Story by Amanda Blake
Seventh-day Adventists are celebrating holidays—specifically Easter and Christmas—more than ever before, and several pastors within the Columbia Union Conference say these special days create an ideal time to offer hope and the story of Jesus to the community. So, how are churches taking the focus off of the bunny and jolly old man to share God’s love?
Story by Simonique Dietz
Washington Adventist University (WAU) welcomed 176 academy students to its annual Music Fest, Feb. 12–15. Students from Atholton Adventist Academy, Pine Forge Academy, Shenandoah Valley Academy, Spencerville Adventist Academy, Takoma Academy, several academies from outside the union and several homeschool programs gathered for a musical experience that featured band, choir and orchestra performances.
Story by Ricardo Bacchus
Looking for more opportunities to pray?
1. Join the Columbia Union Online Prayer Meeting at noon the first Wednesday of each month, as leaders and members gather to pray for the Pentecost 2025 movement and share requests and praises.
2. Implement the “Prayer Focus” in the 2025 Columbia Union Calendar to help shape your prayers. Use the remaining space to create your own prayer list.
By Ricardo Bacchus
Whether God says yes, no, or wait, He always answers our prayers. Three Columbia Union Conference members share stories on how God responded to their requests:
When God Said ‘Yes’
On a Sunday afternoon in Hagerstown, Md., I drove my daughters to a local park to play basketball. When I returned to the car, I noticed the passenger side window had been broken into and my purse stolen. Out of everything I lost, my phone was the most important to me.
By Tompaul Wheeler and Ricardo Bacchus
The beauty and mystery of prayer has captivated believers for thousands of years. People find meaning, solace and the miraculous in prayer, yet many still struggle with the Divine-human connection.
Is God more likely to respond to certain kinds of prayers? Is there a secret to connecting with God? Are some prayers simply more “powerful” than others?
'People Struggle With Prayer'