Bucharest, June 19. [Communication Romania]. From June 8 to June 12, Pastor Ted N. C. Wilson, the president of the Seventh-Day Adventist world church, and his wife Nancy visited Romania. They were accompanied by pastor Bruno Vertallier, the president of the Euro-Africa Region of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and pastor Gabriel Maurer, the Executive Secretary of the Euro-Africa Region.
From the moment of his arrival, pastor Wilson declared he was eager to see the development of the Adventist Church in Romania, the biggest community of Adventists believers in Europe. “It is a privilege to be in Romania again. Four years have passed since my last visit, and I am eager to see how the church developed”, said pastor Ted Wilson upon arrival.
This goal was reflected in his schedule, visiting several important Romanian Adventist institutions like the Adventist Media Center, the “Viață și Sănătate” (Live and Health) Publishing House, an ADRA shelter for the victims of domestic violence and the Adventist Theological Institute. “I appreciate the activity of the Adventist Media Center and I am glad that there is the possibility and the potential of sharing God’s Word and the news of the second coming of Jesus Christ to so many people”, said Ted Wilson before recording a broadcast on various issues like the statute of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in China and Middle East or initiatives of the Adventist world church like the book of the year (The Great Controversy) or Revival and Reformation. “I appreciate the involvement of the Romanian Adventist Church in so many areas. I’ve just visited the shelter that ADRA Romania operates for the victims of domestic violence and I was surprised by what was done through this project and how those who came here were helped. I am glad that I had the opportunity to learn about this beautiful initiative and that I could pray together with those who work there”, said Ted Wilson after visiting together with his wife and Gabriel Maurer the ADRA House – the Emergency Shelter for the Victims of Domestic Violence, one of the most important shelters in the region.
Pastor Wilson’s main message was transmitted during a festive event, symbolically held in Sala Palatului (the Palace Hall), one of the most impressive buildings of the former communist regime, with the participation of over 4.000 members of the Romanian Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
“It has been a long time since Ted Wilson arrived in Romania through his message. Revival, Reformation, Mission, The Great Controversy, the return to the Scripture, Mission to the Cities are words well-known by the Romanian Adventist believers”, had said Pastor Teodor Hutanu, the president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Romania, before offering a plaquette on which was written the last sentence of the Great Controversy, “God is love”, to the Wilson family and recalling the fact that over half million copies of the book had already been distributed.
“God has blessed His people here in Romania. God blessed you with an enthusiasm for His work; He’s blessed you with love for the Adventist Message, and the Romanian influence is prevailing many countries of the world now. Your loyalty to God’s church is well-known. What a privilege it is to be part of this great family”, said pastor Wilson in his sermon.
Another meaningful moment was given by pastor Dumitru Popa, former President of the Romanian Adventist Church. He offered pastor Wilson a photo album with pictures from the two visits in Romania, in 1980 and 1989, of his father, pastor Neil Wilson, president of the Adventist world church from 1979 to 1990.
Pastor Wilson’s message focused on the church family and its unity, restating the fundamental doctrines of the church and promoting a missionary spirit: “it is time for unity in God’s church, for unifying in the mission of the church. A time to be part of proclaiming the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14 which portrays the righteousness of Jesus Christ”.
He also highlighted the salvation through grace and not through acts, urging the audience to avoid adopting extreme tendencies. Pastor Wilson concluded the sermon restating the strong belief in the soon second coming of Jesus Christ and encouraging the believers to prepare for this unique event and to share the news of His second coming with those close to them in a kind and friendly way.
“It is true that you are the strongest, largest contingent of the Seventh-day Adventists in Europe. Reinforce that wonderful blessing God has given you in reaching out to every village, every city, every town. But, brothers and sisters, that can only happen, here in Romania or anywhere in the world, as we are personally connected to Jesus through faith”, concluded pastor Wilson.
The Saturday schedule included the construction site for the new building of the Life and Health Publishing House. Pastor Ted Wilson showed his appreciation for this initiative and its contribution in publishing the Book of the Year by praying for it and for those who read its books.
The most important event that took place Saturday afternoon was the meeting with the young people from the Romanian Adventist church in the campus of the Adventist Theological Institute in Cernica. For two and a half hours, the president of the General Conference took time to answer questions about various areas: a president’s personal life, the Adventist world church, christian lifestyle and fundamental beliefs. The question series were alternated with musical moments, a spiritual messages presented by Bruno Vertalier and the special guest for this occasion, Ted N. C. Wilson.
In an interview for Hope TV, the president of the General Conference praised the Romanian young people for their spirituality, their depth and their missionary zeal, encouraging them to continue walking on the way they had chosen and reminding them that they were important and precious for Jesus Christ and the Seventh-day Adventist church.
The members of Seventh-day Adventist Church in Romania are 67'100, divided in 1'091 churches and 265 companies.
