RMCNews – Page 5 – Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

21 Jul

WESTERN SLOPE CAMP MEETING RETURNS ON AUGUST 4

RMCNews – Montrose, Colorado … “We are really happy to be back in person,” Nate Skaife, pastor of the Grand Junction church enthusiastically expressed, regarding the return of Western Slope camp meeting. The 7^th annual gathering will convene at Mountaintop Retreat in Montrose, Colorado on August 4.

“Love of God” is the theme of the four-day event. Western Slope pastors will begin the meetings with morning worship, followed by afternoon seminars by Dr Joseph Kidder, professor of Pastoral Theology and Discipleship at Andrews University. Also speaking in the afternoon will be Gary Force, pastor of the Durango district. Kidder will conclude the evening with a message about worship and principles that help develop a deeper relationship with God.

The event will provide time to not only grow spiritually, but also experience God in nature by offering an expanded range of outdoor excursions. A sampling of these adventurous endeavors includes a zip line experience, swimming, tubing, boating, hiking, and other water events.

On Friday and Sabbath, musical appetites will be filled with performances by the Kings Heralds, according to Skaife. They will also provide a musical concert on Sabbath afternoon.

First-time visitors to the event will experience a beautiful place to camp along with fellowship and a chance to rekindle or establish new connections.

The gathering is crucial at this time, according to Skaife. “We [the organizers] believe that it is crucial to come together and worship and praise God for what He has done. You can do it by yourself, but it is not the same as doing it in a group.”

Skaife added it is his desire that everyone will leave the camp meeting with a deeper walk with Jesus.

To register for the Western Slope camp meeting please visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWdAyrSxzvkTFOj-VShG3iXPd3GJFRKAL5SRXbQk6marlMgA/viewform

For more information please visit: https://www.facebook.com/SDAWSCM

–RMCNews; photo by Rajmund Dabrowski

Western Slope Camp Meeting 2019

15 Jul

WYOMING CAMP MEETING BEGINS WITH HAIL AND FOG

By RMCNews– Casper, Wyoming … Wyoming camp meeting reconvened on June 13 to an opening night of attendees focused on what was failing from the sky rather than on the speaker. Hail coated the grounds of Mills Spring Ranch in one-inch piles.

Tom Lemon, vice president for the world church, began the gathering on Tuesday evening by inviting the early group of campers to join him on a journey of being fearless of God’s power. He tied in examples of God’s creation power which engenders a respectful fear toward God.

The first full day, Wednesday, began with MSR socked in a layer of dense fog and drizzle, and with temperatures in the low 50’s; but those gathered were not going to the let the wild swing of weather dampen their joy at being back on top of Casper Mountain.

“People are excited to be back because being at home they have missed the connections with their church family. This is the highlight of the year for Wyoming,” Steve Nelson, pastor of the Cody district said.

The theme “Fearless” features presentations on how to live a life of respect for God without fear. The morning devotions. led by Mickey Mallory, RMC ministerial director, began with the example of David, who faced Goliath without fear because he trusted in God to protect him.

Later in the morning, Doug Inglish, RMC vice president, continued the meetings with a discussion on how everyone stands on the shoulders of others or are themselves the shoulders of others to stand on, illustrating that individual in the church need not be filled with fear, for they are not alone.

The afternoon offered four seminars on various topics, including health, photography, rock climbing, and fly fishing or individuals could choose to explore the picturesque scenery that MSR has to offer. The seminar on fly fishing, presented by Dr. Arnie Sybrant, was very popular among outdoor enthusiasts. “I didn’t know anything about fly fishing until the classroom seminar. Now I know almost everything about fly fishing,” Shayne Vincent, pastor of Casper district expressed.

Attending Wyoming camp meeting for the first time, you can expect the following according to Vincent. “Relaxation, nature, quiet, good services, and stars at night.”

For church members in the region, it’s not too late to experience the fellowship, fun, and culture Wyoming has to offer. The meetings continue through Sabbath, July 17, at MSR, located on top of Casper Mountain.

