Pastor Bob Cundiff Updates Building Progress, Invites to Camp Meeting

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 Saturday, October 19, we witnessed the launch of an exciting new youth movement in Cleveland, Ohio, called C.O.R.E. This movement was created by a group of young people seeking more: more praise for God, more time spent with Him, more friendships, and more fellowship. This movement aims to unite young adults aged 16 to 35 across Cleveland and the surrounding area. The evening was a success, with over 30 attendees. The praise team led us into worship, and God's presence was palpable as we sang in unity. Following this, we heard an inspiring sermon from Alina Simmons, a theology student at Andrews University. She reminded us of the importance of being part of a Christ-centered community where individuals can support and uplift one another—this is the essence of C.O.R.E. The event concluded with a focus on fellowship, allowing young adults from various churches to connect and build relationships. Sharing a meal together provided a wonderful opportunity for deeper conversation and connection. This event was truly a blessing, and I believe it will continue to bless the Cleveland area in the future. This is just the beginning, and it's clear that God will continue to bless this ministry. The next event is scheduled for December 21 at 6 PM. Follow @core.sda on Instagram for more details. I'm excited to witness the growth and blessings this youth movement will bring. Reported by Gennadii Kasap, Pastor, Slavic Seventh-day Adventist Church, Cleveland