Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

24 May

RMC 2021 CAMP MEETING SEASON KICKS OFF IN SOUTHEAST COLORADO

By Jon Roberts – Cañon City, Colorado … Hundreds gathered for the first Southeast Colorado camp meeting, May 19 – May 21, at the Cañon City Adventist church. The theme, “The Healing Presence of Jesus,” focused on putting the love of Jesus first in personal life.

John Davidson, pastor of Cañon City church district, began the Sabbath services by declaring: “It’s a miracle I’m standing here this morning.” Davidson who has been battling health issues, went on to say, “It’s a miracle you are here today,” referencing that the event had to be cancelled last year due to the pandemic. He thanked the many individuals who took over the planning and coordinating of the event when his health declined.

For Pueblo First church member, RJ Vigil, having a church filled with many children was the highlight of the weekend. “I really enjoyed [seeing] how many people were here. It was amazing to see the church this full. That’s the most children I’ve seen at the children’s story before. I also liked the praise and worship music, but I’m biased since the team is from my church.”

For some, camp meeting was a new experience. “This is my first camp meeting and I know it is not like camp meetings of old, but it is amazing the number of people coming from all over, especially the Arkansas Valley. It’s encouraging and exciting,” enthused Sandy Shute, Colorado Springs Central church member.

The meetings featured Ron Kelly, pastor of Village Adventist church in Berrien Springs, Michigan. His messages focused on the healing touch of Jesus, and centered on the modern family and larger church relationships. Kelly accepted the invitation to speak at the gathering because of a deep pastoral friendship with Davidson.

Other presenters included Louis Torres, assistant to the president for evangelism of Adventist World Radio, who shared his conversion and life testimony. The audience also listened to the musical talents of Angel Award winner, Vonda Beerman.

The highlight of the gatherings for Cañon City members was also witnessing the ordination of their pastor, John Davidson.

Next year’s camp meeting is already being discussed and planned.

–Jon Roberts is RMC communication / media assistant; photos by Jon Roberts

24 May

Equipping Women in Leadership

By Hyveth Williams – Berrien Springs, Michigan … If you are a woman leading in church, parish, educational, or organizational ministry, Equipping Women for Effective Leadership (EWEL), is a Doctor of Ministry degree just for you!

Launching October 4, 2021, the first intensive, Women and Gender, is designed by Course Facilitator, Dr. Janet Ledesma, Associate Dean & Professor, Educational Leadership Coordinator, College of Education & International Services. Dr. Ledesma created a rigorous course to help you explore and enhance your unique skills as a spiritual and effective woman leader through the personal development of a leadership plan that will affect positive and spiritually sound changes in the organizations where God has chosen you to serve.

In many ways, women remain underrepresented in top leadership positions in America and globally. This course will help women learn and identify the internal factors within them and external factors impacting them to become courageous spiritual women of God in leadership.

This Andrews University Doctor of Ministry degree, lauded as a national innovation specifically for women, will develop your full spiritual and professional potential as a woman in leadership in your church, organization, community, and home. By maximizing your potential, participants will be able to enhance the unique strengths, skills, values, and traits God has given to make effective, lasting connections to work and people.

REGISTER NOW AND OBTAIN:

Skills and tools to enhance your unique traits and characteristics as a spiritual leader to effectively develop and empower those you serve.
Ability to develop and maintain relationships, connections, and interpersonal interactions that drive spiritual growth and innovation in the places you serve.
Personalized development plan to identify your strengths and guide you towards achieving your goals as a Christian woman in leadership.
Opportunity to interact with like-minded women from diverse backgrounds seeking to add value to the organizations and institutions in which you serve.

Some of the Course Topics for the first intensive, to be taught by Dr. Ledesma and female guests from a variety of professions, will address:

Womanhood of God
Women and Resilience
Women and Leadership
Women and Organization Conflict
Values driven leadership for Women
Emotional Intelligence and Women
Creativity and Innovation for women
Women Leading in Crisis
Women and Research

For more information contact Dr. Hyveth Williams, Director – 269-471-6363; the DMin Website – www.doctorofministry.comand https://www.andrews.edu/apply/

–Hyveth Williams, is director of Doctor of Ministry program, Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University; photo supplied.

