Adventist News
New Leaders Appointed to AdventHealth Hospitals in Mid-America AdventHealth – February 6, 2025
AdventHealth named Sissel Jacob president and CEO for AdventHealth Lenexa City Center. AdventHealth Lenexa City Center is a new hospital campus in the metro Kansas City area, expected for completion in 2025. The hospital and medical office building comprise phase one of the three-phase project, which will include a variety of medical and retail services. “We are thrilled to have Sissel join our Mid-America team and lead an exciting new campus that will meet a variety of needs for our western Johnson County residents,” said Sam Huenergardt, president/CEO for the Mid-America Region of AdventHealth. “The Lenexa City project is an innovative initiative that will benefit from her dynamic and collaborative leadership.” Since 2022, Jacob led AdventHealth Manchester in eastern Kentucky, recently overseeing the market’s expansion with a new rural health clinic in Pineville, Kentucky. Since joining AdventHealth in 2005, she has served in various leadership positions, including hospital operations, supply chain management and other areas. “As I transition to this new role, I look forward to building new relationships and supporting the expansion of our mission in the greater Kansas City area,” added Jacobs. AdventHealth Ottawa also named Brendan Johnson its new president and CEO who until recently was senior vice president and chief human resources officer with Adventist HealthCare in Gaithersburg, Maryland. “We’re pleased to welcome Brendan, an experienced leader in faith-based care, to join our Ottawa community in the new year,” said Huenergardt. “Not only is he strongly aligned with our mission and vision, but he is a dedicated health care leader who is eager to make a positive impact on the health and wellness of the Ottawa community.” With nearly 20 years of experience in the health care industry, Johnson has served in progressive roles in business operations, orthopedic and spine service lines, and revenue management. “It’s my honor to join the AdventHealth team in Kansas as we advance the mission of extending Christ’s healing ministry to the diverse communities we serve,” said Johnson. “I look forward to building and strengthening relationships across the Franklin County community and working with the great leaders and team at AdventHealth Ottawa to support patients.” In addition to a new CEO, AdventHealth Ottawa recently celebrated some important additional milestones, including: Receiving an ‘A’ grade from the Leapfrog Group, the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm to patients. Completion of a $5.2 million expansion and renovation, bringing a new behavioral health program and outpatient cardiology and pulmonology services to the complex that already houses primary care, internal medicine, pediatric, neurology, sleep medicine and rheumatology services. This expansion also included a renovation of the Sports Medicine and Rehab annex space. The AdventHealth Ottawa Emergency Department achieved Geriatric accreditation from the American College of Emergency Physicians. This ACEP accreditation solidifies AdventHealth Ottawa as an institution with a reputation for delivering excellent geriatric patient care. AdventHealth Ottawa Chief Operating Officer Doug Rich received a Heart of Health Care Award from the Kansas Hospital Association for his advocacy in rural health initiatives and for helping build community services for Franklin County. AdventHealth Ottawa and AdventHealth Ottawa Foundation teamed up with the national nonprofit organization Shoes That Fit to provide shoes for Franklin County elementary school students in need. In February, 1,149 students received a brand-new pair of name-brand athletic shoes along with five pairs of socks.
