ANR Bulletin
Adventist News Review
Trans-European Division of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church

15 June 2005

In this Issue:

* Poland: Unique university-level degrees help win church
accreditation
* Ireland: Worldwide harvest at Galway
* Lebanon: Middle East University renovations and renewed Spiritual
focus
* England: June update for ADRA tsunami response
* TED Prayer Guide for week 19 ? 25 June


UNIQUE UNIVERSITY-LEVEL DEGREES HELP WIN CHURCH ACCREDITATION

PODKOWA LESNA, POLAND [ANR] ? Poland's only Seventh-day Adventist
institution of higher education, the Polish College of Theology and
Humanities (PCTH), will now be allowed to offer government recognized
university-level degrees. The school, with a main campus in Podkowa
Lesna, is also poised to join the 101 colleges and universities
operated by the Adventist Church.

A team representing the Accrediting Association of Seventh-day
Adventist Schools, Colleges, and Universities recommended the school
be able to issue university-level bachelors degrees in religious
education, tourism of Biblical countries and theology of health
promotion. The school will be accredited not only by the board of
education in the Trans-European region of the church, but also
internationally.

"Receiving accreditation from the [world church] is a great event for
us. It is not only appreciation of our work, but also new
possibilities for development, for example, for liaison between our
school and Adventist universities," said Dr. Bernard Kozirog,
principal of the college.

In the last 10 years several Adventist colleges have been upgraded to
university status. Most of this activity has taken place in Africa,
the Caribbean and parts of Asia. The difference between college and
university status, however, differs from country to country, said
Andrea Luxton, associate director of the Education Department for the
Adventist world church.

Dr. Luxton, who was also a part of the accrediting team that recently
visited the school, said Poland has rigorous requirements for
university status. For example, for each degree offered, an
institution must have a certain number of professors with doctorate
degrees and an additional number with 'habilitations', which is
higher than a doctorate.

While PCTH is growing rapidly with more than 1,100 degree-seeking
students enrolled, it has not quite met those requirements. But a
unique act of Poland's parliament between the state and the Adventist
Church allows schools to offer university-level degrees as long as
they are related to theology.

Seizing the opportunity, PCTH, with 13 percent of the student body
being Adventist, added other degrees that would be appealing to the
general public. In addition to degrees in theology and religious
education, PCTH recently added 'theology of health promotion' and
'tourism of Biblical lands' degrees. The latter program is very
popular with 800 students enrolled.

Kozirog said the tourism course was only added after thorough
research, and Poland's tourist office found there are many people who
are interested in visiting the countries of popular pilgrimages,
including Italy and Israel, as well as the Middle East.

Dr. Luxton added that Poland's entrance into the European Union
boosted interest in tourism studies. The school, which according to
Kozirog is now the largest Adventist institution of higher learning
in Europe, incorporates theology and tourism and partners with
privately-owned schools that provide facilities, advertising, local
management and some teaching staff. The college operates five
satellite campuses, or "institutes," throughout Poland.

A growing number of the nation's top universities are also
cooperating with the school. "Since we offer only BA-level diplomas,
our graduates continue graduate studies in other schools. Today, our
diplomas are recognized by 21 universities and other academic
institutions, including the University of Warsaw and Jagiellonian
University of Krakow," Kozirog explained last year. "Our students
have also been welcomed by several of Poland's Catholic universities,
which offer graduate studies in related subjects."

"Government recognition is an important step forward for an Adventist
school in a largely Catholic country," Luxton said.

Most PCTH students are not members of the Adventist Church, Kozirog
said. "Why do they enter our school? The research has shown that they
appreciate the friendly atmosphere, good teachers and ... studying
the Bible. We teach Bible subjects not only to those studying in the
Department of Theology, but also in other departments."

PCTH started in 1926 as a theological high school called the Polish
Spiritual Seminary. After several moves and closures it moved to its
current location in 1959 as a four-year undergraduate seminary.

