The Atlantic Union Conference has announced the purchase of a new headquarters, marking a significant milestone in its 122-year history. The new facility, located at 287 Turnpike Road in Westborough, Massachusetts, is a 48,000-square-foot, three-story office building that will house the union’s operations. “Today, we are filled with immense gratitude and praise to the Lord for this moment,” said Abraham J. Jules, Atlantic Union Conference president. “While our current office has faithfully served us for decades, it has become clear that it no longer meets the needs of our mission in the 21st century.” The move, expected in the second quarter of 2025, was described as a strategic step toward future growth and ministry expansion. “This new office is more than just a building,” said Elias F. Zabala, Sr., Atlantic Union Conference treasurer. “It represents a step forward in our mission, ensuring we are equipped to carry the message of hope and service to the world.” Ted A. Huskins, Atlantic Union Conference executive secretary, highlighted the building’s central location and potential. “Its design supports expanding ministries and creates a welcoming base for collaboration. It’s a space for ministry to flourish in a changing population and digital world.” Jules thanked the […]
Planned Giving and Trust Services (PGTS) is a ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church dedicated to helping individuals and families with financial, estate, and gift planning. “Estate planning is not just for the wealthy; it’s a vital step for everyone to ensure that their wishes are honored and their legacy is preserved, starting from the moment they begin their first job,” says Cynthia Huskins, Atlantic Union Conference Planned Giving and Trust Services and Stewardship Ministries director. PGTS professionals regularly participate in training to stay current on financial trends and legal changes. The General Conference hosts training events in odd-numbered years, while smaller regional sessions are held during even-numbered years, hosted by union conferences such as Atlantic, Columbia, and Lake. In 2024, the Atlantic Union hosted the regional meeting at the Heritage Hotel in Southbury, Connecticut, October 21-24, 2024—the first in-person gathering for the region since 2018. Forth-five PTGS professionals representing 20 states attended the event. The weekend included devotionals, panel discussions, and breakout sessions on topics related to PGTS and stewardship. In 2023, 40 individuals completed a rigorous 13-week certification program, including material reviews and a 200-question exam. Huskins was among this record-breaking cohort. Many of these graduates joined 45 […]
Recently, I was at a meeting where we discussed the work of the church and what we were seeing in the baptisms and growth taking place throughout the Northeast. We noted that half to two-thirds of the growth the church has experienced has come from “immigrant growth”—individuals who are living in the United States but were not born here. Of course, we praise the Lord for all who decide to follow Jesus Christ. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, regardless of where we were born. However, the discussion led us to two questions, “Why is it that our message seems to resonate more with individuals new to the United States than those born here? Why does it seem that it is more of a challenge converting our own people?” Those questions led to an interesting discussion. Is it the Laodicean condition? Are Americans too “rich, and increased with goods?”—Revelation 3:17. Are we not investing enough money in this area? Some places are seeing more growth than others. Is it because they have better preachers? Are they just more faithful? I recently had an experience that caused me to reexamine some of my thoughts on this subject. In the […]
Wilson Cornelius, a self-taught reader of the Bible and a respected member of the Oneida Nation in upstate New York, found more than just words on a page—he discovered a calling.
The Atlantic Union Conference Office of Education Administrators Council (AUCOEAC) held its biannual meeting, October 21-23, at the Atlantic Union Conference headquarters in Lancaster, Massachusetts. This gathering brought together superintendents of schools, associate superintendents, and academy principals from the six conferences within the Atlantic Union to provide advisory input on educational planning and policies for the Atlantic Union Conference Office of Education and the Atlantic Union Conference Board of Education. New members at this session included Mark Bugbee, Northern New England Conference superintendent of schools; Ollyce Gardner, South Lancaster Academy principal; and Timothy Raymond, Union Springs Academy principal. Highlights from the meeting included a presentation by Heather Thompson Day titled “War Words.” Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University, an interdenominational speaker, and an author focused on compassionate communication. Additional topics on the agenda covered essential areas such as balanced leadership, advancements in robotics, finance, special needs education, and technology, including discussions on artificial intelligence. Feedback from attendees was highly positive. One attendee used the word “Awesome” to describe the presentation and its impact. Another person commented, “The discussions between the superintendents and the principals are always fantastic!”
