In a letter last week to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Seventh-day Adventist Church president Pastor Jan Paulsen expressed "sympathy and sadness for the tragedy of the sunken submarine Kursk and the loss of the 118 men aboard." Referring to the hope of the resurrection, Paulsen wrote that Adventist Church members around the world were praying that God would give "comfort and hope on this sad day of mourning." The Russian submarine sank in the Barents Sea on August 12 killing all crewmen on board. The Russian government declared August 23 a national day of mourning for those who were lost in the disaster.
Source:ANN Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.A. -- Entered September 7, 2000

Following Nepal's recent decision to free bonded laborers, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is assisting thousands of the so-called "kamaiyas" now crowding into large cities with no secure housing or food.

"The kamaiyas were freed due to concerted efforts of human rights agencies and international non-governmental organizations like ADRA," explains Satish Pandey, ADRA Nepal planning officer. "On July 16, the government announced that the kamaiyas were freed from the landlords that have ruled over them for eight generations, making it illegal and punishable by law to continue to keep them in bondage. Some estimates say there are as many as 200,000 of the former laborers mainly in the western part of the country."

While the government is planning a long-term solution for the freed laborers, the immediate need is for shelter, food, and medical relief. ADRA, working with a local organization called BASE, is providing food and medicine to 750 families-1,500 adults and 3,000 children-in Dhangadi, where at least 20,000 of the kamaiyas are now settled, and at other surrounding camps.
Source:ANN Banepa, Nepal -- Entered September 7, 2000

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has entered a new phase in which intentional, long-range planning is essential, says Dr. Michael Ryan, newly appointed assistant to the church president for stragetic planning. Ryan, who will also continue to serve in his current role as director of the church's Global Mission initiative, was appointed August 29 by the Administrative Committee of the world church.

"With more than 11 million members in 205 countries, the size of our church family means that it's more important than ever that we anticipate and prepare for challenges," says Ryan. "The incredible diversity of our church is something from which we can draw a great deal of strength."

Ryan says that one of the biggest challenges facing the Adventist Church in the 21st century will be "creating processes and a church culture that keeps us unified as a world church." He points to the recent growth of the Adventist Church in the so-called 10/40 window-an imaginary rectangle that encompasses much of Asia, northern Africa and the Middle East. In these places, says Ryan, there is a lack of "programs of stability"-such as church schools, Sabbath Schools, and other programs-that are taken for granted in areas where the Adventist Church has been established longer.

"We need to be constantly thinking ahead of the curve, or else we'll find ourselves behind it," says Ryan. He adds that strategic planning can "keep us moving together as a world church, making decisions together, considering and anticipating the different needs of our brothers and sisters around the world."

Ryan, a general field secretary of the church's General Conference, has been director of Global Mission since 1991. The General Conference Strategic Planning Committee will be chaired by Pastor Gerry Karst, a general vice president of the world church.
Source:ANN Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.A. -- Entered September 7, 2000

Representatives of the Seventh-day Adventist Church attending a top-level conference at the United Nations on August 28 said they were encouraged by the Secretary-General's call for partnership with civil organizations.

During his speech to 1,800 delegates meeting in the main General Assembly hall at UN headquarters in New York, Secretary-General Kofi Annan called for "partnerships strong enough to make sure that the global market is embedded in broadly shared values and practices that reflect global needs.

"Whether your main activity is helping set policy at the global level, or working directly to help people; whether you work primarily in the developed or developing world; whether your concern is the advancement of women or education, human rights, humanitarian assistance or health-you have shown, time and again, a courage and a vision that we must all admire. You are our partners in every sense of the word. Your voices will be heard, I promise you that."

Dr. Jonathan Gallagher, UN representative for the Adventist Church and leader of the Adventist delegation, expressed appreciation for the Secretary-General's call.

"We're encouraged by the approach that recognizes the great contributions that are being made by non-governmental organizations," said Gallagher. "More and more, world challenges are being met by religious and humanitarian groups motivated to care for those who are less advantaged. The Adventist church is committed to wide-ranging practical programs of health, education, and humanitarian aid, as well as defending human rights and religious liberty. Our presence here endorses our commitment to help in whatever area we can, making direct contributions to combat such problems as illiteracy, poverty, hygiene, food and water shortages, together with meeting spiritual needs and promoting freedom of conscience."
Source:ANN New York, New York, U.S.A. -- Entered September 7, 2000

Personal spirituality prevents adolescents from developing alcoholism or abusing drugs, according to new study results from Columbia University in New York.

Teenagers with personal religious beliefs are half as likely to become alcoholics or drug addicts, the study reports. A more personal degree of devotion, personal conservatism, and institutional conservatism are factors that contribute to the lower risk.

The correlation between religion and substance abuse was much higher in the present study of adolescents than in previous adult studies.

"Religious beliefs are protective," said Dr. Gary Hopkins. "I think we've always had this notion." Hopkins, director of the Center for Behavioral Research at Andrews University, has conducted similar studies of Seventh-day Adventist youth. The Columbia study, however, shows for the first time that personal spirituality protects against ever developing addiction to alcohol or drugs, according to Lisa Miller, lead author. The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry published the results in September.

Survey authors considered how personal devotion and personal conservatism affect a teen's chance of developing drug or alcohol habits. They defined these as showing an active personal relationship with the Divine, showing a personal choice to teach and adhere closely to creed, and the degree of fundamentalism in their religious denomination.

Teenagers with an active and personal relationship with a "Higher Power" and who were of a fundamentalist denomination were found to be less likely to engage in marijuana or cocaine use, the study also found.

Personal devotion and institutional conservatism were also inversely associated with substance dependence or abuse. The study differentiated between a forced adherence to religion and a personal sense of spirituality, the latter being most effective in prevention. The study concluded that high-risk adolescents could be protected if they "engage with a Higher Power or become involved in a religious community."

A community of faith has already been shown to help in prevention, according to Dr. Duane McBride, chair of the behavioral sciences program at Andrews University. McBride has conducted several studies about how substance abuse relates to religion.

"We have studied the correlation for decades," McBride says. "But most researchers are secular. They often don't understand religious values."

McBride and Hopkins have completed a new study about substance abuse and religion. The results will be published later this year.

Hopkins believes, based on previous and current research, that relationships formed, inside or outside a faith community, also help teens refrain from substance abuse. "If it's about beliefs, all you have to do is teach beliefs," Hopkins said. "But it's not what you know, it's the relationships you have."

"Kids don't lack information, they lack caring," he said.
Source:ANN Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.A. -- Entered September 7, 2000

A letter issued by France's Minister of Education last week will make it easier for students to receive religious exemptions from school attendance on Saturdays.

While affirming that the principal of each school still has the discretion to grant or deny requests, the letter by National Education Minister Jack Lang identifies religious accommodation as a valid reason for a principal to grant an exemption.

"This is a significant breakthrough," says Dr. John Graz, director of the public affairs and religious liberty department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church worldwide. "There has been an ongoing, deteriorating situation in France where Adventist students have been denied permission to be absent from school on Saturday-their day of worship."

Graz says that from 1950 to 1981, France's Minister of Education issued an annual letter recommending such exemptions "almost as a matter of course."

"Since that time it has became more difficult," Graz says. In the past three to four years, dozens of Adventist students have failed to gain their principals' approval for Saturday absences. An Adventist student from Versailles was denied Sabbath accommodation and took his case to the European Court of Human Rights in 1999. Although the court ruled in the student's favor, teachers at his school went on strike when the ruling was implemented.

The timing of the minister's letter is significant, coming just weeks after France's National Assembly adopted a proposed anti-sect law. The law, which prompted expressions of concern from religious and human rights groups around the world when it was adopted on June 22, targets a list of 172 so-called sects. If passed by the Senate, the law would provide for the dissolution of religious organizations engaging in the poorly defined crime of "mental manipulation." Although the Adventist Church was not included on the list of sects, Graz says the law foreshadows an increasingly hostile environment for all religious minorities in France.

"There is an ideological battle against the principles of religious liberty in France," says Graz. He says that "widespread secularism," "public apathy towards religious freedom issues," and "a media-driven fear of small or unknown religious groups" has contributed to the current environment.

Graz says that it is difficult to know why France's Ministry of Education released the letter last week after stalling on the issue for more than three years. International bodies-including the United Nations and the U.S. Commission on Religious Freedom-expressed concern about France's increasingly hostile attitude towards religious minorities, which may have played a role, Graz believes.

Jean-Paul Bargoun and Jimmy Trujillo, Adventist church leaders in France, have been credited with obtaining the letter. They say that while the minister's letter has no binding legal effect, it may have "persuasive influence" on the decisions made by school principals.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church, which teaches that Saturday-the seventh day-is a day of worship and rest, has operated in France since the 1880s. The Adventist Church is a longtime proponent of religious liberty principles, believing that individuals should have the right to follow the dictates of conscience in matters of religion and worship.
Source:ANN Paris, France -- Entered September 7, 2000

Seventh-day Adventist Church members from the eastern Indonesian island of Sulawesi are among the thousands of people enduring ongoing anti-Christian violence in Indonesia. To date, an estimated 400 Adventists have fled Poso, the main town in central Sulawesi, to escape the riots and killings caused by clashes between Islamic militants and Christians.

In the Poso area, one Adventist church has been destroyed by rioters and two churches have been damaged, Adventist Church leaders in eastern Indonesia reported August 28. The homes of two Adventist pastors have been burned down, along with 14 homes of church members in the region.

Details about the physical condition of the hundreds of Adventist refugees are difficult to obtain, but church leaders in the area say that at least six church members have been wounded and 37 have reported being robbed or assaulted. Leaders cannot confirm if any Adventists in the Poso area have been killed.

A wave of religiously motivated violence has engulfed many parts of Indonesia since January 1999, leaving an estimated 500,000 Christians without homes and 2,500 dead. Hiskia Missah, public affairs and religious liberty spokesperson for the Adventist church in the southern Asia-Pacific region, says that the situation in the eastern Indonesian Maluku Islands, is "becoming worse." He says that international pressure, from the United Nations and other international human rights organizations, is vital.

"As a church family, we pray for our brothers and sisters in Indonesia and for the hundreds of thousands of others who are suffering the loss of loved ones or the destruction of their homes," says Pastor Jan Paulsen, president of the Adventist Church worldwide. "Violence in the name of religion can never be justified. The Adventist message is of a compassionate, freedom-loving God, and this is the message we will continue to proclaim with all our strength."

The Adventist Church has some 180,000 church members in Indonesia worshiping in more than 1,100 churches.
Source:ANN Poso, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia -- Entered September 7, 2000

Young community volunteers in Kosovo and university students from Japan worked with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) to clean up neighborhoods in the war-torn region of Kosovo. ADRA's Public Awareness Education Campaign 2000, a waste management and beautification program ran August 1 to 22, and was the kickoff for the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) Waste Management Project.

Campaign volunteers also aimed to promote awareness of environmental issues by distributing materials that included a comic book called The Secret of the Earth.

This fall, with US$2.8 million in funding from the UN Development Programme (UNDP), ADRA will reconstruct five schools in the Malisheve municipality in cooperation with the German KFOR, a NATO-led international force responsible for establishing a security presence in Kosovo. ADRA will also provide public awareness and landmine awareness education to students.
Source:ANN Tokoyo, Japan -- Entered August 25, 2000

An international delegation met for the 11th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health in Chicago to create strategies for reducing tobacco use. The convention, which ran from August 6 to 11, attracted over 4,500 activists from four continents.

"The tobacco industry with their billions can never generate the enthusiasm, support, and friendship that was shown at the meeting," said Dr. Harley Stanton, a Seventh-day Adventist who has participated in the last five world conferences.

Stanton, a health spokesperson for the Adventist Church in the South Pacific and member of the conference's planning committee, presented a workshop at the conference on team building among activists. Conference planners hoped to unify key anti-tobacco activists, teaching them how to promote legislative change in their countries.

