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September 8, 2026 Eight Pillars for 2028 and Beyond Union Adventist University leverages the wisdom and skills of its employees to prepare for the future.
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September 8, 2026 MAUC Constituency Session Report 2026: Religious Liberty Taking Forward Steps
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September 8, 2026 MAUC Constituency Session Report 2026: Human Resources Embracing fresh solutions
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Adventist News
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Dakota Men Gather in Medora for Retreat and Renewal
– August 31, 2026For the past few years, the Dakota Conference Men’s Retreat has been hosted at the Rough Riders Hotel in the beautiful western town of Medora, North Dakota, located near the south entrance to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The setting provides a welcoming place for old friends to reconnect and for new friendships to begin. Christopher Hudson of the series ForeRunner Chronicles joined the retreat as the featured speaker, presenting with clarity and conviction. He shared how his journey from a past life in show business and fame led him to an encounter with Jesus, redirecting his life toward sharing Christ with others. His messages combined encouragement, memorized Scripture, and the gospel in a way that connected with a wide range of listeners. He was thoughtful in his teaching and humble in his walk with God. Attendees were also blessed by a message from conference president, Elder Vernon Herholdt, who reminded the men of their responsibilities as spiritual leaders and encouraged them to seek opportunities to make a difference in their homes, churches and communities—especially in these last days. Longtime participant Ed Dickerson continued to be a valued presence at the retreat. His deep understanding of Adventist history and years of leadership and teaching brought perspective and insight to the group. He described the retreat as a gathering of “true brothers” that he looks forward to each year. His message on “The Ship” spoke to those willing to listen and seek God’s wisdom. His modern-day approach and teaching style made his presentations both engaging and meaningful. The retreat also included moments of lighthearted fellowship, often led by pilot and mechanic Brooks Payne. Known for his good humor, Brooks willingly took part in the camaraderie that defined the weekend. At the same time, he demonstrated a deep commitment to his Christian walk, offering encouragement and support to those who may be struggling. His sincerity and compassion left a lasting impression. All in all, Men’s Retreat continues to be a place of spiritual growth, strength and renewal. Whether attending with friends or meeting others for the first time, participants found it to be a meaningful time of connection and encouragement among Adventist men from across the Dakotas. Randy Rubbert is men’s ministries coordinator for the Dakota Conference.
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Bethesda Temple Elevates the Community With Five Days of Faith, Giving and Fellowship
– August 25, 2026Bethesda Temple in Omaha, Nebraska, recently welcomed more than 500 visitors during its Elevate Community Event, held July 15–19, 2026. Advertised through Facebook, the five-day outreach initiative brought local residents together for spiritual encouragement, practical assistance, and family-friendly activities. Each evening, attendees registered to receive a free featured giveaway designed to meet an everyday need. Items distributed throughout the week included diapers, sneakers, food gift cards, and gas cards. Before receiving the evening’s featured giveaway, participants attended a service featuring uplifting music, a brief spiritual message, and an icebreaker giveaway. Pastor Brandon Williams delivered an energetic message each night, encouraging attendees to strengthen their faith, make positive changes, and pursue a closer relationship with God. At the conclusion of each message, Williams invited anyone moved by the Spirit to respond. Several people raised their hands each evening and joined Williams at the front of the church for prayer, publicly expressing their desire to make positive spiritual changes and become part of the body of Christ. Some visitors returned throughout the week, receiving