A Directory of the General Conference, World Divisions, Union and Local Conferences and Missions, Educational Institutions, Food Industries, Healthcare Institutions, Media Centers, Publishing Houses and Periodicals, Radio and TV Stations, and Risk Management. Printed in the U.S.A. by the PACIFIC PRESS®PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION NAMPA, ID 83687 Published by the Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists® 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904-6600 Seventh-day Adventist®Yearbook 2016 Copyright ©2016 The General Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists® All Rights Reserved The Yearbook is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the organizations and institutions associated with the Seventh-day Adventist®Church. The information here presented has been submitted by these organizations and institutions through their respective division offices (union offices for the North American Division). 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Cover designed by Regina Reaves Hayden Electronic makeup by Toy Shop Productions Contents Preface and System Codes—Explanation............................................................................4 World Statistics for 2014...................................................................................................5 Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook—Policy...........................................................................5 Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists..................................................................6 Mission Statement of the Seventh-day Adventist Church....................................................9 Constitution and Bylaws..................................................................................................10 General Conference Officers (1863 to present)................................................................18 Map—World Time Zones................................................................................................19 Map—World Divisions....................................................................................................20 General Conference........................................................................................................21 East-Central Africa Division—ECD...................................................................................41 Euro-Asia Division—ESD.................................................................................................77 Inter-American Division—IAD.........................................................................................97 Inter-European Division—EUD......................................................................................169 North American Division—NAD...................................................................................191 Postal Abbreviations...............................................................................................255 Healthcare Corporations.......................................................................................256 Northern Asia-Pacific Division—NSD...........................................................................261 South American Division—SAD...................................................................................277 South Pacific Division—SPD.........................................................................................335 Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division—SID.................................................................351 Southern Asia Division—SUD.......................................................................................379 Southern Asia-Pacific Division —SSD............................................................................403 Trans-European Division—TED......................................................................................449 West-Central Africa Division—WAD.............................................................................467 Fields Attached to the General Conference Middle East and North Africa Union Mission—MENA............................................501 Israel Field—IF.......................................................................................................507 Educational Institutions..................................................................................................509 Secondary Schools.................................................................................................574 Food Industries..............................................................................................................665 Healthcare Institutions...................................................................................................669 Hospitals and Sanitariums......................................................................................669 Clinics and Dispensaries........................................................................................698 Health Education and Lifestyle Centers...................................................................708 Nursing Homes and Retirement Centers.................................................................709 Orphanages and Children’s Homes........................................................................717 Media Centers...............................................................................................................721 Publishing Houses.........................................................................................................727 Periodicals.............................................................................................................739 Radio and TV Stations...................................................................................................755 Risk Management..........................................................................................................767 Index of Institutional Employees – Note........................................................................769 Directory of Credentialed Employees – Note.................................................................769 List of Countries With Their Organizational Locations...................................................771 Trademarks....................................................................................................................775 General Index...............................................................................................................777 3 4 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 2016 Preface to the 2016 Edition Scope and Purpose of the Yearbook Denominational History The Seventh-day Adventist Church conducts its activities Seventh-day Adventists