Story by Cinthia Portanova
Andre Ascalon, who retired at the end of 2022, served in the New Jersey Conference (NJC) for 38 years—20 years as a lay pastor and 18 as a full-time pastor, alongside his wife, Hillary. “My wife has been the most integral part of my ministry. This is a match made in heaven,” says Ascalon. “I think she is everything to my ministry.”
Story by Tamyra Horst
Volunteers recently came equipped with shovels and a commitment to the students at York Adventist Christian School and Harrisburg Adventist School, transforming their playgrounds with new rubber mulch floors.
Story by Liz Bailey
Daniel Venegas, district pastor of Mountain View Conference's Buckhannon, Braxton, and Glenville churches, planned to baptize four people at the Buckhannon church late last year.
One by one, the candidates entered the water, ranging from young to old—the oldest being 91-yearold Benny. As Venegas finished the baptisms, he asked if there was anyone else who wanted to commit their lives to Jesus. A little hand shot up. It was Vann Parker, a first grader who had been raised in the church. Venegas smiled and acknowledged him, stating, “That’s great, we will talk.”
Editorial by Leona Bange
“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men’” (Mark 1:17, NKJV).
Jesus invited Peter and Andrew to follow Him. For the next three years, He taught them about God, to pray and to share the gospel. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, these apostles shared the good news of Christ and “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6, NKJV). Those watching noted that their lives were transformed because they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).
Story by V. Michelle Bernard
Story by Jerry Woods
WGTS 91.9 helped welcome locals and visitors to one of the area’s biggest events, the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Each year over a million people, including visitors from around the world, come to the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., to see the burst of color of hundreds of cherry trees.
Story by Jaslyn Valverde
For the last couple of years, I’ve been participating in Partnership for Eternity. Since 2006, this program has been helping cultivate relationships between mentors and students at Seventh-day Adventist academies and elementary schools. The goal of the program is for students and mentors to create relationships and experience the blessing of service together. It has also been created to help retired individuals connect more with youth by build- ing relationships and learning from each other.
Editorial by Bob Cundiff
As we end the first quarter of 2023 here in the Ohio Conference, we are so grateful for each member across this great state! Looking back on how God brought us through 2022, we can only marvel and praise Him for all He has done—the state of the Seventh-day Adventist churches across the territory is continuing to grow.
Last year was a fantastic year! Our churches were pressing together. People were involved in the mission, message and movement of Adventism in a way that was unprecedented in our recent history. Our tithe was up. And this has continued into 2023.
March 28, 2023
For Immediate Release
Statement From the Columbia Union Conference Regarding Allegations at Kettering Health
The Columbia Union Conference is aware and takes seriously allegations of inappropriate fiscal and operational management at Kettering Health, a nonprofit health care organization sponsored by the Columbia Union.
The allegations are currently being investigated by an external firm retained by the Kettering Health Board to conduct a thorough and independent examination.