"This was a new and exciting initiative because about 60 to 70 percent of the participants had never attended a world conference on tobacco," Stanton said. The conference strengthened the delegates' knowledge about tobacco policies.

United States Surgeon General, David Satcher, presented a composite review of strategies that have proven successful in preventing and reducing tobacco use. His August 9 report included information about subjects from educational to economic strategies in tobacco control.

The conference also recognized successful anti-tobacco warriors. The new Luther Terry Awards, likened to "Nobel Prizes" of tobacco control, were given to six people at the convention. "I have never felt more palpable energy following a meeting than I felt following the presentations [of the awards]," Stanton said. He served on the 12-member international committee that chose the recipients from 200 nominations.

The conference, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, was held in the United States for the first time in 25 years.

The Adventist church strongly promotes a tobacco-free lifestyle and has developed several anti-smoking programs including the innovative "Breathe-free" smoking cessation program.
Source:ANN Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A -- Entered August 25, 2000

United States Navy chaplain Rear Admiral Barry C. Black took up responsibilities as Chief of Navy Chaplains on August 18, becoming the first Seventh-day Adventist and the first African American to hold the office. As head of the more than 1,000 U.S. navy chaplains around the world, Black says his mandate is to "ensure that the millions of people we serve have their constitutional religious free exercise, and that no one is placed in a position where their spiritual needs are not met." Black will also have the task of advising navy leadership on "ethical, moral, religious, and spiritual matters."

In his new position Black will serve navy personnel from more than 190 different religious traditions and backgrounds. In this "pluralistic milieu," says Black, there is always the challenge of maintaining unity, treating everyone fairly, and keeping a level playing field and it is vital to be "assiduous in guarding [religious] free exercise rights of Navy Servicemembers."

"The moment equal accommodation is permitted to be jeopardized, it becomes an ethical slippery slope," says Black. He adds that the Adventist Church's emphasis on religious liberty and Sabbath-keeping has made him more sensitive to the religious accommodation needs of all naval personnel, no matter what their faith.

Black cites "the opportunity to serve" as one of the most rewarding aspects of his role. "Leadership involves being a servant," says Black. "Jesus said that if you want to be great and lead, you have to serve. The opportunity to receive rank, to open doors for other people, and to empower them is exhilarating."

Friday's ceremony took place at the Washington Navy Yard. Referring to his upbringing as the child of a single parent family in the projects of Baltimore, Black told the audience "When you see a turtle on a fencepost, you know he had some help getting there." He paid tribute to all those who helped him grow spiritually and in technical expertise over the years.

A graduate of Oakwood College and Andrews University, Black has been a Navy chaplain for more than 24 years. For the past three years he has served as Deputy Chief of Chaplains. According to Richard Stenbakken, director of chaplaincy ministries for the Adventist Church worldwide, Black has a "spectacular" service record. "In his new role, I'm sure that he will continue to serve with distinction," says Stenbakken, who attended the change of office ceremony. "He has the prayers and best wishes of his church family around the world."

Black is now responsible for U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Corp chaplains, who represent more than 100 different faith groups. He was nominated for the position by President Bill Clinton and the Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig in April this year, and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Source:ANN Washington, D.C., USA -- Entered August 25, 2000

In a Mexican town torn by decades of religious strife, Seventh-day Adventists held a Saturday worship service on August 19 for the first time in more than two months. The service took place outdoors, next to the ruins of one of 14 homes destroyed in March this year when the village's religious majority expelled the group, along with more than 60 other Protestant families.

The Adventists, from the village of Plan de Ayala in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, are among an estimated 30,000 Protestants in the region who have been driven from their homes over the years because of religious differences and for refusing to participate in community religious festivals.

"I don't have a house, but I trust in God," said Adventist Church member Juan Vasquez Alvarez, according to Associated Press reports.

Tensions between Protestants and Roman Catholics in Plan de Ayala have eased as a result of a recent agreement brokered by state officials allowing Protestants to perform community service in exchange for exemptions from local religious festivals. This agreement has been written into the town's land rights law and is the first of its kind at this level, says Hortensio Vasquez, an Adventist Church leader in the region.

"Everything was calm and orderly as the Adventists returned to the village," says Vasquez, who adds that the municipality and state has promised to rebuild the houses destroyed in the conflict earlier this year.

The agreement that paved the way for the Protestants to return to Plan de Ayala includes a provision for all town meetings to be held on a day other than Saturday-the Adventist's day of worship. The agreement also exempts religious duties-such as participation in Roman Catholic festivals-from mandatory community service.

"We now have religious freedom," says Vasquez. He reports that the agreement was the result of a meeting attended by religious leaders and state and local officials, where all participants "accepted the fact that everyone in the town can worship according to whatever religion they choose."

Chiapas has a 30-year history of violence between Roman Catholics and Protestants which has left hundreds dead and thousands displaced from their villages. On August 20, Chiapas residents elected Pablo Salazar as their new governor-the first non-Roman Catholic governor in the state's history-and he has promised renewed efforts to promote peace between religious groups in the area.
Source:ANN Chiapas, Mexico -- Entered August 25, 2000

The South Pacific Division of the Adventist Church, incorporating Australia, New Zealand, and south pacific islands, has moved decisively to reduce the amount of church administrative structure in that region. The two union conferences in Australia and New Zealand have voted to dissolve, setting the stage for a more cost-effective structure of four unions instead of the current five.

"For some time laypersons and church leaders have been concerned that a disproportionate amount of our human and financial resources have supported administrative and departmental functions at the expense of front line workers," says Dr. Barry Oliver, secretary of the South Pacific Division. "It is the church's responsibility to refine its structures so that it can be most effective in achieving its mission."

Under the proposed restructure, staffing at the union level will be reduced by 30 per cent. The four unions will be called: the Papua New Guinea Union Mission, the Western Pacific Union Mission, the Australian Union Conference and the New Zealand Pacific Union Conference. Church leaders say that the resulting reduction in administrative costs will free more money to be used at the conference and local church levels.

They also anticipate other benefits including a greater role for national leaders in the islands, centralized accounting, and the opportunity for individual countries to have a stronger national voice at union and conference levels.

This latest development is part of a wider review process within the division to help re-shape church organization in the south pacific to help it more effectively achieve its mission. This includes reducing duplication of work and improving co-ordination between various church departments, further rationalizing services, and simplifying financial procedures. A Division-wide session in October will complete the final stage of the union restructure.
Source:ANN Sydney, Australia -- Entered August 18, 2000

An analysis of local and national media coverage of the Seventh-day Adventist World Session held in Toronto, Canada, June 29 to July 8, shows that there were 46 Session-related television and radio news pieces during the ten days of Session, and more than 20 articles printed in Canadian newspapers. Media reports featured everything from Session election results, to Adventist views on health, to the Sabbath programs at the Toronto SkyDome, which were attended by more than 60,000 people.

"It was a 'not-to-be-missed' opportunity to let the Canadian public know more about the Adventist Church and what we stand for," says Ray Dabrowski, communication director for the Adventist Church worldwide. He says that both the quantity of coverage and the way the church interacted with the media at the Session, "broke new ground."

"Our goal was to facilitate, rather than limit, media access to information about the church and interviews with church leaders," says Dabrowski. "While not every news report got every detail right, we were consistently surprised at the level of interest shown by the media, and their willingness to go beyond religious stereotypes in their reporting on the Session."

Media reports focused on the size of the convention, calling it "the largest in the nation's history," and referred to the anticipated $50 million boost to the Toronto area's economy. Adventist teachings on health and vegetarianism also caught the media's attention, along with the Adventist belief in the soon return of Christ and the church's teaching on observing the seventh day--Saturday--as a day of rest. A number of reports cited the extensive use of technology by the church at the convention. Other articles reported on the election of Pastor Jan Paulsen to lead the church worldwide, and the election of Pastor Gerry Karst and re-election of Pastor Lowell Cooper, both Canadians, as Church vice presidents.

Margaret Dougherty, a corporate communications coordinator with the City of Toronto, acted as liaison between City Hall and the General Conference communication department and said that she was "surprised at the level of publicity generated by the convention."

"Often religious groups hold significant meetings here that simply don't make it onto the media's radar screen," said Dougherty.

Bettina Krause, media relations coordinator for the Session, says that much of the work was done before the event began, "making sure that all local media outlets had an Adventist Church press kit and were aware that we were coming to town." Once in Toronto, says Krause, the goal was to utilize E-mail, the Internet, fax and phone to keep media informed and interested. "We issued daily media advisories about upcoming highlights, made personal calls to reporters, issued news releases, and made sure that there was constantly updated news available on the church's Web site," explains Krause.

Of the six Session-related news conferences organized by the communication department, two in particular caught the attention of the mainstream media and generated coverage, says Krause. The first was a joint news conference with church president, Pastor Jan Paulsen, and Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman, held at Toronto City Hall on June 26, and the second was a June 30 news conference launching an official church statement on religious liberty and proselytism.

The media relations team for the church in North America, led by media relations coordinator Celeste Ryan, contributed significantly to the effort, says Krause. They contacted local media, accompanied television crews and reporters around the SkyDome and Convention Centre, and helped fulfill interview requests.

Media relations at the World Session were part of a strategic plan for the communication department of the world church, says Dabrowski. "As a church, we have a unique perspective to offer on current issues and an important contribution to make in public debates--from health concerns to human rights. Developing a recognizable, effective public voice is a high priority, and learning to be more media-friendly and media-accessible is an important part of that."
Source:ANN Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.A. -- Entered August 18, 2000

The risk of smoking-related lung cancer is much higher than previously thought, a new study on smoking shows. The benefit of quitting-even at age 50 or later-is also higher than had been believed, say researchers at Oxford University in England.

The study, published August 3 in the British Medical Journal, found that lifelong male smokers have a 16 percent chance of dying from lung cancer by age 75, and those who smoke more than 25 cigarettes a day have a 24 percent chance. Women smokers have a 10 percent chance of dying from lung cancer by age 75, and 19 percent if they are heavy smokers. These percentages are more than double those suggested by earlier studies.

The study also concludes that a 50-year-old male smoker who quits will more than halve his risk of dying from lung cancer to six percent, while quitting at age 30 cuts the risk even further to 1.7 percent. Similar reductions in risk percentages apply to female smokers who quit.

"The message for smokers from this study is 'Quit now-the sooner, the better,'" says Thomas Neslund, a health spokesperson for the Adventist Church worldwide. "This explodes the old argument that it's not worth the effort, in terms of health benefit, for a longtime smoker to give up the habit."

An estimated 157,000 people in the United States will die from lung cancer this year. According to World Health Organization statistics, one third of the world's population over 15 years of age are smokers. Of these, a disproportionate number-800 million-are in developing nations.

The Adventist Church strongly promotes a tobacco-free lifestyle, and has developed a number of anti-smoking programs that are offered around the world. Anti-tobacco education for young people, using an innovative peer-to-peer approach, is also a priority for the church, says Neslund.
Source:ANN Oxford, England -- Entered August 18, 2000

Seventh-day Adventists will be present as observers at the Millennium Assembly of the United Nations, billed the largest gathering of heads of state in the history of humanity.

The event to be held September 6 to 8 is the 55th session of the U.N.'s General Assembly, and the Summit "will be a historic opportunity to agree on a process for fundamental review of the role of, and challenges facing the United Nations in the new century," according to a U.N. press release.

"The occasion of the third millennium presents a timely opportunity for the only global organization, in terms of its membership as much as of its areas of work, to identify the challenges that it will face in the future and to engage in an imaginative exercise to enhance and strengthen a unique institution," says Kofi Annan, U.N. Secretary-General.

