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By Zane Berry — Montrose, Colorado … A drive-in church worship service was held April 25 at the home of Pam and Larry Dupper after they refurbished an old hay wagon. This was used by Pastor Nathan Cranson as a podium from which to preach.

“It was a breath of fresh air to have our church service outside. There was enthusiasm that we could see each other, though through the car windows and have some interaction with each other,” said Pastor Cranson.

He added that it was a good turnout and he could “hear horn honking for the ‘Amens.’”

“It was great to meet as a church even though we were in cars and trucks instead of sitting in the pews,” reported Zane Berry, one of the participants, who was among some 60 people attending. “It was a beautiful day for a chance to hear our pastor speak God’s Word to the congregation,” he continued.

The congregation had been meeting virtually for more than a month but “somehow meeting where you feel togetherness was much better,” Zane added.

“It was a wonderful pastoral scene that was enjoyed by all,” said participating mobile congregant, Larry Pester.

The plan is to keep meeting in cars until the end of May when the congregation can return to their church building. “They now appreciate worshipping in their church even more than normal,” Zane commented. An FM transmitter is being purchased, which It will enable the participants to hear the sermon through their car radios.

—Zane Berry; photos Michael Ryan and Joyce Bower

By Jodie Aakko — Brighton, Colorado … Brighton Adventist Academy was awarded $10,000 in technology grant funding from Versacare Foundation on March 6. In addition, Versacare awarded $1,410,000 in grants for Adventist primary and secondary schools across the United States and Canada in support of STEM education (science, technology, engineering, and math).

With this grant, Brighton Adventist Academy plans to order additional network equipment, Chromebooks, desktops, and a 3-D printer to serve their growing enrollment of students in grades Pre-kindergarten through ten.

Thanks to the funds provided by the Versacare grant, Brighton Adventist Academy’s updated and expanded technology department will bolster the school’s twenty-first century learning skills, including project-based learning and technology integration.

“Brighton Adventist Academy desired to improve and expand their digital technologies to assist learners in thinking critically, communicating, collaborating, and creating.  “This grant will make a direct impact on our students,” commented Jodie Bell Aakko, Brighton Adventist Academy principal.

“Presently, our school stands strong on technology. For example, we were able to provide each BAA student with a Chromebook to use at home during this distance-learning time if the child did not have a computer at home already. Now, when our students return to campus in the fall, they will find exciting technology additions to our campus, and I am certain the 3-D printer will be the biggest hit!” she added.

Established in 1916, the school has 56 students enrolled in grades Pre-k through 10, presently studying in virtual classes. The Academy intentionally connects students with classroom learning, character development, and essential life skills in a Christian environment that delivers academic excellence valuing each individual as a creation of God gifted with unique talents for service to others.

—Jodie Aakko is principal and head teacher at Brighton Adventist Academy; photo by Jodie Aakko

By: Shayne Mason Vincent

Fear like snow falls softly
Covering verdant spring
Stark and chilled
Pharaoh’s drums
Chanting upon the horizon

In silence
The Spirit speaks softly
“Look up”

Cascading
Above the clouds
A piercing music
Eagles flying free
Above our constitutions
Above our consternation

In silence
The eternal Son reaches out to me
“Come”

So, I steady my nerve
Reaching out
I brush against His wound
And the blood that He shed for me
On Calvary
Drips down
Upon the lintel of my soul

In silence
The Father carries me
”Be still”

Exodus 14:13-14: “Do not be afraid. Just be still and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today, you will never see them again. The Lord Himself will fight for you. You only need to be still.”

–Shayne Mason Vincent is lead pastor, Casper Wyoming District

Denver, Colorado … Michelle Velbis, principal of Springs Adventist Academy, Colorado Springs was featured in a video produced by the Mid-America Union Conference.  This video highlights the transformation in Michelle’s life, from a marriage and business in ruins to a successful teacher and principal at Springs Adventist Academy.  Watch the video here and read about Michelle’s transformation in the June / July issue of Outlook Magazine.

