October 28, 2018

Communicators focus on purpose, passion, and partnership

Group photo of SAC attendees.   Everette Wile   Accepting the award on behalf of Dr. Heather Thompson Day.   Andrews University professors and...

LAKE UNION--A group of nearly 300 communicators and university students gathered for a weekend of inspiration, professional development, and networking at the annual Society of Adventist Communicators conference at the North American Division’s headquarters in Columbia, Maryland. Represented in that group were several from the Lake Union territory, including Lake Union Communication staff, Indiana and Lake Region Conferences’ communication leaders, as well as Andrews University staff, professors and a dozen students. 

Under the theme of “Purpose, Passion, and Partnership”, the conference featured a group of Millennial keynote presenters sharing how they successfully built community in their ministries. Represented were: Kaleb Eisele, creator of “Humans of Adventism”; Erica Jones, director of “Georgeous2God”; Emily Long, “71.5” magazine founder/editor, and Justin Khoe of “That Christian Vlogger.” 

 

 

Kaleb Eisele | Humans of Adventist
Kaleb Eisele | Humans of Adventist

 

Colleen Kelly, Indiana Conference’s marketing and communication specialist said that she could see prophecy fulfilled through the young presenters. “Prophecy says that God will raise up young men and women to finish His work and that is what I see in these young adults who are passionate about the ministry God has called them to.” 

 

One of the graduate students who attended from Andrews University, Gemechis Tekle was grateful the opportunity to attend, as it opened his eyes to the field of communication. 
“Now I have an idea of what fellow communicators around me are up to,” he said. “I believe in the importance of coming together for we are the mouth of the church as Aaron was for Moses.” 

 

 

 

Andrews University Communication professor, Desrene Vernon-Brebnor who served as the students’ chaperone was impacted by the Friday night presentation by Beltway Pastor, Tim Madden who challenged her think about what she can do without to bring attention to a worthy cause. “The conference reminded me of how blessed I am,” she said. 

 

Heather Thompson Day
Heather Thompson Day

The capstone experience during the weekend was the awards banquet where two individuals from the Lake Union received awards. Envision magazine, an Andrews University student-produced publication received best student short film for a video created by Heather Thompson Day, Diane Myers, Justin McLaughlin, Danny Martinez, and Sheryl Cubero entitled, “DACA and the Death of Dreams.” This video was an online component to an article written in this year’s magazine.  

 

The young professional award was awarded to Heather Thompson Day, assistant professor of communication for Andrews University, recognizing her extensive list of achievements and passion toward drawing young people to Christ. Day said that she was incredibly grateful for the award and is reminded that there is no such thing as overnight success. “Achievements come through consistency,” she said in a later interview. “It's not necessarily big moments and decisions that get you where you want to go, as much as it is small decisions, made daily, and hard work no one else even knows you put in. I am grateful to be a part of a church that acknowledges young people who are motivated to put in the work required for accomplishing their dreams.” 

 

 

 


The 2019 Society of Adventist Communicators convention will be held next fall in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

Visit the NAD Flickr page to see photo coverage of the 29th annual Society of Adventist Communicators convention. 

 Watch the SAC keynote presentations here.