MID-AMERICA SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST NEWS & INSPIRATION
APRIL 2022
120 Years of Ministry in Mid-America
OUTLOOKMAG.ORG
MAGAZINE APRIL 2022 PERSPECTIVES 4
OUR JOURNEY, OUR CALLING, OUR MISSION —Gary Thurber
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OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE —Karissa Ziegler
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FEATURES 6
120 YEARS OF MINISTRY
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THE ADVENTHEALTH BRAND AS AN EXPRESSION OF ADVENTIST MEANING
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WE DON’T ALL DO EVERYTHING THE SAME WAY
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ADVENTIST EDUCATION IN CENTRAL STATES SCHOOLS
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NEWS 13 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
MID-AMERICA UNION CENTRAL STATES DAKOTA IOWA-MISSOURI KANSAS-NEBRASKA MINNESOTA ROCKY MOUNTAIN UNION COLLEGE FAREWELL INFOMARKET
“Our identity from God’s perspective is based on who He is and the value He has placed in each person.” —p. 10
22 OUTLOOK (ISSN 0887-977X) April 2022, Volume 43, 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 UAA to CFS. Free for Mid-America church members and $12 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.
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MID-AMERICA UNION CONFERENCE
ONLINE
mag.org
NEWS AND INSPIRATION
ADRA Collaborates with Others to Bring Relief in Ukraine outlookmag.org/adra-aidingukrainian-refugees
How to Talk to Kids about War outlookmag.org/how-to-talk-tochildren-about-war-in-ukraine
IDENTITY IMPACTS MISSION For 120 years our identity as Seventh-day Adventist Christians has shaped the fulfillment of our mission in the heartland of America. Knowing who we are, and who God calls us to become in Him, has driven the actions of dedicated church members through the decades in serving our communities in a variety of ways and meeting the needs of others—be they physical, emotional, social or spiritual. Whether in large, organized groups such as Adventist Community Services volunteers or in one-on-one settings, Mid-America’s members continue to help their neighbors in practical ways (see p. 12). May God continue to bless in a special way every unsung servant who is faithfully and compassionately doing his or her part to help people learn to read the Bible, to feed the hungry, provide clothing, visit the sick or imprisoned, and comfort those who are lonely or suffering.
midamericaadventist.org OUTLOOK STAFF Editor: Brenda Dickerson Managing Editor: Barb Engquist 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
BRENDA DICKERSON editor
ON THE COVER
Five Ways to Celebrate Culture in the Local Church outlookmag.org/tuesdaytalkbridging-the-gaps
President Gary Thurber Secretary Hubert J. Morel Jr. Treasurer David VandeVere Church Ministries Tyrone Douglas Communication Brenda Dickerson Education LouAnn Howard Hispanic Ministries Roberto Correa Human Resources Raylene Jones Ministerial Craig Carr Religious Liberty Darrel Huenergardt Women’s Ministries Nancy Buxton
Individuals with Mid-American roots have strongly impacted Adventism in the past 120 years. Photos from OUTLOOK’s archives Design by Brennan Hallock
Iowa-Missouri Christina Coston communication@imsda.org 515.223.1197 imsda.org Kansas-Nebraska Saul Dominguez sdominguez@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
OurCalling OurJourney Mission Our 120 years of ministry in the heartland
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his year marks the 120th anniversary of establishing both the Central and Northern unions of Seventhday Adventists. In1932 these two unions joined together for five years, then separated again until 1980 when the MidAmerica Union Conference was formed. I am sure if you asked those who voted our union into existence if they thought we would be here 120 years later, they would have never dreamed the Lord would not have come by now. While no one can know when Jesus is coming, I do believe that God’s Word gives us waymarks to know the times we are living in, and it can only be the last days of earth’s history. So, what has happened in Mid-America territory during the past 120 years? How have they been profitable years for our mission? There are many “It’s not about the destination but
rather the journey” quotes out there, but my favorite comes from Tony Dungy, retired Super Bowl-winning Christian coach from the NFL, who put it this way: “It’s about the journey—mine and yours—the lives we can touch, and the legacy we can leave, and the world we can change for the better.” Tony Dungy is right. As we look for our Savior’s return, how can we touch people’s lives to bless them? Have we in MidAmerica been faithful, helpful, generous and visionary? Have we loved one another as we spread the three angels’ messages? I can honestly say that the 13-plus years my wife Diane and I have been in MidAmerica serving in various places have been some of our happiest because of the people with whom we have worked and shared the church’s mission. Mid-America has some of the most creative, hard working people I’ve ever met.
Mid-America’s legacy I recently learned that the Adventist work in South America was started by a missionary named Jorge Riffel who moved his family from Tampa, Kansas, to Argentina in 1890. The church they planted is about 20 miles away from the large Adventist university there. Today there are over 2.6 million Adventists in South America. Additionally, did you know that a number of great Adventist leaders and preachers have come from MidAmerica territory? H.M.S. Richards, Sr., who pioneered radio ministry, came from the Eastern Plains of Colorado. Grace Lake, the Junior Guide editor for many years, also came from Colorado, as did her brother Willis Hackett, who went on to serve as a vice president for the General Conference and one of our greatest preachers. Established in 1891, Union College was the first accredited Adventist post-secondary institution in North America. To date, Union College has sent out nearly 2,000 students and career missionaries. Dr. Everett Dick, Union College educator and historian, launched the Medical Cadet Corps for Adventists in the armed services, while Union College alumnus and renowned sculptor Victor Issa has created a host of
compelling sculptures for Adventist institutions around the country. More recently, people like Tom Werner, Rich Reiner and Ken Bacon—to name a few from our territory—have spearheaded our medical ministry for the Adventist Church here in Mid-America and other locations. G. Alexander Bryant, our current North American Division president, also hails from Mid-America. Today church membership in the Mid-America Union stands at more than 65,000. And the mission of the union continues to be to strengthen the local conferences and institutions by offering a steady flow of leadership, communication, mentoring and training as we all work together in sharing the message of hope and healing that helps people be ready to meet Jesus. Despite the challenges, the past 120 years have been a beautiful journey. Let’s keep our arms around each other and those the Lord puts in our path so that the journey to our final destination will continue to be filled with joy, friendships and exciting miracles as we serve our Savior.
GARY THURBER is president of the Mid-America Union.
PERSPECTIVES
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me’” (Isa. 6:8).
Out of the Comfort Zone T
he chanting died away in the background and gave way to a mournful crying wail interrupted by fireworks. This was a Buddhist funeral service, a completely new and foreign experience to me. Yet it turned out to be one of the most impactful moments during my student missionary year. Knowing that “we sorrow not as others who have no hope” (1 Thess. 4:13) means very little until we have seen how those who have no hope sorrow. From August 2019 to August 2020, I lived in Cambodia working as a student missionary and teaching English to grade-schoolers at Adventist Frontier Missions’ Ponong project. The teaching part was not my favorite. All the other adventures, however, made my time there worth it. I learned all kinds of things in Cambodia, besides how to teach English as a second language. I learned how to make and lay bricks. I learned to ride a small motorcycle, and all about picking, roasting and shelling cashews (a fascinating, long and tedious process). And I learned a few words from another language. Living in another country is both fun and scary; it is exciting and wearisome at the same time. There are new places to explore and sights to see. There are elephants to ride and temples to tour,
but at the same time there is much more responsibility and some dangers, along with homesickness. For all the wonderful and inspirational things we hear about pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone, pretty much none of us enjoy that push-out. It is uncomfortable, shocking or simply unpleasant … but it is worth it! It’s impossible to do something like a student missionary year and not be impacted in too many ways to count. When you sit in the homes of new believers watching them throw away every thread of protection they have ever known and see them shakingly place their faith entirely in Christ, it has the power to change you. It changes the way you look at the world, at evangelism, and at other people groups. When you visit their houses—nothing more than a hut the size of my bedroom—see how little they live with, and eat their rice, your worldview will never be quite the same again. The student missionary experience helped shape who I am, gave me an incredible amount of confidence, and helped me become more interested in missions. I can’t imagine living the normal life I lived before ever again. In a way, that’s why I started my current volunteer job with FARM STEW international.
Still waiting..
As I left that Buddhist funeral, my heart ached for my friends. Swerving my moto around potholes in the dark on the way home, I cried out to God, “Why? Why did you give me all this abundance of blessings and truth, and so many of your children still know nothing of this gospel? How unfair is this?!” It was one of those turning points when I realized that I would be a missionary forever. May I ask you this question: how much have you been blessed with that so many do not have? How unfair is it that you sit here enjoying all the blessings of your privileged home while others die without hope? Why not go as a missionary for a year or so? If you have not thought about that before, I invite you to start thinking about it, and if you have thought about it, then maybe it’s time to start taking steps in that direction. There is no one whom God has not called (Matt. 28:18-20). There is someone out there waiting to hear the gospel from you, the way only you can tell it (Rom. 10:14-15). The world is filled with unreached people groups waiting for you, and the world is fast approaching the end; now is the time to reach them. Karissa Ziegler is a volunteer with FARM STEW International who lives in Paonia, Colorado.
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APRIL 2022 5
Mid-America 120 Years Union Conference of Ministry
Learn more at midamericaadventist.org.
Outlook Magazine Union Beginnings 1902
1932-1937 1907
Canadian provinces join the Western Canadian Union and Iowa joins the Northern Union.
Central Union Conference organized to include Missouri, Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska (following the 1901 GC Session vote 1911 to restructure numbered districts into named The Central Union unions). Headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska. Outlook launches.
