News | Seventh-day Adventist Church

I Will Not Forget You!

Story by Sarah Capeles Frodelly

Growing up, I always believed that my parents had abandoned me, especially my mother. The oldest of four, and at the age of three-and-a-half, my father took me to my grandparents’ house “just for the day.” The afternoon came and went, then evening came. I asked my grandmother when my dad was coming to pick me up. She calmly put me to bed and said he would be back in the morning.

Many mornings came and went, and my father never returned for me. But the person I missed the most was my mother. Did she forget me too? Oh, how I cried at night for her! At the time, I didn’t realize that my parents had divorced. As a result, I was placed in my grandparents’ home, not only separating me from both my parents, but from my siblings as well.

Perspectives: Fostering a Culture of Vulnerability

Story by Tompaul Wheeler

“I would just caution about the whole transparency thing,” says Thomas Luttrell, who teaches psychology and counseling at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md. “I do think that tends to be a western value, not shared globally just yet. I’ve been on many online discussion groups where transparency is not always encouraged or people are quickly judged, or [some group members] don’t quite understand the purpose of someone being transparent. Someone who comes from a less transparent culture might be shocked or scandalized by someone opening up about themselves.”

Pine Forge Academy Hires New Principal

Story by Jaymie Pottinger

After a yearlong search, the Allegheny East Conference Pine Forge Academy (PFA) Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the newly appointed principal for the 2019–20 school year, H. Clifford Reynolds, III.

Serving as the 22nd principal of the boarding academy, Reynolds will be joining the PFA community with his wife, Charlyce, and two children, Carissa and Hayden, from Ohio.

Homefull to Open Fresh Produce Farm Stand at Grandview Medical Center

Story by Elizabeth Long

Homefull, an organization that provides services to the homeless, celebrated the grand opening of a fresh produce farm stand in Grandview Medical Center’s lobby on July 2. Grandview, part of the Kettering Adventist Health Network, is located in Dayton, Ohio.

“Homefull is excited to expand our produce farm stand to Grandview Medical Center because this will help people living in food deserts access affordable, fresh produce,” says Tina Patterson, Homefull CEO. “Our farm stands also help provide training and jobs to our persons served. Purchases will support our programs, ultimately addressing our goals of increasing and improving housing, food and jobs.”

Therezinha Barbalho Ordained Into Gospel Ministry

Story by Potomac Conference Staff

On June 29, Potomac Conference administration had the privilege of ordaining Therezinha Barbalho, pastor of the Silver Spring (Md.) church, into the gospel ministry.

Washington Adventist University Memorial Bench Honors Veterans

Story by Washington Adventist University Staff

A year ago Charles Shyab approached President Weymouth Spence with an idea; he wanted to recognize others like himself: Veteran alumni of Washington Adventist University, formerly known as Columbia Union College (CUC), and Washington Missionary College (WMC) with a special commemorative piece on campus. During the 2018 Alumni and Parents Weekend, he helped to kick off what would serve as a campaign to raise awareness and funds for a Veterans Memorial Bench.

10 Young Adults Share Jesus in Cuba

Sandro Miranda, Youth Ministries Director Jason Ridley, Courtney Cantrell, Carl McClatchie, Blissa Letang, Deja Dockery, Young Adult Ministries Director Charde Hollins (holding Addie Joy), Matthew Scone, Brittany Cantrell, Tara Carmen and Tanitoluw Ajaiyeboa stand in front of a church in Cuba where they preached.

Story by Allegheny West Conference Staff

Called to Something More

Editorial by Mark Brown

After 37 years of service in the federal government, conventional wisdom said to remain for three more years to maximize my retirement income. But there was a call, a yearning for something more. To what, I was not sure, but the desire to answer was greater than my desire for greater retirement security.

So I retired, made myself available to God, and my life has not been the same since. While my response to Him has not been perfect—sometimes halting and even resistant—God took what I brought to Him, and, over the last five years, has given me incredible experiences.

Columbia Union Members Named Fulbright Scholars

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Two Columbia Union Conference members recently participated as Fulbright Scholars.

Kofi Adu (pictured left), associate professor of physics at Penn State University in Altoona, Pa., and a member of Pennsylvania Conference’s State College church in Furnace, is studying at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana for nine months, returning at the end of August. Adu is working with the university’s Department of Physics to develop and teach a new degree program in nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Do's and Don'ts of Church Social Media

By V. Michelle Bernard

Churches and schools need an active ministry on social media too! Here are the Dos and Don'ts for buiding your social media presence.

Do: