2024 North American Division enditnow Safeguarding Peace Training Overcomes Hurricane Francine

After a year of planning, the much-anticipated 2024 North American Division enditnow Safeguarding Peace training on abuse prevention and response was successfully held in New Orleans, Louisiana, despite severe weather threats. Hurricane Francine, categorized as a Category 2 storm, posed a significant risk to the event’s proceedings, being predicted to hit Southern Louisiana on the opening night, September 11, 2024.

Undeterred by the looming danger, Erica Smith, the assistant director of NAD Women’s Ministries, alongside the enditnow team, decided to move forward with the event, backed by courage and prayers. On the night of September 11, as Hurricane Francine arrived with strong winds and rain, 54 out of 181 registered attendees gathered in a hotel conference room, sheltering from the storm. The assembly consisted of a diverse group, including conference administrators, finance and human resources professionals, women’s and children’s ministry directors, pastors, teachers, and local church leaders hailing from several countries including Canada, the U.S., Colombia, and Puerto Rico. Remarkably, about 20 percent of participants were men.

The training sought to empower attendees with tools and knowledge to combat abuse, featuring devotionals, presentations, and harrowing narratives from victim-survivors, all members of the Adventist church. One poignant story shared was that of Karen, whose video testimony encapsulated her experiences with emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Her story, while harrowing, ended on a note of resilience and hope, emphasizing a message of survival and advocacy.

Throughout the event, prominent speakers such as Rene Drumm, a distinguished sociology professor at Andrews University, and Doug Tilstra, a retired vice president from Walla Walla University, provided insights into the complexities of abuse, its prevalence, and the critical role of education in fostering safe environments.

As part of the training, attendees engaged in discussions on the different facets of abuse, including emotional, physical, and spiritual, and learned that, alarmingly, over 10 million adults in the U.S. experience domestic violence each year. The training highlighted the stark reality that abuse permeates both society and the church equally, urging for comprehensive strategies to address and prevent it.

On the last day of the event, all attending participants successfully completed the necessary assessments to earn certification as enditnow advocates, equipped to serve as first responders and educators on abuse issues in their communities. Janice MacDonell, a victim-survivor herself, expressed her intent to utilize her newfound knowledge in aiding others through equine therapy, stating, “Every step is part of the journey, and attending this training is leading me in that direction.”

The summit underscored the urgent need for proactive measures and community engagement in addressing abuse issues. As highlighted by several speakers, the training provided a significant platform for sharing knowledge, strengthening community resolve, and equipping individuals with tools necessary to foster safer, more supportive environments.