The story of our brief history reveals that our existence is a blessing from God. Finite minds cannot comprehend the trials and seasons, nor could they orchestrate the circumstances that led to the creation of this immense accomplishment. The only explanation is, “It had to be the Lord”.
Our History |
Our Mission |
Our Roots |
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Created by the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1944, Regional Conferences began operating with approximately 17,000 black members in the United States. Maintaining an open hand of fellowship to any person or group that would join us, these conferences now hold in their member congregations, persons and institutions that represent a broad spectrum of racial groups that populate our country. Currently, we are approaching 300,000 members and continue to be an integral part of the SDA Church organizational structure. Membership and financial growth within these conferences throughout the years have supported the World Mission of the SDA Church and it’s institutions. Major financial support has also been a blessing to Oakwood University (OU) our denomination's prominent Historically Black American University, it’s national television ministry, Breath of Life, and the Message Magazine, a national religious publication that is more than 100 years old. The dedication to mission, the growth of its memberships and the well-being of its employees, led the Regional Conferences to form their own Defined Benefits Plan when the North American/General Conference changed the way it managed retirement for its employees January 1, 2000. Our brief unique successful history within the Seventh-day Adventist Church confirms that our existence and the creation of this Plan are a blessing from God. His watch care over this venture demonstrates, and we are confident, that we are walking in His favor. |
The mission of the Regional Conference Retirement Plan is to provide a reasonable retirement for denominational employees who have made Herculean sacrifices throughout their working lives. The resources for the Plan are derived from the bounty God’s people have faithfully placed into the storehouse. These willing workers are also part and parcel of the faithful members who have given their lives, time and talent to the cause of God. Church work requires faithfulness and an expectation of modest pay. The laborers of this vineyard are not seeking “loaves and fish”, yet, they labor with joy and the unique sense of fulfillment that comes with Christian service. Since their reward is not monetary alone, when the time comes for them to lay down their burdens after a life of joyful sacrifice, normal living should not be strenuous. Our mission remains the fulfillment of this worthy objective. Things You Should Know
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Our roots are embedded in the memberships of the 9 predominately Black Conferences of the 59 conferences in the North American Division (NAD) of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church. Our Board of Director's is composed of the 27 officers of the 9 sponsoring conferences, the Plan’s Executive Director, Assistant Director, CFO and Executive Director of the ORCM. Collectively, we work to serve the Lord and the more than 2,000 active employees, terminated vested employees, retirees and beneficiaries. They have served The Lord in our churches, schools and conference offices. Our retirement plan was born at a time of financial uncertainty and transition for pension plans in The United States. While other organizations abandoned employer sponsored pension funds, we successfully created a retirement plan that maintains the tradition of holding the employer financially responsible for employee benefits. Huntsville Alabama is home to our dedicated staff in our offices near the beautiful and historic campus of Oakwood University (OU). |
