-
April 17, 2025 Prayer and Power Ignite St. Louis Launches Season of Prayer and Evangelism
Read more -
April 17, 2025 Original Recording of “Revelation Song” Students from Mid-America academies join their voices
Read more -
April 17, 2025 AdventHealth Lays Groundwork for New Denver Metro Hospital
Read more
Adventist News
Prayer and Power Ignite St. Louis Launches Season of Prayer and Evangelism Hugh Davis – April 17, 2025
On April 12, 2025, the Northside Seventh-day Adventist Church in St. Louis was filled with energy, unity, and purpose during the Ignite St. Louis: One Spirit, One Mission prayer symposium. Hosted by the Mid-America and Lake Union Conferences, the evening event drew church members and leaders together to pray for God’s power and guidance leading up to major evangelistic efforts. Prayers were offered specifically for the Pathway to Health clinic, evangelistic meetings in multiple locations, church-led efforts with Pentecost 2025, and a special community focused prayer initiative during the General Conference Session. Keynote speakers Elder G. Alexander Bryant, president of the North American Division, and Pastor Mark Finley, evangelist and assistant to the president of the General Conference, inspired attendees to pray boldly, serve faithfully, and trust God to do something special in St. Louis. The event was part of a larger movement of prayer-focused efforts happening across North America. With over 5,000 planned evangelistic campaigns taking place in 2025, church leaders are calling members to unite in prayer like never before. The goal is to seek the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and prepare hearts for a large harvest of souls. “We want the world to see a miracle in St. Louis,” said Elder Gary Thurber, president of the Mid-America Union, during his welcome. “When delegates from around the globe come for the General Conference Session, may they see what happens when Jesus is in the middle—there is peace.” Pastor Mark Tagaloa, the newest pastor serving at the St. Louis Central church and associate ministerial director for the Iowa-Missouri conference, opened the meeting with prayer and humor, introducing himself as “a big, loving Samoan” ready to do God’s work in the city. He thanked the church family for their warm welcome and reminded everyone that God is calling people right now to serve in St. Louis. Elder Bryant, who once served as president of the Central States Conference and was baptized at Northside Church, shared a message from Matthew 28 that encouraged believers not to be discouraged by doubt. “Jesus begins the Gospel Commission not with ‘go,’ but with ‘all authority has been given unto Me,’” he said. He explained that believers don’t just go with ordinary power—they go with exousia power, derived from the Greek for divine authority. His message reminded the audience that even when some believers doubt, Jesus still sends his people with authority to preach the gospel. “The church is not on the defense,” Bryant declared. “We’re not just trying to keep the devil out. We are storming the gates of hell with Holy Ghost power.” After several seasons of prayer and scripture, Pastor Finley concluded the evening with a message on the power of intercessory prayer. Using stories and Bible verses, he explained that when people pray for others, God moves in special ways to open hearts and change lives. “You may not understand how prayer works, but you don’t have to understand electricity to flip on the light,” he said. “Something happens when we pray that does not happen when we do not pray.” He shared how churches and families can experience miracles when they commit to daily, specific, and Spirit-led prayer for others. He encouraged everyone to make a list of people they are praying for and believe that God hears and responds. Throughout the evening, attendees were invited multiple times to form small prayer groups. Whether praying for the General Conference Session, the evangelistic series scheduled for St. Louis, or the upcoming Pathway to Health event, the sanctuary was filled with quiet, earnest voices lifted in prayer. A major focus of the evening was also to rally support for Pathway to Health, a large-scale free medical clinic scheduled for May 2025 in downtown St. Louis. Organizers are expecting thousands of people to come through the clinic to receive not only medical care but also spiritual encouragement and follow-up from local churches. Speakers shared stories from past clinics, including people who joined the