Jon Roberts

07 Oct

Bible study group meets in hair salon

By Ruben Balaguer – Grand Junction, Colorado … Several community members are gathering in a hair salon to study about Jesus and the salvation he offers.

For the past year and a half, these meetings have been held at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Grand Junction and have been led by Ruben Balaguer, pastor of the Grand Junction Hispanic district. As a result of the pandemic, the group needed to find a new location to continue assembling to learn about the beliefs of the Adventist faith community.

One of the students, a hair salon owner, offered her place of business as a central meeting point every Thursday evening.

“(We) have already studied about the mortality of the soul, hell, some prophecies and the first and second commandments. Soon we will be studying about the Sabbath; therefore, I ask for your prayers,” Balaguer said

The class, which has grown to seventeen individuals, expressed their appreciation for a location where they can meet and study the Bible together.

–Ruben Balaguer is district pastor of Grand Junction Hispanic; photo supplied

07 Oct

EIGHTH-GRADERS SCRAMBLE TO THE TOP AT MHA

By Logen Meyers — Highlands Ranch, Colorado … It was a hot day on the soccer field for the recent Mile High Academy (MHA) middle school Junk Scramble on October 6. The screams of 46 students, plus administration and judges, were the only things heard in the sea of green, black, and red shirts showing class spirit.

Junk Scramble is an annual event comprised of middle school students bringing random household items, placing them in a pile by their class, ready to present them when such an item is called out. Due to the pandemic changes this year, the Junk Scramble was hosted on the soccer field instead of in the gym.

The students gathered with their “junk” while Michael Armstrong, MHA’s VP of Academics, called out random items. If the student or class had the called-out item, they would race to a flag placed in the middle of the field. A judge behind each flag verified whose flag was pulled first and if the item matched what was called.

Points were awarded depending on the corresponding round number. Round One offered ten points per item where Round Four awarded fifty points per item. Other ways of earning points involved classes forming the number of their graduating year, an air raid during which every student had to drop to the ground, and a point-to-heaven, when all class members would stand and point to the sky. Classes had to be always ready as these commands would be given unexpectedly.

The sixth-grade class was the green team, who was ahead in points for the first time at the start of Junk Scramble. However, after the next few items were called, they quickly dropped behind and were in a scramble for the rest of the event. In the end, they came in third place.

“My first experience being in the Junk Scramble was fun. Some of my favorite activities were who could make the class number out of people the fastest and the badminton contests. I had a good time cheering with my class,” Rachel Philpott, sixth-grader, said.

The red team, the seventh-grade class, won the hula-hoop challenge and one of the two planking challenges. While continuously looking for loopholes in the rules, they ended up in second place.

“It was cool that middle school got to do the Junk Scramble this year, and we had a fun time working as a class,” said seventh-grader Wyatt Jerles.

The black-clothed, eighth-grade class, might have been the smallest class, but they were the fiercest and the fastest of the competitors. This team lead most of the event, including the badminton challenge, which guaranteed them the victory.

“Junk Scramble has always been one of my favorite parts of middle school and winning this year made it that much better. I have a small class, and we are all really close, and I am grateful to them and the other classes for their sportsmanship and a fun time” said eight-grader Jack Fesler.

–Logen Meyers is in the seventh grade at Mile High Academy; photos supplied.

07 Oct

UNION COLLEGE STUDENTS TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19

By Jon Roberts – Lincoln, Nebraska … Union College COVID precautions immediately went into effect after a number of students tested positive for COVID-19.

The COVID precautions implemented after Covid tests for some students came back positive include quarantining students who have been in “close contact” to those who contracted the virus and isolation for those who tested positive.

The College acknowledged the cases on campus with a Facebook post on Tuesday, stating, “Though Lincoln’s numbers keep rising, Union’s COVID-19 cases have remained consistently low compared to other colleges and universities (currently, four students are in isolation and nine in quarantine). We are praising God for seeing us through so far, and praising our students for making good choices. Please continue wearing your masks, distancing responsibly and getting your daily health screenings.”

According to the Union College website, twelve students have tested positive for COVID-19 since classes resumed in August.

No other information is provided on the condition of those who are currently in isolation and recovering from the virus.

