Seventh-day Adventists : An Introduction

The history of Seventh-day Adventist education From Marthy Byington's church school for five New York families in 1853 to the more than 6,700 elementary - through college-level schools the church operates worlwide today, the history of Adventist education is a story of struggle, tenacity, faith, and blessing. In Passion for the World, by retired professor of history Floyd Greenleaf, gives readers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the growth of an identifiably Adventist system of schools.

A Thousand Miracles Every Day records some of the human-interest stories related to the development of Adventist hospitals from the late 1800s to the beginning of the 21st century. It chronicles the vision, sacrifice, dedication and overriding hand of divine providence in their histories. As a ministry, Adventist health care must always recognize its place in God's plan to care for those who are sick and hurting. In this context it continues to be a story of miracles--more than a thousand every day.

The legacy of Adventist health care is rich with stories of hope, health and healing. Beginning in a small farmhouse in Battle Creek, Michigan, these accounts tell of unlikely business arrangements, unexpected gifts and unbroken footsteps of faith. Early healthcare leader, Harley Rice said, "Adventist health care is unique only when it combines science with compassion, competence with love, and skill with understanding and sympathy. When these are combined, the world takes notice." It is our hope that by reading these stories from the past--with remarkable evidence of perseverance and divine providence--our caregivers today find strength and inspiration as they extend the healing ministry of Christ.

The black heritage of radical faith, fervency, and vehement boldness is an important aspect of Adventist history. In stories that excite, provoke, and instruct, Benjamin Baker portrays the 12 most significant events in the history of black Seventh-day Adventists.

attle Creek is much more than a geographical location for the student of Seventh-day Adventist history. The name brings to mind the first institutions that shaped the future of the denomination: the world-famous Battle Creek Sanitarium and its medical founder, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg; the Review and Herald Publishing Association, the first publisher of Adventist literature; and the “Dime” Tabernacle, paid for by monthly contributions of ten cents from each member. It was in Battle Creek that the name Seventh-day Adventist was chosen and where in 1901 the fledging church, inspired by a strong sense of mission, laid the foundations of a structure that survives to this day. This book explores the themes inspired by this significant historical setting, including the early conflicts in leadership, the beginnings of the missionary outreach of the church to groups in America and abroad and the start of the publishing, health, and educational ministries.