OUTLOOK – OCTOBER 2020

MID-AMERICA SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST NEWS & INSPIRATION SPECIAL ISSUE: REACHING UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

Preaching Doesn't Always Require a Pulpit P. 6

SERVING NAVAJO FAMILIES DURING COVID-19 P. 8

OCT2020

MAGAZINE OCT 2020 23

PERSPECTIVES 4

CONSIDER IT PURE JOY —Gary Thurber

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VERBAL COMPULSIONS FOR CHRIST —Seth Pierce

FEATURES 6

PREACHING DOESN’T ALWAYS REQUIRE A PULPIT

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SHARING THE LOVE OF JESUS WITH NAVAJOS DURING COVID-19

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MOMENTS OF THANKSGIVING CELEBRATED IN SONG

NEWS 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 27 28 30

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

OUTLOOK (ISSN 0887-977X) October 2020, Volume 41, Number 10. OUTLOOK is published monthly (10 months per year) by the Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 8307 Pine Lake Road, Lincoln, NE 68516. Printed at Pacific Press Publishing Association, Periodical postage paid at Lincoln, NE and additional offices.

USPS number 006-245. Postmaster: Send all undeliverables to CFF. Free for Mid-America church members and $10 per year for subscribers. ©2017 Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Unless otherwise credited, all images are iStock. Adventist® and Seventh-day Adventist® are registered trademarks of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

CONTACT us by email: info@maucsda.org or phone: 402.484.3000.

“What a mighty and generous God we serve! He has His coffers full, and when we ask to help His children, He opens the windows of heaven.” —p. 8

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MID-AMERICA UNION CONFERENCE

ONLINE A VERY FINE ENDING

mag.org

NEWS AND INSPIRATION

Medication: Helpful or Harmful? outlookmag.org/medication

My Ark Encounter outlookmag.org/tuesdaytalkthe-ark-encounter-andcreation-museum

During this year that marks the 40th anniversary of the birth of the Mid-America Union (see p. 26) we are learning how various levels of the church structure can best support one another through the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to correlating cultural shifts, some of our schools and churches in MidAmerica are facing challenges related to finances, technology, numbers of enrolled students or active church members, along with upkeep of properties.

As you will see when reading this month’s stories, how we view the world is important. Are we looking beyond what appears to be obstacles in our path so we can realize they may actually be opportunities for strengthening and enriching our journey?

Only God knows when the impact of the pandemic will lessen, when diversity will be highly prized in our society, and what the future will bring before His return. But the fact that He ultimately wins and He will return to this earth ensures us of a very fine ending to the story of how God rescues humanity.

midamericaadventist.org OUTLOOK STAFF Editor: Brenda Dickerson Designer/Managing Editor: Brennan Hallock Digital Media Manager: Hugh Davis outlookmag.org CONFERENCE NEWS EDITORS Central States Brittany Winkfield communications@ 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

Why You May Be Feeling Lost outlookmag.org/the-messymiddle

President Gary Thurber Secretary Gil F. Webb Treasurer Troy Peoples Church Ministries Roger Wade Communication Brenda Dickerson Education LouAnn Howard Hispanic Ministries Roberto Correa Human Resources Raylene Jones Ministerial Mic Thurber Religious Liberty Darrel Huenergardt Women’s Ministries Nancy Buxton

Rosie Tovar believes we can share the lifegiving words of God anywhere, anytime.

More on p. 6 Photo by Melanie Sanchez

Iowa-Missouri Randy Harmdierks rharmdierks@imsda.org 515.223.1197 imsda.org Kansas-Nebraska Stephanie Gottfried sgottfried@ks-ne.org 785.478.4726 ks-ne.org Minnesota Savannah Carlson scarlson@mnsda.com 763.424.8923 mnsda.com Rocky Mountain Rajmund Dabrowski rayd@rmcsda.org 303.733.3771 rmcsda.org UNION COLLEGE Ryan Teller ryteller@ucollege.edu 402.486.2538 ucollege.edu

PERSPECTIVES

Consider It Pure Joy “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4 NIV).

Roberto Correa, Mid-America Union Hispanic Ministries coordinator, about how our Spanish speaking churches are coping with the virus. It was heartwarming to hear of the creative ways rowing up, we all Creativity in a storm in which they have adjusted heard people share to continue worshiping towith us counsel Our world is in the middle gether, serving their commuduring difficult times like of multiple storms. Between nities and reaching others Worrying won’t do you any the coronavirus pandemic for Christ (see more on p. 6 good, Let’s consider the and our political landscape, and 21). positive things, Things won’t it is enough to cause anxiety Are you at a loss for always be this bad, Don’t give in most people. But the knowing what to do during up, or Positivity is a choice. words James penned so this time of distress? Are The Bible says “Consider many ages ago could not be you wondering how you can it pure joy” to face trials and more relevant and true than bless others with what God tribulations. There haven’t in our present day. has blessed you with during been many times I have felt October begins the eighth this pandemic? a large dose of joy when month we in the United If so, I encourage you difficulties have come. I also States have been dealing to talk to your conference admit I haven’t talked with with this challenging virus. leaders about how you can anyone going through a This little microorganism reach out to our immigrant painful experience and told has affected nearly every churches and families. See them to consider it pure joy aspect of our lives. Our how you can be of help to they are facing their problem. homes, workplaces, churches, them during this difficult But trials and troubles do schools and hospitals are all time we are experiencing. change us, and often for the learning how to deal with You might just find that better. We tend to become this “new normal” we wake “pure joy” James was speakmore patient and underup to every day. ing of. standing of others when we As a church, some of our ourselves face challenges. members who are affected GARY THURBER Trials often change the trathe most by our current is president of the jectory of our lives, someworld conditions are our Mid-America Union. times in profound ways. We immigrant members. Along may look back at hard times with the economic and think, I’m glad that exchallenges they face, perience directed my life the most do not have the way it did. equipment necessary Author Matshona Dhlito connect to the wayo once said, “Beautiful internet and partake in souls are shaped by ugly the school programs experiences.” I believe this and virtual worship is true. It is just hard to services that the rest of embrace this adage in the us are blessed by. middle of a storm.

I spoke recently with

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PERSPECTIVES

Verbal Compulsions

for Christ

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ne of the few redeeming elements of a contentious election year is the amount of propaganda that is produced for my communication students to analyze in class. Each day fresh nonsense is manufactured to persuade the citizens of our country to vote one way or the other. Manipulated video footage, media framing and a host of propaganda techniques are sent out via social media, email or commercials that interrupt the precious few minutes of escape we have on YouTube.

Propaganda and persuasion techniques are legion, but one that has been particularly effective the past couple years is known as “verbal compulsion.” Verbal compulsion occurs when an organization or individual’s phraseology is acquired by their audience and used everywhere with religious devotion. It can range from Nike’s classic motto “Just Do it” to campaign slogans like “Make America Great Again” or “Our Best Days Still Lie Ahead.” Verbal compulsions occur around social issues, as evidenced by any of the “[Fill in the blank] Lives Matter.”*

I have nothing against snappy sayings to help an audience become aware of an issue, product or spiritual truth. Part of being an excellent communicator is having people adopt your language.

The challenge is when we become compulsive in our interactions with each other in a way that destroys interpersonal communication.

When someone posts or speaks about a personal experience or offers a carefully worded reflection on the state of things, it is inevitable that verbal looters will show up and hijack whatever is being said with aphorisms that are more about themselves than what the person is trying to communicate.

Many of us can testify to how discussion threads on social media take bizarre turns when someone shows up with a verbal compulsion and takes the conversation places it was not intended to go. By the time the arguments end, people’s relationships are strained, feelings are hurt and trust is damaged. We need to do better than this if we are going to survive a media landscape designed to reduce complex issues into aphorisms to use against each other.

Counting the cost When teaching on the side of discipleship, Jesus tells His people to think ahead and count the cost. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower.

Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish’” (Luke 14:28-30 NIV).

Continuing to make His point, Christ says, “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace” (31-38).

What if part of the cost

DR. SETH PIERCE is a popular author and speaker who pastored for 16 years before entering academia as asisstant communication professor at Union College

of discipleship is thinking ahead before we speak instead of succumbing to verbal compulsions?

Disciples count the cost of their actions. They reflect on whether or not what they set out to do will bring glory to Jesus or lead to personal ruin. They ask, “What do I hope to accomplish by saying/posting this?”

Imagine if believers had different kinds of verbal compulsions—ones rooted in the command to love our neighbors, even our enemies?

