March 2010 Outlook magazine

Table of Contents Mid-America Union March 2010 Editorials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Find individual conference reports on the following pages....

Minnesota Conference 18 Dakota Conference 12

“Man with a Mission”. . . . . . . . 6 Creative Community Outreach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Central States News. . . . . . . . 10 Dakota News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Rocky Mountain Conference 20 Central States 10 Conference Note: Central States is an ethnically diverse regional conference encompassing the entire Mid-America Union territory.

Iowa-Missouri 14 Conference

Union College 22 Kansas-Nebraska 16 Conference

Iowa-Missouri News. . . . . . . 14 Kansas-Nebraska News. . . . . 16 Minnesota News. . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Rocky Mountain News. . . . . . . 20 Union College News. . . . . . . 22 Adventist Health System. . 18 Bloggers’ Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Letter to the Editor . . . . . . . . . 26 Farewell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 On the Cover: Adventists throughout Mid-America are engaging in creative community outreach—not to replace, but to prepare the way, for public evangelistic meetings.

OUTLOOK, (ISSN 0887-977X) March 2010, Volume 31, Number 3. Outlook is published monthly by the Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 8307 Pine Lake Road, Lincoln, NE 68516; Telephone: 402.484.3000; Fax: 402.483.4453; E-mail: info@maucsda.org. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Outlook, PO Box 6128, Lincoln, NE 68506. E-mail: outlook@maucsda.org. When possible clip name and address from a previous issue. Printed at Pacific Press Publishing Association, Standard postage paid at Nampa, ID. Free for Mid-America church members and $10 per year for non-Mid-America subscribers. © 2010 MidAmerica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. All Rights Reserved.

Adventist® and Seventh-day Adventist® are the registered trademarks of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Unless otherwise noted, all photos are stock photography.

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In This Issue...

How do you squeeze the faith and witness of 62,000 people into 32 pages? There’s so much to say about what God is doing in Mid-America—and so little space for sharing it in this month’s spotlight on creative evangelism.

You’ll read about Pastor Mike Temple’s shopping mall ministry way out in the “middle of nowhere,” as some consider western North Dakota. With the commercial vacancy rate in malls, churches now have a golden opportunity to do business for God in the ultimate marketplace—just the type of thing Paul the apostle did.

Our biggest news this month is the arrival of our new youth and church ministries director, Elder Hubert Cisneros. He is a strategic connector. God has gifted him to help people work together—not just in harmony, but in synergy. He discerns how people (most notably young adults) and church institutions can partner in ways that produce ultimate fruit for God’s glory and church growth.

I think you’ll see what I mean when you read his interview on page six.

Outlook Staff Editor: Martin Weber Managing Editor: Amy Prindle Layout Designer: Chris McConnell Classifieds/Subscriptions: Chris Smith Copy Editor: Chris Smith News Editors Central States: Roger Bernard Dakota: Jacquie Biloff Iowa-Missouri: Michelle Miracle Kansas-Nebraska: John Treolo Minnesota: Jeff Wines Rocky Mountain: Karen Cress Union College: Ryan Teller

Mid-America Union Conference President: Roscoe J. Howard III VP for Administration: Thomas L. Lemon VP for Finance: Elaine Hagele Associate VP for Finance: Walt Sparks

Local Conferences CENTRAL STATES: 3301 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66104; 913.371.1071; www.central-states.org.

DAKOTA: P.O. Box 520, 217 North Grand Ave., Pierre, SD 57501; 605.224.8868; www.dakotaadventist.org.

IOWA-MISSOURI: P.O. Box 65665, 1005 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50265; 515.223.1197; www.imsda.org.

KANSAS-NEBRASKA: 3440 Urish Road, Topeka, KS 66614-4601; 785.478.4726; www.ks-ne.org.

MINNESOTA: 7384 Kirkwood Court, Maple Grove, MN 55369; 763.424.8923; www.mnsda.com.

Martin Weber, editor

ROCKY MOUNTAIN: 2520 S Downing St., Denver, CO 80210; 303.733.3771; www.rmcsda.org.

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Guest Editorial Creatively and Relentlessly Seeking the Lost

by Dean Coridan

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hat is it that gets you excited—really inspires you?

A good ballgame? A fine meal? An evening with family or friends? Jesus enjoyed life too—in the context of mingling with lost people for the sake of seeing them saved. Christ was criticized and ultimately crucified for His creative and inclusive outreach to sinners—and we can expect the same when we likewise live “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Matthew 10:19).

When rigid religionists condemned Him for the type of people He reached out to, and the creative methods He employed in connecting with them, He responded in Luke 15 with a series of fascinating and informative parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin and the prodigal son.

I believe that all humanity is represented in one or another of Christ’s three parables. Let’s look at each of them and see what we might learn.

First see the differences, then the similarities.

For starters, notice the variant settings: a wilderness, a house and a far country.

The method of search is also different in each parable. The shepherd leaves the 99 and goes out to search. The woman lights a candle and sweeps the house. The father waits at home for his son to return—not passively but actively hoping for the wayward boy to come to his senses and come home to his heart. How do we know that? Because one day he spots him a “great way off” and rushes out to greet him.

Another difference among the three parables is who does the searching: a shepherd, a woman, a father. There are other differences as well; I’m sure you can find several more.

But now let’s look for a couple of things in the parables that are exactly the same.

First and foremost, in each parable the lost is found, and there is great rejoicing. This brings us face to face with the main point of these parables: As a church we should expend our energies creatively, contextualizing our outreach to both the needs of our individual communities and the spiritual giftedness entrusted to our members for outreach.

Keeping this in mind, we will not spend too much time criticizing someone else’s method of searching for the lost. Nor will we worry who is doing the searching or even where the search is conducted.

This leaves us with an inescapable conclusion. In each of these parables, Christ shows that either you are participating in the search for the lost—or you are lost yourself and being searched for. Even the older brother, who had fancied himself loyal and faithful at home, had to face the fact that he had actually been living very far from his father’s heart of saving love. He had to get on board with the father’s program of seeking and saving the lost—first by letting God’s saving love shine into his own darkened soul, and then by welcoming his repenting brother.

We don’t know how that parable ultimately turned out, in terms of big brother’s response. Christ leaves it an open question about whether he decided to break off his criticizing and get on board with the father and his newly forgiven brother.

That’s a warning and a challenge for us, too—and also an opportunity to bring us hope. Remember, in all of these three parables, the lost is found! This encourages and inspires us to expend every effort, personally and collectively, to keep up the search. Because (and I’m delighted to say it one more time), the lost will be found! Our neighbors and friends, those we don’t even know yet, will be saved.

So take heart, my fellow searchers. Be of good courage—our own sons and daughters will be found!

I believe that in every Christian home and church there should be a spirit that reflects the spirit of heaven, a spirit of rejoicing, hearts filled with joy that the lost will be found.

Dear readers, where are you in these parables?

Dean Coridan is president of the Iowa-Missouri Conference

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Guest Editorial Can It Work?

by Ron Carlson

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s Jesus lays out His plan for saving the world, people can’t believe what they are hearing. As He envisions His strategy to His disciples, crowds press in to catch every syllable of what this rabbi is saying.

Here’s a rising young teacher different from anyone they had ever known or seen or even heard about. Christ is healing people. His fame is spreading. Even veteran religious leaders take notice.

So they swarm Jesus to understand His plan to change the world and free them from the chronic human mess. As all ears strain to catch every word, Jesus begins talking about the poor, the mourning, the meek, the hungry and thirsty, the merciful, the pure, the peaceful and the persecuted. He makes no mention of power, bravery, uprising, courage or valiant warriors.

The crowd then scrutinizes His carefully selected staff. What they see does not evoke hope for change. A few poor fishermen, a despised traitor/ tax collector, some fellow who likes to sit under a tree and read, a few guys no one really knows. And some women!

Many failed messiahs had come and gone with inspiring battle plans, secretive maneuvers and brave zealots. Remembering failed insurrections and broken promises, the crowd finds it hard to muster much enthusiasm for the message of this soft-spoken man with His untrained, unknown followers.

Jesus surveys His unlikely candidates for a kingdom and brands them “salt of the earth” and “light of the world.” Imagine! Poor, meek, pure, merciful, peace-loving people, qualified to be salt and light—unassuming yet transformative?

What’s going on here! They want something more than flowery words about goodness, kindness and the influence of good. They need action plans, top-secret meetings, wealthy financiers, fearless warriors.

Jesus reads their thoughts. He discerns a decided lack of eagerness to join His cause. In response to their unspoken feelings, He says, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17).

What could that mean, the crowd wonders. Even Christ’s immature staffers raise their eyebrows. Had this man spent so much time sawing boards with his dad that He has no grasp of what it will take to change the world? Following Him portends doom and destruction for all they hold dear. He could destroy what little they had left. And let’s get real—you can’t rock the world by being nice! So they imagine.

It’s not much different today. We still search for a silver bullet, some ingenious plan. Or we expect the wealthy and influential to facilitate Christ’s mission. We fancy ourselves as knowing what God expects, yet we’re not too excited about how He asks us to do it.

How much easier it would be to revise His plan, come with some new slogan, or judge/criticize/fruit-inspect each other. Anything but letting God’s miracle of grace saturate our hearts. How dare we allow Him to make us salt and light in the world?

Yet God is still looking for simple discipleship in men and women, young and old. When will we let Him change our own hearts without fantasizing about how He could fix everyone around us?

When all is said and done, it’s still true: Humble influence, empowered by God’s Spirit, is still the plan Jesus says will work. And He offers no “plan B.” Ellen White (poor, uneducated, woman—sound familiar?) witnessed the church around her struggle with Christ’s simple—seemingly simplistic—message. So we get from her statements like: “If we would humble ourselves before God, and be kind and courteous and tenderhearted and pitiful, there would be one hundred conversions to the truth where now there is only one” (Testimonies, vol. 9, 189).

“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me’” (Ministry of Healing, 143).

May we as God’s people trust the strategy of Jesus enough to lay down the addictive weapons of manipulation, guilt and fear, believing that God’s radical power in changed hearts can actually change the world. Our world.

Ron Carlson is president of the Kansas-Nebraska Conference.

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Editorial Change You Can Really Believe In

by Martin Weber

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any Americans imagined they could change the world by electing a new government. A year later, does this planet seem any nicer, cleaner, safer? Obviously the system is not working. But let’s not Rush off to the nearest “Tea Party” rally, because that’s not going to change the world either. The only government that can save us is the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We Adventists should know better than to put our hope in any politician or political movement. (Have you read Daniel chapter 2 lately?) The second coming of Jesus is our “blessed hope”—the only hope for change we can really believe in.

