New Jersey Conference

Story by Anthony Baff

New Jersey Conference (NJC) officials recently inaugurated the first NJC center of influence on the premises of the Luso-Brazilian church in Newark, N.J. (pictured).

Pablo Cisneros, pastor of Luso-Brazilian, along with local church members, attended the event. Also present were New Jersey Conference administrators Jorge Aguero, president; Mario Thorp, executive secretary; and Karen Senecal, treasurer, as well as Ligia de Freitas, the city’s deputy mayor, and other community authorities.

Historia de Mario Thorp

Hace once años, viajé por la costa de Costa Rica hasta Talamanca, un pueblo al sureste de Puerto Limón. En Talamanca hay un pequeño asentamiento de aborígenes costarricenses que viven en la comunidad de Bribri. Mientras estaba allí, me enteré de un miembro de la Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día que quería comenzar un pequeño grupo en la ciudad de Suretka, a una hora de Bribri.

Fui a Suretka para encontrarme con José Brown, también conocido como Piecito. Cuando nos sentamos, me identifiqué como su nuevo pastor. Piecito dijo: “Me gustaría ver una iglesia en esta comunidad”.

Editorial by Mario Thorp

Read in Spanish

Eleven years ago, I traveled down the coast of Costa Rica to Talamanca, a town just southeast of Port Limon. In Talamanca there is a small settlement of Costa Rican aboriginals living in the community of Bribri. While there, I learned of a Seventh-day Adventist member who wanted to start a small group in the town of Suretka, an hour from Bribri.

Story by Joshua Raymond

LNAA is a relatively small school located in Piscataway. The sophomore class only has 15 students, including myself, but, as a result, we are a truly connected community. Many of us have known and grown up with each other through the years at LNAA. We have seen our friends’ struggles and triumphs and have loved, laughed, played, cried, hated, and felt the same pain with each other; we have always flourished and gotten through life together.

Several years ago, Lay Pastor Juliana Marson felt compelled to start a church plant in Lakewood, New Jersey. The church planted has now become an official church, complete with a caring church family.