SPECIAL

SEE PAGE 6 General Confernce REPORT

ExecutiveAn informative publication for members ofCommittee the General Conference Executive Committee Newsletter as a service through the offce of the Chair

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018

Adventists, being called out as FGod’sor remnant Seven churcht- isd aoney of our 28 Fundamental Beliefs, (#13), and is core to our identity and mission. Today, however, some may wonder if being the “remnant” is still relevant. Others may identify the concept with exclusivity, elitism, and pride. But when we recognize it is God who calls and identifes His remnant, and that it is only through His power that the remnant can carry out His mission, then we realize that pride has no place, and that all are welcome to become a ARE WE REALLY part of His remnant people. In this issue of the Executive THE REMNANT? Committee Newsletter, Clifford BY CLIFFORD GOLDSTEIN, EDITOR, ADULT BIBLE STUDY GUIDE Goldstein, editor of the Adult Bible Study Guide and well-known Adventist apologist, examines uppose you were a Jew Suppose, for whatever reason, the concept of the remnant in the living in ancient Israel, First you became upset with the Old and New Testaments, and its Temple period, and were fed up Seventh-day Adventist Church? application for today. with how compromising and Where would you go? May God bless us as we consider Sworldly the church had become. That is, if you are not willing to this important I mean, they were actually give up the seventh-day Sabbath, Fundamental worshipping idols in the temple you have pretty much wiped out 99 Belief. grounds! (See Ezekiel 8) per cent of your options. If, at the —elias Where would you go? same time, you are not willing to brasil Babylon? Assyria? believe that evil Uncle Willy (may de souza, Or suppose you were a Jew he rest in peace) is burning in hell director living in the Second Temple right now, or that sweet Aunt Sally biblical Period, which had become so (may she rest in peace) is enjoying research legalistic that they actually the bliss of heaven, then you have institute accused Jesus of violating the wiped out 99 per cent of the one Sabbath. (See John 9:16) percent of your options left. Where would you go? Again, I ask: Where would you Greece? Rome? go? EDITORIAL Well, what about today? —continued, next page 1 No question, the difference then, about Noah getting drunk and between the religion of ancient that whole ugly incident. It still Israel and the pagan nations didn’t change the fact that they had around them was greater than the present truth). difference between the Seventh- Abraham was probably the day Adventist church and the other holiest, most faithful of any of the Protestant faiths around us. That’s remnant, and he had more light, true, but the difference is still more truth, than the pagans around great enough, the truth still stands him. But he, too, wasn’t perfect. GOD HAS out clearly enough—that, indeed, Then the children of Jacob, the there’s really no other place to go. twelve sons. We know the story ALWAYS HAD here. Some were better than others, THE REMNANT but they were hardly all perfect, someone—a group Hence, welcome to the Seventh- hardly all holy, hardly all saints. day Adventist Church, the remnant Though again at least they had of people—to“ carry church. knowledge of the true God, which Why are we the remnant? is why they are traced through the His light, His truth, Well, if you study biblical Bible as a remnant. to the world. history, God has always had a Then we get to the nation of group of people who He had Israel. Look at their teaching. Ten entrusted with more light, more commandments. The Genesis truth—“present truth” (2 Peter creation account in contrast to 1:12)—than anyone else around pagan myths. The sanctuary service, them. Not because He loved them in contrast to pagan sanctuaries, more, or thought they were better where they held sexual orgies than everybody else, but because in and sacrifced children. They some way or another they showed understood the state of the dead. some kind of openness to Him— They had a health message (for and to the light, the truth, that He instance, the Egyptians would wanted to give. And that light, that use human excrement in medical truth, more than anything else is concoctions while the Jews buried what made them the remnant. theirs outside the camp). They You see, God has always had had some understanding of the someone—a group of people—to Great Controversy. They had the carry His light, His truth, to the Spirit of Prophecy manifested all world. Whether or not they were through their history. And they had faithful to the truth that they had knowledge of the Messiah’s coming. (often they weren’t, unfortunately) Now, I can go on and on about is another matter entirely. The point all their apostasy, all their rebellion, is that they still had more light, all the evil that was done by some more truth, than anyone else around of the them. The Old Testament them—and that light, that truth, was is flled with a lot of stories about carried on. that. But it doesn’t change the fact that they had been given more light, more truth, than any of the other OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY nations around them. Period. For example, Noah and his Having this truth might not have family had present truth. It’s going saved all of them, but that’s not the to rain; get on the boat. (Read, point. The point is that they had

