AdventHealth Castle Rock has launched Virtual Admit Nursing, a nursing-led care model in which trained virtual nurses complete or assist with inpatient admissions, allowing bedside nurses to focus on hands-on patient care.  The hospital is serving as the pilot site for both AdventHealth’s Rocky Mountain Region and the system as a whole, made possible by the rollout of “hellocare” smart room technology in September 2025, to streamline admissions while enhancing the patient experience and supporting nursing practice.  According to Ellery Reed, DNP, RN, chief nursing officer at AdventHealth Castle Rock, the launch aligns with broader advancements in care delivery.  “Virtual Admit Nursing allows bedside nurses to spend more time connecting with patients and providing hands-on care, while also creating more efficient workflows that help the care team meet patient needs more quickly and effectively,” Reed said.  Two of AdventHealth Castle Rock’s units were selected as the first inpatient units in AdventHealth’s Rocky Mountain Region to implement the program, after volunteering to serve as pilot units.  Sarah Zadigan, MSN, RN, director of nursing services and excellence at AdventHealth Castle Rock, emphasized the need to rethink the traditional admission process.  “Historically, bedside nurses completed the full admission process, which is time-intensive and can compete with direct patient care needs,” Zadigan said. “Virtual Admit Nursing enhances efficiency, supports nursing practice at the bedside and improves the patient admission experience without losing the human connection that defines nursing care.”  With the program now live, a trained virtual nurse completes or assists with most admissions between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., allowing bedside nurses to immediately focus on patient care.  “Instead of remaining at a computer, bedside nurses can begin implementing the treatment plan, preparing medications, addressing pain and attending to other critical needs,” Reed noted. “This leads to more timely interventions and a smoother, more patient-centered admission experience.”  From the bedside perspective, the impact is meaningful.  “Getting an admit as a bedside nurse is more often than not a stressful part of our workflow,” said Samantha Strate, RN. “Having an admission nurse eases that stress and gives you time back to focus on your patients or regroup so you can provide safe, high-quality care.”  Strate added that additional time improves patient connection. “Even when we try to hide it, patients can feel when we’re rushed. More time allows us to slow down and focus on our mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ, where human connection is vital.”  Virtual Admit Nursing aligns strongly with AdventHealth Castle Rock’s Magnet journey, supporting innovative nursing practice, shared decision-making and workflows that allow nurses to work at the top of their license.  Looking ahead, the Virtual Admit Nursing program will be rolled out across AdventHealth’s Rocky Mountain Region once processes are refined, with plans to expand the scope of virtual nursing services as the model scales.  Future-state development is ongoing, with a continued focus on leveraging the platform to enhance patient care and strengthen clinical support. Through this pilot, AdventHealth Castle Rock is helping shape the future of virtual nursing across the region and the system. 

In October 2015, what began as a simple “mom’s day out” trip to Uganda changed my life forever. With a background in international nutrition (BS, Virginia Tech) and a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University and extensive experience with the US Department of Health in Washington, DC, I had long prepared to serve overseas—but as a stay-at-home mom for 11 years, that season felt past. Then came Uganda, I had the opportunity to serve with the USAID Farmer-to-Farmer Program, teaching soybean processing to a large farming cooperative, I saw firsthand that practical, locally led training could immediately transform families facing severe malnutrition. When I prayed about how the work could continue after I returned home, I sensed God’s simple instruction: “Hire the locals.” That step of obedience became the beginning of FARM STEW International. The early years required courage. I personally funded the first Ugandan trainers, formed a board, and eventually left my county health department job to lead the growing ministry. Expansion came quickly—Zimbabwe in 2017, refugee camps in Northern Uganda in 2018, and an official launch in South Sudan during one of the worst food insecurity crises in the world. In early 2020, overwhelmed by the weight of leadership and fundraising, I prayed aloud and told God I could either lead or carry the financial burden—but not both. The next day, an anonymous $100,000 gift arrived—our largest ever—just before COVID shut down the world. From that moment on, the anxiety lifted. The deal still stands: I will lead faithfully; God will provide. Since then, FARM STEW has grown into a global, locally led movement equipping families with skills in farming, nutrition, sanitation, enterprise, temperance, rest, attitude, and water. By 2021, the ministry had reached Malawi; by 2022 it was active in the Philippines, Brazil, Zambia, Sudan, and Rwanda; and expansion into Latin America and West Africa soon followed, including Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cuba, Ethiopia, Senegal, Panama, and Nicaragua. Through clean audits, strong local boards, and a multiplying Training-of-Trainers model, the ministry continues to steward resources carefully while reaching hundreds of thousands with hands-on, Christ-centered training. Along with serving as Founder and Executive