Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

08 Oct

LONNIE HETTERLE TO RETIRE AS RMC EDUCATION SUPERINTENDENT

By Jon Roberts – Denver, Colorado … In a presentation filled with tears and laughter, Lonnie Hetterle, VP of education, announced to RMC employees during their monthly staff meeting on October 6, his desire to retire at the end of December.

Holding back tears, Hetterle struggled to read the statement recalling the past 25 years of education in RMC, while staff listened in shock trying to absorb the news. He moved to his present position as RMC superintendent of education after serving as RMC assistant superintendent of education from 2001 – 2003. Prior to joining the conference, he worked at Mile High Academy where he served as principal for many years.

“The Book of Ecclesiastics gives us the guidance that for everything there is a season and a time,” began Hetterle in his statement to the staff. “What it does not do, nor can do is interpret the specific season and time for each of us individually. That is something that each one of us has to prayerfully and, with counsel and input, make for our own individual lives in specific situations. Just like I thought I would never be 66 years old, I also never dreamed that my time as VP of Education for the Rocky Mountain Conference would ever come to an end,” Hetterle said.

Educators across the conference were notified via email Tuesday afternoon of the pending retirement.

Staff at Vista Ridge Academy were surprised at the news of Lonnie’s retirement. “Lonnie has been part of our Academy from the beginning when the idea of a new school took root over 15 years ago,” said Sandy Hodgson, Vista Ridge Academy principal. “We have been blessed by Lonnie’s contribution to Adventist education in the Rocky Mountain Conference and know that this next phase for him is well deserved. Congratulations,” she commented.

When Michelle Velbis, Springs Adventist Academy principal heard news “I started crying. When I began my teaching career, Lonnie took a chance on me and hired me without any previous experience. Through the years he has mentored, inspired, and empowered me to become a better teacher and a better human being.”

Hetterle explained his decision to leave in the middle of the academic year saying, “It is always better, if possible, to be hired by someone who will be your boss than to be hired by someone who then leaves. If I leave this upcoming January 1, the new individual will be able to be involved in all of the new hires for the 2021-22 school year.”

The accomplishments made in the education department by Hetterle were quickly recognized and applauded by many.

“Lonnie has been a tremendous blessing to our entire conference. He has done a fabulous job of letting our teachers know that they are loved and supported. He will be missed and always loved for the great job that he has done,” Ed Barnett, RMC President commented.

Pastor Barnett explained that Conference administration will begin to search for a replacement soon. He asked all RMC members to keep the search process in prayer as they seek God’s guidance in filling this important role.

“At any school that I have been at, Lonnie has always been willing to give clarity, wisdom, guidance, and would even play basketball with a troubled teen to make a connection. I cannot fathom the RMC without him. At the same time, I know my friend needs to do what’s best for his health and family,” Velbis stated

“I am proposing to retire from my position December 31, 2020, but certainly never from ministry. May God bless Rocky Mountain Conference abundantly is my prayer,” Hetterle concluded.

—Jon Roberts is RMC communication/media assistant; photo by Jon Roberts

08 Oct

CAMPION ACADEMY COMPLETES A HEALTHY FIRST QUARTER IN PERSON

By Jill Harlow – Loveland, Colorado … Campion Academy was among the first high schools in the United States to reopen for in-person classes on August 9. Now, eight weeks later, they’ve completed the first quarter without a positive COVID case.

School nurse, Jenny Gann, was instrumental in developing the health and safety policies which have helped Campion manage the risk of an outbreak. For starters, mask wearing is required at all times, even outdoors. “As frustrating as they can be, I believe masks and limiting our students coming on and off campus have been the main policies which have kept our students healthier this quarter,” Gann commented.

Residence hall students have only been able to leave campus with immediate family members, and trips off campus have been vastly reduced, which has limited the potential for community exposure. While some of these restrictions can be draining on students, Gann said, “I appreciate that the staff and students have been cooperative, so that we’ve been able to stay open.”

