Outlook Magazine November 2008 by Chris McConnell

Table of Contents Mid-America Union November 2008

Find individual conference reports on the following pages...

Guest Editorial “Students Touch a Mother’s Heart”. . . . . . . . . . . 3 Union College Assists with Hurricane Ike Relief. . . . . 4 Making a Second Home . . . . . . . 7 Sabbath School Reinvented . . . . 8 Can Pirates Teach Literacy?. . . . . 9 Central States News . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Minnesota Conference 18 Dakota Conference 12

Rocky Mountain Conference 20 Central States 10 Conference Note: Central States is an ethnically diverse regional conference encompassing the entire Mid-America Union territory.

Iowa-Missouri 14 Conference

Union College 22 Kansas-Nebraska 16 Conference

Dakota News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Iowa-Missouri News. . . . . . . . . . . 14 Kansas-Nebraska News. . . . . . . 16

In This Issue...

Minnesota News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

News flash: Union College has again been

Rocky Mountain News. . . . . . . . . 20

chosen as a top pick for new college students

Union College News . . . . . . . . . . . 22

by U.S. News and World Report. Although colleg-

Adventist Health System . . . . . . . . 24 Love for a Lifetime: Surviving Thansgiving. . . . . . . . 25 Farewell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Sunset Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

es throughout America covet this recognition, few receive it—and this is Union’s third straight year. But I think you will see, in this special issue of Outlook, that the blessing of Union College far transcends academic excellence. The fruit of the Holy Spirit permeates the campus. Consider David Smith, college president, whose administrative and academic wisdom

On the Cover: Danae Steele, junior from Tennessee, hauls water for volunteers and victims following Hurricane Ike. She was one of 10 international rescue and relief students who traveled to Texas in September to put their training into action. Photo courtesy of Union College. OUTLOOK, (ISSN 0887-977X) November 2008, Volume 29, Number 11. Outlook is published monthly by the Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 8307 Pine Lake Road, Lincoln, NE 68516; Telephone: 402.484.3000; Fax: 402.483.4453; E-mail: info@maucsda.org. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Outlook, PO Box 6128, Lincoln, NE 68506. E-mail: outlook@maucsda.org. When possible clip name and address from a previous issue. Printed at Pacific Press Publishing Association, Standard postage paid at Nampa, ID. Free for Mid-America church members and $10 per year for non-Mid-America subscribers. ©2008 Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. All Rights Reserved. Adventist® and Seventh-day Adventist® are the registered trademarks of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Unless otherwise noted, all photos are stock photography.

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Mid-America Outlook

is matched only by humility and personal warmth. Union College has attracted many staff members who exude not only professional excellence but love, joy and peace. I think of Mike Mennard. He and Michelle, his equally delightful and dedicated wife, are professors in the English department. You’ll enjoy reading here about Mike’s ministry to kids in Nebraska. Another unique treasure of Union College is Rich Carlson. His guest editorial across the page may deeply touch your heart.

Outlook Staff Editor: Martin Weber Managing Editor/Ad Manager: Amy Prindle Layout Designer: Amy Prindle Classifieds/Subscriptions: Chris Smith Copy Editor: Chris Smith News Editors Central States: Kymone Hinds Dakota: Heidi Shoemaker Iowa-Missouri: Michelle Miracle Kansas-Nebraska: John Treolo Minnesota: Claudio Consuegra Rocky Mountain: Jim Brauer Union College: Jacque L. Smith

Mid-America Union Conference President: Roscoe J. Howard III VP for Administration: Charles W. Drake III VP for Finance: Elaine Hagele Associate VP for Finance: Walt Sparks

Local Conferences CENTRAL STATES: 3301 Parallel Pkwy., Kansas City, KS 66104; 913.371.1071 www.central-states.org DAKOTA: P.O. Box 520, 217 North Grand Ave., Pierre, SD 57501; 605.224.8868 www.dakotaadventist.org IOWA-MISSOURI: P.O. Box 65665, 1005 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50265; 515.223.1197 www.imsda.org KANSAS-NEBRASKA: 3440 Urish Road, Topeka, KS 66614-4601; 785.478.4726 www.ks-ne.org MINNESOTA: 7384 Kirkwood Court, Maple Grove, MN 55369; 763.424.8923 www.mnsda.com

Martin Weber, editor

ROCKY MOUNTAIN: 2520 S. Downing St., Denver, CO 80210; 303.733.3771 www.rmcsda.org

Guest Editorial Students Touch a Mother’s Heart by Rich Carlson

hen Seth Obour, a new student from Ghana in West Africa, explained that his mother needed immediate heart surgery and his family didn’t have the $4,500 required, my first thought was, “Where am I going to come up with that kind of money?” That’s not an insignificant number to Americans, and it’s about twice the average yearly income for someone in Ghana. I had already contacted many friends this semester to seek financial assistance for students who needed help getting into school and felt my normal sources of assistance were tapped out. I didn’t know what to tell him or how to help. Fortunately, our God works miracles, touching our world and inspiring our faith. In my role as campus chaplain at Union College, I am constantly amazed by the miracles I see God working through our students. Seth and I prayed together in my office, and I promised I would keep thinking about how to help. He returned every day, wondering if I had any ideas. I kept saying “no,” and each time he politely thanked me for trying. Before vespers on Friday, Sept. 5, I was in the hall with the student worship team, praying and giving last-minute instructions, when Seth approached me again. I have to admit that I shuffled him aside, because I was busy getting ready for worship. Little did I know what kind of worship we would have. I sat in the front of the church while the students led us in worship, and though I was immersed in beautiful music, I couldn’t stop thinking and praying about Seth. I felt impressed we should at least try to reassure him. When the music ended, I briefly shared Seth’s story and suggested that we pray for him and his mother and let him know that we are also his family. I invited Seth to the front and asked for people to come forward and surround him as we prayed. About 30 students jumped to their feet and engulfed that young man. We prayed silently, then I prayed corporately. I knew I didn’t have the answers, so we put this painful situation into God’s hands. After we finished praying, I thought we would move on with the service. But God was just starting his miracle. Someone in the back yelled out, “Pass the hat!” “OK,” I said. “Does anyone have a hat?” Immediately about eight guys, also in the back, stood up and started walking through the aisles, ball caps in hand. I heard from others at the vespers that “it looked like everyone put something in those hats.” I told them to count it and bring us a report at the end, and we continued the program as planned. Those guys in baseball caps later came to the front, beaming and carrying a huge wad of money—more than $1,800 in cash. While I was sitting in the service, a student passed a check up to me for another $1,000. From one spontaneous offering, collected from students who had not come prepared to give, we had already exceeded half the goal. Afterwards, another student came to me while we were cleaning up and said he had some money that he had felt needed to be given to God and would bring it to me. On Sabbath morning, he delivered an envelope with 11 $100 bills in it. More students kept coming, apologizing they didn’t have money at vespers but wanted to help. By the time we finished Sabbath evening vespers, our students had given more than $4,400 dollars; by Monday morning, even more money was on my desk. By noon, we had reached our goal of $4,695, the amount on the invoice from the hospital in Ghana.

AdventSource, where Seth works on campus, heard about the offering and asked if they could help. I told them we had all we needed, but because of the difficulty of getting the money to Ghana in time, we needed $215 to wire it. Maybe they misheard me, or maybe God just had another miracle waiting. Later that day I was looking at the check from AdventSource for $213, when a student came in, almost apologetically, and said they didn’t have much but they wanted to help. You guessed it—they brought $2. The surgery went forward as planned, and Seth’s mother is recovering well and praising God. Seth told me he had spoken with his father in Ghana on Friday afternoon before vespers. He had told his dad, “Today is Sabbath, and I think maybe God has a miracle for us today.” I believe we saw that miracle.

Rich Carlson is vice president for spiritual life at Union College.

Photo courtesy of Union College

Many of these students don’t have disposable incomes and are already working hard to afford a Christian education. But, when they saw a need, they responded with personal sacrifice. One girl wrote a check that she said she could not afford because she needed to get her car fixed and go to the doctor, but she wanted to help. When we counted the money officially on Monday, some of the people who were helping saw the girl’s note and took up a collection of their own, allowing her to take care of her needs.

Mid-America Outlook

November 2008

Bringing

Calm Storm to the

I n t e r n at i o n a l R e s c u e a n d R e l i e f S t u d e n t s R e s p o n d to H u r r i c a n e I k e

by Corie Sample

Photo courtesy of Union College

e headed out at 8:30 p.m. for an all night trip, our van loaded to the hilt, pulling a trailer equally loaded with gear and sporting the logo of the Union College basketball team. While we are a team, our game plan had nothing to do with shooting hoops. That Saturday night, Sept. 13, we were the first group of Union College international rescue and relief (IRR) students with permission to skip classes and put our training into action by responding to a natural disaster. Hurricane Ike had just slammed into the Texas coastline early that morning. On Friday, we met to decide which IRR majors would go, and I was one of 10 lucky ones. After the decision, my green army bag expanded until it was stuffed and bulky. You never know what you’ll need, so you have to take everything you might use. Dr. Michael Duerhssen, associate director of the IRR program, hadn’t heard back from his contacts in the disaster area, so we left Lincoln not knowing what we would be doing or whom we would be working with. The students had voted to leave on faith and help wherever we found a need. Fortunately, Malcolm Gaskin, a Union college professor of business, is from Texas. His father invited us to stay at his home in Beaumont, about an hour outside of Galveston, until we had concrete plans. As we drove through the night, police were informed about our arrival and approved our entrance into the affected region. We were thankful that even though the storm had knocked out Mr. Gaskin’s electricity, his gas still

