Adventists are wonderful people, with 20,000 in Ontario, including two in my own office. We are delighted that you have chosen Toronto. In response, Jan Paulsen, president of the Adventist Church, thanked the mayor and said that Toronto's international flavor meant that the Adventist World Church would feel at home, and that he looked forward to a profitable time in the city. But our Lord also took a strong interest in the community in which he was placed. So we too look to improve the quality of life of people here and now.
Today has to be better than yesterday.
Our mission around the world has always emphasized education for the community, and health through hospitals and clinics. Gino Ginacola of Tourism Toronto said that the Session would be truly exceptional in that it was the largest convention ever held in Toronto's history, and that it would have a tremendous economic benefit to the city because of the large number of people attending for an extended period of time. It will also solidify Toronto as a venue for the religious market sector and others. He thanked the SkyDome, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the baseball League for being willing to hold their games outside of Toronto so that the Adventist Church could have use of the SkyDome for the Session. The World Session runs from June 29 to July 5 and is expected to bring 60,000 visitors to Toronto.