As I travel around our wonderful Mid-America Union, I am encouraged and blessed to be with such a faithful group of people. The faith, mission and courage I see in our churches, our schools and our medical ministry happening at our AdventHealth facilities inspires me beyond words.
But I must admit I have a favorite spot which touches my heart deeply every time I go— and that is Union Adventist University. The faculty and staff are so committed to our mission and give so much of themselves to our students. And it is the students who inspire me the most. The faith, commitment and courage that springs from their walk with Jesus always fills my heart with joy. In this issue, you will have the privilege of reading articles written by a handful of these young people on fire for Jesus. I pray your heart will be blessed like mine in being exposed to these wonderful disciples of Christ.
THE COVER READ OUTLOOK MAGAZINE ONLINE
Students in the Feature Writing class at Union Adventist University are excited about the stories they’re sharing in this issue.
GARY THURBER president, Mid-America Union Conference
Union Adventist University’s 2026 Feature Writing Class
This year’s UAU Feature Writing class has chosen the theme The Spiritual Life: It’s a Journey for this issue of OUTLOOK magazine. Each student interviewed a recently baptized person to learn about their spiritual journey. Pictured here are (back row, l-r) Seth Coe, Aleina Melo, Lori Peckham, (front row) Luke Morris, Tanya Cochran, Rebekah Fingerson.
You Belong
Outfitted in a white baptismal robe far too big for my 12-year-old, fourand-a-half-foot frame, I had no language for theology. But I knew I loved Jesus, and I sensed I was stepping into something life changing. Something holy. Being dipped into the small pool by the pastor, trying not to breathe through
my nose, feeling enveloped by the water, hearing only muffled sounds . . . This was baptism by immersion, and for a split second, it felt as if it was just me and Jesus beneath the surface. Just as quickly, I emerged to a chorus of “Amen!” and “Praise the Lord!”
Soon after, I—a new creation—changed into my
new dress. It felt like Easter! Pink on the top and gray on the bottom, gathered at the waist with a gray-and-whitestriped sash that tied into a big bow in the back, my dress was paired with my first one-inch heels, also pink. Unmistakable 1980s fashion. My dripping hair clung to my neck, and I was so embarrassed I didn’t have time to dry and style it again. You just didn’t go out with wet hair in my Southern household. But today was an exception. The shoulders of my dress were damp when I returned to the pews, and I eagerly awaited the sermon’s end. That day I received a Bible
embossed with my name, its silver-edged pages stiff and new. I held it carefully, proud of my choice. In the receiving line after church, parishioners stacked cards, bookmarks, and stickers on top of my Bible—small tokens that confirmed a greater calling. With a seriousness I entered the world with (according to my mother, I was born 30), I understood I was a member of God’s kingdom. I belonged. I belonged! Even now, decades later, I tear up when I witness a baptism because I remember how deeply vulnerable it is to step into the baptismal pool, to name hope aloud, to declare belief with your very own body.
If you haven’t made that choice yet, know this: you belong too. And the water is warmer than you expect.
Tanya R. Cochran teaches English and Communication at Union Adventist University in Lincoln, Nebraska. When she isn’t in the classroom with her beloved students, she’s on her sofa with a book in her hands and one of two cats in her lap.
Double
Dipping
The first time I asked to be baptized was primarily to gain access to the thin wheat wafer and gulp of grape juice at Communion service. I’d watched the adults and teens enjoy that little snack, and I wanted in.
So at age 12 I joined the other juniors in doctrinal classes at the Mountain View Seventh-day Adventist Church in California. The beliefs made sense, and I had no problem with them. After all, I was a pastor’s kid, so the lessons didn’t reveal anything particularly new or disturbing. So I added my name to the list
of baptismal candidates. My father got to dunk me, and the smile on his face made the moment memorable. I think it meant more to him than it did to me. But I had this odd thought that maybe it would be good to die stepping out of the stone baptismal font because I’d be clean and sinfree . . . for a second. I recognized I wouldn’t be able to stay that way for long.
The second time I was baptized was about 25 years later. My husband and I accompanied my parents on a trip to Israel. We made a stop at Yardenit, a Christian pilgrimage site beside the Jordan River. We wanted to see where Jesus was baptized—if not the exact spot, at least the body of water He went under.
Visitors, some wearing white robes, some in shorts and T-shirts, waded into the murky water and took turns submerging each other. All down the river, people
TANYA’S Life TRAVEL Tip
When packing to hit the road, be sure to include patience and prayer. Travel—and life—rarely go as planned, but with a little longsuffering in your back pocket and Jesus by your side, you’re certain to savor the journey.
rose out of the stream with smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes. Hymns sung in various languages drifted across the muggy air: “Amazing Grace,” “Jesus Paid It All,” “In Christ Alone.” I turned to my dad. “Will you baptize me again?” I asked.
“Me too,” my mom chimed in.
So the three of us stepped into the natural pool. My father lowered me backward into the water, then brought me up. This time I relished the experience: tiny fish nipping my legs, ancient olive trees shading the bank, believers from all over the world worshipping Jesus and committing their lives to Him.
As I regained footing and wiped droplets from my face, I realized I stood in the same mud Jesus had. I stood in the power of Christ alone.
My dad had that same glowing smile on his face, and this time so did I.
as well as writes and edits stories, articles, scripts, and books, including Guide’s Greatest story collections.
LORI’S Life TRAVEL Tip
Sometimes it takes leaving what’s comfortable and familiar to experience greater joys and blessings.
Lori Peckham teaches writing courses at Union Adventist University,
Photos: Courtesy Lori Peckham
AND Dipped Devoted
WHEN ROCK BOTTOM BECAME HOLY GROUND
“I honestly don’t think I would be alive right now if I hadn’t found Jesus.” At 39 years old, Darnell Okra had stage four kidney disease, a fractured marriage, and little reason to hope as he sat in a jail cell. That’s when he opened a Bible.
Three years ago, Darnell and his wife, Anna, began searching for what they believed to be the one true church. “Satan was trying to sift us like wheat,” said Darnell. “And he was trying to keep us from learning about the Adventist faith.”
At first, they visited Catholic, Mormon, Baptist, and Pentecostal churches, but none of them felt right. Then they were invited to an Adventist church. Worshipping on Saturday felt strange. No other church they had attended met on that day. Still, Darnell decided to give it a try.
After that first church service, Darnell began attending
Bible studies on Thursday nights, though he rarely went to church on Saturday. He was overwhelmed by stage four kidney disease, had gout in his hands, wrists, and feet, and was trapped in active addiction. He was exhausted. “I was in pain, in addiction and angry at myself all the time,” he shared. “I wasn’t being obedient to the Lord, so I know I wasn’t treating Anna right.”
When pain goes unaddressed, it spills over.
One day, an argument with Anna escalated. A neighbor called the police, and Darnell was taken to jail, where he remained for 45 days on
a $200 bond. During that time, there were no letters or phone calls between them.
Believing his life was over, Darnell turned to God again.
“I prayed to the Lord. I said, Lord, I don’t know how You’re going to fix me. I don’t know how You’re going to fix my marriage, but it seems like every single thing that I want to do, I can’t ever do.”
Each Wednesday, someone would come to the jail to lead Bible studies. Each prisoner was given a Bible during the meeting, then asked to return it afterward. One day, Darnell didn’t.
“I don’t know if it was the convict mentality inside of
me or what,” he said, “but I took the Bible, put it in the waistline of the jail jumpsuit.”
Darnell gestured to his thigh, recalling how he slid the Bible under his pants. The instructor, thinking he didn’t have one, gave him another. When it came time to turn the Bibles in, he returned one, but casually walked back to his cell with the other.
From that day on, Darnell read that Bible daily. Slowly, it changed him. Some of Darnell’s cellmates couldn’t read or write, and he found the Lord helping through him, unaware that God was working behind the scenes on his own case.
When Darnell was released, he connected with Bible worker Christian Hunt, who introduced him to Pastor Bailey Schmidt and Corey Meidell. Together, these three took Darnell under their wings and helped him rebuild his life. At the time Darnell was homeless, sick with kidney disease, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis, and unsure of what to do next.
Christian and Bailey set him up on a new health plan. He stopped eating meat and, as he put it, switched to “all greens.” Gradually, his kidney function improved from 18 to 24 percent. Corey took him out into nature to hike and bike together. At the same time, Darnell became deeply involved in church life, attending services and groups six days a week. His life turned around. He had been sober for six months and had moved from Oklahoma to California to begin a treatment program.
Around this time, Anna contacted him. She remained in Oklahoma, stuck in the same exhausting cycle of drugs and alcohol, day after day. “I reached out to him,” Anna said, “and I said, I know you’re out in California— maybe I could go too.”
From that day forward, she knew her prayers had been answered and that she could
finally join him and he could be the leading husband that she could follow. Rebuilding their marriage wasn’t easy, but both credit Jesus for guiding their healing.
Healing rarely happens alone; it often begins with a brave step forward, together.
