NewsNuggets

Marsha Bartulec – Erie, Colorado … Fifth and sixth grade students from Brighton Adventist Academy, HMS Richards Adventist School, Mile High Academy, and Vista Ridge Academy (VRA) recently had the opportunity to participate in an exciting, hands-on learning experience at Young AmeriTowne.* This unique program allows students to step into the roles of business owners, employees, and civic leaders, giving them a glimpse into how an economy functions in real life.

Throughout the day, students worked in teams to manage businesses, handle finances, write checks, and make important decisions that impacted their success. From running the bank and snack shop to managing businesses, each student played a vital role in keeping their “town” operating smoothly.

“I love seeing the energy from the students throughout our AmeriTowne unit,” said Taryn Clark, VRA lead middle school and fifth grade teacher. “From their professionalism in their job interviews beforehand, to their enthusiasm in doing their jobs on the day they run town, they are so engaged. It is my favorite field trip we do.”

Students left the experience feeling both challenged and inspired.

“I liked working as a graphic designer because it was creative and artistic,” said a VRA sixth-grade student. “We sold disappearing ink and decorated bags to give to customers. I would definitely recommend this experience to other students!”

Another VRA sixth-grade student shared, “I liked my job in Parcel Services as the accountant because I like math. It was a fun experience getting to know what adult life is like.”

In addition to building financial literacy, AmeriTowne helped students develop communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. These are tools that will benefit them well beyond the classroom.

Experiences like this reflect the commitment of our schools to provide practical, engaging learning opportunities that prepare students for life. The day at AmeriTowne was not only educational, but also a memorable highlight for all who attended.

* Young AmeriTowne is not affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church nor the Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

—Marsha Bartulec is Vista Ridge Academy principal. Photos supplied.

Cindy Roldan – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Students, staff, and community members from Mile High Academy (MHA) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, traveled to Cayo, Belize, for a mission trip centered on service, teamwork, and cultural connection, March 10–18.

While in Belize, the group split into teams to meet various community needs. One team worked diligently at La Loma Hospital, contributing to an ongoing construction project that will support improved healthcare services for the region. During their time on the construction site, hospital workers also poured into the students spiritually, sharing biblical truths and encouraging them to set their sights on heavenly things.

Another group brought creativity and encouragement to the Eden Seventh-day Adventist School by painting a vibrant mural, leaving a lasting visual impact for students and staff. A third group of students, trained by Christina Hernández, MHA middle school teacher, administered reading assessments to support local education efforts.

Beyond their service work, students had the opportunity to experience the beauty and culture of Belize, visiting local sights, exploring historic ruins, and enjoying time swimming together. These moments helped deepen friendships and create lasting memories.

The commitment and attitude of the group did not go unnoticed. At the conclusion of the trip, a hospital staff member shared, “You have shown me that young people can be about more than just their phones. You worked hard and without complaints!”

Senior students Asa and Rogan played a key role in setting the tone for the trip, leading by example through long hours of service and a willingness to give their best. Reflecting on the experience, senior Adrian shared, “This is my last mission trip, and I want to help them finish this project.”

The trip not only made a meaningful impact in the Cayo community but also left a lasting impression on the hearts of those who served, embodying MHA’s mission of faith, service, and leadership.

—Cindy Roland is Mile High Academy director of Student Services. Photos supplied.

Karrie Meyers – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Mile High Academy (MHA) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, recently brought over 130 parents, staff, and community members together at Topgolf Centennial for a Sunday brunch auction, March 29, that raised more than $75,000.

The event, which was focused on community and fun while raising dollars for the annual fund, was a light-hearted morning of laughter, food, and being together as a community. Between rounds of golf, attendees bid on silent auction items ranging from donations by local businesses and community members to creative baskets put together by MHA classrooms. New for this year included a longest drive competition, where kids and women could use the club of choice and men had to use toddler clubs, resulting in plenty of laughs and surprisingly competitive swings.

