NewsNuggets Page 3

Jose Briones – Loveland, Colorado … The Montrose Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church in Montrose, Colorado, and Carbon Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church in Dacono, Colorado, are the latest congregations to host Stewardship Sabbaths, a special initiative by the Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Stewardship Department.

This initiative is aimed at helping church members embrace a deeper commitment to God in every area of their lives. Led by Jose Briones, RMC Stewardship Promotion and Content creator and pastor, these events encouraged believers to honor God not only through their finances but also through their talents, time, and ability to share the gospel.

At Montrose Hispanic Church, the message struck a chord with attendees. Santo Valdez, lead pastor of the Montrose Hispanic Church, expressed appreciation for the program, saying, “The Stewardship Sabbath was a blessing to our church. It reminded us that stewardship is not just about money—it’s about surrendering everything to God and living with purpose.”

Briones emphasized that stewardship is a calling that goes beyond tithes and offerings. “Our time, abilities, and even our willingness to share the gospel are all aspects of stewardship. God has entrusted us with a blessing, and it is our privilege to share it with others,” he told the congregation.

The same message resonated at Carbon Valley Church, where members engaged in discussions about applying faithful stewardship in their daily lives. Briones urged attendees to reflect on how they use their skills and resources, encouraging them to align their lives with God’s plan through intentional service and financial faithfulness.

Attendees at six churches this year have received practical resources to continue implementing stewardship principles, including guidance on financial wisdom, personal ministry, and recognizing God’s role in everyday living.

As the RMC Stewardship Department continues its outreach across the conference, Briones hopes that more churches will embrace holistic stewardship to deepen their faith and commitment. “This is about transforming our mindset,” he explained. “We want people to see their entire lives—finances, talents, relationships—as an offering to God.”

Churches interested in hosting a Stewardship Sabbath can contact the Rocky Mountain Conference Stewardship Department or Jose Briones at [email protected] to schedule a session and receive tailored resources. The initiative aims to empower believers to live lives of faithful service, acknowledging that everything they have, and everything they are, belongs to God.

—Jose Briones is the RMC Stewardship Promotion and Content creator and pastor. Photos supplied.

RMCNews with Marsha Bartulec – Erie, Colorado … Adventist education began in the mid to late Nineteenth Century with only over a handful of institutions boasting existence for over one hundred years. The Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) is home to one such institution, Vista Ridge Academy (VRA), who has just celebrated its 125-year anniversary.

Established in 1899 as the Boulder Junior Academy (BJA) in Boulder, Colorado, the school was originally founded by a group of Seventh-day Adventist families who believed in the importance of educating children in a setting that integrated strong academics with spiritual values.

A small church school was operated two years prior to this by Florence Cornell, a sister of Clara Euler, who was the first teacher. George W. Colcord, a renowned Adventist pastor, evangelist, conference president, and educator, was also a teacher at this small school from 1898 to 1899.

Over the decades, the school has reached several key milestones: expanding from a one-room schoolhouse to a Junior Academy; relocating to a modern campus in Erie, Colorado, in 2004 to better serve a growing student population; and introducing innovative programs in technology, music, and spiritual development. The school now serves 90 students from preschool age to eighth grade.

Through it all, Vista Ridge Academy has remained grounded in its mission to develop the whole child—spiritually, academically, socially, and physically. “This milestone is a testament to God’s faithfulness and the generations of families, educators, and students who have built this legacy together,” said Marsha Bartulec, VRA principal.

The 125-year anniversary celebration began April 24 at the VRA campus with an Exhibition of Learning showcasing student works from the current school year including writing projects, state studies, and space and robotics activities. A dinner and silent auction followed to help the school reach its $125,000 fundraising campaign goal to support campus upgrades and student scholarships.

Around 150 people were in attendance for the evening’s events. The event was joined by the pastors of VRA’s supporting constituent churches including Geoff Patterson, Boulder Seventh-day Adventist Church lead pastor, Mollie Dupper, Boulder Church associate pastor, and Herbert Hernandez, Chapel Haven Seventh-day Adventist Church lead pastor. Sandy Hodgson, RMC Education assistant director and former BJA teacher and VRA teacher and principal, also came to support the celebration efforts.

The evening was closed with an original musical “1899: Origin Story” written and arranged by Pamela Pedigo, VRA music teacher. Students in grades four through eight preformed in and crewed the production that covered the challenges and blessings faced by the founders of the academy.

