Jon Roberts

02 Dec

HOW TO RESOLVE SANDBOX FIGHTS AT CHURCH

By Jon Roberts – Denver, Colorado … “I have often said that the title PLAY NICE in Your Sandbox at Church has to be among the dumbest titles you have ever heard. Do we really need a book that tells Christians they ought to get along with each other?” Ron Price wrote in the introduction of his latest book.

Price, an RMC executive committee member from Farmington, New Mexico, and conflict resolution author, recently released his third book in the series Play Nice in Your Sandbox.

His latest book deals with conflict resolution at church and between one another as believers. This topic shows some believers running and hiding, pretending conflict doesn’t exist, while others use membership transfers to solve conflict instead of dealing with the root issue.

Ed Barnett, RMC President, in a forward to Price’s book, wrote, “As I read this book by Ron Price, I thought to myself, “It would be nice to buy a copy for every member. Ron has a great sense of humor and just the right mix of quotes, both from the Bible and other writers, to make the book interesting and enjoyable. He really gets to the bottom of the issues in getting along at church.”

As Price explains, this book is not typical as it is designed to be read in sections instead of all at once, very similar to other self-help books.

With sections titled: Pray, Pray, Pray; Love Yourself as You Love Your Neighbor; Choose to Remain Civil and Christlike; and Embrace Conflict as Opportunity, there is advice for resolution and healing of the majority of conflicts that exist in churches and between members, though it may not solve the debate between green and blue carpet. Each chapter concludes with a challenge, as well as advice on going deeper with the subject matter covered.

The need for this book was very clear for Price.

“As a mediator for over 30 years, I’ve seen my share of disputes and disagreements. In my humble opinion many of these situations were unresolvable, while many others I felt could be resolved or even prevented from ever having occurred. Disputes in workplaces and at home are understandable, but disputes in churches between children of the same God,” Price said.

It was not only addressing the issues at church, but also an offer to training church members in conflict resolution. “While most people say they dread conflict, most have never been trained or equipped to prevent or resolve differences they will have with others. That belief drove me to do my part to help people be more confident in their ability to address conflict in a mutually-satisfying manner. I like to say that while conflict is inevitable, damaged relationships are optional,” Price added.

PLAY NICE in Your Sandbox at Church can be found at many of your online retailers including Amazon.

–Jon Roberts is RMC media/communication assistant; Photo by Jon Roberts

02 Dec

SHAVING CREAM AND CANDY KEY TO LEARNING CREATION AT HMS RICHARDS SCHOOL

By Haley Enochs – Loveland, Colorado …Taking advantage of in-person school this semester, Kristie Smith, a kindergarten teacher at HMS Richards school, is helping her students explore the story of creation in a fun, interactive way.

The activities she has presented to her students include constructing creation scenes out of candy, drawing events with shaving cream, and talking about why each part of creation was essential to the world. “It was a very big, messy project,” stated Smith.

Due to the uncertainty 2020 has brought, Smith wanted to encourage reading the Bible and building a closer relationship with God among her charges. However, for kindergartners, it can sometimes be hard to focus their attention on the Bible, but hands-on activities keep them engaged.

Smith explained, “I feel like this year with COVID, Bible class is a very important part of the curriculum because, while we don’t know when Jesus is returning, there are so many signs right now that He will be returning soon.”

In Smith’s classroom, helping students connect to God isn’t just limited to Bible class. Throughout the day, when students bring up personal concerns, she teaches them to stop and pray. “We’ve seen miracles already happen in our class,” explained Smith. “We’ll pray about something and, many times, just a few minutes later, we can see how God has answered us.”

Because of the pandemic, it is always a question if schools will be able to stay open for in-person learning.

“Every day I go in, I know it’s a blessing that I’m there with my kids and we’re not meeting online,” said Smith. “It’s just really neat to be with them and laugh with them. Every day is a miracle and my kids know that too. We thank God and pray that we can continue to stay open.”

–Haley Enochs, is a senior at Campion Academy; photos supplied

02 Dec

That Time When Two NAD Departments Collaborated… and Saved the Church Nearly a Million Dollars in the Process

By Richard Stephenson — Columbia, Maryland … In June 2019, the North American Division (NAD) adopted Zoom as its official video-conferencing service, following NAD Education’s recommendation and endorsement.

