RMCNews – Casper, Wyoming … Rather than presenting evangelism as a one-size-fits-all approach, Dr. David Hartman, professor at Southern Adventist University and former pastor, challenged attendees of the 2026 Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Wyoming Camp Meeting at Mills Spring Ranch (MSR) in Casper, Wyoming, July 14-18, to rethink witnessing as something every believer can do in ways that fit their personality and spiritual gifts.

During his seminars, Hartman explained that many church members are intimidated because they associate evangelism only with public preaching, when Scripture calls believers to share Christ through a variety of practical, relational methods.

“Before coming, I viewed witnessing as door-to-door, walk up to a stranger, hand out a glow track, evangelistic meetings, and that sort of thing,” remarked Alexis Jennings, attendee and member of the Casper Seventh-day Adventist Church. “The workshops this week have been amazing and have definitely highlighted more of Jesus’s approach to witnessing where you get to know people, befriend people, ask their story, and listen. [You are] not trying to convert people and not trying to convince people but just loving them and interacting with them. That has been amazing and a focus that I feel like I can actually do.”

Drawing from his research on witnessing styles, Hartman outlined a progression that begins with prayer and extends to friendship, service, sharing personal testimony, invitations to spiritual events, meaningful conversations, and, ultimately, proclamation, or publicly speaking of gospel of Jesus Christ and God’s end-time message. He emphasized that every person—from an elderly member faithfully praying for neighbors to a young adult serving their community—has a meaningful role in leading others to Jesus.

“I truly believe that there are multiple ways of sharing your faith in Jesus Christ. That hands the ability to do witnessing back into the hands of the average member,” commented Hartman. “I believe God equips us just as we have spiritual gifts to minister in the body of Christ. He gives us a variety of different witnessing styles so that everybody can share Jesus in their own mode.”

“I’m looking forward to finding someone to share with. I like the steps that he lined out, and I wish that people were more interested in witnessing and making it a way of life,” reflected Gregory Smith, attendee and deacon of the Brighton Seventh-day Adventist Church in Brighton, Colorado.

Hartman encouraged those who feel uncomfortable talking about their faith to start with their own experiences rather than feeling that they can only witness once they become a polished speaker. He reminded participants that every Christian has a unique story of God’s work in their life, making personal testimony one of the most authentic forms of witness.

One of the most practical takeaways from the seminar was Hartman’s challenge to create a “Ten Most Wanted” prayer list. Participants were encouraged to identify ten people in their circle of influence and begin praying intentionally for them each day, trusting God to reveal opportunities for friendship, service, and spiritual conversations.

Hartman urged, “Start with a ‘Ten Most Wanted’ list. Pray, ‘Lord, who are those people in my circles of influence who I’m concerned about their eternal salvation?’ Make out a list … and begin praying. I believe as we pray for these people, God will lead us to what the next step is.”

Hartman concluded his sessions by encouraging members to embrace both relational evangelism and proclamation, explaining that genuine relationships create natural opportunities to share the distinctive hope of the gospel. He noted that when compassionate relationships and clear biblical teaching work together, they become a powerful combination for reaching people with Christ’s message.

“I think church members really struggle to share their faith because they don’t know where to begin. And they don’t necessarily know if they should begin with telling the beliefs or the doctrines of the church or how to even come across people without feeling complicit or condoning what they’re doing,” remarked Anthony Handal, lead pastor of the Casper District in Wyoming.

“These sessions gave people a good starting point—a strategy for how to engage—and also an opportunity for introspection to recognize what are their inherent strengths and areas where they can begin to lead but also look at their own [areas of growth],” Handal continued. “I think when we feel like we’re leading from our strengths, we’re going to be more confident, and we’re going to feel like we’re inviting people into something that is true.”

“I am going to continuing to encourage people to seek out ways to witness in whatever their environment is. They don’t have to change, do something new, or organize their own evangelistic series. What they need is to recognize who’s in their sphere of influence that God has called them to be a witness to, and to share with them.”

Helping support this year’s camp theme of “Winning Ways to Witness,” were interactive workshops from Mark Phillips, lead pastor of the Lander District, Edrey Santos, lead pastor of the Gillette District, and Handal. These sessions were well attended, and participants remarked on the value of the messages and workshop activities.

In tandem with this year’s Wyoming Camp Meeting was the first Wyoming Hispanic Camp Meeting with devotionals and evening programs led by Hugo Guillén, pastor and RMC Ministerial associate director and lead for Multicultural Ministries, and Daniel Escalante, lead pastor for the Fort Collins Seventh-day Adventist Church. They were joined and supported by Sean Lee, RMC’s new Ministerial director. While attendance was humble, Guillén will be looking at expanding the program for next year.

Wyoming Camp Meeting also welcomed several guests from the Montana Conference. “My grandparents grew up here, and they’ve always come to the camp meeting here in Casper. Since our camp meeting was canceled [in Montana], we decided we’ll just go to Wyoming,” commented Joellie, a youth from the Roundup Adventist Church in Roundup, Montana. “I really like the talks and what the speaker had to say. They’re really interesting.”

RMC’s summer camp staff members were also in attendance running the afternoon activities for the youth and families, hosting Blind camp, and preparing for a record number of summer camp participants at MSR the following week. Activities included horseback riding, rock climbing, archery, mountain biking, nature center, arts and crafts, and more. Several of the summer camp staff members also assisted in the main praise team led by Leandro Bizama, Campion Seventh-day Adventist Church associate pastor of Worship and Evangelism.

“Camp meeting is much more than a week on the calendar—it’s the result of months of planning and the countless dedication of pastors, volunteers, staff members, musicians, speakers, and behind-the-scenes servants who give so generously of their time and talents,” praised David VandeVere, president of the Rocky Mountain Conference.

“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to every person who helps make these gatherings possible. Your commitment creates a place where our church family can worship together, build lasting friendships, and grow closer to Jesus. We are truly blessed by your service and the spirit of community and fellowship that makes camp meeting such a meaningful experience while we wait to all be together with Jesus’s soon return.”

To view recordings of Dr. Hartman’s sessions at the 2026 Wyoming Camp Meeting, CLICK HERE to visit the Casper Adventist Church’s YouTube Channel.

—RMCNews. Some portions of the article were curated by ChatGPT. Interviews, writing, and editing by Liz Kirkland, RMC Communication director. Photos by Sean Lee and Liz Kirkland.