–RMCNews; photos by Jon Roberts, Samantha Nelson, and Rajmund Dabrowski

01 Jul

DARIN GOTTFRIED JOINS RMC AS NEW VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE

By RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … On June 25, the RMC Administrative Committee extended an invitation to Darin Gottfried to serve as vice president of finance, replacing George Crumley who left RMC on June 30 to serve in the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference.

“Darin has spent the last nine years in the Kansas-Nebraska Conference. He has done a tremendous job there and I know God will use him in a mighty way here in our Conference,” Ed Barnett, RMC president, said. “George Crumley, as of July 1 no longer in RMC, has been such a blessing and we will miss him.”

Gottfried accepted the invitation on June 28 and says he is “excited about joining the team in Rocky Mountain. You have a great group of people there that I am looking forward to working with and getting to know better. I hope that I can support and help grow the Conference as much as possible.” He will assume his responsibilities at RMC on September 1

Most recently, he served as vice president of finance for the Kansas-Nebraska Conference during the last five years, after being an associate treasurer for the same Conference, business manager for Wisconsin Academy, and working at Fletch Adventist Hospital in North Carolina.

Doug Inglish, vice president of administration, is looking forward to working alongside Gottfried. “We are very excited that Darin has accepted this call. We believe that he not only has the skill set we are looking for, but the mission-minded approach that matches the Rocky Mountain Conference.”

Born and raised in North Dakota, Darin Gottfried is no stranger to the Rocky Mountain area, where he spent many weekends exploring the scenery of the region.

He is a graduate of Union College where he met his ministry partner, Stephanie. She is familiar with RMC as an alumna of Campion Academy and her parents reside in Monument, Colorado.

The Gottfrieds have two four-legged children, including a Great Dane named Berg and a German Wirehaired Pointer named Otto. Stephanie commented that “[we] have not been able to start a human family of our own, so our dogs are our kids.”

In his spare time, Darin enjoys photography, traveling, camping, and working on cars. He is also expanding his vocabulary by learning the German language.

Gottfried’s hope at RMC is “that as treasurer, he is able to help maintain a healthy and financially-stable Conference and to use the money that has been entrusted with us in the most effective manner, so that the church can grow and share the love of Jesus with every person in our territory.”

He further expressed his interest in “getting to know the members and employees of the Rocky Mountain Conference, learning their stories, and finding ways of supporting the ministry in every area.”

“Getting to travel the beautiful territory of the Rocky Mountain Conference is an added bonus,” he added.

–RMCNews; photo by Stephanie Gottfried

01 Jul

YOUNG ADULTS FIRST TO SIGN CHARTER ROLL AT MONTROSE HISPANIC CHURCH INAUGURATION

By RMCNews – Montrose, Colorado … The Montrose Hispanic Company was accepted into the Seventh-day Adventist sisterhood of churches on Sabbath, June 26, with the young adults of the congregation rushing to the front to be first to sign the charter membership books.

One hundred gathered in the Montrose Adventist English church sanctuary for this special occasion marking five years since the group was formed.

Ruben Balaguer, pastor of the Grand Junction Hispanic district, recalls for those assembled the passion he and his family had for planting this Hispanic church.

“With the dream of starting a group or church, we arrived in Montrose in April 2010. We had the desire to know small towns because we no longer wanted to live in the city. Settling in Montrose, we saw a lot of potential to start a group. We proposed to our pastor the plan to start a branch in Montrose but he told us that it was not possible.”

That wasn’t the end of the story Balaguer adds, “He [the pastor] asked us to keep praying until finally, our dream came true. One Saturday, Pastor Mike Shannon encouraged us to begin to realize our wish. A few weeks later our prayers were beginning to be answered as gatherings were planned and held. The meetings began with Horacio Gomez, Marina Guillen, the Magaña family, the Espinoza Chavez family, the Espinoza Venzor family and my family.”

