Pacific Union Recorder—June 2018

PA C I F I C U N IO N

Soquel at 70 Campmeeting as a faithful witness

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Grace Inscribed PAG E 4

Called to Faithfulness PAG E 1 4

A New Series: “Portraits of...”

What is a Charitable Remainder Trust?

A Charitable Remainder Trust lets you make a gift of your appreciated property and receive payments for a life, two lives or a term of years.

After your death, the payments can even continue to your children for up to 20 years. With a CRT, you can bypass the capital gains tax. The trust will sell your property tax-free and reinvest in assets that produce income for you and your loved ones.

Best of all, you will receive a current charitable income tax deduction, and at your death, the remainder of the funds will go to your designated denominational charity.

If you own or recently sold appreciated stock or real estate, you may be concerned about capital gains tax. If you are entering your retirement years, you may be evaluating options for increasing your future income. For any or all of these reasons, you might consider a Charitable Remainder Trust. For more information about CRTs or other estate planning options, we invite you to contact us.

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Recorder What’s inside PACIFIC UNION

Publisher Ray Tetz Editor Alberto Valenzuela Design/Layout Stephanie Leal • Alberto Valenzuela Printing Pacific Press Publishing Association www.pacificpress.com The Recorder is a monthly publication reaching approximately 76,000 Seventh-day Adventist homes in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah.

Our mission is to inform, educate, and inspire our readers to action in all areas of ministry.

EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENTS Adventist Health 916-781-4756 Jenni Glass • glassjl@ah.org Arizona 480-991-6777 Phil Draper • phildraper@azconference.org Central California 559-347-3000 Cindy Chamberlin • cchamberlin@cccsda.org Hawaii 808-595-7591 Miki Akeo-Nelson • mnelson@hawaiisda.com La Sierra University 951-785-2000 Darla Tucker • dmartint@lasierra.edu Loma Linda 909-651-5925 Ansel Oliver • anoliver@llu.edu

4 Grace Inscribed 7 Many Blessings 8 Soquel at 70

10 An Uneasy Faithfulness 12 Asia/Pacific Minister’s Conference 13 A Vision for the Future 14 The Journey of Faithfulness 18 Adventist Health 19 Arizona Conference 24 Holbrook 28 Pacific Union College 29 Hawaii Conference 30 Loma Linda University Health 32 Southeastern California Conference 34 Southern California Conference 36 Nevada-Utah Conference 38 Central California Conference 40 Northern California Conference 42 La Sierra University 44 Community & Marketplace

Nevada-Utah 775-322-6929 Faith Hoyt • fhoyt@nevadautah.org Northern California 925-685-4300 Stephanie Leal • sleal@nccsda.com Pacific Union College 707-965-6202 Larissa Church • pr@puc.edu

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Southeastern California 951-509-2200 Enno Müller • communications@seccsda.org Southern California 818-546-8400 Lauren Armstrong • LArmstrong@sccsda.org Postal Regs: The Pacific Union Recorder (ISSN 0744-6381), Volume 118, Number 6, is the official journal of the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and is published monthly. Editorial office is at 2686 Townsgate Rd., Westlake Village, CA 91361: 805-497-9457. Periodical postage paid at Thousand Oaks, CA, and additional mailing offices.

Subscription rate: No charge to Pacific Union Adventist church members; $16 per year in U.S.; $20 foreign (U.S. funds); single copy, $2. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Circulation Department, Pacific Union Recorder, Box 5005, Westlake Village, CA 91359. Info@adventistfaith.com.

“It was August 1948; a young preacher, George Vandeman, was preparing to take the pulpit.”—Check page 9 to read the rest of the story.

Soquel at 70 Campmeeting as a faithful witness

Grace Inscribed PAG E 5

Called to Faithfulness PAG E 1 0

A New Series: “Portraits of...”

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Grace Inscribed

By Ricardo Graham

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n a recent trip to attend two days of meetings, I needed to stay in a hotel. As I entered the hotel to check in, I greeted the desk clerk sitting behind the counter. She asked if she could help me, and I told her that I wanted to check in.

As she stood up, I noticed a tattoo on the underside of her right arm. I couldn’t readily discern what the object was, so I asked her to tell me about her “ink.”

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She immediately brightened up.

As she rotated her arm to give me a better view, she smiled and told me, “It’s a guitar.” “Oh, I see,” I said. “Are you a musician?” She shook her head.

“No,” she replied. “It’s in memory of my younger brother, who died tragically. He loved the guitar, and I got this so that I will always remember him.” I asked if she had any other siblings. “Yes,” she responded, “but I was really close to this one.”

She handed me the key cards to my room as someone else entered the lobby, and our conversation came to an end.

As I walked away, I reflected on the willingness people have to get a tattoo etched on their skin (technically, it’s beneath the skin’s surface or epidermis). I am not “into” tattoos for several reasons, but neither am I one to demonize someone who has them.

I have never been the slightest bit interested in having anything tattooed on my skin, even to memorialize a person, place, or event.

Tattoos have been around for a long, long time; the earliest record goes back to about 6000 BC. In some cultures around the world, people have used manual measures to have their skin tattooed for centuries. The first electric tattooing machine was invented in 1891.

Tattoos have become more commonplace over the past couple of decades. A Harris Poll in 2012 found that one out of every five adults—21 percent—has at least one tattoo. An earlier Pew Research Center study found that the number was closer to 40 percent among those ages 18 to 29.

The Statistic Brain website states that as of Aug. 13, 2016, the total number of Americans that have at least one tattoo is 45 million. The Ricardo Graham is president of the Pacific Union Conference.

number of tattoo parlors in the U.S. is 21,000. The average cost of a small tattoo: $ 45. The average cost of a large tattoo is $150 per hour.

As I walked to my room, I also thought of the promise that God has made in many different ways, recorded time and time again throughout the Bible. At the core of every message God has sent to humanity throughout the ages is that He will never forget us.

“God declares that He never will forget us, because we are inscribed on the very hands of Jesus.”

Not only has He told us that He will always remember us, but He also promises that He is going to rescue us—justifying us, sanctifying us, eventually glorifying us with immortalized, uncorrupted bodies fit to live with Him throughout eternity.

He has promised never to forget us. As He instructed Jeremiah the prophet to tell us: “Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands” (Jeremiah 49:15-16, NASB).

While people may forget each other, God declares that He never will forget us. We are inscribed on the very hands of Jesus. The nail prints in His body represent the engraved names of all humanity He is desirous of saving.

Isaiah adds his testimony by stating: “But he was wounded for

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our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5, KJV).

Many people have had the word “Jesus” or a picture of a cross tattooed on their bodies. Jesus wants us to go beyond the tattoo. He wants to re-write our fallen nature and give us a character that is just like His by the indwelling of His Spirit.

It is a real commitment to have a tattoo engraved on the skin; it is designed to be permanent. When people get a tattoo, it alters the skin that they were born with for the rest of their lives.

Of course, there are procedures that can remove tattoos, but I understand it is a painful process. I googled “tattoo removal” and this is one entry I found: “Both getting tattoos and having them taken off can be uncomfortable. Yes, it hurts. The impact of the energy from the laser’s pulse of light has been described as the same feeling you get when hot specks of bacon grease hit your skin—or being snapped by a rubber band.”

The pain Jesus experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane in receiving our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21) was excruciating beyond our ability to describe. He suffered on every level possible to redeem us, and He will never remove our names from this etching, inscription, way-more-than-atattoo: the wounds in His hands.

Those nail prints in His hands will remain as the only sign of sin forever.

He paid the ultimate price for us by dying and rising from the grave. He purchased us from the evil one and we are His forever.

Jesus went to the cross and the grave for us. He went beyond a tattoo. And we can be sure He will never forget us. n

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Many Blessings

By Ted Benson

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he story of Joseph and Pharaoh in Genesis 41 is one that is relevant today. Pharaoh was troubled by a dream about cows and another about grain; they were disturbing for him because he did not understand what they meant. With the Lord’s help, Joseph was able to interpret the dreams for Pharaoh. The Lord blessed Joseph, and he was put in charge of preparing Egypt for the coming famine.

Over the years, the Pacific Union Conference has planned to make sure that there would be resources when times were lean.

Let me share a little history of the Pacific Union. The church structure was set up with divine guidance in a format that is still followed today. Pacific Union Conference was established in 1903 to help facilitate the work of the church on the west coast. There have been changes and adjustments over the years, and today our territory includes Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah.

The role of Pacific Union Conference has changed over the years and has been restructured to meet the changing needs of our conferences. In 1985 a committee was established to look at the structure of the Pacific Union. There was evidence of duplicate layers of church structure. Each department at the local conference was duplicated at the Union level. A process was Ted Benson is treasurer of the Pacific Union Conference.

put into place to start reviewing every function and operating aspect of the Union office. By the 1990 constituency session, it was voted to realign the Union to only have certain departments: Education, Religious Liberty, Communications/ Recorder, Ethnic Ministries, Research and Development, and Financial Administration. Since that time Early Childhood has been added as a part of the Department of Education, and Publishing/Souls West was reestablished.

With this modified structure, over time the Union was able, through attrition, to downsize by about 66 fulltime equivalents (FTEs). Our current FTE count is at 41. This change in structure has allowed us to return more funds directly back to the local conferences for use in ministry. At the end of each year, our gain from the Union operations is given back based on the local conference percentage of tithe contributions.

This system worked well in an environment when tithe was increasing and the economy was strong. In 2008, as the economy took a major downturn, one of the goals was to make sure that appropriations and allocations to each conference would be maintained to every degree possible. Because of careful planning and because reserves had been set aside, the Union was able to make sure that the funds needed for use by the conferences were available. The expectation then was that by 2014 there would not be enough financial

gain at the end of the year to return any excess. However, despite the economic hard times, the Union has continued to give back something extra each year to the conferences.

Over the years the Pacific Union has tried to manage the various funds entrusted to our care in a conservative manner—in essence, storing up and planning for the economic lean times. This planning starts with a careful review of all expenditures made by the Union.

We have seen the Lord’s leading through many decisions during the tumultuous times; when we look back we can give praise to Him for directing our thoughts and decisions for the actions taken.

In 2017 the Union was able to give back over one million dollars in extra evangelism funds for creative evangelism projects in churches and in the conferences.

Thank you to each member for your faithfulness in your tithes and offerings. Your faithfulness has allowed the Good News to continue to move forward in the Pacific Union Conference. There are many challenges that we will continue to face, but it is exciting because we are one year closer to Christ’s return. A quote from Ellen White continues to be relevant today: “The work is the Lord’s, the cause is His; He never leaves His workmen without divine directions” (My Life Today, p. 10). n

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SOQUEL 8

AT 70

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It was August 1948; a young preacher, George

In many ways Soquel embodies America’s camp

Vandeman, was preparing to take the pulpit.

meeting, a timeless tradition of faith intersect-

Ministers and members alike had come and

ing with culture, pleasure with praise, truth

labored so much that the Santa Cruz Sentinel

within tradition.

newspaper headlined its front page “Everyone Works at Camp Ground,” stating, “Men of cloth

It is camp-meeting time once again in the Pacif-

have exchanged their broadcloth for denim.”

ic Union. Conferences within our Union will be

As a Sabbath hush fell over the new grounds,

meeting together on campgrounds everywhere.

members mixed gratitude with happy hearts for

Families will reconnect, friends will meet up,

the work accomplished in their new auditorium

children will play, and members and guests

and for what they called the “Santa Cruz Camp

alike will convene at sacred campgrounds such

Meeting” of 1948. That was 70 years ago, and

as Soquel to worship our Creator.

when one looks through historic pictures and memorabilia today, one is easily reminded that

The Pacific Union Recorder salutes all who make

we are part of a long legacy of spiritual giants.

these convocations possible.

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An Uneasy Faithfulness

By Becky De Oliveira “Some people don’t understand the promises they’re making when they make them,” I said.

“Right, of course. But you keep the promise anyway.

That’s what love is. Love is keeping the promise anyway.” ― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

I

’m not entirely sure what it means to be faithful—not in a religious sense. It’s not that faithfulness itself is necessarily a difficult concept to grasp. In marriage it has a specific meaning: one doesn’t engage in intimate behavior with others. You can be faithful to a vocation, meaning that you follow the set of values that define integrity in your chosen profession. If you’re a doctor, perhaps you are faithful by doing no harm. If you’re a teacher, you are faithful by expressing the belief that all students can learn.

You can be faithful to yourself in much the same way—holding true to your deepest values, adhering to the inner compass that guides you through the darkest of blind alleys.

You make promises and you keep them. Check and check.

In its most basic sense, faithfulness as a religious practice could be interpreted as something similar: follow God’s rules and continue believing even when you’re tired, broken, and fed up. But few people find this a particularly satisfying definition, possibly because it’s always hard to tell whether we’re truly being faithful or not—and with God, we know, there’s no fooling. Our spouse or employer may not know the difference, but God? You better watch out. You better not pout.

Am I faithful when I doubt God’s leading in my life? When I’m bored at church? When I give less offering than I can afford? When I take a break from tithing because money’s tight and I’m worried I

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won’t make the mortgage this month? How about when I give double tithe and pray for three hours each day and go to church on both Saturday and Sunday just to cover my bases? Hard to say. Man looks at the outward appearance, we are told. God looks at the heart.

This isn’t especially comforting. We know our motivations just a little too well. It’s so easy and natural to be manipulative and self-serving.

The character Phoebe on the popular sitcom Friends demonstrated this conundrum beautifully in an episode where she tries—without success—to perform a selfless good deed. Even the good feeling she gets is self-serving, rendering the deed selfish and void.

