Pacific Union Recorder—September 2025

Recorder

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During the years that my life has been devoted to the work of God, from my first experience in it, the Lord has been giving me special light. By His Spirit He has given messages of warning and reproof, consolation and uplifting, to preserve in the earth the principles of heaven and to magnify the distinctive features of true godliness. That which has been presented to me from time to time, here a little and there a little, is of the greatest consequence to the people of God.

—Ellen G.

White, Letters and Manuscripts, vol. 18, letter 73, 1903

What’s inside

4 An Amazing and Wonderful Gift

8 A New Day

12 Fundamental Belief #18: Seasons of Faith With Sister White

14 Adventist Pioneers in the West: Braulio Pérez Marcio: Pioneer of the Spanish Voice of Prophecy

18 Hiram Edson: Disappointed Millerite: Part 4

24 When Relationships Sour

28 From Betrayal to Brotherhood:

A Scriptural Model for Conflict Resolution

32 Rags to Riches

34 Newsdesk

36 Arizona Conference

38 Central California Conference

42 Hawaii Conference

44 Holbrook Indian School

46 Adventist Health

47 La Sierra University

48 Loma Linda University Health

49 Pacific Union College

50 Nevada-Utah Conference

52 Northern California Conference

Recorder

Publisher Ray Tetz

Editor Alberto Valenzuela

Assistant Editor Connie Jeffery

Design/Layout Stephanie Leal • Alberto Valenzuela

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Arizona

480-991-6777 ext 139 Jeff Rogers jrogers@azconference.org

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56 Southeastern California Conference 60 Southern California Conference 64 Community & Marketplace 68 Sunset Calendars

70 Keeping Watch

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Kimberly Cruz kcruz@hissda.org

La Sierra University 951-785-2000

Darla Tucker dmartint@lasierra.edu

Loma Linda 909-651-5925

Ansel Oliver anoliver@llu.edu

Nevada-Utah 775-322-6929

Neat Randriamialison nrandriamialison@nevadautah.org

Northern California 916-886-5600

Laurie Trujillo Laurie.Trujillo@nccsda.com

Pacific Union College 951-809-6777

Gene Edelbach gedelbach@puc.edu

Southeastern California 951-509-2258

Taji Saleem taji.saleem@seccsda.org

Southern California 818-546-8400

Lauren Lacson Llacson@sccsda.org

Editorial Correspondents

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.

An

Ellen White’s writing room at Elmshaven, California. She used to sit in that chair as she wrote.

Gift Amazing and Wonderful

By Leon Brown

On one of my journeys back from Pacific Union College after attending a board meeting, I stopped by Elmshaven and took a tour of Ellen White’s home. For those of you who don’t know, Ellen White’s home in Elmshaven is a precious jewel owned and operated by the Pacific Union Conference.

Although I had visited and taken the tour before, this time I was not in a rush; I wanted to take my time. I was again standing in the home that Ellen White had lived in—where she had penned some of her most precious works—and I wanted to take it all in. I walked through the lower level and reviewed the copies of her ordination certificates, which always give me pause. After the docent completed the tour of the lower level, we walked upstairs.

The docent then told the story of how Ellen White, in this place, was blessed to receive divine visitations. Every time I hear that story, it touches me. This time, however, was just extra special.

It touched me deeply. I paused and took in the moment. I took a long enough pause to envision what that moment in history

Yet as a pastor and a man of God, I know that, in the same way that Ellen White received visions from God and received visitations from angels, we all can experience the presence and power of God.

must have been like. Then I began to imagine what it would feel like to receive a divine visitation like this. I think that is why I not only enjoy reading Ellen White’s writings but I am also captivated by her love and closeness to God.

One of the great joys of being a pastor for as long as I have been is that I have had very real encounters with God. I have experienced events, observed answers to prayers, witnessed divine healings, had unnumbered divine appointments, and experienced a whole lot of moments when I knew that something simply amazing had just occurred—and I had nothing to do with it and definitely could not explain it. But I have never had a visible visitation like this.

Yet as a pastor and a man of God, I know that, in the same way that Ellen White received visions from God and received visitations from angels, we all can experience the presence and power of God.

Growing up in the church, I remember hearing that we couldn’t do this or that. I felt like we were often reminded of where we couldn’t go and what we shouldn’t do. Invariably, Ellen White’s writings would be quoted or used as a warning for walking the straight and narrow path. And as a child, I was usually obedient and followed what I was told.

However, as I have gotten older, I have learned that you can make Ellen White’s writing say what you want it to, just by pulling a phrase, sentence, or a few words out of context and using them to justify the point you want to make. When you are a youth or young adult growing up in the church, you can’t always decipher whether what someone is saying is fact or fiction.

So I now observe a new rule. I read Ellen White for myself. I read all the books. I started with and loved Steps to Christ, The Desire of Ages, Patriarchs and Prophets, Prophets and Kings, Christ’s Object Lessons, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, and The Great Controversy. Then I read the compilation Counsels on Diet and Foods. When you read Counsels on Diet and Foods, don’t forget to read the Appendix entitled “Personal Experience of Ellen G.

White as a Health Reformer.” When you do, you will find that Ellen White was human; she was not perfect, and she had struggles just like the rest of us. Her struggles were real, and her complete and total dependence upon God is apparent.

Don’t let anything hold you back or keep you from reading the spiritual gems found in Ellen White’s writings.

When you are responsible for sharing the Word of God, you can use Ellen White’s writing in that endeavor. Please share her words accurately. Please share them with the clear acknowledgement that her writing is not our primary source for the development of our doctrines—the Bible is. The doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist Church are based on the Word of God—the Bible. We are people of the Book—the Bible. That’s who we are. God has given us an amazing and wonderful gift through the writings of this precious and godly woman. Let’s use them to strengthen, encourage, and ultimately grow the kingdom of God.

Leon B. Brown Sr. is the executive vice president of the Pacific Union Conference.

A New Day

By Carlos Camacho

When I was a child and into my teenage years, my parents would take us to the river to swim and have picnics as a family. I loved doing that. One particularly hot and sunny summer day, my parents asked us kids to get ready to go to the river; I was very excited. However, w hen we arrived at one of the areas we often visited, the scenery was c ompletely different. The riverbank was gone, and the river had grown to al most three times its regular size. The water was dark and muddy, ful l of debris and branches; we even saw a pig floating by. Yes, a pig! Heavy rains in the nearby Sierras were the culprit. I never again loo ked at swimming in the river with the same eyes. I used to think the w ater was fresh and clean, but what I saw on that day changed my perspect ive.

One event or experience can have a profound impact on the way w e perceive certain things or the way we feel about people—or even the church. Changing our perspective is a process.

In July, thousands of Seventh-day Adventists from around the wo rld gathered in St. Louis, Missouri, for the 62nd General Conferenc e Session—a quinquennial event when the world church comes togeth er

in prayer, worship, and fellowship to select leadership for the coming term. As I walked the convention center hallways, listened to exchanged greetings in dozens of languages, and sat through hours of mission reports and organizational decisions, two things became unmistakably clear: we are moving forward, and a new generation is rising.

Egypt in his thirties. David was anointed king while he was still tending sheep. Esther stood courageously before the throne in her youth. Timothy, mentored by Paul, was exhorted, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers” (1 Timothy 4:12, NKJV). God has always used the young, not just as followers but as leaders in advancing His purposes.

While continuity and experience were honored during this session and many incumbents were invited back for another term, what stood out was the integration of a younger administrative team. Now the three top officers of the world church are in their late 50s. The newly elected president of the General Conference, Elder Erton Carlos Köhler, just celebrated his 56th birthday, making him the youngest of the three officers.

What I am trying to convey is not just a cosmetic shift but an actual movement. The future of the church must be shaped by those who will lead it for decades to come—individuals with the bandwidth to dream of a better church that they can experience in their own lives. Throughout Scripture, we see God calling young people to positions of significant influence. Joseph governed

Ellen G. White echoed this truth when she wrote, “With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Savior might be carried to the whole world!” ( Education , p. 271). What we witnessed in St. Louis is perhaps a step toward this prophetic dream. And it’s only the beginning.

I work in the Nevada-Utah Conference, where we are small in numbers but rich in mission. Our territory spans across deserts and mountains, rural and urban areas, pioneer territories and

The future of the church must be shaped by those who will lead it for decades to come—individuals with the bandwidth to dream of a better church that they can experience in their own lives.

Erton Köhler President

Richard McEdward Executive Secretary

Paul Douglas Treasurer

growing congregations. While our context is unique, our calling remains the same: to grow loving followers of Jesus. We always need more people, but for this article I’m going to focus on the fact that we also need more energy.

The Pacific Union Conference recently created a new department called Growing Young Leaders. A new director has been hired. The idea is to find ways to invest in our young people and offer opportunities and resources that encourage them to study to become pastors and teachers, thereby benefiting the Seventh-day Adventist ecosystem. Another essential aspect in the equation belongs to the local church. Your church.

Here’s a list of suggestions for all the churches in the Pacific Union to use as a guide to develop children, youth, and young adults in spiritual and administrative leadership, inviting them to participate meaningfully in church life and decision-making:

Start early: Intentionally include children and pre-teens in spiritual conversations, prayer groups, and age-appropriate planning sessions to cultivate a sense of ownership.

Identify gifts, not just age: Focus on spiritual gifts and leadership potential rather than waiting until they reach a certain age. God can use anyone, especially those who are willing.

Create mentorship pathways: Pair youth and young adults with experienced leaders (elders, deacons, ministry heads) to shadow, learn, and co-lead.

Give them a seat at the table: Reserve space for at least one youth and one young adult to serve on church boards, finance committees, and strategic planning groups with full voice and vote.

Listen to them seriously: Don’t just invite them to be present—ask for their input and let them see that their ideas can influence real decisions.

Equip through training: Offer leadership

Reserve space for at least one youth and one young adult to serve on church boards, finance committees, and strategic planning groups with full voice and vote.

To the youth and young adults of our conference: We need you.

training sessions, public speaking workshops, ministry planning guides, and Bible study tools geared toward young leaders.

Let them lead Sabbaths and initiatives: Assign children, youth, and young adults to organize and lead entire worship services, community outreach events, and even evangelistic series under the guidance of pastoral leadership.

Involve them in digital and communication ministries: Tap into young people’s native digital fluency by establishing their presence and leadership in media, social outreach, podcasting, and livestream production.

Affirm publicly and frequently: Recognize their contributions from the pulpit, in newsletters, and during business meetings. Let the church see that young leadership is valued and trusted.

Be patient with their growth: Allow space for mistakes, questions, and experimentation.

Leadership growth is a process and a journey. Make it cultural, not occasional: Don’t wait for Youth Day to give them the spotlight. Normalize youth and young adult involvement at all levels throughout the year.

The shift we saw at the General Conference level must be reflected here at home. In the Pacific Union, we are committed to cultivating a culture that empowers, equips, and entrusts younger generations to lead with integrity and boldness. We believe that intergenerational ministry is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. The seasoned and the fresh, the wise and the visionary—walking together in unity.

In the Nevada-Utah Conference, we have already seen glimpses of this. We have young pastors serving and innovating with passion and

theological depth. We have students leading worship and evangelism teams through ministries such as Youth Rush and other local church ministries. We have church boards welcoming young adult voices into strategic conversations. We have witnessed a renewed hunger among young people to not just attend church but to shape the future of our beloved church.

