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06 Oct

NEW SCHOOL BRANDING UNVEILED AT MILE HIGH ACADEMY

MHANews – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Mile High Academy (MHA) recently unveiled its new branding campaign during the school’s annual Walk-A-Thon event.

“Our goal [for the campaign] was to create something that reflects the school’s forward momentum and to build visibility and recognition across our community,” said Andrew Carpenter, MHA principal.

Updates to the logos came after input from stakeholders in the form of surveys, individual interviews, and group engagement sessions. The strongest feedback was that the visual identity must clearly articulate and define MHA as a school.

The stakeholders settled on three important directives, stating that existing logos should be simplified, should find the symmetry of “three elements,” and that the Mustang mascot is integral to MHA’s athletic program and school pride.

Thus, the School Board was recently presented with and approved a new school mark, academic seal, and Mustang logo that will be implemented across MHA’s physical and digital properties.

The school mark and academic seal centers around a three-line image of a flame. Research revealed a distinctive correlation between MHA’s values and the number three. The tri-flames express MHA’s underlying principles of faith practiced at the school. This imagery is central to the identity of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Trinity, the Three-Angels Message, and MHA’s philosophy of holistic education, the cultivation of mind, body, and spirit, are all reflected in this tri-fold symmetry. The symbol further exemplifies the core of MHA’s individual schools (lower, middle, and upper), their momentum, and their shared goals. It underscores the perpetual commitment to learn, explore, and serve. The flame personifies the light that shines into the school, its families and community while epitomizing what MHA desires to teach its students, that they reflect the light of Jesus in this world. The shield in the mark represents the daily commitment to developing students with strong and sound minds. It is further a reminder to rely on the Armor of God, as we are admonished in Ephesians 6.

The MHA Mustang logo was also reworked to set itself apart from other Mustang and Bronco logos in the area. The shield was encompassed as a point of connection to the new school mark. The Mustang stands tall, representing pride, strength, and power, while using the color black to further express these attributes.

The school has already begun implementing the new identity across its digital platforms. Physical use will transpire over the next several months as funding becomes available and during ongoing maintenance and campus updates.

The school has also partnered with Out of Breath Sports to develop an online store so that the community can purchase MHA and Mustang swag items.

“We are excited to embrace our new identity,” said Carpenter. “Our new branding is one that we can all look towards to know what Mile High Academy stands for and where it is headed.”

–MHANews

06 Oct

RESIDENCE HALLS WILL OPEN TO VISITORS FOR FALL ACADEMY DAYS

Jill Harlow – Loveland, Colorado … For the first time since 2019, the residence halls will be opening their doors for prospective students to spend the night during Fall Academy Days, October 28-29.

Campion Academy is preparing to host seventh through eleventh-grade students coming from Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, and several other states to experience life at Campion for this free event. Not only do prospective students get to sleep in a dorm room and eat cafeteria food, but they also have the opportunity to interact with current students and staff to get a real feel for campus life.

Tiffany Mogaka, senior student, and SA officer is looking forward to hosting her younger sister for Academy Days this year: “I’m excited to introduce my sister to Campion and to show the other students around to let them see what it is like to live away from home. I know it will be a fun experience for everyone.”

This year’s Academy Days theme is “Hunger to Know” and features a life-size inflatable Hungry-Hippo Chow-down game, an ice cream sundae bar, mixers, and interactive games.

Haley Beckermeyer, now a senior student at Campion, reflected on her experience at Academy Days: “I made friends at Academy Days when I was in eighth grade that helped me feel comfortable when I arrived as a freshman. Many of the people I met then are still my friends now.”

In addition to the fun activities, students will have a chance to compete for scholarships in academic subjects, music, and athletics.

New this year, Academy Days is being held in the Fall. Jessica Rios, Campion Academy’s recruiter, explains, “We found that by springtime many parents and students have already made up their minds about their school choices for the upcoming year. By hosting Academy Days in the Fall, we hope to give families a better opportunity to learn about Campion early in the decision-making process.”

