OUTLOOK – April 2021 by OUTLOOK magazine

MID-AMERICA SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST NEWS & INSPIRATION

CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF COLLABORATION OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

Massage

and Health Ministry prove a perfect match P. 6

APRIL2021

MAGAZINE APRIL 2021 PERSPECTIVES 4

WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER —Gary Thurber

FOUR REASONS WHY COLLABORATION IS ESSENTIAL —Hubert J. Morel Jr.

FEATURES 6

FROM PARTY GIRL TO HEALTH LEADER Chelsea Carena

MASSAGE AND HEALTH MINISTRY PROVE A PERFECT MATCH Jan Grote

WHAT’S YOUR STORY? Joann Harrington

NEWS 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30

MID-AMERICA UNION CENTRAL STATES DAKOTA IOWA-MISSOURI KANSAS-NEBRASKA MINNESOTA ROCKY MOUNTAIN UNION COLLEGE ADVENTHEALTH FAREWELL INFOMARKET

OUTLOOK (ISSN 0887-977X) April 2021, Volume 42, Number 4. OUTLOOK is published monthly (10 months per year) by the Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 8307 Pine Lake Road, Lincoln, NE 68516. Printed at Pacific Press Publishing Association, Periodical postage paid at Lincoln, NE and additional offices. USPS number 006-245. Postmaster: Send all undeliverables to CFF. Free for Mid-America church members and $10 per year for subscribers. ©2017 Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Unless otherwise credited, all images are iStock. Adventist® and Seventh-day Adventist® are registered trademarks of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. CONTACT us by email: info@maucsda.org or phone: 402.484.3000.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” —p. 5

MID-AMERICA UNION CONFERENCE

ONLINE

mag.org

CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF COLLABORATION

NEWS AND INSPIRATION

#SabbathSlowdown Spiritual Gifts and Connecting with Others bit.ly/SabbathSlowdown021921

Creative Cure Art Show Coming Soon outlookmag.org/creative-cureart-show-coming-soon

This month we celebrate the gift of being part of the Adventist community and the ways in which we can all work together to accomplish the mission of our church. We know that collaboration is imperative for success. And although our conferences are diverse in geography, population and resources, we are all united in our commitment to the same goal of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with our neighbors, friends and families. I pray you will be encouraged and inspired as you read stories about Mid-Americans studying the Bible together, praying and worshipping together, and entwining their careers with ministry. And I hope you will be excited to learn about how we are scheduled to work together in serving as hosts for three global church events coming to our BRENDA DICKERSON territory in the next few editor years.

ON THE COVER

Anger At God: Do I Dare? outlookmag.org/anger-at-god

Jan Grote is combining massage therapy, plant-based foods and wellness classes in serving her community in rural Missouri. More on p. 6 Photo by Kezzia Brendle

President Gary Thurber Secretary Hubert J. Morel Jr. Treasurer Troy Peoples Church Ministries Roger Wade Communication Brenda Dickerson Education LouAnn Howard Disability/Hispanic Ministries Roberto Correa Human Resources Raylene Jones Ministerial Mic Thurber Religious Liberty Darrel Huenergardt Women’s Ministries Nancy Buxton midamericaadventist.org OUTLOOK STAFF Editor: Brenda Dickerson Digital Media Manager: Hugh Davis outlookmag.org DESIGN Hallock Writing & Design brennanhallock.com CONFERENCE NEWS EDITORS Central States Cryston Josiah josiah.c@central-states.org 913.371.1071 central-states.org Dakota Jodi Dossenko j.dossenko@gmail.com 701.751.6177 dakotaadventist.org Iowa-Missouri —— 515.223.1197 imsda.org Kansas-Nebraska Stephanie Gottfried sgottfried@ks-ne.org 785.478.4726 ks-ne.org Minnesota Savannah Carlson scarlson@mnsda.com 763.424.8923 mnsda.com Rocky Mountain Rajmund Dabrowski rayd@rmcsda.org 303.733.3771 rmcsda.org UNION COLLEGE Ryan Teller ryteller@ucollege.edu 402.486.2538 ucollege.edu

PERSPECTIVES

Together

We Are Stronger

Mid-America to host worldwide events

ur original plan for this issue of OUTLOOK magazine was to share information about the General Conference Session. As you have likely heard, GC Session has now been delayed until June of 2022. And for good reason. Unfortunately, I have heard multiple conspiracy theories about how a few individuals are manipulating this for their own gain, but actually nothing could be further from the truth. I hope I can reassure you that no one’s behavior has been inappropriate or misleading in the process to first delay the session to 2021, and now again until 2022. The most challenging aspect GARY THURBER is president of the Mid-America Union.

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that with travel restrictions in place, they could not meet that quorum requirement. Therefore, the division leaders, in consultation with the union leaders, advised the GC to postpone the session. Input was gathered from around the world and a decision reflective of our global church was reached. Through this process, I saw a good example of how we as a church worked together within our structure to make a very important decision. Additionally, you should know that the GC officers recused themselves from the meetings regarding the session delay because they realized their Worldwide collaboration input might be construed as Evidently, you are required self-serving. to interpret the by-laws acIt is my understanding that cording to original intent—as one of the first items we will they were written and voted address when we do meet years ago—when there was no again will be a vote to hold such thing as the Internet or virtual sessions if necessary. virtual meetings. Therefore, you must be literally (physical- Two GC sessions ly in person) at the meeting to It is always an honor to host be counted as present. our world church in session, The GC by-laws require and we will have that opportunity both next summer (June over 900 delegates to be 6-11, 2022, due to a schedulpresent in person to establish ing conflict with the convena quorum for opening their tion center in Indianapolis) session. In January of this and again in 2025 when the year, all the divisions realized

the GC has to deal with regarding this decision during the pandemic is their own constitution, which states that there is to be no proxy voting and that all votes must be cast in person. If you are like me, you probably have thought, “Well, with an online meeting, a person is technically present and will be casting their own vote.” As it turns out, the GC has hired leading attorneys in our country regarding organizational constitutions to read our by-laws and weigh in as to whether or not a Zoom-type meeting would be admissible. In each case, the answer has been the same…no!

GC Session will be held at the same location in St. Louis. The Dome stadium at the America Center seats approximately 67,000 and the Lambert St. Louis Airport is located only 13 miles from downtown, making this location well-suited to our needs. International Pathfinder camporee In addition, in August of 2024, the International Pathfinder camporee is coming to the Cam-Plex facility in Gillette, Wyoming. This is the largest Adventist youth activity in the world, with over 55,000 people from 105 countries attending in 2019. Thousands of young people committed their lives to Christ and 1,320 were baptized at the last camporee which took place in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The Lord has smiled on us to be chosen as hosts to our Adventist world church family during these upcoming events. Together as a MAUC family, let’s pray for, plan for and support these wonderful events coming to our territory. Until Jesus comes, the one thing I am certain of is that we are stronger together.

Four Reasons

PERSPECTIVES

Why Collaboration Is Essential (and relevant to the mission of the Adventist Church)

here is an African proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This saying implies that if I want to advance beyond my reach, I will only accomplish that goal when I do it with another person. Collaboration is both essential and relevant to the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the 21st century. We need each other. No man or woman is an island; we were created by God to be social, interactive and collaborative beings. In order for the mission of the church (which is the body of Christ) to be effective and successful, every member must be engaged. It requires the old, the young and in-between to engage. It requires the white, black, brown, red and yellow to engage. Therefore, collaboration is the process and the mechanism by which the mission of the church will be effective and successful. Collaboration between members in the church, between church and church. Collaboration between church and conference, between conference and union. Collaboration between union and division, between division and the General Conference. All are vitally important because they reflect the nature of the triune God and how He designed His body to function.

Unity and diversity The theology of collaboration in the mission of the church rests on two essential themes: unity and diversity. The theme of unity is very prevalent in the Scriptures— from the oneness of the Trinity, to the fellowship of the members of the church, to the persistent petitions to love one another. The theme of diversity is likewise present in the Scriptures through various images of the roles, gifts and functions in ministry. The Scriptures say that one plants while another waters and one sows while another reaps, so that both the sower and the reaper may be glad together. “It appears that in both the Old and New Testament the elders of the church felt the necessity of close collaboration and counsel in matters pertaining to the work of God, for we find them having councils from time to time. There was a meeting of the elders in the days of Samuel (1 Sam. 8:4); the same thing was true in the days of David, for we find him taking counsel with the leaders with reference to plans for God’s work (1 Chron. 13:1)” (The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church, p. 170). Here are four reasons why collaboration is essential and relevant to the mission of the Adventist Church.

1. Collaboration encourages the church to love and do good works as we near the return of Christ. “Let us think

of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near” (Heb. 10:24-25 NLT).

2. Collaboration equips the church for growth and edification. “From whom the whole body, joined and held

together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Eph. 4:16 ESV).

3. Collaboration expresses harmony within the church to speak with one voice to God’s glory. “May the God of

endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 15:5-6 ESV).

4. Collaboration extracts the impact of love in the Church indicating to everyone that we are Christ’s disci-

ples. “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35 NLT).

magine the impact in our society today if churches and members would collaborate together to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with their neighbors and friends.The number of souls that could be reached and saved for the kingdom of God would be astounding. Remember, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

HUBERT J. MOREL, JR. is vice president of administration for the Mid-America Union. OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

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Massage Therapy ... From Party Girl to Health Leader

here probably aren’t many college sophomores who turn to the Bible for answers to the meaning of life. But Chelsea Carena is used to being unique. After all, she started life as the one girl in a set of triplets! Trying to keep up with her brothers, she excelled at sports and received a scholarship to play fast-pitch softball for Oakland University in Michigan. Naturally a social person, Chelsea found the party scene at college to be an exciting new sport and embraced it a little too much. But when she was put on probation for excessive drinking, she decided to look for answers to the meaning of life by reading her Bible. She joined the Fellowship of Christian Athletes on campus in hopes of making friends with Christian young people who could help her figure out this new way of living. A fellow member of FCA by the name of Andrew invited a group of students to his house for Bible studies. The basics of Photos Courtesy BHHEC

Adventist beliefs were completely new to Chelsea, and though she was fascinated, her other friends weren’t quite so enthusiastic. They told her the things she was learning weren’t true and she should forget about them. Bewildered as to what to believe, Chelsea asked God to show her truth. God impressed her to search the Bible for herself. As she continued to read and study, she came to accept the truths of Adventism. Chelsea believes that because she had already begun to develop a relationship with Christ, the Holy Spirit revealed truth to her. After completing her degree in Health Sciences, she returned home to her parents’ house and waited for God to show her the next

before her car was headed west to The Hills and her six months in the program flew by. From contacts Chelsea made in 2016 at the ASI meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, she was hired by Eden Valley Institute of Wellness while still a student. After graduation, she headed south to Eden Valley in Loveland, Colorado, to work as a massage therapist. But God had bigger plans. Chelsea soon found herself doing hydrotherapy as well as massage, making poultices, teaching classes to guests, and step. She found an Adventist hiking the mountains. A visit church near her home and from Barbara O’Neill to Eden was baptized. She worked Valley brought Chelsea an a couple of jobs while she invitation to Misty Mountain continued to grow in Christ. Retreat in Australia for three Within a few months Chelsea months in 2018 to learn more discovered the 8 Natural skills and have more outdoor Laws and implemented them adventures. in her own life. She then Today, less than five years became convicted that she after graduation, Chelsea is should share this information the lifestyle director at Eden with others. Massage therapy Valley, leading a team of seemed like a good career therapists and sharing Christ to both earn a living and to on the campus as well as in share health principles and her community. Through the gospel with others. her persistent prayers and personal example, members More skills, more of her family (including one adventures of her brothers and her mom) Chelsea’s search for massage have taken more of an interest schools felt like a dead end in spiritual things. From party until an ad for Black Hills girl to health leader, God School of Massage in South fulfilled Isa. 61:3 by exchangDakota popped up on her ing “a spirit of heaviness for a Facebook page. It wasn’t long garment of praise,” and her life is truly bringing glory to Him.

