EDITORIAL

When Global Mission began, there were 6 million church members around the world. Today, 30 years later, there are close to 21 million, and many of these are within the territories of the 10/40 Window.

A few months ago, Ricky Oliveras, our Mission Spotlight video producer, recorded Dr. Mike Ryan talking with me about the 30th anniversary of Global Mission. Mike was the first director of Global Mission—taking it from conception to reality. We were supposed to talk for 20 minutes but ended up going for an hour. And there were plenty more stories to tell!

Mike couldn’t resist recounting how, on our first trip together, I got us arrested. It was in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso. I was testing a new video camera, not realizing I was filming near a police station. Fortunately, it was all cleared up in about half an hour. We also recalled more poignant memories, such as Global Mission pioneers living sacrificially and planting churches in difficult circumstances.

Mike attended the 1990 General Conference Session in Indianapolis when the Global Mission initiative was voted. He remembers it being announced that one new Adventist church was being established every day. The thousands of Adventists gathered at the session greeted this wonderful news with applause. Today, we thank God that a new church is being established in less than four hours, along with many more groups and companies.

The history books will one day tell the impact of Dr. Ryan’s ministry: getting Global Mission off the ground, starting the pioneer program and the Global Mission Centers, and so much more. Global Mission brought about a new mindset, lifting our sights to the vast territories and people groups that we had, to put it bluntly, been largely ignoring. It refocused the church on the importance of starting new groups of believers.

When Global Mission began, there were 6 million church members around the world. Today, 30 years later, there are close to 21 million, and many of these are within the territories of the 10/40 Window.

While we still face tremendous challenges in reaching the unreached people groups of the world for Jesus, I want to thank you for everything you’ve done to support Global Mission in making the significant strides it has. Thank you for helping thousands come to know Christ as Lord and Savior.

Gary Krause, Adventist Mission Director