Story by Andrew S. Lay
If you were to walk the grounds of Chesapeake Conference's Highland View Academy (HVA), the names of the buildings might remind you of those dedicated Seventh-day
Adventist workers and members who had the foresight to build a place where generations of young people could obtain an Adventist Christian education.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20, KJV).
When I became a Christian, I felt that this verse was the perfect summary of my salvation experience. Before I understood my redemption in Christ, I was living under a huge burden of trying to be accepted by God. I never felt good enough for Him to accept me as a candidate for heaven. I was lonely and depressed.
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown” (Isa. 43:2, NLT).
Thoughts swirled around in my head as the cold water from the Ocoee River in Tennessee swirled around my body. I need to breathe! How do I get out? Oh Jesus, help me. I don’t want to die yet. This whitewater rafting adventure had quickly turned from fun to frightening when our raft went up a rock, and we fell out.
“‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matt. 22:36–39, NIV).
In 2020, I performed with Takoma Academy’s chorale at the Capitol Hill church in Washington, D.C. Earlier that week, I had celebrated my 16th birthday. But sadly, I lost a family member the next day. I walked into church that Sabbath with intense emotions.
I woke up this morning with “The Lord’s Last Supper” on my mind. We participate in this ceremony once a quarter, but do we really think about its meaning? Does it stimulate our remembrance of Christ?
For me, the Lord’s Supper reminds me that God is the Sustainer of our lives. We are not self-sustaining; a loving God provides for us. We are dependent on Him, not just as our Creator but our Redeemer. With the inability to save ourselves, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to die for our sins that we might be saved. We rely on Christ, the Bread of Life, to sustain us physically and spiritually.
Story by Valerie Morikone
The Mountain View Conference (MVC) camp meeting at Valley Vista in Parkersburg, W.Va., has impacted hundreds of individuals through the years. This year was no different for those attending in person or viewing online.
Conference leaders believe that everyone needs to be involved in sharing Jesus with others; it should be a coveted desire, not an option, to reach out to others with the good news of Jesus Christ and His wonderful love. That’s why, for the next few years, “Tell Somebody About Jesus ... Go Tell It on the Mountains” will be MVC’s theme.
By Cassie Matchim Hernandez
Beginning October 8, It Is Written will air Revelation Today: The Great Reset. Pastor John Bradshaw, It Is Written president, will present the full-length evangelistic series from the Chattanooga First Church. Viewers may register and watch at revelationtoday.com. Promotional material may be found at itiswritten.com/rtresources.
With a majority of churches throughout the Columbia Union Conference holding in-person services, many are hosting fall evangelism efforts.
“One of the most important things we do at the union is to help advance evangelism,” said Dave Weigley, union president, at the recent Columbia Union Executive Committee meeting.
At the meeting, presidents from the union’s eight conferences shared how members in their territories are working to share the love of God in tangible ways.
Allegheny West Conference
Editorial de Sarah Capeles Frodelly
En febrero, mi familia y yo experimentamos una de las peores tormentas de nieve de los últimos años. Con más de un metro de nieve, no estaba segura si mi tractor era lo suficientemente potente como para limpiar el largo camino de entrada a la casa. Entonces, en lugar de quedarme en casa bebiendo mi té de hierbas, me aventuré al frío para ver si podía hacer que funcionara.
Editorial by Sarah Capeles Frodelly
In February, my family and I experienced one of the worse snowstorms in recent years. With over three feet of snow, I wasn’t sure if my tractor was powerful enough to clean the long driveway. So, instead of staying indoors sipping on my herbal tea, I ventured out into the cold to see if I could get it to work.