After graduating from BHHEC School of Massage, Chelsea Carena is serving as the lifestyle director at Eden Valley Institute of Wellness in Loveland, Colorado. 6 OUTLOOKMAG.ORG APRIL 2021

A Ministry of Touch BHHEC The #1 Christian

Finding a Perfect Match

an Grote has a heart for helping others. It was her motivation for initially choosing nursing as a career. But after her children were grown and her husband unexpectedly passed away, Jan started searching for ways she could have a bigger impact in helping people learn about true health. She no longer wanted to just pass out medicines and have only brief moments with patients. She worked part time at a lifestyle center in Missouri and as the nurse at Black Hills Health & Education Center, but she wanted to do more, and she wanted to be living in her country home and helping her community. Jan’s sister and her cousin were both massage therapists with thriving practices, and they encouraged her to take a close look at massage. About that time, though, her mother was scheduled to have surgery, so instead of heading to school Jan went to care for her mother for several months. Meanwhile, a friend who lived near her, Kira Reoh, came to the Black Hills to study massage and graduated in July of 2018. Jan has a special skill of bringing people together, The 2019 graduating class left Black Hills Health & Education Center well prepared to engage in the ministry of massage therapy.

and she played matchmaker for her sister. This led to her sister getting married, moving out of town and turning over her practice to Kira right after Kira’s graduation. While caring for her mother, Jan continued playing matchmaker, introducing the son of another friend to the young (and single) chef at Black Hills. That match was also successful, but before marriage the chef was convinced to learn massage as well. Both the chef and Jan joined the 2019 massage class. There was a wedding in the middle of the term, followed by graduation in September.

Massage School

Jan Grote combines massage therapy, plant-based meals and wellness classes in her new community ministry.

her church, hosted a weekend event called Abundant Life. The event included lectures by a special guest who is Never a better time an expert in healthy living, Fall of 2019 found Jan back in Missouri ready to go to work. delicious plant-based meals (she grows the greens and She joined Kira in her practice other veggies in her garden), and added a small kitchen to hydrotherapy and, of course, the clinic. Now she is both massage! chef as well as therapist. She Jan is enjoying doing what tries to make time to prepare a plant-based lunch on Thursdays she feels God called her to that is available to the commu- do, and she believes there has never been a better time to be nity. Occasionally she offers a working for the Lord in the Massage and Green Smoothie field of health. special to her clients. Jan also teaches health classes in the meeting room at Stories written by Brenda Trace, therapeutic chef, massage the clinic. Last September she, atherapist, instructor at BHSOM, along with other members of and a storyteller

In the world of massage schools, Black Hills School of Massage is everything few schools want to be. Unique. Different. Unashamedly Christian. “Old Age.” In a Google search, we are positioned at number one for Christian massage schools in the country. Not because of great SEO, but because Christian massage schools are almost nonexistent. We teach massage as a tool for ministry. It’s an opportunity to learn a skill that provides income and an open door to teach the health message to others through touch and perhaps other means such as health classes in the community. Each student chooses to share Christ in their own unique way. Chelsea and Jan are just two of those who have found a way. Wherever you are, we encourage you to allow God to use you or develop your skills to be used by Him to share the good news of true health and Christ’s soon return with others. —Al Trace directs the School of Massage at BHHEC in Hermosa, South Dakota. web: bhhec.org/school-ofmassage/2732390 phone: 605.255.4101 423.710.4873 (cell) email: info@bhhec.org

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What ’s Your Story? This month we continue our series of interviews as Mid-America Union president Gary Thurber talks with Joann Harrington about her experiences.

Joann Harrington: W id e n in g th e c irc le Joann, tell us about your background.

asked questions about things we observed, they would sit down and talk with us. I do remember my parents giving my four brothers “the talk” about what to do when you are out at night or when you are stopped by the police. They told them sternly exactly what to do and not to do to help ensure that they could come home alive.

My parents were already Christians and they joined the Seventh-day Adventist church in my infancy. They were committed to doing whatever the Lord showed them, and that included Christian education for us kids. I was raised at Sharon Church in Omaha, which was a very nurturing environWhen you entered a room ment. We had a wonderful and were the only person choir director and I regularly of color, how did you feel? played the piano and organ I knew many people from for church services. various places and often my role was as a musician, Did you learn anything which paved the way for about racism as a child? me. My parents also had a I wasn’t aware of the issues wide swath of acquaintances in first grade, but I found out from many cultures, so I was usually not uncomfortable. later we were the first genI do recall that after one eration of African-America performance a lovely lady students allowed to attend came up to me and said how the local Adventist elemenmuch she enjoyed the music tary school. I don’t recall my and that she just couldn’t parents initiating conversations about racism, but as we wait to “come over to your

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side of heaven and hear you people sing.” I was speechless. I thought, What is she talking about? There is a term called cognitive dissonance that refers to the discomfort experienced when something comes along to challenge a person’s previous beliefs. And usually it’s a good thing because as educators we know how to help students resolve it and grow. Yet as a child in the church, I heard church leaders say how much they loved God, and then I saw and heard active racism from them. This bothered me, and when I asked my parents about it they said, “Not everyone who’s talking about heaven is going to heaven,” meaning they are in the church but not yet converted by the love of God.

How has racism affected your journey? That’s a longer answer than we have time for today, but

I can give you some examples. Going away to academy was a culture shock. Certain people had ideas of who I was, but they didn’t know me. My advisor seemed to assume that because I was black I wasn’t going to college and should not enroll in the college prep courses. But my parents backed me up and I was able to tell him I wanted to prepare for college.

You not only graduated from Union College, you taught school, were a principal and an educational superintendent. Did you experience racism while working in the church? I worked for both regional and non-regional conferences, and I experienced hard times with some supervisors where I had to choose to back away and just not engage. Later I chose to teach in public schools.

How has God helped you deal with the systemic racism in our culture? God is still working with me. Sometimes it’s hard for me to realize that here we are in 2020 having to demonstrate and say that black lives matter. I thought we were beyond that. I realized after the death of Mr. Floyd that it could have been one of my brothers or the many, many friends I have with someone’s knee on their neck and them begging, “Please don’t kill me.” I was horrified and so upset. I was getting lots of emails and Facebook messages from friends, mostly Caucasian, asking to talk about this, and I finally had to say, “I’m dealing with this myself and I can’t take on the responsibility of educating you. Find an article, read a book—I’m just not available right now.” It takes time to process the “why.” My answer now is we live in a sinful world and Satan tries to cut us off from

each other and pit us against each other to cause division.

change, a mind change. We need to stop being silent. Our leaders need to be proactive in being anti-racist and have What are some barriers that keep us from working a call to prayer on this issue. We also need more diversity together successfully? in leadership. We have to start talking together truthfully. We need What is something you to experience cross culwish your white brothers tural communication that and sisters understood addresses the problems. But about the Africanwe need to be in the love American journey? mode, and talk before we reach the boiling point. The I believe that there is a wider our circle goes the resistance on the part of more we are enriched. When white America to underwe get out of our little boxes stand that racism in America the whole world opens to us. is systemic. If you’re running a race and you have chains and weights on your body, What do you wish our how can you ever compete church could do more of with a runner who is free of to promote healing? those things? I wish people We need to humble ourknew how hard People of selves and ask God to help us Color have to work to get with the racism that exists in anywhere. You have to be the church. It is not compattwice as good and work ible with the Spirit of Christ. twice as hard. You have to Legislation is good because navigate both the majority and minority cultures. it affords accountability, but governance will not do it. It must be intrinsic, a heart

What hope do you have for the future? As a Christian, it is my belief that the Holy Spirit is alive and well on the earth and He is able to change people. The question is whether they will allow the Spirit of Christ to be in their heart, to have the cultural humility to understand the concerns and difficulties. Just tolerating others is not the same as celebrating our diversity.

As a woman of color, what challenges have you faced? Our system is mostly patriarchal. I do see some changes with women pastors now and I’m so happy about that because it’s related to the race issues. Children need to see role models who look like them so they can visualize themselves doing that work. God’s Spirit cannot be contained in one gender or one race.

Joann Harrington is an accomplished musician who wrote the theme song for Adventurer clubs. She was also a career educator for over 40 years and is currently serving her second term as a member of the MAUC Executive Committee. Watch the full interview at: outlookmag.org/ whatsyourstory Hugh Davis

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MID-AMERICA UNION NEWS

MAUC Hosts 10 Days of Prayer Starting on “The Good Foot”

t’s been said that you need to start the year on the good foot, and that’s how Mid-America Union began 2021 as we—along with the Prayer Ministries coordinators of each conference in the union—joined the Seventh-day Adventist world church’s campaign for 10 Days of Prayer. This year the General Conference set aside Jan. 6-16 and challenged each member to schedule time to pray for a revival. Our conference Prayer Ministries leaders agreed that a union-focused campaign could convey a message of hope and unity, and as a result we invited the 65,000 members of our constituency to rally together and pray as we began 2021. Together we developed plans for a 30-minute LIVE online broadcast each evening, with one conference assigned to lead in presenting a program that was uniquely theirs. The programs consisted of music,

Courtesy Roger Wade

a presentation or short sermon, testimonies and, of course, prayer. We had music from many of our ethnic congregations, including the Travelers Singers from Iowa-Missouri Conference. We were blessed to have the Pride Family and the youth group K-Voices share their ministries. Dakota Conference pastor Darrin Purdy performed two songs he had written, and the Linwood Temple’s praise team represented Central States Conference. The MAUC 10 Days of Prayer campaign was truly

a collaborative effort among all the conferences in our union. In addition, each conference made sure the states in their conference were represented. Children, youth and seniors all gathered around web cameras to share their portion of the program. The LIVE program was streamed to the OUTLOOK magazine Facebook and YouTube pages. Analytics show that over 8,500 views were registered between the two platforms. Each conference also conducted their own separate 10 Days of Prayer campaigns

that included initiatives such as Seven at Seven (which is continuing on Wednesdays at www.sevenatseven.net), prayer resources for families and children, online prayer rooms, and morning prayer lines. All throughout the Mid-America Union territory prayers were ascending and being answered! Collaboration is one of our core values, and it was a delight to live it out through this initiative. Over 300 individuals volunteered time and effort toward the success of the Mid-America Union’s 10 Days of Prayer. Thank you to our conference coordinators for their invaluable leadership: DeeAnn Bragaw (Rocky Mountain); Barry St. Claire (Dakota); Virgil Covel (Kansas-Nebraska); Brian Mugandi (Minnesota); Gail Coridan (Iowa-Missouri;) and Joseph Ikner and Keith Hackle, Jr. (Central States). Roger Wade is Church Ministries director for the Mid-America Union Conference.

Brenda Dickerson

PBE Continues Despite Pandemic Over 85 Pathfinders, comprising 12 teams and representing five of our six conferences, gathered virtually on Feb. 27 to participate in the Mid-America Union Pathfinder Bible Experience. This is the first time the event has been held online with teams using a laptop to submit their responses. Teams who received a First Place award are eligible to participate in the North American Division level virtual event scheduled for April 16-17. The books for study for 2021 are Hebrews, James, and First and Second Peter.

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CENTRAL STATES CONFERENCE

Betty Atkinson Taking care of God’s business Lay pastor Betty Atkinson is excelling at both entrepreneurship and minbistry during the pandemic. Jonathan Green, senior accountant and technology director for the Central States Conference, interviewed Atkinson to learn how she is balancing business and ministry. What positions do you hold as a lay minister at Boston Street? I joined the Boston Street Church in 2007 and am currently the treasurer and also the area coordinator for the Central States Conference/ Rocky Mountain Region Women’s Ministries. The privilege of working with women brings me the greatest satisfaction and joy. Through this ministry, my team and I have been touching the lives of the women through our Sabbath evening live programs (To Your Health, The Heart of the Matter, Spiritual Body Building and Getting to Know You).

Photos Courtesy Central States Conference

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What motivates your passion to work in ministry?

What was your motivation to become an entrepreneur?