While tours and visits to Campion can be scheduled individually year-round, Rios emphasizes that this weekend is not to be missed: “While we have many events to attend throughout the year, this is the only event that is specifically geared for prospective students. It is intentionally designed to give students a good understanding of what it is like to be a student here. I highly encourage any student considering their high school options for next year to attend Academy Days for the full experience.”

–Jill Harlow is Campion Academy communication director. Photo Campion Academy eNewsletter.

29 Sep

COMMENTARY: WE ARE NOT ALONE

By Doug Inglish

The world is full of people who need help. Jesus told us that the poor would always be with us (Mark 14:7) and, in another setting, expounded on what kinds of poor would need our help–prisoners, underfed and under-clothed people, sick people, etc. (Matthew 25:35-37). It is a blessing that our church takes the challenge seriously, and that we do many outreach ministries for those in need.

Of course, we are not the only ones doing good works in this world. I will deliberately refrain from citing specific organizations because the one I might mention could have a scandal that I don’t know about, and we don’t need letters coming in over that. Besides, I’m not here to do PR for any of them. Whatever group you can think of that is relieving suffering, consider them to be the ones to whom I refer.

I’m not taking anything away from our efforts. I love our health work, our educational system, and our local food banks. I am proud that we dig wells in small villages and operate clinics where medical work would otherwise not exist. I have been in the trenches of prison ministry, visiting and corresponding and performing baptisms. This is what we are supposed to do, and those who are not able to go themselves are generously giving so that the appeal of our Savior is put into practice.

After that set up, I am going to say something that some of the staunchest among us might find heretical. It’s not a sin to support good works done outside our system.

Years ago, I lined up with volunteers to stack sandbags along a river before the flood arrived. The consequences for a lot of people in a poorer section of town would have been devastating had no one shown up. We worked through the night, finally securing the area about an hour before sunrise. My church didn’t organize it, and as far as I know, I was the only Adventist there, so of course, the next day when the residents were on the news expressing gratitude, we never got a mention.

So, was that the right thing to do? To give to a secular charitable effort? I didn’t make a monetary offering but giving up a night’s sleep to do heavy labor is a very tangible contribution. Other times, I have made monetary contributions to hospitals, relief agencies, youth organizations, and other groups that were not only outside of our formal church structure, but not a supportive ministry either, people who may not even know who Seventh-day Adventists are, and maybe don’t even believe in Jesus. But there are such groups out there who are, nevertheless, doing at least a part of the mission He instructed us to do. Are they not worthy of receiving some form of support?

Don’t get me wrong, I support our missions and institutions, and I believe you should as well. But I also believe that while charity begins at home (Ben Franklin, not the Bible), it doesn’t end there. Hungry people don’t care where the food comes from, and maybe we should not care as much either.

I hope, pray, and do what I can to make sure the efforts we make to ease suffering in the world are the best available avenues for people to get relief. But it’s a big job, and when someone else joins the work, I don’t think it’s a sin to accept their help and support their organization before I know their views on the investigative judgment.

–Doug Inglish is RMC vice president for administration and stewardship director. Photo by Jonathan Ford on Unsplash.

29 Sep

WESTERN SLOPE’S WOMEN’S MINISTRIES RETREAT

Judy Kelley and Jerilyn Pester – Montrose, Colorado … The weekend of September 9 to 11, 2022 found 79 women at Mountain Top Retreat sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Conference. We had women from Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Utah.

Cindy Mercer was our Featured Speaker from Oklahoma. Our theme of “Bee Faithful” was her topic. She told us her story and how the Lord lead her through some very rough times by helping her to “Bee Faithful” to His plan.

New this year was a pre-retreat workshop given by Eileen Field. She demonstrated how to make a delicious Lasagna Soup and Mango Ice Cream.

