Elisabet Kirkland

By Godfrey Miranda

O Lord, You have searched me and known me
(Psalm 139:1, NKJV)

How do you feel when someone in your life really knows and understands you?

I’m a relatively private person, which might sound strange coming from someone who fills a role that involves frequent public communication. But because my personality defaults to keeping my thoughts and feelings to myself, it’s a pleasant surprise when someone truly understands me without extraordinary effort on my part to explain myself.

The people who make us feel seen and heard are the people we feel most secure with, the people we trust the most. When the disciples first entered the upper room to celebrate the Passover prior to Jesus’ crucifixion, Jesus said some revealing things (Mark 14:18) that made it clear that He understood their hearts better than they knew themselves. While the news of an in-house betrayer caused great sorrow, their immediate response shows a deep safety they felt with Jesus: “And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, ‘Is it I?'” (v. 19).

In the upper room, the revelation of Jesus’ infinite awareness was intended to lead the disciples toward self-awareness, not for the sake of condemnation but with the hope of restoration. And when we choose to meet with Jesus in the upper room at the beginning of a new year, I believe He invites us toward the same—personal reflection that allows us to be honest with how frail we are apart from Him, an awareness of our brokenness so we can find our wholeness in Him.

Self-awareness is a dominant theme in Psalm 139. The song begins with an adoration-filled acknowledgment that God has searched and known us. And then it concludes with a prayer that God would keep searching and keep knowing us. It’s as if David recognizes that God knows us better than we know ourselves, and instead of being rattled by that reality, he rests in it.

Maybe the idea of your heart being searched doesn’t stir up the most positive feelings or expectations, but we can feel safe because the One who knows us this intimately is the God whose thoughts toward us are precious and numberless (Psalm 139:17-18). In the end, Psalm 139‘s concluding prayer teaches us how to engage healthy reflection to understand ourselves and how God may want to keep leading us in 2026.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
(Psalm 139:23-24, NKJV)

Some of us may have already spent time drafting goals and hopes for the new year, but there’s never a wrong time to walk through these verses to understand where we are and what God may have for us next. Here are some questions you can talk with God about based on this prayer:

HOW DO YOU WANT ME TO GROW?

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties …

This new year, start with asking God, “How do You want me to grow?” That question may seem unrelated to the prayer in these lines, but really, it’s about surrendering our heart’s desires and concerns for the year and asking God about the things HE knows we need.

Additionally, this question isn’t so much about changing outward behaviors/circumstances. It’s more focused on asking God about the inward transformation He has in mind for us. Let God talk with you about your heart, attitudes, and thought patterns that He wants to reframe toward renewal. This will require searching and digging, but remember that God knows our hearts better than we do. And if we’re willing to let Him, He’s the One capable of uncovering what’s really in our hearts to reveal the vision He has for the person He’s calling us to be in 2026.

WHAT NEEDS TO GO?

And see if there is any wicked way in me …

What needs to go? Are there habits or commitments that are actually preventing me from experiencing the growth God is calling me to? Are there things I’m holding on to that are actually holding me back from the renewal God has for me?

Don’t be afraid to be real with God and let Him be real with you. Sometimes the things that need to go are things we’ve been doing consciously and even unconsciously. Sometimes, the things we need to release aren’t necessarily things done BY us but ways we’re responding to things done TO us.

HOW CAN I FOLLOW?

And lead me in the way everlasting.

How can I follow? The last line of Psalm 139:24 isn’t a prayer that God will bless the plans we’ve made for 2026 or help us reach the goals we’ve set. No, when we ask God to lead us, we’re committing ourselves to watch and listen.

God has a heavenly destination in mind for us all in view of eternity but asking “How can I follow?” gives God room to clarify “the way” He wants to lead us in the present —this year, this month, right now. “Way” is a word that refers to a road or path, which implies process toward a goal. Give God room to instruct you about next steps toward the growth He has for you this year. Take time to listen for specific instructions and daily invitations to act on, knowing that these things are part of His grand scheme to lead us in the “everlasting way” (v. 24, NIV).

PRAYER

Thank You Lord for being the God who knows me better than I know myself and thank You for knowing the good plans You have for me personally in this new year. I pray for rest in the assurance that all my days are lovingly fashioned by You (Ps. 139:16). Please give me a heart to slow down, surrender, listen closely, and let You lead.

—Godfrey Miranda is lead pastor at Littleton Seventh-day Adventist Church. Republished with permission from Littleton Adventist Church Pastor’s Blog. Photo by Abdullah Arain of Unsplash.

