25000 spins 2010by Bert Sm

it, CEO AD

RA-U

K

Nobody wants to see another banana – for now! Watermelon, banana, falafel and tom

ato were among the

foods provided in abundance to help twenty-four cyclists travel from London to Paris in just four days.

Accepting their personal challenge, the twenty-four riders raised over £28,000 for multiple charities,

including ADRA-UK. The group started at Carshalton railway station in London and finished four days and 350 km

later at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. This was the second such trip for the

organiser, Craig Shipton. ‘This year’s trip has improved on last year’s,’ he said. ‘The rider group is

larger which brings its own challenges but the ride has been a tremendous success. W

hat matters is

that so much m

oney has been raised that will help people in need.’Two support vans accom

panied the riders and provided water, the bananas, and lunch, in addition to technical support.

Riders could choose to support UNICEF, Compassion or ADRA-UK. Twelve riders supported the work

of ADRA-UK and raised over £18,000 for the charity.ADRA-UK CEO Bert Sm

it comm

ented: ‘Cycling for ADRA-UK is a fantastic way to raise funds for the suffering world. We hope that next year’s ride will be even m

ore successful. This ride is not organised by ADRA-UK but by som

eone who has a passion to help people in need. What a great way to help.’

Donations to the riders are still accepted at http://www.justgiving.com/adra-uk– just look for the

riders in the supporters’ pages. One hundred percent of what is donated will go to projects that will benefit children. Inform

ation about this and next year’s ride is available at http://25000spins.com.

Photo: Arture Aysarov

Messenger 3

Boosting energy Part 4

Oats Rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamins E and B and protein. Helps to combat stress and tiredness.

Oranges Valuable source of vitamin C, increases iron absorption, and boosts energy levels.

Pumpkin seeds High in magnesium to fight fatigue and iron to nourish cells with oxygen.

Sesame seeds Rich in copper, calcium, magnesium and zinc. Good course of vitamin E, which strengthens heart and nervous system. Also an antioxidant.

Spinach One of the highest nutrients – good energy source. High in flavinoids which protect against age-related memory loss and rich in folate for boosting mood.

Walnuts Full of potassium, protein, iron and zinc, a great energy resource plus omega 3 for heart and brain health.

Water Dehydration and fatigue are linked as water loss slows metabolism and saps energy. Adequate water intake increases alertness, enhances cell function and boosts energy levels.

Watermelon Rich in vitamin C, iron, lycopene and potassium, which are great fatigue fighters. Also a good water source.

Wholegrain bread Good source of B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, iron and fibre. With a low glycemic index it metabolises slowly, generating a continuous stream of energy and keeping sugar levels stable.

The food factorResearch demonstrates a clear link between the foods we eat and how wefeel. Studies show that your diet can alter your metabolism (chemical processwithin your cells which impact how energy is stored and used up) and brainchemistry. These processes subsequently impact your energy level and mood.

Here are some must-have foods for a daily energy boost.

FOOD How it provides energyAlmonds Rich in high-powered fatty acids omega 3 & 6 which promote

mental alertness.Apricots A handful provides a natural sugar boost, immediately. Bananas Packed with potassium to maintain nerve and muscle function.Beans Rich in potassium, fibre and complex carbohydrates which

stabilize blood sugar levels.Brazil nuts High in selenium – a rich mood booster.Broccoli Provides energy due to its fibre, folate, vitamins A, B2 and C and

potassium content. A good source of antioxidants.Brown rice Rich in magnesium, B1, B3, iron and fibre, an energy stabilizer.Cashews High in magnesium which converts sugar into energy; provides

copper for energy production.Lentils High in B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, calcium

and copper; good fibre and calorie source.

everyone else!’ I managed to stay out oftrouble until, perhaps ten years later, I complained to someone about an absenteechurch elder – only to hear his distinctivetones on the phone ten minutes later pro-viding detailed (and valid) reasons for hissixth month’s absence, plus the intelligencethat the ‘someone’ to whom I had spokenhad been a distant cousin of his and thatfamilial loyalty was a strong point in theirparticular tribe. Ooops! It’s tough to be anoutsider!

In the early ’60s Anthony Sampson’sbook The Anatomy of Britain provided compelling evidence of the existence of a ‘British Establishment’ which generallyran things and closed ranks in the face ofopposition. As a young person I wondered if that phenomenon had a counterpart inBritish Adventism. If it had, the phenome-non disappeared in the ensuing twentyyears. While it lasted it was not nearly aspolitically driven or exclusive as we mighthave thought at the time. Otherwise, howwould you account for the appointment ofan outsider as editor?

The truth is, of course, that the family isthe basic building block of the church, as itis of society. It takes exceptional courage tobe the one Adventist in a family (or school,or workplace). It takes still greater couragefor a woman to raise her children in thefaith without the support of an Adventisthusband. Nevertheless, the continued preponderance of women in the majority of congregations suggests that that level of courage is by no means uncommon.

The expression ‘The Great AdventFamily’ was worn to a cliché by visitingspeakers from the GC in the ’50s and ’60s.It rightly fell out of use. Nevertheless, theinfrastructure of Adventist families is, Iwould argue, a factor that helps hold theChurch together. Somewhat to my surprise,my own extended clan became a part of it.A realization of my parents’ vision, theirchildren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are all, in their terms,

‘in the Truth’ thirty-five years after theirdeath.

Nothing to be proud of? Not necessarilyfor me. Though there is some satisfaction in it. To get carried away with it, however,would be rash in the extreme, in face of theforces destructive to faith against whicheach member of each new generation hasto do battle.

God chose Abraham ‘so that he willdirect his children and his household afterhim to keep the way of the Lord’ (Genesis18:19), and, by so doing, he challengedevery father. Deborah was called ‘a motherin Israel’ (Judges 5:7) and may providesome inspiration for mothers who preparetheir offspring for a violent, drug-riddensociety where spiritual forces do battleagainst them (Ephesians 6:12). Nothingexceeds in importance the role of the moth-er. (AH, 238.) The only close competitor,apart from the father, is the individual whointroduces someone to Christ. That waswhy Paul called the Corinthians ‘my dearchildren’ and wrote, ‘Even though you haveten thousand guardians in Christ, you donot have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.’ (1 Corinthians 4:14, 15.) Among Paul’sspiritual children was Timothy (verse 17).Nevertheless, in his final letter to Timothy,Paul was careful to note that the ‘sincerefaith’ of his younger disciple ‘first lived inyour grandmother Lois and in your motherEunice’ (2 Timothy 1:4-6). ‘From infancy,’Paul reminded Timothy, ‘you have knownthe holy Scriptures.’ (2 Timothy 3:15.) Paulwrote his second letter to Timothy becauseTimothy was timid, in the grip of ‘the spiritof fear’. A paraphrase of Paul’s opener toTimothy could be, ‘Remember the faith ofyour grandmother and your mother,Timothy! Theirs was a faith to live up to!’(Who said Paul disdained women?)

A fine parentage is one of the greatestgifts we can have. Paul wants Timothy, andus, to be thankful for that gift, and neverbring dishonour to it.

with David Marshall

Adventist familiesIIt was commonplace a few years ago toread in our news columns that a baptismalcandidate was a ‘fourth-’, ‘fifth-’ or ‘sixth-generation Adventist’. Predictably this led toa reaction.

What is important is Christian conver-sion. That, we reminded ourselves, happenson an individual basis and is the result ofthe work of the Holy Spirit on an individ-ual’s life. ‘Faith’, we were told, ‘is notsomething you can inherit. . . .’

That is one of those truths we hold to be self-evident.

And yet, and yet . . . the story ofAdventism in many countries is the story of families. Families in the sense of quasi-dynasties: that is, a series of generationswithin each of a number of families.

If you listen carefully at funerals, or drop in on Newbold graduations, or have adetailed memory for the names of peoplewho serve on committees at sessions, youbecome acutely aware that we are one ofthe countries with an infrastructure of‘dynasties’.

Ten years ago an expat departmentaldirector, working over here, got on to this –and deplored it! However, as long as weremember that salvation is on an individualbasis and take care to keep our tribal loyal-ties in check, is it necessarily a bad thing?You say!

It is a particularly wonderful thing whenanyone gives his/her life to Christ in bap-tism. It is marvellous when that ‘anyone’comes from a non-Adventist background.Perhaps even more so when they comefrom a totally secular background. But noneof that diminishes the wonder when the sonor daughter of praying Adventist parents is baptised. Nor is it entirely insignificant if that daughter or son has Adventist grandparents.

These things are obvious for folks whosecome-from is an African country. However,the Adventist dynastic influence hasimpacted British Caribbean Adventist com-munities in the sixty years since they havebeen in the UK (as it probably did beforethey came). Then when you come to look at the indigenous Scots, Welsh, Irish andEnglish an analysis of membership is apt to throw up the same surnames over manygenerations, and evidence of marriageamong families.

