News

 Sam Salinas

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.

Story by Allegheny West Conference Staff

Mamie H. Clemons, the “prayer warrior” of the Hillcrest church in Pittsburgh, recently received the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Legacy Award from the Rankin/Mon Valley, Pittsburgh, Pa., area NCNW. The organization held a luncheon this spring at the Hosanna House in Pittsburgh.

Clemons was one of five women who received the Legacy Award. Legacy awards are presented to women who show the spirit of civil rights leaders Mary McLeod Bethune and Dorothy I. Height. Bethune was the founder of the NCNW, and Height was the fourth elected national president of the NCNW. She served until 1998, when she became chair and president emerita.

As the Master Guide graduation candidates from the New Jersey Conference prepared for their final review, Reina Zapata, Master Guide state coordinator, realized that one was not a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Virgilio Osorio, his wife and their children accepted the Lord after volunteering in the Pathfinder program at the Lake Nelson church in Piscataway.

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

Church leaders recently recognized Ashley Judge, 18, as “Pathfinder of the Year” at Shiloh church in Petersburg, Va. Judge serves as a Pathfinder junior counselor, an usher and junior deaconess at the church. She also volunteers at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond, Va., and a local food bank.

“Being Pathfinder of the Year is the greatest accomplishment that I have ever received. … Hearing your name being called as Pathfinder of the Year symbolizes your love for the lord and your love of being a Pathfinder,” says Judge. 

In addition to her volunteer week, Judge (pictured above with her parents, Sharon and Hilton Judge) also maintains a 3.5 GPA, is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and an honor band participant at Virginia Tech University. She will attend Norfolk State University (Va.) this fall, and plans to become an elementary school teacher.

Freshman William Mattox accepts his first place award during PFA's Ambassador Awards program.

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

During the fourth annual “Handy Hall and Friends Weekend” at Pine Forge Academy (PFA), the boys dormitory staff and dean debuted their new Ambassador Awards program.

The program at the Pine Forge, Pa., based high school is designed to promote leadership, creativity and character development in African-American young men.

“We want our young men to understand that it’s not just about having exposure to godly principles, but that they should learn to embody and showcase them to guarantee success,” says Jaymie Pottinger, head dean of the boys dorm.

by Benjamin Benson on Flickr

Story by Kimberly Luste Maran

Want to make your church a comfort care center to help community members in extreme weather conditions?

Required Criteria

• Heating and cooling systems maintaining minimum temperature of 68°F during fall and winter and 72°F during spring and summer months

• NOT enrolled in the "voluntary black out" program offered by electric utility providers

• Accessible to people with disabilities/ADA-compliant

• Ample seating appropriate to your community

Story by Samantha Young
 
Chesapeake Conference's Highland View Academy (HVA) in Hagerstown, Md., welcomes Erik Borges as their new principal, effective July 1. 

Borges has many years of experience as an educator and administrator. He transferred from California, where he has been serving as principal at Armona Union Academy since 2007. He has also interacted with students in the classroom and through athletics programs.  

Story by Emeraude Victorin
 
Washington Adventist University (WAU) hosted its 101st commencement ceremony May 1 at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Md. The class of 2016 totals 246 graduates comprised of the following degrees: 83 master's degrees, 154 bachelor's degrees and nine associate's degrees.