Participants: Gary Krause (Host), Clifmond Shameerudeen, Richard Elofer
Series Code: GMS
Program Code: GMS000044
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00:01 On today's program, a church plant in Bulgaria,
00:03 global mission centers, 00:05 and how a little boy broke down barriers 00:08 with the help of some goats. 00:10 That and much more coming up, next 00:12 on Global Mission Snapshots. 00:26 Just before He went up to heaven, 00:28 Jesus gave us a command. He gave us a mission. 00:34 Jesus said, go, 00:36 go unto all the world telling them of His love. 00:41 This is our mission. This is our "Global Mission." 00:50 Hello, I'm Gary Krause 00:52 and welcome to Global Mission Snapshots. 00:54 Today we will be talking with two guests 00:56 who are at the frontlines of global mission. 00:59 For many years Richard Elofer has been heading up 01:01 the World Jewish Adventist Friendship Center. 01:05 Today, we will be talking with Dr. Elofer 01:07 about how Adventists can better relate 01:10 to their Jewish friends and neighbors? 01:12 We'll also be talking with Clifmond Shameerudeen, 01:15 from the Centre for South Asian Religions. 01:18 And we'll also meet a young boy in Portugal 01:20 who made a friend and shared Jesus. 01:23 Thanks, to some goats. 01:25 But first up let's visit Bulgaria to meet two women 01:29 who started with a group of six people, 01:31 meeting in a garage and ended up 01:33 with a church plant of more than 100 believers. 01:44 Kalinka Filipova, lives in southwestern Bulgaria. 01:48 She is a gypsy. 01:50 Her town Blagoevgrad 01:52 has a large population of Romani people. 01:55 Several years ago Kalinka met a woman on her way home. 01:59 They started talking about God's existence. 02:01 The two strangers connected instantly 02:04 and started exploring the Bible together. 02:07 As they studied they made a pact 02:09 to follow Jesus command and make disciples. 02:12 They prayed together and opened their garage 02:15 for Romani people to learn the way to salvation. 02:21 Initially we were five or six people, 02:24 and then the group grew to 106 people. 02:27 The garage could not hold us inside, 02:30 so we would put blankets 02:31 and carpet outside so that people could sit. 02:34 As the numbers increased, 02:36 some of the new believers were baptized 02:38 and have become proactive leaders. 02:40 So the Seventh-day Adventist Church 02:41 rented and renovated 02:43 a first-floor apartment in the Romani community 02:46 that would serve as a sanctuary 02:47 for worship and church activities. 02:50 The Romani congregation continued to grow 02:53 and now that number would crowd any house church. 02:56 But the visitors far outnumbered the members 02:59 and seats are at a premium for every service. 03:05 The greatest challenge for the church 03:07 is that there are many people we can reach. 03:09 It has plans and methods to do it 03:12 but our greatest concern 03:13 is that our guests have no place to sit when they come 03:16 because our sanctuary is too small. 03:19 Today some 160 members 03:22 and friends come seeking God's blessing 03:24 and offering their worship on Sabbaths 03:27 and nearly every day throughout the week. 03:30 Today every possible wall has been removed 03:33 to make room for worshippers. 03:35 Chairs stand in tight rows 03:37 with barely room for feet between them. 03:40 When the sanctuary fills, 03:42 more chairs are added to the narrow hallway 03:44 and when weather permits the children meet outside 03:47 so more adults can hear the sermon 03:49 by closed circuit TV in the children's room. 03:52 Still some must stand outside, 03:55 catching snippets of the worship service 03:57 through an open door or window. 04:03 Many of the children don't come to church 04:05 simply because there's no room for them. 04:11 We would like to have a separate children's room 04:13 because adults interrupt our activities. 04:16 At times they come 04:17 and find their room full of adults, 04:19 so they must return home. 04:21 The adults don't like the situation either 04:23 for they realize that children are important to God's family. 04:27 The Romani congregation is eager to share 04:30 its faith with fellow Romani. 04:32 They want to find a larger place to worship 04:34 but because they don't earn much as seamstresses, 04:37 street sweepers and construction workers 04:40 and because many have no jobs at all 04:42 due to the sagging economy they struggle to pay the rent 04:46 on the building they now occupy. 