(Theme Music)
Spicer Adventist University celebrating
100 years of training young people
for service here in India.
That and much more coming up next on Mission 360.
(Theme Music)
(Music)
Hello and welcome to Mission 360,
I'm Gary Krause. Today's program is
coming to you from the campus of Spicer
Adventist University, formerly Spicer
Memorial College. This weekend they are
celebrating the 100th anniversary of
education right here on this campus.
The first pioneers,
the first Adventist pioneers
to India had a vision for education. They
wanted to see schools established that
would help restore the image of God in men
and women in this country. And with that
vision in mind, two young Adventist women
came to Calcutta in 1895. Within 20 years
a chain of Adventist schools were
stretching from the Himalayas in the north
right through to south India. The first
class held on the campus of what is today
known as Spicer Adventist University was
July 12, 1915. Back then a whole range of
different courses were offered; carpentry,
agriculture, even a program in poultry.
Students were trained in very practical
skills to reach out into their communities.
The name of the college, now the
university, came from pastor W. A. Spicer,
a pioneer Adventist missionary who today
his memory is still loved because of his
self-sacrifice and his commitment to the
people of this country. On today's program
we're going to be seeing mission all over
the world. We're going to be looking at
Thirteenth Sabbath Offering projects in
northern Asia. But first up, let's travel to the country of Korea.
South Korea is often referred to as the land of the morning calm.
It has preserved a rich and vibrant culture
throughout the years. Many Koreans have
great pride and appreciation for their
country. In a small suburban community, a
group of young people are getting their
traditional costumes and instruments ready
to go to their town's central park and put on a show.
(Sounds of drums and voices)
They've been practicing for weeks
and the community recognizes their beat.
But who are they?
This youth church is run
by the youth and for the youth. They've
built a solid group of members who are
involved in all the church's activities.
The traditional costumes and instruments
are just one of their many activities to greet the community.
But this church didn't always work this way.
Pastor Shin used to be a
deacon in a church. His oldest daughter
Bo Hwa was a middle school student,
there was no one there her age in the
church and she was lonely. So Bo Hwa's
mother knew she had to find friends for
her daughter in the church.
Thanks to the
mother's efforts and pancakes, the youth
congregation was growing! As the church
grew Bo Hwa's father felt the call to join
the ministry. At that time Bo Hwa's father
was a deacon, but he was feeling God's
call to be a minister.
Having three family
members in theology school was not cheap.
Again, the mother came through by
baking the Korean pancakes.
Even before I started I prayed for a long time and I read
the Bible to get the knowledge. When God
made me successful in this ministry I
thought that it was the work of God.
At first, the community didn't know what to think of this church.
But the youth decided to give to the
community. They visited the homes of the
elderly. They would talk with them, wash
their dishes, work in their gardens,
and help in any way they could. As a result of truly
caring for their neighbors, their reputation
has transformed to being loved by their community.
These students are very well
welcomed by the elderly citizens around
here. These elderly citizens took them in
as their grandchildren.
On a typical Sabbath they will have a church service,
share a meal together, and spend the
whole afternoon together. They are truly a church family.
It is a great joy of mine to
see them remaining in the faith as they
grow up and become successful citizens in society.
With all the growth and activity,
they have outgrown their humble building
and need more space to expand. They
want to train the youth to effectively reach the community.
A portion of your mission
offerings will go toward building a mission
institute for the youth so they can be
properly trained to introduce their neighbors to Jesus.
Please pray for the members of
this church. Pray that this group will
continue to grow and more hearts are
touched by Jesus.
My guest today is Elder Ted Wilson who
is the president of the General
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
Thanks for joining us Elder Wilson.
We're celebrating this weekend 100 years
of education at Spicer now called Spicer
Adventist University. Why is education so
important in a country like India?
