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The Inside Edge for the New Year

Moritz Knoringer/Unsplash

Editorial by Jerry Lutz

If you’re thinking that things in this world don’t appear to be making much sense these days, you’re not alone, and it’s because they don’t. The confusion and societal upheavals we are witnessing and experiencing today—which may seem new and unheard of—are just the current versions of what has been going on long before any of us came onto the scene. The difference today is that, unlike previous generations, we have instant, digital access to virtually everything in real time, including what’s happening around the world.

Spring Valley Academy Senior Named in National Merit Scholarship Program

Story by Vicki Swetnam

Ohio Conference's Spring Valley Academy is pleased to announce that senior Rebekah Shull has been named as a 2023 semifinalist from among the 1.3 million program entrants that entered the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSP). By taking the 2021 Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screen of program entrants, Shull is among the nationwide pool of semifinalists—representing less than one percent of United States high school seniors, which includes the highest scoring entrants in each state.

Three Ways to Increase Your Church’s Evangelism Reach Online

Image by fancycrave1 from Pixabay

Interview by Visitor Staff

Potomac Conference churches recently had the opportunity to receive funds to enhance their Media Ministries. (Read more here.) The Visitor staff interviewed Richard Castillo, Potomac’s Media director, for tips that all churches can use to improve this vital ministry. 

Visitor: What is the most important thing (social media-wise) churches can do to increase their reach? 

Fourth Street Friendship Members Make Christmas Special for Those Without Homes

Fourth Street Friendship members with with Buffalo soldiers volunteers at an event for those experiencing homelessness

Story by V. Michelle Bernard, with reporting by Rocky Twyman / Images by Tijuana Griffin

Members of Allegheny East Conference’s Fourth Street Friendship church in Washington, D.C., operate a soup kitchen every Sunday, and this past Christmas, which fell on a Sunday, was no exception.

An estimated 50 people experiencing homelessness attended the event to enjoy a gourmet holiday meal and free winter caps, gloves and thermal underwear to prepare for the cold months ahead. 

Potomac Conference Offers Funds to Expand Utilization of Media in Churches

Image by 350543 from Pixabay

Story by Potomac Conference Staff

During the 2022 opening address of North American Division's (NAD) year-end meetings, G. Alexander Bryant, NAD president, encouraged leadership across the division to explore opportunities in which “we can maximize and expand our utilization of media.” This need became acute during the pandemic and challenged church members to find their church outside their physical buildings. 

Charles A. Tapp, current Potomac Conference president, was a senior pastor at Sligo church in Takoma Park, Md., when the pandemic hit. Like most pastors across the spectrum of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Tapp gathered his resources and began preaching to empty seats each week. 

New Associate Treasurer Joins the Columbia Union

Robert Chandler recently joined the Columbia Union Conference team as the associate treasurer for Accounting Information Systems.

He previously served as the treasurer at the Northeastern Conference.

“Robert has a rare combination of knowledge and experience in nonprofit accounting and accounting information systems application,” says Emmanuel Asideu, treasurer.

 

 

Read and Share Articles from the January/February 2023 Visitor:

Ohio Conference Hosts Third Annual Bible Reading Challenge

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Story by Ohio Conference Staff

Join the Ohio Conference for the third annual Bible Read Challenge during January 2023! 

Following in the footsteps of the great preacher, H.M.S. Richards, participants will journey through the scriptures during the 31 days of the first month of the year!

Reading the Bible in a month is a different type of study of the scriptures. Rather than sitting down to read your favorite author, or watching that new TV series that launched – we’ll be reading the Bible for the grand narrative of God’s story. 

Hope Is a Powerful Word

Editorial by Dave Weigley

When I used to ride motorcycles, I heard a saying, “There are only two kinds of motorcyclists: those who have been down, and those who will be down.” This is also true in the human experience. There are only two kinds of people: those who have been through a crisis and those who will encounter one in the future. Life is tough, fragile, unforgiving. 

Nelson Mandela’s example of perseverance in tough times has always inspired me. He was incarcerated for 27 years for resisting apartheid and other injustices in South Africa. During his sentence, he endured hard labor, toiling in hot, dry conditions without appropriate clothing.