“The backbone of every church are the elders. Pastors come and go, but the elders are constant.” —p. 6
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THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL CHURCH LEADERSHIP
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This annual opportunity to show support and gratitude to our faithful pastors is always meaningful to them (p. 4). But what if your church is currently between pastors? Or if you only see your pastor occasionally due to being in a multiple-church district? (p. 6).
Here in the midwest most of our churches rely heavily on church elders and other local leaders to fulfill our God-given mission of serving our communities and discipling members. Fortunately, we sometimes have dedicated young adults who are willing to be trained for taking up leadership roles— not in the future, but right now (p. 8).
Our prayer is that the impact of your local church leaders will move your congregation continually forward in strengthening and blessing your community.
Lynne Franklin, who works in neuroscience, authored an article about the difference between giving praise and showing gratitude.* She defines the difference between the two when she says, “Praise recognizes something a person has done. Gratitude is about the meaning of what they do and who they are to you.”
I know it seems a little bit like splitting hairs, but there is a difference between praise and gratitude. She goes on to explain that praise comes from the Latin word, pretium, meaning reward, prize value, worth. Gratitude comes from the Latin as well, and the root word is gradus, for pleasing, agreeable, thankful, grace.
October is pastor appreciation month and I can’t tell you how many people over the years have told me we should not join this celebration that happens in nearly every denomination. The logic they use is that they don’t want the pastor to become big-headed in the process and therefore damaged as a result.
I do believe that could happen, if all you do as a church is heap praise on your pastor. Being human, any pastor could begin to think more highly of themselves than they ought to. I will say, however, there is less danger of that happening than for a pastor to feel under-appreciated.
A true story
I can remember the hardest nine month stretch in my pastoral journey. We were preparing for an evangelistic campaign when a terrible accident took place on our front lawn. One of our attending family’s daughters was killed in an accident right in front of our elementary school children who were just being let out of classes for the day. The trauma this brought to our church family was truly indescribable.
Five months later, another one of our families lost their daughter in a drowning accident in their backyard. Before she passed away, however, she lay motionless in the pediatric critical care unit at the hospital. It was unbearable for the family to think about pulling the life-support from her. I was there with them when they finally let her rest until Jesus comes.
Four months later, a newborn baby in our church died from an accident in their home. The pain, guilt, anger and nearly every other painful emotion you can think of hit this family hard. Spending time with them was the most important work I had to do at that time as they processed their grief.
I will never forget someone coming up to me and saying, “Pastor, you have had a rough stretch. We are grateful you
were there for our families. I have a room reserved for you at a hotel by the beach and I want you to take your family and have some special time together.”
You know, that gesture did not inflate my ego. I didn’t say, “Well, I must be a great pastor!” This person was not heaping praise; he was showing gratitude. What I heard was that someone noticed the intense journey I had been on with these three beautiful families, and they wanted me to know my ministry was appreciated. To a very tired and emotionally spent pastor, this meaningful token of appreciation went a long way in encouraging my soul.
Double blessing
The interesting thing is that, according to Lynne Franklin’s article, showing gratitude is actually good for the giver too— not just for the person receiving the gratitude. Dr. Franklin says that by showing gratitude we:
1. Become happier people.
2. Become physically healthier.
3. Becoming a better version of ourselves.
So, this month is your opportunity to let your pastors know how meaningful their work is to you and the church family. Not only will you be giving your pastor a gift of encouragement, but you will be blessed as well.
We have wonderful pastors in the Mid-America Union. May God continue to hold them and their families in the palm of His hand!
* Are You Giving Praise or Gratitude? by Lynne Franklin, a neuroscience nerd, TEDx and Vistage speaker and author. www.LynneFranklin.com
GARY THURBER is president of the Mid-America Union.
Roger Bernard To Lead Regional Ministries After Decade of Service in CSC
After 10 years leading the Central States Conference, Elder Roger Bernard has accepted a new national role. Beginning January 1, 2026, he will serve as executive director of the Office for Regional Conference Ministries, headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama. He was elected by the Regional Presidents Council to succeed Elder Dana C. Edmond, who is retiring after nearly five decades of ministry.
“It has been the privilege of my life to serve as your president,” Bernard said to CSC constituents during their recent meeting in Kansas City. “I’ve led through triumphs and challenges, and I carry the lessons learned into this next chapter.”
In his new role, Bernard will work with leaders from the nine Regional Conferences across North America to strengthen ministries such as Breath of Life, Message Magazine, the Pastoral Evangelism and Leadership Council (PELC), and United Youth Congress. He will also help guide leadership training, youth development, and national evangelistic efforts—all from the Regional Conference Ministry Headquarters on the campus of Oakwood University.
Leading with unity and heart Bernard’s presidency in Central States was marked by a strong focus on unity, especially among pastors. “When I started in ministry, I saw
mistrust and disconnection. But I knew pastors could work together and truly care for each other,” he said. “That became my vision—to build a team that feels like family.”
He invested in pastoral development, created spaces for accountability and growth, and helped cultivate a conference culture where collaboration thrived. “I’m grateful for the pastors, spouses and departmental leaders who served with energy and grace, even with limited resources,” he said.
Strengthening youth, families and prayer Bernard also prioritized support for young people, a passion that only grew stronger during and after the pandemic. “COVID isolated many of our youth,” he said. “We worked hard to reconnect, to show them they matter.”
Through youth congresses, federations, and Pathfinder camporees—including one in Gillette, Wyoming, where Bernard himself camped with Pathfinders—the conference invested in youth and young adult ministries.
He also praised the work of Byron Wright and Rachael Banks for their commitment to youth leadership, and Marlon and Denise Johnson for building a strong family life ministry that supported couples, seniors and grieving families. “We wanted to serve the whole person, at every life stage,” Bernard said.
Prayer also played a central role. Pastor Brian Irby has led prayer ministry
Pastor Roger and Ivona Bernard lead worship during the Central States Conference’s summer ordination service in Kansas City.
efforts across the territory. “Without prayer, we can’t accomplish anything of lasting value,” Bernard stated.
Progress
on debt reduction and diversity
When Bernard became president, the conference carried over $1 million in debt. With support from members and financial leaders like Kelley Paris and Jonathan Green, that amount has been reduced to about $600,000.
He credited the progress to shared sacrifice and steady leadership.
Bernard also worked to expand the reach of the conference beyond its traditional identity. “People sometimes think Regional Conferences are only for African Americans,” he said. “But we are a multicultural movement.”
Under his leadership, Central States expanded support for diverse congregations, including Haitian, Latino, Korean, Indonesian and African communities.
Pastor Tomas DeGyves has been instrumental in helping those congregations thrive.
“The diversity in our churches reflects what heaven will look like,” added Bernard.
Education, communication and digital growth
Even amid challenges, Bernard saw reasons for hope in Adventist education. He
praised Superintendent Schari Fontus and Principal Jazmyn Damon of V. Lindsay School, who helped the school earn a six-year accreditation through innovative strategies like “Strength Teaching.”
Bernard also credited communication director Pastor Trevor Barnes with leading a full redesign of the conference website and improving livestream services. “Trevor helps us stay connected across our wide territory,” he said.
A family calling
Throughout his ministry, Bernard never served alone. His wife, Ivona, played a major role—leading the ministerial spouses ministry without pay and supporting pastors' families behind the scenes.
“You’re my Superwoman,” Bernard said to her. “Without your devotion to God, our family, and this conference, I could not have done this.” He also thanked his daughters—Bria, Braelyn, and McKenzie—for the time and love they sacrificed while he traveled and served.
As he steps into his new national role, Elder Roger Bernard remains committed to what he’s always believed: “This church belongs to God. And our job is to lift Him up—together.”
Hugh Davis is communication director for the Mid-America Union.
Hugh Davis
“Pastorless” How Churches Can Thrive Without a Full-Time Pastor
In some regions of the Adventist Church, there may be a head pastor for each congregation— even more than one. In the midwest, however, that is rarely the case.
Throughout the Mid-America Union Conference it’s common to find pastors covering multiple churches across large geographic areas. Here in Missouri’s most southeastern district, for instance, one pastor has historically served four churches spread across more than 100 miles. Today, there are only three churches, but the challenges remain just as real.
Many churches in MAUC have the same chal lenges. Sharing a pastor means two, possibly three Sabbaths per month without the pastor. It means arranging midweek schedules so the pastor can make it to meetings. Often it means hosting potluck so the pastor can have lunch before making the long drive back home.
Then there is the reality of not having a pastor at all. In years past, the southeastern Missouri district has seen very little of some pastors, and very much of others. Then, recently, there was no pastor as one had to relocate and a replacement couldn’t be found. The churches which individually have an average attendance between 15 and 50 had to somehow make-do without a pastor for 11 months. Here is how they survived.
United in Christ
Allen Little, head elder of the northernmost church in the district, cited unification as his one sur vival skill during this time. He shared it was Dean Coridan, former president of the Iowa-Missouri Conference, who taught him the importance of unity back in 1991, when Coridan served as pastor of the MidRivers Church in
church in the district, says the biggest survival
Tips for Surviving Without a Pastor
Denning observed that the conference has been instrumental in bringing speakers in, whether or not the church is without a pastor. Specifically, Lee Rochholz, Iowa-Missouri Conference president, made the trip to Cape Girardeau to officiate communion services and Tim Saxton, field staff for the conference, spoke on more than one Sabbath morning.
