Adventist News Network

Twin earthquakes struck Venezuela last night, causing widespread devastation across the country. Authorities report at least 164 deaths and 971 injuries, with the numbers expected to rise as rescue teams continue searching through damaged areas.

Buildings have collapsed, roads have been severely affected, and communities in Caracas and La Guaira have suffered significant destruction.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church invites all to pray for the people of Venezuela, the families affected by this tragedy, and the emergency teams working tirelessly to provide relief and assistance.

On June 16, 2026, the Leapfrog Group and the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) announced that Loma Linda University Health (LLUH) has received national designation as a Recognized Leader in Caring for People Living with Diabetes.

LLUH made the list of just 37 hospitals across 14 American states earning this recognition for a strong commitment to the safety and well-being of hospitalized people living with diabetes.

Read more below.
https://adventist.news/news/loma-linda-university-health-named-a-2026-recognized-leader-in-caring-for-people-living-with-diabetes

The Center for Youth Evangelism (CYE) has officially appointed Pastor Pedro Perez as the new director for the International Pathfinder Camporee.

With decades of dedicated experience in youth ministry, local church leadership, and large-scale event coordination, Pastor Perez steps into this vital role to lead the planning, logistics, and spiritual programming for future camporees.

His visionary leadership aims to continue the event's powerful legacy of fostering lifelong faith, service, and global community among tens of thousands of young people.

Read more about this.

Center for Youth Evangelism Appoints Pedro Perez as International Pathfinder Camporee Director Perez brings vast leadership experience in youth and young adult ministries.

As he prepares to conclude an incredible historic tenure, Montemorelos University (UM) President Dr. Ismael Castillo was publicly awarded the prestigious "Israel Leito Medal of Merit."

Since taking the helm in 1987, Dr. Castillo has completely transformed the institution—expanding academic programs, achieving prestigious international accreditations, building cutting-edge infrastructure, and embedding a deep culture of cross-cultural mission and service.

The University Council recognized his administrative legacy as one defined by a compassionate, people-centered approach that has shaped generations of students and educators.

Read more about this below.

Montemorelos University Honors Ismael Castillo’s Legacy After Nearly 40 Years as President Adventist university recognizes longtime leader with the “Israel Leito Medal of Merit” for advancing the institution’s academic, spiritual, and international growth.

A relief yacht transporting 42 Adventist volunteers and critical humanitarian supplies caught fire off the coast of Southern Mindanao, Philippines.

The team—including regional church workers, Adventist Community Services personnel, and Hope Channel missionaries—was traveling by water to bypass earthquake-damaged roads to reach isolated coastal communities.

While thick black smoke and flames completely consumed the vessel and destroyed 95% of the relief cargo, every single volunteer was safely evacuated and rescued without injury.

Read more about this.
https://adventist.news/news/in-the-philippines-relief-yacht-carrying-adventist-volunteers-catches-fire

A major redevelopment has officially begun at Batuna Adventist Vocational School (BAVS) in the Solomon Islands.

Originally established as a training center for early missionaries, the remote school currently serves roughly 300 students but has long been challenged by aging infrastructure and isolated logistics.

Thanks to a collaborative effort involving the South Pacific Division, local missions, and development partners, work is underway to modernize the campus with new internet infrastructure, marine transport equipment, and a government-funded kitchen renovation.

Read more about this: https://adventist.news/news/redevelopment-begins-at-local-adventist-vocational-school-in-the-solomon-islands

More than 390 global delegates, mission practitioners, and frontline workers recently gathered in Bangkok, Thailand, for the Mission Refocus Conference.

Organized by the Global Mission Center for Adventist-Muslim Relations (CAMR) under the theme “Toward an Integrated AMR Vision,” the event challenged leaders to move beyond traditional ministry boundaries.

General Conference President Erton Köhler called on the church to replace fear and limitation with a unified, strategic vision, emphasizing that an integrated approach—combining prayer, education, health ministry, and media—is vital to reaching diverse and unreached communities worldwide.

Read the full report below.
https://adventist.news/news/mission-refocus-conference-calls-global-church-to-strengthen-integrated-vision-for-cross-cultural-mission

The Geoscience Research Institute (GRI) actively engaged attendees at the recent Earth Summit, bringing a biblically sound yet scientifically rigorous perspective to environmental stewardship.

Through interactive exhibits and presentations, GRI scientists highlighted the delicate design embedded within our planet, demonstrating that a deep commitment to biblical creation goes hand-in-hand with caring for the Earth.

The event provided a powerful platform to connect with both faith communities and secular attendees, reinforcing that looking after our natural world is a vital part of our responsibility to the Creator.

Read more about this below.

Geoscience Research Institute Engages Attendees at Earth Summit The official news channel of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

As the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season officially begins, ADRA’s Inter-America Regional Office reaffirms its commitment to protecting vulnerable communities across Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Colombia, and Venezuela—regardless of seasonal forecasts.

Despite NOAA forecasting a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season (with 8 to 14 named storms), leaders emphasize that it only takes one powerful storm striking a vulnerable community to trigger a massive humanitarian crisis.

From simulation exercises to pre-positioning critical supplies across the Caribbean and Central America, ADRA teams are maintaining full operational readiness to protect lives before the wind even starts to blow.

Read more about this: https://adventist.news/news/one-storm-is-enough-adra-inter-america-prepares-despite-quiet-hurricane-forecast

Humanitarian response enters a critical phase in the Philippines. Following a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck offshore near Sarangani on June 8, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Philippines has activated its National Emergency Management Plan.

With at least 34 lives lost and over 86,000 individuals affected across Southern Mindanao, ADRA has deployed rapid assessment teams to the hardest-hit areas.

Working alongside local Adventist Community Services networks, the agency is identifying the most urgent needs—including emergency shelter, food, clean water, and psychosocial support—for the thousands of families currently displaced in evacuation centers.

Read more about this below.
https://adventist.news/news/adra-mobilizes-assessment-teams-as-southern-mindanao-earthquake-death-toll-rises