This article is not merely a report on what took place at the 62nd General Conference Session. It is a call to action—a desire for a change in perspective.

To every pastor, elder, and church member reading this: look around you. Who are the young men and women in your church who could serve, lead, dream, and build alongside you? Invite them. Mentor them. Pray for them. Let them preach. Let them plan. Let them make mistakes. Let them grow. The future is not something we prepare for—it is something we prepare others for.

To the youth and young adults of our conference: We need you. Not tomorrow. Today. God has given you gifts, and this church needs your creativity, courage, cultural insight, and commitment to Christ. Do not let anyone convince you that your age disqualifies you. Let your character and your calling speak louder.

To our union family as a whole: We are moving forward—with gratitude for the past, with clarity in the present, and with faith toward the future. As we do, let’s remember that this church is at its best when every generation is seen, valued, and empowered to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Let’s move forward—together.

Carlos A. Camacho is the president of the NevadaUtah Conference.

Fundamental Belief #18 Seasons of Faith With Sister White

By Bradford C. Newton

One Sabbath, as the church service drew to a close, a conversation caught the attention of some of the congregation. A woman approached the pastor, who recognized her as a regular visitor, and expressed her desire to meet the woman the pastor frequently mentioned in sermons: “You often quote from a church member named ‘Sister White,’ and I’ve heard others discuss her books. Is she present today? I’d like to meet her.”

As the church transitioned from a remnant of the Millerites into a global mission movement, her visionary guidance and pastoral voice shaped its trajectory of growth.

The Wikipedia-style answer is that Mrs. Ellen Gould Harmon White was a prominent figure in 19th- and early 20th-century American Christianity who played a significant role as a spiritual leader, author, and pastoral voice for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. As the church transitioned from a remnant of the Millerites into a global mission movement, her visionary guidance and pastoral voice shaped its trajectory of growth. From her first reported vision in December 1844 at the age of 17 until her death at Elmshaven, California, in 1915, her voice and pen provided ongoing direction to this church’s priorities of international mission, healthcare, education, and publishing. While she might not recognize our world of global travel, instant communication, and artificial intelligence or the technological advances of our age, she would quickly recognize a lost world desperately needing Jesus as its only hope. Her words continue to inspire and guide millions of people today. Just one example is her beloved bestseller, Steps to Christ , which has been translated into over 165 languages.

But along with these factual elements, it is fair that we explore our own questions about “Sister White.” How is she present today in the life of the church? Has her role in our faith community changed since her passing in 1915? As we have learned more about her as a person and author, has our confidence in her gift been strengthened or diminished? What are we revealing about ourselves as we approach these questions? So, how might the seasons of faith with Sister White be lived?

For me, it always begins with reading what she wrote about Jesus and the practical elements of living as a disciple. Her books, letters, manuscripts, and periodical articles are readily available online through the Ellen G. White Estate. To my knowledge, there are no secret files of unpublished items being kept in a box. Unlike any previous generation of Seventh-day Adventists, we have total access to her works over a lifetime of writing. Here is an abundant treasure.

Seasons of faith with Sister White also means growing in our understanding of the manner in which her books came to be. There is an abundance of historical study that is available to us that sheds light on the creation of her large body of work. George Knight’s book Ellen White’s Afterlife 1 provides an accessible survey of this material and the insights we have gained by reading our own history as a church.

Seasons of faith with Sister White will require us here in America to chart our course to apply and communicate her ministry in the cultural context shaped by TikTok attention spans and societal polarization. Add to that complexity the international nature of the Adventist Church, where over 95% of our global church of 25 million are not from North America.

Seasons of faith with Sister White beckons us to be open and honest about our understanding of her as a person, a writer, and church leader. As we allow her to speak for herself, we meet a real human being who was used by God in a wonderful

Unlike any previous generation of Seventh-day Adventists, we have total access to her works over a lifetime of writing. Here is an abundant treasure.

way. When we listen to her contemporaries relay how they saw her inspiration and authority function in their day, we will gain confidence in her unique gift to us today. In this season of faith, we may find Ellen White the person to be much more compelling than Sister White the myth.

After 42 years of pastoral and administrative leadership, my confidence in the gift of Ellen White’s ministry to our church remains strong. When I visit her home at Elmshaven, where she wrote, hosted visitors, shared meals, and walked the grounds she loved so much, it brings Mrs. White into sharper focus. I am reminded of the seasons of faith she lived from the beginning as a New England teenager to her final years in California. As I pick up a book she wrote or read something published in the Pacific Union Recorder, it gives me joy to think of this faithful woman who loved Jesus and was a shepherd to her beloved church.

Her last words spoken to her son and nurse were, “I know in whom I have believed.” She passed away on July 16, 1915. What a day it will be to see her in the New Earth! I look forward to expressing my thanks to her personally. I am so appreciative that her commitment to Jesus to bless our church has enabled me to journey through her writings in my own seasons of faith with Sister White.

Bradford C. Newton is the president of the Pacific Union Conference.

1George R. Knight, Ellen White’s Afterlife: Delightful Fictions, Troubling Facts, and Enlightening Research (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 2019).

Pioneers in the West

By the Recorder editorial staff

Braulio Pérez Marcio: Pioneer of the Spanish Voice of Prophecy

Braulio Francisco Pérez Marcio

was a pastor, educator, lecturer, writer, poet, and the founder and director of the Adventist international radio program Voice of Prophecy in Spanish for over 30 years. He was born March 26, 1904, in Morille, Salamanca, Spain. His father, Manuel Francisco Pérez, served in the military in Cuba and later returned to Spain, marrying Camila Marcio in 1902. In 1906 or 1907, Manuel emigrated to Argentina, followed by his family. They had four children: Braulio, Felipe, Manuel, and Isabel (who died young).

In 1921, Camila encountered Adventism through Bible meetings held by neighbors in Buenos Aires. These meetings deeply moved her. At the time, Manuel was an agnostic, and Braulio, a studious and skeptical 17-year-old, worked humble jobs, including cleaning, running errands, and drugstore duties. Though initially uninterested, Braulio began attending church with his family. There, he was impressed by Marcelo I. Fayard’s preaching. Invited to study the Bible, Braulio soon embraced Christianity. Around the same time, missionary Ole Oppegard lent Manuel The Great Controversy, which he read avidly. In 1921, Manuel and Braulio were baptized, followed by Camila and the other children. To observe the Sabbath, Manuel left his job and began selling Adventist literature; Braulio joined him for three years.

At age 21, Braulio enrolled in River Plate Academy in Entre Ríos, Argentina. He worked as a proofreader and canvassed during the summers. As editor and later director of La Voz del Colegio, his writing began to flourish. He also wrote poetry, composing “Excelsior” for his graduation in 1930.

Felisa Juana García, Braulio’s future wife, was born in Cáceres, Spain, in 1908. Her family moved to Argentina between 1912 and 1920. Sotero, Felisa’s father, discovered Adventism through literature and canvassers. In 1924, the family relocated to Buenos Aires and joined the Adventist Church. Felisa and her sister Sotera studied at River Plate Academy. Sotera married Héctor J. Peverini, and their son was Milton Peverini García, Braulio’s eventual successor on La Voz de la Esperanza.

Braulio and Felisa met at River Plate Academy and married Jan. 19, 1931. Between 1931 and 1935, Braulio served as dean of the boys’ dorm and taught history, Bible, Spanish, and literature. In 1936, they moved to Costa Rica, where Braulio taught languages and literature and Felisa started a primary school. Braulio also launched a radio program and held evangelistic conferences. Their daughter, Eunice Isabel, was born in 1937. In 1939, Braulio was called to Panama as a pastor and evangelist

and was ordained in 1940. That same year he moved to Cuba, conducting conferences and launching a radio Bible school that offered lessons he prepared.

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, H.M.S. Richards had pioneered Adventist radio broadcasting in 1929, which became the Voice of Prophecy in 1937. In 1942, the General Conference decided to create a Spanishlanguage version. On Sept. 6, 1942, Braulio was appointed the lecturer. The Spanish program began airing Jan. 3, 1943, initially with translated content. Braulio adapted the material to better connect with Latin audiences, adding illustrations and poetry. Within a few years, he was creating original messages. The King’s Heralds sang in Spanish for the programs, with Braulio training them in pronunciation. Initially titled La Voz de la Profecía , the broadcast was renamed La Voz de la Esperanza in 1954. The program lasted 30 minutes and included a postal Bible school with courses for adults, youth, and children. Church members served as missionary mail carriers, delivering and collecting lessons each week.

Argentina but traveled annually to Glendale, California, to record programs and manage operations. In 1946, his son Rolando Ariel was born. By 1957, Braulio and Los Heraldos del Rey began international tours across Latin America. They visited Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Chile, and Argentina, filling large venues with eager listeners. Braulio’s eloquence opened doors to meet national leaders, including the presidents of Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. He was well received in diverse circles.

Between 1945 and 1948, Braulio lived in

In 1955, Braulio launched the hymnal Buenas Nuevas de la Voz de la Esperanza (Good News of Voice of Hope). He also wrote numerous books and pamphlets, including Vislumbres de Esperanza (Glimpses of Hope), Cuando la Vida Duele (When Life Hurts), Perfiles del Nazareno (Profiles of the Nazarene), En la Roma de los Césares (In the Rome of the Caesars), and Filosofía del Dolor y Libertad del Temor (Philosophy of Pain and Freedom from Fear), the latter co-authored with Héctor Pereyra Suárez and Fernando Chaij. Braulio traveled extensively in Europe, the Far East, and the Middle East, enriching his presentations with insights from these journeys.

During his decades on air, Braulio recorded 1,467 radio messages. He directed evangelistic campaigns across Latin America, contributing to an estimated 40,000 baptisms. In 1970, Andrews University recognized his lifelong contribution by awarding him an honorary Doctor of Letters. By then, he was the most renowned Spanish-speaking Adventist preacher, having spent about nine years as an educator, three years as a pastor-evangelist, and 30 years broadcasting the gospel.

In 1971, Milton Peverini García became

associate speaker of La Voz de la Esperanza. The 30th anniversary was celebrated with events in Chicago, Miami, New York, and Los Angeles. California governor Ronald Reagan sent congratulations. Braulio passed away on April 8, 1974, of a heart attack. A large crowd attended his funeral at the Glendale church. He was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Hollywood. Felisa survived him by three decades, passing away in 2004 at 96.

Reflecting on his life, Walter R.L. Scragg from the General Conference called Braulio one of the most influential Adventist figures of his time. H.M.S. Richards remarked, “To know him was to love him.”

Milton Peverini García noted that young people especially admired his warm, spiritual speaking style. Gastón Clouzet, former director of the radio postal school in the Austral Union Conference, remembered, “Don Braulio’s lectures were simple, clear, and dynamic.... He always ended with poetry, and he did it masterfully.”

Hiram

Edson:

Disappointed Millerite

PART

4

LBy Brian E. Strayer

ast month, Part 3 examined two groups of writers who have interpreted Edson’s cornfield experience as a vision or a flash of light.

Part 4 describes those writers who believe he received an impression or insight, those who think nothing supernatural occurred, and Edson’s unique word for what happened.

