31 May

250 ATTEND RMC PATHFINDER FAIR

Brent Learned – Grand Junction, Colorado … Some 250 Pathfinders, staff, and parents from small towns and larger cities across RMC came together on May 21 for the annual conference-wide Pathfinder fair. The event was held at the Intermountain Adventist Academy campus in Grand Junction, Colorado, and was organized by Pathfinder coordinators Dwight Laubscher and Jodi Gage.

The day started with the Pathfinder clubs setting up booths in the gym displaying everything they had learned and accomplished throughout the year. These displays were scored by a team of Pathfinder leader judges.

The Pathfinders then marched the field perimeter, club by club, to the rhythm of drums pounding and cymbals crashing, skillfully played by several clubs. The clubs were collaborating under the direction of the RMC Pathfinder drill master Joel Domingez. Following the parade, clubs stood together and sang the Pathfinder song before a worship service led by RMC assistant youth director Jade Teal.

RMC youth director Brandon Westgate then presented Joel with the Pathfinder hall-of-fame plaques and pin recognizing him for his exceptional leadership and commitment to Pathfinder ministry within the RMC. The award presentation was followed by the club’s lively judged marching competition.

Cinthya Miranda, Northeastern Colorado Area adventurer coordinator, said, “[I] saw kids praying prior to participation. They weren’t asked to pray by an adult, it was done out of their own volition. These small, yet big gestures remind us why Pathfinder clubs are so important in a kid’s overall growth.”

At lunchtime, the participants could purchase food from clubs that were selling food as a fundraiser for their upcoming activities. The Pathfinders rotated through more than a dozen activity stations after lunch where they participated in a variety of team-building activities. They learned skills such as tying knots and played field games such as Capture the Flag.

After the activity stations, clubs returned to the gym where awards and accolades were handed to top-performing individuals and clubs before the participants packed up and returned to their respective communities.

One of the Pathfinders in attendance, Kaylon Miranda, commented, “This fair was amazing!”

Eli and Veronica Gonzalez, RMC club ministries associate executive coordinators, said, “We were so impressed by all who attended the Pathfinder fair. We believe the real way to gain happiness is to give it to others. This weekend you (Pathfinders) have shown a happy heart while participating and competing with each other.”

—Brent Learned is the RMC assistant youth director and Mills Spring Ranch manager. Photos supplied by Aaron Dove and Cinthya Miranda.

31 May

LIFESOURCE MOUNTAINEERS INVESTITURE

Daisy Dalegowski – Denver, Colorado … The LifeSource Mountaineers had their first combined Adventurers and Pathfinders Investiture on May 20. This was a special ceremony to honor the completion of the curriculum’s requirements.

Sixteen Adventurers and eight pathfinders earned a combined 142 honors and badges during the program year. That is an amazing achievement!

This year the Mountaineers participated in door-to-door community outreach, a Christmas extravaganza, Club Ministries Sabbath, and Adventurer Fun Day. They also raised over $1,000 during the Great LifeSource Bake-Off. All of that was outside the 550 program hours prepared by the staff for the kids.

It was a busy year full of making friends, learning, and growing in the Lord. The Mountaineers Leadership team would like to thank all of the staff, families, church members, and conference team that supported them through this very successful year.

We look forward to seeing what amazing adventures are in store for them next year!

—Daisy Dalegowski is the director of club ministries at LifeSource Adventist Fellowship. Photo supplied.

30 May

STEWARDSHIP: PART 3 – THE LORD OF THE STEWARD

We have the idea that we can dedicate our gifts to God.
However, you cannot dedicate what’s not yours.
– Oswald Chambers

Years ago, I invited the conference stewardship director and good friend to be the guest speaker in the church I pastored. He spoke about the new budget for the conference and how each local church has to increase the giving so the new budget can be reached and the conference can meet its financial responsibilities. After his visit, I received many questions from the congregation regarding the steward’s responsibilities and whom we should have as the focus of our giving. In this reflection on stewardship, we will look at the object of the steward’s service as a foundation for giving and why it is essential to give only to the Lord.

