AdventHealth Castle Rock has launched Virtual Admit Nursing, a nursing-led care model in which trained virtual nurses complete or assist with inpatient admissions, allowing bedside nurses to focus on hands-on patient care.  The hospital is serving as the pilot site for both AdventHealth’s Rocky Mountain Region and the system as a whole, made possible by the rollout of “hellocare” smart room technology in September 2025, to streamline admissions while enhancing the patient experience and supporting nursing practice.  According to Ellery Reed, DNP, RN, chief nursing officer at AdventHealth Castle Rock, the launch aligns with broader advancements in care delivery.  “Virtual Admit Nursing allows bedside nurses to spend more time connecting with patients and providing hands-on care, while also creating more efficient workflows that help the care team meet patient needs more quickly and effectively,” Reed said.  Two of AdventHealth Castle Rock’s units were selected as the first inpatient units in AdventHealth’s Rocky Mountain Region to implement the program, after volunteering to serve as pilot units.  Sarah Zadigan, MSN, RN, director of nursing services and excellence at AdventHealth Castle Rock, emphasized the need to rethink the traditional admission process.  “Historically, bedside nurses completed the full admission process, which is time-intensive and can compete with direct patient care needs,” Zadigan said. “Virtual Admit Nursing enhances efficiency, supports nursing practice at the bedside and improves the patient admission experience without losing the human connection that defines nursing care.”  With the program now live, a trained virtual nurse completes or assists with most admissions between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., allowing bedside nurses to immediately focus on patient care.  “Instead of remaining at a computer, bedside nurses can begin implementing the treatment plan, preparing medications, addressing pain and attending to other critical needs,” Reed noted. “This leads to more timely interventions and a smoother, more patient-centered admission experience.”  From the bedside perspective, the impact is meaningful.  “Getting an admit as a bedside nurse is more often than not a stressful part of our workflow,” said Samantha Strate, RN. “Having an admission nurse eases that stress and gives you time back to focus on your patients or regroup so you can provide safe, high-quality care.”  Strate added that additional time improves patient connection. “Even when we try to hide it, patients can feel when we’re rushed. More time allows us to slow down and focus on our mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ, where human connection is vital.”  Virtual Admit Nursing aligns strongly with AdventHealth Castle Rock’s Magnet journey, supporting innovative nursing practice, shared decision-making and workflows that allow nurses to work at the top of their license.  Looking ahead, the Virtual Admit Nursing program will be rolled out across AdventHealth’s Rocky Mountain Region once processes are refined, with plans to expand the scope of virtual nursing services as the model scales.  Future-state development is ongoing, with a continued focus on leveraging the platform to enhance patient care and strengthen clinical support. Through this pilot, AdventHealth Castle Rock is helping shape the future of virtual nursing across the region and the system. 

In October 2015, what began as a simple “mom’s day out” trip to Uganda changed my life forever. With a background in international nutrition (BS, Virginia Tech) and a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University and extensive experience with the US Department of Health in Washington, DC, I had long prepared to serve overseas—but as a stay-at-home mom for 11 years, that season felt past. Then came Uganda, I had the opportunity to serve with the USAID Farmer-to-Farmer Program, teaching soybean processing to a large farming cooperative, I saw firsthand that practical, locally led training could immediately transform families facing severe malnutrition. When I prayed about how the work could continue after I returned home, I sensed God’s simple instruction: “Hire the locals.” That step of obedience became the beginning of FARM STEW International. The early years required courage. I personally funded the first Ugandan trainers, formed a board, and eventually left my county health department job to lead the growing ministry. Expansion came quickly—Zimbabwe in 2017, refugee camps in Northern Uganda in 2018, and an official launch in South Sudan during one of the worst food insecurity crises in the world. In early 2020, overwhelmed by the weight of leadership and fundraising, I prayed aloud and told God I could either lead or carry the financial burden—but not both. The next day, an anonymous $100,000 gift arrived—our largest ever—just before COVID shut down the world. From that moment on, the anxiety lifted. The deal still stands: I will lead faithfully; God will provide. Since then, FARM STEW has grown into a global, locally led movement equipping families with skills in farming, nutrition, sanitation, enterprise, temperance, rest, attitude, and water. By 2021, the ministry had reached Malawi; by 2022 it was active in the Philippines, Brazil, Zambia, Sudan, and Rwanda; and expansion into Latin America and West Africa soon followed, including Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cuba, Ethiopia, Senegal, Panama, and Nicaragua. Through clean audits, strong local boards, and a multiplying Training-of-Trainers model, the ministry continues to steward resources carefully while reaching hundreds of thousands with hands-on, Christ-centered training. Along with serving as Founder and Executive