Pennsylvania Conference

After eight years, Lawrence Galera, the music director of Pennsylvania Conference's Blue Mountain Academy (BMA), takes a final bow.

Story by Tamyra Horst

At the conclusion of The Great Controversy: Origin of Evil performance, Lawrence Galera, the music director of Pennsylvania Conference's Blue Mountain Academy (BMA), took a final bow. For eight years, Galera impacted the lives of many students on BMA’s campus in Hamburg. Galera announced he has accepted the position of music director at Collegedale Academy (Tenn.)

Dee Casper, CORE director

Story by Tamyra Horst

This summer young adults will gather at Blue Mountain Academy in Hamburg, Pa., to participate in CORE, the Pennsylvania Conference’s new discipleship and evangelism training program that focuses on strengthening the CORE of attendees’ Christian identity and faith. CORE is a life-transforming experience for young adults filled with ministry, missions and miracles. Students will understand why they are Adventists, see Christ at the heart of every Adventist teaching and learn how to effectively share this beautiful message with others.

Joy Leilani Garbutt

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.

Jared Wickerham/AP Images photographed Quincy and Jessica Sims for the Visitor Magazine

For many people, the internet and social media are platforms to show an idealized version of themselves and rack up likes, hearts and emojis. But when Jessica Sims and other members bravely shared their struggles with the realities of life, they found meaningful connections, heartfelt prayers, much-needed support and opportunities to witness.

Story by Tompaul Wheeler

Quincy's Quest

Jessica and Quincy Sims were photographed at Arsenal Park in Pittsburgh by Jared Wickerham/AP Images

For many people, the internet and social media are platforms to show an idealized version of themselves and rack up likes, hearts and emojis. But when Jessica Sims and other members bravely shared their struggles with the realities of life, they found meaningful connections, heartfelt prayers, much-needed support and opportunities to witness.

Story by Tompaul Wheeler