When I first went to work at StanboroughPark forty-odd years ago I was warned, ‘Becareful what you say! Everyone is related to

2 Messenger

There are 31,000 Seventh-day Adventists in the British Isles.On Sabbath 25 September every member is encouraged to distribute 31 pieces of literature thus reaching millions with the message.Joint project of the Youth department and the Church Growth and Personal Ministriesdepartments, with the Adventist Discovery Centre. DES BOLDEAU, EGLAN BROOKS, DES RAFFERTY

All set for Sabbath 25 September?

4 Messenger Messenger 5

Mistaken identityDear EditorI wish to take this opportunity tocorrect a mistake among myGhanaian friends in the Churchabout the fish called SALMON (ref.the letter from William Adjei, 115.15‘Unclean Food’). The fish salmon isnot a species found in the Ghanaianwaters, but MACKEREL, which isunclean, is common in Ghana.Mackerel is called SAMAIN in theGhanaian languages. Hence themistake. Salmon has fins andscales and is a clean fish.JESSIE ALLOTEY

The Pope and IrelandDear EditorThank you for your editorial of 2April which carries a quotation onsuffering. ‘It [the Bible] concernsitself far more with the mastery thanthe mystery of suffering.’ It veryaptly summarizes the subject.

I also want to thank you for theseries of articles written by PastorPatrick Boyle on the Pope andRoman Catholicism which is timely,important and educational to allAdventists and other Christians whoshould learn a little church historyto understand the Bible and thepresent. ‘In 1381, when KingRichard II dedicated England as“Mary’s Dowry”, he said “Therecovery of this will be England’sreturn to the Catholic faith.” ’

We should also note that ‘PopeAdrian IV, in 1155, “granted anddonated Ireland” to Henry II to beheld by him “in hereditary right” ’.(The Church in Medieval Ireland, byJohn Watt, page 28.) What shouldwe make of this?K. A. P. YESUDIAN, Sutton Coldfield

Early British ChristianityDear EditorPastor Brian Martin’s comments(Messenger, 9 July) about Pelagiusand Augustine were confused.Pelagius denied that Adam’s fall had any effect on his posterity apartfrom setting them a bad example. There was an apparent failure torecognize that Adam was not mere-ly a physical ancestor of the humanrace; he was also its covenanthead. This truth is expressed insuch passages as Romans 5:12-19and 1 Corinthians 15:21, 22;through the sin of one man deathpassed on to all, in Adam all die.BARRY GOWLAND, Milton Keynes

Early British ChristianityDear EditorBarry Gowland is right to sayPelagius denied that Adam’s fallbrought humanity under the domin-ion of sin. The problem was one oflack of clarity, rather than ignorance.There were, of course, sound andunsound features in the theology of

both Augustine and Pelagius.Perhaps the following clarificationmight be in order:

‘In my attempt to briefly sketchthe religious and social climate ofthe early fifth century I omitted theimportant point that Pelagius deniedthat Adam’s fall brought humanityunder the dominion of sin, butemphasized personal responsibilityand freedom of choice. In the con-text of the decadence of the age italso seemed appropriate to citesome of the positive moral featuresof Pelagius whose career hasreceived considerable re-appraisalin Britain over the past half century.’PASTOR BRIAN MARTIN, Bristol

Llandrindon WellsDear EditorI am writing about the item in the 11 June Messenger concerning a‘new group in an old Welsh town’.Our Welsh Mission president writes,‘It really is progress that we nowhave a group right in the heart ofWales.’

We have had such a group formore than eighteen years, and itsmembers – past and present – haveput much devoted effort intospreading the Advent Message inmid-Wales. You are welcome toworship with us any Sabbath.Sabbath School: 2.30pm. DivineService: 3pm. Seventh-dayAdventist Church, Christchurch,High Street, Llandrindod Wells,Powys. IFOR GIMSON, elder

Government backing for atheistschools?Dear EditorI am deeply concerned about anitem in today’s Daily Mail (29 July)titled ‘Coalition Backs AtheistSchools’.

The Item began, ‘Schools couldbe run by atheists under govern-ment plans to broaden parentalchoice over education. MichaelGove [Education Secretary] yesterday backed proposals by the prominent atheist ProfessorRichard Dawkins to set up his own“free school” funded with taxpayers’cash.’

Mr Gove stated prior to the election that atheists should havethe chance to set up ‘free-thinking’state schools. On the Andrew Marrshow (14 February) he spoke deri-sively of the teaching of any but theDarwinian explanation of origins.

What on earth will Mr Gove bedoing/saying next? Name supplied. Watford

Editor: When I first saw the itemfrom the Daily Mail I feared that itseditors had been the victims of a‘wind-up’. However, upon conduct-ing a little research, I found that theyhad accurately reported the inten-tions of the Secretary of Education.

to God’s kingdom when, beginninghis ministry, he declared, ‘Repentand believe the good news’. Peter,at Pentecost, likewise told thoseconvicted of sin to ‘repent and bebaptized’.4

It used to be a characteristic ofSeventh-day Adventists that whenthey went to church they carriedfour books with them: Bible,hymnbook, lesson book and pocket book. Some had a fifthbook, a notebook.

Today few members come tochurch with any book. Vacantfaces in Sabbath School are

circumstantial evidence that manymembers do not know the value ofGod’s book. Scratching in hand-bags, rooting in pockets – theseindicate a discontinuity betweenpocket book and offering plate.Hymn books – now that is anotherissue. With words projected on toscreens, who needs them? Isthere a relation here between thephasing out of hymnbooks and thedecline of part singing?

It is impossible to grow ingrace and knowledge of the willand purpose of God without aserious involvement in the dailyreading and study of Scripture.The presence, power, love andgrace of Jesus is mediated to usin large measure through the

revelation of him which we find in God’s word. If we neglect toacquaint ourselves with him in hisword we deprive ourselves of arich and joyful Christian experi-ence. As Jeremiah5 expressed it,‘When your words came, I atethem; they were my joy and myheart’s delight.’ To paraphraseOscar Wilde, ‘The Christian knowsthe value of God’s Word. But ishe/she aware of the high cost ofneglecting it?’

References:1Newsletter@crosswalk.com. 2TheTimes, 3/9/2004. 3Telegraph, 17/5/2010.4Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38, NIV. 5Jeremiah15:16, NIV.

with Patrick Boyle*

The value of Scripture

imminent end of the world and the return of Jesus ashe predicted in the Gospels.3 Violence is not isolatedto the horrific acts of men like Derrick Bird. We see it in all levels of life: war in Iraq, Somalia andAfghanistan, domestic violence, robberies with vio-lence, drunken brawls after Saturday night drinking.The abuse and rape of women, the exploitation ofchildren and verbal violence, all are a part of dailylife, rarely absent from the newspapers and newsbroadcasts.

What is perplexing is how an apparently ordinary,sensible person can go berserk. There is a cause,even if it cannot be defined. There is also an anti-dote. It is found in the sanctifying power of a fellow-ship with Jesus of Nazareth when in repentance andsorrow we turn our lives over to him and allow him totransform them.

The apostle Paul was a man of extreme violence4

until Jesus entered his life. He could then write: ‘Thepeace of God, which transcends all understanding,will guard your hearts and your minds in ChristJesus.’5 Anger, brutality and rage are common to oursinful nature.6 The devil watches to push us into actsof violence. In our sinfulness we are prone to vio-lence. When man separates himself from God themanifestation of violence is inevitable. Our security isfound in God’s Word because it not only informs ourminds and teaches us of the grace of Christ, it alsoacts as a prophylactic. In an increasingly violentworld we need large and daily doses to protect usfrom ourselves. How right the psalmist was to write‘Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might notsin against Thee.’7 ‘The curse causeless does notcome.’

References: 1Proverbs 26:2, KJV. 2Genesis 6:11, 13, NIV. 3See Matthew 24;Luke 17:26-37. 4Acts 9:1-2, 21. 5Philippians 4:7, NIV 6Galatians5:19-21. 7Psalm 119:11, KJV.

* Pastor Boyle was raised in Dublin, educated at Newbold and AndrewsUniversity and worked as a Seventh-day Adventist pastor. He has retired atStanborough Park, but continues to be active in soul-winning.

Random violence?

A‘A cynic’, said Oscar Wilde ‘knowsthe price of everything and thevalue of nothing.’ On Tuesday 4May a painting by Picasso sold atauction for $106.5 million. Thiswas a world record auction pricefor a work of art. Picasso paintedit in one day. There were six bid-ders and the auction was over ineight minutes and six seconds. Itis amazing that God’s word, whichis priceless, is largely ignored,misunderstood or abused whileincredible prices are paid foritems of art, which are, relativelyspeaking, useless.

It appears Wilde’s commentmay have application to some oftoday’s Christians. Dr HenryBlackby commented that in fortyyears of ministry this present generation is the most biblicallyilliterate he has ever known.1 Inother words, they place no valueon Scripture.