1902
Northern Union organized to include Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan provinces. Headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
1902-1904
The Central Advance, an 8-page weekly paper, is published in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Union Mergers
The Northern Union and Central Union merge for five years. The combined territory is approximately one million square miles.
120 Years Central States and HHES 1947
The Central States Mission is organized in St. Louis, Missouri, with 789 members. In time the mission becomes a conference and grows to cover all the Midwestern territory.
1950-1993
Union Restructuring
1980
The Northern Union and Central Union remerge and become the Mid-America Union Conference. Together they publish Outlook, a 16-page twice monthly magazine with a color cover. Church membership is 53,303 in 510 congregations.
Moving Forward 2007
First Mid-America Union Conference website launched.
2021
Membership is 65,011 in 525 congregations. MAUC helps support Union College, 65 elementary schools and academies, 9 summer camps, 8 Adventist-affialited 1980 hospitals, 3 Adventist Conferences in Mid-America territory also merge, excepting Minnesota and Central States. Book Centers and 8 The new conferences are Dakota, Iowa-Missouri, Adventist Community Service Centers. Kansas-Nebraska and Rocky Mountain.
Home Health Education 1980 Services operates from the Central/Mid-America First MAUC Pathfinder camporee is held at Union, processing sales and Broken Arrow Ranch. distribution of literature.
2022
The Mid-America Union continues to value collaboration, responsibility and diversity as it seeks to fulfill its mission of strengthening local conferences and institutions by providing a steady flow of leadership, communication, mentoring and training. COLLABORATION
DIVERSITY
OUTLOOKMAG.ORG
RESPONSIBILITY
APRIL 2022 7
ADVENTHEALTH
The AdventHealth Brand
as an Expression of Seventh-day Adventist Meaning
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n January 2019 the hospitals of what was known as Adventist Health System unified under a single brand: AdventHealth. Except for the system’s joint ventures, the 51 hospitals and hundreds of clinics and care sites now operate under a single moniker and carry a common brand promise: Feel whole. AdventHealth’s brand promise is central to its public-facing messaging and is closely connected to the organization’s mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ. Reminiscent of the discourse in which Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10), the brand promise suggests that even the healthiest among us can aspire to feel whole. However, in the same way that the ministry of Seventh-day Adventist healthcare is connected to, but distinct from, the ministry of the denomination’s ecclesiastical arm, the corporate messaging of AdventHealth hopes to strike chords of harmony with that of the church, even while hitting different notes. The Adventist Church and marketing and communications The Seventh-day Adventist Church has no doctrinal teaching, statement or guideline that speaks directly to the need the church and its ministries have for communications, marketing and brand awareness. However, the importance of the message and teachings of the church have led to the practice of using creative and varied marketing methods from the earliest days of the Advent movement. Whether it was to sell books and other publications or to bolster attendance at a seminar on Bible prophecy, church leaders, limited only by their creativity and financial resources, have regularly used attention-seeking strategies to raise awareness regarding their efforts. In 1912, Baltimore journalist Walter L. Burgan attended an evangelistic series by Carlyle B. Haynes and became a convert to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He was then hired
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SPONSORED BY ADVENTHEALTH
to be the head of the Public Relations Bureau of the General Conference, making the Seventh-day Adventist Church the first Protestant denomination with a public relations program. Church leaders recognized the critically important role of combating misinformation, breaking down prejudices, and building bridges of understanding in the community in order to raise public awareness of this young denomination. The Public Relations Bureau became the communications department of the church, and it continues to be tasked with the same charge. Although the denomination has grown exponentially since those early years, and communications has become an established department at all levels of the organization, the focus of church communications is predominantly internal, with most efforts directed toward members. Beyond the signage placed in front of congregations, schools, and office buildings, very few resources are allocated to public awareness. Messaging distinctive care There are several scriptural models that support the assertive approach AdventHealth takes in its advertising and public relations efforts, especially those that seek to distinguish the efforts of the faith-based,
ADVENTHEALTH consumer-focused institution it aspires to become. One vivid example comes from the pages of Exodus. Moses is standing before God in the Tent of Meeting outside the Israelite encampment. He has just received tablets of stone from God for the second time. Moses is pleading with God that the Divine presence should accompany the chosen people on their journey to the Promised Land rather than the presence of an angel, as God had proposed in response to the insurrection which had just occurred. “How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and your people unless you go with us?” Moses argued. “What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” (Ex. 33:16, NIV) In this discourse, we find an essential goal of AdventHealth’s marketing and communications efforts: to show the distinctive nature of whole-person care that has become the hallmark of Seventh-day Adventist healthcare. Whole-person care, which functions as an extension of Christ’s healing ministry, is distinctive from the care other healing organizations provide. While all evidence-based medicine is best rendered with compassion and seeks to be curative, faith-based, whole-person care is meant to be restorative, referencing the image of the Creator found in every living soul, and balancing physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Just as Moses knew the presence of God in the massive company of Israelite migrants would set them apart as a distinct nation, AdventHealth believes the legacy of whole-person care, which recognizes the image of God in every human being and seeks the presence of God in every patient interaction, will distinguish it from all others who merely desire physical healing. Honoring the story of the healed During His Galilean ministry, Jesus was asked by a ruler of the synagogue to heal his critically ill daughter. While journeying toward the home of Jairus, the crowd noticed Jesus stopping firmly in His tracks. An unanticipated act of healing had just occurred. A woman who sought a miracle in stealth and silence would be cajoled by Christ to speak openly about what God had done. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed. Immediately her bleeding stopped, and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering” (Mark 5:28-29 NIV). AdventHealth team members labor daily under the mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ and desire to be the garment that functions as the conduit between the healing power of God and the desire of every AdventHealth consumer—namely, to feel whole. However, the account of the woman who was healed by the faith-filled brush with Christ’s garment does not end with her healing, but with her story. Christ would not let this woman leave His presence before giving witness to what had happened in her life in a moment so private that, were it not for His insistence, it would have gone unnoticed. The marketing materials and brand advertising of AdventHealth also take up this challenge. Ultimately, the fuel giving validity and power to the television commercials, billboard ads and marketing campaigns are the real stories of healing that happen every day in the skilled and compassionate care of team members. “Go in peace and be freed from your suffering” were the closing words uttered by Jesus as the woman departed. The peace in her heart, the relief on her face, the lightened steps of one who had so long carried the burden of her condition are the same sentiments conveyed in AdventHealth’s advertisements. This is what it looks like to feel whole. In AdventHealth’s marketing messages the heroes of the story are always those who have been healed. Garret Caldwell is executive director of External Communications for AdventHealth.
SPONSORED BY ADVENTHEALTH
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APRIL 2022 9
We Don’t All Do Everything
the Same Way Thank God!
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old. She asks for no sympathy. She is a fashion model with prosthetic legs. She reminds us, “I want to be seen as beautiful because of my disability, not in spite of it.”2 Educator and author However, that wasn’t enough. In Genesis 2 another descriptive Stephen Covey shares that the name was given: LORD or Yahweh conveyed that He was also single most important princompassionate and trustworthy. The full meaning of those ciple he has learned about names would soon be seen when sin entered. God was indeed interpersonal communication trustworthy. is to “seek first to understand and then to be understood.”3 However, if understandoriginal gift ing is to be effective, it must God’s gift to humans was not only creating them in His be from the other person’s image,it included His continued presence. Regardless of the perspective. Hearing perdetour caused by sin—despite the spiritual and physical con- sons, for example, can easily dition of humanity—God promised not to leave. misunderstand the life of a The Bible clearly expresses the value of every individual. deaf person. To conclude that That value is not derived from what a person can or cannot deaf people are isolated, disdo. Their worth comes from God and is respected by God to oriented, uncommunicative such an extent that He radically invested Himself for their and live in a world without redemption (John 3:16). Life is sacred, and it is only God who meaning would be wrong. is in the position to determine one’s ultimate right to live. Such a conclusion almost God is our identity both as individuals and as His church begs for the deaf to be treated “body” (1 Cor. 12). Our identity from God’s perspective is with sympathy. This is a false based on who He is and the value He has placed in each perassumption. son. Diversity does not detour His love; it is divinely inherent One writer points out, “In in human DNA. the hearing stereotype, deafness is the lack of something, not the presence of anyto understand thing.”4 In reality, the deaf The World Health Organization reports that one in seven, see their situation as a culor 15 percent, of the world’s population has a significant disture more than a disability. ability.1 The way we understand disabilities is critical. It influ- Their culture is filled with ences the way we treat these individuals. What is not always history, values, behaviors, art understood, however, is that our treatment of them frequently and its own language. As is shapes their own perception of their worth. so often the case, if we don’t Aimee Mullins was born without fibula bones in her shins. have the right starting point, Her legs were amputated below the knee when she was a year it is not possible to fully
hen God created the world, He did it with a great deal of enthusiasm.
