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Michael Hansen – Littleton Seventh-day Adventist Church in Littleton, Colorado, held its first annual Men’s Prayer Breakfast in the conference center of AdventHealth Littleton, January 26. It was the launch of a focused Men’s Ministry at the church after months of preparation.

Nathan Helm, longtime elder at Littleton Church, has been leading a men’s Sabbath School for several years. After meeting with Mike Hansen, a church member, last fall, the two decided to begin planning an early 2025 launch of a ministry focused on serving the men of the congregation.

Utilizing a program model from the organization Blueprint for Men*, a Christ-centered, relationship-based men’s ministry, Hansen led the prayer breakfast for the starting event of this ministry.

“Of course, we made sure prayer was included in an event with ‘prayer’ in the name,” remarked Hansen. “I also shared a vision for the upcoming year with a focus on having men involved in our inaugural small group.”

Hansen will be leading the men in a virtual group using the study from Better Man*—a ministry for men with free online resources. “With this particular curriculum, their ‘CORE’ study is 11 sessions, and all the material is available to download, so there is little friction to participating,” says Hansen. “The only barrier could be time, which is why I decided to make this a virtual group.”

Besides the small group, other ways the men will connect will be through outdoor activities and events along with serving the church and community together. Hansen adds, “Doing something with a common goal or mission can bond men together like nothing else can. Especially if it involves the outdoors.”

“I am excited to see where God leads us,” he continues. “This is something I have given a lot thought to and I am passionate about. It serves our men, is aligned with our church, and can reach the community.”

* Please note that Blueprint for Men and Better Man and their publications and media are not affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) nor the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. 

—Michael Hansen is a member of the Littleton Seventh-day Adventist Church. Photos supplied.

Jose Briones – Colorado Springs, Colorado … Manuel Dominguez Palmero, a devoted member of a local Adventist church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has seen his life profoundly transformed over the past 26 years.

His journey into the Adventist faith began when he was just 22, a time when he was deeply entrenched in worldly distractions. It all started when missionaries visited his home. They came to give Bible studies and offer Godly counsel.

While his wife welcomed them, Manuel was initially resistant, finding ways to avoid engaging. He made all sort of excuses to get out of the Bible studies. However, their persistence and the influence of a woman who would become his “spiritual mother” gradually softened his heart. One pivotal day, Manuel finally listened to their message, and the Holy Spirit touched him deeply. He knew he had found his place.

On December 4, 1998, Manuel and his wife made their first visit to an Adventist church in Cuba. The warm reception from the congregation and the beauty of the hymns left a lasting impression.

Manuel, who had previously enjoyed secular music, found the hymns particularly moving and felt an immediate connection to the church. “Living a Christian life is the greatest joy,” Manuel reflects. “The world offers momentary happiness, but the joy and fulfillment I find in my faith are unparalleled.”

Living a Christian life has brought Manuel immense joy and fulfillment. Reflecting on his past, he acknowledges the chaotic and unfulfilling nature of his life before Christ. He urges those who are undecided to choose Christ, stressing that the world offers only fleeting happiness, whereas God fills the void in our hearts.

Manuel, an elder at the Colorado Springs Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church, emphasizes the importance of family worship, both morning and evening, as a source of strength and grounding. He encourages fellow believers to pray, study the Bible, and remain steadfast in their faith. “Family worship gives us the strength to face the day,” he says. “You can’t thrive on a single meal a week, and similarly, you can’t sustain your spiritual life with just one church service. Daily connection with God is essential.”

Looking to the future, Manuel reminds his fellow believers that Christ is coming soon. He urges them to remain faithful, for when the time comes, they will join Him in the Eternal Mansion, prepared for those who have lived according to God’s word. Watch Manuel’s story below.

—Jose Briones is lead pastor at the Fairplay Seventh-day Adventist Church and is the RMC Stewardship Promotion and Content creator. Photo capture from RMC’s “Always Faithful” video series.