are, doctrinally, heirs of the through ecclesiastical organizations (such as local churches, Millerite Movement of the 1840s. Although the name local conferences and missions, unions, and the General “Seventh-day Adventist” was chosen in 1860, the denomi- Conference and its divisions) and a wide array of other entities nation was not officially organized until May 21, 1863, and corporations established for specific functions aligned when the movement included some 125 churches and with the Church’s beliefs, values and mission. The Seventh- 3,500 members. Work was largely confined to North day AdventistYearbook (including the online version)is “a America until 1874 when the Church’s first missionary, J. directory of the organizational units and institutions that com- N. Andrews, was sent to Switzerland. The first non- prise the Seventh-day Adventist Church” (Working PolicyBA Protestant Christian country entered was Russia, where an 80 05). It presents information on ecclesiastical organizations Adventist minister went in 1886. On October 20, 1890, the beyond the local church (the General Conference and its divi- schooner Pitcairn was launched at San Francisco, sions, union and local conferences and missions) and on insti- California, and was soon engaged in carrying missionaries tutions that are owned, controlled or directed by these organi- zational units. All information in this Yearbookhas been fur- to the Pacific islands. Seventh-day Adventist workers first nished by the organizations themselves and may have entered non-Christian countries in 1894—Gold Coast changed since submission for this publication; in cases where (Ghana), West Africa, and Matabeleland, South Africa. The current reports were not received, the most recent previous same year saw missionaries entering South America, and in records have been retained or adjusted. 1896 there were representatives in Japan. The Church now The Yearbook does not define church structure or has established work in 216 countries. describe legal relationships among church entities or any of The publication and distribution of literature were major the listed organizations, most of which are separate legal factors in the growth of the Advent Movement. The entities. It is a directory of the many and varied organiza- Adventist Review and Sabbath Herald(now the Adventist tions, other than local churches and congregations, local Review), thegeneral church paper, was launched in Paris, church-sponsored entities, and elementary schools, through Maine in 1850; theYouth’s Instructor in Rochester, New which the Seventh-day Adventist Church advances its mis- York, in 1852; and the Signs of the Times in Oakland, sion. No listed entity assumes any responsibility for the lia- California, in 1874. The first denominational publishing bilities, debts, or alleged acts or omissions of any other list- house at Battle Creek, Michigan, began operating in 1855 ed entity simply because of its inclusion in this Yearbook. and was duly incorporated in 1861 under the name of Persons with grievances or claims against a listed entity Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association. must directly address such with the entity involved and not The Health Reform Institute, later known as the Battle with any other entity or organization. Creek Sanitarium, opened in 1866, and missionary society In the division, union, and conference/mission sections, work was organized on a state-wide basis in 1870. The first employees are listed as follows: ordained ministers holding of the Church’s worldwide network of schools was estab- ministerial credentials, persons holding administrative min- lished in 1872, and 1877 saw the formation of state-wide istries credentials, credentialed commissioned ministers, cre- Sabbath school associations. In 1903, denominational head- dentialed commissioned teachers, and credentialed missionar- ies. The Directory of Credentialed Employees gives the names quarters moved from Battle Creek, Michigan, to and employing organization of these individuals, while institu- Washington, D.C., and in 1989 to its current location in tional employees are listed separately in the Index of Silver Spring, Maryland. Institutional Employees; both of these are published in elec- The distinctive Seventh-day Adventist message may be tronic form only (CD-ROM), but not online. summarized as “the everlasting gospel,” the basic Christian The data that appears on the next page has been summa- message of salvation through faith in Christ, in the special rized largely from the 2016 Annual Statistical Report, while setting of the threefold message of Revelation 14:6-12, the the figures for the number of churches and for church mem- call to worship the Creator, “for the hour of his judgment is bership throughout the Yearbookare drawn from official come.” This message is epitomized in the phrase, “the com- reports rendered for June 30, 2015. mandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” SYSTEM CODES — Explanation Three types of codes are included with each administrative field and institution; they appear under the general heading “System Codes” at the end of each entity’s Yearbook entry. These codes are used in denominational information management systems. An example are the codes for the East-Central Africa Division: System Codes: EntityID, 20731; OrgMastID, AF1111; AdmFieldID, ECD. SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK—POLICY 5 World Statistics for 2014 (except as noted) MEMbErSHiP anD EMPLOYEES Nursing Homes and Retirement Centers. . . . . . . . . . . 140 Churches (June 30, 2015. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80,000 Orphanages and Children’s Homes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Church Membership (June 30, 2015) . . . . . . . 18,778,626 Outpatient Visits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,540,278 Baptisms and Professions of Faith. . . . . . . . . . . 1,167,506 Ordained Ministers, Active. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,020 HuManiTarian WOrk Total Employees, Active. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279,604 Countries/Areas Where ADRA is Involved. . . . . . . . over 130 MiSSiOn WOrk Number of Projects Funded. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,733 Countries and Areas as Recognized Number of Beneficiaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,787,780 by the United Nations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 Value of Assistance Provided. . . . . . . . over $180,000,000 Countries/Areas in Which SDA Work is Established . . . 215 MEDia CEnTErS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Divisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Unions(conferences, missions, unions of churches). . . 132 PubLiSHing WOrk Local Conferences, Missions, and Fields. . . . . . . . . . . 