church after being touched by the kindness of volunteers. “We’re not just treating bodies,” said Kathy Prophitt, one of the program leaders. “We’re connecting people to Jesus through love and service.” Kyle Allen, a vice president with Adventist World Radio and Carmelo Mercado, general vice president of the Lake Union Conference also emphasized how every member is needed—not just pastors or doctors, but anyone with a willing heart and a smile. Elder Elden Ramirez, executive secretary of the Lake Union, shared a personal testimony about planting churches in St. Louis over 25 years ago. At the time, he and his wife were struggling with infertility, but as they focused on mission work—knocking on doors and preaching the gospel—God performed a miracle. “My daughter was born right here in St. Louis,” he said. “Miracles still happen when we focus on sharing the love of Christ.” Ramirez reminded the crowd that evangelism is not just about events but about changed lives. “If you want to see miracles in your own life, go work for someone else’s salvation,” he said. Pastor Trevor Barnes, pastor of Northside Church, was recognized and thanked for graciously opening the church’s doors and helping host the event. Before the night ended, those in attendance were asked to pray in small groups for the upcoming General Conference Session, the evangelistic series in St. Louis, and the thousands of people who will be served by Pathway to Health. Voices were lifted in prayer all around the church. At the end of the program, guests were invited to stay for a fellowship meal. Leaders encouraged people from different churches to meet someone new, build community, and prepare to work together in the months ahead. As one speaker said during the event, “St. Louis will never be the same after this year.” YouTube Service Photo Album Revelation of Hope, June 20-28 – A transformative series by Elder Ted Wilson, general conference president, designed to inspire faith. Breath of Life, June 21 – July 5 – A city-wide evangelistic initiative Prayer and Power Ignite St. Louis Launches Season of Prayer and Evangelism“>Read more…
Read more...Original Recording of “Revelation Song” Students from Mid-America academies join their voices Union Adventist University – April 17, 2025
During the annual Mid-America Music Festival held on the campus of Union Adventist University, students in Union’s Introduction to Music Production and Technology (MAUP 110) class tackled a marathon project. Over the course of three hours, the class recorded 120 tracks. The end result? A cover of “Revelation Song” starring approximately 200 vocalists from seven Adventist academies in the Mid-America Union. “When we got together with the Enrollment team to brainstorm ways to make this weekend a little bit more impactful, a little more exciting and a little more memorable, we thought, Why not incorporate something we’re already doing?” said Steven Hutchison, assistant professor of music. “We thought, Let’s bring them all into our music studio. But our music studio isn’t that big.” The choirs were recorded separately then combined digitally to include all of the high school students. With vocal coaching from Mayah Evans, a senior nursing major, vocalists from each school recorded the solo tracks, though only six were featured in the final song. The selection process was completely blind — based solely on the quality of the recording and the voice. Because of the anonymous selection process, Hutchison does not know which students made the final cut. Written by Jennie Lee Riddle, “Revelation Song” references passages throughout the Book of Revelation. It has been covered by Christian recording artists including Philips, Craig and Dean, Kari Jobe and The Newsboys. This Music Festival recording features an original arrangement by Hutchison. “One of the things we love doing at Union is amplifying voices,” Hutchison said. “By that, I mean we have so many unique perspectives and so many students from different areas of the country and different walks of life coming together here on our campus. They all have a story, and we help them find their voice. We have students now taking classes in our recording studio on how to produce podcasts and record music and write their own music.” The track is available to listen and download through Union’s website at uau.edu/musicfestival2025
Read more...AdventHealth Lays Groundwork for New Denver Metro Hospital AdventHealth – April 17, 2025