This editorial is not about politics, by the way. It’s about a wonderful evangelistic opportunity that has come because many Mid-Americans now realize their need for God to accomplish change. They now know we can’t vote ourselves out of the mess we’re in. Millions more this year than last year are looking to God rather than to man to bring peace on earth and goodwill among humanity.

I believe that the populist movement which swept President Obama into power was basically a heart cry for shalom—peace, social justice and societal wellbeing. I’m not affirming politicians of either party who tried to take advantage of America’s current crisis to advance their partisan agendas. Nor am I heralding the Hollywood crowd, green with hypocrisy (trophy Prius by day; limo by night). I’m acknowledging sincere and idealistic Americans of all ages and ethnicities who came together to support Obama’s presidential campaign. It was shalom they craved, whether they realized it or not.

But they have seen that a “beer summit” in the Rose Garden can’t rescue America from racism, war, greed or pollution (both moral and ecological). Whether as individuals or as a society, we cannot change ourselves any more than a leopard can change its spots (see Jeremiah 13:23).

“No, we can’t.” But yes, God can!

And He will. He has promised to save both us and our planet—and this is exactly the message Seventh-day Adventists have for an increasingly disappointed and disillusioned world. Our friends, neighbors and workplace colleagues are finally ready for the truth of Jesus that God has trusted us to share.

So let us seize the day. But how?

Fresh opportunities call for fresh methods and approaches to evangelism. Some imagine this means doing away with traditional public meetings, but our most successful churches (such as several in Colorado’s Front Range) have designed a hybrid system of year-round community activities sequenced with public evangelism. This might even happen on selected Sabbath mornings, as Peter Casillas at Denver’s LifeSource Adventist Fellowship is doing (see last December’s Outlook, page 23).

We need to be doing new things, relevant to the needs of the moment. Consider connecting people out of work with prospective employers by hosting a job fair, as Northside Church in St. Louis does (see page 10 in January’s Outlook). And then there is Pastor Mike Temple, with three small churches spread 200 miles apart “in the middle of nowhere,” mentoring members in strategic outreach at the shopping mall, of all places.

(Well, why not? The apostle Paul ministered in the marketplaces.)

Curious? Read about it here on page eight, following my interview with Elder Hubert Cisneros. He’s Mid-America’s new director for youth and church ministries, arriving this month with a vision for outreach that can do wonders in our churches. We are already blessed with the transformative teaching of our ministerial director, Elder Maurice Valentine. All three of us support our president, Elder Roscoe J. Howard III, in his vision for the 62,000 Adventists throughout our nine-state region to become creatively committed to selfless service for the savior.

So then let us be about our heavenly Father’s business. This is our moment! Our time has come.

No political movement, liberal or conservative, has the power to transform our troubled world into an earth made new. The only one who can save us is Jesus—Christ crucified and Christ coming again. The trumpet will soon sound, and everything will be changed.

Now, that’s change we can really believe in!

Martin Weber, DMin, is editor of Outlook magazine.

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Feature Interview

Man With a Mission Outlook editor Martin Weber interviews Elder Hubert Cisneros, the new youth and church ministries director of the Mid-America Union.

Hubert, welcome to Mid-America. You are coming here from serving as executive secretary of the Ohio Conference—the number two guy there, next to the president. Several Ohio pastors are friends of mine, and they tell me everybody loves you out there. What do you think people like about you?

I think my friends like my positivity. I try to love people and think the best about people. If you care about people and really listen to what they have to say, most people will share their feelings and perspective.

ica). I worked for “Uncle Jim” at Camp Wawona in Central California. What a privilege for me now to be youth director in MidAmerica.

Things were going great for you in the Ohio Conference. Why did you leave there and come to Mid-America?

My grandchildren live in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Wyatt Watson, age seven, and his sister, MaKayla Watson, age five. The two biggest reasons I came to Mid-America.

Also, Mid-America Union has excellent leadership beginning with our president, Roscoe HowI remember you from my days in ard. I have known Elder Howard the Arizona Conference. What for many years. We have a great did the Lord help you accomteam. plish there, and in the other I have a vision for establishing places you’ve worked? the Center for Youth Evangelism I’ve enjoyed trying new and in- Hubert Cisneros, the new youth and church for the Mid-America Union based novative things. In Arizona as ministries director out of Union College that will imministerial director, I loved developpact the local churches of our union. ing the ministerial interns, using a team of seasoned The people who live in Mid-America are amazing. pastors as mentors. This new way of training interns Their holistic and, at the same time, contemporary proved effective. Summer camp included base camp personality can make for a unique opportunity and a and specialty camps in Arizona, Mexico, San Diego powerful influence. and Alaska. We saw hundreds of God’s boys and girls give their lives to Jesus. What a joy!

Elder Roscoe Howard describes you as a “consumIn Ohio, 6,000 guests (over a four-year period) came mate synergizer.” to the opening night of camp meeting because of our When you have a clear picture of where you want community concerts. During my time as Hispanic co- to go and stay focused on that picture, you begin seeordinator, we grew from three churches to 12. By the ing how people and institutions can work together end of 2010, Ohio hopes to have 22 Hispanic church- to reach a common goal. Our only limitation is our es. I find this inspiring! imagination.

Tell us how you picked up the name “Uncle Hubert.”

I began using the title “uncle” in order to establish trust among the Native American tribes in Arizona.

Also one of my heroes, Elder Jim Harris, was youth director of the Central Union (now part of Mid-Amer-

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What’s your vision for what you hope to accomplish here in church ministries?

Studies show the most effective way for churches to grow—and the one thing that we are not doing— is small groups. The most important reason for es-

tablishing small groups is what it does for personal spiritual development. And it’s interesting how every ministry of the church is the most effective when organized in the small group format.

Along with church ministries, Hubert, you are our new youth director. How do you plan to help the local conference youth directors take youth ministry to the next level?

The next level would be the high school and college students—especially those going to public school. By working in collaboration with Union College, we are the most effective because we want the same thing.

You’ll also be working with young adults, many of whom—most of them, actually—are leaving our church in their twenties. Many don’t seem to be coming back. How can we help prevent young adult attrition? What can be done to help youth and young adults feel a sense of ownership in the Seventh-day Adventist Church?

Our church was started by young adults. Why not let young professionals plant their own churches— especially in the big cities or in proximity to public colleges and universities? I think we should stop trying to make the church “relevant” to young adults and simply let them do it. House churches, called Simple Church, have proved very popular and successful among young adults.

Encourage our young adults and let them fly and crash and try again until they make it. They’ll be happier, and the church will thrive.

Of all the local conferences in the North American Division, Ohio is considered one of the most progressive and creative in both outreach and nurture.

Every October, the Ohio Conference sponsors the National Conference on Innovation and encourages pastors and members to be entrepreneurs for God. I could go on and on regarding the great things churches are doing in Ohio and all over the world.

Throughout our history, we have had a hard time with accepting innovation. Adventist media pioneer H. M. S. Richards (a Colorado native) patiently endured the saints who frowned upon his using that new worldly thing, the devil’s tool, called radio. I just want to say, “Don’t limit yourself.”

Evangelism is a hot topic of discussion. Some pastors want to dispense with public meetings alto-

gether and only do alternative outreach related to the felt needs of the community. Other pastors do nothing but traditional public evangelism.

Fight in your own armor. I like the eight points of the Natural Church Development model by Christian Schwarz, which has proven very effective, because it incorporates the big picture.

This month’s theme is “creative evangelism,” exploring how members can work together. What comes to your mind when you think about that, beyond which we’ve already discussed?

Seventh-day Adventists should be the most creative people in the world since the Sabbath is a memorial of God’s creativity. Go, SDA people!

I understand that both you and your wife, Lucy, were born in Mid-America Union territory. Tell us something about your family background.

My wife, the former Lucy Trujillo, was born and raised in Denver, where she graduated from Mile High Academy and worked at Porter Hospital. Lucy’s parents, George and Trinidad Trujillo, were leaders for many years in Denver Spanish Church on Pecos Street. Lucy has cousins who live in Colorado and Wyoming and who are leaders in the Adventist Church.

I was born in Pueblo and raised in Boulder, where I graduated from Boulder Junior Academy, a 10 grade school at the time, which is now Vista Ridge Academy.

At age 14, I began working at Boulder Memorial Hospital (now, of course, we have Avista Adventist Hospital serving that area). My three sisters live in the Denver area. My relatives (Cisneros / Reynolds) live in southern Colorado. I love my school and my church and the people in Boulder more than I could ever say.

It is good to be home for the first time in my ministry.

Here at the Mid-America Union office, we pray every morning for our members. What is your prayer for our people, Hubert?

I want to pray for their hearts. We at headquarters can serve best when our people are doing well physically, emotionally and spiritually. The brain is good; the heart is better. The brain keeps you alive; the heart gives you a reason to live. The two must work together. So I would say to our people: “Feed your heart with good things. Take time for self care. Take time for your family. Take time with your God. Love thy neighbor as thyself. By loving yourself you will be able to love others and be happy.”

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Creative Outreach Feature

God is Working at Prairie Hills Mall Report from Pastor Mike Temple of Dakota’s Dickinson district

Community friends join church members for an afternoon of country gospel music at the KPAR Community Event Center in Dickinson, ND. Pastor Mike Temple (far right) leads the group.

We began our KPAR Community Event Center in 2008 to build relational bridges and promote our local low power FM radio station. Now we’re planning new activities for the community.

In one portion of our mall space, we’re building a rest area—complete with new leather furniture and a 50-inch flat panel TV. Shoppers can relax and watch the Hope Channel. We’re also preparing an Internet café type seating area with tables, stools, and a computer station for shoppers who want to check in on the Web. Early mornings, we will be facilitating a mall walkers’ program, starting from our rest area location. Participants will receive bottles of water, digital pedometers and clipboards for tracking their daily progress.

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Our strategy is to make friends first, and later to invite them to healthy lifestyle classes.

Our vision for the Community Event Center is to have a friendly and informal place for building relationships. We’ve already been busy with holiday concerts, marriage seminars, leadership lunches and classes in guitar playing and beginner computing.

People are starting to appreciate the family and kidfriendly activities at our Community Event Center. It’s attracting more and more interest.

Things are coming along nicely, though not without challenges. We’re all very excited.