"This event is one which brings great interest from people all over the world," says Jonathan Gallagher, U.N. liaison director for the Adventist World Church. "It's important that the church be there and make its own contribution at the highest level of international affairs. As a church, much of our practical work is supported by the U.N. since it involves many areas of great humanitarian benefit such as education, health, personal development, aid and relief work, women's issues and so on."

Article 1:3 of the U.N. Charter identifies one of its primary purposes: "To achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion."
Source:ANN New York, U.S.A. -- Entered August 18, 2000

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Myanmar (Burma) continues to grow despite obstacles including rules about holding public meetings and publishing new materials, according to a veteran pastor.

"It's getting harder and harder for Christians," said Pastor Nelson Hla Pe, an Adventist pastor in Myanmar. "It's getting more difficult to conduct city and village [evangelistic] efforts."

The Myanmar government requires prior approval for public meetings including the names and identification numbers of all participants, a tedious process, said Hla Pe. The government usually prohibits outdoor meetings of more than five people, including religious meetings, according to the U.S. Department of State.

"We can visit door-to-door as friends," Hla Pe explained. "But we cannot move so freely as 10 to 15 years ago when it was more flexible." Myanmar has been criticized for its open discrimination against minority religious groups. The majority of its citizens practice Buddhism; only four percent are Christians.

Hla Pe explains that he can, with caution, visit individuals and offer information about Adventism instead of trying to arrange large gatherings. Even though the friendships formed during these informal visits often lead to an interest in religion, they take a significant amount of time, he added.

Adventists have also experienced difficulty in obtaining permission to print publications with indigenous-language translations of Bible texts. They now face a problem that may not have an immediate solution since much of their outreach relies on their publications.

"We are very careful," Hla Pe said about his outreach methods. "Some people are not interested. We should be wise enough to not go so abruptly to them." Hla Pe speaks from 29 years of experience. He currently divides his time between two Adventist organizations, the Voice of Prophecy Bible Correspondence School and Adventist World Radio.

These challenges have not hindered Hla Pe's efforts, and he estimates that the church in Myanmar grew by about 1500 members last year.

The Adventist Church has operated in this Southeastern Asia country, located between Bangladesh and Thailand, since 1919. There are currently 20,000 Adventists worshipping in 200 churches and companies.
Source:ANN Yangon, Myanmar -- Entered August 18, 2000

The city council of Argenta, Italy, voted in July to grant Adventist World Radio (AWR) a "long-awaited, long-prayed-for" permit to build a new shortwave facility to reach the Middle East, North, East and West Africa and large areas of the Asian continent, reports Don Jacobsen, AWR president.

Jacobsen said that, after a final technical review by AWR engineers next month, bids for construction would be let, and construction could begin soon after.

"This new station will enable us to add some 15 new languages to the nearly 60 that AWR is already using, focusing primarily on those areas of the world where we are not now able to work by any other means," says Jacobsen.

The Italian government passed a law allowing for shortwave stations owned by nonprofit organizations in 1995 and, under this law, granted AWR a shortwave license in 1996. In September 1997, a zoning variance allowed the construction of the station in a formerly agricultural area. Groundbreaking is planned for August 17, 2000, said Jacobsen.
Source:ANN Argenta, Italy -- Entered August 18, 2000

Avondale College, the only Seventh-day Adventist tertiary institution in Australia, was awarded a five-star rating for "student satisfaction" in an annual review of Australian colleges and universities. The top rating, published in the recently launched 2001 edition of the Good Universities Guide, reflects in part the "distinctive mission" of the college, with its strong emphasis on Christian values, says college vice president Gil Valentine.

"Avondale is delighted at the very high ratings given by the Good Universities Guide," says Valentine. "This is the third year in a row we have achieved this distinction. We also received a five-star rating for our staff-student ratio."

The Good Universities Guide, published each year, is influential in its benchmarking role for Australian tertiary education. Avondale's top ranking for Graduate Educational Experience, which was awarded to only one other tertiary institution in the State of New South Wales, is based on government surveys measuring "overall satisfaction, teaching quality and the acquisition of generic skills."

"These five-star ratings are a tribute to our highly committed, qualified staff," says Valentine. "It is this that distinguishes Avondale from other institutions. Our staff could well pursue lucrative careers elsewhere in higher education, but they are committed to Adventist Christian education; to the educational and spiritual development of their students. We are very proud of them." He points out that Avondale's external advisory panels have commented that students "get much more than their money's worth at Avondale."

"The results in the Good Universities Guide confirm this reputation for excellence," says Valentine.

Established in 1897, Avondale College offers fully accredited courses in theology, education, nursing and business studies.
Source:ANN -- Entered August 4, 2000

Religious discrimination in land zoning decisions is one focus of a proposed law that has attracted the support of a diverse array of civil rights and religious organizations in the United States, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Council on Islamic Affairs, the Anti-defamation League, the Baptist Joint Committee and the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

The Religious Land Use and Institutional Persons Act of 2000 (RLUPIA) was introduced into Congress on July 13, replacing the broader Religious Liberty Protection Act that passed the House of Representatives in 1999 but failed to move in the Senate. (See ANN report December 21, 1999.) The bill is intended to address increasing conflicts between religious organizations and local land zoning boards, which have the ability to impact everything from home bible studies, church building and expansion, and church-based ministries to the homeless. The proposed law would prevent zoning laws from discriminating against churches and religious meetings unless there is "a compelling government interest" in doing so.

RLUPIA is also intended to strengthen the legal position of "institutionalized" people such as prison inmates and patients in psychiatric hospitals. This category of people, say the bill's supporters, are especially vulnerable to situations where they are unable to practice their religious beliefs, such as keeping special dietary requirements or Sabbaths. If passed, the law would make is easier for prison inmates, whose rights are being abridged, to pursue a legal remedy.

The proposed law has attracted bipartisan support in both chambers-among its principal sponsors in the Senate are Democrat Edward Kennedy and Republican Orrin Hatch.
Source:ANN -- Entered August 4, 2000

In collaboration with the United Nations and local authorities in East Timor, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is helping to rehabilitate market sites in East Timor following the military upheaval in September last year that destroyed most of the country's capital city of Dili.

ADRA is working with the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) and local leaders to rehabilitate two of the outer market sites in Becora and Comoro. ADRA hopes this will lure vendors out of the over-populated Central Market and help reduce congestion. The three-month project involves rebuilding 2,700 square meters of covered market stalls, and building up a local market management committee to manage the markets. Funding for the project is being provided by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The rehabilitation project, which started at the end of June, was initiated due to the destruction of all market sites and 70 percent of all buildings and infrastructures in Dili in September of 1999. Vendors have since sprung up in the ruins of the Central Market area, which is fast becoming a concern for UNTAET. Small markets are springing up on streets, vacant land,in front of private homes and other places that were once banned under Indonesian law. These markets are now causing health, safety and security concerns.

"Ninety percent of vendors were once Indonesian, but they all left," says Marlon Butler, who is assisting ADRA with program planning in East Timor. "The response of local Timorese to fill their space has been incredible to watch. Now, East Timor faces a number of major challenges, such as extremely high unemployment and the lack of skilled people to fill leadership and management roles."

ADRA Japan staff in East Timor foresee additional projects supported by ADRA to further develop market distribution systems in the district areas. The market rehabilitation project and the recent process of vendor registration has gained ADRA international media attention, as well as visits by the deputy Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia Koji Tsuruoka.

"Ambassador Tsuruoka commented that he was very impressed with the marketrehabilitation project, and stressed the importance of cooperation with NGOs such as ADRA," says Stephano Tsukamoto, ADRA Japan country director, and the person leading ADRA operations in East Timor. "He further encouraged the UN administration and ADRA to work together to quickly rebuild the destroyed market places, which he considers to be a high priority."

ADRA has been providing relief to refugees who fled to West Timor since September 1999
Source:ANN -- Entered August 4, 2000

The Internet is the new frontier of gambling, with the power of the World Wide Web being harnessed to allow people unprecedented access to everything from lotteries to Casino-style gaming, says Jonathan Gallagher, spokesperson on gambling for the Seventh-day Adventist Church worldwide. "There has been an explosion in recent years in the number of Web sites offering on-line games of chance," says Gallagher, who points out that unsupervised children and others, such as compulsive gamblers, are especially vulnerable due to the sheer accessibility of the Internet. "This is a destructive activity-the gambling business is predicated on the idea that a small number of people are massively profiting from the loss of many others."

Gallagher's comments come in the wake of recently failed efforts by United States lawmakers to tighten regulation of the burgeoning Internet gambling industry. The proposed law, which was narrowly rejected in the House of Representatives on July 17, would have outlawed most forms of on-line gambling, including more than 700 unregulated casino-style Web sites that together handled an estimated $1.2 billion in wagers last year. Under the bill, courts would have been empowered to grant state law enforcement agencies the ability to require Web service providers to block illegal gambling sites, many of which are run from locations outside the United States.

Calling gambling "incompatible with Christian principles" and a social danger that "erodes the quality of life," the Adventist Church issued an official statement regarding "games of chance" on July 6 during the church's World Session in Toronto, Canada. The statement identifies the massive financial and social impact of gambling and also cites its addictive quality, which often contributes to individual ruin and family breakdowns.

The Adventist Church has been a longtime opponent of gambling, either as a form of entertainment or a means of raising revenue, says Gallagher. With its July statement, the Church reaffirmed its commitment to neither "solicit nor accept funding that is clearly derived from gambling" and called on "all authorities to prevent the ever-increasing availability of gambling with its damaging effects on individuals and society."
Source:ANN -- Entered August 4, 2000

Regular worship and congregational activities were halted when members of the congregation and church leadership wrangled over women preaching in the pulpit at the Bangwe Seventh-day Adventist Church, fifteen kilometers from the center of Blantyre, the capital city of Malawi.

Worship services were disrupted when Mrs. P.A. Neniwa, Women's Ministry director for the region, was not allowed to address the congregation. "There is no scripture in the Bible that authorizes women to preach," stated one church elder. According to reports from the Malawi Adventist Church, subsequent meetings with the local congregation "degenerated into rivalry between the pastor and the members," and the church administrators initially suspended services for two weeks. The incident received media attention in the country and throughout Africa.

In an uncompromising move, the Bangwe and Nimiyango church congregations, which together other smaller companies in the area number approximately 1,000 members, separated from the denomination. "The uncompromising members are still meeting in the church that was closed," states Ken Bilima, communication director for the Malawi Seventh-day Adventist Church. "They broke into the [Bangwe] church and removed the old locks and put in six new locks." Bilima says that the Bangwe and Nimiyango assets remain the property of the denomination.

A smaller, 200-member congregation, which supported a greater involvement of women in the ministry of the church, is worshiping at a local government school located near the Bangwe church.

In an official statement on April 16, the Malawi Union of Seventh-day Adventists announced "the disbandment of Bangwe and Nimiyango Seventh-day Adventist Churches," stating that all efforts to redeem and reconcile the churches failed, that the two churches have continued to bar women from participating in the church ministry, and that the churches introduced teaching which "openly rebelled against the Seventh-day Adventist Church."

"The Church's position regarding the matter of women preaching from the pulpit is clear," says Pardon Mwansa, president of the Eastern Africa Division (EAD) of the Church with headquarters in Harare, Zimbabwe. "Women are as free to share the gospel from the pulpit as are their male counterparts," he added. The Malawi Adventist Church is part of the EAD territory.

Although not referencing any details of the Bangwe situation, Mwansa said that "the church does not condone violence as a means to handle differences. A more appealing approach is that of talking matters over as brothers and sisters."

The Panafrican News Agency referred in its report on the situation to a survey published by the Weekend Nation on July 15 which showed that most churches in Malawi are reluctant to have women share the pulpit with their male counterparts. According to the paper, while most churches have indicated a willingness to elevate the position of women in churches, conservative congregations and church leaders are wary of the efforts.

