On Sunday, January 18, the Adventist Church in Minnesota gathered for a special constituency session to discuss the financial challenges facing Maplewood Academy. The session was called by the Minnesota Conference Board of Trustees, which met in December to set the agenda and determine the information to be shared. The primary purpose of the meeting was to provide clarity to the Minnesota Conference membership regarding the current financial status of Maplewood Academy, particularly in light of the conference’s broader financial realities. Throughout the session, intentional time was set aside for prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit’s presence and guidance as reports were presented and decisions considered. Pastor Sean Lee, who also serves as a member of the Conference Board of Trustees, reflected on the tone of the meeting, saying, “I sensed that the conference leadership made a sincere effort to be transparent and honest regarding the issue we are addressing. I am confident that God will continue to lead the Minnesota Conference in the right direction.” As part of the process, the board initiated a conference-wide survey on Adventist education, distributed to households through multiple channels including email, postcards, social media, church announcements, newsletters and bulletins. The survey provided valuable insight into how families are thinking about educational options for their children and the factors influencing those decisions. A special committee reviewed the survey results and developed a set of recommended actions. These recommendations—most of which focused on further study or strengthening existing processes—were reviewed and voted on by the board before being brought to the constituency. Among the more significant areas for consideration were the development of a plan to hire a development director and/or recruiter, and the implementation of a financial roadmap designed to provide clear benchmarks and triggers for future warnings or additional special sessions, if needed. Conference president Jeff Scoggins emphasized the importance of understanding the reality facing the academy, stating, “In my opinion, the most important part of this meeting is constituents’ clear understanding of the realities we are facing. If Maplewood must close, we can’t say we didn’t see it coming. So if we believe in the school’s mission effectiveness, then it is up to each one of us to provide both the funding and the students required to continue operating.” In addition, the Minnesota Conference Articles and Bylaws Committee recommended a change to the way the Maplewood Academy Board is structured. The proposal shifted board appointments from being elected by the constituency at large to being appointed by the Conference Board of Education. This change, which was approved by the constituency, brings the conference into alignment with recommendations from the Mid-America Union education code and allows for more strategic, mission-aligned planning for the academy. All but one of the recommended actions were approved during the session, with one minor item tabled for further review at the Minnesota Conference’s regularly scheduled constituency session on May 17, 2026. While the information presented during the meeting was weighty, the session also included meaningful reminders of Maplewood Academy’s impact and God’s past leading. Attendees were blessed by a musical performance from academy students, as well as personal testimonies from alumni, parents and others who shared how Maplewood Academy shaped their faith, their familie, and their lives. Jeremy Everhart, principal of Maplewood Academy, shared that the session was deeply encouraging. “It was truly heartening to see such a diverse group of constituents,” he said. “The vocal support we received wasn’t just encouraging; it was a powerful reminder of how deeply the Minnesota Conference cares about the future of our students. I came away from the session with a renewed sense of purpose and the clear understanding that we are all moving in the same direction to ensure our God-given mission thrives.” Pastor Keith Mosier of the Winona Seventh-day Adventist Church echoed that sense of shared commitment. He noted that many attendees arrived early to greet one another and pray together. “There was a special excitement mixed with concern,” Mosier said. “The question on everyone’s minds was what can be done to keep Maplewood Academy open. We don’t want to see this flagship institution in our conference have to close.” He added that church members who traveled long distances felt the meeting was “well worth the trip,” and left committed to continued prayer and financial support. Chad Dungan, a teacher at Minnetonka Christian Academy, reflected on the balance of realism and encouragement. “The constituency meeting was challenging because we are facing the reality of rising costs of Adventist education and dealing with serious financial issues in the Minnesota Conference,” he stated. “It was also inspiring to see hundreds of people come out to show their support for Adventist education. Our conference office team did a good job communicating the reality of the situation and promoting proper fiscal stewardship. I believe we took a positive step toward protecting Adventist education in Minnesota. As always, I am encouraged to know that the gospel will go forward in this territory because God is in charge.” Marina Johnson, an elected delegate from the Pathways Seventh-day Adventist Church, described the gathering as “uplifting, with inspiring testimonies, honest dialogue and a collective trust in God’s leading for the future of Maplewood Academy.” She added, “I hope that whatever the outcome, we will continue to trust that it is God’s plan, for His glory and in the best interest of the students, the school and the stewardship of the property.” Maplewood Academy was originally established by the Minnesota Conference constituency in the 1880s. Though it has operated under different names and in different locations over the years, it has continued uninterrupted through the faithful support of parents, alumni, members and donors. We continue to pray that God will guide and sustain this ministry to our young people. Those who feel called to support Maplewood Academy’s mission of educating students for eternity are invited to partner through prayer and, if able, financial support.