Read more...Realignment Turns a Page in RMC Communication Department RMCNews – February 6, 2025
Rajmund Dabrowski retired from his work as the Rocky Mountain Conference communication director on Jan. 1. 2024. Dabrowski acted as director for nearly 10 years, joining RMC in 2015. “A major page is turning at the end of this year—our longtime friend and colleague, Elder Rajmund Dabrowski, will be retiring. Ray has given many years of faithful service to our conference ever since his first retirement. He leaves an important legacy of excellent work for which I am deeply grateful,” said Mic Thurber, RMC president. “Having served the church over decades, I have completed my formal service with the local level of church organization. It was a learning curve, and I will be forever grateful to our Church to see communication as one of the primary ministries,” reflected Dabrowski. The RMC Executive Committee voted in December to accept the RMC AdCom’s recommendation to invite Liz Kirkland to take over as full-time conference Communication Department director starting January 1, which she accepted. “Ray recommended to bring in Liz, a member of the Littleton Seventh-day Adventist Church, to join him in the department as his assistant two years ago,” said Thurber. “Liz has some wonderful gifts in design, computer applications related to electronic media, and is a wordsmith in her own right. She will bring many new and fresh ideas and approaches to the wide array of modern media channels that are available today. We have every confidence that Liz will build on Ray’s strong foundation and take us to the next level. We are fortunate she has joined our leadership team.” “I have been so blessed to have worked with Ray in this ministry. His experience in the field of Adventist communication is second to none, and I just enjoy the person he is. I will miss him!” remarked Kirkland. She added, “But I am grateful for the opportunity to better serve my conference, and I look forward to having more devoted time to working with RMC’s wonderful members and leaders to share Adventist hope in the community.”
Read more...Dakota Conference Welcomes Betsy Ray as Executive Assistant Jodi Dossenko – February 6, 2025
Betsy (Shrock) Ray recently joined the Dakota Conference as the new receptionist and executive assistant. Starting in early October 2024, she is eager to serve others, build connections, and support the conference’s mission. Originally from the West Coast, Betsy grew up in Oregon and Washington, later attending high school in California, where she met her husband, Richard, during their senior year at Weimar. Following high school, she attended Union College, (now University) studying elementary education before ultimately earning an interdisciplinary degree in psychology and education from Liberty University. Betsy’s journey has taken her across the country. After living in several states due to her husband’s military career, they finally settled in North Dakota in 2015. The move to the Dakotas was a family decision influenced by her brother’s relocation to the area with his wife. Betsy, Richard and her parents soon joined them, and later Richard’s parents also relocated, making it a shared home base for their extended family. The couple has three children: Rosalyn, who serves in the Navy; Victoria, a freshman at Oklahoma Academy; and Theodore, a seventh grader at Brentwood Adventist Christian School in Bismarck. With her children more independent, Betsy is excited to embrace this new chapter beyond motherhood, focusing on her own interests and skills. In her spare time, Betsy is deeply involved with her local church community. She has led Sabbath school for many years and is actively engaged in Pathfinders and Adventurers, working closely with her husband in this capacity. With a passion for creativity, Betsy enjoys crafting, decorating and organizing, and her interpersonal skills will be a tremendous asset to her position. The Dakota Conference is thrilled to have Betsy on board and is thankful for the positive impact she has already brought to the team.
Read more...OUTLOOK High School Student Writers Contest Winners Celebrating the Impact of Adventist Education Hugh Davis – February 4, 2025