Allen (from the Farmington Church) shared with regret that he hadn’t reached out to the other churches in the district, saying, “Maybe we could’ve helped each other.” Allen kept in close contact with the conference office, though, citing one particular time the conference was instrumental in helping to resolve an issue at the local church.
When asked about conference involvement, Lee Rochholz said, “What is helpful to us is for churches not to be afraid to reach out—to call to tell us what they’re struggling with.” This may come as a surprise to members, but Lee says it’s not just elders who can reach out. “No chain of command exists in our conference. Elders and any church members are free to call me anytime they want to.”
Pastor Shortage and Preparing Your Church
Surprisingly the smallest church in the district (Sikeston) is the one that didn’t need to bring in outside speakers and had very little need to involve the conference in local affairs. Benjamin says the reason is the local leadership. Historically, the Sikeston church has seen little of their pastors until recent years. This has made for a strong local leadership base that keeps the church going and is what Benjamin shares will be the best way to prepare your church for pastorless periods as we continue to face a pastor shortage in Mid-America territory.
Pastor Lee adds, “The backbone of every church are the elders. Pastors come and go, but the elders are constant. They’re consistent and that’s the backbone of the local church. Iowa-Missouri’s view is that the pastor and the elder are the same. The pastor may have multiple churches they’re overseeing, but the elders are in the church. That’s biblical and supported by the Spirit of Prophecy as well.”
So, were the elders prepared to operate without a pastor for 11 months? Pastor Lee admits the conference could do a better job training elders. Yet elders Jerry Denning, Allen Little, and Benjamin Moore say they felt equipped. What equipped them? Perhaps trusting the Lord is what sustained them.
Rachel Ashworth lives in southeast Missouri, and writes for OUTLOOK on a number of topics related to home, church and school.
1. Reach out to the other churches in your district —Allen Little
2. Don’t wait for a pastor to arrive before you reach out to struggling members.
—Benjamin Moore
3. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. If the conference doesn’t know the problem, they can’t help find a solution —Jerry Denning
4. Come to the meetings the conference sets up in the wake of a pastor’s move. This is where the conference learns the needs of the churches. —Lee Rochholz
5. Finding speakers is difficult with or without a pastor. Plan ahead. —Jerry Denning
6. Focus on unity from the pulpit and in conversations, just like Jesus did. —Allen Little
7. Find resources to help your church elders, and ask the conference to host a training in your district. —Benjamin Moore
8. There is no one in particular to call at the conference office. Any member is able to call any conference employee they feel they can communicate with best. —Lee Rochholz
9. Don’t wait until you have a pastor to make major decisions for your local church. The pastor will come alongside the church.
—Rachel Ashworth
10. Use the Elder Handbook and the Church Manual. They are great resources.
A Movement of Purpose Hispanic youth leaders engage and inspire
From small towns to larger cities, something special is happening. Young people are gathering—not just for fun or fellowship, but to step into leadership roles that are shaping the future of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Many of these young leaders are part of the Rocky Mountain Conference Hispanic Youth Federation (FEJA)—a lay-fueled ministry committed to reaching and empowering youth across the region. Founded in 2001 under the leadership of Robert Costa, then Hispanic ministries coordinator, FEJA was born out of a need for youth programming that crossed local church boundaries. Youth leaders at that time, such as Abner Escobar Portillo, championed the creation of a Hispanic youth federation for the conference. Two decades later that vision continues to expand.
The Rocky Mountain Conference is one of many in the North American Division that has a youth federation. These federations are formed when youth groups from several churches come together to create a unified body. Federation leaders work to foster fellowship, organize programming and—most importantly—develop leadership skills among young people.
FEJA and other Hispanic youth federations have collaborated with the Mid-America Union Conference for unionlevel youth events, further uniting churches across state lines and expanding the reach of culturally responsive youth ministry. The last collaboration occurred during the Mid-American Union Hispanic Conference, where 500 youth gathered in Nebraska. It was a powerful demonstration of various youth
federations coming together to create spaces for youth to grow in Christ.
Connecting socially, spiritually, mentally
Today, FEJA is more than events and programs. It is a leadership pipeline—a space where Hispanic youth are actively developed into leaders who impact their churches, communities and the world. Every two years youth are nominated from across different churches for holding various officer positions including treasurer, music director, and evangelism director. They plan events that reach youth living in various parts of the region.
“FEJA has come to the realization that our impact should go beyond hosting opportunities for fellowship,” says Pastor Hugo Guillén, RMC associate ministerial director and director of multicultural ministries. “It’s about teaching young people how to lead—and then giving them opportunities to do it.”
“Churches tend to focus inward, ministering primarily to their own youth,” adds Kevin Daniel Gonzalez, current president of RMC FEJA. “But FEJA creates a space where youth from different churches can connect socially, spiritually and mentally—touching on every core pillar of our humanity.”
Hands-on mentoring
One of FEJA’s greatest strengths lies in its commitment to mentorship. The team actively identifies and recruits local youth leaders, bringing them into FEJA’s leadership structure and giving them hands-on experience in planning, organizing and leading events.
Leaders involved in FEJA facilitate worship, coordinate logistics, deliver devotionals and mentor their peers. It can also include sports tournaments, which draw in attendees of all ages, to have a Christ-centered sportsmanship experience. This leadership experience translates into greater involvement at the local church level, where many of them become Sabbath school teachers, deacons and even local church elders.
During Global Youth Day, FEJA organized simultaneous service events across the conference. Youth directors led their respective gatherings in Denver and Montrose, demonstrating collaboration in its purest form: Spirit-led and youth-driven.
To deepen its impact, FEJA introduced Hispanic youth
leaders to MRNT, a discipleship-based leadership model from the South American Division. MRNT stands for the four essential pillars of a Christ-centered life:
• Mission – Living with purpose and keeping outreach at the center
• Relationship – Building meaningful community and spiritual connections
• Nutrition – Nurturing both spiritual and physical well-being
• Temple – Honoring our lives and our church as sacred spaces
“These four pillars are the foundation of our leadership strategy,” explains Kevin. “Our goal is to raise disciples who not only serve in their local churches but who can lead nationally and globally.”
A platform for every talent
This year, FEJA launched a five-year plan under the theme Juntos en Movimiento (Together in Movement), with each year focusing on one MRNT pillar. The final year will bring all four themes together in a celebration of spiritual growth and leadership development. Upon the launch of this framework, various leaders asked how they can use that model to train adult leaders as well.
Leading into this framework was a recent youth retreat themed Your Purpose in Me, centered on helping youth discover their spiritual gifts and learn how to use them for ministry. Led by Pastor Oscar Guity, it challenged the
common idea that ministry is reserved for those who can sing or preach.
“Many young people think if they can’t preach or sing, they don’t have anything to offer,” says Kevin. “We’re changing that. Whether it’s creativity, tech, organization or design—those are all ministry tools. There’s a place for every talent in the mission of the church.”
The retreat hosted various workshops that included how to engage in social media ministry, music ministry, peer mentorship and evangelistic outreach for youth.
Across North America churches are grappling with the same concern: How do we engage our youth? The answer isn’t a one-size-fits-all program. It’s a mindset—a commitment to listen, empower and disciple. FEJA shows what happens when that mindset is put into action. Youth become more than attendees. They become agents of change. Their journey is a reminder to all of us that the church is at its strongest when every generation is engaged, and every culture is valued.
FEJA’s work is just one example of what can happen when we invest in young people. Hispanic youth are discovering that ministry isn’t reserved for a select few—it’s open to anyone with a heart to serve. They are not just the future of the church. They are the present.
Lea la versión en español en línea en: outlookmag.org/hispanic-youth-leaders
Vanessa Alarcón is the head elder of the Boulder Adventist Church and serves on the Rocky Mountain Conference Executive Committee.
Rocky Mountain Conference
The Rocky Mountain Conference Hispanic Youth Federation leaders met this year in Montrose, Colorado.
SEEING Sound
Have you ever seen sound? In this activity, we’ll explore how invisible sound waves move and how God uses sound in amazing ways.
Supplies
1. Cylinder container (such as a mason jar, cooking pot, oatmeal tub)
2. Plastic wrap
3. Large rubber band
4. Salt
Instructions
1. Stretch a piece of plastic wrap over the top of your cylinder. You might need an adult’s help because plastic wrap can be tricky to handle.
2. Use the rubber band to secure the plastic wrap to the cylinder. Carefully adjust the plastic wrap under the rubber band to make sure it is stretched very tight and does not sag.
3. Sprinkle a small pinch of salt crystals right in the middle of the plastic wrap.
4. Get close to the salt crystals and speak loudly. What happens?
5. Experiment with shouting, whispering, singing, or tapping the side of the cylinder.
6. Observe what happens to the salt crystals.
Reflect
1. What happened to the salt crystals when you shouted? Whispered?
2. Try speaking with a low pitch voice and then a high pitch voice. How do the different pitches affect the salt crystals?
