Alberta Conference Town Hall Meeting Report 2019

ALBERTA CONFERENCE

TOWN

HALL MEETINGS 2019-2020

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

2

Our Mission:

To reach Alberta and the Northwest Territories with the distinctive, Christ-centred, Seventh-day Adventist message of hope and wholeness.

Introduction 4

Agenda 5

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

President’s Report 7

Executive Secretary/Vice President’s Report 8

CFO/Treasurer’s Report 12

DIRECTOR REPORTS

ABC Christian Store Report 23

Communication/IT/Media Report 24

Education Report 27

Foothills Camp Report 28

Ministerial/Evangelism/Church Planting Report 29

Planned Giving & Trust Services/Philanthropy 32

Risk Management/Property Management/ Transportation Safety and Compliance Report 34

Sabbath School/Children's/Personal Ministries Reports 36

Youth Ministry Report 38

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

CONTENTS

VOLUNTEER REPORTS

Alberta Adventist Prison Ministry Organization (AAPMO) Report 41

Prayer Ministries Report 42

Church Plant Coordinator Report – Northern Region 43

Health Department Report 44

SAGE Report 45

Women's Ministry Retreat Coordinator Report 46

3

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

INTRODUCTION Dear Town Hall Participant, Thank you so much for taking the time from your busy schedule to attend this Town Hall Meeting. Your attendance indicates a real interest and commitment on your part.

The purpose of a town hall meeting is to hear reports from Administration as well as directors on what has been taking place in the Alberta Conference over the last three years and plans for the balance of this session.

An opportunity will be given to ask any questions you might have concerning these reports. Many inquiries have already been submitted by email and will likely be addressed in the administrative and departmental reports given.

This meeting will not be the occasion for taking questions that uniquely pertain to only a single church, as this will not be of interest to everyone. It is better to address these specific questions in a meeting with local church personnel.

We look forward to being with you very soon.

Pastor Gary Hodder President of the Alberta Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

4

Welcome – Gary Hodder Worship – Gary Hodder Officer's Reports •

Gary Hodder – President

•

Wayne Williams – Executive Secretary/ Vice President for Administration

•

Keith Richter – CFO/Treasurer

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

AGENDA

Introduction of Directors/Reports •

George Ali – Ministerial & Evangelism Director

•

Olaf Clausen – Sabbath School, Children’s, & Personal Ministries Director

•

Lynn McDowell – Planned Giving & Trust Services/Philanthropy Director

•

Troy McQueen – Foothills Camp Director

•

Lyle Notice – Youth Director

•

Eric Ollila – Communication, IT, Media Director

•

Llew Werner – Risk Management, Project Development Director

•

Larry Wilton – ABC Christian Store Manager

•

Ronda Ziakris – Education Superintendent

Questions & Answers Adjournment/Prayer

5

ADMINISTATION REPORTS

Motto—Prepare a people for the soon return of Jesus Key directives for Alberta Conference during this session: 1. Evangelism continued to be a dominant priority •

Largest budget per member of any conference in Canada.

•

Continue to grow at about 2%—goal is to reach 3% short- term and 5% long-term.

•

Recently passed the 12,000-member mark; next milestone will be 13,000-member mark.

2. Education and youth remain a strong focus of our work in Alberta •

One thousand fifty students in 2018 — growing at about five percent per year.

•

Currently have ten schools.

•

Recently contributed $250,000 of special support toward these schools.

3. Youth Support:

•

Summer Camp Programs.

•

Youth Director initiated programs — events and Mission trips.

4. Native Work: •

Mamawi Atosketan Native School (MANS) is our only native school in Alberta and all of Canada.

•

Over 200 children from the Maskwacis community attend MANS K-12 school.

•

We have hopes of putting a church in Maskwacis over the next few years.

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

President’s Report

5. New Churches: •

Desire to see more of our own buildings in the Conference.

•

Increase support from $10,000 to $100,000 towards this objective.

6. Foothills Camp:

•

Schools, see #2 above.

•

Many new improvements.

•

Alberta Conference provides one chaplain to each of its high schools, in addition to providing 1.5 chaplains to Burman University.

•

Additional plans to accommodate more of our members to participate in camp.

•

Youth programs for various ages: Adventurers, Pathfinders, Master Guides.

7. Parkview Adventist Academy — Burman University has asked the Alberta Conference to assume responsibility to build a facility and run this school going forward.

Submitted by Gary Hodder President

7

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

Executive Secretary/Vice President’s Report Alberta Conference Total Membership Comparison (2016-2018) 12000

11942

11950 11900

11838

11850 11800 11750 11700

11646

11650 11600 11550 11500 11450

Ending Count

2016

2017

2018

Alberta Conference Q2 Baptisms Comparison (2018-2019) 140 120

117

100

74

80 60 40 20 0

2018-Q2

8

2019-Q2

Alberta Conference Q2 Membership Dropped By & Adjustment (2018-2019) 1

Adjustment

-3

0

Missing

4

Removed

5

3

Deceased

-5

21

13 14

Letter Granted

0

5

10

16

15

2019-Q2

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

Executive Secretary/Vice President’s Report

20

25

2018-Q2

Alberta Conference Q1 & Q2 Membership Comparison (2017-2019) 12100

12046 11969

12000

11900

11827

11811 11800

11700

11694

11689

11600

11500

2017

2018

Q1

2019

Q2

9

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

Executive Secretary/Vice President’s Report

Alberta Conference Q2 Membership Added By (2018-2019) 22

Letter Received

26

20

Profession Of Faith

29

74

Bapt ism

117 0

20

40

60

2019-Q2

80

100

120

140

2018-Q2

Q2 Conference Membership Comparison Across Union (2018-2019) 504

SDA Church in Newfoundland and Labrador

513

8,609

Quebec Conference

8,390

34,116

Ontario Conference

33,600 1,667 1,642

Maritime Conf. of the SDA Church Inc.

4,060 4,084

Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference

11,287 11,320 12,046 11,827

British Columbia Conference Alberta Conference 0

5,000

10,000

2019-Q2

Submitted by Wayne Williams Executive Secretary/VP for Administration

10

15,000

2018-Q2

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

40,000

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Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

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11

NET Tithe Comparison 16 14 12 MILLIONS

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

CFO/Treasurer’s Report

10 8 6 4 2 -

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Net Tithe

Tithe Increase 12% 10% 10% 8%

7%

7%

6%

4.6%

4%

3%

2% 2% 0% -2%

12

0% 2008

0.2%

0% 2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016 -1.9%

2017 -0.1%

2018

2018

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

CFO/Treasurer’s Report

Revenue Comparison $16 $14

Millions

$12 $10 $8 $6

$12

$13

$12

$13

$14

$14

$15

$15

$15

$15

$16

$4 $2 $-

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Total Revenue

13

14

5%

3%

1%

2%

0% 0% 2%

87%

2018 Revenues

Matured Deferred Gifts

Residence Rent Income

Dept Fees and Sales

Fire Insurance Proceeds

Investment Earnings

Donations

Subsidies

Net Tithe

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

CFO/Treasurer’s Report

(2,000,000)