For the past three years, Darnell and Anna longed to be baptized, yet something always seemed to interfere. Each time they prepared, their treatment program relocated them, forcing them to start over at a different Adventist church, with a new Bible worker and a new baptism study.
Finally, last November, nine months after they moved to Lincoln and began attending Piedmont Park SDA Church, their baptism seemed possible.
However, even then, obstacles arose. Around the time they were talking about baptism, they were asked to leave their home after being falsely accused of smoking in their apartment. They were given 60 days to vacate. Darnell told Pastor Smerdis, the associate youth pastor at Piedmont Park, that they’d have to postpone the baptism.
Weeks passed, and the frustration returned. On Friday, November 21, Darnell made a decision. “I was like, we’re getting asked to leave because
Darnell and Anna Okra pray and rejoice with Pastor Smerdis and their church family at Piedmont Park Church.
of something we didn’t do. We don’t smoke. So I told the pastors, I said, now I don’t care what’s going on. I have faith in Jesus. I said, we’re getting dipped November 22.”
Although Pastor Smerdis wasn’t sure arrangements could be made so quickly, Pastor Halfhill, the lead pastor, texted Darnell that night: No, we’re going to do this tomorrow.
Standing by the water on Sabbath morning in church was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating for Darnell and Anna. He was worried about not being accepted because of their past, but this doubt was quickly erased when their church family welcomed them with open arms.
For some, baptism is a ceremony. For Darnell, it was a line drawn between who he was and who Jesus was calling him to be.
Darnell’s early life was marked by instability. He grew up in a home where drinking, drugs, cussing, pornography, and physical abuse were the norm. Loving his neighbor wasn’t in his rulebook. God and church were absent from his childhood, and he saw things no 10-year-old should ever see. But now with Christ, life looks very different and is the complete opposite of what he was taught growing up.
At one time, Darnell’s mornings were loaded with drugs, alcohol, and conflict. They are now stocked with prayer, Bible reading with devotionals, and tea with Anna. They are also rebuilding their relationship with
their sons day by day. “I have more hope today than I’ve ever had in my whole life,” Darnell said. “I want to spend the rest of my life doing whatever the Lord wants me to do for Him. I want to have a lasting legacy of something that has to do with Jesus Christ.”
Rebekah Fingerson is a senior Secondary Education major preparing for graduate study, driven by a deep love for research and thoughtful conversation. When she isn’t writing or studying, she can usually be found with a growing stack of books nearby expanding at a rate she prefers not to calculate.
REBEKAH’S Life Travel Tip
Talk to strangers. Some of the most meaningful moments come from those small conversations you have with someone you don’t know. Ask simple questions like, “What do you like to do?” You’ll have much more fun and get much better answers than Google could give.
Controversy is the My Life Great
“Growing up, God wasn’t in our house,” said Thomas Hinze. “The most I heard about God was when my father cursed his name in vain.”
In 1961, Thomas was born number six of seven children to a working poor family in Spring Valley, Minnesota. He described his household as ungodly and without guidance, even though his father sometimes took him and his siblings to attend the Southern Baptist Church. Hearing the pastor yell from the pulpit that he would burn in hell made Thomas think, I don’t want to be a part of this. Still, that yearning for something more sat deep in his core, and his search continued as he grew up.
When he reached 18, Thomas joined the Marines, then the police force. He says he “did everything society was telling me I was supposed to do.” Led by uncertainties, he wandered from the Methodist Church to
the Lutheran Brotherhood. When the question of marriage came up in his life, he decided to be baptized into the Catholic Church to get married at the altar. “I was doing it for man’s purposes, not for God’s purposes,” he explained. He still attended church, mostly to please relatives, but he truly hoped to find God, because he felt something big was missing.
A seed is planted
One day, as Thomas cast his line into the river for trout, he peered at the empty sky above. “Where are You, God?” he cried out. “Where are You?” He set his fishing rod aside and lumbered around a nearby willow tree.
A gust of wind struck him just then. He recalls feeling
the Holy Spirit touch his heart—not to change him at that very moment, but to plant a seed. “So that when I was ready,” he said, “I would be able to accept Jesus.” Thomas sought to water that seed by exploring different churches, but he fell once more into doubt and confusion. He drifted back to the Baptist Church, where he asked to be rebaptized. The pastor, however, told him it was unnecessary, for he had already been baptized. This left him unfulfilled and frustrated.
It was about this time that Thomas’ older brother extended his hand and offered Thomas a place in his home. While Thomas lived there, members of a church he had only heard of knocked on the door. They
introduced themselves as Ken and Ann Brown, Seventhday Adventists, and shared spiritual works like The Great Controversy. This piqued the brothers’ interest.
When the Browns offered Bible studies, the brothers were elated. They loved spending some time each Sabbath learning in communion with friends. For the next few months, Thomas stepped back on the path to finding peace under the guidance of the Browns and his brother. That path, however, is as narrow and treacherous as they come.
February 2025 brought anguish that seemed to tear the path out from under Thomas’ feet. His brother fell terribly ill. After several hospital trips, he was placed in a coma, for nothing more could
be done for him. However, he was not alone during this time, for Ken and Ann Brown came to his side. “They sang to him, and they prayed over him,” Thomas recalled. “And I know that he was with Jesus when he passed on.”
Sadly, Thomas did not lean on his faith to heal his wounds but turned to alcohol to numb them. He sat wishing that he would also die. He cried out again, “God, why are You taking him now? He’s helping me.” Thomas felt alone, confused and lost once more.
It was during this great drought that the hands of Ken and Ann reached into his darkness and held him steady. Not only that couple, but Pastor Tony Ferreira of Countryside Seventh-day Adventist Church came and supported him. For the first time, Thomas was met amid
his turmoil and accepted as he was.
The seed starts to sprout
In July of 2025, a blood clot the size of a golf ball lodged itself in his heart, leaving him hospitalized with a blood pressure of 60/40. Thus, the faith journey of Thomas Hinze was presumed over when he was put on hospice. Referring to that time, Thomas said, “I’m not looking at living anymore. I’m looking at dying.”
The disease in his heart sought to strangle the seed before it could sprout.
“Who comes to see me when I’m on my deathbed?” he shared. “Ken and Ann Brown.” As they did for his brother, they sang to Thomas and prayed over him.
During that time, Thomas had moved in with his stepson in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Thomas and his brother had been discussing baptism earlier, and Thomas still held that desire, now more than ever with his impending death. He expressed it to Pastor Tony and Ann, and the event was scheduled.
Thomas confessed his faith to the Countryside congregation with Pastor Tony at his side. “I stepped into the water with fear for God … And I went under the water, then the pastor pulled me out, and I took my first breath of life.” His first breath among the company of people who truly accepted him.
After that, Thomas said he broke the rules and graduated from hospice by “refusing to die.” After his baptism, his heart function increased from 15 to 25 percent. Ever since then, every aspect of his life has been “so much better.”
Instead of dying, that seed planted by the Holy Spirit long ago sprouted like never before, and Thomas knew where he was called.
Before, church attendance was a reluctant obligation. Now, when he falls ill and misses a service, his friends from Countryside call to ask if he is well, and he experiences the kindness and graciousness of God through community.
Thomas said, “My life is the Great Controversy.” He has experienced that push and pull through the years. Questions and doubts tore at his mind, physical ailments wracked his body, and loss halted his faith journey. It was a gust of wind from the Holy Spirit and the warmth of two friends singing
to him that focused his mind on what mattered.
Today, at the age of 64, Thomas has peace in the love of Christ, who guided him to his homecoming. “If someone doesn’t believe in God,” he said, “all they gotta do is look at me and see that Jesus works.”
Hailing from Colorado, Seth Coe is at Union working through his final year as a Writing Studies major. When he’s not focusing on his studies to be an editor after graduation, he’s daydreaming about stories to craft.
SETH’S Life Travel Tip
When I first played the guitar, my fingers ached and swelled. I kept playing until calluses covered them, and now that pain seems like a fleeting thing. Do not set the guitar back down before that can happen, for consistency is key in accomplishing the goals before you.
Pastor Tony Ferreira baptized Thomas Hinze in 2025.
HEAD FIRST
In St. Louis, Missouri, Pastor Lusajo Kasyupa is focused on revival. The Tabernacle of Praise Church is full of disciples meeting several times a week. Every Sabbath morning, up to 30 people arrive hours before service to pray. They pray over every seat in the sanctuary, every musical instrument, and every microphone. They show up at 9 am for what Pastor Kasyupa calls “Make Your Voice Heard in Heaven.” Getting to church extra early isn’t easy, especially for families.
Before working in St. Louis, Pastor Kasyupa shepherded a flock in the nearby town of Charleston at Grand Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church. That’s where he first brought up the idea of holding an early-morning prayer meeting before
Sabbath school. There were doubts about such a program working. Sabbath school attendance was not great to begin with.
Pastor Kasyupa said, “I remember mentioning to my prayer ministry leader, who is my elder, ‘If nobody’s there, four people will be there: that’s me, my wife, and our two sons.’”
