WELCOME TO OHIO CONFERENCE

The Ohio Conference concluded a two-day pastors’ meeting in Dayton from Monday, March 3, to Tuesday, March 4. The event, held at the conference headquarters, Integrity Hall, brought together pastors from churches across the conference territory for spiritual renewal, training, and evangelistic retooling. The meeting began with a welcome and opening prayer from Oswaldo Magaña, Executive Secretary. In his devotional message, Bob Cundiff, President of the Ohio Conference, affirmed the importance of pastoral ministry and expressed appreciation for pastors' dedication. He acknowledged the challenges of ministry, particularly the sense of isolation some pastors experience. "I know sometimes it feels that way because you are geographically separated from other colleagues. That is why meetings like this are so important—to come together and be reminded of the high, holy, and sacred calling of the work God has given us to do," Cundiff said. "You are here today, you are loved, you are with friends, and we celebrate you. We thank you—we say it all the time because we mean it and feel it so deeply and genuinely." Training on Preventing Abuse and Protecting the Vulnerable Phil Swartley of GuideOne Insurance led a seminar titled "Sexual Misconduct: Abuse and Molestation Guidance." His presentation emphasized the importance of thorough screening for employees and volunteers, training on working with youth and vulnerable individuals, identifying and preventing abuse, reporting procedures, and cooperation with authorities during investigations. He also discussed how organizations can evaluate incidents and update policies or procedures to enhance safety measures and prevent future occurrences. Stewardship Rudy Salazar, the North American Division's stewardship director, presented stewardship principles and concluded with the spiritual dangers of neglecting prayer and Bible study. Evangelism and Pentecost 2025 Initiative A major focus of the meeting was evangelism and the Pentecost 2025 initiative. Conference administrators announced that $675,000 has been allocated this year to support evangelism efforts. Through the initiative, 101 churches and schools across the Ohio Conference will participate in public evangelism, with pastors expecting to baptize more than 1,000 new members. Attendees prayed for the upcoming evangelistic efforts and other ministry needs. Reflecting on the role of the Holy Spirit in evangelism, Cundiff emphasized the necessity of spiritual preparation. "The Holy Spirit comes where hearts desire Him, where they invite Him, and where they have properly prepared to receive Him," Cundiff stated. "The Holy Spirit is not going to impose Himself." Magaña added, "Pentecost is about receiving the power of the Holy Spirit to preach the Gospel. It is not power that comes from us, but power that comes from on high, granted to us by the Holy Spirit." Innovative Evangelism: The BLAST Model Pastor Kojo Twumasi presented two sessions on creative approaches to evangelism in the 21st century under the theme "MAKE EVANGELISM A BLAST." He introduced BLAST as an acronym for "Building Lives Around Solid Truth." Twumasi emphasized that successful evangelism requires careful preparation and the formation of teams with diverse roles. Recognizing the challenge of attracting people to evangelistic meetings, he shared his approach to digital outreach through Facebook and Instagram ad campaigns. He explained that he begins by defining his target audience within a six-mile radius, ensuring his message reaches the right people. He then creates engaging advertisements with incentives and a clear call to action. To secure attendance, he requires participants to register in advance through an online form, which also facilitates effective follow-up. Additionally, he utilizes registrants' contact information to send reminder text messages, increasing the likelihood of attendance. Twumasi highlighted that the BLAST model has proven effective, leading to strong attendance, numerous baptisms, and a retention strategy to integrate new members into the church community. Human Resources Updates Oswaldo Magaña and Karen Alvarez from the Human Resources Department provided an updated overview of the Ohio Conference Employee Handbook. They outlined various policies, procedures, and guidelines to help employees understand their rights and responsibilities. Pastoral Reflections Reflecting on the meetings, Pastor Ron Anderson, who serves the Chillicothe, Jackson, Portsmouth, and Portsmouth Hispanic churches, shared his enthusiasm. "It was very inspiring—almost overwhelming—because there are so many things I would love to do," Anderson said. "We will see what we can implement in our churches because there are many wonderful things the Holy Spirit has for us." His key takeaway? "To do more of the BLAST approach—something that engages both adults and children while meeting the community's needs." The two-day gathering provided Ohio Conference pastors with practical training, spiritual encouragement, and a renewed vision for evangelism.

