News

ADRA helps communities devastated by Hurricane Beryl

Story by Iris Argueta

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has mobilized operations throughout the Caribbean and Mexico to provide relief to communities impacted by Hurricane Beryl.  The Category 5 storm kicked off the hurricane season as it ravaged the Atlantic for a week leaving a trail of destruction in the Atlantic. 

Summertime is a great time to relax with a good book. We found several books from LivingWell, Potomac Conference’s Adventist Book Center in Silver Spring, Md., and at adventistbookcenter.com, as well as podcasts that are perfect for deepening your knowledge of Adventist history this summer.

Rosa Parks (far right) attends an author event at the Potomac ABC in 1995.

Editorial by Paul Glenn

I once heard a customer state, “Paul’s worked at the Adventist Book Center (ABC) since nearly the beginning of time.” The ABC, indeed, was established in the Columbia Union Conference 120 years ago, but to set the record straight, I was only employed for 45 years—mostly at the Potomac ABC in Takoma Park, Md., and in its current LivingWell store in Silver Spring, Md.

ADRA Responds to Aid Landslide Victims in Papua New Guinea. Image by Stephen Mase

Story by Iris Argueta

Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) mobilizes to respond to the devastation caused by a massive landslide in Papua New Guinea on Friday, May 24. The landslide, which occurred in the early morning hours, left behind a trail of destruction, and impacted the lives of thousands of people in the affected communities.

Alumni Carlos Rosales (’10), Kelsey Rosales (’11), Lori Nase (’81), Brian Nase (’81), Kyle Nase (’09) and Nicole Nase (’09) praise Blue Mountain Academy for making a huge difference in their lives.

Story by Esther Hernandez

Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) has long been a place for young people to experience academic excellence, deepen their relationship with God and enjoy a strong Seventh-day Adventist community. This is beautifully exemplified in the stories of alumni Kyle and Nicole Nase.

Attendees are grateful they could attend an impactful convention.

Story by Stephen Lee

With the inspiring motto, “Dream big and let God do the rest,” the Adult Singles’ Ministries of the New Jersey Conference recently orchestrated a convention that delivered a profoundly impactful experience, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of its participants.

Story by Lulu Mwangi

This July, the Takoma Academy (TA) Chorale will be traveling to New Zealand and Australia to minister in song and service and to participate in the 13th World Choir Games (WCG). The group is excited to participate in this event for a second time and plan to both win medals and souls for Christ. The event in Auckland will welcome 25,000 people singing in 300 choirs and representing nearly 70 countries.

TA’s first appearance at the WCG was 2018 in South Africa where the choir won one gold medal and two silver. A fundraising campaign is currently underway to help alleviate some of the travel cost for the students. Please keep the participants and plans in prayer.

Story by Tamyra Horst

The Pennsylvania Conference is excited to welcome Alberto Balio and his wife, Milerqui De Paula, back to its state. Balio is the new Hispanic Ministries coordinator and pastor of the Reading Emmanuel Hispanic church.

“We are thankful to God for leading Pastor Balio to return to our conference,” shares Gary Gibbs, president. “He had a significant influence in advancing and building our work among the Spanish language population when serving in Pennsylvania before, and we believe God will use his heart for people, his passion for evangelism and his sense of mission to impact and grow the work in our Hispanic churches.”

Image courtesy GC Archives

The Columbia Union Conference—which covers the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States—is home to many locations where people of the Seventh-day Adventist faith made (and continue to make) history. But how did the greater Washington, D.C., area become a church hub in the first place? And where can one find impactful, lesser-known historic sites within the Columbia Union territory?