Sometimes it feels relatively easy to be faithful—it’s an almost reflexive action like that other vague characteristic, “resilient.”

My mother has coped with Parkinson’s disease for the past 22 years.

Sometimes people compliment her on what a great attitude she has.

“What does that even mean?” Mom will ask. “I have no choice. What else I am supposed to do other than keep on keeping on as best I can?” It’s a good point, and it’s further hard to escape the conclusion that people who compliment those going through difficulties by praising their “positive attitudes” are reminding them of the consequences of wallowing in grief. You will lose most if not all of your friends.

Compassion fatigue is a real thing.

We like problems that are solvable,

diseases like cancer: Either you get better or you die. Either way, everyone can move on. No one wants to remain stuck in an endless cycle of depression and gloom. We have powerful motives to seem like we’re holding ourselves together, even when we may be utterly broken inside.

Talk to anyone—anyone—for more than five minutes about anything beyond the most superficial chitchat and you’ll find that they are dealing with at least one huge and probably unsolvable problem or sadness. Sometimes it’s more like five. And yet many, many of us continue to be “faithful” in whatever way we know how. What choice do we have? Suicide, sure. Cursing God, absolutely. Some of us make those choices. Far more of us keep on keeping on. We are faithful people. We are resilient. And yet we want faithfulness to be more than a plodding adherence to a set of precepts, or worse, an entirely intellectual acceptance of certain ideas that has little or no effect on the way we live our lives. And why? Probably because most of us associate faithfulness with some kind of reward—either now or in the hereafter.

We bargain with God: Please let me get this job. Let me get into the college I want. Make sure my kid’s heart condition is nothing serious. Give me a life partner. Please have the test results come back negative. If you do, I promise that I’ll be faithful. I know people suffering through horrific

problems who bargain with God every day.

They think they have done something to incur His wrath or to make Him withdraw His blessings. They give extra tithe and offerings—more than they can afford. They pray without ceasing. Sing hymns. Open the Bible to a random page and point, hoping to find a word or two that will give them courage. They look for signs. I’ve done similar things myself. If we’re honest, probably most of us have. On the outside, this can look like faithfulness. Just look at Dorothy, how she’s always studying her Bible, always giving thanks to God. Helping homeless people. Handing out leaflets. But is this what it means to be faithful? Is an increase in your Gross Religious Product (GRP) what God wants to see manifested in your life or in mine?

I was baptized when I was nine years old and four days later something bad happened to me. (I don’t normally allude to things, but I’m making an exception here.

A description of the bad thing can serve no purpose but to make everyone profoundly uncomfortable. Forgive me this one time.)

Like many children of my generation, I was raised on missionary stories, including one about a former devil worshipper called Angelo who decided to give his life to Jesus and be baptized. After his baptism, he disappeared and a search of his house revealed parts of his body more or less splattered all over the walls. He was “ripped apart,” the book said, by “unseen hands.” The idea was that because Angelo had worshipped the devil in his former life, he did not earn the protection of God upon his baptism and the demons came for him to wreak vengeance. So you see, children…

For a long time, it seemed to me that my baptism was a little like Angelo’s. I had failed, somehow, to earn God’s protection.

This feeling persisted well into adulthood and I even briefly considered getting re-baptized—kind of a do-over that would set things right. I’ve decided against that.

My baptism was what it was. I don’t believe that God was or is out to get me specifically. I don’t believe He chooses to test me by throwing problems or tragedies in my path. Faithfulness, like everything else in the average human life, is messy and hard.

Perhaps sometimes all we can do is muster the same cry given by the father of the demoniac child in Mark 9:24: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (NKJV). n

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The 2018 Asian/Pacific Minister’s Conference Deemed a Remarkable Success

By Li Cerdinio

W

hen we live healthy lives, have a positive outlook in life and ministry, always connected with God, the giver and sustainer of our life, our soul prospers for God’s honor and glory.”

That message from the printed greetings of Tony Anobile, North American Division (NAD) Vice President for Multilingual Ministries, summed up the expected outcome for the 2018 Asian/Pacific Pastors’ Conference held February 11-14, 2018, at the Pacific Health Education Center in Bakersfield, Calif. The wholistic agenda planned for the conference by VicLouis Arreola III, NAD and Pacific Union Conference (PUC) Asian/Pacific Ministries Director, and his leadership team fully met the objectives for the event with the theme “Healthy Leaders, Healthy Churches.”

In his keynote address, Elder Anobile set a solid spiritual standard for the three-day conference.

Dr. John Jones, Ivan Omana, and Dr. Leo Brown fed the attendees with devotional messages that were both scholarly and relevant to the contextual experience of the pastors and spouses who were also in attendance at the meetings.

Beginning with Dr. Maury Jackson’s Sunday night study on “The Jerusalem Bypass: Asia’s Spiritual Treasures as an Alternative Source of Theological Thinking and Practice,” the plenary sessions served a menu of intellectually stimulating yet practically applicable presentations.

Dr. Arlene Taylor’s report on the dynamics of brain anatomy and

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physiology that regulate a person’s thinking, emotions, and behavior captivated her listeners’ attention and drew them to the trove of books, audio/video tapes, and other resources on display in the conference hall at the end of her lectures.

Dr. Gordon Botting, Stewardship Ministries director for the Pacific Union Conference, shared wisdom and experience in strategic personal financial planning and practice. He additionally gave an abundance of resources to the pastors during his presentations.

Dr. Imelda C. Arreola, prevention health specialist, and Hugo Leon, internal medicine practitioner, presented evidence and biblically based principles of healthful living that can help avoid many of the chronic diseases that plague modern-day life.

Elder Steve Horton, Vice President for Ministries of the Central California Conference and concurrently Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Health Education Center, provided attendees with an incontrovertible recipe for success: dutifully following Christ’s method of outreach and service to humanity.

Elder R. Ernest Castillo, former NAD Vice President for Multilingual Ministries, concluded the

conference with an earnest appeal for commitment and dedication to ministry.

Dr. VicLouis Arreola III, NAD/PUC Director of Asian/Pacific Ministries announced during the event that a North American Division-wide Asian Pastors’ Convention was be held on May 20-23 in Phoenix, Ariz., with the theme “Redeeming the Time.”

All Asian/Pacific Ministries pastors in the North American Division were invited to attend this event. Guests from the General Conference, Southern Asia Pacific Division, and Northern Asia Pacific Division will also be in attendance during the convocation. n

New Vice President Outlines His Vision for the Future

By Ray Tetz

E

lder Jorge Soria is the new vice president of the Pacific Union Conference, replacing Tony Anobile, who has accepted a call to the North American Division to be Vice President for Multilingual Ministries.

In this role, Elder Soria works closely with the president and helps provide strategic direction for the fulfillment of our mission— for all language groups throughout the Pacific Union territory, and for all ministry systems, including higher education. His vantage point within the administration enables him to see visualized mission and ministry from a distinctive perspective, surveying our widest horizons for mission innovation and providing leadership in bringing many disparate pieces together.

Elder Soria takes up the responsibility of planning and promoting evangelism and discipleship as well as global mission and evangelistic small groups initiatives. He oversees the Pacific Union Evangelism Endowment fund projects and acts as liaison between the local conference and the North American Division for ministries not staffed within the Pacific Union office. He provides administrative support for more than a dozen ministries that are coordinated by volunteers appointed by the Pacific Union Executive Committee.

Elder Soria’s love for the gospel and evangelism is immediately evident in describing his new role. “I believe that we are a movement of destiny. Our lives are a response to the call of God, and we embrace the opportunity to minister in the name of Jesus.

“Jesus has entrusted this great Advent message to a priesthood of ALL believers. Every one of us have a role to fill in the proclamation of our distinctive message of hope and salvation.

“God is leading in the lives of our people and in the work of our churches. We are constantly within God’s care. Each life offers a distinctive way that can be used by our Lord to bring hope and salvation to others.”

Elder Soria spoke passionately about the unique environment for ministry that exists in the Pacific Union. “The diversity of our church in the Pacific Union only strengthens the means by which the gospel is shared. Our greatest joy is in sharing His great love. This has been my home for ministry for my entire career, and the call to serve as vice president reaffirms my conviction that we are faithful to our mission and to our Lord. We are co-laborers with God in ministry.”

Elder Soria has served as director of Hispanic and Portuguese Ministries at the Pacific Union Conference since 1991. Previously he served as the Hispanic Coordinator for the Southeastern California Conference, as a pastor in California, and as a youth director in Brazil. He is a graduate of Pacific Union College and Andrews University. He is a native of Mexico. He’s married to Lina Soria and has two married children and three grandaughters. n

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In the Word

The Journey of Faithfulness: Our Christian Calling

By Bradford Newton

Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8, KJV)

Your faithfulness makes you trustworthy to God. —Edwin Louis Cole Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. —Martin Luther King, Jr. The tears of faithfulness to your beliefs cleanse your spirit to envision the road ahead. Everything is possible for the person who believes. —Adlin Sinclair “Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”

Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided— “Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!

—Thomas Chisholm “For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”

—Psalm 100:5. NLT Lord, you are faithful, even as I am not.

You love me, even when I don’t.

You hug me close, even as I want to walk away.

O Lord, help me in my unfaithfulness!

W

hat aspect of today’s news disturbs you the most, I wonder? Natural disasters? Wars and violence? Disease and famine? Yes, all this and more is so disturbing. Yet Jesus pointed out that these things would happen, and that they would be just the beginning.

For me the most chilling aspect of the news I see and read is faithlessness. Politicians breaking promises and outright lying if it suits their purposes. The rich and famous cheating on each other and treating it as a normal part of life. Nations breaking pacts and alliances without a second thought. If you ask me, this faithlessness is a critical sign of the times.

That special sense of who we are as a culture in the United States is collapsing. It’s accelerating faster than many of us could have ever expected. Observers of our society conclude that we are fast approaching a historic crisis of faith. I see it clear as day. Do you see it too?

That assurance of who we are and what we stand for is bending and ready to break under the weight of what can be best described as “faithlessness.” Someone has rightly observed, “Faithfulness requires integrity, and God tests your integrity in the little things.” So true, isn’t it? On this account many are concluding that collectively we are

Bradford Newton is the executive secretary and ministerial director of the Pacific Union Conference

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failing this divine exam both by what we do and by how faithless behavior in others is accepted as a “new normal.”

More frequently than ever, faithfulness is casually jettisoned in the pursuit of power, votes, money, selfish personal agendas, or even “noble ideals” that require some “compromises.”

No matter the pretext, the pace of the remorselessly broken promise, the casual lie, and a blithe acceptance of shattered trust should be a loud wakeup call for us all. The disappearance of faithfulness has reached a point of being palpable in every corner of our society. Certainly the Psalmist articulated well the angst of our time: “Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race” (Psalm 12:1, NIV). But this is no way to live! Jesus spoke to the people of His time, calling them a “faithless and perverse generation” (Matthew 17:17, KJV).

Does that apply to the generation in which we live, do you think? I for one couldn’t argue with that!

Contrast all that with true faithfulness. What do we mean when we talk about being faithful?

Faithfulness is defined by that favorite tool of every student researcher, Wikipedia, as “unfailingly remaining loyal to someone or something, and putting that loyalty into consistent practice regardless of extenuating circumstances.… It could also mean keeping to one’s promises no matter the prevailing circumstances. Literally,

it is the state of being full of faith in the sense of steady devotion to a person, thing or concept.” Does that describe your faithfulness to God? This ideal of faithfulness warms our hearts when we see a news story of the elderly couple gently holding each other’s hands as they celebrate 75 years of marriage.

Faithfulness is embodied in the valor of an ordinary young man facing brutal enemy gunfire as he rescues scores of his fellow soldiers at a place called Hacksaw Ridge. These true stories and many more—usually found in magazines like Guideposts or Reader’s Digest—remind us of the “better angels of our nature.”

You and I can rejoice that in all things God’s Word does indeed show us a better way. Faithfulness is not quaint and outdated. On the contrary, it is the timeless theme pervading Scripture. Speaking of God, the Bible tells us, “If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:13, ESV) and, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9, ESV). Speaking of His help in times of trial, the Word says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV). And how marvelous to

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know the assurance of forgiveness: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9, KJV).

Our God is faithful—but what about us?

We do indeed serve a faithful God. The Bible is filled with marvelous examples of God keeping faith with a failing, sinful humanity. No doubt many prayer meetings and church services, as well as scores of pages in this magazine, could be filled with testimonies about how He has been faithful to us. The words of this song have been very special to me:

what they’ve been given. As listeners we’re left to fill in the blanks about this absence of orders. Did they already have some previous book of instructions that we don’t know about? Maybe when originally hired they watched an orientation video outlining the philosophy of the founder?

Or perhaps they were just expected to have absorbed the character of the owner by watching him in action and

He’s been faithful, faithful to me Looking back He’s love and mercy I see Though in my heart I have questioned And failed to believe He’s been faithful, faithful to me.

