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Vine Haven Fourth-Grader Hosts Bible Study, Leads Eight Children to Baptism

Story by Cristina Macena

It’s not just the adults at the Bridgeton Spanish church in Bridgeton giving weekly Bible studies to their neighbors.

Every week Jaffet Vazquez, a fourth-grader at Vine Haven Adventist School in Vineland, teaches the children that live on Walnut Street more about the Bible and his best friend, Jesus. His mother, Susana Vazquez, prayerfully went to every mother on the street and asked permission for their children to attend Bible studies at her home. Many said yes and about 13 children ages 5-10 meet at the Vazquez home weekly for Bible studies. Jaffet uses what he has learned in class from his teacher, Violeta Molina, and Pastor Raul Rivero, Bible class teacher, to share with his friends about God’s love and gift of salvation.

Save the Date: Young Adult Summit

Young adults from across the Columbia Union Conference will gather next spring with the purpose of empowering young adult leaders to engage in life-changing ministry. Plan now to attend.

Date: March 31 – April 2, 2017
Location: Hilton in Arlington, Va.
Website: youngadultsummit.org

MIEMBROS OFRECEN SU AYUDA TRAS LAS INUNDACIONES EN WEST VIRGIN-IA

Historia de V. Michelle Bernard

Tras las recientes inundaciones en West Virginia, en donde 23 personas perdieron la vida y miles quedaron despojados de sus casas, el personal de los Servicios Comunitarios Adventistas de la Asociación Mountain View y de la Unión de Columbia coordinaron los esfuerzos de asistencia. El equipo organizó y financió una bodega en Belle, West Virginia, al sur de Charleston, donde las victimas recibieron los artículos necesarios. Los equipos de respuestas a desastres llegaron de otras partes del país para trabajar en la bodega. La Unión de Columbia también envió a seis capellanes quienes brindaron apoyo espiritual y emocional a los residentes en el área de White Sulfur Springs.

TARA VINCROSS DEJARÁ REACH

Historia de V. Michelle Bernard

Tara VinCross, directora de la Escuela Urbana de Evangelismo REACH de la Unión de Columbia ubicada en Philadelphia, ha aceptado el llamado a ser la pastora principal de la iglesia Azure Hills en Grand Terrace, California.

“Tara ha hecho una contribución valiosa al involucrar a los adultos jóvenes en experimentar la misión”, dice Dave Weigley, presidente de la Unión de Columbia. “Al ser la fundadora y directora de REACH, ella ha demostrado un excelente liderazgo porque creó un espacio donde los jóvenes adultos pueden experimentar un aprendizaje experiencial—un método valioso para involucrar a los jóvenes adultos”.

 

Read this story in English.

 

How to Build a Girl’s Self-Esteem From a Practical Perspective

Help your daughter's build their self-esteem with these tips.

  • Have confidence in yourself: Mothers are the first line of defense against unrealistic images and suggestive advertising.
  • Choose your words: Negative comments about a person’s appearance could invite young girls to create an unhealthy sense of beauty.
  • Be a fanatic: You are her biggest cheerleader; recognize her beauty and help her discover her gifts and talents.
  • Empower: Encourage her individual interests and recognize when she excels.
  • Interject realism: It’s important girls know the world is presenting a one-sided story. Talk to her about the images she sees and help her understand what is real.

 

From Insecure to Self-Assured in Christ

By Tamaria L. Kulemeka

Tamyra Horst, founder of the Pennsylvania Conference’s Princess Tea events, grew up a shy, fearful girl into an insecure teen and young woman. “I didn’t believe in myself or have any confidence at all,” Horst says. “But God loved me. And His love and learning to believe that He loved me and had a plan, began changing me.”

Her experiences and support system—encouraging women who cheered her on—coupled with working with other women who had battled similar issues inspired Horst to help others.

Horst started organizing teen conferences, tackling relevant teen topics that pointed them to God. Since that time, Horst has written numerous resources for teen ministries and hosted many Princess Teas. Horst has witnessed girls grow into teens and then women, some of whom she has had the opportunity to share in their success. One of the greatest joys through this process has been working with her own niece, Kaleigh, who helped her produce the first princess devotional booklet; Kaleigh, who was 7 at the time, illustrated the booklet. Now 9, Kaleigh can’t wait until she and her aunt write more books together.

Read these articles from the September 2016 Visitor:

September 2016 Feature: Guiding Girls to God

Autumn Stankay photographed Sarah and Megan Defrick in her studio in Greensburg, Pa.

By Tamaria L. Kulemeka

On any given day, girls are bombarded with images and messages portraying how they should look, walk, talk, act and think. Dove’s 2008 report titled Real Girls, Real Pressure: A National Report on the State of Self-Esteem, uncovers the self-esteem crisis among America’s girls. According to the report, this crisis “pervades every aspect of a girl’s life, including her looks, performance in school and relationships with family and friends.” One statistic highlights that 78 percent of girls with low self-esteem have a difficult time feeling good at school because they already think so poorly of themselves.

Strategies Local Churches Can Use for Soul-Winning

Saylis Fuentes, a member of the Fairfax church in Fairfax, Va., has introduced more than 800 people to God. She has made soul-winning her purpose in life. Here are her strategies for soul-winning:

1. Make a prayer list of family members, friends, or coworkers you want to reach.

2. Get to know them on a personal level.

3. Share your light in a Christlike manner.

4. Find the right opportunity to serve their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

5. Invite them to follow Jesus.

Read these articles from the September 2016 Visitor:

Feature: Guiding Girls to God

Editorial: Down Through Generations

Educators Receive Columbia Union Conference Outstanding Educator Awards