Jon Roberts Page 43

11 May

AURORA HISPANIC PATHFINDERS PLACE FIRST AT NAD BIBLE BOWL

In

RMCNews with Frank Wilson – Denver, Colorado … The Las Aguilas Pathfinder club from Aurora Hispanic Church is celebrating their first-place finish at the NAD Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE) division finals.

Pathfinder clubs across North America gathered virtually on April 16th and 17th to test their Bible knowledge at NAD PBE Division Finals.

According to the NAD website the event, called Bible Bowl by some, includes, “teams of six club members study a book of the Bible (alternating Old Testament and New Testament), memorizing large portions of God’s word.”

Pastor Frank Wilson, pastor of Aurora Hispanic church commented on the dedication of the pathfinder club to dig deep in God’s Word.  “The hard work and dedication in studying the Bible constantly in season, and out of season, resulted in achieving such a wonderful award.”

The event was described by Wilson as a four-part series. “The competition first began at the church level, then the conference, moving on to the union, and finally the national level or the North America Division.”

The winning teams are construed as “extreme students of the Bible and in most cases memorize chapters and, in some cases, the entire book(s).”

Reflecting on the event Kiefer Dooley, RMC former youth director, has the hope that the trivia games and preparation for the PBE helps build a deeper relationship with Jesus.  “Our hope is that the Bible knowledge they retained for a first-place finish is not just trivia, or facts learned for a trophy but is a conduit to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.”

The Aurora Hispanic Pathfinder team consisted of Clementito Martinez, Luis Torres, Sabutita Jambuny,Alan Martinez, Chavy de la Cruz and Katrin Juárez; who studied the Scriptures passionately along with the club directors.

Wilson also commented on the multiple individuals who assisted the team behind the scenes. “[Those] who worked behind the scenes training and preparing our young people for the Bible Bowl was Clemente Martinez and Judith Martinez (directors of the Pathfinder’s Club) who’s dedication was constant.”

Clemente Martinez was proud of the team winning and humbly stated that everything was done only for the glory and honor of God.

The Books of the Bible clubs had to study this year was Hebrews, James, 1st Peter, and 2nd Peter.

–RMCNews with Frank Wilson, pastor of Aurora Hispanic church; photo by Frank Wilson

10 May

CHANGES, CHANGES, CHANGES

In

RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … In the past few months there have been several Conference office employee transitions as well as retirements which have involved position changes or new responsibilities.

Doug Inglish, vice-president of administration welcomes the changes and the positive impact it will have on the conference.  “Changes in personnel bring new perspectives. It doesn’t always change policies or practices, but it at least causes a fresh look at what we do and how we do it, and to ask if it can be improved,” Inglish said.

“Some things might change, but even the things that stay the same can be done with greater confidence because we reviewed them and decided we are already on the right course,” Inglish added.

The individuals who are changing roles or assuming new responsibilities are:

CHANELLE WATSON

Chanelle Watson was selected by the Planned Giving and Trust Services department to fill the position of assistant director vacating the position as an administrative assistant to the RMC administration.

Chanelle brings to her new position a background in law with a law degree from the University of Buckingham, England. She also has experience working with the legal team of Adventist Risk Management with identifying and managing risk for the conference and local entities.

Chanelle assumed these new responsibilities effective March 12.

 

BRITTANY BARTTER

Brittany will be leaving the Rocky Mountain Conference on May 14.  She served as corporate treasurer for asset management.

She has accepted a position with the public school system up in the Brighton area and will help work with the accounting department that oversees a number of public schools.  RMC is grateful for her service in the Treasury and Trust Department for the last 5 1/2 years. She has made a significant contribution in our non-operating accounting through streamlining processes, accurate records and understandable reporting.

 

KIEFER DOOLEY

Kiefer Dooley has accepted the position as Association Treasurer.

He leaves his position as youth director through which he has put in place positive initiatives that have been a blessing to youth throughout this conference and beyond.

Kiefer brings to his new position strong management skills having worked with both Glacier View Ranch and the summer programming budgets.  Additionally, he has training in accounting and other business areas as a result of his undergraduate training which will be well utilized in his new position.

Kiefer assumed these new responsibilities on May 10. He will continue to provide some assistance with GVR this year.

 

MICHEL BRIGGS

Michel has accepted the position of RMC’s Internal Auditor and began his duties on January 18, 2021.

Michel obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Metropolitan State University in Denver.  He comes to RMC with extensive customer service experience, inventory management and safety requirement fulfillment.