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Mid-America Outlook

worked. We could cook and enjoy hot showers when we finally arrived on Sunday. We eventually made contact with Eagles Wings, an aid organization that specializes in gathering and reporting ground needs to FEMA and other agencies. The team leader, Scott Lewis, invited us to join him at the emergency operations center (EOC) in Orange County. We would also work with Adventist Community Team Services (ACTS) when they arrived on the scene. Orange County really needed help, being hit worse than any other county. Response teams still struggled to provide residents with even the most urgent needs. In fact, they still had not even started assessing damage. Without that data, they would not be eligible to receive federal funding to start rebuilding. We were quickly put to work, driving through the communities and recording damage assessment information into cell phones. The data was then downloaded into a database, which could be imported into Excel worksheets, then visualized in charts. This showed the EOC where assistance was most needed and helped FEMA allocate funding. We were split into five teams of two and drove around the county doing rapid assessments. From inside our vehicles, we did a general assessment of more than 3,000 homes in a couple of hours. The storm’s effects weren’t always visible; sometimes the only external indication of damage was the faint water line one or two feet above the ground. Some areas flooded much more, eight to 10 feet, but the majority of homes I saw only sustained minor flood damage. But we hadn’t yet reached the most damaged areas. Just 10 minutes south of Orange City was the town of Bridge City, population 6,000. All but 14 homes had major flood damage. Residents were trying to return and pull themselves out of the mud. Some homes were nearly leveled; others barely had enough of the walls still standing to hold up the roof. The entire town stunk of dead fish. In one area, we stopped and looked at homes that were right on the edge of the receding water. A layer of dried,

IRR students learned about management of relief supplies and setting up a food center for mass meal distribution. Daniel Rogers, IRR student from Oregon, helps a National Guard member unload suplies.

Photo courtesy of Union College

The debris and damage from Hurricane Ike will take months to unravel. Kyle Kuemichel helps remove broken branches from a storm-damaged tree.

broken reeds, two-feet thick, covered everything, inside and out. One house had been gutted by the surge of water. All of the family’s possessions were in the back yard. We heard a dog barking inside and called animal control to come get him. At least he survived. We saw many that were not so lucky. The second day, our task was to walk door to door and make sure people were OK. We asked if they had any special needs. We were especially looking for those who needed refills of prescription medication or ice to keep insulin cool. But we took note of all the concerns we found. Each team stocked their vehicle with food and water to take care of the most basic necessities immediately. A group of students from Heritage Academy, in Tennessee, joined us. Now Union College students became group leaders, supervising and organizing other volunteers. We split up into five teams again and headed into Orange City. As much as I wanted to, I didn’t join the teams. My job was serving as Scott Lewis’ shadow/assistant. At first I thought it would be boring. I was wrong! It was not only fun and challenging but also a great learning experience. I had never actually been in an EOC before that week, and suddenly I was able to see what disaster management is all about—and the volume of politics involved. All day, Scott was networking with the regional director of FEMA Kyle Kuemichel, senior IRR student, assists a woman during door-to-door needs assessments.

and constantly talking with people in leadership positions. By the end of the day, our groups were exhausted and many were frustrated. In order to prepare for the long-term needs of the community, they had to cover as much territory as possible. It was hard balancing the more abstract needs of gathering data with stopping and physically helping people salvage their belongings. Asking people if they need help and then not being able to stop and actually assist them is painful. We tried to alleviate some of this frustration by setting up three teams to follow up the immediate needs discovered the day before. I was asked to organize these teams and make sure they had proper supplies. Dr. Duerhssen also worked closely with the project because the majority of the requests were medical. Only four to six people were needed for these teams though, so the other 50 high school and college students continued to gather information that would ensure the community’s reconstruction. However, they were still itching to get their hands dirty and make an immediate impact. Since I was working as Scott’s assistant, I was able to see both sides—the necessity of long-term planning and the need to keep volunteers motivated through more physical projects. As the week progressed, things kept getting bigger and bigger. Scott was assigned the position of taskforce leader for our entire operation, and we were asked to stage at the Bridge City High School. Scott invited FEMA to co-locate with us, which they did. It was amazing to watch our operations grow from the ground up. The county EOC was incredibly grateful for the data we supplied them, and FEMA was very happy to have such a large group of volunteers encouraging people in the community to register for assistance. Even as the operations grew, Scott continued networking, inviting organizations such as the National Guard to work with us. By Wednesday we started doing more hands-on work, providing meals from three mobile kitchens, dispatched by ACTS. The main unit, built in a semi truck trailer, was stationed at the high school. Two smaller units drove through neighborhoods to provide returning residents with 3,000 to 10,000 meals a day. Continued on next page

Photo courtesy of Union College

Mid-America Outlook

November 2008

The attitude of local people continually amazed me. They had lost everything. From the mayor and school district superintendant to the poorest in the town, everyone was affected. Yet they continued helping neighbors and strangers. Police and firefighters in the area had been on duty for nearly two weeks. Many hadn’t even taken time to assess the damage to their own homes—even several days after the hurricane. They worked constantly to help others. Local volunteers joined our teams in force. Community emergency response teams showed up every day to take us to the areas we needed to be. They gave their time, their fuel and their hearts to help others, rather than taking care of their own needs and cleaning out their own flooded homes. All I can say is “wow.” They are amazing people. I also gained a lot of respect for Scott. If it hadn’t been for his ability to work through the politics at the top of the ladder, we would never have had the opportunities we did. Because of Scott, ACTS will be reimbursed by FEMA for every meal they distributed. And Scott was responsible for connecting us with the people who can fulfill the IRR program’s dream of conducting technical rescue work before, during and after disasters.

We won’t be the last team of Union College students to take our training out of the classroom and apply it during a humanitarian crisis. Dr. Duerhssen spoke with the regional director of FEMA and a congressman about future opportunities. Both men were very interested in the potential of working with IRR student disaster response teams. They both want to meet with us again to plan ways to work together. I will never forget our week in Texas. I learned and grew so much. No one likes a disaster, but I discovered that I really enjoy disaster management. I love seeing the big picture and surrounding myself with people who have the skills necessary to put the pieces back together. One week of working on a management team opened my eyes to new possibilities for service.

One week of working on a management team opened my eyes to new possibilities for service.

Photo courtesy of Union College

Corrie Sample is a senior international rescue and relief major with a human services and counseling emphasis. To learn more about Union’s international rescue and relief program, go to www. ucollege.edu/irr.

Photo by Steve Nazario

Front row kneeling: (left to right) Michael Gardner (senior), James Goff (senior), Aaron Kent (IRR Graduate Assistant), David Skau* (sophomore), Corrie Sample (senior) Middle row kneeling: (left to right) Doug Tallman* (IRR Associate Director), Kyle Kuehmichel (Junior), Dr. Michael Duehrssen (IRR Associate Director)

November 2008

Back row standing: (left to right) Dan Rogers (junior), Katelyn Shoemaker* (sophomore), Beth Cook (junior), Danae Steele (junior), Ginger Hany (junior), Amy Agosto (senior), Jordon Personius (senior), Lauren Hansen* (senior) Mid-America Outlook

* indicates the student did not travel with the IRR group. The extra students came to the planning meeting as alternates, but the team was filled. The group size was determined in part by how many could fit in the van.

Photo by Steve Nazario

Brent Nash (left) and John Luckiesh (right) visit with their resident assistant Ricky Dickerson (center) in Prescott Hall.

Making a Second Home With a Family of Friends by Carolyn Scott

Resident assistant Andrea Clarence (right) welcomes Kristen Price in her room for a chat.

ticipation in weekend events and volunteer opportunities. Union College students don’t come to just study, they come to have an experience, and I think that sense of togetherness also builds into residence hall life.” A.W. Chickering, author of Education and Identity, said that living situations where students can observe peers’ reactions to one another strengthens a student’s personal value system (231). Topher Thompson agrees. The sophomore business major says that residence halls offer many distractions that may monopolize someone’s time, but that challenge “makes you take a sort of initiative. You have to assert yourself.” Whether it’s shrieking when a friend scares you, unexpected discussions or squeezing as many friends as possible into a VW Beetle, residence halls offer a community of acceptance where students can strengthen their values as well as their relationships with classmates. As Smith said, “If you’re in the dorm, you’re at the center of campus life.” Oh, and it took three weeks for Casey to find the empty pizza boxes under his mattress.

Chickering, A.W., and Reisser, L. (1993). Education and Identity. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Astin, A.W., (1993). What Matters in College: Four Critical Years Revisited. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Photo by Steve Nazario

icky Dickerson scuttled silently around the dusky room. Someone knocked on the door. Ricky froze. The door creaked open. A shadowed head slowly scanned the room, passing over a lurking Dickerson, who hid in the desk’s shadow. “Casey? You sleeping?” the figure whispered. Ricky didn’t move. After hearing no response, the shadowed whisperer slowly left, closing the door behind him. Ricky exhaled, then grabbed his empty pizza boxes and headed for the corner bed. “I wonder how long it’ll take Casey to find these,” he thought to himself. Pranks are still a part of residence life. So are all-night study sessions, borrowed clothes, impromptu discussions on the meaning of life and roommates willing to play, sing or pray with you. Acceptance. Friends. Community. They make Union College’s campus so appealing that students thrive in residence halls. Many choose to live on campus even when they don’t have to. Union College President David Smith, a veteran residence hall student and former dean, has fond memories of his academy dorm life, when he would cram into his dean’s old Volkswagen with as many friends as possible, then careen through the backwoods behind the academy campus. Smith said that Union’s campus culture is “very tangible and real; each dorm is its own community, and that’s a vital focus.” Ricky Dickerson, Prescott Hall prankster and resident assistant (RA), emphasizes the accepting atmosphere of residence halls. “It’s like your own family. You can barge into their rooms at any hour.” Such familiarity is not confined to Prescott Hall, says Donene Braithwaite, assistant dean of women. “Union’s a big family; [the dorm] keeps you connected.” A.W. Astin, author of What Matters in College: Four Critical Years Revisited, found in his residential hall research that students are more satisfied with college experience when they have lived on campus rather than living at home (311). Linda Becker, vice president for student services concurs with Astin about the value of dorm life: “There is high par-