I take ministry very seriously and put in as much time and effort as is humanly possible. I go to bed with ministry on my mind and wake up with ministry on my mind. I believe I should put God’s business first and foremost and give the best of my time and talent for His cause because He gave up everything for me. Through ministry I can give back to Him and to others I come in contact with on a daily basis.

My greatest motivation to become an entrepreneur is to have the liberty to give my time to the service of God and His church without having to answer to an employer who would have great demands on my time. Entrepreneurship gives me the flexibility and time to balance business and ministry so neither suffers. It also gives me more liberty to talk about my faith without possibly violating a company’s policy.

of opportunity. The goal for my agency is not only to be a business, but also be a ministry. Being able to help clients from all walks of life find the right plan for them and their families and see the relief on their faces is a blessing. My agency is also stocked with religious material, which I offer to my clients.

What components are essential to making someone a successful minister and entrepreneur? First identify the gifts, talents and resources God When did you become How has this impacted has given you and dedicate an entrepreneur? your ministry in the them to Him for His glory. I first became an entrepre- church? Most importantly, put God neur in 1998 while living in Being an entrepreneur has and His work first and He Philadelphia. The idea came been a blessing to my church will bless your efforts and to me to go to New York because I can make time to you will be an instrument in City and buy merchandise, carry out certain duties for His hands to take the gospel which I brought back to the church that others may of the kingdom to those who Philadelphia and sold to my find a challenge because of are walking in darkness. friends, family, coworkers their work obligations. I have I would also like to and church family. That was committed to make myself encourage those who are when I fell in love with entre- available to support my looking for a career to conpreneurship. I later started pastors and other ministry sider becoming an insurance a small store and sold many leaders by standing in the gap broker. While it can be hard things over the years. for them if they are unavailwork, it is also financially able during the week. rewarding and will give you the flexibility to be more What vision do you involved in the work of have for your business? ministry. Originally from I have owned an insurance Take care of God’s business, Jamaica, Betty Atkinson agency since 2015, speand He will take care of yours. cializing in life and health dedicates her time and energy to ministry insurance, and I am licensed in the state of Colorado and both through her several other states. I have insurance business Read the full interview experienced exponential and Boston Street business growth and have at outlookmag.org/ Church in Aurora, seen God open many doors betty-atkinson

Colorado.

CENTRAL STATES CONFERENCE

Leakey Mokua Nyaberi Pastor, writer, entrepreneur We are exploring the growing necessity of the “side hustle” for pastors. Jonathan Green, senior accountant and technology director for the Central States Conference, interviewed Pastor Leakey Mokua Nyaberi to shed light on how he has been serving not only as a minister, but also as an entrepreneur.

I want it said, Here lived a minister who passionately did his work and here are results to show.

When did you know that the Lord was not only calling you to pastoral ministry but to also becoming an author? I believe what writer and How long have you pastor Timothy Keller served as a pastor with says: “Writing is part of the the Adventist Church? ministry of the word.” As any I have been the pastor here pastor knows, we read the at United Metro District in Bible and other literature, we Minnesota comprising United observe events and visualize Central and The Mountain situations, we deal with real Experience churches since I issues that require constant was installed on May 26, 2018. research. Instead of wasting Before then I served as a pastor all that learning and experiin Kenya, where I was ordained ence, why not write it down to the ministry in 2014. for your own reference and for others to use? What motivates your There are other positive passion to work in reasons for ministers to write: ministry? • It preserves your message Writing to the Romans, for posterity. Long after Paul said, “I am eager to you are gone you will still come and preach the gospel be here influencing lives. to you…” (Rom. 1:16). Some • It will open opportunities biblical theologians interpret for you to reach a larger it to mean Paul was on fire to audience. Your book will come and “breathe hard” the fly for you as you continue good news. That is passion! with your work locally. There is nothing that gives me • It opens opportunities to more joy than when I baptize talk about Jesus to people a person who has chosen the who would otherwise be better lifestyle in Christ. unwilling to hear you. I subscribe to what musi• Books have an immense cian Neil Greenhaw says: power to change and influ“Passion is the thing in us ence lives for eternity. Only that breeds followers.” What in heaven will we know we are truly passionate about, those we touched through people tend to follow. When the written word. my work is done on earth • It is a source of extra

income and a good investment. In my community a pastor is expected to give money to almost every communal need, and our pay is not sufficient. Writing books can supplement your income. How beneficial is it financially for you to have this additional stream of income in economic times such as these? For now, I am not looking at finances. I am just listening to the voice of God as I write what He tells me. My priority is to prepare the bread someone will eat someday. That said, the launch of my first book did give me a substantial amount that has enabled me to publish other books and recoup my investment. Have your members suffered from your time not being exclusively for them or have they been supportive? Yes, my members have been supportive. They are my first clients and for that I am so grateful. Writing makes you study

better and research harder. You cannot laze around and write. I have made it a practice to keep with me several notebooks and pens to jot down ideas that come to mind. I normally write in the morning between 4 and 6 am. At this time, my phone is off and I am away from the hustle of life. My kids are asleep. I am alone with God and my notebooks and pens. God speaks to me in the morning. How can other pastors develop their gifts of writing as you have done? We all prepare sermons, right? Start there. I have often listened to some powerful life-changing messages from my colleagues in ministry and thought, Man, I wish they would put that in a book. A book will always complement your ministry. Furthermore, it is no longer expensive to publish. Just go for it!

Read the full interview at outlookmag.org/ pr-leakey

Pastor Leakey Mokua Nyaberi will use his most recent book Worth the Wait to conduct seminars for those in the various waiting stations of life. OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

APRIL 2021 13

DAKOTA CONFERENCE

Elijah and the Never-ending Oil DAA experiences modern miracle

e never ran out of coal.With that said, you could stop reading and get on with your day. However, if you are intrigued, there is a much bigger backstory. In February, Eric Garrett, Dakota Adventist Academy’s maintenance and plant manager, came into my office and asked me to pray with him. He said our coal suppliers had stopped production due to mechanical problems. First, it is important to understand how huge it

is when a large industrial facility like this shuts down. They are designed with the knowledge that things can go wrong and equipment might break down. As a result, they have plans in place so that production can always continue. When they close, it is due to something major and unexpected. Our mine is the only coal producer in the region, and many people depend on it, especially when it gets as cold as it was this last winter. Then a few days later Eric

Halie Garrett

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was in my office again, this time asking me to pray “the Elijah prayer.” Seeing my mystified expression, he clarified. “You know, the prayer that the oil keeps on being enough.” The coal plant had started back up and their consumers would begin to be resupplied, but there was an ordered list of contracts to be filled, and we were not at the top. Eric had been assured we would receive our coal sometime on Thursday. But things were grim, he said. We would likely run out Wednesday night while the students slept. After our conversation, I sent a note to our staff asking everyone to pray. That night, I could not sleep. After tossing and turning for a while, I decided to head to my office. I took a heavy vest so I could keep my core warm in case we had run out as predicted. Even though the school has a propane backup which

Eric Garrett, Dakota Adventist Academy plant manager, witnessed a miracle when the winter temperatures dipped below zero and the local coal supplier shut down.

would keep our facility from freezing, it is not large enough to keep up with subzero temperatures. I arrived at the school between 3 and 4 am. Surprisingly, my office was warm. We still had coal. I began to work, fully expecting that at any point we would switch to propane and rapidly chill. But we never ran out. The coal truck arrived around 11 that morning. The crisis had passed. What really happened? I am by nature a skeptical person, and when the crisis was over I was tempted to imagine we had done everything right and it all just worked out. Since I hadn’t actually seen the coal, had I really witnessed a miracle? The truth was so much bigger. As I prayed that God would deal with my unbelief, I became more certain I had experienced the miracle we prayed for. As evidence, let me walk you through my earlier conversations with our plant manager. Eric is a private man who does his job well and seldom asks for help. He avoids the spotlight. Initially I had pressed Eric on how serious he thought the situation really was: “Bad enough that if we prayed

DAKOTA CONFERENCE

through this, it would be a miracle?” I asked. “That bad,” he said, his face grim. “Bad enough,” I continued to press, knowing how much he avoids the public eye, “that if we prayed through this and witnessed a miracle you would lead out in a worship with the students telling all of us about this miracle?” “Yes! That bad! I would tell the story.” He grinned, we prayed together, and he left my office. A short time later I wrote to the rest of the staff explaining the situation and asking for their “Elijah prayers.” I knew that with all the financial and enrollment concerns, our staff could really be lifted by knowing we had lived through a miracle. I have come to know Eric well enough to know that he is a doer, not a worrier. Even when things are tough, he tackles problems and solves them. Providing coal, however, was not one of those things he could “just do.” He could not create more coal. That night he had no choice but to depend on God. For a person who always has a contingency plan to be this concerned, I knew we were in trouble. However, Eric did not stop doing what he could to milk every last lump of coal out of the system. Each hour early

Wednesday evening, Eric a difference through their moved the remnants of coal daily prayers and personal around, trying to make sure walks with God. every last piece was being Anthony Oucharek is the put to work. principal of Dakota Adventist Around “lights out” that Academy. evening, one of the senior students went with him to shovel what they could—to witness the low supply. Yet, miraculously, every hour Dakota Adventist Academy’s boiler there was still some coal that could be fed to the flames. I cannot help but drop to my knees and thank God for this experience—maybe even for the coal mine closing for a bit. I know many of our students and staff were inconvenienced by the cooler temperatures in the building for a few days. I would be remiss if I did not thank them for creatively rising to the occasion by moving classes into halls or other warmer spaces and wearing boots and heavy jackets. For me, however, I know I needed to see that God still keeps “oil” from running out. I am convinced God has a purpose and a mission for Dakota Adventist Academy. He who has begun the good work here at this school will be faithful to complete it. Finally, we are so blessed to have a plant manager who walks through his days partnering with God as he takes care of our assets. We are also blessed to have our staff and students making Anthony Oucharek

OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

APRIL 2021 15

IOWA-MISSOURI CONFERENCE

College Park Christian Academy Grows During Pandemic

ach year College Park Christian Academy located in Columbia, Missouri, picks a spiritual theme. This year we have chosen the theme Under Construction. Every Friday at chapel you can hear the kids sing, “He’s still working on me…” And even during this time of COVID challenges, our school has been blessed through opportunities providing evidence that God is working at CPCA. When the school year began, we anticipated about 50 students. However, due to various reasons, as the start of the school year approached a few families chose not to enroll. Instead of reaching our goal we began with four classrooms and fewer students than hoped for. When September rolled around and our local public school remained virtual, several families—especially those with students in kindergarten—began to inquire about our program. Within a few weeks there was enough interest to move forward in adding a fifth classroom, pending teacher

Courtesy College Park Christian Academy

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hiring. Two Adventist teachers in our community were willing to each teach part-time and a date was set to separate our transitional kindergarten class into two classrooms. With teachers hired and a start date on the calendar, families on the waiting list were notified of the new availability. Unfortunately, one by one the families responded that they had made other arrangements. One family that did show interest needed after-school care that could not be accommodated by our campus. That was a difficult time for me. I questioned my leadership and spent a few sleepless nights calling out to God asking Him why we were led down this path. I questioned if we would be able to afford to keep the additional staff, and felt a heavy weight of failure resting on my shoulders. When I reached the point that I could personally claim no credit for the growth of our school, God began to work in mighty ways. One parent shared with a friend that our school was

expanding and had openings in the kindergarten class. That conversation led to a tour and a family enrolling. Before that new family even made it home, they spoke to another family, and soon our phone and email were buzzing. Families with kindergarteners and families who we could accomodate were touring our school and signing up left and right. Days were filled with teaching and afternoons were filled with meeting new families eager to have their children attend school in-person. When our transitional kindergarten class opened their doors in late September, our kindergarten classroom was full of new friends, too. Loyal parents who positively promote our school provide the best recruitment. God was showing His plan for College Park Christian Academy, but He wasn’t finished. As the year progressed and the public school remained virtual, classes at CPCA filled and waiting lists grew. In December, God led us to convert our chapel into a sixth classroom. When we resumed in January, our enrollment was nearly double that of the first day of school. During this time of COVID there are challenges,

Ms. Pam enjoys teaching in her new classroom at College Park Christian Academy.

as we have limited class sizes and are required to meet the local ordinances. However, this year is also a testament that God is blessing our school. Not only did God provide the students, but He inspired a teacher from our local community to come out of retirement to meet the needs of our expanding school. Not only is God growing our school, He has led 17 of our students to participate in baptismal classes. God has blessed us through grant opportunities and numerous donations. He is working on my heart to show that CPCA is His school, and I don’t need to worry. God provides, and we are blessed. He’s still working on me—and CPCA and those in our community—as we build our faith and increase our ministry. As we plan for 2021-22, it is interesting to note that the first families to sign up for the new school year are some of our community families who chose CPCA for in-person learning, and their positive experience has promoted re-enrollment. While we don’t know what the future holds, we do know the One who holds the future in His hands. Please join us in praying for CPCA and all of our Adventist schools as God continues working on our campuses and in our communities. Heidi Jorgenson is the principal of College Park Christian Academy in Columbia, Missouri.