-

2,000,000

4,000,000

6,000,000

8,000,000

10,000,000

12,000,000

14,000,000

16,000,000

18,000,000

Subsidies Residence Rent Income

2013

Dept Fees and Sales

2012

Net Tithe

2011

Matured Deferred Gifts

Donations

2014

2015

Total Revenue

Fire Insurance Proceeds

2017

2018

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

Restricted Revenue

Investment Earnings

2016

Annual Revenue Comparison

CFO/Treasurer’s Report

15

Expenditure Comparison $18 $16 $14 $12

Millions

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

CFO/Treasurer’s Report

$10 $8 $6

$11

$10

$13

$11

$11

$15

15.53

16.29

16.13

15.29

16.27

$4 $2 $-

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Series1

2018 Expense Distribution Excluding ABC 0% 1%

1%

1%

8%

9%

2%

45%

11%

22%

Church Ministries Special Services Conv/Mtgs Rental Residence

16

Educational Other Programs BLDG/Equip

Retirement Administration Campground

2018

0

2000000

4000000

6000000

8000000

10000000

12000000

14000000

16000000

18000000

Other Programs Campground

BLDG/Equip

2014

Special Services

2013

Church Ministries

2012

Expenditures

2011

2016

2018

Total Expenditures

Conv/Mtgs

Retirement

2017

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

Rental Residence

Administration

Educational

2015

Expense Increase

CFO/Treasurer’s Report

17

18

ch ur h C

$-

$1,000,000

$2,000,000

$3,000,000

$4,000,000

$5,000,000

$6,000,000

$7,000,000

$8,000,000

$9,000,000

rie ist in M

2009

l na it o a uc Ed

2008

s

t en

2010

em tir e R

2011

e Sp

i rv Se l cia he Ot

2012

s ce s

2013

am gr o r rP

2014

Area

m Ad

n tio a r ist in

2015

2016

s tg M / nv Co

Annual Expense Comparison

B

2017

ip qu E G/ LD

2018

m Ca

nd ou r pg

Re al t n Re

ce en d si

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

CFO/Treasurer’s Report

Amount

Percentage of Expenditures Per Function 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013 2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

Church Ministries

50.1% 50.4% 49.3% 47.9% 49.3% 50.4% 51.0% 51.6% 50.3% 48.3% 44.6%

Educational

21.8% 22.0% 24.3% 23.6% 24.5% 24.4% 21.7% 21.5% 22.0% 22.1% 22.5%

Retirement and Other

9.1%

10.0%

9.8%

9.4%

7.8%

7.0%

7.7%

7.8%

8.0%

9.8% 10.7%

Special Services

0.7%

0.7%

0.5%

0.5%

0.5%

1.5%

1.3%

1.5%

1.3%

1.3%

1.5%

Other Programs

1.7%

1.6%

1.3%

2.1%

2.3%

2.1%

2.2%

2.0%

1.9%

2.0%

1.8%

Administration-Office Resources

9.2%

8.5%

8.2%

8.9%

8.7%

8.1%

9.5%

8.9%

9.0%

9.9%

8.9%

Conventions and Meetings Building and Equipment Operations and Maintenance

0.4%

0.2%

0.2%

0.3%

0.5%

0.3%

0.3%

0.3%

0.5%

0.2%

0.2%

0.9%

0.7%

1.0%

0.7%

1.1%

0.7%

0.8%

0.5%

1.0%

0.5%

0.7%

Campground

5.2%

4.9%

4.4%

5.6%

5.0%

4.8%

5.1%

5.6%

5.7%

5.4%

8.4%

Rental Residence

1.0%

1.0%

1.1%

1.0%

0.4%

0.7%

0.4%

0.3%

0.2%

0.5%

0.8%

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

CFO/Treasurer’s Report

Net Gain/Loss 2,500,000 2,000,000 1,500,000 1,000,000 500,000 -

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

(500,000) (1,000,000)

19

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

CFO/Treasurer’s Report

Net Unrestricted Assets 2011

2012

14,426,846

13,404,633

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

12,758,996 13,095,479* 11,316,078* 10,186,016* 9,877,626

Minimum Working Capital Requirement

$5,018,928.00

Receivables Churches/Schools

$2,592,478.00

2018 9,774,103

Alberta Conference of SDA School Division Revenue Actual 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 **

20

10,792,347.00 11,559,477.00 11,644,779.08

Revenue Budgeted 9,297,173.00 10,080,800.00 10,254,123.00

Expense Actual 10,995,011.00 12,169,743.00 11,914,585.00

Expense Budgeted

(Loss) Net Profit

9,160,157.00 - 202,664.00 9,991,315.00 - 610,266.00 9,897,213.00 - 269,805.92

We have reduced revenue by $550,658.92 as this amount was a one time project donation.

Alberta Conference of SDA School Division 14,000,000.00 2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

12,000,000.00

10,000,000.00

8,000,000.00

6,000,000.00

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

CFO/Treasurer’s Report

4,000,000.00

2,000,000.00

-

(2,000,000.00)

Actual

Budg eted

Actual

Budg eted

Net Profit

Revenue

Revenue

Expense

Expense

(Loss)

Submitted by Keith Richter CFO/Treasurer

21

DIRECTOR REPORTS

1. Staffing 2. Bookmobile/ Vegan Interest - Impact on sales 3. Impact of Grocery Stores - wider range of Vegan/Vegetarian Foods Available 4. Equipment Purchases - Freightliner 5. Immediate Goals - Continually searching for new & diverse products

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

ABC Christian Store Report

6. Long Range Goals - Equipment/Software Upgrades - Develop a selling Website 7. Financial

Submitted by Larry Wilton ABC Christian Store Manager

23

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

Communication/IT/Media Town Hall Report Motto—Communicating for Change PURPOSE

Communication/Media The multi-faceted role of the Communications Department is to communicate with constituents on behalf of the Alberta Conference Administration, communicate with communities throughout Alberta and the Northwest Territories about the Seventhday Adventist Church— either directly or indirectly through local church communication directors—and serve as a resource for pastors, local church leaders, and Conference office departmental directors and support staff.

Information Technology (IT) The purpose of the Information Technology Department is to oversee, acquire, operate, and maintain computing and telecommunication facilities, equipment, services, and other IT solutions that meet the needs of the Alberta Conference.

COMMUNICATION ACTIVITY SINCE AUGUST 15, 2018 Weekly eNews (Published Issues)

24

50

Alberta Adventist News (AAN) Magazine (Published Issues)

4

Canadian Adventist Messenger (Submitted Articles)

4

Facebook (Published Posts)

454

Twitter (Published Posts)

376

Instagram (Published Posts)

369

Albertaadventist.ca (Announcement Posts)

45

Camp Meeting Booklet (Published)

1

Facebook Fans

August 2019

1.64K

August 2018

1.38K

Facebook Engagement

August 2019

3.5K

Twitter Followers

August 2019

2.67K

August 2018 2.20K

Twitter Engagement

August 2018

234

Instagram Followers

August 2019

84

Sept. 2018

Instagram Engagement

August 2019 601

eNews Subscribers

August 2019

445

August 2018

396

AAN Magazine Reach (# magazines sent to churches 3Q 2019)

6

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

SOCIAL MEDIA AND PUBLICATION STATS

3,631

TOP THREE ANNUAL PRIORITIES FOR COMMUNICATION/IT/MEDIA: GOAL #1: Develop and Maintain Infrastructure, Support Systems, Communication Channels.

