Editorial by Andre Hastick
It’s 2021, and we turn a new page in our calendars. But now, perhaps more than ever, we hope to not only turn a literal page, but a figurative one as well. We seek to turn a new page on the global pandemic. We seek to turn a new page with the employment rate in our nation. We seek to turn a new page to reclaim a sense of “normalcy” again.
Story by Tamyra Horst
Story by Jackie Smith
With camp meeting approaching, it was clear that something needed to be done about the cratered dirt road leading into Camp Mohaven—the conference’s summer camp and retreat facilities, located in Danville. The cost to repair it was $10,000, with no funds in the budget available. Prayerfully, the conference moved forward on the project, not knowing where the money would come from.
Story by LaTasha Hewitt
In response to the pandemic, Rehoboth church members in Reading, Pa., wanted to reach their neighboring community. After assessing community needs, Catrice Davis-Ford, Rehoboth’s Adventist Community Services leader, proposed relaunching the church’s food pantry.
Davis-Ford discovered Helping Harvest, an organization that partners with churches for food distribution. To spread the word about the relaunch, members shared flyers within a five-mile radius and began preparing for the COVID-safe initiative.
Church members distributed food on the church grounds, making it safe and easy for individuals to pick up their pre-packaged boxes and keep the line moving. The meals included enough food for a family to eat for two weeks.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20, NKJV).
To me, this verse is one of the most personal, heartfelt invitations in the Bible. So often we think of Revelation as the book about the antichrist, the mark of the beast, or the seven last plagues. But first and foremost, it is a book where Jesus patiently waits for us to surrender our hearts to Him so that He can love and lead us.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” (Matt. 5:11–12, NIV).
When I was a kid, I used to firmly say I’d be willing to bear persecution— and even die for Jesus. These verses, spoken by Jesus, touch me personally and give me courage to be a witness for Him—no matter the consequence.
“Nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (2 Chron. 20:12, NKJV).
Once I “found” this verse, it became a favorite of mine. One Bible that I own is full of verses colored in blue to remind me of God’s special promises. This is one of those special verses that has not only helped me handle those tough moments in life, but I believe it has also strengthened those with whom I’ve shared this verse.
Why do we think we can go through life without leaning on the Lord for His guidance and deliverance? My husband, Dan, and I have faced some pretty tough situations in life—dead-end battles—or so they’ve seemed. But I’ve discovered that, as our walk with God continues, we need to keep our eyes on Him and go along for the ride. It’s not always easy though.
“For I know the plans I have for you ... plans to prosper you and not to harm you ... to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11, NIV).
The biochemistry textbook was thick and assignments ominous. My primary question was not Will I survive this class? but Is this even necessary?
Though I had weathered challenges before, the horror stories about my university’s Biochemistry course alarmed me. A graduating senior, I was already swamped by other academic and extracurricular commitments.
Embarking on a detailed, fast-paced journey, I increasingly appreciated how biology and chemistry intertwined. I had a C, however, which terrified me. God, what is happening? I began to ask.
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16:11, KJV).
My mother’s passing at the age of 91 was “lost” in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, but I remember her and her great personal sacrifice when our father returned from the Vietnam War in 1968, only to abandon the family 10 days later.
The text says that God will “shew me the path of life,” but for a 15-year-old whose life had just imploded, I could not see my way forward. Thank God for a mother with a deep faith and a desire to follow truth wherever it led.
We're going to dig deeper into this conversation Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. on VNL. Are there any questions YOU have for these pastors? Anything you've noticed along this topic? Join us here or on facebook.com/columbiaunionvisitor.
Join our conversation with Pastor Heather Crews, Pastor Cesar Gonzales, Volunteer Lay Pastor Lance Moncrieffe, Columbia Union Executive Secretary Rick Remmers and Pastoral Assistant Naomi Tricomi.