Mid-America Outlook

November 2008

Sabbath School

by Carolyn Scott

Reinvented Other Sabbath Schools on Campus

Photo by Crista Nazario

ctive, purposeful Christianity—it’s the theme of a new Union College Sabbath school that attracts 75 student participants every week. And it’s simply called Sabbath school. Why not another name? “We just wanted it to be back to the basics: Christianity the way it should be,” said Taleah Valles, a junior from California who coordinates the college Sabbath school with Rebekah Harris, a sophomore from Utah. The new format that has been used in Sabbath schools around the world has now crossed the street from College View Church, where it began, to Union’s campus. Chris Blake, associate professor of English and communication, and his wife, Yolanda, started a new type of Sabbath school at College View Church in 1995. They later coauthored the book, Reinvent Your Sabbath School, which outlines the formula. The Blakes organized their Sabbath school into five ministries: prayer, money, time, study and social. “The basic idea is, this is a time for us to be disciples,” Chris explained. “Students are excited about opportunities to help people practically.” “It puts the ministry back into Sabbath school,” Harris said. “The formula makes people feel comfortable even as it gets them out of their comfort zones.” “Everyone can do something,” Valles said. She described how a quiet classmate had never spoken during any class she had with him; however, in Sabbath school, he volunteers many insights. Money ministry, also known as offering, lets students see tangible results to their ministry. They raised $200 for a family to fix their broken car—and that was just the first Sabbath. As financial needs arise, they are brought before the Sabbath school for prayer or monetary assistance. “We enter life. We don’t care if they’re Christians—we just help them,” said Blake when speaking about Sabbath school’s purpose. Harris said that the five-ministry formula is applicable in both small and large congregations. The goal is to motivate students enough so they bring the concept back to their home churches. “We want to give them this opportunity so they can be blessed and then share it,” Valles said. “We want this Sabbath school to be more than an hour once a week. We want it to be knit into all aspects of Union.”

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Mid-America Outlook

While there are many Sabbath schools in Lincoln, four options exist within walking distance on Union College’s campus: Sabbath school in Woods Auditorium (described at left), McClelland family and friends Sabbath school in Engel Hall, Discussion Sabbath school in the student center, and “The Gear Room” in the international rescue and relief department. According to Rich Carlson, vice president for spiritual life at Union College, the reason there are four options on campus is “because we can’t think of five yet. One size or style does not fit every student. When students ask me about worship options, I encourage them to run with the idea and I support them any way I can.”

“McClelland family and friends Sabbath school” Description: An in-depth study of books of the Bible Organized by: McClelland family and friends Running for: Three years Attendance: About 20 students Current Focus: Studying Acts Goal: “The goal is to make the Bible be the book it’s intended to be; to be alive and very applicable where God is talking to us,” said Laurel McClelland, assistant professor of ESL and Bible study facilitator. “We try to focus on how it applies to us.”

“Discussion-oriented Sabbath school” Description: Topic based on adult lesson study Organized by: Larry Ray, Malcolm Russell, Carrie Wolfe and Vener Cabana What they do: Ask penetrating questions about the Bible and how it applies to contemporary times. Running for: 10 years Attendance: About 15 students and 10 faculty and staff Goal: “To apply the lesson to our day-to-day life,” said Ray, study-facilitator and professor of mathematics.

“The Gear Room” Description: Focused on creating a community atmosphere and encouraging personal growth (located in the same room as the international rescue and relief department’s climbing wall) Organized by: Union College students Alicia Archer, Aaron Kent, Ben George, Matt Trethewey, Larissa Firman and Ginger Hany What they do: Every week is different, but singing and activities promoting trust are a constant. Running for : One year as the “Gear Room” but has been running under other names Attendance: About 15 students Goal: “We want to create a safe environment where people can be truly open and honest without any fear,” said Alicia Archer, senior IRR student from Colorado.

Photo by Greg Merchant

Can

Pirates

Teach Literacy?

by Carolyn Scott

oes being a “Nard Head” sound appealing? How about sailing the seven seas on the Jolly Nostril? Mike Mennard, children’s singer/songwriter, created these terms for his performances, and the kids love the wackiness. Mennard admits, “It’s so dorky—I live two lives.” One life is as associate professor of English and communication at Union College, where he instructs students about Shakespeare, Homer and Aristotle. His second life is as a singing pirate, “Captain Rapscallion” on the ship the Jolly Nostril. As a young boy, Mennard’s mom handed him an ice cream scoop and told him to entertain her, starting his silly song singing and writing. He spent four years as a full-time Christian singer. He often performed some of his children’s songs, and soon, people started requesting them more than his gospel songs. Pirates… do the Darnedest Things—Mennard’s latest CD— has his audience learning the correct way to roar “Arrh” to sound like an authentic pirate. Greg Steiner, Nard Head band member and intramurals director at Union College, said that his first day playing as a Nard Head, he wore street clothes and didn’t feel like a true pirate. After seeing how the kids responded to Mennard’s costume, Steiner decided to play the part. The next performance, he dressed as a pirate. Mennard believes silly poetry improves kids’ reading skills. Mennard holds poetry competitions to encourage kids to play with words. The song, “Captain Blake,” on Pirates… do the Darnedest Things, is written by a poetry contest winner. By endorsing literacy through music, Mennard hopes to stimulate kids’ curiosity for the language. Adding a tune to poems is just the figurehead on the bow of the ship. “It’s amazing to see how well he interacts with the kids,” Steiner said. “There really is a method to his madness.” As a college professor, Mennard uses poetry to teach writing and literature. “I use children’s poetry to help students un-

Photo by Greg Merchant

derstand meter,” Mennard said. “Sometime’s it’s easier to hear rhythms in children’s poetry than in Shakespeare or Milton.” For elementary students, it’s not literature. It’s fun. “Kids can memorize and remember and interact with facts through music when it’s otherwise difficult,” said Cindy Johnson, a fourth grade teacher at Hill Elementary and a big Mennard music fan. Beyond speaking at reading councils for teachers and librarians, Mennard has begun writing songs for a new Nebraska social studies textbook launched this scholastic year. The songs are about famous Nebraskans, the unicameral, quirky state facts and other information easily processed through music. “My guess is that when I give them their [first] test, I’ll see feet and hands moving in rhythms to remember the song,” Johnson said. Currently, the students can go to Mennard’s website and download songs that use key words from the text. Mennard hopes that by next year the eight songs will be on CD and accompany the textbook. Once new teaching material has been implemented, it remains in circulation for a long time. According to Johnson, the textbook and accompanying CD will be used for Nebraska fourth graders for six to 14 years. This September, Mike Mennard and the Nard Heads performed for more than 500 students at Hill Elementary in Lincoln. Johnson said the students treat Mennard “like he’s a rock star. The kids were clapping, singing along and holding up their pretend cell phones.” Mennard maintains an active performance schedule. He has played for Special Olympics fundraisers, public schools throughout Nebraska, Lincoln public libraries, the Applejack Festival in Nebraska City and the Nebraska State Fair, to name a few. He has also held fundraising concerts for Lincoln’s Friendship Home, a safe haven for battered women and their children. His wife, Michelle, and son, Ramsey, attend most of his concerts, making the experience family-oriented right from the start. To further endorse family interaction, Mennard donates a portion of his album sales to the National Park FoundaMennard and Nard Head/pirate Jacob Wright greet their audience at the tion to support ranger-led family hikes. Nebraska State Fair. “It’s definitely a family thing,” Mennard said. “I wanted to make music every one can crank on [in the car] and like.” To learn more about Mike Mennard’s music, visit www.mikemennard.com.

Carolyn Scott, author of the last three articles, is a senior communication major at Union College and comes from Wisconsin. She writes for the Marketing Communications office.

Mid-America Outlook

November 2008

Mid-America Union News Central States News Love in Action at a Church Picnic Volleyball, table games, horseshoes, sack races and fellowship awaited Philadelphia Church members and their guests at the annual back-toschool church picnic last August. Sandy Covington, church clerk, Photo courtesy of the Central States Conference

Men enjoy the picnic and also help cook.

decorated the tables. She also acquired new school supplies to give children, including guests. Feedback for the event was positive. Some attendees remarked, “This was the best picnic I’ve experienced.” Nevertheless, the devil tried to spoil the festivities. Evielean Thomas, an elder, was struck with a mini stroke. Although she was unaware of what was happening to her, other alert members, including Pastor and Sister Perkins, called for an ambulance. Pastor Perkins rode in the ambulance with her, praying all the way. Members at the park also prayed

Photo courtesy of the Central States Conference

by Sharon Tate

Sack races inspire laughter and teamwork.

for her healing as they worked together to clean up and gather Elder Thomas’ belongings together. Although she had been the victim of several mini strokes, doctors concluded that her body had managed to heal itself. Members of Elder Thomas’ family credit God for the healing and express gratitude for so many loving church members who ministered to them in this emergency situation.

From the Pantry to the Pool by Thelma John Trinity Church is a small group in Villa Ridge, a rural Missouri community. Recently, members gained a new vision of reaching people for Christ while meeting community needs. Their food pantry has been operating for years, feeding people physically. But the church also felt a need to nurture their neighbors spiritually. Normal evangelism and handbills did not work in this dark part of the vineyard. Then the Holy Spirit led the church to a creative new way of fishing for souls: “Community Family Day.” Their inspiration was the motto, “From the Pantry to the Pool!” James White, conference personal ministries director, often repeated this saying in urging Central States Con-

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ference churches to make plans for baptizing the neighbors they helped. Those words have become reality at Trinity with the start of Community Family Day. Beginning at 10 a.m., attendees are first fed spiritually, then physically with food baskets. On regular Sabbaths, only seven typically come to church. On Community Family Day, 40 attend. The initiative began last year when Trinity youth and a few other members went door to door distributing pamphlets. They invited neighbors to church for Sabbath morning worship, health lectures and food distribution. The results were so successful the first Sabbath that people lined up at the doors.

