Campaign to end violence against females
The global EndItNow™ campaign, recently launched to oppose violence against women and girls, is receiving widespread support in three of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s 13 world regions. Campaign organizers report the initiative is motivating leaders and church groups to become active advocates for nonviolence in their own communities.
On Tuesday, November 16, 2009 the church’s Trans-European region, based in the United Kingdom and including more than 40 countries and territories in Europe, unveiled EndItNow™ to representatives during regional year-end meetings held in Becici, Montenegro.
“From January 15 to March 15, 2010, we are encouraging our leaders to concentrate on promoting this campaign to get people active,” said Anne-May Wollan, Women’s Ministries leader for the region. “We want every country to use this opportunity to tell people what we’re doing in support of this campaign.”
In Kenya, Adventist Church leaders representing countries throughout eastern and central Africa also gave their support, committing to champion the cause within their own constituencies.
“We are speaking up, signing up,” wrote a supporter in Kenya following the campaign launch in the region.
In the Philippines, representatives from the Adventist Church in the Southern Asia-Pacific region, which comprises more than 19 countries and territories, pledged during a November 9 ceremony to push for the success of the campaign, according to Helen Gulfan, Women’s Ministries leader for the region.
During the campaign presentation, attendees made their commitment public by saying the campaign slogan—“Adventists Say No to Violence Against Women”—in Chinese, Malay, Tagalog, Bangla, Sinhala, Indonesian, Burmese, and Portuguese.
“This new campaign asks each of us to both speak and act, calling us to stand together to save lives,” said Charles Sandefur, president of ADRA International.
During the campaign’s primary phase, one million signatures are currently being gathered from supporters in more than 200 countries and territories. Once collected, these signatures will be presented to the United Nations to raise attention about the issue, advocate for new policies that better protect women and girls, and make a public declaration of the work of the Adventist Church to bring an end to gender-based violence.
“We are protecting the futures of our daughters, our granddaughters, nieces, mothers, sisters, friends, and neighbors,” said Jacqueline, a 38-year-old supporter from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. “Every woman has the right to security and love.”
EndItNow™ was launched on October 13 with the support of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and the Women’s Ministries Department of the Adventist Church to raise awareness and advocate for the end of violence against women and girls.
To join the one million supporters of the EndItNow™ cause, visit enditnow.org. [Nadia McGill/ANN]
Ministry to the addicted
England—Addicted2Life’s major outreach ministry known as “The Church” continues its labors on behalf of and toward addicts.
The word addict often conjures up images of homeless people slumped in doorways in a drug-induced stupor. While this might represent the extremes to be found in many cities, it is far from representative. The lives of many addicts often appear normal to the casual observer. They have families and are often gainfully employed. But there, the similarity to normality ends. Their lives are dysfunctional and usually characterized by abusive behavior, hopelessness, and relative poverty.
Many churches provide free meals or clothing while seeking the opportunity to preach the gospel. At The Church, they strive for total renewal and restoration, recognizing the nature of the “disease” of addiction, as Ellen White called it. Its members meet people where they are through organizing weekly 12-step Overcomers meetings and providing a study class for addicts on Saturday mornings called “Str8Talk.” Additional support includes preparedness for utilizing the Celebrate Recovery resource, as numbers allow. Furthermore, recognizing that addicts generally do not suffer alone, they also conduct weekly meetings for families affected by addiction. KidzChurch activities have been expanded and significantly restructured to encompass ministry to the children of addicts and their spouses. At The Church, addicts find a welcoming and accepting environment that enables them to begin their climb back to fullness of life. [John Gendle – British Union Conference]
Reaching Cities, focus of SEEDS Plus2010
Collegedale, Tennessee, United States—SEEDS Plus 2010, focused on “The Cities— Our Mission Field,” will be full of practical, relevant, and life-transforming sessions for pastors and lay leaders alike. From powerful plenary presentations to ministry-shifting tracks, including topics such as reaching non-Christians, inner-city kids, smarter-than-ever leadership, to practical strategies for planting churches and reaching cities—this is the year to come to SEEDS.
Network, worship, find many valuable 30-minute “doables,” and be energized to make a lasting impact in your district. Bring your ministry team along and revitalize your whole ministry, especially if you wish to reach cities, our most challenging mission field in the Western world. We must reach them with the gospel of Jesus now!
June 21–23, Southern Adventist University; Pre-conference Tracks—June 18–20. English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Asian-Pacific ministries will be offered.
For more information or to register, go to www.nadei.org or call 800 255-7568.
