NewsNuggets Page 9

RMCNews – Parker, Colorado … Newday Adventist Church serviced record numbers of Denver area families at their annual Christmas Store at AdventHealth Parker Hospital, December 2-5. Last year had been the biggest year, servicing 150 families, until this year where 200 families, or more than 1,000 people, were blessed by the Christmas story and this partnership.

The Christmas Store idea began almost 15 years ago when the congregation at Newday asked themselves if the community would even notice if they were not around. They wanted to be the light and make a difference to those in need around them. So, the Christmas Store opened in 2010.

Lisa Cardinal, lead pastor at Newday, commented, “This is our 13^th year in the Christmas Store. We are partnering with 13 public schools in our community who are the best people situated to know the needs [of the families] they choose [to participate]. The families come here by invitation.”

Every child that comes to the Christmas Store can choose a gift for their parents, grandparents, and sibling(s). Planning and shopping for the program occurs all year long to be able to provide quality gifts to the children who shop. Two storage units are used to hold the gifts until the store is open.

Shawna Sajdak, a lead in the program since it began, stated, “We want to provide memories and moments and excitement for being able to give gifts to family members that wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to do so.”

The program relies on many volunteers who serve such roles as greeters to get the children to the store to personal shoppers that assist the children in picking out gifts to gift wrappers and people to get the children back safely to their families with gifts in hand.

The Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) staff had the privilege to serve one the store’s nights, December 4, with other volunteers from Newday Church, AdventHealth Parker staff, and others.

Tamara Mallory, RMC accountant, reminisced, “Trying to make the experience for the children fun and meaningful made it fun and memorable for me. When you try and bless someone else, you receive blessings as well.”

“The children really touched your heart. Many siblings were in the store together and you could feel the care and awareness they had for each other. The joy and energy in the store were contagious,” commented Liz Kirkland, RMC communication assistant.

When asked what their favorite part of the Christmas Store was, seven-year-old participant Jayce enthusiastically commented, “I love getting my family presents.” Melanie, an eight-year-old participant, said, “I love seeing all of the toys.”

One of the volunteers on that night, Baily, had participated in the program when she was a child and was grateful to be able to serve now that she was older. She remarked, “I hope that the Christmas Store is going for many more years. It was such a great experience, and we got so excited to go every year.”

Pastor Cardinal had some closing thoughts on the program: “One of the things that we hear back from the schools is that the kids, long after their toys have disintegrated or disappeared, what they remember is the way they were treated in the Christmas Store. They remember that people were so nice to them, and that people smiled at them. And it’s really the way they were treated that are the memories they carry.”

—RMCNews. Photos by Liz Kirkland.

Pedro Vieira – Loveland, Colorado … The international students from Brazil, Congo, and Mexico planned the last Saturday night activities with soccer and volleyball tournaments and Mexican loteria, December 2. They also provided a variety of desserts that came from their countries.

The students joined teams to represent a country or a region of the world to compete. The soccer tournament was a very competitive event; it ended with teams Africa and Brazil in the finals. While Brazil is famous for soccer, the Africans showed that soccer is also popular where they come from and beat Brazil 4-1.

“I really enjoyed the international night especially because I love to play soccer, and beating the Brazilians was the best part of it. They played well, and it looked like they knew what they were doing,” shared Obed Simba, international student from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The volleyball tournament was the most exciting event. The Indonesians first played against the Brazilians, but they ended up losing. For their second game they won against the Latinos and got their spot in the final against the Brazil team. In the end, the championship went to the Brazilians.

“I loved the volleyball tournament, especially the final game; it was insane. The international night went very well because of the fun and desserts that we had. I’m glad that we made it to the final and I hope that they enjoyed playing volleyball with us,” expressed Gustavo Silveira, international student from Brazil.

In the student center, Daneil Camas, international student from Mexico, hosted a game of loteria, which is a typical bingo game played in many Spanish-speaking countries. “It was really interesting the way we got excited about the game. It was good being able to play and have fun with them,” commented Camas.

Campion currently has 13 international students. The evening was a fun way for them to share some of their favorite foods and activities with the rest of the students.

