Elisabet Kirkland

06 Aug

“KNOW JESUS, NO HIDING”: PATHFINDERS INSPIRED AT ROCKY MOUNTAIN CAMPOREE

Eli Gonzalez – Ward, Colorado … The Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Pathfinder Camporee was celebrated at the Pathfinder Village at Glacier View Ranch (GVR) in Ward, Colorado, July 31-August 3. Pathfinder Village is at an altitude of 8,600 feet above sea level, so attendees experienced temperature drops to as low as 55 degrees Fahrenheit as well as rain in the evenings. But the Pathfinders and their supporting family members were not discouraged.

The theme for this year was “Know Jesus,” and the theme song was “Before I Knew Jesus” by Leanna Crawford. The goal was to motivate the Pathfinder club members in their physical, spiritual, and mental life. They were able to accomplish this by completing the Prayer Honor where they were involved in classes full of prayer and activities interacting with members from other clubs.

The Pathfinder club members received incredible motivational messages from guest speakers Tyrone Douglas, Mid-America Union Youth director, and Voice of Prophecy associate speaker and pastor Alex Rodriguez.

“It was such a blessing to see how Pastor Tyrone captured the Pathfinder’s attention with his beautiful sermon on not losing faith and encouragement,” commented Eli Gonzales, RMC Club Ministries executive coordinator. “His slogan was ‘Know Jesus, No Hiding.’ He gave the youth a challenge to never forget that we will always depend on prayer.”

Rodriguez, now a pastor working in Adventist media ministries, shared his testimony and many vivid anecdotes about his life as an ex-police officer and member of the fire department. He motivated those listening to his message and gave Pathfinder club members a challenge to find the faith that young David had when he faced the giant Goliath.

Gonzales continued, “We were witnesses to Pastor Rodriguez’s faith and determination to spread the word of God and give his message as we watched him preach so passionately that not even the wind and rain could stop him. Through the chilly conditions of the Rocky Mountains, Pathfinders, adults, and children alike received an encouraging and heartfelt message of Christ through sincere and constant prayer.”

One highlight of the weekend was the baptism of Emi, member of the Littleton Lights Pathfinder Club. Gonzales remarked, “We were witnesses to Emi’s double birthday! That Sabbath, Emi celebrated her twelfth birthday. That same Sabbath, Emi decided to make public her decision to follow Christ as her Lord and Savior through the sacred act of baptism and rebirth.”

Emi was joined and supported by her parents, grandparents, and the other Pathfinder club members at the RMC Camporee. The baptism was administered in the very cool waters of Lake Minnie at GVR by Godfrey Miranda, lead pastor of the Littleton Seventh-day Adventist Church, in Littleton, Colorado.

“An event like this Camporee is only possible after much prayer, collaboration, and support from many faithful volunteers from our Rocky Mountain Conference. These were four days full of motivation for everyone present,” praised Gonzales.

“I pray now that this time together will make an impact in the lives of not only the Pathfinders who were present, but also in the lives of those they interact with daily. May the love of Christ be present in their actions and their words and may the things they learned at this Camporee be with them as they return to their daily activities with friends and family.”

To see more of what is going on in RMC Club Ministries, CLICK HERE to visit their YouTube channel.

—Eli Gonzalez is the RMC Club Ministries executive coordinator. Photos by Daniel Sem.

06 Aug

THE HEALING POWER OF ART

Liz Kirkland – Denver, Colorado … Art therapy offers a powerful outlet for people facing physical illness as a way to express emotions, reduce stress, and cope with the challenges of their diagnosis. Through creative activities like painting, drawing, or sculpting, they can process their experiences, gain a sense of control, and find moments of peace amidst pain or uncertainty.

This form of therapy not only supports emotional well-being but can also enhance quality of life and foster resilience during treatment and recovery. The Bible even offers several examples where art and healing intersect as a channel for divine restoration—whether through music, visual symbols, or the creative acts.

When King Saul was tormented by an evil spirit, young David played the harp for him. The music brought Saul peace and relief: And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him (1 Samuel 16:23, KJV).

While not directly about healing, the elaborate esthetics of the tabernacle was designed to reflect God’s holiness and provide a space for spiritual restoration and reconciliation through worship and sacrifice. The book of Revelation leads readers through the ultimate healing and restoration of creation as described in vivid symbolic and artistic imagery.