Excitement is in the air as Trinity members witness the new life Jesus is bringing to their church. They are servants to the people, which delights them. Debbie Deadmond was one of the first to visit on Family Day. She was so impressed that she phoned Pastor Ephraim Pembleton, asking if she could learn more about Seventh-day Adventist beliefs. After several months of Bible study, Debbie invited family and friends to her baptism this past August. Her sister Mamie followed her example in September. Both are hard at work as true witnesses for Jesus. Thelma John is communication secretary for Trinity Church.

Central States News Farewell To an Era

Photo courtesy of the Central States Conference

G. Alexander Bryant, president of the Central States Conference, bids farewell to his longtime treasurer. Many of you have heard about Sister Phyllis (Ware) Lee’s imminent departure. She will relocate to Alabama with her husband, Preston, with whom she was united in holy matrimony earlier this year. Phyllis has worked for Central States Conference since 1983. She came to the conference office shortly after her conversion from Catholicism. She began as an accountant and then became associate treasurer. In December 1988, the executive committee elected her secretarytreasurer of the conference. She served in that capacity for a few months before Conference President Elder J. Paul Monk was diagnosed with cancer. Phyllis was entrusted with additional administrative responsibility, even while learning the duties of treasurer. She led in relocating the conference office to its current Parallel Parkway location. Phyllis has the history-making distinction of being the first and only female conference president—not only for Central States but throughout the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She was voted interim conference president after the death of Elder Monk, three months before our constituency meeting. In 2002, Phyllis was given relief from some responsibility when Elder Jack Morris became secretary of the conference. During Phyllis’s term as treasurer, more than 20 church buildings have been purchased or built, and conference tithe increased from $1,718,063 to $4,896,985 last year. Phyllis served as treasurer nearly 20 years, the longest tenure of any treasurer in Central States history. Phyllis has been a trailblazer, a woman who became one of the best in her maledominated profession. We salute her, and pray her Godspeed. Phyllis, you will be missed. Phyllis and Preston Lee

Mid-America Outlook

November 2008

Mid-America Union News Dakota News Women Savor God’s Love at Dakota Retreat

Photo by Heidi Shoemaker

Women across the Dakotas and surrounding states added seasoning to their spiritual lives during this year’s 20th annual women’s retreat. The September event drew more than 155 ladies to Aberdeen, South Dakota, to hear special guests Brenda Walsh, Linda Johnson and Cinda Sanner, better known as 3ABN’s Micheff Sisters. They shared bittersweet experiences from their lives while relating to women of all ages, always giving Jesus the glory. The weekend’s highlights included praise music by musicians from Sioux Falls and Pierre, a prayer garden with multiple stations and a special banquet that was a feast for the senses. Enjoying this year’s retreat were new believers from the recent Evangelism Explosion in the Dakotas (see the October Outlook). Several congregations encouraged ladies to at-

Women in prayer

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Photo by Heidi Shoemaker

by Heidi Shoemaker

Micheff Sisters in song

tend who had recently become Seventh-day Adventists, allowing them to experience the church on a wider scale. This form of friendship nurture and outreach also included friends, co-workers and family members. According to Dakota women’s tradi-

tion, retreat attendees raised funds for the teen girls’ retreat—more than $1,600. Many at the annual teen event learn about Jesus and decide to follow Him. Dakota women’s ministries touch women of all ages with the goal of making disciples for Jesus.

Dakota News KIDZ Power in Bowman North Dakota’s Bowman Church members connected with neighborhood children in a fresh approach to outreach. They targeted five to 10 year olds with a “KIDZ Power Hour,” held at the local library. Eye-popping posters were displayed around town on public bulletin boards. The library also distributed flyers. Twenty-one neighborhood children attended the event, which promoted the positive theme of obedience. They participated in group singing and enjoyed a story from Auntie Charlie (aka Charlene Hansen), a simple craft and a snack. Before leaving, each child reached into the Power Hour “mailbox” to receive a small gift and a piece of children’s literature to take home. The young

Photo courtesy of Michael Temple

Michael Temple

Community kids enjoying story time in Bowman, North Dakota

attendees left with smiles. The Bowman Church is committed to continuing KIDZ Power Hour, refining it to keep it fresh and a

blessing to the community. Michael Temple is pastor of the Bison, Bowman and Dickinson churches.

Mid-America Outlook

November 2008

Mid-America Union News Iowa-Missouri News Tanzania Evangelistic Miracle by Neil Dye

In September, nine members from the Iowa-Missouri Conference went to Tanzania, Africa, to present health seminars and ShareHim evangelistic meetings. Neil Dye, district pastor in Kirksville, Missouri, shares his reflections on their adventure for God.

Photo by Sheri Dye

tive and respectful. One night at a special prayer session, a lady came forward and announced that she had a demon that needed to be cast out. During prayer, the demon threw her to the floor, thrashing and screaming. The elders gathered around and pleaded with the Lord for her deliverance. She became quiet, and the elder removed her earrings. When she sat up, the elder asked if she would accept Jesus as Savior. She said yes and later was baptized. A young girl also came forward to request deliverance from demon possession. She also fell to the floor, thrash- Neil Dye (center) hands a Bible to a new ing with supernatural strength. Through church member in Isamilo. prayer, the demon left. One of the baptismal candidates had God worked in other miraculous ways brewed and sold beer for a living. She for us in Mwanza. Many nights the elec- gave that up and is praying for other emtricity went out. We prayed and power ployment. Another left the liquor busireturned just in time for the meeting. ness for alternate work. One young man One evening a storm was coming in. We cried as we gave him a Bible, which he prayed and the weather calmed. had not been able to afford. As our meetings drew to a close, local elders prepared baptismal candidates in classes, ensuring that each one understood Seventh-day Adventist teachings. The last Sabbath featured a mass baptism at three different sites on Lake Victoria. Our group had 42 baptisms, with an additional 21 taking further studies. People we met in Isamilo, though financially poor, are rich in love to share. Heaven is real to them, something to look forward to. They told us they are anticipating meeting us in heaven, and we are doing the same.

Forty-two attendees were baptized into the Isamilo Adventist Church at Lake Victoria.

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Photo by Sheri Dye

Upon arriving in Africa, security agents at the Addis Ababa airport robbed our group. What a way to start a mission trip! But with help from the Lord through three African women and another security guard, we got our money back—with an extra $60—and our plane continued to Tanzania. Tanzania is an impoverished country with minimal work opportunities. Our assigned outreach site was Mwanza, known locally as “Rock City.” We conducted meetings in a partially finished church with no windows or doors, on the side of a hill that took the skill of a billy goat to ascend. Each night attendance grew, with people waiting for us long before the programs began. More than 250 children came each night. Most wanted to see the Jesus video and then stayed for the other meetings. It was wonderful seeing so many young faces in the crowd, atten-

A report on the health seminars from Pastor Dye’s wife, Sheri, is on www.imsda.org. Neil Dye is pastor of the Goldsberry, Kirksville and Macon churches in Missouri.

Iowa-Missouri News Mission Trip to Sunnydale by Michelle Miracle

This year at Sunnydale Adventist Academy, students experienced a unique week of prayer. Staff members shared personal experiences that changed their lives. Some spoke of how they came to Christ, others of influential spiritual figures or how they overcame hardships. Following is one student’s testimony of the impact this week of prayer had on campus: I have immensely enjoyed hearing the faculty’s stories. It’s amazing to see how miraculously God works to bring these individuals to Him, and then having them all here at the same time. This has been a great way to meet our faculty. I have felt closer to God this week of prayer than any other, because I now know the staff members. Witnessing how God has impacted them, personally, makes it more personal to me, too. I can see the hardships they’ve gone through, how they can now walk away more determined than ever to stick with God. They’re our examples, and they’re great ones. They mess up sometimes, like we all do, but it just brings us all closer to God in the end. They care about us and like to see what we’re up to in our lives, and now we can care about them, too.

Photo by Michelle Miracle

Prior to the start of school, friends of Sunnydale Adventist Academy (SAA) converged on the campus to make needed improvements. This local mission trip was the brainchild of Mike and Becky Needles, both SAA alums. Projects included a new structure for the bus and remodeling the girls’ dorm kitchenette. Erv Bales, SAA vice president for finance, reports that the volunteer labor saved thousands of dollars. Mike and his team have announced plans for future mission activities that locals can participate in, without much travel. “I’m excited to have our alumni volunteer their time to us. I believe this is just a beginning. The benefit is beyond measure when people give of their time along with their resources,” says Gary Russell, SAA principal.

Faculty Bonds With Students at Week of Prayer by Jill Rouse

Elder Jody Dickhaut (red shirt) and Todd Kelly hoist a beam of the bus barn up to Brett Kelly.

Reconnecting at Family Camp by Deidra Howard Seeking liberation, relaxation, fun in the sun, reconnection with God and one another, six families from various parts of America ventured to Camp Heritage for last summer’s family camp. The nine-member Elfrink/Atkinson family has attended family camp for seven years. Steve, the father, said

Jill Rouse is a senior at Sunnydale Adventist Academy.

Photo by Susan Inglish

they enjoy camp because it’s a relaxing week to spend quality time with the kids. According to Esther, the mother, “It’s affordable, and the best thing is I don’t have to cook.” The Palmer family from St. Louis, consisting of 13-year-old Thomas and his mother, Helen, also journeyed to Photo by Kelli Akioka Camp Heritage and engaged in its many festivities. A first year family camper, Helen, said, “The companionship and the fact that you are with people of the same Christian background are the main reasons I’ve enjoyed family camp.” Family camp next year promises another opportunity to connect with God and one another, plus have a blast— A family enjoys participating in a skit at Camp Heritage. all at the same time.

