05 May

CHALLENGES, HOPES, AND THE FUTURE OF RMC EDUCATION – PART 2

We continue with our three-part series on RMC education. In this section, we will look at how inflation and the nationwide shortage of teachers are affecting RMC education.  We will also discover how anyone who wishes to enroll their child in an RMC school, can do so regardless of finances. Looking ahead to next week, we will be asking Diane Harris, RMC education director, and Paul Negrete, associate director of education, how RMC’s two academies are faring and about the future of Campion and Mile High Academy.

NN: We know that the economy these days is hard to adjust to, with inflation and the cost of living increases. The cost of Adventist education is continuing to rise every year. Is the Rocky Mountain Conference ensuring Adventist education remains affordable so that any child can attend regardless of finances?

Diane Harris: The beauty of our system is that every one of our school treasurers and principals never want any family to miss attending our schools because of finances. There is the strongest commitment to ensuring that those students are able to come to our school.

Our structure is that our income primarily comes from tuition, either from churches or from parents. There’s a lot of fundraising at our schools to meet the needs of those families who need the extra support.

NN: If there is a family who wishes to send their child to Campion Academy, but they know the finances won’t allow them to send their child, what would be your advice to that family?

Diane Harris: My advice to the family is, do not hesitate to reach out to Campion. There are resources available for any family. Campion works very hard to make sure that finances do not hinder enrollment.

Paul Negrete: This goes for all of our schools. Go take a tour, look at the school and speak to the administration.

They have a variety of ways to help your student get into school. I haven’t heard of any stories at all where a student goes to Campion or any of our schools and, for financial reasons, doesn’t get in.

Diane Harris: Absolutely. Dean Helm at Campion has a passion for working with these families to make sure that they’re able to send their children.

NN: Our school enrollment is increasing, and that brings unique challenges in hiring teachers for the increased number of students.  As of the end of April, RMC has 17 open positions for the next school year. Are you worried?

Diane Harris: At the end of the day, these are God’s schools, and I believe that He has someone for each of these positions. Some of the openings are transitions from teachers within our conference to another school within the conference.

I’m excited about the possibilities. We’re conversing with some strong candidates right now, and this week and next, we’ve got interviews. It’s definitely a time that I’ve never seen before with the number of resumes coming in versus the number of openings that we have.

NN: Other than praying for the fulfillment of these openings, what are some steps RMC members can do concerning these openings?  Can they reach out to teachers they know?

Diane Harris: I think that if they know of someone who is a strong teacher, someone that they are connected to, they could encourage them to explore the option of working in the Rocky Mountain Conference. That’s the best way to recruit.

NN: How about teachers who have recently retired but want to help for a few years.  Would you welcome them to apply?

Diane Harris:  Absolutely, yes!

NN: What happens if these positions don’t get filled?

Diane Harris: Glenwood Springs, for example, would like to reopen, and yet they feel like they would rather stay closed than bring in the wrong candidate. They are trusting in God’s timing. And if now’s not the time to reopen, they will wait until the right candidate comes.

NN: Are there any schools that are in danger of closing because of the teacher shortage?

Paul Negrete: I don’t know that we immediately have any schools in danger of closing. We’ve gone through different scenarios, and maybe at first it looked like that might be an option, but thankfully, I don’t think we’re there yet.

There have been some last-minute people who have come through. The last-minute people are, again, God’s direction, but I think we’re going to be fairly shored up.

We may have to tighten the belt here and there. We may have to combine some classes in some schools and make some adjustments. I don’t think, at least right now, unless something drastically changes, that we’re going to have to close a school.

Diane Harris: Everyone in schools, including our teachers, cares deeply about the families and the students because of their love for Jesus and it’s transmitted into their teaching. I think that’s why we’re growing. And that’s why we’re not without challenges, but I’m really proud of our schools.

–RMCNews; photo supplied

05 May

MILE HIGH ACADEMY ROBOTICS TEAM SCORES BIG IN FLORIDA

RMCNews with Rebecca Berg – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … RoboStangs, the robotics team from Mile High Academy, won second place at the First Tech Challenge (FTC) Adventist Robotic league competition at Forest Lake Academy in Florida.

