NN Oct 2019 Page 3

Students humming, “Overcome Evil With Good,” on the playground was just one of the results of Week of Prayer at Springs Adventist Academy, the first week of October.

Matt Hasty, the literature evangelism director at Campion Academy, conducted a “Week of Praying.”  He taught the students new songs, had them actively involved in the worship service, and gave them an evangelism challenge each day, like sharing a tract with a neighbor.

Jessica Eubanks, K-1 teacher, said, “This week of prayer was very inspirational and interactive. I loved all of the activities and how they related to prayer and obeying and following God. I left inspired everyday.” Her son, 1st grader Trystan, commented, “My favorite part of chapel this week was all the challenges. They were a lot of fun!”

The middle schoolers had a special challenge on the last day, when Mr. Hasty took them out into the community to do literature evangelism in downtown Colorado Springs.

“It was fun to share the gospel in a way that I had never done before,” said Springs Adventist Academy 6th grader, Arthur Ortiz, after an afternoon of literature evangelism.

“Watching my students be excited to share the gospel in tangible ways was thrilling. This week reminded me that we have a school full of laborers for the Lord. They just need to be encouraged and empowered to do the work the Lord has prepared for them,” said Michelle Velbis, principal.

Springs Adventist Academy was very thankful for Hasty’s gifts of time, enthusiasm, and teaching and even the teachers were uplifted and inspired by his messages.

—Michelle Velbis, text and photos

Everyone loves to be appreciated.  According to William James, psychologist and philosopher, “the deepest principle of human nature is a craving to be appreciated.” H. Jackson Brown, Jr. calls it “a person’s greatest emotional need.” I believe when this need is being met, it makes a huge difference in how a person feels about themself and those whom they serve.

For example, consider the pastor of a local church. When someone comes up to them after church and says, “I appreciated your sermon today”, it makes them feel valued and encouraged. It is an acknowledgement that God used them to make a difference, which every pastor loves to hear.

Just curious, when is the last time you expressed appreciation to your pastor?  When is the last time you recognized something that they did and then told them how much your appreciated it?

This month, in celebration of Pastor’s Appreciation Month, find a way to recognize the contributions of your pastor? Below are a few ideas to consider:

1. Send a thank-you card and let them know specific things that you appreciate about them and then mail it to them, that’s on a personal level.

2. On behalf of a congregation, a thank-you card, signed by all church members could be prepared, and the pastor with his/her family (if applicable) be invited to come up front during the announcements time. Have someone in the church express appreciation publicly for them while they hand them the card.

3.   Have a special fellowship meal and give time for members to express their appreciation publicly for the pastor and his/her family.

Just think – when you show appreciation to your pastor, you are following the counsel of the Apostle Paul – And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. (1 Thess. 5:12-13).

—Mickey Mallory; photo by Rajmund Dabrowski

The Rocky Mountain Conference was well represented at the “Whole & Holy” North American Division Women’s Convention in Orlando, Florida, September 26-29, 2019. More than thirty women from all over our conference attended the gathering to learn more about how to be truly whole physically, emotionally and spiritually, and then how to bring that back home to RMC to continue to serve and bless our own local churches and communities.

The education segments were profound and instructed by leaders from around the North American Division, the General Conference, and Adventist medical professionals who are leaders in their fields. Holy-Spirit filled general sessions greatly impacted our women and inspired us to continually give God the opportunity to make us whole and holy.

In addition to the inspiration we received, Rocky Mountain Women gave back by participating in 14 days of prayer and fasting before the event, prayer during the event, helping stuff over 1,100 registration bags, preparing and praying over every name badge, making and praying over the women who would receive 650 lunches for the outreach projects, staffing the translation radio booth and helping to translate the general sessions, assisting our Mid-America team in staffing registration and information throughout the event, and helping with the “God in Shoes” outreach projects around the Orlando area.

Sunday morning several RMC women even participated in the event 5K! DeeAnn Bragaw and Patty Rivera, RMC English and Hispanic Women’s Ministries Directors, are grateful for the support of our administration and churches to help make it possible for many of our women to attend this life-changing convention.

—Jill Anderson and DeeAnn Bragaw; Photos by Stefanie Deapen and Jill Anderson

It’s always a treat for us to have our grandparents visit the Mile High campus. And on Friday, September 27, smiles, warm greetings and laughter filled the hallways as more than 90 grandparents grabbed a light breakfast and headed off to experience the classroom life of their grandkid(s). Unique crafts, wacky science projects, special music and history presentations were shared in the classroom. A special presentation was given by Pastor Godfrey Miranda for our chapels.

“Grandparents truly play the role of a lifetime,” said Jocelyn Aalborg, VP of Finance and Development. “We appreciate each of them for taking the time to spend the day with us. A special thank you to the Kindall family for the Native American history presentation for K-2 and to Pastor Miranda for his special message for our chapels.”

—Jocelyn Aalborg; photos supplied