News
“Connected to the Word, Connected to Jesus”
Learning the Book of John makes a deep impact for many at the Pathfinder Bible Experience finals
More than 150 teams participated in the 2023 Pathfinder Bible Experience in Tampa Bay, Florida, on April 21-22. This is the second year the event is back in person after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the event online in 2020 and 2021.
The Do It Together Virtual Sabbath School Conference Trains and Inspires Leaders Across the North American Division
On September 14-16, 2023, Sabbath school attendees, teachers, and superintendents gathered for enrichment and inspiration through virtual training sessions and worship at the North American Division annual Do It Together (DIT) Sabbath School Virtual Conference. Close to 1,200 signed up for the event, with 763 of those registered completely new to the DIT event.
La Sierra University’s Rankings Jump Again in U.S. News & World Report Colleges Guide
La Sierra University saw its placement climb across three categories in the U.S. News & World Report 2024 Best Colleges guide this fall, to include a jump to No. 4 for social mobility among western region universities.
Alfredo Campechano, Long-time Editor at Pacific Press Publishing Association, Passes to His Rest
On Saturday, September 16, 2023, Alfredo Campechano, a long-time editor at Pacific Press Publishing Association, passed to his rest. He was 69.
During Hispanic Heritage Month, a Seventh-day Adventist Church in Houston Distributes Special El Centinela Magazine Edition to Community
Each September, in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month in the U.S., the El Centinela team at Pacific Press Publishing Association prepares a special bilingual issue of the magazine for distribution around the North American Division. This year, 450,000 copies were printed and sent to conferences and churches to use in outreach during the month.
Against All Odds
Attendees of Ophelia Barizo’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) seminars at the recent NAD educators’ convention would never have guessed that she had been hospitalized just days prior. The smiling woman in front of them, a passionate STEM education consultant, showed no trace of illness.
Debra Brill, Former North American Division Vice President for Ministries, Passes to Her Rest
Debra Clements Brill, former vice president for ministries for the North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, passed to her rest on August 27, 2023, in Jamaica, Virginia, after an extended illness. She was 71.
General Sessions Uplift and Edify Teachers at North American Division Educators' Convention in Phoenix
Within the three full days of North American Division Educators’ Convention, which ran from Aug. 7-10, 2023, in Phoenix, Arizona, were dozens of breakout sessions hosted by experts and educators, each with specific topics for dedicated teachers to enjoy. The five general sessions, however, gathered all 6,000 attendees in one room to listen to dedicated speakers and to worship.
“The Good Life”: ACFI 2023 Unlocks Life’s Cheat Code
“I’ve found the cheat code, the thing that makes life worth living – I have Jesus. And I’m privileged to live this life in service to others,” said Akehil Johnson, the North American Division’s Adventist Christian Fellowship (ACF) student association president at the 2023 Adventist Christian Fellowship Institute (ACFI). He continued, “Living in this joy is living like heaven is today.” The institute, held July 25-29, 2023, at the University of Ottawa, brought together 75 campus ministry leaders, pastors, youth and young adult ministry directors, and supporters. Themed “The Good Life; Heaven Now,” as described by Johnson, ACFI encouraged participants to embrace and share the abundant life promised in John 10:10.