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Spoiler Alert!

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Editorial by Jerry Lutz

I have a friend who has a strange habit of reading the last chapter of books first. He says it’s because he wants to know if the book will be worth the investment of his time and energy to read the whole thing. He also deliberately reads book reviews that contain spoilers for the same reason. “Why would I spend all that time reading a book that has a disappointing ending?” he reasons. “And besides, if I know it ends well, I then will read it from cover to cover to discover why it ends well.” I guess there are some people who just don’t like surprises. Apparently, my friend is one of them. To each his own.

Blue Mountain Academy Family Inspires New Student

João Marques, alongside Blue Mountain Academy Pastor Adam Bially, celebrate his baptism together.

Story by Tamyra Horst

João Gabriel Ramos Marques’ mother prayed for her son. She knew his friends were a bad influence on him and saw the poor choices he was making. She believed that God would change her son and the direction of his life.

“My mother never gave up on me, despite my rebellious actions,” shares Marques. “She sent me to Faculdade Adventista da Amazonia, an Adventist school in Brazil, in hopes that I could find truth and Jesus.”

Children’s Ministries Convention Ministers to Families

Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay

Story by Stephen Lee

Sixty Children’s Ministries local church directors and staff from 22 churches attended the Children’s Ministries Convention earlier this year. Pamela Daly and Ana Maria Benzaquen from the North American Division Children’s Ministries Department presented the Ministering to Families track in English and Spanish.

The certification track ended on Saturday night with a graduation where many received a certificate and pin. On Sunday, the attendees participated in the Vacation Bible eXperience (VBX) live expo where they were equipped to conduct a week of VBX at their local churches.

Longing for That Day

As I read Jesus’ words in John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled”(NKJV), I cannot stop thinking about my 2-year-old granddaughter, Catalina, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. How can I accept Jesus’ words when we—humankind—become so overwhelmed by problems that are many times beyond our control?

Capitol Hill Hosts ‘Acts of Kindness’ Day

Robin Sampson, head deacon at the Capitol Hill church, packs bag lunches during the “Acts of Kindness” day.

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

Allegheny East Conference's Capitol Hill church in Washington, D.C., holds various “Acts of Kindness” days throughout the year where they minister to the Washington, D.C., community in various ways. Recently, volunteers delivered food and beverages to those experiencing homelessness, while other volunteers delivered a hot breakfast to D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department. They also distributed cards and prayed over the officers.

Potomac Conference Ministerial Spouses Firmly Root, Grow Together

Potomac Conference, Ministerial Spouses Firmly Root, Grow Together, SEED Groups, Maya Thomas, Sanja Thomas

Story by Debra Anderson

The Potomac Conference ministerial spouses braved the heavy rain, limited visibility and congested roadways to attend a gathering planned just for them. Spouses traveled from Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., to connect with each other during a recent weekend retreat in Cambridge, Md. The gathering was the first time in more than 30 years that ministerial spouses in the Potomac Conference could come together to experience ministry prepared specifically for their hearts and souls.

Columbia Union Teachers Get Recharged at NAD Educators' Convention

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

This week, some 550 educators and staff members from the Columbia Union Conference joined more than 5,000 other educators in Phoenix for the North American Division Educators’ Convention.

Donovan Ross, Columbia Union vice president for Education, shares the importance of these types of events: “It’s about demonstrating to our teachers the value that we’ve placed in them, recognizing the sacrifices they make for Christian education. It also serves as an opportunity for us to get reacquainted with colleagues or former students or former classmates that we’ve interacted with over the years.”