Story by Paulo Macena
Jorge Aguero, New Jersy Conference Personal Ministries director, recently wrote Acts of Compassion and Faith, a practical Bible study guide. It is specifically designed for small groups or family settings. Each chapter includes three sections: a specific Bible lesson, a discovery of Jesus’ teachings and a practical way to share His messages, love and compassion. The guides are available in English and Spanish.
Story by Heidi Shoemaker
Story by Tiffany Doss
A group of college students meet twice a month at the University of Maryland (UMD) in College Park to study the Bible, share their faith and connect with Adventist students who may not have a home church. Adventist Student Fellowship (ASF) is a university- recognized Bible study group that holds a steady membership of more than 20 students. Members shine their lights on the secular campus by staying true to their convictions and sharing them with friends, classmates and professors.
Story by Jessica Beans
On Saturday, April 29, Kettering College will confer degrees and certificates on 200 students at the school’s 49th annual commencement ceremonies. The event will be held at the Dayton Convention Center. Dr. Jonathan Velasco, an alum of Kettering College and surgeon at Kettering Physician Network Surgery—Dayton Surgeons, will be the keynote speaker. This year will also commemorate Kettering College’s 50th anniversary.
Story by Donna Bigler
Washington Adventist University (WAU) is mourning the death of James William Burns III, an alumnus, former coach of the gymnastics team and head of Physical Education. He passed away last week on April 19 at the age of 84, surrounded by his family. He will long be remembered for his love of life and his positive attitude, as well as his penchant for doing handstands on the roof and his passion for running.
Eight teams from the Columbia Union Conference placed first at the recent North American Division Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE) in Chicago. Six teams placed second. To achieve first place, a team must score 90 percent of the top scoring team's score. Second place teams must earn 80 percent of the top scoring team's score.
See the results below:
Allegheny East Conference
Genesis (NJ) Jaguars: Second Place
Liberty (Md.) Light Bearers Gold: First Place
Story by Donna Bigler
Maryland Comptroller and Honorary Alumnus Peter Franchot will be the commencement speaker for Washington Adventist University’s 2017 Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, April 30. Franchot is one of four state-wide elected officials in Maryland, and is the state’s 33rd comptroller, currently serving his third term in that office. Commencement will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Show Place Arena, located at 14900 Pennsylvania Avenue in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
Story by LaTasha Hewitt
The Bethel French church in Trenton, N.J., recently graduated 17 students in a church-sponsored Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program. Recognizing the need to equip members with skills for acquiring employment, Luckson Innocent, church treasurer, birthed the idea.
The Bethel church partnered with Yves Annie Ervilus, dean of the Broadway Vocational Technical School, LLC, in Camden, N.J., to conduct a five-week program. At the completion of the program, participants were certified to seek employment as a CNA.
Editorial by Seán Robinson
Some years ago, I picked up a travel book titled 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. This best-seller describes a myriad of amazing places to visit around the globe far beyond the Seven Wonders of the World. While I had already been to some places, others beckoned me with the lure of the exotic and the unknown. As my “bucket list” expanded, I found myself looking forward to new adventures.
Story by V. Michelle Bernard
Kristiana Hoffman, a 12-year-old from Charleston, W.Va., wants to be a missionary when she grows up. In January she started practicing.
After reading that 10 people die each day from drowning, Hoffman came up with a plan to help teach children to swim while introducing them to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Hoffman, a member of the Mountain View Conference’s Charleston (W.Va.) church, started taking swimming lessons at age three, and recently hosted swim classes for the community at a local pool.