Adventist World Magazine

02/08/2025

Town in Siberia Welcomes New Members

A relatively small town close to the Kazakhstan border in Siberia, in the Russian Federation, recently welcomed new members after evangelistic meetings in the local congregation. From January 5 to 11, evangelistic meetings were held in the Isilkul community, in the Omsk Oblast, led by an Adventist family. Isilkul (population 24,500) is a transfer point on the southern branch of the Trans-Siberian Railway.
The daily number of visitors ranged from 11 to 18 people, local church leaders reported. Besides church members, regular and new visitors attended, the local congregation’s communication department reported. “Inspiring encounters full of incredible experiences of answered prayers and powerful living testimonies of God’s Word moved five people to make a covenant with the Lord,” the local church shared.
At the end of the program a former officer of the Cossack army was presented with a Bible. A family of Roma people was not left without gifts, either, as they were presented with a Bible in the Romani language.
“This evangelistic program was a blessing to the community and greatly inspired all those present,” local church leaders said.

For more Adventist Headlines click the link: https://www.adventistworld.org/adventist-headlines-from-around-the-world-february-7-2025/

02/08/2025

Amid the harsh, sunbaked expanse of Turkana County in Kenya, where the landscape stretches barren and unforgiving, a powerful new force of hope is emerging. The Lipo Tumaini media evangelistic campaign, launched by the West Kenya Union Conference on January 25, is lighting up this remote region. Here’s the story.

The Lipo Tumaini [“There Is Hope”] drive is changing lives for the better, leaders said.

02/08/2025

District Launches New Children’s Sabbath School Curriculum

More than 100 church leaders from 10 organized churches in the Kavieng District of New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, attended the launch of the new children’s Sabbath School curriculum, Alive in Jesus, at Kaselok Organised church on February 1.
The new curriculum was introduced with practical demonstrations by children’s Sabbath School teachers. The sessions focused on the Baby Steps program (for infants aged 0-12 months) and the Beginners program (for children aged 1-3 years).
Church leaders present at the launch included local pastors, children’s Sabbath School teachers, elders, and New Britain New Ireland Mission (NBNIM) representatives, such as NBNIM accountant Rosemary Amos, New Ireland Provincial Area supervisor Paul Bopalo, Kavieng District director Samson Bengin, among others.
Bengin emphasized the importance of children’s ministry. “God has a place for little children in His heart, and He also has a place for them in His kingdom.”
According to Bopalo, participants responded well to the presentations and left the event feeling “blessed and committed” to implementing the new curriculum in their local churches.

For more Adventist Headlines click the link: https://www.adventistworld.org/adventist-headlines-from-around-the-world-february-7-2025/

02/07/2025

Adventist volunteers partner with laboratories to offer free blood tests. An Adventist college becomes a university. Papua New Guinea district implements new children’s Sabbath School curriculum. Congregation welcomes new members in Siberian town. And a cancer institute applies new technology in Kansas, in this edition of Adventist Headlines.

This edition features stories from Brazil, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Russia, and the United States.

02/07/2025

Women’s Club Supports Mothers of Children With Disabilities

The local Adventist church in the city of Cherkessk, Karachay-Cherkess Republic, in the southwest part of the Russian Federation, recently hosted the long-awaited opening of the local women's club to support mothers of special children with disabilities.
The club’s motto is “Don’t Live With Sadness and Regret; Together We Are Strong!”
The event took place in a friendly atmosphere, which included tables with treats. The program included songs, poems, and various competitions, organizers Evgenia Krivenkova and Arkady Sabady said.
Twenty-six special invitees attended the event, including Igor Atoyants, the Karachay-Cherkess Republic director of the rehabilitation center “Happy Childhood”; center representatives; mothers of special children; and TV and printed press reporters.
“We thank the Lord for such a blessed opportunity to testify to the world about God's mercy!” organizers said. “Please support this important social project in your prayers!”

For more Adventist Headlines click the link:
https://www.adventistworld.org/adventist-headlines-from-around-the-world-february-6-2025/

02/07/2025

On January 20 the United States government took the unprecedented action of pausing for 90 days nearly all the programs it funds through nonprofit organizations, such as the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). Here is what the humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is doing to embrace opportunities for continuity.

