Discover More About Seventh-day Adventist Christians
Adventist History
The Seventh-day Adventist church grew in the mid-1840s during the Second Great Awakening, a time of religious revival in the United States. Its first members came from the Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Christian Connection congregations, but over the following decades the denomination has grown into a worldwide church with millions of members. The church is well known for its excellence in healthcare, education, and human service activities.
Adventist Mission
From the very beginning, Adventists have focused on the importance of education and healthcare in improving people’s lives. In fact, Adventists run the next-largest denominational education system in the world, second only to Catholic schools. Adventist hospitals and clinics are also numerous, including Florida Hospital, America’s busiest hospital and Loma Linda Medical Center (in Loma Linda, CA) and Washington Adventist Hospital (in Takoma Park, MD). You’ll find at least one Adventist healthcare center in many major metropolitan areas in North America. Adventists are also active providing schools and hospitals where they are needed around the world.
The Adventist Lifestyle
One of the founding principles of the Adventist church is a healthy lifestyle – a balanced combination of exercise, diet, and trust in God. Adventists are generally vegetarian, and do not smoke or drink alcohol. They operate successful stop-smoking clinics worldwide. Loma Linda, California, a primarily Adventist community, was recently named by researcher Dan Buettner a “blue zone” or “longevity oasis” where the residents not only have the longest life expectancy on earth, but are happier and healthier, too.
Adventists Today
Today the worldwide Adventist church has over 15 million members in more than 200 countries. Adventists operate 7,200+ schools worldwide with nearly 1.5 million students. They also run 168 hospitals worldwide, 138 nursing homes and retirement centers, 442 clinics and dispensaries, and 34 orphanages and children’s homes. In addition, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International, a disaster relief organization, funds over 2,400 projects in 112 countries.
What does the name “Seventh-day Adventist” refer to?
The name “Seventh-day Adventist” refers to two core beliefs. Respecting the fourth of God’s Ten Commandments, Adventists worship on Saturday, the seventh day of the week. “Adventist” refers to Jesus Christ’s promise to return and take His followers home to heaven (John 14:1-3). Adventists believe in the imminent advent, or return, of Jesus Christ. You can find out more about Adventists at www.adventist.org
Does my family have to Adventist for my child to attend an Adventist school?
No. As a Christian community we welcome families from many different denominations.
Will an Adventist school try to turn my child into a Seventh-day Adventist?
Our goal is to encourage all students to have a personal relationship with Christ as their Savior and to develop morals and virtues grounded in Scripture. At an Adventist school, students’ freedom to think for themselves is respected and nurtured, and students are encouraged to learn how to make good moral decision regardless of their creed or belief system. One key Adventist principle is that no one should be pressured into church membership, but to join willingly as they choose. Children of Adventist parents often become baptized members but only when they are old enough to make the decision consciously and responsibly.
You are invited to visit Fredericksburg Seventh-day Adventist Church
We love to tell of Jesus and His wonderful mercies. We are a growing, diverse, and friendly church. We are committed to the Fredericksburg community and our global mission to share the good news of Jesus. The church continues to positively impact the Fredericksburg community through outreach programs such as seasonal fruit sales, working the Thurman Brisbane Homeless Shelter, working with Hope House & Micah Ministries, the Laundromat Outreach, Youth Ministry programs, Pathfinders (ages 10-18), Adventurers (ages 4-9) and many others. Please consider this your invitation to join us at our Wednesday night Prayer Meetings (7-8pm) or Sabbath morning services (Sabbath School classes begin at 9:30am and church service begins at 10:45am) as we worship the Lord. For more information, please visit the Fredericksburg SDA Church website.