The afternoon inauguration included musical performances by various members and guests, enhancing the service. One musical selection was performed by the youth choir of the church called “Generacion Escogida” which means “Chosen Generation”.

Ed Barnett, during what will most likely be the last time he attends a formal church inauguration as RMC president, was presented a plaque by the Hispanic area churches thanking him for his service.

Commenting on the event Barnett remarked, “It was a tremendous afternoon celebrating our Montrose Hispanic Company becoming a church. What a sweet spirit and talented church family they have. The musical selections were powerful. I was impressed by how many young people are charter members. I want to thank all of the pastors that made this possible. It is nice seeing our Rocky Mountain Conference adding another church to our ranks.”

Doug Inglish, vice president of administration presided over the signing of the charter membership book and reflected on that moment saying, “It is so impressive that the first people to step forward to sign the charter roll for the church were the youngest members. It is a sign of a healthy church whose young people take ownership.”

For the charter members, this was the moment they have been waiting for.

“This is a dream made true and what we have to value is the beautiful group of young people that we have,” Abimael Chavez, Montrose Hispanic elder commented. “They are the future leaders of our church and we have to support them always!”

Dennis Magaña, head elder of Montrose Hispanic also commented on being part of history, “Our commitment and duty to God remains the same: to go and make disciples by bringing them to the feet of Jesus. For this we need, today more than ever, the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill our mission.”

Pastor Balaguer is excited to be part of this growing church. “It’s a big blessing for me to be a part of the history of the growing Hispanic church,” he said.

The charter roll of Montrose Hispanic includes 37 individuals and a few more who were unable to attend the special event, will sign the charter in next few Sabbaths.

Balaguer, addressing the participating congregation, expressed thanks to their parent church, Olathe Hispanic, for supporting them and providing prayers; the Montrose Adventist English Church for use of their space and unconditional support; and to the Rocky Mountain Conference for supporting the members in this project.

Balaguer concluded with a challenge to the members, “Today, as on that first day we gathered here, our commitment and duty to our God remains the same: to go and make disciples, bringing them to the feet of Christ and uniting them to the church through baptism. Maranatha! Christ is coming.”

–RMCNews; photos by Susan Inglish

24 Jun

ARVADA CHURCH REACTS TO COMMUNITY TRAGEDY WITH PRAYER

By RMCNews – Arvada, Colorado … On June 22, an Arvada police officer was shot and killed in the line of duty.

The church sign, expressing support and prayer for the officer, the officer’s family, the Arvada police, and the community said simply, “Praying for the Arvada PD.”

Pastor Gordon Anic recounts an interaction with a community member while he was putting up the sign. “Some guy [who] was jogging by [the church], stopped and said, ‘Thank you for putting that up, I work for the Arvada police department as a cop.’”

A church member attending the Arvada congregation described the tragedy as not only affecting the community, but the church also. “Our hearts are joined with the grieving families who lost their loved ones in the shooting at Olde Towne Arvada. Our community has suffered a great blow in the loss of innocent people,” Patricia Armijo, said. According to media reports, the shooting took lives of three people, the officer, a passer-by, and the shooter.

Members of the Arvada church continue to pray for healing in the community after this tragic event.

–RMCNews; photo by Miloš Tomic

17 Jun

RMC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HEARS POSITIVE FINANCIAL REPORT; CONSIDERS PERSONNEL CHANGES

RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … Much anticipated meeting of the Rocky Mountain Conference Executive Committee, June 15, considered candidates for the office of RMC president and RMC vice president for finance. Gary Thurber, president of Mid-America Union Conference who formerly was also president of RMC, chaired the Executive Session. The committee members voted to return in special session on July 21, 2021, to continue the selection process for a new president. The members also voted authority for the administration to proceed hiring a candidate whose name was presented to the committee for vice president for finance.

