News

 Reuel White.

Story by Cecily Bryant

Barry Brooks, Sabbath School superintendent of Allegheny West Conference's Southeast church in Cleveland, and his team represent success that grew out of adversity. The COVID-19 pandemic led this group to lean on Jesus and think outside of the box. Their combined efforts and dedication produced a creative and spiritually vibrant online Sabbath School.

The team consists of Brooks, his wife, Denise, their daughter, Brittni, and fellow church members Janviere Lavender, Elva Battle, Charity White and Reuel White. Whether their efforts involve planning, teaching or enhancing the online experience or hand-delivering Sabbath School lessons, other members say the result of their teamwork is excellence.

Paul Douglas elected as Treasurer of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Image by Tor Tjeransen/ Adventist Media Exchange

Story by ANN Staff /  Image by Tor Tjeransen/ Adventist Media Exchange

Paul Douglas has been re-elected as the Treasurer of the General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists (GC). Douglas was first elected to the position during the 2021 Spring Meetings, in Silver Spring, Maryland, after Juan Prestol-Puesán retired. 

GC Secretary Erton Köhler and his wife Adriene Marques. Image by Bryant Taylor/ Southern Union

Story by Maryellen Hacko/ANN

On Tuesday morning at just about 9:30 am at the 61st General Conference Session, GC Secretary Erton Köhler, accompanied by Undersecretary Hensley Moorooven, GC associate secretaries Claude Richli, Gerson Santos, Karen Porter, Gary Krause and Elbert Kuhn, alongside Director of the office of Archives, Statistics and Research (ASTR) David Trim, and VividFaith manager Fylvia Kline, presented the Secretariat Report, which celebrated the mission work executed across the global Adventist Church over the past seven years.

Jorge Quintiana, pastor of the Virginia Beach (Va.) church

Story by Debra Anderson

It is not uncommon to find church leaders struggling to find ways to go beyond the premises of the church to minister. In the Potomac Conference, however, pastors, principals, teachers and office workers are being challenged to do just that—to extend themselves “Beyond the Walls.” For the last year, congregations around the conference have been intentional in living the gospel of Jesus by reaching out to help those in their local communities.

Allegheny East Teen Leadership Training

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

The conference’s Pathfinder Ministries Department recently hosted a Teen Leadership Training (TLT) retreat at the Mt. Aetna Retreat Center in Hagerstown, Md. More than 30 TLT trainees, 14 TLT mentors and nine staff members gathered for a weekend of training and activities that included a bonfire vespers, indoor and outdoor games and team challenges.

Participants left inspired and equipped. “The program has encouraged me to adjust how I view myself and how I can be a part of spreading the three angels’ messages,” shares TLT trainee Zora Wills from Genesis church’s Jaguars club.

Pastors and leaders in the Ohio Conference baptize more than 150 members at camp meeting.

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

This past weekend, the Ohio Conference Hispanic Ministries Department welcomed 155 new members to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. "No one I have spoken to has a memory of us ever baptizing this many people in a single day," says Bob Cundiff, conference president. "As such we feel it is an unprecedented event in our territory."

Negley Family

Story by Andrew S. Lay

"Legacy” can mean your reputation, good works or what you leave to your family or charities when you pass away. For several Highland View Academy (HVA) alumni and families, their legacy has been to put their sons and daughters through a Seventh-day Adventist high school setting where the chances of developing an education for eternity is greater. Several of these families describe their legacies below:

HVA was built on the former Negley family farm, with the Negley sons, David (’59), Nathan (’60) and John Negley, Sr. (’66) all graduating from the school. John would also send his son John Negley Jr. (’88) to the academy (both pictured below).

Story by Esther Hernandez

Rafael Tavares, a senior at Blue Mountain Academy, was born into a Christian home with a praying mother. As a young person, he decided to enjoy life and leave the church. Despite his decision, he knew his choices weren’t glorifying God. “I didn’t understand the impact of my choices—the movies I watched, the music I listened to,” Tavares shares. “But God kept sending me people who showed me His love and truth.”