NN Jan 2026

Diane Harris – Greeley, Colorado … The Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) small-school educators and leaders leaned into professional growth, collaboration, and courageous reflection for two days of professional development, January 5-6, at the Greeley Adventist Christian School in Greeley, Colorado, before students return for the spring semester.

“It is all for the benefit of student learning. When leaders grow, schools get stronger, and students are blessed. We are proud of the hard work happening across RMC education,” praised Diane Harris, RMC superintendent.

“These two days of professional development were unique because they were catered towards small schools and the challenges that we face, many of which we have in common,” remarked Jessica Baker, head teacher and principal of the Fort Collins Christian School in Fort Collins, Colorado. “We were able to gain practical strategies, short and long term, that we can begin planning for right away.”

“I was unsure how this session would add to my cup after the last professional development, but it was incredibly helpful in tangible ways,” reflected Bonnie Sholock, principal and head teacher at the Four Mile Adventist Christian School in Canon City, Colorado. “I thoroughly appreciated the way Paul [Negerete] pushed our ideas and problems to help clarify and ‘refine’ what we are doing in the classroom.”

She continued, “The overall impression I am leaving with is that RMC cares about their students so much that they take care of their educators well with support and ways for small schools to collaborate and learn to better themselves and their craft.”

Kari Lange, grades K-2 teacher and vice principal of the HMS Richards Adventist School in Loveland, Colorado, commented, “While head teachers came together, other teachers participated in Unlocking the Reading Code training.”

“I’m deeply grateful for how Trish Martin continues to deepen our understanding of the English language and teach it in bite-sized pieces we can confidently pass on to our students,” remarked Harris.

—Diane Harris is the RMC Education director and superintendent. Photos supplied.

Cassie Matchim Hernandez – Lincoln, Nebraska … Starting fall 2026, the It Is Written “Soul-winning and Leadership Training” (SALT) program will be held on the campus of Union Adventist University (Union) in Lincoln, Nebraska. This new SALT initiative will be in addition to the existing SALT program held at Southern Adventist University (Southern) in Collegedale, Tennessee. Alex Rodriguez joins the new program as director, with Felicia Sanders filling the role of outreach coordinator.

Founded in 2011, SALT—the It Is Written school of evangelism—is designed for individuals willing to dedicate one semester to intensive Bible worker training. Participants study and grow with other committed students as they attend practical, Bible-based classes and apply what they learn through hands-on outreach. Classes are taught by university professors as well as It Is Written speakers, and university credits are available and apply towards a religion minor.

“SALT is high-impact, faith-building evangelism training. For almost 15 years, SALT has been a successful partnership between It Is Written and Southern Adventist University,” said John Bradshaw, It Is Written president. “There are lots of people whose ministry is being transformed because of their experience at SALT, people in all different walks of life who are really serious about sharing their faith. And we are thrilled to be expanding that impact to Union. We believe that more lives and more places are going to be transformed because SALT is now going to be based in Lincoln, Nebraska, as well as Collegedale, Tennessee.”

SALT students have come from many conferences in the United States, and even other countries like New Zealand and Nepal. In addition to Southern students who attend SALT, people of all ages and backgrounds have completed SALT over the years with the intention of reaching their home conference for Christ.

For some time, it has been clear that the SALT program needed to grow, said Bradshaw, as evidenced by the largest class to date of 46 students this semester. So, he was enthusiastic when approached by Jeff Scoggins, Minnesota Conference president and Union board member, a couple of years ago with the idea of expanding the program to Union.

“The vision that Minnesota is working under is to become a premier producer of pastors, teachers, missionaries, and tent makers,” said Scoggins. In line with that vision, his wife Becky approached him with the idea of bringing SALT to Union to teach young people how to make ministry a way of life.

“I hope and pray that it won’t be just religion and theology majors that do this program,” Scoggins said. “I want to see nurses and business majors and international relief and history and education and everybody. I hope SALT will change that person’s life and make their entire career about ministry.” And thanks to donors, the Minnesota Conference, in partnership with It Is Written, is able to fund this endeavor at Union.

Union leadership looks forward to the impact SALT will have on campus and the Mid-America Union. “I am excited to support and grow a new kind of faith learner and practitioner at Union Adventist University,” said Dr. Yami Bazan, Union Adventist University president. “Long known as the College of the Golden Cords, Union has always focused on developing professionals committed to sharing the gospel of Jesus as a way of living out their faith. The SALT program aligns beautifully with our mission and our love for Jesus.”