A survey by NPO2 of 1,000people in 2004 highlighted anastonishing ignorance of the TenCommandments. Ten percent didn’t know that they exist. Fortypercent of those aged 15-24 couldnot cite a single commandment.The best known commandmentswere ‘Thou shalt not steal’ and‘Thou shalt not commit adultery.’Fewer than one in ten knew thattelling lies is forbidden. The leastknown commandment was‘Remember the Sabbath day tokeep it holy.’

If a similar survey was takenagain, I suspect that the resultswould be even more depressing.In part it’s down to poor educa-tion. Many of those who leftschool last month3 lacked basicskills and knowledge. Employersspend around £69 billion a year totrain staff in an effort to correctpoor schooling.

Success and achievement in life do not come by chance. The same is true of salvation; it doesn’t just happen, it begins withrepentance. The desire to repent,to go in a new direction, may arisefrom a variety of situations, but itis the Word of God which takes itforward to the life of faith. Jesuspointed to repentance as the way

T‘The curse causeless shall not come.’1 An apparentlynormal man shoots dead twelve innocent people andwounds twenty-five others. Police, psychologists,innocent victims and others all ask the same question – ‘Why did he do it?’ One observer notedthat, when Derrick Bird took his own life, the answerdied with him. We may well enquire, Is there ananswer? This kind of unbelievable horror has happened two other times in the UK in the past twenty-five years: once in Hungerford when MichaelRyan killed fourteen people including his mother. Theother in Dunblane when Thomas Watt Hamilton shotand killed sixteen children and a teacher. Like DerrickBird, both these men took their own lives.

Specific answers as to why these men acted as they did may never be found. Causes explainingtheir actions may not be identified. Whatever their personal lives, nothing justifies or explains the wanton, mindless killing of innocent people. Howeverreality confronts us, random violence, both nationallyand abroad, is a reality of life. Violence is not going away and there is little likelihood of it beingcontrolled.

When volume XII of the New Cambridge ModernHistory was published it was initially titled The Era ofViolence. The second edition of it was retitled, TheShifting Balance of World Forces. Was the originaltitle was more accurate? Especially since the intro-duction highlighted that the violence of the twentiethcentury was the most cruel in world history.

Violence is endemic in our world, just as it was inthe world before the Flood, and violence led to thatworld’s destruction. How poignant are the words inGenesis: ‘The earth was corrupt in God’s sight andwas full of violence . . . so God said to Noah, “I amgoing to put an end to all people, for the earth is filledwith violence because of them.” ’2 This leads manyBible students to see violence as evidence of the

BUC says ‘Thank you’ toGene Kol, CHIP co-ordinator

by Sharon Platt-McDonald, BUC Health Ministries directorand Disability Awareness co-ordinator

Fulfilling a two-year contract to work as the National CHIP co-ordinator for the British Isles, Gene Kol’s role in this capacity concluded on 18 July. Gene has developed the CHIP vision and

progressed its work extensively over the past two years with furthertraining, structure and organisation. Visiting ninety-two churches acrossthe UK and Ireland, her influence has enhanced the profile of CHIP andengaged many churches and communities in this health evangelisticprogramme. With two baptisms as a direct result of this programme andmany individuals showing an interest in other aspects of our church life,CHIP is indeed proving to be an effective outreach programme.

The BUC Health Ministries department wishes to thank Gene for her significant contribution to health ministry within this area and thecommitment she has demonstrated in this role.

As part of her ‘leaving do’ Gene was treated to a ‘CHIP lunch’ at alocal restaurant. Following that, we had a special presentation at theBUC where Gene was presented with a card signed by all the BUC staffand another card from the BUC Executive board members.

The BUC Health Ministries department presented Gene with a cardand a gift in addition to a large floral bouquet. To complement the occasion, we enjoyed a variety of culinary delights which, though not all CHIP approved, gave plenty of ‘healthy choices’.

BUC Health Ministries director Sharon Platt-McDonald gave a briefaddress thanking Gene for her contribution to the expansion of CHIP inthe British Isles. She had also arranged for a special message to bedelivered to Gene from the US Adventist CHIP Association and Dr HansDiehl (founder of CHIP). Mirroring the praise Gene has received for herwork, the message recognized the extent of her impact. The following isan excerpt from that message:

‘The Adventist CHIP Association in North America and LMI send ourwarmest gratitude to you for so ably nurturing CHIP in the UK these pastfew years. . . By God’s grace you have made a world of difference inAdventist churches around the UK who continue to bring health andhealing to scores of individuals. Only Heaven keeps an accurateaccount, but we are confident that one day you will hear the words,“Well done, thou good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of thyLord.” We want to be there along with you to hear the rest of [the] manyCHIP stories that would never have been told if you had not said, “Yes!Here am I. Send me!” Thank you, Gene. You have more than fulfilled ourhopes and dreams. We respect, admire and love you.’

We too echo these sentiments and wish Gene the very best for herfuture as she continues to contribute to the healing and restoration oflives in her professional role as a psychotherapist.

Thank you to all who have supported Gene in her role and to thosewho have participated in the MicroCHIP and CHIP programmes.

NB: The next phase of CHIP now commences with the newly formu-lated Adventist CHIP Association-UK & Ireland (ACA-UK & Ireland). Boththe website: www.chipuk.org.uk and an email address: info@chipuk.org.uk are now operational for further contact. Rose Gomez, the ACA-UK& Ireland chairperson, will be dealing with strategic issues relating toCHIP. However, Valerie Pearce will continue to take CHIP enquires andorders at the BUC until December 2010.

CONGRATULATIONS to Joanna Swain (née Parmanandham) on receiving a FirstClass BA Honours degree in Primary Education (Science) from Kingston University.Praise and thanks to our Creator God for his leading thus far.

After much planning and many invitations, the Homecoming Day, 17 July, wasdeemed a success. Under the leadership of Rose Kerr (Sabbath School superintend-

ent) and her team, the church was filled to capacity. Pastor Paul Liburd, a former minister of the church, brought a thought-provoking

message entitled, ‘When God Left Home.’ When the father saw the prodigal son returning home, the father left home to meet him. We were encouraged by the stirring way in which we were told God still leaves home to meet us.

Throughout the day there was participation from all age ranges within the church.Two special items could not be overlooked: Sister Bailey’s poetry recital drew ourthoughts to when we get to Heaven. Also a male group, who at least twenty years agowere known as ‘New Dimension’, brought us an animated version of the song ‘Gotta do right’. The congregation called for an encore and some donated generously to ourbuilding fund to hear the song again.

As part of the day’s programme there was a slide-show presentation of photos thattook us down memory lane. Pictures reminded the church of previous pastors, events,and high points in the church’s journey.

The overall theme for the day was ‘Nothing to fear for the future’, and the day climaxed with a short message from Dr Patrick Herbert, who asked the ultimate question, ‘What have we laid up for the future?’

Many attended our homecoming day who are no longer in membership or regularattendance. Our hope is that the Spirit of God will fall anew upon them and lead themto a new start in Jesus Christ. PATRICK HERBERT

6 Messenger Messenger 7

The Basildon church fellowship,with its blend of international

voices, is well known in the districtfor its inspiring congregationalsinging. For the past four years ithas been the wish of the membersto form a church choir with the solepurpose of being an importantinstrument for evangelism.

Owen Skerrit, whose main contribution to the church is hismusic, started choir practice at thebeginning of this year in his capacityas choir director. He is greatly to be

admired for his patient and dedicated approach to the difficulttask of putting members throughtheir paces, as the attendance number gradually began to grow.

Sabbath 12 June was a much-anticipated occasion, as theBasildon Community Choir marchedto the front in an orderly fashion for their inaugural performance in the Divine Service. They lookedprofessional and performed in a likemanner while the audience listenedreverently.

In the afternoon our friendlyneighbouring church, the Holy TrinityMethodist Church, was celebratingtheir Golden Jubilee. Having heardthe good singing of the Basildon fellowship on Sabbath mornings, the Basildon Community Choir was

given centre stage in their Sabbathafternoon celebratory programme. As a mark of appreciation, they weregiven a heartfelt standing ovation bythe congregation.MARC SABADIN

Afew weeks ago, the faces of theHampstead church members

were entirely wreathed in smiles asthey handed over a cheque for morethan £40,000. Bert Smit, ADRA-UKdirector, was their guest for Sabbathafternoon, 27 May, and he was alsofull of smiles as he took receipt ofthe handsome donation, with thelocal press in attendance.

Hampstead members were ingood spirits because, against allodds, they’d reached their ADRAgoal for this year. And how! Over

£40,000 – only recently, they weretypically landing below £10,000.However, this North-West Londoncongregation has now rung thechanges where the ADRA appeal isconcerned. And evidence of this isnot far to seek: in 2008 they collect-ed £20,000; in 2009 this went up to£30,000; and now in 2010 they’vebroken all records with a massive£40,000 total.

