On Oct. 27, 2022, the North American Division executive committee listens as NAD officers officially open the division's year-end meeting. Photo by Pieter Damsteegt
The North American Division’s (NAD) 2022 Year-End Meeting, themed “Together in Mission: I Will Go,” opened on Thursday, October 27, with a song. As NAD administrators G. Alexander Bryant, president, Kyoshin Ahn, secretary, and Randy Robinson, treasurer, sang the chorus for “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” a proven trick for quieting a crowd, the voices in the room shifted from lively chatter to a harmonious choir.
The excitement in the air was palpable as 188 delegates (of 306) from Bermuda, Canada, Guam-Micronesia, and the United States gathered for the first in-person year-end meeting since 2019. “It’s been three years since we met in person. It’s good to be together, and it’s good to see each and every one of you,” Bryant acknowledged as he welcomed the attendees.
For virtual audiences, the meetings were streamed onto the NAD’s Facebook and YouTube platforms and website, with Julio Muñoz, NAD Office of Communication associate director, serving as the livestream host. Muñoz introduced viewers to key elements of these meetings, such as the adoption, deletion, or amendment of policies; filling of open positions; and worship gatherings.
Further adding to the feeling of a family reunion was the introduction of new executive committee members. Attendees learned that in the past 18 months, five out of nine union presidents and 33 out of 59 conference presidents have changed. The room filled with warm applause as Bryant introduced new union presidents and in turn, the union presidents introduced new conference presidents and other delegates from their region.
G. Alexander Bryant, North American Division president, welcomes attendees to the 2022 NAD Year-End Meeting, which began Oct. 27, 2022. Photo by Pieter Damsteegt
Other key items were the approval of the agenda and the appointment of Todd McFarland, General Conference deputy general counsel, as the meetings’ parliamentarian. Finally, attendees received an inspiring report by Bryant on what God has done and will do in the NAD in light of the three strategic touchpoints — media, multiply, and mentorship. [A full summary of Bryant’s report is posted here.]
Before sharing these updates, Bryant set a positive tone for the meeting by referring to unexpected gains during the pandemic. One was the 10 percent increase in tithe in 2020 versus the expected 15 to 20 percent tithe loss. Another was the fact that churches pivoted to online services in 10 days, a feat that may otherwise have taken 10 years.
“God has been good to us. He’s blessed us as we have led and as we have continued to try to move the mission of the church forward,” Bryant concluded.