History sometimes repeats itself. In 1844-1855, some in the Millerite movement believed that the door of mercy to the lost had closed forever, because Miller’s preaching represented God’s last invitation of mercy to our dying world, .hence the term “Shut Door.” Those holding to the Shut-Door theory did not believe it was necessary or even possible to reach out to the lost.

However, as the Holy Spirit revealed truths about the heavenly sanctuary, many who had held to the Shut-Door understanding grew to become Open-Door Adventists. In 1848, Ellen White had a vision in which she saw “streams of light . . . clear round the world,” affirming the beliefs of the Open-Door Adventists and encouraging the Seventh-day Adventist movement to intentionally engage in worldwide missionary outreach after the 1844 experience.

Who are the Open-Door Adventists of today? At AFM, we are not merely Open-Door Adventists, we are also seeking to open doors for Adventists!

AFM has traditionally been based in North America. However, the spiritual needs of the unreached are vast, and doors need to open for more Adventists who sense God’s call to serve among the unreached. God has richly blessed His people in other countries, so we are seeking to open recruiting and sending offices in key locations worldwide so that more Adventists in other countries can directly participate in the joy of mission.

By God’s grace and in partnership with dedicated Adventists who share our vision, we have established AFM-South Africa Trust (AFM-SAT), which is now legally registered and based in South Africa. Our AFM-SAT director is Elder Heino Torlage, who also leads Abundant Life, a youth ministry that trains and leads groups of young people in active evangelism across South Africa. Entering into partnership with Abundant Life, AFM-SAT is now able to channel experienced youth evangelists to be missionaries to the unreached.

AFM-SAT has already launched a South African nurse to the Palawano Project in the Philippines for two years as a short-term missionary. Another missionary will launch to the Middle East later this year. We are working with Elder Torlage so that in February 2014 another six youth evangelists will launch with AFM. South African missionaries will train in South Africa and then launch each year in February to coincide with their academic calendar. Our faith goal is for 12 missionaries a year, entirely locally funded, to launch from South Africa by 2015.

As members of the AFM family, we are not only Open-Door Adventists, we are also opening doors for Adventists to answer God’s call. Together, we are working to fulfill the vision of streams of light flowing around the entire world! Please pray for our AFM-SAT team as they prayerfully open doors for a new stream of missionaries who will lift high the Light of the World wherever they serve.

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