N E W S B R E A K
Enrollment Rises
in Adventist Schools
orldwide enrollment in Seventh-day Adventist educational institutions grew by 11.4 percent last year, reports Humberto Rasi, education director for the General Conference.
Rasi says he thanks God that many families in 145 countries "recognize the importance and value of an Adventist education." All educational statistics will be included in the soon-to-be-released 2002 issue of World Report: Adventist Education Around the World, produced annually by the church's department of education.
Rasi says one notable statistic is the significant increase in secondary school enrollments--up by some 56,000 students. More than half of these new students come from homes that profess other faiths, he says. "This gives an opportunity for Adventist teachers and students to share their biblical convictions with the homes these students represent."
The total number of faculty, administration and staff grew by 5.2 percent number of educational institutions operated by the Adventist Church grew by 4.8 percent last year, from 6,064 in 2000 to 6,335 in 2001. There are nearly 1.2 million students attending Adventist educational institutions worldwide. --Adventist News Network
Largest Rally in 3ABN History Held in New York
"It was the largest 3ABN Rally in our history!" said Derrell Mundall, of Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN). Held July 20, 2002 in Harlem, New York, the rally drew 6,000 people, more than three times the expected attendance. "Church members and leaders partnered with 3ABN for a day of activities launching efforts to add the 3ABN network to New York City's two cable companies," he said.
The rally marked the beginning of a letter-writing and telephone campaign organized by local church members who mobilized more than 30,000 people to call and write their New York cable company weekly asking them to add 3ABN to the local cable lineup.
The Ephesus Adventist Church in Harlem hosted the rally which featured a 13-block parade down Malcolm X Boulevard through downtown Harlem, passing prominent landmarks such as the Apollo Theater and former President Clinton's office. Hundreds of Pathfinders with drum corps, flags, and marching routines led the parade.
Danny and Linda Shelton, president and vice president of 3ABN, were joined by many church leaders and guest musicians, including a large steel drum orchestra.
Samoan Church Member Attempts
English Channel Swim
Seventh-day Adventist Iose Mataafa swam for almost 12 hours August 1 before pulling up just one mile short of his goal of becoming the first Samoan to swim the more than 20-mile stretch of water between England and France.
Mataafa, 57, from Brisbane, Australia, says he took on the challenge in order to raise awareness of principles of healthy living, and also as a way to raise money for his local church's building program.
Setting out from the Kent coast, he began his attempt at 4:40 a.m. on August 1. He was accompanied across the channel by his support vessel, the Viking Princess, which carried representatives of the Channel Swimming Association as well as Mataafa's wife, Kaumi, his friend and church youth leader, Tanu Sanft, and two other crew members.
Mataafa swam for approximately 12 hours, never leaving the water or touching the boat, and took only brief breaks every hour or so for food and drinks. When he was within one mile of the French coast Mataafa developed a shoulder injury that slowed his progress. In addition, sea conditions changed, and the captain and official observer judged that the tides and current were too strong for him to complete the swim. "I could see the French coast and a lighthouse and I really wanted to get there, but I was ordered to stop." said Mataafa, "I suppose they were in a better position to judge the conditions than I was."
Mataafa works for the Sanitarium Health Food Company in Australia and wanted to use publicity from the swim to promote a healthy way of life and was also raising funds through sponsorship for his local church. Pastor Ken Vogel, president of the Adventist Church in Queensland, says Mataafa is an "active and loyal member of the Inala church. This church has need for land and a church building where they can both worship and evangelize. Mataafa dedicated this swim to helping raise funds for his church." --Adventist News Network
News Notes
John Freedman was elected as president of the Washington Conference. He replaces David Weigley, who recently became president of the Potomac Conference.
Martin Ytreberg was recently elected Vice President of Finance for Pacific Press Publishing Association. He replaces Ross Lauterbach, who died in an auto accident earlier this summer.
The Doctor of Ministry program at Andrews University will add a new concentration in Family Ministry to begin in the summer of 2003. The program seeks to sustain pastoral excellence by attending to the personal, pastoral, and evangelistic responsibilities of a pastor.
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