But the church family responded. It wasn’t long before the early-morning prayer meetings attracted 10, 20, and even 30 people each week. “We’re not asking for silver or gold or anything,” he said. “We’re just asking for the presence of God to permeate our worship experience.”
When he moved to Tabernacle of Praise, Pastor Kasyupa brought the new program with him to great
success. As part of the Pentecost 2025 initiative from the North American Division, the church has recently gained a number of new disciples. One of those is Tenshi Shaw, a kindergarten teacher and mother to 7-year-old Dakari.
Tenshi had been looking around, attending different churches for a while. She had attended Baptist churches as a child and found herself searching for a renewed connection with Jesus, so she asked her churchgoing friend, Cherie, if she could come along with her. Cherie could tell that Tenshi was in a place of spiritual need and pushed her to officially become a Seventh-day Adventist.
Stepping into faith
When she was younger, Tenshi struggled with fears about life after baptism. “For the longest time growing up, you think once you get baptized you can no longer do any wrong,” she shared. “That’s what I’d been told.” It wasn’t until she met Pastor Kasyupa and joined Tabernacle of Praise that she decided baptism was for her, even if she wasn’t perfect. “He told me that was not the case at all. This is about stepping into your faith.”
When church members told Tenshi that Dakari expressed a desire to get baptized too, she was amazed. “When I saw my son going in the path that I did when I was younger, finding my faith, finding Jesus, and saying he wanted to get baptized,” she
said, “I just had tears falling.” Her son’s journey has been shorter, but just as convicted. “Dakari just jumped in headfirst,” said Tenshi. “He just believed with his whole heart that he was a child of God.”
Pastor Kasyupa explained, “I believe in the power and efficacy of prayer. And I’m a living witness of what it has done in my personal life. I wanted to direct the church … [to] avail itself of the privilege of prayer.”
Now, bright and early on Sabbath mornings, Dakari and his mom are there. He likes to pray over the drums.
Luke Morris is a senior English major from St. Louis, Missouri. When he isn’t writing or studying, he enjoys playing folk music.
LUKE’S Life Travel Tip
That thing you’re very worried about will be fine. People have an endless ability to adapt to new circumstances. Worst-case scenarios aren’t so bad.
Pastor Lusajo Kasyupa baptizes Tenshi Shaw, mother of Dakari.
Finding New Family in Faith
Acold, brutal Missouri winter greeted Beatrice Phangaphanga, foreshadowing the future she faced as her new life began in a foreign country. Moving continents was not something she had planned, especially not with a three-month-old baby in tow.
Beatrice grew up in Malawi with a Presbyterian-based life. She had a humble start growing up, and one lesson her family taught her from an early age was the importance of family and community. She got married in Malawi and was working an administrative job when her husband, Enoch Ng’oma, got an amazing opportunity. He received a scholarship at a university in Missouri, and the next thing she knew, she was moving with him and their newborn baby, named David Ng’oma.
As she faced this incredibly hard time in her life, Beatrice felt lonely and pressured trying to raise a baby while struggling to adapt to the vast cultural differences. Yet God worked in mysterious ways, and she learned that God will send help in His timing.
One day during this tumultuous time of trying to adapt while raising a baby, a neighbor knocked on her door and asked if she needed any help. She had never spoken to this woman before, but somehow she was right there when Beatrice needed her.
Through this woman,
Beatrice was introduced to the nearby church, and it was a blessing to not only learn the Word of God, but also join a community again. The church was a huge help during those days, as they had Bible studies, childcare and transportation available. This chosen family, based on faith, was exactly what Beatrice was looking for.
Journey forward
The couple added another child, Zachary Ng’oma, to their family, and as time went on, Beatrice was still not feeling fulfilled in her relationship with God. She loved the community and people, but she felt as though she was not learning everything she needed to. Then she remembered an Adventist church she drove past every day as she took her children to school. The church was giving toys out to the children, and Beatrice, who always tries to make her children happy, decided to take them there. When she sat through the Bible study for adults, she finally felt like she had found what she was looking for all this time.
Throughout her hardships, however, Beatrice had questions and uncertainties. She questioned if she was raising her kids the right way and if they were learning everything they were supposed to. “The Christian journey is not a simple journey—it’s not an
Beatrice (back row, right) and her sons Zachary, (red pajamas) and David (red checkered shirt) enjoy visiting family in Malawi.
easy journey,” she says. Her daily practice of reading the Bible helped her navigate through fears and grow stronger in her faith.
She wants to continue another generation of people who value community and family and who also have a strong faith in God. “African families are about unity and oneness,” she explained, describing how all the children are raised together. “You don’t have to separate like cousins. You can just grow up together and not try to differentiate each other. We grow up knowing that we are one. Everyone is family.” The culture Beatrice came from is rooted in Leviticus 19:18: “Love thy neighbor.” Now she has found a faith she thinks can help implement those values in her children’s lives.
God has led Beatrice halfway around the world to bring her closer to Him and to strengthen her faith. No matter the hardships, she has stayed faithful to God and will continue to build that
relationship. She says, “You have to fight for your faith to keep going.”
Aleina Melo is a senior at Union Adventist University studying international relations. She grew up in California, but her parents are from Mexico, and she is a first-generation student. She dreams of one day having a family and supporting them through her career in law.
ALEINA’S Life TRAVEL Tip
The view looks better with someone you love. Life is too short not to book the trip!
Courtesy Beatrice Phangaphanga
Culture of Adventist High School
As a junior in high school, the question seems to be popping up everywhere: What are you going to be? What is the rest of my life going to look like? I’ve been raised an Adventist and now attend College View Academy. My life as a whole has been and will forever be greatly impacted from attending school in an Adventist community. I plan to take the values of the Adventist education into my career, my relationships, and my spiritual life going forward.
Here at College View, my religious questions are answered with care and wisdom. The teachers are vigilant in surrounding our activities with the Holy Spirit. The Word says in Matthew 18:20, “Where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” In my Adventist school, God is always among us, for we are gathered together to learn in His name. Specifically, in religion class, we focus on experiencing/encountering Jesus, knowing truth and
CAREER, RELATIONSHIPS, SPIRITUAL LIFE
gaining knowledge of God, as well as walking a journey in growing with God.
Campus ministries are a key element of life here at CVA. We have several groups all immensely focused on the spiritual aspects of our school. We reach out to our community, we provide for each other through blessings, prayer and music. We are focused on community and hold a weekly meeting called Refocus to better connect with God and each other.
The Adventist community provides endless opportunities—all of which help students in choosing their careers. Union Adventist University offers mentor opportunities to all grades of high school to help them as they mature into young adults. Leadership positions are offered here at CVA. I myself am the vice president of the school’s student association. I have grown as a leader and a team member, advanced in my responsibility, and grown as a whole through this opportunity. The
electives and sports offered at our school allow each student to discover their individual talents and interests. This can help shape our skills for God’s work and establish our ideas for what we want to do for our future job satisfaction. Career day is a beneficial event where people of different occupations come in and mentor the students, another wonderful way the Adventist community here in Lincoln helps prepare students for their careers.
Relationships at CVA are healthy and inclusive. We are taught continually to live non-judgmentally. The teacher student relations are friendly and helpful. The teachers clearly care for their students. We exhibit a safe space where each person is heard, encouraged and respected. The community is deeply rooted. Together in church, in school, in hobbies and activities, the people here lift you up to your fullest potential. Without the valuable relationships I have made here, I wouldn’t be the same. My community
makes me feel at home, safe, included, respected and loved. I have found truth from my education, truth that God is by my side, and truth that my community is there to support me. I have come to a conclusion. What am I going to be? What the rest of my life is going to look like? As I look to the future, I plan to actualize my aspirations in including Jesus in my career, my relationships, and my spiritual life. I have been exceedingly blessed to attend an Adventist high school.
Caiden Henton is a junior at College View Academy in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Melissa Morris Named MAUC Associate Director of Education
The Mid-America Union Conference of Seventhday Adventists has named Melissa Morris as its new associate director of education. She will begin serving in this role on June 1, 2026, supporting schools, leaders and teachers across the union territory.
Morris currently serves as executive secretary of the Iowa-Missouri Conference, where she has worked closely with conference leadership, schools and churches to support the mission of Adventist education and ministry. She previously served as education superintendent for the Iowa-Missouri Conference and as a teaching principal, providing leadership in school growth, teacher development and student support. After prayerful consideration, Morris accepted the call to serve at the union level.
“Adventist education has long been close to my heart,” Morris said. “I look forward to working with conference leaders and educators across Mid-America to strengthen our schools as they prepare students for academic excellence, nurture their relationship with Christ, and equip them for lives of service and purpose.”
Carisa Carr, director of education for the MidAmerica Union, welcomed Morris to the team saying, “We are so excited to have Melissa join our Office of Education as associate director. Her passion for and deep love of Adventist education shine through in her leadership, her commitment to excellence, and her heart for students and teachers. We look forward to the experience, vision and servant leadership she will bring as we
continue growing in Christ through a journey of learning and excellence together.”
