The NAD President Joins Political Leaders to Inaugurate the Adventist Church of the Future, Complete with Basketball Training, Baseball Training, Batting Cages, a Kid's Gymnasium, Gymnastics, Volleyball Courts, Martial Arts Facilities, and a Restaurant

North American Division President G. Alexander Bryant has a plan to turn our local churches into "community" centers by expanding their mission beyond traditional religious activities. He wants to change the roles of our churches to address the social, cultural, recreational, and leisure needs of the community. According to a news report published by the North American Division (NAD) of Seventh-day Adventists, President Bryant met with union and conference officials, as well as local political leaders, to launch a new mission that they see as the future of Adventism. The NAD news report made the following statements during the inauguration of the Patmos Chapel Seventh-day Adventist Church in Florida:

• "For the past three years, Patmos Chapel Seventh-day Adventist Church members in Apopka, Florida, have taken steps of faith and sacrifice on a journey to construct a sanctuary - a tabernacle - a 'worship hub.' In March, the congregation crossed the finish line and celebrated with a two-day grand-opening festival."

• "The 107,000-square-foot activity center has basketball courts, a kid's gymnasium, volleyball courts, batting cages, martial arts facilities, space for COVID testing, a restaurant, and an outdoor video screen used to stream services to the parking lot."

• "The hub, a multi-purpose space, is also useful for wedding receptions, banquets, conferences, training sessions, and other events. 'Apopka has very few venues for organizations to hold gatherings,' says (Senior Pastor) Doggette. 'The hub could make a major contribution to the social and cultural life of the city.'

• 'The Well serves hundreds of youth and adults who participate in activities such as gymnastics, martial arts, basketball, baseball training, tutoring, and workplace screening. As a result, there's a mission field right inside the church's doors; the 'worship hub' provides a spiritual complement to the physical activities the Well offers."

Church leaders at every level are thrilled about this new church community center. During the inauguration, the president of the North American Division praised the congregation and its leadership by saying: "You know what the emphasis is in the world church? It's to have a place like this place. It's to turn our worship centers into community places …. And I would like to thank Pastor Doggette for your leadership and your vision in leading this congregation in that regard. But the Seventh-day Adventist Church is moving in that direction."

Southern Union Conference president Ron Smith also shared his approval and "praised senior pastor James R. Doggette, Sr., for his visionary leadership." Michael K. Owusu, Southeastern Conference president, also "congratulated the members and praised them for the sacrificial giving that made the renovation possible." Political leaders were also present and anticipated government involvement in this new partnership.

Government partnerships, community services, sports, recreational training, and martial arts? The division, union, and conference all support this plan, which calls for a total restructuring of the church's calling. The historic faith and mission that we hold very dear are being abandoned. A complete reorientation is taking place, and this is the plan for all of Adventism. The goal is to change the blueprint and modify the Adventist movement. Sports, recreation, martial arts, and community services have trumped the preaching of the Third Angel's Message, what Ellen White called the "highest, greatest work." Adventism entered this same crisis during the Kellogg apostasy. That was the Alpha; we are today witnessing the Omega.

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This release was published on openPR.