Into the Cities
Thank you so much for the extensive coverage of the new initiative “Into the Cities” (October 2011)!
Here is my question: Why do we speak only of how many (or how few) Seventh-day Adventists live in a given city (e.g., bottom of p. 17)? Don’t we count other Christians living in those cities? Should only Adventists preach the gospel in these cities?
The Working Policy of our church states: “We recognize every activity/organization that lifts up Christ before humanity as part of the divine plans to evangelize the world. We highly respect the Christian men and women in other denominations who seek to win people for Christ” (General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists: Working Policy, 1926, Section O 75).
If we believe that, why do we write as if other Christians play no role in the evangelization of the cities? Why don’t we encourage cooperation with them? This would not mean giving up our particular Adventist convictions!
André Liebig
Germany
While we share many doctrines with Christians of other denominations, the special messages given to the Seventh-day Adventist Church require us to take our message to those places where the gospel of Christ may have already been preached.—Editors
God’s Mosaic
I’m writing about the article by Cheryl Doss entitled “God’s Mosaic” (October 2011).
The subject of cultural diversity is one on which the church needs education. There is that which is harmless and innocent and that which is harmful and unacceptable. All cultures contain these two groups. Not all diversity is from God, or accepted by Him. We have to know how to tell the difference.
The unity the church needs is on Jesus Christ and His truth. Only this will produce biblical, God-approved unity among His children, whatever their earthly culture. There are no successful shortcuts, detours, substitutions, or alternate methodologies that will accomplish this goal. Our choice is to go forward in harmony with all Jesus teaches, or spin blindly, making endless circles in our own imaginations and devisings.
Ken Lemky
Creston, British Columbia, Canada
Waiting
I am responding to Frank Hasel’s article “Waiting” (October 2011). It is not my temperament to wait, especially with any patience. Hasel is right to state that we all wait at least one (or two) times in our daily lives—why not make them God moments?
To reduce my impatience I’ve taken “minivacations” in my head while sitting at long traffic lights; on the sofa waiting for others; and in those pesky produce lines at the market. I think I’ll make them God moments instead!
Rebecca Whited
Escondido, California, United States
Rediscovering True Worship
I am completely cheered by editor Bill Knott’s interview with General Con ference president Ted Wilson, “Rediscovering True Worship” (August 2011). The commitment of the leadership to revival and reformation started in 2010 at the Autumn Council and continues still.
I have been blessed and strengthened through the messages and resources at www.revivalandreformation.org. The Holy Spirit wants to ignite our hearts individually and corporately. It is time.
Cathy Law
Via E-mail
Observing the Day of Delight
It really touched my heart as I read the article “Day of Delight” by Ted N. C. Wilson (July 2011). I learned how to fellowship with my Adventist friends and observe God’s holy day.
My sincere thanks to Adventist World for “The Place of Prayer.” I hope God will answer those prayers.
Lalrodinga
Falam, Chin State, Myanmar
Thank You
Thanks for Adventist World every month. You always keep my spirit going!
Lovemore Kashawo
Harare, Zimbabwe
I read every issue of Adventist World with great interest and enjoyment. I am very thankful that we also receive the German translation of the magazine here in Austria. Thanks so much to all who work on all the translations. This is truly a major piece of work. May God bless all the members of the translation team that they may continue their important contribution for the church.
Thanks also to the editors and all the authors for the fresh and spiritually challenging articles and stories. The church as a whole is being blessed!
Anja Kaluza
Lustenau, Austria
Letters Policy: Please send to: letters@adventistworld.org. Letters must be clearly written, 100-word maximum. Include the name of the article and the date of publication with your letter. Also include your name, the town/city, state, and country from which you are writing. Letters will be edited for space and clarity. Not all letters submitted will be published.
50 Words or Less
My Favorite…Bible Character
♦ My favorite Bible character is Peter. He’s often criticized for “speaking first and thinking later.” But I admire him because when he had the opportunity to walk on water, he got out of the boat to be closer to Jesus (see Matthew 14:27-31).
–Sergio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
♦ Although we don’t even know her name, my favorite Bible character is the little Israelite girl in 2 Kings 5 who told her master about God’s healing power through the prophet Elisha. We should all be as fearless when it comes to sharing our faith.
–Cora, San Francisco, California, United States
♦ I have many favorites, but how could I not list David? He lived life with passion. Not everything he did was admirable or worthy as our example. But because he was spiritually grounded, God called him a man “after his own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14).
–Hee Mun, Jeju-do, Korea
Next time, tell us in 50 words or less about your favorite book of the Bible. Send it to letters@AdventistWorld.org. Put “50 Words or Less” in the subject line.
7 billion
The world population
There is approximately one Adventist for every 407 people in the world. In some countries the ratio is much less; in many countries a lot more.
Source: General Conference Office of Archives and Statistics
top 5
The world divisions of the Seventh-day Adventist Church with the highest membership are:
- Inter-American Division
- East-Central Africa Division
- Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division
- South American Division
- Southern Asia Division
"Everyone in life faces challenges of one kind or another, but to hide behind the difficulty only keeps us from realizing the measure of God’s grace that can make us what He wants us to be and do."
—Larry R. Valorozo, during a Bible study in Bologna, Italy
Prayer & Praise
Where in the World is This?
I am kindly requesting that you help me in praying that I get a job to take care of my family. I am looking for an investor for a timber industry.
Seth, Sierra Leone
Please pray for my son. When he was 8, he lost most of his hearing after an illness. He is now 20 and very angry with God. Pray for his reconciliation with God, and that he will do something useful with his life.
Helen, United States
Please pray for a young woman who is part of an outreach program for local Aboriginal people. She is in the hospital on life support—the reason for the illness isn’t known, and she seemed in good health.
Rod, Australia
I need spiritual revival in my life. May God shield me from sin. I am also praying for employment, a place to study, and unity in my family.
Vera, Nigeria
Please pray for God to find a way for us to pay for our school’s new classroom and gym project.
Ron and Holly, United States
Prayer & Praise: Send prayer requests and praise (thanks for answered prayer) to prayer@adventistworld.org. Keep entries short and concise, 50-words or less. Items will be edited for space and clarity. Not all submissions will be printed. Please include your name and your country’s name. You may also fax requests to: 1-301-680-6638; or mail them to Adventist World, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600 U.S.A.
ANSWER: In Gaspar Alto, in southern Brazil, this is a photo of one of the very first Seventh-day Adventist churches in Brazil . The photo was recently given to Sérgio Lessa by a church elder in Blumenau, Santa Catarina.
PRINT THIS PAGE
EMAIL TO A FRIEND
SEND US A COMMENT
