CONFERENCE NEWS

Introduction A new year often brings fresh hopes and renewed desires. Many begin it longing for something new—a new phone, a new car, or perhaps a new home. Yet beyond material things, the best “new” we can pursue is a renewed relationship with God. As we step into this new year, it is worth asking ourselves an honest question: Where is my relationship with God right now?  Am I growing closer to Him, or have I allowed the noise and demands of life to slowly draw me away? The

Julian, with Beatrice and Albulena It happens every year. As the calendar turns, many faithful Seventh-day Adventists make a sincere resolution: “This year I’m going to read the Bible all the way through—from Genesis to Revelation.”  We know the familiar counsel: three chapters a day and five on Sabbath, and you’ll get there just fine. We begin strong in Genesis and Exodus… and then we reach Leviticus—and that’s where quite a few of us quietly stall. Yet Leviticus, the book m

“For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” — John 13:15 What we consistently behold, we eventually become. This concept is reflected in Cultivation Theory, proposed by communication scholar George Gerbner. The theory suggests that prolonged exposure to media—especially television—gradually shapes a person’s values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Over time, individuals unconsciously begin to reflect what they regularly consume. In much the

You don’t want your phone to run out of power in the middle of a busy day, especially when there’s so much to do. That’s why most of us make sure to charge our phones before going to bed or first thing in the morning. Staying connected to a power source is essential for our devices—but staying connected to Jesus is even more vital for our lives. In John 15, Jesus emphasizes the importance of abiding in Him. He is the Vine, and we are the branches. A branch can only grow and b

Growing up in the beautiful country of Portugal, I was very early exposed to one of the most aggressive sport cultures in the world. Most young boys have one big, overpowering ambition and that is to become a highly successful soccer player. Every generation has one or two really great and famous athletes but in my days, even though he is six years younger than me, one name stood and still stands above them all. When he was only fourteen years of age, he threw a chair at one

“Be angry, but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger. Do not give the devil an opportunity.” (Ephesians 4:26, WEB) As a pastor and professional counselor, I am dedicated to serving mental health. Before becoming a professional counselor, I majored in family ministry. During this process, I encountered a significant challenge: people who seemed to have resolved their problems were still struggling to maintain healthy relationships. Looking at them, I asked mysel

When we scan the Old Testament—its chronology and spiritual origins—we meet leaders whose lives were animated by prayer. Their petitions did not merely ask for help; they aligned missions with God’s grace, stayed judgment, and interceded for mercy and morality. Their practices shaped their faith and, at times, altered outcomes. Great leadership, Scripture shows, begins with the capacity to connect with God—to “hook up with the Holy,” as some might say. Abraham, Moses, Solomon