Christian faithful; subordination and civil disobedience

What should we, as believers, do when faced with a law that appears to conflict with biblical principles that impact our ability to freely practice our religious beliefs?

(This is the second part of the whole story by Adventist Review about civil disobedience and a believer. Please find the first part HERE)

I believe that the Bible gives guidance on this issue. Following the counsel of Jesus, we should “render . . . unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s,” recognizing and supporting the government’s right to legislate on secular matters and comply with those laws when possible.

But we must also remember our duty to render unto God as our first priority. This means that when laws are in conflict with biblical mandates, our allegiance to God should always come first.

This brings me to a term that is often used but has many different definitions: civil disobedience. Using the following definition, I believe that we as Christians at times are called to civil disobedience.

Civil disobedience for the purposes of this article can be defined as “purposeful, nonviolent action or refusal to act, by a Christian who believes such action or inaction is required of him or her in order to be faithful to God, and which he or she knows will be treated by the governing authorities as a violation of the law.”

Civil disobedience is warranted any time the government commands what God has forbidden or forbids what God commands.

Looking at the two biblical accounts given at the beginning of this article in Daniel 3 and 6, we see both examples of when civil disobedience is warranted.

In both instances the decision to act or refusal to act was purposeful—the decisions not to comply with the law were not based merely on individual preferences, but because compliance would be in direct contradiction to the teachings and commands of God.

Furthermore, and this is a crucial point, in both instances the decisions were made knowing it would be seen as a violation of the law, and there was a willingness to face the penalty—death.

Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn’t try to argue that the law didn’t, or shouldn’t, apply to them. Instead, they were willing to be subject to the penalty that breaking the law entailed, even though the laws were unjust.

While the right to hold a religious belief is absolute, the right to practice that belief is not.

So, does engaging in civil disobedience mean not following the New Testament counsel to be subject to authority?

No, it’s important to note that the apostles’ guidance in the New Testament doesn’t say that we, as believers, are to always obey government authority, but that we are to be subject to it.

As John Yoder, a Mennonite theologian and ethicist explained: “The conscientious objector who refuses to do what his government asks him to do, but still remains under the sovereignty of that government and accepts the penalties which it imposes, . . . is being subordinate even though he is not obeying.” 

Even though Peter and Paul preached subordination to a government authority, they disobeyed their local leaders by continuing to preach the gospel when they were told to stop, leading to their arrest and imprisonment (cf. Acts 5; 12; 16).

Also, Jesus anticipated that spreading the gospel could and would at times result in being handed over to authorities to be beaten and punished, and prepared His followers for this (Mark 13:9-11). 

Early Adventist pioneers also understood that at times civil disobedience may be called for while recognizing that this also meant being subject to the law and its penalties.

Ellen White counselled that at times civil disobedience was necessary. “When the laws of men conflict with the word and law of God, we are to obey the latter, whatever the consequences may be.

The law of our land requiring us to deliver a slave to his master, we are not to obey; and we must abide the consequences of violating this law.” 

As believers, our default position should be submission to authority and when possible, obedience to the laws of the land if they are not in direct conflict with our ability to follow the commands of God.

But when we were faced with a conflict that requires obedience to government or submission to God, our first duty should always be to Him, regardless of the cost.

Please find the first part HERE

The Believer’s call to Civil Disobedience?

They will tell you to obey authorities as the Apostles said but they will not tell you that the Apostles disobeyed authorities. This article by Adventist Review answers believers' questions about why and when to disobey state authorities.

Civil disobedience and Christianity faithful believers

Over the years Christians have faced the question of what to do when following religious convictions come in direct conflict with obedience to governmental authority.

There are two ways that this conflict occurs, and there are biblical examples for both.

The first happens when a government mandates something that stands in conflict with religious convictions.

The book of Daniel offers a helpful example of this form of conflict when King Nebuchadnezzar issued the decree that everyone was to bow down to the golden image, in direct violation of the second commandment (Dan. 3; cf. Ex. 20:4-6).

