 |
|
Ontario Conference to Host Maranatha News and ADRA Haiti Benefit Concert
Author :: Halsey Peat
Date :: Mon 02/01/2010 @ 10:49
|
|
read article
On Sunday, February 7, 2010, Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will host a benefit concert for Haiti at Apple Creek Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The benefit concert, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. will feature award-winning gospel artistes and others, including Alliance, an Ottawa-based choir of Haitian-Canadians. The outstanding line-up of performers is expected to make this concert one of the most exciting events in the Greater Toronto Area for 2010.
As a joint partnership between the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, ADRA Canada and the evangelical Christian newspaper, Maranatha News, the concert will attract people from across the GTA. A number of dignitaries and celebrates are also expected to be present.
“We are happy to work with both ADRA Canada and Maranatha News to put on this concert,” said Dr. Mansfield Edwards, Ontario Conference president, “because there is still so much to be done for the people of Haiti. The involvement of Maranatha News is a clear demonstration that Adventists are recognized as people who deeply care for the distressed and helpless.”
Edwards is encouraging as many Adventists as possible to attend the concert and to take a “significant donation” with them.
“It’s a free concert, but we want it to be more than simply entertainment,” he said. “We will hear an eye-witness account about the devastation caused by the earthquake, and we will catch a glimpse of the struggles that people are going through. When the appeal is made for donations, we anticipate that everyone will respond according to his or her ability to give.”
According to organisers, the concert is being held at short notice in order to qualify for the government’s matching fund that expires a few days later.
After the concert, football fans will be able to watch the Super Bowl XLIV on the big screen in the basement hall of Apple Creek Church.
The concert will also be streamed live on www.AdventistOntario.org
|
|
|
|
|
Ontario Conference Urges Support for Haiti Earthquake Victims
Author :: Halsey Peat
Date :: Fri 01/15/2010 @ 09:52
|
|
read article
Ontario Conference Urges Support for Haiti Earthquake Victims
Oshawa, Ontario, Thursday, January 14, 2010...OCN
The Ontario Conference has set aside funds and is urging its 28,000 members to support Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) relief effort in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, after the Tuesday’s devastating earthquake.
Today, in a letter to all churches, Pastor Theodore Sargeant, Community Services director and ADRA representative, asked members to give a donation on Sabbath, January 23.
“Our members have been horrified by the news of the tragedy,” says Sargeant, “and they are looking for ways in which to help. We are urging them to use ADRA, the humanitarian arm of the church.”
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada (SDACC) has also moved to help with a financial donation of $10,000 to support ADRA’s work.
Pastor Daniel Jackson, SDACC president, is also urging church members across Canada to support the relief effort.
“As Seventh-day Adventists living in a privileged land, we must act to assist our brothers and sisters in Haiti who are in need,” said Jackson. “Fundamentally, all of us are being asked, ‘What will you do to alleviate this suffering of your fellow human beings?’ ”
While members have been shocked by pictures of the devastation, members of Ottawa French Seventh-day Adventist Church, many of whom are from Haiti, are grieving. Some have lost multiple family members while others are desperately attempting to make contact with their loved ones.
News coming from Haiti is sketchy but according to CBC, the Red Cross federation estimated that between 45,000-50,000 people might have died.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church has also been affected. Larry Evans from the President’s Council in Florida reported that,
“Two of our largest churches near the presidential palace were destroyed—five congregations met in these churches. One of those churches had a school and there are serious concerns for the children who were attending school at that time. It is believed that the union president is alive but contact has not been made. The union office is not damaged seriously. One union worker was killed when a wall fell on him.”
As rescue work takes place, additional information regarding the church will no doubt come to light.
While waiting for financial support to be donated by members, the Ontario Conference has also called for a time of prayer at Willowdale Church, on January 16 at 7:00 p.m. Prayer Ministries director, Pastor Eustance Williams, explained that the “primary purpose of this prayer service is to bring together God’s people, especially from the Haitian community for a time of support and encouragement and to pray about the situation in Haiti.”
Willowdale Adventist Church is located at 535 Finch Ave West, Toronto.