The Adventist Church operates one of the largest Protestant education
systems in the world with more than 1 million students worldwide and
more than 6,800 schools.

[Taashi Rowe/ANN/ANR]


WORLDWIDE HARVEST AT GALWAY

GALWAY, IRELAND [ANR] ? The Seventh-day Adventist Church at Galway,
Ireland, was packed on Sabbath, 28 May with a multi-cultural
congregation representing 21 different nations. They had gathered to
celebrate the 'harvest of the year' with four baptisms and seven
believers joining the church by Profession of Faith. Members from
four church districts joined them for this special day.

Programmes for the children were provided by two Finnish ladies; the
Romanian choir from the Dublin Church sang hymns in Romanian and
Russian; a solo was performed by a brother from Moldova and Ashley
Kongari, minister of Galway Church and native of India, played his
mouth organ and sang.

Fifteen percent of the 120 adults and 30 children were
non-Adventists. Pastor Kongari preached on the 'Fruit of the Spirit'
that we as Christians are encouraged to produce in our lives. Elderly
members of the church said, "We have never seen such a large crowd in
the church before and the last such baptism in Galway was in 1997!?

The baptismal candidates came from three different nations; Zimbabwe,
Russia and New Caledonia and those voted came from Brazil and
Ireland.

Igor, from Russia, previously an atheist, studied with the leader of
the Russian speaking group in Galway who hails from Estonia. His
whole day was beset with problems as though an unseen hand was trying
to prevent his baptism. Being delayed in heavy traffic he arrived
after the baptismal service had been completed. However, the lateness
of the hour did not deter the members, who agreed to stay for another
baptism in the outdoor pool but this time in strong winds and pouring
rain. Igor said, "I shall never forget my baptism!"

Alani, from New Caledonia, brought up in a Catholic family, became
acquainted with Adventist teachings while enrolled for studies at
Fulton College, Fiji.

Francisco, Gilma, Endrew and Franci, from Brazil, founded the
Ballinasloe congregation and as a result of their regular witnessing
and prayer meetings won Sebastian to Christ.

In total eleven people joined the church. Members and friends
returned to their homes filled with enthusiasm to win more souls for
Christ. What a wonder to be part of this huge, united worldwide
family!

[Oliver Martyn/ANR]


MIDDLE EAST UNIVERSITY RENOVATIONS AND RENEWED SPIRITUAL FOCUS

BEIRUT, LEBANON [ANR] ? Following decades of civil war in Lebanon,
Middle East University (MEU), which has spent nearly 60 years in a
choice spot east of downtown Beirut, is planning a new era of service
to a local, regional and overseas student body.

While the school, originally known as Middle East College and granted
university status in 2001, first catered to a large number of
international students, recent years of strife have led to a
redefinition of its mission.

The school has developed a master plan to strengthen the spiritual
focus, said Svein Myklebust, university president. This includes a
faculty-led annual review to ensure it is carrying out the stated
mission and action plan for spiritual activities.

Since gaining university status, MEU has also increased its support
of the Adventist Church's ministry by starting two off-campus
programs in Sudan to help train pastors there.

Over the last several years, efforts have taken place to upgrade the
aging physical facilities of the university, Myklebust reported. "A
new computer area with two laboratories, a classroom, and three
offices [were] completed six years ago. The cafeteria and its
surroundings were upgraded two years ago, and we have just completed
the total renovation of the old administration building and the area
around it," he said.

Myklebust said the school financed renovations largely through the
sale of a portion of its property that had been bisected by a road.
"In a competitive market, the university cannot thrive unless we
offer a variety of extracurricular activities," he said. "In addition
to sports and other club activities, we are seeking to increase
spiritual programs. A regular Friday evening praise meeting has
started, and next academic year we will have one more staff member in
the theology/pastoral area as well as a volunteer student
missionary."

