News | Seventh-day Adventist Church

ACS Report #1 on West Virginia Flooding

Bob Mitchell, Potomac Conference Adventist Community Services and Disaster Relief coordinator released this statement today:

As you have probably seen on the news and weather reports, there is MAJOR flooding in West Virginia. Forty-four counties have been put under a disaster declaration. Our Columbia Union ACS DR Coordinator has been contracted by the Mountain View Conference to possibly provide trained ACS DR volunteers to serve in the process of collecting, warehousing, and distribution of emergency supplies.

Several counties in Western and Southwestern Virginia have also been flooded. Traffic on I-64 in western Virginia is being controlled by the state police.

Congregational Compilation: Finally a New, Improved Church Encyclopedia

Story by Dawna-gene Milton

Have you ever wanted to learn more about a particular topic related to the Seventh-day Adventist Church or its history? With the new and greatly improved Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists (ESDA) being developed now—the work’s first update since 1966—members across the globe will be able to access its pages in one, quick, easy step.

According to Benjamin Baker, ESDA managing editor, “The ESDA will be born and live online, with entirely free content available to all with the swipe of a fingertip on just about any device.” He says the compilation will be a great tool, not only for those seeking to learn more about the church, but will aide those looking to witness to others.

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Editorial: Where do We go From Here?

Editorial by the 2016-2021 Executive Officers

Every new morning presents an opportunity to make a difference. Every new year is a chance to start over—to make commitments and resolutions.

This month starts a new five-year term for your Columbia Union Conference leadership team and executive committee. We are humbled by your confidence and support, and thank you for the opportunity to continue to serve. This new 2016-2021 quinquennium provides an opportunity to dream, evaluate, refocus and create shared vision about where we go from here and how we can touch our diverse union with Christ’s life-transforming message of hope and wholeness.

6 Questions to Pray About

Read the June 2016 Visitor

Hilltop Community Worship Center Hosts Safety Forum

Yesterday Allegheny West Conference's Hilltop Community Worship Center and the Westside Community Health Advisory Committee convened a Safety Forum for the public at the church at 2622 Sullivant Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43223.

The forum came as a response to the serial rapes and gang tagging that occurred in the neighborhood in late May. “With summer coming, we want to discuss ways the community can stay safe when more people are outside,” according to Jason Ridley, Hilltop’s pastor and Dru Bagley, chair of WCHAC.

Napoleon Bell, a former police officer and a former director for the City of Columbus Community Relations Commission, moderated the Forum.

Shenandoah Valley Academy Honors Dale Twomley

Story by Janel Haas Ware

Dale Twomley recently presided over the final graduation of his notable 55-year career. Graduate Andrew Moore introduced Twomley as commencement speaker, explaining “Dr. Twomley has been a teacher, treasurer, business manager, principal, CEO, university department chair and business school dean. …there is no place he has made more of a difference than here at Shenandoah Valley Academy (SVA).”

Desde Perú a los Apalaches: un nuevo modelo de misionero

Historia de Edwin Manuel Garcia / Photos por Toril Lavender

La Asociación de Mountain View hace frente al crecimiento inesperado de la población hispana en los pueblos rurales de West Virginia solicitando la ayuda misionera de un grupo sudamericano de cracks del fútbol.

Un mensaje grabado en el contestador automático de una pequeña iglesia de Moorefield, West Virginia, era incomprensible para sus miembros. Sin embargo, nadie lo quería borrar por si alguien, algún día, podría comprenderlo. El mensaje estaba en español, un idioma que hace diez años era poco conocido en la región de los Apalaches.

Mount Vernon Academy Sells for $1.595 Million at Auction

Story by Heidi Shoemaker

On Wednesday June 22, the Mount Vernon Academy Board of Trustees (MVA BOT) and Ohio Conference Executive Committee (EXCOM) voted to accept bids for the purchase of Mount Vernon Academy (MVA) properties from multiple bidders. Auction bids totaled $1,595,000.

“The money will be used to reduce the debt owed by the former Mount Vernon Academy and to further Adventist Christian Education within the Ohio Conference. We are developing a new scholarship plan, ideally making it possible for many Adventist youth to receive the education they need and want,” says Ron Halvorsen Jr., Ohio Conference president.

Pathway to Health Brings Mega Clinic to East Coast with Comprehensive Training

Story by North American Division Communication Staff

On the heels of its largest mega clinic to date held in Los Angeles, California, Your Best Pathway to Health is launching its first east coast clinic on July 13-15, 2016, with training to be held following the clinic. The clinic is being organized in Beckley, West Virginia, a smaller city that serves as the healthcare hub for nine surrounding counties.

Pathway to Health is a humanitarian service of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which provides comprehensive free healthcare services to communities around North America, in partnership with dozens of organizations and ministries.

ADRA Statement on World Refugee Day

ADRA International recently released this statement:

This World Refugee Day, there are more than 60 million people around the world who are internally displaced, seeking asylum, or living as refugees in other countries. The United Nations has described the Syrian crisis, which has displaced approximately half of the country’s population, as the biggest humanitarian emergency of our era.