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The '''Seventh-day Adventist Church''' is a Protestant denomination founded in America the mid-19th century during the [[Second Great Awakening]]. The basic tenets of Adventism were based on a version of [[premillennial]] evangelical Protestantism and focused on the prophecy that Christ would return in 1844. They also strongly held the belief that the [[Sabbath]] was Saturday (the 7th day), so they opposed laws making Sunday the Sabbath.  

The '''Seventh-day Adventist Church''' is a Protestant denomination founded in America the mid–19th century during the [[Second Great Awakening]]. The basic tenets of Adventism were based on a version of [[premillennial]] evangelical Protestantism and focused on the prophecy that Christ would return in 1844. They strongly emphasize the [[Sabbath]] as Saturday (the 7th day) and a binding institution, strenuously opposing efforts to legally sanctify Sunday.

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, which it states is the only basis of its faith. The church believes that the writings of Ellen G. White are divinely inspired and useful for guidance, but do not take place of the Bible, which they believe is the only source of doctrine.  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]].

The church professes 28 fundamental beliefs which it sees as being based on the Bible, which it states is the only basis of its faith. The church believes that the writings of Ellen G. White are divinely inspired and useful for guidance, but do not take place of the Bible, which they believe is the only source of doctrine.  Healthy food is part of the religion—most Adventists are vegetarians, in addition to rejecting coffee, tea, and alcohol as harmful due to the stimulant nature of caffeine and impairing effects of ethanol.  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>   

Worldwide the church operates 107 colleges and medical schools, and 7300 elementary and secondary schools. Total enrollment is 1.5 million. It operates over 700 hospitals, sanitaria and clinics. The worldwide budget is $2.7 billion, with $420 million spent on aid and relief efforts.<ref>See [http://www.adventist.org/world_church/facts_and_figures/index.html.en Official statistics online]</ref>

Worldwide, the church operates 107 colleges and medical schools, and 7300 elementary and secondary schools—total enrollment is 1.5 million. It operates over 700 hospitals, sanitaria and clinics. The worldwide budget is $2.7 billion, with $420 million spent on aid and relief efforts.<ref>See [http://www.adventist.org/world_church/facts_and_figures/index.html.en Official statistics online]</ref>

==History==

==History==