633 Publishing Houses and Branches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 International Deployment of Personnel. . . . . . . . . . . . 753 Languages and Dialects Used in Publications. . . . . . . . 379 Adventist Volunteer and Youth Service . . . . . . . . . . 1,016 Languages and Dialects Used in Publications EDuCaTiOnaL PrOgraM and Oral Work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 947 Schools Operated by Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,792 Literature Evangelists, Credentialed and Licensed. . . . . . 4,463 Colleges and Universities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Worker Training Institutes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 COnTribuTiOnS Secondary Schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,296 Tithe—World. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,455,475,981 Primary Schools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,332 North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $965,591,087 Total Enrollment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,864,352 Sabbath School Missions—World. . . . . . . . . $71,553,835 FOOD inDuSTriES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $21,091,917 HEaLTH MiniSTrY(incomplete report) Ingathering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,630,606 Hospitals and Sanitariums. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 Total Tithe and Offerings—World. . . . . . . $3,487,242,983 Clinics and Dispensaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 385 North America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,478,045,836    Seventh-day adventist Yearbook—Policy (As voted by the Annual Council of the General Care Institutions (see FH 25 10) Conference Executive Committee in Silver Spring, d. Other institutions, services, organizations and cor- Maryland, United States of America, on October 16, 2013 porations that are wholly owned or controlled by denomi- for inclusion in the General Conference Working Policy.) national organizational units. e. Other institutions and corporations with not less than a majority of their corporate membership, constituen- ba 80 Seventh-day adventist Yearbook cy, or shareholders composed either of entities (or their des- ignated officers) described under paragraphs a. through d. ba 80 05 Seventh-day adventist Yearbook—The above, or of persons who are directors, trustees, officers, General Conference shall each year publish a directory of employees, or members of executive committees or operat- the organizational units and institutions that comprise the ing boards of organizations described under paragraphs a. Seventh-day Adventist Church. through d., above. ba 80 10 Content of the Yearbook—The Seventh-day f. Other organizations, whose inclusion or exclusion Adventist Yearbook is primarily intended to identify the from the Seventh-day Adventist Yearbookis under question many and varied organizations, other than local because of the types of activities involved, or because they churches/congregations, through which the Church do not fit the specific terms of paragraphs a. through d. advances its mission. It shall include the following: above, shall have the matter decided by the General 1. The current statement of Fundamental Beliefs of Conference officers in consultation with the respective divi- Seventh-day Adventists (see FE 65 15). sion officers and the Office of General Counsel. 2. All entities as follows: 3. Leadership personnel: officers, associate officers, a. Denominational organizational units, i.e., the departmental directors and associate departmental directors of denominational organizational units, and all executive General Conference and its divisions, all union confer- officers employed by institutions, services, and corporations ences/missions, unions of churches, local conferences/mis- listed in the Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook. sions/fields, and any attached regions/stations. 4. All credentialed employees. b. All denominationally operated secondary and post- ba 80 15 Data Collection—All denominational entities secondary institutions accredited by the Accrediting shall cooperate with the General Conference in collecting Association of Seventh-day Adventist Schools, Colleges, and information for the Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook. Universities (see FE 20 35, paragraph 8.) Divisions, in consultation with the General Conference, c. All healthcare institutions whose governance shall be able to nominate information that shall not be meets the criteria set out in the Plan of Operation for Health made publicly available. 6 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 2016 FunDaMEnTaL bELiEFS OF SEVEnTH-DaY aDVEnTiSTS (As amended at the 60th Session held in San Antonio, dren, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it Texas, United States of America, July 2 to July 11, 2015) to bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Scriptures leads it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; 2 Sam. 23:2; Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only Ps. 51:11; Isa. 61:1; Luke 1:35; 4:18; John 14:16-18, 26; creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teach- 15:26; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 5:3; 10:38; Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 12:7- ing of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs, as set forth here, 11; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Peter 1:21.) constitute the church’s understanding and expression of the teaching of Scripture. Revision of these statements may be 6. Creation expected at a General Conference Session when the church God has revealed in Scripture the authentic and histori- is led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible cal account of His creative activity. He created the universe, truth or finds better language in which to express the teach- and in a recent six-day creation the Lord made “the heavens ings of God’s Holy Word. and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them” and rested on the seventh day. Thus He established the Sabbath as a per- 1. The Holy Scriptures petual memorial of the work He performed and completed The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the during six literal days that together with the Sabbath consti- written Word of God, given by divine inspiration. The tuted the same unit of time that we call a week today. The inspired authors spoke and wrote as they were moved by first man and woman were made in the image of God as the the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to human- crowning work of Creation, given dominion over the world, ity the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy and charged with responsibility to care for it. When the Scriptures are the supreme, authoritative, and the infallible world was finished it was “very good,” declaring the glory revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, of God. (Gen. 1-2; 5; 11; Exod. 20:8-11; Ps. 19:16; 33:6, 9; the test of experience, the definitive revealer of doctrines, 104; Isa. 45:12, 18; Acts 17:24; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2; 11:3; and the trustworthy record of God’s acts in history. Rev. 10:6; 14:7.) (Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Heb. 4:12; 2 Peter 1:20, 21.) 