By AdventistNews@gc.adventist.org (Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Staff)

Even as the global Covid-19 pandemic dominates news headlines, a major report on religious freedom released this week in Washington, D.C. provided a sobering reminder that religious persecution and restrictions continue unabated in many parts of the world. The annual report, which tracks both positive and negative trends in religious freedom, was issued April 30 by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent watchdog agency that helps inform US…

Source:: sda website

By AdventistNews@gc.adventist.org (Ted N.C. Wilson, President, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists)

Editor’s Note: Below is a transcript of a message, posted to You Tube on May 1, from president of the Adventist Church, Ted N.C. Wilson. Elder Wilson will release a new video each week, during the Coronavirus pandemic, which you can view here.
I’m glad to make contact this week with you, with you, our wonderful church members around the world. God has protected and cared for His church, and by God’s grace, you have been protected this week. Be of good courage in the Lord. We will get through…

Source:: sda website

By AdventistNews@gc.adventist.org (ADRA International)

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is serving more than 2.4 million households around the world where lives have been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. ADRA has launched COVID-19 response projects in 37 countries to support frontline workers, low-income families, the elderly, and people facing layoffs as a result of the crisis.
“ADRA has been on the ground since the coronavirus outbreak, immediately responding and assisting the most needed areas of the world, helping…

Source:: sda website

By AdventistNews@gc.adventist.org (Maryellen Fairfax)

Members of Gatton and Laidley Seventh-day Adventist churches in Queensland, Australia, have teamed up to facilitate the distribution of more than 11 pallets of fresh produce donated by Coles Supermarket in response to COVID-19—on top of food hampers they regularly hand out at their “ADRA Lockyer Food Pantry”.
Having heard about their dedicated food pantry ministry, food distribution service Second Bite asked Gatton church to distribute a large donation of fresh fruit and vegetables from Coles.
…

Source:: sda website

By AdventistNews@gc.adventist.org (Adventist News Network and Adventist Review)

What could go wrong if Seventh-day Adventist Church entities and organizations do not adhere to working policies currently in force?
Many things, said General Conference Auditing Services (GCAS) director Paul Douglas on April 14, 2020. For one, noncompliance often pushes church leaders to make uninformed decisions, which can ultimately put the noncompliant church organization in jeopardy, he explained.
Douglas’s remarks were part of his presentation to dozens of leaders attending the first…

Source:: sda website

By AdventistNews@gc.adventist.org (David Sebastian/Inter-American Division News Staff)

Adventist-operated Bella Vista Adventist Hospital in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, released its first patient who recovered from COVID-19 on Apr. 15, 2020. Elyse Octave, age 40, was wheeled through the halls of the hospital after spending three weeks under the care of medical staff at the Adventist hospital. Octave, a physician doing a residency in family medicine since 2019, returned to Puerto Rico from a trip home to New York City. Physicians, nurses and health professionals applauded Octave for his…

Source:: sda website

By AdventistNews@gc.adventist.org (CD-EUDNews/tedNEWS)

“The new #dearcoronavirus #6 is perhaps to most moving to date. It may well make your spine tingle as you watch it,” declares Victor Hulbert, Communication director for the Trans-European Division, and one of the coordinators of the series #dearcoronavirus.
In this new videoclip we hear from two people who have both lost a loved one to this deadly virus – and give a silent tribute to support all those who have suffered loss.
Why the silence?
“Often we have no words that can adequately comfort…

Source:: sda website

By AdventistNews@gc.adventist.org (Ted N.C. Wilson, President, Seventh-day Adventist Church)

[Editor’s Note: Since May of 2019, the Adventist Church members in Burundi have endured ongoing persecution from the countries government. On October 24, the president of the Burundi Union Mission, pastor Lamec Barishinga, was arrested. This arrest was part of an escalating series of threats and attacks on the Seventh-day Adventist Church by the government of Burundi. For further reading about the situation of our Adventist brother and sisters in Burundi, please visit the Pray for Burundi…

Source:: sda website

By AdventistNews@gc.adventist.org (Record Staff)

1. Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
2. Psalm 56:3-4 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
3. Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
4. Psalm…

Source:: sda website

By AdventistNews@gc.adventist.org (Bob Sauder, with Vinita Sauder)

On the night of April 12, 2020, my wife Lou and I were getting ready for bed and listening to the weather forecasters announce the tornado watches and warnings. Stormy weather was hitting all across the Southeastern U.S. When they announced that the worst of the storms had passed, I turned the TV off. We changed into our pajamas and lay on the bed holding hands as we said our prayers together, which is our nightly custom. I prayed that we would be safe from the storms.
We live in Chattanooga,…

Source:: sda website