“The play was so much fun. I liked the scene ‘Shine.’ I love the energy of it,” commented Savannah Ibarra, VRA eighth grader and lead cast member. “We started practicing for the play before Christmas, but it wasn’t until a couple of months ago that we started meeting with the other grades, but it still worked out great.”

“It’s so fun to see the kids performing together and the amazing work that Mrs. Pedigo did to put the program together. It was clever and well done,” remarked Patterson. “I didn’t know of any details of the school’s history, but the program did take me there in an emotional way. The problems are still the same along with the challenges and the faith that went into the initiation of the school. You don’t always think about all the times before, but people were doing the exact same thing we’re doing now. But that’s what it takes to do 125 years.”

The anniversary celebrations continued throughout the weekend. A special haystack dinner and vespers service was held April 25 that included a “walking museum” of the school’s historical artifacts. Celebration events closed on April 26 with a morning worship service at the school and a vespers service and open gym night in the evening.

“For 125 years, Vista Ridge Academy has exemplified the power of faith in action. We honor every hand and heart that has built, sustained, and advanced this sacred mission of Adventist education,” commented Diane Harris, RMC Education director.

“The story of Vista Ridge Academy is not written in buildings or programs, but in the hearts and lives changed by those who dared to believe that Christian education could light the world,” she continued. “To every supporter—past, present, and future—your investment has been a seed sown for generations.”

—Marsha Bartulec is principal at Vista Ridge Academy. Photos supplied and by Liz Kirkland.

Gabriel Costa – Loveland, Colorado … Over 1,000 visitors came to watch the depiction of the life of Jesus at the annual Journey to the Cross Easter pageant on the Campion campus, April 19. Throughout the day, five shows were put on by more than 200 volunteers in a collaboration between Campion Academy, Campion Seventh-day Adventist Church, and HMS Richards Adventist School in Loveland, Colorado.

The audience started the program in the church with an explanation of the Great Controversy between God and Satan and why the plan of salvation was necessary. This year’s drama featured the story from the eyes of the angel Gabriel, who served as the narrator. Starting in the throne room of heaven, the actors depicted how evil began and Lucifer gained the trust of the other angels. This affected Adam and Eve and the entire human race after both disobeyed God.

Moving to the HMS Richards School gymnasium, visitors experienced a mini-Jerusalem village and witnessed scenes of Jesus healing lepers, the blind, and even raising the dead. Next, student actors portraying the disciples led the crowd in hosannas and followed Jesus riding horse-back to the next scenes in the Campion gymnasium.

The final scenes included the Last Supper, the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus’ death on the cross, and finally His resurrection after defeating Satan and overcoming evil.

Journey to the Cross has grown in scope each year and this year reached the goal of having 1,000 visitors to experience the story of salvation. The quality of the production from sound, acting, and costumes represented countless hours of preparation by the coordinators, Natalie Barton, Erin Johnson, and Leandro Bizama as well as the actors and other volunteers.

—Gabriel Costa, Campion Academy Student News Team. Photos supplied.

Elizabeth Fresse – Loveland, Colorado … The third and fourth grade classroom at the HMS Richards Adventist School in Loveland, Colorado, was visited by Leandro Bizama, associate pastor of Worship and Evangelism at the Campion Seventh-day Adventist Church, for their weekly time. A student asked about Journey to the Cross, the church and schools’ annual Easter pageant, wishing they had been able to help more.

When Elizabeth Fresse, third and fourth grade teacher at HMS, mentioned to the students that maybe next year the class should schedule a way to help, Bizama interjected, “There is a need right now that you guys could help with.” “Like NOW now?” “Yes!”

So, the students headed across the parking lot where some volunteers were in the process of putting together 1,000 bags for the guests who would attend the Journey to the Cross event. The students each listened carefully as they were assigned a job to do, and, in about 30 minutes, they had increased the number of ready-to-go bags from about 200 to more than 800.

“We only stopped when some of the supplies started running out. The ladies were ever so grateful for the help with this monumental task, and the students were thrilled beyond measure that we had been so efficient and accomplished so much in such a short time,” remarked Fresse.

“There is something that just feels so good about helping others without any expectation of returning the favor,” Fresse continued. “It was such a joy to see the satisfaction and fulfillment each student felt through this experience. May they never lose their desire to help and fill needs in the lives of those around them.”

—Elizabeth Fresse is the third through fourth grade teacher at HMS Richards Adventist School. Republished with permission from HMS Headlines, April 25, 2025, edition. Photos Supplied.