In April Michel also assumed the responsibility of insurance management coordinator.

–RMCNews

07 May

REFLECTION: MOM, I WISH I HAD DONE MORE

In

By Jon Roberts … This weekend, in America, we celebrate Mother’s Day.  This is a day where we can reflect on not only the mothers, grandmothers, but also the other strong courageous women who believed in us and helped guide our paths.

While for many it is also a chance to reflect and honor those who have gone to sleep awaiting the glorious day Jesus yells AWAKE, oh how I am looking forward to that day.

As I reflect on my own mother and grandmother who raised me the thought that keeps coming into my mind is I wish I had done more.

Both my mother and grandmother were strong independent women, yet they were also the first to give anyone love and compassion.  They both had the heart of Jesus in serving those around them and showing unconditional love.

They didn’t ask for anything except deep down you could tell they both wanted appreciation and love from those closest to them.  I did my best but at times I now know I could have done more.  I let my job, which often required me to work on Mother’s Day or other responsibilities, including church, come first.

In recent years I have discovered the importance of making sure my priorities are better aligned with a work-life balance.  Unfortunately, I have learned this lesson too late in life to make sure I did more for my mom and grandmother.  I know deep down they knew how much I loved them and cared.

I’m not writing this for sympathy, instead I share this in hope that those who still have time recognize and appreciate the women who gave up everything so you could have a better life.

This weekend make sure you acknowledge and do something special for those closest to you, but don’t stop there…remember and honor them every chance you get before it is too late….you won’t regret it.

–Jon Roberts is RMC communication / media assistant; photo supplied

06 May

Commentary: Honor Our Teachers

In

By Diane Harris… Back in 1944, political and educational leaders began discussions for a day to honor teachers.  In 1953, Eleanor Roosevelt persuaded the 81st Congress to proclaim a National Teacher Day.  It has since grown to encompass a week of honoring teachers who have committed to touching the lives of children all over this country.

We are blessed in Rocky Mountain Conference to have incredible teachers who have stepped up to the challenges of teaching in this year of the pandemic.  They spent last summer preparing their classrooms to be COVID ready to receive their students for the 2020-2021 school year.  Each school had to follow the guidelines of their counties.

They were creative and came up with plastic separations to allow students to study safely together and still see the teacher and feel part of the classroom, and devised ways to social distance, keep masks on or off depending if they were inside or out.

Procedures were developed to put into place for temperature taking, in-person learning, virtual school and a mixture of both.  They also made extensive plans to sanitize and keep their rooms and students safe.  Most importantly, RMC teachers reached out to each child daily whether in person or Zoom to make sure that they knew they were loved and cared for and connected to their community.

So, now as we come to the end of our school year, and this Teacher Appreciation week, we want to honor the teachers of Rocky Mountain Conference, who without hesitation or complaint, took such diligent care of our kids through this school year.  Because of their commitment, preparation and creativity, our students are thriving and continuing to see examples of Jesus every day.

“A good teacher is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way for others.” ~Mustafa Kemal Ataturk~

“Teachers have three loves:  love of learning, love of learners and the love of bringing the first two together.” ~Unknown~

–Diane Harris is RMC director of education; photo by Vista Ridge Academy Facebook

06 May

Campion church adopts students, showering them with blessings

In

By Campion News – Loveland, Colorado … In a school year filled with reduced interactions, Campion church members took the initiative to connect with academy students by surprising them with the adopt-a-student program during the second semester.

Church members volunteered to randomly select students to bless with small gifts, such as favorite snacks, homemade goodies, and more, each week after church.

“It was the highlight of my week to go to church and see a gift waiting for me there,” said Campion sophomore Faith Evert. “I also liked that it was anonymous so it always kept me wondering and looking around the church to guess who had me.”

The church members’ small, yet thoughtful, gifts made a big impact on students. Jared Marcenaro, Campion junior, commented, “My adoptive family gave me my very first evening devotional and now because of them I am growing spiritually.”

The adopt-a-student program was created by a church Grow Group which hosted events to engage students with members throughout the year.

A leader of the group, Codi Jahn, expressed, “At the beginning of the school year, I felt disconnected from the Campion students. Usually our paths cross in church, but with COVID restrictions in place, I never saw any of them! I wanted to do something to let them know how valuable they were [are] to our church and that ultimately this campus is here because of them: this is THEIR church.”

Students shared the sentiment. “In previous years, I felt there always seemed to be this type of separation from the church and the school. It didn’t feel like we were truly connecting, at least until this year,” said Campion senior Mark Zelaya. “My favorite part of this program is really feeling that connection and feeling that someone in the church actually cares for you.”