3. Try repeating the experiment with another cylinder made of a different material and compare your results (e.g., glass vs. metal vs. cardboard).
It would be easy to assume that it’s the air from our voices causing the salt crystals to move, but it’s actually the result of sound vibrations. All sounds are made up of tiny vibrations that travel in waves through air, water or solids. When those sound waves hit the plastic wrap they cause the surface to vibrate and the salt crystals to bounce and scatter. Sound might be invisible, but it is powerful and sound waves visibly affect us every day.
Throughout the Bible we encounter all sorts of verses and stories about sound. God spoke the world into existence (Genesis 1). The Israelites shouted and blew trumpets and the walls of Jericho collapsed (Joshua 6:20). God spoke to Elijah with a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:11-13). Ezekiel has a vision of heaven and describes the sound of wings as like the roar of rushing water and Revelation uses the same sound to describe the voice of God (Ezekiel 1:24, Revelation 1:15). The Psalms are full of songs reminding us to use our voices and instruments to praise God (Psalm 98:4-9). Jesus spoke with authority as He healed, cast out demons, and called Lazarus from the grave (John 11:43). We look forward to the sound of a loud command and trumpet proclaiming that Jesus is coming again (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). And when we are all together in heaven we will lift our voices and shout in praise and worship of our amazing God (Revelation 19:1-8). What other Bible stories can you think of that use sound? Can you think of a time when God used a sound or even silence to speak to you personally? This week, pay close attention to the sounds around you, whether it’s the wind, music, laughter or stillness. Use your voice to thank God for the way He speaks through it all!
Bonus
Back in the 1700s, scientist Ernst Chladni discovered something amazing about seeing sound. He used a violin bow to stroke the edge of a piece of metal sprinkled with sand. The grains of sand would dance and collect into patterns depending on the amount of sound vibrations. The faster the vibrations, the more intricate the patterns. Scan this QR code to watch a video showing you the fascinating sight of sound. Isn’t it incredible that even in something invisible like sound waves, God has designed beautiful artistic patterns? Every sound we hear bears witness to our Creator and we can celebrate the Master Artist.
Simpson Named VP of Finance for Mid-America
Roy Simpson, who most recently served as undertreasurer of the Mid-America Union Conference, is now the vice president of finance for the Mid-America Union. During a specially called meeting on Aug 5, 2025, MAUC Executive Committee members voted unanimously to invite Simpson to serve in this position, effective immediately.
He fills the position vacated by David VandeVere, who recently became president of the Rocky Mountain Conference.
Simpson holds a bachelor’s in business administration with an emphasis in accounting and a master’s in business administration with emphasis in finance.
Simpson was born into a pastoral family with a missionary background. He has served the Seventh-day Adventist Church in different countries, including Honduras and Costa Rica, and diverse institutions, such as food companies and universities. He has a love and passion for soul winning, which he says makes him a financial leader with a singular perspective—channeling and structuring resources to fulfill the mission.
“Roy came to our office a year ago and has been someone our whole staff has come to appreciate greatly,” said MAUC president Gary Thurber. “He is amazingly competent, but beyond that, he has a heart for people and is so dedicated to service. We are very grateful to have
someone of his caliber and character to be our treasurer here in MAUC.”
Experience plus dedication
Simpson joined the Ohio Conference in 2015 as an assistant treasurer. In 2019, the conference named him interim treasurer and a few months later officially appointed him as treasurer. Simpson was instrumental in guiding the conference through various financial milestones, including the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic followed by a period of unprecedented tithe growth.
Simpson marked his tenure at the Ohio Conference with significant achievements in financial leadership, strengthening the foundation for continued success through his commitment and expertise. He developed a budget and a financial strategy that resulted in a financial turnover and produced a balanced budget. In addition, he managed expenses to create financially efficient programs.
Furthermore, Simpson enhanced the efficiency of the Ohio Conference Treasury and HR activities by developing a solid team to better support churches, schools and employees. He established yearly trainings, school budgets reviews, and migrated to a completely electronic documents retention system. Simpson supervised and coordinated the day-to-day activities of
MID-AMERICA UNION
Roy Simpson and his wife Melissa have two children, a daughter and a son.
many different areas such as Human Resources, Property and Liability Insurance, and the review and development of financial policies.
New opportunities
During his year as MAUC undertreasurer, Simpson managed the monthly payroll, generated monthly and annual reports, processed remittances and prepared materials for the annual audit, among other tasks.
Commenting on his new role at the Mid-America Union, Simpson said, “I am humbled by the opportunity to serve in this important role. I look forward to being part of the great things God will continue to do in the Mid-America Union.”
Simpson and his wife Melissa have two young children.
Brenda Dickerson is the editor of OUTLOOK magazine.
Hugh Davis
CENTRAL STATES
One Spirit, One Mission Empowers Delegates at Central States Conference Session
(l-r) Recently elected officers and spouses of Central States Conference: Kelley Paris (vp of finance), Mark Paris, Karen Josiah, Cryston Josiah (president), Nordia Ikner, Joseph Ikner (vp of administration)
Central States Conference delegates met on Aug. 3, 2025, during a regularly scheduled session for the purpose of electing leadership, receiving reports and conducting other church business. A total of 327 delegates plus special guests and observers from the five regions of the conference gathered in the G. Alexander Bryant Youth Center on the campus of the Central States Conference headquarters in Kansas City, Kansas.
Following a time of prayer and singing, associate youth director for the North American Division Elder Vandeon Griffin called for a “heart reset” based on the session’s theme of One Spirit, One Mission. His devotional
message focused on the value of uncommon “noise” in worshiping and experiencing Jesus, being uncomfortable enough with the status quo to give God complete control, and embracing unconventional ways of honoring Jesus Christ. “God wants to do something unconventional,” he said.
As the Sixth Quadrennial/27th Session was officially beginning, outgoing CSC president Elder Roger Bernard acknowledged a number of special guests present from the Office of Regional Ministries, who were in attendance to show their support.
Bernard and the other CSC officers, Elder Cryston Josiah (vp of administration)
and Sister Kelley Paris (vp of finance), shared their appreciation for department leaders who were retiring or taking other roles. In addition, much appreciation was expressed for Bernard and his wife Ivona for their decade of leadership in Central States.
The Bernards are moving to Huntsville, Alabama, where Elder Barnard is taking up a new role as president of the Office for Regional Conference Ministries.
Nominating Committee Recommendations
The 19-member Nominating Committee chaired by MidAmerica Union president Gary Thurber (with representation from each of the five regions based on membership
numbers), met twice prior to the session, including the Saturday night preceding the session. The committee’s secretary, CSC pastor and ministerial director Joseph Ikner II, and the associate secretary, women’s ministries director Donna Brown, brought over 20 names throughout the morning for consideration as officers and department leaders.
As the names were presented delegates overwhelmingly voted to elect Elder Cryston Josiah to serve as their new president. They similarly elected Sister Kelley Paris to continue serving as vice president for finance, and Elder Joseph Ikner to serve as vice president for administration.
Every name presented received strong support from the delegates. “The nominating committee has worked very hard and I’m grateful to have served with them,” said Thurber.
Three positions were referred to the CSC Executive Committee to be filled at a later date. The Executive Committee is comprised of 22 people, including the three conference officers.
Conducting Other Business
Delegates voted six new congregations into the sisterhood of churches: three Spanishspeaking congregations, one Indonesian, one IndonesianAmerican, and one Haitian. One congregation was dissolved, with its members joining other nearby
Photos: Hugh Davis
Adventist churches.
Reports on church membership, finances, and other statistics pertaining to the previous four years had been sent to the delegates prior to the session and were voted as a block. The financial report presented by the General Conference Auditing Service covering the years 2020-2024 showed an unmodified opinion, indicating reasonable assurance of the absence of financial irregularities.
In addition, session attendees reviewed proposed changes to the CSC Constitution and Bylaws. Delegates voted by a margin of over 90 percent to move from a four-year term of leadership service to a fiveyear team. Considerations for this included being in alignment with most other Adventist entities in North America; a cost savings of approximately $50,000 per term; and more time for elected leaders to strengthen
ministries and initiatives.
The Conference
Corporation Association Board members, who meet on an as-needed basis, were also elected. The Association Board is composed of the three CSC officers, three laypersons with legal and/ or business expertise, and two pastors. The board is responsible for approving the acquisition and sale of all conference property.
Two parliamentarians were seated for overseeing legal compliance during the session: attorneys Loretta Collins and Darrell Huenergardt. At the conclusion of the session Huenergardt said he has been assisting at constituency sessions for 35 years and had never seen a session operate so peacefully from a parliamentary perspective. “We can feel the presence of God here,” he stated.
Gloria Bailey, a delegate from St. Louis, said she has been present at five CSC
CENTRAL STATES CONFERENCE
sessions over the years and this was the best one yet. “It was informative and run very well,” she said. Another delegate stated this was his first time to attend a session. He drove in from Missouri and brought three other delegates with him. The most important thing to him was that all believers “be together in one accord.”