The Weekend Nation cites the Bangwe Church situation as the most recent example of the issues occupying the Malawi Christian community. Three years ago, the paper reports, women of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian held mass demonstrations in the streets of Blantyre to protest the discrimination of women in the church.

There are more than 175,000 Seventh-day Adventists in the country worshiping in more than 1,700 congregations throughout the country.
Source:ANN -- Entered August 4, 2000

Unprecedented growth in the Seventh-day Adventist Church worldwide means that demand for new church buildings is at an all time high, says Pastor Michael Ryan, director of the church's Global Mission initiative.

Citing recent church statistics, Ryan says that "Dramatic growth is occurring throughout the world, including many of the world's most economically challenged areas."

According to a report delivered on June 30 to the Adventist World Session in Toronto, Canada, in 1999 alone, 1,090,848 people became Adventist Church members. On average, someone joins the Adventist Church every 28.91 seconds, and every 4.73 hours a new Adventist congregation is formed.

"This is a 'good' problem to have-in the sense that more and more people are hearing the good news about Jesus and joining the Adventist Church family," says Ryan. "But we have a challenge and a responsibility to help nurture these people in the faith, and many of them are poor and unable to finance even basic places in which to worship."

A tangible church presence-whether through a church building or school-is essential in order for a congregation to be maintained and to grow, says Kyle Fiess, spokesperson for Maranatha Volunteers International, a lay Adventist organization that works with Global Mission and constructs churches, schools, orphanages, clinics and hospitals around the world.

"The magic is not in the building itself," says Fiess, "but an established presence helps give the Adventist church credibility in areas where it may not be well known." This has been born out time and again, he adds, and points to Guatemala where in 1993 Maranatha constructed 50 new churches and three schools. "When we recently inquired about the status of these churches, we were told that they are all filled to capacity, and we've received a request for another 100 churches in one Guatemalan conference alone."

Fiess says that the growing demand for church buildings is "incredible." At the Adventist World Session earlier this month, Maranatha met with Adventist leaders from around the world and received large-scale construction requests from more than 30 countries, including Albania, Papua New Guinea, Kosovo, Barbados, Bequia, Mongolia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Sumatra, Granada, India, Philippines and Guatemala.

Sacramento-based Maranatha, which in the last fiscal year built 270 churches, 18 schools and 233 other structures, will discuss ways of dealing with this flood of building requests at its upcoming board meeting, says Fiess. Ryan says that the "Roofs for Africa" project represents an innovative attempt to address the increasingly urgent demand for church buildings. Largely funded by Adventist lay people in North America, the project combines overseas support with local participation. Local Adventists provide labor and materials for the foundations and walls, while money donated through Global Mission provides the roofs. During the past few years, this project has built more than 5,500 new churches and schools for 28 countries of Africa and has provided seating for more than two million new Adventist believers.
Source:ANN -- Entered August 4, 2000

The finale of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's World Session in Toronto on July 8 brought together the largest and most diverse attendance ever, with the SkyDome filled to capacity and overflow halls needed to seat those wishing to view the concluding events.

One estimate suggests that 80,000 Adventists and their families were in Toronto for the high point of the ten-day Session that began on June 29.

For many this was the first chance to see the newly elected leadership for the Adventist Church around the world and to hear re-elected president Jan Paulsen preach on the Session theme "Almost Home." Paulsen challenged the church not to be sidetracked, but to concentrate on its primary values of mission, spiritual growth and unity.

"It's late in the day, we're almost home, we cannot become reckless and careless," Paulsen said. "God chose us for a mission. We're not just one more sociological phenomenon-rather God leads this church. Just like our Lord, our business is saving people. So, is your congregation able to communicate the atmosphere of warmth and loving acceptance? Size poses a challenge in terms of unity. We are not a fraternity [of different church organizations], we are one."

In his concluding comments, Paulsen affirmed to his own intentions.

"I pledge to do all I can to make this church a place to be at home, a place to support each other-to carry each other if necessary-and to arrange our values and lives accordingly. Let us press together as we move forward to finish the journey."

In a report to the Session by Don Jacobsen president of Adventist World Radio, he announced that the Italian government had given permission for the church to build its largest radio station in Europe in Argenta, Italy.

"After a myriad of committees, sub-committees, panels, hearings-so many that we thought we would never see the end-this past Wednesday we received government approval for the station to be built," says Jacobsen. "This is truly an historic day for Adventist mission, for this station will focus on the 10/40 window, and those who live there will hear the gospel in their own languages, an additional 60 languages to the 55 in which AWR already broadcasts."

The Church's Global Mission (GM) wants to establish 1040 churches in the 10/40 window over the next five years. GM director Mike Ryan called for a special collection to achieve this and to support the 27,000 GM Pioneers (lay volunteers) currently serving worldwide.

"We are partners with Jesus in bringing hope to the hopeless," said Ryan. "I think of Valerie who is crippled and only able to walk with crutches. It took her two and a half hour to walk to the meeting, and the same time to go home. As we left the meeting it was raining, and we gave her a ride home. Her comment to us as we left: 'When we get to heaven you won't recognize me because I won't have these two worn-out old crutches.' That's our mission-giving hope to people with no hope."

The Session concluded with a spectacular "parade of nations," with Adventists marching through the SkyDome with flags representing the 205 countries in which the church is currently operating.

In his final remarks, Jan Paulsen said that he felt "humbled and honored" to serve as president for the next five years.

President Paulsen challenged all to remain focused on the real mission of the church. "Go forth in the light of that vision that means so much to Adventists, remembering we are almost home. Go forward with God, confident our destiny is secure in Jesus Christ."
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 14, 2000

Larger-than-life Mayor Mel Lastman of Toronto said goodbye in his inimitable style to Seventh-day Adventists attending the World Session tonight (July 8).

"You came as delegates came, you leave as friends," he told the appreciative audience. "I wish the Blue Jays who play in this stadium had been here to see what a big crowd really looks like. Ten days ago, I presented keys to the city to presidents Paulsen and Parchment. This is our highest honor-you have also bestowed your highest honor on our great city through your presence."

He congratulated all involved in the Session-"this great event, the largest in Toronto's history. We wanted to provide a warm welcome and a home away from home. This has been a perfect convention. Despite its size, there have been no problems of any kind. This is impossible, it cannot happen, even in Toronto, with a convention this large. Such an event is a logistical nightmare."

"You amazed our city, you were perfect guests," Lastman commented. "You have a great sense of humor. We want to host all your conventions and all your meetings. Yours is a church with a drug-free, tobacco-free, alcohol-free lifestyle. Your family values are above and beyond any I have ever seen. Children never get into trouble with police, your youth respect their parents and uphold your values. The Adventists in Toronto set a great example to our city and our country. Please come back soon."

The Mayor received a standing ovation and accepted a check for $3,564 from pastor Jan Paulsen from the CN Tower ($1 for every Adventist tour visitor) to be given to Toronto's Daily Bread Food Bank.
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 14, 2000

The Seventh-day Adventist Church and the City of Toronto announced today plans to develop a proposal to create approximately 30 to 60 rental townhouses that will be affordable to lower income families through the city's Let's Build! Program.

"We'd like to find a way to say thank you to Toronto," said Kermit Netteburg, church spokesperson. The Adventist Church just completed its 57th World Session on Sunday. It was the largest convention in Toronto history. "People here were incredibly kind and helpful," he added.

The City of Toronto launched the Let's Build! program last October to address the severe housing shortage and to spur new residential construction in the city. The program focuses on long-term affordable housing solutions.

"This partnership is exactly what the city hoped for when they established the Lets Build! program," said Councillor Brad Duguid, chair of Toronto City Council's Community Services Committee. "I'm encouraged by today's announcement and hope other organizations will follow in the footsteps of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Everyone deserves a home."

"Affordable housing is essential for all communities," said Derrick Nichols, president of the Ontario Seventh-day Adventist Conference. "I'm pleased that we can participate in such an important initiative for Toronto."

Let's Build! provides non-profit community groups and private developers incentives such as financial assistance and potential development sites to build affordable housing. The initiative announced today is one of several proposals now being reviewed by city staff.

Several Seventh-day Adventist agencies and entities have expressed interest in being involved in the project. Maranatha Volunteers International is an Adventist-related entity that has built thousands of churches, schools, hospitals, clinics, and housing projects around the world.

Maranatha's volunteer construction people are primarily skilled craftsmen who take vacation time, from a few days each year to several months, to build projects. Many are retired builders, electricians and carpenters. These volunteers and others from the Greater Toronto Area will work on the project with Toronto area construction contractors.

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency/Ontario will provide project leadership. The humanitarian agency is part of a worldwide network that oversees more than $100 million in development projects.

The potential housing complex would include a community center that would help residents with seminars that teach lifestyle skills. "Adventists want to improve the quality of life for people," said Netteburg.

"There are still a lot of details to nail down, such as site location," said Mark Guslits, special advisor, housing development services for the City of Toronto. "But we wanted to make this announcement while the good feeling that the delegates who attended the Adventists' business session left behind is still with us."
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 14, 2000

The director of religious affairs for the Spanish government, Prof. Dr. Alberto de la Hera, spoke during the closing ceremonies of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's World Session in Toronto, praising the Church for its commitment to religious freedom.

"The government of Spain has great appreciation for the contributions and constant effort of the Adventist Church in advancing the program of religious freedom," he said. "I am glad to connect this thought with all peoples and races in this place, for we are all children of God."

Prof. De la Hera, accompanied by his assistant Prof. Rosa Maria Martinez de Codes, also praised the Church for its Christian values.

"I try everything possible to help the Adventist Church in its religious freedom work, knowing it is a Church with a message of faith, hope and love. This is what society today really needs," he concluded.

For the Adventist Church, Dr. John Graz, director of the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty department, said that Spain's commitment to religious freedom was admirable.

"Spain one of the leading countries in religious freedom today. We would like to pay a tribute to Spain, and a great friend of church, as well as a true supporter of religious liberty. We honor Spain's director of religious affairs, Prof. Dr. Alberto de la Hera, together with Prof. Rosa Maria Martinez de Codes."
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 14, 2000

Delegates this morning rescinded Wednesday's referral of The Divorce and Remarriagement Amendment back to the Church Manual Committee, and then voted by an overwhelming margin to adopt the document. No new alterations were made, though the minor alterations stood that were already voted on Tuesday.

After South Pacific Division Delegate Gary Hodgkin's motion to rescind was carried, Henrik Ingo of the Trans-European Division moved to adopt the amendment "as it now appears." After a few minutes of discussion, delegates closed debate and then, by a show of yellow voting cards, passed the motion.

Some delegates appeared stunned by the quick reversal. "We just witnessed a series of parliamentary maneuvers," said Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, a member of the Africa-Indian Ocean Division employed in Michigan. "This is an item that affects the well-being of the Church."

While no delegate had argued that the document was flawless-even Church Manual Committee Chairman Lowell C. Cooper called it "imperfect"-many described it as an "improvement" over the existing policy on divorce and remarriage. Had the amendment not been passed today, the final business session, it would have returned in some form at the 2005 Session in St. Louis, Missouri.

The Divorce and Remarriage Amendment is the product of the Church Manual Committee's revision of a report from the Divorce and Remarriage Commission, a multinational group appointed following the Church's 1995 gathering. While the document more clearly defines cause for divorce, such as "abandonment by a unbelieving spouse" and "physical violence," it doesn't substantially alter the Church's previous position on divorce and remarriage. As before, the only allowance for remarriage is adultery/fornication (whose definition now includes "incest and child sexual abuse," as well as homosexual practices).

"[The revision] is simply a change of language and a change of attitude-a more Christian attitude," said Mario Veloso, General Conference associate secretary. "As far as reasons for remarriage, the document does not have any new element. The Bible is much more open to divorce than to remarriage."

Following the vote, World Church President Jan Paulsen walked to the floor microphone and urged that no further debate be given to the divorce and remarriage document. "We have spent quite enough time on this one," he said.

