Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

26 May

Tragedy in the Amazon Basin of Peru

By Greg Hodgson — Iquitos, Peru . . . Few places capture the modern American imagination like Peru…land of the Incas and the mesmerizing Machu Picchu; the towering Andes mountains with peaks above 22,000 feet; and the mysterious Amazon jungle which still holds undiscovered indigenous peoples, plants and animals.

Tragedy has struck in a corner of this paradise, centered in the city of Iquitos, the largest city in the world with no road access. You wouldn’t think that a contagious virus like COVID-19 would wreak havoc in such an isolated place, but it has arrived with a vengeance.

In the midst of this calamity is Clinica Adventista Ana Stahl. Founded by the courageous mission pioneers, Fernando and Ana Stahl, the hospital (known as “la Clinica” since only government facilities can be called hospitals) has cared for the population of this community with over half-a-million population for 93 years. Though modest in size, la Clinica provides the best healthcare services in the region and is well known for its quality and the dedication and compassion of its medical professionals.

Enter COVID-19 and the tranquility of this idyllic setting is shattered. Calling a national emergency, the President of Peru, Martín Vizcarra, enacted a nationwide curfew and stay-at-home policy on March 15, and all commercial flights in, out, and within the country were immediately cancelled. Thousands of Americans were stranded. By April 9 about 6,800 U.S. citizens had been evacuated [1], however the U.S. Embassy in Peru has still posted additional evacuation flights including one scheduled for May 27. [2]

The virus runs rampant through the poor and crowded shanty towns of Iquitos which encircle the historic center. Patients overwhelm government hospitals where medicine and oxygen are in short supply and dozens die each day. Graciela Meza, executive director of the regional health office, claims that most victims have died from a lack of oxygen; 90% have died from a lack of medical supplies.” [3] Lines of people come to the government hospital seeking care, yet often end up on cots lining the courtyards and hallways. One government doctor estimates that 80% of the healthcare workers in the region have COVID-19, and dozens of doctors and nurses have died. [4] Piles of body bags fill up morgues, yet many people die at home and are quickly buried due to the hot and humid climate.

Doing its best to serve the community, la Clinica struggled to provide services. Just as in the government facilities, employees of the Adventist hospital were being infected. By the end of April, 55% of the staff were confirmed to have COVID-19 or had COVID-like symptoms. [5] Sadly, Dr Elard Calli, the radiologist at la Clinica, passed away from COVID-19 on May 9.

The nurses and doctors still able to work were so few that on April 29 the administration decided to close la Clinica. Dr. Milka Brañez, the hospital’s director, wrote, “When we closed la Clinica, I was sick, and I cried bitterly. I felt that I had failed. How could we close at such a critical time for the region? But God has shown me that it was the best in those circumstances.” Continuing, Dr. Brañez said, “We are planning how to reopen some services such as drug care for chronic patients. The viral load is still very high in Iquitos. Since our employees are not fully cured and are still contagious, we must be very careful. I am strong in the Lord and I am not afraid of the future because God is in control. And we will rise again to help our neighbor who so badly needs us.”

In an encouraging development, the first four staff members to become infected were officially discharged from la Clinica on Monday, May 18, and are confirmed to be well enough to return home. Plans are being made to open a few services to the community again, and the first public services for pharmacy, laboratory, and imaging began on May 26.

In order to help protect employees at la Clinica, the Adventist hospitals in Colorado have raised over $40,000 for personal protective equipment (PPE). Plans are underway to ship additional supplies in partnership with AdventHealth’s Global Mission program based out of Central Florida, Shawnee Mission Medical Center in Kansas City, and ADRA International. However, with no income for a month, hospital resources are severely strained, and they will need additional support to endure the remaining pandemic crisis. Anyone interested in providing assistance can donate at Rocky Mountain Adventist Health Foundation (www.rmahf.org/ghi).

