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

GC Office of General Counsel Issues Travel Agency Fraud Warning
Travel Agency Fraud Warning from the General Conference.

Oakwood University's Aeolians Win World Choir Title
Cheers and prayers of thanksgiving rang out in the United Kingdom and across North America as word quickly spread that the Oakwood University Aeolians Choir won the World Choir Title (Choir of the World) in the choral category during the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Wales, United Kingdom, on July 8, 2017.

First Graduates of San Manuel Gateway College Become "Community Faculty"
At the site of what was a desolate patch of dirt less than three years ago, 34 students graduated from San Manuel Gateway College on June 7. This is the first class to receive a Loma Linda University education in the city limits of San Bernardino. Twelve students received medical assistant certificates, and 22 received certification as community health workers.

ACS Disaster Response Helps Tornado, Flood Victims
A sudden downpour on April 29-30, 2017, resulted in significant flooding in Missouri. Kansas and Arkansas were also affected. Approximately 1,000 homes sustained damage (some were completely destroyed); and several roads, property, and businesses have also been devastated by the natural disaster.