NN May 2023 Page 2

Rachel Williams – Cedaredge, Colorado … Ever since September 2022, a small group of church members has been attending PEWS class at the Cedaredge Seventh-Day Adventist Church almost every Monday.

This small group has one mission: learn how to be a good witness for the Lord in unexpected conversations.

PEWS stands for Personal Effective Witnessing Strategies and was developed by Patrick Williams.

Patrick says, “PEWS is a 59-page syllabus meant to be used in a group setting. It’s a course designed to help you become an effective witness for Jesus in spontaneous, informal settings by becoming more connected to the Savior.”

But this course wasn’t thought up on the spur of the moment. For months, Patrick and three other men from the church had been meeting at a local diner. The three men always seemed frustrated that they never knew what to say when God came up in conversations with people they knew.

This got Patrick thinking.

Asking God for help and inspiration, Patrick began creating the PEWS document with prayer, study, and research.

Having attended many witnessing classes before, Patrick knew that the main thing people were missing in “learning how to witness” was gaining a deeper relationship with Jesus.

As Patrick put it, “You can’t share what you don’t have. We talk about church doctrine, lifestyle differences, and then throw in a little bit of Jesus.”

One of the active members of the group is Rachel, Patrick’s daughter. During her sermon in February, she identified fear as something resulting from life’s “rough patches” and “everyday problems” as well as concerns about a future “time of trouble.” She said we must not minimize trouble but face it with the faith of Jesus.

The attendees would read through the syllabus and have a discussion.

There was some homework involved and attendees were encouraged to practice giving a short testimony, creating a list of skills and talents that could be used for witnessing, etc.

While there were only eight members present, the group ended up diving into a variety of deep topics and the struggles they faced sharing their faith.

Joe Saber, a class participant, said: “I have always had difficulty in personal witnessing. The PEWS class has given me the tools with which to approach this challenge more successfully. It leads one through the process step by step. The sword and shield concept encapsulates the steps in the process, so I never felt at a loss as to what to do next. Try it you’ll like it!”

The group hopes to use what they’ve learned to lead others to Christ.

Commenting on the serious involvement of church members in mission in Cedaredge, Pastor Steve Schwartz remarked, “We see examples of younger people lead by their elders, and we also see older people inspired in mission by young disciples.”

—Rachel Williams, a Gen Z young adult and a leader in the Cedaredge Adventist Church. Photo by Rachel Williams.

By Mic Thurber

No, not that season where you are supposed to be jolly, though I can imagine a lot of students and their parents feel a sense of joy right now. I’m talking about graduation season! The school year has come to a close, and there is much to celebrate in the Rocky Mountain Conference.

Of our conference’s 18 schools, including Campion and Mile High Academies, some 781 of our children have successfully completed another year of school. Among them, 17 are graduating high school at Mile High and 35 from Campion. We also have 55 graduating eighth graders, and 59 students will be moving from kindergarten to first grade.

All this happens because of our dedicated and excellent teaching force of 81 staff under the leadership of our very professional education department composed of Diane Harris, Paul Negrete, and Sandy Hodgson.

I’m very proud of all our schools, students, faculty, and departmental leaders. I send my best wishes and congratulations to all our graduates, along with encouragement to those who are still heading toward their graduation in coming years. I also want to say a special word of thanks to our teachers and education team leaders for your tireless work for our children. God has surely gifted our conference with you!

Every so often I hear questions and conversations asking if it’s really worth it to invest so much in Adventist education. For me, the answer is always a resounding “Absolutely!” Our schools are our front line of evangelism and are becoming more and more important as we see what’s happening in the world around us.

Please don’t misunderstand me. It’s in all our best interest as citizens for there to be a strong and healthy public school system. Though I went through Adventists schools for all my elementary, secondary, and college years, in addition to some graduate work at UNC while I was teaching, there was one year I attended the local community college in Charlotte, North Carlona. I was taking a year’s break from my formal education pursuit to work for the Carolina Conference for a special project for young adults that my father was leading that year. Not wanting to get too far behind, I went to the local college to take some basics—English, math, and music theory (I was planning to be a music major back then).