As heartening as it is to reach targets and break records,Hampstead church members

recognize that the ultimate objectiveof the ADRA appeal is to improve thelives of people who are in need. Thiswas one of the points made by BertSmit as he congratulated the churchon its accomplishment. Quite apartfrom the satisfaction of havingexceeded all previous records, then,what gives Hampstead the greatestsatisfaction is being able, through itsinvolvement with ADRA, to play apart in assisting those less fortunatethan themselves.

2010 is actually a special yearfor the Hampstead congregation. Itmarks the 40th anniversary of theirestablishment as a church. The con-gregation is marking this fact bypursuing a number of objectivescentred around the number 40. Forexample, in keeping with their con-ference’s drive on reclamation min-istry, for 2010 Hampstead church isseeking to reclaim at least forty ofits inactive members. A number ofother 40-based goals are also beingpursued. Hence the church’s slogan,‘Forty for our Lord in our 40th year’.

It was against this backgroundthat the church’s hardworking anddedicated local agent and her teamproposed that the congregation aim

to collect £40,000 for ADRA.Understandably enough, perhaps,church members at first appearedless than excited about this ‘faithgoal’. In other words, they harbouredserious doubts regarding the sanityof those sponsoring such an unrealistic target! Yet it proved to be a target which was actually wellexceeded. No wonder that, as theADRA director passed on his com-mendations, church members gavesuch full-throated treatment to thesong, ‘To God be the glory’.

Although preceding months of2010 have been marked by ananniversary emphasis, the signaturepiece for Hampstead’s banner yearwill be featured over the weekend 3-5 September. Under the theme‘Becoming who we are’, specialanniversary services are being heldat the church: 1) 7pm Fridayevening; 2) 9.45am Sabbath morn-ing, 4pm Sabbath afternoon, and7.30pm concert Sabbath evening; 3)11am-6pm Sunday. Dr ErrolLawrence (formerly of SEC, now withOntario Conference, Canada) andothers, as well as the LondonAdventist Chorale, will be present.Our evangelistic campaign, BetterLiving Seminars 2010, will com-mence immediately after 7.30pm onWednesday 8 September and willcontinue through the month. Thequestion everybody’s asking is, Willit be forty souls won in Hampstead’sfortieth year? Watch this space.

Hampstead church collects record-breaking £40,000in ADRA appeal to mark 40th anniversaryby Humphrey Walters

Homecoming day at West Bromwich by Dr P. A. Herbert

Singing in Basildon

Adventist youth sing at the OraclezWorld Music Festival On Monday 31

May, Asher andLois Moodie fromBrixton church sangat the Oraclez WorldMusic Festival eventin the WembleyArena before someten thousand people.Not only did theaudience enjoy theirtalent but so did Ce Ce and Be BeWinans from theUSA, who were headlined to appearon the show. Asherand Lois were downto sing during theband change-over,just before Ce Ce and Be Be. It so happened that after performing Ce Ceand Be Be asked them to come on during their performance and do anumber with them. After the show they were contacted by Premier Radio,BET and the Revelation Channel and had a telephone interview withPremier on their Tuesday morning breakfast show. They were asked tocome in again for a second interview to be aired on Friday 4 June duringthe breakfast show.

Paul Lee, Music director for the SEC, said of Asher and Louis – ‘Theywere a great representation of the future of Adventist music; in the gospelarena they equipped themselves well and were not fazed by the largestage and displayed a maturity far beyond their years, they sang with confidence and conviction.’

It was around this time last year that Lois sang at the Jamaica HighCommission for the Governor-General of Jamaica, Sir Patrick Allen.Evadney Campbell of the BBC slipped a card into the hand of SisterMoodie and asked if Lois would be interested in singing at the World Music Festival in 2010 with her brother Asher.

Both young people had a good time at the event and thanked God that they were able to contribute.

Oraclez World Music Festival is the biggest indoor gospel event in the UK. DR RICHARD DE LISSER, Communication director, SEC

Don does it again!Don Parker, who is the leading ADRA collector at Erdington, has done it

again this year. Despite having a double heart bypass operation inSeptember 2009, Brother Parker was able to go from door to door collect-ing for ADRA’s good causes. His total for this year was £2,215.93, 51% ofthe church’s combined total of £4,328.70.

His message to the church remains the same – ‘Make many goodfriends; be faithful to them and they will be faithful to you in donating tothe Lord.’

Rachel Batchelor, who also collected a substantial amount of moneyfor ADRA through a sponsored swim, encourages young people who arenot keen on collecting door-to-door to explore other fundraising avenues toraise money for ADRA. Sister Batchelor is a keen swimmer.

The local ADRA co-ordinator, Iris Thompson, wishes every collector ablessed harvest next year.JOHN OSEI-BEMPONG

Months of rehearsal had all been about this night. The cast waitedbackstage, both nervous and excited at the same time. The doorsopened and the crowds streamed in. This was Balham Community

church’s first drama production targeting the community since the opening of the new church and the whole church had caught the vision.

The musical started in Nineveh where Jonah preached and the people didnot listen, and when the Lord requested him to go back and preach herefused, ran away and had to pay the price.

The lead role of Jonah was played by Jonathon Clarke, whose performancewas outstanding. The cast was made up of Balham youth aged 3-15; theywere supported by the children’s choir and Balham’s gospel choir. All per-formed to an extremely high standard and thoroughly enjoyed taking part.

The community came in their hundreds. The show was sold out and thedeacons had to rush around to find extra chairs. The best news of all is thatmany non-church goers who attended the play commented that the produc-tion (all led by Balham members) was a huge success and that they wouldlove to come back to Balham to see more productions like this – some alsoexpressed an interest in coming along to our church services.

8 Messenger

Special Guests� Pastor Jan Paulsen, president of the General Conference, 1999-2010� Various musical groups: Charmaine Morgan, London Ghana Choir, and others

The Stanborough Press Ltd, Alma Park, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 9SL

Coach to Open DayCoaches coming from the West Midlands

(Wolverhampton, Camp Hill, West Bromwich, Dudley, Handsworth and Windsor Street) Phone 01384 213803, 07789 206171, 07736 509625, 07868 288310.

Jonah hits Balham with a splashby Tunji Oshodi-Glover

The air was buzzing with excitedchatter and laughter as Willesden

church conducted its first PuppetMinistry workshop.

It featured the puppetry skills of Anette Moore, joint Children’sMinistry and Family Ministries sponsor for the Welsh Mission, withthe support of her husband PastorClyde Moore.

We were nervous and excited at the same time to see what sixmonths of planning would achieve,especially since it was Anette’s first engagement after falling from a ladder and injuring herself.

About sixty excited people,including adults and children frompathfinder groups, children’s min-istries, and vacation Bible schoolgroups, travelled from as far as Bristol, Birmingham andPeterborough to attend the work-shop, which Anette Moore says was the biggest workshop she hasconducted so far.

Willesden’s Pastor Kirk Thomasopened the workshop with prayers,

Hands up for puppets!by Yvonne Cummins

before a wide-eyed audiencewatched with amazement as Anettedemonstrated how a puppet couldbe used.

As the workshop progressed,Anette taught the participants a widerange of puppetry skills; after whicheveryone had the chance to practisebefore performing in groups in frontof an audience.

Some children were even adven-turous enough to perform using theirown scripts.

What surprised all of us was theamount of energy it takes to hold apuppet in position. Many of us com-plained about our arms aching afterless than a minute, but Anette gavetips to help us combat this type offatigue. Wow! It really is a skill thatdemands a lot of practice.

Everyone who attended the workshop was interested in findingout how puppets are made and itwas wonderful to see how quicklyAnette was able to make a puppetbefore our very eyes; she then gave one person the chance to win it.

One positive comment: ‘This isanother way of telling people thegood news.’

Introducing the 8 Volume BibleCommentary

2011Calendar

only£1.70

BIBLESBIBLESBIBLES A large range of Bibles

for all ages and tastes

Under the leadership of SharonPlatt-McDonald (BUC directorfor Health Ministries and

Disability Awareness) and Gene Kolin her role as BUC CHIP co-ordina-tor, the CHIP Steering Group wasestablished early in 2010 to plan forthe future development of CHIP inthe UK and Ireland. The conferencesand missions are represented on theCHIP Steering Group by their desig-nated officers, SEC Health DirectorElsie Staple, NEC Health DirectorGrace Walsh, Welsh Mission HealthSponsor Lil Saunders, and ScottishMission Health Sponsor Pastor DavidHatch. Members of the SteeringGroup include CHIP directors fromacross the BUC territory, pastors andAdventist health professionals, all ofwhom are experienced in facilitatingthe CHIP programme, which hasbecome a regular feature in ourchurch publications.

