Charles Sandefur, new president of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency International, began his term by reaffirming the agency’s mission statement to staff at ADRA’s headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.

“We serve because God asks us to serve,” said Sandefur. “We provide healing, hope, and care with no strings attached. For many people, the only sign of grace they will ever encounter is a seed packet or a clean water well.”

Sandefur’s more than 20 years of administrative experience includes serving as president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Hawaii and the mid-America region. He also chaired or sat on the boards of several medical centers during the past 20 years, and continues to be a member of the board of directors for Loma Linda University and Medical Center. Sandefur earned a bachelor of arts degree from Loma Linda University, and a masters of divinity from Andrews University. His doctoral studies were at Princeton Theological Seminary where he focused on theology and social ethics.

ADRA’s mission statement pledges to reflect the character of God through humanitarian and developmental activities while actively supporting communities in need through activities that are planned and implemented cooperatively. The agency vows to assist in crisis or chronic distress and work in partnership with those affected to develop long-term solutions.

ADRA works cooperatively with other non-governmental organizations to achieve its mission. For decades, ADRA has worked with United Nations agencies such as the World Health Organization, United Nations High Commission for Refugees, and the World Food Programme. In 1997, the UN’s Economic and Social Council granted ADRA general consultative status.