Young missionaries from around the world 00:00:01.06\00:00:02.77 working in New York City, 00:00:02.80\00:00:04.65 flying in a mission plane in Papua New Guinea 00:00:04.68\00:00:07.76 and two of the newest Global Mission Center directors, 00:00:07.79\00:00:11.40 coming up next on Global Mission Snapshots. 00:00:11.43\00:00:14.40 Just before He went up to heaven, 00:00:25.84\00:00:28.43 Jesus gave us a command. He gave us a mission. 00:00:28.46\00:00:34.03 Jesus said, go, go unto all the world, 00:00:34.06\00:00:38.85 telling them of His love. 00:00:38.88\00:00:41.53 This is our mission. This is our "Global Mission." 00:00:41.56\00:00:45.64 Hi, I'm Gary Krause 00:00:51.09\00:00:52.26 and welcome to Global Mission Snapshots 00:00:52.29\00:00:54.17 where we show you the people 00:00:54.20\00:00:56.18 and places of Adventist mission today. 00:00:56.21\00:00:59.24 When Global Mission was established 00:00:59.27\00:01:00.77 more than 20 years ago, 00:01:00.80\00:01:02.57 Adventist church leaders recognize 00:01:02.60\00:01:04.62 that we've struggled to reach certain people groups 00:01:04.65\00:01:07.98 and certain regions of the world. 00:01:08.01\00:01:10.66 These included the Indian sub-continent and Asia. 00:01:10.69\00:01:14.57 In recent years the church has grown 00:01:14.60\00:01:16.11 tremendously in these regions 00:01:16.14\00:01:17.77 but we still struggle to present the gospel 00:01:17.80\00:01:20.86 in a meaningful way 00:01:20.89\00:01:22.47 to people from completely different worldviews. 00:01:22.50\00:01:26.18 Today we'll be talking with two people 00:01:26.21\00:01:27.88 who are more than familiar 00:01:27.91\00:01:29.59 with that most difficult challenge. 00:01:29.62\00:01:32.07 We'll be talking with Greg Whisett, 00:01:32.10\00:01:33.75 the director of the Global Mission Center 00:01:33.78\00:01:35.71 for East Asian Religions 00:01:35.74\00:01:37.66 and with Clifmond Shameerudeen, 00:01:37.69\00:01:39.54 from the center for Self Asian Religions. 00:01:39.57\00:01:42.83 And we'll also visit Papua New Guinea 00:01:42.86\00:01:45.07 to see your mission offerings at work 00:01:45.10\00:01:47.05 in the form of a mission plane. 00:01:47.08\00:01:49.81 But first, let's visit New York City 00:01:49.84\00:01:52.12 and meet some young people from around the world 00:01:52.15\00:01:54.68 who spent one year in mission 00:01:54.71\00:01:57.03 as part of the Seventh-day Adventist churches 00:01:57.06\00:02:00.01 NY13 initiative. 00:02:00.04\00:02:01.95 Some people refer to it as the Big Apple, 00:02:11.78\00:02:15.50 others call it the city that never sleeps. 00:02:15.53\00:02:19.03 Whatever you know it as 00:02:19.06\00:02:20.44 New York City is one of the most 00:02:20.47\00:02:21.88 well know destinations on earth. 00:02:21.91\00:02:25.45 New York City is known for its cuisine, 00:02:25.48\00:02:27.85 shopping and busy atmosphere. 00:02:27.88\00:02:30.31 But beyond the stores, shows and restaurants 00:02:30.34\00:02:32.98 there are millions of people who call this home. 00:02:33.01\00:02:36.28 Finding ways to connect with these people 00:02:36.31\00:02:38.35 is a growing challenge. 00:02:38.38\00:02:40.45 The Seventh-day Adventist church has made a commitment 00:02:40.48\00:02:42.60 to reach the urban areas of the world. 00:02:42.63\00:02:45.09 They have started an effort called Mission to the Cities. 00:02:45.12\00:02:49.47 More than half of our world's population lives in cities. 00:02:49.50\00:02:53.11 These cities often house people with secular 00:02:53.14\00:02:55.57 and post-modern lifestyles. 00:02:55.60\00:02:58.42 This year we've focused our efforts on reaching this 00:02:58.45\00:03:01.44 vast city of New York. 00:03:01.47\00:03:03.86 Youth play a big role 00:03:03.89\00:03:05.28 in reaching the cities through various methods. 00:03:05.31\00:03:07.93 Let's see why New York is so important 00:03:07.96\00:03:10.41 to the Mission to the Cities initiative. 00:03:10.44\00:03:12.44 New York City is the center of news, 00:03:16.34\00:03:19.70 producing news for the whole world. 00:03:19.73\00:03:21.74 It's the center of culture, its-- 00:03:21.77\00:03:24.51 I mean, you have like over 20 airports 00:03:24.54\00:03:28.71 in the city, metro area. 00:03:28.74\00:03:31.03 You have tremendous, you know, network of subways, 00:03:31.06\00:03:35.62 bridges, you know, tunnels. 00:03:35.65\00:03:37.75 All those representatives have something from 00:03:37.78\00:03:40.63 all over the world in that community. 00:03:40.66\00:03:43.79 So it is a challenge, it is an opportunity 00:03:43.82\00:03:47.23 and also be like a sample, a mother that-- 00:03:47.26\00:03:50.44 and like the song you know, we used to say, 00:03:50.47\00:03:52.64 if you make it there you can make anywhere. 