Adventist church president calls for renewed medical mission in cities
Silver Spring, Maryland, United States—Speaking to a packed auditorium at the General Conference headquarters during the Sabbath morning worship of the 2012 Annual Council, October 13, 2012, President Ted N. C. Wilson implored world church leaders to focus their evangelism efforts on health ministry, while also urging them to help the denomination remain united during difficult times.
Wilson called for the congregation to consider the health and unity messages as “two important interrelated burdens of Christ and burdens of mine, and I hope yours.” He quoted from the book of Matthew as well as the writings of church cofounder Ellen G. White and stated that medical missionary work and health reform are an “integral part of mission to the cities,” and that there is a “great need for selfless unity in Christ” to proclaim the three angels’ messages.
The renewed focus on health ministry, which launches in metropolitan New York beginning in 2013, is a major effort to evangelize in mostly large communities. “In every city, Seventh-day Adventists should minister to people not only from their local churches but also from such centers of influence such as health clinics, vegetarian restaurants, reading rooms, counseling centers, and community service centers,” Wilson said.
That work, he continued, will require the involvement of lay membership as well as an organized effort by established denominational ministries such as Adventist Community Services, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, Adventist World Radio, Hope Channel, and Adventist Book Centers. The evangelistic outreach is expected to reach 650 of the world’s largest cities by 2015. [Edwin Manuel Garcia, ANN]
Stewardship sermon contest winners
Silver Spring, Maryland, United States—Twelve individuals from North America were chosen as the winners of the Stewardship Sermon Contest, sponsored by the North American Division (NAD) Stewardship Department, NAD Ministerial Department, and Ministry. The contest was open to active or retired ministers and graduate ministerial students. Some 100 sermons were submitted.
Eight of the winners are currently or recently retired congregational pastors. Three of the winners are conference or union conference departmental directors, and one is a graduate student at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. The 12 sermons will be published in a book and made available to pastors and church leaders.
The winners are the following:
• C. Adelina Alexe, graduate student, Seventh-day Adventist Seminary, Andrews University
• David L. Bissell, former pastor, Cedar Rapids Seventh-day Adventist Church, Iowa-Missouri Conference
• G. Tom Carter, director, Planned Giving and Trust Services, Southern Union Conference
• Gerry Christman, pastor, Aiea Seventh-day Adventist Church, Hawaii Conference
• Ernest Dobkins, former director, Trust Services, Northern California Conference
• Daniel B. Martella, pastor, Healdsburg and Cloverdale Seventh-day Adventist Churches, North California Conference
• Jef f Metherell, director, Planned Giving & Trust Services, Stewardship and Religious Liberty, Wisconsin Conference
• Domingo Paulino, pastor, Durham, Raleigh, Henderson, Samford, and Scarborough Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Churches, Carolina Conference
• Orlando Rosales, pastor, Baltimore Spanish and Dundalk Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Churches, Chesapeake Conference
• Robin Song, pastor, Living Vine Fellowship Seventh-day Adventist Church, Washington Conference
• Patrick Vincent, pastor, Mount Calvary Seventh-day Adventist Church, Southeastern Conference
• Harold O. White, administrative pastor, Sacramento Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, Northern California Conference.
[Nikolaus Satelmajer]
