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

Adventist Community Services Releases Digital Resource Hub for Caregivers of Elderly Family Members
Adventist Community Services (ACS) has released an online wellness hub, CareOptions, to help bridge the long-distance gap between family caregivers and their parents and grandparents.

Andrews University to Break Ground for New Health & Wellness Center
The official groundbreaking ceremony for Andrews University’s new Health & Wellness Center will take place on Monday, March 5, 2018, at 5 p.m. in the Howard Performing Arts Center.

Adventist Education Strengthened Through Fundraising
How can our K-12 schools, and especially academies, maintain their quality and continue to grow as well? One vital aspect is finances—and fundraising. The Philanthropic Service for Institutions (PSI), a North American Division department, addressed these challenges and more during a February 2018 meeting with school representatives from across the division. “Finances are crucial,” said Lilya Wagner, Ph.D., PSI director. “No longer are subsidies and tuition income sufficient."

New Website Dedicated to Crafting Welcoming Statements for Seventh-day Adventist Churches
Adventist churches at times have been exclusive and repellent. We have closed doors to people who didn’t behave like us or think like us or look like us. We have cared more about being right than about being kind. We have confused acceptance with agreement. ... Now is the time to be more intentional concerning the openness and warmth of our local church climates.