News

List Image

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.


List Image

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.


List Image

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


List Image

Business Students and Entrepreneurs Participate in Hyve Conference at Andrews University

Andrews University hosted the third annual North American Hyve International Conference from March 27–29, a gathering where students, entrepreneurs, ministry leaders and businesspeople networked with fellow innovators and pitched their ideas. Through various workshops and programs on campus, practicing entrepreneurs shared their experiences and advice on how to cultivate a strong business in a way that glorifies God.


List Image

A Man for the Times, a “New” President, and a Formula for Change

For most of the twentieth century the work in North America was led by one of the vice presidents of the General Conference. Then in 1985, with growing missional needs, the North American Division was reformulated once again as one of the 13 divisions of the world church. Charles Edward Bradford (1925-2021) would serve as the first president of this newly reformulated North American Division, beginning in 1985. This is his story — and our story.


List Image

Transforming the Lives of Stroke Survivors: AdventHealth, Orlando Neurosurgery First in Nation to Perform 50 Vivistim Implant Cases

More patients have been helped by an innovative device for stroke survivors at AdventHealth than any other health system in the country. AdventHealth Orlando is the first hospital to use the Vivistim® Paired VNS™ System to help 50 patients. This transformative device, designed to aid stroke survivors in their rehabilitation journey, has shown remarkable success in improving hand and arm function. 


List Image

“Not on My Watch”: 2024 Pastoral Evangelism and Leadership Council Motivates Attendees to Emulate Jesus in Troubled Times

“You’re here at PELC 2024 to see Jesus high and lifted up!” said Michelle Mota-Poyser, Northeastern Conference pastor, on night one of the Pastoral Evangelism and Leadership Council (PELC), held at Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, from December 8-11. With the theme “Jesus: Praise Him, Practice Him, Preach Him,” PELC organizers emphasized a focus on Christ and the urgency of spreading the gospel amid political and social turmoil. Jesus was thus central in every message, song, and workshop.


List Image

PELC Hispanic Track: A Christ-Centered Focus for Ministry Leaders

The Pastoral Evangelism Leadership Council (PELC) offers spiritual renewal, inspiration, and fellowship and equips pastors, chaplains, and other ministry leaders for their roles. Established more than 40 years ago by regional conference leaders, PELC is the largest annual gathering of pastors and church leaders in the North American Division. This year, it took place from December 8 to 11, 2024. While the main English track was held in the newly renovated Oakwood University Church, PELC in Spanish was hosted at the Office for Regional Conference Ministries in Huntsville, Alabama. Planned by the Hispanic Caucus, this specialized program provided resources and training for pastors serving Hispanic communities.