Leandro Bizama – Loveland, Colorado … The latest musical release from worship team at Campion Seventh-day Adventist Church in Loveland, Colorado, titled “I Will Sing” will come live for everyone to hear, January 23. This was a project we started in the summer of 2025 with a recording of the church’s congregation singing this original song written by Leandro Bizama, Campion’s associate pastor of Worship and Evangelism.

“All the glory is the Lord’s, and the shout outs go to the whole team, from musicians who participated live and in studio to the video and music team, and especially to Signal Audio Studio—our very own Martin Poole—for doing the mixing, editing, and mastering,” praised Bizama. “We just hope that this song inspires many to encounter Jesus in individual and communal worship.”

Bizama noted that the song itself is a statement of commitment to never stop singing about Jesus’ love, being inspired by and quoting the chorus of the famous hymn “I Will Sing of Jesus’ Love.”

“Indeed, ‘He has died that we might live’—how could we not sing on about His love?” Bizama continued. “At Campion Church we are committed to providing new worship songs that are Biblical and inspirational. We believe that the Adventist church has been on the side lines of songwriting for worship for far too long. There are extremely few hymns written by Adventist song writers and with the Adventist understanding in mind as our hymnal can attest.”

“May we never stop singing about Jesus’ love through the precious old hymns handed down through all traditions of faith and through inspiring new songs.”

—Leandro Bizama is the associate pastor of Worship and Evangelism at the Campion Seventh-day Adventist Church. Photo supplied.

The recordings can be found in any music or media platform as “Campion Worship,” and you can CLICK HERE to access the lyrics, chords, and sheet music.

AdventHealth – Littleton, Colorado … AdventHealth has named Mark Smith president and CEO of AdventHealth Littleton, effective January 25, 2026. He will report to David Weis, AdventHealth Rocky Mountain Region’s newly appointed president and CEO.

Smith most recently held the role of president and CEO at AdventHealth Avista, where he has led with a steady focus on people and purpose, helping position the organization for continued growth and service to the community. Prior to AdventHealth, he served in executive roles at MultiCare in Washington and previously with Kettering Health Network in Ohio.

“Mark consistently recognizes and supports caregivers and leaders who live out our mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ, helping patients and families feel supported and cared for in body, mind and spirit. I am grateful for the impact Mark has made at AdventHealth Avista and look forward to his continued success at AdventHealth Littleton,” said Weis.

Together with the Avista team, Smith has supported several significant milestones, achieving strong clinical outcomes. His team was recognized with consecutive CMS 4- or 5-star ratings, Leapfrog A safety grades and top-quartile mortality rankings by Premier Inc.

“I’m excited to join the AdventHealth Littleton team and work alongside the caregivers and leaders who serve patients and families every day,” said Smith. “I look forward to listening, learning and supporting the team as we continue living out our mission together.”

Smith holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska College of Law and a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Union Adventist University.

—AdventHealth News. Republished with permission from the AdventHealth News & Stories website, January 9, 2026, article. Photo supplied.

ACSNews – Columbia, Maryland … A new year brings fresh resolutions and a familiar call from God that feels closer than ever: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them.” Yet an important question remains. How do we show Christ’s love while ministering to others in meaningful and practical ways?

“The display of compassion for the hurting, the poor, and the unjustly treated is testimony to the truth about God. Demonstrations of compassion for the disadvantaged and downtrodden are tangible evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence. The church should be known as a place where those in crisis will find comfort, and those without hope will find a “Blessed Hope.” (Ministries of Compassion, 2000)

As we enter this new year, there are three simple ways you can begin or strengthen ministry in your local church.

1. Identify your strategy

Identifying the needs of your community and understanding how to support them is key to meaningful ministry. As you listen, pray, and observe, God will guide you toward the approach that best serves your church and those around you.

Take a moment to explore four service strategies and reflect on which one may be the right fit for your community.

Spanish: Estrategias de servicio

2. Know your neighbor

Take a moment to connect with three people in your community and ask what they love about living there and what they hope to see grow or change in the future.

Listen with intention, then imagine how your church can help. Maybe it’s a Compassion Weekend, backpacks for the unhoused, a community garden, or a fruit and vegetable giveaway. There’s no limit. Get creative and let love lead.

3. Keep learning!

Tutoring and Mentoring supports growth, confidence, and learning through meaningful relationships.