The Eden Valley Institute of Wellness* in Loveland, Colorado, has begun to incorporate the concept of art therapy and spiritual restoration under the guidance of Eden Valley employee Stephen Herrera as a part of their Lifestyle program. He is a former commercial artist and graphic designer and has been an art teacher since 2004.

“The process of art as ‘therapy’ is not trying to analyze their art but to experience a creative time away from all other therapies. It gets their mind off their ‘sickness,’ and that will be healing therapy!” remarked Herrera.

Several sessions have already run, and one session included the creation of a gratitude journal. While Herrera hopes to expand the art therapy offering, it is currently available to individuals utilizing Eden Valley’s 14-day Lifestyle program.

Art and healing are deeply intertwined in the Bible—emotionally, spiritually, and even physically. Whether through music, symbol, craftsmanship, or story, God often uses creative expression as a pathway to restoration. These examples remind us that art can be blessed medicine, pointing us toward the ultimate Healer.

* Please note that Eden Valley Institute of Wellness is not affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) but is a member of the Adventist-Laymen’s Services & Industry (ASI) supporting the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

—Liz Kirkland is the RMC Communication director. Photos supplied. Cover image by Amauri Mejía of Unsplash.

06 Aug

SIMPSON NAMED VP OF FINANCE FOR MID-AMERICA UNION

Brenda Dickerson – Lincoln, Nebraska … Roy Simpson, who most recently served as undertreasurer of the Mid-America Union Conference, is now the vice president of finance for the Mid-America Union. During a specially called meeting on Aug 5, 2025, MAUC Executive Committee members voted unanimously to invite Simpson to serve in this position, effective immediately.

He fills the position vacated by David VandeVere, who recently became president of the Rocky Mountain Conference.

Simpson holds a bachelor’s in business administration with an emphasis in accounting and a master’s in business administration with emphasis in finance.

Simpson was born into a pastoral family with a missionary background. He has served the Seventh-day Adventist Church in different countries, including Honduras and Costa Rica, and diverse institutions, such as food companies and universities. He has a love and passion for soul winning, which he says makes him a financial leader with a singular perspective—channeling and structuring resources to fulfill the mission.

“Roy came to our office a year ago and has been someone our whole staff has come to appreciate greatly,” said MAUC president Gary Thurber. “He is amazingly competent, but beyond that, he has a heart for people and is so dedicated to service. We are very grateful to have someone of his caliber and character to be our treasurer here in MAUC.”

Experience plus dedication

Simpson joined the Ohio Conference in 2015 as an assistant treasurer. In 2019, the conference named him interim treasurer and, a few months later, officially appointed him as treasurer. Simpson was instrumental in guiding the conference through various financial milestones, including the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic followed by a period of unprecedented tithe growth.

Simpson marked his tenure at the Ohio Conference with significant achievements in financial leadership, strengthening the foundation for continued success through his commitment and expertise. He developed a budget and a financial strategy that

resulted in a financial turnover and produced a balanced budget. In addition, he managed expenses to create financially efficient programs.

Furthermore, Simpson enhanced the efficiency of the Ohio Conference Treasury and HR activities by developing a solid team to better support churches, schools and employees. He established yearly trainings, school budgets reviews, and migrated to a completely electronic documents retention system. Simpson supervised and coordinated the day-to-day activities of many different areas such as Human Resources, Property and Liability Insurance, and the review and development of financial policies.

New opportunities

During his year as MAUC undertreasurer, Simpson managed the monthly payroll, generated monthly and annual reports, processed remittances and prepared materials for the annual audit, among other tasks.

Commenting on his new role at the Mid-America Union, Simpson said, “I am humbled by the opportunity to serve in this important role. I look forward to being part of the great things God will continue to do in the Mid-America Union.”

Simpson and his wife Melissa have two children, a daughter and a son.

—Breanda Dickerson is the associate director for Communication at the Mid-America Union and editor of OUTLOOK magazine. Republished with permission from OUTLOOK magazine News August 6, 2025, article. Photo by Hugh Davis.

04 Aug

CAMP MINISTRY AT GVR IMPACTING LIVES AND BUILDING COMMUNITY

RMCNews with Jonathan Carlson – Ward, Colorado … The summer of 2025 was one to remember at Glacier View Ranch (GVR) in Ward, Colorado, where lives were changed, faith was deepened, and the spirit of service spread throughout the season. Under the passionate leadership of Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Youth director Brandon Westgate, assistant directors Jade Teal and Brent Learned, and a dedicated team of summer staff, the camp delivered a lively, Christ-centered program that served youth, families, and a variety of community groups.

