On Saturday evening, July 5, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America (NAD) presented the first division report at the 2025 General Conference Session. NAD president G. Alexander Bryant, executive secretary Kyoshin Ahn, and treasurer Judy R. Glass introduced the video, which focused on the division’s ministry activities and accomplishments during the past three years. While the time frame covered for this report was shortened due to the global pandemic, the division’s impact over these years was far-reaching and significant. 

Gerson P. Santos, General Conference associate secretary, introduced his "adopted division," sharing that the North American Division is the largest division in territory, spanning nine countries and territories and 14 time zones, with a membership of more than 1.3 million in almost 7,000 congregations, worshiping in more than 30 languages. Its territory also includes roughly 1,000 schools, 13 universities and colleges, a vast network of hospitals and clinics, and several media ministries.

In his opening words before the video aired, Bryant stated, "There's an African proverb that says, if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together. The North American Division theme for the past three years has been Together in Mission.* It is built on the belief that we are stronger together and can make a greater impact for Christ when we're working together; and when we are linked together, arm to arm and heart to heart — the local church, the local school, health and higher educational institutions, the local conference, the union, the division, the General Conference — using our resources and our assets in a harmonious way to advance the mission of God, we are an unbeatable force."

Bryant then referenced the NAD's three strategic areas of focus, or three Ms: multiply, media, and mentorship. "Multiply . . . deals with how we can most effectively multiply the ministry of Jesus. It doesn't mean that we have not been doing the ministries of Jesus. But how can we do them more effectively, with greater impact? The teaching ministry of Jesus, the healing ministry of Jesus, the proclamation ministry of Jesus, the compassionate ministry of Jesus, coming together with one impact. Pentecost 2025 is an example of this coming together in mission approach, where the local church, the local school, the conference, the local union, the division, and the General Conference come together to advance this initiative across the North American Division territory. This is multiply: multiplying Christ's ministries, multiplying Christ's impact, and multiplying the influence of the ministry of Jesus."

He then turned to Glass, who addressed media, the second M. "By utilizing the power of media, church members in North America are connecting with people who are seeking to learn more about God, and then helping them find a faith community," said Glass. She shared that "more than 13,000 digital disciples have been trained in an ongoing initiative to teach church members how to share their faith through live chat." Glass underscored that through the live chat features on Adventist.org, "questions about beliefs are being answered, requests for prayer are being accepted, and people are connected to local churches." She noted that outward-facing ministries such as Faith for Today also harness the power of broadcast media to share God's grace. She concluded, "These digital connections open doors to build friendships and share God's love."

Finally, Ahn provided an overview of the third M — mentorship — before the division video report aired for thousands gathered at the GC Session and those watching the livestream. "We believe mentorship is an essential part of our mission. Mentorship means walking alongside others, sharing wisdom, giving encouragement, listening to their stories, and empowering others and the next generations to serve with courage and compassion to fulfill the church's mission in this world," he stated, continuing, "It is grounded in Scripture, prayer and a shared commitment to Christ. Through this mentoring process, faith is deepened, leaders are shaped, and the local church becomes stronger."

Ahn concluded the NAD leaders' introduction with an inspiring vision: "We envision a church where seasoned leaders pour into the young, and where experienced pastors lift up emerging voices, so that every member, every believer in our territory, is both mentored and mentoring, all for the cause of Christ. Brothers and sisters, here is the North American Division report. Thank you."

Highlights From the NAD Report

Below are highlights from the North American Division’s report.

[A full written report will later be available in the Adventist Review’s daily GC Session bulletin.]

Since 2022, NAD members and leaders across Bermuda, Canada, Guam-Micronesia, and the U.S. have united in their individual and collective answer to Christ’s disciple-making call, embodying the strategic plan of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church: “I will go.” Under the quinquennial theme, “Together in Mission,” with three focal points of multiplying disciples, harnessing media for outreach, and mentoring current and next generation leaders, the division has made strides in spreading the distinctive, Christ-centered Seventh-day Adventist message of hope and wholeness in its territory. Since 2022, the NAD family has welcomed 204,357 new members into 6,810 churches and 894 companies.

The story of how the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America has continued to grow in a challenging post-COVID-19 context is multi-faceted and complex; thus, it was divided into five chapters for the GC session audience. 

Chapter 1: Multiplying Disciples

In North America, discipleship often begins with a seed — a kind word, a moment of connection, an act of service — planted in homes, schools, cafes, and online services. With the power of the Holy Spirit, these seeds grow into centers of influence, small groups, and new congregations. 

As one of the NAD’s growing centers of influence, the Chesapeake Conference’s Urban Life Center in Baltimore, Maryland, is reaching its community through wellness programs, community events, and needs-based service. The result of a strategic partnership between two local churches, it aims to be a bridge between community needs and the gospel message. In the video report, its director, Cristina Macena, expressed that the center “is a place where people find hope, purpose, and healing. It isn’t just growth — it’s transformation.” 

With a focus on Christ’s method of mingling with people, discerning and meeting their needs, then introducing them to Jesus, the NAD planted more than 400 churches in one year alone (2023). The division's membership has now grown to 1,287,739. From 2022 to present, nearly 205,000 people publicly accepted Christ through baptism, including 1,215 young people at the 2024 Believe the Promise International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming. 

In 2024, division leadership reflected on the biblical promise that the Spirit of God would be manifested at the earth’s close, as it was on the day of Pentecost (see Acts 2). Thus, they conceptualized Pentecost 2025 — the NAD’s invitation for church leaders and members to hold at least 3,000 proclamation initiatives division-wide. By God’s grace, 5,200 churches and schools registered to participate and are engaging in creative evangelism in their regions. 