AdventHealth has unveiled plans to become the first health care provider to build a medical campus in The Aurora Highlands, a 4,000-acre master planned community south of Denver International Airport. The new medical campus will be a dual-phased initiative that starts with the construction of the AdventHealth Aurora Highlands Emergency Room (ER) and medical office building, followed by future plans to expand into an acute care hospital. The first phase of the project will involve an investment of $81 million to develop an 88,000 square-foot facility located just south of The Aurora Highlands Parkway exit on E-470. The three-story building will include: A freestanding emergency room with eight exam rooms, two trauma exam rooms, and a helipad. An outpatient imaging center with CT, ultrasound and X-ray on day one, with plans to add MRI in the future. Clinic space on the second floor with 27 exam rooms. The third floor will be shelled space for future clinic growth. The AdventHealth Aurora Highlands ER will use geothermal energy to heat and cool the building, helping reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption. This effort will make strides on AdventHealth’s aspirations around making a positive impact on climate change. In 2022, AdventHealth signed the U.S. Health and Human Services Health Sector Climate Pledge, committing to reduce emissions from onsite operations and purchased electricity by 50 percent in 2030. The AdventHealth Aurora Highlands ER expects to start operations in September 2026. When the campus opens, it will be considered a department of AdventHealth Parker. “The Aurora Highlands is one of the fastest-growing areas in the Colorado market,” said Michael Goebel, CEO of AdventHealth Parker and AdventHealth Aurora Highlands ER. “Right now, the closest emergency room is at least nine miles away. This facility will not only provide whole-person care closer to home but will keep families from having to fight traffic to get the care they need.” Phase 2 of the project will include expanding into a Level III trauma hospital. The American Trauma Society defines a Level III trauma hospital as a space that has demonstrated an ability to provide advanced trauma life support, providing evaluation, stabilization and diagnostic capabilities for injured patients. The Aurora Highlands neighborhood is expected to grow by nearly 40 percent in the next 10 years, and AdventHealth looks forward to growing with the community. “AdventHealth’s arrival at The Aurora Highlands marks an exciting milestone for our growing community,” said Carla Ferreira, CEO and principal developer of The Aurora Highlands, a new 4,000-acre master planned community near the Denver airport. “This state-of-the-art facility will provide convenient access to world-class health care while creating valuable jobs that support the growth and vitality of the region. We are thrilled to welcome AdventHealth to The Aurora Highlands as we continue building a connected, thriving place where people can live, work and flourish.” This expansion is part of AdventHealth’s commitment to caring for the communities where they belong, and the organization looks forward to Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ to the northeast Denver metro area.
Read more...Adventist Volunteers Urgently Needed in St. Louis: May 4 – 9 Guest Contributor – April 10, 2025
Have you dreamed of going on a mission trip? You can make a direct impact on lives here in North America. Join Pathway to Health as we reach the city of St. Louis, Missouri, ahead of GC Session. Pathway to Health, a humanitarian service of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, provides free mega-clinics to major cities in North America, delivering free medical, dental, and other services to local communities. You will be joined by hundreds of other volunteers that share the same passion. We need both medical and non-medical volunteers. There are many ways to volunteer. If you have a heart that beats and love Jesus, you can serve! We are in urgent need of 3,000 volunteers for our upcoming clinic in St. Louis, Missouri, May 4–9. Please visit www.pathwaytohealth.org/register to sign up. The only cost to attend is your transportation and lodging, and we have negotiated discounted rates at area hotels. Childcare is provided. No special licensure is needed if you are a medical professional in the United States, and insurance is covered. Join us as we show God’s love by bringing physical, mental, and spiritual healing to thousands in St. Louis. To Register: www.pathwaytohealth.org/register
Read more...