Michelle Velbis was also featured this week in News Nuggets.  Read her article here

Photo by Springs Adventist Academy website

By Ashley Reyes — Loveland, Colorado … When I was younger, I lived in El Salvador where we experienced massive rainstorms. Every once in a while, it would get so bad that church would be canceled, and we would have church at home. My family would put on our own mini church service with a sermon, offering call, and everything.

Of course, that was before there was such a thing as online church. Now, it’s a lot more convenient to have church at home. However, it still takes a lot of work to make it happen, and there are many dedicated individuals who have put in the work.

Many churches already have a media team and a live-streaming system in place, but there have been other obstacles they have had to work together to overcome. Since outreach is such a huge part of the Adventist church’s mission, it has become a major goal for pastors all over the world to make sure that they can still reach out and connect to their church families and the community. The church staff and members have been doing things like driveway visitations (while still respecting the parameters of social distancing), calling to pray with people, online talent shows, and Instagram take-overs to name a few. Church leadership is encouraging people to get creative and find even more new ways to stay connected.

There are many volunteers who have also contributed and are making an impact. Sabbath School teachers record Sabbath School lessons for kids. Whole families have joined together to provide music for Sabbath School and for the main service. Pastor Micheal Goetz of Campion church says, “We have seen an increase in individuals and families who are coming up with their own way to care and show ministry to other people. And that’s really what the church has dreamed of being about.”

Many Campion Academy students have stepped up to help in their home churches. Ben Maxson, a junior at Campion Academy, says, “I run the video camera and help with sound and slides. I also help the associate pastor with social media presence. I also go with my parents when we visit people’s houses and just stand outside and talk. I love that I can stay active and help out my community.”

Many other students, including musicians Andy Obregón and Kylie Wehling, and speakers, including Robyn Quillin and Erick Maldonado, have all been involved in Campion Academy’s Friday night vespers. Campion Academy is also planning to have an online week of prayer the first week of May, hosted by the senior class.

Social distancing may have physically separated the church members, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t still gain a blessing by worshipping together at a distance.

—Ashley Reyes, Senior, Guest Contributor to This Week at Campion: photo by Micheal Goetz – in the photo the Campion Church staff printed out pictures of all the Campion

By Karrie Meyers — Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Everyone benefits from a little kindness, especially now as the world has been changed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mile High Academy’s first grade class is learning the satisfaction of the extra effort to bring kindness to their families, friends and neighbors through random acts of kindness.

“Kindness is beautiful and a quality we can instill in even the youngest students,” said Kate Kamarad, Mile High Academy’s first grade teacher. “Something my first graders are learning is how kindness is based on a genuine compassion for our fellow human beings and creatures that God has created.”

Ms. Kamarad continued sharing how her students are learning the natural reaction of wanting to help others not for personal gain, but for the joy of helping. It’s also fun to do things for others the way God has intended us to do. She is encouraging the class to complete one random act each day of the week. Suggestions included:

-Write a positive message/illustration on your neighborhood sidewalk in chalk.
-Make a video of you singing, playing an instrument or reading a poem and send it to someone.
-Make a card/postcard and send it to a local Assisted Living Center.
-Pick up trash in your neighborhood.
-Make someone else’s bed.
-Call your grandparents just to chat.
-Design a poster board to put in your front lawn to thank police officers, nurses/doctors and grocery store workers for their work during this time.
-Join in the “Howl” that takes place each night at 8 pm to thank those who are working

“I’ve encouraged my students to think beyond this list,” said Ms. Kamarad. “One of my students made a special delivery to my home with homemade blueberry muffins.”

Ms. Kamarad knows how important it is to remain connected with her students as Mile High Academy finishes the school year remotely. Each week she challenges her student’s creativity. One week the student challenge was to make something that moved independently and another week they constructed constellations from items students had at home.

“This is a challenging time for all of us,” she said. “It’s challenging for me because I miss seeing my kids face-to-face, getting those appreciated hugs, laughing together and just learning together. I’m trying hard to make remote learning more than textbooks and worksheets. I want my students to appreciate the fun in learning, even with the simplest of materials. And to find God in everything they do.”

–Karrie Meyers; photos supplied