IN THE FULLNESS OF HIS STATURE
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13 NIV
The most important decision we make in our lifetime is to allow Christ into our hearts and choose to follow Him. But what happens next? Once we accept the Gospel, a natural transformation takes place. We see what God has done for us and inevitably respond to His grace and love. No one who knows Him is left the same.
The journey of transformation isn’t a single event but a profound and often challenging process. Think of the butterfly’s journey. It doesn’t instantly sprout wings. It enters a chrysalis, a place of stillness and change, where it’s broken down and rebuilt. Similarly, our spiritual metamorphosis involves prayer, moments of surrender, hills, and even valleys. These are the chrysalis moments where God refines us, shaping us into His likeness. We’re called to a “Gethsemane,” a place of surrender, where we learn to say, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
This transformation isn’t just intellectual. It’s a complete overhaul of our lives. Just as a butterfly’s habitat and behavior change, our lives should reflect a shift from worldly patterns to God’s image. Romans 12:2 reminds us not to conform to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. How does this happen? Through meditating on the sacrifice of Jesus, understanding His undeserved grace, and responding with a life offered as a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). It’s about recognizing that His love demands our whole heart, our entire being.
This journey of transformation is not always comfortable. It requires us to abandon old habits, to let go of our desires, and to embrace the unknown. But like the butterfly, we emerge with new wings, ready to fly in the fullness of Christ’s stature (Ephesians 4:13).
In this issue of Florida Focus, you’ll encounter stories of true transformation. You will read about our young people transforming their communities, testimonies of miracles and lives changed for the better, and catch up on what is happening around our conference.
I pray these stories inspire you to reflect on your own journey of transformation, and how you can respond to Christ’s love in your life.
May the Lord bless you always,
Allan Machado, D.Min. Florida Conference President
TRANSFORMATION THROUGH SERVICE
Florida Conference Shines Bright on Global Youth Day
by Andrew-Craig Nugent
On March 15, 2025, Florida Conference joined Seventh-day Adventist youth around the globe in celebrating Global Youth Day (GYD), a day dedicated to being Jesus’ hands and feet in our communities. This year’s theme, “ACT: A Community Transformed,” inspired our young people to make a tangible difference throughout the state.
The History of Global Youth Day
Global Youth Day is an annual initiative of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that began in 2013. It is designed to empower young people to get out of their pews and into their communities, demonstrating the love of Christ through acts of service.
Florida Conference’s Unique Approach
Florida Conference Youth and Young Adult Ministries, in partnership with Florida Conference Pathfinder and Adventurer Ministries, took a unique approach to GYD after a break during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than a large, centralized event, the conference promoted a decentralized celebration. Local churches, youth groups, and Pathfinder/Adventurer clubs were
encouraged to plan their own service activities, allowing for greater local impact and engagement.
To support this effort, the conference provided a Global Youth Day Showcase for training, Global Youth Day T-shirts, and a Global Youth Day hub page. More than 1,000 Global Youth Day T-shirts were printed, ordered, and shipped to be worn by willing young people all across the state of Florida.
During the Global Youth Day Celebration—a live-streamed event hosted by Stephen Stewart, Associate Director for Pathfinder and Adventurer Ministries, and Andrew-Craig Nugent, Associate Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministries—local churches participated by uploading content and using social media to share and highlight the day’s activities. Over 35 churches participated in the livestream, and many others demonstrated service efforts via social media.
This collaborative effort between Pathfinders, Adventurers, youth, and young adults proved to be a powerful combination, amplifying GYD’s impact across Florida.
Stories of Transformation
The impact of Global Youth Day was felt far and wide. In an interview conducted by Juan Rodriguez, Florida Conference Youth and Young Adult Ministries Director, Kim Kim, a youth leader from Jacksonville Myanmar Church, organized a Global Youth Day event in an apartment complex inspired by her own experiences as an immigrant. She wanted to pay it forward by providing games, activities, and food donations for current residents, many of whom are also immigrants.
The spirit of kindness and outreach was evident across the state. South Orlando Pathfinders brightened the day for shoppers and employees at a local supermarket by giving out flowers, with one store manager even placing her flower on display. The Westchester church hosted a drive-by prayer station where young people held “Honk for Jesus” signs and offered prayer to those passing by. One young person’s prayer with someone going through a difficult time led to an invitation to their concert, demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit at work.