7. The nature of Humanity Man and woman were made in the image of God with 2. The Trinity individuality, the power and freedom to think and to do. There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of Though created free beings, each is an indivisible unity of three coeternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all- body, mind, and spirit, dependent upon God for life and knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and breath and all else. When our first parents disobeyed God, beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self- they denied their dependence upon Him and fell from their revelation. God, who is love, is forever worthy of worship, high position. The image of God in them was marred and adoration, and service by the whole creation. (Gen. 1:26; they became subject to death. Their descendants share this Deut. 6:4; Isa. 6:8; Matt. 28:19; John 3:16; 2 Cor. 1:21, 22; fallen nature and its consequences. They are born with 13:14; Eph. 4:46; 1 Peter 1:2.) weaknesses and tendencies to evil. But God in Christ recon- ciled the world to Himself and by His Spirit restores in peni- 3. The Father tent mortals the image of their Maker. Created for the glory God the eternal Father is the Creator, Source, Sustainer, of God, they are called to love Him and one another, and to and Sovereign of all creation. He is just and holy, merciful care for their environment. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7, 15; 3; and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast Ps. 8:4-8; 51:5, 10; 58:3; Jer. 17:9; Acts 17:24-28; Rom. love and faithfulness. The qualities and powers exhibited in 5:12-17; 2 Cor. 5:19, 20; Eph. 2:3; 1 Thess. 5:23; 1 John 3:4; the Son and the Holy Spirit are also those of the Father. 4:7, 8, 11, 20.) (Gen. 1:1; Deut. 4:35; Ps. 110:1-4; John 3:16; 14:9; 1 Cor. 15:28; 1 Tim. 1:17; 1 John 4:8; Rev. 4:11.) 8. The great Controversy All humanity is now involved in a great controversy 4. The Son between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God, God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. This conflict Through Him all things were created, the character of God is originated in heaven when a created being, endowed with revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished, and the freedom of choice, in self-exaltation became Satan, God’s world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly adversary, and led into rebellion a portion of the angels. He human, Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit introduced the spirit of rebellion into this world when he and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temp- led Adam and Eve into sin. This human sin resulted in the tation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the right- distortion of the image of God in humanity, the disordering eousness and love of God. By His miracles He manifested of the created world, and its eventual devastation at the God’s power and was attested as God’s promised Messiah. time of the global flood, as presented in the historical He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and account of Genesis 1-11. Observed by the whole creation, in our place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to this world became the arena of the universal conflict, out of heaven to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in our behalf. which the God of love will ultimately be vindicated. To He will come again in glory for the final deliverance assist His people in this controversy, Christ sends the Holy of His people and the restoration of all things. (Isa. 53:4-6; Spirit and the loyal angels to guide, protect, and sustain Dan. 9:25-27; Luke 1:35; John 1:1-3, 14; 5:22; 10:30; them in the way of salvation. (Gen. 3; 6-8; Job 1:6-12; Isa. 14:1-3, 9, 13; Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4; 2 Cor. 3:18; 5:17- 14:12-14; Ezek. 28:12-18; Rom. 1:19-32; 3:4; 5:12-21; 19; Phil. 2:51; Col. 1:15-19; Heb. 2:9-18; 8:1, 2.) 8:19-22; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14; 1 Peter 5:8; 2 Peter 3:6; Rev. 12:4-9.) 5. The Holy Spirit 9. The Life, Death, and resurrection of Christ God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He is as In Christ’s life of perfect obedience to God’s will, His much a person as are the Father and the Son. He inspired suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the only the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ’s life with power. means of atonement for human sin, so that those who by He draws and convicts human beings; and those who faith accept this atonement may have eternal life, and the respond He renews and transforms into the image of God. whole creation may better understand the infinite and holy Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with His chil- love of the Creator. This perfect atonement vindicates the FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS 7 righteousness of God’s law and the graciousness of His 18:18; 28:19, 20; Acts 2:38-42; 7:38; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 1:22, character; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our 23; 2:19-22; 3:8-11; 5:23-27; Col. 1:17, 18; 1 Peter 2:9.) forgiveness. The death of Christ is substitutionary and expia- tory, reconciling and transforming. The bodily resurrection 13. The remnant and its Mission of Christ proclaims God’s triumph over the forces of evil, he universal church is composed of all who truly believe and for those who accept the atonement assures their final in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespread aposta- victory over sin and death. It declares the Lordship of Jesus sy, a remnant has been called out to keep the command- Christ, before whom every knee in heaven and on earth will ments of God and the faith of Jesus. This remnant bow. (Gen. 3:15; Ps. 22:1; Isa. 53; John 3:16; 14:30; announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims sal- Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3, 4; 1 Cor. 15:3, 4, 20-22; 2 Cor. vation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His sec- 5:14, 15, 19-21; Phil. 2:6-11; Col. 2:15; 1 Peter 2:21, 22; ond advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the three 1 John 2:2; 4:10.) angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judg- ment in heaven and results in a work of repentance and 10. The Experience of Salvation reform on earth. Every believer is called to have a personal In infinite love and mercy God made Christ, who knew no part in this worldwide witness. (Dan. 7:9-14; Isa. 1:9; sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might be made the 11:11; Jer. 23:3; Mic. 2:12; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Peter 1:16-19; righteousness of God. Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our 4:17; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Jude 3, 14; Rev. 12:17; 14:6-12; need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgres- 18:1-4.) sions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Saviour and Lord, Substitute and Example. This saving faith comes through the 14. unity in the body of Christ divine power of the Word and is the gift of God’s grace. The church is one body with many members, called Through Christ we are justified, adopted as God’s sons and from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. In Christ daughters, and delivered from the lordship of sin. Through the we are a new creation; distinctions of race, culture, learn- Spirit we are born again and sanctified; the Spirit renews our ing, and nationality, and differences between high and low, minds, writes God’s law of love in our hearts, and we are rich and poor, male and female, must not be divisive given the power to live a holy life. Abiding in Him we among us. We are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit has become partakers of the divine nature and have the assurance bonded us into one fellowship with Him and with one of salvation now and in the judgment. (Gen. 3:15; Isa. 45:22; another; we are to serve and be served without partiality or 53; Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 33:11; 36:25-27; Hab. 2:4; Mark reservation. Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the 9:23, 24; John 3:3-8, 16; 16:8; Rom. 3:21-26; 8:1-4, 14-17; Scriptures we share the same faith and hope, and reach out 5:6-10; 10:17; 12:2; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Gal. 1:4; 3:13, 14, 26; in one witness to all. This unity has its source in the one- 4:4-7; Eph. 2:4-10; Col. 1:13, 14; Titus 3:3-7; ness of the triune God, who has adopted us as His children. Heb. 8:7-12; 1 Peter 1:23; 2:21, 22; 2 Peter 1:3, 4; Rev. 13:8.) (Ps. 133:1; Matt. 28:19, 20; John 17:20-23; Acts 17:26, 27; 11. growing in Christ Rom. 12:4, 5; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; 2 Cor. 5:16, 17; Gal. 3:2729; Eph. 2:13-16; 4:36, 11-16; Col. 3:10-15.) By His death on the cross Jesus triumphed over the forces of evil. He who subjugated the demonic spirits dur- 15. baptism ing His earthly ministry has broken their power and made By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrec- certain their ultimate doom. Jesus’ victory gives us victory tion of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of our over the evil forces that still seek to control us, as we walk purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowledge with Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love. Now the Christ as Lord and Saviour, become His people, and are Holy Spirit dwells within us and empowers us. Continually received as members by His church. Baptism is a symbol of committed to Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we are set free our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our from the burden of our past deeds. No longer do we live in reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is the darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and meaning- contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evidence of lessness of our former way of life. In this new freedom in repentance of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures Jesus, we are called to grow into the likeness of His charac- and acceptance of their teachings. (Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts ter, communing with Him daily in prayer, feeding on His 2:38; 16:30-33; 22:16; Rom. 6:1-6; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12, 13.) Word, meditating on it and on His providence, singing His praises, gathering together for worship, and participating in 16. The Lord’s Supper the mission of the Church. We are also called to follow Christ’s example by compassionately ministering to the The Lord’s Supper is a participation in the emblems of the physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of body and blood of Jesus as an expression of faith in Him, our humanity. As we give ourselves in loving service to those Lord and Saviour. In this experience of communion Christ is around us and in witnessing to His salvation, His constant present to meet and strengthen His people. As we partake, presence with us through the Spirit transforms every we joyfully proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes again. moment and every task into a spiritual experience. (1 Preparation for the Supper includes self-examination, repen- Chron. 29:11; Ps. 1:1, 2; 23:4; 77:11, 12; Matt. 20:25-28; tance, and confession. The Master ordained the service of 25:31-46; Luke 10:17-20; John 20:21; Rom. 8:38, 39; foot-washing to signify renewed cleansing, to express a will- 2 Cor. 3:17, 18; Gal. 5:22-25; Eph. 5:19, 20; 6:12-18; Phil. ingness to serve one another in Christlike humility, and to 3:7-14; Col. 1:13, 14; 2:6, 14, 15; 1 Thess. 5:16-18, 23; unite our hearts in love. The communion service is open to Heb. 10:25; James 1:27; 2 Peter 2:9; 3:18; 1 John 4:4.) all believing Christians. (Matt. 26:17-30; John 6:48-63; 13:1-17; 1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:23-30; Rev. 3:20.) 