00:03:52.67\00:03:54.58 I don't there's just one method 00:03:54.61\00:03:56.14 where you have to be innovative, creative 00:03:56.17\00:03:58.51 and be relevant to different kinds of people 00:03:58.54\00:04:00.69 we are trying to reach. 00:04:00.72\00:04:01.81 New York City has like 800 languages, 00:04:04.65\00:04:07.09 center of finance, center of the arts, everything else. 00:04:07.12\00:04:11.04 So New York City is a model 00:04:11.07\00:04:13.06 and when Ellen White said it should be a model, 00:04:13.09\00:04:14.74 the whole world is now looking at New York 00:04:14.77\00:04:16.22 for sending evangelists to come in and work there. 00:04:16.25\00:04:18.82 Youth are coming from around the world 00:04:18.85\00:04:20.36 to work there for the next year. 00:04:20.39\00:04:21.85 So there's gonna be a lot of focus on a study 00:04:21.88\00:04:24.69 that is such a-- the U.N., United Nations, 00:04:24.72\00:04:26.88 I mean, all the cultures are there. 00:04:26.91\00:04:28.11 So it's kind of a unique city in that way. 00:04:28.14\00:04:31.36 Big cities, and no matter where you go 00:04:31.39\00:04:34.24 have one common denominator and that is a lot of people. 00:04:34.27\00:04:37.68 And even in cities that maybe less developed 00:04:37.71\00:04:42.70 than some major cities in the world, 00:04:42.73\00:04:44.71 you have a very interesting infrastructure within the city. 00:04:44.74\00:04:48.42 And so it's important that we try to reach people 00:04:48.45\00:04:51.21 in the different sections of those cities 00:04:51.24\00:04:54.29 and to understand that now, 00:04:54.32\00:04:57.27 as of about three years ago 00:04:57.30\00:04:58.75 or so more people live in big cities 00:04:58.78\00:05:01.90 than live in the rural areas. 00:05:01.93\00:05:04.57 So this is an even greater reason 00:05:04.60\00:05:07.24 for us to try and reach people in the big cities. 00:05:07.27\00:05:10.43 Since we have more people today living in the cities 00:05:14.72\00:05:17.78 then we need to reach them to finish the work. 00:05:17.81\00:05:21.47 We need to find out ways to get in contact 00:05:21.50\00:05:23.75 and develop relationships with different peoples in the cities. 00:05:23.78\00:05:26.98 And I really think the youth has a special task, 00:05:27.01\00:05:31.76 special part to be involved in this scenario. 00:05:31.79\00:05:34.25 This year, 14 youths from all around the world 00:05:38.99\00:05:41.89 came to New York 00:05:41.92\00:05:42.95 to train in community service and evangelism. 00:05:42.98\00:05:46.12 A representative from each region of the world 00:05:46.15\00:05:48.09 came here to take part in this experience. 00:05:48.12\00:05:50.94 This program is known as "One Year in Mission." 00:05:50.97\00:05:55.09 This team of young adults spent six months 00:05:55.12\00:05:57.56 learning about ministry and serving their community. 00:05:57.59\00:06:00.64 During this experience they went through 00:06:00.67\00:06:02.62 both struggles and spiritual growth. 00:06:02.65\00:06:05.45 Their patience was tested 00:06:05.48\00:06:06.96 as they dealt with cultural differences 00:06:06.99\00:06:08.90 and many other challenges. 00:06:08.93\00:06:10.87 Their faith and dedication to God's work 00:06:10.90\00:06:13.04 motivated them to do the best job they could. 00:06:13.07\00:06:16.96 The second part of the "One Year in Mission" plan 00:06:16.99\00:06:19.34 is to go back to their home region 00:06:19.37\00:06:20.80 and replicate the lessons learned in New York. 00:06:20.83\00:06:23.82 They will be used to further God's work 00:06:23.85\00:06:25.62 in the major cities of their home countries. 00:06:25.65\00:06:29.63 Please pray for these youths as they continue to follow 00:06:29.66\00:06:32.31 Christ example of reaching people all around the world. 00:06:32.34\00:06:36.23 Christ ministry is so important 00:06:44.75\00:06:46.69 because He went to where the people were. 00:06:46.72\00:06:49.62 So I think as we think about these cities 00:06:49.65\00:06:52.15 we need to have this compassion for people. 00:06:52.18\00:06:54.66 We need to be in contact with Christ everyday 00:06:54.69\00:06:57.36 through Bible study and through prayer 00:06:57.39\00:06:59.61 and understanding that our outreach to people 00:06:59.64\00:07:02.28 is to follow His method. 00:07:02.31\00:07:03.82 We need to be crying with Jesus for the people of the city 00:07:03.85\00:07:07.65 and more than crying, we need to do something. 00:07:07.68\00:07:09.98 These writings of Ellen White 00:07:14.22\00:07:16.20 or the Spirit of Prophecy as we call them 00:07:16.23\00:07:18.52 which I believe are inspired writings from God 00:07:18.55\00:07:22.21 has much to say about working in the cities 00:07:22.24\00:07:25.98 and not just in preaching the gospel 00:07:26.01\00:07:28.63 but in living the gospel. 