Emcee and MHA coach Michael Camacho kept the energy high during the live auction, leading a game of “Heads and Tails” and navigating the bids for two of the most sought-after items: the coveted VIP campus parking spots.

While the day was full of laughter, the purpose was clear. Currently, more than 40% of MHA students rely on some form of financial aid. The funds raised at the auction go directly toward ensuring these students can continue their Christian education at the school.

“When we talk about financial aid, we’re really talking about our families,” said Mindy Philpott, MHA Business Manager. “Seeing the community show up at the auction was huge. The $75,000 raised ensures that 40% of our students can still call MHA home.”

This auction success was made possible by the generosity of the MHA community and local sponsors: AdventHealth, Gates Concrete Forming Systems,* Out of Breath Sports,* Rocky Mountain Conference, and Sage Solutions.*

The $75,000 raised will go toward the $300,000 goal for the 2025-26 school year, keeping the doors open for every student in the MHA family. And MHA is already making plans for next year’s auction, which will be held Sunday, April 4, 2027.

* These organizations are not affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church nor the Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

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

Luca Lu – Frisco, Colorado … Instead of being in a classroom, 23 students in the Ski Club at Campion Academy (CA) in Loveland, Colorado, headed for the mountains, to enjoy the slopes on skis and snowboards, March 28-30.

On March 28, the ski group joined the Leadville Seventh-day Adventist Church, where all the students led out in the service. After songs by the praise team, CA student Max B. delivered the sermon to the congregation.

This time, instead of staying in the church basement, a family generously offered for the group to stay in their vacation home. Finn S., a junior student, commented that his favorite part of the trip was “staying in the big house with friends and getting to ski instead of going to school.”

Sunday and Monday were ski days. The students grouped up according to ability, and they all challenged each other to improve their skills and try harder runs. Even though it was slushy due to the weather, by God’s grace, nobody got injured.

One of the biggest highlights of the trip was watching the progress of the newer skiers and snowboarders. “I was really proud of the students who started out as first-timers in Ski Club this year; by the end of this trip, they were able to go down many different runs on the mountain,” shared Jill Harlow, CA ski club sponsor, teacher, and Communication director.

Ariana M., a sophomore student, shared her favorite part was “skiing with Azusa and Mao and learning how to snowboard more with Donna.”

Beyond the time spent on the snow, the trip provided a great chance to bond and make memories away from campus. For many, the downtime was just as much of a highlight as carving up the mountain. “The best part was definitely skiing with friends and playing pool,” shared student Ben N., a junior.

Theo W., a senior student, summed up the mountain conditions and the group’s progress: “The ski trip was a wonderful experience. We had a great time together and got to go skiing. It was fun skiing in the Rocky Mountains with friends. There were a few ‘warm’ days on the slopes, but it was still enjoyable. We also had some beginners in our group who improved steadily as the trip went on. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the mountains.”

From leading the church service to conquering Copper Mountain Ski Resort, overall, it was a great and joyful weekend filled with great memories with friends.

—Luca Lu, Campion Academy Student News Team. Photos supplied.

Campion Connections News – Students and members of Campion Academy (CA) and Campion Seventh-day Adventist Church in Loveland, Colorado, hosted their second tandem meal packing event, March 7. Planning started a few months before the event and was made possible by the work of several people from both the school and church.

A potluck took place following the church worship service, which led into the meal-packing event. The event took place in Campion Academy’s gymnasium this year, unlike last year where the event took place in HMS Richards Adventist School’s gym. However, there was an exciting reason for this change in location.

This year, the goal for the number of meals packed was pushed to approximately 32,000 meals, which is over 10,000 more meals than last year. The event lasted around two hours, as the saying “many hands make light work” was clearly put into practice, with many fLarrom the community coming together to serve. There were eight tables being used with ten or more people at them manning a different station. Some poured oats into bags, others added cinnamon, others sealed the bags, and the line ended with the bags being counted and packed into boxes.

