Pennsylvania Conference | Seventh-day Adventist Church

Impact One

Editorial by Gary Gibbs

After entering church leadership years ago, I realized something vital was missing in my spiritual life. The spark just wasn’t there. As I prayerfully considered this, God directed me to a principle of spiritual vitality from Ellen White: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted to others, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 47, author’s emphasis). In the busyness of administration, I had stopped personally sharing the gospel. The result was lukewarm faith.

I asked God to help me find others who were interested in studying the Bible. Within a week, He had led me to Al and Billie. We began studies that resulted in their baptisms—and to my faith reigniting. That’s when I discovered this dynamic reality—if each member reaches one person a year for Jesus, we will not only come alive spiritually, but we will double the number of people in our churches!

Young Adults Impact Community Members in Pennsylvania

Joosung Kim, a member of the Impact Magabook Ministries team, displays his books alongside his new friend.

Story by Tamyra Horst

“Just like any other canvassing day, this day was no different, except for one thing,” shares Joosung Kim, a member of the Impact Magabook Ministries team who went door to door earlier this year. “Stairs! These were the most stairs I have climbed in my life in one day. ... So, you had to make the most of every single person you spoke to. At one door, I noticed a key that was still in the keyhole.”

Faithfulness Powers the Mission

Editorial by Horacio Hernandez-Ble

This has been a historic year. We have seen the largest inflation increase in the past 40 years. We have also seen a decline of stock markets in the United States and the rest of the world. There is a lot of uncertainty in our world today. Despite it all, we have seen the faithfulness of our brothers and sisters here in Pennsylvania.

As of August 2022, God has blessed us with a 4.1 percent increase in our tithe over the previous year. We also reached our evangelism offering goal of $300,000 during camp meeting—even though it was a shorter camp meeting than most.

Sharing the Gospel Through a Pantry

Dawn Penatzer, a new member of the Simple Way mission group, shares, “The [food] pantry is my miracle cupboard.”

Story by Tamyra Horst

Dawn Penatzer frequently stopped by the food pantry outside of Pennsylvania Conference's Simple Way mission group in Carnegie, Pa.

A Powerful Start to School Year

Blue Mountain Academy, Pennsylvania Conference

Story by Esther Hernandez

Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) began the new year with 161 students—an increase in enrollment over the past three years—and with several “power weekends” featuring speakers who shared their testimonies and challenged the young people and staff to take the steps needed to strengthen their relationships with God.

Justin Kim, assistant director of Sabbath School and Personal Ministries for the General Conference, challenged students not to settle for being mediocre.