Story by ADRA Staff
As the world welcomed the New Year of 2020, natural disasters continue to plague several countries, which have already affected countless lives. With little time to spare, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has continued operating around the clock to respond to these climate crises. Here are the latest situation updates from ADRA’s offices.
Australia
Story by V. Michelle Bernard
Intermittent fasting is a popular trend today, but has been practiced for a long time at lifestyle centers like Wildwood (Ga.) and Uchee Pines (Ala.). N. David Emerson, M.D., says eating only breakfast and lunch and fasting for 12 or 14–15 hours a day, a form of intermittent fasting, is beneficial because it helps lower insulin levels.
Submit your entries for the 2021 Columbia Union Calendar here.
Story by Heidi Shoemaker
October 19, 2019, marked the beginning of a very special day in the life of Elyria church members’ efforts in the Cleveland area. It was the first Sabbath worship service for the Lorain church plant meeting, where 31 people enjoyed Sabbath fellowship.
The Lorain church plant, a part of the vision for Disciple Ohio, is a result of the dedicated members of the Elyria church, pastored by Marius Marton and assisted by Disciple Ohio pastor Randy Barber.
Editorial by Rick Remmers
Chesapeake Conference’s new initiative, “35 by 25,” is to plant 35 churches by the year 2025. Currently we have 50 areas in our region without a Seventh-day Adventist presence. These areas are comprised of population clusters of about 50,000 people, as well as specific counties with no Adventist church.
So why plant new churches when some of our existing churches are not yet full? The answer is simple: There are unreached people who need salvation in Jesus Christ, and church planting is one of the most effective ways to impact more people with the gospel.
Story by Benia Jennings
Allegheny West Conference's Dayton (Ohio) church ended their “Dayton’s Revival” evangelistic series with 52 baptisms. During the 15 weeks, more than 75 sermons covered topics such as the state of the dead and the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath. As a result, many individuals were led to make the important decision to choose baptism.
“People were thrilled to know that God created the Sabbath out of a desire to spend the day with them,” says Stephen D. Lewis, pastor. “We shared how much God loves them and that Jesus had paid for their sins. Now we focus on their next steps.”
Story by LaTasha Hewitt
Last fall, the Fox 45 and WBAL-TV television stations in Baltimore covered an urgent prayer vigil/fundraiser, hosted by Allegheny East Conference's Liberty church in Baltimore, for the survivors affected by Hurricane Dorian. Some of the church members are from Caribbean islands and were horrified at the destruction and devastation that took place in the Bahamas. They planned this event to help relieve the pain and suffering of those affected by the hurricane.
Story by Andre Hastick
During the annual Winter Relief program, the Living Word church partnered with the Arundel House of Hope, Inc., both located in Glen Burnie, Md., to provide shelter for 25 homeless men for a week. Kleyton Feitosa, pastor of Living Word, discovered this pro- gram after visiting Arundel House of Hope to inquire how his church could help the less fortunate in the community. To meet the needs of the homeless men, a group of 45 church volunteers provided them with bedding, food, clean laundry, showers, social activities and counseling.
Story by Darren Wilkins
It is with great sadness that I share with you the passing of our beloved grades 3 and 4 teacher and alumna Mrs. Kimberly Geach Orr (’06) on November 19, due to flu complications. Orr taught at Spring Valley Academy (SVA) for the past seven-and-a-half years, and the school has already felt the void left by her unexpected departure.
The memory of her radiant smile, easy laugh and dedicated teaching will live on for a long time in all of us. Orr leaves behind her husband, Cameron, and 2-year-old daughter, Scarlett. She will be sadly missed by her family, students and friends, but we rejoice because we have that “Blessed Hope” to meet her again one day!