Another example of this can be found in the book of Exodus, where Pharaoh commanded the Hebrew midwives to kill all Hebrew boys when they were born (Ex. 1:15-20).

This conflict also occurs when a government forbids something that God commands as the book of Daniel for the example of this type of conflict, where we see King Darius forbidding everyone to pray to anyone other than him for 30 days (Dan. 6).

In both instances, God’s people were placed in a position of whether to submit to a government authority or to God and in all three examples, God’s people chose to follow Him and defy the laws of the leaders of the time.

The New Testament doesn’t say that we, as believers, are always to obey government authority, but that we are to be subject to it

 

However, when we get to the New Testament, we find guidance that we, as followers of Christ, should submit to government authority because leaders are appointed by God.

For example, in Romans Paul says, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.

The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (Rom. 13:1, 2, NIV; cf. Titus 3:1).

Peter offers similar counsel when he states, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right” (1 Peter 2:13, 14).

Jesus also taught that believers have a duty to the government when He responded to the question posed by the Pharisees to trick Him regarding whether they should pay taxes to Caesar.

In response, Jesus gave the guidance to “render . . . to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt. 22:21, NKJV; cf. Luke 20:19-26 and Mark 12:13-17). 

Considering the biblical examples and the guidance given in both the Old and New Testaments, two questions come to mind.

First, what is our duty to submit to a governmental authority, especially when that authority prohibits believers from freely worshiping as they see fit?

Second, what safeguards have governments put in place to protect an individual’s rights to worship freely without constraints from the government?

Religious Liberty Protections Basics

Since 1948 the international community has recognized the freedom of conscience and religion as a fundamental human right.

Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion,” including “freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”

Even before this Universal Declaration, though, the United States has recognized the importance of this fundamental right from when it became a nation.

Part of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution known as the “free exercise clause” states that an individual should be able to practice his or her religion, or no religion at all, without constraints from the government.   

This right, however, is not an absolute one, and over the years courts have been defining what it means to freely exercise one’s religion and what the limitations of this right are.

Courts have recognized that there is a difference between an individual’s right to hold a religious belief and the right to freely practice that belief.

While the right to hold a religious belief is absolute, the right to practice that belief is not.

For example, the right to freely exercise one’s religion does not include the right to harm others or interfere with others’ rights.

Early Adventist pioneers also understood that at times civil disobedience may be called for.

Currently, the law in the United States is that as long as the federal government has a compelling government interest and the law is the least-restrictive means of furthering its interest, it can place limits on an individual’s ability to freely practice his or her religious beliefs.

For state governments the standard is even lower: as long as the law is neutral and generally applicable, it will be legal even if it limits religious practice in some way.

Many countries also have laws regarding religious liberty and the freedom of people to practice their faith, although each country balances the importance of individual freedom versus government interest differently.

While the concept of freedom of religion is a well-recognized principle, there have been times, and will continue to be times, that governments will limit freedom of conscience and religion in the name of fulfilling other government interests.

We’ve seen this take place when religious speech is labelled as hate speech when students and employees are forced to decide between taking school exams and working on the Sabbath or honouring God’s Day when governments make laws forbidding proselytizing, or demanding the bearing of arms against an individual’s conscience.

Please find the second part HERE

Remains of US Adventist soldier in 1950 Korean war returned

The remains of Sgt. Roy Charles DeLauter who went missing while fighting in the Korean were brought to Washington County on Tuesday evening.

Willow Brook Seventh-day Adventist Church

Sgt. DeLauter was one of about 2 million strong Americans who served in the Korean war 1950-53 which stopped the aggression of communist North Korea from taking over South Korea.

Sgt-Roy-Charles-DeLauter-remains-return-Washington-County-Korean-war-Willow-Brook-Seventh-day-Adventist-Church

The soldier was church member of Willow Brook Seventh-day Adventist Church, Chesapeake Conference, Columbia Union Conference in the North American Division.

DNA samples from the remains of Sgt DeLauter were matched with his two sisters including 90-year-old sister Margaret Carr and found matching, identifying him as her brother.

