Alberto C. Gulfan Jr., long-time Adventist leader in Southeast Asia, passes away

Transcription

1 Adventist Heritage Center From: Adventist News Network on behalf of Adventist News Network Sent: Tuesday, September 29, :03 PM To: Adventist Heritage Center Subject: News Bulletin for September 29, 2015 Alberto C. Gulfan Jr., long-time Adventist leader in Southeast Asia, passes away; Religious freedom takes center stage in Madagascar at Adventist-sponsored festival; Seven Seventh-day Adventists killed in Cameroon attacks; and more View this in your browser The official news service of the Seventh-day Adventist world church. Facebook Twitter Forward September 29, 2015 Headlines Alberto C. Gulfan Jr., long-time Adventist leader in Southeast Asia, passes away Religious freedom takes center stage in Madagascar at Adventist-sponsored festival Maranatha builds 4 churches as membership surges in Dominican Republic Long-awaited Adventist school set to open in East Timor with 32 students Two female pastors make a difference in Cuba New race and religion laws in Myanmar draw international attention Seven Seventh-day Adventists killed in Cameroon attacks Alberto C. Gulfan Jr., long-time Adventist leader in Southeast Asia, passes away The 64-year-old served the church for 42 years. 1

2 Known for his passion for evangelism, Alberto C. Gulfan Jr. regularly conducted several evangelistic series per year, sometimes as many as five or six, while maintaining his busy presidential schedule. Gulfan served the church for 42 years. During that time, he was a literature evangelist, church pastor, district pastor, hospital chaplain, health educator, union health and temperance director, mission president, union ministerial secretary, union executive secretary and union president before being elected president of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD). Read more at news.adventist.org. Religious freedom takes center stage in Madagascar at Adventist-sponsored festival More than 17,000 participate in the day-long event, which was the first of its kind for the territory. More than 17,000 people rallied last week in a sports arena in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, to pledge their support for religious liberty. The day-long Festival of Religious Freedom, held September 26, was the first such event to be held in the Indian Ocean island nation of Madagascar. The festival drew community and national leaders, including government minister Olivier Mahafaly, who heads the Ministry of the Interior and Decentralization. The event was jointly sponsored by the Southern Indian Ocean Union of Seventh-day Adventists, and the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA). Its purpose, said organizers, was to focus national attention on an often-overlooked, yet fundamental, human right, and to say thank you to the national government for continuing to protect the ability of all Malagasy citizens to worship in peace and security. Read more at news.adventist.org. 2

3 Maranatha builds 4 churches as membership surges in Dominican Republic Maranatha's president says, "Each church is as special as it is an answer to a congregation s prayer" Four new churches with seating for 600 members opened in the Dominican Republic this month as the Seventh-day Adventist Church races to keep up with surging membership in the Caribbean island nation. A total of 35 new churches were dedicated in the Dominican Republic last year, nearly half of which were built by Maranatha Volunteers International. Maranatha also built the four newest churches. Read more at news.adventist.org. Long-awaited Adventist school set to open in East Timor with 32 students Enthusiastic interest in the country s first Adventist school stems from a community approach; School is one of three 13th Sabbath School offering recipients on September 26. For some children, the start of a school year is a dreaded time as they leave behind their summer fun. However, students at the new Timor-Leste Adventist International School (TAIS) in Dili can t wait for opening day on September 28 based on this week s enrollment response. 3

4 School staff anticipated approximately ten Kindergarten/International School Preparation (K/ISP) students and a smaller number for the grade 1, English-only class for this first year. English as a Second Language (ESL) classes were to be offered in the afternoon. However, the staff was surprised when almost thirty children enrolled for the K/ISP class during the September registration. Read more at news.adventist.org. Two female pastors make a difference in Cuba Gilma Carbonell, 44, leads the largest Adventist church in Cuba; Argelia Linares, 78, is the longest-serving Adventist worker in Cuba. Two female pastors, both passionately committed to leading others to Jesus, are helping the Seventh-day Adventist Church expand in eastern Cuba. Gilma Carbonell, 44, leads the largest Adventist church in Cuba, the Guantanamo Central Adventist Church in the city of Guantanamo. She ministers to more than 1,000 church members, who pack the inside and outside of the church every Sabbath. Carbonell has served as a pastor in the church s Guantanamo region for nearly five years and oversees four districts, two ordained ministers, two ministers and one Bible worker. During her time at the Central Church, four churches and two companies have been organized. Read more at news.adventist.org. New race and religion laws in Myanmar draw international attention 4