Those students who test positive “are moved to an isolation room where they have their own bathroom. Village students and employees [who test positive for the virus] must stay off campus. For residence hall students, meals are delivered three times daily and laundry service will be provided,” Union’s COVID-19 website states.

Union College continues to provide free testing for all students, faculty, and staff to ensure students are kept safe.

–Jon Roberts is RMC communication/media assistant; photo by Rajmund Dabrowski

05 Oct

TWO ETHNICALLY DIVERSE CHURCHES WORSHIP TOGETHER IN DENVER

By Rajmund Dabrowski – Highlands Ranch, Denver, Colorado … When two pastors became close friends, they decided to bring their churches together in a joint worship.

Aware of COVID pandemic regulations, the attending believers registered ahead for the worship service, and more than 300 of them from Littleton and Denver Park Hill churches gathered on the Mile High Academy sports field on Sabbath, October 3.

The church service bulletin explained the reason for the gathering. Pastors Andy Nash, Chris Morris, and Alise Weber from Littleton church and Kelby “Mac” McCottry from the Denver Park Hill congregation talked with their church leaders about a joint service and “the response to the idea was overwhelming among all ages. If our Savior Jesus Christ prayed for us to be together, and if we’ll be together in heaven, why shouldn’t we be [together] on earth?” they asked.

Many congregants sported “Together, John 17:23” T-shirts, distributed to registered worshipers, and you would have had no problem witnessing the joy on their faces, a mosaic of ethnicities worshiping together.

The worship featured a 20-minute sermon by each pastor, their theme based on 2 Timothy 1:1-14. Each congregant received a vintage booklet provided at no cost by Thomas Nelson Bibles. “When Thomas Nelson heard about our event today, they immediately said they wanted to be a sponsor,” Andy Nash informed the congregation.

A livestream of the event began with a welcome message by Ed Barnett and Roger Bernard presidents of Rocky Mountain Conference and Central States Conference respectively. They expressed their joy at seeing believers from both territories of the Seventh-day Adventist Church come together.

“Our Littleton church joining with the Denver Park Hill church from the Central States Conference and meeting at Mile High Academy for all-day services was fabulous,” Ed Barnett commented to NewsNuggets.

“I felt bad that I was out of town and not able to join the celebration. Having heard comments from several of our members, I would say that it was a tremendous day. Praise God for the comradery between our brothers and sisters from two different conferences and ethnic backgrounds that are ministering in the same territory. Truly a picture of what heaven will look like,” he added.

This was long overdue, several church members commented. “It’s up to us not to do it in a symbolic manner only, but also to cooperate in joint projects. We are neighbors, serving our community in Denver, aren’t we?” commented George Pelote, stewardship director from the Park Hill church.

Among the most welcome outcomes of coming together to worship was the feeling of being like a family, a community in need of camaraderie. It was not difficult to meet students from the school, past and present. Among them were two former students, James Harris from Park Hill, and Kyla Dixon, a member of Littleton Church.

James commented that it was nice fellowshipping outside with everybody. The area churches should also come together in the future, he said. “I know Park Hill has been on its own and it’s nice to see [us] coming together with everybody as well,” he said.

Kyla agreed. “It was awesome meeting everybody and intermingling, meeting new faces. It was pretty cool,” she shared.

The gathering of fellow Christians more than met the expectations of both pastor-friends. Following the Sabbath service, they shared their personal comments. Kelby McCottry commented: “Oh, yes. Way more. Way more. Just to see people coming, worshipping and fellowshipping together, regardless of membership, regardless of color of skin. This is what I wanted to see.” Andy Nash said that the days of preparation were worth the effort and shared what many people said most: “We should do this more. Why haven’t we done this more?” This began out of friendship for pastor Mac and me, and now we see other friendships forming. That’s the work of the Holy Spirit.”

As pastors, they recognize a need to encourage and bring people together, not just for one worship event.

“God brought us together for such a time as this,” said Pastor McCottry. “To see what’s happening in the world, in the United States, but to know that we can be a model, that we can still love each other. We may worship in different places, may have different preferences and different styles, but still we are God’s children together. The whole purpose was [coming together] to show that this is how it can be; this is how it’s going to be in heaven, so let’s do it now.”