In another action, the delegation voted to change the format of the Church Manual. The content of some chapters will now be divided into two types of material: (a) the main content; and (b) notes containing explanatory material which will appear at the end of the chapter.

Changes in the main content will continue to be made only at a General Conference Session. Changes to notes, however, may be assembled for approval by the General Conference Executive Committee at the final Annual Council meeting of the quinquennium (five-year block).
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 14, 2000

In an event that crossed age, language and cultural barriers, hundreds of Seventh-day Adventist young people and their families marched through the streets of Toronto on Thursday, July 6, to promote a drug-free future.

Chanting "Guns and drugs have got to go!!! Say hi, say NO!!!," Pathfinders and Adventurers, dressed in their club uniforms, joined with many others in the grande finale of "Walk Around the World 2000." Caren Kouwenoord, a Toronto local, was out walking her dogs when she stopped to observe the sight. "It's good", she said, "I'm impressed because there are little ones out there learning how to be drug free."

The "Walk Around the World 2000" project was initiated during a meeting of the International Convention for Prevention of Alcoholism (ICPA) in 1995. ICPA members wanted to find innovative ways to keep young people drug-free and to encourage them to share their lifestyle with their peers. The project was launched in 1995 at the Adventist World Session in Utrecht, Holland. Since then, anti-drug marches have been organized in more than 100 countries. Participants obtain sponsors and collect funds for drug education program in the area where the march takes place.

Participants in the Toronto walk were optimistic and enthusiastic about the "Walk Around the World" march. Jermain, 17, a pathfinder from Berea Seventh-day Adventist Church, said "It makes the community aware of our stance on drugs and guns." Others like first-time marcher Jennifer Boucaud from Trinidad, said "It provides information to local-area people. This is also another way to make those in the community realize the truth about drugs."

Neals Chitan coordinator of this last march, has been involved in anti-drug events in the Metro Toronto area for more than ten years. According to Chitan, area residents, businesses and police have reported that there has been a positive change in the attitudes of the public in the areas where marches have taken place.
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 14, 2000

Every delegate attending the Adventist World Session received a business-style bag filled with Session information. While the majority of delegates use these bags to carry their papers and pens to and from every meeting, many of them are unaware of the corporation that provided the bags, and what this corporation does.

Adventist Risk Management is a major insurance provider to the Seventh-day Adventist church, However, it does more than just provide insurance. "We help the church to fulfill its mission by reducing the amount of money the church spends on claims," said Paula Webber, Director of Corporate Communication. "By avoiding unnecessary claims, the church then has more money to further the gospel."

From William Benjamin's development of a risk management plan in 1935, Adventist Risk Management expanded to four offices throughout the United States alone, and today has over 130 staff. Risk Management manages the resources of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, as well as other companies associated with the church. "Our client is the Seventh-day Adventist Church-its conferences, unions, and institutions," said David Rawson, Director of Field Services. "We understand the church and its needs, and those of its participants and workers."

The General Conference Session has provided Adventist Risk Management with a unique opportunity-to interact with many of its clients simultaneously. "We have some groups of clients with similar needs," said Rawson. "To gather them together at the General Conference has been a real blessing."

Education is particularly important to Adventist Risk Management. "While we provide an insurance service, we are also educating people about minimizing risk, and using money wisely in situations," said Webber. "Risk Management is about safety, education, and doing 'preventative medicine.' We want to avoid getting cut, rather than having to use band-aids."

Adventist Risk Management holds annual conferences to increase awareness and knowledge about this important issue. "People who are involved in Risk Management programs become more safety conscious," said Webber. "This means that they lower risk, educate their own constituents such as church members, and so have fewer problems associated with negligence."

Cartoons and a "safety owl" mascot are used by Risk Management to make children aware of the importance of safety. "The safety owl educates and increases children's awareness of safety," said Rawson. "It has become a really 'neat' icon here during the session."
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 14, 2000

An exhibition booth that gives-out free samples of food? During the Adventist World Session, Sanitarium Health Food Company, Australia, has been giving away thousands of liters of plain, strawberry and chocolate So Good (a soy-based milk alternative), as well as Up-and-go, and thousands of Fruity-bix cereal bars. Strawberry has been the most popular flavor from the So Good range at the Session, although "nearly everyone likes whichever flavor they taste," said one of the assistants at the booth.

"Oh, it's good" said Evelyn Dutra Artiaga, a visitor to the Sanitarium booth, after she tried the Strawberry So Good. Fruity-bix bars have also been received with increasing popularity. "It's one of the best health food bars I've tried in my life," said Carol Porter.

"The purpose of the booth is to demonstrate how successful we are as a church-owned food company," explained David Iredale, General Manager for International Business Development, Sanitarium. "For example, we are a world leader in educating the public about the benefits of Soy products. We also endeavoring to internationalize the So Good brand, which will be launched in North America during the next year."

As well as providing free samples of its products, particularly So Good, Fruity-bix bars, and its tinned protein products and meat alternatives to booth visitors, Sanitarium also provided extra samples for delegates from third world countries. "Many delegates from third world countries don't have the money to buy food while they're here in Canada," said Iredale. "We are feeding them."
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 14, 2000

Dressed in national costume the delegates from the Southern Asia Division (SSD) opened the International Festival of Mission on Wednesday, July 5, with a musical item "inviting the Holy Spirit to come upon us" said division president, D. Ronald Watts.

The SSD comprising Bhutan, India, Maldives and Nepal, was described by Canadian-born Watts as having a "thriving church membership" and of there being a "deep moving of the Spirit among the people."

India, with a population of 1 billion people, currently has a Seventh-day Adventist Church membership of 350,000. This membership has been increasing by 10,000 persons every month for the first six months of the year 2000.

Another area of growth identified is the provision of permanent church structures. There are currently 2000 congregations within India that are still without a place of worship, but over the past 18 months 200 churches have been constructed.

Following a second musical item by the SSD delegates encouraging the church to "work together in unity," president Watts closed with the statement that "...soul of our Division is in its people and its God. Our people are excited and they are hungry for the Scripture."
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 14, 2000

With a scripture reading in Indonesian, a prayer in Russian and music performed in Spanish, the Friday evening program at the SkyDome celebrated once again the cultural diversity of the thousands of Seventh-day Adventists gathered in Toronto for the ten days of the 57th Adventist World Session. The evening's speaker, Pastor John Nixon, was introduced by Pastor Alfred McClure, retiring president of the Adventist Church in North America. "Our speaker holds one of the key posts in the whole of the Adventist Church-local church pastor," said McClure to the applause of the estimated 40,000 people present. Currently serving as pastor at Oakwood College, Huntsville, Alabama, Nixon has been an Adventist minister in the North American Division for the past 24 years. The certainty of the second coming of Christ was the theme of Nixon's sermon. "Jesus is coming again," said Nixon, "But it is not enough to know Christ is coming, we must actually know the one who is coming." Warning against complacency, Nixon urged those present and those watching by satellite in more than 150 countries around the world, to catch a glimpse of the real Jesus. "Jesus has not embraced middle-class values just because we have embraced middle-class values," said Nixon. "He is still the Jesus who preached that the first shall be last and the last, first. He is still the Jesus who defied corrupt church authorities. The Jesus who is coming is still unorthodox, unpredictable, uncontrollable and unsafe. And this is the Jesus who is coming whether we know him or not." "Doctrinal superiority is not the secret key to heaven's gates," warned Nixon. "What must be known first and foremost is not a set of facts. The knowledge that saves is a personal knowledge, and the person we must know is Jesus Christ." Calling for balance in the presentation of the Christian message, Nixon said that "Every doctrine, every teaching, that is not built on Jesus is unbalanced."
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 14, 2000

Senator Anne Cools of the Canadian Senate addressed the Adventist World Session after participating in a panel on religious freedom and persecution. She commended the church on its humanitarian efforts.

"It was a real pleasure to participate in your discussion panel on the question of religious freedom and persecution," said Senator Cools, originally from Barbados, who also emphasized the need we have to "develop our souls and spirit and live as one with God."

Appointed to the Canadian Senate in 1984, Cools is actively involved in social services. She was introduced to delegates as having founded the first shelter in Canada for battered women. Her activities in actively protecting the rights of children of divorced parents to achieve an ongoing and meaningful relationship with both parents were also noted.

"You can invite me to your events anytime," said Cools of her invitation to attend the discussion panel. "I'll be happy to come."
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 8, 2000

Three international religious leaders addressed the General Conference to encourage the Seventh-day Adventist Church in its mission and wish it success in its meetings. The President of the American Bible Society, the Anglican Bishop of Toronto, and a representative of the World Council of Churches spoke to delegates in the SkyDome on Wednesday, July 5.

The President of the American Bible Society, Dr. Eugene Hacker, thanked the Adventist Church for its support of the Society in providing the word of God to the world.

"Thank you for the ways you support Bible Societies all over the world," said Hacker. "Thank you for the privilege of partnering with all of you. The Word never comes back void."

He also challenged delegates to read the Bible every day and to enjoy the life-changing effects that this reading will have. "When you get into the Word and the Word gets into you, it will change your life."

As one of the largest bible translation agencies in the world, the Bible Society plans to launch a $90 million campaign this year to provide greater access to the scriptures. "Two-thirds of the world's language groups still have no part of the word of God in their own language," said Hacker. "That's a tragedy. It's my pleasure to work with Seventh-day Adventists to address this."

The Right Reverend Terence Finley, Anglican Bishop of Toronto, brought greetings to the Session from his diocese and on behalf of the worldwide Anglican community. "I had the privilege of joining you in Utrecht at the time of your last General Conference, and I was impressed by the way in which you all gathered in the name of Jesus Christ," said Finley. "There is an interpretation of the word Toronto which means 'meeting-place.' I hope that in your meetings you sense the Spirit moving in your midst."

A message from Rev. Conrad Guiser, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, was read to the delegates by Mrs. Alice Jean Finley, a member of the World Council of Church's Central Committee. The focus of the message was the importance of cooperation between churches.

"We have heard of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's commitment to bring the gospel to the world," said Finley. "More than ever we need to find our common gifts as Christians to promote peace and justice in this divided world."

The World Council of Churches also wished the Seventh-day Adventist Church success in its Conference. "It is hoped that this will be an occasion of thanksgiving for the redemptive gifts of mercy and love that we've received through the resurrection of Jesus Christ," said Finley. "May it also be an occasion to affirm what binds us as Christian brothers and sisters."

General Conference representatives presented a check for $85,000 to Hacker to aid the work of the Bible Society.
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 8, 2000

"What is expected when a person becomes a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church?" is the question that Benjamin C. Maxson, Stewardship Director of the General Conference, addressed in the "Windows on Mission" report conducted on July 5, 2000, at the Adventist World Session.

Maxson outlined "Distinctions of a Disciple"-a passionate connection with Christ, a practical knowledge of scripture, a regular daily time in scriptures, and more--and also spoke on how to help members grow in spiritual maturity and discipleship.

"Are we asking too much of our young members, who haven't had much time to grow?" queried Maxson. The issue of young members was discussed not only by Maxson, but also by delegates from the floor. "With 11 million members in the world church, why do we only have one million of our youngsters in church schools?" asked Humberto Rasi, a member of the General Conference Executive Committee.

Ironically, Maxson observed that "religion has evolved into a spectator sport" while standing in the SkyDome, a world renowned sports arena.
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 8, 2000

"The goal of Christian ministry is making disciples" was the theme of the "Windows on Mission" segment presented to the Adventist World Session on Tuesday, July 4. Leaders of the discussion emphasized throughout the presentation that ministry is not the domain of the church pastor alone. Rather, it is a "privilege and responsibility of the saints," as demonstrated by the example Jesus gave through His appointment of laypersons--the disciples--for spreading the Christian message.