2 these truths, truths that no one else testimony of Jesus is the spirit of did, at least to the degree that they prophecy,” (Revelation 19:10). did. And that distinguished them as “Here is the patience of the God’s remnant. Where saints; here are those who keep the would I commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Rev. 14:12). NEW TESTAMENT HISTORY go“ if I The commandments of God, Now, let’s transition to the left the which includes the Sabbath, and the early church. They, like ancient Seventh-day Spirit of Prophecy. Israel, had a mission to spread the That’s us, yes. knowledge of the true God to the Adventist But, look at us. Look at some world, only now with the added Church? of the struggles and problems we light, the present truth message of have. Look at the crises in our Jesus as the Messiah, who died for history. Look at the challenges the sins of the world. we have today. But can we, with And yet, look at what it was like. Then we get into the long period all these problems, still be God’s If you read in the New Testament of papal supremacy and so forth remnant church? alone, in New Testament times, the that we all know so well. There Of course we can. And that’s time when Paul and the apostles were always those who preserved because the remnant is determined were still alive, what do you fnd? some modicum of truth and by the truth it possesses and There was fornication—a man faithfulness though a great deal was proclaims. sleeping with his father’s wife (1 lost. But that doesn’t mean we can Corinthians 5:1). Ethnic tension become proud and say, “We have it between Greeks and Jews (Acts THE FINAL REMNANT all together—we have the truth!” 6:1). Ethnic bigotry even among Now, we come down to the end Listen to what Ellen White told leaders, such as Peter not wanting times, to ourselves, the Seventh- the remnant people at the General to eat with Gentiles (Galatians day Adventist church. We have a Conference Session in 1901: 2:11-14). There were backsliders, few texts that help defne us as the “Every soul in every conference, busybodies, tattlers, gossipers, remnant church of the last days. in every part of the Lord’s vineyard, all found in the early church. “And the dragon was wroth with has the privilege of knowing the Theological battles over the law the woman, and went to make war truth. But truth is not truth to those and the keeping of the law. Nasty with the remnant of her seed, which who do not practice it. Truth is only battles, in fact. Outright heresy as keep the commandments of God, truth to you when you live it in the well. “O foolish Galatians, who has and have the testimony of Jesus daily life, showing the world what bewitched you” (Galatians 3:1). Christ” (Rev. 12:17). those people must be who are at last 1 Some taught the resurrection was The remnant of her seed? Which saved.” already past. John warned about seed? The seed of the woman. Just because you’re part of antichrists already among them; You can go back to Genesis 3:15 the remnant doesn’t mean you battles over the nature of Christ, for that: “And I will put enmity are saved. That’s never the case. with the Gnostic heresy. between thee and the woman, and But these truths remain the truth, All this within the church, between thy seed and her seed; it present truth, regardless of what the new remnant church of the shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt those possessing it do with it. New Testament. But despite their bruise his heel.” I have often said that, however problems, there were still those And there’s more. “And I fell at hard it was for me to become an who were faithfully looking to his feet to worship him. But he said Adventist (and believe me, it was follow and share the light God had to me, “See that you do not do that! I hard), it has been the easiest thing given them, and they had more am your fellow servant, and of your for me to stay one. light, more truth, than anyone else! brethren who have the testimony Why? Well, again, where Period. of Jesus. Worship God! For the would I go if left the Seventh-day

3 The truth, present truth, stand outs so clearly, so distinctly, from error. And it is this truth that defnes the remnant— even if not all of the remnant will be saved by this truth.

