News

Story by Jessica Beans
 
Last Saturday Kettering College confered degrees and certificates on 244 students graduating with 249 majors at the school's 48th annual commencement ceremonies.
 
The event was held at the Dayton Convention Center at 8 p.m., Frank Perez, CEO Emeritus at Kettering Health Network was the keynote speaker.
 
College president Nate Brandstater granted 39 Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees in the following areas: radiologic technology (19) and respiratory care (20). Three certificates of completion in computed tomography, one in cardiovascular interventional technology, two in vascular interventional technology, and three in magnetic resonance imaging were granted.
 

Story by Tim Allston

According to “American Congregations at the Beginning of the 21st Century,” a Duke University 2006-2007 National Congregations Study, the percent of regular adult participants younger than age 35 in the average congregation dropped from 25 to to 20 percent.

In his July 2008 Ministry magazine article, “Reaching Out: Making a Difference With Young Adults," A. Allan Martin, the teaching pastor of a young adult ministry at the Arlington church in Texas, cites Paul Richardson of the Center for Creative Ministry, with headquarters in College Place, Wash. Richardson reported that the median age for the Seventh-day Adventist community in North America, "including the un-baptized children in church families, is 58 … Among native-born white and black members, the median age is even higher."

The frightening implications of this figure are seen when that median age, 58, is compared to the median ages of the United States and Canada, respectively, which are 36 and 37!

Story by Kimberly Luste Maran and Beth Michaels

In the United States on a single night in January 2014, 578,424 people experienced homelessness—they were sleeping outside, or in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program.1 In 2014, 46.7 million people lived in poverty.2

The numbers are striking, but when the impact of extreme weather conditions on these particular populations are factored in, the number of people needing assistance can be staggering. Add to this people who are economically secure but have experienced an extreme weather event and are temporarily yet suddenly thrust out of their safe, stable environment.

Here are ways Seventh-day Adventist churches and members can, and are, helping:

Crafting a Cold Weather Refuge

Noreen Chan Tompkins

Story by Elena Cornwell / Photos by Daniel Shanken, Andrew Rush and Joshua Roberts/AP Photos

Three members share how they represent the Lord to the world around them—all while they shine in divinely appointed career paths.

Terry Hess: Spicing Up Life

Hess’ goal was to be the vice president of his bank, One Valley Bank (now BB&T), before he was 30. He succeeded. In 1997 his uncle called to inform Hess it was time to buy his Virginia Honey Company, which he did later that year. Hess committed to give five cents of whatever sold to charity. Under his leadership, the company donated $1.5 million and grew four times. That was just the beginning of God’s path for Hess.

Editorial by William "Bill" Miller

It was a warm afternoon as we returned from an unsuccessful attempt to summit Mount Rainier (14,410 feet) in Washington State. The eight of us had sat at Camp Hazard (11,600 feet) for two days, the weather finally forcing us to return home.

On our descent, we made our way around the Wilson Glacier and crisscrossed the Nisqually Glacier, trying to avoid the many open crevasses, however, came to a crevasse we could not go around. We located a snow bridge to traverse over. After testing the bridge, we decided it was safe to cross. When it was my turn to go over, the snow bridge collapsed. I fell 14 feet and became wedged in the crevasse, upside down.

Editorial by William "Bill" Miller

It was a warm afternoon as we returned from an unsuccessful attempt to summit Mount Rainier (14,410 feet) in Washington State. The eight of us had sat at Camp Hazard (11,600 feet) for two days, the weather finally forcing us to return home.

On our descent, we made our way around the Wilson Glacier and crisscrossed the Nisqually Glacier, trying to avoid the many open crevasses, however, came to a crevasse we could not go around. We located a snow bridge to traverse over. After testing the bridge, we decided it was safe to cross. When it was my turn to go over, the snow bridge collapsed. I fell 14 feet and became wedged in the crevasse, upside down.

Emanuel Pelote, Columbia Union ASI president, speaks at the convention at the Southern Asian church
Story by Beth Michaels
 
Hundreds recently attended the “Testify” weekend convention hosted by the Columbia Union chapter of ASI (Adventist-laymen’s Services & Industries). The theme emphasized the impact that Adventists can have for the kingdom of God.
 

Story by Elizabeth Long

Truven Health Analytics™ has named Kettering Adventist HealthCare as one of the 15 Top Health Systems in the country. Truven Health Analytics is a leading provider of information and solutions to improve the cost and quality of healthcare.

The eighth annual Truven Health 15 Top Health Systems study identifies the top health systems in the United States, based on balanced, system-wide clinical and administrative performance.

 This is the fourth time Kettering Adventist HealthCare  has been recognized with this achievement.

 Ross Avery Gordon

Story by Ron Mills

Takoma Academy (TA) recently hosted a memorable week of spiritual commitments. “The Holy Spirit moved freely as God spoke through speaker Willie Ramos,” says Carla Thrower, principal.

Chaplain Luis Camps and the pastoral staff at the Restoration Praise Center in Bowie, Md., invited Ramos, a pastor from South Florida often known as the “Ghetto Preacher,” to be the speaker for the spring week of prayer at the school.

Camps says they invited Ramos (pictured left) to speak at the school last year, “But it was impossible at the time. I see now that God’s timing is always right.”

Swamidas Johnson, director of Hope Channel India, baptizes one of the many candidates that attended the 10-day evangelistic series held in the Vyasarpadi district of Chennai, India.

Story by Samantha Young

Three members from the Chesapeake Conference recently traveled to southeastern India to conduct a series of evangelistic meetings in the Vyasarpadi district of Chennai. With a population of 8.6 million people, Chennai is one of the most densely populated areas in the world.