Chesapeake Conference

Story by Evan Knott

Today, the Chesapeake Conference Executive Committee elected Andre Hastick as president of the Chesapeake Conference. Hastick accepted the call and will begin his duties January 1, 2026, following Jerry Lutz’s retirement at the end of the year. 

The committee reviewed the conference’s bylaws outlining the role and responsibilities of the president, identified qualities they were seeking in a new leader and engaged in multiple seasons of prayer throughout the deliberation process.

Story by Tracy Morgan

For many of us, Acts 1:8 serves as a call to action, but to reach the entire world can seem like a daunting task. However, at Highland View Academy (HVA), this passage is being embraced in a new and inspiring way.

“To the Ends of the Earth” is the theme for the 2025–26 school year. HVA is embracing its identity, not only as an academic institution, but as a spiritual training ground for world-changers. Staff are being called to create and grow young people who are prepared, passionate and ready to carry the message of Jesus wherever God leads them. But how?

Story by Evan Knott

The Dover First church recently brought public evangelism to the heart of Delaware, holding tent meetings just steps from the State Capitol on the Legislative Mall. The “Hope for Today” series featured guest speaker D. W. West, assistant to the president of Adventist World Radio. Meetings were held on the Legislative Mall during the first week, before concluding at the Dover First church.

Editorial by Jerry Lutz

With all the evangelistic meetings and prophecy seminars that have been going on in our conference this year, such as our twin outreach initiatives, Pentecost 2025 and Reach Baltimore 2025, there are likely some unfamiliar faces and new members in your church. For this, we praise God and welcome them with open arms into the fellowship of believers. How wonderful it is to see how the Lord is blessing Chesapeake churches with hundreds of baptisms and many more who are preparing to join God’s great advent movement.

While we rejoice with the saved and celebrate every new soul who enters the kingdom, we who are more mature in our walk with Jesus and better grounded in the faith must be mindful of the special care and needs of our newborn brothers and sisters in Christ.

Story by Lauren Esveld

This year’s spiritual retreat for Spencerville Adventist Academy took place at the restful Mount Aetna Camp and Retreat Center in Hagerstown, Md. Having a spiritual retreat at the beginning of the school year served as a refreshing pause that fostered unity among the students and led to reflection and spiritual growth.

The weekend centered on the powerful theme found in John 13:35: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (NIV).