Southern Tidings

02/04/2025

Check out the latest issue of the Southern Tidings! Our cover feature shares how to deepen your work relationships and maintain spiritual strength to carry you through the week.

In our feature section learn about academy students who got to be on Atlanta radio, a communicators annual convention including awards (the Southern Tidings won three!), church ground breaking ceremony, and more!

Our news section shares important information like continued Hurricane Helene relief, personnel changes, church openings, and more.

You can read the full story on our website: https://www.southerntidings.com/feb25-issuu/

02/01/2025

Oak Grove City patrolman José Alba received the Life Saving Award on November 6, 2024, for his actions that saved a man’s life earlier this year. Alba, a dedicated member of the Clarksville, Tenn., Church, said he gives all credit to God for guiding him through the intense situation.

The incident occurred in July 2024, when Alba responded to a call about a su***de attempt just a few blocks from his location. He arrived on the scene to find a man in critical condition. Acting quickly, Alba performed CPR, maintaining the man’s pulse until emergency medical responders arrived. The man was transported to the hospital and has since returned home.

Despite the commendation, Alba shares that it is God who deserves the glory.

“God put me there,” said Alba. “I was not scheduled to work that night; I had just picked up an overtime shift. I wasn’t supposed to be on duty, but God had a purpose.”

Alba has been with the Oak Grove Police Department for three years and said he joined law enforcement to serve his community.

“I checked on the person about a month later and went back to talk to him,” said Alba. “I think I like my job for that reason — because I can talk about the love of God and sometimes even share [my testimony]. The truth is, I’m just an instrument God uses.”

The award ceremony on November 6, was attended by fellow officers, community members, Alba’s family, and Steve Haley, Kentucky-Tennessee Conference president, who also served as a policeman early in his career.

Beyond his work as a patrolman, Alba is actively involved in his church community. He is especially engaged with his church’s Pathfinder club, and volunteers as the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference’s Hispanic Clubs coordinator.

01/31/2025

"Members of the Arden, N.C., church gathered after their church service commemorating the 150th anniversary of October 22, 1844. Members were given the opportunity to examine their heritage through the reenactment of the past." - Southern Tidings January 1995 Issue

01/27/2025

https://www.southerntidings.com/news/edward-marton-accepts-new-role-at-quiet-hour-ministries/

Edward Marton Accepts New Role at Quiet Hour Ministries Paola mora zepeda Edward and Mariya Marton pose inside the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference headquarters. Edward Marton, who has served as the Conference’s youth director since January 2023, has recently accepted a call to become the president a...

01/26/2025

The Pell City, Ala., Church hosted the inaugural Adventist Christian Fellowship (ACF) leadership pickleball meetup on Sunday, November 17, 2024. This event marked a pivotal step in fostering a movement to support young adults, particularly college students, in their spiritual journeys. The intergenerational intentionality to foster relationships spanning all ages is a critical factor in these meetups. Having all generations represented in this historic leadership gathering was a blessing.

The “Gulf States Conference ACF Leadership Meetup” brought together pastors, church leaders, and young adult ministries coordinators to envision a future where ACF chapters flourish across the Conference. Samuel Cardoso, pastor and ACF coordinator, shared his enthusiasm, “It was amazing to envision the future of ACF in our Conference. The opportunity to connect, dream, and build friendships was truly inspiring.”

Leaders from across the region include pastors Tiana Rabearison, Mississippi; Agnes Lucas, Alabama; Michel Rodrigues, Conference youth director; Marcelo Mansur, Conference young adult ministries and ACF director; Daniel Claudet, Conference communication director; and Jacob Gohn and Logan Mass, young adult leaders, as well as the Pell City’s hosting team of Billy Pickett, elder; Tammy Pickett; and Boyd Hill.

The meetup focused on vision casting, prayer, and fellowship modeled after Jesus’ approach to discipleship. Discussions centered on how ACF ministers to young adults, how churches can get involved, and the biblical call for young people to gather, in Psalm 119:9: “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to thy word.”

Those interested should note March 16, 2025, coinciding with Global Youth Day, for the next Meetup. Young adults and church leaders are encouraged to attend and continue building this vibrant movement. For more information visit, [email protected].

01/25/2025

Nearly 400 of Southern Adventist University’s 3,229 enrolled students hail from the Carolinas and Georgia, some of the states hit hardest by Hurricane Helene, and many more have family and friends who live in areas that were flooded or damaged.

Even before the Category 4 storm struck the coast of Florida and moved inland, killing upwards of 300 people, the University’s Disaster Response Program coordinators — Laura Racovita, Ph.D., dean of the School of Social Work, and Cheryl Craven, director of Christian Service — began recruiting volunteers and coordinating with partner organization 2Serve to move into areas of need as soon as routes were cleared. Processes to excuse students from classes were pre-approved, allowing Southern to deploy help more speedily as a result.

