6 July 2015 | San Antonio, Texas, USA [Victor Hulbert, tedNEWS] On Monday afternoon, 6 July, Pastor Raafat Kamal, 51, was re-elected as president of the Trans-European Division of the Seventh-day Adventists Church (TED), based in St Albans, United Kingdom.
In February 2015 he drew leaders and thinkers from across Europe and beyond to a week of meetings in St Albans. This led to a list of criteria for mission that was then developed into a strategic framework by the TED Spring Meetings. This has given a solid basis for the TED nominating committee as it meets over the next couple of days to select Department directors. Understanding the importance of spiritual values in all aspects of our life and mission is a key part of this strategy.
Speaking from the floor of the Alamodome immediately following his re-election he emphasised that this was no holiday. “I know one thing for sure. When we go back we have a lot of work to do.” However, his joy is that he is not alone. “Every member is an ambassador for Christ”, and to that degree he sees a need for reorganisation in order to focus on resources at a local church level. “Everything we do should be seen through the lens of mission”, he stated. A short video interview with Pastor Kamal is now available online.
Originally from Lebanon, he has lived and worked in England and Norway. He is married to Heidi Kamal Kendel from Norway, a registered nurse. The couple have two daughters.
During his career, Kamal has served the Church for four years as a teacher and school administrator, ADRA director and 18 years mainly in administrative and executive posts. His position for the last seven years and until his appointment as president was field secretary and assistant to the TED President, with additional departmental responsibilities for Adventist Mission, Public Affairs & Religious Liberty and Stewardship.
The Trans-European Division is comprised of 22 European countries with a population of 202 million people and a membership of 84,000 members. This territory makes a total of 11 Unions and three Fields. For more information about the TED please visit www.ted-adventist.org. [tedNEWS]
tedNEWS Staff: Miroslav Pujic, director; Deana Stojkovic, editor
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