04:48 When visitors come members stay away 04:51 so the guests can have a seat, there is no turning people away. 04:55 The Romani can't get enough of God's Word. 04:57 Whenever there's a meeting, people come. 05:00 What an opportunity to evangelize. 05:03 Thank you, for helping advance God's work 05:06 in a fruitful region of His vineyard. 05:12 I'm delighted to welcome our guest 05:14 who is a colleague and a good friend of mine, 05:17 Clifmond Shameerudeen, 05:19 who works with the Global Mission Centre 05:22 for South Asian Religions. 05:23 Clifmond, glad you could join us. Me too. 05:26 You always have wonderful stories 05:29 because you are involved in frontline mission. 05:33 Now the work that you do is not really easy, 05:36 you are working on a long hours and you are based in Trinidad. 05:41 Working among people 05:43 who come form a usually Hindu background correct? 05:46 That's correct. Now Clif, let's back up. 05:49 How did you, you know, What's your testimony, 05:52 your experience, you grew up as a Seventh-day Adventist? 05:55 Yes, I grow up in the Seventh-day Adventist home. 05:59 My mother, you know, is mix. 06:04 Her dad was a Pentecostal 06:05 and she was a-- and my grandmother was a Hindu. 06:10 So, my mom grew up in a very mix environment, 06:13 mostly Hindu has the strongest influence 06:15 in my mother side. 06:17 My father was a former Muslim 06:20 and so, you know, he gave up Islam 06:22 when he met my mom 06:23 who became a Adventist few years before they met. 06:26 So you have a very rich background. 06:28 Yes and so here-- here I grew in a community 06:31 where there are very few Christians. 06:33 In fact we are probably the only Christian 06:34 that as far as I remember. 06:36 And all my parents are either Muslim, 06:39 I mean my relatives are either Muslim or Hindu. 06:43 And so we as a boy growing up 06:46 you are expected to attend these functions 06:48 because that's--that's such an important aspect 06:51 of culture in the family. 06:52 You know, when you are invited to a place, 06:56 you know, to a relative you are expected to be there. 06:58 And so and since, very few of my relatives were Christians 07:02 we were exposed to-- 07:04 you know, I was exposed to this type of environment 07:07 at a very young age. 07:10 And then you went to Andrews University 07:14 for further study. Yes. 07:15 What did you focus on? 07:17 Well, you see I'm like Jonah, you know, the runaway person. 07:22 Ever since I have been a young person 07:24 active in church and ministry and evangelism 07:27 and reaching out to different people 07:28 but I felt call to be a pastor. 07:32 Personally because they were so many baggage 07:33 that I had to deal with and one of it is that 07:37 the church never focus on the biggest need 07:40 which is to reach people of Hindu background 07:43 and so I didn't want anything to do with the church 07:45 in terms of ministry being a pastor. 07:48 And so, you know, I did everything else. 07:51 You know, I started to call a business 07:54 and that didn't work out 07:55 and finally I settled with computer science. 07:57 And so I was a web developer, after graduating from Andrews 08:01 and for number of years 08:02 but I wanted to be involved in ministry. 08:04 So I found an Adventist company 08:06 and worked for about seven years doing websites 08:09 and programming for churches 08:12 and conferences and unions and so on. 08:16 Well, God had-- God has its way, 08:19 you know, He has His way with me and finally He-- 08:21 He got you out of the field? 08:22 He got me out and told me that, 08:25 I want You to be back in ministry 08:26 because this is My church. 08:28 And no matter how broken it is 08:30 this is where I want you to be. 08:32 And so finally I said Lord you, 08:34 You have--You have Your way and I'll follow that. 08:38 And so I quit my career in 2008 and told my wife, 08:43 we were just married about three months 08:45 and you know, Emmy is from Oregon 08:50 and when I first met her she had no idea 08:51 where Guyana was, where I was born. 08:55 And so God just put us together. 08:57 Two worlds come together 08:59 and after three months she looked at me 09:02 and said you must be crazy. You gonna be a what, a pastor. 