t doesn’t seem possible that so much could have happened in a short 25 years. Think back to where you were 25 years ago. Maybe you were in school or looking for a life partner or celebrating 25 years of marriage.

Twenty-five years ago in 1985, my wife Reda and I were at the Adventist Media Center and enjoying our work very much. Reda worked at It Is Written, and I was the financial vice president of the Adventist Media Center. Our two children were both in school, one in academy and one in elementary school, and we were just beginning to understand the real value of Christian education. Back then, I couldn’t have imagined what it would be like 25 years later to be working with Adventist Frontier Missions. It is so much more than a job.

A few months ago, we asked some denominational leaders around the world to tell us their thoughts about what Adventist Frontier Missions has accomplished in their territory since its inception 25 years ago. We are committed to working closely with the Adventist denomination as we partner to reach the unreached, complementing each other and maximizing the results to the glory of God.

Elder Barry Oliver is the president of the South Pacific Division. Before holding this position, he was a long-term missionary in Papua New Guinea. He writes, “The South Pacific Division and Adventist Frontier Missions have enjoyed an excellent working relationship for over 20 years. This relationship and the deployment of AFM personnel and resources in Papua New Guinea has resulted in the opening up of new work areas and the establishment of new congregations in areas that were not being cared for by the established structures of the church. Working in Papua New Guinea presents many challenges. These challenges include geographical isolation, language barriers, cultural barriers and socio-economic underdevelopment. AFM and its personnel have acquitted themselves admirably in these difficult circumstances and have earned the respect of the leadership of the church in Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific Division. We in this Division are very grateful for the work of AFM and hope that it will continue into the future until the return of Jesus.”

Thank you for the part you have played in the last 25 years of AFM’s ministry, and we look forward to partnering with you for another 25, should the Lord not return sooner.

Dale J. Bidwell, President