00:07:28.66\00:07:30.98 Helping people to go door to door, 00:07:31.01\00:07:34.31 opening up centers of influence, 00:07:34.34\00:07:36.48 that could be churches, there could be places 00:07:36.51\00:07:38.91 where people can come together 00:07:38.94\00:07:40.32 and study the scriptures, reading rooms. 00:07:40.35\00:07:42.86 They could be health centers 00:07:42.89\00:07:44.43 where people are given health lectures 00:07:44.46\00:07:47.76 where there's a clinic there 00:07:47.79\00:07:49.62 or whether maybe there are vegetarian restaurant 00:07:49.65\00:07:52.85 or something to help people to be attracted 00:07:52.88\00:07:55.18 to that which is truth. 00:07:55.21\00:07:57.46 Where to use every method possible 00:07:57.49\00:08:00.93 including integrated media outreach today 00:08:00.96\00:08:04.18 and all those kinds of things. 00:08:04.21\00:08:05.96 But the most important thing 00:08:05.99\00:08:07.93 is to have individuals who live in the cities, 00:08:07.96\00:08:12.34 Christians, Seventh-day Adventists 00:08:12.37\00:08:14.07 to be able to connect with other people. 00:08:14.10\00:08:16.28 You can't do everything 00:08:16.31\00:08:17.34 from a remote control arrangement. 00:08:17.37\00:08:19.65 It all comes down to that relationship. 00:08:19.68\00:08:22.65 Without Christ Spirit living within us 00:08:22.68\00:08:24.96 through the Holy Spirit and our ministering to people, 00:08:24.99\00:08:28.76 anything we do is absolutely worthless 00:08:28.79\00:08:31.39 but through God's power 00:08:31.42\00:08:33.05 we can touch the hearts of people. 00:08:33.08\00:08:34.58 The world church is decided as a group 00:08:40.09\00:08:42.01 that we need to do this together. 00:08:42.04\00:08:43.99 New York City is supposed to be a model. 00:08:44.02\00:08:45.94 You know, Ellen White said, and so we are doing that first 00:08:45.97\00:08:48.45 but then 650 cities eventually, each division, 00:08:48.48\00:08:51.26 each conference, each union is prayerfully choosing a city 00:08:51.29\00:08:54.61 they want to pull their resources towards in reach. 00:08:54.64\00:08:57.27 So using the comprehensive methods, 00:08:57.30\00:08:59.61 using all kinds of things not just evangelistic meetings 00:08:59.64\00:09:02.15 but the world is gonna go after all of these cities 00:09:02.18\00:09:05.28 in the next few years together, praying, working together. 00:09:05.31\00:09:10.01 The NY13 project has reached thousands of people 00:09:10.04\00:09:14.21 but we are just scratching the surface 00:09:14.24\00:09:16.06 of the earth's urban population. 00:09:16.09\00:09:18.62 As we continue our efforts in New York, 00:09:18.65\00:09:20.58 let's pray for the millions of people around the world 00:09:20.61\00:09:22.98 who have never heard God's message. 00:09:23.01\00:09:26.50 Thank you, for your support of mission to the cities 00:09:26.53\00:09:29.46 and mission around the world. 00:09:29.49\00:09:31.61 When Global Mission was established in 1990, 00:09:37.27\00:09:40.20 the mandate given it was very clear. 00:09:40.23\00:09:43.07 Start new congregations, 00:09:43.10\00:09:45.18 not only in new geographical areas 00:09:45.21\00:09:47.14 but also in new people groups. 00:09:47.17\00:09:49.75 So one of the fundamental initiatives of Global Mission 00:09:49.78\00:09:53.05 are the Global Mission centers 00:09:53.08\00:09:55.06 which are particularly designed to help us build better bridges 00:09:55.09\00:09:59.12 with other world religions. 00:09:59.15\00:10:00.72 And my guest today is Pastor Gregory Whitsett, 00:10:00.75\00:10:03.38 who is the director of the Center 00:10:03.41\00:10:05.77 for East Asian Religions. 00:10:05.80\00:10:07.22 Greg, thanks for coming. Thank you. 00:10:07.25\00:10:09.27 Thanks for coming all the way from Bangkok, 00:10:09.30\00:10:10.90 Thailand to join us. 00:10:10.93\00:10:13.17 I know we got some meetings coming up next week. 00:10:13.20\00:10:15.65 Greg, can you summarize the activities 00:10:15.68\00:10:19.84 that you are involved in the center. 00:10:19.87\00:10:21.24 Now in asking that I'm also aware of the fact 00:10:21.27\00:10:23.91 that you have only recently started 00:10:23.94\00:10:26.21 but what are the some of the things 00:10:26.24\00:10:27.27 that you are focusing on? 00:10:27.30\00:10:28.97 Well, bar none. 00:10:29.00\00:10:32.91 The most, the biggest objective that I have 00:10:32.94\00:10:36.48 is to actually find people 00:10:36.51\00:10:39.00 who are specializing in this kind of work 00:10:39.03\00:10:40.86 and all the fields through out Asia 00:10:40.89\00:10:43.09 but even throughout the world. 00:10:43.12\00:10:44.68 There are Asians, there are Buddhists 00:10:44.71\00:10:48.42 around the world that as per as we're global community. 