09:07 I said well, this is what God is calling me to do. 09:09 I don't know where this is gonna take me 09:11 but I'm willing to follow. 09:12 Why didn't you tell me before we got married? 09:16 Well, yeah she wished that I did. 09:20 But, you know, God has really 09:22 put us together for a specific reason. 09:25 And after a seminary at Andrews University 09:28 I was willing to go where God wants me 09:30 and that's when the-- when they came back to me that, 09:34 you know, the place that I came from 09:36 and the people there that needs the gospel 09:38 and I said this is where I need to return to. Wonderful. 09:41 And she--she you know, being a faithful Christian 09:45 she was willing to follow God's lead 09:46 and there hasn't been an easy road by any means. 09:50 But, how then our son Peter has made the, 09:52 the world of difference, 09:53 you know, he is to go this missionary 09:55 wherever we go in Trinidad 09:56 and the Caribbean he melts the hearts of people. 09:59 Breaks down barriers. Breaks down barriers. 10:01 How old is he now? 10:02 He is three and half and he is done a-- 10:05 he has more friends than we do. 10:08 Well, you know, the church plant let's talk about the fact 10:10 that the best way to get to know 10:11 people in the communities are that to have a child 10:14 or have a--walk a dog, dog of an evening. 10:17 We just start talking to people, right? That's right. 10:20 So, Clifmond what is your, 10:23 what is your goal in your ministry? 10:25 You know, my goal is, 10:28 is to do what Christ has asked us to do 10:30 and that is to share the good news 10:32 to each person that we meet. 10:34 And-- and I believe that this-- 10:36 this message that we have will be-- 10:38 will be reached to all the people in the world. 10:42 But it has to be done by the laypersons. 10:45 And so I make it my utmost mission 10:49 to train and equip the layperson, the people 10:52 who gets up in the morning 10:53 and say God help me to get through this day 10:55 so I can share the good news. 10:56 These are the people that makes a difference 10:58 and I have been empowering them 11:00 I said listen, you ask for the resource you will get it. 11:04 You ask for the time, you will get it 11:06 because this is what you need to share the good news 11:08 and I think this is what I have been trying to do. 11:12 And it has made a difference. 11:13 It has made a difference already. 11:15 Well, Clifmond, thank you so much 11:17 for the work that you are doing. 11:18 I know that God is blessing in 11:20 and He has great plans for the future. 11:23 Viewers at home, wonderful story 11:26 of Clifmond following God's leading 11:29 and I invite you to please pray for our Global Mission Centers. 11:34 Pray for Clifmond, pray for other centers 11:36 because its challenging work, 11:38 sometimes it can be very lonely discouraging work 11:41 and it's--and it's wonderful for them to know that 11:43 there is a world church that is praying for them. 11:46 And if you like to find out 11:47 more information about Global Mission Centers 11:50 simply go to adventistmission.org, 11:54 adventistmission.org 11:55 and there you will find much more information contact details 11:58 because they are there to serve the church to more effectively. 12:02 Build bridges to our brothers and sisters 12:04 who come from vastly different faith, 12:06 traditions than most of us. 12:55 It's my privilege and pleasure to introduce our guest 12:58 who is my colleague and friend Dr. Richard Elofer. 13:01 And Dr. Elofer heads up 13:03 the World Jewish Adventist Friendship Center, 13:06 which is one of the Global Mission Centers. 13:09 Richard, thank you so much for joining us. Yeah. 13:12 You are currently based in France. Yes. 13:15 Now, when I first met you, 13:19 you were speaking very good English 13:21 which you still do now 13:22 but that was not your native language. No. 13:25 But you have learned English pretty quickly, 13:27 how did that happen? 13:29 Oh, it was by I would say by force 13:33 because I had to. Right. 13:36 Yeah, I went six month at Noble College, 13:41 just to have the first basic things 13:45 and then I had to speak 13:47 and to learn by myself after that. 13:50 Wow, so you are preaching pretty soon after that. 13:53 Yeah, I had to, yes. Fantastic. 13:56 Richard, the ministry that we have with Jewish people, 14:03 where are we conducting this ministry 14:04 what parts of the world? 