Participants: Gary Krause (Host), Justus Devadas, Ted Wilson
Series Code: GMS
Program Code: GMS000703A
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00:03 Spicer Memorial University,
00:06 celebrating 100 years of making a difference in India. 00:10 That and much more coming up next 00:12 on Global Mission Snapshots. 00:18 Just before He went up to heaven, 00:21 Jesus gave us a command. 00:24 He gave us a mission. 00:26 Jesus said, "Go. 00:29 Go unto all the world, telling them of His love. 00:34 This is our mission. 00:36 This is our 'Global Mission.'" 00:49 Hello and welcome to Global Mission Snapshots. 00:51 I'm Gary Krause. 00:53 Today's program is coming to you 00:54 from the beautiful campus of Spicer Adventist University, 00:58 here in Pune, India. 01:00 Spicer is celebrating 100 years of existence. 01:04 You know, going back some time ago, 01:06 when the first pioneers is came to India, 01:09 they had a vision for Adventist education. 01:12 They wanted to see schools established 01:14 that would help restore the image of God 01:16 in men and women around this country. 01:19 And so in 1895, inspired by this vision, 01:22 by this philosophy, two young Adventist women 01:25 came to Calcutta and within 20 years of their arrival, 01:29 a network of Adventist schools 01:32 were stretching from the Himalayas in the north, 01:34 all the way to south India. 01:36 The first class held on the campus 01:38 of what is today known as Spicer Adventist University 01:42 was July 12, 1915. 01:45 And back then, a whole range of different courses 01:48 were offered, carpentry, agriculture, 01:52 even a program in poultry. 01:55 And students were trained in very practical skills 01:58 to reach out into their communities. 02:01 The name of course of the college, 02:03 now the university, came from Pastor W. A. Spicer, 02:07 a Pioneer Adventist Missionary who today, 02:10 his memory is still loved because of his self-sacrifice 02:14 and his commitment to the people of this country. 02:17 On today's program we're going to be seeing 02:19 mission all over the world. 02:20 We're going to be looking at 13th Sabbath, 02:22 offering projects in Northern Asia. 02:25 But first up, let's travel to the country of Korea. 02:30 South Korea is often referred 02:32 to as the land of the morning calm. 02:35 It has preserved a rich 02:36 and vibrant culture throughout the years. 02:39 Many Koreans have great pride 02:40 and appreciation for their country. 02:43 In a small suburban community, 02:45 a group of young people 02:46 are getting their traditional costumes 02:48 and instruments ready to go to their town's central park 02:51 and put on a show. 03:00 They've been practicing for weeks 03:02 and the community recognizes their beat. 03:04 But who are they? 03:06 Now, down south in Naju city 03:09 there is a very much unique Church. 03:11 All the Church members are youth members. 03:13 Middle school students and high school students, 03:15 except the pastor and his wife. 03:18 This youth church is run by the youth and for the youth. 03:22 They've built a solid group of members 03:23 who are involved in all the church's activities. 03:26 The traditional costumes and instruments 03:28 are just one of their many activities 03:30 to greet the community. 03:32 But this church didn't always work this way. 03:37 Pastor Shin used to be a deacon in a church. 03:40 His oldest daughter, Bo Hwa was a middle school student, 03:44 there was no one there her age in the church 03:46 and she was lonely. 03:47 So Bo Hwa's mother knew she had to find friends 03:51 for her daughter in the church. 03:52 In the beginning, she didn't have enough funds 03:55 from the Church, they are poor, 03:56 she began to bake Korean style pancakes on the street. 04:00 And she gave it to the passers by and students. 04:04 So that way, she gathered a lot of students 04:08 and then as of now, 04:10 the church is baptizing around 20 young people every year. 04:17 Thanks to the mother's efforts and pancakes, 04:20 the youth congregation was growing. 04:22 As the Church grew, 04:23 Bo Hwa's father felt the call to join the ministry. 04:27 At that time, Bo Hwa's father was a deacon, 04:30 but he was feeling God's call to be a minister. 04:33 When he was 47 years old, 04:37 he went to the theological training. 04:40 And his old daughter followed him. 04:43 Eventually the youngest daughter followed. 04:47 Having three family members 04:48 in theology school was not cheap. 04:51 So one year the father was a senior, 04:55 and the first daughter was a sophomore, 04:58 the youngest daughter was a freshman. 05:00 Three of them were in the same classroom 05:03 and all the while his wife 05:04 was on the street to back the pancakes. 05:08 And she supported three of these students. 05:12 Her husband, first daughter, and second daughter. 05:15 Again, the mother came through by baking the Korean pancakes. 05:22 Even before I started, I prayed for a long time 05:26 and I read the Bible to get the knowledge. 05:28 When God made me successful in this ministry 05:31 I thought that it was the work of God. 05:34 At first, the community didn't know 05:35 what to think of this church. 05:37 But the youth decided to give to the community. 05:40 They visited the homes of the elderly. 05:43 They would talk with them, wash their dishes, 05:45 work in their gardens, and help in any way they could. 