God’s
Seeking
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appreciate the differences that do exist.
distribution of alms to the poor. At the beginning of August 258, Emperor Valerian issued an edict that all bishops, priests and deacons should immediately be put to death. possibilities The emperor demanded that Lawrence turn over the riches of the church. Early historical records indicate that he asked How we see diversity for three days to gather the wealth. During those three days, and how we relate to others he distributed as much of the church’s treasury to the poor as begins with the way we think. possible. On the third day, he appeared before the prefect or The German philosopher regional governor. When ordered to hand over the treasures Johann Gottfried Herder of the church, Lawrence presented the poor, the crippled, the observed in the 18th century blind and the suffering and declared that these are the true that we cannot know ourtreasures of the church. He reportedly said to the prefect, selves without a reference “The Church is truly rich, far richer than your emperor.” This point outside of ourselves. act of defiance led to his martyrdom. That reference point is Jesus. What Lawrence believed and taught at the peril of his own Any source other than our life was a timeless truth: “Those whom we believe are the students often become our teachers.” Diversity of all kinds Creator and Redeemer will provides lessons needed for our character development. lead to destructive relationEllen White suggested the same when she wrote, “I saw ships and the depreciation that it is in the providence of God that widows and orphans, of the unique contribution the blind, the deaf, the lame, and persons afflicted in a variety those who are not like us can make. To get it right, we must of ways, have been placed in close Christian relationship to His church; it is to prove His people and develop their true start right. character. Angels of God are watching to see how we treat The apostle Paul knew these persons who need our sympathy, love and disinterested it was possible to change benevolence. This is God’s test of our character.”5 perceptions. He could personally say after becoming “a I’ve learned that differences are important. Along with new creation” in Christ that Aimee Mullins and billions of others who make up God’s believing makes it possible to family, I have discovered that God appreciates uniqueness. see differently. “So from now Indeed, God’s gifts come in many shapes, forms, colors, races on we regard no one from a and perspectives. worldly point of view” (2 Cor. Larry R. Evans is assistant to the GC president for Adventist Pos5:16, NIV). sibility Ministries, which includes Bereavement for Spousal Loss, The story is told of Blind and Low Vision, Caregiver Support, Deaf and Hard of HearLawrence, a deacon in Rome ing, Mental Wellness and Learning Development, Orphans and in the third century. He Vulnerable Children, and those with Physical/Mobility Challenges. understood not only the conReprinted with permission from the author cept of diversity but also the unique value of every person. Roberto Correa serves as Possibility Ministries director for the During the persecution of Mid-America Union. the early church, Lawrence was given a position of trust. He cared for the treasury and riches of the church and the
Think
1. World Health Organization, Dec. 1, 2020 (www.who.int/newsroom/facts-in-pictures/detail/disabilities). 2. Andrew Solomon, Far From the Tree: Parents, Children, and the Search for Identity, p. 37. 3. Stephen R. Covey, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change, p. 237. 4. Harlan Lane, The Mask of Benevolence: Disabling the Deaf Community. 5 Ellen White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 511.
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APRIL 2022 11
Adventist Education in Central States Conference Schools Courtesy St. Louis Unified School
Courtesy V. Lindsay School
Scholars Offer Surprises along Students Share God with the with Prayers Community
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O
Nicole Droste, lead teacher
Jessica L. Jacob, principal
hat’s that cooking? Breakfast for our teachers! The scholars at St. Louis Unified School surprised their teachers on Valentine’s Day with breakfast. Dressed in their cooking gear, they delivered menus to the staff then served their choices, including biscuits with butter and jelly, and eggs with cheese. After breakfast, students buckled down to prepare for their Black History program. Each student researched someone they admire, dressed up like them, and presented a memorized speech about the contributions their notable person made to our society and country. Surprising the staff with breakfast was one way to show them appreciation during this difficult year with both teachers experiencing health challenges that have caused the students not only to make adjustments but to explore the very real power of prayer. Our lead teacher was diagnosed with stage 3B invasive ductal carcinoma in October and has been balancing chemo treatments with teaching the fifth-eigth grades. Our Pre-K through fourth grade teacher had much-needed surgery for an ongoing medical concern near the beginning of the year, making a leave of absence necessary. Watching their teachers navigate these challenges and seeing Jesus answer their prayers in real time has made a difference in the spirit and closeness of the students and staff. God is blessing and growing St. Louis Unified School, and we praise Him for His care.
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ver the past couple of years, the number of non-Adventist students attending V. Lindsay Seventh-day Adventist School has been increasing each year. Because of this, it is my passion to make sure all our students understand the 28 fundamental beliefs of Adventism. To accomplish this goal, we have launched a virtual broadcast using Bible Adventures for Young Readers: God Loves Me 28 Ways, a creative, kid-friendly approach to our fundamental beliefs. The best thing about this project is that the students themselves (Jada Harlin, eigth grade; and Isaiah Lewis, seventh grade) are planning and hosting each episode, focusing on one belief per episode. This allows a more in-depth study and understanding of God’s Word. Each episode not only spotlights different children from the community, but also includes a guest speaker or pastor to answer questions. We started Feb. 11 and plan to broadcast every other Friday evening at 7 p.m. CST until we complete all 28 beliefs. Our kids are excited about this series and look forward to learning more about why we are Seventh-day Adventists. You are invited to join We hope that as we continue the broadcast about our virtual ministry, we can our 28 fundamental share God with others in our beliefs on YouTube (V. community and throughout the world! Lindsay SDA School)
and Facebook (V. Lindsay SDA School).
MID-AMERICA UNION NEWS
MAUC Youth Complete
Photos: Mid-America Union Conference
The Calling M
id America Union Conference is now celebrating its 120-year anniversary of ministering to men, women, youth and children in its vast territory. During the past century, major events in the political, social, economic, scientific and religious world have occurred. Despite all these changes and challenges, the Seventh-day Adventist church in Mid-America has continued to minister to the needs of people—sharing the gospel according to the three angels’ messages of Revelation. The Church Ministries department of our union remains committed to the task before us. We find sound counsel and valuable insight in the words of the veteran gospel worker, the apostle Paul. As the aged apostle neared the end of his ministry, he instructed his protégé Timothy in II Tim. 4:5 to embrace four-time tested values that would assure the success of his ministry. First he instructed the young Timothy to always think clearly, utilizing sound judgment, while maintaining his focus and self-discipline. Secondly, Paul encouraged Timothy that while there will be challenges and hardships in ministry he must not only endure the challenges and difficulties but should do so while maintaining a Christlike attitude and demeanor. The apostle’s third admonition was to never forget the purpose of his calling and to always keep before
the people the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. Then lastly, Paul caps off his advice by instructing Timothy to make full proof of his ministry—to never settle for anything less than excellence in his service to our Lord, never leave a task half done, never give anything less than his best. In other words, to complete the calling entrusted to him under the guidance of the Spirit of God. My hope for all of us called by our Lord to serve in the ministries of the Mid-America Union is that we will give full proof of our ministry by completing the calling. In an effort to complete the calling, the youth directors of our conferences visited Union College last January recruiting young adults to serve as staff at the summer camps around our territory. Summer camp service is an excellent opportunity for our next generations to develop their leadership skills in a spiritual, fun-filled and safe environment. In addition to learning new skills and gaining valuable work experience, summer camp workers are able to earn scholarships toward tuition expenses when they return to school. Young adults who work at summer camp often go on to complete the calling by remaining connected to the church and its mission. Our youth are never too young to begin learning the inherent value of studying
God’s Word and the importance of completing the calling He has placed on their lives. In February, 19 Pathfinder clubs from around our union participated in the union-level Pathfinder Bible Experience held at College View Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. Fifteen clubs attended in person, neatly dressed in their Class A uniforms, well prepared and excited for the fellowship. Some of the Pathfinders had an opportunity to testify of the impact participating in PBE had on their lives and the valuable lessons they learned from diligently studying in preparation for the games. Four teams, Aurora
Las Aguilas from Rocky Mountain, Ankeny Son Seekers from Iowa-Missouri, Ramsey Light of the WorldHeaven’s Heirs, and Kenyan Community Heaven’s CrewEagles from Minnesota, advanced to the division level event to be held April 23 in Eugene, Oregon. Special thanks to Lonny Nelson, the PBE union coordinator, the executive staff, youth directors, club directors and parents for their commitment to our youth. Tyrone Douglas is Church Ministries director for the Mid-America Union Conference.
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APRIL 2022 13
CENTRAL STATES CONFERENCE
Identity Impacts Community
“The reason
why people fail to endure long enough to experience success in their endeavors is their perspective does not facilitate success. We often start with ‘Do,’ but before you ‘Do’ you have to ‘Be.’ Be, Do, Get, that’s the key to success!”