In a remarkable story from South Florida, Pedro Perez, Florida Conference Pathfinder and Adventurer Ministries Director, shared an inspiring anecdote. Three young women—one from Germany, one from France, and the third from Idaho—came to Miami for spring break and joined a Thursday night volleyball game at the church. Enjoying the fellowship, they accepted the local pastor’s invitation to return for Global Youth Day. These visitors actively participated in the “Breakfast with Jesus” ministry, sharing their talents and serving alongside church members.
In another powerful testimony, a woman from the Jacksonville area shared, “I have been waiting to go to a church for a year now. After seeing how kind the people were who participated in the Global Youth Day, I want to go to a Seventh-day Adventist Church.” A volunteer shared the address of their local church with her.
Regional Collaboration
Churches across the state teamed up to maximize their impact:
• Northeast Region: Jacksonville First, Jacksonville Myanmar, Jacksonville Spanish, Jacksonville Southpoint
• Northwest Region: Marion Oaks English, Marion Oaks Spanish, Hope Springs, Ocala, and Inverness Spanish
• Southwest Region: Cape Coral, Naples Spanish, North Naples, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers Spanish, Port Charlotte
• Miami/Keys Region: Miami Central, Revive, Arise, Westchester Spanish, Hialeah Springs, Miami Spanish, Coral Gables, and more!
Many other churches from Gainesville to Homestead also participated, dotting the map of Florida with acts of service.
Gratitude and a Call to Action
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the churches, youth groups, Pathfinder and Adventurer clubs, and pastors who embraced the spirit of Global Youth Day and chose to be Jesus’ hands and feet. Your dedication to serving others has made a lasting impact on communities throughout Florida.
Let us remember that Global Youth Day is not just a day but a lifestyle. As we reflect on this year’s successes, let us begin preparing for our next Global Youth Day on March 21, 2026, where our theme will be “Communion in Action.” May we continue to seek opportunities to serve and transform our communities every day.
Pastor Andrew-Craig Nugent is the Associate Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministries of Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
Dear Florida Conference family,
We are stepping into a new year, walking together in faith, hope, and love. Encouraged by the miracles we witnessed in 2024, we begin 2025 ready to give the Lord our best and work for His kingdom.
Souls Meeting Jesus
It fills my heart with joy to see so many of our churches celebrate baptisms on the last or first Sabbath of the year. I rejoice because I know these individuals have made the best resolution, to follow Jesus and begin a new life in Him. We celebrated more than 3,000 baptisms last year, and I know the Holy Spirit is already working in 2025.
Our Florida Conference churches and schools are actively taking part in Pentecost 2025, a movement to hold 3,000 or more proclamation events across North America. Let us pray
EPISODE 9
for all the evangelistic efforts that will take place across our conference this year.
Learning Discipleship
In December, we held REAL, a powerful discipleship convention for Spanish-language church leaders and pastors. The convention energized and inspired the 720 participants, a record number of attendees, and a bus was provided to bring more than 50 church leaders from south Florida to Camp Kulaqua.
Administration also began the year by meeting with all pastors to thank them, encourage them, and share our Work Content and plans for 2025.
Church Celebrations
I love seeing our churches accomplish milestones. Congratulations to Jerusalem Haitian of Naples on becoming
a Company of Believers. During the organization service, eight young people answered the call to dedicate their lives to Jesus through ministry. Also, a big congratulations to Lake Wales Spanish for the inauguration and dedication of their new temple. May the Lord continue blessing and guiding you.
Reaching and Serving Communities
Youth and Young Adult Ministries, along with the Avon Park Church, gave back to the community with a toy and diaper giveaway. Church volunteers and Walker Memorial students distributed toys to 500 kids and diapers to 125 families. Many families from the community expressed the desire to receive Bible Studies and attend worship services. Amen to that!
A Powerful Legacy
Florida Conference was honored to host the Celebration of Life of Pastor William A. Kirlew. At 103 years old, he was a dedicated
man of God who served the Lord all his life, planting more than 17 churches in South Florida and playing an important role in the organization of an elementary school, now appropriately named the William A. Kirlew Junior Academy.
Let us come together and ask the Lord to bless His church as we work for him and give us the resources we need to sustain our growth and provide for our needs. May the Lord bless you, and bless Florida Conference.
