January | February 2019 Southwestern Union Record

Southwestern Union

January | February 2019

to Be 4 Resolve Transformed

6

Continuously Improving Adventist Education

8

My Call to Serve: In Pursuit of Purpose

and Abundant 12 Loss New Life

17

More Compassion: Oklahoma City

Hope and Encouragement Answering God's Call in the New Year

Answering God’s Call Hope and Encouragement

January | February 2019 Vol. 118, No. 01

Features:

4 Resolve to Be Transformed 8 My Call to Serve: In Pursuit of Purpose

The Record is an official publication of the Southwestern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

EDITOR

Columns:

3 6 11 12

Jessica L. Lozano, jlozano@swuc.org On the Record Education: Continuously Improving Wholeness: Tuscan Kale White Bean Stew Little Readers: Loss and Abundant New Life

MANAGING EDITOR

Kristina Pascual, kpascual@swuc.org LAYOUT/DESIGN

Reggie Johnson, rjohnson@swuc.org CIRCULATION

News:

Back Pages:

13 14 18 20 25 30 35 40

Tammy G. Prieto, tprieto@swuc.org Southwestern Happenings Southwestern Union Southwestern Adventist University Arkansas-Louisiana Conference Oklahoma Conference Southwest Region Conference Texas Conference Texico Conference

ADVERTISING

Bradley Ecord, becord@swuc.org PROOFREADER

Caroline A. Fisher

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

ARKANSAS-LOUISIANA Frances Alcorn, news@arklac.org OKLAHOMA Daniel Ortega, news@okla-adventist.org SOUTHWEST REGION Leslie Soupet, news@swrgc.org

45 Classified Ads 47 Obituaries

TEXAS Jason Busch, news@txsda.org TEXICO Debbie Márquez, news@texico.org

Editor’s Note We are a people of great hope. As I look to the new year and all of the ministry happening in the Southwestern Union, I’m both hopeful and grateful. I look forward to the opportunities for spiritual renewal, evangelism, and ministries and leadership training that will powerfully impact communities and people in our territory.

Think about God’s calling on your life as you read about the people and ministries that are reaching out to others. In this issue, we also look at what it means to be renewed and transformed in 2019. I’m hopeful and prayerful that this will be a year of intentionally seeking God’s guidance so that we may be renewed, encouraged and inspired to answer His call and love His people.

Jessica L. Lozano Jessica L. Lozano

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SOUTHWESTERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY

Southwestern Union Conference P.O. Box 4000 Burleson, TX, 76097 Phone: 817.295.0476 Email: Record@swuc.org

Our Mission: The Mission of the Southwestern Union is to equip and inspire the Southwestern Union territory with the distinctive Adventist message of hope and wholeness.

On the Record

Hope and Encouragement Answering God’s Call in the New Year

Larry Moore | President

If you are like me, you have faced many “New Years.” I have the best of intentions to do better in the new year.

I always determine to lose some weight, be a better husband, dad or grandpa. Then I always fall short of my goals and I wonder, what is the use? Recently, I was reading an article (oh and yes, I plan to read more good books and articles this year). The article made a very good point that resonated with me. It said that New Year’s resolutions are bound to be broken because they are something we have decided to do in our own power in the new year. The article suggested that instead of resolving for the new year, you should determine to make your best efforts for the whole year, or better yet, for the rest of your life.

And beyond that, make sure that you are trusting or relying on Jesus and the Holy Spirit to strengthen your efforts to live a more productive life. His help can make all of the difference in the new year. I’m already trying it. Guess what? It works. Simple–yes. Complicated–no. The focus is where it should be, on Jesus rather than on us.

Will you join me in making this new year different than all the rest? Let’s place our hands and hearts in Jesus’ hands. He longs to hear and answer our requests for help. Listen for His calling; He longs to guide you.

“But hope means that we must trust and wait for what is still unseen. For why would we need to hope for something we already have? So, because our hope is set on what is yet to be seen, we patiently keep on waiting for its fulfillment.” Romans 8:28-29 (TPT). How is your hope? Does it bounce back after being hit? Does it cause you to doubt when you lose hope in a situation? Is this a description of you from time to time? If so, you are in good company. God is aware that we all struggle with finding and holding onto hope. It is one of our human challenges.

As the new year begins, we celebrate the love and mercy of our Lord who has spared our lives to see another year. Without doubt, there were some good days mixed with some bad ones, but God has seen us through and now 2018 is just a memory. The lyrics of a song helps me express the sentiments of the past year: “I’ve had some good days, I’ve had some hills to climb. I’ve had some weary days, and some sleepless nights. But when I look around, and I think things over… All of my good days outweigh my bad days, I won’t complain.” The song continues: “The Lord has been so good to me. He dried all of my tears away, turned my midnights into day. So I’ll just say thank you Lord, I won’t complain.”

I want to encourage you with these words, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14.

John Page | Treasurer

Buford Griffith, Jr. Executive Secretary

The mission of the Southwestern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is to equip and inspire the Southwestern Union territory with the distinctive Adventist message of hope and wholeness. In order to do this, we must feel hope in us. Where does hope come from?

Romans 15:13 states, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” My hope is in Jesus. If you are struggling right now in your life to have hope, I encourage you to talk to a pastor or an elder. Jesus is here to give hope and encouragement no matter what you are going through. We are promised to overflow with hope. Although it may seem impossible in our current situation, the Holy Spirit has the power to intervene.

As we start 2019, the message of Matthew 28:19-20 needs to be on our hearts: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” The world around us is seeking for hope and a lot of people don’t know where to look. Our churches need to be places that will inspire hope by meeting the needs of the community.

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 3

Hope and Encouragement

Resolve to Be Transformed Did you make any New Year’s resolutions? Some time ago, I read an article in Forbes magazine claiming that of the 325 million people that call the United States home, 40 percent make New Year’s resolutions. For comparison’s sake, 33 percent of Americans watch the Super Bowl, but 40 percent make New Year’s resolutions. That’s roughly 136 million people each year.

Can you guess how many people actually follow through on their New Year’s resolutions?

Eight percent, or 10 million people. That’s 10 million out of 136 million people who said they were going to accomplish some particular thing. Why is it so hard to follow through?

There is a beautiful passage in Romans 12 where Paul, speaking to the church in Rome, says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship,” Romans 12:1. Whenever we read that verse, we may think: Man, that is beautiful. I want to offer everything; every ounce of my being to God’s kingdom and God’s ways. But, in the very next verse Paul simply says this: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world,” Romans 12:2.

Finding Patterns

If you want to live the kind of life that offers every ounce of your being for the kingdom of God and for God in 2019, Paul would say to you: Do not conform to the patterns of this world. What does it mean to conform? Conforming is simply allowing the outside to change the inside. Conforming

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happens when you allow the outside voices, the outside perspectives, the outside thoughts to change your inside view of yourself, your identity and what you believe to be true. Paul is telling this church in Rome: Hey, if you want to live this kind of life, you’ve got to be the kind of people who have the resolve to not allow the outside pressures to inform who you are.

Were there times in 2018 that you allowed outside voices and outside pressures to change you from within? Did patterns of unhealthiness find themselves playing out in ways that were truly destructive to who God intended you to be? Would Paul identify this as taking steps backward in your story and conforming yourself to the way of the world?

To make a significant change, we have to be aware of our own patterns of health and unhealthiness. Every one of us grew up in some sort of family structure. We sat around a table and maybe your experience was fantastic, but maybe it was terrible. Your upbringing created patterns in your life.

As we get older we may find ourselves recreating those same patterns. When they are unhealthy patterns, we have generational brokenness.

In thinking about your legacy, you have the chance to create a new story, a fresh start—or you have the chance to keep repeating the same patterns. I can hear Paul saying: No, no, no, church. No, no, no. I want you to offer everything to God. And to do that, you’ve got to be aware of your patterns of brokenness and you’ve got to have the resolve and make the decision to no longer conform to those lies.

Establishing Identity

In Philippians 3:20 Paul says, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul understood that his citizenship was not in the world, but in heaven. He stood for every value that is represented in the way of Jesus: love, radical grace, incredible hospitality, unbelievable generosity. Everything that heaven stood for, Paul identified with.

For a United States citizen to travel outside the country, you must travel with your passport. When you visit another country you must go through the customs process where the official opens up the passport to see that weird little picture of you. They flip through, see where you’ve traveled and ask if you are bringing anything into the country.

Then they stamp your passport and hand it back. The process can be a bit intimidating.

However, when you fly home, especially to an airport in the south, the experience is a little different. The customs official may ask you about your trip, they are generally nice, and will often say, “Welcome home!” Your passport identifies you as a citizen who has come home.

Because of the cross, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus you are a citizen of heaven. Because of the gift of the Holy Spirit, my citizenship is not of this world.

I am not going to allow any outside voice or influence dictate who I am and who I will be. My citizenship is in heaven.

Transforming, Not Conforming

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Don’t be conformed, but be transformed. The word transformed is like the word metamorphosis. It takes you back into the realm of science and into the story of a little bug that becomes a caterpillar, eats too much food, finds himself in a cocoon and then literally becomes a new creation.

Transformation doesn’t mean keeping your form and changing the inside.

It calls for having the inside change the outside. To be transformed is to

allow the Spirit of God to work within you. Transformation changes you into something entirely new; it allows you to spread your wings in 2019 and fly to new places and experiences because of what God wants to do in you and through you.

Paul is asking, in which home do you belong? Where is your citizenship?

Where do you frequently reside? What defines your reality: conforming to the world or being transformed to heaven? He says that if you’re going to be transformed to this reality and offer everything as your spiritual act of worship, you have to be renewed. You have to renew your mind. I love the word renew. It evokes a sense of refreshing.

I think Paul had a powerful understanding that when you actually sit with God—when you sit and allow His Word to wash over you—it does something in your mind. You find yourself no longer held captive to the patterns of the world, but overwhelmed and drawn to the beauty of heaven. Be transformed, Paul says. Don’t allow the outside to shape you; rather, let the inside change your outside.

Keep it Simple

Why do only eight percent of people follow through on their New Year’s resolutions? I think many people in the 92 percent find themselves creating resolutions based on the world. I think a lot of people start using vocabulary that’s completely grounded in the world and not grounded in heaven. My challenge to you in 2019 is to keep your resolve simple, yet specific. If you’re using more than two sentences, you’re going to forget it. Employ some healthy habits and patterns that will allow you to renew your mind. Embrace the invitation to be transformed, not conform to the patterns of the world, and become who you already are—a citizen of heaven.

By Elton DeMoraes. DeMoraes is the Southwestern Union Vice President for Ministries, as well as Men’s Ministries, Ministerial and Stewardship Director. He lives in Burleson, Texas, with his wife Alessandra and their daughter Isabella.

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 5

Education

Continuously Improving Adventist Education in the Southwestern Union

By Carol Campbell, Ph.D., Southwestern Union Vice President for Education During my career in Adventist education as a classroom teacher as well as a leader, I have been a relentless proponent of excellence in teaching and learning. We are preparing our learners to be good citizens in this world and for eternity, so as parents, pastors and educators, our sole focus should be on providing them the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve this purpose.

The world is a very different place today than even a decade ago; career and college expectations, in particular, have significantly changed. In response to the changing context of our times, the Southwestern Union Office of Education has recently developed a set of student outcomes that will serve as the driver for all teaching and learning. We

refer to these as the 7Cs which include: Connection to God and Others, Citizenship, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Creativity, Communication and Character. The goal is to embed them across the curriculum in all grade levels.

The Continuous School Improvement (CSI) process that was introduced in an earlier issue of the Record will be the vehicle for meaningfully embedding the outcomes in practice. To review, this annual process involves a commitment to data-informed, but values-driven decision making. Schools are being encouraged to annually collect and analyze data in four areas: demographic, perceptions, student learning and programs. The resulting data profile is then

used to inform mission, vision and the development of a CSI Plan. Leadership, collaboration, and professional learning are key supports for the implementation and evaluation of the Plan.

At a recent Union Education Advisory meeting, the process was reviewed, and the group participated in a simulated pre-assessment exercise that acclimates schools to the important components of school improvement.

The Texas Conference team then shared their journey to implement the steps in four schools across their territory. I had the opportunity to join them on several of the initial school visits, and was delighted to witness the engagement of the faculty in each school communicating and collaborating during the

Southwestern Union: 58 Schools 8 Academies

(PK-12th grade)

3 Sr. Academies (High School)

1 University 46 Jr. Academies (PK-10th grades)

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Education

Southwestern Union: 371 Educators

47 Educators

96 Educators

Higher Learning

Secondary Education

professional learning activities.

There are already several compelling examples of CSI in our Union. Ellen Thomas, associate superintendent for education for the Texas Conference, shared these four schools in Texas, San Marcos Junior Academy, The Oaks Adventist Christian School, South Texas Christian Academy, and the Adventist Christian Academy of Texas have begun the process, beginning with administrative and teacher workshops discussing some of the basics of school improvement.

According to Thomas, the schools have reviewed ITBS tests, sent out perception surveys to students, parents, and local church members, and performed data collection to understand the needs of their local communities. The interpretation and understanding of this data then informs actions taken by teachers and administrators to improve the school as it strives to serve its students.

Says Thomas, “This is a long-term process. Our goal is to give our schools the tools they need to keep improving.

The question we keep in the back of our

minds during the process is ‘What would it take to ensure student learning increases at every grade level, in every subject area and with every student group?’”

Thus, the Southwestern Union Conference continues to address best

228 Educators

Elementary Education

practices in relation to teaching and learning within the context of the CSI framework. Our goal is to have all schools participating in this process within the next two years as we continue our Journey to Excellence.

Southwestern Union: 4,186 Students 2,611

Elementary Students

741

University Students

834

Secondary Students

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 7

Hope and Encouragement

My Call to Serve In Pursuit of Purpose

God leads each of us through a unique journey.

