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Angela Baerg – Collegedale, Tennessee … Jack Ramos, a member of Campion Seventh-day Adventist Church in Loveland, Colorado, and sophomore biology major at Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee, has wanted to be a physician since first grade when he browsed anatomy textbooks for fun.

“I was fascinated with science topics, and my teacher used to call me Doctor Jack,” he remembers.

Ramos discovered a passion for overseas mission work in 2024 when the Campion Church and Campion Academy collaborated on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, where he helped to build an elementary school. The experience was so positive that he signed up to go with the same group to Belize to help build and install new windows for an orphanage in 2025.

When it was time to choose a college, Ramos was undecided, but his pastor recommended Southern Adventist University because of its vibrant spiritual life. He had also heard good things about the biology program, so he packed his bags and drove across the country.

He worked hard during his freshman year, and as it came to a close, he got a chance to combine two of his favorite things: medicine and mission work. Ramos was excited to go to Peru with Southern’s Evangelistic Resource Center (ERC). The ERC program trains and sends volunteer evangelists all around the world to share the good news of salvation, reflecting Southern’s emphasis on combining professional preparation with service and evangelism. During their first week in Peru, the volunteers set up a medical clinic.

“I helped with procedures, took people’s vitals, ran registration, and took lab samples,” he says. “I remember watching doctors remove cysts and tumors. The people were so happy and grateful to get the medical help that they had needed for so long.”

The second week’s focus was on evangelism, and the students had to preach the sermons. At first, Jack was nervous.

“I had never preached a full sermon before. Fortunately, I had taken public speaking during my first semester at Southern, and that really helped,” he says. “After the first two sermons, I started to get into the flow.”

Ramos preached on topics including the state of the dead, the significance of Christ’s death on the cross, and the depth of Jesus’ love. Sharing those messages was a rewarding experience, and he loved getting to connect with the appreciative church members. They still keep in touch through a WhatsApp group chat, sending each other pictures and encouraging one other through Bible verses.

“I will be doing another trip to the Dominican Republic with the ERC this fall,” Ramos says. “This trip made me realize there is so much more to medicine than private practice. After I become a doctor, I want to continue serving through medical missions.”

—Angela Baerg is a Southern Adventist University alumna and a freelance writer for Southern Adventist University’s Columns Magazine. Photo supplied.

Samantha Nelson – Farmington, New Mexico … The Piñon Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church in Farmington, New Mexico, hosted a series of health and natural remedies classes featuring Carin and Ron Lynch from LIGHT Ministries* (Lay Institute for Global Health Training), July 16-19.

There were several local community members who attended and expressed their gratitude for these classes and what they were learning. Topics included how to make your own natural products like hand sanitizer, window cleaner, and toothpaste, to how to make charcoal poultices, juicing for stress, and so much more. There was even a hands-on massage class that gave participants an opportunity to practice giving or receiving a massage.

Sharon Wayne, who attended the programs on multiple days, said, “I really enjoyed attending the Health and Natural Remedies Seminars. Carin and Ron Lynch are so knowledgeable. The highlight for me was the hydrotherapy experience. If they return you must attend.” Wayne is shown in the photos preparing to receive a hydrotherapy treatment demonstrated by Ron Lynch with Sharrel Fullmer, member and ministry leader from the Aztec Seventh-day Adventist Church in Aztec, New Mexico.

Steve Nelson, lead pastor of the Farmington district, said, “We’ve had Carin and Ron Lynch conduct programs at several of our churches over the years, and they are always a big hit. People are eager to learn practical and affordable ways to improve their health.”

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

—Samantha Nelson writes from the Piñon Hills Seventh-Day Adventist Church where her husband is lead pastor. Photos supplied.

RMCNews – Casper, Wyoming … Rather than presenting evangelism as a one-size-fits-all approach, Dr. David Hartman, professor at Southern Adventist University and former pastor, challenged attendees of the 2026 Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Wyoming Camp Meeting at Mills Spring Ranch (MSR) in Casper, Wyoming, July 14-18, to rethink witnessing as something every believer can do in ways that fit their personality and spiritual gifts.

