NN Sep 2022 Page 2

15 Sep

CHURCH ADVENTURE FOR A CENTENARIAN IN A WHEELCHAIR

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Carol Bolden with Ted Williams – Arkansas Valley, Colorado … Sabbath, August 13, dawned bright and clear with the promise of a wonderful and blessed Sabbath at the Arkansas Valley church. It was the day that the family of Forrestine Odell would pick her up at her care facility and take her to church. A wonderful pianist, she was looking forward to playing the upstairs piano one more time, a long-time dream. Having turned 100 on May 20, she wanted to play Happy Birthday on the church piano.

Forrestine Odell was born and raised in Las Animas and is a charter member of the Arkansas Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church. She lives at Bent County HealthCare Center and gets around using a wheelchair. Pastor Ted Williams, having called on her several times, coordinated with the family for her special day at church.

After the church service, she took the elevator upstairs where she played the piano while other members sang happy birthday for the August birthdays. They all had a good time celebrating, but when it was time to leave, she discovered that someone else had tried to use the elevator and got stuck on the way up, making it no longer operable. Now she was stuck. What was to be done? While most others could exit using the stairs, taking a wheelchair down the stairs was not possible.

So, they called 911. The rescue volunteers who arrived were extremely helpful, lifting her into a special chair to carry her down the stairs. She handled it with aplomb, grinning all the way. Her dream came true with a very unexpected twist. All in all, it was a wonderful and blessed Sabbath. And, no worries, the person stuck in the elevator was also rescued.

–Carol Bolden with Ted Williams. Photo supplied

15 Sep

COMMENTARY: THE FUTURE IS NOW

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By Brandon Westgate … The more I work with young people, the more impressed I become with their desire to know God. Many are trying to figure out how God fits in their lives, and how that translates to their involvement in the local church. As I dialogue with older adults in local churches, I am also impressed that they acknowledge the challenges of being a young person today. They tell me how they pray for the youth and how they desire for our young people to grow in their walk with God. Yet, I have noticed that the ones who are the most encouraging and supportive of our youth can sometimes say things that, while on the surface can sound helpful, are in fact, not so helpful.

One of those statements is, “The youth are the future of our church.” While this statement seems super supportive of our young people, often the youth do not hear what I am sure the well-intentioned speaker intended. You see, when you say that the youth are “the future…” what our youth sometimes hear is that you see them, but they are not important right now. They may feel seen in the present, but they do not feel presently engaged, because as was said, they are the future. So, what they are hearing you say to them is:

“Hey, we see you, but you are not important yet.”

“We see you, but we are not going to mentor you right now.”

“We want to give you a shout-out, but we are not ready to give you a seat at the table.”

Yes, I know that is not what they intend to say, but that is often what is heard.

The other negative about using this particular statement is that it can have a pacifying effect on the corporate church. When the church body hears, “The youth are the future…” it can cause the brethren to think, “The youth are here, and at some future point in time, we will need to engage them.” This is perhaps one of the culprits in the loss of our youth in local church settings. When youth are present, that is the time to engage them, mentor them, equip them, and empower them. If we do not do these things, the youth will find somewhere else to go where someone will invest in their lives. So, what does that look like?

Engaging a young person can look like taking an intentional few minutes every time you see them and engaging them in conversation. Build that relationship by engaging with them outside of the church as well. Get to know them and their friends. As that friendship develops, mentor them into a church ministry position, or connect them with another person who can mentor them into a ministry position. Equip them with the information and encouragement they need to do the particular ministry in which they have an interest. Empower them by acknowledging their ministry and its impact in your church. Give them a seat at the church board where they can have a voice and a vote (By the way, If you think that your board meetings are no place for a young person to be, then I would strongly suggest that you reconsider the format of your board meetings!). Let them plan and execute the worship service. Encourage them to do a service project outside the walls of the church building.

The thrust of what I am trying to say is simply this: The young people in your church are the church of today. They are the present-day church. If we do not interact with them in positive ways today, they will not be part of any future church scenario because they will not continue to desire to be in a place where their presence may be acknowledged, but their skills, talents, and abilities are not being utilized. Remember, this church was started by young adults. For reference, in 1844, James White was 23 years old, Ellen White was 17 years old, and J.N. Andrews was just 15 years old!

