News

Union Adventist University Receives Grant for Culinary Medicine Teaching Kitchen
The Ardmore Institute of Health has awarded Union Adventist University’s Master of Public Health Program a grant to establish a culinary medicine teaching kitchen (CMTK). The $35,000 will purchase six commercial-grade mobile workstations, each including the culinary tools and appliances to support two students at a time, enabling the university to host classes of up to 12 students in the teaching kitchen. Any remaining funds will support a student garden that was established by the university’s first public health cohort last year.

Mid-America Union Conference Executive Committee Appoints New Communication Director
During its regular spring meeting, the Mid-America Union Executive Committee voted to approve a recommendation by MAUC’s administrative team outlining a leadership transition for the union’s communication department. Following the vote, then-director Brenda Dickerson became the associate director, and then-associate director/digital media manager Hugh Davis became the new director, effective May 1, 2025. This transition of titles, initially proposed by Dickerson, serves as a model for succession planning and smooth leadership transitions in appointed positions.

James P. Willis II Elected as New Vice President for Education for the Pacific Union Conference
The Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists has elected James P. Willis II as its new vice president for education, effective July 1, 2025. He will succeed Dr. Berit von Pohle, who is retiring after a distinguished career spanning 46 years in Adventist education

Business Students and Entrepreneurs Participate in Hyve Conference at Andrews University
Andrews University hosted the third annual North American Hyve International Conference from March 27–29, a gathering where students, entrepreneurs, ministry leaders and businesspeople networked with fellow innovators and pitched their ideas. Through various workshops and programs on campus, practicing entrepreneurs shared their experiences and advice on how to cultivate a strong business in a way that glorifies God.

Versacare Grants Jumpstart STEM Education in NAD Schools
Schools all across the North American Division are buying laptops, iPads, e-boards; participating in project-based learning; and sending teachers to STEM training — all to ensure students have the tools they need to not only work in today’s economy, but to lead in it. Where is the funding for much of this cutting edge technology coming from? Versacare, Inc.

Partners in Preparing the Harvest
Literature mission work in the NAD is changing lives. Read about some of the outreach being accomplished across the division.

“BraveHeart Kids Village and Cottage” at Chosen Camporee Helps Kids “Stand Tall Like the Kings and Queens of the Bible”
While the Chosen Camporee in Oshkosh, Wisconsin was mainly for Pathfinders, nearly 300 children, ages 4-8, engaged in interactive activities catering to their ages and interests at the “BraveHeart Village and Cottage,” which was organized by the North American Division’s Children’s Ministries in partnership with the division’s Youth & Young Adult Ministries.

Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada Elects New Executive Secretary/Vice President for Administration
On Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada Board of Directors elected Wesley Torres as its new executive secretary/vice president for administration. He replaces Daniel Stojanovic, who is now, by appointment of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the leader of the Adventist Church’s work in Israel.