“The only thing that we could do was give the blood to see if it matched the DNA and that’s the only process there was,” Carr said, according to WFMD reports.

She said after she and her sister gave blood, the family did not hear back for months until they got the call that it was a match.

Carr was 19 when her older brother, Roy DeLauter, went missing 71 years ago.

“He was a good brother. He was a jokester, really. He loved to sing and play his harmonica. We all had to work when we were kids, I mean, we all worked,” she said.

She explained that the family always held hope that he was still alive.

DeLauter’s body was given military and police escort from Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport to Rest Haven Funeral Home in Hagerstown Tuesday evening.

A public visitation is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Friday at Willow Brook Seventh-day Adventist Church and a funeral will follow at 11:30.

Among the 1,780,000 Americans who fought in the war, 36,574 were killed in action, 103,284 wounded, and 4,714 taken as prisoners of war, according to Wikipedia.

The United States is still carrying out DNA examinations as over 7,600 Americans remain unaccounted-for from the Korean War.

Hundreds of whom are believed to be in a “non-recoverable” category, meaning that after rigorous investigation DPAA has determined that the individual perished but does not believe it is possible to recover the remains

Adventist church to Nigerians: vote for Godfearing leader

Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) church leaders in Nigeria have told Nigerian political party leaders to be guided by God’s wisdom in deciding who becomes the next president of Nigeria and other leaders come 2023 general elections.

Pastors Bassey Udoh, President, Eastern Nigeria Union Conference

By Blueprint

This message was delivered by Pastors Bassey Udoh, President, Eastern Nigeria Union Conference (ENUC) and Pastor Joyful Norbana, President, Rivers East conference (REC) who spoke Sunday in an interview at SDA mother church, Nchia – Eleme Rivers state.

“Nigeria needs a political leader who fears God and his leadership qualities should include love, humility, accountability and knowing God in truth and righteousness translated to service to humanity, “ Pr Udoh said.

The pastors who granted the interview separately at the celebration of their pioneer President, Rtrd. Pastor Dr Godwin Obari, said God’s choice and plan in choosing the leadership of Nigeria after the present administration is ongoing.

Pastor Udoh, a professor of Religious Studies and Ethics, and Pastor Norbana warned that it would amount to collateral futility if Nigerians uphold their own wisdom above God’s to elect their leaders at all levels, pointing out that a house built without God as its central pillar is prone to unimaginable human crisis and failure.

According to him, God’s standard of leadership is anchored on servant- leadership, selfless service to God and humanity, and integrity as the foundation required of anybody with the passion to rule Nigeria.

The professor argued that best governance is not achieved based on the religious, ethnic and political background of a leader in power but whoever God has seen his or her heart as an upright servant devoid of self-interest and greed.

Udoh and his co-pastor Norbana noted that the current proliferation of churches in Nigeria is not a cure to the socio-economic and security challenges facing Nigeria, noting that the mindset of some self-acclaimed church leaders is to enrich themselves out of their ignorant and innocent members instead of leading them out of the darkness back to Jesus Christ for salvation and eternity.

Asked if he had any revelation of who would become the next president after President Buhari, Udoh responded without mincing words: “I have not received any revelation or prophesy from God over the next leader of Nigeria, but I am certain that God’s plan will manifest openly without contradiction.”

Adventist Loma Linda University nationally recognized for ‘high research activity’

Loma Linda University (LLU) recently earned an R2 designation from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, achieving one of the most coveted national recognitions for its commitment to “high research activity.”

Leading Adventist institute of learning Loma Linda University in USA in scientific research/ Photo Loma Linda University

As the most influential rating organization for colleges and universities in the U.S., the Carnegie Classification provides the leading framework for classifying research activity at academic institutions.

Achieving R2 classification signals abundant hands-on opportunities for LLU students to learn from and partake in professors’ current research investigations — which may, in turn, impact clinical care directly, says Michael Samardzija, PhD, vice president of Research Affairs at LLU.