00:10:48.45\00:10:51.51 So finding people who actually have an interest 00:10:51.54\00:10:55.09 to lookout for the needs of those 00:10:55.12\00:10:57.09 outside of their own cultural sphere is important. 00:10:57.12\00:11:00.03 There maybe a neighbor next door, 00:11:00.06\00:11:01.46 and maybe somebody they work with that may be, 00:11:01.49\00:11:03.93 they are immersed in that other culture 00:11:03.96\00:11:05.49 and they just need to learn how to be a part of that community. 00:11:05.52\00:11:08.44 So that's the major objective. 00:11:08.47\00:11:11.16 So to build up a network of like minded people with this-- 00:11:11.19\00:11:14.39 Yes, exactly. Good. 00:11:14.42\00:11:15.45 Exactly. Yeah. 00:11:15.48\00:11:18.56 And you also, I mean, we used to call them study centers 00:11:18.59\00:11:21.52 as there's amount of research as well. 00:11:21.55\00:11:23.84 Yeah, certainly. 00:11:23.87\00:11:25.80 In working with these different peoples, 00:11:25.83\00:11:27.66 you know, its just like working with people 00:11:27.69\00:11:30.51 perhaps here in North America 00:11:30.54\00:11:32.58 where you have many different denominations 00:11:32.61\00:11:35.60 and different mindsets. 00:11:35.63\00:11:36.91 Some who are more secularize, 00:11:36.94\00:11:38.17 some who are very devout in their faith, 00:11:38.20\00:11:40.06 then you have some who maybe protestant 00:11:40.09\00:11:42.04 or Catholic or different religion 00:11:42.07\00:11:44.13 so, or denominations. 00:11:44.16\00:11:45.56 So Buddhism and the different 00:11:45.59\00:11:47.49 East Asian religions are the same way, 00:11:47.52\00:11:48.90 its not just one thing. 00:11:48.93\00:11:51.02 So it is always need for developing better materials, 00:11:51.05\00:11:55.34 better resources and at least 00:11:55.37\00:11:57.50 and understanding of what that value system is, 00:11:57.53\00:11:59.59 what the worldview is of these different groups 00:11:59.62\00:12:01.49 so that we can bring the gospel to them. 00:12:01.52\00:12:03.90 It's something that is meaningful, 00:12:03.93\00:12:06.10 you know, if we were to plant a mosque 00:12:06.13\00:12:08.84 or a Buddhist temple in the middle of America 00:12:08.87\00:12:12.91 how would the farming community 00:12:12.94\00:12:14.37 and different ones feel about that coming in there. 00:12:14.40\00:12:16.76 Would they feel, oh, wow, this is wonderful. 00:12:16.79\00:12:18.62 We've got some cultural diversity coming into town. 00:12:18.65\00:12:20.68 No, that's not at all. 00:12:20.71\00:12:21.76 You would feel like a threat to nation, 00:12:21.79\00:12:24.84 to family, to the community. 00:12:24.87\00:12:27.36 And so as Christians, 00:12:27.39\00:12:29.26 we need to spend a lot of time mingling with people 00:12:29.29\00:12:31.60 but also understanding what are their needs 00:12:31.63\00:12:34.09 and how does Christ most appeal to them. 00:12:34.12\00:12:36.57 What aspects would they find, 00:12:36.60\00:12:38.87 not only appealing but something they need 00:12:38.90\00:12:41.67 that's filling a gap. 00:12:41.70\00:12:43.39 And part of the challenge too is that 00:12:43.42\00:12:46.33 to separate what is essential Christianity, 00:12:46.36\00:12:49.38 what is essential Adventism and what is cultural baggage. 00:12:49.41\00:12:51.96 And sometimes we confuse the two 00:12:51.99\00:12:54.07 and we think that when we-- 00:12:54.10\00:12:55.89 and so when we present the gospel to people 00:12:55.92\00:12:58.48 we sometimes hangs on a little bit of our tradition 00:12:58.51\00:13:01.01 and a little bit of the way we've always done it. 00:13:01.04\00:13:03.65 But really that's not the essential part, 00:13:03.68\00:13:05.46 right? That's true. 00:13:05.49\00:13:06.99 You know, anyone who has spent, 00:13:07.02\00:13:09.45 lived cross culturally or have lived in a community 00:13:09.48\00:13:14.15 where they spend significant time 00:13:14.18\00:13:15.55 in the homes of other people 00:13:15.58\00:13:16.65 that have a different cultural background 00:13:16.68\00:13:17.93 will know that there's more than 00:13:17.96\00:13:19.12 one way to make pot roast, 00:13:19.15\00:13:21.24 you know, for a potluck, you know. Right. Right. 00:13:21.27\00:13:23.64 So some like cheese on it and some don't. 00:13:23.67\00:13:26.15 Some like, you know, 00:13:26.18\00:13:27.50 there's many different ways of doing things. 00:13:27.53\00:13:29.75 And if everything I am has to change 00:13:29.78\00:13:33.17 in order to become a Christian 00:13:33.20\00:13:36.01 and I am not talking about my value system 00:13:36.04\00:13:38.58 but I am talking about, I can no longer wear the clothing 00:13:38.61\00:13:41.64 I am wearing. I have to change my clothing. 