News | Seventh-day Adventist Church

Underscore: Extreme Weather Conditions: What Can Your Church Do to Help Those Affected?

Story by Kimberly Luste Maran and Beth Michaels

In the United States on a single night in January 2014, 578,424 people experienced homelessness—they were sleeping outside, or in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program.1 In 2014, 46.7 million people lived in poverty.2

The numbers are striking, but when the impact of extreme weather conditions on these particular populations are factored in, the number of people needing assistance can be staggering. Add to this people who are economically secure but have experienced an extreme weather event and are temporarily yet suddenly thrust out of their safe, stable environment.

Here are ways Seventh-day Adventist churches and members can, and are, helping:

Crafting a Cold Weather Refuge

Feature: All in a Day’s Work

Story by Elena Cornwell / Photos by Daniel Shanken, Andrew Rush and Joshua Roberts/AP Photos

Three members share how they represent the Lord to the world around them—all while they shine in divinely appointed career paths.

Terry Hess: Spicing Up Life

Hess’ goal was to be the vice president of his bank, One Valley Bank (now BB&T), before he was 30. He succeeded. In 1997 his uncle called to inform Hess it was time to buy his Virginia Honey Company, which he did later that year. Hess committed to give five cents of whatever sold to charity. Under his leadership, the company donated $1.5 million and grew four times. That was just the beginning of God’s path for Hess.

Editorial: Tethered Together

Editorial by William "Bill" Miller

It was a warm afternoon as we returned from an unsuccessful attempt to summit Mount Rainier (14,410 feet) in Washington State. The eight of us had sat at Camp Hazard (11,600 feet) for two days, the weather finally forcing us to return home.

On our descent, we made our way around the Wilson Glacier and crisscrossed the Nisqually Glacier, trying to avoid the many open crevasses, however, came to a crevasse we could not go around. We located a snow bridge to traverse over. After testing the bridge, we decided it was safe to cross. When it was my turn to go over, the snow bridge collapsed. I fell 14 feet and became wedged in the crevasse, upside down.

Editorial: Tethered Together

Editorial by William "Bill" Miller

Columbia Union ASI Rededicates Ministry

Emanuel Pelote, Columbia Union ASI president, speaks at the convention at the Southern Asian church

Story by Beth Michaels

Hundreds recently attended the “Testify” weekend convention hosted by the Columbia Union chapter of ASI (Adventist-laymen’s Services & Industries). The theme emphasized the impact that Adventists can have for the kingdom of God.

Kettering Adventist HealthCare named one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems

Story by Elizabeth Long

Truven Health Analytics™ has named Kettering Adventist HealthCare as one of the 15 Top Health Systems in the country. Truven Health Analytics is a leading provider of information and solutions to improve the cost and quality of healthcare.

The eighth annual Truven Health 15 Top Health Systems study identifies the top health systems in the United States, based on balanced, system-wide clinical and administrative performance.

This is the fourth time Kettering Adventist HealthCare has been recognized with this achievement.

14 Takoma Academy Students Baptized During Week of Prayer

Story by Ron Mills

Takoma Academy (TA) recently hosted a memorable week of spiritual commitments. “The Holy Spirit moved freely as God spoke through speaker Willie Ramos,” says Carla Thrower, principal.

Chaplain Luis Camps and the pastoral staff at the Restoration Praise Center in Bowie, Md., invited Ramos, a pastor from South Florida often known as the “Ghetto Preacher,” to be the speaker for the spring week of prayer at the school.

Camps says they invited Ramos (pictured left) to speak at the school last year, “But it was impossible at the time. I see now that God’s timing is always right.”

Chesapeake Representatives Share Gospel in India

Swamidas Johnson, director of Hope Channel India, baptizes one of the many candidates that attended the 10-day evangelistic series held in the Vyasarpadi district of Chennai, India.

Story by Samantha Young

Three members from the Chesapeake Conference recently traveled to southeastern India to conduct a series of evangelistic meetings in the Vyasarpadi district of Chennai. With a population of 8.6 million people, Chennai is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.

Amazing Facts Student Reads Her Way Into Church

Rosalind Beswick and Carl Rogers help Susan Riddle (center) prepare for her baptism.

Story by Allegheny West Conference Staff

It’s not often someone walks into a church and says, "If there is a baptism anytime soon, I want to be in it." But that's exactly what Susanne Riddle did. Riddle had been listening to the Amazing Facts radio broadcast for more than a year when, she says, the Holy Spirit convicted her to begin obeying what she had learned. After several attempts she found a Seventh-day Adventist church.

New Vice President of Mission Integration and Spiritual Care Brings Bedside Experience to Role

Story by Adventist HeathCare Staff

As her patient’s vital signs dropped, Ann Roda held his hand and prayed. She had been working as a nurse on a shock trauma unit when a college student was rushed in with fatal stab wounds. It soon became apparent that his family would not arrive in time to say goodbye. She remained at his bedside and offered comfort and prayer in his final moments.

“I became his family in that very moment,” Roda says. “There was a calmness and peace that came over him as I held his hand. The experience solidified for me what healthcare truly means.”