Teachers have had to adapt as well to social distancing and to managing an in-person classroom along with students joining on Zoom. Anytime a student experiences any type of viral symptoms, he or she must stay home or in their residence hall, able to join classes remotely through Zoom until they’ve been cleared through testing and/or nurse approval to rejoin their classes.

Erin Johnson, literature and geography teacher, comments, “I think the challenge is trying to be creative with the restraints. I’m typically a teacher that puts students in groups, so I have to be creative in getting students to work together without being physically close.”

With all the added precautions and bumps in the road, has in-person education been worth the risk? “Definitely,” said Johnson. “The kids value our spiritual programming and having in-person help from a teacher. Just being able to see each other’s eyes face to face is valuable. It’s hard to have that ‘ah-ha’ moment, or connection, through a screen.”

Donavan Reeder, principal, commented, “I am so proud of our staff, students and families. It has been difficult to navigate all of the restrictions, but I am amazed at the creativity of our teachers in delivering education with these challenges. Students and families have been understanding and cooperative. Our Spiritual Life team has been faced with challenges for spiritual programming, but the efforts are worth it. We can see God’s Spirit moving on our campus as we seek to Know Him and Show Him.”

While Campion can celebrate this milestone, the administration recognizes that the fight is not over. Students were able to return home for a much anticipated break last week, but with that, the risk of COVID exposure was increased at the start of the second quarter.

Gann explained, “It is easy to let our guard down because we’ve been safe so far, but diligence in wearing our masks, washing our hands, keeping our distance, all of those difficult things, is extremely important right now.”

As students have returned from the break, Campion plans to continue the second quarter as they did the first: with diligence.

—Jill Harlow, Campion Academy communication director; photo supplied

08 Oct

THE ABBEY OUTREACH MEETINGS ATTRACT COMMUNITY MEMBERS in CAñON CITY

By John Davidson – Cañon City, Colorado … After months of delays, evangelism outreach meetings in Cañon City Church attracted some 30 attendees, mostly from the community. The Discovering Revelation series began October 2.

The gatherings originally scheduled to begin on March 13 were abruptly halted after the venue scheduled to host cancelled all events without notice on March 12 due the growing pandemic sweeping America.

As COVID continued to ravish the nation, the meetings continued to be rescheduled, while the pastor and outreach team, maintained contact with 62 individuals who had pre-registered.

“Several of the registrants were concerned that I might do this program and they would not be informed,” John Davidson, Cañon City pastor said.

“I promised them we would keep in contact on a regular basis via email or by phone. Almost everyone who returned an email to me and those that I talked to on the phone had similar thoughts: something in this world is not right.”

Throughout the summer, the program team had discussions about when they might be able to start or if they would be able to start. The events coordinator from The Abbey events complex, an iconic venue which formerly was a Benedictine monastery, the host location, notified us that they were accepting reservations.

Church members began contacting individuals who had pre-registered and notifying them of the rescheduled date. Many people were very excited, yet some said they wouldn’t attend because of the pandemic.

“I believe it’s a miracle that The Abbey was able to open and another miracle that so many people are willing to go into a gathering where they don’t know each other. I believe the Holy Spirit is working on hearts to bring those individuals into a closer and more committed relationship with Jesus,” Davidson commented.

—John Davidson is pastor of Cañon City Church; photo by Rajmund Dabrowski

08 Oct

GRAND JUNCTION STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO BE FULLY ALIVE IN JESUS

By Kiefer Dooley – Grand Junction, Colorado … Intermountain Adventist Academy (IAA) students learned how to become “Fully Alive” in Jesus during the week of worship, September 20 – 25, hosted by the RMC youth department.

Each morning, students met to learn what the Bible has to say about living life Fully Alive. Telling stories from his life, Kiefer Dooley, RMC youth director, was able to connect with the students while also coordinating messages that supported the biblical foundation message and bottom line from either the life of Zacchaeus or Esther.

Jessyka Dooley, RMC assistant youth director, led out in activities to demonstrate lessons from the morning talks.