00:13:41.67\00:13:44.30 I--you know, for example here in American, 00:13:44.33\00:13:47.54 you know, 4th of July and Thanksgiving 00:13:47.57\00:13:51.46 and the way we celebrate Christmas 00:13:51.49\00:13:53.37 and all these different type of things. 00:13:53.40\00:13:54.72 You know, people have room for adjusting 00:13:54.75\00:13:57.70 how they would celebrate those events. 00:13:57.73\00:13:59.49 But they still celebrate it. Right. 00:13:59.52\00:14:02.43 But when we go into a place 00:14:02.46\00:14:05.18 where Christianity comes into another country 00:14:05.21\00:14:07.57 that's not western, a lot of times 00:14:07.60\00:14:10.26 we see these as a threat to Christianity 00:14:10.29\00:14:13.53 because a lot of these different festivals 00:14:13.56\00:14:16.73 and things have a religious tone to them 00:14:16.76\00:14:18.33 and so we just erase them, take them out 00:14:18.36\00:14:20.63 and then we leave a kind of-- 00:14:20.66\00:14:22.65 A vacuum. A vacuum, exactly. 00:14:22.68\00:14:24.21 So one of the things that's important at the center 00:14:24.24\00:14:27.48 is to help the church indigenize. 00:14:27.51\00:14:28.92 To actually say, okay, how can we would be 00:14:28.95\00:14:30.84 fully part of the local community 00:14:30.87\00:14:33.95 and enjoy the different festivals 00:14:33.98\00:14:35.55 but stay true to Christ, to stay committed to Christianity to. 00:14:35.58\00:14:40.89 And so that's an important thing 00:14:40.92\00:14:42.38 because otherwise Christianity is seen as a foreign invasion, 00:14:42.41\00:14:46.61 as colonialism, maybe but this is not us. 00:14:46.64\00:14:49.70 But Christ was Asian, you know, before He was American 00:14:49.73\00:14:55.04 and you know, we've painted Him and made Him to be American. 00:14:55.07\00:14:57.52 Asian before He was American. 00:14:57.55\00:14:58.92 I didn't know He can be. 00:14:58.95\00:15:00.73 So, but we've adopted 00:15:00.76\00:15:02.34 you know, all the paintings and different pictures 00:15:02.37\00:15:03.87 we have they reflect our culture. 00:15:03.90\00:15:06.31 His skin complexion, His-- 00:15:06.34\00:15:08.08 you know, how we view scriptures 00:15:08.11\00:15:09.52 is incorporated into our world. 00:15:09.55\00:15:11.98 But if we do that in Asia 00:15:12.01\00:15:13.63 some people take offence with it looks too Asian. 00:15:13.66\00:15:16.48 But basically when we do those types of things 00:15:16.51\00:15:18.92 we're just trying to relate to Christ. 00:15:18.95\00:15:21.77 And if He we was here wouldn't He take on 00:15:21.80\00:15:24.61 and live in that community 00:15:24.64\00:15:26.08 like He did when He was in Israel. 00:15:26.11\00:15:28.56 Right. He lived among them as a Jew. 00:15:28.59\00:15:31.28 And so we need to not just 00:15:31.31\00:15:33.66 think about the incarnation of Christ then 00:15:33.69\00:15:35.48 but find ways to have incarnation Christianity. 00:15:35.51\00:15:38.45 Right. Yeah. 00:15:38.48\00:15:40.01 And that's not something that's just done overnight. 00:15:40.04\00:15:42.26 No, and it's something that one person or one center can do, 00:15:42.29\00:15:45.72 it needs to be done in partnership 00:15:45.75\00:15:47.61 in as a conversation with local Christians. Yeah. 00:15:47.64\00:15:51.13 And giving them the structure so that's an okay thing to do. 00:15:51.16\00:15:55.62 Yeah. Yeah. Greg, fascinating. 00:15:55.65\00:15:57.59 I wish we had more time 00:15:57.62\00:15:58.65 but thanks for joining us. Thank you. 00:15:58.68\00:16:01.06 Viewers at home, you can just get a window 00:16:01.09\00:16:04.47 into the sort of issues 00:16:04.50\00:16:06.01 that our Global Mission Centers are wrestling with 00:16:06.04\00:16:09.70 as they seek today to take the commission 00:16:09.73\00:16:11.67 to go into all the world in a way that is meaningful, 00:16:11.70\00:16:15.57 attractive, understandable 00:16:15.60\00:16:17.51 but without compromising the message in any ways. 00:16:17.54\00:16:19.76 So please pray for Pastor Greg 00:16:19.79\00:16:22.44 and the other center directors in their challenging work. 00:16:22.47\00:16:26.63 When the Seventh-day Adventist church's 00:17:12.66\00:17:14.73 Global Mission initiative began back in 1990, 00:17:14.76\00:17:18.77 one of the key challenges is that 00:17:18.80\00:17:20.90 church leader saw was the fact that 00:17:20.93\00:17:23.62 the Adventist church virtually made no connection 00:17:23.65\00:17:26.25 with people from other world religions. 00:17:26.28\00:17:28.72 And I am delighted to tell you about the Global Mission centers 00:17:28.75\00:17:34.01 that have been established to make us 00:17:34.04\00:17:36.98 more effective in building bridges 00:17:37.01\00:17:38.82 to our brothers and sisters of different faith. 