In October 2025, leaders from every AdventHealth campus in Johnson and Franklin Counties came together for a powerful day of service hosted in partnership with LEVEL 12 during their Ultimate Bike Building Program. The event resulted in the assembly and donation of 25 brand-new bicycles to children and families across the Kansas City metropolitan region.  AdventHealth teams worked side-by-side to build new and name-brand bikes that would go on to support students and families through various community organizations.  “As a community of leaders driven by our mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ, we selected this program to benefit our community of neighbors knowing that, for children, bikes build character and confidence,” said Dave Kennedy, MDiv, DMin, vice president of mission and ministry for AdventHealth Mid-America Region. “The newly built bicycles were donated to six local organizations, each with a unique plan to use the bikes to inspire, reward and support children.”  Partner organizations included:  Boone Elementary School with Center School District where bikes will be used as rewards for students who exemplify Boone’s core character traits of being respectful, responsible and safe.  Indian Creek Elementary School with Center School District where bikes will be raffled during parent nights and parent-teacher conferences to encourage engagement and celebrate positive behavior.  Growing Futures Early Childhood Center in Overland Park, Kansas, where bikes will be distributed during the winter break event to families with older children, alongside essential holiday support items.  Child Abuse Prevention Association where bikes will be gifted to families receiving counseling services, with one bike designated as a “community bike” for shared neighborhood use.  Life Spring Church and the Spring Hill SOS Event at Spring Hill School District where bikes will be given to students participating in the SOS Event, which provides school supplies, physicals, helmets and haircuts to more than 100 students annually.  Shawanoe Elementary School with the Shawnee Mission School District where bikes will be raffled off during a family night and the PTA Carnival to promote school spirit and family involvement.  “Every day at AdventHealth, we look for new ways to give back to the community we love and care for,” said Sondra Wallace, director of community benefit for AdventHealth Mid-America Region. “We believe that caring for the whole person – body, mind and spirit – is what matters most. Giving children the chance to feel whole by getting access to a bike, a staple of childhood, is one of many ways we are caring for them now and caring for their future.”  Since 1962, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission has been proud to support initiatives that align with its mission through compassionate service, regional impact and community engagement. 

The Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists has named Melissa Morris as its new Associate Director of Education. She will begin serving in this role on June 1, 2026, supporting schools, leaders, and teachers across the union territory. Morris currently serves as Executive Secretary of the Iowa-Missouri Conference, where she has worked closely with conference leadership, schools, and churches to support the mission of Adventist education and ministry. She previously served as Education Superintendent for the Iowa-Missouri Conference and as a teaching principal, providing leadership in school growth, teacher development, and student support. After prayerful consideration, Morris accepted the call to serve at the union level. “Adventist education has long been close to my heart,” Morris said. “I look forward to working with conference leaders and educators across Mid-America to strengthen our schools as they prepare students for academic excellence, nurture their relationship with Christ, and equip them for lives of service and purpose.” Carisa Carr, Director of Education for the Mid-America Union, welcomed Morris to the team. “We are so excited to have Melissa join our Office of Education as Associate Director. Her passion for and deep love of Adventist education shine through in her leadership, her commitment to excellence, and her heart for students and teachers. We look forward to the experience, vision, and servant leadership she will bring as we continue growing in Christ through a journey of learning and excellence together.” Mid-America Union President Gary Thurber also affirmed her appointment. “It is especially meaningful when the most qualified person for the position comes from within our own territory. Melissa brings an excellent skill set and a deep understanding of Mid-America and the people who serve here. We are grateful to have her as part of our educational leadership team.” Morris holds a Bachelor of Elementary Education degree and is completing a Master of Administration from La Sierra University. She and her husband have two children who attend Union Adventist University. In her new role, she will work closely with conference leaders, superintendents, and educators as the Mid-America Union Conference continues its mission of strengthening local conferences and institutions and its vision of providing a steady flow of leadership, communication, mentoring, and training.

