At the Annual Council meeting on October 10, 2024, the Executive Committee of the General Conference (GC) of Seventh-day Adventists voted to adopt the official World Church Strategic Plan for 2025-2030. This plan reflects the Church’s ongoing commitment to spreading the gospel and fostering spiritual growth within its global membership. Developed by the Future Plans Working Group, the new plan was first presented at the 2023 Annual Council and has since undergone refinements based on feedback from worldwide divisions.
Key Components of the New Strategic Plan
The newly voted "I Will Go" strategic plan simplifies the Church's past approach while maintaining comprehensive goals. The strategic plan approved in 2013 had 81 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), while the last plan contained 59 KPIs. The new plan features just 22 measurable goals.
Dr. David Trim, director of the Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research, noted, “These measurable goals will replace KPIs altogether.” Trim further emphasized the importance of practical, measurable goals. “We’ve reduced the complexity of the previous plan,” Trim explained, “to create a framework that everyone, from local churches to global divisions, can implement and measure.”
The strategic plan’s measurable goals are aligned under four priorities: Communion with God, Identity in Christ, Unity through the Holy Spirit, and Mission for all. Each priority is supported by measurable goals that guide church members and entities in fulfilling the Church’s mission.
Among the key measurable goals are significant increases in daily prayer, Bible study, and meditation under the Communion with God priority. The Identity in Christ goal seeks to strengthen understanding and practice of distinctive Adventist doctrines such as the Sabbath, the State of the Dead, and the Second Coming. The Unity through the Holy Spirit priority emphasizes fostering cooperation across church entities, while Mission for All focuses on increasing the number of church members engaged in sharing the gospel, particularly in urban areas and the 10/40 Window.
Strategic Plan Resources for Implementation
A dedicated website, iwillgo.org, provides the 2025-2030 measurable goals and resources to help church leaders implement and utilize the strategic plan. “We’ve created social media templates, PowerPoint presentations, and print materials in multiple languages,” said Rick Kajiura, director of communication for Adventist Mission. “This will help divisions and local churches effectively share the strategic plan within their territories.”
The website is regularly updated with new resources as they become available, including current resources in additional languages. Kajiura emphasized, “Church leaders can use these resources to share the details of the strategic plan with the various conferences, missions, entities, and institutions within their regions.”
Reactions from Around the World
As the new strategic plan is adopted, leaders from regions worldwide are considering how to implement strategies. Ezras Lakra, president of the Southern Asia Division (SUD), expressed, “We will meet together to present the new plan and discuss aligning the measurable goals with our division’s needs and challenges.” Lakra especially appreciated the streamlined approach, noting it would be easier to apply.
Similarly, Barna Magyarosi, secretary of the Inter-European Division (EUD), appreciated how the plan is adaptable to fit local needs and welcomed the more simplified approach. “The shorter [strategic] plan of 22 goals provides a more usable starting point for those who must work with it daily,” Magyarosi stated. “When the plan is too long, it’s impossible to follow up on everything effectively. We can now focus more clearly on what matters and tailor it to the unique challenges and realities of our territory.”
Dan Serns, president of the Central California Conference, a territory within the North American Division (NAD), described the measurable goals as "a menu of ideas." He shared, "As I read through them, they spark thoughts on how to improve areas like small groups, youth involvement, or family worship. Even if we don’t specifically measure those things, it sparks ideas that I can use in discussions and planning."
As the Church looks toward 2025 and beyond, the new strategic plan will serve as a guiding light for fulfilling its mission of spreading the gospel and nurturing spiritual growth worldwide. Its streamlined approach and measurable goals hope to unite the worldwide Adventist community in focused, effective ministry.
Alyssa Truman, GC Communication Department