The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a worldwide community of Christian faith. In the year 2000, membership passed the 11 million mark - averaging one Adventist per 552 people worldwide. Of the 229 countries and areas recognized by the United Nations, Adventists are found in 207 of them. Nearly 92 percent of the denomination's membership lives outside of North America - the birthplace of Adventism. At the year 2000 General Conference Session it was noted that every 28.91 seconds someone becomes a Seventh-day Adventist. Every 4.73 hours a new Adventist church is organized.

The Seventh-day Adventists arose out of the Millerite Movement of the 1840s. Though the denomination was not officially organized until May 21, 1863, its name, Seventh-day Adventist, was chosen by this group in 1860. The name, Seventh-day Adventist, reflects two core doctrinal beliefs: (1) the fourth commandment instructs us to keep a Sabbath rest on the seventh day (Saturday) of each week to worship our Creator. (2) scriptures promise us that Jesus will return a second time. We need to prepare to meet our God and to help others be ready for His soon return.