A variety of ministers and laypersons discussed the difficulty of implementing this methodology in the church. Divisions between church members--conservative/liberal, young/old-as well as church politics and a lack of trust between ministers and laypersons all add to the challenge.

While acknowledging that no simple solution exists to such difficulties, the group shared suggestions that had worked for them in their individual churches around the world. A common response was that church members and those in ministry need to listen to each other and work together. Other suggestions included: the provision of creative ways for laypersons to become active participants, including the use of multimedia and the Internet; an increase in home visitation and prayer; and a "hand in hand" partnership between ministers and their congregations based on a recognition of spiritual gifts.
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 8, 2000

South American Division Report-"Fulfilling the Mission"

Territory: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Falkland

Islands, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.

Statistics: Churches-5,846; membership-1,623,479;

population-275,271,000. (1999 statistics from the Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook)

"Fulfilling the mission" was the focus of the South American Division's (SAD) report to the Adventist World Session. Before the video presentation began, the stage was filled with the presidents of each of the Unions, their wives, and Union members in national dress and waving flags.

The report focused on the work of a particular family, person, or company in each of the nine Unions that was making a contribution to "fulfilling the mission." "The South American Division report does not mention numbers, it does not mention statistics--it speaks of lives," said Ruy H. Nagel, president of the South American Division. "These are stories of the people who fulfill the mission."

One story highlighted a missionary in La Paz, Bolivia, who returned to the Adventist Church after an absence of seven years and successfully conducted evangelistic meetings. Another described the Belem Adventist Hospital, which for almost 50 years has acted as a missionary institution dedicated to saving lives and providing funding to support new churches. "The greatest objective we all have is winning souls for Christ," said Dr Merari Reinert, General Director of the hospital.

The report also outlined the story of a successful Brazilian businessman who sponsored more than 60,000 study scholarships because of the help he received from the Adventist Church when he was a student. Another section described a family who, in the past five years, has established 10 new churches, run two to three evangelistic series per year, and encouraged 2,300 people to be baptized. "God opens the doors, and we advance through faith," said Adriana de Melo Campos.

The report featured the significant contribution that Granix, a food manufacturing company, has made to the church--including its donation of $160,000 in 1999 for bibles and evangelistic literature. "There is a testimony that I cannot keep to myself," said Mr. Benjamin Reichel, Director of Granix. "An institution that dedicates finances to the preaching of the gospel in addition to its normal tasks can observe God's hand guiding it each day."
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 8, 2000

Teams of young adults from around the world are bringing an innovative outreach program to the people of Toronto during the Adventist World Session. "Impact Toronto" is a ten-day training program designed to teach young Seventh-day Adventists on-the-spot outreach skills.

In Nathan Philips Square, a team of young volunteers will present two three-hour programs. Christian mime, drama, music and puppets will be utilized.

FLAG Camp-"Fun Learning About God"--will be held in the afternoons at Regent Park. Wheeler says that it is "one of the free programs aimed at sharing fun and enriching activities with inner city kids." Co-ordinator Buz Menhardt comments, "We want the kids all to experience things they've never done before, as well as experience God's love."

In addition, 21-year-old Walter Rogers will lead a "VBS Live!" team in an approach that is "a fast-paced, kid-friendly mixture of games, multi-media lessons, songs, skits, costumes and candy
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 8, 2000

To quote a saying from the past, "It's not your father's Session."

In Toronto, more than 100 specialists are dedicated to the daily task of making the events that happen on stage and in the hallways something that everyone can see, hear and enjoy-not only on the SkyDome's gigantic Sony Jumbotron, but also around the world via satellite broadcasts over the Adventist Communication Network and the Adventist Global Communication Network. The level of sophistication for this 10-day event is stunning. More than 28,000 feet of video and audio cable carry signals between the SkyDome and the Metro Toronto Convention Center and then beams them upward to the satellites.

Like past Sessions, this small army of media professionals provide live television coverage and image magnification for all of the devotionals, business sessions and evening reports. This requires the facilities of a full-fledged television company, Dome Productions, based in Toronto's SkyDome. But a global church audience is being served as well, and to accomplish this, an additional production center, created from the church's own transportable facilities and other equipment rented in Toronto, generates one and a half hours of news and feature content every day of the Session.

The staff includes people from Adventist Media Centers in Australia, Germany, South America and North America. Additional staffing is provided by Seventh-day Adventist church members who specialize in reporting, video editing, animation, engineering and all other media related fields. "What I love is getting to work with people from media centers all over the world," says Danny Kim, owner of his own business, Powerup Productions, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and now serving at his fourth General Conference Session.

"I'm not doing this for the sake of the craft," urged Warren D. Judd, Chief Executive Office of Adventist Media Productions in Simi Valley, California, and co-executive producer of the audio/visual and broadcast aspects of this event. "I wouldn't be doing this if it weren't for the ministry angle." And ministry is what many of this team would call their work. There are frustrations, technical difficulties, long hours and little recognition. According to Judd, however, knowing that church members here and around the world are able to participate in this important church event makes it worthwhile. As many as 60,000 people at the Session in Toronto and more than 10,000 worldwide are served by their efforts.
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 8, 2000

By a slight majority, delegates at today's business session (July 5) voted to return an amendment on divorce and remarriage, with delegate recommendations, to the Church Manual Committee for further revision. Barring a reversal in Thursday's session, the document won't be voted on until the 2005 General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri.

"By default we voted to depreciate the authority of the Church Manual," said Laurie Evans, president of the South Pacific Division. "People might be frustrated and take this into their own hands, which would hurt the unity of the Church."

Prior to the decision, several delegates appealed that the body not return the amendment without voting on it. "It's imperfect, but less imperfect than the current document," said Pastor Dave Gemmell of the North American Division. "I don't want to live with this another five years."

Yesterday, under Chairperson Robert Kloosterhuis, delegates had begun altering the eight-page document with the intent of voting on it. But this morning Chairperson Alfred C. McClure didn't allow alterations because he (and apparently the delegation) thought that a motion had been passed banning further alterations. Session minutes, however, showed that no such motion had passed, but had only been suggested at the start of the session.

Throughout the three-hour meeting, delegates expressed frustration at being able to debate the document, but not alter it. One delegate accused McClure of opposing the document. "I certainly was not opposed to it," McClure said later. "I was simply trying to follow the procedure."

Just before the lunch break, a motion to rescind the (mythical) alteration-barring motion was narrowly defeated.

Following a backstage huddle of church administrators, the afternoon business meeting was chaired (as scheduled) by Calvin B. Rock. "We need to confess that there are some problems with procedure," he began. "We don't know how to solve this-to make it go away."

"Either we proceed with the discussion," he said, "understanding that we're not amending but referring suggestions to the Church Manual Committee. Or we proceed allowing amendments to be made, which means we go back to section two [of five] and then process through the whole document. Then the vote taken will be on a finished church document." Rock predicted that, by making amendments, the delegation would not finish the agenda by Friday, the close of business.

After several defeated motions, the delegates instead voted, by a narrow margin, to return the document for revision.

The proposed Divorce and Remarriage Amendment is the product of the Church Manual Committee's revision of a report from the Divorce and Remarriage Commission, a multinational group appointed following the Church's 1995 gathering.

While the document more clearly defines causes for divorce, such as "abandonment by an unbelieving spouse" and physical abuse, it doesn't substantially alter the Church's previous position on divorce and remarriage. As before, the only allowance for remarriage is adultery/fornication (whose definition now includes "incest and child sexual abuse," as well as homosexual practices).

"[The revision] is simply a change of language and a change of attitude-a more Christian attitude," said Mario Veloso, General Conference associate secretary. "As far as reasons for remarriage, the document does not have any new element. The Bible is much more open to divorce than to remarriage."

But several delegates, particularly from the Africa-Indian Ocean Division, spoke against "abandonment by an unbelieving spouse" (see 1 Cor. 7:10-15) as a legitimate cause for divorce.

"This text did get a lot of discussion," explained Lowell C. Cooper, General Conference vice president and chair of the Church Manual Committee," but it survived the scrutiny of the Church's theologians."

Asked what was meant by "unbelieving spouse," Cooper said whether the spouse was Adventist or not.

If/Then: Breaking Down the Divorce/Remarriage Proposal

• If your spouse commits adultery/fornication (which includes incest, chid sexual abuse, and homosexual practices), you may divorce and remarry.
• If your unbelieving spouse abandons you, you may divorce but not remarry until your spouse commits adultery/fornication.
• If your believing spouse abandons you, you may not divorce.
• If your spouse beats you, you can separate from/divorce your spouse, but you can't remarry until your spouse commits adultery/fornication.

Seventh-day Adventists meeting in Toronto for a world session have issued a statement that identifies gambling as "incompatible with Christian principles" and that the "addictive quality of gambling is clearly incompatible with a Christian lifestyle."

The strongly worded statement comes during the Adventists' ten-day Church business session that brings together up to 50,000 from many of the 205 countries in which the Church is represented.

"The idea of taking money from the many and giving it to the few is a reverse of Robin Hood," says Jonathan Gallagher, news director for the Adventist Church worldwide and church spokesperson on the issue. "It is 'legitimated theft' and reveals a selfish principle completely at odds with those of Jesus who taught mutual love and support. Christians are encouraged to be responsible and look to the needs of others, not to run down to the local casino or lottery ticket seller. This statement is designed to show the anti-Christian aspects of gambling as a business."

The statement was released at a news conference on Thursday, July 6, at the Toronto SkyDome. Dr. Alex Currie, assistant to the President of the South Pacific Division, presented a perspective on the gambling within the Australia culture. "Since the 1980s it has become more and more common and socially 'acceptable' to gamble," said Currie. "We, in the South Pacific Division, have also formulated a statement that clearly outlines the Adventist Church's view of gambling, and that takes a stand against the acceptance, by churches, of gambling profits." Barry Bussey, secretary of the Ontario Conference, cited statistics that show an increase in spending on gambling in Canada.

"Gambling has a massive impact on society," says the statement. "Financial costs result from crime committed to pay for the gambling habit, increased policing, and legal expenses, as well as associated crimes involving drugs and prostitution." In addition, "Society pays the escalating cost of associated crime, victim support, and family breakdown which erodes the quality of life."

But this should be viewed more than a statement of theory, says Gallagher.

"We want to be personal and practical," comments Gallagher. "Gambling is based on a non-Christian perspective of living just for the moment and demands total commitment of time and resources. It's ruining the lives of so many people who need help, just in the same way as other addictions do."

The statement concludes: "The Seventh-day Adventist Church calls on all government authorities to re-examine their reliance on funds gained from gambling and to prevent the ever-increasing availability of gambling with its damaging effects on individuals and society."

A Seventh-day Adventist Statement on Gambling

Gambling defined as a paid game of chance increasingly impacts more and more people all over the world. The concept of winning at the expense of others has become a modern curse. Society pays the escalating cost of associated crime, victim support, and family breakdown which erodes the quality of life. Seventh-day Adventists have consistently opposed gambling as it is incompatible with Christian principles. It is not an appropriate form of entertainment or a legitimate means of raising funds.

Gambling violates Christian principles of stewardship. God identifies work as the appropriate method for gaining material benefit; not the playing of a game of chance while dreaming to gain at the expense of others. Gambling has a massive impact on society. Financial costs result from crime committed to pay for the gambling habit, increased policing, and legal expenses, as well as associated crimes involving drugs and prostitution. Gambling does not generate income; rather it takes from those who often can ill afford to lose and gives to a few winners, the greatest winner of course being the gambling operator. The idea that gambling operations can have a positive economic benefit is an illusion. In addition, gambling violates the Christian sense of responsibility for family, neighbors, the needy, and the Church.

