PREXAD(President’s Executive Advisory Committee) 2015 was held in UT(Unorganized Territory). The administrators of the Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD), three union presidents, and two conference/mission presidents gathered in UT, on March 9, 2015.
In his opening remark at the business meeting, NSD president Jairyong Lee reiterated NSD’s motto "Mission First," emphasizing the unity needed to expand the kingdom of God in the most challenging territory in terms of population and mission work. When he mentioned the second Retention and Reclamation Summit, he expressed his gratitude to all the church leaders for their commitment and support on this issue.
He asserted, "Until churches are able to retain church members and reclaim the lost successfully and satisfactorily, we have to stick to this issue." He also talked about comprehensive health ministry as a very effective ministry the church could do for outreach and soul-winning. As the opening wedge and the right arm to the three angels’ messages, the church should utilize the health message to remove the bias of modern people against the gospel of Christ and to meet the felt-needs of many sick people in the end time.
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Union presidents and conference/mission presidents shared their plans to evangelize each city in their respective fields for 2015 Mission to the Cities. NSD began with Tokyo13 as an initiative for the Mission to the Cities in 2013. Last year, each union designated a large city in its territory as a target for Mission to the Cities. This year each conference and mission will make efforts to do this in respective areas.
In addition to attending the business meeting, NSD leaders had the opportunity to visit four Adventist churches and a Life Hope Center in the UT during the week from March 9 to 14. Church pastors and members gave a heartfelt welcome to the leaders. They also shared their church history, future plans and current activities.
There is a church that has plans to construct a church building with a construction cost of four million dollars. What a big vision and dream for a small group of members!
Another church that the NSD leaders visited had suffered persecution from a Sunday-keeping church that shared the usage of the church building. A female pastor who had retired from her career as a medical doctor was faithfully leading the Adventist church with 17 pastoral staff. During the persecution, the Adventist brethren were allowed to worship in the cold damp dirty basement infested with rats. With prayers and tears, the small group of Adventist members renovated the basement into a clean and tidy place of worship. The basement is now used as a place for fellowship.
The NSD leaders also visited an area where there used to be a former union office, an Adventist hospital, and a Sahmyook school and food factory. Unfortunately, they were taken by the government and used for different purposes, but the avenue which was named Sahmyook is still used. The name of the avenue reminded the NSD leaders of the past prosperity of the Adventist church in the UT.
The Life Hope Center was impressive, and the NSD leaders commended the commitment of the members. Sixty to seventy church members had rented a small building and opened a bookstore and bakery. In one corner of the building, they had displayed some of Ellen White’s writings translated into the local language and some books on the health message.
In the other corner, different kinds of bread along with some health products were displayed for sale. The second floor of the building is used as a place of worship. According to the elder, last year seventeen precious souls were baptized. The NSD leaders saw the great potential of the Life Hope Center in the UT.
On Sabbath afternoon, the NSD leaders visited a former Adventist sanitarium, located on a small island, that now belongs to the government. An Adventist church is renting it for health ministry and evangelism. PREXAD 2015 provided church leaders with a good opportunity to learn more about God’s ministry and its great potential in the UT.
Article by Dr. Joo MinHo, NSD Assistant to the President