Well first of all, Spicer Memorial College
which has now become Spicer Adventist
University, is one of those unique situations
where education is so important in the life
of people that this new status is going to be
an exceptional opportunity for hundreds of
Seventh-day Adventist students to be able
to get an education without any Sabbath
problems. Where as in the past people
have gone to public universities in India
and have had to face that challenge of
classes six days a week and different
exams on Sabbath. So this is going to be a
wonderful opportunity and to lay a
foundation for working in a very high tech
IT setting with media. India is becoming a
very strong leader in that area. But in terms
of education itself; I mean 100 years for
Spicer, obviously we ought to be in heaven
by now. We're celebrating the anniversary
and it's great. But education itself and
Seventh-day Adventist education in
particular, is of the greatest factors in why
the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been
able to achieve such a strong evangelistic
level of efficiency in activity around the
world. Training people, helping them to see
a vision, understanding the foundation of
all true education which is a knowledge of
God, helping people to fully grasp the
picture that really education is not only a
way to a higher standard of living but it is
really, in the Adventist setting,
a key to our entire understanding of how
to reach out to people.
Now, how should a Seventh-day Adventist
educational institution differ from any other institution?
What are the key differences in Adventist education?
Essentially in the academic area we should
be no less, in fact we should be better than
any other institution because the Lord has
asked that we study to show ourselves
approved. When it comes to the world view,
that's where Seventh-day Adventists differ
because we follow Christ's pattern of trying
to help people physically, mentally, socially,
and spiritually. And that entire component
is built into the Seventh-day Adventist
educational package in such an intrinsic
way that you can't really pull it apart without
then destroying what the real purpose of
Seventh-day Adventist education is.
So when a student comes out of that
institution, they have such a complete
picture as Christ did in His ministry that
everything they do is tilted and focused
towards truly helping the person that
they're dealing with in whatever discipline,
whatever work, to find true meaning in life
and to find the Master Teacher,
Jesus Christ. So that's what makes the
difference and it's this overall
understanding and it's derived from an
understanding of Scripture, from the Spirit
of Prophecy, from an understanding of who
we are as a people.
So it's a wholistic emphasis, which isn't just
head knowledge, it's affecting your spiritual
life, your physical life, and it comes from
Ellen White's writings.
That's where is all started.
It does, and it affects even your personal
interrelationships with your family, with how
you view life, with the purpose of the
beautiful education you've received, and the
skills and talents that God has provided for you.
They're not just to be used for yourself
but to be used in service to others and
pointing people to Jesus' soon coming.
Wonderful, Elder Wilson thank you so
much for joining us. And right after this
break we'll be talking to the vice
chancellor of Spicer Adventist University.
(Music)
Welcome back, within the Seventh-day
Adventist Church the Thirteenth Sabbath
Offering has iconic status. For many, many
years Adventists have been giving
generously to 13th Sabbath Offerings.
These are collected, as the name suggests,
every 13th Sabbath at the end of each
quarter of the year. And these offerings are
given for very specific projects around the world.
It could be to start a new school,
or a new hospital, to help with community
outreach, various special projects that get
extra funding to help them do their work.
Your offerings make a difference in the
lives of thousands of people around the
world. Coming up next, let's see how
Thirteenth Sabbath Offerings will be
making a difference in Taiwan as three new
urban centers of influence are established.
(Music)
In Taiwan a large group of friends is
meeting at a local Seventh-day Adventist
Church. Not all of these friends are
Adventist members, but all feel welcome to
attend. It has become known as the
All Generations Center. This group is made
up of elderly members of the community.
They meet together as part of a regular
program run by the church. This program
has been active for almost 10 years now!
The Taiwanese government recognizes
what they do and supports their programs.
Pastor Tom is in charge of running the
program and planning the activities.
Many of those who come don't have family in the area.
They don't have people to take care of them. So you can imagine their
excitement when they get together and
socialize. The church provides a healthy
lunch for the group. Pastor Tom makes
sure to jump in his car to visit the homes
of those who are not physically able to attend.
(Sounds of walking)
He spends some time at their
homes, hand delivers meals, and prays
with them. Aside from lunch, the group also
enjoys exercising, blood pressure checks, crafts, and music.
(Music & clapping)
This center of influence has bridged a gap
to allow people to attend church on
Sabbath. Before this program began,
community members were not sure what to
think about Adventists.