Mid-America Union president Gary Thurber also affirmed her appointment. “It is especially meaningful when the most qualified person for the position comes from within our own territory. Melissa brings an excellent skill set and a deep understanding of MidAmerica and the people who serve here. We are grateful to have her as part of our educational leadership team.”
Morris holds a Bachelor of Elementary Education degree and is completing a Master of Administration from La Sierra University. She and her husband have two children who attend Union Adventist University. In her new role, she will work closely with conference leaders, superintendents and educators
29 Teams Participate in Union-level PBE
as the Mid-America Union Conference continues its mission of strengthening local conferences and institutions and its vision of providing a steady flow of leadership, communication, mentoring and training.
Hugh Davis is communication director for the Mid-America Union.
Twenty-nine Pathfinder club teams representing the six conferences in the Mid-America Union Conference gathered at Mile High Academy in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, on March 21 for the 2026 union-level Pathfinder Bible Experience. This year’s PBE focused on the book of Isaiah. Each team answered a series of 90 questions. The 19 teams who received first-place rankings were eligible for the final division round in Florida on April 17–18. Read the full story at: outlookmag.org/mauc-pbe-2026/
Hugh Davis
Delbert Pearman Returns to Central States with a Heart for Mission
After more than four decades of service to the Seventh-day Adventist Church across the globe, Elder Delbert Pearman has learned a simple but powerful truth:
“Money is for mission,” he said. “The mission doesn’t follow the money. The money follows the mission.”
On Dec. 1, 2025, Pearman began serving as vice president for finance and Trust Services director for the Central States Conference. In this role, he oversees conference finances, supports local congregations, and helps ensure that financial resources are managed with integrity and purpose in advancing the church’s mission.
For Pearman, the assignment is also a homecoming. Earlier in his career, he served in Central States after receiving a call from G. Alexander Bryant, then president of the conference, to help strengthen the field. Shortly after his arrival, unexpected leadership transitions left the conference without a president or secretary.
“It was a steep learning curve,” Pearman recalled. “But the Lord prepared me.” During that season, he stepped in to help guide operations and stabilize the
work, gaining valuable experience that would shape his future leadership.
A global classroom Pearman’s ministry journey began after graduating from Oakwood University in 1983. His first assignment took him to Malawi, where he served as an accountant.
“That’s where I realized my business training could support the mission of the church,” he said. “Finance is ministry too.”
From Malawi, God opened doors around the world. Pearman served in Bermuda, Sri Lanka, the Middle East, and Ethiopia, later joining the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Most recently, he returned to Sri Lanka to serve as president of the church. Each assignment became a classroom, teaching him new lessons about stewardship, leadership and trust.
“One thing I’ve learned is that people’s attitudes toward money are different everywhere,” he said. “But God always provides what His church needs.”
Turning dollars into souls
Working across cultures reshaped Pearman’s
perspective on money. In North America, people tend to save. In countries with high inflation, money quickly loses value.
“In those places, you don’t want to hold money,” he explained. “You want to use it while it can still do good.”
Those lessons guide his approach today. “I’m not here just to save money,” Pearman said. “I’m here to spend it wisely for mission. We want to convert dollars into souls.”
Throughout his career, he has helped multiple church regions achieve their first clean audits. “When I arrived, they said they had never had one,” he said. “By God’s grace, we were able to get things in order.”
For Pearman, strong financial systems are ultimately about trust. “When members give, they deserve to know their resources are handled carefully,” he said. “Sometimes the challenge
isn’t provision—it’s good management.”
Trusting God’s direction Reflecting on his journey, Pearman points to Prov. 3:5–6 as a guiding text: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart… and He shall direct thy paths.”
“I can see now how the Lord has directed my path,” he said. “Every place prepared me for the next.”
After years of global service alongside his wife, Curdell, and raising two daughters shaped by mission life, Pearman says it feels right to serve locally again. Following God’s leading across continents has brought him back to Central States—ready once more to help move the mission forward.
Trevor Barnes, communication director, Central States Conference, and Hugh Davis, communication director, Mid-America Union
Courtesy Central States Conference
“Don’t Underestimate Me Just Because I’m Young”
The Park Hill Church in the Central States Conference recently celebrated Young People’s Day. The entire worship service was led by the Lower Division Sabbath school class under the direction of Leah, the Lower Division superintendent.
The service began with the young people marching in to the song “I Am a Promise.” The kindergarten class then presented the many Bible characters they had studied throughout the quarter, highlighting how young people played important roles in the Bible.
Koda Guyton offered a heartfelt prayer of consecration. For the offering appeal, Nalani John spoke about the difference between counterfeit giving—giving out of habit—and true giving, which comes from love for God. The church was also blessed with special music from Nalani and NeLeah John, along with a song of dedication by Nicholas.
The congregation then heard two inspiring messages
from young speakers.
Thirteen-year-old Jada shared the story of Moses from Miriam’s perspective. She explained that Miriam was about 10 years old when she courageously watched over her baby brother in the Nile. Raised in the nurture of the Lord, Miriam showed wisdom and faith when she approached Pharaoh’s daughter and helped guide the situation toward a solution that saved Moses’ life. Despite the decree to kill Hebrew boys, Miriam demonstrated love, loyalty, courage and faith— trusting God to protect her brother. Through her bravery, she helped save Israel’s future deliverer.
Jada reminded the congregation that Miriam’s story shows how age does not limit a person’s ability to serve or influence others. Even as a child, Miriam showed initiative, wisdom and trust in God. Her courage in a dangerous moment proves that God works through those who are willing to trust Him and act boldly, regardless of their age.
Nine-year-old Davina Nantale then shared the story of David and Goliath. She described how David selected five smooth stones from the brook, placed them in his bag, and approached the Philistine giant with his sling in hand. Goliath, confident in his strength and armor, expected to face Israel’s strongest warrior. Instead, he saw only a young boy and underestimated him because of his age.
Davina explained that while Goliath laughed and believed David could easily be defeated, David stood boldly and declared that he came in the name of the Lord. David trusted that God would defend His name and show that there is one true God in Israel.
The program was an outstanding display of the gifts God has given to young people and a reminder that He calls them to serve Him in powerful ways.
Debbie Jackson teaches Sabbath school for the youth at Park Hill Church in Denver, Colorado.
Learning That Lasts
More than 100 students and staff from Adventist schools across the Dakota Conference gathered last September at Flag Mountain Camp in Hill City, South Dakota, for the annual Dakota Outdoor School. Centered on the theme “God Is Our Rock,” the four-day event combined outdoor learning, spiritual growth, and fellowship among students who rarely have opportunities to be together. Because Adventist schools in the Dakotas are spread across a wide geographic area, Outdoor School provides a unique chance for students to build friendships and experience learning together. Eighth grader Teddy Ray from Brentwood Adventist Christian School captured the spirit of the event, sharing that his favorite part was “spending time with all the other students.” His classmate Nikkita Miller, a second grader, agreed, saying simply, “I made new friends at camp.”
Students arrived Monday afternoon and settled into cabins before gathering for supper and evening worship. Familiar camp songs quickly brought the group together, many of whom had previously attended summer programs at one of our two Dakota Adventist Camps. Students from Rapid City Adventist School eagerly jumped out of vehicles to play Gaga ball and other games while waiting for the rest of the group to arrive, setting a tone of excitement for the days ahead.
Tuesday took students beyond camp for a day of field study in the Black Hills. The group visited the Crazy Horse Memorial and the Indian Museum of North America, where they learned about perseverance and the ongoing work of carving the massive monument from rock. Later, students traveled to Mount Rushmore, eating lunch with the famous monument in view before exploring the
museum exhibits, speaking with park rangers, and earning Junior Ranger badges.
For many students, the
field trips were a highlight. Clara Rittenbach from Brentwood said seeing Mount Rushmore in person
Kris de Bruin
was “really cool.” Hillcrest School student Kierran also enjoyed the visit, adding that the hike and even a stop for ice cream made the day memorable. Another Hillcrest student, Aesha, said her favorite part of Outdoor School was simply spending time with friends and having fun together.
Wednesday’s schedule brought students back to camp for a series of hands-on learning sessions led by teachers from Dakota Adventist schools. In “Petrology: Rock On!” students studied different types of rocks found in the region. Another class invited students to create clay monuments while reflecting on how people remember significant events in history. A rock-painting class explored biblical stories involving stones, while a bridge-building class challenged students to design structures strong enough to hold weight. Each activity pointed students back to the central theme of trusting God as their firm foundation.
Invitation Hill Adventist School students added their own contribution by teaching the group a Scripture song based on Matt. 7:24–25, reminding everyone of the wise builder who built his house upon the rock. The song quickly became a favorite as students gathered for worship throughout the week.
Fifth grader Ivy Red Feather from Rapid City Adventist School said the clay monument project was one of
her favorite activities. “Every single part of Outdoor School was fun,” she said. “I can’t wait to come back next year.” Other students appreciated practical comforts as well. Brentwood student Dominic Thingvold noted that having showers in the cabins meant they didn’t have to face the cold mornings outside.
