General Conference President Ted Wilson Calls for Compassion and Healing

Editor’s Note: On June 1, 2020, the Adventist News Network published a statement from General Conference President Ted N. C. Wilson calling for compassion and healing “especially to the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, whose lives ended tragically.” This statement follows Wilson’s May 29 appeal which referenced the death of an “unarmed African-American by a police officer,” along with several other events he labeled “unusual situations around the world.”

Read his May 29 appeal by clicking here, and read his June 1 statement in full below or on ANN’s website:

A Time for Compassion and Healing: Our Christ-Centered Mission

In this time of pain and unrest across the United States, our hearts continue to go out in sympathy to all who have suffered, and especially to the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, whose lives ended tragically.

As Seventh-day Adventists, we stand together worldwide in condemning racism, bigotry, hatred, prejudice, and violence in all of its myriad forms. We know that God is a God of justice, who sees and knows all, and we look to Him to fulfill His Word when He says, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay” (Romans 12:19).

On behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist worldwide family, I have sent letters of condolence to the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, expressing our sorrow for the tragic loss of their loved ones and stating unequivocally that as Seventh-day Adventists we stand strongly on the biblical principles that go against hatred, rage, racism, bigotry, evil surmising, prejudice, and more, and offered the families support, hope, and encouragement through God’s Church. In addition, we are sending each family a small, tangible indication of sympathy and practical encouragement in the form of an edible fruit arrangement, facilitated through Oakwood University’s connection with Edible Arrangements.

I encourage you, too, as a Seventh-day Adventist, to reach out to these and other individuals within your local community, bringing, in a practical way, the peace, comfort, hope and courage that only Christ can provide as we follow His example in ministry outlined in Luke 4:18. As Christians, we seek to practice, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit—“love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22,23). While the world is filled with wickedness and sorrow, let us take encouragement from God’s Word in helping us to find a better way. Jesus Christ is central, as He is the only One who can truly change a person’s heart in this sin-filled world.

God calls us to shine as lights in this dark, sin-sick world, pointing all to Jesus Christ, our Savior, and ministering in a tangible way to those who are in need physically, socially, emotionally, mentally, and most importantly, spiritually. “A large number of precious souls are groping in darkness, yet longing and weeping and praying for light.”[1]

Let us ask God to guide us as we reach out with healing hearts and hands, ministering to those who are needing hope and healing now.

And as we look to the future, let us never forget that one day very soon, Jesus Christ will come again and take all those who love Him to a much better place, where “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

Ted N.C. Wilson, President

General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

World Church Headquarters, Silver Spring, MD

[1] Ellen G. White, Counsels to Writers and Editors, p. 65.

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Image Credit: Unsplash via ANN.

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This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at http://spectrummagazine.org/node/10481

I wonder what the families would think if they knew about the segregated conferences? :thinking:

I wonder what Church he’s referring to? Surely he doesn’t mean just the Adventist Church. TW wouldn’t think that, right? :anguished: :wink: :grin:

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I think the Regional Conferences (Black) could easily be united with the overlapping Conferences if the they wished to do so. It remains to be seen if this union would permit enhanced Black leadership and they would be given permission to follow separate policies in regard to their congregations. As it now stands, the two distinct Conferences seldom meet together for ministerial meetings on the local level. I am sure this union would be cost savings in terms of overhead expenses, however the black leadership would be lose status of to the larger white leadership. Is this racism?

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It certainly could be viewed that way by many people.

Please, please! Why can’t our world president give a social justice message. In his message, while he is seeking to be comforting, misses the target greatly. I don’t think he gets it. I want to see a message of SOCIAL JUSTICE and participation. I do not want to see a SPIRITUAL message to remind us of the “end time” etc. We know that. We need action. I congratulate Adventist pastors and members who are joining the protest. I want to see President Wilson there also. Yes, I want to see him protesting. We need a message about SOCIAL JUSTICE, not one about SPIRITUAL CONVERSION OR CONVICTION. Rise up, President Wilson and protest.

Brennen, Bahamas. I have children living in Florida and Portland.

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G. Alexander Bryant should be elected to the presidency of NAD. It seems to be the most logical and right move to make. Dr Bryant is more than capable. Why is it that our black brothers and sisters seem to be always relegated to being “vice” this, or “vice” the other?

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G. Alexander Bryant should be elected to the presidency of NAD. It seems to be the most logical and right move to make. Dr Bryant is more than capable. Why is it that our black brothers and sisters seem to be always relegated to being “vice” this, or “vice” the other?

How we embrace diversity of gifts and ethnicities, how we fight bigotry, zenophobia and other related racial differences, would be more believable when the leadership of our conferences, be intentionally accepting of black and brown leaders at the helm of the SDA church Organization.

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