“We thank God and the entire team at our beloved clinic for the care and love that they provide,” Dr. Brañez wrote again a few days later. “We are going through very hard times in this pandemic. We have lost family, friends, and coworkers, but let’s never forget that God is in control.” In the United States, we continue to admire the strength and courage of Dr. Brañez and her team in this crisis, and pray that they will receive the support needed to continue their mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ in Amazon Basin of Peru.

—Greg Hodgson is director of Global Health Initiatives in Denver, Colorado; Photos supplied

[1] “US Government Evacuation Flights from Peru Will Soon Be Phased Out,” The Washington Post, April 9, 2020

[2] US Embassy in Peru, COVID-19 Information, Updated May 19, 2020

[3], “We are Living in a Catastrophe: Peru’s Jungle Capital Chocking for Breath as COVI-19 Hits,” The Guardian, May 19, 2020

[4] “Peruvian Hospitals Hit by Double Crises of COVID-19 and Dengue Fever,” France 24, The Observers, May 12, 2020

[5] “Situational Diagnosis of the Health Status for the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Clinica Adventista Ana Stahl, May 6, 2020

26 May

NAD President to Retire July 1; Replacement Process Defined

NN May 2020

NAD Office of Communication — Columbia, Maryland . . .Daniel R. Jackson, president of the North American Division of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (NAD), and his wife Donna, have announced their intent to retire, effective July 1, 2020. With the postponement of the 2020 General Conference (GC) Session, NAD administration has worked with GC leadership to establish a clear process for the election of the new NAD president in July 2020.

The Jacksons have served at the NAD headquarters since his election in June 2010 at the GC Session in Atlanta, Georgia. He was reelected to the position in 2015, at the GC Session in San Antonio, Texas. Prior to coming to the NAD, Jackson served for eight years as the president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada.

“Serving has always been a privilege,” says Jackson of his career working for the church. “The real privilege of all this has been meeting with our people from coast to coast, throughout the North American Division: in Canada, the United States, Bermuda, Guam, and Micronesia. To meet with our people … the perk of the job is to see the wonderful mission focus that many, many of our members have. This division is about mission.”

With the exception of five years of service in the Southern Asia Division, Jackson, a native Canadian, has lived and ministered entirely in the North American Division. He graduated from Canadian Union College (now Burman University) with a B.A. in Theology, and also earned an M.A. in Religion in Systematic Theology from Andrews University.

During his career, Jackson has served the church as a pastor, teacher, and administrator. Jackson and his wife, Donna, enjoy the three children and four grandchildren the Lord has given them.

But foremost, Jackson says he is a fellow traveler on the same path as every Christian headed toward God’s kingdom.

“I’ve always held the idea that God would move us into this role in great reverence,” adds Jackson. “I have not enjoyed every day, and I’ve said this plainly, … but it is the people that make the job very rich, and a huge blessing. I deeply respect and revere what God is willing to do in the life of a scamp from Edmonton, Alberta, and a wonderful woman from Sidney, British Columbia.”

Donna Jackson has served the NAD as Ministerial Spouses leader and NAD field assistant in the NAD Ministerial Association. Previously, she held the position of Family and Women’s Ministries director of the Ontario Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada Women’s Ministries liaison coordinator for eight years.

“I’ve been very fortunate to work in the Ministerial Association with an energetic team,” she says. “My special task has been ministerial spouses and their families. I have a special heart for the new spouses coming into it — a neat part of being the president’s wife is meeting all these people. I wouldn’t know them otherwise.”

Born and raised on Vancouver Island, B.C., Donna’s world view was stretched by living in the U.S., Sri Lanka, and India — and by serving on short term projects in Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Donna was educated at Canadian University College and Spicer Memorial College in India (B.A. degree conferred).

New NAD President Election Process Established

In compliance with GC by-laws and working policy, NAD administration has worked with GC leadership to establish a clear process for the election of the new NAD president. All world division executive officers serve as elected officers of the GC and their nomination and election by the region they represent must be approved by the General Conference Executive Committee.

