News

The Paradise, California, community understands the long-lasting recovery of a catastrophic disaster. The Nov. 8, 2018, Camp Fire burned 95 percent of the town. Now, in Paradise and across the nation, the impact of COVID-19 shelter in place is burning through check books and savings. But for those in the Paradise area, there is some good news. “The church burned down, but our members are still standing, and meeting the needs of others,” explained Steve Hamilton, senior of the Paradise Seventh-day Adventist Church.

On June 21, the La Sierra University class of 2020 had a chance to safely gather and celebrate their achievements with a “Drive-Through Celebration” organized by the university. For more than two hours beginning at 8:30 a.m., nearly 200 grads with their families and friends paraded in their vehicles on a guided route throughout the school’s campus. Faculty, staff, and students, all with face masks in place, lined the roadside and grassy median, waved congratulatory signs, and cheered them on.

Every summer, Adventist Muslim Friendship Association, an NAD-based initiative located near Chattanooga, Tenn., provides a summer school for children of refugee families in the area. That first summer in 2016 included English and Geography classes, hiking, and some crocheting classes for the mothers. After observing another organization that taught women to sew bags and purses, AMFA expanded the summer program to include sewing classes for the women.

From June 22 to 28, John Bradshaw, It Is Written president, and a team of highly-qualified health professionals tackled some of the biggest health issues affecting people today. In the seven-part series, more than 20 physicians shared insights and advice on heart health, diabetes, cancer, obesity, mental health, stress, and addictions. The informative, scientifically-based nightly presentations focused on how simple lifestyle changes can have profoundly positive effects.