Story by V. Michelle Bernard
Belinda Cheeseboro, an Andrews University (Mich.) 2015 graduate who is now working on a Ph.D. in Physics and Astronomy at West Virginia University, participated in research that was recently recognized with a Nobel Prize.
Editorial by Rick Remmers
This fall marks the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. While Martin Luther was not the first reformer, his posting and printing of the 95 Theses, or complaints against the Catholic Church, are considered the launching point of the reformation.
One of the foundational doctrines of the reformation was sola scriptura—a recognition that the Bible alone is to be our source of doctrines and practice. Rather than accepting church tradition or other kinds of authority, we must look to the Bible as the reliable source of God’s teaching and direction for our lives.
Story by Oksana Wetmore
Over the past five years, the number of women in pastoral ministry within the Columbia Union Conference has grown to 40. Meet six women pastors who reflect on their call to ministry, as well as their challenges, successes and blessings.
Heather Crews
Mentored for Ministry
Growing up in a dual pastors’ family, Heather Crews was no stranger to a pastor’s lifestyle. As a 9-year-old heading from one church service to another, she recalls being a strong-willed pastor’s kid, grabbing at every chance to delve into challenging Bible discussions with her father. “It was a joy to travel with my dad on the open road between Bible studies,” she says.
Story by V. Michelle Bernard
Fourteen Columbia Union Conference members, including 11 sponsored by the union’s Adventist Community Services/Disaster Response (ACS/DR) Department, spent up to two weeks sorting supplies, distributing water and praying with residents impacted by Hurricane Harvey. This initiative took place at North American Division’s ACS-sponsored distribution center at the World Harvest Outreach church in Houston.
Within the Columbia Union Conference, 40 women clergy serve as pastors, chaplains, religion professors and ministry leaders. In honor of Pastor Appreciation Month, we recognize and applaud their dedication to advancing Christ's mission in the October issue.
Read and share these stories from the October 2017 Visitor:
Story by Visitor Staff
"It was fascinating to learn their stories and see their determination to serve,” says David Brillhart, director and co-writer of a 2016 documentary about four women pastors and their journeys to find acceptance in the churches they were called to serve. Among them is Heather Crews (pictured), pastor of Potomac Conference's Courthouse Road church in North Chesterfield, Va.
The film was the brainchild of Time for Equality in Adventist Ministry (TEAM), chaired by Beverly Habada, a member of the Potomac Conference’s Sligo church in Takoma Park, Md., who wants to help “break down barriers for women in ministry.”
View the documentary here.
Historia de V. Michelle Bernard
José H. Cortés padre, presiden
te de la Conferencia de Nueva Jersey durante los últimos 10 años, se retira. Los líderes de la Unión, en la reunión de septiembre del Comité Ejecutivo, le dieron un reconocimiento a Cortés por sus 50 años de servicio a la Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día, 30 de los cuales fueron en la Unión de Columbia.
Historia de pastor de la Conferencia de Allegheny West
Hace tres años, Cincinnati sólo tenía una iglesia adventista del séptimo día y un grupo pequeño. Hoy la Conferencia de Allegheny West (AWC) tiene cinco prósperas iglesias hispanas y dos a punto de abrirse. La Conferencia de Ohio también está plantando una iglesia allí.
Story by Allegheny West Conference Staff
Three years ago, Cincinnati had only one Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist church and one small group. Today Allegheny West Conference (AWC) has five thriving Hispanic churches and two church plants in the city that are about to open. Ohio Conference also has one church plant.
Historia de V. Michelle Bernard
La Unión de Columbia se despide de Seth Bardu, quien sirvió como tesorero de la Unión durante casi 12 años. “Más que administrar el dinero y procesar la nómina, promovió la tesorería como un centro de recursos para el ministerio y la misión”, dijo Dave Weigley, presidente, en un comunicado oficial.
Bardu se unió al equipo de oficiales de la Unión en 2006 y anteriormente trabajó en la tesorería de la Conferencia del Noreste, la Unión del Sur, el Sistema de Salud Adventista y la Conferencia Central del Sur.
Bardu renunció el 31 de agosto. En su reunión de septiembre, Weigley pidió al Comité Ejecutivo de la Unión de Columbia que seleccionara un comité de búsqueda para comenzar el proceso de encontrar un nuevo tesorero.