Mid-America Union Launches ACF Institute to Promote Growth

The Mid-America Union Conference hosted its inaugural Adventist Christian Fellowship Institute at the headquarters of the Central States Conference in Kansas City, Kansas, on Aug. 30-Sept. 1, 2024.

This landmark event brought together 43 passionate students representing seven university campuses from across the Mid-America Union. These universities included the University of Kansas, Missouri State University, Iowa State University, Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, North Dakota State University, and the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

The theme for the weekend, “Grounded in Christ,” was inspired by Col. 2:6-7. The gathering was a spiritually enriching experience, characterized by vibrant and uplifting worship sessions led by the praise team from the New Beginnings Samoan-English Seventhday Adventist Church in Independence, Missouri. Attendees were blessed with inspirational devotional talks from Pastor Tyrone Douglas, youth and young adult ministries director for the Mid-America Union, Pastor Darrel Lindensmith, sponsor of the North Dakota State University chapter, Chaplain Makenzy Jean from the University of Kansas, and Lane Elien, an elder at the Adventist church in Ames, Iowa. The institute also featured impactful seminars led by Esther Kim, a campus ministry leader at Iowa State University, Pastor Darrel Lindensmith and Pastor Daniel Jeon, associate pastor of the Collegedale Korean Seventhday Adventist Church in Ooltewah, Tennessee.

One of the primary reasons students are encouraged to get involved in an ACF chapter is for spiritual growth. College life, especially on public campuses, can present a multitude of challenges as students are often exposed to new ideas and lifestyles that may test their faith. ACF chapters provide a safe and supportive environment where students can explore their beliefs, ask probing questions, and deepen their understanding of the Bible. As students navigate the complexities of college life, an active faith community serves as a crucial anchor, helping them maintain their Christian values and beliefs.

Esther Kim, a student leader in the ACF chapter at Iowa State University, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of these communities.

Beyond spiritual growth, ACF involvement also offers students opportunities to engage in meaningful outreach programs both on and off campus. During the MAUC ACF Institute, participants engaged in two service projects over the weekend. One group took part in a faith-sharing event at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where they hosted a tabling event and distributed books on apologetics. Another group volunteered at a food pantry operated by the New Haven Seventh-day Adventist Church in Overland Park, Kansas, providing muchneeded assistance to the local community.

Pastor Makenzy highlighted the growing number of young adults from Seventh-day Adventist churches attending public universities and colleges. He emphasized, “As a church, we need to support them in meaningful ways. These young adults are poised to impact our church, community and world in unique and significant ways.” Pastor Lindensmith added, “There must be an organic connection between the local church and campus ministries. Churches and conferences should embrace campus ministry as integral to evangelism.”

Students who attended the ACF Institute expressed great enthusiasm about the prospect of future union-sponsored events that would allow all the chapters within the Mid-America Union to come together for fellowship, training and inspiration. The ACF advisory for the MidAmerica Union is committed to meeting regularly to expand the growth of ACF chapters throughout the region, ensuring that the impact of these ministries continues to flourish.

Information provided by Tyrone Douglas, church ministries director for the Mid-America Union Conference.