No question about it! God has been faithful to me. He has been faithful to you. learning by his example? What do you think? All this could But what about us? As His followers are we also being have been put in place so that when he walks out the door faithful “no matter the prevailing circumstances?” When we he could look at them knowingly and say, “You know what face the tests of integrity, do we pass the faithfulness exam to do!” or are we found wanting? Just what are the scriptural traits Jesus’ story ends with the return of the owner and a of faithful disciples of Jesus? reckoning for all the employees. It goes badly for one guy Our Lord spoke a parable about faithfulness recorded in particular, since he seems to have missed the whole in Matthew 25:14-30. You’ll remember that in this story a point of the exercise. With a complaining attitude he man travels to “a far country.” Before departure he entrusts blurts out, “I knew you were a hard man” and then goes the employees of the company with his entire inventory of assets. “And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and on with a catalogue of insults directed at the boss. Things don’t end well for this fellow. However, for the other two another one, to each according to his own ability.” With this employees there is a great celebration. They have applied task completed he is gone and they have some decisions to the investment principles of the owner with their assets by make. What to do with the assets while the boss is away? emulating his success. Their decision-making and choices The remainder of the story allows us to peer into the deciresult in this superb performance review: “Well done, good sion-making of these three employees. and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I The listeners to Jesus’ story may have been surprised will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of about two details He placed in the opening scene. The your lord” (Matthew 25:21, NKJV). owner in the parable gives evidence to understanding the This parable brings together crucial lessons for unindividual abilities of those that work for him. He knows derstanding the source and motivation of faithfulness in his people and tailors their assignments accordingly. In a the Christian context. The end-time context of this story is time of class divisions and authoritarian rulers, this level a clear reminder of the importance of faithfulness in our of awareness and care for employees, even in a fictional Christian life. However, abstract account, was a subtle lesson philosophical principles or from Jesus. Here is revealed an flowery sentiments about faithimportant truth about how God The end-time context of this fulness do not last long when relates to us. facing searing trials, alluring Even more remarkable story is a clear reminder of the temptations, or high-stakes than the customized work importance of faithfulness in our pressure. The grounding for the assignments is the fact that no Christian life. believer’s faithfulness is in the directions are provided about One who Himself is faithful. It what they are to do with the begins with hearing the voice assets. There is no goal setting of Jesus saying to us, “I will or hints about what he wants to see upon returning. He gives them choice and control with never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5, NKJV). As

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One could have seen Jonathan the trails of living lead us to the reacting in a completely oppotrials of living, this same Friend Jesus is calling us—each and every site manner by seeing David as of our souls assures us, “Casting a threat. Yet Jonathan consisall your care upon him; for he one of us, you and me—to a life of tently puts David’s needs first. careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7, KJV). faithfulness. Although not always the That is faithfulness. Are you In my early days of minispath of ease or comfort, it is the way ready to do that? To put others try I was blessed to have some that our Lord Jesus walked before us. before yourself? wonderful role models and Faithfulness Lesson 2: mentors that helped me in not Faithfulness means staying loyonly the actual nuts and bolts of al to our friends, spouse, family, and promises even when pastoring, but more significantly in how to be faithful to it’s not easy to do so. The story of David is punctuated by my calling. While we are always called to “look unto Jesus,” conflict with the royal house of Saul. Viewed as a threat for me it was a tremendous benefit to have the example to the kingdom, he is hunted, maligned, and betrayed in of true spiritual leaders that helped me to anchor my faith the name of loyalty to the king. (History is replete with in a God who truly loves and cares, who always goes the examples of God’s people being harassed in the name second mile, who looks to save and heal all who trust in of fealty to sovereigns, church councils, or nationalHim. istic governments.) Yet David and Jonathan remained There are magnificent stories scattered throughout faithful, protecting each other and considering the best Scripture that illustrate how women and men placed course for one another. Are you going to stay loyal to their trust in God in order to remain faithful as they were your friends, spouse, family, and promises even when tested to bend or break their commitments and promises.

Consider just a few of our spiritual heroes, and the inspira- it’s not easy to do so?

Faithfulness Lesson 3: Faithfulness means keeping our tion for living faithfully today glows brightly. Esther, Ruth, commitments even when others may not see us doing so. We Noah, Daniel, Moses, Joshua, Paul, and, most of all, Jesus know the sad end of the royal house of Saul. In rememgive relevant life lessons for forging a faithful life path. bering the battle with the Philistines that claimed the lives of Saul and Jonathan, David laments, “Saul and Jonathan, David and Jonathan beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not One of my favorite stories of faithfulness is the frienddivided; they were swifter than eagles; they were stronger ship that David and Jonathan shared. Coming from different social stations and constantly threatened by the intrigue than lions” (2 Samuel 1:23, ESV). David remains faithful to of Saul’s palace, the uniqueness of their story of faithfulness his friend Jonathan by honoring him and his family. Jonathan will not know this until the New Earth. But for David persisted for years, even extending beyond Jonathan’s death. From their example comes lasting inspiration for you faithfulness extended even beyond the death of his friend.

In fact, years later King David would inquire, “Is there and me as we wait for the soon return of Jesus. anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show The story of these two remarkable men is framed by kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1, NIV). The the tremendous victory of Israel’s army following the debeneficiary of this kindness would be Jonathan’s disabled feat of Goliath by David. In 1 Samuel 18:1-4 we learn that son, Mephibosheth. Will you keep your commitments even “the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David…. Then when others may not see you doing so?

Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved Faithfulness Lesson 4: Faithfulness means that we do him as his own soul. And Jonathan took off the robe that these things in the confidence that we honor the faithful God was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to we serve. This means trusting Him to work in our lives as his sword and his bow and his belt” (NKJV). we keep our commitments. The life of David was never an easy one. Although his choices at times created chaos Four lessons in his life, David lived with the abiding trust that he was in So let me give you four lessons I take away from this God’s hands even when facing trials, tests, and heartache. wonderful example of faithfulness: Will you do these things in the confidence that by doing so Faithfulness Lesson 1: Faithfulness means putting you honor the faithful God we serve? others before ourselves. What a marvelous image of faithJesus is calling us—each and every one of us, you and fulness accompanies the word “knit” in our introduction me—to a life of faithfulness. Although not always the path to their friendship. As the individual strands of rope are of ease or comfort, it is the way that our Lord Jesus walked stronger when intertwined, so were the lives of these two before us. And when we are faithful, the faithful God we men better together than apart. But beyond this we witserve will take care of all our needs. I pray for out commitness Jonathan—the Prince of Israel and heir to the throne ment to faithfulness today and for the days ahead until of Saul—placing the symbols of familial royal power upon Jesus returns. n the shepherd boy transformed into hero of the nation.

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Adventist Health

A Former GangsterTurns His Life to God

By Jenni Glass

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hen Esteban Solis was in high school, he was given an ultimatum: choose between playing sports or joining a gang. While he loved playing basketball, Solis chose gangs. He became destructive, a felon, and a drug abuser. It wasn’t until years later, after his 13th arrest—and a conversation with God—that Solis completely turned his life around.

Solis was court-committed to a rehabilitation program named Victory Outreach in Simi Valley, Calif.

Seven months into the program, Solis wanted to leave. “I told my counselor that I was tired, and I didn’t want to live this type of life,” he said. “I wanted to go back to jail, where at least I knew what to expect.”

His counselor, who had once gone through the program himself, told Solis that he needed to look toward his future and stop running back to the past. “He said to me, ‘God has a plan for you. He can do more for you than you can ever imagine,’” said Solis.

Skeptical, Solis still wanted to leave the program to return to his life

behind bars. His counselor nodded and then tossed a set of keys to Solis, saying that as long as he was leaving, he might as well humor his counselor.

“He said, ‘Do me a favor. Go to the church and sit there for a half hour.’”

So Solis did. “As I walked in, worship music was playing. I sat down. After 10 minutes, I started crying. I didn’t understand what was happening. I thought, ‘What is wrong with me? I’m a roughand-tough guy’—but I was crying uncontrollably. I knew it was God, telling me to stop running. That’s when my life changed.”

Solis went back to his rehab program. In 2004, he found a temporary job at Adventist Health Simi Valley. After nine months, Clif Patten, the vice president of the hospital at the time, recognized Solis’s hard work and offered him a permanent job. “He looked me in the eyes and told me he believed in second chances,” said Solis. “He was willing to take a chance on me, and he told me not to let him down. I am still doing that to this day—not letting him down.”

Solis is now the lead plant operations technician at Adventist Health Simi Valley. He loves working for Adventist Health because he gets to help people. “Even if I don’t ever meet them, by doing quality work, we’re helping people get better,” he said. “Even if it’s something as simple as making sure the air conditioning works properly, or there’s power outlets they can use—we do everything we can to help make their experience better.”

Nearly 15 years later, Solis is still an active member of the church where God first told him to turn his life around. After graduating from the rehabilitation program, Solis moved into an apartment attached to his preacher’s house. He lived there for two years until he married his wife, whom he describes as the joy of his life, along with their two children.

Today, Solis is an inspiring mentor to others who are facing the same challenges that he faced for so much of his life. Now he’s the one with the apartment attached to his home, which he rents to graduates of the rehabilitation program.

“I give all the glory to God,” said Solis. “I’m honored to be a positive influence to those that come from similar backgrounds. I’m happy to help them see it’s not just talk. This is who I was, and this is who I am now. God’s able to do it for them, too, if they give Him a chance.

God works.”

Esteban receives an award for his hard work and dedication.

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Arizona Conference

For Him Puppetry Troupe Witnesses for Jesus

By David Reid

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od can forgive us, no matter what” was the message presented on a Sabbath evening in mid-February at the Desert Valley church in Tucson, as people from all over the city came to see a puppet show presented by the For Him Puppetry (FHP) troupe.

FPH had organized this show to be a collection spot to gather necessities for homeless veterans. The troupe partnered with businesses in the area, which contributed items.

People brought so many donations of clothing, toiletries, water bottles, and other items that three vans were needed to transport it all!

Complete with giant props, black lights, life-size puppets, and science experiments, this puppet show was not your average “sock” puppetry.

The troupe worked for months putting together songs, stories, and presentations for their current show.

“Our goal this season is to teach everyone that there is nothing that God can’t forgive,” said FHP leader Julia Reid. “We want our audience to leave knowing that forgiveness is possible for all of us.”

Reid has been leading puppet troupes around the country for almost 20 years. FHP has been active in Arizona for six years, putting on shows for churches, children’s hospitals, libraries, and conferences—all focusing on positive Bible messages.

The members of the group are young people, ranging from ages eight to 17, who enjoy the chance to do ministry with other youth. “I get to be closer to God while hanging out with friends,” said Daniel Martin.

The group travels extensively. “We were in the Chicago area last summer performing, competing, and training,” said Max Hernandez. “I got to teach

The For Him Puppetry (FHP) troupe performs a show about forgiveness at the Desert Valley church in Tucson.

FHP troupe members range from ages eight to 17.

and learn different styles of puppetry that people do all over the world.”

Recently FHP performed at the Pacific Union Conference Pathfinder Camporee in Southern California, and they taught puppetry classes at the Ignite Tucson Children’s Ministries Convention.

This summer FHP will be performing at a camp meeting and a summer camp in California. The group will also travel to Hawaii to help start a puppet troupe, as well as perform at a Vacation Bible School. “We get to go and teach new puppeteers about puppetry and reverse black light,” said Cassandra Reid.

In addition to their shows, the group also tells children’s stories, presents puppet skits, and involves kids in hands-on activities. FHP members

want to encourage creativity in local congregations. “Church doesn’t have to just be about singing and preaching,” said Paloma Hernandez.

“You can add all kinds of unique ideas to worship.”

FHP members want to share the gifts they have been given with everyone they can. Before each performance, the group prays that what they do will help someone in the audience to see the light of Jesus.

“I hope that through this unique and creative ministry, people—especially those who have never been reached before—will learn about and understand God’s great forgiveness that He gave us and how much He loves us,” said Gabriella Amick.

If you’re ever in the Tucson area, check to see if FHP is scheduled to perform. For more information, contact fmptroupe@ gmail.com. And become a fan of “For Him Puppetry Troupe” on Facebook.

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PORTRAITS OF FAITHFULNESS

Elisa Campbell works tirelessly to keep her 3rd and 4th graders feeling at home in their temporary classroom after their school burned down last fall.

Redwood Adventist Academy

PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Pacific Southwest

PORTRAITS OF FAITHFULNESS

The Veg Hub’s Chef G.W. Chew uses a restaurant and healthty food to share his faith with the community.

El Sobrante Appian Way SDA Church

PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Pacific Southwest

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PA C I F I C U N I O N R E CO R D E R

Change

Your World.

OPEN YOUR MIND Bring curiosity. Be part of an academic community where professors encourage investigation—and diverse, creative perspectives are valued.

DO WELL IN THE WORLD Find your place and make your mark.

Live a big, giving, and fulfilling life.

GET YOUR MONEY’S WORTH Best Value university. That’s the distinction MONEY Magazine and US News & World Report have given to La Sierra.

CHANGE LIVES Reach out near and far through studentled service ministries and mission trips.

Share your faith through action.

Get an advanced education in theory, practice, and research of leadership.

Study across a range of organizational and community settings. lasierra.edu/phd-leadership For all of our graduate programs, visit lasierra.edu/graduate-programs.

Holbrook

A Seventh-day Adventist Boarding Academy Serving Native American Youth since 1946

A Culture in Crisis PHOTO BY JOSEF KISSINGER

Learning from the Past to Improve the Future

By Katie Freeland

HIS Alumnus Pastor Charlie Whitehorse takes in the view at Monument Valley, UT.

“Native Americans had already established a functioning, effective educational system long before European contact was made.” Dr. Alberta Yeboah

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he old classroom saying goes, “In fourteen hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.”

A picturesque mental image of an old-world ship peacefully sailing into what would become the United States of America usually accompanies this saying. But this is only a romanticized fraction of the story.

According to Alberta Yeboah, an associate professor of social science at Jackson State University, Native Americans had already established a functioning, effective educational system long before European contact was made. The system was composed of teaching Native children the “knowledge, values, attitudes,

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skills and dispositions required for successful functioning adults in real world settings,” said Yeboah.

