Potomac Conference

Story by Debra Anderson

In pursuit of promoting mental health awareness within Potomac Conference’s 16 schools, the Office of Education has made it a priority to address subject matters not often publicly addressed. As part of this mental health initiative, guest lecturer Bryn Elliott recently shared her compelling testimony at each of the conference’s three senior academies: Richmond, Shenandoah Valley, and Takoma.

Story by Zaida Galva

I can definitely say coming to Shenandoah Valley Academy (SVA) was a God-worked plan. My name is Zaida Galva, and I am a senior from New York City, a place where you are confronted with lots of challenges on a daily basis. City life is extremely fast-paced, and you never really have a chance to establish deep relationships with those around you. That all changed when I arrived at SVA.

Story by Debra Anderson

It was a historic moment in April 1924, when the Virginia Conference, with 21 churches and 677 members, and the District of Columbia Conference, with 12 churches and 1,523 members, combined to form the Potomac Conference. At its beginning, Potomac had 33 churches, 2,200 members and 14 ministers.

Story by Michele Joseph

As a school psychologist and the lay pastor of Liberty Mission Seventh-day Adventist Church in Washington, D.C., Donald Ross always looks for ways to connect with people. 

Teaching Against Rage and Guns while Embracing Talents and Social Skills—called T.A.R.G.E.T.S.S.  —  was created to do just that for students whose environment leaves them a witness to gun violence. 

Through this program, he and his team—which includes his wife, home-based business owner Karen, and Maria Williams, the church Community Services director —give teens tools to build a better life.

In December, the church held its second graduation for the six-week course, which is funded by a city mini grant.