Throughout the year, the group hosted events such as meals and game nights. The program culminated last Sunday, May 2, with brunch, inviting the families to introduce themselves to their adopted students.

Jenny Gann, Campion nurse helped to create the program. “I really enjoyed hearing students talk about how excited they were to meet the families who adopted them,” Gann reflected. “The meet and greet we had on Sunday, was a really fun way for our students and church members to get to know each other a little bit better, and [to] hopefully make some more connections, and build relationships.”

“It was really heartwarming to see faculty from the church actually care about students from Campion,” concluded Jayden Anggormas, Campion senior. “I would love for them to continue the program for next year and years to come.”

–Campion News; photos supplied

05 May

COMMENTARY: I AM ALSO A MINISTER

In

By Traci Pike … “You aren’t just a teacher. You are a minister,” Lonnie Hetterle often reminded teachers at teacher conventions.

In August 2020, as I was working madly in my classroom for the start of school the following week and feeling overwhelmed like I would never be ready, my phone dinged with a text message, “Good morning Miss Tracie. We were wondering if this year maybe the pastor could baptize the boys or what the steps would be to do that…” The message was from Julie, a mother of two boys, Talon and Danny, in our school.

The boys had begun school the previous year about a month before the COVID-19 pandemic started, which sent us all home for the remainder of the school year. Prior to coming to our school, their family had no church affiliation. They came to our school because of the witness and encouragement of Tami Dietz, one of our school board members. Tami’s son, Wyatt, is a sixth grader and plays hockey with Talon. When Julie and her husband Dan were unhappy with the school that their boys were at, Tami encouraged them to check out Mountain Road Christian Academy (MRCA).

After that text message, I was so excited I started crying and thanked the Lord for the reminder of why we have our little church school here in Casper, Wyoming. It is a ministry. Our students learn about Jesus here!

I immediately contacted Pastor Shayne Vincent with this fabulous news and shared Julie’s phone number with him.

Pastor Shayne came on school days and studied with the boys and other students who wanted to join the study during the fall.

On April 13, Talon and Danny were baptized at the local swimming pool–Casper Aquatic Center. The Dwyers rented the pool for a private party to celebrate their boys’ baptisms. In addition to friends and families from MRCA were the Dwyer’s family and many friends and families from the hockey teams that the boys play with.

The children swam for a little while before everyone was called over to one of the shallow pools. About 30 children sat at the edge of the pool in their swimsuits and many adults stood next to the pool as Pastor Shayne explained about baptism and what it means. Talon was baptized first, followed by his younger brother Danny.

What a beautiful experience! I cried, their grandma cried, and of course their mom cried–tears of joy! It was beautiful to see these two boys give their hearts to Jesus.

After the baptism, there was a party with pizza, cupcakes, and more swimming. It was a grand celebration and the most fun I have ever had at a baptism.

Since then, Julie has told me that some of the kids in attendance have asked about baptism and some of them have started going to their churches again because they witnessed the boys’ baptism. Some of the other students at Mountain Road Christian Academy have also talked to their parents and Pastor Shayne about being baptized.

It can be difficult for churches to financially support our church schools and every year, our school in Casper gets to the end of the year not knowing how we’ll manage to pay all the bills coming due. It is a drain on our church finances. But, events like this are the reminder of why we keep doing what we do! And every year, the Lord makes ends meet! We are an evangelistic tool! Every day we tell our students about Jesus. Every day we pray with them and for them.

Thank you for supporting your Adventist schools!

–Traci Pike is head teacher at Mountain Road Christian Academy; photos by Traci Pike

04 May

CAMPION CHURCH PASTOR SWORN IN AS LOVELAND POLICE CHAPLAIN

In

By Ken Albertsen – Loveland, Colorado … Lead pastor of the Campion church, Micheal Goetz, was sworn recently as chaplain for the Loveland Police department.

Recently, Goetz sat down Ken Albertsen, Campion church communication team member, and answered a few questions on his new responsibilities as a chaplain.

Albertsen: How did you become involved with the Loveland Police Department?

Goetz: While I was sitting in a meeting with community leaders a few months ago, Loveland Police Chief Robert Ticer was also there. He shared the need for support and help of chaplains in the police department. He shared his own heart and convictions as a Christian and I felt impressed to follow up with a conversation on how I and we as a campus could bless our community. Chief Ticer noted that there are two graduates of Campion Academy serving with the department and they would welcome any other support.

