Elisabet Kirkland Page 2

Cielo Domino – Farmington, New Mexico … Teaching students with first-hand experience was one of the activities planned by the La Vida Mission* (LVM) School in Farmington, New Mexico, for the first weekend school program. After the academic studies were completed on September 25, the students, teachers, and some staff went to the gym kitchen to bake pumpkin muffins.

All the students lent a hand in the kitchen including the 5-year-old kindergartner, Havannah, who got busy preparing the baking pans. The students were so delighted to taste their first pan of muffins. When everyone approved the taste, the real baking started.

The next day, almost everybody at La Vida went to San Juan Care Center (SJCC) in Farmington, New Mexico, to cheer up the elderly residents by playing games with them and singing while playing their ukuleles. Dorie Panganiban, LVM office manager, inspired the residents with promises from the Bible and explaining the messages from a laminated handout that she passed to many in the hall.

After the main program, gift bags with goodies were distributed to more than 30 attendees. Inside the bags were crocheted squishes made by Danita Ray Juan, LVM supporter, a word search puzzle donated by Paulette, LVM supporter, greeting cards, and the delicious pumpkin muffins baked by LVM students. Some staff at the center enjoyed their muffins too.

“Joy radiated in the faces of our students,” remarked LMV principal Cielo Domino. “He who gives is indeed more blessed than the one who receives.”

LVM School is grateful to Glet France, LVM middle school and music teacher, for training the students, Renita for connecting LVM to SJCC, Dorie Panganiban, for her wonderful message, and to all the LVM staff members who acted as one in support of this activity.

Appeal from the school: The music class is in need of more ukuleles and other musical instruments. You may send your donations to La Vida Mission School. God bless your generous hands.

* La Vida Mission is a supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church but is not affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

—Cielo Domino, LVM principal and lower grades teacher. Photos supplied.

CRS News – Lincoln, Nebraska … Christian Record Services, Inc., in Lincoln, Nebraska, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dexter Thomas, DMin, as its new president. With a distinguished career in ministry, advocacy, and leadership, Thomas brings a deep passion for serving the blind and low-vision community, as well as a proven track record of innovative outreach and organizational growth.

Thomas has served as the senior pastor at Fairfield Community Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fairfield, California, where he led a diverse congregation, launched new ministries, and fostered significant growth. His experience includes founding PhoneFaith—a national ministry for the blind and low-vision community, which is now an outreach ministry of Christian Record Services—serving as disability coordinator for the Florida Conference, and teaching at Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, California. He has conducted evangelism campaigns worldwide, authored several books, and served on Christian Record Services’ Board of Directors since 2017, regularly contributing to the ministry’s publications.

“It’s with profound gratitude that I accept this call from God through the North American Division and the Board of Christian Record Services to serve as president,” said Thomas. “It is my hope to come alongside churches and organizations in partnership with Christian Record Services so that every person who is blind or has low vision would know their inherent worth and value in Christ.”

Board Chairman Alex Bryant shared, “We are very excited to welcome our new president of Christian Record Services, Pastor Dexter Thomas, to his new assignment. He comes with a wide range of experience in ministry, business, and specific outreach to the visually impaired. We have great confidence that his collective experience will lift this organization to its next level of service and ministry.”

Christian Record Services remains dedicated to providing accessible resources, spiritual support, and community for people who are blind or have low vision. Under Thomas’s leadership, the organization is poised to expand its impact and deepen its commitment to Christ-centered service.

—Christian Record Services News. Republished with permission from Christian Record News & Events post, October 13, 2025. Photo supplied.

By Jocelyn Aalborg

Each year, Alumni Weekend is more than a calendar event, it’s a homecoming. It’s a time when stories overlap, laughter echoes through familiar hallways, and memories resurface like they never left.

For me, coming home to Mile High Academy (MHA) this year was personal. I graduated in 2005—twenty years ago—and while the campus looks different today than it did when I was a student, the spirit of this place hasn’t changed. I returned in 2013 as part of the administrative team, and though I now live in Hawaii, MHA remains my home—a place deeply woven into my faith, my friendships, and my family.