Along this journey, we discover things about ourselves, what our passions are and what moves us. We discover things about others, how interpersonal relationships affect us and how we relate to others. We also find ourselves constantly discovering things about God and His calling on our lives.

We learn that, regardless of the intensity of the issues, whether they are small or life-changing, He is there every step of the way, guiding, providing and blessing.

Randelle Ntakirutimana, Ariana Cerino Cordova and Christina Evans are three remarkable young women who have discovered God’s call for them to serve others through nursing. All three will graduate from the nursing program at Southwestern Adventist University this year among many other skilled and talented graduates. While their stories are unique and God worked on each heart individually, their stories share resounding echoes of faith, perseverance and reliance on God.

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Randelle Ntakirutimana

Randelle Ntakirutimana is the youngest of five siblings in a family where many members work in the healthcare industry.

She grew up in South Texas and her family attended the only Adventist church in the area, a Spanish church where she found herself learning the language.

Envisioning a career focused on the business side of healthcare, she enrolled as a pre-med business major at Southwestern Adventist University after a conversation with an enthusiastic professor, Bill Kilgore, D.Min., who she met at the General Conference Session in San Antonio in 2015.

Ntakirutimana worked at a medical diagnostic center in the Dallas-Fort Worth area while she was in school. A year later, after realizing she was more interested in direct patient care, she began researching the nursing program at SWAU. She would need to take three challenging classes the next semester in order to be considered for the program. Knowing it would be difficult, she prayed and decided that this was the path God was calling her towards. She did really well in those three

Hope and His Encouragement Will for My Life She began attending the Adventist church that her brother, Beto attended with his wife, Rosanny, and their children. She soon began to participate in mission trips and traveled to the Dominican Republic and Panama. “Sometimes we think we are going to help others,” Cerino Cordova says, “But God ends up blessing us. I feel it is my calling to help others.” In time, she fell in love with God and wanted to learn more about Him. One day, as she watched her nieces while Beto and Rosanny were at work, something frightening happened. One of the girls began to cough and have trouble breathing. A rash quickly developed on her skin and Cerino Cordova called Rosanny as she frantically got ready to take the girls to the emergency room. Her sister-in-law responded calmly and asked if there had been any fish in the house. Cerino Cordova had eaten fish for lunch in her take out that day. Rosanny told her what medicine to give the niece and told them she would check back with them a little later. The niece was instantly better and Cerino Cordova learned the importance of caring for others. Rosanny, a SWAU alumna, was a nurse and knew how to solve the problem and react well under pressure.

Cerino Cordova set off for Southwestern with the help and support of her family. Nursing was challenging and a little harder than she had anticipated, but she would pray and ask God to affirm she was on the right path. “I believe God chose nursing for me. Every time you have the opportunity to make an impact in someone's life it makes all the hard work worth it.

You can show them God through you. You have the chance, as classes and was even asked to be a teacher’s assistant in each!

“The way everything turned out has really been a blessing.

My nursing journey has been fantastic!” she says. “The interpersonal relationships with the professors is great! They check in with the students when they miss class or don’t do well on exams. It’s a humbling experience to have that connection with the professors and to be able to learn to care for others from them.”

“Nursing requires compassion and resilience,” Ntakirutimana says. “It’s not easy and there are challenges. The program can be tough with exams every week. But going to clinicals and being able to see people and care for patients makes it all worth it. ” She feels God called her to nursing and gave her a passion for people. “I get to do something bigger than myself.

I get to care for people during their most vulnerable times. I learn from patients and get to hear their stories. Their families put their trust in me.”

After graduation in May, Ntakirutimana plans to spend some time in the medical mission field in South or Central America.

Afterwards, she’ll wait to see where God calls her next.

Ariana Cerino Cordova

Ariana Cerino Cordova came to the United States four years ago to live near her brothers, Beto and Eduardo, in Houston. She grew up in a small town near the Southern Gulf Coast of Mexico and, although anxious about such a big move, her brothers assured her she would be able to study and make a life for herself here.

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 9

Hope and Encouragement a nurse, to bring someone a little bit of happiness every day.”

Cerino Cordova met a special patient during an internship in a small county hospital in Georgia. She had been shadowing the obstetrics director when a call came for someone to translate for a patient in labor. The patient only spoke Spanish and was terrified. She was in a lot of pain and didn’t understand why she couldn’t receive any medication. “I explained to her the process and reassured her she would get pain medicine at the appropriate time. Her anxiety decreased and I realized how my other skills and talents could also be used in nursing.”

Cerino Cordova is looking for an obstetrics nurse residency program in Houston after graduation. She plans to keep helping others and discovering her call.

Christina Evans

Christina Evans was born and raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and spent most of her summers with her family in Jamaica. Evans always wanted to work in the medical field.

She set her sights on medical school and applied to Florida Hospital College (FHC) in Orlando.

When she shared her plans with Danny Cano, her high school teacher and mentor at Dallas Christian Academy, he asked her a series of questions that caused her to pause. She realized she didn’t have a clear motivator for being a doctor.

“You have a kind and compassionate heart,” he told her.

“Have you ever considered nursing?”

Her preconceived notions about nursing and their perceived position on the totem pole of the medical industry showed Evans that she didn’t have the full picture. Cano gave her a project she calls, “a nursing research goose chase” and set her off to discover how broad the scope of the nursing field is and the importance of this career. “He helped open my eyes to see everything you could do as a nurse career-wise. His wife was a nurse and they had both gone to SWAU and she had loved the program,” Evans says.

Evans wanted to go away for college. SWAU did not seem very appealing at just 40 minutes from home. She shared her consternation with her mom who proposed praying to God and asking for a sign. They put the names of every Seventh-day Adventist university in a bowl and decided whichever school got picked the most, that is where Evans would attend.

The first school that was drawn was FHC. The second school was SWAU. They kept going, only to find that the third, fourth and fifth draws were all SWAU. “So God obviously wants me at this school for a reason,” she thought. “I need to stop fighting this. I don’t know why, but He has a reason. I learned that you might not always get want you want, but in time God will give you the desires of your heart. I didn’t go to Florida when I was 18, but I did get to go when I was 21. I had a 12-week internship at Adventist Health Systems and got exposed to all areas of nursing working under the Chief Nursing Officer.”

During one of her clinicals, Evans was assigned to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at a hospital. She had never been interested in labor and delivery and was apprehensive about working with babies. She was assigned to a newborn

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who was crying and had a high heart rate. “They asked if I wanted to pick him up, but I was scared because he was so tiny. But I did and I just talked to him. He stopped crying and just looked at me. I kept talking to him and stayed with him all day. He was still when they inserted an IV and I got to feed, burp and put him to sleep. As I was leaving that day one of the NICU nurses told me he was going to miss me. ‘He cries all the time,’ she said. ‘His mom doesn’t come to visit him.’

I still think about that baby boy and pray for him regularly.

That is the field I want to go into now. Maybe God sent me that baby to nudge me into this career field.”

Evans was rebaptised last year and credits the school for having such an important impact in her life. “It might be hard at times, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Kerrie Kimbrow, D.NP., M.S., the nursing department chair, has been an amazing mentor through nursing school. She pushes and encourages the students, especially in difficult classes,” she says.

“College is what you make it. I’ve had opportunities here that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. This was the place for me.”

“If you feel a calling in your heart, you need to listen to it and hone in on it.” Evans shares. “God puts things on our hearts for a reason, we need to ask Him why it is on your heart and mind and pray about it. God has your life in His hands, so trust that He will lead you in the right direction.

By Kristina Pascual. Pascual is the Associate Communication Director of the Southwestern Union and managing editor of the Record.

Wholeness

TUSCAN KALE WHITE BEAN STEW Recipe and photos by Ashley Melillo of BlissfulBasil.com This vegan tuscan kale white bean stew is savory, satisfying and comforting. Requiring less than 10 ingredients, little more than 15 minutes of active kitchen preparation, and a fairly hands off simmer, this soup comes together in a pinch. It’s the perfect meal for those busy winter weeknights, and each serving is packed with protein (13 grams) and dietary fiber (14 grams)!

INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • • • • •

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 large white onion, halved and thinly sliced 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth Handful fresh thyme sprigs 4 rosemary sprigs 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste 3 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 1 bunch lacinato kale, washed, stemmed, and chopped Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat the olive oil in a large stockpot or dutch oven over medium-low heat.

2. Add the onion and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, or until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and continue to sauté for another 1 minute, or until softened.

3. Use your hands to gently crush the tomatoes into the pot (you'll want to use an apron for this step), adding any leftover tomato juice from the can as well. Stir in the vegetable broth.

4. Use kitchen twine to tie the thyme and rosemary together into one bundle. Add the herb bundle to the pot along the with sea salt.

5. Increase the heat to medium-high, and bring the soup to a boil. Then, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.

6. Use tongs to carefully retrieve and discard the herb bundle. Then, stir in the beans and kale, and continue to cook for 5 minutes, or until the kale begins to soften and wilt.

7. Turn off the heat, taste, and season with more sea salt and black pepper, to taste. I usually add another 1/2 teaspoon sea salt.

8. Serve or refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days.

Find more delicious vegan and vegetarian recipes at BlissfulBasil.com.

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 11

Little Readers

Losing Izzy

Loss and Abundant New Life

O

ne afternoon, and my wife and kids were gathered with me in the living room as we nervously waited for the vet to call. Finally, my wife’s cell phone rang and within seconds, we could tell from her expression that it was bad news. Izzy, our cat of 15 years, had been diagnosed with cancer and we were going to lose her soon. Izzy was a special cat and we had a special relationship with her so this was a very sad time for us.

Loss is hard. There’s no getting around that. Losing someone you love is one of the saddest things that can happen in this life. After a loss, you experience a process called grieving.

It can take some time, but this process helps your heart heal and eventually things can start to feel normal again.

In the winter, we often see dried bushes and trees that have lost their leaves. But every spring brings about new buds followed by flowers and fresh leaves.

Once again there is abundant life everywhere. In John 10:10, Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Death and loss were never part of God’s plan for our world. Until we meet Jesus face to face, we have to do our best in this world and

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work through those tough times. However, we can be hopeful because when this world is made new, God has promised there will be no more dying, crying or pain (Revelation 21:4).

Four months after we lost Izzy, we adopted two adorable and playful kittens from an animal shelter. They make every day an adventure: climbing curtains, sliding across the kitchen floor, pouncing on each other and chasing strands of yarn. Every object is a toy and every movement is a game. Our home has never been so full of life.

The kittens haven’t replaced Izzy. She was a unique cat and no other animal could take her place. She will be with us in our memories forever! When the calendar changes over from one year to the next, the year is over. You can’t replace 2018, but the memories stay with you. or every ending there is a new beginning and we have a chance to make 2019 a great year. Enjoy it by growing closer to God and cherishing your family and friends. Every year helps to shape who you are and what kind of person you will be in future years. Look out for those new blessings God is ready to fill your life with and live life abundantly in 2019!

By Reggie Johnson, Layout/Design

Southwestern Happenings

January Events: February Events: 5

Texas Conference: Children’s Ministries Worship Workshop, Joshua Seventh-day Adventist Church, TexasAdventist.org

20

Texas Conference: ACS Intro to Disaster Preparedness Adventist Community Services Depot, Keene, Tex. TexasAdventist.org

6-9

20

Arkansas-Louisiana Conference: Minister’s Meeting, Shreveport, La.

Texas Conference: Texas Church Planters Bootcamp, Grand Prairie Seventh-day Adventist Church TexasAdventist.org

11-13 Oklahoma Conference: Youth Leaders Retreat Wewoka Woods Adventist Center, Wewoka, Okla.

OkAdventist.org

18-19

23-26 SWAU: Southwestern Adventist University Hoops Classic Basketball Tournament swau.edu/events

Texas Conference: SEEDS Texas Church Planting Conference, Burton Adventist Academy, Arlington, Tex. TexasAdventist.org

25-27

18-19

26-27

Southwest Region Conference: Church Officers Training, Lone Star Camp, Athens, Tex. SBrooks@swrgc.org

Texas Conference: TLT Convention, Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Alvarado, Tex. TexasAdventist.org

Southwestern Union: Equipped for Ministry Training, New Orleans, La.

2

Arkansas-Louisiana Conference: Bible Study Bowls by area

3 Texas Conference: ACS Intro to Disaster Preparedness, Tyler Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church, TexasAdventist.org

17

Oklahoma Conference: Education Department Music Festival, Adventist Fellowship Tulsa, Okla., OkAdventist.org

23 Arkansas-Louisiana Conference: Conference Level Bible Bowl Shreveport, La.

7-10

24

SWAU: A Night at the Meyerson Music Festival Dallas, Tex. swau.edu/MusicFestival

Texas Conference: ACS Into to Disaster Preparedness Dallas Spanish Pleasant Grove Seventh-day Adventist Church, TexasAdventist.org

8-10 Arkansas-Louisiana Conference: Spanish Couples Retreat, Camp Yorktown Bay, Mountain Pine, Ark.

10 Texas Conference: ACS Intro to Disaster Preparedness, Houston Central Seventh-day Adventist Church TexasAdventist.org

24-25 SWAU: University Experience (College Days) swau.edu/Enroll

28-March 2 Texas Conference: 7th & 8th Grade Music Festival North Dallas Adventist Academy, Richardson, Tex. TexasAdventist.org For more events and information, visit SouthwesternAdventist.org.

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 13

Southwestern Union News

Asian-Pacific Ministries Union-wide Filipino Convocation a Success ATHENS, TEX. – The Southwestern Union’s annual Filipino Convocation on October 5-7, 2018, was an inspiration for more than 250 attendees. The Convocation was organized by the Southwestern Union Asian-Pacific Ministries Coordinator Rolando Baysa, D.Min. With the theme “Revived, Renewed and Ready For His Coming,” the importance of developing a closer relationship with Christ was a common thread among the speakers throughout the weekend.