Vonda Seals, English/ESL/health teacher, shares with students at staff week of prayer.

Mid-America Outlook

November 2008

Mid-America Union News Kansas-Nebraska News Hit by an EF3 tornado in 2007 that nearly obliterated Greensburg, Kansas, residents are putting their town back together with a little help from their friends. These friends include Kansas-Nebraska Adventist Community Services (ACS), which donated $2,500 to the Care-n-Share Thrift Store. “This money is channeled through the Kiowa County Ministerial Alliance and is used for a number of different things, including utility or doctor bills,” said board member Mary Mayhew. “We can help more families.” Thanks to a surplus from Ingathering Reversion and donations from conference members, ACS can help restore the stricken community. A similar amount went to the Kansas Food Bank in Wichita, which provided daily food deliveries to the warehouse ACS operated during tornado relief efforts. Presenting the check to the thrift store were Doyle and Karen Petersen, conference disaster response coordinators, and John Treolo, community service director.

Photo by John Treolo

Adventists Continue Helping Greensburg

Doyle and Kevin Petersen (left), with Mary Mayhew, discuss Greensburg’s tornado recovery progress in front of the Care-n-Share Thrift Store.

Women in Nebraska’s Chadron Church know how to make an event special. During their recent “High Tea,” they set tables with fine china. Many donned hats and gloves. Mothers and daughters, sisters and cousins, friends and neighbors enjoyed a wonderful time together. They report having felt quite pampered. Another recent women’s social event was a “welcome back to our district” surprise party for Judy Bieber, wife of recently arrived pastor, Rodney. The Biebers previously served the Chadron district between 1983 and 1988.

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Photo by Brenda Owen

Women’s Ministry Tea in Chadron by Brenda Owen

Kansas-Nebraska News House of Worship for Omaha Company

New Sign for Great Plains Academy

by John Stroman

by John Treolo

Hills. The latter served as the sponsor church for River of Life while the group was a branch Sabbath school. Seth Pierce, who pastors the Golden Hills District in Omaha, will be the pastor for the River of Life company.

Thanks to a gift from the Enterprise Academy class of 1968 and the Great Plains Academy (GPA) class of 2008, a new sign was recently installed at GPA. Made of Kansas limestone and weighing close to a ton, the sign was manufactured by the Vonada Stone Company in Sylvan Grove, Kansas. The sign was erected four days before the start of GPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second academic year.

Photo by John Treolo

Recently the River of Life Company in Omaha officially opened its own church facility with Ron Carlson, conference president, as the special speaker. Guests included members of sister churches in the area: Omaha Memorial and Bellevue Golden

Stephen Bralley (left), principal, and Duane Vonada help install the new sign. Harold Mohr, Enterprise Church member, drives the front loader.

Conference News Correction

Photo by John Stroman

In editing an article last month, I mistakenly described Jim Glass as treasurer of the Kansas-Nebraska Conference. He actually is the Association treasurer for the conference as well as its associate treasurer. Don Stricker, as vice president for finance, is the treasurer. â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Martin Weber, editor

Ron Carlson, conference president, speaks during the worship service, opening the new place of worship for River of Life in Omaha.

Mid-America Outlook

November 2008

Mid-America Union News Minnesota News Preaching in Two Churches at the Same Time by Bill Edwards pastor is preaching at Sauk Rapids, the sermon is streamed via video to Pathways, and vice versa. Now both churches enjoy their pastor’s sermons each week—at the same time. The first sermon streamed between the churches was on September 6. It was the culmination of extensive preparation from Artem Vorostsev, an information technology specialist at a Ford assembly plant, and Dean Syvertson, owner of a taxi service.

First, CCC secured high speed Internet service. Maple Ridge Baptist Church, where Pathways rents facilities, upgraded its Internet service without extra charge to Pathways. Vorostsev and Syvertson fine-tuned the system until everything was ready. Though a few “bugs” linger, video streaming improves each week. The picture is clear, and the sound is stabilizing. Alan Chouinard, Dan Brady and Peter Anderson, among others, have served as camera operators in Sauk Rapids. Wham Akakulu is doing the same at CCC. As the teams gain experience, more members will become involved and operations will become more efficient. At this point, Pastor Edward’s sermons are simply streamed church to church. Soon a third party server will enable multiple churches and individuals to watch the sermon each Sabbath. Marco Belmonte, a computer programmer and webmaster, has offered use of his server to provide a link for additional churches to utilize this Internet ministry.

Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Conference

Leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Countryside Christian Center (CCC) in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, have wanted to expand their congregation’s ministry. Meanwhile, Pathways Church in Maple Grove needed a speaker for Sabbath services when the pastor they share, Bill Edwards, preaches at CCC. In early September both churches began sharing their pastor’s sermon using the Internet. When the

Bill Edwards is pastor of the St. Cloud and Pathways churches.

Dean Syvertson at the Countryside Christian Center with Pastor Edwards showing in the monitor

Native American Evangelism Training A September outreach training seminar at Bemidji Church featured Monte Church, director of Native American ministries for the North American Division. He discussed cultural values of Native Americans and contrasted communication methods between traditional native and non-native persons. Robert and Janice Hopwood, from Baudette, conducted a Voice of Prophecy Bible School using the

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Native New Day lessons. Attendees came from churches in Bemidji, Alexandria, Baudette, Thief River Falls, Hackensack and Warroad. Monte is scheduled to return to Minnesota next September to conduct an evangelistic series for Native Americans.

Ken Mayberry is pastor of the Bemidji, Hackensack and Park Rapids churches.

Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Conference

by Ken Mayberry

Robert Hopwood (left) and Monte Church

Minnesota News St. Paul Youth Evangelize Guatemala up around the church and the neighborhood. When mudslides struck a nearby town, local Adventists collected food, clothing and other supplies for the victims, joined by members of Eastside Church. The youth also went to another village to give away toys and school supplies. The experience was so fulfilling that they decided to return to Guatemala for a future mission trip. Amid all their work, Eastside’s young missionaries found time for recreation and sightseeing. Their main memory is the smiling faces of children they served.

Pastor Ken Mayberry with Karina, Keith and Karl Ewert

Three Siblings Baptized at Bemidji by Karen Mayberry

Mayra Rivera is a member of St. Paul’s Eastside Church.

Sabbath, Sept. 6, marked a special day for the Ewert family and the Bemidji Church. Karl, 16, Keith, 14, and Karina, 11, were baptized at Ewert Lake by Pastor Ken Mayberry. During Sabbath services, Karina sang and signed the motions to the song “Indescribable,” which she learned at North Star Camp last summer. Each sibling shared a few thoughts while reviewing their oath of baptism. Karl said he wanted to be part of the worldwide church, and Keith shared his desire to know God more and to tell others about Him. Karina said, “I love Jesus and want to know Him more and be more involved in the church.” Friends and family traveled to the lake after church to witness the baptisms, then returned to Bemidji for a fellowship meal. Holly Ewert gave each of her children a red rose and a card with a special scripture. Bob Ewert planted a tree at the lake, commemorating this most important day of his children’s lives.

Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Conference

After two years of planning and preparation, youth from St. Paul’s Eastside Church embarked on a 10-day mission trip to Guatemala last July. Eight adults and 14 youth went to San Pedro Pinula and held a vacation Bible school—known locally as “Fiesta.” The first day only four kids came, but the next day they brought more than 50 friends. By the fourth day, 170 kids attended. Some brought their parents for afternoon health seminars and evening evangelistic meetings presented by Eastside youth. Even the mayor and his family came one night. The Adventist church facility needed a facelift, so the older Eastside youth helped paint the church while their younger peers cleaned

Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Conference

by Mayra Rivera

Action-packed vacation Bible school in Guatemala

Mid-America Outlook

November 2008

Mid-America Union News Rocky Mountain News Why Team One Works for my Church by Brodie Philpott

Following is a report from the lay chairman of the board of Littleton Adventist Church, a “Team One” congregation in the Rocky Mountain Conference. Team One means “Together Empowering Accountable Mission.” It began as a church governance experiment with six congregations in 2005 and has grown to include 15 churches. Team One works in my church for two reasons. First, we are blessed with a competent pastor whom we can trust to run our church. You heard me right, our pastor runs our church. Our pastor does not need a committee to determine how he goes about his job of saving souls for Christ, or approval on what type of materials to purchase for the church. He handles the details of how the church operates. After all, that’s what we hired him for. What our pastor does need are Christian servants willing to help him battle for humanity in the trenches of spiritual warfare. Secondly, this method works for the Littleton Church because we have governance board members who are capable of setting a vision for our church. Our board does not bicker over who does what or who gets to be in charge. Our board is not concerned over trivial matters. We are concerned with the big picture. Our board makes policies that strive to fulfill our vi-

sion and holds our pastor accountable for steering the ship to fulfill that vision. Coming from a business background, it helps me to envision our new governance structure as the way a good business is run. Good businesses are not run by committees; they are run by leaders. Leaders are what our churches need. Instead of being in the business of selling widgets, we are in the most serious business of leading people to Christ. If you are worried that your church may not be fulfilling Christ’s mission and are wondering if this “new” system might work for you, these are my thoughts for success. You will need: 1) A pastor you can trust and is capable of being your church’s CEO. 2) A board that does not have a power trip, that has a heart for saving lost people and the capability to set prudent policy.

3) A congregation who sees the need to change the status quo to enable your church to reach hurting and lost people.

