8 Apr 2026, 14:52Blandine DamtseCampbeltown, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, United Kingdom
Adventist Outreach Reaches Campbeltown for the First Time
Interview with Adina Lupu
The Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir brought a first-ever Seventh-day Adventist outreach to Campbeltown, combining music, mission, and community fundraising.
Campbeltown, once renowned as a bustling fishing port and centre of whisky distilling, lies on the Kintyre Peninsula, approximately 137 miles from Glasgow. With a population of around 4,500, the town is home to Elder Adina Lupu, who regularly undertakes a journey of more than four hours each way by bus to attend the Glasgow Seventh-day Adventist Church—the nearest congregation to her home.
On 21 March, the Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir (GAGC) visited Campbeltown to host a gospel music concert—the first Adventist outreach event of its kind in the town and across the Kintyre Peninsula. The initiative was organised in partnership with the local Church of Scotland and the Kintyre Beatson Fundraising Committee, with additional support from local volunteers who contributed to various aspects of the event.
What inspired the concert in Campbeltown?
About five years ago, I began to dream of witnessing a public gathering in my town similar to those in the early years of the Advent Movement—where people passionate about their faith would share it openly in public spaces.
Fast forward to a year ago, I felt a deep desire to bring the Gospel Choir to Campbeltown for a concert. I often expressed this in prayer, asking God where the event should take place and who in the community might be willing to help.
Around that time, I heard about a dedicated individual in Campbeltown who is passionate about fundraising for Beatson Cancer Charity. I felt inspired to connect with him and suggest organising a concert. In January, I met David, Chairman of the Kintyre Beatson Fundraising Committee, and following our meeting, everything quickly began to fall into place.
From receiving permission to use the Church of Scotland as the venue, to the creation of promotional posters, to widespread advertising across the town—including in the local newspaper—and the support of volunteers right up to the day of the event, every detail came together seamlessly.
What did the concert represent to you as a local resident and organiser?
Having the opportunity to witness alongside the choir in my local community was the fulfilment of a five-year-long desire to see members of the Advent Movement publicly share their faith. I imagine it must have felt similar for the early pioneers who shared their beliefs through church and tent meetings.
The event reaffirmed that God can still open doors for meaningful mission, even in rural and remote areas, and that He is willing to use those who dedicate their time, gifts, and hearts to His service.
It also highlighted an important reality: cancer patients in rural areas often have to travel over four hours one way to Glasgow for treatment. This makes an already difficult situation even more challenging. Supporting this cause through fundraising has been a privilege, as the funds help ease, even in a small way, the suffering of those affected. The true impact of cancer is difficult to grasp until you witness someone close endure it.
On a personal note, this concert was also a tribute to my mother, who was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and who passed away six months ago from cancer. Supporting Beatson Cancer Charity has become even more meaningful to me since her passing.
Was this the first Seventh-day Adventist outreach in the area?
I have lived in Campbeltown for almost 17 years, and to my knowledge, there has been no previous Adventist outreach during that time. So yes, I would say this is the first such mission in Campbeltown and the wider Kintyre Peninsula in at least the past 17 years.
What was the attendance and response from the community?
I received many positive messages from those who attended. People shared how uplifting they found the music and how deeply the concert impacted them. Many expressed a desire for the choir to return.
They also highlighted the professionalism of our Choir Director, Maestro Samuel, and the overall quality of the performance. Some said, “I’ve never heard anything like it before,” while others shared, “Even days later, I keep thinking about it—I enjoyed it so much.”
Seeing how meaningful the event was has motivated us to consider returning to Campbeltown next year.
What feedback did the Beatson representatives share?
Members of the Kintyre Beatson Fundraising Committee expressed their gratitude to the choir for travelling such a long distance to support the event. They also appreciated the financial contribution made by the church towards travel and other costs.
They were deeply moved by the choir’s dedication to supporting Beatson Cancer Charity. Campbeltown is a community that actively supports many charitable causes, and once again, the local response was significant. The concert raised just over £700 for the charity’s important work.
Looking back, what were the key highlights?