Adventist church? A church which teaches that remnant will be saved by this truth. A Sunday-keeping church that even before people are born Jesus So, whether a Jew in 9th has people already in heaven or predetermines that some of them century BC Judah, or a Seventh- burning in hell? will be lost, so that no matter how day Adventist in 21st century A church that believes in the secret they live now, they are going to go anywhere—the question remains: rapture, that Jesus returns secretly, to hell and burn forever after they Where do you go? quietly, and takes His faithful to die? The answer is easy. As Peter said heaven while everyone else here goes Or a church which teaches that to Jesus when Jesus asked if they through a time of trouble? once you accept Jesus you can never would abandon Him, too: “Lord, to A church whose whole focus on be lost, even if you openly reject whom shall we go? thou hast the last day events centers on wars in the Him later? words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Middle East, and who go to Isaiah, Now, my point here isn’t to judge Ezekiel and even Deuteronomy to whether these people are saved or fnd texts that predict practically lost. My point is simply to say that ENDNOTES every battle over there? the truth, present truth, stand outs 1 General Conference Bulletin, 1901, p. A church which says that since so clearly, so distinctly, from error. 24, http://documents.adventistarchives.org/ Jesus died on the cross, it’s OK to And it is this truth that defnes the Periodicals/GCSessionBulletins/GCB1901- eat pig? remnant—even if not all of the 01ex01.pdf

4 WHY I AM A SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST By Glenn Townend, president, South Pacifc Division

was born on a Sabbath into a Seventh-day was wrestling, I heard my Heavenly Father Adventist pastor’s home, so I’ve always call through my earthly father, and I said, known the church. As a PK (preacher’s “Yep, I’m going to give my life to Jesus.” I kid), I remember a couple of instances in was baptized in my local church in Lei. Iparticular that had a big impact on my life. Why am I an Adventist today? Because I was a pretty lively child and got into I’m much more knowledgeable of all some fairly serious trouble as a little kid. I the alternatives—other religions and got caught doing stuff, basically red-handed, philosophies. The thing for me is, Jesus has by my parents. I was punished. I knew what I dealt with sin, evil, death, and He gives a had done was wrong. future hope. No other religion or philosophy The following Sabbath, my parents invited deals with real issues in this world—evil and some people over for lunch. I was racing death. Only Jesus does that, so I must be a around as a 6-year-old, and a teenage boy Christian. said, “Get me your favorite story book and But then why Adventism? Because our we’ll read it.” message is so Biblical. To explain our faith, I picked one up from the book shelf. He to give Bible studies, everything we believe is read the story of Jesus dying on the cross. It right there in the biblical text. had incredible impact, because just that week Secondly, there’s our basic health I’d been caught and punished for what I knew principles. It just makes so much sense. We was wrong. I now realized that Jesus died for have a whole package of health. my sin, and He took the full punishment for And then, people want to know what’s what I did. And He would forgive me. The happening the world. Our prophetic story fnished, and lunch was ready. I went understanding gives me and others a sense of to my bedroom. My mom came in and found security. We know what’s happening and why me crying, because God had got the gospel it’s happening. Nothing really surprises us. I now realized through to me as a 6-year-old. We don’t always know all of the details, but that Jesus died When I was about 14, my dad was asked we know that one day the enemy will have to do a Week of Prayer for an Adventist his last say, because Jesus is coming back. for my“ sin, and school in the highlands of Papua New We know how the last day events play out He took the full Guinea (PNG). We were living in Lei, PNG, in general broad themes, so we don’t need to punishment for as my Dad was a departmental director for be worried, because Jesus is in control. That the Union. Our whole family got to go with gives me a lot of hope. what I did. him for this Week of Prayer, way up in the And the fact that we’ve got this whole mountains, at the Paglum Adventist School in package, and nobody else has it. Other the Western Highlands Mission. Christians have bits and pieces, but we’ve got it My dad was giving all of these talks, all, and we’ve been uniquely called to share this morning and night for the students. On the end-time message—I think that’s just fantastic! last day, he made a call for those who wanted These are the kinds of things I get to share to follow Jesus. I kind of felt a real strange as I meet with other people of our division pull from the Holy Spirit saying, “Hey, this and preach and teach—this is who we are. We is for you.” And I’m saying, “No, it’s for the should be really proud of that heritage, that students here. No, I’m not going.” But as I prophetic heritage.

