Blog

Denver, Colorado… The Rocky Mountain Youth Department is announcing the Greater Summit, formerly known as Teen Prayer Summit, to convene on January 17-20, 2020 at Glacier View Ranch.

“We are changing our name to connect more deeply with our Vision for the Youth Department to ‘Live Greater’,” said Kiefer Dooley, RMC youth director.

“We are in no means diminishing the importance of prayer, and will be incorporating it in more than ever in our future events,” he added.

Each year, the youth team will be producing two Greater Summits, one for Middle School and one for High School. “In the past, we have combined both middle and high school together for one event. Due to the increased attendance and to better serve and connect with each age group, we will begin hosting two summits starting in 2020. Both summits will focus on our theme for 2020, FULLY ALIVE,” Jessyka Dooley, associate youth director.

The Youth Department provided the following information about the Glacier View gathering:

Encounter: Our team will be bringing in speakers and worship leaders who are passionate about connecting with the age group they will be serving. This time is for our students to hear the word, worship through song, and get to know one another a little better.

Engage: For both Middle and High School age groups, our team creates curriculum for this discussion time to break down the messages the students heard and discover how the Bible is practically applicable to them.

Enjoy: Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Glacier View Ranch has more to offer than just a pretty view. Depending on the time of year, we will be offering various activities including: sledding, snowshoeing, hiking, mountain biking, swimming in the pool, crafts, and many more! This year, we will be adding something new, the Kulikup Cafe with a full hot chocolate bar!

The Greater Summit is designed to emphasize the development of your personal identity and purpose — rooted and grounded in Jesus, with a basis in prayer and a message that moves in the spirit of confidence. Over the course of the weekend, we will pray together, explore the scripture together, recharge together, and have fun together. Our hope is that your experience at The Greater Summit will inspire confidence, encourage learning, and establish or re-establish your connection with Jesus Christ. Experiencing Jesus together and at Home with Him, you will find the freedom and courage to live life to the fullest!

If you are a high school student or you know a high school student, visit the Greater Summit website to learn more about this event and how to register! https://www.rmcyouth.org/greater-summit

—Jessyka Dooley, photos supplied by RMC Youth Department

Arvada, Colorado… Indonesia’s West Papua was the destination for Arvada’s English and Indonesian congregations’ sending an eight-member team on their mission trip.

“We went to an isolated island with about three hundred inhabitants. The three nurses who were on the team had their hands full helping kids and adults with various health issues,” said Gordon Anic, pastor of Arvada English church.

Reflecting on the experience, Pastor Anic said: “We found a lot of misery, poverty, disease, domestic violence, and sexual abuse. But in the end we addressed these issues through class sessions with our nurses and preaching. We slept in their simple homes that had no running water or toilets. We ate their food cooked outside over open fire. We survived heat and rain and open seas in small boats and everyone of us wants to go back next year,” he said.

At the end of the week God blessed us with 29 baptisms in the open ocean, Anic added. If you are interested in joining next mission trip, visit website www.aachurch.org and on Arvada church’s Facebook page.

—Gordon Anic, text and photos

Colorado Springs, Colorado… Computer coding in elementary school? Absolutely! Springs Adventist Academy recently joined the educational world learning event called Hour of Code. The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify “code”, to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities.

Kent Bair, Product Manager, Dell Technologies, Education Services, came to Springs Adventist Academy as a local Hour of Code guest speaker. Bair shared with students that coding is a very large part of their daily life and also shared his personal story to becoming a computer programmer.

“It was very interesting and helped me to rethink my future, ” said 6th grader, Elonzo Lujan.

“The students were really excited when they were able to try coding for the first time. Computer science is a 21st century skill, and I am thrilled that SAA was able to offer a peek into this future career path,” said principal Michelle Velbis.

—Michelle Velbis, text and photos

Montrose, Colorado… Members of the Montrose Church were treated to a special Sabbath visit, November 23. A group of 24 Navajo students and 12 staff members from La Vida Mission traveled from Crown Point, New Mexico to present a church service with the school’s director, Steve Gillam, was the preacher of the day, with the students and teachers presenting the music. The songs were in sung in three languages, Navajo, Spanish, and English, with bells, electric chimes and recorders adding the day’s worship.

“The music was truly beautiful and inspiring. The congregation heard of how La Vida Mission has provided Adventist presence among the Navajos. Much of the information was new to many in the congregation,” reported Zane Berry, Montrose church correspondent.

Neal Kelly, who visits the mission often from Montrose, said that “La Vida’s presentation was impressive and wonderfully done. It was a very well put on performance. The whole service was exceptional.”

The school’s visit included what students anticipated as they travelled to Colorado. They enjoyed going to picturesque Black Canyon of the Gunnison, the Ute Indian Museum, and the recreation center for some relaxing swim time before heading back to New Mexico.

—Zane Berry, text and photos

Castle Rock, Colorado … The Solid Rock Adventurers, a ministry of the Castle Rock Seventh-day Adventist Church plant, have begun their second year as a club with a total of thirty-one Adventurers, sixteen of whom were inducted as first-time Adventurers on November 9.  

