Ohio Conference

Story by Vicki Swetnam

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the sport of disc golf exploded. Needing an escape from quarantine disc golf provides an opportunity to get fresh air and exercise all while social distancing.

Cold weather often spells the end of disc golf, but Ohio Conference's Spring Valley Academy, located in Centerville, kept the sport alive by hosting a six-week putting league in conjunction with disc golf manufacturer Dynamic Discs. Using a universal set of rules, students were able to see how they stacked up against competitors worldwide. Stats were collected on a UDisc app, and a running global leaderboard was updated each week.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink. ... Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? (Matt. 6:25–27, NIV).

In spring of 1976, we stood in front of our home, and nothing was left but ashes. We were able to save the orange Ford Pinto wagon and my dad’s wallet that contained the only money we had. My parents seemed calm, but I am sure they were worried about the future.

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7, NIV).

When the COVID-19 outbreak happened, we were stuck at home in quarantine. All we could do was stay home and work or watch the news, hoping to hear something good. During that time, I noticed people having anxiety because they did not know what the future held. So many crazy things have happened recently, and as everything looks to be worsening, it feels endless.

However, don’t lose hope. We need to continue praying, having faith and keeping our heads up, because we know that God is here with us, and things will be better soon.

Story by Edward Marton

More than 300 Ohio Conference Pathfinders across the state recently joined together from their homes for the conference’s first ever virtual camporee.

Presenting on the theme, “Stand True,” Todd Casey, Pennsylvania Conference’s youth director, focused on the life of Barnabas in the early church. Pathfinders learned that part of standing true is encouraging and supporting one another.

Story by Vicki Swetnam

This year, Spring Valley Academy (SVA) introduced a new high school course exploring the world of entrepreneurship. Students learned how to hire, fire, sell, explore the market, read financial statements, create a business plan, give an elevator pitch and ask for funding. The capstone project was a Shark Tank contest in which each student presented their own business plan to a group of local business leaders requesting an “investment” in their company. The students delivered and staged their presentations using props such as cupcakes, prepared meals, lawn mowers, clothing and other items.