Story by Bryant Smith
Allegheny West Conference's Shiloh church in Cincinnati, recently celebrated its 103rd anniversary with a special homecoming week. The theme was: “Empowering Disciples—the Call to Serve.” Every aspect of the event glori ed God for leading the congregation to disciple and be disci- pled in the city of Cincinnati.
Story by Roger Thaxton
Christians are accustomed to hearing how God has answered the prayers of His children. In fact many can recount how God has personally answered their prayers of faith. It seems to be a part of the Christian walk.
Editorial by José H. Cortés
The New Jersey Conference Executive Committee and ministerial body has declared 2017 as a special year of compassion. We have adopted the theme, “Live Compassion.” We are inviting and encouraging every conference entity—every church, school, officer, department leader and church member—to embrace this great movement that Jesus Himself began. “When He saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” (Matt. 9:36, KJV). Being compassionate is very different than talking about it, and I assure to you that you’ll be the happiest person in church if you live compassion out.
Story by Bill Miller
The Bible reminds us that “for where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matt. 18:20, NIV). No matter the size of the group, when we gather in His name, His presence is there. What a great promise and privilege!
This year we will be opening a new chapter of camp meeting experiences. We look forward to growing together as disciples, enriching our relationship with Jesus and equipping ourselves to be about His mission.
Story by Blue Mountain Academy Staff
Blue Mountain Academy has successfully continued to build on its efforts to strengthen a global program that allows American students to sit side by side with students from around the world, as they and staff members learn from educators in other countries.
Editorial by Rick Remmers
Hope is an interesting word. We hope for a lot of different things. We hope it won’t rain on the day we’ve planned a picnic. We hope there are no traffic jams on our commute to work. We hope to be able to find our favorite socks. We hope our teacher doesn’t give us a pop quiz.
Then there are the more substantive concerns. We hope there is more money in our account than days in the month. We hope our nation enacts laws promoting justice and equality. We hope our employer’s business does well so our job is secure. We hope organizations we are part of will promote fairness and opportunity.
Editorial by Dave Weigley
This year marks 500 years since Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany (Oct. 31, 1517), challenging the established religious beliefs and practices of his denomination, and launching the Protestant Reformation. Conscientiously, he could not reconcile church practices with biblical teachings as he understood them.
Four years later, when summoned by church authorities to recant his teachings, he uttered: “I cannot and I will not retract, for it is unsafe for a Christian to speak against his conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other; may God help me? Amen” (Merle d’Aubigne, History of the Reformation in the 16th Century, b. 7, ch. 8, cited in The Great Controversy, p. 160.2).