There is no steward or stewardship without a lord or lordship. Biblical and Christian stewardship does not exist without the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the sovereignty of God. In other words, stewardship only exists in the context of God’s ownership, household, and economy. We will face these subjects in the upcoming articles. But, who is this sovereign Lord the stewards serve? David, the chosen of God, exclaimed: The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein (Psalm 24:1, NKJV). Asaph the Psalmist also acknowledged God’s ownership by proclaiming: For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10, NLT). Even as arguing with Job, The Lord declared: Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine (Job 41:11, NKJV).

The stewards are serving the owner of this world and of the universe. They are serving the Creator God, Elohim, and handling, increasing, and multiplying all that the owner has surrendered into their hands for the Owners glory and not their own. Blackaby wrote, “He [God] reveals what He is doing, and then we adjust our lives, our plans, and our goals to Him. We are to place our lives at His disposal—where He is working—so He can accomplish His purposes through us.” 1 The stewards have only one purpose, and that is to make the name, the character, the economy, the property, the kingdom, and the realm of their Lord glorious. The stewards live for the glory of their Lord, Master, and King and not for their own. They can do this only because they know who they serve. They know their Lord.

In one of his sermons, the late S.M. Lockridge spoke of the Lord and King he knew: “My King is a sovereign King. No means of measure can define His limitless love. He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. DO YOU KNOW HIM? He’s the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world. He’s God’s Son. He’s a sinner’s Savior. He’s the centerpiece of civilization. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented … I WONDER IF YOU KNOW HIM? He’s the key to knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. DO YOU KNOW HIM? His life is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. I WISH I COULD DESCRIBE HIM TO YOU! He is indescribable. He’s incomprehensible. He is invincible. He is irresistible. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get him off of your hand. You can’t outlive Him, and you can’t live without Him. The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him; they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him; Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him; the grave couldn’t hold Him.” 2

The stewards know their Lord and Master as he is. They see the service to the Lord and Master as most honorable, worthy, glorious, and wonderful. For this reason, they will never stop giving their utmost with borrowed time, talent, or treasure. The intensity of serving will never linger, and the commitment will never faint. Just as Isaiah said: But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31, NKJV).

In Part 4 of the series, we will look at what the waiting stewards manage, invest in, and multiply for their Master.

—Anton Kapusi is the lead pastor of Pueblo First Seventh-day Adventist Church. Photo by Pexels.

 


Blackabe H., and Blackaby R. (2008). Experiencing God. BH Publishing, p. 188.

Martin, A. (2008, July 23). That’s My King Dr. S.M. Lockridge – [OFFICIAL]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqTFNfeDnE

25 May

DENVER ADVENTISTS RUNNING FOR CLEAN WATER

Kelly Loney, Emily Woodhull, and RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … Two Adventist teams ran the Colfax Marathon relay race in Denver, Colorado, on May 21 raising money for World Vision International, a well-known Christian humanitarian organization. The money raised was going to fund projects that would bring clean water to communities globally.

One relay team was from Newday Adventist Church in Parker, Colorado, and the other was from LifeSource Adventist Fellowship in Denver, Colorado. Each team supplied five runners to run/walk a certain portion of a full marathon of 26.2 miles. This was the ninth year a Newday team and the third year a LifeSource team had participated in the race.

One runner from Newday Church also completed her first marathon, and five other Newday runners finished their first half-marathon (13.1 miles).

Kelly Loney, director of communication at Newday Adventist Church, and Emily Woodhull, Newday team co-captain, remarked, “That is incredible … not only did they run/walk much longer than most of us would ever dream of doing ourselves … but they also raised funds with Team World Vision to bring clean water access to places that need it.”

At this year’s race, Team Newday raised $44,650 which provides clean water for 893 children. Team LifeSource raised $9,418 which provides clean water for 188 children. For the nine years that Team Newday has been involved with the race, they have raised an astounding $509,555 which provides clean water to 10,191 children!

