Editorial by Austin and Celeste Blyden
Our winter baby was born in January on the coldest day of the year. She was 7 pounds, 11 ounces and 21 inches long. She had 10 fingers, 10 toes and thankfully only one nose. Her hair was soft and curly, and her skin against ours was tender and moist. And when she looked at us—her eyes wide with wonder—we melted.
Story by Heidi Wetmore
Spencerville Adventist Academy (SAA) recently held its second annual Career Day for the entire student body, grades pre-K to 12.
“The theme ‘Called to Serve,’ helped students understand that God is calling them to serve Him no matter what course of study or profession they decide to pursue,” says Carmen Esposito, SAA’s guidance counselor.
Story by Kasper Haughton Jr
The Lima church recently held its second annual Community Recognition Award Service. The program recognized 13 officers, volunteers and community leaders, as well as eight organizations that serve the Lima community, including the Lima Fire Department, the Lima Police Department, Our Daily Bread, Lima Rescue Mission, Habitat for Humanity, Bradfield Community Center, Family Promise, and Bittersweet at Betty’s Farm.
Story by Cecily Bryant, Southeast Church Communication Leader
The Southeast church in Cleveland recently celebrated the diversity of their congregation by installing flags of the nations represented by its members.
In a moving service led by the church’s Panthers Pathfinder Club, the Pathfinders carried flags from nine nations into the sanctuary and placed them behind the pulpit, in addition to the United States and Pathfinder flags.
Story by Jerry Woods
Thousands of WGTS 91.9 listeners and people from around the nation made the trek to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial before dawn to celebrate the 43rd annual Easter Sunrise Service on the National Mall. National Community Church sponsored the event, and WGTS partnered with them to get the word out to the community.
Story by Rebecca Ingle
Kettering College challenges its students with rigorous academic courses and clinicals. And it strives to help students grow to be the spiritually mature people they want to be. The college’s required religion classes encourage students to first know themselves before they serve others.
Students can now earn a minor in spiritual care by taking three religion or humanities credits in addition to the 12 required religion credits. Humanities chair and professor, Cory Wetterlin, Ph.D., is excited about the newly added minor in spiritual care. He says adding this minor to resumes will give students an advantage and a talking point that show a hiring manager the student has worked on critical skills needed to serve others with compassion and care.
As summer camp season draws closer, many camp administrators are having a hard time recruiting staff for their ministries. "It has been much more difficult this year to find students/staff," say Ray Queen and Julie Minnick, director and associate director, respectively, at Potomac Conference's Camp Blue Ridge in Montebello, Va. “It has also been difficult to get them to commit and even fill out [an] application."
Other directors have reported similar situations. Minnick says that "students are being pulled in so many directions with school [and] career choices, and the biggest distraction is accepting internships," among other issues.
Story by Cinthia Portanova
Andre Ascalon, who retired at the end of 2022, served in the New Jersey Conference (NJC) for 38 years—20 years as a lay pastor and 18 as a full-time pastor, alongside his wife, Hillary. “My wife has been the most integral part of my ministry. This is a match made in heaven,” says Ascalon. “I think she is everything to my ministry.”
Story by Tamyra Horst
Volunteers recently came equipped with shovels and a commitment to the students at York Adventist Christian School and Harrisburg Adventist School, transforming their playgrounds with new rubber mulch floors.
Story by Liz Bailey
Daniel Venegas, district pastor of Mountain View Conference's Buckhannon, Braxton, and Glenville churches, planned to baptize four people at the Buckhannon church late last year.
One by one, the candidates entered the water, ranging from young to old—the oldest being 91-yearold Benny. As Venegas finished the baptisms, he asked if there was anyone else who wanted to commit their lives to Jesus. A little hand shot up. It was Vann Parker, a first grader who had been raised in the church. Venegas smiled and acknowledged him, stating, “That’s great, we will talk.”