Tuesday’s activity was especially fun for the participants and especially un-fun for Kiefer. Having learned that God values each one of his children as whole and holy despite living in a sinful world, students were called to recognize that they can value themselves the same way. Individuals took turns spraying whipped cream off of Kiefer’s face. It was all giggles, laughs, and a few extra jets of water here and there, but the kids left understanding that God does not alter the value he places on us because we might have marks of sin on our lives; rather, he sees us and values us as being washed clean.

“The group recognized that a life with Jesus not only changes how we view and value ourselves, but how we care for and live Fully Alive with our friends, neighbors, churches, communities, and ultimately, the world around us,” Kiefer Dooley commented about the experience.

The week resulted in six decisions to commit to a relationship with Jesus and begin a course of study that will lead to baptism.

Responding to the assemblies, Joel Reyes, IAA principal said, “I believe [what made the difference in] having Kiefer and Jessica was the fact that they are young and passionately in love with the Lord. They spoke from their hearts and the kids could tell they were genuine. They weren’t just saying things, but felt what they were saying and kids listened. They presented the gospel in ways kids could “feel” and experience.”

Kiefer Dooley reported that “more than the messages, fun and funky activities, pizza and crafts, we’re leaving having built relationships with kids that show them that living with Jesus means living Fully Alive.”

–Kiefer Dooley is RMC youth director; photo by Joel Reyes

07 Oct

Bible study group meets in hair salon

By Ruben Balaguer – Grand Junction, Colorado … Several community members are gathering in a hair salon to study about Jesus and the salvation he offers.

For the past year and a half, these meetings have been held at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Grand Junction and have been led by Ruben Balaguer, pastor of the Grand Junction Hispanic district. As a result of the pandemic, the group needed to find a new location to continue assembling to learn about the beliefs of the Adventist faith community.

One of the students, a hair salon owner, offered her place of business as a central meeting point every Thursday evening.

“(We) have already studied about the mortality of the soul, hell, some prophecies and the first and second commandments. Soon we will be studying about the Sabbath; therefore, I ask for your prayers,” Balaguer said

The class, which has grown to seventeen individuals, expressed their appreciation for a location where they can meet and study the Bible together.

–Ruben Balaguer is district pastor of Grand Junction Hispanic; photo supplied

07 Oct

EIGHTH-GRADERS SCRAMBLE TO THE TOP AT MHA

By Logen Meyers — Highlands Ranch, Colorado … It was a hot day on the soccer field for the recent Mile High Academy (MHA) middle school Junk Scramble on October 6. The screams of 46 students, plus administration and judges, were the only things heard in the sea of green, black, and red shirts showing class spirit.

Junk Scramble is an annual event comprised of middle school students bringing random household items, placing them in a pile by their class, ready to present them when such an item is called out. Due to the pandemic changes this year, the Junk Scramble was hosted on the soccer field instead of in the gym.

The students gathered with their “junk” while Michael Armstrong, MHA’s VP of Academics, called out random items. If the student or class had the called-out item, they would race to a flag placed in the middle of the field. A judge behind each flag verified whose flag was pulled first and if the item matched what was called.

Points were awarded depending on the corresponding round number. Round One offered ten points per item where Round Four awarded fifty points per item. Other ways of earning points involved classes forming the number of their graduating year, an air raid during which every student had to drop to the ground, and a point-to-heaven, when all class members would stand and point to the sky. Classes had to be always ready as these commands would be given unexpectedly.

The sixth-grade class was the green team, who was ahead in points for the first time at the start of Junk Scramble. However, after the next few items were called, they quickly dropped behind and were in a scramble for the rest of the event. In the end, they came in third place.

“My first experience being in the Junk Scramble was fun. Some of my favorite activities were who could make the class number out of people the fastest and the badminton contests. I had a good time cheering with my class,” Rachel Philpott, sixth-grader, said.

The red team, the seventh-grade class, won the hula-hoop challenge and one of the two planking challenges. While continuously looking for loopholes in the rules, they ended up in second place.