Andy Nash believes that what they did together could be done elsewhere in the church. “People are desperate for something to be hopeful and positive about. What’s missing in many of the conversations in our country is Christ. As humans we cannot solve problems, but in Christ, there is, as we said today, there is dunamis, dynamite, and power in him, as we look to him together.”

The day continued with a picnic lunch together, followed by a shared service project packing food boxes, and ended with everyone’s favorite food—smores. “We will have vespers, along with smores, glowsticks, and a huge Capture the Flag game, which I think should be kids versus adults. Timothy vs. Paul,” Andy Nash announced. More than 100 believers accepted his invitation.

–Rajmund Dabrowski is RMC communication director; photos by Rajmund Dabrowski

01 Oct

ABILITY TO DISCERN

By Gordon Anic

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. [Philippians 1:9-11 NIV]

These words are more appropriate now than they ever were. Life has become one giant stadium with millions of people screaming into millions of microphones and all of that noise is directed at you and me. I don’t know about you but for me it is overwhelming.

I have a job which requires me to be on call all the time. I have bills to pay, my health to take care of and my family to worry about. That family, until July 26^th. included my mom. In early July she fell and was taken to the hospital which informed us that she was COVID positive. Our lives turned upside down.

All of a sudden, the noise of the world faded away and all I could focus on was my mother. Things that were important became unimportant and were put on hold. Major issues became minor issues. The world with all of its demands and impositions just didn’t matter anymore.

It is interesting how most of us need a major kick in the pants to slow down, tune out, turn off, walk away and seek peace. Apostle Paul said, “It is my prayer … that you may discern what is best…”

Funny thing is that we all know what is best. Knowledge is no longer reserved for the rich and learned. In the age of information, all knowledge is at your fingerprints. What’s even more amazing is that the right knowledge has always been in our hearts. In your gut you always knew what was best and how to be pure for the day of Christ, but the desires and problems of this world are powerful. We become immersed into recipe of life that Satan has designed. We look around us and we want what the world has to offer. We become over involved in the affairs of the world too such a degree that we become under involved in the affairs of God’s kingdom.

I think it is time for Christians to slow down and tune the world out. Time to go back to basics of prayer, study and time in nature. Next few years are shaping out to be the most significant time to spread the gospel since the apostles received the Holy Spirit at the Pentecost. That time will come and go. Some of us will be ready to go and work while others will be asleep.

Now is the time to discern what you must do to fill your life with Jesus and his righteousness. Now is the time to prepare for the coming of our Lord.

—Gordon Anic is pastor of Arvada Adventist Church

01 Oct

PANDEMIC DOES NOT STOP VIBRANT CHURCH ACTIVITIES, RMC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HEARS

RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … “Tithe and offering faithfulness is such a blessing in our Conference. Church members and their pastors are inspiring in their dedication to God, which is clearly visible in how God’s church is supported,” said Ed Barnett, RMC president.

In his report to the RMC Executive Committee on September 29, Barnett expressed gratitude to all RMC churches which, in spite of the volatile situation from the pandemic, are successfully using technology so that regular worship services can be conducted.

Reporting on RMC finances, George Crumley, RMC VP for finance, stated that through the month of August “our base tithe (which excludes windfalls), was only down by 0.80%. Our total tithe was down by 7.45%. The reason for the decrease this year,” he explained, “is because through 2019, we had windfalls of over $1,000,000, which we have not had this year.”

Because of weaker tithe and the uncertainty of the future, the Conference is not providing the inflationary pay increase in 2020, in step with all conferences across the North American Division.

Currently the Conference has a hiring freeze, Crumley commented. “Even though revenues are down on tithe itself, but we are still tracking fairly close to budget so far this year,” he reported.

Lonnie Hetterle, RMC education superintendent, shared education highlights. “In spite of the pandemic, RMC schools are open and adapting well” to an ever-changing situation and to safety needs. Hetterle said the new Bible curriculum, “Encounter Series” is life-changing for teachers and students, teaching relationship with Christ. Education is working toward a shift to standards-based instruction rather than just grade-level instruction. This measures the learning of the student.

The committee was also informed of the upcoming joint worship service to be conducted by Denver Park Hill and Littleton churches displaying acceptance and unity.

