News Articles

Charles Edward Bradford, first president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America (NAD), passed away on Thursday, September 9, 2021, in Huntsville, Alabama, after more than half a century of ministry. He was 96. Not only was Bradford the first NAD president, serving as leader of the fledgling division, he was the first African American to serve in that role.

After years of prayerful planning, more than 338 evangelistic meetings are being held right now across the state of Texas, as well as in parts of Oklahoma. The Southwestern Union Conference, Adventist World Radio (AWR), the Texas Conference, the Southwest Region Conference, and the Oklahoma Conference — including dedicated pastors and church members across those states — have come together to make this massive event happen.

U.S. News & World Report continues to rank Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) as a top institution. Ranked once again as No. 2 for social mobility within the Regional Colleges West ranking, SWAU continues to stand out amongst top performing colleges and universities in the United States.

This month, the dean of Southern Adventist University’s School of Nursing was honored by the Champions of Health Care program for her volunteer efforts. Holly Gadd, Ph.D., chair of Southern’s AdventHealth Nursing Education, was selected by the Chattanooga and Hamilton County Medical Society to receive the 2021 Health Care Volunteer Award.

Charles E. Bradford, first president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America (NAD), passed away on Thursday, September 9, 2021, in Huntsville, Alabama. He was 96.

War is a tragedy — the loss of life, displacement of people, destruction of the environment, disease and other aftereffects make it more than a devasting event. As we commemorate the twentieth anniversary of 9/11 and reflect on the recent withdrawal of the U.S. military forces in Afghanistan, ending the nation’s longest war, one might wonder if this could possibly have been the war to end all wars.

As we remember how life in the United States and around the world changed 20 years ago when 3,000 lost their lives in terrorist acts on September 11, 2001, I urge our members in the North American Division to pray for those who were impacted by these events and lost loved ones on that day.

Category 4 Hurricane Ida pounded much of Louisiana with strong winds and heavy rain as it made landfall on August 29, 2021. The central Gulf Coast, from southeastern Louisiana and coastal Mississippi to southwestern Alabama sustained life-threatening flash and urban flooding. W. Derrick Lea, North American Division Adventist Community Services (ACS) director reported that ACS Disaster Response (DR) is helping — or will help — in three major areas: shelter, mobile supply distribution, and debris removal assistance.

The North American Division Youth and Young Adult Ministries department held a three-day virtual youth congress from Aug. 12 to Aug. 14, 2021. This youth congress, titled “GO DO IT,” this was the first annual youth congress sponsored by the department.

Community members are invited to sign up for free counseling sessions through the Southern Center for Counseling and Emotional Wellness at Southern Adventist University. The service is provided by graduate students in the university’s Professional Counseling program, and each session is strictly supervised by licensed professionals.