November
6, 2007 Ilsan, Korea
The 2007 NSD Annual Council convened November 2,
2007 following the 10th Anniversary Celebration the
evening before. More than 50 Executive Committee members
and invitees from Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Mongolia,
Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the USA
participated in this year’s church business session.
Prior to the Annual Council, church leaders from the
field spent two days in pre-council meetings and
interviews with NSD officers and departmental directors.
Another further day was devoted to the Advisory Council
on Evangelism and Witness (CEW).
Every morning, devotional messages were given under the
2007 Annual Council theme, “Signs of Hope”. The Golden
Angels singing group presented the special music. NSD
mission projects were introduced through video
presentations.
Four representatives from the General Conference
attended the Annual Council: Ella Simmons, the General
Vice President, Claude Sabot, the Associate Secretary,
Benjamin Schoun, AWR President and Charles Sandefur,
ADRA President.
Reports from the officers, departmental directors,
institutions and unions/mission field were presented and
recorded. Following are the highlights of actions voted.
· 2008 Northern Asia-Pacific Division Operating Budget
· 2008 Authorized Meetings
· 2008 NSD Midyear Committee to be held in Geumgangsan, North Korea
· Proposal to establish an English Institute for Future
Leadership
· The Extraordinary Tithe Proposal from the General
Conference: New Possibilities for
Partnership in Mission was presented and recorded
· The GC document “Safeguarding Mission in Changing Social
Environments” was recorded
· GC Policy changes were presented and recorded
On the evening of November 2, 2007, three Korean pastors
and their families were dedicated in a special PMM
(Pioneer Mission Movement) Dedication Service. They will
be sent to Japan and Hong Kong for a 6 year term of
service which includes 1 year of language study. The 5th
group of Golden Angels 2008 was also introduced.
On Sabbath, November 3, 2007, all delegates joined a
local church worship with Ella Simmons preaching to a
200 some member congregation. Delegates enjoyed the
wonderful hospitality and a very delicious meal prepared
by the church members. In the afternoon delegates
visited the Korean Sahmyook University campus. They
enjoyed a short tour of the Centennial Memorial
Building, a visit to the library museum and a special
program on campus ministries presented by Dr. Kim SangLae
the lead chaplain followed by
dinner.
The 2007 Annual Council ended on November 5, 2007 as
delegates departed to their respective mission fields
with the motto “People of Mission, People of Hope” still
ringing in their ears.
