Asia-Pacific International University (AIU) celebrated a significant milestone today with the grand opening of the Ellen G. White Research Center. This center, located on the third floor of the AIU Library, aims to preserve and promote the extensive writings and historical contributions of Ellen G. White, a co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The inauguration ceremony featured a keynote address by Dr. Merlin D. Burt, Director of the Ellen G. White Estate, at the General Conference. Dr. Burt emphasized the center’s role in enhancing engagement with White’s prophetic ministry, particularly within Southeast Asia. He expressed gratitude for the Southern Asia-Pacific Division’s (SSD) support, stating, “I commend SSD’s deep understanding and appreciation for the Spirit of Prophecy. We fervently pray for God’s blessings upon this center as we progress together.”
This research center is the result of a collaborative effort between the General Conference (GC), the Adventist Church in the Southern Asia-Pacific region (SSD), the Adventist Church in Southeastern Asia (SEUM), and AIU. It stands as a testament to six years of planning and prayers, demonstrating the commitment of church leaders to providing greater access to White’s writings in this region.
One of the highlights of the event was Dr. Burt’s formal handing over of two original letters written by Ellen G. White and the 1822 family Bible, now entrusted to the research center. The occasion also saw the signing of a memorandum of agreement, symbolizing the ongoing collaboration between the participating institutions.
Distinguished guests included Dr. Tim Poirier, Vice-Director of the Ellen G. White Estate; Pastor Roger Caderma, President of SSD; Pastor Edgar Bryan Tolentino, Director of Adventist Heritage and Spirit of Prophecy in SSD; Dr. Donny Chrissutianto, Director of the Ellen G. White Estate Branch at SSD; Pastor Abel Bana, President of the Adventist Church in Malaysia (MAUM); Pastor Somchai Chuenjit, President of the SEUM; and Pastor Alvin Po Po Hla, President of the Adventist Church in Myanmar (MYUM). Numerous special invitees and esteemed guests from neighboring missions and affiliated organizations also attended.
The establishment of this research center marks the 19th globally and the third in Asia, underscoring its significance in a region with limited access to such resources. The initiative was first proposed during the 2024 General Conference Spring Council, where the Ellen G. White Estate Board recommended its creation at AIU to make White’s extensive works more accessible to churches in Southeast Asia and neighboring areas.
Pastor Mahaingam Varah serves as the founding director of the Ellen G. White Research Center in AIU. He was instrumental in the establishment of the first division research center in SSD territory, playing a key role in advancing the mission of Spirit of Prophecy research in the region. The EGW Research Center in AIU follows in the footsteps of the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) in the Philippines, which upgraded its facility to an official Ellen G. White Branch Office in 2014.
In conjunction with the inauguration, a symposium is scheduled to deepen understanding of Ellen G. White’s writings and the heritage of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Sessions will take place on February 21 and 22 at the Church Fellowship Hall, featuring presentations by Dr. Burt on “The History and Purpose of the Ellen G. White Estate.”
The Ellen G. White Research Center at AIU is dedicated to safeguarding and fostering a deeper appreciation of White’s contributions, serving as a vital resource for scholars, students, and church members. It stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Ellen G. White and her impact on the Adventist faith.
For more information about the Ellen G. White Research Center at AIU, please visit https://www.apiu.edu/ellengwhite/.