During his seminars, Hartman explained that many church members are intimidated because they associate evangelism only with public preaching, when Scripture calls believers to share Christ through a variety of practical, relational methods.

“Before coming, I viewed witnessing as door-to-door, walk up to a stranger, hand out a glow track, evangelistic meetings, and that sort of thing,” remarked Alexis Jennings, attendee and member of the Casper Seventh-day Adventist Church. “The workshops this week have been amazing and have definitely highlighted more of Jesus’s approach to witnessing where you get to know people, befriend people, ask their story, and listen. [You are] not trying to convert people and not trying to convince people but just loving them and interacting with them. That has been amazing and a focus that I feel like I can actually do.”

Drawing from his research on witnessing styles, Hartman outlined a progression that begins with prayer and extends to friendship, service, sharing personal testimony, invitations to spiritual events, meaningful conversations, and, ultimately, proclamation, or publicly speaking of gospel of Jesus Christ and God’s end-time message. He emphasized that every person—from an elderly member faithfully praying for neighbors to a young adult serving their community—has a meaningful role in leading others to Jesus.

“I truly believe that there are multiple ways of sharing your faith in Jesus Christ. That hands the ability to do witnessing back into the hands of the average member,” commented Hartman. “I believe God equips us just as we have spiritual gifts to minister in the body of Christ. He gives us a variety of different witnessing styles so that everybody can share Jesus in their own mode.”

“I’m looking forward to finding someone to share with. I like the steps that he lined out, and I wish that people were more interested in witnessing and making it a way of life,” reflected Gregory Smith, attendee and deacon of the Brighton Seventh-day Adventist Church in Brighton, Colorado.

Hartman encouraged those who feel uncomfortable talking about their faith to start with their own experiences rather than feeling that they can only witness once they become a polished speaker. He reminded participants that every Christian has a unique story of God’s work in their life, making personal testimony one of the most authentic forms of witness.

One of the most practical takeaways from the seminar was Hartman’s challenge to create a “Ten Most Wanted” prayer list. Participants were encouraged to identify ten people in their circle of influence and begin praying intentionally for them each day, trusting God to reveal opportunities for friendship, service, and spiritual conversations.

Hartman urged, “Start with a ‘Ten Most Wanted’ list. Pray, ‘Lord, who are those people in my circles of influence who I’m concerned about their eternal salvation?’ Make out a list … and begin praying. I believe as we pray for these people, God will lead us to what the next step is.”

Hartman concluded his sessions by encouraging members to embrace both relational evangelism and proclamation, explaining that genuine relationships create natural opportunities to share the distinctive hope of the gospel. He noted that when compassionate relationships and clear biblical teaching work together, they become a powerful combination for reaching people with Christ’s message.

“I think church members really struggle to share their faith because they don’t know where to begin. And they don’t necessarily know if they should begin with telling the beliefs or the doctrines of the church or how to even come across people without feeling complicit or condoning what they’re doing,” remarked Anthony Handal, lead pastor of the Casper District in Wyoming.

“These sessions gave people a good starting point—a strategy for how to engage—and also an opportunity for introspection to recognize what are their inherent strengths and areas where they can begin to lead but also look at their own [areas of growth],” Handal continued. “I think when we feel like we’re leading from our strengths, we’re going to be more confident, and we’re going to feel like we’re inviting people into something that is true.”

“I am going to continuing to encourage people to seek out ways to witness in whatever their environment is. They don’t have to change, do something new, or organize their own evangelistic series. What they need is to recognize who’s in their sphere of influence that God has called them to be a witness to, and to share with them.”

Helping support this year’s camp theme of “Winning Ways to Witness,” were interactive workshops from Mark Phillips, lead pastor of the Lander District, Edrey Santos, lead pastor of the Gillette District, and Handal. These sessions were well attended, and participants remarked on the value of the messages and workshop activities.

In tandem with this year’s Wyoming Camp Meeting was the first Wyoming Hispanic Camp Meeting with devotionals and evening programs led by Hugo Guillén, pastor and RMC Ministerial associate director and lead for Multicultural Ministries, and Daniel Escalante, lead pastor for the Fort Collins Seventh-day Adventist Church. They were joined and supported by Sean Lee, RMC’s new Ministerial director. While attendance was humble, Guillén will be looking at expanding the program for next year.

