Adventist Headlines Around the World—January 29, 2025

NEW ZEALAND

Adventist Scientist Makes History

A Seventh-day Adventist from New Zealand has made history as the first Pacific scientist to receive the Royal Society Te Apārangi Callaghan Medal for science communication. 

Dianne Sika-Paotonu, from the University of Otago, Wellington, was honored for her evidence-based science communication and commitment to engaging communities in New Zealand and the Pacific.

An immunology and biomedical scientist, Sika-Paotonu has dedicated her career to addressing health disparities, particularly among Māori and Pacific peoples. Her research focuses on cancer, rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease, and infectious diseases, with a strong emphasis on equity.

Sika-Paotonu, a trusted voice during the COVID-19 pandemic, has contributed to hundreds of media stories and interviews, sharing her expertise to inform and support public understanding. Her achievements have been widely recognized, including receiving the 2022 Prime Minister’s Science Communication Prize and other national and international awards.

A New Zealander of Tongan descent and a member of the Wellington City Community Seventh-day Adventist Church, views her work as a way to serve others and bring hope to communities facing significant health challenges.

PHILIPPINES

Adventist Organizations Unite for Urban Missions

Adventist organizations from the Atlantic Union Conference (AUC) in the U.S., the North Philippine Union Conference (NPUC), and the Central Luzon Conference (CLC) launched the Manila for Christ 2025 evangelistic series with a highly impactful medical-dental mission. Held on January 19 in Quezon City, the initiative offered free medical and dental services to the local community.

The services rendered included medical consultations, dental procedures, pediatric care, and laboratory services. These vital health services were made possible through the dedication of local dentists, physicians, nurses, and volunteers from nearby Adventist churches. Guest doctors from the AUC also lent their expertise.

This medical mission forms an integral part of a weeklong evangelistic effort that began on January 17. The series of events aims to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of the community, leaders said.

“We are committed to bringing hope and healing to communities, not only through the gospel message but also by addressing the pressing needs of the people,” an AUC representative said.

UNITED STATES

Quiet Hour Ministries Has a New President and CEO

On December 1, 2024, Edward Marton stepped into the role of president and CEO of Quiet Hour Ministries, a global outreach organization headquartered in Redlands, California, United States. Marton was the youth director of the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference in the U.S.

During his time as youth director, Marton directed summer camp programs and was instrumental in founding Fusion, a ministry specifically designed to engage and support high school students in their faith journeys.

As he left his role, Marton reflected on what he will miss the most: the people. “What I’ll miss the most is seeing changed lives at summer camp,” he said.

The stated purpose of Quiet Hour Ministries is to share the gospel of Jesus with the world. According to its leaders, the ministry’s mission statement—partnering with God in leading people to share His saving grace—“guides [its] prayerful decisions, including choosing trips, projects, international partners, and staff.”

FRANCE

Adventists Open a New Space of Welcome and Development in Lyon

The South France Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church inaugurated Espace Potenciel, in Lyon, on January 19. This center of influence, located in the heart of the city, aims to welcome young people, especially students, to a friendly and relaxed setting, leaders said.

“Espace Potenciel aims to be an alternative to traditional church formats, in order to reach an audience that is often wary of religious institutions,” they explained. “It offers a space for work, connection, and relaxation, as well as recreational activities, debates, and spiritual moments.”

The pastoral team offers counseling and listening sessions for young people in spiritual search. This support is intended to be respectful and caring, based on Christian values.

The inauguration brought representatives of local churches and regional Adventist leaders. “ ‘To see higher,’ the slogan of the center, expresses this ambition to raise the gaze of young people and inspire them to live in the image of a church outside its walls,” they said.

CHILE

Adventist Church Develops Missionary Project to Plant 150 New Churches

A missionary project from the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Chile that seeks to plant 150 new congregations is already resulting in tangible results, regional church leaders said. In a first stage, 33 new churches have been planted across Chile, as church districts establish planting teams and keep working to reach their goal.

Some of the new congregations have been planted in places where there was not Adventist presence before 2023, leaders said. At the same time, they emphasized that even though some of the new plants are companies, every one of them is following a definite plan to eventually become a full-fledged church.

At the same time, leaders emphasized that the ultimate goal goes beyond planting new congregations. According to Chile Union Mission secretary Elton de Lima, there’s a second step. “In each nascent group we are focused on the formation of new leaders, so that the church may continue to grow,” he said.