This is Adventist News Network, a service of the Seventh-day Adventist world church. Thanks for joining us this week.

First in the news, church leaders this week launched a new Bible-reading program. Called Revived By His Word, the program invites Adventists worldwide to join together in reading a chapter of the Bible every day. By following the reading schedule, they’ll have read the entire Bible in time for the church’s next General Conference Session in two thousand fifteen. To launch the project, church leaders started at the beginning by reading Genesis chapter one.

Through heartfelt prayer and in-depth Bible study, church leaders hope Revived By His Word leads to revival, mission and transformed lives.

You can join the Bible-reading program at revivedbyhisword.org. Check out the site to share your thoughts, connect with other readers, follow a Bible blog and more.

Adventists in Guatemala say a major evangelism push in the country is drawing thousands of new believers to the church. In recent months, local lay leaders have joined Adventist pastors to conduct public evangelism events across the South American country. With many pastors in the region overseeing dozens of churches, church leaders say support from local members is crucial. They increasingly depend on these lay leaders to reach their friends and neighbors with the Adventist message of hope. The church in Inter-America recently pledged to train one million lay members for discipleship building in the coming years.

A new financial report offers perspective on the tithing faithfulness of Adventists worldwide.  Church members return about two billion U.S. dollars in tithe every year. But if every Adventist returned a faithful ten percent, the report says that number could be closer to fourteen billion. The report, called the Global Tithing Index, is published privately by Claude Richli. It measures statistics of tithing faithfulness per capita across countries. The annual report can help church administrators uncover trends in giving. It also helps level the field when church officials need to compare tithing faithfulness across countries with starkly different economies. This year’s study also revealed how church membership records can impact tithe totals.

Adventists in Myanmar are celebrating the church’s seventh national convention in that country. More than three thousand Adventists gathered for the four-day event in Kalay Myo, near the country’s western border with India.  That amounts to about ten percent of Myanmar’s Adventist population, many of whom endured difficult travel conditions to join their church family for the event. One member said he walked five days to attend the convention, but that the trip was worth it. Adventists in Myanmar say the convention reinforced their spiritual lives and concentrated on future church plans and growth. Missionaries first introduced the Adventist message to Myanmar, or Burma, more than one hundred years ago. Today, there are thirty thousand Adventists in the country.

On April twenty-two, more than one billion people worldwide will participate in Earth Day two thousand and twelve. The day marks what many consider to be the launch of the modern environmental movement in nineteen seventy. That year, twenty million Americans lobbied against oil spills, toxic dumps, pesticides and wildlife extinction at rallies across the nation. The movement led the U.S. Congress to pass the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species acts. Later, Earth Day grew into a global movement. As we approach Earth Day two thousand and twelve, we decided to find out what Adventist world church headquarters is doing to keep the building environmentally friendly.

We are doing several things to improve our green image, we are – first of all we put a green roof on our addition and that is the first one in this particular area in the United States.  Secondly, we recycle 80% of the materials that leave the building, 80% plus and that is outstanding for this area as well.  Another thing we are doing, we are looking at solar energy and panels in particular – we will see where that leads us.

Later in the program, we’ll find out how church technology professionals are helping to reduce landfill waste.

Now a final note before we go to the break. In last week’s episode, we incorrectly listed the website for Christian Record Services for the Blind as Church Record dot org. The correct website is Christian Record dot org. Check out the website for information on the ministry’s upcoming summer camps for the blind and low sight community.

Up next, why young people leave the church. A college student tackles the question, when we come back.

Welcome back. Here’s Gerald Klingbeil with a preview of this week’s issue of Adventist Review.  

This week's Adventist Review magazine is full of compelling articles aimed particularly at young adults. Addison Hudgins, an English and Journalism major from Union College (and a summer intern at the Adventist Review) wonders about why young people choose to leave church. Do you know some lost sheep? Read her article and share it with others. A second feature by Nathan Brown, editor of the Australian Signs Publishing Company, revisits a very well-known biblical passage and asks "Why Do Angels Come in Threes?" He reminds us that the Three Angels' messages, involving creation, the fall, and the hope of recreation, represent in a very concise way God's wonderful plan of salvation.

As always you'll find intriguing responses from readers and two engaging editorials in the magazine, together with lots of news. Heard about the recent stirring Mission Festival at Montemorelos University in Mexico? What about Cliff Goldstein's latest take on the close link between reason and faith? Finally, there is one more article that you should take a look at especially when there is a young child or grandchild in your life. "Help! My Child Can't Sit Still in Church" by Geri Mueller provides hands-on and creative suggestions for this situation. That wraps up this week's peek into the Adventist Review magazine. Go, find it online or in your mailbox and enjoy your reading.

Now let’s turn to Megan Brauner for this week’s Adventist social media highlights.

The Adventist Church launched a new Bible reading initiative this week called Revived By His Word. On Twitter, we asked you how are keeping on track with your daily Bible reading already.

