The mission of the North American Division is—
“To reach the North America Division territory with the distinctive, Christ-centered Seventh-day Adventist message of Hope and Wholeness”
Or even more simply stated—
“To reach the North America Division territory with Hope and Wholeness”
The statements above are concise expressions of the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church which is—
“To make disciples of all people, communicating the everlasting gospel in the context of the three angels' messages of Revelation 14:6-12, leading them to accept Jesus as personal Savior and unite with His remnant Church, discipling them to serve Him as Lord and preparing them for His soon return.”
We believe the Seventh-day Adventist Church was called by God to deliver a special, Christ-centered message for these end times. It is a message of Hope and Wholeness.
Our Church has been charged to reach North America and the world with a distinctive message. It is a message modeled in the life of Christ, illustrated by Sanctuary truths, communicated by the prophets throughout the ages and succinctly expressed in the Three Angels’ Messages of Revelation 14:6-12. This special message points prophetically to His second coming—a concept that is embroidered in our very name, Seventh-day Adventists!
Our distinctive, Christ-centered message not only points toward the future—it adds abundant life to the present! Health of body, mind, and spirit invariably lifts humanity up to higher planes of living. Hundreds of scientific studies have confirmed the benefits of our Adventist message of health. Our ideas of education involve the harmonious development of the whole person--physical, mental, spiritual, and social—extending from life on this earth through eternity.
The North American Division (NAD) can be thought of in two ways:
First, the NAD constitutes the territory with the North American Division—a geography that extends from Bermuda to the east to Guam-Micronesia to the west.
It is one of thirteen geographic divisions that make up the Seventh-day Adventist World Church.
Second, the NAD is an Office that serves nine constituent unions of the Church and—in some instances—the conferences and churches within its borders.
The mission of the North American Division Office is to provide strategic leadership, coordination, resourcing and other value-added services that transcend the scope of unions and other constituent entities within its borders.
Below are examples of these value-added services—
REACH is a strategy for accomplishing mission with excellence.
A Division strategy should be so simple, clear, and focused that each member can know the essential parts by heart. REACH templates are simple to use by unions, conferences, institutions, and individual churches.
In Christ’s day, a “top-down” approach was more characteristic of the Roman army than of His church (Matthew 20:27). Even today, people are more likely to support a movement that they’ve made their own.
“if they speak the same language, the Lord said of the Tower of Babel builders, nothing will be impossible to them” Genesis 11:6-9). When the entities of the Church decide to use similar language and collaborate in our strategies, we will move the world! (Testimonies, Vol. 9, p. .221)
They may be freely revised and revamped according to local needs. A REACH style manual is available without charge at the Communications Department of the North American Division Office.
The same REACH processes may be used essentially by any organizational entity—unions, conferences, the NAD Office, or individual churches.
Five enduring values, introduced at the 2010 NAD Year-end meetings can provide clarity and focus throughout the North American Division. These core values include-
VISION: All churches throughout the NAD experience a revival that results in life-changing transformations. All church members of the NAD enjoy a vibrant and joyful relationship with Christ.
Members and their leaders will spend more time with God in private devotions. Church services, while reverent, will be joyous, engaging opportunities for spiritual renewal to persons of all ages.
Vision: Churches, schools, and homes combining to become a learning and discipling center for members of all ages that includes connecting with God, other members of the church family, and the surrounding community.
Vision: Our diverse church family enriched and unified by our love for God and by our ability to relate effectively with others to the extent that we will be known by the world as people of love.
Enhanced working relationships between General Conference, NAD, union, and conference organizations to enhance collaborative effort and to reduce waste, duplication, and fragmentation
Vision: North American Division organizations of every type combine their efforts in communicating Adventism’s distinctive message of hope and wholeness to every person within the NAD territory with a focus on big cities.
Vision: As God’s stewards and ambassadors, the North American Division aims to become the world’s best-run organization as a reflection of God’s ideal for us.