not only practical assistance but also what church members described as nightly blessings. The event demonstrated how faith-based outreach can address both spiritual and practical needs. By combining worship with meaningful assistance, Bethesda Temple created a welcoming environment where community members could receive encouragement, fellowship, and support. The celebration concluded on a sunny Sunday afternoon with a community Fun Day. Families enjoyed a bounce house, face painting, games, music, and free massages in massage chairs. A mobile diabetes unit offered free diabetes screenings and blood pressure checks, giving residents an opportunity to learn more about their health. Representatives from the local fire station also attended to share fire safety information and give children an up-close look inside a fire truck. Children received free backpacks filled with school supplies, helping families prepare for the upcoming school year. Free food was served throughout the afternoon, with the church’s kitchen team feeding more than 200 people. The variety of activities gave children, parents, and older adults opportunities to participate in an atmosphere filled with joy and fellowship. Volunteers played an important role in the event’s success. From welcoming and registering guests to organizing giveaways, preparing meals, and assisting with activities, church members worked together to serve their neighbors. Their efforts helped ensure that visitors felt welcomed, supported, and valued. The Elevate Community Event was more than a series of giveaways. It was an opportunity for Bethesda Temple to demonstrate its commitment to faith, service, and community connection. Over five days, residents received essential items, health resources, spiritual encouragement, and memorable family experiences. Through Williams’ nightly messages and the congregation’s generosity and service, Bethesda Temple created an event that encouraged hope, connection, and positive change. The week concluded with strengthened relationships and a reminder of what can happen when a church opens its doors and intentionally serves its community. By Georgette Terrill, Bethesda Temple Seventh-day Adventist Church Communication Leader
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Central States Strengthens Pathfinder Ministry Through Leadership Training
– August 25, 2026The Pathfinder club is one of the most effective entities to teach our children principles that will stick with them for the rest of their lives. To make this a success, committed volunteers are necessary. After conducting a brief survey among Pathfinder leaders in Central States Conference, the results showed that many folks lack the necessary training needed to effectively run a Pathfinder club. It also showed some folks are interested in volunteering in the Pathfinder club, but they lack the knowledge in working with the Pathfinder curriculum and with the Pathfinders. To address those issues and concerns, an all-inclusive Pathfinder training workshop training was offered last April at the conference center in Kansas City, Kansas. Around 100 people attended the presentations on mental health wellness and identifying concerning mental health cues in Pathfinder-aged children. Presenting on that topic was Dr. Dustin Young, a licensed social worker and professor at Andrews University. From the Southern New England conference, Glorimar Teixeira presented on the Master Guide Track. Cesar and Nelly Cruz presented the training track in Spanish. The main presenter from Northeastern Conference, Judith Hill, presented the Basic Pathfinder Training Track. The 10-hour Basic Pathfinder Training course was geared toward volunteers and anyone who works or is planning to work with a Pathfinder club in any capacity. Employees from Adventsource were also present selling Pathfinder club related items. Please keep the CSC Pathfinder clubs in your prayers. There are plans in place that require seven prayer warriors and additional support for success. By the end of 2029, God willing, the plan is to have a total of 100 Master Guides throughout the conference. This will include those who have previously been invested plus those who will be invested leading up to that time. Also, during the summer of 2027 plans will be put in place to hold the first ever Central States Conference Pathfinder Fair. Ian Francis is Pathfinder director for the Central States Conference.