Due to the rapid increase of CSC Spanish-speaking congregations, several delegates who do not speak fluent English were unsure of all that was happening. One delegate said she hoped translation services would be offered in the future so all delegates could participate fully.
Organizational Information
The Central States Conference covers the entire nine-state region of the Mid-America Union Conference and has 9,569 members (as of June 5, 2025). This represents a modest net gain of 398 members
over the past four years.
As of July 30, 2025, the conference had 38 churches, 19 companies, and one active school.
The mission of the Central States Conference of Seventhday Adventists is “to live and proclaim the Three Angels’ Messages in the heartland of America, growing healthy, Bible-based, multicultural communities of faith.”
Looking to the Future
As the session came to a close President Josiah spoke briefly, expressing appreciation to his family and his predecessor, along with the other officers and pastors of CSC. Josiah credited his father, an experienced church leader who was in attendance, with showing him the importance of the correct alignment of the Three M’s in spiritual organizational leadership: 1) Men and women —people are most important; 2) Mission—to heal, preach and set at liberty; 3) Money— funding the mission comes through the people, completing the circle.
“Through humility, honesty, transparency and integrity is how we’re going to move forward,” Josiah concluded.
Brenda Dickerson is editor of OUTLOOK magazine.
For more photos visit Flickr https://flic. kr/s/aHBqjCpA4d
Julie Brude Retires After 16 Years of Faithful Service to the Dakota Conference
After 16 years of dedicated service, Julie Brude, trust services assistant and membership clerk, is retiring from the Dakota Conference office. Since joining the team in April 2009, Brude has been a steady and dependable presence—serving under multiple directors, supporting critical operations, and becoming a friendly voice for members across the Dakotas.
Brude was first hired to assist in the Trust Department and briefly supported the Treasury Department before transitioning full-time into trust work. Though new to legal
processes at the time, she quickly adapted, handling everything from preparing documents to maintaining records and managing correspondence with attorneys.
“It was a good learning experience,” Brude said, reflecting on how she grew into the complex responsibilities of the department.
She also played a key role in the transition of leadership within Trust Services, supporting directors Charlie O’Hare, Judy Weir, and, most recently, maintaining operations during a vacancy in leadership. Over the years, she helped manage the Trust
Dead for Five Minutes
Acceptance Committee, maintained vault files, and served as a North Dakota notary public.
Beyond her trust duties, Brude stepped into multiple roles—answering phones, handling mail, and becoming a go-to person for many of the office’s behind-the-scenes tasks. Her love of organization and detail also made her a natural fit when she began helping with membership records.
“I’ve really enjoyed the membership work—keeping things up to date, organizing information, and helping connect members and clerks,” she shared.
A graduate of Sheyenne River Academy, Brude returned to the Dakotas after decades of work in Illinois and Ohio. Her move to the conference office was sparked by a call from a former classmate, then-president Elder Neil Biloff. It became a new chapter filled with meaningful connections.
“The best part has been meeting people—members I remembered from years ago and so many new ones.
Campmeeting was always a highlight for me,” she said.
Brude has worked through five constituency sessions, including the pivotal 2009 session when delegates voted to move the conference office to Bismarck. She also helped pack and settle the new building, taking personal care to organize and maintain shared spaces.
Her next chapter will take her to Collegedale, Tennessee, where she hopes to enjoy family, friends and perhaps even volunteer at nearby ministries.
While she looks forward to warmer weather and fewer windy days, Brude says she will miss the people most.
“I will miss working with our members and pastors, and all the friendships I’ve made here,” she said.
Julie Brude may be leaving the building, but she’s not leaving the hearts of those she served.
Jodi Dossenko is the Dakota Conference communication director. Since this article was written, Brude has agreed to continue serving remotely part-time as membership clerk for a while.
How God answered thousands of prayers to save my life
Iwasn’t supposed to make it.
On May 5, 2023, I was in Medora, North Dakota, preparing to lead music for the Dakota Conference Men’s Retreat. That morning I felt something I’d never felt
before—an ache in my chest, a heaviness, a wave of unease I couldn’t shake. Deep down, I knew something was wrong.
I walked down to the hotel lobby and told the front desk, “Please call an ambulance—I
think I’m having a heart attack.” And then, even in the middle of the chaos, I made another call, one that would shape everything that followed: I called Randy Rubbert, the men’s ministry
director, and asked him to come pray with me.
Randy and his wife Mary came quickly. They stayed by my side, praying, while the EMTs arrived. I was still conscious when the paramedics
Jodi Dossenko
laid me down on the floor of the hotel lobby.
And then—I flatlined.
My heart stopped. I was clinically dead for at least five minutes. The EMTs performed CPR and used a defibrillator to shock my heart back into rhythm.
By all accounts, I shouldn’t have survived. But God wasn’t done with me yet.
They rushed me to Dickinson Hospital, then life-flighted me to Bismarck. There, doctors confirmed I had suffered a widow-maker heart attack—the kind few people survive.
Former Dakota Conference president Mark Weir and ministerial director (now current Dakota Conference president) Vernon Herholdt came to my room in Bismarck. They anointed me with oil and prayed, placing my life entirely in God’s hands. I was unconscious, completely unresponsive— but prayer was moving where medicine couldn’t.
By Sunday night, the medical team told my wife,
Roberta, that there wasn’t much hope, but she refused to accept that as the final word. She asked the attending physician, “Is there anything else you can do to save his life?”
He mentioned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota— though it was a long shot.
An emergency team flew me to Mayo on May 8, with my son Michael by my side.
Days later, I woke up.
They told me I had survived not only the heart attack and cardiac arrest, but multiple transfers in critical condition. They also said to me that I would not survive much longer without a heart transplant. I had been outfitted with an Impella—a small pump that kept my heart functioning until a donor heart could be found.
I was placed on the transplant list in critical condition, and for the next month, we waited.
But I want to be clear— this wasn’t a story of my faith. At that point, I was just holding on. The real
story was the faith of my wife, the love of my family, and the prayers of thousands of people lifting me up when I couldn’t lift myself.
On June 7, 2023, the call came. A heart was available. That day was sobering. I was anxious. There was no guarantee I’d make it through surgery, but I surrendered my will to my Creator, and they wheeled me to the surgery theater.
The heart transplant surgery lasted 7–8 hours. I survived.
But survival was only the beginning. I had to relearn how to walk. I had to fight to regain my independence. It was painful and slow but through it all, one thing became unmistakably clear: I had been saved by the grace of God.
Multiple doctors told me they weren’t sure I’d live. One by one, they admitted how critical I was, but day after day, I kept recovering. One called me “Miracle Man.” But that miracle doesn’t belong to me—it belongs to God alone.
If you’re going through something right now that feels hopeless—whether it’s physical, emotional or spiritual, please hear me:
• God is faithful.
• Prayer still moves mountains.
• Nothing is impossible for Him.
Let the people around you carry you when you’re too weak to stand. Surround yourself with prayer. Surrender the outcome to God, because even when you may count yourself out, He’s not finished writing your story.
I was supposed to die. I lived. Every heartbeat now is a testimony.
To God be the glory.
Elder Mike and Roberta Temple have been married for 40 years and have three adult children: Taylor (Albert), Maddie and Michael. The couple resides in northeastern North Dakota and spent 21 years pastoring church districts around the Dakotas. Pastor Mike is an author and writes the Open Word Daily e-Devotional. To subscribe for FREE, visit openwordjourney.com
Invite Pastor Temple to Share His Powerful Story
Want to hear more inspiring moments from Pastor Temple’s heart transplant journey? Bring his message of faith, hope and resilience to your church. To learn more, contact Jodi Dossenko at the Dakota Conference 701.751.6177.
Seven Souls Find New Life at Lake of the Ozarks
The Lake of the Ozarks beach at Camp Heritage in Missouri rippled with more than sunlight this past summer as seven people gave their lives to God through baptism during Teen River Adventure Camp’s powerful week of spiritual transformation in July.
Pastor Anthony Rudalf of Kansas City Central and Independence churches began that camp week quietly, with tired campers fresh from river adventures. But by Thursday night, everything changed when he shared his own testimony of overcoming addiction and crime through God’s grace.
“If God can rescue me from a life of drugs, alcohol, crime and hurting others, He can
help you too—right now,”
Pastor Anthony told the teens.
After Friday night’s Passion Play depicting Christ’s life, death and resurrection, four girls quietly stood during prayer, ready for baptism. Later that evening, following a Spirit-led prompting, Pastor Anthony visited a cabin where his words, “Real men stand for Jesus,” moved two boys to also choose baptism.
A Sabbath of celebration
That Sabbath afternoon, families gathered at the lakeside for the baptism service.
Pastors Jeffrey Fender and Anthony Rudalf baptized the six campers, followed by staff member Brock, who was baptized by his stepfather,
Pastor Mike Carner
But the Spirit wasn’t finished. When Pastor Jeff made a final appeal, Grant, the father of one of the girls, raised his hand and immediately entered the lake for baptism, with his daughter nearby, crying tears of joy.