Robotics is a year-long elective class where students work together to build a robot to compete in this competition. The task given the robot this year was to move blocks and other objects to a three-tiered tower. The teams could also earn points by spinning a horizontal wheel that could be loaded with rubber duckies, and each rubber ducky they successfully got into the arena earned them points.

Reflecting on the event, MHA junior Seth said, “It was a really fun experience driving the robot, meeting other robotics teams, and talking to them about their designs. Our team did so much better than I could have imagined, and I am proud of the work we did.”

MHA went up against eleven other teams from all over the United States–from California to North Dakota. In the qualification round, MHA came in fourth, and from there, starting with first place, each team chose another team to form an alliance. MHA formed an alliance with the Senjus team from Raleigh, North Carolina, and worked together to place second in the overall competition.

The Robotics tournament was not the only exciting experience students had in Florida. They also spent time at the AdventHealth Celebration, where doctors showed them new robotic technology that is revolutionizing the health industry. A favorite was the Davinci Robot, which allows doctors to do precise surgeries using robotic tools controlled outside the operation room. Students were able to try out the technology by playing a game of Operation using the robot. The Mustangs from Oregon won first place in this competition.

During the Lockheed Martin tour, students learned about the Orion capsule, among other space technology. That was followed by an afternoon at the Space Kennedy Center. Of course, there was a trip to the beach, where students played volleyball, played in the waves, and witnessed the Falcon Nine launch.

Remarking on the Orion capsule, Seth said, “Besides the competition, I really enjoyed seeing the Orion capsule up close and visiting the Kennedy Space Center. I am looking forward to the competition again next year.”

Sponsor of the trip, Rebecca Berg, high school teacher and chaplain said. “As a sponsor of this trip, I am unbelievably proud of the hard work and perseverance these students showed. Their fun spirits and positive attitudes made this trip enjoyable and memorable. As competitors, they were the epitome of our CHERISH core values, helping and cheering for the other teams. I look forward to next year, seeing them take on the next robotic challenge and the different challenges it will bring. Congratulations on your second-place win RoboStangs!”

–RMCNews with Rebecca Berg, MHA high school teacher and chaplain; photos supplied

05 May

CAMPION DRAMA TEAM PERFORMS FOR BRIGHTON CHURCH

By Brie Bell – Brighton, Colorado … Campion Academy’s drama team was welcomed by Brighton Adventist church as they shared their talents during the April 30 worship service.

The students shared skits, songs, poems, and testimonies providing a unique worship experience for the members.

Reflecting on the special Sabbath service, Campion student Lexi shared, “I really enjoyed performing with the Campion drama team. Everyone’s testimonies were really good, and I felt very blessed. I’m so glad I got to sing with Christine, and I’m very happy that the Brighton church welcomed us to do their church service.”

Seth, a sophomore at Campion, shared a testimony about health issues while he was a baby and how God worked a miracle to heal him. “I was very nervous going up front, but I’m glad I was able to go up and share how I have seen God’s work in my own life,” he said.

The service had an impact on the students performing but also on the Brighton members. “Seeing the drama group take charge, organize, and perform the church service assured me that God is truly working through Campion Academy to impact the students’ lives and those they come in contact with,” reflected Rex Bell, Brighton church elder.

To end the special weekend, the students, enjoyed watching a performance of Singin’ in the Rain at the Candlelight Theater on Sunday.

“I really enjoyed the production of Singin’ in the Rain. The food they served was delicious! The production was impressive with the actors, set designs, and a neat water feature. The whole trip was a fun experience,” commented Kayleigh, Campion junior.

–Brie Bell, guest writes for Campion Academy; photos supplied

05 May

REFLECTION: THE LORD STIRRED CYRUS

By Lester Bentley … “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing saying, Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah.”  (Ezra 1:1, 2)

“The LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus.” The Lord can stir the hearts of kings. “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: He turns it whithersoever He will.” (Proverbs 21:1)

We may not have access to the king or the ruler of the land, but we may pray as Daniel did, and God can touch the heart and spirit of the king on his throne.