1. Objective: Develop and maintain a stable IT System. a. Status: 85% complete. Upgraded network wiring and switches at physical plant; conducted Microsoft Best Practices Azure server and network audit on administrative office/ministerial side of IT system; cloud migration of financial/accounting software; employee backup to Onedrive; Azure VMs launched; ALTO 3 backup; created new Azure Active Directory; addressing RDP security; integrate office employees on

the new Azure Active Directory; Telus Fibre installation contracted (will be completed Oct. 14, 2019). Outstanding: completing RDP security setup.

2. Objective: Properly document IT System. a. Status: 95% complete. Created “build as� schematic for office building with updated wiring and labeling for all ports and outlets. When completed, our new cloud-based infrastructure will have comprehensive documentation.

3. Objective: Develop office, employee, and field calendars. a. Status: 100% complete.

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Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

4. Objective: Advanced training of IT/Media Team. a. Status: 15% complete.

Advanced training curriculum has been pre-approved — tentative deployment, Winter, 2019.

5. Objective: Livestreaming of Camp Meeting. a. Status: 100% complete.

Livestreamed video broadcast of Camp Meeting for the first time.

6. Objective: Create a cross-functional IT system for Education and Ministerial. a. Status: 2% complete.

Initiated discussion.

7. Objective: Complete renovation and update of new website a. Status: 75% complete.

Current posts; updated visuals and graphics; increased functionality and user-friendliness.

8. Objective: Publish quarterly AAN Magazines. a. Status: 75% complete. 1Q, 2Q, 3Q issues are published; 4Q outstanding 9. Objective: Develop security and compliance policies; make use of tools available. a. Status: 65% complete.

GOAL #2: Training and Equipping of Employees and Office Staff.

1. Objective: Develop competence in use of Office 365 and Azure for office, pastors, and employees. a. Status: 5% complete. In the process of getting a viable solution in place for office training— possibly LinkedIn Learning.

2. Objective: Secure extended training for clerks and pastors on eAdventist. a. Status: 2% complete.

Communication/IT/Media Director: Eric L. Ollila Administrative Assistant: Jenny Nickel

26

3. Objective: Train ministerial and education employees on how to keep their websites updated. a. Status: 25% complete. Micro school leader training in process.

Adventist Church Connect offers free training for all Adventist churches and schools.

GOAL #3: Promote Department, Technology, Publications, and Media Outlets (Website, Social Media, eNews).

1. Objective: Systematically and broadly promote publications and Conference initiatives in churches and schools using multiple channels. a. Status: Ongoing. Speaking appointments, print, social media, email, website, and audio/ visual promotional development is being deployed.

2. Objective: Promote social media, eNews, AAN Magazine. a. Status: 50% complete and ongoing. Designed ads; most of which are currently running.

More extensive promotional approaches are under development.

3. Objective: Develop, encourage, and foster more extensive promotion of administrative, departmental, and organizational branding. a. Status: 25% complete.

Some dialogue initiated with various departmental leaders regarding promotion of their departments and projects. Further development is required.

IT Support Specialist/Accountant: Scott Nischuk Registrar/Technology Specialist: Mildred Weiss

The Alberta Conference operates ten schools within the province as part of a worldwide system. Our schools were privileged to educate 1,091 students in the 2018-19 school year. The following quote taken from the Ellen White’s book Education reminds us of the holy work that is Adventist Education:

Spiritual Highlights •

Conference support for school staff spiritual retreats

•

Thirty-five student baptisms in the 2018-19 school year

•

Annual Principal’s Spiritual Retreat

•

Teacher’s Convention with a spiritual emphasis and the new AB Ed Teacher Quality Standards

•

Student spiritual leadership opportunities

Education Leadership Team

•

Week of Prayer

Director of Education: Ronda Ziakris

•

Encounter Bible Curriculum

Associate Director: Brent van Rensburg

•

Outdoor Education Program

“True education means more than the purusal [sic] of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come” (p. 13).

Registrar/Data Coordinator/Education Technology Specialist: Mildred Weiss Learning Coach: Tricia Gabrys

Sponsorship of Camp Meeting Seminars •

Church climate, youth worship participation, and their relationship to spiritual development in Adventist youth

•

Family climate, family worship, and their relationship to spiritual development in Adventist youth

•

School climate, caring teachers, and their relationship to spiritual development in Adventist youth

•

Friend choice, personal devotion, and their relationship to spiritual development in Adventist youth

•

Suggestions for promoting spiritual development in Adventist youth

Principals College Heights Christian School: Chris Dubyna Coralwood Adventist Academy: Leidemae Muse Chinook Winds Adventist Academy: Bruce Fillier District Principal for Micro Schools: Jai Dubyna Higher Ground Christian School: Catherine Rosengren Mamawi Atosketan Native School: Gail Wilton Prairie Adventist Christian eSchool: Heidi Morehouse

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

Education Town Hall Report

Submitted by Ronda Ziakris Education Superintendent

27

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

Foothills Camp Townhall Report August 2019 Foothills Camp is a busy place. It’s booked approximately 40 weekends per year by church groups, Pathfinder groups, outdoor survival groups, retreat groups, mini Camp Meetings, boy scouts and girl guides, and many more. Youth and family camp programs run steady from May until the end of August. These programs include outdoor school, adventurer family camp, Camp Meeting, adventure camp, junior camp, teen camp, Sherwood Forest, and more.

•

Vaper barrier and insulation was installed in the crawl space of the white church to help protect it from moisture.

•

Old fireplaces in the lodge dining room and lower meeting room were replaced with new gas fireplace inserts.

•

Led lights are slowly getting installed to save on electricity costs.

•

Two new hot water tanks were installed in the lodge.

•

New tiles and L.E.D. lights were installed in the lower lodge meeting area.

•

Adding more trees and plants around the grounds each year.

Completed Projects Over the past year, many work projects have been completed around the camp: •

New tables and chairs in the dining room.

•

Added new signs on the main buildings and cabin blocks.

•

All roofs at the camp redone.

•

Replaced a sagging beam in the lodge.

•

Renovated public washrooms in the lodge upstairs and downstairs.

•

Five rooms on the lower east side of the lodge were renovated into four rooms, each with their own en-suites.

Submitted by Troy McQueen Foothills Camp Director

28

Plans and Needs Plans are in place to continue with more lodge room renovations, grounds improvements, R.V. washroom renovations, and a water treatment system. The camp desperately needs a heated, covered, storage building. There is no place to store equipment and supplies. More R.V. sites are needed, as well as a few drinking fountains around the camp.

