{"id":23615,"date":"2025-06-20T07:23:26","date_gmt":"2025-06-20T07:23:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/news\/?p=23615"},"modified":"2025-06-20T07:23:26","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T07:23:26","slug":"belonging-before-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/news\/belonging-before-service\/","title":{"rendered":"Belonging Before Service"},"content":{"rendered":"

14 June 2025| Ekebyholm, Norrt\u00e4lje, Sweden [David Neal]<\/p>\n

At the Swedish Union of Churches Conference (SUChC) Session, which took place on the campus of Ekebyholm School from 12-15 June, Daniel Hailemariam was elected to serve as president for the next three years.<\/p>\n

Born in 1963, Hailemariam holds a BA in Theology, an MA in Education, and has served the Church in various roles, including pastor, Ekebyholme vice-principal and Executive Secretary of the SUChC. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Career Counselling, has formal training in school leadership, and has served as a lecturer at Stockholm University.<\/p>\n

Bringing a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to relationship-building, pastoral care, and organisational development to his role, he is known for his thoughtful leadership and collaborative spirit. It is important to Hailemariam that church structures support both people and mission.<\/p>\n

Married since 1987, Daniel and his wife are parents to four adult children, with three still living at home. His vision for leadership focuses on empowering colleagues to fulfil their God-given calling and on nurturing a culture of care and cooperation. He is dedicated to strengthening the Adventist Church in Sweden through intentional collaboration and mission-focused growth.<\/p>\n

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In a prayer of dedication, Karolina Poland, Daniel Duda, Ian Sweeney, and outgoing president Bobby Sj\u00f6lander lay hands on the elected leaders\u2014Terje Wollan Dahl, Daniel Hailemariam, and Rainer Refsb\u00e4ck (front row)\u2014 symbolically recognising their leadership partnership with the Holy Spirit.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Belonging before serving!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Preaching for the first time in his new role, Hailemariam shared insights from Luke 10:17\u201320, which he has graciously summarised for tedNEWS<\/em>.<\/p>\n

In Luke 10, Jesus sends out seventy-two followers to go ahead of Him and prepare the way for His arrival. They minister by bringing peace, healing the sick, and proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is near. When they return, they are full of joy, celebrating that even demons submitted to them in Jesus\u2019 name. Their joy flows from experiencing the power of God at work through them. But Jesus, while acknowledging their success, gently redirects their focus toward a deeper, more lasting source of joy.<\/em><\/p>\n

Jesus responds in three important ways. First<\/strong>, He gives a warning: \u201cI saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven\u201d (v.18). This is a caution against pride\u2014a reminder that spiritual success can be followed by spiritual downfall if pride takes root. Even Satan, once exalted, fell because he tried to elevate himself above God. Jesus warns the disciples not to let ministry results become the source of their identity or worth.<\/em><\/p>\n

Second,<\/strong> Jesus offers reassurance: \u201cI have given you authority…\u201d He affirms that they have truly been given power to confront darkness and represent the Kingdom of God. But that authority is not for building a personal platform or proving spiritual status. It\u2019s for revealing who God is and preparing the way for others to encounter Christ. Their power is a delegation from God\u2014it flows from Him, and they are only vessels.<\/em><\/p>\n

Finally<\/strong>, Jesus provides the heart of His message: \u201cDo not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven\u201d (v.20). This is the most important truth. The truest, most enduring joy is not based on what we do for God, but who we are to God. Our identity is not defined by our roles, titles, or results, but by the simple, eternal fact that we belong to Him. Our names are written in heaven. That\u2019s what gives us worth. That\u2019s what sustains us\u2014when our strength fails, when our efforts go unseen, when circumstances shake us.<\/em><\/p>\n

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The Session’s sabbath worship was enhanced by the presence of a combined choir and orchestra under the excellent leadership of Tobias Edlund (orchestra) and Irene Hermansson (choir).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This kind of joy is not performance-based. It doesn\u2019t fade when ministry is hard or when we feel inadequate. It\u2019s not like fireworks that burn bright and then disappear. It\u2019s steady, anchored in eternity. It\u2019s rooted not in outcomes, but in what God has already done: that He knows our name, loves us, and has written our name in His book\u2014engraved in His hands (Isaiah 49:16). We are not primarily servants, but children\u2014sons and daughters in relationship with our Father.<\/em><\/p>\n

Belonging comes before doing. Before we bear fruit, we must first take root. When our joy flows from belonging to God, ministry becomes a response, not a requirement. We\u2019re no longer driven by pressure to prove ourselves, but by gratitude and love. Even when no one notices, even when we feel weak, we are still someone\u2014because we are His. Jesus invites us to a deeper joy. A joy that endures. A joy that carries us all the way home. Let that be our source. Our name is written in heaven. That is enough.<\/em><\/p>\n

In response to Hailemariam\u2019s sermon, a diverse group\u2014young and old, pastors, members, and delegates\u2014came forward for a prayer of dedication and commitment.<\/p>\n

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For Sabbath worship, delegates were joined not only by local members from Ekebyholm but also by others who had travelled from far and wide.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Department Elections<\/strong><\/p>\n

In addition to the officers of the SUChC elected to office, department leaders were also voted. Marita Fors was elected as Media Centre and Hope Channel Manager, Karin Lundberg as Ministerial Secretary, and Anette Frank in an overseeing role as Director for Church Planting and Church Life.<\/p>\n

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Joy-filled and newly elected\u2014Swedish Union of Churches Conference department leaders (left to right): Marita Fors, Karin Lundberg, and Anette Frank.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Featured Image: Daniel Hailemariam preaching at the Swedish Union of Churches Conference Session [Photos: David Neal].<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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