News | Seventh-day Adventist Church

Columbia Union Sends Crisis Counselors to Assist Flood Victims

Robert Smith, pastor of the Allegheny East Conference’s First Church in Teaneck N.J., has assisted in recovery efforts for the last five major hurricanes over the last 30 years. And, he’s again helping victims, this time in West Virginia, where floodwaters killed at least 25 and left thousands homeless.

On Monday Smith (pictured above with members of the National Guard) and Lee Kimani (pictured below), pastor of the Angaza Sharon church in Newark, Del., arrived in Lefthand, W.Va., an area northwest of Charleston. Smith reports that they’ve knocked on doors, visited 20 churches of all faiths and have counseled 50 families, provided prayer and connected victims to FEMA and Red Cross resources.

Washington Adventist University and Radians College Enter New Partnership to Help Graduates Further Their Nursing Education

Story by WAU Staff

Washington Adventist University (WAU) has entered into a partnership agreement with Radians College that will help qualified graduates further their nursing education through an accelerated evening program offered by the WAU School of Graduate and Professional Studies.

“We are very pleased to partner with Radians College, and happy that we can provide their nursing graduates with a convenient and affordable path to a master’s degree,” says Weymouth Spence, Washington Adventist University president. “Hospital requirements are changing, and this university is in an excellent position to support those students who need to further their education in order to meet the new requirements.”

$3 Million in Free Health Care Services To Be Made Available in Beckley, W.Va.

Story by Costin Jordache

More than 500 healthcare professionals and volunteers will operate a no-cost medical and dental clinic in Beckley, West Virginia on July 13-15, 2016. Approximately $3 million in free health-related services will be offered to noninsured and underinsured residents of Beckley and surrounding areas at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center. The event is organized by Your Best Pathway to Health, a service of Adventist-Laymen’s Services & Industries (ASI), in partnership with the Seventh-day Adventist Church and many other entities.

Spring Valley Academy Teacher Uses Art to Introduce Students to Creator

Story by Heidi Shoemaker / Photos by Hollie Macomber

Walk into Shona Macomber’s classroom at Spring Valley Academy (SVA) in Kettering, Ohio, and one is transported into an artist’s paradise: bright open space, skylights, soft music and students intently working on projects—from pastels to pottery. Inside students are overheard saying, “This is my favorite class of the week!” while others stop to admire displays outside her classroom.

Spencerville Adventist Academy Offers Student a Second Chance

Story by Heidi Wetmore

When Jacob Harris was 8 years old, his family moved from Liberia to Maryland so his father could serve as a Lutheran minister. Harris was bullied in school because he was not from the United States. He decided that he didn’t want to be different and started hanging out with gang members. That decision led him to an unhealthy lifestyle including drugs, fighting and crime.

Bella Burger Recipe

Just in time for grilling season, here’s a hearty and tasty burger recipe from Clara Iuliano, a member of the Pennsylvania Conference’s Hamburg church, that packs protein and will add “meat to the bones.”

Bella Burgers

16 oz can of chickpeas 
2 tbs olive oil
1 c unseasoned breadcrumbs
3⁄4-1 c water
4 tbs Bragg Liquid Aminos All Purpose Seasoning
4 minced garlic cloves
2 tbs The Vegetarian Express Saucy Ranch Seasoning (thevegetarianexpress.com)
1 c vital wheat gluten
Safflower oil for browning

1. Grind the chickpeas in a food processor until homogenous.

2. In a mixing bowl, combine the chickpeas with the olive oil, breadcrumbs, water, garlic, and Bragg and ranch seasonings.

3. When well incorporated, add the wheat gluten and mix it in thoroughly with your hands.

Editorial: The Best Medicine for Terror

Editorial by Jose H. Cortés, New Jersey Conference president

We are living in difficult times. It seems as if our civilization is falling apart because of terrorism, abuse and hatred. It is shocking to watch the news, as apparently harmless people—men, young women, sometimes children or elders—detonate themselves with explosives, killing and injuring dozens of people they do not even know! Can it get any crazier?

If we look at the other side, we see that our sophisticated society is plagued with abuses and violations: child abuse, elder abuse, domestic violence, racial hatred, prejudice and discrimination. Even politicians are lowered to dirty diatribes, verbal and physical attacks. Where are we going to stop?

Adventists to Open Supply Warehouse, Offer Crisis Counseling in West Virginia

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

The State of West Virginia will officially turn over a supply and distribution warehouse in Belle, W.Va., an area heavily impacted by the recent floods, to Seventh-day Adventist disaster relief teams today.

Tara VinCross to Leave REACH Columbia Union Urban Evangelism School

Tara VinCross, director of the REACH Columbia Union Urban Evangelism School, has accepted a call to be senior pastor of the Azure Hill church in Grand Terrace, Calif.

“Tara has made a valuable contribution in engaging young adults to experience the mission,” says Dave Weigley, Columbia Union Conference president. “Being the founding director of REACH, she has provided excellent leadership in creating a place where young adults can experience experiential learning--a valuable method to engage young adults.”

Adventist Community Services Sets up Warehouse in Belle, W.Va.

Mountain View Conference’s Adventist Community Services (ACS) staff is actively involved in coordinating relief efforts following floods in West Virginia that killed 23 people and left thousands homeless. The team is working to organize a warehouse south of Charleston, in Belle, W.Va., where victims will receive necessary items.

Belle is about 50 miles from the site of the upcoming Best Pathway to Health event where Seventh-day Adventists from around the country will converge to offer free medical care to community members.