29 Aug 2026, 08:14SEC CommunicationsBracknell, Bracknell Forest, England, United Kingdom
SEC Camp Meeting 2026 Day 3: Called to Reflect the Character of Christ
Day three of the South England Conference (SEC) Camp Meeting 2026 continued on Friday, 28 August at Newbold College, with messages throughout the day challenging members to allow faith to move beyond knowledge into transformed lives marked by love, truth and service.
During Morning Renewal, Dr Marleena Debrough, Pastor of Willow Grove Seventh-day Adventist Church in Pennsylvania and Director of Women’s Ministries and Prayer Ministries for the Allegheny East Conference, focused on spiritual renewal and transformation. Building on her illustration of cell regeneration, she encouraged members to experience a daily renewal that would enable them to reflect God’s character and become a positive influence in their communities.
In her message, ‘God, I Want a Character Like Yours’, Debrough drew from 1 John 4 to argue that Christian witness requires more than knowledge of God; it requires transformation into His character of love. Citing the saying “A sermon lived is the best sermon heard,” Debrough stressed that the world needs to see Jesus reflected in His people. Her challenge was direct: “If you take my name, then take my character.”
The Morning Renewal session concluded with a striking altar call, as members gathered at the front of the auditorium to bring their prayer requests before God. Three large glass containers filled with water had been placed across the front of the stage, and members were invited to write their prayer requests on dissolvable paper before placing them into the water. As the paper dissolved, Debrough prayed with those gathered, creating a visual expression of surrender and reinforcing her call for personal transformation.
The afternoon turned to Scripture, with Dr Daniel K. Bediako, Associate Director of the Biblical Research Institute at the General Conference, presenting a seminar on reading Genesis 1. Bediako described the opening chapters of Genesis as foundational to the rest of Scripture and defended the creation account as a literal narrative, arguing that its linguistic structure and the wider biblical witness support a six-day creation.
The day’s practical workshops were brought together during an afternoon panel discussion hosted by SEC Executive Secretary Pastor Nathan Stickland, where workshop presenters reflected on areas including digital media, personal evangelism and health ministry as practical avenues for mission.
As Friday evening moved into the Sabbath hours, the Camp Meeting gathered for its traditional Communion service. Pastor John Bradshaw, President of It Is Written, delivered the message, turning the focus to Christlike service. Drawing from the disciples’ argument over who would be greatest, Bradshaw contrasted their concern for position with Jesus’ declaration: “I am among you as he that serves.”
Bradshaw challenged members to reconsider the importance placed on titles and positions within church life. Pointing to Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, he argued that genuine leadership is demonstrated through service rather than status. “I don’t care about the title. I don’t care about the position. I care about serving,” he said.
He illustrated the message with the story of his father, who abandoned his lead in a swimming race after noticing another competitor drowning behind him. Turning back cost him the race, but enabled him to rescue the swimmer. For Bradshaw, the lesson was simple: “When you see someone in distress, you serve.”
The message led naturally into Communion, led by SEC President Pastor Kwesi Moore, as members reflected on Jesus as the ultimate example of sacrificial service. Bradshaw closed his message with a challenge that brought Friday’s emphasis on transformation, witness and service together: “We will not strive about who is the greatest. We will just serve.” He added that if enough believers embraced that principle, “our church and our communities will never be the same.”
Day three of the South England Conference (SEC) Camp Meeting 2026 continued on Friday, 28 August at Newbold College, with messages throughout the day challenging members to allow faith to move beyond knowledge into transformed lives marked by love, truth and service.
During Morning Renewal, Dr Marleena Debrough, Pastor of Willow Grove Seventh-day Adventist Church in Pennsylvania and Director of Women’s Ministries and Prayer Ministries for the Allegheny East Conference, focused on spiritual renewal and transformation. Building on her illustration of cell regeneration, she encouraged members to experience a daily renewal that would enable them to reflect God’s character and become a positive influence in their communities.
In her message, ‘God, I Want a Character Like Yours’, Debrough drew from 1 John 4 to argue that Christian witness requires more than knowledge of God; it requires transformation into His character of love. Citing the saying “A sermon lived is the best sermon heard,” Debrough stressed that the world needs to see Jesus reflected in His people. Her challenge was direct: “If you take my name, then take my character.”
The Morning Renewal session concluded with a striking altar call, as members gathered at the front of the auditorium to bring their prayer requests before God. Three large glass containers filled with water had been placed across the front of the stage, and members were invited to write their prayer requests on dissolvable paper before placing them into the water. As the paper dissolved, Debrough prayed with those gathered, creating a visual expression of surrender and reinforcing her call for personal transformation.
The afternoon turned to Scripture, with Dr Daniel K. Bediako, Associate Director of the Biblical Research Institute at the General Conference, presenting a seminar on reading Genesis 1. Bediako described the opening chapters of Genesis as foundational to the rest of Scripture and defended the creation account as a literal narrative, arguing that its linguistic structure and the wider biblical witness support a six-day creation.
The day’s practical workshops were brought together during an afternoon panel discussion hosted by SEC Executive Secretary Pastor Nathan Stickland, where workshop presenters reflected on areas including digital media, personal evangelism and health ministry as practical avenues for mission.
As Friday evening moved into the Sabbath hours, the Camp Meeting gathered for its traditional Communion service. Pastor John Bradshaw, President of It Is Written, delivered the message, turning the focus to Christlike service. Drawing from the disciples’ argument over who would be greatest, Bradshaw contrasted their concern for position with Jesus’ declaration: “I am among you as he that serves.”
Bradshaw challenged members to reconsider the importance placed on titles and positions within church life. Pointing to Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, he argued that genuine leadership is demonstrated through service rather than status. “I don’t care about the title. I don’t care about the position. I care about serving,” he said.
He illustrated the message with the story of his father, who abandoned his lead in a swimming race after noticing another competitor drowning behind him. Turning back cost him the race, but enabled him to rescue the swimmer. For Bradshaw, the lesson was simple: “When you see someone in distress, you serve.”
The message led naturally into Communion, led by SEC President Pastor Kwesi Moore, as members reflected on Jesus as the ultimate example of sacrificial service. Bradshaw closed his message with a challenge that brought Friday’s emphasis on transformation, witness and service together: “We will not strive about who is the greatest. We will just serve.” He added that if enough believers embraced that principle, “our church and our communities will never be the same.”
