Conference Meets Goal of Baptizing 2,023 Members

The Ohio Conference recently hosted a mass baptism of 82 people at Delaware Beach Park. The event was a culmination of the 2023 Initiative, a conference-wide evangelistic drive started in 2021 with the goal of baptizing 2,023 members by this year.

Before the ceremony, the conference needed 17 baptisms to meet its goal, but 82 people decided to be baptized, exceeding the target before the end of the year.

“In the Ohio Conference, historically, we baptize between 300 and 400 people a year. The highest year of baptism we’ve ever had in our conference’s history was 2016 [when] we baptized about 530,” says Bob Cundiff, conference president.

Church members who attended the event expressed joy by clapping when Armando Girón López, the 2,023rd person, was presented for baptism. Cundiff gave him a family Bible as a gift and welcomed the new members into the global Seventh-day Adventist Church. Cundiff also thanked the leaders and church members for their roles in leading souls to Christ.

Peter Simpson, Hispanic Ministries coordinator, shared his experience about the event, praising God and stressing that evangelism would continue in the Ohio territory: “This is just the conclusion of the initiative but not the conclusion of the gospel. We are pushing the gospel. We are still calling people to be part of this church.”

Most individuals who were baptized during the ceremony represented Hispanic churches within the conference, notes José D. Espósito, assistant to the president for Evangelism at the Columbia Union Conference.

“We praise the Lord for our brethren at the Ohio Conference who worked passionately to fulfill the mission,” says Espósito, “and are thankful for our new members who now share the everlasting hope of Jesus’ second coming.”

Armando Girón López, the 2,023rd person to be baptized during the conference’s 2023 Initiative, holds a family Bible that was gifted to him by Bob Cundiff, conference president.

Blue Mountain Academy Family Inspires New Student

João Gabriel Ramos Marques’ mother prayed for her son. She knew his friends were a bad influence on him and saw the poor choices he was making. She believed that God would change her son and the direction of his life.

“My mother never gave up on me, despite my rebellious actions,” shares Marques. “She sent me to Faculdade Adventista da Amazonia, an Adventist school in Brazil, in hopes that I could find truth and Jesus.”

There Marques learned about Blue Mountain Academy (BMA). “I quickly became interested in attending BMA to have the opportunity to start a new life, learn a new language and meet new friends.”

He did, indeed, begin making new friends, but wasn’t getting anything out of the Adventist beliefs and worship services held at the academy. Rafael Tavares, a resident advisor, noticed Marques and began praying for him. The two began meeting each night to pray and study together.

“I started investing in my spiritual life,” says Marques. “I knew my mother, my BMA friends and staff were praying for me. I decided that I wanted to be baptized.”

Marques began studying with Adam Bially and Tony Gil, BMA pastors, and as a result, Bially baptized Marques before the school year ended (pictured).

“Even though it took time for me to grow, they constantly encouraged me,” Marques says. “As a result of what God has done in my life, my family has been convicted to turn to Jesus too.”

Why Adventist Education?

Today, students face many challenges, pressures and temptations. Seventh-day Adventist education, however, offers young people and their parents a foundation of Christian values and academic excellence.

Academic Achievement. Students in Adventist schools, on average, place half a grade higher nationally in all subjects than other students. More than 85 percent of graduates from an Adventist school go on to college. In Adventist schools, the goal of academic achievement is always paired with the aim of developing a relationship with the Creator—an unbeatable combination!

Biblical values. Adventist schools offer a Bible-based curriculum, teaching students that their faith can be prevalent in every part of their lives.

Christian character development. Adventist education is transformative in the lives of students, equipping them to grow in their personal relationship with Christ, teaching them to serve others and helping them become all that God intends them to be.

Classroom culture. Framed by a Christian worldview and underscored with biblical principles, Adventist schools offer students a safe environment where they can explore carefully, think critically and reflect thoughtfully that which reflects God-centered values and lifestyle.

Family Atmosphere. Schools, homes and churches unite to create a safe and vibrant learning community with strong relationships, similar goals and a shared journey. Schools are intentionally structured to foster a sense of family and belonging.

Student-teacher ratio. Students receive more individualized attention and instruction in a smaller setting. The multigrade classroom prepares them for working with and building friendships with people of all ages.—Leona Bange, Superintendent of Education