My experience was good overall, and the teaching staff was very good. A couple of things, however, reminded me how valuable it is to have the atmosphere of a God-honoring school environment. I will always remember the day in English class when the teacher threw out a scenario, she wanted each of us to respond to. She said, “Imagine that something terrible has happened in the world and there is no more food. You are down to your last loaf of bread, and your neighbor comes knocking at your door and asks if you have any bread left that you could give them. What is your response?”

It was interesting to hear the various responses from my classmates. Finally, she pointed to me and asked what I’d do. I told her, “Well, I’m a Christian and wouldn’t hesitate to share what I had, even giving it all away if I needed to help them.” My teacher just looked at me with the most perplexed look. “Why in the world would you do that?” She asked. I replied something like, “Well, if it’s my last loaf, what real difference would it make anyway. And besides, it means more to be of help to someone else than to just satisfy myself. That’s what I think the Bible would ask of me.”

She just shook her head as if to say, “I don’t get it.” And obviously she didn’t. She was actually a very good teacher and very decent to all of us. It’s just that something was missing in her. And you can’t share what you don’t have.

In every classroom every day in Rocky Mountain Conference schools, there is a teacher that does have something special to give away—a saving knowledge of Jesus. Oh, we want them to be well educated teachers who are properly certified and who teach well. And our teachers are all indeed that. I don’t know about you, but I’m eternally grateful for what’s truly different about our schools.

I hope that during this graduation season that you can speak a word of thanks and encouragement to a teacher or principal, or to one of our education leaders. It’s ok to invite them over for supper or watermelon and ice cream or hand them a gift card to a favorite place to eat as a way of saying thanks for their hard work. If you can’t do that, a warm handshake and word of thanks will go a long way.

—Mic Thurber is the RMC president. Photo supplied.

… My Lord and my God!
(John 20:28)

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “identity” as the distinguishing character or personality of an individual¹ that is also, by definition, “individuality.” Etymologically speaking, we find the word’s origin in the Latin idem, rendered as the same or sameness.² It is captivating how the language and the meaning of words change with time. This change is vital to our reflection on the steward’s identity.

In today’s world, people look at their identities in many ways. People and organizations have their personal, cultural, national, and religious distinctive identification, names, logos, language, ethics, culture, ethos, etc. While we speak of our world as the “global village,” we all want to be unique and distinct. Identity connects people just as much as it separates them.

When we speak of the steward’s identity, we should see it as “the same as the Lord” rather than “distinguished from the Lord.” The steward should have the identity or similitude in the Lord and not in anyone or anything else (2 Cor. 5:17). The local church’s needs and priorities could alter, organizational leaders could move on, social and religious practices could be swayed into a new direction, and if, as stewards, our identity and loyalty are found in any of the above, our faithfulness to the Lord will also vary.

In the parable of the Talents or the Unprofitable Servant of Matthew 25:14-30, we find three servants who were entrusted with the master’s property and who received a commission to grow his economy and wealth in his absence. Two were saturated with their master’s identity and his will and became highly successful and productive. While the unprofitable servant exclaimed, “Lord, I knew you to be a hard man,” (Matt. 25:24) disagreeing with the essence of his master and rejecting to identify with him. His identity crisis was manifested in egotism, arrogance, and selfishness, resulting in laziness, disobedience, unfaithfulness, and uselessness.

Speaking of servants growing the kingdom under challenging times, Ellen G. White explains: These will not be talking of self, vindicating self, but will lose their identity in Jesus Christ …  All pride must perish, all jealousy be overcome, all ambition for supremacy be given up, and the meekness and trust of the child be encouraged.³

A steward only responds through service and gives what one has already received. The grace of being a steward of the master’s affairs is, in itself, the most exceptional honor a servant could have. Living in the master’s house, attending the master’s business, and handling his economy are the wealth of gifts the steward receives to express the most profound gratitude through investing.

LeRoy Froom explained this bond as: … the greatest needs of the hour, next to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, is for the remnant church to have a new vision of God’s ownership and man’s stewardship.⁴ This new vision of God’s ownership will bring the proper identity to every servant entrusted with the master’s gifts. All those who have accepted Christ’s Lordship become stewards of the “manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10), despite one’s economic, intellectual, social, and material properties.