For me, this experience has been another deeply meaningful and faith-strengthening journey with God. There were countless prayers for wisdom, direction, open doors, and divine intervention for this event to come together.
From an incidental conversation in a Glasgow office a year ago—when I first heard about David—to eventually meeting him, to the generous support of the Church of Scotland in providing the venue, to the volunteers who helped organise the day, and even the sunny weather and smooth travel for the choir—every detail fell into place like a perfectly assembled puzzle.
I truly believe this was guided by God. While I may have played a role in organising it, the concert ultimately belongs to Him.
During the event itself, the level of audience engagement stood out. Many actively participated throughout. A particular highlight was the performance of Siyahamba, introduced by Maestro Samuel, who spoke about a journey toward a place free from war, tears, and suffering.
He encouraged those present to follow Jesus, walk in the light, and hold onto the hope of eternal life. His message resonated deeply, offering a powerful reminder in a world marked by uncertainty and conflict.
Are there plans for similar events in the future?
The Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir is dedicated to serving God through outreach, supporting both spiritual and practical needs within communities—especially those affected by cancer.
Under God’s guidance, I trust that He will lead us to future opportunities to serve. We look forward with anticipation and excitement, eager to experience more of His faithfulness in the land of the living.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Following the interview, Pastor Claudiu Popescu, founder of the Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir and pastor of the Glasgow Seventh-day Adventist Church, reflected:
“Seeing the Campbeltown community come together—lifting their voices in praise and opening their hearts in generosity—was a true testament to God’s love in action. Gospel music, at its heart, is a message of hope, endurance, and love. Born out of trials, it has the power to uplift the human spirit.
It brought something truly unique to the community, uniting people from different backgrounds in a shared and joyful experience. Even those who had never stepped into a church came, listened, and gave generously to support Beatson.
It was a powerful reminder that the church is not just a building, but a living body of Christ—called to serve the wider community and shine as a ‘lampstand of grace.’”
The choir, which conducts regular outreach concerts across Scotland, is exploring further collaboration with the Church of Scotland, including a potential charitable concert later this summer. In the meantime, the GAGC is scheduled to minister at Barlinnie Prison in May.
The Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir brought a first-ever Seventh-day Adventist outreach to Campbeltown, combining music, mission, and community fundraising.
Campbeltown, once renowned as a bustling fishing port and centre of whisky distilling, lies on the Kintyre Peninsula, approximately 137 miles from Glasgow. With a population of around 4,500, the town is home to Elder Adina Lupu, who regularly undertakes a journey of more than four hours each way by bus to attend the Glasgow Seventh-day Adventist Church—the nearest congregation to her home.
On 21 March, the Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir (GAGC) visited Campbeltown to host a gospel music concert—the first Adventist outreach event of its kind in the town and across the Kintyre Peninsula. The initiative was organised in partnership with the local Church of Scotland and the Kintyre Beatson Fundraising Committee, with additional support from local volunteers who contributed to various aspects of the event.
What inspired the concert in Campbeltown?
About five years ago, I began to dream of witnessing a public gathering in my town similar to those in the early years of the Advent Movement—where people passionate about their faith would share it openly in public spaces.
Fast forward to a year ago, I felt a deep desire to bring the Gospel Choir to Campbeltown for a concert. I often expressed this in prayer, asking God where the event should take place and who in the community might be willing to help.
Around that time, I heard about a dedicated individual in Campbeltown who is passionate about fundraising for Beatson Cancer Charity. I felt inspired to connect with him and suggest organising a concert. In January, I met David, Chairman of the Kintyre Beatson Fundraising Committee, and following our meeting, everything quickly began to fall into place.
From receiving permission to use the Church of Scotland as the venue, to the creation of promotional posters, to widespread advertising across the town—including in the local newspaper—and the support of volunteers right up to the day of the event, every detail came together seamlessly.
What did the concert represent to you as a local resident and organiser?
Having the opportunity to witness alongside the choir in my local community was the fulfilment of a five-year-long desire to see members of the Advent Movement publicly share their faith. I imagine it must have felt similar for the early pioneers who shared their beliefs through church and tent meetings.
