News

Photo by Jose Vasquez

Story by Debra Anderson

In a rapidly evolving digital world, organizations—including faith-based ones like the Potomac Conference—are embracing technology to further their mission and efficiency. One significant step in this direction is transitioning from paper documents to digital records.

Potomac has embarked on a remarkable journey by digitizing more than a million pages from its Human Resources Department, a monumental feat that has streamlined access to critical information. With the simple touch of a button, a robust digital platform called Laserfiche, has enabled staff to retrieve information quickly.

A couple trekked across the United States to Spencerville church where Kandace Zollman (center), pastor for Nurture and Visitation, baptized them.

Story by Evan Knott

A faith journey that began online recently culminated at Chesapeake Conference's Spencerville church in Silver Spring, Md., as Catherine Hillerman and Jarrett Hendricks, a married couple from Oregon, flew across the country to be baptized at the church that helped lead them to Christ during the pandemic.

Spring Valley Academy welcomes new staff members Allyssa Sharpe, Joel Greve, Nicolás Chaij, Paula Ottinger and Nicole Wortham Starkey.

Story by Spencer Hannah

Joining Ohio Conference's Spring Valley Academy (SVA) this year as the interim principal, I have united with a fantastic group of educators and support staff that form an awesome team. As I have been settling in with this new group, I have pondered a few things about teamwork:

New Hope member Monika Korff (right) provides a medical screening to a Grenadian.

Story by Evan Knott

Twenty-two members from the New Hope church in Fulton, Md., recently embarked on a mission trip to Grenada, aimed at not only providing immediate services but also building ongoing relationships with the local Grenadian community.

In collaboration with the Grenadian Conference, the New Hope team hosted three health fairs, offering locals free medical screenings and consultations. To ensure that every family member could benefit, the team also provided kids’ programming.

Emmanuel Phaeton/Unsplash

Editorial by Marvin C. Brown, III

One of the most important principles found in Scripture is that of God being first.

In Matthew 22:37–39, we read, “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (NKJV).

Kettering Health's Dr. Patel and his team

Story by Ben Riggs

 

Get Dr. Akil Patel talking about his kids, and you’ll hear his fatherly pride. He leans forward, grins ear to ear, and has countless pictures on his phone. Get him talking about the human brain, and you’ll hear his child-like wonder. He explains it using his hands, eyes widened behind his thin, black- rimmed glasses, and has stories galore on his mind.

The 37-year-old vascular neurosurgeon knows a thing or two about the three-pound organ between our ears. From residency at the University of Maryland to training at Johns Hopkins and Seattle’s Swedish Neuroscience Institute, he has committed all his brain to understanding ours.

Image by Lubos Houska from Pixabay

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Many local elementary students will have new books in their school libraries, thanks to customers at Potomac Conference’s LivingWell store in Silver Spring, Md.

This fall, the LivingWell Adventist Book Center received 160 books worth $1,583 during the store’s first book drive.

Graphic by inspiredimages on pixabay

Story by Ariana Jervis

As the world of health care evolves, numerous fields offer fulfilling, impactful career opportunities. One such field that gets overlooked is Respiratory Care. Often overshadowed by more familiar health care occupations, Respiratory Care is a field that embodies compassion, expertise and the remarkable ability to help people breathe with ease.

Senior Asha Caruthers and sophomore Elisa Muñoz attend the annual spiritual retreat.

Story by Tim Soper

The start of a school year brings new challenges, opportunities and stresses. Establishing a solid foundation for success is paramount. Hence, the high schoolers at Chesapeake Conference's Spencerville Adventist Academy (SAA) began their school year at SAA’s annual high school spiritual retreat, focusing together on the promise found in Philippians: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (4:13, NKJV).