News reports from Rwanda; Newbold College; Northern Caribbean University; FixableLife; the Bahamas; Germany; Lacombe, Alberta; The 4th Annual Conscience & Justice Council (CJC) Convention; Adventist Community Services and Ethiopia

From an ANN news release – More than 40,000 Seventh-day Adventists in Rwanda flocked to the Amahoro National Stadium, located in the capital city of Kigali, to celebrate 100 years of Adventism in the country.

President of the denomination’s General Conference, Ted N.C. Wilson, preaching to the congregation on Sabbath, called the event “momentous” and reminded everyone of God’s leadership throughout the ages.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Rwanda now numbers more than 900,000 members and is expecting to reach 1,000,000 before the end of 2019.

Newbold College is now on Spotify. The Berkshire, England-based institution has picked a selection of tracks for students aimed at providing motivation, study soundtracks and relaxation ambience. Here’s the playlist. The school is also taking suggestions for additions to the playlist here.

Jamaica-based, Adventist-owned Northern Caribbean University has been ranked as the most popular higher education institution in Jamaica. Dr Lincoln Edwards, the NCU president, attributed the ranking by the organization Unirank to “consistent achievements in science, technology and innovation.”

Ron and Nancy Rockey have been well-known presenters of family life seminars in Adventist churches, at camp meetings and local conference events. Many pastors and lay leaders use their materials. They announced on September 1 that Dr. Petr Cincala, director of the Institute of Church Ministry at Andrews University, will be the new director for their ministry as it comes under the Institute. A new website will make available everything that the Rockeys have presented and written through the years, as well as new items on a regular basis. Their monthly newsletter will be in a blog and the website will take on a new, updated appearance as well as ease of use. FixableLife.com and FixableLife.org will automatically re-direct to the new website. For more information, contact Cincala by email at info@fixablelife.org.

Adventist sources in the Bahamas have told Adventist Today that on the Abaco and Grand Bahama islands, a number of church members have lost their homes because of the recent hurricane. On Abaco island, three of the four Adventist church buildings were destroyed. There was also some damage to churches on Grand Bahama as well, but in Nassau there is little damage. As AT has published in a news story, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is responding with assistance to hurricane survivors in the Bahamas. You can help by making donations to or volunteering with ADRA.

Wittelsbach House in Bad Aibling, Germany, is a retirement and nursing facility sponsored by the Adventist denomination, and the topping out of its new south wing was celebrated on 11 September. It was the oldest part of the facility when it was demolished almost a year ago. In its place a modern, new building is being constructed. The director, Michael Mocnik, presided at the event. Guests included Felix Schwaller, the mayor of Bad Aibling, and Björn Stein from the Bank for Church and Diaconate, which provided a key part of the financing. Pastor Wolfgang Dorn, president of the denomination’s Bavaria Conference, delivered a short devotional. The house is a “smoke-free zone” and offers 194 beds. It is operated by the German Association for Health Care, which is part of the social work of the Adventist Church in Germany.

The city council in Lacombe, Alberta, has approved a rezoning bylaw for the development of a new Adventist secondary school on the campus of Burman University, the Adventist institution of higher education that serves Canada. Liew Werner, director of project development for the Alberta Conference, said the bylaw allows the denomination to begin planning the project which could be built in two years after potential final approvals come at the end of October, according to local news media.

The 4th annual Conscience & Justice Council (CJC) Convention tackles the theme of Faith, Community and Justice. Speakers include Barry Black, U.S. Senate Chaplain; Raymond Santana, Central Park 5; Dedrick Blue, School of Theology, Oakwood University; Scott Ritsema, executive director, Belt of Truth Ministries; and Jo Ann Davidson, professor of Systematic Theology Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. Plan to join us in Atlanta, Ga., on Sept. 26-29. Additional information, including registration info, is available at www.cjcouncil.org or (800) 732-7587. Hurry! Early Bird specials are available until Sept. 19.

Adventist Community Services, the social services agency sponsored by the Adventist denomination, presents the Nonprofit Leadership Certification Program, to be held Sept. 16-19. The program is designed to equip pastors, church administration and nonprofit leaders with strategies and professional skills to successfully lead. NLCP focuses on three major learning outcomes: leadership skills, improvement of management knowledge, and changes in attitude of social dimensions of evangelism.

Monica Barlow, an Adventist in Coulterville, California, has a heart for serving others. On a mission trip to Ethiopia in 2008, she helped start the first official orphanage in the West Wollega area. Additionally, she and her son-in-law have started several projects to help street kids and single mothers.

Today, she helps operate Here4Them, a non-profit supporting children in Ethiopia with basic medical help, school uniforms and supplies, a daily hot lunch, and other necessities! Monica is also involved in children’s ministries in her local church, including organizing Vacation Bible School and programs for camp meeting. Her passion for Jesus keeps her busy serving others.

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