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Jose Briones – Fairplay, Colorado … In the charming community of Fairplay, Colorado, Betty Wriston has found a unique way to touch hearts and souls, all while baking up delectable treats. A devoted member of the Fairplay Seventh-day Adventist Church, Betty started a tradition years ago that has since grown into a beloved local custom, all thanks to her husband’s brilliant idea.

Every Christmas, Betty whips up an assortment of baked goodies—pumpkin bread, banana bread, fruitcake, and even cookies. With boundless love and warmth, she distributes these mouthwatering delights to her neighbors, paired with religious literature like Ellen G. White’s The Great Controversy, Desire of Ages, or Steps to Christ. The gesture has paved the way for deeper connections and spiritual conversations with her neighbors.

The baked treats have undoubtedly played a significant role in the receptiveness of her neighbors. Who wouldn’t welcome a piece of homemade banana bread? But it isn’t just about the food. Betty’s genuine care and prayers, especially for those facing difficult times, have created a network of support and love within the community. One elderly couple stands as a testament to her dedication—the wife, who had been seriously ill, has seen remarkable improvement and now expresses heartfelt gratitude for Betty’s continuous prayers and kindness.

Betty’s neighbors eagerly anticipate her visits, not just for the goodies, but for the friendly conversations and the caring presence she brings. Her life as a Seventh-day Adventist is observed by those around her, and her unwavering commitment to her faith and community is met with respect and admiration. It turns out, a simple piece of banana bread has the power to open doors and hearts, allowing Betty to share her beliefs and offer guidance in meaningful ways.

Moreover, her acts of kindness haven’t gone unnoticed. One neighbor, a carpenter, took it upon himself to build a roof over Betty’s patio and doghouse, ensuring she no longer has to shovel snow for her beloved dog, Abby. This gesture is an example that kindness is returned with kindness.

Betty’s story is a heartwarming reminder that sometimes the simplest acts can make the biggest difference. For anyone who loves baking, consider following in Betty’s footsteps—your homemade treat might just be the perfect way to connect with your neighbors and spread a little bit of love and light. Watch Betty’s story below.

—Jose Briones is lead pastor at the Fairplay Seventh-day Adventist Church and is the RMC Stewardship Promotion and Content creator. Photo capture from RMC’s “Always Faithful” video series.

Jill Harlow – Loveland, Colorado … Students at Campion Academy in Loveland, Colorado, strengthened their commitments to Jesus with the support of powerful messages by Taurus Montgomery, lead pastor at the Harbor of Hope Seventh-day Adventist Church in Benton Harbor, Michigan, during Campion’s Week of Worship, February 24-March 1.

Montgomery has recently focused on reaching teens for Christ as a motivational speaker. His delivery style was both engaging and Biblically based, resonated with many students.

Montgomery shared his personal testimony of how his life changed going from growing up in a violent culture to becoming a Christian. Campion student Olivia Arizola commented, “My faith became much stronger after hearing how much he had changed and turned to God. Even after all he went through, he still kept pursuing Christ.”

More than half the student body responded to Taurus’ call to commit or recommit their lives to Jesus during the evening programs, February 27-28. Arizola furthered, “I appreciate how the speaker was able to speak to everybody in the school, and seeing people stand up that I’ve never seen do that before, was a great blessing.”

Student Bruno Lopes was encouraged by the messages saying, “Before the Week of Worship, I was having some confusion about my spiritual walk, and it was making me distressed. Over the week, I could feel Jesus talking with me through Pastor Montgomery, especially on the first day when he spoke about being ‘Uncaptured by the Culture’.”

The spiritually focused week ended with Vespers Deluxe. After Montgomery’s final message, students gathered together in the tower to sing praise songs together, concluding the week on a high note.

—Jill Harlow is the Campion Academy communication director. Photos supplied.

Campion Academy News – Loveland, Colorado … Both the Campion Academy boys’ volleyball and the girls’ soccer teams won their first games of the season at home, March 4.

This year marks the first official season for Boys’ volleyball at Campion. Spurred on by interest especially amongst the academy’s Brazilian and Indonesian students, the boys began practicing last year and were able to obtain coaches and have a real season this year. The first game was against Mountain View High School, a large local public high school also in Loveland, with the Campion boys’ team coming out on top 3-2.

