The 2017 North American Myanmar Adventist Convention was held at North Star Camp in Brainerd, Minnesota, Aug. 31 – Sept. 2. Over 500 people attended the gathering at the Minnesota Conference-owned camp nestled between Rice Lake and the Mississippi River.

On Thursday evening Terri Saelee, Adventist Refugee and Immigrant Ministries coordinator opened the convention, which was geared toward different ethnic groups from Myanmar/Burma, India and Thailand. Attendees came for the purpose of establishing friendships and praying together about their plans to reach refugees and immigrants from Myanmar/Burma in North America.

Sam Ngala, Burmese and Chin language consultant with the North American Division led out in the meetings. Dean Coridan, president of the Iowa-Missouri Conference was the worship speaker each evening.

Sabbath was a packed day starting with Sabbath school at 7:00 am led by Brian Mungandi, Minnesota Conference vice president for administration. Justin Lyons, president of the Minnesota Conference, spoke for the divine worship hour.

Following the worship service the group went down to the Mississippi River where 17 people—many of them young—were baptized. Gil Webb, vice president of administration for the Mid-America Union Conference, officiated during an afternoon communion service.

Photos: Courtesy Gil Webb

Elder Gil Webb, vice president of administration for the Mid-America Union Conference, officiates during a communion service at the 2017 NAD Myanmar Adventist Convention held in Minnesota.

Elder Gil Webb, vice president of administration for the Mid-America Union Conference, officiates during a communion service at the 2017 NAD Myanmar Adventist Convention held this year at North Star Camp in Minnesota.