The Seventh Day Adventist Church runs a democratic system of government which means decisions are made by elected committees through the vote of church members led by the Holy Spirit.
The organization structure of the church:
General Conference
Division
Union Conference/Mission
Conference/Mission
District
Local Church
A President is elected at the General Conference Session every 5 years and presides over the Executive Committee.
Full list of G.C Presidents from 1863 till date with their respective pictures.
1. John Byington
He was the first president of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Country: United States Duration: 1863-1865
List of Presidents Of The Seventh Day Adventist Church From 1863 Till Date
2. James Springer White: He was also known as Elder J White and the husband of an Adventist pioneer, Author and prophetess – E.G White Country: United State Duration: 1865-1867
List of Presidents Of The Seventh Day Adventist Church From 1863 Till Date
3. John N. Andrews -He was elected as the third president of the General Conference in 1867, following John Byington and James White. Country: United States Duration: 1867-1869
4. James Springer White– He was re-elected as the president of Seventh Day Adventist church in 1869 Country: United States Duration: 1869-1871
5. George I Butler- He replaced James White as president of the general conference in 1871 Country:United States Duration: 1871-1874
6. James Springer White – He returned to the presidency in 1874 to becomes the 6th president of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Country: United States Duration: 1874-1880
7. George I Butler: He resumed the office again in 1880 Country: United States Duration: 1880-1888
8. Ole A. Oslen: The 1888 General Conference Session elected Olsen as president. Country: Norway Duration: 1888-1897
9. George A. Irwin: He was elected President of the General Conference at the General Conference session held in Lincoln, Nebraska Country: United States. Duration: 1897-1901
10. Arthur G. Daniells: He happened to be the longest serving president of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Country: United States Duration: 1901-1922
11. Williams A. Spicer: With the experience acquired as General Conference Secretary, Spicer was elected as president of the Seventh Day Adventist Church during the 1922 General Conference session Country: United States Duration: 1922-1930
Williams A. Spicer
12. Charles H. Watson: From 1922- 1926, he served as vice-president and associate treasurer of the General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventist. He returned to North America in 1930 to attend the General Conference Session, where he was elected President of the General Conference Country: Australia Duration: 1930-1936
Charles H. Watson
13. James L. McElhany Duration: 1936-1950
14. William Henry Branson: He was elected as president of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in 1950. Country: United States Duration: 1950-1954
15. Reuben Richard Figuhr:15th President of the General Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church Country: United States Duration: 1954-1966
Reuben Richard Figuhr
16. Robert H.Pierson: Pierson was the third-longest serving president of the General Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church Country: United States Duration: 1966-1979
Robert H.Pierson
17. Neal C.Wilson: Country: United States Duration: 1979-1990
Neal C.Wilson
18. Robert S Folkenberg: Country: Puerto Rico Duration: 1990-1999
Robert S Folkenberg
19. Jan Paulsen: 19th President of the General Conference of Seventh day Adventist Church Country:Norway Duration: 1999-2010
List of Presidents Of The Seventh Day Adventist Church From 1863 Till Date
20. Ted N.C. Wilson: He is the current president of the General Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church Country: United States
Some of us are passing through a time of great distress. Though we buckle up and stand straight, smile and act as if all is well, yet we are depressed. That constant feeling of not meeting up, of insufficiency and failure often adds to the frustration.
No matter what happens, I have come to understand through God’s word that no one has it all, just looking at others alone; shouts out this reality, that there is always someone better than the one who is good and so on. There is nothing new under the sun.. That pain that cuts through your heart is something you don’t have to carry alone.
You may be sick, you may be facing some hard times and feeling a deep sense of guilt because of your sins and failures. You might even be feeling unfortunate, because of where you are right now but know this, there is another in a worse condition. But in all this, hope, fragile but never dying hope is what God calls us to possess. Never give up, keep holding on, you will smile again. Know that God cares and He understands.
Most people when faced with a crisis reach out to God! Even those who don’t really have a close relationship with Jesus will ask their family, friends, and even strangers to pray. But how many people make that commitment and never follow through? The words, “I’ll pray for you,” have become just something to say, like any other common words of comfort when you feel sorry for someone or sad because of what trial they are facing. It’s almost like saying, “Have a nice day.”
But when we tell someone that we will pray for them, we have made a commitment before God to earnestly lift that person up in prayer, asking for God’s will to be done in their lives. If we have no intention of praying, then we should not make a commitment to do so. If at all possible, it’s good to stop what we are doing right then and there and lift them up to our heavenly Father!
