News
Long-Anticipated Secondary School Biology Textbook Published
Textbook, described as a “powerful tool,” is published by the NAD Office of Education.
The book, "By Design Biology: The Scientific Study of Life," represents years of effort by Christian scientists and educators to provide a text that investigates the origins of life from a biblical worldview and also explores the theory of evolution.
NAD Leaders and Staff Honor Three Retiring Vice Presidents
The North American Division honored three retiring vice presidents through a virtual event that gave colleagues the opportunity to express their gratitude and share memories of the outgoing leaders. Alvin Kibble, former vice president for executive coaching, training, development, public affairs and religious liberty, literature ministries, and social media and big data; Paul Brantley, vice president for strategy and assessment; and Gordon Pifher, vice president for media ministries, received heart-felt spoken and written messages on May 12, 2021, from administration and staff about the legacy they’ll leave behind as they enter retirement.
Conference Event, Evangelism Impact 2021, Goes Virtual During COVID-19 Pandemic
Merely 12 months ago, the Carolina Conference Ministerial Department had hosted more than 1,000 attendees at the fourth annual Evangelism Impact at the Landmark Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In this uncertain year, the event went virtual, with a similar number of attendees joining online.
It Is Written Wins 10 Telly Awards
It Is Written has won 10 Telly Awards this year for five different programs: one gold, seven silver, and two bronze. Four awards, including the gold, were given to “The Trail of Tears,” the first It Is Written program examining the forced relocation of Native Americans. Additionally, "Every Word," the It Is Written one-minute daily devotional, was recognized for the first time.
Extended, “Gamified” Sonscreen Film Festival on Gather.Town Connects Students with Growing Filmmaking Network
The annual young adult film festival sponsored by the North American Division became an extended virtual experience through a six-session-long program on Gather.town, a customizable video-conferencing space that allowed for enhanced virtual interactivity among attendees. Sonscreen Film Festival 2021 took place every Friday, from April 2 to May 7, from 4-6 p.m. EDT, on the gamified platform that has been described as a combination of Zoom and the “Among US” video game.
Office of Volunteer Ministries Reinstates International Mission Deployments
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.
Southern Adventist University Enactus Team Places Third in National Competition
Southern Adventist University’s Enactus team placed third in the nation at the Enactus United States National Exposition. The team has previously ranked second in their league several times, but this is their first year to advance through the competition to the final round, which included the top four schools in the U.S.
Unity, Faith, and Miracles Emphasized During 2021 World Prayer Convention
The Prayer Ministries department of the North American Division organized a virtual, two-day event that facilitated continual prayer and highlighted testimonies from church leaders and members. The 2021 World Prayer Convention took place April 9-10 on Facebook Live.
Annual Pathfinder Bible Experience Grows Virtually
When the COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancelation of the in-person North American Division Pathfinder Bible Experience (NAD PBE) event 13 months ago, organizers quickly mobilized to hold the event online. In anticipation of the potential need to have another virtual event in 2021, planning started after the April 18, 2020 experience. This April, the PBE event was indeed held virtually.