The NAD nominating committee will meet on July 6 to select a name to be presented and voted on by the NAD Executive Committee on July 7 and sent as a recommendation to the GC Executive Committee. Both of these committees will be chaired by Ted N.C. Wilson, GC president. The meetings will be held virtually via Zoom and a previously used electronic voting process will be utilized.

On July 9, the General Conference Executive Committee will meet virtually to receive the recommendation and elect the new NAD president.

As the process for a new NAD president starts, church leaders are asking members to lift up the proceedings and those involved in prayer.

This article originally appeared on the NAD Website. Photo by Pieter Damsteegt

26 May

Adventists and the 1918 Influenza Pandemic

By Michael W. Campbell — Keene, Texas . . . By all historical accounts, the 1918 Influenza pandemic, sometimes erroneously called the “Spanish Flu” (most historians credit the beginning of the disease to rural Kansas), was a global disaster. Historians debate just how many people died—estimates range from 50 to 100 million people. In contrast to the ravages of World War I, it is significant that many soldiers survived the war only to die from this contagious disease! Between the war and the flu, it was a one-two punch that caused a great deal of anxiety in the early part of the twentieth-century.

The purpose of this article is to reflect about how this pandemic impacted the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and specifically, how did Adventists respond? Obviously, many faithful Adventists, just as in the general population, lost their lives. While there are no precise statistics on exactly how many Adventists died, if obituaries in the Review and other union papers are any indication, it did have a significant impact. In fact, even minutes from denominational committees had to deal with the problem of replacing workers, some in mission posts, who succumbed to the disease.

The 1918-19 Influenza pandemic really had three major waves in the United States, the second of which was the most virulent and caused the most deaths. Most church and school closures were based upon the advice of local health and government officials, with strong support from church leaders (hence such efforts were largely localized). Clearly church members and leaders at this time felt confident that such closures were a proactive measure meant to keep people safe. I have yet to find any Adventists from this time period protesting these measures as limiting their religious freedom in any way. In fact, it appears to be quite the opposite, since many people alive at this time could likely remember the many debilitating diseases of the nineteenth-century that swept America (and Adventism). Thus, Adventists were nothing short of enthusiastic about embracing the best of modern medicine including vaccines. Even Ellen White herself set the example when she was still alive (she died in 1915) by getting vaccinated![i]

The one noticeable thing is that denominational leaders were crystal clear that every church member had a responsibility to help mitigate the impact of the pandemic. This meant effectively social distancing and if you became sick, to stay home and get rest. “There is the gravest danger in putting off proper care in an attack of influenza,” admonished L. A. Hansen. He went on to advise that there must be a balance to avoid both “undue fear” so as to not cripple relief efforts. He urged “good common sense” including “proper safe-guarding.” This included isolating oneself if one became sick. For others, it meant making sure to “protect others by sneezing and coughing into handkerchiefs or cloths, which should be boiled or burned.” People should avoid contact at all costs with those who are sick. “The present disease situation is recognized as a serious one, and all persons are urged by the highest medical authorities to give careful heed to every precautionary measure. Don’t be frightened. Simply take good care of yourself, and help to safeguard others.”[ii]

The editor of the Review and Herald, the respected F. M. Wilcox, challenged the denomination that it was “high time that they become intelligent in the employment of the rational remedies and system of treatment of which as a denomination we have had a knowledge for many years.”[iii] Adventists, who advocated for a wholistic view of modern medicine, were through their medical institutions strategically poised to help combat the disease. “Every Seventh-day Adventist may obtain a knowledge of these principles so that he can apply them in his own home.” Yet Wilcox was also quick to caution against those who might also believe that the Adventist health message would prevent them from getting sick. “We do not by any means take the position that obedience to these principles will insure immunity against disease or death.” He concluded by urging church members to “exercise” an “intelligent faith” by taking prudent steps to combat disease based upon the best medical guidelines available.[iv] Adventists frequently published such medical advice in church papers and issued special pamphlets and circular numbers of church periodicals, designed to educate the public.

