North American Division

NAD remains the wealthiest division with extensive institutional infrastructure (universities, hospitals, media), but growth has slowed to approximately 0.3%. Immigration-driven congregations (Hispanic, Haitian, Korean) account for most new growth.

NAD operates more universities, hospitals, and media entities per member than any other division. This institutional density parallels Australia's pattern but at much larger scale — creating similar questions about mission return on investment.

NAD's fastest-growing segments are immigrant communities that bring high-retention cultural practices. Korean and Hispanic Adventist communities show retention rates significantly above the Anglo average — a pattern also observed in SPD's Pacific Islander congregations.

NAD's multicultural congregations are a natural laboratory for retention research. Communities with strong intergenerational faith practices consistently outperform — suggesting the answer to youth retention may already exist within the division's own diverse membership.