5 SPECIAL REPORT

PRAYERFUL PROCESS CONTINUES: GC ADCOM EMBRACES UNITY

By GC Executive Committee Newsletter editorial team

he General Conference Administrative of GC Sessions and of the GC Executive Committee (ADCOM) of the Seventh- Committee. Results of the survey were Tday Adventist Church recently took published on March 23, 2018, by Adventist action to further support and embrace News Network (ANN) and Adventist the unity of the global church, and to Review, and in the April 2018 GC Executive complement church policies already in place. Committee Newsletter (ECN). The Adventist church operates in more than 200 countries, grows at more than four 2. For several years General Conference percent per year, and establishes more than Executive Committee members have 30 new groups of believers each day. Growth correctly observed that non-compliance and diversity require fexibility, always in the to GC Session and Executive Committee context of holding fast to Biblical truth and actions can be found in several areas of best practices of operating. church practice and operation. Repeatedly, Decisions regarding agenda questions have been posed asking why recommendations are determined by majority church leadership has not addressed these vote. Most agenda items for the world church issues. This action by ADCOM responds to come from processes previously agreed upon those concerns. or as a result of input from elected members The purpose of these committees is to of the General Conference Executive have a group of qualifed people, upon the Committee. recommendation of GC ADCOM, look On July 17, 2018, the General Conference into reported non-compliant practices. (GC) ADCOM established fve compliance The goal of each committee is to focus the committees to serve unity, helping retain church on its mission and message, using a voted church beliefs and operating redemptive approach to achieve church unity. procedures and process. The terms of In addressing compliance issues, this model reference for these committees are available could also be adopted by other levels of here. The names of the committees and those church organization. elected to committee membership can be As explained in the vote taken by the GC found on the next page. ADCOM, the subcommittee process begins with a referral from the GC ADCOM and Two Primary Expressions thereafter follows the normal practice of The establishment of the fve compliance gaining wide input, building a majority committees resulted from two primary consensus through the GC ADCOM, General expressions of the world church: Conference and Division Offcers (GCDO), 1. A worldwide survey conducted by and the General Conference Executive the church’s Offce of Archives, Statistics, Committee. and Research of church leaders, including all union presidents, showed strong A Common Understanding support for some type of consequences for Church authority is owned by the entities not in compliance with voted actions —continued, next page

6 COMMITTEES

General Conference Compliance Review Committee with Doctrine, Policies, Statements, and Guidelines for Church Organizations and Institutions Teaching Creation/Origins

MEMBERS Stele, Artur A, Chair Porter, Karen J Gibson, L James, Secretary Ryan, Michael L Donkor, Kwabena Standish, TImothy G Klingbeil, Chantal Thomas, John H It is Biblical for Nalin, Ronald Younker, Randall W people and Phillips, Suzanne organizations“ LEGAL ADVISOR EX OFFICIO Woods, Jennifer Wilson, Ted N C to work together Ng, G T Prestol-Puesan, Juan R with a common General Conference Compliance Review Committee with Doctrine, Policies, Statements, understanding that the and Guidelines for Church Organizations and Institutions Regarding Homosexuality

message and mission MEMBERS Stele, Artur A, Chair Nedley, Neil found in God’s Word Brasil de Souza, Elias, Secretary Oliver, Elaine Beardsley-Hardy, Lisa M Oliver, Willie might circle the globe. Blanchard, Gary T Profftt, Kathryn L Landless, Peter N Santos, Gerson P Mueller, Ekkehardt F R Yingling, Lori T