According to the historian Josephus, Daniel had read the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah to King Cyrus. He pointed out that God had named him a hundred years before he was born. It must have stirred the young king to hear his name read out in the ancient scrolls of the prophets, Isaiah and Jeremiah.

But we may ask, “What caused Daniel to instruct the king? What allowed Daniel to speak with Cyrus?”

Yes, indeed, Daniel was a high official in the Persian government. His close encounters with the king may have allowed him to talk with the king about different situations. The king was undoubtedly impressed with Daniel and the wisdom Daniel possessed from his years in the Babylonian court.

But instead, it was the result of Daniel remaining faithful during one of the most challenging and trying times of his life that opened the door.

In Daniel 1, Daniel spearheads a movement by himself and his three friends to remain faithful to God. Late in his life, Satan directs certain officials in the Persian court to become jealous of Daniel. They trick Darius into passing laws making it illegal for Daniel to worship his God.

Daniel follows through on the commitment made in Daniel 1 by remaining faithful, as we see in Daniel 6. As a result, the situation looks hopeless as Daniel is reported to Darius, the king. The law states that those failing to comply must be thrown to the lions.

As a result, Daniel spends the night talking with lions. The following day, having received protection from God and fulfilling the requirements of the law, Daniel is rescued from the lions. Who could have accounted for his surviving a night with the lions?

What an impact Daniel had through his experience with the lions. Note this passage from the book Prophets and Kings by Ellen G. White.

“The deliverance of Daniel from the den of lions had been used of God to create a favorable impression upon the mind of Cyrus the Great . . . . And now, just at the time God had said He would cause His temple at Jerusalem to be rebuilt, He moved upon Cyrus as His agent to discern the prophecies concerning himself, with which Daniel was so familiar, and to grant the Jewish people their liberty.” (p. 557)

“Thus says the LORD to his anointed, Cyrus, whose right hand I have hold of.” “He shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, says the LORD of hosts.” (Isaiah 45:1, 13)

“That the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled.” Daniel had learned by studying the prophecies of Jeremiah and Isaiah that the time allotted for the exile was to end after seventy years. He believed God’s word and began to pray earnestly to fulfill the prophecy (see Daniel 9). When Daniel began to pray, God began to work. Is God’s “doing” dependent upon our “asking?” Yes.

Often God’s work allows us to be placed in uncomfortable circumstances. A figurative “lion’s den.” These experiences may come from “loss of personal wealth or financial health. It may come as the loss of our health, family, and friends.” Or people that we dearly love suffer the same losses of money, health, or family. These three, money, health, and family, are Satan’s favorite ways to test the people of God.

As with Daniel, people are watching, looking to see how you respond as a Christian. Your response can mean the difference between another seeking Christ or rejecting Christ.

Lester Bentley is the pastor of Gillette, Wyoming church district; photo by UnSplash

04 May

SEVEN BAPTIZED AT MOUNTAIN VIEW CHURCH

RMCNews with Tim Jones – Longmont, Colorado … The Mountain View Adventist Church recently concluded a three-week outreach series with seven individuals publicly declaring their commitment to Jesus through baptism on April 23.

The series, sponsored by the Hispanic group at the church, featured Daniel Miranda from Columbia.

The gatherings included several community members, some of whom learned about the meetings by traversing by the church.  Tim Jones, Mountain View Adventist Church pastor, recalls such a visitor.

“We had a gentleman walk by the church a week before the meetings started and he came inside where we were having a prayer meeting. This gentleman said that he felt impressed to stop and come in. He was a practicing Baptist, but had recently had difficulty reconciling the Sabbath with what he had been taught.”

Jones added, “This gentleman came to the meetings, every one of them, and decided to accept the love of God that is demonstrated in His word and become a part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It was a privilege to baptize him.”

The church is studying with five additional individuals who attended the series in preparation for a future baptism.

The Mountain View members plan to hold several community outreach gatherings and another series of Bible meetings in the fall.

“We are praying for God’s grace to be extended and accepted by the people in our community,” Jones said.

–RMCNews with Tim Jones, pastor of Mountain Views Adventist Church district; photos supplied