Mid-America Union News – Lincoln, Nebraska … During its regular spring meeting, the Mid-America Union (MAUC) Executive Committee voted to approve a recommendation brought by MAUC’s administrative team that lays out a leadership transition for the union’s communication department.

Following the vote, current director Brenda Dickerson will become the associate director, and the current associate director/digital media manager Hugh Davis will become the new director, effective May 1. This transition of titles, originally proposed by Dickerson, will serve to model the value of succession planning and smooth leadership transitions in appointed positions.

“Brenda has faithfully led the communication team for over a decade, shaping OUTLOOK magazine, digital platforms, and strategic messaging with skill and dedication. Over the past several years, she has mentored and prepared Hugh for this role, ensuring a seamless transition that continues the strong foundation she has built,” said MAUC president Gary Thurber.

He further stated that Dickerson and Davis share the same vision and remain committed to the mission of effective and meaningful communication for the Mid-America Union. “This transition can be likened to a cross country road trip. Brenda and Hugh are both still on the same journey to the same destination. They’re both still in the front seat of the car. They’re just switching drivers, with Brenda now serving in a supporting role,” said Thurber.

Dickerson and Davis both believe the transition will be good not only for their team but for the union at large. “Succession planning is an important part of leadership, and over the past year, I have been intentional about preparing for this proposed transition,” said Dickerson. “Hugh Davis is well equipped to lead, and I am confident that this shift will strengthen our communication efforts for the Mid-America Union. I look forward to continuing to support our team in this new capacity,” she added.

Although the transition itself is of an unusual nature, the timing for it is not. With 2025 being a General Conference Session year, this is a natural point for leadership transitions. In addition, it is over a year before the next Mid-America Union Session will convene, allowing for stability between leadership cycles.

“Our team’s deep commitment to effective communication for building up God’s kingdom will continue,” stated Davis. “And both Brenda and I will still be working in our areas of strengths in the day-to-day realm.” OUTLOOK magazine will still be edited by Dickerson, including the daily work flow of producing it. The union’s social media sites and web sites will continue to be managed by Davis, with the newsletters being produced jointly.

“We invite everyone who will be impacted by this transition—from our office staff to our conferences to other communication colleagues and constituents—to support Hugh’s vision and leadership, pray for our ongoing success, and reach out with any helpful feedback,” concluded Dickerson.

—Mid-America Union News. Photos supplied.

Iris Argueta – Silver Spring, Maryland … The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) reaffirms its commitment to environmental stewardship, building resilience, and disaster recovery in recognition of Earth Day, April 22, and Arbor Day, April 25. ADRA recognizes the vital responsibility of preserving God’s creation, especially in the face of increasing natural disasters and ecological deterioration.

“As stewards of God’s creation, ADRA is committed to nurturing and protecting the Earth so that all may live as He intended,” says ADRA International’s Vice President for Humanitarian Affairs, Imad Madanat. “This month, as we celebrate the crucial responsibility of caring for our planet, ADRA stands in solidarity with communities worldwide, equipping them through sustainable solutions that reflect our shared calling to care for both the environment and one another.”

Sustainable Solutions for a Changing World

As wildfires and weather-related disasters grow in intensity and frequency, leaving behind scorched land, unstable ecosystems, and deepening food insecurity, ADRA responds with compassion and innovation. Through initiatives like Community Garden Kits, reforestation efforts, and weather-smart agriculture, ADRA is restoring damaged land, strengthening local food systems, and helping communities build long-term resilience.

ADRA’s Resilient Cultivation:

• Canada: In response to devastating wildfires and soil contamination in Yellowknife, ADRA Canada launched the Community Planter Box Project to promote food security through urban gardening. This initiative helped spearhead a national campaign encouraging eco-based gardens that promote health and environmental awareness.
• Zambia: In drought-affected regions, ADRA partners with local churches to provide communities with seeds, tools, and training to create sustainable household and community gardens, preparing families to grow their own food and share sustainable practices.
• Mozambique: Children and parents learn how to prepare soil for seedlings through conservation education programs that encourage active participation in reforestation and land stewardship.
• Honduras: In highland regions, ADRA equips rural communities with drought-resistant sorghum seeds, helping them transition from water-intensive wheat to crops better suited for the weather, supporting both nutrition and sustainability.

