Hope For Today: A United Effort in the Greater Toledo Area

The Hope For Today city-wide evangelistic campaign was a historic moment of unity, community service, and spiritual revival in the Greater Toledo Area. It occurred at Owens Community College from August 31 to September 14, 2024. It was a testament to the power of collaboration as all five local churches in the city's metro area, including Bowling Green SDA, Toledo First SDA, Swanton SDA, Northwood SDA, and Parkwood SDA, joined forces in a cross-conference collaboration. Also, two Spanish congregations in the city's metro area - Toledo Spanish SDA and Bowling Green Spanish SDA held campaigns simultaneously at a separate venue. The program was also a testament to what could occur when the various levels of the church synergize. While the initiative was grassroots-led, the Ohio Conference, Allegheny West Conference, and the Columbia Union assisted with sponsorship via their presence, prayers, finances, and resources. Impact on Individuals and Families As a result of the event, 87 individuals joined the churches by baptism and profession of faith. These new additions were the culmination of the Holy Spirit working through compassion initiatives, meaningful conversations, one-on-one Bible studies, and powerful messages by the campaign speaker, Pastor Ryan Day of 3ABN. Many of these individuals expressed that the sense of community and compassion drew them in and helped them take this step. In addition to the numerous adults who attended Hope For Today, the event welcomed 40 to 100 children each night into a warm and fun environment. The facilitators taught kids Bible stories, played games, helped with crafts, and blessed the young ones with snacks. This robust children’s program called the Hope Zone effectively motivated parents to attend the nightly meetings. Serving the Community's Practical Needs Understanding the practical needs in the community, Hope For Today offered tangible support for families by distributing groceries, diapers, clothes, laundry supplies, and dinner each evening. These items met essential needs and showed the community the church's commitment to caring for them on multiple levels. Families were deeply grateful, and many expressed that this outreach significantly impacted their lives. One attendee said, "I just wanted to thank you for this event. I recently took custody of an infant and am struggling financially. Not only were the diapers a blessing, but I also won the Meijer gift card!" Preparing Through Prayer, Training, and Unity In preparation for "Hope For Today," the churches engaged in multiple five-day prayer sessions seeking God’s guidance and blessing for the outreach. Additionally, on May 18, 2024, the pastors of the local churches hosted an evangelism boot camp, training members on engaging with the community, sharing their faith effectively, and meeting people where they are. On August 24, a joint rally gathered everyone before the event started, strengthening the spirit of unity and purpose. During the rally, the keynote speaker, Dr. Bob Cundiff, president of the Ohio Conference, reminded the church members that their spiritual efforts were worthwhile. Moreover, church members noted that their boldness for Jesus increased as they kept inviting others to the campaign. Lasting Impact and Continued Growth The bonds formed among the five churches have only strengthened since "Hope For Today" concluded. The churches continue to grow as new members join them, and existing members remain inspired to stay connected and involved. Pr. Eccles, the Bowling Green & Swanton church pastor, mentioned that "the program gave our church momentum and direction as we prepare for Pentecost 2025." In post-assessment, Pr. Steven Valles of Parkwood SDA Church noted, "Hope For Today was more than an event—it was the beginning of a movement. Our churches are excited to continue building on this momentum, knowing that when we come together, we can make an incredible impact on our community and beyond. Together, we look forward to further opportunities to serve, grow, and bring hope to those around us." Written By: Kojo Twumasi Pastor | Toledo First & Northwood SDA

On October 15, 2024, the Ohio Conference Executive Committee voted to appoint Andrew Sutton as the new Treasurer. The position became vacant after Roy Simpson, the former Treasurer, accepted a call to serve as the Under Treasurer of the Mid-America Union Conference earlier in October. Andrew Sutton is no stranger to the Ohio Conference. As a business intern, he first joined the Conference on April 1, 1999. Three months later, the Conference promoted him to Associate Treasurer, a role Sutton held from July 1999 until 2006. On September 1, 2006, The Conference appointed Sutton as Treasurer, serving faithfully until 2010, when he stepped down to spend more time with his young children. During this period, Sutton continued to work within the Treasury Department, focusing on Non-Operating Accounting as an Associate Treasurer. A native of Newark, Ohio, Sutton has deep roots in the Adventist community. He attended Mount Vernon Academy and spent many summers at Camp Mohaven. He has been married for 41 years to his wife, Margaret, and they have three children—Valerie, Lindsay, and Christopher—and three grandchildren. Outside of his work in the Treasury Department, Sutton enjoys outdoor activities such as boating, skiing, hiking, and golf. Recently, he became a certified open-water scuba diver, exploring the ocean's wonders. Sutton's dedication to the mission is unwavering. He has always enjoyed serving God in the Treasury Department, particularly in helping staff and local church treasurers understand the Conference's financial operations. Reflecting on his appointment, Sutton shared, "God has called us to finish the work, bringing as many as we can to the feet of Jesus. My prayer is that we do our part here in Ohio to support this calling so that soon we may go home to be with the Lord forever." His commitment to this mission is a source of inspiration and reassurance for the Ohio Conference. As Sutton steps into this new role, the Ohio Conference looks forward to his continued leadership and dedication to the mission of the Conference.