12. The Church 17. Spiritual gifts and Ministries The church is the community of believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In continuity with the peo- God bestows upon all members of His church in every ple of God in Old Testament times, we are called out from age spiritual gifts that each member is to employ in loving the world; and we join together for worship, for fellowship, ministry for the common good of the church and of humani- for instruction in the Word, for the celebration of the Lord’s ty. Given by the agency of the Holy Spirit, who apportions Supper, for service to humanity, and for the worldwide to each member as He wills, the gifts provide all abilities proclamation of the gospel. The church derives its authority and ministries needed by the church to fulfill its divinely from Christ, who is the incarnate Word revealed in the ordained functions. According to the Scriptures, these gifts Scriptures. The church is God’s family; adopted by Him as include such ministries as faith, healing, prophecy, procla- children, its members live on the basis of the new covenant. mation, teaching, administration, reconciliation, compas- The church is the body of Christ, a community of faith of sion, and self-sacrificing service and charity for the help and which Christ Himself is the Head. The church is the bride encouragement of people. Some members are called of for whom Christ died that He might sanctify and cleanse God and endowed by the Spirit for functions recognized by her. At His return in triumph, He will present her to Himself the church in pastoral, evangelistic, and teaching ministries a glorious church, the faithful of all the ages, the purchase particularly needed to equip the members for service, to of His blood, not having spot or wrinkle, but holy and with- build up the church to spiritual maturity, and to foster unity out blemish. (Gen. 12:1-3; Exod. 19:3-7; Matt. 16:13-20; of the faith and knowledge of God. When members employ 8 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 2016 these spiritual gifts as faithful stewards of God’s varied should meet the highest standards of Christian taste and grace, the church is protected from the destructive influ- beauty. While recognizing cultural differences, our dress is ence of false doctrine, grows with a growth that is from to be simple, modest, and neat, befitting those whose true God, and is built up in faith and love. (Acts 6:1-7; beauty does not consist of outward adornment but in the Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:7-11, 27, 28; Eph. 4:8, 11-16; imperishable ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit. It also 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 1 Peter 4:10, 11.) means that because our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to care for them intelligently. Along with ade- 18. The gift of Prophecy quate exercise and rest, we are to adopt the most healthful The Scriptures testify that one of the gifts of the Holy diet possible and abstain from the unclean foods identified Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the in the Scriptures. Since alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and remnant church and we believe it was manifested in the the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics are harmful to ministry of Ellen G. White. Her writings speak with our bodies, we are to abstain from them as well. Instead, prophetic authority and provide comfort, guidance, instruc- we are to engage in whatever brings our thoughts and bod- tion, and correction to the church. They also make clear ies into the discipline of Christ, who desires our whole- that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and someness, joy, and goodness. (Gen. 7:2; Exod. 20:15; Lev. experience must be tested. (Num. 12:6; 2 Chron. 20:20; 11:1-47; Ps. 106:3; Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 10:31; Amos 3:7; Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; 10:5; Eph. 5:1-21; Phil. 2:4; 4:8; 1 Tim. Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10; 22:8, 9.) 2:9, 10; Titus 2:11, 12; 1 Peter 3:14; 1 John 2:6; 3 John 2. 19. The Law of god 23. Marriage and the Family The great principles of God’s law are embodied in the Marriage was divinely established in Eden and affirmed Ten Commandments and exemplified in the life of Christ. by Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man and a They express God’s love, will, and purposes concerning woman in loving companionship. For the Christian a mar- human conduct and relationships and are binding upon all riage commitment is to God as well as to the spouse, and people in every age. These precepts are the basis of God’s should be entered into only between a man and a woman covenant with His people and the standard in God’s judg- who share a common faith. Mutual love, honor, respect, ment. Through the agency of the Holy Spirit they point out and responsibility are the fabric of this relationship, which sin and awaken a sense of need for a Saviour. Salvation is is to reflect the love, sanctity, closeness, and permanence of all of grace and not of works, and its fruit is obedience to the relationship between Christ and His church. Regarding the Commandments. This obedience develops Christian divorce, Jesus taught that the person who divorces a spouse, character and results in a sense of well-being. It is evidence except for fornication, and marries another, commits adul- of our love for the Lord and our concern for our fellow tery. Although some family relationships may fall short of human beings. The obedience of faith demonstrates the the ideal, a man and a woman who fully commit them- power of Christ to transform lives, and therefore strengthens selves to each other in Christ through marriage may achieve Christian witness. (Exod. 20:1-17; Deut. 28:1-14; Ps. 19:7- loving unity through the guidance of the Spirit and the nur- 14; 40:7, 8; Matt. 5:17-20; 22:36-40; John 14:15; 15:7-10; ture of the church. God blesses the family and intends that Rom. 8:3, 4; Eph. 2:8-10; Heb. 8:8-10; 1 John 2:3; 5:3; its members shall assist each other toward complete maturi- Rev. 12:17; 14:12.) ty. Increasing family closeness is one of the earmarks of the final gospel message. Parents are to bring up their children 20. The Sabbath to love and obey the Lord. By their example and their The gracious Creator, after the six days of Creation, rested words they are to teach them that Christ is a loving, tender, on the seventh day and instituted the Sabbath for all people and caring guide who wants them to become members of as a memorial of Creation. The fourth commandment of His body, the family of God which embraces both single God’s unchangeable law requires the observance of this sev- and married persons. (Gen. 2:18-25; Exod. 20:12; Deut. enth-day Sabbath as the day of rest, worship, and ministry in 6:5-9; Prov. 22:6; Mal. 4:5, 6; Matt. 5:31, 32; 19:3-9, 12; harmony with the teaching and practice of Jesus, the Lord of Mark 10:11, 12; John 2:1-11; 1 Cor. 7:7, 10, 11; 2 Cor. the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of delightful communion 6:14; Eph. 5:21-33; 6:1-4.) with God and one another. It is a symbol of our redemption in Christ, a sign of our sanctification, a token of our alle- 24. Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary giance, and a foretaste of our eternal future in God’s king- There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle that dom. The Sabbath is God’s perpetual sign of His eternal the Lord set up and not humans. In it Christ ministers on covenant between Him and His people. Joyful observance our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His of this holy time from evening to evening, sunset to sunset, atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. At His is a celebration of God’s creative and redemptive acts. (Gen. ascension, He was inaugurated as our great High Priest and, 2:1-3; Exod. 20:8-11; 31:13-17; Lev. 23:32; Deut. 5:12-15; began His intercessory ministry, which was typified by the Isa. 56:5, 6; 58:13, 14; Ezek. 20:12, 20; Matt. 12:1-12; work of the high priest in the holy place of the earthly sanc- Mark 1:32; Luke 4:16; Heb. 4:1-11.) tuary. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase of His atoning 21. Stewardship ministry, which was typified by the work of the high priest We are God’s stewards, entrusted by Him with time and in the most holy place of the earthly sanctuary. It is a work opportunities, abilities and possessions, and the blessings of of investigative judgment which is part of the ultimate dis- the earth and its resources. We are responsible to Him for position of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the ancient their proper use. We acknowledge God’s ownership by Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical faithful service to Him and our fellow human beings, and service the sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal by returning tithe and giving offerings for the proclamation sacrifices, but the heavenly things are purified with the per- of His gospel and the support and growth of His church. fect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The investigative judg- Stewardship is a privilege given to us by God for nurture in ment reveals to heavenly intelligences who among the dead love and the victory over selfishness and covetousness. are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, are deemed wor- Stewards rejoice in the blessings that come to others as a thy to have part in the first resurrection. It also makes mani- result of their faithfulness. (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15; 1 Chron. fest who among the living are abiding in Christ, keeping the 29:14; Haggai 1:3-11; Mal. 3:8-12; Matt. 23:23; Rom. commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and in Him, 15:26, 27; 1 Cor. 9:9-14; 2 Cor. 8:1-15; 9:7.) therefore, are ready for translation into His everlasting king- dom. This judgment vindicates the justice of God in saving 22. Christian behavior those who believe in Jesus. It declares that those who have We are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom. The com- act in harmony with biblical principles in all aspects of per- pletion of this ministry of Christ will mark the close of sonal and social life. For the Spirit to recreate in us the char- human probation before the Second Advent. (Lev. 16; acter of our Lord we involve ourselves only in those things Num. 14:34; Ezek. 4:6; Dan. 7:9-27; 8:13, 14; 9:24-27; that will produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our Heb. 1:3; 2:16, 17; 4:14-16; 8:1-5; 9:11-28; 10:19-22; lives. This means that our amusement and entertainment Rev. 8:3-5; 11:19; 14:6, 7; 20:12; 14:12; 22:11, 12.) MISSION STATEMENT 9 25. The Second Coming of Christ 27. The Millennium and the End of Sin The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the The millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ with church, the grand climax of the gospel. The Saviour’s coming His saints in heaven between the first and second resurrec- will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide. When He tions. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; the returns, the righteous dead will be resurrected, and together earth will be utterly desolate, without living human inhabi- with the righteous living will be glorified and taken to heav- en, but the unrighteous will die. The almost complete fulfill- tants, but occupied by Satan and his angels. At its close Christ ment of most lines of prophecy, together with the present with His saints and the Holy City will descend from heaven condition of the world, indicates that Christ’s coming is near. to earth. The unrighteous dead will then be resurrected, and The time of that event has not been revealed, and we are with Satan and his angels will surround the city; but fire from therefore exhorted to be ready at all times. (Matt. 24; Mark God will consume them and cleanse the earth. The universe 13; Luke 21; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; will thus be freed of sin and sinners forever. (Jer. 4:23-26; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 5:1-6; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Ezek. 28:18, 19; Mal. 4:1; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; Rev. 20; 21:1-5.) Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; Rev. 1:7; 14:14-20; 19:11-21.) 26. Death and resurrection 28. The new Earth The wages of sin is death. But God, who alone is immor- On the new earth, in which righteousness dwells, God tal, will grant eternal life to His redeemed. Until that day will provide an eternal home for the redeemed and a per- death is an unconscious state for all people. When Christ, fect environment for everlasting life, love, joy, and learning who is our life, appears, the resurrected righteous and the in His presence. For here God Himself will dwell with His living righteous will be glorified and caught up to meet their people, and suffering and death will have passed away. The Lord. The second resurrection, the resurrection of the great controversy will be ended, and sin will be no more. unrighteous, will take place a thousand years later. (Job 19:25-27; Ps. 146:3, 4; Eccl. 9:5, 6, 10; Dan. 12:2, 13; Isa. All things, animate and inanimate, will declare that God is 25:8; John 5:28, 29; 11:11-14; Rom. 6:23; 16; 1 Cor. 15:51- love; and He shall reign forever. Amen. (Isa. 35; 65:17-25; 54; Col. 3:4; 1 Thess. 4:13-17; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 20:1-10.) Matt. 5:5; 2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 11:15; 21:1-7; 22:1-5.) MiSSiOn STaTEMEnT of the Seventh-day adventist Church Our Mission—The mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is to call all people to become disciples of Jesus Christ, to proclaim the everlasting gospel embraced by the three angels’ messages (Revelation 14:6-12), and to prepare the world for Christ’s soon return. Our Method—Guided by the Bible and the Holy Spirit, Seventh-day Adventists pursue this mission through Christ-like living, communicating, discipling, teaching, healing, and serving. Our Vision—In harmony with Bible revelation, Seventh-day Adventists see as the climax of God’s plan the restoration of all His creation to full harmony with His perfect will and righteousness. 