Welcome to ECD Sabbath School and Personal Ministries (ECD SSPM)
Historical Background: In 1852, James White initiated the first Sabbath School lessons published in Youth Instructors in Rochester, New York. This pioneering effort was driven by a pressing need for structured religious education, given the inadequacies in both private and public educational systems at the time. Fast forward to 1995, the General Conference, during its session in Utrecht, Netherlands, restructured by dissolving the Church Ministries Department and integrating Sabbath School with Personal Ministries into one department. Despite this organizational shift, local churches continue to operate Sabbath School and Personal Ministries as separate entities to better serve their communities.
Our Purpose: Sabbath School and Personal Ministries is dedicated to being the primary religious educational resource within the Church. Our goal is to nurture discipleship among our members, reflecting the teachings of the Bible and the core tenets of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We envision every church within the ECD region as a training ground for Christian workers, striving to:
- Proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ as articulated in the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14:6-12.
- Help members of all ages grow and mature in their relationships with God, each other, and the Church.
Desired Outcomes:
- Bible Study:
Foster regular individual and group study of God’s Word, incorporating prayer and other devotional practices into daily life.
- Fellowship:
Cultivate Christ-centered relationships through the Sabbath School program and maintain an atmosphere of love and acceptance throughout church life.
- Community Outreach:
Encourage the discovery and utilization of spiritual gifts to educate, equip, motivate, and mobilize members in personal evangelism.
Transform local churches into dynamic agents of change within their communities.
- World Mission:
Express and uphold a clear vision of the Church’s mission globally, contributing to its ongoing advancement.
Key Initiatives:
- International Institute of Christian Discipleship (IICD):
Founded in 1998, this institute is crucial for training lay members and equipping them to disciple others. It offers a range of certification programs tailored to local needs, including personal evangelism, and religious education for adults, children, and youth.
- Sidewalk Evangelism: A straightforward approach to sharing the gospel, Sidewalk Evangelism involves four basic steps: Pray, Mingle, Invite, and Study. This method is designed to be simple and adaptable, making it effective in various settings.
- Sabbath School Alive!:
This global initiative from the General Conference aims to revitalize Sabbath School by rediscovering its core purpose: Bible study, prayer, fellowship, and mission. It seeks to reinvigorate the Sabbath School experience and its impact on discipleship.
- Grow Your Church:
An initiative dedicated to expanding church membership and fostering growth through strategic planning and resource utilization.
- Alive in Jesus:
A dynamic Sabbath School curriculum specifically designed for children, aiming to engage young learners in meaningful spiritual education about Jesus.
- Inverse:
A quarterly guide tailored for young adults, addressing their unique spiritual and educational needs while providing relevant Bible study material.
- The Official General Conference Sabbath School & PM App:
This app offers convenient online access to Sabbath School resources and materials, allowing members to engage with their studies anytime and anywhere.
Through these initiatives, ECD Sabbath School and Personal Ministries strives to strengthen faith, deepen engagement, and expand the Church’s impact both locally and globally. We are committed to equipping members for effective ministry and fostering a vibrant and supportive church community.
