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Interview with the President of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church

A conversation about Italy, Rome, Mission, debt crisis and poverty.

Interview with the President of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Andreas Mazza (left), EUD News Editor, with Ted Wilson (right), President of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. (credit: Ester Fiorito)

Rome, Italy.Andreas Mazza, EUD NEWS.

Andreas Mazza: Mr President, have you already visited Italy and what do you like about Italy?

Ted Wilson:     Well Andy, it has been a privilege to be in Italy several times in the past. Actually, the first time I came was when I was 6 years old. In 1956, I had to leave Egypt where I was living with my mother and my sister because of instability, and Italy welcomed us.

It was a privilege to be here. Italy is one of those very expressive places in the world, with beautiful Weather, wonderful settings and good food. I love Mediterranean food and the wonderful olive Oil that Italy produces, It also has many wonderful people, so God has blessed Italy in so many ways and he will continue to bless this country as people turn to the true worship of God. 

Andreas Mazza: President Wilson, the writings of our Church Co-founder Ellen White tell us very clearly what we need to do for the large cities. Which is in your opinion the best way to spread the gospel in a widely secularized Rome? How can we win the hearts of Rome citizens for Christ?

Ted Wilson: One of the best ways we are told to reach the big cities in the world is to use medical missionary work or as we call it today, comprehensive health ministry, reaching out and touching the life of people, friends, acquaintances, neighbors and those who have special needs in their life. 

When you are able to share with someone how to live healthier, how to enjoy the beauties that God has given to us in a simple healthful living, people appreciate it. They are grateful. When you can share with someone about something that truly will give them better physical health, they want to know also something about spiritual health. 

Thus, one of the best ways is to use health outreach and community services to help people with special needs, to help families, to help young people who are trying to find their way in life, always trying to find the best way as Jesus did to help people physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. 

So I think God has given us a very good formula to reach some of the great cities 

Andreas Mazza:  Mr. President, Although Italy remains one of the richest countries in the world, recent surveys indicate that one out of three italians are on the threshold of poverty. Debt is oppressing many Italian (and European) citizens.What message would you like to send to the many people (Adventists included) oppressed by debt and poverty?    

Ted Wilson: Well, the Lord doesn’t want us to be in debt, he wants us to live a simple and humble life, free from debt. There many things that the Seventh-day Adventist church can do to touch the personal  life of people, helping them to know how to make a correct budget, how to save money in certain areas, how not to needlessly use money when you could do something in an economical way. Unfortunately some people simply don’t have much money, but God can help us to know how to use that money he has given to us.

God will give us usual blessings if we are faithful to him. That doesn’t mean you become rich. God can give us what we need, not necessarily what we want. He can help us to live a simple life. 

One of the best ways is to be faithful to God. As we know, the Bible recommends that we provide a return of God’s money through Tithe, and so when you give 10% of your income, you return it to God because it’s his money, It is amazing how much of what is left becomes more than what you had to begin with. 

This is what I have found, and what my wife and I have found, and we are trying to give 10% more in offerings so that means 80% becomes more than 100%. It is a mathematical beauty of heaven. Thus, when you are faithful even if you have very little, God can turn that in his hand into much.

But each of us need to help those who are in need and also help them with the beautiful concepts of the Bible that God wants you to be healthy, happy and holy though this power and all can be done as we turn our eyes on Jesus. I know that God will bless the people in our church and elsewhere .

Andreas Mazza: Thank you Mr. President.

Ted Wilson: Thank you, Andy. I just wish all of the people here in Italy special blessings. God be with you. Jesus is coming soon, MARANATHA!