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By Wayne Morrison

Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed with the tasks of the day? You work hard, run fast, hustle all day, but find yourself looking back and realizing that all you accomplished was good, but what didn’t get done was actually more important.

Every year or so, I track everything I do for a two week period. This includes every call I make, every task I do, every meeting or visit I have, for the sole purpose of evaluating what I am spending my time on. I then divide my activities into three simple categories: things I should never do, things I could delegate, and things I must do myself. It always amazes me how quickly the “less important” rises to the top, and the “most important” slips out of sight.

What I am talking about is not time management, although I do believe we need to stop from time to time and check our list of spiritual priorities. Is it possible we could get some “important truths” confused with the “Most Important Truth?” If we could track all of our conversations, our comments in Sabbath School class, our sermons, our conversations at work and with our neighbors, what is it we talk about most? I’m not asking about conversations in general, but rather about spiritual conversations. When spiritual things are talked about, what do we say? What has made its way to the top of our spiritual conversation list? How quickly do we mention the Sabbath, state of the dead, diet, commandments or other “unique truths?”

Today’s challenge is that perhaps we have been far too focused on our “unique message” and have allowed the “simple gospel” to slip from our conversations completely. What do you mean, Pastor Wayne? Are we not a peculiar people with a special message? Yes, we are! But what if we allow “important truths” to steal from our message the “Most Important Truth?”

We have some unique truths that God has given for better lives and a deeper understanding of both past and future events, and these can help us to live longer and more peace-filled lives. “Unique truths” are good; they provide answers to questions people are asking and should be shared as an added bonus to the “Most Important Truth.”

What is the “Most Important Truth?” It is the gospel as described in Romans 5:8, Philippians 2:5-8, John 3:16, and many more. The “simple Gospel” says that we were all lost, but Jesus, sent by His Father, came to seek and save the lost! God reached down from heaven in the person of Jesus and wrapped His arms around us, loving, forgiving, healing, protecting, and providing for us all we’ll ever need. That, to me, is good news! It is what I believe should form the substance of the most important conversations we have.

Where do the unique truths fit in? God loves me and, as a manifestation of that love, He gives me insights into His character through important principles to live by. These insights allow me to love Him more as I understand Him better. They help me to be happier, healthier, and at greater peace with both God and man. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life!” He is “The Truth” that all “other truths” point to, or help me understand more completely.

I believe that we need to take time to evaluate the priorities of our conversations to be sure the “important truths” have not over taken the “Most Important Truth.” Jesus and His salvation is not the byline; it is the core, the hub of everything Christians should be about.

Will you join me in keeping the “Most Important Truth” most important?

Wayne Morrison is the pastor of the Brighton Church.

By Rajmund Dabrowski

Months before the General Conference Session in San Antonio, Texas, an avalanche of speculations, rumors and personal agenda items flooded conversations, publications, and social media. A friend asked me, “Ray, why aren’t you saying anything? You’ve been around and could possibly tone down the rhetoric.”

“I do not see this as a noble task,” I responded. “There is more to life than adding to the noise and chatter about the obvious church politics culminating in San Antonio. Besides, being a target for the lunatics that have suddenly come out of the church’s stale woodwork does not come close to my view of religious entertainment.”

Frankly, I care more about “pure and simple religion” than about positioning myself among the purveyors of personal agendas for the church, who often react with hateful and vicious talk laced with a sprinkle of outright lies. Call me old-fashioned, but I care about the language we use, especially when describing matters that are associated with spiritual aesthetics. Call it spiritual formation that has a value for my life, a way of life I inherited from my upbringing and personal contact with Scripture and its Author.

Observing the Adventist blog conversations in particular, one could not miss the negative strategies at play, especially when the topic of women in ministry surfaced as the church’s primary 2015 concern (again). The interlocutors, who in the recent past had exercised notable influence in church mission, suddenly claimed expertise in areas they had not been known for. The cyber talk moved off center, and motives to “rule the church and rule the world” replaced unity with uniformity. All in the name of true religion.

In her commentary on “What It’s Really Like to Be a Woman Pastor,” Alicia Johnston, a church planter from Carolina Conference, wrote: “There are independent organizations and individuals that used to be dedicated to evangelism who have made it their mission to discredit the ministry of female pastors. It saddens me deeply.” Myself, I wondered about the effect of that evolution on the church.

When comments on the blogs were laced with name calling, which included expressions of hatred toward those with contrary opinions, I could not help but see the image of a church that has perhaps lost its balance. Some noble and notable church leaders, through a few strokes of the keyboard, became “Jesuits,” “servants of Satan,” and “antichrists,” to list a few. When I read the Pauline admonition to “set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12, NIV), a thought crossed my mind and a smirk appeared on my face: Judging by the group the apostle is addressing, one can assume that this advice is for the young people. Some of the interlocutors are already “seasoned,” so perhaps this does not apply to them anymore!

