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Columbia Union Schools See Growth

Image by Anil sharma from Pixabay

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

The Columbia Union Conference’s 97 early childhood education centers, elementary, junior academies, academies and colleges have a combined enrollment of 8,069 this school year, up from 8,027 last school year.

At recent Columbia Union meetings, Donovan Ross, vice president for Education, said the boarding academies are enjoying the highest enrollment rates since 2016 with 558 students at the union’s four boarding schools. Ross also reported that six schools across the territory are in various stages of building projects. 

Fall Semester 2022 Kicks Off at Washington Adventist University

Story by Washington Adventist University Staff

The Fall 2022 semester got off to a great start at Washington Adventist University (WAU). It began with the new students orientation during the week of August 21-27. WAU welcomed 204 new, transfer and graduate students. Among those new students, nine took advantage of the special annual flat tuition rate initiative of $12,000 currently being offered by WAU for undergraduate Columbia Union Conference students. The breakdown for the flat tuition rate is as follows: Four from the Potomac Conference, three from the Chesapeake Conference, one from the Allegheny East Conference, and one from the Allegheny West Conference.

New Youth Director Joins New Jersey Conference

Story by Cinthia Portonova

The New Jersey Conference welcomes Carl Rodriguez to serve as the new youth director. With many years of Youth Ministries experience under his belt, Rodriguez has worked as a teacher, pastor, camporee director and conference youth and young adult director. He most recently served as the Youth and Young Adult Ministries director for the Chesapeake Conference.

Rodriguez is currently a candidate for a Doctorate in Ministry in Urban Ministries from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary (Mich.), and already holds a Master of Divinity from the same institution. He also has a Master of Business Administration from Frostburg State University (Md.).

Words of Hope: Giants We Face

WGTS 91.9 Words of Hope | 027 - "Football" from WGTS 91.9 Media on Vimeo.

God can give you the victory! WGTS midday show producer, Spencer White, inspires his team as he coaches them in kids’ football. In the latest Words of Hope video devotional, he connects messages he learns as he coaches his team, with the giants we each face in life.

Spencer focuses on Matthew 17:20-21 in the devotional. It is a verse which assures us that even with faith as small as a mustard seed, God can use our faith and move mountains. He can take those big, scary giants and move them for us. He can give us the victory, sometimes even before we knew that giant was headed our way.

Former Columbia Union President Harold Lee Passes Away

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Harold L. Lee, president of the Columbia Union Conference from 1998-2006, passed away this morning.  

"We have lost a thoughtful, contemplative leader who gave to our union, during administrative tenure, a positive trajectory in establishing outstanding governance. His legacy continues to make a contribution in providing guidance and governance support for many of our healthcare institutions," says Dave Weigley, Columbia Union president.

Born in Wellsburg, W.Va., his ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist church spanned some 40 years and included time pastoring several congregations, including his first congregation in the Allegheny West Conference in Ohio.  

Seventh-day Adventist Church Organization to Host Thanksgiving Fresh Produce Giveaway

Story by Melissa Reid

If you’re in need of fresh, quality food during the Thanksgiving season, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is here to help!

On Sunday, November 20, 2022, the North American headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church will give away 10,000 lbs. of fresh fruit and vegetables. “During this Thanksgiving season, we want to help our neighbors and express our gratitude for being a part of the local Howard County community,” says Orlan Johnson, director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Ministries for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America.

The Passing of a Preacher

Potomac Conference, George E. Thornton, Sr., Woodbridge church

Story by Debra Anderson

The Potomac Conference family recently suffered the loss of one of its most prolific preachers, George E. Thornton, Sr.

In October 2021, Thornton was installed as the senior pastor of the Woodbridge (Va.) church. He served the church for just 10 months before his passing.

Thornton embarked on his new appointment with energy and enthusiasm. On his first day, he affectionately renamed the church, “The Bridge.” The members embraced it, seeing the name as a mantra to develop a deeper relationship with the local community.

First Church of Teaneck Hosts Hope Channel

Allegheny East Conference, First Church of Teaneck, "Sabbath Impact Day", Robert T. Smith

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

The First Church of Teaneck in New Jersey recently hosted Hope Channel International’s “Sabbath Impact Day.” Led by Hope Sabbath School member Jason Miller, the hybrid event began with a Sabbath School discussion with panelists Sabrina Mills and Victor Mills from Middleton, N.Y., and First Church members Asabie Hoyte, Jonathan Mays and Elvys Mutis.