Stadskanaal, Netherlands [Chigemezi N. Wogu] Ghanaian Seventh-day Adventist believers from across Europe descended on the small Dutch town of Stadskanaal on Wednesday, 17 August to encourage one another and share Jesus in the local community. They were among over 1,000 people attending the 22nd annual Ghanaian camp meeting themed ‘Living in Expectancy’, 14 – 21 August at a holiday centre in Stadskanaal, a town of 32,715 people in the northeast of the Netherlands.
Bob and his 17yr old son, Allard, shared the Sabbath Sofa project. Bob (yellow shirt) sharing his faith with a local resident.
The Sabbath Sofa, a social engagement project started in the UK, but now attracting attention across Europe and in countries as far away as Australia, attracted weary residents who could then not only enjoy the singing in comfort, but also engage in lively, informal conversation about the need and meaning of rest. Wim Altink, president of the Adventist Church in the Netherlands, called the camp meeting “a powerhouse of God’s Spirit” and praised attendees for setting aside Wednesday afternoon to share their faith through music and religious literature in the town. “Street witnessing is a success from God because of the contagious singing and music,” he said. “The Dutch people stop, listen, and rejoice while we hand out leaflets and share words of hope.” He noted that this is the fifth year that the Ghanaian Adventists have held their camp meeting within the Netherlands. “I am honoured with the presence of this large group of Seventh-day Adventists in our Union,” he said. “I hope there will follow more [camp meetings] here.”
During a short speech in the town centre Altink told residents, “What I have discovered is that the Ghanaian Adventists are a happy people and that is what we want to give you.” He asked the listening crowd if they would like the group to return next year. There was an immediate and emphatic round of applause. One onlooker, herself an immigrant from the Dominican Republic was delighted. “It’s nice,” she said, “It is teaching local Dutch people something about Jesus.” Currently there is no Adventist presence in the town, something that gave extra impetus to the camp meeting witness.
This was again emphasised by Juvenal Balisasa one of the guest speakers. Focusing on Revelation 14:6 and making allusions to Acts 1:8 (you will receive power), John 10:16 (the other sheep), and Roman 10:14-15 (how will they hear without preaching?), he encouraged participants that far beyond the witness in this small Dutch town, they “should now be ready to turn Europe upside down.” While the camp meeting provides a place for the Ghanaian Adventist community to worship together, it equally motivates attendees through church outreach reports, said Isaac K. Donkor, an Adventist pastor and vice chairman of Euro-Ghanaian Co-ordinating Committee, which organises the meetings. Attendees share reports about their mission work in various countries and the activities of Ghanaian churches in Europe, creating a stimulus for others to return home with a new motivation for mission, Donkor said.
A. Charles Bediako, chairman of Euro-Ghanaian Co-ordinating Committee, urged attendees to pursue outreach like Wednesday’s event in their own neighbourhoods within Europe. He said the camp meeting’s theme, ‘Living in Expectancy’, reflected the modern age of uncertainty, perplexity, terrorism, economic hardships, wars, and conflicts. Amid all this, he said, Adventists are called more than ever to point people to Jesus’ Second Coming.
Wim Altink, Netherlands Union President, sharing a short message with local residents - who appear delighted with the witnessing activities