Southwest Region Conference President Calvin L. Watkins emphasized the necessity of returning to the very basic instruction found in God’s word and the gift of the Spirit of Prophecy.

Southwestern Union Vice President Elton DeMoraes likened the Christian walk to a lifetime training to be like

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Him during his devotional. DeMoraes quoted the apostle Paul, “Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable,.” 1 Corinthians 9:25.

In another devotional message, Texico Conference Executive Secretary/Treasurer Phil Robertson emphasized the importance of daily prayer and Bible study, saying that when we sit quietly with the Lord it gives Him a great opportunity to speak to us and give us the wisdom we need to make the right choices.

The Southwest Region’s Vanston Archbold carried the theme in his telling the story of Gideon, who was outnumbered by a well-equipped army but was given victory without a fight because of faith and obedience.

In addition to many inspiring messages, attendees enjoyed a family seminar presented by Southwest Region Family Ministries Directors Willie and Wilma Lee. There was no shortage of inspirational music featuring musical groups from different churches as a part of the afternoon service “Filipinos Got Talent” for the Lord. Saturday night was devoted to marching and games, and Sunday for water sports on the camp’s lake.

For information on upcoming Asian-Pacific Ministries events, including a summit on Leadership in Church Growth presented by the Pacific Institute of Christian Ministry on February 8-10, 2019, contact Rolando Baysa at RBaysa@swrgc.org or visit: SouthwesternAdventist.org/multicultural.

By Laurence T. Gayao

Southwestern Union News

Called to Teach

Children’s Ministries Training and Retreat BURLESON, TEX. – It is a great privilege to minister to children! Parents, teachers and church leaders know this, and they know that with this privilege comes great responsibility. We know that children's ministries leaders are always looking for resources, ideas and the best methods to teach our children. With that in mind, the Southwestern Union invites children’s ministries leaders to attend a training and retreat on March 7-9, 2019, “Called to Teach” in Midlothian, Texas.

Each year a children’s ministries training retreat is presented by the North American Division (NAD) with other Union and Conference children’s ministries directors. These leaders learn about all of the wonderful resources available from the General Conference and NAD, such as: Sabbath School curriculum,

Vacation Bible School programing, evangelistic packages, age-appropriate Bible studies, devotional books, music, manuals on health and stewardship and more. There will also be seminars and certification for Track 2, Teaching Children, of the NAD’s Certification for Children’s Ministries.

Children’s ministries leaders will be inspired by the devotionals and the meditation on the Word of God. They will also enjoy fellowship at a party in their honor! On Saturday evening, we will have a celebration with food, games and prizes! We want to let our leaders know how much we value their dedication.

On Sunday, March 9, each of our attendees will have the opportunity to become a child again for our Vacation Bible School training. They will learn all about

the new VBS program, stage decorations, songs and music, Bible stories content, craft ideas, games and snack testing. It is our privilege to share these resources with our local church children’s ministries leaders—they play such a vital role in our churches! They are the ones who put in practice all the ideas and materials; they are the ones touching little hearts and sharing God's love and plans for each child.

For more information and to register, visit SouthwesternAdventist.org/Children.

By Sonia Canó Children’s Ministries Director

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 15

Southwestern Union News

EPIC Men’s Convention Registration Now Open for May 2019 Event BURLESON, TEX. – On May 31-June 2, 2019, a powerful spiritual convention designed for men is taking place at Lakeview Camp in Waxahachie, Texas.

Join special guests Ken Bevel, actor from the Christian film Courageous; Claudio Consuegra, D.Min., North American Division family ministries director; Elton DeMoraes, D.Min., Southwestern Union vice president and men's ministries director; John Nixon, Sr., D.Min., South Central Conference executive secretary; Bill Kilgore, D.Min.; Minner Labrador, D.Min., Upper Columbia

Conference president; and more for an EPIC weekend of spiritual renewal for men. Presentations will be presented in both English and Spanish.

Elton DeMoraes promises the event will, indeed, be epic. “I would like to invite every man in the Southwestern Union territory to join us for powerful weekend where we will have impactful worship, engaging fellowship and dynamic speaking. Through inspiring speakers and various breakouts to choose from, you can expect not only to be fulfilled but also equipped.”

In addition to spiritual fellowship, men will have the opportunity to enjoy time together with in the natural setting of the camp. A 5K race, softball tournament, basketball tournament, indoor pool, Saturday-night concert, sanctuary experience and more will be taking place during the convention.

For more information and to register, visit SouthwesternAdventist.org/Men.

Ministries Training Event Southwestern Union Training in New Orleans NEW ORLEANS – On January 25-27, the Southwestern Union ministries directors and officers will join together with the Southwest Region and Arkansas-Louisiana Conferences to present a ministries and leadership training in New Orleans, Louisiana. This ministries training is for everyone—pastors, elders, ministries leaders, and members—who desire to learn more about their specific ministries and about leadership.

The weekend will begin with a Friday night session on leadership presented by Southwestern Union President Larry

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Moore at the New Orleans First Church at 7:00 p.m. On Sabbath, guest speakers will be present at 10 area churches and will enjoy fellowship with members before returning to the New Orleans First Church for training sessions from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Ministries and departments that will be covered during the training will include Children’s Ministries; Community Services; Elders, Deacons, Deaconesses; Family Ministries; Prayer Ministries; Preaching; Sabbath School; Stewardship; Treasury; Women’s Ministries;

Youth and Young Adult Ministries. Seminars will also be available in Spanish and French.

Children’s Ministries leaders won’t want to miss the Sunday, January 27 Vacation Bible School training presented by Southwestern Union Children’s Ministries Director Sonia Canó from 9:00 a.m. – noon. Registration is required but free for the VBS training. For more information, contact Prithy David at 817.295.0476 or pdavid@swuc.org, or visit SouthwesternAdventist.org.

Southwestern Union News

More Compassion

Youth and Young Adults Reaching Oklahoma City OKLAHOMA CITY – Time is nearing for the Southwestern Union’s 2019 More Compassion mission outreach. Our More Compassion outreach has become an annual ministry opportunity where youth, young adults and adults come together to do mission projects within the territory of the Southwestern Union.

In 2018, we went to Houston, Texas, to help with the repairs after the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. The previous year, 2017, we were in New Orleans, Louisiana, helping to restore the city from a tornado that had just touched down, as well as adopting grandparents at local nursing homes, providing haircuts for the homeless, sharing goody bags in the city and holding spiritual revivals at local churches in the evening.

We are excited for the opportunity to serve with “Living with More Compassion” in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, from Wednesday, March 6 through Saturday, March 9. Our goal is to be the heart, hands and feet of Jesus for the people of Oklahoma City and surrounding areas. A variety of different projects to help the homeless and those in need are being planned for Thursday and Friday, followed by worship experiences for Friday evening and Saturday.

A More Compassion parade/rally to include Pathfinders and Master Guides in Class A uniforms and all who want to participate from Oklahoma City and surrounding areas will be held on Saturday afternoon. Following sunset, participants will be able to fellowship

and play sports and games together at the local YMCA. More Compassion is for high school students, young adults and adults.

Registration will be required for all volunteers and chaperones so that lodging and meals can be provided. Even if you are from a church within the Oklahoma City area, please register so we can provide lunch on Saturday, T-shirts and other supplies. For more information, contact Prithy David at 817.295.0476 or pdavid@swuc.org. Register at SouthwesternAdventist.org/Youth.

Adventist Communicators Albuquerque Hosts 30th Annual Convention ALBUQUERQUE – The Southwestern Union and Texico Conference communication departments will partner with the North American Division communication department’s Society of Adventist Communicators to host the 30th annual communication convention in Albuquerque on October 17-19, 2019 at the Hotel Albuquerque.

Join fellow Adventist communicators for three full days of engaging keynotes, workshops, performances, media tours and networking sessions specifically targeted for professional communicators, church communicators, volunteers and students. Attendees will hear from experts in the fields of corporate communication, public relations, graphic

design, photography, video production and journalism. Beyond training and workshops, the convention also provides an opportunity to fellowship together with those in similar ministries during the Friday evening and Sabbath worship sessions.

For more information and to register, visit AdventistCommunicator.org.

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 17

Southwestern Adventist University News

Professors Win EMMY® Award for Animated Film “Truth” KEENE, TEX. – Southwestern Adventist University’s department of communication won an EMMY® award—the highest honor in the television industry—at a televised awards ceremony in Houston, Texas on Nov. 10. Professors Kyle Portbury, Michael Agee and Glen Robinson each received an EMMY® for their work on “Truth” in the category of Historic/Cultural—Program Feature/ Segment. In addition, writer/director Kyle Portbury received an EMMY® nomination for outstanding achievement in directing. The EMMY® Awards ceremony was conducted by the Lone Star Regional Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Produced by Southwestern’s Institute of Christian Film, “Truth” tells the story of women’s rights activist and abolitionist Sojourner Truth and the speech she delivered at the Women’s Convention in Akron, Ohio in 1851. “Truth” is a graphic novel style animation featuring the voices of a number of current communication students and staff members, along with professional actors. It is the first episode in the Institute of Christian Film

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series, True Heroes, with episode two, “Resistance,” currently in production.

The EMMY® award is the most recent and widely recognized of the many awards that the three professors have received during the course their professional careers.

Glen Robinson, Ph.D., is known primarily as a writer, with more than 200 published articles and stories as well as 22 published books. His awards over the years include two Angel awards for writing and editing; two honorable mentions from the Society of Adventist Communicators for writing and web design; an American Fiction Awards finalist in 2018; and an official selection

by New Apple book awards in 2018.

Michael Agee, department chair and general manager of the university’s TV station, KGSW, also has a long history as a successful radio station manager.

He is a three-time Dove Award winner for Station of the Year from the Gospel Music Association; received a Station of the Year award from Radio and Records; was a finalist for a Marconi Award; and received a Crystal Commu-

nity Service Award from the National Association of Broadcasters.

In his wide-ranging film career, Kyle Portbury has won multiple awards, including best documentary at The Mountain Film Festival in California for his film “The Mountain Within,” 15 international awards including the prestigious CINE Golden Eagle for his television series “Beyond the Search,” and a nomination for best direction in online drama at the 2017 Australian Directors Guild Awards for the six-part mini-series version of “Tell the World.”

“We are humbled to receive an EMMY® award for “Truth,’” says Portbury. “Sojourner’s courage to speak up against injustice 167 years ago still resonates today. It’s sacrifices by people like Sojourner Truth that encourage us today to keep trying to do what is right, regardless of the consequences.”

By Glen Robinson From left: Glen Robinson, Kyle Portbury, and Michael Agee.

Southwestern Adventist University News

Nursing Receives New Grant Ardmore Institute of Health Supports Community KEENE, TEX. – Southwestern Adventist University’s nursing department is thrilled to announce the approval of a grant from the Ardmore Institute of Health. The grant will give the department an opportunity to develop a whole-person wellness certificate program for student nurses and nurses currently in practice. With this initial $80,000 grant, the nursing department will start the work of identifying core content that will guide the creation of the certification curriculum.

The grant will enable nursing students

and practicing nurses to receive further training and certification in areas pertaining to physical, mental, social and spiritual health.

The curriculum will incorporate the work accomplished by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and include concepts identified in CREATION Health principles, such as Choice, Rest, Environment, and Outlook. The intent is that this content can be incorporated into nursing curricula or used by a healthcare organization or individual nurse for professional development and

practice enhancement. The project is unique in that it will place a nursing practice perspective on lifestyle management and spiritual care concerns in promoting optimum health for patients.

“We are delighted to receive this funding as it provides a prime opportunity to collaborate with organizations that are invested in excellence in nursing practice with an emphasis on addressing whole person well-being,” says Dr. Terri Gibson, Wellness Counts director and nursing professor at Southwestern.

By Darcy Force

A Night at the Meyerson

Concert Celebrates SWAU’s 125th Anniversary KEENE, TEX. – Southwestern Adventist University will celebrate its 125th academic year with the world premiere of American composer Craig Courtney’s newest work at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center on February 10 in Dallas. Commissioned for the Southwestern Music Festival, Courtney will be in attendance and work with the musicians in preparation for the annual A Night at the Meyerson performance.

The Southwestern Music Festival is dedicated to providing an elite music education experience to aspiring musicians

in a professional setting. Each festival begins with the Showcase Concert featuring auditioned high school scholarship recipients. Over the next three days these students are joined by all the festival student participants as well as Southwestern University students for other performance opportunities, culminating with the A Night at the Meyerson performance.

The Southwestern Music Festival is also a fundraiser, granting music scholarships and opportunities to talented students.

Tickets are available at music.swau.edu.

By Darcy Force

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 19

Arkansas-Louisiana Conference News

Preparing Our Hearts Biblical Principles for the New Year

T

he holiday advertising was overwhelming. I was inundated with commercials on TV and in my email inbox. One brand competing for my attention over the next. Unfortunately, church can seem like that too sometimes. I heard a presentation recently that claimed that if we would water our doctrine down a bit, or just tweak our beliefs here or there a little, people might flock to the Adventist church. But, Jesus is not a brand! He is not a selling point to pitch to a glazed over audience.

Frankly, I simply want to hear His Word. I want to be empowered by His Spirit and transmit the gospel message simply and clearly to a dying world: Jesus is coming again soon!

Our marching orders are pretty simple. Jesus said, Go, make disciples, baptize them and teach them what I have commanded you. That is the simple version of Matthew 28:19, 20. He said at His ascension that we would receive power from the Holy Spirit and then we were to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world (Acts 1).

The model for that success also comes from the early church recorded in Acts 2. Notice what Luke says in Acts 2:42: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

The formula is very simple: 1. Study the Bible. Study for yourself. Study with your family. Study in your small groups. Study with your neighbors, co-workers and friends. Open the Word and share it. Preach it!

2. Fellowship often. Get together as much as you can, wherever you can. Don’t be a gated community; instead be warm, winsome and genuine. Light lights! Show genuine care and concern for one another. 3. Worship. Luke says, “breaking of bread.”

