3 Apr 2025, 11:09Careen LawrenceChatham, Medway, England, United Kingdom
Chatham SDA: Chosen for Mission
Matthew 28:19 (KJV) – “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
On Sabbath 29th March 2025, Chatham SDA had their Personal Ministries Day, to which they invited Pastor Kwadwo Kwarteng-Ampofo, Personal Ministries Director, to speak. The day began with Sis Simone Stanislaus-Ellis, Chatham’s Personal Ministry Department Lead, leading in Sabbath School with the theme for the day being “Reflection”.
During Sabbath School, congregants were encouraged to write their favourite verse on a bookmark which they were to give to someone whom they have been praying for. In pairs, they were then asked to discuss a particular female character centred around a verse about the character, using prompts from the Star of Self-Awareness to guide their discussion. The aim of the discussion was to allow individuals to reflect on things such as the strength of the character they received and how they handled adversities and failures. Through this reflective exercise, individuals were then able to apply to their lives the lessons they took from it.
The sermon then delivered by Pastor Kwadwo, titled ‘Chosen for Mission: 160 Years of Adventism’, directed congregants to reflect on the mission of the church. We were reminded that ‘Chosen for Mission’ is both “a reminder and an invitation for us to delve deeper into the biblical, theological and Ellen G. White’s perspectives that have shaped our unique identity”.
We were led to understand that God has shaped each of us individually into vessels to be used by Him. Additionally, it was noted that we are not only being shaped individually, but God is also moulding and shaping the church. While we are individually chosen for mission, we are also, together as a church, chosen for a mission. Pastor Kwadwo reminded us that without a mission for the church, we become a social entity.
If you were unsure of your history, how do you think that would shape your identity and your purpose? This is the same when we are unaware of our church history. Pastor Kwadwo informed us that a lack of understanding of our church’s history will cause us to slip into what is known as maintenance mentality. Maintenance mentality leaves a church keeping up with status quo, preserving traditions, and forgetting about the main task at hand—reaching the lost.
Pastor Kwadwo reminded us of those in the Bible who were chosen for mission during their era. Prior to Jesus coming to complete His mission, there was Abraham, Moses, and the prophets, each with a variation of the same mission: leading God’s people to the Promised Land. Jesus’ mission was an extension of leading God’s people to the Promised Land, but also saving us from our sins and leaving us with the task to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
As Adventists, Pastor Kwadwo reminded us, we are called to share the good news of salvation. In order for us to share the good news, we must keep at the forefront of our memory that God will be there for us through it all. Therefore, when God tells us to go, we must go, for wherever He sends us, He will be with us.
Pastor Kwadwo shared with us that the sanctuary message, the three angels’ messages, and our understanding of the great controversy all come together to define our purpose and mission. Through it all, we must have a love for Christ. It is this love for Him which will lead us to sharing His good news.
From Pastor Kwadwo’s message, we were encouraged to be driven by the knowledge that we’ve been chosen to continue to proclaim the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We must also remember Isaiah’s words, “Here am I. Send me!” It is important that we remember our calling doesn’t require that we sit around and be comfortable in the building. As messengers of God’s love, we need to be bold, and go when God tells us to go.
In closing, Pastor Kwadwo reminded us that the torch we carry must be passed on. If we are unable to pass the torch on, the mission will not be continued. We must press on, as the race is not finished. What happens to the torch is up to each of us—as the torch is in our hands.
Matthew 28:19 (KJV) – “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
On Sabbath 29th March 2025, Chatham SDA had their Personal Ministries Day, to which they invited Pastor Kwadwo Kwarteng-Ampofo, Personal Ministries Director, to speak. The day began with Sis Simone Stanislaus-Ellis, Chatham’s Personal Ministry Department Lead, leading in Sabbath School with the theme for the day being “Reflection”.
During Sabbath School, congregants were encouraged to write their favourite verse on a bookmark which they were to give to someone whom they have been praying for. In pairs, they were then asked to discuss a particular female character centred around a verse about the character, using prompts from the Star of Self-Awareness to guide their discussion. The aim of the discussion was to allow individuals to reflect on things such as the strength of the character they received and how they handled adversities and failures. Through this reflective exercise, individuals were then able to apply to their lives the lessons they took from it.
The sermon then delivered by Pastor Kwadwo, titled ‘Chosen for Mission: 160 Years of Adventism’, directed congregants to reflect on the mission of the church. We were reminded that ‘Chosen for Mission’ is both “a reminder and an invitation for us to delve deeper into the biblical, theological and Ellen G. White’s perspectives that have shaped our unique identity”.
We were led to understand that God has shaped each of us individually into vessels to be used by Him. Additionally, it was noted that we are not only being shaped individually, but God is also moulding and shaping the church. While we are individually chosen for mission, we are also, together as a church, chosen for a mission. Pastor Kwadwo reminded us that without a mission for the church, we become a social entity.
If you were unsure of your history, how do you think that would shape your identity and your purpose? This is the same when we are unaware of our church history. Pastor Kwadwo informed us that a lack of understanding of our church’s history will cause us to slip into what is known as maintenance mentality. Maintenance mentality leaves a church keeping up with status quo, preserving traditions, and forgetting about the main task at hand—reaching the lost.
Pastor Kwadwo reminded us of those in the Bible who were chosen for mission during their era. Prior to Jesus coming to complete His mission, there was Abraham, Moses, and the prophets, each with a variation of the same mission: leading God’s people to the Promised Land. Jesus’ mission was an extension of leading God’s people to the Promised Land, but also saving us from our sins and leaving us with the task to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
As Adventists, Pastor Kwadwo reminded us, we are called to share the good news of salvation. In order for us to share the good news, we must keep at the forefront of our memory that God will be there for us through it all. Therefore, when God tells us to go, we must go, for wherever He sends us, He will be with us.
Pastor Kwadwo shared with us that the sanctuary message, the three angels’ messages, and our understanding of the great controversy all come together to define our purpose and mission. Through it all, we must have a love for Christ. It is this love for Him which will lead us to sharing His good news.
From Pastor Kwadwo’s message, we were encouraged to be driven by the knowledge that we’ve been chosen to continue to proclaim the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We must also remember Isaiah’s words, “Here am I. Send me!” It is important that we remember our calling doesn’t require that we sit around and be comfortable in the building. As messengers of God’s love, we need to be bold, and go when God tells us to go.
In closing, Pastor Kwadwo reminded us that the torch we carry must be passed on. If we are unable to pass the torch on, the mission will not be continued. We must press on, as the race is not finished. What happens to the torch is up to each of us—as the torch is in our hands.
