A new series of 30 PowerPoint presentations, designed to complement the “Search for Certainty” Bible study lessons, was launched during an evangelistic training program at Victoria Park Church in Perth, Western Australia, on Sabbath, August 10.
Compiled by lay members Graham and Dianne Weir, the new PowerPoints feature high-resolution graphics designed to support the existing Bible study guides available from Adventist Book Centres. An Australian touch is clearly visible in many of the graphics by Australian Adventist artist Phil McKay.
“Search for Certainty” was written by Pastor Mark Finley, the assistant to the president of the Seventh-day Adventist world Church.
Deliberately designed as open access, the series enables presenters to copy the originals into a separate file and simplify or re-write the text in any language to suit any culture. The on-screen text is also a great help to deaf and hearing-impaired people.
Three pilot programs organised by Pastor John Horvath are already running in the Perth metro area with good attendance.
“The PowerPoints are designed to help lay members conduct full-message Bible studies on smart TVs in their own home,” said Mr Weir. “They can also be used to empower local churches to run public evangelistic seminars using local talent, or as follow-up support to outreach campaigns by visiting evangelists. They are also suitable for social media.”
Pastor Finley commented on Mr and Mrs Weir’s dedication and hard work in creating the resources.
“I am really thrilled with the work you have done. I am convinced God will use these graphics in a very powerful way to lead people to Jesus and the prophetic truths of His Word in these last days of human history.”
Pastor Don Fehlberg, remote area minister for the Australian Union Conference, also expressed his appreciation for the new resource.
“On our last itinerary around outback Australia we gave the ‘Search for Certainty’ PowerPoints to pastors, Bible workers and group leaders. In Ali Curung community in the Northern Territory, an African couple conducting regular Sabbath afternoon meetings were searching for suitable material to help indigenous people with literacy problems. They were delighted with the pictures in ‘Search for Certainty’ to help explain the messages clearly.”
Mr Weir said that his experience compiling the series clearly demonstrated that the Holy Spirit was the leader of the project.
“As I read specific statements and Bible texts, God would bring a specific image to my mind and I would go and find that image. Even when there wasn’t something suitable, the Lord would present a visual concept and I would then search for on the internet.”
The PowerPoints are available free to any pastor or member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church via email request to gmw@westnet.com.au.