Despite frigid temperatures and an even worse wind chill, the Campion girls’ soccer team also came out strong, winning 7 to 0 against a team they lost to last season, Evergreen High School, a public school in Evergreen, Colorado.

Cheer on Campion Athletics by joining them at the next game! You can view the upcoming schedule on the ATHLETICS CALENDAR or watch both home and away games by subscribing to the NFHS NETWORK.

—Campion Academy News. Photos supplied.

Iris Argueta – Silver Spring, Maryland … The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is grappling with significant disruptions to its global operations due to a recent funding pause imposed by the United States Government on January 20, 2025. This unprecedented action of USAID’s funding for humanitarian programs, including projects run by ADRA and other nonprofit organizations, forced ADRA to halt critical initiatives and put vulnerable communities at risk of losing essential services.

USAID Funding Pause: A Global Challenge

The USAID funds that supported global program implementation were allocated to both U.S.-based ADRA International and directly to ADRA network offices in Africa, the Middle East, and South America.

The funding reduction has affected critical sectors directly, including:

• Food Security Initiatives: programs addressing the root causes of hunger and helping communities become self-sufficient.
• Health Programs: efforts aimed at promoting healthier living for at-risk populations.
• Nutrition Interventions: critical programs combating malnutrition, particularly among children under five.
• WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene): efforts to ensure access to clean water and sanitation, which are vital for survival in many communities.
• Disaster Relief and Emergency Response: immediate aid and support for long-term recovery following natural and man-made disasters.

 Staff Reductions and Operational Adjustments

In response to reduced funding, multiple nonprofit organizations, including ADRA, have initiated staff reductions. The global organization was forced to reduce 18 percent of its staff at ADRA International in the U.S., with additional layoffs occurring at other country offices. These reductions are expected to continue over the next few months as ADRA aligns its operations with current financial constraints, prioritizing resources for the critical programs that remain operational. To assist those affected, ADRA is providing a comprehensive severance package, which includes salary support, healthcare coverage during the transition, and outplacement services such as career coaching, job search support, and counseling.

“ADRA is heartbroken by the difficult decision to reduce staff as a result of the funding challenges we are facing. This decision has impacted many of our dedicated team members, and we are deeply grateful for their years of service and unwavering commitment to our mission. Their contributions have been essential in helping us serve the most vulnerable communities around the world. We honor their work and remain committed to supporting them through this challenging transition. While we navigate these difficult times, our mission to serve those in greatest need remains steadfast. We are exploring new funding sources and building partnerships to continue delivering vital support,” says Korey Dowling, vice president of people and excellence for ADRA International.

Decades of Impact: A Legacy of USAID Support

For over four decades, ADRA has been fortunate to receive substantial support from USAID and other government agencies, enabling the organization to deliver life-saving aid to millions of children, women, families, and communities in need across every continent. This collaboration has been essential in advancing ADRA’s mission to serve humanity with compassion, justice, and love.

As outlined in ADRA’s bylaws, approved by the Executive Committee of the Seventh-day Adventist Church when the agency was established in 1983, the organization has always been committed to forming partnerships with various denominations, philanthropic organizations, development banks, and government agencies that share its mission to meet human need. This strategic approach has enabled ADRA to expand its reach and impact, even in the face of funding uncertainties.

ADRA’s Continued Commitment to Service

Despite these setbacks, ADRA remains resolute in its mission to serve the world’s most vulnerable communities. In collaboration with its board of directors, ADRA is evaluating how best to allocate operating funds to sustain life-saving programs. The organization will continue to rely on individual donations, support from other governments, and funding from grant-making institutions to advance its humanitarian initiatives. With a global network of over 117 offices, ADRA will work diligently to adjust its projects to ensure they remain effective and continue to meet the needs of those they serve.

“ADRA is deeply grateful for the ongoing support from its trusted partners, the Adventist Church, donors, and volunteers. Despite facing funding challenges, we remain committed to continuing our vital programs that support women, children, displaced people, and families in crisis. Though these challenges are significant, the strength of our global community and the resilience of the people we serve give us hope. Together, we will emerge from this moment and continue our mission to create a brighter, more compassionate future for all. We ask for your continued prayers and support as we work to adapt to the current situation while maintaining our mission of improving lives, ensuring that all may live as God intended,” says Sonya Funna Evelyn, vice president of sustainable development for ADRA International.

