More than new artwork was dedicated in the Upper Columbia Conference (UCC) office lobby at the past conference executive committee (CEC) on Feb. 22, 2018. Paul Hoover gathered members of the CEC along with office staff in front of a picture of the Second Coming, entitled The Blessed Hope by Nathan Green. Hoover said this is not the dedication of just a picture in a building, but a dedication of the people — all the members of Upper Columbia Conference — to share the message of the Second Coming of Jesus.
After a short devotional, Hoover prayed, dedicating all members in Upper Columbia Conference to share the same message the painting expresses. Following the prayer, CEC members Patty Schultz and Merlin Ekvall, along with Hoover and Doug Johnson, UCC vice president, cut the ribbon in front of the picture.
Hoover said the words on the plaque that hangs just to the right of the artwork shares the hopes and dreams of all Adventists: “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:16–18).
The Blessed Hope captures the emotion and joy of the moment when Christ returns to redeem his children from all walks of life and take them home to heaven. Set against a dark sky, the explosion of light and color, framed by countless angels, reminds us this world is not our home and our hope and trust in Jesus’ soon coming will be realized.
Patty Schultz, Merlin Ekvall, Paul Hoover and Doug Johnson cut the ribbon after the dedication of the painting.
The Blessed Hope by Nathan Green now hangs in the lobby of Upper Columbia Conference.
