The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Albania last month launched its first magazine, “Edicioni Adventisti,” which contains 32 pages dealing with religious, health, lifestyle, and other topical issues. Patterned on the Australian Signs of the Times in A5 format, the periodical will be published on a quarterly basis, says John Arthur, publishing director for the Adventist Church in the Trans-European region.

Editor Julian Kastrati says he is thrilled by the potential of the magazine. “The church in Albania has needed this type of communication tool for a long time,” he says. “This style seems very appropriate to the secular Albanian mindset.”

According to the local church president, Leigh Rice, the launch was timed to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the church in Albania. David Currie, who pioneered evangelism in that country, was present for the celebration weekend.

Arthur, who was also involved in the church’s early work in Albania in 1991, says he is encouraged by this latest venture. “The early Adventist Church attached great importance to the magazine ministry,” he says, “and it is appropriate that this additional instrument has been incorporated into our evangelistic orchestra.”

The Adventist Church in Albania also plans to produce a public relations paperback entitled “People with Hope” and “The Desire of Ages.” These publications are intended for distribution both among the 3.5 million inhabitants of Albania, and among ethnic groups in surrounding countries.

Since the early 1990s there has been significant church growth in Albania; there are now some 250 Adventists worshiping each week. It is known as a “young” church in another sense as well—the average age of church members is around mid to late 20s.