Have some of our fellow church members (often hiding their names behind pseudonyms) forgotten another classic comment by Peter (2 Peter 3: 5-7) about brotherly kindness ? What about this text? “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless” (James 1:26).

After posting an article on the Rocky Mountain Conference’s Facebook page about the vote dealing with women’s ordination, the flood of reactions—thousands of comments— was taken over by hateful language. We had thought that our community was quite tame until this happened! It would appear that we have a fringe of “Hateventists” among us. What do we do with them? They should be loved, but would many of us want to walk hand in hand with them?

A communication colleague of mine suggested posting the following statement: “Reminder on Christian Dialogue: The Seventh-day Adventist Church believes in respectful, Christ-like dialogue between Christians, and indeed, all people. There is no place for disrespectful statements, unfounded accusations, and hatred to exist on our social media pages. Thank you for understanding and demonstrating respect to all.” Responses indicated approval; we could definitely hear people applauding.

Most reading these words are not hate-talkers—but if you should recognize yourself as a Hateventist, perhaps you might consider a simple request: Watch your language!

Rajmund Dabrowski is RMC communication director.

By Jim Feldbush

At 7:33 a.m. on May 9, 1980, the freighter MV Summit Venture collided with a support column of Florida’s Sun- shine Skyway Bridge, sending more than 1,200 feet of bridge into Tampa Bay. The connection had been broken and the people on the north side could no longer reach the people on the south side. After much debate, it was decided that a new bridge must be built. It would look a little different, but its purpose would be the same—to once again connect these two communities.

For more than 150 years, the Adventist church has had a special message regarding health. This message is especially intended to build bridges, to connect the community within our church walls to the community outside.

During the past few years, there’s been a surge of public interest in living a healthy life. Internet, television, and radio outlets are flooded with articles on exercise, sleep, good nutrition, and the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Of course, these themes are not new to Seventh-day Adventists; we’ve been talking about them for years. In fact, we have a unique whole-person approach to addressing these health issues. And because there is such intensive public interest in good health right now, it’s a perfect time to build new bridges.

The five Adventist hospitals of Colorado (Avista, Castle Rock, Littleton, Parker, and Porter) have built a new bridge to connect with the members of their communities, including employees, physicians, neighborhoods, and patients. By using a concept called CREATION Health (with educational materials produced by Florida Hospital, a part of Adventist Health Systems) to serve the members of these communities, the five hospitals have seen lives changed as they’ve helped hundreds improve their blood pressure, blood sugar, body-mass index, etc., as well as witnessing the difference God makes in life and health.

What is CREATION Health?

CREATION Health is an acronym (see sidebar) for a timeless message of living life to the fullest. It is simply a new and attractive “bridge” for truths that have long existed.

This approach takes people where they are and leads them on a journey over time that will help them live fuller and healthier lives. It’s about taking away negative labels, treating people with love and respect, and creating long-term, trusting relationships that lead to better lives. It’s about using time-honored principles to reach people with the healing love of Christ. Through community events, biometric screenings and activities in our hospitals, teaching patients about the benefits of whole person care, and meeting with small groups of physicians to help them live fuller lives, the Colorado Adventist hospital approach to CREATION Health is making a significant difference in the lives of many.

The philosophy of the hospitals’ efforts is encapsulated in the words of Ellen White: “. . . As the medical missionary works intelligently to relieve suffering and save lives, hearts are softened. Those who are helped are filled with gratitude. As the medical missionary works upon the body, God works upon the heart. The comforting words that are spoken are a soothing balm, bringing assurance and trust . . .” (Manuscript 58, 1901). The team has discovered that an attitude of grace and understanding for each individual’s journey has made all the difference.

The CREATION Health team is building bridges by simply doing good, as Jesus did, and by helping to improve the health of those they meet.

Jim Feldbush is director for mission and ministry at Porter Adventist Hospital. To learn more about this innovative program, contact Dr. Eric Shadle, CREATION Health Manager for the Adventist Hospitals of Colorado, at [email protected].

By Katie Morrison

As a lifelong introvert, the thought of joining sixty thousand Adventists in an unknown city for ten days was daunting. Add the fact that I would be working with seasoned media professionals from all over the country, potentially the world, and my head was spinning.

I was thrilled at the opportunities I had been promised. You’ll get a press pass! You’ll make so many connections! You’ll see our church leadership in action and get an inside view of our processes! How cool for me to be able to tell future employers that at the age of 21 as a summer intern, I had been privy to daily General Conference press briefings for the North American Division and had churned out as many as three news stories in a day.

Those first few hours in the Alamodome, I focused on the surrealism of my situation. I’m in a press box! I’m meeting the NAD president! There is someone in a blue blazer pushing buttons in the elevator for me! The actual working and writing came later.

And the work was intense. Press briefings gave us assignments for the day and allowed me to connect with international communication professionals. I was given story after story, interviewed 5K participants and Bible character re-enactors, and snuck in time to buy new shoes. No one warned me about all the walking!

