How does Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) make Jesus real to its students? While on a recent mission trip to Pittsburgh, the BMA seniors befriended a young homeless girl. Pastor John Kent, from the Carnegie Simple (Pa.) church, shared that the girl, Michelle “Shelby” Muyango, had been coming to church intermittently due to a difficult living environment. A bright and insightful young lady, Muyango struggled to be visible to the outside world. During the trip, BMA students took notice of her, and rather than shun her, talked with her, got to know her, ate with her and played volleyball with her.

Story by Samantha Young

Ophelia Barizo, vice president for advancement at Highland View Academy (HVA) and coordinator of Chesapeake Conference STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), was named 2017 Environmental Educator of the Year by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, a nonprofit grant-making organization that has funded environmental education at HVA since 1999.

“Being nominated was a total surprise,” says Barizo. She accepted her award at a banquet held at the Miller Senate Building in Annapolis, Md. With the award comes $2,500 for environmental projects at HVA.

Story by Celeste Ryan Blyden

We are deeply saddened to share that Goldie Louis passed away last evening from complications following a stroke she suffered on February 21.

Goldie, a cheerful, caring, dedicated Christian, served in the Columbia Union Conference office for 16 years. Prior to that she worked at ADRA and earlier for the Columbia Federal Credit Union.

“Goldie was one of the most friendly people – always interested in knowing how we are doing, always affirming, always initiating prayer for someone who was hurting or in need,” says Dave Weigley, Columbia Union president. “She will be terribly missed in our office family.”

Historia de Tamyra Horst

Gary Gibbs, actualmente director de Desarrollo de Ministerios en la Conferencia de Chesapeake, ha aceptado la invitación para servir como presidente de la Conferencia de Pensilvania después de la partida del ex presidente, Ray Hartwell.

"Gary es un excelente líder tanto para pastores como para laicos con pasión por las almas", afirma Dave Weigley, presidente de la Unión Columbia y presidente del comité de selección que eligió a Gibbs. Comenzará su nueva posición el 1ero de mayo.

"Estoy feliz de unirme a los pastores, educadores y miembros de la Conferencia de Pensilvania en el adelanto del evangelio y para prepararnos para el pronto regreso de Jesús", comparte Gibbs.

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

This week teachers and education administrators gathered at the Columbia Union Conference headquarters in Columbia, Md., for training and planning. On Monday and Tuesday the Curriculum Committee members participated in training for the Encounter Bible Curriculum that will be implemented in all elementary and high schools across the union by the 2018/2019 school year.