Secretariat Report Urges Adventists to Prioritize Global Mission Efforts

The Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Secretariat Report, delivered during the Annual Council in Silver Spring, Maryland, on October 11, 2026, urged members to reexamine their commitment to global mission work. General Conference secretary Rick McEdward posed challenging questions to church leaders, asking, “Do we still take world mission seriously? When will our mission be complete?” The report emphasized the need for a renewed focus on mission as a core aspect of the church’s purpose.

McEdward highlighted the importance of the Mission Refocus initiative, which aims to assess and reallocate mission resources to areas where the church’s presence is most needed. He described this initiative as a response to the divine calling to engage in frontline mission work. The report stressed that the church’s mission should challenge, inspire, enable, and support the broader goal of restoring hope and joy to the world.

A central theme of the report was the identification of key “windows” for mission engagement. These include the 10/40 window, where the majority of the world’s population resides but Christianity is a minority; the urban window, encompassing the most populous cities; and the post-Christian and secular window, primarily in Western Europe. McEdward emphasized that reaching these populations requires a strategic reorganization of the missionary-sending process.

The Mission Refocus initiative seeks to streamline the process of recruiting, sending, and supporting missionaries, ensuring that resources are directed to the most critical mission areas. McEdward noted that this involves improving efficiency in missionary operations while also focusing on training, coaching, and pastoral care. The goal is to establish new congregations and strengthen existing ones through intentional, mission-driven efforts.

The report combined statistical data with personal testimonies to illustrate the impact of mission work. One such story involved two young people from different parts of the world who were drawn together by their shared calling. Elbert Kuhn, director of Adventist Volunteer Service, shared the experience of a young Korean woman who initially attended an Adventist university without being a Christian. During her time there, she encountered Jesus and eventually became a missionary, joining one of the 300 mission schools for volunteers.

The Secretariat Report underscored the importance of integrating real-life experiences with strategic planning to foster a growing mission-focused movement. By combining data with personal narratives, the report aimed to inspire and guide church leaders in their ongoing commitment to global mission work.

Source: Read the original report