Sitting in the press box during the business sessions was frustrating in a few ways. I didn’t realize it would be so noisy and chaotic. People were constantly chatting, asking for spelling on a delegate’s name or for a photo. The sound system came through jumbled in the press box and with all the other voices, you really needed laser focus to hear the session—at least I did. Apparently those talking were also in- credible multi-taskers because they heard every single word.

Maybe I had trouble hearing because I didn’t under- stand. I didn’t know I was from “NAD” until I got my name tag (“Katie Morrison, NAD”). There was a man sitting across from me in the press box with the label “EUD.” I figured out the three letter codes were divisions, but what’s included within those divisions? It’s so confusing! Is there a code cheat sheet someone could print for me?

The conversation on the floor itself was a whole new beast. I had never been to a church board meeting or a school board meeting or anything close. I wasn’t aware of the constant backtracking and the amount of time it can take for a simple agenda motion. I was aware of the difficulty inherent in attempting to have multiple people agree. I do have siblings after all. The delegates were like a 2,500 sibling family.

As I watched dozens of delegates line up, I thought of my own family. When we’re all gathered together, we constantly fight for attention and the chance to speak. I saw that happening on the floor. There were people that just wanted to say their piece, whether it actually helped or not.

To me, General Conference just seemed like a big camp meeting on steroids except with more decisions being made. Instead of just speakers and messages, it’s a board meeting on steroids mixed with a camp meeting on steroids.

It almost felt like there was a distinction between times about worship and times about the people, a mental switch between God and decision making. Obviously God was there in everything but the atmosphere changed and seemed very clinical and mechanical. During one meeting, a dele- gate made a comment and the chairwoman said, “Let’s let the Holy Spirit take care of that matter.” I was caught off guard, thinking, “Oh right! I forgot about the Holy Spirit!” People who work in the church and on school boards might be used to that language. But to me, it felt very robotic.

Even though it was “against the rules,” I loved the moments when the delegates applauded a powerful point. In my mind, it helped heal some of the division created by the comments and debates. We don’t always disagree, the applause told me. We are one church and we will work it out.

I believed being as a media representative would be the most important aspect of my week in San Antonio. I thought the work I did and the pieces I wrote would make the trip memorable. I realized instead that it was the people I encountered who made the week amazingly special.

I had the opportunity to interview Hau Yajie, the ordained female pastor of the largest Adventist church in the world. Through a translator, I glimpsed a fraction of her enthusiasm and passion. She had the most incredible story, having started a church in China by initially gathering fewer than 10 people in her living room. Her faith and confidence in God’s calling was inspiring, and I still remember her saying, “No matter what position I have, ordained or not, I just want to do the ministry.”

On my walk to the dome one day, a man noticed my badge. “Are you a delegate?” he asked. I was asked this more frequently than you’d think, despite my face resembling that of an eighth grader.

“No, I’m with the media from the NAD,” I replied.

He, along with his wife and son, asked me questions about my home and my job with an accent I couldn’t place. I told them about my recent relocation to Colorado and my internship before turning the question around to them. “Where are you from?”

“Canada,” he answered, “but I’m originally a Frenchman from Belgium.” Instantly I was captivated at this physical embodiment of culture before me. I listened as he described his journey from Europe, his impending 50-year wedding anniversary, and his apology after briefly speaking to his wife in French. “We made it a point to speak French in the home,” he explained in his charming accent. “We wanted our son to be bilingual.”

We parted ways and I kicked myself as I lost the three figures in the crowd. I hadn’t gotten their names; and that was only the first in a string of mysterious encounters with strangers I would never forget.

Katie Morrison was RMC summer communication intern.

By Craig Carr

From Sunday, June 28 through Wednesday, July 1, 2015, about 75 percent of our Rocky Mountain Conference pastors and their families were among more than 5,000 pastoral families, church leaders, and administrators who were blessed by attending the North American Division Ministerial Convention entitled, “CALLED” at the Austin Convention Center in Texas. Attendees experienced a wealth of opportunities to connect socially, receive professional training and resources, and exchange evangelism ideas, while also receiving spiritual refreshment through preaching and music.

Ruddy Vivanco, pastor of the Golden and Denver West churches, enjoyed the variety of speakers and topics presented in the general sessions. “I was impressed by the stories of the abundant interventions of God in the life of a pastor, a long-time warrior,” he said. In addition to the educational information and spiritual messages, Pastor Vivanco appreciated seeing friends and colleagues from across North America. “We need to have more of these!” he exclaimed. Another pastor added, “I wish we didn’t have to wait five more years to see it happen again!”

On Monday afternoon during the convention, president Ed Barnett called a special meeting for all RMC pastors. Evangelist Mark Finley presented some compelling ideas on using CREATION Health as the central theme for evangelism. This was well received by the pastors present.

