Story by LaTasha Hewitt
Allegheny East Conference's Ebenezer church in Philadelphia is celebrating 110 years of ministry this year, and members plan to celebrate all year long. When considering the year’s theme, church leaders reached out to former members, friends and the community. “There’s No Place Like Home” seemed to capture the sentiments of those involved. Wanting to also consider the future, they added the subtitle: “Honoring Our Past and Shaping Tomorrow.”
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life“ (John 3:16, KJV).
John 3:16 reminds me of how much God loves us. He loves us so much that He gave His only Son to take the punishment for our sins and die on a cross in our place. If God hadn’t given Jesus to take our place, we would all be dead, as sin would have consumed us from the inside out.
“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength” (Isa. 30:15, NKJV).
I am typically a task-oriented person. It’s like I have tunnel vision. When I see something that needs doing, I may ask for a volunteer to take it on. But if no one speaks up, I just go ahead and do it my way.
I have acquired a lot of jobs this way, and I didn’t realize that, as I took on more and more responsibilities, I was hindering others from expanding their talents or discovering their God-given gifts. I just assumed everyone was OK with me doing things my way.
At the first 2021–2026 Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee meeting, members gathered via Zoom to vote on several matters relating to upcoming business sessions involving the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
They voted to support the following motion:
PROPOSED GC CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT
WHEREAS, the General Conference Executive Committee has voted to convene a Special General Conference Session on January 18, 2022, Silver Spring, Maryland, for the sole purpose of amending the General Conference Constitution, Article V, by adding a new Sec. 4 to allow for electronic participation reading as follows:
Story by Jerry Woods
On a recent Sunday in May, the wait was over, and our listeners and staff were definitely ready, says Jitesh Ram, WGTS 91.9 community engagement director.
Story by Matheus Gaulia
Junior Matheus Gaulia shares what God has been doing in his life on the campus of Blue Mountain Academy (BMA):
BMA has drastically changed my life. When I arrived on campus as a freshman, I had my future planned out with ambitious goals and dreams. Three years later, God is changing those plans and showing me what He wants for my life.
Story by Joshua Raymond
LNAA is a relatively small school located in Piscataway. The sophomore class only has 15 students, including myself, but, as a result, we are a truly connected community. Many of us have known and grown up with each other through the years at LNAA. We have seen our friends’ struggles and triumphs and have loved, laughed, played, cried, hated, and felt the same pain with each other; we have always flourished and gotten through life together.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Ps. 23:4, NKJV).
One fateful Friday in 2015, my wife, Hellen, and I were celebrating our fifth anniversary in Cancun, Mexico. We spent the morning on the beach. Shortly after lunch, my head started aching severely. Back at the hotel, I felt sick and began to vomit. I thought perhaps it was due to food poisoning.
When I woke up several hours later, I had no strength to move. My wife helped me to the bathroom, where I began to vomit again. Then I experienced something that changed my life forever: “Sweetheart, I am seeing double,” I told my wife.
Editorial by Todd Casey
Alexander Bryant, president of the North American Division, recently challenged leaders to give young people opportunities within our churches to, referring to David, “slay lions and bears” to prepare them for the future—because their "Goliath" is coming. In other words, give them responsibilities to serve the church now to prepare them for leadership in the future.
Story by V. Michelle Bernard / Feature photo by David Kim
Several churches in Baltimore/Washington, D.C., area have been part of the effort to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine.
Chesapeake Conference’s Washington-Spencerville Korean church in Silver Spring, Md., recently held two two-day clinics—helping 316 people receive the first dose of the Moderna vaccine and about 350 people the second dose.