Story by LaTasha Hewitt
Bennie W. Mann, Sr., former Allegheny East Conference treasurer, recently passed away at his home in Pine Forge, Pa. In 1967, Mann began his career with the Allegheny East Conference (AEC) as the business manager of Pine Forge Academy (PFA). He was then invited to serve as the assistant treasurer of AEC in 1973 before being voted as treasurer in 1978. He served as treasurer until his retirement in 1996, having amassed more than 44 years of church employment.
Story by Esther Hernandez
Forty years ago this September, Jim Slater, then a freshman at Pennsylvania Conference’s Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) in Hamburg, broke his neck, became paralyzed, stopped breathing and almost died.
“It is an outright miracle from God that I am alive today,” Slater shares. “And because of my gratitude to God for what He did for me, I am dedicating my race this September as a way to raise funds to help other students attend BMA, to help them connect with God for all of eternity.”
Story by Tracey Jackson
This year, Allegheny East Conference's Pine Forge Academy (PFA) Honor Class of 1971 wanted to connect with the graduating Class of 2021 in a direct and specific way prior to graduation weekend.
Through the collaboration of PFA’s Career Readiness Program and the Alumni Association Student Enrichment Team, the two classes met via Zoom during a monthly Senior Night to spark new relationships, network and share ideas. The Class of 1971 members provided invaluable mentoring for the 2021 graduates, as several Senior Night meetings had Q&A sessions.
Story by Andrew S. Lay
Who could’ve imagined that three young people who all lived in Mongolia at one point in time would reunite, become friends and graduate together at Chesapeake Conference's Highland View Academy (HVA)?
Story by Katie Rae Miller
Summer camp has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.
When you are little, camp is about having fun doing activities, making friends and singing camp songs. As you grow older, camp and the lessons you learn from worships become even more meaningful. On the last night of camp, songs like “Someday” make for the most special time because we come to understand that someday all of us
will be in heaven together.
Story by Potomac Conference Staff
They are known as the Pandemic Comforters—a group of members from Washington, D.C., area churches, who embark on a mission to bring hope and healing. The unique work of this group is two- fold: to encourage politicians in a time of need and to offer prayers with them in bringing an end to the coronavirus and protecting our nation’s democracy.
Group members, including founder Rockefeller Twyman, a member of the Rockville (Md.) church, recently visited the home of Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, whose son, Thomas, took his own life.
Story by Kasper Haughton Jr.
Members of Beavercreek church, Ohio Conference executives and fellow pastors from across the state recently gathered for a special ordination service recognizing God’s ministry call on Delthony L. Gordon’s life.
Throughout his ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Gordon has served as a teacher, guidance counselor, evangelist, lay pastor, academy chaplain and full-time pastor. He has served in the Bahamas, Jamaica, Oklahoma and now at the Ohio Conference as the senior pastor of Beavercreek.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever” (Rev. 21:4, NLT).
This verse has always been a favorite of mine, so I recently read it in various translations. Surprised to find 28 translations online, I realized there are many different ways God shows us that because one day He will make death disappear, we can look forward to being happy forever.
My mom was very ill for four, long years and passed away three years ago. It still doesn’t feel real that she is gone. God never intended for us to experience that kind of sadness, separation and death. He created us to live forever with each other and with Him.
On May 22–23, the Columbia Union Conference hosted its 28th quinquennial constituency meeting. Due to the pandemic and social distancing measures that continue around the union eight-state territory, the two-day meeting was held virtually.
Story by Ricardo Bacchus
At the Columbia Union Conference 28th Quinquennial Constituency Meeting on May 23, delegates re-elected vice presidents Celeste Ryan Blyden, Frank Bondurant, Rubén A. Ramos and Donovan Ross, and also elected Lisa Saveikis Burrow to replace Wally Carson, who plans to retire at the end of this month.
After the votes, Dave Weigley, Columbia Union president, said the union is blessed with a dedicated team of leaders "with wonderful expertise to move the mission forward.”
Celeste Ryan Blyden Re-Elected to Lead Communication