Wyoming Camp Meeting also welcomed several guests from the Montana Conference. “My grandparents grew up here, and they’ve always come to the camp meeting here in Casper. Since our camp meeting was canceled [in Montana], we decided we’ll just go to Wyoming,” commented Joellie, a youth from the Roundup Adventist Church in Roundup, Montana. “I really like the talks and what the speaker had to say. They’re really interesting.”

RMC’s summer camp staff members were also in attendance running the afternoon activities for the youth and families, hosting Blind camp, and preparing for a record number of summer camp participants at MSR the following week. Activities included horseback riding, rock climbing, archery, mountain biking, nature center, arts and crafts, and more. Several of the summer camp staff members also assisted in the main praise team led by Leandro Bizama, Campion Seventh-day Adventist Church associate pastor of Worship and Evangelism.

“Camp meeting is much more than a week on the calendar—it’s the result of months of planning and the countless dedication of pastors, volunteers, staff members, musicians, speakers, and behind-the-scenes servants who give so generously of their time and talents,” praised David VandeVere, president of the Rocky Mountain Conference.

“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to every person who helps make these gatherings possible. Your commitment creates a place where our church family can worship together, build lasting friendships, and grow closer to Jesus. We are truly blessed by your service and the spirit of community and fellowship that makes camp meeting such a meaningful experience while we wait to all be together with Jesus’s soon return.”

To view recordings of Dr. Hartman’s sessions at the 2026 Wyoming Camp Meeting, CLICK HERE to visit the Casper Adventist Church’s YouTube Channel.

—RMCNews. Some portions of the article were curated by ChatGPT. Interviews, writing, and editing by Liz Kirkland, RMC Communication director. Photos by Sean Lee and Liz Kirkland.

Rajmund Dabrowski – Delta, Colorado … Free backpacks for children at Delta Seventh-day Adventist Church was a simple invitation for kids preparing to go to school next month. Interested in serving the community of Delta and near-by towns and villages, members of a local Adventist church agreed to put their Children’s Ministry Fund to support the children going to school in a few days.

Reacting to an invitation posted on the Delta Community Message Board on Facebook, Noemi stated, “Excellent!! These backpacks will surely bring smiles to many faces.” Accompanied by their parents and grandparents, the smiling kids came.

Seeing a colorful display of backpacks, decorated with toys, kids came and simply reacted, “Wow!”

They came on the afternoon of July 18 from Delta, Olathe, Cedaredge and Montrose. Some kids were having a challenge not knowing which backpack to choose.

The project was organized by Ken Timmerman, a retired teacher and former principal of elementary Adventist schools in California and Maryland. Ken remarked that he knew what many of the kids would welcome to receive as a gift, and their parents would spend meager funds on other items needed in school, he remarked.

Watching the excitement that came with the kids and their accompanying moms and dads, Ken shared how it came about organizing the event. “I heard on the news from Denver that a community was giving away backpacks [to kids] going back to school. And I thought why don’t we do it over here, I asked myself,” Ken recalled. “[We are] trying to help the kids in the community, that’s the main thing.”

Timmerman took the idea to the church board and received their support. He invited three siblings from the Gonzalez family, Brianna, Lia, and Nahemiah. They engaged their mother and dad “to take the word into the community.” Information was placed online, as well as at the Delta Library, Recreational Center, Dairy Queen, and a popular Cleland Park.

“We are trying to make connections with the community,” remarked church member Donna Harold, who with her husband John, supported the event.

The church still has backpack to give away and will do so hopefully before the school year starts in mid-August.

—Rajmund Dabrowski writes from the Delta Seventh-day Adventist Church. Photos by Rajmund Dabrowski.

Editor’s Note: Summer camp can be a transformative and meaningful experience for all involved from the campers to staff to even the pastoral staff. Read below one pastor’s experience as he ministered to camp youth June 28-July 3 at Glacier View Ranch in Ward, Colorado.

By Daniel Escalante

My first experience at Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Summer Camp at Glacier View Ranch was more meaningful than I could have imagined. After only one day, I found myself wishing I had been able to attend a camp like this when I was younger. Glacier View Ranch is a beautiful, well-maintained place, but what made the week especially memorable was the people who filled it.

