News

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.

José H. Cortés Sr. and Dave Weigley pray together during a Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee meeting.

Historia de V. Michelle Bernard

José H. Cortés padre, presidente 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.

New members (front row) display their baptismal certificates.

Lidia Pérez, miembro de la Iglesia Central de Cincinnati, es uno de los 50 nuevos miembros en Cincinnati. 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.

New members display their baptismal certificates.

Lidia Perez prepares for baptism.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.

Vivangelismo, a celebration of the 2017 ministry in the Hispanic churches across the Columbia Union Conference, will be held December 8-10 at the Ocean City (Md.) Convention Center. Registration is $140 for guests at Holiday Inn Hotel, $135 for guests at Hampton Inn Hotel and $130 for guests at La Quinta, Quality Inn Boardwalk and Quality Inn Oceanfront. For more information and to register, visit vivangelismo.com/.

Historia de V. Michelle Bernard

Vivangelismo, una celebración del ministerio 2017 en las iglesias hispanas a través de la Unión de Columbia, se llevará a cabo del 8 al 10 de diciembre en el Centro de Convenciones de Ocean City (Md.). Visite vivangelismo.com para obtener información sobre hoteles y registración.

Editorial by Dave Weigley

October is Pastor Appreciation Month, a time when we have the opportunity to recognize and affirm the work and ministry of our pastoral workforce who have accepted the call to be “co-laborers” with Christ. What an awesome team of ministers we have across the Columbia Union Conference, and what a joy and privilege it is to serve with them in ministry. Let’s pray for them and encourage them—this month and every month. 

This year our Visitor team chose to highlight women clergy* who serve in our union as pastors, chaplains, religion professors and ministry leaders. In 2012 there were about 20; today there are 40. It’s so inspiring to see how God is working in and through them as they use their unique gifts and talents to build the citizenship of heaven (see pp. 6-9). 

Story by Elizabeth Anderson

Six women leaders in the Seventh-day Adventist Church reflect on their journeys to ministry and leadership lessons learned along the way. 

Teresa Ferreira
Executive Secretary, Maritime Conference

A year ago, if someone would have told me I’d be here, I would have said, ‘No way!’” says Teresa Ferreira, who recently assumed a trifold role with Canada’s Maritime Conference as executive secretary, education superintendent and director of Camp Ministries. “But when I received the call, I was humbled,” she adds. “[My husband and I] prayed and stepped forward in faith.”