The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Iraq held its 2003 year-end committee meeting on April 7, the delay due to turmoil in the nation. While everyday life have has become increasingly difficult in Iraq over the past couple few weeks, the committee still met, voting several initiatives for the future.

In earlier years, the church in Iraq operated several Adventist schools in major cities, but they have been forced to close. In view of a changing climate and possible new freedoms, the committee voted to pursue the possibility of opening a school in Baghdad again. The church believes that such a school could be "a tremendous blessing" for Adventist students who struggle with choosing between Sabbath class and exam attendance, or dropping out of school.

"We have around about 25 elementary-age students and 20 high school-age students in the Baghdad Church at this time." said Basim Fargo, secretary-treasurer for the church in Iraq.

Another ongoing initiative is the construction of a new facility adjacent to the existing church, which will serve as new administrative offices for the church in Iraq. The building will also include a large hall for community events, housing for the church pastor, and an outpatient clinic and housing for clinic staff. In spite of the war, construction has continued on this facility.

In Mosul, a new church facility was recently purchased and renovated. The Church there continues to prosper and is working to plant a new church in a nearby community.

Michael Porter, who serves as president for the Adventist Church's work in Iraq, said, "It is amazing to see the resiliency of our folk who, in spite of having to go to bed night after night to the sounds of explosions, windows rattling and machine gun fire, still make plans for expanding God's work!"

During his weeklong visit to Iraq April 2 to 8, Porter noted a significant deterioration in the security situation and agreed to pass along members' requests for earnest prayers of Church members worldwide on their behalf. "Only an 'extra-human' solution can bring peace to this war-ravaged land of Noah, Abraham, Daniel, Jonah and other Bible greats," Porter said.

There are more than 200 Seventh-day Adventist members in Iraq, mostly in Baghdad. Organized in 1923, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is one of 13 Christian churches officially recognised by the government of Iraq.