wfn.org | Adventist World President Speaks to Media

[APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com]

in Mexico

March 5, 2000
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

Adventist World President Speaks to Media in 
Mexico; Participates in Festival of Celebration

Poza Rica, Mexico.   At a press conference held 
on February 12 during his visit to participate in 
a major Church celebration, Pastor Jan Paulsen, 
president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 
spoke to the Mexican media of his hopes and 
concerns.

Answering a question as to the Adventist Church's 
involvement in politics, Paulsen said that the 
Church had a different approach.

"Adventists do not have a political agenda but a 
people agenda," said Paulsen. "We support those 
who are aiding people and improving their quality 
of life. To illustrate: we have the second 
largest education system world-wide, we fund and 
operate healthcare institutions, and we are 
committed through the Adventist Development and 
Relief Agency (ADRA) to all kinds of humanitarian 
aid. I am pleased that the Church and ADRA were 
able to assist in the floods experienced in this 
region back in October, with church members 
operating feeding stations and ADRA providing a 
major re-housing and building program."

Asked the reason for his visit, Paulsen said that 
it was to participate in the baptismal festivals 
in both Poza Rica and Catemaco, demonstrating the 
world Church's support at such occasions. "Why 
are we here? To be part of the great celebration 
of faith in this area, to participate in the 
baptismal services, to show the world-wide nature 
of the Adventist Church that so many are joining. 
We are here to present Jesus Christ as the only 
hope for now and for the future."

Paulsen also responded to a question regarding 
the media's role in declining standards of 
morality in society. "Does the media have a 
responsibility for the decline in the morals of 
society? Yes, the media does contribute. Everyone 
who is communicating owes it to the public to 
examine the diet they present. They should not 
provide just junk food that is destructive to 
society. They also need to present material that 
builds up society and promotes moral and ethical 
values. We trust that Adventists represent and 
communicate good values, ethical standards and 
morality."

Later Paulsen joined Pastor David Javier Perez, 
leader of the Adventist Church in southern 
Mexico, and Pastor Juan Andrade, leader of the 
Church in north Veracruz and Hildago, to 
officiate at the baptismal service in Poza Rica. 
Speaking at the service, Paulsen explained the 
meaning of the ceremony.
 
"Baptism means you bury your old life. You rise 
to newness of life with Jesus. Today you have 
declared to the public, yourself, and the Lord, 
'I am finished with the past-I want to live a new 
life.' We need to leave the past behind. There's 
no time to look back. If we do, we fail to move 
forward. The future is for those who fix their 
eyes on Jesus Christ."

The visiting Adventist delegation had the 
opportunity to meet a number of key civil 
leaders, including the local state deputy, Dip. 
Jorge Elias Rodriguez. Members of the delegation 
also included pastors Israel Leito and L.V. 
McMillan, president and communication director 
respectively of the Church's Inter-American 
Division. The Adventist Church in Mexico numbers 
some 500,000 baptised members.