00:17:38.85\00:17:41.16 And I am delighted to welcome our guest today, 00:17:41.19\00:17:43.93 Clifmond Shameerudeen, 00:17:43.96\00:17:45.69 who is from the Center for South Asian Religions. 00:17:45.72\00:17:49.55 Now that's a handful. 00:17:49.58\00:17:50.91 Clifmond, what are South Asian Religions referring to? 00:17:50.94\00:17:55.37 Well, it encompasses many of the religions 00:17:55.40\00:17:58.58 that are associated with Hinduism. 00:17:58.61\00:18:01.53 Hinduism being the main one and Sikh--Sikhism 00:18:01.56\00:18:05.09 and other religions that associated with that, 00:18:05.12\00:18:08.81 that are not known today to most people. Yeah. 00:18:08.84\00:18:12.02 Now, here in North America 00:18:12.05\00:18:14.00 we are seeing increasing numbers of these people 00:18:14.03\00:18:17.44 in our streets, in our communities 00:18:17.47\00:18:19.85 and that's quite a diaspora of people 00:18:19.88\00:18:22.09 from that part of the world, right? That's correct. 00:18:22.12\00:18:25.74 Now including where you are currently working which is-- 00:18:25.77\00:18:29.43 Trinidad. Trinidad. 00:18:29.46\00:18:30.71 Tell us about the make up of the population there. 00:18:30.74\00:18:34.03 In Trinidad, the population is very diverse. 00:18:34.06\00:18:37.06 You have about 30% of the Afro-Caribbean people 00:18:37.09\00:18:41.93 that have the descendant directly 00:18:41.96\00:18:43.53 from the continent of Africa. 00:18:43.56\00:18:45.86 And then you have another 28% of people 00:18:45.89\00:18:49.21 who consider themselves to be Hindus 00:18:49.24\00:18:52.03 that are directly associated with India. 00:18:52.06\00:18:55.25 And then you have other mixtures 00:18:55.28\00:18:57.53 of other ethnic groups such as the Portuguese 00:18:57.56\00:19:00.79 and people from China 00:19:00.82\00:19:03.78 that has recently have been coming to Trinidad, 00:19:03.81\00:19:07.03 to the Island of Trinidad. 00:19:07.06\00:19:09.15 So you have a particular passion for finding ways 00:19:09.18\00:19:12.38 that we can be better in the way 00:19:12.41\00:19:15.33 that we connect with people 00:19:15.36\00:19:16.49 from these traditions. Certainly. 00:19:16.52\00:19:18.42 Yeah. Certainly. 00:19:18.45\00:19:19.48 Now, tell me about the center of influence 00:19:19.51\00:19:22.80 that you have recently established. 00:19:22.83\00:19:25.21 Well, when I first move to Trinidad 00:19:25.24\00:19:27.10 and the first thing I did is to observe the community 00:19:27.13\00:19:30.09 and understand the people and understand 00:19:30.12\00:19:33.06 what are the things that matter most to them 00:19:33.09\00:19:36.14 and also the challenges that they face. 00:19:36.17\00:19:39.05 And then I recognized that the center of influence 00:19:39.08\00:19:41.88 is the best way to connect with this community. 00:19:41.91\00:19:45.06 And so that's when I began a center of influence. 00:19:45.09\00:19:49.16 Now describe what the center of influence is? 00:19:49.19\00:19:52.47 Well, the center of influence is basically a center 00:19:52.50\00:19:56.60 where it connects directly to people, 00:19:56.63\00:19:58.85 connect to their lives, to things 00:19:58.88\00:20:00.18 that matters most to them. 00:20:00.21\00:20:02.20 And so when we open up the center 00:20:02.23\00:20:05.46 we advertised it as safe place, a place where you can come 00:20:05.49\00:20:09.65 and get help and you can talk to anyone 00:20:09.68\00:20:12.20 about the challenges you have and how best you can have 00:20:12.23\00:20:15.27 find solutions to those problems. 00:20:15.30\00:20:18.61 So why don't you just come in there 00:20:18.64\00:20:19.79 with your Bible in your hand and preach to them? 00:20:19.82\00:20:23.19 Well, you know that, that's interesting 00:20:23.22\00:20:25.23 because its--the Adventist church has been in this region 00:20:25.26\00:20:27.65 for over a 100 years. Right. 00:20:27.68\00:20:29.46 But here you have a section of the population 00:20:29.49\00:20:31.59 that's can go between 30% to 40% 00:20:31.62\00:20:35.21 that has not been reached by the Adventist church 00:20:35.24\00:20:38.61 and they have been preaching the gospel 00:20:38.64\00:20:40.94 using the Bible in the hand 00:20:40.97\00:20:42.68 as you referred to for the last 100 years 00:20:42.71\00:20:46.44 but yet it still hasn't impact this community. 00:20:46.47\00:20:50.12 And that's been the question mark, why? 00:20:50.15\00:20:53.43 And so I went in there and being one of those person. 00:20:53.46\00:20:57.15 I understand the problem first hand. 00:20:57.18\00:21:00.23 And so I began the center to connect to people 00:21:00.26\00:21:02.99 to make tangible difference to their lives. 00:21:03.02\00:21:05.50 For example, here's the community 00:21:05.53\00:21:07.98 of hard working people who wants the best 00:21:08.01\00:21:10.00 for their children and their families 00:21:10.03\00:21:12.69 but they are working so much 00:21:12.72\00:21:14.57 and their children needs education. 