NAD Information Technology Services (ITS) completed the migration that August, including setting up seven Zoom Rooms in the NAD headquarters. NAD ITS and NAD Education negotiated a two-year corporate contract with Zoom, and, with the Lord’s blessing, the NAD was able to get a discount of more than 55% off the cost of the necessary Zoom products. One of the crucial terms of the contract that Martha Ban, Director of Technology for Education, and Richard Stephenson, Director of ITS, insisted on, was that this service could be shared with any Adventist institution. Little did anyone know, just a few months later, that this contract stipulation would save the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America approximately $900,000.00

At the end of March and beginning of April, thousands of NAD churches began to close their doors and attempted to migrate to online worship services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The vast majority of those churches did not have an existing video-conferencing or live-streaming solution in place. The demand for Zoom skyrocketed literally overnight, and more than one hundred requests came in each day asking for Zoom licenses from the NAD’s Zoom service agreement. Martha Ban and Richard Stephenson worked six days a week filling Zoom requests from our churches, schools, youth camps, retreat centers, conferences, and unions. Licenses were also made available to media ministries such as It is Written, as well as to the GC, ADRA, and other world divisions and conferences.

NAD institutions immediately put these licenses to good use, sharing the gospel message of hope and wholeness to a vast online community. Though the physical doors of these entities had been shut, an unprecedented flurry of online ministry and mission burst forth. “It has been exciting to see how our partnership with Zoom has helped church attendance and school enrollments boom in the midst of the pandemic,” Martha Ban said.

The Zoom services stipulated in the contract not only included video-conferencing capabilities, but also live recording, transcription services for the impaired, branding (so entities and institutions could advertise their unique identity in the local community), and live-streaming capabilities to Facebook and YouTube. It was as though the Lord chose each of these features to be included in the NAD corporate contract, knowing that His Church would need those very features in the near future. “Looking back over these past 8 months, I can clearly see the Lord’s hand leading His Church and His people! I’m awestruck by His incredible faithfulness!” said Richard Stephenson. To date, the NAD has provided 4,200 Zoom licenses, 52 Zoom Rooms, and dozens of other Zoom products (webinars, large meetings, Zoom Phone, etc.).

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a far-reaching impact on the Adventist Church. While some of our churches are reopening physically, we hope that our churches will never close virtually and that they may continue to be a beacon of light for online audiences.

–Richard Stephenson is NAD IT Director; photo by Pixabay

Editor’s note: In RMC we have 58 paid licenses and 171 total users (some are on free education licenses Zoom has provided to eligible schools during the pandemic).

Reprinted from NAD Insider, October 29, 2020, a weekly, internal e-publication.

30 Nov

NO TURKEYS SPOTTED AT CAMPION CHURCH TURKEY TROT

By Ardis Stenbakken – Loveland, Colorado … On a chilly, sunny Thanksgiving morning, some 50 hearty individuals gathered in the Campion church parking lot ready for what is hoped will become the first Turkey Trot of many.

Young and old, they lined up, ready to walk or run, two in a baby stroller or one, a tricycle, in hopes of navigating the 5k course successfully. The path traced the edges of the Campion Academy campus and returned to the church parking lot where hot chocolate awaited participants along with a large screen displaying their course time.

About 45 participants completed the course, and should be congratulated for the achievement whether they finished or started and went as far as they could. There was no prize, but Campion T-shirts were offered to many participants.

Campion church member, Caleb Jahn, came in first with 25.13 minutes, with Zach Harlow, a student at HMS Richards School, right behind him. Jenny Sigler was the first woman to finish.

Although there was no fee to participate, runners/walkers were asked to make a donation, and $336 was collected for a family which will be chosen to receive a Christmas blessing.

Pastor Michael Goetz, one of the organizers along with Kent Kast and Don Reeder, said, “The campus was honored to be used with a great activity that was appropriate for the concerns of the season. We must continue our community/fellowship and our mission to share Jesus. The pandemic should not stop these; we just have to be creative and this was one of those opportunities.”

–Ardis Stenbakken is the communication director for Campion church; photos by Kaitlyn Boutot and Ardis Stenbakken

30 Nov

PARKER CHURCH ROCKS BY SPREADING JOY

By Lisa Cardinal – Parker, Colorado … If the challenge of 2020 was only a global pandemic, feeling off-balance, not-quite-yourself, or generally out-of-sorts would be understandable.

However, 2020 is more than that. It is racial unrest and trauma, natural disasters, economic impact, loneliness, political polarization, among other things, all combining to create layers of unprecedented uncertainty and anxiety. To say this year has stretched us is simply an inadequate understatement.

At Newday Adventist Church, members and pastors began asking themselves, “What does it look like to be the church in 2020?”