14:06 Well, we have this ministry in fact everywhere, 14:10 where Jews are living. 14:11 That means in Israel, in North America, in Canada, 14:16 in different country of South America 14:20 like Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay. 14:24 And we are looking to start new ministries 14:28 in Mexico and Puerto Rico. 14:31 And then we, we are looking 14:33 also to start a new ministry in South Africa. 14:37 We have some people interested by this ministry 14:41 in Pretoria and Johannesburg. 14:44 And also we have of course this ministry in France, 14:49 in Netherlands, in Germany, very soon in Italy. 14:53 And we have also this ministry in Ukraine, 14:56 in Russia, in East European countries, in Poland too 15:01 and right now we have started a new ministry in New Zealand 15:07 and I hope very soon in Australia. Excellent. 15:11 Now you just came back from the South Pacific, 15:13 what did you find there? 15:16 I found a very motivated leaders 15:22 of our Seventh-day Adventist Church's there 15:24 because I was in Brisbane, I was in Sydney 15:29 and in Sydney I met also president 15:33 of the mission conference and Union. 15:36 They were meeting in the South Pacific division office 15:40 and they gave a them a presentation for one hour 15:44 and they were very, very interested 15:46 and afterward they came to me saying that-- 15:49 some of them came to me say they are interested to see me 15:54 starting the ministry in Melbourne 15:57 in Sydney in the South New Zealand Conference 16:03 and also in Polynesia, French Polynesia, Tahiti 16:09 and New Caledonia. Wow. 16:11 All these territories are very interested 16:14 by this ministry. Good. 16:16 Richard, can you please describe for us 16:20 some of the congregations 16:22 that have been established in some parts of the world. 16:25 Okay, we call this congregation Jewish-Adventist Congregation 16:31 because in fact in this congregations 16:34 we would like make the Jews to be comfortable 16:39 in worshiping God 16:42 and that's why we use Hebrews songs 16:46 and Hebrew prayers 16:49 and we use also some artifacts like Tallit. 16:53 You know this shawl of prayer 16:56 and the Kipa that means this small hat 16:58 that Jews have to pray 17:00 and of course in each country 17:03 the sermon in their local language, 17:06 English, Spanish, France, etc. 17:10 But Jews like to seeing them to pray in Hebrews 17:13 because that reminds them 17:15 what they did in the synagogue before. Yeah. 17:19 Now, can you describe some of the-- 17:21 I mean different sizes and different places. 17:25 I know in South America 17:27 there are some quite large groups. 17:28 Oh, yeah, we have large groups 17:30 and just that the two weeks ago at the end of August 17:35 they had division meeting 17:40 With all the leaders from Brazil, 17:43 Argentina, Chile, Uruguay. 17:46 This meeting was lead by Dr. Dr Reinaldo Seiquera 17:50 who is a leader for the South America division 17:54 and that went very, very well 17:57 because we have this meeting 17:58 now regularly almost every year 18:02 and as people can't right. 18:05 And in North America we have a very nice ministry too 18:11 because we have about 25 congregations 18:15 in North America led by Ralph Ringer 18:20 who is a coordinator for North America Division 18:25 and we have every year in August 18:29 just before ASI Convention. 18:33 And you are talking language that people may not understand 18:35 ASI is like a lay Adventist organization. 18:38 Yeah. Yeah. 18:40 We have an advisory, North America advisory 18:45 and then we have the news on many things-- 18:50 many news about what happen in this ministry. 18:53 So you have basically a network of people 18:55 who are leading different congregations 18:57 and you come together to plan, 18:59 to learn from each other and see what can be improved. 19:02 Yeah, we had in May the World Advisory 19:06 and this World Advisory was held in Kiev in Ukraine 19:12 and we have about 50 people coming from all over the world 19:17 to attend this meeting and to give views 19:20 and to share what happening is in many countries. Fantastic. 19:27 I think for many of our viewers 19:28 this will come as news to them 19:30 of what the flourishing ministry there is, 19:32 but thank you Richard, for sharing. 