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MIRACLE IN 24 ON THE 24 TH
by Sherril Thwaites
Historic. Optimistic. Peculiar. E xceptional: Words that formed the framework to incubate HOPE that sprang eternal during the 24th anniversary of the Palm Springs Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Under the theme EXPLORE: More Together in ‘24, the church engaged in a deliberate effort to epitomize Jesus as a more palatable and practical presence in the lives of members and the community. Attendees on Sabbath mornings evidenced a coordinated effort of genuine intent. The outreach efforts of the interest coordinator team, deacons, greeters, and ushers are the hallmarks of first impressions. The leadership team trumpets, “The parking lot paves the way for the fellowship in the foyer, the passion in the pews, and the preaching from the pulpit.” The warm and welcoming first impression and a commitment to follow up with guests have notedly created a genuine interest and set Palm Springs as a convivial church family. The words from Psalm 100:4, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise,” set the tone for the experience to come.
Historic: “Evange-living” continues to be the essence of existence for evangelism. Throughout the year, social engagements formed the catalyst for success. The members were encouraged to engage their sphere of influence by tangible and realistic means. Sam Dawsen, a church elder who baptized his son, remarked, “The joy and experience is inexplicable.” Three 10 Days of Prayer Ministry activities were conducted in three languages to kick off the year, with tremendous effect. To assimilate small group gatherings, quarterly weekend empowerment revivals were conducted, and monthly baptisms were scheduled in faith, even without requests.
Consequently, Palm Springs saw an Optimistic organic growth of over 10% in membership. The critical reaping effort was conducted in October. Shion O’Connor from Cayman Islands Conference conducted a two-week series, “God Is Still Coming,” that netted 34 baptisms. This was the largest singular baptism event in the history of the church. The speaker, who providentially had mentored Palm Springs pastor Omar Palmer by giving him his first evangelistic preaching opportunity, delivered electrifying messages. There was a constant refrain from the guests, “I have never heard the word come alive like that before.”
A most Peculiar occurrence was witnessed on a Sabbath morning when a couple was married and later baptized on the same day. Almost in unison, the couple remarked, “We just
can’t express how grateful we are that we are married twice in one day—to each other and each other to Christ.” Bolstered by elders Joshua Lawrence and Norman Battick, Bible Counselors, the church and community came alive during this period through thoughtful training and submersible study. One very beneficial pool of interest was a derivation from a rained-out church picnic that allowed the Bible Counselors to engage with the attendees. Church elder Wentworth Taylor commented, “The fact that there was inclement weather created an opportunity for closer interactions. This was a blessing in disguise.”
Exceptional: The church embodies a distinct mission approach called the “Won 2 Win Initiative.” All new members are drafted into a principled approach to discipleship. Olivia Brown, the Guardianship Director, expressed, “We are determined to double the efforts to tightly close the back door just as much as we invite and welcome, with an opened front door, our neighbors to enter the fold.” The Mentor/Mentee program provides spiritual guidance, grounding, and an open door for communication, cheer, and connection. Mentors can share their experiences, help mentees navigate similar circumstances, and deepen their relationship with God as they apply Christian principles to daily living. On the first Sabbath of the last month, the church shared in a “New Members Appreciation Sabbath,” where an intentional approach is taken to provide guardianship, ministry recruitment, and discipleship. The celebration included over 50 new members, not just the newly baptized. Palm Springs pastor Omar Palmer posits that “equally important and vitally significant is the assimilation of all members in the culture of Evange-Living, the single most effective methodology for spiritual growth and development.”
By God’s grace, the church achieved More Together in ‘24, “not by might or by power but by My Spirit says the Lord,” Zechariah 4:6. As the church, now with over 450 members, seeks to “Elevate” and come alive in ‘25, the hope still burns, hope in the coming of the Lord. Until then, we still believe in miracles. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
JESUS WAS NEVER IN A HURRY
by Jayney Scandiff, M.Ad.Ed.
I scrawled a short but poignant sentence on a Post-it Note and taped it to my white wicker tissue holder so I could see it every Sabbath as I got ready for church: “Jesus was never in a hurry.”
These fast-paced days are jam-packed with to-do lists— endless, time-consuming, never-ending. I have a to-call list, a to-do list, and an I’ll-get-to-this-later list. No matter how well I stay on task, seemingly important things get the best of me, and my lists grow daily. I often get brain-weary and sick. It seems I can never complete a to-do list; it persists even though I am persistent.
I am certain we all have more than enough “to-dos” in our allotted 24 hours.