“With this classification, Loma Linda University is recognized as a leading research institution, not just an academic institution that happens to do research,” Samardzija said.

“This increased recognition will allow us to do a better job teaching new advances in healthcare and using these advances to care for our patients.”

The Carnegie Commission on Higher Education determines classifications for universities with doctoral programs every three years, assessing their commitment to research based on empirical data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System.

To reach R2 designation, institutions must have awarded at least 20 research or scholarship doctoral degrees and spent at least $5 million in research expenditures last year.

Far exceeding this threshold, LLU awarded 369 doctoral degrees and spent over $25 million in research expenditures, Samardzija reports.

Administrators, policymakers, and researchers reference Carnegie Classification rankings to inform decision-making.

The rankings also influence grant allocations and federal and state funding for institutions.

“This recognition is an affirmation of our strategy to grow our research activities and funding,” he says.

As an academic medical institution, LLU can yield and teach research findings that experts will apply in the clinical realm, Samardzija says.

Research that LLU faculty and students conduct may change and improve patient lives, says Samardzija, and R2 Carnegie Classification serves to recognize and boost such endeavours.

Adventist Pastor Jack Sequeira Dies

E. H. “Jack” Sequeira, a well-known and at times controversial Seventh-day Adventist pastor, evangelist, and theologian, died in Portland, Oregon, United States, on March 26, 2022, after a stroke aged 89.

Pastor Evangelist and Theologian Jack-Sequeira/ Photo by Adventist Review

By Adventist Review

During almost 60 years of service to the Adventist Church in various capacities, the Kenya-born Sequeira was a sought-after preacher and evangelist on three continents.

A Life in Ministry

Born in 1932, his parents had immigrated to Kenya from Goa, a Portuguese enclave on the west coast of India.

He joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church through evangelism in 1957, being baptized by Robert Wieland.

According to his official website, Sequeira rode from Nairobi to England on his motorcycle and spent 14 months working as a literature evangelist before enrolling at Newbold College.

He graduated in 1963 with a bachelor’s degree in theology and later earned a Master’s in systematic theology at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States.

Together with his wife, Jean, Sequeira served as a missionary for 17 years in Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia.

In 1982, the Sequeiras moved to the U.S., where he served as a local church pastor until his retirement in 2001.

Jack Sequeira’s Theology

Sequeira held what is usually called Federal Theology, that God deals with mankind in the persons of the first and second Adam; that the choice to sin by the first Adam was something in which all his descendants participated…. Therefore, there exists a kind of corporate responsibility, even corporate guilt, for which all of us need to repent.

 

Sequeira also suggested that when Christ (known as the second Adam) died, we all died with Him. And because every person participated in Christ’s death, hence every person is justified.

Another one of Sequeira’s teachings is that Jesus saved men and women in actuality, not vicariously. “When Christ died on the cross, all humanity was legally justified because all humanity died with Him there,” Sequeira wrote.

According to retired Biblical Research Institute (BRI) associate director Gerhard Pfandl, this is not what the Bible teaches. “We did not die on the cross. Christ died for us, vicariously, instead of us…. He died for us, in our place,” Pfandl wrote.

Sequeira’s Influence

According to the Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists, the Adventist Youth Organization in Kenya traced its roots to a series of sermons preached by Sequeira in 1966.

At that time, Sequeira was a teacher at Kamagambo Adventist College. “[His preaching] created a passion in some young people who decided to do something for their fellow youth,” it states.

Sequeira is survived by his wife of 58 years and two children who still oversees programmes for children’s and women’s health in Africa.

A memorial service has been announced for May 22. Details are pending.

New York City sued over luxury development on Adventists site

Crown Heights residents in New York and preservation organizations have sued the city authorities to stop the construction of apartments on the site of the Hebron Seventh-day Adventist church and school.

View of the Hebron School from New York Ave and Park Pl. Photo: BK Reader

On April 8, residents filed a petition in an attempt to block the approval of the project, accusing the city of breaking the laws by failing to hold a public hearing on the revised project plan.

