Undersecretary: Adventist work in Middle East is 'varied'

As major political changes grip parts of Southwest Asia and Northern Africa, Seventh-day Adventist Church officials announced today they are continually monitoring the denomination's work there, and said a report is due next month from an internal commission.

While ANN and regional denominational news services have reported on church operations in Egypt, little has been reported about work in neighboring countries.

Church Undersecretary Homer Trecartin responded in an interview today, explaining that the nature and extent of the church's work in the Middle East is "extremely varied."

In some countries the Adventist Church is officially recognized, operates schools, and members meet openly in church-owned facilities. Christians in other nations aren't allowed to own property used for religious purposes and must share space with other groups in government-recognized "Christian" facilities, Trecartin said.

In some countries, it is prohibited to operate a Christian church. "In some of those countries we have no members. In others we have no official church groups meeting," Trecartin said.

"We don't know what the future might hold for that region but we are praying that the Lord will do great things to reveal His love there," he said.

The church's Middle East Study Commission, established in October, is examining the administrative structure of the Adventist Church in the region.

Trecartin said the commission would bring a report to the denomination's Executive Committee, meeting next month for Spring Meeting in Huntsville, Alabama, United States.

The commission is comprised of officials from the world church headquarters and its Trans-European and Euro-Africa divisions, both of which oversee work in Southwest Asia and Northern Africa.