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RMC Announces Nathaniel Gamble as New VP for Administration
– August 25, 2026The Rocky Mountain Conference is pleased to announce that Nathaniel Gamble has accepted the call to be the new vice president for administration. Gamble presently serves as RMC’s Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director, a member of the RMC Executive Committee, and lead pastor of the Grand Junction district of churches on the Western Slope of Colorado. He will maintain his role as PARL director and begin his new administrative role for the conference on August 1. “I am excited to have Nathaniel join our administrative team here in the Rocky Mountain Conference. His love for Jesus and pastoral experience, coupled with strong administrative skills, will be a great blessing for our conference family,” said Dave VandeVere, RMC president. Gamble was born and raised in the Rocky Mountain Conference region and received his Bachelor of Arts in religion from Pacific Union College in Angwin, California, and his Master of Arts in theology from the Denver Seminary in Littleton, Colorado. He is currently finishing his Doctor of Philosophy in systematic theology from the Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “We are very excited that the Lord has been preparing Nathaniel for this type of work and that he is willing to accept this position. He has the administrative skills that are essential to the role, plus a deep theological understanding. RMC is blessed to have him join the leadership of the conference,” remarked Doug Inglish, current RMC vice president for administration who is retiring. Serving RMC since 2019, Gamble has held several lead and district pastor positions, chaired the Mile High Academy Board from 2021-2025, and served as the conference’s PARL director since 2022. In his pastoral roles, he facilitated training, mediation and safety at his local churches, and created the MHA Bylaws and Constitution committee that drafted a new constitution for the academy. Gamble has also contributed to the Adventist position against Christian Nationalism and is a published author with the North American Division Ministerial Association. “It is a great honor, privilege and weighty responsibility to serve the members and workers of the Rocky Mountain Conference in the capacity of vice president of administration,” remarked Gamble. “While I did not actively seek this position, God and RMC have called me to this role, and I am heartily willing to serve according to the Lord’s grace.” He added: “I see [this] role as uniquely situated to encourage and promote compassion and listening to each other throughout the conference, so I’m looking forward to using my administrative abilities to continue building up unity and mission between the schools, churches, pastors, teachers and church members in RMC. I ask the members of RMC to keep me in their prayers so that I continually pursue humility, obedience and attentiveness to Jesus as I execute the responsibilities of this role on behalf of my brothers and sisters. Thank you for the trust you have placed in me.” Gamble is joined by his ministry partner and wife, Alex, and toy poodle puppy, Johnny. He enjoys learning Colorado and Wyoming history and exploring ghost towns. You will also find Gamble spending time reading Greek poetry, learning about Christian communities in Jerusalem, and losing at chess.
Blogs
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What Genealogies Tell Us VIII The Fall Repeated
– September 9, 2026The flood cleansed the violent culture. That was the symptom. The disease remained, which Noah demonstrated in a surprising way not long after leaving the ark. We’re told he planted a vineyard. Nothing unusual about that. But we’ve seen a man in a garden before in Genesis. Adam had a garden. And the Noah story mirrors—reflects, not duplicates—the garden story closely. Adam ate the fruit of a tree and brought sin into the world. In this story, Noah drinks from the fruit of the vine and demonstrates that sin survived the flood—and not just in some, but in all. The Flood had left a clean world, a renewed creation, the rainbow as both memorial and promise. But Noah’s sin in his vineyard served as reminder and warning. Yet like most such parallels in scripture, it both repeats and breaks the pattern. The repeat is clear, the break more subtle. After eating the forbidden fruit, Adam immediately recognized his nakedness and he hid himself in shame. But here the pattern breaks, and the story takes a strange turn. Noah’s nakedness results from drunkenness, and he sleeps—unaware of anything at all — his own body, his own tent, his own exposure. Adam had hid himself, but one of Noah’s son walks in, sees his father exposed — and instead of covering him, announces it. The other two do the opposite: they walk in backward, a garment held between them, and cover Noah without looking at him at all. When Noah wakes and learns what happened, judgment falls — but not on the son who saw and told. It falls on that son’s own son, Canaan. Adam’s fall ends in a covering. Fig leaves first — his own inadequate effort — and then God himself provides one, animal skins, a covering that could only come by way of a death. Something else paid so Adam could be covered. Noah’s fall ends in a covering too. Two sons, walking backward, a garment held between them. But this time the covering is only human effort — no death stands behind it, no provision follows it. And where Adam’s story closes with mercy meeting inadequacy, Noah’s closes with judgment reaching forward instead, onto a grandson who wasn’t even in the tent. The original Fall in Genesis 3’s curse didn’t stop with Adam and Eve. It reached forward — into the pain of childbirth every mother after Eve would carry, into the thorns every field after Eden would grow. And Genesis 4 shows us exactly how far that reach goes, when the very next generation produces a murder. The penalty for sin never stays contained to the one who sinned. Without divine intervention, it moves inexorably forward, from one generation to another, sin without end. Noah’s story runs the same mechanic in miniature. One man’s failure, and the judgment lands a generation down the line. So here’s where that leaves the flood. The waters came, drowned the violence, handed back a new world — animals repopulating it, a rainbow marking the promise, everything re-created. And within a chapter, the one man God spared to carry it all forward is lying exposed in his own tent, and the consequences are already reaching for his grandchildren. The flood could wash away a corrupt culture and give the world a cleaner slate. It preserved a man who called upon the name of the Lord, but who still carried the deadly taint of sin. The poisonous seed of the fruit Adam ate still grew within mankind. And it would spread again. Quickly.
