Story by V. Michelle Bernard with reporting by Debra Anderson
Jacqueline Messenger, associate director for secondary education at the Columbia Union Conference, has announced her plans to retire this summer. At their meeting Thursday, the Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee voted to have Steve Laing, vice president for Education at the Potomac Conference, fill the role starting this summer.
Story by V. Michelle Bernard
This past Sabbath, 76 Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE) teams from across the Columbia Union Conference gathered at Takoma Academy in Takoma Park, Md., for Columbia Union’s PBE.
Before the testing portion of the event, Sherilyn O’Ffill, event coordinator, told the participants, “No matter what else happens today, you have already succeeded. You have spent at least two months studying two books, [Romans and 1 Corinthians], of the Bible.”
Thirty-four of these teams placed first and will continue to the North American Division event April 25–26 in Battle Creek, Mich.
Allegheny East Conference
Historia de Tamyra Horst
La iglesia Shalom Hispanic de la Pennsylvania Conference en Reading celebró el primer sábado del nuevo año de la mejor manera posible: con un bautismo.
Mientras estudiábamos sobre el bautismo en el pequeño grupo semanal de la familia Vázquez, una de las integrantes se sintió convencida para bautizarse. Sus dos hermanas siguieron su ejemplo y, en enero, Janel, Johanna y Juliani Sánchez (en la foto con pastor Elias Saud) se unieron oficialmente a la iglesia.
“A Community Transformed” is the theme for this year’s Global Youth Day, March 15. To celebrate this event, the General Conference Youth Ministries Department is inviting youth, ages 4 to 30, to get active in their churches, schools and cities to share the three angels’ messages.
In past years, groups around the world have helped elderly community members with chores, held special prayer sessions, visited residents of nursing homes, distributed food and more.
We can’t wait to see your creative ideas and projects! Tag the Visitor on Instagram: @columbiaunionvisitor.
Story by Tamyra Horst
Pennsylvania Conference’s Williamsport church has distributed 6,000 copies of The Great Controversy in their community over the last two years.
The evangelistic initiative began when member Amy Fulmer heard General Conference President Ted N.C. Wilson challenge the Seventh-day Adventist Church to distribute the books in 2023 and 2024. “We took him seriously,” she shares. “What a blessing it has been!”
Story by Amanda Blake
Many of the church leaders who spoke to the Visitor for the March/April 2025 issue’s feature article also shared pragmatic advice for congregations hosting meaningful holiday programs that connect people and point them to Jesus.
Start the legwork now by preaching sermons on outreach. Motivate members early.
When pitching the program to your church, ensure everyone understands the rationale behind the event: to connect with people who are seeking a connection with God.
Story by V. Michelle Bernard
While some health experts have advocated a small amount of wine for health benefits, Seventh-day Adventists have long been against alcohol consumption in any amount.
Join us March 5 at noon for a time of prayer and praise—with a special emphasis on acceptance, peace and healing in our lives and the world. We’ll also hear from Ohio Conference leaders on how God is using Pentecost 2025 to bless their territory. Bring your prayer requests so we can pray over them together.
Attend via Zoom
https://zoom.us/j/98016871597?pwd=5dgI0ZACUHdD5rEagWIkOwa8QH8EjI.1
Meeting ID: 980 1687 1597
Passcode: 715959
Story by Silvia Lutick
Adam Bially, the Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) pastor, has been working closely with students who have expressed interest in sharing the Word of Jesus to their fellow peers and community. Student speakers Nathalia Phu, David Desouza, Loriann Korley and Jordan Slifka were recently invited to act on this interest by speaking at Reading Junior Academy’s (RJA) Week of Prayer.
Historia de V. Michelle Bernard
Los Adventistas del Séptimo Día han estado durante mucho tiempo en contra del consumo de alcohol en cualquier cantidad, mientras que algunos expertos en salud han abogado por una pequeña cantidad de vino para obtener beneficios para la salud.