News Articles

NAD's Top 10 Stories of 2021

December 31, 2021 | Columbia, Md. | North American Division

In 2021, the North American Division website garnered more than 1.2 million unique page views. More than 408,000 unique page views were directed to NAD news articles.

The top 10 most-visited news articles for 2021 are listed below. Click the titles to read the full articles, and enjoy this 2021 North American Division news year-in-review.

1. COVID-19 Vaccines: Addressing Concerns, Offering Counsel

Published December 18, 2020; the top story in 2021

Seventh-day Adventists look to the coming of Christ as the great culmination of history and an end of all disease, suffering, and death. At the same time, we have been entrusted with the Adventist health message embodied in and expanded upon by the writings of Ellen White, summarizing healthful living through practical and wholistic healthy lifestyle behaviors. We advocate all of these practices to maintain a healthy immune system, and in the pandemic, even more is needed.

stock photo of COVID-19 model and vaccination needle and hand — *iStock Photography*

2. Resources on COVID-19: Vaccination Information, Guidance on Immunization, and Additional NAD News and Information

March 30, 2021

The North American Division has put together a series of links to offer guidance about vaccines from national and international health organizations, the General Conference, and healthcare experts — with the COVID-19 vaccine highlighted in particular. Also included are practical articles, NAD statements, and more.

3. Symposium Broadcast on COVID-19 Vaccine, the Bible, Science, and Faith Draws Large Number of Viewers

Published May 19, 2021

“Welcome to our special dialogue today,” said Carlton P. Byrd, Breath of Life TV Ministries speaker/director, at the beginning the North American Division’s COVID-19 vaccine symposium broadcast on May 15, 2021. “Our goal during our time together is to help find answers to some of the questions that have arisen about the COVID vaccine, and help you make an informed decision on [whether] the vaccine is right for you and your loved ones."

4. Debleaire Snell Named Speaker/Director Elect of Breath of Life Ministries

Published July 30, 2021

On Wednesday, July 28, 2021, the North American Division Adventist Media Ministries board voted to accept the name of Debleaire Snell for the position of speaker/director of Breath of Life Ministries.

5. North American Division Responds to Statement from Greater New York Conference Regarding Harmful Comments Made by Pastor

Published November 22, 2021

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America wholeheartedly condemns any form of behavior or rhetoric that perpetrates any type of violence against women. This is not what the Seventh-day Adventist Church believes.

6. Understanding Daniel and Revelation: An Interview with Mark Finley

Published July 2, 2020; a top story in 2021

Mark Finley's Understanding Daniel and Revelation has just been released from Pacific Press Publishing Association. Finley, who has conducted evangelistic meetings around the world for the past 50 years, shows how biblical prophecy fits into real life. Recently Dale Galusha, president of Pacific Press, had the opportunity to interview Finley about this new book.

7. Max Mace, 82, Adventist Music Legend, Passes to His Rest

Published November 6, 2020; a top story in 2021

Following a battle with cancer, Seventh-day Adventist music legend Max Mace passed to his rest November 4, 2020, one day before his 83rd birthday. His family said Mace was home in Placerville, California, United States, when he died.

8. Kenneth O. Cox, Adventist Evangelist, Passes to His Rest at 84

Published July 8, 2019, still a top story in 2021

9. Update: Greater New York Conference Issues Statement Regarding the Resignation of Grand Concourse Church Pastor

Published November 24, 2021

This is the statement of the Greater New York Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church regarding the resignation of Burnett Robinson, pastor of the Grand Concourse Seventh-day Adventist Church in New York City.

10. Allegheny East Conference President and Wife Die in House Fire

Published July 20, 2021

Early Sunday morning, July 18, 2021, Henry J. Fordham III, president of the Allegheny East Conference (AEC), and his wife, Sharon Elaine (Wright) Fordham, passed away due to a fire in their home in Douglassville, Pennsylvania.

Henry and Sharon Fordham — *Henry J. Fordham III, president of the Allegheny East Conference, and his wife, Sharon Elaine (Wright) Fordham*

The Power of a Simple Tract: Transforming Lives with Messages of Hope and Wholeness

Have you ever hit rock bottom and found hope from an unexpected source? For a 16-year-old girl from California, that hope came in the form of a pocket-sized Signs of the Times given to her by a stranger on an Amtrak train. Hers is one of countless stories of a tract sparking transformation. Take advantage of the holidays, and a limited sale, to spread the love of God organically with these life-changing materials.

50 Ministerial Spouses Unite for Community Service, Fellowship, and Training During the 2024 NAD Year-End Meeting

Community service, fellowship, and training sessions made up the spouses’ meetings during this year’s NAD Year-End Meetings, with roughly 50 spouses of conference leaders in attendance.

Report on 2024 Consolidated Enrollment

The Association of Adventist Colleges and Universities (AACU), comprised of the presidents and other top leaders from 13 Adventist colleges and universities in North America, has determined that the latest consolidated fall enrollment numbers for all 13 institutions totals 20,828 students. This increase of 256 students from the previous year marks the second consecutive year of total growth.

Charting a New Path: 2024 Administrators’ Conference Unites Leaders to Shape the Future of the Church in North America

It’s been 10 years since conference and union presidents, executive secretaries, and treasurers gathered in one room to brainstorm how best to carry out the church’s mission in North America. A long-awaited follow-up, the 2024 administrators’ conference hosted more than 200 conference and union officers at the NAD’s headquarters on Oct. 30-31.

Promoting Healthy Minds at Southern Adventist University

Experts across America have gathered statistics that point to a mental health crisis for college students. Anxiety concerns have risen from 56 percent in 2013 to 65 percent in 2023, according to the Center for Collegiate Mental Health. The center also found that the number of students seeking help has steadily increased from 2009 until the pandemic. In response to the crisis, Southern Adventist University is working to ensure that students have access to various high-quality mental health resources.