The Ministerial and Evangelism Department exists to encourage and empower pastors and elders to pursue the goal of reaching communities with the good news of the soon coming Savior and experience a transformed lifestyle in Christ. Our purpose is threefold: •

To grow God’s kingdom through discipleship training, mentoring, and faithfulness in our walk with Christ

•

To lift up Christ through various methods of witnessing in preparation for the second coming

•

To encourage others to higher ideals in Christian living and discipleship

I. Evangelism 2016–2019 The Evangelism Department of the Alberta Conference is an integral part in the process of coordinating evangelism and church growth through training for service in the local congregations. Target growth was 5.0%

b. A Review of Evangelism Activities 2016–2019 •

125 evangelism budgets approved

•

109 series conducted

•

568 baptisms and professions of faith through evangelism

•

Baptism/cost ratio average 1/$1,760

•

Conference financial support of 65% of the cost to a maximum of $16,000

•

Provided evangelism resources

II. Ministerial The purpose of the Ministerial Department is to equip and empower pastors and elders for effective ministry to their congregations, as well as be a spiritual example and mentor to every pastor, pastoral family, and local church elder.

We began 2016 with a membership of 11,353

There is a pastoral staff of 60 with 84 congregations (1.4 church/pastor ratio, 200 members/pastor ratio) in our Conference.

We are very appreciative of our pastoral team and the effort they put into ministry.

As of July 2019, the membership is 12,050

Areas considered were:

The overall percentage growth increase at the end of 2018 was 6.0%

1. Professional Growth

a. Membership Statistics

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

Ministerial/Evangelism/ Church Planting Town Hall Report

•

Continuing education seminars

•

Monthly regional ministerial meetings 29

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

•

Twice-a-year pastors meeting

•

ARMCo (Annual Regional Ministerial Consultation)

•

Pastors/elders retreat

•

Interns retreat

•

Recruitment of ministerial workers and their orientation

•

Assign interns and monitor their progress to the point of ordination

•

•

2019—Anthony Kent, Associate Ministerial Secretary, GC—Edmonton

4. Pastors Meetings •

2016—Adam Fenner, Director, Adventist Learning Community, NAD

•

2016—Vilma Reynolds, Director, Adventist Risk Management, GC

•

2017—Keith Bowman, Associate Director of Pastoral Professional Development, NAD

Conduct yearly evaluations for interns

•

2017—Shawn Boonstra, Director, Voice of Prophecy

Be a pastor to the pastors and their families

•

2018—Donna Diaz, Adventist Risk Management

2. Professional Development Seminars

•

2018—Dave Gemmell, Associate Ministerial Secretary, NAD

•

2019—Denis Fortin, Professor of Historical Theology, Andrews University

•

Given the diverse characteristic of ministry in our Conference and the theological, financial, family, and other challenges encountered by members and pastors in our congregations, we have looked at these concerns and endeavoured to empower and equip pastors and elders to better address any concerns that may arise in an intelligent and Christlike manner.

Highlight of Seminar Presenters 2016–2019 3. Pastors/Elders Retreat

30

•

During the period under review, we were able to invite presenters for seminars on a variety of related topics. For example, Last Generation Theology, 2,520 years, anti-trinitarian views, how to reach the unchurched, risk management, church management, retirement planning, continuing education, family finances, and other relevant themes.

•

2016—Robert Costa, Associate Ministerial Secretary, GC—Calgary

•

2017—Robert Costa, Associate Ministerial Secretary, GC—Edmonton

The outcome reflects God’s leading of our Conference on a growth path through the committed and dedicated work of pastors and members in ministry. Hundreds of lives have been changed, but I will share one experience of a committed group of believers who determined to THINK BIG for God.

•

2018—Jose Cortez, Associate Ministerial Secretary, NAD—Calgary

The stories of lives changed through accepting Christ is a miracle of His

Let me share the story of a group of members who decided to reach their friends in their community for Christ. The members of the Burmese group in Calgary decided that they wanted to share the love of Christ that they were experiencing to their friends and family. They organized themselves into groups and met weekly in homes to study the Bible together with their invited friends. As interest developed with the study, they thought that it was an opportunity for them to do something greater than once a week, so through consultation with the group and much prayer and planning, they decided to reach out to the broader Burmese community in the Calgary area in an attempt to determine greater interest for their evangelistic initiative.

When they realized that the time was ripe for a reaping seminar, they extended an invitation to a pastor from India who speaks their native language to conduct a threeweek evangelistic seminar. He came, and, because they had already been studying with their friends and other contacts, at the end of the meetings, 11 individuals gave their lives to Jesus in baptism. Currently, 31 members of the Burmese group meet at the Calgary Cornerstone Church each Sabbath to worship and praise God. In 2018, the same pastor returned and conducted home cell evangelism with the group, and another eight individuals committed their lives to Jesus through baptism.

As I write this article, the Burmese membership is in the process of another evangelistic program this year also. Leading individuals to Christ has become a way of life for the Burmese group in Calgary, and what a tremendous testimony and encouragement it gives to what the power of God can accomplish through His dedicated servants! Ministering to others is a passion that is derived only from Him. As we endeavor to witness concerning our faith in Jesus Christ, let us be mindful of the fact that we are not alone but Christ’s promise of abiding is real.

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” Deuteronomy 31:6, NKJV

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

transforming grace that awaits all who would participate in this divine process.

“Christ made full provision for the prosecution of the work entrusted to the disciples, and took upon Himself the responsibility of its success. So long as they obeyed His word, and worked in connection with Him, they could not fail. … Go to the farthest part of the habitable globe, but know that My presence will be there. Labor in faith and confidence, for the time will never come when I will forsake you.” (8T 16, 17) It is comforting to know that success is assured when we do our part and trust in God’s faithful presence.

Submitted by George Ali Ministerial/Evangelism Director Church Planting Coordinator

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Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

Planned Giving & Trust Services/ Philanthropy Town Hall Report ACTIVITY SINCE OCTOBER 2016 Wills written through PGTS programs

120

Value of Gifts made through wills

$573,625.34

Messenger stories published

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Bridge Campaign:

Goal $4.9 Million

Amount raised $5.027 Million

THE BRIDGE CAMPAIGN DONATION SOURCES $5,026,954* $1,320,703 First Nations

$2,254,401 SDA Church Members (Non-First Nations)

$1,130,896

Non-SDA Foundations and Individuals

$246,708

$54,541

SDA Organizations

SDA Bequests

*Total includes cash and pledges

Highlights

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•

Presenter at 2019 North American Division Ministries Conference (Philanthropy panel).

•

Submitted stories of Mamawi Atosketan Native School for publication in Pacific Press book on missions, Blessed are They (published April 2019).

•

Monthly submission to the Messenger awarded one of two awards presented to the Messenger by 2018 Best of the Church Press Awards (The Associated Church Press, Print Publications).

Cultivated and received large gifts from new and non-SDA sources totaling 23% of Bridge Campaign donations.

•

New and on-going partnerships with industry established for Mamawi Atosketan Native School for long-term sustainability

Personal Impact of Ministry MANS student Jade Rabbit (featured in May 2019 Messenger ad) – Jade’s sights were raised to attend Burman University and medical school, encouraged in part by the Emilie Schafer Family Scholarship story and scholarship. The posting of the Schafer Family story in the new high school and expansion of the scholarship was proposed to the family by the PGTS director, who works with the family to help them achieve their goals for expanding the fund and its impact.

