NewsNuggets Page 60

Sue Nelson – Littleton, Colorado … On December 3, starting at 7:00 pm, some 29 teens from Front Range churches assembled for an all-night “lock-in” ending at 7:00 the next morning at the Littleton Adventist Church gym.

Roberto Mira, RMC Pathfinder Teen Coordinator, explains that “the lock-in is a yearly event that happens at the beginning of December. Run by Rocky Mountain Conference Teen Coordinators and trusted adult volunteers, this all-night event is meant to provide a space where teens from different Pathfinder clubs across the conference can intermingle through games, sports, and fellowship. They also enjoy a “share your faith” activity.”

“It is a great place to have teens try coming out of their comfort zone by making friends from different clubs,” he added.

The night began with a devotional, followed by dinner and a variety of games and sport activities, and continued until pick-up the next morning. For those preferring quieter activities, they were given the option of watching an age-appropriate movie or playing tabletop games. Teens who prefer to nap were provided a quiet space under adult supervision.

Roberto explains that teens are prohibited from leaving the premises. They may not leave any of the group activities without first informing an adult.

During the Littleton “share your faith “activity, the group plans to donate tied fleece blankets to the Children’s Hospital. Clubs are encouraged to make these blankets as a club activity and have the teens attending the lock-in bring them to the donation area provided during the event.

“Teen lock-in’–just thinking of those two little words made me tired, but there is no better cause to be tired for,” commented Janine Lechleitner, director from Louisville Miners Pathfinder Club. She has had the pleasure of watching her club teens and representatives from other clubs grow in their leadership skills and creativity over the past several years. This year, with the guidance of teen coordinators, teen leaders planned one of the best teen lock-ins to date,” she added.

She explained why they put such emphasis on teen activities. “Adolescence is such an important time of life. During these critical years, our children learn how to develop safe and healthy relationships with parents, friends, teachers, and others. Learning how to develop and maintain positive relationships will impact our children and help them as they make decisions related to friendships, school, dating, marriage, and work in the future. Relationship skills learned and developed during the teen years will also help our children make positive decisions about other areas of their lives.”

It is with this in mind that those of us involved with Pathfinders really promote teen activities including teen lock-in. During this lock-in, there was more participation and energy from ALL teens than ever before. It was gratifying to see “seasoned” teens interacting with “new” teens, drawing them out of their shells and getting them actively involved in activities.

What else drives her to want to stay up all night in a gym full of teens? “My love of children and desire to see our children develop a committed relationship for God.

One teen, Austin, is the newest Pathfinder in her club. He slid right into the club like he had always been there. He was very excited to come to teen lock-in, and Janene was just as excited to take him. “Once we arrived, he became a little nervous, not knowing anyone other than me, and his fellow club members Hannah and Aurora. I had the privilege of watching several of our Conference teens take Austin under their wings, so to speak. Before I knew it, Austin was out there with all the teens participating in and having fun with every activity.

During the teen years, friends play a large role as each teen develops their own identity. The building blocks for all relationships, however, come from the examples provided by adults, including parents, teachers, family friends, and church family.

According to Eli Gonzales, club ministries co-executive coordinator, besides the planned activities, “they devoured about 25 pizzas with NONE left over.”

–Sue Nelson is RMC executive coordinator for Club Ministries. Photo by Janine Lechleitner.

By Matt Hasty

“No Soliciting, No religion, No fundraisers” read the sign on the door. A second later, a voice from behind us said, “Can I help you?”  We turn and see a man, Stacy, by his garage door looking at us with a frown. Our fearless Campion student, Sam Walton, walked up to Stacy with a smile and handed him a cookbook. Predictably Stacy cuts off Sam mid-sentence saying he’s not interested. Rather than leaving with his tail between his legs, Sam persisted by offering him one of our GLOW Bible pamphlets. With a visible look of confusion, Stacy said to Sam, “Wait! What? Who are you?”

Little did we know, Stacy had been studying with Messianic Jews and had started keeping the Sabbath. When he learned about another Christian group who keep the Sabbath, he was very curious and signed up for Bible studies and, of course, received some books from Sam. Three months later, Stacy is scheduled to be baptized at the Campion church before the end of the year!

As a literature evangelist (LE) for 21 years, I hear stories like this from time to time. But why not all the time? Should the LE’s metric for success be based on baptisms? What about our own success in the Christian walk? Aren’t we all called to be fishers of men?

Ellen G. White shares an interesting perspective looking forward to the last movements before the return of Christ: “The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them… Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord’s side.” [Great Controversy, p. 612]

I’ve seen this firsthand. At doors, people have shown me books acquired from church members or colporteurs from years ago. These books have been read and highlighted and copied, and shared, yet they don’t “fully comprehend the truth” or might not be ready to “yield obedience”.

