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The Family of Christ

Photo by Παῦλος from Pixabay
By Robert Becay
 
Robert Becay, a newly baptized member from Ohio Conference's Medina church, shares what being part of Christ's family means to him.   
 
Being part of the family of Christ means more than sharing a name or a creed. It is an invitation into a new kind of kinship built not on bloodlines or social status, but on grace, trust and a common journey toward wholeness. In this family, belonging is rooted in the radical idea that every person is seen, cherished and invited to participate in the divine promise of love transforming the ordinary into something holy.
 

Potomac Conference Hosts Ministry Center Open House

Conference Hosts Ministry Center Open House, Potomac Conference, "Move Beyond the Walls"

Story by Debra Anderson

More than 200 people gathered on August 23 to celebrate the official opening of the Potomac Conference Ministry Center in Silver Spring, Md. The event welcomed pastors, educators, staff and community members who toured the new facility and learned about the vision behind its creation.

Couples Declare Marriage Is ‘Better With You’

Couples Declare Marriage Is ‘Better With You’ , New Jersey Conference, Abdiel del Toro, Esther Cruz, Orlando Cruz, Chesapeake Conference Hispanic Ministries,

Story by Carlos Torres, Family Ministries Director

Themed “Better With You,” the Family Ministries Department held the 2025 Couples’ Retreat this summer, in partnership with Chesapeake Conference’s Hispanic Ministries Department. The gathering brought together 86 couples who were richly blessed by devotionals from Pastor Abdiel del Toro and inspiring seminars led by Esther and Orlando Cruz. Together, they offered spiritual and practical insights for strengthening marriages.

Compassion Projects Yield More Than 200 Baptisms

Allegheny East Conference, Compassion Projects Yield More Than 200 Baptisms, Sharon church, Shane Francis, Mount Olivet church, Daniel Hall, Conklin Gentry

Story by LaTasha Hewitt 

As part of Allegheny East Conference’s (AEC) commitment to evangelism in 2025, several churches hosted compassion projects—two of them yielding more than 200 baptisms combined.

Office of Education Reports on 2025-26 Enrollment

Image by EB Pilgrim from Pixabay

This week at the Columbia Union Conference Board of Education and Executive Committee meetings, the Office of Education staff reported on Columbia Union’s 2025–26 enrollment numbers. The numbers are as follows:

  • 505 students in eight Early Childhood Education stand-alone centers 

  • 2,757 students in 52 schools offering grades PK–8 or K–8 

  • 697 students in six junior academies 

  • 541 students in four boarding academies 

  • 2,177 students in nine senior academies 

Total numbers include: 

José L. Vázquez Voted as New Vice President for Ministries Development 

Jose Vazquez and his wife, Sonia, are welcomed to the Columbia Union staff.

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

At today’s Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee meeting, delegates voted José L. Vázquez to be the new vice president for Ministries Development.

Vázquez  served as the vice president of Administration for the Potomac Conference for the last six years.

Comparing Our Beliefs Chart

Image by Marybeth from Pixabay

Seventh-day Adventists share much in common with fellow Christians and other faiths. Below we compare Adventist beliefs with other religions or denominations based on their prominence in the United States. (The extended graph is coming soon!)

Hope for Humanity Baltimore evangelistic Series wraps up with baptism service

Story by Evan Knott

The “Revelation Today: Hope for Humanity” evangelistic series concluded on Nov. 1 at Goucher College in Baltimore with a special evening baptism service celebrating 14 new members joining the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The baptisms are part of the year-long Reach Baltimore 2025 evangelistic initiative, with additional baptisms taking place in local churches and more scheduled before year’s end.

After a short concert and homily, attendees made their way to the Goucher College pool, where 14 people were baptized by Chesapeake and Allegheny East conference pastors. The pool area was crowded with church members from the Baltimore area who sang as candidates made their way to the pool.

WGTS 91.9 Ends Fair Season with Anne Wilson Concert

GTS midday host Becky Alignay welcomes listeners

Story by WGTS Staff

WGTS 91.9 wrapped up the fair season with an incredible performance from country-Christian artist phenom Anne Wilson. Over 2,000 people gathered in the grandstand of the “Great Frederick Fair” to sing along with new hits like “God Story” and “My Jesus.” “Caleb and John” kicked off the night with their high energy style including their song “Hallelujah Feeling.”

“It was a great mix of “My Jesus,” cowboy boots, and funnel cakes,” said WGTS director promotions and community engagement, Ken Scribner. “This was a very different crowd, and they were so into the music. We’re going to go anywhere people are praising Jesus, and this was a great night under the stars.”

This is the third year that WGTS has partnered with the “Great Frederick Fair” which is one of the largest fairs in the state of Maryland.

New Jersey Conference Mourns Passing of Former President

Story by New Jersey Conference Staff

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Pastor LeRoy Finck, former president of the New Jersey Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Pastor Finck passed away on October 27, 2025, after a lifetime devoted to ministry, leadership, and service to the Lord. His unwavering faith and dedication to the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church left a lasting impact on all who knew him.

Pastor Finck is survived by his beloved wife, Marjorie, his son Kevin, and his daughter Christi. From 2000 to 2007, Pastor Finck served as President of the New Jersey Conference, and for a short time thereafter as Executive Secretary. "His administration was marked by spiritual integrity, thoughtful stewardship, and genuine care for pastors, members, and ministries across New Jersey," said Elder Jose Cortes (pictured with his wife, Celia, on the right; Jim and Joyce Greene, on the left; and the Fincks, center) who served alongside him as executive secretary and later as conference president.