Editor's Note: Since May of 2019, the Adventist Church members in Burundi have endured ongoing persecution from the country's government. On October 24, 2019 the president of the Burundi Union Mission, pastor Lamec Barishinga, was arrested. This arrest was part of an escalating series of threats and attacks on the Seventh-day Adventist Church by the government of Burundi. For further reading about the situation of our Adventist brother and sisters in Burundi, please visit the Pray for Burundi website.

Below is a letter to the Adventist Church in Burundi from Seventh-day World Church President, Ted N.C. Wilson

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Burundi , 

What a privilege to see the hand of God in our lives as we see the end of time approaching. Certainly, with all that is happening around the world, we know that Jesus is coming soon! Whatever challenges you face in your mission of sharing the three angels’ messages with your fellow citizens of Burundi, please know that God is on your side and will help you in pointing people to Him. Be a powerful witness to your family, community, region, and the nation that God is working in your life……that His righteousness is changing you into His likeness…….Christ and His righteousness, justifying righteousness and sanctifying righteousness-----is the core of the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14:6-12. Thank you for your willingness as participants in Total Member Involvement to share God’s wonderful Bible truth to the nation of Burundi.

Thank you for telling the Lord that “I Will Go'' to share the everlasting gospel and the news that Christ has made a way of escape for us as our Creator, as the Baby come to Bethlehem, as the perfect Redeemer, as the Lamb that died on Calvary, as our risen Savior, as our High Priest, and as our Coming King. May God use you in a powerful way as you share the full message of Seventh-day Adventists with those around you. I prayed for Burundi today and will pray for you and your witness for the Lord. Be of good courage in all you do and ask for the latter rain of the Holy Spirit so that we can soon see Jesus come to take us home! 

Thank the Lord for the dynamic promise in I Corinthians 1:9: “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 

In “Principles for Christian Leaders,” page 153, a compilation from Ellen G White’s writings, it is encouraging to see how our connection with Christ is so important: “Only by a living connection with God is the Holy Spirit implanted in the heart. Those who have this connection are faithful and true and will not betray holy trust.” 

Be encouraged in your Total Member Involvement in Burundi……….God is by your side! May He strengthen your relationship with Him as you proclaim the everlasting gospel and the three angels’ messages to the dear people of Burundi! Jesus is coming soon! Be of good courage in Him!

With kind Christian regards and sincerely yours,

Ted N C Wilson
President
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists