The fifth annual International Conference on Innovation happens this October in Dublin, Ohio. Spectrum asked its organizational dynamo, Raj Attiken, how the conference began and what keeps it going.

Question: How did the Conference on Innovation begin? What role does the Ohio Conference have in its organization each year and which other groups are involved?

Allan Buller joined Worthington Foods as a young ex-soldier right after World War II and served as an executive at the legendary Adventist food company for more than 50 years, until he retired as president and CEO in 1986.

ADRA Malawi recently won Malawi Broadcasting Corporation’s “Radio Play of the Year” award at the 2008 annual Entertainers of the Year Awards held in the city of Blantyre. Michael Usi, Project Manager for ADRA Malawi, produces and directs ADRA’s winning radio and television program, Tikuferanji. Tikuferanji, which is Chichewa for “why are we dying?,” promotes open discussion about the spread of STDs and encourages Malawians to be proactive in the country’s fight against HIV/AIDS. Usi also won MBC’s “Actor of the Year” award for his contribution to the program.

Monte Sahlin recently conducted a major survey on Adventist demographics within the North American Division. Though diverse in its scope, the survey revealed some interesting new data about racial diversity in the NAD, which Monte presented during Oakwood University’s Pastoral and Evangelism Council late last year. Monte serves as the volunteer research director for the Bradford-Cleveland-Brooks Leadership Center, which organizes the annual council.

Question: Who commissioned the demographics survey and why?

Samuel Clear does not take Jesus’ John 17 prayer lightly. Troubled by the distrust and arrogance exhibited by so many Christian denominations towards one another, this 30 year old Catholic Aussie recently covered 15,500 km on foot in 564 days, praying for worldwide Christian unity. Spectrum asked Sam about his physical journey and his ecumenical vision.

Question: You could have written letters, given public speeches, or prayed privately for Christian unity. What inspired you to get up and walk around the world?

Treye McKinney and Janelle McIntyre* are two extraordinary young people committed to non-violence through active engagement with the needs of Palestinians in the West Bank. Together they served at the Palestinian Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem from February 2008 through March 2009. Treye has also volunteered with Christian Peacemaker Teams and has participated in various protests against the unjust treatment of Palestinians and the Israeli violence in Gaza.

As a British colony, Zimbabwe was part of what used to be called Rhodesia. President Robert Mugabe won the first general election of independent Zimbabwe in 1980, promising good things for the country’s future. At that time Zimbabwe, with its well-tended farms and orchards, was considered to be the bread basket of Africa. But in 2000 President Mugabe began seizing farms from white land owners and redistributing them mostly to black government officials who did not cultivate the land.

Delbert Baker, president of Oakwood University, is also a marathoner. He recently ran the Antarctic Ice Marathon just a few hundred miles from the South Pole, finishing the grueling race in six hours and 53 minutes. The race raised thousands for Oakwood University scholarships. Spectrum asked him about his running and other goals.

Question: In December you ran the Antarctic Marathon at the South Pole. What was it like running on snow and ice in below-freezing temperatures?

Spectrum talks to author and pastor Dan Appel about writing and his recent mystery book, The Choice, published by Autumn House Publishing, an imprint of the Review & Herald Publishing Association. You can also view our Spectrum book review of The Choice.

Question: A pastor publishing a mystery novel seems a bit unusual. What sparked the writing of this novel?

Prince Bahati is the founder and program director of an Adventist radio station in Rwanda, which works to bring a message of hope and reconciliation to Rwandans - countering the messages of hate that were broadcast in the past.

Spectrum asked Prince Bahati about the radio station - its reach, its content and its goals.