Among the questions which came up during the discussion was, “How can we maintain an outward focus when we can’t be “out” in the ways we’re used to?” “How can we bring goodness, light, and positivity to our community during uncertain times?” And finally, “How can we do this together while maintaining social distance?”

After much thought and prayer, the members chose the Kindness Rocks Project with a mission of, “One message at just the right moment can change someone’s entire day, outlook, life.”

“We decided to launch our Kindness Rocks Project and Newday households of all ages began painting rocks with positive messages,” Lisa Cardinal executive pastor of Newday Adventist Church, said.

In October, members distributed the messages of hope on a popular walking, running, and biking trail that winds through Parker. The rocks were accompanied by the message: “Take one when you need one. Share one with a friend who needs some inspiration or encouragement. Leave one for another.”

Returning to the spot where the rocks were placed, a very few weeks later, revealed the success of the project as only a few remained.

“Our prayer is that as Newday’s kindness rocks were picked up, they truly came into people’s lives at just the right moment,” Cardinal added.

–Lisa Cardinal, is executive pastor at Newday Adventist Church; photos by Shawna Sajdak

25 Nov

Thanksgiving Reflection from RMC President

We all have had a very trying time this year with COVID and the many other unraveling developments in society in the United States. And yet God’s people have remained faithful across the Conference.

Now Thanksgiving is here, and I can’t help but say, “I am so thankful for how God has blessed Rocky Mountain Conference.” He has blessed you to pass on the blessings to people in your communities. With all that has gone on, our base tithe is down less than one per cent. Thank you for your faithfulness!

I want to give a special thank you to all of our members who have been on the front lines with COVID. You have saved many lives at the risk of your own. As we finish up 2020, let’s keep each other in prayer and may Jesus help us to stay safe and remain faithful as we live love!

Ed Barnett, RMC president

25 Nov

LA VIDA THANKSGIVING OUTREACH TO NAVAJO COMMUNITY

By Dorie Panganiban – Farmington, New Mexico …Amidst the ongoing pandemic, many in New Mexico, including the Navajo nation, may be asking what is there is to be thankful for, especially after the latest lockdown was announced on November 16.

La Vida Mission staff were asking themselves the same question after their school was required to hold classes remotely under the new guidelines, making a challenging situation even more difficult.

“All schools, including private systems, were mandated to transition to remote learning until December 6, which could be extended. As a result, we have temporarily suspended our face-to-face classes, a difficult situation as our students depend on it and benefit so much even from our one-day-a-week, face-to-face instruction,” Dorie Panganiban, La Vida outreach director said.

Staff immediately began planning their 11^th relief operation, knowing the new restrictions would make life very difficult for members of the reservation.

Stores, gas stations, and all other essential services on the Navajo Nation reservation operate now on limited daytime hours. People are struggling, some are complaining, and many are desperate as this virus seems to spread uncontrollably. “We have to keep doing what we feel we need to do to help alleviate the people’s plight,” Panganiban added.

For two days after the mandate, La Vida Mission staff organized pallets of fresh produce, donated through the Partnership with Native Americans organization. Navajo Strong also donated a hundred gallons of hand sanitizer to distribute and donors provided the funds to again offer free propane refills.

Upon arriving at the Crownpoint Flea Market, redesigned as a relief distribution center, 200 cars were waiting for assistance.

“As I looked at all those vehicles lined up and waiting for 4-6 hours for a propane refill, food, and other essentials, I told our La Vida staff, ‘If these people didn’t need what we’re giving, they wouldn’t stay this long in line to receive it,”’ Panganiban reflected.

The Navajo police, Crownpoint Reservation Chapter officials, and Crownpoint Fire officials joined the La Vida Mission staff prior to beginning the relief operation for a prayer of thanksgiving for the donated items and for the families receiving the needed items.

By the end of the of the day, La Vida mission had provided food, sanitizer, and propane refills to more than 250 families.

Panganiban left with a heart filled with gratitude, saying, “I thank God for many reasons that words can’t express.”

La Vida community is grateful for all the individuals who make the opportunity to minister to the Navajo reservation possible and would like to remind everyone during this season of Thanksgiving that there is so much to be thankful for despite the pandemic.

— Dorie Panganiban, is La Vida Mission outreach director and office manager; photos supplied.

25 Nov

Campion Academy earns #1 ranking again

By Jill Harlow – Loveland, Colorado … “Campion excels at providing an environment where students can grow socially, physically, mentally, and spiritually,” Jayden Anggormas Campion senior said, reflecting on why Campion topped Niche.com’s ranking of annual best private school in Larimer County for the second consecutive year.

