News
The North American Division President's Report at the 2025 General Conference Session Highlights Discipleship, Media, Mentorship, and Service
On Saturday evening, July 5, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America (NAD) presented the first division report at the 2025 General Conference Session. NAD president G. Alexander Bryant, executive secretary Kyoshin Ahn, and treasurer Judy R. Glass introduced the video, which focused on the division’s ministry activities and accomplishments during the past three years.
Erton C. Köhler Elected as General Conference President
Erton C. Köhler was elected to the office of the president of the General Conference (GC) on July 4, 2025, during the 62nd GC Session in St. Louis, Missouri. Köhler’s election marks the beginning of his first term as the spiritual and administrative leader of a worldwide movement that spans more than 200 countries and includes more than 23 million members.
Rooted in the Word: Scripture Comes Alive at the 2025 NAD Pathfinder Bible Experience
From April 25 to 26, more than 3,000 Pathfinders, supporters, and volunteers packed the arena in historic Battle Creek, Michigan, for a weekend of worship, Bible knowledge testing, and celebration. And on Sabbath, April 26, 185 teams — the second highest number ever — gathered in person from across North America and beyond. Four teams joined virtually.
Lessons for the Living
I have a confession to make. I have a habit, some might call it a morbid one, but wherever I go, whatever city I’m visiting, I will find myself in the oldest cemetery in town, walking among the dead. I can go to a cemetery, and stay for two hours, three hours, and I walk up and down reading the tombstones. I like to ponder: Who was this person? What was their life?
Appreciation Never Expires
It’s always encouraging to hear the words “thank you.” We love feeling appreciated and also hearing it expressed. There’s a good reason for our affection towards appreciation, it’s built into our DNA — we received the trait from our heavenly Father. Expressing our thanks has no expiration date. I discovered this after expressing my gratitude to my former neighbor for her unselfish act of Christian kindness towards me a long time ago.
"We're Here to Help People"
“God, if You want me to go down there, I have no problem with it. If You want me to leave everything I know, ... and move to Texas, away from everyone—to take on a job that I’ve never done, that I’m not quite sure about—I’ll do it.” This was Robert “Bob” Allen’s prayer eight years ago as he and his wife contemplated leaving their lives and jobs in New York for camp ministry in Texas.
Community Service Center Experiences Increase in Patrons and Donations, Seeks Storage Expansion
The Adventist Community Service Center of Fort Madison, Iowa, seeks to expand its storage after experiencing an increase in both patrons and item donations. According to the center’s director Janie Warner, the center was so full of donations that it was difficult to walk around inside, which led personnel to set up tables outside for those in need.
Matías Soto Named Director of Andrews University Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship
In August 2021, Matías Soto, former teacher and experienced tech startup officer, was appointed as director of the Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Andrews University. In this role, Soto will be responsible for overseeing innovation efforts at the Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, as well as supervising the certificate program.