Immediate financial donations may paid directly to ADRA Canada, tel: 1 (905) 433-8004,
1 (888) 274-ADRA or online at https://www.adra.ca/SSLPage.aspx?pid=204
..
|
|
|
|
|
Fire Damages Toronto West Church Property
Author :: Halsey Peat
Date :: Wed 12/23/2009 @ 08:19
|
|
read article
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Toronto West Seventh-day Adventist Church members woke early this morning to television news reports of a fire at their church.
The fire broke out in a shed adjoining the church building at 1621 Albion Road, Toronto. However, it does not appear that the church building sustained any damage.
Pastor Allan Chichester, senior pastor of the congregation said that he received the call shortly after six a.m. and went immediately to the church. The fire department had already left but police had secured the building, waiting for daylight for the Fire Marshall to begin an investigation into the cause of the fire.
"We just do not know what the cause is", says Chichester, "but we are just grateful that it is not worse. We are so thankful to God."
The shed was used to store Pathfinder equipment and other materials.
Toronto West Seventh-day Adventist Church, with its outreach programmes, has become central to the lives of many people in a community that is often adversely affected by gang violence and unemployment among young people.
|
|
|
|
|
Ontario Conference Buys Thirty-eight Acre Camp Meeting Ground
Author :: Halsey Peat
Date :: Mon 12/07/2009 @ 11:34
|
|
read article
On Sunday, November 29, 2009, the Ontario Conference Board of Directors voted to approve the purchase of thirty-eight acres of land from Kingsway College for a future camp meeting ground.
“We’re really excited about this,” said Pastor Daniel Linrud, conference executive secretary, “because we believe that it answers the mandate and strong cry of our constituency for a site of our own where we can have a multi-day camp meeting and a location where we can hold other events.”
The cry of the constituency goes back to at least two constituency meetings. During the thirty-first meeting in July 2005, the constituency approved an initiative, asking “the Board of Directors to conduct feasibility for the long-term plan of procuring a property.” However, at the constituency meeting in July 2009, it was reported that the initial phase of the project could cost between $40 and $50 million to purchase land and build a 300,000 sq. ft. auditorium. Even without additional costs of other required infrastructure, a loan of $50 million would be necessary. The annual interest charges would amount to approximately $4.75 million, absorbing 20% of the conference operating budget. These prohibitive figures seemed to have dashed the hopes of many.
The purchase of the property at Kingsway College will restore their hope that they will attend a multi-day camp meeting at their camp ground in Ontario within a few years.
The purchase of the property has come as a surprise because the new conference administration had not yet begun to actively seek a property. However, it has been the subject of their prayers. “It was the timing,” said Linrud. “I see God’s hand in this.”
He explained how in October, the Ontario Conference became aware that Kingsway College was preparing to sell twenty-seven acres of land for the development of about 300 residential homes. At the same time, the rezoning from an education institution to a residential zone was about to be completed with the city. Once zoning had been approved, it would have had made it impossible to purchase the property to be used as a camp meeting site. The prayers of the administration became more fervent, believing that God’s hand was on the property for the conference.
The property in question is the one north of Shankel Road, west of Townline, the land surrounding College Park Elementary School (CPES) up to College Woodwork centre, and the parcel of land behind the girls dorm, north of the King Fitness Centre (See the diagram above).
The original development plans included moving CPES to another part of the campus and selling the parcel of land to be used for a plaza.
The entire face of the campus would have changed to commercial and residential.
The conference administration began holding conversations with Kingsway College Board and after three meetings, “every thing just fell into place” says Linrud.
The opportunity was even more attractive when it was considered that financially successful camp grounds (where the camp sites do not lose money) in the USA are those that are part of an existing academy where infrastructure is already in place.
On November 17, the Ontario Board of Directors approved an offer to be made to Kingsway College for the twenty-seven acres plus an additional five acres at a cost of $5 million. The additional five acres is the parcel of land north of the parking lot at the King Fitness Centre and west of Clarence Biesenthal Drive. Subsequent negotiations resulted in an additional 5.2 acres of land by CPES.
The conference offer of $5 million for approximately 38 acres was accepted by the Kingsway College Board on November 19. Final approval to purchase was made by the Ontario Conference Board on November 29.