Throughout the afternoon, music was playing in the background and the sound of talking and laughter filled the air. Every so often, the sound of a cow bell would ring out at different tables signaling to the others that their table had packed yet another box. There were kids helping out at tables, high school students mixed in with church members, and ages ranging from the young elementary students all the way up to the older members of Campion Church.

Addison Gann, the CA student who spearheaded this event, mentioned that her favorite part was, “getting to see everything come together in the end. There were a lot of pieces that had to come together for this activity to work and after months of planning, it was just awesome to see them fit together and for the community to come together and serve the Lord!”

This activity required help from many people in order for it to happen, ranging from finances to finding a pallet jack that could be used to transport the equipment around. Gann commented, “It really was a miracle that this all came together. God’s hand was definitely at work.” In the end, the meals were sent to the Larimer County Food Bank* to be distributed to those in need throughout the community.

* Larimer County Food Bank is not affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church nor the Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

—Campion Connections News. Reposted from April 2026 Campion Connections Monthly Newsletter. Photos supplied.

Kenneth Mambo – Commerce City, Colorado … The First Denver Indonesian Seventh-day Adventist Church (FDISDAC) in Commerce City, Colorado, was grateful to recognize an important milestone—retirement—for two very special people to the church during a special worship service, March 28. Douglas and Susan Inglish, RMC vice president for Administration and accountant, respectively, joined the church for a service recognition ceremony.

“It was a blessing to spend the Sabbath together,” remarked Kenneth Mambo, FDISDAC church member. “Pastor Doug and Susan have been an inspiration to our church for many years. Their relationship with our congregation dates to the very beginning of our church.”

“Pastor Doug played a vital role in the purchase of our church building, being involved in every step of the process from start to finish. He has also been a strong source of spiritual support, encouraging us to keep Christ at the center of our church family and leadership as we face challenges.”

When asked about his plans for retirement, Doug shared that he looks forward to working on projects at home, revisiting his interest in Russian language and literature, and possibly continuing part-time ministry in churches around the Rocky Mountain Conference.

“We are truly grateful to have Pastor Doug and Susan as part of our community. As our lead pastor, Pastor Widy Gara shared, ‘they are part of our church family and always welcome, especially as they live nearby’,” Mambo continued. “Their lifelong dedication to ministry in various capacities is a testament to their faith, and we pray that God continues to bless them in this new chapter.”

Mambo reflected that the service recognition ceremony reminded attendees “that God places the right people in the right place at the right time. He continues to call individuals and families to be a light to others. Our church will always cherish the relationship we have with the Inglish family as they continue to support God’s work. Congratulations on your retirement, Pastor Doug and Susan Inglish, and thank you for your faithful service.”

—Kenneth Mambo is a member of the First Denver Indonesian Seventh-day Adventist Church. Photos supplied.

RMCNews – Brighton, Colorado … Over 40 pastors from across the Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) converged at the Brighton Seventh-day Adventist Church in Brighton, Colorado, for the annual RMC Ministerial Meetings, March 29-31. The importance of prayer, collaboration, and culture were some of the common themes that were threaded throughout the program.

Each day of the three-day event opened with a praise worship service, opening prayer, and devotional provided by RMC pastors including Leandro Bizama, Eliezer Roque-Cisneros, Heidi Carpenter, Daniel Birai, Godfrey Miranda, Kenneth Martinez, and Jade Teal.

Dave VandeVere, RMC president, was first to present to the pastors. He shared insights from past professional experiences, employed both in and out of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and connected with the pastors through forward-looking discussion centered on the conference’s vision and mission.

Yami Bazan, president of Union Adventist University (UAU) in Lincoln, Nebraska, was the first of the featured speakers starting with a review of the blessings Union has received over the past year through several struggles. Bazan continued her next three presentations exploring the leadership principles found in Nehemiah 1:1-4. She highlighted that influence from effective leaders is through genuine care, presence, and lived examples rather than information and instruction.

Bazan also explored the spiritual side of leadership, remarking that spiritual transformation, or personal encounters with God that transform the heart, are more crucial than programs and systems. “Until we change our hearts,” she stated, “His work will be limited by our minds.”