IOWA-MISSOURI CONFERENCE

New Baby Pantry Opens in Missouri

he Golden Valley Church in Clinton, Missouri, opened a baby pantry in January that served five families the first day and 11 families the following week. The goal of the baby pantry is to fill a void in the community by providing a solid resource for low-income families with young children and babies. Henry County is a “diaper desert.” For many residents, the nearest place to buy diapers is 50 miles away. The customers have been appreciative of the pantry. The first two moms who came lost their jobs in October due to COVID-19 and were grateful for the diapers, formula, wipes, diaper rash cream, baby food and feminine hygiene products. Another mom explained that she was a waitress. Some days she made less than $10

in tips, so she couldn’t afford diapers from her tip money. Several moms were thankful to learn that Golden Valley Church also hosts a monthly Harvesters food drop. Our church prayed about how we could better serve our community, and God arranged the connections for us to partner with The Family Resource Center of Missouri. We praise God that so far they have provided the majority of

Appointments can be made online at mofamilyresource.org. If anyone would like to donate through Amazon Wish List, please mark it for Henry County. For more information about the Family Resource Center call 816.425.5706.

products for the baby pantry. We have also received donations from the Linus Project, which has chapters in Kansas City and across the country. “No child should be without a blanket” is their mission. To that end, they donated 130 meeting some of their immeblankets to the baby pantry. In diate needs and reach them addition, we received 17 blan- for eternity. kets from local individuals. We earnestly pray that as we Sarah Dunwoody is site manager for the Family Resource Center connect with these families, of Henry County Baby Pantry. we will make a difference by

OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

APRIL 2021 17

KANSAS-NEBRASKA CONFERENCE

ReNewed Hope Food Pantry Celebrates 10-Year Milestone

2021

marks 10 years since the ReNewed Hope Food Pantry first began in a small closet at the New Haven Church in Overland Park, Kansas. Volunteers gathered at the Eagles Landing for dinner and praise music on Jan. 21 to mark this milestone and praise God for bringing food and volunteers to serve the community over these many years. In the first months, the pantry served about five families a week, recalls Faye Martin, who founded the pantry along with Pastor Chanda Nunes in January 2011. The pantry has grown so much since then, and this past year has been especially pivotal. “I believe God put it in our hearts to start the pantry so many years ago because He knew it would grow and be able to help people during this pandemic,” explains Martin.

Here are some highlights in the history of the pantry: • The ReNewed Hope Food Pantry started in January of 2011 in a closet in the church library. • In 2013, the pantry moved into the adult hallway and classrooms. • The pantry began operating as a Harvesters agency in January 2014. • In early 2015, the New Haven Church began operating a specialty food pantry with gluten-free items in addition to the traditional pantry. After two years, the church merged the gluten-free and traditional food pantry into one. • In 2015, the New Haven Church started a community garden for pantry clients and neighborhood garden plot renters. • In 2015, the New Haven Church began collecting items for sale and opened a

Over 530 volunteers provided food assistance for 28,633 household visits during 2020.

clothes closet with clothes for 28,633 household visits, and household items. representing 131,623 indi• In January 2018, the pantry vidual visits (for comparexpanded service even furison, in 2019 the pantry ther by adding Harvesters provided food assistance mobile distributions twice for 8,545 household visits, a month. representing 28,624 indi• In 2020 during the vidual visits) pandemic, the pantry • Distributed 1,923,272 expanded hours and pounds of food (for commoved to a mobile and parison, in 2019 the pantry curbside distribution distributed about 605,384 model to serve more peopounds of food) ple safely. • From March to December 2020, the pantry operated Clients who came for food with 537 volunteers and assistance tripled over the 10,506 volunteer hours. past year. Expanded programs were possible with Remembering the hismany volunteers from the tory during our volunteer New Haven Church, other appreciation event in January area churches, and organiza- provided a great way to say tions and businesses in the thank you to the many volcommunity. unteers who have served over A look at some of the num- these years and who continue bers help explain the impact. to serve. The event followed In 2020, ReNewed Hope health authority guidelines Food Pantry: for COVID-19, but still many • Provided food assistance volunteers were not able to attend due to being in highrisk categories. We want to thank all of the many volunteers and leaders who guided the ReNewed Hope Food Pantry to become the community resource it is today. Also, we want to pray that our neighbors who receive food will also receive hope and that their hearts will be thankful, knowing God provides all we need. Karen Whitson is director of the ReNewed Hope Food Pantry in Overland Park, Kansas.

Courtesy Kansas-Nebraska Conference

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Ron Carlson

KANSAS-NEBRASKA CONFERENCE

Williams Ordained to Ministry Photos: Darin Gottfried

Pastor Rayshaun Williams was ordained to the gospel ministry on Sabbath, Feb. 20, at the Omaha Memorial Church. He is pictured with his wife, Jael.

astor Rayshaun Williams was ordained on Sabbath, Feb. 20, at the Omaha Memorial Church in Nebraska. Williams grew up in the inner city of Cleveland, Ohio, and did not have much spiritual guidance in his early years. Nevertheless, as the oldest of six children he felt called to pastoral ministry at a young age. At the age of eight, Williams’ family attended a free lunch program at a local community church. Deeply impressed by what he saw and heard, he told his mom, “I’m gonna be a preacher when I grow up!” At 12 he began attending the local Adventist church with his grandmother. Although he left the church in his late teens, he would never forget God. Right after high school, Williams joined the Marines and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. One day, he was assigned to serve as a gunner on a resupply convoy for high explosive ammunition. During this convoy, Williams made a promise to rededicate his life to Jesus. He didn’t know it at the time, but in the same moment he was talking to God, his convoy came under intense enemy fire. Arriving at the resupply position, he was made aware of the attack. In that moment he felt that God had preserved his life for the “saving of many souls.” After Williams was

honorably discharged, he served as a Bible worker in Cleveland, Ohio, where he met Jael. He then enrolled as a theology student at Union College, where he worked in Campus Ministries, shared his faith, made lifelong friends and, best of all, married Jael. Upon graduation, Williams accepted a call as associate pastor for the Chapel Oaks and Lawrence churches in Kansas for two years. After completing the Masters of Divinity program at Andrews University, he was invited to serve as associate pastor for the Omaha Memorial Church in Nebraska. Williams continues to enthusiastically live out his calling to invite others into a living relationship with Jesus. He and Jael have four children: Tamia (12), Jasmine (5), Rayshaun Jr. (3), and Jiavanna (8 months). His favorite Bible verse is 1 Cor. 1:18: “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (NASB). Information compiled by the Kansas-Nebraska Conference.

OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

APRIL 2021 19

MINNESOTA CONFERENCE

Photos Courtesy Jodi Anderson

Youth Council Active in Arlington programs conducted over the youth in the Twin Cities. To last few years, such as VBS accomplish her dream of and a bi-weekly kid’s night making a difference in the program. lives of homeless youth she Their energy and excitehas reached out to YouthLink ment to reach others for in Minneapolis, who will Jesus by showing His love in deliver her packets directly to a tangible way is infectious. the most vulnerable. This has resulted in a tremenSince her passion has dous outpouring of support become public, she has been both verbally and financially, contacted by a growing numand has brought our church ber of volunteers who would family even closer together. like to assist her in preparing Some plans currently in packets, and others who the pipeline for the Youth would like to help finance the Council include a youth wor- continuation of her mission church outing at the Feed My ship service, another night at of love. Plans are underway to n November 2020, our Feed My Starving Children, name her ministry and order church family in Arlington, Starving Children event in a youth-to-youth evangelistic Chanhassen (where sevT-shirts for volunteers to Minnesota, organized the series this summer and brief eral adults joined them). In wear while working with her Youth Council. It is comvideo clip messages from The December, they made cards on the packets. She hopes this prised of several youth (Jacob Chosen and Tell the World will raise awareness of Jesus which were mailed out to Skelley, Maddie Hoffer and during the break between by lifting Him up in commucommunity friends interested Madeline Skelley) and a Sabbath school and the wornities around our state. in the church and members young adult mentor (Kylee ship service. who are unable to attend Anderson) who volunteered We are also blessed to have Gene Yocum is pastor of the Archurch each Sabbath. to bring their incredible lington Church and Connection a young member, Ruthie In addition, the council energy and voices forward. Center Company in Minnesota. prepared and coordinated the Hoffer, who has a heart for These youth voices are assisting the church board as delivery of baskets filled with the homeless. She has saved her allowance and birthday/ gift cards, food and other it shapes its outreach probaptismal money to buy supitems to families in Arlington grams and makes plans for plies and prepare outreach whom they have come to youth-centered evangelism. packets for the homeless know from various outreach During December, they worked in partnership with the Salvation Army to ring bells at the local groYoung adult mentor Kylee Anderson (above and below) helps deliver cery store, and organized a gift baskets to community families.

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MINNESOTA CONFERENCE

Let’s All Pull Together

here is nothing that almost the whole world agrees on—until now. Most people will agree, regardless of their belief and background, that 2020 was an exceptionally difficult year, almost apocalyptic. I vividly remember the riots after the death of Mr. George Floyd; the outbreak of COVID-19 and its rapid surge as it spread across the globe, followed by mass deaths, lockdowns and the crippling of the economy; and the U.S. presidential election. However, by the grace of God we pulled through. As I

reflect on these events, I wonder whether we as Adventists have taken full advantage of this global consensus and crisis? Someone said, “A crisis is a terrible thing to waste.” Perhaps the most critical question to answer is, How can we as a church create one unit from different cultures, skills and perspectives and move forward in a collaborative way to preach the gospel with the power of the Holy Spirit to every nation, tribe, tongue and people? It is imperative that we learn to work together if we are to

succeed. I believe this Remnant church that truly believes in God ought to make a difference, and working together is essential. The Lord Jesus invites each one of us to become His true followers—to join hands with others, especially those who do not look and think like we do, and pull together. The church has no choice. We must, by the grace of God, come together if we are to have any relevance or impact on the community in the 21st century. We live in a big, broken world with people who need to know and experience

God’s love. I believe we must humbly pray together despite our differences in age, gender, skin color or places of origins. Let us all pull together! Brian Mungandi is vp of administration and communication director for the Minnesota Conference.

