News Articles

As of June 18, 2019, Verified Volunteers, in their efforts to remain consistent with their organization’s branding, is now operating under the name Sterling Volunteers. The name chosen for all the North American Division background screening and training needs is Adventist Screening Verification. The web-based platform features a training and screening system for both employees and volunteers across all conferences in the division.

Tens of thousands of Pathfinders are preparing for the Chosen International Camporee that will take place in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on Aug. 13-17, 2019. The camporee, which occurs every five years, is the largest Pathfinder-related event of its kind. As they prepare, there’s one thing the Pathfinders must have in pristine condition — their uniforms. And while the uniforms on their own are eye-catching, Pathfinders will seek something extra special to help them stand out — collectable pins. 

The Great Commission contains this mandate: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:19, 20, NIV). This robust mandate and mission statement given by the Master Himself is our guiding principle for evangelism, and the impetus behind everything we do to share our Adventist message of hope and wholeness.

Design students from Walla Walla University partnered with Fort Walla Walla Museum during spring quarter to create a new museum exhibit. The collaboration provided students with practical experience in exhibit concept development, design, budget management, and fabrication and installation, as well as experience working with a client and meeting client expectations.

Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries of the North American Division recognized Chaplain John Elliott of the United States Air Force on July 3, 2019, for his recent promotion to colonel. He is the third Seventh-day Adventist Air Force chaplain to achieve the rank — the first was Chaplain David Buttrick, who was promoted in 2017. 

The North American Division recently released its first comprehensive guide to search engine optimization for ministries. The Search Engine Optimization Guidebook is designed to help Seventh-day Adventist entities evangelize online through effective content creation, website ranking best practices, and reputation management.

On Sabbath, June 8, Jefferson City mayor Carrie Tergin stopped by the 2019 Iowa-Missouri Camp Meeting in Centralia, Missouri, to express her thanks for recent disaster relief efforts Adventists have undertaken in and around the city. Tornadoes tore through the Jefferson City community on May 22, 2019.

April 2019 was Mike Tucker's fifteenth anniversary with Faith For Today. The current speaker/director of this media ministry writes, "July 2019 marks 45 years of ministry for me. What a blessing it has been for me to do work I love for a God I adore. Not long ago I asked the Faith For Today Executive Committee to start the process of transitioning the ministry for new leadership."

The Blythe Central Seventh-day Adventist Church in California has been assisting Riverside County with temporary housing for families that were being housed in California after crossing into the U.S.

It is estimated that 750 million people worldwide are illiterate. For nearly two decades the North American Division has sponsored adult literacy initiatives through its Partners in Mission program with sister divisions and mission fields. The partnerships have given more than 180,000 adults the gift of literacy.