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More than 200 people gathered to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) at a special service at Kellyville Adventist Church, NSW, on Saturday, 11 October. Those in attendance included current and former staff, former board members, volunteers, supporters and friends of the agency. Four of ADRA Australia’s five Chief Executive Officers from the past 25 years were also present, including George Laxton, the first CEO when ADRA was re-named from the Seventh-day Adventist World Service (SAWS) in 1983; David Syme, CEO from 1998 to 2004;
View more pictures of the service here.
“It was lovely to meet so many people who have supported ADRA over the years,” said ADRA Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Duffy. “And it was a good opportunity to reflect on how far ADRA has come in 25 years - from a small church agency with one person to a government-accredited organisation with a staff of 21 – and to consider again the great duty Christian’s have in helping to alleviate poverty.” The celebration service included a thought-provoking presentation by ADRA Australia's International Program Director, Harwood Lockton, on the relationship between Sabbath worship and justice. His talk. based on chapter 58 of the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament of the Bible, reminded Christians of God's heart for the disadvantaged and its impact on a Christian's spirituality and expression of worship.The program was also supported by several students from Mountain View Adventist College (MVAC), who performed an original song about poverty. The song, ‘Change the World’, was written by the students and the chaplain of MVAC,
The service concluded with an anniversary cake presentation from ADRA Australia to those in attendance in recognition of the support ADRA Australia has received from generous supporters, professional staff, prayer warriors, friends and volunteers over the past 25 years. The event concluded with a potluck lunch. ADRA Australia is a non-government organisation (NGO) engaging in sustainable community development and emergency management for people in
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