Seventh-day Adventists have a long tradition of using both personal and church resources to support those whose lives are threatened by hunger, poverty, […]

02/07/2025

Adventist College Transitions to University After Ministry of Education Approval

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) celebrates a historic milestone in its mission to provide Christ-centered education as Surya Nusantara Adventist College officially transitions into Surya Nusantara Adventist University (SNAU). The Indonesian Ministry of Education granted the institution university status on November 19, 2024, recognizing its commitment to academic excellence and its contribution to the country’s higher education landscape.
This transition marks a significant development for the Adventist Church’s global educational mission, church leaders said. SNAU becomes the fifth Adventist university in the SSD and the third in Indonesia, joining Universitas Klabat in Manado and Universitas Advent Indonesia in Bandung.
Rexon Nainggolan, newly appointed rector of SNAU, expressed gratitude for this achievement, stating, “Our transformation into a university is more than just a structural change; it is a testament to God’s leading in our institution’s journey. We aim to provide education that not only fosters academic success but also prepares young minds to serve with integrity and faith.”

For more Adventist Headlines click the link: https://www.adventistworld.org/adventist-headlines-from-around-the-world-february-7-2025/

02/07/2025

Pastor’s Family Fulfills Mission Call

Before members from the First Seventh-day Adventist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States, were to embark on a mission trip to India in 2025, Rusty Williams, pastor, along with his family and family friend Christopher Munive, set out on a journey of their own.
“I saw the great need in what has been called the 10/40 window, that region of the world that is largely unreached by the gospel,” Williams said. This trip provided an opportunity for the pastor’s family team to be immersed in service.
The purpose of the outreach was to minister and serve the people in six villages in southeast India. Evangelistic-style meetings were conducted at two sites, and all members of Williams’ team participated, either in preaching, giving health talks, or telling children’s stories. A video on the life of Christ was presented in the native Telugu language.
“The whole undertaking was a blessing for the young people, as well as those they were there to serve,” Williams said. Sixty-four people were baptized.

For more Adventist Headlines click the link:
https://www.adventistworld.org/adventist-headlines-from-around-the-world-february-6-2025/

02/07/2025

Mission Group Partners to Conduct More than 1,500 Free Blood Tests

Thanks to a recent partnership with three medical laboratories in São Gabriel da Palha, Espirito Santo, Brazil, a Caleb Mission group transformed the rooms at a local church to provide medical consultations and free blood tests to people who can’t afford them. More than 1,500 were assisted, regional church leaders said.
Silvana Santos, owner of one of the laboratories, said that “donating our time and our gifts is a way to transform lives, including ours.” Usual competitors became partners in the name of a greater cause. “By helping others, we also help to build a more supportive, compassionate, and humane world,” she added.
“The presence of three private laboratories highlights the importance of initiatives like this to build a healthier society,” said Felipe Battisti, from Laboratorio Battisti. In addition to the tests performed there, such as lipid profile, blood glucose, blood count, and urea, laboratories offered other expensive tests with a 50 percent discount. The local press covered the Adventist Youth-driven event.

For more Adventist Headlines click the link: https://www.adventistworld.org/adventist-headlines-from-around-the-world-february-7-2025/

02/07/2025

Hundreds of church members and regional supporters of Maranatha Volunteers International gathered at the Spring Meadows Seventh-day Adventist Church in Sanford, Florida, United States, for a regional mini convention January 25. The program shared testimonies and initiatives of the ministry. Here’s the story.

In Florida, U.S., Maranatha regional convention calls for more people to get involved.

02/06/2025

Hope Channel Kenya reaches 100,000 YouTube subscribers, ADRA trains farmers to produce better cocoa, Inter-America’s IT gathering links technology to mission, a U.S. pastoral family sees firsthand the benefits of mission in India, and a women’s club supports mothers with children with disabilities. The stories in this edition of Adventist Headlines.

Below, stories from Kenya, Solomon Islands, Dominican Republic, India, and Russia.

