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Potomac Conference Welcomes New Director of Media

Story by Tiffany Doss

The Potomac Conference recently created a director of media position to further opportunities for spreading the gospel. “We operate in a high-tech, digital-media environment. We must use every tool available to reach today's generation, providing them with opportunities to use their talents Beyond the Walls and expand the kingdom of God," says Charles Tapp, conference president.

Richard Castillo will lead this new department. He recently served as the vice president of Integrated Marketing and Communications at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md. He previously served as media pastor for the Sligo church, also in Takoma Park, and communication director for the Oklahoma Conference.

Entering a New Year With Gratitude

Image from Alexas_Photos on Pixabay

Story by Edward Marton

As we reflect on 2021, we are both saddened by the great losses the global pandemic has brought to many families and thankful that the Lord has led us through the challenges of ministry amid crises.

As the Ohio Conference youth director, it has been especially encouraging for me to witness the blessings God continues to pour out on us. Here are some of the highlights from the past year for which we praise God:

WGTS Hosts Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith Christmas Tour

Story by WGTS Staff

Over 1,600 people in the D.C. area celebrated Christmas with Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith to kick off the holidays. This famous duo has been touring together at Christmas since the 1980s. This year’s show reunited them for a nine-show run that made a stop in Tysons Corner, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C. WGTS 91.9 welcomed the sold-out show to the brand-new Capital One Hall, a state-of-the-art theater that just opened this fall.

“Anytime you can bring the listening family together for a night with two legendary artists, you know it’s going to be incredible,” says WGTS morning show host and promotions director Jerry Woods. “You can’t help but leave the show in the Christmas spirit.”

10 of the Most Spiritual Things You Can Do

“If we’re going to give ourselves over to the service of God, then we best position ourselves to do so by caring for our bodies,” said C. J. Cousins, associate pastor
of Potomac Conference’s Vienna (Va.) church, speaking on spiritual health.

He suggests the following are 10 of the most spiritual things you can do:

  • Exercise regularly
  • Drink 64 oz. of water daily
  • Get eight hours of sleep Set healthy time and relationship boundaries
  • Guard your hearts against sin Embrace limits, recognizing you're not a machine
  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Enjoy hobbies
  • Experience Sabbath rest
  • Take vacations regularly

Find out more by watching the full sermon below.

 

Keep Calm and Trust God

Editorial by Celeste Ryan Blyden

It’s hard to believe we are still living through a pandemic. Despite all human effort, this virus is relentless and unwilling to relinquish its global grip and march of pain. When you consider the lives lost—more than 5 million worldwide—the families devastated and the economic impact, it’s easy to wonder, what’s next?

Watch Day of Praise and Prayer Sermon

Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee members voted to celebrate January 1, 2022, as a day of praise and prayer across the union.

Watch a special message from Columbia Union President Dave Weigley at 10:30 a.m. on the Columbia Union Visitor's Facebook page or Youtube channel.

 

December 31, 2021: Waiting and Anticipating!

image from iStock

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep. ... For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:13–18, NKJV).

Using Creativity to Cope

Josué Sánchez, a former pastor of the Chesapeake Conference, uses creativity to cope with and battle his depression. Watch a video of his story below and see more of his cartoons at josuesanchez.com.

 

 

December 30, 2021: Metamorphosis

image from iStock

“All of us who ... can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord ... makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image” (2 Cor. 3:18, NLT).

Have you witnessed a butterfly leaving its chrysalis? The cycle goes from a tiny egg to a caterpillar moving around and eating leaves, followed by the chrysalis phase, where other changes take place. Finally, the adult butterfly emerges from its cocoon. Scientists call this process metamorphosis, meaning transformation—a significant change in looks and character.

December 29, 2021: ‘Not That State’

image from iStock

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Prov. 16:9, NKJV).

Years ago, I started college in Alabama. The degree I chose forced me to transfer to a sister school in California for nine months. An East Coast native, I told God that I would never end up this far away from home again.

A few years later, I was working in Massachusetts, feeling quite at home. My then girlfriend was in graduate school in Maryland. The only way we could plan for our future together, without disrupting what she had started, was to transfer to a school in California. I couldn’t believe that I was willing to return to the place that had me homesick.