Who We Are

History of the Southern Asian Seventh-day Adventist Church

Southern Asian Seventh-day Adventists started immigrating to this part of the world during the late 1950's. They occasionally met in one another's homes for fellowship and worship. As the group grew larger they rented public halls and churches to conduct their meetings. At this juncture some felt a need for a church of their own. It is difficult to pinpoint in whose heart this desire was first born.

Towards the late eighties a few of the community members approached the Potomac Conference with the request of establishing a church. In response to their request, Elder Ralph Martin, then the president of the Potomac Conference, called for a general body meeting of all the Southern Asian Seventh-day Adventists living in the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan Area, at Takoma Academy. According to Elder Martin, this did not turn out to be a cordial meeting because the group was divided in the concept of establishing a church.

At a follow-up to this general body meeting, a few community members again approached the Potomac Conference to consider the possibility of establishing a church. The Conference suggested that the group gather the names of individuals who would be willing to transfer their names from their present churches to this new church. The group that was determined to establish this church, contacted the community members personally, and through letters. Many expressed that they would do so.   A second meeting was called at the Sligo Church Atrium. When Elder Martin called on those present to make a commitment by signing their names as the members of this new church, twenty four members came forward and made this commitment. The Potomac Conference organized the group into a company.  While there were many who were involved in this establishment, a few played a leading role. They were K. Gopala Rao, V. Joshi, M. Ohal, L. Sailo, N.K. Samuel, E. Sudharshanam and A. Thomas. 

The nominating committee recommended to the Potomac Conference Executive Committee that Pastor Franklin G. David be appointed as the pastor of this newly formed company. Since neither the Potomac Conference nor the Church was in a position to support a pastoral salary, Pastor David accepted to serve on a voluntary basis. 

The first service was held on January 9, 1988 at St. Michael's All Angels Episcopal Church, Adelphi, Maryland. According to Potomac Conference records, twenty-four members joined the Church in the first quarter of 1988. However, there were fifty-four members who had indicated their desire to join and they became the first group to worship as the Southern Asian Seventh-day Adventist Church (SASDAC).  The love and fellowship of this group attracted others, increasing the membership to over one hundred in a year's time with a sound financial base. The conference recognized their influence and organized this company into a full-fledged church. Thus in February, 1989, the Southern Asian Seventh-day Adventist Church joined the worldwide sisterhood of Seventh-day Adventist Churches. By the middle of 1990 the church grew to over 150 members and a full time pastor was appointed by the Conference.

The rapid growth of the church made it very uncomfortable to worship in a small facility.  The members were also very eager to build a church of their own.  In December 1992 a 3.5 acres property was purchased in Silver Spring to build a sanctuary.  While plans were being made to raise funds and build a four hundred capacity church, the membership continued to grow.  Eventually, SASDAC had to move to a larger place of worship.  In November 1995, the church moved to the Silver Spring Presbyterian Church.

Our church has grown to a current membership of over 600.

We are now building a new church at 2001 Randolph Road in Silver Spring to accommodate the growing need for more space.