“Once again, the city has provided a so-called ‘public hearing process that is designed to give the appearance of public engagement, when, in fact, the process serves only to disenfranchise communities from having a say,” Jason Zakai, one of the attorneys for the petitioners, said in a statement.

Built in 1889 as the Methodist Home for the Aged, the building is one of the last Victorian-era institutional buildings with grounds largely intact in all of New York City.

The project was approved by the city in May 2021 following a long back-and-forth process that included several design changes, and significant community opposition.

Although the church authorities are willing to enter a deal with developers, residents say that the seven stories buildings would block views of the historic church and school and all of the neighbouring row houses, and would deprive the community of green space.

The city received nearly 300 letters in opposition following a hearing on the development last March, including ones from then-Councilmember Robert Cornegy, Community Board 8 and the Crown Heights North Association.

“Thousands of residents, local officials and community groups were utterly dismissed after months of protest,” a representative for Friends of 920 Park, a community group formed to fight the development, told BK Reader in May. “We put our weight against the door of an invading developer, and LPC has nonchalantly unlatched it, and let them in.”

The group has been fundraising for the lawsuit since the new construction was approved.

Michael Hiller, lead counsel in the litigation, said the lawsuit was part of a larger fight against a “systemic, institutional bias at the Commission,” that included a “pattern of approvals of contested applications.”

He said that the way the LPC closed public hearings after initial plans were filed and did not require them for resubmitted plans amounted to “a direct violation of the Landmarks Law, not to mention the requisites of due process under the Constitution.”

“In every conceivable way, the Commission is engaging in procedural malpractice that harms the cause of preservation and the interests of New Yorkers dedicated to maintaining the integrity of historic neighbourhoods and properties,” Hiller said.

If the petition succeeds, the developer will have to stop the existing project and start again to seek a new approval.

The lawsuit comes after the new development received a $55 million construction loan in February 2022. SCALE Lending announced that it would be financing the 150,000-square-foot, seven-story development, which the lender said will have 158 units, 48 of which will be set aside as affordable housing under the Affordable New York programme.

Source: BK Reader

Kenya: Adventist pastor set free after a decade in jail

A Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) pastor who was wrongly condemned to life in prison on claims that he had defiled a five-year-old child was freed after the Court of Appeal quashed his conviction.

Pastor Tom David Orwaru Nyakundi during an interview with journalists at Nyagachi Chief's Camp in Nyamira County on Tuesday/ Photo by Nation

By Nation

But Pastor Tom David Orwaru Nyakundi, 45, had to spend two weeks at the Naivasha Maximum Security Prison after the court ordered his release.

In an interview with the Nation, Pastor Orwaru said that though he was set free on February 18, the prison warden delayed releasing him until March 2.

On March 1, a day before he was released, he was transferred from Naivasha to the Kodiaga prison in Kisumu County.

He spent a night there before finally being set free.

"I am very happy to be free at last. Freedom is a basic necessity in life. However, I know it will take a lifetime to clear my image after I was wrongly accused.”

The pastor comes from Nyagenke village in West Mugirango constituency in Nyamira County.

On Sunday, SDA faithful congregated at the Nyagachi chief's camp for a welcoming and thanksgiving ceremony in his honour.

"I was received well by the church. I thank God for this and I still ask for your prayers."

A three-judge bench of the Court of Appeal led by Justice Hannah Okwengu found Pastor Orwaru not guilty of the defilement offence.

"For these reasons, we find that the appellant be supported. Consequently, we allow this appeal, quash the appellant's conviction, set aside the sentence imposed against him and order the appellant be set free forthwith unless otherwise lawfully held," the judges ruled.

In his appeal, Pastor Orwaru argues that neither the complainant nor her mother were witnesses of truth. He said he was only named as the suspect after the complainant had been beaten up by her mother.

"The complainant’s mother beat up the young child because she had first named two other persons as the persons who had allegedly defiled her. But when those two young boys were called, the complainant is said to have retracted her story," Pastor Orwaru said in his appeal.