Over the course of the summer, GVR welcomed hundreds of campers. With high-energy programming, spiritual mentorship, and a focus on creating a safe space for growth and discovery, the intentional ministry approach by the RMC Youth Department offering a summer camp experience that’s more than just fun and games. “Throughout the summer, we had the privilege of serving campers ages 8–18, and we’re thrilled to report that over 76 decisions for Christ were made. Several of our Summer Camp staff were also baptized and recommitted their lives to God,” commented Jonathan Carlson, RMC Camp Ministries director.

The season closed with Royal Family Kids Camp*, a special session for children in the foster care system. This nationally recognized program, which partners with local churches to provide trauma-informed care and spiritual encouragement, was a moving highlight for many staff and volunteers. Children who have experienced difficult starts in life were poured into with care, joy, and the love of Christ.

Behind the scenes, Westgate brought in past experience and stepped in as lead camp cook receiving enthusiastic praise for his meals, with many calling it “the best camp food they’ve ever had.” GVR’s head-cook-in-training, Stefan Teal, shadowed him throughout the season, honing his culinary skills and preparing to carry on a legacy of hospitality and care.

Camp staff received an outpouring of praise from guests. One camper shared, “In 30 years of attending camps, this was the best camp I’ve ever been to.” Such sentiments speak volumes to the passion, preparation, and prayer that goes into every session.

Glacier View Ranch’s full-time team also played a pivotal role. Year-round GVR staff members—office assistant Kelli Carlson, head of grounds and maintenance Christina Fernald, head of housekeeping Julie Lim, food service manager Stefan Teal, and faithful volunteers David Barger and Fabio and Agnalva Brito—were the behind-the-scene heroes, ensuring every detail was ready for a smooth and meaningful camp experience. Their dedication is a shining example of servant leadership.

Beyond the RMC summer camp season, the GVR continued its ministry outreach to a wide variety of groups. This year, the camp hosted diverse guests including Denver Jewish Day School*, a Catholic Silent Retreat*, and a Vietnamese children’s program* (SEED)—which has already rebooked for 2026. Each group brought unique backgrounds and needs, and the staff met each one with grace, openness, and a commitment to Christ-centered hospitality. Weddings, reunions, Trail Life boys*, American Heritage Girls*, and other community events also added to the full calendar.

“Every week reminded us how powerful it is when people gather in a space that is prayerfully prepared and purposefully designed for connection and spiritual growth. We are deeply grateful for your support, encouragement, and prayers. Because of your support, we’re able to continue saying ‘yes’ to serving people from all walks of life with excellence and the love of Christ,” shared Carlson.

Looking to the fall, the camp will continue its mission by hosting key RMC events. These include the recently ran Pathfinder Camporee, Outdoor School, Hispanic Camp Meeting, Campion Academy’s Senior Survival, Mile High Academy Retreat, GVR Alumni Weekend, and Hispanic Women’s retreat. Each event offers a fresh opportunity for spiritual growth, community bonding, and leadership development.

There were also significant improvements to the campus, thanks in large part to a June visit from the Maranatha Volunteers International. Their team made a tremendous impact removing more than 25 downed trees, constructing new decks, painting key buildings, installing reverse osmosis systems, and donating commercial vacuums and possibly generators for future power reliability. Their presence and service left a lasting impression, and their generosity was deeply appreciated.

Infrastructure development didn’t stop there. The new storage building is nearing completion, and the ropes course project has officially been permitted. This future amenity will allow for dynamic team-building opportunities for both ministry and professional groups.

Looking ahead, major renovations are on the horizon like a refreshed main lodge and guest rooms and full cabin enhancements—including vaulted ceilings, air conditioning, and covered porches. Another major project in planning is the restoration of Lake Minnie, which has seen declining water levels in recent years.

As the summer of 2025 closes and a new season of ministry begins, the team at Glacier View Ranch extends a heartfelt thank you to all who have prayed, supported, volunteered, and given: “Thank you for your continued prayers, support, and encouragement. God is doing great things here, and we are so grateful to walk this journey with faithful friends like you.”

* Please note that these organizations are not affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists or the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

—Curated by ChatGPT from content provided by Jonathan Carlson, RMC Camp Ministries director, and edited by RMCNews. Photo courtesy of RMC Youth Department.

04 Aug

FORGIVENESS: ELIZABETH’S JOURNEY

NCBC News – Lincoln, Nebraska … For Elizabeth, forgiveness is more than just a word.

