The Adventist General Conference's (GC) 2024 Annual Council, held in Silver Spring, Maryland, included a significant discussion during the morning meeting on October 15, focused on strengthening the global mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church through the Total Member Involvement (TMI) initiative. This global effort, aimed at engaging every church member in evangelism and service, has already achieved valuable results across the world. During this session, church leaders from various regions shared reports highlighting the transformative impact of TMI in their territories, emphasizing the importance of each member’s involvement in the mission.
The TMI initiative focuses on encouraging every member of the Church to be actively engaged in evangelism, regardless of age, profession, or location. It recognizes that mission work is not confined to pastors or evangelists but is the collective responsibility of the entire church body. In doing so, the initiative empowers members to take ownership of outreach and discipleship, creating a global movement of personal and public evangelism.
Papua New Guinea: “PNG for Christ”
One significant report came from the Papua New Guinea Union Mission (PNGUM), which detailed the remarkable success of the “PNG for Christ” campaign. The campaign began by addressing the most urgent needs of the population, as local clinics provided extensive health services. According to the report, over 23,000 medical treatments were administered, including cataract surgeries, dental care, and eye screenings. This medical outreach earned the trust and goodwill of the communities, meeting critical needs and laying the groundwork for the evangelistic efforts that followed, leaders state.
Duane McKey, president of Adventist World Radio (AWR), emphasized the importance of this holistic approach: “Throngs lined the streets, having walked for days … they waited patiently to receive treatment.” By prioritizing physical healing, the campaign prepared the way for a profound spiritual revival.
Following this health outreach, over 2,300 evangelistic events took place simultaneously across the country, resulting in more than 300,000 baptisms—a record-breaking achievement for the region. The campaign’s spiritual success was equally spiritually impactful. Sixteen entire congregations from other denominations, including Anglican and Church of Christ communities, made the decision to transition to the Seventh-day Adventist Church during the campaign.
Reflecting on this extraordinary outcome, Malachi Yani, president of PNGUM, remarked, “This was God’s work,” underscoring the deep spiritual transformation that took place across the nation. David Butcher, a church leader from South Australia, shared, “When we give to others, we are blessed as well,” capturing the spirit of service that drove the campaign.
East-Central Africa: Evangelistic Impact and Family Focus
Another key report came from the East-Central Africa Division (ECD), where leaders shared the successes of their Evangelistic Impact 2025 initiative. Under the leadership of Blasius M. Ruguri, ECD has been focusing on transforming members “from spectators to disciple-makers.” In 2024 alone, more than 50,000 evangelistic meetings were held across the region, resulting in 700,000 baptisms.
The division also launched a Family Impact Campaign in April 2024, which aimed at strengthening family units and utilizing them as platforms for evangelism. With a 90% retention rate among members, the initiative has already added 75,000 individuals to the church. The campaign is part of a broader effort to equip families to share the gospel within their communities, with special emphasis on prayer and spiritual nurture at home.
Youth engagement is another priority for the ECD, with a goal to mobilize “an army of one million youth” by 2025 to participate in evangelistic efforts. This focus on youth is designed to ensure that young people become an integral part of the Church’s mission, equipping them for leadership and service within their communities.
Global TMI Impact
The reports from various regions during the GC Annual Council showcased the widespread and diverse impact of TMI. From Africa to Asia, divisions shared inspiring stories of growth, outreach, and mission success.
The Inter-American Division reported 115,000 baptisms this year. Additionally, it distributed millions of copies of The Great Controversy in both digital and printed formats. The Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division (SID) reported 80,000 baptisms in Zambia alone, resulting from their mission efforts that combined evangelism with humanitarian service.
The Chinese Union Mission held 350 evangelistic meetings in 2024, resulting in 1,800 baptisms, with more planned for the coming year. The Northern Asia-Pacific Division aims for 2,025 evangelistic meetings and 20,250 baptisms as they continue their mission work under TMI for 2025.
The West-Central Africa Division surpassed one million members in 2024 and plans to establish 13,000 evangelistic sites in 2025, to reach 200,000 baptisms.
Looking Forward: A Renewed Commitment to TMI
Following the TMI reports from various regions around the world, Ted Wilson, president of the GC, expressed deep appreciation for the collaborative efforts of church leaders and members alike. “I want to thank every division, every union, every attached field, every local field, every church, every church member who has been involved and will be involved,” Wilson said, affirming the collective dedication to the mission of the Church. He went on to highlight how TMI has unified the Church around a common goal: sharing the gospel and preparing for Christ’s soon return.
Wilson also outlined the Church’s vision for the future, aligning the continued progress of TMI with the “I Will Go” strategic plan for 2027 and beyond. The Executive Committee supported a proposal to renew and expand TMI initiatives for 2027 and 2029 as part of the broader strategic plan for 2025-2030. Each division is expected to implement its own territory-wide plans, ensuring that the entire global church is actively involved in fulfilling the mission.
Through the Global TMI initiative, the Seventh-Day Adventist Church seeks to inspire the dedication of each member to grow and expand God's mission by bringing freedom, healing, and hope to communities worldwide. As the Church looks ahead, TMI remains a cornerstone of its global evangelistic efforts, ensuring that every member plays a vital role in sharing the gospel and preparing the world for Jesus’ return.
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