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

Southwestern Adventist University Celebrates Grand Opening of New Building
Southwestern Adventist University celebrated the grand opening of the Larry R. Moore Nursing and Administration Building on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2018. The ceremony took place on the front steps of the new building, with nursing students, alumni, friends, Board of Trustees and administration in attendance, along with Texas State Representative DeWayne Burns and Keene City Mayor James Chapline. More than 500 visitors attended the event.

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.

NAD Summit on Abuse Underscores Shared Accountability When Facing Cases in Adventist Churches, Schools, and Institutions
The NAD enditnow Summit on Abuse took place Sept. 24-25 at the division’s headquarters in Columbia, Md. The summit was organized to help equip pastors, teachers, volunteers, church staff, and members with the tools and knowledge to help end abuse within their scope of influence.

Student Leaders, Hopeful of Church’s Future, Promote Intentional Communication
As this fall’s meeting approaches, here is a look back at a 2017 Year-End Meeting (YEM) discussion with student body presidents of Adventist colleges and universities (Adventist Intercollegiate Association). The students, some of whom have recently graduated, were invited to participate in the North American Divison’s annual meeting with voice and vote privileges for its business sessions. The conversation started with the students sharing their expectations of YEM, and hopes for the future.