When she was just 15 years old, Liz was shot in the face with a 12-gauge shotgun when she threatened to turn in her ex-boyfriend and brother for a crime they planned to commit. She spent the next year in the hospital, eight months on life support.

“The doctors told my mother she’d have to take care of me my whole life, and only if I lived,” says Elizabeth. “But I have a praying grandmother, and she told them not to unplug anything. I am here because of grandmother’s prayers and her faith.”

After getting back home, she still had to face the person who shot her and the brother who watched it happen. And neither of them expressed regret or remorse.

“But I forgave them anyway,” says Elizabeth. “It’s hard, but I choose to forgive. It’s about Jesus.” Watch her full story below.

On August 9, Seventh-day Adventist Churches across North America will come together for a special offering to support the ministry of Christian Record Services for the Blind who are praying to raise $500,000 this day. As a 100% donor-supported ministry, this single day is vital to sustaining their operations and ensuring that every one of their programs and resources remains completely free for all members who are blind or have low vision.

CLICK HERE TO GIVE TODAY

—Elizabeth’s story from the NCBC News, Vol. 32, No. 1. Photo capture from CRSB’s 2025 Offering Video.

29 Jul

FIRST PUBLIC HEALTH COHORT GRADUATES FROM UNION ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY

Public Health Cohort Graduates become first graduate students to earn a master’s from UAU in a field other than physician assistant studies

Union Adventist University News – Lincoln, Nebraska … Among the 90 students to earn degrees from Union Adventist University (UAU) in Lincoln, Nebraska, in May were two history makers: Ingrid Papalii and Joshua Reyes-Meiring. They both completed master’s degrees in public health, becoming the first graduate students to earn a master’s from the university in a field other than physician assistant studies.

Both Papalii and Reyes-Meiring have previously graduated from Union’s International Rescue and Relief Program. As graduate students, they have continued to deploy with Union’s Disaster Response Team and have also worked proactively in Lincoln establishing community gardens to address food insecurity.

“We have awesome instructors and a director who are willing to connect us with organizations we want to work with,” Papalii said. “I’m still learning, and I’m not sure where God will take me, but what I do know is that I’d like to assist in the empowerment of vulnerable communities, developing countries and developing work, and the advancement of public health.”

A broader focus

“This degree is for people who enjoy the idea of impacting the communities they serve,” said Reyes-Meiring. “It has a broader focus than just one patient and allows the full impact of providers to be seen throughout their work. It’s perfect for the problem solvers who wish to prevent incidents from occurring instead of picking up the pieces afterward. I can’t wait to see how this program grows.”

—Union Adventist University News. Republished with permission from OUTLOOK Magazine News July 8, 2025, article. Photo supplied.

28 Jul

THREE ADVENTHEALTH ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION HOSPITALS RECOGNIZED FOR TREATMENT OF HEART ATTACK PATIENTS

AdventHealth – Denver, Colorado … AdventHealth Castle Rock, AdventHealth Littleton, and AdventHealth Parker have been named among the nation’s top hospitals for treatment of heart attack patients.

All three hospitals received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain–MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2025.

AdventHealth Castle Rock, AdventHealth Littleton, and AdventHealth Parker are three of only 323 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor.

This award recognizes each hospital’s success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients. It also signifies they have reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations.

To receive this award, AdventHealth Castle Rock, AdventHealth Littleton, and AdventHealth Parker have demonstrated sustained achievement in the Chest Pain–MI Registry for two consecutive years (2023 and 2024) and performed at the highest level for specific performance measures.

Full participation in the registry reaffirms AdventHealth’s commitment to the highest quality of care for our heart attack patients.

To find a heart and vascular care provider near you, click here.

—AdventHealth News. Republished with permission from the AdventHealth News & Stories website, July 1, 2025, article. Photo by Nik of Unsplash.

28 Jul

DESTINATION HEAVEN: ROCKY MOUNTAIN INDONESIAN-AMERICAN CHURCH’S SPIRIT-FILLED VBS ADVENTURE

Melody Siregar – Aurora, Colorado … In the diverse city of Aurora, Colorado, “Flight 3:16 Destination Heaven”, a Vacation Bible School (VBS) program, took place in the summer evenings at the Rocky Mountain Indonesian-American Seventh-Day Adventist Church (RMIASDAC), July 21-25.