Young people can and will accomplish amazing things if we will engage them today.

–Brandon Westgate is RMC youth director. Photo by Zac Durant on Unspash.

08 Sep

RMC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REVIEWS CONSTITUENCY OUTCOMES

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RMCNews – Denver, Colorado …  Ten days after the 2022 Constituency Session, RMC Executive Committee met for its orientation meeting, August 30.

At the outset of the business meeting, Mic Thurber, RMC president, who was reelected by the session, welcomed new members placed on the committee during the constituency meeting.

Thurber gave an orientation to the new members explaining how the committee functions and how to relate to actions the committee takes, as well as how to share what was voted without identifying committee members’ specific comments. Members of the committee “always feel free to have a thorough discussion,” he said. He also spoke about Executive Session and what type of items we will process there and the need for strict confidentiality.

Since it was the first meeting of the newly elected committee, he took time to review the constituency meeting itself. “As this was meant to be a brief time to review it [the Constituency], I told the committee that we’d take more time in future meetings to discuss ways we can suggest to the by-laws committee how to improve things for the next constituency meeting,” Thurber explained.

With this being the first meeting with newly appointed committee members, considerable time was spent on Conference finances. The focus was more on “how we have gotten to where we are, how funds are used and can be used, and how we work within North American Division Policy to best fund ministry in the Rocky Mountain Conference,” Darin Gottfried, RMC vice president for finance, presented.

He commented after the meeting, “it was an interactive time where members were able to ask a lot of questions, which was enjoyable for me as the treasurer. It is great to see members interested in the finances and where we are going as a church and it makes me excited to see what this committee can do over the next five years.”

Gottfried gave updates on how conference income and expenses are doing in relation to our budget for the first six months of 2022.  More than nine million dollars in tithe has come into the conference for half of the year with gross tithe being up 2.36% over 2021.

Base tithe, which excludes any one-time windfall tithes and is used as a basis for the following year’s budget, is down by 1.84% from last year. With inflation being at a 40-year high, time was spent discussing what this means as the Conference builds a budget for 2023 and tries to keep up with fast-growing expenses.

Giving to RMC Advance has decreased by about 8% from last year. “I am hoping that this offering can grow as it goes to help in many needed areas.”

“At present, the Conference is sitting in a very good financial position,” Gottfried said. “We have a gain through the month of June due to several positions not being filled. Our gain is expanded by receiving over 600k in donations that were not anticipated through our budget. This Conference has been blessed and I continue to thank God for our members’ amazing commitment and support as we move forward,” he concluded.

The committee considered suggestions for improving the Constituency Session. These suggestions included education for pastors on the meeting’s process, providing methods for delegates to add motions or agenda items before the meeting is called to order, and expanding the representation of Hispanic members.

The committee voted to fill its existing vacancies by inviting Randy Fuelly (lay person SW Region) and Anton Kapusi (pastor SE Region).  An additional opening was presented because of the resignation of Stephanie Melendez, a lay representative from Fairplay, Colorado, and the committee gave an enabling action to the administration to ask Ana Alvarez from the Colorado Springs Hispanic Church. She accepted the position.

Doug Inglish, RMC vice-president for administration stated that “those names are being withheld until we can communicate with them to determine which is able to accept the position.” This supports the action of the Constituency Session to bring another member from a Hispanic church onto the committee. During the meeting, Linda Kelly’s resignation was announced. The RMC administration will research suggestions for another lay person to serve on the committee from Wyoming.

As is required after a constituency session, all employee credentials were voted, with a correction for Lisa Cardinal, whose credential was changed from ‘commissioned’ to ‘ordained’. The committee also approved recommendation to the Mid-America Union Conference for the ordination of Pastor Nathaniel Gamble.

The Administrative Committee and the K-12 Board were given a delegated authority for the next quinquennium, and the Campion Academy Board was named and delegated authority for the next quinquennium.

The appointment of Departmental Directors for the quinquennium will take place after the administration has had time to research and make recommendations.

A subcommittee was appointed to craft a policy for recommendation to the committee regarding the treatment of employees who personally disagree with the new RMC policy regarding the ordination of women. Until such policy is adopted the committee approved the administrations suggestions for how it will relate to such employees:

  • No worker will lose his or her job because of their personal view on women’s ordination.
  • No pressure will be brought to bear from administration for a worker to change his or her view on women’s ordination.
  • No worker will be kept from any normal advancement opportunities because of their personal view on women’s ordination
  • No potential worker who is otherwise appropriate for a given position when coming into our conference will be denied it by conference administration based on their view on women’s ordination
  • Attendance and participation in fellow pastors’ ordinations has always been voluntary in Rocky Mountain Conference. That practice will continue.

Diane Harris, RMC director of education, shared an encouraging report about the state of education in the Conference. She said that all 17 teacher openings, including six at Mile High Academy, have been filled. Presently, 80 teachers are serving 836 students in RMC’s 18 schools.

Following the committee deliberations which ended in mid-afternoon, Vanessa Alarcon, a committee member from Boulder since February 2022, shared her reflection: “As a millennial in our church, it’s been an incredible opportunity to represent part of our lay membership in complex decision-making.  No matter the amount of questions or comments the committee has, I have appreciated the administration’s commitment to address it all.

I wish more of our constituency could see how much prayer and careful consideration goes on behind-the-scenes,” she commented.

The next Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for October 11.

–RMCNews

08 Sep

ESCHATOLOGY THEME FEATURED AT 2022 HISPANIC CAMP MEETING

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Rubén Rivera – Ward, Colorado … Under the theme of “The Church Triumphant at the Age of the End”, some 520 Rocky Mountain Conference Hispanic members attended the annual camp meeting at Glacier View Ranch, September 2-4.

One participant, Jorge Batiz from Lamar, Colorado, said “This is the first time that I have attended this type of event. My family and I feel very blessed, and I want to come back next year.”

Guest speaker Dr. Marco Terreros, retired professor of systematic theology, on the camp meeting theme, presenting a scenario of the eschatological church pilgrimage through the centuries, especially at the end-time.

Participants enjoyed music provided by Ever Melgar, a singer from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He commented, “I am very inspired to see hundreds of people worshiping, united to the Lord”.

Three groups of camp meeting attendees simultaneously gathered for this event–children, youth, and adults. Pastor Eliasib Fajardo, youth director for the Arizona Conference, was guest speaker for the youth. His presentation theme was “Overcoming Through Jesus.”

Representing the conference was Doug Inglish, RMC vice-president for administration, who shared words of encouragement during the worship service. Several RMC office staff
attended.

Vanessa Alarcon from Boulder and a member of the RMC Executive Committee commented, “We are truly blessed to have [a place such as] Glacier View Ranch, where we can gather as a Hispanic community. We can connect with our Creator with stunning landscapes, a shared faith, and our culture and language.”

“This year felt extra special for me because we had the representation of many from the conference administration. They all spent time on a holiday weekend to support the largest gathering of Hispanic ministries which was appreciated by many,” she added.

During the program, Matthew Hasty, Literature Ministries Director for the RMC, presented a donation of hundreds of books in Spanish for the churches and their missionary work. They can serve in “spreading the good news of the Kingdom of God,” he said.

–Ruben Rivera is RMC director for Hispanic Ministries. Photos by Pr. Wilmer Martinez.

08 Sep

TEMA DE ESCHATOLOGIA PRESENTADO EN EL CAMPESTRE HISPANO 2022

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Rubén Rivera – Ward, Colorado. Bajo el lema “La iglesia triunfante en el tiempo del fin”, más de 500 miembros hispanos de la Asociación de Rocky Mountain asistieron al Campestre Hispano anual en Glacier View Ranch, del 2 al 4 de septiembre.

Uno de los asistentes, Jorge Batiz de Lamar, Colorado, dijo “es la primera vez que asisto a este evento, mi familia y yo nos sentimos muy bendecidos y quiero regresar el próximo año”.