5 Adventists continue emphasis on community work amid country s legislative changes Four race and religion bills recently signed into law in Myanmar are generating international concern and could impact not only minority groups but also Christians in the country. Known as the Race and Religion Protection Laws, they consist of four laws regulating monogamy, religious conversion, interfaith marriage, and population control. According to lawmakers, these laws are designed to encourage Myanmar s way of life and protect its people. Read more at news.adventist.org. Seven Seventh-day Adventists killed in Cameroon attacks The village in Northern Cameroon is now in a state of desolation and abandonment. A group known for terrorist attacks in Western Africa, raided a village killing nine people, including seven Adventists. The attacks took place on the night of September 17 in the village of Aïssa Harde, located in the Far North of Cameroon. causing significant loss. Heavily armed men invaded the village, located 11 kilometers or 6.8 miles, east of Mora in North Cameroon. The attackers raided homes and burned down stores, Read more at news.adventist.org. 5

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7 Alberto C. Gulfan Jr., long-time Adventist leader in Southeast Asia, pass of 1 9/30/ :34 AM news.adventist.org utm_medium= &utm_term=0_fc8bee3d88-e2b88491d Alberto Gulfan Jr. addressing Annual Council delegates during the Council on Evangelism and Witness, October 10, [Photo by Ansel Oliver] The 64-year-old served the church for 42 years. September 28, 2015 Southern Asia-Pacific Division Known for his passion for evangelism, Alberto C. Gulfan Jr. regularly conducted several evangelistic series per year, sometimes as many as five or six, while maintaining his busy presidential schedule. Gulfan served the church for 42 years. During that time, he was a literature evangelist, church pastor, district pastor, hospital chaplain, health educator, union health and temperance director, mission president, union ministerial secretary, union executive secretary and union president before being elected president of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD). He served as the SSD president from 2003 to July Throughout his tenure, he fully supported world church initiatives such as Revival and Reformation, the 777 prayer program, and Mission to the Cities and was part of the SSD committee that developed the Integrated Evangelism Lifestyle initiative for the church territory. Elder Ted N.C. Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, remembers Gulfan as a wonderful champion of God s truth and evangelistic proclamation. In a letter of condolence to the family, Wilson added, Pastor Gulfan will be greatly missed Pastor Gulfan s many years of service for the Lord are a testimony to God s power in using an individual in powerful ways for His remnant church. The world church has been enriched through Pastor Gulfan s service for God's people. It was a great privilege to associate with Pastor Gulfan as a church leader and as a friend. Born in Cataingan, Masbate, Philippines on December 1, 1950, Gulfan was a lifelong Adventist. He was married to wife Helen Bocala-Gulfan, SSD women s ministries director and Shepherdess International coordinator, for 38 years. He cherished their three children Helen Zella, married to Erwin Tecson; Lloyd, married to Novelou Lagra- Gulfan; and Jarbien Pol and two wonderful grandchildren, Sam and Hugh. The family appreciates the great outpouring of love and support during this time. Funeral services will be held on October 4 at the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) auditorium in Silang, Cavite, Philippines. The Southern-Asia Pacific Division has also set up a tribute page, which will also have the live stream video feed of the funeral service. Back to list