10 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST YEARBOOK, 2016 COnSTiTuTiOn of the general Conference of Seventh-day adventists (As revised at the 60th Session held in San Antonio, Texas, be designated as follows: United States of America, July 2 to July 11, 2015) a.Regular delegates. b.Delegates at large. c.In case of financial exigency or other major crisis within arTiCLE i—naME the Church or in the international arena, the General This organization shall be known as the General Conference Executive Committee may take an action to Conference of Seventh(cid:0)day Adventists. reduce the maximum number of delegates to a particular General Conference Session. Such reduction shall then be applied to both regular delegates and delegates at large. arTiCLE ii—PurPOSE Sec. 6. Regular delegates shall represent the General Confer ence’s member units as defined in Article IV, The purpose of the General Conference is to teach all as follows: nations the everlasting gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus a.Delegates representing union conferences and union of Christ and the commandments of God. churches conferences having division affiliation shall be arTiCLE iii—DiViSiOnS OF THE appointed by the respective union executive committee. gEnEraL COnFErEnCE b.Delegates representing union missions and union of churches missions having division affiliation shall be appoint- The General Conference conducts much of its work through ed by the respective division executive committees in consul- its divisions, which in turn are comprised of unions in specific tation with the organizations concerned. areas of the world. Each division of the General Conference is c.Delegates representing conferences and missions having authorized to carry out responsibilities in the territory assigned union conference affiliation shall be appointed by the respec- to it. It shall act in full harmony with the General Conference tive union conference executive committees in consultation Constitution and Bylaws, the General Conference Working with the organizations concerned. Policy, and actions of the Executive Committee. d.Delegates representing conferences and missions having In order to carry the authority of the General Conference, union mission affiliation shall be appointed by the respective the actions of division committees shall, of necessity, be in division executive committees in consultation with the organi- harmony with and complementary to the decisions of the zations concerned. General Conference in Session, and the actions of the General e.Delegates representing conferences and missions directly Conference Executive Committee between Sessions. attached to divisions shall be appointed by the respective divi- sion executive committees in consultation with the organiza- arTiCLE iV—MEMbErSHiP tions con cerned. Sec. 1. The membership of the General Conference shall f. Delegates representing division institutions, the number consist of: of whom shall correspond to the number of division institu- a.All unions that have been or shall be properly organized tions within each division, shall be appointed by the respec- and accepted by vote of the General Conference in Session. tive division executive committees in consultation with the b.All of the following entities that are directly attached to organizations concerned. the General Conference or to a division: g.Delegates representing union conferences and union of 1) Local conferences churches conferences directly attached to the General 2) Local mission and functional equivalents thereof pro- Conference shall be appointed by the executive commit tee of vided they have two or more officers and an executive com- the respective attached entity. mittee, observe a schedule of regular constituency meetings h.Delegates representing union missions, union of church- and have been properly organized. es missions, and local conferences and missions directly attached to the General Confer ence shall be appoint ed by the arTiCLE V—gEnEraL COnFErEnCE SESSiOnS General Conference Executive Committee in consulta tion Sec. 1.The General Conference shall hold quinquennial with the organiza tions concerned. Sessions at such time and place as the General Conference Sec. 7. Regular delegates shall be allotted on the following Executive Committee shall designate and announce by a basis: notice published in the Adventist Review or Adventist World a.Each union conference shall be entitled to two delegates or other publications voted by the General Conference other than its president (who is a delegate at large) without Executive Committee in three consecutive months beginning regard to membership size. at least four months before the date for the opening of the b.Each union mission shall be entitled to one delegate Session. In case special world conditions make it imperative other than its president (who is a delegate at large) without to postpone the calling of the Session, the General Conference regard to membership size. Executive Committee, in regular or special council, shall have c.Each union of churches conference shall be entitled to authority to make such postponement, not to exceed two one delegate other than its president (who is a delegate at years, giving notice to all constituent organizations. large) without regard to membership size. Sec. 2. The General Conference Executive Committee may d.Each union of churches mission is represented by its call special sessions of the General Conference at such time president (who is a delegate at large). and place as it considers proper, by means of a notice as pro- e.Each local conference shall be entitled to two delegates vided for in Sec. 1., and the transactions of such special ses- without regard to membership size. sions shall have the same force as those of the regular sessions. f. Each local mission/field shall be entitled to one delegate Sec. 3. At least one-third of the total delegates authorized without regard to membership size. hereinafter under Sec. 5. of Article V, must be present at the g.Each division shall be entitled to additional delegates opening meeting of any regular or specially called General based upon its membership as a proportion of the world Conference Session to constitute a quorum for the transaction Church membership. The total number of delegates from all of business. Once the Session is declared open, the delegates divisions under this provision shall not exceed 400. The remaining present shall constitute a quorum. resulting quota of division delegates under this provision shall Sec. 4. The election of officers and the voting on all matters be distributed first to the unions that are affiliated with that of business shall be by viva(cid:0)vocevote, or as designated by the division, based on each union’s proportion of the division Chair, unless otherwise requested by a majority of the membership. Any unallocated delegate entitlements under delegates present. this process shall be allocated at the discretion of the division Sec. 5. The delegates to a General Conference Session shall executive committee.