In a candid and revealing interview, Dr. Ralph S. Watts - the longest-serving president of ADRA - talks to Spectrum about how his experience shaped him for the job, how he tackled ADRA's debt and changed its board, and the advice he would offer new president Jonathan Duffy.

A new documentary focused on the Adventist medical mission is being released on DVD April 15. The ADVENTISTS 2, created by filmmaker Martin Doblmeier, is a sequel to his film The ADVENTISTS.

Spectrum asked Doblmeier what the film is about and what sparked his interest in the Adventist church and mission.

Dr. Elizabeth Role is conducting a huge poll of Adventists across the continent of Africa, as part of a worldwide survey asking churchmembers about their beliefs. Spectrum asked her about the questions being asked, the answers coming in, and the reasons behind the research.

Norma Nashed is the brains and energy behind a charity helping vulnerable children around the world. Born in Palestine, Nashed grew up poor in Jordan amid many challenges. She went on to work for the founder of Jordanian Airlines, hobnobbing with the country’s king and queen – but gave up a career and salary to give everything to her charity.

Question: You started Restore a Child as a charity that would help provide children around the world with their basic needs. What inspired you to organize the foundation?

Josephine Benton, now an 87-year-old great-grandmother in Maryland, was the first woman to be ordained as an elder in the Seventh-day Adventist church, and worked in ministry even after her retirement. She still serves as an elder in her local church. Benton has now been given emeritus ordination credentials and recognition for her years of service.

Adventist fans across the country have missed Take Three and Bonnie Casey & Daystar. Now the music is back. Bonnie Casey tells Spectrum the story.

Spectrum asks John Gavin of Washington Adventist University about a survey he recently completed that sheds light on the political, social and religious attitudes among Adventist college professors and staff.

Question: Why did you decide to survey faculty and staff at Adventist colleges and universities about their views on political and social issues?

Jonathan Duffy, country director of ADRA Australia, has been named the new president of ADRA International, after Rudi Maier was dismissed last June.

ADRA International’s board voted unanimously to elect Duffy on Wednesday, and ADRA staff were informed of the appointment just before lunch that day.

Duffy’s appointment is effective immediately, and he is expected to visit ADRA Intl’s headquarters at the General Conference next week.

El Dr. Joan Sabaté, director del Departamento de Nutrición de la Universidad de Loma Linda, ha sido incluido en un panel de expertos integrado por seis miembros que asesorará al Departamento de Agricultura de EE.UU. (USDA), el cual creará el siguiente conjunto de directrices dietéticas para todo el país. Sabaté es el único vegetariano en el panel.

Dr. Joan Sabaté, chair of the Department of Nutrition at Loma Linda University, has been named to a six-member expert panel that will advise the US Department of Agriculture as it creates its next set of national dietary guidelines. Sabaté is the only vegetarian on the panel.