Read the full article at: outlookmag. org/harambee-letus-all-pull-together

Photos Courtesy Karen Lewis

Despite Pandemic, Baptisms Continue at Pathways Church

hen the pandemic struck last March, all 2020 evangelism plans for my three churches went out the window. I had completed all Bible studies except for the lessons with the youth at the Pathways Church in Maple Grove, Minnesota. When I arrived at Pathways over two years ago, I noticed that there were quite a lot of youth in the church, and they had a very active youth group under the direction of Artem Vorostsev. He took them to Christian concerts, snowboarding, bowling and even

built them a tree house. Their core group included additional friends who also began to attend church. The one thing missing was a Bible study group! I spoke with Vorostsev about incorporating a weekly study group, and he readily agreed. We began Bible studies on Monday nights. I brought snacks, they brought extra guests and we had a wonderful time. Nick Wanovich, who lives locally, also joined us. Nick is a young man I baptized at the Revelation Speaks Peace meetings with Shawn Boonstra

several years ago. He has since felt God’s call upon him to go into the ministry. He is now employed by the Carolina Conference and is at Andrews University pursing his Master of Divinity. Because Andrews University transitioned to virtual learning because of the pandemic, Nick was free to be involved in ministry at my churches. When COVID hit, we put our youth’s weekly Bible studies on hold. Then we began doing lessons on Zoom, but the kids hated it. “When can we get together?” they kept

asking. Finally, by the middle of May Nick and I felt comfortable with the idea of meeting with them in the park. We shared many prayer requests and praises, dug deep in God’s Word, and watched them grow in the Lord. Then came the special day when Edward Bortnik— who has been attending Pathways Church for several years—and Hannah Arika were both baptized at Weaver Lake in Maple Grove. As is the custom, we had special music and a “welcome book” with well wishes and gifts for them as we celebrated their decisions for Christ. Praise God for our youth and for the energy and ministry they give to the church! Karen Lewis pastors the Pathways Church in Maple Grove, Minnesota.

OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

APRIL 2021 21

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CONFERENCE

Inglish Voted RMC VP of Administration Rajmund Dabrowski

Doug Inglish (right) will step into the role vacated by Eric Nelson when Nelson retires on April 1.

ouglas Inglish is the new vice president of Administration for the Rocky Mountain Conference, effective April 1, 2021. Meeting in a Zoom conference on Feb. 23, the RMC Executive Committee received and accepted the nomination of Inglish from RMC’s Administrative Committee to fulfill the remainder of Eric Nelson’s term. Nelson, who announced his retirement in January, will leave his position on March 31, 2021.

Inglish, who has served as RMC Property and Trust Services director for the last four years, is looking forward to returning to a position where he will use his pastoral skills. “A pastor is a lot of things: an evangelist, a teacher, a counselor and more. While I enjoyed all these roles, I was especially drawn to the administrative aspects of pastoring,” said Inglish. “It is perhaps what drew me to accept opportunities to serve

at institutional churches and on various committees at the conference and union level, and eventually work as a departmental director.” Inglish continued, “When I came to RMC, my focus narrowed somewhat. I have been more isolated from opportunities to mentor pastors and work with churches than I enjoyed as a senior pastor and as the personal ministries director.” Inglish graduated from Andrews University in 1982 with a history major and a political science minor, and went on to serve as boys’ dean at Ozark Adventist

Academy for two years. He then left church employment to pursue other work opportunities, but returned to teaching a few years later. After a year of teaching, he was given the opportunity to go into full-time ministry as a pastor, where he spent the next 25 years serving rural multichurch districts, multi-pastor metropolitan churches, and churches associated with Adventist institutions, including Sunnydale Adventist Academy and Minnetonka Adventist Academy. Prior to coming to RMC, Inglish served as the property manager and director of Trust Services, Stewardship, and Personal Ministries for the Minnesota Conference. Inglish recognizes the scope of the position he is about to undertake. “It is always exciting to consider a

hird and fourth grade students at Vista Ridge Academy recently finished studying the story of Ruth in their Bible class based on the Encounter Elementary Curriculum. The learning objectives for the unit included becoming familiar with the biblical story of Ruth; understanding the ideas of hospitality, loyalty and caring for others; and introducing the agricultural way of life that was prevalent in Ruth’s time— the planting, harvesting and use of wheat for food. Rebecca Murdoch, the

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third-sixth grade Bible teacher, started the unit by giving everyone a bag of wheat berries, watching a video on how wheat was historically harvested, and then giving students the opportunity to grind the wheat berries into wheat flour at stations around the classroom. The students soon learned how long it takes to grind flour, and how long it must take to plant and harvest it. They could not imagine waiting that long to make something like bread, flour cakes, or something else Ruth’s

family would have eaten. At the end of each unit is a celebration of the unit’s completion. Murdoch thought baking bread with the students would be a fun application. When she mentioned this to Wanda Hart, the school office manager, Hart told her about a bread-in-abag recipe she had done with VBS kids. “I wanted Rebecca to finish the unit with something that would make the kids feel accomplished, which they could take home with them after the work they put into it,”

Photos: Rebecca Murdoch

VRA Students Bake Bread in Bible Class

said Hart. Together, they planned the bread-in-a-bag activity. They bought the ingredients, prepared ingredient bags for each of the students, and walked them through the process in class. Each student had their own plastic bag which they filled with ingredients,

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CONFERENCE

to the Rocky Mountain Conference,” Barnett said. Following the vote of the RMC Executive Committee, Inglish commented, “I am looking forward to returning to aspects of ministry that I have missed, but with the awareness that I am untested at this level of ministry, I appreciate the support of others and rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.” Inglish, a native of Indiana, has been married for 39 years to his wife, Susan. They have two grown children. Their daughter Chelsea is the youth pastor at Madison Campus Church in Madison, Tennessee, and son Joshua is a graphic designer in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

then mixed and kneaded the dough. After class, teachers let the dough rise, baked it, and showed the students pictures of the process before handing out their beautifully baked mini-bread loaves. “I was pleasantly surprised at how attentive students were. They wanted to make sure they did everything correctly in order not to wreck the bread. They asked a lot of questions and were pretty dedicated to kneading the bread for the full amount of time required,” said Murdoch. At the end of the activity, a couple students said this was their “favorite Bible class we

have ever done.” And one said they wanted “to do stuff like this all the time.” Murdoch posted the bread-in-a-bag recipe on the Encounter Elementary Curriculum Facebook group page so that other teachers could use the idea for this unit. “A few teachers responded they are going to try this activity with their class, so I’m excited to hear how it goes for them as well,” she added.

RMCNews

Marsha Bartulec is vice principal of administration at Vista Ridge Academy.

La Vida Mission Staff Receive COVID-19 Vaccine Courtesy La Vida Mission

new direction in ministry, but when it becomes apparent that speculation is becoming reality, it is very sobering and extremely humbling. Eric Nelson makes it look easy, but I have worked with several people in his position and know it is challenging, so I am very grateful that he is coaching me and will be available as I face new responsibilities,” Inglish said. Ed Barnett, RMC president, is confident of Inglish’s ability to step into this administrative position. “Doug has been in ministry for over 30 years and he has worked in at least four conferences. He has worked in two conference offices as director of Trust Services. He has a good feel for how things work in a conference. I believe he will be able to step in and be a real asset

here are many different opinions about the COVID-19 vaccine. While some people are hesitant and skeptical, others look forward to being vaccinated and are waiting patiently for their turn. Who would have guessed that the staff at La Vida Mission would have the privilege of receiving their first dose of the vaccine without even planning for it? “It was a sweet surprise to be included in the process through the courtesy of Indian Health Services Healthcare Facility in Crownpoint, New Mexico,” said Dorie Panganiban, La Vida Mission office manager and outreach director. “On the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 27, I got a phone call from IHSCrownpoint Healthcare Facility offering vaccines to our mission staff. I was told they have been working with La Vida Mission and recognize the mission as their partner in serving the community through its many outreach programs and the school that serves their children. The Health Services Center thought

about us and reserved some shots for our missionaries who wished to receive them,” Panganiban explained. The list of those wanting to be vaccinated was gathered in less than an hour so it could be submitted to the hospital by the following morning. The staff then received their vaccines along with frontline workers and Navajo elders. La Vida Mission was recognized for its ministry because of the partnership with the Navajo community that La Vida Mission Community Outreach and Healthy Lifestyle Education Programs has created with the different services of the Navajo Nation office. “There are times when the community recognizes us in a surprising way,” Panganiban added. “When asked for the cost, the representative said, ‘You will not pay because you serve our people.’” The La Vida Mission staff are grateful to the Indian Health Services Crownpoint Healthcare Facility for their service and thank God for making it possible. Information provided by La Vida Mission.

OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

APRIL 2021 23

UNION COLLEGE

Union College Kicks Off Brand Update with New Logo and Tagline

nion College is launching a refreshed brand featuring a new logo and tagline. These changes in the college’s visual identity and messaging are derived from a larger initiative to enact the college’s vision, which focuses on personal mentorship to help students dig deeper— connecting faith and career for lifelong fulfillment. Creating this brand started in 2016 when Union began the process of updating its mission statement and creating a vision narrative to set the direction of the college. After 18 months of work and input from across Union’s many stakeholders, the Board of Trustees approved the current mission and vision. The college ultimately partnered with Stamats, Inc., a national higher education marketing firm based in Iowa, to shape a distinct brand message and visual identity to align with this mission and vision. “Union College is fully focused on helping students succeed,” said Vinita Sauder, president of Union College. “I believe our brand update will help us better tell Union’s story as we boldly connect with students looking for God’s calling in their lives.” The new tagline—“Finding purpose. Unlocking potential.”—highlights Union’s commitment to helping students discover lifelong faith and career fulfillment through the unique Christian community, personal mentorship and learning experiences offered by the college.

24 OUTLOOKMAG.ORG APRIL 2021

2021 update of the Union College logo Union’s new logo uses a bold, angular font to distinguish the college from other higher education institutions (particularly those with the words “union” and “college” in their names). The large “U” emphasizes Union’s focus on each student as an individual while providing a distinctive design element. The two ribbons comprising the “U” reference the college’s heritage of global mission service celebrated at the annual Golden Cords ceremony. This visually and thematically ties the new logo to the two previous college logos which similarly integrated the tradition of the golden cords. The college has adopted a new shield symbol representing the institution and Warriors athletic teams interchangeably. The shield shape is less evocative of any particular culture or ethnicity

than the previous Warriors logo, and it serves as a better metaphor for the spiritual battles for which the Warriors name was originally chosen. Displaying the stylized “U” from the logo, the shield shape illustrates part of the armor of God. Throughout the Bible, a shield is used to describe God’s protection, His faithfulness and the faith of those who believe in Him. The school’s official colors have been red and black since at least 1906, and this new visual identity has updated the shades without changing the hues. A brighter cardinal red replaces burgundy and anthracite gray lightens the mood from true black. “Union’s mission and vision already guide the direction of our administrative decisions,” said Sauder. “The visual and messaging update helps us set Union apart from other colleges and reflects the same goals outlined in our

vision—to mentor every student to become a highly sought graduate who serves joyfully in God’s calling.” In order to minimize waste and carefully steward resources, the rollout of the new brand and visual identity will be a multi-year process. However, the work of integrating the updated imagery and messaging has already begun, both across campus and in communication and marketing initiatives. You will start to see changes immediately—including on our digital platforms. Ryan Teller is Integrated Marketing Communications director for Union College.

Read more about the history of Union's logos at ucollege.edu/2021brand-update

The new Union College logo represents the college’s bold commitment to each student’s mentorship, spiritual journey and career success. The new Union College shield (right) is used to represent both the institution and Warrior athletic teams interchangeably. The shield serves as a better metaphor for the spiritual battles for which the Warriors name was originally chosen. Displaying the stylized “U” from the logo, the shield shape illustrates part of the armor of God.