“Children throughout the local community and church were welcomed to board this spiritually fun-filled, five-day event,” remarked Melody Siregar, RMIASDAC’s newly elected children’s Sabbath School teacher and Children’s Ministry director for the 2025-2027 term. “They virtually traveled and learned about five different countries, learned Bible verses through songs, played games, ate healthy snacks, and created their own arts and crafts in preparation for our final destination—Heaven.”

Siregar stated that she was encouraged by her fellow RMIASDAC board members to host and direct a VBS for her first time. She accepted the opportunity as she said, “by the wonderful grace of God,” and came across “Flight 3:16 Destination Heaven” created by Melissa Bradshaw, the Children’s Ministry director for It Is Written.

With this being the first time directing a children’s VBS program, Siregar “felt nervous but continued to pray and trust Jesus to be my personal pilot in directing the VBS program.” With the help of many RMIASDAC members, the church facility was prepared for the daily activities for the week-long program and decorated in airport and airplane themed stage props to make children feel like they are passengers getting ready to board an airplane.

Siregar recalled that the “Flight 3:16 Destination Heaven” program materials package was so meticulously created with all the supplies and instructions, it was exactly what she needed for her first time directing a VBS program. She enjoyed watching everyone participate in singing the theme song and being engaged in the activities. She believes that all the children and volunteers who participated in this VBS event at RMIASDAC were moved by the Holy Spirit and had a lot of fun during the program.

—Melody Siregar is the RMIASDAC Children’s Ministry director. Photos supplied.

23 Jul

WALKING WITH JESUS AT THE WYOMING CAMP MEETING

RMCNews – Casper, Wyoming … Camp meetings have been a defining tradition in the Seventh-day Adventist Church for over 150 years, with James and Ellen G. White laying the groundwork for these gatherings in the Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) region with evangelistic effort in Colorado in the 1870s. Playing a vital role in spiritual revival, community building, and denominational identity, these gatherings provided a space for both instruction in Bible truth and connection among scattered members.

Overtime, camp meetings evolved to include youth programming, health education, and mission promotion, but the original simplicity, rustic settings, and familiar format of worship, Bible study, and fellowship remains the trademark of the RMC Wyoming Camp Meeting.

The 2025 Wyoming Camp Meeting was held July 15-19 at Mills Spring Ranch (MSR) in Casper, Wyoming, with this year’s theme being “Walking with Jesus.” The featured speaker was Dr. Greg A. King, a renowned Bible scholar, a passionate teacher currently serving as dean of the School of Religion and professor of biblical studies at Southern Adventist University, and a man whose “greatest mission is helping people experience the abundant life that comes from a deep relationship with Jesus.”

When asked what message from his presentations Dr. King hoped would resonate with the attendees, he remarked, “That the key to the Christian life is an ongoing walk with Jesus Christ. It is important to have a daily relationship with him.”

And, for many attendees, their annual camp meeting experience is an important part of that ongoing faith journey. “I have attended camp meetings starting when I was about four or five years old with my mother, and I’ve been speaking at them for about 30 years or so,” reflected Dr. King. “So, I’m a long-time camp meeting camper. And the Wyoming Camp is just beautiful with sweet fellowship that is a foretaste of heaven.”

A long-time Wyoming Camp Meeting attendee and member of the Gillette Seventh-day Adventist Church in Wyoming is Diane Montoya: “I think I started coming up in the mid-1980s, and I’ve been to almost every one since then. I love the messages that I get here every day. There are things that I get in the messages that help me through the next year.”

But not all that joined this year’s event are long-time attendees. This was the first year for Mary Miles, member of the Torrington Seventh-day Adventist Church in Wyoming. “I have learned so much, and I am just so much more on fire for God than ever before. Pastors talking about fear and how to get rid of it … It made me feel like I’m not alone. This whole experience made me feel like I’m not alone.”

A lot goes into the planning and fulfillment of every camp meeting, and they would not run without a dedicated team of individuals. Wyoming district pastors Edrey Santos, Mark Phillips, and Kevin McDonald hosted and provided morning devotionals and workshops. Leandro Bizama, associate pastor of Worship and Evangelism at the Campion Seventh-day Adventist Church in Loveland, Colorado, stepped up last minute to provide music programming and direction for the event, and RMC president-elect David VandeVere gave inaugural remarks.