ADRA’s Reforesting for Recovery

As part of its commitment to disaster response and long-term recovery, ADRA prioritizes reforestation as a powerful tool for environmental healing and resilience. Integrated into its global disaster mitigation training, ADRA’s emergency response teams actively engage in planting native seedlings to help restore natural habitats, stabilize soil, reduce erosion, and improve water quality, making reforestation an essential step in rebuilding ecosystems and strengthening community resilience after disasters strike.

Take Action: #GoGreenWithADRA

This spring, ADRA invites individuals, churches, schools, and communities to #GoGreenWithADRA by promoting environmental stewardship through hands-on initiatives, education, and building resilience.

Why green projects matter:

• Land Rehabilitation: Garden and tree-planting projects reduce erosion, enrich soil, and restore damaged ecosystems.
• Sustainable Food Sources: Community gardens empower local food production in areas with access to fresh produce.
• Conservation Education: ADRA partners with local organizations to raise awareness and teach sustainable practices.
• Community Healing: Green spaces foster connection, wellness, and collaboration, especially after crises.

“ADRA continues to plant seeds of hope, whether by establishing community gardens to ensure access to nutritious food or by implementing erosion control projects to restore degraded land. These efforts go beyond environmental programs; they are acts of faith in action, helping communities heal, thrive, and prepare for a better tomorrow,” adds ADRA International’s Vice President for Humanitarian Affairs, Imad Madanat.

Learn more about ADRA’s conservation efforts and give to humanitarian programs for vulnerable communities at ADRA.org.  Follow the movement and join at #GoGreenWithADRA.

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

Gitack Ju – Aurora, Colorado … The Denver Korean Seventh-day Adventist Church held a joyous dedication service for its newly completed sanctuary, April 19. The new facility spans 6,000 square feet and includes a main sanctuary, four classrooms, and a fellowship hall.

Located in southeastern Denver in the city of Aurora, a community home to a large population of Korean residents, the church is easily accessible from anywhere in the Denver metro area. With this new space, the church is now positioned to expand its ministry to more than 40,000 Korean residents living in the greater Denver area.

“Through God’s grace and the heartfelt dedication of its members, the church has been beautifully reborn,” commented Gitack Ju, lead pastor of the Denver Korean Church. “Every member worked together in unity, contributing time, talent, and prayer to make this vision a reality.”

The dedication service featured a message from Doug Inglish, Rocky Mountain Conference vice president for administration, and a congratulatory address from James Lim, president of the North American Korean Seventh-day Adventist Association. A video presentation reviewed the church’s construction journey followed by a time of offering heartfelt gifts of thanksgiving to God.

“Members and guests from the community gathered to celebrate this meaningful milestone, sharing gratitude, hope, and a renewed commitment to the mission of the church,” reflected Ju. “We invite continued prayers and support for the Denver Korean Church as it embarks on this exciting new chapter of ministry.”

—Gitack Ju is lead pastor of the Denver and Rocky Mountain Korean seventh-day Adventist Churches. Photos supplied.

VJ and Beth Panganiban – Farmington, New Mexico … A mission group from the Centerville Seventh-day Adventist Church in Centerville, Ohio, hosted a free Health Clinic at both the La Vida Mission* (LVM) in Farmington, New Mexico, and the Crownpoint Seventh-day Adventist Christian Community Fellowship in Crownpoint, New Mexico, March 25-26.

“We’re so thankful to be able to work and serve with Dr. Mark Striebel, MD, and Ms. Faith Connovich, CNP, from Centerville, Ohio,” remarked Panganiban, LMV Outreach co-director. “Dr. Mark is not a member of our church, yet he gave his full support to this ministry with his wife Julie and has even thought of the possibility of coming again to serve our native community. What a blessing!”

Faith Connovich is a long-time friend and supporter of the LVM with her husband Ron. They started coming to La Vida Mission in 2011 with a group from their church in Centerville to help with the various projects and programs of LVM.

Also joining the free clinics was Dr. Robert Gardner, MD, from Rio Rancho Seventh-day Adventist Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, who currently serves as the LVM Board president and is a regular voluntary consultant for the La Vida Mission Clinic. He has always been available and able to support not only the clinic and health ministry but every aspect of the Mission’s ministry.

“We are deeply and truly grateful for their dedication, compassion, and for the exceptional support they provided for the free health clinic services here in La Vida Mission. We are inspired to be even more willing to do the work that God entrusted to us,” continued Panganiban.

The different services offered and executed were physical check-ups, total cholesterol, HDL (High-density lipoprotein), LDL (Low-density lipoprotein), Triglycerides, and blood glucose tests. More than 20 people, including some police officers from the Crownpoint Navajo Police Department, were privileged to see the medical team.

