Adventist Headlines From Around the World—September 11, 2025

PHILIPPINES

More Than 370 Students Receive Support Through Adventist-Muslim Initiative

Adventist churches in the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM) and the Southern Mindanao Mission (SMM) are working together through their Adventist Mission departments to organize outreach programs for Muslim communities in the region. On August 9 and 10 they donated school supplies and meals to 376 children from four madrassahs, or Islamic learning institutions.

Jonathan Hemoroz, Adventist Mission director of SePUM, together with his wife, Marjurie, administrative assistant for children’s ministries, led the project. “The initiative reflects a heartfelt desire to share love and build bridges,” Marjurie Hemoroz said. “The bond between Muslims and Adventists can be strengthened by recognizing the shared heritage of Isaac and Ishmael—half brothers whose descendants continue to reflect that brotherhood today.”

“This is the first time a group has come to us with such blessings for both children and adults,” said Bae Shirley Alip, federation president of the Moro Women’s Association in Maasim.

Adventist church leaders said the initiative also sought to strengthen ties with Muslim communities by recognizing shared values and mutual respect. “Service transcends religious differences,” they said. “Through these efforts we affirmed our respect for our Muslim neighbors. We are committed to building relationships grounded in peace, love, and shared humanity.”

BOLIVIA

Adventists in Bolivia Celebrate Law Protecting Children From Digital Violence

Adventist Education in Bolivia reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of children and adolescents by participating in an introduction of the new Protection of the Sexual Integrity of Children and Adolescents in Digital Environments bill (No. 206/2024-2025 CS). The church leaders, members, and students’ presence was part of the Breaking the Silence campaign, a Seventh-day Adventist Church annual initiative that seeks to prevent and fight all forms of violence.

The event took place on August 25 in Cochabamba, with the presence of Cochabamba Adventist School. Students shared tips on digital prevention, conveyed a message of hope through music, and distributed resources to create awareness against violence.

Osvaldo Dante Tejerina Ríos, Cochabamba department prosecutor, celebrated the initiative. “Adventist Education has a long history of fighting against digital violence. We appreciate its involvement in the community.”

Edimar Sena, Adventist Education director in Bolivia, highlighted the permanent commitment of the network to defend and protect children. “We want a safe environment for our students and all Bolivian children and adolescents. This law represents an important step in the comprehensive protection of those who are the present and future of our country.”

NIGERIA

More Than 1,500 Adventist Men Gather in Regional Convention

The Western Nigeria Union Conference hosted more than 1,550 delegates for the fifth edition of the Adventist Men’s Organization (AMO) convention, held at Babcock University August 6-10. Themed “Mission to Neighbors: I Will Go,” the gathering was marked by moments of spiritual renewal, fellowship, and practical empowerment, organizers said.

Church leaders and government officers attended, including Robert Osei-Bonsu, General Conference vice president, and Evangelist Onifade, representing the governor of Ogun State.

Over the course of four days, participants engaged in a wide range of seminars and workshops addressing health, family life, stewardship, entrepreneurship, and spiritual growth. Among them, they enjoyed presentations on common old age-related ailments, prostate cancer awareness, potentials in agribusiness, multiple streams of income, the beauty of needs in marriage, and sessions on daily prayer devotion and spiritual growth.

The celebration on August 9 drew more than 2,000 men in worship experience. The day concluded with a Communion service.

The convention closed on August 10, when participants renewed in their commitment to mission, family, and spiritual growth. “Delegates left with a strong resolve to live out the call of the theme, carrying the light of Christ to their neighbors and communities,” organizers said.

EGYPT

Kim SunHwan Elected as President of the Egypt Field

On August 24, the Executive Committee of the Middle East and North Africa Union Mission (MENAUM) elected Sun-Hwan Kim as the new president of the Egypt Field. Kim most recently served as the Adventist Mission director of the Northern Asia-Pacific Division. He succeeds Denis Sand, who was elected as president of MENAUM during the 2025 General Conference Session.

Leadership at MENAUM introduced Kim as “a capable church leader with rich experience in mission across challenging territories.” It emphasized that “he has served within the Northern Asia-Pacific Division, part of the 10/40 window, and fully understands what it means to live and minister as a religious minority.”

As of the end of 2024, the Egypt Field is home to 954 members worshipping in 20 churches and companies. This makes it one of the Middle Eastern countries with the highest number of Seventh-day Adventists. In Egypt the Adventist Church is one of only four officially recognized Christian denominations.

“As the Lord empowers those He calls, we ask Him to bless Sun-Hwan Kim, who has been entrusted with the new mission of leading the church in Egypt,” MENAUM leaders said.

UNITED STATES

Russian-Ukrainian Churches Unite at Fourth Choral Festival

Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking Adventist churches across the Pacific Northwest of the United States recently gathered for the long-awaited return of their choral festival—now in its fourth season, but the first after the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 1,000 attendees from Washington, Oregon, and Upper Columbia conferences came together for an evening of music, worship, and community.

The festival featured a vibrant music program that included performances from individual church choirs and a moving combined choir performance, organizers said. In addition to the participating choirs, a special group of musicians and concertmasters offered their time and talents to support each church, ensuring musical unity and a spirit of worship throughout the festival. “The festival became not only a musical celebration but also a heartfelt reunion for church members with deep shared roots,” they said.

The evening culminated in a powerful worship moment as all the choirs joined in a unified performance, lifting their voices together in praise, organizers reported. “The sanctuary filled with harmonies of devotion and joy,” they shared. “As the final notes faded and prayers were said, the message was clear: in worship, service, and shared mission, these communities are stronger together.”