NN Jan 2020 Page 3

Loveland, Colorado … Kindergarten through fourth grade students at HMS Richards Elementary worked hard during the month of December 2019 on a fundraiser to send funds to the city of Cebu in the Philippines.

Teachers Kari Lange and Kristie Smith used to teach with Geraldine Walker at Wood Adventist Christian School in Aurora, Colorado, who, while teaching in Colorado, would regularly send money back to her family and village in Cebu.

Walker relocated back to Cebu to be close to her family. She has recently felt the calling to preach and begin a project to rebuild the village church that was damaged by an earthquake and a flood. Knowing that Walker would need help financing the church rebuilding, Lange and Smith decided to start a fundraiser.

Lange and Smith got their students involved in helping make over 60-dozen bread rolls to sell before Thanksgiving. Shirley Turner, a church volunteer, helped oversee the process of making the rolls. Students were able to help in the dough-making process and selling of the rolls. In the end, the fundraiser sold all 60-dozen bread rolls, which was the equivalent of about $300.

“it was so fun to see everyone working so hard, laughing, and just enjoying using their hands for someone else! Everyone said they would love to do it again,” Lange commented.

The teachers plan to continue sending sending to the building project in Cebu by having more fundraisers throughout the year.

–Megan Michalenko; photo supplied

Loveland, Colorado… Entering its 113 years in 2020, Campion Academy celebrates another anniversary, the 100^th birthday of Sara Nelson. A friend of Campion celebrated her centennial with family and friends during the last weekend of 2019.

She is a spry lady and is enjoying life and family, reflected Don Reeder, Campion Academy principal. “When I think of her, my thought is commitment. She has a legacy with Campion as she has 13 children and grandchildren who have attended Campion Academy. Twelve of them have graduated from the academy,” he said.

“That is quite a commitment,” added Reeder.

Reeder chose to express Campion Academy’s continued commitment to Adventist Christian Education. “The church recognized that using the mechanism of education is a powerful way to spread the Good News of Jesus. Studies show that students who attend Seventh-day Adventist schools are more likely to remain in the church,” he commented in the first 2020 edition of Campion Academy newsletter. “Our mission is to receive as many students as we can into our school where they can learn more of Jesus and be trained to share Jesus,” he stated.

In the words of Reeder, “Campion remains committed to this mission: ‘Experiencing Christ in a Learning Environment. Campion is a safe place where students can learn of Jesus and be trained to tell the world about Him. This is our commitment for 2020!”

Currently, Campion’s enrollment is 145 with expected 151 beginning of next term.

The Colorado school is enjoying an international recruitment of students from Africa, China, Latin and South America, as well as other countries in Asia, with 25 international students at the school presently.

–Don Reeder; photo supplied

Pictured is Sara Nelson, center, with her family members. Back row: Russell Nelson, Erik Nelson, Steven Nelson, Tim Nelson, Scott Nelson. Women: Jamie Sellers Lyvers, Jessalene Sellers Padilla, Grandma Nelson, Jodi Sellers, Michelle Nelson Greenlee, and in front Janet Sellers King.

Glacier View Ranch, Colorado… Annual gathering of pastors from nearly 130 congregations in the Rocky Mountain Conference will meet, January 5-8, to further “learn ways to make Christ known in RMC,” says Mickey Mallory, RMC ministerial director.

“Besides fellowship, rest and relaxation, this retreat is designed to give our pastors practical tools to help them be more effective in their ministry,” he comments. “Like last year, there is also a program for the pastoral spouses,” he adds.

Presenters at the 2020 gathering will include members of the Ministerial Department team from North American Division (NAD), including Ivan Williams, Jose Cortez, Ester Knott and Dave Gemmell, as well as Mic Thurber – Mid-America Union Conference ministerial director. A special section in the program includes risk management presentation by Leander Tomazeli, NAD Risk Management Account Executive. RMC’s Ed Barnett, president and other Conference administration and ministry leaders will also be available to discuss program areas of the Conference.

According to Mallory, “a unique feature of this retreat will be a video presentation called the Story of Joshua. This feature identifies common struggles that pastors experience and examines pastoral experiences throughout the North American Division who have been able to work through those struggles.”

–RMCNews, photo by Rajmund Dabrowski