These words of counsel are from Christian financial coach Myron Golden. As the podcast interview I was listening to continued, he further unpacked his argument: “Many people try doing things without being fully engaged and therefore when difficulty comes they change course because the activity was something they were doing but wasn’t an outpouring of who they are.” Doesn’t that sound familiar? Do you remember when Moses asked God whom he should tell Pharaoh was responsible for the directive to release the people of Israel? God didn’t reply with his title but rather his identity: I AM. Do you recall 1 John 4:8, in the discourse on why we should love one another? John does not merely insinuate that God loves us, but declares with no equivocations that God is love! Surely you have not forgotten John 1:1, one of my favorite verses: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Again, identity. I believe we truly live as Christians when we are Christians, we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit
when we are filled with the stop doing what you used to Holy Spirit, and we carry out do, but not for the four people the commands of God when mentioned earlier. we accept our identity as Due to COVID, Laura children of God. Morgan and her team began The difficulties around us to see an increase in the might concern us but they number of families comdon’t stop us, because it’s ing through the Northside who we are that propels us Seventh-day Adventist forward. It becomes difficult, Church food pantry in St. if not impossible, for us to Louis, Missouri. So they not do what we’re supposed adjusted. They increased the to do. Our understanding amount of food they distribof our identity impacts our uted, welcoming any and all in engagement, not because it is need of quality food at no cost. expected of us, but because All the while, Laura in embracing our identity we endured pain in her shoulexpect it of ourselves. ders that would often make Some may say this sounds it tough for her to even lift great in theory. Yet I have her arms. When I asked her seen it firsthand—over and how she finds the strength over again—through the to keep going she responded, service of some amazing “When Jesus left, He told us people, people like Laura that we are expected to finish Morgan, Elder Lusajo the work. This is what I was Kasyupa, Donnita Burnett created to do; He gives me and Patricia Pierre, to name a few. By now we all know the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic: job layoffs, rising food costs, organizational closures, a decline in church attendance, heightened safety concerns, deaths and so much more. COVID-19 became more than a temporary phenomenon; it became a universally accepted reason to Photos: Courtesy Central States Conference
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the strength to do it, so I must do it.” Elder Lusajo Kasyupa was amongst the millions of people to lose their jobs during the pandemic. As a loving husband and father who prides himself on providing for his family, he could have complained. During this season of adjustment, he could have reduced his involvement in ministry at the Lighthouse (St. Louis) and Grand Avenue (Charleston, Missouri) Adventist churches. He could have refused to keep doing ministry, but instead he increased his involvement. His pastor, Byron Wright, routinely shares how Elder Kasyupa has been a blessing not just to the church family but to him personally. “It’s clear that Elder Kasyupa does what he does not because of
CENTRAL STATES CONFERENCE
Engagement in St. Louis the title but because it’s who he is, and I am so thankful to have him on my team,” said Pastor Wright. Donnita Burnett and Patricia Pierre also serve on a team of food pantry leaders for the Agape Adventist Church in St. Louis. When the pandemic hit, they needed to strongly consider how they were going to continue to distribute food while maintaining the health and safety of the recipients, as well as their team of volunteers. The population they serve are largely seniors and the team of volunteers, though consistent, are few. Closing down would have been understandable given space limitations, but that was not an option for these two service-oriented leaders. Instead of closing, they implemented a plan where the more than 60 families who drive to visit the pantry on each distribution day would no longer have to
exit their cars. Recipients now just pull up, pop their trunk, and the team loads the bags—all from the curb. This keeps everyone safe, and the recipients have rejoiced about the ease of receiving the food they need. When the car is loaded they are able to drive off after receiving kind words and affirmations that have become synonymous with the Agape pantry experience. What makes this team even more amazing is that they’ve experienced physical ailments, endured bereavement, seen the number of volunteers ebb and flow, prayed for God to hold back the rain, held on to tents to prevent them from flying away on windy days, and so much more. And they’ve done it all with a smile. They are proud to report that through this pandemic they’ve never missed a distribution day. Their identity (committed servants) clearly impacts their consistent engagement.
I’ve seen repeatedly through these servants of God how there are things we do, not because we have to but because of who we are. I’ve seen that there are things we do because of our desire to fulfill the mission that God has set for us. We do these things not out of convenience but out of obedience and appreciation to our God who desires to be with us for eternity. This desire to allow identity to impact engagement was present in the early Christian church as well. Ellen White wrote, Those who at Pentecost were endued with power from on high, were not thereby freed from further temptation and trial. As they witnessed for truth and righteousness they were repeatedly assailed by the enemy of all truth, who sought to rob them of their Christian experience. They were compelled to strive with all their God-given
powers to reach the measure of the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. Daily they prayed for fresh supplies of grace, that they might reach higher and still higher toward perfection. Under the Holy Spirit’s working even the weakest, by exercising faith in God, learned to improve their entrusted powers and to become sanctified, refined, and ennobled. As in humility they submitted to the molding influence of the Holy Spirit, they received of the fullness of the Godhead and were fashioned in the likeness of the divine (Acts of the Apostles, p. 50-51). We are children of God. That is our identity. Let us ever endeavor to do our Father’s bidding no matter what comes our way. Keith Hackle Jr. is Adventist Community Services director for the Central States Conference.
(opposite page, left) Laura Morgan (opposite page, right) Lusajo Kasyupa (this page, left) Donnita Burnett (this page, right) Patricia Andrews-Pierre
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APRIL 2022 15
DAKOTA CONFERENCE
Dakota Conference Welcomes Ted Struntz as Youth Director
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lder Ted Struntz has accepted the invitation of the Dakota Conference to serve as camp director, youth and young adult director, and also lead Pathfinders and Adventurers. He began his new role in February. Born in New York and raised in several states across the Midwest, Struntz is the son of an Adventist evangelist and spent his childhood traveling around the country witnessing firsthand the impact of ministry. His goal in life was to become a medical doctor, but while leading a spiritual retreat during his senior year at Laurelbrook Academy he felt the unmistakable call to ministry. He studied theology at Southern Adventist University, and during this time spent a year in Loveland, Colorado, as youth pastor for the Campion Academy Church. While in Colorado he developed a special
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burden for young people. A few weeks after graduation, Struntz married Lynnette Aldridge, the daughter of an Adventist pastor. Their first post was at a church in Georgia, at which time he began a Master of Divinity and Lynnette worked at the conference office as managing editor in the communication department. The couple later moved to Michigan, where Struntz attended seminary at Andrews University and Lynette began her master’s in English. Over the last 21 years of ministry, their family has pastored in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and Oregon. Struntz has written curriculum for two VBS programs, penned a Q&A column for Kids Ministry Ideas magazine, and directed the Review and Herald’s VBS “Go Fishin” Mission Adventure Camp
Courtesy Lynnette Struntz
DVD. He has served as a chaplain for the Knox County sheriff ’s department and ran the Teen Zone for the last three Pathfinder camporees in the Southern Union. As a child, Struntz attended summer camp at Mohaven in Ohio. He spent five summers working at Nosoca Pines Ranch in Liberty Hill, South Carolina, as well as serving as camp pastor at several summer camps across the division. Struntz recently pastored the Rockwood Church in Portland, Oregon, and Lynnette currently teaches English at Portland Adventist Academy. The couple’s eldest daughter, Liz, is almost finished with her sophomore year and has spoken several times for PAA’s Student Week
of Worship. The couple’s younger daughter, Katherine, is a sixth grader who loves to cook and bake. Both daughters play volleyball. The family includes a four-pound Yorkie named Charlie. Struntz’ family will finish the 2021-22 school year in Portland before joining him in the Dakotas. Pastor Struntz is eager to join the Dakota Conference team and is most excited about working with the kids and staff at summer camp. He looks forward to helping Pathfinders grow in the Dakotas as well as encouraging churches to involve the youth and get to know them on a personal level. Jodi Dossenko is communication director for the Dakota Conference.
DAKOTA CONFERENCE
Dakota Adventist Academy Hosts Robotics Competition
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n Jan. 21, Dakota Adventist Academy swarmed with robots, students and spectators for this year’s FIRST Inspires robotics competition. The school has hosted several robotics meets over the past three years, which have grown from eight teams to 19 coming from around North and South Dakota as well as Minnesota. FIRST competitions are traditionally held on Saturdays, but DAA is happy to provide one of the venues for North Dakota’s qualifying competitions which allows the event to take place on a Friday. The senior class has stepped in to run the event. The upper classmen help set up the gymnasium arena, serve lunch,
internships and other opportunities that create connections in a variety of careers. Every year, FIRST presents a challenge to teams across the organization. This year’s theme was “Freight Frenzy” where the goal was to load “freight” into various storage facilities. Students are put to the test as they brainstorm solutions and then put their solutions into action for three different segments. The first segment is the autonomous round where the robot runs perform safety inspections on purely off a pre-programmed code. In the second segment competing robots and act as teams pick up their game event referees. controller and remotely FIRST (For Inspiration control their robot. The third and Recognition of Science and Technology) is an orga- and final segment is called “End Game.” Teams choose nization with the mission to either park their robot or “to inspire young people to place their team marker on be science and technology a designated spot. The team leaders and innovators by that earns the most points engaging them in exciting wins the alliance rounds. mentor-based programs DAA’s team, Tin Heads, that build science, engineerwas started in 2018 under the ing, and technology skills leadership of Peter Kenaston, that inspire innovation and the computer teacher and that foster well-rounded assistant boys’ dean. The life capabilities including team was first mentored by self-confidence, communication, and leadership.”* The Bismarck’s Career Academy, organization provides a com- and later that school year competed and won in the munity that prepares young people for the future and the Adventist robotics competichance to earn scholarships, tion in Florida. At this event, the Tin Heads also won the Inspire Award, which is given to the team who shows gracious professionalism, sets an example by being a role model and who is a strong ambassador for FIRST programs. In 2019, under the leadership of vo-tech teacher Ryan Peterson and with the
assistance of Tracy Peterson, Dakota Adventist Academy began to host the North Dakota state qualifier. The team took a break in 2020 but continued to host the event, which had begun to gain popularity. This year, the team is back with an additional mentor, alumnus Jaelyn Pickett, who was an original member and now assists with programming. The Tin Heads are excited to return to Florida at the end of April and compete in the FIRST Tech Challenge. FIRST Robotics has become an outlet for DAA students to be involved and witness to the community through thoughtfulness, competence and hard work ethics. Tracy Peterson is DAA’s recruiter, barn manager and the robotics’ team organizer; Jaelyn Pickett is administrative assistant at the Dakota Conference. *FIRSTinspires.org
FIRST Inspires robotics competition trophies
Photos: Jodi Dossenko
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APRIL 2022 17
IOWA-MISSOURI CONFERENCE
ISU Students Fellowship through Friday Vespers
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owa State University’s student organization Adventist Christian Fellowship has increased membership by over 85 percent since the chapter first reopened in 2019. ACF is an organization which provides young adults—both students of ISU and local community members—the ability to fellowship through meals, Bible study, icebreakers and recreational activities. The group meets twice a month at the Ames Church in Iowa. Group members are invited to enjoy a meal provided by church members. For many group members, this is their favorite part of the meeting. “My favorite part is coming and bonding with people and just talking around a good plate of food,” says Amber Melendez, ISU student and member of ACF. “It really brings us together and brings that sense of fellowship into this small group.”