It was a privilege to work alongside young adults who are deeply passionate about youth ministry. My goal was to join at least one activity each day with the staff and campers so I could get to know them better. I was encouraged to discover that so many staff members were there because they truly wanted to serve, invest in kids, and share the love of Jesus. Their enthusiasm and joy was contagious.

One highlight was the staff’s presentation of the story of Moses. They put on an engaging play that was both thoughtful and fun, helping the campers connect with the week’s theme of freedom. It was clear that the team put a great deal of effort into every detail—not only the program, but also making sure every camper felt included, welcome, and cared for.

I also enjoyed preaching to the pre-teen group. The students were attentive and engaged as the story unfolded, and it was exciting to see their curiosity and openness to God’s Word. I think that it contributed to the ultimate decisions that would unfold at the end of the week.

The most powerful moment of the week came at the end, when two young people chose to give their lives to Jesus through baptism. Seeing their sincere response to the gospel—shared through the story of Moses, Jesus, and freedom—was a beautiful reminder of why this ministry matters.

I am grateful for my time at Glacier View Ranch and hope I will have the opportunity to return.

—Daniel Escalante is lead pastor for the Fort Collins Seventh-day Adventist Church and Fort Collins Christian School. Photo by Jessica Mangano of Unsplash.

Logan Earles – Littleton, Colorado … Maybe you’ve talked with someone who attended the last Mission Summit. Maybe you’ve seen an announcement in your church bulletin or heard your pastor mention it. You have a good idea of what it is but you’re still deciding whether to attend. If you’re anything like me, you appreciate a good Top 5 list. So here it is, the top five reasons you should be at Mission Summit 2026.

1. Inspiration

Mission Summit is a time to gather and celebrate what God is doing. Every session features powerful stories of lives changed through His work. You’ll hear firsthand how God is moving throughout our churches and communities, leaving us encouraged and reminded that He is still at work today. Inspiration is the first step towards doing great work. Being inspired by what others have done and how God is working will lead us towards a vigor for the work that God has in store.

2. Connection

This year’s Mission Summit is expected to be our largest yet, bringing together people from across the Rocky Mountain Conference who share a passion for living out God’s mission. Throughout the weekend, you’ll have intentional opportunities to meet others, build friendships, and connect with fellow doers of the Word. You never know who God might bring into your life.

The early church in the book of Acts spent a lot of time connecting with others. We see that they not only spread the word of God but maybe they even spread some butter on bread as they shared meals together and spent time connecting. Mission summit will have the same opportunity, I even heard there will be vegan butter!

3. Equipping

Have you ever thought, “I wish I knew how to share my faith more confidently” or “I wish I knew where to start”? Mission Summit is designed to help.

Experienced ministry leaders will share practical tools and biblical wisdom to help you grow as a disciple and witness for Christ. Through engaging main sessions and interactive workshops, you’ll gain practical skills you can take home and begin using right away.

It can be frustrating to have a desire to do something and not even know where to go. This is your invitation to learn alongside others with that same desire! Each of us has been given a gift to grow the body of Christ; let us hone those tools and sharpen the edge for the reaping ahead.

4. Community

Mission Summit is more than great speakers and helpful workshops—it’s about strengthening the body of Christ. As churches across the Rocky Mountain Conference gather to worship, learn, eat, and serve together, we’ll grow closer as one community united in God’s mission.

Healthy churches are built on strong relationships, and Mission Summit is a place where those relationships can grow. By the breaking of bread, and hearing of the word we will be able to join together as one body. Imagine with me for a second that the mission happening in Casper is impacting the mission all the way in Colorado Springs. What does that look like? We can’t know unless we work together as a community.

5. Vision

Here it is—my final reason why YOU should be at Mission Summit. Our hope is that you leave Mission Summit inspired, equipped, and confident, but also with a renewed vision for God’s mission. Jesus calls each of us to share the gospel wherever He has placed us.

Together we’ll seek God’s direction for our churches, our communities, and the Rocky Mountain Conference as we faithfully answer His call. We do not want to labor in vain, but instead we want to walk the path that God has laid before us. To do so, we must seek God’s plans. The Bible tells us that if we seek, we will find. Let us seek God together!

