Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

03 May

MHA MIDDLE SCHOOLERS BOND THROUGH OUTDOOR SCHOOL

By MHA News – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Despite chilly weather and snow on the ground April 20, Mile High Academy’s middle school students took advantage of the sunshine to enjoy the great outdoors together.

The students piled on the buses, loaded down with flashlights, coats, water and lunches.

“In the craziness of everything enveloping this school year, it was nice to get to take the Middle School kids off campus to enjoy a day of bonding together as a school,” said Michael Armstrong, vice principal of academics and middle school science teacher.

The first stop on the adventure was Manitou Spring’s Cave of the Winds, where students visited a Geology 101 class in an underground laboratory. Hands-on education experience lasted for almost two hours, as they wound through the caves, learning about cave formations, local history, and even about the animals that help create a cave ecosystem. Students also experienced “cave darkness,” one of the two darkest places on our planet.

“It was fun to tour and learn about the history of the cave,” said Logen, seventh grader. “The best part was when the tour guides turned off the lights, and we were sitting there in total silence.”

Another middle-schooler described the cave in few words: “It was awesome.”

The escapade continued with a trip through Manitou Spring’s Memorial Park and a tour of the historic town, including ice cream, the arcade, and a sample of the natural soda water that springs from two of the nine local fountains, drilled in the 1920s.

Before returning home filled with memories and new discoveries, the group stopped to take in the beauty of the red stone rock formations at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.

–MHA News; photos supplied

03 May

CHAPLAIN RICH CARLSON TO RETIRE AFTER 40 YEARS AT UNION COLLEGE

By Ryan Teller – Lincoln, Nebraska … Chaplain Rich Carlson will retire this summer after being an integral part of the Union College experience for 40 years.

Officially, he is Dr. Richard Carlson, vice president for spiritual life and associate professor of psychology and religion, but it is unlikely even he could tell you his full title without consulting Union’s personnel directory. To generations of Union students and alumni, he is simply “Pastor Rich.”

And above any title, he will tell you his job is mentorship. “I love interacting with the kids, journeying with the students,” he said. “It’s been a joy and an honor.”

A graduate of Union, now RMC assistant youth director, Jessyka Dooley has a hard time thinking about Union without Pastor Rich and what he brings to the atmosphere at the college. “It’s hard to think of Union College without Pastor Rich. The culture of student leadership and a family-like atmosphere has always come from the heart of campus ministries. Over his decades of service as chaplain, Rich has impacted and inspired so many people and I am eternally thankful to have been one of them.”

Former student Gina Creek calls him the best leadership mentor she’s ever encountered. Currently director of leadership development at AdventHealth, Creek said, “Before Pastor Rich, I always saw myself as another face in the crowd. He helped me hear the call of God on my heart.”

“The clock tower stands tall but Pastor Rich is a more prominent part of our campus life,” said Union president Vinita Sauder. “He shaped the Union experience for tens of thousands of students. He loves students, he empowers them to serve and he points them to Jesus every single day. He is a true man of God, and an outstanding servant leader.”

Jefferson Gibson, a theology senior and son of Chanelle Watson, RMC assistant director of planned giving and trust services, recalls the influence Pastor Rich has had in his life. “Working in the campus ministry is where I got to know Pastor Carlson. As a hesitant freshman three years ago, he always had a friendly smile on his face which was so inviting walking into the office.”

Gibson added, “Pastor Carlson loves God. The way he was (is) an ambassador for God encouraged me to grow more in my spiritual journey. I am also grateful for the way Pastor Carlson challenged me to not just think outside the box but to appreciate the journey of discovering what was outside the box.”

As one of the first student missionaries Union sent overseas in 1971, Pastor Rich has been instrumental in weaving service into the very fabric of Union College life. After his own experience, he told the Central Union Reaper, “A thousand years of school can never equal the experience of mission service.” As chaplain at Union, he has encouraged thousands of students to take their lessons from the classroom to communities next door and around the world changing many lives—including their own.

Pastor Rich also recognizes the need for service closer to home. Project Impact began as Project BRUSH the year before he became Union’s chaplain, and under his leadership, Union’s annual event has become the nation’s largest and oldest collegiate volunteer event. From available research, no campus has a bigger event by percentage and few have as many volunteers despite 10 to 20 times the enrollment. He then uses the event as a springboard to get students involved in serving the Lincoln community all year long.

