What happens when a church leans into its members' talents? It creates programs with tremendous potential. In Seattle, many young adults don’t know the love of Jesus. Refuge Adventist Church designed its ministry outreach for young adults who didn’t grow up in a Christian environment. The church invests in the quality of the worship experience. [...]
Amidst the backdrop of a crisp autumn evening, the air buzzed with excitement as the community gathered not for a typical Halloween festivity, but for an alternative celebration that promised to be both meaningful and jubilant. Hallowed Be Thy Name, hosted by Sharon Adventist Church, created a family-friendly atmosphere that steered away from the traditional [...]
The doorbell kept ringing at my hosts’ house as a dozen guests arrived. In my recent visit to New England for a convention, I arranged to visit my family of faith who had supported me in my formative high school years. The gathered guests were a sampling of the people who readily accepted me when [...]
Upper Columbia Conference prayer ministries began a remarkable project that is impacting the lives of many of its constituents. The prayer blanket ministry began with the goal of providing a blanket to each church and school in the conference. “When the idea of this project was brought to me, I felt so impressed that this [...]
Pain and suffering are experiences that everyone on earth has in common. No one is immune to them. The attacks in Ukraine and Israel are causing incredible amounts of suffering and death. Our hearts should be moved to do something. We can support humanitarian relief. We can encourage diplomacy between the nations to help bring [...]
Alaska has a couple nicknames that I have come across: "The Salmon State," "The Last Frontier," "The Great Land," but my favorite is "God’s Playground." Having been here for almost two years, I understand why this state is considered a paradise. Being surrounded by mountains, glaciers, rivers and wildlife is a blessing that constantly serves [...]
In September 2008, Ephraim Palmero started a food bank at Anchorage Northside Adventist Church, located in downtown Anchorage. A small closet situated at the bottom of the church stairs was designated as the storage area when it opened for operation. As food insecurity was the major concern and a greater community need, the church decided [...]
Adventist representatives from Outreach Ministries for North American Division, North Pacific Union and Washington Conference networked and learned recently at the Christian Community Development Association's annual conference. The conference, held Oct. 4–7, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio, looked at the theme "Love and truth meet in the street: Right living and whole living embrace." The workshops [...]
I have the privilege of being a pastor in Seattle, Washington. Like most places, Seattle comes with good and bad. There is the beautiful skyline with the iconic Space Needle and the majestic Mount Rainier towering as an omnipresent backdrop. There are three pristine National Parks within a day’s reach. Ferries connect to wonderful coastal [...]
Our family dining room table was the biggest personal sentimental loss from the Paradise, California, fires in November 2018. Now, there was nothing particularly remarkable about my family's table. It was a long, narrow, laminated particle board table. My parents had purchased this table set soon after they finished seminary. It was the best they [...]
