Adventist Health to celebrate Mission Week November 2-6
Next week, Adventist Health will celebrate Mission Week, an annual event to reconnect to its mission of “living God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope.”
Adventist Health recognizes Mission Week every year during the first week of November. This year’s theme celebrates one of the organization’s values, to “Be a Mission Owner.” Adventist Health is hosting live virtual events every day from November 2-6, and the public is invited to attend.
“This will be an amazing week with stories of hope and encouragement in the midst of a hard year,” says Japhet De Oliveira, administrative director for Adventist Health’s Office of Mission. “I am looking forward to the honest dialogue online and the strength we will gather from each other. The stories of Jesus are always transformative and transcend all.”
The events will feature keynote speaker Sam Leonor, administrative director of spiritual care for the Office of Mission. Leonor loves finding ways to engage culture deeply for the sake of the Gospel. Most of his ministry has been devoted to helping young adults bloom into a faith that is growing. Before arriving to Adventist Health, Leonor spent more than 20 years in college ministry as a chaplain to students and faculty of La Sierra University in Riverside, California.
The daily sessions will also feature compositions from musician and nurse Tad Worku. His songs incorporate strong Christian themes and elements of many different musical styles.
Leonor will focus on challenging reflections about the “Be a Mission Owner” theme each day from November 2 – 6. Community members may attend the online events by visiting adventisthealth.org/missionweek. Here is a schedule and more information:
- Monday: Mission Invites. Jesus invites everyone to join a mission. The results of those who see the vision of Jesus is instinctive, “at once” and “immediately” they follow. Adventist Health is part of the legacy of those first people who instinctively said “yes.”
Session 1: 8:15 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Session 2: 12:15 p.m. PST
Session 3: 11:30 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time and 1:30 p.m. PST - Tuesday: An Election Day Prayer. The Lord’s prayer, “Your kingdom come, your will be done,” says that this election is important, voting is important and rendering unto Caesar is important. But Christians are first and foremost citizens of the God’s kingdom, and their first mission is the kingdom’s values enacted in their hearts.
Session 1: 8:15 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Session 2: 12:15 p.m. PST
Session 3: 11:30 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time and 1:30 p.m. PST - Wednesday: Mission Includes. The first thing Jesus does when starting His mission is to assemble a team. Mission owners understand that they accomplish more together.
Session 1: 8:15 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Session 2: 12:15 p.m. PST
Session 3: 11:30 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time and 1:30 p.m. PST - Thursday: Mission Risks. Jesus’ invitation does not promise prosperity, wealth, health and safety. It also does not mention hardship and suffering. It does imply adventure, fulfillment and satisfaction.
Session 1: 8:15 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Session 2: 12:15 p.m. PST
Session 3: 11:30 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time and 1:30 p.m. PST - Friday: Mission Interrupts. Jesus invites his first followers while they were working, not the most convenient time. The invitation to join a mission comes in the middle of the workday, while associates are doing everyday tasks. Everything Adventist Health associates do is part of the mission.
Session 1: 8:15 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Session 2: 12:15 p.m. PST
Session 3: 11:30 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time and 1:30 p.m. PST