He graduated from Union in 1973 with the intention of being a pastor. After teaching Bible at Maplewood and Dakota Adventist Academy, he returned to Union to pursue medicine. He envisioned himself working in an ER, but providence turned him toward the chaplain’s office. Does he have any regrets? “Not a one,” he said. “It’s the best thing that could have happened.”

Union alumni who were impacted by Pastor Rich’s ministry have honored his legacy by establishing a scholarship fund in his name. Donate to the fund at ucollege.edu/pastorrich

–Ryan Teller is public relations director for Union College, photo supplied

*Article adapted from https://ucollege.edu/20210429/pastor-rich-carlson-to-retire-after-nearly-40-years-at-union/

30 Apr

2021 Elections Bring Leadership Changes for NAD Administration, Departments, and Guam-Micronesia Mission

Mylon Medley –Columbia, Maryland .. .Three vice presidents, two directors, an associate director, Liberty magazine editor, and the president of the Guam-Micronesia Mission have been newly elected to serve the North American Division (NAD) until 2025. The election on April 29, 2021, took place during a meeting of the NAD Executive Committee; the date was chosen by the same governing body through a vote on Feb. 25, 2021, after the postponement of the 2021 General Conference Session.

A total of 42 names were presented for election or re-election from the division’s nominating committee. Executive committee members could vote for or against the names, or refer the name(s) back to the nominating committee. Most positions voted were for incumbents, however, seven new leaders accepted the call to serve.

Right before executive committee members voted, Randy Robinson, NAD treasurer, offered prayer. “Father, this is a solemn moment where we are acting … as we consider these individuals for these positions, we pray for your Spirit’s movement in our hearts. And we pray for the will of God to be done. We thank you,” Robinson prayed.

Wendy Eberhardt was elected to serve as the NAD vice president for ministries, replacing Bonita J. Shields, who announced this spring that she would not seek re-election. Eberhart is the director of Young Adult Ministries and camp ministries for the Arizona Conference. She has also served in the Upper Columbia, Kentucky-Tennessee, and Pennsylvania conferences, primarily in the roles of camping leadership and youth ministries.

“She has a strong passion for mentoring, is highly spiritual, and has tremendous people skills. She has the desire to see people be the best they can be,” said G. Alexander Bryant, NAD president, when presenting her name to the executive committee.

Calvin Watkins Sr. was elected to become the NAD vice president for evangelism and regional liason. Alvin Kibble, who retired in 2020, served in this position as liaison to the regional conferences, in leadership development, and Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL). Watkins is currently the president of the Southwest Regional Conference. He’d previously served the South Atlantic Conference as ministerial director and director of the conference’s Adventist Community Services.

“Calvin has baptized more than 6,000 people in his time as an evangelist,” said Bryant. “He is passionate about doing what he can to finish the work of the Lord.”

Maurice Valentine was elected as the vice president for media liason, replacing the retiring Gordon Pifher, who was vice president of media ministries. Valentine previously served Lake Union as its executive secretary and is currently its president. Prior to the Lake Union, he’d served as president of the Central States Conference, and vice president for administration of the Mid-America Union. He has also organized a city-wide radio broadcasting network, and has served on the Breath of Life Ministries executive committee.

“He’s a facilitator and disciple-builder. He brings administrative strength to the role for collaboration,” said Bryant.

Current NAD vice presidents Arne Nielsen, vice president for education, and Tony Anobile, vice president for multilingual ministries, were both reelected.

All incumbents for secretariat and treasury positions were reelected: Elden Ramirez, undersecretary; Carolyn Forrest, associate secretary; Judy Glass, undertreasurer; C. Michael Park, associate treasurer; Sharon Mabena, associate treasurer; and Edwin Romero, associate treasurer. Romero also currently serves as Adventist Retirement administrator/CEO, a separately-appointed position.

