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Storm Sweeps Through ‘Relentless’ Camporee

Cover photo by Stephen Lee

Story by V. Michelle Bernard / Photos by Stephen Lee and Melvin Donadelle

Hours before the official start of the “Relentless” Columbia Union Camporee at Summit Bechtel Reserve in Glen Jean, W.Va., a thunderstorm rolled through the campus, threatening the opening of the evening meeting. Chesapeake Conference’s SALT club from Randallstown, Md., was preparing to perform a liturgical dance for the evening program when the storm came through. 

SALT staff member Kim Barrett watched two of her club’s tents fly 40 feet away. And, like most clubs, found their tents soaked all the way through.  

Relentless Columbia Union Camporee Kicks Off!

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

A swarm of Pathfinders, including the Cleveland Bobcats club (pictured), descended onto the Summit Bechtel Reserve grounds in Glen Jean, W.Va., today for the 'Relentless' Columbia Union Conference Camporee.

Camporee highlights will include nightly worship gatherings, kayaking, ziplining, biking, earning honors, pin-trading ... and rain.  

Wednesday afternoon, a rainstorm added to the adventure of camp setup—but there is a high chance of fun planned for the week ahead.

Watch the Nightly Livestream, starting at 7:30 p.m. on Facebook.

New Jersey Conference Children’s Ministries Leaders Receive Training

Local Children’s Ministries leaders participate in one of the stations at the Vacation Bible School training.

Story by Anthony Baffi

The New Jersey Conference’s Children’s Ministries Department began the year with its first-ever hybrid convention, titled “Let Them In.” The theme was based on Noah and his efforts to prepare others to enter the safety of the ark through faithful preaching and teaching.

More than 100 leaders attended the two-day event, earning certificates for the North American Division Children’s Ministries Track 3 Child Evangelism training program.

New Slavic Ministry Begins in Cleveland

Ohio Conference, Gennadii Kasap, Andrei Shamray, Cleveland Slavic SDA Church

Story by Kasper Haughton, Jr. 

“This is the first time I have heard the Word of God preached in my native language!” Nina spoke with her new pastor, tears welling up in her eyes. “We immigrated to the United States many years ago and found out about Adventism from friends. Since then, every sermon I have heard has been through a translator until today! How beautiful the Word is!”

Charlotte McClure Ordained to Gospel Ministry

Story by Visitor Staff

Last Sabbath, July 30, Charlotte Pedersen McClure, former director of Communication for the Columbia Union Conference, former managing editor of the Visitor magazine, and retired pastor from the Spencerville church, was ordained to the gospel ministry.

McClure, who retired in 2010 after pastoring for eight years, has longed for this day to become a reality. “I've always felt welcomed by the brotherhood of pastors—always,” she says. “This is something that I wish would have happened earlier and I wish it would happen for more women, but I just encourage them, whether they are ordained or not, to continue working for God and for the mission of the church to spread the gospel, baptize people, comfort them.”

Women’s Ministries Crafts for a Cause

Story by Benia Jennings

The Women’s Ministries Department at the Shiloh Cincinnati church recently hosted a crafting event. The women enjoyed conversation, music, a raffle giveaway and a light meal before making crafts to support two local community projects. The first project was attaching greeting notes to individual packs of cookies with the inscription “Have a nice day” or “Thinking of you.” The care packages also included shower gel, lotion, hair products, flip flops and shower shoes.

The Women’s Ministries group supports a local women’s shelter by donating various items for the residents. These cookie care packages, delivered on Mother’s Day, served as the latest gift to the shelter.

‘My City My Passion’ Reaches Baltimore White-Marsh Teens

Story by Evan Knott/ Chesapeake Conference / Photo from Diego Bosuer

Teens from the Baltimore-White Marsh Church participated in service projects and leadership training during My City My Passion from July 9-16. 

The weeklong local mission trip provided 11 teenagers an opportunity to take part in creative service projects in Baltimore, such as serving breakfast to residents at the Ronald McDonald Charity House, assisting local food programs, and cleaning community parks. The group also distributed more than 200 evangelistic books and GLOW tracks. 

‘The Big Three’ Retire From Takoma Academy

Story by Salena Fitzgerald

Three beloved and accomplished Takoma Academy (TA) staff members retired at the end of the 2021–22 academic year.

C. Dunbar Henri received his Master of Divinity from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary (Mich.) in 1983. After 18 months of singing and traveling with the Heritage Singers out of Placerville, Calif., he pastored three churches in Maryland from 1983–1986 before joining TA’s staff full-time.

During the last 37 years, Henri has served as a Bible teacher and administrator, including two stints as TA principal from 1995–1997 and 2005–2009. During his first stint, he became the first black princi- pal to serve at TA. He also served as vice principal.