Adventist Church Beginnings in Europe To Be a Video Series

By: Inter-European & Trans-European Division News

Understanding our roots inspires our future! It is what drives “The Vision,” a docu-drama piloted at the Global Adventist internet Network (GAiN) meetings in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on August 9.

The first Adventist missionaries outside North America headed to Europe. It became Adventism’s first mission field. “The Vision” aims to highlight their story—the beginnings of Adventism in Europe in the second half of the 19th century, as it focuses on what that story may mean for us today. It is based on historical documents and uses a mixture of narration, expert interviews, and a reconstruction of dramatic moments.

The Inter-European (EUD) and Trans-European (TED) regions of the Seventh-day Adventist Church worked together to share the first pilot episode in what has been planned as a series of 10 episodes, sharing the hardships, the joys and the vision of a church committed to reaching the world. “The Vision” will not only bring a better understanding of pioneer mission in Europe but will emphasize what then became a European passion for mission that has influenced the world far beyond European borders.

“The Vision” is the brainchild of Corrado Cozzi, EUD Communication director. He was inspired by watching the movie “Tell the World,” that movingly recounts the origins of the Seventh-day Adventist movement.

“During the closing moments of ‘Tell the World,’ we saw Adventist pioneers sending John Andrews to Europe,” he said when introducing “The Vision” at GAiN 2017. “I realized that that story didn’t end there. We need a follow-up, a video documentary about the beginnings of the Adventist Church in Europe.”

Adrian Dure, a filmmaker based at the EUD Media Center Stimme der Hoffnung, said he was surprised about the rich history of Adventism in Europe. “Being someone who comes from South America, but serving now in Europe, I am impressed to discover the rich and wonderful history we have in Europe,” he said. “Our goal is to motivate viewers to discover the precious history of the Adventist Church and its focus on mission.”

The pilot episode focuses on church co-founder Ellen White’s arrival to Europe and how this event motivated the development of the many ministries and institutions that supported the mission of the church.

“To a great degree, our church members do not know our roots,” said Cozzi. “The idea of producing a documentary movie about the beginning of the church in Europe could have a positive effect on them.”

Hosting the docu-movie, TED Communication and Media Director Victor Hulbert affirmed this series has the potential to impact lives. “In 2014, I made a film on Adventist Objectors of Conscience in World War I. Their story impacted lives both within and outside the church,” he said. “I believe that following up with more of our history will not only give us a better understanding of our Adventist identity in Europe but will inspire members to be even more involved in service for mission at home and around the world.”

Positive feedback and creative suggestions received from the GAiN audience will help to frame the full documentary series as it is filmed over the next two years.

Find out more about “The Vision” at the-vision-series.org.