Mission and Strategy

The North American Division (NAD) is religious non-profit organization that serves church members and Adventist institutions in Bermuda, Guam-Micronesia, Canada, and the United States. As part of our service, we take Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:14 to heart: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” We look forward to Jesus’ coming and strive to help those in North America and beyond learn of Jesus’ love, His gift of Salvation to all people, and how to be ready for His return.

HOPE. Our Church has been charged to reach all people within our territory with a message illustrated by Sanctuary truths, modeled in the life of Christ, communicated by the prophets throughout the ages and succinctly expressed in the Three Angel’s Messages of Revelation 14:6–12. This special, Christ-centered message points prophetically to His second coming—a concept that is embroidered in our very name, Seventh-day Adventists!

WHOLENESS. Our distinctive, Christ-centered message not only points toward the future—it adds “more abundant life” to the present! Hundreds of scientific studies have confirmed the benefits of our Adventist message of health—health of body, mind, and spirit. Sabbath rest nourishes the soul.  Our ideas of education and community development involve the harmonious development of the whole person—physical, mental, spiritual, and social—extending from life on this earth through eternity.

The North American Division’s strategic focus “Together in Mission” incorporates the General Conference theme “I Will Go,” while placing special NAD divisional emphasis on media, multiplying, and mentorship.  NAD president G. Alexander Bryant introduced it in March 2021 saying, “Our strategic focus should naturally line up with our mission statement. The goals ‘media, multiply, and mentorship’ branch out from there.  On each level we should recognize both our interdependence and the incredible potential for collaboration; we can then take it to the next level of partnership in our initiatives and projects,” he said.

The division leadership and delegates support the focus because they believe they are optimal ways for the NAD to fulfill its mission, but also because they are strengths that every level — from local churches to conferences, unions, and the division — can leverage to make tremendous impact in the lives of members and nonmembers. 

Bryant then quoted early church leader Ellen G. White, “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me’” (Ellen G. White, A Ministry of Healing, p. 143). These words from White are not only at the heart of the division’s strategic focus, they also influence how ministries, institutions, churches, and members may utilize the three emphases.

The three M’s of the “Together in Mission” strategic focus fit into White’s description of Christ’s method. Media isn’t just how we receive our information, or how we share online. Media is also the outreach and relationship building in our local communities. It’s where we meet people’s needs and build trust. Multiply is the process of sharing the gospel — the “Come follow Me” part — that result in membership growth and, ultimately, disciples. Mentorship continues the discipling model and trains leaders to continue this cycle which, if done together through God’s power, will lead to exponential church growth.

“Jesus won the confidence of others by ministering to their needs, He won their confidence by mingling with them and after He won their confidence because He showed interest in them, He bade them to follow Him. That is the formula that God has given His church,” said Bryant. “We must proclaim and minister — we need to do both. If we’re going to follow the ministry of Jesus it’s not either or — it’s both. That is the formula that God has given His church.”