Adventist ministry center 'hub of belonging' for island's locals, tourists, church leader says

Seventh-day Adventists in the south coast town of Limassol, the island's largest seaside resort, have converted a former seafront taxi office into a ministry center.

"Our purpose is to meet the needs of the surrounding people, many of whom are immigrants and tourists," David J. Cox, church president for Cyprus, said of Meeting Point, which opened this month. "We want it to be a hub of belonging in the heart of the tourist area."

Church leaders in Cyprus say Meeting Point will offer worship services as well as parenting seminars, music and art workshops, children's clubs and a resource library with Internet access. Partnerships with local professionals will provide free legal advice and other services to community members.

Limassol, the second-largest city of Cyprus, attracts a wide range of tourists mostly during the summer season to be accommodated in its several luxurious hotels and apartments.

"We are pleased that the Limassol members have a strong mission focus and are anxious to connect more effectively with the wider community," Kjell Aune, church leader in the Middle East, said at the September 13 opening.

Most Greek Cypriots are members of the Greek Orthodox Church, whereas most Turkish Cypriots are Muslim. According to Eurobarometer 2005, Cyprus is one of the most religious countries in the European Union, along with Malta, Romania, Greece and Poland. In addition to the Orthodox Christian and Muslim communities, there are also small Bahá'í, Jewish, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Maronite (Eastern Rites Catholic) and Armenian Apostolic communities in Cyprus. Nearly 100 Adventists worship in Cyprus. [Editors: Alex Elmadjian and Christian B. Schäffler for ANN/APD]