By AdventistNews@gc.adventist.org (Becky St. Clair)

“I’m glad to be alive today!” G. T. Ng, executive secretary of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church, began the 2019 Secretary’s Report with an exclamation and a smile. He then continued by talking about the concept of Reflex Influence, a concept Ellen G. White mentioned six times in the last few years of the 19th century–significantly, a period of time during our church’s history when we experienced rapid missionary growth and serious financial challenges.
In 1900, White wrote, “The…

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By AdventistNews@gc.adventist.org (Becky St. Clair)

As the sky darkened, indicating Sabbath had begun, the Friday evening portion of Annual Council began with song service led by Charles Haugabrooks, a regular on programs such as 3ABN and Hope Channel. Following opening prayer, representatives from around the world presented a series of brief spotlights on mission projects in their communities.
Missions of Jeremiah and Abraham
Viktor Alyeksyeyenko, secretary of the Euro-Asia Division, spoke of a two-option mission program they have developed….

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By AdventistNews@gc.adventist.org (Adventist News Network and Adventist Review)

Following a period of study and discussion, a diverse group of Seventh-day Adventist theologians, medical experts, healthcare administrators, ethicists and Church administrators have worked to produce a draft Statement addressing a biblical view of abortion.
The last time the denomination issued guidelines on abortion was in 1992. A voted Statement outlines the Adventist Church’s official position on a specific matter. Guidelines offer direction for practical application on a specific subject.
…

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By AdventistNews@gc.adventist.org (Ted N.C. Wilson)

Editor’s Note: President of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church gave the sermon, Saturday, October 12, 2019, during the 2019 Annual Council meeting of the Church’s Executive Committee. Below is a transcript.

Ephesians 2:8-10: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”…

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By AdventistNews@gc.adventist.org (Becky St. Clair)

After Ted N.C. Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church, officially opened the Annual Council session on Thursday evening, Gary Blanchard, youth director for the Adventist World Church, led those present in a call and response exercise.
“Pass it on!” he called from the stage.
Following Blanchard’s instructions, everyone in the audience replied, “Identity! Mission! Leadership!” and then leapt from their seats, fists in the air, shouting, “Pass it on!”
Thus began the Annual…

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By AdventistNews@gc.adventist.org (Erna Johnson/Record Staff)

Almost 5000 women attended a weeklong women’s congress in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, opened by the nation’s prime minister.
The event, held at Bautama campsite from September 23 to 29, was the third Adventist Women’s Congress organized by the Central Papua Conference.
The Papua New Guinean prime minister, James Marape, spoke at the congress opening ceremony and shared with the women how important they are to their country, their community and their Church.
The event was themed “Empowered…

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By AdventistNews@gc.adventist.org (Andrew McChesney)

The Seventh-day Adventist Church’s top statistician has examined and statistically verified a conviction by church co-founder Ellen G. White that prosperity in the home work depends on generosity in giving mission offerings to foreign fields.
David Trim, director of the church’s Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research, said months of research by his team, together with support from statisticians at Berrien Springs, Michigan-based Andrews University, has yielded data that supports a…

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By AdventistNews@gc.adventist.org (ADRA International)

Disasters take a toll on people’s lives. Millions lose their homes and jobs because of extreme weather, and countries are impacted heavily by economic losses and potential environmental hazards.
In recognition of the United Nation’s Sendai Framework, a 15-year global initiative to reduce disaster risks, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has been mobilizing awareness campaigns in support of the world-wide humanitarian effort.
“Disaster risk reduction (DRR) is an investment in…

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By AdventistNews@gc.adventist.org (Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review)

The Seventh-day Adventist Church takes the use of church monies very seriously, said General Conference treasurer Juan Prestol-Puesán in presenting the Treasury Report on October 14, 2018. Prestol-Puesán’s report, which opened the business sessions of the 2018 Annual Council in Battle Creek, Michigan, United States, shared some of the ways the church ensures a careful managing of its funds.
“Tithe is sacred,” he noted, “and we do not deal with it trivially.”
Substantial Tithe Increase
…

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By AdventistNews@gc.adventist.org (ADRA International)

Jonathan Duffy, president of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International, has stepped down, effective immediately, from his role due to personal reasons.
“The ADRA Board has accepted Jonathan’s resignation and expresses appreciation for his service,” says Ella Simmons, board vice-chair and general vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. “Jonathan served as president of ADRA since his election in 2013. He has led the network of more than 130…

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