News | Seventh-day Adventist Church

New Jersey Conference Welcomes New Youth Director

Story by New Jersey Conference Staff

The New Jersey Conference recently selected Eliasib Fajardo to serve as the new Youth Ministries Director. In 2001 Fajardo, a native of Mexico, received a bachelor’s degree in theology at Montemorelos University (Mexico). From 2002–07, he pastored three churches in the Potomac Conference: the Washington Spanish church in Silver Spring, Md., the Beltsville (Md.) Spanish church and the Oxon Hill (Md.) Spanish church. He was also the Hispanic Youth Ministries coordinator for Potomac from 2004–07.

Union Committee Discusses Annual Council, NAD Votes

Pastor Marcus Harris speaks at the fall Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee meeting.

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

At the year-end meeting of the Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee last month, members affirmed the need to focus on mission, discussed the 2018 General Conference (GC) Annual Council vote to implement a new system of compliance over church entities around the world and voted to issue a statement of response.

Adventist HealthCare Home Health Named a Top Agency by HomeCare Elite For 8th Consecutive Year

Story by Clarencia Stephen

Adventist HealthCare Home Health has been recognized as one of the top performing home care agencies in the nation for quality care. The 2018 HomeCare Elite is a recognition of the top-performing home health agencies in the United States. For 13 years, HomeCare Elite has annually identified the top 25 percent of Medicare-certified agencies and highlighted the top 100 and top 500 agencies overall.

Low Student Loan Default Rates Reflect Kettering College’s Commitment to Affordability

Story by Lauren Brooks

This fall, the U.S. Department of Education released the official three-year cohort student loan default rate for all domestic and foreign postsecondary schools for fiscal year 2015. This rate refers to the percentage of a school’s borrowers who defaulted on their student loans within a three-year period. Kettering College’s official cohort default rate is 2.9 percent, well below the Ohio average of 12.2 percent and the national average of 10.8 percent.

Adam Brown, Dean of Student Success, says the low student loan default rate reflects affordability and value of a Kettering College education.

Lillian Torres Recognized as 2018 Notable Person of Honor

Lillian Torres receives a Notable Person of Honor Award from Dave Weigley

Story by Celeste Ryan Blyden

C. S. Lewis once said, “Relying on God has to start all over every day, as if nothing has yet been done.”

Lillian Torres, one of the Columbia Union’s 2018 Notable Persons of Honor, has relied on God throughout her 24 years in full-time ministry, with 13 years of self-supported work and nine years as a medical missionary.

Franklin David Recognized as 2018 Notable Person of Honor

Franklin David Receives the Notable Person of Honor Award from Dave Weigley

Story by Celeste Ryan Blyden

Pastor Franklin David was nominated by Bill Miller, president of the Potomac Conference, as a 2018 Notable Person of Honor, and was recognized during the fall Columbia Union Executive Committee meeting.

Dave Robinson Recognized as 2018 Notable Person of Honor

Karen Robinson accepts a Notable Person of Honor Award from Dave Weigley on behalf of her late husband, Dave

Story by Celeste Ryan Blyden

During the fifth Columbia Union Notable Persons of Honor Awards, union leaders recognized various individuals who have exemplified not only strong leadership, but service to God and their fellow men and women.

“We pay tribute to them today for their steadfast, unwavering commitment to furthering God’s kingdom through living a life that exemplifies Christ by caring for and putting the needs of others first,” said Rob Vandeman, Columbia Union Executive Secretary.

Columbia Union Recognizes 2018 Notable Persons of Honor

Franklin David, Dave Robinson (Karen Robinson accepted the award on his behalf) and Lillian Torres received Notable Persons of Honor Awards at the Columbia Union Conference Executive Commitee Meeting

Story by Celeste Ryan Blyden

Columbia Union Hosts ASI Fall Convention

Philip Baptise, Ranella Kaligithi and Teddy Flo participate in a panel of young adult professionals.

Story by Columbia Union ASI Staff

The Columbia Union Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries (CUASI) recently hosted their fall convention, themed “Launch 2018: Not Mine, But Yours,” at the Doubletree by Hilton in Columbia, Md.

“From the opening session, we cast an exciting vision forward to each session which spoke to God’s workings in the lives of His people. All in attendance were inspired and empowered to give God their best,” says Mark Brown, CUASI president. “We welcomed new members, engaged several young professionals and enjoyed a wonderful worship experience.”

Pennsylvania Conference Officers Re-elected for Five Years

Will Peterson, executive secretary, and his wife, Darlene (left); Gary Gibbs, president, and his wife, Sherilyn (center); and Carlos Charnichart, treasurer, and his wife, Liz (right).

Story by Tamyra Horst

Delegates to the Pennsylvania Conference’s sixth Triennium Constituency Session recently re-elected conference officers and departmental directors. The leadership team will serve for five years, as, moving forward, delegates voted to move to a quinquennium.