In a significant development at the General Conference (GC) Annual Council on October 8, 2023, a recommendation to realign three divisions within the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been approved. This move, driven by the Mission Refocus Program, is a culmination of years of deliberation and study. The Asia-Pacific Territorial Review Survey Commission recommended approving the realignment of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD), the Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD), and the Southern Asia Division (SUD) to undergo changes in their territorial jurisdiction. The primary objective of this realignment is to enhance the effectiveness of mission outreach and financial sustainability.
The Northern Asia-Pacific Division expressed a desire for extended territorial jurisdiction several years after the China Union Mission became an attached mission to the General Conference in October 2019. Following the split of the Chinese Union Mission from the NSD in 2019, the division's tithe income fell by 4%. Despite the problems provided by the pandemic, the NSD's tithe income had climbed by 6.3% compared to its 2019 year-end figure and by a remarkable 10.8% compared to its 2020 year-end total by the end of 2021. This tremendous growth is a testament to the church members' unwavering passion and unshakeable commitment to God's cause. It also emphasizes the NSD's eagerness to take on new territorial obligations from the global Church, immersing itself in the ministry of proclaiming the Three Angels' Messages, notably in the 10/40 window.
The General Conference Administrative Committee formed a survey commission on September 22, 2022, with the mandate to "study the work of the Church in the Asia-Pacific territory."
The Asia-Pacific Territorial Review Survey Commission advised that the NSD officially propose the addition of new areas after comprehensive thought and fervent prayers. As a result, on June 30, 2023, the Northern Asia-Pacific Division Executive Committee voted to request that the Survey Commission make an official recommendation to the General Conference ADCOM and the 2023 Annual Council. This recommendation called for Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to be added to the territory of the Northern Asia-Pacific Division. This territorial change is in line with the Mission Refocus plan, and it will allow the Division to have a bigger impact on the 10/40 window. NSD is currently in charge of South and North Korea, Mongolia, Japan, Taiwan, and these five countries.
As part of the realignment, three countries from SSD - Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh - will be assigned to NSD. This strategic move is expected to bolster mission efforts in these regions and promote unity among the divisions. In addition to the SSD realignment, Nepal will now become part of NSD's jurisdiction. This change aims to streamline mission activities and resources more effectively.
Ted Wilson, President of the Adventist World Church, enthusiastically endorsed advancing this initiative in response to the territorial realignment involving the three divisions. He emphasized the importance of embracing cultural diversity to enhance the church's mission and encouraged looking past differences to share the blessed hope.
“We are hoping to create an enlarged perspective within NSD with these various countries and cultures. The voices of people from different cultures, from different settings, and from different language groups, are to be valued in the entire process. We should not have just one culture or even two cultures dominating, necessarily, that beautiful administrative comprehensive family approach and we are working towards an enlarged perspective for NSD,” Wilson said.
“We plan to work carefully with the Northern Asia-Pacific Division to have this broader approach with many different cultures that will all work towards this wonderful goal of Chosen for Mission,” Wilson added.
Leaders of the divisions involved in this realignment have expressed their full support for the implementation of this movement. Elder Roger Caderma, President of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, shared his mixed emotions about seeing fellow colleagues in the ministry transferred to new territories. He emphasized the joy in witnessing the expansion of the Lord's work and mission outreach.
The SSD Executive Committee has endorsed this movement in a statement that reads as follows:
EXPRESSION OF FULL SUPPORT
WHEREAS, The Bangladesh Union Mission, Pakistan Union Section, and the Sri Lanka Mission have been longstanding partners in ministry in their territories with the Southern Asia-Pacific Division AND
WHEREAS, The General Conference, during their 2022 Annual Council meetings, has proposed and has asked SSD to study the possibility of realigning these three organizations with the Northern Asia-Pacific Division sometime in 2023, AND
WHEREAS, the officers of all three organizations, along with the officers of the Division, have discussed this in detail, AND
WHEREAS, Despite the deep personal bonds of love and professional ties as colleagues in so many ministries and projects together, with a deep shared history with these three organizations and the feeling and sense of loss and sorrow at the prospect of them no longer being part of this division, nevertheless, understanding after weighing the salient relevant points, it is now THEREFORE
VOTED: To express the full support of the General Conference’s plans to realign the Pakistan Union Section, Bangladesh Union Mission, and Sri Lanka Attached Mission with the Northern Asia-Pacific Division.
"It was a difficult decision to make, but this movement is realized to benefit the mission of the church," Roger Caderma, president of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division.
While the realignment presents several challenges, including language and cultural differences, as well as increased travel document demands for NSD, division leaders have reassured members that these issues will be addressed comprehensively. They are calling for fervent prayers and unity within the Church to successfully reach the "10/40 window" countries.
There are about 51,000 members of the Adventist Church in these three areas (Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan). Additionally, there are numerous primary and secondary schools, publishing companies, and hospitals run by the Adventist Church in these areas.
The approval of the realignment of Adventist divisions in the GC Annual Council represents a significant step towards enhancing mission efforts and financial sustainability in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This strategic move, supported by division leaders and members alike, reflects the commitment of the Church to adapt to changing circumstances and expand its reach in the service of the Lord. While challenges lie ahead, the Adventist community remains united in its mission to spread the gospel and serve communities in the affected regions.
Edward Rodriguez, SSD Communication Department