There’s a world of hurting people all around us, so why not start praying for them today? And the next time someone asks for prayer, say sincerely, “I’ll be happy to pray for you. Let’s pray now.” ” Texts: Philippians 1:19, 1 Timothy 2:1, Ephesians 6:18. The truth is I am praying for you and would pray with you.. Pray for me too. Sabbath Jollof is served.
ADRA prepares food and water for the people of Bahamas who were hit with Category 5 Hurricane Dorian dumped heavy rain on the Abaco and Grand Bahama islands for more than 40 hours. As the storm tapers off, the devastation is immense. Families have been left stranded in their homes, knee-deep in high-rise water levels, while countless others are left homeless.
Aid Restricted Temporarily
“Seventy percent of the islands are covered in water and there’s no way to get to them right now,” says Leonardo Rahming, executive secretary of the South Bahamas Conference and disaster response volunteer for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).
Rahming added that local authorities have asked humanitarian agencies to be on standby as they work to clear debris on the roads, and ensure safety is in place before aid can be delivered. Sea ports have been closed, and airport clearances are being given only to federal officials and the coast guard.
“Water levels are too high on the Abaco islands so we must wait till the water recedes,” Rahming says. “There is easier access to people on Grand Bahama, and we are working to get provisions to them there.”
Due to airport and sea port closures, ADRA has established partnerships with Airlink and YachtAid Global to get food and water to access points. ADRA is also working with Rise Against Hunger to provide meals that will be distributed on the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama. In addition to food and water, clothes and shelter materials will also be distributed.
Rahming shared that another challenge is limited warehouse space to store all the items received. “There’s just not much room,” he says.
Local Churches Step in to Help
That hasn’t deterred ADRA volunteers in the Bahamas who were able to work with local authorities to secure a boat in hopes of reaching people in need but are trapped by high waters.
“We’re the only NGO to do this,” says Rahming, “Local Adventist church members have been working around the clock to help. Grocery stores are opened so members are shopping to get items. What’s needed right now are food, water, and medicine.”
Rahming says he encountered an asthmatic who needed help, however clinics were closed, and medical facilities were running out of medicine.
“The people of Bahamas are a resilient group, but they are hurting because of the devastation,” Rahming says, “I hope the world doesn’t forget the Bahamas and thinks we’ll be okay because we have resources. ADRA has been a great support to us—but the Bahamas still needs ongoing help.”
How You Can Help
Support has been pouring in to help ADRA with aid relief in the Bahamas. Here are a few things that can be done:
Invite your friends and family to support at ADRA.org
Fundraise through Facebook. Go to Facebook.com/fund/joinADRA/, set up a fundraiser for ADRA and share with your friends and family.
Pledge and share your support on other social media platforms, like Twitter and Instagram and include the link to donate at ADRA.org/HurricaneDorian.
If you’re sending a check, please make it payable to ADRA International and write “ADRA Hurricane Dorian Response” in the MEMO. On the tithe envelope in “Other” section, write “ADRA Hurricane Dorian Response.”
Call in at 1-800-424-ADRA (2372)
The Seventh Day Adventist Church is an organized denomination that runs almost the same program worldwide. They may live and worship in far-flung places, but the 19.1 million Seventh-day Adventists worldwide are not only a faith community—they’re a family.
But finding a sense of togetherness can be difficult. One way Adventists can promote community across time zones is by celebrating special emphasis days and events together. The Adventist Church’s calendar of Special Emphasis Days and Events not only encourages unity, it also helps raise awareness of key issues, such as abuse prevention, family and religious freedom.
Adventist Church leadership invites you and your church to join your global family in celebrating these emphasis days and events.
CALENDAR OF SPECIAL DAYS AND EVENTS – WORLD 2019
2019 SPECIAL DAYS/EVENTS
January 2019
January 5: Day of Prayer and Fasting – For more information, visit the Revival and Reformation website.
January 9–19: Ten Days of Prayer – For more information, visit the Ten Days of Prayer website.
January 12: Health Ministries – For more information, please contact your local Division.
January 19: Religious Liberty Day- For more information, please contact the General Conference Department of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty.
February 2019
February 2: Reach the World: Personal Outreach – For more information, please contact the General Conference Department of Sabbath School and Personal Ministries.
February 9–16: Christian Home and Marriage Week – For more information, please contact the General Conference Department of Family Ministries.
March 2019
March 2: Women’s Day of Prayer – For more information, please contact the General Conference Department of Woman’s Ministries.
