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December 7, 2021: Everything We Need

image from iStock

“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence” (2 Pet. 1:3, NLT).

I love this text, mostly because it is a simple proclamation of the gospel. But also because it sets the record straight in regard to the lies the serpent told in the Garden of Eden. Many people are still being convinced that God’s Word is not reliable, that God uses obedience to keep good things from his people and that we do not already have everything we need to reflect the image of God.

December 6, 2021: God Is in Control

image from iStock

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jer. 29:11, NIV).

Throughout my life, this verse has always reminded me that God is in control. There are times when I wonder why things happen the way they do or if something in my life is the right thing for me. However, each time these doubts fill my mind, I remember that God puts everything in my life for a purpose.

Have You Made ‘Par’?

Story by WGTS Staff

The WGTS 91.9 staff invites you to watch their latest Words of Hope video with assistant producer and on-air host Claude Jennings on the golf course.

In golf, the objective is to sink the ball in a set number of shots, which we call par. In life, we can feel pressure to reach certain milestones, much like aiming for par in golf. Perhaps it’s, “Graduating from college by the time I’m 25” or “Having two children by the time I’m 30.” But when we fall short of par in life, we can feel frustrated and defeated.

Takoma Park Church Moves ‘Beyond the Walls’

More than 50 volunteers from the Takoma Park church and community spent a recent Sabbath day restoring a 75-year-old grandmother’s home and yard.

Story by Debra Anderson

In following the theme of Potomac Conference's mission to expand ministry beyond the walls of the physical church, on Sabbath, September 11, 2021—the 20th anniversary of 9/11—volunteers from the Takoma Park (Md.) church led an effort to extend help to a neighbor in need.

God Calls Couple to Come Home

Story by Valerie Morikone

Donald West (known as DW) was born and raised in Parkersburg, W.Va. When he was 9, DW and his parents, Don and Leona, joined the Parkersburg church.

DW began attending Parkersburg Academy and was soon involved in Pathfinders, youth leadership, music and even preaching. After sixth grade, DW attended public school. Five years later, a calamity in his family resulted in him leaving the Seventh-day Adventist Church. “I began to follow my dreams of becoming a rock star,” shares DW. Amber, DW’s wife, was born and raised in Kanawha, W.Va. “I grew up with my father showing me the simple ways of life,” she says. “At a young age, I told my grandmother and mother that I had Jesus in my heart and wanted to be baptized.”

Bell Branch Grows During COVID-19 by Being a Family

Bell Branch church, Geoff Crowley pastor

Story by Evan Knott

In January 2020, the leadership team at the Bell Branch church in Gambrills, Md., prayed that God would bring five new people into their church. Then COVID-19 hit.

But despite the pandemic, the church has seen unprecedented growth in 2021, adding 21 new members—a growth of more than 20 percent. And they’re not done yet.

“I think it goes back to that meeting in January 2020,” says Geoff Crowley, pastor of Bell Branch. “We wanted a phrase that would sum up our mission and vision and everything we say and do here, and what we settled on at that meeting was this: ‘At Bell Branch, we’re family, and so are you.’”

Shiloh Cincinnati Partners With Baptist Church

Shiloh Cincinnati church NEWSTART ministry

Story by Benia Jennings 

The Shiloh Cincinnati church continues to “Impact the City” of Cincinnati with the gospel of Jesus Christ. As back-to-school season approached, many churches geared up to do their annual school supply drive. This year, Bryant Smith, pastor of Shiloh, and his members in the Avondale neighborhood wanted to approach things differently.

Smith and church leaders combined forces with the Corinthian Baptist church in the Bond Hill neighborhood to leverage resources and influence to impact people in Hamilton County.

Spencerville Adventist Academy Earns National STEM Certification

Nationally Certified STEM Campus, Spencerville Adventist Academy

Story by Paty Serrano

Spencerville Adventist Academy (SAA) recently earned the National Certificate for STEM Excellence (NCSE), a Campus Certification from the National Institute for STEM Education (NISE). SAA is one of only 56 schools in the nation to have earned this national certificate.

NCSE provides a research-based support system for campuses and teachers seeking to strengthen STEM instruction and outcomes. NISE STEM leadership coaches worked with SAA’s educators and instructional leaders to refine the school’s operations and curriculum instruction to further strengthen STEM practices and the campus’ overall STEM culture.

ACS Chesapeake Welcomes Afghan Families with Essential Items

Story by Evan Knott/ Chesapeake Conference

When families from Afghanistan arrived in the United States following their rapid evacuation from the war-torn country, Adventist Community Services (ACS) stood ready to serve.

Chesapeake Conference’s ACS team first responded to the crisis by meeting evacuees at the airport to offer emotional and spiritual support. Three months later, ACS Chesapeake has shifted its focus to providing 340 Afghan families resettling in Chesapeake territory with food and essential supplies as these families attempt to rebuild their lives in the United States.

Empowering Surgeries at Adventist HealthCare Medical Centers

Photo by COMSEVENTHFLT/Flickr

Story by Adventist HealthCare Staff

Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center and Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center recently installed da Vinci Xi Surgical Systems for minimally invasive procedures in the areas of gynecology, urology, thoracic, cardiac and general surgery.

This state-of-the-art upgrade to their robotic system assists their surgeons in performing delicate and complex operations through a few small incisions. This approach results in improved recovery times and decreased pain from traditional open surgery.