Whether you’re a Mission Summit veteran or attending for the very first time, Mission Summit 2026 is for you. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus gives a simple invitation: Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will send you out to fish for people.

Join us on October 2-3 in Denver, Colorado, as we seek God together, encourage one another, and step forward in the mission He has given us.

Watch for more details coming soon at RMCSDA.org

—Logan Earles is the associate pastor at the Littleton Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Jill Harlow – Valencia, Spain … The twenty students from Campion Academy (CA) in Loveland, Colorado, are halfway through their time in Spain. The students have spent the last two weeks taking intensive college-level Spanish courses with summer adventures in between.

The CA students are divided into various levels, from first timers to advanced, and they are receiving six semester-hours of college credit at different levels during their time here. Each day they rotate through four classes of conversation, grammar, composition, and art and culture.

In the afternoons, the students enjoy trips to the beach or extracurriculars such as art, playing interactive games, or learning worship songs in Spanish. In the evenings, they can have free time to play sports, workout in the gym, or simply relax. Every evening a joint worship is led by local college students who work for the program.

For the group’s excursion day, July 10, the students visited Peñíscola—a place famous for both its beautiful beach and historic castle that juts out above the sea on a peninsula. The castle was built as a residence and fortress for Papa Luna, a pope supported for a short time by France and Spain during the Western Schism when there were three popes in the early 1400s.

Papa Luna lost support for his Papacy and fled to Peñíscola, still claiming to be the pope and holed up in the castle, even surviving poisoning by a group of nuns! “We think he certainly had a beautiful place to reside,” remarked Jill Harlow, group sponsor and CA Spanish and English Language Learner (ELL) teacher.

The students live in the dormitories on campus, and, while they find them generally well-appointed, they are having to get used to life with no air conditioning in their rooms! Spanish summers are known for their heat, and, while the temperatures are mostly in the 90s, the humidity and warmer nights make it a bit more intense for those from and used to living in Colorado. However, everyone is adjusting to the new normal.

“We have also caught the fútbol spirit and have enjoyed cheering on Spain and seeing them win their last two World Cup games!” commented Harlow. “Please continue praying for our students and staff on this trip! Currently, we are on the longest excursion of the summer, a four-day tour of Madrid, Toledo, and Segovia.”

—Jill Harlow is Campion Academy Spanish, English Language Learner (ELL), and Communication director. Photos supplied.

Daniele Fantoni – Montrose, Colorado … The Maranatha Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church in Montrose, Colorado, celebrated the official dedication of its new chapel with a special worship service centered on gratitude, worship, and renewed commitment to God’s mission, July 4. Hugo Guillén, pastor and Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Ministerial associate director and lead for Multicultural Ministries, preached the dedication sermon and led a meaningful service of consecration alongside Daniele Fantoni, Maranatha Church’s lead pastor, and the church elders.

The celebration marked the culmination of a journey that began on January 20, 2013, when a small Hispanic group first met in a borrowed classroom at the Montrose Seventh-day Adventist Church under the leadership of church member Abimael Chávez and with the support of RMC pastor Michael Shannon. The congregation was officially organized as a church in June 2021.

“In October 2022, God opened an unexpected door when the Montrose Seventh-day Adventist Church voted unanimously to donate its former school property to the Hispanic congregation,” remarked Fantoni. “After years of renovation, volunteer labor, generous support, and God’s faithful provision, the church joyfully dedicated its new chapel.”

He continued, “Throughout its history, God has blessed the congregation with more than 30 baptisms, evangelistic meetings, youth ministries, and steady spiritual growth. One of the church’s defining passions has been its commitment to young people, expressed in its motto: None of our young people will be lost to the world; all for Christ.”

The dedication service celebrated not only God’s faithfulness in the past but also the church’s commitment for the future. Those gathered dedicated themselves anew to worship God, grow as disciples, and proclaim the gospel until Christ returns—the very words now engraved on the church’s dedication plaque as a lasting reminder of its mission.

—Daniele Fantoni is associate pastor for the Grand Junction District. Photos supplied.