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Beavercreek
Seventh-day Adventist Church
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Welcome to Beavercreek SDA Church
An Invitation... We are a warm, friendly, family-oriented church and we would love to have you join us. "Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." It is our prayer that you will sense the Lord's presence as we study and worship together. Why we are here... It is the purpose of the Beavercreek Seventh-day Adventist Church to witness tha Jesus Christ is both Lord and Saviour in our lives, and to find ways to share Him and His love with our community.  Our PastorHal and Marina Ward originally came to our church from Defiance, OH. At that time, Hal served as Pastor for both churches in our district, including the Miamisburg Seventh-day Adventist Church. Since then, He has responded to a call from the Lord to serve as a Chaplain. Hal is currently working as a chaplain at Southview Hospital through the Kettering Medical Center Network while serving as our bi-vocational Pastor.
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Adventist News Network  |
In a project meant to sharpen the Bible's message, Scottish Seventh-day Adventists are following in the footsteps -- more accurately, the pen strokes -- of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The country's church members submitted handwritten passages of Scripture to their national church office last week, where they were compiled into what's being called the Scottish Adventist Bible.
"In the same way students write out [class] notes, handwriting the Bible makes passages stand out for you," says Carole Peacock, who works at the local church office.
Organizers say the project is a response to the world church's "Follow the Bible" initiative, in which a 66-language Bible is "traveling" to each of the church's 13 world regions, leading up to next year's world church session in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
Keeping with the initiative's global theme, some contributors submitted Bible passages written in the Scottish vernacular.
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"'When Jesus saw his mither an' the disciple 'at he loved staundin' aside her, he said tae her, 'This is yir son,'" wrote Arthur Gall, who put John 19 in his own words for the project.
Writing out New Testament passages "really brought it home to me," said Gall, who joined the Adventist Church in January.
Local church president Llew Edwards says he hopes the project helps church members appreciate the Bible for its personal and practical value, not just historical significance.
Adventists join public health, faith groups in commending U.S. anti-smoking bill
Seventh-day Adventist anti-smoking advocates are among more than a thousand public health, faith and other non-governmental groups applauding a new bill heralded as the strongest action ever taken by the United States government to reduce tobacco use.
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Signed into law last week by U.S. President Barack Obama, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act is expected to give unprecedented authority to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to restrict tobacco manufacture and marketing, with particular focus on keeping kids smoke-free, anti-smoking activists say.
The bill, which comes 45 years after the U.S. Surgeon General first linked smoking and lung cancer, will impose higher taxes on cigarettes, further restrict tobacco advertising and ban what the White House calls "misleading" claims, such as "light" or "low-tar." It also aims to halt illegal sales of tobacco products to children, ban candy- and fruit-flavored cigarettes and allow the FDA to lower the amount of nicotine in tobacco products.
Following years of relative inaction from the government on the issue of tobaccos, the bill is a "step in the right direction," said Peter Landless, associate director for the Adventist world church's department of Health Ministries.
The Adventist Church, whose Five Day Stop Smoking Plan was one of the first smoking cessation programs, now largely partners with the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, the American Cancer Society and the American Heart and Lung Associations.
"We commend them for leading the way on this legislation," said DeWitt S. Williams, director of Health Ministries for the church's North American region and a member of Faith United Against Tobacco, a coalition of anti-smoking denominational leaders.
Williams, who was present during the bill signing ceremony in the White House Rose Garden, said he shared Mr. Obama's hope that the bill will better protect children from tobacco addiction.
"It's good to see Adventists getting active again," Williams said, citing the many letters written and calls made by church members urging their Congressional representatives to vote for the bill.
German church Twitters sermons live during service
A group of Adventists in Germany spend their Sabbath mornings on Twitter, but instead of zoning out in church they are posting the sermon 140 characters at a time.  |
Haase, former communication director for the Euro-Africa region of the Seventh-day Adventist world church, said in today's culture it's normal to be on the Internet all day long, wherever you are.