Co-captain, and runner on the Newday Team, Steve Cochran said, “Being able to be a part of what God has done is incredible. It humbles you to know what we can do when we come together as the body of Christ, even if it is just getting off the couch.”

The church leadership thanks those who ran, who supported financially, and who cheered the group on from the sidelines. One hears that once you run one you want to run another!

Way to go Team World Vision Newday and LifeSource runners!

—Kelly Loney is the director of communication at Newday Adventist Church, and Emily Woodhull is a Newday Team co-captain and runner. Photo supplied.

25 May

MUSIC AND AWARDS MARK A MEMORABLE CAMPION YEAR

Tiffany Mogaka – Loveland, Colorado … The Campion Adventist Academy gym came alive May 20 as the Academy held its highly anticipated Award’s Night and annual Pop’s Concert. The event showcased the musical talents of students and recognized their outstanding athletic, academic, and artistic achievements.

 

Campion’s orchestra opened the concert with the selections City of Stars and Highlights from Grease, an extravagant commencement to the event. 

 

Orchestra violinist, Shawn Furgurson, commented, “The music was really fun to perform. The piece Highlights from Grease was a struggle to learn, but I would definitely say that it was well worth it. Being able to open up the concert was a thrilling experience. It allowed me to reminisce about the past year’s performances because this was the last concert of the year.” 

 

Students from the various music departments, including Jazz Band, Bells, Chorale, and Koinonia choir, showcased their incredible talent and hard work through a delightful array of performances prepared under the guidance of Campion’s music director, Cecilia Simmons. 

 

Senior, and Koinonia member, Melody Mambo reflected, “My highlight of the concert was when Koinonia sang Stand Up, which is our favorite. It was cool to show our creativity with this song. I also enjoyed the theme and detail that Miss Simmons put into prompts to introduce each presentation. It was overall a memorable experience.”

 

Between each performance were moments of recognition and celebration as deserving students were acknowledged for their remarkable achievements. Awards were presented for a wide range of accomplishments, including academic excellence, leadership, musical, and athletic recognition. 

 

Senior Ana Segawa commented, “I found it wholesome to watch people get recognized for their accomplishments. This school year was hard, but it felt nice to receive appreciation and to be able to celebrate that with my friends and staff members who have always been so supportive.”

 

At the end of the event, students and staff gathered in the chapel to watch presentations by the current dorm staff announcing next year’s Resident Assistants. They enjoyed a selection of animation video projects and appreciated the year-end video prepared by Campion’s Student Association (SA) tech director, Ciara Felix.

 

Carla Ramos, a senior, recounted, “I really loved seeing the end of the year video. It took me back to all the highlights and fun memories from this year. It was a wonderful way to end a fantastic evening and great year.” 

 

—Tiffany Mogaka, Campion Student News Team. Photos supplied.

25 May

BRIGHTON ACADEMY ENDS SCHOOL YEAR WITH GRAND FINALE

Jodie Aakko – Brighton, Colorado … May is a busy time of year, and Brighton Adventist Academy students were busy celebrating science explorations and congratulating proud graduates.

On May 11, a large crowd gathered in the new Brighton Seventh-day Adventist Church fellowship wing to view sixty science projects completed by the school’s future scientists, ages preschool through grade ten. Students displayed their projects on presentation boards.

“I learned every step of the scientific method! And I am just in kindergarten,” Jose Santos, a kindergarten student, proudly commented.

Jace Meyers, a tenth-grade student, explained, “I never thought I would get away with sounding a blow horn next to my teachers at school, but my project involved comparing blood pressure rates under stress changes. I charted the changes in blood pressure under calm conditions versus loud conditions.”

“I tested the effectiveness of materials in a home-made solar oven. Best smores I ever ate!” exclaimed Lili Marr, a sixth-grade student.