Check out Pastor Temple’s Facebook page, “What’s Working in Outreach”.

Creative Evangelism in Kansas-Nebraska

By John Treolo

Imagine having an evangelistic meeting at your local shopping mall. That’s what just happened in Hastings, Nebraska. Local elder Loren Wehling (pictured above, far right) coordinated the preaching and then invited all attendees to fellowship at the coffee shop next door. He even paid for the first smoothie or hot chocolate anyone wanted. Money well spent, says Wehling. The series netted three baptisms.

At Wichita South Church in Kansas, church members sponsored a Marriage Weekend for not only their couples, but also for the community. More than a dozen were baptized after follow-up reaping meetings by Evangelist Joe Cirigiliano.

Captiol View Church in Lincoln, Nebraska sponsors outdoor block parties for their neighborhood. A video projector projects wholesome entertainment on the side of the church, while members serve refreshments.

In Nebraska City, members sponsored a community health fair followed by free refreshments at a local coffee house.

Pastor Dennis Berlin in Grand Island, Nebraska in-

vites members and community to a Pastor’s BURBQ— bring your Bible questions—at his home Wednesday evenings. Berlin promises to “grill up some answers” to their questions. He also serves food.

Logos Bible Software—Version 4

by Martin Weber Creative outreach deserves fresh and relevant teaching from God’s Word.

A great tool to facilitate this for pastors and lay teachers is Logos Bible Software. Newly released version 4 speeds access to its massive library of commentaries, dictionaries, maps and other resources.

One mouse click puts you into the page that relates to the Scripture you are studying.

Logos comes in nine package options, starting with basic Home edition. I’m using the Platinum version, with 1,250 resources. To see the various bundles and their features, visit www.logos.com/products.

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Mid-America Union News Central States News New Beginnings Impacts WichitaYouth

by Siera McFan Photo Courtesy of Central States Conference

Teen summit workshop

Photo courtesy of Central States Conference

Youth enjoying Teen Summit II

McFan, Brandon Garrett, Joanna Boyd and Justin Triplett.

The format of the summit was male versus female debate. The youth divided into groups to discuss stereotypes about females, and then males. Then everyone came together to analyze conclusions, and whether or not their actions aligned with their Christian profession.

There was heated debate in wrestling with the issues. The topic that stirred the most emotion and tears was that of absent fathers. Youth bore witness to the obstacles and heartaches that result from living without a father. When the discussion became particularly intense,

A Philadelphia Christmas

cial music, joined by the Hands of Praise group. Bell Taylor, community services director, organized a sumptuous meal. All attendees received gift bags from the youth and children’s ministry departments. It was a glorious event in which everyone came together to glorify God.

By Sharon Tate Youth and children of Philadelphia Church in Des Moines sponsored the 2009 Christmas program, with a team of adults led by Theodora Jean-Baptiste. A men’s group that included Pastor Marlon Perkins provided spe-

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Participants in the Christmas pageant

New Beginnings’ pastor, Carlos McConico, gave much needed and appreciated spiritual direction. Older youth also shared with younger ones how they were able to forgive and move on from that heartbreak.

After processing through their tears and pain, participants agreed that the summit was a huge success.

Several came forward and confessed their need to learn how to forgive.

During the youth summit, a separate workshop for parents discussed the same topics. As follow-up, Pastor McConico is preparing a series on forgiveness to continue the healing process.

Photo courtesy of Central States Conference

“If you don’t take the initiative to change, nothing changes.”

This was the theme of Teen Summit II, sponsored by the faithbased community organization “316 TRZ—The Rescue Zone.”

Youth and young adult leaders of New Beginnings Church in Wichita, Kansas hosted the event.

The message was that “Nothing Changes . . . If Nuthin’ Changes,” meaning that youth must be their own change.

Discussions addressed stereotypical images in which African American youth are perceived and how they portray themselves. More than 60 participated, facilitated by New Beginnings members Sierra

Central States News Adventists Host World AIDS Day in Denver

by Byron E. Conner, MD For the first time, Park Hill Church hosted Denver’s annual World AIDS Day. The December event raised public awareness of the continuing HIV/AIDS pandemic. Collaborating with Greater Denver Interfaith Alliance, Park Hill brought together presenters from faith communities as diverse as Baptists and Muslims.

Seminars addressed how to conduct health ministry, how to secure funding for community health projects, how to preach about HIV/AIDS, and HIV-101—basic information about the disease.

Nineteen attendees took advantage of oral testing for the HIV infection along with counseling services, both provided without cost.

A panel discussed future intervention regarding HIV/AIDS in the community.

A popular misconception exists that HIV/AIDS is not the threat it once was. But it continues to be a devastating scourge, particularly for African Americans. Their death rate in Colorado is almost five times higher than that of Caucasians. Nationally, African Americans comprise 13 percent of the population yet suffer half of total HIV infections. To put it plainly, HIV infection is out of control in the African American community.

Churches can play a powerful role in combating the HIV pandemic, providing education, testing, counseling and compassion.

Park Hill Church is committed to waging war against HIV/AIDS.

Conference Calendar March 12 - 14 Marriage Retreat Kansas City, MO March 6 Women’s Day of Prayer March 7 - 13 Youth Week of Prayer March 20 Temperance Federation Run-offs March 27 Health Ministries’ Sabbath April 22-25 Youth Congress/Young Adult Summit Kansas City, MO www.central-states.org

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Mid-America Union News Dakota News Life Goes On

by Jacquie Biloff Photo by Jacquie Biloff

Kay Larson, her sister Jana Faye and brother Ken Corrin, with his wife, Roberta

Dakota Conference communication director Jacquie Biloff interviews Kay Larson, who recently lost her husband, George.

I understand you did not grow up a Seventh-day Adventist. How did you connect with our church?

I was raised in the Presbyterian Church in Rapid City. As an adult, I attended other Protestant churches in different communities. I became acquainted with Adventists through friendships, not discussions of doctrine.

Although you’re from South Dakota, you and I became acquainted in Alaska. What took you up there?

My husband and I moved there from Arizona, for him to become CEO at Valley Hospital in the Palmer/Wasilla area. This was soon after 9/11, and living in a remote but beautiful area had more attraction than it might have had during different political times.

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And from there, you went to Asia?

Our call to Bangkok, Thailand actually had come five years earlier, but after our move to Alaska we were able to accept the complexities of moving overseas. The extra processing time lessened any anxiety. There are uncertainties in any move—Asia is no different. I had faith that God would provide for all our needs. The change from rural to city life (Bangkok has around 10 million people!) was probably more significant than the move from the U.S. to Southeast Asia.

George arrived there first and was able to share a lot with me about the people, culture and living arrangements.

What did you and your husband do in Thailand?

George was the president of Bangkok Adventist Hospital, Phuket Adventist Hospital and the Mission Health Promotion Center.

I taught English to nursing students at Asia-Pacific International University (formerly Mission College) and hospital employees. We were both impressed by the respectful attitudes of the Thais, and I experienced them as our family as much as they were students and co-workers.

We were so surprised to learn of George’s recent death in Thailand.

My sister-in-law, Bonnie Larson

of Saudi Arabia, created a wonderful website in memory of George.

Many Thais contributed to its contents, which can be accessed at http://web.me.com/bonnie.rolls. larson/GVL/Welcome.html Having lost your husband, what are your plans for the future?

I have watched doors open at each point of decision, and I trust God to reveal His plans for me at each future step. Right now I’ve returned to our home in Bethel, Maine. The renters there had unexpectedly given notice of moving out before we even realized our coming need.

I am currently in the Andrews University PhD leadership program and hope to continue to completion. God willing, I’ll find employment soon that will accommodate that.

What advice might you have for those facing similar situations?

People all over the world— friends, family, strangers—are praying for me. I can feel a calm that is decidedly outside my ability. I have learned that God has our various situations under control, and our being impatient for solutions serves little purpose. Even in the sadness of loss, the Lord gives joy in little things, like the chickadees at my new bird feeder and the hope of blooming tulips as I plant bulbs in anticipation of spring renewal. God is good!

Dakota News Treasured Outreach in Lehr

by Kenneth Flemmer For the past 50 years in South Dakota, Lehr Church has maintained a strong Vacation Bible School (VBS) program with many community children attending. One of its strengths is the quality of crafts for the kids.

For three decades, these crafts have included woodworking projects with LeRoy Schweigert and Leo Flemmer—many items from years past are proudly displayed in neighborhood homes.

Young parents in the community encourage their children to participate in VBS by showing their kids the crafts they made while attending.

Today, Lehr Church has about 30 members and only four children. The town itself has very few kids. Even so, 42 children from the surrounding region attended last

summer’s VBS due to its strong reputation, advertising and many personal invitations. Many of their parents and grandparents had participated in past VBS programs.

Supporting the VBS theme, “God’s Word is Like a Treasure Chest,” the children crafted their own wooden chests—displayed by each one at the closing program. In the fall, VBS and Pathfinder leader Coreen Schumacher sent invitations to all the children inviting them to join the Lehr Bluejays Kids’ Club (a.k.a.

Pathfinders). Along with the congregation’s own four children, 20 community kids are involved in Pathfinders, Adventurers and Eager Beavers.

In addition to other activities, the Lehr Bluejays’ Bible Bowl team has enjoyed longtime suc-

Photo courtesy of Dakota Conference

Vacation Bible School treasure chests

cess, advancing from the Dakota Conference Bible Bowl to the MidAmerica Union event for seven of the past eight years. Recently, four neighborhood Pathfinders enthusiastically joined the Bible Bowl team.

Selfless Service Driving

Photo by Jacquie Biloff

by Jacquie Biloff Pat* of Pierre exemplifies selfless service of our Savior, volunteering as a Disabled American Veterans (DAV) van coordinator. She arranges rides for veterans in the central and western Dakotas to medical facilities of the Veterans Administration Black Hills Health Care System or to a clinic in Rapid City.

Pat accepted this position at the suggestion of her husband, who volunteers as a van driver. She processes up to 10 or 12 calls during the 10 hours she works each day during the week. She signs off one hour before sunset on Friday and

rests through the Sabbath.

When a veteran phones, Pat seeks an available driver.

“It’s hard to turn down passengers, but the new van carries only six passengers,” she reports. “Every vet- Pat’s van was secured through donations to DAV. eran has a different story. I enjoy couldn’t pay me to do this!” Pat relistening, and I try to show them plied with a smile, “That’s why I’m Jesus’ love.” not paid.”

