You can find the Video message here: www.youtube.com/watch
Although violence affects everyone, women, children, and the elderly seem to bear the brunt of nonfatal physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.
This year’s enditnow emphasis day gains even more relevance. During the COVID19 lockdown an increase in domestic violence has been observed. More have been affected under these circumstances. We will encounter more persons who have been hurt and suffer of various health related issues that are accompanied by abuse and violence.
Consider the rates of various types of abuse:
Women report higher rates of lifetime exposure to rape, physical violence, and stalking than do men.
Abuse has many facets. It can be physical, sexual, emotional and verbal. Unfortunately this is a concern not only outside the church, but also inside.
Do we see the one who are hurting? How do we as a church react to this? What do you do in your local church? I am glad that this year again GC women’s ministries provides a very valuable package with excellent material that gives help to the local churches. It is helpful in dealing and becoming familiar with the topic.
This year the sermon is also available as a video: www.youtube.com/watch
In addition to two seminars, the package includes a valuable, informative brochure on the dynamics of domestic violence.
We as a church are much concerned about health, which is so good, but we are also called to apply our perspective to the huge problem of violence and do all we can to end it now.
In Luke 4, 18 Jesus proclaims his mission:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed."
Anyone who suffers from violence is oppressed, and anyone who suffers abuse is imprisoned. Let us follow in Jesus’ steps and take up the cause of helping to liberate the oppressed. We can’t watch and be silent.
We must end it now!
You can find the enditnow emphasis day material package on our website: women.eud.adventist.org/index.php