United Kingdom: Ghanaian Adventists
Break Ground for £3 Million Church

hat began as a small group of worshippers in the 1970s has grown to include more than 1,000 Ghanaian Seventh-day Adventists in Britain. There are now four Ghanaian congregations in London alone. And when families grow, new homes are often needed: the London Ghana congregation has just broken ground on a £3 million (U.S. $5.4 million) church complex, reportedly the largest in the history of the South England Conference.

"This church you are putting up should be a house of prayer, not only for the members of the church but for the whole community," said Pastor Don McFarlane, outgoing president of the South England Conference. "It must serve as a real place of refuge for the afflicted in society."

He spoke recently at a gathering at the London Ghana Seventh-day Adventist Church celebrating the 30-year-milestone. McFarlane charged the members of the church with a responsibility to maintain a good reputation in the community, so the church would attract neighbors who want to learn more about Adventists and their faith.

"[Our] members must prove that there are men and women, young boys and girls who are honest at the workplace, honest with their taxes, honest with society, so that the presence of God will be felt in the community," he said.

McFarlane praised the Ghanaian church members for their zeal and enthusiasm for the initiation of the project, adding, "As you honor the Lord, He will also honor you and bless your land."

In response, Dr. Emmanuel Osei, senior pastor of the London Ghana Seventh-day Adventist Church, thanked regional officials for their support in guaranteeing the loan and placing such confidence in the local church. He also paid tribute to the pioneering members who began the congregation 30 years ago.

The building site, formerly known as St. Cedds Church, is in the East End of London, and covers nearly two-thirds of an acre. When completed the church will seat 650 worshippers, and include media, music and youth halls to enhance church activities.                                                                              --Adventist News Network

TAJIKISTAN: ADRA Assists Flood Survivors

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International is providing emergency relief aid to about 2,300 people affected by flooding in the Panjakent and Hamadoni regions of Tajikistan.

From July 10 to 17, ADRA delivered emergency aid to more than 200 families in Panjakent, providing 22 tons of essential food items, such as vegetable oil, sugar, rice, flour, and children’s food, and emergency nonfood supplies, including kitchen utensils, blankets, bedding, towels, and clothes. The total project is valued at approximately US$10,000 and is funded by ADRA International; ADRA/Tajikistan; and ADRA/Euro-Asia, the regional headquarters for ADRA in Russia.

More than 3,000 people have been affected by the storms that swept through western Tajikistan between June 3 and 8, causing mudflows that destroyed homes and, in some cases, entire villages. According to a United Nations report, five people have been reported dead, including three children. Many are still missing.

In the Hamadoni region an increase in the water level in the Panj River caused by the thawing of snow and glaciers turned into catastrophic flooding that lasted until July 19. More than 8,500 people have been affected, with only one known human casualty. The flooding also damaged entire villages, including 170 houses, 85 of which were completely destroyed.

ADRA is also providing emergency aid items to 250 families in the Sayod village of the Hamadoni region, including 23 tons of food items, blankets, kitchen utensils, and clothing. The project, which is valued at approximately US$10,000, began on July 28 and is funded by ADRA International, ADRA/Tajikistan, and ADRA/Euro-Asia.

“Mudflows often affect our country, and ADRA is always ready to help,” said Arturo Finis, country director for ADRA/Tajikistan. “In this specific situation an ADRA team was close to the area when the disaster happened. ADRA’s staff immediately coordinated the response with the minister of emergency situations, who was surprised and happy to see ADRA again working in the right place at the right time.”

ADRA is present in 125 countries, providing community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age, or ethnicity.

More information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.
                                                                                                    --Adventist Development and Relief Agency/AR.

Survey Includes Ellen White Among Most Influential Authors

A recent survey by The Barna Group of reading habits of Protestant pastors in the United States includes Ellen G. White as one of the most influential authors for today's younger clergy.*

"The under-40 pastors championed several authors who were not ranked highly by older church leaders," the survey states. "Those authors included business consultant James Collins, seminary professor Thom Rainer, nineteenth century Seventh-Day Adventist icon Ellen White, and pastor John Ortberg."

"The most influential books often fail to reach the bestseller lists," writes a representative of the company. "That's one of several key findings drawn from the list of books that pastors say have influenced them the most in the past three years."

The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church, both written by Rick Warren, topped the list as the most helpful books of all for Protestant pastors.

The Barna Group, Ltd., is a privately held, for-profit corporation located in Ventura, California.

*http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=189