"With Twitter you can [bring] people up to date with the gospel while [they are] sitting in a coffee shop or waiting at a subway station," Haase said.
Haase has been heavily involved in creating and promoting the Schlosskirche Twitter account. The Twitter sermons are the first of their kind in the country, according to German newspaper Bild.
Ultimately, Haase hopes to have a group of church members and up to four pastors involved in the Tweeting process. A whole sermon consists of between 120 to 140 tweets.
Right now, 66 people are following Schlosskirche (Castle Church) on Twitter. Haase said most of the followers are not members of the Adventist church.
"Twitter will train us church members to use and understand the digital communication of postmodern society," Haase said. "You have to translate our traditional church language into 140 [character] phrases."
The Bergisch Gladbach Adventist Church and staonline, a German Adventist media outreach organization, are also assisting the Twitter sermons.
To follow the Castle Church on Twitter, search for Schlosskirche. Visit schlosskirche.org for more information.
Church Chat: Wagner on the state of philanthropy in Adventist institutions
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"I don't think this is good use of God's resources or the intellect He's given us," says Wagner, director of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's Philanthropic Services for Institutions.
First of all, she says, a significant number of Seventh-day Adventist institutions don't understand what "philanthropy" is.
The word was nearly unheard of a few years ago. Today, it's commonplace, appearing regularly in the Wall Street Journal and People magazine. To boot, a new show premiered last night on NBC titled The Philanthropist.
In 1973, PSI launched with the aim of promoting the profession of fundraising and making healthcare institutions more financially stable. Initially, its founder, Milton Murray, had a tough time convincing church leaders that the department was necessary.
PSI has since expanded to offer assistance to any church organization in North America. Yesterday, PSI launched a revamped Web site to offer resources and training opportunities for fundraising.
Wagner, originally from Estonia, is the author of several books on fundraising. She still works 25 percent of her time as a faculty member for the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, largely considered the nation's premier program for philanthropy. She holds a master's degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska, a master's of music from Andrews University and a doctorate in education.
At the helm of PSI for a year now, Wagner recently granted an interview at her office at the church's North American headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. She discussed common misunderstandings about philanthropy and why pastors and church administrators need to understand why it should be a key part of a nonprofit organizational structure. Excerpts:
Adventist News Network: What is philanthropy?
Lilya Wagner: It's caring for others in a community. Unfortunately, too many people -- positively or negatively -- put the emphasis on the money. Fundraising is exciting for one major reason -- it's not about the money. It's about what the money will accomplish. If it's going to have one Adventist student go to a denominational school at any level; if it's going to provide mission services anywhere in the world; if it's going to help offer someone healthcare...that's what it's about. The money is just the price tag for something very valuable.
ANN: How has giving been affected since the economic slide in October?
Wagner: Data are mixed, but here are some generalizations: for the most part people haven't stopped giving, but they're giving less. Right now, some people are saying that 10,000 to 100,000 non-profits [in North America] will go under. Well we don't know that. What we do know is that those organizations that haven't had ongoing, sustainable fundraising programs that work are the ones that are the most vulnerable.
ANN: What are some of your goals?
Wagner: We'd like to increase the knowledge that pastors have about using resources wisely. I think [Adventists] have a good organization, a good system. But with anything good I believe the Lord gives us wisdom to take that which is best of the advances, such as technology. Also, we just completed a massive survey. A lot of organizations who could be our clients don't know we even exist. Hopefully, our new Web site will offer them information on resources, like our fundraising courses and conference.
ANN: Several Adventist academies, and even a couple colleges, are struggling to survive. Is a strong philanthropic program the answer?
Wagner: Let me answer that with one little cliché: Why would you put deck chairs on the Titanic? When you're going under is not the time to raise funds. That's why I keep talking about sustainable, ongoing, organizational context. That's not to say that fundraising couldn't rescue an organization. But how many fundraisers have been hung out to dry because an organization said, "Oops, we've got a debt," or "Oops, our major donor died," or "Our government funding died -- hire a fundraiser."