Members of Iowa State University’s ACF chapter gather for a picture after leading out in worship at the Ames Church. After the meal, members head upstairs to do icebreakers, discuss organization duties and upcoming events and to study the Bible. “ACF is all about building relationships with people and just getting to know them,” says Esther Kim, ACF member and ISU student. ACF president and ISU senior Jedi Chukwusom reopened the organization’s chapter in 2019 with the help of Ames Church member and ISU staff Mona Berkley, now ACF’s sponsor. Chukwusom wanted to reopen the chapter,
which was previously closed for eight years, because he wanted to connect with people of similar beliefs. “I struggled with a sense of loneliness,” Chukwusom explains. “I wished there was somebody that felt the same about subjects that I could connect with.” Berkley says she understands Chukwusom’s loneliness from her own experience as a student at ISU. After moving from California to attend ISU, Berkley says she didn’t know anyone on campus. Berkley says if ACF was
an organization when she was a student, she would’ve joined. ISU student and ACF member Andrew Plar says when he sees ACF members around ISU’s campus it’s refreshing. “My favorite part of ACF is feeling connected,” Plar says. “It makes the big feeling [of campus] feel a little smaller.” Berkley hopes more ISU students learn about ACF and join the organization so they too can feel connected and have a place to worship with other people their age. Articles on these pages were written by Christina Coston, communication director for the Iowa-Missouri Conference.
Learn more about the ACF chapter at ISU by visiting www.amesia. adventistchurch. org/ministries.
Conference Office Updates Building Exterior
W Photos: Christina Coston
ork to improve the Iowa-Missouri Conference office building exterior began in October and was recently completed.
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The conference office, located in a two-story building in West Des Moines, Iowa, rents most of its lower level to a local business. After years of renting the space out, the conference decided to use some of the money acquired from the renter to improve the exterior appearance and safety of the office. “We wanted to update the building’s exterior to present
a better image of the church to the community. But this was more than improving cosmetic appearance—it was also maintenance that needed to be done,” said Rhonda Karr, conference treasurer. Cosmetic improvements included updating lettering signage, painting the exterior and adding modernized paneling to parts of the building’s exterior.
Additionally, the conference improved building safety by replacing old railings, adding brighter lights and repairing a concrete walkway. “In addition to an improved look, the renovations increased safety for both patrons and employees of the conference and the business located downstairs,” said Heather Brueske, human resources director.
Churches Work Together to Feed Local Community
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oday the Independence Samoan-English Church and the Independence Ebenezer Spanish Church currently provide food for about 200 families each month through their mobile food pantry. In 2019, the Independence Samoan-English Church wanted to serve others. The church learned the New Haven Church, located in the neighboring Kansas-Nebraska Conference, held a food pantry weekly and needed more volunteers. Members of the Independence SamoanEnglish Church started volunteering there. “I started taking young people or whoever was available every Tuesday. And we enjoyed it,” said Elder Mark Tagaloa, pastor of the Independence SamoanEnglish Church. In 2020 when the pandemic hit, many churches and food pantries closed. The Independence Samoan-English Church looked for ways to continue serving others during this time. Tagaloa and his wife, Sandee, decided they would
use their own garage as storage for a food pantry. “We were looking for ways to stay active as a church, and just to have purpose in a lot of people’s lives, especially as things were looking dim with COVID,” Sandee said. Each week, the couple picked up food from Harvesters, a food bank, and stored it in their garage. Then the couple would create food boxes that they would deliver to church members who would deliver the boxes to neighbors or those in need. After six months of running the food pantry from the Tagaloa’s garage, the church qualified to apply as a host for a mobile food pantry. The church was approved to start a mobile food pantry by Harvesters. However, the church had an issue; they did not have enough space at their own church to smoothly run a mobile food pantry. Tagaloa reached out to Elder Juan Acosta, pastor of the nearby Independence Ebenezer Spanish Church. Tagaloa explained to Acosta
that the Independence Ebenezer Spanish Church would be an excellent location for the mobile food pantry. The Independence Ebenezer Spanish Church agreed and joined to host the mobile food pantry. The first mobile food pantry was held in April 2021. The volunteers were nervous no one would show up, but through word of mouth and social media, the community learned of the pantry and many families received free food. Since it opened, the pantry has doubled the number of people it serves, according to Sandee. “Every month it gets bigger and bigger,” Tagaloa said. To serve so many people, the churches rely on their members to volunteer. Volunteers arrive two hours before the mobile food pantry opens at 10 am to help arrange the food. Tagaloa said regardless of the conditions—like heavy rainstorms and 6-degree temperatures—volunteers are always willing to help. “The volunteers are so wonderful,”
Tagaloa said. “It is such a great joy to see people so willing to serve.” Volunteers say they enjoy helping at the mobile food pantry because they can see an impact in the community. “I decided to volunteer because I’m passionate about volunteering and helping out the community in any way that I can,” said Janet Faapouli, a young adult member of the Independence Samoan-English Church. As the pantry continues to serve more people each month, the two churches hope they can expand their ministries. Acosta hopes the Independence Ebenezer Spanish Church can use one of its three buildings to serve hot food to those in need and reach even more of the community. Tagaloa hopes the mobile food pantry can be moved from the Wednesday schedule to the Saturday schedule. This would allow more church members the opportunity to volunteer. “A lot of our members work on Wednesday,” Tagaloa explained. “They love to hear the testimony stories, but we want everyone to experience it firsthand.”
Volunteers hand out food in 6-degree temperatures.
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KANSAS-NEBRASKA CONFERENCE
Timothy Floyd
Broken Arrow Ranch Celebrates 50 Years of Summer Camp Adventures
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n the early 1970s a shovel dug into the dark Kansas dirt near Tuttle Creek for the first time, revealing sagebrush roots and small rocks mixed with dirt. Soon there was the sound of chainsaws and the rumble of construction equipment mixed with the echoing concussion of hammers. Broken Arrow Ranch was under construction. By 1972 when the first
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campers arrived for their summer camp adventure the camp was ready to serve! In the 50 years since this summer camp began, it has been led by two camp rangers and 13 different youth directors, and has changed the lives of countless young people. Broken Arrow Ranch is more than just a summer camp; it is a retreat center that hosts events
and gatherings, from family reunions to weddings. Broken Arrow Ranch is both a conference summer camp and a home. In the seven years that I have been the conference youth director, I have grown to see the camp as my second home, my place of safety, my place of reflection and perspective and rejuvenation. Each summer I try to craft that environment for our staff to pass on to our campers. In celebration of our 50th anniversary, we are trying to make this our best summer ever—the best program, the best staff, the best campers, the best conversations, the best songs, the best games, the best
food and, most importantly, the best curated environment to meet Christ. During Family Camp this summer, we are inviting all former camp staff to come back and join us for a Camp Family Reunion: our Camp Family Camp! Every year my camp family gets bigger with new staff getting adopted, joining the larger Broken Arrow Ranch family. I hope you will join my family this summer too as we celebrate our best summer ever! Timothy Floyd serves as youth and young adult director for the Kansas-Nebraska Conference.
KANSAS-NEBRASKA CONFERENCE
New Personnel Join Kansas-Nebraska Conference Courtesy Dominguez Family
Communication Specialist Brings Expertise and Passion for Ministry
Saul Dominguez is our new communication director. Saul, Katie and their son Leo moved here from Oregon where they were pastoring two congregations. A graduate of Andrews University Seminary with his Master of Divinity degree, Saul has great expertise in videography, web design, photography, social media and graphic design. His skills will assist our churches and schools in varied and vital ways. “We are confident Saul’s skills along with his commitment and passion for ministry will bring many benefits to the work in our territory,” says Ron Carlson, president.
Courtesy Kerth Payne
New Pastor for Two Kansas Churches
Pastor Kerth Payne is a new associate pastor of the Chapel Oaks (Shawnee, Kansas) and the Lawrence, Kansas, congregations. A graduate of Oakwood University, Kerth recently completed her Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University Seminary. “We are thrilled with the gifts that Pastor Kerth will bring to our congregations,” says Mike Fenton, lead pastor at Chapel Oaks. Conference ministerial director Virgil Covel adds, “She is a skilled communicator and loving pastor with the ability to connect with others easily and naturally. Her authentic walk with Jesus is obvious. We welcome her to our pastoral team.”
Ministries Thriving in Kansas-Nebraska Conference Become a VOP Discovery Bible School
Over 30 churches in our conference have become a Voice of Prophecy Discovery Bible School. To learn more about this outreach opportunity, contact your pastor or conference evangelism coordinator Virgil Covel at 785.478.4726.