Now in its third year, OUTLOOK magazine hosts the High School Student Writers Contest, providing young writers across the Mid-America Union with an opportunity to share their experiences and insights about Adventist education. This contest encourages students to reflect on the value of their education and inspire others through their words. Recognizing Outstanding Student Writers This year’s first-place winner, Nolice Matumano from Sunnydale Adventist Academy, captured the essence of Adventist education in his article, THE IMPACT OF ADVENTIST EDUCATION ON MY LIFE. His writing demonstrated creativity, clarity, and strong organization while incorporating both academic and spiritual sources. Nolice will receive a $300 scholarship toward his education at Sunnydale and a $200 Amazon gift card. His article, which can be read here, was featured in the 2025 January issue of OUTLOOK magazine. Our second-place winner, Damaris Lopez-Morquecho from Campion Academy, reflected on her lifelong experience attending Adventist schools and the sacrifices her parents made for her education. Her heartfelt story aims to encourage other students to consider an Adventist education. Damaris shared, My parents were so surprised when I won. When I called to tell my mom, she didn’t believe me at first. I had to translate the email for them [in Spanish], but once they understood, they were so happy and proud. As the second-place winner, Damaris will receive a $200 scholarship and a $100 Amazon gift card. Her article, which can be read here, will appear in the 2025 February issue of OUTLOOK magazine. The Value of Adventist Education For many students, attending an Adventist school is more than an academic choice—it’s a life-changing experience. This contest challenges students to explore why Adventist education matters, how it has impacted their lives, and how it has strengthened their connection to faith. Past winners include Jesse Campbell from College View Academy (2022), Annika Swanson-Lane from Maplewood Academy, and Camron Miranda from Midland Adventist Academy (2023). These students, like Nolice and Damaris, have used their writing to highlight the transformative power of Adventist education. Contest Details and Prizes The first-place winner receives a $200 Amazon gift card and a $300 scholarship toward an Adventist school for the Spring 2026 semester. The second-place winner receives a $100 Amazon gift card and a $200 scholarship toward their Adventist education. Winning articles are featured in the January and February issues of OUTLOOK magazine. To enter, students must submit their article and a corresponding photo to Brenda Dickerson, OUTLOOK editor. The deadline for submissions is September 29, 2025. The OUTLOOK High School Student Writers Contest is an opportunity for students to share their stories, strengthen their writing skills, and inspire others. In the future, we are considering adding middle school students to expand this opportunity to even more young writers. If you are a high school student in the Mid-America Union, consider submitting your work for the next contest. Your story could encourage another student to experience the life-changing benefits of Adventist education. If you would like to learn more about Adventist education or how you can shape the future of education in the heartland, visit midamericaadventist.org/joineduteam.
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Blogs
The Teacher’s Notes–The Problem of Evil, Lesson 7 Adult Bible Study Guide, 2025 1Q, "God's Love and Justice" The Teacher's Notes – February 8, 2025
Sabbath School Lesson for February 8-14, 2025 Memory Text: ” ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, now crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’ ” Revelation 21:4 NKJV Even when we discover God’s immense love and sense of justice, there are still questions that haunt us when times get hard. Why, for instance, has God allowed evil to exist in the first place? Especially when times are unbearably difficult for many people, there are those who turn away from God altogether for His apparent inaction when it comes to our suffering. We would love to have an explanation for why evil has so infected our planet. But if there was an explanation for sin’s existence, it would amount to an excuse for its presence in our lives. Therefore, we must be content to know that it can’t be explained away or justified. It’s just there. How long are we to endure oppression is also a familiar question posed by many followers of God throughout the Bible. Two things must be remembered though. First, our finite minds can’t comprehend many things in the world; so we shouldn’t expect a satisfactory understanding of so complex an issue as sin and how long it will last. Instead, we must hang on to the hope God has revealed to us in His word, which includes a final eradication of evil. Someday, God will wipe away every tear we cry for ourselves and for others. Sunday: How Long, O Lord?”–the question we long to know: how long must we suffer? Monday: “There Are Many Things We Do Not Know”–humility is needed to recognize our limited ability to understand evil Tuesday: The Skeptical Theist–the sanctuary is meant to teach us many things about God Wednesday: The Freewill Defense–we have misused our freedom of choice Thursday: Love and Evil?