For the first time in Austria, we dared to cross the waters and build a stronger bridge between Seventh-day Adventist women and their friends. Through our pilot project, "Cross the Waters," we organized a special weekend where Adventist women were invited to bring friends who were not members of the church—many of whom had previously attended a women's breakfast, a concert, a health presentation, or another occasional church event to spend a whole weekend in a friendly, spiritual, open atmosphere.
Among the 24 participants, 11 were non-Adventist guests. Together, we explored practical ways to achieve a holistic balance for women. The focus of the weekend was friendship and well-being, under the theme "Being a Balanced Friend."
Through inspiring presentations, meaningful discussions, and interactive seminars, our three speakers—Dagmar Dorm, Susanne Fesl, and Carola Weidiger—highlighted the importance of a healthy lifestyle and the harmonious balance between body, mind, and spirit.
The warm, friendly atmosphere, the interesting, joyful activities, and the lively, spiritual program in the midst of beautiful nature close to Lake Mondsee brought many happy, special moments and made the weekend an unforgettable event.
Friends of the church, women who had once visited an Adventist church—some many years ago—but had gradually lost contact, found themselves embraced by a circle of friendship and once again felt at home in a friendly Adventist atmosphere.
Building Bridges to people’s hearts might take effort, but Crossing the Waters to reach the people around us is the only way we can bring them to heaven’s shore!