UNION COLLEGE

Editing Class Produces Book for AdventHealth

uring the fall 2020 semester, Union College’s editing class of 10 students worked with AdventHealth’s CREATION Life team to produce a Wellness Journal for young adults. At the beginning of the semester, the CREATION Life team met virtually with the editing class to collaborate on the project to reach college-aged students and discuss all aspects of health in an engaging way. They wanted the finished product to include writings from students from multiple Adventist colleges, but everything else was up to the class. Robyn Edgerton, director of mission strategy at AdventHealth, said about the project, “We are delighted and really want the end result to be something that inspires students.” After discussing potential formats, the class decided on a Wellness Journal. It would allow readers to learn about each of the topics in the CREATION acronym— Choice, Rest, Environment, Activity, Trust in God,

Interpersonal Relationships, Outlook and Nutrition—and learn about themselves in the process. With this idea in mind, the class began pulling all the pieces together. Two students from the class began the process by contacting students from each college and assigning them to a particular topic. As the writing submissions came in, they edited them, using the skills they learned in class. “The writings that were submitted were brilliant. The content was relevant and interesting to hear about. They were all filled with fascinating information,” said Lacey Stecker, one of the students responsible for editing the writings. Several of the students in the class contributed to the main copy. The class also created the introductory material, the self-assessments at the beginning and end, the journal prompts for readers and the sidebars for all the writings. This additional material that fills each page allows readers to interact

with the book, making it their own Wellness Journal. The class finished gathering and producing the pieces and presented everything to AdventHealth at the beginning of November. “I am thoroughly impressed by the editing that was done,” Joshua Morton, social media manager for CREATION Life, said to the class. “You’re doing a good job. You students are talented for sure.” AdventHealth is working with a designer to pull the book together, consulting with the class to make sure it aligns with their vision. Lori Peckham, the editing class professor, said, “I know we will end up with a product that will make every participating student proud and will impact readers to begin their own wellness journey.” The Wellness Journal is scheduled to be released in the first quarter of 2021.

Union College Virtual Homecoming April 16-17

Join Union College for a special virtual homecoming weekend April 16-17, 2021. We will be hosting several events throughout the weekend on Zoom and will honor the classes of 1950, 1951, 1960, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1970, 1971, 1980, 1981, 1990,1991, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2010, and 2011. Register for our 2021 Virtual ReUnion at ucollege.edu/ reunion or contact us at 402.486.2503.

Hannah Drewieck is a junior communication and business administration major from Stoughton, Wisconsin.

The Union College editing class helped produced a wellness book for AdventHealth last fall.

Scott Cushman/Union College

OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

APRIL 2021 25

ADVENTHEALTH SHAWNEE MISSION

A Patient’s Journey to Wholeness

aring for your whole health means not just treating the illness, but the whole person—mind, body and spirit. Team members at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission were recently part of a patient’s journey in whole health when she came to the hospital through the emergency room and Behavioral Health. The patient had obsessive-compulsive disorder and a phobia that caused her to not be able to touch her hair. Because of that phobia, her hair was severely matted together in a way that couldn’t be brushed through. The team members could see how it affected her spirit and wanted to do something to help. They tried bringing in baby oil, a brush and squirt bottle to spray it down, but after many attempts they still couldn’t brush through it. They then gathered to brainstorm how they might be able to help her. One of the nurses remembered that Janice Dearinger, an information associate in Behavioral Health, was a licensed cosmetologist. Dearinger hadn’t planned on coming in that day because it wasn’t her regular shift. But by chance, a co-worker was on vacation and Dearinger was on the schedule. “God had tugged at my heart to pick up the shift,” says Dearinger. “Throughout the day my mind kept going back to it, and I eventually scheduled myself for the shift. Little did I know how God was

putting all the pieces together to accomplish His plan.” Dearinger met with the patient to see how they might be able to loosen up her hair. Dearinger says her heart broke for her. The patient was embarrassed about her appearance and wouldn’t come out of her room. The patient also expressed her worry that she’d have to shave her head. Peg Lisko, RN, gathered supplies, including coconut oil, coconut butter, a wide tooth comb and a brush. Dearinger, Lisko and Lisa Weatherly, RN, went to work putting coconut oil and butter all over the patient’s hair. They then put a shower cap over it and let it soak for over an hour during dinner time and visiting hours. “Lisa, her nurse, was so caring and considerate,” says Dearinger. “She kept going in there to check on her and massaging her head, which the patient enjoyed so much. She kept saying, ‘It feels so good to have my head massaged—thank you so much!’” After many attempts to loosen her hair, they still made very little progress. The

26 OUTLOOKMAG.ORG APRIL 2021 SPONSORED BY AH SHAWNEE MISSION

jumping up and down saying ‘I love it! For the first time in a long time, I’ll be able to sleep on my back!’ It brought tears to my eyes.” The patient was so proud of her hairstyle that she left her room for the first time so she could show it to everyone. She went straight to the central lounge where other patients were watching TV and visiting. patient thanked them pro“They all started clapping fusely and asked if they would and telling her how good she cut her hair instead. While Dearinger assured her looked. One of our ER staff asked if that was the same indithat they would do their best, she says she remembers walk- vidual who came through the ing out of the room and feeling ER a couple of days ago, and said how amazing she looked.” overwhelmed. Then she says Dearinger, who has worked Phil. 4:13 came to her mind: at AdventHealth for 25 years, “I can do all things through says that caring for patients Christ who strengthens me.” means helping those who God The unit rallied around puts in your path, no matter to get materials and help what your role is. with each other’s work while “My most important posiassisting Dearinger with the tion will always be acting as haircutting process. Team the hands and feet of Jesus to members brought in a pair of hair scissors and a razor, which my family, friends, patients and co-workers,” she says. Dearinger tried to use but it “Something as simple as couldn’t cut through the mass of hair. Another team member shampooing hair or getting a brought in a large pair of sharp haircut was such a mountain scissors. With these, Dearinger to climb for our patient. With God at the helm, He called was finally able to start together His team of loving cutting her hair as Lisko and and caring individuals to Weatherly massaged her hair make it possible.” and gently eased it away from her scalp. As the clumps of hair Ann Muder is a writer for Adfell, the patient’s new haircut ventHealth Shawnee Mission. started to take shape. “I’ll never forget her excitement,” says Dearinger. “I was able to shape what was left For more into a really cute hairstyle. I information, visit know it was the hand of God. AdventHealthKC. When I was finished, she looked in the mirror and was com.

ADVENTHEALTH ROCKY MOUNTAIN/CENTURA

Community Partnership Provides Lifeline of Hope and Healing

aregivers at Centura Porter Adventist Hospital know that serving their communities goes far beyond treating patients who come to their facilities seeking care. Reaching out to connect with their patients, neighbors and communities and advocate for all aspects of their well-being—mind, body and spirit—is a vital part of delivering whole healthcare. Located in Denver, Colorado, Porter Adventist serves a diverse range of communities, from affluent neighborhoods to underserved areas of the city in which crime, gang activity, substance abuse and domestic violence are common. Recognizing the inherent worth of every life, Porter Adventist and local community partners advocate for the people of these communities and provide preventive services that address crucial issues at their roots. “We are committed to identifying the immediate, actual needs of the people we serve and working together with others in our communities to make a lasting impact in those areas,” said Jim Feldbush, director of Mission Integration at Porter Adventist. “Working with the county health department, we have discovered that mental health and food security are two of the biggest needs in our communities, and we partner with local organizations who are the experts in meeting those needs to help them facilitate their work.”

Prevention and intervention A long-standing partnership with Denver Inner City Parish has helped provide for those in need for the past 60 years, including hunger relief, education and employment programming, senior care and spiritual support. Through his collaboration with DICP, Feldbush forged a new partnership with Leo Alirez, a dynamic community leader who uses DICP as home base for work that is transforming lives in the neighborhoods around Porter Adventist. A former gang member, Alirez spent three years incarcerated, where he successfully completed a substance abuse rehabilitation program and vowed to start a new life. He now holds a bachelor’s degree in addictions, a Ph.D. in human services, is a Certified Addictions Counselor and is licensed with the National Gang Crime Research Center. For the past three years, he has served on Denver’s Crime Prevention and Control Commission, working to prevent criminal behavior and leading a team that intervenes when violence erupts, connecting both victims and perpetrators with ongoing services and support. At the core of Alirez’s lifechanging work is LifeLine Colorado, a nonprofit he founded with the goal of assisting at-risk individuals in

finding love, acceptance and safety. Life-Line Colorado provides a broad array of services to youth and adults, including counseling, mentoring, case management, substance abuse treatment, gang disengagement, life skills education and job readiness training. Many of Alirez’s caseworkers are themselves former gang members whom he has helped, and they are now working to lead others down a similar path of healing and renewal. Behavioral health has long been a priority for Porter Adventist, which offers both inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services. Efforts like those of Life-Line Colorado are a vital part of that work, helping build connections with community members Porter Adventist might not otherwise be able to reach, and in many cases providing support before they reach a point of crisis. “The children who live in these neighborhoods may go through more in a single day than many of us have to worry about in a lifetime, and there’s a direct connection between those stressors—childhood trauma, abuse, hunger, broken homes, losing a parent, being recruited into gangs—and mental health,” Feldbush said. “Our partnership with Leo helps relieve some of these stresses, teaches coping strategies and life skills to help break the cycle, and ultimately

Leo Alirez, founder of Life-Line Colorado, helps at-risk members of his community find love, acceptance and safety.

facilitates healing.” For the past five years, Porter Adventist has collaborated with Life-Line Colorado to sustain these prevention and intervention efforts. This partnership has included simple events which, planned and timed strategically, can have a big impact. For example, allnight youth lock-ins featuring basketball tournaments and video games are held on dates like Halloween and New Year’s Eve, when gang activity is particularly high, and provide safety, community and a network of support including life skills education and leadership training for youth who are at high risk of being recruited by gangs. Similarly, a boxing league engages youth and young adults and teaches them to channel their anger and aggression and build discipline to help them find healing, stability and hope. “It takes a community effort to change the community. We can’t do this by ourselves. None of us could on our own,” Feldbush said. “It’s incredible to know there are so many others who are working together toward our shared goal. When many organizations partner together, we can make real change happen.” Amy Thompson is a writer for Centura Health.

Courtesy AdventHealth Rocky Mountain/Centura

SPONSORED BY AH ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

APRIL 2021 27

FAREWELL Abrahamson, Melvin “Wink” D., b. June 1, 1960 in Lucas County, IA. d. Dec. 23, 2020 in Chariton, IA. Member of Albia (IA) Church. Preceded in death by first wife Ina; daughters Kandy and Tammy; 2 siblings. Survivors include wife Mary; daughter Julie Koch; stepdaughters Andrea Jensen and Debi Griffey; 4 siblings; 7 grandchildren.

by 1 sister; 1 brother. Survivors include spouse Thomas; daughters Marsha, Tonia, and Melissa Perkins; 2 sisters; 2 brothers; 4 grandsons. Bates, Durrel, b. Feb. 26, 1933. d. Oct 19, 2020 in Denver, CO. Member of True Life Community (CO) Church. Survivors include spouse Joyce; daughters Kami Hinger and Jolyne Hinger.

Anderssen, Linda G., b. Aug. 20, 1949. d. Nov. 26, 2020. Member of St. Louis Central (MO) Church. Survivors include daughters Tamara and Michelle.