Blogs
Satan’s First Lie "Ye shalt not surely die" The Teacher's Notes – April 23, 2025
Satan was so successful with his first lie to the human pair in the Garden of Eden that he has been elaborating on it ever since. No one wants to believe that they or someone they love will be gone forever. The devil has many tricks up his sleeve to cause us to misunderstand the state of the dead. Even though the Bible repeatedly refers to death as a “sleep”, the enemy of God has been able to get most of the world to believe that all of us do indeed go on living forever. For ancient pagans and believers in several world religions today, Satan’s lie has caused them to go to great lengths to bow down to other gods, or ancestors, who they feel will give them a chance for the best afterlife possible. In addition, most of the Christian world has been given the impression that we go straight to heaven or hell immediately upon death. This prospect is wonderful for those we know to be righteous followers of God. But it also means that when sinners die, they immediately suffer ongoing, excruciating torment in the fires of hell. This erroneous belief does not reflect well on a loving, merciful, just God, nor is it supported well by Scripture. The belief in this kind of hell has caused many to reject God altogether, which is just fine with Satan. He wants to keep the numbers of God’s faithful as low as he can. There’s another reason Satan has promoted this questionable belief about death though. When people believe their loved ones may already be in heaven, they are more inclined to have a desire to speak to them in the so-called spirit world. Numerous movie and entertainment venues help spread such false ideas about death. Thus, spiritualism, spiritism, the belief in psychic powers, witchcraft, Ouija boards, horoscopes, and tarot cards entice many people to the devil’s playground. Thinking we are dealing with friendly forces, we are instead setting ourselves up for deceptions of the devil. The Bible warns us that these supernatural beings, who are in reality fallen angels, can perform wonders and miracles (Revelation 16:14). We can easily be deceived by the disguises of these “spiritual hosts of wickedness” (Ephesians 6:12). The good news is we don’t have to fall into any of these traps of Satan when we have a correct understanding of what death is. The Old Testament describes the death of both good and bad kings as “sleeping”, or “resting”, with their fathers See 1 Kings 2:10, 1 Kings 15:24, 2 Kings 20:21, 2 Chronicles 28:27, and 1 Kings 16:28. Will there be an afterlife? Of course, but the Resurrection is an event in the future, when Jesus comes again. Lazarus’ sister Martha understood and affirmed her belief that her brother would rise at the last day (John 11:24). The apostle Paul also had faith in a future Resurrection, writing to the Thessalonians that at the Second Coming, those who are alive would join those who have just been resurrected, and together they would be taken to heaven. One would not precede the other (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). It’s a comfort knowing that my loved ones are having a wonderful, dreamless sleep, and none of them are burning forever and ever, or even are in heaven, looking down sadly on the things happening in the world. Will there be a punishment for sin? Of course, but that, too, is in the future. Revelation 20:13-14 describes how fire will come down from heaven after the millennium and devour the wicked, even calling the event “the second death”. I can more easily believe in such a loving, wise God as this outcome portrays. Although we hate to see anyone lost (and so does God, by the way—2 Peter 3:9), we know that the total eradication of the wicked (Malachi 4:1) is the only way the universe can be in perfect peace and harmony again, and we can exist forever in the earth made new. For more evidence to share this topic from a non-denominational source, see this video about the book “The Fire That Consumes”, by Edward Fudge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8Zlh__Xx2E …or watch the family-approved movie about the life of Edward Fudge, called “Hell and Mr. Fudge”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W66HP-3HO_A&t=2001s
Read more...- Biblical Lifestyle Changes God has a way for us to be in good health Jeanine Qualls – April 20, 2025
Health is your greatest wealth. The bible has principles that can help you have good health and live up to the potential that God has placed in you. Knowing and following these principles will make a difference in your life. https://youtu.be/uROp52rPW9E?si=ceD5ef-unBALgnDr
Read more... - Having Faith Transitioning and keeping faith Jeanine Qualls – April 20, 2025
Faith is important during transitioning times in our lives. Transition is going to be part of life. Keeping the faith is the challenging part. https://youtu.be/S85qOZXP0kI
Read more... - What’s In Your Food We eat everyday , but what are we really eating ? Jeanine Qualls – April 20, 2025
There are many things that we eat during a day. It is important to check out the food labels and research the things that are in our foods. In order to be healthy the foods we eat should be nourishing to our bodies. https://youtu.be/bsVH7sfW8co?si=_OHk603Z7S75XM8L
Read more...