Join on February 1, 2026, from 1:00-3:00 PM for the STARS Webinar to explore with Beverly Sedlacek how healing happens through safe, loving connections and to gain practical tools for creating tutoring & mentoring spaces where children feel secure, supported, and ready to thrive. REGISTER FREE HERE.

—ACSNews. Adapted from the January 13, 2026, ACS Newsletter. Photos supplied.

Hannah A. Manase – Loveland, Colorado … Twenty-three students in the ski and snowboard club at Campion Academy in Loveland, Colorado, went to the Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Frisco, Colorado, for their first trip of the season, January 10-11. With six of them being first-time skiers, they were thrilled to experience the sun and snow on their two-day trip.

New to the ski club this year, freshman student Donna M. commented, “I’ve never been skiing or snowboarding before, and it was a fun learning experience. It was a bit hard at first, but I think I got it in the end.”

They departed and stayed in the Leadville Seventh-Day Adventist Church the night of January 10, and the next two days were spent skiing and snowboarding. Although there was less snow this season, most of the mountain ski runs were open and the group enjoyed nice weather.

Conner J., freshman student, stated, “It was a lot of fun even though the slopes were super icy. But we still went full speed as fast as we could!”

On the afternoon of January 11, the ski club went to relax at the Copper Athletic Club. Gerard V., sophomore student, expressed, “After a long day of skiing, it was nice to be able to relax at the athletic club. It had a basketball court, gym, pool, and hot tub. The hot tub was very refreshing.”

The club will enjoy three more days of skiing this semester in March and April.

—Hannah A. Manase, Campion Academy Student News Team. Photos supplied.

PRAY. BLESS. EAT. LISTEN.

By Dustin Serns

The city where I live (Seattle, WA metro area) has been ranked the “least-religious large city” in the United States. Around 64% never attend religious services or go less than once per year. Around the country, many have noticed growing numbers of people who are religiously unaffiliated.

How can we reach people who have no interest in church or desire to know the Bible?

The apostle Peter advised, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…” (1 Peter 3:15). Being “prepared to give an answer” assumes people are asking you questions about your faith. Are they? If not, how can you live a more “questionable” life?

My friend Reylourd says, “Adventists love to be different, but if our differences don’t make a positive impact in the lives of others, then that just makes us weird.”

What made Jesus and the first-century church so “questionable” that people wanted to know their Kingdom message?

Their strategy was simple: pray, bless, eat, and listen.

Pray. Jesus daily interceded for those he wanted to become part of his Kingdom. Through prayer, the Holy Spirit opened doors for the church to have spiritual conversations and invite people to follow Jesus.

Who are 5–10 people you can pray for daily to commit to Jesus and journey with His church?

Bless. Jesus blessed people on a regular basis. The early church was known for their generosity to people both inside and outside the church.

How can you bless people in intentional ways on a weekly basis?

Eat. Jesus extended friendship to people He wanted to reach through eating with them. For the early church, the Lord’s Supper was more than a ritual wafer and thimble-sized glass of juice; it was a shared meal for the church, eaten in acknowledgement of the presence of God.

How can you eat with people from both inside and outside your church on a weekly basis?

Listen. Jesus listened to people. In the Gospels, Jesus asked questions one hundred times more often than he shared direct answers. The early church deeply cared for and empowered people to follow and share Jesus with passion.

How can you ask meaningful questions to people you would love to see know Jesus?

When you pray, bless, eat, and listen, people will ask questions. When they ask, share with passion what Jesus has done in your life and invite them on a journey to discover what He could do in their life too.

Pray. Bless. Eat. Listen.

What if every church member were living out these missional rhythms with people who are not part of their church on a weekly basis? Imagine the lives that could be changed!

How can we begin creating a culture that encourages missional living?

1. Live It Personally

Sharing fresh personal stories about how you are connecting with people in your community and seeing God work will make your conversations, sermons, and meetings more powerful and effective. Don’t be afraid to share stories of how God is growing you and interactions when you think you could have done better. Our example preaches louder than our sermons.

2. Start a New Small Group

Start a new mid-week small group for eight weeks. Personally invite receptive members who are interested in growing to live missionally. Use a resource like Surprise the World: The Five Habits of Highly Missional People by Michael Frost or B.L.E.S.S. 5 Everyday Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World by Dave Ferguson and Jon Ferguson. Build accountability by having group members share each week who they blessed and ate with. Celebrate breakthroughs and talk about next steps for the following week to continue discipling people.