However, the suppressed reality could be that, as Christians, we could perceive the church body as the lord. Ben Maxon noted, Most spiritual problems come from either a failure to integrate the gospel into our life or to accept the lordship of Jesus Christ.⁵ Having Christ as the Lord of the steward resolves spiritual problems, brings solutions, and answers questions due to the Lord’s greatness! We can not be stewards without a Lord. The question remains, do we fully identify with the Lord?

In Part 3 of the series, we will examine the awe-inspiring nature of the steward’s Lord, the Lordship of Jesus Christ, in whom we find the meaning of stewardship.

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

¹  Merriam-Webster. Identity. In Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/introvert

²  Online Etymology Dictionary. Identity. In Online Etymology Dictionary. https://www.etymonline.com/

³  White, E. G. Testimonies, p. 130-1.

⁴  Froom, L. E. (2012). Stewardship in Its Larger Aspects. Pacific Press Publishing Association – Kindle Edition. 122.

⁵  Maxon, B. (2010). Get Normal: How Partnering with God Transforms Your Life. Stewardship Ministry Department, General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. p. 132.

By Tiffany Mogaka

I was one of the three young people in my church, and I often felt disengaged and disconnected there. Everything changed for me, however, when I was given the opportunity to lead.

Our teacher was away one Sabbath, and the youth were told to go to the adult Sabbath School. We didn’t really want to. I asked one of the elders if I could be the lead in the youth Sabbath school class. He enthusiastically encouraged me to do so, and, for the first time in a while, I saw young people laugh, comment, and be engaged in a Christ-centered conversation. We answered so many questions together and had such a wonderful time discussing God. It was a breakthrough moment for me. It showed me the power of creating spaces for teenagers to feel heard, valued, and included in the church community.

That lead me to compile a list of 10 ways that adults can support teenagers in developing their faith and connecting with their church. These tips range from simple acts of kindness to more involved commitments. But all of them are aimed at creating a space where teens can feel heard, supported, and inspired to explore their faith. By putting these strategies into practice, we can help create a church community that is inclusive and engaging for people of all ages, including teenagers like me and my peers.

1.  Let the Young Teach the Young

We often find it easier to listen to our peers than to adults. When we see someone our own age achieving their dreams or making progress in their lives, we feel inspired and motivated to do the same. By letting us listen and learn from other youth, we can feel more connected to the church community and find the courage to participate in it. We would love to have a supportive community that allows us to serve, teach, and listen to each other.

2.  It’s Deeper Than the Phone

We are often criticized for our use of technology, particularly our phones. The reason why we find solace in the online world is rarely explored. The memes that make us laugh are, at times, a reflection of the deep loneliness and pain we feel inside. Instead of being criticized for our phone use, the church could offer us something that fills the same needs. Simply listening to us and understanding the ideas that most reflect our identities could help us not go to our phones for comfort.

3.  Relate to Our Current Struggles

We often feel like adults don’t understand the struggles we face in our daily lives. We struggle with finding our identity, forming friendships and relationships, and figuring out our purpose and dreams. It would mean a lot if adults took the time to care about the things we care about; the things that keep us up at night that we don’t often feel comfortable sharing with others.

4.  The Identity and Self-Worth Struggle

We need a supportive community to lift us up and guide us towards discovering ourselves. It’s important to be reminded that we are beautiful, valuable, and unique individuals who don’t need to compare ourselves to others. If the faith community could redefine what it means to be “cool,” “live,” and “love” in a non-judgmental and non-conformist way, it could help nurture us to understand that we are worthy and loved by God. Build us up with words of encouragement so that we can transmit that love and energy to those around us.

5.  Be the Teen or Know the Teen?

To be the best support for us, it’s important for you to understand who we are and what we value without feeling the need to imitate us. We appreciate it when adults in our lives provide us with guidance, comfort, and a sense of security. We value genuine connections and can easily recognize when someone is being disingenuous or artificial, so being authentic in your interactions with us is key. By being a trusted and sincere presence in our lives, you can help us navigate the challenges we face.