Featured Stories
5 Practical Ways to Study the Bible Guest Contributor – April 17, 2025
There are many ways to get to know God. We may think we are getting to know Him pretty well through our prayer life, our efforts to support helping ministries, and our involvement and appreciation of Him through nature. But, if we stop there, we are missing out on the most important avenue for knowing God, which is through the written word. The Bible provides us with the most complete picture of who God is and what His plans are for His created beings. It tells us who we are praying to, how to best serve those around us, and what the inconsistencies of nature actually mean to our existence. There is no other book, known to humankind, that represents more fully what our Christian faith is about—no other book that takes a lifetime and more to learn from. And no other book that is more important for us to know and understand. Because in studying the Holy Bible we are equipping ourselves with the armor it takes to stand any and all of Satan’s attacks upon us and those we love (see Eph. 6:16, 17). That said, we may wonder how to best undertake the Bible study that comes so highly recommended to us. Many successful ways have been suggested, and any or all of them have worked for others and are certainly worth our consideration. A good concordance and Bible dictionary will prove helpful in any of these methods. A few well-known methods of Bible study include: Book by book Lives of great persons Great chapters Topics of doctrines Straight through There are a few other miscellaneous methods worth exploring. For instance, one might study all the miracles in the Bible, all the parables of Christ, the recorded prayers in the Bible, the meaning of the sanctuary service, or the various prophecies about end times. Another intensive method was used by a man in my church, who wrote out the entire Bible by hand. So, be creative in undertaking your preferred method, and make it a part of your daily routine. Whatever method you choose, author and historian Charles W. Conn suggests we observe these instructions when studying God’s word: Read carefully (find a convenient time and place to study). Read prayerfully (always ask God to illuminate your understanding). Read reflectively (think, meditate, contemplate what you are reading). Read regularly (and often). Read repeatedly (don’t rush; review constantly). Read introspectively (apply what you have read, as a message to your own heart). Proper reading and study of the Bible can be the most exciting and enjoyable mental/spiritual activity we can ever experience. Don’t deny yourself this rewarding and necessary challenge that enables us to know God in the fullest way possible. Group Study If your church provides systematic study helps for group study, like our own Sabbath School Bible Study Guides (absg.adventist.org) by all means take advantage of this method of study as well. You will find it a great way to share corporately what you have studied during the week, gaining valuable insights from the experience and knowledge of your fellow church members. These lessons are designed to cover the entire Bible in a certain number of years, so take full advantage of this global resource that reaches those of like faith around the world. Editor’s Note: If you are teaching a weekly Bible study class, check out Teresa’s blog. The Teacher’s Notes contain supplemental material and is posted every Sabbath for the coming week’s lesson. outlookmag.org/author/teresathompson
Read more...The Plain Reading of Scripture What does it mean and how does one do it? Guest Contributor – April 10, 2025
“Don’t give me a lot of theological mumbo jumbo,” he said. “I believe in the plain reading of Scripture.” Sounds good to me. Of course we pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us each step of the way. And then we ask of the text, “What did the author say?” Let’s start with Rev. 21: 21, “And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.” What in the world is “transparent gold?” Actually, that question demonstrates the problem: transparent gold is out of this world, but it exists in the world made new. To describe what he saw, John uses words he and his audience have in common. We know what gold looks like, and we know what transparent means. To some degree, we encounter the same challenge with every biblical passage: the prophets who wrote the Bible lived on the same planet we do, but not in the same world, and unless we recognize that we read our world into their words. An inspired prophet has an experience with God that the rest of us do not. He or she must then communicate that experience, that knowledge, to their contemporary audience, which gives us the second step in good Bible study: “What did his audience understand him to have said?” Any “plain reading” of the Scripture must begin with understanding the world the prophet and his audience lived in. Today, we are uncommonly