This year’s Alumni Weekend was meaningful in a quiet way, focused on connection, reflection, and shared memories. For our Class of 2005, there were three of us this year that attended; sitting together, it felt like no time had passed. One classmate now has children at MHA; another I hadn’t seen in years, yet we picked up right where we left off, laughing about the “good old days” and catching up on life since then.

A Special Sabbath

Saturday’s worship was especially meaningful. Our class sponsor, Gale Hendrick, former pastor in the Rocky Mountain Conference, delivered a message titled, “Bonded for Life.” It was fitting. Gale has been more than a teacher or pastor to me; he’s been a mentor and friend through every stage of my journey. During his message, he spoke about the ties that last—not just among classmates, but between teachers, mentors, and the generations that walk through MHA’s doors.

As I shared from Philippians 2:22, And you yourselves know how he has proved his worth, how he and I, like a son and his father, have worked together for the sake of the gospel, I was reminded of how MHA shapes lives long after graduation. These bonds of faith, friendship, and shared purpose are what keep us connected.

Connecting Through Community

Saturday evening brought out the competitive spirit with a three-on-three basketball tournament, where alumni, students, and friends joined together. I didn’t play this year, but standing courtside, watching old and new faces share the court, reminded me again of MHA’s heartbeat: community.

Sunday’s annual Mustang Classic Golf Tournament wrapped up the weekend. Seventy-two golfers—including alumni, students, parents, friends, and community members—took to the beautiful course, laughing, competing, and enjoying the day together. What began as an alumni-focused event has grown into a wider community tradition, offering a relaxed space where both old friends and new supporters can connect while celebrating MHA.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

Alumni Weekend isn’t just about the past, it’s a bridge to the future. As someone who’s both a graduate and a long-time staff member, I’ve seen firsthand the effort that goes into planning each detail, from invitations to worship to post-event cleanup. It’s a labor of love—one rooted in the belief that every reconnection matters.

Not every alumnus has fond memories, and not everyone feels the pull to return. But for those who do, there’s a spark that reignites something deeper. At MHA, the bonds formed here are more than fleeting friendships; they are lasting connections that span decades.

MHA is, and always will be, a place where lives are intertwined and where teachers become mentors, classmates become lifelong friends, and faith ties us all together. That’s what makes coming home so special.

—Jocelyn Aalborg is a Mile High Academy Alumna from Class of 2005. Photos supplied.

Sidney Needles – “We’re so appreciative for what they’re doing,” said Eden Valley Institute of Wellness* administrative secretary Kara Miller, one of the 28 volunteers who worked there this June. The volunteer team was organized by Maranatha Volunteers International,* a supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that specializes in construction projects. In just two weeks, this group framed a 2,800 square foot duplex of staff housing for the ministry based in Loveland, Colorado.

“People have come from all over the country, and many of them have never worked [construction] before,” said Miller. “And they can just come together as a team with a shared goal. It’s just awesome, and they’re fast!”

The volunteers’ gift—two weeks of their time and energy—will keep on giving at Eden Valley far into the future. “It enables us to have the staffing to support the lifestyle center and to be able to have guests,” explained Miller. “Because our lifestyle center has grown, more and more people are coming.”

Eden Valley Institute is a self-supporting ministry of the Adventist Church that relies on donations to achieve its mission to see lives transformed by God’s principles of education and healing. “We’re able to fund our operations. But capital improvements? We just don’t have that kind of money,” explained Miller. This is why free labor through Maranatha is such a game-changer. Miller elaborated, “We don’t have the manpower to do it ourselves.”

Maranatha Volunteers International mobilizes volunteers to build churches, schools, water wells, and other urgently needed structures around the world, including North America. Since 1969, Maranatha has constructed more than 16,000 structures and more than 3,500 water wells in nearly 90 countries.

* Please note that Eden Valley Institute and Maranatha Volunteers International are supporting ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist Church but are not affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

—Sidney Needles is a Communications Specialist for Maranatha Volunteers International. Photos by Nancy Davis except group photo taken by an Eden Valley staff member.