This included a foundation of a reverence for nature, along with a sense of human responsibility toward protecting and respecting nature.

After Europeans arrived in 1492, a Eurocentric educational system was established in order to force Natives to “assimilate” into Euro-American culture, despite the fact that Native people were there long before the Europeans began to settle. The Europeans felt that they must “save” the Natives from their traditional ways, despite the fact that they already had a working system in place and had

already lived there for thousands of years previous to the “discovery” of America.

It is estimated that when Europeans arrived in 1492, there were between 50-100 million Natives in North America. This number was reduced to about 250,000 by the 1850s. This sharp decline was due to the countless wars that Europeans waged on the Native population, intentional infections of smallpox and yellow fever, massive destruction of the Native people’s agricultural livelihoods, enslavement, and incarceration (www2.ed.gov/ rschstat/research/pubs/oieresearch/ conference/yeboah_200502.pdf ).

Holbrook

A Brief History of Native Boarding Schools

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in various ways. Entire villages would refuse to enroll their children in white schools. Government agents on the reservations would, in turn, refuse or withhold rations, or they would send

in police to enforce the school policy.

It wasn’t until 1978 that the Indian Child Welfare Act gave Native parents the legal right to deny their children’s placement in off-reservation schools.

HIS Alumna Karen Gorman stands with her family.

PHOTO BY JOSEF KISSINGER

oarding schools for Native children began in 1860. The schools were put in place as a tool to “assimilate” Native tribes into the mainstream “American way of life.” These schools were built on reservations, and the end goal was to eradicate all that remained of Native culture. After nearly 20 years of boarding schools being located on reservations, a new, nefarious school of thought was introduced by Richard Henry Pratt: “Kill the Indian, save the man.” In 1879 Pratt opened one of the most infamous off-reservation boarding schools, located in Pennsylvania.

According to Northern Plains Reservation Aid (NPRA), this style of boarding school aimed to destroy all aspects of Native culture, especially outward signs of tribal life that the children brought with them. Native children were forced to cut their hair, change their names to English names, and abandon their native food. They were forbidden to speak in their Native languages, even to each other. These schools taught history with an explicit white bias.

Discipline within these schools was severe and consisted of confinement, deprivation of privileges, corporal punishment, and restriction of diet. These schools were also ravaged with diseases, such as tuberculosis (which still remains an issue) and epidemic proportions of measles.

During this time, at one school there were 325 cases of measles, 60 cases of pneumonia, and nine deaths in only a 10-day period.

Native parents resisted the schools

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Holbrook

Native American Health and Wellbeing

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ith the historical abuses the Native population has faced, it is no wonder that they are still dealing with the repercussions of these horrific acts against their people.

Alcohol was introduced to the Native population during the 1800s, a problem that still plagues them with alcoholism death rates 514 percent higher than the general population,

H

United States. It is the second leading cause of death (and 2.5 times the national rate) for Native youth in the 15-24 age group.

Historical displacement is still causing a ripple effect, as the NPRA states that 90,000 Native Americans are homeless or live in unsafe and substandard housing, and 23 percent of Native families live with low food security.

The Holbrook Difference

PHOTO BY DAVE SHERWIN

olbrook Indian School opened its doors in 1946 as a onebuilding mission school sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The property totals 214 acres in a quiet area of Arizona and rests on an aquifer to ensure

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and chronic liver disease and cirrhosis rates 4.8 times higher.

Not only are the aforementioned alcohol problems worse, so is their mental health. According to the Aspen Institute and the US government’s Indian Health Service, suicide rates are more than double in the Native population, and Native teens experience the highest rate of suicide among any population group in the

sustainability. While the school has gone through changes and growth, the mission is the same: Through a Seventh-day Adventist perspective, Holbrook students grow in the Creator while also preserving and celebrating their Native culture. Holbrook Indian

School is not about “killing the Indian.�

It is about helping students reclaim their identity.

Because students face many of the above-mentioned issues regarding mental and physical health, Holbrook practices a slightly different approach

Daniel Staley is a Navajo tour guide in Canyon de Chelly.

PA C I F I C U N I O N R E CO R D E R

Holbrook from many other schools. Through the NEW (nutrition, exercise, and wellness) You Initiative, students experience the four pillars of wholeperson care through MAPS—mental, academic, physical, and spiritual health.

Mental health services are provided for those students who seek it out and for those in whom a need is seen. A licensed clinical social worker lives and works on campus, providing students with professional, evidencebased, Christian counseling. Holbrook is the only Adventist school to provide this on campus.

Academics are another highlight at HIS. At the beginning of each year, students are placed at levels where they are comfortable and will excel, instead of automatically putting them in a certain grade based on their age.

This allows each student to grow in his or her educational journey and helps improve grades and retention.

Once students complete high school, Holbrook offers a college transition program, and students are assisted in navigating the application processes for colleges and scholarships.

Physical health is addressed through many different programs, such as horsemanship, physical education, gardening, and various sports.

The Outdoor School program— designed to provide students with an

opportunity to learn about the world around them—is more than just going outside the classroom; it’s actually going camping and holding school in various National Parks and outdoor environments. The aim is to create a learning environment in nature where healing and engaging students extends beyond academics. Students go camping and study in a Native environment. Places of historical significance and beauty, like Canyon de Chelly National Monument, are explored. Mountain biking, swimming, hiking, and trekking— are all outdoor activities the students love.

Last, but most definitely not least, is spiritual health.

Holbrook Indian School believes in spiritual well-being.

Holbrook provides spiritual guidance in a safe environment for students to learn about the God who loves and created them. A 24-hour period of homework-free, work-free, stress-free healing each week is encouraged through the observance of the Sabbath.

Holbrook Indian School (HIS) is a first through twelfth-grade boarding academy operated by the Pacific Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist church. HIS also manages a firstthrough eighth-grade day school on the Navajo reservation in Chinle, Arizona. Eighty percent of funding comes from individuals who have a desire to support Native American ministries and Christian education. Your generosity makes a difference in the lives of our students, their families, and the communities they serve.

Thank you for your support.

Students are encouraged to connect to their Native culture through art and pottery making.

Creative expression helps bring healing and provides a constructive way to process life.

At Holbrook Indian School each student feels welcome and safe.

People and culture are respected.

Holbrook is here to help improve the journey of life for its students, and to ensure that all experience the love of Jesus in their personal lives.

Seventh-day Adventist DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT P.O. Box 910 Holbrook, Arizona 86025-0910 (928) 524-6845 (Ext. 109) Development@hissda.org HolbrookIndianSchool.org

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Pacific Union College

Robert A. Cushman Jr.

Officially Installed as PUC’s 23rd President

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n July of 2017, Dr. Robert A. Cushman Jr. became the new president of Pacific Union College. On April 20, 2018, the college officially installed Cushman as the 23rd president in a special inaugural ceremony.

The inauguration began with a procession of distinguished guests, including trustees, faculty and staff, representatives from other Adventist schools, and student representatives, among others, with many of them bedecked in colorful academic regalia.

The PUC Church was filled with faculty, staff, students, community members, and family and friends, welcoming Cushman and celebrating the college’s history and future.

The ceremony included music from Vox Pro Musica, the PUC Chorale, the Brass Quintet, and a special selection

By Larissa Church

from The Beatitudes, a cantata based on Matthew 5, composed and conducted

by Asher Raboy, PUC resident artist.

Dr. Eric Anderson, past president and director of the Walter C. Utt Center for Adventist History, presented the college’s unique gift to Cushman: a mounted rock from the farm of Adventist pioneer William Miller, in recognition of the Lord’s promise to create a new heaven and a new earth, as well as Cushman’s love of geology.

In the inaugural homily, titled Mt. Blessing, Dr. Ronald Carter, provost of Loma Linda University, pointed out the challenges facing higher education, and small colleges in particular. However, he urged the college administrators and Cushman to persevere, saying he believes PUC is uniquely prepared to meet these

challenges, as a prestigious institution in a unique and incredible location—a “beacon on Howell Mountain.” Carter believes that Cushman, as a geologist and fellow scientist with an analytical mind grounded in biblical context, is well-equipped to lead PUC into a bright future. Carter also shared stories from when he served as campus chaplain at Walla Walla University during Cushman’s time as a student, saying he felt these examples portrayed Cushman’s good nature and kindness.

In a presentation bequeathing the college’s historic medallion to Cushman, Bradford Newton, executive secretary of the Pacific Union Conference and chair of the PUC Board of Trustees, offered Cushman and his wife Judy encouragement for the journey ahead.

Strung on an elaborate gold chain, the medallion features the names of each of PUC’s past presidents, representing the symbolic history of the college and serving as a reminder of those who carried the burden and responded to the call to be president. “The medallion serves as a reminder that throughout your tenure as president you will never be alone on your journey,” Newton said.

“This college community walks with you. The body of Christ, the church, will continually hold up your arms in the battles ahead. Most importantly, there is One who promises that when you pass through the waters, ‘I will be with you.’”

A reception at the Paulin Hall fountain immediately followed the inauguration, and the campus community gathered together to celebrate the future of Pacific Union College and Cushman’s leadership.

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Hawaii Conference

Film Class Teaches the Power of Story

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By Matt Webster

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his is so amazing and so overwhelming,” exclaimed sophomore Kayli Pascal-Martinez as she and her team were given the Best High School Short award for their film “Ha’awi Aloha” at this year’s SonScreen Film Festival, held April 5-7 at the North American Division (NAD) in Columbia, Md. This achievement was a result of the students’ hard work and the school’s willingness to try something new.

During the summer of 2016, Hawaiian Mission Academy (HMA) decided to offer a new elective class that would give students more opportunities to be creative. Through brainstorming it was decided to transform the former Journalism class into a Film Production class.

To teach this class, HMA brought in Matt Webster, an alumnus of Southern Adventist University’s film program.

“Filmmaking is a passion of mine, one that started when I was in high school,” Webster said. “We didn’t have a film class, so I started with a little camera and began making small videos for my academy. You could say the passion grew from there. Giving high school students the opportunity to learn the art of film is a high honor for me. Many academies don’t have film programs.

Showing students the process of filmmaking as a way to tell stories is a valuable tool to have. It is something that they can take with them as they continue high school or move onto college.”

Course work in the film production class starts with studying the different roles on a film set, including the producer, director, writer, and cinematographer. Students are then given the chance to pick their favorite position. The class members then begin to develop their film by brainstorming, screenwriting, storyboarding, and finally pitching their story in front of

an audience. Once students get the go ahead, they begin filming. Filming usually covers two weekends, with editing lasting about a month. The deadline is to get their films ready to submit to SonScreen, and the goal is to get an invitation to attend.

In January HMA film students participated in a film production workshop taught by professors from Southern Adventist University. “It was a great experience for my students,” said Webster. “It helped bring everything my students have been reading the first semester into reality, with hands-on experience with production standard equipment.”

Within its first two years, the HMA film program has been gaining traction. The film class has been able to attend SonScreen both years. In 2017, they went to the SonScreen Film Festival in Loma Linda, Calif., and were awarded

Honorable Mention in High School Short. And this April, class members traveled to Columbia, Md., and were awarded Best High School Short.

In addition, the class entered “Ha’awi Aloha” in Hawaii’s statewide 2018 YXC Student Video Competition, and their entry has been nominated as a top three finalist in the High School Short category.

“I’ve really enjoyed what HMA has been doing the last two years,” said Julio Munoz, SonScreen Film Festival Director and Associate Communications Director for the NAD. “It’s exciting to see academies get involved with this powerful art form and be on the cutting edge of telling stories.”

(Above) The team wins the 2018 Sonny Award for Best High School Short. (Right) Students feel at home in front of the King Kamehameha statue at the United States Capitol.

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Loma Linda University Health

Women’s Conference Focuses on Steps to Better Health Presentations offer information designed to motivate women toward improved health and wholeness.

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ore than 800 women attended Loma Linda University Health’s 2018 Women’s Health Conference, a daylong event offering conference-goers opportunities to learn the latest information in health and wellness.

Held at the Riverside Convention Center on April 13, the conference theme was “Let Your Life Grow Wings and Soar.” Attendees could choose from 24 breakout sessions on subjects that included cardiovascular disease, nutrition, mental health, longevity, weight management, cancer, osteoporosis, vision health, and healthy living. Conference-goers also had access to free health screenings and could meet with health specialists who were at the conference to provide answers to specific lifestyle and wellness questions.

This is the 10th year that Loma Linda University Health has sponsored this conference, said Richard Hart, president of Loma Linda University Health. “Issues relating to women’s health are some of the most important community health issues facing America today,” Hart said.

“For the past decade our team has diligently designed these conferences

to provide tools and inspiration women need on their journey to better health and a more balanced life.”

Each year, the conference agenda features the latest health and wellness information presented by local specialists. “The day is a time for women to develop friendships, take advantage of health screenings, and gain new insights with women who share the same goals,” said Beverly Rigsby, service line development director.

This year’s keynote speakers were Christy Beam and Alison Earl.

Beam is the author of Miracles from Heaven, the true story of Beam’s daughter Annabel’s near-death experience and later miraculous healing from a rare, incurable medical condition. A story of hope and faith while overcoming life’s struggles, Miracles from Heaven has been a New York Times best seller and was adapted into a motion picture by Sony Pictures.

Earl is a behavioral strategist for Burns Group, a New York City-based brand-building agency. A researcher, strategist, and positive psychology practitioner, Earl focuses on

Beverly Rigsby welcomes more than 800 women to the 2018 Women’s Health Conference, sponsored by Loma Linda University Health. The event was the 10th conference held to benefit women in their quest for better health.