Our Sabbath evening speaker was, Jana Thurber, our Women’s Ministries Leader for Rocky Mountain Conference. Her devotional titled, “From Fragrance to Faith,” highlighted Mary’s anointing Jesus’ feet with perfume from a heart overflowing with love and gratitude for what Jesus had done for her. Someone once said that worship is the act of sacrificially giving to Jesus something that is precious to us, what would that be for you? Your money? Your time? Your job? For the woman in this scripture, it was a container of perfume.

The meals that the ladies enjoyed were all served by volunteer gentlemen under the direction of Bob Springer. They met the needs of the vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free ladies.

As one attendee so profoundly put the weekend by saying, “Friday evening was the appetizer, Sabbath was the entrée, and Sunday morning was the dessert” of the spiritual feast.

A huge thank you to all the ladies that attended, everyone that helped, and all the prayers for a successful event from the planning committee.

— Judy Kelley and Jerilyn Pester are coordinators of Western Slope Women’s Ministries. Photos by MarLynn Green

29 Sep

CAMPION STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN OUTDOOR SCHOOL

Tiffany Mogaka – Loveland’s Campion students and staff took a break from the classroom walls to experience God’s creation through activities including hiking, photography, and nature journaling in Rocky Mountain National Park during Outdoor School Day.

The long-awaited day brought students out of their beds bright and early. Designated groups boarded buses and set out to explore their interests in nature. Phoebe Mamanua, junior, commented, “It was really fun to be with my friends and be out in nature. I loved being outside, especially spending time with God in His creation.”

The nature journaling group first concentrated on the details in nature through doodling and writing before admiring the mountain views on a challenging hike up Deer Mountain. Ana Segawa, senior, reflected, “What I appreciated the most was stopping and really looking at nature and the things that often go unnoticed. It was very peaceful there.”

Students who participated in the intense-hike group did their best to stay hydrated as they traveled roughly seven miles across steep hills and formidable trails in high altitudes. They arrived at Loch Vale where they observed the splendid views of the lakes surrounded by mountains. Helen Reyes-Peres, freshman, said, “The hike was honestly easier than I expected. Overall, it was very fun to be with friends, and by the end, I felt very accomplished and happy.”

In between activities, students ate a pre-packed sack lunch prepared by the cafeteria team. In the afternoon, they worked on completing their various nature pursuits, followed by spending free time together at a sub-alpine point before heading back to campus.

The Outdoor School Day gave students irrevocable memories of nature learning with fellow students and teachers. Brayan Martins, senior, recalled, “It was a great experience to be out in the mountains and see great views. It was a really good bonding experience! I’m glad to enjoy this last outdoor school with my friends!”

–Tiffany Mogaka, Student News Team. Photo by Campion Academy eNewsletter.

22 Sep

FRAMEWORK FOR PERSONAL GROWTH DISCUSSED WITH NEW-IN-MINISTRY PASTORS

RMCNews with Mickey Mallory – Denver, Colorado … Under the theme of “Growing to Your Potential,” the two-day training event brought 18 Rocky Mountain Conference pastors to Denver, September 20-21. Several of these pastors are new to ministry in the Conference, according to Mickey Mallory, RMC ministerial director, who convened the meeting.

The event, according to Mallory, “was designed to help pastors build a framework for personal and professional growth.”

“My hope is that every pastor who attended the training will have the tools needed to grow to their potential. A thought that kept coming up in our discussions was that if you are going to grow, you must be intentional about it,” he added.

One speaker, Mic Thurber, RMC president, shared a presentation on Family Systems, demonstrating how an understanding of the family process can aid pastors in negotiating congregational dynamics and functioning as an effective leaders.

Through presentations and discussion, pastors discovered that all church members are simultaneously involved in two distinct families whose emotional forces interlock—their biological family and their church family, brothers and sisters in Christ. The emotional process in all these systems is identical. Unresolved issues in any of them can produce symptoms in the other, and an increased understanding of each creates more effective functioning in both.

