Debbie Michel

Lake Union Vice President Carmelo Mercado Reflects on 50 Years of Ministry

On a spring afternoon in Berrien Springs, Carmelo Mercado sits in his Lake Union office and reflects on a ministry that has spanned half a century.

Debbie Michel

March 19, 2026

Lake Union Spring Meeting Highlights Bold Vision for Mission Funding and Growth

The Lake Union Executive Committee gathered Thursday, March 5, 2026, in Berrien Springs, Michigan, for the first of its three annual governance meetings.

Debbie Michel

March 12, 2026

A Wave of Immigration Buoyed Multicultural Churches. Now Attendance is Dropping.

On any given Sabbath morning in the Lake Union, worship might be heard in Spanish, Ukrainian, Haitian Creole, Burmese or English, voices lifted in praise from families who now call the Midwest home. But in recent months, another sound has filled the pews: quiet, persistent uncertainty.

Debbie Michel

January 6, 2026

Thandiwe Chiwaya Commissioned as U.S. Navy Chaplain

Thandiwe Chiwaya was commissioned as a U.S. Navy chaplain on Saturday, Dec. 6, during a service at Oakwood University, an affirmation of her call to ministry and a milestone nearly 30 years in the making.

Debbie Michel

December 11, 2025

Lake Union Year-End Reports Celebrate Evangelism Momentum, Growth and Mission Impact

On Nov. 19, Lake Union leaders shared encouraging updates from the past year, highlighting strong evangelism efforts, increased baptisms, growing academy support and renewed momentum in local churches and ministries.

Debbie Michel

December 4, 2025

Lake Union Year-End Meetings Highlight Pentecost’s Expanding Reach

On Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, the Lake Union executive committee convened in Berrien Springs, Michigan for the final of three meetings held annually.    

Debbie Michel

November 20, 2025

Indiana Academy Class of 1960 Leaves $1.4 Million Legacy of Faithfulness

The Indiana Academy Class of 1960 has a point to make—to the tune of $1.4 million.

Debbie Michel

November 6, 2025

Instant Connection

Let me be real. Growing up, my life was like a split screen. I lived with my father’s parents during the week and with my mother’s family on the weekends.

Debbie Michel

November 4, 2025

A Love Restored

On the final night of the Pentecost 2025 evangelistic series at Indianapolis Eastside Seventh-day Adventist Church, LT Gates was right where everyone expected him to be: He was working in the kitchen.

Debbie Michel

October 30, 2025

Math Teachers Explore Artificial Intelligence at Lake Union Professional Training

Ten math teachers from junior and senior academies across the Lake Union gathered on Oct. 14 at the Lake Union Conference in Berrien Springs, Michigan, for a day of professional growth focused on artificial intelligence and math instruction.

Debbie Michel

October 30, 2025

Debbie Michel

Articles by Debbie Michel