As the camp staff sang The Commission on the beach, the celebration concluded with everyone gathering around those who had been baptized to pray over their new journey with Christ.
Seven souls left Camp Heritage forever changed— living proof that when we seek God first, all other things follow. During summer 2025, 16 total campers celebrated new life through baptism at Camp Heritage, with each week featuring unique pastoral messages centered on Matt. 6:33: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Rachel Ashworth is a writer from Missouri.
Conference ACS Director Completes Major Relief Operation in St. Louis
Iowa-Missouri Conference pastor Brian Schwering recently completed coordinating a massive disaster relief warehouse operation in St. Louis, Missouri, following devastating tornado damage in May 2025.
Schwering, who serves as both a conference pastor and ACS director, led the North American Division Adventist Community Services response as primary coordinator for the first month of operations. The 144,000-square-foot warehouse provided a steady
supply of goods to tornado survivors as they progressed through the emergency response, relief, and longterm recovery phases.
Students bring joy to exhausting work
Twelve Sunnydale Adventist Academy students transformed the demanding operation with their infectious enthusiasm. “We had been there for a couple of weeks before the students came, and all of us were tired. We were starting to get frustrated,” Schwering recalled.
“And then the students came, and they were doing the same work we were. They were out there in the heat, sweating, but they were laughing and joking... And they were singing while we were packing up.
It was just so heartwarming and inspiring.”
The students worked at distribution locations, helping pack and distribute goods to tornado survivors while maintaining team morale through
Photos: Caleb Durant
Lucy Rudalf
Mid-America Union Conference director of communication Hugh Davis talks with IowaMissouri Conference ACS director Brian Schwering at the warehouse in St. Louis.
their joyful approach to the demanding physical labor.
Witnessing through difficulties
The warehouse operation created unexpected ministry opportunities as Adventist and community volunteers worked side by side. “We try to engage both local community volunteers and Adventist volunteers at the same time,” Schwering explained. “So that gives a lot of opportunity for the Adventist volunteers to witness.”
Rather than formal evangelism, relationships developed naturally through shared labor and daily prayer times. “After a little while you’re working with somebody for a couple of hours or sometimes a couple of days, they start to see differences in you versus other people they know, and they’ll ask questions,” he said. Community volunteers who observed morning and lunch prayers eventually began asking about faith and church attendance. “There is a lot of opportunities here for ministry that most people
IOWA-MISSOURI
The warehouse operated through three distinct disaster phases, initially providing life-sustaining products such as food, water and hygiene items during emergency responses. As survivors transitioned to recovery, their inventory shifted to household goods, including furniture and appliances.
taking available training through the conference or online through Adventist Learning Community. However, he stressed the foundational importance of establishing local ACS programs.
don’t realize.”
Operating disaster relief also had a profound impact on Schwering’s pastoral ministry. Working at distribution centers, he witnessed survivors who had lost everything entering “self-preservation mode” — taking as much as possible not from greed, but from genuine need to survive and care for their families. “That helped me realize how difficult life can be for people,” he reflected.
God’s perfect timing
Schwering testified to experiencing divine provision throughout the operation. When warehouse supplies ran dangerously low after large orders, concern mounted about meeting community needs. “And it was like, Lord, what are we going to do? And then, just like that, I got a phone call. Hey, I’ve got some stuff for you. And then another phone call... And God timed it out just perfect to when we needed it.”
Sophisticated relief operation
The operation used a sophisticated sorting system with products categorized and tracked through barcode scanning, designed for speed since warehouses typically go up within the first 72 hours of disaster. The facility received donations ranging from two 26-foot truckloads of brandnew furniture from local stores to partnerships with major corporations, including Amazon and Good360.
Path to ACS ministry
Schwering’s involvement began unexpectedly in 2018 when he and his wife attended a Des Moines training on emergency response “out of boredom.” After responding to tornado and flood damage in Jefferson City, Missouri, the following year, “we’ve kind of been involved ever since,” he said.
He emphasized that ACS work requires patience and interpersonal skills more than a specific professional background, noting the key qualification is patience since “it’s a disaster, so nothing’s going the way you want it to anyway when you start.”
Preparing churches for response
For church members interested in disaster preparedness, Schwering recommends
“Probably one of the biggest things is, if they don’t have an ACS program in [your] church, to get one started. That’s kind of the foundation of the whole system,” he explained. “A functioning ACS system or program in your church helps you to build those community connections that you need and get you engaged with the community. So when something happens, you’re more prepared because you know people and you know what to do.”
The warehouse operation required 20 to 30 people to run effectively, highlighting the importance of building relationships before disasters strike rather than scrambling to find people to help you after the disaster.
For information about ACS training or establishing church programs, contact the IowaMissouri Conference office or visit communityservices.org.
Caleb Durant is director of communication for the IowaMissouri Conference.
Watch the full interview conducted on site with Brian Schwering
New Initiatives Bring More to Summer Camp Season
This summer, Broken Arrow Ranch welcomed 287 campers, nearly a 10 percent increase over last year, to experience the theme There’s More.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Tuttle Creek, campers were immersed in nature’s glory: breathtaking sunsets during worship on the hill, peaceful morning devotionals in the woods at our green cathedral where the cicadas never stop singing, and camp music filling the air. Old favorites like I’m Gonna Sing, Sing, Sing blended with new ones, including our popular theme song, That’s Who I Praise.
The spiritual impact was powerful and moving. Fortyeight campers gave their lives to Jesus for the very first time. Fifty-nine recommitted their
lives to our Savior. Fortytwo said they want to begin baptismal studies. Thirtynine requested to join small groups. Seventy-nine committed to serve in their churches or communities. Twenty-four signed up to join Adventurers or Pathfinders and keep the momentum going.
Most moving of all were the four baptisms that took place in our lake. Two campers came to Earliteen Camp already planning to be baptized. One made her decision during her second week, inspired by friends who had gone before her. Another longtime camper, encouraged by years of attending and the example of his counselors, chose to make his faith public in front of his church district during a special Sabbath afternoon gathering by the lake.
This year also brought the launch of several new initiatives. Our new mountain bikes were a hit, and campers learned water skills such as wakeboarding, kneeboarding and water skiing. One of our lifeguards became a certified Red Cross instructor, which allowed us to train our own staff. This added an extra week of camp for trainees and brought some of us to a full nine weeks of summer training and ministry.
The Hispanic Youth Rally gave young people, many of whom attend our vibrant Hispanic camp meetings, a chance to enjoy the full range of camp activities. Spanishspeaking staff led worship in both Spanish and English, celebrating the beauty of our bilingual church culture.
Our Blind Camp welcomed
its first camper this summer. She was accompanied by a nurse and her husband who volunteered to care for her every step of the way. She embraced every bumpy adventure—jet skiing, tubing, go-karts, and boat rides— with joy and enthusiasm. At times her energy wore out her attendant, but our young
adult camp staff stepped in to help and support, leaving her in tears of gratitude. Everyone was blessed that she came.
Earliteen Camp was so popular that we had to turn away
some girls because of limited space in the girls’ village. Thankfully, we expect three new cabins to be ready by summer 2026. If you are one of our generous donors, thank you for
helping make that possible. Young Adult Camp welcomed 20 pioneering participants to this new program, creating space for deeper conversations, stronger connections, and spiritual renewal that can be hard to find outside of large Adventist communities. One young man, attending camp for the first time, was so blessed by the experience that he donated to our Serve More cabin-building campaign.
Our staff were also deeply blessed as they served our campers this summer, and most hope to return next year to continue growing and serving as part of our camp family.
For all who came to our campus and had eyes to see it, there were reminders everywhere that with God, there is always more.
Nick Snell is youth and young adult director for the KansasNebraska Conference.
Adventist Men Commit to Never Give Up
Last June more than 50 Adventist men gathered at the Shawnee Porter Event Hall at Union Adventist University in Lincoln, Nebraska. Under the theme Never Give Up, men from churches across the KansasNebraska Conference participated in a spiritual retreat filled with reflection, fellowship and personal growth.
Organized by the conference’s Multilingual Ministries Department, the event addressed key areas of a man’s life: the call to spiritual leadership at home, personal and spiritual growth, resilience in the face of life’s challenges, and a candid, Bible-based discussion on manhood and sexuality in harmony with God’s original plan for male-female relationships.
The keynote speaker was Dr. Manuel Moral, pastor and professor of theology and psychology at Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama. With his dynamic and thoughtful style, Dr.
Moral delivered messages that touched hearts and inspired attendees to stand firm in their identity as men of God.
“This retreat strengthened me spiritually. I learned many new things and felt that God spoke to me personally,” said Juan Guillermo, one of the young men who attended.
One of the most moving moments came on Sabbath, when several men made personal decisions for Jesus. There were also small group prayer sessions, uplifting music, and opportunities for personal testimonies. Christian fellowship was evident throughout the weekend, and the food was both delicious and abundant.
Pastor Samuel García shared, “This was my first time attending a men’s retreat. It was a truly enriching and spiritual experience. I’m leaving renewed.”
A pleasant surprise for attendees was the thoughtful gift packages, coordinated by Brother Óscar Lucar, a
dedicated member of the Lincoln Hispanic Church.