Steve Pester – Cortez, Colorado … “The morning sun spilled over the mesas, painting Cortez in gold as members of the Cortez Seventh-day Adventist Church in Colorado gathered for worship on Sabbath, September 13. They didn’t yet realize they were stepping into a Sabbath that had been quietly orchestrated by the hand of God,” reflected Steve Pester, Dine Adventist Radio* (DAR) network manager.

The Cortez Church had scheduled a special visit from DAR and Adventist World Radio (AWR). No one knew then that the date would fall exactly on Radio Ministries Support Sabbath—a divine appointment that would share local mission and global outreach for the congregation.

From the first hymn, the congregation leaned into the moment—literally—doing their best to sing in Navajo. The unfamiliar words rolled off their tongues with joy and reverence, a small but heartfelt bridge to the culture DAR serves every day.

One by one, members of the DAR team stepped forward, each carrying a story that was more than just personal—it was a testimony of God’s pursuit.

Tamara Peshlakai, clinical social worker and therapist, told of a simple seminar handbill that changed her life, leading her into the Adventist faith. Her voice carried both gratitude and urgency as she spoke of the challenge—and the calling—of reaching her Navajo people with the gospel.

Nathan Manuelito shared a moment of decision when God answered his prayers and gave him the courage to choose Christ over deeply rooted tradition. Kietel and Anita Jones reflected on the quiet but powerful influence of their Navajo Code Talker relative, whose life of service and integrity still shapes their walk with God today.

Then the focus widened from the Four Corners to the farthest corners of the earth. Dr. Bob Peck, AWR Ambassadors program director, and Dr. Duane McKey, the retiring president of AWR, told stories of radio waves carrying hope into places where missionaries cannot go—villages tucked deep in jungles, cities closed to public evangelism, and hearts that had never before heard the name of Jesus.

“As testimonies flowed, it became clear: whether in Navajo or Arabic, whether through a handbill or a shortwave signal, God’s voice is reaching His children,” remarked Pester, “By the time the closing prayer was offered, the congregation knew they had witnessed something rare—a Sabbath where local and global mission met in one sanctuary, and the Spirit of God moved freely between them.”

It was, in every sense, a high Sabbath—one that will echo in hearts long after the last hymn faded into the high desert air.

* Dine Adventist Radio is supporting ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist Church but is not affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

—Steve Pester is the Dine Adventist Radio network manager. Photos by Steve Pester.

By Gary Thurber

Lynne Franklin, who works in neuroscience, authored an article about the difference between giving praise and showing gratitude.* She defines the difference between the two when she says, “Praise recognizes something a person has done. Gratitude is about the meaning of what they do and who they are to you.”

I know it seems a little bit like splitting hairs, but there is a difference between praise and gratitude. She goes on to explain that praise comes from the Latin word, pretium, meaning reward, prize value, worth. Gratitude comes from the Latin as well, and the root word is gradus, for pleasing, agreeable, thankful, grace.

October is pastor appreciation month, and I can’t tell you how many people over the years have told me we should not join this celebration that happens in nearly every denomination. The logic they use is that they don’t want the pastor to become big-headed in the process and therefore damaged as a result.

I do believe that could happen, if all you do as a church is heap praise on your pastor. Being human, any pastor could begin to think more highly of themselves than they ought to. I will say, however, there is less danger of that happening than for a pastor to feel under-appreciated.

A true story

I can remember the hardest nine month stretch in my pastoral journey. We were preparing for an evangelistic campaign when a terrible accident took place on our front lawn. One of our attending family’s daughters was killed in an accident right in front of our elementary school children who were just being let out of classes for the day. The trauma this brought to our church family was truly indescribable.

Five months later, another one of our families lost their daughter in a drowning accident in their backyard. Before she passed away, however, she lay motionless in the pediatric critical care unit at the hospital. It was unbearable for the family to think about pulling the life-support from her. I was there with them when they finally let her rest until Jesus comes.

Four months later, a newborn baby in our church died from an accident in their home. The pain, guilt, anger and nearly any other painful emotion you can think of hit this family hard. Spending time with them was the most important work I had to do at that time as they processed their grief.

