The Central States Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is pleased to announce that Education Department, has been included among the inaugural recipients of the Journalism for Adventist Solutions (JAS) grant awarded by the Versacare Foundation.

Announced on April 7, 2026, this prestigious grant is part of a newly launched initiative designed to support ethical, solutions-focused journalism across the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Central States Conference is honored to be among only six awardees selected from across the broader Adventist community.

This grant will fund the development of a youth media studio and digital magazine, an initiative already aligning with the innovative work taking place at V. Lindsay SDA School. The project aims to empower students with skills in storytelling, digital media, and principled journalism—preparing them to be thoughtful communicators in both church and society.

“This is a significant achievement for our conference and especially for V. Lindsay School,” said Schari Fontus, Superintendent/Director of Education for the Central States Conference. “This opportunity allows us to expand our students’ capacity to share meaningful stories, engage their faith, and develop practical media skills that will serve them well into the future.”

The JAS grant initiative reflects a growing recognition of the importance of strong, ethical journalism within the church. According to program leaders, the goal is to cultivate communication that goes beyond traditional public relations and fosters deeper engagement, transparency, and impact.

The Central States Conference celebrates this achievement as a testament to the dedication of its educators, students, and leadership to excellence in ministry and mission.

About the Versacare Foundation

The Versacare Foundation is an independent private foundation supporting programs aligned with the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Since 1990, it has awarded over 2,400 grants totaling more than $39 million to initiatives that uplift communities and advance the church’s mission.