Ministries’ Leadership Elections

Bettina Krause was elected as the newest editor of Liberty magazine, the division’s publication on religious liberty. Krause comes to the division from the General Conference as associate director of its PARL department, through which she represents the denomination on Capitol Hill. With a law degree (LLB) from Australia, Krause has significant experience in denominational work as director of Adventist News Network, and director of media relations for the General Conference. Krause also served as special assistant to the former president of the General Conference Jan Paulsen for protocol, media, and communication.

“She has a strong love of religious liberty and is very qualified to serve in this role,” said Bryant.

DeeAnn Bragaw * was elected to become the women’s ministries director of the NAD, replacing Carla Baker, who retired in 2019. Bragaw works for the Rocky Mountain Conference where she serves as its women’s ministries director and prayer ministries coordinator. She has a master’s degree in pastoral ministries and received a bachelor’s degree in education.

“DeeAnn comes highly recommended from many women’s ministries directors,” said Bryant. “She has coordinated many special events and retreats, and collaborates with the youth department to engage and empower teenagers.”

The newest director of NAD Adventist Community Services is W. Derrick Lea. Lea was previously its associate director serving as disaster response director, occupying that role since 2015. He was a fire chief before coming to the division.

“He has a rich history in disaster work, and a passion for serving the community,” said Bryant.

Rudy Salazar will be the new Stewardship Ministries associate director. Salazar comes from the Central California Conference as its director of Gift Planning Ministries and Stewardship.

“Rudy also has many years of experience in stewardship and trust work from times in Texas, Oregon, and California. He’s conducted camp meeting services in English and Spanish,” said Bryant.

Incumbents for the following ministries were re-elected: Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries, Paul Anderson, director; Children’s Ministries, Sherri Uhrig, director, and Gerry Lopez, associate director; Communication, Dan Weber, director, Kimberly Luste Maran, associate director, and Julio C. Muñoz, associate director; Office of Volunteer Ministries, Ernest Hernandez, director; Education, Leisa Morton-Standish, associate director, Stephen Bralley, associate director, Evelyn Sullivan, associate director, and Martha Ban, associate director; Family Ministries, Claudio Consuegra, director, and Pamela Consuegra, associate director; Literature Ministries, Carl McRoy, director; Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, Melissa Reid, associate director; Ministerial Association, Ivan Williams, director, Dave Gemmell, associate director, Jose Cortes Jr., associate director, and Esther Knott, associate director; Stewardship Ministries, Michael Harpe, director; and Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Tracy Wood, director, Vandeon Griffin, associate director, and Armando Miranda Jr., associate director.

Three positions have been referred to the NAD Administrative Committee (NADCOM), which meets throughout the year. These include the position of vice president of strategy and assessment, recently vacated by the retiring Paul Brantley; director for Sabbath School and Personal Ministries; and NAD ACS associate director.

Ministry Moves

The final position filled on April 29 was president of the Guam-Micronesia Mission (GMM). Its previous president, Ken Norton, recently became the president of the Montana Conference. The NAD executive committee elected Matthew Kirk, the current secretary/treasurer of the Montana Conference, to become the mission’s newest president. Remenster Jano, GMM secretary, and Donald Lloyd, treasurer, were both re-elected.

The executive committee also voted two additional actions to give special recognition to leaders who have retired and/or have accepted different roles.

— Mylon Medley is an assistant director of communication for the NAD; Kimberly Luste Maran contributed to this report.

*Editor’s Note: DeeAnn Bragaw will be prayerfully considering this invitation and will make the final decision in the next few days.

29 Apr

CULTURA HISPANA DISTINTIVA EN LAS IGLESIAS RMC

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Por Vanessa Alarcón – Boulder, Colorado … En la Asociación de las Montañas Rocosas, una iglesia designada como hispana significa que su servicio religioso se lleva a cabo en español. Actualmente, hay 29 congregaciones hispanas en RMC. El observador externo podría asumir que estas congregaciones son similares debido a su lenguaje compartido. Pero aparte del lenguaje, hay un conjunto de otros valores similares, tradiciones religiosas y desafíos compartidos.

“Yo diría que hay 15 países representados en nuestras congregaciones hispanas”, comentó Rubén Rivera, coordinador de ministerios hispanos de RMC. “Alrededor del 65% de nuestros miembros son hispanos de primera generación, mientras que el 35% son una mezcla de hispanos de segunda y tercera generación. Esta mezcla de identidades y antecedentes dentro de nuestras iglesias hace que la cultura de cada congregación sea aún más distintiva”, explicó Rubén Rivera.