The property is larger than the grounds presently used by Kingsway College, but camp meetings will also include the present campus which many church members are familiar with. Pastor Mansfield, Ontario Conference president, recognises this as one of its advantages.
“The campus of Kingsway College has been our traditional home,” he said, “and members are used to this location. Additionally, we will have access to existing facilities such as the cafeteria, dormitory, gymnasium and the Adventist Book Centre. There is also adequate parking.
This is really an answer to our prayers.”
Reflecting on the speed of the negotiations, Edwards added, “I must personally thank the conference Board of Directors for supporting the vision and endorsing the proposal.”
It is expected that the property will belong to the Ontario Conference early in the New Year. However, it is not yet known when camp meetings will return to Oshawa as the site will have to be prepared for such use. Further costs will have to be incurred. Camp meeting for 2010 will again be held at the International Centre on May 29.
Add Article Text...
|
|
|
|
|
Schwinghammer Completes Complement of Ontario Directors
Author :: Halsey Peat
Date :: Thu 09/10/2009 @ 04:20
|
|
read article
 Pastor David Schwinghammer, senior pastor at College Park Seventh-day Adventist Church, has been appointed by the Ontario Conference Board of Directors as the stewardship director for the conference.
The appointment was made on Sunday, August 23, 2009 at the first meeting of the new board of directors.
“We have been without a stewardship director for the past four years”, explained Pastor Mansfield Edwards, president of the Ontario Conference, “and the delegates at the July constituency meeting tasked the new board to appoint one at its earliest opportunity. We are very pleased that Pastor Schwinghammer has accepted the responsibility of serving the entire membership in this important role. We are very confident in his abilities, and we are looking forward to his leadership in helping our entire conference grow in faithful stewardship.”
The appointment of Schwinghamer means that the conference now has a full complement of directors.
Schwinghammer has served as senior pastor at College Park Church since December 2003 and leaves with mixed feelings.
“It’s been a great privilege to serve the College Park Church for almost six years”, he said, “My family and I have been blessed to be part of this amazing church family. However, it’s my prayer that as stewardship director, I will be able to assist God’s church in Ontario to enjoy and further embrace these lifestyle principles.”
Schwinghammer’s departure from College Park will add to the administration’s task of placing nearly thirty pastors, including the former president and executive secretary, with new congregations over the next few months.
Add Article Text...
|
|
|
|
|
Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ontario Chooses Edwards as President
Author :: Halsey Peat
Date :: Fri 07/10/2009 @ 10:37
|
|
read article
Monday, July 6, 2009. In a surprise move yesterday, the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists elected Dr. Mansfield Edwards as president.
The vote was taken late on the closing day of the two-day constituency meeting, held at the International Centre, Mississauga, Ontario, after hours of deliberation and uncertainty.
Shortly after the meeting began on Sunday morning the name of the incumbent, Derrick Nichols, was nominated to serve a fourth term as president. Before the vote was called, however, a delegate referred the report to the nominating committee for further consideration. The committee did not return with a report until close to the end of the scheduled time, necessitating an extended meeting.
After a short break the report was finally given and Dr. Mansfield Edwards was nominated as president. The vote resulted in a 75% confidence vote of the delegation and Edwards was declared to be the new president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ontario, succeeding Pastor Derrick Nichols.
Until his election yesterday, Edwards was the senior pastor of the thousand-member Apple Creek Adventist Church in North York.
The constituency also chose to elect a new executive secretary, and the delegation accepted the nomination of Dr. Daniel Linrud, former pastor of Living Word Fellowship, in Hamilton, Ontario. Linrud replaces Pastor Antonio Bueno, who served one term in the position.
The re-election of Mr. Ulysses Guarin as treasurer, completed the election of the officers of the church in Ontario.