Join the Camp Meeting Choir
You are invited to be part of this year’s camp meeting choir as we sing on Sabbath, June 4, during our worship services at College View Church. If you would like to sing (or play in the orchestra), please visit our conference website www. ks-ne.org and fill out the sign-up sheet there. Just look for the golden button at the bottom of the sidebar to the right of the home page. More information and rehearsal details will be emailed in the coming weeks to all those who sign up. You may contact Pastor Deneil Clarke at deneil.clarke@gmail.com with any questions.
Attend a Parenting Solo Retreat (for single moms or dads with kids)
June 9-12 Broken Arrow Ranch $50 per parent / $25 per child. For questions or to register call 785.478.4726. OUTLOOKMAG.ORG
APRIL 2022 21
MINNESOTA CONFERENCE
Long-time Pipestone Physician Retires
Pipestone County Star
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r. Michael Lastine retired last fall after 44 years as a doctor, all of which he spent in Pipestone, Minnesota. During that time he delivered 3,217 babies. He clearly did much more than that during four decades as a doctor, but that bit of information is an example of how Lastine’s mind works and part of what led to him becoming a doctor.
He’s meticulous; he remembers details and has what he described as a mathematical mind. At age 72, he’s also quick to tell a story. When he was about 10, he said, his mother had cancer and it created in him a type of “cancer phobia.” That phobia and his analytical mind caused him to research
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healthy lifestyles. “I started doing this epidemiology stuff and found some 37 civilizations that had little or no cancer.” What he found caused him to make lifestyle changes including cutting meat and sugar out of his diet. His path took a clear turn toward becoming a doctor when he was around 12 years old. He had received some academic honors in school and when he went to church “this elderly lady came and talked to me and said, ‘Michael, you need to become a doctor and come back to our small town,’” Lastine said. “That was the first time I ever thought about it and I could never get her out of my head.” Then something else happened. He damaged his front tooth playing basketball
and had to have a root canal. The dentist had numbed his mouth, but when he started working, Lastine passed out. “When I came to he said, ‘People who do that make good doctors because they can feel pain when they can’t feel pain,’” he said. “I never forgot that one either.” He ended up in Pipestone due to a classmate he met at a Christian boarding school named Larry Christensen. The two became friends and were later roommates during their freshman year at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. Later they lived across the street from each other while attending medical school at Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California. During medical school, Lastine ran out of money and was thinking about joining the Army. Christensen’s dad heard about it and offered Lastine a loan to help him finish his schooling. “He didn’t require that I come to Pipestone, but he said, ‘At least think about it,’” Lastine said. He had other offers, but he wanted to work in the Midwest. The words of that lady from church, urging him to be a doctor in a small town, echoed in his mind. Lastine started working as a doctor in Pipestone in 1978. Lastine said he continued to receive offers to work elsewhere, but that it was the wonderful people he worked with that kept him at Pipestone County Medical Center. During his long career,
Lastine saw significant changes in the field of medicine. One of the most significant is technology, which has impacted countless elements of the profession. “We can treat things now that we had no treatment for 40 years ago,” Lastine said. Lastine said he stuck with his profession for so many years because he saw it as his Christian calling to serve people. “I have considered it my complete privilege and honor to care for people and help people,” he said. Lastine plans to remain in the area after retiring. He said he decided to retire now due in large part to his wife of 15 years, Kathleen, who has become bedridden due to an illness. He also hasn’t been able to visit his children and stepchildren in Minnesota, Nebraska, Colorado and California. “I just want to focus on that,” Lastine said. “I’m not tired of the job at all.” Lastine also said he’s looking for his next calling, which could include writing, providing health classes or seminars, and helping more with the Black Hills Health and Education Center that he helped start in 1979. He also plans to keep gardening in his three-acre plot, running and enjoying art and music. Excerpted with permission from the Pipestone County Star, Sept/ Oct 2021
MINNESOTA CONFERENCE
Pathways Fellowship Church Says Farewell to Associate Pastor
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Photos Courtesy Pathways Fellowship Church
he Pathways Fellowship Church in Osseo, Minnesota, said farewell to associate pastor Nick Wanovich in January. Pastor Nick moved to South Carolina where he will be pastoring two churches, one in Summerville and the other in Orangeburg. Pastor Nick has assisted senior pastor Karen Lewis at the church since July of 2019. He is passionate about his love for Jesus, which has translated to his sermons and made them relevant to the congregation. He was the speaker for the church’s evangelistic series America in Prophecy presented in October 2021. Nick became a Seventhday Adventist in 2015 during Shawn Boonstra’s
evangelistic meetings in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended the first meeting at the insistence of his stepfather but was so excited about the message he heard that he wanted to share it. He invited friends and even brought his step-grandmother. Nick was convicted that the inspiring Bible messages were biblical truths, and at the end of the evangelistic meetings he was baptized by Karen Lewis, at that time a Bible worker trainer for evangelism and pastor of the Stillwater Church. Shortly after the evangelistic series ended, Nick sought guidance from the Lord and was impressed to attend Southern Adventist University near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Not long after his studies began, he felt strongly that the Lord wanted him to become an evangelist, so he chose theology as his major and graduated in 2019. Pastor Lewis, who continued to keep in contact with Nick, took advantage of the COVID situation while he was back home and asked
Nick to assist her at Pathways Fellowship Church while continuing to work on his Master of Divinity from Andrews University online. He graduated in December 2021. Pastor Nick not only knows how to share the love of Jesus through Scripture, but he has been blessed with the gift of connecting with youth and young people, which resulted not only in friendships but baptisms. He loves music and plays the guitar, violin and sings. He also enjoys spending time with his dog, Buck. He is blessed to have a very supportive family who live in Stillwater, Minnesota. On Pastor Nick’s last Sabbath in Minnesota, church members were given the opportunity to thank him for his significant contributions while at Pathways. We know the Lord has great things in store for Pastor Nick as he follows the Lord’s leading and shepherds his new churches in South Carolina. Charlene Lashier is communications secretary for the Pathways Fellowship Church in Osseo, Minnesota.
(top) Pastor Nick (right) baptizes Alex Negru (bottom) Pastor Nick (right) and senior pastor Karen Lewis welcome a new member with a gift basket.
Legal Notice Minnesota Conference to Hold Their Constituency Session May 15, 2022 Notice is hereby given that the 3rd Quadrennial Session of the Minnesota Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists, a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Minnesota, be held at the Earle Brown Heritage Center, 6155 Earle Brown Dr, Brooklyn Center, MN, 55430 on Sunday May 15, 2022, at 10 O’clock a.m. The purpose of the meeting is to elect the officers and members of the Board of Trustees for the Association, as well as transact any other business that may properly come before the delegates. Delegates from the churches comprising the Minnesota Conference are on the following basis: One (1) delegate for the organization and one (1) additional delegate for each thirty-five (35) members or major fraction thereof The first meeting will be called to order at 10 O’clock on the said date at which time all duly elected delegates shall be seated. Justin C. Lyons President Brian K. Mungandi Vice President for Administration Gayln L. Bowers Vice President for Finance
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ROCKY MOUNTAIN CONFERENCE
Courtesy Brighton Adventist Academy
Brighton Academy Blesses Brighton’s First Responders
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tudents and staff at Brighton Adventist Academy in Brighton,
Colorado, asked themselves the question, How can we say thank you to the team of police
RMC Women’s Ministries Flourishing in 2022
“W
omen need other women. We build a better community when we gather,” explains Jana Thurber, RMC Women’s Ministries Department director. Thurber is excited to plan events for the women of RMC in 2022. She sees the ministry as a chance for women to fellowship, support each other and study God’s Word together. “To pray, laugh, praise God, cry or provide comfort—or to celebrate each other’s joys and answers to prayer. We are stronger when we journey together. We are stronger when we serve each other!” She says women’s ministries exist to serve and provide outreach to the community. “Women’s ministries is not only about who we are as dventist women, but [also about] using our creative abilities in serving our church and community.” She adds, “Women’s ministries activities are focused on helping women grow deeper with Jesus so we can invest 24 OUTLOOKMAG.ORG APRIL 2022
ourselves in our local church and community.” Thurber is planning special events and gatherings for 2022, but she is also launching a new friendship evangelism weekend for RMC women to invite friends, neighbors, or co-workers of different faiths who want God to draw near through music, praise, worship, prayer and gifted speakers. Thurber says she is blessed to work with a leadership group of talented volunteers to plan events, and that prayer is central for her department. “I regularly pray for individual church women’s ministries leaders, our conference leadership team, and women pastoral spouses. I hope you’ll join me in this prayer venture and that you will include me in your prayers as I seek to follow God’s heart in leading women in our conference.” RMCNews with Jana Thurber, Rocky Mountain Conference women’s ministries director
officers and firefighters who serve the community daily, rain or shine? The answer was simple: create blessing bags and deliver them with smiles. So the students from BAA and Little Lambs Learning Center eagerly gathered on Feb. 2 to help assemble the bags, filling them with various snacks, including hot chocolate packets, popcorn
bags, chips, candies, fruit cups, drinks and more to show appreciation to the first responders who protect the community. The activity was more than a community appreciation event; it was part of their Bible labs learning. Reflecting on why it was essential to do this activity, eighth grader Gizelle commented, “It was important
Women’s Ministries Events for 2022 May 10 | 6:30 pm
Women of Spirit program by “The Legendary Ladies,” a women’s historical performance organization. For reservations or more information, call or text Ginger at 720.980.9006.
Aug. 6
“EnditNow” The Campion Church service will feature a special guest who will address the subject of abuse, particularly domestic abuse.
