The serene landscape of Germany’s Black Forest set the stage for the Bible Correspondence School (BCS), as the Inter-European Division (EUD) and the Trans-European Division (TED) convened for a joint Advisory from June 3 to 6, 2024.
The participants assembled at Guest House Schwarzwaldsonne to share experiences, discuss strategies, and tackle the challenges faced by the BCS.
The primary goal of the meeting was to exchange experiences and address common challenges within the BCS framework. Lively debates led to a shared vision for the future of the Bible Correspondence School in Europe.
The advisory commenced with introductory remarks by Florian Ristea and Kayle De Waal, the Directors of the BCS operations in their respective divisions(EUD and TED). The event's collaborative tone was further set by Daniele Ebenezer, associate director of the General Conference (GC) Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department, who delivered an inspiring devotional on the importance of discipleship in mission.
Kurt Johnson, Director of BCS at the General Conference, enriched the discussions with his extensive experience, beginning Tuesday’s session with a captivating history of the BCS, which originated in 1929 under the name “Voice of Prophecy.”
The discussions were enhanced by the valuable contributions of several guest speakers. Wayne Boehm, leader of Hope Media South Pacific Division, shared insights from his region, while William Timm, Digital Evangelism Coordinator at Novo Tempo in Brazil, provided perspectives on digital outreach and the use of AI within the BCS framework. Additionally, Petras Bahadur, director of the GCAMR, offered his expertise and counsels on how aimed Bible Studies for our Muslim brothers and sisters can be of valuable help. Participants from various countries, including England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Romania, Croatia, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway, presented reports that highlighted the transformative impact of the BCS on students' lives.
The gathering not only facilitated the exchange of ideas and strategies but also reinforced a shared mission and vision for the BCS.
The most significant outcome of the meeting was the development of a set of strategic guidance aimed at enhancing the BCS's impact and efficiency.