–force is contrary to the principles of God’s government Sunday: How Long, O Lord? Evil can be very bad. We must not trivialize it or ignore its effects. God hates it as much as we do. But there are times when we can’t see an end to our suffering and it becomes very disheartening, even for the most devout person of God. Many in the Bible, including Job, Jeremiah, Malachi, and David, raised heart-wrenching questions about why and how long we must suffer. We know God is sympathetic to those pleas for mercy and understanding. His own Son, Jesus, experienced the feeling of abandonment when He cried out on the cross, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46) And yet, we know that God was very close to Christ in His final suffering. The sky darkened and the earth quaked–unmistakable signs that our Creator was very close indeed and disturbed by our treatment of His Son. Verses to discuss: Job 30:26, Jeremiah 12:1, 13:22, Malachi 2:17, and Psalm 10:1 What was the response of these patriarchs and prophets to the suffering they endured? When have you felt a similar desire to question God about some trial you or someone you love were facing? Matthew 27:46, 51 and Luke 23:44 Why did Jesus feel forsaken by God as He hung on the cross? How do we know God was not absent from the scene? Monday: “There Are Many Things We Do Not Know” We can learn a lot about suffering from Job’s story. Job was an honest, praying, righteous individual. But seldom has one faced so many disastrous events in so short a time. Losing his livelihood, his family, and then his own health would certainly make us wonder why he was enduring such enormous trials. Job wondered as well. How could he not question God about why he was repeatedly experiencing such traumatic events? God’s answer to him was both humbling and revealing. God laid out the creation of the world, with all its complex design and beauty. We can never know all there is to know about the forces of nature around us. We must simply accept and learn to live with them the best we can. Reading the book of Job helps us understand evil by showing us that there were things going on behind the scenes with God and Satan. Ultimately, Job, and all of us, must wait for better things to come–either now or in the earth made new. Trusting in God’s overall care for us helps us to have hope for something better in the future. Verses to discuss: Job 38:1-12 and 42:3 What kind of questions did God have for Job? What was Job’s response to this questioning? How does Job’s story help us when we have trials? Tuesday: The Skeptical Theist The skeptical theist is someone who has questions about God and why we suffer, but who continues to trust and love God, despite the pain and anguish he may be going through. Asaph, a Levite singer and prophet in the courts of King David, wrote several Psalms and was an example of someone we would call a skeptical theist. He wrote Psalm 73, which reveals many questions he desired God to answer. Psalm 73:17 tells us where he found many answers about their enemies and why they triumph at times. He found answers in the sanctuary, which was a place designed to teach us the plan of salvation. It was here that he learned the key to the problem of evil and how God will bring all to justice in His own time and way. Verses to discuss: Psalm 73 In what ways do we still struggle to find answers to questions such as the ones in this Psalm? How would the sanctuary have been a source of answers for him (Psalm 73:17)? How can we still find solace and comfort in a study of the sanctuary and its symbols today? Wednesday: The Freewill Defense One of the things that makes us God’s higher creatures, those made in His The Teacher’s Notes–The Problem of Evil, Lesson 7 Adult Bible Study Guide, 2025 1Q, “God’s Love and Justice”“>Read more…
Read more...Worry — Part 1 Faith vs. Fear Mind and Spirit – February 7, 2025
Introduction Years ago, when I was navigating a painful separation that eventually led to divorce, I was overwhelmed with fear, worry, and anxiety. Would he come back? Would I survive on my own? I didn’t even have a steady job! How would I pay for the bills, the insurance, the kids’ schooling? The car repairs? The house that was still in the middle of a remodel? I was terrified. Perhaps you’ve been there too—those moments when the bills pile up and the bank account can’t keep up, or when the phone rings with news that shakes you to your core. During that time, I spent months crying out to God in prayer, barely able to find words. I was consumed by worry, but then something clicked. I realized I was living in constant fear and anxiety, despite knowing that God told us not to worry. I had heard that there were 365 verses in the Bible that say, “Do not fear.” That’s one for every day of the year! So, I decided to take a deeper look at what the Bible really says about fear—and I dove into every verse I could find on the topic. This study became a part of my daily worship for several months. Instead of reading books by human authors, I decided to turn directly to the Bible. Using