“The mind of Hiram Edson was impressed, as strongly as though by an audible voice, with the words, ‘The sanctuary to be cleansed is in heaven.’” —W. C. White

Edson received an impression Edson never described what he saw as a vision, perhaps because of the strong sentiment against visions and dreams among many Millerites and early Sabbatarian Adventists in the 1840s and 1850s. To counter this, Sabbatarian Adventists placed more emphasis on the biblical basis of their beliefs rather than on their visionary origin. Moreover, as I explain in Chapter 6 of my book, Hiram Edson: The Man and the Myth, 1 Edson’s handwritten manuscript contained speculative interpretations of Bible prophecies that not only clashed with the views of his contemporaries, they also tainted the rest of his autobiographical account in the eyes of some.2

Even John Loughborough avoided using visionary language in his 1892 textbook Rise and Progress. Instead, based on what Edson had told him in 1852, Loughborough declared that “the Spirit of God came upon him in such a powerful manner that he was almost smitten to the earth, and with it came

an impression” that the sanctuary to be cleansed was in heaven.3 Loughborough repeated the word “impression” in his 1905 updated history The Great Second Advent Movement4 and in a Review article in 1921 in which he quoted Edson as saying that this impression came “almost as distinct as though spoken in an audible voice.”5

A strong conviction came over [Edson] that “instead of our High Priest coming out of the Most Holy of the heavenly sanctuary to come to this earth,…He for the first time entered on that day the second apartment of that sanctuary and that He had a work to perform in the Most Holy.”

—Don F. Neufeld

Writers in the 1930s followed Loughborough’s lead. W.C. White suggested that “the mind of Hiram Edson was impressed, as strongly as though by an audible voice, with the words, ‘The sanctuary to be cleansed is in heaven.’”6 Church historian Emma Howell surmised that the “conviction flashed into his [Edson’s] mind” that the sanctuary was in heaven and Jesus had entered the Most Holy Place on October 22, 1844, to begin the final phase of His priestly ministry.”7 Twelve years later, she repeated this claim.8

Although Le Roy E. Froom called Edson’s experience a vision in The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers (1954), he stated: “Suddenly there burst upon his mind the thought that there were two phases to Christ’s ministry in the heaven of heavens, just as in the earthly sanctuary of old.”9 Two decades later, Review editor Don

Neufeld10 and historian Robert Gale11 preferred using the word “conviction” to describe Edson’s experience, while Arthur Patrick12 and C. Mervyn Maxwell13 chose words like “insight” and “impression” instead.

During the 1980s, writers employed similar expressions. Review editor Don Neufeld continued to believe that “a firm conviction,” and not “a vision,” had come over Edson so that “he had no doubt that God had illuminated his mind.” Yet it required months of Bible study “to confirm the conviction.14 Likewise, the Advent Christian historian, Clyde Hewitt, stated that “after a lengthy prayer session” with his friends, Edson became convinced that the sanctuary was in heaven. This belief, Hewitt averred, was based on “logical” arguments and “scriptural analogy” of texts in Daniel and Hebrews.15

Donald Barnhouse, editor of Revelation magazine

A decade after Hewitt’s book, Maxwell, in Magnificent Disappointment, declared that Edson “was struck with dynamic new thoughts” and “suddenly realized” that Jesus had gone into the Most Holy Place on October 22. In addition, Maxwell emphasized that “the doctrine of the pre-advent investigative judgment was not invented by Seventh-day Adventists. In fact, many of its features were printed and in circulation before the Great Disappointment.16 But in a posthumously published article for Adventist World (2006), Maxwell emphasized what Sabbatarian Adventists had added to the Millerite understanding of Christ’s work in the heavenly sanctuary, concluding that God had given Edson a deeper understanding of Christ’s ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, which was “brand-new in the history of theology.… In a very special sense the Seventh-day Adventist Church was born at that moment, in that field, as that farmer contemplated Christ.”17

Edson “was struck with dynamic new thoughts” and “suddenly realized” that Jesus had gone into the Most Holy Place on October 22.

—C. Marvyn Maxwell

As the 21st century began, the words of choice for Edson’s cornfield experience seemed to be “insight” and “conviction.” George Knight,18 Howard

Jud Lake22 all explained Hiram’s new understanding on October 23 as a spiritual insight. Much in the same vein, Ann Fisher23 declared that “an overwhelming conviction” had come over Edson, while Gary Land24 believed that “it most likely was a vivid thought or realization,” and Lewis Walton25 declared: “Suddenly Edson’s mind was drawn to the books of Daniel and Revelation, and a picture began to emerge of Jesus’ ministry in heaven.”

Edson received no divine illumination

In the fourth group are those who argue that nothing of any spiritual or prophetic significance happened in that Port Gibson cornfield. These claim that Edson did not have a vision; he did not see a flash of light; he did not receive any divine insight, conviction, or understanding. In 1946, Donald Barnhouse, editor of Revelation magazine, called Edson’s experience “stale, flat and unprofitable…nothing more than a human, face-saving idea,” which was “untenable and speculative of a highly imaginative order.” In short, Edson, using biblical proof-texting, had himself created the explanation of Christ entering the Most Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary on October 22 to cover the Adventists’ embarrassment at being wrong concerning His imminent return to earth on that day.26

Four decades later, Fernand Fisel also expressed skepticism concerning Edson’s “vision” and his fragmentary manuscript, which he believed was probably written years after the fact. (See my discussion of this in Chapter 11 of my Edson book.) “It is evident,” he wrote in Adventist Currents, “that the ‘Vision in the cornfield’ is not in evidence in contemporary sources and affected no one at that time.” Suggesting that Edson’s memory “failed him in relating exactly what happened” years later, Fisel averred that “he may have read into that experience ideas that were to arise much later.” These “retrospective elaborations” included an atonement lasting longer than one day. (Crosier suggested a year in March 1845, while Hale and Turner projected an ongoing atonement in The Hope of Israel newspaper in April 1845.) Further, these “elaborations” included an awareness of a worldwide mission “to prophesy again before nations and kings and peoples” as stated in Revelation 10:8-10 (which clashed with Sabbatarian Adventists’ shut-

door views from 1844 to 1851). Moreover, these views disagreed with the widespread Millerite belief that Christ’s atonement in the Most Holy Place had begun when He ascended to heaven in 31 A.D. Furthermore, the concept of “the wedding of the Lamb” mentioned in Edson’s manuscript did not surface until January 1845 in articles penned by Joseph Turner and Apollos Hale in the Advent Herald and Advent Mirror. Finally, the implied connection Edson made between the sanctuary message and the seventh-day Sabbath in the Decalogue contained in the ark of the covenant belied the fact that Edson did not keep the Sabbath until 1846. Consequently, Fisel declared, both Edson’s cornfield vision and his fragmentary manuscript should be relegated “to the level of apocryphal literature to which, without doubt, it belongs.”27

Edson’s unique word

It seems appropriate to give Hiram Edson the last word on the subject. In his handwritten manuscript, he did not use terms like “vision,” “flash of light,” “impression,” or “insight” for his cornfield experience. Instead, according to his granddaughter, Viah May Cross, he called it a “presentment,” by which he meant a supernatural experience that presented

to his mind new understandings, often through visual images of events he anticipated would soon come to pass.28 As discussed in Chapter 3 of my Edson biography, Hiram had experienced several presentments prior to October 23, 1844, and each one had been a life-changing event.

1Brian Strayer, Hiram Edson: The Man and the Myth (Westlake Village, CA: Oak & Acorn, 2023).

2Ross Winkle, “Disappearing Act: Hiram Edson’s Cornfield Experience,” Spectrum 33, no. 1 (Winter 2005), p. 49.

3J.N. Loughborough, Rise and Progress of the Seventh-day Adventists (Battle Creek, MI: General Conference Association, 1892), p. 114.

4J.N. Loughborough, The Great Second Advent Movement (Washington, DC: Southern Pub. Assn., 1905), p. 193.

5Hiram Edson, quoted in Loughborough, “The Second Advent Movement—No. 8,” Review, Sept. 15, 1921, p. 5.

6William C. White, “Sketches and Memories of James and Ellen G. White, V: Laying a Sure Foundation,” Review, Mar. 28, 1935, p. 8.

7Emma E. Howell, The Great Advent Movement (Washington, DC: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1935), p. 29.

8Emma Howell Cooper, Great Advent Movement (Washington, DC: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1947), p. 29.

9Le Roy E. Froom, The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4 (Washington, DC: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1954), p. 881; emphasis in the original.

10Don F. Neufeld, “Anniversary of an Important Event in Sacred History,” Review, Oct. 22, 1970, p. 2.

11Robert Gale, The Urgent Voice (Washington, DC: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1975), p. 128.

12Arthur N. Patrick, “Charles Fitch, Hiram Edson, and the Raison d’être of the Seventh-day Adventist Church” (paper presented in partial fulfillment of the courses CH570, CH597, CH600 at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University, 1971), p. 104.

13C. Mervyn Maxwell, Tell It to the World (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1976), p. 50.

14Donald Neufeld, “Aftermath of Autumn Disappointment,” Review, Jan. 10, 1980, pp. 15-16; Neufeld, “Edson’s October 23 Experience,” Review, Jan. 17, 1980, p. 18.

15Clyde E. Hewitt, Midnight and Morning (Charlotte, NC: Venture Books, 1983), pp. 182-183.

16C. Mervyn Maxwell, Magnificent Disappointment (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 2000), pp. 79-80.

17C. Mervyn Maxwell, “Cornfield Cleopas,” Adventist World NAD Edition, Oct. 2006, p. 35.

18George R. Knight, A Search for Identity: The Development of Seventhday Adventist Beliefs (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 2000), p. 63.

19Howard Krug, “October Morn,” Review, Oct. 24, 2002, p. 12.

20Derek Bowe, “Night of No Return,” Guide, May 8, 2004, p. 12.

Although this broad spectrum of views concerning Edson’s cornfield experience demonstrates no clear pattern over the past century and a half, the astute reader will have noticed one noteworthy fact. For nearly half a century, between 1844 and the publication of Loughborough’s Rise and Progress in 1892, not a single Millerite, Advent Christian, Sabbatarian Adventist, or skeptic ever mentioned Edson’s cornfield experience, his manuscript, or his presentments. Even more curious, neither his close friends O.R.L. Crosier, Dr. Franklin Hahn, James and Ellen White, nor even Edson himself, ever referred to them in any of their extant letters, articles, reports, or private diaries. Not until the 1940s would Arthur W. Spalding highlight the role Edson had played during the 1840s in his books Footprints of the Pioneers (1947) and Captains of the Host (1949), and not until his four-volume Origin and History of Seventh-day Adventists appeared (196162) did many scholars and Adventists in general learn about Hiram’s fragmentary manuscript. Why Edson’s contributions were overlooked for so long is discussed in greater detail in Chapters 10 and 11 of my book Hiram Edson: The Man and the Myth (an Oak & Acorn publication, available from Amazon and AdventSource).

Brian E. Strayer retired after 41 years of teaching and, in addition to writing, is a frequent speaker at camp meetings, weeks of prayer, conferences, and churches.

21“The Great Appointment,” Guide, Oct. 15, 2016, p. 26.

22Michael Campbell and Jud Lake, eds., The Pocket Ellen G. White Dictionary (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 2018), p. 183.

23Ann Fisher, “Nothing to Fear,” Lake Union Herald, April 2005, p. 11.

24Gary Land, ed., Historical Dictionary of the Seventh-day Adventists (Lanham, MD: The Scarecrow Press, 2005), p. 85.

25Lewis R. Walton, “History Preserved,” Adventist World, July 2007, p. 27.

