Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Seven years after battling breast cancer, Jennifer Wakefield, who attends Chesapeake Conference’s New Hope church in Fulton, Md., is trying to spread the message that there is life after a difficult diagnosis. And she’s doing it while wearing a crown.

Wakefield was named Mrs. Maryland International 2019 in March. As part of her duties, she makes public appearances hoping to inspire others on their journeys and seeks to encourage those with breast cancer through care packages.

Story by Ricardo Bacchus / Photos by San Suvankham

Story by Sarah Capeles Frodelly

Have you ever waited in excitement and anticipation for a special occasion to arrive? I waited 30 years to return to a Pathfinder camporee. In 1989 “The Friendship Camporee,” proudly sponsored by the Columbia Union Conference, embraced 14,000 attendees. To my surprise, 30 years later, I joined more than 57,000 Pathfinders, leaders and volunteers at the 2019 “Chosen” International Pathfinder Camporee.

Story by Andre Hastick

Fifty-five teenagers spanning seven states came together in July for a week of My City, My Passion, a local mission trip experience for young people, hosted by the Ellicott City (Md.) church. This program provided an opportunity for youth to train in leadership and discipleship, as well as serve the community through acts of compassion and community service.

Editorial by Dave Weigley

I am a witness that dreams do come true, visions do become reality and God does answer prayers! This past August, all three happened when we celebrated the grand opening of Adventist HealthCare (AHC) White Oak Medical Center on Healing Way in Silver Spring, Md. This is something that hadn’t happened in more than a hundred years, and during this journey, some might have wondered if it would happen in a million years. But God is good!

Around the turn of the 19th to 20th century, Ellen G. White, a pioneer leader of the Seventh-day Adventist movement, envisioned health care happening somewhere “on a grassy slope” in Takoma Park, Md., close to Washington, D.C. It would be a place where the healing and restoration ministry of Jesus Christ, as expressed by His church, could be offered and modeled in the local community. Washington Adventist Hospital became that place, fulfilling the dreams of our forefathers and leaders, extending the “right arm of the gospel” to the masses, and carrying forward the legacy of health and healing. And while it was a difficult decision to relocate, finding a new home became necessary so as to maintain a robust future for this valued ministry.