UK Adventists promote peace and freedom during film release

10 February 2017 | St Albans, UK [Kirsty Watkins / tedNEWS] With the UK and Ireland being among the last countries in Europe to release the Mel Gibson blockbuster Hacksaw Ridge, Adventist communities, and especially youth, have been taking advantage of every opportunity to share their faith.

Hacksaw ridge adam keough — Dublin pastor, Adam Keough, had opportunity to share his faith and the story of Hacksaw Ridge on Spirit Radio – covering 5 Irish cities

This includes magazine distribution outside cinemas across the country, a series of Radio interviews – including an in-depth discussion with Pastor Adam Keough of the Dublin church, and Adventists agreeing to accompany non-Adventist friends to see the film in Northern Ireland, only to be surprised by the spontaneous standing ovation at the end.

Hacksaw ridge newbold — Newbold students and youth shared 150 leaflets outside their local cinema

Twenty youth from Newbold church and College distributed material about Desmond Doss, the Adventist conscientious objector, outside the Bracknell Odeon cinema. The group braved the evening chill on Friday, 27 January and distributed almost 150 copies of a flyer based on the lead story in a special edition of FOCUS, a magazine shared some 50,000 times in various locations across the country.

The youth spoke to many members of the public about their perceptions of the film and of Christianity. This opened the door to conversations about Adventism, Newbold’s activities in the local community, and the value Adventists place on peace and freedom.

Organised by Newbold Chaplain, Pastor Alastair Agbaje, he said, “Our pitch was quite simple. We asked them why they might want to see Hacksaw Ridge. For some, Gibson’s directorship was the draw, others had been attracted by a trailer they’d seen. Those who had seen the film found it to be real and authentic, and had genuine respect for Doss, the unlikely hero. He added, “Almost everyone we spoke to was curious and grateful to receive the flyer, and many were interested to hear that Doss was a Christian and to find out more about his background.”

Pastor Agbaje, who is also TED Community Services and Teens Director, said that “it was moving to speak to people about Christianity and my faith, and to share aspects of it with them.”

Hacksaw ridge loughborough webres — Loughborough youth hand out FOCUS outside their brand new cinema

Further north, young people in Loughborough discovered the same experience, witnessing with the FOCUS magazine outside their newly opened cinema. They were excited by the response – and a few nights later Adventist students at the local university equally went to share their witness. That experience was duplicated by youth in other cities. One older member share how she chose to go and see the film and took 20 FOCUS magazine with her, standing by the exit door where she found people more than willing to find out more about Doss.

“The opportunities for witnessing are ripe,” emphasises British Union Conference Communication director, Richard Daly in his weekly newsletter. “At a time when the Seventh-day Adventist Church is featured in a positive way within the eyes of the entertainment and media world, now is the time to capitalise and use this as a unique opportunity to share the faith of one our Adventist stalwarts who stood for his faith in the face of ridicule and imprisonment.”

Hacksaw ridge magazines — A 50,000 print run for the British FOCUS magazine has been multiplied by translations and article usage across the world.

“Too often we say that evangelism is difficult in the UK, and this experience highlighted to me – and many of the youth who joined me – that there are a huge number of people who are open and receptive to the message,” Agbaje states. Both for this opportunity and looking to the future he adds, “We need to be creative and develop practical strategies to reach people where they are.”

Witnessing not only makes a difference to the recipients. Newbold students and church youth also found it a positive experience. “I was reluctant at first, but in the end I found it fulfilling,” said postgraduate Theology student, Johnny Miguel. “It was a creative way to make friendly, intentional contact with people and also provided the opportunity to get to know new students at the College, by working together.”

Desmond Doss Cover photo eng3 — Many social media users shared graphics like this as their cover photo

Anton Torstensson, another postgraduate Theology student, said that it was a great opportunity to meet people. “I’ve seen the movie and it touched me deeply,” he said. “I am proud to be an Adventist!”

“Once we overcame the initial awkwardness people responded well to the message of Desmond Doss and his willingness to put his life on the line for his faith and belief in Jesus,” said Newbold Church member Eric Pilmoor. “People felt moved by the story and I’m hopeful we might even have a few visitors join us at church or watch our service online.” [tedNEWS]

tedNEWS Staff: Victor Hulbert, editor; Esti Pujic, associate editor
119 St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Herts, AL1 3EY, England
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.ted.adventist.org
tedNEWS is an information bulletin issued by the communication department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Trans-European Division.

UK Adventists promote peace and freedom during film release

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