Pastor Mitch Williams, who serves The Adventure and Greeley churches, was particularly blessed by the breakout sessions. Presenters Derrick Morris and Randy Roberts offered great reminders about how to prepare Spirit-infused sermons. “I appreciated the professional yet spiritual atmosphere. The speakers were terrific. I found Dwight Nelson’s presentation compelling—reminding me to be a greater learner and reader,” said Pastor Williams.

Pastors’ spouses attended meetings arranged by Donna Jackson, NAD Ministerial Spouse Association Coordinator. One of the presentations given by Nancy Wilson, wife of the General Conference president, Ted Wilson, was especially meaningful to many spouses. “She spoke of their personal struggles and was very transparent,” commented Lena Williams, Mitch Williams’ wife.

The convention took place just before the General Conference Session in San Antonio for the convenience of those wanting to attend both events. It is my prayer that the CALLED convention served as a time of confirmation, encouragement, and personal refreshment to each pastor and their families.

Craig Carr is RMC ministerial director.

By Carol Bolden

With a long tradition in broadcasting, beginning with The Voice of Prophecy in 1929, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is always looking for better ways to fulfill the gospel commission. As technology improves and more opportunities become available, many small radio and TV stations are popping up around the world, including in the Rocky Mountain Conference.

Making a difference through radio

Station 107.5 FM has a radius that exceeds 75 miles reaching from Moab, Utah to north of Grand Junction, and southeast past Silverton. Owned by a corporation of Adventists from several area churches, it opened in December 2014.

Interested in producing their own programming instead of using pre-programmed material, the station board recently hired a station manager and an office worker. Now they can tailor their broadcasts to meet the needs of the communities they reach and produce a schedule so listeners will know when to tune in for their favorite programs.

Besides being a part of the corporation of Adventists who own 107.5, Dave Lehman owns a retail store where he keeps a donation jar for the radio station. People putting money in the jar often say, “I listen to that station and I love it. It doesn’t fade out in the valley like other stations do.” Lehman believes that’s because they have a better Engineer.

“Nothing has happened with our radio station that wasn’t a miracle,” says Lehman. In spite of a warning that it would take up to a year and a half to get the 501(c)3 to file as a not-for-profit company, they received it in just three weeks. Their FCC determination also came through faster than normal and they were on the air within eight months.

Seth Coridan, pastor of the Delta, Paonia, and Cedaredge churches in this area, has what he calls a “manure ministry.” When he needed manure for his yard, Pastor Coridan purchased it from a woman who helped him shovel it into his truck. Over the course of the summer, they had many conversations about spiritual things. She began listening to 107.5 and was convicted of the Sabbath. As a business owner, she has to arrange her schedule with her clients so that she can attend church. Pastor Coridan is looking forward to seeing her visit one Sabbath soon.

Using airtime bought from existing stations or those owned by Adventist corporations or individuals, the transmission of biblical truths continues to inspire and add new listeners. Gordon Anic’s weekday health broadcast on 670 AM was recently picked up by a syndicator out of Florida and is also heard in the Mariana Islands. “Our broadcast improves the public’s perception of Seventh-day Adventists,” explains Anic. “It shows another side of Seventh-day Adventists than what has traditionally been put out there,” he continues. Listeners call in for free books—they’ve given away more than 5,000 over the past year—and for prayer.

KTPJ-LP or 105.9 FM, a low-power station, is owned by the Pueblo church and has been in operation for 10 years. Several volunteers do the programming, sometimes using pre-programmed materials. Their financial support comes from Adventists and non-Adventists alike.

Not long ago, David Ortiz, head deacon of the Pueblo First Church, was doing repair work at the church when two former members who had not attended for several years approached him and said they had been listening to the radio station. David and the two men reminisced about the “good old days” when they had last been in attendance. David told them how God was blessing the church, and prayed with them in the sanctuary. The two former members plan to come back to church.

Diedre Sicher, church treasurer, and Delbert Hayden, radio station president, were placing a new sign on the wall of the radio station office when a man approached. Delbert assumed he was going to ask for money or food. Instead, he said he had been listening to the radio station for years and wanted to see where the broadcast came from. “Can I make a donation to help keep it on the air?” he asked.

Centro Cristiano de la Comunidad Adventista buys time on 1150 AM to broadcast the program, Buena Vida or “Good Life.” For more than five years, they have been explaining “how to get the maximum from life in the context of the gospel,” says Norris Custodio, who talks about spiritual, financial and physical health on air every Friday morning. Virtually “every member of Centro Cristiano came in through Buena Vida,” Custodio explains.

Upcoming plans

Individuals in the Denver area are making plans to purchase a station that will broadcast 24 hours a day. It could still be a couple of years before that plan reaches fruition. One of these individuals, Jim Burr, met an Adventist family from Omaha, Nebraska, who were interested in spreading the gospel through the airwaves. They had just signed a contract for a Denver television station not knowing where the money would come from. When he heard the story, Burr discussed it with the team working on the Denver radio station. They were able to send $5,600, the exact amount needed, to the family in Omaha. The digital station, Digital 5.2, will be on air from August and anyone with rabbit ears can access it. It is not on satellite or cable.