Comments from the participants testify to the value of this and similar meetings. “These two days have been very refreshing to each of us. It is good to be reminded occasionally you are not alone in the pastoral ministry. Meeting with our colleagues is encouraging and stimulating and should be done more often, ” said Daniele Fantoni from Alamosa, Colorado.

A similar comment came from J J Martinez, an associate pastor in Grand Junction. “We talked about choosing positivity and keeping our failures right next to our successes. Sometimes negativity and failure overpower the positive and all seems lost. But I was reminded that it is at that moment that we need to look at the success in our failures. Because when you see that good happens even in failure, positivity is easier to see,” he shared.

Mallory plans for the next New in Ministry Training to take place in March of 2023.

–RMCNews with Mickey Mallory. Photos by Mickey Mallory and Rajmund Dabrowski.

22 Sep

CAMPION ALUMNI REKINDLE FRIENDSHIPS

Haley Beckermeyer – Loveland, Colorado … Some 700 alumni gathered at Campion Academy, September 14-18, to go back in time, reconnect with their classmates and support their alma mater.

Kicking off the event on Wednesday, September 14, the 26th annual Reeder Golf Classic featured 62 golfers, 20 more than in previous years. More than $10,000 was raised for Campion’s counseling and mentoring program. This year’s tournament was in honor of Lance Turner, an ‘85-’86 alum and beloved community member who was known for being exceptionally supportive of his classmates and neighbors.

On Friday evening, alumni joined current students for a Vespers concert presented by Prisma, a local group of musicians.

The Sabbath church service featured Dr. Andrew Harewood, the first Adventist and African American chaplain to reach the rank of General in the US Army reserve. In addition, Campion Academy’s music ensembles performed for the first time this school year.

Following the Vespers service, the honor classes were served a meal by the senior class. After lunch in the Ad Building, honor classes spent time looking at pictures of their class, reminiscing about their school experiences, and seeing how much things have changed.

Celebrating 70 years since graduation, Betty Ready, Class of 1952, reflected on her feelings when she first came to Campion Academy. She commented, “I was just always so excited to come to Campion because it was a bigger school with more people. I was coming from a school of six or seven people.”

The students enjoyed meeting the alumni and talking about how the school has changed since they attended. “I thought it was really cool getting to meet some of the people that graduated years ago and seeing all of the many faces on campus,” commented Daneil Camas, junior at Campion Academy.

Current students got to see friends who graduated recently. Sandra Arlt, Class of 2022 commented, “It’s really cool coming back as an alumnus this year because it was fun to see all of my friends, talk to the teachers, and update everyone on my life. I really appreciate being able to come back, seeing friendly faces, and having a family to say hi to.”

On Saturday evening, the visiting alumni and students joined together to perform in a brass ensemble and a choir sing-along that featured five former choir directors, a new feature this year.

Volleyball and soccer games against Campion Academy’s varsity teams closed off the weekend. In typical fashion, the alumni defeated the current students in both games.

The livestreams of the programs are available on Campion Academy’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

–Haley Beckermeyer is a member of Campion Academy’s Student News Team. Photos from Campion Academy eNewsletter.

22 Sep

FARMINGTON SCHOOL GOES FARMING

Stephanie Gottfried with Mina Gravatt – Farmington, New Mexico … “You have to have faith to put a seed in the ground and God will do the rest,” said Mina Gravatt, head teacher at Discover Christian School.

The comment expresses Mina’s goal to make Adventist education more affordable and accessible to the families in Farmington, Aztec, and the surrounding areas in New Mexico, who want their children to study in an Adventist school.

At home one day, Mina noticed an irrigation ditch on a neighboring farmer’s property, unused and full of weeds. She knew she could find a purpose for this unused section of land and asked if she could plant some crops there. The irrigation ditch had been used to water 20 acres of land, a quarter of an acre of which Mina eyed as a potential corn field. Her goal was to sell the crops at a weekend farmers’ market in mid-August and use the funds to help her students.

