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Six Minutes on the Side of the Road
On a recent weekend, Amy Benedict and her daughter Kaylee were traveling north to attend a health ministry retreat at Camp Au Sable. The trip from their home in Zeeland normally takes about three hours. They were about an hour and a half into the drive, traveling between Big Rapids and Reed City, when something…
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Ambassadors for Christ
A remarkable convergence of events took place in the young American republic in January 1802. A Baptist minister named John Leland, known for his unwavering defense of liberty of conscience, traveled to meet President Thomas Jefferson. He brought with him a symbol of goodwill (though we might disagree today) from his congregation in the form…
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Sharing the Gospel Through Music
On March 29, more than 320 people filled the Ann Arbor church. Over half of them entered the space for the first time. They did not come for a traditional service, but for a concert that told the story of Christ through sacred music. What unfolded that evening revealed something powerful: music can open doors…
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What Religious Liberty Means to Me
Religious liberty is more than a civil right; it is a spiritual principle rooted in God’s character. It is the freedom to worship without coercion, to obey from love, and to stand faithfully according to conscience. At its heart, religious liberty means that my conscience belongs to God alone. Some important aspects I keep in…
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MiTribe: A Call for Michigan Youth to Do Life Together
Across Michigan, something meaningful is happening. Small groups of young people are gathering in homes, parks, coffee shops, and churches. They are sharing meals, praying together, studying the Bible, and finding ways to serve their communities. These groups are called MiTribes, and they are helping youth experience something many people are searching for—authentic Christian community. MiTribe…
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The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution
In the past, Seventh-day Adventist religious liberty advocates regarded the Declaration of Independence as the definitive statement of America’s founding principles and therefore the primary source for correctly interpreting the US Constitution. During the antebellum period, J. N. Loughborough noted that the Constitution was “professedly based on the Declaration of Independence.”[1] In the decades following…
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Adventists Fought for the Principles of the Declaration of Independence
Writing in response to the Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857), Abraham Lincoln argued that the founding fathers had proclaimed the principles of the Declaration of Independence in order to establish a “standard maxim for free society.”[1] The inalienable rights of the Declaration had not been immediately conferred on all Americans, but by declaring these rights…
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A Journey of Faith, Patience, and God’s Perfect Timing
A Journey of Faith, Patience, and God’s Perfect Timing Sometimes God brings two people together at exactly the right moment. Not only to build a life together, but to draw them both closer to Him. That was certainly true for Caleb and Amanda, whose journey began in June 2019 in the Dominican Republic. Amanda had…
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Liberty, Justice and Wisdom: Rediscovering the Principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Foundations of Religious Liberty
This year marks the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding and of one of the most important documents ever written, the Declaration of Independence. This year marks the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding and of one of the most important documents ever written, the Declaration of Independence. In The Great Controversy Ellen G. White…
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Wellness Outreach Opens New Doors to Lansing Educators
Health professionals at the Family and Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, a nonprofit health ministry run by Dr. Kimberly Azelton, a member of the Lansing church, have been praying for opportunities to connect with the neighboring Lansing community. The Employee Wellness Day at Waverly High School has become one such opportunity, breaking down barriers and opening doors…
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Near-Miss or Divine Appointment?
Youth Rush canvasser discovers that God was writing a redemption story decades in advance. More than 35 years ago, in Pontiac, Michigan, two young boys were enjoying a beautiful summer day relaxing next to a swimming pool. As a joke, one of the boys pushed the other—Raymond—into the water and ran off laughing. But Raymond…
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Every Member a Medical Missionary (EM3)
Nearly 70 attendees from across the Michigan Conference gathered at Camp Au Sable on May 8–10 for the Mini-Medical Missionary Training Retreat., also known as EM3 training, which stands for “Every Member a Medical Missionary.” The weekend focused on equipping church members with foundational principles of health ministry and practical ways to serve others through…
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Sabbath School & Personal Ministries
Michigan Conference Appoints Mark Howard as Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Director The Michigan Conference is pleased to announce the election of Elder Mark Howard as Director of the Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department (SSPM), following a vote by the Michigan Conference Executive Committee. Pastor Howard succeeds Kameron DeVasher, who recently accepted a call…
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Church Leaders Gather for “United in Mission” Workshop
Church leaders from across Michigan gathered at Camp Au Sable from April 24–26 for the annual Church Leadership Workshop, a weekend designed to encourage, equip, and unite local church leaders for mission-focused ministry. Centered around the theme “United in Mission,” the retreat drew 75 attendees representing churches from across the state, including locations stretching from…
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Grace Meets Grit Marriage Retreat
Couples from across the Midwest gathered at Camp Au Sable for a weekend focused on strengthening marriages through biblical principles, encouragement, and intentional time together. Held under the theme “Grace Meets Grit,” the marriage retreat welcomed 75 couples traveling from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Illinois for a time of renewal, connection, and spiritual growth. Hosted…
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Hispanic Churches Connect with Community Through Health Expo and Evangelistic Outreach
Members from several Detroit-area Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist churches recently joined together in community outreach through a Health Expo held at the Kemeny Recreation Center in Detroit on April 19, 2026. Hosted by the Shalom-Detroit Seventh-day Adventist Church, the event brought together volunteers from the Cavalry and Ann Arbor Spanish churches, along with support from additional…
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MI Tribe U Mobilizes All Generations for Mission
On April 11, energy and purpose filled the campus of Great Lakes Adventist Academy as members from across the Michigan Conference gathered for MI Tribe U, a weekend focused on inspiring young people to live for Christ and actively participate in the mission of the church. The event highlighted a central theme; there is a…
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Called, Clothed and Reminded
Many years ago, my wife, Judy, adopted Marie Kondō’s philosophy of minimalist living. This meant two things for our whole family: (1) that we would limit our possessions to things we needed, and (2) that we would only keep things that “spark joy.” As we progressed through the decluttering process, my closet suffered the greatest…
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District Health Expo Brings Care, Connection to Metro Detroit Communities
On a brisk Sunday afternoon, the sound of conversation, laughter, and music filled three corners of Metro Detroit as churches from the Hispanic District came together with a shared purpose of serving their community. On March 29, 2026, three simultaneous Health and Wellness Expos were held in Detroit, Pontiac, and Ann Arbor, transforming ordinary spaces…
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Finding Faith
Spiritual struggles began early on in 17-year-old Jaden Adamson’s life. Even before 5th grade, she was told by adults that she was too young to have a relationship with God. Already struggling with anxiety, Jaden felt a lot of pressure about when to start that relationship. She was also dealing with bullying in her Christian…