Vandals have inflicted serious damages, including broken windows and arson fire, to the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s premises in Arhus, Denmark, which houses the local church, the Danish Bible Correspondence School and a media center. According to church reports, a case of arson last December caused so much damage that the building had to be emptied of its furniture and technical equipment.

The fire has meant a severe setback in the work of the center and has temporarily halted preparation and distribution of evangelistic resources, but Walder Hartmann, communication director for the Adventist Church in Denmark, says that overall, the staff has been able to meet continuous deadlines and the work of Adventists in the country has never stopped.

“Within the next month, we expect to be able to take up all of the normal activities again,” says Hartmann. Currently, the center’s eight employees have had to work from home or in temporary quarters established in the pastor’s study of the local church. The center employees are responsible for editing books and magazines, producing broadcasts for community radio stations, preparing Danish versions of international Adventist video programs, operating a Bible Correspondence School and coordinating outreach activities.

The fire ruined books and evangelistic materials and charred walls of the center. The total cost of the damages to the premises and materials is estimated at US$140,000.

Three young men, who police suspect of having been on drugs, admitted to causing the damage to the Adventist premises as well as to a public school next door, which was completely destroyed. “It was an anti-social statement in its severity, and they targeted public premises,” Hartmann said.

“We are beginning to reestablish the offices this coming week after they have been painted and new carpet laid,” says Hartmann. “In fact, every nook and corner inside the building has to be painted.”

A fireproof room is being built in the basement for the intranet, storage of back-up items, and preserve masters for all of the Bible Correspondence School materials.

The work of Adventists first reached Denmark in 1872 with a monthly magazine Advent Tidende, which John G. Matteson, a native of Denmark, started primarily for Scandinavians in the United States. On May 30, 1880, the Danish Union Conference became the first self-supporting Adventist organization outside of the United States.

There are nearly 3,000 Adventists in Denmark worshiping in 50 churches.