ATSIM

About ATSIM

At the ATSIM department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, our goal is to empower effective leadership, offer administrative support, and provide high-quality resources and services that strengthen the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ministries of local church groups, institutions, and conferences. Our aim is to assist these ministries in proclaiming the everlasting gospel and sharing the message of Revelation 14 with Indigenous communities across Australia. We are committed to building bridges of understanding and respect, promoting healing and reconciliation, and serving those in need with compassion and love.

ATSIM HISTORY

ATSIM is a vital department of the Australian Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Australia. Its primary function is to provide administrative and departmental support to nine local Conferences that administer the Church at a regional level. Through the development and coordination of national projects, events and resources, ATSIM endeavors to further the Gospel Commission. The scope of its work covers the whole of Australia, including the Torres Strait Islands.

The establishment of ATSIM in 1980 by the Seventh-day Adventist Church was a major milestone in the provision of national coordination for its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander work. Initially, the ATSIM director worked as a pastor, travelling extensively to connect people, grow and nurture the ministry. Over time, groups of local churches recognized the importance of this ministry, resulting in the appointment of leaders to head the ministry at the local level. This shift has significantly increased the impact of ATSIM, with 2011 Census figures showing a 25% increase in the number of Indigenous people identifying as Adventist.

As a result of these developments, the national ATSIM department now plays a more coordinating and supportive role. Emphasis is placed on leadership development, provision of administrative support and services, and the development of cutting-edge resources for the benefit of Conferences, schools and local church groups. The ATSIM department’s commitment to advancing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ministries of Conferences, Institutions and local church groups is unyielding, as it seeks to spread the three Angel’s message of Revelation 14 to Indigenous people across Australia.