Editorial by Jerry Lutz
“‘See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction’” (Mal. 4:5–6, NIV).
This past weekend, delegates at the Pennsylvania Conference 2023 Constituency Session experienced a great morning of praising God for the incredible ways He has blessed them over the last five years.
Conference membership has grown to more than 13,680 members, as the conference welcome an average of 500 new believers--many from the 100 or more evangelistic events--each year.
Delegates to the session re-elected their officers, President Gary Gibbs, Executive Secretary Shawn Shives, and Treasurer Kevin Costello.
Story by Stephen Lee
Editorial by Marvin C. Brown, III
King Solomon was known for his wisdom and fair judgments. In one famous story, two women appeared before him, each claiming to be the mother of a baby. They had given birth around the same time, and one of the babies had died. The surviving baby was the subject of their dispute. King Solomon listened to both women and decided to test their love for the child. He suggested cutting the baby in half and giving each mother half of the child. One of the women agreed to the idea, while the other begged him not to harm the child and let the other woman have it.
Story by Courtney Dove
Kettering College has added a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) track to their offerings, with the first cohort starting in January 2024. The program prepares nurses for leadership roles in the rapidly changing healthcare environment.
October is Pastor Appreciation Month, and we have some ideas to help you encourage
and celebrate your local pastor.
• Send them a gift card to a local restaurant or cultural event.
• Pray for them every day.
• Write them an encouraging note, highlighting how they have helped your church.
• Take ownership of a ministry at your church. (Don’t wait for your pastor to do all the work!)
• Talk to your pastor directly (not to others) when you have a concern.
• Post a compliment on their social media account this month (and encourage others to do the same).
Story by Debra Anderson
At the Takoma Academy Preparatory School (TAPS) in Takoma Park, Md., teachers and administrators focus on graduating thinkers, achievers, peacemakers and servant leaders.
The Adventist Development & Relief Agency (ADRA) has announced the appointment of three new vice presidents.
Charné Renou has been appointed as the agency’s incoming vice president for finance.
Sonya Funna Evelyn has been appointed to a newly created vice president role in the agency’s growing programmatic and humanitarian space.
Derris Krause has been appointed as the agency’s new vice president for marketing and development.
Charné Renou
Story by Shannon Kelly / Photos by Esther Hernandez, Blue Mountain Academy Marketing Deparment
After being canceled for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SALT, a longstanding tradition in the Columbia Union Conference, is back. Roughly 150 student leaders from most of the Columbia Union’s senior and day academies gathered for Spiritual Academy Leadership Training (SALT) at Potomac Conference’s Camp Blue Ridge, nestled in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, for a long weekend of inspiration, leadership development, fellowship and worship.
Editorial by Rob Gettys
This world is not our home. Most of us understand this biblical principle found in Hebrews 13:14 that encourages us to keep our sights set on the kingdom of heaven. The question we face is, “How do we properly maintain a balance between this principle and the message in Luke 19:13 that tells us to ‘occupy’ or ‘do business’ until He comes?”
These two biblical principles seem to contradict each other. However, as we look closer, I believe we will realize that it comes down to how we choose to live the lives that God has so generously given to us.