With the relatively recent transition of new pastors in the Wyoming region, Liz Cornett, assistant clerk of the Casper Seventh-day Adventist Church, took on a leadership role in this year’s camp meeting as the coordinator. “My first experience with Wyoming Camp Meeting came in 1991 after I had just moved from the Oregon Conference to Casper. I was 14 years old and had left everything I knew behind,” Cornett recalled. “I arrived at Mills Spring Ranch, and I knew absolutely nobody that first day; how lonely that was! So, I decided to change that.”

“So, every young person that looked around my age that walked into camp, I immediately walked up to and said, ‘Hi, I’m Liz!’ I made so many new friends that week! When I went to Campion Academy in the Fall, several of them were there saying, ‘Hey! I remember you from camp meeting!’ Some people became my friends for life, and we still stay in contact,” she continued.

“Camp meeting to me is a time to leave behind the day-to-day grind of life and separate for spiritual renewal,” reflected Cornett. “This is made up of many things—friends, nature, uplifting messages, and music. This year’s camp meeting has become one of my favorites. The combination of spiritual messages, real-life application workshops, family activities, and making music filled my cup to overflow. I praise God that I was given the opportunity to be a part of it, and I am looking forward to camp meeting again next year!”

New to this year’s camp meeting experience was the presence of the RMC summer camp staff. They were facilitating the RMC Blind Camp session that ran concurrently with camp meeting, assisting in a number of facility projects at MSR, and providing support for camp meeting. “It was off the charts watching all of the young people this week—helping out, cooking, and taking care of things,” commented Mona Fellers, member of Torrington Church.

Also hosted at this year’s Wyoming Camp Meeting was the first of six regional RMC Town Hall sessions. The town hall was divided into two segments: the first being breakout sessions on mission and ministry topics followed by conference ministry reports from department directors. “I loved the town hall breakouts. I managed to catch parts of two of them and wanted to go to more,” remarked Cornett.

“I would encourage more of our members to attend Wyoming Camp Meeting,” closed Cornett. “It is where we support and lift each other up and see that we are not alone up here in the vast prairies and mountains but that we are one conference, one church, and one message to proclaim to a world in desperate need of Jesus.”

—RMCNews. Photos by Liz Kirkland and Susan Inglish.

22 Jul

ADVENTHEALTH CASTLE ROCK CELEBRATES RIBBON CUTTING FOR PITTMAN PATHWAY WELLNESS TRAIL

AdventHealth – Castle Rock, Colorado … Following AdventHealth’s mission to help team members, guests, and patients Feel Whole, AdventHealth Castle Rock officially opened the Pittman Pathway Wellness Trail with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Located on a 10-acre site in the southeast corner of the hospital campus on Limelight Avenue, this publicly accessible quarter-mile trail was made possible through generous contributions to the AdventHealth Castle Rock Foundation and was completed earlier this summer.

The trail includes several pieces of outdoor workout equipment, an incline, and useful health tips along the path.

“This initiative serves as an outreach to the community for health and wellness,” said Executive Chef and Manager at AdventHealth’s Manna Restaurant, Dan Skay who came up with the idea. “The community can walk the trail or guests and patients can come out here to get away for a little bit.”

The wellness trail is named after former AdventHealth Castle Rock CEO and current Rocky Mountain Region Chief Financial Officer, Jeremy Pittman.

“From the very beginning, we’ve had this vision for AdventHealth Castle Rock to be a place of healing not only when you’re sick, but when you’re well,” said Jeremy. “How do we better invite the community in and create this connection where a hospital isn’t a scary place. This is one more step in that direction.”

Team members and community supporters attended the ribbon cutting including AdventHealth Castle Rock CEO, Michelle Fuentes, who had the opportunity to dedicate the trail to her longtime friend.

“I have had the opportunity to know Jeremy for a very long time, and I know that he absolutely adores this hospital and that he is 100% committed to the work that we’re doing here,” said Michelle. “To dedicate something like this for my friend is a real honor.”

The primary goal of the trail is to embody AdventHealth’s C.R.E.A.T.I.O.N. life principles (Choice, Rest, Environment, Activity, Trust in God, Interpersonal Relationships, Outlook, Nutrition), serving as a resource for those seeking healthier, more fulfilling lives based on a whole-person health philosophy.

The creation of this trail will allow AdventHealth Castle Rock to create a deeper connection with the community as they continue the mission of “Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ.”

“I always say, it’s the people in this community who make it amazing, and I am so humbled and honored to be a part of spreading whole-person care with this trail,” said Jeremy.

—AdventHealth News. Republished with permission from the AdventHealth News & Stories website, July 10, 2025, article. Photos supplied.