In 2022, the North American Division website garnered close to 1.2 million unique page views. More than 270,000 unique page views were directed to NAD news articles.
The top 10 most-visited news articles for 2022 are listed below. Click the titles to read the full articles, and enjoy this 2022 North American Division news year-in-review. And enjoy several popular stories from past years that still make the cut in our top 20 — these are listed at the end of our 2022 list.
1. Former NAD President Daniel R. Jackson Passes to His Rest
Published July 23, 2022
On Sabbath morning, July 23, 2022, Daniel R. Jackson, former president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America, passed to his rest after several months of battling cancer. He was 73. Jackson, who served the Adventist Church for 49 years, retired in July 2020 after serving as NAD president for a decade. As president, Jackson made many contributions to the church in North America during his 10 years of service at the division, including the building up of the NAD Ministerial Association; the creation of a missional strategic plan; and the addition of the Guam-Micronesia Mission, Oakwood University, Pacific Press Publishing Association, AdventSource, and Christian Record Services for the Blind.
Daniel R. Jackson, former North American Division president, in the NAD prayer chapel in 2017; Photo by Pieter Damsteegt/NAD
2. A Sweet Singer in Israel, Walter Arties III, Passes to His Rest
Published June 29, 2022
The dreamer, the man with the velvet vocals, Walter Eugene Arties III, passed away in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 26, 2022, at age 80. The singing evangelist founded Breath of Life Ministries.
3. Oakwood Adventist Academy Sabbath Accommodation Suit Settled, Written Policy Terms Agreed Upon by High School Athletic Association
Published September 28, 2022
On Sept. 27, 2022, the Oakwood Adventist Academy’s case against the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSSA) was resolved with a promise by AHSAA that moving forward it would reschedule all games that conflict with the Sabbath. OAA brought the suit against AHSSA this past spring after OAA was unable to play in the AHSAA state tournament for basketball this past February when accommodation for Sabbath was denied.
4. Seventh-day Adventist Church General Conference in Session Votes to Accept Seven Names Recommended for the Positions of General Vice Presidents
Published June 7, 2022
On June 7, 2022, the Seventh-day Adventist Church General Conference in session voted to accept the seven names recommended to them for the positions of general vice presidents by the General Conference Session nominating committee. The seven names include five current vice-presidents, Abner De Los Santos, Geoffrey Mbwana, Thomas Lemon, and Guillermo E. Biaggi and two new names, Audrey Andersson and Maurice R. Valentine II.
On June 7, the GC executive committee voted to accept these names for vice president positions, including five current vice-presidents, Abner De Los Santos, Geoffrey Mbwana, Thomas Lemon, and Guillermo E. Biaggi and two new names, Audrey Andersson and Maurice R. Valentine II (second from right). Valentine was serving as a vice-president in the North American Division (NAD). Photo by Pieter Damsteegt/NAD
5. G. Alexander Bryant Elected President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America
Published June 8, 2022
On Wednesday afternoon, June 8, 2022, the General Conference (GC) in session voted to accept the nomination of G. Alexander Bryant as president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America. Bryant is the incumbent; he began serving in July 2020 when elected by the GC executive committee, replacing Daniel R. Jackson, who retired on July 1, 2020.
6. Holbrook Indian School Mourns Loss of Student in Tragic Bus Accident
Published August 30, 2022
On August 28, 2022, 17-year-old student Kiarra Alma Gordon was killed and six others injured during an accident involving a bus from the Holbrook Indian School (HIS) in Arizona. According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the bus slowed down in traffic near a rollover crash when it was struck from behind by a semi-truck.
Kiarra Alma Gordon, a high school student at Holbrook Indian School in Arizona, was killed in a bus accident on Aug. 28, 2022. Photo provided by Holbrook Indian School
7. The Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America Issues Joint Statement on Shooting in Buffalo, New York
Published May 18, 2022
Statement from the North American Division, Atlantic Union Conference, Northeastern Conference, and New York Conference: Members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church family mourn all loss of life, but especially cry out against mass violence such as what took place this past weekend in Buffalo, New York. Our hearts are shattered for those who lost family and friends and for those who will continue to suffer greatly as a result of this senseless act.
8. Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America Statement on the U.S. Congress Respect for Marriage Act
Published November 20, 2022
On November 16, the U.S. Senate voted to advance the Respect for Marriage Act (H.R. 8404), legislation that addresses federal and state recognition of same-sex marriages and is expected to pass following the Thanksgiving congressional recess.
9. “Bigger Than Basketball”: Oakwood Adventist Academy boys basketball team forfeits semi-final game scheduled on Sabbath after accommodation denied by athletic association.
Published February 23, 2022
On February 19, 2022, the Oakwood Adventist Academy (OAA) Mustangs high school basketball team attended the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSSA) State Tournament in Jacksonville, Alabama. But they weren’t there to play. They showed up to cheer on and thank two of the teams, Decatur Heritage Christian Academy (DHCA) and Cornerstone School, for their willingness to reschedule their game so OAA could have played at the later time.
After missing a playoff game to keep the Sabbath, the Oakwood Adventist Academy boys varsity basketball team is honored at the Oakwood University Church. Screenshot
10. Breath of Life Television Ministries to Air Easter Special on ABC
Published April 12, 2022
On Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022, Breath of Life Television Ministries, in conjunction with the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission, will air an Easter special on ABC television stations across the United States. The theme for the special is “A Living Hope.”
More Popular Stories
Understanding Daniel and Revelation: An Interview with Mark Finley
Published July 2, 2020; a top story in 2022
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.
Kenneth O. Cox, Adventist Evangelist, Passes to His Rest at 84
Published July 8, 2019, still a top story in 2022
Retired Breath of Life Speaker Walter L. Pearson Jr., 74, Whose Ministry Spoke Across Generations, Passes to His Rest
Published June 9, 2020, still a top story in 2022
COVID-19 Vaccines: Addressing Concerns, Offering Counsel
Published December 18, 2020 , still a top story in 2022
Max Mace, 82, Adventist Music Legend, Passes to His Rest
November 6, 2020, still a top story in 2022
Debleaire Snell Named Speaker/Director Elect of Breath of Life Ministries
July 30, 2021, still a top story in 2022