Pastor Alejandro Doval, director of multilingual ministries for the KansasNebraska Conference, stated, “We want the men of our conference not only to live out their faith but also to share it
with others.”
The retreat concluded with a renewed sense of mission and identity in Christ. United in Him, the men left with a clear decision: to never give up.
Reinier Camejo pastors the Grand Island, Lexington and Hastings churches in Nebraska.
Courtesy Reinier Camejo
On Sabbath, August 9, the Oromo Seventh-day Adventist Church celebrated the inauguration of their new worship location in Brooklyn Park. Following an inspiring church service and a delicious
fellowship lunch, the afternoon program included Minnesota Conference vice president for finance, Gayln Bowers, the Brooklyn Park mayor, and the city manager. Also participating was the
From Minneapolis to Brooklyn Park: Oromo Church Marks a New Chapter Global Grace Gathering Builds Community for International Missionaries in Minnesota
Inearly August the Minnesota Conference hosted its first ever Global Grace Gathering—an event born out of a growing need in our state: creating a safe place for international, employer-sponsored employees to connect, share the challenges of missionary life, and be spiritually uplifted as they continue their ministry in Minnesota.
In 2023, the Minnesota Conference stepped more intentionally into the complex world of immigration. For years, the conference had sponsored religious workers to support pastoral ministry. But as educators began retiring or leaving the profession, a shortage of qualified Adventist teachers emerged. New graduates slowed to a trickle, and for the first time in recent memory, we began recruiting internationally for education.
Since then, God has paved the way for 22 families from overseas to join the Adventist family in Minnesota—serving as pastors, teachers, leaders and Bible workers.
Why this gathering mattered
Pastors and teachers—especially those from another
congregation’s first pastor, Claudio Consuegra, who was instrumental in guiding the group to full church status. This inaugural event drew a crowd of more than 350 people.
The Oromo Church holds services in both Oromo and English, though worship is primarily conducted in Oromo. Earlier in the summer, the congregation moved from a smaller facility in Minneapolis after purchasing their new Brooklyn Park location—an internal transfer between two Minnesota Conference churches.
Pastor Desta Gelgelu, who has served the congregation part-time for 14 years, has overseen remarkable growth during his ministry. As part of the service, he invited all attendees of college age and younger to join him on the platform—more than 100 young people responded.
We rejoice in how God has blessed the faithfulness of the Oromo Church members and the wider Minnesota Conference family.
Stories on these pages by Savannah Carlson, communication director for the Minnesota Conference. Edited for clarity by Chat GPT.
country—often face a unique kind of isolation. They are pillars in their communities, privy to confidential information, and held to high expectations. Add cultural differences, separation from family, and the challenge of learning a new way of life, and the sense of loneliness can be profound.
The Global Grace Gathering was our way of saying: you are not alone. It was designed to help our missionaries meet others who understand their journey and to build a supportive community.
We invited both newer arrivals and longtime Minnesota employees with international roots to lead devotionals, workshops and discussions. Highlights included:
• Sabbath morning: Pastor Jeff Scoggins reminded us that as missionaries—those who are sent—we must meet people where they are.
• Workshops: Gayln and Lorena Bowers, former missionaries to Thailand, explored the challenges of navigating new cultures and led activities that helped participants learn more about one another’s backgrounds.
Courtesy Minnesota Conference
• Cultural activity: Becky Scoggins facilitated a lively game that sparked laughter and friendships.
• Personal testimonies: Pastor Sean Lee from Southview Church shared his own journey of moving to the U.S. and how life’s experiences shape us into better ambassadors for God.
• Sunday inspiration: Pastor Ray Valenzuela from Minnetonka Church spoke on the power of a single act of kindness to create belonging, reminding us that we are all members of God’s family.
• Open conversation: Savannah Carlson facilitated a debrief session to hear directly from attendees how the conference could better support them in their transition.
• Immigration insight: Attorney Paul Hultgren offered practical information on immigration issues currently causing anxiety in international communities.
• Age-specific ministry: Jillian and Collins Maranga cared for children under 12, while Pastor Ray met with the teens to discuss the surprises and challenges of coming to the U.S.
Shared meals brought another layer of connection. Sabbath lunch featured dishes from around the world, and around those tables, friendships began to form and experiences were exchanged. By the end of the weekend, the sense of community was unmistakable.
The global mission at our doorstep For decades, the United States has sent missionaries overseas to share the gospel. Now, God is bringing the mission field to
us. Missionaries from the Philippines, Guyana, South Africa, Iceland, the United Kingdom, Colombia, Mexico and more have been called to serve in Minnesota.
Our state’s ethnic diversity—encompassing Somali, Indian, Hmong, Karen, Korean, Kenyan, Ethiopian and other communities—offers endless opportunities for cross-cultural ministry.
As we live out Christ’s command to “go… and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19), we believe Minnesota can become a premiere producer of pastors, teachers and tentmakers—disciples who make disciples.
Could it be that God is preparing us for an even greater outreach in our own neighborhoods? Could it be that He is calling us to step beyond our comfort zones and embrace those He has sent, no matter their origin?
Minnesota Conference leaders believe the answer is Yes.
Photos: Courtesy Minnesota Conference
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CONFERENCE
Mission Work Revived at Newday Church
Arecent mission trip to Peru saw the revival of a longstanding church tradition at Newday Adventist Church in Parker, Colorado, as Kenneth Martinez, Newday associate pastor, and a dedicated team of volunteers partnered with AdventHealth’s Global Health Initiatives (GHI) to bring critical medical and community support to underserved Amazonian regions. The multi-team effort resulted in a remarkable impact across health, sanitation and spiritual connection.
The mission—a little more than a week of intensive service—was organized through GHI, an AdventHealth initiative that facilitates several international service trips annually to various locations throughout the world. Three specialized teams (medical, water sanitation, and mobile clinics) served hundreds of residents in remote towns
outside of Iquitos, Peru.
The medical team served at the Ana Stahl Adventist Clinic in Iquitos that is known to be one of the best medical providers in the region. Due to financial and other resource limitations, however, the clinic sometimes has to postpone treating patients until one of the mission groups is available. During this particular mission visit, the medical team completed 18 surgeries at the clinic.
Meanwhile, the water sanitation team delivered and installed approximately 80–100 water filters, a vital solution in villages lacking clean water, sewage systems, and consistent electricity. These locally maintainable filters were life-changing for communities without many resources that were drawing unsafe water.
The mobile clinic team included doctors, nurses,
pharmacists, and Martinez assisted as one of a handful of interpreters being fluent in Spanish and English to assist in their efforts. In the five days the mobile clinics operated, 571 individuals were treated, averaging over 100 patients per day. Many cases were basic yet crucial—malnutrition, stomach issues from unclean water, and chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes. One particularly urgent case involved a man facing blindness from tree resin exposure; the team personally transported him by boat to the Ana Stahl Clinic, ultimately saving his sight.
Beyond physical aid, the trip stirred spiritual renewal and outreach. “The value of serving is definitely part of the gospel, to alleviate pain, extending the healing mission of Christ,” remarked Martinez.
He noted several spiritual conversations emerged naturally during the trip with other volunteers outside the Adventist denomination or organized faith. “I was praying that I could be able to also help in a spiritual manner. As a pastor, this was a great evangelistic and ministry opportunity. There were three volunteers in particular with a spiritual interest. One of them said, ‘I would like to go to your church,’ and I hope that this person comes with their family. For me, it was very fulfilling and meaningful to be able to provide some spiritual guidance and counseling and be able to help them in their spiritual journey to connect with Jesus.” Martinez expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity. Looking ahead, he hopes to mobilize more church members, broadening the impact of the mission of hope, health and healing, commenting, “I wish more pastors and members would serve because it’s a very intimate experience; you get to know people at a more personal level. It is the perfect environment to bring up spiritual conversations.”
Interview conducted by Liz Kirkland, Rocky Mountain Conference Communication director. Initial article draft curated by ChatGPT based on the interview; revisions and editing by Liz Kirkland.
Photos: Kenneth Martinez
Welcoming Nelsons to the Four Corners How to help newcomers “settle in”
It happens far too often: a pastoral couple arrives in a new church and community, only to be left on their own to figure out the best stores, service providers, and local attractions.
In the business world, companies like Welcome Wagon gather coupons and recommendations to help new residents settle in. At the Piñon Hills Church, we thought, Why shouldn’t the church do the same?
So, when Pastor Steve and Samantha Nelson joined our district, we set out to welcome them with warmth, laughter and a little bit of local flavor.
We asked them to tell us when they could be available for a “surprise” party. The social committee then planned a get-acquainted ice cream social. Members brought finger foods, while the committee supplied the ice cream and toppings. They also transformed the fellowship hall with a festive décor to set the tone for the celebration. All four churches in the district were invited, and many came to join the fun. We had each person wear a name tag to make it easier on Steve and Samantha, as well as on members who might not know someone from one of the other churches in the district.