God often prepares us for something long before we realize it. For Delores Mishleau, a member of the Piedmont Park Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, that preparation has taken the form of a new cookbook—and now a television program that will share her message of health and faith with viewers across the country. On February 18, 2026, Delores’s one-hour cooking program based on her cookbook, Created to Nourish: Plant-Based Gluten-Free Recipes, Soy-Free Options, will air on 3ABN at 8 a.m., 3 p.m., and 8 p.m. CST. Viewers can watch by visiting www.3abn.org and selecting “3ABN Live,” or later by searching YouTube for the 3ABN cooking show and her name. The cookbook began with a request from a friend—one that Delores now sees as part of God’s plan. “One of my best friends asked me to co-author a cookbook that was plant-based, gluten-free, peanut free, and used only unrefined sugars,” Delores said. “I had never dreamt of writing a cookbook, but I saw God’s leading in the request and consented to the huge privilege and task.” Just two weeks into the project, her friend stepped away. Though unexpected, Delores believed God was calling her to continue. “I knew then that this book was between God and I because I did not believe that He called me to begin and not complete the project,” she said. “He has been faithful through the process, despite many character refining experiences.” Delores has followed a plant-based lifestyle for 27 years, a journey shaped by family, experience, and personal conviction. Her grandparents and parents taught her how to grow organic food, preserve it, and share it during long Canadian winters. Hospitality was central to her upbringing. A family friend introduced her mother to plant-based cooking when Delores was young, and over time she learned to prepare meals without dairy or eggs. More recently, her own health led her to adopt a gluten-free lifestyle. “Recently my own health challenged me to try going gluten free for 30 days, and long before the month was over, I knew that I would be eating gluten free from now on,” she said. “Eating plant-based and now gluten free has blessed me and our family with health, strength, and the opportunities to bless many lives because of the health we enjoy.” Those experiences became the foundation for Created to Nourish. The cookbook is written for busy individuals and families, especially those with gluten sensitivities or those seeking healthier options. “This book is designed for busy people who want to eat the plant-based diet that the first Dietician designed for them in the beginning,” Delores said. “This book is also designed for the person who is not sure what to cook for their family member or friend that can’t eat wheat based foods.” Her desire goes beyond simply sharing recipes. “I want people to enjoy cooking simple, quick, tasty recipes that help them enjoy vibrant health,” she said. “My biggest hope and prayer for this book is that people will learn that God is their Creator, their Dietician, and their soon coming King.” The process of completing the cookbook was not without challenges. Financial support fell through, and delays tested her patience. Still, she remained committed. “Faith in God’s call to create this cookbook kept me focused in completing this project,” she said. Her son, Benjamin, and his wife, Myla, played a key role in helping prepare the text, photograph the foods, and share ideas for distribution. Friends also supported her through prayer. “Several friends were and still are prayer warriors over my book,” she said. When an elderly couple stepped forward to sponsor the publication, she saw it as a reminder that God was still guiding the journey. Through every challenge, Delores remained confident that God had a purpose. What began as a simple request became a testimony of faith—one that now reaches beyond her kitchen to television screens and homes across the country. Created to Nourish: Plant-Based Gluten-Free Recipes, Soy-Free Options is available in different formats at www.createdtonourish.com,