After seeking advice and guid-ance from the BUC administrationon how best to ensure the futuregrowth and development of CHIP inthe UK, and with much prayer fordivine guidance, the Steering Groupmet to select officers of theAdventist CHIP Association for theUnited Kingdom and Ireland in May2010. The following members werevoted to serve as the ACA Executive:Chairperson – Rose Gomez, NationalTrainer – Pastor David Hatch, Trainer(North) – Dr Jane Nyakundi, Trainer(South) – Millie Williams, Treasurer

– Janice Hatch, Secretary –Beverley Ngandwe, PastoralRole – Pastor MalcolmWatson. ACA Contacts: email: info@chipuk.org.uk.Website: www.chipuk.org.uk.Tel: 07931 338449.

In June 2010 the BUCexecutive received a reportfrom Sharon Platt-McDonaldon the development of CHIPin the UK 2007-2010 and the formation of the ACA as a supporting ministry tocarry CHIP forward.

From July 2010 the ACAwill administer the CHIP pro-gramme throughout the UKand Ireland, with the con-tinued secretarial andadministrative support ofValerie Pearce at the BUC office untilDecember 2010. (To order CHIPmaterials contactValeriePearce@adventist.org.ukTel: 01923 672251). The work of theACA volunteers will greatly reducethe financial burden on the union,freeing resources to progress thisarm of health evangelism. In recognition of this the BUC has generously donated resources toassist the launch of the ACA. Theassociation will work closely with the health directors, sponsors andlocal churches to promote CHIP and also to provide training andadministrative support to existingand new CHIP chapters.

CHIP has seen a rapid expansionin the British Isles since its launch

in March 2007, with around eighthundred individuals having partici-pated in a MicroCHIP programmeand a further three hundred and fiftyhaving graduated from a CHIP pro-gramme. Representatives from overone hundred and forty churches par-ticipate in CHIP and it has proved tobe an excellent holistic outreach pro-gramme. With numerous reports ofchronic lifestyle diseases beingreversed, and individuals reducing oreliminating prescription medicationon doctors’ advice due to positivehealth improvements, CHIP hasindeed transformed lives.

Additionally, its efficacy and rele-vance as a health evangelistic tool iscelebrated in two baptisms of mem-bers of the local community who

graduated from the programme.Several others are still in contactwith our church, many visiting on aregular basis, attending monthlyCHIP alumni meetings, additionalhealth programmes and other semi-nars. Equally encouraging have beenthe requests for Bible studies, prayerand health correspondence courses.We commit these individuals toprayer as they seek to maintainlong-term friendships with ourchurch members and come to findthe God who brings not only healingbut redemption.

We pray that you will join us ininterceding for the success of thisministry as we bring the message ofhealth, hope and healing to individ-ual lives, to the glory of God’s name.

Messenger 13

The Stanborough Press, Alma Park, Grantham,

Lincs, NG31 9SL

For a great day of fun and fellowship

The Stanborough

Press�

FOR MASS DISTRIBUTIONA box of 100 copies ofThoughts from the Mount of Blessingfor £50(or individually for 60p)

MissionaryBook 2010Buy on Open Day to avoid p&p

The Adventist CHIP Association UK & Ireland by Sharon Platt-McDonald and Rose Gomez

Left to right: Sharon Platt-McDonald, Gene Kol, Valerie Pearce. A presentation was made to Gene Kol as atoken of thanks for her two years as BUC CHIP co-ordinator

On 19 June John Rasell and JulieBlackburn were baptized in theBodmin church, Cornwall, byPastor Bob Bell. John is son toMarc and Mia Rasell. Julie is thedaughter of Graham and AbigailBlackburn. The group photographshows the candidates with PastorBob and Mrs Heather Bell. Theother photograph shows Johnbeing immersed by Pastor Bell.We welcome these two fine youngpeople into our fellowship atBodmin and pray that God willwatch over them in their Christianwalk.COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT

Bodmin baptism

only walked over 150 miles during the CHIP month, but hadadded 187 more miles from theend of the programme to the timeof the graduation. Interestingly,she had managed to invest in apair of trainers only the daybefore the graduation! Gene Kolattested to her own experience ofso much travelling throughout herjob as the BUC CHIP co-ordinator,yet with very little fatigue, due tothe CHIP-friendly lifestyle whichshe herself followed.

Vera Gordon had been physi-cally active through useful workin her garden at home, and MrMotivator commended AndreaGumbs for what he termed ‘stickability and determinability’to complete the training despiteher very busy role as a nursingmother.

Of note was the fact thatManorama Kate had dispensedwith her elbow crutches by theday of her graduation, a monthafter starting her new lifestyle.

Nono Mwimbi was named thestar marathon walker of thisgroup of chippers consideringthat she had walked a staggering380 miles during the four-weekprogramme.

Myrtle Vernon, a wheelchair-bound chipper, thanked God forhelping her to go through theCHIP programme successfully.

Jonathan Njoku, a multi-talented young man, had used histechnical and culinary skills whilesuccessfully completing the CHIPprogramme, as a way of ensuring

that he would stay healthy for aslong as possible.

Rohan Steele, one of the manynon-Adventist chippers, could notattend the graduation in person,but he had left a moving testimo-ny of how CHIP had impacted hislife in a very positive way.

Indeed, from the teenager tothe octogenarian using a walkingstick for mobility, all chippersgave a clear testimony concern-ing the efficacy of the CHIPlifestyle in changing their lives forthe better, and in ensuring muchbetter health.

The graduation ended withGene Kol calling all staff to agroup photograph on the stage,before all participants went outside for further photographs.

Nutrition co-ordinatorDimplets Taylor thanked all members of her team, especiallyJonathan Njoku, whose legendarysmoothies were veritable crowd-pullers at a recent NHS-sponsored tasting day. Shereported how the CHIP standenjoyed extreme popularity, withthe longest queues of peoplewaiting to sample food which wasclearly much healthier than theother wares on offer.

Dr Isaac Keengwe, one of theManchester South church eldersand a physician who had been akey player in the CHIP pro-gramme, told the graduands toguard their health because toomany people did not appreciatethe value of good health until theylost it for good. He told of a young

person who would have givenanything to live a day longer, butwho could not get any more helpfrom his doctors due to a termi-nal illness. Dr Keengwe thankedall staff, especially his wife (DrJane Nyakundi), the nutritionteam and the many hands thathad been extremely helpful inrunning the programme. He alsothanked Gene Kol, the previousBUC CHIP co-ordinator, RoseGomez, her successor and, ofcourse, the chippers’ families. Heencouraged the chippers to con-tinue using the pedometers as away of gauging their progress,besides attending the alumnimeetings and programmes so asto ensure the maintenance of aCHIP-friendly lifestyle. He closedwith the profound statement thatan even better legacy than wealthis that of good health: one whichany parent should pass on.

The graduating chippers’ voteof thanks was made by PaulineDelglyn, who, during this CHIPprogramme, had learnt that thebody is the temple of God.

‘To my fellow chippers,’ shecontinued in her heart-warmingmanner, ‘You are what you eat!And to all future chippers, thetruth shall set you free. While toall of us, it is good to realise thatnothing beats the beautiful expe-rience that although your veggiesmay go in hard, they come outsoft!’

This cheerful and pleasantgraduation ceremony was followed by a sumptuously

neutraceutical meal, held at theSickle Cell and ThalassaemiaCentre, before participants dispersed.

The chippers now keenly lookforward to their exciting journeyof discovery and adventure in a lifestyle of good health andrenewed joie de vivre, as theyparticipate in future alumni meetings and programmes.

List of graduands: AbsalomMyrtle, Alma Bhebe, Joan Brade,Dorret Brown, Brigette Bryan,Verna Davis, Pauline Delglyn,Carol Douglas, Dorothy Evans,Loreene Fagan, Loswell Freeman,Marie-Anne Freeman, CarmenGayle, Vera Gordon, PeggyGreenidge, Andrea Gumbs,Lastone Kamwendo, ManoramaKate, Jack Lavelle, Karen Lavelle,Grace Mahmasani-Fagan, NdolaMaloney-Morris, Clarissa Morris,Brenda Muneri, Nono Mwimbi,Jonathan Njoku, Thelma Njoku,Errol Norman, Marcia Oliver,Clinton Robinson, Diamond Sathe,Rohan Steele, Yvonne Thomas,Loreen Thomas, Myrtle Vernon.

List of volunteer staff: PastorFrederick Mapp, Dr JaneNyakundi, Dr Isaac NyakundiKeengwe, Dr Xowi Mwimbi, DrSujay Chavan, Dr Sunil Kandulna,Dimplets Taylor, Monnette Burrell-Morris, Martha Simango, LorraineQuestel, Ben Hutton, SilethokuhleNyoni, Lynnette Evans, CarmenLiburd, Lloyd Muyoka, VictorVelasi, Paul Elleston, JenniferMercer, Brian Onsembe, MabelMurmu.

Messenger 15

What had started as adaunting trip into theunknown for most of the

participants proved to be a life-changing experience for all.

