I had recently the pleasure of sitting down with Gavin Anthony to discuss his disciple making course. Gavin currently serves in the Minnesota Conference as assistant to the president and director for Strategic Initiatives. Since he started working with Minnesota in March 2025, Gavin has been building a course for disciple making that has profoundly impacted multiple lives, including mine. Savannah: You have been working for the last year on developing a disciple making… program? Module? Way of life? How would you describe it? Gavin: A course. We are creating a number of online courses. The first part is a boot camp, which is called The Disciple maker’s Journey. It’s like a 10-week introduction, big picture to what Jesus’s method of disciple making is about. Then, we’ll follow that up with a six-month individual coaching time, where we will help people apply what they’ve been learning, discipling people where they are. What led to this journey? Why build this resource? Ever since I was a teenager, I have just had a real longing to share how to have personal intimacy with God. Right at the beginning of my ministry, I started teaching people how to have a prayer life and how to study the Bible through different methods, because personal intimacy with God is just the heart of everything. As I spent time trying to create different disciple making, discipling, discipleship resources, I realized that I was not multiplying what I was doing. Just over 10 years ago I had this overwhelming urge to explore and absorb as much as I could on what disciple making was. I immersed myself in everything I could possibly find–books, podcasts, everything—to try and understand how we can create a multiplying culture and what needs to be in the DNA for that kind of thing. It eventually became obvious to put the curriculum online, which allows us to provide the resources to anyone everywhere. Since I came to Minnesota, it’s been exciting to work alongside a small team of people who are really excited about that same thing. What is the focus of the course? It’s called “The disciple makers journey” and the tagline is “courses to help you build communities of image bearers, one life at a time.” The real focus is this idea of image bearing, because that’s what the purpose of disciple making is—creating communities devoted to restoring people into the image of God. You’ve used a few different terminologies. You said discipling, discipleship, disciple, disciple makers, image bearers. Do those terms differ, or are they interchangeable? First of all, I don’t like the word discipleship at all. I do use it every now and again, but lots of countries don’t have the word discipleship in their language. It didn’t exist in Icelandic, for example, where I was from. That’s a word that we have created. But what’s in the Bible is disciple making. Jesus says, “Go and make disciples.” So, I think it’s most helpful to keep with the biblical terminology just to make sure we’re clear. Disciple making, or making disciples, is the most important thing. When Jesus calls people to follow Him, He says, “Come, follow me, and I will teach you how to fish for people” (Matt. 4:19). So, the call to follow Him, the call to come into a disciple-making relationship, is a call to come and be trained for mission. That’s right at the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel. In Matt. 4:19, you’ve got the calling, then in Matt. 28:18-20, you’ve got the commissioning of the disciples. Everything in the middle is kind of a disciple making workbook or document. That’s one way of looking at the Gospel of Matthew. So, disciple making for me is the most important thing. Everyone is called to be a disciple maker. I believe, in the Bible, a disciple is the same thing as a disciple maker. Disciple making isn’t an elite sport, where only certain or special people do that. Every disciple is called to be a disciple maker. A disciple, then, is someone who follows Jesus, and a disciple maker is someone who follows Jesus and helps other people follow Jesus. So, what is an image bearer? We bear fruit in two ways. We’re bearing fruit in terms of being like Jesus—our characters becoming Christlike—and the fruit of multiplying people into His kingdom who reflect that character. Particularly when we look at our prophetic calling in Revelation 13 and 14, the heart of the three angels’ messages and what’s at stake, it’s fundamentally about, Who do we look like? Disciple making is therefore core to our prophetic calling as Seventh-day Adventists: walking alongside people and showing people how to be like Jesus. An image bearer is just looking at that from a different point of view. In Genesis, you’ve got creation, and the pinnacle of creation is the creation of human beings, and they are made in the image of God. That’s how they were designed. That’s at the core of what we are and what we’re called to be. We’re called to be like God and reflect that. What happens in Genesis 3 undermines that whole thing, and that image is distorted or corrupted. Then the whole redemption plan—what we talk about as salvation—is not simply about escaping this bad place. It’s about being saved back into the purpose that God had for us, which is to be in His image. When we walk on the earth looking like Jesus, it refutes everything that Satan is claiming about God. That’s what we’re trying to help people understand and implement where they are—how to be image bearers. Someone—I don’t know who it was—summarized Jesus’ disciple-making method as, “Think big, start small, go deep,” which I love. His mission was to reach the whole world. That’s think big. Start small: He started with these 12. And then He went deep with them. It was life on life. After a couple of years or so, He was able to <a class="cat-post-excerpt-more" href="https://outlookmag.org/think-big-start-small-go-deep/" title="Continue reading Think Big. Start Small. Go Deep. Gavin Anthony shares a new approach to disciple making—one life at a time“>Read more…

Read more...

