News
Erton C. Köhler Elected as General Conference President
Erton C. Köhler was elected to the office of the president of the General Conference (GC) on July 4, 2025, during the 62nd GC Session in St. Louis, Missouri. Köhler’s election marks the beginning of his first term as the spiritual and administrative leader of a worldwide movement that spans more than 200 countries and includes more than 23 million members.
Lessons for the Living
I have a confession to make. I have a habit, some might call it a morbid one, but wherever I go, whatever city I’m visiting, I will find myself in the oldest cemetery in town, walking among the dead. I can go to a cemetery, and stay for two hours, three hours, and I walk up and down reading the tombstones. I like to ponder: Who was this person? What was their life?
Rooted in the Word: Scripture Comes Alive at the 2025 NAD Pathfinder Bible Experience
From April 25 to 26, more than 3,000 Pathfinders, supporters, and volunteers packed the arena in historic Battle Creek, Michigan, for a weekend of worship, Bible knowledge testing, and celebration. And on Sabbath, April 26, 185 teams — the second highest number ever — gathered in person from across North America and beyond. Four teams joined virtually.
Help Provided in St. Louis After Tornado Strike
On May 16, 2025, a powerful EF-3 tornado tore through St. Louis, Missouri, and continued into Madison County, Illinois, reaching wind speeds of up to 152 mph and spanning 22.8 miles. NAD Adventist Community Services (ACS) is partnering with the Mid-America Union Conference, local churches, civic leaders, and other Adventist entities to provide ongoing disaster relief.
That’s a Wrap!
The two weeks following the end of the 2023 academic school year were not a quiet summer respite for 14 communication students at Walla Walla University. Instead, the days, and sometimes late nights, were filled with costumes, cameras, and a clapperboard. The communication students were helping on set during the production of a short film, “The Color of Threads,” produced by the WWU Center for Media Ministry.
Convention to Inspire 6,000 Educators to Strive for “Something Better”
The North America Division’s (NAD) 2023 educators’ convention, to be held in Phoenix, Arizona, from August 7-10, is the division’s opportunity to honor and empower educators division-wide.
Patmos Chapel Hosts Town Hall on Gun Violence
Amid the rising tide of gun violence in Orange County (OC), Florida, nearly 60 public citizens, neighborhood activists, police officers, pastors, and civic leaders gathered at Patmos Chapel Seventh-day Adventist Church in Apopka, seeking ways to stem the bloodshed. The April 19 forum was convened by the OC Citizen Safety Task Force, a working group that gathers public input, reviews policy proposals, and recommends action steps to stem the growing threat of gun violence. Areas being researched include prevention, interventions, prosecution, and enforcement.
Judy R. Glass Named North American Division Treasurer
On June 29, 2023, the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s General Conference Executive Committee met to receive the name of Judy R. Glass, the recommendation for division treasurer, from both the North American Division’s standing nominating committee and executive committee. Glass was confirmed in a 99 percent affirmative vote, and is the first woman to serve as treasurer for the North American Division.