In a snapshot of the status of the hospitals dealing with the challenges of COVID, Morre Dean, Senior VP and Chief Integration Officer at Centura Health, and a member of the committee, said that the April-May months were the peak impact of the pandemic. Currently the numbers have dropped to a more normalized range in our hospitals. Adventist hospitals have done well at navigating this crisis and returning to a more normal operation. “The mission [of hospitals] is serving the community,” Dean stated.

Don Reeder, Campion Academy principal, informed the committee that the school’s enrollment began with 142 students and is holding strong. The sale of the 65 acres of unused land will come close to completing the goal of Campion Academy’s endowment for a worthy student fund of 10 million dollars. Reeder added that the school welcomed many new staff members along with a new chaplain, and the school sees a resurgence of the literature ministry program reaching out to the community.

The committee voted for pastoral ordination recommendations to be passed on to the Mid-American Union Conference, which will be subject to the ordination committee review. It includes John Davidson from Cañon City, Bob McAlpine from Alamosa, Nathan Cranson from Montrose, and Matt Hasty, coordinator of Literature Ministry.

Eric Nelson updated the committee on the impact of COVID on our churches. “Most of our churches are open,” he said. He also referred to the required protocols and challenges that churches are facing from the pandemic.

In a report by the RMC Trust Department, its director, Doug Inglish said that the department has faced significant challenges with an overwhelming workload and backlog. They have made a procedural move to write more wills in serving members in our conference. “This streamlines the process and the upgrades in technology have also aided the department to be more efficient,” Inglish stated. The recent departmental audit affirmed these steps in efficiency and has given the RMC trust department the highest rating. He summarized his report in saying that “the department progressed to a point where they wanted to be all along.”

The Executive Committee members were updated on the 2020 Town Hall filming, a program to be released on October 9 in NewsNuggets and on the RMC Facebook page.

–RMCNews

01 Oct

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN 175 WOMEN ARE HANDED LEMONS? LEMONADE, OF COURSE!

By DeeAnn Bragaw – Loveland, Colorado … In early August, the annual Rocky Mountain Conference women’s retreat plans for a weekend escape to Glacier View Ranch filled with laughter, hugs, and friendships renewed was on track to be another casualty of the ongoing COVID situation.

Facing this reality Deeann Bragaw, RMC Women’s Ministry director, remembered the proverbial phrase, “When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade” and began to think of alternatives to the weekend retreat.

“Our much-revised Fall Women’s retreat included being distanced, masked, and outside, but we came together in heart as we were reminded from God’s Word that He wants to take our suffering and turn it into service,” Bragaw, said.

Some 175 women, including Campion Academy girls and women of all ages from around the conference, assembled on the campus of Campion Academy to enjoy a day outdoors and in God’s Word at “Lemonade Women’s Retreat”

The gathering included a worship service led by Jennifer Woody, senior pastor of the Monroe, Washington church. After a picnic-style lunch, the group separated into three groups for workshops, including one designed for teens and led by Woody.

Later, the gathering reconvened to participate in a community service project which included painting “Hope Rocks” to be placed outside where individuals can discover them and gain courage and hope through their messages.

At the close of the retreat, participants were encouraged to surrender a lemon to Jesus, symbolizing “lemons” that have come into our lives, while the group prayed over these “lemons.”

As the assembly was leaving the field where they had enjoyed a day filled with laughter, unique socially-distanced fellowship, and spiritual lemonade, women could be overheard commenting on the events.

“This is the best thing that’s happened to me in six months! I feel so encouraged!” “My devotions were dry. Thank you so much for giving me new tools!” “I never thought of my suffering as something God could use. Thank you!” “I loved painting the rocks! I hope someone is encouraged when they find mine!”

–DeeAnn Bragaw is Rocky Mountain Conference Women’s Ministry director; photos by Stefanie Deapen

01 Oct

CAMPION STUDENTS GIVE BACK

By Sami Hodges – Loveland, Colorado … Campion students gave their Sunday, normally a free day to enjoy teenage activities, to improve their campus and the campus of Glacier View Ranch, along with various other outreach projects in the surrounding area, during their annual Community Service Day

Students at Campion Academy cleaned up their campus by cutting down dead trees, doing yard work and agriculture and tearing down a deck behind the girls’ dorm.