For Prairie Voyager Adventist School students, the experience also became a lesson in gratitude. After returning home, they wrote personal letters of thanks to the conference education superintendent who organized the event, expressing appreciation for the time, care and effort invested in making the program possible.
Daily worships were led by Dakota Conference pastors, with music and evening recreation provided by Dakota
Adventist Camps director, Ted Struntz, and some summer staff who enthusiastically volunteered to help. Teachers, pastors, parents and medical volunteers worked together throughout the week to create a safe and meaningful experience for students. By Thursday morning, cabins were packed and students began the journey home, exchanging hugs and already talking about returning next year. For many, Outdoor School had become more than a field trip—it was a reminder that they are part of a larger Adventist community built on the solid foundation of faith.
Lynnette Struntz serves as education superintendent, HR director and associate youth director for the Dakota Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
Scan the QR code to watch a recap of Dakota Outdoor School in action.
Lynnette Struntz
KANSAS-NEBRASKA
Kansas-Nebraska Convocation Brings Two Weekends of Worship and Mission
F
ebruary was a full month for the Kansas-Nebraska Conference: two convocation weekends, two cities, and hundreds of believers gathering from across the conference to worship together, hear the Word, and recommit to the mission. Kansas City went first on February 13 and 14, followed by Wichita on February 27 and 28.
Kansas City Convocation
The New Haven Church in Overland Park was the setting for a Spirit-filled weekend. Dr. Rick Remmers, assistant to the president of the North American Division, brought three messages that met people where they are. Whether you came in carrying something heavy or just needed a fresh perspective, his series on living through tough
times—drawn from the life of Moses—gave the congregation something real to hold onto. The reminder that God’s timetable is not ours, and that seasons of difficulty are often seasons of preparation, was something many in the room could relate to.
The youth and young adult track ran alongside the main program all weekend, with Commons at New Haven hosting a Friday night worship experience led by Midland Academy high schoolers. Speaker Elise Harboldt opened what became a three-part series on why God actually cares about our joy more than we do. Her honesty about her own story made the message connect in a personal way.
Sabbath school brought something a little different. Kansas City area churches shared what God is doing in their communities through outreach, and Pastor Virgil Covel led a panel discussion with local pastors that got honest about what unity really looks like in practice.
The afternoon concert pulled together musicians and pastors from across the metro before Dr. Remmers closed the weekend with a vision for One Voice 27, the church’s global initiative to lift up Jesus together in September 2027.
Wichita Convocation
Wichita South welcomed the second weekend with Pastor Mike Speegle of New Hope Church in Fulton, Maryland. His three messages built on each other in a way that felt intentional. From Friday night through Sabbath afternoon, he kept coming back to the same thread: God is not done with you. Not when you’ve failed, not when you’ve run, not when you’ve lost your way.
Sabbath morning opened with Elder Ron and Sue Carlson sharing stories from their mission trip to the Moana School for deaf children in Kenya: 46 baptisms, a pair of shoes that fit perfectly, hygiene kits that moved students to sign, “God has answered our prayers.”
Pastor Mike Speegle
Stories like that have a way of putting everything back in perspective.
Musical worship brought congregations from across the Wichita area together, with the Wichita Adventist Christian Academy Band and Choir, Wichita South Choir, Three Angels Chorale, Cornerstone Voices, and Spanish-language ensembles from Iglesia Wichita East, West and Ark City all participating. It was a full and worshipful afternoon.
Two weekends, one mission. God is moving across Kansas and Nebraska, and we get to be part of it.
Saul Dominguez is communication director for the Kansas-Nebraska Conference.
Dr Rick Remmers
Wichita Adventist Christian Academy Students Compete in Adventist LEGO League
Students from Wichita Adventist Christian Academy recently competed in the Adventist LEGO League at Mile High Academy in Denver, Colorado.
In 2025, Wichita Adventist Christian Academy (WACA) in Wichita, Kansas, introduced a LEGO robotics program for students in grades 4–8 that incorporated kinesthetic, hands-on learning. This approach helps students actively engage with concepts while developing creativity, problem-solving skills, and teamwork.
At WACA, education focuses on developing the whole child—mind, body and spirit. Through robotics, students explore the talents God has given them while learning perseverance, collaboration and responsibility. As they design, build and test their robots, they are reminded that their abilities are gifts from God that can be used to serve others and honor Jesus.
Building on that
foundation, in 2025 the school began participating in the FIRST® LEGO® League robotics program after receiving a $10,000 grant. Through this program, students design, build, test and program robots while developing critical thinking, patience and resilience. The program is designed to help students develop technological literacy by teaching students programming, engineering design, and computational problem-solving through hands-on robotics challenges.
On Feb. 1, 2026, the team traveled to Mile High Academy in Denver, Colorado, to compete in the Adventist LEGO League competition. In their first year, the team earned 4th place in the Mission Performance category. For many of the students, this was their first experience competing in robotics, making the accomplishment especially meaningful.
Benjamin, the team’s robot designer, said, “It was really
Fourth Annual Regional Spelling Bee Crowns New Champion
The fourth annual Seventh-day Adventist Regional Spelling Bee took place on March 5 at College View Academy’s gym in Lincoln, Nebraska, held alongside the Cantus Choir Festival. Students in grades 5-8 from College View Academy, Great Plains Adventist School in Great Bend, Kansas, and Midland Adventist Academy in Shawnee, Kansas, competed across 13 rounds of progressively challenging words. This year’s champion is Elliot O. from College View Academy. Second place went to Abigail S. from Midland Adventist Academy, and third place to Nathan F. from Great Bend. Congratulations to all the students who competed!
Greg Murphy is principal of Midland Adventist Academy in Kansas.
hard work, but with God’s help we did it.”
Students participating included Benjamin (robot designer and invention designer), Julien (robot coder), Jensen and Hudson (attachment design and building experimenters), and Kaye (T-shirt designer and invention presenter). For a small school like WACA, the experience provided students with a unique opportunity to explore engineering and design thinking, teamwork and problem-solving in a competitive setting.
Special thanks go to coaches John (architect extraordinaire), Tammy (presentation consultant), Jennifer Barkley (logistics coordinator), and Meredith (teacher and grant writer).
WACA teacher Mrs. Staddon stated that she was very proud of the students for persevering until the end. She also expressed appreciation that God blessed them with the grant that made the opportunity possible.
Meredith Staddon is a teacher at Wichita Adventist Christian Academy.
The Iowa-Missouri Conference of Seventhday Adventists has announced several significant staffing updates, strengthening leadership across executive administration, evangelism, trust services and treasury operations as the conference pursues its mission across Iowa and Missouri.
Kent Dunwoody Elected Executive Secretary
make for an easy transition from Melissa to Kent.”
Dunwoody will overlap with outgoing executive secretary Melissa Morris through the end of camp meeting to ensure a smooth handoff of responsibilities. The conference expressed gratitude for Morris’s dedicated service in the role.
Jeremy Clark Appointed Bible Worker Director and Evangelism Coordinator
Effective May 1, Kent Dunwoody has been voted to serve as the new executive secretary of the Iowa-Missouri Conference. Dunwoody brings a strong background in administration and human resources, along with a deep commitment to faith and service.
Conference president Lee Rochholz expressed enthusiasm for the transition: “Kent not only has demonstrated these skills, but has vast knowledge and experience in administration and HR. His abilities and knowledge of the Iowa-Missouri Conference
Jeremy Clark has been named Bible worker director and evangelism coordinator for the Iowa-Missouri Conference, transitioning from a part-time role into the position full-time. In this capacity, Clark will serve as the direct supervisor for all Bible workers across the conference territory, with a focus on training, development and the expansion of evangelistic efforts throughout Iowa and Missouri.
Bible workers are individuals dedicated to sharing
the gospel through personal Bible study with community members, serving as a vital front line of evangelism for the Adventist Church.
Rochholz expressed confidence in the appointment: “Jeremy has a proven track record as a Bible worker and leading people to make decisions for Jesus and becoming a part of God’s last-day people. He has also done an excellent job in training and developing Bible workers. As we look to expand the number of Bible workers in IowaMissouri, I believe Jeremy is the right man to lead this initiative forward.”
Kal Roller Named Trust Services Director
Effective April 1, Kal Roller will join the Iowa-Missouri Conference as trust services director. In this role, Roller will assist church members in planning and managing their estates in ways that reflect their faith values and support the broader mission of the church. Trust services
helps members consider how their legacy can further the work of the Adventist Church through planned giving and estate planning.
Rochholz welcomed Roller to the role saying, “Kal has demonstrated humility and a desire to serve God’s people, and I am excited for the experience he brings to this role. I look forward to seeing him step into this new responsibility.” Additional details about Trust services will be shared in the coming months.
Treasury Team Strengthened with New Appointments
The conference also announced updates to its treasury leadership, adding experienced personnel to support the financial stewardship of ministry operations across the field.
