News | Seventh-day Adventist Church

Use Your Voice for Change

Editorial by Jason Ridley

Effecting change is challenging. The outlook can be discouraging sometimes, especially when it comes to our government programs and laws. However, as Christians, we can make our voices heard and use our in influence to be a voice for change.

A couple months ago, I was invited to speak at a community rally for change after government officials heard me campaign for healthcare legislation outside the Ohio State Capitol. At this rally, I addressed an audience about the importance of being knowledgeable about one’s healthcare. Here is an excerpt:

Aguero Elected President of the New Jersey Conference

New Leaders (L-R) Mario Thorp, executive secretary, Jorge Aguero, president and Joel D. Tompkins, treasurer. Photo by Jorge Pillco

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

On Sunday delegates of the New Jersey Conference’s 40th Regular Constituency Meeting elected a new leadership team for the next five years, celebrated the work the church has accomplished over the last five years and elected a new executive committee.

Washington Adventist University Honors Visionaries at Gala

Hyveth Williams and Wymouth Spence display Williams award at WAU's Visionaries Gala.

Story by Emeraude Victorin

The Washington Adventist University (WAU) in Takoma Park, Md., held its fifth annual Visionaries Gala last week at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md. The event, geared toward raising funds to support scholarships and other university initiatives, honored five individuals for providing excellent leadership, service and inspiration to others.

Lake Nelson Community Overcomes Obstacles Before Opening Expanded School

This fall New Jersey Conference’s Lake Nelson School in Piscataway re-opened it’s doors with a new name, Lake Nelson Adventist Academy, and an expanded offering of grades through high school, but not until after overcoming many obstacles.

Park N’ Praise Hosts Fifth Annual Event

Event organizer Roland Blackman talks with a woman from the community.

Story by Oksana Wetmore / Photos by Urbanized Geek

This summer marks the fifth anniversary of Park N’ Praise (PNP), an event run by Seventh-day Adventists from across the Washington, D.C. area, that aims to raise awareness of the need for affordable housing.

Volunteers worshiped with community members, many of whom are homeless, distributed 500 meals, 5,000 diapers and personal care items, conducted 20 health screenings and prayed with 30 attendees at this year’s Washington, D.C., event at Shepard’s Park.

Columbia Union Adventists Send 10,525 Personal Care Kits to People Impacted by Hurricane Harvey

Pine Forge Academy students prepare personal care kits for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey. Photo by LaTasha Hewitt

Story by V. Michelle Bernard / Photos by LaTasha Hewitt and Minnie McNeil

Last weekend Columbia Union Conference members and students packed 10,525 personal care kits for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey in Texas.

Hasta Siempre!

Editorial by José H. Cortés Sr., president of the New Jersey Conference

I remember when my family moved to the New Jersey Conference 30 years ago. My wife, Celita, two sons, Jose Jr. and Josue, and I came after ministering in the Euro-African Division. We carried four nearly empty pieces of luggage, but our hearts were lled with dreams. Now as we look back, we only have expressions of gratitude. The

Lord’s hands have been upon us! God took our dreams and multiplied them infinitely. Through our sons, He brought us daughters: Joanne and Joyce. He also blessed us with grandkids: Jose III, Nadia, Joel and Emma. God has given us much more than we deserve, and His blessings keep raining upon us.

Time Change: Why are Churches Moving the 11 O’clock Worship Service?

By Debra McKinney Banks

Visit a Seventh-day Adventist church these days, and it is no longer guaranteed that the service will start at 11 a.m. No one really knows the history of when or where the 11 o’clock Sabbath worship time began. Plausible theories from pastors and historians posit that during more agrarian times, farming families needed to tend to the livestock and finish the chores before attending church. Whatever the reason, most people don’t maintain that farming lifestyle anymore. Today some pastors have discovered that holding Sabbath services at non-traditional times—either before or after 11—are becoming more of a necessity to meet the missional needs of their flocks.

Editorial: Feeling Lonely at Church?

Editorial by Celeste Ryan Blyden

You aren’t alone. A recent survey of executive committee members across the Columbia Union Conference identified lack of community among church members as an issue. “The greatest challenge is lack of social connectivity between the families and members within the churches,” noted one participant. “The large majority of members limit their relationship with one another to only Sabbath School, worship service and fellowship meal time—basically once a week.”

While Sabbath potluck remains high on the list of member favorites (Who would want to miss haystacks?), for many, the fellowship ends as soon as the last piece of dessert has been claimed.

Columbia Union Creates Volunteer Registry

Story by Columbia Union Visitor Staff

The Columbia Union Conference is creating a database of volunteers interested in traveling to Houston and other areas impacted by natural disasters to work as a crisis counselor or in the warehouse distribution centers. Experienced volunteers are preferred, however, anyone with a willing heart will be considered, says Minnie McNeil, Columbia Union ACS/ACSDR coordinator.

Food and lodging assistance is available. Click here to register (https://form.jotform.us/72483917510155).