“It was cool that middle school got to do the Junk Scramble this year, and we had a fun time working as a class,” said seventh-grader Wyatt Jerles.

The black-clothed, eighth-grade class, might have been the smallest class, but they were the fiercest and the fastest of the competitors. This team lead most of the event, including the badminton challenge, which guaranteed them the victory.

“Junk Scramble has always been one of my favorite parts of middle school and winning this year made it that much better. I have a small class, and we are all really close, and I am grateful to them and the other classes for their sportsmanship and a fun time” said eight-grader Jack Fesler.

–Logen Meyers is in the seventh grade at Mile High Academy; photos supplied.

07 Oct

UNION COLLEGE STUDENTS TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19

By Jon Roberts – Lincoln, Nebraska … Union College COVID precautions immediately went into effect after a number of students tested positive for COVID-19.

The COVID precautions implemented after Covid tests for some students came back positive include quarantining students who have been in “close contact” to those who contracted the virus and isolation for those who tested positive.

The College acknowledged the cases on campus with a Facebook post on Tuesday, stating, “Though Lincoln’s numbers keep rising, Union’s COVID-19 cases have remained consistently low compared to other colleges and universities (currently, four students are in isolation and nine in quarantine). We are praising God for seeing us through so far, and praising our students for making good choices. Please continue wearing your masks, distancing responsibly and getting your daily health screenings.”

According to the Union College website, twelve students have tested positive for COVID-19 since classes resumed in August.

No other information is provided on the condition of those who are currently in isolation and recovering from the virus.

Those students who test positive “are moved to an isolation room where they have their own bathroom. Village students and employees [who test positive for the virus] must stay off campus. For residence hall students, meals are delivered three times daily and laundry service will be provided,” Union’s COVID-19 website states.

Union College continues to provide free testing for all students, faculty, and staff to ensure students are kept safe.

–Jon Roberts is RMC communication/media assistant; photo by Rajmund Dabrowski

05 Oct

TWO ETHNICALLY DIVERSE CHURCHES WORSHIP TOGETHER IN DENVER

By Rajmund Dabrowski – Highlands Ranch, Denver, Colorado … When two pastors became close friends, they decided to bring their churches together in a joint worship.

Aware of COVID pandemic regulations, the attending believers registered ahead for the worship service, and more than 300 of them from Littleton and Denver Park Hill churches gathered on the Mile High Academy sports field on Sabbath, October 3.

The church service bulletin explained the reason for the gathering. Pastors Andy Nash, Chris Morris, and Alise Weber from Littleton church and Kelby “Mac” McCottry from the Denver Park Hill congregation talked with their church leaders about a joint service and “the response to the idea was overwhelming among all ages. If our Savior Jesus Christ prayed for us to be together, and if we’ll be together in heaven, why shouldn’t we be [together] on earth?” they asked.

Many congregants sported “Together, John 17:23” T-shirts, distributed to registered worshipers, and you would have had no problem witnessing the joy on their faces, a mosaic of ethnicities worshiping together.

The worship featured a 20-minute sermon by each pastor, their theme based on 2 Timothy 1:1-14. Each congregant received a vintage booklet provided at no cost by Thomas Nelson Bibles. “When Thomas Nelson heard about our event today, they immediately said they wanted to be a sponsor,” Andy Nash informed the congregation.

A livestream of the event began with a welcome message by Ed Barnett and Roger Bernard presidents of Rocky Mountain Conference and Central States Conference respectively. They expressed their joy at seeing believers from both territories of the Seventh-day Adventist Church come together.

“Our Littleton church joining with the Denver Park Hill church from the Central States Conference and meeting at Mile High Academy for all-day services was fabulous,” Ed Barnett commented to NewsNuggets.

“I felt bad that I was out of town and not able to join the celebration. Having heard comments from several of our members, I would say that it was a tremendous day. Praise God for the comradery between our brothers and sisters from two different conferences and ethnic backgrounds that are ministering in the same territory. Truly a picture of what heaven will look like,” he added.