Rodriguez comes to the SALT program with nearly two decades of experience in pastoral ministry and evangelism. He has always had a passion for evangelism and is already familiar with the SALT program, with two of his children being recent SALT graduates. A third plans to attend next year!

“I believe in SALT and its core mission. I’m a strong believer in mobilizing churches, in mobilizing laity. The work is going to be finished at the local level,” Rodriguez said. “I’m excited about what I have seen SALT at Southern produce. And I think it’s a fantastic opportunity to grow what God has tremendously blessed at Southern Adventist University and expand that into Mid-America.”

Not only do we have excellent leadership in Rodriguez, Bradshaw said, but also in Felicia Sanders, who will lead outreach efforts. A SALT graduate, then SALT mentor for three years, Sanders comes well-equipped to help get the new program off the ground. “Felicia is outstanding,” Bradshaw shared. “She’s enthusiastic about sharing her faith, she is dynamic, and to have her on board signals to me that God’s hand is on the SALT project.”

Rodriguez has just completed the SALT program at Southern, learning about the program from Southern SALT director Douglas Na’a. Na’a will continue to lead the program there, and the two plan to work together to keep the programs tightly knit. “The best way to envision this is one program offered on multiple campuses,” said Rodriguez. “There is room for personalization, but the core will remain the same.”

Those who are interested in learning more about SALT Union may contact Alex Rodriguez at [email protected]

About It Is Written

Led by John Bradshaw, It Is Written is an award-winning media evangelism ministry that has been sharing the everlasting gospel worldwide for nearly 70 years. The first religious television program to broadcast in color, It Is Written is also the tenth-longest-running television program in the United States (https://stacker.com/stories/2372/50-longest-running-tv-series). It Is Written impacts lives for Christ through television, social media, websites and mobile apps, global evangelistic ministry, and faith-sharing resources.

—Cassie Matchim Hernandez is the marketing and communications specialist for It Is Written. Photos supplied.

Rajmund Dabrowski and Sue Timmerman – Delta, Colorado … Three days before Christmas, a group of “Community Helpers” at the Delta Seventh-day Adventist Church in Delta, Colorado, came together to pack dozens of produce bags as Christmas gifts for those in need in the local community.

“Our church members are generous in providing donations of foodstuffs for our neighbors,” said Donna Harold, a known community activist of the church.

Church volunteers were supported by a gift from the local Safeway store which donated “Fresh and Flavorful” shopping bags. “It’s a blessing to support your initiative,” commented one of the store managers.

Mike Allen, a champion of the church’s Christmas initiative, went around the city for many years and asked business owners for their support. Though he announced a need to retire, the group has learned of Allen’s projection to be involved for next year—2026. The church is grateful for their generosity. One of the volunteers said that “our blessings are to be shared as a blessing to be outreached with those who are in need.”

There was more to be reported.

It was an unusually warm day on the 19^th of December in Cedaredge, Colorado. Ken and Sue Timmerman, members of Delta Church, had been developing a friendship with Roi who had been adjusting to life again after being homeless for several years. Roi, an eight-year Airforce veteran, was legally blind and lately obtained a new puppy naming him Avocado. The dog was to help him with the very lonely feeling he had been dealing in his current life situation.

It soon became apparent that having Avocado was showing that it would be beneficial to acquire a kennel for his young animal. “It was for its safety when the human was not at home,” he shared with Sue, who, together with her husband Ken, participate in community activities.

She responded, “I’m going to find a dog crate for you.” Facebook Marketplace was a proper place to begin looking on, Sue thought. That same day she found one. She called the number to arrange a time to look at it. At the location in Cedaredge, she was shown two crates which were advertised.

Sue told the woman the smaller one might not work, so the woman said, “How about the much bigger one?” The larger one cost much more. The husband walked into the room as Sue began to tell them about the homeless man’s new life and the many obstacles he is overcoming.

At this point, the husband suggested an instant solution, “Let’s give her the big crate for free.” The husband carried the crate to Sue’s car with the trunk open.

The trunk was full of Christmas food boxes being delivered later that day. The woman suddenly said, “Wait a minute. I will be right back.”

She returned and placed six one-hundred-dollar bills in Sue’s hand and said, “Here is three hundred dollars for you and three hundred dollars for the cause.”

The kennel-seller said, “God has blessed us this year!”

—Rajmund Dabrowski and Sue Timmerman are members of the Delta Seventh-day Adventist Church. Copy and photos by Rajmund Dabrowski.