Press Releases

Oakwood University Church to Honor Tennessee Resident for Actions in Waffle House Incident

James Shaw, Jr. heroically disarmed restaurant shooter in Nashville

April 26, 2018 | Huntsville, Ala. | Oakwood University Church

The Oakwood University Church, in conjunction with Breath of Life Television Ministries, will honor James Shaw, Jr. at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 28, 2018. Shaw, the Nashville, Tennessee, resident who disarmed a gunman, attended F.H. Jenkins Preparatory School (an elementary school that is part of the South Central Conference) in Nashville for several years.

Shaw has been hailed as a hero for disarming Travis Jeffrey Reinking, the gunman who attacked patrons at a Waffle House Restaurant in the Antioch neighborhood of Nashville this past Sunday, April 22, 2018. Four individuals were killed and two were injured from gunshots.

Shaw will receive recognition for his bravery and briefly address the audience. He will also be available for a press conference immediately following the Worship Experience. The Oakwood University Church has a membership of over 2,500, and also ministers to the nearly 2,000 students who attend Oakwood University. Dr. Carlton P. Byrd has been the church’s senior pastor since 2012. The Breath of Life Television Ministry was founded in 1974. Byrd became its third speaker/director in 2010. While many of its broadcasts originate from the Oakwood University Church, Byrd is in high demand as a speaker and preaches to audiences around the world.

For more information regarding Shaw’s visit, please call Pastor Paul Goodridge, associate pastor of the Oakwood University Church, at 1(256)837-1255, ext. 102; or send an email to pgoodridge@oucsda.org.

Young Adult LIFE Tour Coming to Portland, Oregon

Many of our local churches love their young adults but are at a loss as to where to begin a thriving ministry with them. The North Pacific Union Young Adult LIFE Tour stop intends to bring insights and relevant, doable steps toward building a flourishing young adult ministry now. The tour’s next stop will be in Portland, Oregon, from April 19-20, 2024, at the Pleasant Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church.

What’s in Your Hand? eHuddle Inspires Attendees Toward Creative Evangelism

From February 26 to 28, nearly 200 pastors and other leaders gathered at Camp Kulaqua in High Springs, Florida, for the 2024 eHuddle, an annual evangelism and leadership think tank hosted by the North American Division’s (NAD) Ministerial Association. Thousands more tuned in via Facebook and YouTube.

Mardian J. Blair, Former CEO of AdventHealth, Passes to His Rest

Mardian J. Blair, who led AdventHealth (formerly Adventist Health System) from 1984 until 2000, passed away on March 26 at the age of 92 in Apopka, Florida. Blair leaves behind a profound impact on the organization and in faith-based health care, particularly during a time of significant change in the health care industry.

It Is Written Conducts Alaska Evangelism and Mission Trip

This spring, It Is Written will conduct a mission trip and evangelistic campaign in Alaska, culminating in the Revelation Today: Hope for Humanity series. At the end of March, a mission team of 70 volunteers are serving in Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska, and Bethel, the largest rural community. The evangelistic series begins April 5.

Pacific Union College Gains Approval to Expand Nursing Program to Sonora

Pacific Union College (PUC) recently announced that it received state approval for a new nursing training partnership with Adventist Health Sonora. The PUC education center will further the college’s goals of growing its nursing program and help meet the rising need for highly qualified healthcare professionals in the Tuolumne County area.