News | Seventh-day Adventist Church

Editorial: A Gold Mine for Ministry

Editorial by Gary Gibbs

A few months ago, due to the coronavirus, our churches moved worship and ministry online. Uncharted territory for many, it turned out to be a gold mine for ministry!

When we launched our Reach and Connect online evangelism initiative last year, we had no idea that God was preparing us for this moment. We just knew we had to be online because that’s where the people are.

When the virus hit, our Hispanic pastors streamed a live Easter week evangelism series on Facebook, drawing nearly 200 viewers each night. Many decided to be baptized, including our coordinator’s uncle who watched the meetings 3,500 miles away in Peru!

You're Not Alone

Image by PublicDomainPictures on Pixabay

Editorial by Rick Remmers

As the coronavirus pandemic engulfs our world, I wanted to take a moment to encourage you with the words of Jesus we find in Matthew 28.

He says, “Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations” (verse 19, NKJV). And then He ends with a prom- ise that is especially relevant to us today: “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (verse 20).

Alumna Designs for Academy, Receives Award

Story by Vicki Swetnam

Kelly (Peach) Long (’98) didn’t know she would be designing things for her alma mater when she began her job at Kettering Adventist HealthCare (KAHC) in 2017 as a graphic designer.

Most of her work as the graphic design manager in the KAHC Marketing and Communications Department on the Ohio campus involves designing and overseeing the design of materials for her employer. However, due to the ongoing generosity of KAHC toward Spring Valley Academy (SVA), she soon found herself designing for SVA periodically.

Pennsylvania Conference Says Goodbye to Two Employees

Story by Tamyra Horst

Good-byes are usually sad--yet sometimes they are a celebration. This month the Pennsylvania Conference education team is saying good-bye as Toni Wlasniewski, a teacher at Reading Junior Academy, and Machelle Williams, head teacher for the Pocono Adventist Christian School, Stroudsburg, Pa., are both retiring from education and moving into the next adventure God has planned for them. The team surprised both educators during the end-of-year Zoom teachers meeting with flowers and cake delivered and words of gratitude shared by Jeremy Garlock, education superintendent.

Members Gather to Pray and Pursue Justice

Families gathered during the Community Prayer Vigil at Spencerville Adventist Academy | Photo by Dan Weber/NAD

Story by V. Michelle Bernard / Photos by Dan Weber/NAD Communication

Over the weekend, several groups in the Columbia Union met to pray, grieve and call for justice after the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others at the hands of police.

Life Enrichment Clubs Enhance Campus Life at Pine Forge Academy

Shemiah Hoppie (’20), plans his next chess move.

Story by Pine Forge Academy Staff

Pine Forge Academy (PFA) has incorporated life enrichment clubs into their curriculum this year. Students have joined clubs, such as Coding, Genealogy, Media, Chess, Crotchet, Poetry, Art and Debate, that meet for 50 minutes twice a month.

Instructor Lisa Marshall has introduced members of the Art Club to several artistic mediums. The club’s latest work is a fluid art design known as the acrylic painting string technique. This format brings out the creative ingenuity of the students.

Members Eager to Reunite After Stay-at-Home Orders

Joshua Bandel, a member at Pennsylvania Conference's Washington church, installed the plexiglass shield on the pulpit.

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

After nine weeks of in-person closure due to coronavirus shelter-in-place orders, Pennsylvania Conference’s Washington church has now been open for several weeks.

Following government regulations, members installed a plexiglass shield around the podium, secured masks for members who may need them, and, in between services, thoroughly clean/disinfect the church.

New Takoma Academy Chaplain Makes Easy Transition

Chaplain B. Leah (left) and students Sherina Moses (’20), Valerie Ganta (’22) and Yannice Prather (’20) play a friendly game of ping-pong in the “The Living Room.”

Story by Salena Fitzgerald

One of Takoma Academy’s (TA) missions is to lead young people to Jesus by helping students maintain a strong spiritual life. While the faculty and staff make a team effort to provide spiritual guidance to the students, the role of a chaplain is to expand on it. This was no challenge for new hire Leah Burgess, affectionally known as “Chaplain B. Leah,” who was welcomed to the Tiger family late last year.

High School Student Turns Hobby Into Ministry

Story by Heidi Wetmore

Charis McRoy, a junior at Spencerville Adventist Academy (SAA), learned how to loom knit hats from a family friend. After making hats for each of her family members, McRoy wondered how she could use this newfound hobby to serve others. She needed a reason and purpose for what she was doing; that is how Kinder Knit was born.

After much thought, McRoy decided to make hats for infants in the NICU. This target group was near and dear to her heart, because 17 years ago, she herself was a newborn in the NICU. “To this day, I have handmade blankets that kind individuals gave me when I was in the NICU,” shares McRoy. “Now this is my chance to give back and serve others.”

Ohio Students Exhibit Creativity in Art Auction

Story by Heidi Shoemaker

The gymnasium was transformed into an art gallery. A pianist played live music while nearly 150 guests sipped sparkling juice and nibbled on hors d’oeuvres, served by upper grade students. Students of the Mayfair Christian School (MCS) in Uniontown created the art on display. Interspersed between the art exhibition and auction, seventh- and eighth-grade students shared a diverse selection of performances.

“MCS has always had an art auction where $200 to $300 were raised,” says Miriam Troup, MCS principal. “We decided to put a different spin on this event.”