August 2008 Archives

Despite our traditional perceptions of church and organized religion, progressive early adoption is at the heart of Adventist history. Our denominational founders and early pioneers utilized unheard of methods and pursued lofty goals in the face of skeptical criticism. Moreover, we are a testament to their success.

One could say that the innovative tenacity of our forefathers is the heritage that we maintain today. We challenge ourselves to use present-day technology in the most efficient manner to share the Gospel with the world and promote unity, growth and quality of life in the lives we touch.

Streams of Light:
The Progressive, Expansive Vision of Historic Adventism
At GIEN 2008, Pastor Julius Nam gave a few examples of important individuals in early Adventism. Called by their peers as creative, progressive visionaries, these people exemplify modern-day buzzwords like "startup" and "bootstrapping." Due to some audio issues, we'll pick up about five minutes in, just as Nam is explaining the vision of James and Ellen White:

It's great to hear news from around the world about the work of those involved in internet evangelism. Today we have word of your generosity as well as new initiatives that request your attention and support.

Your Support of the Chinese Union Mission
We have a forum tradition of identifying a specific cause that requires support and contributing to it. At GIEN 2008 Denver, US$4,071 was raised for the mission of reaching the mainland Chinese population with the Message through online video and other initiatives. From John Ash III of Adventist Chinese Hope Channel, upon notification of the contribution:

Thank you for the good news.
As we gear up to establish a production site in China itself, this money will come in very useful.
As I mentioned to Nancy, we will keep you posted on the project, and try to have a video report ready for showing at next year's GIEN. Thank you for your support.

Indeed we thank you for your generosity and ask your continued support of world initiatives, that the Work might be finished.

Adventist University of Bahia Online Sabbath School
About a week ago I received an email from Brazil:

My name is Daniel Mota, working for the Adventist University of Bahia as in charge of the University Website. Here at our University we always have the Sabbath school lesson discussions on the Internet live every friday at 21 hours, Brasilian time, in Portuguese. click this link: http://www.adventista.edu.br/conectadosavideira/

For more information you can still contact us on this mail.

Feel free to use this resource as it is useful to you, and be sure to contact Daniel if you see ways in which this ministry can be enhanced or expanded.