“This experience taught me how to be more thankful for the staff and what they do for us,” reflected Odalis Mata, Campion senior. “I know the staff are all busy as teachers and parents, so they don’t exactly have time to do things like gardening, yard work, and things like that. For me, Community Service Day was like a ‘thank-you’ from us to them so we could help get things done around campus. “

Other service projects included painting at Glacier View Ranch, passing out GLOW tracts with Literature Evangelism, picking up trash along the highway, and volunteering at a community member’s horse barn with general clean up.

Reflecting on the day, students realized the importance of taking pride in the work completed.

“I was able to come together with students I don’t necessarily talk to as much, and we just helped out together. I think we were able to work together to make the campus look better and know that we did it ourselves,” Brisa Maldonado, Campion junior said.

–Sami Hodges is a senior at Campion Academy; photos by Jill Harlow, Tiffany Dien, and Darcy Force

01 Oct

ALAMOSA PASTOR’S TWO CHILDREN BAPTIZED

By Bob McAlpine – Alamosa, Colorado… Every baptism is special, but the Alamosa church recently celebrated two baptisms that Bob McAlpine, Alamosa pastor, will never forget–the baptism of his two children, Meredith and Tristan.

McAlpine recalls the weeks leading up to the baptismal date, saying those weeks “stressed me out. I saw all the petty acts of selfishness that take place between siblings. Worse, I saw how my own bad habits and sins (let’s just be honest, here) were shaping my children.”

There are two types of parents in the world—those who think that their children are perfect, and those who are pained by every little fault or flaw they see in their children. I’m the second kind of parent.

The question McAlpine kept asking was, “How can I baptize these so obviously imperfect children?” The answer came as he was reminded multiple times that baptism is not for the perfect, but for those who want to follow Jesus.

McAlpine recalled the blessing his children gave him while they studied for baptism.

“While I was serving them as a dad and pastor, my children were also ministering to me. They reminded me that Jesus’s love, in the words of The Jesus Storybook Bible, is a “never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love,” McAlpine said.

“Baptizing them was one of the highlights of my ministry,” McAlpine concluded.

Two students who attend the Alamosa Adventist school with Meredith and Tristan are making plans to be baptized later this month. Outreach continues at the school as half of the students attending are from different faith communities.

–Bob McAlpine is the Pastor of the Alamosa Church; photo supplied

01 Oct

MILE HIGH ACADEMY HOSTS FIRST EVER VIRTUAL ALUMNI WEEKEND CELEBRATION

By Karrie Meyers — Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Due to a mandated closed campus for large events and COVID unknowns, Mile High Academy shifted its 2020 Alumni Weekend to a virtual celebration on Sabbath and an in-person golf tournament at Arrowhead Golf Course on Sunday.

The virtual Alumni Sabbath event began, September 26. A video was posted via MHA’s YouTube channel as a premiere event and linked to the Alumni website. A .pdf of the program was also offered on the website.

Throughout the video, alumni reflected on the question, “What does MHA mean to you?” Volunteers from many of the honor classes offered the welcome, prayers, Scripture reading, and sermonettes. Celebrating 55 years since his graduation, Alumnus Dave Ferguson (’65) shared humorous memories of his time as a student at Mile High Academy. Elder James Brauer (’70) challenged his alumni family to get to know Jesus, and a new promotional video highlighted the campus and cast light on the values that make Mile High Academy the special school it remains today.

A beautiful morning dawned Sunday, September 27, but turned blustery and cold for the 80 golfers who participated in the annual Alumni Golf Tournament at Arrowhead Golf Course. The teams, nevertheless, enjoyed the morning of fellowship and laughter. The event raised more than $5,000 for the school’s Annual Fund. Prizes were given for first, second and third place as well as a for closest to the hole, longest drive, and a putting-green challenge.

“I am thankful Mile High Academy was still able to host an Alumni celebration. We appreciate the continued support from all our alumni. It’s because of such support that the school is able to celebrate serving the Denver area community for 107 years,” said Jocelyn Aalborg, MHA VP of finance and development and Honor Class of 2005.

To view the alumni weekend video, please visit www.milehighacademy.org/alumni2020.

–Karrie Myers is Mile High Academy’s communication assistant; photo supplied

Jon Roberts Page 70