News

Story by Tamyra Horst

Will Peterson (top left), executive secretary and vice president for administration at the Pennsylvania Conference, recently announced he will be retiring September 1. The conference’s executive committee unanimously voted to invite Shawn Shives to step into that role following Peterson’s retirement. During this transition phase, they will work together to maintain continuity of service.

Story by Janel Haas Ware

After a three-year hiatus, Shenandoah Valley Academy’s (SVA) choir and orchestra hit the road for a tour of the Midwest during the 2021–22 academic year. For many students, this was their first music tour ever. Under the direction of Daniel Biaggi, music director, and Kelly Wiedemann, associate music director, the group set out bright and early on a Tuesday morning.

Shirley Rowley retires July 28, 2022

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Shirley Rowley, administrative assistant for the Communication Services Department at the Columbia Union Conference, has worked for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in various positions for nearly 25 years. On Thursday, she will pack up her things in her meticulously decorated office and retire—leaving behind many fond memories.

Story by Christina Keresoma

Kettering Health in Ohio has been selected as the official health care provider of the Cincinnati Bengals. The 10-year partnership includes five branded clinics inside Paul Brown Stadium that Kettering Health team members will operate.

The Kettering team members will administer care to fans during concerts and events in the stadium. Kettering Health and the Bengals will also collaborate to offer programs and health services such as supporting the Bengals’ official youth flag football program, which reaches dozens of schools in a 60-mile radius.

Kettering Health will also partner with the Bengals to bring year-round awareness of the NFL’s “Crucial Catch: Intercept Cancer” campaign to raise awareness for cancer screenings.

Raychel Sanner/Unsplash

Editorial by Carlos Portanova

Our world is in commotion: COVID-19, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the economic impact our world is facing. People are worried about their loved ones, their jobs and their lives. Some Christians depend on their own resources and energy to protect themselves instead of trusting in God. But His Word tells us what to do when we are facing a storm.

Proclaim, Chesapeake Conference

Story by Evan Knott

The Chesapeake Conference recently launched Proclaim, a new training initiative for pastors and lay leaders desiring to become more effective evangelists.

Organized by the conference’s Evangelism and Church Growth Department, this new training program requires participants to attend four modules throughout the year, focused on different aspects of public evangelism. Participation in the program is invite-only, and all the participants are required to hold evangelistic meetings within the next year.

Winston and Dee Lucombe, New Hope Church

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

Members from the New Hope church (NHC) in Tappahannock, Va., recently partnered with area churches to serve their community. Activities included sewing bibs for a local nursing home, building ramps for older individuals, distributing prayer shawls and Bibles to others and delivering food to homes. NHC also had the privilege of buying approximately $400 worth of undergarments for children, youth, men and women.

Cindy Stalker, Javier Donate

Story by Anthony Baffi

Marriage is a miracle; two very different people decide to live together and begin a home enterprise, echoing the divine command: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Gen. 2:24, KJV). Each couple has the privilege of being protagonists for God, by assuming the commitment to hold high the banner of the sacred institution of marriage.

Story by Lindsey Gispert

WGTS 91.9 listeners recently assisted 20,000 Ukrainian refugees through a partnership with ADRA International (Adventist Development and Relief Agency). ADRA has maintained a presence in Ukraine since the beginning of their crisis, providing aid and emergency supplies.

WGTS hosted a text campaign encouraging listeners to donate money to help provide SOS kits for refugees. Within two weeks, listeners raised $30,000, which went to filling kits with food, water purification tools, blankets, and medicine.