ANN: So where does philanthropy fit within an organization?
Wagner: It's very much intertwined with the functioning of the overall organization, both externally and internally. And there are organiations that realize that to be as excellent as we'd like to think Adventist organizations are, or can be, that they have to take these steps seriously. Fundraising is not a solo performance, it's very much being part of a choir.
ANN: Does hiring a fundraiser pay for itself?
Wagner: When you hire a faculty member, when you hire a PR person, you don't say "are they going to earn their salary?" It's part of the whole picture. What you're doing is diminishing the role and value of the fundraiser to the organization. You wouldn't say that to a financial officer. It's really totally unfair to see a fundraiser like that.
ANN: Indiana University's Fund Raising School lists the "six rights." What are they?
Wagner: The right person asking the right prospect for the right cause in the right way at the right time for the right amount.
ANN: Who's the right type of person for a fundraising role?
Wagner: Technically speaking, many people could learn to be good fundraisers. But I would like to see the church really get more professional people on board. Sometimes we're pulling in anybody who could possibly fit the bill.
ANN: Isn't philanthropy already built into the church's tithe structure?
Wagner: We sometimes say, "I gave my tithes and offerings, what more do you want?" Just about every religion I know has an expectation or even a mandate to be generous. Most Protestant denominations don't have a mandate but a very strong suggestion. I think that the matter of generosity, which Jesus certainly exemplified, is something that at times we don't take seriously enough.
ANN: Where does the commitment to philanthropy start? Is it at the church's division level or the conferences or the seminary?
Wagner: Everywhere. Certainly this office wouldn't have continued so long without the North American division's commitment. I think we still have plenty of room to grow with its awareness and the role it plays in the denomination. But the church, and even the rest of society has made progress. A few years ago philanthropy was unheard of. Now its got its own TV show.
Paulsen speaks on issue of origins
Responding to ongoing discussions in the church, the president of the Seventh-day Adventist world church urged Adventists to look to scripture as the validity of their faith as it relates to origins.
In a statement released today, Pastor Jan Paulsen appealed to church administrators, ministers, teachers and writers to articulate and reflect the church's stand on creation.
"We must not allow ourselves to come adrift from the Bible in defining our values and in stating what we hold," Paulsen said.
Paulsen referred to the church's position on creation, which was affirmed by the General Conference Executive Committee in October of 2004.
Paulsen said that his appeal came with respect for integrity and professional skills from educators, ministers and writers.
Read Paulsen's full statement here
Continued activism urged at annual religious liberty forum in Washington
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Emanuel Cleaver II, co-chair of the International Religious Freedom Caucus, said religious liberty violations are often committed unintentionally by governments fearful of losing control and actively exercising power.
"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, freedom of conscience and freedom of religion, yet persecutions and atrocities are still taking place," Cleaver told some 300 attendees of a religious freedom forum.
His remarks at the 7th Annual Religious Liberty Dinner in Washington D.C. underscored the case of hundreds of millions of people still mistreated because of their faith now more than 60 years after Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Some experts estimate there are more than 300 million people around the world persecuted for their faith, ranging from prohibition of conversion to cases of workplace discrimination.
"The choice to privately or publicly practice a religious belief or the choice to abstain from a religious belief or the choice to change one's own religious beliefs is unmistakably fundamental to human rights," Cleaver said.
Political differences were set aside for the evening. An ordained United Methodist Minister and a democrat, Cleaver implored religious leaders focus on commonalities instead of differences. He also mentioned that last year's speaker, Trent Franks, a republican and also a member of the International Religious Freedom Caucus is in Cleaver's opposing party. But [he] and I are twins when it comes to religious freedom," Cleaver said.
