News

Story by Cinthia Portonova

The New Jersey Conference welcomes Carl Rodriguez to serve as the new youth director. With many years of Youth Ministries experience under his belt, Rodriguez has worked as a teacher, pastor, camporee director and conference youth and young adult director. He most recently served as the Youth and Young Adult Ministries director for the Chesapeake Conference.

Rodriguez is currently a candidate for a Doctorate in Ministry in Urban Ministries from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary (Mich.), and already holds a Master of Divinity from the same institution. He also has a Master of Business Administration from Frostburg State University (Md.).

WGTS 91.9 Words of Hope | 027 - "Football" from WGTS 91.9 Media on Vimeo.

God can give you the victory! WGTS midday show producer, Spencer White, inspires his team as he coaches them in kids’ football. In the latest Words of Hope video devotional, he connects messages he learns as he coaches his team, with the giants we each face in life.

Spencer focuses on Matthew 17:20-21 in the devotional. It is a verse which assures us that even with faith as small as a mustard seed, God can use our faith and move mountains. He can take those big, scary giants and move them for us. He can give us the victory, sometimes even before we knew that giant was headed our way.

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Harold L. Lee, president of the Columbia Union Conference from 1998-2006, passed away this morning.  

"We have lost a thoughtful, contemplative leader who gave to our union, during administrative tenure, a positive trajectory in establishing outstanding governance. His legacy continues to make a contribution in providing guidance and governance support for many of our healthcare institutions," says Dave Weigley, Columbia Union president.

Born in Wellsburg, W.Va., his ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist church spanned some 40 years and included time pastoring several congregations, including his first congregation in the Allegheny West Conference in Ohio.  

Story by Melissa Reid

If you’re in need of fresh, quality food during the Thanksgiving season, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is here to help!

On Sunday, November 20, 2022, the North American headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church will give away 10,000 lbs. of fresh fruit and vegetables. “During this Thanksgiving season, we want to help our neighbors and express our gratitude for being a part of the local Howard County community,” says Orlan Johnson, director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Ministries for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America.

Potomac Conference, George E. Thornton, Sr., Woodbridge church

Story by Debra Anderson

The Potomac Conference family recently suffered the loss of one of its most prolific preachers, George E. Thornton, Sr.

In October 2021, Thornton was installed as the senior pastor of the Woodbridge (Va.) church. He served the church for just 10 months before his passing.

Thornton embarked on his new appointment with energy and enthusiasm. On his first day, he affectionately renamed the church, “The Bridge.” The members embraced it, seeing the name as a mantra to develop a deeper relationship with the local community.

Allegheny East Conference, First Church of Teaneck, "Sabbath Impact Day", Robert T. Smith

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

The First Church of Teaneck in New Jersey recently hosted Hope Channel International’s “Sabbath Impact Day.” Led by Hope Sabbath School member Jason Miller, the hybrid event began with a Sabbath School discussion with panelists Sabrina Mills and Victor Mills from Middleton, N.Y., and First Church members Asabie Hoyte, Jonathan Mays and Elvys Mutis.

Pixabay

Story by Tamyra Horst

Matt Stroup has joined the Pennsylvania Conference team as the new Media Ministries director. This new position will focus on creating resources to equip and help churches in their mission to reach everyone, everywhere. He will film and produce training videos and other resources that members can use to help share the gospel with their communities.

Image by Use At Your Ease From Pixabay

On November 12, North American Division’s Health Ministries Department is launching “Recovery Sabbath 2022,” a new yearly focus on addiction recovery.

“As we understand the recovery process, we come to appreciate more beautifully the process of God’s work in our lives,” says David Sedlacek, Adventist Recovery Ministries coordinator. Find more details and resources online.

Image by Wokandapix from Pixabay

Story by Tamyra Horst

The second Friday night of each month, Carnegie, Pa., hosts the “Carnegie Crawl,” where Main Street businesses stay open late with live music and special events throughout the town.

 

Earlier this year, nonprofits were offered the opportunity to serve the community during the crawl. Members of Pennsylvania Conference’s Carnegie church joined the event by creating a “gratitude board.” As people walked past the group, members asked them what they were thankful for.