N E W S B R E A K
Food Factory Spared Major Damage
ilk-Snack Productions, Ltd (MSP), a subsidiary of the German DE-VAU-GE Health Food Factory, Ltd, escaped being damaged by the flooding that caused millions of dollars in damage to several European countries last summer. Located in the old imperial city of Tangermünde on the Elbe River, MSP produces 30,000 tons of breakfast products per year and has about 300 employees.
When the Elbe River reached flood stage, company officials ordered the evacuation of the factory to protect as much of the machinery and the factory as possible.
About 200 volunteers filled approximately 15,000 sandbags to protect all 34 entrances of the factory to a height of 1.5 meters. Electrical appliances and machines were dismantled by 30 electricians up to a height of 1.5 meter. Thirty trucks were needed to transport loads of manufactured goods and raw materials away from the flood zone with the help of employees and volunteers. The neighboring city of Hämerten was partially flooded.
No personal or property damage was sustained by the building or its machinery.
Ellen G. White-SDA Research Center
Opens in Euro-Africa Division
The thirteenth Ellen G. White Seventh-day Adventist Research Center to be established outside North America was inaugurated on November 7 at Saleve Adventist University in Collonges, France.
Since 1974, when the first Ellen G. White research center opened at Newbold College (England), the White Estate and the General Conference have responded to requests from each world division for designated facilities at key academic institutions where the church's heritage and the writings of Ellen G. White (both published and unpublished) may be researched and utilized to strengthen the church's mission throughout its respective territories.
White Estate representatives James R. Nix (holding scissors), Tim Poirier, and Teofilo Ferreira unpacked and organized more than 70 boxes of printed and microfiched materials shipped from the White Estate archives at the General Conference. Jean-Luc Rolland, who currently teaches Adventist history and Ellen G. White studies at the university, has been appointed director of the center.
Bruinsma Elected President of Netherlands Union
Reinder Bruinsma was elected president at the quinquennial session of the Netherlands Union in November. Henk Koning, who had served as president for the last seven years, was elected executive secretary. Paula Koeweiden was re-elected as treasurer.
"This session has highlighted the need for recognizing that the church in the Netherlands is multicultural," says Bertil Wiklander, president of the Trans-European Divsion. "The positive and strong involvement of the many ethnic groups in the church is now offered in the union executive committee. But the union may also need to consider having more positions of different ethnic origins, so that they may be involved in future leadership positions."
Bruinsma, 60, has served the church for more than 35 years in a number of capacities: pastoral, educational, editorial, managerial, and administrative. He was a missionary in Africa from 1984 until 1991, then worked at the Trans-European Division headquarters in England, first as a communication and PARL director, and between 1995 and 2001 as the division executive secretary.
"If there is one thing I hope to contribute," Bruinsma said, "it is a continued growth of the church in breadth as well as in depth, and to foster a climate in the church which will make it a true spiritual home for our membership in all its diversity."
News Notes
In September, 2002, Chile Adventist University was granted full government recognition through a decree issued by the national Ministry of Education. This represents the culmination of a process begun in 1990 that involved a period of institutional mentorship under the guidance of three older national universities. With an enrollment of approximately 1,200 students, the university, in operation for nearly 100 years, currently serves a constituency of more than 100,000 Adventists, in a country with a population of 16 million.
More than 250 students and university graduates attended the Euro-Africa Division's second European student congress in Eisenberg, Germany, November 1-3. The congress was targeted toward Adventists studying in non-Adventist universities. This year's theme, "Can We Walk in the Steps of the Reformers?", was developed in presentations from five international professors. Students were then invited to enter into further discussion, and consider how they could bring a renewing revitalizing message to Adventist churches in the division.
The 2003 "Outstanding Stewardship Education Award" will be presented in January to the North American Division (NAD) Stewardship Department in recognition of its stewardship education program. Receiving the award on behalf of the department will be G. Edward Reid, director of the department. It is the highest association-wide education award given by the Christian Stewardship Association (CSA), and the NAD received it by a unanimous vote. CSA President and CEO Scott Preissler writes, "Your impressive education program, interest in certification with CSA, and numerous books and materials truly put your denomination out front as a stewardship education leader."
Fifteen Florida Conference Hispanic pastors received their master of arts degree in pastoral ministry this past summer from Andrews University. This milestone event began 10 years ago as a dream of the Florida Conference and Southern Union. The Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary's Institute of Hispanic Ministry program was brought to the pastors, minimizing time away from their congregations.
"We are better prepared to serve our churches in the twenty-first century as we have grown in knowledge while acquiring greater resources to aid in our ministry," says Orlando Lopez, Sr., one of the pastoral graduates.
More Religious News
Adventist News Network
Religion News Service
Religion Today
