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.

On Touch 10K Day, Adventists Aim to Pray with 100,000 People in Cities Across the U.S.
Message magazine is partnering with regional conference Personal Ministries directors and leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Touch 10K Challenge to impact the lives of 100,000 people in major cities across the United States. On Sabbath, May 4, 2019, members from Seventh-day Adventist churches will take to the streets in urban areas to touch the lives of people with prayer and a special edition of Message.

Versacare Foundation Awards $1.15 Million to Adventist Schools to Support STEM Education
On March 8, the Versacare Foundation awarded $1,159,000 in grant funding to Adventist Education, including $920,000 to 118 primary and secondary schools across the United States and Canada in support of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education.

Maryland Legislators Recognize Adventist Congregation For Work in Community
The community service efforts of the Emmanuel-Brinklow Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ashton, Maryland, have caught the notice of local and state government leaders. The congregation recently received a citation from the Maryland General Assembly (MGA) for its “Brinklow Cares” initiative.

When Does Eating Healthy Become Harmful?
The 14-year-old patient sitting in front of me insisted that her decision to become a vegan was unrelated to being bullied and called “chubby” in elementary school. Instead, she cited reasons related to animal rights and a desire to become “healthier.” Nothing about the straight-A student with severe muscle wasting, skeletal limbs, and a protruding abdomen heralding liver failure was healthy. This local teen was unlike any eating disordered patient I had ever encountered.