Albertsen: What does a police chaplain do?

Goetz: I am joining a small team of chaplains that volunteer their time to support in crisis or community needs as well as provide service to and with the officers and their families. The ministry is to be a support and a presence when there is pain in our community.

Albertsen: With the busyness of campus and church, why add this?

Goetz: When I first became a pastor in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, I was invited to serve as a police chaplain in that community.  What I found was an incredible opportunity to interact and support the leaders and influencers. I also found that church often tends to be people looking and acting their best, but working in the community as a police chaplain, I had the opportunity to reach those who would never darken the doors of a church. As a police chaplain I have the opportunity to care for the most broken and hurting around us. We are very blessed with the ministry on campus – this just widens the circle of our impact.

–Text by Ken Albertsen; photo supplied

03 May

COMMUNITY NEED LEADS TO WAIT LIST AT DISCOVER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL IN FARMINGTON

In

RMCNews with Deidra Watson – Farmington, New Mexico … In a school year marked by challenges and hardships, Discover Christian School in Farmington, New Mexico is experiencing an improbable growth in enrollment.

The beginning of the school year was bleak when more than half of the parents chose to homeschool their children instead of enrolling them in school, partly due to the ongoing pandemic.

Deidra Watson, school board chair, recalls facing the low enrollment, “We prayed the prayer of Jabez, not for God to increase our territory but to send us the students that needed to be at our school.”

The school opened in early September 2020 with 16 students and two teachers; however, the enrollment slowly started to climb. In New Mexico, the majority of public schools have been closed to in-person learning until late March or April, leaving Discover Christian School as one of the few in-person classroom learning sites available in Farmington.

“We should not have been surprised when after local public schools chose to continue distance learning that our community reached out to us in need of in-person learning and filled our classrooms to capacity,” Watson commented.

The sudden desire of community parents to have their children involved with in-person learning has helped the school and church make connections in the community.

“There was concern for our financial situation in the beginning of the year because of low enrollment.  How could we make all our obligations without going in deep debt?  Through prayer, God’s faithfulness, and Covid our enrollment increased from 16 students to almost 40.  We not only serve our Adventist students but we also serve Mormon, Baptist, and agnostic families.  Sharing God’s love each day and showing a personal interest in each person,” Wayne Gayton, pastor of Pinon Hills church said.

According to Watson. the influx in enrollment has necessitated the creation of a wait list for the first time. “For years. we have contemplated how we could better reach our community and now, with little effort, save for prayer on our part, He filled our nets to bursting. We have a wait list for the first time that we can remember.”

Students are not only learning math, science, and social studies, but are experiencing a relationship with Jesus. A fourth grader was overheard telling her teacher in Bible class, “You know, my mom used to read us Bible stories, but she doesn’t any more. I’m going to ask her to do it again.”

Prayer closes every day at Discover Christian, usually done by one of the church member students who offers to pray, but Watson recalled a recent special moment.  “We always ask for volunteers to pray at the end of the day and it is usually the same couple kids from our church that volunteer, but recently one of the new girls from our community volunteered. Her prayer was so sweet and sincere. It was one of those moments that make all the hard work worth it.”

Parents are working to ensure that their students can stay at the school to experience the environment the staff has worked to build. “A single mom works nights at a gas station to be sure she can send her Kindergartner. Another single mom saves all her tips as a waitress, has already paid the whole year and is saving for next year for her 1st grader,” Watson said.

Diane Harris, RMC director of education commented on Discover Christian School mission, “”The community of Discover Christian School has been blessed continuously by church and board leadership, because they have always been mission-minded with a heart for supporting its community. It is exciting to see a growth in enrollment, proving that DCC is filling a need in the Farmington area.”

Discover Christian School currently has an enrollment of 38 students and has had to hire an additional teacher and teacher’s aide.

“We truly are a mission school,” Watson commented.

RMCNews with Deidra Watson who is the school board chair at Discover Christian School; photos supplied

03 May

MHA MIDDLE SCHOOLERS BOND THROUGH OUTDOOR SCHOOL

In

By MHA News – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Despite chilly weather and snow on the ground April 20, Mile High Academy’s middle school students took advantage of the sunshine to enjoy the great outdoors together.

The students piled on the buses, loaded down with flashlights, coats, water and lunches.

“In the craziness of everything enveloping this school year, it was nice to get to take the Middle School kids off campus to enjoy a day of bonding together as a school,” said Michael Armstrong, vice principal of academics and middle school science teacher.