an online search tool, I looked up every verse containing the words “fear,” “worry,” “afraid,” and “anxiety.” What I found was nothing short of transformative. God spoke to me in ways I had never heard before. The answers I found were thorough, specific, and easy to understand—much more than I expected. To keep these posts digestible, I’ve broken this series into several parts. The upcoming titles will include: Faith vs. Fear The Results of Fear What Will They Think of Me? No Fear in Battle Like an Infection God Hears… And He is There! My Value Antidotes to Fear God is God Be Strong and Courageous It’s worth noting that many of the “do not fear” verses in the Bible actually refer to people or nations who “do not fear” the God of heaven, which is different from the everyday fears we experience. However, there are still plenty of verses which directly address the fear and anxiety of daily life. We will explore many of them in this series. Now, let’s dive into Part 1! Faith vs. Fear Fear. Worry. These are human emotions we all have at times. Worry, fear, and anxiety are all similar emotions. At the appropriate time, fear can trigger a great gift God instilled in us releasing hormones in our bodies which make us better able to deal with an emergency situation. However, God tells us repeatedly in the Bible, “Do not fear,” and, “Do not worry.” If fear can be a gift from God and a natural emotion, why would God tell us not to have fear and worry? Is worry or fear a sin? How can we avoid it? These are some of the questions I have explored and believe I have found many answers in the Bible. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 KJV This verse clearly states two fruits of the Christian life will be faith and peace. Both of these are the opposite of fear or worry. At times in the Bible someone is told to show faith and not fear. For example, there is a story in the old testament which took place during a famine. The prophet Elijah was directed by God to go to a town in another country. When he arrived he found a woman about to make the last bit of flour she had into bread for her and her son, believing they would both die after that. “And Elijah said to her, ‘Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son.’” 1 Kings 17:13 NKJV In spite of her fear for her life and that of her son, she showed faith and followed the prophet’s direction. For the rest of the famine, they had just enough flour and oil in their house each day to make bread. God rewarded her for showing faith and not fear. Jesus makes a statement in Mark 4:40 (NKJV), “But He said to them, ‘Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?’” This tells us that fear is present when faith is lacking. Similar to the previous story regarding a relationship between the opposite of faith and fear. Could it be that faith pushes out fear? It also appears from two texts that fear does not come from God: “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.’” Romans 8:15 and “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 8:15 Additionally Jesus states what He does give us, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 NKJV If God gives us faith and peace but does not give us fear, where does fear come from? For this answer we need to go to the very beginning, the Garden of Eden. The very first time fear entered this planet was there, following the first sin. Adam stated, “I was afraid.” (Genesis 3:10) Fear is a result of sin. Sin comes from Satan. If fear comes as a result of sin, then fear comes from Satan—not God. If fear does not come from God, and God asks us not to fear, if must not be good for us. What are the Worry — Part 1 Faith vs. Fear“>Read more…
Read more...Thrive in Health: Creative At-Home Workouts Stay Fit Indoors: Simple Moves to Keep You Active and Thriving at Home Jeanine Qualls – February 4, 2025
Welcome to “We’re Not Just Surviving—We’re Thriving!” Don’t let bad weather or a busy schedule keep you from staying active. You don’t need a gym or fancy equipment to get a great workout. With just a small pathway, some weights, or even just your body weight, you can keep moving and keep thriving—all from the comfort of your home. Stay Active, Stay Creative This quick and simple routine involves walking with weights, bicep curls, shoulder presses, and even a little cardio. You can walk back and forth, add in some squats or lunges, and keep your heart rate up—all while strengthening your body. No equipment? No problem! Improvise with what you have, whether it’s stairs for a great cardio boost or household items to add resistance. The goal is to get moving and keep moving. Want to See the Full Routine? Ready to see this fun and effective workout in action? Click below to watch the video now! Discover how to turn your home into a fitness zone and start thriving today. Don’t just survive—thrive in health! God bless!