Even later in the day, departmental directors were also voted:
ADRA Representative /Community Services/
Adult and Youth Sabbath School Theodore Sargeant
Children Ministries/Health Ministries Maria McClean
Communications/
Public Affairs & Religious Liberty Halsey Peat
Education Superintendent Janice Maitland
Associate Education Superintendent Frances Schander
Information Technology Raveen Pal
Ministerial Association/Evangelism Errol Lawrence
Personal Ministries Eustace Williams
Transportation/Property Management/
Risk Management Services Birthe Chan
Associate Treasurer Virene Joseph
Trust Services/Kingsway Pioneer Home Alvin Ram
Women Ministries/Family Ministries Donna Jackson
Youth Ministries/AMiCUS Cyril Millett
Associate Youth Ministries/
Adventurers/Pathfinders Edwin Martin
Associate Youth Ministries/
Camp Ministries/Men Ministries Glenn DeSilva
|
|
|
|
|
Conference President Calls for Prayer Prior to Organising Committee
Author :: Halsey Peat
Date :: Fri 04/03/2009 @ 01:00
|
|
read article
Conference President Calls for Prayer Prior to Organising Committee
April 3, 2009, Oshawa, Ontario...OCN
Elder Derrick Nichols, president of the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, today, spoke of the need for prayer as delegates to the Organising Committee prepare to meet in Oshawa on April 5, 2009.
“The process of selecting new officers, departmental directors and the Board of Directors is a sacred responsibility,” said Nichols. “This is God’s church, and we cannot do this according to our own wisdom or even desire. We must look to God to have His will in the entire process, so I’m encouraging everyone–individually, as families and as churches-- to sincerely pray to God.”
His statement, made to the communication director of the conference during an interview, echoed what he had written earlier this year to all churches in the conference.
Nichols is confident of God’s leadership in this aspect of the work of the church as he is in all other areas.
“Time and time again, I have seen God’s hand in a very clear and mighty way,” He said, “I’ve come to expect that whenever we submit to God and stop trying to work independent of Him, He will always be with us and give us the leadership we need.”
One hundred and fifty delegates from across Ontario will meet on Sunday morning at 8:00 in the chapel at Kingsway College campus in Oshawa to begin the process of selecting leaders for the next four years.
Add Article Text...
|
|
|
|
|
Hope Channel Joins Direct TV's Lineup
Author :: Halsey Peat
Date :: Fri 02/27/2009 @ 12:00
|
|
read article
Hope Channel, the official television network of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is pleased to announce its partnership with DIRECTV for broadcast to the continental United States, Hawaii, and Alaska. Hope Channel is scheduled to be added to the basic DIRECTV lineup April 29 on Channel 368.
“We are delighted to partner with DIRECTV! This allows millions of viewers in North America to receive the life changing messages of Hope Channel,” said Hope Channel President Brad Thorp. “We also want to thank the management team at DIRECTV for their gracious reception and cooperation in adding us to their excellent line-up of channels in more than 17 million homes.”
“This is big news for a five-year-old donor-supported network. This signifies a huge step in recognition by the industry for the quality of content we offer the public. Roughly 75 percent of what we air is original to our network. That’s a lot of exclusive content that will benefit viewers that they just can’t get anywhere else,” said Kandus Thorp, Hope Channel International Director and Director for Program Development Scheduling.
Help to support the Hope Channel. “We’re encouraging church members who have cable to make the easy switch to DIRECTV. By doing so, they will support Hope Channel so millions of others can begin to benefit from our family-friendly programs. And when their friends and family switch, they’re supporting Hope Channel too…and they’re getting the same great inspiring, truth-filled programming you do,” said Gary Gibbs, Hope Channel Vice President.
“17 Million homes is the largest satellite TV audience in North America! This is a very providential development! This is largest media break through for the Church in North America. We are encouraging members to grasp the huge opportunity to share Jesus through the Hope Channel on DIRECTV,” explained Mark Finley, Chairman of the Hope Channel Board of Directors. “I’m telling my neighbors to switch or subscribe and watch my favorite – Hope Channel!”
Seventh-day Adventist Church leadership endorses this effort so that millions of people in North America can benefit from Hope Channel’s family-friendly, spiritual, healthy living, history, nature, finance, educational, and music programs. Hope Channel’s holistic approach to enhancing a person’s mind, body, and spirit will immediately appeal to DIRECTV viewers.