Brodie Philpott, Littleton Church Board Chair, with wife, Mindy, and daughter, Rachel

If what you are currently doing in your church is working for you, then God bless you and keep up the good work. If your church needs to be more effective at reaching those who do not currently know Jesus Christ, then it may be time for a change of pace. Just remember—in no way should the awesome message of Jesus Christ and the Adventist Church be changed. Occasionally, just the delivery method. Brodie Philpott is a royalty specialist who monitors patents on worldwide sales of consumer electronics.

Revolutionizing the Church Board by Terry White

Terry White, an international consultant/entrpreneur, is lay board chairman of Denver First Church. Here he shares the significance of his positive experience serving his church. As a young adult, the honor of serving on the church board masked the utter frustration born from untold hours focused on budgetary line items, an arcane accounting system, selection of carpet colors, membership transfers, persuading members to accept unwanted church responsibilities and even whether or not to install a rheostat in the sanctuary (a 45 minute debate, in one meeting!). As personal

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experience in the business world grew and insights into effective governance emerged, my frustration built. Things have changed at Denver First Church. As a Team One congregation, we have migrated from an operating board to a governing board. It’s been refreshing. While chairing the board during this transition, the contrasts are profound. Our congregation is transforming into a mission-

focused, results-oriented, community responsive movement! Attendance is up considerably. Ninety percent of attendees are involved in some form of community service. Cyclical evangelism is conducted throughout the year. Our transition in church governance began with effective visioning by Pastor John Cress. He helped the congregation realize how sinful our

Rocky Mountain News ineptness was and how we are called to a much higher standard. By focusing on our community, by caring for people, by making friends, opportunities to share our faith expand. Then the board went to work, crafting a clear, specific destination of where we wanted to go as a church. Guiding principles were developed, along with accountability principles for the lead pastor. Core values were defined. The pastor (as the church CEO) developed objectives that were refined and focused by the board in a healthy dialogue. Accountability was implemented for the lead pastor, his pastoral team and volunteer ministry leaders. The pastor is expected to coach, equip and, if necessary, replace ministry leaders in order to

achieve the desired results. The governing board role has changed materially. Meetings last much longer than the “streamlined inefficiency” of a one-hour, internally-focused board agenda. Now, time is spent on focused discussions on ministry effectiveness, community needs, resource requirements, with considerable time spent in prayer— no model works without rich blessings from God. The board has taken community “plunges,” visiting with community agencies in order to assess ways that our church can be of support. Budgetary review is not to review individual line item expenditures but to oversee management accountability, assuring that resources are going where there will be maximal

impact on the mission. Even capital expenditures are screened by questions of whether the item will accelerate us toward our defined vision. In 25 years of church board work, never has this chairman experienced a board where absenteeism is rare, enthusiasm is high and where regular email exchanges between meetings keep the board intellectually and energetically engaged. The bottom line of a Team One congregation is this: bold leadership, accountable governance and a rich outpouring of the Spirit. We hold people accountable to reach goals. No longer do we tolerate at church what we wouldn’t tolerate in our businesses. No longer do we confuse activity for results.

Mid-America Outlook

November 2008

Mid-America Union News Union College Union College Ranked Top Tier in “Best Colleges” List by Scott Cushman Union College has once again been chosen as a top pick for new college students by U.S. News and World Report. In the magazine’s annual “America’s Best Colleges” rankings, Union placed 46th in its category, Baccalaureate Colleges – Midwest. This is the third year in a row Union has been in the top tier. The ratings rank schools based on 11 indicators of success, and Union’s strong graduation rates, student retention and student-faculty ratio were key to its high ranking. The college really stands out in

alumni giving, a number U.S. News uses as an indirect measure of student satisfaction. Union ranked third in its category and seventh out of baccalaureate colleges nationwide for the percentage of alumni who give back to the school. “Union’s top-tier placement by U.S. News affirms the quality and outcomes of a Union College education,” said David Smith, college president. “Very little of a college experience can be measured in a spreadsheet, but it’s heartwarming to be recognized for the work so many people have put into making

a Union College education accessible, challenging and life-changing.” The U.S. News rankings are created annually as a service to parents and prospective students in selecting colleges. This year, 343 baccalaureate colleges, divided into four regions, are included in the report. The baccalaureate college category includes colleges that offer a range of degree programs in professional fields such as business, nursing and education, with liberal arts degrees accounting for fewer than half of the bachelor’s degrees conferred.

...News Notes... Medical Schools Welcome Union Grads Union’s Division of Science and Mathematics celebrated a 100 percent medical school acceptance rate for the 2008 graduating class. Nine students were accepted into Loma Linda University, including two from the international rescue and relief program and two from the psychology program. In addition, four science students were accepted into other competitive health professions programs (dentistry, podiatry and two in physical therapy).

Physician’s Assistant Class of 2008 Achieves Perfect Pass Rate Every student from Union’s second master’s level graduating class of physician assistants passed the national certification exam on the first try. “This 100 percent first-time pass rate will serve us well as we seek to remain competitive for high-quality physician assistant students,” said Michael Huckabee, program director. In addition, the 22 physician assistant graduates had the highest employment rate to date with 68 percent

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having confirmed positions in May. The class is serving across the country in a variety of specialties both in rural and suburban areas. States represented to date include Nebraska (5), Oklahoma (3), Alaska (2), Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, South Carolina, South Dakota and Texas.

Space Created for Expanded Nursing Program Since Union’s nursing program began admitting two classes last year (cohorts being in January and August), arranging classroom space has been a challenge. To accommodate the growing health sciences majors, over the summer Union’s plant service team rebuilt a former storage area into the Health Sciences Annex. Located on the ground floor of the Don Love Building, the annex provides two new classrooms and a lounge area. The newly reconfigured space accommodates primarily the growing nursing program but also serves as an overflow area for the international rescue and relief, physician assistant and health and human performance programs.

Mid-America Union News Union College

Campus Calendar Nov. 2-3 Mid-America College Days Nov. 12–15 AcroFe s t Hos te d by Union C ol le ge Dec. 12 Chr is t mas Ve spe rs C once rt C olle ge Vie w Ch urch Dec. 13 Chr is t mas Band C once rt Dec. 18– Ja n . 1 Chr is t mas Vac at ion Ja n . 6 Second Semester Classes Begin March 26–27 Spr ing Pre v ie w Days April 2–5 Home coming We e ke nd April 16-17 Homeschool Sneak Peek

Stay up to date! w w w.uc ollege.edu 8 0 0. 2 2 8 .4 6 0 0

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November 2008

Adventist Health System

Union College Graduate Serves Health System

Photo courtesy of CMBell Company

n the critical quest to find and nurture young leaders committed to the Seventh-day Adventist healthcare ministry, how important is Union College? Very, if you ask Terry Forde, chief executive officer of Parker Adventist Hospital. Union is where he met his wife, after all, and the professors who would become lifelong influences and trusted mentors. It’s where he developed a passion for hospitals, and honed his business and leadership skills. It’s where he learned to see his future through a prism of service and mission. So yes, Union College is important, to say the least. Terry grew up in the small southwest Minnesota farming community of Marshall, a place he likens to Lake Wobegon, the mythical town created by author Garrison Keillor. His first job was working the pumps and cash reg-

isters in his father’s gas stations, and riding along on fuel truck deliveries. He wasn’t thinking about healthcare back then, but he was certainly paying attention—picking up kernels of business philosophy that he now realizes are as applicable to running a hospital as pumping gas. “My dad was such a great mentor,” he says. “I learned to treat people with integrity and respect, listen to the customers, work hard and trust in God.” From grade school through college, every step through the Adventist educational system built, brick by brick, on those formative philosophies. He didn’t actively consider a career in healthcare until arriving at Union, when a part-time job conducting patient satisfaction surveys for the Gallup organization opened his eyes to the difference a hospital could make for a community. Over the next four years, Union professors like Barry Forbes, George Gibson, Arlie Fandrich and Kent Stahly became influential role models. “They shared very similar values with my father,” Terry recalls, “Not only did they help students identify and develop the skills that would best carry us forward, but they prepared us for life.” Outside his college classrooms, the plethora of available activities taught Terry the importance of maintaining a sense of balance. “I valued the opportunity to play basketball, volunteer in the community and express my faith through campus spiritual activities,” he says. Perhaps most importantly, that quest for balance took him to the campus deli, where he met the girl who would become his wife. “Her name was Mari Jane, and I ate far too many morning cinnamon rolls trying to talk to her,” he admits. After graduating from Union, Terry chose to initially pursue career opportunities outside the Adventist healthcare system, and he credits a renewed emphasis on mission as the driving force that brought him back. Now as Parker’s CEO, he’s motivated by the possibilities for impact, both on patients and within the community. “I don’t mean to oversimplify, but it’s all about making a difference in people’s lives,” he says. “We’re here to help our patients feel better, give them hope for a better tomorrow and extend the healing ministry of Christ outside the four walls of this hospital.”

This article was submitted by Stephen King, senior vice president for mission and ministry for Colorado’s Adventist hospitals, and written by CMBell Company.

Terry Forde

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Lovefor foraaLifetime Lifetime Love

Surviving Thanksgiving Dinner by Claudio Consuegra 4. Respect Your Differences. Because we all have different views and feelings, we’ll do well to be empathetic and take the time to understand where people are coming from. You’ll have a much easier time interacting with them. Since people are interesting, be attentive and ask others about themselves. You may learn some fascinating facts about their life. Two powerful dont’s that will save many family gatherings: Don’t discipline a child other than your own, and don’t criticize. Also, differentiate between what’s public and what’s private, then wait for a quieter moment to inform your mom and dad of lifealtering decisions, such as divorce plans or announcing that you’re dropping out of college. Finally, keep in mind that our differences extend into our individual diets. Accommodate special dietary needs, and don’t feel insulted if guests can’t eat everything you’ve prepared. 5. Take a Break. If family communication has broken down completely or expectations for the perfect holiday are just too high, you can always take a break this year and wait until communication re-establishes or reasonable expectations for this holiday exist. You may choose to have a quiet time at home, eat out or just order a pizza. Thanksgiving doesn’t need to be a big production. Someone once told me that Thanksgiving is a day to feed and nurture one another, and it doesn’t have to give us physical or emotional indigestion in the process.

