Pastor Jan Paulsen, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church worldwide, says the church has a responsibility to help new believers grow in their faith by providing them with ongoing spiritual support and a place to worship.
Dr. Hervey Gimbel, president of the project, and his wife Ann, are working with the Chinese health authorities to tackle such massive health problems as smoking, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes through direct training programs.
Clergy from every continent and many denominations will take part in what is being billed as "the largest-ever worldwide live satellite broadcast for clergy."
The president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific has returned from a visit to Kiribati, one of the most isolated Adventist communities in the world.
Victor Zorkoltsev, head of the State Duma Comission on Public and Religious Associations, spoke at the breakfast, saying he hoped the event will become a tradition in Russia.
Religious minorities in the central Asian country of Azerbaijan have been warned not to "complain to foreigners," according to a recent news report.