LEGAL ADVISOR EX OFFICIO Wetmore, Thomas E Wilson, Ted N C membership of the church. The Ng, G T decisions that come out of GC Prestol-Puesan, Juan R Sessions and Executive Committee General Conference Compliance Review Committee with Doctrine, Policies, Statements, meetings endorse Biblical beliefs and Guidelines for Church Organizations and Institutions Regarding Issues of Ordination and defne church operating MEMBERS policy and practice. It is Biblical Biaggi, Guillermo E, Chair Page, Janet R for people and organizations to Moorooven, Hensley M, Secretary Page, Jerry N De los Santos, Abner Ryan, Michael L work together with a common Finley, Mark A Stele, Galina understanding that the message and Hasel, Frank M

mission found in God’s Word might LEGAL ADVISOR EX OFFICIO circle the globe. Doukmetzian, Karnik WIlson, Ted N C Hensley Moorooven, secretary Ng, G T Prestol-Puesan, Juan R of the GC ADCOM makes this prayerful appeal: General Conference Compliance Review Committee with General Conference Core Policies “What we really need is to have MEMBERS the church be found on their knees, Wahlen, J Raymond II, Chair Biaggi, Guillermo E praying for the Holy Spirit to draw Orion, Daisy J F, Secretary Richli, Claude J Two additional members to be named us together. Regardless of where GCAS Associate from the Region Under Review on the continuum we come from, we have a mission and we have a LEGAL ADVISOR EX OFFICIO Pierre, Josue Wilson, Ted N C message, and that needs to become Ng, G T the focus of the church. That is Prestol-Puesan, Juan R the appeal of the leadership of General Conference Compliance Review Committee with the Distinctive Beliefs of the the General Conference, of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for Church Organizations and Institutions divisions, unions, conferences, MEMBERS pastors, and members. Let us be on Brasil de Souza, Elias, Chair Page, Jerry N LEGAL ADVISOR our knees.” Wahlen, Clinton L, Secretary Small, Heather-Dawn K McFarland, Todd R Arrais, Raquel C Simmons, Ella S Finley, Mark A Thorp, Brad EX OFFICIO Goia, Pavel Timm, Alberto R Wilson, Ted N C Moorooven, Hensley M Ng, G T Prestol-Puesan, Juan R 7 CHECKUP s leaders, creating a Cut out things that healthy balance in our 3 don’t add value to A lives can be challenging. your life. We feel the weight of heavy How much time do we waste on responsibilities. Trying to balance CREATING A things that don’t really matter or between work, family, and HEALTHY BALANCE beneft us? Television, internet, personal time can be diffcult. social media and other distractions Nevertheless, it’s important to keep can quickly absorb our valuable this inspired counsel in mind: Here are six tips for leading a time and energy. “God has endowed us with a more balanced life:1 certain amount of vital force. . . . If 4 Choose wisely who we carefully preserve the life force, 1 Spend quality time with to spend time and and keep the delicate mechanism of God at the beginning of energy with. the body in order, the result is health; each day, reading Scripture Limit time with people who only but if the vital force is too rapidly and praying. want to gossip, speak negatively, or exhausted, the nervous system Making this a daily habit can constantly vent with no intention borrows power for present use lead to a sense of calm assurance of solving their issues. Choose from its resources of strength, and throughout the day. to spend time with those who are when one organ is injured, all are uplifting and encouraging. affected. Nature bears much abuse 2 Schedule down time without apparent resistance; she then into your day. 5 Rethink your tasks. arouses and makes a determined Just as we schedule work Are there things that you effort to remove the effects of the ill- appointments, schedule time with can do differently or delegate to free treatment she has suffered. Her effort family and friends—go on a picnic, you up to do the things that only you to correct these conditions is often go hiking, do something together in can do? Don’t be afraid to delegate. manifest in fever and various other your community, spend time with forms of sickness. . . . those you love and care about! 6 Make time for “Some make themselves sick by yourself. overwork. For these, rest, freedom Make sure you take some time from care, and a moderate diet, are to rejuvenate and refresh. You essential to restoration of health. To will be able to perform your job those who are brain weary and more effectively and be a better nervous because of continual companion to those around you. labor and close confnement Take time to enjoy a hobby, a visit to the country where read a good book, exercise, they can live a simple, etc. carefree life, coming in close contact with the Endnotes things of nature, will 1Adapted from Fukuda, M. and be most helpful.” Fukuda, D. (2016). Habits That Heal: Habits of America’s — Ministry of Longest Living People, 46. Healing, p. 234, 236

