Story by Adventist News Network and Adventist Review
For the second time in 10 months, members of the Executive Committee of the global Seventh-day Adventist Church have voted to postpone the quinquennial session of the denomination, originally scheduled for late June of 2020, due to challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read the January/February 2021 Visitor Magazine! (You can also download a PDF of the issue here too.)
“Scripture is full of examples of how the most insignificant and humble acts of faith become the spark that releases the miraculous acts of God’s power,” says Ramos. “There are no circumstances so dark and overwhelming that God’s people, advancing under His command, cannot overcome.”
Story by Cynthia Mendoza
Do you have a desire to be used by God for the building of His kingdom, but you’re not sure where to start? He is ready and willing to give you what you need. Here are a few simple ways, gleaned from Rubén Ramos, vice president of Multilingual Ministries for the Columbia Union Conference and other leaders to get started.
Pray. A lot.
Before doing anything else, start by praying intentionally. Ask God to impress on your heart who to pray for, and what to pray for. Ask for His guidance in determining how He wants to use you. And then be open to His leading. Don’t compare yourself to what anyone else may be doing. God uses every person in different ways.
For such a time as this
Story by Cynthia Mendoza
A little over five years ago Victor Rivera was given one of the most dreaded diagnoses; cancer. He was given no more than six months to live.Though at the time he did not belong to any denomination, Rivera asked God for a seemingly impossible blessing: that God would give him five more years, long enough to see his son grow to at least eight years of age. Against all medical odds, Rivera didn’t die after six months.
Want to participate in the 2022 Columbia Union Conference Scripture memorization plan?
As part of special focus on praise throughout the year, the Visitor team has selected verses centered on praise. Memorize them with friends across the Columbia Union!
Download our free app by searching for "Columbia Union Conference" in the Apple App or Google Play stores.
La Unión de Columbia está celebrando el 2021 como el Año de la Biblia al promover un fuerte enfoque en la primacía de la Palabra de Dios, alentar una mayor lectura, estudio y memorización de la Biblia y brindar oportunidades para que los miembros de todas las edades contemplen y compartan cómo la Biblia impacta sus vidas de manera significativa.
Para ayudar a los miembros en esta jornada, la union ha publicado Palabras
de Vida, un libro devocional con testimonios de los miembros. “Estamos muy agradecidos por aquellos que sacrificaron su tiempo y energía para escribir desde su corazón”, agrega Weigley.
Historia de V. Michelle Bernard
El Comité Ejecutivo de la Unión de Columbia eligió a Rick Remmers como secretario ejecutivo de la unión. Remmers (fotografiado con su esposa, Shayne) comenzó su nuevo cargo en enero para cubrir la vacante dejada por Rob Vandeman, quien anunció planes para retirarse durante el 2021.
Remmers ha sido el presidente de la Conferencia de Chesapeake desde el 2011. Anteriormente se desempeñó como secretario ejecutivo de la misma conferencia.
Editorial by Dave Weigley
Being sheltered in place during the pandemic means I get to walk my dogs every morning and evening. At night, I have discovered anew the starry heavens, and, thanks to an app on my phone, I am able to view stars with constellation descriptions. One in particular has caught my eye—Polaris, the North Star—which appears to maintain its position, providing an excellent reference for direction.
In writing about the North Star, Harvard University Professor Bill George, author of the book True North, notes that our lives should be principle-centered, embracing stellar values that guide us. I like that!
TRUE NORTH STAR
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isa. 40:28–31, NKJV).
In my 35 years of ministry, these verses have carried me through many storms and blessings. This passage became even more relevant when I got into a terrible car accident.