News | Seventh-day Adventist Church

Students Receive Caring Heart Awards

Story by Visitor Staff / Photo by Leandro Lima

Nine students from academies within the Columbia Union Conference recently received the Office of Education’s annual Caring Heart Award. The following graduates were nominated for demonstrating a personal commitment to service and witnessing.

Blue Mountain Academy – Lorena D. Alves
Highland View Academy – Catarina Sanches
Lake Nelson Adventist Academy – Brendan Sierra
Pine Forge Academy – Jonathan Williamson
Richmond Academy – Wendy Reyes (pictured above with Principal Nancy Malashenko)
Shenandoah Valley Academy – Pedro Teste-Pereira
Spencerville Adventist Academy – Favour Ogbue
Spring Valley Academy – Janelle Richardson
Takoma Academy – Taylor A. Gordon

"Master, Don't You Care?"

Editorial by Emmanuel Asiedu

As Christians, we possess the head knowledge about God’s promises and plans for our lives. We understand that all things work together for good, as indicated in Romans 8:28. However, many times our belief in His care and protection doesn’t translate into our response to life’s difficulties.

Members Help Clean Up Flood Damage

During an event to help clean up Baltimore homes impacted by recent floods, Derrick Lea (left), director of Adventist Community Services (ACS) Disaster Response (DR) at the North American Division, and David Franklin (right), pastor of Allegheny East Conference’s Miracle City church in Baltimore, pray with Dionne, whose home was one of the hardest hit properties on Frederick Avenue.

Rewired for Victory

Photo of Kayla Dehm during a jiu-jitsu class session. by Brian Tagalog

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Standing on the podium to receive the 2018 International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Adult Female Blue Medium-Heavy World title this spring, Kayla Dehm was able to be “present in the moment and enjoy how far God had taken her,” she says—a much different place than where she was last year.

Growth Spurt: How Demographic Shifts Are Impacting How We Minister

Members from Chesapeake Conference’s Atholton church—Sarah and Anna Singalla, Janet Keng Asare, Pastor Shawn Paris, Jasmin Elliott and Jair Parada—were photographed by Brian Patrick Tagalog in Columbia, Md.

Story by Edwin Manuel Garcia/ Images by Brian Tagalog, Kristi Rutt, Marving Alegria, Goodness Mcfiberesima and Tracey Brown

Washington Adventist Hospital Earns Award for High-Quality Heart Care

Story by Betty Klinck

Adventist HealthCare's Washington Adventist Hospital (WAH) has received a national award for its high-quality care of heart attack patients—one of only 203 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor.

The American College of Cardiology’s NCDR ACTION Registry honored WAH with the 2018 Platinum Performance Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients.

Finding Unity in Mission

Editorial by Bill Miller

The book of Acts recounts the church’s ability to function together, as well as the struggles and successes encountered when a church body attempts to fulfill the Great Commission. While their involvement took some prodding from the Holy Spirit, they became active agents for the mission of heaven. In Acts of the Apostles, Ellen White reminds us that “one common interest controlled them—the success of the mission entrusted to them” (p. 70).

What Does the Baker Supreme Court Case Mean for Adventists?

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

This week the Supreme Court of the United States of America decided in favor of Jack Phillips, a Christian baker in Colorado, who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple because of his religious convictions. The case, watched closely by religious liberty experts, highlighted the tension between gay rights and same-sex interests and the rights of those with religious convictions who feel that providing certain services to same-sex individuals violates their right to practice their religion.

The couple filed a charge of discrimination, saying that Phillips violated the public accommodations law of Colorado that prohibits businesses from discriminatorily refusing services to protected classes, which include sexual orientation.

Help Clean up Flood Damage in Maryland

The Columbia Union Conference Adventist Community Services (ACS), NAD ACS and Allegheny East Conference's Miracle City church in Baltimore are partnering to help clean-up flood damage in Maryland. They need your help!

See the note from the NAD ACS for more information.

Elementary Schools to Use Encounter Bible Curriculum

Lanelle Cobbin speaks with teachers from G.E. Peters at an Encounter curriculum training.

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

This coming fall, all Columbia Union Conference elementary students will be studying Bible class with the new Adventist Encounter Bible Curriculum. High school classes across the union already use this program that promotes the Bible as the primary textbook, and encourages a deeper relationship with God through hands-on activities.