Director of FARM STEW, I have had the privilege of serving as President of ASI Lake Union and now as General Vice President of ASI Mid-America, helping mobilize lay members for mission. As we look ahead, 2026 promises to be a remarkable year of growth — new countries, deeper impact, and continued evidence that when God calls us to something that seems impossible, He is already preparing the provision. All glory belongs to Him. The History of the FARM STEW International Ministry FARM STEW began in October 2015 in rural Uganda while Joy Kauffman, MPH, a public health nutritionist and graduate of Johns Hopkins University, was serving with the USAID Farmer-to-Farmer Program. Invited to teach soybean processing to a cooperative of 60,000 farmers, she discovered that practical, hands-on nutrition and agriculture training—using only locally available resources—could immediately improve family health. With the help of local leaders, the first Ugandan training team was formed. In 2016, FARM STEW International was officially established as a nonprofit organization. From that foundation, the ministry expanded steadily. Zimbabwe launched in 2017, followed by refugee camp programming in Northern Uganda and an official expansion into South Sudan in 2018 during a national food crisis. Despite entering just before COVID and navigating global shutdowns, the organization continued to grow through local leadership, translated curriculum, and an expanding Training of Trainers (TOT) model designed for multiplication and sustainability. By 2021, FARM STEW had reached Malawi, and by 2022 it was active in the Philippines, Brazil, Zambia, Sudan, and Rwanda. Continued growth in the last few years has opened doors in Latin America and West Africa, adding countries such as Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Bolivia, Senegal, Panama, and Nicaragua. What began as one woman sharing practical knowledge has become a global movement—equipping families with biblical principles, agricultural skills, health education, enterprise development, and clean water solutions to move from extreme poverty toward abundant life. To learn more about Farm Stew’s mission and ministry, visit https://www.farmstew.org

After more than four decades of service to the Seventh-day Adventist Church across the globe, Elder Delbert Pearman has learned a simple but powerful truth: “Money is for mission,” he said. “The mission doesn’t follow the money. The money follows the mission.” On Dec. 1, 2025, Pearman began serving as vice president for finance and Trust Services director for the Central States Conference. In this role, he oversees conference finances, supports local congregations, and helps ensure that financial resources are managed with integrity and purpose in advancing the church’s mission. For Pearman, the assignment is also a homecoming. Earlier in his career, he served in Central States after receiving a call from G. Alexander Bryant, then president of the conference, to help strengthen the field. Shortly after his arrival, unexpected leadership transitions left the conference without a president or secretary. “It was a steep learning curve,” Pearman recalled. “But the Lord prepared me.” During that season, he stepped in to help guide operations and stabilize the work, gaining valuable experience that would shape his future leadership. A global classroom Pearman’s ministry journey began after graduating from Oakwood University in 1983. His first assignment took him to Malawi, where he served as an accountant. “That’s where I realized my business training could support the mission of the church,” he said. “Finance is ministry too.” From Malawi, God opened doors around the world. Pearman served in Bermuda, Sri Lanka, the Middle East, and Ethiopia, later joining the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Most recently, he returned to Sri Lanka to serve as president of the church. Each assignment became a classroom, teaching him new lessons about stewardship, leadership and trust. “One thing I’ve learned is that people’s attitudes toward money are different everywhere,” he said. “But God always provides what His church needs.” Turning dollars into souls Working across cultures reshaped Pearman’s perspective on money. In North America, people tend to save. In countries with high inflation, money quickly loses value. “In those places, you don’t want to hold money,” he explained. “You want to use it while it can still do good.” Those lessons guide his approach today. “I’m not here just to save money,” Pearman said. “I’m here to spend it wisely for mission. We want to convert dollars into souls.” Throughout his career, he has helped multiple church regions achieve their first clean audits. “When I arrived, they said they had never had one,” he said. “By God’s grace, we were able to get things in order.” For Pearman, strong financial systems are ultimately about trust. “When members give, they deserve to know their resources are handled carefully,” he said. “Sometimes the challenge isn’t provision—it’s good management.” Trusting God’s direction Reflecting on his journey, Pearman points to Prov. 3:5–6 as a guiding text: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart… and He shall direct thy paths.” “I can see now how the Lord has directed my path,” he said. “Every place prepared me for the next.” After years of global service alongside his wife, Curdell, and raising two daughters shaped by mission life, Pearman says it feels right to serve locally again. Following God’s leading across continents has brought him back to Central States—ready once more to help move the mission forward. By Pastor Trevor Barnes, communication director, Central States Conference, and Hugh Davis, communication director, Mid-America Union.    

