#weRtheCHURCH Engages Viewers with Inspiring Stories

This year’s #weRtheCHURCH program brought Seventh-day Adventists in the South Pacific together for a special weekend of worship, prayer, and praise, with viewers expressing their appreciation for the variety of stories, music, and testimonies.

With a theme of thankfulness, the Friday night (August 5) program featured stories from around the Pacific, including the commissioning of the first Australian Indigenous woman, Pastor Connie Toga, recognition of the 10,000 Toes Campaign by the World Health Organization, and the 90th anniversary of the arrival of missionaries to the St Matthias group of islands in Papua New Guinea.

Pastor Connie Toga’s historic commissioning . . . one of the many inspiring stories in the program. [Credit: Adventist Record]

There were also updates on the Adventist response to recent disasters in North New South Wales and Tonga, along with a thankfulness segment from Mountain View Adventist College in Sydney, plus beautiful music from Betikama Adventist College in the Solomons, Tweed Valley Adventist College in North NSW, and the Epauto Adventurers and Pathfinders in Vanuatu.

Viewers expressed their appreciation for the program, with positive messages posted on the various platforms where the program was hosted.

“Enjoying this window into our church across the South Pacific. Watching from South Queensland,” Percy Harrold posted.

And from Gillian Torie: “Praise God for the wonderful sharing on this blessed Sabbath evening worship.”

Susanna Taulapapa enjoyed the variety of stories: “Great stories from different part[s] of Australia and the Pacific Islands that helps [sic] us all to stand firm in the Lord.”

Lee and Liz Dunstan also acknowledged the variety of content (via email): “Just watched weRtheChurch—good job. Loved the range and breadth of the coverage in both testimonies and music. Great stuff!”

On Sabbath afternoon (August 6), Pastor Wayne Boehm, Hope Channel South Pacific director, hosted a live #weRtheCHURCH workshop on prayer and mission, with guests including Dr. Dan Augsburger, retired Andrews University professor, and Alyssa Truman, assistant director in the Communication Department at the General Conference.

Alyssa Truman from the GC speaking with #weRtheCHURCH workshop host Pastor Wayne Boehm. [Credit: Adventist Record]

During the workshop, viewers got a glimpse into the life of Ellen White with live crosses to Mark Pearce, Ellen G White Research director, and Karelle Mason, Avondale chaplaincy student, who were live-streaming from Mrs. White’s former home in Sunnyside.

Viewers tuned in from around the South Pacific (including the main church at Pacific Adventist University in Papua New Guinea) and expressed their appreciation for the content.

“Blessed with the sharing this afternoon,” Trief Manea Cecile posted.

Both the program and workshop are available for viewing at https://adventistchurch.com/werthechurch/. English and French captioning is available for the Friday night program.