Algunas de las necesidades de las iglesias hispanas pueden incluir requisitos socioeconómicos, educativos y emocionales, así como problemas y barreras migratorias. “Uno no puede asumir que sólo porque alguien es hispano, que tiene necesidades de inmigración. Es importante entender las necesidades del individuo”, comentó Rivera. Si bien estas necesidades no son exclusivas de los hispanos, las necesidades de la comunidad no siempre están bien representadas en mayores niveles de poder donde se toman decisiones que pueden mejorar la calidad de vida de la comunidad hispana.

Vanessa Alarcón, segunda generación hispana y pastora laico rmc, comentó sobre la cultura y la iglesia. Para ella, la iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día no ha creado recursos para el desarrollo de la fe que se adapten a las experiencias únicas de los hispanos de segunda o tercera generación, por lo que explorar la fe y la cultura fue una parte importante de mi educación.

Alarcón participó recientemente en un estudio bíblico compuesto en su mayoría por hispanos de segunda generación. “Fue increíble que a pesar de que todos asistimos a iglesias adventistas hispanas en todo Estados Unidos, cada uno tuvo dificultades similares para explorar nuestra identidad en Cristo junto con nuestra identidad cultural”, comentó Alarcón.

Entonces, ¿qué descubrirás cuando visites una iglesia hispana?

La respuesta: una comunidad en la encrucijada de desafíos, pero que busca oportunidades para servir. Hay una energía vibrante, una cercanía que se asemeja a la familia, un aprecio por los valores y tradiciones familiares, y un alto compromiso con el servicio.

Michael Taylor, miembro adventista de la iglesia Adventista de Boulder, compartió sus observaciones después de visitar varias iglesias hispanas a través de la Cordillera Del Frente. “El aspecto más notable fue que la gente era muy abierta y dispuesta a compartir su talento: música, cocina, decoración, etc. La gente no parecía preocuparse [por] lo buena o talentosa que era la persona. Simplemente parecían apreciar a la gente compartiendo su talento”, dijo.

Este compromiso total en el ministerio es evidente en casi todas las iglesias hispanas. Durante los eventos de RMC Pathfinder, habrá varios clubes hispanos de aventureros y clubes pathfinder.

Los eventos del ministerio hispano también tienen una alta participación que ha llevado a problemas de registro para Patty Rivera, directora de ministerios de mujeres hispanas de RMC. “Nuestras inscripciones al evento se llenan tan rápido que cada año durante los últimos diez años, hemos tenido que rechazar las inscripciones para nuestro retiro porque todos nuestros lugares, incluso Glacier View Ranch, no pueden tener la capacidad de todos los interesados en participar”, dijo Rivera.

Los problemas de inscripción también son un problema para la reunión de campamentos hispanos de RMC, que tiene una asistencia estimada de 600 personas cada año. Incluso entonces, hay más hispanos que quieren participar de los que pueden asistir.

En promedio, uno de cada tres nuevos miembros en RMC es de una congregación hispana. “Seguimos creciendo y, a pesar de los contratiempos de la pandemia, estamos viendo cómo nuestras iglesias hispanas están haciendo esfuerzos para llegar a sus comunidades”, dijo Rivera.

–Vanessa Alarcón es la pastora de Compromiso de Fe en la iglesia de Boulder; fotos suministrada

29 Apr

ADVISED TO BE A FUNERAL DIRECTOR, SHE BECOMES A TRUST SERVICE EXPERT

RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … “When I was 18 years old, I took an interest survey in college that said I should be a funeral director. When you’re 18, you don’t want to hear that. I joked and laughed about it. But, you know, here I am, at the end of my career, working with wills and trusts and helping people plan for their legacy. The interest survey was probably right back then,” Mary Lynn Green, RMC’s new director of planned giving and trust services, said.

Mary Lynn Green, the fourth child of a railroader and nursing assistant, grew up in small-town America in Missouri. She recalls the town having around 2000 people and two main schools–a public and a Catholic school–both around the same enrollment. Green adds, “We were not rich in material things, but I never grew up thinking anything but that I had a very good life.”

