12 October, 2017

Adventists in St. Croix Are Encouraged to Move Forward and Serve the Community

Seventh-day Adventists on the island of St. Croix were encouraged by church leaders to press on in the wake of Hurricane Maria. The powerful storm battered the island last month with winds in excess of 175 miles per house, destroying homes, displacing residents and leaving the community hurting. “Do not allow anything to steal your blessing,” said Pastor Al Powell, youth ministries director for the church in Inter-America, as he addressed more than 500 church members on Sabbath, Sept. 30, 2017, at Peters Rest Adventist Church.

12 October, 2017

Adventist Church in Spain Appeals for Peace and Brotherhood

The Spanish Union Conference region of the Seventh-day Adventist Church has released an official statement condemning any manifestation of violence and advocates for respect, peace, and love. Below is the full text of the statement. In the face of a growing climate of confrontation in the Catalonia region and recent events there, the Spain Union Conference would like to express its concern and to make an appeal to the brotherhood of believers and unbelievers alike. No matter their ideology, all are called to embrace the Christian Gospel perspective, which implies respect, peace, and charity as embodied by our example and living hope Jesus Christ.

11 October, 2017

Adventist Church Launches New Mission Website

The Seventh-day Adventist Church announced a new website and app for missions, during the 2017 Annual Council meetings. Expected to launch August 2018, VividFaith will be a virtual community where those who want to serve the Church can find places around the world to serve and then be matched with the opportunities for which they are best suited.

11 October, 2017

In the Face of Financial Challenges, the Adventist Church Refocuses on Stewardship

The chief financial officer/treasurer (CFO) of the General Conference (GC) encourages members to return to systematic giving and increase support for stewardship ministries. “Since the 1980’s the emphasis in stewardship has somehow dwindled,” Juan Prestol-Puesán, GC CFO, told members of the Executive Committee during the 2017 Annual Council. “Teaching giving is out of fashion. It’s not something that attracts. It is a lot more attractive to give to projects.”

10 October, 2017

In Puerto Rico, Adventist Church Continues to Operate Despite Devastation

Nearly three weeks since Hurricane Maria destroyed everything in its path, the island of Puerto Rico and its people seem trapped in another time period. With power still out, food and gasoline scarce, banks not working normally, and not enough aid and supplies coming in, “hope seems nearly gone,” said Pastor Israel Leito, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America after a two-day visit to the island.

10 October, 2017

Annual Council Votes to Continue Dialogue on Unity and Reconciliation Process

Following nearly six hours of discussion and debate, a majority of members of the Executive Committee of the General Conference (GC) of Seventh-day Adventists voted during their Annual Council meeting to send a document entitled Procedures for Reconciliation and Adherence in Church Governance: Phase II, back to the Unity in Mission Oversight Committee for further review. “The body has spoken,” said Ted N.C. Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. “It will go back to the committee. By God's grace, we will find a way of bringing something together again.”

9 October, 2017

All Hands on Deck to Reach the Cities

God’s plan and longing desire is for His followers to go into all the cities to teach, preach, and heal in His name, said Seventh-day Adventist church president Ted N.C. Wilson. His remarks were part of his annual Sabbath address to the members of the world church’s Executive Committee, during the worship service at the denomination’s headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, on Oct. 7.

9 October, 2017

Adventist Membership Grows Substantially but Challenges Remain

Seventh-day Adventist membership around the world is growing at an increased rate, said Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research (ASTR) director David Trim, in the opening presentation of the Secretariat’s report. He was the first of several speakers from the world church’s Office of the Secretariat, during the Oct. 8 session of the church’s Executive Committee (EC) in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States.

7 October, 2017

In Inter-America, Adventist Church Creates New Committee to Coordinate Disaster Relief

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Inter-American Division (IAD) began coordinating disaster relief assistance for the affected territory devastated by the natural disasters which hit last month. Ten of the 24 major church regions across the IAD were hit by multiple earthquakes in Mexico and multiple hurricanes across the string of islands in the Caribbean.

7 October, 2017

Annual Council Opens with Focus on World Mission

The 2017 Annual Council —an annual business meeting of over 450 Seventh-day Adventist members and invitees to the church’s Executive Committee from around the world—convened at the denomination’s headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, on Oct 5. The fall session, during which department reports are shared, and documents, plans, and policies are voted, opened with the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Conference, an annual event that looks to inform, train, and empower leaders on a specific topic.

6 October, 2017

In St. Thomas, Adventists Find Comfort in Worshiping Together After Hurricanes

After Hurricanes Irma and Maria pummeled St. Thomas and St. John in the Virgin Islands last month, taking off roofs, damaging buildings and downing electric poles, dozens of Seventh-day Adventists gathered on Sabbath, Sep. 24, to praise God, find comfort in worshiping together and share their testimonies through the storms. The Category 5 storm peaked at 185 miles per hour on Sep. 6, and remained at the strength for 37 hours, killing three and displacing hundreds, authorities reported. Many Seventh-day Adventist were also displaced.

5 October, 2017

Adventists Provide Support to Crisis in Las Vegas

In the midst of a hurting community, local Seventh-day Adventist churches are steadily moving into place to aid those affected by the Las Vegas shooting on Sunday night. On Monday morning, the Paradise and Mountain View Seventh-day Adventist churches opened their doors to the community to pray with those affected by the event. At Mountain View, church members prayed with individuals in the sanctuary of the church from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.