“We realize that not every Adventist household has TV, but many do; and we ask those who currently have cable to seriously consider switching to DIRECTV right away so they can watch Hope Channel,” said Don Schneider, President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America and Host of the “Really Living” program on Hope Channel.
DIRECTV’s basic home service package starts at just $29.99 per month and includes more than 150 channels, including Hope Channel—130 of which are in HD. As Channel 368, Hope Channel will be placed among several leading news and educational channels. And best of all, viewers can choose which ones their family watches with easy-to-use controls.
Add Article Text...
|
|
|
|
|
Ontario Conference Prepares for 32nd Constituency Meeting
Author :: Halsey Peat
Date :: Fri 02/27/2009 @ 12:00
|
|
read article
Add Article Text
February 26, 2009 Oshawa, Ontario...OCN
Ontario Conference has started preparations to hold its 32nd Constituency Meeting over the weekend of July 3-5, 2009 at the International Centre, Mississauga.
Last week, letters were sent to all constituent churches informing them of the dates for the meetings, number of delegates for each church and the all pre-meeting dates. Churches will shortly select their delegates.
The first meeting in the process will occur on April 5, 2009 at Kingsway College, Oshawa, when the Organizing Committee delegates will meet to select the Nominating Committee, nominate a standing Bylaws Committee and other necessary committees. The day-long meeting will ensure that all regions of the province are equitably represented on the Nominating Committee. Members of the Nominating Committee are selected from among the delegates chosen by the churches and delegates at large (conference employees).
It is expected that the 21-member Nominating Committee will meet shortly after it has been chosen, in line with the mandate of the Bylaws requiring it to meet at least 60 days before the quadrennial session in July.
While the Constituency Meetings are run along democratic rules, their foundations are spiritual.
“It’s a time when we have to sincerely turn to God in prayer,” said Elder Eustace Williams, prayer ministries coordinator for the conference, “because it’s God’s church, and we must seek Him for guidance as we consider the leadership needed for our church in Ontario.”
His views are echoed by Elder Derrick Nichols, president of the conference who firmly believes that the future of the church is in God’s hands, and so encourages every member to join together in prayer for God’s leadership as the process of selecting leaders for His church begins.
|
|
|
|
|
One Hundred and Twenty Baptized on One Day
Author :: Halsey Peat
Date :: Mon 10/27/2008 @ 09:30
|
|
read article
One hundred and twenty souls were baptised on Sabbath, September 27, in the Greater Toronto Area on the closing day of two evangelistic meetings.
Eighty were baptised in the huge portable pool set up at the front of hall 4A at the International Centre, Mississauga. The other 40 were baptised in the pool at Kingsview Village Adventist Church, Etobicoke.
The baptism at the International Centre brought the total baptised during the September 6-27 Life of Victory evangelistic series to 156 persons. The series was the joint effort of 14 churches to the west of Toronto. It featured the powerful and relevant preaching of Evangelist Omar Palmer, assistant pastor at Apple Creek Adventist Church in Markham. Many of those baptised were young people and young adults.
Among the 14 churches participating in the Life of Victory evangelistic series and leaving its building vacant was Kingsview Village. The vacancy was filled for one week, September 22-27, when two churches, Maranatha Spanish and Bet-El Spanish held a joint evangelistic series there.
The speaker, Pastor Cesar Cardenas, from Columbia, preached nightly and strongly appealed to young people from the Spanish community.
"Leading up the last day, we were expecting to baptise about 29 people," said local pastor, Daniel Sanchez, "but the Holy Spirit has given us 40 souls."
Conference Evangelism and Church Growth coordinator, Dr. Errol Lawrence was full of praise and encouragement for the organisers and church members involved in both meetings.
"I'm so impressed with how hard our pastors and members worked to make these two meetings so successful," he said. "And I'm so thankful to them. I also want to encourage them continue to their neighbours, family and friends in evangelism. We have seen that traditional evangelism still works, but we should also consider supplementing it with alternative methods in order to more effectively reach the millennial generation."
It is expected that additional baptisms will take place following the close of both evangelistic series.
