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Students Live Out Prayer Life

Jared Chandler

Story by Esther Hernandez

“[This year] has been a memorable year for the family of Blue Mountain Academy,” says Sanghae Kim, Bible teacher and pastor of the Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) church. “Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the school closed as it was finishing a Week of Prayer. God blessed even that moment with six students getting baptized. And our spiritual revival has not stopped. Henrique Da Silva, a senior at BMA, and other leaders, started a prayer initiative each day at 9 p.m., calling for prayer for God’s protection and guidance. ... Each Wednesday a group of students meet with me online to study The Great Controversy and to pray together.”

New Pastors Lead Multiple Churches

Gabriel Morales (Left) is the new district pastor for the Wayne, Hackensack and Jersey City Heights churches. Steven Fonseca Ortiz, alongside his wife, Linda, (Right) is the new lead pastor of the Princeton and West Long Branch Spanish churches.

by Anthony Baffi

When Gabriel Morales was a child, his parents, Francisco and Maria, took him and his three sisters to both the La Victoria and Perth Amboy Spanish churches.

Sunshine Ministry Brings Joy to Senior Members

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

The First Church of Coatesville in Pennsylvania recently organized a “Sunshine Ministry,” to bring joy to their senior members. The ministry group visits seniors at their doorstep, providing socially distanced fellowship, singing, prayer and encouraging words.

About 20 Coatesville members recently delivered baskets to seniors filled with brightly-colored snacks, a sunflower and a yard sign, reminding them that they were missed and loved.

The team visited 12 seniors, including a member who has been in a rehab facility for weeks. Although they weren’t allowed inside, they offered encouragement outside of her window.

New Women’s Ministries Director Shares Her Story

Brittan and Mike Hewitt

Story by Valerie Morikone

Get to know Brittan Hewitt, the new Women’s Ministries director for the Mountain View Conference:

I grew up in Roanoke, Va. My parents divorced when I was very young, and I lived with my mom most of the time. My mom and stepdad were both in law enforcement, and my dad was a firefighter. My grandfather and mom made sure I knew about Jesus and went to church. I went to a Christian school until eighth grade, then attended public school.

Michael Kruger Named ADRA President

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), the global humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, announced today that its Board of Directors has unanimously elected Michael Kruger as its new president, effective immediately.

Kruger was elected president in October 2019 to complete the five-year term of former president Jonathan Duffy. A search committee appointed by ADRA’s Board of Directors conducted a global executive search to identify a permanent president, and after an extensive review of candidates, the board selected Kruger.

Women’s Ministries Stays Connected During Pandemic

Story by Benia Jennings

According to Shirley Benton, the Allegheny West Conference Women’s Ministries director, the number one need in the Church right now is connectedness. This is especially true for women. However, with social distancing and the rules that are in place, staying in contact with one another has become more of a challenge.

Ministry Continues Despite Pandemic Restrictions

Story by Heidi Shoemaker

During the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio Conference leadership recognized one thing: Ministry does not stop. Woven into their COVID-19 “Ministry Action Plan” are words of encouragement: “Worship is a way of life and has not, and will not, be canceled. Ministry does not stop because we cannot worship together in a building. Ministry can and will continue because of you.”

Pastors, teachers, church members and students quickly adapted to virtual worship and classes, finding innovative ways to remain connected and share Jesus with others. Pastors met weekly via Zoom, sharing what was working within their regions and seeking guidance for difficult circumstances. Innovation and perseverance flourished across churches and schools during quarantine.

Camp Blue Ridge to Hold Groundbreaking, Grand Reopening Ceremony

Story by Tiffany Doss

A historic groundbreaking ceremony will take place at Potomac Conference's Camp Blue Ridge in Montebello, Va., on October 10 at 4 p.m.—marking the beginning of Phase 1 of the Master Plan for the campus. The Master Plan, designed to improve the overall guest experience and create additional adult housing and meeting spaces—including an adult retreat center—will kick off with construction of a new cafeteria with increased dining space.