At the completion of the event, the fine arts classes presented musical pieces: hand chimes, band, ukulele, and K-4 choir. “Band and ukulele are fun groups, and we are sad that Mr. Dunkin is retiring. He picked fun songs like Star Wars, Snake Bite, Fantastic Foster, On Broadway, Down on the Corner, Enjoy Yourself, and Don’t Fence Me In,” said Ericsson Aakko, a fifth-grade student.

Students donned graduation caps and gowns for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten graduation on May 12 and eighth grade graduation on May 18. The young graduates were inspired by speaker Unna Trunkenbolz to become an everyday hero, and the older graduates were inspired by speaker Wayne Morrison, pastor at Brighton Church, to soar like an eagle to new heights and hew educational horizons.

“When you wait on the Lord, you can soar higher than your biggest dreams, and your strength will be renewed,” commented Pastor Morrison.

—Jodie Aakko is the Brighton Adventist Academy principal. Photos supplied.

25 May

CAMP MEETINGS TIME: BENEFITS OF BELONGING

By Mic Thurber

What are your earliest memories of camp meeting? For me it was Lynnwood Academy in Southern California where we were living at the time. I was very young, so the Academy grounds seemed massive and intimidating. There were tents everywhere—some huge and some small ones, all neatly pitched in rows.

We lived close enough by that we didn’t need to camp, and we were mostly there for the main meetings, though I do remember going to the tent for my age group and seeing a sea of faces that I’d never seen before. Somehow, I felt I belonged even though I didn’t know anybody there.

As I got older and went to more and more camp meetings, though the settings, of course, changed, many things didn’t. Tents, campers, people, meetings, singing, and preaching even a young person could understand and enjoy. And the sense that I was part of something larger than just me and my family. As I grew, I grew to understand that the others there believed like I did. They loved Jesus and wanted Him to come back soon. There was something that always encouraged my young heart that what we believed and held to was real. And seeing so many others with the same hopes and yearnings just cemented them in my heart.

Now, of course, I’m older. Gone are most of the tents, though there are still a few of those kind of camp meetings to be found. Though the times have changed, and the facilities as well as time and financial availability of families to attend has changed, the same need still exists. The same benefits can still be found today at camp meeting.

It’s an old story that was really about a man who had no longer been coming to his church, but I can’t help but wonder if maybe it might apply to our relationship to camp meetings, too.

The backstory is that he had gotten crossways with a few members of the church and, in a moment of frustration and disagreement, left vowing never to return. A new pastor was assigned to the church and heard about the man’s decision and decided to visit him. So, he showed up unannounced.

The man’s wife, still faithful in her attendance, ushered the new pastor into the living room where the disgruntled man sat in his favorite easy chair staring at the fire. He didn’t even acknowledge the pastor’s presence. So, the pastor settled into the chair opposite the man and simply waited quietly with him. Still with no words exchanged between them, the pastor got up from the chair and picked up the fireplace tongs and reached into the fire and drew out a single, large, chunk of ember and placed it on the hearth and then sat back down.

Still intwined in their silence, the two men stared at the red-hot glowing ember and watched as it slowly grew first hot, then tepid, then finally … cold. It had died while in its background the fire from which it was separated was still burning strongly and brightly.

A few moments after the ember had completely died out, the man finally looked up at the new pastor and said, “Ok, preacher, I’ll be back next week.”

It’s hard to keep the fire of our heart’s yearning alive when we feel like it burns all alone. I can’t help but wonder if perhaps that wasn’t in the back of the mind of the author of Hebrews when we counseled the not to give up meeting together.

Of course, we hope that you stay committed to the fellowship of your own church family. But camp meetings can be a help even beyond your local church. Worshipping and fellowshipping with others even outside your local church can help further fan the flames of your commitment to Jesus. Realizing that you are part of something larger than yourself and your immediate faith community can bolster you in so many ways.

That’s why I hope that when camp meeting comes to your area, that you’ll make a commitment to join with so many others in celebrating what Jesus had done for you and pray together for His soon return.

Click here to find the full schedule and program details for 2023 RMC Camp Meetings.

—Mic Thurber is RMC president. Photo by Rajmund Dabrowski.

