STORY
Lima Seventh-day Adventist Church Leads Community in Sending Full Relief Container to Hurricane-Hit Jamaica
February 12, 2026
Ohio Conference
The relief shipment included essential food items, clothing, sanitary products, and cleaning supplies. Support for the effort was widespread, with generous donations from the Lima Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Piqua Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the Bellefontaine Seventh-day Adventist Church, as well as from individuals throughout the Lima area and surrounding communities.
The largest contribution came from Beckman & Gast Co., a food company based in St. Henry, Ohio. Under the leadership of Operations Manager Paul Moorman, the company donated a substantial amount of canned food and provided significant financial support to help offset the container's shipping costs.
"The generosity shown by Beckman & Gast Co. was truly instrumental in making this effort possible," said Dr. Courtney Simons.
Wright State University-Lake Campus also played a key role in supporting the initiative. The University's Outreach Department, led by Dr. Dane Daniel, organized a food drive that collected several boxes of non-perishable items for shipment.
"This partnership reflects what can happen when universities and communities work together to serve others," said Dr. Daniel.
One especially moving story from the outreach effort featured Brynn Leyman, an 11-year-old sixth-grader at Celina Elementary School. After learning about the hurricane's impact on Jamaica, Brynn remembered that her second-grade teacher was from the country. Motivated by that personal connection, she organized her family and members of her community to donate several boxes of supplies.
"Brynn's initiative reminds us that compassion has no age limit," said Pastor Carl Brooks, pastor of the Lima Seventh-day Adventist district of churches.
Representing the corporate partner that made the largest contribution, Paul Moorman emphasized the company's long-standing commitment to giving back. "Since the founding of our company nearly 100 years ago, the principle of stewardship has been part of who we are," said Moorman. "When Dr. Simons shared this project with me, it was a natural fit. We were able to develop a plan to help people in great need while also promoting the value of stewardship."
Church leaders expressed sincere gratitude for the collective generosity that enabled them to fill and ship an entire 40-foot container of relief supplies. The effort stands as a powerful example of how faith organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and individuals can work together to respond meaningfully to global crises.
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