Even more interesting, a few years ago, the Barna group did research on mainstream church pastors’ favorite authors. “The under-40 pastors championed several authors who were not ranked highly by older church leaders. Those authors included business consultant James Collins, seminary professor Thom Rainer, nineteenth century Seventh-day Adventist, icon Ellen White, and pastor John Ortberg.”

https://www.barna.com/research/survey-reveals-the-books-and-authors-that-have-most-influenced-pastors/

How are these pastors getting these old nineteenth-century books? Why are they reading them? Consider the answer. Because people like you and me are sharing them with a smile!  Stacy’s words, “Who are you?” can be echoed in our own ministry.

It’s easy to doubt that asking your neighbor if they have any prayer request will make an impact. If you passed out a book, will it even be read? Let God worry about the results and trust that soon a “large number will take their stand upon the Lord’s side.”

–Matt Hasty is RMC coordinator of literature ministry.

RMCNews – Denver, Colorado …   In mid-September, channel 26.5, which covers a population of about 2.95 million throughout the Denver-metro area, began broadcasting Adventist programming from a wide variety of ministries 24 hours a day.

Unaffiliated with the Rocky Mountain Conference, The Good News TV is an independent media ministry broadcasting Adventist programming in the Denver Metro area for antenna television viewers.

Good News TV started in Arizona 13 years ago. Many new believers being baptized in area churches today, trace their introduction to the Adventist Church to this television ministry. Most viewers are not Seventh-day Adventists.

According to the TV producers, the Denver area viewers are already calling the station, requesting prayer, Bible study guides, program schedules, and even the address to the nearest Adventist church.

For program schedules and how to watch, link to http://www.MyGoodNewsTV.com/co-home

RMCNews

Pueblo Church Communication with Sherry Lee Hornbacher – Pueblo, Colorado … The Outreach and Education Center of Pueblo (O&EC) is offering free tutoring with volunteer tutors from Pueblo First Seventh-day Adventist Church. Our tutors began rigorous training in math and reading interventions in the month of August, allowing the first session to begin September 6.

“God is at work among us, bringing students from our congregation and the surrounding community,” said Sherry Lee Hohrnbacher, coordinator of the O&EC

Schooling for many students in our community has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the recently-published results from the National Assessment of Academic Progress (NAEP), we are seeing the largest decline in math and reading proficiency since the assessment was first administered.

According to Sherry Lee Hornbacher, the aim of the Pueblo Center is to address this achievement gap by offering effective intervention programs to students whose families may not be able to afford or may not have access to supplemental academic support. Both reading and math lessons are individualized, aimed to advance targeted skills and concepts. An initial diagnostic assessment is done prior to the first day of tutoring to ensure student’s individual academic needs are addressed.

Students receive 1:1 instruction in math using the Math Recovery® approach. This approach to intervention is based on research projects designed by Dr. Robert J. “Bob” Wright and his colleagues in New South Wales, Australia, in the context of teaching experiments in a strictly controlled research setting. The outcome of this research includes a compilation of best practices, diagnostic assessments, and teaching procedures. Lessons are designed by Math Recovery® Specialist, Sherry Lee Hornbacher, and are implemented by O&EC volunteer tutors who continually fine-tune their instruction through regular team meetings. Sherry has personal experience in the implementation of the Math Recovery® approach playing a major role as a Math Recovery® Intervention specialist and trainer during the program pilot.

The Pueblo Center has chosen to implement an Orton-Gillingham multi-sensory based reading intervention on the recommendation of Dr. Annabelle Lopez of the Andrews University Center for Reading, Learning, and Assessment. The Barton Reading & Spelling System is a structured language approach that is different in both what is taught (reading and spelling are taught as related subjects) and how it is taught (the methodology).

The intervention is a direct, explicit, structured, and sequential program designed for intense intervention. Instruction is personalized and delivered at the individual’s own pace in a 1:1 student-teacher setting. The effectiveness of the Barton Reading and Spelling System has been proven in 15 independent studies from public and private schools across the nation.

The O&EC purchased the first level of the Barton system and began training tutors as soon as the materials were received. Since then, the center received a donation to purchase the second level. “Our plans are to purchase the entire system (10 levels) as funds become available,” comments Hornbacher.

The first tutoring session ended November 17, with a celebration of students and volunteers. After only 27 tutoring sessions, the participating students are already showing improvement.

“I receive such a blessing watching these young minds as they realize they are learning and growing. We have been truly blessed by God for the opportunity to learn, share, and fellowship in this program,” comments Christy Kraus, an O&EC tutor.

All are anxious to begin the second round of tutoring on January 17, 2023. Meanwhile the tutors devotedly continue their training in both Math Recovery® and the Barton Reading & Spelling System© during the break between sessions.

Church leaders are commenting, “We are most grateful for those willing hearts our God continues to send as volunteers and for the generous financial support we have received.”

For more information, please contact Sherry Lee Hornbacher at the Outreach and Education Center, 3912 O’Neal, Pueblo CO 81005, [email protected]. Registration information can be found at www.PuebloFirstSDA.com (look for the Tutoring Program K-12 tab).

–Pueblo Church Communication with Sherry Lee Hornbacher. Photo supplied.

Brandon Westgate – Denver, Colorado … What is Greater Summit? Greater Summit is a prayer retreat and refreshing event for middle and high school students that takes place in the mountains of Colorado, January 13-16, 2023, at Glacier View Ranch.  There will be music, worship, Bible study, and activity options for outside and inside.

We are delighted to announce that our speaker this year will be Jessica Rios (pictured). Jessica works at Campion Academy as director of recruitment. She is a godly woman who is funny, sociable, and engaging. Jessica will bring messages to both challenge and encourage us as we worship together.

We will wrestle with Scripture in break-out groups and dive deeper into relevant passages to discover a God who is for us and not against us.

Planned activities will include snow tubing, snow shoeing, hiking, reading, arts & crafts projects, jam sessions, etc. all mixed in with a cup of hot chocolate here and there!

We are looking forward to meeting you and connecting you with other students to increase your circle of friends and to elevate your experience with God!

We look forward to seeing you here! To register, go to https://www.rmcyouth.org/greatersummit

–Brandon Westgate is RMC youth director. Photo supplied.

By Rachel Ashworth

We’ve entered the time of year in the Midwest when you can walk through a grocery store parking lot and see any range of attire from shorts and sandals to parkas and gloves. At your local Walmart, you might find someone wearing a light jacket or flannel flip-flops in the same trip you see a person donning snow boots and a stocking cap.

The temperature warms slightly just before a rain, but when the rain comes, it is icy raindrops that fall.

I heard something profound recently about this. Putting on the Holy Spirit–inviting the Holy Spirit into your body and mind–is like putting on a coat. It does nothing to change the weather but does everything to change your circumstance.

We all need a practical reminder from time to time about how to stay steadfast in this uneven world. We all need tips at times to remember how to stay warm with the love of Christ when the cold, cruel world threatens our comfort and joy.

START THE MORNING WITH GOD We can likely all agree that all devotionals are not equal. A short reading in the morning is better than nothing, but it may be that you warm next to a fire only to run into the cold with no coat on later.

Instead of a short devotional that makes you feel warm and connected with God for a short time, look for opportunities to spend time with God, inviting Him into your heart and your life, and then take Him with you throughout the whole day.

This may look like spending time with the family in prayer and fellowship together. It may look like private prayer, Bible meditation, and communing with others in prayer. Whatever you do, make sure it prepares you for the day.

If you have been doing devotionals every morning, yet don’t feel it makes a lasting difference in your daily life, look for a different type of devotional to help your relationship with God grow. 

TAKE GOD WITH YOU Just as you would ideally remember to take your coat with you when you step out of your front door into the cold, take God with you throughout your day.

You may not want to carry your Bible or your devotional book with you, but there are certainly ways to carry the message in your heart as you go.

• Journal on your phone
• Download a devotion, Bible, or prayer app to your phone
• Listen to Christian music in your car or workplace
• Talk to others about what you have read or learned
• Keep a gratitude list or list of answered prayers

REMEMBER TO PRAY Take every opportunity to pray.

The best way to start a new habit is to stack it with something else.

• If you have a habit of opening your phone too often, put a prayer reminder on your lock screen so you can start a habit of praying when you open your phone.
• If you have a habit of small talk while you wait for your work lunch to heat up, take a moment to pray for your coworkers.
• If you have a habit of muttering under your breath when you hit a red light on your commute, whisper a prayer for the people in the cars around you instead.

Think of the habits you fall into every single day and consider how you might adjust them slightly to remember to pray.

REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE When the weather is particularly cold, we can forget we have a coat at all! When things are particularly tough, we can forget we have a particular hope in Jesus Christ. When we feel down-in-the-dumps, we tend to forget we are children of the Almighty King.

Like the prodigal son, we spin our wheels in the mud pits with the pigs, thinking ourselves a slave when we’re actually sons and daughters.

So, when the weather is tough, remember who you are. You are redeemed. You are chosen. You are an heir with Christ. You are salt and light. You are part of the body of Christ. You are His bride. You are His beloved creation.

What can you do each day to remember this reality in the face of the lies of the devil?

Start a conversation with your church family today about the importance of wearing our coats–our armor, our spiritual gifts. Let’s talk about it on Facebook too. Let’s stay warm in this cold, cruel world.

–Rachel Ashworth comes from Missouri and usually writes about family at home, family at church.  Reprinted by permission from OUTLOOK blogs, November 22, 2022. Photo supplied.