Other past speakers include Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was the time a senator from New York, as well as Senators John Kerry and John McCain.
The annual event is sponsored by the North American Religious Liberty Association, Liberty magazine and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Freedom of conscience supporters use the forum as an opportunity to meet the key people in Washington and those able to influence policy in other countries.
The dinner was also an opportunity for sponsoring organizations to share reports on current religious freedom work. Since 2005, the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA) has held 20 worldwide festivals to recognize countries where religious freedom is guaranteed and practiced. The organization's secretary-general, John Graz, said that while true religious freedom is non-existent in too many countries, religious freedom exists in more than 150 countries.
Several religious liberty proponents were also recognized for their work.
The recipient of the Religious Liberty Dinner's International Award, Denton Lotz, is the former general secretary of the Baptist World Alliance. He currently serves as the IRLA president.
"We're here tonight as coreligionists of all different traditions because we believe that religious freedom is an inherent right for all humanity," Lotz said. "We believe that where religious freedom is denied, all other freedoms are denied."
Rabbi David Saperstein received the National Award for his work as director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. He also serves on the White House Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
This year's A.T. Jones medal was awarded to Alan J. Reinach, president of the North American Religious Liberty Association--West. The attorney and Seventh-day Adventist minister represents employees who have suffered religious discrimination.
Former Adventist Church president for West Indies region knighted by Queen
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The order is "awarded to men and women of high office, or who render extraordinary or important non-military service in a foreign country," according to the British monarchy's official Web site.
Allen became Jamaica's sixth governor-general February 26, shortly after stepping down as the church's president in the region.
Allen said that while he missed church work, he was "sure and confident that this is what the Lord wants me to do now."
"As much as I miss it, I am aware that my service is in a broader scope," Allen said.
Elected president of the West Indies region in 2000, Allen began his pastoral service in the church in 1981, after a decade of working for the Jamaican government.
Religious freedom festival in Peru receives national endorsement
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Speaking to a crowd of mostly Seventh-day Adventists at Lima's National Stadium, Peru's Supreme Court President Javier Villa Stein quoted Adventist Church co-founder Ellen White, an early promoter of religious freedom, and complimented the church for its commitment to continuing that legacy.
"I'm with you," Stein told the crowd at the Saturday, June 13 event.
The festival was the latest and largest in a series of similar festivals held to thank countries that support religious freedom. Event co-sponsors include the Adventist Church and the International Religious Liberty Association, the world's largest forum on religious freedom.
The Lima event included a June 12 march through downtown by some 10,000 freedom of conscience supporters representing different faith communities, followed by an evening symposium of 400, including Stein.
Since 2005, the Adventist Church's approach to promoting religious freedom has taken on a celebratory approach, resulting in the liberty festivals.
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During his keynote address in Lima Saturday evening, John Graz, director of the Adventist Church's Public Affairs and Religious Liberty department, said many experts estimate 300 million people around the world are persecuted for their faith. He charged the crowd to defend people who believe differently from them.
"Defending others is also defending yourself," he told the crowd through a Spanish-language interpreter.
Graz also referenced areas of the world without freedom of belief.
"Imagine you were in North Korea," he said. "You cannot have human rights without religious freedom." Graz also mentioned violence in India 's eastern Orissa province where Christians have been attacked for their faith.
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"You are lucky," Araoz said. "Not only does Peru have a good military defense, but also citizens who believe in the defense of beliefs."
Additional guest speakers included Nidia Vilchez Yucra, minister of women and social development, and the ambassadors from Israel and Palestine.
Graz said the genesis of the festivals can be traced back to 1995 when as a guest speaker at a church, only 25 people showed up on a Saturday afternoon to hear about religious freedom. "After that, I saw that we had to change something," he said.
For Erton Kohler, president for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South America, and a team of church leaders who were involved with the organization of the event, the Lima festival was the latest in a series of initiatives promoting religious liberty across the continent.