The event reaffirmed that God can still open doors for meaningful mission, even in rural and remote areas, and that He is willing to use those who dedicate their time, gifts, and hearts to His service.
It also highlighted an important reality: cancer patients in rural areas often have to travel over four hours one way to Glasgow for treatment. This makes an already difficult situation even more challenging. Supporting this cause through fundraising has been a privilege, as the funds help ease, even in a small way, the suffering of those affected. The true impact of cancer is difficult to grasp until you witness someone close endure it.
On a personal note, this concert was also a tribute to my mother, who was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and who passed away six months ago from cancer. Supporting Beatson Cancer Charity has become even more meaningful to me since her passing.
Was this the first Seventh-day Adventist outreach in the area?
I have lived in Campbeltown for almost 17 years, and to my knowledge, there has been no previous Adventist outreach during that time. So yes, I would say this is the first such mission in Campbeltown and the wider Kintyre Peninsula in at least the past 17 years.
What was the attendance and response from the community?
I received many positive messages from those who attended. People shared how uplifting they found the music and how deeply the concert impacted them. Many expressed a desire for the choir to return.
They also highlighted the professionalism of our Choir Director, Maestro Samuel, and the overall quality of the performance. Some said, “I’ve never heard anything like it before,” while others shared, “Even days later, I keep thinking about it—I enjoyed it so much.”
Seeing how meaningful the event was has motivated us to consider returning to Campbeltown next year.
What feedback did the Beatson representatives share?
Members of the Kintyre Beatson Fundraising Committee expressed their gratitude to the choir for travelling such a long distance to support the event. They also appreciated the financial contribution made by the church towards travel and other costs.
They were deeply moved by the choir’s dedication to supporting Beatson Cancer Charity. Campbeltown is a community that actively supports many charitable causes, and once again, the local response was significant. The concert raised just over £700 for the charity’s important work.
Looking back, what were the key highlights?
For me, this experience has been another deeply meaningful and faith-strengthening journey with God. There were countless prayers for wisdom, direction, open doors, and divine intervention for this event to come together.
From an incidental conversation in a Glasgow office a year ago—when I first heard about David—to eventually meeting him, to the generous support of the Church of Scotland in providing the venue, to the volunteers who helped organise the day, and even the sunny weather and smooth travel for the choir—every detail fell into place like a perfectly assembled puzzle.
I truly believe this was guided by God. While I may have played a role in organising it, the concert ultimately belongs to Him.
During the event itself, the level of audience engagement stood out. Many actively participated throughout. A particular highlight was the performance of Siyahamba, introduced by Maestro Samuel, who spoke about a journey toward a place free from war, tears, and suffering.
He encouraged those present to follow Jesus, walk in the light, and hold onto the hope of eternal life. His message resonated deeply, offering a powerful reminder in a world marked by uncertainty and conflict.
Are there plans for similar events in the future?
The Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir is dedicated to serving God through outreach, supporting both spiritual and practical needs within communities—especially those affected by cancer.
Under God’s guidance, I trust that He will lead us to future opportunities to serve. We look forward with anticipation and excitement, eager to experience more of His faithfulness in the land of the living.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Following the interview, Pastor Claudiu Popescu, founder of the Glasgow Adventist Gospel Choir and pastor of the Glasgow Seventh-day Adventist Church, reflected:
“Seeing the Campbeltown community come together—lifting their voices in praise and opening their hearts in generosity—was a true testament to God’s love in action. Gospel music, at its heart, is a message of hope, endurance, and love. Born out of trials, it has the power to uplift the human spirit.
It brought something truly unique to the community, uniting people from different backgrounds in a shared and joyful experience. Even those who had never stepped into a church came, listened, and gave generously to support Beatson.
It was a powerful reminder that the church is not just a building, but a living body of Christ—called to serve the wider community and shine as a ‘lampstand of grace.’”
The choir, which conducts regular outreach concerts across Scotland, is exploring further collaboration with the Church of Scotland, including a potential charitable concert later this summer. In the meantime, the GAGC is scheduled to minister at Barlinnie Prison in May.