This article was original published on the NAD ministerial website.

20 May

COLOR POWDER, BUBBLE SOCCER, WATER BALLOONS CAP UNUSUAL YEAR AT CAMPION

By Bentlee Barry – Loveland, Colorado … Campion students celebrated the end of the year, on May 16, by enjoying a fun and relaxed day at the last Student Association (SA) picnic. They gathered on the field for volleyball and “bubble” soccer, in which participants wore an inflatable bubble suit.

After an hour of competition between students, it was time for a class color run. Classes took a turn running a loop around campus while the other classes threw colored powder and cheered them on. “At first, I didn’t really want to get any color on me, but by the end I was covered!” said Brayan Martins, Campion sophomore.

Afterward, it was time to cool down with root beer floats and a water balloon fight.

Once the fun subsided, students reflected on the crazy and unusual year and the difficultly in planning events.

“Being on SA this year has challenged our team to think of COVID-safe activities. Maintaining distance and wearing masks had to be taken into account when planning activities like the banquet, fall party, or class scramble. We always looked for fun activities that most people would enjoy, and I am proud of our SA team for everything they have done this year to make the year so memorable!” exclaimed Kylie Wehling, spiritual vice president.

SA President Ryan Bell highlighted, “It’s been great to have a team that came together and shared the workload. It’s taught me to trust those around me and rely on people to help out. I’ve learned to value teamwork a whole lot more.”

Erin Johnson, Campion SA sponsor emphasized how proud she was of her student team this year. “This SA team as a whole has been flexible and innovative. They took what seemed like an impossible task (with COVID restrictions) and not only accomplished it but also made improvements for future years,” Johnson reflected. “I think our biggest accomplishment was the SA Banquet. We transformed the gym and made a night to remember. Even staff who have been here for many years said that it was the best banquet they have seen. I will miss this team tremendously but I am so excited for next year’s SA team.”

–Bentlee Barry is a senior at Campion Academy; photos supplied

20 May

Reality of Christian life on display at Campion week of prayer

By Jayce Treat – Loveland, Colorado … Recently, in early May, Campion Academy students shared personal testimonies with their peers during the final 2020-2021 school year Week of Prayer. They told personal stories which dealt with topics such as severe injuries, depression, and sharing the gospel with others.

Kylie Wehling, Campion Academy junior, shared her story of a severe injury she suffered and how God led her through it. “Speaking for Week of Prayer really made me step back and look at all the times God was there for me, even in my darkest moments,” Wehling remarked. ”Sometimes we forget that God works miracles in our lives every day.”

Isaac Avila, Campion Academy junior reflected on the Week of Prayer, “I liked this quarter’s Week of Prayer because I got to hear from my fellow peers and classmates which made the service more relatable to me.”

Students listened to how God helped their peers deal with some hard circumstances in their lives.

“I know the speakers, they are my friends, but when they gave their talks, I saw them in a different light,” said Jynaya Wright, Campion Academy senior. “They are usually always so happy and positive, but hearing their testimonies made me realize that they have their problems too.”

Wright explained how even though her friends went through some hard times, they gave their struggles over to God. “It was a huge inspiration to me to keep going even though we face troubles in our lives because God’s got your back.”

“I never thought I would share my story because I didn’t think it was important. But as I have heard my fellow students’ testimonies throughout the year and have seen the impact they had, I realized I wanted to help others too,” explained Bentlee Barry, senior. “It can be scary to share God but when you lean on Him and let Him speak through you, it becomes much easier! I feel even closer with God since sharing my testimony; it has changed my relationships with those around me and most importantly with God.”

The student testimonies were live-streamed and can be viewed on Campion Academy’s Facebook page.

–Jayce Treat is a senior at Campion Academy; photo supplied.