The pastor was arrested in July 2012 and sought justice for 10 years.

A Magistrate Court in Kapsabet, Nandi County, where Pastor Orwaru worked as a chaplain at a secondary school, sentenced him to life imprisonment in 2013.

Kapsabet Chief Magistrate Beatrice Mosiria, while sentencing him, said young children look up to adults like Mr Orwaru and it is unfortunate when they take advantage of their innocence.

Six witnesses had testified evidence against him.

But the pastor maintained that he was innocent.

His plea was dismissed and the magistrate sentenced him to life in prison and hard labour to serve as an example to others.

He was taken to the Eldoret main prison. He applied for a bond pending his appeal. It materialised in July 2014.

He was released on a Sh300,000 (over $2500) personal bond with one surety of the same amount.

He stayed out of prison until August 15, 2018, when he was given a date for judgment. 

Pastor Orwaru is now contemplating filing a case against the state for wrongful imprisonment.

Russia: four Adventists among scores prosecuted for sharing faith

A list published by Forum18, an organisation that advocates for freedom of conscience, shows that Russia prosecuted 71 individuals and organisations, four of which were Seventh-day Adventists, for sharing their faith.

Global Mission pioneers at Zaoksky Adventist University outside Moscow, Russia, in 2001/ Photo: Adventist World

The report that covers the year 2021 was published yesterday 12th April 2021, documenting 71 known prosecutions of victims of Russia’s 2016 law which punishes sharing of faith as "illegal missionary activity".

The four Adventists identified by Faith Reporters

Currently, a case is ongoing against Nina Batradzovna Boronina who was arrested in late 2021 and charged with selling Christian literature.

According to the Russian companies database, Nina registered a retail shop in May 2019 in Kabardino-Balkarian Republic where she sold flowers, seeds and fertilisers and provided services such as packaging, photography, designs and courier deliveries.

It is from this shop that an inspection by the Russian authorities found the Spirit of Prophesy books and charged her with selling Adventist literature.

Russia-four-Adventists-among-scores-prosecuted-faith-Forum18-Report

During the court hearings, Nina argued that the books were personal property and that they were not for sale.

The court on 5^th October 2021 found her guilty of the charges, the appeal of which was heard on 24^th January 2022 at Prokhladny District Court.

The punishment is still unknown, according to Forum 18.

Zhanna Albertovna Kuzina and Sergey Vladimirovich Rudnev were fined 5000 Roubles (over $60) each in January 2021 by Uzlovaya District Magistrate's Court in Tula Region.

The Seventh-day Adventists were found conducting Bible studies on Sabbath at the church “without documents confirming the right to hold this religious event”.

Both argued that they did not need permission because they were sharing faith with fellow Seventh-day Adventists, since the law forbids sharing faith with people from other denominations.

The court did not consider their argument, concluding that there was no evidence to show that the people they were sharing the gospel with were Adventists.

D.M. Shiryayev was charged with distributing Seventh-day Adventist literature at a Russian airport, handing over one copy and laying out others in the airport lounge "for public viewing" which is punished by laws.

In his defence, he claimed that he was acting on his own, not on behalf of his religion, and said that he was unaware of legal requirements for missionary activity in Russia.

He presented documents from the publisher authorising him to conduct surveys of public opinion and distribute the publisher's products as evidence that he was not doing it on behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The judge at Ust-Koksa District Magistrate's Court, Altay Republic did not consider his argument and fined Shiryayev with 6000 Roubles ($73) on 12th April 2021.

Forum 18 is named after Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and works with Norwegian Helsinki Committee.

Nebraska Church raising money for Ukraine families

As the war in Ukraine carries on, Nebraskans continue to step up and help. College View Church in Lincoln will raise money to send directly to families in need, and they’re asking for your help.

By 1011 NOW

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is worldwide, branching out to more than 600 churches and schools across Ukraine. College View Church in Lincoln is helping out by collecting donations in Nebraska and giving their overseas community some assistance.