Instead of being compulsively condescending, our compulsions should sound like Tell me more, Can you recommend reading on this? or Thank you for being vulnerable. As long as it isn’t said condescendingly, even Have you considered … ?

What if our default wasn’t to flood the pool of meaning with self-righteous zingers, but rather sincere questions seeking to understand? What if we had verbal compulsions for Christ? *The author acknowledges that not all these statements are the same, but simply illustrate a communication dynamic.

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OCT 2020 5

Preaching 6 OUTLOOKMAG.ORG OCT 2020

Doesn't Always Require a Pulpit

Dream leads to new purpose, new methods

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his year, by God’s grace, I had the opportunity to travel to Israel just when the word “pandemic” was starting to appear. On my return (filled with joy from the experience), I completed the recommended quarantine, just in case I had been exposed to the virus on the trip.

At first, I was really happy to stay home—waking up whenever I wanted, no obligations and a lot of free time for myself.

But soon I started feeling spiritually empty, because living just to live doesn’t make any sense … at least for the children of God. The Bible says that God has spoken in the past in many ways. I don’t know if you will believe this or not, but I think God used a dream to send me a personal message. I dreamt I was behind a large pulpit ready to preach. But I could not see the big crowd because the pulpit was so enormous that it prevented me from seeing the auditorium. I grabbed a bench to stand on

to look over the pulpit, but still I couldn’t see the people.

I understood God was telling me that I did not need to be behind a pulpit in the church building to preach about Him. Perhaps my place to preach was in another place or on another platform.

non-members—joined my Bible study!

One of my new friends told me, “I don’t speak Spanish, but I will join you because listening to the Word of God gives me peace.” And she was faithfully with me every morning even though she didn’t understand very much. With 40 Days Toward a her I prayed, cried and humbled myself before the Lord.

New Purpose During those 40 days, I decided to stop thinking many members who were only about myself during discouraged and fearful for my free time and do somethe future became stronger thing for the Lord. Normally, in their faith as we studied revival comes when you start the Word of God. Also, many sharing the wonderful news decisions were renewed for about God with others. the Lord and His church.

So, through my Facebook I offered people a free book titled A Purpose Given if Finding Wholeness they were willing to study and Friends in the Bible with me for 40 Christ days. To my surprise, many people accepted my inviDuring this time of tation and requested to COVID-19, many people receive the book offered. are trying to stay healthy, Every morning I had my just in case they come time alone with God, and face-to-face with the virus. then at 5 am the online So I decided to add a short study began. Usually Bible message on health, and it studies are not given so was well received. early, but to my surprise Facebook connected many members—and even me with Marlene. She is

struggling with diabetes, so she was very interested in knowing more about the Eight Natural Remedies.

As she was discovering God’s laws of health, she was making changes in her lifestyle. How thankful to the Lord she was when she began recovering her health through God’s simple message!

Marlene is now a new believer and ready to serve the Lord and others. She is planning to be baptized soon and is happy to drive 25 miles to worship in an Adventist church.

I don’t want to live solely for myself anymore. I want to serve the Lord with all my heart. Don’t wait for the opportunity to share the Word of God behind a pulpit, or inside your church building. You can do it from anywhere, and you can do it now. God is looking for those who give themselves to Him anywhere.

Rosie Tovar writes from Olathe, Kansas.

Join Rosie Online Rosie Tovar is using Facebook to study the Bible and other spiritual material in Spanish with a number of individuals.

Visit her page at www.facebook.com/rosa.tovar.96

OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

OCT 2020 7

Sharing the love of Jesus with Navajos during COVID-19

La Vida Mission and friends provide free food, water and fuel for nearly 800 Native families

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taff members and friends of La Vida Mission have been working hard to serve Navajo individuals living in New Mexico during the coronavirus pandemic.

In July we conducted our sixth COVID-19 relief operation at the Flea Market of Crownpoint, New Mexico, offering free propane tank refills, food and water. When we arrived at the flea market at 8 am, the long line of cars and trucks waiting for help was impressive—four hours before the giveaway was scheduled to begin (an evidence of how desperately people need relief during this difficult time of lockdown and loss of jobs and income).

La Vida Mission staff and our church members initially planned on serving Photos Courtesy La Vida Mission

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125 families, but the number quickly increased. By the end of the day 250 families had been blessed.

This event could not have taken place smoothly without the help of the Crownpoint chapter team headed by chapter president Rita Capitan, who arrived early to set up, organize and direct the flow of traffic. Their team even contributed fresh produce to our food giveaway.

Nations Gas provided propane bottle refills to 170 families. Approximately 80 families came just for food and water. Adding to the fair-like atmosphere, the Crownpoint Fire Department brought two engines, and firefighters patiently stood side-by-side with the propane tanks to ensure everyone’s safety.

People have been asking how we were able to do this.

On our own we cannot—it is impossible with our limited resources. But with God, all things are possible if we trust Him and act out in faith. We have seen how His promise of opening the windows of heaven was fulfilled in front of our eyes.

and Montrose Church heard what we were doing, they came with a truckload of assorted foods and bakery products from Sharing Ministry, and we were able to deliver food boxes instead of just food bags.

When I posted our activities on the church Facebook page, we gained more supporters. Sharman Mohler Bags, boxes and bottles of Southwest Paleontologist When we started this relief Society started a GoFundMe operation in April, we never fundraiser, and Claire thought it would be a huge James—one of our teachers— ongoing activity for our started a Facebook fundraischurch and the mission. We ing campaign that generated started small with what we enough money for us to do had: rice and beans from our a mass drive-in distribution cafeteria and bags of fruits of food boxes to 150 families purchased by our meager last May. church outreach funds and Just as we were finishing delivered to peoples’ homes our drive-in relief operation, around La Vida Mission.

I received a call from Pastor However, when Neal Kelley Mike and Brenda Maldonado of Pagosa Springs Church in Colorado. They read in the Rocky Mountain Conference newsletter about what we were doing, and wanted to join us in helping our Navajo community. They asked to come the following week to deliver supplies of food and water. That enabled us to do our fourth food distribution

WHAT THE COMMUNITY PEOPLE ARE SAYING S.P. from Farmington:

La Vida Mission is an awesome place where caring and love is poured out with God’s tremendous blessings. Thank you to all the donors. on June 5 to another 125 Navajo families.

With a little money left from all these fundraising donations—and after talking to some local native leaders and friends about what the people needed—we hosted our fifth COVID-19 relief operation on June 29. This time, in addition to free food and water for 125 families, we added free propane bottle refills as serviced by Nations Gas, a Native-owned gas company on the reservation.

We thought this community relief event would be the last such help provided. But we received several messages from Crownpoint, a small town 30 minutes away from La Vida, where the Mission has been conducting outreach programs. People expressed their needs and

requested prayers for the Mission to consider extending help in Crownpoint, since most of the individuals had no way to get to the Mission.

I prayed when I received these requests and, in my heart, I felt it would happen.

God opened the windows of heaven to us again!

Assistance came from RMC Adventist Community Services director Cathy Kissner, who promised that the conference would contribute funding for purchasing food.

Then, another generous donation arrived from a Facebook donor. With those donations, we knew we could do another COVID-19 relief operation in Crownpoint.

But God wasn’t finished opening the windows of heaven. He opened them

wide when Restore-a-Child ministry sent us generous booster funds to help in our relief operation for the Navajo families, providing more food, water and propane.

During the last four months, the Lord has gifted us with the joy of serving close to 800 Native families with food, water and basic household necessities.

What a mighty and generous God we serve! He has His coffers full, and when we ask to help His children, He opens the windows of heaven.

Even as I write this, another ministry partner called offering to help deliver 150 emergency relief packages and boxes next month. And yet another mission donor sent a check to help with our relief operation, which we will use for a propane refill event to go along with the emergency relief packages.

Dorie Panganiban is office manager and outreach director for La Vida Mission in Farmington, New Mexico.

H.C. from Crownpoint:

Thank you, Dorie, for helping out our Diné people; we love you.

Be safe and bless your family, the La Vida Mission and all the staff you work with.

We can't wait to go to the Bible study again.

Miss you guys!

E.L. from Lake Valley:

La Vida Mission has been very helpful to us Navajo people.

Thank you, Dorie and your awesome team, for helping the community! God bless you in abundance.

J.M. from Dalton Pass:

Thank you, La Vida Mission, for the free propane for our people; many blessings back to the church and your donors.

OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

OCT 2020 9

Moments of Thanksgiving Celebrated in Song

“Count your blessings, name them one by one / Count your blessings, see what God hath done.”

There is nothing quite like singing “Count Your Blessings” in the home of a refugee family. I’ve had this experience several times recently with the Karen people who have come to my city from refugee camps in Thailand.