Burr is quick to note that the radio station plan is still on track as the money sent to help with the Denver television station is being replenished.

Carol Bolden is RMC communication administrative assistant.

By James Murdock

The Gospel of Luke contains the story of the Good Samaritan (10:25-37). This is no mysterious section of Scripture, but a story many have heard countless times before. The story on the surface is basic: Jesus is sitting with a man discussing issues of race, religion, ethics, and morality. Jesus answers a few of the man’s direct questions, but begins to really teach when he lays out a scenario very familiar to the man—since it was a common situation in their world.

While walking down the street, a man was brutally attacked, choked, pinned down, shot, stabbed, spit on, humiliated, stripped of dignity, and relieved of his possessions before being left bleeding and unconscious in the middle of the road for four hours.

Many people passed by the scene, including a local pastor traveling to heal a small child in a nearby town. The pastor considered his options and opted to pass by the man without breaking his stride. Later, an elder rushed by on her way to a council meeting, and after measuring her schedule against the distance she still had to travel, she also passed by the man without stopping.

Much later, a random passerby from a tribe of people not unfamiliar with scenes like these happened upon the man. He had just left church, where the congregation had been studying the subjects of grace and social justice, and the man recognized that God was present in this moment. Taking heed of the Gospel message, the church member picked up the broken man and carried him to safety. Giving away all that he had in his own possession, he left the man at a local church and continued on his way in search of more opportunities to do God’s will.

The story ends with Jesus asking a difficult question: In this neighborhood, who responded according to the Spirit of faith, hope, and love?

This question still lingers as it rings out in the mind’s eye of our world today.

As all of us are overtly aware, the headlines over the past few months have had an overarching theme of violence. They include the events of Ferguson, Missouri and McKinney, Texas, church pews in Charleston, flag poles flying over buildings in the lower southern states, the walls of Facebook pages referencing the cover of Vanity Fair magazine, and people struggling with racial and sexual identity.

The fires of hatred and vitriol seem far from extinguished as we look further down the road. And the street we travel is littered with the bodies of victims. The heat of the arguments on equality will reach our own church doorsteps on many different fronts.

The decisions of the Supreme Court on the legality of same-sex marriage are becoming more pervasive an issue as seen on our local nightly news segments. Assuredly the incidents, under the purveyance of hate crimes, will become more and more prevalent when homosexual men and women enter into light of day, from the shadows where they felt they had to hide. It does not seem likely that these men and women will find overwhelming love and acceptance as they take center stage in our courthouses to file for their certificates of marriage.

So too will our own denomination be on display as the delegations from the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists decide on the direction of the world church regarding the ordination of women. Lines will be drawn in the sand. There will be suffering. People will be harmed. Which is why this section of Scripture stands out so strongly. The question that Jesus poses, “Which of these do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the attackers?” is still worth being addressed, questioned, discussed, and answered every time we look at our news feeds and Facebook pages, and whenever we engage in private conversations or public debates.

The question remains the same, but the neighborhood has changed. Our world is not the same. Originally, the question was posed around faceless robbers. Today, we wrestle with more than just common thieves, but also with law enforcement. Sworn men and women of the law who face moments of fear and violence have seemingly taken their power too far. Issues go beyond those of city versus city or church versus church, but black versus white, culture versus culture, Republican versus Democrat, human versus human.

No longer is it just what the eye can see. The neighborhood has changed. It is because of this shift that we must be willing to take a closer look at ourselves in light of the situations experienced on the road to Jericho and on the streets of Ferguson.

On the surface, we assign systems of thought to each character as they encounter the scene that Jesus lays out. We are quick to judge the priest and the Levite for carelessly traipsing past the poor battered man. But we must not forget that the priest and the Levite did not end their stories there.

The priest went on to forgive sins, baptize believers in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, say grace, give Bible studies, conduct weddings, minister over funerals, preach the Gospel, give to the poor, tend to the weak, give hope to the lost, and love as Jesus loved him.

We must not forget that the Levite went on to care for the Sanctuary and those who came into its open doors, looked after the priests, ministered before the people on how to keep the covenant laws, exemplified the guidelines on how to maintain the tents, watched over the sacred altars, offered himself as a gift to God’s ministry, and assisted those who wished to bring an offering to God’s temple.

These were not bad people. These were good people, God’s people, people in need of forgiveness for their transgressions. When taken with a surface understanding of God’s movement in this world, this story truly is nothing out of the ordinary.

But the people of the Seventh-day Adventist Church are not a people with a surface understanding of God’s actions and will for this world! We are a people rich in faith, strong in Scriptural comprehension, draped in intelligence, aware of our salvation by grace, and blessed with the message of salvation by a loving God. In this knowledge of faith, hope, and love, we must also recognize our own need for forgive- ness. And with it comes recognition of our own similarities to all of the characters in this story.