—Pedro Vieira, Campion Academy Student News Team. Photos supplied.

Daniel Birai – Denver, Colorado … In the heart of our vibrant community, LifeSource Adventist Fellowship (LAF) stands as a beacon of compassion and connection. With a dedicated commitment to outreach, the congregation endeavors to bridge the gap between our congregation and the wider community, fostering a spirit of unity and shared purpose.

Explaining the approach, Daniel Birai, pastor at LifeSource, said, “One of the many stories illuminating the impact of our outreach efforts happened this past month. Our team goes out on the first Sabbath of the month, after our monthly fellowship meal.”

As the LifeSource Community Impact Team went knocking on doors with a flyer communicating some of the programs and events they had to serve and connect with our community, they met a father who was looking for an enriching children’s program for his son.

The team was happy to share about LifeSource’s Adventurer Club. It is designed for kids ages four to nine providing specialized weekly activities that build character and encourage a growing relationship with God.

The father showed interest when Community Impact Team members shared details about the engaging children’s programs hosted at LAF. The prospect of a welcoming community that not only nurtured spiritual growth but also provided a supportive environment for his child was encouraging to him. Intrigued, he decided to give it a try.

Less than three weeks later, he walked into the church for the first time. The genuine warmth and sense of community he experienced led him to come the next week and bring his son that afternoon to the Adventurer program. LifeSource is blessed to have a new young Adventurer join the ranks.

His story illustrates the power of simple acts of outreach—a knock on the door, a genuine conversation—leading to a connection and an opportunity to add value.

What started as an invitation to explore our church’s offerings is slowly but surely transforming to what they hope will be a journey of belonging for this father and his young son.

“We celebrate not only the growth within our church community but also the positive impact on the lives of individuals like the story we shared. LifeSource Adventist Fellowship continues to be a catalyst for change, with each knock on a door representing an opportunity to sow seeds of connection and community in the hearts of those we encounter. Through these stories, our commitment to fostering unity and building lasting relationships with our neighbors remains steadfast, guiding us as we strive to be a source of light and support in our community,” Birai commented.

Is every knock on the door going to be like this story? No. But every knock on the door, every conversation, every interaction, every community event is designed to be another intentional act that our church does to live up to the church’s motto: “Step Into Family.”

—Daniel Birai is pastor at LifeSource Adventist Fellowship. Photos supplied.

Alyssa Bahnmiller – Fort Lupton, Colorado … As the Fort Lupton Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fort Lupton, Colorado, has been praying for the Lord to direct their efforts in reaching the surrounding community with the gospel, a unique idea began to unfold: a Holiday Cookie Build event.

The event was held in the church’s fellowship hall on December 3. Its mission? To be a bridge between the sidewalks of the community and the church and connect families, community, and the church in a simple, unintimidating way.

The idea came from the church’s door-to-door efforts. At the beginning of his employment in early October, Fort Lupton’s Bible worker, Eric Bahnmiller, created a community needs survey with the intent of planning church outreach efforts that match the expressed needs of the community.

In his work, Eric has met many who are open to friendly, and even religious, conversation and who seem grateful for an opportunity to express their needs and interests by filling out the survey. He also offers prayer for those he meets. This work has provided the church with a list of interests, and some of the survey categories that scored highest in interest included bible studies, family-focused and kid-friendly activities, and a desire for a church family.

As plans were laid, recipes for “as-healthy-as-possible” cookies were selected and a holiday-inspired flier was carefully designed. The church members continued praying for this to be an opportunity to mingle with the community.

On December 3, work began early in the kitchen preparing eleven sugar cookie batches, eight gingerbread cookie batches, eight frosting batches, and two large pots of hot apple cider. The fellowship hall had already been beautifully decorated for the season and colorful Christmas lights were strung around the hall and entry door. Holiday music played softly in the background. Once the preparation was finished, organizers and volunteers gathered to lift the community in prayer.

As the community began to arrive, excitement filled the air. The children came to the kitchen counter with bright eyes to receive their personal-sized dough balls. The dough was taken to the rolling pin and cookie cutting station where they got to roll out their own dough and cut their cookies in a variety of shapes.