During what was his last RMC financial report to the Committee, George Crumley, vice president for finance, said that total tithe is up 16.13% and base tithe is up 17.32% over 2020 fiscal year. “This is a very strong start for the year. Even when we compare with April year-to-date in 2019, we still have a strong gain.”

Additionally, he shared the April Financial Report. The RMC YTD increase is well ahead of budget. Also, “we were able to vote to release capital funding to three different churches, Fort Collins, Alamosa, and Campion, that have been on a waiting list for a release of funds for a number of months based on requests they had made in the past,” reported Crumley, who is moving as vice president for finance for the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference at the end of June.

Several adjustments to the makeup of church districts were voted during the first part of the committee. These will include Pagosa Springs moving into Alamosa and Monte Vista district as of September 1; similarly, Durango church will be moving into Cortez District, and as of December 1, Nucla will be under care of new associate pastor in Grand Junction. The status of Dove Creek church is being reviewed. Colorado Indonesian-American Church and First Denver Indonesian district will be served by their own pastors.

Doug Inglish, vice president for administration, reported that The Adventure church is seeking a lead pastor, as well as Campion church has an opening for an associate pastor. Two new ministers were hired for the Indonesian congregations – Widy Gara as half time pastor of First Denver Indonesian church as of June 1, and Paraban Lim as pastor of Colorado Indonesian-American Church as of September 1.

Three candidates were approved for ordination – Mark Bridgment from The Adventure Church, Jani Pungus from Arvada Indonesian company, and Tim Jones from Twin Peaks and Mountain View churches. These names will be forwarded for approval by the Mid-America Union Conference.

The committee voted the following resolution, that “Employees of RMC who are asked to serve on the boards of non-conference supportive ministries, such as but not limited to La Vida Mission, VOP, Eden Valley, etc., do so as individuals and not because they hold specific positions at RMC.”

The committee also voted to accept the retirements of Debbie Ashton, Ed Barnett, Dennis Bresee, Gayla Groenweg, Gary Force, Wayne Gayton, and Yorum Tumbartante.

Ed Barnett, who will retire at the end of August, and may have attended the Executive Committee for the last time as RMC president, commented: “The Conference has been blessed with an Executive Committee that has thoughtfully, prayerfully thought through each decision that had been made over the last four years. There has always been a Christian Spirit in the room. I believe this committee is the best I have ever worked with. It’s my prayer that God will continue to bless the Rocky Mountain Conference.”

–RMCNews; photo by Rajmund Dabrowski

08 Jun

COLORADO NORTHEASTERN CAMP MEETING FOCUSES ON HOPE

RMCNews … Loveland, Colorado – A refresher on the meaning of hope was the main feature of Colorado’s Northeastern 2021 Camp Meeting, June 5-6. Karl Haffner, Vice President for Student Experience at Loma Linda University, was the speaker and the “author of a bunch of good books,” as the event’s program describes.

Haffner parsed the weekend’s theme of “We Have This Hope,” intro three topics dealing with the seasons of salvation, Scripture, which allows us to encounter the living God, and a chief topic of Adventism’s mission, the Second Coming of Christ.

Haffner is known for telling stories. “He told us stories which touch the heart,” commented Ed Barnett, Rocky Mountain Conference president for whom attending the 2021 series of camp meetings will likely be his last as he is retiring in August after seven years of leadership ministry in Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico. He will take with him memories of “meeting fellow believers from 17 congregations again and again and seeing how they have been soaking in the Word. It was exciting time to see everybody,” he said.

For Haffner, being invited to this meeting was “nourishing for one’s soul, not only in coming to Colorado, but also coming to a camp meeting he has not attended in two years,” he remarked. Known for inspiring stories he told NewsNuggets that “there are not enough good stories, and I run out [of them] all the time.” The Sabbath morning sermon featured Scripture with Haffner illustrating his spiritual journey from four different family Bibles–his grandmother’s, father’s, his daughter’s, and his own. “The pages are worn out as they were so often read and studied,” he said. “Read your Bible daily,” he admonished the congregation.