We have all been the priest.
We have all been the Levite.
We strive to be like the Good Samaritan.
The richness of this story comes only from the inclusion of priests, Levites, and Samaritans. The story is complete in the entire cast of characters. We have failed to see that God used every one of them for good in the end.

Even the men of ill intent. For it was their actions that led a world to believe in good even in the face of such evil. If brought into our neighborhoods, the story could play out like this for us today:

Dylan Roof, the shooter of nine members of the Charleston church prayer group, was going down from the Conference office, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. . . . Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the perpetrator of the Boston Marathon bombings, was crossing the street just outside of your church, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. . . . Caitlyn Jenner, leaving from a local town hall meeting, fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped her, beat her, and went away, leaving her half dead. . . .

Place anyone into this list and see if the story remains the same. Officer Daniel Pantaleo, the officer who placed Eric Garner in a fatal chokehold. . . . Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, atop the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list. . . .Officer Darren Wilson, the officer charged with fatally shooting Michael Brown. . . . James Holmes, the Aurora Theater shooter. . . .

What would our response be?

Would we cross the street and shield our eyes when these events happen before us? If we believe this does not concern us, we may fail to see that God is about to do something brilliant that we are afraid to witness.

We need to spend time talking about these things. Yes, racism is messy.
Yes, violence is scary.
Yes, the Constitution is controversial.

Yes, issues of gender equality are volatile.
Yes, issues of homosexuality are divisive.
Yes, issues of gender and race reassignment are turbulent.
And yes, forgiveness is emotional.
But we cannot afford to look away from the changes in our neighborhood any longer. When we avoid the conversation, tension builds.

When the victim is no longer a stranger.

So, church, let us engage in this world with the same passion we bring to the preservation of our own personal faith. In order to truly protect this house, we ought not build a fence around the perimeter. But instead, fling the doors open wide and experience whatever God has planned to send our way.

Someday, someone will fling open our doors when we are not expecting it. Into our sanctuary, they will drag a lifeless body in need of immediate assistance; someone the pastoral staff will know because they saw him on their way to a Bible study and couldn’t stop, someone the elders know by recognition because they spotted him while running late for a meeting. He will be known by his transgressions and be considered untouchable.

Let us not be caught surprised or unprepared when it is our turn to respond. Let us prepare by opening ourselves to the emotional, divisive, volatile, controversial, scary, and messy experiences so that when the day comes and it is our time to act, we won’t have to stop short of action in order to start the conversation we were too afraid to have.

God has a plan for all of us.

Sometimes we find ourselves as part of the scenery of something greater than just passing through unaware of what God is currently working on through us.

Sometimes that means we are the priest or the Levite.

Sometimes it means we are overtaken by people of ill intent.

Sometimes it means we are the reason for another’s pain and suffering.

Sometimes it means we are being called to do something far greater than expected.

So if you ever find yourself surrounded by people of ill intent, fear not, for God is working something greater than you could imagine.

If you ever find yourself as the person of ill intent, just know you are not the end of the story. God is there working for good even when you are not. If you ever find yourself just passing through and wondering whatever happened to the man fallen behind and forgotten, know that God has taken care far beyond what you had expected or were capable of at the time. If you ever find yourself unable to pass by the moment because of the tug on your heart to act rather than look away, then hold on tight because God is about to use you in a way you have been preparing for your whole life.

To be this kind of church. To be this kind of people.

It will mean that we will need to stand tall against the waves of adversity.

It will mean holding the tough conversations and asking the tough questions. The questions become: Where will you be when crisis hits? What will your church do when it comes to your doors? How will you respond when it’s your turn to walk upon the scene?

If nothing else, I would hope that we all agree . . . it’s something worth talking about.

James Murdock was associate pastor for youth at Boulder Adventist Church until August 2015. This article is based on a sermon he preached on June 27, 2015.

By Katie Morrison

Another summer season has come and gone. That also means hundreds of young people have experienced one of youth ministries’ most powerful tools: summer camps. On any given week, campers could be seen rushing to their next activity. Young laughter echoed as kids splashed around in the pool. A stream of boys tromped over to the lake intent on canoeing better than anyone ever has before.

“My favorite part is the horses,” exclaimed seven-year-old Cub camper, Callie. “They’re so big and beautiful.” Sophia, a fellow camper, nodded in agreement. Another girl, Leila, loved the nature aspect of camp. “But I don’t like going in the lake. There are leeches in there!”

These are just a few of the responses from Cub I, the first full week of camp Glacier View Ranch (GVR) runs. The order of camp weeks was as follows: Cub II, Junior, Family, Tween, Teen Outpost, and Teen. Junior and Teen Outpost camps were already full with a waitlist before the camp season even began. Following Glacier View’s final week, the Mills Spring Ranch in Wyoming hosted its summer camp week, for ages 9-17.

