What does it mean to be an effective leader in an unjust society? We live in a time of polarization and pendulum swings. Politicians stoke the fires of our worst fears and grievances; they point out all the flaws of their opponents while lacking the introspection to contemplate their own. Grievance politics has tapped into [...]
A recently published study suggests “a decline in religious practice” leads to an increase in “deaths of despair.” Deaths of despair are defined as deaths from “suicide and alcohol or drug abuse.” The increase is particularly noticed among middle-aged Americans, both male and female. The relationship between the increased decline in religious participation — not necessarily a [...]
5,500 educators from North America and Guam-Micronesia went into “student mode” to learn, grow and network at the "Something Better" NAD Educators' Convention held August 7–10 in Phoenix, Arizona. Among the attendees were 575 educators from the North Pacific Union. What are teachers like when they are in the student role? They listened — fairly [...]
It's always great to take a step back to reflect on how God has moved in our lives and blessed the ministries to which He has called us. It is equally enjoyable to then step forward and celebrate those blessings and rejoice alongside those who have joined us along the journey, and those who have [...]
In June 2023, Adventist Health welcomed Mid-Columbia Medical Center, now known as Adventist Health Columbia Gorge, in The Dalles, Oregon, as the third hospital in the Adventist Health Oregon State Network. The new addition joins sister Oregon hospitals Adventist Health Portland and Adventist Health Tillamook. “We are so glad to celebrate nearly four years of collaborative conversations that brought us to this historic moment,” said Joyce Newmyer, Oregon [...]
Long before the tents were standing, the pronto pups were frying or the iconic green benches were set up on the lawn, volunteers and staff were hard at work putting this year's Gladstone Camp Meeting theme, In Community, into action. One of the early decisions made this year was to increase collaboration between the Spanish and [...]
The first in-person camp meeting in Upper Columbia Conference since 2019 reunited many old friends and families and provided the opportunity to make new friends. The theme of the camp meeting — held on the campus of Upper Columbia Academy in Spangle, Washington — was Serve One More. “For many of us, it was our [...]
The beautiful campus of Mount Ellis Academy in Bozeman, Montana, became the spiritual epicenter of inspiration and fellowship during Montana Conference Camp Meeting in July 2023. Speaker Derek Morris, Hope Channel International president, led the way, urging attendees to pray for more laborers in the harvest as they explored various workshops and testimonies, fostering growth [...]
I love gardening — it’s one of my favorite hobbies. It’s relaxing to plant things and see them grow throughout the year. Over the years I have developed a very nice garden, but I have a small problem. A few years ago, my husband wanted a mint plant, and against my better judgment I planted it in my main garden space. For the first year [...]
When the Washington Conference camp meeting planning team gathered to debrief, the room was filled with stories about how God miraculously provided with the restart of the traditional camp meeting experience. One of the first miracles: the multiplying of food for a welcome back barbecue and the holding back of rain to allow for ample [...]
