The Seventh-day Adventist Church did not form in a vacuum. The Reformation began a long process of rediscovering the truth that had been lost in the dark ages. The rediscovery was progressive and as the reformation drew to a close in Europe in the late 1700’s the epicenter of Christian innovation and progress would shift to the USA in the 1800’s. In the mid 1800’s the Seventh-day Adventist Church would rise as a movement to call people back to the Bible and take the message of God around the world.

Ellen White lived from 1827 to 1915. She lived all over the United States of America, in Australia and spend time in Europe as well. She is the most translated American author and the 3rd most translated author of all time. She lived a full life but her legacy would continue long after her death until today and has inspired education, health work, publishing and missions all over the world.

Whilst living at Elmshaven Ellen White would have many visions and following these she often wrote many letters and books. It was also whilst spending her final years in this house that Ellen White was able to spend many precious moments with her grandchildren. We see a woman who gave much counsel to the church at large and individuals but also a loving and caring grandmother who balanced her work for the church and her family life in an exemplary fashion.

Ellen White would return to the USA and settle on the West Coast near San Francisco in a house that would be named Elmshaven. She would live here for almost a decade and a half writing some of her major books. She would also have a direct and blunt interaction with the then GC President, A. G. Daniels that would have a profound impact on him and his ministry!

Loma Linda University and Hospital is a flagship institution within the Adventist Church that has made a real impact in the field of health care, both in the US and further afield. The beginnings of this school are quite remarkable and date back to 1905 and represented great foresight by our early pioneers. Over the years many missionaries have gone out from this school around the world taking the message of Jesus with them.

In 1902 a fire would strike the Review and Herald in Battle Creek that was unquenchable, destroying the printing press. The cause of this fire is linked with Dr. Kellogg and his apostasy. The Kellogg crisis would test the church in its early years and provided a real challenge to the leadership at the time. Unfortunately Kellogg would go his own way and his Sanitarium, once so prosperous would eventually fade in significance.

Early Seventh-day Adventists were staunchly opposed to slavery and advocated for its abolition. Ellen White also made statements that some of the laws of the land at the time should be violated if need be. This radical edge meant the church was pushing back some boundaries and also led to several schools opening up in the south, the foremost one being Oakwood Industrial School - today named Oakwood University.

Anna Knight was a pioneer in every sense of the word. From the remarkable story of her conversion and acceptance of the Sabbath to her education and missionary service in India to her pioneering work in education, particularly amongst the African American community. She was a trail blazer who impacted not just her generation but also those who would come after her.

Madison College would for many years be a flagship self supporting institution within the SDA Church and would inspire many other schools and ministries. Later on a network of self supporting ministries would form that today is known as ASI - Adventist Laymens Services and Industries, that would prove a huge blessing to the work of God around the world.

The Southern States of the United States of America were a relatively unentered field when the Morningstar boat set sail from Michigan down south. A boat that acted as a school house, meeting room, library amongst other things was a genius idea and gave great impetus to the gospel work.

Despite writing much on child rearing, Ellen Whites son Edson White would grow up to be a 'problem' child. However after his conversion later in life he would go on to do a remarkable work, predominantly in the South.

What is the process of an inspired book bring written. How does an idea, counsel or teaching, go from a vision to the printed page. This episode outlines the meticulous process that would occur whenever a book was written.

The conversion of Nathaniel Faulkhead is a fascinating story of how the prophetic gift was also used on a personal, one to one level. Ellen White's encounter with Nathaniel would have a huge impact on his life and lead to his conversion.

Sunnyside was Ellen White's favourite home, built from scratch close to Avondale and the place where many books were written, including the majority of Desire of Ages. She thought this would be her last home but it only ended up being her residence for just over 4 years.

The early pioneers had a vision for a College to be started and a plot of land was secured. However this would be a contentious decision with some staying that the land wasn't worth buying. Time would prove the doubters incorrect, another instance where Inspiration and Providence confounded the wisdom of the world.