Seventh-day Adventist leaders furthermore felt that a denomination with its special emphasis upon health, along with a network of healthcare institutions, had a sacred responsibility to do whatever they could to help alleviate the pandemic. It is interesting that church leaders noted an uptick in enrollment at Adventist colleges in all lines related to medical work. Adventism, with its strong emphasis upon medical missionary work, used this as an opportunity to refocus its institutions by training young people to meet the crisis. It is furthermore significant, during an age of institutionalization and as the church finessed its global structure (it added “divisions” to the hierarchy of the church between unions and the General Conference at the 1918 General Conference session right before the pandemic broke out), the pandemic caused church leaders to add a departmental position for a “medical missionary secretary” as recommended for local churches, conferences, and unions to help encourage medical missionary work training at all levels of the denomination.[v] As a result, even today, the Church Manual encourages the local church to have a health ministries coordinator. Another significant thing was the deep admiration and support church leaders had for the American Red Cross. The Red Cross was featured prominently in church periodicals and church members were urged to support their relief efforts. Adventists did not see themselves as isolated from other relief efforts; instead they should both contribute what they could and cooperate with others helping to provide relief during this time of crisis.[vi]

Still, if Dr. W. A. Ruble, the director of the denomination’s health work at that time is any indication, he wrote several times how he felt the denomination was caught unprepared by this epidemic. “Every young person, yes, every member of our denomination, old or young, male or female,” he wrote, “might have been busy night and day during the present epidemic if they had been prepared.”[vii] On a number of other occasions, particularly toward the end of the epidemic, he ruefully bemoaned how the epidemic had brought them ten times the number of opportunities to do missionary work if only they had been ready. While churches and schools were closed, as Adventist evangelists were no longer able to hold public meetings, for those who were willing to be flexible and adapt, they could now more than ever before be a living witness of hope and faith to their sick friends and neighbors. And even as some Adventists became sick and even died, they lived as a people of hope, which meant that Adventists had a sacred responsibility to help those who became sick. Obviously, this meant following very strict measures that included wearing protective gear and masks, yet collectively there was a general sense of responsibility to help those who became sick in the safest and most responsible way possible.

Adventism was forever altered by the 1918 pandemic in far-reaching ways that are largely taken for granted today. This legacy of responsible and balanced action meant cooperating with government officials and other relief organizations, embracing best practices based upon what they knew from medical science, exercising common sense, and prioritizing the safety of both their communities and themselves, with the understanding that all Adventists had a sacred responsibility to help those who became sick.

Michael W. Campbell, Ph.D. is professor of religion at Southwestern Adventist University. He has served as a pastor in both Colorado and Kansas and is the author of numerous books and articles. His next book, the Pocket Dictionary for Understanding Adventism (Pacific Press, 2020) will be released in a few weeks. He co-hosts a podcast titled “Sabbath School Rescue” available on Spotify and iTunes. Photo supplied

This article was originally published on the NAD Ministerial website

_______________________________________________________________

[i]For a more extensive discussion of this point, see the article I wrote: “Ellen White and Modern Medicine,” Adventist Review, January 2017, 62-63.

[ii]L. A. Hansen, “An Influenza Precaution,” Review and Herald, Jan. 16, 1919, pg. 30.

[iii]F. M. Wilcox, “The Dangers of the Last Days,” RH Jan. 30, 1919, pg. 7.

[iv]Ibid.

[v]W. A. Ruble, “What are you Going to do About it?” RH Jan. 30, 1919, pg. 2.

[vi]Lora E. Clement, “Fighting the ‘Flu’: The Heroic Work of the Red Cross,” RH Jan. 23, 1919, pg. 17-18.

[vii]W. A. Ruble, “What are you Going to do About it?” RH Jan. 30, 1919, pg. 2.