Campion News – Denver, Colorado … Sports fans of Campion Academy in Loveland, Colorado, were all smiles after both the girls’ and boys’ varsity basketball teams won their games against Mile High Academy in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, on the Denver Nuggets court at Ball Arena, January 23. To top off the evening, the students got to watch the Denver Nuggets NBA team beat the Sacramento Kings.

It has been two years since Campion played at Ball Arena, so it was thrilling for the players to have a chance to compete on a professional court. “I felt pretty excited to play on an NBA court,” recalled Izuchi Nwankwo, a junior starter on the boys’ team who was playing there for the first time. “That was really cool!”

Sarah Rushold, starting point guard for the girls’ team, shared, “I feel like we played well as a team! We never got down on each other for any mistakes we made. I’m so glad we got to play at the Ball Arena!”

Recalling the boys’ game, EJ Woy, starting senior on the team, said “I was so excited! I felt like I was on fire at first. Although our team could be better on some things, we did well on keeping our composure. Whenever the other team started catching up, we kept our cool and stayed calm and finished the game strong.”

The students look forward to this big event each year. “It’s a bittersweet moment knowing it was my last time playing there,” said Damaris Lopez-Morquecho, senior on the girls’ team.

Josh Makizimana commented, “I felt good and a little emotional as I am a senior and this is my last time playing at Ball Arena. However, Campion played an excellent game, and we finished with the win.”

—Campion News. Photos supplied.

Agape Hammond – Parker, Colorado … The Catalyst 18+ Sabbath School class at Newday Adventist Church in Parker, Colorado, is more than a Bible study group—it is a community of young people navigating the transition from middle and high school students into the next chapter of life. This group offers a space to grow spiritually, build meaningful connections, and engage in service that reflects God’s love.

Catalyst 18+ members exemplified their mission by serving the unhoused at The Salvation Army-Crossroads Center in Denver, Colorado, January 25. “With hearts full of compassion and hands ready to help, the group worked from November through January to make a difference in the lives of those in need,” remarked Agape Hammond, Newday’s Social Media and Communications director.

The volunteers distributed much-needed items, including gloves, socks, and sweatshirts—all of which had been donated by the Newday Church community. One man’s simple yet heartfelt words captured the spirit of the day as he wheeled away, stocked up with gloves, socks, and a beanie: “Thank you, lady, for helping the poor people.”

In addition to clothing, the group handed out bags filled with a burrito, water, tissues, and copies of Ellen G. White’s Steps to Christ. The long line of people in need was a sobering reminder of the ongoing demand for help.

One volunteer with the Catalyst 18+ group commented that they felt blessed to be part of the outreach, while spending time with fellow church members and making new friends, deepening bonds through shared service. Together, the Catalyst 18+ team ensured that no one was left out that service day, providing not just material support but also moments of connection.

Another volunteer that connected strongly with the community was Jeneane. Her bold faith led her to approach many individuals, offering prayer and a loving handshake. In a moment that reinforced the power of empathy, one of the men being served broke down in tears, saying, “I needed this.”

The experience left a lasting impression on both the volunteers and those they served. As Esther, a group volunteer, reflected, “It was a privilege using Sabbath for God’s work,” expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve warm meals and recognize her own blessings.

Another lesson the group learned is that we are part of a wider community of believers that care. For instance, Jorge, a close friend of Esther’s visiting from Peru, shared how similar acts of kindness are common in his home country, saying, “Es gratificante, siendo parte de este grupo y conociendo otra iglesia, promoviendo el nombre de nuestra iglesia.” (“It is rewarding to be part of this group, getting to know another church, and promoting the name of our church.”)

While there, they also met Eric, a member of the Arvada Seventh-day Adventist Church, who, along with several others, has been faithfully helping at the Crossroads Center on the third Saturday of each month.

His consistent involvement emphasizes the importance of sustained service and the vital role volunteers play in meeting the ongoing needs of the unhoused community. Volunteer Coco shared that, for her, the blessing was in connecting with another church on a similar mission, finding encouragement in being part of a larger community united in service.