8 Religious freedom takes center stage in Madagascar at Adventist-sponsor... of 2 9/30/ :34 AM news.adventist.org utm_medium= &utm_term=0_fc8bee3d88-e2b88491d Madagascar's Festival of Religious Freedom took place on September 26. [Photo by Laurent Brabant] More than 17,000 participate in the day-long event, which was the first of its kind for the territory. September 29, 2015 Laurent Brabant/IRLA Staff More than 17,000 people rallied last week in a sports arena in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, to pledge their support for religious liberty. The day-long Festival of Religious Freedom, held September 26, was the first such event to be held in the Indian Ocean island nation of Madagascar. The festival drew community and national leaders, including government minister Olivier Mahafaly, who heads the Ministry of the Interior and Decentralization. The event was jointly sponsored by the Southern Indian Ocean Union of Seventh-day Adventists, and the International Religious Liberty Association (IRLA). Its purpose, said organizers, was to focus national attention on an often-overlooked, yet fundamental, human right, and to say thank you to the national government for continuing to protect the ability of all Malagasy citizens to worship in peace and security. John Graz, long-time religious liberty advocate and former Secretary General of the IRLA, traveled to Madagascar on behalf of the IRLA to take part in the event. During his five days in the country, Graz spoke to journalists at an airport arrival press conference, attended three academic lectures on religious freedom, and gave the keynote address at the Festival, which was broadcast by the national media. Graz also met with Madagascar s Prime Minister, Jean Ravelonarivo, and commended the government for its continuing strong commitment to religious freedom and its care for religious minorities. Graz noted that although just seven percent of the population of Madagascar identifies as Muslim, the government recently included a Muslim festival in its national registry of public holidays. Also attending the meeting were regional Adventist leaders Harivololona Rajaonarison, associate treasurer for the Indian Ocean Union Conference, and Fanara Andriamparantiana, conference president. Prime Minister Ravelonarivo thanked the Adventist Church for supporting the principle of religious freedom for all people of faith, and spoke about the value Adventists add to Malagasy society through the church s health and education work. The Madagascar Religious Freedom Festival is the latest in a series of more than thirty similar events that have taken place on six continents since the very first festival was held in Lima, Peru, in According to IRLA Secretary General Dr. Ganoune Diop, these public rallies are an effective way to raise community awareness about the issue of religious freedom. It s a civil liberty that, too often, we take for granted, says Diop. Yet recent reports show that more than two thirds of the world s population lives in countries where religious freedom restrictions are rated high or very high. If we

9 Religious freedom takes center stage in Madagascar at Adventist-sponsor... of 2 9/30/ :34 AM cherish religious freedom, it s good to express our gratitude, as well as call attention to the challenges others face in places where freedom is restricted by laws or by social hostility. There are some 140,000 Adventist members in Madagascar. Just over half the country s population of 23 million people practice indigenous animist beliefs, while about 40 percent claim affiliation with a Christian denomination. Back to list

10 Maranatha builds 4 churches as membership surges in Dominican Republ of 2 9/30/ :35 AM news.adventist.org /?utm_source=adventist+news+network&utm_campaign=e2b88491d6-ann_bulletin_sept_29_20159_29_2015&utm_medium= & utm_term=0_fc8bee3d88-e2b88491d A few of the thousands of Maranatha volunteers who have worked to build dozens of churches in the Dominican Republic during the past decades. Several volunteers work on finishing the Villa Caoba Adventist Church in the eastern part of the island earlier this year. [Photo by Maranatha Volunteers International] Maranatha's president says, "Each church is as special as it is an answer to a congregation s prayer" September 28, 2015 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Julie Lee of Maranatha International/IAD Staff Four new churches with seating for 600 members opened in the Dominican Republic this month as the Seventh-day Adventist Church races to keep up with surging membership in the Caribbean island nation. A total of 35 new churches were dedicated in the Dominican Republic last year, nearly half of which were built by Maranatha Volunteers International. Maranatha also built the four newest churches. We are so thankful to Maranatha for contributing in a big way to the development of the church in the Dominican Republic, said Cesario Acevedo, president of the church in the Dominican Republic. Maranatha first started constructing churches here in 1992, mobilizing 1,200 volunteers in the capital, Santo Domingo, to build 25 churches in 90 days. At the request of the Adventist Church, the group returned in 2002 to build 50 churches. A third round began in 2013, and 19 churches and 13 Sabbath School classrooms have been completed so far in an initiative that will run through The dedication of a church is the final step in the long process that starts with years of prayer, close interaction with church leaders, generous contributions from donors, a time and energy commitment from volunteers, and the overall blessing of Jesus Christ, said Maranatha president Don Noble, who attended this month s dedications. Each church is as special as it is an answer to a congregation s prayer, he said. The prayers come from pastors and church members who are active in sharing Jesus in their communities, Acevedo said. Our members are so excited when they have a beautiful sanctuary to which they can bring their neighbors and friends and grow the church, he said. Every time a new church is completed and dedicated, it fills up quickly. That s exactly what local leaders have witnessed in the fast-growing membership of more than 300,000 Adventists in the Dominican Republic. The country has a population of about 10.5 million. The newly finished Adventist churches are Luz de Javilla, Misionera de Amor, Brisas del Eden, and Paraiso