Jeffrey Bradley joined the conference on March 11 as associate treasurer, where he will assist in overseeing conference financial operations and support the responsible management of ministry resources. Conference treasurer Tim Saxton underscored the significance of the appointment stating, “We live in a time when faithful fiscal stewardship is vital to the mission of God’s work. Jeff brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will greatly strengthen the treasury of the Iowa-Missouri Conference.”
Additionally, Flavia Scaiarabba Badenas will join the team on May 1 as assistant treasurer, bringing her
Kent Dunwoody
Jeremy Clark
Kal Roller
IOWA-MISSOURI
experience to the conference’s day-to-day financial operations. We welcome Flavia as she makes the move from Berrien Springs, Michigan, to join the Iowa-Missouri team. Executive secretary-elect Kent Dunwoody shared, “We are excited to welcome Flavia to our team and look forward to the ways God will use her gifts in our ministry.”
Saxton also recognized the outgoing service of Virgil Minden, Jr., who has faithfully served the conference in a part-time capacity for the past three years following his full-time tenure: “We are deeply thankful to Virgil for his many years of dedicated and faithful service to the Iowa-Missouri Conference. He has been a steady support to our team during this part-time season, and we are grateful for his continued availability through his firm as we move forward.”
A Call to Prayer
As these leaders step into their new responsibilities, the
Iowa-Missouri Conference invites church members across the territory to offer prayer and support for each of them. The conference especially asks for prayers for Kent, his wife Sarah, and the
entire leadership team during this season of transition. These appointments reflect the conference’s ongoing commitment to building strong, mission-focused leadership that serves both
the church family and the broader community across Iowa and Missouri.
Caleb Durant is communication director for the Iowa-Missouri Conference.
Flavia Scaiarabba Badenas
Park Rapids Church Celebrates Milestone Baptisms
Aspirit of revival is growing in the Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church in Park Rapids, Minnesota. Through prayer, outreach, and an evangelistic series connected with the North American Division’s Pentecost 2025 initiative, three people recently made the decision to give their lives to Christ through baptism.
From the beginning of the meetings, members sensed God was working in a special way. The church gathered for prayer, worship and messages focused on revival and the leading of the Holy Spirit.
During this time, Yerica, a member originally from the Dominican Republic, approached the pastor after one of the meetings. Without being prompted, and with tears in her eyes, she said simply, “I want to be baptized.” Her decision brought great joy and encouragement to the congregation.
The church also felt impressed that revival should extend beyond the church walls. Last summer members organized what they called Kindness Week. Together they purchased groceries and prepared food bags for 35 people in need in the Park Rapids community. Each evening after the meetings, volunteers went out to deliver the food and connect with neighbors.
“Christ didn’t only
preach—He also helped people,” one church member shared. “That’s the example we want to follow.”
The evangelistic meetings, titled Eternal Decisions, drew members and visitors throughout the week. For many in attendance, the messages sparked meaningful spiritual conversations and life-changing choices.
One of the most touching stories involved Juanita, who had wanted to be baptized for several years but was waiting because she and her partner, Benjamin, were not married. During the revival meetings, Benjamin began attending every night and even volunteered his truck to help
Photos: Courtesy Minnesota Conference
transport supplies for the outreach efforts.
As the week progressed, it became clear that God was working in his heart. After speaking with Pastor Eddy Hernández and Elder Adrian Aponte, Benjamin made a decision.
“Pastor, it’s time to give my life to Christ,” he said. “I want to get married—and be baptized.”
The couple was married at the county office on July 25, and the following day, July 26, both Juanita and Benjamin were baptized together.
Their baptisms, along with Yerica’s, marked a special
milestone for the Park Rapids Hispanic church, which had not celebrated a baptism in two years.
For the members who participated in the meetings,
experience was a powerful reminder that God continues to work in hearts when His people step out in faith.
Eddy Hernandez, with Savannah Carlson
Revival in Denver Brings Eight Commitments to Jesus
The Denver Central Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church witnessed a powerful week of spiritual revival last October, culminating in the baptism of eight individuals who publicly committed their lives to Jesus. The evangelistic campaign opened with a single baptism on Sabbath and concluded with seven more by the following Friday, each one representing a story of transformation and months of intentional discipleship.
Guest speaker Juan Blanco Suero, a pastor with the Southeastern Association of the Dominican Union of Seventh-day Adventists, led the weeklong series with clarity, conviction and compassion. His messages resonated deeply with attendees, many
of whom had been studying the Bible and participating in small groups since the spring.
“This wasn’t just a week of baptisms—it was a week of breakthroughs,” said Leonardo Jiménez, pastor of the Greeley Hispanic District, who organized the campaign. “Every soul that stepped into the water reminded us that the gospel still transforms lives, one heart at a time.”
Among the most moving moments was the baptism of a father and daughter, part of a family Jiménez had been ministering to personally. Their decision to be baptized together underscored the campaign’s theme: that evangelism is not only public proclamation, but also deeply relational. “Every visit, every study, every prayer shared
Individuals prepare for baptism during an evangelism campaign supported through the NAD Pentecost 2025 initiative.
in their home was part of the process God used to reach their hearts,” Jiménez reflected.
The campaign was part of the broader Pentecost 2025 initiative, a mission-focused program from the North American Division. More than a numerical goal, Pentecost 2025 was a call to intentional living, disciple-making and community transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit.
As the church looks ahead, the momentum from that week continues to inspire. “Every baptism is a victory,” said Jiménez. “Every family reached is a blessing. And every step forward is part of greater work. We move forward with gratitude for what God has done—and with faith in what He will continue to do.”
Jose Briones is a stewardship promotion and content creator.
Students Share Hope and Faith in Jesus
For the students at HMS Richards Adventist School in Loveland, Colorado, the past year has been about reading, math, science and social studies. But it has also been about connection, purpose and preparing to share their faith.
After months of reaching out to neighbors, building friendships, and serving their community, HMS was ready to open its doors last November for a weeklong event titled God Is.” Each evening the HMS gym was
filled with music, student-led messages, and doors open wide in welcome. The 45-minute nightly programs were designed to bring people together, offering encouragement, inspiration and a message of hope through the eyes and voices of HMS students.
For over a year, the HMS seventh- and eighth-grade classes had been researching, writing and preparing sermons rooted in Bible truths they believe need to be shared. These aren’t typical
classroom assignments; their messages were born from personal study, prayer and conviction. Each sermon was written and delivered by the students themselves, reflecting their growing understanding of who God is and what His promises mean for the world today. They wanted every person to feel that God is real, God is near, and God still changes lives.
“Our students poured their hearts into this,” said Carey Jordan, principal of HMS Richards Adventist School.
“They spent months praying, studying and asking how they can best represent Jesus to their community. It was inspiring to watch them grow in faith and courage.”
The entire event was student-led from start to finish, with grades five through eight managing every part of the program—from sound and stage management to pew hosts, greeters, sermon introductions, music and praise time. “We wanted this to be more than a presentation,” Jordan explained.
Courtesy Rocky Mountain Conference
“Every student had a role and a purpose in sharing God’s love.” Each evening also featured free giveaways, including books, gift cards and small gifts.
The HMS commitment to sharing faith extends beyond the event itself. The fifth- and sixth-grade students have prepared a follow-up Bible study podcast series, written, presented and recorded by the students. The first episodes launched last December, with QR codes distributed to HMS neighbors to listen from home and explore more of the topics introduced during the God Is series.
The God Is meetings were
the culmination of a yearlong effort to connect on a personal level with Campion residents who live around HMS. “Before we could share our message, we wanted to truly know our community,” Jordan said. “Our students have learned that ministry begins with friendship, and that faith grows best when it’s shared through kindness and conversation.”
God Is was part of the North American Division’s Pentecost 2025 initiative, a continent-wide movement encouraging schools and churches to share the good news of Jesus and pray for a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Information provided by Carey Jordan, principal of HMS Richards Adventist School in Colorado.
Students and Families Choose Faith at Cortez Adventist Christian School
During a period of about a month—from December of 2025 through January of 2026—six current students, one former student, and two students’ parents at the Cortez Adventist Christian School in Cortez, Colorado, were baptized or joined in membership the Cortez Seventh-day Adventist Church by
after a week
profession of faith.
“Last spring, we had a Week of Prayer with Go Therefore Ministries* that really touched the school,” remarked DeeDee Franklin, the Cortez School principal. “Several students requested Bible studies and baptismal classes.”
As a result of the event, two students, Ayden and Grayson G., were baptized on Dec. 20 at the Cortez Church. On Jan. 17, two students, Snow and Kennedy B., were baptized and their sister, Creedence W., along with their parents, Danny and Katrina Davis, who joined the church by profession of faith. Alice H. was baptized,
and her sister Angela, a former student, joined by profession of faith also on Jan. 17.
There is also one other parent currently doing Bible studies with the pastor. All three families involved were formerly non-Adventist. God is good!
*Go Therefore Ministries is not affiliated with the Seventhday Adventist Church or the Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
Information supplied by Deirdre (Deedee) Franklin, principal and teacher at the Cortez Adventist Christian School in Colorado.
