Adventist Community Services for the South England Conference

South England Conference evangelism expo. It was a blessed day launching our plans for the future and goals as a Church. Adventist Community Services for the South England Conference

Area 6D federation election on 12th February 2024. What a blessed day it was, may God continue to be with our new officers.

On the borderline with Vili Costescu

Newbold alumnus Pastor Vili Costescu says there are no boundaries to what God can do when it comes to helping people in their greatest times of need. He reflects on his experience on the Romanian-Ukraine borders helping people affected by the war and discusses plans to bring Ukrainian families to the United Kingdom.

Earlier in the year, I started a refugee project after seeing the crisis unfolding in Ukraine. I contacted the Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) Romania to ask if they needed help. They responded by sending a list of items they needed, everyday items such as sugar, oil, and all the things you would buy from supermarkets. ADRA deliver these essentials across the border into Ukraine each day. I sent the list to my network in Romania. They were keen to help; I was surprised by their enthusiasm. I got hold of two small vans to take items such as long-shelf-life food, dried food, toiletries and children’s nappies to Ukraine. Right now, I have another van loaded with power generators that we will take to local churches, which have become the social centres of the community in the southern part of Ukraine.

We did not go into the combat zones during our time in Ukraine. Life outside those areas seems pretty normal, except for the empty supermarkets and you cannot travel easily. People tend to stay indoors, children attend school online, and everyone is trying to do their best. What amazed me was seeing how busy the Church has become; many people are turning to God and see the Church as a sanctuary. The pastors are busier than ever, serving their churches and the community. They are truly the spiritual leaders within their communities. Our churches are doing a tremendous job in the villages and small towns.

The Church in Ukraine has a large membership with many Romanian-speaking communities. Ukraine, Russia, and Moldova also belong to the same Division – it is a unique and equally strange situation from this perspective. Most people are unaware that a substantial part of Ukraine’s population consists of people of other nationalities, more than 50 per cent of the population. You have Russian-speaking people and sizeable minorities connected to neighbouring countries such as Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania.

Although the borders have changed many times over the last 200 years, the people have maintained their cultural identities. Interestingly, you will find entire villages in Romania where the people speak Ukrainian and cities and towns in Ukraine where people speak Romanian – there are many cultural crossovers. People are not only connected through nationality or language but also faith and marriage; there are mixed families. For example, you find husbands from Russia and wives from Ukraine or the other way round. So, in terms of destroying human connections, the war is a real tragedy.

The response of our members in Romania has been incredible. It is easy to forget that as Adventists, we are part of an international family with links everywhere. ADRA Romania has been very active because volunteers and church networks support it. People from all over the country gather and send aid, and our young people do shifts with ADRA at the borders, meeting people as they enter the country.

Every church in Romania is an ADRA centre. They have created an excellent system for receiving and distributing aid and receiving people. They also work with other humanitarian organisations and network with different institutions, so as soon as people cross the border, they are already waiting to accommodate them. Ukrainians who wish to go to specific areas of Romania receive support when they reach their destinations.

From the outset, my purpose has always been to create a link between Ukrainian refugees and British families. The British government set up a scheme earlier in the year, but it was not clear how it would work, so my purpose was to find a way to get refugees into the United Kingdom (UK). We have families here in the UK keen to welcome Ukrainian refugees into their homes. We had a situation where one of my church members wrote to her MP (Member of Parliament) to pressure the Home Office to sort out visa applications for a family waiting to come to the UK. She was successful! The whole church is ready and waiting to receive the family. I am humbled by what I have seen.

I saw Adventists and non-Adventist refugees worshipping together at the centre I visited in Romania. Everyone took part in morning devotions and church service on Sabbaths. The people I am bringing over to the UK are like that, they are aware of what we stand for as Seventh-day Adventists, and they are happy to stay in the homes of our members. I am working with the host families here in Britain not only to provide shelter but be a witness to them too.

Unlike most people in Britain, Ukrainians have seen conflict within their borders before. Being part of the Warsaw Pact, people still feel traumatised and have had to endure much. However, they are resilient and very patriotic and will survive; it is in their DNA. Those who have moved to neighbouring countries believe they will return home no matter what. Many received invitations to come to the UK but changed their minds. It is incredible.

People ask me about their needs, likes and dislikes, and how to accommodate them when they arrive in the UK. My response is, like many of us, Ukrainians just want to live life, get jobs, do something, help others, and get involved, even within our churches. I advise my church members to let them be and be patient with them; they will adapt and do so quickly. So, what they need most are acceptance, direction, and hope.

Regarding communication, it is very heart-warming to see how we can communicate with each other these days. Most Ukrainians do not speak English, but you can use your mobile phone to communicate. I use Google Translate to keep in touch via WhatsApp with people about to come to Britain.

Every time we go through these types of situations, I see glimpses of humanity and Christianity in the hearts and minds of ordinary people. You see people sharing whatever they have, and you see gratitude in those who are being accepted and embraced – it is of God. Humanity can come together to live in a way God intended. We can come together in difficult situations; for me, that’s the greatest win in the world.

