Story by Adventist HealthCare Staff
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020, Adventist HealthCare has been caring for those afflicted by the disease as well as actively working to prevent the spread of the virus in the community. Part of that effort has been participating in research that could help determine the best treatments for COVID-19 patients.
SACCOVIDTM Study
Story by WAU Staff
Washington Adventist University’s community continues to be a community of prayer and faith. During this challenging time in history, distance is ideal in preventing infection; not so ideal in fellowship and communal worship. Despite the challenges, the Holy Spirit has been working to soften hearts and lead individuals to commit to a life in Christ.
On two consecutive weekends, a student and an employee of WAU have made this commitment publicly through baptism at Potomac Conference's Sligo Seventh-day Adventist church on the campus of WAU in Takoma Park, Md. Sligo has made special COVID-19 accommodations for baptism to minimize the chance of spreading infection.
“Ask, and you will be given what you ask for. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened” (Matt. 7:7, TLB).
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explained to His disciples that prayer is a lifestyle, not just a group of moments in life. Jesus used a continuous tense for the three verbs here: “ask,” “seek” and “knock.” These verbs translate to “keep on asking,” “keep on seeking” and “keep on knocking.” These actions show us the different prayers we need in different situations in our lives.
“Keep on asking” refers to our needs, wants and wishes that reflect the Lord’s will in our lives. It is not pushing buttons to get what we want.
“Not giving up meeting together... but encouraging one another— and all the more as you see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:25, NIV).
We serve each other with the same mindset Jesus did, to lead others from darkness to light, because as we follow Jesus, there’s no cave too dark that He can’t get us safely home!
Historia de Pastor Ever Gonzales
Nancy Viera acababa de enterarse de que se estaba muriendo de cáncer. Esta noticia le trajo tristeza y desesperación. Sin saber qué hacer, fue a caminar a Walmart para aclarar su mente. Mientras estaba allí, conoció a una anciana que le dio una copia de El Deseado de todas las gentes. La conversación sobre el amor de Jesús condujo a estudios bíblicos y, mientras estudiaban juntos, Nancy aprendió sobre el sábado.
Un día, Nancy le preguntó a su pastor pentecostal por qué no adoraban el sábado. El, no pudo darle una respuesta bíblica. Ella continuó estudiando la Biblia con su nueva amiga y seis meses después decidió comenzar a guardar el sábado.
Eduardo Monteiro, director del Departamento de Evangelismo de la Conferencia de Nueva Jersey (NJC), recientemente dedicó un tiempo a reflexionar sobre la Gran Decepción de 1844:
Después de la Gran Decepción, algo extraordinario sucedió. Aquellos que lo habían experimentado soportaron desafíos al pasar el tiempo, pero no estaban solos. Había una presencia invisible del Todopoderoso, llevándolos de la mano. Con fuerzas renovadas, fueron y predicaron el evangelio eterno. Comenzaron con sus círculos de influencia inmediatos, barrios, pueblos y regiones, hasta que el mensaje llegó a todo el país y más allá.
Story by Tracey Jackson
Pine Forge Academy (PFA) students and staff recently recognized the exemplary work and dedication of Audrey Booker, who served and retired as the school nurse in September 2020.
Booker accepted the “temporary” position in 2010 after her prior retirement as school nurse at a public high school in Reading, Pa. This temporary position turned into 10 years, in which Booker endeared herself to the students, becoming a mother, grandmother, counselor and friend to all. During her tenure, her expertise and care extended to all who matriculated through PFA.
Story by Valerie Morikone
In 2017, the Mountain View Conference Executive Committee met to strategically plan for the future. With the assistance of Celeste Ryan-Blyden, vice president of Strategic Communication and Public Relations for the Columbia Union Conference, we prayerfully asked, “Who is the Mountain View Conference, and what should our focus be?” Committee members suggested several ideas, including church planting.
To grow a garden, you must first prepare the soil, then put the seed in the ground. If conditions remain favorable, the plant begins to sprout. If the new plant continues to get nourished, it will grow and prosper into full maturity.
Editorial by Gary Gibbs
On a warm fall morning last year, I awoke to Pennsylvania’s beautiful rolling hills and mountains enshrouded in a thick fog. That day, the familiar landscape, just a hundred yards away, vanished in the mist. Similarly, as we enter 2021, the months before us are hidden in mystery. Its blessings, opportunities and dangers will only come into focus as time lifts the veil.