March 9: Adventist World Radio – For more information, please contact Adventist World Radio.
March 16–23: Youth Week of Prayer – For more information, please contact the General Conference Department of Youth Ministries.
March 16: Global Youth Day – For more information, please see the Global Youth Day website.
March 16: Global Children’s Day – For more information, please see the General Children’s Ministries website. (Download the brochure)
March 23: Christian Education – For more information, please contact your local Division.
April 2019
April 6: Day of Fasting and Prayer – For more information, view these resources from General Conference Ministerial Association.
April 6: Youth Spiritual Commitment Celebration (Northern Hemisphere) – For more information, please contact your local Division.
April 13: Friends of Hope Day (Visitor’s Day) – For more information, please contact the General Conference Department of Sabbath School and Personal Ministries.
April 13: Hope Channel – For more information, please contact Hope Channel International.
April 20–26: Literature Evangelism Rally Week – For more information, please contact your local Division.
April 20: World Impact (Distribution) Day – For more information, please contact your local Division.
April 27: Special Needs Awareness Day – For more information, please view this website.
May 2019
May 4–25: Drug Awareness Month – For more information, please contact the General Conference Department of Health Ministries.
May 4: Reach the World: United by Our Mission – This day has been set aside to share our church’s global strategic plan with the world. Pleaseuse this presentation to share Our Mission with your congregation, institution or communication channel.
May 11: Reach the World: In the Community, Disaster/Famine Relief – For more information, please contact your local Division.
May 25: World Day of Prayer for Children at Risk – For more information, please view this PDF.
June 2019
June 1: Reach the World – Bible Study: Sabbath School and Correspondence Courses – For more information, please view this website General Conference Department of Sabbath School and Personal Ministries.
June 8: Women’s Ministries Emphasis Day – For more information, please contact the General Conference Department of Woman’s Ministries.
June 15: Reach the World – Reach Across: Nurture and Reclaiming – For more information, please contact the General Conference Department of Sabbath School and Personal Ministries.
June 15: Adventist Church World Refugee Sabbath – Downloadable resources available.
July 2019
July 6: Day of Prayer and Fasting – For more information, please visit the resource from Revival and Reformation.
July 13: Mission Promotion – For more information, please contact Adventist Mission.
July 20: Reach the World: Media Ministry – For more information, please contact the General Conference Department of Communication.
July 27: Children’s Sabbath -For more information, please visit the website for Kids in Ministry Ideas.
August 2019
August 3: Global Mission Evangelism – For more information, please contact your local Division.
August 10: Reach the World: Church Planting – For more information, please contact Adventist Mission.
August 17: Education Day – For more information, please contact the General Conference Department of Education.
August 24: enditnow Day – For more information, please contact the General Conference Department of Women’s Ministries.
August 24: Lay Evangelism – For more information, please contact your local Division.
September 2019
September 7: Youth Spiritual Commitment Celebration (Southern Hemisphere) – For more information, please contact your local Division.
September 8–14: Family Togetherness Week – For more information, please see the resources available from theGeneral Conference Department of Family Ministries.
September 14: Mission Promotion – For more information, please contact Adventist Mission.
September 21: Pathfinder Day – For more information, please download this PDF.
September 28: Sabbath School Guest Day – For more information, please contact your local Division.
October 2019
October 5: Day of Prayer and Fasting – For more information, find more resources at Revival and Reformation.
October 5: Adventist Review Subscription Promotion – Adventist Review Subscription Promotion – For more information, please contact the Adventist Review.
October 12: Pastor Appreciation Day – For more information, visit the Elder’s Digest website.
October 19: Spirit of Prophecy and Adventist Heritage – For more information, please view the Ellen G. White Estate website.
October 18–20: Global Public Campus Ministries Weekend – For more information, visit General Conference Public Campus Ministries website.
October 26: Creation Sabbath – For more information, please view theCreation Sabbath website.
November 2019
November 2–9: Week of Prayer – For more information, please view the Adventist Review readings (PDF).
November 9–15: e-Week of Prayer for Youth and Young Adults – For more information, please contact the General Conference Department of Youth Ministries.
November 9: Annual Sacrifice Offering – For more information, please contact Adventist Mission. (Resources)
November 16: World Orphans/Vulnerable Children’s Day – For more information, please contact the Special Needs Ministries.
November 30: HIV/AIDS Awareness – For more information, please contact Adventist AIDS International Ministry.
December 2019
December 7: Stewardship – For more information, please contact your local Division.
December 14: Health Emphasis – For more information, please contact your local Division.