How to Support ADRA’s Critical Work

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is the international humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church serving more than 120 countries. Its work empowers communities and changes lives around the globe by providing sustainable community development and disaster relief. ADRA’s purpose is to serve humanity so all may live as God intended. To support ADRA’s mission and ensure continued assistance for the world’s most vulnerable, please visit ADRA.org

—Iris Argueta is the director of External Communications and Public Relations for ADRA International. Republished with permission from the ADRA Newsroom. Photos supplied.

RMCNews – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … The Mile High Academy (MHA) principal Andrew Carpenter, Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Department of Education leadership team Diane Harris and Paul Negrete, and pastors from the churches that support MHA, came together to see how they could collaborate to support the combined mission and support growth in churches and schools. From this collaboration manifested a two-day event entitled Mission Summit held February 21-22 at MHA in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, that brought together over 350 attendees.

“The first gathering was here at Mile High Academy, and we began to chat about how we could better interact with the school. I asked the question of what we have done collectively as churches together in the past and no one could remember, so then the ball really began to roll,” remarked Mark Weir, lead pastor Denver South Seventh-day Adventist Church. “I just want to say how thankful I am for the area pastors who stepped up in all areas of responsibility. What we really want is not just an event, but a beginning of a catalyst that says we are intentional on the mission of Jesus.”

The event was sponsored by RMC, MHA, Denver South, Denver West, Littleton Seventh-day Adventist churches, and LifeSource Adventist Fellowship (LAF) in the southern Denver suburbs. The event began Friday evening with a praise service, mission spotlight, and an evening message from Tim Madding, director of the North American Division Evangelism Institute.

Madding remarked on current statistics showing a decline or plateau in church membership throughout North America attributing common reasons to include “mission drift,” resistance to change, inward focus, church conflict, management issues, aging congregations, spiritual lukewarmness, and some churches attributing their lack of growth to external factors.

Madding did however stress that he believes churches are not too far gone and that the mission of the church is still possible, that mission being making disciples of Jesus. He highlighted that the new generation of church leaders are more open to change and mission fulfillment and that the transformation of people is the work of the Holy Spirit, not human effort alone. He called for a full surrender to Jesus to lead the revival and for the church to shift from complacency to actively loving and reaching people as Jesus did.

The second day of the event, February 22, began with Sabbath school for the youth and a praise and worship service for the adult attendees. Madden provided the message for the worship service by discussing the mission and purpose of the church, defining it as bringing people to Jesus and helping them grow as “mature disciples.” He provided steps to make mature disciples and encouraged church leaders to focus more on the mission than “running programs.”

Steven Harris, an attendee and LAF member, commented, “I have been wondering how to broach a conversation that I deemed would be difficult, but now I see it’s going to be actually kind of easy after listening to today’s Sabbath school and sermon. I will stop hesitating to bring that conversation up with a new friend of mine and see how I can be helpful in furthering their walk with Jesus, because that’s what we’re all here for.”

A potluck was held directly after the worship service that was attended by most present, and afternoon breakout sessions were held on evangelism led by Madding and Weir. Serve and share opportunities were made available in the afternoon. These opportunities included creating cards of encouragement for nursing home residents, care packages for the unhoused, gratitude goodie bags for local healthcare workers, creating prayer journals, and an afternoon walk to take prayer requests from the surrounding community.

“At the creative station, we’re making cards for nursing home residents to encourage them and remind them that God loves them,” commented Deborah Gandia, creation station volunteer and Littleton Church member. “We are also providing little prayer journals and bookmarks that you can take home with you just so you can continuously carry God around with you and be praying for people who you might meet.”

Heidi Carpenter, LAF associate pastor, led the closing Sabbath Vespers program and opened with a question: “Do you remember a time when you had a ministry with someone—reaching out to someone—and it did something to your heart starting a flame? That flame is what I call mission spirit. It starts in the heart of a follower of Jesus when they have one of those experiences and other experiences fan that flame,” she continued.

Heidi spoke of the parable in Mark 4 commenting, “I love the fact that this verse says that God is the one who does the growing. One of my biggest worries with ministry was, ‘what if I don’t do it right?’ The main point is God is asking you to do something, do anything. And He’s the one that can take it and make it what it should be.”

The event wrapped up with a simple meal and game night, including basketball, volleyball, and board games for participants to enjoy fellowship in fun after two very full days of worship and activity.

