The Seventh-day Adventist Church needs to direct more resources and attention to the most-populated and poorest region of the world, according to the 10/40 Window Committee, which met April 14 at the Adventist Church’s world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.

The committee made plans for the Adventist Church’s mission in the 10/40 Window, a term used to describe a geographical rectangle that extends from West Africa, through the Middle East, and into Asia. In this rectangle, more than 60 per cent of the world’s population live mostly in poverty. “We can’t ignore the huge challenge of the 10/40 Window,” says Mike Ryan, director of the Adventist Church’s office of Global Mission. “As followers of Jesus Christ, we must show His compassion in reaching out to millions of people who are searching for meaning and hope.”

The committee recommended a plan whereby more “wealthy” conferences (organizations of churches in a particular region), will be encouraged to provide funding for a cross-cultural worker to go from their conference to the 10/40 Window for a period of six years. “This is an idea that will ignite the mission interest of our people,” said Jan Paulsen, president of the world church. “Of course, this will be a bonus to, not a replacement for, what they are already doing.” “This kind of thing is healthy,” added Ron Watts, president of the southern-Asia region of the church. “It eliminates the notion that mission is the responsibility only of the world headquarters.”

The committee also discussed the need to re-direct certain budgets for cross-cultural workers to the 10/40 Window. “The Adventist Church allocates money each year to fund people to work in what have traditionally been seen as ‘mission fields’,” says Ryan. “Yet some of the areas receiving these benefits have now grown into strong, established church organizations. They should now be in a position to help direct some of the workers to the more needy and challenging 10/40 Window.”

Also at the meeting, Daisy Orion, director of planning for the office of Global Mission, presented a 10/40 Window Goal document, which outlines current planning by church organizations in the 10/40 Window. They include plans for using medical and dental clinics, radio and television programs, Christian literature, television, and many other programs and initiatives to reach people in this area.

John Graz, director of public affairs and religious liberty for the Adventist Church, presented a seven-point plan for how the Adventist Church can work to improve religious freedom in the 10/40 Window. “Using discretion and humility will be the best way to avoid persecution while spreading the gospel,” he said.

Bill Johnsson, editor of the Adventist Review, the general paper of the Adventist Church, introduced committee members to a prototype of a simplified version of the Review. Named Adventist Review, Limited Edition, this two-sided sheet of paper is designed for mass distribution among Adventist believers throughout the 10/40 Window. Its main focus will be on church unity and quality of life—key values in the church’s strategic plan.