It is not just communion, but a spirit of worship that uplifts and glorifies God. It is worship that moves into the presence of God, lost in wonder of all about Him. 4.

Prayer. Paul says to “pray without ceasing,” or in Philippians 4:6, to worry about nothing, pray about everything.

I believe if we follow this formula, our church will be biblical, authentic, gracious and relevant, and the results will be like what is recorded in Acts 2:47: “praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Let’s be different from the world in 2019, so different that men and women will be drawn like a magnet to Jesus!

By Richard C. Dye, Sr., President

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Arkansas-Louisiana Conference News

Joyful Student Dedication Shreveport First’s Culinary Youngsters SHREVEPORT, LA. – The sounds of youthful conversation and laughter echoed down the hall of the Shreveport First Seventh-day Adventist Church. The kitchen was full of young people who were busily working away as they talked and giggled. There were large mixing bowls on the counter and the young people were kneading mounds of dough with their hands. Flour seemed to be everywhere: on the counter, on the floor, and on the kids. They were preparing for a homemade Chicago-style, deep-dish pizza party that evening.

These young people are part of the Jesus First youth group from the Shreveport First church and they were hosting an End of Summer Student Dedication party. Other school-aged kids from the surrounding area were invited to an

evening of pizza, fun, games, singing and worship to mark the end of summer vacation and the beginning of a new school year.

Letting the pizza dough rise, the kids were back in the kitchen placing the dough in a dozen large pans. When the rest of the kids arrived, the pizzas were ready to be made. The youth were paired up and each pair was responsible for building their pizza. When all the finished pizzas were ready to be placed in the ovens, it was time for worship, fun and games.

Tony Cash led out in lively, uplifting songs with the kids eagerly singing along.

Cynda Grant’s worship and activities kept the young people interested and engaged. When the pizzas had finished baking, it was time to eat. It didn’t take

long for all the pizzas to be devoured.

After everyone had a full stomach, the evening concluded with David Grant teaching object lessons about school, friendships and sticking together. The adults then gathered around the students and prayers were offered for the success of the new school year.

By Richie Lawry

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 21

Arkansas-Louisiana Conference News

Outreach Health Fair

Conway Church Serves and Educates Community CONWAY, ARK. – On Sept. 8, 2018, the Conway Seventh-day Adventist Church participated in a free community outreach health fair. People from the community were invited to learn more about their current state of health and how to improve it.

Eight different stations, each representing one of the natural remedies, were hosted by one or more church member. Physiologic assessments were performed at a number of stations and each participant was counseled regarding his or her findings compared with

those for a healthy individual. These assessments included blood pressure checks, peak airflow, heart rate recovery following exercise, nutrition and height/ weight ratio.

Other stations included a five-minute massage for stress reduction; one compared participants’ actual age with their overall health-age to look at lifestyles and temperance; and another station focused on the importance of water as a healing agent. Along with the information on drinking more water, participants were given some basic hydrother-

Gratitude

A Wonderful Thanksgiving BATESVILLE, ARK. – We love to see young people, the church family and the community come together to help those in need. On Nov. 10 and 11, 2018, the Batesville Seventh-day Adventist Church held its annual non-perishable food drive. The Pathfinders, along with several church members, went into the community of Batesville and collected canned food items so Thanksgiving boxes could be prepared.

On November 18, the food was carefully packed in boxes and distributed to 33 families from the community. The

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boxes contained not only lots of food but also literature and DVDs, along with a personal invitation to a Christmas dinner hosted by the church on Christmas Day. It has been a blessing to be part of a church whose members so unselfishly gives of their time to help others; to be Jesus’ hands and feet.

By Francis Taylor

apy techniques and a demonstration of how to make a charcoal poultice.

At the final station, participants could meet with one of two physicians to review and discuss their specific physical and or spiritual needs. Together they discussed how each person could improve his or her overall health. Fair participants and church members enjoyed a vegetarian meal together at the fair’s conclusion which gave additional time for questions, discussion and fellowship.

By Teresa Regester Photos by Rusty Litten

Arkansas-Louisiana Conference News

Prepared to Help

ACS Disaster Training Class for Area Coordinators SHREVEPORT, LA. – Approximately 20 novice Area Coordinators for Adventist Community Services – Disaster Response (ACS DR) met in Shreveport, La. for a first-time Area Coordinator Disaster Response training.

Lavida Whitson, ACS DR director for the Arkansas-Louisiana Conference paired up with Marshall and Julie Gonzales, ACS DR directors for the Texas Conference and the Southwestern Union for an intense weekend of disaster scenarios and classes. Training was geared for the local church level, teaching things that their churches might be able to do in a local disaster.

Starting with learning to meet the unexpected, the group found that they would be housed in the Arkansas-Louisiana Conference office building in

Shreveport. With individuals and couples finding places to set up their cots or bed-rolls, the building began to look like a disaster staging unit.

Whitson found a cook for the group and the fun began. Worships and program scenarios kept everyone engaged and learning. Throughout the day, Whitson or Beverly Wynot injected new problems for the group to solve. Classes included “How to do a Collection Site,” “How to set up a Sort Team,” “How to Handle a Distribution Site,” and “How to Deal with Difficult Volunteers.” It was a fun weekend, and we all learned from it.

Are you interested in learning what to do if a disaster hit your town or church? Would you like to learn how to be prepared to care for and serve in

a moment of dire need? If so, please contact your local conference Adventist Community Services Disaster Response Coordinator and schedule a training class for your church. Imagine the impact we could have if our churches, scattered throughout our territory, were hubs of hope and care during a crisis or natural disaster.

By Sylvia Downs ACS Administrative Assistant

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 23

Arkansas-Louisiana Conference News

Joining the Family

New Members Baptized in Clinton CLINTON, ARK. – Our Father in heaven watches over every humble seeker after truth. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to make hearts soft and ready to receive the seeds of truth from His Word.

Sometimes we see growth results right away and sometimes it takes time.

In April 2018, Ryan Day, “Amazing Facts” evangelist, held an “Amazing Revelations in Prophecy” seminar at the Clinton Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Some of the guests said, “I never have understood the Bible like this before. It all makes so much sense.”

Following the series, Ron Woolsey, pastor of the Clinton Seventh-day Adventist Church, continued with Bible studies. On Sabbath, August 18, 2018, the church members shared in the joy of the Lord as we witnessed three individuals emerge from the watery grave and rise to walk in newness of life. Another candidate was accepted into membership on profession of faith as well. We praise the Lord for our new members and the work they will do for the Lord.

By Jeannine Watson

Friendship and Faith Little Examples of Big Hearts SLIDELL, LA. – Ever wonder what friendship is really about? Three of our youngest members regularly remind us. The three young men are really good friends who participate and are well behaved in church. Each one of these boys is very smart. Alex, Andre and Joshua are true friends! Thank you, boys, for your example of Jesus’ love for the Slidell Seventh-day Adventist Church.

By Cecil Harlin Alex Jean Pierre, Andre Atkinson and Joshua Estrada worship together.

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Left: The newest members of the Clinton Seventh-day Adventist Church with their baptismal certificates. From left: Jim Lindsey, Veeta Brown, Ron Woolsey (pastor), Kerrie White, and Diana Rivers.

Right: Ron Woolsey welcoming Jim Lindsey into the Clinton church family through baptism.

Oklahoma Conference News

The Power of One

Limitless Usefulness with the Holy Spirit

I

n The Desire of Ages, Ellen G. White wrote a passage that has challenged and encouraged me for years and always causes me to pause and reflect: “There is no limit to the usefulness of one who, by putting aside self, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart, and lives a life wholly consecrated to God.” It tells of the power of one person to make a difference in their family, church, neighborhood and community. I especially like the phrase, “no limit.” In other words, God can do some amazing things through each and everyone of us. We often look to talented, gifted people and church leaders to do great things and “limit” ourselves in what God can do in our lives to make a difference.

The key in that quote is “the working of the Holy Spirit.” Zechariah 4:6 highlights this principle: “‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” God reminds us that the difference maker is the power of the Holy Spirit, and there is not limit to what He can do.

There is a famous essay titled “One Solitary Life” written years ago about the influence Jesus had on world history. It mentions that He was born in an obscure village, in a peasant family. He never held an office, didn’t go to a great institution of higher learning. Then the author writes, “all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever were built, all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life.”

We know the reason that Jesus was able to do what He did was by and through the power of the Holy Spirit. He himself said, “I do nothing of myself.” He was baptized, led by and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Each one of us can also experience the same power and leading of the Holy Spirit.

Two other phrases from the Desire of Ages tell us our part in fulfilling the promise, “putting aside self, and living a life wholly consecrated to God.” He is ready and willing to impart to us His greatest gift, the Holy Spirit. He is waiting for us to be as willing as Jesus to surrender ourselves fully to Him. Then we will be able to realize the promise “there is no limit” to our usefulness. This is the power of one person, you or me, to make a difference for God in this new year. This is my prayer for all of us for 2019. How about you?

By James Shires, President

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 25

Oklahoma Conference News

Parkview Adventist Academy Students Volunteer in the Vision Clinic OKLAHOMA CITY – Five in the morning in Burleson, Tex., is dark, silent and peaceful, but not at the Jellystone cabins from Sept. 18-21! Fourteen Parkview Adventist Academy students in grades 7-12 were waking up, showering, looking for food and preparing for a long but eventful day at the Will Rogers Arena in Fort Worth, Tex., for the Your Best Pathway to Health mega clinic. Not knowing what to expect, the group began their day and finished it serving hundreds of people in the vision clinic. Sophomore Jeramy Perez shares his experience:

“Today we were able to get the last bit of people in vision. We served around 1,100 people. Thank God for that! Getting to translate for them was such a blessing for them and me. Without all the translators, all the Spanish-speaking people wouldn’t be able to do it. Not only was I able to help them through the process, I had a chance to get to know them better. This was one of my greatest experiences in my life and I’m so glad I got to be there to be a servant to other people.”

By Lynnette Bryant Photos by Annette Park

Connecting Community One Race at a Time CHICKASHA, OKLA. – Under the leadership and vision of Jay Hagarty, the Chickasha Seventh-day Adventist Church decided to reach out to local families an unprecedented way. The church agreed to sponsor and host its first community Pinewood Derby. The event was advertised through personal invitations and the local town bulletins.

On Sunday, Nov. 18, over 20 participants and their families from the community gathered to race their custom-made pinewood derby cars at the local YMCA. Johnny Flores of Moore,

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Okla., contributed both his equipment and experience to make this community event a reality.

Many church members came together to set up and execute the races. Children and adults alike had the opportunity to connect and enjoy the afternoon with newly made friends as they watched each race with excitement. Ribbons and trophies were awarded for the top winners.

Ronnie Self, the church elder responsible for releasing the cars to launch each race, hopes that this event will lead

to an opportunity to connect with these community families in a more personal way in the near future through upcoming church programs.

By Daniel Ortega Communication Director

Oklahoma Conference News

Adventist Pioneers Remembering Our Roots OKLAHOMA CITY – In remembrance of those who paved the way for our Church, the youth of Midwest City Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church in Oklahoma City dedicated the month of October to our Adventist pioneers. During the month, the youth presented various monologues, activities and a movie which brought the stories of our Adventist pioneers to life. The month concluded with a special program and a decorated church into scenes that resembled the times in which our pioneers lived.

By Eduardo Montes

Volunteers Assemble Church Receives Roof Repair SEMINOLE, OKLA. – Timothy Graves, head elder, was delighted to see how many volunteers came to help the Seminole Seventh-day Adventist Church repair its church roof on Nov. 4 and 5, 2018. The building had been collecting water on its flat roof and draining inside the sanctuary for a long time. Attempts were made to patch the hole, but the next rainstorm undid all efforts, so the church members were getting desperate.

Sunday, Nov. 4 began as a cool and sunny morning as the men gathered early to begin their challenging task.

Members from six different churches joined the volunteer efforts in addition to Oklahoma Conference staff, which totaled 14 able-bodied workers. Praise God that during their work together, there were no injuries!

Thanks to God’s blessings and good planning, the roofing material had been delivered early and the dumpster was in place to collect the old roof. Sam Hutchinson and his wife, Laura, brought food from Wewoka Woods Adventist Center to keep the workmen fed and energized. A special word of thanks

to the roofing experts from the South Oklahoma City Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church who contributed their tools, skills, knowledge and manpower to make this endeavor a success. We are grateful and humbled by the efforts of sister churches and fellow members who came together to ensure we had a safe place to worship.

By Susan Castillo

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 27

Oklahoma Conference News

Answers to Prayer Donations Save School KETCHUM, OKLA. – Two years ago, our school almost closed down because of the cost to keep it open, but the Opportunity Scholarship Fund saved Ketchum Adventist Academy (KAA).

The Opportunity Scholarship Fund is a Scholarship Granting Organization that provides scholarships to Oklahoma K-12 students attending accredited private schools in our state. The scholarship funds are voluntarily provided to individual schools by private individuals and corporate donors. These donors receive state tax credits based upon their

level of commitment to the school for their gifts. There were four people who chose to donate to this special program so that they would know exactly where their dollars went. It seemed too good to be true when we heard that there was an answer to prayer for donations through this program. We kept wondering what the catch was but there wasn't one.

The photo below shows the check that our school used to aide students with their tuition this school year. The check was presented to us by our State Representative Josh West, Senator Micheal

Bergstrom and Rob Sellers of Opportunity Scholarship. I'm happy to know that we have a chance to not only help students this year, but get help for our students in the future with new donors to Opportunity Scholarship on behalf of KAA.

By Dame Toews

Young Adults Meet in Tulsa Connecting with Conference Officers TULSA – On Nov. 17, nearly 40 youth and young adults met at the First Tulsa Seventh-day Adventist Church to dialogue with the Oklahoma Conference officers in a Q&A forum titled, “Can You Hear Me Now?”. The group was diverse in both age and ethnicity, and some came from as far as two hours away.

