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.
Washington Johnson, II Rises to the Rank of Captain in the U.S. Navy Reserve During Historic Promotion Ceremony
Washington Johnson, II, associate director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries, was officially promoted from “commander” to “captain” in the U.S. Navy Reserve on October 8, at the headquarters of the North American Division in Columbia, Maryland. Johnson is the sixth Adventist chaplain to reach the rank of captain in the history of the denomination and the U.S. Navy.
Student-Produced Film Helps Promote “Creation Sabbath”
The Stop, a clever and compelling three-minute film about the Sabbath and creation was made available October 3 by the Geoscience Research Institute (GRI) in preparation of “Creation Sabbath,” on October 27. The annual celebration of the Seventh-day Adventist Church provides a designated time for church and community members to reflect on God’s creation.
Andrews University Holds Second Annual Change Day, Serves Community
On Sept. 13, 2018, Andrews University held its second annual Change Day. Approximately 1,400 Andrews University faculty, staff and students worked at 70 sites across seven neighborhoods and two counties.
Adventist Community Services Collaborate in North Carolina Hurricane Recovery
The relief effort as North Carolina residents recover from Hurricane Florence continues for Adventist Community Services Disaster Relief (ACS DR) as both South Atlantic and Carolina conferences work to assist communities across the state. In days immediately following the flooding, ACS DR set up warehouses for distribution of water, food, flood buckets containing clean supplies, and Walmart gift cards. Trucks from several conferences have delivered supplied from across the division; ADRA has pledged financial support; businesses and the American Red Cross have donated hygiene kits, water, and non-perishables.