Adventist Headlines From Around the World—July 29, 2025

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Student-led Campus Ministry Leads to Baptisms

A weeklong evangelistic program held at Kerevat National School of Excellence in East New Britain, Papua New Guinea, concluded with 11 student baptisms and increased interest in the Seventh-day Adventist message among staff and students, organizers and participants recently reported. Organized by Adventist students and staff, the open-air meetings ran from June 25 to 30 and attracted more than 200 attendees each evening.

Themed “The Power of Choice,” the meetings were led by Gibson Yambi, East New Britain provincial area supervisor. “Choose God, connect with God, and live with God, who is our Father, rather than depending on ourselves and others,” he encouraged attendees.

According to school chaplain Jimmy Pesul, the school administration provided support for the program. “The school leadership gave its full support for Adventist students and staff to run this spiritual enrichment initiative,” he said. The initiative also included evening health presentations by Peter Nebare, Adventist health professional, under the theme “Health Ambassador for Happiness.”

The program concluded on Sabbath with 11 students baptized as a direct result of the Adventist students’ campus ministries. An additional 45 students responded to an appeal and are interested in future baptism.

UNITED STATES

AdventHealth Medical Group Offers New Mental Health-Care Program for Teens

AdventHealth is opening a new Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) to care for teens ages 13 to 18 in the community of Hendersonville, North Carolina, United States. The AdventHealth Medical Group Adolescent Behavioral Health is centered on therapy groups specifically focused on improving mental health, anxiety, and depression in teens and adolescents.

AdventHealth’s program will officially open its doors to patients on August 4. This program is designed to provide compassionate care to teens who are experiencing psychiatric disorders, behavioral issues, or dual diagnoses.

On July 22 AdventHealth welcomed community members, local leaders, and mental health advocates for a ribbon-cutting at the new downtown Hendersonville location and to learn more about the services that will be offered to support adolescent mental health in western North Carolina.

With this program teens can access the care and mental health support they need, while having the convenience of living at home. The program’s duration will vary from six to eight weeks and will include access to a medication management provider and individual sessions with a licensed therapist. Dedicated time will be provided to meet with the parents or guardians as well.

AUSTRALIA

Teen Leadership Convention Inspires Next Generation

More than 80 teens and their mentors from across Australia gathered from July 6 to 11 for the CHOSEN teen leadership convention, hosted by the Australian Union Conference (AUC) at Queensland Conference and Camping Centres in Brisbane, Australia.

Held every second year since 2008, the event invites Adventist teens aged 14 to 16 who have demonstrated leadership qualities in their local churches. Each conference also selects two mentors to support the teens throughout the program and continue mentoring them after the event.

“There is no doubt that there were many God-inspired moments throughout the week,” said Jeffrey Parker, AUC Youth Ministries director. “The impact on the teens is huge, and we believe that many of them will be great leaders in the church’s future. We are really excited to see what God does with the teens who attended. The possibilities are endless.”

Attendee Caitlin Hanbury from Western Australia expressed her appreciation for the event: “So beyond grateful for this incredible opportunity to attend CHOSEN and being able to meet such amazing, inspiring people. I loved every single moment and will cherish this experience forever!”

BULGARIA

Adventists Celebrate 30 Years of Pathfinders Club in the Country

Seventh-day Adventist members and leaders celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of Pathfinders Clubs in Bulgaria July 11-13. The event coincided with the National Pathfinders Camp Meeting in the country’s Rhodope Mountains.

The national camp meeting, held from July 4 to 13 under the theme “Choose Your Path,” culminated in a shared celebration that united both young and older members, all bearers of the Pathfinder promise and spirit. More than 400 guests attended the club’s milestone anniversary, including more than 120 Pathfinders aged 11 to 15, along with past and present leaders from the Bulgarian Union of Churches Conference and visitors from the Inter-European and Euro-Asia divisions.

During the thirtieth anniversary celebration a temporary museum showcased the history of Pathfinders in Bulgaria, featuring a collection of ties from various countries, uniforms, patches, and photographs documenting the Bulgarian delegation’s participation in both national and international camporees.

A highlight of the event was the presentation of awards earned by Pathfinders and leaders throughout the year and during the camp. Pathfinders could achieve up to four honors from a selection of 11 categories, which included pottery, horse breeding, beekeeping, basketry, agriculture, bread baking, travel, stars, muscles and joints, camp safety, and patriarchs and prophecies. Several leaders also advanced in their ranks.

JAPAN

Japan Union Conference Launches First Official Enditnow® Website

The Women’s Ministries Department of the Japan Union Conference (JUC) has launched the nation’s first official Enditnow® Japan website, marking the church’s formal participation in the global Enditnow® Day on August 25.

The newly developed platform offers a wide range of downloadable resources, including educational pamphlets, abuse-response flowcharts, and self-assessment tools, designed to equip local churches and individuals to take practical, faith-based action against abuse and violence.

This effort comes amid growing concerns in Japanese society, where incidents of harassment and abuse are on the rise across diverse settings, including workplaces, schools, caregiving environments, and even within homes, regional church leaders said. In response, the JUC is taking decisive steps to break the silence and extend hope to those in need.

“This is a much-needed initiative to bring hope and healing to victims,” said Raquel Arrais, Women’s Ministries director of the Northern Asia-Pacific Division. “Enditnow is more than a campaign—it’s a call for each of us to be a voice for the voiceless, as Proverbs 31:8, 9 commands us. I praise the JUC for taking this concrete step toward healing.”