After a time of spiritual reflection, prayer and fellowship, the young adults were given the opportunity to ask any questions to our conference administration team, which included President James Shires, Executive Secretary

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Apple Park and Treasurer Roger Driver.

Youth and Young Adult Director Daniel Ortega moderated as the young people asked questions ranging in all kinds of topics. They learned more about church structure and organization through this forum while getting acquainted with the conference leadership. The evening concluded with a wonderful meal and everyone got better acquainted on a more personal level.

By Daniel Ortega Youth and Young Adult Director Photos by Yesenia Ortega

Oklahoma Conference News

Keeping Kids Healthy Hundreds Participate in Fitness Program BRISTOW, OKLA. – Every year the Oklahoma Conference supports the Presidential Youth Program because physical activity is critical to our children’s health and well-being. Research shows that children with better health are in school more days, are better able to learn, have higher self-esteem and are at lower risk for developing chronic diseases. By promoting this program we hope to encourage healthier lifestyles and regular physical activity for our youth.

Although the 2018 Presidential Fitness event started out as a gray and rainy

day, we pushed through and completed the testing just in time for the sun to come out and enjoy lunch and fellowship. There were 229 Adventurers, 257 Pathfinders, and with staff and guests there were approximately 560 in all. It was refreshing to hear some of the kids exclaiming that they had tested better this year compared to last year. After all the testing was complete, Oklahoma Conference Youth and Young Adult Director Daniel Ortega challenged all the pastors and directors to a half-mile race. We had a great turnout and many

braved the track as they accepted the challenge. A fastest female trophy and the fastest male trophy was awarded to the winners along with a special set of Oshkosh pins for the runners up.

God’s Army Pathfinder Club made a delicious lunch with haystacks, lemonade and cookies for those who stayed and braved a little more rain. We are happy to announce that 81 participants earned the Healthy Fitness Zone Award.

By Carol Chadwick Youth Department Administrative Assistant

Graduating Lay Ministers Members Celebrate Course Completion TULSA – The Tulsa laity thank God for the culmination of the course, "Lay Preacher." The course is part of the Adventist Laity Seminary Program from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich. Ricardo Norton is the program director.

The program was held in Oklahoma from March 10 to Sept. 2, 2018 with support and collaboration from the conference administration and local church pastors. The six-month program trained and educated the members on leading and serving in a

ministerial capacity. At the end of the program, professors and students alike celebrated with a formal graduation ceremony at the Garnett Seventh-day Adventist Spanish Company.

A total of 33 graduates, both men and women, ranging from young to old graduated from the program. Members are excited about the opportunity to put their training into practice for the kingdom of God.

By Max Elvira Orellana

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Southwest Region Conference News

One Year Closer

Preparing for the Savior’s Return

I

t’s hard to believe that we made it! Three hundred sixty-five days have gone by: the elections are over, countless friends and relatives have been lost to death, jobs have been lost, relationships have been severed, health issues have come to the front and we have watched prophecy being fulfilled every night on the television. We’ve seen how sin has been normalized and Christianity has become politicized and our country, instead of being a nation that claims to be under God, appears to have become a nation ruled by political ideologies. All of this in one year, but through it all we have survived.

The time of trouble that most of us grew up hearing about and that the old Adventist preacher would preach about has taken on a new shape and a new approach. But those who are God’s true remnant are able to see through the distorted messages that we are hearing from the political pundits and even from the distracted pulpits in this country and abroad. We see clearly that the prophetic clock has already sounded the alarm. Our challenge in the Southwestern Union and in our conferences, including my conference, is to make sure that we are not distracted by the confusing sounds that are coming from every direction within and without the Church. The time has come for us to refocus and recalibrate, and to restart the true mission and purpose of the Church. Our division, our union, and our conferences have become the new mission field of the world. The call has come. It is time for us to do what God has called all of His people to do—to stand on the wall and to warn men and women of every race, creed and color that the judgment is set, the books are open, there is forgiveness and the blood of Jesus is available for all who will come to the foot of the Cross and cry out, “Have mercy on me!”

I challenge you not to grow weary of what you hear and what you see, but instead, focus on these three things: the Second Coming of Christ; the confession and repentance of your personal sins; and the spreading of the Third Angel’s Message to as many that you come in contact with at your job, in your neighborhood, including your family members.

We cannot change the direction the world is going in—it will only get worse—but we can change our direction with God’s help. It is time to break the hold that money, worldly and church politics, friends, materialism and selfishness has on us, and go back and focus on the purpose and mission of God’s Church.

We are one year closer to the end of time but thank God we are one year closer to His return. All eyes focus on the prize which is Jesus Christ.

By Calvin L. Watkins, Sr., President

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Southwest Region Conference News

Power of Praying God’s Word Bethel’s Fall Week of Prayer TEXARKANA, TEX. – Bethel Seventh-day Adventist Church School had an exciting week celebrating during our Fall Week of Prayer. This year Bethel Adventist Church School has a lot of reasons to Praise the Lord!

Our week of prayer theme for the 2018-2019 school year was “Power of Praying God's Word” (Prayers vs. Promises). We had three dynamic speakers: Wilmore Green spoke on Monday and Wednesday; Daniel Supler from our sister church spoke on Tuesday and Thursday; and our very own Kenneth

Edwards closed our Week of Prayer.

Each day these dynamic speakers spoke to the students about the importance of prayer, the promises and how much each of us need to continually pray for the Holy Spirit to come into our hearts.

The students experienced the prayers of Daniel in the lion's den, the three Hebrew boys and the feeding of the 5,000.

After the message each day, the students gathered in prayer groups of three or four and petitioned the Lord to dwell in their hearts and to bless their family members. Each child received

“Prayers and Promises for Praying the Word” cards to remember the prayers and promises. During the parent-teacher conferences the following week, parents received “Prayers and Promises for Your Children” cards.

The most precious moment was witnessing two kindergarten students praying for the power of the Holy Spirit; it was breathtaking. I thank the Lord for this wonderful experience!

By Sandra Clemons

Game On!

Go Jesus, Go Jesus, Go! ALEXANDRIA, LA. – The Vacation Bible School held at the Maranatha Seventh-day Adventist Church in Alexandria, La. had a record high attendance of 132 children. We had a stellar, monumental, extravagant time celebrating Jesus!

The theme was centered around sports. “Go Jesus, go Jesus, go!” was the echo from the front of the sanctuary to the back! Class themes of teamwork, play making and scoring were the climax of each class, as the children waited for “Fun Day.” The fun in learning

about Jesus and His love for us, in the midst of a “red zone” situation, did not stop 132 children with a determination towards making it into the Kingdom of God—“Fun Day.” God was the Owner, Jesus was the Head Coach, the leaders were assistants and the children were the players, for a most enjoyable VBS!

By Christopher Manuel

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 31

Southwest Region Conference News

Mortgage Burning

Celebration at Faith Seventh-day Adventist Church BATON ROUGE, LA. – In 1983 James L. Black arrived at Berean as an “Infiltration Pastor.” The goal was to establish another church in the northern part of the parish. Twenty-one Berean members came forward to join the new church, and the team began its work.

The early years were trying ones as the fledgling group gathered in various places for worship. On Oct. 20, 1984 with 32 members, the new church, Faith Seventh-day Adventist Church, was organized. The first place of worship was a Baptist church.

Following a Revelation seminar and a tent meeting, the membership doubled and grew. Black’s first baptismal candidate was a woman he saw sitting on her porch shelling beans. The 76 year-old began attending church and several months later, was baptized, remaining faithful until her death.

In June of 1986, the Conference voted to send Black to the Theological Seminary at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich. Membership was well over 100 with nearly $50,000 in the building fund. “I left confident that God would continue blessing and one day provide a permanent place of worship,” Black recalled. The “one day” came and the church purchased a three-acre piece of land that included a 1941 army barracks which would serve as the church building.

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In 1991 under the leadership of Archie Byrd, the Faith church held the groundbreaking for its 7330 Mickens Road home. Between 1984 and 2017, pastors were Archie Byrd, Michael Horton, Alfred Booker, Wilmore Green, Helvis Moody, Raynell Smith and Michael Bailey.

It is now 2018 and eight of the charter members are awaiting the resurrection. Joseph Footman is in his second year as pastor and the Faith church is ready to claim God’s house as its own.

The appropriate theme “Triumphs over Trials” dominated the June 23–30 week which featured Black, Moody, Bailey and Smith, and culminated with a message from Conference President Calvin Watkins.

The week began with Black, considered the “father” of the Faith church.

Moody followed with the distinction of being only 24 years old at the time of his assignment. Bailey’s one-year tenure from 2016 to 2017 was next. Smith, whose 2004-2014 serve was the longest of all, brought the nightly celebration to a close.

“Today is all about building up the Kingdom of God,” said Watkins of the ceremony attributed to the ministries of Smith and Bailey. Charter members were honored with corsages and boutonnieres followed by the Mortgage Burning litany: with Willie Lee holding

the container and Footman with the lighter, the grand finale began.

The once-treasured paper went up in flames to the applause of the audience.

Seconds later, nothing remained except ashes that escaped and floated about. It was a fitting end for a church once held hostage by debt. After applauding Footman for his role in Faith’s celebration, Watkins’ “Rotten Scoundrel” message featured the tragedy of God’s appointed high priest Eli and how his failure to discipline his sons not only led to their tragic end, but to his as well. “God can put one up and take him down. Are sons of Eli running our churches? Then we’ve got to kick out the spirit of Eli’s sons.

I am grateful that our God loves His church regardless of its imperfections.”

Left: Deacon Willie Lee, Deaconess Geraldine Bell, and Pastor Joseph Footman perform the mortgage burning.

Right: The pastors in the front row, Joseph Footman and Helvis Moody along with Samuel Holmes, kneel while members present during Moody's pastorate at Faith Seventh-day Adventist Church stand around them.

Southwest Region Conference News

Unity in Diversity

Forest Hill Celebrates International Day FOREST HILL, TEX. – The Forest Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church is located just south of Interstate 20 in a small suburb southwest of Fort Worth. In the fall of 2018, our church proudly hosted International Day with the theme “Diversity In Unity.” Churches from across North Texas joined us in a show of togetherness and diversity.

Members and guests attended the event dressed up in the colorful traditional garb of their native countries of origin. The keynote speaker for the day was Carl Ming, pastor of the Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church in San Antonio. After the message, different praise teams from across the Dallas and Fort Worth areas praised God through the gift of song.

Creative members had taken the

time to decorate the fellowship hall, which was peppered with flags representing the world over. We broke bread together and shared in our cultural heritage together.

Members and guests enjoyed delicious and unique dishes that had been lovingly prepared by individuals from a variety of different regions including Panama, Belize, Jamaica, Trinidad, Nigeria, Ghana and France, among others. What a high day in the Lord it was!

By Calvin Watkins, Jr., President Photos by Marah Irving

Top right: A diverse group including Kash Popkin, Venus Douglas, Nilsa Griffith and Chuck Smith welcomed attendees in their different languages.

Bottom left: Grif Griffith, III, led the praise team.

Bottom right: Calvin Watkins, Jr., pastor of the Forest Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church, greeted the audience.

Top left: Shree Pascascio praises the Lord during International Day at Forest Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church.

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 33

Southwest Region Conference News

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Texas Conference News

The Year of Reclamation

Extend a Call to Those Who Are Still Our Siblings in Christ

F

or the past 15 to 20 years, the Texas Conference has committed itself to the task of evangelism, outreach and harvest. God has blessed us abundantly, yet there seems to be a missing element, namely reclamation. Church statistics tell us two most disparaging story lines. Of the youth or young persons who grow up in the church, seven out of 10 of them leave the church prior to age 18. Intriguingly enough, the rate is nearly identical for those we baptize off the street as a result of public evangelism. Out of every 10 souls baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America, within a years’ time, six have abandoned their place in the church. This begs the question from us as a people, and as a conference: What shall we do? We must declare 2019 a year of reclamation. I challenge the over 60,000 members of the Texas Conference to not only seek the lost, but reclaim those who once walked with us. The estimates of former Adventists in Texas are alarming. How can we rest or even worship in peace and serenity when thousands upon thousands of our former comrades are living in a world that is languishing in disbelief, discouragement and despair–without the love and support of their church families?

I can’t help but think that the time is now. The moment is here. May our homes, churches, schools and hospitals strive to locate, nurture and extend the call to those who are still our sisters and brothers in Christ, despite Satan’s gallant efforts to entice and seduce them away from the kingdom of God for a season. Most assuredly, what we need more than anything else is an increase in personal, one-on-one ministry.

Notice the admonition of Ellen G. White in her book Christian Service: “There is need of coming close to the people by personal effort. If less time were given to sermonizing, and more time were spent in personal ministry, greater results would be seen.” As people of God, we must strive to be the salt and light to a world that has been taken captive by vice, corruption and strife. The opportunity is there for us to excel in being a true friend to those in need. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,” says Matthew 25:40. Those are the words of the Redeemer of the world, and words for us to live by.

By Carlos Craig, President

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Texas Conference News

A Community Connection

Fulfilling a Dream—Helping Those in Need Year-Round KEENE, TEX. – When I first joined the Texas Conference 16 months ago as Adventist Community Services (ACS) director with my wife, Julie, as assistant director, my big vision was to involve every Texas Conference Seventh-day Adventist Church in community outreach.

I wanted us to be a resource center for our churches to reach the community as well as provide training in community services and disaster response. Three weeks after we started, Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas gulf coast. Focused on helping those affected by the hurricane, my vision took a back seat.

Once the recovery process began, we turned our attention to training.

This had not been done in a while and the storm caused a renewed interest.

Several churches helped those affected

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in significant ways, but we would like to have more churches and members prepared when the next disaster hits.

Texans know that it is not a matter of if, but when.

Training is a key component, almost like a fire drill at school. One hopes the emergency will not happen, but everyone needs to know what to do if it does.

