News

 Ross Avery Gordon

Story by Ron Mills

Takoma Academy (TA) recently hosted a memorable week of spiritual commitments. “The Holy Spirit moved freely as God spoke through speaker Willie Ramos,” says Carla Thrower, principal.

Chaplain Luis Camps and the pastoral staff at the Restoration Praise Center in Bowie, Md., invited Ramos, a pastor from South Florida often known as the “Ghetto Preacher,” to be the speaker for the spring week of prayer at the school.

Camps says they invited Ramos (pictured left) to speak at the school last year, “But it was impossible at the time. I see now that God’s timing is always right.”

Swamidas Johnson, director of Hope Channel India, baptizes one of the many candidates that attended the 10-day evangelistic series held in the Vyasarpadi district of Chennai, India.

Story by Samantha Young

Three members from the Chesapeake Conference recently traveled to southeastern India to conduct a series of evangelistic meetings in the Vyasarpadi district of Chennai. With a population of 8.6 million people, Chennai is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.

Rosalind Beswick and Carl Rogers help Susan Riddle (center) prepare for her baptism.

Story by Allegheny West Conference Staff

It’s not often someone walks into a church and says, "If there is a baptism anytime soon, I want to be in it." But that's exactly what Susanne Riddle did. Riddle had been listening to the Amazing Facts radio broadcast for more than a year when, she says, the Holy Spirit convicted her to begin obeying what she had learned. After several attempts she found a Seventh-day Adventist church.

Ann Roda

Story by Adventist HeathCare Staff

As her patient’s vital signs dropped, Ann Roda held his hand and prayed. She had been working as a nurse on a shock trauma unit when a college student was rushed in with fatal stab wounds. It soon became apparent that his family would not arrive in time to say goodbye. She remained at his bedside and offered comfort and prayer in his final moments.

“I became his family in that very moment,” Roda says. “There was a calmness and peace that came over him as I held his hand. The experience solidified for me what healthcare truly means.”

Pastors John Boston and Roman Lopez (left) pose with new members

Story by Allegheny West Conference Staff

Pastor John T. Boston, II, and the Columbus Central church family are forging a new path for ministry in the Allegheny West Conference (AWC). After one year of praying and planning, Boston and Sergio Romero, AWC multicultural/church growth director, flew to Campeche, Mexico, and drove Pastor Roman Lopez and his wife, Karina, back to Columbus. Pastor Lopez now serves as the pastor for Hispanic ministries at Central.

Story by Columbia Union and Potomac Conference Staff

The Board of Education and constituents of John Nevins Andrews (JNA) and Sligo Adventist School, both located in Takoma Park, Md., have approved a proposal to merge and create a new K through eighth-grade school.

Slated to open July 1, 2017, the vision is, “to create an innovative model of Adventist education that provides a holistic learning experience, nurtures faith, develops character and promotes academic excellence…”

Story by Frenita Buddy Fullwood

The Board of Adventist Risk Management, Inc. has named Tim Northrop as the new President, CEO for the company and its affiliated Gencon Insurance companies. Northrop has extensive knowledge in insurance after serving in multiple positions within ARM, most recently as Senior Vice President. He replaces Bob Kyte who retires May 31 to pursue other business opportunities in Idaho.

Story by Jessica Beans

Despite the cold weather, more than 500 gathered at Kettering College’s eighth annual Spring Into Health 5K run/walk and Wellness and Fun Fair on Sunday, April 10.

“I was impressed with the turnout in spite of the cold weather this year,” says Victor Brown, dean for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs. “Over the years this event has grown, but we hope that the number of participants will continue to grow so that we will be able to donate even more in the future!”

Paula Olivier, pastor of First church of Montclair in Montclair, N.J., says that for years the Lord impressed her to explain the Sabbath in a different way. “As Seventh-day Adventists, I think we excel at explaining the ‘what‘ of our beliefs, but sometimes pay little attention to the ’why.’ I believe that once [we] define the “why,” we can teach others to embrace the Sabbath as an extension of God’s love for us,” she adds.