El orador invitado fue el Dr. Marco Terreros, profesor jubilado de teología sistemática. El presentó un escenario muy esencial y a la vez profundo de la peregrinación escatológica de la iglesia a través de los siglos, especialmente en el Tiempo del Fin.

Los participantes disfrutaron de música ejecutada por Ever Melgar, cantante de Minneapolis, Minnesota. Él comentó: “me siento muy inspirado al ver a cientos de personas adorando unidas al Señor”.

Tres grupos de asistentes a la reunión Campestre se reunieron simultáneamente para este evento: niños, jóvenes y adultos. El pastor Eliasib Fajardo, Director de Jóvenes de la Asociación de Arizona, fue el orador invitado para los jóvenes. El tema de su presentación fue “Victoria a través de Jesús”.

En representación de la Conferencia estuvo Doug Inglish, Vicepresidente de administración de RMC, quien compartió palabras de aliento durante el servicio de adoración. Varios miembros del personal de la oficina de RMC también asistieron.

Vanessa Alarcón de la iglesia de habla inglesa de Boulder, y miembro del Comité Ejecutivo de RMC comentó “estamos verdaderamente bendecidos de tener [un lugar como] Glacier View Ranch, donde podemos reunirnos como comunidad hispana. Podemos conectarnos con nuestro Creador con paisajes deslumbrantes, una fe compartida y nuestra cultura e idioma”.

“Este año fue muy especial para mí porque tuvimos la representación de varios miembros de la dirigencia de la Conferencia. Los asistentes disfrutaron de un fin de semana festivo para apoyar el encuentro más grande de los Ministerios Hispanos y fue apreciado por muchos”, agregó.

Durante el programa, Matthew Hasty, Director de Ministerios de Literatura de RMC, presentó una donación de cientos de libros en español para las iglesias y su trabajo misionero. Que servirán para “difundir las buenas nuevas del Reino de Dios”, dijo.

–Ruben Rivera es director de RMC para Ministerios Hispanos. Fotos por el Ptr. Wilmer Martínez.

08 Sep

INCREASED ENROLLMENT AT MILE HIGH ACADEMY

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Karrie Meyers – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Classrooms are abuzz, and Mile High Academy halls are once again filled with the chatter and laughter of students as the new school year begins. But there’s no question–the busiest location of all is the MHA front office.

“We have processed more than 230 students for this school year with several more applicants still in progress and set to join us after the Labor Day holiday,” said Brenda Rodie, vice-president of operations, academics & records. “The front office is a constant stream of students asking questions, adjusting school and work schedules, and picking up school uniforms. I am thankful for our front office team. They work hard to keep the front office running smoothly and make sure each student’s needs are met. These kids truly become our family.”

In addition to meeting several new members of the teaching staff, students have also appreciated numerous campus updates that took place over the summer. Thanks to funds obtained through the AdventHealth Secondary Education Grant, the campus received a much-needed landscape update, which included pulling out overgrown shrubbery and trees and replacing them with drought-tolerant vegetation and rockscaping. Utilizing existing space behind the Lower School, an outdoor track was created to use for PE, recess, and general exercising. Fourteen classrooms received much-needed LCD displays, replacing old projectors. The displays not only make it easier for students to see in bright classrooms, but also incorporate touch technology, making learning fun and accessible.

“We are grateful for AdventHealth and their passion for Christian education,” said Andrew Carpenter, MHA principal. “Through their financial help, MHA and schools all around the United States are able to provide necessary updates to facilities as well as advance education to whole new levels. In return, their kindness reflects on the lives of our students as they prepare to go into the world to do Christ’s work.”

Last spring, the MHA gym suffered water damage to the floor. Additional financial donations allowed for the damaged portions to be replaced, and the floor to be refinished with new lines and logos.

“The gym floor looks really shiny,” said Layten M., student. “I like that. It now says, ‘Mustangs’ on the sidelines.”

A dedicated weight room was created for the Upper School and has already been put to good use as student athletes prepare for their Mustang season. Several new layers of mulch were added to the playground, and classrooms received new paint. The Upper School commons area also was rearranged, and a giant Scrabble game was hung on the wall, encouraging students to find new ways to form lasting friendships.