Sept. 17
Hyveth Williams, professor of homiletics at the Theological Seminary at Andrews University and director of the doctor of ministry program, will be a guest speaker for the Canon City women’s ministries weekend. For more information, call Jill at 970.231.4383.
Sept. 23-25
RMC women’s ministries annual retreat will be held at Glacier View Ranch for women of all ages. The featured speaker is Sharon Leach. Call 303.282.3638 and leave a message that you want to attend. Please include name, email and phone number.
Oct. 28-29
A special weekend for women at the Campion Church. Details to come.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CONFERENCE because they do so much for us, and they keep us safe. It was good to make them happy.” Caleb, a seventh grader, enjoyed assembling the bags. “It was cool, and there was a lot of good stuff for the bags! It is important to help others.” Emiliano, a fourth grader, helped supply items for the project. “It was nice to make the bags. I am glad we brought a lot of gifts from home to make the bags full!” Kiera, a fourth grader, said, “It felt good because the stuff we put into the bags can help them. We had some hand warmers for the bags, and this will help keep them warm.” Students also designed and created cards of appreciation for the bags. “They were fun to make, and I am glad they are helping the firefighters and the policemen because they help everyone, and they save lives,” said Irene, a seventh grader. After the bags were filled to the brim with snacks and small gifts of appreciation, grade nine and ten students hand-delivered them to the Brighton Police Department and the Brighton Fire Department. The first responders were extremely grateful for the tokens of appreciation and the act of kindness exhibited by the students’ eagerness to say thank you. Fritz, a third grader, summed up the event perfectly by saying, “I had to help put things into the bags, and we also made cards. I hope that the bags were a blessing because it is God’s will that we help others.” Jodie Aakko is head teacher at Brighton Adventist Academy.
Pastors Gather for Fellowship and Revitalization
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astors, chaplains from local CenturaAdventHealth hospitals and conference office employees gathered for the annual winter minister’s meetings in Colorado Springs on Jan. 31. The event, typically held in February, is a highlight for the pastors who can fellowship with their colleagues from around RMC and provides an opportunity to take home some practical learning and apply it in their home churches. “Since we couldn’t meet face to face last winter due to the pandemic, it was great being able to meet together again. While thankful for virtual meetings, it is especially sweet when we can see each other face-to-face,” said Mickey Mallory, RMC ministerial director. The gathering began with a devotion by Craig Carr, newly appointed MidAmerica Union Conference ministerial director and former RMC ministerial director. Carr remarked that it was good to be back among friends and colleagues and explained how Jesus seeks us and wants to help us by healing and comforting us. The morning continued with a powerful message of hope and restoration provided by Richie Halversen, Southern Union Conference church growth and revitalization director. Halverson shared his story of redemption and restoration from opioid addiction and how Jesus and his family never gave up hope on him.
Jon Roberts
He appealed to the pastors to never give up hope on anyone. Halversen continued the morning by giving practical advice on how to reconnect to the community. He explained that we need to make the first move by being involved in the community and meeting people where they are. He went on to say that churches should meet the needs of the area and provide a safe space for individuals to share and be accepted for who they are. Finally, he emphasized that churches need to give people the gospel. After lunch, the meetings reconvened with Mic Thurber, RMC president, addressing the group. He remarked that this was an important meeting for him as he was able to see the pastors face-to-face and introduce himself to them. The gathering concluded with department leaders presenting and sharing information with the pastors and answering their questions. Reflecting on the meetings, John Davidson, lead pastor at the Cañon City Adventist Church, said, “I really appreciate being able to get together with the other pastors from around the conference for fellowship. The pastors often
don’t have that fellowship in their local church, and to be here and able to fellowship with other pastors—what a blessing that is.” Steve Nelson, lead pastor in the Cody, Wyoming district, echoed Davidson’s sentiments. “I enjoyed reconnecting with fellow pastors and encouraging others in ministry.” In reference to the new-in-ministry meeting that took place the day before the general meeting with Halversen also presenting, Shayne Vincent, lead pastor of the Casper Church district, remarked, “I was blown away [by] how Richie shared solution after solution resolving all the many questions I’ve had over the years of how to reach our communities for Christ. And I would say that this sentiment was shared by many of us in that room.” In summarizing the gathering, Mallory said, “With Pikes Peak appearing beautifully in the west, our pastors learned how to reach peak performance when it comes to helping people find spiritual rest in Christ. With Jesus leading, there is no mountain (obstacle/addiction) so big that cannot be overcome.” Jon Roberts is RMC communication/media assistant.
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UNION COLLEGE
Scott Cushman/Union College
Student Leader Recognized with National Scholarship
S
alissa Tonkin is known for being one of the friendliest people on Union College’s campus. An outspoken leader, she always seems to be involved with some project—that is, when she’s not working on her double psychology and social work major or leading at The Well, College View Seventh-day Adventist Church’s collegiate Sabbath school. Tonkin was honored with a Weniger Fellows Student Scholarship during an online ceremony on Feb. 19, highlighting the 2022 laureates and fellows recognized by the Charles E. Weniger Society for Excellence. Each year the society honors Seventh-day Adventist higher education leaders and is the only organization to award a scholarship to an outstanding
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I was nominated to speak at student week of prayer. While writing my speech, I felt God for the first time. He directed my thoughts in a way I don’t think I could have alone.” Tonkin chose to come to Union to continue her education in an Adventist space. “At Union, the experience has been uplifting in a way that can only be God-led,” she said. “I am blessed to have mentors that can talk to me Developing spiritual life and educate me about how Tonkin calls Sitka—a small grace works. I have been able to develop my spiritual life by island in southeast Alaska— home. She chose to become participating in the commuan Adventist while attending nity here.” Auburn Adventist Academy “When the Union College in Washington. She said, “At Scholarship Committee first, I saw it just as a way to began looking into candiget off the island and ensure dates, Salissa immediately some security for myself. My came to mind,” said Kate Kamarad, director of scholhome life wasn’t great at the arships and special events time. But in my junior year, student at every Adventist college or university in the U.S. and Canada. As a Weniger Fellow for 2022, Tonkin will receive a $750 scholarship from the Weniger Society and a $750 match from Union College. “I am so thankful to receive this scholarship,” said Tonkin. “This is just another example of the blessings that God continues to put in my path.”
at Union. “She is a natural leader. You can often find her in the cafeteria being friendly and demonstrating her love for Jesus. When she’s up front, she chooses to be vulnerable and real.” As head of hospitality for The Well, Tonkin has many opportunities to speak. She said, “Being empowered to speak about my story has been great. I have a deal with God where if I’m asked to speak, I don’t say no. He has held up His end by making it manageable for me and giving me the words to help other people. I know when I get asked, it’s heaven ordained.” Plans for the future As Tonkin looks toward the future, she envisions herself using her leadership and communication skills to
UNION COLLEGE
Salissa Tonkin, a social work and psychology major from Alaska, recently received a scholarship from the Charles E. Weniger Society for Excellence.
More about the Weniger Fellows Student Scholarship Charles E. Weniger was a Seventh-day Adventist educator who served as a professor and as dean of the Seventhday Adventist Theological Seminary in Washington
D.C. and Michigan from 1948 to 1961. Known as “Uncle Charlie,” he dedicated his life to serving his students, his church and his community. The Charles E. Weniger Society is dedicated to preserving his legacy by recognizing Adventists who demonstrate the values of humility, character and commitment to their communities that Weniger held dear. Each year, the Weniger Fellows Students Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to one undergraduate student from each of the 13 accredited Adventist colleges or universities in North America. Students who are chosen to receive the scholarship have demonstrated excellence in spirituality, academics, civic service and leadership.
F
or Daniel Daum, playing a role in the financial well-being of others seemed downright scary. “You don’t mess with other people’s money,” said the senior business major who returned to Union for a second degree for free under the Guaranteed Education program (ucollege.edu/ guarantee). But this spring he and his classmates in Corporate Tax class have been helping Lincoln’s low-income residents prepare their tax returns for free through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistant program at the local Good Neighbor Center—a Lincoln computer center largely funded by area Seventh-day Adventist churches. Daum remembered helping one family who had paid a tax preparer for years to only receive very small returns. “They were so appreciative,” he said. “Their faces lit up when they saw they were
getting a really good return. For some of these people who live paycheck to paycheck, that makes all the difference.” “I hope this project gives my students confidence that they can do anything if they prepare, set their mind to it and lean on God,” said professor Matthew Graves, who teaches the class. Daum is thankful because Union is teaching him how to use any career to change people’s lives. “Doing other people’s taxes went from something I was terrified of to something that I was really excited about. So far it has been a lot of fun.” Compiled by Ryan Teller, executive director of Integrated Marketing and Communication for Union COllege.
Watch the video where Daum tells the whole story at www.ucollege. edu/vita-video Courtesy Union College
assist victims of homelessness and substance abuse. “My passion within the field of social work is helping homeless people and people who have been affected by substance abuse. I’m doing my senior research project on homeless people and the public’s perception of them. Although Tonkin isn’t completely sure where her career will lead her, she knows that God will continue to guide. “There is no other source that is dependable like God is,” she said. “Anything could happen to me, but I’ve been shown time and time again that the one thing that doesn’t fall through is God.”
A “Taxing” Assignment Pays Off
Annika Cambigue is a junior communication and English major at Union College.
