TED News Bulletin
Trans-European Division of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church

2 April 2008


In this issue:
-------------------------
* Sudan: The Critical Importance of Evangelism
* Serbia: First Ever Children's Ministry Workshop
* Sudan: South Sudan Field Pastors' Council
* England: Committed Teenager Receives World Church Award
-------------------------

THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF EVANGELISM...[Michael Collins/TED News
Staff/TED News]

Arua, Uganda - A two-week intensive training programme in Evangelism
sponsored jointly by the Middle East Union (MEU) and the
Trans-European Division (TED), was recently conducted in the South
Sudan Field (SSF) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The event,
held at the SFF headquarters in Arua, featured classroom lectures,
hands-on workshops in evangelistic sermon preparation and delivery,
and time for questions.

Organised primarily by the Evangelism, Ministerial, and Church
Planting departments of the MEU and the TED, the training was part of
a far-reaching plan to emphasize the critical importance of
evangelism as the lifeblood of the church in southern Sudan.

Lectures were given by Pastor Janos Kovacs-Biro, Evangelism director
of the TED, on the motives, theology and practice of evangelism, as
well as practical suggestions on preparing for an evangelistic
series. Pastor Maywald Jesudass, MEU Ministerial director, dealt with
Bible study and sermon preparation, and issues relating to the
personal life of the pastor/evangelist. Complementing these were
lectures by MEU Evangelism director, Bern Yuot, on personal prayer
and spiritual development. Amir Ghali, MEU Youth and Publishing
Departments director, also spoke on gaining decisions for Christ and
the growth of the church.

"This training has inspired us with new ideas. We have been given a
better understanding of our responsibilities as Pastors and
Evangelists to share the gospel in a non-offensive way, yet with
power and authority. It is my plea that, if possible, there will be a
similar opportunity for such refreshing and empowerment once every
two years", said SSF Youth Department director Charles Lagu.

One of the goals of the training was to have a complete set of
evangelistic sermons prepared for use in the SSF. This was
accomplished, along with practising their oral delivery. Each of
these men is now teamed up with others to assist in evangelistic
efforts to take place simultaneously in at least eight locations
throughout the SSF in mid-May. The principles they have learned in
this training they will now have an opportunity to practice. In
addition, these smaller meetings this year will be helpful
preparation for the major evangelistic thrust scheduled for Juba, in
January 2009.

"Our heartfelt thanks goes to those in the MEU and TED offices who
gave freely of their time and resources to make this training
possible," said Michael Collins, President of the South Sudan Field.


FIRST EVER CHILDREN'S MINISTRY WORKSHOP...[Ljiljana Ciric/TED News
Staff/TED News]

Belgrade, Serbia - The first ever Children's Ministry workshop in
Serbia, organized by the South East European Union Conference (SEEUC)
of the Adventist church, was held at the Adventist Theological
Seminary in Belgrade, 20 - 23 March.

About one hundred church leaders and teachers from Bosnia, Macedonia,
Montenegro and Serbia, including a few guests from Croatia, attended
a series of lectures focusing on children's ministry; how to help
children developing faith in God and having a relationship with Him.
As part of this same focus, the 'Kids In Discipleship' (KID)
programme was introduced.

The general feedback after the event is reflected in a comment from
Gluvic Slavica, a Children's Ministry leader in Bosnia, saying: "This
workshop revealed...the great potential that exists within our
children and in ourselves". Pointing to the instant impact of this
event, Ljiljana Ciric, SEEUC Children's Ministry Director, said:
"Many exclaimed that they are going home to immediately start
applying the new ideas in their ministry".

The guest speakers delighted in the enthusiasm incited throughout the
workshop. Linda Koh, Children's Ministry Director from the World
Headquarters of the Adventist Church, said: "The participants showed
a great passion to learn. They want to learn new ideas, and new
creative activities. This is a sign of good teachers. They asked good
questions; they are aware of the problems and want to find
solutions." Anne-May Wollan, Children's ministry Director of the
Trans-European Division concluded: "God inspired us and richly
blessed us through fellowship with some amazing and dedicated
Children's Ministries workers. I believe great things will happen in
the Children's Ministries in the South East European Union
Conference."

