World Church: Young People to Have “Direct Line” to Church President; Web Site Competition Announced

Silver Spring, Maryland, United States …. [Bettina Krause/ANN]

Adventist young people will be able to design a Web site that will give them a direct line to the highest level of church administration. The Office of the President of the world church announced a design competition for the new site, which will open in August, as a way for young adults to communicate with Pastor Jan Paulsen, president of the church.

“I recognize that many, many of our young people feel distance from the church—they feel as if they don’t have a voice, they don’t feel that they have been heard, they don’t feel that they have been understood,” says Paulsen. “But I want them to know that the church cannot survive without them.

“We want to hear from them—what they feel, and what they would like to say to their church,” he adds. “And I want them to know that it is our intention to take their comments seriously.”

The development of the Web site will continue a dialogue between Pastor Paulsen and Adventist young people that began in August 2003 with the “Let’s Talk” global broadcast. During the one-hour live event, Paulsen fielded questions on a wide range of topics from a studio audience of some 50 young people. A similar event, “Let’s Talk—Again,” is planned for September this year, and will originate from the campus of Andrews University, Michigan, United States.

The Let’s Talk Web site design competition is open to church members under 25 years of age. The winning designer will receive a cash prize as well as a donation toward a mission project. Entries close May 31. Complete details about the Web design competition are online at: http://presidential.gc.adventist.org/letstalkcontest/.

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