Reasons to Praise the Lord! A Report on NSD 2021 Year-End Meetings

Participating in the meetings were 42 delegates, including 3 leaders from the General Conference: Artur Stele, GC Vice President; Claude Richli, GC Associate Secretary; German Lust, GC Associate Treasurer. In addition, 16 invitees also attended the meeting. 

All delegates and invitees participated through Zoom platform. The NSD officers led the meetings from the NSD Studio of the Media Ministry, on the 4th floor of the NSD headquarters, in Paju city, South Korea. The secretariat team and the media ministry team of NSD worked together in organizing the meetings in such a way, that the interactions and discussions went smoothly. The NSD studio has now been equipped to conduct virtual meetings professionally and effectively. Translations into Chinese and Korean were provided.

Despite challenges, the Year-End Meetings presented many reasons to praise the Lord. The devotional messages, reports from the institutions, unions, attached fields, NSD directors and officers, and the voted agendas contained many reasons to praise the Lord! 

General Conference leaders encouraged the delegates through their powerful devotional messages. Artur Stele, at the opening of the meeting, shared about the context of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. He emphasized that although the tomb of Jesus was shut with a stone, sealed and guarded, nothing and no one could prevent Jesus from resurrection. The angel seated on the stone represents God’s power to overcome any big challenges before His church. With that authority, Jesus gave the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples!”

Claude Richli connected the story of Jonah with the three angels’ messages. As Jonah was sent to preach the message of repentance to the big city of Nineveh, we are also sent by God to proclaim the three angels’ messages to all nations. We should not be afraid, because Jesus is with us. German Lust presented about the encounter of the two disciples with Jesus, as they were walking to Emmaus. In despair and discouragement, we need to focus on Jesus. If we lose focus on Him, we will not be able to do His work successfully. 

In his report, NSD President, Dr. Kim Siyoung, highlighted the fact that despite the pandemic of COVID 19, our church pastors, workers, local churches, institutions, and church members never gave up. The president reminded the focus of NSD for this quinquennium: “NSD took into consideration the direction of the following four aspects: Mission to the Cities, Youth and Children Evangelism, North Korea Mission, and Digital Evangelism.” He encouraged all delegates quoting the statement of Ellen G. white: “Evangelism, the very heart of Christianity, is the theme of primary importance. The Advent message must swell to a loud cry reaching the uttermost parts of the earth.” (Evangelism 5.1).

As the NSD acting executive secretary, Richard Sabuin, presented his report, he focused on ways to increase the number of baptism as well as the number of church attendance. During these two years of pandemic, the membership and attendance statistics has decreased compared to that of 2019. However, by September 2021, the number of baptism was higher that it was in September 2021. In fact, it was an increase of 21%. For retention of our members in the church, and for the increase of church attendance, Pastor Sabuin says: “We cannot just wait our church members to come to church at the church gate every morning. We are to visit them regularly, attending to their needs, encouraging and inviting them to attend church services.” The treasury report brought an encouraging news. Joel Tompkins, NSD treasurer, reported that regardless the pandemic, God has blessed His people even more. That is indicated by the increase of tithe incomes in each union and attached field. Division-wide, by August 2021, the tithe increase of 11%. 

The reports from the unions and attached fields were encouraging. The Japan Union Conference reported the progress of the Mission Unusual Tokyo! Project. The Korean Union Conference introduced its 10/40 Mission Project initiative. The Mongolia Mission shared about the integrated efforts of all departments and institutions in doing mission. The Taiwan Conference indicated their effort to establish centers of influence and an emphasis on media evangelism. Each Union and attached field has established their I WILL GO Strategic Plan in line with the GC and the NSD strategic planning. 

All delegates sensed the presence of the Holy Spirit as they listened to these reports. After the presentation of each report, a special prayer was offered that God will bless the mission plan of the respective union or attached field. 

The department directors of NSD presented wonderful reports. Although they have just started their new assignment as directors last May 2021, they have made good efforts in their respective responsibilities. Each of them has initiated new ideas for mission. One of the exciting reports came from the North Korea Mission department. This was historic, since this was the first time NSD has this department. It is our hope that the church can enter North Korea with the proclamation of the three angels’ messages when the door is open. Oh Beom Seok, the director, stated: “North Korea is one of the ends of the earth. The North Korea Mission is putting huge efforts on itself and has transformed its mindset from ‘We will go when God opens the door’ to ‘God will open the door when we are ready.’”

In addition to the general agendas about various reports and the consent agendas about different calendars and authorized meetings, the Annual Council also discussed some agenda items that were voted by the General Conference in its Annual Council in October 2021. Among them are special prayer for the 2022 GC Session and the latter rain of the Holy Spirit, update on GC Session, special comprehensive health ministry, digital evangelism initiative, Three Angels’ Committee report, few amendments of GC Working Policy. 

One important agenda adopted from the General Conference was on the importance of strengthening Biblical foundation of our church members. This is because members of the remnant church are living at the end times where many “false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matt 24:24). They need to have solid foundation on the Holy Scriptures in order to be protected from the deception of Satan, and to be prepared to remain faithful during the end-time crisis, and be effective witnesses of the three angels’ messages.

For that reason, the Executive Committee at the Annual Council voted to coordinate with Unions, Attached Fields, and Local Conferences to organize Bible study or seminar programs that deepen the knowledge and belief of the church members on distinctive doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist church. It is to increase the faith of Jesus Christ in their lives, and strengthen their foundation on the inspired word of God. Two Bible and Mission Conferences have been planned for 2022. The first one will be for JUC, MM and TWC on February 7 – 8, 2022. The second one is for KUC on February 9 – 10, 2022.

 

All delegates of the NSD Annual Council agreed to have special prayers for the General Conference Session, in June 6 – 11, 2022. All institutions, local churches, families, and church members are to pray for this world-wide church meeting. The GC session was supposed to be held in 2020, but has been postponed two times. Therefore, we are to pray earnestly that the 2022 GC Session will take place as planned. 

We pray not just for the GS Session but especially for the outpouring of the later rain of the Holy Spirit to God’s people. We should also pray for the proclamation of the three angels’ messages by the remnant church, that whatever planned and implemented will be for proclaiming the last messages of God at the end times. In facing difficult times at the end times, the God’s people must be united in Jesus Christ in going forward for His mission. 

God has worked through all who prepared for the meetings. We thank the NSD communication and media team for dedicating their skills and time to prepare for the smooth operation of the media equipment. The translation team did marvelous work in translating the presentations, reports, devotionals throughout the meetings. We appreciate all supporting employees who helped the department directors, officers, and institutional leaders in preparing for their reports and presentations. Appreciation is given to all counterparts in JUC, KUC, MM and TAC for their supports. The NSD is grateful for the support of the GC leaders. 

The success of the NSD Year-End Meetings is an evidence of God’s protection and guidance to His church. The Annual Council concluded with a video presentation prepared by Sahmyook Health University on its mission activities in 2021. Despite the pandemic, the mission programs have resulted in the baptism of 72 students, accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior. Isn’t it a reason to praise the Lord? Indeed, there are many more reasons to praise the Lord. Yes! All glory and praises be unto His name. 

Richard A. Sabuin, NSD Acting Executive Secretary