Festivalgoers said they attended to support religious freedom, a gift that in some countries is taken for granted. Adventist Church member Ronald Aguilar said the work of religious liberty organizations has contributed to a society where he spread the gospel in his country without any problem.
In his speech, Graz emphasized that freedom should never go unappreciated.
"The time has come to say 'Thank you' for religious freedom," he said.
--Sam Del Pozo and Susana Alemá contributed to this story
Nigeria's Adventist university commended for exemplary educational standards
During his first visit to Nigeria in a decade, Seventh-day Adventist world church President Jan Paulsen spoke about the church's commitment to education and life governed by integrity in his address at Babcock University graduation Saturday.
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Once a missionary to Ghana and Nigeria in the 1960s, Paulsen participated in the 50th anniversary celebrations of Babcock University, where he once served as principal. Initially established as the Adventist College of West Africa (ACWA), located in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, some 70-kilometers north of Lagos.
"We are committed to doing our utmost in education, health and social issues and ... to be good partners in building community," Paulsen said during a meeting with Goodluck Jonathan, vice president of Nigeria in the nation's capital, Abuja, on June 4.
"[Adventist] standards are exceptional," Goodluck told Paulsen, referring to the church's impact on society in Nigeria.
During his visit, Paulsen also met with the country's former president, Olysegun Obasanjo. "Babcock University made a mark among private universities in Nigeria," Obasanjo said, applauding the church's dedication to character building and moral values, which "other universities tend to ignore."
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Remarking on Obasanjo's involvement in conflict resolution in Zimbabwe, Somalia and Congo, Paulsen called the former president a "minister of peace and reconciliation on the African continent." Obasanjo added that he returned home the previous evening from Sudan where he was involved with peace talks.
Obasanjo, who received an honorary doctorate from BU in 2003, also participated in the graduation ceremonies on Sunday, June 7, where he praised church members for their honesty.
During a visit with a group of 10 chiefs from Ilishan-Remo, Paulsen thanked them for their support -- local chiefs originally donated 486 acres of land when the church established BU in 1959. "You gave land to establish a school in Ilishan-Remo. Such a decision required vision and hope for the future," Paulsen said, calling the move an "investment" in the community.
In 1964, Paulsen joined the college as a teacher and registrar, three years later becoming its principal.
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During his baccalaureate address Paulsen congratulated the new graduates and spoke about identity and Adventist values and education.
"I want the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Nigeria to be a healing community," Paulsen said. "Our education ... deals with the wholeness of a person. We want people to know that we are not only dealing with a faith-based reality, but a physical reality, too," he said.
Addressing the issues of HIV/AIDS and malaria, Paulsen told the congregation that the church would continue to collaborate with religious and secular organizations to "create a good and healthy society [and] a better future for our children."
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Today, the university has an enrollment of 6,000 and offers 30 degrees ranging from theology, law, and public health to technology, agriculture and mass communication.
Paulsen was also briefed on the early stages of expansion plans for the university, which include establishing a health and medical sciences complex.
Speaking at the graduation on behalf of the country's president, Babutunde Osotomehin, Nigeria's Minister of Health referred to BU's "outstanding contribution to life in Nigeria" and challenged the university to integrate research with its plans to open a medical school.
"Devote 30 percent of your resources for research," he said. His remarks addressed the larger issue of the importance of research for the benefit of nation building. "It is only through [research] that we can make progress, because that is where national development, national security, growth and indeed the heritage we are to leave for the people come from," he said. He lauded religious groups for their contribution to Nigeria's education and development.
Matthew Bediako, the Adventist Church's world general secretary and an alumnus of the college, referred to BU's "bread basket beginnings." The university complex has grown from a single bakery on campus to include health-food production, four banks and a water-bottling factory.
About 30 percent of the university's students are Adventists, giving the school a mission emphasis, Bediako said.