Today, students from Adventist schools across Ohio participated in the 2025 Geography Challenge in Toledo, an event organized by the Ohio Conference Education Department. The competition, hosted by Toledo Junior Academy, brought together young learners eager to test their geographical knowledge in a fun and challenging setting. Opening Ceremony & Competition Format In his welcome remarks, Shaun Lazarus, principal of Toledo Junior Academy, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Ohio Conference. He thanked the participants for accepting the invitation and shared his joy in seeing so many young minds gather for the event. Following an opening prayer by Kojo Twumasi, pastor of Toledo First Seventh-day Adventist Church, Rick Bianco, Education Superintendent of the Ohio Conference, explained the ground rules and format of the challenge. The organizers divided the competition into two main groups. Students in grades 1-4 answered questions focused on U.S. geography, while those in grades 5-8 tackled questions about Asia. The challenge featured 10 rounds, with contestants taking turns on stage to answer questions. After responding, each student moved to the back of the line and continued until the judges eliminated a contestant who received three strikes, a rule Bianco called “the old baseball rule.” This process continued until the first, second, and third-place winners were determined. Contestants had 20 seconds to answer each question. Key Roles & Conference Support Each year, the Ohio Conference office staff play essential roles in making the Geography Challenge a success, and this year was no exception. Ohio Conference President Bob Cundiff attended the event to show his support. Oswaldo Magaña, Executive Secretary, and Andrew Sutton, Treasurer, served as judges, carefully overseeing the competition. Zachary Sharpe, Associate Treasurer, took on the role of emcee, keeping the event engaging and well-paced. Meanwhile, Esther Barton, Administrative Assistant for the Education Department, ensured the smooth running of the challenge as the official timekeeper. Bianco, who prepared the questions, was in charge of the slides. Their collective contributions helped create a well-organized and exciting experience for all participants. Participating Schools & Attendees Nine of the 11 Ohio Conference-owned schools participated in the contest, including Eastwood Junior Academy, Mayfair Christian Academy, Mount Vernon Elementary School, Northern Ohio Adventist Academy, Piqua Elementary School, Spring Valley Academy, Toledo Junior Academy, Worthington Adventist Academy, and Zanesville Adventist Academy. Additionally, Columbus Adventist Academy from the Allegheny West Conference joined for their second consecutive year. Parents, teachers, and friends attended to support the contestants, offering cheers and applause for the winners and those who were eliminated. The students demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship, encouraging one another throughout the competition. Winners & Awards At the end of the event, the following students earned top honors: Grades 1-4: • First Place: Andrew – Spring Valley Academy • Second Place: Stevie – Mount Vernon Elementary • Third Place: Noah – Eastwood Junior Academy Grades 5-8: • First Place: Ajak – Spring Valley Academy • Second Place: Guy – Spring Valley Academy • Third Place: Wesley – Zanesville Adventist Academy First and second-place winners in each group received trophies and cash prizes of $100 and $50, respectively. Third-place winners were awarded medals and $25 each. Student Reflections After the competition, Ajak, the grades 5-8 champion, shared his thoughts: “I feel good, praise God.” Judges noted that throughout the 10 rounds, he answered all but one question correctly. Andrew, the grades 1-4 winner, also expressed his excitement. When asked about the most challenging question he faced, he said, “The one on the Delaware River, it really messed me up.”

On February 1, 2025, the Columbus Ghanaian Seventh-day Adventist Church welcomed Ohio Conference President Pastor Bob Cundiff to honor him with a special gift. President Cundiff has been a steadfast supporter of the church, and through his efforts, the congregation has been able to upgrade and enhance its Media Center, which it uses weekly to spread the Gospel. His wife, Tanique Cundiff, was accompanying him on this visit. During his visit, President Cundiff delivered a Sabbath message titled “Blessed is the Man,” an exploration of Psalm 1 that highlighted God’s power and love for His children. As a token of appreciation, the church unveiled the Bob Cundiff Media Center, marking the occasion with prayer and celebration. This dedication signifies a significant step in the church’s mission to share the Message through technology. The Columbus Ghanaian Seventh-day Adventist Church recognizes God’s blessings in advancing its media ministry and expresses gratitude for President Cundiff’s continued support. His commitment to the church and his embrace of the diversity within the Ohio Adventist community remain deeply appreciated.

On the first Saturday of February 2025, the Dayton and Cincinnati Brazilian Adventist Community launched a free healthy cooking course called Saúde no Prato (Health on the Plate). Rafael da Veiga Sengik, volunteer pastor, conceived the project to welcome people into the church community, foster friendships, and create opportunities for evangelism. Dr. Ana Keepke led the inaugural class and demonstrated three simple and practical recipes. Approximately 20 participants joined the session. The community will host classes on the first Saturday of each month, welcoming everyone to participate.

There are many in the United States who are afraid for their futures, and for the lives of family members. As a Christian denomination in the U.S., the Seventh-day Adventist Church supports the rights of all persons, no matter their country of origin — the equal rights provided in the U.S. Constitution and fair treatment as immigrants and refugees in this country. As members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, we believe that “we are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us into one fellowship with Him and with one another; we are to serve and be served without partiality or reservation” (Fundamental Belief No. 14). “We maintain our allegiance to the biblical principles of equality and dignity of all human beings in the face of historic and continuing attempts to use skin color, place of origin, caste, or perceived lineage as a pretext for oppressive and dominating behavior. These attempts are a denial of our shared humanity and we deplore all such aggression and prejudice as an offense to God” (Seventh-day Adventist Church statement “One Humanity: A Human Relations Statement Addressing Racism, Casteism, Tribalism, and Ethnocentrism”). The Bible declares that in Christ there is neither Jew nor gentile, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female — all are one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28). We are one humanity. Dehumanization and margination by law or the implementation of the laws or policies are diametrically opposed to the Bible. Therefore, it is inhumane and robs people of their God-given dignity in Christ to have policies that make them afraid to go to church and school because of the threat of being deported. The Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America encourages its churches and schools to be warm and welcoming places for all people. All are created by God and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. In light of the fact that we have a shared humanity, in light of the fact we all are created equal, in light of the fact we should love our neighbor as ourselves, and in light of the fact that Jesus said, “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:40, NIV), our appeal is for us, as Adventists, to show our immigrant families that we love them by lifting up our voices and standing by their side in these times of uncertainty. Our appeal to our policymakers and government leaders is found in The Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual (p. 92): “All are in search of wholeness. All are gifted, needed, and treasured. All are created in the image of God with an inherent dignity regardless of any limitation they may have.” Therefore, let our laws and the implementation of our laws treat all of God’s children, who are created in His image, with the dignity and decency they deserve. G. Alexander Bryant, President Kyoshin Ahn, Executive Secretary Judy R. Glass, Treasurer/CFO *** Guidelines for pastors and school leaders, through the document "Guidance on Immigration Enforcement Activity on Church and School Property," from the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists Office of General Counsel, can be found by clicking here .