Her mother, she says, was an Adventist, while her father wasn’t. Later, in life he was baptized into the church, which created a unique family situation. She sees this as an asset in her current role when dealing with blended families of all types.

Green describes her new role as, “giving folks peace of mind by helping them plan for their future and [to] understand where they are today, where they want to be in the future, and even as they pass away.”

As director, Green is honored to lead a department that provides these services free of charge. Many conferences do not offer this. “It is a service of our church to the Rocky Mountain Conference constituents. There is no fee for doing the work that we do.”

She explains that even though planned giving and trust services deals with financial aspects of everyday life, they are doing ministry.

“We always think of what we do as a ministry. The relationships that we build with the constituents who reach out for our services are our utmost priority. We represent the church, and we aim to send the message, ‘We care about you. You are part of our church family.’ And we’ll continue to do what we’re doing as a service, developing relationships, listening to people, encouraging them, praying with them.”

Green added that planned giving and trust services helped individuals stay connected during the recent pandemic. “During the pandemic, Matt Moreland [associate director / field representative] spent hours on the phone. People were lonely, isolated. They needed to know that the church cared. By providing this service and by building relationships, we want people to know that we care and this is their church.”

After serving under two previous directors, Green plans to lead the department with an emphasis on grace while expanding technology use. “I think for me, my focus is grace. We make mistakes. We’ve all experienced the grace of the Supreme, and I believe in extending grace. I love the team that I work with. There is no division between me and the team. We’re all a team. We all work as a team. Out of the [previous] two directors, I probably have the most technological focus. As much as anything else, it’s the experience I have and the times we live in.” She looks forward to leading the department in visiting as many churches as possible.

Green is interested in visiting the vast territory of RMC including parts of Wyoming where she lived for a time. “We had the privilege of living in Northern Wyoming for five years and we loved Wyoming, but we didn’t get over to the Eastern side of the state. The same for Colorado, I’ve been to the Western Slope a little bit but I haven’t been down to Alamosa, and I have not been to the churches in New Mexico. I would love to have the opportunity to stop and say hello to folks, share potluck, visit, and answer their questions.”

Green, with her husband, lives in Denver and spends her free time exercising and taking breaks to enjoy family time with her two sons who are in their early twenties.

Planned Giving and Trust Services is available to answer your questions. Please call 303-733-3771 or email [email protected]. If you would like to schedule a visit to your church from Mary Lynn Green or anyone from the department, please contact your pastor.

–RMCNews; photo by Jon Roberts

29 Apr

CAMPION SENIORS ELEVATE CONNECTIONS ON CLASS TRIP TO ESTES PARK

By Sami Hodges – Loveland, Colorado … During the recent home leave to celebrate accomplishments and achievements, Campion Academy’s senior class withdrew to the mountains of Estes Park for a five-day getaway.

To kick off the trip, the seniors pulled an all-nighter in the gym on Tuesday, keeping themselves awake by playing games of basketball, volleyball, and cards, and eating snacks.

“I would say the best part of that night was around 3 a.m. when everyone was feeling delirious,” Tiffany Dien, Campion senior said. “We played charades and the group kept pestering Kevin to act the word out and he did an amazing job. One of the words was ‘Spider-Man’ so we all did the Spider-Man hand gesture and Ireland, in a confident voice, yelled, ‘Superman!’”

Wednesday, the senior class spent the afternoon at Boondocks, an amusement park in Denver, and were entertained by laser tag, bowling, go-karts, and arcade games. After eating lunch at a Mongolian cuisine restaurant, the seniors loaded the bus and departed for the YMCA in Estes Park where a variety of activities, including archery, rock-wall climbing, hiking, arts and crafts, swimming, games, and movies awaited them.

The fellowship and time in the Word is what some seniors will remember. “My favorite part of the class trip was honestly the worship,” commented Ryan Bell, who gave a short sermon on Sabbath morning about the importance of wisdom. “It was neat to hear others teaching, and I realized that you have a deeper understanding of the subject when you teach it yourself. I really wanted God to speak through me, and I wanted to say what He wanted me to say.”