A retired teacher drove from Calgary to attend the 2019 camp meeting PGTS seminars after participating in a PGTS presentation at the 2018 Calgary Ministry Fair. This active retiree values and saves all the MANS page Messenger stories contributed by the PGTS director.

One member who discussed his wish to benefit evangelism ultimately included the Alberta Conference in his will, resulting in a

“I want to go to Burman University for a biology major so I can pursue a medical degree.”

Jade, MANS Honour Student Class of 2020

People who believe in you make you believe in yourself.

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

•

When students like Jade read about the Schafer Family and the scholarship they recently established at MANS to help graduates attend Burman, a seed is planted. As they read the plaque by the high school staff room, they can see themselves in the story — and at Burman, and a life they never thought possible.

MANS Scholarships You can Make a Difference Too

MAMAWI ATOSKETAN NATIVE SCHOOL albertaadventist.ca/schools

To donate to MANS scholarships, contact Lynn McDowell (403) 342-5044 x 233 lmcdowell@albertaadventist.ca Alberta Conference 5816 Hwy 2A, Lacombe, AB T4L 2G5

gift of $300,000 for evangelism – a gift that will profoundly change lives here and for eternity.

Submitted by Lynn McDowell Planned Giving & Trust Services/Philanthropy Director

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Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

Risk Management, Property Management, Transportation Safety and Compliance Town Hall Report Purpose: •

Risk Management—To support the Risk Management initiatives of the Alberta Conference to provide a safe and secure environment in which to deliver its services of sharing the gospel and demonstrating God’s love to those individuals (internal and external) who are within its sphere of contact.

The focus of Risk Management is on the wellbeing of individuals and the protection of assets.

•

Property Management—To support the Alberta Conference and its organizational units with securing, developing, and managing property and facilities.

•

Transportation Safety and Compliance—To ensure that the Alberta Conference operates its fleet of “regulated vehicles (buses, trucks, etc.)” in compliance with the National Safety Code (for transportation) and all provincial transportation safety and traffic laws and regulations.

Notes and Key Activities Undertaken •

Vulnerable Sector ̵​̵

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Worked with Youth Ministry and Human Resources to ensure

that adequate Vulnerable Sector policies and processes are in place, including preparations for the Oshkosh Pathfinder trip

•

Camp Meeting—Foothills Camp ̵​̵

Emergency Action Plan development/implementation in conjunction with Red Deer County

̵​̵

Gate Security fully implemented at Foothills Camp

̵​̵

Integration of emergency response, gate security, and campus security—July 2019

•

Property Insurance and Valuation ̵​̵

Seventy sites, many with multiple buildings (Liability plus Building and Content Insurance)

̵​̵

Thirty-four sites with rental agreements in place (Liability plus Content Insurance)

̵​̵

Currently Insured Values total $151,000,000

̵​̵

Significant Insurance Claims

̵​̵

Foothills Camp hail storm—$893,000

MANS school—water pipe burst (freezing)—$100,000

̵​̵

Peace River Church fire— $500,000–$600,000

̵​̵

ABC Truck fire—$28,000

•

Property Acquisition and Construction ̵​̵

Property reviews/ due diligence activities undertaken for potential property purchases—19

̵​̵

New MANS middle/ high school building and Industrial Education building completed—August 2017

̵​̵

Properties purchased—two (Whitecourt, Sylvan Lake)

•

Transportation Safety and Compliance ̵​̵

Role assigned in August 2017 in response to an adverse transportation event to ensure that the Alberta Conference was fulfilling its compliance responsibilities for its carrier fleet of regulated vehicles—buses, trucks (greater than a GVW of 4,500 kg.), highway tractor, etc.

̵​̵

Initial audit indicated greater measures were required for compliance. Second audit, after intensive steps, including driver integration into the compliance processes, indicated that the Alberta Conference was now in compliance

̵​̵

Eleven drivers have met the requirements to drive designated, regulated vehicles in the Alberta Conference’s carrier fleet

Upcoming Initiatives •

Review of Vulnerable Sector processes—frequency of obtaining Vulnerable Sector reports, process compliance audit, frequency, and updating policies and procedures

•

Church—safety officers, including role descriptions

•

Sabbath safety and fire drills

•

Building visits—safety and building code/bylaw compliance

•

Implementation of electronic logging devices for driver logs, vehicle pre-trip inspections, and travel logs

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

̵​̵

Submitted by Llew Werner Risk Management/Project Development Director

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Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

Sabbath School, Children's, and Personal Ministries Town Hall Reports Report 1—Overview of the Work Departmental Mission—The Sabbath School, Children’s, and Personal Ministries Departments seek to equip and disciple local church departmental leaders with timely training and support for their ongoing discipleship programs within the Alberta Conference. This is accomplished through on-site training at individual churches and annual regional/provincial conferences.

2016–2018—Since the beginning of this session in 2016 under Nwamiko Madden and Pr. Sandra Deer, the departments conducted two, province-wide, Sabbath School/Children’s Ministry combined events at Foothills Camp: “The Highest of All Sciences” in April 2017 and “The Investigation of Truth” in April 2018.

Additionally, three Camp Meeting Seminar series were conducted by Sandra Deer and invited guest speakers: “Retool Your School” (2016); “The Power of the Holy Spirit in Evangelism” (2017); and “Small Groups” (2018). A total of 23 churches/institutions were visited for local training, and the first level of NAD Children’s Ministries worker training was completed by participants.

2019 to Present—Since taking over the department in September 2018, Pr. Olaf Clausen has focused on visiting churches to provide training and evaluate local needs.

To date, he has visited 26 congregations to preach and/or present training and presented lectures at the 2019 Camp Meeting seminar series on upcoming conference initiatives. For the first time, the Sabbath School Department has

36

combined its efforts and budget with the Youth Department to organize a premiere Young Adult Post-modern Conference at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in November 2019, a first in the North American Division. As recent studies and anecdotes continue to warn of a loss of this demographic’s connection to the church, we feel it is high time we combine our departmental efforts to reach out to Millennials and equip them to re-engage in the church’s mission and leadership.

Looking Forward—Increasingly, local churches are being perplexed by new and unusual teachings which are impacting their ability to further their mission and ministry in a unified manner. Consequently, the Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Departments will be hosting regional conferences in Calgary and Edmonton in the spring of 2020 entitled “Biblical Discipleship in a Radically Changing World,” intended to equip our teachers and leaders with sound study tools to identify and address these concerns. Furthermore, plans are underway to offer the second tier of certification training for Children’s Ministries workers at Foothills Camp for the fall of 2020. Through personal visitation, churches will continue to be encouraged to adopt the newly developed GC “Sabbath School Alive” and “Grow Your Church” programs to revitalize their Sabbath School and Personal Ministries programs and “Disciple their Disciple-makers” by encouraging churches to adopt the new NAD training curriculum for leaders in these local church departments.