blessed in this effort because so many resources are readily available to us. While reading the original languages helps, the Internet gives the rest of us access to interlinear biblical texts, Greek and Hebrew word studies, and many other helpful study aids. Even better, the very composition of most of Scripture makes it available to everyone. As Ellen White said, “The Bible was not written for the scholar alone; on the contrary, it was designed for the common people.”i That’s because the largest portion of scripture consists of stories. Yes, there’s poetry, wisdom literature, letters, prophecy and some theology, but the Bible devotes more space to story than to anything else. Of course, Jesus himself taught with parables—which is to say, stories. We know this because of the gospels, which are themselves stories. The gospel writers tell us what we need to know by how they tell their stories. Reading John chapters 3 and 4 as story shows how useful this can be. The third chapter of John contains one of the most familiar stories in the Bible, but understanding it as the audience did reveals fascinating new truths. John tells us that Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews and that he came by night. Why? Because in the Old Testament, God chose the Jews to be a light to the nations. By telling us Nicodemus came at night John wants us to see the irony of a teacher of the children of light coming to “the Light of the World” — see John 1:4-9 — in darkness. Jesus tells Nicodemus that he needs to be born again. But in the NASB there’s a footnote that says, “or from above.” ii Jesus is the One ”from above,” as is the new birth He offers, but Nicodemus chose the more literal interpretation. How can we know that? Again, we let John, the storyteller inform us. After Nicodemus left, still in darkness, John presents a brief testimony from John the Baptist. Part of which says: “He who comes from above is above all; the one who is only from the earth is of the earth and speaks of the earth,” iii neatly summarizing the interchange between Jesus and Nicodemus earlier. The very next story finds Jesus in Samaria, where a woman comes to the well “about the sixth hour,” or, as the footnote informs us, noon. As far as the Jews were concerned, if Jews were children of the light, the Samaritans must be children of darkness. With that in mind, a simple survey of the two episodes—Nicodemus and the Woman at the Well—uncovers a wealth of meaning. Nicodemus came at night, and left still in darkness, not understanding Jesus’ person or mission. The Samaritan woman meets Jesus at noon, and He reveals Himself as the Messiah. The woman returns to her village, not only while it is light, but sharing the light with her neighbors. Nicodemus’ interview could hardly have lasted more than an hour. Jesus stayed with the Samaritans for two whole days! What does this brief examination teach us? First, by knowing that Jesus actually used a word that could have meant “again,” or “from above,” gives us insight into his discussion with Nicodemus. Second, recognizing how John’s audience would have seen the contrast between night and day, the Jewish teacher and Samaritan woman, provides new depth to our understanding. In the third step, we apply the truths we have discovered to our own lives, answering the question, “What does this mean for me, today?” Prov. 27:17 tells us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” As a final step, we explain our whole process to others we trust and respect, seeking feedback. Or we can compare our results with published sources. No easy shortcuts “Wait a minute,” you may ask, “how does this deal with all the hot topics in the church today?” To study topics, hot or otherwise, we should follow the same steps, but for multiple passages. Done correctly, this takes a good deal of time and effort. Some passages which appear at first sight to address a topic, may be discussing something completely different. Remember, the biblical authors had a different world view. A common error we all make is to begin with the conclusion we desire, and set about finding passages that appear to support it. This shortcut leads to distortion of the Scripture and deeply flawed conclusions. God has blessed the church with many scholars and others who explore these topics. No one possesses all truth, so we should read as many as we can, especially where it involves difficult or The Plain Reading of Scripture What does it mean and how does one do it?“>Read more…
Read more...Back to Bible Basics The Importance of Personal Study Guest Contributor – April 3, 2025