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Heathly People Have This Characteristic Of Health People
– September 8, 2026https://youtube.com/shorts/GrTrYFk6bm0?si=pZITElyMl486I8mt
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#SabbathSlowdown: All Things New Seventh-day Adventists around the globe are celebrating Jesus this Sabbath, and you can join in the fun.
– September 5, 2026Almost 2,000 years ago, something miraculous happened on this planet. After a war waged in Heaven, God’s family of angels was broken by ugliness and separation. Sadness fell on the faces of the divine for perhaps the first time in the history of the universe, and God Himself learned the reality of heartbreak as His Holy family was severed… Then that ugliness made its way onto the new planet, Earth. Life was replaced by decay, ease with difficulty, and peace with pain. God’s created beings were drawn into the darkness of this heartbreak, and time after time, they lost their way, moving further from His grasp, His embrace…. Then, Jesus came. In one act of love, Jesus made new all the painful realities God’s people have known for centuries. His ministry began in a river, not far from his miraculous birthplace. At just 30 years old, Jesus stepped into the Jordan River with his cousin, John, and was baptized. The same heavens that saw God’s family torn in two and a third of His angels cast out, opened as Jesus rose from the water. When once the universe echoed with false accusations of the Almighty God, it now echoed a promise, God’s promise of a coming Messiah foretold centuries before: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17, NIV). That declaration led to a three-year ministry and a brand new reality for God’s people. “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'” —Revelation 21:5, NIV So today, a new declaration launches. September 5, 2026, is the day the global church declares with one voice, the true and trustworthy news that Jesus makes all things new. It’s OneVoice27, a united effort for Adventists everywhere to share the hope we have in Jesus, beginning now, and building toward a public campaign in 2027 to declare Jesus as Messiah to the world in one beautiful, loving, unified voice.
Featured Stories
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Eight Pillars for 2028 and Beyond Union Adventist University leverages the wisdom and skills of its employees to prepare for the future.
– September 8, 2026During the 2025-2026 school year, Union Adventist University embarked on the first phase of a new strategic plan. A fresh start offers an opportunity to ask not only, “Who have we been?” but also, “Who could we become?” Through 2028, Union will confront higher education’s headwinds by refining academic programs, stabilizing finances, expanding partnerships and strengthening the student experience. Following listening sessions with faculty, staff and students, the Strategic Planning Committee identified eight pillars to strengthen, each designed to encourage shared ownership and measurable impact. Enrollment growth and student experience Union will recruit and retain more students through targeted outreach, digital innovation and stronger support. The university will also improve facilities, dining, student engagement and residence hall living-learning centers while while streamlining policies to better support students. Academic innovation and program effectiveness The university will evaluate programs based on student interest and workforce demand, create degrees and certificates with strong market potential, and expand hybrid and online learning. The plan also calls for nontraditional education partnerships and the use of artificial intelligence in the curriculum. Financial health and revenue growth Union aims to stabilize its budget, reduce dependence on tuition and expand support from individuals, corporations and foundations. Leaders also plan to develop new revenue sources, use campus assets more effectively and improve financial decisions through institutional dashboards. Facilities and campus development The university will create a phased facilities master plan reflecting institutional priorities and financial capacity. Investments will focus on student housing, critical