Today, Stereo Adventista Internacional, the online Hispanic Christian radio station led by the Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventists' Multilingual Ministries Department, celebrated its 7th Anniversary in Columbus, Ohio. Pastor Fredy Funez, Director of the radio ministry's Southern area, welcomed in-person guests and online viewers to the event and asked for God's blessings upon everyone present. Pastor Bob Cundiff, president of the Ohio Conference, delivered the sermon, using water as a metaphor to highlight spiritual discernment. "Not all water is safe to drink," he noted. "The stuff that you watch, listen to, and stream on your device—it's not always safe to consume. It's not always good for you or your family." Referring to John 4:14, Cundiff emphasized Jesus' promise: "Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." He likened Stereo Adventista's ministry to a spring of living water that offers eternal life. He added, "When I drink from it, it gives me eternal life. And when I am a part of helping this ministry succeed, I am giving eternal life—not just to my church, my family, the Hispanic ministry of Ohio, and the entire world." A Growing Ministry with Global Impact With its motto, "A Voice of Hope," Stereo Adventista Internacional operates four radio stations in Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Toledo, reaching 108 countries; the ministry averages 103,000 connections and has garnered thousands of followers on digital platforms. As part of the celebration, ten individuals participated in baptism. Pastor Edwina Monterroza praised God for their decisions, stating, "Praise be to the name of God—a pure and clear manifestation that the Holy Spirit is still working among His people." Pre-recorded messages from listeners highlighted the ministry's global reach. Rut Ester Sandoval shared, "I am happy. I congratulate you, and I ask God to continue blessing us with His power and grace so that Stereo Adventista Internacional continues on the air, carrying the message of hope and salvation to the world." Nilken Ortiz, a loyal listener from Colombia, added, "Today, with gratitude and admiration, I celebrate with you the seventh Anniversary of this incredible radio station. From the fertile land of Colombia, I send you my most heartfelt congratulations. May the tune of Stereo Adventista continue to illuminate our days and soothe our nights. Congratulations!" Supporting the Ministry In a video message, Bob Cundiff shared a personal note: "You may not know that I listen to Stereo Adventista every Saturday morning when I prepare for church and many times while driving to my preaching appointments. So I want to thank you for listening, supporting, calling, and giving financially to Stereo Adventista. The work we do here is important—it's mission work, it's evangelism. And here's a powerful thought: because of the work we do, new people will go to heaven because they heard the message of Jesus for the first time on Stereo Adventista." Andrew Sutton, Treasurer of the Ohio Conference, commended the radio ministry's supporters. He explained how their donations fund essential operations, including purchasing equipment and software and hosting events. "We know that many people are coming to the Lord through the ministry of Stereo Adventista," Sutton stated. On behalf of the Ohio Conference administration, he presented a $15,000 check to support the ministry. Pastor Edwina Monterroza also expressed gratitude by presenting gifts to conference officers, volunteers, and other supporters who have contributed to Stereo Adventista's success. Looking Ahead with Faith and Hope Before offering the benediction, Pastor Oswaldo Magaña, Executive Secretary of the Ohio Conference, gave thanks to God for His past and present blessings. He expressed optimism about the ministry's future, particularly its role in the upcoming Pentecost 2025 initiative. "The radio will play an extraordinary role in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, resulting in many souls being won for the kingdom of heaven," he stated.

In a small Cleveland church, where worshippers from Russia and Ukraine kneel side by side, peace reigns, defying the war that divides their homelands. This unique congregation sings, prays, studies and fellowships together, with no trace of the painful divisions or hatred that mark their nations' conflict. The church's story began after Pastor Gennadii Kasap arrived in Cleveland at a challenging time. Before his arrival, there was just a handful of Slavic members in the area—mainly a Ukrainian family who attended a church with only American members. "I arrived in Cleveland on March 10, 2022, just weeks after the war began on February 24," he shares. "Of course, the beginning of the war created certain problems from the very start of my ministry." Having come from Moscow, Russia, Gennadii faced initial resistance to forming Ohio Conference’s Slavic Mission church, however, he believed the congregation's closeness to God would overcome negativity.