“This health program also gave us the opportunity to distribute free books and pamphlets that will help the people to know our God like Walking with Jesus in English and Navajo, inspired by the messages from Ellen G. White’s Steps to Christ, and Doug Bachelor’s Amazing Facts** pamphlets,” remarked Panganiban.

“We’re praying and hoping that this health outreach and ministry, with our simple actions that reflect kindness, compassion, and love, will be a reflection of Jesus, allowing others to see Him through us, especially in our everyday lives. It was a pleasure and a blessing working with these medical practitioners for the Lord and His people.”

* La Vida Mission is a supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church but is not affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

** Please note that Amazing Facts International and its media and publications are not affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists or the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

—VJ and Beth Panganiban are La Vida Mission Outreach co-directors. Photos supplied.

By Adelaide Eno

I am not a math person.

This was a truth that I entered high school with—the innate knowledge of a fact of indisputable nature.

Yet, years after I thought I had decided this for good, I crouched over my team’s robot, calculating each angle and using triangles to support unstable pieces. I had quite the disturbing revelation: it appeared that I, despite my valiant efforts to avoid the subject entirely, was doing MATH … Willingly.

The door to robotics opened for me three years ago when I joined my brother in high school at Mile High Academy (MHA). The robotics tournament was unexpected. At MHA, nearly everyone has been to a sports tournament; we know what competition looks like. We know the energy that charges the air when we step into an arena. Yet, something is different about robotics.

As soon as the doors to the competition venue open, there is a rush to get to your team’s workstation first—to set up and look around, to gauge the scene. There is a moment of tension where eyes flit across the room in search of a friendly face. And then, after the trading of a bracelet or some stickers, the tension breaks and suddenly everyone’s talking.

As Outreach Co-Ordinator for the last three years, talking has been my job. FIRST Tech Challenge, the program we participate in, is created to enable connections. “Gracious Professionalism,” is a term coined by FIRST to describe the standard of behavior for participants and encourages every team to work together despite the competitive atmosphere. In many ways, it is parallel to the CHERISH Core Values that we exemplify at MHA. We are rivals, yes, but we are also friends.

I am not a math person. So, I go around and talk to the teams. I recognize a fellow artist from the way she describes her robot’s claw. I become friends with a boy who listens to the same musical artist. I lend materials to a team that forgot their tool bag at their hotel.

I may not be a math person, but I am a robotics person, so I learn how to use my strengths. I organize our parts for the Judge’s meeting where the team is interviewed by competition judges about their robot. I translate the short and unclear explanations of my teammate’s work into words normal people can understand. And above all, I learn.

This year was my senior year, and the feeling of saying goodbye to such a precious memory is bittersweet. I was more involved than ever helping build, code, and, of course, do outreach for my team. So, it is naturally hard to imagine not being involved in this anymore.

After the competition ended, my best friend called me. She was in robotics too and graduated last year. Halfway through a tearful conversation about moving on, a kind man walked by and checked in on me. He is the father of a freshman student whose team struggled this year, and he was looking for a way to reassure his son. I didn’t know quite what to say. What would I have needed to hear back when I was a freshman? So, I just said, “I am not a math person.”

I am not a math person, but through robotics, I have been provided with the application I needed to succeed. Some people say that you’re either an algebra person or a geometry person, but I would argue to the contrary. I am a robotics person, and, because of robotics, I am both.

The man told me that he had a different math teacher every year, and that it was only in college that someone knew how to help him learn. “It is not that you are bad at math,” he reassured. “You just haven’t been taught how to learn it yet.” He, just like me, was not a math person. Now, we both are.

As we wrapped up the conversation and he walked away, my friend and I sat in the silence processing what the man had said. She too struggles with math, and, just like me, she grew into STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) through robotics. She now studies physics and computer science at Walla Walla University.

Although he had been speaking to only me, his words hit both of us. I am a math person now, but for how long? Graduating from robotics felt like slamming a door closed. Yet, this man’s reassurance broke apart my fears like breaking apart the imaginary wall I had built for myself.

When we gathered our thoughts together and both started to speak, my friend and I could only say one thing: “It feels like God sent that man.” I had tried to close the door on myself, to end this chapter of my life the way I had started it, yet God was on the other side holding it open.

—Adelaide Eno is a senior student at Mile High Academy. Photos supplied.