infrastructure, accessibility, sustainability and maintenance. Faculty and staff excellence Union will strengthen professional development, pursue competitive compensation and establish mission-centered recognition practices. It also seeks to clarify shared governance and build a culture of trust, accountability and collaboration. Technology and infrastructure Planned improvements include modernizing administrative and learning systems, strengthening cybersecurity and data governance, and introducing unified digital platforms. Collaboration and partnerships The university will seek mission-aligned partnerships to strengthen institutional capacity, expand student opportunities, enhance educational quality and responsibly share resources. Spiritual mission and campus culture The university plans to integrate its spiritual mission more fully into academics, worship, service and campus life. The plan calls for expanded opportunities for belonging and spiritual growth, along with a renewed focus on serving the youth of the Mid-America Union — especially those who don’t attend Adventist academies. Concrete objectives have been identified under each pillar, and 9 teams are addressing different parts of the plan. Union has also begun raising money to implement recommended changes. During the 2025-26 fiscal year, donors contributed $1.95 million to support strategic priorities. The plan is both aspirational and operational. It provides a framework for action, accountability and measurable progress as Union turns its goals into lasting improvements. Results so far Although most of the teams remain in the research phase, several have begun acting on their recommendations. Enrollment growth and student experience At the recommendation of the Enrollment Growth Team, student Outreach Ambassadors called prospective students and their families in April. The effort used existing infrastructure to connect future students with current students, adding a personal touch to recruitment. This summer, employees are using lunch prayer gatherings hosted by the College View Church on Wednesdays to pray for each applicant and returning student by name, then sending the students postcards signed by everyone at the table. Rather than paying for food by weight, students this year will purchase meals and receive all-you-can-eat dining at Union Market for a flat rate thanks to the work of the Student Experience Team. Students dissatisfied with their first selection may choose something else at no additional cost. The meal plan remains less expensive than those at similar universities, and students no longer have to worry about running out of funds at the end of the semester. Technology and infrastructure Deep in the Don Love Building, the campus is getting a new brain. A new building management system (BMS) is being brought online to replace aging, unsupported equipment. Two buildings are connected so far, but when completed, 24 panels will link buildings across campus. The BMS allows Plant Services to track temperatures, water flow, equipment performance and energy use. Union has also begun migrating to a new student information system, the central platform used for most student information, including academic records, student accounts, financial aid and admissions. Collaboration and partnerships The Reiner Wellness Center’s locker rooms were remodeled this summer through a gift from Sandhills Global. As part of an agreement to host practices and meets at Union, a local swim team leveraged their network on Union’s behalf to secure funding for the project. The improvements will benefit the team, university students and community members. Spiritual mission and campus culture To strengthen mission-centered ministry teams, Union created an associate chaplain position. Jolina Schaber, a 2026 theology graduate, was hired to collaborate with Mid-America conferences to increase spiritual engagement and outreach specifically for the 80 percent of Adventist students who don’t attend Adventist academies. The donor-funded position is a three-year pilot program. Schaber began her work this past summer by connecting with campers and staff at summer camps and already has a slate of youth events on the schedule for the school year.