One person remarked, “You *Last name withheld by request

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Mid-America Union News Iowa-Missouri News Serving That Matches Giftedness

by Robert Peck Photo courtesy of Vic Van Schaik

Vic Van Schaik, an Iowa-Missouri pastor, has successfully completed and defended his DMin project: “Transitioning the St. Louis Central Seventh-day Adventist Church from a Traditional Nominating Committee to a Gift-based Approach to Ministry.”

Photo by Michelle Miracle

Elder Robert Peck

Van Schaik demonstrated certain limitations to the traditional nominating committee as it normally functions. The committee meets to fill offices at the beginning of the church calendar year—often a lengthy and frustrating process.

Nominating committees typically are unaware of members’ specific

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interests and gifts.

The process often amounts to guessing who should fill what position. As a result, many members are not properly matched with ministries, leading to ministry frustration and burnout.

St. Louis Central has set up a Ministry Management Team (MMT), that functions like a personnel commit- The Van Schaik family (left to right): Vic, Christian, Angela, tee meeting which and Sofia meets every month experience some of the same isall year long. MMT regularly looks sues as Central. Van Schaik hopes at members’ gifts and passions that his church’s example can help and attempts to align them with and encourage other congregaministries in the church. MMT tions desiring to transition into a continuously gathers key infor- gift-based approach to ministry. mation on church membership, which is entered into a computer database. A key component of the Robert Peck is vice president of adminMMT process is meeting one-on- istration for the Iowa-Missouri Conferone with each church member to ence. help align members’ gifts and passions with specific ministries.

Benefits of the new approach include enhanced awareness of spiritual gifts, involvement in ministries ideally aligned with one’s gifts and passions, serving from a sense of God’s calling rather than an imposed burden of obligation. To summarize: Van Schaik’s church has experienced new ministry activity because members are doing what they feel called to do.

Central hopes to benefit the larger field of Adventist congregations.

Across North America, churches

For more IowaMissouri news and information visit:

www.imsda.org

Iowa-Missouri News Young Adults Experiencing a GODencounter

by Kymone Hinds “I will give them hearts that recognize me as the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me wholeheartedly” (Jeremiah 24:7, NLT).

All across the country, Christian young adults are seeking a fresh, intimate, personal relationship with God. In community with one another, they are rediscovering some of the timeless practices of discipleship.

One group spearheading this movement in the Seventh-day Adventist Church is GODencounters (www.GODencounters.org).

Launched by Dr. A. Allan Martin of Andrews University, it has sparked passionate gatherings of young adults “wholeheartedly seeking a 24/7 experience of GOD, recklessly living for His renown.”

Young adults of the Mid-America Union will be uniting for a GODencounters weekend in Kansas City, Missouri from April 2224. The theme for their weekend is “Going Green 4 God.” It reflects a desire to have one’s entire life become like a tree in full bloom with green leaves.

The gathering will be a time for participatory worship, workshops, fellowship and community service.

Some of the workshop topics are financial management, relationships, career planning and how to have a growing devotional life.

Attendees will have opportunity to immediately implement what they learn by going out to impact the Kansas City community and also contribute to global causes.

The Central States and Iowa-Missouri conferences are partnering together to lead out in this endeavor that is open to all young adults. This is a great opportunity to bring not just those who regularly attend church but some who may need reclaiming and even others who are not a part of an Adventist congregation.

To register for this event, visit www.plusline.org/events or call 800.732.7587. Further details are available at the GODencounters website or Facebook page.

Kymone Hinds is youth director for Central States Conference. He is collaborating for this event with Josue Feliciano, Iowa-Missouri Conference youth director.

A Witness to Christ at Christmas

by Gregory Snell Helicopters land, and a police car races in to pick up a red-suited occupant. Shouting, eager children shove through the doorway.

Santa has entered the building! But it is the peaceful image of the first Christmas and Christ’s birthday that first greets visitors to Santa Land.

Members of Poplar Bluff Church in Missouri re-enacted a nativity scene inside Black River Coliseum at the entrance to Santa Land.

The Christmastime place offers an evening of free, Santa-themed activities, sponsored each year by Wal-Mart. The entrance features a full-size stable, with a live baby in

the manger and attentive parents.

Adoring shepherds and regal magi surround the scene, while a live angel hovers above.

Bales of hay form seats where visitors can rest. Pathfinders hand out literature. Christ is the first thing visitors see when entering the room, and the last scene they pass as they head home.

Two teen boys have come to Santa Land to receive extra credit for high school drama class by dressing as elves. One of them is joking.

The other nudges him into silence.

They both stand reverently before moving on.

Photo courtesy of Beverly Walker

Nativity scene attracts a crowd at Santa Land.

Gregory Snell is a member of Missouri’s Poplar Bluff Church.

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Mid-America Union News Kansas-Nebraska News Golden Hills Celebrates 30th

by John Treolo Photo by Bill Maxey

Marriage Encounter Weekend April 23-25, 2010 in Lincoln, NE

Registration Deadline: April 9, 2010 For info: anhardt@ucollege.edu

Seth Pierce, pastor of Golden Hills Church, baptizes Leslie Scheer during the 30th anniversary celebration weekend.

The year was 1979‌Jimmy Carter sat in the White House; 53 Americans were held hostage in Iran; actor John Wayne died of cancer; and a group from Omaha Memorial Church sensed the need for another congregation in the area.

They chose Bellevue, Nebraska, not far from Offutt Air Force Base. Thus was born Golden Hills Church. Thirty years later, this thriving congregation of 255 continues to nurture members and reach out to the community.

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During the 30th anniversary celebration in December, former pastor Rick New returned to share messages and remembrances; current pastor Seth Pierce had the privilege of dedicating a child and baptizing two during the worship service.

The afternoon service featured three decades of pictures on the screen, which evoked fond memories of how God has blessed Golden Hills Church.

Enterprise Academy/Great Plains Academy Enterprise, KS April 9-10 Info: darfocce@gpaschool.org

P l a t t e Va l l e y A c a d e m y Hosted by College View Academy Lincoln, NE April 23-24 Info: www.plattevalleyalumni.com

Kansas-Nebraska News Conference Baptisms Up 33% in 2009

by John Treolo Photo by John Treolo

Photo by John Treolo

Jeff Coleman, pastor of Wanamaker Church in Topeka, baptizes Francis and Jaime Jimenez.

Michael Ryan, general vice president of the General Conference, emphasized missions at the January ministers’ meeting in Topeka, KS.

Pastors throughout Kansas-Nebraska Conference accepted the challenge of the North American Division to make 2009 the Year of Evangelism. Intensified evangelistic activity resulted in a 33 percent increase in new members over the previous year—from 235 to 312.

John Sweigart, evangelism coordinator says, “With this kind of momentum and the number of people who continue to prepare for baptism from efforts held in 2009, we have good reason to expect even greater results this year.

We trust this marks the end of the trend of shrinking membership that has lasted a decade.”

At the recent ministers’ meeting held in January, another arm of evangelism was emphasized: mis-

sions. Michael Ryan, general vice president for the General Conference, encouraged attendees to remember that Adventists are historically mission driven.

“That emphasis must never change,” Ryan declared, “if we are to reach every nation, kindred, tongue and people.”

Ryan’s mother, Dorothy Ryan Roth, is a member of the Ottawa Church in Kansas. He began his denominational career in the Mid-America Union.

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Mid-America Union News Minnesota News From Atheist, to Methodist, to Adventist Pastor

by Claudio Conseugra Photo courtesy of Minnesota Conference

Pastor Dmitry Isakovsky and his family

When Methodist pastor Dmitry Isakovsky and his wife, Susanna, were baptized into the Seventhday Adventist Church, it culminated a unique spiritual journey.

Born to atheistic parents in the former Soviet Union, Dmitry felt spiritual yearnings as a young man. He craved answers that made sense of life and death and the meaning of human existence. His father’s untimely demise from cancer prompted Dmitry to purchase his first Bible. Although lacking in doctrinal knowledge, Dmitry, now 20, followed his spiritual urging and was baptized through sprinkling by an Orthodox priest.

While later serving as company commander at a military base in the Ukraine, Dmitry made friends with a Nigerian medical student.

This led Dmitry to join the Pentecostal Church, where he met his wife-to-be. Motivated by sermons and Bible study fellowship, Dmitry joined that faith community and married Susanna in 1999.

After becoming a Pentecostal pastor, the next stop on Dmitry’s spiritual journey was the United

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Methodist Church. He and Susanna both attended its seminary in Moscow, intending, he says, to become “a missionary couple to the vast lands of the huge Russian Empire that was seemingly limitless in expanse as well as spiritual ignorance.”

God had other plans. Just before beginning seminary studies, Dmitry discovered the writings of Ellen White. Eager to improve his language skills, he began reading The Conflict of the Ages series— which provided him a deep blessing that propelled him further on his walk with God. Just then an unexpected letter arrived from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, inviting the Isakovskys to interview with an immigration officer. It was evidently a belated response to a petition for religious refugee status, which Susanna and her family had applied for six years previously while experiencing persecution in Russia.

Soon after, Dmitry and Susanna received permission to emigrate to the United States. Just before leaving, they came across Adventist telecasts from 3ABN (Three Angels Broadcasting Network). They felt impressed by the spirit of 3ABN, different from what they experienced in some other television ministries.

Once in America, the two attended a major Protestant seminary in Washington D.C. Dmitry recalls his reaction to the declining spirituality of American denominations: “My spirit was repulsed by the obvious discrepancy between the plain teachings of the Word of

God and the established practices, beliefs and traditions” of his own denomination. By the end of his second year there, he and Susanna were attending Sligo SDA Church in Takoma Park, Maryland.

After graduating with a M.Div. in Theology, the Isakovskys accepted the call to pastor a Methodist congregation in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota. He was keeping Sabbath on Saturday while leading Methodists in worship on Sunday. His first sermon series explained the Great Controversy between Christ and Satan as portrayed in the Bible and the writings of Ellen G. White. His next series exposited the Ten Commandments.

“The good Lord blessed the congregation and the sermons as well,” Dimitry recalls. “The church began to grow and liven up.”

Soon Dmitry and Susanna began weekly Bible studies in their parsonage home, attracting up to 25 truth seekers. Dmitry said, “[I wanted to] reach a broader audience of dear people who sat in spiritual lethargy and darkness of mainline denominations.” Studying Scripture led to his presentation of a Bible Prophecy Seminar in May of 2009. Attendees included Methodists, Lutherans, Catholics and Adventists, including Pastor Wayne Morrison and other members from Hutchinson SDA Church. The audience responded to his preaching about healthful living, the Lord’s Sabbath, the persona of the Antichrist, the Millennium and other neglected truths.