I am happy to say that whenever I pray with my colleagues, we do not pray only for Ukrainian people; we pray for Russian people too. We have seen that Christianity works, and it is something on which we can still rely. We see biblical principles at work in times of crisis, and God is opening doors. It is crucial to do whatever we can to help, no matter how little, because it will impact people’s lives in ways we cannot imagine.

Now it's easier to send Adventist Community Services for the South England Conference a message.

Please see update posted below.

We want to give a big shout out to the High Wycomb SDA Church!! They are doing an amazing job.

Please see below: If you can collect donations at your local church from local members and then contact the number on the poster, they will collect those donations from you. I know those arriving to the UK from Afghanistan will appreciate it.

We are all aware of the tragic situation in Afghanistan. The Government is resettling 5000 refugees in the UK over the next 12 months, and they have already started to arrive.

The report that is coming to us suggests, refugees still face threats of violence, even here in the UK. Consequently, some have not left their place of accommodation; meaning they have not eaten since their arrival. Many of those who are arriving are pregnant women, women, and children.

This is indeed a crisis, and one that has landed on our doorstep. They are going to be our neighbours, and as a church we should take the opportunity to exhibit the love of God.

As a result, the South England Conference & ADRA UK has partnered with One Vision to provide emergency relief in this situation. So how can you and your church help?

1. Pray: We have set up an online prayer wall, as a conference made up of hundreds of churches across the South of England, we can collectively petition our God of mercy. Just click this link and leave your prayer. https://padlet.com/adventistcommunityservices/prayforafghanistan
2. Special Prayer Meeting: You can utilise your upcoming prayer meeting to pray in your local churches and discuss actions you can take at a local level.
3. Donations: Put a call out to your members for the items listed in the poster, (please ensure they are of good quality) collect them at your church. Then call the number on poster and they will arrange a pick up.
4. Many of the children will not up able to enter schools for a little while yet. Do any of your church members have qualified ESOL teachers? Would any of your churches be able to provide temporary ESOL classes? If so, please contact the SEC Community Service Director.

Let us pray that God will provide a peace that passes all understanding.pregnant

Save the date! This will be an amazing workshop.

Money Follows Mission! We know that funding community projects is a challenge. This workshop will give you the tools you need to make your project more sustainable. Keep 22nd August 2021 10am-11am free.

Taking Your Community Project to the Next Level? It's Not as Hard as You Think? Join us on 25th July 11am to learn how.

CAMPMEETING ALERT 🚨 🚨🚨

The Church Growth and Adventist Community Services are running collaborative workshops this year. Find us on the SEC YouTube & page.

See poster for details.

Research suggests that is takes 5 positive experiences to balance out one negative experience.
This is extremely true for our work culture.
For us who work in Christian service of others it pays to be be grateful and tell others how grateful.

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If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn today, 95% of what we do would go on and no-one would know the difference-Tozer

Spent sabbath with Taunton SDA church. It’s a warm diverse church with amazing food!!! It was interesting to hear their views on the practical side of community work. It has helped consider more as I go around to other churches.

I just attended a panel discussion at city hall where the Mayors office were outlining their social intergration strategy.

Our church needs to be present at these events in order to understand how our church can be relevant.

It was very insightful, more to come on this very soon.

I am listening to Pastor Wayne Basil Erasmus discuss the challenges Adventism faces in Britain. I believe there is a lot of alignment between our departments and look forward to working together. That is why I would like to invite all community services leaders to the upcoming event put on by our church growth department. It will be high beneficial. contact me if you are interested.

I spent this weekend with the Fishermead and West Bletchley churches in Milton Keynes. We had a fantastic time. They are throughly in engaged in the process of building communities and making disciples.
We had some lovely conversations and I look forward to seeing some of the fruit of their labour.

Very pleased to visit Plymouth SDA church yesterday. So much opportunities as they are located on the doorstep of the university. Pastor Deyvid is also part of the university chaplaincy team.
The newly formed adventurer club are looking to be a community club and much much more amazing opportunities in the pipeline.

Work has already began in line with the SEC strategy to build up communities.

It's gone around before but still this is a great reminder.

You know, Psalms 139:14 tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. The world is unforgiving it will make you feel incompetent and worthless.
Others may put you down to make themselves feel better!
But!!! remember your value!

Everyone will make mistakes its inevitable! It's how we respond to adversity that will set us apart!

We never fail, we learn.
Our value is not predicted on our failures or our successes, its inherent, a gift from God to you.
So pick yourself up and keep on going and while you do that help some one up long the way too.

YOUR VALUE - Powerful Motivational Speech Spoken by Jeremy Anderson: https://www.jeremyanderson.org http://benlionelscott.com/subscribe 👈 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗣...

I spent the morning with Gloucester Seventh-day Adventist Church! Their soup kitchen is decades old and the results are showing.

35-40 people benefit from their services each week. But what is most important is that they are viewed as part of the fabric of their community.

Amazing work! God is blessing and this could be your church as well!

We have just under 200 congregations in the SEC. Imagine if all of them served 30-40 people each week?
Seventh-day Adventists in the South of England