Gambling creates false hopes. The gambling dream of Awinning big@ replaces true hope with a false dream of a statistically-improbable chance of winning. Christians are not to put their hope in wealth. The Christian hope in a glorious future promised by God is Asure and certain@C unlike and opposite to the gambling dream. The great gain that the Bible points to is Agodliness with contentment.@

Gambling is addictive. The addictive quality of gambling is clearly incompatible with a Christian lifestyle. The Church seeks to help, not blame, those suffering from gambling or other addictions. Christians recognize that they are responsible before God for their resources and lifestyle.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church organization does not condone raffles or lotteries to raise funds and it urges members not to participate in any such activities, however well- intentioned. Neither does the Church condone state-sponsored gambling. The Seventh-day Adventist Church calls on all authorities to prevent the ever-increasing availability of gambling with its damaging effects on individuals and society.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church rejects gambling as defined above and will not solicit nor accept funding that is clearly derived from gambling.

This statement was voted by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Administrative Committee (ADCOM), for release at the time of the General Conference Session in Toronto, Canada, June 29-July 9, 2000.

1. 1 Thess 4:11; Gen 3:19; Matt 19:21; Acts 9:36; 2 Cor 9:8, 9
2. 1 Tim 6:17; Heb 11:1; 1 Tim 6:6
3. 1 Cor 6:19, 20

Territory: Afghanistan, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Holy See, Iran, Italy, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, and Western Sahara.

Statistics: Churches-3,929; membership-509,032; population-584,314,000. (1999 statistics from yearbook)

The Euro-Africa Division, comprised of 35 different countries and stretching across 25 different language groups, is a division of immense diversity, as illustrated in the official Division report to the General Conference World Session on Monday, July 3. The 520,000 members of this division face the challenge of presenting the church's message to groups of people ranging from secular modernists to Muslims.

"As committed Christians and leaders, we bear a message of hope for our contemporaries and members of our churches. The pastor is a key element in communicating this hope," said Ulrich Frikart, President of the Euro-Africa Division, during the report. "The Division considers upgrading the role of the pastor as one of its priorities."

As part of the report, Timoteus Nagy, winner of the "Ministry Contest" held for children of pastors in the Euro-Africa Division, was introduced live to the attending delegates. "I bring my friends' and pastors' and pastors' kids' greetings from Romania," said Timoteus. This greeting was followed by a video which showcased the different nations in the Euro-Africa Division. To the delight of the attendees, delegates from the Division rose from their seats at the close of the video and handed out flags from the various countries of the Division to other delegates and visitors throughout the SkyDome.
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 8, 2000

Delegates began debate on a proposed revision to the "Divorce and Remarriage" section of the Church Manual at today's business meeting of the 57th Seventh-day Adventist World Session. No vote was taken.

The amendment stems from a 1995 Session recommendation that the World Church reconsider its position on divorce and remarriage. An international commission-consisting of both church employees and lay people-was subsequently appointed and, in April 1999, submitted their report to the world church Administrative Committee, who then sent it to the Church Manual Committee. "You will see a number of the commission's recommendations incorporated into the recommended revision," said new Secretary, Matthew Bediako.

Yesterday several delegates had requested that the original commission report be made available, and today delegate Gerald Winslow, who in 1995 made the motion to reconsider divorce and remarriage, moved to distribute the full report to the floor. Minutes later, that happened.

In addition to allowing divorce and remarriage when one's spouse commits adultery/fornication, the amendment cites "abandonment by an unbelieving spouse" (see 1 Cor. 7:10-15) as cause for divorce, but not remarriage (until the spouse commits adultery/fornication). Likewise, physical violence is cause for separation or divorce, but not remarriage.

"We do not have a perfect document," said Vice President Lowell Cooper, prior to floor discussion. "It does not answer every question. We are trying to affirm an ideal, while at the same time recognizing situations that are much less than ideal. But this will be a significant step forward."

But some delegates argued that the eight-page document didn't go far enough, questioning why "unfaithfulness to the marriage vow" was limited to adultery/fornication. "Part of the marriage vow is to 'love, honor, and cherish,'" said John Fowler, associate director of education. "Physically abusing one's spouse is a breaking of the marriage vow."

Others, such as Arthur Rodd of the Trans-European Division, questioned the idea that a divorced spouse be freed to remarry by the former spouse's behavior. "How can we have grounds for remarriage depending on which partner gets into bed with someone else first?" he said.

But other delegates opposed some of the revisions, including "abandonment by an unbelieving spouse" as cause for divorce. "1 Corinthians 7:10-15 does not convincingly support abandonment as a reason for divorce," said Tunde Ojewole of the African-Indian Ocean Division. "Abandonment-how long? One week? One month? One year?"

Dan Jackson of the North American Division suggested that the document placed too much power with the conference/mission/field. "Local congregations are often in a better position to deal with these issues," he said.

Discussions will resume tomorrow.
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 8, 2000

Speaking during an interview at the Seventh-day Adventist World Session, M. Jean-Arnold de Clermont, president of the French Federation of Protestant Churches, spoke against the "anti-sect" law proposed in France.

"The anti-sect law proposed by the Chamber of Deputies may become government legislation, and we have reacted to this," said Clermont. "The first section of the law reinforces existing laws which have not been enforced due to lack of political will and the inability to demonstrate material facts or proof. The second part of the proposed legislation is much more dangerous. It deals with mental manipulation and brainwashing. However, no one can define what this is, or, if you do, there is no difference between the strong convictions of anyone. In this sense this law is just a means of control. Politicians know about all about conviction. You want people under your control"isn't that mental manipulation or brainwashing?"

Clermont went on to caution against the possible misuse of such a law.

"This is why such legislation is so dangerous, because in judicial terms in which you do not define such concepts, the law can be used against anything. Protestants, Jews and Catholics have all seen the dangers of the law and will fight the whole process of its implementation through expressing our concerns to those responsible."

There are enough laws to deal with illegal activities of any group, Clermont continued.

"We agree that it is important to act against the illegal activities of any groups. We do not support any such activities. For fifteen years we have said that existing laws are sufficient to deal with dangerous cults. Liberty is indivisible, and the laws we already have are sufficient. What is lacking is the political will to use them."

Clermont referred to the "sect list" that has already been used to deny religious freedom rights to some individuals and groups.

"The National Assembly has produced a list of 'banned' groups, which contains even unsupported complaints. Popular opinion is built by politicians to encourage opposition against religious movements. Politicians have been 'crying wolf,' but this is against the constitution that says that the state does not recognize any religions, which means that the state views all religions as equal."

Clermont is also a minister of the Reformed Church--one of fifteen Protestant denominations and 500 Christian organizations that make up the French Protestant Church Federation. He states that he has had many contacts with Adventists over the years and came to Session to see "from the interior" the international Adventist Church.
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 8, 2000

"Seventh-day Adventists affirm the right of every child to a happy and stable home environment, and the freedom and support to grow up to be the person God intended," says the latest in a series of official statements released by the Adventist Church during the 57th General Conference World Session.

Church leaders released the statement in a press conference early this morning. "Its not that the church is changing its position-it is simply articulating more clearly its commitment to promote the welfare of children everywhere," said Bettina Krause, a church spokesperson.

Virginia Smith, children's ministries director for the Adventist Church, stated that the objective of the statement is to "define a growing awareness that we cannot allow these things [sexual abuse] to happen." She explained that the church is trying to create a strong stand about the welfare of children at the top level that will filter down to local levels.

According to the statement, the Adventist church will continue to fight poverty, illiteracy, poor health care, exploitation, vulnerability, and violence as they affect the lives of children. Rights of children expressed in the statement include: the right to a loving and stable home where there is safety and freedom from abuse; the right to proper health/medical care; and the right to freedom from discrimination and exploitation.

Smith said that a growing number of local Adventist churches are running daycare programs. She is concerned that these facilities adhere to guidelines that protect children, such as background police checks to ensure that only responsible adults work with children.

In response to a question about the incidence of corporal punishment in Adventist homes and schools, Smith said that the church is hoping to educate adults on acceptable ways to discipline children and teach them "good parenting skills."

The church plans to make various resources available to pastors at workers' meetings. "We have articles in church papers that deal with parenting," Smith added.

The goal of the church, Smith said, is to "build up the family life and the amount of positive interaction children have with parents."

In response to the above issues and needs, Seventh-day Adventists stand for the following rights of children:

1. The right to a loving and stable home where there is safety and freedom from abuse.
2. The right to adequate food, clothing, and shelter.
3. The right to proper health/medical care.
4. The right to an education that prepares children for a positive role in society by developing their personal potential and giving them earning capacity.
5. The right to a religious and moral education in the home and church.
6. The right to freedom from discrimination and exploitation.
7. The right to personhood, respect, and the development of positive self-esteem.

This statement was voted by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Administrative Committee (ADCOM), for release at the time of the General Conference Session in Toronto, Canada, June 29-July 9, 2000.
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 8, 2000

Seventh-day Adventists believe that freedom of religion is a basic human right. As Christians, they are persuaded that the dissemination of religion is not only a right, but a joyful responsibility based on a divine mandate to witness.

God has called Christians to evangelism"the proclamation of the good news of salvation in Christ (Matt 28:19, 20). This is central to Christian life and witness. Thus Christianity is missionary by its very nature.

In affirming global mission and evangelization, Adventists are motivated by willing obedience to Christ's commission and by a sincere desire that every human being be saved and inherit eternal life. They are also motivated by a sense of urgency in expectation of the imminence of Christ's return. In endeavoring to fulfill the gospel commission, Seventh-day Adventists are thus witnessing, preaching, and serving today in more than 200 countries.

In the context of the dissemination of religion, the issue of "proselytism" has arisen because the term "proselytism" is defined in a number of ways and increasingly is being given a pejorative connotation, associated with unethical means of persuasion, including force. Seventh-day Adventists unequivocally condemn the use of such methods. They believe that faith and religion are best disseminated when convictions are manifested and taught with humility and respect, and the witness of one's life is in harmony with the message announced, evoking a free and joyous acceptance by those being evangelized.

Evangelistic and missionary activity needs to respect the dignity of all human beings. Individuals need to be truthful and transparent when dealing with other religious groups. Terminology should be used which avoids offending other religious communities. Statements which are false or ridicule other religions should not be made.

Conversion is an experience of the Spirit, and should therefore in no way be connected to offering and receiving material inducements. While the right to engage in humanitarian activities must be fully recognized, such action must never be linked to evangelism in a way that exploits vulnerable people by offering financial and material incentives to entice them to change religion.

Seventh-day Adventists are committed to serving their fellow men by preaching the everlasting gospel to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people (Rev 14:6).

This statement was voted by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Administrative Committee (ADCOM), for release at the time of the General Conference Session in Toronto, Canada, June 29-July 9, 2000.
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 8, 2000

The Wilson family from Bermuda is rejoicing that they came to the Seventh-day Adventist World Session-it has probably saved the eyesight of a mother and two small children.

The Health Ministries booth at the World Session is running screening programs--one of them for glaucoma. Glaucoma is a condition of the retina that gradually reduces a person's sight and can lead to blindness.

Dr. Clarence Omans, who was doing the screening, was amazed to find that mother Jackie Wilson and children Samara and Zachary were all in danger. "It's unusual to have so many with high eye pressure in one family like this," Dr Omans said. "But this is why we're doing the screening."

Jackie pointed to her young daughter, Samara, and said, "She could have had glaucoma by the age of seven!" None of them had any glaucoma symptoms, so they were totally unaware that they were at risk. "I'm very thankful I came," Jackie said with gratitude and relief. "I believe the Lord led us to come here."

The family will return to Bermuda where they will see a good opthamologist and have the problem expertly rectified.

Screening is also provided for other aspects of health. Eager crowds demonstrate the popularity of this very simple yet effective tool to encourage interest in health at the General Conference Session.
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 8, 2000

A "Women in Leadership" initiative was announced at an Adventist World Session news conference on Monday, July 3. Ardis Stenbakken, director of Women's Ministries for the Seventh-day Adventist Church worldwide, described plans for a taskforce aimed at finding ways to increase the participation and representation of women in the church.