Pierre Steenberg, UAU associate pastor and featured speaker, also presented three sessions looking at the health of the church. Steenberg explored why people have left the church and what churches have done to revitalize their culture and thrive. “The vast majority of people that leave, leave because they can’t find meaningful relationships,” he remarked. “Church is not about programs … [people] are the church.”

As part of church health, Steenberg also championed that church health starts with personal health, especially in its leaders: “If you want a healthy church, the pastors need to be healthy.” He also urged churches to “stop seeking silver bullets … go back to basics and do them well,” stating the solution to revitalize a church isn’t “flashy,” it is relational and intentional over time.

Four RMC pastors also presented during the meetings. Phillip Mills, lead pastor for Franktown Seventh-day Adventist Church, spoke on church growth centered on spiritual revival through prayer, equipping members to serve, and building structure and programs that meet the real needs of the community. He emphasized that when members are engaged in prayer and service, the church experiences transformation, community impact, and increased discipling, stating, “God loves His church … to be a healing center for the needs of the community … that covers all of the dimensions … physical, mental, and spiritual.”

Herbert Hernandez, lead pastor of the Chapel Haven and Northglenn Hispanic Seventh-say Adventist Churches, discussed how his church transitioned into a multi-congregational model by prioritizing prayer, patience, and communication, allowing the different cultural groups to coexist in unity. He emphasized that long-term success wasn’t from structure alone, but building relationships and shared vision across congregations: “Relationships go beyond language barriers.”

Highlighting that effective ministry is rooted in authenticity, Dave Ketelsen, lead pastor at Colorado Springs Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, reflected on how intentional prayer, relational outreach, and thoughtful systems for welcoming and caring for people can transform a church’s impact through genuine connection beyond programs and numbers. “It’s not about the numbers,” he commented, “It’s about souls—that lives are changed.”

Ketelsen also started his own outreach at the meetings, expanding beyond mind and soul to the body. An avid runner, he was able to rally a few fellow pastors for a pre-meeting morning jog to arrive focused and energized for the day’s content.

The final pastor presentation was provided by Lisa Cardinal, lead pastor at Newday Adventist Church, where she gave the story of the church’s journey from a small church plant in 2007 to a thriving multigenerational, community-focused congregation, even through a time of crisis and rebuilding. “We wanted to meet real needs and make a difference in our community … and do things that would be tied to a good God and make people curios about Him,” she reflected.

A host of staff from the RMC Denver Office joined the meetings to connect with pastors to better partner in joint missions and ministries, and Sean Lee, the new RMC Ministerial director, attended as his first official duties in the conference.

RMC leadership would also like to acknowledge the efforts in organizing and facilitating the meetings from Hugo Guillen, RMC Ministerial associate director and lead for Multicultural Ministries, and Bonnie Camarillo, Ministerial administrative assistant.

—RMCNews. Photos by Liz Kirkland.

Abigail Brown – Oahu, Hawaii … Twenty-four students from Campion Academy (CA) in Loveland, Colorado, chose to spend their spring break serving others on a mission trip to Oahu, Hawaii, March 12-24. In the midst of a record-breaking rainstorm, they spent six full days working to improve the classrooms and grounds at Hawaiian Mission Academy and other Seventh-day Adventist elementary schools on the island.

When the group first arrived in Hawaii, they were met with unexpected weather conditions. A monsoon swept through the area, bringing heavy rain that made it difficult to explore Honolulu. Many shops were closed, and some areas experienced power outages.

Despite the rough start, the group enjoyed meaningful experiences together. They led a Sabbath worship service and shared a potluck meal at the Japanese Adventist church where they were staying. CA student Austin B. expressed, “The food was really good, and we had lots of noodles, rice, and I tried other foods that I had never had before.” Afterward, students went on a hike, where they saw the ocean and spent time fellowshipping with one another.

