of the Third European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3) to be held in Sibiu, Romania in September 2007. The meeting ended with the publication of "A letter to the Christians of Europe" urging co-operation between Christian churches in Europe. The Third European Ecumenical Assembly (EEA3) wi
Mexico: Adventist Health Food Company Branch Manager Killed Navojoa, Sonora/Mexico | 16.02.2007 | International Local Mexican police authorities are investigating the February 15 shooting death of Joel Amilcar Hernandez, who served as general manager of the Seventh-day Adventist-owned Inter-American Health Food branch in Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico. Hernandez died near his home. He was 43 years old. "We are shocked and saddened by his death," said Joel Zukovski, director of the Inter-American Health Food Company, headquartered in Miami, Florida. "Our prayers go out to his family and the staff at Colpac...
Rwanda President Attends Inaugural Session of ADRA Leadership Council Kigali/Rwanda | 14.02.2007 | ADRA His Excellency, Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda, attended the inaugural session of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency’s Leadership Council (ALC) in Kigali, Rwanda, held February 12th through 15th. Opening the session with President Kagame in attendance, Pastor Lowell Cooper, ADRA International Board Chair, said, "We pray that the nation of Rwanda will know peace in every city, village, and home; that it will be a country under the rule of just laws; that every ci
Faith-based organizations play Key Role in African HIV/AIDS Fight Washington D.C./USA | 14.02.2007 | Health & Ethics Faith-based organizations (FBOs) are playing a key role in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa, a new United Nations (UN) report has said. According to an important study released February 8 by the World Health Organization (WHO) at the National Cathedral in Washington DC, efforts are needed to encourage greater collaboration between public health agencies and faith-based organizations (FBOs), if progress is to be made towards the goal of universal access towards HIV prevention, treatment, c
Indonesia: Flooding Displaces Thousands in Jakarta; ADRA Responds Jakarta/Indonesia | 06.02.2007 | ADRA The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has dispatched emergency response teams to help meet the needs of families affected by the heavy flooding that swept through Jakarta, Indonesia, in the early morning hours of February 3, 2007. Reports state that more than 300,000 people have been displaced and 36 killed in the flood-stricken capital city. Many of the displaced residents are currently taking refuge in schools, churches, mosques, and other public buildings. Damaged sanitation
Adventist Relief Agency ADRA Dispatches Mobile Health Teams in Flood-Affected Kenya Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 06.02.2007 | ADRA To combat the spread of water- and mosquito-borne illness caused by recent flooding in north-eastern Kenya, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is dispatching mobile medical and health education teams in the El Wak and Takaba divisions of the Mandera district. After three years of drought in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) of Kenya, heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding have caused widespread damage to the homes and livelihoods of an estimated 730,000 in the region. Appro
Australian Adventists Declare National Day of Prayer for Drought Ringwood, Victoria/Australia | 01.02.2007 | International In light of the continuing drought and water crisis in many parts of Australia, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Australia has called for church members to pray for this situation as part of worship services on February 17. "Australia is experiencing drought conditions unparalleled since records have been kept in many areas of the country," says Pastor Chester Stanley, president of the Adventist Church in Australia. The statistics, figures and broken records keep coming. "I have had a n
Church Leaders to Cultivate 'Relationship of Relating' Between Adventists and Major Faith Groups Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 24.01.2007 | Ecumenism "Seventh-day Adventists are not an island in this world. We want to know other faiths better, and we want them to know us better," Dr. John Graz, director of the Adventist world church's department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, said January 23. With a global membership fast approaching 15 million, the Adventist Church is far from being isolationist. However, its leaders believe a concerted effort to cultivate conversations between the church and major faith groups--Muslims, Buddhi
U.S. President Bush Pleads For War Support In State Of The Union Address - Adventist as Official Record Keeper Washington D.C./USA | 24.01.2007 | International U.S. President George Bush says sending more troops to Iraq will make both Iraqis and Americans safer. White House Correspondent of the Voice of America (VOA), Scott Stearns, reports: In his first State of the Union before a Congress led by political opponents, U.S. President George W. Bush congratulated Democrats now leading both the House and Senate, saying Congress has changed but its responsibilities have not. "We are not the first to come here with government divided and uncertainty
ADRA Shelters Displaced Families in the Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa/DRC | 24.01.2007 | ADRA After nearly a decade of political and civil unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is helping displaced families rebuild their lives, one home at a time. ADRA officials in the DRC report that much of the need is concentrated in South Kivu province in Eastern Congo, the area of origin of the greatest number of refugees and internally displaced people from the Second Congo War. “A lot of displacement took place in this territory,” s
Adventist Relief Agency ADRA combats global hunger Silver Spring, Maryland/USA | 24.01.2007 | ADRA [img id=880 align=right]In 2006, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) continued to fulfil its commitment to improve food security and fight hunger all over the world. During fiscal year 2006, ADRA partnered with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to distribute nearly 13,000 tons of food—nearly 35 tons per day—to vulnerable populations across the globe. More than 178,000 people received essential food items such as lentils, wheat, peas, sorghum, rice, beans, cornm
Serbia: Vandalism in Adventist Church Upsets Country Stapar/Serbia | 12.01.2007 | Religious Liberty The vandalism of a small Seventh-day Adventist village church in the province Vojvodina has caught the attention of the country's president, Boris Tadic. In his comments to the nation President Tadic said the January 8 incident was hooliganism and such acts must be stopped. The president also publicly requested that the police speed up the investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice. Unidentified people broke into the Adventist church between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. in Stapar, in the munic