In the next five to 10 years, it would be wonderful if we had at least one church member trained at every church to lead the community service program for their church, especially during disasters.

We would then have a contact person with an initial team ready to help where needed. As Hurricane Harvey showed us, it was not possible to enter the area right away. Having a connection with our church members in the area helped

us know what to prepare for when we were able to enter the area.

We are thankful for the church and school volunteers who come to the Depot in Keene throughout the year to create clothing and hygiene kits and cleanup buckets to distribute. The clean-up buckets are like gold to those trying to clean their houses after a storm.

Join our ACS family in Texas by following us on Facebook at TXACS or visiting Texas-ACS.org. Email acs@txsda. org if you are interested in volunteering.

We have several training events coming up this year and information is available at TexasAdventist.org/Events.

By Marshall Gonzales Adventist Community Services Director Photos by Julie and Marshall Gonzales

Texas Conference News

ESL Outreach Training

Make Friends for Jesus Teaching English Classes ALVARADO, TEX. – In her book Evangelism, Ellen G. White writes, “We should be able to see in the multiplying opportunities to reach many foreigners in America a divinely appointed means of rapidly extending the third angel's message into all the nations of earth. God in His providence has brought men to our very doors and thrust them, as it were, into our arms, that they might learn the truth, and be qualified to do a work we could not do in getting the light before men of other tongues.”

With the influx of refugees in Ameri-

ca, we have the opportunity to befriend foreigners right in our own town. One of the best gifts we can give is to teach them English. Texas Conference Evangelism is providing a tuition-free training using the BIESDA system, June 16-23, 2019, at Southwestern Adventist University in Keene. If you speak English fluently, you can learn to use that gift to teach English in your community or overseas making friends for Jesus. Find more information at TexasEvangelism.com/ESL. Article and Photo by Dan Serns Evangelism Director

Women's Self Defense

Building Confidence to Avoid Becoming a Statistic JOSHUA, TEX. – The Joshua Seventh-day Adventist Church held a women’s self-defense course for the community and church members. “It’s about protecting yourself against the possibility of violence,” said Dennis Austin, Joshua church pastor. “We observe in our society how violence is increasing.

This is not a violent form of defense.

It’s a way to build the confidence to not become a target.”

By participating in community outreach programs, Austin has consistently found proactive ways to engage

the church in community programs that promote awareness. In 2017, U.S. News & World Report stated that in Texas an average of 20 women are physically assaulted every minute. Considering the assaults mentioned do not occur in one location, but several, in five minutes, 100 women are assaulted. The outlook is grim as the 2018 statistics are only climbing.

“Women do not want to hurt anyone.

Once we show them some different defensive moves, this program becomes life-saving. What we are teaching is

practical defense,” said Billy Smith, owner and instructor at Billy Smith American Karate in Burleson, Tex. “These ladies are not apprehensive at all; they are ready to learn and become accountable for learning how to defend themselves. Even by improving the tone of their voice they can become assertive and intimidate their assailants. I am glad to see young people learning defense skills to avoid becoming a statistic.”

Article and photos by Dixil Rodriguez

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 37

Texas Conference News

Active Shooter Plan

Remember These Words: Avoid, Deny, Defend TYLER, TEX. – “Denial gets you killed,” warned Tyler Police Officer Chuck Boyce to more than 100 church and community members at the Tyler Seventh-day Adventist Church during the first Active Shooter Preparedness presentation.

Officer Boyce has a personal mission to prepare civilians in self-defense after attending active shooter training for police officers. He learned many innocent people die because they don’t know what to do, or worse, they follow a plan that simply doesn’t work.

Boyce shared the following tips: If you are in an active shooter situation, remember three simple words, avoid, deny, defend. When you avoid a situation, you’re going to get yourself out of the shooter’s vicinity and to a safe location. If you are unable to escape, initiate deny, and use any available means to prevent the shooter access to your location. Lock the doors, and then use desks as barricades.

Turn off the lights and hide in a corner.

If you are unable to get out or hide, then you must defend yourself.

By Christina Kinney

Donate A Dollar

Students Given Opportunity for Worldwide Mission DALLAS – Caleb, Bailey, Alex, Alex and Briseida, pictured bottom right, represent the many children and staff from Dallas Christian Academy who donated their dollars to help children at the Bourj Hammoud Adventist Learning Center, pictured below, in Beirut, Lebanon. Visit their Facebook page for more information about the school. The Middle East refugee school had some unexpected expenses. With a donor willing to match any amount up to $1,000, Oklahoma and Texas Conference school students were given the opportunity to

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donate a dollar. When students from Dallas Christian Academy were asked why they gave and how it makes them feel, some said: “My parents and I agreed we should donate the money to the school in need because it’s helpful.”

“We like helping people.” “We always want to give money to people in need.”

“When I give, I feel proud because I helped someone who really needed it.”

“When I give, I feel great!”

With additional donations from conference staff and an offering collected at an Oklahoma evangelism training event,

$1,000 was raised for the Adventist Learning Center. “It is wonderful to give children the opportunity to be a part of the worldwide mission of the church,” shared Texas Conference Evangelism Director Dan Serns.

Donations can still be given online at AdventistMission.org. Select “other” for the place to give and then enter “7570—Adventist Learning Center” in the comments section for your donation to be given directly to the school.

By Tamara Michalenko Terry Associate Communication Director

Texas Conference News

Love Covers All

Ministering to the Spiritual Needs of Inmates in Houston HOUSTON – The Love Covers All Prison Ministry at Houston Central Seventh-day Adventist Church has ministered to the spiritual needs of the inmates at the Jester 1 Prison in Richmond, Tex., since its inception in 2008.

Through its ongoing Bible studies and full church services at the prison, Love Covers All has given away more than 6,000 Bibles and referred more than 1,000 inmates to the Amazing Facts Bible School. The Bibles and Amazing Facts study guides continue to provide strong evangelistic tools in ministering to the inmates. They have been instrumental in providing inmates with the Seventh-day Adventist Church foundational truths.

We hold Bible studies with inmates in a minimum security, revolving-door men’s prison every first, third, and fifth

Friday night at 7 p.m. Every second Sabbath, we have a full-blown church service at 3 p.m. We call the Jester 1 facility a revolving-door prison because it is a nine-month program where the inmate may serve a part of his sentence and will then move to another prison.

Or, it could be the last part of his sentence and he is about to be released.

We believe God has placed us here because we are able to touch many more lives than we would in a longterm facility.

We started in 2008 with four inmates attending. This past year, the average attendance ranged from 80 to 100 for every meeting.

In 2013, we were able to donate a portable baptistry which has allowed us to baptize 212 men so far. This year by God’s grace, 60 men have been baptized.

Currently, we have a projected need for more than 700 Bibles and Amazing Facts study guides for future distribution.

We have also been cleared to bring soap in the prison for inmates, which has increased attendance.

On each bar of soap, we place our ministry, church name, the meeting times and Ephesians 5:26, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”

God has truly blessed our prison ministry. Currently, the team will be expanding to incorporate another facility for Christ.

By Angel Rodriguez

Constituency Notices Texas Conference of Seventhday Adventists

Texas Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists

Valley Educational Foundation

Notice is hereby given that the Quadrennial Session of the Texas Conference of Seventhday Adventists will convene at the Brazos County Expo, located at 5827 Leonard Road, Bryan, TX 77807, on Sunday, May 19, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. The purpose of this meeting is to elect officers and directors for the ensuing quadrennial term, to consider changes in the constitution and to transact such business as may properly come before the Conference. Each church is entitled to two (2) regular delegates without regard to membership plus one regular delegate for each 60 members.

Notice is hereby given that the Quadrennial Session of the Texas Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists will convene at the Brazos County Expo, located at 5827 Leonard Road, Bryan, TX 77807, on Sunday, May 19, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. The purpose of this meeting is to elect officers and directors for the ensuing quadrennial term, to consider changes in the constitution and to transact such other business as may properly come before the Association.

Delegates to the Quadrennial Session of the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists are also delegates to the Texas Conference Association Session.

Notice is hereby given that the Quadrennial Session of the Texas Conference Valley Educational Foundation will convene at the Brazos County Expo, located at 5827 Leonard Road, Bryan, TX 77807, on Sunday, May 19, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. The purpose of this meeting is to elect officers and directors for the ensuing quadrennial term, and to transact such other business as may properly come before the Foundation.

Delegates to the Quadrennial Session of the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists are also delegates to the Valley Educational Foundation.

Carlos Craig, President Roger Mekelburg, Secretary

Carlos Craig, President Efrain Murillo, Secretary/Treasurer

Carlos Craig, President Richard White, Secretary Randall Terry, Treasurer

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 39

Texico Conference News

A New Thing

In God’s Hands Day by Day

“D

o not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18,19.

A new thing! Few things thrill our hearts more than something new. There is a special sense of joy that we experience when we are blessed with a new relationship, a new baby, a new home, a new job, a new car, a new day…a new year. Something new presents us with the reality that, in addition to all that we have previously known, we get to start something never before experienced.

So here we are at the beginning of another new year. A blank canvas of new days stretches out before us and they will be filled in one day at a time. From our present perspective we have no idea what each day will bring opportunities for growth and celebration or times of challenge. The good news for each of us is that just as God was present in each of our yesterdays, He will be with us for each of our todays.

The words of God as recorded in Isaiah assure us that God is even now doing a new thing for us. He is working for our good as He makes a way through every day, even the times where our journey may lead through the desert places. He is faithful!

At the beginning of this new year I encourage each of us to ask God to help us sense His Presence as we go about our daily activities. Time and again I have seen God at work in the life of someone that I meet, and then I realize that He has actually set up a divine appointment to provide a blessing to someone through me, or for them to be blessing in my life. These are holy moments, times when God is very present indeed.

What if we were to live throughout this next year as a fully available vessel in God’s hands? Whom will He lead us to, and whom will He call us to engage for Him? It is imperative that for such a mission we remain completely connected to Him. These words from Ellen G. White’s Steps to Christ provide just the counsel we need: “Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work…This is a daily matter. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus, day by day, you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ.”

May this next year yield a beautiful tapestry of our experience with Jesus as we travel through each day with Him.

By Phil Robertson, Executive Secretary/Treasurer

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Texico Conference News

Teens Answer God’s Call Traveling for God!

CORRALES, N.M. – Eleven high school students from Sandia View Academy (SVA) have signed up for this year’s mission trip to Zambia. “We are doing the greater good for the people in need!” says Brianna Chavez. Mekonah Rankins adds, “I think it will be good to experience different opportunities and be able to help others.”

The task: to build a 12-classroom school for 473 students enrolled in Kabwe Primary School. The trip is organized by Maranatha Volunteers Inc. Students and chaperones will spend spring break 2019 making dreams come true for the local students and teachers.

In addition to construction, students will lead children’s worship services, nightly meetings, and health/sports clinics.

SVA students are excited to serve, and for many of them, this will be their first out-of-country travel experience.

"I've never been out of the country. I think it would be fun to try new things

while serving the Lord,” says Grace Delarmente, Student Association (SA) vice-president for social affairs. Adventist education emphasizes a curriculum integrated with service to God and to man.

A mission trip brings reality to what the students practice at school. Juniors Cody Lytle and Faith Wilson, who have attended Adventist school since kindergarten, explain, “It seems like this is what God wants us to do. We are excited to help the people in need. We feel like we are being called to help others and to develop a stronger relationship with God.” Leadership training is essential in education, and a mission trip is truly the opportunity to exercise such skills.

David Lopez, SA vice-president for religious affairs shares, “I’ve been called to this trip to be a better leader and to grow my relationship with God.” Texico Conference Superintendent of Education Derral Reeve has sponsored 10 student mission trips and is a witness

to the life-changing experience mission trips have on teenagers. For him, “This trip means that the students get interaction with a foreign, third-world country that will open their eyes to the blessings they have in the United States and to the needs so prevalent in the rest of the world. This trip will cause them to better prepare their lives in service for the Lord, as well as give them an insight on how the rest of the world lives.”

There is no doubt that the mission trip to Zambia is a win-win opportunity for the locals at Kabwe and for our academy students.

If you are interested in supporting SVA’s mission trip, please consider sending funds through our GoFundMe page at gofundme.com/SVAtoZambia or directly to Sandia View Academy, 65 Sandia View Lane, Corrales, N.M. 87048.

Help us to help others!

By Chanda C. Castaneda

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 41

Texico Conference News

A Vision in Progress

Alamogordo Breaks Ground on New School Building ALAMOGORDO, N.M. – Early in 2017, members of the Alamogordo Seventh-day Adventist Church discussed the reality that outreach efforts in our community had not been productive. Our very presentable church building was located on 20+ acres of property with a beautiful view across the valley to the White Sands and San Andres Mountains, yet the majority of our community did not even know we existed.

As a result of the needs of our church and the strong demand for quality, private education in our community, our members decided that building a new school and providing an outstanding preschool through eighth grade, Christ-centered, Bible-based, Seventh-day Adventist educational opportunity would be an excellent way to draw the community and serve the needs of our congregation. With a retired Adventist teacher and principal as chairman, a school steering commit-

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tee was organized and enthusiastic work began on the project.

We wanted the school to open in August 2018, but by the time we had made our plans known to the community at the 2017 Otero County Fair, we realized that having a building and quality educational program functional by that time was not possible. Patrick Vandergriff, a knowledgeable and respected community member who has been involved in large construction projects and shares our vision and goals, is providing direction for our project. We have been blessed with two well-attended church business meetings with lively discussion and no dissenting votes to proceed with the vision and build a new school building. We have also received significant assistance and encouragement from the Texico Conference leaders.

On Oct.18, 2018, with the plans completed and the engineering stamps in place, signed and dated, we had a

wet, rainy groundbreaking ceremony.

The official participants were Texico Conference President Lee-Roy Chacon; Executive Secretary/Treasurer Phil Robertson; Education Superintendent Derral Reeve; Alamogordo Mayor Richard Boss; Dr. Gary Siebel; and Jesse Cone of the steering committee.