Read more...#SabbathSlowdown: Fear Not A Prayer to Cast Out Fear Home, Church, School – February 1, 2025
1 John 4 from The Message has a clear message for each of us today. Don’t Believe Everything You Hear 4 My dear friends, don’t believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world. 2-3 Here’s how you test for the genuine Spirit of God. Everyone who confesses openly his faith in Jesus Christ—the Son of God, who came as an actual flesh-and-blood person—comes from God and belongs to God. And everyone who refuses to confess faith in Jesus has nothing in common with God. This is the spirit of antichrist that you heard was coming. Well, here it is, sooner than we thought! 4-6 My dear children, you come from God and belong to God. You have already won a big victory over those false teachers, for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world. These people belong to the Christ-denying world. They talk the world’s language and the world eats it up. But we come from God and belong to God. Anyone who knows God understands us and listens. The person who has nothing to do with God will, of course, not listen to us. This is another test for telling the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of deception. God Is Love 7-10 My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God. 11-12 My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love! 13-16 This is how we know we’re living steadily and deeply in him, and he in us: He’s given us life from his life, from his very own Spirit. Also, we’ve seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Savior of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God. To Love, to Be Loved 17-18 God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgment Day—our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. 19 We, though, are going to love—love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first. 20-21 If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both. Whatever you’re going through, your political views, and lived experience, this prayer is for you. Father in Heaven, This world is a scary place. It is cold and unpredictable. We are not in charge and that can make it feel even more scary. Lord, You don’t just know the truth. You are the truth. In a media world filled with opinions and theories designed to make us afraid, help us to look to You for truth. Wrap us in Your steady hands and hide us in Your love so that we can share that love with others as freely as You give it to us. Father, unite us in Your love even when we disagree on politics or opinions. Unite us in Your truth even when we might have been wrong yesterday and may be wrong tomorrow. When we don’t have the words to share Your love with others, speak through us, Lord, with Your Spirit living in us. Thank You for the blessing of Your perfect peace beyond our understanding and perfect Love which sustains us. Thank You, Father, for Your grace, Your Spirit living in us, and Your Son, Jesus. In His name we pray, Amen. Feature image generated by AI using DALL·E. Created for illustrative purposes.
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Featured Stories
Nebraska Teen Passes EMT Exam Will become family's 4th generation EMT Guest Contributor – February 6, 2025
Skyview Learning Academy would like to congratulate senior student, Trystan Ray, on passing the exam to be a Nationally Registered EMT. At just 16 years old, Trystan has found her true calling in life. Through the cooperative efforts of Skyview and the Douglas Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Trystan joined last year as a cadet and is pursuing a career as a Paramedic after graduation from Skyview this spring. “Through countless hours of course work, lectures, labs, exams, and studying, I officially made it,” Trystan recently posted on her social media account. When asked what motivated her to purse this path, Trystan said that she has been inspired by watching her mom and other EMT’s respond to calls in the community. I love being able to help people when they are at some of their weakest moments in life and I am excited to keep learning more in the EMS field every day that I can. Trystan will have to wait until she turns 18 to be licensed in the State of Nebraska and be able to serve as an EMT, but she will continue to gain experience in the meantime as a cadet on the Douglas Volunteer Fire & Rescue department. Trystan is the daughter of Skyview founders, Mick and Michele Ray, of rural Douglas and is proud to say that she is a 4th generation EMT, following after her great-grandmother (the late Jeannie Nelson Shermer of Oakdale), her grandfather (Randy Nelson of Oakdale), and her mother (Michele Ray of Douglas). Information provided by Michele Ray, business manager of Skyview Learning Academy in Douglas, Nebraska.