Add Article Text...
|
|
|
|
|
Church Members' Faithfulness Contradicts Economic Hardships
Author :: Halsey Peat
Date :: Tue 10/07/2008 @ 09:30
|
|
read article
October 1, 2008, Oshawa, Ontario...OCN
Adventist members across Ontario have displayed great faithfulness in a time of economic uncertainty and increasing hardship.
On Sunday, September 28, in his financial report to the Ontario Conference Board of Directors, Conference treasurer, Ulysses Guarin, announced that tithe income for the first eight months of the year is up seven percent over the same period last year.
"It's nothing less than a miracle," declared Guarin. "In the present economic climate, there is no other way to describe the faithfulness of God's people."
With the severe economic downturn in the United Sates and its potential repercussions on Ontario, job losses are expected and this in turn could affect the work of the Adventist Church in this province. However, members are remaining confident that God is able to provide for all their needs.
Mr. Guarin went on to say that the Administration is still exercising caution regarding spending and has taken steps to reduce costs. He also encourages churches, families and individual members to do like-wise during this period of uncertainty.
Add Article Text...
|
|
|
|
|
New Adventist Search Engine
Author :: Halsey Peat
Date :: Mon 07/14/2008 @ 01:44
|
|
read article
'SDA PLUS' New Adventist Search Engine
A new search engine makes it easier to find anything Adventist on the Internet. AdventSource has developed the church's first comprehensive targeted search engine. SDA Plus searches websites created by members and organizations of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Find schools, churches, healthcare institutions, summer camps, musicians, speakers, and more.
Visit http://sdaplus.com/ to search the Adventist web or see if your site's listed. Adventist organizations, supporting ministries, and ADI members may submit their website information for inclusion in this customized search engine.
|
|
|
|
|
New "Grief to Wholeness" Ministry Launched
Author :: Halsey Peat
Date :: Tue 06/17/2008 @ 09:30
|
|
read article
New "Grief to Wholeness" Ministry Launched
The Ontario Conference Family Ministry Department has a new ministry. The all-new "Grief to Wholeness Ministry" (G2W) is designed to help people who are experiencing any form of grief to regain wholeness and re-discover joyful living.
"We are so glad to have this new ministry," says Family Ministry director, Donna Jackson, "We are responding to a long-standing need to provide a more intentional support system for those grieving significant losses."
According to Donna Jackson, the mission of this new ministry is to assist families experiencing the trauma of separation, divorce or death by providing resources, encouraging a network of support and by training mentors to support those experiencing grief.
G2W expands the mandate of the former Divorce Recovery Ministry by providing help for people regardless of the cause of their grief.
The ministry is led by a committee of members who have experienced wholeness after having suffered grief. However, the committee, led by Frances James, recognises that it cannot adequately meet all the needs of members spread across the entire province.
"While committee members understand the variety of emotions that are experienced during the grieving process," says Gennifer Husbands, Communications Liaison, "it is impossible for support to be given from the conference level alone. We want to see the ministry operate at the local level."
G2W provides numerous resources at the conference office for loan and is encouraging local churches to take advantage of the variety of helpful material available. The committee is also encouraging members and professionals with appropriate expertise in the area of grief ministry and recovery to help form support groups in local churches and regions and so expand the work of G2W.
Frances James and Gennifer Husbands invite the ideas of interested pastors and church members to help G2W to help in turning grief into wholeness.
|
|
|
|
|
"The Best Maranatha so Far"
Author :: Halsey Peat
Date :: Fri 05/09/2008 @ 12:00
|
|
read article
“The Best Maranatha So Far!”
March 30, 2008, Oshawa, Ontario...OCN
“I’ve been to many Maranathas,” said Deevin Festejo, local elder at Mississauga Filipino Seventh-day Adventist Church, “but this is the best Maranatha so far! Everything about it was excellent – the place, the seminars, our speakers. It was great!”
Festejo’s view was echoed by many of the 450 participants at Maranatha 2008, Together for a Finished Work, held at the Bank of Montreal Institute of Learning, Toronto, during March 28-29, 2008.
“If I knew that it was this good, I would have attended a long time ago,” said Pastor Travis Afflick.