20 May

RMC PASTOR FEATURED AT GLOBAL CAMP MEETING

By Jon Roberts – Denver, Colorado … The Rocky Mountain Conference has a presence at the first “Global Camp Meeting,” which launched on May 19 and is sponsored and created by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The virtual event, featuring workshops and speakers from around world, includes a three-part series by Andy Nash, pastor of Littleton church.

Titled “Meet @ the Text,” the workshops will feature two discussions on how to study the Bible verse by verse and will include a presentation of Nash inviting Mile High Academy students and Chris Morris, associate pastor of Littleton, to join in a short study of the Book of Jude.

Nash explains how he was invited to help out with the global event. “Previously I had done some writing for Thomas Nelson Bibles, so they asked if I would be willing to do a workshop on studying Scripture. This is one of my favorite subjects, so I was happy to help. I particularly enjoyed our third session when my colleague Pastor Chris Morris and I studied the book of Jude with two high school students.”

Inductive Bible study is a passion for Nash so it was natural that the workshops he created were rooted in scripture. “I love inductive Bible study and feel like it’s how we’re meant to study the Bible and preach the Bible. When a congregation leaves church, they should be thinking about the Scripture, not the speaker. As a pastor, I want church members to be studying Scripture for themselves—Monday morning as well as Sabbath morning.”

What does Nash expect the online gathering will accomplish? “My hope is simply for people to fall in love with their Bibles, which is living and active. Once we’ve entered into God’s Word, we are forever changed.”

To join the “Global Camp Meeting,” visit https://2021.campmeeting.com/ Nash’s sessions will be located in the auditorium under media ministries. All times are listed in Eastern Standard Time.

To view the Bible study Nash conducted with Mile High Academy students click here: https://vimeo.com/552977341

–Jon Roberts is RMC communication / media assistant; photo supplied

20 May

CHEYENNE STUDENTS CREATE WORLD CITY PROJECT

RMCNews with Michael Cookenmaster – Cheyenne, Wyoming …Students in grades four through nine at Laura E. Mason Christian Academy in Cheyenne, Wyoming have been busy for the past nine months planning and designing an eight-foot long, five-foot wide paper city.

The project, entitled “One World: Share the Dream,” was part of their social studies theme of world history. Dr. Michael Cookenmaster, head teacher at Laura E. Mason Christian Academy, explained the project: “This hands-on project is meant to make students understand the constructivist approach to learning.” The constructivist approach to learning holds that people actively construct or make their own knowledge and that reality is determined by the experiences of the learner.

Students held planning meetings and “everyone pitched in to cut, fold, glue, and design layouts of neighborhood quarters based in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Students determined building structures, names of corporations to be represented, parks and recreational areas, entertainment space, and the airport environs.”

Why the hands-on approach? For Cookenmaster the answer is simple, as “children learn best when they are building something.”

The extensive undertaking allowed students to use cross pollination of core content. Cookenmaster described cross pollination learning. “As they built the city, not only were students learning social studies, but they were also having to incorporate environmental science, geometry, and virtual and creative literacy skills all incorporated to support their unique Seventh-day Adventist world view.”

“Most importantly, the project taught students about humanity, the environment, and the biblical injunction to be stewards of the earth,” he added.

Part of completing the project includes students planning to premier a video of their hard work. To watch the video click here: https://youtu.be/se-10IcwmcE

RMCNews with Michael Cookenmaster, head teacher at Laura E. Mason Christian Academy in Cheyenne, Wyoming; photo supplied

19 May

DEEANN BRAGAW ACCEPTS WOMEN’S MINISTRY POSITION FOR NORTH AMERICAN DIVISION

By RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … DeeAnn Bragaw, RMC women’s ministry director and prayer coordinator, recently accepted the invitation by the North American Division to be their Women’s Ministries Director.

Ed Barnett, RMC president reflected on Bragaw’s ministry, “DeeAnn has been a blessing to our conference, and I know she will be a blessing at the North American Division as well! We will miss her.”

