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International Religious Leaders Address the General Conference
July 5, 2000
Toronto, Canada .... [Danielle Lee / ANN]
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Three international religious leaders addressed the General Conference to encourage the Seventh-day Adventist Church in its mission and wish it success in its meetings. The President of the American Bible Society, the Anglican Bishop of Toronto, and a representative of the World Council of Churches spoke to delegates in the SkyDome on Wednesday, July 5.
The President of the American Bible Society, Dr. Eugene Hacker, thanked the Adventist Church for its support of the Society in providing the word of God to the world.
“Thank you for the ways you support Bible Societies all over the world,” said Hacker. “Thank you for the privilege of partnering with all of you. The Word never comes back void.”
He also challenged delegates to read the Bible every day and to enjoy the life-changing effects that this reading will have. “When you get into the Word and the Word gets into you, it will change your life.”
As one of the largest bible translation agencies in the world, the Bible Society plans to launch a $90 million campaign this year to provide greater access to the scriptures. “Two-thirds of the world’s language groups still have no part of the word of God in their own language,” said Hacker. “That’s a tragedy. It’s my pleasure to work with Seventh-day Adventists to address this.”
The Right Reverend Terence Finley, Anglican Bishop of Toronto, brought greetings to the Session from his diocese and on behalf of the worldwide Anglican community. “I had the privilege of joining you in Utrecht at the time of your last General Conference, and I was impressed by the way in which you all gathered in the name of Jesus Christ,” said Finley. “There is an interpretation of the word Toronto which means ‘meeting-place.’ I hope that in your meetings you sense the Spirit moving in your midst.”
A message from Rev. Konrad Raiser, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, was read to the delegates by Mrs. Alice Jean Finley, a member of the World Council of Church’s Central Committee. The focus of the message was the importance of cooperation between churches.
“We have heard of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s commitment to bring the gospel to the world,” said Finley. “More than ever we need to find our common gifts as Christians to promote peace and justice in this divided world.”
The World Council of Churches also wished the Seventh-day Adventist Church success in its Conference. “It is hoped that this will be an occasion of thanksgiving for the redemptive gifts of mercy and love that we’ve received through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” said Finley. “May it also be an occasion to affirm what binds us as Christian brothers and sisters.”
General Conference representatives presented a check for $85,000 to Hacker to aid the work of the Bible Society. |
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