26 May

AN EMOTIONAL END OF THE 2019 – 2020 SCHOOL YEAR AT BRIGHTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY

NN May 2020

By Jodie Aakko – Brighton, Colorado . . . With our fourth quarter converted to distance learning, a lot of tears were shed from children and adults alike. We missed each other. We missed our spring program, our track and field event, our SA banquet, and many field trips. Last week, students returned to their classrooms for the first time since March. One of my seventh-grade girls just put her head on her desk and said, “My desk! I miss my desk!” And she remained at her desk, head down, in silence for a while, then sat up to write little notes for her classmates to discover at their own desks.

We set-out to give our students an epic capstone that would express our admiration for such outstanding students.

We held graduation at the Brighton Church sanctuary, which included six pre-recorded events: kindergarten outdoor graduation, Zoom interview with tenth grade students, footage of a tenth-grade driving parade, three student solos, eighth-grade tribute to parents, and a video yearbook. The live stream May 20 graduation hosted only our three eighth grade students, with parents, so that diplomas could be received in person.

One parent shared their deep appreciation for the event, “Tonight was my son’s beautiful eighth-grade graduation ceremony. Our school made it so special and wonderful. It was so bitter sweet. We had one of the best years ever and it was cut short. I was sobbing by the end of the picture/ video. I am so blessed to be part of such a wonderful school and church family!”

Gina Davison, K-4 teacher, recognized the silver-lining in an outdoor graduation, “Our school has a beautiful large rock sign in front that says ‘Bring the little children to me, for such is the kingdom of Heaven.’ There is no better location for a kindergarten graduation. Seeing our four kindergarten students gather at this invitation from Jesus, was like sitting at the feet of Jesus.”

The live stream graduation event concluded with a video yearbook, ending with a broadcast of BAA students singing the chorus of “Rise Up” at the 2020 Rocky Mountain Conference Music Festival. This closing was intentionally shared with words on the screen, “BAA family, we will rise up! See you August 2020!”

Jodie Aakko is Head Teacher at Brighton Adventist Academy; Photos by Jodie Aakko

21 May

A LIFE OF SECOND CHANCES

NN May 2020

By Vanessa Alacron — When I was five years old, a dog bit me. That’s when my dislike of dogs began. But, when my fiancé begged for us to own a dog when we got married, I decided to grant him his wish as long as I was not involved in its care. I could see the disappointment in his eyes–so much that I had a change of heart and surprised him in my wedding vows saying that I would care for our puppy. Although reluctant to meet her, I was willing to give it a try. When I met our puppy, I discovered that I love dogs. Before, I detested being licked or sniffed. Somehow, dogs knew I didn’t like them so they would always come to me. Now, I welcome this little puppy who just wanted to get to know me.

My friends are shocked; they cannot believe I’m the same person because I was such a proclaimed dog hater and now, I’m a dog lover. What changed? A shift of perspective, perhaps? Allowing myself one additional experience, a second chance? While I have this perception that I’m an open-minded person, I am not always drawn to change and avoid risk as much as possible

Have you ever found yourself so certain about something, but then you learn one thing and now you think differently? We learn from our experiences, so one bad experience can lead us to avoid or dislike something for the rest of our lives. We are all bound to change, though. In the story of Saul in the book of Acts, could ever think that Saul, persecutor of Christians, would later on be an evangelist for Christ? The Bible is full of transformation stories.

And while my change was from disliking dogs to loving them, it has made me rethink my current dislikes and biases. How could I love something that I refused for my entire life? Who are the people or groups of people that I am currently shutting out of my life because of one bad moment? Could it be that I’m missing out on others because of my own fears?

I’d encourage everyone to reflect on your bad experiences with others. How many of them are up for your review or are due for a second chance?

“Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9 MSG).

—Vanessa Alacron is the faith engagement pastor at Boulder Adventist Church in Boulder, Colorado.

