News

Senior Lori Prendergast from the Highland Adventist School in Elkins, W.Va., gives small gifts to children waiting in line at the health clinic.

Editorial by Cheryl Jacko

Wouldn’t it be better used by sending a check overseas and letting the local people spend it as they see fit?” Have you ever heard these questions? Have you ever thought them yourself? At the Mountain View Conference (MVC), we have a decisive answer.

Regional Prison Ministries chapter presidents pose with elected officers at the recent constituency meeting held at Miracle City church in Baltimore.

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

At a recent constituency meeting, members of Allegheny East Conference’s (AEC) Prison Ministries Federation elected officers to serve for the next quinquennium. Constituents re-elected Ronald Timpson, a member of the Miracle City church in Baltimore, as federation president; Fitz Wilson of the Trinity Temple church in Newark, N.J., as vice president; and Romel Holley from the North Philadelphia (Pa.) church as treasurer.

Elisa Maragoto, principal of the Lake Nelson Adventist Academy in Piscataway, N.J., speaks at the Hispanic Women’s Retreat.

Editorial by Elisa Maragoto

The idea of being “In His Presence,” the theme of this year’s Hispanic Women’s Retreat, unifies every aspect of who we are. At the event, we learned, through the story of Esther, that it is in His presence we find our true identity. Our past and present circumstances and mistakes do not and should not define us. As we find refuge in His presence, we come to understand that our identity is in Jesus.

Story by Tamyra Horst

Pastor, BMA Alumnus Retires
Dave Woodruff grew up in Pennsylvania, and in 1966, graduated from Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) in Hamburg. After beginning his pastoral ministry in the Arkansas-Louisiana Conference, he moved back to Pennsylvania in 1984, where he pastored the New Brighton, New Castle, Sharpsville (now Shenango Valley), West Chester, Chester (now Grace Hispanic), Chambersburg, Waynesboro, York, Hanover, Lansdale, Phoenixville Mission and Souderton churches. He retires from full-time pastoral ministry September 1, 2018.

Story by Shelley Nolan Freesland, Adventist World Radio

Outside the windows of the small high-rise apartment, the predawn surroundings are pitch black. Miss Zhang* leans into her microphone and welcomes her online listeners to the live internet worship called Good Morning, China.

One by one, the names of group participants pop up on the chat screen. Some people are listening alone, while others gather in small groups: families at home, youth groups or clusters of people in a church. They tune in through their computers or mobile phones every weekday morning.

Story by Tiffany Doss

Stephen Laing recently joined the Potomac Conference as vice president for education. Since 2013 Laing served as principal of the Newbury Park Adventist Academy (Calif.). “Steve has more than 20 years of experience as a teacher and administrator,” says Bill Miller, president. “He has a passion for strengthening academics, enhancing the learning experience, creating environments for healthy spiritual growth and moving Adventist education forward.”

The Takoma Academy Chorale singing during the Mixed Youth Competition inside the Desmond Abernethy Hall in South Africa.

Story by Salena Featherstone

On July 5, 2018, Potomac Conference's Takoma Academy (TA) Chorale flew to Tshwane, South Africa, to participate in the 10th anniversary World Choir Games (WCG), not knowing they would make a huge impact in the lives of others, and, in return, be impacted themselves.

A young WGTS 91.9 listener enjoys his ice cream.

Story by Jerry Woods

More than 2,000 listeners recently hit the beach to join WGTS 91.9 on the “2018 Ice Cream Tour,” as it landed in North Beach, Md. The WGTS Service Gateway team spent time meeting listeners at a brand new beach pavilion on the boardwalk. They set up games, giveaways, a broadcast area and an ice cream station. Hosts Johnny and Stacey Stone, along with Tom Miner, broadcasted their afternoon show live from the event.

Mike Williams, communication director for the Mt. Olivet church in Camden, N.J., wins Best Church Website and Best Video Production, and Sheldon Kennedy, communication director for Emmanuel-Brinklow church in Ashton, Md., wins Best Social Media Presence

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

The Allegheny East Conference’s Communication Department recently hosted its third annual Connection and Ministry Communication Conference (CAMCON), themed “The Art of Communication.” Attendees included pastors, communication leaders and team members representing some 20 churches.