Claudio Consuegra directs the ministerial and family life departments of the Minnesota Conference. He is also communication director and evangelism coordinator. His wife, Pamela, is the conference education superintendent. Together they host a national call-in talk show on LifeTalk Radio about family life.

Photo courtesy of Claudio Consuegra

ot every family’s Thanksgiving dinner resembles a Norman Rockwell painting. While family ties can be close at this annual gathering, so can family tensions. The good news is that there are ways to make this celebration less stressful for yourself and your loved ones. 1. Have Realistic Expectations. Sometimes we have preconceived notions of how the dinner should be, how people should behave and how we should feel. If you go into your holiday celebration making fewer assumptions about what will unfold, the less likely you are to be disappointed and the more likely you are to appreciate what everyone does bring to the table—literally and figuratively. At the same time, forget perfection and be flexible with the rituals or traditions. Be open to new traditions, and don’t do anything just because you think it’s expected. When it comes to those joining you at Thanksgiving dinner, don’t try to change anyone, and treat people lovingly all year round. In other words, don’t expect one dinner to compensate for a year’s worth of neglect. 2. Let Other People Help. It should go without saying that if you’re a guest, help your host—but if you are the host, let your guests shoulder some responsibility for the holiday. For instance, you may choose to take turns each year hosting the dinner with other members of the family or with friends. While you’re at it, make it a potluck: You provide the main course; the guests provide the sides. While some may choose to go to a restaurant, others may wish to spend part of the day volunteering and helping others. Take some time to find volunteer opportunities in your community. 3. Be Aware of Family Dynamics. Family dynamics can become strained at holiday gatherings, when adult children slip into old roles and parents feel unappreciated. Also, be sensitive to the changes that have taken place in your family, through divorce, marriage, death, illness, birth and all of life’s other unpredictable events.

Mid-America Outlook

November 2008

Information Information Farewell Obituaries may be submitted via your conference communication director. To submit directly to Outlook, e-mail outlook@maucsda. org or send to Outlook, PO Box 6128, Lincoln, NE 68506. All obituary submissions must be typewritten to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Alcantar, Theresa Marie, b. March 27, 1940, d. May 9, 2008, in Willow Springs, MO. Member of the Willow Springs Church. Survived by husband, Antonio; daughters, Rosemary Anderson and Melissa Russell; sons, Ton and Chris Hudson; mother, Gertrude Brooks; 11 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Estey, Authur “Art,” b. July 24, 1916, d. Oct. 16, 2007, in Des Moines, IA. Member of the Des Moines Church. Survived by wife, Ruth; daughters, Janet Loomis and Joan Moon; sons, Edward and Roger; brother, Glen; 12 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren. Fandrich, Herman T., b. Dec. 15, 1921, in Hazen, ND, d. May 19, 2008. Member of Bismarck Church. Served in WWII 1942-45. Preceded in death by parents, Daniel and Maria; brothers, Fredinand, Otto, Herbert, Harold; and sister, Rea Magdalena. Survived by daughters, Kathy Smith, Michelle Martin, and Cynthia; son, David; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Goodman II, Charles E., b. April 2,

1952, in Durango, CO, d. Sept. 3, 2008, in Longmont, CO. Member of the Longmont Church. Survived by son, Samuel Fritchlee; and one granddaughter.

1935, in Omaha, NE, d. September 5, 2008, in Austin, AR. Member of the Baranch Memorial Church. Survived by wife, Bettie; son, Charles; brothers, Calvin and Arthur Hoover; sister, Wilma Faletti; and three grandchildren.

Brady, Richard, d. September 14,

Hart, Darrel D., b. June 29, 1930,

Armstrong, Pamela, b. Nov. 3,

2008, in Lincoln, NE. Member of the Piedmont Park Church. Survived by wife, Marjorie.

Brandanger, Donald E., b. August 9, 1929, in Flint, MI, d. August 9, 2008, in Breezy Point, MN. Member of the Brainerd Church. Survived by wife, Eleanor; son, Mike; daughters, Michelle Poundstone and Debbie Brandanger; stepsons, Dwight and Douglas Hollen; stepdaughters, Linda Holmberg and Laura Axberg; brother, Merlyn; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dunford, Algeritta, b. May 19, 1919, in Harrold , TX, d. Sept. 18, 2008, in Loveland, CO. Member of the Loveland Church. Preceded in death by husband, Loran; and four brothers. Survived by daughter, Loritta Slayton; son, Hubert; brothers, Denton Jones and Daniel Jones; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Ellis, Ruth, b. Aug. 10, 1933, in Mitchell, SD, d. Aug. 18, 2008, in Lincoln, NE. Member of the Piedmont Park Church. Survived by husband, Winslow; daughters, Sara Thompson, Ann Gouldie and Janet Morgan; sons, Dana, Darin, Kevin and Brent; and 14 grandchildren.

in Cainsville, MO, d. Feb. 3, 2008, in Lexington, MO. Member of the Kansas City Central Church. Preceded in death by wife, Velda; sister, Juanita King; and brother, Gary. Survived by wife, Majorie; daughter, Sonia Sansonetti; two step-daughters; granddaughter, Neena; six sisters; and one brother.

Hartwig, Marcia A., b. Feb. 6, 1938, in Pender, NE, d. Aug. 23, 2008, in Boulder, CO. Member of the Longmont Church. Survived by husband, Willis; daughters, Jolene Remillard and Lisa Mayes; sons Douglas, Dennis, and Dale; sister, Connie Richardson; brothers, August, Vernon, and Gerrett Pape; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Hayward, Carol Elizabeth (Polishuk), b. April 29, 1944, in Viceroy, Saskatchewan, Canada, d. Aug. 21, 2008, in Alliance, NE. Wife of Pastor Robert Wayne Hayward for 44 years. Survived by husband, Robert Wayne; sons, Bryant and Darren; sisters, Jeanette Davis, Marilyn Iliev and Linda Spencer; brother, Lauren Polishuk; and three grandsons, Dillon, Christopher and Jonathon. The Haywards served in the Dakota, Georgia Cumberland, Southern Union, Gulf States and Kansas-Nebraska conferences.

Meier, Myra Juhl, b. April 19, 1941, in Drayton, ND, d. March 13, 2008, in Bismarck, ND. Member of Bismarck Church. Preceded in death by parents, Melvin and Jean Juhl; brothers, Ervan and Brian, including infant brother, Leon. Survived by husband, DeLane; sons, DeWitt and Lee; brother, Kent Juhl; and three grandchildren. Peterson, James “Jim,” b. Oct. 1, 1954, in Arlington, VA, d. Aug. 31, 2008, in Bismarck, ND. Member of Bismarck Church. Preceded in death by mother, Frances. Survived by father, Horace; wife, Brenda; son, Brian; daughters, Jennifer Vollmer and Michelle Curran; and three grandchildren.

Schlenker, Ruby, b. July 27, 1923, near Alfred, ND, d. Sept. 1, 2008, in Jamestown, ND. Member of the Jamestown Church and the Dorcas Society. Preceded in death by parents, Jacob and Carolina Pfeifle; husband, Reuben; and sister,

Ella. Survived by sons, Calvin and Wayne; grandchildren, Janel Ruby and Kyle Schlenker; and three greatgrandchildren.

Slater, Mary Alexis, b. October 2, 1954, d. March 29, 2008, in Jamestown, CA. Attended church in Wadena, MN, and member of Groveland, CA. Survived by husband, Chris; sons, Eric and Anthony; daughter, Emily; and grandchildren, Taylor, Shanti, and Jhai. Thiesen, Bruce, b. July 10, 1955, in Jamestown, ND, d. Sept. 10, 2008, in Jamestown, ND. Member of Jamestown Church. Preceded in death by father, Daniel. Survived by mother, Lydia; son, Neil Valenta; and sister, Linda Kramer. Triplett, Arthur James Robert, b. April 16, 1943, d. August 27, 2008, in Moberly, MO. Member of the Moberly Church. Survived by sister, Thelma Briesmister.

Sunset Calendar

Colorado Oct 31 Nov. 7 Nov. 14 Nov. 21 Denver 5:59 4:51 4:45 4:40 Grand Junction 6:14 5:06 5:00 4:56 Pueblo 6:00 4:52 4:46 4:42 Iowa Davenport 5:58 4:50 4:43 4:38 Des Moines 6:10 5:02 4:55 4:50 Sioux City 6:19 5:11 5:04 4:58 Kansas Dodge City 6:42 5:35 5:29 5:25 Goodland 5:46 4:39 4:32 4:28 Topeka 6:23 5:15 5:09 5:04 Wichita 6:31 5:24 5:19 5:14 Minnesota Duluth 5:53 4:44 4:35 4:28 International Falls 5:55 4:44 4:35 4:27 Minneapolis 6:02 4:53 4:45 4:39 Missouri Columbia 6:09 5:01 4:55 4:51 Kansas City 6:18 5:11 5:04 5:00 Springfield 6:16 5:09 5:03 4:59 St. Louis 6:01 4:51 4:48 4:44 Nebraska Grand Island 6:30 5:22 5:15 5:10 Lincoln 6:23 5:15 5:09 5:04 North Platte 6:39 5:31 5:24 5:19 Scottsbluff 5:49 4:41 4:34 4:29 North Dakota Bismarck 6:28 5:18 5:10 5:03 Fargo 6:12 5:02 4:53 4:47 Williston 6:36 5:26 5:17 5:10 South Dakota Pierre 6:31 5:22 5:15 5:09 Rapid City 5:44 4:35 4:27 4:21 Sioux Falls 6:19 5:10 5:02 4:56 Wyoming Casper 5:58 4:50 4:42 4:37 Cheyenne 5:55 4:47 4:41 4:35 Sheridan 5:57 4:48 4:40 4:34

Mid-America Outlook

Nov. 28 4:37 4:53 4:39 4:34 4:46 4:54 5:22 4:25 5:01 5:11 4:23 4:22 4:34 4:48 4:57 4:57 4:41 5:07 5:00 5:16 4:25 4:58 4:42 5:04 5:04 4:17 4:52 4:33 4:32 4:29

November 2008

Information Classifieds Advertising Policy Submission: Classiﬁed ads must be submitted with approval from your local conference or pastor. Ads may be e-mailed, faxed or typewritten. Outlook does not accept responsibility for categorical or typographical errors. Display ad information available at www.midamericaadventist.org or 402.484.3012. Pricing: Inside Mid-America $25 for first 50 words, 35¢ each additional word. Pricing: Outside MidAmerica $35 for first 50 words, 85¢ each additional word. A box can be added around an ad for $5. Notices or Announcements Notices of events, alumni weekends, camp meetings, etc., can be printed at no charge if no product or service is involved and no price is listed. Placement is not guaranteed, however, unless the notice is purchased.