Not surprisingly, Methodist denominational leaders were un-

Minnesota News supportive of his new Adventist beliefs, yet they allowed him to continue as a pastor for the time being. Says Dmitry: “The Lord was giving us more time to complete the seminar and finish the race in Buffalo Lake!“ Toward the close of his meetings, Dmitry felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to preach about God’s remnant church. Although this soon cost him his job, he reflects

in retrospect that he is glad he did.

“The Lord was pointing all lovers of truth in the right direction. As for me, I can exclaim together with the Apostle Paul: ‘I am free from the blood of every man. For I did not cease to proclaim the whole counsel of God.’” After the Isakovskys’ baptism into the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Dmitry found himself without a job. That crisis opened

the door to the latest chapter in his spiritual journey: the Minnesota Conference hired Dmitry to lead the Russian congregation in Minnetonka and follow up interests in Buffalo Lake. Today the Isakovskys wholeheartedly rejoice in the Lord as they serve in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Claudio Consuegra is vice president for administration for the Minnesota Conference.

New Minnesota Youth and Communication Director

by Claudio Consuegra Photo courtesy of Minnesota Conference

Pastor Jeff Wines has accepted the call of the Minnesota Conference to serve as director of youth and communication. He has been senior pastor of the church in Columbia, Missouri.

Wines began ministry in Minnesota in 1997 as youth pastor for Minnetonka Church. In August 1999 he married Cathy, who was a social worker studying massage therapy. Next year the Wines moved to Michigan, where Jeff pursued a master’s degree at Andrews University Seminary. After completing his Master of Arts in Youth Ministry, Jeff worked for three years as assistant professor in the School of Technology. In 2005 Jeff received a call back into pastoral youth ministry in Columbia, Missouri.

Last year he became senior pastor.

Jeff Wines and family

Nearly seven years of pastoral ministry and three years of teaching have deepened Jeff and Cathy’s love for young people. “More than anything I want to see the church grow, with young people leading the way,” Jeff says. “The Seventh-day Adventist Church is called to spread the love of God to a dying planet just before Jesus comes, and young people are to be on the cutting edge of this call. I look forward to being back in Minnesota reaching our youth for Christ by connecting, worshiping, playing and talking to young people.”

The Minnesota Conference is delighted to welcome Jeff and Cathy with their sons, Zakary and Elijah.

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Mid-America Union News Rocky Mountain News Veterans Honored in Colorado Springs

by Pastor Mike Maldonado Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain Conference

Arvada District Wins 73 for Jesus

by Gordon Anic Colorado’s Arvada district consists of one church, two companies and two branch Sabbath schools scattered throughout metro Denver. One full-time pastor, Dr. Gordon Anic, teams with a part-time youth pastor and four lay pastors.

All share a passion for winning souls to Jesus.

Last year Arvada Church baptized 25 people and witnessed seven “profession of faith” (POF) ac-

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cessions. Elsewhere in the district, lay pastor Milton Encarcion of Aurora’s SDA Christian Community Center had 32 baptisms and nine POFs. A total of 73 people accepted Jesus and joined the Adventist Church in the Arvada district.

Pastor Anic and his team credit their members who continually invite friends to worship. Arvada’s philosophy of evangelism is simple: Welcome everyone; allow peo-

the liberty of our nation, including freedom of conscience.

A special Sabbath service included the posting of colors by Pathfinders, a slide show with pictures of veterans from the church, the Missing Man Ceremony by Academy Cadet Derek Hale and special recognition of all families that support troops who serve overseas. An all-military praise team provided music, followed by a sermon from Col. Elliot Pinero. Highlighting the day was an interview with (Ret.) Tech Sgt. Gerald Hendrick and his experience in the D-Day invasion during World War II.

Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain Conference

Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain Conference

(top) Veterans honored by Colorado Springs Central Church; (above) DD veteran Gerald Hendrick answering interview questions

Colorado Springs has one of the largest military populations in America. It is home to the Air Force Academy and three military bases, with another nearby—plus many retired armed forces personnel. Among the large military presence in the community are 85 Adventist veterans who represent more than 800 years of service to God and country.

Recognizing a unique opportunity, Central Church decided to honor all veterans in the Colorado Springs area, active and retired.

The goal was to show support and appreciation for the men and women who have sacrificed so much for

New members of the Arvada district

ple to be themselves; and wait for the Holy Spirit to change hearts.

To learn more about Arvada Church, visit www.aachurch.org.

Rocky Mountain News Vista Ridge Academy Serves Community

by Cindy Morgan Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain Conference

Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain Conference

Adventist youth and adult volunteers collaborating in ministry to needy children

Denver is one of several national donation hubs for Samaritan’s Purse.

Students of Vista Ridge Academy (VRA) in Erie, Colorado spent one Tuesday last December at a Denver warehouse, participating in Samaritan’s Purse’s “Operation Christmas Child.” Joining other community volunteers, 40 students and staff sorted thousands of Christmas gift boxes for delivery to children in Mexico.

This is one of many ministry activities at Vista Ridge each school year.

Serving others is a vital element of life with Christ at VRA. Part of the reward of service is the sheer joy of it.

Senior Zac Guerin says, “It’s fun to work with people from other communities, coming together for one purpose—putting a smile on a child’s face.”

Position Available Manager SONnyside Transitional Living Group Home An extension of The Healing Place, a Seventh-day Adventist ministry

Photo courtesy of Rocky Mountain Conference

Operation Christmas Child has delivered more than 70 million gift boxes around the world.

Candidates will monitor and manage a home for adults between the ages of 21 and 45 who are in transition. Preference will be given to applicants who are mission-minded and have a background in social services, group management, attending college for a similar degree or have previous related experience.

Married couples would be ideally suited as the home must be managed at all times, but single individuals may apply.

For more information and a job description, please contact The Healing Place, administrative office; Barbara Sanchez-Martin, executive director; 4038 Kalamath St., Denver, CO 82011; or by e-mail at Bsanchez08@q.com.

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Mid-America Union News Union College Students Create Many Ways to Serve in Lincoln

by Tiffany Doss and Kelly Phipps Photo courtesy of Union College

Union College students have a long heritage of community service.

At Union College, no one can say they weren’t asked to help.

Asking is just one of the ways student leaders in Union’s Campus Ministries break down barriers to volunteering, such as lack of time, inability to make a long-term commitment or lack of awareness.

Whether through Facebook or inperson, students ask their friends to join them to meet the needs of complete strangers.

Statistically, it makes sense for Union students to excel in volunteering. Nebraska is ranked second highest in the nation for volunteerism, and the Midwest is the highest region overall. People who attend church are one-third more likely to volunteer than those who don’t, and the rate of college-aged volunteers is the highest it’s ever been in the 40 years records have been kept. 1 But this article is about more than statistics. It’s about two ex-

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amples of the many ways Union’s students choose to share God’s love in tangible acts of kindness.

Job Ministry, named for the biblical Job, emphasizes the importance of seeking and providing for others. It’s a ministry of moving, shoveling, raking, mowing, painting . . . helping people who, like Job, may not have friends to rely on in a time of need.

“... friends have f o r g o t t e n m e .”

(Job 19:14) “We implemented this program because a lot of people don’t have a support system,” said Garrett McLarty, a Union graduate who organized the program with teammates Chris Gillig and Garrett Brass three years ago. “They call us

because they don’t have a brother, sister or even a close friend to help them move. The goal of Job Ministries is to be their family in Christ, offer them a hand and show them that they are not alone.”

Job Ministries began when local service organizations like People’s City Mission and Health and Human Services began directing people seeking assistance to Union College. These institutions were impressed with the work ethic and hospitality Union students displayed through Project Impact, the school’s annual city-wide volunteer day.

“The community and volunteers are blessed through this program,” said Brass. “It’s a time for us to show people who God really is.”

At the beginning of each school year, the Campus Ministries team sends flyers to Lincoln residents and local establishments, reminding the community that Union stu-

Union College dents are available to help.

When a request comes in, the student body receives an e-mail that describes the job and how many volunteers are needed. “Students here are so willing to offer their time and answer the needs of the community,” said Whitney Brass, junior business major from Colorado and director of Job Ministries. “A request is rarely unable to be met.” These students don’t help people just to try to get them to church. “The goal of Job Ministries is not to convert people, but to support them,” said David Skau, a senior International Rescue and Relief major and avid participant in Job Ministries.

Though the students’ goal is to meet physical needs, their example can also touch the hearts of those they serve. One woman, impressed by the enthusiasm and sincerity of the volunteers that helped her move, attended College View Church several weeks later and spoke at a chapel service, thanking students for helping her when no one else could.

The Ultimate Love Banquet “I feel pretty! Oh so pretty!” Two young women from People’s City Mission sang as they sashayed around the room in their formal gowns. But these girls weren’t dressed up for just any gala affair.

On Jan. 17, Union College students prepared the Ultimate Love Banquet for residents of People’s City Mission, a local organization committed to helping Lincoln’s impoverished citizens. But as 40 Union College students worked to make people who often feel overlooked feel special for even just

one night, the students discovered an even greater blessing.

From hair and make-up artists, cooks, servers, greeters, photographers and musicians, the committed volunteers made the banquet possible. When the banquet attendees arrived at Capital View Church, they were first pinned with a boutonnière, and then formally photographed. After being escorted to the fellowship hall, the banquet goers enjoyed pasta and salad while serenaded by live music performed by Union students.

“I’m glad I got the opportunity to use my talents to help minister to the deeper needs of people,” said Steven Hutchison, music education major. “They need more than just food and clothing,” “Some people get the idea that people are homeless because they want to be. I listened to their stories!” explained Sandy White, a Physician Assistant student who planned the Ultimate Love Banquet. “These people have had some extraordinarily bad luck but still have amazing dreams of doing great things.”

“I saw beautiful looks of joy on people’s faces when they felt how important they are to us and to God,” said Emily Carlson, an elementary education major.

Ashley Schebo, sophomore elementary education major, agreed that seeing the gratitude of the guests made the event worthwhile.

“It was also awesome to hear how much the guests appreciated what we did for them.”

The echoes of one woman’s cry of joy stayed in the heart of each volunteer and made the event worth the effort. “I want lots of pictures tonight,” she exclaimed, “‘cause I

look fine!”

