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Released by: Ray Dabrowski
Phone:  +31-30-955-324 (June 29-July 8) or +301-680-6300

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 29, 1995

BELIEVERS FROM FORMER SOVIET UNION ATTEND ADVENTIST WORLD CONFERENCE

Utrecht, The Netherlands... Arkadii Balkan, 25, from the former Soviet
republic of Moldova, is one of a large number of former Soviet citizens
who is staying at Jaarbeurs center during the Seventh-day Adventist
World Congress from June 29 to July 8.

He not only attends the meetings but with some 4,000 others, mostly
from Eastern Europe and the developing world, Balkan lives in a
dormitory in Irene Hall. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has created
the largest hotel in the Netherlands.

Serving as a staff volunteer during the Congress, Balkan belongs to a
40-member Choir of Zaokski Adventist Seminary, located 120-kilometers
south of Moscow. The group travelled to Utrecht by bus from Russia via
Belorussia, Poland and Germany. He has finished his studies at Zaokski
and plans to become a musicial conductor. The Russian choir sang at the
world church congress on opening night.

A third generation Adventist Christian, Balkan says that it was
difficult to live as a Christian under Communist rule. The younger
generation in Russia has adapted to political changes well.  "For the
older people it has been more difficult," he said.

Traveling outside the former Soviet Union for the first time, Balkan
says: "I have been interested to see so many people from so many
different countries and cultures. The nice Dutch houses with their
well-kept gardens have also impressed me."

The quinquennial World Congress is attended by thousands of Adventist
believers representing 205 countries of the world.  The World Congress
is the largest international conference ever staged in the Netherlands.
 Daily attendance will average 10,000, while 30,000 are expected on
weekends.  The Seventh-day Adventist Church is one of the fastest
growing Christian denominations. -end-