News Briefs for May 18, 2018
News reports from Taiwan, Jamaica, Walla Walla University, Chicago, Loma Linda University, Colorado Springs, Colorado and Hutchinson, Minnesota.
Australia’s The Guardian reported that an Iranian refugee and her son who had both received treatment at Taiwan Adventist Hospital in Taipei, have been flown back to detention in Nauru despite psychiatric advice that the son not be returned due to mental illness that makes him suicidal. Australian refugee processing policy is designed to prevent refugees and asylum seekers from receiving medical treatment in Australia. In the past, many that have been treated in Australia have won court injunctions preventing their return to Nauru. Taiwan is used by the Australian Border force as a medical care destination as the country is not a member of the UN general assembly and cannot be a party to the refugee convention. Therefore, refugees cannot claim protection in the country.
The father of Jamaican star sprinter Usain Bolt was baptized into the Adventist Chirch on May 5. The Jamaica Gleaner announced that Wellesley Bolt was baptized in the North Jamaica Conference of the denomination in a ceremony presided over by Dr. Karl Archer, President of the conference and O’Brien Hawthorne, pastor of the Falmouth District of the church in the country. Wellesley Bolt’s wife is an Adventist as well.
A new record of approximately 200 people attended the latest “Is This Thing On?” Q&A event which, this time, was held at Walla Walla University. The 120-minute Facebook Live event saw Dan Jackson, NAD president; Alex Bryant, NAD executive secretary; and Tom Evans, NAD treasurer, field questions live from the students attending as well as from online participants.
Tom de Vries, President of Willow Creek Association and Board Chair Dick DeVos have said in a message to supporters of the Global Leadership Summit annual event that the church is “Walking with Bill Hybels during an appropriate season of reflection, providing support and help that can lead to a place of reconciliation and restoration. As mentioned previously, Bill is no longer on the WCA Board and has no role in WCA or the Global Leadership Summit. Our prayer is that together we take the steps necessary to ensure that truth is known and healing can begin.” Hybels has faced multiple accusations of inappropriate behavior toward women and decided to retire early from Willow Creek Church and resign from the WCA board.
The Pathologists Assistant program at Loma Linda University has achieved accreditation by National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. It is the only accredited program west of Chicago, one of only 11 in the United States. It is a two-year master’s degree in health sciences. The next cohort begins in September and applicants are being considered through the end of this month.
The Adventist-run Prison Ministry Convention will be held July 25-28, 2018 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Early Bird registration is $179.00. The event provides training and resources for those involved in prison ministry. Register here.
A seminar on how to start an informal house church will be offered twice in June by the Simple Church project. June 5-9 it will be available at Maplewood Academy, 700 North Main Street, Hutchinson, Minnesota. June 15-23 it will be available at Auburn Academy, 5000 Auburn Way South, Auburn, Washington. More information is available at SimpleChurchTrainingWorkshops.com.