WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES

he Seventh-day Adventist Church in Venezuela and throughout Inter-America is mourning the loss of five of its members-three women and two children-after a tragic automobile accident on Friday, June 3. One woman remains in critical condition.

"Our division suffers because of this tragic loss, especially the faithful workers on the road on their way to do their duty," says Israel Leito, president of the church in Inter-America. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the church in Venezuela, and especially the ministerial families who have suffered great loss."

The accident occurred as hundreds of church leaders and their children were traveling by bus and car from the city of Barquisimeto to Barinas for a children's ministry leadership event sponsored by the West Central Venezuela Conference. According to eyewitness reports, the victims were driving a Renault vehicle when it was hit head-on by an out-of-control Toyota Camry.

"The Seventh-day Adventist Church extends a message of condolences and hope to all the families suffering the loss in the west central territory," says Rodolfo Escobar, vice president and communication director of the Venezuela-Antilles Union.

The victims have been identified as Gloria de Linares, who was children's and women's ministries director in the west central region, and her daughter, Maribel Linares; Celilia Rojas Manrique, a former women's ministry director of the Central Venezuela Conference; Laura Fernandez, age 10, and her brother Jesus Gabriel Fernandez, age 4. The only survivor was Lorena Fernandez, mother of the two children who were killed. Fernandez underwent surgery after the crash.

Funeral services for the victims were held on Sabbath and Sunday, June 4 and 5. Hundreds of church leaders and busloads of members throughout the country attended the services.

"We are still in shock [from] this tragedy," says Vladimir Kabbas, president of the West Central Venezuela Conference. "There are no words to express the loss of so many lives. We lost a wonderful leader in Gloria de Linares, who was a great leader and also my secretary."

"We ask for the prayers of our brothers and sisters throughout the division during this time of loss," adds Kabbas.

Church leaders in Venezuela declared June 6 and 7 national mourning days for the nearly 600 churches and congregations throughout Venezuela.

A team of paramedics, counselors, and ministers was organized to provide counseling for the victims' families and those who witnessed the accident.                    --Libna Stevens/Inter-American Division/AR.


New Serbian Law May Discriminate
Against Nontraditional Religions
The latest of four drafts of a proposed religion law in Serbia is an "improvement," Baptist and Adventist leaders told Forum 18 News Service. Religious minorities, however, are worried that the latest draft, like previous drafts, divides religious communities into "traditional" faiths and other faiths with fewer rights. Baptist pastor Dane Vidovic told Forum 18 that this division "is critical, because it will affect other laws and areas of life, including rights to religious education in public schools, taxes and property, social security, and pension funds."

"The [Serbian] government is becoming more open to dialogue and better communication," said Miodrag Zivanovic, president of the South-East European Union. "We look forward to the new legislation, which will secure better [working conditions for] the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Serbia, but moreover, recognition of the church as a Christian [community]."

He acknowledged, however, that "there are still not the processes which will give the equal status to the Adventist church in the area of writing the new legislation." Zivanovic also stated that although the Constitution and the draft law proclaim all religious communities as equal, in some articles and official regulations "the state is making a rift between the 'traditional' religious organizations and the rest of us."

The 2001 Law on Property Taxes declares that property of religious organizations used for religious services is exempt from property tax. But in late 2004 the Serbian parliament amended the law, no longer granting such exemption to "religious organizations" but only to the seven "traditional" religious communities. It appears the new religion law will not affect this discrimination in the tax law.

Another example of existing discrimination is the awarding of taxpayers' grants to the seven "traditional" religious faiths.

Youth Leaders Gear Up for Evangelism
and Ministry Training at GC Session
The General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri, promises to be more than a legislative meeting; it will also give young people hands-on training in public evangelism and spread the gospel to the people of St. Louis. "Impact St. Louis" is the name given to the official evangelistic arm of the 2005 GC Session, which will endeavor to train young people in ministry while at the same time preaching the Adventist message to the city.

"Impact St. Louis means a lot to the people of St. Louis," says Baraka Muganda, youth leader for the world church. "While some people are discussing other important issues of concern to the church, young people will be sharing the Adventist message with the citizens of St. Louis."

Impact St. Louis should be seen as an opportunity for those who aren't delegates or denominational employees to participate in the mission of the church at a crucial moment in history. "This is the goal of Impact St. Louis," continues Muganda. "These young people will go on to impact the whole world through missions and service projects."

Impact St. Louis is open to anyone who would like to participate.

For more information and updates, visit www.adventistyouthministries.org.

SERBIA: ADRA Responds to Devastating Flood
SERBIA: ADRA Responds to Devastating Flood On April 21 and 22, the Tamis River overflowed its banks, causing extensive flooding in eastern Vojvodina and western Romania. In the town of Jasa Tomic in Serbia more than 250 houses were completely destroyed and 700 houses flooded. Because most houses in this region are constructed of clay bricks, there is a fear that many more homes will be found to be damaged or destroyed after the water subsides. About 2,000 residents have been moved to the municipal collective centers or are staying with relatives and friends.

Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) responded immediately to the crisis by sending three truckloads of supplies, including clothing, shoes, candles, food, and other necessities. During the next few weeks additional supplies will be provided.

"It was an experience to be paddled around the streets in a little boat and witness the hardship many families are facing," said Roy Richardson, the ADRA director in the Trans-European region. "I was impressed by the resilience of the people and how they are making the best of this terrible situation"      --Trans-European Division Communication Department/AR.

Adventists in the Phillippines
Hold Centennial Celebration
More than 1.3 million Adventists in the Philippines celebrated the centennial of the church in the 7,100-island republic on March 2 to 5. On Sabbath during the celebration at the Araneta Coliseum, Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo greeted Jan Paulsen, Adventist world church president, and commended Adventists for their commitment to social service and advocacy for good government. Paulsen prayed for Macapagal-Arroyo, asking God to give her strength to continue governing the country.

Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (left) greets Jan Paulsen. [photo credit: Roger Sabio]

"Without the shield of faith, we are vulnerable," Paulsen told a crowd of more than 30,000 at Rizal Park. "As solitary individuals it is terribly difficult, but as a community we are stronger.

"As a worshipping missionary movement celebrating our life and experience, it must never be a 'didn't-we-do-well' celebration, which is self-congratulatory," Paulsen added, "but an act of worship, which celebrates by looking forward, even as we remember how we have been led in the past."

Simultaneous celebration activities were held on the three largest islands of the nation: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

In its 100 years of work in the Philippines, the Adventist Church has established 4,190 churches, seven hospitals, and hundreds of schools, including a university.                     --Southern Asia-Pacific Division/AR.

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