Allegheny East Conference

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

Church leaders recently recognized Ashley Judge, 18, as “Pathfinder of the Year” at Shiloh church in Petersburg, Va. Judge serves as a Pathfinder junior counselor, an usher and junior deaconess at the church. She also volunteers at Chippenham Hospital in Richmond, Va., and a local food bank.

“Being Pathfinder of the Year is the greatest accomplishment that I have ever received. … Hearing your name being called as Pathfinder of the Year symbolizes your love for the lord and your love of being a Pathfinder,” says Judge. 

In addition to her volunteer week, Judge (pictured above with her parents, Sharon and Hilton Judge) also maintains a 3.5 GPA, is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and an honor band participant at Virginia Tech University. She will attend Norfolk State University (Va.) this fall, and plans to become an elementary school teacher.

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

During the fourth annual “Handy Hall and Friends Weekend” at Pine Forge Academy (PFA), the boys dormitory staff and dean debuted their new Ambassador Awards program.

The program at the Pine Forge, Pa., based high school is designed to promote leadership, creativity and character development in African-American young men.

“We want our young men to understand that it’s not just about having exposure to godly principles, but that they should learn to embody and showcase them to guarantee success,” says Jaymie Pottinger, head dean of the boys dorm.

Paula Olivier, pastor of First church of Montclair in Montclair, N.J., says that for years the Lord impressed her to explain the Sabbath in a different way. “As Seventh-day Adventists, I think we excel at explaining the ‘what‘ of our beliefs, but sometimes pay little attention to the ’why.’ I believe that once [we] define the “why,” we can teach others to embrace the Sabbath as an extension of God’s love for us,” she adds.

Story by Edwin Manuel Garcia

The worldwide refugee crisis is prompting the United States to open its immigration doors to a larger number of people from regions in turmoil. According to the United States Department of State, nearly 70,000 refugees came to the U.S. last year—the world’s top resettlement location—yet recent political instability in Asia, Central America, the Middle East and Africa will boost admissions to 85,000 this year and 100,000 in 2017.

This dramatic increase will undoubtedly enhance the chances that families fleeing persecution may move into our communities in the near future. How should Seventh-day Adventists respond when refugees from Syria, Burma, Iraq, Honduras, Guatemala and other nations become our neighbors?