Ultimately, Union students spend thousands of hours helping people in the Lincoln community in both ongoing ministries and one-time events, not because it’s a national trend or because it’s popular, but because of the words of Jesus, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).

For more information about outreach activities at Union, visit www.ucollege.edu/campus-ministries or check out the campus ministry fan page on Facebook.

1.

For research on volunteering, visit volunteeringinamerica.gov.

Union College Calendar March 4-6 Pre v ie w Days March 12-21 Spr ing Bre ak March 25-27 Pre v ie w Days Apr il 1-4 Home coming Wee ke nd Apr il 15-17 Pre v ie w Days Apr il 22-24 Pre v ie w Days May 7-9 Graduat ion Wee ke nd

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An Unexpected Calling Hospital residency program inspires new chaplains Photo courtesy of CMBell Company

Littleton Adventist Hospital’s Chaplain Gomes is one of only five Adventist chaplains in the country to be certified in a clinical pastoral education program that trains chaplains to reach people from all walks of life.

Neither Lisa Selander nor Evelyn Bodett intended to become chaplains, and especially not chaplains ministering to the ill, the injured and the dying. But a clinical pastoral education program at Littleton Adventist Hospital revealed their calling.

“God used my experience at Littleton to change the course of my life,” says Selander, who admits to fighting “tooth and nail” against going into the program.

“I totally dreaded being called in to a situation where someone was dying and I had no control. But I now know there is something holy in those encounters.”

Selander intended to spend just one semester at Littleton and return to youth ministry. But that soon turned into a full year-long residency.

“I ended up in a hospital because God knew that was the best place for me to learn,” she says.

Accredited by the national Association of Clinical Pastoral Educators, the program at Littleton Hospital offers training for chaplains in hospitals, hospices

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and palliative care programs. Since the program was started in 1997, more than 100 students have completed CPE units. Steve Gomes, one of only five Adventist chaplains currently certified as an ACPE Supervisor, heads the program.

The core of Littleton’s program is teaching chaplains how to provide spiritual care, regardless of the patient’s faith or beliefs. Gomes describes it as an “incarnational model” because the chaplains are taught that just as Jesus left heaven to live in man’s world, the chaplain must enter the patient’s world and understand how God is working there.

“We enter a room just like a doctor or nurse would to make an assessment,” Gomes explains. “We need to understand their needs, not our needs. We need to awaken to the knowledge that God is there, but often differently than we think.”

Evelyn Bodett, one of three current residents, remembers one of her first days on the job. She was asked to visit a patient who was extremely angry, yelling and throwing objects. At first, she was scared. But then she said a prayer and felt a sense of peace come over her. She was able to enter the room with a sense of wonderment about where this woman was in her journey and how she could help her.

“I wasn’t there to ask her about God but to understand what was important in that moment to her,” Bodett says. “We talked for 45 minutes, and before I left, she asked me to pray with her. I knew that I wasn’t ministering by myself in that room. It was very transformative.”

It was this encounter and others like it that Bodett calls breakthrough moments. Like Selander, Bodett had signed on for just one semester at Littleton and planned on returning to her prior work in women’s ministry.

“I didn’t know why God had called me to seminary,” Bodett says. “Two weeks into the program at Littleton, I knew chaplaincy was my calling. All the pieces fell together.”

This article was submitted by Stephen King, senior vice president for mission and ministry for Colorado’s Adventist hospitals, and written by CMBell Company.

What Mid-America’s bloggers are saying To read each blog post in full, visit www.midamericaadventist.org Jim Moon Christ didn’t know sin through practice. He knew it through punishment. He experienced the effects of sin that we might experience the effects of His righteousness. He traded outcomes with us. O Glory to God.

Chris and Candice McConnell What I thought was weird was that the article didn’t mention anything about requiring management skills for pastors—only whether or not all candidates should be ordained.

What can we learn from Google?

Nancy Buxton It’s Thursday and I’m having lunch with a friend. I love Judy—she is my hero. As a single mom, she made those kids her first priority. Now our families have grown up, and grandchildren are calling asking when we can come to their house.

Kymone Hinds YouTube showed a couple who like to play pranks on each other. So the girlfriend presents a Christmas gift to her boyfriend. He thinks it’s a Wii gaming system. The trick was, the box was filled insteadwith college textbooks. Let’s try not to judge contents by the wrapping.

Chanda Nunes I saw a young lady attempting to take her life by jumping off the bridge & onto I-35 during rush hour. I stopped and tried to help. Kneeling on that cold bridge, I pressed my face against the metal fence & held onto her wrists, talking to her. She squirmed and cried out, “Let me go! I want to die!” I felt myself losing grip . . .

Michael Campbell Last Sabbath we tried something new—using a web cam while I was preaching in my one church of 250, broadcasting the sermon live to my smaller congregation 60 miles away. There are still refinements to make, but now over the Internet both my churches can simultaneously see me preach! And thanks to streaming video using free services such as Skype, the cost is minimal.

Janel Brasuell My heart is full of praise as I write about the miraculous birth of our brand new baby boy: Nathan Joseph Brasuell. Those who have followed his story understand what I mean. We almost lost Nathan when I was only 12 ½ weeks along. Maybe you prayed for little Nathan, our Baby Hope, and now he’s here! Thank you!!

Claudio Consuegra “A Christian college experience can be a very positive thing for a growing Christian’s faith. But the numbers indicate that parents must look at their children’s early years in elementary and middle school to make sure they are prepared to defend their faith. Because if they don’t, before they even get to college, they are already gone” (Already Gone, p. 91-92).

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Correspondence

Letters to the

Editor

I want to thank you [Tom Lemon] for your editorial, “All Included.” I am sad about the “only one way to worship” mindset. Christ created us to be different. He knew our ways of worshipping him would be different. He gave us guidelines in the Old Testament and showed us more about loving within our worship in the New Testament. As you stated, though, it is to be biblically appropriate.

- Beverly Vietz, via e-mail I was heartened by the contrasts in the article “New Kind of Mission Field” by Watterson and Binder (Union College students, February Outlook). Most often the only “jungles” I have read about in our Sabbath school quarterlies and mission stories have been limited to the entire African continent, with the idea that everywhere in Africa is a jungle.

I once attended briefing sessions for intending student missionaries [not at Union College] where those going to Africa were intentionally given the impression that life there was going to be tougher than anything they ever imagined—occasional visits by monkeys, mosquitoes in droves, people who stink, lots of rats and snakes to greet them, no running water, or electricity or phone services. No one ever tells them how revered and adored and respected and appreciated they would be.

Soon after arriving at Berrien Springs and getting my kids registered for school, one of them came home one day and told me that he was asked by his teacher whether they (Africans) still live on top of trees! Stereotypes die hard!!

Of course the American jungle is far better than the African one because of cell phones and Internet and running water and good roads! If Christ tarries, the USA might be stripped of its pride, especially with how astronomical the American jungle of “same sex/gay” lifestyle is increasing. So may I suggest that you add the gays and lesbians as part of the “new mission field.”

God bless and keep up the good work.

- Chinyere Nwankwo, via e-mail

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Mid-America Outlook

Thank you for the article, “A Top Model of Faithfulness” (Jan. 2010). As a professional photographer, I can attest that the Sabbath problem was only the tip of the iceberg Mr. Joseph would have faced had he become a professional model. I deeply admire his stand, and it’s inspiring to know that there are believers who choose God’s way over any other.

Several years ago I turned down a job over Sabbath issues. The rep told me I was crazy not to take the job: the photographer I was to assist was also the photo editor for National Geographic magazine and would have been a huge leg up. It was a far cry from $3M, but it was tempting none the less. Thank you for reminding us that we are not alone in our challenges, nor are we alone who make the choice of Moses (Heb. 11:25).

- Erik Stenbakken, Greeley, CO Correction: Please make a correction from the article that was in the Outlook in December regarding Maasai Development Project. The sentence that read: “The only method of prevention used to stop bleeding is to pour blood over the wound to attract flies” actually should have read: “One method of prevention to stop bleeding is to pour milk over the wound, which does attract flies.”

The other correction is the caption at the top of page four for the picture of the baptismal candidates. It should have read: “Recent Baptism as a result of MDP sponsored lay pastors.”

Thank you for the article and for letting us make these two corrections. We have had good responses. God has blessed us through this article.

- Jan Meharry, founder/executive director Maasai Development Project

We invite you to send us your written reflections, both positive and negative. E-mail: martin@midamericaoutlook.org, or write: Editor of Outlook, c/o Mid-America Union Office, P.O. Box 6128, Lincoln, NE 68506

Information Information Farewell Chase, Leona Marie, b. July 27, 1917, in Tama County, IA, d. Dec. 9, 2009, in Grinnell, IA. Member of Newton Church, IA. Survived by step-son, Wayne; and step-grandchildren, Keith and Derek.

Enberg, Frances Marie, b. Sept.

10, 1921, in McMinnville, TN, d.

Dec. 30, 2009 in Aitkin, MN. Member of Aitkin Church. Preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Milton. Survived by son, Dale; two grandchildren, Korrine DesVernine and Terra Lorentz; two greatgrandchildren, Reese DesVernine and Rylan Lorentz; and many other relatives and friends.

Finke, Marie H., b. Nov. 17, 1908, in Topeka, KS, d. Nov. 1, 2009, in Eckert, CO. Member of Cedaredge Church. Preceded in death by husband, Howard; and two brothers.

Survived by daughter, Rose Mary Pollard; sons, Myron and Jim Bales; 10 grandchildren; and 27 greatgrandchildren.

Forshee, Cynthia Elizabeth “Beth,” b. Feb. 11, 1926, in Golden Colorado, d. Oct. 6, 2009 in Worland, WY. Member of Powell Church. Campion Academy and Union College alumna. Survived by sons, Frank and Norman; daughter, Shelly Braxton; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Fountain, John William, b. April 27, 1962, d. Jan. 13, 2010, in Clarksburg, MO. Member of Columbia Church.

Survived by wife, Tina; daughters, April and Kaitlyn; sisters, Brenda Dye, Linda Clark, Margie McCubbins, Julie Stallings, Connie Herbal; and mother, Edna.

Frances Welker Samora, b. Dec. 17, 1913, in Burlington, CO, d. Dec. 13, 2009, in Fruita, CO. Long time member of Fruita church and Dorcas Society. Preceded in death by husbands, Clarence Welker and Adolph Samora; daughters, Albertice Goddard and Gloria; and sons, Charles Welker and Clarence. Survived by daughter, Addie Arnold; sons, George Welker, John and Dan; and more than 100 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and greatgreat-grandchildren.