Holding thanksgiving services is a beautiful expression of the Karen Christian’s faith. Birthdays and housewarmings are reasons to bring the community—friends, neighbors and church family—together for worship and giving thanks to God. The home we meet in is often a humble apartment, sparsely furnished, with mats on the floor as our seating. The thanksgiving service concludes with a bountiful meal, usually of noodle soup with sticky rice for dessert.

“When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed / When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost …”

For decades, the Karen have been persecuted in their native Burma (now called Myanmar). And though the refugee camps provide safety, spending decades confined to these camps does not offer a bright future.

Though many Karen refugees have been resettled (through the UN) to countries around the world to start a new life, the stress and hardships of adjusting to a new culture are unimaginable. Yet the Karen refugees sing—and with enthusiasm: “Count your blessings, name them one by one.”

“So, amid the conflict, whether great or small / Do not be discouraged, God is over all …”

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As the singing swells and fills the Karen refugee family’s home the refrain fills my heart.

You know, I’ve never had a thanksgiving service in my home. I think it may be my turn …

“Count your many blessings, name them one by one / And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.”

In addition to joining thanksgiving services with Karen believers, Richard E. Clark Jr. feels privileged to work with blind and visually impaired individuals at Christian Record Services for the Blind in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, have the largest Karen resettlement communities in the country. Nebraska has approximately 5,500 resettled Karen refugees, many of whom lived in refugee camps for years before being resettled in the Midwest.

Karen members of the Piedmont Park Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, have been meeting Sabbath afternoons for Karen-language Sabbath school and divine service.

Learn more about Karen refugees at karenksn.org.

Resettled Refugees from Myanmar (Burma) 2016-2019*

4,982 Mid-America Union 1,536 Minnesota 1,056 Nebraska 804 Colorado 680 Iowa 482 Kansas 263 Missouri 157 South Dakota 4 New Mexico *ireports.wrapsnet.org

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OCT 2020 11

CENTRAL STATES CONFERENCE

Dr. Bron Jacobs and the SALT City Church have joined the Central States Conference family! This youthful and spirit-led congregation has been sharing the love of Christ throughout Columbia, Missouri, for seven years. Please welcome Dr. Jacobs and SALT City Church today! saltcitychurch.org

We’re happy to welcome Pastor Gregorio Aviles Mendoza to the Central States team! He will be serving as the pastor for the Betel and Sioux City Hispanic churches in Iowa. We look forward to his leadership in ministry and ask that you please share your excitement with him too! betelspanishia.adventistchurch.org siouxcityhispanicia.adventistchurch.org

We invite our Central States Conference family to welcome Elder Evenson Louis-Juene to the Central States Conference pastoral team. He brings an eager heart of service to the Calvary and Covenant churches in Iowa. Please send your warm greetings today! calvaryia.adventistchurch.org covenantia.adventistchurch.org

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Photos Courtesy Central States Conference

New Central States Conference Pastors

CENTRAL STATES CONFERENCE

OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

OCT 2020 13

DAKOTA CONFERENCE

My Lord Owns the Horses on a Thousand Hills

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few years ago as I was returning home from Wyoming camp meeting at Mills Spring Ranch, I learned of a range fire ripping through my part of the country. There’s always hope that a fire is not too serious or it might go around my land, as if fire would just somehow learn to respect property rights!

I was looking forward to arriving home and relaxing from the camping and the long drive, but judging from the direction and intensity of the smoke it appeared to be somewhere around my well pasture. And it definitely wasn’t under control.

I knew I should try to rescue my three horses in that pasture, so I saddled up my horse Apache and headed for the Cheyenne River with the intent of riding through Indian Canyon, the only access to the pasture from that direction. But when we got there, the whole canyon was engulfed in flames, as was the canyon wall of the river on both sides of the mouth of Indian Canyon.

Apache was terribly nervous, but we were safe across the river from the fire. With no alternative left, I turned it over to the Lord. On the ride home I prayed that He keep the horses safe, and if there

was anything else He wanted me to do to make it clear. I modified a camp song to fit the occasion: “Who owns the horses on a thousand hills?

Nobody but my Lord!”

That evening I packed some belongings in case of an emergency call in the night to evacuate, since my house sits on the river bottom. The call never came, though, because the fire didn’t jump the river.

The next morning we saddled up and headed across high ground to reach the pasture from another direction.

When we were within sight of the well pasture, there were all three horses standing unharmed at the

fence watching for us as if they were expecting us at any moment. Not a hair was singed on any of them, but I couldn’t find a patch of grass in the whole pasture that hadn’t burned! When I threw the gate open the horses followed us out to find new pasture.

God does answer prayer!

God does care about His critters! I even considered changing the horses’ names to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

Ben Hobbs faithfully attends the Hot Springs Church in South Dakota and is heavily involved in the church’s ministry.

DAKOTA CONFERENCE

Neil and Jacquie Biloff Retire after 30 Years in Second Careers Holly Widicker

Elder Neil and Jacquie Biloff celebrate retiring from their second careers. Neil has been Dakota Conference president for the past 15 years, and Jacquie has worked as Dakota Conference communication director for almost 11 years.

Holly Widicker

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lder Neil Biloff and his wife Jacquie spent most of their first 20 years of work in the professional world as business owners. But in 1990, at the age of 40, they felt a strong call to ministry.

Many miracles corroborated this decision, which led to accepting a pastoral position in Anchorage, Alaska.

Within a few years, Neil accepted a position as Sabbath school secretary and family life director in

addition to pastoring. He later became ministerial director for the Alaska Conference. During those years, he was instrumental in building four new churches and a school.

Jacquie renewed her passion for aviation, acquiring additional ratings and becoming chief pilot and director of operations at a flight school, where she taught over 50 people to fly. She also worked

with the Federal Aviation Administration to reintegrate those who had lost their license. Not long before moving to the Dakota Conference, she was hired as a commercial pilot for scenic tours, which included glacier landings on Mt. Denali.

In 2005, after 15 years in Alaska, Neil was called to be president of the Dakota Conference. At that time, the office was located in Pierre, South Dakota, where they spent seven years. It was voted to move the conference office to Bismarck, North Dakota, where he and Jacquie have spent the last eight years.

Neil sat for a building contractor license exam in North Dakota and was able to save the conference over $100,000 in the construction of a new conference office building. Under his leadership, a new roof was put on Dakota Adventist Academy and a boat house, boys’ and girls’ cabin, and new cafeteria built at Northern Lights Camp. At Flag Mountain Camp, new metal roofs were

placed on the boys’ and girls’ cabins. The lodge received a new roof as well as the painting of the exterior.

The couple retired at the end of September with many fond memories. They plan to spend more time with family, which they moved away from over 30 years ago when they went into ministry.

As told to Jodi Dossenko, communication director for the Dakota Conference.

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OCT 2020 15

IOWA-MISSOURI CONFERENCE

St. Louis Central Church Thanks Local Healthcare Providers with Gift Boxes Norman Njihi

Jeremy Claridge

(left) Nurses at a local provider receive their gift box. (right) Two young people help deliver the boxes.

5:16-18). As someone who gladly suffered much hardship for the cause of Christ, he saw the importance of he St. Louis Central because of the negative The response was overremembering what God has Church’s personal minis- impact such foods have on whelmingly positive. The done, is doing and will do for tries team recently delivered their immune systems. church members who work at us in all circumstances. gift boxes to local healthcare So, the team decided to the hospital reported back that This project was simple, providers and other essential surprise them. Nine boxes their coworkers were grateful fun, cost-effective and allowed workplaces as a way of thank- were delivered to various for the packages and have for various age groups to get ing them for their service. inpatient and outpatient been asking questions about involved. It’s easy to compliThe church had been medical centers in the area, the church. The personal cate things when it comes looking for ways to reach out including a COVID-19 ministries team praises God to outreach—thinking that to the community during unit, and another four were for the warm welcome the it needs to be highly sophisthis challenging time, and delivered (with the help boxes received, and they hope ticated or complex. The St. the idea for the boxes came of some young members) this will further strengthen Louis Central Church hopes about when church members to area skilled nursing the members’ witness in their experience will encourwho work in a local hospital facilities and non-medical their workplaces during this age others to reach out and shared that they and their essential workplaces. unprecedented time. continue showing thankfulcoworkers had been receivEach box contained healthy The Apostle Paul often ness in all things. ing free food like pizzas snacks, notes of appreciation, speaks of maintaining a perand donuts—gifts for which a “thank you” poem, spiritual spective of thankfulness as an Amy Son Ikpeama is chair of the Ministries committee they were grateful but felt tracts and fun colorful decor integral part of the Christian Personal at the St. Louis Central Church conflicted about consuming to brighten their day. faith (e.g., Col. 2:6-7; 1 Thes. in Missouri.