Nearly 1,000 people joined the church this year as an outcome of an evangelistic outreach program conducted at the newly commissioned university stadium by evangelist Mark Finley, a general vice president of the world church.
"When each school year ends, the number of students who graduate as Adventists increases," said J. A. Kayode Makinde, BU president and vice chancellor. "Our school emphasizes spirituality and shares Adventist values with those who study here.
ADRA aids survivors of cyclone in Bangladesh, India
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is passing out food and supplies to survivors of a cyclone that hit the southwestern coast of Bangladesh late last month.  |
"Many villages are still underwater, and because of the rainfall we are afraid that the situation of survivors will continue to deteriorate," said Elidon Bardhi, country director for ADRA Bangladesh. "Currently, people are in desperate need for basic necessities, including medical assistance, food, and clean water."
ADRA, the aid organization for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is distributing emergency supplies to survivors throughout the severely affected area near the Bangladesh and India border. Workers are providing food and water purification tablets to 1,200 affected families.
In some low-lying areas, seawater has contaminated water supplies, leaving communities with little or no access to drinking water, ADRA officials said.
"People were very happy to receive the emergency supplies," Bardhi said. "At least for now they will be able to forget their hunger and focus on the recovery process."
Local officials said ADRA was the first aid organization to distribute relief supplies in the region after the cyclone hit.
In neighboring eastern India, Cyclone Aila also killed a least 150 people and left more than 150,000 homeless. The heavy rain caused numerous landslides and damaged large agricultural areas.
About 80 percent of Bangladesh's rain accumulation occurs during the annual monsoon season, which lasts from June to October. Bangladesh is particularly vulnerable due to its general low elevation and high population density.
For more information, visit adra.org
Sri Lanka: ADRA responds in wake of civil war
Relief organizations are slowly gaining access to thousands of Sri Lankans displaced during the civil war between Tamil rebels and the Sri Lankan government, the New York Times reported.Eleven days after the government declared victory, organizations like the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders are finally gaining some access to the internally displaced persons camps, according to the Times article.
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), the aid organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is getting water trucks and hygiene kits prepared for distribution at displaced person camps, ADRA officials said.
"ADRA is well-positioned to provide the assistance that is so desperately needed," said Millie Castillo, public relations and communications officer for ADRA Sri Lanka.
ADRA officials said unless unfettered access is given to aid organizations, the humanitarian crisis is expected to worsen in the overcrowded camps housing thousands of internally displaced persons.
ADRA will partner with the Adventist International School in Vavuniya and local non-governmental organizations to distribute water and supplies.
"We have the resources and our equipment is ready. We are just waiting for the door to open," Castillo said.
About 280,000 people were forced to flee their homes during the recent fighting, with 230,000 currently living in temporary camps and 50,000 in transition, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
For more information, visit adra.org.
In Mexico, Adventist churches, institutions resume normal operations
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Seventh-day Adventist churches and schools in Mexico are open and operating normally a month after an alarming number of H1N1 flu cases in the country led its government to close schools and discourage large gatherings, such as church services.
"We are thankful that things are back to normal for our churches and schools in Mexico," said Israel Leito, president of the Adventist Church in Inter-America.
Letio credited precautions taken by local church leaders for safeguarding students and church members from outbreaks of the virus.
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The more than 2,500 Adventist churches in Mexico resumed worship services last month and Adventist-owned Montemorelos University graduation ceremonies proceeded at the university's church after the health alert was lifted.
Last week, world church administration announced travel to Mexico by church employees was no longer restricted.
Romania receives accreditation for family center
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Romania launched a safe house for victims of gender violence earlier this year, providing a home and legal resources for abused women and children.  |
Mihaela Mostavi, president of the National Agency for Family Protection in Romania congratulated ADRA "for the quality and comfort of the shelter" and "the large number of potential beneficiaries" the center will assist.
"There [has] been a stringent need for such a project in Bucharest," Mostavi said.