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MAUC Constituency Session Report 2026: Religious Liberty Taking Forward Steps
– September 8, 2026A giant step forward was made during the last five years in the processing of the Revolving Fund managed by the corporate arm of Mid-America Union. The Revolving Fund is available for churches and church-related organizations located within the territory of MAUC to borrow funds needed for capital improvements, and the purchase or construction of church buildings. This fund is registered as a security in those states within MAUC territory that require registration. A process has been adopted for those churches and church organizations to apply for a qualified loan. It is difficult to obtain funding from commercial lenders for improvements or purchase of church buildings. The Revolving Fund makes these loans available, providing a valuable resource to conferences, churches and church organizations. SEEKING ACCOMMODATIONS In addition to Sabbath work schedule issues, the past five years has seen the development of issues regarding mandated vaccinations, primarily in the area of Covid immunization. There is a diversity of belief among church members regarding immunization. There are members who do maintain an objection to vaccinations based on sincerely held religious conviction. This belief, while not an official position of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, deserves to be addressed in support of those members who do hold that belief. It is important to note that we do not support a belief based on science or politics. But we do recognize the need to support those members who base their objection on religious principle. During the past five years I have had the privilege of helping several members obtain accommodation for their belief. Unfortunately, not every situation results in accommodation. Just as in immunization issues, not every Sabbath work scheduling issue results in accommodation. While we use every legal principle available, the law does not give absolute right for accommodation. However, I have seen the work of the Holy Spirit even in those situations. FOLLOWING GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES I have also had the opportunity to serve as parliamentarian for many of the local conference constituency sessions, as well as the MAUC constituency sessions. The goal is to make sure the meetings are conducted fairly and in a Christ-like manner. Every delegate should have an opportunity to present legitimate information to the members without fear of retribution. That is accomplished best by following the guidelines of parliamentary procedure. I have been blessed by serving MAUC in these roles. And I thank the administration of MAUC and the administrations of the conferences located in MAUC territory for the support I have received in fulfilling those responsibilities. Darrel J. Huenergardt is legal councel and director of public affairs and religious liberty for the Mid-America Union.
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MAUC Constituency Session Report 2026: Human Resources Embracing fresh solutions
– September 8, 2026The scope of human resources management encompasses the entire employee lifecycle from onboarding to retirement, striving to drive initiatives that uphold core values, boost morale, and increase overall workplace satisfaction. HR acts as a bridge between management and staff, playing a vital role in ensuring legal compliance and fostering a positive organizational culture. We also mediate disputes and fairly address employee grievances. Over the past five years, my primary areas of concentration have included fostering a positive work culture and implementing fair, efficient HR policies in accordance with the North American Division policies, Mid-America Union Conference policies, and governmental laws and regulations. I also coordinate our healthcare insurance and the other voluntary employee benefits. Maintaining employee service record is another vital component, especially when it is time to complete the retirement process for employees. CREATING SUPPORTIVE WORKPLACES Through my HR journey, I have come to appreciate the importance of empathy, active listening, and adaptability. I have learned that effective HR goes beyond rules and regulations; it is about understanding people and their needs so they feel heard and valued. Furthermore, I have discovered the power of continued learning and staying updated with the ever-changing HR landscape, while being willing to unlearn old protocols and embrace fresh solutions. A successful HR professional moves beyond processing paperwork to acting as a strategic partner. Effective human resources departments must help build empathy and accountability while objectively guiding both the entity and the employee through difficult situations—while keeping the human element at the center. No benefits or perks can fix a toxic culture. A lack of communication and transparency breeds confusion and mistrust. VALUE OF CERTIFICATIONS Another aspect of my role is to support and encourage the human resources departments of our six conferences and Union Adventist University. All but two of our conferences have designated human resource professionals, and those two are on track to have an HR generalist and director in place within the coming year. MAUC strongly supports all individuals being or becoming HR certified, which proved to be a valuable process for me. This certification ensures staying completely up to date on rapidly changing labor regulations and compliance requirements. It also greatly increases expertise in complex employment laws. Our current conference human resources directors are a vital and valued part of their conference, and I am so blessed to work alongside each of them, mostly by providing a listening ear in difficult and sometimes discouraging situations. The dedicated work of each of these individuals promotes the mission and vision in their respective conferences, along with caring for their own diverse employees. GRATEFUL FOR OPPORTUNITIES I am thankful for the opportunities I have had to be mentored and guided, the chance to contribute to a positive work environment, and the knowledge gained from navigating diverse challenges. I am grateful for the resilience and growth I have experienced within the human resources field. I am incredibly grateful for our current administrative team who lead with a blend of humility, kindness, humor, wisdom, support and steadiness, all while keeping the wellbeing of the employees first and upholding our union’s vision and mission. I especially appreciate the spiritual retreats in recent years that have greatly enhanced the teamwork in our office, while also providing time to unplug and meet God in the stillness. I am excited about the future of human resources and its potential to create even more inclusive and supportive workplaces. I look forward to exploring innovative strategies for employee engagement, promoting mental wellbeing, and continuing to learn and adapt to the evolving needs of the workplace. My favorite Bible verse to guide human resource leaders is: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:3-4). Raylene Jones is director of human resources for the Mid-America Union.
