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Almost Home: A Report of Walk Around the World 2000

As the finish line comes into view, it indicates the "Walk Around the World" program, which began at the 56th General Conference Session in Utrecht, and concludes at the 57th Session in Toronto, Canada on Thursday, June 29, 2000.

The grand finale of Walk 2000 will have representatives from all over the world, from every Division. There will also be Pathfinders coming from each city where General Conference Sessions have been conducted during this century. This historic portrayal, together with a concert on the steps of City Hall, will be a media event which will positively reflect on the Church and show that Seventh-day Adventists are strongly committed to a drug-free lifestyle.

The concert will commence at 3:00 p.m. with Wintley Phipps as the master of ceremonies. There will be choirs and musical groups from many countries. At the conclusion of the program, the Walk 2000 will begin as 2000 balloons with a message telling of the dangers of drugs are released and lift high above the city.

This symbolic walk, which brings the Walk Around the World 2000 to a conclusion, represents many thousands of participants from all over the globe. Leading the walkers to the SkyDome, it is hoped that the Mayor of Toronto, the Honorable Mel Lastman, will be the Grand Marshall. There will be Pathfinders in uniform and colorful national costumes worn by those from other lands.

As the leaders enter the hall, previous walks will be portrayed on the mammoth screen. When the last of the walkers file through and the screen presentation is completed, Pastor Jan Paulsen, General Conference president, will give a position statement regarding the Church and drugs.

You will want to be a part of this great event and the time to begin is now. The General Conference has designated May 2000 as "Adventist Drug Awareness Month." All churches, schools and youth groups are encouraged to conduct a Walk 2000 in their neighborhoods to draw attention to the strong position Adventists hold regarding the use of alcohol, tobacco and other harmful substances. Wherever you are, be sure that your church is involved in this project next May.

For more information, write I.C.P.A. Walk 2000, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904, USA, or call 301-680-6719. [Reg Burgess]