Beaman, Donald L., b. May 1, 1929 in Lincoln, NE. d. Oct 11, 2020 in Denver, CO. Member of Denver First Church. Preceded in death by 1 brother. SurviBachmeier, Mary E., b. Nov. vors include spouse Jeanne; daughter Sherry; son 19, 1948 in Baker, OR. d. Donald; 4 grandchildren; 6 Dec. 30, 2020 in Bismarck, great-grandchildren. Served ND. Member of Bismarck in U.S. Marines. Church. Preceded in death

SUNSET CALENDAR

April 2021 COLORADO Denver Grand Junction Pueblo

APR 2 7:25 7:39 7:22

APR 9 7:32 7:46 7:29

APR 16 7:39 7:52 7:36

APR 23 7:46 7:59 7:42

APR 30 7:53 8:06 7:49

IOWA Davenport Des Moines Sioux City

7:29 7:41 7:53

7:36 7:48 8:01

7:44 7:56 8:08

7:51 8:04 8:16

7:59 8:11 8:24

KANSAS Dodge City Goodland Topeka

8:04 7:12 7:47

8:10 7:18 7:54

8:17 7:25 8:01

8:23 7:32 8:08

8:29 7:39 8:14

MINNESOTA Duluth International Falls Minneapolis

7:39 7:46 7:42

7:48 7:56 7:51

7:58 8:06 8:00

8:08 8:17 8:09

8:17 8:27 8:17

MISSOURI Columbia Kansas City St. Louis

7:34 7:43 7:25

7:40 7:50 7:32

7:47 7:56 7:38

7:54 8:03 7:45

8:01 8:10 7:52

NEBRASKA Lincoln North Platte Scottsbluff

7:52 8:09 7:21

8:00 8:17 7:29

8:07 8:24 7:37

8:14 8:31 7:44

8:22 8:39 7:52

NORTH DAKOTA Bismarck Fargo Williston

8:14 7:58 8:26

8:23 8:07 8:36

8:33 8:17 8:47

8:42 8:27 8:57

8:52 8:36 9:07

SOUTH DAKOTA Pierre Rapid City Sioux Falls

8:10 7:21 7:55

8:18 7:30 8:03

8:27 7:38 8:11

8:36 7:47 8:20

8:44 7:55 8:28

WYOMING Casper Cheyenne Sheridan

7:33 7:25 7:37

7:41 7:33 7:45

7:49 7:40 7:54

7:57 7:48 8:03

8:05 7:55 8:12

www.outlookmag.org

28 OUTLOOKMAG.ORG APRIL 2021

Binger, Rodney “Rod”, b. May 6, 1949 in Redfield, SD. d. Feb. 5, 2021 in Aberdeen, SD. Member of Huron (SD) Church. Survivors include daughter Leonnie; son Jamie; 1 sister; 1 brother; 4 grandchildren. Served in U.S. Army National Guard for 12 years. Bolejack, Marvin L., b. Dec. 17, 1931 in Kingsville, MO. d. Jan. 18, 2021 in Pleasant Hill, MO. Member of Kansas City Central (MO) Church. Preceded in death by sons Darrell and Delbert; 2 sisters; 2 brothers. Survivors include spouse Roberta; daughters Debi and Danette; son David; 9 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren. Brach, S. Patrice, b. Aug. 7, 1934. d. Oct. 10, 2020. Member of Grand Junction (CO) Church. Preceded in death by spouse Tom; son Tommy; 8 siblings. Survivors include daughter Susan Bautch; 1 sister; 2 granddaughters; 2 great-granddaughters. Bramblett, Lisa L., b. Jan. 5, 1968 in Mitchell, SD. d. Dec. 28, 2020 in Pittsburg, KS. Member of Pittsburg Church. Preceded in death by 1 brother. Survivors include spouse Ron; daughters Breanna, Brooke, and Brittney; 1 brother; 4 grandchildren.

Custine, Mamie J., b. Feb. 13, 1935 in Goltry, OK. d. Oct. 31, 2020. Member of Nevada (MO) Church. Preceded in death by spouse Elbert; 1 brother. Survivors include daughters Denise Fox and Leslie Roberts; 1 brother; 5 grandchildren. Downey, Alice Barker, b. Aug. 10, 1935 in Jarosa, CO. d. Feb. 2, 2021 in Montrose, CO. Member of Montrose Church. Preceded in death by spouse Paul. Survivors include daughter Chelle Magee; son Buster; 2 granddaughters; 2 great-grandchildren. Fazio, Barbara Lynn, b. Aug. 24, 1950. d. Nov. 17, 2020 in CO. Member of Twin Peaks (CO) Church. Survivors include sons James, Ryan, and Lennie; 2 sisters. Fullerton, Lesta, b. May 31, 1936 in Galena, KS. d. Dec. 10, 2020 in Olathe, KS. Member of Kansas City Central (MO) Church. Survivors include spouse Jim; daughters Cindy and Cheri; 4 grandchildren.

Gibson, Elbert Leroy, b. Oct. 4, 1941 in Boulder, CO. d. Aug. 19, 2020 in Aurora, CO. Member of Denver South (CO) Church. Preceded in death by daughter Rosalie. Survivors include spouse Leona; daughters Gaylene and Louanna; son Burgeson, MaryLou, b. Eric; 1 sister; 1 brother; 2 Nov. 23, 1936 in Sauk Cen- grandchildren. Served in tre, MN. d. Sept. 12, 2019 in U.S. Army for 20 years. Virginia, MN. Member of Maple Plain (MN) Church. Gorton, Lucilla I., b. June 25, Preceded in death by 1920. d. Feb. 5, 2021 in Linspouse Kenneth; son Scott; coln, NE. Member of College 1 sister; 1 brother. Survivors View (NE) Church. Preceded in death by spouse Ralph. include daughters Shelly Survivors include daughters and Susan; son Shawn; 2 Carolyn Bayless and Phyllis; sisters; 3 grandchildren; 1 son Dennis; 4 grandsons; 4 great-granddaughter. great-grandchildren.

FAREWELL Gussner, Helen (Schrenk), b. Aug. 30, 1928 in Bismarck, ND. d. Feb. 22, 2021 in Mandan, ND. Member of the Mandan Adventist Church. Preceded in death by spouse Otto Gussner; 1 sister; 1 brother. Survivors include 2 sisters; 1 brother; 5 nieces and nephews; 10 grandnieces and nephews. Gustafson, Floyd, b. Sept. 19, 1935 in Muskegon, MI; d. Jan 29, 2021 in Olathe, KS. Member of New Haven (KS) Church. Survivors include spouse Hilda; daughter Pamela Burton; sons Gary and Kevin; 6 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren. Harris, John F., b. Dec. 19, 1931 in Nashville, TN. d. Dec. 25, 2020 in Loveland, CO. Preceded in death by 1 sister; 1 brother. Survivors include spouse Donna; daughters Elizabeth Kresge and Laura Adair; sons John Jr., William, and Ruben; 1 brother; 10 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren. Hendrickson, Ellen (Seidel), b. July 13, 1923 in Dodge, ND. d. Jan. 9, 2021 in Bismarck, ND. Member of Bismarck Church. Preceded in death by spouse Richard; 8 sisters; 4 brothers. Survivors include daughter Coleen DeLillle; 2 granddaughters; 4 great-grandchildren. Krull, Donald E., b. June 15, 1951 in St. Joseph, MO. d. Dec. 25, 2020. Member of St. Joseph Three Angels (MO) Church. Survivors include daughters Lori Woodward and Donita Maag; 1 sister; 4 grandchildren. Served in U.S. Air Force during Vietnam War. Krupsky, Nancy, b. Sept. 23, 1958 in Minot, ND. d. Jan. 28, 2021 in Oakes, ND.

Member of Dakota Conference Church. Preceded in death by 1 sister; 1 brother. Survivors include sons Dallas Sitzman and Preston Sitzmann; 3 sisters; 5 grandchildren. Learned, Nancy A., b. Feb. 24, 1937 in Detroit, MI. d. Nov. 23, 2020 in Maple Plain, MN. Member of Minnetonka (MN) Church. Preceded in death by 3 siblings. Survivors include spouse Don; sons Scott and Mark; 6 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren. Lorenz, Bonnie Barker, b. Jan. 19, 1929 in Calloway, KY. d. Feb. 7, 2021 in Greeley, CO. Member of Loveland (CO) Church. Preceded in death by son Terry. Survivors include daughters Wanda Buderus and Jan Nickerson; son Ted; 3 granddaughters; 2 great-grandchildren. Marmon, Patricia “Pasty,” b. Jan. 25, 1941 in Williston, ND. d. July 19, 2020 in Bismarck, ND. Member of Dakota Conference Church. Preceded in death by spouse Robert. 2 sisters; 1 brother. Survivors include daughter Romona Parrish; sons Roland and Revelle; 7 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren. McCorkle, Billy E., b. April 18, 1936 in Knoxville, IA. d. Dec. 25, 2020 in Albia, IA. Member of Knoxville Church. Survivors include wife Lois (since deceased); children Michael, Melinda Jones, Michelle Boyd, Patti Stephens, Pam Mayfield, Michael Smith, and Melanie Kappelman; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. McCorkle, Lois, b. March 8, 1936. d. Jan. 8, 2021.

Member of Knoxville (IA) Church. Preceded in death by husband Billy. Survivors include children Patti Stephens, Pam Mayfield, Michael Smith, and Melanie Kappelman; stepchildren Michael, Melinda Jones, and Michelle Boyd; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. McMaster, Melissa “Liz” Anne, b. July 22, 1939. d. Dec. 24, 2020 in Wahpeton, ND. Member of Wahpeton Church. Rawald, Sandra “Sandy” Christine, b. Aug. 9, 1949 in Corona Del Mar, CA. d. Dec. 30, 2020 in Newton, KS. Member of Enterprise (KS) Church. Survivors include daughter Jennifer Atkins; 1 sister; 2 granddaughters.

son Richard; 1 step-grandson. Served in U.S. Army during WWII as a medic. Smith, Al, b. Aug. 23, 1928 in Lodgegrass, MT. d. Dec. 8, 2020 in Lincoln, NE. Survivors include spouse Onitta; daughter Addie Zastrow; sons Walter and Michael. Stotz, Delbert, b. Aug. 13, 1924 in Tolstoy, SD. d. Dec. 3, 2020 in Lincoln, NE. Member of Dakota Conference Church. Survivors include sons Ron and Doug; daughters Donna Bowes, Roberta Hunter, and Deb Reese; 7 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren.

Thomas, Irma Helen, b. April 6, 1924 in Detroit, MI. d. Jan. 9, 2021 in Rifle, CO. Member of Rifle Church. Preceded in death by 1 brother. Survivors include Reiswig, Alan D., b. April daughters Sandy Peter26, 1967 in Bismarck, ND. d. son and Tammy Reeves Schultz; 2 grandchildren; 5 Dec. 30, 2020 in Goodrich, great-grandchildren. ND. Member of Goodrich Church. Survivors include Tygart, Kenneth E., b. spouse Lucinda; daughters Alanna Rohweller and Ame- March 7, 1930 in Vulcan, lia; 2 sisters; 1 grandson. WV. d. Oct. 21, 2020 in Goodland, KS. Member of Rivinuis, Fred, b. Aug. 13, Tucson Desert Valley (AZ) 1929 in Dupree, SD. d. June Church. Preceded in death 16, 2019 in Grants Pass, OR. by spouse Gladys; 7 siblings. Member of Dakota ConSurvivors include daughference Church. Preceded ters Mary Lou, Dana, and in death by spouse Sylvia. Sheila Hilt; sons Harold and Survivors include sons Larry; 4 brothers; 16 grandMark, Bill and Tom; daugh- children, 18 great-grandter Karla; 9 grandchildren; 5 children. great-grandchildren. Wick, Donnis E., b. Aug. Seltmann, Robert Lee 15, 1928 in New York, NY. “Bob”, b. Nov. 28, 1920 d. Dec. 28, 2020 in Littleton, in Rush County, KS. d. CO. Member of Denver Feb. 5, 2021 in La Crosse, South (CO) Church. Preceded in death by spouse AlKS. Member of La Crosse bert; 3 siblings; 1 grandson. Church. Preceded in Survivors include daughters death by spouse Donna; Sharon and Joan Fleischson Thomas; 4 sisters; 5 hacker; sons Kenneth and brothers. Survivors include Dennis; 3 grandchildren. spouse Elizabeth “Betty”; stepdaughters Karen Bennett and Kathy Buchanan; OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

