United Kingdom: Adventist Leader Defends Jesus at Debating Society ... On April 27, the debating hall at Durham University in Durham, England, was packed—not with theologians, philosophers and academics, but with young people. The topic of discussion? Whether Jesus really is, as the Bible says, “The Way, the Truth and the Life.” Pastor Don McFarlane, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland, helped defend the Christian perspective. He later commented that the debate provided a context in which to raise general awareness of the Adventist church and its message. Christian debate participants and audience members agreed that although the motion was lost, the point was not to “win” the argument or present any new ways to persuade people to accept Jesus, but to reiterate that Christians take the faith of Jesus seriously and to encourage young people on the campus to further think about and hopefully share that faith. [BUC News/ANN Staff] 

United States: Adventist Heritage Ministry Turns 25 ... During the past 25 years, tens of thousands of Adventists from every world region have visited Adventist Heritage Ministry (AHM) sites—from church founder Joseph Bates’ boyhood home in Massachusetts to the organizational birthplace of the Adventist Church in Battle Creek, Michigan. The historical sites also attract a significant number of non-Adventists and provide a unique witnessing opportunity. AHM began when founder Garth “Duff” Stoltz, a layperson in Battle Creek, began preserving Adventist historical sites. Much more important than saving tangible buildings, however, was preserving and sharing how God led the early Adventist movement. “The historic sites are pieces of our history that our church members can experience for themselves,” says AHM president Thomas Neslund. “AHM reaffirms our faith and gives us clarity, something that is really being sought right now.” To commemorate the half-century anniversary, many of the sites are hosting heritage weekends this year. [James R. Nix/White Estate/ANN Staff]

Australia: Record Month for Adventist Discovery Centre ... More than 1,300 hits were recorded on the Adventist Discovery Centre Web site in April, setting a new high for visits to the Web site’s online courses and correspondence. Twelve of the fourteen courses offered also racked up a record number of hits—in some cases, as much as a 100-hit increase from March totals. Lesson applications and diplomas distributed were also significantly up. Pastor David Price, webmaster and associate media ministries director for the Adventist Discovery Centre cited a Discoveries in Revelation series in Melbourne, which promotes the online courses, as partly responsible for the increased online traffic. Price also noted the success of a new online Bible study series targeting kids. The Adventist Discovery Centre, part of the Adventist Media Network, offers free correspondence lessons and other e-learning opportunities via Internet courses on 13 topics, ranging from lifestyle and health to Biblical archaeology. [Melody Tan/ANN Staff]

United Kingdom: Adventists Have Got Talent ... The Animated Gospel Choir from the Walthamstow Seventh-day Adventist Church in London, England will appear on the new talent show, Britain’s Got Talent. The show, another of Simon Cowell’s productions, will be screened on ITV in June, aims to show the breadth and diversity of British talent. The Animated Gospel Choir got through, beating 50,000 others from across the United Kingdom and made it through to the final 120 acts. The Animated Gospel Choir spreads the word of God through puppet ministry. For more information on the choir go to www.theanimatedgospelchoir.com. [Susanne Kirlew/ANN]