Doctors, nurses, pain management specialists, Pathfinders, and Northeastern Adventist Academy Queens Campus educators came together on the South Ozone Park church lawn in Jamaica, New York, to host a community fair. Over 100 guests, including members, visited the various expos to obtain free oral cancer screenings, free blood pressure screening, natural/homeopathic pain management solutions, or to receive prayer and information about Adventist education. The church’s aim for the fair was to provide physical and spiritual healing for the community in the Borough of Queens through various outreach activities. Ellen G. White wrote in The Ministry of Healing, “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’” Following this example, South Ozone Park members were encouraged to take church outside the building to provide comfort and healing. One of the guests came to the expo out of curiosity as they passed by. They walked away with gifts, information about high blood pressure, and lunch. “Thank you for inviting me to walk through the various displays,” the person exclaimed. […]
Since its inception in 1927, the Master Guide program has been a cornerstone of youth ministry within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Designed to equip adult lay members with the skills to mentor and lead young people, it has long been intertwined with the Pathfinders’ journey. However, despite its rich history, no Master Guide investiture had ever taken place on Bermuda soil—until now. After months of preparation under the dedicated guidance of Joann Furbert, eight members were ready to be invested during the International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming. However, due to weather conditions, the investiture service was canceled. This unexpected turn of events led to an opportunity for the Bermuda Conference (BDA) Youth Ministries. Under the leadership of Dwayne Caines, the newly-appointed director, BDA Youth Ministries hosted its first-ever Master Guide Investiture Service. On September 7, eight dedicated members of the Bermuda Conference celebrated a milestone for the island’s youth ministry. David McKenzie, Atlantic Union Conference Youth Ministries director, officiated the special service. The inductees included some of Bermuda’s most dedicated leaders, including David Steed II (posthumously), DeJaun Tull, Kenneth Manders, Richard Martin, Stanley James, Michael Simmons, Loida Ratteray, Kristina Dickinson, and Pattie-Jean Roberts. Furbert, whose vision played a key […]
On September 14, The Ark in Lewiston, Maine, officially became a company following an organization service. This milestone marks a significant point in a journey that began over a decade ago with church planting efforts in the area. The story of The Ark began in 2011 with the launch of a center of influence in Lewiston. Initially, the center operated as a health restaurant, offering cooking classes, health seminars, and Sabbath worship services. However, like many other ministries, the center was forced to close during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, the congregation remained steadfast. During the pandemic, a weekly Bible study group continued, eventually laying the foundation for planting a new church. By December 2023, Sabbath worship services had resumed, and the church continues to grow in size and mission. A significant aspect of The Ark’s ministry is its work with immigrants and refugees who have settled in Lewiston. “Through this work, we have continued to connect with more and more of these families, who often arrive here with very little,” says Brian Hughes, lay leader for The Ark. During the organization Sabbath, church leaders reflected on the congregation’s journey and discussed plans for the future. “We praise the […]
Halloween, a holiday steeped in traditions that celebrate death, ghosts, and the supernatural, poses a unique challenge for many Adventist Christians. The Bible teaches that death is like sleep until Christ’s return. This belief held by Seventh-day Adventists clashes with Halloween’s themes of the undead and the afterlife. As a result, many Adventists opt to turn off their lights, avoid opening their doors, or even leave home to escape the festivities. But ignoring Halloween wasn’t enough for Roman Beresnev, Kingsbury church pastor in Queensbury, New York. He saw the potential for ministry. Instead of treating Halloween as something to avoid, Beresnev viewed it as an opportunity to share Adventist beliefs about life, death, and salvation. His approach was simple yet powerful. Last year, he stocked up on candies and treats to hand out to trick-or-treaters—just like any other house in the neighborhood—but added something extra: booklets explaining what the Bible says happens after people die. When the night arrived, Beresnev was ready. “Kids flocked to my home in costumes, expecting candy. But along with their sweets, they each received a booklet that shared a message of hope rooted in biblical truth,” said Beresnev. By the night’s end, 50 children had […]
The Atlantic Union Conference Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) Department held its 20th Attorneys Conference, October 4-5, in Stamford, Connecticut. Lawyers and individuals interested in religious liberty were enthralled by presentations from some who have fought in the trenches for many years. Under the theme “Religious Freedom and Peaceful Coexistence,” presenters shared experiences and their work to educate, engage, stimulate conversation, and evoke awareness about our freedoms and right to worship. Several students attended this year’s conference, much to the delight of Atlantic Union Conference PARL leaders and conference organizers Charles Eusey, director, and John Ashmeade, assistant director. “I was thrilled to see so many outstanding young scholars who are interested in law and religious liberty in particular,” Eusey says. “I am encouraged that our church will receive good guidance and counsel from these students as they pursue and complete their formal education.” Skip MacCarty, retired associate pastor for evangelism at Pioneer Memorial church on the campus of Andrews University, began the conference with a glimpse into confusion and misunderstanding over the biblical old and new covenants. The next day, MacCarty took attendees on a deep dive into God’s everlasting covenant and considerations for interpreting the covenants. He led […]