Growing relationships is what some seniors will cherish from the trip. “Senior class trip was a time I grew very close with my class and with God. Within just a couple days, I felt like we all became family, and I knew that every single one of them would be there for me,” shared Bentlee Barry, first year senior at Campion. “I never thought that I would meet people who could just sit down and read the Bible or pray with me. Even if I never see my classmates again, they have impacted who I am and how I appreciate my relationships around me.”

The trip provided a time for seniors to laugh and learn more about themselves and each other. “My favorite part by far would be our cupcake wars. Gabriel is such a good cook and definitely held the team on his back. I learned that Carol is really good at walking down the stairs in the morning, and Milka loves to go swimming. I also learned that I work really well under pressure when I came to an old man’s rescue at Walmart,” joked Barry.

To commemorate the special relationship of the class, during the final worship of the trip Sharmaine Monreal, Campion senior and Jynaya Wright, Campion senior shared a song they co-wrote entitled 2021.

“Every lyric means something and is based on a memory we made with our senior class,” said Wright. “We love and appreciate them so much and this song was a depiction of the times we’ve had with our class. We wanted this to be a way people can remember our class through music, even when we go to college.”

The lines from the last stanza of the song captured the sentiments of the students:

“I will never be alone
‘Cause you’re my family and I’m yours
And I know you’ll forever be my home.”

–Sami Hodges is a senior at Campion; photo supplied

28 Apr

LOVE MATTERS MOST HIGHLIGHTED AT MHA SERVICE DAY

By MHA News — Highlands Ranch, Colorado … “I enjoyed giving to people and spreading God’s word,” said Lindsey, Mile High Academy seventh-grader, reflecting on their annual service day.

Recently, MHA students and staff participated in the school’s annual Love Matters Most Service Day on April 22.

Becca Berg, upper school teacher, chaplain and service day coordinator, explains why service is important to MHA. “Service is a humbling part of our CHERISH core values. Not only is the event a highlight of the school year, [but it also] gives our students a day to focus on walking in Jesus’ footsteps by serving and helping others.”

This year’s focus was on serving several Denver-metro area churches. The students worked hard organizing Sabbath School rooms, vacuuming and dusting, washing windows, cleaning up flowerbeds and handing out bags of food and other necessities to homes in the area.

“We are so grateful that Mrs. Berg and the freshman class came to Franktown for service day,” said Jamey Houghton, Franktown pastor. “The kids helped us out in two specific ways. First, they washed the outside windows, freshening up the look of the church. Second, they helped us out with a problem that probably no other churches have–keeping the cows out. Our neighbor has cows that get through parts of the fence and come visit our church. Pastor Michael Luchak, Franktown associate pastor, took some of the kids down to [help] block the open parts of the fence so the cows will stay on their side. Both jobs were big, and I’m so thankful to have had the help of the kids from Mile High Academy!”

On the other side of Denver, the senior class helped LifeSource unload a semi-trailer filled with miscellaneous items, which LifeSource, in turn, donates to community members with needs.

“It was awesome to have the senior class join in our monthly outreach. Even though the forklift came late, they were still able to unload the entire semi-trailer in record time! We wouldn’t have been able to get the job done without their help,” commented Seth Day, LifeSource co-pastor.

Remaining on campus, the lower grades and the sophomore class made cards for the churches and hospitals and performed campus beautification duties, including picking up trash, pulling weeds and sorting out the school’s storage area.

Working under the bleachers and cleaning up trash, the fourth-grade girls came across a photo of a non-MHA student. Dubbed “a random guy,” the photo brought many giggles to the class.

“The girls were so excited to find their treasure,” said Sherri Francis, fourth-grade teacher. “I couldn’t help but laugh when they declared it an antique from 1990, although it was in color. A fun memory from a fun day.”

Reflecting on service day, eighth-grader Jack summed up the event best when he said, “Overall it was a good day of service.”

Each student received a 2021 blue service day shirt and the day concluded with a pizza lunch provided by school administration.

“There’s always a lot of work, planning and prayer that goes into each service day,” said Berg. “But when I hear the students’ excitement about how they helped someone in need or, in this case, helped get our churches and the MHA campus looking sharp, I can step back and clearly see just how God has given Mile High Academy the opportunity to be a light in the community.”

