News
Providing Encouragement and Assessment
NAD Administrators Affirm Work and Assess Needs During Visit to the Guam-Micronesia Mission
Beginning January 4, 2024, a North American Division administrative team visited several islands within the Guam-Micronesia Mission for two weeks. “We wanted to provide encouragement and do an assessment of needs and see how we could better support the work there,” said NAD president G. Alexander Bryant.
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?
Help Provided in St. Louis After Tornado Strike
On May 16, 2025, a powerful EF-3 tornado tore through St. Louis, Missouri, and continued into Madison County, Illinois, reaching wind speeds of up to 152 mph and spanning 22.8 miles. NAD Adventist Community Services (ACS) is partnering with the Mid-America Union Conference, local churches, civic leaders, and other Adventist entities to provide ongoing disaster relief.
“Side By Side” Adventist songwriter, Jeff Wood, Passes Away
After six years of declining health that included two bouts with cancer, Jeff Wood, Adventist song writer, screenwriter, producer and director, passed to his rest on Oct. 11, 2018, in Angwin, California. He was 67. Wood made a significant contribution to Seventh-day Adventist Church media during the course of a career spanning several decades. He may best be known for his song “Side By Side,” originally recorded by the Heritage Singers — and sung in thousands of churches around the world.
Southwestern Adventist University Communication Professors Nominated for Two Emmys
Southwestern Adventist University’s department of communication has earned two nominations in the highest honor in the television industry – the EMMY® Awards. The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences nominated Truth in the category of Historic/Cultural - Program Feature/Segment in the annual Lone Star Chapter Regional EMMY® Awards.
Washington Johnson, II Rises to the Rank of Captain in the U.S. Navy Reserve During Historic Promotion Ceremony
Washington Johnson, II, associate director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries, was officially promoted from “commander” to “captain” in the U.S. Navy Reserve on October 8, at the headquarters of the North American Division in Columbia, Maryland. Johnson is the sixth Adventist chaplain to reach the rank of captain in the history of the denomination and the U.S. Navy.
Student-Produced Film Helps Promote “Creation Sabbath”
The Stop, a clever and compelling three-minute film about the Sabbath and creation was made available October 3 by the Geoscience Research Institute (GRI) in preparation of “Creation Sabbath,” on October 27. The annual celebration of the Seventh-day Adventist Church provides a designated time for church and community members to reflect on God’s creation.