Director of FARM STEW, I have had the privilege of serving as President of ASI Lake Union and now as General Vice President of ASI Mid-America, helping mobilize lay members for mission. As we look ahead, 2026 promises to be a remarkable year of growth — new countries, deeper impact, and continued evidence that when God calls us to something that seems impossible, He is already preparing the provision. All glory belongs to Him. The History of the FARM STEW International Ministry FARM STEW began in October 2015 in rural Uganda while Joy Kauffman, MPH, a public health nutritionist and graduate of Johns Hopkins University, was serving with the USAID Farmer-to-Farmer Program. Invited to teach soybean processing to a cooperative of 60,000 farmers, she discovered that practical, hands-on nutrition and agriculture training—using only locally available resources—could immediately improve family health. With the help of local leaders, the first Ugandan training team was formed. In 2016, FARM STEW International was officially established as a nonprofit organization. From that foundation, the ministry expanded steadily. Zimbabwe launched in 2017, followed by refugee camp programming in Northern Uganda and an official expansion into South Sudan in 2018 during a national food crisis. Despite entering just before COVID and navigating global shutdowns, the organization continued to grow through local leadership, translated curriculum, and an expanding Training of Trainers (TOT) model designed for multiplication and sustainability. By 2021, FARM STEW had reached Malawi, and by 2022 it was active in the Philippines, Brazil, Zambia, Sudan, and Rwanda. Continued growth in the last few years has opened doors in Latin America and West Africa, adding countries such as Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Bolivia, Senegal, Panama, and Nicaragua. What began as one woman sharing practical knowledge has become a global movement—equipping families with biblical principles, agricultural skills, health education, enterprise development, and clean water solutions to move from extreme poverty toward abundant life. To learn more about Farm Stew’s mission and ministry, visit https://www.farmstew.org

After more than four decades of service to the Seventh-day Adventist Church across the globe, Elder Delbert Pearman has learned a simple but powerful truth: “Money is for mission,” he said. “The mission doesn’t follow the money. The money follows the mission.” On Dec. 1, 2025, Pearman began serving as vice president for finance and Trust Services director for the Central States Conference. In this role, he oversees conference finances, supports local congregations, and helps ensure that financial resources are managed with integrity and purpose in advancing the church’s mission. For Pearman, the assignment is also a homecoming. Earlier in his career, he served in Central States after receiving a call from G. Alexander Bryant, then president of the conference, to help strengthen the field. Shortly after his arrival, unexpected leadership transitions left the conference without a president or secretary. “It was a steep learning curve,” Pearman recalled. “But the Lord prepared me.” During that season, he stepped in to help guide operations and stabilize the work, gaining valuable experience that would shape his future leadership. A global classroom Pearman’s ministry journey began after graduating from Oakwood University in 1983. His first assignment took him to Malawi, where he served as an accountant. “That’s where I realized my business training could support the mission of the church,” he said. “Finance is ministry too.” From Malawi, God opened doors around the world. Pearman served in Bermuda, Sri Lanka, the Middle East, and Ethiopia, later joining the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Most recently, he returned to Sri Lanka to serve as president of the church. Each assignment became a classroom, teaching him new lessons about stewardship, leadership and trust. “One thing I’ve learned is that people’s attitudes toward money are different everywhere,” he said. “But God always provides what His church needs.” Turning dollars into souls Working across cultures reshaped Pearman’s perspective on money. In North America, people tend to save. In countries with high inflation, money quickly loses value. “In those places, you don’t want to hold money,” he explained. “You want to use it while it can still do good.” Those lessons guide his approach today. “I’m not here just to save money,” Pearman said. “I’m here to spend it wisely for mission. We want to convert dollars into souls.” Throughout his career, he has helped multiple church regions achieve their first clean audits. “When I arrived, they said they had never had one,” he said. “By God’s grace, we were able to get things in order.” For Pearman, strong financial systems are ultimately about trust. “When members give, they deserve to know their resources are handled carefully,” he said. “Sometimes the challenge isn’t provision—it’s good management.” Trusting God’s direction Reflecting on his journey, Pearman points to Prov. 3:5–6 as a guiding text: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart… and He shall direct thy paths.” “I can see now how the Lord has directed my path,” he said. “Every place prepared me for the next.” After years of global service alongside his wife, Curdell, and raising two daughters shaped by mission life, Pearman says it feels right to serve locally again. Following God’s leading across continents has brought him back to Central States—ready once more to help move the mission forward. By Pastor Trevor Barnes, communication director, Central States Conference, and Hugh Davis, communication director, Mid-America Union.    

