Adventists across the South Pacific have been mobilised by the enditnow campaign to say no to violence.
The campaign, from August 23 to 31, aims to raise awareness and advocate for the end of violence around the world.
Today (August 29) in Fiji, Pathfinders, Adventurers, Fiji Mission and Trans Pacific Union Mission staff, led by the Fiji Police band, marched for change. Together, they shared a commitment to protect the vulnerable and create a world where love, respect and safety prevail.
An online summit in Australia focused on “Understanding Trauma and how the Church can respond”. The August 23 summit featured psychotherapist and General Conference health ministries associate director Dr Torben Bergland. His keynote presentation was followed by a panel of experts who discussed the issues and answered questions from the online audience. The event also included a helpline for those who wanted to speak to a counsellor during the summit.
A rally and barbecue were also held for the first time at Mountain View Adventist College in Sydney on August 24, which was enditnow Sabbath. The event was led by Australian Union Conference women’s and family ministries director Pastor Sylvia Mendez.
“End it now is not just some words,” Pastor Mendez said in a video clip posted on social media.
“It’s actually an important movement and it’s important because we as Adventists are saying no to violence. No to family violence. No to abuse. And the only way we’re going to make a change is if we actually come together and talk about this. If we actually educate our churches on the importance of ending family violence.”
Greater Sydney Conference children’s ministries director Pastor Daron Pratt echoed her sentiment.
“It’s been a conference-wide initiative,” Pastor Pratt said in the video. “We’ve had our general secretary, ministerial, family, children and women, and men’s ministries all here together saying that we need to end it now.
“Our country continues to be impacted by violence in all its forms and we as a Church are here to say it’s time to draw a line in the sand and end it now.”
Churches across Papua New Guinea also came together to rally against violence.
enditnow Sabbath is held every year on the fourth Sabbath in August.
