World Session: Meetings End With Greetings, Challenge
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Capping 10 days of meetings in which, as public affairs director Dr. John Graz said, "St. Louis was the center of the world for 25 million Seventh-day Adventists," delegates to the movement's 58th General Conference Session heard words of thanks from a city official -- and a challenge from the world church president, Pastor Jan Paulsen. |
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Dr. John Graz, director of the Adventist world church's Public Affairs and Religious Liberty department. [photo by Gerry Chudleigh]
Capping 10 days of meetings in which, as public affairs director Dr. John Graz said, "St. Louis was the center of the world for 25 million Seventh-day Adventists," delegates to the movement's 58th General Conference Session heard words of thanks from a city official -- and a challenge from the world church president, Pastor Jan Paulsen.
"I have been asked to give a final challenge, but what I say applies to me as much as to you," Paulsen declared. "We as a people, we have been entrusted with a message of hope; God's forgiveness and hope of the future he wants to give us."
He added, "We have to tell the world that this loving, caring Savior is soon returning. And we have been given the responsibility to bring this to the world. Are you -- am I -- ready to make this our primary task?"
Paulsen stressed the need for Adventists to become "uncomfortable" with merely sitting in church. Believers, he said, need to witness to what we have found in Christ.
"Now is not the time for anyone to be a spectator, to grow too comfortable with the church pew in which he is sitting," Paulsen said. "Now is the time ... to step fully onto the stage and take up our role as Christ's hands and Christ's voice as a world that needs healing and to feel his touch. Have you been touched by Christ's healing hand? Tell somebody about it."
He declared, "I can think of no greater failure than for us to leave this place ... and take up business as usual. Our world is too large, the needs are too many and too great, and our Lord's instruction is clear; we cannot walk away from it. ... Christ says, 'Go, and I will go with you.'"
Earlier, Charles Bryson, representing St. Louis mayor Frances G. Slay, thanked Adventist members for their first-ever Session visit to the fabled "Gateway City."
"We know you have done much to improve the quality of the city of St. Louis since you have been here," Bryson said. "Your youth have canvassed our streets, providing St. Louisans with information on your beliefs. Proceeds from [sales at the] ADRA [stand] are helping our local charities; you held a 'Show-Me Health' project to provide health screenings and information. You have given us much."
But, Bryson added, "We also hope that we have given you something as well. We hope you have found our city to be warm and friendly. ... We are sorry to see you go, but we are glad to have met you, glad to have hosted you and certainly we welcome your return."
The evening concluded with the renowned "Parade of Nations," representing Adventist activity in more than 200 countries around the world. (See related article.)
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