Story by Andrew S. Lay
As I talk with parents and students about obtaining a Seventh-day Adventist education, an issue that often arises is how can they afford the investment and make it a reality. As an alumnus of Adventist education from elementary through graduate school, I understand this can be a challenge for families every year.
Below is a guide to assist in planning for a Seventh-day Adventist high school education.
Story by Esther Hernandez
“[This year] has been a memorable year for the family of Blue Mountain Academy,” says Sanghae Kim, Bible teacher and pastor of the Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) church. “Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the school closed as it was finishing a Week of Prayer. God blessed even that moment with six students getting baptized. And our spiritual revival has not stopped. Henrique Da Silva, a senior at BMA, and other leaders, started a prayer initiative each day at 9 p.m., calling for prayer for God’s protection and guidance. ... Each Wednesday a group of students meet with me online to study The Great Controversy and to pray together.”
by Anthony Baffi
When Gabriel Morales was a child, his parents, Francisco and Maria, took him and his three sisters to both the La Victoria and Perth Amboy Spanish churches.
Story by V. Michelle Bernard
Story by LaTasha Hewitt
The First Church of Coatesville in Pennsylvania recently organized a “Sunshine Ministry,” to bring joy to their senior members. The ministry group visits seniors at their doorstep, providing socially distanced fellowship, singing, prayer and encouraging words.
About 20 Coatesville members recently delivered baskets to seniors filled with brightly-colored snacks, a sunflower and a yard sign, reminding them that they were missed and loved.
The team visited 12 seniors, including a member who has been in a rehab facility for weeks. Although they weren’t allowed inside, they offered encouragement outside of her window.
Story by Valerie Morikone
Get to know Brittan Hewitt, the new Women’s Ministries director for the Mountain View Conference:
I grew up in Roanoke, Va. My parents divorced when I was very young, and I lived with my mom most of the time. My mom and stepdad were both in law enforcement, and my dad was a firefighter. My grandfather and mom made sure I knew about Jesus and went to church. I went to a Christian school until eighth grade, then attended public school.
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), the global humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, announced today that its Board of Directors has unanimously elected Michael Kruger as its new president, effective immediately.
Kruger was elected president in October 2019 to complete the five-year term of former president Jonathan Duffy. A search committee appointed by ADRA’s Board of Directors conducted a global executive search to identify a permanent president, and after an extensive review of candidates, the board selected Kruger.
Story by V. Michelle Bernard
Story by Benia Jennings
According to Shirley Benton, the Allegheny West Conference Women’s Ministries director, the number one need in the Church right now is connectedness. This is especially true for women. However, with social distancing and the rules that are in place, staying in contact with one another has become more of a challenge.
Story by Heidi Shoemaker
During the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio Conference leadership recognized one thing: Ministry does not stop. Woven into their COVID-19 “Ministry Action Plan” are words of encouragement: “Worship is a way of life and has not, and will not, be canceled. Ministry does not stop because we cannot worship together in a building. Ministry can and will continue because of you.”
Pastors, teachers, church members and students quickly adapted to virtual worship and classes, finding innovative ways to remain connected and share Jesus with others. Pastors met weekly via Zoom, sharing what was working within their regions and seeking guidance for difficult circumstances. Innovation and perseverance flourished across churches and schools during quarantine.