11 Maranatha builds 4 churches as membership surges in Dominican Republ of 2 9/30/ :35 AM Escogido. Three can accommodate about 125 people each, while the fourth has room for 250. Each of the new churches includes Maranatha s basic structure: a roof, floor, block wall, Sabbath School classrooms, platform, baptismal tank, plaster, and paint. Congregations have added their own architectural and decorative details including tile floors, drop ceilings and landscaping. Church members are engaged in contributing toward the building of new churches, Acevedo said, not only those in particular regions or districts. The church has had a plan of building churches annually during the past few years, said Acevedo. In 2014, 35 new churches were dedicated, nearly half of them were built by Maranatha volunteers, so they continue to play an important role in the growth of the church here, added Acevedo. Already, church leaders are projecting that between 12,000 to 15,000 new members will join the church during the next five years. That means more churches will be in demand, he explained. Maranatha continues to engage in dialogue with church leaders in the Dominican Republic regarding new plans for the upcoming years. The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Dominican Republic has 304,862 church members worshiping in 1,262 churches and congregations. The church operates four conferences, two missions, dozens of primary and secondary schools, a university, a hospital, and an orphanage. To learn more about Maranatha Volunteers International and its projects, visit maranatha.org Learn more about the work of the Adventist Church in the Dominican Republic at adventistasrd.org.do Back to list

12 Long-awaited Adventist school set to open in East Timor with 32 student of 2 9/30/ :35 AM news.adventist.org students/?utm_source=adventist+news+network&utm_campaign=e2b88491d6-ann_bulletin_sept_29_20159_29_2015& utm_medium= &utm_term=0_fc8bee3d88-e2b88491d Timor Leste missionary Manuel Lonoza (center) and church members teach community children new games. [Photo courtesy of Janette Lonoza.] Enthusiastic interest in the country s first Adventist school stems from a community approach; School is one of three 13th Sabbath School offering recipients on September 26. September 28, 2015 Timor-Leste Teresa Costello with additional reporting from Kevin Costello For some children, the start of a school year is a dreaded time as they leave behind their summer fun. However, students at the new Timor-Leste Adventist International School (TAIS) in Dili can t wait for opening day on September 28 based on this week s enrollment response. School staff anticipated approximately ten Kindergarten/International School Preparation (K/ISP) students and a smaller number for the grade 1, English-only class for this first year. English as a Second Language (ESL) classes were to be offered in the afternoon. However, the staff was surprised when almost thirty children enrolled for the K/ISP class during the September registration. Since the school s temporary building is small, it can only accommodate a few classes at a time. In spite of this challenge, the staff didn t want to turn away interested students and parents. They will instead offer both morning and afternoon K/ISP sessions to accommodate all the students. Timor-Leste Mission (TLM) administrators credit the unexpected enrollment total to a community approach that involves building relationships and meeting practical needs in the community. Missionary couple Janette and Manuel Lonoza arrived in late June and quickly began making friends with the community children. In July they partnered with church members and One Year in Mission-Timor Leste to introduce informal game times to the children. Next, K/ISP teacher Janette, assistant Maria Morais and the rest of the team offered a free children s ESL program based on a similar program developed by the Lonozas in the Philippines. Grade 1 teacher Stephanie Haddad and Principal Mai-Rhea Whitty quickly joined in after their arrivals. The other component involved TAIS staff visiting homes of potential students and holding an informational meeting for parents. In addition, church members shared news about the school with friends and family. These activities are stage 1 of the school s development plan. Next year, the plan is to add grades 3 and 4 for stage 2. In order to do this, a larger, permanent building is needed. Members have been praying for such an Adventist school for years. Donations from the upcoming September 26 Sabbath School offering for 13 th Sabbath will hopefully make this a reality. The two other offering projects from this quarter s featured Southern Asia-Pacific Division are a nursing school in Bangladesh and a church in Sri Lanka.

13 Long-awaited Adventist school set to open in East Timor with 32 student of 2 9/30/ :35 AM Although the Adventist church began its work in Timor-Leste in the 1970s, a twenty-year occupation of the island by Indonesia halted its activity. Thus, the first Adventist church was finally established in Organized as a field in 2009 and a mission in 2011, the Adventist church continues its growth in the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste with one official church in the capital of Dili and over 500 members in the country. Predominantly Catholic, Timor-Leste is one of only two Christian countries in the Southern Asia-Pacific Division. Back to list

