NEWSBREAK
Adventists Join Nations of the World in Condemnation of Terrorism
eventh-day Adventists joined the call to condemn terrorism at a United Nations Security Council meeting January 20.
Foreign Affairs Ministers from the 15 member states of the Security Council gathered in New York and unanimously approved an important resolution condemning the use of terrorism by any country or rogue organization.
Among other dignitaries, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell attended the session and addressed the Council before the historic vote was taken. "No country's citizens are safe from terrorism, and no cause justifies the murder of innocent people," Powell stated. "We must work together… so that all of God's creatures can live without fear."
"In recent years terrorism has become an increasingly prevalent issue and has wreaked havoc all over the world. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has been deeply saddened by this trend and denounces such taking of life by terrorists," said Jonathan Gallagher, United Nations liaison director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
"Adventists are appalled by the taking of life to further some terrorist cause," states Leo Ranzolin, general vice president at the church's world headquarters. "As committed Christians, we follow the example of Christ, and call on all involved in armed conflict to ‘put up your swords,' and seek peaceful resolution of disputes."
In an official statement released in 1985, the Church made its position clear: "In a world filled with hate and struggle, a world of ideological strife and military conflicts, Seventh-day Adventists desire to be known as peacemakers and work for worldwide justice and peace under Christ as the head of a new humanity."
AUC President To Step Down
The Atlantic Union College (AUC) Board of Trustees has announced that Sylvan Lashley will resign as president as of May 31, 2003. Lashley has served as president of the South Lancaster, Massachusetts, college since 1996.
Before coming to AUC, Lashley served as president of Carribean Union College in Trinidad and West Indies College (now Northern Caribbean University) in Jamaica.
Adventist Church in Russia Destroyed
in Suspected Arson Attack
Police and fire officials in Russia are investigating a fire that destroyed a Seventh-day Adventist church in the city of Saransk, east of Moscow.
A night watchman at the church noticed the flames at 1 a.m. on Feb. 4. He escaped through a window and called the fire department, but the wooden roof had already collapsed in the blaze. After an initial inspection of the site, authorities concluded that arson was the most likely cause.
The Saransk church had been slightly damaged in another suspected arson attack in December. At that time, bottles containing flammable chemicals had been thrown through several windows.
Adventist leaders in the region say they are concerned about the increasing violence directed against members of minority religions. In November the son of an Adventist pastor was attacked by knife in the city of Nizhnekamsk, and in December a night guard was killed at an Adventist church in Cheboksary.--Adventist News Network
North Carolina Church Experiences
Armed Robbery During Prayer Meeting
Two men are in jail after allegedly shooting a man and beating another during an armed robbery on January 22 at the Sanford Hispanic Church in North Carolina.
Both men, in their early 20s, reportedly stormed into the church and demanded money of the 20 church members present. They shot one member in the leg and hit another with the butt of a rifle, then fled with purses and cash.
Police found the two suspects in an apartment about a mile from the church. The shooting victim was in stable condition at a hospital the next day, and the other was treated and released.--Adventist News Network
Sisters Receive Recognition for Rescue of Toddler
Sisters Alvoneé and Alvia Penn, students at Bahamas Academy, Bahamas, were recently presented plaques by their principal and the president of the Bahamas Conference in recognition of their bravery on January 22 when they rescued a two-year-old attacked by dogs. Their story was also featured February 9 on Adventist Television Network (ATN).
Seven-year-old Alvoneé was playing outside when she saw the toddler being attacked by four dogs. She called her sister, who upon seeing the attack, rushed outside, and rescued the child from the midst of the attack, and frightened off the dogs.
AOnly a week ago, we talked about making our church more relevant@ said Leonard Johnson, president of the Bahamas Conference during the awards presentation. AAnd here, through the education arm of our conference, we have students like you who are making us so proud because you have reached out beyond the comfort zone, putting yourselves at risk in seeking to save that little one,
News Notes
Gilbert Vega, secretary of the Southern New England Conference, was elected president, replacing Hal Thomsen who has become the assistant to the president for the North American Division.
The Biblical Research Institute (BRI), located at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland, has recently published a monthly newsletter for church administrators, leaders, and pastors. A first for BRI, the newsletter seeks to "share information concerning doctrinal and theological developments among Adventists and to foster doctrinal and theological unity in the world church." The newsletter is available through the conference, union, or division ministerial departments. Further information is available via the BRI Web site at http://biblicalresearch.gc.adventist.org.
Linda Mei Lin Koh, children's ministries director for the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, was elected General Conference children's ministries director on February 4. She replaces Virginia Smith who resigned for personal reasons.
Justus Devadas was elected as new president of Spicer Memorial College. He replaces Samuel Gaikwad who has accepted a teaching position at the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies in the Philippines. Devadas is currently serving as the education director of the Southern Asia Division. He will assume his new position in April 2003.
Leonard Johnson, secretary of the Bahamas Conference, was elected president of the Bahamas Conference January 10. He replaces Keith Albury who was recently elected president of the newly organized mission in the northern region of the Bahamas.
Beginning in January 2003, the North American Division (NAD) office of communication and PlusLine (a NAD church resource organization) will recognize twelve churches with outstanding Web sites. The goal is to encourage local churches with Web sites to give careful thought to their Internet presence and witness. Two churches, Emmanuel-Brinklow in Maryland and Riverside Church in Washougal, Washington, have already received January and February's eChurch awards. More information is available through the North American Division Web site: www.nadadventist.org/communication/webexcellence.html or www.plusline.org.
Bibleinfo.com, a Seventh-day Adventist sponsored Bible information online ministry, launched a kid-friendly version this past October. KidsBibleinfo.com was developed specifically for children, ages 6 to 12, to learn about the Bible in an easy-to-read, attractive format. Main components include Bible topics, stories, games, and a Bible lesson series. Adventist Review kid readers may wish to log-on at www.kidsBibleinfo.com.
The General Conference Auditing Service (GCAS) held its first-ever worldwide seminar in Chiang Mai, Thailand in January. Of its 187 auditors, 174 were able to attend. "[This seminar] marks a significant milestone in the development of a professionally qualified and spiritually motivated team capable of meeting its obligations to the church," says Eric Korff, GCAS director. GCAS is responsible for conducting financial audits of all Seventh-day Adventist entities other than local churches and the General Conference.
Avista Adventist Hospital, Louisville, Colorado, was named among Solucient's 2001 100 Top Hospitals--National Benchmarks for Success. Avista was one of only 20 small community hospitals nationwide to be selected for this distinction.
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