The Seventh-day Adventist Church was first officially organized in 1863 with 3,500 members, all within North America.
Today, more than 90 percent of church members reside elsewhere, in 203 different countries around the world.
Adventists speak in more than 725 languages and 1,000 dialects.
While membership is blossoming around the world, the financial support for this world church still comes largely from North America.
With less than 10 percent of the membership, the North American Division provides 64 percent of the total tithes and offerings.
Per capita giving in North America is $1,181 per member, yet only $157 per member worldwide.
Source: www.adventist.org
Featured in: February 2004
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