n Wednesday night (April 24), North America's first "Festival of the Laity" began at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The program continues through Saturday, April 27.

Designed to train lay church members to witness more effectively and sharpen their ministry skills, the festival offers more than 300 seminars and workshops on 30 different ministry tracks. Attendees will also enjoy prayer, praise, and worship services, musical concerts, displays, and exhibitions.

Festival Highlights Opening Ceremonies (Video)

Wednesday night's meeting began with a rousing keynote address from North American Division president Don Schneider. For those who are unable to attend the meetings, the Adventist Review Online is providing streaming media of the opening meeting as a service to our readers. By 2 p.m. (EDT) Saturday, you can see the Sabbath morning service online. The featured speaker is Walter Pearson, speaker/director of the Breath of Life television ministry.

Both the Wednesday night and Sabbath morning broadcasts will be archived for your convenience. If you enjoy this service please let us know. You can contact us at letter@adventistreview.org


NAD President's Keynote
Launches Festival of the Laity
North American Division president Don Schneider challenged delegates to begin in their own neighborhoods as they plan for how to win souls for Christ, during his sermon at the opening session of the North American Division Festival of the Laity.

"This event is about you, your God and your neighbor, not about a corporate church," said Schneider. "'Go make disciples of all people' is the job description God has assigned us. This is the business of our church."

He reported that 53 percent of Americans have never heard of Seventh-day Adventists, which indicates that there is much work for the church to do. "People are dying without knowing the name of Jesus. I cannotafford to do anything but be about my Father's business," Schneider said. He defined the laity as everyone who has received the call of God to win souls. He emphasized that Adventists are to be missionaries first, then professionals.

Reaction to Schneider's message was very positive. Rico Hill came to Orlando from southern California: "The program was electrifying. I felt the fire and sensed that people are on one accord and are serious about finishing the work. It's not just a slogan."

Jean Broster of Pennsylvania said, "It was informative, uplifting, and encouraging."

"He gave a simple, challenging solemn message to win ourneighborhood," said Pastor Dayton Chong, Asian ministries director of the Central California Conference, attending his wife, Yvette.

Nearly 3,000 people registered on the first day of the Festival, and many more are expected to fill the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, between now and the close of the Festival on Sabbath evening, April 27.

See Schneider's message starting 5 p.m. Friday on this page.