New Jersey Conference | Seventh-day Adventist Church

Children’s Ministries Convention Ministers to Families

Story by Stephen Lee

Sixty Children’s Ministries local church directors and staff from 22 churches attended the Children’s Ministries Convention earlier this year. Pamela Daly and Ana Maria Benzaquen from the North American Division Children’s Ministries Department presented the Ministering to Families track in English and Spanish.

The certification track ended on Saturday night with a graduation where many received a certificate and pin. On Sunday, the attendees participated in the Vacation Bible eXperience (VBX) live expo where they were equipped to conduct a week of VBX at their local churches.

Longing for That Day

As I read Jesus’ words in John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled”(NKJV), I cannot stop thinking about my 2-year-old granddaughter, Catalina, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. How can I accept Jesus’ words when we—humankind—become so overwhelmed by problems that are many times beyond our control?

Teachers-In-Service Learn Through Fellowship

New Jersey Conference teachers Jason Chavez, Lilia Torres and John Hakizimana hold the conference’s mascot, Buzz the Bee, during a team exercise.

Story by Stephen Lee

Principals, staff and teachers from five schools in North, Central and South New Jersey recently gathered in Piscataway for Teachers-in-Service 2023.

Arise and Shine!

Editorial by Carlos Portanova

Ascalon Retires After Serving 38 Years in Conference

Andre Ascalon (alongside his wife, Hillary), recently retired after serving in the New Jersey Conference for 38 years.

Story by Cinthia Portanova

Andre Ascalon, who retired at the end of 2022, served in the New Jersey Conference (NJC) for 38 years—20 years as a lay pastor and 18 as a full-time pastor, alongside his wife, Hillary. “My wife has been the most integral part of my ministry. This is a match made in heaven,” says Ascalon. “I think she is everything to my ministry.”