The next day a front-page story with a photo of the groundbreaking was featured in the Alamogordo Daily News. The news article has heightened community interest. City and state approvals are in progress and construction will begin as soon as these are completed. It is our plan to begin school in our three-classroom building in August 2019. Our faith has been greatly strengthened as our gracious and mighty God has opened doors and blessed in the outworking of this vision.

By Jesse Cone

Texico Conference News

Women’s Ministries

El Paso Montana District Hosts Largest Event EL PASO – On Aug. 24-26 the women’s ministries department in the Montana district in El Paso hosted one of their largest women’s events to date. Approximately 180 women attended the event at El Paso Adventist Junior Academy.

Guest speaker and internationally recognized Adventist evangelist Adly Campos addressed attendees and spoke on the emotional development of women during the different stages of life.

The all-female vocal group Dabar Shalom provided music that delighted participants with beautiful songs

of praise. As a result of the event, the women in attendance were encouraged and several visitors expressed interest in learning more about Jesus and about Adventist beliefs. Overall, the Women’s Ministries leadership and organizers of the event were thrilled with the outcome. They hope and pray that the Lord will continue to guide this ministry and will expand it all for His purpose, glory and honor.

By Javier and Betty Grijalva

Midland Church Celebrates Paying Off Church and Welcoming New Members MIDLAND, TEX. – The Midland Seventh-day Adventist Church had several reasons to celebrate in 2018. On Oct. 20, Texico Conference and other church leaders participated in a mortgage note burning ceremony during the Sabbath morning worship service.

“It was a special and joyous day for the Midland church,” said Abner Razon, church pastor. “We celebrated the Lord's goodness and provision.”

Nearly two years ago, the Midland church still owed $240,000 for their church building. However, members dili-

gently looked for resources and committed themselves to liquidating the loan.

On June 22, the Midland church made its last mortgage payment and paid off the loan eight years early.

The Midland church also welcomed seven new members. In September, Kyler Simpson, Jacey Simpson, Kisely Lawrence, Kinsey Lawrence, Araceli Bocanegra and Kori Escandon were baptized after receiving Bible studies

by Razon. Lucas Wayne Speer was accepted by profession of faith. “It has been a joy to see these individuals take

their stand for the Lord and give their lives fully to Jesus through baptism,” said Razon.

The Midland church is thankful for the baptisms and for the generosity of those who sacrificed and contributed towards the outstanding debt. In 2019, the church plans to focus its attention and resources on evangelism. “Our priority now is to work and spread the three angels’ message in our community and bring more souls to Christ,” said Razon.

By Debbie Márquez Communication Director

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 43

Texico Conference News

Growing Young Adventists Texico Conference Pastors Participate in Cohort CORRALES, N.M. – In October, Andre Arrais and Michael Razon, along with North American Division (NAD) youth and young adult leaders, completed speaker training and certification at the Fuller Youth Institute in Pasadena, Calif.

The Fuller Youth Institute researches, trains and develops resources for reaching young people. The Institute published the book Growing Young for congregations who wish to better engage and embrace next generations. Par-

44 RECORD MAGAZINE

ticipants will complete their Growing Young speaker certification after a second training session in February 2019.

Arrais and Razon aspire to visit 15 churches in the Texico Conference in 2019. They will be training local church leaders in the Growing Young strategy, which focuses on the importance of congregations growing together across all generations. They will join Growing Young Adventists, a group of certified Adventist leaders, professors and young

adults who are working on encouraging Adventist communities to “grow young.”

Arrais started training in the fall of 2018 and visited the Midland and Lubbock Seventh-day Adventist Churches.

“Growing Young is not simply about changing youth and young adult ministry. It is about changing church culture,” said Arrais. “We are really excited about taking part in this initiative.”

By Debbie Márquez Communication Director

Classified Ads 45 | Obituaries 47

Back Pages

Classified Ads EMPLOYMENT Union College invites applicants for a management teaching faculty position.

Qualified applicants will have a master’s degree in a related field and should be a committed member of the SDA Church. A doctorate is preferred. Find more information at UCollege. edu/faculty-openings or contact Lisa L. Forbes at Lisa.L.Forbes@UCollege.edu.

Southern Adventist University seeks

full-time teaching faculty for the School of Music.

This position will provide curricular oversight to and teach lower and upperdivision courses in area of primary expertise – either music history or music theory. Master’s degree in Musicology, Music History, or Music Theory required; doctorate preferred. Full job description: Southern.edu/jobs

Andrews University seeks Associate/ Full Professor of Public Health, Nutrition & Dietetics. The

Associate/Full Professor of Public Health, Nutrition & Dietetics holds a faculty appointment having academic, service and scholarship responsibilities consistent with the mission and philosophy of the Department of Public Health, Nutrition & Wellness, the School of Health Professions and Andrews University. This individual demonstrates competence in didactic education, teaching, research and curriculum

development at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Andrews.edu/admres/jobs/show/ faculty#job_8

Andrews University seeks a Faculty Management/Marketing. Teach

marketing and related courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Have an earned doctorate in marketing and sufficient teaching experience in marketing at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Be actively engaged in research, service, student advising and supervising student projects.

Andrews.edu/admres/jobs/show/ faculty#job_5

Andrews University seeks Nursing Faculty. The Assistant/

Associate Professor of Nursing holds a faculty appointment and has academic, service and scholarship responsibilities consistent with the mission and philosophy of the Nursing Department. This individual demonstrates competence in didactic, clinical education, teaching, and curriculum development at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Andrews.edu/admres/jobs/show/ faculty#job_6

Union College invites applicants for a Computing teaching faculty position beginning Fall 2019.

Qualified applicants will have a master’s degree and excellent communication skills and should be a committed member of

the SDA Church. Ph.D., teaching/business experience desirable. Find more information at UCollege.edu/ faculty-openings or contact Lisa Forbes at Lisa.L.Forbes@UCollege.edu.

Union College, Lincoln, NE seeks applicants for Director of Records/ Registrar.The Director will

ensure the integrity, accuracy and security of academic and educational records of students and ensure compliance with regulatory agencies. Contact Dr. Frankie Rose at Frankie.Rose@UCollege.edu or call 402.486.2501 for more information.

Union College seeks Seventh-day Adventist, full-time nursing faculty member. Teaching and/

or clinical experience in medical-surgical nursing and pathophysiology preferred.

Additional information can be found at UCollege.edu/faculty-openings.

Send CV and references to Dr. Nicole Orian, Nicole.Orian@UCollege.edu.

Southern Adventist University School of Nursing seeks a full-time faculty to join a mission-focused team.

Teaching responsibilities will be primarily at the undergraduate level.

An earned doctorate is preferred. Requisite qualities include successful teaching experience, interest in research, flexibility and commitment to Adventist nursing education. The candidate must be a member in good and regular standing in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Send curriculum

vitae or inquiries to search committee chair Christy Showalter at CShowalter@southern.edu. SAU School of Nursing, P.O. Box 370, Collegedale, TN 37315.

For full job description please visit Southern.edu/jobs.

REAL ESTATE/HOUSING Summit Ridge Retirement Village

is an Adventist community in a rural setting that offers affordable homes or apartments and caring neighbors, with a fellowship you'll enjoy. On-site church, planned activities and transportation, as needed.

Also, Wolfe Living Center offering independent living and nursing home. Website: SummitRidgeVillage.org or Bill Norman 405.208.1289.

Fabulous business opportunities in a rural Adventist community. Well

established convenience store/gas station/bakery selling vegetarian meats, Adventist books and herbal supplements. Property includes a home and two rentals. Space for auto repair shop and a turnkey flea market! If you love antiques/ vintage, finding bargains and meeting people this could be the perfect business for you! Great location! This is a growing community with small town feel near big city comforts within a few miles of Ozark Adventist Academy in Gentry, Ark. Contact Von Elder with Tall Star Realty, Inc. at 479.736.4686 or TallStarLand.com

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 45

Back Pages MISCELLANEOUS

Move with an award-winning agency.

The Wildwood Lifestyle Center can

help you naturally treat and reverse diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, obesity, arthritis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, lupus, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, cancer, substance abuse, stress, anxiety, depression and many more. Invest in your health and call 800.634.9355 for more information or visit WildwoodHealth.org/lifestyle

ADVENTIST BOOKS: Looking

for NEW Adventist titles to encourage and grow your daily walk? Visit us at TEACHServices.com. For USED Adventist books visit LNFBooks. com. AUTHORS: If you’re interested in having your book published, call 800.367.1844 for a free evaluation.

Apex Moving & Storage partners with the General Conference to provide quality moves at a discounted rate. Call us for all your relocation needs! Adventist beliefs uncompromised.

Contact Marcy Dante’ at 800.766.1902 for a free estimate. Visit us at ApexMoving.com/adventist

Southern Adventist University

offers master’s degrees in business, computer science, counseling, education, global community development, nursing, religion and social work. Flexibility is provided through some online and many on-campus programs. Financial aid may be available. For more information, call 423.236.2585 or visit Southern.edu/GraduateStudies

Enjoy Worry-Free Retirement at

Fletcher Park Inn on the Fletcher Academy campus near Hendersonville, N.C. Spacious apartments available NOW. Ask about our limited rental units and villa homes.

Enjoy a complimentary lunch at our vegetarian buffet when you tour. Call Lisa at 1.800.249.2882 or 828.209.6935 or visit FletcherParkInn.com

Andrews University Department of Sustainable Agriculture offers you

a $5,000 scholarship! Feed the world with a degree in Agribusiness. Change the world with a degree in International Agriculture Development. Beautify the world with a degree in Landscape Design. For more information: Andrews.edu/agriculture,

Agriculture@andrews.edu, 269.471.6006.

NAD Health Summit 2019 “Healing

of the Nations” is designed to provide training, networking and inspiration for anyone involved with or interested in health ministries. Jan. 20-26, 2019 in Albuquerque, N.M. Register at NadHealth.org. For more information contact 1.443.300.8845 or Summit@NadHealth.org

Black Hills Health & Education Center.

Are your health challenges interfering with your life goals? Worried that you won’t be there to walk your daughter down the aisle?

Play with your grandkids?

Dive deep in the blue waters of the Caribbean after retirement? If your bucket list has been reduced to getting up in the morning, come

Featured Speakers

EPIC English Ad M ay 31-June 2, 2019 Men’s Convention TAKING PLACE LAKEVIEW CAMP & RETREAT CENTER, WAXAHACHIE, TX FOR MORE INFORMATION PRITHY DAVID AT 817-295-0476 OR EMAIL PDAVID@SWUC.ORG VISIT SOUTHWESTERNADVENTIST.ORG/MEN

46 RECORD MAGAZINE

Minner Labrador, D.Min President Upper Columbia Conference

Bill Kilgore, D.Min Southwestern Adventist University Professor of Religion

Elton DeMoraes, D.Min Vice President Southwestern Union

John Nixon, Sr., D.Min South Central Conference Executive Secretary

Claudio Consuegra, D.Min NAD Family Ministries Director

Special guest:

Ken Bevel

Actor from the film Courageous, Former US Marine

Back Pages to the quiet serene healing beauty of the Black Hills Health & Education Center and discover the Pathway to Wellness. We’d love to help you expand your list! Life’s too short to miss it. Call today at 605.255.4101 or Bhhec.org

Black Hills School of Massage.

Have you ever considered a career/ministry in Massage Therapy? Black Hills School of Massage offers a sixmonth, 600-hour scriptural and evidence-based program.

Upon completion students are eligible to take the MBLEx examination to qualify for state licensure.

Watch our student video at https://bit.ly/2pZwmyt and check us out at https://bit.ly/2Gyo3zG. Next program begins March 25, 2019. Call 423.710.4873.

"Voices of Praise" men's chorus

is seeking new members in 2019 from the Greater OKC area. We practice every Monday at 6:00 p.m. at Summit Ridge Church in Harrah. Call or text Greg Ivins to express interest: 405.695.0234.

EGYPT BIBLE TOUR: DEC. 12-22, 2019

with Dr. Carl Cosaert of Walla Walla University.

Discover the land of the pyramids, the pharaohs, Moses, the Exodus, including a Nile cruise and more.

Wonderful weather, meals and accommodations for only $2,425 plus airfare. For more information, contact Sharon Searson at Sharons@Uccsda.org

SAVE THE DATE Uchee Pines Institute's 50th Anniversary, June 23-29, 2019. Speakers include

Mark Finley and John Bradshaw. UcheePines.org or 877-UCHEEPINES.

Obituaries Bohr, Harold, born April 22,

1923, Milwaukee, Wis.; died Sept. 26, 2018, Harrah, Okla. He served the Adventist Church as a missionary in Venezuela, Columbia, and Argentina.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Stoner, and second wife, Alice Bohr.

Chacon, José Fernando (Fern), born April 16, 1924, Canon Plaza, N.M.; died, Nov. 17, 2018. Preceded in death by parents, Desiderio and Sara Chacon; nine siblings and their spouses. Chacon was

the last of his generation.

Survivors: wife, Odelsa Chacon, Canon Plaza, N.M.; children, Loretta (Jim Szudy), Chino Hills, Calif., Johnny Chacon (Leigh), Amarillo, Tex., Lee-Roy Chacon (Nelva), Rio Rancho, N.M. and Evangeline (Robert Schoonover), Riverside, Calif.; five grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Elliott, Robert (Bob), born April

26, 1941, Rifle, Colo.; died Feb. 10, 2018, Jefferson, Tex. Church membership: Jefferson Academy. Survivors: wife, Beth Powell; children, Trene, Sean, Shana and Kirstin; sister, Yvette; and nine grandchildren.