26Donald Barnhouse, Revelation magazine, Sept. 1946, cited by Raymond Whitley, “Ellen White, a Cornfield and Hiram Edson,” North Pacific Union Gleaner, Jan. 5, 1981, p. 6. In 1950, Barnhouse renamed the magazine Eternity

27Fernand Fisel, “Edson’s Cornfield ‘Vision’: Frisson or Figment?” Adventist Currents 1, no. 1 (July 1983), pp. 25-27. See also his expanded version entitled “Edson’s Cornfield ‘Vision’: Frisson or Fiction?” ms. 028258, CAR, JWL, AU.

28Viah Cross, “Hiram Edson’s Experience,” p. 1, affidavit as related to P.Z. Kinne (no original date), typed manuscript, Nov. 11, 2002, CAR, JWL, AU. In a letter to W.A. Spicer, Sept. 4, 1933, in CAR, JWL, AU, E.W. Bartle also stated that Edson called these experiences “presentments.”

When Relationships Sour

By Alberto Valenzuela

In my life and in my ministry, there have been occasions when I had good reason to suspect that a colleague or superior had proven to be somewhat short of trustworthy. After a little sleuthing, in some cases, I confirmed my suspicions and simply cut off any relationship with them. In only one case did a superior come by later and apologize. We didn’t have an opportunity to work together again, but when we would run into each other at a meeting, I would treat him with deference and friendliness. Nonetheless, I kept my distance.

How are we supposed to behave toward our fellow believers when we either suspect or discover that they have betrayed us, lied to us, or intentionally led us astray? What biblical principle or teaching should be applied? Because, honestly, it’s not always easy to turn the other cheek. Right or wrong, we find it hard to relate to someone when we suspect their motives or actions.

OPPOSITE PAGE: The baroque fresco St. Paul and Barnabas in Lystra in Perugia, Italy, by Giovanni Andrea Carlone (1675).

A similar situation seems to have taken place between the apostle Paul and the young John Mark. Acts 15:36-41 provides the setting for Paul’s second missionary journey and reveals sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas about whether John Mark should accompany them. As Luke writes, when Paul suggested they return to the cities where they had preached to check on the believers, Barnabas wanted to bring John Mark along. However, Paul objected due to John Mark’s earlier decision to abandon them in Pamphylia, as noted in Acts 13:13.

The disagreement between Paul and Barnabas was significant, as indicated by the Greek word used to describe their sharp disagreement, which suggests a violent outburst (Acts 15:39).1 Barnabas persistently advocated for John Mark, while Paul felt strongly that John Mark’s prior actions demonstrated an untrustworthiness for the mission. Luke’s inclusion of this conflict in his account highlights the humanity of these early church leaders, making their experiences relatable and authentic.

Paul’s issue with John Mark

Paul’s main concern was that John Mark had deserted them during the first missionary journey. This act led Paul to question John Mark’s character and reliability for future ministry work.

While the Bible doesn’t provide specifics on why John Mark left, scholars have speculated that his departure may have been linked to Paul’s increasing acceptance of Gentiles wholly apart from the synagogue influence. Mark not only had deserted his companions but may had alarmed the church in Jerusalem about what Paul was doing.2 It’s pure conjecture, but if Mark did in fact alert the church, that would have given Paul reason to not trust him, and it may have stirred up the controversy between Paul and Barnabas that we find later in Acts 15.3 Regardless of the reason, Paul viewed John Mark’s departure as a flaw in his character, making him unfit for the challenging nature of missionary work. Barnabas, on the other hand, saw potential in John Mark and was willing to give him another chance. It’s interesting to note that Barnabas and John Mark were cousins (Colossians 4:10), which might have influenced Barnabas’ desire to support him. However, it’s likely Barnabas’ decision went beyond familial loyalty. Barnabas had a history of mentoring and encouraging others, as seen when he first brought Paul into ministry.4 He likely saw that John Mark had the capacity for growth and redemption.

Some argue that the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas might have been influenced by an earlier incident involving Peter, which Paul describes in Galatians 2:11-14. In this account, Peter withdrew

from eating with Gentiles when certain men from Jerusalem arrived, and Barnabas was led astray by Peter’s hypocrisy. Paul confronted Peter publicly, and the situation was resolved peacefully. Although some suggest this incident might have contributed to the later split between Paul and Barnabas, there’s no evidence of lingering resentment between the two men. Their disagreement over John Mark seems to have been focused solely on his role in the mission.

Who was right: Paul or Barnabas?

The question of who was right in this disagreement is not easily answered. Paul believed that John Mark’s past failure made him unsuitable for the mission at that time. Barnabas, on the other hand, believed in the possibility of redemption and wanted to give John Mark another opportunity to prove himself. Luke does not present either Paul or Barnabas as definitively right or wrong, allowing the reader to see the validity in both perspectives.

Some suggest that Barnabas, out of respect for Paul’s apostolic authority, should have deferred to him. However, Barnabas had his own authority and experience, having been instrumental in the early church and Paul’s own development. It’s likely that both men acted according to their convictions, and neither was entirely wrong. Paul’s hesitation to take John Mark was understandable, given their past experience, but Barnabas’ belief in redemption and growth reflects a mature perspective on personal transformation and the grace of God.

Despite the disagreement, God used the split between Paul and Barnabas for good. Instead of one missionary journey, there were now two. Barnabas

John Mark’s journey is one of failure, redemption, and eventual restoration. His story is a powerful reminder that past mistakes don’t define a person’s future.

took John Mark and went to Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas as his companion and traveled through Syria and Cilicia. This division resulted in the spread of the gospel to more places than originally planned.

Barnabas also showed great maturity in how he handled the split. Despite his disagreement with Paul, he didn’t create further conflict or division within the church. Barnabas, a leader in the church, could have easily used his influence to challenge Paul’s authority, but he chose a path of peace, allowing both men to continue their respective ministries without further strife.

Paul’s growth and John Mark’s restoration

Paul’s later writings suggest that he grew in grace and forgiveness after the split with Barnabas. In 1 Corinthians 9:6, Paul speaks positively of Barnabas, showing that their relationship was not permanently damaged. Furthermore, John Mark’s story did not end with his abandonment of the mission. Over time, he became close to Peter (1 Peter 5:13) and eventually wrote the Gospel of Mark, one of the four accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry.

John Mark also reconciled with Paul. In Colossians 4:10, Paul mentions Mark favorably, and in Philemon 23-24, he refers to Mark as a co-worker during his imprisonment. The most touching reference to John Mark comes in 2 Timothy 4:11, in which Paul, near the end of his life, requests Timothy to bring Mark to him, stating, “he is very useful to me for ministry” (ESV). This statement highlights how far their relationship had come. The man Paul once rejected had become someone he valued deeply.

John Mark’s journey is one of failure, redemption, and eventual restoration. His story is a powerful reminder that past mistakes don’t define a person’s future. God’s process of sanctification allows people to grow, change, and become more like Christ over time. Even after significant failures, like John Mark’s desertion, there is hope for restoration and usefulness in ministry.

There are several key lessons to take from John

Mark’s story. 1) Our past mistakes don’t define our future; no matter the extent of our failures, God continues to work within us to make us more like Him. It’s never too late for God to use us for His purposes. 2) God’s timing is perfect, and we should be patient with ourselves and others during the process of growth. 3) Reconciliation is always possible; John Mark was able to restore his relationship with Paul, showing that no matter how deep a conflict may seem, reconciliation is possible with time and maturity. 4) Forgiveness is essential; just as John Mark changed, so did Paul. Paul’s request for Mark in his final days demonstrates how much he had grown in his ability to forgive and see the potential for transformation in others.

The split between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark serves as a powerful example of how God can use human disagreements for good. Both Paul and Barnabas had valid perspectives, and their separation led to the expansion of the gospel. John Mark’s eventual redemption and restoration show the transformative power of God’s grace, both in personal character and in relationships. His story reminds us that no one is beyond redemption and that with time, growth, and forgiveness, even the most difficult situations can lead to beautiful outcomes.

Alberto Valenzuela is the associate director of communication and community engagement for the Pacific Union Conference and editor of the Recorder.

1“Paroxusmos,” Bible Hub, https://biblehub.com/greek/3948.htm.

2Everett F. Harrison, Acts: The Expanding Church (Chicago: Moody Press, 1975), p. 242; see also Pheme Perkins, Peter: Apostle for the Whole Church (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2000), p. 88.

3Gaye Strathearn, “Peter and Paul in Antioch,” BYU Faculty Publications, 2014, https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/3515; Todd Scacewater, “Galatians 2:11-21 and the Interpretive Context of ‘Works of the Law,’” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 56, no. 2 (2013), pp. 307-323; Peter Ireland, Expanding the Apostolic Mission: A Biblical-Theological Analysis of Peter's Epistles as Evidence of His Universal Apostleship Beyond the Jewish Context (Ph.D. dissertation, Rawlings School of Divinity, 2024).

4See Alberto Valenzuela, “A Debt of Love,” Pacific Union Recorder (Oct. 2024), pp. 4-7.

From Betrayal to Brotherhood: A Scriptural Model for Conflict Resolution

By Mila León

The Book of Genesis is filled with stories of human conflict, many of which center on strife between brothers. From the outset, we encounte r tragic episodes of actual or near fratricide: Cain murders Abel, Esau threatens Jacob, and Joseph is nearly slain by his own brothers. These na rratives underscore a sobering biblical theme—since all humans are kin, every act of violence is, in a sense, fratricide. Yet Genesis also offers powerful sto ries of reconciliation. It concludes with a striking scene in which Joseph’s firstborn, Manasseh, shows no resentment when his younger brother Ephraim receives the greate r blessing from their grandfather, despite the apparent favoritism (Genesis 48: 13-20). The Joseph narrative, in particular, serves as a model of conflict transfor med into peace.

The story of Joseph and his brothers, spanning Genesis chapters 37 through 50, is one of the most profound narratives in Scripture, not only f or its theological depth and emotional gravity but also for its enduring lessons o n human conflict and reconciliation. It offers a vivid, multifaceted port rayal of how betrayal can be transformed into brotherhood and how divine providence can shape the path to healing.

Far more than an isolated family drama, the Joseph saga

provides insight into the roots of conflict, the process of repentance, the power of forgiveness, and the providential re-framing of trauma. Together, these elements create a paradigm— albeit a partial one—for resolving deep interpersonal and communal rifts. In our fractured world, where ethnic, political, and familial conflicts abound, Joseph’s story remains urgently relevant.

Conflict rarely emerges in a vacuum. In the Joseph story, the brothers’ betrayal is preceded by years of resentment fueled by Jacob’s overt favoritism and Joseph’s own insensitivity. Joseph is presented as the favored son—clothed in a special robe, exempt from hard labor, and gifted with prophetic dreams that cast his brothers in a subordinate light (Genesis 37:3-11). The brothers’ jealousy festers into hatred, and communication breaks down. "They hated him and could not speak peaceably unto him" (Genesis 37:4, NKJV).

From this silence comes rupture. The brothers’ decision to sell Joseph into slavery is the culmination of emotional estrangement that went unaddressed. Conflict, then, often originates not in explosive arguments but in the slow erosion of trust and the absence of honest dialogue. This early fracture demonstrates how quickly envy and wounded pride, left unresolved, can give rise to violence and betrayal.