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to rely on sermons, devotionals or online content for spiritual nourishment. While these resources are valuable, nothing can replace the personal experience of studying the Bible for yourself. In this Q&A with OUTLOOK magazine, Rob Alfalah, conference evangelist for the Iowa-Missouri Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, shares insights on why Bible study is essential, how it has impacted his life, and practical advice for deepening your understanding of God’s Word. Why is Bible study important for the average church member? Personal Bible study allows the Holy Spirit direct access to our hearts and minds. It strengthens our faith and deepens our relationship with God. While sermons and devotionals are helpful, they cannot replace personal study. It’s like eating food someone else has already chewed—we need to engage with God’s Word ourselves every day! How has Bible study impacted your life or someone you know? Bible study has strengthened my faith and helped me through difficult times. When I’ve fallen short, the Holy Spirit reminds me of Christ’s forgiveness (1 John 2:1). One example is when I shared Phil. 4:6-7 with a woman experiencing anxiety. Her family later told me how much it helped her. Another time, I reassured a struggling friend that in spite of his doubts, his decision to stay with Jesus showed his faith, bringing him peace. What advice would you give those wanting to start or deepen their study? Don’t rely solely on a pastor for spiritual growth—ask God for guidance and start studying for yourself. Be patient with the process. Read a passage thoroughly before turning to a commentary. If unsure where to start, books and church leaders can help. I’ve also conducted seminars to teach members how to study the Bible effectively. Are there methods to make Bible study more impactful? Yes! Here are four simple steps: Observation – Identify key details: Who is speaking? What is being said? Where is it happening? Why is it important? Interpretation – Let Scripture explain itself by comparing passages and clarifying difficult texts with easier ones. Application – Ask how the passage applies to your life today. Presentation – Share what you’ve learned through Bible studies, sermons or witnessing. Start with 20-30 minutes a week and let your study time grow naturally. How does participating in a Bible study group benefit individuals and the church? Group Bible study strengthens faith, builds community and teaches empathy. It deepens understanding and helps members reflect God’s love while sharing His message. What tips do you have for starting or leading a Bible study group? Start with prayer and ask God to guide you to the right people. Pray for friends, neighbors or coworkers who don’t know Jesus. Be open to God leading you in unexpected ways. I prayed for my childhood friends for 20 years, and in 2021, we started a Zoom Bible study that continues today. What are common challenges in studying the Bible, and how can they be overcome? Fear – Many hesitate to lead studies, fearing they lack knowledge. Start with what you know and grow from there. If you don’t know an answer, say, “Let’s study it together.” Time – Life gets busy, but if we audited our schedules, we’d see ways to prioritize Bible study. We tithe our income—why not tithe our time to God? What would you say to someone intimidated by Bible study or joining a group? Just do it—prayerfully—and trust God to guide you. 1 Cor. 1:26-31 reminds us that God calls those who feel weak to share His message. It’s not about our abilities but about His power working through us. His Word is meant to be shared, so let’s get it out there!
Read more...A Missionary in Waiting Dr. Merlin G. Anderson's Quest for Mission Service in the Midst of World War II Adventist Historical Footprints – April 2, 2025
In 1943, Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie wanted Seventh-day Adventists working in his country. (See article about Della Frances Thompson Hanson.) Following his return to Ethiopia after the Italian occupation, Selassie restored Zauditu Memorial Hospital in Addis Ababa to operation by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, but the Church was finding it difficult to staff the facility. The General Conference was willing to send doctors to the hospital. Dr. Merlin Gustav Anderson was willing to go to Ethiopia and work at the hospital. However, staffing overseas hospitals with American doctors in 1943 was not as simple as appointing and paying the travel expenses of a willing candidate. The Seventh-day Adventist Doctor’s Conundrum During World War II, all male physicians, dentists, and veterinarians in the United States were required to register with the Selective Service, just like any other man. However, doctors were not generally subject to being drafted. Instead, doctors were managed by the Federal Security Agency’s Office of Defense Health and Welfare Services, which attempted to balance the Armed Forces’ need for medical professionals with the civilian population’s need for the same medical expertise. Thus, an assignment from the Office of Defense Health and Welfare Services carried the authority of a draft notice. If a doctor was called up for service in the Armed Forces, he was expected to