Hircock, Duane R., b. June 13,

1934, in Numa, IA, d. Dec. 18, 2009, in Paola, KS. Member of Osawatomie Church. Worked in the Adventist Health system at Boulder Memorial Hospital and Castle Hospital in Hawaii, and built SDA churches in CO, NE and WY. Survived by wife, Barbara; son, Lee; foster daughter, Linda; sisters, Bette Affolter and Joyce Friend; and four grandchildren.

Johnson, Cecil Lloyd, b. Aug. 5, 1939, d. Dec. 3, 2009. Member of Hot Springs Church. Preceded in death by parents, George and Marjorie; wife, Virginia Lopez; three sons; one sister; and one brother. Survived by daughters, Bernadine Guenther and Tammy Pierce; brother, Curt Johnson; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Kayler, Clifford, b. July 25, 1933, in Goodrich, ND, d. Jan. 9, 2010, in Bismarck, ND. Member of Goodrich Church. Preceded in death by parents, Emil and Leontina. Survived by wife, Joyce; daughters, Geraldine Forbes, Gracie Blair and Tammy Johnson; son, Clifton; four siblings; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Orr, Ronald, b. April 4, 1927, in Briggsdale, CO, d. Oct. 19, 2009, in Aztec, NM. Member of Farmington Church. Preceded in death by parents; and daughter, Jackie Collins.

Survived by wife, Sharon; daughters, Joyce Kingham, Linda Wehling and Jenni VanHerwaarden; son, David; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Scott, Agnes (Harris), b. Aug. 4, 1910, in Berea, NE, d. Dec. 15, 2009.

Member of Hot Springs Church.

Preceded in death by husband, LaVerne; and five siblings. Survived by daughters, Mary and Joan; sons, Richard and Wayne; four grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Schlissner, Lyle, b. Aug. 9, 1916, in Ramona, SD, d. Jan. 6, 2010, in Madison, SD. Member of Interlakes Church. Plainview Academy alumni. Survived by wife, Dorothy; daughter, Sandra Watson; son, Graydon; sister, Gen Matson; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Sherman, Richard L., b. March 17, 1935, in Iowa City, IA; d. Jan. 4, 2010, in Cedar Rapids, IA. Member of Cedar Rapids Church. Survived by wife, Anne; daughter, Dana Morgan; son, Dan Morgan; and sister, Florence Stingley.

Smith, Cheryl Lanette, b. June 17, 1948, in Larned, KS, d. Sept. 29, 2009 in Louisville, CO. Member of Arvada church. Survived by husband, Douglas; daughter, Marcquel Jones; son, Monte; sister, Janice Davis; brother, Ken Roth; mother, Irene Roth; and four grandchildren.

Snyder, Rebekah Ann, b. Oct. 22, 1978, in New Castle, WY, d. Nov. 24, 2009, in Kearney, NE. Member of Gothenburg Church, NE. Survived by husband, Kevin; daughter, Samantha; sons, Jacob and Steven; parents, Ralph and Lorna Meglemre; brothers, Dale and Clif

ton Meglemre; sister, Ruth Minzel; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Russell and Barbara Snyder; and brother-in-law, Mark Snyder.

Wiener, John D., b. March 11, 1939, in Lincoln , NE, d. Dec. 11, 2009, in Aurora, NE. Member of Aurora Church. Survived by wife, Carol; sons, John and Kevin; daughter, Jennifer Olson; sister, Gail Herlan; and three grandchildren.

Wierick, Humbert “Herb” Walter, b. Dec. 11, 1924, in Eureka Springs, AR, d. Jan. 10, 2010, in El Dorado, KS. Member of Wichita South Church. Survived by daughters, Della Buzzard, Wilma Martin, Carol Clegg, Esther Draper and Beth Bramwell; sons, Michael Wierick, Kevin Adelmund and John Hunt; sister, Bunola Berry; 24 grandchildren; and 35 great-grandchildren.

Sunset Calendar Colorado March 5 March 12 March 19 March 26 Denver 5:56 6:04 7:11 7:18 Grand Junction 6:11 6:18 7:25 7:32 Pueblo 5:56 6:03 7:10 7:16 Iowa Davenport 5:58 6:06 7:13 7:21 Des Moines 6:10 6:18 7:26 7:33 Sioux City 6:20 6:29 7:37 7:45 Kansas Dodge City 6:38 6:44 7:51 7:58 Goodland 5:44 5:51 6:58 7:05 Topeka 6:20 6:27 7:34 7:41 Wichita 6:27 6:34 7:40 7:47 Minnesota Duluth 6:00 6:10 7:20 7:29 International Falls 6:04 6:14 7:25 7:35 Minneapolis 6:06 6:15 7:24 7:33 Missouri Columbia 6:06 6:13 7:20 7:27 Kansas City 6:15 6:22 7:29 7:36 Springfield 6:11 6:18 7:24 7:30 St. Louis 5:58 6:05 7:12 7:19 Nebraska Grand Island 6:29 6:37 7:44 7:52 Lincoln 6:12 6:30 7:38 7:45 North Platte 6:39 6:46 7:54 8:02 Scottsbluff 5:50 5:58 7:06 7:14 North Dakota Bismarck 6:35 6:45 7:54 8:04 Fargo 6:19 6:29 7:38 7:48 Williston 6:45 6:56 8:06 8:16 South Dakota Pierre 6:35 6:44 7:53 8:01 Rapid City 5:46 5:55 7:04 7:13 Sioux Falls 6:21 6:29 7:38 7:46 Wyoming Casper 6:00 6:08 7:16 7:25 Cheyenne 5:55 6:03 7:10 7:18 Sheridan 6:01 6:10 7:19 7:28

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April 2 7:25 7:39 7:23 7:29 7:41 7:53 8:04 7:12 7:47 7:53 7:39 7:46 7:42 7:33 7:43 7:37 7:25 7:59 7:53 8:09 7:21 8:14 7:58 8:26 8:10 7:21 7:55 7:33 7:25 7:37

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Information Classifieds Advertising Policy Submission: Classified ads must be submitted with approval from your local conference or pastor.

Ads may be e-mailed, faxed or typewritten.

Outlook does not accept responsibility for categorical or typographical errors. Display ad rates available at www.midamericaadventist. org or 402.484.3012.

Pricing: Inside Mid-America $25 for first 50 words, 35¢ each additional word.

Pricing: Outside MidAmerica $35 for first 50 words, 80¢ each additional word.

A box can be added around an ad for $5.

Notices or Announcements Notices of events, alumni weekends, camp meetings, etc., can be printed at no charge if no product or service is involved and no price is listed. Placement is not guaranteed, however, unless the notice is purchased.

Services Adventist Coin Dealer: Silver .900 fine American coins by the roll. Pre1933 American gold coins. Choice coins, medals and tokens. Free appraisal of individual coin or entire collection. Phone, write or email.

Dr. Lawrence J. Lee, World Coins & Medals. 402-488-2646, P.O. Box 6194, Lincoln, NE 68506. lee@athena.csdco.com.

www.adventistcontact.com Successfully Matching Single Adventists Since 1974. ADVENTIST CONTACT is the original dating ministry for Adventists. We endeavor to be the very BEST! Will YOU be our next success story? Still ALONE? WHY? Join NOW! See what’s FREE! Tell your friends. Married through

CONTACT? Send your story to: success@adventistcontact.com

AdventistEvangelism.com, your #1 source for seminar handbills and brochures. If you are considering a community outreach series in your area, we can help you design, print and mail your invitations. Call Color Press toll free at 1.800.222.2145 and ask for Janet or Lorraine.

AdventistSingles.org Free 14-day Trial! Join thousands of Adventist singles online. Free chat, search, profiles, match notifications! Adventist owners since 1993. Visit www.elliotdylan.com for the Undercover Angels series of novels for Christian teens that build on Biblical principles and reinforce integrity. Great for Sabbath reading, church and home schools, and gifts!

Move With an Award-winning Agency. Apex Moving & Storage partners with the General Conference to provide quality moves at a discounted rate. Call us for all your relocations needs! Adventist beliefs uncompromised. Contact Marcy Dante’ at 800.766.1902 for a free estimate. Visit us at www.apexmoving.com/Adventist/.

Need help? Try Griffen Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. SDA family owned and operated, w/SDA Chaplain. Opening for male, female, or couple. Rates from $110. Skilled care facility w/95 beds. Quality 24hour nursing care. Odor-free environment. Physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Medicare and Medicaid approved. 641.842.2187— Knoxville, Iowa. Online at: www. griffinnrc.com.

Planning an Evangelistic Series or Health Seminar? Have questions? Need affordable, professionally prepared handbills, brochures, signs, banners and mailing services? Call free, 800.274.0016 and ask for HOPE Customer Service or visit www.hopesource.com. You deserve the best with confidence and peace of mind. Your friends at Hamblin’s HOPE deliver on-time.

Purchase online at www.interna-

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Mid-America Outlook

tionalbibles.com, a secure, fully functioning online Christian bookstore available 24/7 for your convenience; providing church supplies, Bible reference books and foreign language Bibles.We also offer SDA publications, SS quarterlies, study guides, the latest in Gospel music and much more.You may also order by phone 1.402.502.0883.

RVs! RVs! Motorhomes and trailers! Adventist owned and operated RV dealership has been helping SDAs for nearly 40 years. Huge inventory, courtesy airport pickup and on-site hookups. Call Lee Litchfield toll-free 1-888-933-9300 or email. Lee’s RV Oklahoma City.

Visit our website www.leesrv.com or e-mail lee@leesrv.com.

Single and Over 40? The only interracial group for Adventist singles over 40. Stay home and meet new friends in the USA with a Pen Pal monthly newsletter of members and album. For information, send large, self-addressed, stamped en-

velope to ASO 40; 2747 Nonpareil; Sutherlin, OR 97479.

Wellness Secrets in NW Arkansas, 5 Day Live-in Health Program, $495 special. A power-packed program that will change your life physically, mentally and spiritually. Also health seminars at your church. Call 479.752.8555; wellness.secrets@yahoo.com; www.wellnesssecrets4U. com

Employment Andrews University seeks applications for the position of Director of Institutional Assessment (DIA).