02/06/2025

Inter-American Technology Summit Sparks Innovation and Collaboration

More than 100 accountants and technologists from across the Inter-American Division (IAD) recently gathered for the first territory-wide Technology Summit to focus on the new digital strategies for mission launched by the General Conference. This summit aimed to integrate union accountants and IT professionals into the global church initiative, positioning technology as a powerful ally in advancing the church’s mission.
Antonio De la Mota, chief information officer of the IAD and organizer of the summit, shared the vision behind the initiative. “Technology is constantly evolving, and we must ensure our approach is aligned with the mission,” De la Mota said. “This event has been a significant step toward that goal.”
The summit concluded with a call to work with excellence and innovation. IAD treasurer Ivelisse Herrera reminded participants that each action—from implementing technological solutions to strengthening cybersecurity—has an eternal impact.
“Every tool we implement should be like a piece of the tabernacle: small but essential for fulfilling our purpose,” she said.

For more Adventist Headlines click the link:
https://www.adventistworld.org/adventist-headlines-from-around-the-world-february-6-2025/

02/06/2025

ADRA’s Cocoa Training Grows Hope in Local Farmers

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), through its Soul Cocoa Livelihood Project (SCLP), has successfully completed a cocoa training program at Aroaro Community in Central Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
Held on January 22-23 at the community’s request, the training aimed to equip local cocoa farmers with essential skills. Participants learned key aspects of cocoa farming, including pruning and grafting techniques, site and seed selection, identification of high-quality seedlings, and integrated pest and disease management. About 45 cocoa farmers attended.
During the closing ceremony ADRA Solomon Islands country director Leyn Elizer Gantare expressed his gratitude to the local government and participants for their commitment to the initiative.
“ADRA staff are happy to be here, and their hearts are with you—the cocoa farmers in this community,” Gantare said. “Our team will continue visiting you and working alongside you as you apply what you’ve learned today.”
Participant Mary Filotea expressed her appreciation for the training. “I now understand better techniques, and I thank ADRA for bringing this training to our community for free,” she said.

For more Adventist Headlines click the link:
https://www.adventistworld.org/adventist-headlines-from-around-the-world-february-6-2025/

02/06/2025

Hope Channel Kenya Reaches 100,000 Subscribers on YouTube

Hope Channel International celebrated a momentous milestone after Hope Channel Kenya (HCK) recently reached 100,000 subscribers on YouTube. This achievement is a testament to the working of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Kenyans, moving them to embrace the message of eternal hope shared by the Hope Channel Global Network of 84 affiliates, network leaders said.
“We can only praise God for how He has worked with and through us. This milestone isn’t just about the numbers. It shows the countless lives touched, healed, and transformed by the good news of salvation,” said Catherine Ontita, director of Hope Channel Kenya, as she reflected on the journey.
She also credits the network's success to divine guidance and dedicated teamwork.
“Our subscribers represent people who are not just viewing content for entertainment but seeking a deeper spiritual connection,” she said. “We’ve seen families united through the programs, individuals uplifted during dark moments, and lives transformed by the good news of Jesus Christ. For us, reaching 100,000 subscribers shows that God is using Hope Channel to fulfill His mission in Kenya.”

For more Adventist Headlines click the link: https://www.adventistworld.org/adventist-headlines-from-around-the-world-february-6-2025/

02/06/2025

God values love and justice so much that He will continue to give good gifts to those who don’t appreciate them. He will give His life for them and still give them the freedom to say no to Him. Love and justice hurt Him the most, but to Him, you and I are absolutely worth it.

02/06/2025

The Catalyst team from the South Pacific Division Institute for Discipleship recently conducted an intensive training program at Fulton Adventist University College in Fiji, preparing 55 young adults for a year of missionary service in Indonesia. The training integrates spiritual development with a comprehensive cultural orientation for Indonesia.

Training integrates spiritual development with a comprehensive cultural orientation.

02/06/2025

02/05/2025

Leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Lake Union Conference in the United States recently put their faith into action on a Maranatha Volunteers International project in southern Peru. The group included conference presidents, secretaries, and treasurers who worked together to construct a church building for the Chillca congregation. Here’s the story.

Church presidents, secretaries, and treasurers join forces to construct church building.