News
Providing Encouragement and Assessment
NAD Administrators Affirm Work and Assess Needs During Visit to the Guam-Micronesia Mission
Beginning January 4, 2024, a North American Division administrative team visited several islands within the Guam-Micronesia Mission for two weeks. “We wanted to provide encouragement and do an assessment of needs and see how we could better support the work there,” said NAD president G. Alexander Bryant.
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.
U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black Named 2019 Canterbury Medalist
Barry C. Black, 62nd Chaplain of the U.S. Senate, has been named Becket’s 2019 Canterbury Medalist for his honorable defense of religious liberty for people of all faiths. The Canterbury Medal, Becket’s highest honor, recognizes an individual who has demonstrated courage and commitment to defending religious liberty in America and around the world.
Thirty Baptism Decisions Made During Junior High School Student-led Evangelism Meetings in Michigan
For the sixth year in a row, junior high school students at Ruth Murdoch Elementary School pitched a tent on the campus of Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, and preached sermons directed to their peers as well as the general community. As in past years, baptism interests were generated, but this year the baptism requests soared — 30 youth and adults.
New Walla Walla University Center Celebrates Service
The new Walla Walla University Center for Humanitarian Engagement (CHE) has opened under the leadership of executive director David Lopez. The CHE will play a primary role in university initiatives related to service that include local and global opportunities for evangelistic and humanitarian work.
La Sierra University Board of Trustees Selects New University President
The La Sierra University Board of Trustees announced on May 30, 2019, the selection of a new leader to take the university’s helm as president Randal Wisbey enters retirement at the end of June. The university trustees elected Joy Fehr, La Sierra’s provost, to serve as the university’s next president.