Nix cited Ellen G. White’s experience and counsel as he emphasized the responsibility of Adventists to support God’s worldwide work. “If every church member,” she wrote, “were imbued with the spirit of self-sacrifice, there would be no lack of funds for home and foreign missions” (Review and Herald, Dec. 31, 1903).

Russell Staples, retired missiologist from the Seventh-day Adventist Seminary at Andrews University, noted the “reciprocal influence of missions.” Jere Patzer, president of North Pacific Union, agreed that overseas evangelism jumpstarts local evangelism. He reported that as a result of its outreach, North Pacific Union now enjoys the highest per capita in the NAD in both tithes and mission offerings.

“Sharing of resources is God’s plan,” said L. D. Raelly, from the Eastern Africa Division. “It fosters the unity of the church.”

Jon Dybdahl, missiologist from Andrews University, noted that mission giving has decreased to one sixth of its 1950 level. Former NAD treasurer George H. Crumley observed, however, that “a tremendous amount of project giving is not included in offering reports.”

Matthias Mueller, of the Euro-Asia Division, cited structural problems as an obstacle to effective mission outreach. “Where do we turn to connect pastors with target areas?” he asked.

Michael Ryan, director of Global Mission, reminded delegates that areas of opportunity are often under tremendous financial pressure and cannot support groups or individuals who want to serve in their fields.

“My main concern is that we as recipients may be developing a dependency syndrome, in receiving and not looking to ourselves [for financial resources],” said Reeves Bili, a delegate from the South Pacific Division.

Africa-Indian Ocean Division delegate Gideon Nwaogwugwu  urged the study of matching grants to churches that raise funds for outreach.

“The reason people don’t give is that there is no vision,” asserted Andrej Godina, a delegate from the Trans-European Division. “People don’t give to needs—they give to visions.”