8 Mission Story

WRITING LETTERS, SHARING FAITH One woman makes a difference

by rebeca ruiz laguardia

Spanish housewife read a startling Ellen light.’ (Matthew 11:28-30). Those who stand high in the White passage that prompted her to embark world for their education, wealth, or calling, are seldom on a 35-year letter-writing campaign to addressed personally in regard to the interests of the proclaim Jesus’ coming to Spain’s king and soul. Many Christian workers hesitate to approach these Aqueen, prominent actors and singers, and late Cuban classes. But this should not be. If a man were drowning, leader Fidel Castro. we would not stand by and see him perish because he The missionary initiative began the same day that was a lawyer, a merchant, or a judge. If we saw persons the housewife—my mother, Pilar Laguardia—read the rushing over a precipice, we would not hesitate to urge following statement: them back, whatever might be their position or calling. “Those who belong to the higher ranks Neither should we hesitate to warn men of of society are to be sought out with tender the peril of the soul” (Christ Object Lessons, affection and brotherly regard. Men in p. 230). business life, in high positions of trust, As a men with large inventive faculties and simple What Can I Do? scientifc insight, men of genius, teachers The statement deeply impressed my of the gospel whose minds have not been housewife, mother. After she read it, she asked herself, called to the special truths for this time— “ “As a simple housewife, how can I reach how can I these should be the frst to hear the call. To these people?” them the invitation must be given. There reach these A moment later, she hatched a is a work to be done for the wealthy. They people? plan. She would listen to interviews with need to be awakened to their responsibility prominent people on radio and television as those entrusted with the gifts of heaven. and also read newspapers and magazines They need to be reminded that they must with their interviews. She would seek any give an account to Him who shall judge the living and the hint of interest in eternal matters in their interviews and dead. The wealthy man needs your labor in the love and then introduce them to God. fear of God. Too often he trusts in his riches, and feels My mother found many opportunities to share her not his danger. The eyes of his mind need to be attracted love for God. She started writing a letter as soon as to things of enduring value. He needs to recognize the she heard someone say, “I wish I had faith” or “I’m authority of true goodness, which says, ‘Come unto Me, agnostic” or “I have an emptiness inside.” My mother all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give has an incredible ability to take a simple phrase and you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; develop a theme for a letter. Without a doubt, the Lord for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall fnd rest has helped her give glory to Him. unto your souls; for My yoke is easy, and My burden is In her letters, my mother takes a tender approach

