Changes

The church was organized in 1863 around the belief that Jesus indeed had entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary in 1844. Ellen G. White (1827-1915), while holding no official role, was the dominant personality and moved the denomination to a concentration on missionary and medical work. Beginning in the 1890s, the Seventh-day Adventist Church was impacted by the [[Holiness Movement]]. Borrowing from the holiness movement, Albion Fox Ballenger and Sarepta M. I. Henry sought to bring together law and gospel themes, and thereby fill a spiritual need not met by Adventist emphasis on moral behavior. Revival focused on being filled with the Holy Spirit and healing. Mission and medical work continues to play a central role in the 21st century.

The church was organized in 1863 around the belief that Jesus indeed had entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary in 1844. Ellen G. White (1827-1915), while holding no official role, was the dominant personality and moved the denomination to a concentration on missionary and medical work. Beginning in the 1890s, the Seventh-day Adventist Church was impacted by the [[Holiness Movement]]. Borrowing from the holiness movement, Albion Fox Ballenger and Sarepta M. I. Henry sought to bring together law and gospel themes, and thereby fill a spiritual need not met by Adventist emphasis on moral behavior. Revival focused on being filled with the Holy Spirit and healing. Mission and medical work continues to play a central role in the 21st century.

The church professes 28 fundamental beliefs which it sees as being based on the Bible, and which it states is the only basis of its faith, though historically it has privileged the teaching of Mrs White.  Healthy food is part of the religion. Adventists are vegetarians and reject caffeine and alcohol.  Adventists in Battle Creek, Michigan, developed America's [[Breakfast cereals|breakfast cereal industry]].

The church professes 28 fundamental beliefs which it sees as being based on the Bible, and which it states is the only basis of its faith, though historically it has privileged the teaching of Mrs White.  Healthy food is part of the religion. Most Adventists are vegetarians, and reject caffeine and alcohol.  Adventists in Battle Creek, Michigan, developed America's [[Breakfast cereals|breakfast cereal industry]].

   

   

Adventist missionary activity has been quite successful, and over 90% of members are outside the U.S., including 34% in Africa, 33% in Latin American, versus 8% in the U.S. and Canada. There is a very active missionary program in 230 countries. There are 15 million members, with the greatest numbers in Brazil (1.3 million); the US (950,000); India (920,000); the Philippines (750,000); Peru (660,000); Mexico (550,000); and Kenya (530,000).  There are 64,000 churches and 16,000 ordained ministers. <ref> See statistics at [http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/rel_sev_adv_mem-religion-seventh-day-adventist-membership online]</ref>   

Adventist missionary activity has been quite successful, and over 90% of members are outside the U.S., including 34% in Africa, 33% in Latin American, versus 8% in the U.S. and Canada. There is a very active missionary program in 230 countries. There are 15 million members, with the greatest numbers in Brazil (1.3 million); the US (950,000); India (920,000); the Philippines (750,000); Peru (660,000); Mexico (550,000); and Kenya (530,000).  There are 64,000 churches and 16,000 ordained ministers. <ref> See statistics at [http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/rel_sev_adv_mem-religion-seventh-day-adventist-membership online]</ref>