The Northern Asia-Pacific Division is a territory of diverse ethnicities and religions with a long history of rich cultural heritage. In response to these barriers, pastors and members of NSD have heeded the “I WILL GO” call, spreading the gospel with the spirit of Mission.
62nd General Conference Session
From July 3-12, 2025, the 62nd General Conference Session was held under the theme “Jesus is Coming, I Will Go!” at the America’s Center Dome in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
A total of 2,809 official delegates from various countries attended this General Conference Session. Each day featured morning and evening worship services, business meetings, music concerts, departmental and division reports, and much more. Notably, the exhibition booths and side events were fully restored, drawing significant attention from attendees.
On July 4, the second day of the Session, Pastor Erton Köhler, who had faithfully served as Executive Secretary of the General Conference, was elected as the new GC President. On July 6, after the evening worship, the NSD Mission Report was presented. Representatives from eight countries were introduced on stage, followed by a beautiful performance of the Korean fan dance. Afterward, there was a video presentation showcasing NSD’s ministry.
On July 7, Pastor Soon Ki Kang, former President of the Korean Union Conference, was elected as the new NSD President. He announced that “mission” would be the central focus of this term. He said that “I earnestly hope that the entire church will be united and that we will proclaim the Three Angels’ Messages to the whole world.”
On July 8, the NSD Executive Secretary and Treasurer were elected. Pastor Toshio Shibata who have served as the executive secretary of the Japan Union Conference was elected as the new NSD Executive Secretary, and Elder Tae Seung Kim was re-elected as Treasurer, thus completing the core leadership team of NSD.
On the final Sabbath, about 40,000 believers filled the America’s Center Dome as GC President Erton Köhler delivered the Sabbath sermon. True to the theme, “Jesus is Coming, I Will Go!”, this General Conference Session became a meaningful time of renewal, engraving the hope of Christ’s Second Coming in the hearts of all and reaffirming the commitment to mission.
NSD Presidential Inauguration Service
On September 10, over two hundred attendees gathered at the Northern Asia-Pacific Division headquarters in Paju, Korea. There, Pastor Kang SoonGi officially assumed his role as NSD president in a special inauguration service.
The event also honored outgoing president Pastor Kim YoHan for his years of dedicated service. Pastor Kang presented a plaque of appreciation, while NSD Ministerial Secretary Pastor Jonas Arrais awarded Pastor Kim a retirement medal.
In his address, Pastor Kang expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him and called for unity in mission. Former NSD President Dr. JaeRyong Lee offered a special prayer, and Treasurer elder TaeSeung Kim gave the benediction. The ceremony closed with a shared pledge to support the division’s new chapter of ministry and mission.
Global Total Member Involvement
As a part of the General Conference’s emphasis on “Global TMI—Disciple Making Evangelism and Harvest 25,” the Northern Asia-Pacific Division launched the “Loud Voice 2025” project. This project has been holding simultaneous evangelistic meetings in 2,025 locations around the division with the goal of baptizing 20,250 people throughout the year 2025.
Church workers and members across NSD have been actively participating in these evangelistic efforts in the spirit of Mission, dedicating their lives to God and to fulfilling Jesus’ gospel commission. To accomplish this NSD will be grounded in the Bible and focus on the mission and projects designed to reach people in this constantly changing world.
Departmental Ministries Report
- Adventist Mission
Adventist Mission conducted AMR seminars for gospel workers and lay leaders in Muslim-majority countries, along with leadership training in Korea. A seminar in Japan also provided division-level and local leadership training. About 80 Global Mission Projects are active across the region, including pioneer training in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, and missionary councils in Nepal and Sri Lanka.
The NSD Adventist Laymen’s Services and Industries (ASI) has expanded to four new countries. Each chapter supports Adventist professionals, and promotes faith-based business practices. In September, ASI representatives met in Bangkok for the 2025 NSD ASI Convention, electing new leaders for the next three-year term.
- Ministerial Association / Spirit of Prophecy
During this reporting period, the Northern Asia-Pacific Division Ministerial Association prioritized the spiritual growth, leadership development, and mission engagement of pastors and their families. A series of retreats and training events were organized across the regions designed to inspire, equip, and strengthen pastoral families for more effective ministry.
These gatherings, grounded in the Bible and focused on the mission, nurtured spiritual vitality, fostered family unity, and renewed commitment to the church.
In addition, in collaboration with the General Conference Ellen G. White Estate, Spirit of Prophecy symposiums were held in Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and Korea. These events, alongside the translation, printing, and distribution of several Spirit of Prophecy books throughout the NSD territory—including in Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan—have further enriched the spiritual life of church members and pastoral ministry by providing inspired guidance and reinforcing the prophetic identity of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
- Sabbath School & Personal Ministries
To implement Global TMI through Loud Voice 2025, the NSD SS/PM and Publishing Ministries supported all eight countries within the division throughout 2025.
The SSPM Department provided training for leaders and churches and conducted sample evangelistic meetings to make Loud Voice 2025 a practical expression of Global TMI, engaging every member in mission.
The Publishing Ministries, grounded in the Bible and focused on the mission, promoted the digital edition of The Great Controversy, trained Literature Evangelists, supported student LE programs, and helped church members distribute tracts.
- Youth Ministries
Pathfinder Camporees have been revitalized throughout the NSD territory. KUC organized five conference-wide gatherings with 4,000 participants, BAUM brought together 1,500, JUC hosted 230, and PKU is preparing for a camporee in November with 500 expected attendees.
