The 2024–25 school year is in full swing at Spring Valley Academy (SVA), and so is the busy Music Department concert and tour schedule. With another record enrollment year of 564 students, grades K–12, the music groups and classes are bigger than ever.
Editorial by Matt Stroup
As I emerged from the water, I praised God for washing away my sins. I felt a sense of innocence that I hadn’t experienced since childhood. I felt reborn—this time through the waters of baptism.
After being baptized, I wanted to share my faith. When a friend who was moving into the area asked me for advice on where to live, I gave him some practical tips and then told him about my newfound faith. He was very interested to learn more, and I was excited to share, but didn’t know where to start. So, I asked him if he’d like to watch the Revelation Speaks Peace video series with me on Fridays after work. He agreed.
Story by Keisha Bone
Churches across the Allegheny West Conference gathered for the inaugural Alive in Jesus Sabbath School training Sept. 6–7. Sponsored by the conference’s Children’s Ministries Department, this event introduced the new curriculum, which will replace the Gracelink curriculum. Participants explored the curriculum’s core pillars: grace, character development, and mission. The Alive in Jesus curriculum aims to cultivate a faith-filled life, emphasizing the Bible as a trustworthy source.
Story by Silvia Lutick
Lavinia Postiglione, a student at Blue Mountain Academy (BMA), is an example of the Holy Spirit at work, say school staff. As a junior, she has made a difference in the lives of her peers and family.
Story by Evan Knott
The Northeast church in Parkville, Md., recently celebrated the baptisms of 21 new members following a two-week evangelistic series led by wellknown Caribbean evangelist Glen Samuels, president of the West Jamaica Conference in the Inter-American Division. Four additional baptisms will take place before the end of the year.
Story by John Sackett
In healthcare, everything we do has profound significance. Often, there is just one chance to get something right with no opportunity for a redo. And it is no exaggeration to say that performing our work to the very highest safety and quality standards can mean the difference between life and death. So how do we ensure we excel in our work?
By V. Michelle Bernard with contributions by Nii Ayite Hammond and Michele Joseph
Making an Impact in Ghana
Members of the Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee met Thursday for their last meeting in 2024.
Story by V. Michelle Bernard
At the Board of Education meeting held yesterday in Silver Spring, Md., Donovan Ross, vice president of Columbia Union Conference’s Office of Education, reported there are 7,524 students in Columbia Union’s 79 schools this year.
By K'dee Crews
According to official Seventh-day Adventist statistics, since 1965, four out of every 10 members have left the church. How can we, as a church body, reach those who have walked away?
1. Show them respect. They didn’t just wake up one morning and decide to leave. They have reasons. Respect their opinion. You can disagree and still be respectful.
2. Listen to them. Maybe you’ve had a pleasant church experience, but they haven’t. It’s not your place to judge. When you take the time to listen to someone’s story, you can better understand them. You can’t know how to approach something and someone without knowing what the problem is.
