The North England Conference (NEC) and the South England Conference (SEC) joined forces from February 10 to 17 at the Erdington Seventh-day Adventist Church for a pivotal event: Christian Home and Marriage Week. This collaborative initiative, led by Pastor John Francis (NEC) and Pastor Rio Espulgar (SEC), underscored a unified commitment to strengthening family bonds through the power and grace of Jesus Christ.
Each year, we are presented with a suggested theme from the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; for this year, the theme was “Diverse Families.” This marked the NEC’s third participation in this annual event, with our focus being on "Protected Families."
The series of enlightening sessions began with Pastor Espulgar’s sermon on the evening of Sabbath 10 February where he highlighted how to be an effective parent in the 21st century. Advocating for a parenting style rooted in faith and exemplified by Christ’s love, Pastor Espulgar shared his own experiences of abandonment, to shed light on the impact of personal struggles on parenting. His poignant message revolved around three biblical principles: The Foundation of Love, Love is Time, and the Power of Words, all encapsulated by his belief, "It’s only by love that love is awaken." An engaging Q&A session followed, allowing attendees to ask questions and gain further insights on parenting in today’s world.
Each evening, there was a different guest speaker from both the North and South England Conferences, including Dr Beatrice Kastrati, Judy Clements (OBE), and Pastors Royston Smith, Kirk Thomas and John Francis. There was also special music, Q&A, and a resource section; all aimed at helping individuals address the myriad of challenges facing marriages and families.
Particularly important was the evening entitled “No Excuse” that addressed domestic abuse. The Tamworth Community Gospel Choir uplifted spirits, setting the tone for a profound dialogue led by Judy Clements (OBE), a distinguished advocate for children and community involvement. Reflecting on the unsettling findings of the British Union Conference's 2018 Safe at Home Report, Mrs Clements provided a sobering analysis of domestic abuse within the Adventist Church, focusing on its repercussions for children.
With an emphasis on healing and prevention, Mrs Clements advocated for a comprehensive support system for victims, including counselling, anonymous helplines, and education on healthy boundaries. Her assertion, "Emotional trauma stays for longer and the church has a duty of Empowering Love in Action," highlighted the collective responsibility of both conferences to foster environments of peace and healing in line with God’s vision for our communities and homes.
Reflecting on the week, Pastor Espulgar wrote, “Firstly, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to God for orchestrating this gathering and blessing us with the wisdom and guidance to navigate the intricate dynamics of family life. I also want to extend my sincere appreciation to our esteemed speakers whose profound insights have enriched our understanding of how to safeguard and nurture our families amidst the challenges of today's world. And lastly, a special acknowledgment goes to Pastor Francis for his vision and leadership in conceptualising and organising this joint programme."
Pastor John Francis remarked, "I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Laura Grant, who dedicated herself tirelessly to organizing all of our music; Wayne Grant, Erdington’s head deacon, who faithfully opened the church for us every evening; Caleb and the NEC media team, for their diligent efforts; and the members of our NEC Family Ministries advisory team who not only attended but also contributed significantly to the success of this program."
The Christian Home and Marriage Week exemplified the power of collaboration between the NEC and SEC in fostering environments where faith, love, and understanding thrive. By addressing critical issues, sharing experiences, and offering guidance grounded in Adventist values, the event reaffirmed the commitment of both conferences to nurturing resilient, for Christ-centred families.
Let us offer our prayers of gratitude for the blessings bestowed upon us and for the continued guidance and protection of our families. May the seeds planted during the week's programme bear abundant fruit in the days and years to come.