[Middle East Union/ANN Staff/ANR]


JUNE UPDATE FOR ADRA TSUNAMI RESPONSE

ST. ALBANS, ENGLAND [ANR] ? The latest human toll since May for the
Asia tsunami stands at 176,459 dead; 49,869 missing; 1,723,543
displaced and 507,496 homeless. During the last five and a half
months ADRA has been very active assisting many of those in need. As
of 13 June 2005, based on donations and commitments made through
ADRA, the total budget for proposed projects in all four
tsunami-affected countries (Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand)
is approximately US$28.9 million, of which US$9.2 million are yet to
be funded (either negotiating for funding or looking for donors).

The ADRA Command Centre in Bangkok, coordinating the activity of
local country offices in Asia, reports the following:

ADRA India is involved in a number of sectors including water and
sanitation; shelter and livelihood activities. Fishermen in Nallore
District of Andhra Predesh are receiving support to help them
re-establish their livelihoods. In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands,
temporary infrastructure is being provided while in Little Andaman
the following are being implemented: 500 intermediate shelter units;
3 pre-fabricated sub-centres; 3 rain water harvesting systems and10
sanitary open wells constructed with proper covering.

In Indonesia, ADRA is focusing on a number of sectors: Schools and
education ? substantial repair and reconstruction is ongoing in 6
schools with plans in place to work on another 37 schools; sports
equipment for 211 schools and a training centre; and distribution of
55 sets of teaching aids for kindergartens. Medical ? in Aceh and
North Sumatra, cooperation with the WHO is providing vaccines to
immunise 55,000 children; two medical teams were sent to Nias Island
for immediate relief after the major earthquake in April, and a
number of patients have been airlifted and treated. Livelihood ?
extensive needs assessments have been completed and the process of
acquiring shelter, household items, water and sanitation support for
people living in Teunom district has begun. Water purification ? in
Nias, plans are ongoing to install water tanks and distribution
systems.

ADRA's main focus in Sri Lanka is rehabilitation of water
infrastructure and medical distributions in the Galle, Hambantota and
Matara areas. A number of large ongoing projects are benefiting
thousands. In Tangelle 1,000 families are being supported in
'livelihood recovery initiatives' including the provision of
livestock.

In Thailand, ADRA is progressing well with its construction of Kamala
school. The household recovery includes building of boats for
families; repairing and protecting springs; providing water to 115
households at a temporary shelter; and conducting training for local
village water committees. Ongoing visits are made by medical and
psycho-social teams and plans are being made for an Adventure
Learning Activities Centre.

Also affected by the Tsunami were 44,000 people in the country of
Somalia. ADRA Somalia is implementing a large project that will
benefit 32,000 people in 18 coastal villages of northern Somalia's
Nugal region. This project is providing livelihood support items
including boats, fishing equipment, tents, and household items;
solar-powered spring systems, shallow wells, water storage tanks, a
borehole, and latrines. To raise awareness of health issues, village
health promoters will be trained to conduct community-training
sessions on sanitation, hygiene, and health topics.

[Roy Richardson/ADRA/ANR]


TED Prayer Guide for week 19 ? 25 June 2005

ST ALBANS, ENGLAND [ANR] ? After the war in the territory of former
Yugoslavia, the South-East European Union Conference had no
possibility of educating its youth at the Theological Seminary or in
the High School at Marusevec which now lay in the Adriatic Union
territory. Because of the urgent need to educate workers for the
church locally, they turned to God for His help.

Today the South-East European Union Conference has its own
Theological Seminary for the education of young ministers. However
because of the war over a decade, a vacuum of experienced pastors has
occurred. A large number of Pastors have already or are about to
retire soon. The church is left with young inexperienced men who now
have to take on added responsibilities in their work.

Prayer Requests:

1. That God?s wisdom be granted to the young pastors who are taking
on increased responsibility in church leadership roles.
2. That the pastors will work the way God has commanded in His Holy
Scriptures.

[Laslo Canji/ANR]


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