BY JONATHAN GALLAGHER, United Nations liaison director for the General Conference

hen Adventist administrators, pastors, and lay members, from around the world gather for the General Conference Executive Committee's Annual Council October 10-15, they will confront major "problems of growth." Good problems to have, as leaders admit, but ones that pose sizeable challenges to the church.

For example, in Africa, in response to the "crying need" for Adventist graduate education, proposals will be considered to meet such needs that reflect the huge growth of the church, especially among the youth.

Then there's a "concept proposal" that examines how to support and develop a system of nurture for new newly-baptized members in areas with rapid growth. This plan would meet the concerns that evangelistic programs may not be so effective over the long term due to inadequate follow-up. A major new strategy being proposed by the General Conference Volunteerism Center recommends that every church select and sponsor a volunteer for mission service, either in their own location or overseas.

Also on the agenda is an attempt to share the genius of Adventist leadership to a fast-expanding membership. A scheme is being developed that will profile major leadership concepts at GC Session 2005 through a series of interactive presentations.

While the church continues to grow in many areas, there's concern for the major cities. "Hope for the Big 13" will allow each of the 13 world divisions to select one major city for an outreach series. A special offering will be taken at GC Session 2005 towards the cost of this new initiative.

The Commission on Higher Education brings its report to the council-a major analysis of the current state of tertiary education in the Adventist Church. This ministry of the church faces many challenges that need to be addressed including its spiritual and academic quality. Factors to be discussed include the percentage of Adventist students and teachers in denominational schools, questions of "ownership," and lines of authority for policy compliance.

Hope TV Channel to Debut at Annual Council
In what is billed as an exciting development of the church's current TV ministry, the new "Hope Channel" will debut at annual council. As part of the Adventist Television Network (ATN), the 24-hours-a-day Hope Channel will continue to present such programming as Adventist Newsline, Sabbath school lessons and evangelistic meetings along with new programs on religious freedom, personal stories of faith, health presentations. The programming will also include material from other Adventist entities such as Outpost Centers Inc, Maranatha, Amazing Facts, and It is Written.

Hope Channel is primarily aimed at a North American audience, with a Latin American station for Portuguese and Spanish transmissions to Central and South America. Its sister channel, Hope Channel International, will broadcast on a more limited schedule to the Pacific Rim, Southeast Asia, India, Africa and Europe.

Jan Paulsen, the Adventist Church's world leader, will officially inaugurate the Hope Channel at the commencement of Annual Council with the broadcast of his keynote address.

Paulsen's address may be viewed live on the Adventist Review website starting at 6:30 p.m. (ET) Friday, October 10. Just click on the link above. The program will also be archived for viewing on demand. To see the program on television, visit the Hope Channel website at www.adventist.tv.