05:49 As a result of truly caring for their neighbors, 05:52 their reputation has transformed 05:55 to being loved by their community. 05:59 These students are very welcomed 06:01 by the elderly citizens around here. 06:03 These elderly citizens took them in 06:06 as their grandchildren. 06:08 On a typical Sabbath, 06:09 they will have a church service, 06:11 share a meal together, 06:12 and spend the whole afternoon together. 06:14 They are truly a church family. 06:18 It is a great joy of mine 06:20 to see them remaining in the faith 06:22 as they grow up and become successful citizens in society. 06:27 With all the growth and activity, 06:29 they have outgrown their humble building 06:31 and need more space to expand. 06:33 They want to train the youth 06:34 to effectively reach the community. 06:37 A portion of your mission offerings 06:39 will go toward building a mission institute 06:41 for the youth so they can be properly trained 06:43 to introduce their neighbors to Jesus. 06:46 Please pray for the members of this church. 06:49 Pray that this group will continue to grow 06:52 and more hearts are touched by Jesus. 06:56 My guest is Elder Ted Wilson 06:57 who is the president of the General Conference 06:59 of Seventh-day Adventists. 07:01 Thanks for joining us, Elder Wilson. 07:03 We're celebrating this weekend 07:04 100 years of education at Spicer, 07:07 now called Spicer Adventist University. 07:11 Why is education so important in a country like India? 07:15 Well, first of all, Spicer Memorial College, 07:19 which has now become Spicer Adventist University, 07:22 is one of those unique situations 07:26 where education is so important in the life of people 07:33 that this new status 07:34 is going to be an exceptional opportunity 07:38 for hundreds of Seventh-day Adventist students 07:41 to be able to get an education without any Sabbath problems. 07:46 Where as in the past, 07:48 people have gone to public universities in India 07:51 and have had to face 07:53 that challenge of classes six days a week 07:56 and different exams on Sabbath. 08:00 So this is going to be a wonderful opportunity 08:03 and to lay a foundation for working 08:06 in a very high tech IT setting with media. 08:12 India is becoming a very strong leader in that area. 08:17 But in terms of education itself; 08:19 I mean 100 years for Spicer, 08:22 I mean, obviously we ought to be in heaven by now. 08:26 We're celebrating the anniversary and it's great. 08:29 But education itself 08:31 and Seventh-day Adventist education in particular, 08:34 is one of the greatest factors 08:37 in why the Seventh-day Adventist Church 08:39 has been able to achieve 08:41 such a strong evangelistic level of efficiency 08:47 in activity around the world. 08:49 Training people, helping them to see a vision, 08:52 understanding the foundation of all true education 08:56 which is a knowledge of God, 08:58 helping people to fully grasp the picture 09:02 that really education is not only a way 09:07 to a higher standard of living but it is really, 09:10 in the Adventist setting, 09:12 a key to our entire understanding 09:16 of how to reach out to people. 09:18 Now, how should a Seventh-day Adventist 09:21 educational institution differ from any other institution? 09:24 What are the key differences in Adventist education? 09:28 Well, essentially in the academic area 09:31 we should be no less, 09:34 in fact we should be better than any other institution 09:38 because the Lord has asked 09:40 that we study to show ourselves approved. 09:43 When it comes to the world view, 09:49 that's where Seventh-day Adventists differ. 09:51 Because we follow Christ's pattern 09:54 of trying to help people 09:57 physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. 10:00 And that entire component is built 10:02 into the Seventh-day Adventist educational package 10:06 in such an intrinsic way 10:08 that you can't really pull it apart 10:13 without then destroying what the real purpose 10:16 of Seventh-day Adventist education is. 10:18 So when a student comes out of that institution, 10:21 they have such a complete picture 10:25 as Christ did in His ministry, 10:29 that everything they do is tilted 10:32 and focused towards truly helping the person 10:36 that they're dealing with in whatever discipline, 10:38 whatever work, to find true meaning in life 10:42 and to find the Master Teacher, Jesus Christ. 10:45 So that's what makes the difference 10:48 and it's this overall understanding 10:51 and it's derived from an understanding of Scripture, 10:55 from the Spirit of Prophecy, 10:57 from an understanding of who we are as a people. 11:00 Yeah, so it's a Holistic emphasis, 11:03 which isn't just head knowledge, 11:05 it's affecting your spiritual life, 11:08 your physical life, 11:09 and it comes from Ellen White's writings. 11:11 Really, that's where is all started. 11:12 It does, and it affects 11:14 even your personal interrelationships 11:17 with your family, with how you view life, 11:21 with the purpose of the beautiful education 11:25 you've received, and the skills and talents 11:28 that God has provided for you. 11:30 That they are not just to be used for yourself 11:32 but to be used in service to others 11:35 and pointing people to Jesus' soon coming. 11:37 Wonderful. 11:38 Elder Wilson, thank you so much for joining us. 11:40 And right after this break, 11:42 we'll be talking with the vice chancellor 11:44 of Spicer Adventist University. |
Revised 2015-06-22