The Manchester South churchrecently ran a successful andremarkably well co-ordinatedCoronary Health ImprovementProject (CHIP) introductory coursefor thirty-four participants, four-teen of whom were non-Adventists. This was held overfour weeks during the months ofApril and May at the Sickle Celland Thalassaemia Centre in theheart of Manchester, a stone’sthrow away from the world-famous ‘Curry Mile’, the bustlinguniversities, John Rylands Libraryand the art gallery situated on Wilmslow and Oxford Roads inRusholme.

Speaking at the colourfulgraduation ceremony, one of the‘chippers’, Clinton Robinson, toldof how an innocuous enquiry hadculminated in the best blessinghe had ever received in his life.Against a kaleidoscopic back-ground of a photographic slideshow depicting the month-longjourney of the chippers, MrRobinson told the audience of theremarkable improvements he hadexperienced in his health: he hadlost ten pounds within a month,without even trying to, just by fol-lowing a healthy lifestyle. He hadpreviously considered himself tobe in extremely good health untilhe joined the CHIP programme,and experienced significant, life-changing reductions in his bloodlipids, including a fall of 22.2% in cholesterol levels, and a whopping 44% drop in his triglycerides.

‘My decision is to follow thisnew lifestyle because it is clearthat it offers the best option for arealistic investment in goodhealth,’ he concluded, much tothe appreciation of Andrea, hiswife, and Milan, their son,

who added the spice of a trulyhuman touch to the graduationceremony with his childlike spontaneity.

Loswell Freeman, one of theoldest participants, describedCHIP as being a one-hundred-and-ten percent good pro-gramme, before he made animpassioned plea for all guests toavail themselves of any opportu-nity to join CHIP in the nearfuture because it had exceededhis expectations. He cataloguedhow he had been unable to walkeven short distances before hestarted the CHIP lifestyle, butcould now walk for one hour withease, and was able to go upflights of stairs with little prob-lem. By following a healthylifestyle, he had lost a stone inweight, and a recent assessmentby his doctors had shown that hisblood sugar levels were so lowthat he was scheduled to stopusing insulin totally by the end ofthe next week, a huge improve-ment on his condition before hebecame a chipper. ‘My doctor isvery keen to get in touch with thedoctors in this CHIP programmebecause he has never seen sucha remarkable improvement insomeone before,’ he said.

It was refreshing to hear MrFreeman recommend the CHIPlifestyle to all present at thegraduation, because he and hiswife had found it fantastic to beable to eat as much food as theywanted, without worrying aboutfats.

The youngest chipper wasJack Lavelle, a teenager, whogave a moving testimony of hisexperiences. He was flanked byhis youthful-looking mother,Karen, as he thanked all the staff– especially Dr Isaac Keengwe,who introduced them to CHIP. Hereiterated his commitment tohealthy eating as a permanentlifestyle from now on.

‘Nothing would have prepared

me for the surprising experienceof enjoying such wonderful healthbenefits. From the challenge ofthe first week, to the immediateeffect the jump-start programmehad on me . . .’ was VernaDavis’s testimony at her gradua-tion. She was the manageress ofthe Sickle Cell and ThalassaemiaCentre, and had found being achipper rewarding because shenow enjoyed so much higherenergy levels than before thateven her colleagues had noticedit. She was happy to report thatduring a recent stay at a Hiltonhotel, the hotel had obliged whenshe requested that they prepareCHIP-friendly food for her. MrsDavis promised to seek funding tosupport future CHIP programmesin and around Manchester,through the local Primary CareTrust.

‘Within a few days, I felt energised, and full of life…andthe food was fantastic! I willencourage all my patients to availthemselves of any opportunity tostart the CHIP lifestyle for morepermanent good health benefits,’she concluded, after thanking herhusband for his support. Like theother chippers, she had alsonoticed a significant reduction in her weight, cholesterol andtriglycerides.

Gene Kol, the previous BUCCHIP Association co-ordinator,praised God for his work in herlife and in the lives of the manychippers who had benefited fromthe CHIP lifestyle training she hadoverseen during the past threeyears. She appreciated the sup-port given by the ManchesterRoyal Infirmary medical laborato-ries, who had been pleasantlysurprised at the huge changes inthe various test results during themonth-long programme. Shethanked the Manchester Southchurch leadership for organisingsuch an effective CHIP trainingprogramme, with special thanks

to Dr Jane Nyakundi, the CHIPdirector at the Manchester Southchurch, and her support teams,including the nutrition team andthose helpers she termed ‘recy-clable staff’. She informed thosepresent that this would be herlast official appointment beforepassing the mantle on to RoseGomez, who will have a supportteam of seven to oversee theCHIP programme in the UK. Shetold the participants that theywere the most intelligent peoplein Manchester because they hadrealised the true value of ahealthy lifestyle, and had startedon this new journey with thou-sands of like-minded peopleworldwide.

Rose Gomez, the incomingBUC CHIP Association co-ordinator, was thrilled by thewonderful testimonies of all chippers, especially that of JackLavelle. She praised God for thesuccess of the chippers in theirnew journey, and stressed theneed for participating in thealumni meetings, since thesewould provide salient ongoingsupport in their new lifestyle, justas an unborn baby depends onthe umbilical cord which links itto its mother.

‘No one can deny your testi-mony. Therefore spread the word,both by word of mouth andthrough your lifestyle and dietaryhabits. Do so in such a way thatyou win their hearts and minds,and help them wish for the samebenefits as you have startedenjoying,’ she concluded.

The atmosphere surroundingthe actual graduation ceremonywas electric, from the heart-warming smiles and obvious joyof the chippers to the laughterand mimicry of children in atten-dance; the audience clapped aseach graduand was called to thepodium in alphabetical order byGene Kol, while Rose Gomezaffixed the CHIP badges onto thechippers’ lapels.

Paul Elleston, ‘Mr Motivator’to the chippers, singled out a fewparticipants for their outstandingachievements during and evenafter the CHIP programme hadended. Carmen Gayle had not

14 Messenger

Manchester South Chippersby Dr Jane Nyakundi, Health Ministries director, Manchester South

Messenger 1716 Messenger

‘Drummers ready!’ These were thewords that started the march asthe Brixton Drum Corps led the waythrough the streets of Brixton, fol-lowed by the children of the churchand a large number of people fromthe community. This was a high-profile march on Youth Day, 24 July,to highlight the need to defeatdrugs and knife crime. It wasencouraged by the Brixton police,who have struck up a friendshipwith the Brixton church. PC ErrolPatterson spoke directly to thecrowd about violent crime inLambeth and the need to set up ablack parent forum.

For our part there was a strongemphasis on taking the message tothe community and the march wasorganized in such a way that therewere people at certain points who would engage with those outshopping and introduce them to themessage of salvation. People wouldstop and take pictures while otherswould wave or smile in apprecia-tion of what the church was doing.Those in the crowd carried placards

with the word LIVE shoulder high inrecognition of the potential that ourlives have when we trust in theLord. However, this was not justanother march, as the newly created Windrush Square was now transformed into an open airarena so that we could worship inthe heart of Brixton.

As the drum corps halted at thesquare, everyone took up theirpositions to keep the momentumgoing. The location was excellentand gave everyone in Brixton thechance to see and hear what wewere doing. People would stop outof curiosity but were soon enlight-ened by those who had tracts orbooklets to offer them. The praiseteam mobilized to sing songs thatgot everyone moving and theBrixton gospel choir and children’schoir filled the air with inspirationalsinging. Even the audience had a chance to choose their ownfavourite songs and we were happy to oblige. A mime group was also present, and so were individual singers.

During the first weekend in July, a flower festival washeld at Ystrad Mynach to celebrate 200 years of wor-

ship in Twyn Road. In 1810, the Welsh CalvanisticMethodists began services there in a single-story build-ing, later to become the home of the minister, and nowthe home of Pastor Brian Phillips and his wife, Joyce.Bethania, a sturdy chapel, was built in 1866 and its his-tory reveals that attendance increased as the result ofWelsh religious revivals. The congregation dwindled tosingle figures in the early 1970s and the few remainingmembers joined their sister chapel in the village.

Adventists have worshipped in various buildings inthe Rhymney Valley since the first decade of the twenti-eth century and were able to purchase Bethania Chapelin 1978. Following alterations and redecoration it wasreopened in July 1979, when the Caerphilly and Gelligaercongregations joined and the Ystrad Mynach church wasformed.

Several weeks prior to the planned flower festival, we

were blessed by a visit from Audrey Balderstone, whoministered to us by preaching with flowers and latertreated us to a master-class in flower arranging. We wereinspired by the creativity and dedication of this giftedservant of God. A group of amateurs met to plan displaysand interpret their own chosen phrases from the twenty-third Psalm. We were conscious that the Lord, ourShepherd, was among us and rejoiced with each other asbeautiful displays developed. A lovely sign was designedand painted by Oana, a young graduate member of thechurch family, which welcomed members of the public aswell as visitors from other churches in the mission.Friendships were forged, questions asked and promisesmade to worship with us.