Once the cookies were cooked and cooled, the children took their cookies to the frosting and sprinkles station where their imaginations devised some of the most creative designs. While kids created cookies, parents and church members connected in meaningful conversation and sipped delicious hot cider.

Attendance included over 30 community guests, most of which were families with children. Every guest was someone who had already been connected with through personal ministry at their doorstep, with the exception of one mother with two children who was invited by her friend who has been taking bible studies from Eric at her doorstep. Some requested a tour of the church, and many began asking questions about church services and requested personal bible study.

“Personal ministry is far more efficacious than preaching in the saving of souls. When God’s people do personal work as He designs it to be done, the promises of Isaiah fifty-eight will be fulfilled to them.” ¹

—Alyssa Bahnmiller writes from the Fort Lupton Seventh-day Adventist Church. Photos supplied.

¹ White, E.G. (1902). Letters and Manuscripts. Volume 17, Letter 68, Paragraph 17.

Dennis Magaña – Montrose, Colorado … El sábado 2 de diciembre de 2023, la Iglesia ASD Hispana Montrose participó en su 3er Desfile de Luces en Montrose, Colorado.

La planificación para el Desfile de las Luces comenzó a principios de noviembre cuando la iglesia decidió incluir 2 carrozas en el desfile de este año. Una carroza representaría la escena de la Natividad con María, José y el niño Jesús. La segunda carroza estaría decorada y representaría a los clubes de Conquistadores y Aventureros de Montrose Rockies. Hubo mucho entusiasmo en la iglesia con respecto al desfile, ya que cada año nuestra participación crece y cada miembro juega un papel en preparar todo para el desfile.

Desde el principio, Montrose decidió que nuestra participación en el desfile sería también evangelística, no solo la iglesia reparte dulces a los niños, sino que los adultos también reciben literatura para llevar a casa. Este año se entregaron cajas de “El Centinela” a los asistentes al desfile. También se repartieron folletos que describen lo que hacen los clubes de Conquistadores y Aventureros y cómo unirse a uno de los clubes. Como también hacía mucho frío afuera, también se instaló una estación de chocolatito (hot chocolate) en una esquina y se repartieron más de 20 galones de chocolate caliente, así como libros ASD que cualquiera podía llevar gratis.

Nuestros clubes de Aventureros y Conquistadores declararon que la participación de este año fue la mejor hasta el momento y que fue divertido dejar que la comunidad supiera quiénes somos y compartir cuál es el verdadero significado de la Navidad, que nuestro Salvador descendió como un bebé y nació. También dijeron que fue sorprendente ver cómo todos comenzaban a cantar las canciones que sonaban por los bocinas de nuestras carrozas mientras pasábamos. “Todos tocaban música navideña secular y cantaban, pero tan pronto como escuchaban “Al Mundo Paz” u “Santa la Noche”, el canto se hacía aún más fuerte y realmente se convertía en un momento de adoración”, afirmó Kenneth Magaña, líder del club de Conquistadores.

El pastor Santo Valdez comentó que nunca había sido parte de algo así y que ¡hacía frío! Pero muy felizmente informa que ya tenemos una familia que está interesada en venir a nuestra iglesia después de ver nuestra participación en el desfile.

Antes de comenzar la ruta del desfile, todos los participantes se dividieron en grupos y oraron, pidiendo que el Espíritu Santo estuviera presente y se moviera entre los observadores del desfile y tocara los corazones. Recordamos lo que la hermana White escribió en “El Ministerio de Salud y Curación”, página 73: “Es necesario acercarse a la gente mediante el esfuerzo personal. Si se dedicara menos tiempo a sermonear y más tiempo al ministerio personal, se verían mayores resultados. Hay que aliviar a los pobres, cuidar a los enfermos, consolar a los afligidos y desconsolados, instruir a los ignorantes, aconsejar a los inexpertos. Debemos llorar con los que lloran y regocijarnos con los que se regocijan. Acompañada por el poder de la persuasión, el poder de la oración, el poder del amor de Dios, esta obra no quedará ni puede quedar sin frutos”.

—Dennis Magaña es el primer aniano de la Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día Hispana de Montrose. Fotos suplidas.

