News

In a year filled with natural disasters, a pandemic and sadness over racial injustice, Columbia Union Conference members and others who visited columbiaunionvisitor.com clung to hope, at least in their article selections.

Here are the top 10 most read 2020 news stories on columbiaunionvisitor.com in 2020:

10. Pottinger Retires, Celebrates 50 Years of MinistryLeonel Pottinger, the ministerial director for the New Jersey Conference (NJC), recently retired after nearly 50 years of selfless ministry.
 

Image by Himsan from Pixabay

By Ohio Conference Staff

The Ohio Conference will begin 2021 with its annual “Prayer Emphasis Day” January 2—the first Sabbath of the new year. Visit ohioadventist.org for resources and more information. Conference leadership thanks the members and churches for their support, dedication and prayers.

Want to read the Columbia Union Conference Year of the Bible devotionals on your phone? You can also see the latest news stories from around the union. The app goes live December 24.

Download our free app by searching for "Columbia Union Conference" in the Apple App or Google Play stores.

The WGTS afternoon team Johnny and Stacey Stone, producer Cleavon Davis and special guest Jackie Ventouris sing their hearts out.

Story by WGTS Staff

It’s not every day you hear the WGTS on-air teams singing their hearts out in public, but that’s exactly what happened recently. The WGTS afternoon show challenged the WGTS morning show to a quartet sing-off. Originally scheduled to be live at Tysons Corner Center mall in Virginia, the event moved online because of the pandemic. Fair Trade Services artists Austin French, Colton Dixon, and Phil Wickham joined in the festivities. 

In addition to the stressors from the pandemic, in 2020, both Denise Barclay’s husband, David Thompson, and mother faced extremely challenging medical issues. But Barclay believes that “God orchestrated the events that would shape, inspire and facilitate the opportunity to release an album.

Image from iStock

“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you. ...’ When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her” (Ruth 1:16, 18, NKJV).

I have experienced a bitter spirit like Naomi. As an African-American woman, I have experienced many losses through racism, sexism, classism and misogynoir. Of those losses, it has been the ones I have suffered within my faith community that have been the most devastating because they resulted in misperceptions of God. Like Naomi, my misperception of God evoked anger, disappointment and bitterness. But unlike Naomi, my misperception also led to loss of identity with God.

Rodney Bowes, ASI International's vice president for evangelism, shared digital tools available to anyone interested in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Story by Michele Joseph

ASI Columbia Union recently hosted a virtual workshop to help members become digital missionaries.

Rodney Bowes, ASI International’s vice president for evangelism, showcased the tools available through its 3AM Call website. The resource was created to help anyone who wants to tell others about the soon coming of Jesus.

Sending her son to Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) was a hard decision for one single mother, but one that was necessary. Although she didn’t know how she would pay for his tuition, she wanted more for him and his life, so, in faith, she enrolled him. And then prayed. And prayed.

Williamsport SDA Church, Ramon J. Canals

Story by Andre Hastick

Recently, the Williamsport (Md.) church held Sabbath School Alive, a one-day training seminar to equip Sabbath School leaders to create more engaging experiences for class attendees by focusing on prayer, Bible study, fellowship and mission. Guest speaker Ramon J. Canals (pictured), director of Sabbath School and Personal Ministries for the General Conference, trained participants by helping them develop practical plans to make each Sabbath School class vibrant.