Services

If You’re Tired of Living Alone, come be part of our family. We offer assisted living in a family home, with a RN to take care of any medical needs. Home atmosphere, Adventist lifestyle, caring and compassionate people. Located in rural Missouri. Call Marica or Don Brendle 417.282.6001 or 573.821.1978.

InternationalBibles.com Shop online 24/7: Bibles in more than 100 languages, Adventist books, church supplies, Bible accessories, Bible reference books. Prompt delivery. Courteous service. Competitive prices. Contact: P.O. Box 11549, Omaha, NE 68111; e-mail: service@internationalbibles.com; call: 402.502.0883; fax: 402.934.5841.

Move With an Award-winning Agency. Apex Moving & Storage partners with the General Conference to provide quality moves at a discounted rate. Call us for all your relocations needs! Adventist beliefs uncompromised. Contact Marcy Dante’ at 800.766.1902 for a free estimate. Visit us at www.apexmoving. com/Adventist/.

ChristianSinglesDating.com or AdventistSingles.org FREE 14-day Trial, compliments of Shing Star Christian Services. Join thousands and thousands of active Adventist singles online. Free chat, search, detailed profiles, match notifications, 10 photos! Two-way compatibility match, confidential online mail. Witnessing opportunities to the world through articles, friendships, chat, forums. Since 1993. Adventist owners. Thousands of successful matches! Top ranked.

New Lifestyle Center in the MidWest spreading the advent health message. Wildwood Inn Health Retreat addresses the needs of people with health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, obesity, addictions, and more. They are also in need of health

Florida Living: Where the Living is Easy! Senior Community less than an hour from Disney/Daytona Beach, ground level apts/rooms for one-year lease; some furnished. Transportation/Housekeeping available. Church/Pool/Shopping/ Activities, 3ABN, Hope TV. VACATIONERS: 2/BR apts. completely furnished $45, $75/per night, three night minimum; $300 or $400/week, up to four months. 1.800.729.8017; 407.862.2646 x24. Web site: floridalivingretirement.com. E-mail: JackieFLRC@aol.com.

28 November 2008

Mid-America Outlook

Information Information

Unlock the door to a

Complete Efficient Convenient Adventist degree online Master of Arts (M.A.) Curriculum and Instruction Curriculum and Instruction with Tech Emphasis

For more Info:

ed_online@lasierra.edu 951.785. 2400

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Curriculum and Instruction

NAD Special Education Emphasis

over 40. Stay home and meet new friends in the USA with a Pen Pal monthly newsletter of members and album. For information, send large, self-addressed, stamped envelope to ASO 40; 2747 Nonpareil; Sutherlin, OR 97479.

Sponsor a Child! $25.00 a month can send a child in India to an SDA school. It pays for tuition, housing, food, clothes and medical. Adventist Child India is an official project of Southern Asia Division of SDAs. Call: 443.430.0476 or check online: www.adventistchildindia.org or email: childcare@sud-adventist.org. Wellness Secrets, a lifestyle center in beautiful NW Arkansas. Fiveday Live-in Health Programs, 50% off special - $375. A power-packed program that will change your life physically, emotionally and spiritually. Dedicated, caring, qualified SDA staff. Inquire about our other services - “Spiritual Health Week”. Call: 479.752.8555; or visit: www. anewstartnow.com.

Employment Remnant Publications Hiring: FullTime positions open; Sales Manager, Sales Professionals, Fund-Raiser, Production Manager, Experienced Pressman, Video Engineer Submit resumes to: Jobs@remnantpublications.com. Or mail to: REMNANT PUBLICATIONS Attn: HR Dept.; 649 E. Chicago Rd.; Coldwater , MI 49036.

Travel Great Place to Raise a Family: the plains of Hays, KS. New Adventist school, K-8th. Beautiful SDA church 25 miles away. Wonderful health facilities, Hays Med Center and Michael DeBakey Heart Institute. Fort Hays University, Great Plains Academy and Union College a half days drive. Many job opportunities. Contact 785.623.0898.

Maui Oceanfront Studio Condo for rent on 10th floor. Well-equipped kitchen. Queen bed and queen

School of Education www.digital.lasierra.edu workers: counselors, Bible workers (volunteers), Therapy (will train), kitchen and housekeeping. Contact: 3361 Cottonwood Rd.; Baudette, MN, 56623; 218.634.1356, 888.212.7031; www.wildwoodinnhr.com.

Phonecardland.com 10% Discount. Home of the pinless/rechargeable True Minutes phonecard. True Minutes long distance service is 1.9c/ minute including UK and Canada. No tax, no fees, no expiration. Visit www. phonecardland.com and choose the best plan for all your phone calls around the world. User-friendly, secure. Email: sales@phonecardland. com. Call 863.216.0160.

Planning an Evangelistic Series or Health Seminar? Have questions? Need affordable, professionally prepared handbills, brochures, signs, banners and mailing services? Call Customer Service free at 800.274.0016 or visit www.handbills. org. You deserve the best with con-

fidence and peace of mind. Your friends at Hamblin’s HOPE deliveron time!

Retirement at its Best! Eden Valley Village, in the foothills of Colorado, provides assisted living. Enjoy home-like country atmosphere, 24-hour supervision, nutritious vegetarian meals, transportation to doctor appointments, housekeeping and more, at very reasonable rates for private pay. 970.667.6911 or village@eden-valley.org.

RVs! Adventist owned and operated RV dealership has been helping SDAs for over 30 years. Huge inventory. courtesy airport pickup and on-site hookups. Satisfied SDA customer list available. Call toll-free 1.888.933.9300. Lee’s RV City, Oklahoma City. Visit our website leesrv. com or e-mail LeesRVs@aol.com.

Single and Over 40? The only interracial group for Adventist singles

Mid-America Outlook

November 2008

Information TRAVEL CONTINUED hide-a-bed. Almost all comforts of home. Wonderful whale watching in season. $130/145nt plus tax and $65 cleaning fee. Go to: www. maui-mcneilus.com to view property. E-mail to denmarge@frontiernet.net or call Marge McNeilus at 507.374.6747.

Steamboat Springs, CO: Exhilarating year-round vacation spot. Worldclass skiing, summer fishing, hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, rafting. Kids under 12 ski free. Large condo, sleeps 9-11. Two bedroom loft/ two bath. Fully furnished, fireplace, hot tubs, pool. Call 763.506.0436. Email: rdleach@aol.com.

30 November 2008

Mid-America Outlook

Two 2009 Great Controversy Tours, March 22 – April 2, or July 5 to 15, with Dr. Gerard Damsteegt of Andrews University. See prophecies of Daniel and Revelation come alive! Visit Rome, Italy and Reformation sites in the Waldensian Valleys, Switzerland and Germany. A most exciting experience! Call or fax 269.471.5172, email gctours@ mac.com.

Wanted Brighton Adventist Academy wants cars—preferably still run-

Summit Ridge Retirement Center, 15 miles from Oklahoma City,

ning—boats, and large amounts of scrap metal to sell with proceeds going to student aid at Brighton, or will coordinate with an academy in your area. Tax donation for amount of sale will be provided. Please call Pastor Rex Bell: 303.659.1999; 303.886.3099.

and operated by the Oklahoma Conference, needs you. There are several homes, duplex unites, apartments and mobile home sites to choose from. A friendly church is located on campus, and many new friends await you. Call Bill Norman, 405.454.6538, for details.

Wanted: An older woman as a live in companion for an elderly widow in central Nebraska. Room and board and a small stipend are available. Near a wonderful church family. References needed. Call 402.726.2514.

Information Information For Sale For Sale: One Cemetery Plot at the College View Church cemetery. Willing to sell for $600.00. For more information, please call 928.301.9712.

fessional growth. Don’t miss the keynote address, “Transforming Your Career to Connect With Your Passion.” Register online at www. plusline.org or call 800.732.7587. For more information visit: www. leadershaping.blogspot.com.

Events The Hot Springs, Arkansas, Church will celebrate its 100th Anniversary December 5-7. Former pastors, members, teachers and students are encouraged to attend and renew old friendships. Your presence will make the weekend a memorable one. Contact the church at 501.767.3336 or leave a message at hotsprings100@gmail.com.

Leader Shaping Conference for Women! A dynamic, 2-in-1 conference weekend October 31-November 2 at Andrews University. Friday evening and Sabbath, be inspired by fresh studies of Bible women and themes related to women. Sunday features practical workshops for career and pro-

Mid-America Outlook

November 2008

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