At the 2024 NAD Year-End Meeting, evangelism was a recurring theme, evidenced in reports on how NAD departments and territories are leveraging their resources to spread the gospel. This emphasis was reinforced in devotional messages, including NAD president G. Alexander Bryant’s Sabbath sermon on Nov. 2. “We have a vast assignment before us, to reach North America with the gospel of Jesus Christ. But the good news is God has already supplied everything we need,” he asserted.

Evangelism took the spotlight on day three of the business meetings, Sunday, Nov. 3, with attendees tackling the following questions in union-based groups:

1. “What is the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church?”
2. “What distinguishes the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church from other denominations?”

As attendees reconvened and union representatives shared group insights, the definition of mission was consistent across the NAD’s vast territory, spanning the U.S., Canada, Bermuda, and the Guam-Micronesia Mission. The Southwestern Union defined mission as “preparing Christ-like disciples by proclaiming and living the eternal gospel in the context of the three angels’ messages for the soon return of Jesus Christ.

Subsequent statements expanded on this one, including revealing God’s character of love and mercy to broken people, meeting people where they are — e.g., in gyms, coffee shops, and workplaces, and contextualizing the message according to the audience. The Atlantic Union noted, “We understand ethical and cultural differences, but we need to understand the diversity of thoughts relative to worldview. Peter’s message at Pentecost [Acts 2:14-41] was very different from Paul’s message on Mars Hill [Acts 17:22-31].”

A North Pacific Union representative underscored the need to be Spirit-led, like the early church, stating, “If our mission doesn’t align with God’s mission, then we can’t be God’s church.”

The conversation shifted to what makes the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s mission distinct. A representative answer came from the Pacific Union: “We have a message for the last days that is unique, that gives a clear picture of Jesus and His character to the world; an inclusive message where we speak to the issues of today. … Adventism is a movement in which we are called to live in humility as we teach others about Jesus, the Sabbath, sanctuary, state of the dead, second coming, and salvation.” 

The emphasis on Adventism as a movement was repeated in other statements, such as that of the Southern Union, which shared, “The Seventh-day Adventist Church is more than a denomination. It’s a movement;” and the Columbia Union: “This movement is encapsulated in our mission, our method, and our message.” 

Another salient theme was the church’s end-times perspective, which, per the Atlantic Union, “is unique and informs our mission, creating a sense of urgency.” Other responses highlighted the church’s teachings on the great controversy, righteousness by faith, three angels’ messages, and the present truth, defined by the Lake Union as a message that is “relevant and transformative for every generation.”

The Lake Union also introduced a holistic approach to salvation and mission, inspired by Jesus’ life and teachings; specifically, they highlighted the church’s commitment to whole-person care, following Christ’s example, through its health message, comprehensive, values-driven education system, and focus on community service.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada built on the notion of doing ministry beyond church walls. “Sometimes, we are insular. We must get out of the church building and bubble into the community.” They also advocated for using media and social media ministry to reach the masses.

Finally, union representatives agreed that leading others into a transformative relationship with God is the work of all believers, with the Columbia Union representative referencing this quote: “God has manifested His love to men by making them partners with Himself in the work of salvation. All to whom the heavenly inspiration has come are put in trust with the gospel. We are laborers together with God, called to represent Him as ambassadors of love” (Australasian Union Conference Record Jun. 1, 1900, Art. A, par. 30).

As he wrapped up this segment, Bryant noted the alignment of the reports, observing, “There’s a clarity of understanding in this room concerning what God has called us to do and to be.” While acknowledging that God has given the Seventh-day Adventist Church a distinct mission, he echoed previous calls for humility in carrying it out, stating, “We are no better than anyone else, and God has other sheep that will be saved in His kingdom who will not set foot in the church.”

Finally, Bryant challenged attendees to embrace their identity and purpose as Seventh-day Adventists: “We know where God is leading us, and this is the time to make that clarion call to a world that desperately needs it.” 

Watch the full breakout discussion here: https://www.youtube.com/live/ZY6vEKA7W5A?si=L3re4B7WEbe8XOac&t=1623

Evangelism in Action

Beyond defining mission, the 2024 NAD Year-End Meeting asked unions to share their evangelism efforts with their peers. Below are just a few success stories compiled by Heidi Straw Camargo, a freelance writer based in Berrien Springs, Michigan. 

Southern Union Sets Ambitious Evangelism Goals with Multi-Phase Strategy

The Southern Union Conference is launching two innovative evangelism initiatives while celebrating record-breaking baptisms under the leadership of president Ron C. Smith.

The union, which achieved 12,000 baptisms last year, has unveiled a three-phase outreach program called “Share Your Table, Your Home, Your Church” as part of the North American Division’s Pentecost 2025 initiative. The program aims to engage 15,000 families in hosting dinner evangelism, followed by 5,000 small group Bible studies, culminating in 3,000 home-based evangelistic campaigns.

“I made a pact with God,” shared Smith, who conducts four to six evangelistic campaigns annually. “I said, ‘Lord, if you would run the Southern Union for me, I promise you I’ll give my all to do the best I can to bring as many people to Jesus Christ as I can.’“

The union’s systematic approach to the annual campaigns led by Smith and his team includes the “System for Survival” Bible study program, which features trained Bible workers and comprehensive community outreach.

“Christ’s method alone will bring true success,” Smith emphasized, “and that’s what I seek to embrace.”

Each person touched by this ministry experiences a personal journey through the Bible, and at the nightly meetings, something special happens. Students who have completed the “System for Survival” Bible study guide are celebrated in a graduation ceremony. They receive a Bible, a signed certificate, and a portrait with Smith.

North American Division president G. Alexander Bryant praised the Southern Union’s leadership in evangelism, noting that Smith “baptized somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 to 800 people a year” through his personal evangelistic meetings.

The union’s new initiative will launch on Jan. 15, with the goal of achieving 3,000 baptisms in a single day through coordinated small-group evangelism efforts.

Ohio Conference Sees Historic Surge in Baptisms Through Vision-Driven Evangelism

The Ohio Conference has transformed its evangelistic outcomes, tripling its annual baptisms from 300-400 to more than 1,000 people annually through an ambitious, vision-driven approach.

Conference president Bob Cundiff described the last four years as “the most exhilarating and joyful and fulfilling years” of his 34-year ministry career. In 2021, the conference leadership set an audacious goal of baptizing 2,300 people by the end of 2023 — a dramatic increase from their previous record of 527 baptisms in 2016.

“We began to cast vision and to tell stories and to just share the joy of evangelism,” said Cundiff, explaining their strategy for achieving what seemed like an impossible goal.

The conference not only met but also exceeded their target ahead of schedule. In a particularly moving demonstration of their success, they incorporated baptisms into their 2023 constituency session. The session booklet included nine pages listing the names of all 2,300 new members. Cardiff experienced some pushback from people who felt, “That new guy only cares about his numbers.”

Cardiff responded to this concern at the session, saying, “Go to a page and flip through these names. Every number is a soul. It’s a name. It’s a person.”

The dramatic increase has established a new standard for the conference, which serves a territory of 13 million people. “We’re going to baptize 1,000 people a year. That’s the new standard,” Cundiff asserted, concluding, “We are 100 percent on board with Pentecost 2025. Thank you for the vision.”

North American Division president G. Alexander Bryant commended the Ohio Conference’s faith-driven approach: “We shouldn’t be afraid to ask God for big things, big things that we can’t see... If we take the step, God will honor our faith.”