News | Seventh-day Adventist Church

Pennsylvania Conference Says Goodbye to Longtime Employees

Story by Tamyra Horst

Pastor, BMA Alumnus Retires
Dave Woodruff grew up in Pennsylvania, and in 1966, graduated from Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) in Hamburg. After beginning his pastoral ministry in the Arkansas-Louisiana Conference, he moved back to Pennsylvania in 1984, where he pastored the New Brighton, New Castle, Sharpsville (now Shenango Valley), West Chester, Chester (now Grace Hispanic), Chambersburg, Waynesboro, York, Hanover, Lansdale, Phoenixville Mission and Souderton churches. He retires from full-time pastoral ministry September 1, 2018.

China: Waves of Hope

Story by Shelley Nolan Freesland, Adventist World Radio

Outside the windows of the small high-rise apartment, the predawn surroundings are pitch black. Miss Zhang* leans into her microphone and welcomes her online listeners to the live internet worship called Good Morning, China.

One by one, the names of group participants pop up on the chat screen. Some people are listening alone, while others gather in small groups: families at home, youth groups or clusters of people in a church. They tune in through their computers or mobile phones every weekday morning.

New Vice President for Education Joins Potomac Conference

Story by Tiffany Doss

Stephen Laing recently joined the Potomac Conference as vice president for education. Since 2013 Laing served as principal of the Newbury Park Adventist Academy (Calif.). “Steve has more than 20 years of experience as a teacher and administrator,” says Bill Miller, president. “He has a passion for strengthening academics, enhancing the learning experience, creating environments for healthy spiritual growth and moving Adventist education forward.”

Takoma Academy Chorale Medals at 10th World Choir Games

The Takoma Academy Chorale singing during the Mixed Youth Competition inside the Desmond Abernethy Hall in South Africa.

Story by Salena Featherstone

On July 5, 2018, Potomac Conference's Takoma Academy (TA) Chorale flew to Tshwane, South Africa, to participate in the 10th anniversary World Choir Games (WCG), not knowing they would make a huge impact in the lives of others, and, in return, be impacted themselves.

WGTS 91.9 Serves Ice Cream at Live Broadcast on Beach

A young WGTS 91.9 listener enjoys his ice cream.

Story by Jerry Woods

More than 2,000 listeners recently hit the beach to join WGTS 91.9 on the “2018 Ice Cream Tour,” as it landed in North Beach, Md. The WGTS Service Gateway team spent time meeting listeners at a brand new beach pavilion on the boardwalk. They set up games, giveaways, a broadcast area and an ice cream station. Hosts Johnny and Stacey Stone, along with Tom Miner, broadcasted their afternoon show live from the event.

Allegheny East Conference Hosts 'The Art of Communication'

Mike Williams, communication director for the Mt. Olivet church in Camden, N.J., wins Best Church Website and Best Video Production, and Sheldon Kennedy, communication director for Emmanuel-Brinklow church in Ashton, Md., wins Best Social Media Presence

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

The Allegheny East Conference’s Communication Department recently hosted its third annual Connection and Ministry Communication Conference (CAMCON), themed “The Art of Communication.” Attendees included pastors, communication leaders and team members representing some 20 churches.

The Church as a Body

Editorial by Rick Remmers

During the past few months, the Chesapeake Conference has pursued a process of dialogue with members, pastors and educators resulting in the executive committee approving an updated strategic plan: Our Vision—Fulfilling the Great Commission through vibrant, healthy churches and schools.

So, what does a healthy church look like? Well, when it comes to our physical health, most of us are familiar with the eight natural remedies: nutrition, exercise, water, sunshine, temperance, fresh air, rest and trust in God. What if we were to adapt these principles to the church?

Pastor Inducted Into MLK Jr. Board of Preachers

Jerome M. Hurst (right), senior pastor of the Southeast church, stands with keynote speaker Marvin A. McMickle, president of the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, during Hurst’s induction into the 33rd Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers of Morehouse College ceremony.

Story by Bryant Smith

New Pastors Join New Jersey Conference

The New Jersey Conference recently welcomed several new pastors.

In 2012 Joel Brisson graduated from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary (Mich.). He was a lay pastor in Lynn, Mass., prior to joining the New Jersey Conference. Brisson will serve as the associate pastor for the Maranatha French church in Newark, the Philadelphie French in Jersey City and the All

Nations Community church in Maplewood. Brisson and his wife, Klaudia, have a 3-year-old, Josiah, and 1-year- old twins, Krislie and Klael.

The Stewardship of Health and Healing

Editorial by Terry Forde

The biblical prophet Jeremiah wrote, “Behold, I will bring [the city] health and cure, and I will heal them” (Jeremiah 33:6) to remind people of God’s promise that still brings us hope today.

As I have the opportunity to talk with members of our Adventist HealthCare team, people will often tell me stories. Some of the stories are funny; some are quite serious. And some of them are so filled with joy that they make everything we do feel important and significant.

These stories are the powerful culture-shaping experiences that we share with one another because they give meaning and shape to our work. They help explain who we are.