It was Dane Parks, a member of the Pinon Hills Adventist Church and a son of the farmer who helped in the planting. Working with several volunteers from the Farmington and Aztec churches, the group sold hundreds of dollars worth of produce–corn, cabbage, and other vegetables. They filled the back of a truck with the produce and drove back for more.

Nearly 2,000 ears of corn were sold, according to Mark Phillips, pastor of the area Adventist congregations.

Mina commented, “Plant just one seed and that seed will multiply. Think of all the kernels of corn that one seed produced.”

–Stephanie Gottfried with Mina Gravatt. Photos by Mark Phillips.

Pictured are Dane Parks, Sharrel Fuller and Bob Fuller from Aztec, Mina Gravatt from Farmington, and Jay Bean from Aztec.

15 Sep

RETURNING TO CHURCH TO BE BAPTIZED AGAIN

Eric Nelson – Colorado Springs, Colorado … A few weeks after Eric Nelson accepted an interim pastor’s position at Colorado Springs Central church in the month of March, two soldiers from Fort Carson Army Base approached him at the conclusion of the worship service one Sabbath. They asked for Bible studies and baptism. They were quick to express that should there be a need for military involvement, they could be some of the first units called into action. Their desire was to be right with God should this take place.

Matthew Salvini was baptized as a child in the Adventist church. Going through basic training, he met Christian Wright, and they became friends. Matthew’s grandmother had given him a Bible with doctrinal helps. After hearing of Matthew’s friendship with Christian, his grandmother ordered an identical Bible so that Matthew could help Christian follow along more easily as they studied their Bibles together.

“It has been a joy to study with both men,” comments Pastor Nelson. Their journey has not been without personal challenges and tragedy that could easily have deterred them from following through with their desire to take this step of baptism. But they have persevered.

On September 10, both men were baptized at the Central church, committing their lives to God. The service was witnessed and enjoyed by over 200 church members.

May we keep those serving our military in prayer as they seek to remain faithful to God and country.

–Pastor Eric and Jerene Nelson are retired and living in Johnstown, Colorado. Photos supplied.

15 Sep

CASPER SCHOOL CELEBRATES A COMMUNITY PARENTS’ BAPTISM

Gabriela Vincent – Casper, Wyoming … For Casper Mountain Road Christian Academy (MRCA), the evening of September 13 was a special moment to witness an extraordinary testimony of God’s amazing work in the lives of their friends, Michelle and Brendon Bummer. The experience proclaimed the Bible text: “I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.” (Luke 15:7, NASB)

Frustrated with the local school system, the Bummers were encouraged by Tammy Dietz, a church member whose son attended MRCA to consider the local Adventist school. They came to see the school and registered their son.

After a few months of dropping off and picking up their son mornings and afternoons, Michelle expressed interest in Bible study. Because they have busy schedules, they invited Pastor Shayne Vincent to come to their home to share the Good News with their family and even invited many friends in a home church-type setting that has been going on for a few years.

Month after month, the Bummers grew closer and closer to Jesus until a short while ago, they both requested to be baptized by Pastor Shayne Vincent. For Gabriela and Shayne, it was one of the last momentous experiences they will have in Casper as they will be moving to a Florida congregation.

The baptism took place at Brendon’s parents’ home, which had easy access to the North Platte River. Family and friends were present to witness this important event. Many of their family members had never witnessed a baptism before. Pastor Shayne and the candidates were jokingly relieved that the river was “actually almost warm” at this time of year.

Pastor Shayne spoke about the incredible journey the Bummers have traveled since their decision to commit their lives to Christ. On a personal note, I could not help but say, “Wow, that was so moving! Being at the river was like a baptism from the old times.”

Traci Pike, MRCA’s principal, and her husband were also present, both in tears seeing Jesus work through them and the church school.

The sunset that evening was stunning, and God’s presence was felt. Following the baptism, the happy occasion was celebrated with tears of joy and a delicious dinner! We never know who God will reach through our church schools and with a simple invitation.

–Text and pictures by Gabriela Vincent, wife of pastor Shayne.

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