The work in Australia first started in Melbourne with some tent meetings, a printing press and a health food company. God blessed these early sacrificial efforts of the early pioneers and the work received a solid foundation.

When the mission party stopped in Auckland, New Zealand on their way to their destination, Australia, a desire to come back and start some mission work would be aroused. From humble rural origins the church in New Zealand would start and is a story of honest people hearing the message and changing their lives accordingly.

Ellen White would be called to go to Australia by the General Conference but was unsure if this was God's will. Eventually she ended up going but how did she come to this conclusion? How can we know what God's will is for our lives when we have tough decisions to make?

Adventism would come to Britain fairly early, through William Ings and later John Loughborough. However, as a country it has never experienced massive growth and is more a story of perseverance through trial and strong dedication, that resonates with many other places around the world today.

SN Haskell would go not to make a huge impact serving as a conference president in several regions, both on the east coast and west coast. He was also a pioneer missionary to Africa and Australasia and demonstrated unusually strong gifts as a preacher, writer and administrator during his life.

In 1888 a message would be shared that if accepted at the time could have changed the face of Adventism. Unfortunately it was not reality accepted by everyone and the fallout of this fractured state of the church still haunts us today. What lessons can we learn today to avoid the pitfalls of the past?

Some of our pioneers paid the ultimate sacrifice in the early years of Adventism. Whilst they would not be counted as martyrs, many lived such a life of sacrifice and hardship that an early death was arguably inevitable. Some were in their teengage years, others in their twenties and some older but they were all united by their love for Jesus and sharing the message of God's love to the world.

What would you do if met with the question - 'What doest thou here Elijah?', if you were not following God's will for your life. One man was met with this question by Ellen White.

Married at a young age, James and Ellen were convicted that God had a great work for them to accomplish together. Through the course of their marriage they had many trials thrown at them - things that broken many other marriages, yet their love for each other continued until James early death in 1881 at the age of 60.

The Seventh-day Adventist church was founded mainly by young people but the time would come, as the church grew, when a dedicated work for them would need to be started. From humble beginnings in rural Michigan, two young men, Henry Fenner and Luther Warren would birth an idea that would grow to be the worldwide ministry it is today.

“We sent you the ablest man in our ranks,” the church in Europe was told. J.N. Andrews was indeed worthy of such a description. Supremely gifted, intelligent and dedicated, he was a great asset to the church in its early days, though sadly his life would be tragically cut short.

Jakob Erzberger was a convert of Michael Czechowski and would go on to be the first European ordained minister. He spent years working in Switzerland and Germany and was vital to the fledging church in its early days.

Michael Czechowski is a man who divides opinion. He was the first Adventist to go to Europe as a missionary and accomplished a lot in his relatively short life. However, he did not go with the blessing of the church, and whilst he has many good traits of character, there are also some lessons that can be gleaned from his life.

John Harvey Kellogg today famous for the breakfast cereals named after him was once one of the foremost physicians in the United States. At one point his hospital was one of the biggest in the USA but his relationship with the church and its teachings would get complicated and eventually there would be a parting of the ways. A great life and talent that would sadly veer off track.

The power of the pen - the power of the written word. Books can go where no man or woman can go. Literature evangelism has been key to the spread of the gospel all over the world even since we were told to spread the printed page ‘like the leaves of autumn.’

“The work of education and Redemption are one.” The power of Christian education to support gospel ministry has been evidenced all over the globe and since the start we truly see that wherever the church is strong - education is also strong.

Slavery would be abolished in the 1860's and the American Civil War remains the bloodiest war ever fought on American soil. On both events Ellen White would have visions that would provide a fascinating and insightful look 'behind the scenes.'

In the middle of a funeral Ellen White would have possibly her most significant vision. The Great Controversy vision was one that the devil did not want to make it to print. Ellen White almost died soon after but lived to write the book that has changed the lives of countless people.

