AUSTRALIA
Health Initiative Shows Eating Healthfully Can Cut Grocery Costs by 20 Percent
The North New South Wales Conference (NNSW) Health Department promoted its first FoodSAVE Facilitator Training at Gosford Seventh-day Adventist Church on March 16, equipping local health ministry leaders to help communities make nutritious food choices on a budget.
Led by health and lifestyle educators Margot Marshall and Kym Fowler, and nutritionist and lifestyle medicine practitioner Kaysie Vokurka, the FoodSAVE training challenged the perception that healthful eating is expensive. Using the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, participants learned how to apply its food-group proportions—such as whole grains, fruit and vegetables, legumes and protein—to everyday grocery shopping.
A highlight of the session was a supermarket tour comparing the cost of whole foods and processed items. “It was eye-opening to see the price difference,” said NNSW Health Departmental assistant Kate Garriga.
The day also included a budget-friendly cooking class, during which participants learned how to prepare simple, healthful meals at home. A budgeting workshop rounded out the day, helping attendees understand how to save up to 20 percent on groceries by prioritizing core food groups such as vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and legumes.
BRAZIL
No Cell Phone, More Interaction at Adventist School After Passing of New Law
Florianopolis Centro Adventist Academy is in compliance with Public Act 15.100/2025, which restricts the use of cell phones in public and private schools. Implemented at the beginning of the school year, the measure brought positive changes on student performance and social interaction, education leaders said.
“We feared resistance from the students, but we saw just the opposite happening,” said Dolores Rosa, principal of the institution, located in Santa Catarina, Brazil. “Classes gained in quality as students now participate more, interact better, and even resumed the habit of taking notes by hand.”
Before the new legislation the use of cell phones was already forbidden in classrooms across Adventist schools but allowed during breaks. Now, with the total restriction, schools are investing in recreational activities such as board games, table tennis, and sports.
“Students are more aware of each other. We no longer see isolated groups on their cell phones. They talk, play, and really get to know each other,” Rosa said.
The legislation implementation has also had a positive impact on discipline and the fight against bullying. “The school environment has become healthier. . . . We have the full support of parents, who are satisfied with this change,” Rosa said.
MALAYSIA
Mission Leaders Launch Sidewalk Evangelism in the Streets of Kuala Lumpur
The Malaysia Union Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (MAUM) officially launched the Sidewalk Evangelism (SWE) initiative on February 28 at the Exhibition Hall of the Council of Churches Malaysia in Petaling Jaya. This two-day event aimed to equip attendees with practical evangelism strategies designed to reach people in urban areas through personal engagement. SWE is built on four foundational steps: Pray, Mingle, Invite, and Study—a method that can be applied anywhere to effectively share the gospel, leaders said.
This evangelistic movement marks Malaysia’s united response to the Global Total Member Involvement (Global TMI) initiative of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It also serves as the nation’s preparation for the Southern Asia-Pacific Division’s yearlong evangelistic campaign, Harvest 2025, which seeks to engage all members in reaching the unreached within the 10/40 window.
Hosted by the Petaling Jaya English church, the event drew the participation of leaders from the General Conference; the Southern Asia-Pacific Division; the Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia missions; and visiting guests from Indonesia, along with members from local churches.
“The SWE initiative has proved to be a spiritually enriching and action-oriented event,” leaders said.
BOLIVIA
Leader Facilitates School of Continuing Education in Sucre
The facilitator for the day was Adolfo Suárez, Spirit of Prophecy director in the South American Division. Suárez highlighted the importance of constant reading of the Bible, the writings of Ellen G. White, and edifying literature as fundamental tools to strengthen our life of faith.
“Each person needs to adapt their rhythm and format of reading according to their needs,” Suárez suggested. He also underlined the crucial role of adults in the transmission of this habit to new generations of Adventist believers.
The event brought together about 120 in-person attendees from various churches in Sucre, as well as visitors, while the Zoom broadcast allowed the participation of more than 200 people from various cities. Leaders of the Bolivia Union and Central Bolivia missions in the areas of Spirit of Prophecy and Christian home also attended.
The day concluded with a call to strengthen leadership through knowledge and ongoing formation of God’s Word.
BULGARIA
Training Empowers Women Serving in Ministry
A pivotal Women’s Ministries training took place February 28 to March 3 at the Adventist Health Center in the village of Banya, Bulgaria. Participants from more than 25 cities and towns across the country attended the event, and some even traveled from abroad. The main guest speaker for the training was Dagmar Dorn, Women’s Ministries director for the Inter-European Division. Local experts also contributed to the event. They sought to inspire, educate, and empower women for ministry in their local congregations.
The training covered a wide range of topics, including history and philosophy of women’s ministries, women in the Bible, and Jesus’ leadership model. Participants also discussed small-group ministry, the church’s campaign against violence, and the discovery of spiritual gifts.
Dorn said she was deeply moved by the attendees’ enthusiasm and engagement. “Women were eager to learn, participate, and show heartfelt gratitude,” she said.
Bilyana Valchinova, Women’s Ministries director in Bulgaria, agreed, as she explained the event’s significance. “There hasn’t been a training like this in more than 10 years. Leaders need ideas and to experience sharing and encouragement,” she said.