The first of three groups of students from Southern Adventist University, joined by employees and family members, left campus October 2, 2024, to quickly respond to the devastation in North Carolina in the wake of Helene.

Hosted by Fletcher Church in Hendersonville, North Carolina, the first group included 44 volunteers who stopped along the way to pick up supplies ranging from bottled water to baby food. Once on the ground, the Southern crew helped run points of distribution, clear debris, tarp roofs, and remove drywall and flooring as well as mud in flooded homes of local residents.

In a message to Ken Shaw, Ed.D., Southern Adventist University president, Chris Carey, Fletcher Academy president and CEO, noted volunteers’ “enthusiasm and dedication were evident from the moment they arrived, ready to make a difference.”

Despite nights spent in sleeping bags on the floor of the church’s fellowship hall, nothing dampened the courage and willingness of those who chose to live out the University’s mission statement to “pursue Spirit-filled lives of service.”

When the second trip was canceled due to infrastructure challenges at the base site, many students were quick to ask if there was space to join an alternate group instead. Four students and one professor spent the weekend of October 5 assisting in cleanup efforts, and then a third group joined the work on October 8, with 20 more volunteers who were ready to model the hands and feet of Jesus.

One student from North Carolina, Mason Harmon, senior marketing major, described the trip as unlike anything he had ever experienced before. “Witnessing so much destruction and seeing people’s entire livelihoods and communities completely devastated was such a sobering reality. I definitely feel that my assistance in the cleanup efforts made a positive impact, but due to the magnitude of the situation, I wish that I could have done more.”

Harmon also shared how the response holds personal significance for him. “I’m beyond grateful for Southern’s willingness to serve in my home state, and proud of my University family for stepping up to support the communities of western North Carolina.”

In addition to coordinating recruiting and trip logistics, Racovita also oversees pre-deployment orientations and post-service debriefings. Students have reported being “enriched by these missions where even the smallest things had a big impact, not only on the people they served but also on themselves.” Campus volunteers with servant hearts will continue to explore ways to help rebuild damaged communities, especially those so close to home.

01/24/2025

"The gyrocopter pilot prepares for his demonstration during the exhilarating air show at the October 19-21 Florida Conference Pathfinder Camporee, attended by 1,500 youth from 49 clubs." - Southern Tidings January 1985 Issue

01/23/2025

https://www.southerntidings.com/news/professors-message-impacts-students-in-africa/

Professor’s Message Impacts Students in Africa Pictured with Harvey Alférez (sixth from the right), this group of students from Kenya was specifically impacted by his sermon about having a strong biblical worldview. Harvey Alférez Professor’s Message Impacts Students in Africa Harvey Alférez,...

01/22/2025

https://www.southerntidings.com/news/florida-coalition-to-end-homelessness-honors-adventhealth-university-and-ability-housing/

Florida Coalition to End Homelessness Honors AdventHealth University and Ability Housing Jennifer Audette and Natalie DeYoung Accepting their awards are Cody Spencer, Ability Housing Programs manager (second from left), and Olga Melnik, Hope Clinic director, flanked on the left by Richard Wang, Abil...

01/20/2025

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

Today, we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a man whose faith and unwavering commitment to justice continue to inspire us. His courage reminds us of our shared calling to be a light in the world, embracing and uplifting our communities with hope and faith.

In observance of MLK Day, our office will be closed today. Let us take this time to reflect, serve, and continue building bridges that unite us in Christ’s love.

01/20/2025

Yesterday morning, 16 students who attended the Southern Union Prayer Conference made the life-changing decision to be baptized at Camp Kulaqua. Surrounded by the love and encouragement of their fellow students, who lined the dock in praise, these young people boldly declared their desire to follow Jesus.

Let’s continue to lift these students in prayer as they continue in their spiritual journey.

Southern Union Youth Ministries

01/19/2025

Members of the Southern Union are playing a pivotal role in an exciting milestone for Hope Channel International (HCI). The Southern Union headquarters near Atlanta, Georgia, will soon host a new server as part of HCI’s globally distributed, Adventist-owned digital content delivery network. This server will support Hope.Cloud technology, the digital backbone that empowers Hope Channels worldwide to create, translate, and share Christ-centered content.

The opportunity to host the server at the Southern Union Conference headquarters was made possible through the leadership of Eder Marski, director of IT for the Southern Union. This location is strategically positioned to provide excellent service to the greater Atlanta metro region and the Southeastern United States, while also offering crucial geographical redundancy for the Middle Atlantic and Eastern U.S. regions.

“The Southern Union remains dedicated to advancing evangelism through innovative technology,” said Marski. “While our IT department was already committed to deploying a CDN infrastructure to support our regional needs, this Hope Channel International project expands this vision globally. We’re excited to support this initiative, which allows us to bring the message of hope to more people than ever before, leveraging technology to enhance our mission- focused outreach.”

