One of the exciting aspects of my responsibilities is seeing and hearing many positive and dynamic activities of my Church.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is caring for God's kids. Worldwide we have 1.5 million students in elementary and secondary schools, and in institutions of higher education. We have Pathfinder clubs where simple things like earning honors is common and major events like the International Camporee at Oshkosh hosts 37,000 Pathfinders and staff every five years. We have summer camps where youth are led to Christ in a wholesome environment and staff experience leadership development. We have countless Sabbath schools, vacation Bible school programs and a growing intentional focus to protect our children against abuse.

Adventists understand the Bible as a revelation of God's will. While so many Christian communities are softening their understanding of the authority of the Bible, we hold the Scriptures as the definitive authority for life and salvation. While our message is faithful to Scripture, it is also logical, practical and full of hope.

My church cares for the whole person. The world has taken note of our understanding that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. They have documented the benefits of the value we place on being as healthy as possible through the basics of fresh air, sunlight, water, exercise, nutrition, temperance and rest in the context of a personal relationship with our Creator. And when health is compromised, the Seventh-day Adventist Church engages in quality restorative health care through world class health care institutions and medical schools.

God has provided encouragement to the church through the person of Ellen White whose inspired insights into the controversy between Christ and Satan, the character of God and the life of Jesus continue to guide us back to the solid truths of Scripture. The biblical principles of health revealed to her were decades ahead of her time. Her insights and leadership helped to advanced the small company of believers into the world-wide Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The service of our dedicated members is an honor to God. Each week, across our Lake Union footprint, thousands of lay men and women give countless hours of service by their stewardship, caring for the church facilities, keeping financial records, staffing Pathfinders and various ministries and outreach programs, and serving on church and school boards—often working late into the night only to arise early to meet their employment commitments the next day.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America provides financial support to the world church. Our commitment to returning God's tithe and our sacrificial giving of offerings is truly an engine for mission, and millions of God's children will enjoy eternity because of our faithfulness.

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is one of the largest and most effective humanitarian organizations in the world, benefiting more than 45 million people a year. I love the dramatic increase of lay evangelistic efforts being held both here at home and worldwide. We have many evangelistic organizations and media outlets—both denominational and other self-sustaining entities—that reach millions of households and communities with our message of hope in the coming of the Lord.

There is so much more to tell, and that's what the rest of this month's Herald is all about.