Their sin is not only against Joseph but against the unity of the family God had chosen. When we allow jealousy to take root in our hearts, we become enemies to the very ones we are called to love. Conflict resolution begins with the recognition of sin, even if that recognition takes years to mature.

After being sold, Joseph suffers injustice in Potiphar’s house and is later imprisoned. Yet at every turn, Scripture declares, "But the Lord was with Joseph" (Genesis 39:2, 21). Here we encounter the mysterious work of divine providence—God's unseen hand shaping history through even the darkest circumstances.

Joseph eventually rises to become governor of Egypt. When famine strikes, his brothers travel to Egypt for food, unknowingly bowing before the very brother they had betrayed.

Why doesn’t Joseph reveal himself immediately? According to Jewish tradition, his actions test their repentance. Like Maimonides taught, true repentance occurs when a person is placed in the same situation and chooses differently. 1 Joseph recreates a similar crisis—this time with Benjamin—and watches carefully to see if his brothers have changed.

This is not a game of revenge. It is redemptive therapy. Joseph longs not only for justice but for reconciliation. He does not want to punish his brothers but to restore the family. In the hidden workings of God's plan, Joseph becomes both a savior and a teacher—a symbol of Christ Himself.

In Genesis 42:21, the brothers admit, “We are verily guilty concerning our brother” (KJV). This is the first crack in their defensive posture. They recall his cries from the pit. Their guilt is awakened not by Joseph’s identity, which remains hidden, but by the moral weight of their past.

This recognition is the first step in resolving conflict—acknowledging wrong, not just consequences.

Judah, the same brother who once said, “Let us sell him,” now offers himself in Benjamin’s place (Genesis 44:33). He speaks with eloquence and compassion, not self-interest. This transformation is profound. He has embraced personal responsibility, knowing that the grief of his father would be unbearable if Benjamin were lost. Judah’s self-sacrificing love mirrors Christ’s love for us. When wrongdoers become protectors and pride gives way to humility, the path to healing opens wide.

Unable to hold back, Joseph reveals himself with the words, “I am Joseph. Does my father still live?” (Genesis 45:3, NKJV). His brothers are speechless, overwhelmed with guilt and fear.

They expect judgment. But Joseph chooses reconciliation. “Do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here,” he says, “for God sent me before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5, ESV).

Here, Joseph offers more than forgiveness— he reframes the entire story. While he does not excuse their sin, he places it within the context of divine providence. Joseph models the heart of God, who redeems evil for good. “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20). Forgiveness does not ignore pain or minimize wrongdoing. But it dares to believe in a larger story—one where God can transform betrayal into blessing.

And yet, Scripture is strangely silent on one matter. Nowhere do the brothers directly ask Joseph for forgiveness during their father’s lifetime. It is only after Jacob dies that they fearfully plead for mercy, putting the request in their father’s voice (Genesis 50:17). They still cannot face Joseph’s kindness without suspicion. His earlier accusations and tests, though necessary, had also left scars.

Similarly, Joseph never explicitly asks forgiveness for his own youthful arrogance or for the psychological ordeal he put them through. 2 Was it assumed? Was it mutual? Scripture offers no clear answer.

This silence teaches us something vital: reconciliation, though divinely orchestrated, is often imperfect. Even when forgiveness is given, healing takes time. Emotional residue can linger. Trust is fragile.

Joseph chooses to live not in suspicion or bitterness but in grace. He reassures them: “Fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones” (Genesis 50:21, KJV). He speaks kindly to them, because kindness has the power to heal what words sometimes cannot.

What, then, does this story teach us about resolving conflict today?

Conflict resolution in the story of Joseph and his brothers follows a redemptive sequence: it begins with the recognition of sin, as the brothers must first acknowledge the evil of their actions; it moves to remorse and repentance, demonstrated not just in guilt but in Judah’s heartfelt change

Joseph longs not only for justice but for reconciliation. He does not want to punish his brothers but to restore the family.

and acceptance of responsibility; it is reframed through divine providence, with Joseph interpreting suffering as part of God’s greater purpose— not to excuse evil but to redeem it; it deepens through mutual compassion, as both Joseph and his brothers extend grace and empathy; it becomes visible in tangible reconciliation, in which forgiveness is embodied in generous action, not just words; and finally, it is sealed by the power of narrative, as Joseph rewrites the family’s story—not with bitterness or blame but with faith in a God who was at work through it all.

Joseph’s life prefigures Jesus in many ways. He was betrayed by his own and falsely accused, yet he rose to save those who harmed him. Christ, like Joseph, offers not only forgiveness but restoration. When Jesus prayed from the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34, KJV), He taught us that divine love is stronger than human hate.

And just as Joseph prepared a place in Goshen for his family, Jesus says, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). The same grace that reconciled Joseph and his brothers is extended to us today in the gospel.

As the brothers return to their father, Joseph sends them off with a final exhortation: “Do not quarrel on the way” (Genesis 45:24, ESV). He knew the temptation to rehash old wounds, to blame, to

reopen conflicts. But he charges them to walk in unity, for the sake of the future.

Genesis begins with fratricide and ends with forgiveness. The story of Joseph and his brothers is more than an ancient tale; it is a template for peace. It reminds us that human beings, though flawed, are capable of change. It calls us to believe that relationships shattered by betrayal can be healed by grace.

Joseph’s words still echo: “Be not grieved...God did send me before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5, KJV). Within those words is a divine call—not to forget the past but to redeem it. Not to ignore justice but to surpass it with mercy. Not to wallow in vengeance but to walk toward reconciliation.

May we have the courage to weep, the humility to repent, the strength to forgive, and the vision to see God’s providence even in our pain. For in doing so, we not only follow Joseph’s path—we follow the path of the One who said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9, NIV).

Mila León is a freelance writer from southern Arizona.

1“Repentance & Reconciliation,” Center for Interreligious Understanding, https://www.ciunow.org/insights/repentance-reconciliation/.

2Layton Talbert, “Was Joseph Cocky, Dumb, or What?” BJU Seminary, Feb. 8, 2019, https://seminary.bju.edu/theology-in-3d/was-joseph-cocky-dumb-orwhat/.

Rags to Riches

“They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us”

2 CORINTHIANS 8:5, NIV

By Charles Mills

Macedonia was in turmoil. The fledgling Christian believers there were enduring hardships far beyond their control—political instability, economic collapse, persecution, and uncertainty about the future. In their desperation, they cried out to God for help. And God listened. In a vision given to the apostle Paul, a man from Macedonia pleaded, “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9, NIV). The call was urgent, heartfelt, and unmistakable.

Paul, once the fierce persecutor of Christians but now Christ’s tireless messenger, obeyed. When he arrived, he expected to find a struggling church barely holding together. But what he encountered instead was astonishing.

Writing later to the believers in Corinth, Paul described what he had seen: “In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability” (2 Corinthians 8:2-3, NIV).

It’s a paradox that defies human logic: How can crushing poverty overflow into abundant generosity? How can those who have so little give so much? Paul reveals the answer in verse 5: “They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.”

The Macedonian believers had taken to heart Jesus’ praise for the poor widow who dropped two small coins into the temple treasury. Others gave out of abundance; she gave out of love. Others calculated what they could spare; she surrendered all she had to live on. Her act was not measured in currency but in devotion. That same spirit filled the hearts of the Macedonians.

Their stewardship began not with coins, ledgers, or bank accounts but with a full-hearted

surrender to Christ. They recognized that all they had—however little—already belonged to God. Their giving was not about numbers but about relationship. They gave because they loved, because they trusted, and because they wanted to join God in His mission.

True stewardship is never merely about money. It is not defined by budgets met, campaigns completed, or totals reported. It is about giving yourself wholly to the God who owns everything. It is about releasing the notion that blessings are always measured in material wealth. The widow’s mite was, by human measure, insignificant—but by heaven’s measure, it was priceless. And the Macedonians, in their poverty, had discovered the same truth.

Paul honored them for this because their example teaches us something vital: God values the  spirit  of the gift more than the size of the gift. A heart fully surrendered transforms even the smallest offering into something mighty in His hands.

Today, when you click “Give” at adventistgiving. org, remember this: it’s not the digits you type or the categories you select that matter most to God. It’s the spirit behind them. Whether your offering makes a soft “plink” or a resounding “thump” in the collection plate, if it comes from a heart yielded to Him, it carries eternal weight.

Give yourself to the Lord first, and your giving will overflow in ways you could never orchestrate or predict. Your church will be blessed, God’s work will advance, and—most wonderfully—your own heart will be drawn closer to the One who gave Himself for you.

Because in God’s economy, generosity isn’t about what’s in your wallet. It’s about what’s in your heart.

Recovering Crucial Stories: PUC Students Publish Book on Women Who Shaped Adventism

After Jim Wibberding, chair and professor of the theology department at Pacific Union College, discovered over 50 names of women who had significantly shaped the faith and mission of Adventism, he created the "Women in Adventist History" course in 2022 to share the stories of underrepresented women in the church.

These women include Jennie Ireland, whose biography was nowhere to be found but who was mentioned in passing in someone else's biography as the woman who planted the first Black Adventist church on the West Coast, and Sarah Peck, who appeared as one of Ellen White's literary assistants but also had more to her story with a notable role in shaping Adventist education worldwide. Wibberding aimed to put a spotlight on women who were ignored and unknown, filling these historical gaps in the storytelling of the women who have made the Adventist church what it is today at PUC and beyond.

During 2023 spring quarter, 19 students from Wibberding's class wrote chapters for a book titled Women of the West: Twenty Who Shaped Adventism, which was released by Oak

& Acorn Publishing this past March. The inspiration behind this book also stemmed from their research and essays, which uncovered more stories of the crucial contributions of women whose experiences had been overlooked in books and studies—shaping various aspects of the Adventist Church, including education, healthcare, and publishing. Wibberding said the stories also connect to PUC, which added meaning for the student authors. In addition to contributing to the book, some of the students wrote articles for the SDA Encyclopedia and created podcast episodes.

“Telling the stories of women who shaped Adventism is about telling the truth,” said Wibberding. “These are not marginal stories or small contributions. Their stories were marginalized when the broader American religious culture pushed Adventism to minimize women. When we let the truth live, it challenges assumptions about the role of women in church and society. When we tell the truth about women leading our church in the past, it challenges those who think the

push toward equality for women in leadership is putting culture above Scripture to think again.”

When his students began to research the stories of these women and piece them together, it felt like a breakthrough for Wibberding. “It felt like we had crossed over from the world of a niche hobby to a small movement with a life of its own,” he said.

One of the writers in this book was Jacqueline Messing, a PUC student, who was surprised by the opportunity to have her work published. “I had never imagined I would be part of a project that involved publishing material in such a professional capacity,” she said. Messing credits Wibberding with being a remarkable and dedicated professor who always provided the class with a progressive, engaging, and enriching academic experience.

Messing wrote about PUC alumna Lucy Mae Kum, whom she had previously studied and researched through the college’s archives. However, due to limited records, she had to contact Caribbean Union College, where Kum also attended, and speak to their librarian, who provided a wealth of information and even connected her to Kum’s daughter. When Messing completed her research, she found that the experience had been entirely meaningful and rewarding.

“This class itself offered a unique opportunity,” Messing said. “Mr. Wibberding was the one who

encouraged students to engage and immerse themselves in Adventist history. As a result, uncovering these hidden gems was eye-opening, and it broadened my understanding of the sacrifices made by God-fearing, pioneering women. Thanks to individuals like Mrs. Kum, the foundational pillars of Seventh-day Adventist institutions, such as education and the church, continue to thrive and prosper. This course allowed students to preserve and honor their legacy, sacrifices, stories of faith, testimony, and strength.”

