Stories & Commentaries

This past year saw the creation of a new Pathfinder honor. My own daughter, along with two of her friends, were the initial catalyst to beta-test and help develop the requirements. As we did so, it became an opportunity to look at little-known or even unknown stories of early Adventist women.

When my sons Jason and Brandon were little, we would occasionally play hide-and-seek. It didn’t matter where we were—in the house, in the yard, or on vacation somewhere—there were always enough hiding places to make it fun. I would count to 10 slowly with eyes closed, and the kids would scamper around attempting to find some item large enough to conceal them from sight.

Attendees of Ophelia Barizo’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) seminars at the recent NAD educators’ convention would never have guessed that she had been hospitalized just days prior. The smiling woman in front of them, a passionate STEM education consultant, showed no trace of illness.

On the morning of the fourth and final day of the 2023 NAD Educators' Convention, teachers who would step into classrooms that following week felt anticipation, exhilaration, and appreciation. Nicole C. Mullen set the tone through her music. Then G. Alexander Bryant, president of the NAD, rose to speak. He addressed the teachers, recognizing their oft-overlooked efforts to invest in their students and uphold the tenets of Adventist Education.

Chuck and Dona Fulmore never set out to be—or even imagined it possible to become—musical evangelists. In fact, the more likely scenario for both of them was to follow in their parents’ footsteps and become dairy farmers—Dona north of Seattle, Washington; Chuck near Modesto, California.

The gentle hum of summer life was altered at Burman University during the first weekend of July as hundreds gathered on the campus. It began weeks and months out as the organizing team had been preparing for what would soon be the arrival of 300 pastors from across Canada, with our visitors totaling 500 people, including families, presenters, and exhibitors for the SDACC Ministerial Summit.

Liberty is published by the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists and printed at Pacific Press Publishing Association. Liberty is one of several sharing magazines; it is geared toward members and others interested in religious freedom subscribing and sharing with their family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Liberty magazine, the fourth to be featured in our series, is available for subscription at libertymagazine.org

It began with a humble prayer by a young girl from the island of Mauritius: “God, send me where you need me.” Without a doubt, God heard her sincere request. Those who know M. Gilda Dholah-Roddy can attest that she has embraced her call to ministry with the grace and determination to speak the truth, echo the promises of God, and faithfully serve where called. Gilda’s fervor and love for God and the Seventh-day Adventist Church are evident in the diverse forms of ministry and leadership wherein she has served. Given her nonlinear path of service, it is no surprise that Gilda’s next bend on the road would take her back to her original prayer and acceptance of ministry.

As a pastor, I have noticed over the years that one of the main reasons people stop going to church is the lack of friends and meaningful relationships in the church. Loneliness and church should be an oxymoron. Some say that we go to church to meet God, and it should not be used as a social club. I disagree. Acts 2:42 says: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (KJV).

In my role as CFO, I am called upon to communicate complicated and lengthy financial statement analysis to those who do not regularly interact with that information. It has been a career goal of mine to make that information simple and accurate so most anyone can quickly understand. That desire to make the complicated simple has spilled over into my everyday life.