Project a 'model' for similar book distributions worldwide, church president says
An estimated 22,000 homes are located in the area immediately surrounding Seventh-day Adventist world church headquarters, but how many locals know what Adventists believe?
A new book-distribution project is expected to give residents in the 20904 postal code an opportunity to gain insight into the church and its understanding of biblical prophecy, church leaders announced last week.
During July 28 worship at church headquarters, employees donated more than $38,000 -- approximately 40 percent more than was needed -- to fund the printing and mailing of The Great Controversy, church co-founder Ellen G. White's capstone volume in the Conflict of the Ages series. Money raised above the basic costs will go toward sending copies of the book to adjacent areas.
The Great Controversy encapsulates the church's view of end-time events and what would trigger them. First published in 1888 and revised in 1915, the book has been circulated worldwide in many editions and translations.
The project is part of a nationwide effort to distribute copies of the book to an estimated 116 million homes in North America, said Mark B. Thomas, president of the Review and Herald Publishing Association, which is responsible for printing, packaging and shipping the books.
"This project has the potential to tell our neighbors what [current] events are all about," said world church President Ted N. C. Wilson.
Preempting concerns that The Great Controversy might not be the most accessible book for those unfamiliar with the church, Wilson said it was chosen for the completeness of its message. "In some places it's pretty straight, but it brings people to an understanding of where we are in Earth's history," he said.
Each paperback copy of The Great Controversy costs $1.25 to print, package and ship, Thomas said -- even less when copies are shared directly, rather than mailed. Church members have personally handed out some 30 percent of copies distributed in the project so far.
The project is a "privilege" for church headquarters and an opportunity to impact the surrounding community instead of leaving witness solely up to area churches, said Armando Miranda, a world church general vice president.
Each copy of The Great Controversy comes with an invitation card for Bible correspondence, an unobtrusive way to encourage Bible study, Miranda said.
"There are a lot of people who would never accept a direct invitation to study the Bible, but the Lord has other means, and this is one of them," he said.
In closing comments before a dedicatory prayer for the project, Wilson admitted that many copies may be "tossed," but that God's spirit would accompany the distribution. "Those who are truly seeking truth will be attracted to this book," he said.
Additionally, Wilson said he hopes the project will serve as encouragement for church administrative offices and individual churches worldwide to participate in similar distributions.
The book distribution project was voted earlier this year by the world church headquarters Outreach Committee.