16 March 2013, Belgrade, Serbia [Jóhann E. Jóhannsson, tedNEWS] Two thousand participants gathered in a City Hall in the centre of Belgrade, Serbia, on 16 March 2013, for a Sabbath celebration and to hear encouraging words from Pastor Ted Wilson, President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
The varied program, organised by the South-East European Union Conference (SEEUC), with the theme ‘Together in Hope and Compassion’ included the sharing of God’s word trough Bible study, spiritual encouragement, as well as congregational singing and musical performances. Many high quality musical groups and choirs performed, but the one-day program had made it hard for the organisers to choose from the many talented musicians in the Church in this Union who would have liked to perform. The South-East European Union is made off the following countries: Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia and Montenegro.
In his message, Pastor Wilson stated, “We claim little where much should be claimed, but there is no limit to the promises of God. Your God has no limits and he wants you to claim these promises. Stay close to the Word of God and stay close to the Holy Spirit in quiet prayer. There is no limit to what God wants to provide in your endeavour to proclaim the Three Angles’ messages.”
From Revelation 1:7-8, Pastor Bertil Wiklander, President of the Trans-European Division of Seventh-day Adventists, reminded the congregation of the second coming of Jesus. “It is the culmination of God’s mission to the world, expressing the Creator’s care for and faithfulness to His creation.”
During the afternoon, the programme also included focus on mission, where the Union leadership and departmental directors gave reports and presented their plans for the future. The South-East European Union presented well-prepared plans and materials for the Great Hope project and Pastor Wiklander offered a prayer for this special outreach launched on this day.
As a practical outreach of the day, 138 young people donated blood through the military hospital in Belgrade.
“This day of Fellowship was a unique and blessed experience for me. What I really appreciated from the entire team’s visit was warm-heartedness, sincerity and passion for God that was felt in presenting His Word. I was greatly encouraged by the messages I heard today. My heart is still smiling.” said Jelena Popovic, South-Conference Treasurer.
“The visit of Pastor Ted Wilson and his wife Nancy, with their humble approach, in some specific way lifted our eyes to look to Jesus Christ again and at the same time refreshed our identity and mission in this very important time”, said Pastor Bozidar Lazic Chief Editor at the Euro Dream Publishing House.
“Today was just a great day! It was great worshipping God! It was great hearing again the ‘Righteousness by faith’ message! It was great meeting old and making new friends. It was just great! It was a taste of heaven. You had to be there!”, said Pastor Lidija Runic, Secretary for Hope and Mission in the West Conference, covering Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Pastor Djordje Trajkovski, President of the SEEUC summarised Pastor Wilson’s and his party’s visit well: “The members and the pastors of our Union were looking forward to this visit. His call to the true personal relationship with God, Church unity, and active participation in the Great Hope Project, emphasised once again during the Sabbath service, reminded us that we are a part of God’s large family, united in fulfilling his mission on earth and preparing for the soon coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. We are to humble ourselves before God, asking for the power of the Holy Spirit and decide to have less of ourselves and more of Jesus living in us.”
On Saturday night, Pastor Wilson and his party travelled by car to Budapest, Hungary. Midway, at 22:00, about 60 members of the Hungarian speaking local church in Hajdukovo, in northern Serbia, waited patiently for the party that arrived two hours behind schedule. The warm hospitality was a reminder that it is in the local church where true church work takes place. Pastors Wilson and Wiklander shared encouraging words and prayed for the group. Refreshments followed before the party continued to Hungary.
The last stop on Pastor and Mrs Wilson’s tour of the Trans-European Division is Budapest, Hungary. To see more photos from their visits to the countries in the TED, please click here. [tedNEWS]
tedNEWS Staff: Miroslav Pujic, director; Deana Stojkovic, editor
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