2 July 2015 | San Antonio, Texas, USA [Victor Hulbert, tedNEWS] Considering the jet-lag still being faced by the majority of TED delegates it was impressive to see the turn-out for the President’s report on Thursday evening, 2 July. After all, they had already done a full day of business. And it’s not just the jet-lag, it is also the distances they have walked between the exhibition hall and venue for meals, and the Alamodome, venue for the main meetings. A very fit Ian Sweeney, President of the British Union Conference, reckoned that totalled about three miles for him today – that in addition to his early morning exercise routine.
So feeling tired and slightly drained they settled into their seats, enjoyed the pre-concert of inspiring choirs and musicians, and wondered what was coming. That wonder turned into inspiration as the evening started with a strong youth emphasis: a mixture of video clips and interviews expertly hosted by a Hawaiian child and a Brazilian young adult.
Kennet Engblom from Finland stated, “It was very interesting and very inspiring”, though he confessed to still be “experiencing a little jet lag so the mind switched off a little at times.”
Elder Wilson reminded delegates of his call five years ago to ‘go forward’, but he also reminded delegates that ‘going forward has been going on since the days of Abraham and Moses. Cleverly inserted video clips transported the President from the Alamodome to the sites of Moses’ ministry. He took delegates to the Red Sea and reminded them of how God intervened to take his people to freedom. “God is still doing extraordinary things”, he emphasised. In later clips he focused on how God can bring hope in times of disappointment, with complaining Israelites and even in our own lives. He also shared how, from the top of Sinai, God gave the Ten Commandments with their eternal principles.
All of this was a spiritual background to the emphasis of growth in a church nearing 19 million people. “I welcomed the outward focused nature of it through emphasising mission, i.e. reaching others with a message and experience of Jesus”, Pastor Sweeney reflected afterwards.
He showed how ministries such as Maranatha International were making a difference, and then explained the rationale and excitement behind Mission for the Cities in a world where, for the first time in history, more people live in urban areas than in the countryside. Starting with Mission to New York and now expanded around the globe he emphasised, “Mission to the Cities will increase in intensity until Jesus comes.”
Kenth Stolpe, a Swede working in Finland, thought that message was timely and in line with the Spirit of Prophecy. “The mission to the cities imitative is desperately needed and is not always successful because the devil will try hard to ruin things. However God will always be triumphant”, he said, noting that the message brought him comfort and assurance.
Two of Pastor Wilson’s great passions are evangelism and health ministry. He spoke of his experience in the Revelation of Hope outreach in Zimbabwe that baptised up to 30,000 people. “It was fantastic”, he enthused, urging everyone to get involved with ‘Share Him’ and other outreach groups.
Finally, he rounded up his love of the Spirit of Prophecy as “a gift for God’s end time, remnant people”, the need for the Bible and science to be rightly understood together, and a need for integrated outreach in media and other areas.
“Arise, shine, Jesus is coming”, he concluded, generating a round of applause. Without a doubt, the president’s aim is mission.
A member of the GC Executive Committee, Pastor Richard Daly from London commented that there is “much to absorb and reflect upon.” Christine Burt from Birmingham agrees. “It is great hearing how the Spirit is moving around the world. Sometimes a little jealous that our work is not as creative or visionary throughout the whole TED.”
However, Pastor Wilson’s closing challenge was simple: “Our greatest need at this Session is to humble ourselves with God, spend time in prayer and Bible study, and allow him to equip us.”
He concluded, “Nancy and I humble ourselves and place ourselves in God’s hands. We invite you to do the same. Let’s go forward in unity. Arise, shine. Jesus is coming soon.” [tedNEWS]
tedNEWS Staff: Miroslav Pujic, director; Deana Stojkovic, 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.
You are free to re-print any portion of the bulletin without need for special permission. However, we kindly request that you identify tedNEWS whenever you publish these materials.