This was long overdue, several church members commented. “It’s up to us not to do it in a symbolic manner only, but also to cooperate in joint projects. We are neighbors, serving our community in Denver, aren’t we?” commented George Pelote, stewardship director from the Park Hill church.

Among the most welcome outcomes of coming together to worship was the feeling of being like a family, a community in need of camaraderie. It was not difficult to meet students from the school, past and present. Among them were two former students, James Harris from Park Hill, and Kyla Dixon, a member of Littleton Church.

James commented that it was nice fellowshipping outside with everybody. The area churches should also come together in the future, he said. “I know Park Hill has been on its own and it’s nice to see [us] coming together with everybody as well,” he said.

Kyla agreed. “It was awesome meeting everybody and intermingling, meeting new faces. It was pretty cool,” she shared.

The gathering of fellow Christians more than met the expectations of both pastor-friends. Following the Sabbath service, they shared their personal comments. Kelby McCottry commented: “Oh, yes. Way more. Way more. Just to see people coming, worshipping and fellowshipping together, regardless of membership, regardless of color of skin. This is what I wanted to see.” Andy Nash said that the days of preparation were worth the effort and shared what many people said most: “We should do this more. Why haven’t we done this more?” This began out of friendship for pastor Mac and me, and now we see other friendships forming. That’s the work of the Holy Spirit.”

As pastors, they recognize a need to encourage and bring people together, not just for one worship event.

“God brought us together for such a time as this,” said Pastor McCottry. “To see what’s happening in the world, in the United States, but to know that we can be a model, that we can still love each other. We may worship in different places, may have different preferences and different styles, but still we are God’s children together. The whole purpose was [coming together] to show that this is how it can be; this is how it’s going to be in heaven, so let’s do it now.”

Andy Nash believes that what they did together could be done elsewhere in the church. “People are desperate for something to be hopeful and positive about. What’s missing in many of the conversations in our country is Christ. As humans we cannot solve problems, but in Christ, there is, as we said today, there is dunamis, dynamite, and power in him, as we look to him together.”

The day continued with a picnic lunch together, followed by a shared service project packing food boxes, and ended with everyone’s favorite food—smores. “We will have vespers, along with smores, glowsticks, and a huge Capture the Flag game, which I think should be kids versus adults. Timothy vs. Paul,” Andy Nash announced. More than 100 believers accepted his invitation.

–Rajmund Dabrowski is RMC communication director; photos by Rajmund Dabrowski

01 Oct

ABILITY TO DISCERN

By Gordon Anic

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. [Philippians 1:9-11 NIV]

These words are more appropriate now than they ever were. Life has become one giant stadium with millions of people screaming into millions of microphones and all of that noise is directed at you and me. I don’t know about you but for me it is overwhelming.

I have a job which requires me to be on call all the time. I have bills to pay, my health to take care of and my family to worry about. That family, until July 26^th. included my mom. In early July she fell and was taken to the hospital which informed us that she was COVID positive. Our lives turned upside down.

All of a sudden, the noise of the world faded away and all I could focus on was my mother. Things that were important became unimportant and were put on hold. Major issues became minor issues. The world with all of its demands and impositions just didn’t matter anymore.

It is interesting how most of us need a major kick in the pants to slow down, tune out, turn off, walk away and seek peace. Apostle Paul said, “It is my prayer … that you may discern what is best…”

Funny thing is that we all know what is best. Knowledge is no longer reserved for the rich and learned. In the age of information, all knowledge is at your fingerprints. What’s even more amazing is that the right knowledge has always been in our hearts. In your gut you always knew what was best and how to be pure for the day of Christ, but the desires and problems of this world are powerful. We become immersed into recipe of life that Satan has designed. We look around us and we want what the world has to offer. We become over involved in the affairs of the world too such a degree that we become under involved in the affairs of God’s kingdom.

