Pathfinders
Session 2000 Canadian Mass Choir
New England Youth Ensemble
Pastor G. Ralph Thompson
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An estimated 50,000 Seventh-day Adventist Church members and visitors streamed into the Toronto SkyDome on Saturday, July 1, to participate in a morning of music, worship and fellowship.
“We come from the four corners of the Earth,” said Pastor Robert Kloosterhuis, a General Conference General Vice President, during the invocation. “We have come from Asia, the islands of the sea, Africa, Europe, the Americas. And we thank You for the work of the Holy Spirit in all the countries of the world.”
The diversity of the global Adventist Church family was highlighted by Pastor Michael Ryan, General Conference General Field Secretary and director of the Global Mission initiative. In places where the Church has been established for a 100 years, there is one Adventist for every 280 people, he said. In the 10/40 window, there’s 10,000 for every Adventist. “If you want to talk about a church of mission, a church of action, I’m happy I’m a Adventist.” said Ryan, announcing a goal to build 1040 churches in the 10/40 window.
Pastor Ralph Thompson, keynote speaker and outgoing secretary of the General Conference, was introduced by General Conference president Pastor Jan Paulsen. Thanking Thompson for his more than 50 years of service to the Adventist Church, Paulsen commended Thompson’s “outstanding service and life commitment given to God, to God’s people and to so many of us individually.”
Kari Paulsen, who stood beside her husband, noted the challenges sometimes faced by the families of Adventist pastors and leaders, and spoke of the importance of teamwork between husbands and wives.
“We need each other’s understanding and often forgiveness,” said Kari Paulsen. “There are many challenges, but you face them together,” she added, noting that Pastor and Mrs. Thompson have worked together for 50 years.
Thompson urged everyone present, and those around the world listening on radio or watching by satellite, to renew their commitment to unselfish, God-focused, service.
“In all of our Adventist institutions our minds must be saturated with this glorious concept of service. You must feel this in your bones,” said Thompson. “This must be the overwhelming characteristic of every member and worker in the church today. Our service must be motivated by our faith in God and our love for Him.”
Every believer has a role to play, said Thompson. “I say to you today, the church needs young people--educated young people,” he said, calling on Adventist youth around the world to commit their academic talents and degrees to God.
Throughout his presentation, Thompson emphasized that “We are a people with a deadline.”
“The whole world is sitting on a rumbling volcano and wondering ‘what shall we do?’ It’s time to tell them of our hope.”
“This is no time for timid leadership,” said Thompson. “We need bold, adventurous leadership, that doesn’t shy away from untried methods. We must all be active participants in the glorious drama of the Advent message--‘for now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed.’”
“We are a people with a future–heaven is our home.”
Special music throughout the morning celebration included a performance from the renowned New England Youth Ensemble, the Oregon Men’s Chorus, and a Canadian mass choir which was especially assembled for the Adventist World Session. The Session theme song, “We Have This Hope,” was dramatically presented by all the assembled musicians and the 50-thousand strong massed choir of the congregation. |
