The Global Mission Operations Committee last week approved more than 1 million dollars to help fund 732 projects to start new Seventh-day Adventist congregations around the world. Meeting at the Adventist Church’s headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, the GMOC considered projects from 16 countries in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

“Each project plan comes direct from leaders in the local area,” says Mike Ryan, director of Global Mission. “They’re at the grass roots, and know best how to share the good news about Jesus in an appropriate, culturally sensitive way in their part of the world. The vast majority of these projects are to fund Global Mission pioneers—lay church members who volunteer to move to a new area within their own culture and start a new congregation. They are having tremendous success around the world.”

The total cost for the 732 projects is $2.5 million—with the difference in funds being met by local church organizations. “It’s important for local organizations to contribute toward projects in their region,” says Daisy Orion, planning director for Global Mission. “It encourages a feeling of ownership and participation, rather than being fully funded by Global Mission at the world headquarters. Obviously in some regions the local church organizations can contribute more than in other regions.”

Eleven projects for Mongolia were funded. “This is exciting to see,” said Ben Maxson, stewardship director for the world church, and a member of GMOC. “Ten years ago we had no churches in Mongolia, and it’s wonderful to see the growth in this country.”

For more information about Global Mission visit www.global-mission.org.