Ohio Conference

Towfiqu Barbhuiya/Unsplash

Editorial by Bob Cundiff

Not too many people have heard the story I’m about to share with you. When the pandemic broke in Spring 2020, many conference administrators contacted the North American Division asking for counsel on how to continue ministry in the new economic fabric brought on by COVID-19.

Young adults from the Columbus Ghanaian Adventist church worship AND spend time together. Photo courtesy of the church.

During the recent Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee meeting, Rubén A. Ramos reported that second-and-third generations of immigrant families are seeking more services in English so they can worship in English rather than their parents’ native languages.

Ohio Conference’s Columbus Ghanaian church recognized this need and recently created a service in English.

José Martínez, Roca Eterna Mission church

Story by Ricardo Bacchus

Eight-year-old José Martínez didn’t know what to do or who to turn to. His mom abused him verbally and physically, frequently saying, “Why didn’t I get an abortion?” His brother bullied him. His sister ignored him. His stepdad, an alcoholic and drug addict, deserted him. Martínez longed to be wanted; he felt abandoned instead.

One day in his hometown of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, Martínez saw his brother and cousin smoking weed. Wanting an escape from the reality of life, he tried it and was instantly hooked. Finally, I found something that makes me feel whole, he thought.