Read the rest of the story here: https://www.southerntidings.com/feature/global-missions-supported-with-key-server-hosting/

01/18/2025

Last night’s Friday Vespers was truly special!

Students gathered for an evening program featuring presentations by GAAA and FLA, followed by a heartfelt message from event speaker Chad Bernard. His words touched many hearts, leading several students to step forward during an appeal for baptism. Surrounded by supportive friends, these young people made the life-changing decision to give their lives to Christ.

The baptismal candidates then met to discuss their commitment, with many choosing to be baptized the next day.

The evening continued with a meaningful foot washing and communion service. Students washed each other’s feet, shared communion, and then reflected in their groups on how Jesus had been working in their lives throughout the week.

Thank you for your prayers over this deeply impactful event.

01/18/2025

The Charles and Etta Dudley Foundation, whose namesake played a role in helping to provide food and medical supplies at the historic Poor People’s Campaign in Washington, D.C., celebrated its grand opening in Nashville, Tennessee, on October 20, 2024.

With the aid of its community partners, the Foundation seeks to raise funds and promote initiatives that ensure that the area’s most vulnerable and at-risk groups receive educational opportunities and have their basic needs met.

“We help children, families, and communities break the cycle of poverty by empowering people of all ages to dream, aspire, and achieve,” said Michael Hubbard, CEDF’s executive director.

The late Charles Dudley Sr. was an advocate for racial justice and structural change during the second half of the 20th century. When the Poor People’s Campaign took place in 1968, Dudley was president of the South Central Conference.

Members with medical backgrounds volunteered their services to help the underserved and provide support during the civil rights demonstration. They raised enough money to purchase a van and stock it with medical supplies in anticipation of any violence that might occur.

When some southern white Adventist leaders were angered that the van was at the Campaign, Dudley defended the members’ actions as ministering to the needs of their constituents.

Those close to Dudley said he loved his members and Conference, and was always willing to stand up for them, especially if he believed they were in the right.

For instance, one time the General Conference thought the South Central Conference Confederation overspent $50,000 on a building project. Dudley, however, said the Conference did not, and asked for a meeting with the Church leaders. They delayed their response, and Dudley stood his ground. After a three-month delay, the meeting took place, receipts were compared, and it was determined that the Conference did not overspend.

“In his own gentle way, Dudley consistently spoke up for his community, no matter the place or occasion,” said Benjamin Jones Jr., current South Central Conference president. “The CEDF and the South Central Conference will continue his legacy.”

Dudley and his wife, Etta, believed wholeheartedly that we should “treat others as you’d like to be treated,” and that belief is at the heart of the Foundation.

“We are blessed to be included in the legacy of truly great parents, and to honor them for all the wonderful work they did for so many people,” said Bert Dudley.

01/17/2025

Yesterday at the Southern Union Prayer Conference, students experienced another day of worship and connection.

After the morning worship, students broke into small groups led by their trained student leaders. Through icebreakers, games, Bible study, prayer, and meaningful conversations, they built community and deepened their spiritual journey together.

In the evening, the College Academy worship team opened the session with a song that received enthusiastic applause. Students took an active role in the program, leading in prayer and scripture reading. A student from GAAA shared a piano rendition of "It Is Well with My Soul," followed by a skit from Bass Memorial Academy.

The speaker closed the evening with a heartfelt message about God’s greatest desire: to be with us. Heaven rejoices when we give our lives fully to Him and break free from the things that bind us. The session concluded with a moment of prayer.

Please continue to lift up these students in your prayers as they grow closer to God during this special event!

01/17/2025

"Ricky Greve, freshman from Orlando, Florida, is involved in the nearly perpetual task of harvesting hydroponically grown tomatoes in Little Creek's greenhouse." - Southern Tidings January 1975 Issue

01/16/2025

The annual Southern Union Prayer Conference officially began with an inspiring opening session last night. The evening featured uplifting music by Mount Pisgah Academy, a skit by Fletcher Academy, and praise led by Engage Worship from Southern Adventist University. The keynote speaker Chad Bernard, youth director for the Michigan Conference, shared a meaningful message, exploring whether prayer is a monologue or a dialogue. Using Jeremiah 33:3, he encouraged students to reflect deeply and challenged them to commit 10 minutes each day of the event to prayer with God.

After the session, attendees enjoyed activities like open gym and a foam party. Student leaders then gathered to reflect on how God is calling them to lead during this special time.

The conference will conclude on Sabbath, and we ask that you keep these students in your prayers as God continues to work in their lives throughout the event.

Southern Union Youth Ministries

01/16/2025

https://www.southerntidings.com/news/residents-in-medically-underserved-county-receive-free-healthcare/

Residents in Medically Underserved County Receive Free Healthcare Volunteers from across the country provide free healthcare to nearly 130 residents in Dade County, Ga. Hosted by the New England Church in Trenton, Ga., local partners and AMEN clinic volunteers provided vision, medical, dental, and o...