Yet, my little note says Jesus was never in a hurry. Thinking through that bright hope, I read how Jesus was never bothered by interruptions or people who needed healing or a word of kindness dropped in their souls. He gave what little lunch He had to people experiencing poverty; He had time to walk—not drive or “commute”—to work. He stopped by the Well to talk and wait purposely for the woman of Samaria; He also turned back to look and inquire, “Who touched Me?” as he felt “power going out of Him” after someone touched the hem of His garment (Mark 5:30).
My dad, a bank president in Chicago, told me years ago that he instructed the receptionist to always send calls straight to his desk. He always had time for them, something that may feel foreign these days. It’s frustrating when important calls are met with “They’re busy; I’ll take a message,” especially when those messages rarely result in a callback. The question, “Who should I say is calling?” makes one feel unimportant. In a small way, my
dad reflected Jesus’ calm kindness every day by making time for others.
The word ‘busy’ has become an overused excuse in the 2020s. We even glorify it. In just two days, I’ve encountered the word four times: from friends, a laundry room acquaintance, and even printed on things like a desk stand and license plate. We’ve made “I’m busy” a mantra.
This obsession with being busy is unhealthy. It can lead to stress, high blood pressure, and heart attacks. I don’t like to be on edge, stressed, going 90 miles an hour to get everything done in 12 hours of the day. I prefer a balanced, organized life of being comfortably occupied by things I enjoy.
To combat a busy mindset, research scriptures on peace, health, kindness, and comfort. Take time to read and reflect on passages when Jesus stopped to help, comfort, and heal. A gentle, calming hymn can significantly improve moods, reduce anxiety, and invoke calm. I listen to them throughout the day to stay focused on Jesus.
I also frequently look back at the sticky note taped to my tissue holder and remember that Jesus was never in a hurry. I pray our focus may change from worldly pressures to the Lord of everlasting Peace.
Jayney Scandiff is a member of the Clearwater Seventh-day Adventist Church. She has been actively involved in Health Ministries and independently writing for Adventist publications for many years.
THE POWER OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
by Jaclyn Mallan-King
Fred Rogers once said, “One of the greatest things we can do is to help somebody know that they are loved and capable of loving.” That’s what this devotion—and my testimony—is about.
Biblical Connections
In the biblical examples of Jesus’ healing ministry, an element always reaches beyond the physical and transcends technicalities. He sees and touches the very core of each person and fulfills deep needs—whether emotional, social, or spiritual—so complete healing takes place.
From the woman who was cured of her twelve years of bleeding with a touch of His robe to the leper who humbly approached Him and said, “If You so choose, You can make me well,” Jesus had no issue reaching out to touch, or be touched by, those the rest of their community deemed untouchable. They were accustomed to being shunned, arguably more painful than the illness that set them apart as broken. But the way Jesus sets us apart isn’t to isolate but to reinstate and love us into wholeness. And “whole” is more than a mere word.
More Than Words
The word “holy” translates to “whole,” “healthy,” or “bringing health.” The Bible reminds us, “We have been set apart as holy to God,” and “God has called us by name.” I see a common thread running through these stories: Jesus brought all the healing pieces together through something so simple it’s easy to miss: the power of acknowledgment.
When you’re used to nothing but unkindness and someone finally treats you with Love, you light up and your worldview shifts. The person who gave you that gift is now seen as precious for allowing you to feel that way, maybe for the first time, and you
want to give back a piece of what you have received. That is God’s Love with a capital “L,” an open circuit that flows freely and multiplies.
Jesus saw and expressed the value in every individual so they could see themselves the way He did, no matter who they were or what they had done. The focus was on their potential to become who they were created to be.
I’ve come to believe that because He acknowledges each of us by name, our interactions with every person should be treated as hallowed ground. We don’t know what it’s taken for those in our paths to make it to this moment, but He does.
Make Me an Instrument
The most profound miracles come from simple acts of kindness through people acting as God’s instruments. A miracle led me to where I am now, to my baptism in 2016, and to the opportunity to share my writing ministry through my work as Senior Copywriter at AdventHealth. It will never be “just a job,” and the countless words I write every day will always be more than words. It’s an act of paying it forward and a full circle of things falling together as they should.