00:21:14.60\00:21:17.33 But they have nowhere to turn to 00:21:17.36\00:21:18.79 because of their income and their lifestyle 00:21:18.82\00:21:22.61 they are not able to afford 00:21:22.64\00:21:24.14 quality education for the children. 00:21:24.17\00:21:26.03 So we started a home work center 00:21:26.06\00:21:28.29 where we after school, your children can come 00:21:28.32\00:21:31.61 and get help with Math and English, simple as that. 00:21:31.64\00:21:34.81 And as a result of that we have build 00:21:34.84\00:21:36.60 so many bridges with parents asking us 00:21:36.63\00:21:39.39 what can we do in return for the kindness 00:21:39.42\00:21:42.70 you have shown to us without charging us any money. 00:21:42.73\00:21:45.55 In fact you are so patience, 00:21:45.58\00:21:47.04 you are better than the teachers 00:21:47.07\00:21:48.79 who are trained and paid to do this job. Right. 00:21:48.82\00:21:52.55 And they have come to us for counseling. 00:21:52.58\00:21:54.47 They have come to us about spiritual matters, for prayers, 00:21:54.50\00:21:57.50 for problems in their homes, with their daughters. 00:21:57.53\00:22:00.06 I had many mothers came and said, you know, 00:22:00.09\00:22:01.95 I have a teenage son but I don't know what to do. 00:22:01.98\00:22:05.27 Pastor, can you help us? Tell us what to do. 00:22:05.30\00:22:09.44 You know, can I bring him tomorrow to see you. Wonderful. 00:22:09.47\00:22:14.37 So basically what you are doing there 00:22:14.40\00:22:16.46 is you're using this as a platform 00:22:16.49\00:22:19.67 to put Christ method into practice 00:22:19.70\00:22:21.53 where you are mingling, you are showing sympathy, 00:22:21.56\00:22:23.37 you are ministering to needs 00:22:23.40\00:22:24.52 and you're winning confidence. Certainly. 00:22:24.55\00:22:26.71 And leading people to Jesus. 00:22:26.74\00:22:28.33 So now this takes a little time, Clifmond, 00:22:28.36\00:22:32.37 and I've talked to you about this before, 00:22:32.40\00:22:34.76 how do you balance everything with your family 00:22:34.79\00:22:37.93 and all the work that you are doing? 00:22:37.96\00:22:40.45 Well, as pastors, you know, when-- 00:22:40.48\00:22:43.07 before I became a pastor I wonder how, you know, 00:22:43.10\00:22:45.87 what are some of the challenges you faces as the pastor 00:22:45.90\00:22:47.78 but now that I am a pastor, 00:22:47.81\00:22:49.56 I understand it first hand. Yeah. 00:22:49.59\00:22:51.29 And its-- you can get carried away 00:22:51.32\00:22:53.38 when you see people lives are changing 00:22:53.41\00:22:54.94 and that's what you want to do continuously 00:22:54.97\00:22:57.33 and you end up spending long hours out there 00:22:57.36\00:22:59.49 and your family is left isolated. 00:22:59.52\00:23:03.21 And so its a very challenging aspect 00:23:03.24\00:23:07.20 and much more when you are starting something new 00:23:07.23\00:23:09.71 that has never been done before. Of course. 00:23:09.74\00:23:12.26 And so-- I need a lot of prayers. 00:23:12.29\00:23:14.55 You are a pioneer missionary 00:23:14.58\00:23:16.82 and the real live one too which is good. 00:23:16.85\00:23:20.67 Clifmond, thank you so much for joining us today 00:23:20.70\00:23:22.97 and sharing a little bit about you-- some of your work. 00:23:23.00\00:23:26.07 And viewers at home, 00:23:26.10\00:23:28.45 Pastor Clifmond have been putting his heart 00:23:28.48\00:23:32.78 and his life into this ministry. 00:23:32.81\00:23:34.69 And we see that many people who have been-- 00:23:34.72\00:23:38.70 I don't want to say ignored 00:23:38.73\00:23:39.89 but have just, have tended to be 00:23:39.92\00:23:41.46 overlooked in our communities 00:23:41.49\00:23:43.65 are people that God loves so much. 00:23:43.68\00:23:46.76 And I want you to please pray for Clifmond, 00:23:46.79\00:23:49.54 pray for the other Global Mission centers in their work 00:23:49.57\00:23:52.40 as they help us find ways 00:23:52.43\00:23:54.52 to more effectively build bridges 00:23:54.55\00:23:56.89 to these precious people. 00:23:56.92\00:24:00.56 It's early morning before dawn 00:24:00.59\00:24:02.65 the Adventist aviation plane has is parked in the hanger. 00:24:02.68\00:24:05.99 Daniel, our pilot arrives 00:24:06.02\00:24:08.10 and gets the aircraft ready for its first mission today. 00:24:08.13\00:24:11.49 Fasten your seatbelts as we taxi to the runway. 00:24:11.52\00:24:14.56 This is another day of mission service. 00:24:14.59\00:24:20.42 We are flying North east over Papua New Guinea 00:24:20.45\00:24:23.12 at an altitude of 10,000 feet. 00:24:23.15\00:24:25.89 It's fairly warm in the plane 00:24:25.92\00:24:27.29 and its a gorgeous morning out the window. 