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Dear brothers and sisters

 

We are indeed living in troublesome times.   And at such a time, God is looking to His body, the church to represent His will and character to a world in need of divine intervention.   South Africa has been experiencing a traumatic turn of events, especially with the recent widespread xenophobic attacks.   The Seventh-day Adventist church has not been silent but has been actively involved in providing humanitarian aid throughout the country.   Local churches, close to the affected areas, have been opened and is providing shelter for displaced refugees.   Our committed leadership, at all levels, have initiated a spontaneous response that reflects the mission of the church in fulfilling its strategic role, in terms of humanitarian involvement and social responsibility.

 

Let us pray together, as the Lord carries us through this period of trouble.  

 

Below is the official statement of the Southern Africa Union in response to the recent Xenophobic attacks.   We pray that it will be used to reflect the role and position of the Seventh-day Adventist church in South Africa.

Official Statement of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Africa

The Seventh-day Adventist Church expresses its grave concern regarding the widespread and unpredictable escalation of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, with thousands of displaced and homeless refugees. While being concerned about the well-being of its many members and operation of its church organization in South Africa, the Church is even more concerned about the humanitarian crisis created as a direct result of these attacks.

 The Seventh-day Adventist Church, as a matter of principle, endeavors not to be involved in political issues. The Church has consistently refused to do so and intends to maintain this position in the current crisis centering in South Africa. Nevertheless, it rejects the use of violence, in any form, as a method for conflict resolution.

In co-operation with the leaders and members of the Church, local Government authorities (Home and Foreign Affairs) and Safety and Security Authorities (South African Police Services) in the country, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been and will continue to provide temporary relief, shelter, and other humanitarian aid, for affected victims. The Seventh-day Adventist church strongly calls for a deeper understanding of and greater respect for human rights and non-discrimination, to meet crying human needs, and to work for reconciliation between national, ethnic, and religious communities.  

In the current crisis, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is committed to doing what it can, through its local churches, (which serve as centers of refuge), and Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA, the humanitarian agency established by the Church), to bring relief to the many thousands of refugees, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or social status, who have been affected by the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The Church will utilize its infrastructure in the affected regions in its relief efforts.   The Seventh-day Adventist Church urges the international community and government authorities involved to push for an early end to the crisis on the basis of Christian, moral, and ethical principles of human rights, and good faith negotiations that are fair to all concerned and which may lead to better relationships.

The Church further asks all its members, and the faith community in general, to pray for divine intervention in restoring peace and goodwill to South Africa.   Silent efforts of religious bodies and individuals behind the scenes are invaluable.  But this is not enough. We are not just creatures of a spiritual environment.  We are actively interested in everything that shapes the way we live and we are concerned about the well-being of all people, irrespective of origin, ethnicity or cultural background.  The Christian ministry of reconciliation will and must contribute to the restoration of human dignity, equality, and unity through the grace of God in which human beings see each other as members of one common family, the family of God.

We appeal to Christians and people of good will all around the country to take an active role in making and sustaining peace, thus being part of the solution rather than part of the problem.

Statement issued by the Southern Africa Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists ( Bloemfontein)

My continued prayer for God's Church and His people, is that we will unite to Lift Up Christ and Tell the World of His soon return. May the Lord be with all of us.

Francois Louw

Date: 29 May 2008