The 2021 Camp Meeting weekend was attended by a somewhat smaller group of church members as the one before the the pandemic hit the world. But you could see smiling faces, people enjoying meeting their friends whom they have missed seeing and hugging for nearly two years.

“I enjoyed Haffner’s messages, especially the one on the Bible. It was powerful and inspiring,” said Don Lopes, pastor of the Northeastern district. He added that “it was so good to be together. We will continue to build up [the event] again next year.”

A similar thought was expressed by Mickey Mallory, RMC ministerial director. “It was great being back together again,” he commented “I am glad the area pastors didn’t give up on making this happen. It definitely was a tremendous blessing for all those who were able to attend.”

With good church music, inspiring messages, meeting friends, the NE Camp Meeting is back!

–RMCNews; photos by Joyelle Worley

01 Jun

VOLUNTEERS READY GVR FOR SUMMER CAMP 2021

RMCNews – Ward, Colorado … Volunteers from the Campion church spent Memorial Day assisting Glacier View Ranch in building 19 picnic tables to use during the upcoming summer camp.

The picnic tables, a new addition to GVR, will meet the restrictions still in place due to the pandemic for summer camp programs in the State of Colorado.

Dan Hansen, RMC camp ministries director was thankful for the extra help. “We couldn’t have done this without these wonderful people and we are so grateful for their love of the Lord and Glacier View Ranch. Thank you so much.”

Parent, Andrea Vinci Rogers commented on the volunteers’ willingness to serve, “My child can’t wait for camp! Thanks so much.”

The team from Campion included Kent Kast, Jamie Autrey, Neil and Naomi Sigler, and Bob and Kathy Aitken.

The newly-built tables will be used by cohorts to maintain the required social distancing for the time being and in the future “we will always continue to use them (weather permitting) because it gets everyone outside more for meals and really captures the beauty of camp in the Rocky Mountains,” according to Jessyka Dooley, assistant youth director.

Summer camp at Glacier View Ranch begins on June 20.

–RMCNews; photos courtesy of Glacier View Ranch Facebook page.

27 May

GEORGE CRUMLEY ACCEPTS CALL TO SERVE IN KENTUCKY–TENNESSEE CONFERENCE

By RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … In an email to conference employees on May 25, George Crumley, vice president of finance, announced that he will transition to serve as vice president of finance for the Kentucky–Tennessee Conference. Crumley’s final day will be June 30.

Reflecting on the nine years of service to RMC, Crumley wants to be remembered as a man of Integrity. “I want to be remembered as a person who was approachable and cared about the advancement of the gospel and being a good steward of the funds entrusted to the conference.”

Ed Barnett, RMC President echoed Crumley’s desires in his own remarks. “It has been an honor to work with George Crumley over the last seven years. He is a man of integrity and has helped the Rocky Mountain Conference to achieve a healthy financial position. He understands mission and the importance of Christian education and will be sorely missed, but I know God will help our Conference find the right person to replace George. So, as we are looking to replace several people in our office, I pray that each of you will make this a priority in your prayer lives. I am so glad God is in charge of His work.”

Remarking on the decision to accept the call to the KY-TN Conference Crumley stated that it was not easy for him and his wife, Rhonda. “This has been a hard decision, but we felt that the Lord was leading us back out east at this stage in our lives.”

The unexpected news has been tough for conference treasury department staff to absorb.

“While I’m understanding the reason behind the move and happy for George and his family, I’m very sad to see him go. I have felt nothing but consistent support and encouragement from George. He has been one of my mentors here in RMC. Recently, George asked me if I’d consider making the transition from youth director to corporate treasurer, not only because George believes in me, but he took time to get to know me. I’ll miss George’s steady, caring, affirming, and strong leadership in the RMC,” Kiefer Dooley, RMC corporate treasurer said.

Others who have worked closely with Crumley over the years will remember his passion for ministry.