“Two things that I’ve appreciated this weekend is, one, feeling like one big family and not separated, isolated groups who don’t really know each other. And I hope that that happens more,” commented Sonia Huenergardt, an attendee and member of Newday Seventh-day Adventist Church.

She continued, “The other thing I’ve really appreciated is hearing an emphasis on discipleship. It’s been something I’ve longed for and something I’ve felt other people were longing for too. Not just the instruction to go read your Bible and grow as a Christian, but some really practical helps for how to do that. I’m really happy to hear we are talking about leading people to Jesus and helping people grow in Jesus. And I hope we continue to do that.”

“Mission Summit was about more than just powerful messages, excellent music, inspiring testimonies, and delicious food,” remarked Godfrey Miranda, lead pastor at the Little Church. “It was about collectively recalibrating our focus on God’s mission and practically demonstrating that we are truly in this together.”

The leadership committee for Mission Summit and the Rocky Mountain Conference would like to acknowledge and thank everyone who put in their time and support for the event. Portions of the event were recorded. CLICK HERE to see the full library of recordings or watch them below.

—RMCNews

Hugh Davis – Lincoln, Nebraska … In an episode of 3ABN Today, Wintley Phipps, international singer, songwriter, and currently pastor of the  Palm Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church in Palm Bay, Florida, introduced a groundbreaking new tool, GospelTruth.Ai, designed to assist Christians in their study of the Bible and sermon preparation.

This artificial intelligence (AI) application is specifically trained to provide biblically accurate responses and generate complete sermons, distinguishing it from mainstream AI models like ChatGPT, which, as Phipps noted, often reflect a mix of secular and religious perspectives.

The Problem with Traditional AI

Phipps expressed concerns about conventional AI models, which he likened to the “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.” He pointed out that these models pull information from both secular and religious sources, leading to responses that may not always align with biblical teachings. When discussing theological topics such as the Sabbath, he found that mainstream AI often presented conflicting or non-biblical viewpoints, requiring extensive back-and-forth to align the response with Scripture.

A Biblical Approach to AI

To address this challenge, Phipps and his team developed GospelTruth.Ai, an AI system trained exclusively on vetted biblical resources, including the Bible, the writings of Ellen G. White, and trusted theological materials. Unlike general AI tools that “skim” information and often provide repetitive answers, GospelTruth.Ai employs a proprietary linguistic search algorithm that deeply mines Scripture and related texts, producing fresh, in-depth perspectives each time a user requests information.

Key Features of GospelTruth.AI

1. Biblically Sound Responses – The AI has been trained to ensure that every response aligns with Scripture and trusted theological sources.
2. Full Sermon Generation – Rather than simple Q&A responses, the tool generates complete sermons and teachings on any biblical topic.
3. Deep Theological Research – Utilizing a unique algorithm, the AI “mines” biblical texts rather than skimming, ensuring deeper insights.
4. Multilingual Capabilities – Users can generate sermons and teachings in multiple languages, making it accessible worldwide.
5. Efficient Sermon Preparation – With traditional sermon preparation often requiring 30–40 hours of study, GospelTruth.Ai  allows pastors to reclaim time for prayer, family, and other ministerial duties.
6. Export and Sharing Options – Sermons can be easily copied, exported, or shared for immediate use.

A Game-Changer for Pastors and Laypeople

During the demonstration, Phipps showcased how quickly the AI tool generates well-structured sermons. He emphasized that this tool is not just for pastors but also for laypeople who wish to study and understand Scripture more deeply. By simply entering a topic such as “gospel and salvation” or “trials,” users receive a full, well-researched sermon in seconds.

Phipps likened GospelTruth.Ai  to the research assistants used by historical preachers like Charles Spurgeon, who had teams of young ministers gathering information for him. With AI, this process is now automated and instantaneous, allowing for thorough, efficient, and theologically sound sermon preparation.

Addressing the Crisis in Christian Churches

A key motivation behind this tool is the declining church attendance across denominations. According to recent research, regular church attendance among members of the Seventh-day Adventist church has dropped from 67% in 2014 to just 15% in 2024. He pointed out that the primary reason people attend church is the quality of the sermon, not necessarily the music or technology used in worship services. GospelTruth.Ai  aims to equip pastors with the ability to deliver well-researched, inspiring messages that can help draw people back to church.