Gendke, Mike Erwin, born August

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JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 47

Equipped for Ministries

Back Pages

Leadership Training January 25-27, 2019 | New Orleans First Church 4201 W Esplanade Ave, Metairie, LA 70006

Schedule

Seminars Include:

Friday, Jan. 25, 7:00 p.m.: Session 1, New Orleans First Church

• Children’s Ministries • Community Services • Elders, Deacons, Deaconesses • Family Ministries • Prayer Ministries • Preaching • Sabbath School • Stewardship • Treasury • Women’s Ministries • Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Sabbath, Jan. 26, 11:00 a.m.: Worship Service, Area Churches Sabbath, Jan. 26, 3:00-7:00p.m.: Sessions 2 & 3, New Orleans First Church Sunday, Jan. 27, 9:00 a.m.-Noon: VBS Training, New Orleans First Church

Featured Training Presenters

Seminarios en Español:

Larry Moore

Southwestern Union President

Buford Griffith, Jr.

Southwestern Union Executive Secretary, Family Ministries Director

John Page

Southwestern Union Treasurer

Elton DeMoraes Southwestern Union Vice President for Ministries

• Escuela Sabática • Evangelismo • Grupos Pequeños • Ministerio de Niños • Ministerio Personales • Servicio Comunitario

Séminaires en Français: • Croissance D’Église • Évangélisation

Light refreshments wil be served Sabbath evening.

Helvis Moody

Southwestern Union Young Adult/ Youth Ministries and Prayer Ministries Director

Dr. Bill Kilgore Southwestern Adventist University Professor of Religion

48 RECORD MAGAZINE

Ruben Bullón

Texas Conference Spanish Evangelist

Sonia Canó

Southwestern Union Children’s Ministries and Sabbath School Director

...and more www.SouthwesternAdventist.org/training

Back Pages

to Serve

CALLED

ASI Southwest Chapter Convention March 14-17, 2019

InterrWellness 3701 County Road 316C Cleburne, Texas, 76031

Join ASI for a weekend of physical and spiritual renewal!

Info: 817-219-5724; asisouthwest@swuc.org.

Learn more about ASI: www.asiministries.org.

5, 1943, Pasadena, Tex.; died Oct. 21, 2018, Keene, Tex. Church membership: Joshua Seventh-day Adventist Church. He served the Adventist Church as a teacher from 1973-1996 and as an ordained pastor in the Texas and Texico Conferences. Survivors: Margie Gendke, Keene, Tex.; sons, Brady Gendke (Joanna), Bo Gendke (Deborah), and Buc Gendke (Lindsey), Keene, Tex.; brother, Lee Roy Gendke, Center, Tex.; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gunnels, Clyde William, born

August 12, 1933, Hobart, Okla.; died June 30, 2018, Amarillo, Tex. Church membership: Portales Seventh-day Adventist

Church. Survivors: wife, Carol, Amarillo, Tex.; daughters, Jule' Abernathy, Amarillo, Tex., Rene' Graham, Clovis, N.M. and Rachelle Sicher, Amarillo, Tex.; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.

Online registration begins January 1, 2019.

To register and for details, visit ASISW.org.

Eric Walsh, M.D.

Duane McKey AWR President

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RELIGIOUS LIBERTY OFFERING JANUARY 26 2019

Harder, Cora Ann, born Jan. 29,

1928, Tahlequah, Okla.; died, Dec. 1, 2018. Church membership: Edmond Seventh-day Adventist Church. Preceded in death by parents Oscar and Phoebe Danielson; brothers, Houston and James; sisters, Dorothy Bales and Laura Melgarde.

Survivors: son, Allan Harder (Cheryl); two sisters, Virginia Danielson-Bryan (Les), Eminence, Mo. and Kathleen Danielson-Johnson, Keller, Tex.; two grandchildren ; two great-grandchildren; nieces, nephew, cousins.

WALL PROTECTING THE

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 49

Back Pages Ivey, Robert L., born Oct. 31,

1923, Bailey, Okla.; died Nov. 15, 2018, Harrah, Okla. Church membership: Summit Ridge Seventh-day Adventist Church. Robert was an Army veteran.

Survivors: wife, Norma; daughter, Sherrie Dart (Chuck); son, Gary (Toni); three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Pollick, Morris, born Sept. 18,

1936, Jefferson, Tex.; died Dec. 7, 2017, Jefferson, Tex. Church membership: Jefferson Academy. Survivors: wife, JoAnn Smith Pollick; son, Richard Pollick (Melissa); sister, Judy Hairell; three grandchildren.

Serns, Richard (Dick) Frank, born

Feb. 21, 1928, Wichita, Kan.; died, Sept. 16, 2018, Loomis, Calif. Serns served the

Adventist Church as a pastor in California, Hawaii, North Carolina, and as a literature evangelism leader in Texas and Florida. Survivors: wife, Wilma; children, Marilee Dalton, Diane Serns, and and Dan Serns; many grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

Toews, Kevin Bruce (Taz), born,

May 25, 1962, Loma Linda, Calif.; died Oct. 14, 2018, Alice, Tex. Church membership: Alice Seventhday Adventist Church.

Preceded in death by father, Lawrence A. Toews; grandparents, Clyde A. and Dorothy C. Inman, Alwin L. and Phosa Mae Toews; brother-in-law, Eddie Perez; and uncle, Eugene Inman.

Survivors: wife, Dolly Ann Toews, Alice, Tex.; daughter, Kelly Seedal Toews, Alice,

Tex.; mother, Mary Jane Toews, Langley, Okla.; sisters, Beverly DeWitt (Larry), Langley, Okla. and Karen Toews, Catoosa, Okla.; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Severo Perez, Jr. and Agustina I. Perez, Alice, Tex.; brothers-in-law, Albert Perez (Leslie), Alice, Tex. and Severo Perez Ill (Lisa), Corpus Christi, Tex.; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Upton, Lila Rudisaile, born May

18, 1927, Hope, Ark.; died June 26, 2018, Jefferson, Tex. Church membership: Jefferson Academy SDA Church. Survivors: daughter, Patricia Hale; sons, Carl Upton, Jr., Jon and Kerry; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Wagner, Pauline Hopkins, born Dec.

28, 1913, Linden, Tex.; died May 18, 2018, Jefferson, Tex. Church membership: Jefferson Academy SDA Church. Pauline completed her elementary and high school education at the Berea School in Jefferson, Tex., and went on to earn a teaching certificate from Southwestern Junior College (now Southwestern Adventist University) and a B.S. in Teaching from Union College.

She did post-graduate work at Pacific Union University and completed her M.A. from the State Teachers College.

She leaves four generations of former students. Survivors: many cousins who call her "Aunt."

Wilkerson, Dorothy Sue, born

Nov. 5, 1944 in Oklahoma City, Okla.; died Oct. 30,

Oradores Invitados

Minner Labrador, D.Min Presidente Upper Columbia Conference

Alfonso Valenzuela, D.Min, PhD Pastor Campus Hill Church

Elton DeMoraes, D.Min Vice Presidente Southwestern Union

Javier Donate Conferencista Internacional

M ayo 31-Junio 2, 2019 Convención de Varones SERÁ EN LAKEVIEW CAMP & RETREAT CENTER, WAXAHACHIE, TX PARA INFORMACIÓN PRITHY DAVID: 817-295-0476 O CORREO ELECTRÓNICO PDAVID@SWUC.ORG VISITE SOUTHWESTERNADVENTIST.ORG/MEN

50 RECORD MAGAZINE

Claudio Consuegra, D.Min Director de Ministerio Familiar NAD

Invitado Especial:

Ken Bevel

Actor de la película Courageous, Ex marino

Back Pages 2018, Harrah, Okla. Church membership: Summit Ridge Seventh-day Adventist Church. Preceded in death by parents, Fred and Dorothy Sachsenheimer; husband, Fred Wilkerson. Survivors: four step-grandchildren and several step-greatgrandchildren.

Williams, Lyman, born May

21, 1937, Boatman, Okla.; died June 28, 2018, Springdale, Ark. Preceded in death by parents, Hugh and Dell Williams; wife, Kathy; brothers Van and Trenton. Survivors: wife, Mary; children, Joy, Jay (Shirley), Delton (Lee), and Lorie (Todd Wagner); stepchildren, Rick Fisher, Bruce Fisher, Elizabeth Yeagley (David); 12 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sisters, Twila Williams and

Nora Krein-Slikkers; many nieces, nephews, other family and friends. Lyman is remembered for his big heart, warm smile and open home.

Willard, Elizabeth Edwards Cassity,

born Oct. 25, 1922, Comanche, Okla.; died April 10, 2017, Waurika, Okla.

Church membership: Waurika Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church. Preceded in death by husband, Dane Edwards, and sisters Opal, Ima, Bonnie, Elma, Mary and Edna, seven half-sisters and brothers; and great-granddaughter, Harper.

She and her twin, Elaine, were known for their delicious pies. Survivors: husband, James Willard; sons Greg and Grant Edwards; sister, Elaine Wood Yarbrough; five grandchildren; five greatgrandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Yarbrough, Elaine Wood Cassity (Tiny), born Oct. 25, 1922,

Submissions

Comanche, Okla.; died July 30, 2018, Enid, Okla. Church membership: Waurika Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church. Preceded in death by parents, Ashby and Bessie Jane (Alexander) Cassity, husbands, E. P. Wood, Jr. and Dale Yarbrough. Elaine was the last surviving sibling of 15 children, including her twin sister, Elizabeth.

Elaine was the smallest of the twins; therefore, the family called her Tiny. Survivors: daughters, Donna Lynn Wood, Waurika, Okla., Penny Cullum Landeros, Enid, Okla.; brotherin-law, Jim Willard; five grandchildren; six greatgrandchildren; and many other nieces and nephews.

Back Pages: To submit family milestones, obituaries, announcements or address changes, visit SouthwesternAdventist.org/Communication or call 817.295.0476.

The Record also accepts expanded obituaries. For submission and cost information, contact Record@SWUC.org or call 817.295.0476.

News and Articles: Send your local church news and high-resolution photos to your local conference communication representative listed on page 2.

If you are interested in writing for the Record, email Record@SWUC.org or visit SouthwesternAdventist.org/ Communication to review our writer’s guidelines.

Advertising: Contact Bradley Ecord at BEcord@ swuc.org or 817.295.0476

Sabbath Sunset Calendar January-February 2019

All 2019 Sunset Calendars are available at SouthwesternAdventist.org/sunset

1/4 1/5 1/11 7:18 5:52 6:44 5:13 7:25 5:54 7:12 5:57 7:06 5:39 6:45 5:20 7:08 5:41 6:53 5:21 6:55 5:22 7:02 5:40 6:47 5:17 6:59 5:26 6:41 5:19 7:08 5:36 6:37 5:09 7:14 5:53 6:54 5:28 7:01 5:28

5:46 AbileneAbilene Albuquerque 5:07 Albuquerque AmarilloAmarillo 5:48 Brownsville 5:52 Brownsville 5:33 Dallas Dallas 5:14 El PasoEl Paso Fort Worth 5:36 Fort Worth Gallup 5:14 Gallup 5:15 Gentry Gentry HoustonHouston 5:35 Little Rock 5:11 Little Rock Muskogee 5:20 Muskogee New Orleans 5:13 New Orleans Oklahoma Oklahoma City City5:30 RoswellRoswell 5:03 San Antonio 5:48 San Antonio Shreveport 5:22 Shreveport 5:22 Tulsa Tulsa

1/12 1/18 7:09 5:58 6:35 5:20 7:16 6:00 7:05 6:02 6:57 5:45 6:37 5:26 7:00 5:48 6:43 5:27 6:45 5:28 6:54 5:46 6:38 5:24 6:49 5:33 6:32 5:24 6:58 5:42 6:28 5:15 7:07 5:59 6:45 5:34 6:51 5:35

1/19 1/25 7:01 6:05 6:26 5:27 7:07 6:07 6:58 6:07 6:49 5:52 6:29 5:32 6:51 5:54 6:34 5:34 6:36 5:36 6:46 5:52 6:29 5:30 6:40 5:40 6:25 5:31 6:49 5:50 6:19 5:22 6:59 6:05 6:37 5:41 6:42 5:42

1/26 2/1 6:54 6:11 6:18 5:34 6:59 6:14 6:52 6:13 6:41 5:59 6:21 5:39 6:44 6:01 6:26 5:42 6:28 5:43 6:40 5:58 6:21 5:38 6:32 5:48 6:18 5:37 6:41 5:57 6:12 5:29 6:52 6:11 6:30 5:47 6:34 5:49

2/2 2/8 6:47 6:18 6:11 5:41 6:51 6:22 6:47 6:18 6:35 6:05 6:15 5:45 6:37 6:07 6:19 5:49 6:20 5:51 6:34 6:04 6:14 5:45 6:25 5:55 6:12 5:42 6:34 6:04 6:05 5:35 6:47 6:17 6:23 5:54 6:26 5:57

2/9 2/15 5:42 6:24 5:05 5:48 5:45 6:29 5:43 6:22 5:29 6:11 5:10 5:51 5:32 6:14 5:12 5:56 5:14 5:58 5:29 6:10 5:08 5:51 5:18 6:02 5:07 5:48 5:28 6:11 4:59 5:42 5:42 6:22 5:18 6:00 5:20 6:04

2/16 2/22 5:38 6:30 5:00 5:55 5:40 6:35 5:40 6:27 5:25 6:18 5:06 5:57 5:27 6:20 5:07 6:03 5:09 6:05 5:25 6:15 5:04 5:58 5:13 6:09 5:04 5:54 5:23 6:18 4:55 5:48 5:38 6:28 5:14 6:06 5:15 6:11

2/23 3/1 5:35 6:35 4:56 6:01 5:37 6:42 5:39 6:31 5:22 6:23 5:03 6:03 5:25 6:26 5:04 6:09 5:05 6:12 5:23 6:20 5:00 6:04 5:10 6:15 5:01 5:59 5:19 6:24 4:52 5:54 5:36 6:33 5:11 6:12 5:11 6:17

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2019 51

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