accept a commission as an officer. This is where the conundrum started. The enlisted soldier who was drafted through the Selective Service Act had legal protection regarding his conscientious objections. This allowed him to request exemptions from carrying weapons and non-essential work on Sabbaths. Waiting to be drafted was the official line of advice from the Seventh-day Adventist War Service Commission headed by Carlyle B. Haynes. He continually stressed the importance of not volunteering but rather waiting to be drafted in order to reserve once’s rights to conscientious objection. Adventist doctors could have followed this advice, but in doing so they would have lost the ability to practice medicine in the Armed Forces, and forfeited the higher wages to which doctors, as commissioned officers, entitled. Although unknown for certain, it is doubtful that any Seventh-day Adventist doctors were enlistees. Commissioned officers swore (or affirmed) an oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States…without mental reservation…and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter.” In time of war, this oath presented two challenges. First, doctors on the front lines were likely to find themselves in situations where they could be ordered to carry a gun. Second, if an Adventist doctor disagreed with his commanding officer about duties he was asked to complete on Sabbath, he could face legal charges and court martial. This happened in at least one case. Some Adventist physicians avoided the issue for a while by obtaining III-A classification (deferment due to hardship to family or children) under the Selective Service Act, claiming military service would present a hardship for their families. As time went by and the military’s need for medical personnel increased, the pressure mounted. If a physician was of the right age and physical condition to serve in the Armed Forces, he should take a commission, and he would be paid wages ample to care for his family. There was no real hardship. Some Adventist physicians found a successful workaround by writing in an addendum to their statements of oath similar to this one proposed by Haynes: I have a single reservation which it seems best to disclose now. I am a Seventh-day Adventist. I have no unwillingness to engage in my professional duties in ministering to the sick any day or any time human need requires. I would not, however, have my acceptance of a commission construed as meaning I am willing to compromise my religious convictions regarding merely routine, administrative, ordinary tasks on the seventh-day Sabbath. Numerous Adventist physicians served during World War II with honor and distinction. According to Haynes, “practically one-half the entire alumni of the College of Medical Evangelists [now Loma Linda University], 700 doctors” was serving in the United States Army in 1944, and most of the rest were providing essential civilian care.It is unknown how many modified their oaths or just accepted the oath in its original form. Very few seem to have run into real disagreement with superior officers. However, there was one more restriction on Adventist doctors’ personal freedoms during World War II. Even if a physician had completed his mandatory military service or had been found unfit for duty, he still could not leave the United States. The Office of Defense Health and Welfare Services, in collaboration with Selective Service and the Department of State, placed an embargo on passports for doctors. And in 1943, this is where Merlin Anderson found himself stuck. Missionary in Waiting According to his birth certificate, Merlin Gustav Anderson was born May 22, 1911, in Dusty, an unincorporated community near Colfax, Washington. However, his birthday is often recorded as May 24, 1911, on subsequent documents. His parents were John August Anderson and Ida Henrietta Getzlaff. John was a Swedish-born farmer; Ida was a Minnesota-born housewife, the daughter of German immigrants. Merlin was their only son and the fifth of six children. His sisters were Leona, Mildred, Lorene, Irene, and Bernice. The four older girls and Merlin attended an Adventist church school in Wilcox, Washington, another unincorporated community near Colfax. For such a small school, the Wilcox Church School had an unusually large number of students who became employees of the denomination. This may have been where Anderson’s goal of mission service began. At Walla Walla College, Merlin Anderson studied premed, then enrolled at the College of Medical Evangelists (CME) from which he graduated in June 1936. That same year, he married one of CME’s nursing graduates, Frances Eleanor Stafford (who went by Eleanor). For a man who desired to become a medical missionary, Eleanor was the perfect wife. Born in Shanghai, China, on December 7, 1912, she A Missionary in Waiting Dr. Merlin G. Anderson’s Quest for Mission Service in the Midst of World War II“>Read more…
Read more...