21 May

WAKING UP WITH CHRIST DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

By Evelyn Rivera — Denver, Colorado … “Waking up with Christ” is a series of inspirational live morning devotionals offered to Hispanic church members every weekday morning at 7:00 a.m. via Zoom as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A group of some fifty participants from Denver area Hispanic churches join the daily meetings consisting of a traditional song service, prayer requests, and a short message from a different pastor each day.

As churches remain closed, this ministry is helping to connect the Hispanic church members and to enrich their spiritual lives during the pandemic. The morning devotionals are an initiative of the Hispanic pastors of the Rocky Mountain Conference.

“Every morning is very special because God wakes me up before 7:00 a.m. to consecrate church members, my family, and myself,” explained Jose David Rodriguez, who is pastoring several churches in RMC.

Commenting on the initiative, Veronica Yanez from Bloomfield Seventh-day Adventist church said, “Seeing so many people connected to pray for each other daily with the same purpose has been a great blessing in my life. Listening to these devotionals gives me a lot of courage to make it through the day and it strengthens my faith to know there are others going through the same difficulties as I am.”

The initiative is a welcome engagement for Ninfa Krutsinger, a member of Denver Hispanic Adventist church. She shared that “since I started joining these virtual devotionals, I have not stopped listening to them in the mornings. The devotionals give me the spiritual daily bread I need and have been very helpful in my personal life.”

—Evelyn Rivera, is a member of the Nueva Esperanza SDA Church Aurora, Colorado; photo supplied

21 May

LOCKDOWN BUT NOT SHUTDOWN ON NAVAJO LA VIDA MISSION

By Dorie Panganiban — Farmington, New Mexico … The La Vida Mission School building is closed, but school continues until May 22, reported Dorie Panganiban, office manager at the Mission. When the students went home on March 14 for their one-week Spring Break, they never came back for face-to-face school since all schools in New Mexico were ordered by the governor to close. At that time, La Vida Mission made the decision to close until the end of the school year and to use a distance learning program. Because good internet is an issue in this part of the country and many of our students don’t have internet access in their homes, online school was not a good option.

Educators opted to mail schoolwork to students weekly and have them mail back their finished work. Both elementary and high school teachers–Claire James, Vicky Pioche, and Catherine Hartley—use the distance-learning method.

The church is also closed, and live services are temporarily suspended, but worship happens in members’ homes. The Mission staff continues to hold outdoor Sabbath worship at Treehouse Park with everyone sitting six or more feet apart, except for husbands and wives. The church leaders are able to connect with church members and community family through Facebook, Messenger, cellphone texts, and phone calls, the Outreach team packs “love/care packages” of rice, beans, canned goods, wipes, fruit, bread, missionary books, and other essential items, and delivers them to local friends in the community. “They are truly grateful because the “stay-at-home” order prevents many of them, especially our elders and poor families, from going to town,” Panganiban commented.

During Spring Break, before the lockdown order by both the State and the Navajo Nation government, the Mission director, Steve Gillham, and his wife Carol, were in Texas, emailed a list of projects to “adopt,” which keeps the staff busy doing practical things to improve the campus.

At the end of April, board member Neal Kelley brought a load of food from the Montrose Adventist Church and several of the Montrose members. Sharing Ministries, an independent food bank involving several area congregations, donated the food. Such donations support and reinforce the Mission’s Community Food distribution.

While the office is mostly closed to the public, administrative and other regular office work and community mail service continues.

Lockdown? Yes! Shutdown? No! The Mission is still at work and continues to serve the Lord through its ongoing ministry to the students, church members, and community family. “We continue to keep in prayer our students, their parents, and mission supporters. May God keep us all safe,” Panganiban adds.

– Dorie Panganiban, Office Manager & Community Outreach Director; photos supplied

21 May

PUBLIC HEALTH LESSONS FROM COLORADO

By Mark B. Johnson — Boulder, Colorado … I have frequently been asked why it is that an unelected “bureaucrat” like me has the power to promulgate public health orders during a pandemic in Colorado. It’s a long story, and to me, its hero is a “little old lady” who grew up in the mining town of Central City.