The department actively participated in global initiatives, including Global Youth Day in Nepal, Global PCM Day in Korean Union Conference and Taiwan Conference, World Pathfinder Day in Bangladesh, and Youth Alive in Sri Lanka, all inspiring young people for mission and service.
In Mongolia, a major step in leadership development has been made through the training of 20 new Master Guides. Through these initiatives, the Youth Ministries, grounded in the Bible and focused on the mission, continue to inspire, mobilize and empower young leaders across the NSD.
- Women/Family/Children’s Ministries
Over the past three years, heartbeat of I will go initiative echoed through the lives of women, families, and children across our NSD territory. These ministries have moved beyond the walls of our churches to bring light into communities in need of Jesus, hope, and healing.
Our sisters have stepped forward as courageous leaders in challenging places—many completing our Leadership Certification Program—becoming agents of hope through many outreach initiatives turning in their homes, churches, and neighborhoods platforms to share the gospel through love and compassion. Their voices and actions declare: “I will go.”
Our families, grounded in the Bible and focused on the mission, have embraced the call to “I Will Go with My Family.” Through training, prayer, and outreach, they open their homes and hearts, inviting others to experience fellowship and know Jesus personally.
Our children are being nurtured in faith through Bible conferences, Creation Camp Meetings, and strong Sabbath Schools where they discover their identity in Christ and grow in a personal relationship with Him. Young and filled with purpose, they too are saying: “I will go.”
This is more than a movement, it is our shared mission: I will go reach my world. I will go with my family. I will go with Jesus.
- Health Ministries
The 2025 Adventist Health Care Association (AHCA) Presidents’ Council was held from September 29 to October 1 at the Fairfield Marriott Songdo Beach in Busan, South Korea. Over 80 representatives from 15 medical institutions across the Northern Asia-Pacific Division participated, sharing annual achievements and mission reports.
Reports were presented from 14 hospitals and institutions, beginning with Karachi Adventist Hospital and concluding with Yeosu Newstart Hospital. Each institution shared its annual achievements and mission reports.
Guest speaker Dr. Zeno L. Charles-Marcel, GC Health Ministries Director, presented on “AI and Robotics in Adventist Hospitals.” NSD President Pastor Kang SoonGi also attended, delivering a spiritual message titled “Arise, Shine,” based on Isaiah 60:1.
- Stewardship Ministries
The Stewardship Department has been focused on three ministries as it considers how to more effectively nurture Adventist.
The first is to focus on putting “GOD FIRST.” Through this spiritual movement, members are encouraged to deepen their relationship with God, grounded in the Bible and focused on the mission, and to dedicate their talents to God’s mission.
The second is the STW Book Publishing Project to provide books for the future generations of Adventists. And the last one is the Golden Bell Quiz Bowl. Golden Bell quiz bowl is to help people experience the life of stewardship by giving tithes on the reward they receive right there to God.
- Education Department
Across the NSD territories, Adventist Education is transforming lives for eternity. With more than 230 institutions in eight countries, our mission remains clear: to educate for eternity, guided by the Three Angels’ Messages.
Through leadership training, new programs such as Nursing at Pakistan Adventist Seminary, and vital campus renovations, our schools prepare students not just for success—but for service.
Every smile, every baptism, every changed life declares one message: Education is mission. Together, we are teaching for eternity.
- Communication / Digital Evangelism
The NSD Communication Department, grounded in the Bible and focused on the mission, continues to advance God’s work through digital media, sharing stories of faith across the region through the NSD website and social media. News & Views now reaches a wider audience through both print and email newsletter.
The department also supports mission initiatives across the NSD through digital media technology. In this era of AI and digital transformation, the department is strengthening its focus on digital evangelism—helping unions, conferences and mission develop digital mission strategies and training pastors and members to share the gospel effectively online.
The department played a key role in preparing for the 62nd General Conference Session by producing the NSD’s video report and stage performance video, the Adventist Review written report, and managing the division’s booth. With the dedicated service of NSD delegates and their spouses in traditional attire, the NSD and its institutions’ booths received warm praise from many visitors.
Institutional Growth
Currently there are 233 institutions including universities and colleges, secondary and primary schools, hospitals and clinics, publishing houses and food industries serving the people of the NSD territory. Each institution is an important soul-winning ministry where God’s love is practiced, and many people are meeting Jesus and being transformed.
Our gracious God has richly blessed the humble efforts of His people in the Japan Union Conference, the Korean Union Conference, the Pakistan Union Section, the Bangladesh Union Mission, the Taiwan Conference, the Mongolia Mission, the Ceylon Mission, and the Nepal Section as they have worked to spread in a mighty way the Three Angels’ Messages to the hundreds of millions who call our territory “home.” We praise God for the wonderful way in which he has guided our footsteps to accomplish His mission.
Conclusion
We thank the Lord for His abundant grace and for every faithful servant who has dedicated their hearts to His work. In this new quinquennium, the Northern Asia-Pacific Division will move forward through Integration—united as one, with all departments, unions, missions, and institutions. Together, we will advance, grounded in the Bible, focused on the mission, building on God’s Word, and pressing on with the vision of I Will Go!
Let us join hands and hearts, moving forward in faith—until Jesus comes.
The Northern Asia-Pacific Division is grounded in the Bible and focused on the mission – a mission to carry out the gospel commission of reaching 680 million people within the NSD territory. Following the mission given by God, we will continue to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth, shouting the slogan ‘I Will Go!’ Mission is not our choice; it is our identity and our life. As Jesus’ Second Coming draws near, let us continue to move forward! Maranatha!