6.  Snacks that Save

One of the things that bring us together as a community is food. Especially when it’s free. I had three friends that would often miss Sabbath school until the day our Sabbath school leader had a brilliant idea. She brought orange rolls, cookies, and hot chocolate to share with us. And she did it again the next Sabbath, and the next. Soon, not only did my friends start showing up earlier, but they also started inviting their friends. It’s amazing how something as simple as a warm pastry and a hot drink can make such a difference. Food has a way of bringing people together while creating a welcoming atmosphere. Get the rolls and get us rolling in. Who knows, a simple treat might give someone a chance to hear the gospel.

7. What About Today?

The church excels in sharing the ancient stories and prophecies from the Bible. However, we also crave to hear about what God is doing in our generation. Acknowledging our struggles and joys is essential for us as young people. Adults can bridge the generation gap by speaking to us in ways that resonate with our current realities. For instance, sharing stories of how other youth have overcome obstacles or offering insights on how to navigate the challenges of modern life while growing in faith.

8. To Inspire is Better Than to Instruct

Actions speak louder than words. Simply listing the do’s and don’ts can disengage us. When you point out our flaws constantly, it can be discouraging and make us feel like we are not good enough. Lead by example, spend time with us, and remind us of what Jesus means to us. You can help us grow in our faith by letting us see God’s love through your actions.

9.  Change From the Inside Out

It’s not just about the change in our outward appearance, but also the change in our hearts. Instead of micromanaging every aspect of our lives, we invite you to have faith in God’s power to transform us from the inside out. When we feel like we’re being controlled too much, it can be hard to embrace change with an open heart. We would love to visibly represent God not because we “have to,” but because we “want to.” We would love it if you showed us how to live a life that’s pleasing to Him. There is nothing more transformative than His love.

10.  We Love to Lead Too

As the future of the church, we have a valuable contribution to make. We are not just for tomorrow; we are for today. I want to be a leader, but how can I become one unless I am invited?

Here’s an idea: what if the church allowed us to participate in board meetings? We may not have all the answers, but we are willing to learn and become stakeholders in this journey of faith. We see our communication as one of refinement in which we are invited to the table. By giving us opportunities to lead, we can develop our skills and feel more connected to the community. We don’t want to be just passive observers; we want to be active participants in the faith community.

Maybe you could invite us to teach, inspire, and share with each other in Bible study and worship. By doing so, you can help us build a foundation for the future while learning and growing together in the present. The church is a beautiful place when everyone can find their voice and use their talents to serve God.

—Tiffany Mogaka is a Campion Academy Senior. Photo by Pexels.

Anton Kapusi – Pueblo, Colorado … Jesus spoke of prisoners as those who appear to be the least of importance. Yet, he called them the kings, the Lord’s brothers, His flesh and blood. In the Parable of the Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46), he highlighted that visiting prisoners in prison and jail is like visiting the Lord and doing it to Him (Matthew 25:40).

Pueblo First Seventh-day Adventist Church has a long history of caring for and serving prisoners in the Pueblo County Jail and several state and county prisons in the Pueblo area. In 1996, the late Dean Higgins of Pueblo First Church started ministering to the prisoners. Several years later, Dave Walker, Anid Almeida, and Steve Schaffner joined the group of faithful prison ministry workers.

In 2015, Delbert Haidan joined the ministry and became the ministry leader. They ministered under the faithful, watchful, and helpful eyes of Pastor Ted Williams the Rocky Mountain Conference prison ministry coordinator. As a result of the work of the prison ministry team in a nearby prison, they each had served in the biweekly Bible study to about one hundred inmates. This resulted in twenty-four baptisms just before COVID-19 hit.

During the COVID pandemic, prisons were out of reach for all volunteer ministries due to state restrictions. As limitations lessened, the call to resume religious and Bible services grew. On April 22, Pueblo First Church organized a prison ministry training session with Pastor Williams for six new volunteers.

This two-hour training gave sufficient insight into the different aspects of prison ministry and introduced the RMC prison ministry’s official program entitled Christ-Centered Living. As Pastor Williams explained, this program has four parts: 1. Who is Jesus? 2. Who am I? 3. Who am I to Jesus? 4. Who is Jesus to me? This program is recognized by the Colorado Department of Correction (CDOC).

There are a lot of opportunities to serve. Pueblo First Church chose to serve without recognition as did those in the parable of Jesus, serving “the least of these.”

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