Bragaw is a Colorado native and will miss her home state. In an interview with NewsNuggets she explains her service in RMC. “It’s been my privilege to live and serve in Rocky Mountain Conference! I’m a Colorado native who grew up in Denver about six blocks from the conference office and graduated from Mile High Academy. I spent many summers both attending camp and then working at Glacier View Ranch, and married my husband, Paul, right here in RMC. Together we’ve served in Casper, Boulder, Franktown, Brighton, and Campion. And now I’ve served conference-wide in prayer and women’s ministries.”

The process to accepting the invitation has not been easy Bragaw explains.

“In April, I received a phone call from NAD administration, asking if I’d be willing to submit a resume’ and interview for the position of Director of Women’s Ministries for North American Division. I was shocked! ME?” She continues, “The journey and the decision have not been easy. There are many factors involved in transitioning into this new role. I actually asked if I could serve NAD from RMC! (They said ‘No’.)”

Prayer and Jesus will remain the center of her ministry at the NAD, she comments. “I can’t wait to get to know more of our women, and to develop a team of women from around our division who can partner with us to continue to provide resources to better equip women of all ages to serve from a place of wholeness in Christ. My deepest prayer and my highest calling are to point our women to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith and our service, who mentored His team of disciples so they could disciple others. And He did that by spending time in prayer.”

Bragaw will be transitioning to Maryland and will begin serving as NAD women’s ministry director on July 4.

“At this point Paul will likely stay in Colorado at HMS for the upcoming school year, and we will slowly transition to Maryland. Our family is mostly in RMC, and this is HOME – we’ll be back! Until that time, my prayer is that God will continue to reach the hearts of our people in RMC with a call to a deeper life of prayer, surrender, and service. As one friend put it, ‘You’re not leaving us – you’re taking us to NAD!’”

Bragaw’s prayer for RMC members as she begins a new chapter in her life, “May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He make His face shine upon, may His mercies extend to your children’s children, and may we, together, pray on and serve with joy!”

–RMCNews; photo supplied

19 May

COMMENTARY: I’M NOT THE PROBLEM

By Douglas Inglish … By the time I turned 16, I had developed an odd, but occasionally useful, ability. In my bare feet I could touch an eight-foot ceiling with the fingertips of one hand. Normally that would be just beyond reach for a person of my height, but my arms are absurdly long. (For reference, my predecessor Eric Nelson and I have the same sleeve length, even though he is several inches taller.)

When we moved into our new house in Colorado, there was a push pin in the ceiling of one of the bedrooms. Because the head stuck out from the surface, I knew I could just get a grasp on it and pull it out, and reached up to do so. But I couldn’t get it. I had to go downstairs and get a step stool so I could pull it out.

I was dumbfounded. As any contractor can tell you, both 2 x 4 studs and drywall come in eight-foot sections specifically to make it easy to put up walls that give you a standard eight-foot ceiling. But this room had a ceiling height of eight feet and one inch. In fact, a little investigation showed that all the ceilings in my house were eight feet one inch high. Why in the world would anyone do that? It was more work and it sure wasn’t enough difference to notice.

My move to Colorado required not only a new place to live, but a whole new set of professionals (mechanic, dentist, etc.). When I showed up for my first appointment with my new doctor, the mystery of the too-tall ceilings in my new house was solved. The physician’s assistant stood me up against the wall and declared, “Six feet even.”

“No,” I corrected him, “Six foot one.”

He stood his ground. “No, six feet even.”

I was ready to pull out my new driver’s license and prove him wrong when the light dawned: It’s begun; I’m shrinking! Theoretically, I knew that people lose height as they age, but it had not occurred to me that I should be expecting it quite yet.

Close on the heels of that epiphany came another: My ceilings are not eight feet, one inch high. That doesn’t even make sense. I’m the problem, not the contractor.