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Amy Son Ikpeama

Devon Andersen

(left) Members prepare to deliver the boxes.

Pictured (l-r): Pastor Rob Alfalah, Melissa Morris, Amy Son Ikpeama, Nancy Burkett, and Claridge family (right) Devon Andersen, church member and hospital worker, takes a selfie with coworkers after receiving their box.

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IOWA-MISSOURI CONFERENCE

Sunnydale Introduces Nine New Staff Members for 2020-21 School Year

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unnydale Academy began their 2020-21 school year with nine new staff members. Please join us in welcoming them!

Donna Alfalah Donna serves as a cafeteria assistant. She has six years of food service experience, and two years of baking experience. She’s married to Pastor Lou Alfalah, and together they serve the Sunnydale Church.

They have an adventurous young son named Jonah.

Andrew Boaz Andrew teaches U.S. history, government and vo-tech classes. He comes from Arizona, where he taught social studies, P.E. and career and technical education classes. He holds degrees in history and applied human behavior. He has been married to Melissa for 26 years.

They have four children ranging from 22 to 29, and one grandchild.

Grand Canyon University. She has been married to Andrew for 26 years. They have four children ranging from 22 to 29, and one grandchild.

Joseph Choi Joseph teaches music. He comes from Hagerstown, Maryland. Originally from South Korea, Joseph has lived in the U.S. for 33 years and is fluent in four languages: Korean, Portuguese, English and Spanish. He holds an Melissa Boaz undergraduate degree in music Melissa teaches English. with emphases in conducting She comes from Arizona, and trumpet from Southern Kirk Baker where she taught various Adventist University; a master’s Kirk teaches science. He subjects including English, in orchestral conducting from comes from Medford, Oregon, science and all subjects for University of Hartford; and where he taught for seven middle through high school. is working on a doctorate in years. He has a degree in biol- She also previously served as choral conducting from the ogy from Burman University. girls’ dean at Holbrook Indian University of Maryland. Joseph For eight years he has been School, and as recruitment is married to Angela, and they married to Cheria, whom director at Jefferson Christian have a son, Nathaniel, who is he met in freshman biology Academy. She holds an under- in eighth grade. class in college. They have graduate degree in education Elizabeth Quigley two children, Colby (5) and and is currently working on Cameryn (3). a master’s in English from Elizabeth teaches foreign language, assists with various other classes and manages (l-r, top row) Donna Alfalah, Kirk Baker, the library and yearbook.

Andrew Boaz, Melissa Boaz An alumna of Sunnydale, (l-r, bottom row) Joseph Choi, Elizabeth Elizabeth holds a degree in Quigley, Patrick Quigley, Georgia Russell, long-term care administration Victoria Tobing from Southern Adventist University. After spending time working at summer camp, she

discovered a passion for working with young people and decided to work in education.

Patrick Quigley Patrick teaches P.E., world geography, running intramurals and also serves as an assistant chaplain. An alumnus of Sunnydale, Patrick holds a degree in biology with a biomedical emphasis from Middle East University in Beirut, Lebanon. While in Lebanon, he taught ESL classes for a year, which provided a chance for him to discover his passion for teaching young people.

Georgia Russell Georgia teaches health classes and serves as head gymnastics coach. An alumna of Sunnydale, Georgia holds a nursing degree from Union College. She has 12 years of experience as a gymnast and is excited to be coaching again.

Victoria Tobing Victoria teaches Bible classes and also serves as an assistant chaplain. She previously taught at Maxwell Academy in Nairobi, Kenya; College View Academy in Lincoln, Nebraska; Orangewood Academy in Garden Grove, California; and Springfield Junior Academy in Springfield, Missouri. She holds an undergraduate degree in religious education from Union College and is pursuing a master’s in counseling.

Victoria’s passion is teaching young people about Jesus by living life alongside them.

Photos Courtesy Sunnydale Academy

OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

OCT 2020 17

KANSAS-NEBRASKA CONFERENCE

Photos: Darin Gottfried

Three Pastors Ordained to Ministry Greg Bullion Greg Bullion grew up in Fresno, California. Despite being raised in an Adventist family he did not have a deep relationship with God. He met his future wife, Jen, at Pacific Union College and earned a bachelor’s degree in history, with a minor in biology. He began a bachelor of nursing program in Pennsylvania the summer after he and his wife married. BSN in hand, they returned to California and Greg pursued cardiac and emergency room nursing.

A turning point in their spiritual life came in 2009 with the miscarriage of their first child. One Sabbath their pastor encouraged members to join a small group to strengthen their relationship with God. Jen asked Greg about starting a small group in their home. Greg responded, “Pray about it.” She did and the next day a colleague invited them to join a small group where they learned to encourage others and share their faith. The couple immersed themselves in Bible study and service, and they experienced new joy.

In 2011, God led them into mission service in China.

After Jen attended a health evangelism program, they were invited to Topeka, Kansas, (top) Pastor Greg Bullion was ordained on to begin medical missionary Aug. 1 at the Kearney Church in Kearney, work. In 2015, the KansasNebraska.

Nebraska Conference invited (middle) Pastor Deneil Clarke was ordained Greg to pastoral ministry as an associate pastor at the Omaha on Aug. 8 at the Northside Church in Memorial Church. Later, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Greg’s pastoral responsibili(bottom) Pastor Brian Wahlen was ordained ties expanded to the Fremont on Aug. 22 at the Alliance Church in Alliance, Church. By then, Greg and Jen had welcomed two daughters,

Nebraska.

18 OUTLOOKMAG.ORG OCT 2020

Pearl and Talitha.

The family moved to Kearney, Nebraska, in 2019 to serve the Beaver City, Broken Bow, Holdrege, and Kearney churches. That year Greg completed his master’s degree in pastoral ministry from Andrews University.

Greg and Jen admit life has had challenges that refined their character, but point out they have also experienced great joy seeing God at work countless times. For them, these experiences reveal God’s unfailing love, mercy and faithfulness.

Pastor Bullion was ordained on Aug. 1, 2020 at the Kearney Church in Kearney, Nebraska.

Deneil Clarke Deneil Clarke was born on the island of Jamaica, where he spent the first 21 years of his life. He and his sister were born into an Adventist home, their father serving as a pastor in different church districts and their mother serving in various educational roles such as teacher and school principal.

At a young age, Deneil began demonstrating a love for music and would spend hours sitting at the little family keyboard trying to replicate any music he could remember hearing. As a result of his passion, his parents sent him to piano lessons and sought out involvement for him in music at school and church, avenues through which his musicianship was further developed.

He was blessed with opportunities to accompany his family and others on outreach efforts in his local community, visiting

KANSAS-NEBRASKA CONFERENCE

people in their homes with the keyboard on his lap and helping lead out in gathered singing.

The expression of faith through song had a significant impact on his early Christian experience and the growth of his heart for ministry.

Deneil completed a bachelor of arts degree in mass communication with a minor in music at Northern Caribbean University, and then spent a year teaching and working as a radio and TV broadcaster at NCU before moving to New York to pursue graduate studies in broadcast journalism.

While in New York, Deneil continued to be engaged in ministry through music as a choir conductor and music director at church. This environment of service gave him a chance to continue growing in leadership and in his love for people and the Word of God. After what felt to him like a divine series of events, Deneil was unable to shake the growing urge to enter full-time pastoral ministry. He prayerfully applied to the seminary at Andrews University, where he subsequently completed a Master of Divinity degree.

While there, he joined the leadership team at La Porte Church in Indiana as an intern associate pastor.

After seminary, he was invited to serve as worship pastor at College View Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. His four and a half years in that role further confirmed in his heart the path of full-time service that God was leading him on, each piece of the journey building on the previous.

Shortly after moving to Lincoln, Deneil married Racquel Beckles. Racquel and Deneil met in a choir during their college years. They have since been blessed with a son, Jude, who is now two years old.

In January, Deneil and his family began their service pastoring the Lincoln Northside and Holland churches. They remain grateful for the ways God has led and committed to the path of service.

Pastor Clarke was ordained on Aug. 8, 2020 at the Northside Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Brien Wahlen Brien Wahlen was born to Greg and Peggy Wahlen while they worked at Pacific Union College. He grew up in a family dedicated to service and ministry. His parents served in academy, college and pastoral ministry. Brien attended Adventist schools and graduated from College View Academy and, much later, Union College.

