Seventh-day Adventist world church president, Jan Paulsen, celebrated his 75th birthday this past Tuesday. Paulsen has spent nearly a decade at the helm of our 16-million member global Protestant church. Questions abound … will he accept another term at this year’s General Conference session in Atlanta? Or this year mark the “changing of the guard?” Many have appreciated Paulsen’s academic, pragmatic, firm-yet-willing-to-listen leadership style. But, with membership growing by leaps and bounds around the world, there are many other concerns and pressures that will weigh heavily on this year’s election process. Who will it be? Paulsen, or someone else? Will the leadership style change? Will our church’s leadership have a new and different mandate or direction after Atlanta? Is God really in control? What do you think?
Current Events
Jan Paulsen Turns 75
Sunday, January 10th, 2010Youth Baptismal Sabbath: Dec. 5, 2009
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009Prepare Your Youth for Baptism!
“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” –Acts 22:16 NKJV
We set dates for weddings, graduations, sporting events and special times with a loved one. So why not set one for youth baptisms? When we set a date for baptism we show that we realize it is an important step in walking with Jesus and we are more likely to give serious attention to preparing for this special event.
In the North Pacific Union, the first Sabbaths in May and December are “Youth Baptismal Sabbath.” Why have two baptismal dates in a year? By having two baptismal dates a year there will be many more who are baptized. When a person is baptized they usually think of friends they want to see make the same decision. If there is another baptism already scheduled within the next six months they are often more focused in their outreach efforts. At many baptismal services some watching make a decision for baptism and need to be invited to prepare to be baptized within the next six months or sooner. Some people are ripe for making a decision for baptism now that weren’t six months ago.
As a spiritual leader of young people you have an incredible privilege and responsibility. You can help the young people in your circle of influence catch a vision of what Jesus has planned for their lives and to invite them to take important steps in that direction. One word spoken, one invitation made, one personal testimony shared, one verse of God’s word read can be the turning point in an entire life.
For more information and resources visit: http://www.youthbaptismalsabbath.org
Share your stories of youth baptism as a comment. Watch for blog comments in upcoming issues of the GLEANER.
Idaho Evangelism Update
Monday, October 12th, 2009Evangelistic efforts continue throughout the northwest this fall. Here’s an update about a recent series in Idaho.
Hi Partners in Soul Winning—
I just received word from Ron Clouzet that their Field School of Evangelism, based in the Caldwell Seventh-day Adventist Church, is wrapping up with 44 decisions for baptism, including 22 already baptized and 12 more scheduled for baptism in the next few weeks with the remainder to be cleared soon.
Praise the Lord! The next time someone tells you that “Public evangelism doesn’t work anymore” you might want to cheer them up with this great news!
Blessings to you,
Dan Serns
Ministerial/Soul Winning, Global Missions, Church Planting
North Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Does your church have a story to share? Let us know by adding a comment!
Check Him Out Episodes Now Online
Monday, October 12th, 2009The latest NPUC MOMENTUM series, Check Him Out, is now available for online preview. Each meeting with José Rojas is available from Motionbox.
Program 1:
Watch for Check Him Out on Hope Church Channel in November. The programs will also be available for purchase as a DVD set.
MOMENTUM EUGENE: Rolling On
Thursday, September 24th, 2009Our production continues each night with postitive results. By the third or fourth night the volunteers and technical crew tend to settle into a comfort zone and things start to become more smooth. José is keeping audiences captivated with his energetic storytelling, and presenting God in basic and authentic terms. This is a series you’ll definitely want to track down on DVD, and not just because of the exceptional camera skills!
More pictures.
Share your pictures from Check Him Out (or any other event your church, school or service group is involved in) with the NPUC Adventists Photo Group.
MOMENTUM EUGENE: More behind the scenes photos.
Sunday, September 20th, 2009
Click on each photo for more information.
MOMENTUM Eugene: Behind the Scenes
Friday, September 18th, 2009As promised, I’ll be doing my best to extract a few behind-the-scenes glimpses of Check Him Out, the latest NPUC Momentum series in Eugene, Ore., as the production moves forward. The days leading up to these events are always extremely busy. Volunteers and equipment converge on the production site (in this case an exhibition hall at the Lane County Fairgrounds), and in a matter of days are transformed into a powerful evangelistic effort.
By the time I arrived on site Thursday evening, much of the stage had already taken shape. Because this event isn’t taking place in a church or auditorium we have more control over the appearance of the set. It’s going to be a fun and contemporary atmosphere.
Watch for additional images on the GLEANER Online gallery on Flickr.
If you live in the Eugene area consider coming to this event. Even if you don’t, keep us in your prayers.
Cheers,
2009 International Pathfinder Camporee Photos
Friday, August 14th, 2009Things have been going full bore at Oshkosh, and it’s been hard to stay on top of regular updates. But pictures probably speak better than words. Check out some of the camporee photos from the NPUC Adventists group on Flickr. Feel free to add your images to the group pool as well. The slideshow will automatically be updated to include any photos from the NPUC pool that include the tag “camporee.”
Feel free to add comments to this post, sharing your thoughts, memories and reflections from camporee.
Oshkosh: Wednesday
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009Today I spent some quality time with several NPUC Pathfinder clubs. I was introduced to the joy of pin trading by Elisha Mvundura, Kenton Fritz and Ryan Swena of the Chehalis (Wash.) Mountaineers. I visited with Tracy Wood, Oregon Conference associate youth ministries director, who showed me where a dust devil lifted a tent and awning from the East Salem (Ore.) campsite more than 30 feet in the air, depositing it in the McMinnville (Ore.) campsite. Debris, including metal pipes two inches in diameter, were driven into the ground just feet from where unsuspecting McMinnville pathfinders were sitting. Miraculously no one was injured, and members of several other clubs helped the McMinnville group to safety.
I also met seven youth leaders from Tanzania, who were invited to join the Hillsboro (Ore.) Crazys for camporee. The group shared experiences from their trip. “There are many people and activities,” says Emmanuel Ngussa, Tanzania Union Mission district pastor and youth sponsor. “Everyone here seems to like people. They are all friends.”
Watch for the latest photos on the NPUC Adventists Flickr group (and feel free to add your own pictures of camporee to the group pool).
You can also find photos and stories from camporee at www.adventistphoto.com.
Photos and Stories from Oshkosh
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009I’m on location in Oshkosh, literally in the midst of camporee. I’m basking in all the luxury an air conditioned Communication trailer can provide. Don’t feel too jealous for me. Even the biggest VIP’s use the same restroom facilities as every other Pathfinder. I’ll be heading out soon to join fellow communicators in attempting to document this gathering of 35,000 Pathfinders from more than 60 countries (a number down from 100 due to economic issues, swine flu travel restrictions etc.).
If you want to check out the very latest photos and stories from Camporee head over to Adventistphoto.com and click away.
If you’re on site and snapping photos of your own, feel free to add them to the NPUC Adventists Flickr Group.
Also worth noting. The local Target reports a spike in sales yesterday to the tune of $40,000. Word on the street is that even more people went to Wal Mart.
Cheers!
-CJ