00:24:27.32\00:24:30.95 Papua New Guinea is one of the most 00:24:30.98\00:24:32.68 culturally diverse places on earth 00:24:32.71\00:24:35.68 with pristine teeming jungles, 00:24:35.71\00:24:38.62 jagged mountains, 00:24:38.65\00:24:40.43 deep valleys and turbulent rivers. 00:24:40.46\00:24:43.77 It's one of the least developed 00:24:43.80\00:24:45.26 and most traditional countries on this planet 00:24:45.29\00:24:48.35 where people live much as they have for thousands of years. 00:24:48.38\00:24:51.90 And we are on our way to a remote place 00:24:51.93\00:24:54.53 in the highlands of New Guinea to visit a small village. 00:24:54.56\00:24:57.88 Look down, there it is. 00:25:01.07\00:25:02.93 We are approaching our first destination. 00:25:02.96\00:25:05.58 The villagers are always happy to see us. 00:25:05.61\00:25:08.35 These two children even made model airplanes 00:25:08.38\00:25:11.00 as a sign of admiration for the aviation service. 00:25:11.03\00:25:14.78 The cargo is quickly unloaded here 00:25:14.81\00:25:16.86 and we are off to our next appointment. 00:25:16.89\00:25:18.89 The Seventh-day Adventist plane 00:25:22.21\00:25:23.75 travels to local towns and villages 00:25:23.78\00:25:25.77 where it is very hard to reach with food, supplies 00:25:25.80\00:25:29.05 and medicines for the clinics. 00:25:29.08\00:25:31.32 By plane we can cover distances in an hour 00:25:31.35\00:25:34.70 where it would have taken weeks in the past. 00:25:34.73\00:25:37.21 And for some villages 00:25:37.24\00:25:38.74 it's the only way in as there are no roads. 00:25:38.77\00:25:42.99 On our next stop we will surprise the people 00:25:43.02\00:25:45.08 with a very unique gift, a lawnmower. 00:25:45.11\00:25:48.02 It may seem a trivial tool 00:25:48.05\00:25:49.92 but to the local people it will provide a way 00:25:49.95\00:25:52.56 to maintain their surroundings, gardens, plantations 00:25:52.59\00:25:56.24 and even a clear runway for the plane. 00:25:56.27\00:25:59.31 They seemed very excited with the new gift. 00:25:59.34\00:26:01.73 And after a simple demonstration 00:26:01.76\00:26:03.89 they are equipped to continue the work. 00:26:03.92\00:26:08.10 On our last leg of our trip we will pickup bags of crops. 00:26:08.13\00:26:12.16 The airplane will transport the merchandise to the city 00:26:12.19\00:26:15.04 and bring back means to provide for this community's survival. 00:26:15.07\00:26:18.45 Your mission offerings supports projects like these everyday 00:26:23.78\00:26:27.54 and it helps thousands of people to get connected 00:26:27.57\00:26:30.05 with the Seventh-day Adventist church 00:26:30.08\00:26:31.91 and experience first hand the love of God. 00:26:31.94\00:26:35.36 Please pray and continue to support Adventist mission. 00:26:35.39\00:26:38.83 As we look at countries such as the Czech Republic, 00:26:49.10\00:26:51.93 as we look at the big cities of the world, 00:26:51.96\00:26:54.06 as we look at the 10/40 Window 00:26:54.09\00:26:55.72 we see tremendous mission challenges. 00:26:55.75\00:26:58.77 We thank you, for your support of mission work 00:26:58.80\00:27:01.32 through your tithes, your offerings 00:27:01.35\00:27:03.69 and your donations to Global Mission. 00:27:03.72\00:27:06.19 And we also thank you, 00:27:06.22\00:27:07.25 for your prayers for the missionaries, 00:27:07.28\00:27:09.38 for the Global Mission pioneers 00:27:09.41\00:27:11.36 and for the people you meet on this program. 00:27:11.39\00:27:14.83 We are glad you stay connected to Adventist mission work 00:27:14.86\00:27:17.58 by watching Global Mission Snapshots. 00:27:17.61\00:27:20.24 And we'd like to send you a small gift. 00:27:20.27\00:27:22.51 It's just a small Adventist Mission carabineer clip 00:27:22.54\00:27:25.84 to help you stay connected to your keys 00:27:25.87\00:27:27.78 or any number of small items. 00:27:27.81\00:27:30.10 But every time you see the Adventist Mission name, 00:27:30.13\00:27:32.73 we hope it reminds you to pray 00:27:32.76\00:27:34.73 for the many mission challenges around the world. 00:27:34.76\00:27:38.05 If you live in North America 00:27:38.08\00:27:39.35 and would like to receive this small gift 00:27:39.38\00:27:41.63 and information about Global Mission, 00:27:41.66\00:27:44.08 just call our toll free number at 1800-648-5824 00:27:44.11\00:27:49.86 or you can visit our website at adventistmission.org/offers. 00:27:49.89\00:27:54.36 And don't forget to request 00:27:54.39\00:27:56.03 the Adventist Mission carabineer. 00:27:56.06\00:27:59.57 Thank you, for joining us today 00:27:59.60\00:28:01.29 and we'll see you next time 00:28:01.32\00:28:02.94 right here on Global Mission Snapshots. 00:28:02.97\00:28:05.72