HMS students prepared a video of their experience. Scan the QR code below to view it.
Photo capture from video courtesy of HMS Richards Adventist School
Courtesy Rocky Mountain Conference
Pastor John Clark baptizes nine
of prayer event.
UNION ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY
Pitch Perfect
New student club promotes entrepreneurship
Picture this: you’re front and center on the Wood’s Auditorium stage on the campus of Union Adventist University with spotlights glaring in your face. With a microphone in hand, you’re presenting your business idea to not only the five judges in front of you, but to a live audience of 250 people, with another 100 people watching online. You hope to inspire the investors in the crowd to sponsor you and your new dream business. You are also hoping to be the recipient of a black briefcase filled with crisp green bills — $2,000 in cash.
Seven aspiring entrepreneurs found themselves in this position on Saturday night, March 7. This business pitch event is a new one, created by a recently formed business club on campus called Elevate Enactus. (Alumni may remember SIFE: Students in Free Enterprise, the organization which has since rebranded as Enactus.) On Union’s campus, the Elevate Enactus
club’s goal is to give students a chance to combine their business ideas and skills with their faith and show them to the world. Hosting a pitch competition was the perfect way to do so.
Emma Bermeo, a graduating senior, took this opportunity to present a business plan she has been working on for a little over a year. In her words, “Illume Studios is a creative agency that serves emerging Christian artists, turning verbal creativity into visual storytelling by enabling people to be moved by a moment they weren’t present for.” She plans to pack her bags and head to Nashville after graduation in hopes of helping young Christian artists on their music journey. Her pitch to a panel of well-qualified judges and business leaders won her the $2,000 grand prize. After the event, Emma said, “I’m just excited to see where God takes me. At this point, I fully believe He has put me where I am now, because there are
Students Ellie Britain and Emma Bermeo pray together before Bermeo’s winning presentation. A graduating senior, Bermeo plans to use her talent for video production to help spread Christian music, and the $2,000 she won will help her establish her studio in Nashville.
things that have happened that felt like they’ve fallen into my lap.”
Second and third place winners also received prize money. Yve Ellis Lahav plans to use her second-place prize to continue operating her service business of connecting Union students with needs in the Lincoln community,
and third-place winners
Matthew Pennhallurick and Jacob Orian hope to work with Union to add a smoothie stand in the Reiner Wellness Center.
Each of the other contestants had something special to share, and the organizers of Elevate Enactus hope to send two of the participants to a nationwide Adventist pitch competition this coming November. There, they will present their ideas alongside other collegiate and professional entrepreneurs. So watch out, world! Union’s business program is preparing to send students out to follow their dreams, and with a little extra cash in their pockets.
Sami Hoffer is a junior biomedical science major at Union from Minnesota.
(l-r) Yve Ellis Lahav (second place), Emma Bermeo (first place), and Matthew Pennhallurick and Jacob Orian (third place and fan favorite) were the winners of Union’s first business pitch competition.
Photos: Courtesy Union Adventist University
From Saplings to Skyline
New trees reinforce the campus canopy
May in Lincoln, Nebraska, means the trees are green, and the winds are strong. When Union College (now Union Adventist University) was founded in 1891, the original survey told of a few cottonwood saplings and a hedge of locust bushes. Now some of those locusts are among the oldest trees in Lincoln, and our cottonwoods are so tall you can barely see the clock tower through the leaves in summer. But sadly, Nebraska’s wind does not slow down for the elderly. Over the last several years, Union has lost several trees to violent wind storms, including two cedars ripped out by the roots. However, the campus has added even more new trees thanks to generous donations from alumni and the State of Nebraska.
In the last four years, 31 trees have been planted on campus. Three were part of the gift of the Class of 2022, 20 were given by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum as part of their “10 Free Trees” initiative over two years, four were purchased by the university, and four were given in memory of Carter Trumble, a 2024 graduate who passed away last summer.
The new trees include Kentucky coffee trees, pecans, sycamores, four species of oak, two species of maple and two new disease and cold-resistant elm cultivars. With the exception of
the coffee trees, most of the species planted are favorite food sources for squirrels, ensuring a comfortable home for future generations of the campus’ treasured four-legged residents.
The university campus doubles as the Joshua C. Turner Arboretum, named for the grounds director from 1948-1969, and it is part of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. Last summer, Mark Ratzlaff, Union’s grounds assistant, and his student worker, Katelyn Page, paid homage to Turner’s legacy by conducting a survey of the trees on campus to add to the Nebraska Forest Service’s online inventory. Not including the College View Church, College View Academy and athletic fields, they mapped 455 trees representing 74 species. You can find the inventory online at https://pg-cloud.com/ Nebraska/ then search for “Union College.”
“There’s a reason every university wants pictures of students studying under spreading branches in their brochures,” said Yami Bazan, university president. “Trees are a vital part of student life. They clean our air, quiet the city noise, and provide cooling shade. I’m so grateful to the alumni, Nebraska Forest Service and Union’s Plant Services staff who care for this beautiful arboretum we call our campus.”
Union Adventist University
Malinda Trumble was among those who planted four trees in memory of her son last October. Carter Trumble, a 2024 graduate, tragically passed away at the age of 21.
Anders Swanson-Lane, David Scoggins and Heidi Jacobo sit where someday the oak they planted will cast shade. Students have planted 24 of the 31 trees added in recent years during Project Impact.
This red cedar near the rock pile was ripped out by its roots after 90-mile-per-hour winds tore through Lincoln last August. Another red cedar located next to the Reiner Wellness Center on the other side of campus suffered a similar fate.
Scott Cushman
Scott
Cushman
Cid Coto
ADVENTHEALTH MID-AMERICA
AdventHealth Ottawa and “Shoes That Fit” Provide 1,100 Pairs of New Shoes for Students Across Franklin County
For the third year, AdventHealth Ottawa and AdventHealth Ottawa Foundation partnered with the national nonprofit organization Shoes That Fit to provide a brand-new pair of name-brand athletic shoes and two pairs of socks to every student across seven elementary schools in Franklin County, Kansas, totaling more than 1,100 pairs of shoes and more than 2,400 pairs of socks.
During the kickoff distribution event that took place at Garfield Elementary School, more than 290 students were provided with shoes, socks and breakfast, courtesy of volunteers and community leaders and sponsors.
“The heart behind this event is to ensure that every child in Franklin County who qualifies for free or reduced lunch—nearly half of the district—receives a new, well-fitting pair of shoes. For the past three years, this initiative has grown stronger and each year we see an even greater impact,” said
Brendan Johnson, president and chief executive officer of AdventHealth Ottawa. “Our mission calls us to help our community feel whole, and this effort is one beautiful way we can support some of our youngest neighbors. Thanks to generous donations, we’re able to provide shoes and socks so these students can enjoy the same experience as their peers, bringing joy to them and their families.”
In the United States, one in three kids live in lowincome families and one of the most visible signs of poverty is shoes. Millions of children miss school, refrain from participating in sports and face teasing and bullying due to worn-out shoes.
“By providing children with new shoes and socks, their self-esteem is boosted, attendance improves and participation in physical activities increases,” said Ryan Henningsen, board chair of AdventHealth Ottawa Foundation. “This initiative helps ensure elementary school
Nearly 300 students participated in the Garfield Elementary School kickoff distribution event.
children in need in Franklin County can walk into school proud and ready to learn.”
“We were thrilled to partner with Shoes That Fit, AdventHealth Ottawa and the AdventHealth Ottawa Foundation to provide every student at Garfield Elementary with a brand-new pair of athletic shoes,” said Bilee Grable, principal of Garfield Elementary School. “Seeing our students’ excitement during the unboxing event
was truly heartwarming. This initiative not only met a basic need but also helped our students with their confidence, and we’re so happy to see them enjoying physical activities with their new shoes.”
For more information about AdventHealth Ottawa and Shoes That Fit, visit Donate to Shoes That Fit at GiveOTT.AdventHealth.com/ Campaign/651117/Donate.
AdventHealth
Franklin County Community Foundation, Arvest Bank, Walmart DC 6035, Goppert State Service Bank, numerous individual donors, and AdventHealth Ottawa and AdventHealth Ottawa Foundation representatives provided support for the event.
Photos: Courtesy of
Turning Loss Into Love
How AdventHealth Parker strengthened support for families after infant loss
Loss is never easy and the loss of an infant is among the most heartbreaking experiences a family can endure.
According to the CDC, infant loss remains a significant reality in the United States, with approximately 5.6 infant deaths per 1,000 live births and one in four pregnancies ending in loss, including miscarriage and stillbirth. These moments call not only for clinical excellence, but for deep compassion and presence.
In 2024, a mother experienced the sudden loss of her 9-day-old infant in the AdventHealth Parker Emergency Department (ED). While she later expressed profound gratitude for the kindness and compassion shown by the ED team during those unimaginable moments, she also shared something important: after leaving the hospital, she felt unsure of what to do next. She lacked resources specific to postpartum care after neonatal loss, such as guidance on lactation suppression and emotional support.
