NN June 2023 Page 3

Jill Harlow – Loveland, Colorado … Campion Academy celebrated the achievements of 35 graduates over a weekend of festivities.

The Class of 2023 began the weekend by honoring their parents during Friday evening’s service. On Sabbath, the students took charge of every aspect of the church service, presenting several musical selections. In the evening, the class introduced themselves in a creative spin on “The Masked Singer.” Class sponsors Cindy Santana and Zeca Santana were the speakers at the main events on Sabbath and Sunday, respectively.

Twenty-one of the 35 graduates were four-year seniors at Campion Academy. Twelve seniors earned College Preparatory or Advance College Preparatory diplomas, and 15 seniors graduated with honors. Union College presented several of the highest-achieving graduates with scholarships worth up to $40,000 each. Due to opportunities at Campion Academy to take dual-credit classes, 26 of the seniors graduated having completed college credits.

“I am so proud of our graduates,” commented Principal Don Reeder. “This class is very talented. They have earned over $2.5 million in scholarships from our Adventist Universities and Colleges. What is even more exciting is that each one has been educated about the importance of using their talents in service to God and man. I am excited to see where God takes them in life and ministry for Him.”

In her graduation speech, Campion’s Student of the Year Lindsey Smith spoke, “By the end of Senior Survival [activities], a safe feeling of a home away from home sunk in as I realized ‘these people are family’ … what we each are, individually, is not what sticks out to me. It is when we are all put together.”

She continued, “That is when we can overcome anything, accomplish great things when our compassion and love for each other comes out … There are big things in store for each and every one of us. Plans of traveling, going to college, pursuing a career. Our potential is limitless. I know God has amazing plans for each of us.”

Campion Academy is proud of the leaders these young adults have become and we congratulate them on all their achievements!

—Jill Harlow is the Campion Academy communication director. Photos supplied.

RMCNews – Loveland, Colorado … The Campion Adventist Church family joyfully accepted three newly baptized members and one recommitment on May 6. Ten more baptisms occurred on May 12, and one rebaptism on May 19. If you do the math, that is 15 of God’s children entering, or reentering, into a commitment of faith.

Over the course of the month, the baptisms were officiated by four pastors and/or elders. Those baptized ranged in age from second-grade students to retired dentist. Two even requested to be baptized together: Cana Goetz, daughter of Michael Goetz, pastor of Campion Church, and her best friend Emma Nelson, a student at HMS Richards School, baptized by Eric Nelson, former RMC vice president for administration, her grandfather.

Seven-year-old Madelyn Schwisow gave her testimony: “I want to be baptized because I want to follow Jesus. I want to do as Christ did each day by faith, by prayer, by trust, by choices, and by reading the Bible.”

Bodi Jacob, a young student, shared, “I decided to be baptized a year ago. My family and I did Bible studies with Kim and Mary Mehlenbacher. They have helped me in my spiritual walk. I want to be baptized because I want and need Jesus in my heart every day. I want to give my life to Him.”

Annalise Gomez, 14 years old, said, “I have been learning about God and seeing how he works through other people’s lives for as long as I can remember. I want God to work through me spreading His word. I want to accept Him into my life no matter what the cost may be. I want Jesus as my best friend.”

Kenneth Jacob, a husband, and father, testified, “I wasn’t [raised Adventist]. I met Alisa, my wife, while she was attending Andrews University. She has been my rock, standing by me patiently through this long journey as I worked to shed my prideful secular ways, allowing me to view the world through the lens of Christianity. Together we have two amazing boys that I have the extreme pleasure of sharing this baptismal tank with. I would also like to thank Kim and Mary Mehlenbacher for guiding our family in our spiritual journey over the past six months of Bible studies … Once I realized that we are loved unconditionally by God, we can become loved for the sake of others. To be baptized is more than a public display, it’s a soul-cleansing birth into Christianity.”

Timm Eickmann, a retired dentist, spent the year prior reading his bible. He was amazed at what God has done to save His people and His grace, mercy, and peace. “More than ever,” he says, “I appreciate who God is. Today, I want to rededicate my life to Him.”

—RMCNews, a story based on Campion Connections newsletter. Interviews by Muriel Indermuehle and Ella Jean Albertsen. Photos by Catherine Chamberlain and Eric Stenbakken.

Doug Inglish – Fort Morgan, Colorado … The pandemic presented challenges to businesses, churches, schools, and other enterprises. Not every organization survived, and those that did often found themselves with very real obstacles to continued operation.

Fort Morgan Lighthouse School emerged from that period with a $50,000 debt. That is a daunting amount for a small school with most students coming from outside the church family. To make things even more difficult, the teacher shortage forced them to look outside the United States to find a qualified Adventist teacher, and immigration red tape held up her admission to the country until after the school year ended.

The second problem was answered when retired teacher Kathy Goley stepped forward. It was only supposed to be temporary, but the weeks turned into months and finally, the entire year had passed. Kathy stayed at the helm and provided quality teaching to grateful families all the way through. Our appreciation for her dedication is beyond words, and all parents voiced strong support for the work she did.

The first problem seemed far more daunting. How could a small church in a small community retire that debt while keeping up with current commitments? How could they do it while searching for a pastor, as the pastor shortage is only slightly less severe than the teacher shortage?

The answer began with interim pastor, Rex Bell, who challenged the church to step forward in the interest of the next generation, the community, and the church’s mission. The rest of the equation came when not only did the Fort Morgan Church accept the challenge, but so did the rest of the district churches. Yuma, Sterling, Akron, and Burlington may not be within driving distance for sending students, but the members embraced the Lighthouse School as their own and lent their support in tangible ways.

Pastor Rex Bell commented, “What a joy and privilege to serve God’s people in northeast Colorado! Truly they are God’s family united in serving God. It is incredible to witness God’s blessings upon His churches and school!”

On May 27, Pastor Bell and Kathy Goley stood in front of the church with a chart representing the final few dollars raised. A check was in hand to deliver to Doug Inglish, RMC vice president for administration, who was in attendance that day.

This story is about the determination of God’s people. It is about the value of Adventist education not just to the local church, but to the local community. And it is about the dedication of people from other communities who value Adventist education enough to support it even when they don’t have a student of their own at the school they support. God’s power through His people to His children is an awesome thing to witness.

—Doug Inglish is RMC vice president for administration. Photos by Susan Inglish.