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

Loma Linda University Graduate Went from Watching Inflight Movie to Real-Life Hero
Finding something to do on an airplane has a new meaning for Dean LaBarba, M.D., who earlier this month traveled from Zurich to Los Angeles on a 12-hour flight and ended up saving the life of a fellow passenger after she abruptly collapsed. LaBarba, who graduated last month from Loma Linda University School of Medicine, was returning home with his wife, Ivy, after a celebratory trip to Sicily.

Why What Happened in Guatemala Matters Here
Sixteen young Walla Walla University students and pastoral interns learned something life-changing through their evangelistic trip to Retalhuleu, Guatemala, during spring break, March 22-April 1, 2018. They all knew it in theory, but for the first time some of them directly experienced how eternal decisions are made when the Spirit moves.

Oakwood University Aeolians Win at World Choir Games
Oakwood University Aeolians achieves highest scores in two categories to win big at the 10th edition of World Choir Games in Tshwane, in the northern part of South Africa. Competing in the categories of Spirituals, Musica Contemporanea, and University and College, the Aeolians bested more than 14 other choirs from around the world.

Transition in Ownership Planned for WGTS, Pending FCC Approval
On May 9, 2018, the Washington Adventist University Board of Trustees voted to divest itself of the WGTS 91.9 radio station's operating license for $12 million. Pending FCC approval, administrators, expect the purchase to be completed sometime this fall with all assets transferring to the newly formed non-profit Atlantic Gateway Communications, Inc.