News Articles

Office of Volunteer Ministries Reinstates International Mission Deployments

The ministry declares that, for the safety of those involved, listed prerequisites must be met for deployment outside the North American Division.

April 28, 2021 | Columbia, Md. | Kimberly Luste Maran

On April 15, 2021, the North American Division administration voted to reinstate mission deployments through the NAD Office of Volunteer Ministries (OVM). This reinstatement includes long-term missionary volunteers (two months or longer) from North America who serve around the world. Last October OVM was able to deploy volunteers inside the U.S., and to virtual teaching assignments in the Guam-Micronesia Mission.

“It’s been a year since the impact of COVID-19 has made it necessary for our office to suspend deployments into the foreign mission field,” said Ernest Hernandez, director of OVM, in a letter to church leaders and volunteers in the division. “Much has changed since then with the development of vaccines, airline travel policies and other safety protocols, and we are pleased that the NAD administration has voted to reinstate deployments into AVS-approved mission locations worldwide.”*

Hernandez shared that with the reinstatement comes increased caution in the midst of the pandemic. “The safety of our volunteers remains the highest priority, this approval is contingent on satisfying the conditions as stated by NAD Secretariat,” he said, adding that an additional risk awareness form will need to be signed by volunteers before they are able to go to their assignments.

The 10 prerequisites identified for providing clearance for a volunteer to travel follow the recommended guidelines and COVID-19 risk ratings by International SOS, a logistical company focused on global health and security situations. Some of these conditions include making sure the host country is able to treat COVID-19 or medevac the volunteer to an alternate treatment facility; the host country organization will pay expenses for quarantine, if necessary; volunteer must be fully vaccinated before deployment; and the volunteer complies with COVID-19 testing requirements for each country.

“There are still many places around the world that are not open for travel,” said Elden Ramirez, NAD undersecretary, in a letter to volunteers and church leaders. “Please know that our prayers are with you and we continue to partner with you to find ways to serve the mission field during these uncertain times. May God bless you and keep you.”

Click here for the prerequisites list.

*AVS stands for Adventist Volunteer Service, a General Conference entity.

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.