The DIA is responsible for coordinating the University’s academic assessment processes and supports the continuous evaluation and improvement of student learning through consultation with faculty, deans, and various governance groups. The DIA provides oversight for data collection and analysis that will ensure compliance with the North Central Accreditation stan-

Information Information dards and principles. The Director also provides information to the University’s administrative decision makers in order to facilitate strategic planning, policy-making, resource allocations, and enrollment projections. The Director reports to the Provost and will serve as a member of key institutional committees and councils. The Director must hold a master’s degree (doctorate preferred), in an appropriate academic discipline with a clear grasp of such things as data collection and analysis, strategic planning, accreditation processes and requirements, and assessment of student learning. Above all, the Director must have a demonstrated ability to work well with people and rally support. Interested candidates apply online at: http://www.andrews.edu/HR/emp_jobs_salaried.cgi and also submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and list of three references, including contact information, to employment@andrews.edu .

Andrews University is seeking a Psychology Professor. Preferred applicants must have an earned PhD from an APA accredited school with strong training in research methods and teaching experience. For more information and to apply please visit: http://www.andrews.edu/hr/ emp_jobs_faculty.cgi

Pacific Union College seeks nursing faculty for didactic and clinical instruction in Adult Health Nursing.

Duties include planning, assessing, developing, implementing and evaluating classroom and clinical experiences in associate degree nursing program. For full job posting, please visit www.puc.edu.

Pacific Union College seeks nursing faculty for AS program coordination; advising; faculty mentoring; promoting and developing clinical relationships; and instruction that includes assessing, planning, developing, implementing and evaluating classroom and clinical experiences. For full job posting, please

ogy at Southern Adventist Univer-

visit www.puc.edu.

Rural Dental Practice in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge-one hour east of Portland, OR. Busy, quality practice; great lifestyle; churches and school nearby. Seeking dedicated SDA to continue our ministry. Seller to stay on to insure a smooth transition. Call 509.493.1463. http://w3.gorge. net/mathisen/index.html

San Joaquin Community Hospital seeks a full-time Employee Health Nurse (EHN). Qualifications and Requirements: You must be a graduate of an accredited school of nursing, and Bachelors of Science in Nursing preferred. A current California RN license is required, Education preparation in Workers’ Compensation is desired and Certification in Occupational Health Nursing is preferred. Visit our website at www.sjch.us for more information or to apply.

School of Education and Psychol-

sity seeks full-time faculty in areas of Early Childhood Education and Developmental Psychology. Graduate degree required (doctorate preferred). Experience in administration and teaching in early childhood education programs beneficial. Position requires that the applicant be a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, in good and regular standing. Please submit a resume and letter of application to John Wesley Taylor, Dean (email: sep@ southern.edu; fax: 423.236.1765; mailing address: P.O. Box 370, Collegedale, TN 37315-0370

Walla Walla University School of Business seeks applicants for a full-time tenure-track position in Management/Human Resource Management beginning September 2010. An earned doctorate with emphasis in management is preferred, along with demonstrated teaching experience and relevant business experience. For details and to apply, visit our website at: http://jobs.wallawalla.edu

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Information

White Memorial Medical Center, an Adventist Health hospital in Los Angeles, CA is currently looking for a Director of Facilities and Security. Eligible candidates must have at least 5 years of experience as a Director of Facilities or similar position/title in a 200+ bed acute care hospital. Must be a member of ASHE for at least 5 years as well as being certified as a CHSP with CHFM certification preferred.

Strong working knowledge of OSHPD, JCAHO, DHS, NFPA, ADA, and building codes is also required.

Please contact Eileen Lange, Manager of Recruitment and Retention, at 323.260.5832 or by email at Langeea@ah.org.

Adventist Academy , in DeQueen, Arkansas is a 10 grade school with certified Christian teachers. We are blessed with a high standard of education and a very low tuition.

Our church supports Conference youth programs and has an active Pathfinder Club. Located in a slow paced country setting, the area is known for its natural beauty, and our Conference Youth Camp is just 90 minutes away—located deep in the Ouchita Forest . If you are looking for a simpler way of life, and quality, affordable Christian education for your children, please come visit us. You may decide to stay.

Contact Pastor Dan: 870.642.5024.

Completely

Travel/Rentals

furnished turn-key apartments in quiet New England home on peaceful farm at edge of woods near ocean. Peaceful solitude for time to commune with God, nature and your own soul. Available for few days to few months. Elizabeth Boyd @ 207.729.3115 for brochure, rates.

A Great Place to Live: Beacon Hill

Steamboat Springs, CO: Exhilarating year-round vacation spot.

World-class skiing, summer fishing, hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, rafting. Kids under 12 ski free. Large condo, sleeps 9-11. Two bedroom loft/two bath. Fully furnished, fireplace, hot tubs, pool. Call 763.506.0436. E-mail: rdleach@aol. com.

Vacation on Kauai, Hawaii—“The Garden Island”—Kahili Mountain Park is a scenic mountain getaway located at the base of Kahili Ridge.

Just minutes from popular Kauai attractions, the park has an assortment of 1-4 room cabins with sleeping for 2-6 persons. See pictures and rates at www.kahilipark. org. Info: info@kahilipark.org or 808.742.9921.

Vacations! Looking for the best value and places for your vacation?

Specializing in cruises, beach vacations, wedding destinations and honeymoons. Also, knowledgeable in Europe, domestic and mission trips. Let a travel professional take the worry out of your vacation. Call Mary at 1.800.393.4040 or e mail mhedger@travelleaders.com.

For Sale A Reason For Handwriting® homeschool curriculum focuses on meaningful, daily practice. Each weekly lesson is built around a Scripture verse chosen for inspirational content as well as proper letter combinations. Now available at your local Adventist Book Center, online at www.adventistbookcenter.com, or by calling 1.800.765.6955.

For Sale, Near Port Townsend, WA. Tired of snow, heat, tornadoes, hurricanes, congestion, empty distances? Continue refurbishing 2-story 1920’s home with attic and full (1,000+ sf) daylight basement.

Olympic Rain Shadow offers mild weather in rural setting. Walk to beach, stores, schools. Nice SDA Church and school. $275,000. Call 360.385.1394.

Immune Ammunition: Five herbs blended to help your immune system fight virus, bacteria, fungus and inflammation. Buy now and

REACH YOUR COMMUNITY FOR CHRIST Contemporary Evangelism for the 21st Century

By Carlton Byrd “Our church is growing stagnant” is a common sentiment of many church members. The church is crying out for evangelism and growth. In this book, Pastor Byrd demonstrates ways we can change our methods of evangelism to show how the Seventh-day Adventist message is relevant to the issues of today.

Catalog #420905 US$14.95

You Can Be a Soul Winner

By Gary Ford Do you want to give Bible studies and share God’s message with people you meet? This book provides in-depth analysis of methods Jesus used as He invited people to join His Father’s kingdom. You’ll learn how to lead people from the basics of the Bible to making a decision.

Catalog #416971 US$3.95

Summer Ministries

By Stuart Tyner, V. Bailey Gillespie, and David Wood Summer Ministries demonstrates how to lead your church into targeted project evangelism. You will learn about starting small, recruiting volunteers, fundraising, and more.

Includes project ideas for churches of all sizes.

Catalog #602210 US$9.95

To find more personal evangelism resources, visit www.adventsource.org or call 800-328-0525.

one name • one number • one source

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Mid-America Outlook

Information Information “Ye Olde” Cedar Lake Academy Reunion will take place June 3 - 6, 2010, for alumni and warmly welcomed schoolmates of 1960 and earlier, at Great Lakes Adventist Academy (formerly CLA). Honor classes: 1930, 1940, 1950, 1960. De-

tails will be forthcoming by postal service. Also, you may contact the GLAA Alumni Office at 989-4275181 or visit www.GLAA.net for further information. Please do pass the good word.

Adventist-laymen’s Services & Industries (ASI) is a membership-based organization of Seventh-day Adventist lay people actively participating in the church’s worldwide mission.

The Mid-America ASI chapter is excited to hold its annual convention in metro Denver. Please join us as we: “BOLDLY PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD!” April 8-11 Denver Colorado at the Graystone Castle be ready. We also carry hard to find vegan/vegetarian supplements, including Vitamin D. Order Online: www.bonherbals.com, Phone 423.238.7467, email: bonnie@bonherbals.com, or Mail: Bon Herbals, PO Box 1038 , Collegedale , TN 37315

SAVE $4.00 March 1-31, 2010!

ABC Deal of the Month: Finding the Father, by Herb Montgomery.

Regularly $14.99, SALE $10.99.

Confront long-held, though biblically unfounded, views of God—see Him for who He really is. Available at your ABC, at www.AdventistBookCenter.com, or by calling 1-800-765-6955.

Events M.I.A. Boulder Junior Academy Alumni: Many students passed through the doors of BJA (Boulder, CO), over the years and we have lost touch with some of you. Vista Ridge Academy (formerly BJA) wants to re-connect with our history. If you

attended BJA, please contact us.

E-mail cindym@vrak12.org with your name/address and when you attended BJA. We would love to see you at the next Alumni Weekend!

83 East 120th Ave. in Thornton, CO 303.451.1002 Featured speakers are:

Loma Linda University School of Public Health will host the Healthy People Conference on Lifestyle and Chronic Disease, March 9 – 10, 2010. The program features worldclass speakers, networking and discussion. More information about the conference can be found at www.healthypeopleconference.org or by contacting Renate Krause at 909.651.5940 or rkrause@llu.edu

Washington Adventist University Alumni Weekend: (Columbia

Union College, Washington Missionary College) April 9-11. Music Center Groundbreaking, President’s Banquet, worship services, class reunions, evening concert, Alumni Brunch, WAU Family Fun Festival.

Honor Classes: ’30, ’40, ’50, ’60, ’70, ’80, ’85, ’90 & ’00. More information: wau.edu/alumni, alumni@wau. edu, or 301.891.4133.

Gary Thurber David Asscherick Ty Gibson Little Light Ministries Plus inspiring reports from Mid-America members on the front lines of evangelism at home and around the world.

Hotel is $75.00 per room, including two full breakfast buffets per room and free parking. Amenities include indoor pool, exercise room, and garden lounge. Registration is $105.00 including all meals, or $65 without meals.

To register for the convention please contact: Raylene Jones, rajones@maucsda.org, 402.484.3002.

Or write to: Mid-America Union, PO Box 61238, Lincoln, NE 68506-0128.

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Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PO Box 6128 Lincoln, NE 68506-0128 Change Service Requested

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