MHA hosted several summer events to reconnect new families with current ones. The events were held for each section of the school and included games, food, and laughter.

Reflecting on the start of the new school year, new MHA parent Myles Johnson said, “We have experienced an abundance of love from the school community ever since the time we toured, [enjoyed] the summer events, and so on. We can tell that our kids are loved by their teachers and the staff. We feel very blessed to have found Mile High.”

–Karrie Meyers, Mile High Academy communication director. Photos supplied.

08 Sep

CAMPION SENIORS SURVIVE AND BUILD FRIENDSHIPS

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Haley Beckermeyer – Loveland, Colorado … The Campion Academy seniors bonded as a class and grew closer to God over the five days of Senior Survival in the mountains at Glacier View Ranch August 31-September 4.

After their arrival, paired students were given supplies to build a shelter to stay dry. Many students brought duct tape and rope to help build their shelters. Several students brought hammocks and others slept on the ground. Thankfully, the weather was kind to the students. It was relatively warm and dry.

Each group that camped together collected sticks for kindling and chopped wood to build a fire, which they used to make their own breakfasts and suppers. They made stew, French toast, hotdogs, and breakfast burritos.

At night, the seniors gathered around the campfire as Chaplain Carlos Santana led them in discussions of faith centered around the theme “Level-up”. Senior Carlos Lopez commented, “My favorite worship was when everyone sat around the fire, and we opened up and were honest with each other by sharing our fears because now we know that we are not alone and have friends that have become like family to help us through.”

During the outing, the seniors all participated in team-building activities where they had to work together to cross through obstacles. “I really enjoyed the spider web, and the Ground is Lava activities because they got me closer with the other seniors, and taught us teamwork,” commented Noah Greenemeier, senior.

On the final day of the survival outing, early on Sunday morning, many of the seniors climbed to the top of a hill to watch the sunrise before packing up their camp to return to campus.

Santana said, “This was my first time going to Senior Survival, and it not only met my expectations but surpassed them. I saw God working in this senior class of 2023. God not only worked in them, but in me as well. It gives me hope for the spiritual future of the young people here at Campion.”

–Haley Beckermeyer for Student News Team. Photos by Blet Htoo.

08 Sep

WORLAND, WYOMING SONSHINE ACADEMY MIRACULOUSLY OPENS AGAIN

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Samantha Nelson – Worland, Wyoming … By God’s grace and miraculous provision, SonShine Academy in Worland, Wyoming began a new school year on Tuesday, September 6, reports Samantha Nelson, member of the school’s board.

A few weeks ago, no one in the Worland church knew if school would be held this year due to a medical crisis that head teacher Annette Treat is facing. When the school board held a special session to seek God’s will and determine how to proceed, a plan was put in place—call Malana Barnhill, the PreK/K teacher, to see if she would fill in for Annette.

If the response from Malana was positive, the next step would be to call Jan Warner to see if she would fill in for Malana. If her answer was yes, the next call would be to Heidi Snider to see if she would volunteer to assist as needed. The call chain included Debbie Curran who could oversee and assist with lesson planning and grading. As Samantha Nelson, temporary chairperson, made the calls, she was amazed at how God answered each one in the affirmative.

“Everyone was willing to do whatever it took to cover for Annette to preserve the school and provide a Christian education for the students. Yes, SonShine Academy would be able to have school this year,” Nelson reported.

Starting after the Labor Day holiday with two students in Prek/K (with the possibility of a third one enrolling), and six students in Grades 1-8 (with the possibility of two more joining in a few months), the teachers ask for prayer as they do their best to cover for Annette during recovery from her horrific medical ordeal.

“Lord willing, Annette will be able to return in a few months. But now, thank you for your prayers and financial support. SonShine Academy is truly blessed!,” Samantha Nelson added.

–Reported by Samantha Nelson, interim chairperson of SonShine Academy in Worland, Wyoming. Photo by Rajmund Dabrowski (2021-2022 school year).

