News

Adventist Community Services Prepares to Help After Tornadoes Strike Missouri, Kentucky, and Wisconsin
Yesterday afternoon, a devastating tornado struck Kentucky and St. Louis, Missouri. In Kentucky, 14 are reported dead. In St. Louis, five deaths have been reported, along with widespread damage. At least 20 blocks of the city sustained damage. More than 5,000 properties are without power, and local emergency services are actively responding. As ACS begins to respond, they urge members to pray for those impacted and those providing assistance.

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

At Prayer Service, Michigan Faith Leaders and Officials Urge Unity After Pittsburgh Massacre
Congregants from various faiths gathered in Benton Harbor, Michigan, on Monday night, Nov. 8, 2018, to pray for unity in the wake of the Pittsburgh massacre which left 11 Jewish worshippers dead. Before a standing-room only crowd of 150, faith leaders resolved to support Jews and other victims of religious hatred in the hopes of sending a clear message that love will triumph over hate.

2018 NAD YEM Writing Committee Report
On Nov. 4, 2018, after a discussion of the document "Regard for and Practice of General Conference Session and General Conference Executive Committee Actions," which was voted during the General Conference Annual Council meeting in October, the North American Division Year-End Meeting Executive Committee approved a writing committee to craft a response to it. On Nov. 6, the NAD delegates approved the official response.

Discussion, Ministry Reports, and Collaborations
After the morning devotional given by Pierre Omeler, a full day of business commenced on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, at the North American Division Year-End Meeting (NAD YEM). The morning session was devoted to a discussion on the voted General Conference document titled “Regard for and Practice of General Conference Session and General Conference Executive Committee Actions." The afternoon session included reports from NAD ministries and partners.

At Year-End Meeting, Motion Accepted for North American Division to Discuss Financial Parity with General Conference
After the afternoon reports from Christian Record Services, Inc., North American Division media ministries, and Oakwood University at the NAD Year-End Meeting on Nov. 5, 2018, Daniel R. Jackson, NAD president, opened the floor for a discussion on finances.