RUSSIA
Cuban Residents Become Seventh-day Adventists
The Fakel congregation of the Moscow Conference celebrated the baptism of four Cuban residents on February 8. Members rejoice in welcoming Alexander, Amanda, Lisnay, and Lismer, four Cubans who arrived, at different times, to live in Russia.
Two years ago the first Cuban family appeared in that congregation, local leaders reported. As more countrymen followed, a Cuban Bible study class was organized. Classes with Cubans are conducted by Lucy, a church member. The firstfruit of this ministry was the baptism of a young woman, Marbelize, in December 2024. After her baptism Vladimir Kotov, the local church pastor, made a call to study Scripture and prepare for baptism. Five people responded to the appeal.
As a result of the Bible studies four of the people made the decision to dedicate their lives to Christ and get baptized. They are all young, and yet each has a difficult life path, as they are experiencing challenges in adapting to living in a different country. “The church believes that with God’s help, people from Cuba will learn of God and grow spiritually,” local leaders said. “They will be able to participate in the life of the church and invite other Cubans who have come to Russia to find salvation.”
Nepal
First Women’s Congress Unites Adventist Women
The first-ever women’s congress of the Nepal Section of the Adventist Church took place in Banepa City, near Kathmandu, Nepal, February 7-9. The event saw the participation of more than 215 women from 44 churches across Nepal.
Shanti Pokharel, Women’s Ministries director of the Nepal Section and her team spent nearly six months planning the event. The theme for the event, “Reflecting Beauty: We Are Daughters of God,” resonated deeply with the women of Nepal, reinforcing their identity in Christ, organizers said.
Raquel Arrais, Women’s Ministries director of the Northern Asia-Pacific Division, delivered messages on reflecting beauty by looking more closely at biblical women characters. “We must embody Christ’s character in our daily lives, care for our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, and serve purposefully,” she said.
The event emphasized key aspects of a fulfilling Christian life, including putting God first, daily Bible study and prayer, healthy living, positive thinking, trust in God, building strong relationships, and soul-winning efforts. A particularly memorable segment, “Daughters of God,” featured young girls showcasing such traits as kindness, bravery, patience, humility, and strength, symbolizing the next generation of faith-filled women.
AUSTRALIA
Two Organizations Join Forces to Tackle Diabetes
The ELIA Lifestyle Medicine Centre (ELIA LMC) has announced a new partnership with ACA Health Benefits Fund as part of a government-approved pilot study focused on the treatment and prevention of diabetes.
With 1.45 million Australians living with diabetes in 2023—a figure that has surged by 220 percent since the year 2000—the urgency for innovative treatment approaches has never been greater, according to Andrea Matthews, medical director of ELIA LMC.
“We are very excited to be partnering with ACA Health Benefits Fund in this new pilot study on the treatment and prevention of diabetes,” she said. “This pilot has been approved by the health department, and we have been blessed to have the support of ACA Health and Australian Health Service Alliance in the process.”
As an Adventist Health initiative, ELIA LMC will be able to accept study participants who are ACA Health Benefits Fund members based in Sydney and surrounding areas, and who have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Eligible participants will engage in the ELIA 12-week diabetes clinical program, designed to provide a wholistic, evidence-based approach to diabetes management.
PHILIPPINES
Adventist Organizations Unite for Urban Mission Medical-Dental Initiatives
In a joint effort, Adventist organizations from the Atlantic Union Conferece (AUC), the Northern Luzon Philippine Union Mission (NLPUM), and the Central Luzon Conference (CLC) launched the Manila for Christ 2025 evangelistic campaign with a highly impactful medical-dental mission. Held on January 19 in Quezon City, Philippines, the initiative offered free medical and dental services to the local community, benefiting 196 patients and embodying the spirit of Christ’s compassion in action.
The services rendered included medical consultations for 86 individuals, dental procedures for 58 patients, pediatric care for 27 children, and laboratory services for 25 attendees. These vital health services were made possible through the dedication of local dentists, physicians, nurses, and volunteers from nearby Adventist churches. Guest doctors from AUC in the United States also lent their expertise.
This medical mission forms an integral part of a weeklong evangelistic effort that began on January 17. The series of events aimed to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of the community, reflecting Christ’s ministry of wholistic care.
“We are committed to bringing hope and healing to communities not only through the gospel message but also by addressing the pressing needs of the people,” an AUC representative said.
UNITED STATES
Unique Medical 3D Motion Lab Helps Athletes Get Back in the Game
McKenna Battilla’s story is similar to a lot of young athletes treated by AdventHealth and Rothman Orthopaedics. The 16-year-old from central Florida, United States, was living out her dream as a budding soccer star. “I was playing my best level of soccer. Everything was going really well,” Batilla said.
That all changed in January 2024, she said. “I came to an abrupt stop, and my knee hyperextended,” she shared. “I completely tore my ACL [anterior cruciate ligament].”
After six months of physical therapy, she transitioned to a pilot program at AdventHealth Sports Med and Rehab Innovation Tower in Orlando.
Known as the 3D Motion Lab, it’s the only one of its kind in Florida. The system captures data from a force plate and video from cameras to create three-dimensional images on a computer screen. The video allows physical therapists to visually compare what a patient does today to what they previously did.
“You can show [the patient] in detail where they’re making gains,” Todd Furman, a senior physical therapist, said. “Or where they’re moving in such a way that might be injurious.”
Rehabilitation experts want to take what they do with elite athletes and provide it to any patient that needs it, they said.