NAD Digital Connection Platforms Move Forward to Serve Schools and Churches

As reported in 2023, the North American Division (NAD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is currently engaged in a rebuild of the platform that powers Adventist Church Connect (ACC) and Adventist School Connect (ASC). In late 2024 or early 2025, ACC/ASC will move to an entirely new WordPress-based platform, giving the platform a new foundation while matching the existing functionality, to move forward providing more than 6,600 websites for all churches and schools across the territory.

The software currently powering ACC/ASC will be replaced, and the NAD has reached an agreement with SimpleUpdates to use the existing software until the new system is ready. Through the transition, all existing ACC/ASC sites will continue to receive technical support in the same way things have happened in the past. Once the new platform is ready, all existing sites will be migrated. This new platform will be hosted on the NAD Cloud.

The new platform will enable the NAD to further customize to meet the evangelistic and technical needs of churches and schools across our territory. As with the current platform, the service will continue to offer phone and email support. The new system will continue to be free for all churches, schools, and organizations across the region.

“Websites are a vitally important aspect of our churches and schools marketing and outreach efforts,” Brent Hardinge, assistant vice president for digital media for the NAD, said. “This strategic new platform will enable our institutions to develop websites that are tailored to the unique needs of each organization but integrated together across the division.” He added, “Your website is key, and the North American Division is excited to be able to offer you this strategic tool.” Hardinge, who has been tasked with coordinating the development and migration, also currently serves as the director for Adventist Information Ministry (AIM). 

The ACC/ASC network, introduced in late 2005 by the NAD, provides important resources and services to ensure every church and school in this network has a dynamic online presence, regional church leaders said.

The NAD will continue to provide a high level of service with regular software updates, modern template selections, instructional videos, and technical support. “We will also provide new features as we work with AdventSource, Adventist Information Ministry, and the software web development company,” Hardinge said

Throughout the upgrade process, the NAD is meeting with several groups to provide important feedback and ongoing guidance. This includes a development committee and two advisory committees. These new committees mostly include members who are not part of the NAD headquarters but rather users from churches, conferences, and unions. The project has the potential to impact every church and school that is part of the division.

“Not only is the NAD committed to providing and improving this web service; it will continue to do so at a significant cost savings to our churches and schools,” Adam Fenner, vice president for digital media for the NAD said. Fenner, who is also the director of the Adventist Learning Community, added, “This upgrade will empower our churches and schools with the tools they need to enhance their outreach and evangelistic efforts, all while maintaining the highest standards of privacy and security. Through this platform and others like it, God has given us the tools necessary to complete the gospel commission in our own time.”

The original version of this story was posted on the North American Division news site.