Rather than letting this feedback end there, the AdventHealth Parker ED team members chose to listen, learn and respond with love.
In early 2025, Jennifer Jones, RN, clinical nurse manager for the ED, received the mother’s feedback through patient advocacy. Jones immediately reached out to leaders and clinical nurses across departments,
including obstetrics (OB), to better understand what resources existed and where gaps remained. Through collaboration with Shiri Laufer, RN (OB bereavement champion) and Ashley Albright-Pedigo, RN (ED bereavement champion), it became clear that while OB had strong postpartum loss resources, the ED needed additional tools tailored to grieving mothers. That realization sparked change.
Through cross-department collaboration, postpartum and grief resources were shared, expanded and formally integrated into ED processes. A new approach was established: when neonatal loss occurs in the ED, both the OB and ED teams now partner to ensure families receive comprehensive emotional and physical postpartum support.
When Jones later sent the mother a condolence card explaining the new support plan, the mother reached out personally to share her appreciation, expressing comfort in knowing that her experience would help future families receive clearer guidance and care. But the work didn’t stop there.
In late 2025, Caitlin Curtis, RN, became the new ED bereavement champion, further expanding resources and training. Drawing from partnerships with lactation services, child loss support organizations and neighboring facilities, Curtis helped create a bereavement
Caitlin Curtis, RN at AdventHealth Parker and the new ED bereavement champion, has helped expand the resources offered to families suffering infant loss at the Emergency Department.
resource folder for families experiencing loss. These folders include grief support information, lactation guidance after loss, counseling resources, chaplain contacts, funeral and autopsy information, journaling tools and a small memorial item— offering continued support long after families leave the hospital.
As Curtis shared, “These people are not just patients but real people who we care for and that is the heart of nursing.”
This year, ED nurses and chaplains received training on how to compassionately offer these resources and support families during some of their most vulnerable moments.
This work is a powerful example of what it means to live out AdventHealth’s ‘Love Me’ service standard: listening with empathy, responding with intention and transforming even the hardest moments into opportunities to better serve those who trust us with their care.
AdventHealth
FAREWELL
Baum, Rodney L., b. June 25, 1935, in Hebron, NE. d. Nov. 14, 2025, in Arvada, CO. Member of Arvada Adventist Church. Preceded in death by 1 brother. Survivors include wife Betty; daughters Renee’, Brenda, and Ronna; 1 brother; 5 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; nieces and nephews.
Cook, Dale William, b. June 13, 1932. d. Feb. 13, 2026 in Fayetteville, AR. Member of Hutchinson (KS) Church. Preceded in death by stepchildren Billy Teter and Beverly “Sunny” Teter. Survivors include wife Barbara Jean; 1 sister. Served in the US Navy.
Cook, Elaine (Berglin), b. Oct. 17, 1933 in MN. d. Sept. 13, 2025 in Blaine, MN. Member of St. Paul First
May 2026
Church. Preceded in death by husband Clyde; 1 brother. Survivors include daughter Nancy Fish; sons Rick, Ken, and Doug; 8 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; special cousin Donna Haunch.
Devnich, Eldon Lyle, b. Oct. 12, 1944 in Minot, ND. d. Dec. 31, 2025 in Lincoln, NE. Member of Lincoln College View Church. Survivors include wife Linda; children Tim, Todd, Kristine Bogue, and Karla Amsberry; 1 sister; 9 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren.
Oliver, Kenneth Wayne, b. Sept. 24, 1953 in Lincoln, NE. d. Feb. 24, 2026 in Kansas City, MO. Member of Lee’s Summit (MO) Church. Survivors include wife Peggy; daughters Rachel Lassel and Hanne Beldin; 1
Ready, Duane L., b. Mar. 28, 1934 in Delta, CO. d. Feb. 24, 2026 in Arvada, CO. Member of the LifeSource Adventist Fellowship (CO) Church. Preceded in death by 1 sister. Survivors include wife Betty; daughters Barbara Wall, Cheryl Bland, Wanda, and Donna Reeder; 3 sisters; 5 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
Thompson, Thomas (Tommy) P., b. July 31, 1928 in Horton, KS. d. Jan. 18, 2026 in Bowman, ND. Member of Dakota Conference Church. Preceded in death by wife Ella Mae; 2 sisters; 2 brothers; 2 nephews. Survivors include several nieces and nephews. Served in the US Army. Taught at Plainview Academy, Sheyenne River
June 2026
Academy/Dakota Adventist Academy, Campion Academy and Enterprise Academy.
Umber, Violet M., b. May 16, 1943 in Bismark, ND. d. Feb. 3, 2026 in Detroit Lakes, MN. Member of the Detroit Lakes Church. Survivors include husband Richard; daughters Sharon, Tricia, Susan, Deborah, and Ruth; son John; 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren.
York, Gary Gordon, b. Mar. 16, 1943 in Rugby, ND. d. Feb. 20, 2026 in Grand Forks, ND. Member of the Minot Church. Preceded in death by wife Karen; son Christopher. Survivors include daughter Melody Pederson; sons Daniel and Jeremy; 11 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren. Served in the US Army.
JUN 5 JUN 12 JUN 19 JUN 26 8:24 8:28 8:31 8:32 8:36 8:40 8:43 8:44 8:18 8:22 8:24 8:25
Apex Moving & Storage: 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 relocation needs! Adventist beliefs uncompromised. Contact Marcy Danté at 800.766.1902 for a free estimate. Visit us at www. apexmoving.com/Adventist
FREE DIGITAL CARDS
LifeTalk Radio has many beautiful FREE digital sharing cards for all occasions. Let others know: “God Loves You.” Encourage friends and neighbors by send-ing a hopeful message or Bible promise via email or text. Just visit: Life-Talk.net/eCards
Summit Ridge Retirement Village: An Adventist community in a rural setting that offers affordable homes or apartments and caring neighbors with a fellowship you’ll enjoy. On-site church-planned activities and transportation as needed. Also, Wolfe Living Center offering independent living and nursing home. Website: www.summitridgevillage. org or call Bill Norman at 405.208.1289.
FOR SALE
Authors, transform your manuscript into a globally distributed book. Get FREE evaluation from trusted SDA publisher (42 years). If accepted, we edit, design, layout, market & distribute
world-wide. Submit today: www.teachservices.com Look for red “Submit Manuscript” button top of homepage. We buy/sell used SDA books www.LNFbooks. com. 706.504.9192.
EMPLOYMENT
Southern Adventist
University continuously seeks qualified candidates to fill positions around campus, including faculty, salaried staff, and hourly staff positions. We encourage you to view the positions that are currently open at sau.catsone. com/careers and apply as God leads. To view current open educational positions Pre-K through college, please visit jobs.adventisteducation.org.
Streams of Light International, need a vocation? Gain a valuable trade in HVAC, welding, or other fields—and be equipped to share the Three Angels’ Messages. Streams of Light Training Institute is where trades meet mission. Learn more at StreamsOfLightInstitute.net or call 888.765.7654.
EVENTS
Memphis Adventist Academy, if you attended or graduated from Memphis Adventist Academy or Memphis Junior Academy in Memphis, TN, we would like to get in touch with you in order to develop an alumni organization. Please contact us at Julie.Smith@memphisjunioracademy.com
New Date: Sandia View Academy Alumni Weekend, September 18-19, 2026 in Corrales, New Mexico. For details: 505.898.0717; Email: SVArocks@gmail.com.
Wings of Life – Follow the journey of frontline missions in Central America as we plant churches, conduct health outreaches and more. Read exciting stories, pray for the work, and consider volunteering on a shortterm trip. Follow, Engage and Partner with us in our mission of saving lives. Visit www.wingsoflife.net
ASI Mid-America Convention, ‘Now is the Time’ with speaker John Bradshaw, President of It Is Written. May 7-10, 2026.
Oak Park Academy Alumni Weekend September 11-12, 2026, Alumni, former faculty and staff are invited to this reunion weekend. Honor Classes are: 1946, 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976. Location: Gates Hall, 825 15th St., Nevada, IA. Plan now to attend. For more information: Allayne Petersen Martsching, 402.312.7368 or email: allaynemartsching@gmail.com
Special Oak Park Academy Alumni potluck on Sunday, June 28, 2026 from 11 AM-3 PM @ College View SDA Church, 4801 Prescott Ave. Lincoln, NE. Heartland Hall. All alumni, former faculty, and staff are invited. Contact: Lindy Jo Quam Markeson 402.238.8535 or lindyjomar@aol.com
Moving?
Don’t miss your OUTLOOK. Contact your local conference clerk to update your address or stop delivery.
Central States
Barbara Williams departmental@central-states.org 913.371.1071
Kansas-Nebraska
Cheryl Barker cbarker@ks-ne.org 785.478.4726
Rocky Mountain
Kelly Waller kellyw@rmcsda.org 303.282.3635
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Iowa-Missouri
Cashmere Durant chdurant@imsda.org 515.223.1197
Minneosta
Laura Wasleske laura.wasleske@mnsda.com 763.424.8923
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