What a joy to watch God work in Minnesota during the past few years! We’ve seen Adventists take a week off work to feed their neighbors during a crisis. We’ve watched teenagers pound nails and preach sermons on their first mission trip. We’ve seen the Holy Spirit turn financial impossibilities into possibilities. And we’ve seen eyes light up when visitors to evangelistic meetings find out that Bible prophecy is actually good news.
We’ve watched and received so many incredible answers to prayer.
Several years ago Minnesota Adventists set specific disciple-making goals to keep us focused on the mission of Jesus. We rejoice in God’s blessings:
1. We exceeded the goal of sending at least 10 college students from Minnesota as theology or education majors.
2. We sent about 200 Minnesota Adventists on mission trips over the past three years. After all, Jesus didn’t say “Go ye into all the conference.” He said “Go ye into all the world.”
3. And we are working to send two families as overseas missionaries. The Kitching family is already preparing to serve in Japan, and we are still praying for one more family to say yes to full-time mission work.
Navigating economic challenges
Along with most conferences in North America, Minnesota continues to grapple with the uncertain economy and high inflation. But God is blessing, and we are beginning to see increased stability in conference finances.
Celebrating Adventist education
A constant bright light in Minnesota is our schools, where our children are taught by teachers who are supremely interested in their eternal salvation. Minnesota churches operate 11 elementary schools, a senior day academy and two junior academies, with Minnetonka Christian Academy now being approved as a secondary school serving the twin cities. Next to the dedicated Adventist home, Adventist schools are our most powerful resource for discipling young people and preparing them to serve Jesus. Running a school takes resources—ask any church operating one. But also ask whether it’s worth it, and you will hear a resounding Yes!
Renewing Maplewood Academy
Thanks to miraculous generosity, Maplewood is currently out of debt, and working creatively to fix the monthly income shortfall. We have received nearly $7 million in gifts for the school and have established three new endowments to help fund student tuition and academy operations. And with input from dedicated constituents and our new principal, Jeff “PJ” Deming, we are exploring renewed, mission-minded directions for the school.
Re-imagining North Star Camp
North Star Camp is hosting more visitors than ever before. Camporees, summer camps, spiritual retreats, outdoor school, Master Guide training, and church campouts allow both young and old members to encounter God out in nature.
We’re also dreaming about the future. What if the camp could become a learning resource for families, churches, and schools? One option is creating a nature center with educational displays, classes, and live animals to hold. Or imagine an evangelistic trail system where people could hike a Sabbath trail with signs about Creation and the seventh day, or other trails teaching about salvation, finding peace, or making disciples. We have so much potential for helping visitors study God’s second book at North Star Camp.
Prioritizing disciple-making
Even as our world staggers toward its end, God’s mission presses forward in Minnesota. We’ve chosen to focus single-mindedly on making disciples for Jesus. That includes making disciples who go on to make more disciples. Jesus invited us, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19, NKJV). Great job description! And what a privilege!
Minnesota has become a world mission field, allowing us to disciple people groups in our own towns who are unreachable in their home countries.
We must seize these precious opportunities. The coming of Jesus is closer every day, and what a thrill it is to share present truth with seekers from every nation and language. One day soon we will kneel together around the throne of God and praise Him in one voice for the extravagant gift of salvation.
Jeff Scoggins is president of the Minnesota Conference.