3. Invite Others to Join the Journey

Once you and a group of people are practicing living missionally, prepare a way for others to join the journey. Empower your group members to partner up and lead new small groups that replicate the journey they have just experienced with you. Preach a sermon series, have people share testimonies, and personally invite others to join the new small groups. Form a group chat where participants can share photos and stories of how they are living missionally and seeing God show up.

—Dustin Serns is Church Planting coordinator for the Washington Conference. from North American Division Ministerial Association Best Practices October 15, 2025, post. Photo shared on Wikimedia Commons and published under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

Jose Briones – Denver, Colorado … The Hispanic Ministries of the Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) led a three‑month preaching school from October through December of last year designed to equip lay church members with practical tools for sharing the Gospel with clarity, confidence, and spiritual depth.

The program brought together participants from multiple congregations who committed to monthly learning, practice, and reflection. Sessions were hosted at several Hispanic Adventist churches across the Conference, including Palisade, Denver Pecos, Denver South, Denver Central, and Grand Junction, allowing members from different regions to participate more easily. Now, as January begins, the department is celebrating the growth, dedication, and renewed sense of calling that emerged from the experience.

The school featured a rotation of presenters, including Hugo Guillen, RMC Ministerial associate director and lead for Multicultural Ministries, and fellow RMC pastors Julio Diaz, Kenneth Martinez, Jose Briones, Leonardo Jimenez, and Eliezer Roque. Each pastor offered a unique perspective on the art and responsibility of preaching.

Sessions covered biblical interpretation, sermon structure, technology use, storytelling, contextual preaching, pastoral presence, and the spiritual preparation required to preach with authenticity. Participants were encouraged not only to study but to practice. They crafted short messages, received feedback, and learned how to communicate the hope of Scripture in ways that connect with real people.

Throughout the three months, the emphasis remained consistent: preaching is our mission. Presenters reminded students that God has entrusted every believer with gifts, experiences, and a voice meant to bless others.

Reflecting on the program’s impact, Santo Valdez, pastor of the Glenwood Springs Hispanic District, shared his gratitude for what it meant to the congregations outside the metro area. “It was a blessing to have this program available for the people in the mountain region,” he said, noting how valuable it was for members who often have fewer opportunities for in‑person training. He also remarked that now he has more preachers available for the district.

As the program concluded in December, leaders encouraged graduates to continue developing their skills and to look for opportunities within their local churches to put their training into practice. The hope is that this year, Hispanic congregations across the conference will benefit from a growing group of prepared, Spirit‑led lay preachers ready to share God’s Word with clarity, compassion, and conviction.

—Jose Briones is the RMC Stewardship Promotion and Content creator. Photos supplied.

Jose Briones – Denver, Colorado … The Stewardship Department of the Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) recently spent two weekends visiting Westminster Hispanic and Gypsum Hispanic Seventh‑day Adventist churches, leading Stewardship Sabbath sessions centered on a simple but challenging theme: surrendering every part of life to God. Both congregations welcomed Jose Briones, pastor and RMC Stewardship Promotion and Content creator, with warm hospitality and well‑attended services that reflected a genuine desire to explore what faithful stewardship truly means.

One of the presentations focused on Bible passage Matthew 25 and the parable of the talents, inviting members to consider what it means to steward what God has already placed in their hands. Briones emphasized that faithful stewardship requires courage—choosing not to bury our gifts out of fear—like the servant who hid his one talent, but instead trusting God enough to use, grow, and invest the resources He has entrusted to us.

Across both churches, the message highlighted that stewardship is not merely about money or budgeting but about releasing control of finances, health, time, relationships, and spiritual priorities and allowing God to lead. Testimonies from local members added depth to the theme, showing how surrender has brought clarity, healing, and renewed purpose in their own lives.

In Gypsum, church member Merari Morales said the weekend offered a meaningful reset for the congregation. “All the attendees had the opportunity to learn about the principles of stewardship and renew their commitment to God. It’s a privilege to have more presentations and understanding about this topic,” she shared.

Workshops and afternoon sessions created space for practical conversations. Families asked about managing household finances with faith in mind, young adults explored aligning career choices with spiritual calling, and older members reflected on trusting God through health challenges and life transitions. The atmosphere remained open and communal, with participants sharing both struggles and victories.

As the Stewardship Sabbath sessions concluded, Briones encouraged both congregations to take time this year to prayerfully plan for every gift God has entrusted to them. He emphasized that intentional stewardship begins with reflection: identifying the resources already in our hands and seeking God’s direction for how to use them faithfully.

—Jose Briones is the RMC Stewardship Promotion and Content creator. Photos supplied.