Read more...Expanding Your Ministry in 2025 Partnering with those who are differently abled Gary Thurber – February 6, 2025
I am blessed with an inside track as I watch someone who ministers for and with people who have a disability. My wife, Diane Thurber, is the president of Christian Record Services, a ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America that serves people who are blind and visually impaired. She has become personally involved in many of their members’ lives. Some evenings I hear her speak with members on the phone and learn their stories, some of which simply break my heart. Other stories make me want to get up and cheer for the amazing ways in which they overcome challenges and are actively involved in ministering to others. Have you ever thought about getting involved in ministering for and with people who have a special need of some type? I can tell you by watching Diane firsthand, it can be an unbelievably rewarding experience. To hear the gratitude in their voices as they have just returned from a week at a blind camp or having just listened to the latest book or magazine they received from CRS’s library is so heartwarming. Many live quite isolated and lonely lives, and they find community through this ministry and they in turn bless others, including my wife and me. I am not an expert in this area, but there are a few things I have learned from watching Diane and others interact with those who have a disability. I encourage you to challenge your church to be one that is inclusive-minded toward those who live with a disability, or as some say are “differently abled.” Here are a few things to consider if you do want to make this an important part of your church’s journey: Build awareness and understanding Educate the congregation and ministry leaders about disabilities. Begin to break down stereotypes and misconceptions. Always approach your ministry with empathy and respect for whomever the Lord puts in your path. Be a great listener. Take time to truly hear and understand the needs and concerns of people with disabilities and of their families. Create an inclusive environment Make sure your church property and building are physically accessible to all. Provide accommodations, where needed or if requested, for someone who is disabled to participate in the services. Be flexible and willing as a church to adapt programs and services to meet diverse needs. Provide training and support for your church family Offer sensitivity training for church volunteers, members or employees. Provide resources and information about support networks in the community for those with whom you will minister. Provide emotional and spiritual support Partner with people who are disabled and invite them to join your ministry team in areas of their giftedness. Let them share or dream about how God can use them to serve. Involve every member in the local church’s mission regardless of their abilities. Invite people with disabilities to share their testimonies of how God blesses their life. Open avenues for people who are disabled to reach others within their community for Christ. Be collaborative. Remember, just as you want to minister to them, they also will have a calling to serve as well and are gifted by God, too. Look for ways to minister together to serve your community. At the end of the day these members, though perhaps differently abled, are just people who are also on their journey to the kingdom. Ministering to and with them requires the same principles as all ministries we are involved in. If you choose to be intentional about being an inclusive church and plan an outreach to work with people who are disabled in your church and community, just be prepared to be blessed more by them than you will ever bless them. The testimonies of courage and strength you will hear are simply life changing! I hope you will truly consider this opportunity as part of your ministry plans in 2025.
Read more...An Effective Adventist Education by Damaris Lopez Guest Contributor – February 4, 2025
I have always been enrolled in an Adventist school since I was five years old. My parents left everything they have ever known like family, friends, and their home to give my siblings and I a better life and a better education—an Adventist education. I would have never guessed how important an Adventist education would be in my life today. I attended Vista Ridge Academy in Erie, Colorado when I was five years old and I graduated my 8th grade year. When I first entered Vista Ridge I didn’t know English. My teacher Ms. Blankenship was bilingual and she helped me understand so much by pushing me to learn. She would even teach the kids in my class Spanish so they understood how hard it was to learn a new language, and I wouldn’t feel alone. The staff at Vista Ridge were all amazing and patient with me after having to explain what they were teaching me over and over again until I would understand. I am forever grateful for all the staff at Vista Ridge Academy. I started attending Campion Academy in August 2021. I was nervous because it would be my first time being in a new school and not knowing anybody, besides my friend Jasmine. Campion has a lot of activities for classes to bond and I started to become friends with my whole class. At the beginning of Sophomore year, I wanted to leave Campion because I had just lost my friend due to gang violence; he was unfortunately caught in the middle of senselessness. I prayed to God to give me strength and to show me that Campion was the place for me. The next day my friends and I talked about the annual Biology Moab trip, what our Senior year would be like, and the memories that we would make along the way. That’s when I realized God wanted me to stay put. Back in my neighborhood it isn’t known to be the safest place. It deals with rival gangs and drugs. I had friends in my neighborhood that I had known since we were kids. I was with a friend and her mom who didn’t know I lived in this neighborhood. We heard police sirens heading towards my neighborhood. Her mom said, Those kids in that neighborhood would never be anything, just doing drugs and entering gangs. My friends in my neighborhood started to enter separate gangs, and hatred overcame them because of who they were associated with. I made a hard decision to leave my friends and focus my life on a spiritual walk with God. I am now a month into my Senior year at Campion Academy. The growth of my spiritual life has been immense. All the staff here at Campion have impacted and changed my life. Having the Campion Seventh-day Adventist Church next door has helped a lot as well. I love how church members and the pastors get involved to help students feel more welcomed and involved. I have learned that no matter where you come from or what your background is, you are accepted and chosen to be a child of God. Proverbs 3:6 (ESV) goes, In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. All my teachers have helped me understand God’s character and to put my trust in Him because He knows the correct path for me. As one of the co-founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Ellen G. White said, We are rapidly nearing the final crisis in this world’s history, and it is important that we understand that the educational advantages offered by our schools are to be different from those offered by the schools of the world (Counsels to Teachers, 56). My teachers didn’t just teach me about God but to show the Light to others. This article won second place in the 2024 OUTLOOK essay competition for high school students.