Although the rainy weather continued throughout the week, the group pushed through and continued their mission work on the island of Oahu. They served at an elementary school, completing projects such as painting, fixing the playground, assembling desks, and other needed improvements. They also helped lead out in school and church worship services throughout the week.

CA student Izuchi N. commented, “I grew so much spiritually working for others it was such a blessing.”

Originally, the mission trip had been planned for Cuba. However, due to concerns about the situation in the country, the trip was canceled. Fortunately, Michael and Jenny Gann, CA head men’s dean and nurse, respectively, worked to plan a last-minute trip to Oahu and were able to find many projects for the students.

“The mission trip was very exciting this year. God opened a door for us to go to Hawaii, and, when I first heard this, I was happy because I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii. It was fun to meet all of the different students from each of the schools and to have worship with them,” stated Marc W., CA student.

—Abigail Brown, Campion Academy Student News Team. Photos supplied.

Lisa Cardinal – Parker, Colorado … The answer is BRING A FRIEND – FEED 10,000 event at Newday Adventist Church in Parker, Colorado, where participants packed meals for 10,000 people in Honduras, March 28. Church members and their friends and neighbors excitedly joined together to divide 1,562 pounds of non-perishable food into bags that would each feed six people.

Multiple assembly lines were set up for the job, each with rice, soy-protein, dehydrated vegetables, a vitamin, seasoning powder, large funnel, plastic bags, scale, heat-sealer, and labels. Once filled, sealed, and labeled, bags were packed into boxes and taped.

With hairnets and plastic gloves in place, over one hundred of the participants ranging in age from 3 to over 60 years chose an assembly-line position. It was teamwork at its finest: fun and fast. The task was completed in less than the projected hour and a half.

Before leaving, all gathered and prayed over the boxes of packaged meals: “God, may these boxes reach their destination safely. May those who receive these meals also receive the love and joy packed into each one.” The boxes now await transport by railroad.

“In a world where uncertainty, chaos, and trauma seem to compound daily, doing good is a way of refusing to let those things have the last word,” remarked Lisa Cardinal, lead pastor at Newday. “The hour and half invested was multiplied in each of our hearts as we, along with our friends and neighbors, were blessed by the simple act of doing good together.”

—Lisa Cardinal is lead pastor at Newday Adventist Church. Photos by Kenneth Martinez and Jim Huenergardt.

Cindy Roldan – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Mile High Academy (MHA) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, came alive March 6 with vibrant colors, meaningful traditions, and the rich diversity of its community during Cultural Celebration Day—the culminating event of Focus Week. This special week was led by Kenneth Martinez, associate pastor for Newday Adventist Church, who encouraged students to reflect on identity, faith, and the beauty of coming together as one community.

Students were invited to celebrate and represent their heritage by wearing traditional attire and bringing foods that reflect their culture. The result was a joyful and immersive experience filled with music, laughter, and the delicious aromas of cuisines from around the world.

Families also played an important role in the day’s success. Parents were invited to participate in the festivities by helping prepare and serve food, sharing meals together, and proudly joining their children in the Parade of Nations. The parade was a highlight of the day, as students and families walked together, showcasing the many cultures represented within the MHA community.

Students especially enjoyed the opportunity to express themselves in new and meaningful ways. Fourth graders Ashley and Davina shared that they “loved dressing up,” while Pennie said she enjoyed “eating food that I don’t normally eat.” One parent observed that younger students were particularly adventurous in trying new foods, while upper school students took pride in sharing dishes they had prepared themselves.

Staff members also contributed to the celebration by preparing and sharing food with the community. MHA art teacher Carolynn  Irby and her husband and pastor, Brian Irby—who have participated each year—reflected on the impact of the event, sharing, “This is a wonderful opportunity to share with one another!”

Cultural Celebration Day continues to be a meaningful tradition at MHA—one that not only highlights the diversity within the school but also strengthens the bonds of community, understanding, and appreciation for one another.

—Cindy Roland is Mile High Academy director of Student Services. Photos by Jessica Gleason.