To help the Nelsons discover their new surroundings, we gathered gift cards to local restaurants and specialty shops. No offense to the more well-known national chains, but we wanted to introduce
them to what was available and unique to their new hometown. We also included a couple of pretend gift cards —one to a local marijuana dispensary and another to an all-you-can-eat bacon breakfast—just to keep things lighthearted. We even gave them a $25 off coupon for the Cadillac of their choice at our local Cadillac dealer.
In that same spirit, we read a few short “letters” from Steve’s alleged former probation officer and bookie from his last district. It was all in fun, of course, and helped break the ice with some good laughs.
But the welcome went deeper, too. Members contributed business cards for their favorite mechanics, hairdressers and medical providers. Others offered hand-written dinner invitations or personal tours to Mesa Verde National Park and other local attractions. We added brochures from the Convention & Visitors Bureau to round out the welcome basket with ideas for hiking trails and day trips.
To help everyone connect, we played two group games, “Mix and Match” and “This or That,” which gave us a chance to learn about the Nelsons and each other in a relaxed and joyful way. It’s a cliché to say “a good time was had by all,” but in this case, it really fits.
Pastor Steve later shared, “Our move to New Mexico has been filled with many challenges and uncertainties, and it seems like the
Samantha and Pastor Steve Nelson say they already feel loved and appreciated by their new congregations.
churches here really understood this. The celebration given to welcome us went far beyond the expected. We are amazed and humbled by the compassion and kindness we’ve received. Our hearts are full of love and appreciation to God and our wonderful new church family.”
Samantha added, “We were so surprised by the outpouring of love, kindness, generosity and hospitality. The welcome party was a lot of fun, and we were touched by the great sense of humor among the congregations. We already feel blessed, loved and appreciated!”
We hope other churches will catch on to this idea and find creative ways to help new pastors settle in. While you’re at it, why not extend the same welcome to teachers, their families, and even new members who’ve relocated? You only get one chance to make a first impression. Why not make it a joyful and lasting one?
Ron Price is an elder at the Pinon Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church in Farmington, New Mexico. He is the co-founder of the Institute for Biblical Peacemakers and author of three books in his PLAY NICE in Your Sandbox series.
If you’d like a copy of the getacquainted games or have other questions, email Ron at RPrice@ BiblicalPeacemakers.org.
Jemmalane Lopez and Katie Rowe
UNION ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY
Anh Tran: Crafting a Public Health Plan with Teeth In It
Anh Tran’s path to Union Adventist University’s Master of Public Health Program was far from a straight line. It started with trips up and down treacherous mountain roads in Vietnam.
Her mother works in the pharmaceutical industry; her father is a physician. From an early age, she saw the stark contrast in health care, medicine and nutrition available to people around her in Ho Chi Minh City and those she met at the mobile clinics run by her parents and their friends at a rural orphanage.
“It’s not always about money,” Tran explained. “Transportation is hard. Many people survive on just what they can self-produce and harvest from their gardens. They don’t have stores. It can take an hour or two to get to the nearest clinic, and even further to find a pharmacy. We could not arrange for a big semi to transfer goods and medicine up and down the mountain. So what did we do? My mom would make a lot of trips to donate overthe-counter medications.”
“My parents are really good, strong, ethical role models,” Tran continued. “They set the foundations for me to be even more involved in the community.”
In 2017, Tran came to the United States to study applied biology at the University of Evansville in Indiana. During her junior year, the pandemic hit, bringing the world to a temporary halt. After quarantining in her college
Anh Tran’s experience supporting medical work in rural Vietnam showed her the value of adding a master’s in public health to the dental degree she plans to earn next. Her goal is to return to Vietnam and conduct mobile clinics in underserved rural areas.
dorm room, distant relatives in Omaha invited her to wait out the pandemic with them. While falling in love with Nebraska, her mind kept turning back to the villages and orphanage she grew up visiting in Vietnam.
“I thought, I have this time, what can I do with it?” Tran remembers. “My friends and I started thinking of project ideas that were within our capacity as undergraduate students. That’s when it kind of struck me: Oh! I actually know more about this stuff than I thought.” From her room in Omaha, she started fundraising and using the connections her parents had built through their mobile clinics to organize supplies
and volunteers to visit rural areas in Vietnam to help families affected by COVID and bring them food.
“That’s when I realized how I can be a piece of the puzzle,” Tran said. “As a teenager, I had thought community involvement was just a hobby, but then, after COVID, I realized, Hey, I can turn helping people into a profession.”
Following her graduation in Indiana, she accepted a job as a clinical research coordinator at a lab in Lincoln, Nebraska. As she worked, her goals for the future came into focus. Her dream job is to promote dental public health in rural Vietnam. She wants to run mobile oral health clinics while providing treatment,
supplies and education to underserved communities.
Working toward that goal, she decided to earn two graduate degrees before leaving Nebraska: one in public health and the other in dentistry.
“Oral health is not something that should be neglected, but unfortunately, it is,” Tran said. “Teeth are so important for quality of life. You can prevent so much disease by just having good oral hygiene. But in communities I’ve seen and worked in, they often think oral hygiene is only for the wealthy. When they are having hard times — struggling even to put food on the table and a roof over their heads — brushing teeth is just not a priority, and they
often can’t get good quality dental products.”
With her dream job as her guiding light, she started looking for public health programs in Nebraska. When she saw Union Adventist University on the list, she immediately thought of events she had attended on Union’s campus for volunteers of the Good Neighbor Center and how much she enjoys the Sunday farmer’s market at the College View Church.
“At the time when I was applying, I thought, Instead of going somewhere I’m not even sure how people are, why don’t I just go for a program where I already feel a connection?” she said.
She is exuberant when she talks about the Public Health Program at Union. “I really, really love small classes,” Tran explained. “I feel more confident. I don’t have to worry that I’m asking too many questions. Everyone is so supportive. The professors take the time to get to know you, to learn your background, to hear your story — to understand your why.”
One recent example of her teachers going the extra mile was helping her prepare for an interview for a public health internship with the State of Nebraska. “Two professors took time out of their schedules to sit down with me and practice,” she said. “That is valuable, you know? You don’t get that kind of connection and support just anywhere. The welcome and support I have received from everyone I’ve met so far at Union is beyond anywhere else.”
She also appreciates that
UNION ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY
Union’s program is designed for generalists and doesn’t require incoming students to choose a specialization. “In public health, there are so many directions and pathways you can go,” she explained. “If I had to choose a specialization in January, it would have been biostatistics. Well, that’s not the case anymore. The more I learn about public health, the more I’m interested in epidemiology. I’m glad that we get a broad idea of what public health is and everything you can do with your master’s. Specializations can come later with certifications, fellowships and on-the-job training.”
“The professors at Union are very knowledgeable,” Tran continued. “It’s not just textbook knowledge. The faculty have rich work experiences in very different parts of the public health world. I’m learning from their insights and experience working in different industries and with different populations.”
Tran’s chosen career path still has many twists and turns ahead — three more semesters of public health, then dental school and creating a sustainable model for her mobile clinics, to name a few. But she is confident the effort will be worth it when she has come full circle to return to those mountain roads in Vietnam she once traveled with her parents. Thinking back to those times and her volunteer experience during COVID, she says, “I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of community work. It’s worth it.”
Union Adventist University offers the only Masters of Occupational Therapy bridge program among Adventist schools.
Hybrid format: Enjoy a blend of online courses and on-site lab experiences.
Smart scheduling: The program allows you to take minimal time off work while keeping your Saturdays free.
Flexible Options: Choose between a part-time or full-time schedule.
Personalized Attention: Benefit from small class sizes, experienced faculty, and individual mentorship.
today and find out how to advance your career in our supportive community.
A fast, flexible, and affordable bridge from OTA to OT
AdventHealth South Overland Park
Nationally Recognized for its Commitment to Improving Cardiac Arrest Survival Rates
AdventHealth South
Overland Park in Kansas has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines®Resuscitation Gold for its commitment to treating in-hospital cardiac arrest, ultimately helping to improve survival rates.
Each year about 300,000 adults and children experience an in-hospital cardiac arrest in the United States.* Survival from cardiac arrest largely depends on timely medical emergency team response and effective CPR.
The program examines patients’ survival rates following in-hospital cardiac arrest, adjusting for multiple predictors of survival, such as cardiac arrest rhythm, location within the hospital of the cardiac arrest and illness severity. Awarded sites have a survival rate better than 60 percent of all hospitals nationwide participating in the Get With The Guidelines - Resuscitation registry.
The Get With The Guidelines - Resuscitation program was developed to help save lives of patients who experience in-hospital cardiac arrests by consistently following the most up-to-date research-based guidelines for treatment as outlined by the American Heart Association. Guidelines include following protocols for patient safety, medical emergency team response, effective and timely resuscitation (CPR) and
The American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines®Resuscitation Gold award for proven dedication to ensuring in-hospital cardiac arrest patients have access to best practices and life-saving care.
post-resuscitation care.
Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure the care provided to patients is aligned with the latest evidence- and research-based guidelines.
“AdventHealth South Overland Park is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest resuscitation guidelines,” said Monica Natzke, chief nursing officer at AdventHealth South Overland Park. “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help more patients who have cardiac arrest survive. The end goal is to ensure more people in Overland Park can experience longer, healthier lives.”