–MHA News; photos supplied

28 Apr

REINDER BRUINSMA, MOUNTAIN VIEWS AUTHOR, APPOINTED AS KNIGHT BY KING OF THE NETHERLANDS

RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … Reinder Bruinsma, known to readers of RMC Mountain Views magazine as a contributing author, was appointed on April 26 by King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands as knight of the Order of Oranje-Nassau. A surprise to him and his wife, Aafie, the news became a joyful surprise to many of his readers, colleagues, and friends around the world.

“My wife and I were more or less abducted to the town hall of Zeewolde, where we were received by Gerrit Jan Gorter, the mayor of our town,” Bruinsma shared to his blog readers. The mayor said the King was “pleased” to bestow this honor on him. “Because of Corona restrictions, he was not allowed to pin the decorations on me, but asked my wife Aafje to do so,” he commented.

Readers of Mountain Views recognize Dr. Bruinsma’s name for his regular contributions in which he comments on issues and developments in the international church. He has served the Seventh-day Adventist Church in publishing, education, and church administration on three continents, including as secretary of Trans-European Division and president of the Netherlands Union. A prolific writer, Bruinsma has authored numerous books, the latest of which is I Have a Future: Christ’s Resurrection and Mine.

“Our contact and ensuing friendship date back to the 1980s when we were engaged in the publishing ministry in Europe,” Rajmund Dabrowski, editor of Mountain Views, recalled. “Listing Reinder’s church positions would be rather futile, though including communication is more than appropriate as he was appointed director of communication of the Trans-European Division, a position I vacated in 1994.”

Dabrowski added, “My endearment to Reinder includes his love of life, his honesty in the way he expresses his views, all laced with a dry sense of humor.”

“For me it became obvious that we should invite Reinder to write for our magazine. We are blessed to share in his thinking and in his scholarly approach to issues which we often talk about. He challenges the church to stay in the conversation,” Dabrowski shared.

Hearing about Bruinsma recognition, Ed Barnett, RMC president, commented, “That is amazing. I am proud of my Dutch brother. We are blessed to be ministered to by Reinder Bruinsma in the Rocky Mountain Conference on such a regular basis. Congratulations, Brother Bruinsma.”

The Order of Oranje-Nassau was established in 1892, to honor Dutch citizens in the Kingdom of the Netherlands (including the islands in the Caribbean), who have “rendered exceptional service to society.” The Mayor acknowledged that, “the work of the church is also very much part of society,” Bruinsma commented.

He further added, “I will have to explain to my foreign friends that being a “knight” in this Dutch order does not have the same meaning as receiving a “knighthood” in England, and that they do not suddenly have to address me as “Sir.”

—RMCNews; Facebook photo.

28 Apr

HISPANIC CULTURE DISTINCTIVE IN RMC CHURCHES

By Vanessa Alarcón – Boulder, Colorado … In the Rocky Mountain Conference, a church designated as Hispanic signifies that their church service is held in Spanish. Currently, there are 29 Hispanic congregations in RMC. The outside observer might assume these congregations are similar because of their shared language. But apart from language, there is a set of other similar values, religious traditions, and shared challenges.

“I would say that there are 15 countries represented in our Hispanic congregations,” remarked Rubén Rivera, RMC Hispanic Ministries coordinator. “About 65% of our members are first-generation Hispanics while 35% are a mix of second-generation and third-generation Hispanics. This mix of identities and backgrounds within our churches makes each congregation’s culture even more distinctive,” Ruben Rivera explained.

Some of the needs of Hispanic churches can include socio-economic, educational, and emotional requirements as well as immigration issues and barriers. “One cannot assume that just because someone is Hispanic, that they have immigration needs. It’s important to understand the needs of the individual,” commented Rivera. While these needs are not exclusive to Hispanics, the needs of the community are not always well represented in higher levels of power where decisions are made that can improve the quality of life of the Hispanic community.

Vanessa Alarcón, second- generation Hispanic and RMC lay pastor, commented on culture and the church. For her, the Seventh-day Adventist church has not created faith development resources catered to the unique experiences of second or third generation Hispanics, so exploring faith and culture was an important part of my upbringing.

