News
Learning to Read the Word
New structure, methodology is explored for Partners in Mission adult literacy program.
It is estimated that 750 million people worldwide are illiterate. For nearly two decades the North American Division has sponsored adult literacy initiatives through its Partners in Mission program with sister divisions and mission fields. The partnerships have given more than 180,000 adults the gift of literacy.
With Religious Freedom Under Threat, Is There a Way Forward?
Seventh-day Adventist advocates are working to protect this vital human right within a culture that has grown skeptical of many religious freedom claims.
A New Commandment
While on earth, Jesus gave His disciples a “new” commandment to “love one another” just as He loved them. He invites us to live a life that faithfully points to and mirrors Him.
Legacy, Leadership, and New Initiatives
The final morning business session of the North American Division 2019 Year-end Meeting (YEM) primarily focused on pension benefits provided to employees by the represented entities of the territory, including the division and all its unions, conferences, schools, mission fields and independent ministries. Delegates also heard numerous reports from various departments, entities, and ministries.
It Is Written Ministries Opens New Headquarters
On Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, more than 500 community members, pastors, church officials, and workers gathered for the grand opening of the new It Is Written headquarters in Collegedale, Tennessee. The event was live-streamed on It Is Written’s Facebook page and featured a dedication, a ribbon cutting, ministry tours, giveaways, and refreshments.
Adventist Community Services Offers to Match Donations for Arctic Mission Adventure Program in Alaska
This fall, Adventist Community Services (ACS) and the Alaska Conference, part of the North Pacific Union Conference, announced that during the 2019 holiday season, ACS is providing a year-end match opportunity to help offset the costs of reaching native villages and enabling more children to experience camp, food programs, and Vacation Bible School (VBS). Every dollar AMA raises, ACS will match dollar for dollar, up to $100,000, by December 31. “Instead of resigning ourselves to these challenges, NAD’s ACS has prayerfully decided to engage in a transformational opportunity of collaboration with the AMA program,” said Tandi Perkins, Alaska Conference development director. “This partnership will focus on providing safe spaces and programs through outreach to Alaska Native communities.”
The Legacy Lives On: Washington Adventist University's New England Youth Ensemble Turns 50
In the autumn of 1969, Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse — already an accomplished and internationally-known violin and piano soloist and composer — invited four little kids to play music in her living room. Little did they know, this was the beginning of the New England Youth Ensemble (NEYE), a group of young musicians that gave its first performance at the local Kiwanis club in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Debra Brill, Longest-Serving Vice President at the North American Division, Retires
Debra C. Brill retired on Oct. 1, 2019, after serving the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America as a vice president for 21 years. Brill served as administrative liaison and chair of NAD committees and on the boards many NAD ministries. Brill, with 33 years of denominational employment, currently holds the record for longest-serving vice president of the NAD, and she is the second women to occupy a vice president position at the division.
Adventist Education Leaders Visit ADRA-Sponsored Schools in Malawi
NAD education leaders were recently part of an assessment team that traveled to Malawi to evaluate the educational needs at ADRA-sponsored schools. The schools are located in the poorest areas of one of the least-developed nations in Africa.