When Ariel Patterson, a junior elementary education major from Boulder, Colorado, first started as a student worker, she pictured the usual office routine — drafting presentations, tracking spreadsheets, and running campus errands. Then came ironing black tablecloths for a board meeting. “It was a lot harder than I thought,” laughed Patterson. “But it felt good to do something simple that gives our school that extra touch to stand out, to look nice. There’s a lot that goes into the meetings and it sets the tone for all who participate.”  Patterson started her work on campus in the President’s Office as a freshman in 2024. When her supervisor, Grace Chilson, transitioned into Academic Administration in 2026, Patterson was invited to follow. “I enjoy working with Grace,” said Patterson. “She sees me as a person and cares.” Under Chilson’s mentorship, and her understanding of college pressures, Patterson found the office to be a launchpad rather than a burden.  Even on difficult days, Chilson noticed Patterson came in with a positive attitude.  “She is always willing to take on new tasks and eager to learn, approaching each opportunity with enthusiasm and a desire to do her best,” said Chilson. “Her willingness to learn, dependable nature, and joyful presence make her a valued member of our office.” This initiative was shown one spring when Chilson needed end-of-the-year gift concepts on short notice. Patterson didn’t just suggest an idea — she problem-solved with a presentation featuring distinct gift concepts, accompanying taglines and varying price points.  “I was able to take the information to my boss and finalize a decision,” Chilson said. “It was such a time saver.”  On larger campuses, student workers easily become names lost on payroll. At a close-knit school like Union, every contribution carries personal weight. And while ironed linens and gift presentations might seem far from a future elementary classroom, Patterson sees every opportunity in student work as career preparation. “I’ve learned how to take control of tasks,” said Patterson. “That has equipped me to be a leader in my own life because it’s helped me learn that sometimes you just need to start, then it’s okay to ask questions and build from there.” More importantly, Patterson found being a student worker mirrors the realities of running a classroom. Over the last two years Patterson reflected how she’s built confidence in her professionalism, learned to work with people who think differently, handle sensitive information with confidentiality and pivot with the unexpected.  “I know these skills will be beneficial as I move into teaching,” she said, noting she’ll deal with parents, principals, fellow teachers and diverse students in the future. “I’ve learned how to approach responsibility with respect.” Beyond keeping operations running smoothly, student workers like Patterson directly impact Union’s culture. Whether delivering documents across campus, or welcoming high-level university stakeholders, Patterson is personal and mission-driven.  She brings joy into all her interactions and embodies the spirit of Union.  “Ariel is an exceptional student worker, not only because of her creativity, timeliness and cheerful spirit, but also because of the way she demonstrates her love for Jesus in the way she interacts with others,” said Chilson.  Patterson noted that all her interactions while working have been positive. “Staff and students—they all just reciprocate that love for Jesus back at you,” she said.  With supervisors like Chilson who take time to mentor, and students like Patterson willing to dive in, working on campus becomes much more than just a job. It’s how Union prepares students to step out into the world, ready to serve and lead. Emy Roque-Cisneros is a freelance writer in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Read more...

A lot has changed at Union Adventist University over the last 135 years, including our name. But some things have remained remarkably consistent: rigorous academics, a commitment to service and students who aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and work.  One difference? In 1891, students were expected to do chores for at least an hour every day for free. Nowadays, we pay them. But the value of the experience goes far beyond a paycheck. Again and again, alumni tell us not all the lessons they use in their careers were learned in a classroom. Their mentors in on-campus employment taught them punctuality, diligence, leadership, professionalism, attention to detail, communication, problem solving and so many other skills. That experience matters. Union students don’t just graduate with a degree; they leave with real-world skills and the confidence to put them to work. It’s one reason our graduates are sought after by employers. Student employment also makes a Union education more affordable. Students earn money they can put toward college expenses while doing essential work that would otherwise require additional full-time employees. Their contributions help us hold down costs and keep tuition lower for everyone. For this special Union Adventist University issue of OUTLOOK, we asked our colleagues across campus to nominate superlative workers. The students featured here were far from the only ones— they were simply the first four. That says something about the students who chose Union. Across our campus, students are learning and earning every day. They are creating a better campus while gaining the experience that will make them valuable employees and leaders ready to make a difference wherever God leads. Dr. Yami Bazan is president of Union Adventist University.

Read more...

Johnny McDonald left Paradise to attend Union Adventist University. Seriously, that is the name of his hometown in California. Maybe you remember the news showing the flames consuming the area in 2018. Nine out of 10 buildings burned down in Paradise, including Johnny’s home. There’s a new home, but Johnny isn’t there. He left the Sierra Nevada Foothills and traveled to the Midwest. His tightly-knit family would have preferred that he stay closer to home for college. But he heard some nice words about Union from Linda Becker, former VP of Student Life, when she came to serve as interim principal of his school. “She talked to me about the International Rescue and Relief Program, about Union, and how I’d love it,” remembers Johnny. “I thought she’s just doing her spiel. But ever since I came here, the students are great, and I love the staff.” The staff love him right back. “Johnny has been our super summer worker,” says men’s dean Santi Fernandez. “He single- handedly shaved off projects I’ve had on my list for two years. He put together more than 50 beds for camp meeting on his own.” Johnny’s ability to take on work is legendary. At his old school, Paradise Adventist Academy, he would volunteer to vacuum or take out the trash. He helped the science teacher grade papers. The school decided it would introduce a student worker award and make Johnny the first recipient. He also won it the next year. “I know I got it twice,” he said as he searched his memory. “I don’t know if I got it a third time or not.”  He hasn’t gotten a trophy at Union, but he was promoted from residential maintenance to a residential assistant (RA) without ever applying. He says his jobs on campus have helped build his confidence and added to his professionalism in talking to people on the phone. Johnny says he got his work ethic from his mother. “My mom is absolutely the hardest working person I know. And, I guess that’s her love language. She loves us extremely and very strongly.” She takes care of three boys by herself. Johnny lost his father to cancer this spring.  The tragedy interrupted finals so he had to make up assignments and tests. It’s a good thing he is as ready for academic work as for physical labor. This fall he is taking on a heavy class load so he can enter Union’s Nursing Program in January.  Why does Johnny work so hard while some of the rest of us coast downhill? “The rewards, in my view, are what people think of me,” he said. “That’s important because it guides your relationships and it reflects on your character. Obviously, money is also a reward. But the thing that I keep going back to is the relationships. I built a better relationship with Santi and with all the people that I’ve worked around.” Johnny mentions one more reason for his productive life. “I can’t just sit around,” he said. “I’d get bored.” Kim Peckhan is director of digital communication at Union Adventist University.

Read more...