Facts of the adventist church

  Assorted Facts About Adventists and Their Church

1.The name Seventh-day Adventist is based upon two core beliefs of the church.Seventh-day describes the observance of the biblical Sabbath, the seventh day of the week—Saturday—as God's ordained day of worship. Advent, or coming,
describes a belief in the nearness of Jesus Christ's return to this earth.

2.With 15 million baptized members (a community of 20 million, 10 million of which are under 35 years of age) and about a million new members joining each year,

3.Seventh-day Adventists are among the fastest growing denominations in the world.

4. Adventists have an established presence in 204 of the 230 countries and areas recognized by the United Nations, and communicate in more than 700 languages.
5.Ellen G. White (1827-1915), one of the founding pioneers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is the world's most translated female author. With literary productions totaling 100,000 pages—including more than 130 books—Ellen G. White has provided millions of people with a unique Christian perspective on the world in which we live. Through the inspiration of her writings the Seventh-day Adventist Church has become one of the dominant forces in promoting quality of life and the value of education, and in communicating fresh insights into the life of Jesus Christ.

6.Adventists operate one of the largest religious educational infrastructures in the world, with over 6,700 elementary and secondary schools worldwide, as well as 100 colleges and universities. A combined enrollment is over 1.2 million students
worldwide.
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7.According to National Geographic Magazine (November 2005), the average Adventist lives 4–10 years longer than the average Californian.Seventh-day Adventists take their lifestyle, including health, seriously. Besides nonsmoking and drinking, we also encourage a vegetarian diet. Now, not all Adventists are vegetarian, but if they do eat meat they use the guidelines established in theBible regarding clean and unclean food.



8.In 2005, Adventists are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of LomaLinda University and Loma Linda University Medical Center. LLUMC operates
some of the largest clinical programs in the United States in areas such as neonatalcare and outpatient surgery and is recognized as the international leader in infant heart transplantation and proton treatments for cancer. Students from more than 80
countries are represented in Loma Linda University’s student body. Through
providence, Loma Linda has truly grown and prospered beyond the early leaders’
expectations. It has emerged into a health-sciences university and medical center
internationally known for advanced technology, service-oriented medical care, and
education, operating numerous programs and facilities internationally.

9.Adventist Health System’s Florida Hospital, is considered to be the busiest
hospital in the United States. The Disney Corporation invited Florida Hospital to
create and operate "The Hospital of the 21st Century," in their new community of
Celebration.

                                   
10. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International is an
independent humanitarian agency established in 1984 by the Seventh-day Adventist
Church for the specific purpose of providing individual and community development
and disaster relief. ADRA has a presence in more than 120 countries and assists
more than 20 million people annually. ADRA’s motto is “Changing the world, one life
at a time.”
The Adventist AIDS International Ministry (AAIM) office in Johannesburg, South
Africa serves the territory of continental Africa and the Indian Ocean through
Adventist Medical, Educational, Humanitarian, and Religious institutions. The office
coordinates actions and resources to bring comfort, healing and hope to people
affected by HIV/AIDS, and shares a message of education and prevention. This
office is the result of a joint project of the world church headquarters, regional
church offices, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), and Loma
Linda University.

11.Seventy percent of the world's population is a potential audience for Adventist
World Radio, which is recognized as a major religious shortwave broadcaster.
These programs, broadcast in 55 languages, are produced in 69 different production
studios around the world.
In 1994, Seventh-day Adventists entered the world of cyberspace by establishing
an interactive, popular forum on CompuServe. It now successfully uses the Web for
its mission activities. Internationally, you can look through the church’s “window” on
the World Wide Web at http://www.adventist.org.
11.In 2004, the church celebrated the tenth anniversary of its presence on satellite
television, the newest in the television ministry of the church. After the so-called
occasional event evangelistic broadcasts, translated simultaneously in 40
languages, the global satellite system, Adventist Television Network, can be viewed
on Hope Channel around the globe.
The weekly information voice of the global church, Adventist News Network, via
e-mail and the Internet, reaches tens of thousands of readers worldwide with news
about Seventh-day Adventist church matters, social concerns and global action.
Hundreds of thousands more interact with ANN reports as they are republished in
church and outside media around the world.
The church has a representative to the United States Congress and the United
Nations. Through the office of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, the church
works closely with policy and lawmakers to help protect our religious liberty.
Such publications as Liberty Magazine, Fides et Libertas, and Conscience et
Liberté are supported by the church in promoting religious freedom.
                                     
12.Let’s Talk is a direct line for young people to the office of the president of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church. By going to www.letstalk.adventist.org you can ask
questions or make comments directly to the president’s office.
Historically, Seventh-day Adventists have been known for their non-combatancy.
An example of such a stance is an American soldier who saved the lives of 75 of
his fellow soldiers in a battle of Okinawa without carrying a gun. Private Desmond
T. Doss, a conscientious objector, enlisted in the army, and was ridiculed by his
peers for his religious conviction. For his bravery he was awarded the
Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest citation in the United States. Inspired by
his story, filmmaker Terry L. Benedict created an award-winning documentary film
that chronicles the life of Doss and his faith that he clung to so dearly.
Every five years the Seventh-day Adventist Church holds a worldwide business
meeting. Known as the General Conference Session, this meeting of more than
2,100 delegates, representing the worldwide membership, has elections for
leadership positions of the church and also votes for new initiatives and policies that
affect Seventh-day Adventists worldwide.