The sum of £350 was received in donations for thelocal hospice, and we agreed that the festival had been apractical and spiritual success. We pray for a harvest ofsouls, and that the Adventist cause will continue in thishistoric area of the Welsh Mission, as long as time lasts.

Fire!At 11.45am on 10 July the firealarms went off in the Yardleychurch. There was however no fire;the alarm was set off by churchelder Greg Campbell. For severalmonths it had been the plan and aimto run a fire drill during worship.

The fire officer for the church,Chris Louth, had pointed out that asthe church was a public building thiswas something that we had to doand so he met with a local fire chiefto find out more.

As a church we needed to knowthat, should a fire take place, wecould vacate the building in a quickand orderly fashion. Ahead of timethe church was notified that a firedrill would take place in the nearfuture and the escape routes werehighlighted.

So on 10 July, right after theoffering was taken, the alarms rangout. The marshals jumped intoaction, directing the people out ofthree exits. In order to ‘pass’ as asafe fire drill we all had to exit thebuilding within two minutes and thiswas achieved as all members cameout within one minute thirty seconds.The fire marshals took another fif-teen seconds to make sure all roomswere empty and by one minute forty-five seconds the whole building wasvacated. As usual there was a rangeof ages in the church from young toold, and from able-bodied to thosewho needed assistance; all weresafely evacuated.

The service continued, when weall came back into church, with thechildren’s story.

Pastor Adam Ramdin said, ‘Thisis something that we hope wouldnever happen in our church, but itwas good to know that should a firebreak out in church, right in the middle of the main service, we can safely evacuate.’ADAM RAMDIN

Celebration at Ystrad Mynach by Joyce Phillips

Brixton youth march against drugs and knifecrime – AND bring hope by Valerie Moodie

Aldray Barwise spoke directly tothe people of Brixton with the mes-sage of hope in Jesus, and individ-ual speakers gave brief testimoniesof how Christ had changed theirlives. There was an atmosphere of expectation and excitement thatwe were going about our Father’s

business in a new era.As a church we have a respon-

sibility to promote life and there isso much abundant life to offer ourcommunity. Under the leadership ofPastors Kavaloh and Thorp we nolonger want to remain within theconfines of the church week afterweek. There is so much we can doin our community and the Lord isopening doors to enable us to do so many things. By the grace ofGod we will take the message ofsalvation to those around us inmore profound ways in the future.

Earlier this year, Pastor Jimmy Botha highlighted theplight of his ‘third world’ Dunfirmline church build-

ing, condemned as uninhabitable. But this did notdeter the ‘homeless’ congregation from responding toan urgent request for baptism.

Savannah Turner was anxious that her sister,Shanelle, should be present for her baptism beforeleaving for Adventist studies in the USA. She hadalways expressed a wish to be baptized in the open.And so, on Sabbath 24 July, members witnessedSavannah entering the cold waters of the Firth ofForth at Kinghorn in Fyfe to give her life to the Lord.Blessed by the beautiful setting and warm weather,

No church, no baptismal pool – no problem?

Yardley fire marshals, Andrew Oyaide, Mark Hudson and Greg Campbell

Pastor Botha said afterwards, ‘We felt invigoratedphysically from the water temperature but spirituallyalso from the occasion itself.

‘We may have no church at the moment,’ he says,‘but the Lord has provided plenty of sea around us,so that burials of sinful bodies may bear witness tothe power of the Lord.’ With a real possibility ofanother baptism in the next few months, membersare praying for a new building. Recognizing that fundswill always be an issue, Pastor Botha asks the com-munity of believers in Scotland and throughout theBritish Isles for their prayers and financial help.JOHN WILBY

Messenger 1918 Messenger

year. The late Pastor Delroy Fosterwas also remembered during thistime, as he had been the mainspeaker in 2005. One of the regularfeatures each year is the update onAdventist work in Montserrat. Theaudio-visual style of the presenta-tion always captivates the attentionof the congregation (seehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jUWcabseKc).

In his sermon entitled ‘It is well’Pastor Ian Sweeney, NEC president,delivered a very powerful messagethrough which we were all reassuredthat with God it is always well,regardless of the situation we mayface. The message was based on 2Kings 4:8-26 where the Shunamitewoman declared ‘It shall be well’ inspite of the sorrow she was facingupon losing her son.

Various musical selections added their own unique flavour to the day. The London SDA malevoice choir is a regular feature.However, we were also uplifted byspecial items rendered by the Camp Hill choir and Pearl Ryner.Calvin Riley delivered a beautifulrendition of the song ‘How can I say

October 22 2009 was a very special Sabbath at the High

Wycombe Sands church, as itmarked the day when Joy, along withher two sons Phil and Collins, madetheir commitment to Christ openlythrough baptism.

Joy was born into a ChristianAnglican family and married aSeventh-day Adventist. God blessedJoy and her husband with two won-derful sons, Phil and Collins. In herearly years of marriage Joy learntmany of the Adventist doctrines, andfollowed Christ both in the home andthrough her work as a dedicatednurse. However, eventually Joystopped attending church. In 2004Joy, along with Phil and Collins, leftZimbabwe and came to settle inEngland. Joy says, ‘I felt that I hadlost something special. I wanted togo back to church but I did not knowany Adventist churches in HighWycombe.’ Fortunately Joy’s sistermet with a member of Sands

Bill died at the age of 85 after a shortillness. It was with great sadness thatthe members of the Worcesterchurch heard of his sudden deathand they felt very sad for all his fam-ily, and those dear to him. The fu-neral service was held 17 May, and itwas conducted by Pastor AdrianBroome (assisted by CharlesLamont, elder) in the Worcesterchurch, where Bill loved to worship.It was evident from the many peoplethat filled the church to celebrate hislife that he was much loved by hisfamily and friends. Three very sadgranddaughters (Louisa, Nicholaand Ellie) sweetly sang their tributeto him with ‘Amazing Grace’. Othertributes were also made of Bill, whowas described as being shy, but atrue gentleman. He had also en-deared himself to all the churchmembers in the short time they hadto get to know him, and they misshaving him with them when theyare in church.

Bill was born in Birmingham,and lived and worked there until heretired, apart from the few years heserved his country during WWII inthe Welsh Guards. He was sent toFrance soon after D-Day, and the

tank he was travelling in was hit bya shell. Miraculously he escapeddeath, but he was left with a serioushearing problem that stayed withhim for the rest of his life.

As a young man, Bill married ‘thegirl next door’, Julia, and they hadthree lovely daughters: Julia, Annand Ruth. He attended the Camp Hillchurch for many years and waseventually baptized in 1997, beforehe and his wife moved to Weston-super-Mare. As his wife’s health deteriorated and she became morefrail, they moved to be near one oftheir daughters. Bill continued to at-tend the church there in Weston, but,sadly, his wife died in 2001. Bill soonmoved again, to Worcester, and hesettled very happily into the home ofJulia (his eldest daughter), her hus-band Nick, and Bill’s two grand-daughters, Louisa and Nicola. Billwas very happy in his new home (asmall converted barn, called ‘Billy’sBarn’!), which was surrounded bybeautiful countryside. He was veryindependent; he took good care ofhimself and made himself useful tohis family. He made friends with theneighbours, including two regularpostmen who made the village

Time to knockon doorsby Terry Messenger, Personal Ministries director, SEC

About a hundred individuals cametogether at the Advent Centre for

a week-long evangelistic trainingprogramme with guest speaker, TylerLong, assistant director of AmazingFacts. This was a joint ventureorganized by the BUC, SEC and Area6 ministers.

Tylers’ main emphasis was ondoor-to-door evangelism which hebelieves is still a powerful method ofreaching people. He believes that wehave underused it as a church andhave not been consistent in followingup interests. Tyler believes in practi-cal training, and on the Sabbathafternoon 12 June everyone went outknocking on doors in the centralLondon area for about an hour. Whenthey came back they shared thrillingreports of people they had encoun-tered with some people requestingfurther visits. The importance ofdoor-to-door visitation was high-lighted recently during the annualSEC camp meeting in Prestatyn,

North Wales, when thirty-four indi-viduals went onto the streets andafter just one hour they found sixpeople who wished to study theBible and one lady who offered toopen her home to start a Christianfellowship group. Maybe we need tolook again at this tried and testedmethod of evangelism.

Tyler also spoke on sharing theBible with people and looked at themost effective ways of doing this. Itwas emphasized that evangelisticoutreach should not simply beevent-orientated but a way of lifewhich should permeate the churchthroughout the year. He spoke of the

evangelism cycle of preparing, sow-ing and reaping. An evangelisticcampaign would be more successfulif the work of preparing and sowing(making friends in the communitythrough felt-needs events, door-to-door, Bible studies) had taken place,as the campaign is largely a reapingevent.

An insightful presentation wasgiven on trying to reclaim peoplewho had left the church. Sensitivity,compassion and patience were thekeywords here.

