Dear Friend
There’s a new High Sheriff in Bedfordshire – Eric Masih. ‘All that I am, what I have, what I can do, is because of the grace of God.’ John Bunyan would be proud, and so are we (page 7). It’s the end of an era for the Edmonton church family. They are moving from their historic Cuckoo Hall Lane building. Fifi Mckenzie-Cook tells the story with an interesting roll call of ministers from 1922 to the present (pages 4 & 5). The President of the Trans-European Division, Pastor Raafat Kamal, in conversation with the editor, emphasises that we are to have Christ-like compassion ‘without exception’ for all people (pages 8 & 9). We introduce a new monthly column called ‘Earth and Soul’, written by David Wright, who for the next year is going to focus on environmental matters from a theological and biblical perspective. What are the implications for Adventist Christians on how we live? (Page 10.) When members of the church family receive awards, it is a time to celebrate with them. Stanborough Press author Susanne Kirlew has received the ‘Wise Women Award’ for her outstanding Christian book (pages 10 & 11), and Helen and Mike Pearson have received the Charles Elliott Weniger Award for Excellence (page 14). ‘Authority’, ‘alienation’ and ‘access’ are all changes that today’s generation of youth are facing, with a plea from Pastor Adam Ramdin to ‘give them more encouragement than we usually do’ (page 12). Would you move home for the sake of the children? Andrew Puckering has been talking with some Adventist families who did just that – and they have no regrets (pages 18 & 19).
And there is so much more, with regular columns from George Knight, Sharon Platt-McDonald, Andrew Puckering, Nathan Stickland and Bert Smit. But, before closing the magazine, I wouldn’t want you to miss the letter on page 21, which raises a most perplexing question.
Sent with a prayer – that this edition of Messenger will continue to inform and educate, but most of all to inspire.
David Neal
Editor