9 in presenting the Savior. She sends books, articles, and and I’m in the chapter ‘The Awakening in Spain’ in sermons with the letters. The Great Controversy. It’s very interesting, and I will My mother believes that the gospel must reach continue reading it.” everyone, even if she doesn’t receive a reply. At the A well-known singer said, “Thanks for caring about very least, the recipients have been offered the “water my spiritual life.” of life.” She has written to politicians, authors, actors A prominent agnostic writer said, “I suppose that faith, and actresses, singers, journalists, priests, bishops, dear friend, is the slow process of doubt. Who knows archbishops, and if the ear of wheat will Spanish presidents blow away?” and government An inmate convicted ministers. of three murders wrote, Some of the well- “Don’t leave me. Keep known recipients writing to me.” include Fidel Castro, A bishop expressed Italian singer Al gratitude for Steps to Bano Carrisi, author Christ and the Confict Paulo Coelho, author of the Ages series and José Saramago, and wrote, “May Divine Spain’s king, Felipe mercy do what’s needed VI, and queen, to bring us light.” Letizia. My mother Another bishop said, also has written to “I want to study the imprisoned criminals Bible better and to serve about the love of Pilar Laguardia, 73, left, with her daughter, Rebeca Ruiz God better. Maybe I Jesus, repentance, and Laguardia, 34. (Family photo) need to correct some of the power of God’s my interpretations of the forgiveness. She has Bible.” lost count of how many letters she has written. Isabel, a physician who abandoned her career to enter At a time when the Internet did not exist, she never a cloistered convent as a nun, kept contact with my had diffculty fnding mailing addresses. Sometimes, mother by phone and letters for months after receiving newspaper articles offered clues for where to send the Steps to Christ, the “Confict of the Ages” series, and letters. Other times she called a television station or Bible study materials. In her frst letter, she said, “You prison and somehow obtained the desired information as can send me all the Bible materials you want.” So, my God opened doors. mother did. The light of the everlasting gospel arrived in Not everybody has responded to her letters, but quite a this Cistercian convent. The seed was planted, and the few have. results are in the hands of God. “The important thing is to plant seeds,” my mother At the beginning of her ministry, my mother wrote said. “The work is from God. The Lord says: ‘Cast your by hand. When I was 15, my parents bought my frst bread upon the waters, for you will fnd it after many computer, and I started to help Mother in her precious days” (Ecclesiastes 11:1, NKJV). work of planting gospel seeds in the souls of affuent Another promise she claims is Psalm 126:6: “He who people. My father helps by searching for Bible texts in continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, the concordance and taking packages to the post offce. shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his We work as a family for God! sheaves with him.” My mother, born in the humble home of a Spanish shepherd 73 years ago, is joyfully leading souls in the Those Who Wrote Back fock of the Great Shepherd. I’m thankful to God for Some of the most signifcant answers that she has giving me such a mother, and I am grateful to be part of received are as follows: her ministry. May God grant my mother more years to Madrid’s mayor wrote, “I greatly appreciate your proclaim the gospel until that wonderful day when Jesus health advice. I’m reading the Confict of the Ages series comes to take us home.

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Directions: For more information on an item, click on the THE BACK PAGE corresponding number on the map.

Adventist Health System (AHS), More than 220 university The ffth-annual Camp Sibiryaki 1 5 headquartered in Altamonte 3 students from North and South for young men, aged 13-17, was Springs, Florida, recently announced America took part in the new Adventist held in Novosibirsk, Russia, this past the organization will change its name Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) summer. Participants came from across to AdventHealth as of January 2019. volunteer program “ADRA Connections” Siberia to learn about healthy lifestyle AHS manages 50 hospital campuses this past summer in the Brazilian Amazon. choices, acceptance of responsibility, and hundreds of care facilities mostly in The students assisted in the construction the essence of masculinity, dangers the Southern and Midwestern regions of the Adventist Technical School of of pornography, and more. Spiritual of the United States. While AHS is not Massauari (ETAM) in Boa Vista do mentorship was provided and lessons owned directly by the Seventh-day Ramos, Amazonas, Brazil. The from the lives of Bible heroes discussed. Adventist Church, the health care system only way to reach the ETAM site was by At the end, several young men decided maintains close and positive ties with the boat. The school serves students aged 5 to to dedicate their lives to Christ. Read the denomination. For more, click here. 14, some of whom have had no previous story here. education. Learn more here. 2 Adventist business owner Eugene GENERAL CONFERENCE Benjamin was recently honored at 4 Dr. Obed Jiménez has taken up EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE the Inter-American Division’s Adventist- duties as the eighth president of Laymen’s Services and Industries (ASi) the Adventist International Institute of MEMBERS meeting in Cancun, Mexico. Benjamin Advanced Studies (AIIAS). Located in LOOKING FORWARD is a lay preacher who funds his quarterly Silang, Cavite, Philippines, AIIAS evangelistic meetings with earnings from is a GC graduate-level educational TO SEEING YOU IN his electrical power and distribution service institution with a Theological Seminary company and hardware stores in Antigua. and School of Graduate Studies. Before BATTLE CREEK, For more than 20 years he has been a coming to AIIAS, Dr. Jiménez served as MICHIGAN lay preacher in the Caribbean region, President of Antillean Adventist University Inter-America, and the United Kingdom. in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico in the Inter- LEAD CONFERENCE So far, more than 10,000 new believers American Division. Read more here. OCTOBER 11-12, 2018 have joined the church through his lay evangelism ministry. To learn more, click ANNUAL COUNCIL here. OCTOBER 13-17, 2018

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