NEWSBREAK

Adventists in Iraq Focus on Mission

BY JULIO MUNOZ, Adventist NewsLine reporter

eventh-day Adventists in Iraq continue to carry out the church's mission despite growing concerns about a war against their country, reports Michael Porter, Middle East Union (MEU) president. They are continuing with plans that will nearly double the size of the current church building in Baghdad by adding new rooms for Sabbath School functions and a fellowship hall.

"Right now our church members are doing their best to carry on; they're doing their best to continue with their worship," Porter said in a recent interview with Adventist NewsLine, an international television broadcast. The leadership of the Adventist Church in Iraq is planning for the future, undeterred by rhetoric of war, and "our church believers in Iraq will be praying that somehow God can intervene so that lives will not be lost," Porter said.

Organized in 1923, the Adventist Church in Iraq is one of 13 churches recognized by the government. There are three congregations in the country, including one in the city of Nineveh--famed for its visit by the reluctant Biblical prophet, Jonah.

Every Sabbath nearly 200 members gather to worship at the Baghdad Adventist church in what is regarded as one of the most architecturally striking churches in all of Iraq, according to Porter.

The Baghdad congregation recently concluded a week of spiritual emphasis featuring Amir Ghali, union youth director. Church members continue to prepare for the annual Vacation Bible School, which is attended by more than 100 participants. Iraqi church officials say that it is through outreach programs such as these that the church has grown by 45 members in the last five years.

Despite their optimism, Adventists in Iraq are expressing their feelings about the effect war may have on the country and their church. "Our Iraqi church members are concerned that the people of Iraq were the ones to suffer from the war 10 years ago and they will suffer again if there is another one," said Porter.

Porter said Adventist believers in Iraq are preparing themselves for what may now be inevitable. "They're digging wells in their yards so that they'll have a water supply," he said. "They're preparing for a difficult time without water and electricity."

Church members in Iraq, along with Adventist believers around the world, will continue to pray for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, according to Larry Colburn, assistant to the General Conference president.

"As a Christian community we should continue to pray that the serious circumstances around us may subside and that conflict does not develop into tragic consequences which could easily spin out of control," Colburn said. "War is always the worst option."

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Middle East region is preparing contingency plans should war occur, Pastor Porter said. The plans include preparations to evacuate church personnel and to provide humanitarian aid to the victims. A regional office is being considered in one of the neighboring countries to facilitate distribution of food, tents and other supplies to refugees.                --Adventist News Network

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