On a day marked by joy, gratitude, and renewed vision, V. Lindsay Seventh-day Adventist School celebrated the ribbon cutting of its newly renovated library and STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) lab, two spaces designed to transform the student learning experience and support the school’s continued growth. What was once underutilized space has been reimagined into vibrant, student-centered environments that promote curiosity, creativity, and academic excellence. The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together students, families, staff, and community members to witness not just the opening of new rooms, but the beginning of a new chapter in the school’s journey. As the ribbon was cut, students eagerly stepped into the spaces, many wearing lab coats, ready to explore, question, and engage. Their excitement was immediate and unmistakable. The STREAM lab, designed to support hands-on, inquiry-based learning, reflects a commitment to preparing students for a rapidly evolving world while grounding their education in faith-based principles. Central States Conference President Elder Cryston Josiah was among those in attendance, and his words captured what many felt in the room: “In all my years of visiting schools, and even as a parent with children who attended here, I have never seen a lab like this. The integration of STREAM, especially the inclusion of reading and the arts alongside STEM, is truly exceptional. From the microscope stations to the maker space and 3D printing, this is a powerful example of what intentional, forward-thinking education can look like.” His remarks affirmed what many experienced firsthand. This was not just a renovation, but a reimagining of what learning can look like.   The STREAM lab gives students access to tools and resources that support innovation and discovery: 3D printers, microscopes, experimental tables, building and maker stations, manipulatives, and virtual reality glasses. From exploring the human body in virtual reality to designing and building with engineering tools, students are already discovering new ways to think, create, and problem-solve. On the library side, the newly redesigned space offers a warm, welcoming environment that encourages literacy, reflection, and discovery. With flexible seating, a reading nook tree, and dedicated areas for individual and collaborative reading, the library invites students to grow both academically and spiritually. For a school that had books on site for years without a fully functioning library space, this transformation carries particular meaning. Literacy remains a cornerstone of V. Lindsay’s mission. School leaders understand that reading is foundational to student success, and they are committed to helping students grow in literacy across every subject, not only in academic achievement, but in self-confidence and Christlike character as well. This milestone is also part of a larger vision for continued growth. Future plans include expanding outdoor play areas, upgrading classroom technology, and pursuing STREAM certification to further strengthen academic programming and student outcomes. The renovation reflects the broader values of the Central States Conference and its commitment to quality Christian education. By investing in schools like V. Lindsay, the conference is demonstrating that excellence is possible and expected even in smaller settings. At its core, this celebration reflects the mission of Adventist education: to nurture the whole child, mind, body, and spirit, while preparing students to serve and lead. As students filled the rooms with energy and excitement on that March afternoon, one thing was unmistakably clear: the investment in these spaces is already shaping the culture of learning at V. Lindsay Seventh-day Adventist School. And this is only the beginning. By Schari Fontus, Superintendent, Central States Conference central-states.org/schools/vlindsay