News Headlines: Mizpah Adventist Church Serves Philly Community Over 30 Years (and More!)
Mizpah Adventist Church Serves Philadelphia Community Over 30 Years. Mizpah Seventh-day Adventist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, places the community first in its effort to spread Christian values. Vernessa Wilson, the community services leader, said “We are focused on community because we sense that is our mission from the last words of Jesus—to go and make disciples. The church is to be outward focused instead of inward focused." Surrounded by working-class families, Mizpah reaches out to halfway houses, the hungry, and people who just want to better themselves through God. Its ministry visits nursing homes as well as the sick and shut in. The church also coordinates block cleanings. For more than 30 years, its food pantry has fed countless people. Other services include clothing distribution, a monthly box of food for individuals 60 and older, a community breakfast every Saturday, a community dinner on the second Sunday, and annual Mother’s Day and Thanksgiving dinners. “By being able to serve the community, we are able to meet the needs that are physical and ultimately . . . a blessing to their spiritual need as well. God has blessed us to have leaders who care for people and show respect to individuals in community that may be under-resourced,” said senior pastor Donald C. McKinnie, Jr., who came to Mizpah three years ago. From Philadelphia Tribune, “Mizpah Seventh-Day Adventist works spiritual magic to transform lives.”
Mormon and Adventist Churches Offer Aid for Italian Earthquake Victims. In Italy, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Seventh-day Adventist church will provide aid to the victims of the powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake that killed hundreds in on August 24. Leaders of the Mormon church in Europe are asking everyone to pray and help those who have been affected. Daniele Benini, an Adventist pastor in the affected town of Rieti and the representative for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency in Italy said, "We contacted the prefecture and the associations in the area to understand what kind of help we can give." Adventist churches are now being opened up as homeless shelters available to the victims of the earthquake. Most of the Adventist church members in central Italy are safe and unharmed. From Christian Daily, “Local Christians come together to help victims of Italy Earthquake.”
Adventist Health Ministries Serve Business Executives in Nigeria. The Seventh-day Adventist Church Health ministries in Lagos, Nigeria, is providing a free, seven-day medical outreach which will include tests and services to company executives in Lekki, Victoria Island, and Ikoyi. According to Jacob Umoru, president of Seventh-day Adventist Church Lagos Atlantic Conference, this new approach is designed specifically for executives in a changing world. He said there will not only be free consultations from seasoned professionals but also considerations for common ailments with executives such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. Umoru, a medical doctor, said the gesture was part of the church’s way of giving back to the society. One of the consultants, Seyi Wright, said the free medical program will also advocate for a simple healthy lifestyles in tackling health challenges. From The Nation, “Adventist church’s free medical tests for busy executives.”
Fijian Boarding School Repaired with Community Help. Navesau Adventist High School in Fiji, which had been severely damaged by Cyclone Winston in 2016, has reopened and its 290 boarding students have returned. Kartika Construction Company paid over $100,000 for the restoration, including materials and labor. The Minister for Education, Heritage, and Arts, Mahendra Reddy said, “We have an education dream, that is to ensure that all Fijian children have access to an equitable, accessible, and quality education, and this dream was not dampened or destroyed by Winston and will never be never mind how strong any disaster." The Education Director for Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fiji expressed his sincere appreciation to the Minister for the assistance that the Ministry and the Government has provided from the beginning in directing help to the school through the construction company and other forms of assistance like food rations, fees, and boarding grants. From Fiji Sun, “Reddy Hands Over Repaired Navesau Adventist High.”
Adventist Adopt-a-Clinic Program Helps Launch $1.5 Million Solomon Islands Facility. Batuna Memorial Clinic, an Adopt-a-Clinic project funded by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Pacific, has opened at Batuna Adventist Vocational School in Marovo Lagoon in the Solomon Islands’ Western Province. Australian Chester Kuma and members of the Port Macquarie church envisioned the project. The newly-built $1.5 million modern health facility stands as a beacon of hope and service to the people of Marovo Lagoon, thanks to the Port Macquarie Church and Loma Linda University, which partnered in the project. Premier of Western Province Wayne Maepioh called the clinic’s opening another milestone in the history of Marovo Lagoon. Maepioh urged his people in Marovo Lagoon to take ownership and pride of the new clinic. Hundreds of people from Gatokae and Vangunu attended the opening. From Solomon Star, “Batuna Memorial clinic opens.”
Pam Dietrich taught English at Loma Linda Academy for 26 years and served there eight more years as the 7-12 librarian. She lives in Redlands, California.
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