News Articles

On Nov. 6, 2018, the North American Division Executive Committee voted to launch a two-year study to evaluate the needs and ways to serve immigrant and refugee groups. The body also heard reports on Verified Volunteers, Church Planting, Education, Adventist Learning Community, Children’s Ministries, Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Stewardship, Ministerial, Communication, and the Pacific Press Publishing Association.

An officer of the North American Division, a vice president, and a ministry director gave their final respective reports during the division’s 2018 Year-End Meeting this past week as they prepare for their retirements by the end of 2018 (Evans, Blackmer) or the beginning of 2019 (Matthews). Executive committee members seized the opportunity to thank the leaders for their service and lasting impact on the division and the Church’s mission of spreading the gospel.

Members of the Seventh-day Adventist church family mourn all loss of life, but especially cry out against mass violence such as took place last night in Thousand Oaks, California, very close to our headquarters for the western United States, the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Congregants from various faiths gathered in Benton Harbor, Michigan, on Monday night, Nov. 8, 2018, to pray for unity in the wake of the Pittsburgh massacre which left 11 Jewish worshippers dead. Before a standing-room only crowd of 150, faith leaders resolved to support Jews and other victims of religious hatred in the hopes of sending a clear message that love will triumph over hate.

On Nov. 4, 2018, the morning business session of the North American Division Year-End Meeting was devoted to a discussion on the voted General Conference document titled “Regard for and Practice of General Conference Session and General Conference Executive Committee Actions.” The GC Executive Committee, at its Annual Council meeting this past October, approved the creation of a new compliance process to assist with the need to implement church policies and voted actions.The process is outlined in the voted GC document to which the NAD was responding.

On Nov. 4, 2018, after a discussion of the document "Regard for and Practice of General Conference Session and General Conference Executive Committee Actions," which was voted during the General Conference Annual Council meeting in October, the North American Division Year-End Meeting Executive Committee approved a writing committee to craft a response to it. On Nov. 6, the NAD delegates approved the official response.

After the afternoon reports from Christian Record Services, Inc., North American Division media ministries, and Oakwood University at the NAD Year-End Meeting on Nov. 5, 2018, Daniel R. Jackson, NAD president, opened the floor for a discussion on finances.

After the morning devotional given by Pierre Omeler, a full day of business commenced on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, at the North American Division Year-End Meeting (NAD YEM). The morning session was devoted to a discussion on the voted General Conference document titled “Regard for and Practice of General Conference Session and General Conference Executive Committee Actions." The afternoon session included reports from NAD ministries and partners.

G. Alexander Bryant, NAD executive secretary, preaching a sermon entitled “Having the Mind of Christ,” challenged the delegates, families, and guests attending the 2018 North American Division Year-End Meeting Sabbath program to always take advantage of opportunities to demonstrate Jesus’ leadership style of humility and sacrifice.

Key reports and presentations made for a full business session on Nov. 2, the second day of the 2018 North American Division Year-End Meeting. The morning started with announcing the work of the YEM nominating committee.