News

New Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center Opens in Late August

Story by Lydia Parris

Adventist HealthCare has announced that it will debut a new, all-private room hospital on Sunday, Aug. 25, as Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center opens to serve patients in Montgomery, Prince George’s and surrounding counties.

Construction of the $400 million White Oak Medical Center is fast approaching completion. Exterior work on the 180-bed hospital is nearly complete and interior work in patient care areas will continue over the next few months.

Story by Elizabeth Long

Roy Chew, Ph.D., president of Kettering Adventist HealthCare since 2015, is retiring effective February 15.

“I am so thankful for the opportunity to have worked with Roy over the years,” says Fred Manchur, CEO of Kettering Adventist HealthCare. “Roy’s innovative approach and passion for the very best clinical technology, married with a faith-based approach to caring for our community, exemplifies Kettering Adventist HealthCare’s legacy of excellence in health care.”

Ellenor Paul-O'Neil recognizes Peter Moses

Story by Heidi Wetmore

Spencerville Adventist Academy (SAA) high school students recently participated in the first of this year’s four Dress for Success days. Ellenor Paul-O’Neil, high school vice principal, explains, “Dress for Success Day is intended to teach students how to dress for a professional, business environment. Employers have indicated that many applicants for jobs do not understand how to dress for professional business events such as a job interview or other professional activities. Additionally, it is critical that youth know how to effectively represent themselves in a professional manner.”

Dee Casper, CORE director

Story by Tamyra Horst

The Pennsylvania Conference is excited to launch CORE, a nine-month mission training program designed to immerse young adults into the CORE of Christianity and to tackle the biggest questions they are asking: Why am I an Adventist? How do I take this message to my demographic? How can I find an experience with God worth sharing?

This new initiative will allow young adults to experience a deeper relationship with Christ by engaging in Bible studies; literature, digital media and health evangelism; and city and overseas missions. The program is designed to connect students with Christ and equip them to share the gospel message to the world.

Spring Valley Golden Gala

Story by Vicki Swetnam

Spring Valley Academy (SVA) hosted “The Golden Gala” last fall, as the school celebrated its 50th anniversary. “The past several years, we’ve held the auction at off-campus locations,” says Darren Wilkins, principal. “But with the 50th anniversary and our new Worship and Performing Arts Center completed, we really wanted to hold the event at the school.”

The last four galas have raised money for the just-completed first phase of the new center, and this event gave SVA the opportunity to show gala sponsors, donors and volunteers how their gifts were used. With the first phase of this new facility costing around $5.5 million, the gala was one of the major donors to this campaign, contributing more than $1 million.

Math teacher D’Anya Brezzell (right) shares her thoughts about Kelli Raí Collins’ new devotional book.

Story by Salena Featherstone

Kelli Raí Collins has been the data specialist at Potomac Conference's Takoma Academy (TA) for five years, and is a proud parent of three: current TA student Solomon (’20), TA alum Zoie (’18) and Oakwood University (Ala.) student Mykel. Collins, a third generation Seventh-day Adventist, has always been dedicated to giving her children the Christian education she received.

Mountain View Conference Pathfinder clubs lead the Parade of Children at the Mountain State Forest Festival, an honor they have held for the past several years.

Story by Valerie Morikone

Pathfinders are thriving within the Mountain View Conference (MVC). With eight clubs, and with children eager to participate and be a part of these clubs, our conference provides many opportunities to stretch and grow our young people,” shares Joel Stecker, MVC Pathfinder director. “One of our most recent events was the annual Pathfinder Camporee held at the Valley Vista Adventist Center.”

Enock Bouzy, lay pastor of the Collingwood Park church, baptizes a woman during the fall evangelism initiative.

Story by Mario Thorp

In just one week during the New Jersey Conference 2018 Fall Evangelism series, more than 134 individuals chose to be baptized. More than 40 churches participated in this special evangelistic program, themed “Sharing Hope: Jesus Is Coming,” that included guest speakers, local pastors, administrators and conference departmental staff.

Jerome Hurst, pastor of the Southeast church, and a team of canvassers display “pro-voting” signs prior to Election Day.

Story by Bryant Smith

Allegheny West Conference's Southeast church in Cleveland hosted a “Get Out To Vote” rally the Sabbath prior to Election Day. Guests included Charles Clark, National Outreach coordinator for the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO); Tony Minor, state director for the African American Ministers Leadership Council; and Harriet Applegate, executive secretary of North Shore AFL-CIO.