On a continuing basis, the department receives requests for discipleship and training of teachers and leaders. To this end, I have been travelling and encouraging local churches to make the revitalization of their Sabbath Schools, particularly their Children’s Sabbath Schools and ministries, the foundation of their mission as per Deuteronomy 6 and Proverbs 22. These sermons and lectures, digging deeply into the development of the Sabbath School in biblical times and the importance of “training up” our children as the foundation from which all our outward mission emerges, have been very well received.

In these hectic times, churches are finding it increasingly difficult to field sufficient Sabbath School teachers for their divisions. Many teachers have been toiling selflessly for decades with limited resources, support and recognition.

In this sense, several teachers have expressed their gratitude for reminding our members of the critical importance of the Sabbath School ministry for the success of the church and its families. May God continue to richly bless all our hardworking teachers and labourers in His vineyard.

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

Report 2—Missional Narrative

Submitted by Olaf Clausen Sabbath School/Children's Ministries/Personal Ministries Director

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YOUTH MINISTRY REPORT 2019 YOUTH MINISTRY REP YOUTH YOUTH YOUTH YOUTH MINISTRY MINISTRY MINISTRY MINISTRY REPORT REPORT REPO 2019 2019 REPO Discipleship

Community

Mission

Discipleship Discipleship Mission Community Community Discipleship Discipleship Discipleship Discipleship Mission Mission munity Community mmunityCommunity Discipleship Mission Community ACBA BASKETBALL LEAGUE

TEEN YOUTH RALLIES

ACBA BASKETBALL LEAGUE ACBA BASKETBALL ACBA BASKETBALL ACBA BASKETBALL LEAGUE ACBA LEAGUE BASKETBALL ACBA LEAGUE LEAG MISSION TRIPS BASKETBALL ACBA BASKETBALL LEAGUE TEEN YOUTH TEEN RALLIES YOUTH RALLIES TEEN TEENYOUTH YOUTH RALLIES RALLIES TEEN YOUTH TEEN RALLIES YOUTH RALLIES TEEN YOUTH RALLIES MISSION TRIPS MISSIONTRIPS TRIPS MI MISSION MISSION TRIPS

MASTER GUIDES

S IDES

AB Youth Ministry Report AB Youth Ministry ABYouth Youth Ministry AB Youth AB AB Youth Ministry AB Ministry Ministry Ministry AB Youth Youth Ministry 2019 Report Report Report Report Report Report Report 2019 2019 20192019 20192019 2019 SMALL GROUPS

SMALL GROUPS SMALL GROUPS SMALL GROUPS SMALL GROUPS YOUNG ADULT RETREAT

MASTER MASTER GUIDES GUIDES MASTER MASTER GUIDES GUIDES MASTER GUIDES

2016

2017

2018

YOUNG ADULT RETREAT YOUNG ADULT RETREAT YOUNG ADULT RETREAT YOUNG ADULT RETREAT

2019

YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY

PATHFINDERS

2016

ATHFINDERS FINDERS

PATHFINDERS PATHFINDERS PATHFINDERS PATHFINDERS PATHFINDERS

2018 20182019 2016 2018 2016 2017 2017 20172018 2019 2019 2018 2018 2016 2016 2016 2017 2017 2017 2019 2019 2019 2016 2017 2018 2019 YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY

YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY CAMPUS MINISTRIES

ADVENTURER FAMILY CAMP

CAMPUS MINISTRIES CAMPUS CAMPUS MINISTRIES MINISTRIES CAMPUS MINISTRIES

CAMPU CAMP

ADVENTURER FAMILY ADVENTURER CAMP FAMILY CAMP ADVENTURER ADVENTURER FAMILY ADVENTURER CAMP FAMILY FAMILY ADVENTURER CAMP CAMPFAMILY CAMP ADVENTURER FAMILY CAMP

Pathfinders/Adventurers

Missions

Teen Youth Rally

2016-Lucban, Philippines -Pathfinder Ministry has over 25 2016-Over 300 Teens Attended 2017-Belize clubs since 2016 2017-Over 380 Teens Attended 2018-Lesotho -Six hundred People going to Oshkosh 2018-Over 417 Teens Attended 2016-Lucban, Philippines 2016-Lucban, Philippines -Pathfinder -Pathfinder Ministry Ministry has over 25 has over 25 2019-Palawan, Philippines -Adventurer Family Camp, over 2016-Lucban, Philippines 2016-Lucban, 2016-Lucban, Philippines 2016-Lucban, Philippines Philippines y istry has -Pathfinder has -Pathfinder over over 2525 Ministry Ministry has over has 25 over 25 2016-Over 300 Teens Attended 2019-Over 300 475 2016-Over Attended 2016-Over 300Teens Teens Attended 2016-Lucban, Philippines -Pathfinder Ministry has over 25 2017-Belize 2017-Belize clubs clubs since since 2016 2016 2020-South Africa 2017-Belize 650 insince attendance 2016-Over 300 Teens Attended 2017-Belize 2017-Belize 2017-Belize 2017-Over 380 380 6 clubs clubs since 2016 2016 2017-Over Teens Attended 2017-Over 380 Teens Attended 2017-Belize clubs since 2016 2018-Lesotho 2018-Lesotho -Six -Six hundred hundred People People going to Oshkosh going to Oshkosh 2021-Ghana -Over 75 Master Guides in Alberta 2017-Over 380 Teens Attended 2018-Lesotho 2018-Lesotho 2018-Lesotho 2018-Lesotho 2018-Over 417 417 e ople going going -Six -Sixhundred hundred to toOshkosh Oshkosh People People going togoing Oshkosh to Oshkosh 2018-Over Teens Attended 2018-Over 417 Teens Attended 2018-Lesotho -Six hundred People going to Oshkosh 2019-Palawan, Philippines 2019-Palawan, Philippines -Adventurer -Adventurer Family Family Camp, over over Camp, over 2018-Over 417 Teens Attended 2019-Palawan, Philippines 2019-Palawan, 2019-Palawan, Philippines 2019-Palawan, Philippines Philippines 2019-Over 475 475 mily Camp, Camp, -Adventurer -Adventurer over over Family Family Camp, Camp, over 2019-Over Attended 2019-Over 475Teens Teens Attended 2019-Palawan, Philippines -Adventurer Family Camp, over2020-South 2020-South Africa 2020-South Africa 650 650 in in attendance attendance 2020-South Africa Africa 2020-South Africa 2020-South Africa 2019-Over 475 Teens Attended ce 650 650 in in attendance attendance 2020-South Africa 650 in75 attendance 2021-Ghana 2021-Ghana -Over -Over 75 Master Master Guides in Guides Alberta in Alberta 2021-Ghana 2021-Ghana 2021-Ghana 2021-Ghana ides Guides -Over in -Over in Alberta Alberta 75 75Master Master GuidesGuides in Alberta in Alberta 2021-Ghana -Over 75 Master Guides in Alberta

Pathfinders/Adventurers Pathfinders/Adventurers Missions Missions Teen Teen Youth Rally Adventurers s/Adventurers Pathfinders/Adventurers Pathfinders/Adventurers Missions Missions Missions Missions Teen YouthRally Rally Pathfinders/Adventurers Missions Teen Youth Youth Rally

WWW.FRESHALBERTAYOUTH.CA

WWW.FRESHALBERTAYOUTH.CA WWW.FRESHALBERTAYOUTH.C WWW.FRESHALBERTAYOUTH.CA WWW.FRESHALBERTAYOUTH.CA WWW.FRESHALBERTAYOUTH.CA WWW.FRESHALBERTAYOUTH.CA WWW.FRESHALBERTAYOUTH.CA Submitted by Lyle Notice, Youth Director

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Sharing the Christ - centred message of hope and wholeness

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VOLUNTEER REPORTS

(AAPMO) The 2019 Report of the Alberta Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Church is as follows: •

The AAPMO continues to increase in the scope of its mandate to train, organize and mobilize the laity to minister to those behind bars.

•

AAPMO endeavours to minister dependably, professionally, and responsibly with accountability.

Plan to become more organized in the area of recognizance (locate and reconnect family and friends) using our AAPMO Volunteer database as a rallying point.

•

•

•

Active training and recertifications continue throughout the Conference area and upon request.

Facilitate volunteer visitations and Bible studies at halfway houses (not just at the correctional facilities).

•

•

The ministry continues to receive active enquiries from the friends and loved ones of the incarcerated within the correctional system (municipal, provincial and federal).

Encourage the possible implementation of facilitating church worship visitations to those inmates on minimum security status or day parole status as per Conference policy permits (known as ETA's — Escorted Temporary Absence).

•

AAPMO awareness has become more evident, especially as more of our members have found themselves within the correctional system with sentences that seem to impact our very health and lifestyle as conservative Protestant Christians.

•

To continue to serve this ministry with humility, determination, love, compassion, and the fervour of our Lord.

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

Alberta Adventist Prison Ministry Organization

“Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”… Matt. 25:40, KJV

Submitted by Oliver Johnson Volunteer Prison Ministries Coordinator

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Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

Prayer Ministries My name is Honey Todd, and I am the coordinator for Prayer Ministries in Alberta.

I am also the sole pastor of two churches in Calgary. In Steps to Christ, Ellen White said, “Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him” (p. 93). When prayer lifts us up to Him in heavenly realms, we leave behind the stress and pressure of this world, fix our eyes on Jesus, relax in His presence, share with Him the burdens of our hearts, and listen for His responses. The more time we spend in His presence, truly communing with Him, the more we trust Him and have hope because of Him. “As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more” (Psalm 71:14, NIV).

Alberta Prayer Ministries is here to encourage and equip Prayer Coordinators in the local churches, organize area events (north, central, and south Alberta), lead out in prayer at Camp Meeting, and connect with Prayer Coordinators across Canada.

Local Church Prayer Ministries Coordinators: I have email addresses for 26 people in this role. These people were sent documents such as 40 Days Praying for your Pastor, 50 Days Praying Against Criticism, a document about insecurity and feeling offended, and another with a church growth strategy based on prayer. If you are a prayer coordinator for your local church and did not receive these documents, please email me so I can add you to the list. If you have questions about running a prayer event, House of Prayer service, anointing, fasting, etc., please feel free to contact me.

Submitted by Honey Todd Volunteer Prayer Ministries Coordinator

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Area Coordinators: North—Ian Bramble, South—Honey Todd, Central—we need someone! The coordinator can be a pastor or lay member. Each coordinator would engage in a monthly video conference with the other area coordinators, organize prayer events in your area, and invite speakers for special weekend events encouraging everyone to prayer. If you are in central Alberta and feel the Spirit nudging you to be a coordinator, please contact me. My email is htodd@albertaadventist.ca, and my phone number is 403-239-1857.

Camp Meeting Prayer Ministries: Every night of Camp Meeting, there is a time of praise and prayer in the little white church. This is open to everyone. The final meeting, on the last Friday of camp, is an anointing service.

It is encouraging to hear how the Lord is working in people’s lives in answer to prayer.

Each year, we had about 300 prayer requests come in via the prayer boxes located in various places around the campus. We also have a prayer spots walk—a map showing the location of 10 posters with Scripture and questions on which to reflect and pray.

Prayer Ministries in SDACC: Once a month, the prayer coordinators across Canada meet on a video conference to pray together. On November 1–2, 2019, there will be a nationwide Prayer Conference in Montreal, Quebec. Posters will be sent out to the churches in September with details about registration.

Shalom (I wish you peace with God, peace with others, and peace within).

The 2019 Report of the Alberta Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Church is as follows: In the Greater Edmonton area, we currently have 3 church plants: Fort Saskatchewan, Abundant Life, and African Fellowship.

We also have another church that just recently moved from company status to church status. The Edmonton Ghanaian church celebrated its church organization service on Sabbath, April 14, 2018. The Fort Saskatchewan group also changed status recently, being organized as a company on Sabbath, October 28, 2017.

Abundant Life is currently in the process of applying for church status and hopes to reach this goal in late 2019 or early 2020.

On the weekend of September 28 – 29, 2018, a SEEDS church planting conference was held at Red Willow for the greater Edmonton area. Though not well attended, the seminars and presentations were deeply appreciated by those who did come. According to the current schedule, the next SEEDS conference will take place in Edmonton in the fall of 2021.

In September 2017, shortly after becoming the volunteer church plant coordinator for the northern Alberta region, I attended a North American Division Church Plant Advisory meeting in Aldergrove, BC. This was the first of its kind, and the goal

is to bring church plant coordinators and directors from across the division together to report, brainstorm, network, and do some training in the area of church planting. They have continued to meet annually, with the next event taking place in September 2019.

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

Church Plant Coordinator Report—Northern Region

Representatives from the church plant committee also met with a lay- led homeless outreach ministry in Edmonton called the Hymningbirds. They were exploring the possibility of establishing themselves as a church plant in order to minister to the spiritual needs of the hundreds of homeless individuals they interact on a regular basis. However, it was mutually determined that becoming a ministry of an established local church might be a better approach for them at this time.

Finally, there is a Russian-speaking group out of the Edmonton South Church that meets once a month in a rented facility in the Terwilliger area. They are considering becoming a full-time church plant sometime in the future, with the hopes of combining with another group to provide Englishspeaking worship services and outreach programs to this area of the city where we currently have no church presence.

Submitted by Rod Davis Volunteer Church Plant Coordinator (Northern Region)

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Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

Health Department The Alberta Conference Health Department continues to support the local churches in their various healthoriented programs and activities, as well as offer training in facilitating programs and retreats as an avenue to help spread the message of hope and healing.

Past Events •

Women’s Health Retreat for the province of AB, held in Red Deer.

•

Health Ministry Training weekend with It Is Written for the city of Calgary (2016).

•

Health nuggets presented at the It Is Written evangelistic series in Calgary.

•

Various cooking classes, lectures, health expos, etc. presented in the various churches and community centers across AB.

•

•

Eckville, AB—health nuggets/ seminars presented, followed by a Bible seminar by Pastor Spangler (2017 and May 2019).

Bible study series are presently ongoing from this experience.

Health Ministry Training weekend in partnership with Pastor Chris Holland for the city of Edmonton (spring 2019).

Submitted by Darlene Blaney Volunteer Health Ministries Coordinator

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•

Canada Health Summit at Camp Pugwash, Nova Scotia (2018; organizer/presenter)

•

NAD Health Summit training

•

Camp Meeting workshop presentations

Connecting/Communication A Facebook group page has been set up and active since spring 2019 as a means for health directors to network together, share unique health ministry program ideas and resources, and help each other present in each other’s churches.

A quarterly conference call session for all AB church health directors will begin fall 2019 to support those who do not connect through Facebook or email.

Future Events •

Women’s Health Retreat (fall 2019)

•

Nationwide health training webinar workshop (Oct. 2019)

•

Various health seminars/events in churches across AB.

Since a growing segment of our Alberta population, and similarly our Alberta Conference membership, is seniors, it seems fitting to find ways to have organized programs to involve and inspire this group.

SAGE Alberta, which was organized in 2011, has been active each year since then. The regular program each year is as follows:

March

Winter Outing at William Watson Lodge at Kananaskis

May

Annual Convention on the campus of Burman University

June

Annual Work Bee at Foothills Camp

July

Camp Meeting booth display, ice cream fellowship, and reports

August

Work Bee at Mamawi Atosketan School and R.V. outing at Sheep River

Sept

R.V. outing at Miquelon Lake

November

Fall Retreat (some years)

In addition to these regular program features, some SAGE members went on an ADRA Connection trip to Cambodia in 2016. In 2017, there was a cruise to Alaska. In previous years, there has been a trip with Better World to Africa, a heritage tour to New England, and a trip to a church anniversary in Yellowknife.

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

SAGE Report—Seniors in Action for God with Excellence

There have also been building projects—renovating the Drumheller Church and working with the Alberta Conference to build the Outdoor Education Center at Foothills Camp.

The SAGE committee meets most months at the Alberta Conference office to organize its program.

Submitted by Don Corkum Volunteer Coordinator-SAGE

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Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

Women's Ministry Retreat Coordinator Report Dear Alberta Conference Leaders and Members, I would be happy to share with you about my experience in the position of the Alberta Conference Women's Ministry Retreat Coordinator. It has been my pleasure and honor to serve as the leader, coordinating all the details in preparation for the annual retreat held for the women of Alberta.

It has been exciting to be part of a ministry that serves the women of the Alberta Conference by providing a weekend retreat for them to attend. Much prayer and thought go into planning this event.

It has been a pleasure to have a group of exceptional women on the committee who love the Lord, have a servant's heart, and a passion to minister to other ladies. Between ministering to their own families, being employed, retired, or volunteering for multiple ministries or organizations — these women lead busy lives. Still, they meet deadlines and are willing to go above and beyond! I can always count on them. It amazes me what we can accomplish, together.

We have one individual from the Alberta Conference IT Team, who attends our meetings to update us on how things are going regarding the registration process.

We could not have the registration online if it weren't for the IT Team keeping things running smoothly. We are so thankful for their patience and assistance to us.

I LOVE to see the healing that takes place, the new friendships that develop, and the old ones renewed. Most of all, what a great spiritual weekend we experience every year. The Lord uses the speakers

46

that come to present messages to the ladies. He knows just what the women need to hear. God powerfully uses His servants to convey the message that touches the hearts of the women, drawing them into a closer walk with Him. The Prayer Room at the retreat is a special place where the women go. In it, the attendees are prayed for, instructed, and encouraged through the Bible-based teachings given at the stations. We have a devoted woman, along with her team of prayer warriors, who provide the stations each year. We are blessed beyond measure to have her as a part of our team. We marvel at all she brings so the women can learn and take the spiritual lessons back home with them, to both stay encouraged and to share with others throughout the year.

The Lord has and is powerfully using her.

Over the past few years, our attendance has grown from 282 in 2016, 304 in 2017, 349 in 2018, and 335 in 2019. The Lord performed a miracle to have so many come in such uncertain economic times.

We have set up a Facebook page specifically for the retreat and look forward to making more use of this for the 2020 retreat. We have an Instagram and Twitter account which we have been blessed to have a Conference IT Specialist help us with. We already have the speaker, date, and venue established for April 17-19, 2020. We are excited to see how the Lord will bless. We have tentative dates at the Cambridge Hotel in Red Deer for 2021 and will be working on choosing a speaker for that retreat.

I want to encourage more women from the cultural groups in our Conference to attend the Women's Ministry Retreat held annually. We need to have opportunities to fellowship all together and share from our hearts and life experiences to understand one another a little more. We are sisters in Christ and are as one in Him no matter our heritage, color, or nationality.

We suggest the Alberta Conference supply more material and support to the Women's Ministry Leaders of each church to help them minister to the women in their congregations. It would be great if the Conference would/could sponsor more training opportunities.

The most rewarding thing that has happened for me, in this position as the Women's Ministry Retreat Coordinator, is to see how the Lord works through the women on the committee. I have learned so much and continue to learn from them what a godly woman can do in ministering to the Lord's

daughters in the Alberta Conference. I also LOVE seeing the women throughout the weekend retreat get excited about their relationship with Jesus. That is special. They shine. I see them leaving with hope in the Lord, giving them the courage to persevere in their walk with Him and the Word, and practical tools to share with others. I love it.

This year, September 26-29, 2019, we are excited to be able to attend the NAD Women's Convention in Florida. There will be 8 of the committee members attending. We are thankful to the Alberta Conference for assisting each of the committee members towards the expenses of attending. Attending the NAD retreat will be very beneficial not only in extending greetings from the Alberta Conference but also gaining new insights and fresh ideas to bring back and share with the women of the Alberta Conference. Thank you for making it possible for us to attend.

Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019

We continue to update our database of the Women's Ministry Leaders or designate contacts for each church in the Conference.

These key individuals help ensure the women of each congregation receive information and announcements about upcoming events.

Thank you for allowing me to serve in this position. It is a blessing beyond measure to be a part of this amazing ministry. We look forward to what 2020 will bring to the women of Alberta as we minister to each other.

Blessings Denise Nichols

Submitted by Denise Nichols Women's Ministry Retreat Coordinator

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Alberta Adventist Conference - Town Hall Meetings Report 2019 This Town Hall Meeting Report is a publication of the Alberta Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Elected Officials President Gary Hodder Executive Secretary/VP for Administration Wayne Williams Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer Keith Richter Communication/IT/Media Director/Editor Eric Ollila Co-Editors Jenny Nickel & John Simon Graphic Design Mishell Raedeke/omnidesign.ca Photo Attribution Alberta Adventist Communication or Licensed Adobe Stock, unless otherwise noted Address 5816 Highway 2A, Lacombe, AB T4L2G5 Contact Information Phone: (403) 342-5044 Fax: (403) 775-4482 Email: info@albertaadventist.ca Twitter: abadventist Facebook: abadventist Instagram: abadventist Website: albertaadventist.ca Printed in Canada, September 2019

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