Stories & Commentaries

The North Star serves a fixed compass in the night sky, guiding the pathway to the dawning of a new day. The history of African American Seventh-day Adventists is filled with numerous “north stars” who have contributed to the betterment of society for all people. Fortunately, this growing list continues into the twenty-first century.

Motorcycle Ministry Sabbath took place on Aug. 6, 2022. Earlier last year, when Michael Cerda, pastor of the Baton Rouge Seventh-day Church, first shared with the congregation that the Southwestern Union asked tmhe to host “bikers” from all over the country, there was a unified laugh followed by thoughtful silence. Members weren’t sure how to host bikers.

On this Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, as we reflect on what he stood for and fought for, may our actions bring to fruition daily that we are one family created in God’s image with inalienable rights of freedom and equality. May we use our voices, platforms, and our spheres of influence to lift the marginalized, the disenfranchised, and the least among us.

The Pacific Press Publishing Association, the printing and publishing house of the North American Division, produces several sharing magazines. These magazines are geared toward members being able to share them with their family members, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Vibrant Life is the first to be featured in our series.

Joelle Chinnock, whose father served as a dean on campus, was born and raised at Pacific Union College for the first 22 years of her life. “Growing up Adventist, I didn’t really know another option, and I didn’t understand the principles and beliefs for myself until later in life,” shared Chinnock, who moved to Paradise, California, about 20 years ago with her husband.

It’s been three and a half years since the Camp Fire devastated Paradise and several nearby communities in 2018. The fire, which has been attributed to two ignition points sparked by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) power lines, tore through the town in about four hours, destroying more than 18,000 structures (including about 14,000 residences) and killing 86 people.

From a humble beginning in the small city of Camden, New Jersey, to serving as the senior vice president for maternal/child health impact at the national organization of March of Dimes, Zsakeba Watkins Henderson, M.D., recognizes how her mother’s vision and sacrifice, God’s faithfulness, and the generosity of others has brought her to this position, which affords her the opportunity to help make a critical difference in the lives of mothers and babies.

This article is a collection of responses from the various student groups who shared their thoughts on “the 3Ms” with NAD leadership. Not every question is included in this article, nor is every response shown, but each group who responded is represented — and what is included are examples of the most common responses, as well as several unique stand-alone responses.

On a Friday afternoon after flying home from a week of meetings, I discovered that my laptop was missing. Panic hit. The last time I’d backed up my computer was two and a half months ago. So much work had happened since then. Committees, emails, documents, all were gone. My mind turned heavenward.

This season I pray that we don’t all get so wrapped up in our gift-giving that we forget the One that this season is all about, Jesus Christ. He needs to be at the top of our Christmas gift-giving list. He wants every one of His children to give Him all of their hearts.