I come from humble beginnings and was raised by loving parents. Opportunity was never a given, and hope, faith, and determination were lifelines. Growing up with multiple illnesses in my family led to hardships and a lack of resources and support. As a child, I took on adult responsibilities and became severely shy. The best way I could organize my thoughts and express myself was through writing what I couldn’t say out loud.
Written words and the life within them naturally became my livelihood. I put myself through college and graduate school as
the first and only member of my family to earn a bachelor’s and then a master’s degree. I worked hard and became a college professor. But throughout my independent, “pull myself up by my bootstraps” mindset and the life I was determined to create, my soul craved community and connection with others, myself, and God.
While the soul’s journey is never complete, God set me on the right path with the best people.
Birth and Rebirth
Some believe that giving birth activates a rebirth in mothers. We give birth to new life and ourselves as we experience a noticeable shift in identity and purpose, along with the other physical, emotional, and spiritual changes we undergo.
In 2013, I was three months pregnant when I moved to Orlando with my then-husband. Pregnancy can exacerbate or activate medical conditions, as well as worsen domestic issues. Physically, I was the picture of health, but I suffered in silence from factors that don’t show on lab work or ultrasounds.
In my marriage, I was without emotional support or a safety net and was used to feeling disregarded or worse. I internalized what I was constantly told and shown: that I couldn’t go outside my comfort zone, wouldn’t succeed, and wasn’t enough. I normalized living in pain and brushed off the seriousness of my everyday experiences. No one knew the truth, which left me severely isolated. Perhaps the worst detail is that I wasn’t allowed to speak of God or pray openly, though I refused to denounce my faith. Through every moment of suffering, I would not deny God. He held me close, never denied me, and guided every step.
Doctor of the Soul
I researched before choosing an OB/GYN at what was then called Florida Women’s Center at Florida Hospital Altamonte, now AdventHealth Altamonte Springs. On paper, my doctor was board-certified, experienced, and the department’s medical director. He knew all the technicalities of pregnancy and could easily apply his knowledge to ensure a safe delivery.
However, the most profound impact was that he looked me in the eyes when he spoke, made me laugh, and sincerely said, “God bless you,” as I left my first appointment. A seed was planted, and it flourished into a verdant forest. It was like God told me, “I love you,” and I finally heard it. That simple blessing led me to regularly praying for help with my home-life problem in the hospital chapel, to eventually showing up on the doorstep of what is now my church with my baby boy, who is now 11. I was welcomed by a godly community of Seventh-day Adventists who took us under their wings, with God guiding every step. My baptism was on June 11, 2016. The rest is history still in the making.
Set In Motion
For the bleeding woman and the leper, their healing was activated through the contrast between what was and what could be. It’s difficult to convey how simply treating someone with dignity can change a life unless you have deeply known and lived the contrast.
Going to the doctor for a first-time pregnancy was difficult to navigate, so I did what I knew how to do: I meticulously wrote the questions and symptoms I couldn’t say out loud so the doctor could read them first. On each visit, he made me feel better through his natural demeanor. I began to see him as a safe person, his office a safe space, and I felt he truly cared about my well-being. One day, he came in with my notes and called me by name, “Jackie, you write so well that every time I read your notes, I think you should write a book.”
It’s so simple that it’s easy to miss. When he acknowledged what was in my soul, I lit up. The idea that someone recognized I was good at something was burned into my brain, and I held onto it.
I eventually trusted him enough to reveal more pieces of my life each time until I finally confided the painful domestic issue that caused symptoms. That allowed him to help me in tangible ways that have profoundly impacted my life and strengthened me. He led me to where I needed to go and found the right people to get me there.
That’s narrative medicine in action, the unexpected healing that can occur. With God in charge, the real healing medicine comes through ongoing dialogue and each person responding to the call. I consider it hallowed ground.
Mission
Paul tells us in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” I’m a recipient of our mission, and I think about it every day. If I can write in a way that transcends grammar rules and technical training to touch hearts and help them find healing, I have done my job well.
If not for my doctor and others he led me to along the way, my path would have been completely different. Because of his humanity, natural goodness, and the belief he shared, a seed was planted, and it grew.
Jaclyn Mallan-King serves as Senior Digital Copywriter at AdventHealth. Also a seasoned English teacher, she has served as Adjunct Professor of English at AdventHealth University. Jaclyn is passionate about living out our mission and witnessing through her writing ministry. She is a member of Markham Woods Church of Seventh-day Adventists and is thankful for the blessing of being a mother to her sweet son, Julian.
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