Wibberding hopes readers will be inspired to make a difference for God’s cause in their lives, just as he and his students were. Many of the stories share how much these women accomplished despite having minimal opportunities and resources. “I pray that the stories my students tell will encourage others with the vastness of possibility when God is at the helm,” he said. “You will not read most of these stories elsewhere, making this a unique contribution to scholarship and our Adventist self-understanding.”

Women of the West: Twenty Who Shaped Adventism (Thousand Oaks, CA: Oak and Acorn Publishing, 2025) is available from Amazon and AdventSource.

Ally Romanes is the marketing and communication staff writer for the Pacific Union College.

Discover the untold story of a 19th-century Adventist pioneer whose life was as bold as his convictions.

In J.H. Waggoner: Editor, Evangelist, and Defender of the Faith, historian Brian E. Strayer paints a vivid portrait of Joseph Harvey Waggoner—preacher, prolific writer, fearless debater, and tireless organizer. From fiery camp meetings and arduous stagecoach journeys to theological battles and personal trials, Waggoner’s writing and preaching shaped the early Seventh-day Adventist Church in ways still felt today.

Rich in historical detail and human drama, this first full biography of Waggoner invites readers to step into the struggles, triumphs, and complexities of a man who never stopped defending “present truth.” COMING SOON

Perfect for history lovers and anyone inspired by stories of perseverance and faith.

RIGHT: The zipline experience remains one of the favorite activities for campers.

INSET: The petting zoo offers another way for campers to connect with God’s creation.

A New Thing at Camp Yavapines

This year’s summer camp at Camp Yavapines brought some of the old traditions; however, just like in the Old Testament when God said, “Behold, I will do a new thing” (Isaiah 43:19, NKJV), campers experienced new things that made their summer even more vibrant and alive. Starting with the theme “ALIVE” (Ephesians 2:4-5), each day campers were taught how we are “Alive” because of Jesus.

New classes and activities were added this year— including gardening, ukulele, horsemanship, crochet, screen printing, pottery, and drama—making camp

even more fun. These were added to the activities that have been Camp Yavapines staples for years: go-karts, paintball, zipline, baking, crafts, and sports.

The gardening class allowed campers to connect with God’s nature in a hands-on way. They learned about growing a garden, dug for worms, painted garden rocks, and tasted produce from the garden. The class instructor was Ann Marie Campos, who has a passion for gardening and for teaching about God through lessons learned in the garden.

Another activity that was added this year was horseback riding. Camp Yavapines hadn’t seen horses in the program for close to 15 years because of the expense and care the program entails. This summer it was possible because of a partnership between the Arizona Conference and Holbrook Indian School. The kids received instruction in horse care and were able to ride with the guidance of horse wranglers Jacqui Reed and Dalariyn Dele. It was a brand-new experience for many campers. Some were nervous, others were excited, and some were both nervous and excited.

Another partnership was with Angel Tree Camp through Prison Fellowship. This program provides children of incarcerated (or formerly incarcerated) parents with the opportunity to attend summer camp for free. This allows opportunities for building relationships and growing in Christ throughout their

Each Sunday, camp staff welcomed campers and their families to Camp Yavapines.

childhood. This year, for the first time, over 30 Angel Tree kids were sponsored. One of the campers enjoyed it so much that he attended for two weeks and was baptized. The Camp Yavapines Ministries team is looking forward to ministering to more Angel Tree young people in the years to come.

As a result of the guidance of the Holy Spirit, fun and engaging activities with caring counselors, staff, and pastors, and the intentional Bible-based programming, 149 campers made decisions for baptism and 59 campers and staff were baptized at camps this summer. Every week, one could witness young people stepping forward to give their hearts to Jesus.

One young boy, after an altar call, was so touched by the moment that he began to tear up with emotion. When asked about his tears, he responded, “Isn’t this an important enough reason to be emotional?”

A staff member from Guadalajara, Mexico, who was introduced to working at Camp Yavapines by a friend,

was moved to accept Jesus. She wants to be connected to an Adventist church when she returns home and plans to be baptized.

The new classes, activities, partnerships, and, most of all, souls won for Christ made the summer of 2025 a wonderful new experience for everyone.

By Melanie Cruz

LEFT: Through a partnership with Holbrook Indian School, campers once again were able to experience horseback riding. RIGHT: Pastor Sarah Oliviera baptizes a camper during Junior 1 week of summer camp.

LEFT: Campers participate in water “Olympics” in the camp pool. RIGHT: Gardening was a new class offered this year at summer camp.

Strategic Shift for CCC’s Five-Year Vision: Healthy Culture Flourishing People, Thriving Organization, Fulfilled Mission

Culture shapes everything. It's not just what we believe—it's who we are and how we behave. According to Central California Conference President Ricardo J. Viloria, it's time to intentionally cultivate a culture that reflects God's heart: where people flourish, the organization thrives and the mission is fulfilled.

Defining

healthy culture

A healthy culture is a Christ-centered environment where people feel safe, valued, connected, and aligned with purpose, Viloria explains. In such an environment, leaders are spiritually grounded and emotionally healthy. Collaboration replaces isolation. Students and young people are nurtured with purpose. There's clarity, trust, and compassionate accountability throughout the organization.

Flourishing People Vibrant Schools and Young People

Focuses on spiritual, emotional, and professional support for individuals.

the importance of schools as mission centers.

"Culture is the soil where mission grows—or where it dies," Viloria said. "A toxic culture will destroy the best strategies. A healthy culture will multiply impact."

A clear vision forward

Viloria's vision for the conference centers on seeing people flourish, churches and schools thrive, and the mission fulfilled across four key areas.

Flourishing people must be the foundation, he believes. This means people are supported spiritually, emotionally, and professionally. They're equipped through mentorship, rest, and growth opportunities. Most importantly, they're connected and cared for, not isolated in their ministry roles.

Thriving organization requires healthy teams working across departments, churches, schools, and campuses. The processes should serve people rather than burden them, Viloria emphasized. Leadership must be marked by compassionate accountability—holding each other to excellence with grace.

Vibrant schools and young people represent the future. Schools should function as mission centers, growing disciples and leaders. Students must be seen, loved, and challenged to grow. The conference must invest in both the present and future of the church.

"We are not just preparing young people for tomorrow—we are empowering them to lead today," Viloria said.

Fulfilled mission encompasses churches that are mission-focused and communities reached with love and compassion. There should be a shared sense

Thriving Organization

of purpose from office to pulpit, uniting the entire conference in common goals.

Four foundational values

These values form the heart of the culture being built across the Central California Conference, according to Viloria.

Connection with God means personal and collective dependence on Christ through daily surrender, prayer, and spiritual renewal. "There is no lasting impact without deep spiritual roots," he said.

Collaboration moves the organization from independence to interdependence through teamwork across churches, schools, departments, and campuses. "We may move fast alone, but we go far together," Viloria noted.

Unity—not uniformity—includes shared mission, values, hope, and respect. The conference practices healthy conflict resolution and trust-building. "Unity is the fuel of mission," he said.

Healthy culture creates a safe, transparent, and encouraging environment where emotional and relational health are ministry priorities. Compassionate accountability becomes the norm. "We speak the truth in love. We challenge with grace. We care enough to help each other grow," Viloria explained.

A collective responsibility

Viloria emphasized that he cannot shape this culture alone. He needs every pastor, teacher, administrator, staff member,

Connection with God Collaboration

and church member to join this effort. All are culture carriers with the responsibility to intentionally build an environment where pastors, teachers, and personnel are thriving, not just surviving. Where schools are centers of mission. Where young people are empowered to lead. Where the church moves forward with joy.

Moving forward together

Viloria envisions a conference where pastors, teachers, staff, and students flourish, where the organization is vibrant, and where every church feels part of something greater—a living, breathing movement of God's kingdom. This vision is not for someday but for today.

"A healthy culture is not just an advantage—it is a gospel witness," Viloria said. As the conference moves forward together, the goal is to create an environment that not only serves the mission but demonstrates God's love to communities and the world.

Edited by Justin Kim

Soquel Camp Meeting 2025: Restoration Realized

The Central California Conference concluded its 10-day Soquel Camp Meeting with unprecedented attendance, more than 51 baptisms, and around $600,000 in the evangelism offering—triple last year's amount—as church leaders declared the "Soquel Restored" theme a powerful testimony.

President Ricardo Viloria emphasized that the gathering's primary goal centered on building team unity and restoring morale rather than numerical outcomes.

"Our main goal was to build our people, restore morale, and create momentum," Viloria said. "We wanted healing and restoration for our pastors, staff, and church families. The baptisms and offerings were the cherry on top."

Restoration takes center stage

The camp meeting marked a significant turning point for the conference, with pastors and attendees

repeatedly describing an atmosphere of peace, acceptance, and renewed trust in leadership.

"Trust in conference leadership has been restored," Viloria noted, adding that the many comments he received confirmed that what had been missing before was now being rebuilt.

Pastor Rob Colon of Sunnyvale church reflected the sentiment of many attendees: "From the start, leadership made it clear they wanted us to thrive. Their message was, 'We're here to help you and your churches be healthy.' Mission accomplished."

The restoration theme resonated throughout the 10 days, with speakers including Carlton Byrd, José Rojas, David Shin, Roy Ice, Sam Neves, and Ivor Myers delivering messages and testimonies focused on healing relationships and rebuilding confidence in the conference's direction.

Multiple testimonies highlighted the camp meeting's impact on individuals and families. One single mother described her experience as "like going through a detox," leading to her baptism during the gathering.

One pastor shared an encounter with former church members who had drifted away, resulting in renewed connections and prayer opportunities. "It was really encouraging to see that opportunity to connect and pray," he said.

Prayer ministry central to revival

At the heart of the restoration theme was a comprehensive prayer ministry led by Ed Walker, which centered on revival and spiritual renewal. Each day opened with a 6 a.m. prayer meeting, setting a tone of spiritual seeking and dependence on God. The

prayer ministry included seminars, anointing services, a prayer burning service, and a dedicated prayer booth where attendees could receive personal prayer support throughout the gathering.

Huge increase in participation and generosity

Camp meeting registration reached 3,500 people, with approximately 5,000 attendees throughout the week and more than 10,000 people gathering on Sabbath—representing a massive increase in participation from previous years. Despite the overwhelming number of participants, the efficient registration team handled the process smoothly, with parking extending to hilltops as families flocked to the Soquel grounds.

The evangelism offering of nearly $600,000 represents a dramatic increase from last year's $130,000, reflecting renewed confidence in conference leadership and vision.

The 2025 offering strategy allocates funds across three priorities: 50% for youth and young adult ministries, 25% for mission and evangelism work, and 25% for camp meeting operations.

"When churches invest in young people, churches grow," said Anil Kanda, vice president for ministries. "This funding priority addresses our biggest challenge of reaching youth and young adults."

Restored services enhance experience

This year marked the return of several important services that had been closed for an extended period. The ministry booth reopened after a long closure, helping attendees discover various ministry opportunities and providing resources to equip church members for service. A mini case lot sale offered practical goods, while the cafeteria reopened to nourish attendees physically throughout the gathering.