Delroy Brooks says he uses the youversion app on his phone.

Levi Anne Serene says the chance to know Jesus more & find out His will in her life keeps her reading her Bible.

Miss Manoa credits the small groups she participates in with her church’s youth.

Chipo says peaceful early starts in the morning help and Jarib 2_0 varies his routine by reading different versions of the Bible.

If you’re looking for another way to spice up your devotional time, visit revivedbyhisword.org to sign up for daily Bible chapter emails.

Also, this Sunday is Earth Day, and we asked you for a few tips.

Jenna Hyde says, plant a tree, go for a walk and maybe trying being vegan.

Annie Clegg recommends going to a park and enjoying God’s nature.

Don’t forget to join our weekly conversations on twitter and Facebook.

Hundreds of religious liberty advocates, government officials and legal experts will meet in the Dominican Republic next week. They’re gearing up for the largest religious freedom conference on record. John Graz has this preview.

In a few days the 7th IRLA International Religious Liberty Association World Congress will begin. It will be in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

It will be the first World congress held in Inter America region and a major event to promote religious freedom.

The Theme of the congress is: Secularism and religious Freedom – Conflict or Partnership?

For many believers Secularism is perceived as a threat for religion and of course for religious freedom.

Is it really the case? Is a religious State an alternative to our secular state?

Will a religious state force people to adopt official religions against their conscience?

To answer these questions, 50 experts, religious leaders and officials have been invited.

They will speak during 9 plenary sessions, 12 breakout groups and 5 special topics.

The participants number will exceed 800. It will be the largest International Religious Liberty Association World Congress on religious freedom ever organized.

Still ahead on Adventist News Network, how to overcome differences in marriage relationships.

But up next, this week’s Tech Corner.

Welcome back. If you have an old computer or gadget you no longer use, you might be tempted to just throw it out. But John Beckett has some more eco-friendly ideas on this week’s Tech Corner.

To celebrate the release of another new iPad, we're going to talk about what to do with old technology.

First, think carefully about whether you really need the new gadget, or if the one you have can be kept a bit longer. Skipping versions of things like iPads works very well and means you'll feel a bigger difference when you buy that one. Laptops that are several years old can work much better just by upgrading the RAM memory at the cost of $40 or so.

When you replace a gadget, I think you should sell or donate the old one. Technology loses monetary and useful value very quickly. Hanging onto the old one makes it worthless in the bottom of a drawer. Donate or sell it right away so it can be used by somebody else.

Here are a few ideas of how to donate or sell gadgets:

• Think about giving your old digital camera to a child or somebody less fortunate.
• Schools sometimes need of used computers but be sure to erase or remove the drive before donating it.
• Amazon.com and ebay are great places to sell used stuff.
• You can also check around at local thrift-stores where you can donate things instead just of throwing them away.

Finally, when getting rid of electronics, especially those "fat" CRT screens, you need to check local laws. Many old screens contain a lot of lead and should not be put into a landfill.

Hopefully with these few tips will help you think of ways you can be a better steward of money and the earth’s resources.

Should volunteers who work with children meet special guidelines? Saustin Mfune has advice on choosing volunteers who will create a safe environment for kids and help prevent child misconduct.

Wow, so you are you going camping with the kids?  Great, hum? Did I hear you say you have a good number of volunteers?  OK, now, I have a few questions for you, Has the church known the volunteers for at least six months?  If not, those volunteers don’t qualify.  You see, you don’t want to expose your kids to abuse which could have been avoided.  Any you know the two adult rule?  That is where ever the kids are, there must be at least two adults and not just one.  And have your volunteers participated in the abuse awareness program?  And you know that all allegations of inappropriate conduct should be investigated by the church and then appropriate measures taken.  You see, we need to protect our kids from all physical, emotional and spiritual harm.  God has entrusted these kids into your hands.  Don’t disappoint them.  And by the way, and if you don’t have this handbook – get it, it has got lots of ideas for you.  See you next time.”  

How can married couples manage differences and maintain a healthy relationship? Willie Oliver has this advice. 

Marriage is one of the most challenging relationships in life.  The reason it’s so challenging is because it is the closest relationship on earth.  There is nobody else that you are going to be one with except for spouse.  That puts a lot of pressure on marriage even when we don’t realize it, and in fact, the biggest issue in marriage and having a great marriage is learning how to manage differences.  We are all different, we come from different families and we have different customs even if we are from the same culture, from the same race, from the same country, they’re always variations in families.  What happens then, it puts pressure on the relationship and people start acting funky and pretty soon these wonderful, romantic feelings go flying out the window.  So, there are two things I would like to share with you in order to enhance your relationship.  Number one, find out what your spouse likes and do it, and do it again, and do it again and keep on doing it – if it is not illegal or immoral – do it.  Then the other, find out what your spouse doesn’t like and quit doing it.  If you practice these two very simple concepts your marriage will be at a different place and you will be able to give honor and glory to God.

