Northern Asia-Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists held the Quinquennial Council from November 5-9, 2015 at Ilsan near the capital city Seoul, Korea.Before the business sessions, November 3, Division and Union officers met together in the newly renovated conference room to share and discuss about what we have done during the past five years and What & How we will do for the futuremission works.
As of September 30, 2015, NSD statistics showed the membership recording 702,081 with more than 77,000 baptisms for the last five years.Dr. Lee set a goal by saying, “During the next 5 years how can we win 300,000 souls to reach 1 Million membership? We are all together here to narrow down our plans with broader minds. Nothing is impossible!”
Dr. Lee presented the NSD five-year report on Thursday morning, November 5. The major events and mission activities on his report are as follows: (1) Mission to the Cities, (2) NSD International Mission Congress in 2013, (3) NSD International Pathfinder Camporee in 2012, (4) NSD Youth Leadership Congress in 2015, (5) Development of NSD Leadership Training Center in Jeju Island, (6) Retention and Reclamation Summits in 2014 and 2015, (7) International Bible Conferences, (8) Theological Education Centers in China, (9) Extraordinary Tithe Projects, (10) Adventist Elementary School in Mongolia, (11) Dormitory for College/University Students in Mongolia, (12) Construction of 25-story Hong Kong Adventist Hospital-Tsuen Wan Building and Korean Union Conference Children & Youth Vision Center, (13) Heritage Tour for Chinese Church Leaders, (14) Reorganization of Chinese Union Mission, (15) Multi-Cultural Family Service Center, (16) Public Evangelistic Meeting by Doug Batchelor in China, (17) Chinese Hope TV Launched for 24 hours a day and 7 days a week TV Programming, (18) Soul Winning and Church Planting, (19) NSD Leadership Convention in 2012, (20) NSD ASI Convention in 2011, (21) GC Officers Visit China, Korea and Japan, (22) The 60th General Conference Session in San Antonio, Texas 2015.
The theme phrase “Mission First! In All Activities to Reach the World” was highlighted on a big covered backdrop banner hanging on the wall. During the past years the NSD has used the theme of “Mission First” to spread the three angels’ messages throughout the NSD territories by overcoming difficult challenges.The 5 years of mission activity reports of all the NSD departments and the Unions including Taiwan Conference and Mongolia Mission were presented during the five-day meetings. “Now we are entering another quinquennium with a great mission burden to reach the world, telling the good news of the soon coming of Jesus Christ… We need to have a new start with renewed commitment and unprecedented dedication to the mission of the church” said Dr. Lee.
For this new quinquennium, NSD President proposed “Vision One Million 2020” initiative. The major areas to be strengthened in this initiative are as follows: (1) Mission to the Cities – Reach the World, (2) ComprehensiveHealth Ministry, (3)Centers of Influence, (4)Leadership Training, (5) Pastors’ Re-education (6) Stewardship/Trust Service, (7) Youth/Children, (8) Women in Mission, (9) Spiritual Revival & Reformation – Trust in His Prophets,(10) Evangelism – Public and Personal – Total Member Involvement, (11)Retention and Reclamation, (12) Promotion of the Mission First Spirit.
On the Sabbath day of November 7 in the middle of Quinquennial Council period, the 14th Pioneer Mission Movement dedication service was held at Byeollae Church near Seoul. 9 pastors were appointed as PMM missionaries to be sent to the five foreign countries including Taiwan, Turkey, Philippines, Peru, and other place. They will serve for six years in their respective mission lands. At the dedication worship service, GC Vice-President Artur Stele delivered an inspired message to the 9 PMM families and all the NSD council attendees present at the church. Since 2003, 102 PMM pastors have been dispatched, currently 48 pastors are serving in 16 different countries.
NSD 2015 Quinquennial Council was a special one as an unusual year-end meeting following the 60th General Conference Session July 2-11, 2015 in San Antonio, Texas. During this quinquennial council, departmental directors were elected for the first time since the NSD was organized by splitting the Asia-Pacific Division (former Far Eastern Division) into two in 1997. They previously were elected during the time of the General Conference Session in 2000, 2005, and 2010. The NSD Nominating Committee announced and the full Executive Committee accepted the following names of department directors and associate directors:
Joo, Min Ho: Assistant to the President for General Affairs; Director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL)
Ng, Wai Chun (Stanley): Assistant to the President for China/Taiwan Affairs; Director of Planned Giving and Trust Services; Director of Publishing Ministries
Liu, Dong Jin: Under-Treasurer
Ron Clouzet: Secretary (Director) of Ministerial Association; Director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries (ACM)
Lisa Clouzet: Associate Secretary of Ministerial Association; Director of Women’s Ministries/Family Ministries/Children’s Ministries; Associate Director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries
Richard Sabuin: Director of Education; Director of Sabbath School and Personal Ministries
Kwon, JohngHaeng: Director of Stewardship Ministries
Sung, Gui Mo: Associate Director of Stewardship Ministries (Korea)
Wu, Chung Feng (Steven): Associate Director of Stewardship Ministries (Taiwan); Field Secretary (for NSD Taiwan Branch Office)
Akeri Suzuki: Honorary Associate Director of Sabbath School and Personal Ministries
Choi, Young Il: Director of Health Ministries
NildeItin Lust: Associate Director of Women’s Ministries/Family Ministries/Children’s Ministries
Kim, NakHyung: Director of Youth Ministry
Kim, Si Young: Director of Adventist Mission
Han, Suk Hee: Director of Communication Department
Byun, Seong Jun: Associate Director of Communication
Song, Sung Sub (Paul): Associate Secretary
Besides the NSD department directors, the appointment of Chinese Union Mission Officers and the board members of six NSD institutions. The NSD institutions’ names are as follows: Geoscience Research Institute, Adventist Multi-Cultural Family Service Center, NSD Leadership Training Center, Taiwan Adventist Hospital, Taiwan Adventist College,and Signs of the Times Publishing Association (STPA).The three re-elected officers of Chinese Union Mission are as follows: Robert Jr. Folkenberg as President, Daniel Jiao as the Executive Secretary, and Johnny Wong as Treasurer. They will continue to serve for the next 5 years.
We pray that God may rain down His Holy Spirit abundantly to bless the NSD’s new Quinquennium 2015-2020, the goal “Vision One Million 2020,” and the new leadership team by refreshing the spirit of Mission First in all activities to reach out the world!