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ADRA President Jonathan Duffy Steps Down

Story by Kimi-Roux James

Jonathan Duffy, president of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International, has stepped down from his role, effective immediately, due to personal reasons. 

“The ADRA Board has accepted Jonathan’s resignation and expresses appreciation for his service,” says Ella Simmons, board vice-chair and general vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. “Jonathan served as president of ADRA since his election in 2013. He has led the network of more than 130 offices to adopt a new strategic framework that allowed ADRA to align with changing trends in the development and humanitarian sector.”

Student Leaders Attend Spiritual Retreat

Student leaders from Ohio Conference’s Spring Valley Academy attend the Spiritual Academy Leadership Training (SALT) weekend.

Story by V. Michelle Bernard and Monica Zill / Photos by Zill

This fall student leaders (Pine Forge Academy students pictured) from all of the Columbia Union conference’s junior and senior academies gathered with union and academy leadership in Edgewater, Md., for the annual Spiritual Academy Leadership Training (SALT) weekend.

Churches Dig Into Biblical Truth, Evangelism

Pastor Franke Zollman displays an artifact.

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Many churches around the Columbia Union are hosting community-focused fall evangelism meetings as part of the recently announced “Share the Light—Share the Hope” evangelism initiative. 

Chesapeake Conference's Atholton church in Columbia, Md., hosted one of these meetings. In addition to Senior Pastor Franke Zollman's presentations, titled "In Search of Meaning: Archaeology and the Bible," attendees were invited to see his collection of artifacts from Bible times.

Venue to Evangelism

Calling All Superheroes

Members of the Langley Park Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church (Some were volunteers, some ran) gather at the race.

Photographs by Nisha Varghese and Madhu Tummalapalli

Last weekend many Columbia Union Conference and community members grabbed their capes and participated in Christalis’ Superhero 5K run/walk to support the organization’s home for children in Uganda.

More than 200 supporters registered for the event, held at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md.

Adventist Member Named Mrs. Maryland International

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Seven years after battling breast cancer, Jennifer Wakefield, who attends Chesapeake Conference’s New Hope church in Fulton, Md., is trying to spread the message that there is life after a difficult diagnosis. And she’s doing it while wearing a crown.

Wakefield was named Mrs. Maryland International 2019 in March. As part of her duties, she makes public appearances hoping to inspire others on their journeys and seeks to encourage those with breast cancer through care packages.

I've Been Chosen by God

Abdiel Hernandez (middle), pastor of the Trenton district, baptizes Yadirel Pagan (left) from the Trenton Spanish church and Nicolas Campos from the Hightstown church plant.

Story by Sarah Capeles Frodelly

Have you ever waited in excitement and anticipation for a special occasion to arrive? I waited 30 years to return to a Pathfinder camporee. In 1989 “The Friendship Camporee,” proudly sponsored by the Columbia Union Conference, embraced 14,000 attendees. To my surprise, 30 years later, I joined more than 57,000 Pathfinders, leaders and volunteers at the 2019 “Chosen” International Pathfinder Camporee.

Youth Outreach Program Makes Community Impact

Youth pick up debris from the streets of Baltimore.

Story by Andre Hastick

Fifty-five teenagers spanning seven states came together in July for a week of My City, My Passion, a local mission trip experience for young people, hosted by the Ellicott City (Md.) church. This program provided an opportunity for youth to train in leadership and discipleship, as well as serve the community through acts of compassion and community service.