Phipps sees GospelTruth.Ai  as a divine tool to support a new generation of preachers and teachers. Whether for pastors preparing weekly sermons or laypeople seeking to deepen their biblical understanding, this AI-driven resource offers a powerful, reliable way to engage with God’s Word. As Phipps concluded, “I pray that God will use this to inspire a new generation of preachers and teachers.”

For the full interview, visit this link.

—Curated by ChatGPT and edited by Hugh Davis, Mid-America Union Conference Communication associate director. Republished with permission from OUTLOOK Adventist News March 3, 2025, article. Photos supplied.

Fred Hardinge – Montrose, Colorado … A monthly community health outreach program titled Health Bites: Simple Steps to Wellness launched February 25 at the Montrose Seventh-day Adventist Church in Montrose, Colorado. Over 20 people attended the first session, and the program will focus on good food, fellowship, and health facts.

This opening session commenced with a brief Bible lesson on the topic of health and prayer. Attendees were given fellowship time to get acquainted with other people at their tables while enjoying a simple meal of selected soups and crackers.

The meal was followed by short cooking demonstrations on how to prepare the soups. The evening concluded with a presentation by a registered health professional and an opportunity for the audience to ask questions.

Montrose Church’s Health Ministries Committee, led by Dr. Fred Hardinge, who is also an elder at the church, has planned a regular schedule of high-impact, low-intensity programs for most months in the coming years. “This deliberate approach reinforces the sustainability of our ministry within the community,” Harding remarked.

He continued, “The name and logo we chose reflect that wellness results from many simple steps toward good health. The green leaf symbolizes growth and vibrancy, while the circle suggests a wholistic approach encompassing the whole man: physical, mental, social, and spiritual.”

Please contact the Montrose Seventh-day Adventist Church for more information on the program.

—Fred Hardinge, DrPH and registered dietician, is the director of Montrose Seventh-day Adventist Church Health Ministries Committee. Photos supplied.

Karrie Meyers – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Mile High Academy (MHA) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, recently wrapped up its inspiring FOCUS Week culminating with a vibrant Culture Celebration and Parade, February 24-28. FOCUS Week, which stands for “Focus On Christ’s Ultimate Sacrifice,” is a biannual tradition at MHA, designed to deepen students’ faith through daily chapel services and engaging messages about Christ’s love and sacrifice.

This year, MHA was honored to welcome Miguel Tello as the guest speaker. Tello is an experienced educator, mentor, and certified mental health coach with over 20 years of experience. His journey includes serving as a missionary in Bolivia for 11.5 years where he directed a children’s home and cofounded another children’s home and boarding academy in the jungle.

Today, he and his wife, Tara, run PM Orchards, a ministry dedicated to helping young adults transition into adulthood, strengthen academic skills, secure college scholarships, and break cycles of trauma.

With a heart for education and mental health, Tello delivered daily chapel messages for each of MHA’s school levels, sharing powerful personal stories of God’s faithfulness and practical ways to “Abide in Christ.” His messages deeply resonated with students, including MHA junior student Logen, who shared, “This was one of my favorite FOCUS Weeks. I really appreciated how Mr. Tello shared the struggles he faced, yet he always reflected on how much God continued to bring positives into his life.”

The week concluded with MHA’s Culture Celebration and Parade, where students proudly represented their cultural heritage through traditional attire and colorful flags. The gym was alive with energy as classrooms marched in, displaying the diverse backgrounds that make up the MHA community.

A special missionary spotlight was shared by Gabi DuBose, wife of MHA fifth-grade teacher Jason DuBose, who talked about her experiences as a student missionary in Palau, followed by an inspiring message from Tello about how Christ answers prayers—even in the most unexpected ways.

To top off the morning, students and guests enjoyed a selection of bite-sized foods from around the world. Cindy Roldan, MHA’s director of Student Services, who coordinated the event, reflected on its impact, saying, “It was so much fun seeing our students proudly representing their heritage. Though we come from different backgrounds, this celebration reminded us that we are all One in Christ.”

MHA hopes to expand the Cultural Celebration and Parade into a larger community-wide event, inviting even more families and friends to take part in this meaningful tradition. Roldan concluded, “As MHA looks to the future, traditions like FOCUS Week and the Cultural Celebration will allow MHA to continue to foster a learning environment where faith, heritage, and community come together, shaping and inspiriting the next generation.”

—Karrie Meyers is the marketing and development coordinator at Mile High Academy. Photos supplied.