25 May

MILE HIGH ACADEMY HONORS 2023 GRADUATES THROUGH MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Karrie Meyers – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Another school year has drawn to a close at Mile High Academy (MHA). And, as the first week of summer break officially begins, the school’s hallways are quiet except for teachers busy boxing up leftover classroom items. However, just last week, the school was abuzz with excitement and celebration as MHA prepared to graduate 50 students.

The first class to graduate was the kindergarten class. Eleven graduates, displaying a mixture of excited and nervous grins, marched towards the front of the gym on May 16 to be recognized for their outstanding academic achievements. Parents’ cameras flashed as the students led the program, which included prayers, songs, poems, and heartwarming family tributes. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates and the movement of tassels, symbolizing the class has officially moved from kindergarten to first grade.

When asked about what she loved about kindergarten and her favorite memory from the school year, Jaylee shared, “I loved art, and my favorite memory was the pajama day on the last day of school when you got to bring snacks.”

On May 17, the gym was transformed with an arch of blue, black, white, and gold balloons as 22 eighth graders made their entrance. After students offered a warm welcome and prayer, the audience enjoyed pre-recorded parent tributes coordinating with a mixture of student photos. The guest speaker for the evening, Coach Michael Camacho, MHA athletic director, took the podium to inspire the students with words of encouragement. He urged them to “embrace change, overcome challenges, pursue your dreams, make a difference, embrace leadership, and cherish the memories we have shared.” He concluded with the reminder to always trust in God’s unwavering love.

Rachel Philpott, one of the newly graduated students, said she is “looking forward to helping work at some of the athletic summer camps and relaxing at home.” When asked about her expectations about upper school, she said, “I’m looking forward to meeting new friends and going on tournaments.”

For the 17 of the senior class graduates of 2023, MHA organized three additional events leading up to Commencement. The first event, Senior Blessing, was held May 18 at LifeSource Adventist Fellowship. This private gathering was an opportunity for the graduates to enjoy time with their families and teachers. While being recognized for their unique qualities and achievements, they received a special blessing from their parents. The students also received their scholarships from Non-MAUC Adventist Universities and additional colleges/universities that currently total over $1.7 million.

The second event, Consecration, was held May 19 at Littleton Adventist Church. Special tributes were offered to each graduates’ families, and Bibles signed by the teachers and staff were also presented to the students. This year, two students chose to commit their lives to Christ through a special baptism. Paul Negrete, MHA senior class parent and the Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) associate superintendent of education, delivered a speech highlighting the sacrifice of Jesus and the promise Jesus is coming again. He condensed these two truths into one statement, “Behold the Lamb of God,” and challenged the students to live with this purpose in mind.

The third event, the Baccalaureate, took place Sabbath morning, May 20, and was hosted at Denver South Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Seniors lead out in the church service and Rebecca Berg, an MHA upper schoolteacher, delivered the sermon. She shared how special this class was to her and reminisced about the memories they had created together. Berg also focused on the class aim of “Act with Intention” and encouraged the students to reflect on their intentions as they leave MHA to begin their next journey.

Finally, the Commencement ceremony brought the MHA senior class of 2023 together with their families and friends to the MHA gymnasium at 8:30 p.m. Clad in their blue gowns, the Seniors made their entrance, followed by a heartfelt prayer by Mic Thurber, the RMC president.

Clarissa Suyatno, MHA senior class president, offered the class history and president’s address before Christina Hernández, MHA teacher, delivered the graduation speech. Hernández reminded the students that their achievements were worth the work, the tears, and the late nights. At the close of the ceremony, the graduates proudly walked across the stage to receive their diplomas and participate in the symbolic movement of their tassels. They walked down the aisle amongst cheers and pyrotechnics, marking the beginning of the next chapter in their lives.

When asked to reflect on her upper school days, Giselle Negrete said, “I will miss playing sports with my friends, singing together, and just hanging out in the classroom. Those memories are some that I will cherish forever.”

