WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES
Anti-Semitic Vandals Deface Russian Adventist Seminary
he Federal Security Service and local police are investigating an act of anti-Semitic vandalism following an attack on the Zaokski Theological Seminary, an Adventist institution, on June 17.
In the early morning hours, Russian-language defamatory slogans were painted on seminary buildings and a recently paved sidewalk, along with Nazi symbols such as the swastika. As of this printing, the vandals had not yet been found.
At a May 2004 conference on the influence of Protestants in Russia, the mayor of Zaokski said the presence of the Adventist Church was important to the region.
"It was the will of God that Adventists picked out this place for the Seminary," he said. "We are satisfied and happy because they made [a] better atmosphere in our region; they teach people to live happier [lives]."
Approximately 300 students attend classes at the school, which has expanded its offerings beyond theology into general education categories. In March 1991, the Russian Federation's Ministry of Justice registered the Seminary as an institution of higher education, and the Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventist Schools, Colleges, and Universities, a body of the Church's world headquarters, also recognizes the institution.
"The anti-Semitic graffiti at our college at Zaoksky shows clearly the real nature of anti-Semitism, which is an irrational hatred," declared Dr. John Graz, public affairs and religious liberty director for the Adventist world church. "We hope that all religious leaders in that region will take a stand against this kind of intolerance, which is spreading in too many places." --Adventist News Network
Displaced Adventists Inaccessible in Refugee Camp
The humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of western Sudan is becoming increasingly desperate, according to Paul Yithak, secretary for the Adventist Church in Sudan. "Thank God no one has been killed or injured among our church members," said Yithak. "However, they are in a dire and desperate situation."
In a July 8 e-mail to the church's regional Middle East headquarters, Yithak said that Adventists from the church in Nyala province "have no access to help." According to Yithak, about 50,000 people from Nyala have been displaced and moved to Matarik. Nearly 100 Adventists were among these thousands who spent 17 hours aboard slow-moving trains headed for this distant area, making them even less accessible. Adventists have lost two churches in this recent conflict.
The international concern over the crisis in Darfur is apparently bearing some fruit because that region of Darfur has opened up for international humanitarian agencies and human rights groups. Yithak's report indicates that much more intervention is needed.
With the sketchy information available from the Matarik Refugee Camp, Adventist administration in Sudan has learned that there is only enough food for one month, and no medication or clothing is available. "We have lost contact with our members," said Yithak, "and it is getting impossible to have direct access to the new camp that was set up. Plus, we have no funds to help and assist our members in that region."
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is distributing tents, food, and medicine in Darfur, and will soon begin drilling wells in the region.
The Adventist Church in Sudan has a membership of nearly 5,000, almost all of whom are displaced due to decades of war in the country.
If you would like to make a financial donation to help provide assistance to Adventists in the Darfur region, you can contact ADRA at 1-800-424-ADRA --Middle East Union
First Iraqi Adventist Killed
Church leaders in the Trans-European Division (TED) report that the first Iraqi Adventist was killed in a skirmish on July 11 in Mosul.
According to a report in TED's newsletter, Adventist News Review, a mother of three sons was traveling to a wedding when an American convoy passed her vehicle. Just then, an explosion occurred in front of the convoy, and soldiers began firing their weapons. The mother was struck by a stray bullet. Her son was also injured.
Homer Trecartin, Middle East Union secretary-treasurer, invited Adventists around the world pray for the family. "Please join us in praying for this family, our members in Iraq, and that peace will come quickly. Most of all, pray that Jesus will come soon; that is the only real answer to the problems we face in this world."
News Notes
Kwabena Donkor, an Adventist pastor in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, was appointed associate director of the Biblical Research Institute (BRI) at the General Conference. He fills a position that has been open since March 2002 when former BRI director George Reid retired and Angel Rodriguez became director.
Donkor is a native of Ghana and has pursued his studies there as well as in the United States. He earned his Ph.D. at Andrews University in the area of Systematic Theology.
--BRI Reflections
Sabbath Practices--May-Ellen Colón, an assistant director in the General Conference Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department, successfully completed her doctoral dissertation on Sabbath-keeping practices. Colon found a strong unity of belief in biblical Sabbath-keeping principals.
However, she noted there are great cultural differences in leisure activities on Sabbath (e.g., camping, boating, etc.). Also, though Sabbath School involvement is high, participation in other activities such as Sabbath preparation, service, and missionary work were low. Colón found that the agreement with God-focused beliefs in biblical principles appears to be the best predictor for Sabbath-keeping practices.
Reaching Romania--From February 20 through March 7, 29 evangelist, five pastors, and 24 lay people held evangelistic meetings in Romania. Nine support team members assisted with health talks, music, children's programs, and technical help. Although the series of meetings was not advertised, it began with 200 attendees and grew to 600 with more than 200 making decisions for baptism.
More
Religious News
Adventist
News Network
Religion
News Service
Religion
Today
