The mission offering received at this summer's Seventh-day Adventist World Session will fund new initiatives along an ancient trade route connecting East Asia to Europe. The territory, known as the Silk Road, lies in a region with little Adventist presence.

"Leaders have chosen this priority area because the church's mission statement calls us to teach and heal in every part of the world, excluding no one," said Mike Ryan, a general vice president for the Adventist world church.

The Silk Road is a network of ancient trade routes, now named after the Chinese silk trade, which began around 200 B.C. The route crosses China, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Central Asia, Turkey and the Middle East.

This region also lies in the heart of the 10/40 Window, a territory between 10 degrees latitude North and 40 degrees latitude North in the Eastern Hemisphere. In recent decades, the Adventist Church and other Christian denominations have emphasized mission in the area; while about two-thirds of the world's population live in the territory, only about 1 percent are Christian.

Ryan said the Adventist Church will be able to establish schools and health clinics in regions along the historic trade route, home to millions of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Animists.

"Theologically, Adventists firmly believe that God loves every person in the world," Ryan said. "That's why we've chosen this area of high priority."

Held every five years, the Adventist Church's World Session is a global spiritual gathering and business meeting. This year's Session will be held in Atlanta.

Funds collected at previous World Sessions have benefited initiatives such as Hope For Big Cities, and the construction of the Guam radio station, which now broadcasts 300 hours of programming a week into east Asia, including China, Indonesia and Vietnam.

For more information on 2010 Adventist World Session mission offering, visit

gcsession.adventistmission.org