PHOTO BY ANSEL OLIVER

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understanding why people do what they do, and how to motivate the changes needed for improved health, career, and life. She also regularly lectures at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Earl has developed a concept she terms “tripowerment,” a framework that allows a person to unlock the whypower (self-determination), willpower (selfregulation), and waypower (selfefficacy), internal transformational actions that equip people for success in a self-directed world.

Each year the Women’s Conference organizers honor an individual and a community health organization for outstanding service.

Elsie Chan was the honored individual. Her philosophy can be summed up by the statement, “The more that you give to the community, the more God will bless you financially.”

Rigsby said there have been very few activities in the City of Loma Linda, the Loma Linda University church, or Loma Linda Academy during the past 50 years where Chan has not been instrumental in providing her wisdom, support, and finances to make many things happen though her “lifetime of giving.”

The Community Health Benefit honoree, Penny Duerksen-Hughes, PhD, is a leader in the fight against cervical cancer. Almost all cases of cervical cancer (and many other cancers) are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). For the past two decades, Duerksen-Hughes and her team have been working to improve the quality and length of life for patients suffering from HPVassociated malignancies.

PHOTO BY ISTOCK

Loma Linda University Health

Looks good.

Cheers, Stephanie.

Study Says Meat Protein Is Unhealthy, but Protein from Nuts and Seeds Is Heart Smart International Journal of Epidemiology reports major comparison of animal, plant proteins.

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study conducted by researchers in California and France has found that meat protein is associated with a sharp increased risk of heart disease, while protein from nuts and seeds is beneficial for the human heart.

The study—which was published online in April by the International Journal of Epidemiology—found that people who consumed large amounts of meat protein experienced a 60 percent increase in cardiovascular disease (CVD), while people who consumed large amounts of protein from nuts and seeds experienced a 40 percent reduction in CVD. Titled “Patterns of plant and animal protein intake are strongly associated with cardiovascular mortality: The Adventist Health Study-2 cohort,” the study was a joint project of researchers from Loma Linda

University School of Public Health in California and AgroParisTech and the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique in Paris, France.

The study, which included data from more than 81,000 participants, is one of the few times detailed sources of animal protein have been examined jointly with animal fat in a major investigation.

“While dietary fats are part of the story in affecting risk of cardiovascular disease, proteins may also have important and largely overlooked independent effects on risk,” said Gary Fraser, MB ChB, PhD,

a study co-investigator. He added that he and his colleagues have long suspected that including nuts and seeds in the diet protects against heart and vascular disease, while red meats increase risk.

Fraser said nutritionists have traditionally looked toward what he termed “bad fats” in meats and “helpful fats” in nuts and seeds as causal agents. However, these new findings suggest more. “This new evidence suggests that the full picture probably also involves the biological effects of proteins in these foods,” he said.

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Southeastern California Conference

SECC Celebrates

By Cynthia Mendoza

New Ordinations

MARK JOHNSTON

In recent months, the Southeastern California Conference has ordained pastors with hearts for God and service.

(Left) Hugo Guillén, Calexico church pastor, speaks at the conclusion of his ordination service. (Right) Aren Rennacker, Calimesa church associate pastor, shares how God led in his life and expresses his gratitude to the people that guided him over the years.

Hugo Guillén, pastor of the Calexico church, was ordained on Sabbath, Jan. 13. For Guillén, ordination confirms the Lord’s calling for his life and the trust his peers have placed in him. It also serves as a call to grow more in his walk with God. “I’ve felt like there’s so much more I need to learn,” he said. “It has been a humbling time, in a positive way, and I feel like our Lord is pulling me even closer to Him.” Guillén’s passion for ministry is rooted in his own spiritual experience and the work that God has done in his life. “He lets me know that He wants to work in everyone’s life to give them a better life now—and an even better life tomorrow,” he said. “I love to see people truly find a better life in Jesus

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someone’s life. After graduating from Sacramento Adventist Academy, Rennacker majored in journalism at Pacific Union College to pursue his dream of becoming a sports writer.

Even though he completed his degree in journalism, along his academic journey he knew he was being called to ministry.

His passion for ministry stems from his heartfelt desire to share with others the Jesus he has come to know. “Jesus continues to be revealed to me in new ways,” he said. “I’m encouraged that we are called to a relationship experience and that we don’t have to be experts. A journey with Jesus is about experiencing God in new ways.”

Anthony Penick was ordained on Sabbath, March 31. He served at

Christ. That’s why sharing Him is my passion.”

Aren Rennacker, associate pastor at Calimesa church, was ordained on Sabbath, Feb. 24. “I wish every person in fields of service could have the same experience of ordination,” he said about the joy of celebrating his ordination with the love and support of family and friends.

For Rennacker, who was not raised an Adventist, the journey into ministry Gerald Penick Sr., pastor of the Arden Hills church, is a testament to offers the ordination prayer for his son, Anthony Penick, what God can do in former pastor at Hope Community company.

Southeastern California Conference Hope Community company in Thousand Palms, but he is now at Texas Health Huguley Hospital in Fort Worth, which is part of Adventist Health System.

Prior to ministry, Penick dreamed of going into psychology.

However, doors down that path kept closing in a way that made him realize God had other plans for him. One day during his prayer time, he heard a very clear message: it was time to follow God’s leading into ministry. “God chose me, and I chose God,” Penick said about his journey. “It’s been the best roller coaster I’ve ever been on.”

He is thankful that all the gifts God has given him are being used to the fullest through his ministry. “The heart of my passion for ministry is to see people live their best life with God and for them to know they have the assurance of salvation” he said.

Nathaniel Sevilla is the associate pastor at the Laguna Niguel church.

He was ordained on Sabbath, April 7.

For Sevilla, ordination carries with it meaningful spiritual and professional significance and is also a celebration of the call into ministry. “It was one of the most humbling experiences to know that I was placed on this high calling,” Sevilla said. “There’s a holy trembling within a pastor during ordination to know that ‘no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God’ (Hebrews 5:4, NIV).”

Sevilla says his passion for ministry is simply to preach the Word of God with all his heart to nonbelievers and to rejoice when people become a part of the kingdom of God. He often feels both weighed down and lifted

(Left) SECC Executive Secretary Jonathan Parks gives the ministerial charge for Nathaniel Sevilla, associate pastor at Laguna Nigel church, while Sevilla’s wife, Sylvia, and son, Joash, stand beside him. (Right) SECC Treasurer Verlon Strauss, left, and Assistant to the SECC President Mario Perez, right, interview SECC Communication Director Enno Müller during his ordination service.

up by the Spirit as he longs for nonbelievers to be brought to Jesus and to make disciples, not only in Laguna Niguel but wherever God calls him to serve.

“I know I do not need to cross the ocean to do this ministry. My church’s backyard is a mission field,” Sevilla said.

Enno Müller, SECC communication director, was ordained on Friday evening, April 13, at the Azure Hills church in Grand Terrace. “I am open to where God leads, and He has put me in this position,” he said about his current role in communications.

Müller has a master’s degree in theology. Although much of his professional life has not been in direct pastoral ministry, he has worked in young adult ministries. Regardless

of official titles or job descriptions, Müller has a passion for ministry in its many facets, and the greatest desire of his heart is to help people answer the big questions in life, such as “why am I here?”

“As a church we have a message of hope. We have something to look forward to,” said Müller. He expresses this hope as something much deeper and more lasting than anything this world has to offer. He wants to share that hope with others. To him, ministry comes down to one simple concept: “Ministry is a profession of helping others,” he said. “A call to ministry is a call to help people.”

Constituency Session Notice Notice is hereby given that the Second Quinquennial Session of the Southeastern California Conference is called to convene as follows: La Sierra University Church 4937 Sierra Vista Ave. Riverside, California 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018 The purpose of this meeting is to receive reports; elect conference officers, vice presidents for ethnic ministries, the executive committee, and the bylaws committee; and to transact any other business that may properly come before the delegates in session.

Sandy Roberts, president Jonathan Park, executive secretary Verlon Strauss, treasurer

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Southern California Conference

Students Fulfill a Heaven-Appointed Purpose

L

at Youth Rush

By Heidi Carpenter

ooking for purpose and mission? Each summer, the Southern California Conference Youth Rush program trains students to be literature evangelists and—more importantly—to love people and to share the gospel with them. Students come from many different backgrounds and encounter thousands of people during the course of this 10-week live-in program.

“The more I learned of Christ, the more I fell in love with Him and wanted to share and teach others more.”

(Left) Marco Topete is currently the assistant coordinator for literature ministries in the Southern California Conference. (Above Right) Rachel Minor has been working with Youth Rush for the past six years; she is leading one of the Southern California Conference programs this year.

Not only do the students share Jesus with others, they also grow closer to Him through their Youth Rush experience.

Marco Topete was born in East San Jose and brought up in a non-religious home. Early on, he was introduced to a life of drug dealing and addiction.

When that road led him to a dead end, Topete began to seek a better life, which he found in Jesus. In 2014, Topete joined Youth Rush, and his experience with raw ministry changed him. “It put me in a position where I saw the real needs of the people and

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how God could use an ordinary person like me to meet their needs,” he said. “At the same time, God met my needs by meeting the needs of others.” Topete is currently the assistant coordinator for SCC literature ministries.

Rachel Minor heard about Youth Rush in her Bible class at Glendale Adventist Academy. After taking time to think and pray about the challenge, she joined the Youth Rush team. Through the course of that first summer, Minor grew in many ways.

“I’ve heard it said that a person doesn’t truly know something unless they can

teach it,” she said. “The more I tried to teach the gospel through literature, the more I learned myself. The more I learned of Christ, the more I fell in love with Him and wanted to share and teach others more. This became a cycle for me that changed my life and brought me closer and closer to Christ.” Minor has been working with Youth Rush for the past six years and is leading one of the SCC programs this year.

A few lines in the book Education have been pivotal in the development of the SCC model for summer literature evangelism programs. “Success in any line demands a definite aim. He who would achieve true success in life must keep steadily in view the aim worthy of his endeavor. Such an aim is set before the youth of today. The heavenappointed purpose of giving the gospel to the world in this generation is the noblest that can appeal to any human being” (Education, p. 262).

The goal of the SCC Youth Rush program is to place before the youth and young adults of today the noblest purpose that can appeal to any human being. The mission of taking the gospel to the world is the most fulfilling and life changing possible. While there are many ways to share the gospel, Youth Rush is a place to deepen and experience this mission in a tangible way. Join Youth Rush this summer by applying at sccyouthrush.org.

Southern California Conference

Philadelphian Church Evangelistic Revival Models Transformation

By Lauren Armstrong

I

n March, the Philadelphian church hosted a two-week revival titled “March Madness.” During the 10 meetings, 290 first-time visitors came to the church, located in Long Beach.

Carlton P. Byrd, Breath of Life Ministries speaker/director, shared messages about the millennium, the Second Coming, the state of the dead, the Ten Commandments, the Sabbath, health/ diet, baptism, and more.

“I was there for opening night and was tremendously blessed by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit,” said Royal Harrison, Greater Los Angeles Region (GLAR) director. “I want to thank [Philadelphian church] Pastor David Zaid and his leadership team for their hard work, determination, and love for God’s people.”

Partnering with the Breath of Life team, the Philadelphian church members worked together to welcome their guests. “Knowing that God can do extraordinary things amongst ordinary people, Philadelphian’s members operated in teams,” said Zaid. Each night of the revival, teams assisted with transportation, parking, greeting,

ushering, hospitality, prayer, and children’s ministry.

Annette Mathis is one of the 41 people who were baptized. “It was awesome,” she said. “The sermon that Dr. Carlton Byrd taught us was one of the reasons I was drawn to be rebaptized. He taught us what we could eat and what we couldn’t eat in the book of Leviticus. He taught us about the Sabbath, and so I decided to be rebaptized.”

This revival was not an isolated event. It’s part of a larger evangelism and retention plan birthed through the church’s recent transformation. “A new mind, new heart, and new vision were introduced to the church to become surrendered through worship, connected through fellowship, matured through discipleship, empowered as servants through ministry, and witnesses through evangelism,” said Zaid. A love that hopes, heals, and helps became the mantra that described the transformation process.

The congregation decided to tackle renovation projects as a physical indicator of the spiritual

transformation within. “The members, understanding nothing is impossible with God, increased their giving and completed several renovation projects of more than $100,000 without taking out a loan,” Zaid said.

To begin the evangelistic process, the preaching team offered several transformational sermon series and trainings to equip members with effective relationship-building techniques. The church assembled members interested in Bible work and divided them into door-to-door outreach teams, Bible instructing teams, and church sponsors dedicated to supporting and retaining new members for their first six months.

The March Madness revival was just one aspect of the Philadelphian church’s transformation. “Our prayerful objective is to continue to baptize and retain as many souls as possible until our Lord Jesus Christ returns,” said Zaid.

(Left) Breath of Life Speaker/Director Carlton Byrd and Philadelphian church Pastor David Zaid baptize Annette Mathis. (Right) Carlton Byrd shares a message during one of the 10 evenings of the revival.

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Nevada-Utah Conference

Wasatch Hills Young People

By Faith Hoyt

Step Up to Lead

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lmost every Sabbath at the Wasatch Hills church, youth are involved in the worship service. Their spirit of volunteerism goes beyond the morning program, and as opportunities arise, youth are filling leadership roles of all kinds at Wasatch Hills. For

16-year-old Krissy Watson, that role is worship coordinator.

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Krissy has filled, are vital to the church.