For the Catalyst 18+ group, this day of service was more than a one-time event—it was a living example of their commitment to faith, action, and compassion. By stepping out to serve, they not only brought hope to those in need but also strengthened their own spiritual journeys, making a difference in the world one act of kindness at a time.

—Agape Hammond is Social Media and Communications director for the Newday Seventh-day Adventist Church. Photos supplied.

AdventHealth – Parker, Colorado … AdventHealth Parker unveiled a $300 million expansion project today. Currently a 179-bed hospital, AdventHealth Parker has served the southeast Denver metro area and beyond for nearly 21 years.

The new 186,000 square foot tower will include:

• Four operating rooms (and two additional rooms that will be shelled for future use)
• 16 pre- and post-operative rooms
• 60 new medical/surgical beds
• Two cardiac catheterization labs
• Two interventional radiology labs
• A new sterile processing department
• The 5^th, 6^th, and 7^th floors will be shelled as future patient bed floors

Construction is expected to begin in February 2025, with plans to care for the first patient by February 2027.

According to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Parker has grown by 72% since AdventHealth Parker first opened in 2004 and is expected to grow another 8% by the time the tower opens in 2027.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to support our community by providing outstanding and accessible care, close to home,” said AdventHealth Parker CEO, Michael Goebel. “This strategic investment will not only elevate our services but ensure we are meeting the healthcare needs of our patients for years to come.”

AdventHealth Parker is currently the town’s largest employer, with more than 1,100 employees. When the tower opens, it is expected to create at least 100 additional jobs.

“Our goal within AdventHealth is to be a preeminent healthcare system known for whole-person care,” said AdventHealth Rocky Mountain Region CEO, Brett Spenst. “With this aspiration guiding us, it is our sacred duty to expand our services and continue to grow so that more people can achieve wholeness in mind, body, and spirit.”

This significant investment will enable AdventHealth Parker to deepen its commitment to the healing ministry of Christ, ensuring that we continue to serve our communities and beyond.

—AdventHealth. Republished with permission from the AdventHealth The Newsroom website. Photos supplied.

By Marsha Bartulec

Serving others is one of the most powerful ways we can reflect God’s love. Jesus showed us this in John 13 when He washed His disciples’ feet. Imagine the King of the universe kneeling down to do a servant’s job! Jesus wasn’t just teaching about service—He was living it, showing His disciples and us what love in action looks like.

Sometimes, we think serving has to be something big, like a mission trip or donating a lot of money. While those are great, service often happens in the small, everyday moments. It’s helping a sibling with their chores, comforting a friend who’s upset, or including someone sitting alone. These small acts of kindness, done with love, make a big impact.

Jesus said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:15). Serving isn’t about being noticed or praised—it’s about putting others first and showing them God’s love.

At Vista Ridge Academy, we encourage students to look for ways to serve, whether it’s helping a classmate, being kind during recess, or volunteering for tasks in the classroom. These moments of service not only bless others but also help our students grow into the caring, Christlike individuals God calls them to be.

Think about simple ways you can serve together—whether it’s baking for a neighbor, writing notes of encouragement, or volunteering in your community. Every act of service, big or small, shines a light for Jesus.

Let’s pray for hearts that love to serve.

—Marsha Bartulec is principal at Vista Ridge Academy. Republished with permission from the “Eagle Update: The Vista Ridge Academy Weekly Newsletter,” January 17, 2025. Photos supplied.

RMCNews – Ward, Colorado … The 2025 Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Greater Summit youth retreat was held at Glacier View Ranch (GVR) in Ward, Colorado, January 17-20. Tailored for middle and high school age youth, the weekend retreat was a joint venture between RMC and Kansas-Nebraska Conference Youth Ministries. The event was marked with record attendance of around 140 participants including youth, their adult sponsors/family members, and RMC and GVR staff and volunteers.

While temperatures hovered between -10 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit and there was significant snowfall witnessed in the region, participants were still able enjoy all of the scheduled programs, social events, and activities including snow tubing, snow shoeing, arts and crafts, and time in GVR’s indoor aquatic center.