14 Two female pastors make a difference in Cuba: Adventist News Network 1 of 3 9/30/ :36 AM news.adventist.org /?utm_source=adventist+news+network&utm_campaign=e2b88491d6-ann_bulletin_sept_29_20159_29_2015&utm_medium= & utm_term=0_fc8bee3d88-e2b88491d Pastor Gilma Carbonell and IAD President Pastor Israel Leito pose for a picture at the Guantanamo Central Adventist Church, in Guantanamo, Cuba earlier this month. Carbonell leads the largest church on the island with over 1,000 church members. [Photo courtesy of Israel Leito.] Gilma Carbonell, 44, leads the largest Adventist church in Cuba; Argelia Linares, 78, is the longest-serving Adventist worker in Cuba. September 27, 2015 Santiago de Cuba, Cuba Libna Stevens/IAD Two female pastors, both passionately committed to leading others to Jesus, are helping the Seventh-day Adventist Church expand in eastern Cuba. Gilma Carbonell, 44, leads the largest Adventist church in Cuba, the Guantanamo Central Adventist Church in the city of Guantanamo. She ministers to more than 1,000 church members, who pack the inside and outside of the church every Sabbath. Carbonell has served as a pastor in the church s Guantanamo region for nearly five years and oversees four districts, two ordained ministers, two ministers and one Bible worker. During her time at the Central Church, four churches and two companies have been organized. Carbonell has been instrumental in expanding the church in eastern Cuba, said Pastor Israel Leito, president of the Adventist Church s Inter-American Division, which includes Cuba. Pastor Leito traveled to the island this month to officiate the change of status of the Alto Oriente Mission to the Alto Oriente Conference. Pastor Leito praised Carbonell and the work of other local ministers and church members who have helped expand the conference s membership to 7,078 believers. Carbonell s skills and leadership abilities have uniquely qualified her for such an important position in the entire Cuban Union, Pastor Leito said. Carbonell and other female pastors in the Inter-American Division are not ordained, in line with Adventist world church policy, Pastor Leito said. Nevertheless, the division does not view the lack of ordination as a limitation to service, and it has many male pastors who also lead churches although they are not ordained. I love to teach Christ as the center of doctrines, teach Bible prophecy, and prepare leaders, said Carbonell, who holds a degree in Marxist philosophy and education and taught in a government university before being baptized into the Adventist Church in She linked the growth of the church in her district to its focus on education, doctrinal teachings, training in the functions of church departments, and church planting.

15 Two female pastors make a difference in Cuba: Adventist News Network 2 of 3 9/30/ :36 AM After Carbonell joined the church and served as a church elder, she felt the call to the ministry and attended the Adventist seminary in Havana. Soon after, she served as the pastor of the Caribe Adventist Church in Guantanamo and later moved to the Central Church. There are so many different needs throughout the different congregations I oversee, but we try to focus our members on the concept of mission and how we are a movement, and continue teaching about Christ to members and visitors who come every week, Carbonell said. Church administrators on the island spoke warmly of Carbonell s impact on the region. Ever since Sister Gilma arrived in Guantanamo, the church has lived a revival, said Eduardo Rodríguez, treasurer of the Alto Oriente Conference. Her work as a servant of God has been tremendous here and the results speak for themselves. Carbonell dreams of studying for a doctoral degree and of doing more to train younger ministers. Leito said the Inter-American Division is considering helping her to achieve that dream. Meanwhile, Argelia Linares, 78, has been living out her own dream for most of her life, working as a Bible worker. Her pastoral leadership has brought scores of people into the church. She played a crucial role in reaching a town called Caimanera that no other Seventh-day Adventist has been able to enter. For the past 10 years Linares has ministered to a small Adventist congregation in Caimanera, Cuba s closest town to the U.S. Guantanamo Bay naval base. For years she was given a special pass that allowed her to enter the town periodically to minister to the church there, said Pastor Leito, who spoke briefly to Linares about her work in Caimanera during a five-day tour of east Cuba. Linares, known affectionately to residents as Sister Jeje, eventually was informed that she no longer needed to secure a pass and could visit and serve as a pastor to the congregation, Pastor Leito said. Linares, the longest-serving Adventist worker in Cuba, told Pastor Leito that sharing the gospel was her passion. She studied at the former Antillian Adventist College when it was based in Santa Clara, Cuba, in the 1950s. We are thankful for Bible workers like Linares who commit their entire lives to preaching the gospel, Pastor Leito said. Linares faithful ministry has been instrumental in keeping the congregation in Caimanera alive and growing, he said. The congregation used to number in the dozens but has shrunk to 10 members because of migration out of the area, local church leaders said. Throughout Cuba, however, the Adventist Church has expanded in recent years, noted Pastor Leito, who has visited the country dozens of times as division president. The church in Cuba is very strong, he said. The government allows the church to function with more freedom than in the past, and we are thankful for that. God continues to bless the church, our dedicated leaders, and our active church members who give their all to fulfill the mission of the church. The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Cuba Union has more than 32,000 members worshiping in 458 churches and congregations. The church oversees the work of four conferences across the island. Dayami Rodríguez contributed to this report