“It is often said that our youth are the future of our church, and while that statement is true, it is incomplete,” Parks said. “If the youth of our church are not a crucial part of the functioning of the church (Left) At the Wasatch Hills church, young people now, they never will be the are stepping into a variety of roles that not only future.” provide them with leadership skills but also a Though the role was sense of ownership. (Right) Krissy Watson not initially outside her comfort only helps organize the church service, she also greets people in the lobby and helps prepare the zone, Watson has risen to guest lunch. the challenge, and in the process is gaining valuable a meaningful worship experience. leadership skills. “It has taught me “It makes me appreciate all the work how to work with other people and that we don’t see and the people to get out there to meet new people,” who are willing to do it,” she said. “It Watson said. helps me not take it for granted—all According to her mother, Brenda the work that goes into the worship Watson, the Wasatch Hills church service.” is passionate about getting young Watson’s parents inspired her people involved. “Studies have shown to volunteer at church, and the that when kids and teens are heavily inspiration didn’t stop there. “Her involved in ministry at a young age, example encourages young people they will be much more likely to stay to find their role in the church body,” actively involved and in the church as said Judy Rowe, church member at adults,” she said.

Wasatch Hills.

While the leadership skills are For Watson, these kinds of a perk, Watson likes to volunteer experiences are providing a sense because of the perspective it gives of ownership that causes her to rise her. She enjoys having a part to above and beyond for her church, play and seeing all the behind-theand at Wasatch Hills, it is making all scenes work it takes to pull together the difference.

ZACHARY WATSON

Watson spends one week out of the month finding volunteers to help with portions of the service, such as the children’s story, special music, and Scripture reading. She also helps pick the songs and coordinates with the music leaders. On Sabbath, she greets people in the lobby and helps prepare the guest lunch. In addition, Watson serves as the assistant director and crew leader for Vacation Bible School.

When he first visited the church, Wasatch Hills Senior Pastor Barry Curtis took note of Watson’s work.

“I remember feeling impressed that a young person had coordinated the worship program,” he said.

“This congregation is serious about engaging young people, and that made a great impression on me when I was making the decision to move to Utah.” Curtis is an avid supporter of empowering and mentoring young people in ministry, as is Zach Parks, the associate pastor.

Watson first started volunteering when she heard Parks invite the young people to get involved. “She is one of the most willing participants I have ever worked with in a church setting,” Parks said. “Krissy has stepped up to serve her church family in many different roles, and in each and every one of them, she has not only completed the task at hand but has found new and creative ways of doing it!”

Parks believes leadership and service opportunities, such as the one

Nevada-Utah Conference

ZACHARY PARKS

The arches and other rock formations helped the SCA students learn lessons in geology.

SUMMIT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY GOES CAMPING Under the Arches

By Sara Willard

E

PAUL WASHBURN

xperiencing God’s book of nature is a priority at Summit Christian Academy, located in Salt Lake City. Faculty at SCA commit themselves to using this book to bring a sense of community to the school’s families. In this spirit of community building, SCA took a group of 76 people—comprising students, faculty, parents, and a pastor—to spend an April weekend exploring Arches National Park.

The trip was eventful in more ways than one! While setting up tents after their arrival at the park, the campers fought winds of up to 50 miles per hour whipping through their campsite.

Following camp set up, groups of various grade levels set to work meeting the educational objectives for their group. The kindergarten through second-graders looked for animals living in the park, noting what they ate, where they got their water,

and where they found shelter. The first and second-graders also studied geology, which included making observations about the sedimentary rocks, weathering patterns, and dinosaur fossils found in the area.

The kids enjoyed checking off the animals they spotted and the rock formations they hiked to see. “Hiking to Delicate Arch was hard, but it was interesting that there were furry caterpillars on the path, but we saved them,” said student Layla Franco.

The group hiked strenuous trails to see the many arches and fins (pre-arch formations) that abound in the park.

Even some of the youngest students made the treks to Delicate Arch and the Devils Garden Loop Trail, which includes seven arches. “We saw a lot of deer,” said student Samantha Melchor. “The hike that had a lot of arches was hard, and I was tired.”

In the evenings, everyone sat around the campfire and sang. Members of the school’s ukulele club brought their

instruments and played along, and student Elizabeth Blackwelder accompanied the group on her violin.

On Sabbath, the campers gathered for more music and a Bible study led

by Zach Parks, Wasatch Hills church associate pastor for youth. Both parents and students joined in the discussion. Parents later commented that they were blessed by the insights that the students brought to the conversation. No one was too young to participate.

The opportunities to learn, explore, and fellowship during this outing helped bond the SCA school family.

“We had fun getting to know other families on a deeper level,” said parent Nikki VanDongen.

The Arches National Park trip proved an enjoyable and rewarding experience for the campers, and they look forward to the next adventure.

PAUL WASHBURN

(Far Left) SCA students visit Delicate Arch.

(Left) Sara Willard, first and second grade teacher, photobombs a couple of students at Delicate Arch. (Above) Summit Christian Academy students took turns climbing the slick rocks around Arches National Park during the school camping trip in mid-April.

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Central California Conference

Healing Nature:

Adventist Health Supports Camp Wawona Project

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o support Camp Wawona, Adventist Health hospitals in Bakersfield, Hanford, and Sonora have donated a combined $300,000 toward a new medical building at the camp. The proposed 4,984-square-foot building will provide rooms to dispense medications, care for camp visitors, and house a physician and two nurses. Road permits have been submitted, and the project is expected to start next year.

The camp’s quiet beauty, spiritual lessons, and recreational activities promote health and build memories for a lifetime as people of all ages learn more about God through His Word and His creation.

“Camp Wawona’s ministry aligns well with Adventist Health’s mission of living God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness, and hope,” said Wayne Ferch, president/CEO of the nonprofit, faith-based healthcare organization’s Central California Region.

Ferch, an avid hiker and outdoor photographer, leads and supports more than 8,000 employees at seven hospitals, as well as more than 120 clinics throughout the region. “Camp Wawona is a place for children and adults to experience the wonders of God’s creation,” he said. “It supports our mission by bringing people into the healing environment of the mountains.”

Andrew Jahn, newly named president of Adventist Health Southern California Region, was serving as president/CEO of Adventist

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by Christine Pickering

“Camp Wawona’s ministry aligns well with Adventist Health’s mission of living God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness, and hope.”

Wayne Ferch PRESIDENT/CEO ADVENTIST HEALTH CENTRAL CALIFORNIA REGION

Health Sonora when the decision to support the project was made. “The medical building at Camp Wawona sits at the intersection of health and wholeness … an extension of our hospital mission that reaches beyond the physical borders of our communities to minister to young people throughout Central California,” Jahn said. “I am so glad that Adventist Health Sonora had the opportunity and the capacity to participate and help make this project possible.”

The medical building is among several large projects that are under development at the camp. Others include a new chapel, cabins, and Seybold Dining Hall.

The camp is part of the ministry of the Central California

Conference (CCC). “Donors, such as Adventist Health, are critical to the generations who will benefit from Camp Wawona for decades to come,” said Ramiro Cano, CCC president. “We’re so grateful that Wayne, Andrew, and other leaders value time away with God in His tabernacle in the woods. Lives are transformed here, and we’re glad they want to be a part of that enduring ministry.”

Adventist Health Central California Region is very supportive of the mission of Camp Wawona, according to Ferch. “They do great work,” he said. “I appreciate that the Conference provides a place like this for children and adults and hope that others will join us in supporting this important ministry.”

Pictured here is an artist’s rendering of the new medical building at Camp Wawona.

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE PRESENTS

His Word Shaping Our Story JOIN US IN SOQUEL, JULY 12-21, 2018

LIVE OR ON HOPE CHURCH CHANNEL OR LIVESTREAM AT SOQUELCAMPMEETING.ORG

FEATURED SPEAKERS JOSÉ ROJAS, DAVID ZAID, HENRY WRIGHT, and ARNALDO R. CRUZ FIGUEROA FEATURED CONCERTS by THE KING’S HERALDS and MICHAEL HARRIS REGISTER AT SOQUELCAMPMEETING.ORG

Northern California Conference

NCC Ordains Three People to the Gospel Ministry

By Julie Lorenz

I

n the first part of 2018, the Northern California Conference ordained three pastors to the gospel ministry.

Executive Secretary Marc Woodson congratulates Chaplain Loretta Belton at her ordination.

JULIE LORENZ

Baptist Seminary of the West. She completed her chaplaincy residency with four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center.

In addition, she holds a ministerial license from the Northern California Conference.

She embraces her call to ministry with increasing confidence. “My prayer each day is that the hand of God will be upon me,” said Belton. “I have experienced His hand, both in a deeper and more intimate and personal relationship with Him and in leading others to Jesus.”

Loretta Belton was ordained

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Daniel Yim, pastor of the Lockeford/Sutter Hill district, was ordained on March 17 at the Sutter Hill church.

Yim’s family immigrated from South Korea when he was a small child. His

LEON RODA

on Jan. 27 at the El Sobrante Appian Way church. Belton is a chaplain for St. Helena Hospital Center for Behavioral Health, where she has worked since 2007. “A favorite part of my work as a chaplain is seeing the effects that God’s Word has on individuals who are hopeless, helpless, and suicidal,” she said. “Watching them experience a ray of hope to rise above their difficulties is an amazing experience.”

A native of Chicago, Belton became an Adventist when she was a senior in high school. After graduating from Broadview Academy in Illinois, she attended Oakland College (now University), where she developed a closer relationship with God. At Oakwood, she met her future husband, Ed. The Beltons have two sons, Paul and Shannon, and one daughter, Lisa.

Belton holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Pacific Union College; a Master of Science in Nursing from California State University, Sacramento; and a Master of Divinity from American

father was a pastor who wanted to further his education in the United States. “My philosophy of ministry came from my father, as I watched how he lived his life,” said Yim. “He really shaped how I approach people with a desire to serve and to help. That’s what brings me joy. My love language is acts of service.”

Yim attended Adventist schools in Georgia, Florida, and Maryland before graduating from Takoma Academy.

He studied at Weimar College for two years—where he first felt God calling him to the ministry. After working for a year as a student missionary in South Korea, Yim enrolled at La Sierra University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in theology. After further study, he served in youth ministry at churches in Florida and Georgia before going to the SDA Theological Seminary at Andrews University, where he graduated with his Master of Divinity.

He then served as a locally funded youth pastor at the Napa Valley Korean church. In 2015 the NCC called him to minister to his current churches.

Yim’s favorite parts of ministry are comforting those who are sick and giving Bible studies to new believers.

“I am an Adventist minister because I believe in the prophetic messages of Daniel and Revelation,” he said. “And I desire to draw others to the soon-coming King.”

President Jim Pedersen and Executive Secretary Marc Woodson welcome newly ordained Pastor Daniel Yim.

Northern California Conference

JULIE LORENZ

Gracepoint church Pastor Walter Groff offers a prayer for newly ordained Pastor Caleb Henry.

Caleb Henry was ordained on March 31 at the Carmichael church, where he is an associate pastor.

After graduating from Walla Walla College (now University), Henry served as assistant pastor at the college church in charge of the contemporary worship service, and he directed an outreach to students called Improv Church.

During this time, he felt convicted to learn more about making disciples, not just converts. “If Jesus tells us that He measures success by how many

Working

for the Harvest MAT THE W 9:38

Notice of 2018 Constituency Meeting of the Northern California Conference Notice is hereby given that a regular session of the Northern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is called to convene at the Lodi Fairmont church in Lodi, California, on Sunday, September 30, 2018, at 9 a.m. The purpose of this meeting is to receive from the officers and department directors of the Conference reports pertaining to the work carried on within its territory since the last conference session; to elect for the ensuing session officers, department directors, the Bylaws Committee, and the Conference Executive Committee; and to transact any other business that may properly come before the delegates in session.

Each church is entitled to one delegate for the organization and one additional delegate for each one hundred members or major fraction thereof.

James E. Pedersen, President Marc K. Woodson, Executive Secretary

disciples we equip to become like Him, it makes me nervous that we would measure success by any other metric,” he said. “I’ve also seen how life-transforming disciples completely surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus can be, compared to people who are simply pro-Jesus.”

Henry’s experiences have molded him as a discipler. He completed a one-year discipleship internship at a nondenominational church; directed The Awakening, a university student-

ee o s e! t pe er Ho ou th NOTE y LOCATION CHANGE all three days at

Christian Life Center 9025 West Lane, Stockton

led worship service; served as a mentor coach for university freshmen; discipled leaders with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Whitman College; and served as pastor of youth and discipleship at Connections Adventist church in Yakima, Washington. He then joined the leadership team of a new interdenominational school of discipleship, representing members from 16 different churches, where he was able to share Adventist beliefs.

In 2013, Henry accepted the NCC’s invitation to be the pastor of discipleship and outreach at the Carmichael church, where he continues to mentor disciples and disciple makers. “It is so exciting to see people experience God’s love in a personal way,” he said.

URBAN CAMP MEETING

SPONSORED BY NCC AFRICAN AMERICAN MINISTRIES

June 21-June 23, 2018

Thursday, 1:00-9:00 p.m.

Friday and Sabbath, 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

For more information, call (925) 603-5097.

Guest Speakers IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER

Dr. Kathy Batchelor • Elder Marvin Clarke Dr. Ricardo Graham • Brother Curtis Hall Dr. Abraham Jules • Pastor Edwin McBride Sister Imelda Mitchell Elder Edward Woods

F.I.T

Fellowship, Inspiration & Training

to IGNITE

www.nccsda.com/FITtoIgnite

J U N E 2018

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La Sierra University The La Sierra University Wind Ensemble, directed by Professor Giovanni Santos, performs on March 15 at the famed Carnegie Hall. (Right) Award-winning tenor and composer Anthony León, a La Sierra University music major, performs with the Wind Ensemble.