08 Sep

EVIDENCE FOR CREATION PRESENTED AT CODY, WYOMING CHURCH

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Samantha Nelson – Cody, Wyoming … On August 7-9 the Cody Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted a series by Dr. Robert Carter, a scientist with a Ph.D. in Marine Biology from Creation Ministries International (CMI)—a nonprofit organization not affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Conference—at the local Cody Auditorium.

Carter presented several topics such as, The Alternative: Creation’s Competitive Edge; Dinosaurs & Fossils: Amazing Evidence for Creation; Genetics According to Jesus; Ancient DNA & the Bible; and Coral Reefs & Noah’s Flood.

Attendees expressed their commitment to learning more about Creation from a scientific perspective that supports the biblical truth about Creation. Several of the attendees were present at a series held last year by another organization the church hosted.

“It was encouraging for church members to learn that every single method of advertising—word of mouth, posters, Facebook ads, literature evangelists passing out invitations, and direct email to last year’s attendees, seemed to work,” reported Samantha Nelson, whose husband, Steve, pastors Cody Seventh-day Adventist Church.

She added, “We even had one attendee from the community offer to help us spread the word to other churches for our next meetings. Another attendee drove up from Colorado to see Dr. Carter’s lectures and provided a generous donation to the church to help offset some of the expenses.”

The belief in biblical Creation is among our church’s core beliefs. “The series aimed at bringing people back to the foundation of God’s Word to understand it better and have a firm trust in God’s Word and His promises,” Samantha explained.

–Reported by Samantha Nelson from Cody Seventh-day Adventist Church, Wyoming. Photos supplied.

01 Sep

PRAYER CHANGES EVERYTHING

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Jana Thurber – Denver, Colorado … Jesus never tires of us coming to him in prayer. Hebrews 4:16 assures us, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.”

The August 26-27 Prayer Summit at LifeSource Fellowship, presented by Rick and Cindy Mercer, proved the Hebrews text to be trustworthy and true! The Mercer’s shared their personal his-and-her stories of how God dramatically saved their crumbling marriage by performing miracles in answer to their cries for his help.

Rick commented that from his personal experience, “Prayer is probably one of the most important things we can do in our Christian life. Prayer connects us with God. I know where I was before I began praying and where I am now. The way I look at it is, when we pray, we open a channel that gives God permission to come into our life and do what He wants to do.”

The Mercers are both in Christian ministry today because of their decision to pray BIG prayers.  They didn’t have anything to lose. As Cindy began to pray, God put it on her heart to fast and pray. Rick worked hard, but he also played hard. In his words, he admitted that “he had tried many times on his own to be good. But he was addicted to alcohol, cocaine, crystal meth, lust, and pornography.”

But as Cindy began to pray BIG, God put it on her heart to ask God to change her.  Things were still broken between them, but her husband began noticing a change in her. So much so, that he wanted to begin praying with her!

One evening, she asked him to join her in prayer. It was a pivotal moment in their marriage. They felt God’s physical presence as they knelt beside their bed and prayed for each other! God had been invited, and God responded. He came near. A new life’s journey together with God had begun while on their knees.  They give their BIG God all the glory and praise for the transformation He accomplished in their marriage, removing addictions and mending broken relationships too.

After the last session finished Sabbath afternoon and the cameras were turned off, Rick led those in attendance in intercessory prayer for each other, along with special requests from the audience.

“God’s spirit was present. Hearts were encouraged, and God was invited to enter the stories of those present,” shared Jana Thurber, RMC prayer ministry director.

“God does not leave us where he found us when we come to him in prayer asking for help. What an exhilarating adventure God promises and delivers. Though the path is not always smooth, I like to say that God changes us on the inside so we can deal with what’s on the outside,” she continued.

The prayer ministries department of the Rocky Mountain Conference plans to make an edited version of the Mercer’s presentations available soon, as well as add resources for your personal prayer walk or in church prayer ministries. An online participant in the summit remarked that, “this was God’s perfect timing to hear their presentations.”

Jana added, “I praise God with you that he does not turn away from our persevering prayers.”

–Reported by Jana Thurber, RMC prayer ministry director. Photos supplied.

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