OUR statistical reports for the year ending December 31, 1968, show substantial gains, for which we thank God. By baptism and profession of faith 24,258 joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the North American Division and 133,101 in our overseas divisions, making a total gross membership increase of 157,359. The net world membership increase was 97,575 as compared to a net increase of 85,957 in 1967. This brings our total world membership to 1,845,183.
This report shows that our members have been working hard in their soul-saving efforts. In 1968 there was an increase of 16,840 new members over our 1967 record. The net membership increase of 97,575 was an increase of 11,624 over our 1967 report. The greatest gains were in our overseas fields. Their increase of 133,101 new members was 16,058 more than shown in the previous year. North American new members received in 1968 by baptism and profession of faith totaled 24,258, an increase of 782 over 1967. We thank God and our faithful workers and members for these gains.
Soul-winning Activities
In the North American Division again this year, as in 1967, it took an average of 16.6 church members to win each new member. In the overseas divisions, it took an average of 10.1 members to win one new member as compared to 10.9 in 1967. The world average was one new member for each 11.1 members in 1968 and one to 11.8 in 1967.
Part of our soul-winning program should and must be a program of sustaining our present church members. We feel confident that as we all take part in utilizing the new CONCERN records and program material as described in N. R. Dower's article in this issue of THE MINISTRY, hundreds, yes, many thousands of souls who have grown cold will again feel the warmth of the church and rejoin us on the road to heaven. Prospects of new souls in this area are almost unlimited. May God help us all to radiate the warmth of Christ's love.
Time Is Short
"We must give this message quickly, line upon line, precept upon precept. Men will soon be forced to great decisions, and it is our duty to see that they are given an opportunity to understand the truth, that they may take their stand intelligently on the right side. The Lord calls upon His people to labor labor earnestly and wisely while probation lingers." --Testimonies, vol. 9, pp. 126, 127.
"We have no time to lose. The end is near. The passage from place to place to spread the truth will soon be hedged with dangers on the right hand and on the left. Everything will be placed to obstruct the way of the Lord's messengers, so that they will not be able to do that which it is possible for them to do now. We must look our work fairly in the face and advance as fast as possible in aggressive warfare. From the light given me of God I know that the powers of darkness are working with intense energy from beneath, and with stealthy tread Satan is advancing to take those who are now asleep, as a wolf taking his prey. We have warnings now which we may give, a work which we may do; but soon it will be more difficult than we can imagine."--Ibid., vol. 6, p. 22.
"There is danger in delay. The soul whom you might have found, that soul to whom you might have opened the Scriptures, passes beyond your reach." --Ibid., p. 443.
"Vigilance and fidelity have been required of Christ's followers in every age; but now that we are standing upon the very verge of the eternal world, holding the truths we do, having so great light, so important a work, we must double our diligence." Ibid., vol. 5, pp. 460, 461.
In Rev. 22:7 Jesus says: "Behold, I come quickly." Again in verse 12, He repeats, "Behold, I come quickly." Are we ready to say, "Even so, come Lord Jesus"?
Certainly God's people believe and know that time is short. Therefore our efforts should be doubled. May God help us all to press the battle forward until "this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Matt. 24:14).
