STORY
"Garden of Prayer: Rooted in Jesus" – Women's Spiritual Retreat
April 9, 2025
Ohio Conference
On Sunday, April 6, the Mansfield Seventh-day Adventist Church welcomed approximately 30 women for a spiritually enriching Women's Retreat Themed "Garden of Prayer—Rooted in Jesus." Organized by Women's Ministries Director Dee Simmering, the event offered a day filled with heartfelt worship, inspiring messages, and meaningful fellowship, all centered on deepening each attendee's connection with Christ.
The retreat began with a delicious breakfast, setting a warm and welcoming tone for the day. This was followed by a powerful time of worship, during which hearts were lifted in praise and reflection.
The first devotional was presented by Terry Hellinger, the Mansfield Seventh-day Adventist Church elder, who shared a heartfelt message on how women can remain "Rooted and Grounded in Jesus." Following this, Nancy Bittner from the Galion Seventh-day Adventist Church delivered a unique and insightful message titled "What Succulents Taught Me About Faith."
A memorable planting session invited each woman to reflect on the importance of nurturing a life of faith—rooted deeply in Christ. Participants then enjoyed a healthy and flavorful lunch filled with laughter, fellowship, and meaningful conversations.
The afternoon continued with interactive group activities that fostered a deeper sense of community and spiritual purpose. The retreat concluded with Terry Hellinger's powerful final message, "Prayer is the Key—Praying the Promises," encouraging attendees to hold onto God's promises and seek Him daily through prayer.
Overall, the retreat was a truly uplifting experience, leaving each woman refreshed, inspired, and more deeply connected to Jesus—and to one another.
share this
Related Stories
Led by Elder Mark Mirek and Diana Mirek, teachers at Piqua Adventist Christian School, eight students played a central role in leading Education Day at the Lima Seventh-day Adventist Church, highlighting the value of Adventist Christian education. The students actively participated in the worship service, taking part in Scripture reading, prayer, congregational singing, and instrumental music. Their musical contributions featured a variety of instruments, including the keyboard, banjo, double bass, cajón, and castanets. A highlight of the service was a powerful personal testimony shared by Elder Mark Mirek. He spoke emotionally about his journey from atheism to faith in Jesus Christ, and how that transformation ultimately led him to a calling in Adventist education. His message resonated deeply with the congregation and underscored the life-changing impact of faith-based learning. The presence and participation of the students were a meaningful blessing to the church community. “It was truly inspiring to see these young people so engaged in worship and ministry,” said First Elder Courtney Simons. “Their involvement is a testament to the strong spiritual foundation being built at Piqua Adventist Christian School.” Following the service, members expressed appreciation for the students’ contributions and the school’s commitment to nurturing both academic excellence and Christian character. Events like Education Day continue to strengthen the connection between the church and its school, reminding all in attendance of the importance of investing in the next generation. At Piqua Adventist Christian School, students are provided with an environment that integrates faith and learning, encouraging them to develop spiritually, academically, and socially. Programs like Education Day offer students valuable opportunities to serve, lead, and share their faith within the broader church community.
On Sunday, April 26, the Ohio Conference Youth Ministries Department hosted a training event for the Alive in Jesus Sabbath School curriculum at the First SDA Hispanic Church of Columbus. Approximately 65 teachers representing the Baby, Beginner, Kindergarten, and Primary divisions attended, united in their commitment to strengthening children’s ministries. The training was conducted in both English and Spanish, allowing for broader participation and engagement. Participants took part in practical sessions focused on effective teaching and long-term discipleship. They also received resources to support and strengthen their local Sabbath School programs. The Ohio Conference Youth Ministries Department acknowledged the North American Division instructors for leading and enriching the training experience. The department also recognized the strong participation and the commitment to guiding children into a growing relationship with Jesus. For more information about the curriculum, visit: https://www.aliveinjesus.info
Mansfield Seventh-day Adventist Christian School’s robotics team recently earned top honors at a FIRST Lego League regional competition held at Takoma Academy in Maryland, securing a championship invitation after an outstanding all-around performance. In preparation for the event, the team dedicated extensive time to building and programming an autonomous LEGO robot designed to complete a series of challenges on the competition field. In addition, students researched a real-world problem, developed a creative solution, and presented their findings to judges. Competing under the name “Archaeolo-Cows,” the team demonstrated excellence beyond technical performance. They received the Core Values Award for their strong collaboration, positive attitude, and encouragement of fellow competitors. The team also earned second place overall, reflecting high achievement across all areas of judging. Their success has earned them an invitation to the FIRST Lego League Adventist Robotics Championship, which will take place at Forest Lake Academy in Apopka, Florida. The team is composed of students in grades 4–8, bringing together a range of experience and enthusiasm. Zedd, a four-year veteran of the robotics team, said, “What I enjoyed about the tournament was meeting new people and seeing different styles of teams.” Felisa, one of the younger team members, added, “It was really fun working with our team.” Those interested in supporting the team’s journey to the championship may contribute through the Archaeolo-Cows’ GoFundMe page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-archaeolocows-reach-nationals
STAY UP TO DATE
GET CONFERENCE'S LATEST
Receive monthly updates from the conference, and get a heads up on upcoming events.
Contact Us
