“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer. 29:11, NKJV).
All my life, God has called me to trust and obey Him. I had no idea how old I’d be when I got married or if I’d have children or what my career path would be, but He did. Referring to Him giving us a future and hope, Jeremiah goes on to say that we are to seek, find and search for God with all of our hearts. And that’s exactly what I did.
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you will be also” (John 14:3, ESV).
I have heard this beautiful verse read many times in sermons. Preachers strive to describe what Jesus is preparing in heaven. Apparently, Jesus has a great construction company, and He has been building luxurious houses for the redeemed for more than 2,000 years. But the reality is that the verse just prior says, “In my Father’s house there are many dwellings.” So what did Jesus go to prepare?
Story by Shenandoah Valley Academy (SVA) Students
Story by Rod Olofernes
At the beginning of March 2020, Lake Nelson Adventist Academy (LNAA) completely changed. Yet amid clouds of doubt and uncertainty, God bestowed His blessings and shined His light of mercy, grace and love on His children, evidenced by LNAA opening its doors in the fall.
At the start of the pandemic, even meeting in person was in serious question. But recently, God allowed them to celebrate a Week of Prayer.
Story by Chesapeake Conference Staff
Last evening, the Chesapeake Conference Executive Committee elected Andre Hastick to the position of Chesapeake Conference executive secretary. Hastick accepted the call, filling the vacancy left by Jerry Lutz, who was recently elected to serve as Chesapeake Conference president. The executive committee convened virtually for the session, chaired by Elder Lutz.
Hastick began his ministry in Chesapeake in 2011 when he accepted a call to serve as pastor of the Aberdeen (Md.) Seventh-day Adventist Church. Two years later, he went on to serve as pastor of the Reisterstown and South Carroll Seventh-day Adventist churches, both located in Maryland.
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea” (Rev. 21:1, KJV).
The apostle John’s description of the new earth says there will be “no more sea.” The seashore is one of my favorite places. For me it has been a place of recreation and relaxation. I have many fond memories of family vacations at the ocean when I was a child and later with my own children—collecting seashells, watching dolphins play, riding waves with my boogie board. Now, as an adult, I still enjoy the sea whenever I can; I especially like snorkeling and sailing. So, this foreboding forecast of “no more sea” is a bit disappointing.
“From the ends of the earth ... You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you” (Isa. 41:9–10, NKJV).
Loneliness settled among my thoughts like a heavy winter fog. I had recently moved across the continent to begin graduate studies at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. While excited about the research opportunities ahead, I missed my family and community back home in the United States. I had no relatives or friends in this new city along the Pacific coast. I remember thinking, What have I done? I just moved across an entire continent to the end of North America! Anxiety always exaggerates trouble, doesn’t it?
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28, NASB).
When our adult sons were young boys, I remember telling my mother, “This mother thing is not that hard.”
I still remember her answer: “The bigger the boys get, the bigger the problems get.”
My mother was right. We love our boys and are blessed to be their parents. But the truth is, at times, being a parent can be hard and stressful. As a family, we’ve had both amazing and troubled times. Over the years, my husband and I learned that prayer is crucial not only to marriage, but parenting as well.
Story by Benia Jennings
The Allegheny West Conference welcomes Keith and Evelyn Goodman, along with their three children, Keith Jr., Charles and Kaelyn. Keith recently accepted the call to serve as senior pastor of the Ephesus church in Columbus, Ohio, and Evelyn has stepped into the role of principal at Columbus Adventist Academy (Ohio).
A native of Oklahoma, Keith earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theology at Oakwood College (Ala.) in 1996, and later graduated from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University (Mich.).
Story by Edward Marton
The Ohio Conference Youth Department has entered its second year of “Growing Young Adventists”—a church transformation process designed to foster intergenerational worship, fellowship and service.
Ten churches journeyed through the Growing Young process at the beginning of 2020, bringing all generations together in Christ and in service for the community. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and disrupted many of the churches’ plans. In stride, they adjusted to other ways of reaching youth and young adults through digital means. Of the original 10 churches, eight have decided to continue on the Growing Young journey, and four new churches have joined to form a new yeartwo cohort.