Thanks for a great 2010! Next up: 2011!

Hi, everyone!

Just wanted to post a quick note to let you guys know that we're super thankful for you! Thank you for stopping by and reading the articles we've been posting here on A Sabbath Blog during 2010. Thank you to everyone that submitted news leads and tips. It's been a fun year with lots of cool stories going on.

Here's what happened...

Watch GYC 2010 online

"Good evening, GYC!"

If you keep hearing this greeting many times in one night, then there's a pretty good chance you're at the annual Generation of Youth for Christ conference.

What if Mary and Joseph had Facebook?

Merry Christmas, everybody! Hope it's a relaxing one spent with family and friends, and filled with lots happiness and love. Don't forget about Jesus this holiday season! :D

Speaking of Christmas, what if Mary and Joseph had Facebook? See for yourself:


("The Digital Story of the Nativity")

Committed wins 'The Sing-Off'

NEW: A Sabbath Blog's interview with Committed

Committed is the new champion of "The Sing-Off," winning the grandprize: $100,000 and a Sony Music recording contract. They were announced the winners during the show's live season finale on Dec. 20.

They are the second Seventh-day Adventist a cappella group in a row to win "The Sing-Off." Nota won the first season of "The Sing-Off" in December 2009.

Cosmic Conflict 2: The Battle for Truth coming soon

Image credit: Amazing Facts

Amazing Facts has finished the script for "Cosmic Conflict 2: The Battle for Truth," according to the movie website.

However, it seems as if they've changed their original plans for this DVD.

Committed is in the finals

NEW: A Sabbath Blog's interview with Committed
UPDATE: Committed wins "The Sing-Off."

You get to decide whether Committed, an Adventist a cappella group, will win the grand prize: $100,000 and a Sony Music recording contract.

Right now, people are voting for who they want to win "The Sing-Off." Four groups are left in the finals, including Committed, and they all want your vote.

You can vote three different ways:

1. Online (to vote any one of the four groups)
2. Text 1 to 97979 (to vote for Committed)
3. Call 1-877-674-6401 (to vote for Committed)

You can vote up to 10 times. Voting deadline is Dec. 19 at 9 a.m. The winners will be announced live on Monday, Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. EST.

Watch every performance by Committed on "The Sing-Off"

NEW: A Sabbath Blog's interview with Committed
UPDATE: Committed wins "The Sing-Off."

Committed, an Adventist a cappella group, recently competed on NBC's "The Sing-Off" competition. We've put together all of their performances in one place for you to enjoy. If you want to see the judges reactions and some behind the scenes with Committed, click the link below each video to watch it on Hulu. Enjoy!

• Finale: "We Are The Champions"
• Finale: "Hold My Hand"
• Finale: "Motownphilly"
• Night 4: "Let's Stay Together"
• Night 4: Usher medley
• Night 3: "I Want It That Way"
• Night 3: "Every Breath You Take"
• Night 2: "Apologize"
• Night 1: "This Love"

Former Adventist Church president Neal Wilson died

Former Adventist world church president Neal C. Wilson died Dec. 14, according to Adventist News Network. He was 90 years old.

Wilson was the president of the Adventist world church from 1979 to 1990. His son, Ted N.C. Wilson, is the current Adventist world church president.

Adventist News Network first broke the news on Twitter today at 2:52 p.m.

Meet the new speaker/director of It Is Written

Image credit: Adventist CHIP
OnlinePastor John Bradshaw has just accepted to be the new speaker/director of It Is Written, according to two Adventist conferences' social media pages.

Bradshaw is the senior pastor of the College Place Adventist Church (also known as the Village Church) in College Place, Wash.

He is replacing Shawn Boonstra, who said he is leaving It Is Written due to health problems.

The Florida and Washington Conferences posted the news on Twitter and Facebook, respectively. This confirms a report by A Sabbath Blog saying that Bradshaw was being considered for the job.

Adventist a cappella group competes on NBC's The Sing-Off

Image source: Committed Facebook page

NEW: A Sabbath Blog's interview with Committed
UPDATE: Committed wins "The Sing-Off."

Watch every Committed song.

An Adventist a cappella group will be competing on NBC's "The Sing-Off," starting Dec. 6. Committed is one of 10 a cappella groups competing for a Sony Music recording contract and $100,000.

About Committed
Committed was formed in 2003 at Forest Lake Academy in Orlando, Fla. Since then, the group's membership has changed lots of times. The current group is made up of five graduates and one undergraduate student from Oakwood University in Huntsville, Ala.

They are Dennis "DJ" Baptiste, Jr., Alain "Tommy" Gervais, Geston Pierre, Robert "Robbie" Pressley Jr., Maurice Staple and Theron "Therry" Thomas.

Sabbath issues
According to Andrews University, Committed is the only Christian group in the competition. At first, this caused problems for the group.

Shawn Boonstra resigns from It Is Written

UPDATE: Shawn Boonstra returns to TV.
UPDATE: Here's the new speaker/director.

Shawn Boonstra is stepping down from his role as speaker and director of It Is Written due to personal health issues.

Boonstra posted both a letter and a video message about some apparent rumors that have been spreading by email forwards.

“I'm not dying, I don't have cancer, and I don't have a life-threatening disease,” Boonstra said. “I am, however, dealing with a serious health challenge, and it has gotten to a point where I must take a sabbatical to give my body time to rest.”

Though Boonstra expressed appreciation over the calls and emails he’s received, he said it’s not in his nature to be open about his personal health and asked to respect his privacy at this time.

According to the It Is Written website, a search committee is considering a number of evangelists to be the new speaker/director of the ministry.