The Soquel security team also returned, creating a safe environment for families and ensuring smooth operations across the sprawling grounds.

Youth Ministries drive growth

The emphasis on youth programming proved effective throughout the gathering. Children's ministry leaders reported 85 decisions for baptism between the Primary and Junior divisions, with five baptisms conducted on campus.

The youth tent maintained high energy throughout the gathering, with young adult programming featuring everything from sports tournaments to spontaneous worship sessions extending late into the evening.

Unity among leadership

A distinctive feature throughout the gathering was the visible unity among conference officers, who frequently appeared together on the platform.

"I want to thank Pastor Viloria for making sure all your officers were up there as often as they were," one pastor observed. "That sends a message of unity and gives people confidence that you're working together."

The administration's approach emphasized team leadership over traditional hierarchical models, with Viloria consistently bringing his officer team forward during presentations.

Looking forward

Conference leaders expressed confidence that the momentum generated during the 10 days would continue throughout the year. The gathering successfully addressed key conference goals of rebuilding trust, restoring morale, and creating excitement about future ministry.

"When we keep our focus, God will provide the resources," Viloria said. "It's not about the numbers— when we focus on building healthy people and teams, God takes care of the rest."

Church members and attendees consistently expressed feeling heard, valued, and supported by the new administration's approach to leadership and ministry.

The impact of Soquel Restored positions the Central California Conference for continued growth, with leaders encouraging pastors to return to their churches as "agents of restoration" carrying the momentum forward.

"God has amazing things in store for us when we work together as a team," Viloria concluded. "Let's take this momentum and build on it."

As attendees departed for home, many expressed anticipation for next year's gathering, with early registrations already beginning for the 2026 camp meeting.

By Justin Kim

Highly Favored: A Summer to Remember at Camp Waianae

This summer at Camp Waianae was nothing short of extraordinary. As 250 campers came through our gates, they experienced more than just a program—they entered into a God-filled journey in which they were reminded every day that they are highly favored. This year, more than ever, we witnessed how far God will go to bring His children together. Doing summer camp in Hawai‘i is a special blessing—and a logistical miracle. Unless you live on O‘ahu, attending Camp Waianae means catching a flight. For our keiki from the Big Island, Maui, and Kaua‘i, it requires great effort, coordination, and funding just to arrive. But every smiling face, every life transformed, reminds us that every mile is worth it.

This year was extra special: for the first time in recent memory, we welcomed campers from the island of Moloka‘i. Watching those kids step off the small plane, full of anticipation and joy, was a moment none of us will forget. It happened thanks to the dedicated efforts of Pastor Brian Garcia, who traveled with the keiki, and Pastor Ron Taylor, whose heart for his Moloka‘i church family motivated him to go the extra mile, literally and spiritually, to ensure his

Focusing on the story of Joseph, we examined what it means to be chosen, loved, and seen by God, even amidst trials.

kids experienced summer camp for the very first time.

Throughout the summer, the theme “Highly Favored” was not just taught, it was experienced. Focusing on the story of Joseph, we examined what it means to be chosen, loved, and seen by God, even amidst trials. Our campers connected deeply with Joseph’s story, recognizing echoes of their own struggles and victories. Each week came alive through inspiring messages from our guest speakers. Pastor Meshach Soli kicked off the summer with enthusiasm and joy for our Adventurer campers. Pastor Brian Garcia guided our Juniors with messages about identity and purpose.

Pastor Josue Sanchez wrapped up Teen Camp with bold, heartfelt sermons that encouraged deep reflection.

Behind it all was our dedicated staff, working tirelessly, loving endlessly, and creating a space where kids could meet Jesus.

NOTICE OF CONSTITUENCY MEETING OF THE HAWAII CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

Notice is hereby given that the Regular Quinquennial Constituency Meeting of the Hawaii Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is called to convene at 9:00 a.m. Sunday, October 5, 2025, at Honolulu Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, 2313 Nuuanu Avenue, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii.

The purpose of this meeting is to receive reports, to elect conference officers and the Executive Committee, and to transact other business as may properly come before the constituency meeting.

Each organized church shall be represented by one (1) delegate and one (1) additional delegate for each forty (40) members or major fraction thereof.

From Moloka‘i, Kauai, Maui, and Big Island to O‘ahu, this summer reminded us all: we are deeply known, dearly loved, and highly favored by God.

By Ivan Ostrovsky

A New Season in Him

As the wise king Solomon said, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven,” Ecclesiastes 3:1(NKJV). Throughout our lives we fill various roles. People sometimes remain in a role for over a decade or for a year or even six months. Seasons can be long or they can be short. Seasons change. People change. So it is here at Holbrook Indian School (HIS). We are entering into a new season of leadership with anticipation.

Following Dr. Berit von Pohle’s announcement of her retirement, Elder James P. Willis was elected as the new vice president for education of the Pacific Union Conference. With this new role, Elder Willis

“What I enjoy most about this work is seeing students thrive—not only academically but spiritually. I look forward to working with our schools across the Pacific Union to ensure that every student has access to a joyful, Christ-centered learning environment that prepares them to serve, lead, and grow.”—James P. Willis

also assumes the role of chair for the HIS Board of Trustees.

A graduate of Oakwood University in Alabama, Elder Willis has dedicated over four decades to Adventist education. He has served as teacher, principal, and superintendent across the nation.

“What I enjoy most about this work is seeing students thrive—not only academically but spiritually,” Willis said. “I look forward to working with our schools across the Pacific Union to ensure that every student has access to a joyful, Christ-centered learning environment that prepares them to serve, lead, and grow.”

We are also welcoming a new principal at HIS.

Searching for a principal is no small feat, but our Board of Trustees has succeeded in selecting one for us. We are pleased to introduce Ms. Kimberly Coast as the new principal of Holbrook Indian School. Ms. Coast assumed her role on July 1, 2025.

Ms. Coast comes to us from Indiana, where she taught English and Spanish at Indiana Academy. She has 26 years of experience as a teacher and brings her skills and insights, as well as a rich cultural heritage, to help

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

usher our team and students to the next level of excellence in Christ.

“One of the most important aspects for me that carries the most impact is having the freedom to try new things and learn from our mistakes. It takes a very strong administrator to allow the freedom to take risks. It’s equally rewarding to attempt something new and have it truly work, as well as to learn through the process of trial and error.

“Additionally, I love the idea of sparking the desire in students to leap into the unknown. I like opening doors for them to learn something that they didn’t even know was a possibility.

“Last, but certainly not least, I am very excited to come alongside teachers to encourage and support them in what they do best. I’m excited for opportunities to lead the school, which means I’m also going to be spending a lot of time in prayer asking for God’s guidance.”

We welcome and look forward to working with

“I am very excited to come alongside teachers to encourage and support them in what they do best. I’m excited for opportunities to lead the school, which means I’m also going to be spending a lot of time in prayer asking for God’s guidance.”—Kimberly Coast

our new leadership in Elder Willis and Ms. Coast to ensure that HIS continues to create an environment where our students can learn, grow, and thrive in Christ.

By Kimberly Cruz

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

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 first- through eighth-grade day school on the Navajo reservation in Chinle, Arizona. Eighty-seven 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.

Adventist Health Volunteers Bring Life-Saving Screenings and Healthcare to Micronesia

Ateam of 22 Adventist Health volunteers traveled to Chuuk, Micronesia, in July on a Global Mission trip to conduct childhood screenings for rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in nine remote villages. Volunteers worked in partnership with the Guam SDA Clinic.

The team screened more than 400 children for RHD, with 10% testing positive. RHD is caused by rheumatic fever from untreated strep infections, which can lead to inflammation and scarring of the heart valves.

“The highest documented rate of RHD in the literature is 8%,” said Bridget Haydu, critical care registered nurse for Adventist Health and Rideout, who helped conduct screenings. “This underscores the critical importance of these missions—not just for providing direct care but also for contributing essential data to help Micronesia’s public health department secure long-term funding for treatment and prevention,” said Haydu.

In addition to the RHD screenings, general surgeon Dr. Daniel Oh played a key role in helping with elective and emergency surgeries at the clinic, easing the workload of the island’s small surgical team.

“Dr. Oh’s support meant that some patients who had been waiting months for elective surgeries were able to receive care more quickly,” said John Schoer, director of Global Mission for Adventist Health.

Lauren Grado, certified registered nurse anesthetist from Adventist Health and Rideout, was instrumental on

More than 400 children were screened for rheumatic heart disease.

the surgical team. Grado provided anesthesia services and organized the operating room, helping improve workflow and readiness for future surgeries.

Karen Walz, physical therapist at Adventist Health Tillamook, said, “At the villages, we often shared the international human connection of a smile or a hug.”

Walz provided physical therapy for patients with a variety of conditions, including pediatric cerebral palsy, post-amputation, post-meningitis, pelvic floor issues, chronic pain, and post-stroke.

“The goal was to set up a plan that the patient individually could continue or be assisted by nursing staff or family,” said Walz.

The care the volunteers provided reflects Adventist Health’s commitment to reaching as many individuals as possible while living God’s love to inspire health, wholeness, and hope.

“At Adventist Health our Global Mission work sees RHD screening not just as a medical service but as a lifeline,” said Schroer. “It’s a chance to save lives early, restore hope to families, and honor God through compassionate care.”

By Kim Strobel

Adventist Health volunteers assisted with elective and emergency surgeries.

La Sierra’s T-shirt Giveaway Draws Crowds at GC Session

It was July 12, the last day of the 62nd General Conference Session in St. Louis, MO, and the scene around the La Sierra University exhibit booth at the America’s Center Convention Complex was chaotically invigorating. There was a line stretching down the walkway in front of other institutions’ exhibits, culminating in a crowd in front of the La Sierra booth, numerous hands stretching eagerly toward university staff. They all wanted one thing—a free La Sierra University-branded T-shirt.

That evening, the university’s team hustled to meet the demand and handed out 1,100 shirts in under 30 minutes. It was the last of 7,500 shirts given out during the General Conference session held between July 3–12. The first 5,000 shirts were distributed during the first weekend of the conference, depleting supplies far faster than organizers had expected. Another 2,500 shirts were ordered and distributed during the session’s last two days.

“We originally ordered 5,000 T-shirts because the last General Conference had 20,000 attendees,” said

La Sierra University Interim Vice President of Marketing Brian Meert. “We were planning for about 25% of the attendees getting a free shirt. By the end of the second day, we had given out all 5,000 shirts.”

Reactions to the shirts from attendees who were perusing the Exhibition Hall supported the marketing team’s anticipated goals.

“I really wanted to have one because I saw the quality, and also because it's La Sierra University, and I heard some more people saying about it, it is a good university,” said Aurora Yabut. She, her friends, and her church pastor, Eliezer Barrientos, arrived from the Philippines to attend the GC session. They each wore a La Sierra shirt received during one of the giveaways. Yabut said her children are no longer young, but she hopes her grandchildren might consider attending La Sierra in the future.

Joaquín Espinoza of the Dominican Republic also wore a La Sierra shirt while walking through Exhibition Hall. “For me it is a nice memory of an Adventist university that I am now returning to my country, and I will keep in mind that we are in different Adventist places,” he said in Spanish before pausing for a photo.

“It was an amazing experience to witness how popular the T-shirts were and how quickly they were distributed,” said La Sierra University President Christon Arthur. “It was inspiring and exciting to see so many people wearing the shirts in the convention center hallways throughout the week.