In the 1940s, the health of Colorado was abysmal. More than 40% of Colorado draftees for World War II were found to be “not physically fit for the Armed Services.” Colorado had high rates of diphtheria, typhoid, dysentery, and maternal and infant mortality. It was one of the six worst states in the country in regard to smallpox.

In 1944, as Colorado prepared for the return of its soldiers from World War II, Governor John Vivian appointed numerous planning committees, including a committee on public health. The Governor had no real interest in health and was convinced by an aide that the retired Dr. Florence Sabin, an “innocuous, white-haired, little old lady” should chair the committee. She was indeed a “little old lady”, but she was far from innocuous.

Florence had graduated from the prestigious Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she also became the school’s first female professor. Subsequently, she was the first female president of the American Association of Anatomists and the first woman elected into the National Academy of Sciences.

As chair of the Health Committee, Dr. Sabin didn’t “waste” time talking to the state’s legislators, but worked instead with the legislators’ spouses, teaching them about the abysmal state of public health in Colorado. Because of their influence, in 1948 the Legislature passed the “Sabin Health Laws”.

Her constant message had been that the health of the public was too important to leave to politics, and the public health system the Sabin Health Laws established required a professionally trained staff of physicians, nurses, health educators and scientists, hired on the basis of merit, not political bias. And so, because of that “innocuous little old lady,” public health decisions in Colorado were taken out of the hands of politicians and left to scientifically trained public health professionals.

We Adventists have a “white-haired, little old lady” of our own. She, too, was far from innocuous, and was comfortable speaking truth to the powerful. Based on her guidance, we have established the largest Protestant health care system in the world, with a strong focus on whole person care.

The guiding principle behind this focus was her belief that health care, with its intimate, personal, restorative touch, was a living manifestation of the gospel as revealed in the healing ministry of Christ. Because of this aspect of Adventism, there are thousands of professionally trained Adventist health care workers around the world on the frontlines of this pandemic response, putting their lives at risk to treat those in need, just as Christ did.

—Mark B. Johnson, M.D., M.P.H., is executive director, Jefferson County Public Health, and a member of the Governor’s Expert Epidemic Emergency Response Committee for the state of Colorado. Updated, this article appeared first on Facebook and in the Boulder Adventist Church Bulletin, May 14, 2020. IMAGE CREDIT: Taft, P. W. [Florence Sabin as a young girl]. Photographic Print. Portrait. [ca. 1880s]. Public domain, via the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

20 May

MEMORABLE SCHOOL YEAR COMES TO A CLOSE AT MHA

NN May 2020

By Karrie Meyers — Highlands Ranch, Colorado … As each school year ends, teachers and staff take time to reflect on the memories and events that made it special. It is easy to say that 2019-2020 will go down in the history books as one of the most memorable.

“When students arrived on campus for the first day of school, who could have imagined completing the fourth quarter remotely,” said Jamie Frain, Mile High Academy’s VP of school culture. “The Covid-19 pandemic showed how quickly life can change. We miss our students and their families. And our hearts ache for the graduating classes who can’t celebrate with the school family, community, and their relatives and friends.”

But in the midst of the changes, good memories prevail. Although empty now, weeks ago MHA classrooms were filled with laughter, learning and prayers for God to be a constant on campus. The cafeteria was filled with voices as hungry students rushed to eat so they could go outside for recess. And the gym was filled with cheers as the Boys’ Varsity team made MHA history by not only defending its District 8 Championship title but also continuing to State and a Final Four appearance in our division.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our teachers and staff,” said Frain. “Their dedication for learning, not only while on campus, but also during remote learning, is a testimony to what an exceptional team we have at Mile High Academy. Our students and their families should receive formal recognition for partnering with us to ensure the learning continued,” she finished.

