28 August, 2017

Adventists Comfort Mother of Slain Charlottesville Woman

In the wake of the violent Charlottesville, Virginia attack that left a family grieving, 19 others injured and a city in shock, Seventh-day Adventist worshippers made their way to the downtown promenade where residents and visitors gathered to post messages of comfort, love and hope on giant chalkboards erected in the town square. In front of a large chalk sketch of Heather Heyer, the 32-year-old woman who died after being struck by a car that plowed into a crowd protesting a white nationalist rally in her city, church members and leaders prayed and placed red roses and a handmade prayer chain for her family. Then, they headed to 4th Street where they planned to sing, pray and recite “The Lord’s Prayer.”

28 August, 2017

Religious Liberty Congress Passes Resolutions, Honors Advocates

Leaders and participants at the 8th International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) World Congress reaffirmed their commitment to promoting religious freedom and seeking peaceful coexistence as the three-day conference concluded in Hollywood, Florida United States, on August 24. The more than 550 attendees, guests, presenters, and government officials from 65 countries discussed the relationship between religious freedom and societal stability, including protection of other human rights and economic development. They recognized that threats to religious freedom and other beliefs are serious and are on the rise.

25 August, 2017

Seventh-day Adventist Church president’s statement on END IT NOW

Every day, thousands of innocent people around the world—many of them children—experience abuse. Abuse comes in many forms—domestic violence, rape, child sexual abuse, human trafficking, female genital mutilation (FGM), and many other horrific forms. As Seventh-day Adventists, we condemn abuse in all of its forms and embrace the healing ministry of Jesus “to preach the gospel to the poor . . . to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives . . . To set at liberty those who are oppressed . . .” (Luke 4:18-19, NKJV).

25 August, 2017

“If We Don’t Protect Religious Freedom, We Don’t Deserve It”

The Protestant Reformation is not a historical event frozen in a distant past, said a panel of leaders and scholars at the International Religious Liberty Association’s 8th World Congress in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States, on August 23. On the contrary, the watershed 16th-century occurrence must be revamped and rethought if we are to make the most of its core principles, they said. “It is important we include the Reformation in the context of religious, peaceful coexistence,” said Andrews University Professor of Church History and International Religious Liberty Institute director Nicholas Miller, who moderated the panel. “After all, reformers Luther and Calvin also persecuted Anabaptists.”

24 August, 2017

Religious Leaders Discuss Responses to the Global Movement of Refugees and Migrants

With the unprecedented massive movement of migrant and refugees around the world today, religious freedom experts and advocates at this week’s 8th International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) World Congress discussed the ongoing global response so far and explored ways to better address the needs of millions--including their religious rights--who are forced to flee from their homes and cross borders.

23 August, 2017

Threats to Religious Freedom Call for Doubling Advocacy Efforts

“Religion pours $1.2 trillion into the US economy every year,” said social scientist and director of International Religious Resources at Pew Forum Brian J. Grim. “That is 50 per cent more than America’s six largest oil companies.” Grim’s startling fact-sharing was part of an introduction to an updated report on the state of religious freedom around the world, on the opening day of the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA)’s 8th World Congress in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States, on August 22.

22 August, 2017

Loma Linda University Launches Diagnostic Medical Sonography Bachelor’s Degree

Loma Linda University’s School of Allied Health Professions has introduced a bachelor’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography, expanding the program from a certificate degree to meet the needs of the industry that is increasingly seeking graduates of a four-year program. Applications are now being taken for the program’s first bachelor’s degree co-hort. The priority deadline to apply is October 15, with a final deadline of December 15.

21 August, 2017

Inter-America’s ASi Convention Challenges Delegates to Strive for Wellness and Greater Service

Hundreds of Seventh-day Adventist business owners, lawyers and health professionals from across Inter-America were challenged to move forward in faith to expand the mission of the church in their businesses and communities, as the 16th Adventist-Laymen’s Services and Industries annual convention drew to a close in Panama City, Panama, on Aug. 19, 2017. “You must have spiritual confidence in who God is, confidence in who you are in God, confidence in His power and confidence in the gifts He has given you,” said Dr. C. Wesley Knight, assistant professor of preaching and religion at Oakwood University, during the final charge of the event.

18 August, 2017

Prayers for Barcelona as 13 Killed, Dozens Injured in Attack

A van has killed 13 people and injured more than 80 others in a popular tourist area of Barcelona, Spain, in what police are treating as a terrorist attack. It is the latest in a series of horrific vehicle related attacks in several European cities over recent months. Leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church across Europe have been quick to express their sorrow and horror at yet such another incident and are calling for prayers for those affected by the incident.

17 August, 2017

Long-Standing IAD Vice President Receives Honorary Doctorate Degree in Jamaica

Northern Caribbean University (NCU) conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree on Pastor Leon B. Wellington during the institution’s 94th Commencement (Graduation) ceremonies on campus in Mandeville, Jamaica, Aug. 13, 2017. Wellington, who recently retired from serving as vice president of the Inter-American Division (IAD), was honored for his service to religion and his contribution to Jamaica.

17 August, 2017

Inter-America’s 16th ASi’s Convention Opens Focusing Members to Wellness and Service

Inter-America’s Adventist Laymen’s Services and Industries (ASi) Annual Convention kicked off last night in Panama City, Panama, challenging Adventist business owners, lawyers and health professionals from across the vast territory to trust God’s providence and commit to seeking wellness in the church and the community. ASi is an organization of the Seventh-day Adventist laypeople involved in professions, industry, education and/or services and exists to challenge, nurture and provide experience in sharing Christ in the marketplace as well as supporting the church’s worldwide mission.

16 August, 2017

“You Are Here to Change the Future”

The auditorium housing South America's largest Seventh-day Adventist Church on the campus of Brazil’s Centro Universitário Adventista de São Paulo (UNASP) was packed to standing room only on Friday evening. Students, faculty and community members joined more than 800 GAiN attendees for a vespers service featuring dynamic music and a message by Erton Köhler, president of the South American Division, a region of the Church encompassing eight countries.