News

Story by Katelyn Pacylowski (’24)

It is hard to put into words how much Shenandoah Valley Academy (SVA) means to me. I am so thankful for the time I have spent on this campus. Four years ago, the world shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While most schools had virtual learning, SVA stayed open. As a freshman, I was able to go to school and interact with friends and teachers. Who would have thought that being able to go to class would be something to be so thankful for?! Students at SVA were able to meet with mentors, have Bible study with pastors and thrive with in-person classes.

Story by Tamyra Horst

When the Pennsylvania Conference purchased a 150-acre farm outside of Smithport, Pa., in the spring of 1954, it was a dream to create a camp facility for children and families. Leaders would buy additional properties and add to the new camp, and in December 1954, it was voted to call this new ministry Laurel Lake Camp.

Organizers held a four-day summer camp in 1955 for 30 boys from the community. The following year, the conference offered two weeks of “summer training camp,” inviting churches to send children to this new summer camp program.

Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

Good nutrition is important, not only for children physically but so that they can concentrate at school and learn,” says Heather Brown, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist at Kettering Health in Ohio. “Good nutrition gives us lots of energy and keeps us going throughout the day.”

Brown shares the following tips to help families eat healthier and within budget for children who don’t like veggies. Kids will be more likely to eat them.

• Cut up vegetables super small and hide them in dishes for children who don’t like veggies. Kids will be more likely to eat them.
 

Story by Amanda Blake

More than 200 Seventh-day Adventist churches across North America, including 34 in the Columbia Union Conference, hosted the short mental health series MindFit this past spring.

The Voice of Prophecy (VOP) produced the event to empower churches as practical and spiritual resources for their communities in battling a continent-wide mental health crisis.

“On a global scale, one in eight people struggle daily with mental illness—one in five
in North America. The implication is clear: It is nearly impossible to live on this Earth and not be affected by mental illness,” says Alex Rodriguez, associate speaker for VOP and host of the series.

Camp Meeting attendees “prayer walk” in the early hours.

Story by Stephen Lee

The New Jersey Conference 2024 Camp Meeting was a remarkable event, held over two weekends: June 13–15 for English speakers and June 20–22 for Spanish speakers. This year marked the first time the camp meetings were conducted over three days, allowing for an enriching and immersive experience.

The camp meetings were packed with a variety of spiritual activities and seminars focused on fulfilling God’s mission. Each morning began with prayer walks led by dedicated prayer coordinators, providing attendees with a time for commitment and dedication.

Foto de Kelly Coe

Historia de V. Michelle Bernard / Traducción de Domitilla Rosette

Este verano, 6,689 conquistadores de Columbia Union asistieron al Camporee Internacional “Cree en la Promesa”, que se llevó a cabo por primera vez en Gillette, Wyoming. En la foto, el Pastor Esteban Paredes bautizó a Karla Lemus, miembro del club de la iglesia Adventista Hispana de Baltimore de la Chesapeake Conference.

Nicole Nase es la directora docente de Reading Junior Academy de Pennsylvania Conference.

Historia de V. Michelle Bernard / Traducción de Domitilla Rosette

Antes del inicio del año escolar 2024-25, unos 75 educadores de toda la Columbia Union se reunieron para el campamento de entrenamiento de directores.

“Nuestro objetivo del campamento de entrenamiento es preparar mejor a nuestros líderes para dirigir”, dice la organizadora del evento Jacqueline Messenger, directora asociada de educación secundaria en la Columbia Union. “Sabemos que ser director es uno de los trabajos más difíciles en nuestro sistema, y queremos apoyar y hacer crecer a nuestros directores”.

Historia de V. Michelle Bernard / Traducción de Domitilla Rosette

Adventist HealthCare ha nombrado a John Sackett como su nuevo presidente y director ejecutivo, a partir del 4 de agosto.

Sackett se ha desempeñado como director de operaciones de Adventist HealthCare desde el 2014 y se desempeñó como presidente del Centro Médico Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove del 2013 al 2019.

Sackett reemplazará a Terry Forde, expresidente y director ejecutivo de Adventist HealthCare, quien se incorporó a Health First, un sistema de salud con sede en el condado de Brevard, Florida.

Historia de V. Michelle Bernard / Traducción por Domitilla Rosette

El Comité Ejecutivo de Allegheny East Conference (AEC) eligió recientemente a Trevor Kinlock para que se desempeñe como nuevo presidente de AEC.

La votación fue para ocupar el puesto que anteriormente ocupaba Marcellus T. Robinson, quien ahora es el presidente de Columbia Union Conference.

Antes de este puesto, Kinlock se desempeñó como pastor principal de la iglesia Metropolitan en Hyattsville, Maryland, desde marzo del 2016. Anteriormente se desempeñó como líder del área de Virginia de AEC desde noviembre del 2008 hasta enero del 2016. Y continúa desempeñándose como profesor adjunto en Howard University, cargo que ocupa desde agosto del 2021.