LA SIERRA UNIVERSITY WIND ENSEMBLE

Debuts at Carnegie Hall

By Darla Martin Tucker

O ALL PHOTOS: NATAN VIGNA

n the evening of March 15, the La Sierra University Wind Ensemble, led by conductor Giovanni Santos, walked onto one of the world’s most eminent stages, where many of music’s greatest talents have dazzled audiences with their skill.

Elvin Rodriguez, associate music department chair and professor, prays backstage with members of the Wind Ensemble before their performance.

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PA C I F I C U N I O N R E CO R D E R

The ensemble of more than 40 La Sierra musicians made their debut at New York City’s Carnegie Hall, performing published pieces as well as new works written by Santos, adjunct music professor and Emmy winner Gary Kuo, and tenor Anthony León, an awardwinning music major at La Sierra. The Wind Ensemble’s repertoire included Santos’s “Voyages,” which he premiered in January with the United States Naval Academy Band Brass Ensemble at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. To be considered for the Carnegie Hall performance opportunity, Santos submitted audio recordings

of the ensemble to international performance organizers Manhattan Concert Productions. The ensemble was accepted for the March 15 appearance in famed Isaac Stern Auditorium, along with McMurry University Chanters and Wind Ensemble from Abilene, Texas, and the Scarsdale High School Wind Ensemble from New York.

Carnegie Hall, a National Historic Landmark, opened in the spring of 1891 through the backing of wealthy industrialist Andrew Carnegie. Famed composer and conductor Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky appeared for the hall’s opening night performances, setting the stage for a litany of eminent

La Sierra University

Giovanni Santos, director of wind and percussion studies at La Sierra, leads the Wind Ensemble at Carnegie Hall.

musicians from across various musical genres who have since performed to scores of fans gathered in the six-story, Italian Renaissance-style structure.

These have included world-renowned composers Antonín Dvorák and Gustav Holtz, famed pianists such as Vladimir Horowitz, eminent violinists such as Isaac Stern (for whom the main stage is named), vocal sensations Placido Domingo and Marian Anderson, and numerous others. Over the years, the hall broadened its offerings to include jazz, folk, and pop stars. United States presidents and other world leaders have delivered talks on its stages.

“The greatest thrill for me was not

the fact that I was on stage, but that I had the opportunity to share a very special moment with my students,” Santos said. “Seeing them succeed made me quite happy. Our students were fantastic and represented our university with distinction and pride.”

The experience made a significant impact on La Sierra’s student musicians. “It was overwhelming,” said Sam Salazar, a tuba performance certificate student from the University of Montemorelos, an Adventist school in Mexico. “You get there and you don’t believe it’s such a beautiful hall. There’s so much history embedded [there]. It was a lot of practice and a lot of hard work” to be able to perform at Carnegie, he said.

Isabel Serrano, a freshman music

major and flutist who came to La Sierra from Loma Linda Academy, described the experience of walking onto the Carnegie Hall stage as “surreal and inspiring. It made me want to come back as a [professional] musician,” she said. “It was such a blessing to be there.”

“Carnegie Hall was an absolutely amazing experience,” said saxophonist and senior healthcare management, pre-med major Jonathan Thomas, who also came to La Sierra from Loma Linda Academy. “As a non-music major I never thought I would be able to play on the stage of Carnegie Hall. I am so thankful for the opportunity that the La Sierra University Music Department gave me and the ensemble to play in such a prestigious venue.”

A contingent of La Sierra University faculty, staff, and alumni attended the Wind Ensemble’s Carnegie performance, including President Randal Wisbey and his wife, Deanna Wisbey. “It was a wonderful success for the La Sierra Wind Ensemble and for our university’s learning community,” said Randal Wisbey. “When Professor Santos raised his baton and the first notes rang out on that historic stage that has been witness to some of the world’s finest musicians, it was truly a beautiful moment.”

David Kendall, music department chair and director of music history and research at La Sierra, played trombone with the ensemble. He described the experience as breathtaking. “Walking the halls behind the stage and observing the portraits of the incredible musicians who conducted and performed there was very humbling for us,” he said. “Walking in the footsteps of these giants of classical and popular music was a great learning opportunity for the students and professors alike.”

“I am so thankful for the opportunity that the La Sierra University Music Department gave me and the ensemble to play in such a prestigious venue.”

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Community & Marketplace CALENDAR Central California

Life Hope Centers (June 9-10) for the Soquel/Santa Cruz community at the Soquel Conference Center.

Volunteers are needed for this free event. The more dentists, medical professionals, and optometrists that volunteer, the more community members can be served. Sign up at LifeHopeCentersCentral.com.

Summer Camp (June 24-Aug. 5) at Camp Wawona, themed One Way Jesus. Everyone can enjoy weeklong summer camp: cubs, juniors, tweens, teens, and families of all ages. Find the camp that is right for you and your family at CampWawona.org.

Teen Bible Academy (June 19July 8) is a three-week program that focuses on solitude, study, and service designed for high

school teens ages 13-17. Go to cccsdayouth.org for more information.

Prayer Walk (July 6-8) at the Soquel Conference Center. Join us for the pre-camp meeting prayer walk. For information or to register, call 559-696-3692.

Northern California

Hispanic Young Adults Retreat (June 1-3) Albion Field Station. Info: NCC Hispanic Ministries Department, 925603-5092.

Open House/Super Sale (June 10) 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sacramento Adventist Book Center, 5207 Madison Avenue, Ste. G, Sacramento. Great sale prices on Christian books and gifts, vegetarian food. Info: Adventist Book Center, 800-400-1844.

Hispanic Youth Evangelism (June 9-16) various NCC churches. Info: NCC Hispanic

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PA C I F I C U N I O N R E CO R D E R

Ministries Department, 925603-5092.

Urban Camp Meeting (June 21-23) Stockton Christian Life Center, 9025 West Lane, Stockton. “F. I. T. (Fellowship, Inspiration, Training) to Ignite.” Guest speakers, seminars, programs for youth and children. See ad in NCC section of this issue. Info: NCC African American Ministries Department, 925-603-5047, www.nccsda.com/FITtoIgnite.

Pacific Union College

College Early: Summer in Residence (June 24-July 20).

High school juniors and seniors are invited to experience PUC’s rigorous academic environment while earning college credit in popular general education courses. Info: academicadministration@puc. edu or 707-965-7103.

Southern California Conference

Second Saturday Series Concert (June 16) 5 p.m.

Hispanic Convocation Featuring Sunset ChamberFest (June 23) Rio Lindo Adventist Strings. Admission is by free-will Academy, 3200 Rio Lindo offering, a reception follows.

Avenue, Healdsburg. Info: NCC Glendale City church, 610 E. Hispanic Ministries Department, California Ave., Glendale 91206.

925-603-5092.

Info: 818-244-7241.

Placerville Church 125th Anniversary (June 22-23) Placerville church, 6831 Mother Lode Drive. Former pastors, members, friends invited. Friday night vespers; Sabbath School; worship service with Pastor John Cress; lunch provided; activities for children; Heritage Singers concert at 4 p.m. Send your current address for more information. Info: office@ placervillesda.org or 530-6222446.

FEJA Youth Retreat (July 7-8) Chico. Info: NCC Hispanic Ministries Department, 925603-5092.

Church Treasurer Training (July 8) 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Carmichael church, 4600 Winding Way, Sacramento.

Bring your laptop computer.

Lunch provided. RSVP. Info: NCC Treasurer’s Office, 888-4344622, ext. 209.

Redwood Camp Meeting (July 19-28). Speakers: Shawn Boonstra, Sam Leonor, Chanda Nunes, Ivan Williams, Sr. Programs for all ages.

Community Service Day on July 27. Great programming, family time, wonderful memories—all for less than $30 a night! Info: www.nccsda.com/redwood.

Second Saturday Series Concert (July 14) 5 p.m.

Featuring FluteSonic Flute.

Admission is by free-will offering, a reception follows. Glendale City church, 610 E. California Ave., Glendale 91206. Info: 818-2447241.

Sunday Brunch Seminar: “Where do I go From Here?”(July 15) 9 a.m. Presenter: Lynda Lee Park, CEO, Consultants Extraordinaire. Free. For reserved seating, call 818-546-8421; walkins welcome! Info: gpark@sccsda. org.

CLASSIFIED At Your Service

California Adventist Federal Credit Union, your “One Stop Finance Shop.” Serving our Adventist Community for over 65 years with financial products and services, along with wealth-building education.

Please visit our website at www.

SdacreditUnion.com for updates on all that CAFCU has to offer.

Call our office to speak to our friendly staff or manager for additional information: 818-2467241.

Relocating? Apex Moving & Storage has a National Account

Community & Marketplace Contract with the GC for your moving needs. Take advantage of a volume-rated discount. Be assured you are moving with one of the best! Call Marcy at 800-766-1902. Visit us at www. apexmoving.com/adventist.

healthy produce and meals on the island of Majuro. Your taxdeductible donation of a running or non-running vehicle can help us share the love of God through health and healing. 800-7937245, info@canvasback.org.

SDA Real Estate Broker available to help you find homes in small towns, country homes with acreage, and undeveloped land in beautiful Northeast Washington. Experienced with all facets of country living, including home building, organic gardening, orcharding, and off grid living. 509-936-3112. www. ruralpropertiesbyrob.com, Rob@ ruralpropertiesbyrob.com.

Employment

Single? Widowed? Divorced?

Meet compatible SDAs from the USA ages 18-98. Each provides: birthday, marital status, race, occupation, interests, goals, year baptized, lots more! Safe, confidential, effective, fun! For more information, application, and current catalog, send $25 to: SDA Pen-Pals, P.O. Box 734, Blue Ridge, GA 30513.

OB-GYN, Pediatrician, Psychiatrist, and Psychologist needed for Adventist owned/ operated Rural Health Clinic on the campus of Weimar Institute at Weimar, Calif. Competitive pay.

Call Dr. Randall Steffens at: 615604-0142.

Web Design! Skyrocket your business with an exceptional modern website. Our Oregon Adventist agency specializes in giving you instant credibility using our strong internet marketing background and conversion-friendly design skills. View our work at DiscoverPeppermint.com.

Serving clients worldwide. Call Kama: 541-903-1180.

Bulletin Board

Adventist Books: Looking for NEW Adventist titles to encourage and grow your daily walk? Visit us at www.

TEACHServices.com. For USED Adventist books visit www.

LNFBooks.com. AUTHORS: If you are interested in having your book published, call 800-3671844 for a free evaluation.

Canvasback Missions needs three vehicles to transport volunteers and supplies as well as pull a food trailer delivering

Better Life television seeking production staff for Grants Pass, Ore., headquarters. Applicants should be proficient in video editing, field/studio production, basic graphics. Directing experience or motion graphics a plus. Seventh-day Adventist member in good standing.

Resume: Douglas@BetterLifeTV. tv.

TURN TURN

Downtime Downtime INTO INTO Uptime Uptime

awr.org/listen awr.org/listen

Secrets Unsealed is seeking a F/T Accounting Manager to join our 501C3 ministry in Fresno, Calif. See position details at http://www.secretsunsealed.org/ employment/.

The Office of the Provost at La Sierra University invites applications for a half-time position as the Dean of the Division of General Education to begin in July 2018. For more information, please visit: goo.gl/ JmSuQX.

Events

United4theCause Fourth Annual Retreat (July 26-29) “We Are in This Together—You don’t Have to do it Alone.” Training to establish or strengthen breast cancer support groups in your local church. Held at Loma Linda University Lindsay Hall. For registration and more info, visit: united4thcause.org.

Stream Stream

Subscribe Subscribe

Download Download

And don’t forget to share with And don’t forget to share with your family & community! your family & community!

AWR delivers messages of hope AWR messages of hope & helpdelivers for daily life in more than & help for daily life in more than 100 languages 100 languages

For Sale

For sale or donation: Professional woodworking power and hand tools. Felder

800-337-4297 800-337-4297

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45

Community & Marketplace multipurpose table saw with accessories. Saws, drills, routers, planers, books, wood, shelves, and more. Low price or donation to worthy mission school, project, individual, or business.

951-850-1037 or 951-312-2854.

Health Ministry Coordinators and Personal Ministry Directors – Beautiful inexpensive witnessing supplies: magazines, brochures, tracts, and books Free catalog and sample. Call 800-777-2848 or visit us at www. familyheritagebooks.com.

