Bern March 22, 2012 [CD-EUDnews]. “The Franco-Belgian Union is an integral and vital part of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church” says General Conference President Ted N.C. Wilson.
About 40 leaders from the Franco-Belgian Union, the North and South of France, as well as the Belgium-Luxembourg Conferences met Ted Wilson and his wife Nancy in Lyon, France on March 15-17, 2012. Representatives from the Euro-Africa Division were also at the meetings.
President Wilson was warmly welcomed by Bruno Vertallier, the Euro-Africa Division President, as well as by Jean-Claude Nocandy, President of the Franco-Belgian Union. The work meetings focused on direct exchange with the world church leader. The reports presented by the conferences aimed to give the GC president and fellow leaders an insight in their lives, activities and strategies.
Ample time was reserved for qu
estions and answers with President Wilson. Leaders wanted to know many things, like what is the focus of the General Conference regarding the work of the world fields? Why Revival and Reformation? How should we as Adventists relate to other religions and denominations? How do we handle lay initiatives within the church? And much more.
It was an open, fair, relaxed, sometimes even humorous atmosphere. The fact that president Wilson talked extensively and even preached in French brought him close to the heart of the audience. The participants also learned that Nancy Wilson is doing departmental work at the General Conference for Shepherdess (Ministry to Pastors’ Spouses) and Transitional Ministry.
“It was very, very helpful to me to meet Presiden
t Wilson personally,” one of the leaders said. “I have heard many rumors about him since Atlanta, but I am glad I could see and listen to him. I find he is a very approachable person, humble, with plenty of administrative experience, wise, and a real leader. And I realized that he is genuine.”
On Sabbath many church members from France and Switzerland had an opportunity to meet, greet and to listen to the sermon of President Ted Wilson in the crowded Collonges campus church. The Campus Adventiste du Saleve gladly received President Ted Wilson with good music, and a welcome speech by campus president Ralf Wegener.
In his sermon, President Wilson urged the listeners to follow the biblical emphasis of personally humbling themselves before God. They who are actively expecting the soon return of Jesus Christ will be made witnesses of His salvation throughout Europe.
