The Department of Family Ministries recognizes the significance of family in the lives of believers and nonbelievers alike. It endeavors to strengthen the home as a disciple-making center where family members through their interpersonal relationships are encouraged in their relationship with Christ and His church, and where the relational skills necessary for winsome witness are developed.- IADWP p.365

The over-arching objective of the Department of Family Ministries is to strengthen the family as a discipline center. The family was established by divine creation as the fundamental human institution. It is the primary setting in which values are learned and the capacity for close relationships with God and with other human beings is developed. Family Ministries seeks to enable families to stretch toward divine ideals, while at the same time extending the good news of God's saving grace and the promise of growth made possible through the indwelling Spirit.

Focusing on people in family relationships, Family Ministries reinforces and encourages wholesome families as they pass through life's predictable stages and contend with unexpected changes in their lives. It extends hope and support to those who have been injured, hurt by abuse, family dysfunction, and broken relationships. The department provides growth opportunities through family life education and enrichment and encourages individuals, married couples, and families to avail themselves of professional counseling when necessary.

Specific tasks include preparation of resources and leadership development. This equips pastors and lay leaders to offer services to the community in the areas of premarital guidance, strengthening marriage, parent education, giving attention to extended families, single parenting, step-families and the family needs of singles.

Personal Ministries is a facet of the church whose origin can be traced to the beginning of Seventh-day Adventist® history in the 1860s. It endeavors to inspire, motivate, equip, train, and mobilize all members for dynamic Christian service with the conviction that “The church of Christ is organized for service” (Ministry of Healing, p. 148) and “Every son and daughter of God is called to be a missionary; we are called to the service of God and our fellow men” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 395).

The Personal Ministries Department was established as a major setting for soul winning activities in the Church. It exists to teach and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in response to the command of Jesus, in the context of the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14:6-12. To honor this original purpose, the Personal Ministries Department continues to communicate the good news with the objective to win, hold, and train for Jesus Christ, men, women, youth, boys and girls, in all the world, and to design programs and resources to help those areas of the world where church growth is limited.