Last year I traveled internationally more than usual, and I spoke to tens of thousands of people. I came away with the renewed conviction that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is God’s divinely appointed movement for this time in earth’s history.

Committed Adventists around the world make enormous personal sacrifices of their time, talents, and resources to participate in Christ’s mission to redeem a lost world. Some risk their lives for the cause of Christ.

These humble, faithful servants of Christ are not embroiled in the theological controversies swirling around the church. They are not involved in political posturing to push their cherished positions through administrative committees. They are too busy sharing Jesus, winning people to Christ, and proclaiming His Word.

Take Anna, for example. She lives in a Middle Eastern country where sharing her faith openly is impossible. Every day she walks in a crowded city park, silently praying that God will lead her to receptive people. And He has. Her morning walks have led to friendships with numerous women, and she is studying the Bible with some of them.

I wish you could have attended a recent ASI meeting in the Czech Republic with me. I listened to godly Adventists share how they use their businesses to reach others for Christ. I was deeply impressed with their dedication to God’s mission. They are living above church politics and are focused on witnessing.

As we begin a new year, I am convinced that in the grand scale of God’s priorities, winning people for Christ’s kingdom is most important. All the debates about certain issues in the church today mean little if they do not contribute to the overall impact of sharing Christ with lost people.

If we do not share the light of God’s love with others, we fail miserably. May our hearts be united with His in mission.