To watch the recorded graduation ceremonies or access the printed programs, visit https://www.milehighacademy.org/2023graduation

—Karrie Meyers is the marketing and development coordinator at Mile High Academy. Photos supplied.

25 May

THIRD GRADE AND THRIVECARE PARTNERSHIP

Karrie Meyers and Denae Yuros – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … The Mile High Academy’s third-grade class has been visiting the ThriveCare assisted living facilities once a month. They enjoyed time with the residents by singing songs, playing games, and reading. The ThriveCare facilities are owned and operated by MHA parents Casey and Erika Leno and are mainly located in the Littleton area.

“Some of us went to the Yarrow House from December to May. Each time we visited, we exercised and sang songs with them. We had fun singing and reading. One person who changed our lives was Miss Lovey. We looked forward to our visits because of Miss Lovey. We need to be more like her because she is kind. Going to ThriveCare was important to us because we got to make new friends,” said the Yarrow House Group.

The Ingalls House Group said, “We went to ThriveCare because we enjoyed visiting during service day and wanted to keep going. Our group visited friends at the Ingalls House. We loved the creativity and the excitement of going to the house. We also had fun playing, singing, dancing, reading, eating snacks, doing arts and crafts, and making friends with the residents.”

“I’m glad I got the chance to go to ThriveCare. I feel really good because I got to spread God’s word a lot,” said Judd, a third-grade student.

MHA student Riley said, “ThriveCare was a fun place with really nice people, and I loved to learn about my person. I learned that she was 101 years old, and her favorite subject was math. My other person liked saying, ‘God bless America.’ She passed away, but she was so nice and kind. We know everyone misses her a lot. I hope we can go back soon.”

And another student Brody recalled his favorite part of the visitations: “We got to dance. We got to sing and have lots of fun. I LOVED IT!”

Denae Yuros, the third-grade teacher, commented, “Each visit filled my heart with so much joy as I watched my students interact and communicate with the residents. Together they sang songs, played word games, made crafts, and read books. Forever friendships were forged almost immediately upon entering each home.”

She continued, “We want to give a special thank you to Cindy Roldan for connecting our class with Barb, the activities director at ThriveCare, as well as going with us on several visits. Barb expressed countless times how much of a difference our students were making in the lives of their residents, and she looks to a continued partnership with MHA. Thank you to Casey and Erika Leno for giving the third graders an opportunity to serve and love the residents. We appreciate everyone involved with this year-long service experience.”

—Karrie Meyers is the marketing and development coordinator, and Denae Yuros is the third grade teacher at Mile High Academy. Photos supplied.

24 May

PATHFINDER FAIR – SAFE TRAVELS

Cyndi Tapia – Greeley, Colorado … We began our trip from Greeley to a Pathfinder Fair in Grand Junction, Colorado, on May 21. It was about 6:30 p.m. when we passed Parachute, Colorado, that we had to stop at a gas station after hearing a loud and strange sound coming from the engine. We opened the hood and attempted to locate the source when a man approached us and asked for permission to help us.

We agreed and stepped back.

After inspection, it was determined that the alternator was failing. A black cap was missing, and sparks were flying. He mentioned that he had the exact truck, a Ford F150, but a year older. He offered to give us the alternator from his truck at no cost if it was the right fit. All we had to do was go with him to his house two miles away. My father agreed and we followed him to his house.

We arrived at his house and my brother, father, and the man all got to work. That Friday before, my mother had an insistent thought when loading up the truck: “Don’t forget the tool bag.” Those tools were needed to remove the old alternator, and, within a matter of minutes, the “new” alternator was installed. After starting the truck and using a meter to check the voltage, we were ready to go.

In exchange for payment, the only thing the man asked for was that we help another person. To pay back a good deed by being good to others.

It wasn’t until after we said our goodbyes and he wished us safe travels that we realized no names were ever exchanged. We don’t know the name of the man that God sent to help us, but we do know he was an instrument of God.

—Cyndi Tapia is the Greeley Lesem Pathfinder Club sub director. Photo supplied.

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