Through this ministry, people are getting to know Jesus
and are happier with their lives.
(Music & singing)
Throughout Taiwan the Adventist church
has established Centers of Influence to
meet people's needs. In this community,
it meant creating the All Generations Center.
(Inaudible voices)
In other communities, education is
a challenge. Yulin Chong attended this
after-school program run by the Adventist
Church. The program helps tutor kids who
may need help and direction. Yulin struggled
in school and had a difficult home life.
He faced a lot of trouble in his earlier years
and it caused a lot of confusion of what to
do with his life. After attending the
after-school program, Yulin learned about
Jesus and found purpose in his life.
Now he is a tutor and helps kids who were
once in his position. People all over the
world are in need. Each community has
different needs. Centers of Influence
around the world are helping touch lives
in their communities. A portion of your
mission offering will help support Centers
of Influence in Taiwan. Please pray for
these projects. Pray that they may grow
and continue to be a light in this world.
My guest is Dr. Justus Devadas who is the
vice chancellor of Spicer Memorial University.
Doctor, thank you so much for joining us.
Thank you very much.
What an amazing time this is, to celebrate 100 years!
Indeed, we're on top of the world.
Now, as you look at the past 100 years,
obviously you don't remember it all, but
what would you say are the major
contributions that Spicer has
made here in India?
Until about 15 years back, Spicer was the
only college of the Adventist Church in the
entire division, Spicer was the only college.
So if you look at the work force, probably
the highest person paid came out of Spicer.
Whether it was the division president or the
union conference presidents, most of them
studied at Spicer and teachers, accountants, anything.
There are still about 15 years back.
So it's basically trained workers for the Adventist Church.
Yes, not only for India, we have had
students from foreign countries. But from
the time the college came into being way
back in 1915, when it moved here in 1942
we were the only institution in the city who
had foreign students studying here. And
then we help ambassadors from different
countries, one of the GC vice president is a
Spicer graduate. There are many more.
Besides Spicer made a distinct contribution
to the city by it's very existence in this city
of the culture we've produced here. We
started several industries in Spicer which
was never heard of. We also started the first
bakery in this city, we were also the first to
manage an agricultural farm, modern farm
in this region. We used to educate farmers
from the local areas on modern and
advanced kind of farming. So it's had it's
own role to play in the city and India.
Because our student graduates went and
started schools and that became something.
Spicer is a tremendous place.
So you training teachers as well.
Oh yeah.
So what is the philosophy that guides this school?
Well the Adventist philosophy of education
we are mission oriented people. Now the
college was started to produce workers for
the church and also for people to find jobs
elsewhere. But the Indian education
system is British based education system,
very structured. We cannot do this way,
that way. Probably for years we were the
only liberal educational system in this
country. Then we introduced work
education program, students asked to work.
We paid them but then a part of that comes
to the school. We still do that We put that
as a program in the University Charter that
everyone has to work. So it's based on
sister White's philosophy of education to the fullest.
A wholistic education.
Now the name Spicer, coming of course
from pastor Spicer, how do you look on that name?
Elder Spicer never worked at Spicer College.
He worked at the division and he was one
of those pioneers when the first Adventist
school was established in India where
several of our missionaries were even
killed due to smallpox, but he was there.
He stayed back and said look, the waves
may have been defeated but the current of
God will win. And then his statement, there
is no position or authority in the church,
there are positions only of service. All of
this we heard from him. You will see
hundreds of children named Spicer even
today. The name Spicer is given in respect
of him but then that name is synonymous
with this Christian institution. Christians, all
denominations know about Spicer, we are
a very special place. In fact, I tried to get
somebody from the Spicer family to come
for the centennial but they couldn't make it.
But otherwise the name is very special to
us. Even though went from a college to a
university, they said we will keep that name
but bring the name Adventist between so it
is Spicer Adventist University.
Okay, so I said it wrong before, I said
Spicer Memorial, it's Spicer Adventist.
Take out the Memorial and add Adventist.
I for one want to people to know that this is
an Adventist institution. We'll stand for
Adventist principles whatever may come.
