Thailand: NSD President’s Executive Administrative Council (PREXAD) Discussed Important Issues

September 19, 2007 Bangkok, Thailand

Since 2004, the Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD) holds President’s Executive Administrative Council (PREXAD) on a yearly basis. This year was the 4^th PREXAD meeting and was held for the first time outside of NSD territories in the beautiful city of Bangkok, Thailand at the Imperial Queen's Park Hotel from September 3-5, 2007. The previous meetings were held in Mongolia, Japan and China, respectively.

The purpose of PREXAD meeting is for more communication and consultation among the top leaders of the Division and the fields and at the same time, to share and cast visions for future direction and for open dialogue and brainstorming on various important issues facing the church today.

With the assistance from the ADRA Asia office in Bangkok this year, the leaders enjoyed a 3-day intensive business sessions with a half-day tour of the city.

At the opening session on September 3 in the evening, Dr. Jairyong Lee, president of NSD, led out in the reading of Ellen G White’s writings, emphasized the importance of “Mission”, encouraged all participants to put “Mission First” as our slogan in all our plans, deliberations and activities. He challenged the leaders to continue to promote mission spirit among our church and institution workers.

Two days morning devotionals were led by Pastor Paul Kotanko, Mongolia Mission Field (MMF) director and Pastor James Wu, Chinese Union Mission president, respectively. Pastor Kotanko shared a very moving personal testimony, while Pastor Wu focused on servant leadership.

There were more than 30 agenda items for discussion on this year's PREXAD, most of which were simply information sharing. Two departmental directors were invited to join the PREXAD meetings to share and report on their particular department's plans and activities.

Dr. Phoon Chek Yat, Education Department director, presented a proposal to conduct an “Education Consultation Meeting” in 2008 and also a plan to launch an “English Institute” for church leaders.

Pastor Kim DaeSung, Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department director, reported on K-project, a presentation on his Mission Book and 1752 Evangelism, strategies to promote Publishing Ministries and ASI work in NSD territories.

Before the end of the business session, all agenda items were covered, participants renewed their commitment to God and refocused their minds on Mission. Next year's PREXAD meeting will be held in Okinawa, Japan.