In a world that can often feel lonely or uncertain, many long for the assurance that we are never alone. Here, we share stories of those who found a welcoming spiritual home.
Story by Amanda Blake
Romita Mandal had known Mr. Matthie for more than a decade. He’d been her elementary and middle school strings director, and, when she reached high school, her private violin instructor.
“Sometimes, we wouldn’t unpack the violin,” she shares. “Sometimes, I would just have a breakdown on the couch, and he would help me and be a mentor.”




The Association of Adventist Women (AAW) recently awarded Griselda Jobe the 2025 Junia Award for pioneering work in rural pastoral ministry. She is the lead pastor of Potomac Conference’s Martinsville and Piney Forest churches in Virginia.


Editorial by Marcellus T. Robinson

