Allegheny East Conference

A volunteer places a toy in a car to bring joy to a child.

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

Recognizing wintertime would be difficult for many in their community, Allegheny East Conference's Glenridge church in District Heights, Md., conducted its first ever drive-thru community giveaway. Spearheaded by Pastor Wayne Hosten, more than 40 members and volunteers from various churches ministered to more than 400 families.

After a week of sorting and packaging by a faithful crew, cars starting lining up at 7:30 a.m., two hours prior to the giveaway.

Image by Alexandra_Koch from Pixabay

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

Through one virtual appeal, Allegheny East Conference’s (AEC) Hispanic Ministries team baptized 214 people in six separate locations in one single weekend. In normal circumstances, AEC’s Hispanic congregations—consisting of 32 congregations and eight church plants—would worship together in one location for Fellowship Day. Due to the pandemic, however, they proceeded with a virtual joint service.

Image from iStock

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the enunchs that he might not defile himself” (Dan. 1:8, NKJV).

The rewards of the Bible-based diet in Daniel’s story resonated with me when I became a Seventh-day Adventist. My Christian journey up to that point had been a circuitous one. However, each path led me to be more reconciled to the Scriptures. Daniel’s example continues to influence the dietary improvements I make for better health, wisdom and discernment.