I think it is time for Christians to slow down and tune the world out. Time to go back to basics of prayer, study and time in nature. Next few years are shaping out to be the most significant time to spread the gospel since the apostles received the Holy Spirit at the Pentecost. That time will come and go. Some of us will be ready to go and work while others will be asleep.

Now is the time to discern what you must do to fill your life with Jesus and his righteousness. Now is the time to prepare for the coming of our Lord.

—Gordon Anic is pastor of Arvada Adventist Church

01 Oct

PANDEMIC DOES NOT STOP VIBRANT CHURCH ACTIVITIES, RMC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HEARS

RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … “Tithe and offering faithfulness is such a blessing in our Conference. Church members and their pastors are inspiring in their dedication to God, which is clearly visible in how God’s church is supported,” said Ed Barnett, RMC president.

In his report to the RMC Executive Committee on September 29, Barnett expressed gratitude to all RMC churches which, in spite of the volatile situation from the pandemic, are successfully using technology so that regular worship services can be conducted.

Reporting on RMC finances, George Crumley, RMC VP for finance, stated that through the month of August “our base tithe (which excludes windfalls), was only down by 0.80%. Our total tithe was down by 7.45%. The reason for the decrease this year,” he explained, “is because through 2019, we had windfalls of over $1,000,000, which we have not had this year.”

Because of weaker tithe and the uncertainty of the future, the Conference is not providing the inflationary pay increase in 2020, in step with all conferences across the North American Division.

Currently the Conference has a hiring freeze, Crumley commented. “Even though revenues are down on tithe itself, but we are still tracking fairly close to budget so far this year,” he reported.

Lonnie Hetterle, RMC education superintendent, shared education highlights. “In spite of the pandemic, RMC schools are open and adapting well” to an ever-changing situation and to safety needs. Hetterle said the new Bible curriculum, “Encounter Series” is life-changing for teachers and students, teaching relationship with Christ. Education is working toward a shift to standards-based instruction rather than just grade-level instruction. This measures the learning of the student.

The committee was also informed of the upcoming joint worship service to be conducted by Denver Park Hill and Littleton churches displaying acceptance and unity.

In a snapshot of the status of the hospitals dealing with the challenges of COVID, Morre Dean, Senior VP and Chief Integration Officer at Centura Health, and a member of the committee, said that the April-May months were the peak impact of the pandemic. Currently the numbers have dropped to a more normalized range in our hospitals. Adventist hospitals have done well at navigating this crisis and returning to a more normal operation. “The mission [of hospitals] is serving the community,” Dean stated.

Don Reeder, Campion Academy principal, informed the committee that the school’s enrollment began with 142 students and is holding strong. The sale of the 65 acres of unused land will come close to completing the goal of Campion Academy’s endowment for a worthy student fund of 10 million dollars. Reeder added that the school welcomed many new staff members along with a new chaplain, and the school sees a resurgence of the literature ministry program reaching out to the community.

The committee voted for pastoral ordination recommendations to be passed on to the Mid-American Union Conference, which will be subject to the ordination committee review. It includes John Davidson from Cañon City, Bob McAlpine from Alamosa, Nathan Cranson from Montrose, and Matt Hasty, coordinator of Literature Ministry.

Eric Nelson updated the committee on the impact of COVID on our churches. “Most of our churches are open,” he said. He also referred to the required protocols and challenges that churches are facing from the pandemic.

In a report by the RMC Trust Department, its director, Doug Inglish said that the department has faced significant challenges with an overwhelming workload and backlog. They have made a procedural move to write more wills in serving members in our conference. “This streamlines the process and the upgrades in technology have also aided the department to be more efficient,” Inglish stated. The recent departmental audit affirmed these steps in efficiency and has given the RMC trust department the highest rating. He summarized his report in saying that “the department progressed to a point where they wanted to be all along.”

The Executive Committee members were updated on the 2020 Town Hall filming, a program to be released on October 9 in NewsNuggets and on the RMC Facebook page.

–RMCNews