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MAUC Constituency Session Report 2026: Women’s Ministries Women's Ministries
– September 8, 2026Over the past five years, Mid-America women’s ministries has experienced remarkable growth, creativity and spiritual impact. Throughout its six conferences, the union has witnessed a flourishing of retreats, leadership initiatives, and culturally inclusive programs that have strengthened women’s faith and fellowship across the territory. Each conference has embraced its unique identity while working collaboratively under the shared mission of empowering women to lead, serve and grow in Christ. The result has been a vibrant tapestry of ministry that reflects the diversity and unity of God’s people. CREATIVE RETREATS AND CULTURAL INCLUSION One of the most defining features of the past five years has been the creativity shown in retreat planning. Each conference has developed distinctive approaches to serve the women in its region, ensuring that every event is both spiritually enriching and culturally inclusive. Several conferences now host dual-language retreats, offering session in both English and Spanish to reach broader audiences. These retreats have become more than weekend gatherings—they are spiritual sanctuaries where women from different cultures unite under one purpose: to worship, learn and grow together. The intentional inclusion of diverse speakers, worship styles, and cultural expressions has deepened the sense of belonging and strengthened the ministry’s reach. One of the most innovative and heartfelt initiatives has come from the Kansas-Nebraska Conference, which launched solo parenting retreats to support single mothers and fathers. These retreats provide a safe and nurturing environment where parents can bring their children and experience spiritual renewal together. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING Another major accomplishment has been the expansion of leadership training for new and emerging women’s ministry leaders. Recognizing that effective ministry requires equipped and confident leadership, several conferences have invested in workshops and mentorship programs designed to prepare women for service. Across the union, leadership development has become a cornerstone of women’s ministry. Directors and coordinators are intentionally mentoring younger women, ensuring that the next generation is prepared to carry the torch of faith and service. NATIONAL COLLABORATION AND CONTINUING EDUCATION Each year, the North American Division hosts a women’s ministries leadership conference, bringing together directors and leaders from across the continent. Representatives from the Mid-America Union Conference regularly attend these gatherings, which serve as vital opportunities for worship, fellowship, networking and professional development. The NAD gatherings also foster unity among leaders, reminding them that they are part of a larger movement of women serving Christ across North America. The shared experiences and collaborative spirit have enriched the ministry at every level. HONORING PIONEERS WHO PAVED THE WAY To close out 2025, the Mid-America women’s ministries turned its focus toward gratitude and legacy. We honored and celebrated the pioneers of MAUC women’s ministries, beginning with Evelyn Glass, the first women’s ministries director for the union. Sister Glass served during a time when women were still striving to make their mark and find their rightful place in ministry leadership. Her courage and vision laid the foundation for everything that has followed. Nancy Buxton, whose leadership continued to strengthen and expand the ministry’s reach until her retirement at the end of 2024, was also honored for her valuable role. Together, these women exemplified perseverance, prayer and purpose—qualities that have shaped the heart of women’s ministries across the Mid-America Union. A special ceremony and reception was hosted last year to showcase their contributions and celebrate the path they paved for future generations. The event brought together leaders, past and present, from across the six conferences, creating a beautiful moment of reflection and thanksgiving. We shared stories, revisited memories, and offered heartfelt tributes to those who dared to lead when the way was not yet clear. To see where we are today—thriving, united and expanding in purpose—is truly an honor. MAUC women’s ministries moves forward with deep appreciation for its history and renewed commitment to its mission: to empower women to lead with authority, serve with compassion, and walk boldly in their divine calling. Donna Brown is director of women’s ministries for the Mid-America Union.