APRIL 2021 29

INFOMARKET SERVICES

community in a rural setting that offers affordable homes Adventist coin dealer again or apartments and caring neighbors with a fellowship open in College View just you’ll enjoy. On-site church, two blocks from Union planned activities and transCollege. Buying estates portation as needed. Also, and coin collections. Call Wolfe Living Center offer531.333.6858 to set up an ing independent living and appointment or email lawnursing home. Website: www. rencejlee42@gmail.com. summitridgevillage.org or call Bill Norman at 405.208.1289. Enrollment for 2021 at Atlanta Adventist Academy is now open! Atlanta Adven- EMPLOYMENT tist Academy offers excellent Andrews University Seeks Adventist education locally Faculty: School Counsel(Atlanta, Georgia) as well as virtually through our live on- ing—Program Coordinator line program for homeschool- & Professor. Oversee all aspects of the Counselor ers and distance campuses. Education program. ResponTo enroll your student, call 404.699.1400 or visit aaa.edu/ sibilities include managing the program to maintain admissions. accreditation standards with CACREP and the state, Free Planned Giving: Mateaching graduate courses in ranatha Volunteers Internathe field of counseling and tional Foundation can help school counseling, providwith your estate planning needs. Personal consultations, ing academic advisement support to students in the online wills, trusts, annuprogram, responding to inities, providing protection quiries regarding the overall for you and loved ones at no academic unit, participate cost to you. For more info 916.774.7700; email: estates@ in committees, maintaining maranatha.org. Visit marana- an active research agenda as documented through tha.org/plannedgiving. publications and presentations, sitting on dissertation Move with an award-wincommittees, and other duties ning agency. Apex Moving as assigned to the position. & Storage partners with www.andrews.edu/admres/ the General Conference to jobs/show/faculty#job_2 provide quality moves at a discounted rate. Call us for The Board of Trustees of all your relocation needs! Adventist beliefs uncompro- Pacific Union College invites mised. Contact Marcy Danté nominations and applications for the position of at 800.766.1902 for a free President. For full considestimate. Visit us at www. eration, nominations and apexmoving.com/Adventist. resumes should be submitted by March 31, 2021, to the NEW/USED Adventist Presidential Search CommitBooks: TEACH Services tee at search@puc.edu. Find helps authors publish their more information at: www. book, including editing, puc.edu/about-puc/presidendesign, marketing, and tial-search. worldwide distribution. Call 800.367.1844 for a free It Is Written is seeking a fullevaluation. Visit www.LNFBOOKS.com for used books time Planned Giving Field and your local ABC or www. Representative. Candidates TEACHServices.com for new must be highly motivated, some work from home office, book releases. travel routinely to communicate with supporters, and Summit Ridge Retirerepresent the ministry at ment Village: An Adventist 30 OUTLOOKMAG.ORG APRIL 2021

assigned events. NAD trust services certification preferred but not required. If interested, please email your resume to work@iiw.org. Seeking Office Manager/ Bookkeeper: Natural Way Mills, an Adventist-owned organic flour mill and whole grains processor since 1973, is looking for an office manager and bookkeeper. Prefer Adventist mission-minded person. Located near Middle River, Minnesota. Wage negotiable. Country home available. Natural Way Mills Employment, 24509 390th St. NE, Middle River, MN 56737. 218.222.3677. naturalwaymills2@gmail.com. Pacific Union College is seeking a full-time Men’s/ Women’s soccer coach. Major duties include management of all operations for soccer intercollegiate teams, provision of leadership and direction to support student athlete success, and familiarity with NAIA governing rules. Must also have willingness to travel for competitions and recruiting, and work with NAIA and California Pacific Conference. Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred. For more information or to apply, please call Human Resources at 707.965.6231 or visit puc.edu/ campus-services/human-resources/current-job-postings/ head-soccer-coach,-mensand-womens. Southern Adventist University is currently seeking qualified candidates for the following salaried staff positions: Associate Director of Catering Services—Food Services, Director of Adult Degree Completion—Graduate and Professional Studies. For a full list of job openings, summaries, and qualifications please visit southern.edu/jobs. Southern Adventist University is currently seeking qualified candidates for the following salaried staff posi-

tions: Admissions Counselor, Web Designer, and Mental Health Coordinator—Student Success Center. For a full list of job openings, summaries, and qualifications please visit southern.edu/jobs. Southern Adventist University is currently seeking teaching faculty in the following: School of Education and Psychology, Chemistry, Biology/Allied Health Department, School of Business in the area of finance and economics, School of Computing, School of Visual Art and Design, Department of History and Political Science, and School of Journalism and Communication. For a full list of job openings, summaries, and qualifications please visit southern.edu/jobs. Southern Adventist University seeks full-time teaching faculty in the School of Business in the areas of finance and economics for face-toface classroom instruction. For full description and list of qualifications please visit southern.edu/job. Stallant Health, a rural health clinic in Weimar, California, is accepting applications for a Psychiatrist, Family Practice physician, and an NP or PA to join the team. Interested individuals should contact Marva by email: marva@stallanthealth.com. Topsham Dental Arts (located in picturesque coastal Maine) is hiring: a Christ-centered dentist, dental hygienist, and dental assistant. Please send resume to Dr. Nichols at tda@topshamdentalarts.com. Walla Walla University is hiring! To see the list of available positions, go to jobs.wallawalla.edu.

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY All schools operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church admit students of any race to all the privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at its schools, and makes no discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnic background, gender or country of origin in the administration of education policies, applications for admission, scholarship or loan programs, and extracurricular programs.*

CENTRAL STATES CONFERENCE

Maranatha Adventist School

St. Louis, MO | 314.869.7800 unified@central-states.org

Muscatine Adventist Christian School

St. Louis Unified School of Seventh-day Adventists V. Lindsay Seventh-day Adventist School

Kansas City, KS | 913.342.4435 vlindsay@central-states.org

DAKOTA CONFERENCE Dakota Adventist Academy Bismarck, ND | 701.258.9000 mydaa.org

Brentwood Adventist Christian School

Moberly, MO | 660.263.8600 maranatha22. adventistschoolconnect.org Muscatine, IA | 563.506.7567 muscatine22. adventistschoolconnect.org

Nevada Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School

Nevada, IA | 515.215.1092 | nevada23. adventistschoolconnect.org

Topeka Adventist Christian School

Topeka, KS | 785.272.9474 | topeka22. adventistschoolconnect.org

Valley View Adventist School Scottsbluff, NE | 308.632.8804 valleyview25. adventistschoolconnect.org

Wichita Adventist Christian Academy

Wichita, KS | 316.267.9472 | angf96. adventistschoolconnect.org

Prescott SDA Elementary School MINNESOTA St. Joseph, MO | 816.866.3041 prescottstjoe.org

CONFERENCE

Rolla, MO | 573.364.3782 | rolla22. adventistschoolconnect.org

Hutchinson, MN | 320.587.2830 maplewoodacademy.org

Sedalia, MO | 660.826.8951 sedaliasdachurchschool.org

Anoka, MN | 763.421.6710 anokaacs.org

Rolla Adventist School

Maplewood Academy

Hillcrest Adventist Elementary School

Sedalia Adventist Elementary School

Anoka Adventist Christian School

Invitation Hill Adventist School

Springfield Adventist Junior

Blackberry SDA School

Bismarck, ND | 701.258.1579 mybrentwood.org

Jamestown, ND | 701.252.5409 hillcrestnd.org

Academy Dickinson, ND | 701.483.2056 dickinsonnd.adventistschoolconnect. Springfield, MO | 417.862.0833 springfield23. org Prairie Voyager Adventist School adventistschoolconnect.org Summit View Adventist Grand Forks, ND | 701.775.5936 Elementary School grandforkschurch.com/school Rapid City Adventist Elementary Lees Summit, MO | 816.697.3443 leessummitmo. School Rapid City, SD | 605.343.2785 | rapid22. adventistschoolconnect.org adventistschoolconnect.org

Red River Adventist Elementary School Fargo, ND | 701.235.0128 redriveradventistelementary22. adventistschoolconnect.org

SonShine Elementary School

Minot, ND | 701.839.6478 | minotnd. adventistschoolconnect.org

IOWA-MISSOURI CONFERENCE

Sunnydale Adventist Academy Centralia, MO | 573.682.2164 sunnydale.org

College Park Christian Academy Columbia, MO | 573.445.6315 cpchristian.org

Des Moines Adventist Jr. School

KANSAS-NEBRASKA Lincoln, NE | 402.483.1181 cvak12.org

Clinton, MO | 660.492.5559

Hillcrest Seventh-day Adventist School

Minnetonka Christian Academy Minnetonka, MN | 952.935.4497 minnetonkachristian.com

Northwoods Elementary School

Midland Adventist Academy George Stone School

Brainerd, MN | 218.828.9660 oakstreetchristian.org

Great Bend Adventist School

Southview Christian School

Shawnee, KS | 913.268.7400 midlandacademy.org

Oak Street Christian School

Garden City KS | 620.275.9356 high23.adventistschoolconnect.org

Omaha Memorial Adventist School

pvelementary.com

Loveland, CO | 970.667.5592 campion.net

Chadron, NE | 308.432.4228 prairieviewadventistschool.org

Highlands Ranch, CO | 303.744.1069 milehighacademy.org

threeangelsschool.org

Alamosa, CO | 719.589.2557 sunshinechristian.of.alamosa@gmail.com

Cortez Seventh-day Adventist School

Cortez, CO | 970.565.8257 | cortez22. adventistschoolconnect.org

Delta Seventh-day Adventist School Delta, CO | 970.339.3232 school.deltasda.org

Discover Christian School

Farmington, NM | 505.325.5875 discoverchristianschoolk8@gmail.com

Fort Collins Christian School Fort Collins, CO | 970.222.6437

Four-Mile Adventist School Canon City, CO | 719.275.6111

H.M.S. Richards Seventh-day Adventist School Loveland, CO | 970.667.2427 hmsrichards.org

Intermountain Adventist Academy

Grand Junction, CO | 970.242.5116 iaagj.com

Cheyenne, WY | 307.638.2457 cheyennewy.adventistschoolconnect.org

Mile High Elementary School

Highlands Ranch, CO | 303.744.1069 info@milehighacademy.org

SonShine Academy

Worland, WY | 307.347.2026 sonshinebrightly@gmail.com

Mountain Road Christian Academy Casper, WY | Bar Nunn, WY | 307.235.2859 | mountains22. adventistschoolconnect.org

Springs Adventist Academy

Colorado Springs, CO | 719.597.0155 saak8info@gmail.com

Vista Ridge Academy

Erie, CO | 303.828.4944 | vistaridge.org *Published annually in compliance with

Duluth, MN | 218.722.7535 christianschools.com/schools/stoneridge-christian-school-27012.htm

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CONFERENCE

Olivette, MO | 314.993.1807 | hillcrest23. Three Angels Adventist School adventistschoolconnect.org Wichita, KS | 316.832.1010

Cornerstone Christian Academy

Stone Ridge SDA Christian School NAD policy

Omaha, NE | 402.397.4642 omahamemorialadventistschool.org

Prairie View Adventist School

Brighton, CO | 303.659.1223 baaconnect.org

Lighthouse SDA Christian School Detroit Lakes Adventist Christian Fort Morgan, CO | 970.370.2275 School lighthousesdachristianschool.org Detroit Lakes, MN | 218.846.9764 Mason Christian Academy

Hutchinson, MN | 320.234.5994 northwoods22. adventistschoolconect.org

Des Moines, IA | 515.285.7729 Platte Valley Adventist School desmoines22.adventistschoolconnect.org Grand Island, NE | 308.384.1480

Golden Valley SDA School

St. Paul, MN | 651.739.7484 ccacschool.org

centraliamo.adventistschoolconnect.org Dodge Center, MN | 507.374.6353 angi65.adventistschoolconnect.org

J.N. Andrews Christian Academy High Plains Christian School Cedar Rapids, IA | 319.393.1664 andrewsca.org

Capital City Adventist Christian School

Sunnydale Adventist Elementary angil5.adventistschoolconnect.org Maranatha Adventist Christian School School Centralia, MO | 573.682.2811

Sioux Falls Adventist Elementary CONFERENCE School College View Academy Sioux Falls, SD | 605.333.0197 sfadventistschool.org

Grand Rapids, MN | 218.326.2263 blackberryschool.org

Brighton Adventist Academy

Campion Academy

COLOR KEY

Mile High Adventist Academy

GRADES 1-8 GRADES 1-9 GRADES 1-10 GRADES 1-12 GRADES 9-12

Adventist Christian School

Greeley, CO | 970.353.2770 greeley22.adventistschoolconnect.org

PERIODICALS

PO Box 6128 Lincoln, NE 68506-0128

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OUTLOOK – April 2021

Articles inside

FROM PARTY GIRL TO HEALTH LEADER Chelsea Carena

MASSAGE AND HEALTH MINISTRY PROVE A PERFECT MATCH