ADRA Australia celebrated its 40th anniversary with a special event held on October 26 at Avondale University Church in Cooranbong, NSW.
The event was an opportunity for current and past staff, board members, volunteers, and supporters to share memories and fellowship, and look forward to the future. More than 600 people from across the country gathered to celebrate 40 years of operating as ADRA in Australia.
The full day of celebrations began with the main church service, which focused on ADRA’s ministry. Guest speaker Michael Kruger, ADRA International president, emphasised that God chooses, deeply values and loves every person. As God’s chosen people, each person is also called to “seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
“This celebration was a beautiful reminder of God’s guidance and providence for ADRA in Australia and all the regions where ADRA operates. It is a good opportunity to look back, recognise, and remember the God who led the agency and led every person in the days, months, and years that have passed since ADRA’s beginning.”
Michael Kruger then charged the staff to “Never lose sight of the God of ADRA. The God who has provided, guided, directed and led ADRA over the last 40 years, because He will lead ADRA forward.”
The afternoon program focused on thanksgiving, looking back at the previous decades, and looking forward to the future. Terry Johnson, Australian Union Conference president, thanked the ADRA team and board members for their contributions, and referenced Paul’s letters to the Corinthians where Paul encouraged the Corinthians to set money aside regularly to support the struggling church but later expressed concerns about whether they had followed their commitment. Paul then went on to highlight the example of the Macedonian churches, who, despite their poverty, displayed rich generosity. Pastor Johnson stressed that true generosity reflects one’s faith. He reinforced the importance of fulfilling commitments to help others, especially those in need.
Both the morning and afternoon programs featured praise and worship from Sandra Entermann and her team.
Today, ADRA is a global humanitarian agency with more than 5000 employees and 7000 volunteers serving in over 120 countries. In addition to supporting communities in long-term humanitarian crises and conflicts, ADRA responds to an average of two disasters per week. Although ADRA country offices are spread across different continents and thousands of miles apart, ADRA works as a unified body to provide innovative solutions to a world in need.
“It is always important to reflect on the past to better prepare for the future. Our predecessors’ legacy is impossible to match, but we hope to be very focused and intentional with what God has entrusted us now and into the future,” said Denison Grellmann, ADRA Australia CEO.
At the event, previous ADRA Australia CEO David Syme launched his book All Things to All People, which is now available through the Adventist Book Centre.