Read more...3ADM: Helping Deaf People Know and Love Jesus Guest Contributor – January 30, 2025
A ministry straddling the Midwest and Southern United States is working tirelessly to spread the gospel to the deaf. Three Angels Deaf Ministries (3ADM) is a small ministry based in Ava, Missouri, located about an hour’s drive southeast of Springfield, Missouri, and about 30 miles north of the Arkansas state line. Amanda Colgan is the executive director of 3ADM and her husband, Kevin, is the Deaf Bible School manager. 3ADM has very deep and personal meaning for the couple, as they are both deaf themselves. “I really cherish Three Angels Deaf Ministries,” says Amanda. “There is a huge need, and it’s our life’s work. Many deaf people are hungry for God’s Word, but what is out there is not accessible to them. It leads many people to become frustrated and confused. Many traditional churches do not provide for their needs. Like, for me, growing up, going to church without an interpreter was not easy or even possible to understand. It was just like a fishbowl. I could see what was happening, but I did not understand everything. So many people feel the same way. I felt very isolated and felt like there was no hope. I often wondered, “What is the purpose of my life?” So 3ADM’s goal is to tell them that God loves them and we have materials to give them to understand His Word, in both easy reading and in American Sign Language.” Building on the past, shaping the future 3ADM was founded in 1998 as Adventist Deaf Ministries by a group of deaf Adventist ministry leaders who desired to see all deaf people come to know and love Jesus. These ministry leaders came together after Christian Record Services made the difficult decision to shutter its deaf services department and after the North American Division and regional union presidents decided to discontinue deaf ministry under the formal church organization. 3ADM is an independent, donor-supported ministry that works cooperatively with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 3ADM representatives travel around to many Adventist churches across the United States, giving out resources and raising awareness for their ministry and those for whom they advocate. “Recently, Kevin, our daughter and I went to Tennessee after we were invited to the Crossville Seventh-day Adventist Church for a Deaf Awareness Sabbath,” said Amanda. “We had a really nice afternoon workshop where we helped teach about Deaf awareness. We also had a Q&A panel of Deaf people where attendees asked questions related to deaf people’s lives, deaf ministries, and other things relating to the deaf. That was a really nice way to spread deaf awareness. Many people do not know what to do when they meet a deaf person. It is often very awkward so we’re there to give help, to provide for their needs, and to give a better understanding.” 3ADM is always looking for hearing people interested in helping advance the ministry, especially if they know any deaf people. Amanda says sometimes it’s not easy to find deaf people, but she and their team are always happy to train hearing people how to meet a deaf person’s needs by providing resources, videos in ASL, and Bible studies. “And we really need people to help with our new programs, such as our health ministry,” Amanda adds. “It’s going to be a huge challenge for us. We have several people involved with the health ministries and we would like to ask for even more help. We always need someone for video production as well. It’s a really big challenge for us because we need to produce a lot of content, but we do not have the manpower. The same goes for graphic design. We have a big need for that because deaf people are very visual. So we need to keep up making the content and videos for those in the deaf community.” If you are interested in helping 3ADM in any way, or would like a representative to come to your church, please visit 3ADM.org. At the time of this writing, Evan Majors was a student intern with the Mid-America Union Communication Department.
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