I will never forget someone coming up to me and saying, “Pastor, you have had a rough stretch. We are grateful you were there for our families. I have a room reserved for you at a hotel by the beach and I want you to take your family and have some special time together.”

You know, that gesture did not inflate my ego. I didn’t say, “Well, I must be a great pastor!” This person was not heaping praise; he was showing gratitude. What I heard was that someone noticed the intense journey I had been on with these three beautiful families, and they wanted me to know my ministry was appreciated. To a very tired and emotionally spent pastor, this meaningful token of appreciation went a long way in encouraging my soul.

Double blessing

The interesting thing is that, according to Lynne Franklin’s article, showing or giving gratitude is actually good for you too—not just for the person receiving the gratitude. Dr. Franklin says that by showing gratitude we:

1. Become happier people.
2. Become physically healthier.
3. Becoming a better version of ourselves

So, this month is your opportunity to let your pastors know how meaningful their work is to you and the church family. Not only will you be giving your pastor a gift of encouragement, but you will be blessed as well.

We have wonderful pastors in the Mid-America Union. May God continue to hold them and their families in the palm of His hand!

* Are You Giving Praise or Gratitude? by Lynne Franklin, a neuroscience nerd, TEDx and Vistage speaker and author. www.LynneFranklin.com

—Gary Thurber is president of the Mid-America Union Conference. Republished with permission from OUTLOOK magazine News October 1, 2025, article. Photo Supplied.

Bruno Lopes – Loveland, Colorado … Campion Academy in Loveland, Colorado, took school to Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), September 17, dividing into six different groups to hike and learn about various topics related to the park.

Taking a break from the regular busy schedule, students commented on how they enjoyed the opportunity of being at RMNP and seeing God’s nature in person.

Taylin Weber, a junior student, shared, “After a busy week full of tests I really enjoyed this day out and the time I spent with my friends. Hiking to the waterfall and having lunch there with my group was really fun.”

Despite the fickle weather affecting many groups, the students on the 10-mile hike conquered the trail with bravery and endurance. Senior student Theo Wolf commented, “In the beginning of the hike, hail started falling on us, but as soon as we got on the mountain top, the sun came out. The view from there was so beautiful.”

The groups each learned about different topics including elk ecology, geology, and other less academic topics such as music and serenity. Daphene Farner, a sophomore student, said, “I learned about elk and how the females and males look and act differently. We got to see a large male elk with a lot of females at a lake.”

After spending the day outside of the classroom, the students came back having learned a lot from the staff members about nature.

—Bruno Lopes, Campion Academy Student News Team. Photos supplied.

Oscar Ren – Lincoln, Nebraska … In a two-night, one-day trip, the students of the Class of 2026 of Campion Academy in Loveland, Colorado, experienced college life during Senior Preview Days at Union Adventist University (UAU) in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The trip gave senior students the opportunity to attend classes, explore campus life, and connect with both current Union students and potential future classmates.

After a full day of driving, the students first tasted the food in the Union’s cafeteria. The wide variety of options is one of the highlights of the university.

After completing the campus tour, the school provided pizza for more than 100 visiting students from different academies, fueling them up for the afternoon’s college class experiences.

International student Daniel Aleixo Lopes shared, “It was so nice to see some friends that I’ve made at tournaments and spend time with them. I also enjoyed the food and the campus. It’s a really nice university.”

For many, the highlight was experiencing a variety of different college courses. Senior student Adrian Balbin reflected, “Even though it was really hot, it was a pretty interesting experience. I liked how we got to know the campus, the staff, and the classes. I appreciated the dedication they put into the program.”

Of course, the preview days were not all academic. After classes and tours, students got a better understanding of college life by swimming, playing soccer, and shooting hoops in Union’s new gym.

The senior students returned to Campion with new memories, stronger bonds, and a clearer picture of life beyond academy.

—Oscar Ren, Campion Academy Students News Team. Photos supplied.