The induction service solidified for participating families that Adventurers “isn’t just another activity to drop kids off for but a way to deepen family bonds and spiritual connectedness,” says Debbie Miranda, the club’s co-director. Carolina Meneses serves as the club’s other co-director and loves how Adventurers not only provides fun activities but “reinforces heavenly principles and connects us with other families with similar values.” 

This year, participating families come from several south metro churches as well as the Castle Rock community itself. They plan to enjoy bi-weekly club meetings in addition to monthly recreational outings and outreach projects. Jaimie Easley, one of the club’s instructors and a parent of three Adventurers herself, strongly believes that “we are here to serve others and this program does a great job in providing opportunities to do that on a regular basis.”

One such outreach project took place on November 23, during the town of Castle Rock’s Starlighting event that annually draws over 15,000 people out to kickoff the holiday season. The Solid Rock Adventurers took advantage of this community experience not just to promote their club but to give people a reminder of the real Reason for the season — the gift of life in Jesus.  Club members and their parents invited passers-by to snap family pictures in a nativity-themed photo booth and enthusiastically gave away custom-branded water bottles filled with kid-friendly GLOW tracts and holiday candy.  

“C’mon, how can you not stop and take a picture with baby Jesus?” one dad said as he posed for a selfie with his kids and thanked the Adventurers for their efforts.  

—Godfrey Miranda; text and photos

Highlands Ranch, Denver, Colorado … There are many factors distinguishing Mile High Academy (MHA) from other local schools, but one key factor is the implementation of CHERISH Core Values. These values were carefully initiated to educate and encourage students to make a difference in the world around them. These Core Values start with teaching students about what it means to be Christ-centered.

MHA students have an opportunity to share some ways they choose to be Christ-centered by annual visits to local churches, including constituent churches. Students share Christ through music, upfront service and often lunch fellowship to connect and thank church members.

“MHA is grateful to the churches that provide an opportunity for our students to share the ways they choose to be Christ-centered,” said Jamie Frain, MHA VP of school culture. “Church support is essential to our mission of providing an excellent Christ-centered education that empowers young people to excel.”

The first church visit of the 2019/2020 academic year was to Denver South Seventh-day Adventist Church. The congregation was blessed with music from the Middle School (MS) and Upper School (US) Worship Leading class, US choir, students leading out in the children’s story and a dramatic, in-costume recitation of the entire book of Ephesians by MS Bible and Math Teacher Chris Morris.

“The kids at Mile High Academy are full of life and talented in music, speaking and telling stories,” said Mikey Archibeque, Denver South youth pastor. “Having them at our church is a reminder to us all of how church should be: Our kids taking the lead and leading us to the feet of Jesus.”

Pastor Andy Nash, LifeSource Seventh-day Adventist Church lead pastor, also serves as MHA’s Junior Bible Instructor. The LifeSource congregation recently completed a series on Daniel, which happened to coincide with the Junior Bible class curriculum, so it was “natural to have the Bible class lead out,” said Pastor Nash.

The second church visit at LifeSource treated attendees to a student presentation of a “To and Fro” drama based on Daniel 12:4, depicting vivid scenes from the life and visions of Daniel. More than 40 MHA students, including the US choir, handbells and MS and US Worship Leading class had an on-stage presence. In addition, five Junior Bible students gave sermonettes about a chapter in Daniel, combining Bible study with personal reflections.

“Mile High Academy Sabbath is one of the best Sabbaths of the year,” said Pastor Nash. “It’s when all generations are together in church, the way we should be. I was so proud of the student speakers as it’s worth remembering these teenage students are the same age as our Adventist founders who began this church though study of the book of Daniel.”

The next MHA Sabbath will be at the Littleton Seventh-day Adventist Church on Saturday, February 8.

—Karrie Meyers; photos supplied

Erie, Colorado… Adventist Christian Education is thriving at Vista Ridge Academy! After a century of educating thousands of children within Boulder County with our beginnings at Boulder Junior Academy, the school’s Board of Directors was challenged with the rapid growth of young families living in the north Denver Metro area. Motivated by a desire to better serve future generations, the Board adopted the bold plan to create Vista Ridge Academy.

Since we first opened our doors a little over 15 years ago, Vista Ridge Academy has provided Christian education to over 600 students throughout the north Denver metro area.  We strive to carry out our mission to provide holistic Christ-centered elementary education, encouraging children to think creatively and critically, problem-solve and explore, collaborate with others, and develop strong character in accordance with our core values.  As one parent notes: “My husband and I have never seen our student this driven and comfortable at school. Two years ago, they were hiding under a table refusing to go to school. Thanks so much for providing a supportive and structured environment. We are forever grateful to you.”

Vista Ridge Academy has been supported by our constituent churches, donors and volunteers. We have worked to create a supportive and welcoming community for our students by providing opportunities to Grow. Learn. Lead. This year, as we celebrate our 15th year providing Christ-centered education to students in the north Denver area, we invite you to show your continued support with a gift of $15 at https://www.mygiving.net/donate/116. Our $15 for 15 Years Campaign goal is $150,000. To learn more about our campaign and see 15 ways you can give to Vista Ridge Academy, visit our website at www.vistaridge.org.

—Sandy Hodgson; photos by Sandy Hodgson, Kelly Meyer, James Christianson