“We have found that new churches are the best thing for existing churches seeking to experience renewal and revival,” says Frank Bondurant, the union’s vice president for Ministries Development, referring to research provided by the NAD. “When a church births another church, it brings renewal and revival to the existing church.”
For years Tony Liriano wanted to start and lead a new church. When he finally got that chance more than a year ago, he aimed to help nurture a family atmosphere where members felt welcome. He didn’t know that New Jersey Conference’s Garfield church plant, the church he would help start and lead as a lay pastor, would be instrumental in helping his son, Sammy, return to the Seventh-day Adventist faith.
Between the increasingly common natural disasters, mass shootings, sexual misconduct of those in public office, the opioid epidemic, accidents and disturbing social and political issues, it seems like every day is a struggle to survive. But the good news is that we can.
This week church leaders, local pastors and institutional leaders from across the Seventh-day Adventist church in North America gathered to discuss ways to collaborate to reach, retain and reclaim the people of North America with Jesus’ message and mission. Watch the videos!
“During the last year, we lost 21 members due to deportation over their immigration situation,” says Steven Rantung, pastor of Allegheny East Conference’s First Indonesian church in South Plainfield, N.J.
The Lord has given us a pertinent message for a crucial time in history. We eagerly anticipate the second com- ing of Jesus! Now is the time to share this hope with those around us. So many things are happening—the signs all tell us of Jesus’ soon return.
We live in a world that seems to spin much faster than we want it to, with each day accelerating a little more. We feel overwhelmed, tired and often discouraged because we want to produce and accomplish more goals than we did the day before. Months and years go by, leaving us feeling defeated.
Over the past five years, the number of women in pastoral ministry within the Columbia Union Conference has grown to 40. Meet six women pastors who reflect on their call to ministry, as well as their challenges, successes and blessings.
On Sunday delegates of the New Jersey Conference’s 40th Regular Constituency Meeting elected a new leadership team for the next five years, celebrated the work the church has accomplished over the last five years and elected a new executive committee.