Maddie Donovan – Lincoln, Nebraska … Senior students at Mile High Academy (MHA) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, embarked on a journey to Union Adventist University (UAU) in Lincoln, Nebraska, for senior preview days, September 21-23. This wasn’t just for enjoyment, it was an invaluable opportunity, a blessing that allowed them to glimpse the possibilities that await. Together, the students shared meaningful worships, shared meals, and had the chance to truly explore the campus, feeling the pulse of university life.

Wanting to capture the essence of this experience, the MHA journalism team asked students that went “What made this experience truly memorable?” Their answers painted a vivid picture of exploration, connection, and clarity.

Student Mady L. embraced the spirit of discovery, sharing, “I enjoyed meeting new people, playing icebreaker games, and exploring the campus and the classrooms. I think that preview days are incredibly helpful for figuring out what I want to do in the future. I even got to talk to professors!” Mady’s experience highlights the power of preview days to open doors and provide direct, encouraging interaction with future mentors.

Ellen C., senior student, found her excitement in community and activity. “I had the most fun playing sports in the gym,” she said, confirming her positive view of UAU as a strong contender for her post-graduation plans. She emphasized how helpful the experience was, noting, “It helped me get a clear picture of what college life is like.”

Even for those whose path may lead elsewhere, the experience proved profoundly helpful. Student Phoenix M. had fun staying up late with friends and playing sports, and, while he may not attend UAU, he spoke about the larger value: “I do think that preview days helps some people figure out what they will do in the future.”

Student Roman C. echoed this sentiment about clarifying the future, adding, “I had fun sleeping in and playing basketball with friends.” These moments of connection and camaraderie underscore that the journey includes moments of joy and shared growth.

The universal takeaway is clear: senior preview days are a fun experience that solidifies friendships while providing essential clarity for college and career choices. It’s a powerful step that allows our seniors to stand on the cusp of their futures, equipped and inspired to choose their next grand adventure.

—Maddie Donovan is a senior student and MHA Journalism staff member. Photos supplied.

RMCNews – The final Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) ministerial meeting of the year was held for 17 new-to-ministry, or unordained, pastors, September 28-30. While the two-day sessions are usually held at the Conference office, this event was held at Glacier View Ranch (GVR) in Ward, Colorado.

The pastors spent devotional and worship time together the first evening of the session. The following day’s agenda was dedicated to exploring the relationship between calling, purpose, and identity and to person and missional fulfillment. The final day of the session focused on pastoral spirituality, health, and evangelism.

During this retreat, the pastors dialoged with Conference leadership on the North American Division’s ordination framework—how pastors are formally recognized and authorized for ministry. Dave VandeVere, the new RMC president, also took time to meet individually with each of the pastors.

For Charles Hong, one of the newest pastors to join the Conference, this was his first time attending one of these sessions: “[GVR] is a wonderful place. You can learn and grow as a pastor, and you can come to know one another, pray together, and share ministry challenges. We have also learned many things to prepare for our future ministries. I was touched by Elder Inglish’s message this morning’s devotional reminding us that we can learn from our mistakes with God on our side.”

Joining the pastors at GVR for the duration of the retreat was VandeVere, Hugo Guillén, RMC Ministerial associate director and lead for Multicultural Ministries, and Nathaniel Gamble, RMC Religious Liberties director and lead pastor for the Grand Junction District. Other Conference officials led or joined the session for a day including Doug Inglish, vice president for Administration, Darin Gottfried, vice president for Finance, Diane Harris, director of Education, Paul Negrete, associate superintendent of Education, and Rick Mautz, director of Wellness Support.

Logan Earles, associate pastor of Littleton Seventh-day Adventist Church in Littleton, Colorado, has attended at least five sessions during his time in the Conference. “I really enjoy the community. It’s really fun to connect with pastors that are all over the Conference in similar situations; I get to learn from their scenarios before they hit me. It’s just cool to hear their stories and to be a part of that whole experience.”

When asked how this session has differed from others, Earles commented, “We’re spending a lot more downtime together than in past meetings. We had one that was out in Lincoln, Nebraska, that we had some downtime as a group. But, with this one, almost all of our downtime is together, so we get to connect at a different level; not just learning something, but learning each other.”

—RMCNews. Photos by Jose Briones and Liz Kirkland.