After academy Brien wandered away from God. He let go of Jesus and lost interest in church, Bible study, prayer and spiritual life. During this time, he began working for two Adventist painting contractors who befriended him. Brien didn’t realize it then, but God brought these men into his life to draw Brien back to Himself.

God brought another blessing to Brien, his daughter Layne. As a new father, Brien began to think about his spiritual responsibilities to his daughter.

One day his mother

suggested he take Layne to Sabbath school at College View Church. He began taking her, but at first he would leave right after it finished. Soon, though, he began to stay for church. He listened to the sermons and heard the voice of Jesus talking to him through Pastor Keith Jacobson. Brien’s heart softened, and the Spirit called him to dedicate his life to Jesus.

After several years back in church, Brien felt Jesus calling him to the gospel ministry. He enrolled at Union College and graduated with his BA in theology in 2013.

Brien first served with the Kansas-Nebraska Conference at the Omaha Memorial Church as an associate pastor alongside

Pastor Jerry Connell. While in Omaha, he formed a relationship with the Gallegos family, and especially with Sarah Gallegos. Their friendship grew into love, and they were married on May 15, 2015.

That summer they moved to Berrien Springs, Michigan, and Brien began his Master of Divinity degree at Andrews University. Brien graduated in December of 2017, and he was pleased to accept a pastoral position at the Alliance, Bridgeport, Ogallala, and Sidney, Nebraska, district.

Pastor Wahlen was ordained on Aug. 22, 2020 at the Alliance Church in Alliance, Nebraska.

Compiled by Stephanie Gottfried

OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

OCT 2020 19

MINNESOTA CONFERENCE

Two Pastoral Transitions in the Minnesota Conference (left) Jiwan, Rebecca, Hannah, Isabella and Jessica Moon (right) Abner and Kara Aguilar

Courtesy Moon Family

Minnetonka Church We are happy to announce that Pastor Jiwan Stefan Moon has accepted the position of senior pastor for Minnetonka Church.

The Minnesota Conference Board of Trustees extended the call after the Personnel Committee and the Church Search Committee interviewed him. Pastor Jiwan started with the Minnesota Conference on Aug. 1.

Communication Department: How long were you in your current position?

Pastor Jiwan: I have been at the General Conference in my current position since 2014 serving as the inaugural director of Public Campus Ministries, a ministry which grew exponentially on a global perspective during my six-year tenure. I come with 25 years pastoral experience with a special emphasis on youth and young adult ministry. The world church is experiencing budgetary constraints, and as a result many positions are being eliminated.

20 OUTLOOKMAG.ORG OCT 2020

Courtesy Aguilar Family

CD: What do you see as your major role in a church that has a school?

PJ: I am convicted that we as a church must raise the next generation of leaders. We must raise a new generation of Joshuas and Calebs who will finish the gospel work. The following is a quote from Ellen White that has guided me over 25 years of youth and young adult ministry: “With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world! How soon might the end come, – the end of suffering and sorrow and sin!” (Messages to Young People, p. 193).

I see myself working closely with the school board, church board and the board of trustees to see that “our army of workers” are rightly trained by giving them quality Adventist education.

We must create a symbiotic and collaborative partnership between the church and school. This can be realized when we work together as a team; working together with parents, teachers, church

leaders and administrators, and even students, all as stakeholders invested in the well-being of not just one, but two important organizations that will serve our Minnetonka community.

CD: In most cases church members see the pastor’s family as partners in ministry. How do you see your family doing ministry in the church and school environment?

PJ: I am the son of the first missionary sent by the Korean Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

My wife, Jessica, is a teacher by profession and currently a full-time home school teacher busy preparing our three daughters for a life of mission and service for God and others. She majored in French and speaks four languages: Portuguese, French, Spanish and English. She loves children and enjoys teaching them about the love of Jesus and the importance of serving Him. Our three daughters, Hannah (13) and Rebecca (10) both were baptized on their tenth birthdays, and Isabella (9) is preparing for her baptism as well.

Hannah wants to be a pastor, and Rebecca a missionary doctor. Isabella is still

deciding what she should do. They all play violin and piano, and love to sing as well. It is a joy to our family to use our musical talents for God. Our family motto is, “Serving God and others in reverence and humility.” As a family that is what we want to do. Living in a mission field sparked the missionary spirit in me, and I want our family to be remembered one day as a missionary family—heart and soul.

Please join us in praying for the Moon family as they transition to the Minnetonka Church.

Hutchinson Church Pastor Abner Aguilar has been the pastor of Cambridge and The Edge Christian Fellowship churches for nearly four years. We’re glad to announce that Pastor Abner and his wife, Kara, have accepted the call to serve as pastor of the Hutchinson Church.

Communication Department: We are excited, Pastor Abner, that you accepted this call. We believe you will be able to connect well with the Maplewood Academy community. What do see as your major role?

MINNESOTA CONFERENCE

Hispanic Ministries Presses Ahead Despite coronavirus challenges

CD: In most cases, church members see your wife as a partner in ministry. How do you see your family doing ministry in a church and school environment?

PA: My wife is not the pastor, but she has a lot of experience working in an academy setting, so I have no doubt that together we will be able to have a positive impact on the student body.

We look forward to attending activities and creating opportunities to minister as a team to the entire Maplewood community.

Please keep Pastor Abner, Kara, the Hutchinson Church, Northwoods Elementary and Maplewood Academy in your prayers. Also, remember in prayer the congregations which the Aguilar family is leaving.

T

hese last several months have been some of the most unique and challenging times in ministry. Our nation and our world have been submerged in a pandemic, our way of life has been altered, our economy is in tatters and our churches have been closed. What else can we ask for a challenging time?

Nonetheless, here in our country the American culture is recognized for its resilience and never-give-up spirit. In the middle of the suffering, hospitals and medical personnel have provided outstanding care for the ill, corporations have donated services and food to the unemployed, the government has issued income reimbursements to families most affected due to layoffs and unemployment and businesses have received financial support.

What has the church done during this time besides closing its doors in solidarity to prevent spreading the virus?

Certainly, the safety and well-being of our members has been a priority for our conference. But this situation has forced our churches to find other means to carry on their functions and mission in light of the cancellation of public gatherings.

The platform of virtual technology has saved the day for our church. Even those congregations less prone to technology are broadcasting their services to an audience beyond the limits of their walls. Jesus’ vision for His church (Matt. 16:18) is

Photos Courtesy Eduardo Jacobo

Pastor Abner: I am looking forward to pastoring in a church that is supportive of Adventist education. As the pastor, I would like to be involved with the Hutchinson community and especially Maplewood Academy's spiritual and recreational activities because I desire to connect with the student body and the staff. I also hope I can visit with faculty and students at the Northwoods Elementary School and get to know staff, students and their families while I minister to the Hutchinson congregation and their needs.

becoming a reality.

We have carried out our evangelistic mission by launching two virtual evangelistic series lasting two weeks each entitled Vislumbres de Esperanza (Glimpses of Hope) and El Heroe del Fin del Mundo (The Hero at the End of the World). We praise God that 20 people have been baptized as a result!

We have continued our departmental agenda holding a virtual Hispanic women’s retreat with an audience of more than 1,200 viewers. We held virtual youth programs every Sabbath organized by the FESJA (Youth Federation). We also conducted our Hispanic camp meeting in a virtual setting, and recently held our virtual family retreat. Each and every program was designed to keep our mission before our eyes so that this pandemic does

not distract us from the fulfillment of our responsibility.

Also, in the middle of high unemployment in our communities, churches have pulled together to support those in need by launching food bank initiatives and delivering food baskets to people who need them most.

The amazing thing is that the church has continued to confront this challenge and overcome it without losing the financial support of its faithful members.

Jesus’ words are truly fulfilled, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6: 21).

Let’s continue to strive until we ultimately overcome the situation and complete our mission.

Eduardo Jacobo is Hispanic Ministries coordinator for the Minnesota Conference.

OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

OCT 2020 21

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CONFERENCE

Community Outreach Brings New Students to Intermountain Adventist Academy

Photos: Rajmund Dabrowski

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dventist education has a strong presence among the community in Grand Junction, and community outreach is at the center of the education experience at Intermountain Adventist Academy. Classes at IAA began on Aug. 12 with 32 students enrolled, including five community children. The five families had a specific reason to send their children to IAA. IAA head teacher Joel

Reyes explained, “We have two [families] that are coming from public school. For them, when education went via Zoom last year, in their opinion the public school system was a disaster for basic education. They were impressed with what we did and how we handled it. They are afraid of the results of another lockdown, and they would rather be with us.”

