Story by Sarah Capeles Frodelly
Have you ever waited in excitement and anticipation for a special occasion to arrive? I waited 30 years to return to a Pathfinder camporee. In 1989 “The Friendship Camporee,” proudly sponsored by the Columbia Union Conference, embraced 14,000 attendees. To my surprise, 30 years later, I joined more than 57,000 Pathfinders, leaders and volunteers at the 2019 “Chosen” International Pathfinder Camporee.
Story by Andre Hastick
Fifty-five teenagers spanning seven states came together in July for a week of My City, My Passion, a local mission trip experience for young people, hosted by the Ellicott City (Md.) church. This program provided an opportunity for youth to train in leadership and discipleship, as well as serve the community through acts of compassion and community service.
Editorial by Dave Weigley
I am a witness that dreams do come true, visions do become reality and God does answer prayers! This past August, all three happened when we celebrated the grand opening of Adventist HealthCare (AHC) White Oak Medical Center on Healing Way in Silver Spring, Md. This is something that hadn’t happened in more than a hundred years, and during this journey, some might have wondered if it would happen in a million years. But God is good!
Around the turn of the 19th to 20th century, Ellen G. White, a pioneer leader of the Seventh-day Adventist movement, envisioned health care happening somewhere “on a grassy slope” in Takoma Park, Md., close to Washington, D.C. It would be a place where the healing and restoration ministry of Jesus Christ, as expressed by His church, could be offered and modeled in the local community. Washington Adventist Hospital became that place, fulfilling the dreams of our forefathers and leaders, extending the “right arm of the gospel” to the masses, and carrying forward the legacy of health and healing. And while it was a difficult decision to relocate, finding a new home became necessary so as to maintain a robust future for this valued ministry.
Story by Andrew Lay
Editorial by Donald Short
Each registration day, Potomac Conference's Shenandoah Valley Academy (SVA) faculty and staff form a circle, join hands and pray for the students who will momentarily walk through the doors of Twomley Hall and become part of the SVA family. We pray for God’s blessings on the school year and recommit to serving students by educating them through “experiences that produce disciples of Jesus”—the mission of SVA.
Story by Tamyra Horst
Building machines while working with the concept of hydraulics. Exploding pipettes with dry ice. Making key chains using 3-D pens and observing the 3-D printers in action. Understanding how salt depresses the melting point of ice while creating an ice cream treat. Field trips to Washington, D.C., New York City and Hershey, Pa. Blue Mountain Academy’s (BMA) STEAM Summer Camp got kids exploring, discovering, examining and creating through science, technology, engineering, art and math.
Story by Lauren Brooks
Escape rooms are the latest trend in immersive entertainment. And, as one Kettering College professor discovered, an escape room can also be a valuable teaching tool.
Historia de Sadrail Saint-Ulysse
Siempre es un privilegio asistir a los ejercicios de graduación de nuestras cinco escuelas en la Asociación de Nueva Jersey. Después de un año lleno de desafíos y oportunidades, tengo la bendición de presenciar a estudiantes, padres y educadores que comparten sus experiencias positivas. Es a la vez conmovedor e inspirador.
Siempre espero escuchar el discurso de graduación. Jean-Michel Etienne, un pastor que voluntariamente enseña Biblia a estudiantes de noveno y décimo grado en Meadow View Junior Academy en Chesterfield, com-
Editorial by Sadrail Saint-Ulysee
It is always a privilege to attend the graduation exercises of all of our five schools in the New Jersey Conference. After a year filled with challenges and opportunities, I have the blessing of witnessing students, parents and educators share their positive experiences. It is both heartwarming and inspiring.
During the September Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee meeting, Dave Weigley, Columbia Union Conference president, announced the details for the 2019–2021, “Share the Light—Share the Hope” evangelism initiative.
“We had a tremendous spike in our baptisms because our conferences made evangelism a priority [at the beginning of the quinquennium],” said Frank Bondurant, vice president for Ministries Development. “We’ll end it with a strong emphasis on evangelism.”