Editorials | Seventh-day Adventist Church

Impact One

Editorial by Gary Gibbs

After entering church leadership years ago, I realized something vital was missing in my spiritual life. The spark just wasn’t there. As I prayerfully considered this, God directed me to a principle of spiritual vitality from Ellen White: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted to others, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 47, author’s emphasis). In the busyness of administration, I had stopped personally sharing the gospel. The result was lukewarm faith.

I asked God to help me find others who were interested in studying the Bible. Within a week, He had led me to Al and Billie. We began studies that resulted in their baptisms—and to my faith reigniting. That’s when I discovered this dynamic reality—if each member reaches one person a year for Jesus, we will not only come alive spiritually, but we will double the number of people in our churches!

The Inside Edge for the New Year

Editorial by Jerry Lutz

If you’re thinking that things in this world don’t appear to be making much sense these days, you’re not alone, and it’s because they don’t. The confusion and societal upheavals we are witnessing and experiencing today—which may seem new and unheard of—are just the current versions of what has been going on long before any of us came onto the scene. The difference today is that, unlike previous generations, we have instant, digital access to virtually everything in real time, including what’s happening around the world.

Hope Is a Powerful Word

Editorial by Dave Weigley

When I used to ride motorcycles, I heard a saying, “There are only two kinds of motorcyclists: those who have been down, and those who will be down.” This is also true in the human experience. There are only two kinds of people: those who have been through a crisis and those who will encounter one in the future. Life is tough, fragile, unforgiving.

Nelson Mandela’s example of perseverance in tough times has always inspired me. He was incarcerated for 27 years for resisting apartheid and other injustices in South Africa. During his sentence, he endured hard labor, toiling in hot, dry conditions without appropriate clothing.

“Who’s There?”

Editorial by Terry Forde

A girl was teaching her little brother how to tell a “Knock-Knock” joke, but he just didn’t get the “joke” part.

What he did understand almost immediately was that with the simple phrase “Knock-Knock,” he could command the attention of anyone he wanted. Trying his newfound powers out on his mom he said, “Mom, knock-knock!” “Who’s there?” she replied, leaning in to look at him and listen for his answer. Overwhelmed by the sudden focus and forgetting the idea of the joke, the boy innocently looked at his mom with face upturned and proclaimed, “Mama, it’s me!”

A Year of Youth Department Firsts at Ohio Conference

Campers relax by the fire at the 2022 Young Adult Retreat.

Editorial by Edward Marton

Another year has come to a close, and we can honestly say that God has not only been with us but has truly led and blessed the children, high school youth, young adults and adults of Ohio.

Reflecting on the year, we had quite a few “firsts.” Some firsts are returning to Camp Mohaven in Danville, Ohio, for Adventurer and Pathfinder events. Other firsts are beginning an organizational culture shift, turning “the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents” (Mal. 4:6, NIV).