News Articles

NAD to Hold Department and Ministry Elections After 2021 General Conference Session

Due to the impact of COVID-19, the NAD votes to hold its elections on May 26, 2021, the day after GC sessions ends in Indianapolis.

May 27, 2020 | Columbia, Md. | NAD Office of Communication

Due to the impact of COVID-19 and the postponement of the 2020 General Conference (GC) Session until May 2021, and the North American Division (NAD) of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church policy that requires the election of NAD vice presidents and department directors be held after a General Conference Session, the North American Division Committee (NADCOM) voted on May 21, 2020, to hold division elections on May 26, 2021, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

This date is immediately after the conclusion of the 2021 GC Session and will allow for the NAD Executive Committee to meet at a time when a significant number of its members would already be present in Indianapolis. Historically, the majority of other world divisions have held their department and ministry elections during previous GC sessions, setting a precedent for the NAD to do likewise at the upcoming session.

The election of NAD vice presidents and department directors was originally scheduled to take place at the 2020 NAD Year-End Meeting, held October 29 - November 3 at the NAD headquarters in Columbia, Maryland.

The General Conference has scheduled a series of departmental advisories to take place in August and September of 2021, and moving the NAD elections to May makes it possible for the newly-elected directors and vice presidents to participate with their ministry colleagues from around the world. The GC has announced plans to hold the advisories virtually. In the past the meetings were held at the GC headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. This will provide the church with substantial savings on the travel and meeting costs of previous advisories.

Earlier, the NAD announced plans for the election of a replacement for Daniel R. Jackson, who is retiring from his position as NAD president on July 1, 2020. The NAD nominating committee will meet on July 6 and the NAD executive committee will meet on July 7 to select a name to be recommended to the General Conference executive committee, which will meet virtually on July 9 to elect a new NAD president.

All three NAD executive positions — president, secretary and treasurer — will be elected at the 2021 GC Session.

Young Adult LIFE Tour Coming to Portland, Oregon

Many of our local churches love their young adults but are at a loss as to where to begin a thriving ministry with them. The North Pacific Union Young Adult LIFE Tour stop intends to bring insights and relevant, doable steps toward building a flourishing young adult ministry now. The tour’s next stop will be in Portland, Oregon, from April 19-20, 2024, at the Pleasant Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church.

What’s in Your Hand? eHuddle Inspires Attendees Toward Creative Evangelism

From February 26 to 28, nearly 200 pastors and other leaders gathered at Camp Kulaqua in High Springs, Florida, for the 2024 eHuddle, an annual evangelism and leadership think tank hosted by the North American Division’s (NAD) Ministerial Association. Thousands more tuned in via Facebook and YouTube.

Mardian J. Blair, Former CEO of AdventHealth, Passes to His Rest

Mardian J. Blair, who led AdventHealth (formerly Adventist Health System) from 1984 until 2000, passed away on March 26 at the age of 92 in Apopka, Florida. Blair leaves behind a profound impact on the organization and in faith-based health care, particularly during a time of significant change in the health care industry.

It Is Written Conducts Alaska Evangelism and Mission Trip

This spring, It Is Written will conduct a mission trip and evangelistic campaign in Alaska, culminating in the Revelation Today: Hope for Humanity series. At the end of March, a mission team of 70 volunteers are serving in Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska, and Bethel, the largest rural community. The evangelistic series begins April 5.

Pacific Union College Gains Approval to Expand Nursing Program to Sonora

Pacific Union College (PUC) recently announced that it received state approval for a new nursing training partnership with Adventist Health Sonora. The PUC education center will further the college’s goals of growing its nursing program and help meet the rising need for highly qualified healthcare professionals in the Tuolumne County area.