"During the coming months, a taskforce will be created to discover new and creative ways of including women in the church and its leadership structure," Stenbakken said, adding that the initiative had the support of Pastor Jan Paulsen, president of the Adventist Church. Stenbakken cited tradition and current church structure as having made it slow and difficult for women to achieve leadership positions. "The taskforce will look at ways to make paths and opportunities, beginning at the local church level and proceeding through all levels of administration."

Currently, church leadership positions held by women account for only 10 percent of the total in the church. "According to the church constitution, only the position of president requires ordination. Everything else is open to women," said Stenbakken, who hopes that the taskforce will "find a way around barriers, educate, and overcome barriers faced by women."

"Only 15 percent of the delegates at this General Conference Session are women, but this is a 5 percent increase from the previous session," said Stenbakken. "We're not happy with that, but at least we're heading in the right direction." She cited the leadership taskforce, education and mentoring as the primary means Women's Ministries plans to use in the next five years to address the issues faced by women. Stenbakken also noted that many delegates are chosen because of their position of leadership. Consequently, in order to increase the number of female delegates, it may be necessary for some of these people and/or their perceptions to be changed, she said. "Some of the committees listed on the agenda do not have any women on them."

Scholarships will continue to be used by Women's Ministries to address the lack of mentoring and leadership training available to women in the Adventist Church, said Lynnetta Hamstra, associate director for Women's Ministries at the General Conference, noting that a total of 452 scholarships have been given to different Divisions since 1983. "We want to send Seventh-day Adventist women to Seventh-day Adventist Colleges, so they can serve in our church, and serve all people," said Hamstra. "The Women's Ministries director for the Euro-Asia Division was a recipient of one of these scholarships, which are funded from the sale of a devotional book produced by our department."

When Women's Ministries was reorganized in 1990, it conducted a survey that highlighted six issues which particularly challenged women-illiteracy, abuse, poverty, health risks, work loads, and lack of mentoring and leadership training. "These issues affect women in the church, out of the church, in first world countries and third-world countries," said Stenbakken.

"In the past, neither society nor the church--including our church--has paid much attention to the needs of women. This for me is a problem, especially since 70 percent of the church are women," said Stenbakken. "Therefore it is imperative that we as a church, society, and the press look at women's issues whenever possible, not to say 'woe is me' but to correct whatever inequities or injustices there may be."

As well as the taskforce and scholarship initiatives, Women's Ministries is also compiling a database of "professionals" which can be used in reference to career openings. This will particularly be used in draw women from the church who work in non-traditional roles and present them as candidates for leadership positions.

"I'm particularly proud of the fact that Women's Ministries is a needs-based ministry. We suggest that women find out what women need-our mandate is to train women for this ministry." Stenbakken emphasized the importance of Women's Ministries being a bible-based ministry, and used Micah 6:8 (the Lord requires to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God) and Proverbs 31:8 (the need to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.) "The biblical mandate of Titus 3 - this encourages older women to teach younger women. Everyone is older than someone else."
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 8, 2000

The following were elected to the position of president for their respective Divisions:

• Africa-Indian Ocean Division: Luka T. Daniel
• Eastern Africa Division: Pardon Mwansa
• Euro-Africa Division: Ulrich Frikart
• Euro-Asia Division: Artur A. Stele
• Inter-America Division: Israel Leito
• North American Division: Don C. Schneider
• South American Division: Ruy H. Nagel
• South Pacific Division: Laurie J. Evans
• Southern Asian Division: D. Ron Watts
• Southern Asia-Pacific Division: Violeto Bocala
• Trans-European Division: Bertil Wiklander

Newly elected Division presidents include:

• Pardon Mwansa, who most recently served as associate Stewardship director for the World Church, began his ministry in Zambia. He has worked as president and departmental director of the Zambia Union.
• Artur A. Stele, who is currently the president of the Church's seminary in Zaokski, Russia, is one of the youngest presidents elected to serve a World Division. He has leadership experience in both pastoral and educational positions.
• Don C. Schneider began his ministry as a pastor in Louisiana and Minnesota and then served as an administrator in nine U.S. states, including Oklahoma, Oregon, Nebraska, Wyoming, New Jersey, Louisiana, Colorado, California, and Michigan, before being elected president of the Lake Union Conference six years ago.

The Northern Asia-Pacific Division presidential position has not yet been voted.
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 8, 2000

Christians shouldn't use material enticements to convert new members, said Adventist church leaders in a statement today.

"Conversion is an experience of the Spirit, and should therefore in no way be connected to offering and receiving material inducements," the statement says.

People who choose to join the Adventist Church must make a "free, willing, and happy" decision, said Bert Beach, director of inter-church relations, in a morning press conference.

"In the past we have not always lived up to the [ideas reflected in the statement]," admitted Beach. He stressed that the Church's evangelistic efforts should not focus on material rewards"a problem that has often plagued religious denominations.

The statement also says that Adventists will not inappropriately proselytize or use unethical means of persuasion or force in their evangelism. "We are trying to reach people by the truth of the message," said Beach.

Seventh-day Adventists believe that "faith and relgion are best disseminated when convictions are manifested and taught with humility and respect," the statement says.

The statement also addresses inter-church relationships and requires Adventists to respect other religious groups. Individuals need to be truthful and transparent when dealing with other religious groups," the statement says. "Terminology should be used which avoids offending other religious communities."

In some locations, churches base their identity on their opposition to other churches, Beach said. He, along with church leadership, hopes that churches in those parts of the world can change their philosophy.

"As Adventists we uphold the principle that all human beings have the right to choose their religion, or to choose to have no religion," said John Graz, secretary general of the Church's International Religious Liberty Association at the press conferences. "We must accord all humans this basic dignity."
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 8, 2000

The World Session delegation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church elected six vice presidents today (July 3). They include three who will be serving in that position for the first time: Gerry D. Karst; Armando Miranda; and Ted N.C. Wilson. The three vice presidents re-elected for a further five-year term are: Lowell C. Cooper; Leo S. Ranzolin; and Calvin D. Rock.

Church president Jan Paulsen personally introduced the new vice presidents.

"Armando Miranda is currently the president of the Church in North Mexico where our work is developing rapidly," said Paulsen. "He has worked as pastor, evangelist, departmental director and conference president. I am confident he will contribute to our international Church."

"Ted Wilson is from the United States and has had much international experience," Paulsen continued. "He worked first as departmental director and then as secretary of the Church's Africa-Indian Ocean Division. He has also served as president of the Euro-Asia Division at its headquarters in Moscow, Russia, and then as an associate secretary at the Church's world headquarters. Currently he is the president of the Review and Herald Publishing Association."

"Gerry Karst began his ministry in Canada and also has extensive experience as president for the Church in the Middle East," said Paulsen. "Most recently, he has been the assistant to the president for more than seven years and has been my closest associate for the past year and a half. He has a great understanding of how our Church works and is very effective at communication."

Lowell C. Cooper, also a Canadian, has been a vice president of the General Conference since 1998. Previously, he was an associate secretary at the Church's world headquarters, and he has seen international experience as secretary and departmental director of the Southern Asia Division in India, as well as departmental director in Pakistan. He began his ministry in Alberta, Canada.

Leo Ranzolin, a Brazilian national, was first elected to the position of vice president in 1990. He has served at the Church headquarters as director for Youth, associate director of Church Ministries, and associate secretary in the Secretariat department. He has also served as secretary to the Missionary Volunteer Department in the Parana Conference and South Brazil Union Conference and as a district pastor in Brazil.

Calvin Rock, an American, was first elected vice president in 1985. He has served in the South Atlantic Conference and Lake Region Conference of the United States as a pastor and evangelist. He has also worked in the Southern Union Conference as associate secretary to the Ministerial Association, in the Northeastern Conference as a Pastor, and gave extensive service as president of Oakwood College in Alabama.

General vice presidents assist the president of the Adventist Church in international administration, and chair the boards of organizations operated by the World Church.
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 8, 2000

The General Conference Session was graced by the presence of yet another celebrity when Member of the Canadian Parliament for Mississauga East, Albina Guarmieri, brought greetings from the Canadian government and the Prime Minister of Canada, Jean Chretien.

"We have great appreciation for the inspiring message of this conference session," said Guarmieri. "Although I am a Roman Catholic member of parliament," she continued, "I am familiar with your church throughout Canada."

Guarmieri received enthusiastic applause when she stated, "Adventists have lived eight years longer than the average American"an astonishing testament to the connection between body and soul."

Words of welcome from the Prime Minister were conveyed to the Session in both English and Italian by Guarmieri. "Events such as these offer you a wonderful opportunity to reflect on your church, while setting goals for the future," said the message. "From its very beginnings, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has served as both a place of worship and a center of social activity and mutual support. As you gather together in Toronto, may you take great pride in the heritage of your spiritual community . . . May the strength of your faith continue to guide you in the years to come."

Guarmieri then presented Adventist Church president Jan Paulsen with a miniature glass edition, and he thanked her in response.

In an exclusive interview with Adventist News Network, Guarmieri commented on her role and expressed her appreciation of the Church.

"I was honored to represent the Prime Minister here tonight and to read his special message of greeting to this World Session of the Seventh-day Adventist Church," says Guarnieri. "I am very impressed by the Church and have a number of Adventist friends. I have had the privilege of visiting the Canadian Union College and appreciated the youthful exuberance of the future leaders I see emerging there. I see in Adventists a people with a strong sense of commitment, purpose, and serenity-together with a good sense of humor. More Canadians could share such values as principled individuals with a sense of devotion to the community and a higher calling."

Following is the transcript of the Canadian Prime Minister's letter presented to the GC Session:

"I am delighted to extend my warmest greetings to everyone attending the 57th Session of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I would also like to welcome all of the international delegates who have travelled to Toronto to take part in what will surely be an enriching and interesting series of sessions.

Events such as these offer you a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the history of your church, while setting goals for the future. From its very beginnings, the Seventh-day Adventist church has served as both a place of worship and a centre of social activity and mutual support. As you gather together in Toronto, you may take great pride in the heritage of your spiritual community.

Please accept my best wishes for a most memorable celebration. May the strength of your faith continue to guide you in the years to come."
Source:Toronto, Canada .... ANN -- Entered July 8, 2000

In a penetrating speech this afternoon, George C. Knight, Andrews University professor, encouraged delegates to make plans for the church's future. "Success will not come about by accident, but will be the product of deliberate thought, planning, and action," he said.

Knight's speech, titled "If I Were the Devil!," was the first of five "Windows on Mission" that Pastor Jan Paulsen initiated for this Session. Delegates broke into small groups after the speech to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the church.

Some of Knight's more memorable lines:

• "The first thing on my agenda would be the upcoming generation of Adventists. If I were the Devil I would put my best energies into getting the church to reject the ideas and plans of the coming generation. That shouldn't be too difficult since in most areas they don't dress like their elders, sing like them, or even think like them. When I get older people to frown on guitars, I will at the same time help them forget that early Adventists didn't allow organs in their churches. While I take a shot at their so-called drama, I will help their elders forget that Jesus used fictional stories such as the rich man and Lazarus and that Ellen White used the term drama to refer to what we think of as soap operas."
• "If I were the Devil I would get people to believe that there is only one way to do something and that everybody has to do it that one way."
• "If I were the Devil I would make pastors and administrators the center of the work of the church."
• "If I were the Devil, I would undermine the importance of the local congregation."
• "If I were the Devil I would create more administrative levels and generate more administrators.
• "If I were the Devil I would get Adventists fighting with each other. Any old topic would do-worship styles, theology, dress standards. Anything would do for my purposes, if I were the devil. After all, if the Adventists were busy shooting all their bullets at each other, they wouldn't have many left over for me."

In today's business sessions, delegates to the 57th General Conference Session: