Forging Ahead Alberta Adventist News June 2022

ALBERTAADVENTIST.CA/AAN

JUNE 2022 EDITION

Micah—Great Expectations Commit First Give Me This Mountain Is Jesus Really Enough?

Highlights

Forging Ahead

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T

his is a preview and an invitation to join us at Alberta Camp Meeting 2022 (Presential this time after two consecutive years of virtual participation due to COVID-19). From July 15 to 23, enjoy eight days of gathering at Foothills Camp with your family and friends. During camp meeting there will be uplifting preachings and seminars, encouraging lessons, inspiring biblical preaching, music, testimonies, the International Food Fair, Haystacks Club in motion and much more. Don't miss it!

Alberta Adventist News is a print and digital media publication of the Alberta Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Communication Director/Editor Eric Ollila; Co Communication unless otherwise noted. Submission Guidelines: albertaadventist.ca/aan; Submissions: aan@albertaadventist.ca

ELECTED OFFICIALS: President Gary Hodder; Secretary/VP for Administration Wayne Williams; Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer Keith Richter; Board Members/EXCOM: Gary H Letniak, Proscovia Nabafu, Tyler Rosengren, Melanie Semchuk, Deborah Silva, Middin Galve-Sumiller, Sheldon Trenchuk, Griffin Webster, Jennifer Williams. Departmental Directors/ Wilton; Planned Giving & Trust Services/Philanthropy Director Lynn Mc Dowell; Foothills Camp Director Troy McQueen; Youth Director Lyle Notice; Communication/IT/Media ADVENTIST CHURCH: Address: 5816 Highway 2A, Lacombe, AB, T4L2G5. Office Hours: Monday-Thur Seventh-day Adventist: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Phone: (403) 342-5044, Fax: (403) 77 LinkedIn: ABAdventist, Website: albertaadventist.ca

JUNE 2022 EDITION 04 Message from the President 06 From the Editor 10 Devotionals

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28 Department News 42 Church News 50 School Feature 53 Philanthropy News 54 Maskwacis News 58 In Memory

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59 Announcements 62 Means & Meaning

06 Commit First

During a life-changing seminar, the speaker shared with the attendees that if there is something in your life you desire, but you are not achieving it — you're wishing, hoping, maybe even praying for it, but you do not realize it — "You need to check your level of commitment." Read more about how to stay focused and committed to making changes in your life and getting results from a faith perspective.

10 Give me this Mountain

Join Don and April MacLafferty as they develop their story, their struggle and their commitment to Jesus even in times of trouble.

o-Editors Nanette Quines & John Simon; Graphic Design Mishell Raedeke/omnidesign.ca; Photo attribution: Alberta Adventist

Hodder—chair, Wayne Williams, Keith Richter, Miguel Brown, Isaac Darko, Massiel Davila-Ferrer, Bruce Fillier, Rayette Hetland, Curtis Ministerial & Evangelism Director George Ali; Human Resources Officer Jennifer Williams; Education Superintendent Gail R. Director Eric Ollila; Risk Management/Project Development Director Llew Werner. ALBERTA CONFERENCE OF THE SEVENTH-DAY 75-4482 Email: info@ albertaadventist. ca SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter: ABAdventist, Facebook: ABAdventist, Instagram: ABAdventist,

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Micah–

Great Expectations

“

God responds that being a religious person who attends church and returns tithe, etc. is not enough. God expects far loftier things from his people, vr. 8, “He has told you, O man, what is good: and what does the LORD require of you. But to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”

A

s I watch the news these past few weeks, I regularly hear about the conflict taking place in Ukraine. I see the great humanitarian need for food, shelter, medicines, etc. As I observe these things happening, I am reminded of the message found in the book of Micah.

Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good: and what does the LORD require of you, But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God.” (NASB)

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It is really a misnomer to call Micah a minor prophet.

The message of Micah is anything but minor in significance. The twelve minor prophets are referred to this way only because they are not as long as the other prophets.

The reality is that Micah’s message is a timeless message that is still as relevant today as first spoken many years ago.

Micah is a contemporary of Isaiah, and both addressed the southern Kingdom of Judah. Isaiah was of royal background and spoke primarily to the upper class.

Micah was from a poorer class and spoke to the heart of the common man. They prophesied during the evil reign of King Ahaz.

Micah sets up the scene as being a courtroom with the players as you would see in a courtroom today. God has an accusation to make against his people. They are accused of injustice and violence. They are known for exploiting the powerless, for their covetousness, greed, and cruelty. The Landlords are stealing from the poor, evicting widows and

orphans, and putting them on the street. Merchants use inaccurate scales to charge more than things should cost.

The people respond to these accusations by asking God how they can make things right. Shall they come before him with offerings beyond the normal expectations, “Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil…Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts?” They thought that God would somehow be satisfied by carrying out ritualistic religion.

God responds that being a religious person who attends church and returns tithe, etc., is not enough. God expects far loftier things from his people, Verse 8, “He has told you, O man, what is good: and what does the LORD require of you. But to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” God expects that we treat people with fairness.

He expects his people to go beyond fairness to show mercy and to be humble before Him. When I see humanitarian

needs in the world today, I am reminded of God’s ideal for his people to respond with kindness, compassion, and love. Let’s do our part to make this world a more pleasant place to live.

Gary Hodder

President Alberta Conference

JUNE 2022

Alberta Adventist News

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Commit FROM THE EDITOR

First

H

ave you ever desired to do something in your life—something you wanted to do? Something you knew would make a profound difference in every aspect of your life? And have you ever attempted to pursue that desire or goal, only to find yourself empty-handed weeks, months, or even years later?

Have you ever experienced setting a goal or fixing a desire in your mind and then falling short of achieving it? How has that made you feel? What has it done to your confidence or your level of faith in God? How has it made your family, friends, or significant others think and talk about you?

Well, I have. I've experienced the frustration of wanting something, only to never realize or achieve it. The non-accomplishment of these goals and desires in my life has continued to nag at me and my conscience. Why haven't I been able to achieve them? Is there something wrong with me?

Do I not have what it takes?

Is there something else I am missing? These and other deep, soul-probing questions are what I have been asking myself.

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BY ERIC OLLILA

If you are like most Christians, you have heard the promise, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil.

4:13, NKJV). I have found myself asking, "If this is true, then what gives?"

Notice the language there: "If." There is a story in the Bible about a boy with an evil spirit (see Mark 9). His was a severe case. The evil spirit would throw this boy into convulsions. It would throw him to the ground; he would foam at the mouth, and his body would become rigid. It had gotten so bad that the father explained to Jesus that at times, the evil spirit would throw the child into the fire or water, trying to kill him.

And then the father said something. He said to Jesus, "But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."

"If you can do anything, please help us." The underlying sentiment behind this particular father's question was wavering between doubt and belief. The father believed to some degree.

“

President Volodymyr Zolensky demonstrated the idea of "commit first" when he refused the offer from the United States to flee his country when Russia first started their attack on Ukraine.

It would have been impossible for Zolensky to have everything figured out at that moment. But he committed first and took immediate and massive action."

Photo by www.president.gov.ua

JUNE 2022

Alberta Adventist News

7

FROM THE EDITOR Otherwise, he wouldn't even have approached Jesus or requested His help.

Nevertheless, there was this big question mark in this father's mind. ‘Can Jesus help my son? Nobody has been able to help my son yet.

Am I just a wishful thinker?

Am I expecting too much?

Am I being unreasonable?’

Perhaps these questions were similar to the ones the father had asked himself.

Years of trial and despair, with no solution in sight.

Years of trying this medicine, this procedure, or going to this physician or that one, only to no avail. All of that tends to wear a person down. It erodes hope and confidence.

No doubt, the father wanted Jesus to heal his son. No doubt, Jesus had awakened some level of hope and faith in this father's heart. Nevertheless, the evil seed of doubt, however subtle, remained.

If you can do anything, Lord, please save my son.

Please help him. Please!

Jesus picked up on that hint of doubt. He echoed to the man, "If you can believe, all things [are] possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23, emphasis added).

"Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’ (v. 24).

And Jesus healed the boy and cast out the evil spirit.

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“

Recently, I attended a seminar where the speaker said if there is something in your life you desire, but you are not achieving it — you're wishing, hoping, maybe even praying for it, but you do not realize it — "You need to check your level of commitment."

Recently, I attended a seminar where the speaker said if there is something in your life you desire, but you are not achieving it—you're wishing, hoping, maybe even praying for it, but you do not realize it—"You need to check your level of commitment."

You see, faith is a choice.

Believing in something is an act of the will. It is a decision you must make. What makes decisions waver is a lack of trust. If you trust something will happen, it is pretty easy to decide, but, if you lack confidence or have an inkling that something could happen that would throw a wrench into the desired outcome, that is due to some level of a lack of trust.

One of my mentors, Grant Cardone, said, "Commit first.

Go all in. You have to be 100%. All answers to problems come on the other side of commitment." This statement is true. Suppose you find that you do not realize some desire or goal. You first need to go back and check your commitment. Are you all in?

Are you 100%? Or are you like this father, still sitting on the fence of doubt, saying "If.” "Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 6:11). The word "reckon" means “to count it as done.” Consider it done. Here, Paul is saying, “Consider it done. Count yourself to be dead to sin.”

The basic idea here is this: Whatever you are trying to overcome, achieve, reach, or realize in your life, reckon it as done. Consider it done. Consider it fulfilled.

And then act, talk, and think that way about it.

The first thing we need to do is commit. Commit first; go all in; consider it done.

Then watch the miracles that God works in your life.

Eric Ollila

Communication/IT/Media Director Alberta Conference

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DEVOTIONAL

Give Me this

Mountain Joshua 14:12

Dear Friends in Alberta, I hope you are well and finding peace and power in Jesus Christ, our best friend, Savior, and soon-coming King!

I invite you to remember the following story: Years ago, when God’s people pressed up close to the Promised Land, twelve men were chosen to go ahead and spy out the land. They waded through rivers, hiked through forests, darted over meadows, and crept cautiously around Canaanite villages.

They took mental notes of all they saw and heard.

Twelve spies came back with stories. Two triumphantly showed the gawking crowd the single cluster of grapes they both struggled to carry. Others told of fertile soil, abundant fruit trees, and well-watered pastures. However, ten of the twelve spoke mostly of the giants in the land who 10

Alberta Adventist News

JUNE 2022

“

In February of this year, my wife, April, found out she has aggressive, stage 4 large B-cell lymphoma. It was and continues to be a shock. We fasted, prayed, and asked God what He most wanted us to ask of Him. He led us to ask Him to bring the highest glory to Jesus through this crisis, whether He heals her or not, and bring believers and unbelievers to know that He is enough."

lived in high-walled cities.

Ten of the twelve spoke of how small they were — “like grasshoppers” (Num. 13:33) — when compared with the giants. They spoke of cities that could not be taken, giants that could not be beaten, and nations that were thought to be too strong for the God of all gods. Nevertheless, the two had another story.

Two men faced the crowd and faithfully confronted the fears. Joshua and Caleb boldly proclaimed, “Do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey.

Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them” (14:9, NASB).

On that day, Israel refused to move forward by faith.

Their rebellion led to a 40-year detour through the wilderness. After 40 years, all the generations who had rebelled had died except for Caleb and Joshua.

After Israel entered the there, and that the cities were Promised Land, Caleb, now 85 great and fortified. It may years old, approached Joshua be that the Lord will be with to ask for land for his new me, and I shall be able to home. He had taken his stand drive them out as the Lord for God 45 years beforehand. said” (Josh. 14:12, NKJV).

He had lived a faithful life.

Caleb fought and conquered The leaders leaned forward the giants of the mountains to catch the conversation and made his home on the between Caleb and Joshua. spot Israel said could not be Surely, Caleb would request taken. He did what humanity property that was already said could not be done. God cleared of stumps, hostile supplied all his needs. cities, and unconquered In February of this year, giants. It would be expected my wife, April, found out she of this renowned man of faith, has aggressive, stage 4 large who had already “done his B-cell lymphoma. It was and time” in the wilderness, to ask continues to be a shock. We for a safe place with ease and fasted, prayed, and asked security in mind. However, God what He most wanted us Caleb did the unexpected. to ask of Him. He led us to Caleb asked to inherit the ask Him to bring the highest place no one else wanted to glory to Jesus through this go! His request to Joshua crisis, whether He heals her or thundered, “Now, therefore, not, and bring believers and give me this mountain of unbelievers to know that He is which the Lord spoke in that enough. This is our mountain. day; for you heard in that My friend, where is your day how the Anakim were “mountain” that must be taken

for the glory of God? Is your mountain a personal crisis that could challenge you to give up your faith and turn back? Is your mountain a friend or family member who seems impossible to reach for Christ? Is your mountain a village, town, or city in Alberta that seems out of reach of the gospel? Is your mountain a God-given dream you know you have no money or experience to fulfill?

Friends, cry out to the King of kings, “Give me this mountain!”

Your friends,

Don and April MacLafferty Missionary and Author

JUNE 2022

Alberta Adventist News

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DEVOTIONAL

F.O.R.G.I.N.G. Ahead But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV)

A

t a non-Seventh-day just enough for him to see.

Adventist Southern I heard whispers of shock California university, and disappointment. “What it is common knowledge that is she doing?” “Oh no!”

Professor S's classes are difficult.

With a “this-better-be-good” Unlike most professors, he does look, Professor S asked, "Why?" not provide review sessions I nervously replied, "I for upcoming exams. However, go to church." one day, he told the class he He immediately replied, would offer a four-hour review "Okay, you're excused. I will session on one condition: set up a private, one-on-one, there must be 100% class four-hour review session attendance. Literally, the entire with you. Who else?" class screamed with excitement I was stunned and in and started to ask each other, complete disbelief at how easy "We're all going. Right, guys?" it was for me to be excused.

The professor went on to say At the beginning of my he checked the school calendar review session, I asked my and confirmed there were professor why he excused no scheduling conflicts. The me. He said, "You must be review session was on Saturday a Seventh-day Adventist." I from 8 a.m.–12 p.m. He then learned he and his sister were asked, “Who here cannot raised by a single mother. Their make it?” Sitting in the front, neighbor was a Seventh-day I hesitantly raised my hand Adventist who babysat them 12

Alberta Adventist News

JUNE 2022

for free as long as she could take them to church with her.

This Adventist neighbor knew about FORGING ahead (Forward Onto Reflecting God's Image aNd Glory). She didn't know her FORGING ahead would help a college student exercise and strengthen her own faith decades later.

By God's grace, I look forward to thanking this neighbor in person someday.

Sherry A. Yap, MBA

Director of Foundation Accounting Loma Linda University Health | Financial Services

Join the HAYSTACKS CLUB on to participate.

The annual 5K is taking place at 9AM Sunday morning in front of the Camp Office. Participants are encouraged to register in advance.

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Join the Alberta Conference Step Challenge and see which church takes the most steps/member.

Anyone can participate.

Submit you step count totals for Jul 15-21 for a chance to win a prize for your church and bragging rights for the year.

Earn bonus credit for your church by completing a 5K Walk/Run during Step Challenge week.

Join the Haystacks group at Strava.com/Haystacks to participate in the bonus challenge.

Go to Strava.com/clubs/Haystacks to join.

Text HAYSTACKS at (587) 802-2016 my.community.com/albertaadventist

ALBERTA CONFERENCE CAMP MEETING 2022

FORGING AHEAD

Faith. Leadership. Vision.

albertacampmeeting.ca

DEVOTIONAL

Is Jesus Really Enou Wanting More in a Society of Abundance

W

hat cell phone do you own? Is it the newest smartphone with all the latest features?

These new phones make mine seem like an ancient relic. How big is your flatscreen? Have you seen that 90-inch, 8-K, true-to-life TV with all the smart specs? This TV makes mine look undesirable. What vehicle do you drive? Have you seen the new look of some of the new SUVs? After seeing them, I look at my little car and wonder if it’s time to upgrade.

We are continually being subjected to marketing campaigns. Even on social media, you can’t escape the barrage of advertisements.

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Alberta Adventist News

JUNE 2022

Remember when YouTube videos had no ads? After a while, they started introducing one every so often. Now, some YouTube videos have two ads at the beginning and several more throughout. The messages of these ads are mostly the same. “If you buy this, you can be more, have more, do more, feel more, etc.” It often leaves us feeling like what we have just isn’t good enough.

Adam and Eve experienced a very similar advertising campaign. They had been given an amazing place to live. It came with delicious food, the sweetest aroma of the most beautiful flowers, friendship with animals of every kind, and most importantly, abiding love in the tangible presence of God. Really, what more could they have wanted?

During the verbal exchange between Eve and the serpent,

a shift took place inside of her.

The serpent was trying to get her to want something more than God had given. Her eyes fell upon the fruit, with its color, smooth texture, and a possible experience of a sweet, delicious flavor. She let herself linger in the desire to want more. Was the garden enough? Was what God provided satisfying?

Was there something on which she was missing out?

This same pitch is being utilized today. Do we find ourselves grasping frantically for something we hope will satisfy?

Have we been striving to get our hands on that one “thing” that will finally be enough?

As Christ-followers, we certainly acknowledge verbally that Jesus is enough, but maybe we have found ourselves dissatisfied. Sometimes, the ache of not having enough weighs heavily on the heart.

There are moments when those ads scream a little more loudly for our attention.

Nevertheless, what if Jesus has always been enough?

ugh?

We are encouraged to “come away and rest awhile.” Maybe we need to pause to hear that “still small voice.” He promises we “will find rest for our souls in coming to Him.” Jesus knows nothing apart from Him will be enough, even in a society of abundance. As we turn our eyes upon Christ, may we continually experience the lasting satisfaction only He can bring.

Alberta Conference Contributed

$25,000

Jeremy Wellman

Pastor Beauvallon and Vegreville Adventist churches

to Help Furnish Burman University’s New Library As a response to Burman University’s appeal from the conferences throughout Canada, the Alberta Conference contributed $25,000 to foster the furnishing of the new library building. The check was presented by the Alberta Conference president, Pastor Gary Hodder, and treasurer, Keith Richter, and received by Burman University president, Dr. Loren Agrey.

JULY 15-23

Worship & Seminars Daily for youth and adults.

Daily Disciples

Encouraging devotionals for all ages.

Next Level

(Youth and young adults)

Young people leveling up and taking their spiritual lives and personal lives to the Next Level.

Uniform Ministries (Ages 5 - 14)

Children's activities, Uniform Ministries Parade and much more.

Conference Happenings with Debbie

Get the inside scoop on Conference updates and projects.

Prayer Meetings Spots walk, nightly prayer time in the chapel, intercessory prayer.

Haystacks 5K Fun Run

Join on Strava.com and run with us.

albertacampmeeting.ca

ALBERTA CONFERENCE CAMP MEETING 2022 July 15 - 23 • albertacampmeeting.ca

CAMP MEETING 2022 GENERAL SCHEDULE July 15 FRIDAY

July 16 SATURDAY

July 17 SUNDAY

July 18 MONDAY MORNING DEVOTIONAL | 7:00

BREA

MASKWACIS Lynn McDowell 9:15 AM

Paul Llewelyn 11:00 AM

FUN RUN 9:00 AM MASKWACIS Fireside chat with the President 9:30 - 10:20 AM

* Hildemar Dos Sa ABC SALE 10:30 AM Food Fair 12:00 PM

LU

CHOIR REH 1:00 - 2:0 PGTS Stories: DOING SOMETHING GREAT Lynn McDowell 2:00 - 3:00 PM UNIFORM MINISTRIES PARADE 2:45-3:30 PM

DAILY D FAMILY FUN TIME 2:00 - 4:00 PM

MUSIC CONCERT 4:00 - 5:00 PM

SUP

PRAYER 6:00 - 7:00 PM Honey Todd

EVENING

Paul Llewelyn 18

Alberta Adventist News

JUNE 2022

Speaker Intros GraceField Concert

FORGING AHEAD

Alberta Conference Virtual Camp Meeting 9-17, 2021 Faith.July Leadership.

Vision.

July 19 TUESDAY

July 20 WEDNESDAY

July 21 THURSDAY

July 22 FRIDAY

July 23 SATURDAY

- 8:00 AM | Stephen Reasor, Burman University

AKFAST | 8:00 - 8:45 AM SEMINAR | 9:30 - 10:45 AM

antos; Lynn McDowell; Louicius Michel/Breeanne Burghardt; Bill Payne Tsholofelo Sebetlela/Kelly Stickle

EDUCATION Gail Wilton 9:30 AM

Shawn Boonstra 11:00 AM

*PLENARY | 11:00 - 12:15 PM | Martin Hanna

UNCH 12:15 - 1:00 PM

HEARSAL 00 PM

ORCHESTRA REHEARSAL 1:00 - 2:00 PM

DISCIPLES | 2:00 - 3:00 PM | Ted & Sandra Deer | Overflow Tent ADRA CANADA | 3:15 - 3:30 PM

Burman University 3:00 - 4:00 PM ORDINATION Ken Wiebe 4:00 - 5:00 PM

SEMINAR | 3:30 - 4:45 PM |REPEAT from MORNING

PPER | 5:30 - 6:30 PM WORSHIP | 7:00 - 8:30 PM Jon Paulien

* RECORDED MEETING

Bill Payne LIVESTREAMED MEETING

Shawn Boonstra

ALBERTA CONFERENCE CAMP MEETING 2022 July 15 - 23 • albertacampmeeting.ca

Adult Speakers/Seminars

Dr. Hildemar Dos Santos

MD, DrPH, CHES, CNS, ACSM EP-C, NB-HWC Associate Professor for Loma Linda University School of Public Health

Hildemar Dos Santos is also Director of, DrPH Preventive Care Program, Preventive Care Research Group and of the Drayson Center Office of Preventive Care. His vast experience includes Ex-Health Ministry Director of San Roque Adventist Clinic Church (Brazil), Hong Kong Adventist Hospital Church (China), and Chino Portuguese Speaking Seventh-day Adventist Church.

His credentials include Certified Health and Wellness Coach by the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching (2021) Certified Nutrition Specialist – (2007) Exercise PhysiologistCertificate by the American College of Sports Medicine (2001).

Lynn McDowell, JD & Certified Specialist in Planned Giving, is Director of Planned Giving/Philanthropy for the Alberta Conference.

Lynn McDowell

Director of Planned Giving/ Philanthropy

She recently presented a seminar on using Canadian trusts at the North American Division Planned Giving Meetings for Adventist Planned Giving personnel in the US and Canada.

Happily married to Marina Dos Santos for 44 years and blessed with 3 children, 5 grandchildren.

Dr. Louicius Michel Full Professor and Chair of the School of Business at Burman University

20

Alberta Adventist News

Dr. Louicius Michel graduated with a PhD in Business from Laval University. He has worked as an international consultant for several public and private organizations as well as multilateral NGOs while carrying out his scholarly duties. He has worked as a senior advisor to the Haitian Minister of education and the Minister of foreign affairs.

He has been providing commendable services to his scientific community as a Reviewer for the Academy of Management, CEDIMES, etc., and a scientific committee member for many conferences. Dr. Michel has produced several peer-reviewed articles, conference papers, book chapters, consultation reports, management manuals and procedures.

JUNE 2022

Pastor Tsholo was born and raised in Botswana.

He immigrated to Toronto, Canada in 2008 where he met the love of his life, Nadine. Together, they have three beautiful children: Keone, Kadmiel and Kemuel.

Tsholo Sebetlela

Pastor at Maskwacis Church and Chaplain at MANS

He started working with the four Nations of Maskwacis in September 2014 during his freshman year at CUC, now known as Burman University. He currently serves as the Pastor for the Maskwacis Church family as well as the Chaplain at Mamawi Atosketan Native School.

FORGING AHEAD

Alberta Conference Virtual Camp Meeting 9-17, 2021 Faith.July Leadership.

Vision.

Bill Payne

Associate director for evangelism and field trainer for the Discover Bible School at the Voice of Prophecy (VOP)

Before VOP, he served as senior pastor for the Honolulu Central Seventh-day Adventist Church in Honolulu, Hawaii. Bill has served as department director for church ministries, small groups, Sabbath school, youth, and Adventist Community Services.

He compassionately shares his experience with churches and at conference events nationally and internationally. Pastor Payne has conducted small group training and evangelistic series in several countries.

Breeann Burghardt

Business administration degree graduate

Bill lives in Colorado with his wife Audrey. They have one adult daughter who lives in Texas with her husband.

Kelly Stickle

Guidance counsellor at MANS

Kelly Stickle is the guidance counsellor at Mamawi Atosketan School. His professional role is so broad and varied that when he introduces himself to new elementary students each year he sums it up by saying he is there to help students, families, and teachers in any way he can, both at school and in the community. He has a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Northern British Columbia.

Shawn Boonstra

Speaker/director for the Voice of Prophecy Ministry

Kelly was born and raised on Vancouver Island and spent 15 years commercial fishing up and down the British Columbia coast before moving to Alberta 24 winters ago. He has been married for 37 years, has two children and two grandchildren.

Breeann Burghardt graduated from Burman University in April 2017 with her Bachelors of Business Administration majoring in Accounting. After graduation, she started working as a Financial Advisor at the Bank of Nova Scotia, a position she was offered following her successful student internship experience at that institution. While serving in that position, she completed the Mutual Funds certification course obtaining her Mutual Funds License. After a year in banking, she shifted her career focus and successfully pursued her CPA designation.

She is now working for the Government of Alberta in Corporate Financial Services for the Ministry of Culture and Status of Women.

Pastor Shawn Boonstra, a native British Columbian, is speaker/director for the Voice of Prophecy ministry. His broadcasts, live seminars, and books have been a source of inspiration around the globe, and over the years, his live events have been presented on every continent except Antarctica.

Each week, he hosts the Voice of Prophecy’s flagship broadcast, Authentic. In this television and radio program, Shawn explores the existential questions of human experience, looking to examples from history and answers from Scripture to guide the way.

He currently lives in Loveland, Colorado, and enjoys any activity that gets him out of doors and into the mountains, especially when his wife, Jean, can join him.

JUNE 2022

Alberta Adventist News

21

ALBERTA CONFERENCE CAMP MEETING 2022 July 15 - 23 • albertacampmeeting.ca

Adult Speakers/Seminars

Jon Paulien

Professor of Religion

Jon Paulien is Professor of Religion and former Dean of the School of Religion at Loma Linda University. He is the author of more than thirty books and more than two hundred articles.

Jon is a specialist in the study of the Johannine literature in the New Testament (Gospel of John and Book of Revelation) and the intersection of faith with contemporary culture. He also takes special delight in seminars and presentations to non-specialists who can make practical use of the material in the real world. When not at work, Jon enjoys being with his wife Pamella, their three children (and two spouses), and their two grandchildren.

He also enjoys travel, golf and photography when time permits.

Martin F. Hanna Associate Professor of Systematic Theology

Paul Llewellyn hails from the lovely Island of PEI. Grew up in a military household and I got to see God slowly bring my whole family to know Jesus.

Paul Lewellyn

VP Administration Secretariat, Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada

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Alberta Adventist News

Paul started serving the church in education and moved into teaching Bible Class and Chaplaincy.

Eventually moving into pastoral ministry and then into administration.

God has always led in a most amazing way as he and his have learned to trust in His leading. No matter where God plants them, He will never leave them or give them

JUNE 2022

Stephen Reasor

Chair of Religious Studies and Associate Professor of New Testament at Burman University

Martin F. Hanna, PhD., is Associate Professor of Systematic Theology; Co-editor of the Andrews University Seminary Studies; Director of the Andrews University Theological Center for Interdisciplinary Dialogue; and Project Leader for “Facilitating Science-Theology Dialogue,” which has been funded by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He earned a BA from Northern Caribbean University and an MA and a PhD from Andrews University. Martin and his wife Henrietta (PhD. in Nursing) are proud parents of three adult children: Pharez, Melody and Zachary.

Stephen Reasor (PhD, DMin) is chair of Religious Studies and Associate Professor of New Testament at Burman University. He also serves as an executive director of the Burman Ministry Centre. He and his wife, Pattie, have two children, Aeden and Mackenzie. He served the Alberta Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for fourteen years as a pastor and chaplain. In 2015, Stephen transitioned into a teaching role at Burman University, making him a fourth-generation Adventist educator. He is passionate about bringing the Bible to life in the classroom and the pulpit.

He is currently engaged in research in biblical language pedagogy and is the author and editor of the Koine Immersion Series (GlossaHouse), which brings the language of the New Testament to life for students of Koine Greek.

SABBATH

JULY 16

UNIFORM MINISTRIES

PARADE 2022

Attention Adventurers, Pathfinders and Master Guides!

The annual camp meeting parade is back! It's time to get together, fellowship and celebrate our Ministry! Let’s showcase your club to our Alberta church family!

Place and Time: Meet at the Lodge Parking Lot, Foothills Camp at 2:30PM - Parade starts at 3:00PM Dress Code: Type A, type B or black pants/skirt with white shirt/t- shirt with scarf. Aim for uniformity within your club. Please check with your local Club Director for details.

Snacks and beverages will be provided.

ALBERTA CONFERENCE CAMP MEETING 2022

FORGING AHEAD

Faith. Leadership. Vision.

albertacampmeeting.ca

ALBERTA CONFERENCE CAMP MEETING 2022 July 15 - 23 • albertacampmeeting.ca

Youth Speakers/Children's Presenter*

Nelson Fernandez Doctor of Ministry

Nelson is the Lead Pastor for the Life Fellowship and Grace Point Churches in Coral Springs, Florida, in the Florida Conference.

He has a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Leadership and MDiv from Andrews University. He received his bachelor’s degree in Theology from Southern Adventist University and is finishing an MBA from Louisiana State University.

He has served as a pastor for over a decade and loves researching and sharing topics that have to do with cultural relevance, organizational leadership, ministry effectiveness, and transformational discipleship.

He and his wife, Sarah, have been together seventeen years and have two beautiful children.

Dr. Lyle Notice

Youth Director, Alberta Conference

Dr. Lyle Notice grew up in City of Toronto.

From a young age, he had a passion for the stage and had begun an acting career when he felt God calling him to ministry.

After graduating from Canadian University College and Andrews University, he accepted a call to become youth pastor at the Ottawa, Orleans and Kanata Churches. In 2012 he joined the Alberta Conference as Associate Youth Director and since 2014 has served as the Youth Director.

Lyle is married to Cheri, and they have two children, MarloweRae and Cairo.

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Alberta Adventist News

JUNE 2022

Emmanuel Vedoya was raised in the Adventist church in Winnipeg and attended the Adventist school, Red River Valley Junior Academy. Also, he attended Camp Whitesand for a few years before becoming a staff member at 13.

Emmanuel Vedoya Graduated Bachelor’s in Adventure-Based Youth Leadership

Janeth Vasquez

Uniformed Ministries Coordinator for the Alberta Conference

During the following 15 years of being on staff, Emmanuel decided to find a way to continue working at camps; he found himself at Burman University. At Burman he transitioned his course of studies from Psychology to Theology and graduated from Burman University with a Bachelor’s in AdventureBased Youth Leadership.

Afterwards, he found my first job working for a non-profit organization in Calgary and have been seeking out practical ways to do ‘ministry.’

Janeth Vasquez was born and raised in Medellin, Colombia. Her passion for clubs and children’s ministries was developed at a young age, when she experienced first-hand the impact and influence of these ministries in her own life and Christian journey.

After becoming a mom for the first time, she decided to dedicate her life and time to her kids and all the children around her.

For the last ten years, she has worked with children of all ages, served as a Sabbath School teacher, home-school representative, Adventurers instructor for different local clubs, area and executive coordinator for the Adventurers ministry, and is currently the Uniformed Ministries Coordinator for the Alberta Conference. Her dream is to witness an army of children and youth being touched and transformed by the love of God.

YOUTH CAMP MEETING 2022 Young people leveling up and taking their spiritual lives and personal lives to the

JULY 15-23 TEA HOUSE Sabbaths 9:30 AM Sabbath School 11:00 AM Morning Worship

EVENING WORSHIP 7:00 PM Every Night

YOUTH 11:00 AM Sabbaths 7:00 PM Every Night

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Emmanuel Vedoya was born and raised in the Adventist Church in Winnipeg. Worked at Camp Whitesand for 15 years before he decided to find a way to continue working at camps.

He found his way enrolling at Burman University. During this time, he transitioned his course of studies from Psychology to Theology and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Adventure-Based Youth Leadership.

PRESENTER Pastor Nelson Fernandez Is the Lead Pastor for the Life Fellowship and Grace Point Churches in Coral Springs, Florida, within the Florida Conference. He has a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership and an MDiv from Andrews University. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Southern Adventist University and is finishing an MBA from Louisiana State University.

Pastor Dr. Lyle Notice Lyle was born in the city of Toronto. In 2012 he joined the Alberta Conference as Associate Youth Director and since 2014 has served as the Youth Director. In 2019 Lyle defended his Doctor of Ministry degree in Urban ministry, and started a PhD program in the area of Church and Society, focusing on race and diversity, creating and fostering non-racialized Seventh-day Adventist Churches.

ALBERTA CONFERENCE CAMP MEETING 2022

Dr. Lyle Notice Youth Director The Alberta Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

FORGING AHEAD

Faith. Leadership. Vision.

albertacampmeeting.ca

WEEK AT A GLANCE All week Daily Features:

Watch for tables featuring fantastic buys on all sorts of products all week long, new items added daily.

Saturday Evening July 16

Sunday July 17

Store Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and After evening meeting – 10:00 p.m.

Auditorium Sale: 10:30 a.m. - noon Join us for great E. G. WHITE buys on some of our DEVOTIONAL DAY new books. Prizes Wednesday to be won!

Store Hours: After sunset and evening meeting – 11:00 p.m.

Rgular price of all Bibles and Bible accessories.

Regular price of all family and kids’ related products.

FAMILY/KIDS DAY Monday July 18

BIBLE DAY Tuesday July 19

Store Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and After evening meeting – 10:00 p.m.

Store Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and After evening meeting – 10:00 p.m.

July 20

Store Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and After evening meeting – 10:00 p.m.

Regular price of all Ellen White and Devotional books.

MUSIC DAY Thursday July 21

Store Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and After evening meeting – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday Evening July 23

Regular price of all Prayer/Health/ Cookbooks and related products.

Regular price of all music CDs/DVDs/ Audio Books/ Hymnals and Song books.

PRAYER/HEALTH DAY Friday, July 22 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Sunday Morning, July 24

Store Hours: After sunset and evening meeting – 11:00 p.m.

Store Hours: Opens at 7:30 a.m. to allow for customer order pickup.

Food Samples:

Daily, Monday thru Friday

Daily Prize:

Draws everyday with a $25.00 purchase Saturday Evening Event Spend $25.00 or more and enter to win a FANTASTIC prize!

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Alberta Adventist News

NOTE: Sales are applicable only to items that are currently in stock.

No rain checks. Items will be held until end of day ONLY.

JUNE 2022

Case Lot Sale:

Case lot food sales and four can pricing in effect all week

Camp Meeting ABC Auditorium SALE List Description

Author

An Angel Rides with Me

Bradley Booth

$23.79

$17.99

Three Angels Messages

Ellen White

$22.39

$16.99

In Harmony With Heaven

Ted N. C. Wilson

$22.39

$17.99

40 Days Person & Ministry of the Holy Spirit

Dennis Smith

$20.99

$15.99

American Apocalypse

Dwight Nelson

$22.39

$17.99

How Soon is Soon?

Marvin Moore

$25.19

$18.99

Understanding the Sanctuary

Mark Finley

$23.79

$17.99

Ten Blessings for the Here & Now

Geoffrey E. Patterson

$22.39

$17.99

Present Truth & the Three Angels Messages

Nelson Mercado

$26.59

$21.99

$39.99

$24.99

DVD The Chosen: Season One

Reg.

Sale

Angels Over Kisangani

Abigail Duman

$22.39

$16.99

Unmistakably Christian

Thomas Shepherd

$25.19

$20.99

Ready, Set, Find David & Goliath

Zonderkidz Board Book

$13.99

$6.99

1922 The Rise of Adventist Fundamentalism

Michael Campbell

$22.39

$17.99

African American Healers

Ramona L. Hyman & Andy Lampkin

$27.99

$22.99

AUNT Commentary

Various

$90.99

$69.99

Living with the Mind of Jesus

Joseph Kidder & Katelyn Weakley

$27.99

$22.99

God's Promises Solve my Problems

Glenn A. Coon

$18.19

$14.99

Sunday, July 17 (10:30 a.m. – Noon)

Description

Author

Reg.

Sale

Refiners Fire 3Q Companion Book

Gavin Anthony

$22.39

$17.99

How Not to Diet

Michael Greger, MD, FACLM

$38.50

$9.99

Closing Prayers Facing the Final Crisis

Randy Maxwell

$22.39

$16.99

Camp Happy Patch

Charles Mills

$9.79

$7.99

Plant-Based Made Simple

Carin Lynch

$27.99

$22.99

Gift What the Sabbath Means to Me

Various

$25.19

$20.99

Guides Greatest Spiritual Warfare Stories

Lori Peckham, editor

$20.99

$15.99

Guides 28 Beliefs Workbook for Kids

Randy Fishell

$12.59

$9.99

FriChik Case 354g

Loma Linda

$131.88

$105.00

ABC CHRISTIAN STORE (403) 782-4416 • 1-800-661-8131 1 - 5230 College Ave, Lacombe, AB T4L 2G1 Larry Wilton (Manager) lwilton@albertaadventist.ca Alberta Book Mobile albertabookmobile@albertaadventist.ca ABC Lacombe abclacombe@albertaadventist.ca Hours of operation: Sunday: Monday - Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: Saturday:

11:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.

8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Closed

abcchristianstore.ca

Checkouts are closed until Presentations are completed.

Thank you for your patience.

JUNE 2022

Alberta Adventist News

27

DEPARTMENT

NEWS

A Special Place

BY ZACHARY LOXDALE

T

here is an ancient Celtic Christian expression I love: “thin places.” It describes a place where the separation between heaven and earth becomes very “thin.” These are places where the divine presence can be felt in a special way—where heaven stoops to greet the earth with a kiss.

Perhaps you have had a thin place experience—may be overlooking an awe-inspiring natural vista or under the quieting dome of a gothic cathedral. For Moses, a patch of dirt was hallowed ground. For Joshua and Caleb, Canaan was a God-given paradise reflecting His favour. For Solomon, the temple grounds were worthy of reverent, silent craftsmanship. Jesus both wrestled in and ascended from the same peaceful mountain ridge, the Mount of Olives.

I have taught at Parkview Adventist Academy for five years and have determined it might be a thin place or at least an exceptional place. I recently surveyed some students regarding this: “Why is PAA special?” These are their responses: Zhiyar Mokry: “We are all like family. It feels like we’re somewhere else, not just at school.”

Kofi Adom: “The people.

On my first day at PAA, I was sitting by myself, and a student walked up to me and acted like he already knew me. After that, I

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Alberta Adventist News

JUNE 2022

just met more and more people who were really friendly.”

Sephora Feliz: “There is a lot of diversity here compared to other schools.

There can be a lot of racism at other schools, but PAA is very multicultural. People are not mean here.”

Jheffry Feliz: “The teachers.

It is a smaller school, so they give you more time and put more time into you. The teachers are willing to make the content understandable.”

Nolan Oickle: “The teachers.

They are very unique, but weird is cool.”

DEPARTMENT NEWS

Russell Gabrys: “The teachers and the students make PAA the best. Oh, and the new building.”

Elijah O’Sullivan Amaya: “The goofy teachers. I think what makes PAA special is that we’re a family. Here I see my classmates at church.

They’ll give me a ride, they’re accepting, and everybody gets along well. It is a really welcoming place to be.”

Juan Alcudia Marin: “The environment. The atmosphere at PAA is amicable. People are cool and nice to each other.”

Ashlyn Tataryn: “The teachers are our friends, not just our teachers. They take an interest in our lives, and it

reflects in how they teach us.

They’re all phenomenal.”

Hovie Clark: “The fact that it is small. You have more availability to your teachers and can get help when need ed.”

Shirley Jojoa: “The fact that teachers go out of their way to involve everyone in activities outside of school, like our ski trip.”

Brianna McPherson: “The people and the connections you make at PAA. Everybody knows everybody here.”

Jemma Muhima: “The teachers are nice, and they check in on your mental and spiritual health. They’re not just there for curriculum.”

Melanie Murillo: “The teachers. I have experienced a lot of love from the teachers and a lot of care in ways I haven’t in other schools. I have found comfort here that I can’t find in other places.”

I think these kids are on to something. I believe God is most clearly experienced through relationships. At PAA, we strive to make sure the gap between heaven and earth is narrowed through kindness and loving care. I invite you to come and visit this special place for yourself.

Zachary Loxdale teaches science and religion at Parkview Adventist Academy.

When he isn’t petting his dog or laughing with his wife, Jessica, he is likely to be found running on the streets of Lacombe.

JUNE 2022

Alberta Adventist News

29

DEPARTMENT NEWS

P.E.N.T.A.

(Pathfinder Engaging in Natural Transformational Adventure)

G

od has been working on the young people at the Red Deer Seventh-day Adventist Church. On May 2–6, many were blessed by the P.E.N.T.A. revival, which was planned, organized, and executed by the Red Deer Pathfinder Hawks. The fun-filled week started on Monday with an opening ceremony, song service by the praise team, and a dramatic reading of Pathfinder history

by Pathfinders Rosshellyn Etienne, Ayden Polishuk, and London Quines. Each day, after the song service and

opening exercises, there's an activity and the speaker would follow, closing each night with a song and prayer.

On Tuesday, Praveeksha Manukonda and Krystalynn Thanaki presented their activity, showing us how a brick won't absorb water, but a sponge will.

An excellent lesson from the activity was that as Christians, we should strive to be like the sponge, not the brick. We should apply God's Word in our lives, then share it with others. Our speaker, Katelynn Thanaki, reminded us to always live clean and pure lives.

Throughout the rest of the week, Pratishta Manukonda, Makanaka Bvochora, and London Quines all brought us great sermons. Briley Jeffrey and Jaden Muthiah provided a profound spiritual lesson through soccer. We can't forget the vast array of snacks and drinks provided after the closing song and prayer each night.

Without a doubt, many were blessed and enriched by the revival, so much so that a revival is planned to take place each year at the same time. God had and will continue to use young people for His service.

London Quines delivering his sermon.

Pratishta Manukonda

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV).

—Submitted by Chipo Chitate, Red Deer Pathfinder Hawks

Makanaka Bvochora

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Alberta Adventist News

Katelynn Thanaki

JUNE 2022

Main Speaker Pastor Romy Daquila Retired former Executive Secretary Alberta Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

DEPARTMENT NEWS

August 25-28, 2022

Filipino-Canadian Seventh-day Adventists of Alberta Camp Meeting at Foothills Camp

HAHAYU AKO {I WILL GO}

Youth Speaker Pastor Jonathan Deximo Bible Worker Alberta Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church EVENT

All events in the main auditorium will be livestreamed filcanadventist.ca TIME

IN CHARGE

SPEAKER/COORDINATOR

Thursday Night—Combine

7:30–9:00 p.m.

Red Deer Group

Pastor Romy Daquila

Friday Early Morning Devotion

6:00–7:00 a.m.

Sports Committee

Ronniel Navarro

Friday Sports/Parlor Games

7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Sports Committee

Ronniel Navarro

Friday Vespers—Adult

7:00 p.m.

Edmonton/Bonnyville/ Lethbridge

Pastor Romy Daquila

Friday Vespers—Youth

8:00 p.m.

Fil-Can Youth of Alberta

Pastor Jonathan Deximo

Friday Vespers—Children

8:00 p.m.

Gem Batiancila and Norma Cadiz

Gem Batiancila and Norma Cadiz

Sabbath Early Morning Devotion

7:00–8:00 a.m.

Calgary Metro

Pastor Rex Manuel

Sabbath School Program—Combined

9:15–10:45 a.m.

Calgary Fil-Can/WinRose

Pastor Jonathan Deximo

Sabbath School Program—Children

9:15–10:45 a.m.

Gem Batiancila and Norma Cadiz

Gem Batiancila and Norma Cadiz

Sabbath Divine Service—Adult

11:00–12:30 p.m.

Fil-Can Executive

Romil Daquila

Sabbath Divine Service—Youth

11:00–12:30 p.m.

Fil-Can Youth of Alberta

Pastor Jonathan Deximo

Baptism

12:45 p.m.

Evangelism/Baptism Committee

Ephraim Baragona

Sabbath Afternoon Concert

2:30–5:00 p.m.

Music Department

Chilnee Bacus

Sabbath Sundown Worship

6:30–8:15 p.m.

Fil-Can Youth of Alberta

Pastor Jonathan Deximo

Social and Cultural Night

8:30 p.m. –12:01 a.m.

Pastor Romy Daquila

Fil-Can Youth of Alberta

Sunday Early Morning Devotion

7:00 a.m.

Calgary Parkdale

Katrin Masicampo

Sunday Closing Ceremonies

11:00 a.m.

Fil-Can Executive

Pastor Romy Daquila

Sunday Closing Ceremonies

11:00 a.m.

Fil-Can Executive

Pastor Romy Daquila

All meetings will be in the main auditorium, except the youth will be in the Lower Lodge; children will be at the Primary/Cradle Roll buildings.

DEPARTMENT NEWS

Edmonton Youth Rally

T

he room was packed; the room dimly lit with colorful lights; snacks, food, and colorful, bubbly sparkling water. It was filled with youth and young adults from all over Edmonton — some as far as Sherwood Park and even Grand Prairie. The energy, vibe, and distinct youth chatter made the event feel like you were a part of something special. Pastor Daniel Madden and the team helped to organize the event.

Pastors Robbie Dorelus, Dave Hamstra, and Derek Richter showed up for support.

The guest speaker was Pastor John Scott, Youth Department Director of the Ontario Conference. Pastor Scott is gifted in the area of teen ministry. He spoke with power, passion, and connection. That night,

everyone watched intently as Pastor Scott delivered his message in expert orator style.

On Sabbath, it was amazing.

The Red Willow Church was packed with youth from all over Edmonton. As I glanced back over the congregation from the front of the sanctuary, it appeared to be standing room only. With his booming, deep base voice, Pastor Scott preached a powerful word on the topic of “eagle mentality.”

In the message, he shared how the eagle flies at higher heights and does not fly away from the storm but with the storm, using it to propel it forward. Was indeed an inspirational message for the young people of Edmonton.

It fit the overall theme for the weekend, which was “Refresh.” It helped everyone to refresh their mentality, especially coming out of

COVID. Sabbath afternoon was filled with energy from the young people. Many of them helped to make sandwiches to feed the homeless.

The lobby of the Red Willow Church was soon filled with groups of youth eager and excited to participate in two outreach activities. The two options were downtown street ministry and the mall to carry out an urban ministry outreach challenge, where youth groups would have to complete fun and meaningful tasks such as praying for a business owner or taking a selfie with a new person. Sabbath evening was wonderful. Many youths were getting excited for the gym night, where basketball games would take center stage. Pastor Scott finished the evening’s program with a short but powerful motivational message for the youth.

Pastor Guzman giving instructions for outreach activities.

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Alberta Adventist News

JUNE 2022

DEPARTMENT NEWS

Pastors John Scott, David Hamstra, and Roberson Dorelus.

Global Youth Day Potluck.

Youth putting together food for the homeless.

Youth from Grand Prairie and Sherwood Park.

Pastor Madden giving a warm welcome.

Youth Praise Team.

That night, we saw many basketball games.

I lost another pair of Yeezys to Caleb, a young and rising basketball star. Overall, the weekend was filled with inspiring messages, connection, community, refreshment, laughter, and definitely a spiritual and mental recharge.— Submitted by Dr. Lyle Notice

Pastor Guzman praying for Pastor John Scott.

JUNE 2022

Alberta Adventist News

33

DEPARTMENT NEWS

ADRA Backpack Delivery to Saddle

I

t was a trip of a lifetime. When we set out Lake. She mentioned how she had built up the on our journey, we never expected to be Emergency Management Department there. impacted in the way we were. We were tasked We thought, ‘Wow, what a powerful woman.’ with the mission of delivering 50 backpacks Jodyann then took us on a tour of the comfilled with care kits on behalf of ADRA Canamunity. We were taken to the Boys and Girls da. Pastor Daniel Saugh requested that several Club. Unfortunately, because of COVID-19 of my youth and I head up to the Saddle Lake and a pipe leak, the facility had not been Cree Nation reserve. It would take an overused in over two years. As youth pastors three-hour drive to arrive at our destination. with a deep love for youth, it was hard as she On the trip, I was accompanied by Pastor told the stories of what the youth face in the Bryan Saint Louis. He drove from Calgary and community. Our hearts were sad. We ofmet me at the conference office in Lacombe. fered any assistance that would be needed.

We then picked up Pastor Daniel Madden We met an incredible man by the name of in Edmonton and continued our journey. It Stacy Harrison. He gave us an eye-opening tour was great reconnecting with each other in the of the space. What was most interesting was his car. We talked about life, family, ministry, and overview of the restorative justice program that the future. We realized we were very far from he runs at the center. It is a youth- and famithe city as we were driving. We realized that ly-based strategy that includes prevention and were it not for the task of dropping off the reintegration. He focused on the healing circle bags, we would have never ventured that far. that fosters conflict resolution and healing. He As we got closer to the Saddleback reserve, mentioned a lot of the processes involved in we noticed people getting back to nature along the streets and being at peace collecting cans. with the environment As we pulled and oneself. It was a into the emergency fascinating experience. management center, When it was time we were greeted by to say goodbye, we friendly smiles and felt God wanted us to warm welcomes by be there that day. We Jodyann, director of agreed we would come Emergency Manageback in the form of a ment for Saddle Lake conference mission Cree Nation. She trip experience on gave us a tour of the behalf of ADRA. We building, then sat us came filled with backdown to meet her team packs, but we left filled and get acquainted. with inspiration and It was truly a motivation to continue pleasure learning to help those who are Pastor Bryan with the Saddle about the history in need.—Submitted Lake Cree Nation fellows. and culture of Saddle

by Dr. Lyle Notice

34

Alberta Adventist News

JUNE 2022

Mountaineers Pathfinders Mountain View

Menu: Burrito supreme $8, pop $1.50, water $1.00, corn $2.50 Project: 2024 Gillette Camporee

Northern Lights Pathfinder Club of Edmonton Central

Airdrie Pathfinders/Adventurers Menu: Cookies, donuts, chocolate croissants, gulaman dessert, mini apple/ keylime pies, cupcakes, truffles, mini cheesecakes, smoothies, flan cake, Spanish rolls, banana bread, juice boxes Project: 2024 Gillette Camporee

Bridgeland Cimarron

Menu: Pop, chips, posicles, doreto in a bag, slushies, bakes and spinach Project: Pathfinders

Calgary Central

Menu: Fruit smoothies, baked goods Project: FACE (Free African Children thru Education) to construct classrooms at a school in Africa

Calgary Maranatha Spanish (Orion)

Menu: Picada 3/$10, pop Project: 2024 Gillette Camporee

Calgary Northwinds Church

Menu: Vegetarian ginger beef, asian noodles, fried rice, spring rolls, strawberry/ romaine salad $10, halo-halo, perogies, carioca, turon, cinnamon, Asian noodles Project: Worthy student/church building fund

Cornerstone Church

Menu: Fritters, fried banny, fried breadfruit, soy patties, steamed calaloo, sauteed ackee, vegetarian sausage with beans, coconut water Project: Cornerstone Church Kitchen

Menu: Rice, curries (chickpea, tofu, green peas, mixed vege), samosas, chutney, rice pudding salad, mango milkshake Combo 1: $7 Curry/rice Combo 2: $8 Curry/rice/salad Combo 3: $10 Curry/rice/salad/appetizer or dessert samosa plate $3 2 samosa/ chutney, 1 curry $3, mango milkshake $3, rice pudding $3 Project: 2024 Gillette Camporee

Okotoks

Menu: Combo 1: $10 Vege ginger beef, spring roll, pancit, mandarin salad, arioca (sticky rice) Combo 2: $10 Oyster mushroom burger, mandarin salad, fries, carioca Project: Mission trip/church building

PAA

Menu: Combo 1: Butter chicken or daal with rice, naan and pop $8.00 Combo 2: Butter chicken & daal with rice, naan, pop $10 Sides: Samosa $2, jalebis $1 Project: Africa Mission trip

Red Deer Fil-Can

Menu: Okoy (Vegetable Fritter)$1 Combo 1: $10 Pancit (Asian style noodles), spring rolls, steamed broccoli Project: Fil-Can Camp Meeting, Common Outreach Projects

Red Deer Pathfinder Hawks

Menu: 1 Scoop of ice cream for $3, snow cones $2, cantaloupe quencher $2 Project: 2024 Gillette Camporee

Sylvan Lake Pathfinders

Menu: Taco in a bag, soda floats Project: 2024 Gillette Camporee

Edmonton Filipino

Project: Youth Mission Trip

ALBERTA CONFERENCE CAMP MEETING 2022

FORGING AHEAD

Faith. Leadership. Vision.

albertacampmeeting.ca

DEPARTMENT NEWS

Pastor Bryan leading food program at the downtown Calgary.

Pastor Feeley speaking with Kamika.

Global Youth Day S

ometimes, God has plans for you that you never would have expected. God can take you from the lowest experiences and transform you for a greater purpose.

That’s what happened with Mathew Feeley, our guest speaker for Global Youth Day in Calgary.

The funny thing is I knew of Mathew Feeley in my high school days. However, that Mathew Feeley was not the same person who is preaching the gospel

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Alberta Adventist News

today. The story goes like this: Mat grew up in the area of Scarborough. My girlfriend at the time, who went to Senator O’Connor College School, would always tell me about this funny, crazy guy who had dyed hair and was always high on different kinds of drugs.

It wouldn’t be until 2003 at Canadian University College where God allowed our paths to cross. God had transformed Mat's life when he walked in off the streets and into a crusade

JUNE 2022

at the Scarborough Adventist Church. He heard the message and was baptized. God wanted him to hear the gospel preached and eventually become a gospel preacher himself.

For our Global Youth Day weekend, on Friday night, Mat brought a powerful word, sharing his testimony of how he used to fight all through high school until one day, when he was alone at a bus stop without any help from friends, he

was jumped. It was a humbling moment that would make him never want to fight and beat people up again.

A powerful testimony, along with an inspiring video, was shared

by Kamika Guerra Walker. Kamika is an inspirational speaker.

She started the Walker Foundation, which focuses on mental health, due to mental health issues that impacted her father.

She shared this heart wrenching testimony of

DEPARTMENT NEWS

Pastor JP leading Urban Ministry Outreach.

meeting her father as he was homeless on the streets, suffering from mental health issues. That experience impacted her so much that it shaped her life and ministry from that day on. She operates a street feeding program in downtown Calgary.

This amazing young woman continues to travel the world and share her story of love, empowerment, and resilience.

Sabbath afternoon, with the help of Christina Lister and Calgary pastors such as Marc Leslie, Jonathan Deximo,

Anthony Kern, Paul Antunes, Seth Bussy, and Bryan Saint Louis, there were astounding outreach opportunities around Calgary. Some youths were taken to Samaritan’s Purse to help with Operation Christmas Child, led by Pastor Paul Antunes. Another group was taken to a downtown drop- in center to serve food and clothing, led

by Pastor Bryan Saint Louis. Another group was taken to 16th Avenue to do an urban ministry outreach challenge, led by Pastor JP and Christina Lister. And another

Pastor Bryan and cowboy Troy.

group was taken to shoes. I won’t say who the outside of the won this time for the Mustard Seed, giving sake of my pride. out care kit bags to the We thank homeless. This was led Pastor Marc for

by Pastor Bussy. accommodating us The evening worship at the Bridgeland experience concluded Church that weekend. with Pastor Moises And a big shout-out Ruiz and his youth goes to AY leader praise team from Red Allie and her team for Deer Church leading helping to organize in wonderful praise the food for the and worship music. weekend.

There were powerful, Our theme for inspirational messages the weekend was from Kamika and "Loving the Forgotten." spiritual, motivational This Global Youth messages from Pastor Day weekend in Mathew Feeley. We Calgary, we did had a stunning gym just that. We loved night social with lots the forgotten and of pizza and basketball. served them through Once again, another the love of Jesus youth played me for a Christ.—Submitted by pair of Yeezy Dr. Lyle Notice

JUNE 2022

Alberta Adventist News

37

DEPARTMENT NEWS

COLORBLIND?

I

t was a fantastic weekend. A young adult who attended rightly said, "Thank you, Pastor Lyle. I came away from this weekend comforted, nurtured, empowered, and supported!"

Wow! Those are the kind of words you want to hear as a youth director.

It was the weekend of "Control+ALT+Delete."

Control+ALT+Delete was a popular keyboard command on IBM-compatible computers. If something was wrong with your computer and causing disruption, all you had to do was perform the three-finger salute, as they call it, and your computer would automatically reboot (i.e., restart). It was a way to refresh your computer.

This Central Alberta youth empowerment, being hosted at the Red Deer Church, was precisely that: a reboot; a restart; a refresh for our young people.

The weekend was filled with praise and worship, fellowship, food, and strong, spiritually empowering messages from Pastor Orlando Pule. Pastor Orlando was born in New Zealand with strong Samoan and Tongan roots. He grew up in Toronto, received a call

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Alberta Adventist News

JUNE 2022

Pastor Orlando Pule delivering his Control+Alt+Delete empowerment presentation.

to ministry, and studied at Andrews University, where he met his beautiful wife, Liz, who is also a pastor. Together, they have a unique role at the Ontario Conference, serving as Men's Ministry, Women's Ministry, and Family Life directors. It was so fitting to have Pastor Orlando.

He is currently working on a doctorate in organizational leadership, focusing on the theology of advocacy and social justice. On the Friday night, after engaging the youth in a participatory activity, he waxed eloquently on the idea that after this pandemic, God is expecting our world church to do something new and fresh within our local

communities—something that has never been done before—because we are in a time in history we have never experienced. Pastor Orlando shared a powerful story of how Blockbuster used to be the famous movie store giant, but because they did not want change, they closed down, and Netflix overtook them.

Pastor Orlando finished off the night with this statement: "I believe that God's spirit is greatly experienced, not within the four walls of the church; God's spirit is greatly experienced outside of the four walls of the church because out there, it cannot be controlled."

Sabbath morning started with a creatively intriguing

DEPARTMENT NEWS

From the moment he wakes up, every day in Pastor Tsholo’s Maskwacis ministry is an adventure.

Sometimes he’s a soccer camp organizer at Ermineskin Arena with kokums cheering on their grandkids and making lunch on the sidelines. Sometimes he’s learning the ukulele alongside elementary kids at MANS. Whatever it is, this pastor isn’t flying “solo” — even if that’s how you say his name.

Always engaging with kids and community, catch the adventures of Tsholo and his Maskwacis Congregation friends in minute-or-less videos from the Res next door.

THE

TSHOLO REPORT albertaadventist.ca/maskwa-movies

albertacampmeeting.ca

DEPARTMENT NEWS

presentation by Richard Gray, a Master of Design student who shared the connection between the design thinking model and Christ’s method (Ministry of Healing, p. 143), sharing tips on how to retain young people ages 18–25.

Sabbath morning worship was filled with blessings.

Pastor Moises and the Red Deer youth did a fantastic job with praise and worship. EJ singing along with his guitar was genuinely refreshing. We were also blessed by Ayden, who played his violin as the offering was collected. There was a special feature by

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Alberta Adventist News

JUNE 2022

Richard Gray, Master of Design student.

Red Deer praise team.

Friday Night with the youth.

London going for the Yeezy win against Pastor Lyle.

Cheri and Odessa that was so touching and moving.

Pastor Orlando preached about building bridges and gave a powerful testimony about his father and how he used to cook food for the community. What was so amazing was the local Mighty Mongrel Mob showed up at his father's funeral. They presented a traditional Haka dance to celebrate his father's legacy of love and kindness within the community.

Pastor Orlando's afternoon presentation on social justice and advocacy sparked

discussion and debate. It was indeed an eye-opening presentation on how early Adventism was very much involved in social justice through abolitionism, the temperance movement, and women's rights. What was interesting was the discussion on the term “colorblind.” Pastor Orlando explained that we don't want to be colorblind when we look at the skin colour and ethnicity of people because we want to see, acknowledge, and affirm people for who they are. When we say we don't see colour, we could be dismissing the identity

and reproducing inequality.

It was a positive and rousing discussion on race, multiculturalism, and diversity.

ALBERTA CONFERENCE BRANDING GUIDELINES ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE

What was incredibly touching and spoke to the warm and inviting community the Red Deer Church has established was the statement by a regular attendee, Sadia, who is a friend of an Adventist, Dieulita. Sadia, a Muslim, started coming to church because of an invite from Dieulita. However, even when Dieulita is not there, Sadia will attend Red Deer. She mentioned she feels like she should just be there — feeling a sense of community and belonging even though she is just a visitor who regularly attends. We thank God for the ministry of the Red Deer Church, where people feel welcome.

The night ended with a social gathering at the South Side Christian School gymnasium.

Volleyball and basketball were the popular activities for the night. There were lots of leftover pizza and snacks on which to munch.

As the night ended, it seemed my basketball career did also.

I was beaten by a 12-yearold boy named London in a one-on-one basketball game. It looks like another pair of shoes will be gone from my closet. Oh well!

—Submitted by Pastor Lyle Notice, Youth Director, Alberta Conference

albertaadventist.ca/branding

CHURCH NEWS

Katelyn, Zion and Pastor Moises.

A Blessing of Welcome and Farewell: Red Deer Seventh- day Adventist Church

What a blessing!

A cheerful phrase of excitement was expressed by the congregation of the Red Deer Seventh-day Adventist Church on the day it was announced, welcoming Pastor Moises Ruiz to serve as the senior pastor to the church and community of Red Deer.

“Pastor Moises,” as the youth fondly calls him, is a delight with whom to be and work.

He is a loving husband to his wife, Katelyn, a devoted dad to his son Zion, and a dedicated servant of God. He is a man of many talents, most of which, if not all, he uses to advance the kingdom of God. Pastor Moses is an energetic 42

Alberta Adventist News

JUNE 2022

and vibrant person—a passionate and dynamic leader whose passion is to share Jesus with others. His passion coincides with the church's mission “to bring people closer to Jesus.” His diverse talents range from being a dynamic speaker and musician, technology-savvy, and just a well-rounded person. He loves to teach, lead, and mentor young people in worship leading, speaking and preaching, sharing the gospel with others, and building relationships. Pastor Moises, Katelyn, and Zion are dedicated to carrying out the church's mission through godly ministries

that create a harmonious and loving community.

Pastor Moises has been active in pastoral service and ministry since he graduated from Burman University in 2007. He has been serving as the youth pastor at the Red Deer Seventh-day Adventist Church for the past eight years and the pastor of Epic Church in Red Deer for the last three years since it first opened.

His work continues and will carry on as he steps into his new role as a senior pastor.

The church once again welcomes Pastor Moises and his family as they continue to lead the church in doing God’s ministries.

“

CHURCH NEWS

Great Commission as what Matthew 28: 19-20 says, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.”

It was a blessing!

This simple but complex phrase was uttered by the Red Deer Seventh-day Adventist Church members when Pastor Rudy Alvir made his official announcement that he was leaving the church to serve as the new youth director at the Utah-Nevada Conference in the United States. The members felt the combined feelings of joy, sadness, and thankfulness when Pastor Rudy announced his planned departure. The church is grateful for the years of service he contributed to the church since he first came with his family to serve in the community of Red Deer back in August 2018.

Pastor Rudy had been instrumental in the furtherance of different programs and ministries in the church and the Alberta Conference during his time in Red Deer.

Through his leadership, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the small group ministry of the church became strong and is to this day. His passion for youth ministry prompted his involvement in different and multiple youth programs and activities of the Alberta Conference. Pastor Rudy is a strong leader and a faithful servant of God.

We pray for blessings as he continues his ministry of service.

We believe he, together with his wife, Alex, and children, JJ and Sarai, will be a blessing wherever they go to serve.

“I Will Go”

is the current mission statement of the General Conference of Seventh-day Pastor Rudy Alvir with hi Adventists s wife Alex an d JJ and Sara i. worldwide.

True to this, Pastor Moises and Pastor Rudy are examples of how people of God make disciples of all the respond when the Holy nations, baptizing them in Spirit calls to go and serve. the name of the Father and God’s church moving of the Son and of the Holy is proof that it is alive!

Spirit, teaching them to Movement is necessary for observe all things that I have growth and improvement. We commanded you; and lo, I need to exercise and mobilize am with you always, even all aspects of the church to the end of the age.’ Amen” function to keep it healthy, (Matt. 28:19, 20, NKJV) growing, and alive. Let us — Submitted by all continue to be a part of Marjorie Landicho the Great Commission: as Overall Worship Leader what “‘Go therefore and Red Deer Adventist Church JUNE 2022

Alberta Adventist News

43

CHURCH NEWS

Fort McMurray Youth Rally

W

hat an amazing weekend! A big shout-out goes to Alanna and her youth leadership team at the Fort McMurray Church.

Elder Rex, a long-time elder of the church, was also instrumental in the planning. It was a pleasure to meet the newly installed pastor, Zlatan Ljuljdjurovic.

On Friday, Pastor Bryan Saint Louis gave a powerful message, in which he spoke about Rhoda in Acts 12.

The church was praying for Peter, and when Peter showed up and knocked at the door, Rhoda opened it and went to tell those praying. When those who were praying heard from Rhoda, they told her she was out of her mind. Pastor

Bryan mentioned the church often dismisses young people, saying they don’t know what they are talking about or are not credible.

It was a heart-warming message that spoke to the hearts of the church.

Courtney Dookie, Sania Dookie, and Pastor Rolando Hyman. They focused on youth and mental health.

One of the last presentations was from a local community police officer, Ben. Officer Ben gave a presentation on Sabbath morning started drugs and their impact on off with a very creative the youth demographic in presentation by Richard Fort McMurray. Elder Rex Gray. He compared the thanked Officer Ben and design-thinking model he invited him to the social that learned in his master’s was happening that night. It program and the “Christ was amazing later that night Method.” His presentation to see Officer Ben shooting was fascinating and hoops and enjoying pizza. sparked a huge discussion This youth empowerment in Sabbath School on the weekend in Fort McMurray church and its need to helps to build community. change to become more We pray it will continue user-friendly and welcoming. to create relationships and partnerships with The afternoon was filled the community. with presentations by Dr. —Submitted by Dr. Lyle Notice

Gym Night Social at Fort McMurray Church.

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Alberta Adventist News

JUNE 2022

Join Alberta Conference Camp Meeting 2022

PRAYER MEETINGS Prayer Spots walk: Make time to be in the presence of the Lord and listen to Him speak to your heart. Maps for the walk will be at the Camp Office. Make time during the week to stop at each prayer spot to reflect and mediate on the Word of the Lord.

Seeking a space to be still and know God? The chapel will be available as a quiet space all week (except Monday morning).

Intercessory Prayer: Look for people with a name tag inviting you to pray with them. We will be walking around the campgrounds and would be happy to stop and pray with you.

Nightly Prayer time in the chapel following the evening meeting in the auditorium, around 8:45pm. You are welcome to come together to pray to close out the day. We will have a time of being in the presence of God, sharing God Sightings, praying for the requests that have come in that day. Meetings will be July 15 to 23 inclusive.

Anointing Service: The final Friday night, July 22, we will have an anointing service in the chapel following the meeting in the auditorium. You are most welcome to seek the Lord in prayer for healing: spiritually, physically, relationally, emotionally, whatever it is for which you invite God’s intervention.

Prayer Request Boxes will be located around the campus, in the various washrooms and main auditorium. Please feel free to put your prayer requests into the boxes provided.

The requests will be collected every day.

ALBERTA CONFERENCE CAMP MEETING 2022

FORGING AHEAD

Faith. Leadership. Vision.

albertacampmeeting.ca

CHURCH NEWS

Calgary METRO Teamed Up with Calgary Drop-In Centre

T

he Bible encouraged us to reflect on the words of the Lord Jesus. He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). This scripture clarifies that when you have a sincere heart to help others, God will bless you in the process. As Christians, we are told to be imitators of Christ by following His examples. He has given us various ways to be a blessing to someone.

On February 28, 2022, Calgary METRO Filipino Adventist Church, under the leadership of the Adventist Community Services (ACS) Department, partnered with Calgary Drop-In Centre by preparing 450 bagged lunches to be distributed to its residents and the homeless.

Let us meditate on God’s Word: "He which soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly; he which soweth bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:6–8, KJV).

—Submitted by Mona Gumtang 46

Alberta Adventist News

JUNE 2022

Calgary METRO Uniform Ministry helping by bagging the 450 lunches.

At Calgary Drop-In Centre with (clockwise) Elder Luther Salvan, Russel Ladores, Selena Ladores, Cyrus Ladores, Jaron and Jaden Manuel, and Shiela Salvan, Calgary METRO Sabbath School Department head.

CHURCH NEWS

“

It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

ACS member Devina Rapson buys groceries for distribution.

Thank you METRO Church family for supporting the ACS outreach program and ministry.

Mindfulness

H

ow often do we say or hear, "Not now, I'm busy" or "I’m sorry, but I just don't have time."

As believers in Christ, we have the responsibility to care for the needs of others, as mentioned in 1 John 3:17. Showing love and demonstrating concern for others in simple, practical ways can make a tremendous difference in people's lives.

On February 1, 2022, a group of ladies from the Edmonton Central Adventist Church got together and decided they would take some time to get involved in helping intentionally.

The Zebra Foundation was decided. The Zebra Foundation caters to the needs of children who must be removed from a home when there is domestic violence. As the group focused their attention on items they wanted to donate, some of the ladies went shopping, especially for stuffed animals.

Some shopped for activities for the children, while others were assigned to design snuggly blankets — perfect for comforting a hurting child.

When the day came to fill the bags, there were many oohs and aahs as the ladies wandered through the contributions.

COVID couldn't keep the smiles and sense of joy from filling the room. That afternoon, 33 bags were packed; 33 children would know someone cared for them.

It is truly more blessed to give than it is to receive (see Acts 20:35). This group of ladies attests to the truth of this statement.

—Submitted by Gerrie Schmidt.

Edmonton Central Seventh- day Adventist Church.

Left to right: Audry Striegl and Marilyn

Schaub checking out some of the items purchased for the project.

Left to right: Maria Borges, Diane

Hedgecock, and Lorraine Popik sorting out the items that were purchased.

Left to right: Diane Hedgecock, Maria

Borges, Lorraine Popik, Audry Striegl, Gerrie Schmidt, Jeanne Aalders, Marilyn Schaub and Ella Ferris.

(Missing: Eva McMullen, Merci Packianayagam, Gloria Quintanilla, Marty Ramsay, Deborah Silva)

Finished Bags.

JUNE 2022

Alberta Adventist News

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CHURCH NEWS

Baptismal Vows: (from left to right) Pr. David Hamstra, David Hagenimana, Kurt Fabroa, Titus Hamstra, and Pr. Roberson Dorelus.

Looking Back!

It would be very remiss of me not to mention some special and important events at the Edmonton Central Seventh-day Adventist Church as the unimaginable years of 2020 and 2021 transition into 2022.

Baptisms

We have had seven baptisms over the past two years. It was a joyful experience to see some of our young teenagers as they took their stand, affirming and accepting Jesus as their Saviour.

This was an extra special occasion for the many families and friends who came to support the baptismal candidates on February 19, 2022. The newly baptized candidates were Titus Hamstra, David Hagenimana, and Kurt Fabroa. As we welcome these newly baptized members into our church family, we are reminded of the awesome responsibility of caring for these new members and helping nurture them to become committed disciples who will share their faith with others.

I encourage each of us to provide a network of mentorship for these new believers so that even as we associate and talk with them, we will instill in their hearts a desire to develop a cohesive relationship with God.

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Alberta Adventist News

JUNE 2022

Wedding Celebrations

We don't have to read very far into the Bible to understand we have a promise-making, promisekeeping God. In the Garden of Eden, God promised Adam He would provide food for him from all the beautiful plants and vines He had created.

When Adam came to the end of the animal parade and saw no helper suitable for him, God

Lisper weds Joseph Foster

CHURCH NEWS promised to make him one, and He did. From Adam's rib, God made Eve and presented her to him. That creative purpose is still at work in joining two persons into one unique meld.

We were privileged to have the opportunity to celebrate seven wedding ceremonies in 2021 and 2022 at the Edmonton Central Church. As a church family, we want to wish these couples God's blessings and best wishes in their lives together.

Baby Dedications

Jesus offered a unique view of how God sees children as He made time for the ones surrounding Him. His disciples did not always seem to understand that. During His ministry on earth, Jesus spent considerable time with children. He recognized important character in them and admonished His disciples, "Unless you are converted and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:3, HCSB).

The growth of our church family has surely expanded from 2021 to 2022 as we experienced 15 new births among our church family.

We celebrate with the parents these new births, and, as a church family, we want to protect them and surround them with an environment of trust and unconditional love.

Memorial Service

Someday, when we get to heaven, there will be no more sorrow, separation, or pain, and God will wipe away every tear from our eyes (see Rev. 21:4).

In the meantime, the tears may flow. No apologies needed. As a matter of fact, our emotions are God-given: they are a characteristic of us having been made in His image (see Gen. 1:27). He grieves (see 6:6, 7). He was sorrowful about His people's sin and the separation it caused between Him and them. We have lost five of our loved ones because of death during 2021 and 2022. As we mourn with those who have lost loved ones, thank God that our resiliency runs deep among us and pray that we will continue to support each other and remain bonded until He comes.

— Submitted by Ina Martin, Edmonton Central Seventh-day Adventist Church

WELCOME I

didn't expect to see a welcome sign at one of our entrance doors to our church, but I truly appreciated it. We at the Edmonton Central Adventist Church have been following the new updates regarding the restrictions being more relaxed to accommodate more church attendees, and what a relief!

Let's face it: it has been a challenging time for many of us in general— not just in our church setting—navigating a world of hand sanitizing,

mask-wearing, and segregation from families and friends has been hard on us. Some of us have used many sabbaticals to learn new things and find ways to become more creative.

We have also learned that sometimes, we have to switch our expectations but still be open-minded in life. As we navigate through uncertain times with confidence in God, you and I do not know whether we can predict what other crisis could

alter the future, but in God, we trust. He has never changed.

When the psalmist wrote about the unchanging nature of God (see 102:27), he was offering the same comfort and trustworthiness of God to us. The idea is repeated in Hebrews

13:8 with these words: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (NLT). This reminds us that an unchanging, trustworthy God rules over us even through the chaos of a changing world.

—Submitted by Ina Martin Edmonton Central Seventh- day Adventist Church

JUNE 2022

Alberta Adventist News

49

SCHOOL FEATURE NEWS

Grades 4 and 5 Field Trip to Royal Tyrrell Museum, Drumheller, Alberta.

SSCS on a Mission

BY JESSICA HEROUX

Kindergarten/Grade 1 Teacher

T

he 2021-2022 school year has been fantastic for the students and staff at South Side Christian School.

From adding new members to our school family, going on field trips, responsibly scaling back COVID-19 measures, and holding various fundraisers, SSCS has had a busy but great year.

Some of the different fundraisers South Side has held this year have been: 1. September—Terry Fox Run 2. October—Paws and Claws (cuddles with puppies) fundraiser

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Alberta Adventist News

JUNE 2022

3. December—winter flower fundraiser 4. January—citrus fundraiser 5. February—popcorn gram fundraiser 6. Monthly hot lunches 7. March—Ukrainian hot lunch Even though we are about a month away from the end of our year, we still have a few more fundraisers planned.

We are looking forward to an online cake auction, hosting a community garage sale, a student council bottle drive, and a paint and sip night.

These fundraisers have helped

us raise money for the different projects we have wanted to complete and give back by raising money for various charities. In March, our school held a Ukrainian hot lunch where all the proceeds raised were donated to ADRA Canada to help with the relief efforts in Ukraine. With the support of our school community, SSCS managed to raise a total of $790.

Having staff and students from Ukraine who also have family and friends directly impacted by the war made this fundraiser one we held dear to our hearts.

With all the money raised from the majority of the other

SCHOOL FEATURE

“ “

EDUCATION EDUCATION NEWS NEWS forschool. the school.

The The but from where but from wherefor the

CWAA CWAA team team could could would would the money de in Me, If you andabide My in Me, and My the money not believe not believe it — it this — this come?

We prayed come?

We prayed de in you, words you abide willin you, you will quick answer to to that God would that God wouldquick answer you desire, ask what andyou it desire,show and itus the show prayer! prayer!

GodGod had had way!us the way! done for shall you” be done for you” indeed indeed performed performed

another another miracle! miracle!

The CWAA The CWAA team team morning, the morning, school the school gave glory gave glory to Jesus to Jesus received a call received from a call from for answered for answered prayer. prayer. a family family who wished er to make acquire the computer these to acquire these whoa wished to make to make an uncomputers purchases. Would would computers would an unWe are Wethankful are thankful toto specified donation specified donation be God$21,500. perform yet This be $21,500.

This the generosity the generosity of of CWAA, and to CWAA, they and they was another an miracle? impossiblewas an to impossible faithful donors donors for for wanted to wanted if to knowfaithful if and Arden n Hudson amount Upon consultation for CWAA amount to for Chokka CWAAenjoying to know D. cuddling one of the Miss the puppy Zel at Outdoor School. from Paws Claws. from current Paws N Claws. listening listening to the to the call call had any needs. we had any needs. ke-puppies fund with strategic in Nthe stakecurrentfund in we the Holy the Holy Spirit Spirit were told They were told of the of ed school holders, year. we learned How school They year. How and partnering and partnering with with about the e would our funding we source resolve would resolve fundraisers, South Side hopes to we world.

A city thatcomputis about set on athe hill comput(Matt. 5:14–16, KJV). South Side Chinook Chinook Winds Winds to to er situation and er situation and as this for technology challenge? was this challenge? purchase a sign for our school cannot be hid. Neither do men is on a mission to be seen and make miracles miracles like like agreed toand purchase agreed to purchase e CWAA no longer needed CWAA needed more building.

Weavailable want themore people light a candle, put it under known asmake servants of the Lord this one this happen. one happen. all the computers all the computers computers to us.

The cost now, computers now, in our community to know a bushel, but on a candlestick; who can help lead others in our

hn 15:7, NKJV)

The following (John 15:7, NKJV) The following

who we are and be better able and it giveth light unto all that community to come to know our to identify where our school are in the house. Let your light so loving and gracious God. We ul Antunes —Submitted - Chaplain,

by Paul CWAA Antunes - Chaplain, Bruce CWAA Fillier and -Bruce Principal, Fillier - Principal, CWAAwait CWAA is located.

As servants of God, and shine before men, that they may cannot until the day when we aim to be a light for others. see your good works, and glorify we can purchase our sign and Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the your Father which is in heaven” be able to reach more people.

COMING SOON COMING SOON

Presented by Presented by

Eric Ollila Eric Ollila

Director | Communication/Information Director | Communication/Information Technology/MediaTechnology/Media | Alberta Conference | Alberta Conference

Alberta Adventis

The IT Support one-stop-shop for Alberta Conference The Alberta Conference is excited to announce its first Help Desk. IT experts provide help for fast solutions to support our members on an add-on to pre-existing IT action.

Areas We Can Help

Whom Do We Help?

•

•

Employees

•

Churches (including volunteer church officers who use Office 365, Teams, and Zoom)

Software & Subscription Licensing – Microsoft 365, Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Dynamics, Azure, Azure AD, Windows Virtual Desktop, Teams Voice, Zoom, Adobe, Google, SAGE and more.

•

Troubleshooting – Microsoft, Google, Adobe, Zoom, SAGE, and more.

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New Users and New User Onboarding

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Schools

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Printing & Printing Troubleshoot

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ABC Bookstore

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Internet

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Camp

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Economies of Scale Purchasing – Hardware, Software

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Admin Office

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Email

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Training – Office 365, Teams and other

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Cybersecurity

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Special Projects

Inquire for additional areas we may be able to help you.

Contact us at helpdesk@albertaadventist.ca

PHILANTHROPY NEWS

Back at Home, Where the Buffalo Roamed

M

ANS students are getting an extra sense of their cultural heritage at the Ptarmigan Cree Cultural Centre, courtesy of bison ranchers Murray and Elaine Sankey of Little Gem Ranches. The mount of the young bull from the Sankey’s herd in Loyalist is on permanent loan to the school and is the focal point of the feature wall of the Centre.

The mount, which can always be seen inside the school through the cultural centre’s glass wall, is a much-admired reminder of Cree history, tradition and the premium placed on their historic connection to nature.

—By Lynn McDowell

Ptarmigan Cree Cultural Centre Sports new Bison Mount.

THE

TSHOLO REPORT 60 SECOND VIDEOS ON THE MOVE IN MASKWACIS

WEEK OF COURAGE A special 2.5 minute video on MANS Spring Week of Prayer at albertaadventist.ca/maskwa-movies

MASKWACIS NEWS

MANS in Australia:

WildThings NSW 2022 Virtual Welded Art Biodiversity Photographic Exhibition

T

he sculpture commissioned by the City of Lacombe that sits at the lower end of College Avenue is being featured in an Australian welded art photographic exhibit. Artists Tessa Potts and Eileen Firingstoney created the sculpture with now-principal Mike Willing at MANS over the summer in 2020.

The sculpture, which was previously highlighted as one of only two student works in the 2021 show of the International Institute of Welding Welded Art

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Photographic Exhibition. as booming grounds The sculpture, or leks. Their numbers Miweyihtowin, was are much diminished chosen for its artistic due to loss of habitat. and welding merits as The Northern Cree, well as its subject, the whose traditional terriPrairie Chicken family tory includes Maskwacis of game birds that was in Alberta, where artists once as abundant on the Tessa and Eileen grew up, prairie and northern originated the Chicken plains as the buffalo. As Dance. Chicken Dance the buffalo declined, performers—traditionally the birds became an male—emulate and interimportant food source for pret the showy courtship both Indigenous people dances and display of and settlers. Prairie the male birds and have Chickens are closely tied become a popular part to their territory and of Pow Wow competireturn to traditional tions in North America. mating grounds known —By Lynn McDowell

Photos by Pattie Reasor

We are called to seek a true understanding of God's character, and to live it—alongside our Indigenous brothers and sisters.

REPAIRERS OF THE BREACH: Working Together for Truth and Reconciliation Monday:

Where is the Breach?

Tuesday:

Why Me? I Didn’t Do It! Wednesday:

The Colonizer’s Lens Thursday:

If It Ain’t Broke . . .

Friday:

What Now?

ALBERTA CONFERENCE CAMP MEETING 2022

Tsholo Sebetlela and Kelly Stickle 3:30-4:45 PM at the Lower Lodge

FORGING AHEAD

Faith. Leadership. Vision.

albertacampmeeting.ca

MASKWACIS NEWS

MANS Grad Starts Business

A

fter years of juggling three to four customeroriented jobs at a time, Krista Abt (MANS Class of 2017) decided to apply all her customer and business acumen to her own business — Luxury Auto Detailing, located at 4005-50 Ave., Ponoka.

“MANS made me very confident,” says Krista. “Mr. Willing always told me I could do whatever I put my mind to. All the teachers helped me gain confidence.

Even when I was thinking about starting a beadwork business while I was in high school, they were very supportive.”

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“

Krista’s father, who drives one of the school busses for MANS, recognized that there was a different environment at the school."

MANS principal Mike Willing put Krista’s detailing service to the test in May and gave it full marks. “She did an excellent job,” said Willing. “The school van was spotless—which is saying quite a lot,

as our vehicles are stored outside in the country where mice are a fact of life.”

Krista’s father, who drives one of the school busses for MANS, recognized that there was a different environment at the school.

He enrolled Krista in kindergarten, and strongly supported the campaign to build a high school. He made a major donation to the school to show his appreciation when Krista was in high school, and continues to bring students by bus every school day.

— By Lynn McDowell Photos by Mike Willing

MASKWACIS NEWS

MANS Students Raise Funds for Ukrainian Refugees

T

he MANS high school gym had an air of excitement not seen since pre-COVID days as students came together on March 24 for a school-wide Cakewalk to raise money for a Ukrainian refugee couple coming to Alberta. The 60 cakes, cupcakes and cookie sets organized by High School Vice-Principal Pattie Reasor raised $431.— By Lynn McDowell

100% Participation in MANS Sewing Classes Yields Beauty, Confidence, Satisfaction

M

ANS Cultural Studies teacher Janice Clark struck on the perfect project for all ages, from Kindergarten to Grade 12: the culturally-important Cree ribbon skirt.

All attending MANS students participated in sewing instruction, choosing to create either a colourful skirt with appliqued ribbon detail or a pillow case that could be adapted as a breech cloth for traditional regalia. Dakota Pratt, mother of 8-year old Kiya, noted with pleasure that Kiya is confidently critiquing her mother’s sewing attempts and offering tips that will no doubt be incorporated into her father’s regalia, which is in progress. — By Lynn McDowell Top photos by Pattie Reasor; bottom photo by Janice Clark

JUNE 2022

Alberta Adventist News

57

IN MEMORY Glenna Haluschak

November 30, 1962 - February 7, 2022

I

t is with great sadness that the family of Glenna Haluschak announced her sudden passing on February 7, 2022, at the age of 59.

Glenna was predeceased by her father, Steve, and the caregiver for her mother, Jean, for many years. She will be truly missed by her mother and fondly remembered by numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. She will always live in her relatives' hearts.

Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made in Glenna’s name to a charity she supported, Hope Mission, at Box 953, Edmonton, AB T5J 2L8—Charitable# 11896 2851 RR0001.

—Submitted by Clarice Scheck

Bruce Proud

October 3, 1953 - January 12, 2022

W

ith great sadness, the family of Bruce Proud announced his sudden passing on January 12, 2022, in Oriental Mindoro, Philippines.

He is survived by his wife, Anelyn, and three sons, Shawn (Kim), Richard, and Lyndon. He is also survived by two precious grandchildren, Cole and Jessica. Also mourning his passing is his mother, Dolores, and four siblings, Douglas (Terri), Richard, Linda Rudyk (Roger), and Karli Solari, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Bruce had many, many friends who will deeply miss him.

We await the grand reunion that is coming very soon!

—Submitted by Linda Rudyk

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Fredella surrounded with relatives and friends from Red Deer.

Cheers to Fredella’s 90th Birthday!

F

redella Anderson celebrated her 90th birthday with family and friends around her. Fredella was born on May 10, 1932. She moved to Sedgewick in 1953 and has been residing in the community for 69 years.

Fredella likes reading, scrapbooking, and sewing. She also likes playing piano and organ. She contributed a lot to the music ministry of Sedgewick Adventist Church. She used to be the Sabbath School Superintendent, Church Secretary, and Kindergarten and Primary Teacher.

Fredella Anderson and Nadine Grovet wrote up the church history for Sedgewick Church on the church's 50th Anniversary.

Fredella was married to Harry Anderson

(deceased). Together they have three children: Harriet Amundson, Bonnie Kenny, and Cheryl Jones. She has seven grandchildren: Madelaine Amundson, Emma Amundson, Samantha Nichols, Michael Kenny, Braeden Jones, Dean Jones, and Dylan Jones. She was blessed with two great-grandchildren: Callam Kenny and Watson Nichols.

Fredella is very special to everyone at Sedgewick Adventist Church and the community. Her presence, ministries, and contributions have been a blessing and well appreciated!

Happy Birthday, Aunt Fredella!

—Submitted by Debi Anderson

JUNE 2022

Alberta Adventist News

59

A Guaranteed

Life Income

from the Alberta Conference

When investment return rates are low, being a senior can be a big benefit.

If you’re • Age 65+ • Have $10,000+ that you would like to eventually invest in church work You could receive a monthly or yearly income that is equivalent to better-than-market interest!

NEW!

MULTIPLIER EFFECT OPTION NOW AVAILABLE

Investment or Contract?

Any annuity from a charitable organization is a contract. The Alberta Conference Charitable Gift Annuity guarantees you a fixed monthly or annual income that never changes, even if you live to be 150 years old.

Changing or Fixed Interest Rate?

Interest really isn’t a factor and isn’t part of an annuity contract. There is a monthly payout amount, which never varies.

Commercial or Charitable Gift Annuity?

Annuities can be purchased from an insurance company (commercial; any balance goes to insurance company) or from various charities (any balance to the charity).

One Life or Two? Spouses can have payments to go continuously for both their lives, but it is possible to have a contract that covers only one life or a second individual who is not a spouse.

US or Canadian Charitable Gift Annuity?

While many US charities will contract with Canadians and provide a tax receipt, a US receipt is not recognized by Canada Revenue Agency. Only Canadian charities specifically licenced to offer charitable gift annuities can provide a receipt recognized

by CRA for charitable deduction purposes.

RRSP or Annuity?

Money withdrawn from a Registered Retirement Saving Plan (RRSP) is 100% taxable. Annuity payments, depending on personal factors, can be 70-100% tax-free.

General or Restricted Gift?

If there are funds left for the charity to use, Alberta Conference policy is to use them as the donor says in the agreement that creates the annuity.

Seniors of the Church rejoice!

You can make a bigger difference than you may have thought with a guaranteed life income Charitable Gift Annuity.

Lynn McDowell, JD, CSPG

Director of Planned Giving | Philanthropy Alberta Conference

(587) 815-8785

“Your estate plan is a gift allowing your family to focus on

memories

not challenges.”

—Eve Rusk Director of Planned Giving and Trust Services Idaho Conference

Experience the joy of giving • albertaadventist.ca

MEANS & MEANING

Let’s Do Something Great!

Ellen White wasn’t rich, but by using some Planned Giving tools, she enriched millions for Eternity LYNN McDOWELL FACT #1

FACT #2

FACT #3

Not all the writings of Ellen G. White that we have now were in publication when she died.

Mrs. White used a will and a trust — the Planned Giving tools of her time — to ensure that more of her writings could be published.

Mrs. White’s Planned Giving launched the publication of her books in perpetuity.

S

tewardship is an old-fashioned word for some, one that suits Mrs. White and her times for sure. It was a simpler time tax-wise, but she used strategy and the legal tools available to stretch her assets for good. Without her

planned legacy gift, who knows what writings we might have lost?

Today, the law provides more ways to plan and make charitable gifts.

That’s why the Planned Giving Department exists—to help members find the tool or tools

that help them take care of their families and extend God’s work. We can spread those gifts over a longer time, and even benefit people and God’s work at the same time. Making your money go further is really about selecting the

Structured Gifts SOMETHING NOW Cash, RRSPs, Stock, Real Estate, Life Insurance Policies

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Alberta Adventist News

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SOMETHING IN BETWEEN Gift Annuities, Life Income Trusts, Remainder Interests

SOMETHING LATER Wills, Trusts, Beneficiary Designations

DECEMBER 2021

Alberta Adventist News

62

“

Young as well as older people can use structured gifts to make their dollars do more."

“structure” of a charitable gift. Here’s a simple diagram of the major tools: What does that look like in real life? The Keith and Ngarie Clouten story is a fascinating one, printed by the Church in Canada in the May issue of the Messenger (p. 8, "The Triple Surprise"). These and other inspiring stories of growing gifts for good come from people of every age.

Planned Giving is really a matter of matching assets, timing, and values. While there are more tools now than in Mrs. White’s day, the bottom line is the same: Where’s your heart?

DOING SOMETHING

GREAT

This Camp Meeting, join Lynn McDowell for an hour of stories that link Planned Giving to everyday people. Discover practical ways to ensure that you and your loved ones are OK while making a big difference for the causes you love.

WHO:

Director of Planned Giving | Philanthropy Alberta Conference (403) 342-5044, ext. 233

WHEN:

Anyone who wants to make a Difference

Monday, July 18 @ 2:00-3:00 PM

WHAT:

Lower Lodge

A simplified 1-Hour review of Planned Gift tools Through Story

Lynn McDowell, JD, CSPG

Stories about people (and Planned Giving)

MONDAY

JULY 18

WHERE: WHY:

To Do Something Great for God & Family!

ALBERTA CONFERENCE CAMP MEETING 2022

FORGING AHEAD

Faith. Leadership. Vision.

albertacampmeeting.ca

JULY

16 Alberta Conference Camp Meeting 2022

SABBATH SCHOOL In Person at Foothill Camp & Livestreamed

ONE VISION The Rest of the Story Featuring

Chief Randy Ermineskin Ermineskin Cree Nation, Maskwacis

Lesson Study 9:15 – 9:40 AM Feature 9:40 – 10:30 AM

See the Maskwacis Outreach page of June Messenger for a preview of the Sabbath School feature