Adventists worldwide are sharing copies of church co-founder Ellen White’s classic, The Great Controversy. We asked Delbert Baker to explain the vision behind the book distribution project and what’s on the horizon now.

We’re really excited about what is happening with The Great Controversy project.  It really started phases, maybe four phases.  The first phase had to deal with the whole idea of imagining the project, this is when the president shared the vision, first it was fifty million, then one-hundred million, now we are looking literally at one hundred and seventy-five million copies are committed by the thirteen world divisions.  That is an incredible accomplishment.  The second phase had to do with the whole issue of the implementation, how do you take this vision and this dream and make it real?  We are talking about printing, we are talking about the distribution, we are talking about the logistics of how to get the books to where they need to go, to be sure that they are being used, to get the support of the members who will purchase the books and give them to their friends and their associates and their relatives and really follow thorough on the reading of the book.  Reading it and then passing it to their friends.  The third phase, has to do with the whole innovation.  Exciting things are happening with things like the webisodes, the animated versions, the books for children, and so the list goes on and on.  Right now we are excited really about the end phase and that is the increase, seeing souls being won to the church and that is exciting.  It is happening now but we expect, by the grace of God, we will even see more in the future.

When we come back, this week’s iShare report. 

And later in the program, how a radio studio in Madagascar is reaching Vietnam with the Adventist hope.

Welcome back. Here’s Sergio Gonzalez with the news you reported this week. 

Welcome to iShare, where you bring the news to us. Today we hear from a collegiate group with a burden for sharing Christ at their state-run university.

If you want to learn more about the organization, visit Baby Isaac Dot Org. Thanks for watching iShare, and don't forget to send us your stories at news.adventist.org/ishare.. 

Vietnam is a largely secular nation. But as Dowell Chow explains, Adventist World Radio studios in Guam, Taiwan and even Madagascar are reaching Vietnamese people with the Adventist hope.

I’d like to speak today about Viet Nam. Viet Nam is remembered for the war, In 1975, that war was ended.  When the South became part of the North amid one country, the government of Viet Nam, which is communist, made in intentional move to not allow people from the South to travel to the North to keep it as unchristian as they possibly could.  Today, that still is the case, however we have been reaching Viet Nam on short wave radio from Madagascar, from Taiwian, and from Guam, different times during the day and during the week.  We have reports that over a quarter of a million people, especially in the north, the highlands of Viet Nam, are keeping the Sabbath every week because of the radio programs.  We can’t reach these people, they are not baptized in the church but we know they have believed in Jesus Christ.  So today, even though Viet Nam is a closed country because of it’s regime and it’s communist ideas, we have been able to reach the people through radio, short wave radio and so many people now have become part of the church because they believe in the doctrines of the church through the messages that reach them from radio stations around the world.  Pray for the people of Viet Nam, thank you very much.”

Now let’s turn to David Trim for a look at Adventist history. This week, a milestone in establishing on of the key beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Welcome to this week in Adventist history.

On April 15 in 1906: the Rio Grande do Sul conference was first organized in Brazil. On the very same day, over 5,000 miles to the north, Loma Linda Sanitarium was dedicated.

On April 18, 1935, Arthur G. Daniells died in Glendale, California. Daniells was the longest-serving President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, having served from 1903–22. He also served as Secretary of the General Conference and was the founder of the Ministerial Association. He not only significantly influenced Adventist organization but also helped to develop the Advent movement into a world-wide missionary church, while his book, Christ our righteousness, a compilation of Ellen White’s statements on justification by faith, had a considerable influence on Adventist theology. Daniells ranks with James and Ellen White as the most significant leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

On April 19, in1882, South Lancaster Academy, forerunner of Atlantic Union College, opened in South Lancaster, MA. Until it closed its doors in 2011 it was the oldest continuously-operating Adventist educational institution in the world, and hopefully its doors will reopen in the autumn of 2012.

Finally: On April 20, 1848, James & Ellen White took part in the first of a series of “Sabbath Conferences” in Middletown, Connecticut. It took place at the home of E.L.H. Chamberlain, where, in July 1849, the Whites would launch the journal “Present Truth”. This Sabbath conference was a key moment in the process by which a group of Adventists became seventh-day Adventists.  .  .   .  and that was this week in Adventist History.

Thanks for watching Adventist News Network. Join us next week for more news from the headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

And, as always, you can visit news dot Adventist dot org for daily news and videos.

And if you haven’t already, check out our new ANN Video Podcast. It’s the same show you’re watching right now, but in a format compatible with your iPod or other portable media player. You can subscribe by opening iTunes and typing “Adventist News Network Video Podcast” in the search bar.

Our good news for this week comes from Psalms twenty-four. It’s a reminder of the source of all Earth’s resources. The passage begins, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. For He founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.” Until next week, God bless.

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