19:34 Viewers at home, a wonderful ministry, 19:36 not an easy ministry 19:37 but one that we are called to do build bridges 19:41 because you know too often there has been a distance 19:44 between the Christian church 19:46 and our Jewish brothers and sisters 19:48 to whom we owe so much. 20:05 Christof and his family moved from a crowded city 20:08 in Germany to a remote community in Portugal. 20:11 They wanted to be closer to God and to one another. 20:15 Their new home looks out on to a beautiful mountain range. 20:18 Here Christof and his brother's 20:20 have the biggest play ground they could wish for. 20:24 When Christof's family arrived, 20:25 they had a tough time making friends 20:27 in their new community. 20:29 They didn't know the language 20:30 and it was awkward relating to people 20:32 from the completely different culture. 20:34 So, Christof and his mom decided 20:36 to simply help people in their village, 20:38 after all there are no barriers for lending a helping hand. 20:43 One day, Christof met a goat herder 20:45 and he asked the man 20:46 if he could help take care of his goats. 20:49 The man pleasantly agreed and he began to teach Christof 20:52 how to care for these playful animals. 20:55 After a bit of time spent together, 20:57 Christof learned that his new friend Antonio 20:59 Did not know how to read or write. 21:02 So Christof offered to read stories 21:04 to his new friend on his next visit. 21:06 Christof was eager to share the beautiful messages 21:09 he had learned in the Bible. 21:11 So he brought his favorite book with him. 21:13 As he read Antonio listened attentively. 21:16 He was happy to have someone read to him 21:19 and these were special messages from the word of God. 21:23 On one occasion, Antonio told Christof 21:25 that he believes there is a God in heaven. 21:28 Antonio also shared that years ago 21:31 his grandma believed in a Sabbath 21:33 as God's day for rest and worship. 21:36 Christof is really happy to find a friend 21:38 he could share the Bible with. 21:40 Today, Christof has his own goats. 21:42 He cares for them everyday with his brothers. 21:45 The goats are lot of fun. 21:47 Christof and his family 21:48 thank God for the wonderful blessing 21:51 He gives each one of us. 21:53 Why don't you try listening to God's voice 21:55 and sharing his amazing stories with others. 21:58 You never know what exciting gift 22:00 God will bring to your life. 22:10 If you enjoy these images of mission 22:12 you will be happy to know 22:13 that the new Adventist mission calendar, 22:16 this beautiful calendar will keep 22:18 the people in places of mission 22:19 in front of you everyday. 22:21 If you live in North America 22:23 please accept this free gift as a small thanks 22:26 for your prayers and support. 22:28 Just call toll free 1800-648-5824 22:33 or visit our website 22:34 and ask for the Adventist mission calendar 22:37 or offer 305. 22:40 Be sure to mention the calendar or offer 305. 22:45 Well I hope you have enjoyed today's program. 22:47 Thank you, again for your continuing support 22:50 of Adventist mission through your prayers, 22:52 personal involvement and finances. 22:55 As we close I hope You'll find inspiration 22:57 for mission in this music video. 23:00 For Adventist mission I'm Gary Krause 23:02 and I hope you can join us next time, 23:04 right here on Global Mission Snapshots. 23:59 Trust in the Lord with all your heart 24:05 Lean not on your own understanding 24:10 In all your ways acknowledge Him 24:16 And He shall direct your paths 24:22 Do not be wise in your own eyes 24:27 Fear the Lord and depart from evil 24:33 It will be health to your flesh 24:38 And it will be strength 24:40 to your bones 24:46 Honor the Lord Honor the Lord 24:51 With all you have to offer 24:58 Even the small Even the small 25:03 Is enough to bring honor 25:34 Trust in the Lord with all your heart 25:38 And lean not on your own understanding 25:43 In all your ways acknowledge Him 25:47 And He shall direct your paths 25:52 Do not be wise in your own eyes 25:56 Fear the Lord and depart from evil 26:01 It will be health to your flesh 26:05 And it will be strength to your bones 26:13 Honor the Lord Honor the Lord 26:17 With all you have to offer 26:24 Even the small Even the small 26:28 Is enough to bring honor 26:35 Honor the Lord Honor the Lord 26:39 With your humble service 26:45 Honor the Lord Honor the Lord 26:50 This is your purpose |
Revised 2014-12-17