Annually convened at the General Conference Headquarters in Maryland, United States, the GC Spring Council gathers global church leaders to deliberate on initiatives aimed at fortifying the mission of spreading the gospel in today's end-time movement. At the 2024 Annual Spring Council, a notable advancement within biblical studies emerged as the Adventist Church, through the Ellen G. White Estate Board, recommended the establishment of a pioneering Ellen White Research Center at Asia-Pacific International University in Muak Lek, Saraburi, Thailand.
The Ellen G. White Estate oversees a worldwide network comprising 18 research centers and four branch offices. The establishment of this 19th research center holds particular significance, given the scarcity of such centers in Asia, with only two currently in existence. This initiative marks a crucial stride towards making the vast resources of the Ellen G. White Estate accessible to the churches in Southeast Asia and its neighboring regions. Moreover, it plays a pivotal role in enhancing engagement, comprehension, and relevance regarding the gift of prophecy in today's context.
The Ellen G. White Estate Board recommends establishing an Ellen G. White Seventh-Day Adventist Research Center at Asia-Pacific International University in Muak Lek, Thailand. During the GC Spring Council, the GC Vice President and Chairwoman of the Ellen G. White Estate Board, Audrey Andersson, presented the proposal for the Thailand-based Research Center.
Dr. Merlin Burt, the founding director of the integrated Center for Adventist Research at Andrews University, director of the White Estate Branch Office, and professor of Church History at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, extends heartfelt gratitude to the leadership of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division for their unwavering support and dedication to integrating this initiative into their ministry within the division. “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,” Dr. Burt said.
Further, the meeting provided a clear definition as to the function of an Ellen G. White Branch from a research center. Dr. Burt clarified that a branch office has a more direct financial and administrative connection within the organizational structure and is directly under the General Conference's management.
On the other hand, divisions are in charge of managing research centers as well as union-based research centers through the union organization and the division. This distinction primarily revolves around administrative structure.
All attendees agreed with the recommendation. The body offered a prayer for the success of the project and is expected to proceed as soon as specifics are finalized.
Edward Rodriguez, SSD Communication Department