Glacier View is refusing to be complacent about the camp experience. With every staff hire and every decision made, the camp’s goal is never forgotten. It seems that simply being on the property brings change. “I crave to create a slower pace of life, a chance to just breath deep,” says Rocky Mountain Conference youth leader, Steve Hamilton. “At Glacier View, we try to build relationships through nature.” Environment and experience are everything. Camp is an opportunity to have fun on a mountain, sure. More than that however, it is a chance to slow down and connect on a spiritual level. That’s where the staff comes in.

Staff influence

In the past, due to leadership changes, it was hard to build long term continuity. New directors came and left after a single year, leaving staff asking questions. What was the motivation behind this decision? Where is this going? How can we accomplish that?

The staff continuity GVR has this year is a huge blessing. “The vision has changed,” said programs director Drew Mekelberg. “Instead of just surviving year to year, we are looking forward to the future.” Staff like Marissa Montgomery and Zach Kast have worked at the camp for more than five years. Good returning staff improve the camp quality exponentially. The staff build muscle memory, making it easier to create a good environment.

The leadership at GVR is adamant about the importance of a dedicated team. “Staff is 100 percent priority,” confirms Jim Hughes, camp director. “Staff mentorship and its part in revealing Christ is huge. Team is super important.” All camp employees face unexpected challenges. They all tackle tasks they never thought they would. What’s impressive about the people at camp is their willingness to do. Their attitudes set the environment and shape the culture on the mountain, which in turn influences how the campers and visitors will be impacted.

Challenges of working at camp

Although working at a summer camp for two months sounds like a dream, there are some challenges. For one thing, it’s physically exhausting. “It’s a complete commitment once you get up the mountain,” Zach Kast said. “You need to have 110% energy, 24/7 for eight weeks straight.”

“People don’t recognize the huge impact spiritual warfare plays on camp,” Heidi Littell, assistant RMC youth director and programming director, explained. “Kids come from all different homes and situations. We have no idea what their history is. You can spend a week building a relationship with a camper just to have them yell that they hate you and never want to speak to you again. You only have one week to spiritually impact their lives forever and that is stressful sometimes.”

Even with the experience and the walkie-talkies, coordinating is a challenge. “Coordinating everyone is tricky,” said Mekelberg. “Getting everyone on board with the same thing, making sure everyone knows what’s going on and just general communication are huge challenges at a camp with 70 employees.”

With all the challenges, the blessings are still boundless. Staff and campers alike walk away from their experiences changed forever. “You’ll do things you never thought possible,” Montgomery said.

Programming emphasis

“In the future, we want to look back on this summer as an example of top quality programming,” Hamilton declared. The majority of staff week was dedicated to programming, which refers to skits, music, and nightly staff-led entertainment. More hours than ever before were spent learning and memorizing lines and practicing the content.

The theme throughout each week was “Thrive.” Every day, there was a new area the campers were encouraged to “thrive” in. Littell is in her second year as staff but grew up at GVR and knows the ins and outs of camp. “Kids learn best through stories,” she said. “Sixty percent of the campers here aren’t Adventist. This is often the first time they’re hearing these stories.”

Because of the potential, GVR is trying to share these stories in the highest quality way possible. “Just because we have flashy props and skits doesn’t mean we lose the focus,” explained Becca O’Hare, one of the assistant directors. “We always aim to creatively show the ‘why’ of things: Jesus and His love.”

Wyoming camp

At the end of the summer, most of the GVR staff packed up and headed to Wyoming for a week at Mills Spring Ranch. Run by Anthony and Karina Handal, the camp welcomed 43 kids, which is a huge percentage of the constituents for that state.

With so many of the Adventist young people in Wyoming already attending the camp, major growth can only be accomplished by looking outside of the church. The leadership of the camp is looking forward to using evangelistic opportunities and seeing what God has in store for the future.

Many people who worked at camp as teens or young adults years ago now have full-time careers that cannot be put on hold for a summer up at GVR. Mills Spring Ranch is the perfect solution. This camp, because it’s only a week long, appeals to them. For just a week, they can experience the enrichment that comes from showing kids the spirit of Jesus.

“The camp in Wyoming is the hidden gem of the Rocky Mountain Conference. In some ways it’s a form of time travel back to camp in the 50s,” Steve Hamilton said. “It’s simple and uncluttered, allowing spiritual blessing to come through without distractions.”

Katie Morrison was RMC summer communication intern.

By Carol Bolden

“If you want this facility for your kids, you’ll have to work out the details,” prayed Toakase Vunileva, principal of Mile High Academy (MHA) in Denver, Colorado, as she stood in the parking lot of Colorado Christian School, a facility for sale off the C-470 and University Avenue, in November 2014.

Nine months later, on August 16, after maneuvering through the buying, renovating, and moving processes, the new Mile High Academy held its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and praise to God. The ceremony involved representatives from the building committee, Centura Health leadership, RMC leadership, the school board, and the graduating class of 2017.

Relatives of Vunileva flew in from Tonga and sang a worship song to the God who has done great things. While the academy choir, under the direction of Leandro Bizama, and a string ensemble made up of MHA children performed, representatives gathered to cut the ribbon .