16 Two female pastors make a difference in Cuba: Adventist News Network 3 of 3 9/30/ :36 AM Back to list

17 New race and religion laws in Myanmar draw international attention: Ad of 2 9/30/ :36 AM news.adventist.org /?utm_source=adventist+news+network&utm_campaign=e2b88491d6-ann_bulletin_sept_29_20159_29_2015&utm_medium= & utm_term=0_fc8bee3d88-e2b88491d [Photo by istock] Adventists continue emphasis on community work amid country s legislative changes September 24, 2015 Teresa Costello/SSD Four race and religion bills recently signed into law in Myanmar are generating international concern and could impact not only minority groups but also Christians in the country. Known as the Race and Religion Protection Laws, they consist of four laws regulating monogamy, religious conversion, interfaith marriage, and population control. According to lawmakers, these laws are designed to encourage Myanmar s way of life and protect its people. With a focus on marriage, religion and family, these laws cover various aspects of life: Individuals must not be married to more than one person. Individuals wanting to convert from a religion must notify a local governmentestablished committee, show proof that they have undergone religious study within the last 90 days and wait for approval to convert. A Buddhist woman wishing to marry outside her faith must notify local officials who will publicly publish her intent to marry and wait for 14 days to see if there are any objections to the marriage. If there are objections, the couple may not be allowed to marry. Interfaith married couples must now register so that their union is noted by local officials. In terms of population control, officials may require women in certain areas of Myanmar to space the births of their children in three year intervals. Originally proposed in 2013, they were developed into bills and made their way through Myanmar s Lower and Upper Houses of Parliament in 2014 and early The population control law was approved by Parliament in April 2015 and signed into law by Myanmar President Thein Sein in May. The other bills soon followed with the last one signed into law on August 31. Various international groups such as Amnesty International and human rights experts from the United Nations have been vocal in their concern regarding these laws and their potential impact on Myanmar s minority races. However, it is unclear what effect this could have for Christians, including Adventists, in the future. Meanwhile, the Adventist church s emphasis in Myanmar will remain on its well-regarded community activities and the nurturing of members so they can continue to be a positive influence in their families, communities and workplaces. Leaders in the church s Southeast Asia Pacific territory (Southern-Asia Pacific Division) ask members around the world for their prayers as these new laws are implemented. Back to list

18 New race and religion laws in Myanmar draw international attention: Ad of 2 9/30/ :36 AM

19 Seven Seventh-day Adventists killed in Cameroon attacks: Adventist Ne... of 1 9/30/ :36 AM news.adventist.org /6/?utm_source=Adventist+News+Network&utm_campaign=e2b88491d6-ANN_Bulletin_Sept_29_20159_29_2015& utm_medium= &utm_term=0_fc8bee3d88-e2b88491d [photo credit: Cameroon Union Mission] The village in northern Cameroon is now in a state of desolation and abandonment. September 22, 2015 Abraham Bakari, CMUM Communication Director/ANN Staff A group known for terrorist attacks in Western Africa, raided a village killing nine people, including seven Adventists. The attacks took place on the night of September 17 in the village of Aïssa Harde, located in the Far North of Cameroon. Heavily armed men invaded the village, located 11 kilometers or 6.8 miles, east of Mora in North Cameroon. The attackers raided homes and burned down stores, causing significant loss. Cameroon recorded the first terrorist attacks on its soil in July 2015 with the attacks in Fotokol and Maroua. Many families have also emptied the village, leaving a desolate village languishing in panic and psychosis, said Richard Hendjena, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North Cameroon. This is the first time the Seventh-day Adventist Church has seen loss of life since suspected Boko Haram fighters began their abuses in the Far North of Cameroon, according to Hendjena. Hendjena asked people around the world to remember those affected by the violence in prayer. We beg you to think about these brethren in Aïssa Harde and of other locations in your prayers. It's not easy to live in such a climate of insecurity, said Hendjena. Back to list