Rebecca Kolb is a high school freshman and member at College View Church. After watching the destruction in Ukraine, her desire to help turned into a challenge to the Lincoln community to do more.

On April 24, the church will hold a benefit dinner to raise funds for those in need across Ukraine. The entire banquet has been organized and will be put on by students, with a goal to raise $10,000. The event will have a college professor of World Relations and a Ukrainian church member to tell his story.

“We just need to remember that everyone has a story and everyone is an individual that has gone through things and is struggling,” Kolb said, “We should do whatever we can to help them within our church or community or even within the world, we should try and help people however we can.”

Slavik Noshyn is a member at College View Church and a Ukrainian refugee. He spent 40 years of his life in Ukraine, before moving to Lincoln two years ago. He said the Ukrainian community is in desperate need for support and these donations will make a difference.

“I have many friends and church members and they are really in trouble,” Noshyn said, “When we see people who need help, everything is changed. For me it’s very clear and bright, we can see this fundamental principle that we can help those who are in need, in trouble, struggling and suffering.”

Zimbabwe: 4 Adventists die in accident on way to church

Four members of a Seventh-day Adventist Church music group died after a vehicle they were travelling on, veered off the road and overturned in Mawabeni along Gwanda road on Saturday.

Zimbabwean Adventist youth rally. The victims were youths

By ZimEye

The 17-member Gospel Symphony was heading to Gwanda in the Southern African country Zimbabwe for worship on Saturday morning when the accident occurred leaving 13 members injured.

Zimbabwe-four-Seventh-day-Adventists-die-accident-way-church-Sabbath

Three of the four died on the spot while one of them later died at Esigodini Hospital. The injured group members are receiving medical attention at Mpilo Central Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals.

Police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident yesterday urging drivers to be cautious on the road to avoid unnecessary loss of life.

“I can confirm that three people died on the spot while 13 others were injured when a vehicle lost control and veered off the road and overturned around 9AM on Saturday. Onboard were members of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church on their way to Gwanda for a church programme,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

“Those who died on the spot include Corleenah Ncube (36), Sithembelenkosini Mutemachani (52) and Egnes Majazi (38) all from Nkulumane suburb in Bulawayo.”

He said police are conducting investigations and are yet to get details about the fourth death. The fourth member who died has been identified as Mayibongwe Phiri also from Nkulumane.

The Bulawayo Fire and Ambulance Services also attended the scene and injured passengers had already been ferried to the hospital by private motor vehicles.

“The brigade found the vehicle had veered off the road and uprooted several trees before landing on its side. All injured persons had been removed to the hospital by private motor vehicles.

Two male adults believed to be churchmates were found guarding the wreckage. The brigade observed that all the people including the injured were already removed from the vehicle by members of the public before the brigade's arrival.

There were bloodstains in and outside the vehicle which indicated some injuries to the passengers. No persons were trapped,” said chief fire officer Linos Phiri.

Chronicle caught up with one of the surviving group members Mrs Luvuno Dlamini who said the tragic incident was the most traumatic the group ever had to deal with.

“All I remember hearing is that a bus was trying to overtake us and our driver tried to avoid sideswiping and then next thing we were rolling.

We are in pain and still recovering but we cannot get over the tragedy that befell our sisters and brother who lost their lives while doing God’s work. We pray for healing especially for the families who lost their loved ones,” she said.

The executive secretary of the South Zimbabwe Conference of the SDA church in charge of Nkulumane church where the music group is registered Pastor Sindiso Mpofu relayed his condolences to the affected families saying the four were dedicated ministers of the gospel.

“It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we share with you the news that four members of our church lost their lives on the 9th of April 2022, after being involved in a car accident along the Bulawayo to Beitbridge highway at Mawabeni.

“These were dedicated members of a singing group Gospel Symphony and they leave behind a legacy that will long-serve to inspire and empower us to continue to work for The Lord Jesus Christ until He comes,” said Ps Mpofu.

“We continue to pray for the speedy recovery of the injured who are still receiving medical attention. Our deepest condolences go out to their families, friends and the church at large.”-statemedia.