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FAREWELL Arroyo, Georgia May, b. June 24, 1944 in Schubert, NE. d. Dec. 10, 2021 in Lincoln, NE. Member of Capitol View (NE) Church. Survivors include husband Carlos; daughter Nancy; sons Timothy, Jonathan, and Michael; 1 sister; 2 brothers; 9 grandchildren. Ayers, Archie, b. July 1, 1941 in San Diego, CA. d. Nov. 27, 2021 in Grand Junction, CO. Member of Palisade (CO) Church. Survivors include wife Linda; daughter Sherry; sons Daniel and David; 9 grandchildren. Baliant, Mary Ann, b. Sept. 5, 1928 in Clinton, IA. d. Aug. 29, 2020 in Clinton, IA. Member of Clinton Church. Preceded in death by husband Louise; husband George. Survivors include 3 children; 5 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren.
include daughters Brenda and Jackie LaPierre; sons Jesse and Clifford; 1 sister; 3 brothers; 7 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren.
dren; 3 great-grandchildren. Served as a medic in the U.S. Army.
Jackson, Jack, b. Jan. 24, 1941 in Moab, UT. d. Oct. 15, 2021 in Lincoln, NE. Member of Capitol View Hulbert, Paul J., b. Dec. (NE) Church. Preceded Darrough, Ralph An9, 1960 in Sumner, IA. d. in death by 2 sisters; 2 drew, b. June 7, 1928 in St. Feb. 6, 2022 in Waverly, IA. brothers; 1 granddaughLouis, MO. d. Jan. 18, 2022 Member of Waterloo (IA) ter. Survivors include in Greeley, CO. Member Church. Preceded in death wife Rosemarie; children of Greeley Church. Preby 1 brother. Survivors Melony, Laurie, Joe, Jim, ceded in death by first wife include 1 sister; 2 brothers. and Jackie; 1 sister; 18 Mary; daughter Leesa; son grandchildren; several Mark; 3 sisters; 1 brother; Hutchins, Clyde Robert, great-grandchildren; 1 1 grandchild. Survivors b. May 3, 1931 in Wingreat-great-grandchild. include wife Lois Waters; ner, SD. d. Jan. 17, 2022 daughter Susan Alexander; in Grand Junction, CO. Kreiter, Goldie Axt, b. son Brian; step-daughters Member of Grand JuncJuly 25, 1922 in Goodrich, Debra Vanhille and Cartion Church. Survivors ND. d. Jan. 10, 2022 in olyn Marshall; 2 brothinclude wife Patricia; 3 Bismarck, ND. Member of ers; 8 grandchildren; 5 daughters; 5 grandchilBismarck Church. Precedstep-grandchildren. Served in U.S. Army Medical Corps in Korea.
Dimond, Lyle Wesley, b. July 1, 1928 in Regan, ND. d. Feb. 7, 2022 in Lisbon, ND. Member of Bismarck Bruce, Betty Jane (Rauh), Church. Preceded in b. Oct. 26, 1931 in Gage, death by wife Donna Jean; OK. d. Oct. 15, 2021 in 1 brother; 1 grandson. Lincoln, NE. Member Survivors include daughof Capitol View (NE) ter Lavone Steffenson; Church. Preceded in death son Willard; 1 sister; 1 by husband Billy; daughter brother; 4 grandchildren; Billie; sons Donald and 4 great-grandchildren. Norman; 1 great-grandson. Served in U.S. Army Survivors include daughter 1951-1953. Sandi; 11 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren. Flemmer, Duane, b. April 16, 1984 in Lincoln, Culbertson, Jack C., b. NE. d. Jan. 14, 2022 in Oct. 11, 1931 in TopeBrighton, CO. Member of ka, KS. d. Feb. 4, 2022 in Brighton Church. SurviGrantville, KS. Member of vors include parents Bruce Topeka Church. Preceded and Arleen Opp. in death by wife Clara; son Bruce; 3 sisters; 2 brothers; Friestad, Lawrence E., b. 1 grandchild. Survivors Sept. 22, 1946 in Ottawa,
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IL. d. Jan. 11, 2022 in McCook, NE. Member of Dakota Conference Church. Preceded in death by wife Rosalea “Tillie.” Survivors include sister Lorraine; brother Lloyd; niece Jean.
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FAREWELL brother; 9 grandchildren; 9 Wells, Mary Lou (Colegreat-grandchildren. man, Fields), b. April 3, 1936 in Paonia, CO. d. Shafer, E. LaVon Cotte, Nov. 20, 2021 in Delta, b. Nov. 6, 1926 in Blair, CO. Member of Cedaredge NE. d. Jan. 30, 2022 in (CO) Church. Preceded Collegedale, TN. Memin death by husbands Hal Presley, Janice G., b. Sept ber of McDonald Road Fields and Thomas Wells; 13, 1951. d. Feb. 14, 2022 (TN) Church. Preceded in sons Rodney Fields, Clark Ladig, Mary B., b. Dec. 14, in Springfield, MO. Mem- death by husband Edwin; Fields, John-Sterling Mid1925. d. Feb. 20, 2022 in ber of Oak Grove Heights daughter Ruthi; 4 sisters; daugh, and John Wells; 10 Lincoln, NE. Member of (MO) Church. Survivors 1 great-granddaughter. siblings; 1 great-grandNorfolk (NE) Church. include daughter Joanna. Survivors include daughdaughter. Survivors inters Rose Fuller and clude children Roth Bott, McNeal, Diane Kay, b. Seekins, Jean (Anderson), Rebekah Manley; sons Barbara Wells, Jeff Wells, Feb. 24, 1960. d. Feb. 3, b. Aug. 4, 1940 in JamesEdwin, David, Sam, and Michele Crawford, Linda 2022. Member of Omaha town, ND. d. Feb. 14, 2022 Joseph; 23 grandchildren; Scanlon, Melissa Allgeyer, Memorial (NE) Church. in Mankato, MN. Member 34 great-grandchildren; Phyllis Conley, and Harold Survivors include mother of Jamestown Church. 4 great-great-grandchilFields; 1 sister; 19 grandBeverly; 2 brothers. Preceded in death by dren; numerous nieces children; 28 great-grandhusband Richard “Dick”; and nephews. Served as a children; 1 great-greatMiller, David Mark, b. 1 sister. Survivors include pastoral team for 61 years. grandchild. Feb. 25, 1959 in North daughter Kelly Fleischer; Dakota. d. Jan. 2, 2022 in sons Richard and David; 1 Toay, Donald “Bub” Wiener, Barbara Ann, b. Edward, Jr., b. Dec. 14, July 25, 1943 in Drayton, 1933 in Jud, ND. d. Jan. ND. d. Jan 27, 2022 in 10, 2022 in Fargo, ND. Inver Grove Heights, MN. Member of Edgeley (ND) Member of Southview May 2022 Church. Preceded in (MN) Church. Preceded in MAY 6 MAY 13 MAY 20 MAY 27 7:59 8:06 8:12 8:18 death by wife Elizabeth death by husband Michael; 8:12 8:18 8:24 8:30 7:54 8:00 8:07 8:12 (Betty). Survivors include 1 sister. Survivors include daughters Brenda Johnson daughter Julie Von8:05 8:12 8:19 8:25 8:17 8:25 8:32 8:38 and Becky Hansen; sons Schmidt; sons Mark and 8:31 8:38 8:45 8:52 Barry, Bryce, and Bart; 2 Michael; 1 sister; 1 broth8:35 8:41 8:47 8:52 sisters; 12 grandchildren; 4 er; 7 grandchildren. 7:45 7:51 7:58 8:04 8:20 8:27 8:33 8:39 great-grandchildren. Yates, Shirley Ann, b. May 8:25 8:34 8:42 8:50 8:35 8:45 8:54 9:02 Townsend, Logan O., b. 12, 1942 in Clearwater, 8:24 8:33 8:41 8:48 Aug. 3, 1942 in St. Joseph, NE. d. Jan. 19, 2022 in 8:06 8:13 8:19 8:25 MO. d. Jan. 13, 2022 in St. Norfolk, NE. Member of 8:16 8:22 8:29 8:34 7:57 8:04 8:10 8:15 Joseph, MO. Member of Norfolk Church. Preceded St. Joseph Three Angels in death by daughter Judy 8:28 8:35 8:42 8:48 8:45 8:52 8:59 9:05 Church. Survivors inWinsicker; sister Judy 7:58 8:06 8:13 8:19 clude daughter Leisa; son Heckler; 1 great-grandson. 9:00 9:08 9:17 9:25 Timothy. Survivors include husband 8:44 8:53 9:01 9:09 9:15 9:24 9:33 9:41 Robert Scholz; children Ungerer, Deborah D., b. Rita Saltzman, Art Grif8:51 8:59 9:07 9:14 Sept 23, 1954 in Clinton, fith, and Kathi Henley; 8:02 8:10 8:18 8:24 8:34 8:42 8:50 8:57 IA. d. Sept. 6, 2021 in Clin- 10 grandchildren; 16 ton, IA. Member of Clinton great-grandchildren. 8:11 8:19 8:26 8:33 8:01 8:08 8:15 8:21 Church. Survivors include 8:19 8:27 8:35 8:42 son James; 1 grandchild; 1 great-grandchild. ed in death by husband Edwin; 3 sisters; 2 brothers; grandson Ricky Hieb. Survivors include daughters Shirley Hoggarth and Elaine Felchle; son Terry; 7 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren.
Fargo, ND. Member of Dakota Conference Church. Preceded in death by 3 sisters. Survivors include 4 sisters; 5 brothers; many nieces and nephews.
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