Press Releases

Return to Palau Film, Which Tells the Tragic Story of a Young Missionary Family, to be Screened at the International Christian Film Festival

May 3, 2022 | Orlando, Fla. | Ann Hamel

Return to Palau, the story of a young, Seventh-day Adventist missionary family that moves to the idyllic island nation of Palau and suffers a shocking tragedy, will be screened at the International Christian Film Festival in Orlando, Florida, on Friday, May 6, 2022.

The film shows how the tragedy not only impacts the family but the entire nation. The president of Palau publicly apologizes for what happened and calls for a national day of mourning. Through recently uncovered archival footage and first-person accounts, Return to Palau tells an incredible story of survival, faith, and forgiveness.

The film’s global premiere was held in Palau on March 16, 2022, with more than 1,500 people in attendance, the largest ever in-door gathering of people in the history of Palau, according to the president, with a second showing later that week. The film has also been premiered on the campuses of Southwestern Adventist University and Andrews University, both with repeat showings.

Return to Palau has won several awards and has been nominated for best documentary and best director at the International Christian Film and Music Festival in Orlando, Florida. It will be shown on Friday evening, May 6, at the Wyndham International Resort in Orlando. Tickets can be purchased on-line at https://icff.ticketspice.com/icff2022. This film will also be screened at the North American Division Ministerial Association’s CALLED convention this summer. Details of the film’s public release will follow.

To view a trailer, download a digital flier; or find more information, email Ann Hamel at drannhamel@gmail.com.

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.

In the Middle of It: A Thanksgiving Reflection

It’s easy to express gratitude when the outcome is favorable, when the struggle has passed, and when we can see the fruit of our perseverance. But what if we could learn to give thanks not just at the end of the journey but “in the middle of it”? What if we could cultivate the kind of gratitude that doesn’t wait for the resolution, but chooses to acknowledge God’s faithfulness even while the outcome is still unknown?

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.