Well, I always like a good laugh, and if it’s on me then it’s still a good laugh. But getting older isn’t what I find funny about this. What makes me laugh about it is my very human reaction when I first got evidence that I was getting shorter. Instead of thinking that I was the problem, I reached an entirely improbable conclusion and blamed the person who built my house. It never even occurred to me that the ceiling was perfectly normal, it was I who needed a redefinition of normal.

That’s the way we all are, going back to the biblical Adam’s refusal to own his behavior when confronted about the fruit he ate. When a problem rears its head, it is amazing what ridiculous conclusions we will reach in order to avoid admitting that, yes, this is on me.

I hope this change in subject doesn’t give you whiplash, but how is your local church budget doing? Having a hard time spending it all? Or, and this seems more likely, could you easily find good uses for it if you had more? Even worse, is the board discussing where to cut expenses in order to cover the bills?

Like everything else, the natural reaction to a shortfall in the church budget is to think that the problem is with other people, not me. People with higher income, or who bought their house when prices were reasonable, or whose children are finished with school and out of the house. If those people did their part, the budget would be fine!

Okay, I’m not going to beat this into the ground, because you already get the point. Instead of always thinking that the problem must lie outside of ourselves, we need to own our piece of the problem. Even more importantly, no matter who is to blame for a problem, solutions nearly always start with me stepping up and doing my part.

It’s like when I couldn’t reach the push pin in the ceiling. Even when I was misidentifying what the problem was, I knew the solution was a step stool.

I also knew who had to go get it. And no, it was not going to be the contractor.

–Douglas Inglish is RMC vice president and stewardship director.

19 May

VISTA RIDGE ACADEMY CELEBRATES EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION EXPANSION

By Marsha Bartulec – Erie, Colorado … Vista Ridge Academy was joined by the Erie Chamber of Commerce on May 17 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the expansion of the early childhood program.

Principal Sandy Hodgson is excited about the new opportunities for students and the community. “We are pleased to expand our program to better serve our community,” she said.

Commenting on the expansion, early childhood program director, Sandy Hepp, who has 25 years of experience in early childhood education, echoes Hodgson’s excitement “We are excited and honored to add a second classroom to our program.”

The expanded program will offer a full education program for ages three to five and will be offered from mid-August to late May.

Students can expect social and academic development, which includes phonics, reading (with a therapy dog), math, and handwriting. The children will also learn about the Bible, attend weekly chapels, and take classes in music, physical education, technology, and art.

Vista Ridge Academy aims for each child to become comfortable in the school setting, feel that learning is fun, and find joy in who they were created by God to be, setting up a firm foundation for the rest of their education.

— Marsha Bartulec is vice principal of Administration at Vista Ridge Academy; photo supplied.

18 May

Brighton Adventist Academy CLASS OF 2033 Graduates Stand Tall

By Jodie Aakko – Brighton, Colorado … May 13 marked the day five young Brighton Adventist Academy graduates stood taller than ever. Although a pre-kindergarten or a kindergarten graduate may look small in size, they are giant in accomplishments and pride.

Five boys beamed from ear to ear as they were filled with love and recognition from teachers and family.

“Ricky, you are receiving an award for future firefighter, because you never leave a friend behind!” announced Mrs. Sandra Santos, pre-kindergarten teacher. The graduates were honored with awards for exemplary character and individual personality strengths.

They also received a large bag filled with gifts which matched each student’s interests and talents including science kits, art supplies, teacher materials, adventure tools, and other items including an over-sized teddy bear graduate which they hugged.

“Keep this T-shirt with you until you graduate high school! Each year, add your hand print on the back, above the school year. And in the year 2033, you will still remember how much I loved you, and you will remember that you learned how much Jesus loves you!” explained Gina Davison, kindergarten teacher.

Wayne Morrison, pastor of Brighton church and commencement speaker, reminded the students that even though you can’t see God, you know what He looks like because He loves you, and He knows your name, and you will know His voice. Pastor Wayne ended with a charge to the students to always stay in tune with Jesus and keep your child-like faith.

–Jodie Aakko is the principal of Brighton Adventist Academy; photo courtesy of Brighton Adventist Academy Facebook page.