24 Oct 2024, 00:45SM CommunicationsVine Conference Centre
Scottish Mission Day of Fellowship Draws Nearly 600 Attendees
A day of inspiration, worship, and connection themed 'Power Up Your Purpose'.
The Day of Fellowship continues to be one of the most eagerly anticipated events for the Scottish Mission. Last Saturday, nearly 600 attendees gathered at the Vine Conference Centre in Dunfermline for a day filled with spiritual inspiration, worship, and connection.
This year's Sabbath School programme took a fresh approach, featuring three short talks from individuals of diverse backgrounds, each sharing their unique faith journeys.
Kudakwashe (Kuda) Damba, a health and wellness businesswoman featured in the book "Women Who Win", shared her powerful story of survival. From the very beginning, Kuda’s life was filled with uncertainty, as doctors doubted whether both she and her mother would survive. Battling two chronic illnesses, she didn’t think she was going to live past 18. Now, at 40, she spoke about how trusting in God has enabled her to overcome challenges and become a source of inspiration for others. Her message was that no matter your ailments or hardships, God can use you in powerful ways if you surrender to His will.
Prascovia Cravtova from Moldova gave a moving account of her faith journey. Raised in a society that restricted religious freedom, Prascovia shared how her grandmother quietly nurtured her faith by taking her to church. Despite challenges, including her father confiscating her Bible, Prascovia found her way to faith and the Adventist Church through a series of “coincidences” she believes were God's guidance. She encouraged young people to study the Bible and hold onto their faith, even in difficult circumstances.
Professor John Walton from St. Andrews University shared his testimony of integrating faith with science. He spoke about his research into Earth's history, revealing how scientific discoveries align with and support the teachings of the Bible and how this has strengthened his faith.
The Sabbath School programme concluded with a stirring rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’ on the bagpipes by Nigel Kellett, a nod to Scotland's cultural heritage, drawing an enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Pastor Kirk Thomas, President of the South England Conference, was the keynote speaker for this year’s event. His insightful message, titled ‘Power Up Your Purpose,’ called for “persistent Christians” – those who are persistent in their faith and witness, helping others know Jesus Christ. “Persistence is fuelled by passion, passion is fuelled by purpose, and purpose is fuelled by having the right perspective in life,” he stated, illustrating the concept of perspective with the following observations: “We have more conveniences and less time, more degrees and less common sense, bigger houses and smaller families, bigger highways and narrower mindsets; we buy more and enjoy less, we spend more and have less.” He concluded with a compelling reminder that, “If we get our perspective right, we will get our purpose right; and if we get our purpose right, we get our passion right. Then we will be persistent in whatever we do.”
The day was enriched by a variety of musical contributions from across the Scottish Mission, featuring a youth orchestra from Crieff, a children's choir from Glasgow, a women’s choir, and numerous other artists showcasing the incredible and diverse talent within the Mission.
The afternoon programme was also dedicated to strengthening connections between the Scottish Mission and church-related institutions.
Sandra Golding, CEO of ADRA-UK, delivered an inspiring report on the remarkable initiatives undertaken by ADRA. She highlighted the organisation’s impactful work in various communities, emphasising its commitment to alleviating poverty and providing essential support to those in need. Golding urged attendees to consider ADRA as their charity of choice, encouraging them to get involved and support its vital mission.
Lubi Mueller, Head of Marketing and Communications at Newbold College, offered an overview of the study opportunities available at the institution, with a special focus on the Year-in-Mission programme. To illustrate the impact of this initiative, she invited Nobuntu Ndlovu, a young member of the Scottish Mission, to share her personal experiences within the programme. Nobuntu spoke about her time at the college and her placement in Serbia, highlighting how the experience fostered significant personal growth and deepened her understanding of mission work and different cultures. She emphasised the lasting bonds formed through the programme, remarking, “Some participants leave with lifelong friends, while others leave with even more,” hinting at the potential for romantic connections that can blossom during such experiences.
For many attendees, the highlight of the event was the opportunity to connect with one another and experience the presence of God. Several participants expressed their appreciation for the inspiring content of the day, particularly the variety of personal testimonies and musical performances. These gatherings beautifully showcase the church’s cultural diversity and collective strength, highlighting how different backgrounds can come together to create a vibrant and unified community of faith.
The next Day of Fellowship is set to take place on September 20, 2025. We hope to see you there!
_________________
Women Who Win can be purchased on here.
