Nevada-Utah Conference

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT; Pastor Rudy Alvir, Jovismar Rangel, Ligia Diaz, Pastor Benjamin Carballo, in recognition of the courage to invite a friend to church.

Courage Should Be the Norm

Typically, Pathfinder investitures are similar in every church. The club members march down the aisle in their neat uniforms, carrying the flags. There are recognitions and awards. The events tend to follow the expected routine.

But this year at Nueva Esperanza in Salt Lake City something was out of the ordinary. Two Pathfinders were being recognized—again. This is not unusual. What was extraordinary is the comment made by Pastor Benjamin Carballo. “Ligia [15 years old] was invited to the club by her best friend Jovismar Rangel [14 years old]. Ligia came, she liked the club, and today she is participating in the investiture, but that’s not the whole story.” Pastor Carballo continued, “Some months ago Ligia came to an evangelistic series, and she was baptized, the only one in her family.” Her baptism was the result of an invitation from her Adventist friend, Jovismar.

Friends, this should not be unusual; this is the reason the church exists. This is why Club Ministries exist. Can you imagine what the result would be if every Pathfinder invited one friend to the club and eventually to the church?

Recently a pastor asked online, “Who is the most courageous person you have met lately?” The answer? Jovismar. This is a kind of courage that you don’t often see these days. Courage to be bold enough to invite your friend to an activity you know is going to bless her.

When Jovismar was told that NUC Youth Director Rudy Alvir wanted to write an article on this “miracle” she was surprised. She did not think that what she had done was out of the norm. She genuinely loves her friend.

It should be natural for us to want to share what we know with our friends, with the people we love, but often we are hesitant and timid. Some of us believe that the church exists solely to take care of our needs and our Pathfinder clubs are here to exclusively serve our young people, but that is not the case. We exist to advance the kingdom—wherever, however, and with whomsoever. Courage should be the norm! Let’s pray for courage and reach out to those whom God places in our sphere of influence.

____________________ By Rudy Alvir

The Pathfinder investiture recently held at Nueva Esperanza church in Salt Lake City.

Oh, How I Love Jesus

As an individual in church leadership, I get caught up in the daily to-do list of “the job.” Since I’ve worked for the church for more than 20 years, I’ve shied away from becoming involved in local church ministry—because of potential conflict of interest, my schedule isn’t consistent enough to be reliable, or I just didn’t know where I could be of use. This past summer it helped to hear of a last-minute need that I could fill.

My daughter and granddaughter were attending Vacation Bible School (VBS) at the Sparks church. I was informed that the drama rotation was looking for actors to play Bible characters. The scripts were written, costumes were available, and I would only be needed for two nights. I said yes. It seemed easy enough. Then I read the script for the first night. I would be playing Mary Magdalene as she shared her sadness at watching the trial, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus.

I invited my mother to dress in costume, weep in sorrow, and ask my character for tissues as I told the story to each of the four age groups of children. Mom really added to the emotional depth and was a hit with the kids. Was my performance perfect? No. But then, we are our toughest critics and Satan loves to use our insecurities to discourage!

However, as with the crucifixion, those insecurities and negative thoughts were not the end of the story. During the second night, my character announced that Jesus had risen—a much more positive part that I could play with enthusiasm.

Karen Schneider, NUC treasurer, portraying Mary Magdalene, relates the story of the crucifixion to the children at the Sparks VBS as her mother, Ardith Schneider, conveys the emotion of the story.

That evening as we drove home, my granddaughter sang in her sweet voice, “Oh, how I love Jesus, because He first loved me.” I don’t know how lyricist Frederick Whitfield imagined the song to be performed, but let me tell you, I have heard the best rendition coming from the voice of a little one.

To those who use their time for the ministry of VBS, thank you! I know that after weeks of planning, exhaustion from being mindful of every detail, and using all your energy to keep up with the children, you might never want to do it again. But don’t give up! Keep planting the seeds of Jesus’s love in those little hearts and minds. Your efforts will make sure there is a large heavenly choir belting out songs to honor the One who loved us first, Jesus.

____________________ By Karen Schneider

Notice of 35th Constituency Session for the Nevada-Utah Conference

Notice is hereby given that the 35th Constituency Session of the Nevada-Utah Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is called to convene with registration at 9:00 a.m. PDT and the meeting at 10:00 a.m. PDT on Sunday, October 2, 2022, at the Hampton Inn Tropicana, 4975 Dean Martin Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada.

The purpose of this meeting is to receive the quadrennial reports; to elect conference officers, ethnic coordinators, and the Executive Committee; and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the session.

According to the constitutional provision, each organized church is entitled to two delegates and one additional delegate for each seventy-five (75) church members or fractional majority thereof.

35th NUC Constituency Session Hampton Inn Tropicana I 4975 Dean Martin Drive Las Vegas, NV 89118-1656

Carlos A. Camacho I NUC President Chanda M. Nunes I NUC Executive Secretary