Niche.com, a nationally-recognized education ranking site, based this ranking on a rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents. Ranking factors include SAT/ACT scores, student-teacher ratio, and data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education, Niche users, and the schools directly.

“I love how it feels like a second home. When I’m here, I get homesick, but my friends always cheer me up. They keep me going and are the reason why I came back. Campion is a school that’s more than a place for you to learn; it’s a family,” Blet Htoo, Campion sophomore commented.

Reflecting on the spiritual aspect of the school, Sami Hodges, Campion senior said, “One of the things I really value about Campion is the inclusion of spirituality into everyday life. Teachers have worship and prayer before every class, which puts God first. Not only is spirituality incorporated into academics, but vespers and worship services allow everyone to grow closer to one another, and people form bonds here that will most likely last a lifetime.”

Odalis Mata Campion senior echoed Hodges comment, “I really enjoy how I can be in a place where people are my age and they influence me to want to know God more and keep consistent in my beliefs.”

“For me, the best part about Campion is the amount of help the staff members give you,” Haley Enochs, Campion Senior stated. “In other schools, some teachers don’t care if you fail or succeed, but here, the teachers go above and beyond to make sure you succeed. They will give you their phone numbers, meet with you outside of class, and work with you when you are behind or struggling.”

Others find dorm life most rewarding at Campion.

“My favorite thing is the dorm life because I love how my friends and I interact with each other and still hang out even with COVID policies and with masks. We still make it work and have fun,” Mark Zelaya, Campion senior said.

There are currently 32 private schools in Larimer County.

–Jill Harlow is the communication director for Campion Academy; photos supplied.

25 Nov

GVR AND MSR COME “FULLY ALIVE” IN 2021

By Kiefer Dooley – Ward, Colorado … Summer camp returns to the Rocky Mountain Conference in 2021.

When the global pandemic hit the Rocky Mountain region, the RMC youth ministry department had to cancel their usual summer programs at Glacier View Ranch and Mills Spring Ranch, which were missed immensely.

“We thought that as summer faded to fall, we’d miss camp a little bit less. That hasn’t happened. We miss it more every day,” Kiefer Dooley RMC youth director said. “That is why we’ve been working extra hard to make sure that, regardless of what the pandemic throws at us in the Summer of 2021, we’ll be ready! So, mark your calendars, because with a few changes, summer camp is back.”

The week-long program will be a little different next year due to COVID protocols.

“All of our camp sessions (excluding Family Connect Camp) will operate on a Sunday to Friday schedule. Families should plan to drop off their campers at GVR or MSR on the Sunday their session begins and to pick up their campers on the following Friday afternoon,” Jessyka Dooley, RMC assistant youth director said. “This update to a Sunday to Friday camp is necessary for our team to clean, sanitize, disinfect, and ready the camp facilities in between sessions.”

Registration opens Friday, November 27, at rmcyouth.org/camp. Register early for a $50 discount on all reservations made the first week of registration between November 27 and December 4.

“We are opening registration at 50% of a normal year’s capacity and we expect space to fill up fast. The reduction in capacity will ensure that we can operate camp with appropriate distancing, group separation, and cleanliness standards,” Jessyka stated. “At this time, we’ll be allowing regular activity sign ups; however, there is a chance that ‘stable group’ requirements will void individual activity selections to be replaced with a system where your camper will rotate through all of our activities with a ‘stable group’ throughout the week.”

Kiefer Dooley added, “regardless of what 2021 throws at us, we’re confident that we will host a program that is safe, fun, engaging, spiritual, and best of all, allows kids to be active in the outdoors of the great Rocky Mountains.”

–Kiefer Dooley is RMC youth director; photos supplied

25 Nov

TRUE LIFE GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

By Bob Reynolds – Denver, Colorado … True Life Community church members gathered Saturday afternoon, November 21, to distribute 36 baskets they had filled with food and love to the community.

The project was spearheaded by the women’s ministry team who asked the congregation to bring food donations to fill the baskets along with family names that needed assistance.

Instead of organizing the food in usual cardboard boxes, the creative team purchased laundry baskets to fill.

Members helped organize donations and fill containers, which included a $30 gift card to King Soopers to purchase perishable items.

“It was a great event and we pray that our efforts provide many families a nice Thanksgiving Day,” Bob Reynolds, pastor of True Life Community church, commented.

Reynolds added that they hope to reach the community this holiday season with not only Thanksgiving food boxes, but the upcoming “Christmas For Kids” in December.

–Bob Reynolds is the pastor of True Life Community church in Denver, Colorado; photos supplied

Jon Roberts Page 63