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

2 March 2005

In this Issue:

* Albania: Evangelism training for pastors and church planters
* Iceland: Primary school Bible competition supported by local
businesses
* USA: Pastor Jan Paulsen to do third 'Let's Talk' broadcast in
Germany
* TED Prayer Guide for week 6 ? 12 March


EVANGELISM TRAINING FOR PASTORS AND CHURCH PLANTERS

TIRANA, ALBANIA [ANR] ? For one week, 21-25 February a Field School
for Evangelism, sponsored by the Ministerial Association of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Trans-Europe region (TED), was
conducted for Albanian pastors and church planters of the Adventist
Church in Tirana. The guest speaker was Dr. Rex Edwards, Vice
President and Director of Religious Studies at Griggs University,
USA. Co-presenter and speaker at the public meetings was Peter
Roennfeldt, Ministerial Association Secretary and church planting
coordinator for the TED.

Dr. Edwards' presentations focused on developing structure in
evangelistic presentations and Bible studies, and on the Biblical
role of the pastor in the church. The programme for the week was
designed in such a way that in addition to the teaching and modelling
of evangelism strategies, the Albanian pastors made similar evening
presentations in their own districts, in cafés and restaurants
following Roennfeldt's presentations. Edwards said, ?The concept is
unique; the idea of using cafés is excellent. You are right where the
people are!? Attendance was approximately 150 at these four public
venues in Tirana and Durres.

Leigh Rice, president of the Adventist Church in Albania said, "We
had a good time together. I believe it was beneficial for the pastors
and will have long term value for the church in Albania." Roennfeldt
told them, "The kingdom of God will grow as a result of your
ministry." He added "The largest attendance was not at my
presentation but at one conducted by Ermira Kollarja, a young
Albanian lady who is still an intern pastor; it is easy to see the
effective work she has done in the community before the programme and
the care she shows to the people."

"These programmes will continue" said Rice. Pastors from the regional
centres who attended the Field School will commence similar church
plant programmes in Elbasan and Korca in late March. "Other
programmes aimed at different audiences will be conducted in Tirana,"
Rice added. Each pastor and church planter received a resource of
8,000 catalogued digital pictures for their future presentations
which they can adapt. The teams also worked together to develop a
follow-up series of 25 presentations as well as seminars on life
issues.

Dr. Edwards was also guest speaker at the Festival of Faith conducted
on Saturday 26 February. Members and friends of the church gathered
from throughout the country for this event. Dr. Rewards message 'From
the Dungeon of Despair to the Table of Delight' retold the story of
Jehioachin's imprisonment in Babylon and release. "The story mirrors
the way in which the God of heaven releases and restores people and
invites them into friendship with Himself, providing for them for the
rest of their lives," said Edwards.

[ANR Staff/ANR]


PRIMARY SCHOOL BIBLE COMPETITION SUPPORTED BY LOCAL BUSINESSES

REYKJAVIK, ICELAND [ANR] ? The Seventh-day Adventist Church primary
school at Suðurhlíðarskoli, Iceland has been organizing a Bible quiz
competition involving children from different churches. The
competition will be held 5 March and for the first time this year it
will be broadcast directly from a local Christian TV station.
Competing this year will be 24 children making up 8 teams with 4 more
teams joining next year.

The primary school has been hosting this competition for five years
and the topic for the competition this year is the story of Joseph.
Previous topics have been the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Acts, and
the story of David. The children have been reading and studying their
Bibles and it is amazing how much they know. Pastor Eric Gudmundson,
Personal Ministries Director for the Adventist Church in Iceland is
creating the questions for the quiz and Gardar Cortes, an opera
singer, will be the acting quiz master.

Many local businesses are supporting the competition by providing
gifts and prizes for the children. The competition is special in that
all the children are winners and they all get a prize. By doing this
the school hopes to encourage the children and parents in the
community to learn of their Saviour and we hope that more people will
get to know of our school. Please pray for this project.

[Steinunn Theodórsdottir/ANR]


PASTOR JAN PAULSEN TO DO THIRD 'LET?S TALK' BROADCAST IN GERMANY

WASHINGTON, USA [ANR] ? The dialogue between world church president
Pastor Jan Paulsen and Adventist young people continues in April with
a broadcast from Darmstadt, Germany. 'Let?s Talk
Europe' will bring
together Adventist young people who attend secular universities and
colleges for an unscripted, unedited conversation with the world
church leader. Four students will represent the Trans-European
Division, two from Britain and one each from Serbia and Sweden.

'Let?s Talk
Europe' will follow a similar question and answer format
as the earlier broadcasts. John Banks, producer for the 'Let?s Talk'
programmes, says the participation of Adventist students from secular
campuses is sure to produce an interesting dialogue. ?These young
people have unique concerns and questions, in a European setting? he
says.

Earlier broadcasts have focused on different segments of Adventist
youth. The programme in September 2004 featured students on the
campus of Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, and the
first 'Let?s Talk' telecast from Simi Valley, California, in 2003,
included teenage members of the church.

The programme, which will be taped on April 26 at Marienhoehe Church
on the campus of Marienhoehe College, will be aired on the Hope
Channel and other Adventist networks the following day. As the
programme nears, check with the Hope Channel at http://hopetv.org/ or
on the 'Let?s Talk' website at www.letstalk.adventist.org for
broadcast times and more information.

[Jennifer Stymiest/ANR]


TED PRAYER GUIDE FOR WEEK 6 - 12 MARCH 2005

ST ALBANS, ENGLAND [ANR] ? Abdul (not his real name) sent an email to
AWR with the subject line "I hate you" and the message "Jesus is not
god". After praying for Abdul in staff worship AWR wrote back a
caring reply using it as an opportunity to replace hate with love.
His next email contained the message ?I love you? asking for
forgiveness and explaining that he is a teacher of Arabic and Islam
and is searching for something better in his life.

He is one of many listeners to AWR?s service in the Middle East and
throughout the world whose life is being changed by tuning into the
Voice of Hope. He lives in a country where evangelism is difficult,
but he is hearing about Jesus by listening to his radio.

Prayer Requests:

1. AWR listeners, particularly those in hard to reach countries.
2. Our frequency and distribution engineers, so that we can have the
best signals for our listeners to tune into.
3. Our studios and studio partners as they conscientiously work,
often with limited resources, to be the ?Voice of Hope? for our
listeners.

[Bert Smit/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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