Pentecost 2025 is a reminder that the work of multiplication is not just for church leaders; every member is called to use their gifts and spheres of influence to make disciples who make other disciples. The report challenged viewers to consider how they could use innovative outreach, digital platforms, and traditional methods to spread the good news throughout North America and beyond.

Chapter 2: The Power of Media

The report reminded those watching that the church has been at the forefront of technology since Ellen White’s vision of creating a little paper that would spread worldwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the world went into lockdown, but our churches went online, and the digital space became a lifeline. Several churches shifted from never having streamed to reaching thousands online. Today, churches continue to offer both in-person and online services.

Media ministry continued to thrive, with It is Written, Voice of Prophecy, Breath of Life, Faith for Today, Jesus 101, La Voz de la Esperanza, and Life Talk Radio offering fresh programming and evangelistic initiatives leading seekers to the truth. Hope Channel Canada also launched in 2024, reaching more than a million viewers.

Since 2022, the NAD has continued to cast a wide net online. The 10,000 Digital Disciples initiative was launched in 2021, encouraging members to harness the power of social media and digital evangelism to reach people where they are — online. Online prayer initiatives also expanded the church’s digital footprint, with clicks leading to connections and even a resource book, [https://www.dmissionary.com/], authored by Justin Kim, director of digital evangelism for the Central California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

The report also highlighted Sonscreen Film Festival, the division’s annual film festival for young filmmakers. Sonscreen was founded in 2002, as NAD leaders recognized the power of story and need for creative spaces. At the festival, college and university students share their life stories, challenges, and faith every year through film. Sonscreen Films also produces values-based films in tandem with Adventist higher education institutions and global church entities, including Hope Media Europe. 

“Stories change hearts, and we’re using film to listen, learn, and teach lessons through storytelling just as Jesus did,” the video report concluded.

Chapter 3: Mentoring into the Future

The next chapter of the report centered on mentorship, sharing that the NAD recognizes that the continued success of our church is in the hands of youth. Division-wide mentorship efforts that encompass Pathfinders, young adult leadership training, public campus ministries, schools, early childhood education institutions, colleges and universities, NextGen ministry initiatives, and mentorship and training from division leaders were displayed through photos and video from across the NAD. 

One of the NAD’s current mentorship programs, NextGen, which seeks to introduce young people to ministry opportunities and empower those feeling called to church work at major division events, including Pathfinder Bible Experience and the International Pathfinder Camporee, was highlighted. 

Another key area mentioned — training cohorts — are equipping and empowering the many conference, union, and division leaders who are new to their roles amid massive leadership changes since 2021. The aim is to equip young people and current leadership to stand firm in their faith as they serve God. As shared in the video report, these efforts are bearing fruit on campuses, churches, and workplaces division-wide. 

Chapter 4: Faith in Action

The NAD strives to exemplify faith in action through its community service projects, healthcare systems, and local and global missions, and provided several examples of this in the report. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, community outreach efforts surged, with more than 1,500 congregations opening food distribution centers. Furthermore, Adventist Community Service leaders offered critical disaster response, including spiritual care, after hurricanes, shootings, wildfires, and other events in the past three years.

The five healthcare systems in the division continued providing holistic healing during this time. As of 2025, these systems encompass more than 100 hospitals, 2,700 medical offices, urgent care centers, outpatient clinics, and surgery centers. Through their research, health exams, and surgeries, they continually exhibit faith in action, offering quality care and compassionate service in the vein of Christ’s healing ministry.

The report specifically honed in the NAD’s strong focus on mission work, which included mention of the thousands of missionaries annually sent out globally and with the division itself. And across North America, the division is making inroads in reaching more than 1,200 tribes and Indigenous nations. For example, March 2025 marked the launch of Diné Adventist Radio's first full-power FM station — KDHH 89.5 FM, going live to reach listeners across Tuba City, Kaibeto, and the Western Agency of the Navajo Nation. The groundbreaking project aiming to reach the Navajo population with the Seventh-day Adventist message of hope, health, and healing came to fruition after years of laying the foundation. 

Another significant Indigenous ministry, the Mamawi Atosketan Native School, broke ground on a parcel of land on a reservation known for courage and innovation. A new center of influence, the Mamawi Atosketan Center, is being viewed as a continuation of the school’s pioneering work since 2003 in connecting and working with Indigenous people.

Faith in action exemplified in the report included tithe figures. Division-wide, tithe from 2022 to 2024 reached $3.85 billion. Members gave above expectations, and their generosity extended to special offerings for Pentecost 2025. After this evangelism initiative was announced in 2024, member donations amounted to $543,667 — a tangible testament to members’ generosity and commitment to investing in spreading the three angels’ messages throughout their division. 

Chapter 5: A Future Together in Mission

In 2025, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America celebrates 40 years of ministry and mission. As indicated in the report, the division is together in mission — with laser-like focus and through the power of God and the Holy Spirit, the division is sharing the good news in this generation.

God has been working in mighty ways through NAD leaders and members. From the smallest church plant to the largest camporee, from digital evangelism to community outreach, weekly prayer meetings to soup kitchens, every member has a vital role in fulfilling the gospel commission. 

The video concluded with this affirmation: “The mission isn’t slowing down. It’s growing. We are together in mission. The call is ours. We will go.”

*Together in Mission is the NAD's quinquennial theme. Read more here: https://www.nadadventist.org/NAD-strategic-focus-together-in-mission.