RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … The fourth Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Executive Committee meeting of 2025 was held on August 19. This is the first session led by the new RMC president, David VandeVere, opening with his devotional focused on how Jesus yearns to be asked for His wisdom and that He will give it generously for all who ask.

The first order of the session was to bring in two new members to the committee. Kaleb Leeper, new principal at Campion Academy in Loveland, Colorado, was welcomed as a new ex officio employee representing the academy. Edrey Santos, district pastor for Northeastern Wyoming, was voted in to fill the Wyoming employee open position.

Following the acceptance of new committee members, VandeVere took a brief moment to explore aspects of serving on the Executive Committee and to remind each member that part of their personal commitment is to exercise their Spiritual gifts, within the local church context, and to spend time “in the Word and prayer.”

While only a little over two weeks into the position, VandeVere had a full president’s report including a debrief on the recent RMC camp meetings and town halls and time with Conference teachers, office staff, and the Administrative Committee (AdCom). He discussed his priorities for the remainder of the year including active listening as he meets with staff and church members and hiring a ministerial director.

VandeVere also briefly mentioned that he will begin the evaluation of processes and the roles and responsibilities of the staff members at the Conference office. He will also be working with the Executive Committee, office team, pastors, and teachers to refine unifying language and vision.

“Paul stated in 1 Corinthians that the body of the Church is made up of many parts and each part is essential. As He returned to heaven, Jesus gave the commission to ‘go and make disciples.’ So, as a ‘body,’ the Conference must move forward unitedly, energetically carrying out Christ’s command, with each valuable ‘body part’ contributing to the whole,” VandeVere remarked.

Mission Focus Reports:

VandeVere asked three conference departments to report to the RMC Executive Committee: youth, education, and ministerial. Brandon Westgate, RMC Youth director, reported on the recent RMC Summer Camp program. During the course of the camp program, nearly 40 baptisms were administered with half of a dozen of those being the summer camp staff members.

Westgate also unfolded a story of a 13-year-old camper that proclaimed he was atheist at the beginning of his camp session. His engagement grew over the experience, and he proclaimed that he believed that “God is real” by end of his session.

Diane Harris, RMC Education director, spoke on the importance of Adventist education in the region through the illustration of a young student athlete from Campion Academy currently attending Union Adventist University in Lincoln, Nebraska, for a degree in Education. The student credited her Adventist teachers with empowering and shaping her leadership growth. Harris also informed the executive committee that the financial support from the Conference not only goes to employment expenses but also to training and resources for the teachers.

Hugo Guillén, RMC Ministerial associate director and Multicultural Ministry coordinator, is looking to support more collaborative efforts between pastors and churches with others in the Conference, highlighting the making disciples and “being open to let Him lead.”

Vice President for Administration Report:

Doug Inglish, RMC vice president for Administration, discussed pastoral coverage in the Conference. Charles Hong started August 1 as lead pastor for the Korean District and Denver West Seventh-day Adventist Church. Anthony Handel will start September 1 as lead pastor for the Casper District in central Wyoming. Only a few churches remain in search of a pastor.

New Items:

The vote passed to shorten the official name of the Newday Christian Seventh-day Adventist Church to Newday Adventist Church, the name most recognized in the community, with prayerful consideration to the benefits of this change to their ministries.

Cara Greenfield, Campion Academy vice principal of Finance, and Mindy Philpott, Mile High Academy business manager, were voted into the RMC Finance Committee as permanent invitees with reporting responsibilities but no voting privileges so that they are aware of what is going on in the greater community. Also, it was passed to add a third person to the RMC Finance Committee that is not geographically bound as there have been difficulties finding a representative to serve the position from Wyoming.

Throughout the meeting, the message was carried that those in the Rocky Mountain Conference are one team and one church—called not to represent just themselves—and are to lead by example, showing through their walk with God how true stewardship shapes not only finances but faith.

—RMCNews