The first stop on the adventure was Manitou Spring’s Cave of the Winds, where students visited a Geology 101 class in an underground laboratory. Hands-on education experience lasted for almost two hours, as they wound through the caves, learning about cave formations, local history, and even about the animals that help create a cave ecosystem. Students also experienced “cave darkness,” one of the two darkest places on our planet.

“It was fun to tour and learn about the history of the cave,” said Logen, seventh grader. “The best part was when the tour guides turned off the lights, and we were sitting there in total silence.”

Another middle-schooler described the cave in few words: “It was awesome.”

The escapade continued with a trip through Manitou Spring’s Memorial Park and a tour of the historic town, including ice cream, the arcade, and a sample of the natural soda water that springs from two of the nine local fountains, drilled in the 1920s.

Before returning home filled with memories and new discoveries, the group stopped to take in the beauty of the red stone rock formations at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.

–MHA News; photos supplied

03 May

CHAPLAIN RICH CARLSON TO RETIRE AFTER 40 YEARS AT UNION COLLEGE

In

By Ryan Teller – Lincoln, Nebraska … Chaplain Rich Carlson will retire this summer after being an integral part of the Union College experience for 40 years.

Officially, he is Dr. Richard Carlson, vice president for spiritual life and associate professor of psychology and religion, but it is unlikely even he could tell you his full title without consulting Union’s personnel directory. To generations of Union students and alumni, he is simply “Pastor Rich.”

And above any title, he will tell you his job is mentorship. “I love interacting with the kids, journeying with the students,” he said. “It’s been a joy and an honor.”

A graduate of Union, now RMC assistant youth director, Jessyka Dooley has a hard time thinking about Union without Pastor Rich and what he brings to the atmosphere at the college. “It’s hard to think of Union College without Pastor Rich. The culture of student leadership and a family-like atmosphere has always come from the heart of campus ministries. Over his decades of service as chaplain, Rich has impacted and inspired so many people and I am eternally thankful to have been one of them.”

Former student Gina Creek calls him the best leadership mentor she’s ever encountered. Currently director of leadership development at AdventHealth, Creek said, “Before Pastor Rich, I always saw myself as another face in the crowd. He helped me hear the call of God on my heart.”

“The clock tower stands tall but Pastor Rich is a more prominent part of our campus life,” said Union president Vinita Sauder. “He shaped the Union experience for tens of thousands of students. He loves students, he empowers them to serve and he points them to Jesus every single day. He is a true man of God, and an outstanding servant leader.”

Jefferson Gibson, a theology senior and son of Chanelle Watson, RMC assistant director of planned giving and trust services, recalls the influence Pastor Rich has had in his life. “Working in the campus ministry is where I got to know Pastor Carlson. As a hesitant freshman three years ago, he always had a friendly smile on his face which was so inviting walking into the office.”

Gibson added, “Pastor Carlson loves God. The way he was (is) an ambassador for God encouraged me to grow more in my spiritual journey. I am also grateful for the way Pastor Carlson challenged me to not just think outside the box but to appreciate the journey of discovering what was outside the box.”

As one of the first student missionaries Union sent overseas in 1971, Pastor Rich has been instrumental in weaving service into the very fabric of Union College life. After his own experience, he told the Central Union Reaper, “A thousand years of school can never equal the experience of mission service.” As chaplain at Union, he has encouraged thousands of students to take their lessons from the classroom to communities next door and around the world changing many lives—including their own.

Pastor Rich also recognizes the need for service closer to home. Project Impact began as Project BRUSH the year before he became Union’s chaplain, and under his leadership, Union’s annual event has become the nation’s largest and oldest collegiate volunteer event. From available research, no campus has a bigger event by percentage and few have as many volunteers despite 10 to 20 times the enrollment. He then uses the event as a springboard to get students involved in serving the Lincoln community all year long.

He graduated from Union in 1973 with the intention of being a pastor. After teaching Bible at Maplewood and Dakota Adventist Academy, he returned to Union to pursue medicine. He envisioned himself working in an ER, but providence turned him toward the chaplain’s office. Does he have any regrets? “Not a one,” he said. “It’s the best thing that could have happened.”

Union alumni who were impacted by Pastor Rich’s ministry have honored his legacy by establishing a scholarship fund in his name. Donate to the fund at ucollege.edu/pastorrich

–Ryan Teller is public relations director for Union College, photo supplied

*Article adapted from https://ucollege.edu/20210429/pastor-rich-carlson-to-retire-after-nearly-40-years-at-union/

1 … 41 42 43 44 45 … 132