Dear Pacific Union Member,
Beginning this year, the Seventh-day Adventist Church will attempt something it has never done before. Worldwide, we will attempt to touch one billion people in one year with invitations to study the Bible. Here's how we plan to do it.
Sow 1 Billion
One billion cards will be printed in hundreds of languages to be mass mailed or distributed by Church members, 25 million of which will be for North America. They will offer the Discover Bible Guides free by mailing in the card, over the Internet at
www.hopetalk.org/answers, or by calling 877-225-5867.
It is hoped that one percent of the cards distributed will find a response. That would be 10 million new people studying the Bible. For those who respond by mail or phone, we will need to equip members to deliver the Bible studies. What a privilege to be one sharing the good news of salvation in the context of the Adventist message with people who have requested to know more. You never know how God will use you when contacts like this are made.
You should be hearing more details in the coming weeks of how your church will be involved. Generous donations made by some Adventist members will care for the printing costs. Individual conferences and churches will pay for the mass mailing of cards to the zip codes they choose. You can be involved in helping to provide funds for mailing or be one involved in delivering lessons, or both.
Hope for the Big 13
This year you will also hear about “Hope for the Big 13.” One big city in each division of the world church will be chosen for special attention in expanding the Adventist presence. Some estimates say that within the next five years, half the world’s population will be living in urban areas. In 1950, only 18 percent of people in developing countries lived in cities. In 2000, that had risen to 47 percent. By 2030, 60 percent of the world’s population will live in cities. In developed countries, 76 percent already live there.
In 1950 there were eight mega cities in the world (cities with populations of more than 5 million.) By 2015, it is estimated there will be 59 mega cities with 48 of those in less-developed countries. We must give special attention to the big cities where the majority of people live.
The Hope Channel
Another new outreach activity is the Hope Channel. Broadcasting God’s love and truth 24 hours a day, the Hope Channel is a television satellite broadcast you can receive in your own home on a small digital satellite dish with no monthly fees. For more information, call 1-800-226-1119 or log onto
www.adventist.tv.
Millions of Hits a Month
A young Adventist graphic designer recently created an animation for the Internet on the second coming. It is accessed at
www.lifetalk.net/2ndcoming/ee.html. This site is receiving millions of hits a month.
These are just a few of the outreach activities in process during 2004. Now you know why the Church is calling this the “Year of Evangelism.” I pray you and your church are a part of these new initiatives for God. Under the blessing of the Holy Spirit, we hope to experience even more of the promised latter rain power.
Sincerely your friend,
Tom Mostert, Jr., President
Pacific Union Conference
P.O. Box 5005
Westlake Village, CA 91361