Outreach opportunities

exist for pupils of IAA. “There’s a Catholic community service here that has an outreach program for the homeless,” adds Reyes. “They have daily lunches and free laundromats for them. We’ve volunteered in the past with them. The Catholics are wonderful!”

While the current pandemic has made volunteer opportunities difficult, hope exists that the school will once again be able to give back to the community. “I’m trying to work out something with the local parks department because I want to find something outdoors where students can distance,” said Reyes.

Educators are facing unique challenges in teaching while a pandemic ravishes the nation. “It’s hard to stay apart. It’s hard to listen to kids read from 6 feet away,” said Jami Simpson, second through fourth grade teacher.

“And the masks. We try, but they don’t always stay on.”

Temperature checks are performed on students each morning, and those students who wish to attend without wearing a mask are kept away from the others.

With 17 students in fifth through eighth grade, IAA moved the classroom to the fellowship hall of the Grand Junction Church while the gym was being retrofitted with audio absorption boards to maintain social distancing.

Having a classroom in the church brings its own unique challenges, including moving all the desks and teaching materials against the wall after school on Friday and arriving early on Monday to re-assemble the classroom.

Jon Roberts is communication/ media assistant for the Rocky Mountain Conference.

Rainstorm Leads Harley Couple to Church

J

amey Houghton, Franktown Church pastor, was putting the final touches on his sermon at his office on a Friday afternoon. Outside it was a beautiful day—white fluffy clouds in the sky.

But suddenly a loud clap of thunder filled the office, followed by the sound of rain pounding the roof. Then the unmistakable roar of Harley Davidson motorcycles filled the empty church.

“As a motorcycle rider

myself, I knew what was happening—a couple riders were trying to get out of the heavy rain,” Houghton said.

He went outside to meet them and a conversation started. The couple asked questions about the church and what Adventists believe.

As the conversation grew, the topic of the Sabbath arose.

The storm came to an end, and the man expressed, “I think God sent the rain so we could meet you and find

this church.”

As Houghton preached the next day, he scanned the audience but didn’t see them. “The next Sabbath, though, I was walking up to the front pew to start the announcements and some people waved at me. I went over and they said, ‘Hey! We are the motorcycle people,”’ Houghton said.

The couple has become regulars at the Franktown gatherings, and they are

excited to share with everyone they meet how a rainstorm changed their outlook on life and opened new doors of faith to them.

Courtesy Franktown Church

22 OUTLOOKMAG.ORG OCT 2020

Navajos Take to the Air Waves

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dventist church member Kyle Boyd is sensing that God has given him a special opportunity to reach out to his fellow Navajo tribal members.

“Our people are desperately searching for hope,” he says.

Recently, he was able to realize his dream of sharing God’s message in a very special way.

About a year ago, he heard from members at his home church in La Vida Mission of an idea to establish a radio station to reach the Navajo Nation with God’s last-day message. He immediately volunteered and discovered that the Voice of Prophecy had produced programs for the Navajo many years ago.

That source, with updated scripts from long ago, forms the basis of his ministry. On Aug. 2, his voice was heard for the first time around the huge reservation—the largest in North America—and his ministry was launched.

The original dream of Navajo church members was

Photos: Rajmund Dabrowski

to acquire their own radio station. However, a plan to participate in a radio license auction scheduled earlier this year was foiled when the coronavirus epidemic hit and the auction was postponed.

They saw the postponement, though, as a mere delay, and their strategy changed to the concept of a trial run on KTNN, the most prominent station on the reservation.

Thanks to numerous private donations and a sizable contribution to the project from Adventist World Radio, the group had enough funds to buy airtime on “The Voice of the Navajo Nation.”

They had no expectations for receiving feedback from listeners after their first half-hour on the air, but four listeners called for the study course that was offered. Three programs in, five more people asked for Bible studies.

Kyle Boyd is assisted by Michael Mace, a volunteer at La Vida Mission who was

previously involved with setting up a studio. He is a nine-year French missionary veteran who has worked in Adventist broadcasting internationally. He came to La Vida Mission not knowing he would be involved in radio ministry.

“I just applied and God’s will had to be done. So now I know there was a radio behind [God’s plan], but I didn’t know that before I came,” said Mace.

He set up the studio and serves as an engineer.

Pastor Steve Gillham (pictured above), director of La Vida Mission, said, “We have had this dream of winning the reservation for Christ.

We just kept asking ourselves here on the front lines, ‘What can we do?’ and we talked it up when we were around others.” They got Allen Steele’s ear (a former AWR vice president), and “We talked to others involved, and in God’s providence, word came from AWR [that there was] interest in a Navajo station,” he shared.

Now programs are on the air and Bible studies are being requested. La Vida Mission

has increased its outreach among the Navajos.

The early surprise response has energized the program producers in their new work of preparing radio programs and follow-up that the requests have generated. To prepare programs, three church conferences with territory in the Navajo Nation agreed to make programs possible by installing small production studios where tribal members can conveniently record their radio messages.

The Rocky Mountain Conference helped fund a studio at La Vida Mission in San Juan County, New Mexico. The Arizona Conference installed a studio at the Adventist church in Window Rock, the national capital. The Texico Conference installed a studio at its Gallup Church in the western part of the state.

Holbrook Indian School in eastern Arizona also has a studio and hopes to involve students in the programs.

Thanks to a weekend of training by Steele, a dozen volunteer program producers were ready to go into action.

Until the next opportunity arrives to acquire their own station, the trial run has convinced church members that radio ministry is the best way to reach out to the huge desert expanse of their territory that straddles the three states of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

Allen Steele with Rajmund Dabrowski

Michael Mace is a nine-year French missionary veteran who has worked in international Adventist radio broadcasting. He now serves as engineer for the radio outreach to the Navajo Nation.

OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

OCT 2020 23

UNION COLLEGE

Union Students Help Iowa Town Recover from Derecho Abby Finkenauer, the member of Congress who represents the Cedar Rapids area, as reported by USA Today.

The team took extra prePhotos Courtesy Union College cautions to protect against team of Union College come help with the cleanup COVID-19 transmission. international rescue and through a connection with According to Kalie Saunders, relief students and faculty Gideon Rescue, a relief orga- ineternational rescue and spent a week in mid-August nization started by Union relief program director, IRR helping the residents of IRR graduate Brock Mayer. students already undergo Belle Plaine after an unusual The two teams worked along- extensive safety training for windstorm caused extensive side each other throughout working in emergency situadamage in the small eastern the week. tions and used the appropriIowa town.

The 23 students, two ate protective equipment and The derecho started in faculty and one graduate practices to protect themNebraska and packed 100 helped residents reclaim their selves throughout the trip. mph winds as it swept across devastated town—part of a Additionally, each student Iowa, and impacted several much larger cleanup effort received a COVID-19 test other states in early August. across Eastern Iowa from upon returning to campus to The wind left the little a storm that state and local ensure they did not contract town of Belle Plaine, located officials say is the worst in the the virus on their trip. roughly halfway between area’s history.

Union’s IRR program is Marshalltown and Cedar “This is a disaster that we a unique bachelor’s degree Rapids, with extensive damhave never seen before. It is designed to prepare students age and no power. The mayor something that was essenfor careers in public safety, declared a state of emergency tially like a hurricane coming emergency management and and over the weekend asked through the Midwest without community development.

Union’s IRR program to advance notice,” said U.S. Rep. In addition to earning an

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emergency medical technician and several FEMA certifications, students spend five weeks in Colorado training in wilderness survival and rescue, and a whole semester in a developing nation studying global medicine and running health clinics in underserved areas.

The program regularly responds to disasters in the U.S. and around the world— including the 2019 Nebraska flooding, Hurricane Harvey in Texas, Typhoon Adai in Malawi and many more.

Ryan Teller is executive director of Integrated Marketing Communications for Union College.

Read more about this trip or support this and future disaster relief efforts at ucollege.edu/ irr-belle-plaine.

Following are some photos and stories from Belle Plaine as told by Kalie Saunders, IRR program director.

Mr. Charles, a farmer in his 80s, lost four of his five outbuildings. Upon our arrival, he was unsure of our motives, and as we worked he kept asking how much we were going to charge him. Price gouging is a common occurrence after disasters and some residents of Belle Plaine told us they were quoted upwards of $20,000 to have trees removed.

However, after lots of reassurance, hard work, and swapping stories, he understood we just wanted to help. We could tell he was re-energized by our fast and hard-working group of responders and soon he was working alongside us as we cleared debris.