For more information about J Walton's books, please visit https://waltonjcbooks.com/
A day of inspiration, worship, and connection themed 'Power Up Your Purpose'.
The Day of Fellowship continues to be one of the most eagerly anticipated events for the Scottish Mission. Last Saturday, nearly 600 attendees gathered at the Vine Conference Centre in Dunfermline for a day filled with spiritual inspiration, worship, and connection.
This year's Sabbath School programme took a fresh approach, featuring three short talks from individuals of diverse backgrounds, each sharing their unique faith journeys.
Kudakwashe (Kuda) Damba, a health and wellness businesswoman featured in the book "Women Who Win", shared her powerful story of survival. From the very beginning, Kuda’s life was filled with uncertainty, as doctors doubted whether both she and her mother would survive. Battling two chronic illnesses, she didn’t think she was going to live past 18. Now, at 40, she spoke about how trusting in God has enabled her to overcome challenges and become a source of inspiration for others. Her message was that no matter your ailments or hardships, God can use you in powerful ways if you surrender to His will.
Prascovia Cravtova from Moldova gave a moving account of her faith journey. Raised in a society that restricted religious freedom, Prascovia shared how her grandmother quietly nurtured her faith by taking her to church. Despite challenges, including her father confiscating her Bible, Prascovia found her way to faith and the Adventist Church through a series of “coincidences” she believes were God's guidance. She encouraged young people to study the Bible and hold onto their faith, even in difficult circumstances.
Professor John Walton from St. Andrews University shared his testimony of integrating faith with science. He spoke about his research into Earth's history, revealing how scientific discoveries align with and support the teachings of the Bible and how this has strengthened his faith.
The Sabbath School programme concluded with a stirring rendition of ‘Amazing Grace’ on the bagpipes by Nigel Kellett, a nod to Scotland's cultural heritage, drawing an enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Pastor Kirk Thomas, President of the South England Conference, was the keynote speaker for this year’s event. His insightful message, titled ‘Power Up Your Purpose,’ called for “persistent Christians” – those who are persistent in their faith and witness, helping others know Jesus Christ. “Persistence is fuelled by passion, passion is fuelled by purpose, and purpose is fuelled by having the right perspective in life,” he stated, illustrating the concept of perspective with the following observations: “We have more conveniences and less time, more degrees and less common sense, bigger houses and smaller families, bigger highways and narrower mindsets; we buy more and enjoy less, we spend more and have less.” He concluded with a compelling reminder that, “If we get our perspective right, we will get our purpose right; and if we get our purpose right, we get our passion right. Then we will be persistent in whatever we do.”
The day was enriched by a variety of musical contributions from across the Scottish Mission, featuring a youth orchestra from Crieff, a children's choir from Glasgow, a women’s choir, and numerous other artists showcasing the incredible and diverse talent within the Mission.
The afternoon programme was also dedicated to strengthening connections between the Scottish Mission and church-related institutions.
Sandra Golding, CEO of ADRA-UK, delivered an inspiring report on the remarkable initiatives undertaken by ADRA. She highlighted the organisation’s impactful work in various communities, emphasising its commitment to alleviating poverty and providing essential support to those in need. Golding urged attendees to consider ADRA as their charity of choice, encouraging them to get involved and support its vital mission.
Lubi Mueller, Head of Marketing and Communications at Newbold College, offered an overview of the study opportunities available at the institution, with a special focus on the Year-in-Mission programme. To illustrate the impact of this initiative, she invited Nobuntu Ndlovu, a young member of the Scottish Mission, to share her personal experiences within the programme. Nobuntu spoke about her time at the college and her placement in Serbia, highlighting how the experience fostered significant personal growth and deepened her understanding of mission work and different cultures. She emphasised the lasting bonds formed through the programme, remarking, “Some participants leave with lifelong friends, while others leave with even more,” hinting at the potential for romantic connections that can blossom during such experiences.
For many attendees, the highlight of the event was the opportunity to connect with one another and experience the presence of God. Several participants expressed their appreciation for the inspiring content of the day, particularly the variety of personal testimonies and musical performances. These gatherings beautifully showcase the church’s cultural diversity and collective strength, highlighting how different backgrounds can come together to create a vibrant and unified community of faith.
The next Day of Fellowship is set to take place on September 20, 2025. We hope to see you there!
_________________
Women Who Win can be purchased on here.
For more information about J Walton's books, please visit https://waltonjcbooks.com/