Eric Nelson, vice president for administration for Rocky Mountain Conference, dedicated the building and staff to communicate Jesus to the students and called it a day of “immense gratitude.”

Parents, students, and other visitors toured the school with its cutting-edge design, featuring study rooms with walls that can be used for writing, stools that move according to the needs of kinesthetic learners, desks that fit together for group projects or move apart for individual work, smart boards that remember what is written on them and display internet information—and so much more.

Seeing the bank of gray-painted lockers, I pictured myself back in school. How much better would I have done, how much more would I have learned with all these advantages?

Participating in the event, students wandered the school looking excited to see their friends and to start the year in this new and wonderful place. Never before had they had a bright orange lounging chair that could be used on three sides. Nor had they enjoyed world-class photography on their walls.

Walking through the campus, the mood changed from one area to another—serious and worshipful during the opening ceremony, but with a back-to-school-night feeling as parents checked out rooms and talked to teachers, and an air of joyful celebration with small children riding the train in the parking lot, jumping in the bounce house, and eating shave ice on what turned out to be a hot day.

When MHA entered the scene as a party interested in purchasing the property, another private school was already in the buying process, Douglas County had announced that they were acquiring it, and Highlands Ranch had declared a moratorium on any more private schools. Vunileva’s prayer was answered in miraculous ways.

Even though the details involving a move to a new location were on Vunileva’s mind since last January, it was August 10 that saw the MHA staff begin the move into the elementary section of the building. Transferring more than 60 years’ worth of items from the “old” school and into the “new” school was a huge undertaking. Luckily, the staff didn’t have to do it alone.

Don Reeder, principal of Campion Academy (CA) in Loveland, Colorado, brought his staff down to help. Reeder said that although Campion staff were in a push to get ready for school to start, “they figured Mile High’s push was greater.” The rivalry between the two academies has, at times, been fierce, but MHA and CA put that aside and had fun working together as a team.

The teachers shared more than just labor. During lunch, there was discussion of having the two schools work together on community service projects and social activities.

It was made clear, however, that the goodwill between the schools would be put aside during the famed CA/MHA basketball games!

Vunileva was emotional as she thanked Reeder and the entire Campion delegation. “It means so much to us that you would take a day out of your prep time and come help us. I look forward to a time that we can repay the favor and help you,” she said.

“It was really great to have both schools working together,” said Amy Rasco, MHA alumna and parent of a current MHA 7th grader. “Having Campion here today has made a big difference.”

Just as MHA and its leaders can list numerous miracles that made it possible to arrive at its grand opening, the students and their parents and guardians can complete the story with their own personal experiences leading to Adventist education at MHA.

Mile High Academy is one of four academies in the Rocky Mountain Conference and is among 109 in the North American Division. It was established as Denver West Church School in 1913 and moved to the Yale Avenue location in 1949. As of this writing, its enrollment is at 197, up from 166 last year, and continues to climb. [Carol Bolden with Kelly Waller]

Carol Bolden is RMC communication administrative assistant.

By Ed Barnett

For the last year, interest was building around the General Conference session. Questions were plentiful: Who would be chosen for president? What would happen with the women’s ordination issue? And the list continued. I was happy to finally have the session come and go. I was tired of the rumor mill and the flood of letters and articles circulating on what might happen.

It was hot and humid in San Antonio in July. Just walking to and from the hotel to the Alamodome could work up a good sweat. But inside the dome, the temperature was in the mid-60s and it was good to have a jacket.

One thing that caught my attention was that the world- wide church membership is nearing nineteen million with a rather small percentage of that membership in North America. So, although the North American Division still contributes 40 percent of the entire world budget, with only 1.3 million members we have little influence on some of the decisions that are made at the world church level.

Looking at the world church delegations in attendance for business sessions in the Alamodome, I quickly realized that church members from Western countries are a small minority. This is not a bad thing. It is simply something that is easily recognized. Looking at the diversity of people gave me a sense of what heaven will look like.

The business agenda issue to determine whether the world divisions should be given authority to ordain women within their territories was the most hotly-discussed item throughout the session. Frankly, it was good to have a vote on this issue and move on with the mission of the church. Our former and current General Conference presidents both spoke to the issue. I was saddened to hear boos and hisses from people in the dome, who disagreed with statements they heard. Soon it became obvious that, although it was to be a secret ballot vote, the delegation would not allow regional divisions to determine policies in their territories separately. I was surprised by how close the vote really was.

As I reflected on the charged atmosphere that the debate produced, I wondered what impact it would have on how we relate to each other in the church. What impact will it have on the place and involvement of young people in church life? Will the “back doors,” through which some leave the church, widen?

The one thought that struck me the most throughout the Session was this: we need to finish the work and not let the enemy get us sidetracked on other things. I long for the soon coming of Jesus. We each have a part to play in sharing Jesus with the world around us. Here in the Rocky Mountain Conference, He has called us to finish the work in our territory and we need to keep focused on that job!

Ed Barnett is RMC president.