The Iowa-Missouri Conference of Seventh-day Adventists has announced several significant staffing updates, strengthening leadership across executive administration, evangelism, trust services and treasury operations as the conference pursues its mission across Iowa and Missouri. Kent Dunwoody Elected Executive Secretary Effective May 1, Kent Dunwoody has been voted to serve as the new executive secretary of the Iowa-Missouri Conference. Dunwoody brings a strong background in administration and human resources, along with a deep commitment to faith and service. Conference president Lee Rochholz expressed enthusiasm for the transition: “Kent not only has demonstrated these skills, but has vast knowledge and experience in administration and HR. His abilities and knowledge of the Iowa-Missouri Conference make for an easy transition from Melissa to Kent.” Dunwoody will overlap with outgoing executive secretary Melissa Morris through the end of camp meeting to ensure a smooth handoff of responsibilities. The conference expressed gratitude for Morris’s dedicated service in the role. Jeremy Clark Appointed Bible Worker Director and Evangelism Coordinator Jeremy Clark has been named Bible worker director and evangelism coordinator for the Iowa-Missouri Conference, transitioning from a part-time role into the position full-time. In this capacity, Clark will serve as the direct supervisor for all Bible workers across the conference territory, with a focus on training, development and the expansion of evangelistic efforts throughout Iowa and Missouri. Bible workers are individuals dedicated to sharing the gospel through personal Bible study with community members, serving as a vital front line of evangelism for the Adventist Church. Rochholz expressed confidence in the appointment: “Jeremy has a proven track record as a Bible worker and leading people to make decisions for Jesus and becoming a part of God’s last-day people. He has also done an excellent job in training and developing Bible workers. As we look to expand the number of Bible workers in Iowa-Missouri, I believe Jeremy is the right man to lead this initiative forward.” Kal Roller Named Trust Services Director Effective April 1, Kal Roller will join the Iowa-Missouri Conference as trust services director. In this role, Roller will assist church members in planning and managing their estates in ways that reflect their faith values and support the broader mission of the church. Trust services helps members consider how their legacy can further the work of the Adventist Church through planned giving and estate planning. Rochholz welcomed Roller to the role saying, “Kal has demonstrated humility and a desire to serve God’s people, and I am excited for the experience he brings to this role. I look forward to seeing him step into this new responsibility.” Additional details about Trust services will be shared in the coming months. Treasury Team Strengthened with New Appointments The conference also announced updates to its treasury leadership, adding experienced personnel to support the financial stewardship of ministry operations across the field. Jeffrey Bradley joined the conference on March 11 as associate treasurer, where he will assist in overseeing conference financial operations and support the responsible management of ministry resources. Conference treasurer Tim Saxton underscored the significance of the appointment stating, “We live in a time when faithful fiscal stewardship is vital to the mission of God’s work. Jeff brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will greatly strengthen the treasury of the Iowa-Missouri Conference.” Additionally, Flavia Scaiarabba Badenas will join the team on May 1 as assistant treasurer, bringing her experience to the conference’s day-to-day financial operations. We welcome Flavia as she makes the move from Barren Springs, Michigan, to join the Iowa-Missouri team. Executive secretary-elect Kent Dunwoody shared, “We are excited to welcome Flavia to our team and look forward to the ways God will use her gifts in our ministry.” Saxton also recognized the outgoing service of Virgil Minden, Jr., who has faithfully served the conference in a part-time capacity for the past three years following his full-time tenure: “We are deeply thankful to Virgil for his many years of dedicated and faithful service to the Iowa-Missouri Conference. He has been a steady support to our team during this part-time season, and we are grateful for his continued availability through his firm as we move forward.” A Call to Prayer As these leaders step into their new responsibilities, the Iowa-Missouri Conference invites church members across the territory to offer prayer and support for each of them. The conference especially asks for prayers for Kent, his wife Sarah, and the entire leadership team during this season of transition. These appointments reflect the conference’s ongoing commitment to building strong, mission-focused leadership that serves both the church family and the broader community across Iowa and Missouri.