19 Sep 2025, 14:25Pastor Wil Masih; Edited by SM CommunicationsAberdeen, Aberdeen City, Scotland, United Kingdom
North-East Churches Gather in Aberdeen for Regional Day of Fellowship
Seventh-day Adventist churches from across the North-East of Scotland gathered in Aberdeen on 13 September 2025 for a Regional Day of Fellowship, celebrating unity, worship, and community under the theme “Planted to Last: Rooted, Growing, Finishing Strong."
On Sabbath, 13 September 2025, Seventh-day Adventist churches from across the North-East of Scotland came together in Aberdeen for a long-awaited Regional Day of Fellowship under the theme “Planted to Last: Rooted, Growing, Finishing Strong.”
Families travelled from Aberdeen, Inverness, Elgin, Bucksburn, and even the smaller groups in Turriff and Strathdon, some journeying for hours to worship as one. From the opening hymn, led by a lively praise team with Joy Banda on keyboard and Bradley Bailey on bass guitar, the atmosphere was filled with joy, unity, and expectation.
Rooted in the Word
Guest speaker Pastor Fitzroy Morris urged the congregation to remain firmly grounded in Christ, likening faith to a tree that survives storms only through deep roots. “A strong prayer life is the foundation of our faith,” he said, calling members to examine whether their lives are rooted in Scripture or “shallow soil.”
Pastor Morris reminded everyone that Christ is not only the model but the sustainer of the Christian life. To be rooted in Him is not a passive posture but an active commitment to daily prayer, regular study, and unwavering trust in God who promised never to leave us. His message was both uplifting and unsettling in the best way as one member reflected afterward, “It left me both encouraged and challenged.”
Testimonies and Outreach
The morning programme included moving testimonies from members across the region, telling how God had intervened in their families, workplaces, and health. Each account echoed the day’s theme: when lives are planted in God, they produce lasting fruit.
Churches also shared video presentations of outreach projects in Aberdeen, Bucksburn, Inverness, and Elgin, showing members serving their communities by feeding the hungry, supporting young people, and building local connections. Together, the testimonies and presentations reminded all that faith is not limited to Sabbath worship but grows daily through acts of service.
Growing in Community
In the afternoon, a panel discussion led by Pastor Wil Masih, Patrick Ogangah, and Pastor Weiers Coetser explored how churches can engage more effectively with society. The panel emphasised that the gospel is not only about personal salvation but also about living as “salt and light” in the community, reminding attendees that the church is called to be a place of welcome, healing, and belonging. The session encouraged members to envision what it means to serve beyond church walls, bringing faith into the streets and homes of Scotland.
Finishing Strong
The theme of the day echoed throughout the programme, reminding all that the Christian journey is not about fleeting moments of zeal but about long-term faithfulness. Pastor Masih concluded, “Roots matter. Shallow faith cannot withstand life’s storms, but when we are grounded in Christ, nothing can shake us.”
Pastor Coetser added, “The Day of Fellowship brought a vibrant energy to the North-East. Crucial for members who can feel isolated in our spread-out region, this gathering fostered a renewed collective identity…sparked fresh perspectives and revitalised our mission within local communities.”
The success of the day has already inspired plans for next year’s Regional Day of Fellowship.
Seventh-day Adventist churches from across the North-East of Scotland gathered in Aberdeen on 13 September 2025 for a Regional Day of Fellowship, celebrating unity, worship, and community under the theme “Planted to Last: Rooted, Growing, Finishing Strong."
On Sabbath, 13 September 2025, Seventh-day Adventist churches from across the North-East of Scotland came together in Aberdeen for a long-awaited Regional Day of Fellowship under the theme “Planted to Last: Rooted, Growing, Finishing Strong.”
Families travelled from Aberdeen, Inverness, Elgin, Bucksburn, and even the smaller groups in Turriff and Strathdon, some journeying for hours to worship as one. From the opening hymn, led by a lively praise team with Joy Banda on keyboard and Bradley Bailey on bass guitar, the atmosphere was filled with joy, unity, and expectation.
Rooted in the Word
Guest speaker Pastor Fitzroy Morris urged the congregation to remain firmly grounded in Christ, likening faith to a tree that survives storms only through deep roots. “A strong prayer life is the foundation of our faith,” he said, calling members to examine whether their lives are rooted in Scripture or “shallow soil.”
Pastor Morris reminded everyone that Christ is not only the model but the sustainer of the Christian life. To be rooted in Him is not a passive posture but an active commitment to daily prayer, regular study, and unwavering trust in God who promised never to leave us. His message was both uplifting and unsettling in the best way as one member reflected afterward, “It left me both encouraged and challenged.”
Testimonies and Outreach
The morning programme included moving testimonies from members across the region, telling how God had intervened in their families, workplaces, and health. Each account echoed the day’s theme: when lives are planted in God, they produce lasting fruit.
Churches also shared video presentations of outreach projects in Aberdeen, Bucksburn, Inverness, and Elgin, showing members serving their communities by feeding the hungry, supporting young people, and building local connections. Together, the testimonies and presentations reminded all that faith is not limited to Sabbath worship but grows daily through acts of service.
Growing in Community
In the afternoon, a panel discussion led by Pastor Wil Masih, Patrick Ogangah, and Pastor Weiers Coetser explored how churches can engage more effectively with society. The panel emphasised that the gospel is not only about personal salvation but also about living as “salt and light” in the community, reminding attendees that the church is called to be a place of welcome, healing, and belonging. The session encouraged members to envision what it means to serve beyond church walls, bringing faith into the streets and homes of Scotland.
Finishing Strong
The theme of the day echoed throughout the programme, reminding all that the Christian journey is not about fleeting moments of zeal but about long-term faithfulness. Pastor Masih concluded, “Roots matter. Shallow faith cannot withstand life’s storms, but when we are grounded in Christ, nothing can shake us.”
Pastor Coetser added, “The Day of Fellowship brought a vibrant energy to the North-East. Crucial for members who can feel isolated in our spread-out region, this gathering fostered a renewed collective identity…sparked fresh perspectives and revitalised our mission within local communities.”
The success of the day has already inspired plans for next year’s Regional Day of Fellowship.