Last year, over 11,000 cases of domestic violence were reported in Romania, with at least one woman killed by a male family member per week, according to national statistics. In 2008, 150 Romanians died due to family-related violence.
"This shelter is a first step in helping victims of family violence," said Cornel Roman, director for ADRA Romania.
The center will provide legal and social services and counseling in addition to shelter, ADRA Romania workers said
About half of all female murder victims are killed by an intimate partner, according to United Nations domestic violence reports.
In an effort to prevent domestic violence, Adventist world church leadership established an annual abuse prevention day in 2001. Abuse Prevention Emphasis Day this year is August 22.
Heather-Dawn Small, director of Women's Ministries for the Adventist church, said the abuse prevention materials provided by the department are being used in churches across Romania.
Small said the heightened awareness is "amazing and wonderful" and that "we need our members to be aware of the seriousness of this problem and how the church can deal with it in a loving yet firm manner."
For more information on Abuse Prevention Emphasis Day, visit adventistwomensministries.org
For more about the ADRA House, visit adra.org.ro (Romanian only).
Former division president, temperance leader Watson dies
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Charles D. Watson, a Seventh-day Adventist youth and temperance leader in Britain who went on to serve as president of the church for the Middle East and East Africa, died at a hospice facility in Deltona, Florida, United States on May 26. He was 86.
Throughout his 47-year career working for the church, Watson promoted healthful living in an effort to fight societal drug abuse. He also made member retention a personal goal.
"Anywhere he went he would talk to former youth society members who had left the church," said his longtime friend Reg Burgess. "That was his specialty. Many of them came back into the church as a result."
Watson was born March 22, 1923 in Kenya, the son of missionary parents from Britain. He and his brother kept pet lion cubs as kids, Burgess said.
Watson earned a business degree from England's Devon Technical College before attending the Adventist Church's Newbold College to earn a bachelor's in theology.
He served as an evangelist in Wales and in Northern England from 1943 to 1954 and later established the British Temperance Society while serving as a departmental secretary for temperance in the church's Northern European Division from 1954 to 1959. He also took on the role of Youth and Public Relations director.
After growing up in East Africa, he was drawn back to the region later in life. He served as president of the church's Ethiopian Union and later as president of the church's Afro-Mid East division, based in Beirut, Lebanon. In 1980, he came to the church's world headquarters near Washington to serve as an associate secretary assisting the Temperance department, precursor to the church's current Health Ministries department.
"He was an outstanding recruiter of staff for hospitals in Africa," said Health Ministries Director Allan Handysides. "He was a thoughtful and measured man; a real gentleman."
Watson moved to Florida after his retirement in 1990. He is survived by Kathleen, his wife of 62 years.
A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 2 at the Deltona Adventist Church in Deltona, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Newbold College in Bracknell, Berkshire, England.
Ireland's 'blasphemy law' worries religious liberty proponents
A proposed law criminalizing the criticism of religion in Ireland may defy international standards of freedom of speech and indicate a troubling trend toward more state control over religious matters, religious liberty experts say.
Members of the Oireachtas (Parliament) Committee on Justice are considering an amendment to the country's Defamation Bill that will effectively ban "blasphemous libel," making it a fineable offense to publish or utter such speech.
The article would update an older defamation of religion law present in the country's constitution. Such laws, while long "dormant" in Europe, are regaining favor, said John Graz, director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty for the Seventh-day Adventist world church.
Earlier this year, the United Nations Human Rights Council passed a resolution on so-called "defamation of religion" laws. While designed to protect religious groups, such laws can backfire against freedom of expression, Graz said.
"Respect and dialogue should be the way to deal with religious issues and calm tensions," he added.
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has warned the Irish government that blasphemy law defies international standards of freedom of speech, the Irish Times reported last week.
The OSCE is the world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental organization, with 56 member nations. The agency's duties include upholding principles such as fair elections, press freedom and human rights.
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Beavercreek, OH 45430
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