Editorials

I like meetings and seminars, where brothers and sisters gather to train and be trained in the name of God. These activities serve to recharge my spiritual batteries, make new friends and see old friends. It is at these types of events that I notice the immense variety of cultures and nationalities that comprise the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the New Jersey Conference being a beautiful example.

The new school year at Potomac Conference's Shenandoah Valley Academy
(SVA) has already provided many blessings! Seeing the smiles and experiencing the youthful energy of 202 students reverberating through SVA’s classrooms, ballfields, cafeteria and dorms is a great joy!

The average net growth of Seventh-day Adventists across the North American Division is 1.5 percent. But this is so much more than numbers; this is
about people—our children, friends, co-workers and neighbors. They are finding Jesus and following His truth.

How often do you contemplate the blessings in your life? I firmly believe that focusing on the blessings God has given us—both individually and as a church—helps keep our priorities straight and our attitudes correctly tuned. Even if problems and tragedies run into us like a Mack Truck, with God on our side, there are plenty of things to celebrate.

In this world, I picture humanity as though we live in a cave of sin, captive and unable to help ourselves to safety.

What is important to you? What are the things you most want to accomplish? The Chesapeake Conference has established our priorities, and the first is very simple: Evangelism and Outreach.