Press Releases

Adventist Church Connect and Adventist School Connect Platform Rebuild Continues as Customization Plans Begin to Emerge

This platform will enable the NAD to further customize the platform to meet the evangelistic and technical needs of churches and schools across the division.

July 2, 2024 | Columbia, Md. | North American Division

As reported last year, the North American Division (NAD) is current engaged in an exciting rebuild of the platform that powers Adventist Church Connect (ACC) and Adventist School Connect (ASC). In late 2024 or early 2025, ACC/ASC will move to an entirely new WordPress-based platform, matching the existing functionality and giving the platform a new foundation to move forward providing more than 6,600 websites for all churches and schools across the NAD.

The software currently powering ACC/ASC will be replaced, and the NAD has reached an agreement with SimpleUpdates to use the existing software until the new system is ready. Through the transition, all existing ACC/ASC sites will continue to receive technical support in the same way things have happened in the past. Once the new platform is ready, all existing sites will be migrated. This new platform will be hosted on the NAD Cloud.

This new platform will enable the NAD to further customize the platform to meet the evangelistic and technical needs of churches and schools across our territory. As with the current platform, they will continue to offer phone and email support. The new system will continue to be free for all churches, schools, and organizations in North America.

“Websites are a vitally important aspect of our churches and schools marketing and outreach efforts. This strategic new platform will enable our institutions to develop websites that are tailored to the unique needs of each organization, but integrated across together across the Division,” said Brent Hardinge, assistant vice president for digital media for the NAD. “Your website is key and the North American Division is excited to be able to offer you this strategic tool.” Hardinge, who has been tasked with coordinating the development and migration, also currently serves as the director for Adventist Information Ministry (AIM).

The ACC/ASC network, introduced in late 2005 by the NAD, provides important resources and services to ensure every church and school in this network has a dynamic online presence.

The NAD will continue to provide a high level of service with regular software updates, modern template selections, instructional videos, and technical support. “We will also provide new features as we work with AdventSource, Adventist Information Ministry, and the software web development company,” said Hardinge.

Throughout the upgrade process, the NAD is meeting with several groups to provide important feedback and ongoing guidance, including a development committee and two advisory committees of which the majority of members were not part of the NAD headquarters but rather users from churches, conferences, and unions. The project has the potential to impact every church and school that is part of the division.

“Not only is the NAD committed to providing and improving this web service, it will continue to do so at a significant cost savings to our churches and schools,” said Adam Fenner, vice president for digital media for the North American Division. Fenner, who is also the director of the Adventist Learning Community added, “This upgrade will empower our churches and schools with the tools they need to enhance their outreach and evangelistic efforts, all while maintaining the highest standards of privacy and security. Through this platform and others like it, God has given us the tools necessary to complete the Gospel Commission in our own time.”

Fourth of July in France: Educating for Mission

France is an unusual place to be celebrating America's Independence Day. And yet on July 4, 2024, the Collonges (Campus Adventiste du Salève) dining room was decked out in the stars and stripes, serving hot dogs and veggie burgers as educators from across the NAD, Trans-European Division, Inter-European Division, Middle East University, and the Ukrainian Union Conference gathered for the 2024 Higher Education Council "Educating for Mission" Conference.

Adventist Health Appoints Sam Leonor as New Chief Mission Officer

Adventist Health has named Sam Leonor as the health system’s new chief mission officer, effective July 1, 2024. In this important position, Leonor will play an integral role in ensuring that Adventist Health’s mission and deeply cherished values are woven into every facet of its strategic planning and day-to-day operations.

Unearthing History: The Dino Dig Experience at Southwestern Adventist University

For many, the pull of uncovering ancient relics and the mysteries of the past is an irresistible draw. Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) offers a unique opportunity to step back in time with its Dino Dig Experience, a dinosaur excavation research project in the Lance Formation of eastern Wyoming, United States. This program, held annually in June, brings together students, families, and international participants to uncover and study dinosaur fossil remains.

Adventist Church Connect and Adventist School Connect Platform Rebuild Continues as Customization Plans Begin to Emerge

The North American Division is current engaged in an exciting rebuild of the platform that powers Adventist Church Connect (ACC) and Adventist School Connect (ASC). In late 2024 or early 2025, ACC/ASC will move to an entirely new WordPress-based platform, matching the existing functionality and giving the platform a new foundation to move forward providing more than 6,600 websites for all churches and schools across the NAD.

Gillette Residents to Be Welcomed to “Night at the Camporee”

In just five weeks, the International Pathfinder Camporee will have moved west to Gillette, Wyoming. From August 5-11, 2024, roughly 60,000 young people from 100 countries will transform the Gillette Cam-Plex Facilities into a tent and RV city. Over numerous site visits since 2020, camporee officials have found significant interest among community members in attending the nighttime mainstage events. However, because minors attend the camporee, background checks would be necessary for these additional guests. Thus, camporee leaders decided to host a “night at the camporee” on August 4, which will offer community members a 90-minute sneak peek of the "Believe the Promise" evening program.