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

26 January 2005

In this Issue:

* Sudan: ADRA appeals for release of abducted workers
* England: Dynamic changes for small group
* England: Churches prepare for "Mind the Gap" broadcasts
* TED Prayer Guide for week 30 January ? 5 February


ADRA APPEALS FOR RELEASE OF ABDUCTED WORKERS

DARFUR, SUDAN [ANR] ? The Adventist Development and Relief Agency
International (ADRA) is appealing for the release of three agency
workers that were abducted at gunpoint along with ADRA project
vehicles on 16 December 2004 while travelling through the then
rebel-controlled area of Labado on their way from Khartoum to West
Darfur, Sudan.

Travelling in a humanitarian convoy, the three workers were part of a
larger ADRA well-drilling team carrying equipment and supplies to
rehabilitate 65 damaged and abandoned wells and construct 45 new
wells. The Humanitarian Aid department of the European Commission
(ECHO) funds this project.

ADRA's convoy had official permission to deliver the aid to Darfur.
Each of the three men, Sudanese nationals, are committed to
humanitarian work and were excited to be headed out to Darfur because
of the tremendous needs there.

"We are alarmed and deeply concerned for the safety of our workers"
states Byron L. Scheuneman, ADRA International senior vice president
and chief financial officer. "We don't know exactly who abducted
them, and we've received no information on their whereabouts or
condition. ADRA is not political; it provides aid where it's needed
the most."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the men who were taken, as well as
their families. We're appealing directly to whoever is holding them
to release them, unharmed, on humanitarian grounds. Water is the
least covered sector in all of Darfur, and it's senseless to continue
to hold these men and equipment. Water is urgently needed in the
region," continued Scheuneman.

The planned water wells will benefit 80,000 Internally Displaced
People (IDPs) and host community members in West Darfur, an area hit
hard by civil unrest that has left at least 1.6 million people
struggling to survive through the three Darfur states.

ADRA's office in Khartoum is working closely with the United Nations
to secure the release of its workers and is grateful for the
assistance they're providing. Operating in such a complex and
difficult environment is not without risk, and ADRA appreciates every
effort to increase security for both humanitarian workers and the
affected population.

ADRA has been working in Sudan for more than 25 years and in Darfur
since June of 2004. Present in more than 120 countries worldwide,
ADRA provides individual and community development and disaster
relief without regard to political or religious association, age or
ethnicity. Additional information about ADRA can be found at
www.adra.org.

[ADRA Staff/ANN/ANR]


DYNAMIC CHANGES FOR SMALL GROUP

ST. ALBANS, ENGLAND [ANR] ? As part of the LIFEdevelopment
initiative, St Albans Seventh-day Adventist Church commenced a small
group leadership training programme. As a result, three young people
started a small group for Adventist youth in the area. However, the
group took on its own life and the dynamic changed. Though not
initially aiming at seekers, some Christian school friends were
invited, who in turn invited non-Christians. The group grew, until
currently five Adventists and seven non-Adventists attend weekly
gatherings, and the number is still growing. Their beliefs range from
atheist, agnostic, non-practising Jew to new Christian.

It was decided to take the approach of the discipleship track from
the LIFEdevelopment strategy, focusing on relational evangelism.
Through asking what was anticipated from this small group, it was
discovered that members were looking for a forum to discuss deeper
issues as well as to relax and get to know new people. Therefore,
meetings are planned with this in mind, trying to offer in
discussions, Biblical and Christian alternatives and viewpoints while
also trying to understand the worldviews that are informing others.

The evening?s basic structure allows for people to arrive at a
leader's house at 7.15 and socialise. When everyone is assembled
there is an icebreaker activity aimed at getting to know other
members of the group. Each week, refreshments are provided by
different people thus sharing the load with the host. This is
followed with the main discussion which up till now has predominantly
been a forum for expressing views on different subjects, for example
?what does religion mean to you?? Future plans are to introduce some
of the 'Evidence' videos as discussion starters. Meetings finish
promptly at 9.30 so that the commitment of regular meetings does not
become an inconvenience.

So far, this 'seeker' small group seems to be growing well. The
social aspect is certainly growing, with those who were new members a
few months ago now feeling comfortable sharing ideas, opinions, and
facts about themselves. The core leadership team share thoughts and
constructive criticism about meetings, and pray regularly about the
progression of the group. All members have expressed their enthusiasm
and enjoyment of the meetings, discussions and direction of the
group. The aim is to promote trust and friendships within the group
and to raise awareness of the essence of Christianity.

[Bethany Holford/ANR]


CHURCHES PREPARE FOR "MIND THE GAP" BROADCASTS

ST. ALBANS, ENGLAND [ANR] ? Dwight Nelson's special "Mind the Gap"
satellite television series, which was recorded at Newbold College as
part of the LIFEdevelopment strategy, will be shown on the Hope
Channel 19:00 and 20:00 GMT, Mondays to Fridays 7 ? 11 and 14 ? 18
February. Already churches are gearing up to make the most of these
evangelistic programmes by organising public showings in church
buildings as well as in the homes of members. LIFEdevelopment
coordinator Pastor Alan Hodges has written to all the pastors
throughout the UK and Ireland, encouraging them to prepare
invitations and social programmes so that members' friends and other
contacts developed through the first two stages of LIFEdevelopment
can be invited to watch the television transmissions in a friendly,
relaxed, and non-threatening environment.

"One of the best ways of inviting people to a 'Mind the Gap'
programme is to include a light meal," says Pastor Hodges. "A number
of our churches have been experimenting with café style programmes
that can bridge the gap between church members and their secular
friends and we're hoping that they will use this approach with
Dwight's latest series."

The topics that Dwight Nelson and his guests will be discussing in
the 'Mind the Gap' programmes are as follows: Faith, the Bible,
Prayer, the Person of Jesus, Jesus' Death and Resurrection, Jesus'
Second Coming, the Holy Spirit, Human Nature, Healing, and Community.
For those unable to receive the Hope Channel a DVD set should be
available shortly including a Study Guide Book.

[John Surridge/ANR]


TED PRAYER GUIDE FOR WEEK 30 JANUARY ? 5 FEBRUARY 2005

ST ALBANS, ENGLAND [ANR] ? The UK is truly a multi-cultural and
cosmopolitan society. In recent times thousands have found a home
here. Many churches in the British Union Conference have been blessed
by this influx of believers among the immigrants.

The church's mission to be all inclusive faces the challenge of
addressing the evangelistic needs of all groups. Nonetheless, we have
launched a diversified evangelistic strategy to cater for all. Both
the traditional and contemporary forms of evangelism are running on
parallel tracks simultaneously.

Our aim is to pursue the vision of engaging a secular world for
Christ and presenting the gospel of salvation to all.

Prayer Requests:

1. The many small groups and church plants being conducted in this
Union.
2. The LIFEdevelopment evangelistic initiative designed to speak to
the post-modern mind. We shall be launching the third phase through
satellite transmission in February 2005.
3. The many other initiatives that are concurrently running with the
above efforts.

[Cecil Perry/ANR]


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ANR Staff: Miroslav Pujic, news director, Beverly Coysten, editor
ANR, 119 St Peter's Street, St Albans, Herts, AL1 3EY, England
E-mail: anr@ted-adventist.org
Website: www.ted-adventist.org

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