BREAKING NEWS

Adventists Pray for
Peace in Ivory Coast

eventh-day Adventists in Ivory Coast are praying for a peaceful resolution to a political uprising that has left more than 270 people dead and many more wounded. The conflict began September 19 when rebel groups stormed military sites, government buildings, and homes of key politicians.

Pastor Luka Daniel (right), president of the Africa-Indian Ocean Division, says the situation in Abijan remains "calm but tense." According to Daniel, there is fear that violence could flare at any time. A curfew remains in effect throughout the city.

"Last Sabbath [September 22] many of us could not go to the churches we usually attend, so we advised members to go to the nearest one, and that's what happened," he told Adventist News Network during an interview September 23.

Adventists in the region are praying for a return to peace, said Daniel. "This we have been doing privately and collectively. We certainly are praying, and we have made this known. The president's house is very close to our division headquarters, and this morning we sent a pastor and one of our directors to go talk with [leaders], and have the opportunity to pray with them in front of the president's house." Daniel has also asked for the prayers of Christians around the world as the political standoff continues.

Although the national government has now restored order in Abidjan, rebels in Ivory Coast still hold two major cities--Bouake and Korhogo. In Bouake, rebels held hostage more than 200 faculty and students at International Christian Academy on the outskirts of the city. The five-day siege ended September 25 when French troops secured the school.                                                          --Adventist News Network

French Officials May Have Second Thoughts
Over "Anti-Sect" Policy
After the adoption of a much-criticized law last year that many allege is a major erosion of religious freedom in France, an official response by the French delegation at a major meeting in Europe indicates some second thoughts as to the wisdom of targeting religious minorities. The response by French representatives to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe may be an indication that the "Anti-Sect" law and the government's policy in this area are being reconsidered. Admitting that the provisions of the law can lead to the dissolution of religious groups, the September 12 statement says that this would only happen "under very restrictive conditions, and as a very last resort." "To this date, the law has not been applied."

One of the most criticized aspects of the government's opposition to sects, the so-called "sect list" was developed in what appeared to be an arbitrary manner, and "is a parliamentary working document [that] has no legal value." The statement did, however, admit that some local authorities had been using this list to deny religious freedom to some groups on the list, including some well-recognized religious organizations. As a result, "The French government is taking steps to heighten the awareness of the administrative structures so that the list of sectarian movements can be recognized for what it is: a parliamentary working document which cannot serve as the basis for any measure to be taken," says the statement.

On what is probably the most controversial area-the establishment of "MILS"--the government watchdog body of "the Inter-ministerial Mission for the Fight Against Sects" the statement concluded, "We are aware that the aforementioned mission has generated a lack of understanding and forwarded an image which does not correspond to French reality. The government has undertaken a fundamental review of the objectives, role, and structure of the Inter-ministerial Mission."

"Is the French government's policy on such matters changing? Perhaps!" says John Graz, director of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's department for public affairs and religious liberty. "These may be indications that the French authorities are responding to criticisms of this law that reduces religious freedom and criminalizes certain groups and beliefs. We have been concerned that the provisions of this law could well be used to target religious minorities and cause great damage to their civil and religious rights as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We welcome the admission that the sect list is not to be used to discriminate against any religious group, and that the spirit of 'MILS' may be reviewed."

Adventist Women Involved in Evangelism
Recent reports from around the globe highlight evangelistic events recently led by Seventh-day Adventist women.

Adventist women in Swaziland, a country in southern Africa, held a first-ever three-week evangelistic campaign, baptizing 17 individuals with 12 more continuing to study. Mandla Sangweni was the featured speaker. Prior preparation included house-to-house visitation, Bible study groups, and a Vacation Bible School. As a result of this sucessful series, a new church has been established.

The Lake Region Conference women's ministries department, located in Chicago, Illinois, held an evangelistic event in Michigan City, Indiana during August 2002. Five women were the featured speakers for this four-week series. Four persons were baptized as a result, and 15 more are preparing for baptism.

Olga Murga, a Seventh-day Adventist worker in Israel, recently completed two evangelistic series in the city of Tashkent, Uzbekistan where 146 individuals were baptized. Earlier, Murga preached in Dushanbe, Tadzikistan, which resulted in the baptism of 102 persons. She is now working with her husband to establish a church in Nazareth.

Ellie Green, of North Carolina, has just returned from Kenya, where she conducted evangelistic meetings resulting in 492 baptisms and another 200 individuals continuing Bible studies. During the Sabbath meeting, crowds swelled to more than 12,000.

"Ever since Mary Magdalene preached the risen Savior, women have done well in evangelism. I am so glad more and more women are finding the blessing and satisfaction, and that the church is utilizing these gifts," affirms Aris Stenbakken, General Conference director of Women's Ministries.

La Sierra's SIFE Team are World Champions
La Sierra University's Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Team won the SIFE World Cup 2002 at the international competition held in Amsterdam September 22-24. From an initial field of more than 1,200 participating universities around the world, 24 national champion teams were in the final competition. Their presentations were judged by more than 70 of the world's top business leaders based upon how well they taught others the principles of free market economics. LSU's President Lawrence Geraty watched the competition broadcast live over the Internet. "We are so proud of the opportunities provided by a quality Adventist education and this highly successful group of students who have taken advantage of it!" he said.

News Notes

Seventh-day Adventists in Euro-Asia recently published a special edition of their official church magazine, Adventistsky Vestnik, devoted to promoting understanding and friendship between Adventists and Muslims. Entitled "Islam: Points of Contact," the magazine aims to introduce Adventists to the basic beliefs and customs of Islam while also providing material for church members to share with Muslim acquaintances.

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