AdventHealth South
Overland Park received the award for meeting specific measures in treating adult patients who experience cardiac arrest in the hospital.
“We are pleased to recognize AdventHealth South Overland Park for its commitment in following these guidelines,” said Paul Chan, M.D., MSc, volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Resuscitation System of Care Advisory Group. “Hospitals that participate in Get With The Guidelines often see improved patient outcomes and improved survival rates— a win for health care systems, families and communities.”
AdventHealth South Overland Park is also recognized with the American Heart Association’s Target: Survival award. The program was developed to emphasize the number of lives saved by following the most
up-to-date, research-based guidelines for treatment as outlined by the American Heart Association.
About Get With The Guidelines Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 14 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.
* Nallamothu B, Greif R, Anderson T, Atiq H, et al. Ten Steps Toward Improving In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Quality of Care and Outcomes. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. November 10, 2023;16(11): e010491. https://doi.org/10.1161/ CIRCOUTCOMES.123.010491
AdventHealth Castle Rock Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for Pittman Pathway Wellness Trail
Following AdventHealth’s brand promise to help team members, guests and patients feel whole, AdventHealth Castle Rock officially opened the Pittman Pathway Wellness Trail with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Located on a 10-acre site in the southeast corner of the hospital campus on Limelight Avenue, this publicly accessible quarter-mile trail was made possible through generous contributions to the AdventHealth Castle Rock Foundation and was completed earlier this summer.
The trail includes several pieces of outdoor workout equipment, an incline and useful health tips along the path.
“This initiative serves as an outreach to the community for health and wellness,” said Dan Sky, executive chef and manager at AdventHealth’s Manna Restaurant and the person
behind the idea for the trail.
“The community can walk the trail or guests and patients can come out here to get away for a little bit.”
The wellness trail is named after Jeremy Pittman who was formerly the CEO at AdventHealth Castle Rock
(l-r) AdventHealth Castle Rock CEO Michelle Fuentes; AdventHealth Manna Restaurant chef Dan Skay; former AdventHealth Castle Rock CEO Jeremy Pittman; director of Mission Integration at AdventHealth Castle Rock Matthew Mundhall
and is now the chief financial officer for AdventHealth’s Rocky Mountain Region.
“From the very beginning, we’ve had this vision for AdventHealth Castle Rock to be a place of healing not only when you’re sick, but when you’re well,” said Pittman. “How do we better invite the community in and create this connection where a hospital isn’t a scary place? This is one more step in that direction.”
Team members and community supporters attended the ribbon cutting including AdventHealth Castle Rock CEO Michelle Fuentes, who had the opportunity to dedicate the trail to her longtime friend.
“I have had the opportunity to know Jeremy for a very long time, and I know that he absolutely adores this hospital and that he is 100 percent committed to the
work that we’re doing here,” said Fuentes. “To dedicate something like this for my friend is a real honor.”
The primary goal of the trail is to embody AdventHealth’s CREATION Life principles (Choice, Rest, Environment, Activity, Trust in God, Interpersonal Relationships, Outlook, Nutrition), serving as a resource for those seeking healthier, more fulfilling lives based on a whole-person health philosophy.
The creation of this trail will allow AdventHealth Castle Rock to create a deeper connection with the community as they continue the mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ.
“I always say, it’s the people in this community who make it amazing,” said Pittman. “I am so humbled and honored to be a part of spreading whole-person care with this trail.”
AdventHealth Castle Rock
FAREWELL
Greer, Stephen, b. Aug. 19, 1943 in Kansas City, MO. d. Dec. 28, 2024 in Columbia, MO. Member of Sullivan (MO) Church. Preceded in death by 1 brother. Survivors include wife Millie; daughters Stacie Hatfield, Rebecca Greer, and Suzanne Phillips; 6 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren. Served in the U.S. Army.
Rott, Darrell, b. June 19, 1952 in Lodi, CA. d. July 5, 2025 in Boulder, CO. Member of Boulder Church. Survivors include wife Karen; children Matthew, Aaron, and Alison; 1 brother; 3 grandchildren. Former pastor at Boulder Church and Chaplin at Avista Adventist Hospital.
October 2025
COLORADO
Denver
SUNSET CALENDAR
Sexson, Denny, b. Mar. 22, 1938 in Hutchinson, KS. d. May 30, 2025 in Cleburne, TX. Member of Hutchinson Church most of his life. Survivors include wife Janice; children Dennis and Melissa Hanson; 7 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren. Served on the Kansas-Nebraska Conference investment committee. Served in the U.S. naval reserves.
Vietz, Jonathan, b. Oct. 31, 1936 in North Dakota. d. Aug. 20, 2024 in Bolivar, MO. Member of Bolivar Church. Preceded in death by wife Betty; son Rick; 1 sister. Survivors include daughter Pam Hammer; 2 sisters; nieces and nephews.
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
GET FREE STICKERS LifeTalk Radio has free stickers for kids. Order at: LifeTalk. net/stickers. Let others know LifeTalkKids.net has awesome programs for kids of all ages. Discover exciting adventure, captivating history, amazing Bible stories and more. Check out: LifeTalk.net
Greeneville Adventist Academy: Considering Rural Living? Explore Greeneville, TN! Located near the Smoky Mountains, Greeneville Adventist Academy has an accredited SDA K-12 day school program, supported by two constituent churches, prioritizing the Bible, evangelism, mission trips, academics, and a high-quality music program (voice, band, bells and strings). MyGAA. org/423.639.2011.
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 churchplanned 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
Shop for New/Used Adventist Books: TEACH Services offers used Adventist books at www.LNFBOOKS. com or new book releases at TEACHServices.com or your local ABC. Authors let us help you publish your book with editing, design, marketing and worldwide distribution. Call 706.504.9192 for a free evaluation.
EMPLOYMENT
IT IS WRITTEN is seeking qualified Seventh-day Adventist professionals who desire to serve the Lord through media evangelism. Our current full-time positions include: Director of Media Production, Trust Officer in Planned Giving and Trust Services, and Graphic Designer - Web. For more information and to apply online for these and other available positions, visit itiswritten. com/employment.
Union Adventist University is seeking applicants for EMS Coordinator in the International Rescue and Relief (IRR) Program. This is a fulltime exempt position with excellent benefits. The EMS Coordinator is responsible for developing and managing the EMS component of the program and includes both teaching responsibilities and program administration. EMS Instructor Certification is required. Please see the job
description and apply at uau. edu/employment
EVENTS
2025 Great Controversy Tours, March and September. See the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation come alive! Visit 60 places in 15 cities, including Rome, Italy, and Reformation sites in the Waldensian Valleys, Switzerland, Germany, and France. A truly exciting experience! Call +1.470.833.2887 or email GCtours@naver.com.
Biblical Study Tour of Greece, Footsteps of Apostles Paul & John in Greece!! June 24 -July 6, 2026. A Biblical journey through Philippi, Amphipolis, Thessalonica, Berea, Meteora, Delphi, Athens, Corinth. Enjoy a cruise to Patmos, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, Ephesus. Experience the Greek culture and food. Info: www.biblicaltouring. com George Dialectakis 860.402.2247
Join Streams of Light International for life-changing mission trips! Share hope, spread truth, and experience the joy of service. Connect with people, pray with those in need, and make an eter-nal impact. Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or new to missions, there’s a place for you. Learn more at StreamsOfLight.net.
Mid-America Union OUTLOOK Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation
This statement of ownership, management and circulation was filed on August 19, 2025 with the U.S. Postal Service for the MidAmerica OUTLOOK, publication number 0887-977X, a magazine owned and published by the Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 8307 Pine Lake Road, Lincoln, NE 68516. It is published 10 times per year at a subscription price of $12. For further information, contact the Mid-America Union Conference, publisher, or Brenda Dickerson, editor, at the above address. The following figures for the extent and nature of the circulation apply to the year ending with the September 2025 issue of OUTLOOK and are printed in the October issue of this publication.
Description
Total number of copies
Total paid/requested outside-county mail subs
Total paid/requested inside-county mail subs
Sales through dealers, carriers, street vendors
Other classes mailed through USPS
Total paid/requested circulation
Total complimentary distribution
Total distribution
not distributed
paid and/or requested
We Take Your Priorities to Heart
You have unique skills, goals and plans. We want to help you achieve them. With 102 clinics and 5 hospitals across the Rocky Mountain Region, you can lead, learn and grow on the AdventHealth team. Join Our Rocky Mountain Region Team
Develop a good head for business, and a good heart
It’s great to have a good head for business. It is perhaps more valuable to have a solid character.
Union is a respected university for learning business skills, including soft skills such as the ability to work with teams and communicate clearly.
But Union is also a place where students develop a love for God and a love for people. They see a Christlike example in their professors and in the mentors they meet. Students practice compassion by providing tax help to low-income families and participating in schoolwide service opportunities.
People might wonder why Union business graduates are so quick to be hired and often end up in corner offices across the country. It could be their good head for business, but we’re suggesting it’s something else.
