Story by North American Division of Communication Staff
From April 7-9, student filmmakers gathered at Loma Linda University Church for the 20th annual Sonscreen Film Festival, which included the world premiere of Hope Media Europe’s series. More than 150 attended the festival this year, with more than 300 attending the Friday evening premiere of Encounters.
Story by Ricardo Bacchus
Eight-year-old José Martínez didn’t know what to do or who to turn to. His mom abused him verbally and physically, frequently saying, “Why didn’t I get an abortion?” His brother bullied him. His sister ignored him. His stepdad, an alcoholic and drug addict, deserted him. Martínez longed to be wanted; he felt abandoned instead.
One day in his hometown of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, Martínez saw his brother and cousin smoking weed. Wanting an escape from the reality of life, he tried it and was instantly hooked. Finally, I found something that makes me feel whole, he thought.
Story by Natalie Lilly, Communication Intern
Rachel Ondimu and her family prayed for years that her stepfather, Courtney Cuffie, would accept Jesus and attend church with them.
“I’ve grown up with my stepfather since I was very little, and he’s always been a kind and gentle man. He would drop my mom off at church every Sabbath, but we were always hopeful he would give his heart to the Lord,” says Ondimu.
She, her mother, and two of her children, Obed and Ruhamah, recently attended an evangelistic series at the Allentown church, where the children decided they wanted to study for baptism.
Story by Esther Hernandez
Senior Helmi Calles recently received the 2021 Susan Berry Leadership award at RingFest, held in Toledo, Ohio. The award recognizes one bell choir student each year in the North American Division who “demonstrates outstanding leadership in the art of handbells.” This is the second consecutive year that a Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) student has received this award.
Story by Andrew S. Lay
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, Highland View Academy (HVA) has experienced miraculous protection from the virus on campus and among its faculty and students.
In fact, HVA has been fully open and in person since fall 2020, without any student or teaching staff contracting the disease during their time on campus. School leaders thank God for providing His protection and allowing HVA to fully function within the CDC guidelines.
Story by Ken Flemmer
Story by Valerie Morikone
Mountain View Conference's Cumberland (Md.) congregation has been steadily working on their new church building and started to get quotes on reconnecting their baptistry plumbing.
Story by Courtney Dove
Kettering College is excited to announce its new partnership with the Ohio Department of Education. Beginning Fall 2022, more students will have the financial ability to obtain a nursing degree from Kettering College.
The Ohio Department of Higher Education announced on April 4, 2022 that they are awarding Kettering College funds for the use of the Choose Ohio First scholarship program (COF). Choose Ohio First is part of Ohio's strategic effort to bolster the state in the global marketplace of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM). COF awards scholarship funding to selected Ohio colleges and universities to support undergraduate and qualifying graduate students in innovative academic programs.
Story by Tamyra Horst
Mark your calendars for June 14–18, to hear author and speaker David Asscherick at the 2022 Pennsylvania Conference Camp Meeting, held on the campus of Blue Mountain Academy in Hamburg.
Statement from ADRA:
"Europe is facing a long-term massive humanitarian crisis. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has been on the ground since the conflict began on February 24 and has been serving communities in Ukraine and the surrounding region for the past 30 years. The demands for humanitarian assistance have been ever-changing and growing. ADRA has deployed additional emergency response teams and dispatched numerous humanitarian convoys to assist and evacuate displaced families and people in conflict-ravaged regions. We have escalated resources to assist refugees who have crossed into neighboring regions and are developing long-term programs for families and children to thrive. We want everyone to have access to education, children's services, job placement, health care, and other essential services to help them succeed in their communities," says Michael Kruger, president of ADRA International.
"ADRA is grateful to our Adventist Church family, trusted partners, supporters, and thousands of volunteers for their tireless dedication and contributions. As the global humanitarian agency of the Adventist Church, ADRA reaffirms its commitment to serve, protect, and stand for the Ukraine people and all communities impacted by this unending crisis."