Missing Members

Valley Crossroads Church, ATTN: Church Clerk, Valley Crossroads Church Secretary, vccsecty@yahoo.com, 11350 Glenoaks Blvd., Pacoima, Calif.: Ng, Marlon; Nunez, Genilza; Nunez, Karina; Nunez, Wenner; Nunez, Juan; Nunez, Silvia; Oats, Joe; Oats, Loyda; Ochoa, David; Ochoa, Maria; Oden-Pagan, Arielle; O’Neal, Jonathan; O’Neil, Surre; Parker, Ahri Graysons; Parker, Ehrian; Parker, Ejoi Marie; Pegram, Darrin; Penniman, Essie; Penniman, Walter; Pfeisinger, Milan; Pham, Jimmy; Ponce, Maria; Puddicombe, Corey; Rakeshaw, John; Ramirez, Agatha; Ramirez, Alicia; Red, Chareiccia; Reid, Sade; Ricketts, Mario; Robinson, Jocanda; Robinson, Pauline; Robinson, Jr., Ronald; Robinson, Ta’Jhauna; Robinson, Yvonne; Rodriguez, Adalene; Rogers, Curtis; Roger, Shawna Renee; Rosas, Daniel; Ross, Bobby; Roy, Frantz; Roy, Gabrielle; Roy, Phillip; Roy, Steve; Samuels, Araceli; Samuels, Christopher; Samuels, Joselle; Samuels, Kristen; Samuels, Shinelle; Sanchez, Alexander; Sanchez, Roberto; Santos, Karen; Santos, Michelle; Scott, Richard; Scovell, Robert; Seaton, Myava; Shanks, Austin; Shanks, Janice; Shelton, Merrill; Sheral, Patricia; Sibanda, Bathabile; Silva, Vivian; Simmons, Patricia L; Simpson, Tobias; Sims, Spencer; Skinner-Griffin, Brianna; Slayton, Stephanie; Smith, Carla; Smith, Denise; Smith, Karli; Smith, Mattie; Smith, Michael; Smith,

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PA C I F I C U N I O N R E CO R D E R

Nicole; Smith, Sharon; Soyverian, Garry; Spells, Rosalind; Spencer, Mary; Stewart, Tamar; Summers, Aisha; Taliver, Joseph; Tatum, Beverly; Tatum, Robinette.

Real Estate

Peaceful mountaintop retreat near town (Kettle Falls, Wash.) yet completely private, with large quality built excellently maintained home plus A-frame guest house, outbuildings, large fenced organic orchard, and vegetable garden on 20 heavily treed acres with amazing views. $399,900. Call Jeannie 509-6754447.

Plan Your Getaway! Small custom cottage nestled in pine grove in peaceful rural setting.

Mountain views. Southern Klamath County, Oregon. 39 acres of open, gently rolling land.

Off grid, wired for generator.

Power close by. New, stick frame construction. $194,900. Phone: 541-783-3788.

Vacations

Israel Tour with Pastor Jim Gilley, 3ABNs Pastor C.A. Murray and friends. Two trips this fall (Nov. 11-19) $3,095 and (Nov. 18-27) $3,395. Includes all tips, taxes, air, and breakfast and dinner buffets daily. From New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles; other departure cities available. Call Jennifer, 602788-8864.

Maui Vacation Condo in Kihei.

Relaxing & affordable. Only a 3-minute walk to the beach!

1-bdrm w/king bed. Clean, comfortable, well-maintained.

Sleeps 4. Fully-furnished kitchen, washer/dryer & more! FREE parking, Wi-Fi, & calls to U.S./ Canada. Friendly Kihei SDA church nearby. Visit us at: <http:// www.vrbo.com/62799> Email: mauivista1125@gmail.com or call Mark 909-800-9841.

Sunriver, Central Oregon.

Four-bedroom vacation home on the North Woodlands golf course. Two master king suites, two queens one bunk set, hot tub, loft, Jacuzzi bath, gas log

fireplace, BBQ, W/D, bikes, all resort amenities, sleeps 10, no smoking, no pets. For rates, photos, and reservations call: 541-279-9553, or email schultz@ crestviewcable.com.

AT REST Bokerman, Horst – b. Jan. 8, 1938, Dortmund, Germany; d. Nov. 10, 2017, Glendora, Calif. Survivors: wife, Violet; daughters, Jackie, Michelle; two grandchildren.

Bowen, Evangeline (Knittel) – b. Jan. 8, 1932, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; d.

April 15, 2018, Loma Linda, Calif. Survivors: daughters, Jill Hoenes, Heidi, Julie; one grandson; sister, Virginia Goodwin; brother, Eugene Knittel.

Casey, Barbara Jane (Jetton) – b. Nov. 2, 1935, Omaha, Neb.; d. April 15, 2018, Napa, Calif. Survivors: daughter, Shawn Casey-White; brother, James Jetton II. Craig, Wilda I. – b. July 27, 1923, Vilna, Alberta, Canada; d. April 3, 2018, Yucaipa, Calif.

Survivors: daughters, Sharon Nakadate, Claudia Selko; four grandchildren; six greatgrandchildren. Served at the White Memorial Medical Center and Loma Linda Community Hospital.

Diaz, Julio Cesar – b. Aug. 20, 1951, Caracas, Venezuela; d.

June 23, 2017, Yucaipa, Calif.

Survivors: wife, Donna; son, Tomas; two sisters; nieces and nephews. Diaz served as a chaplain with MARS ministries for 15 years working with recovering addicts.

Driver, Betty – b. May 28, 1926, Columbus, Ohio; d.

April 2, 2018, Paradise, Calif.

Survivors: sons, Richard, George, Tom; daughter, Polly Smith; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.

Evans, Elizabeth Sue – b. May 30, 1925, Glen Mary, Ala.; d.

March 12, 2018, Caldwell, Idaho.

Survivors: daughters, Elaine Crouch, Linda Adams.

Green, Esther “Bobbee” Ruth (Thiot) – b. Nov. 14, 1925, Grand Junction, Colo.; d.

March 29, 2018, Citrus Heights, Calif. Survivors: daughters, Judy Vieira, Kay Schaefer, Suzanne Manchester, Cindy Johnson, Rhonda Barwise; stepdaughter, Sharyn Webber; 10 grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren, 12 greatgrandchildren.

Harvey, Edward Lee – b. Sept.

18, 1945, Richmond, Calif.; d.

April 10, 2018, Loma Linda, Calif. Survivors: wife, Ayda; son, Edward L. Jr.; daughter, Eleanor; five grandchildren. Served as a pastor in Oakland, Vallejo, Seaside, East Palo Alto, and Bakersfield in Northern and Central California conferences.

Hernandez, Maria Elena – b.

April 25, 1937, Vista Hermosa, Mexico; d. Jan. 13, 2018, Loma Linda, Calif. Survivors: husband, Hose; sons, Fernando, Mario; daughters, Ofelia, Angelica; four grandchildren, one greatgrandchild.

Jones, Fredi Ray (Wauchope) – b. Oct. 31, 1927, Fresno, Calif.; d. March 17, 2018, Yountville, Calif. Survivors: sons, Larry, Curtis, JonPaul; daughter, Linda; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren. Served as Northern California Conference Community Services Federation president. Traveled around the world with ADRA disaster response.

Knittel, Rebecca Jean (Weiss) – b. Feb. 2, 1936, Chicago, Ill.; d.

Feb. 1, 2018, Vista, Calif. Survivors: son, Marlan; daughters, Carriel, Beth, Marta, Heidi; three grandchildren. Served as English teacher at Fresno Adventist Academy, Ukiah Junior Academy, Grossmont College, MiraCosta College, San Diego City College.

Community & Marketplace Nieblas, Rosendo – b. Mar. 1, 1938, Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico; d. Jan. 12, 2018, Culiacan, Mexico. Survivors: son, Josh; daughter, Miriam Schmidt; three grandchildren.

Advertising

Advertising is accepted as a service to Seventh-day Adventist Church members in the Pacific Union. The Recorder management reserves the right to refuse any advertisement, especially ads not related to the needs and practices of the Church membership. Acceptance of any advertising shall be considered a matter of accommodation and not a matter of right, nor shall it be construed to constitute approval of the product or service advertised.

O’Neill, Leslie – b. Jan. 1, 1943, Oakland, Calif.; d. Sept. 23, 2017, Napa, Calif. Survivors: wife, Sandra; daughters, Lori Spencer, Lisa Piner; four grandchildren.

Robertson, Katherine Ruth (Martin) – b. Nov. 9, 1919, Portland, Ore.; d. March 27, 2018, Vancouver, Wash.

Survivors: sons, John M., Douglas J.; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; seven step great-grandchildren.

Served with her pastorhusband in Southeastern Conference, including La Sierra Collegiate, Paradise Valley; and Vallejo Drive and Long Beach in Southern California Conference.

Terry, Elaine Rose (Hodges) – b. Oct. 27, 1922, Mill Creek, Kan.; d. April 9, 2018, Sacramento, Calif. Survivors: son, Maurice; three grandchildren; five greatgrandchildren.

Tonn, Ann (Richardson) – b.

June 29, 1930, Los Angeles, Calif.; d. May 6, 2017, Manteca, Calif. Survivors: husband, Elverne; son, James; five grandchildren; one greatgrandchild.

Wallace, Patricia Helen (Shryock) – b. Sept. 14, 1931, Loma Linda, Calif.; d. April 11, 2018, Riverside, Calif.

Survivors: husband, G. Carleton; daughters, Pique Marsh, Pam Bishop; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother, Edwin F. Shryock.

How to Submit Advertising Classified ads must be sent with payment to the Recorder office (commdept@puconline.org). Display ads should be arranged with the editor (ads@adventistfaith.com).

Classified Rates $70 for 50 words; 75 cents each additional word.

Sunset Calendar

June 2018 City

Alturas Angwin Bakersfield Calexico Chico Death Valley (Furnace Ck) Eureka Four Corners [E] Fresno Grand Canyon (South Rim) Half Dome Hilo Holbrook Honolulu Joshua Tree Lake Tahoe Las Vegas Lodi-Stockton Loma Linda Los Angeles McDermitt [N] Moab Monterey Bay Monument Valley Mt. Lassen Mt. Whitney Nogales [S] Oakland Paradise Phoenix Provo Puuwai, Ni’ihau [W] Reno Riverside Sacramento Salt Lake City San Diego San Francisco San Jose Santa Rosa Sunset Beach Thousand Oaks Tucson

6/1 6/8 6/15 6/22 6/29 8:30 8:34 8:38 8:28 8:33 8:36 8:06 8:10 8:12 7:45 7:48 7:51 8:29 8:34 8:37 8:01 8:05 8:07 8:42 8:46 8:50 8:28 8:32 8:35 8:13 8:17 8:19 7:40 7:44 7:47 8:14 8:18 8:21 6:56 6:58 7:00 7:29 7:33 7:36 7:10 7:12 7:15 7:52 7:55 7:58 8:20 8:25 8:28 7:52 7:56 7:59 8:22 8:27 8:30 7:55 7:59 8:02 7:59 8:03 8:06 8:20 8:25 8:28 8:37 8:41 8:44 8:21 8:25 8:28 8:35 8:39 8:42 8:30 8:35 8:38 8:06 8:10 8:13 7:23 7:27 7:29 8:25 8:30 8:33 8:29 8:33 8:36 7:33 7:37 7:39 8:50 8:55 8:58 7:20 7:23 7:25 8:21 8:25 8:28 8:24 8:28 8:31 8:25 8:29 8:32 8:53 8:57 9:00 7:52 7:55 7:58 8:26 8:30 8:33 8:23 8:27 8:30 8:29 8:33 8:36 7:59 8:03 8:06 8:02 8:06 8:08 7:25 7:29 7:32

8:39 8:37 8:14 7:53 8:39 8:09 8:52 8:37 8:21 7:49 8:23 7:02 7:37 7:17 8:00 8:29 8:01 8:31 8:04 8:07 8:30 8:46 8:30 8:44 8:40 8:15 7:31 8:34 8:38 7:41 9:00 7:27 8:30 8:33 8:34 9:02 8:00 8:25 8:31 8:38 8:08 8:10 7:33

8:40 8:38 8:15 7:53 8:39 8:10 8:52 8:37 8:22 7:49 8:24 7:03 7:38 7:17 8:01 8:30 8:01 8:32 8:04 8:08 8:30 8:46 8:30 8:44 8:40 8:15 7:32 8:35 8:38 7:42 9:00 7:28 8:30 8:33 8:34 9:03 8:00 8:35 8:32 8:38 8:08 8:11 7:34

[N]=Northernmost [S]=Southernmost [E]=Easternmost [W]=Westernmost point in the Pacific Union

“So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.” Hebrews 4:9

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Information Circulation is approximately 76,000 homes, and magazines are scheduled to arrive in homes by the last Thursday of the previous month. For more information about advertising, please go to adventistfaith.com/ advertising, email to ads@adventistfaith.com or call 805-413-7280.

2018 Deadlines These are the advertising deadlines for the Recorder. Your local conference news deadlines will be earlier.

August: June 27 September: July 30

Contributions

!

Wuchenich, Gary – b. Oct. 16, 1951, Pittsburgh, Pa.; d. April 10, 2018, Redlands, Calif. Survivors: siblings, Nanette, Danielle, John, Valerie WuchenichNelson, Melanie WuchenichJobe; 16 nieces and nephews.

Served as a dentist in Redlands, Calif.

Payment in advance must accompany all classified advertisements or they will not be published. Display ads for known advertisers will be billed. To pay by credit card, please call 805-413-7280.

The Recorder pages are assigned to the local conferences, colleges, and health care institutions, and all content comes through the communication departments in those organizations. If you have a news story/idea, calendar announcement, etc., please contact your local communication department.

See the masthead for contact information. Want tips for writing for us? See www.dailywritingtips. com/the-art-of-writing-news.

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OUTSTANDING ACADEMICS “PUC gave me a lot of opportunities to work one-on-one with my professors. Under their guidance, the skills and techniques I developed and perfected helped me land my dream job at Rip Curl.”

— Cameron Mitchell, ’16, senior graphic designer, Rip Curl

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REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE “As a PUC alumnus and as a nurse working at Adventist Health St. Helena, I appreciate the PUC student nurses I work with and train. The level of skill and compassion these young people show is truly impressive.”

— Jonathan Garza, ’07, heart and vascular unit manager, Adventist Health St. Helena

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