Story by Tiffany Forde
When Cincinnati Public Schools resumed classes after summer break last week, hundreds of children arrived with backpacks and school supplies, thanks to the 3rd annual “Day of Blessing” Back-to-School event, held at Allegheny West Conference’s Shiloh church in the Avondale neighborhood in Cincinnati.
Story by Iris Argueta
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is continuing to collaborate with Adventist Health and Adventist Community Services (ACS) to help Maui communities recover. Over $100,000 in emergency products and cash is being donated by the global humanitarian organization to support ACS and Adventist Health in responding to the tragic wildfires in Hawaii.
Story by LaTasha Hewitt
When community residents learned they would no longer receive the extra food assistance they received during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mizpah and New Life churches in Philadelphia stepped in to fill the gap.
Editorial by Jerry Lutz
I have a friend who has a strange habit of reading the last chapter of books first. He says it’s because he wants to know if the book will be worth the investment of his time and energy to read the whole thing. He also deliberately reads book reviews that contain spoilers for the same reason. “Why would I spend all that time reading a book that has a disappointing ending?” he reasons. “And besides, if I know it ends well, I then will read it from cover to cover to discover why it ends well.” I guess there are some people who just don’t like surprises. Apparently, my friend is one of them. To each his own.
Story by Tamyra Horst
João Gabriel Ramos Marques’ mother prayed for her son. She knew his friends were a bad influence on him and saw the poor choices he was making. She believed that God would change her son and the direction of his life.
“My mother never gave up on me, despite my rebellious actions,” shares Marques. “She sent me to Faculdade Adventista da Amazonia, an Adventist school in Brazil, in hopes that I could find truth and Jesus.”
Story by Stephen Lee
Sixty Children’s Ministries local church directors and staff from 22 churches attended the Children’s Ministries Convention earlier this year. Pamela Daly and Ana Maria Benzaquen from the North American Division Children’s Ministries Department presented the Ministering to Families track in English and Spanish.
The certification track ended on Saturday night with a graduation where many received a certificate and pin. On Sunday, the attendees participated in the Vacation Bible eXperience (VBX) live expo where they were equipped to conduct a week of VBX at their local churches.
Just before the NAD Educators Convention in Phoenix, over 40 passionate North American Division science teachers embarked on a journey with Geoscience Research Institute (GRI) scientists to explore the magnificent landscapes of the Petrified Forest National Park, the Grand Canyon, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, and more.
As I read Jesus’ words in John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled”(NKJV), I cannot stop thinking about my 2-year-old granddaughter, Catalina, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. How can I accept Jesus’ words when we—humankind—become so overwhelmed by problems that are many times beyond our control?
Story by LaTasha Hewitt
Allegheny East Conference's Capitol Hill church in Washington, D.C., holds various “Acts of Kindness” days throughout the year where they minister to the Washington, D.C., community in various ways. Recently, volunteers delivered food and beverages to those experiencing homelessness, while other volunteers delivered a hot breakfast to D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department. They also distributed cards and prayed over the officers.
Story by Debra Anderson
The Potomac Conference ministerial spouses braved the heavy rain, limited visibility and congested roadways to attend a gathering planned just for them. Spouses traveled from Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., to connect with each other during a recent weekend retreat in Cambridge, Md. The gathering was the first time in more than 30 years that ministerial spouses in the Potomac Conference could come together to experience ministry prepared specifically for their hearts and souls.