It doesn't matter whether we are big or
small but we'll stand for the Adventist
philosophy of education.
So I'm totally committed to that.
As you look to the future Dr. Devadas,
what would be your hope that this school
will continue to contribute?
Gary, you know the Adventist kids in India
had suffered for years and years for want
of an Adventist university because they'd
go to the secular universities, they'd find
difficult time to manage the Sabbath issues,
they'd move with a different group of people.
Now with our university, we can only grow.
The Southern Asia has 1.7 million
membership and that many youngsters are
there. India has the highest population
which is less than 24 years old.
Seventh-day Adventists also, we want them
to come. We want the education to be
provided. Then, for international students
Spicer will still provide top-class Adventist
education at an affordable price.
Up next we travel to Japan.
(Music)
When you think of Japan you might
imagine the busy, crowded streets of Tokyo.
Or your mind might wander off to scenes of
beautiful landscapes. There is not only
diversity in Japan's lifestyle and terrain but
also in the people who live here. Over the
years many South Americans have settled
into towns and cities throughout Japan.
Shizuoka is famous for it's views of
Mount Fuji. It has a humid, sub-tropical
climate. On this Sabbath morning the rain
is holding off allowing this congregation to
meet beside a peaceful lake outside the city.
This is a unique group in Japan.
The members of this church come from
South America and most from Brazil.
Many of them have lived here for years and
this is their home. They come to work, have
a different quality of life, and sometimes just
to have a new beginning. Since there is
such a large population of Brazilians in this
area, they have formed their own church family.
The churches atmosphere is friendly
and kind and all are welcome.
Brazilians smile a lot.
They like to hug and they're very friendly.
They like to make friends and they also
expect you to come back again.
Each Sabbath begins with a Sabbath
School lesson. If you don't speak
Portuguese there is still a place for you.
The classes are divided into Portuguese,
Japanese, and English speaking groups.
In general, Japan is a challenging area for the gospel to spread.
Japan is a highly
developed country. But because of
secularism and materialism and all these
things will hinder people to receive the
gospel message.
You can notice a strong presence of these
concepts in the cities. People are busy and
have little time for religion. This busy
lifestyle even rubs off on the Brazilian
migrant workers. For the church members,
the time to rest on Sabbath is highly valued.
(Singing)
Marina is originally from Brazil.
When she moved to Japan with her
husband they were not Adventists.
Her husband wanted to find a new church
in Japan. So he started looking and found
an Adventist church. Marina was against
the idea of visiting. The first time she went to church
she deliberately wore outrageous outfits to
embarrass him and maybe stop him from
going. Her husband told her that as long as
she comes to church it's okay. Marina
began to feel something change and before
long she actually wanted to attend. She
listened to the messages and eventually
Marina and her husband were baptized.
Members like Marina have turned their
lives around to serve Jesus.
The mission challenge can be seen around the world
and especially in places like the
10/40 window. Churches like this one in
Japan have a great responsibility to draw
people closer to Jesus. A portion of your
mission offerings will support a
multicultural center where international
members can come together and lives
can be touched by Jesus.
Please pray for this church and other
international churches around the world.
Thank you for supporting the mission of
the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Well thanks so much for joining us today
on Mission 360. Right here from Spicer
Adventist University in Southern Asia.
And on today's program we've seen how
God's light has been spread here in India
and also in Northern Asian, in Japan,
in Taiwan, and other areas. Thank you so
much for your continuing prayers for
mission and also your financial support.
If you'd like to find out more about
Thirteenth Sabbath Offerings, just go to
our website at AdventistMission.org.
There you'll find lots of reports with stories
and pictures and you'll also have the
opportunity to contribute a Thirteenth
Sabbath Offering if you wish. Before we go
I'd like to offer you a small gift of
appreciation for your support of mission.
A Taste of Travel is a cookbook written by
Nancy Kyte, the marketing director for
Adventist Mission. Nancy brings in recipes
from all over the world. So if you want to
add some spice, some interest to your life
try this book. Well that's it for today's
program and I hope that you can join me
next time right here on Mission 360.