News

  1. Home
  2. News

A Year of Youth Department Firsts at Ohio Conference

Campers relax by the fire at the 2022 Young Adult Retreat.

Editorial by Edward Marton

Another year has come to a close, and we can honestly say that God has not only been with us but has truly led and blessed the children, high school youth, young adults and adults of Ohio.

Reflecting on the year, we had quite a few “firsts.” Some firsts are returning to Camp Mohaven in Danville, Ohio, for Adventurer and Pathfinder events. Other firsts are beginning an organizational culture shift, turning “the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents” (Mal. 4:6, NIV).

Young Adults Impact Community Members in Pennsylvania

Joosung Kim, a member of the Impact Magabook Ministries team, displays his books alongside his new friend.

Story by Tamyra Horst

“Just like any other canvassing day, this day was no different, except for one thing,” shares Joosung Kim, a member of the Impact Magabook Ministries team who went door to door earlier this year. “Stairs! These were the most stairs I have climbed in my life in one day. ... So, you had to make the most of every single person you spoke to. At one door, I noticed a key that was still in the keyhole.”

Faithfulness Powers the Mission

Allef Vinicius/Unsplash

Editorial by Horacio Hernandez-Ble

This has been a historic year. We have seen the largest inflation increase in the past 40 years. We have also seen a decline of stock markets in the United States and the rest of the world. There is a lot of uncertainty in our world today. Despite it all, we have seen the faithfulness of our brothers and sisters here in Pennsylvania.

As of August 2022, God has blessed us with a 4.1 percent increase in our tithe over the previous year. We also reached our evangelism offering goal of $300,000 during camp meeting—even though it was a shorter camp meeting than most.

Sharing the Gospel Through a Pantry

Dawn Penatzer, a new member of the Simple Way mission group, shares, “The [food] pantry is my miracle cupboard.”

Story by Tamyra Horst

Dawn Penatzer frequently stopped by the food pantry outside of Pennsylvania Conference's Simple Way mission group in Carnegie, Pa.

Takoma Academy Acquires Brand-New Starting Five

Takoma Academy, Potomac Conference, Maya Rawls, Dori Caines, Kevin McCray, Milan Scott, Whitney Mack

Story by Shaun Robinson

This school year, Takoma Academy (TA) welcomed five new members to its teaching staff: two math teachers; a history teacher; an English Language Arts teacher; and an athletic director. Some schools end up with teachers who go into education as a secondary option or who consider the job to be some sort of mitzvah. This group, however, is different. They have truly been called by God to do what they do.

Kettering Health Teams Up With Cincinnati Bengals

Story by Christina Keresoma

Hearing the word “cancer” brings anyone’s world to a stop. Life seems to freeze around as you try to comprehend everything that’s about to change.

The cancer journey affects the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. And it requires a community to navigate. That’s why at Kettering Health we stand behind our faith-based approach to bring to every cancer patient care that not only heals but also offers hope. Our dedicated cancer specialists treat patients with innovative treatments and a holistic approach, coming alongside patients and their families for every step of the journey. We’re no stranger to what it takes to help others fight cancer—and neither are our friends in the NFL.

70 Attend Mountain View Conference's New Believer's Retreat

Matthew Haire, pastor of the Morgantown (W.Va.) church, baptizes Alan Ayala at the New Believer’s retreat.

Story by Liz Bailey

“A New Believer’s retreat! That was a new and revolutionary idea to me,” says Walter Cardenas, assistant to the Mountain View Conference (MVC) president. “I had never heard of this before, but when newly elected President Tim Bailey shared this idea with me, the more I thought about it, the more excited I became. We began to dream about the potential this event would have and the blessing that it was going to be for new believers.”

56 Seniors Dedicated to Follow God’s Calling

Shenandoah Valley Academy, Don Short, Potomac Conference

Story by Janel Haas Ware

At the recent Shenandoah Valley Academy Senior Dedication, Principal Don Short placed the Class of 2023—made up of 56 seniors—into God’s loving care during his dedication prayer:

Dear Father,

What a tremendous collection of dreams, hopes and desires on the platform this evening. It is with those dreams and desires that we come to you as teachers, administrators, parents, grandparents to ask for Your help.

A Powerful Start to School Year

Blue Mountain Academy, Pennsylvania Conference

Story by Esther Hernandez

Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) began the new year with 161 students—an increase in enrollment over the past three years—and with several “power weekends” featuring speakers who shared their testimonies and challenged the young people and staff to take the steps needed to strengthen their relationships with God.

Justin Kim, assistant director of Sabbath School and Personal Ministries for the General Conference, challenged students not to settle for being mediocre.