News Articles

NAD Comments on End of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

September 7, 2017 | Silver Spring, MD | North American Division

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America is concerned about the impact that the decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program may have on the lives of 800,000 young men and women in the United States, also known as “dreamers.”

At the center of our response is a continuing appeal for compassion and mercy. Seventh-day Adventists are the most racially-diverse religious group in this country, according to a 2015 Pew Research Center report. We believe that all the children of God are equal and precious in His sight, and we are called to treat each other with love and respect.

The end of the DACA program will bring anxiety and insecurity into the lives of those who live in the communities where our churches minister. Many of our own young church leaders and members, and even some of our young pastors, are dreamers—young men and women who bought deeply into the American dream.

We pray for wisdom and understanding for U.S. leaders as they seek a solution, and we pray that the solution will be imbued with God’s grace and mercy. We pray that the dreamers feel the hand of God leading them forward and the love of their brothers and sisters in Christ. We, as a Seventh-day Adventist Community, will continue to pray and support all those who dream of a better life.

Seeing the Mission Field as It Actually Is

Kyoshin Ahn, executive secretary for the North American Division, presented his report to kick off day three of the division’s 2024 year-end meeting. To begin, he read the list of everyone in the departments of the secretariat, thanking the team for their service and their contributions to the report.

To the West, the North, the East, and the South: A Report on the Early Mission Work in the North American Division

Kyoshin Ahn, secretary for the North American Division, presented his report during the third day of the 2024 year-end meeting (YEM). The first part of his report was summarized in a separate article. The second part of Ahn’s report was focused on missions within the NAD, in honor of the 150th anniversary of Adventist missions.

Preparing for Pentecost: NAD President G. Alexander Bryant’s 2024 NAD Year-End Meeting Report is a Call to Higher Service

The 2024 North American Division Year-End Meeting began at 1 p.m. on November 1 at the NAD headquarters in Columbia, Maryland, following a two-day administrators’ conference — the first in 10 years — at the same location. One hundred and fifty executive committee members (of 302) gathered for day one of business meetings where, until Monday, November 3, they will receive reports, vote on business items, strategize, and fellowship with fellow Adventist church leaders and friends.

Sabbath Worship at Year-End Meeting: A Sacred Pause

For attendees at the North American Division (NAD) Year-End Meeting, the Sabbath arrived as a welcome sacred pause, offering divine rest amid the intensive days of church business. All who gathered enjoyed worship, praise, and fellowship through three avenues: Sabbath School, worship service, and afternoon concert.

NAD Year-End Meeting Vespers: An Upper Room Experience

This year’s Friday evening vespers program during the North American Division Year-End Meeting delivered a unique and spirit-filled experience. It began with an agape feast followed by an upper room biblical dramatization, congregational singing, special prayer time, ordinance of humility, and communion.