“I have had the privilege of working with George in two conferences, Indiana and Rocky Mountain. I have always found George to be an incredible steward of God’s treasures, and he truly has the heart of a pastor. He supports Adventist education and evangelism, and as a pastor, I can say he has never said no when I have come with a request. We may have had to adjust a little, but he always looks for ways to help us. George and Rhonda are truly faithful servants of God,” Wayne Morrison, Brighton church pastor, said.

Crumley has a deep commitment to Adventist education and our two academies, Campion and Mile High Academy.

“George has been my biggest cheerleader from the day I started. He has taught me so much and given me the tools I needed to be successful in my job and has been so supportive of me and Mile High Academy and always wants to see the best for us. I am going to miss having him a phone call away to help with whatever challenge I am facing,” Jocelyn Aalborg, vice president of finance and development at Mile High Academy, said.

“While personally disappointed that I will be losing the great working relationship that I have with George and his leadership in RMC, I am happy and excited for him on a personal level! George has a peaceful and calming effect on everyone he touches, and I have appreciated ever so much his support of Campion Academy and Christian education,” Dean Helm, vice president of finance for Campion Academy, said.

Because of Crumley’s expertise in handling RMC finances and the faithfulness of members, he will be leaving the conference with a positive financial outlook.

Crumley’s final desire for RMC members is “for us all to know and experience Christ as a personal Savior who loves us and wants us to live with Him for eternity.”

–RMCNews; photo by Rajmund Dabrowski

19 May

DEEANN BRAGAW ACCEPTS WOMEN’S MINISTRY POSITION FOR NORTH AMERICAN DIVISION

By RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … DeeAnn Bragaw, RMC women’s ministry director and prayer coordinator, recently accepted the invitation by the North American Division to be their Women’s Ministries Director.

Ed Barnett, RMC president reflected on Bragaw’s ministry, “DeeAnn has been a blessing to our conference, and I know she will be a blessing at the North American Division as well! We will miss her.”

Bragaw is a Colorado native and will miss her home state. In an interview with NewsNuggets she explains her service in RMC. “It’s been my privilege to live and serve in Rocky Mountain Conference! I’m a Colorado native who grew up in Denver about six blocks from the conference office and graduated from Mile High Academy. I spent many summers both attending camp and then working at Glacier View Ranch, and married my husband, Paul, right here in RMC. Together we’ve served in Casper, Boulder, Franktown, Brighton, and Campion. And now I’ve served conference-wide in prayer and women’s ministries.”

The process to accepting the invitation has not been easy Bragaw explains.

“In April, I received a phone call from NAD administration, asking if I’d be willing to submit a resume’ and interview for the position of Director of Women’s Ministries for North American Division. I was shocked! ME?” She continues, “The journey and the decision have not been easy. There are many factors involved in transitioning into this new role. I actually asked if I could serve NAD from RMC! (They said ‘No’.)”

Prayer and Jesus will remain the center of her ministry at the NAD, she comments. “I can’t wait to get to know more of our women, and to develop a team of women from around our division who can partner with us to continue to provide resources to better equip women of all ages to serve from a place of wholeness in Christ. My deepest prayer and my highest calling are to point our women to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith and our service, who mentored His team of disciples so they could disciple others. And He did that by spending time in prayer.”

Bragaw will be transitioning to Maryland and will begin serving as NAD women’s ministry director on July 4.

“At this point Paul will likely stay in Colorado at HMS for the upcoming school year, and we will slowly transition to Maryland. Our family is mostly in RMC, and this is HOME – we’ll be back! Until that time, my prayer is that God will continue to reach the hearts of our people in RMC with a call to a deeper life of prayer, surrender, and service. As one friend put it, ‘You’re not leaving us – you’re taking us to NAD!’”

Bragaw’s prayer for RMC members as she begins a new chapter in her life, “May the Lord bless you and keep you, may He make His face shine upon, may His mercies extend to your children’s children, and may we, together, pray on and serve with joy!”

–RMCNews; photo supplied

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