GHANA
Country’s President Calls on Adventist Church to Partner in National Development
John Dramani Mahama, the president of Ghana, has extended a call to the Seventh-day Adventist Church to partner with his government in such key areas as health, education—particularly technical and vocational education and training (TVET)—as well as agribusiness.
The president made this appeal during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Adventist Church, who came to congratulate him on his reelection and reaffirm the church’s historic commitment to collaborative efforts with successive governments.
Leading the delegation was Chris Annan-Nunoo, secretary of the Southern Ghana Union Conference. He assured the president of Ghana of the Adventist Church’s continued support, expressing willingness to collaborate in health, education, youth development, and agribusiness through initiatives led by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).
“The visit highlights the Adventist Church’s continued commitment to nation-building through its widespread network of schools, hospitals, humanitarian services, and spiritual influence,” regional church leaders said. “President Mahama’s call reinforces the valuable role faith-based organizations can play in advancing social services and economic empowerment in Ghana.”
PHILIPPINES
Evangelism Series in Cebu Culminates in “Harvest Celebration”
Heshbon Buscato, the newly elected Youth Ministries director for the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, conducted the evangelistic event. The series took place from July 27 to August 2 as part of a broader evangelism initiative by the Central Visayan Conference (CVC). This event was also a part of a larger, one-year intensive evangelism initiative called Harvest 2025, launched by the Southern Asia-Pacific Division.
At the end the event was packed, attracting attendees from across metro Cebu. According to Lelord Arranguez, CVC Communication director, some families even flew in from abroad to be a part of the celebration.
During the divine service Buscato concluded his series by exploring the story of Joseph, from a favored son to an enslaved person and eventually a governor who forgave his family.
Organizers reported that the event concluded in the baptism of 79 individuals from various churches across metro Cebu. “It was an act that celebrated the effective evangelism initiatives in the area,” they said.
KOREA
Church Region Launches Device Donation Campaign for Sri Lanka Mission
The department emphasized that smartphones enable global connection and gospel sharing. Urging participation, they noted that unused devices could become channels of hope to people in Sri Lanka, encouraging church members to actively join this initiative.
Ham Min Ho, director of the ECKC Digital Evangelism Department, said, “Your unused device can make a meaningful difference for global mission. We invite all members to contribute to this goal,” he said.
At the same time, the Sri Lanka Mission is making earnest efforts to revitalize its evangelistic work. The mission has been energized by the appointment of Korean missionaries, including Jung Hyosu, Sri Lanka Mission president.
Through Arise Sri Lanka the mission launched a church revitalization project aimed at restoring evangelistic momentum, focusing on member motivation, strengthening small group evangelism, remodeling support systems, and fostering sister church partnerships, regional church leaders explained. “Rather than concentrating on one-time evangelistic meetings or baptismal events, the goal is wholistic revival—uniting pastors and members in spiritual education and leadership training to renew the entire church,” they said.
BRAZIL
86-Year-Old Pastor Is Honored as an Example of Ethics and Service
Retired Seventh-day Adventist pastor Anastassios Papadopoulos Papazoglou, affectionately known as the “Greek Pastor,” was recently honored by the Regional Electoral Bureau of Paraná, Brazil, for the many years of volunteer service provided in the Brazilian elections, being recognized as the oldest poll worker in the state. Papazoglou, 86, is a member and elder at Central Londrina Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Papazoglou was born in 1938 in the city of Brafa, Turkey. When he was 3, he moved with his family to Greece, where he also completed his schooling. The family later emigrated to Brazil.
As an adult and owner of a health food store in Lorena, São Paulo, Papazoglou began to contribute financially to support the Voice of Prophecy radio broadcast and later participated in the negotiations to purchase a plot of land where Lorena Adventist Academy now stands.
Between 1976 and 1979 he studied theology at what was then the Adventist Teaching Institute. His pastoral ministry began in the 1980s and lasted for 22 years, until his retirement in 2003.
Even after retirement Papazoglou has remained active. “Serving is in my heart. I make myself available wherever God calls me,” he said.
MEXICO
The Hopeful Premieres in Theaters Across the Country
Audiences across Mexico are able to watch the early struggles and triumphs that shaped the Seventh-day Adventist movement, as The Hopeful premiered in theaters on September 4.
The film, released by Hope Studios, has already premiered in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Barbados, and the Cayman Islands. Now audiences in Mexico can experience the story as it made its debut in 40 theaters across the country, mostly in the northern and central regions, church leaders said.
“When we heard that one of Mexico’s major cinema chains wanted to premiere The Hopeful, we were thrilled,” said Kevin Christenson, director of Hope Studios. “This isn’t just a milestone for the film—premiering for the first time dubbed in Spanish. It’s a historic moment for the Adventist Church.”
The nationwide release marks a significant moment for the church’s mission through media, said Abel Márquez, executive director of Hope Channel Inter-America.
“It’s exciting to see the church reaching such a high level in the film world with The Hopeful,” Márquez said. “In times like these, we hope it will spark meaningful conversations about the value of living with faith in God.”
