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

Sheltering Churches/Schools to Become New Way to Serve Communities
In an effort to further serve our communities, Rocky Mountain Conference Adventist Community Service director Cathy Kissner recently procured an agreement with the Red Cross that would allow qualifying churches and schools to be designated as shelters for anyone in the community impacted by a natural disaster or other incidents.

Andrews University Assists Victims of Local Flooding
Andrews University students and staff assisted with the housing and cleaning needs of residents displaced by recent major flooding, which began Feb. 20 in Berrien County, Michigan.

Andrews University Plans Puerto Rico Mental Health Mission Trip
A group of 20 Andrews University faculty, staff, students and an alumnus will travel to Puerto Rico from March 15–25, 2018, to provide mental health training sessions in local churches and the community.

Maryland Leaders, Professionals Uplift and Empower Community Members During International Women's Day Forum
Discovering purpose, impacting communities, and transitioning professions were among the various topics highlighted at the “Uplift and Empower Women in 2018” International Women’s Day Forum. The headquarters of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists hosted the forum on March 8.