Despite losing his faith in the aftermath of 1844, Uriah Smith would go on to be a pillar in the early Adventist church. Born into a small village in New Hampshire, his work would go on to have a global impact. Gifted and talented beyond the walls of the church, he would also own several patents by the time he died.

Annie Smith was a gifted writer, poet and editor and although her life was tragically cut short she made a huge impact in early Adventism. Shunning a life of ease and plenty, she sacrificed worldly ambition and riches to work for little financial gain in the early days at our fledgling press.

Rochester, NY was a hub for the Advent believers for a few years in the 1850's and was witness to much hardship and dedication. The first Adventist owned press lived in the Whites home along with several other young people who would make a huge impact.

Unconfessed and deliberate concealed sin is one of the biggest hindrances to the work of God. It was also the cause of many young people not giving their lives to God in Washington, NH before Ellen and James White made a life changing visit.

Topsham, Maine was the scene of many significant events for the Advent believers but for Ellen White none perhaps so personal as the loss of her son, Henry White at age 16. This was the second child that the Whites lost and it was a particularly devastating blow to the family but God pulled them through.

What happens when you die? Its a huge question that every culture grapples with. George Storrs is not as well known as some but his theological contribution to Adventism was huge as he sought to answer the question - what happens when you die? His answers would go against the grain of popular Christian thought and modern spiritualism which was popularised by the Fox sisters.

The farm of Hiram Edson is called the theological birthplace of Adventism. It was here where a clearer and correct understanding of the sanctuary was developed after the Great Disappointment of 1844 and also the place where the two pillars of the Sabbath and the Sanctuary came together.

It was in Paris Hill, Maine where the teenagers from three families followed the Protestant principle of being true to their conscience and scripture. They decided to keep the Sabbath , a decision that their parents would follow them in and one that would take them all over the US and the world in missionary work for God.

Joseph Bates, T.M Preble, Cyrus Farnsworth and Frederick Wheeler - 4 men who would have a huge impact on the adoption of the Sabbath by the Advent believers. Three of them would meet in Washington, NH where their decision would be solidified through prayer and Bible study.

How do you respond when something you are doing is pointed as as being wrong? Frederick Wheeler had to grapple with this question after an encounter with Rachel Preston in Washington, NH that would change the course of his life and ministry.

Two men, named William Foy and Hazen Foss received the prophetic gift during the 1840s, though each would have vastly different experiences in their life and ministry. One was faithful and shared what he has seen and was one unfaithful to the call with very sobering consequences.

How do you respond when you are called by God? This simple but huge question was something that Ellen White had to grapple with that had huge consequences for the future of the Advent believers. The gift of prophecy would be one of the means that God used to guide His people through some turbulent and crucial years.

Out of obscurity, from a small town in the north easterly tip of America, Ellen White would go on to accomplish great things in her life. She would go on to be the third most translated author of all time and the most translated American author, yet her early years were much more humble than this.

Despite the bitter disappointment of October 22, 1844 that impacted thousands of people there were still stories of Gods providence and protection. Two farmers had potato fields that testified of Gods goodness and watch care.

In the early 1840's people all over the world were expecting Jesus to return after a study of the prophecies of Daniel. However after the expected time came and left they were bitterly disappointed. How did they cope with this and how did God lead them through?

After coming to a understanding of the book of Daniel, William Miller resisted the call to preach for many years. However, a series of events he couldn't reasons his way out of happened that compelled him to 'tell the world' about Jesus soon return.

William Miller would have a huge impact in early 19th century America. How did this Deist farmer from upstate New York come to be such an influential preacher? What impacted him and led to his conversion?

The Great Awakening would wake America out of spiritual lethargy in the 1700s and 1800s. Men such as George Whitfield, Jonathan Edwards and Charles Finney were used in a powerful way to bring revival and call people back to God.

As the Mayflower landed in Plymouth, no one could have imagined the impact this seemingly small event would have on world history. America would rise out of obscurity, slowly at first, and go on to impact the world socially, economically and religiously in a profound way. Join us as we continue this journey tracing our lineage.