KID is a ministry that is binding the hearts of families together by
equipping parents and other caregivers to be primary spiritual
mentors to their children. KID also challenges entire church
congregations to support parents and caregivers in empowering
children in worship, ministry, and mission.

Learn more about KID on the TED Children's Ministries website:
http://www.ted-adventist.org/resources/cm.htm


SOUTH SUDAN FIELD PASTORS' COUNCIL...[Michael Collins/TED News
Staff/TED News]

Arua, Uganda - The training of Adventist pastors and Bible workers is
continuous in the South Sudan Field (SSF), but it was a real joy to
witness the energy and enthusiasm that was apparent among these
workers when more than 45 of them gathered together for a more
structured and intensive training experience, attending lectures and
devotionals in Arua, 5 - 8 March, 2008.

Dr Kjell Aune, President of the Adventist Church in the Middle East
Union (MEU) spoke on subjects related to the Pastor as Example, and
Pastor David Cox (MEU) opened up new approaches to small group
ministry, giving opportunity on Sabbath morning for a hands-on
demonstration of small group principles.

From the Trans-European Division, Raafat Kamal dealt with Servant
Leadership, and Janos Kovacs-Biro lectured on Evangelism, which
helped prepare the way for the Evangelism on the Move training event
for the two weeks following the Pastors' Council. "I was so impressed
to see the enthusiasm and depth of knowledge of these pastors and
Gospel pioneers. They are working in difficult conditions but they
are committed to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in their
communities and sphere of influence. It was a joy and a privilege to
be with them and to serve them", said Dr Daniel Duda, who lectured on
Contextualised Preaching, and issues relating to Salvation.

Other contributors to this event were Dr Maywald Jesudass, MEU
Ministerial Secretary, who was instrumental in the planning of the
Council, and Dr Bern Yuot, MEU Evangelism Director.

Many of the pastors and other workers shared how valuable they found
not only the material presented, but also the opportunity to
fellowship and share with their colleagues in the SSF, as well as
meeting church leaders from around various parts of the world.

"By all accounts the 2008 Pastors' Council, hosted by the SSF, and
spearheaded by the MEU and the TED, was a great success. The
attendees are anxiously awaiting the next opportunity to have their
ministry strengthened," concluded Pastor Collins.


COMMITTED TEENAGER RECEIVES WORLD CHURCH AWARD...[BUC News/TED News
Staff/ TED News]

Loch Lomond, Scotland - A Crieff teenager who found she was too young
to join a Mission trip to Romania turned her disappointment into joy
for others. Talented musician, Yvonne Bauwens decided, instead, to
record her own and others' compositions, and sell CD copies. Her
generous gesture and strong determination raised £1,200 towards the
Mission's cost.

This selfless act, allied to a consistent commitment to use her
talents in service, was recognised at the Easter Weekend Youth
Retreat at Loch Lomond where 150 Adventist youth from Scotland,
Ireland and Wales witnessed TED Youth Ministries director, Paul
Tompkins present Yvonne with the M E Kern award. This is an award
issued by the World Church Headquarters in recognition of people who
have made an extraordinary contribution to Adventist Youth. As part
of the Centenary World Adventist Youth celebrations last year, Yvonne
was nominated for the award, which in the form of an hour glass
represents the World Church Youth theme "It's Time"- time for young
people to be involved, time to get connected, time to use their
talents.

Pastor Tompkins said, "Yvonne represents young people giving their
talents for God. As well as supporting Mission Projects she has also
been very active in other events throughout Scotland and also further
afield. In fact her composition was chosen as the theme song for the
2006 TED Pathfinder Camporee held in Stevninghus, Denmark. She has
consistently been a supportive and positive influence, despite not
always enjoying the best of health, and remains committed to serving
others. It has been a pleasure to be able to present to her this
special award."

__________________________________________________________________
TED News Staff:
Paul Clee, News Director and Editor
Heidi Kamal Kendel, Editorial Assistant
119 St Peter's Street, St Albans, Herts.,
AL1 3EY, England
E-mail: tednews@ted-adventist.org
Website: www.ted-adventist.org

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