RMCNews was able to connect in an interview with lead program coordinator Jade Teal, RMC Youth assistant director, and RMC Youth director Brandon Westgate to get a better understanding of the greater mission and purpose of the event.

What is the purpose of Greater Summit? It requires a lot of preparation and coordination, so why hold this event?

[Jade Teal] Greater Summit is a weekend for kids to come together and grow closer to God and grow in their personal relationship with Him. It also serves for the adults in their lives to be able to connect with them on a much deeper level and to give them an opportunity to really open up to those adults about what’s going on in their spiritual lives. The adults can help coach them through some of the things that they’re going through.

The theme for this year’s program was “Undefeated.” Can you tell me a little bit more about why you chose that theme?

[Brandon Westgate] As a youth department, we try to pick a theme every year that’s going to challenge not only us but challenge our volunteers and especially challenge our campers and our schools. When we do Week of Prayer in our schools, we use that same theme when we do worship services there.

Our theme this year is “Undefeated,” and the idea is that Jesus never lost a battle. When we claim Jesus’s righteousness as our own and we put our faith in Him, we claim His victories. So even though the enemy is always trying to make us feel like we’re defeated in some way, or we fall short, the reality of the Gospel is that each and every one of us are undefeated. Our goal, our mission this year as a youth department is to really pour that message into the hearts of the young people that we encounter.

Generally, how do you select your speakers?

[Brandon Westgate] Speaker selection is something we pray about because we do want them to match and align with the mission of our youth department. Our mission is that we want to make it easy for kids to know God, so we search out speakers that are going share the message of the Gospel in a plain way that young people can relate to. We looked around at this year and Nick [Snell] (Kansas-Nebraska Conference Youth and Young Adult director) was one of those guys that definitely has the ability to do that. And our other speaker, Jolina Console, who’s a theology major at Union Adventist University, has been a summer camp staff here for three summers and loves this place. She was super excited when we asked her to come and speak. So, for us it felt like a real natural selection.

What have you noticed the participants get most engaged with and excited to do while attending the event?

[Jade Teal] I think our winter activities are definitely near top of the list. We have a giant sledding hill, and that’s always a highlight. And then I think the ability to connect in small groups to other teams, other high schoolers, and to be able to connect with  their teachers, parents, sponsors, and group leaders as well.

[Brandon Westgate] There’s three components that we do well here and we’re intentional about during Greater Summit. One of those is engage, one is encounter, and the other is enjoy. We engage with Scripture, and we encounter God as we study Scripture together in small groups, and the enjoyment piece is just connecting with friends and sponsors and enjoying some of those winter activities. Those three pieces of Greater Summit are really what makes it what it is.

Any final thoughts on the program that you would like to share?

[Brandon Westgate] Some of the things that happen at Greater Summit are things that happen in smaller groups. The worship services are always good; they’re always engaging. It’s the little conversations you see happen. When you see a couple of teens pulled off to the side of a room praying together, that’s a huge thing for us because we know they’re really connecting not only with each other but they’re connecting with their Creator. For us, that’s a big win.

[Jade Teal] Another thing that’s been really, really cool to see is how when the kids don’t have access to internet or technology, they make their own fun and connect with each other in ways that we don’t often see anymore. Today I was out on the lake with a bunch of the kids and a couple of them had brought their ice skates up because they knew there was a [frozen] lake. They recruited a bunch of people to help them clear a spot on the ice to be able to skate. It’s things like that, where they’re working together and meeting people and interacting in ways that they wouldn’t usually do.

Greater Summit happens in January of each year, so start planning now to bring your school, church, club, or family group in 2026. Be sure to look for the upcoming video of the full interview and highlights of the 2025 Greater Summit on the RMC website rmcsda.org or in another edition of NewsNuggets. If you have any questions on the program and how to participate next year, contact Jade Teal at [email protected] or at (303) 282-3664.

—RMCNews. Photos by Liz Kirkland.