And then there were the events and fundraisers. The first annual MHA Walk-A-Thon raised more than $25,000 for financial aid. Fall Festival once again brought our community together for a fun-filled evening while supporting the individual classrooms. The Lower School students read more than 55,000 hours during its Read-A-Thon, and Christmas programs highlighted the musical talent of MHA students.

This year also brought unimaginable sadness in the tragic loss of Senior Mya Pena. It’s not easy to say goodbye to a beloved student, classmate and friend.

“The loss of Mya Pena left a notable absence in our school community,” Frain said. “Her constant smile and outgoing personality is deeply missed by all of us. To suddenly lose someone is never easy, especially someone just beginning her life’s journey. However, the strength of getting through this loss formed a bond between our students, staff and community in a way that will continue to honor Mya. While Mya won’t be with us at graduation, her memory plays an important part in this milestone. The Senior class will wear blue cords in her honor, a reflection of her life will be shared by three of her classmates, the Senior Class gift is dedicated in her memory and an Honorary Diploma will be presented to her family during Commencement.”

Continuing with the traditions of Mile High Academy, four special graduation events will take place. The Blessing will take place at 7 pm, Thursday, May 21; Consecration follows at 7 pm, Friday, May 22; Baccalaureate will be at 11 am, Saturday, May 23; and Commencement will be live at 1:30 pm, Sunday, May 24. Since the campus is closed to all visitors, the events will be streamed on MHA’s website, https://www.milehighacademy.org/events/graduation-2020/.

As the 2019/2020 year reaches completion, planning is already taking place for next school year. “2020-2021 is ramping up to be an exciting year for our school,” Frain commented. “We’re looking forward to welcoming several new faces to our team, including Michael Armstrong, VP of academics, and Brady Tull, athletic director. We’re excited to welcome our alumni back to campus this fall, and we can’t wait to have our families join us for events throughout the year.”

“While we face many uncertainties about the start of the school year, we hope, pray and plan to be together soon. One factor remains constant, God is present on our campus. Please consider including us in your prayers as we continue the mission to provide a Christ-centered education at Mile High Academy,” she added.

Mile High Academy will continue to post videos, communication and memories via social media. If you haven’t already, visit the MHA Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MileHighAcademy), the MHA Alumni page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/51633721439), and sign-up for the school newsletter (https://milehigh.link/newsletter).

—Karrie Meyers is MHA development and records assistant; photos supplied

20 May

SUMMER 2020 LITERATURE PROGRAM SUSPENDED FOR STUDENTS

NN May 2020

By RMCNews/Matt Hasty – Denver, Colorado . . . In consultation with RMC administration, the decision to suspend the summer student literature program due to the COVID-19 pandemic was made on May 19. “This was one of the hardest decisions that we have had to make. This affects student ministry opportunities, financial income to return to college, and active involvement for their summer. However, the health risk to the students, communities, churches and the families that host them is just too significant to risk at this time.” Eric Nelson, RMC VP for administration said.

Matt Hasty, director of the LE program stated “For the first time in sixteen summers, I will not be going door-to-door. I’ve been working on putting together a team of thirty dedicated, courageous, and talented young people who were willing to serve as literature evangelists this summer.”

Even through the students will not be able to go door-to-door this summer, literature evangelism can still happen. We all can share the good news of Jesus by building relationships within our neighborhoods.

“Due to the pandemic, the door closed for these young people to serve in the Rocky Mountain Conference. As disappointing as it is, we know that God has a plan. The ‘night’ is not yet upon us. God still has a ‘work’ for us to do (John 9:4). While large gatherings are not possible, literature has a special role to play. Personal and individual labor cannot be underestimated,” Matt added.

“We look forward to the summer of 2021 when we can again have students go door-to-door again spreading the hope and love of Jesus,” Matt finished..

–RMCNews with Matt Hasty, RMC director of literature ministry