News | Seventh-day Adventist Church

Longtime Union Education Administrator Honored

Story by Rhonda M. Covington / Photo by Hearly Mayr

During the Columbia Union Conference Constituency meeting Saturday evening, union leaders honored Hamlet Canosa, EdD, Columbia Union Conference’s vice president of Education, with an obelisk for 24 years of service in the union.

“After 43 years of service in the church, tonight we want to thank you,” said Dave Weigley. “No doubt when you stand on the sea of glass you’ll see the many lives you impacted.. I’m here today because of Adventist education and you’ve been a part of making that happen.”

Columbia Union Conference Executive Officers Re-Elected During Session

Story by V. Michelle Bernard / Photo by Hearly Mayr

Today during the 27th Columbia Union Conference Constituency Session, union delegates voted to re-elect all three of its executive officers: Dave Weigley as president; Rob Vandeman as executive secretary; and Seth Bardu as treasurer.

Susan Barcus named president of Kettering Medical Center Foundation, chief development officer for Kettering Adventist HealthCare

Story by Elizabeth Long

Susan Barcus has been named president of the Kettering Medical Center Foundation and chief development officer for Kettering Adventist HealthCare.

She previously served as the senior vice president for Advancement and chief development officer for Augusta University and Health System, formerly Georgia Regents University and Health System in Augusta, Georgia.

Barcus earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from Indiana University and a master’s degree in Corporate and Industrial Communications from Lindenwood University.

Hundreds Accept 12-Year-Old Maryland Boy’s Call to Christ in Rwanda

Dillon Smith, 12, speaking to about 1,000 people at a park in Karongi, Rwanda, on Sunday evening. (Jackie O. Smith) via Adventist Review

Story by Andrew McChesney / Adventist Review

A 12-year-old adopted boy from Russia has expressed joy that hundreds of people are giving their hearts to Jesus as he leads his first evangelistic series in a city park in Rwanda.

Washington Adventist University Enactus Team Places Second at National Expo

Story by Donna Bigler

Earlier this week, the Washington Adventist University (WAU) Enactus team placed second in their league in the opening round at the 2016 Enactus National Expo in St. Louis. The Enactus judges ranked the university, located in Takoma Park, Md., based on the success of projects that resolved local problems by creatively applying business strategies. As a national finalist, the WAU team is now ranked in the top 40 of 443 colleges and universities.

Columbia Union Members to Gather for 27th Constituency, Elect Leadership

This coming weekend, members of the Columbia Union Conference will gather at Potomac Conference’s Southern Asian church in Silver Spring, Md., for the 27th Constituency Meeting. They’ll hear reports about the accomplishments of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in this territory during the past five years and elect leaders for the next quinquennium.

Washington Adventist University to Release its Quinquennial Report to Constituents on May 20, 2016

Washington Adventist University (WAU) will release its quinquennial report on the state of the university to its Board of Trustees, alumni, donors, faculty, staff, students and other constituents at a meeting May 20, 2016. The Constituency Meeting is open to the public, and it will start at 9:30 a.m. in the Atrium of Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church, located at 7700 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland. For those interested in attending, the meeting agenda and contents of the delegate packet can be viewed online at https://www.wau.edu/about-us/constituency. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

BMA-hosted Robotics, LEGO Events Add to Learning

For more than five years, the Pennsylvania Conference has hosted regional robotics events at Blue Mountain Academy in Hamburg. The FIRST LEGO League and Adventist Robotics League provide opportunities for all young people to experience exciting “real-world” applications while upholding the values and integrity of a well-rounded Adventist education. Schools from the Pennsylvania Conference, as well as from Ohio, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia and Massachusetts have participated. The teams come together to show off their God-given talents, as well as interact with other like-minded young people in a fun, energetic and encouraging environment. Teams work together to build the robot, have fun, help others when needed, to find answers and embrace the spirit of learning, rather than the spirit of winning.

WGTS 91.9 Welcomes New Chaplain

Story by Jerry Woods, WGTS

WGTS 91.9 is pleased to welcome Pastor Kumar Dixit to the position of chaplain at the radio station and media ministry. “I feel privileged to join the WGTS 91.9 radio team,” says Dixit. Before moving to Canada three years ago, Dixit had lived in Maryland and had been a WGTS 91.9 listener for 20 years.

Ohio Young Adults “Immerse” in God’s Word at Retreat

Story by Tom Albrecht

Earlier this year, more than 60 young adults from across Ohio gathered at the Camp Mohaven Conference and Retreat Center in Dansville for the first Immersion conference where they spent the weekend actively learning to study the Bible, not passively listening to a speaker. Designed by Edward Marton, conference youth director, the event instructed attendees in the methodology of proper Biblical study. Organized into groups of eight, the study session was left to the young adults to practice what they learned.

Attendees studied the book of Joel, and leaders report that all came away with a better understanding of how to study the Bible, as well as a deeper appreciation for the book of Joel and its prophetic message.