Alarcón recently participated in a Bible study comprised of mostly second-generation Hispanics. “It was incredible that even though we all attended Hispanic Adventist churches across the United States, we each had similar struggles in exploring our identity in Christ in conjunction with our cultural identity,” commented Alarcón.

So, what will you discover when you visit a Hispanic church?

The answer—a community at the crossroads of challenges, but seeking opportunities to serve. There is a vibrant energy, a closeness that resembles family, an appreciation for family values and traditions, and a high commitment to service.

Michael Taylor, Boulder Adventist church member, shared his observations after visiting multiple Hispanic churches across the Front Range. “The most notable [aspect] was that people were very open and willing to share their talents–music, cooking, decorating, etc. People didn’t seem to worry [about] how good or talented the person was. They just seemed to appreciate people sharing their talents,” he said.

This full engagement in ministry is evident in almost every Hispanic church. During RMC Pathfinder events, there will be multiple Hispanic Adventurer clubs and Pathfinder clubs.

Hispanic ministry events also have high turnouts which have led to registration issues for Patty Rivera, Hispanic Women’s Ministries director for RMC. “Our event registrations fill so quickly that every year for the last ten years, we have had to turn away registrations for our retreat because all of our venues, even Glacier View Ranch, can’t hold the capacity of all those interested in participating,” Rivera said.

Registration issues are also a problem for RMC Hispanic camp meeting, which has an estimated attendance of 600 people every year. Even then, there are more Hispanic members who want to participate than can attend.

On average, one in every three new members in RMC is from a Hispanic congregation. “We are continuing to grow and, despite the setbacks of the pandemic, we are seeing how our Hispanic churches are making eﬀorts to reach their communities,” Rivera said.

–Vanessa Alarcón is the Faith Engagement pastor at Boulder church; photos supplied

27 Apr

EQUIPPING LAY PASTORS FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

By Jon Roberts – Denver, Colorado … “It’s my intention to just throw a lot [of information] at everybody, to feed them with a fire hose,” Nathan Skaife, pastor of the Grand Junction church, commented on the Lay Pastor Training in Denver, April 23 – 25 at the Rocky Mountain Conference office.

The gathering, which was the first in-person class of the year for the Denver area, included 17 individuals, many representing the ethnically diverse churches in RMC. The topics covered included covenant theology and best practices for church growth.

For Skaife, the tri-annual meetings are developed out of a love for the Scriptures and a desire to equip individuals to better serve the church and the community.

Responding to what strengths he brings to the gathering, Skaife said, “I would say passion would be one of them. [Also] the love of the Scriptures and [the desire] to help people dig deeper and have the tools to do so and equip them to do what God is calling them to do.”

Elijah Lujan, member of Colorado Springs South church, explained his attendance by saying he enjoys being able to understand the Gospel better. “I’m definitely attending so I can learn more about the Gospel and more about Jesus. When I share with others about Jesus, I’m sharing new stuff that they can understand because [the training] really makes it easier to understand than just saying big words that others may not understand.”

Skaife hopes the training will be challenging to those in attendance. “I wanted it to not only be challenging to someone. I want to push them even further [but] help them to be able to grow in their walk with the Lord,” he said.

For Emmanuel Jean, member of the Agape Haitian church, the training has given him renewed confidence. “[It] has made me read my Bible every day and it makes me feel comfortable talking and sharing with people.”

“Having individuals play a more significant role in the church and the community is the ultimate goal of the training,” commented Skaife

“The people are going to play an even more significant role in their local churches. Many of them are preaching more often than they ever did before. People are engaged in doing Bible studies and are engaged in soul-winning,” Skaife added.

The techniques learned are helping individuals give better sermons and Bible studies according to Augustine Sheriff, Colorado Indonesian-American Adventist Church member. “One of the things I’ve really enjoyed is the help I gain in structuring sermons, giving Bible studies and structuring my lessons as I go.”

Many are thankful that RMC is providing the training to fill the gap of needs in our churches. “I am thankful that the conference has created a program that both trains and assists leaders and helps pastors and congregations in need, that fills the gap that arises in many of our churches,” Bill Oxenford, True Life Community church ember said.”

The next trainings will be held in Grand Junction on May 21 and in Denver on June 11. If you are interested in joining or learning more about the program, please email Nathan Skaife at [email protected].

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