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Toledo Junior Academy Opens New Gym
Feb 17, 2024
Francis Tuffour
Toledo Junior Academy held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open its new gymnasium today in Toledo officially.
Shaun Lazarus, the school's principal, in his welcome address, acknowledged some guests and introduced his team of co-workers. Kojo Twumasi, church pastor for Toledo First Seventh-day Adventist Church, welcomed the guests, including pastors from the nearby churches who attended the event. President Bob Cundiff Oswaldo Magaña, Executive Secretary, and Roy Simpson, Treasurer from the Ohio Conference, graced the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Dr. Gerald Marsa shared a vision for the academy and expressed an appreciation for the school's support so far. Still, he encouraged people to continue to give so that needed additions could be made to the facility.
Rick Bianco, Education Superintendent of the Ohio Conference, emphasized the importance of education that goes beyond academics. He said, "Today is the day we can celebrate the whole child Toledo Junior Academy that gives them the experience of what's to truly be educated fully on a daily basis, not only spiritually, which is first and foremost, not only academically, not only social but also physically." He also commended each person who contributed to the project.
On behalf of the Ohio Conference administration, Roy Simpson presented a check of $100,000 to Toledo Junior Academy for its expansion project.
Katie and Gary Swackhamer appreciated the school board, building committee, and others for their immense contribution to the building project. Dave Pate was honored for his exceptional leadership and dedication to overseeing the construction of the building.
There was a slideshow of visual moments from the ceremonial groundbreaking, with people digging with shovels, structural framework, and roofing to the facility's completion.
Pastor Mike Fortune delivered the dedication message and focused on the foundation of Christian education. He stressed, "It's the cross of Christ and the love of God that is on full display that forms the foundation of Christian education. So more and more students, parents, members, and guests will be drawn closer to Jesus because it's Jesus and the teachings of Jesus that matter, that are foundational and still worth sharing."
Following the ribbon cutting, Pastor Bob Cundiff invited all the children at the ceremony to join him and offered the dedication prayer. Guests toured the new facility with a gym, classrooms, offices, a warming kitchen, and restrooms.
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The Ohio Conference is thrilled to announce significant progress on the new building at Camp Mohaven, a pivotal part of its Building for Eternity campaign. According to Bob Cundiff, the conference president who toured the site today with the Camp Mohaven Board, the new facility is designed to enhance the camp's capacity and versatility. The building, a marvel of design and functionality, encompasses a 100-foot width framed by expansive 80-foot hangar-style doors, promising a transformative open-air pavilion experience. These doors, a unique feature, facilitate large gatherings, offering shelter and open-air access to the lush surroundings, including the picturesque horse pasture and barn areas. The structure also features multiple 30-foot doors that streamline storage and vehicle maintenance, shielding valuable equipment from inclement weather. Strategically positioned near the top of a hill, the building will serve as a focal point during camp meetings, expected to draw thousands, including both Hispanic and English-speaking communities, for a historic joint camp meeting scheduled for September 27-28. This prime location not only offers breathtaking views but also symbolizes the importance of the new facility in the camp's future. The facility is poised to become a crown jewel at Camp Mohaven, further enriched by envisioned RV and tent camping expansions along the adjacent tree lines. This development is more than a building; it's a step forward in nurturing our community's spiritual and recreational needs, ensuring that Camp Mohaven remains a beacon of fellowship and spiritual growth. Stay connected with the Ohio Conference's digital platforms for continuous updates on this project and more.
On April 26th and 27th, 2024, the Ohio Conference hosted its inaugural Elders Retreat at Camp Mohaven in Danville, Ohio. The retreat, designed to foster spiritual leadership among church elders, featured Pastor David M. Klinedinst as the guest speaker, who focused on "Living an Evangelistic Life." The event, which began with check-in at 4 PM on the 26th, convened elders from across the conference's territory. Throughout the two-day retreat, presentations and activities centered on integrating evangelism into daily life, aiming to enrich the participants' ministry skills. The three Ohio Conference officers, Bob Cundiff, Executive Secretary Oswaldo Magaña, and Treasurer Roy M. Simpson, were not only present but actively engaged in the retreat, underscoring its significance for the church's leadership and evangelistic initiatives. The Elders Retreat reflects the Ohio Conference's ongoing efforts to support and develop church leadership in alignment with the Seventh-day Adventist Church's mission of community service and global outreach. As the event concluded, the gathered elders were expected to return to their communities, equipped with enhanced insights and strategies for evangelistic engagement.
The Ohio Conference has announced a new date for this year's camp meeting at Camp Mohaven, as detailed in a letter sent by Elder Bob Cundiff to pastors and church members yesterday. Due to construction delays, the rescheduled gathering is now set for September 27-28. The camp meeting will feature a joint celebration for both the Hispanic and English-speaking churches and will include the dedication of the new building. Please refer to the letter below for details. Dear Pastors and Members, On April 16, 2024, the Ohio Conference Executive Committee voted to reschedule our 2024 camp meeting to September 27 and 28 due to construction delays with our new building at Camp Mohaven. These delays will prohibit us from dedicating the building during our previously scheduled camp meeting dates. The Committee felt that an adjusted schedule allowing us to dedicate the new building would be a more rewarding experience for our members than conducting camp meetings in a tent next to a large construction project. This year marks a significant milestone for our constituency as we celebrate the completion of the new building at Camp Mohaven. In line with our theme of “Building for Eternity,” we are excited to announce that we will hold a joint camp meeting for our Hispanic and English-speaking congregations for the first time. This occasion will also serve as the dedication ceremony for our new facility, symbolizing a new chapter in our ministry. This historic event will undoubtedly fill the new building and position our territory for a high Sabbath. It will provide an opportunity for members throughout our territory to come together, worship, and celebrate the "Building for Eternity" campaign. We deeply appreciate your understanding and flexibility regarding the change. Please adjust your calendars accordingly, make plans now to attend, and invite others. We value your presence and look forward to sharing this significant event with you. May God bless you as you prepare for this significant event, and I eagerly anticipate celebrating with each of you. Yours in service, Bob Cundiff President, Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
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