Maranatha is held each spring for the training of local church leaders and members in evangelism and community outreach. Over the years it has grown to include other areas of ministry, such as family, health and worship since these can also be effective means of evangelism. Many attendees return year after year, building expertise to strengthen the ministries in their local church. They expect and receive the very best in training. Maranatha 2008 was no exception.
Dr. Miroslav Pujic, Ron Halverson, Dr. James Zackrison, Faith Crumbly and John Tolman, are some of the presenters who shared their experience and expertise and left participants feeling that they had received something very valuable.
Dave Alconsel from Mississauga Filipino Adventist Church said that the training he received during the Lay Preaching was “amazing” and “Tremendous.”
Moreover, most people couldn’t stop talking about the messages by keynote speaker, Pastor Ian Sweeney, from England.
“I’ve never heard the Word spoken in that way before”, said Alrica Jones.
As Pastor Sweeney preached about ‘Desperate People’, ‘Men’ and ‘Last Words,’ it was easy for all to see why The Times Newspaper voted him the UK Preacher of the Year in 1998.
The satisfaction that many felt towards Maranatha was due in part to the excellent facilities provided at the BMO Institute of Learning and the equally excellent service provided by its staff.
  
"The workshops were great!" Miroslav Pujic (left) BMO staff appreciation
with Pastor Bibulovic
Pastor Eustace Williams, Maranatha co-ordinator, was very happy with the success of Maranatha 2008.
“It is very gratifying to know that people came.” he said. “They appreciated the services, workshops, the overall atmosphere, the food and the fellowship.
“We want to thank our people for how they conducted themselves, giving consideration to others and displaying the true and admirable attitude of Seventh-day Adventist Christians. The event coordinators at BMO were very pleased with our people. They said that they have never had a group of people as nice as ours. They spoke of our warmth, congeniality and appreciation towards their staff. We are very thankful to our people.”
Given the success of Maranatha, it is expected that many more people will want to attend in 2009. Pastor Williams’s advice is “to register early.”
Registration for Maranatha 2009 will most probably begin in early November, 2008.
Halsey Peat
Recordings of the sermons and Prayer Workshops are available on CD and DVD from the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (905-571-1022 ext 201).
|
|
|
|
|
ADRA Distributes Rice to Cyclone Survivors
Author :: ADRA Canada
Date :: Fri 04/04/2008 @ 12:00
|
|
read article
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is continuing its response in Myanmar with food assistance and emergency response personnel, following the category 4 cyclone that devastated vast regions of the country last weekend.
In partnership with the World Food Program (WFP), ADRA Myanmar is coordinating the delivery of up to 250 metric tons of rice to people in the Labutta area, Ayeryarwaddy Delta Division, which has an estimated 80,000 dead and up to 120,000 homeless. This initial distribution of food will sustain 20,000 people for 30 days.
The international ADRA network is also sending a team of emergency response specialists to work with ADRA Myanmar staff to meet the immense needs of those affected by the storm, which is estimated to have killed more than 100,000 people and left more than one million people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.
ADRA Myanmar's Associate Country Director, Teddy Din, who was in Labutta during the storm, reported the severity of the devastation. "The houses are all gone, as well as the hospital," said Mr Din. "The tidal surge from the sea was so strong it took less than an hour to sweep people, whether alive or dead, up the river to a point it would normally take three hours by boat to get to."
ADRA has also dispatched an assessment team to better determine needs and following these critical assessments, will work in partnership with other response agencies to expand its work to support those affected. Aid agencies acknowledge that movement around and communication in the affected areas is extremely difficult.
ADRA Myanmar has a staff of 170 and has been working in the country for 15 years, providing food security, health, education, water and sanitation support to poor communities.
The ADRA network, including ADRA Canada, has already collectively allocated up to US$250,000 as an initial response to this disaster.
Please support ADRA Canada during times of emergency by making a donation to the Emergency Management Fund online by visiting www.adra.ca or by calling 1.888.274.2372.
|
|
ADRA Canada is part of the ADRA network, which is present in 125 countries, providing community development and emergency management without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, race, or ethnicity.
Additional information about ADRA Canada can be found at www.adra.ca
|
Add Article Text...
|
|
|
|