Story by WAU Staff
Marie-Claire Kaberamanzi, a second-year nursing major at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md., recently presented at the United Nations General Assembly. The event, “Financing the Future: Education 2030,” focused on the education crisis currently affecting 260 million youth who are not receiving an instruction. Kaberamanzi spoke during the session on girl’s education and the importance of getting them into school.
Story by V. Michelle Bernard / Photos by LaTasha Hewitt and Minnie McNeil
Last weekend Columbia Union Conference members and students packed 10,525 personal care kits for those impacted by Hurricane Harvey in Texas.
Story by Anna Bartlett
Growing up Adventist, Amy Newman experienced something different than Christian love from her Adventist community.
“I remember a lot of standards. [We would think] ‘is she dressed nice enough?’ ‘Was that music holy enough?’ ‘Were they quiet enough?’ [We were very] judgmental, worrying about what we thought of each other versus the emphasis being on going to church and doing ALL for Jesus.”
Sadly, Amy’s story is not unique. Many Adventists shared stories of feeling burned by the communities they grew up in. Some choose to leave. Some perpetuate the judgmental atmosphere. But some, like Amy, become part of a community that chooses to make a difference.
Amy Newman is now the relationship coordinator at Pennsylvania Conference’s Grace Outlet church, where she assists in coordinating the monthly socials there. The socials are a way all ages can come together in an environment that is non-threatening and relaxed and build a community based on sharing Jesus instead of upholding artificial standards.
“We do not have a standard [for how you should be]. You come as you are, whether you wear a suit or jeans, have purple hair or blond, we greet everyone and hug everyone and make sure everyone feels like family,” Amy says.
Amy says her involvement with this ministry has changed her personal perspective on what Adventist community is based on.
Story by Dave Morgan
Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) has offered its students flight training since the early 1970s. In the aviation program’s nearly 50 years, 80 students have earned private pilot’s licenses, and many more have completed training from discovery flights, soloing and cross-country trips.
Story by John Kent