News

image from iStock

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Ps. 27:13, NKJV).

Have you noticed that in the difficult times we’re living in, there have also been many miracles? For example, during the coronavirus pandemic, a young husband and father from New Jersey was on a ventilator, and doctors prepared his family for the worst. His sister sent out a desperate plea for prayer, people everywhere interceded for him, and, against all odds, he recovered. “God defies science!” she later testified, “He performed a miracle for my brother!”

image from iStock

“Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength’” (Neh. 8:10, NKJV).

image from iStock

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5–6, NKJV).

The book was How People Grow, by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend. I had been courageously absorbing its wisdom for several weeks. Eventually, though, I had to stop and address a painful realization: I’m nowhere near the emotionally healthy adult I should be.

Bible by Pexels on Pixabay

Want to grow closer to God in 2022? Here are some tips that can help, from Ricardo Bacchus, features editor of the Columbia Union Visitor.

1. Schedule a regular check-in time with a prayer partner.

2. Listen to Christian music or a daily audio Bible at work, as you exercise or travel.

3. Plan a date with God, then keep it.

4. Find a distraction-free environment for worship time.

5. Prayer walk during your lunch or break times.

6. Participate in the Columbia Union 2022 Scripture Memorization plan, found on our Columbia Union Conference app, that invites members to learn Bible verses that are centered around praise.

image from iStock

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5, KJV).

What is the mind of Christ? How does God think? If we continue with this passage in Philippians, we learn that even though Jesus was God, He humbled Himself to become a man. But He didn’t stop there. He didn’t come as a king or some wealthy person; He became a servant.

He didn’t stop there either. He humbled Himself to be subject to death on a cross—the worst and most humiliating form of punishment any human could endure. Accordingly, the mind of Christ is complete and utter selflessness and humility.

Because of His selfless sacrifice, we learn that Christ was exalted above every name. And “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow” (Phil. 2:10, KJV).

Historia de Visitor Personal

El Comité Ejecutivo de la Unión votó a Greg Iverson para que se desempeñe como director de Servicios de Tecnología de la Información (IT) a partir de febrero del 2022, luego de la jubilación de Harold Greene, actual director de IT. Iverson ha trabajado en la unión desde el 2001, sirviendo como asistente y director asociado, con una cartera que incluye administrador de redes y sistemas.

Christopher Araujo fue ascendido de asistente a director asociado de IT. Durante los últimos 15 años ha dirigido la red que apoya las oficinas de la unión, de las conferencias y de las escuelas.

En la misma reunión, Ricardo Bacchus y V. Michelle Bernard, ambos subdirectores de Servicios de Comunicación, fueron promovidos a directores asociados.

Historia de Visitor Personal

En su reunión final del 2021, el Comité Ejecutivo de la unión nombró a Celeste Ryan Blyden como secretaria ejecutiva. Es la primera mujer en ocupar el puesto en los 114 años de historia de la unión.

Blyden se ha desempeñado como vicepresidenta de Comunicación Estratégica y Relaciones Públicas desde el 2014, cuando hizo historia como la primera vicepresidenta mujer en la unión. Fue reelegida en las sesiones de constituyentes en el 2016 y en el 2021.

"Celeste ha demostrado una verdadera pasión por la misión y el liderazgo eficaz y ha sido pastora y animadora de quienes la rodean", dice el presidente Dave Weigley.

Historia de V. Michelle Bernard

En diciembre, se puso en marcha el nuevo sitio web del Fondo Rotatorio de la Unión de Columbia (CURF), columbiaunionrevolvingfund.org. También se lanzará un nuevo portal de cuentas en enero.

“Estos nuevos servicios beneficiarán a nuestros prestatarios y tenedores de notas actuales, al brindarles un acceso fácil a los documentos y procesos”, dice H. Candace Nurse, secretaria y tesorera de CURF.

istockphoto.com

Historia de V. Michelle Bernard

El Calendario de la Unión de Columbia 2022, con el tema “Cultive una vida de alabanza”, presenta versículos de la Biblia que honran a Dios y resaltan la belleza de Su creación.

Todos los meses se incluyen consejos y desafíos de salud del personal de Adventist HealthCare, que recuerdan a los lectores que deben cuidar su salud mental.

Se pueden solicitar calendarios adicionales, pagando solo el costo de envío, llamando al (800) 545-2449. Solicite el “Calendario de la Unión de Columbia 2022”.

Read more in English.