News | Seventh-day Adventist Church

Mountain View Conference President Announces Retirement

Story by Valerie Morikone

After serving nearly 29 years in the Mountain View Conference, President Larry and Joan Boggess announced their retirement at the October 24 Mountain View Conference Executive Committee in Parkersburg, W.Va.

Larry and Joan expressed their gratitude to the Mountain View Executive Committee for giving them the privilege to serve the conference family. They also expressed their gratitude to the Executive Committee for their steadfast support as they worked together to enlarge the kingdom of God in Mountain View.

WGTS 91.9 Hosts ‘Night of Hope’ with ‘We Are Messengers’

The WGTS team prays for Darren Mulligan of WAM before the event.

Story by Jerry Woods

Tiny technology improves care for breast cancer surgery patients

Story by Elizabeth Long

Breast imaging technology has become more refined, allowing many breast abnormalities and cancers to be detected before they can be felt with a physical exam. While early detection allows for treatment to begin sooner and for patients to have better outcomes, it also presents a greater challenge in precisely locating and removing smaller or deeper masses.

A new approach

Previously, wire localization has been the only method to pinpoint certain breast lesions.

Allegheny East Conference Elects Leadership Team

The Allegheny East Conference constituents recently elected a new leadership team at the conference's first quinquenniel session at Reaching Hearts International church in Laurel, Md.

Administrative officers elected include Henry J. Fordham, III, president, Pete Palmer, VP for Administration, and Lawrance Martin, VP for Finance (pictured above).

Columbia Union Member Part of Nobel Prize Winning Research

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Belinda Cheeseboro, an Andrews University (Mich.) 2015 graduate who is now working on a Ph.D. in Physics and Astronomy at West Virginia University, participated in research that was recently recognized with a Nobel Prize.

Sola Scriptura

Editorial by Rick Remmers

This fall marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. While Martin Luther was not the first reformer, his posting and printing of the 95 Theses, or complaints against the Catholic Church, are considered the launching point of the reformation.

One of the foundational doctrines of the reformation was sola scriptura—a recognition that the Bible alone is to be our source of doctrines and practice. Rather than accepting church tradition or other kinds of authority, we must look to the Bible as the reliable source of God’s teaching and direction for our lives.

October 2017 Feature: Called

Story by Oksana Wetmore

Over the past five years, the number of women in pastoral ministry within the Columbia Union Conference has grown to 40. Meet six women pastors who reflect on their call to ministry, as well as their challenges, successes and blessings.

Heather Crews
Mentored for Ministry

Growing up in a dual pastors’ family, Heather Crews was no stranger to a pastor’s lifestyle. As a 9-year-old heading from one church service to another, she recalls being a strong-willed pastor’s kid, grabbing at every chance to delve into challenging Bible discussions with her father. “It was a joy to travel with my dad on the open road between Bible studies,” she says.

Union Members Provide Support Following Hurricanes

A volunteer distributes clothing at the World Harvest Outreach church in Houston. Photo by Keith Goodman

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Fourteen Columbia Union Conference members, including 11 sponsored by the union’s Adventist Community Services/Disaster Response (ACS/DR) Department, spent up to two weeks sorting supplies, distributing water and praying with residents impacted by Hurricane Harvey. This initiative took place at North American Division’s ACS-sponsored distribution center at the World Harvest Outreach church in Houston.

Read the October 2017 Visitor

Within the Columbia Union Conference, 40 women clergy serve as pastors, chaplains, religion professors and ministry leaders. In honor of Pastor Appreciation Month, we recognize and applaud their dedication to advancing Christ's mission in the October issue.

Read and share these stories from the October 2017 Visitor:

Film Chronicles Pastors' Journeys

Story by Visitor Staff

"It was fascinating to learn their stories and see their determination to serve,” says David Brillhart, director and co-writer of a 2016 documentary about four women pastors and their journeys to find acceptance in the churches they were called to serve. Among them is Heather Crews (pictured), pastor of Potomac Conference's Courthouse Road church in North Chesterfield, Va.

The film was the brainchild of Time for Equality in Adventist Ministry (TEAM), chaired by Beverly Habada, a member of the Potomac Conference’s Sligo church in Takoma Park, Md., who wants to help “break down barriers for women in ministry.”

View the documentary here.