Ryan Haakenson, IRR senior and fellow Iowan, asked Mr. Charles how he was feeling at the end of our workday. Mr. Charles replied by expressing his relief and saying, “I’ve lived here my whole life and it’s finally starting to feel like home again.”

UNION COLLEGE

We had the opportunity to talk with the Belle Plaine city administrator. He explained how difficult this storm has been on the community. In addition to homes and property being destroyed, Iowa lost 10-15 million acres of corn—one-third of the state’s corn production and thousands of farmers’ livelihoods.

We’re honored to have lent our support to these incredible farmers and community members. Over the course of the week, the team helped clean up more than 20 different sites in Belle Plaine, Chelsea and Luzerne, Iowa.

Partway through the week, we met two men with a crane truck who were the answer to a prayer we didn’t know we needed to pray.

Mr. Miller had a rough time. During the storm, a tree fell on his house and punctured his roof. He went out after the storm and started to remove the tree himself, but slipped and fell 15 feet, breaking his back in several places.

He returned home after his hospitalization discouraged. After everything he endured during the storm, now he was unable to physically remove the tree himself. When we met Mr. Miller, we knew we would do everything possible to help him. We could get rid of the branch piercing his roof and do our best to patch the hole, but we didn’t have the equipment to remove the tree.

While the Gideon/IRR team worked in Mr. Miller’s front yard, Mike walked up. He had been contracted to remove a tree from a house down the street with his crane truck and he came to see what we were working on. We told him who we were, what we were doing in Iowa and about Mr. Miller.

Mike immediately wanted to help! He used his crane to remove the tree and spent the rest of the week with us as a volunteer. His truck enabled us to help many more people because he could remove large trees from homes.

We hadn’t prayed for a crane, but God sent one anyway. God provided us with the opportunity to do big things for Him, and they got even bigger.

We set out expecting to work hard. What we didn't expect was to fall in love with each and every one of Belle Plaine’s residents. They opened their homes and their hearts to us. We came to give of ourselves, but they gave us a place to stay, food to eat, water to drink, tools and equipment to use, kindness, appreciation, friendships and love.

Each of us left a piece of our heart in Belle Plaine and we will never be the same again. #iowastrong

MID-AMERICA UNION NEWS

Lessons from History As we mark the 40th anniversary of the birth of the Mid-America Union Conference, we take a look at who was there, what happened and what we can learn from it.

W

hile there are no fewer than a dozen articles in the 1980 editions of Northern Union Outlook, Central Union Reaper, and the new Mid-America Adventist Outlook discussing the mergers that created the current Mid-America Union, there is more to be gleaned from people who were actually part of the process.

One man who was deeply involved and still remembers the events well is retired pastor and church administrator Elder Ralph S. Watts, Jr., a Union College graduate who began his ministry as an evangelist in the Nebraska Conference.

According to Watts, as merger talks were beginning in earnest, Elder E.S. Reille came from the Carolinas to serve as president of the Central Union.

On May 26, 1980, following several months of discussion, Central Union leaders met, and on May 28 Northern Union leaders met. Only a few weeks later, on July 14 and 15, the respective constituencies Mid-America Union Outlook

gathered in Kansas City to vote official actions.

Elder Neil C. Wilson, representing the General Conference, encouraged the merger of the two unions by stating that it “would strengthen the work.” Elder C.E. Bradford, president of the newly formed North American Division, was also in support of the process.

the options and develop a strategic plan that would be most effective.

The first conferences to merge were Iowa and Missouri. Delegates elected Watts as their president.

Rhonda Karr, current treasurer of the IowaMissouri Conference who had just begun working in accounting at the Iowa Conference in 1980, says she What were the options? heard talk about how the Since neither union was conference mergers should considered viable due to have been Iowa-Nebraska their small size, the merger and Kansas-Missouri. And of the two unions was fairly when Minnesota was in the straightforward. But the mix, there was some talk of mergers of various conferIowa-Minnesota. ences were more complicated.

“Probably something better The main reason for merging would just have been a more conferences was financial open discussion,” says Karr. concern around the number However it was done, “it was of academies, summer camps going to be painful because and local conference offices. there was going to be a Although enrollment feeling of loss for someone ... was declining in a number The way we are functioning of schools and at least one today is the result of a lot of board had already voted to hard work and sacrifice and close their school, many con- sometimes pain.” stituents felt they were being Watts believes that “the forced to merge without the problem was with the probenefit of time to discuss cess. Decisions were being made too quickly. The committees felt like they had no options but to do what they were being told.”

Ellsworth Reille (left) and Charles Bradford both supported the 1980 mergers of unions and conferences.

26 OUTLOOKMAG.ORG OCT 2020

Are Adventist church leaders today doing better at empowering grass-roots membership than 40 years ago?

“I believe that in North America the division leadership is better equipped today to deal with such things,” affirms Watts. “They are experienced enough and wise enough to handle mergers and closings of academies and colleges that might occur due to COVID-19 and other issues.”

Watts’ advice to administrators—based on what we’ve experienced in the past—is that “leadership has to do its homework. Select Blue Ribbon Commissions from the local areas to work and plan carefully and strategically. Then bring in key thought leaders and influencers to discuss the issues and craft something to recommend. The process is critical.

It can’t happen quickly.”

Watts also has counsel for church members who believe administrators are overreaching their authority.

“Your voice can be heard by approaching your conference administration. Talk to your president. Express your concerns about issues in a clear manner. Also talk to your representatives who serve on your conference and union Executive Committees.”

Brenda Dickerson is communication director for the Mid-America Union Conference.

ADVENTHEALTH SHAWNEE MISSION

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Celebrates Its Volunteers at Drive-by Event hen patients come to AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, the first people they may see are the volunteers who greet them at the door. This year, the hospital volunteers were met with applause and messages of thanks from AdventHealth team members in a drive-by celebration in recognition for their service to the hospital.

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission team members stood outside the hospital to hold signs and cheer for volunteers during the event. Nearly 300 volunteers drove in a parade of approximately 150 cars during the Aug. 13 event. The volunteers received awards, a small gift and a Fairway Creamery ice cream treat.

Friends from the community dressed in costumes to entertain the attendees. Two dinosaurs and a cowboy on an inflatable horse greeted the volunteers as they drove by, and a judge in a giant chair presided over the event.

Volunteers have been making a difference at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission since the program began in 1961. Shirley Hayes, the first volunteer, was involved with the hospital until she passed away in early 2012.

Today, an average of 600 people volunteer at AdventHealth each year. This includes volunteers in the junior program (ages 14-18) and the adult program (ages 19 and up).

In 2019, a total of 642 adult and junior volunteers served at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, contributing 101,513 hours of their time.

“Our volunteers are indispensable to our organization,” says Peggy Todd, manager of Volunteer Services at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission. “We are so thankful for the time they give and the unique talents and skills they bring to the hospital.”

Volunteers come from a wide variety of backgrounds—former and retired associates, previous patients, visitors and community members who are looking to get involved.

By interacting with patients and our community, volunteers help provide the personal connections important to overall health.

At AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, our focus on whole-person health is based on CREATION Life principles. The “I” in CREATION refers to Interpersonal Relationships, including the connections we have with family, friends and others.

These connections with other people can affect our physical, mental and spiritual health.

“Our volunteer program ties in with the CREATION Health principles,” says Todd. “Staying in contact and building relationships with others enriches your

Fauna Dean

W

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission team members hold up signs thanking volunteers at a drive-by celebration. social and emotional life. It improves social health and life expectancy.”

This year’s Adult Volunteer of the Year was Jodie Blackburn, and Vedha Penmatcha was named Junior Volunteer of the Year.

“I am beyond thankful for everything AdventHealth has brought me over the years,” says Blackburn. “I’ve had the opportunity to make beautiful friendships, and I thoroughly enjoy being a volunteer in such a wonderful and uplifting atmosphere.”

“Volunteering at AdventHealth Shawnee Mission has allowed me to help people in a hospital, a place I would like to work in the future,” says Penmatcha.

“It has also given me the

SPONSORED BY AH SHAWNEE MISSION

opportunity to gain realworld exposure to how a hospital works and the different ways I can interact with patients or patients’ relatives and friends.”

Ann Muder is a freelance writer and editor for AdventHealth Shawnee Mission.

Learn more about AdventHealth Shawnee Mission’s programs at AdventHealthKC.com.

OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

OCT 2020 27

FAREWELL Altstadt, Kenneth, b. April 19, 1929 in Norfolk, NE. d.

Aug. 6, 2019 in Norfolk, NE. Member of Norfolk Church.

