The Roots of Adventism
Seventh-day Adventism came out of a movement referred to as the Great Second Advent Awakening. This movement was started with the preaching and work of William Miller between 1831 and 1844. Studying the prophecy of Daniel 8:14, Miller believed that Jesus was going to come in October of 1844 because of the 2300 day/year prophecy, at which time the sanctuary would have been cleansed. Well, Jesus did not come as expected. After the disappointment, a few believers went to the Word and discovered the understanding of Jesus beginning the work on the investigative judgment. This group continued to study the Bible and sought to follow God' truths as he revealed them to the believers.
The Adopted Name - Seventh-day Adventist
The movement consisting of several congregations, adopted the name in 1860 in Battle Creek, Michigan. The name, Seventh-day Adventist includes two important doctrinal tenets that mark its mission in Christendom: Seventh-day points to the Sabbath; Adventist points to the advent or second coming of Christ, believed to be imminent. in 1863,the group formally organized as a church. The present membership of the Adventist church is over 20 million.
Early Pioneers of the Movement
Among the stalwart group were James and Ellen White, and Joseph Bates, a retired sea captain. Ellen received a special call and was used by God to give specific guidance to the fledgling church as the church managed the early transitions, Messages of guidance were given on Bible Teachings, education, the medical work and healthful living, church ministry, and devotional life.
Church Organization
The Seventh-day Adventist church has a representative system of Government. It has a sophisticated organizational structures that begins at the local church level. Church members form a local church . Local churches, under the supervision of pastors, are administered by the local conference. Conferences are administered by the Unions, Unions by Divisions, and Divisions y the General Conference. The head leader of the GC is the president who works with an executive secretary, a treasurer, and other officers. The tithing system allows for the financial support of ministers, conference officials, and missionaries, and to a little extent teachers, Bible workers, colporteurs, and others.
The Conyers Church falls under the Georgia Cumberland Conference of SDA, which has offices in Calhoun, Georgia. Georgia Cumberland Conference falls under the Southern Union. The Southern Union is within the North American Division,which is part of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, which has headquarters in Silver Springs, Maryland with Pastor Ted Wilson as the President. The next set of officers will be elected during the quinquennial session in Indianapolis, Indiana in June/July 2020