Dennis Magaña – Montrose, Colorado … The Montrose Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church participated in their third Parade of Lights in Montrose, Colorado, December 2.

Planning for the Parade of Lights started in early November with the church deciding they would include two floats in this year’s parade. One float would depict the Nativity scene with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. The second float would be decorated by and represent both Montrose Rockies Pathfinder and Adventurer clubs. There was much excitement in the church concerning the parade, as each year the participation grows, and every member plays a role in getting everything ready for the parade.

From the beginning, Montrose decided that participation in the parade would be an evangelistic effort as well. Not only does the church hand out candy to the children, but the adults receive literature to take home. This year, boxes of El Centinela were handed out to the parade watchers as were flyers describing what the Pathfinder and Adventurer clubs do and how to become a part of either club. Since it was also very cold outside, a chocolatito (hot chocolate) station was also set up on a street corner and over 20 gallons of hot chocolate were handed out along with free Adventist literature.

According to leadership of the Adventurer and Pathfinder clubs, this year’s participation was the best one yet, and that it was fun letting the community know who they are and sharing what the true meaning of Christmas is: that our Savior came down as a babe and was born. They also stated it was surprising to see how everyone would begin to sing the songs playing over the loudspeakers on our floats as we drove by.

“Everyone was playing secular Christmas music and singing along, but as soon as they heard ‘Joy to the World,’ or ‘O Holy Night,’ the singing would become even louder and it really became a moment of worship,” stated Kenneth Magaña, Pathfinder club leader.

Santo Valdez, pastor of the Montrose Hispanic Church, commented that he had never been a part of something like this and that it was cold! But he very happily reports that there is already one family that is interested in coming to the church after seeing the participation in the parade.

Before the floats started the parade route, all the participants split into groups and prayed, asking that the Holy Spirit be present and move amongst the parade watchers and touch hearts.

Ellen G. White wrote in The Ministry of Health and Healing (p. 73), “There is need of coming close to the people by personal effort. If less time were given to sermonizing, and more time were spent in personal ministry, greater results would be seen. The poor are to be relieved, the sick cared for, the sorrowing and the bereaved comforted, the ignorant instructed, the inexperienced counseled. We are to weep with those that weep and rejoice with those that rejoice. Accompanied by the power of persuasion, the power of prayer, the power of the love of God, this work will not, cannot, be without fruit.”

—Dennis Magaña is head elder at Montrose Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church. Photos supplied.

Julia Santiago – Loveland, Colorado … The Campion Academy Staff Talent Show had all types of entertainment, including music presentations, skits, karaoke, magic tricks, a quiz game for parents, and many other presentations, November 18.

Dean Helm, Campion vice president for finance, awed the audience as “Helmdini,” presenting his skillful magic tricks. Catie, a Campion senior student, was one of the audience members called up front to participate in the show. She shared, “This was my first time being in the ‘Helmdini’ magic show. I was nervous at first, but, in the end, it was funny, and I enjoyed it.”

Several of the visiting parents were called to the stage to participate in a Jeopardy-style game hosted by Jill Harlow, Campion English Language Learners (ELL) and journalism teacher, about the slang that their teens use nowadays. “It was really exciting and funny when my dad went on stage for the teen language jeopardy,” Campion student Tobey Quillin commented. “I liked seeing him try to figure out what the terms were and laughed a lot when he did the floss,” he continued.

At the end of the program, Jordan Dubini, Campion assistant men’s dean and English teacher, hosted a newlywed style game show with staff couples Campion math teacher Haley Baker and her new fiancé Caleb Bib, and Campion librarian Lindsey Santana and her husband Shawn. They answered questions about their relationships made by the audience prior to the event. “It was actually pretty funny to answer those questions about my relationship,” shared Haley Baker, “I liked it especially because I knew the answers.”

The staff talent show closed the Campion Parent’s Weekend in an amusing way for both students and parents, setting the mood to start Thanksgiving break. “My family and I had so much fun. Having the talent show right before the break was a fun start to break,” expressed Vashty Segovia, a Campion student.

—Julia Santiago, Campion Student News Team. Photos by Julia Santiago.