The whole aspect of nurturingand discipling the new believer wasalso highlighted. As a church we are

largely successful in our evangelisticendeavours, but perhaps not strongin this area. Statistics show that asmany as 37% of people leave thechurch after their baptism in someparts of the world and in other areasit may be a higher figure than this.Tyler gave practical instruction onhow to help a new believer becomemore established in the faith. It isessential, he said, for new believersto find friends and acceptance intheir new church environment.

It was a week that left the atten-dees buzzing with a determination toimplement this practical instructionin their churches.

‘Thanks!’ was the sentiment echoedthroughout the tenth annualMontserratians’ day of fellowship,held on Sabbath 29 May. Over 600Montserratians and their friendscongregated at the Mount Zion community church in Birminghamfor this special day of worship andfellowship. The day’s theme was‘How can I say thanks?’

According to principal co-ordina-tor of the day, William B. Riley (fromthe Breath of Life church), theMontserratians and Friends day offellowship was born out of the desireto provide Montserratians and theirfriends living in the UK with theopportunity to give thanks publicly to God for the protection of lives in the ongoing volcanic crisis inMontserrat. The crisis commenced in July 1995 and the first quarter ofthis year witnessed an increasedrate of activity where some villageswere completely destroyed. However,

Thankful Montserratiansby Marcelle Riley

we still give thanks because Godhas continued to protect the lives ofthe inhabitants.

Sabbath 29 May was one of richspiritual blessings. Shirley Ryner, the Sabbath School superintendent,creatively structured the SabbathSchool to relate to the day’s theme.Dr Patrick Hebert led us in athought-provoking delivery of thelesson study on temperance. DuringSabbath School, Pastor C.A. Young,resident pastor of the Mount Zioncommunity church, graced us withhis presence and warmly welcomedus into his church.

Immediately following SabbathSchool we received greetings fromProfessor Sir Howard Fergus, formerSpeaker of the House in Montserratas well former Acting Governor andresident tutor at the University of theWest Indies. Mrs Janice Panton MBE,head of the Montserrat GovernmentUK office, conveyed regards on

behalf of the government and peopleof Montserrat. Thelma Gage andCaleb Greenaway led the congrega-tion in a minute’s silence in recogni-

tion of their fathers (George Gageand Joseph Henry Greenaway) whohad previously attended theseevents and were laid to rest this

The family of Joychurch, Eldon Baptise, through work.Brother Baptise would visit Joy andher sister and they would praytogether. Joy became interested andstarted attending Sands church on aregular basis. Joy now says, ‘I havefound real meaning to life. I nowknow the difference between believing in God and knowing him.’

God has brought Joy a long way,and she has been tested with manytrials and tribulations, but God hasnot finished working in the family –as Joy explains, ‘God makes a waywhere there seems to be no way.’Joy’s husband was baptized inZimbabwe and God is working wonders through him.

Joy summarizes her testimony bysaying ‘Serving God does not meanthe absence of problems, but it isthe beginning of a life where God is in charge and comes first ineverything we do.’PATSY YAHAHLOM

thanks?’ as the meditational. Music was also the dominant

feature of the afternoon’s pro-gramme. This included a solo pieceon the harp. However, a highlightespecially for the Montserratianswas evangelist Simon Farrell fromMontserrat who gave us a taste ofthe Caribbean with two selectionsfrom his latest CD.

For the second consecutive yearwe were able to use technology toshare the day of fellowship acrossthe globe. The service was streamedlive over the internet and, in spite ofthe five-hour time difference,according to reports some individu-als in Montserrat chose to share inthis worship experience. Reruns ofthe day can be viewed athttp://www.justin.tv/mratuk/videos.Also visit us on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/people/Mratuk-Day/100001191390779 toview pictures, articles and rerunsfrom previous years.

The day ended with vespers byPastor Sweeney and we were sentaway with the command to alwaysoffer praises to God as our thanks-giving sacrifice through Jesus.

deliveries. He would always invitethem into his home for a little chatand provide them with ‘tea and bis-cuits’! They both attended thechurch for his funeral service, show-ing their very high regard for him!

He regularly and faithfully at-tended church in Worcester onSabbaths, and loved to join in theSabbath School discussions.

Bill had a very caring family andmany friends who cherished him;many of them said their last farewellat the local crematorium after leav-ing the church. He is very sadlymissed, but Pastor Broome reminded

everyone that God was mourningwith them because he is a God oflove, and in the near future we canall be united again with those wehave loved, when Jesus returns onResurrection Day.

Our heartfelt condolences andprayerful thoughts continue for hisfamily and loved ones, especially forJulia and her sisters, their husbands,and Bill’s seven granddaughters, aswell as their extended family. Ourprayer is that God will bless and sus-tain them as they strive to overcometheir grief at the loss of their belovedfather and friend. DORIS J. LACK

William (Bill) Woolridge (1925-2010) d. 6 May

20

Messenger

MessengerVolum

e 115 • 17 – 20 August 2010EDITOR: D. N. M

ARSHALLDESIGN: DAVID BELL

COPY FOR No. 18 – 30 August 2010Copy should be sent to the Editor, M

ESSENGER, TheStanborough Press Lim

ited,Alma Park, Grantham

,Lincolnshire, NG31 9SL. Tel: (01476) 591700.

Fax No: (01476) 577144. Em

ail: Editordnm@

mac.com

Send high resolution pictures to:dbell@

stanboroughpress.co.ukABC Sales line: (01476) 539900 M

on-Thurs only, 8am-5.30pm

.w

ww

.stanboroughpress.com

The Editor may alter, clarify, précis or expand

articles sent to him if he thinks it necessary.

Published fortnightly on Fridays by the BritishUnion Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Printed in the UK.Visit the BUC w

ebsite at: ww

w.adventist.org.ukISSN 0309-3654

ABC BOOK SALESSeptem

ber5

Stanborough Press Open Day19

New

port10am

-2pm

ABC Shops W

atford, BUC.9am

-5pm, M

onday-Thursday. (Closed for lunch 1pm

-1.30pm)

9am-12pm

Friday. Closed on Sundays

Advent CentreSundays 11am

-3pmSunsetSunset tim

es are reproduced with perm

ission fromdata supplied by the Science Research Council.

LondCard

NottEdin

BelfAug

208.13

8.258.21

8.388.45

277.58

8.118.05

8.208.28

Sept3

7.437.55

7.498.02

8.1110

7.277.39

7.337.44

7.53

MESSENGER SUBSCRIPTIONS

Cost to mem

ber supplied in bulk to churches £6.Single copy subscription by post £13.

Overseas airmail £27.50

The eleven candidates stood at thebaptism

that marked the end of

the Finding Your Life’s Purpose andPassion cam

paign at Brixton church,and m

y eyes turned to the small

figure of Jeremiah, over whom

theother candidates were towering.They all stood together as they m

adetheir decision to follow Christ but forJerem

iah, a 7-year-old, this was anespecially awesom

e mom

ent.However, this was not so m

uchabout how old he was; this wasabout why he wanted so m

uch to be baptised.

Jeremiah’s parents had called

him Jerem

iah because it was hisfather’s favourite prophet, and hehad said that it was his dream

toone day preach as he feels that Godhas som

ething for him to do. W

henasked why com

ing to church is soim

portant to him, his answer was

that if you don’t come to church you

don’t know what the sermon is

about; he enjoys listening to theword of God. He also wants to walkwith Jesus and I know that his par-ents are supporting him

along thispath. The Bible says that you shouldtrain up a child in the way that heshould go – for Jerem

iah, this is the way he wants to go.

Pastor Abraham Jules encour-

aged everyone who attended thecam

paign to listen to the voice of the Lord and give their life to him

.Like the Bible character Sam

uel,Jerem

iah responded in the affirma-

tive – ‘Speak Lord for thy servantheareth.’VALERIE M

OODIE

Jeremiah leads the way

Left to right: Renee Clarke, Jeremiah and Trevor Clarke

NEWBOLD COLLEGE

is seeking to appoint a

LECTURER IN BUSINESS STUDIES

To begin 1 January 2011 or by mutual agreem

ent

Please see Newbold College w

ebsite ww

w.newbold.ac.uk

for further details.All applicants m

ust have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom

.Salary w

ill be in accordance with the denom

inational scale.A letter of application along w

ith a current CV and the nam

es and addresses of two referees should be sent to:

The Vice Principal, New

bold College, Bracknell,

Berks, RG42 4AN.

Tel: 01344 407401Fax: 01344 407404

Email: m

pearson@new

bold.ac.uk

New book of the w

eek

The Case for the

Investigative Judgment

Its Biblical Foundation

Popular author Marvin M

oore has exam

ined the objections of critics and the best thinking of dedicated Adventist

scholars. In this book, he aims to help the

reader understand this foundational doctrine and gain its spiritual benefits –

based on the evidence from Scripture itself.

Contact ABC Sales on 01476 539900

to purchase your copy at £14.25 plus p&p.