4 July 2016 | Binfield, UK [Victor Hulbert with Andrew Willis] Two new officers, three new Mission Presidents, and five new Department directors were elected to office on the first morning of the 2016 British Union Conference Quinquennial Session, Thursday, 30 June. By the time the Session closed on Sabbath evening, 2 July, ten newly ordained ministers were added to the Union’s worker force.
Delegates also elected the following directors:
Pastor Richard Daly, Croydon pastor, author and commentator, will serve as Communication director.
Stanborough Primary School Head Teacher, Kathleen Hanson, was chosen as the new Education director.
Pastor Eglan Brooks was re-elected as Evangelism director.
The role of Family and Children’s Ministries director will be filled by Pastor Leslie Ackie who currently looks after these ministries at the South England Conference.
Sharon Platt-McDonald was returned as Health and Women’s Ministries director.
Pastor Emmanuel Osei, currently SEC Ministerial director was elected to the Ministerial Association at the British Union.
North England Conference Pathfinder director Pastor Alan Hush was chosen to be Youth, Pathfinder and Chaplaincy director for the next five years.
The generally cordial spirit at the session was greatly enhanced by the commitment of the hosts, Newbold College, to care for the delegates at the highest level. While this included things such as signposting, excellent bulk catering, and an extra marquee on the college grounds, what came across most impressively was the committed spirit of all the staff, who together made the stay a pleasant experience.
Part of the good spirit was also down to the preaching. Lt A J Grant serves as an Adventist chaplain with the US navy. In his opening devotional, based on the experience of Jeremiah, he emphasised that it “must not be business as usual.”
That was a mantra taken on board over the two days of business and the Sabbath fellowship – even in the difficult issues. His messages were lively – and were also live streamed, and are now available on-demand.
Even his Sabbath morning message challenged. After noting during the Sabbath morning mission spotlight a young lady, Joanna Evers, who said, “I had to leave church in order to do church,” he emphasised that if we are going to have any chance of reaching the 68 million people who live in the British Isles with the Gospel then we have to get alongside them in ways which impact the heart.
Speaking from his own heart he shared how, in working with one interest in his own house church, that the man said, “Daniel and Revelation make logical sense but I just don’t feel it!” What turned him into a believer, AJ noted, was his watching how we behave.
He added that Jesus way is the only way, getting alongside, mingling, sharing where there is need – giving of ourselves. That is exactly what Joanna did – leaving her large, established church to start a simple church, a programme of real Christianity that is impacting lives.
They were joined by Anthony Fuller, (South England Conference Youth director; Andrew Layland, (Southampton); Rio Espulgar, (Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft): Andrei M Balan, (London Russian speaking and Watford town); Vaughn Thorpe, (Ilford & Leytonstone); Jonathan Burnett (Aylesbury & Oxford); and Matthew Herel (Horley Gatwick and Redhill).
You can never tell the effect a church business meeting may have. For a few it may be about politics, for most it is about ensuring competent leadership, for all it should be, as Pastor Sweeney emphasised, “seeking to make the church a more effective witness to the people of the British Isles.” [tedNEWS]
For further information, visit the news pages of the BUC website and the extensive picture galleries on the BUC Facebook page.
tedNEWS Staff: Victor Hulbert, director; Esti Pujic, editor
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