News Articles
In First Meeting of the New Year, University Student Leaders Advisory Provides Opportunity for Dialogue and Feedback
On January 24, 2024, the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists (NAD) conducted a university student leaders advisory. The virtual event was cohosted by G. Alexander Bryant, NAD president, Wendy Eberhardt, NAD vice president for ministries (which includes Children’s, Family, Disabilities, and many other ministries), and Tracy Wood, NAD Youth & Young Adult (YYA) Ministries director.
Divine Genius: Funding the Seventh-day Adventist Worldwide Movement
"Where does all that money go?" As a church employee for more than 40 years, 30-plus of which as a treasurer, Randy Robinson has heard that question more times than any other. It is a profoundly legitimate question, but one that is difficult to answer because of the complexity of the church's financial system. But that's no excuse for not providing a clear and understandable answer. The goal of this article is to help demystify some of the complexity.
AdventHealth Celebration Team Performs First-in-world Procedure Targeting Kidney Tumor with Sound Beams
Kidney-tumor patients have an innovative new treatment option, first performed recently by a surgical team at AdventHealth Celebration. The procedure, known as histotripsy, targets and destroys tumors using sound beams, noninvasively and without the need for needles or incisions.
Washington Adventist University Marks 120 Years of Service, Embarks on a Year-Long Celebration
In a remarkable milestone, Washington Adventist University (WAU)* is celebrating 120 years of dedicated service to education, faith, and community. Founded in 1904 in Takoma Park, Maryland, WAU has been a steadfast beacon of higher learning and spiritual growth. To kick off this year-long celebration, on Jan. 11, 2024, WAU president Weymouth Spence initiated a special daily prayer initiative, at 1:20 p.m. ET, uniting the WAU community in faith and reflection.
John McVay, Longest Serving Walla Walla University President, Announces Plans to Retire
Walla Walla University president John McVay announced on Jan. 11, 2024, that he will retire at the end of this academic year, after completing 44 years of service to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Eighteen of those years were spent at WWU.
In Addition to Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day With Its Community, the W.C. Atkinson Community Center Provides Care in Coatesville, Pensylvania
In honor of the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, the Coatesville community leadership, with strong support from the community, banded together to carry on the legacy of King by not only speaking about change, justice and advocacy, but also by emphasizing the day of service and providing ample opportunities to serve. As a tribute to King’s housing initiative that he began in November of 1967, the W.C. Atkinson Memorial Community Service Center, an Adventist Center of Influence in partnership with many other organizations including Good Works and Adventist Community Services, started a home renovation project on Jan. 2, 2024, with a goal of completion by MLK Jr. Day.
Southwestern Union Announces Initiatives to Support Southwestern Adventist University Theology and Education Majors
In a bold step toward fostering the next generation of church leaders, the Southwestern Union, under the leadership of president Carlos Craig, and in collaboration with Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU), has announced two groundbreaking initiatives to support students following a call to ministry through the study of theology and education. The strategies provide financial incentives, up to $15,000 per student, in response to the increasing need to recruit and retain teachers and pastors who choose to serve the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Southwestern Union.
David Anthony Johnson Inspires Pacific Union College Students at Martin Luther King Jr. Service
The Pacific Union College (PUC) Church resonated with powerful words as David Anthony Johnson addressed students during a special Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Day. The event, held in the sanctuary on Thursday morning, Jan. 11, 2024, as part of the Community Speakers Series, was dedicated to honoring King’s legacy.
A Tapestry of Faiths: North American Division’s Fifth Prayer Breakfast Sparks Unity in Mission
On January 18, 2024, roughly 110 local faith and civic leaders attended the fifth Religious Freedom Prayer Breakfast hosted by the North American Division (NAD) and organized by its Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) department. The event commemorated Religious Freedom Day (Jan. 16) and coincided with Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 15). Attendees experienced a religious freedom-themed keynote, special musical selections, and prayers focusing on religious freedom, peace, unity of spirit, and personal responsibility.
When We Answer the Call to Help “The Least of These”
Who are the least of these? And who is called to serve; and what does that service look like when perhaps there are other life situations that make it challenging to help? And can our church serve as a conduit for understanding what help looks like and how everyone can be involved? Those are the questions we are asking ourselves within Adventist Community Services. While our traditional avenues for providing help will continue — operating food pantries, providing clothing to those that need it, and running community gardens — we are also looking to expand the ways we define help as well as the type of help we provide in the communities we serve.