Preceded in death by wife Phyllis; 1 brother; 5 sisters.

Survivors include sons Gary, Allen, and Darold; 2 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; 4 step-grandchildren; 7 step-great-grandchildren.

Franklin. Survivors include 2 grandchildren.

Altstadt, Phyllis L., b. April 14, 1930 in Salina, KS. d.

June 18, 2019 in Norfolk, NE. Member of Norfolk Church. Preceded in death by 5 sisters; 2 brothers. Survivors include husband Kenneth; sons Gary, Allen, and Darold; 2 brothers; 2 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; 4 step-grandchildren; 7 step-great-grandchildren.

Horob, Musette (Lane), b. June 17, 1923 in Anoka, MN. d. June 8, 2020 in Hermosa, SD. Member of Dakota Conference (ND) Church. Preceded in death by spouse Elvin; 2 sisters; 1 brother. Survivors include sons Dennis, Linden, Kent, and Jay; daughter Darlene Stafford; 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren.

Argueta-Pubill, Mario, b.

April 14, 1950. d. March 1, 2020. Member of Grand Island (NE) Hispanic Church.

Kirschmann, Judith J. (Davis), b. June 21, 1951 in Hettinger, ND. d. July 20, 2020 in Bismarck, ND. Member of Bowman (ND) Church.

Survivors include spouse Rodney; sons Dustin and Brooks; 1 sister; 1 brother.

Boyko, Betty (Davidson), b.

Dec. 15, 1952 in Jamestown, ND. d. July 4, 2020 in Fargo, ND. Member of Red River (ND) Company. Survivors include spouse LaVerne; sons Gregory, Michael, and Mark; 1 sister; 1 brother; 3 grandchildren.

Channell, William, Sr., b.

March 28, 1955. d. July 12, 2020 in Marshalltown, IA. Member of Newton (IA) Church. Survivors include son William, Jr.; 3 sisters; 3 grandchildren.

Gerst, Ruth Elizabeth, b.

June 12, 1925 near Sperry, IA. d. Oct. 22, 2019 in Loveland, CO. Member of Eden Valley (CO) Church. Preceded in death by 7 siblings.

Survivors include 15 nieces and nephews.

Nerpel, Wilfred, b. Oct. 31, 1945 in Bottineau, ND. d.

June 16, 2020 in Dunseith, ND. Member of Bottineau Church. Survivors include children Jennifer Poitra and Preston; 1 sister; 4 brothers; 5 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild.

Davis, Robie E., b. Feb. 8, 1935. d. June 1, 2020. Member of West County Church (Chesterfield, MO). Preceded in death by 1 brother. Survivors include wife Lois Jean; daughter Brenda Jo Flanigan; 2 siblings; 2 grandchildren.

Served in U.S. Air Force.

Shaver, Billie Jean (Topolovec), b. March 27, 1942 in Price, UT. d. July 24, 2020 in Aberdeen, SD. Member of Aberdeen Church. Survivors include husband George; sons Calvin Blackham and John Blackham; stepson John; stepdaughter Georgia-Leigh Baggett; 4 granddaughters; 1 grandson; 4 step-granddaughters; 3 step-grandsons.

Dorsey, Franklin C., b. April 22, 1929 in Maryland. d. July 16, 2020 in Warrensburg, MO. Member of Warrensburg Crossroads Church. Preceded in death by wife Jeanne; son

Simmons, Virginia, b. Sept.

6, 1932 in Darby, Iowa. d.

August 23 in Lincoln, NE. Member of College View (NE) Church. Preceded in death by 5 sisters; 5 brothers.

28 OUTLOOKMAG.ORG OCT 2020

Survivors include 1 brother.

Taught education at Union College for over 20 years.

Smith, James, b. May 17, 1949 in St. Louis, MO. d.

Aug. 1, 2020. Member of St. Louis Central Church.

Preceded in death by wife Dorothy.

Stone, Judy, b. July 10, 1947 in St. Joseph, MO. d. Aug. 14, 2020. Member of St. Joseph Three Angels Church. Preceded in death by husband Clifford “Dale�; daughter Elizabeth; 1 granddaughter. Survivors include sons Allen, Joe and Brian; 5 grandchildren.

Wildhagen, Noel K., b.

Dec. 24, 1950 in St. Joseph, MO. d. Aug. 13, 2020 in Springfield, MO. Member of Springfield Church.

Preceded in death by first

wife Candice. Survivors include second wife Deborah; daughters Jeanne Allardyce, Tina Kunze, and Tammy Dockery; son Daniel; 4 siblings; 16 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren.

Served in U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force.

Wolf, Robert Edward, b.

Dec. 31, 1934, in Hutchinson, KS. d. Aug. 12, 2020 in Topeka, KS. Survivors include wife Alberta; daughters Laurie Trotter and Teresa Wesley; 2 siblings; 3 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by 1 sister. Served in U.S. Army 1956-1958.

CENTURA HEALTH ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION

SPONSORED BY AH ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION

OUTLOOKMAG.ORG

OCT 2020 29

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Yr. Avg. Sept.

Total number of copies Total paid/requested outside-county mail subs Total paid/requested inside-county mail subs Sales through dealers, carriers, street vendors Other classes mailed through USPS Total paid/requested circulation Total complimentary distribution Total distribution Copies not distributed Total Percent paid and/or requested

28,000 25,455 0 34 0 23,375 27 23,402 2,053 25,455 99.88

28,000 25,294 0 37 0 25,331 30 25,361 2,639 28,000 99.88

SUNSET CALENDAR

Description

Walla Walla University is hiring! To see the list of available positions, go to jobs. wallawalla.edu.

NOTICES Mission opportunity for individuals, families or Sabbath School groups: Urgent request from Adventist Child India. There are 183 children who have lost their sponsors, and we have over 300 new applications for whom we need to find sponsors. $35 per month provides tuition, lodging, food, books, clothing and medical for a child. For more information visit www. adventistchildindia.org.

OCT OBER 2 0 2 0

Mid-America Union OUTLOOK Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation This statement of ownership, management and circulation was filed on September 18, 2020 with the U.S. Postal Service for the Mid-America OUTLOOK, publication number 0887977X, a magazine owned and published by the Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 8307 Pine Lake Road, Lincoln, NE 68516. It is published 10 times per year at a subscription price of $10. For further information, contact the Mid-America Union Conference, publisher, or Brenda Dickerson, editor, at the above address. The following figures for the extent and nature of the circulation apply to the year ending with the September 2020 issue of OUTLOOK and are printed in the October issue of this publication.

assistant. Please send resume to Dr. Nichols at tda@topshamdentalarts.com.

COLORADO Denver Grand Junction Pueblo

OCT 2 6:39 6:54 6:38

OCT 9 6:28 6:43 6:28

OCT 16 6:18 6:33 6:18

OCT 23 6:08 6:23 6:08

OCT 30 5:59 6:15 6:00

IOWA Davenport Des Moines Sioux City

6:41 6:53 7:04

6:29 6:41 6:52

6:18 6:30 6:40

6:08 6:20 6:30

5:58 6:10 6:20

KANSAS Dodge City Goodland Topeka

7:20 6:26 7:02

7:10 6:15 6:52

7:00 6:05 6:41

6:51 5:55 6:32

6:42 5:47 6:23

MINNESOTA Duluth International Falls Minneapolis

6:45 6:49 6:50

6:31 6:34 6:37

6:18 6:21 6:25

6:06 6:08 6:13

5:54 5:56 6:03

MISSOURI Columbia Kansas City St. Louis

6:49 6:58 6:41

6:38 6:47 6:30

6:28 6:37 6:20

6:18 6:27 6:10

6:10 6:19 6:02

NEBRASKA Lincoln North Platte Scottsbluff

7:06 7:22 6:33

6:54 7:10 6:21

6:43 6:59 6:10

6:33 6:49 6:00

6:24 6:40 5:50

NORTH DAKOTA Bismarck Fargo Williston

7:19 7:03 7:30

7:06 6:50 7:16

6:53 6:37 7:02

6:40 6:24 6:49

6:29 6:13 6:37

SOUTH DAKOTA Pierre Rapid City Sioux Falls

7:19 6:30 7:04

7:06 6:18 6:52

6:54 6:06 6:40

6:43 5:55 6:29

6:32 5:44 6:19

WYOMING Casper Cheyenne Sheridan

6:43 6:38 6:58

6:31 6:27 6:45

6:20 6:16 6:34

6:09 6:05 6:23

5:59 5:56 6:12

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30 OUTLOOKMAG.ORG OCT 2020

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