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Bell Branch Grows During COVID-19 by Being a Family

Bell Branch church, Geoff Crowley pastor

Story by Evan Knott

In January 2020, the leadership team at the Bell Branch church in Gambrills, Md., prayed that God would bring five new people into their church. Then COVID-19 hit.

But despite the pandemic, the church has seen unprecedented growth in 2021, adding 21 new members—a growth of more than 20 percent. And they’re not done yet.

“I think it goes back to that meeting in January 2020,” says Geoff Crowley, pastor of Bell Branch. “We wanted a phrase that would sum up our mission and vision and everything we say and do here, and what we settled on at that meeting was this: ‘At Bell Branch, we’re family, and so are you.’”

Shiloh Cincinnati Partners With Baptist Church

Shiloh Cincinnati church NEWSTART ministry

Story by Benia Jennings 

The Shiloh Cincinnati church continues to “Impact the City” of Cincinnati with the gospel of Jesus Christ. As back-to-school season approached, many churches geared up to do their annual school supply drive. This year, Bryant Smith, pastor of Shiloh, and his members in the Avondale neighborhood wanted to approach things differently.

Smith and church leaders combined forces with the Corinthian Baptist church in the Bond Hill neighborhood to leverage resources and influence to impact people in Hamilton County.

Spencerville Adventist Academy Earns National STEM Certification

Nationally Certified STEM Campus, Spencerville Adventist Academy

Story by Paty Serrano

Spencerville Adventist Academy (SAA) recently earned the National Certificate for STEM Excellence (NCSE), a Campus Certification from the National Institute for STEM Education (NISE). SAA is one of only 56 schools in the nation to have earned this national certificate.

NCSE provides a research-based support system for campuses and teachers seeking to strengthen STEM instruction and outcomes. NISE STEM leadership coaches worked with SAA’s educators and instructional leaders to refine the school’s operations and curriculum instruction to further strengthen STEM practices and the campus’ overall STEM culture.

ACS Chesapeake Welcomes Afghan Families with Essential Items

Story by Evan Knott/ Chesapeake Conference

When families from Afghanistan arrived in the United States following their rapid evacuation from the war-torn country, Adventist Community Services (ACS) stood ready to serve.

Chesapeake Conference’s ACS team first responded to the crisis by meeting evacuees at the airport to offer emotional and spiritual support. Three months later, ACS Chesapeake has shifted its focus to providing 340 Afghan families resettling in Chesapeake territory with food and essential supplies as these families attempt to rebuild their lives in the United States.

Empowering Surgeries at Adventist HealthCare Medical Centers

Photo by COMSEVENTHFLT/Flickr

Story by Adventist HealthCare Staff

Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center and Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center recently installed da Vinci Xi Surgical Systems for minimally invasive procedures in the areas of gynecology, urology, thoracic, cardiac and general surgery.

This state-of-the-art upgrade to their robotic system assists their surgeons in performing delicate and complex operations through a few small incisions. This approach results in improved recovery times and decreased pain from traditional open surgery.

Power the Mission

Anna Earl/Unsplash

Editorial by Carlos Charnichart

It all begins with our mission of “Reaching Everyone, Everywhere.” As Seventh-day Adventists, we are committed to the hope of Christ’s return, and we are passionate about sharing the everlasting gospel to as many people as we can. We believe that we are the last day church, allowing God to take control of every area of our human existence—including our resources. We have been called to live and trust the lordship of Jesus Christ daily (see Prov. 3:5; Luke 12:22). God is empowering our mission through our faithful return of tithes, offerings and other gifts.

November 24, 2021: Where You Go, I’ll Go

Image from iStock

“By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night” (Exod. 13:21, NIV).

I was wrestling with a difficult decision. I knew what I wanted to do, but I had no peace. As I was lying in bed weeping over my decision, a friend called me up and said, “Janesta, I was having my devotions, and God told me I should call you.”

Grace Pointe Church Hosts First Clothes Drive

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

The Grace Pointe church in New Jersey, formerly known as the First Church of Montclair, recently hosted its first clothes drive to celebrate their community.

“We wanted to thank the community for mak- ing us feel welcome and give back to them,” says Domonique Bebohi, member and event organizer.

Approximately 40 people came through during the drive. Items—donated in perfect condition or new— included men and women’s clothes, ranging from shirts and dresses to shoes and other accessories.

November 23, 2021: If You Resist, He Will Flee

Image from iStock

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7, NKJV).

If someone were to ask me what the best advice I have ever received was, I would quote this verse. I have learned that the Bible is a guide, a place I can go to learn what I need to do.

Satan is the king of lies. He left heaven with that title. And there is no doubt that if he deceived the angels, he can and will deceive us. The devil even deceived me in more ways than I can explain.

November 22, 2021: Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord Will Provide

Image from iStock

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19, NLT).

Traces of this text can be easily seen in my journey with a God who consistently provides for me and my family beyond which we can ever ask or imagine. He is our Jehovah-Jireh, the Source of our provision.

At the end of my seminary experience, I was left hanging in the waiting place. With no pastoral call, not knowing what my next step would be and confined with limited resources, I kept asking God, “What’s the plan?”