“It was also a special privilege to connect with our Adventist family members from around the globe,” he said. “We look forward welcoming everyone home to La Sierra.”

By Darla Martin Tucker

Aurora Yabut, second from right, poses with friends Marie Rose and Agnes Austria along with Pastor Eliezer Barrientos with their La Sierra T-shirts. The group arrived from the Philippines to attend the General Conference session.

U.S. News & World Report Ranks Loma Linda University Medical Center as Best Hospital in

Riverside-San Bernardino Metro Area

Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC) was named by U.S. News & World Report the 2025-2026 Best Hospital in the Riverside and San Bernardino metro area. Ranking No. 1 in the region, the Medical Center also tied for the 16th best hospital in California and is among the elite 13% of all 4,400 U.S. hospitals that earned a Best Hospitals designation. In addition, obstetrics and gynecology care at LLUMC was ranked No. 38 in the United States.

Anthony Hilliard, MD, CEO of Loma Linda University Health Hospitals, said this year’s rankings are extraordinary achievements that are the result of compassionate, quality care provided to patients by each of its team members.

“This recognition of so many of our specialties validates the commitment we’ve made to providing world-class medical and surgical care,” Hilliard said. “These impressive U.S. News rankings make residents across the Inland Empire aware of our commitment to providing outstanding medical care, and that they can

stay close to home for all their healthcare needs.”

Two adult specialty services received U.S. News high performing ranking: Gastroenterology & G.I. Surgery and Urology.

Also, 14 common adult procedures and conditions were ranked as high performing: aortic valve surgery, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), colon cancer surgery, gynecological cancer surgery, heart arrhythmia, heart attack, heart bypass surgery, heart failure, hip fracture, kidney failure, leukemia lymphoma & myeloma, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, and stroke care.

LLUMC–Murrieta earned a high-performing ranking for its heart attack care.

The annual rankings are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to seek care for challenging health conditions or common elective procedures. The “High Performing” rating recognizes care as significantly better than the national average, measured by factors such as patient outcomes. State and metro area rankings reflect the highest performing hospitals in the area across multiple areas of care. U.S. News evaluated each hospital’s performance using a variety of measures such as survival rates, complication rates, patient experience, and level of nursing care. The Best Hospitals methodology factors in data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, American Hospital Association, professional organizations, and medical specialists. This year’s expanded analyses relied on risk-adjusted data from more than 800 million records of patient care.

More information on services available at Loma Linda University Health are available online at lluh.org.

By Ansel Oliver

PUC Appoints Tamara Tirado as New Dean of Nursing and Emergency Management

Pacific Union College (PUC) is pleased to announce that Dr. Tamara Tirado has been appointed as the new Dean of Nursing and Emergency Management.

Tirado holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Loma Linda University, a master's in nursing–family nurse practitioner from Sonoma State University, and both bachelor's and associate degrees in nursing from Pacific Union College.

Serving as the BSN program manager and professor of nursing, Tirado has dedicated 17 years to PUC, bringing knowledge and experience in curriculum development, accreditation, student success initiatives, faculty mentorship, and committee service across the college.

Over the past 20 years, she has worked as a registered nurse, family nurse practitioner, clinic manager, and educator, bearing extensive experience to equip future nurses to serve with humility.

“I’ve been fortunate to work with dedicated faculty, support passionate students, and help shape programs that truly make a difference. The most rewarding part has been seeing our students grow, both academically and personally, and knowing that we’re preparing them to care for others with excellence and compassion,” said Tirado.

Coming into this new role, Tirado’s vision entails building on the department’s strong foundation while expanding reach, innovation, and impact, “fostering a learning environment that emphasizes clinical excellence, servant leadership, and adaptability to the evolving healthcare landscape.”

PUC President Ralph Trecartin is excited to welcome her as the new leader of the team and knows she is ready for this challenge, bringing a sense of comfort and continuity to the campus.

"Dr. Tamara Tirado brings with her a wealth of experience and perspective to this important role," he said. "I have always appreciated her contributions to the community and culture of our campus, as well as her outstanding academic impact. She has impressed me with her knowledge about our nursing program and with her vision for how we may want to continue to build and improve upon the advances made already under the able leadership of Dr. Kimberly Dunker and our outstanding

nursing and emergency management team.”

PUC Vice President of Academic Administration Lindsay Hayasaka also noted the nursing program’s flourishing under Dr. Dunker’s leadership as well as the importance of student success. “Dr. Tirado’s extensive experience and deep understanding of the program make her ideally suited to lead it through this next chapter. We are thrilled that she is taking on this new role and leading both the nursing and emergency management programs into their next chapters.”

Tirado remains inspired by her students and their resilience, curiosity, and desire to serve others, as well as her colleagues, who bring so much heart and expertise to their work. Outside of her successful nursing career, she affirmed that her family keeps her grounded and motivated to be both present and purposeful in everything she does.

“My motto is a quote from Elisabeth Elliot that says, ‘Do the next right thing, in faith, with excellence, and for the glory of God.’ This guides how I approach leadership, decision-making, and service,” Tirado shared. “We will continue to prioritize student support, community engagement, and evidence-based practice as we shape the next generation of nurses and emergency service leaders.”

Dr. Tirado began her new role on July 1.

By Marina Maher

Adventurers and Pathfinders gather for a final group photo to close the investiture program.

How One VBS Invitation Changed Everything

Meet Francesca. Last year, a little girl named Francesca Irina Lopez attended Vacation Bible School at the Reno-Sparks Hispanic church for the first time. Her mother had heard about the event through a coworker who is a member of the church. That simple invitation became the start of something much bigger.

Francesca loved VBS so much that she joined the Adventurers Club that same year. Her family, though

attending a different church on Sundays, began bringing her faithfully to Sabbath programs. This summer, one year later, Francesca stood proudly as she was invested as a Builder during the church’s investiture ceremony on July 19, 2025.

“It’s amazing to see how God worked through that one connection,” said Elder Hector Vasquez, who leads the church’s youth ministries. “Francesca stayed with us the whole year. Now her family attends our small groups and is part of the church community.”

And there is more. She started to invite her friends.

Pastor Benjamin Carballo, along with a team of dedicated volunteers, decided two years ago to bring back VBS and support the youth programs. Through the church’s second year of VBS, nearly 40 kids participated, and over 70% of them were from the community. Other families have since joined the Adventurers and Pathfinders Clubs, some even attending church more regularly because their children were invited by friends.

“We’re tired,” Vasquez said with a smile, “but there’s a mission here. And God is moving through it.”

What started as a simple VBS invite became a doorway to a new church family for Francesca and many others.

By Neat Randriamialison

LEFT: Francesca is invested as a Builder in the RenoSparks Hispanic church Adventurers Club. RIGHT: Pastor Benjamin Carballo thanks Elder Hector Vasquez for his leadership.

Riverview Students Put King David on Trial

What happens when biblical history enters a modern courtroom? Students at Riverview Christian Academy explored that question on May 20, 2025, by staging a mock trial of King David, reimagining the story of David and Bathsheba through the lens of justice and consequence.

A classroom was transformed into a courtroom, where classmates, teachers, and parents observed as students stepped into the roles of attorneys, witnesses, and jurors. Drawing from 2 Samuel 11–12, the prosecution and defense examined David’s actions— his misuse of power, the cover-up, and, ultimately, his repentance.

“We wanted students to wrestle with real moral questions,” said one teacher. “David was a man after God’s heart, but he also failed. How do we hold that in tension?”

Under the guidance of Judge James (Jim) Spoo, a former mayor of Sparks, students presented a full case. The prosecution highlighted abuse of authority and moral failure. The defense emphasized the lack of reliable witnesses and later shared David’s confession, God’s mercy, and his transformation as a leader.

More than just a dramatization, the exercise challenged students to engage critically with Scripture and see the different ways this story is still relevant today, while also developing skills like public speaking,

critical thinking, and teamwork. It pushed them to ask tough questions about justice, grace, and leadership in a broken world.

This interesting blend of faith, education, creativity, and real-world application showed that Bible stories aren’t just ancient texts; they’re real human experiences that we can learn from to this day.

By Neat Randriamialison

LEFT: A student witness takes the stand as a student attorney questions him under Judge James Spoo’s supervision. RIGHT: A few parents, classmates, and teachers quietly watch the courtroom scene.

A student attorney presents her closing arguments to the jurors.

Voices of a New Generation: Reflections from Our GC Session Delegates

The 62nd General Conference Session of the Seventh-day Adventist Church brought together representatives from around the world to pray, worship, and make decisions that shape the future of our global church.

“As a youth leader, it is an honor to empower young people to deepen their relationship with God.”

Michelle De Peralta Carillo

Among them were three young adult delegates from our territory— leaders, volunteers, and members of local congregations who stepped into this significant responsibility with courage and conviction.

In the following reflections, each delegate shares their personal experience—what led them to say yes to this calling, their impressions of the decision-making process, and how it felt to have a voice and a vote at the highest level of church governance. They also offer candid insights on what surprised or inspired them, what it was like to be nominated to serve on key committees, and how they navigated the challenges of being young—and in some cases, women—in a global leadership space.

Most importantly, they speak directly to other young adults—especially young women—who may be wondering if there is a place for them in church leadership.

Michelle De Peralta Carillo NCC Member, Woman, Young Adult Delegate

I am a 35-year-old dental assistant and endoscopy technician. I currently serve as the music and community care ministry coordinator and youth leader at the Anderson church.

As a youth leader, it is an honor to empower young people to deepen their relationship with God. One of the things I cherish most is bringing ministry programs from the Philippines to our local church, creating opportunities for spiritual growth and meaningful connection. I firmly believe that the energy and enthusiasm of young people are essential to the Church’s present and future.

When I was unexpectedly selected to be the Northern California Conference (NCC) member, woman, and young adult delegate to the General Conference session, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. It was an incredible privilege and blessing to be part of the decision-making process for the global church.

Being appointed to the GC Nominating Committee was humbling. It reminded me that when God calls, He qualifies—regardless of our perceived limitations. Serving in this role gave me a front-row seat to global leadership and affirmed how vital it is for young people—especially young women—to have a voice at the table.

My passion is to serve the Lord wherever He leads. Even before the “I Will Go” theme was launched, I would remind fellow youth: We need to go! We must spread the good news and reach others. This experience confirmed that true happiness is found in serving God with my whole heart.

To my fellow young adults: The word “church” is not complete without “U”! Although many of us are familiar with the Spirit of Prophecy and our fundamental beliefs, we still need revival and reformation in our hearts.

Stay in the church. Do not walk away. The love, comfort, and healing we are searching for can be found here—in God. Let us be a living sermon to the world. The church is a family—and we are one. If God is calling you, do not hesitate. Step forward. Your voice matters, and your willingness to serve can inspire change.

Ruben

Vargas

NCC Pastor, Hispanic Ministries, Young Adult

This was my first time attending a General Conference session, and I felt a deep sense of privilege and responsibility. Being chosen as a delegate is not something many people experience, and I did not take it lightly.

My journey here has been far from typical. I grew up in a non-Adventist home and had a difficult adolescence. But everything changed when I met Jesus and was baptized at the age of 19 at the Oakland Spanish church. I felt an unshakable conviction to pursue ministry. After studying at Pacific Union College, I joined the Northern California Conference in 2014 as a Bible worker. I served as an associate pastor, attended seminary, and now serve my second church district, including Sonoma, St. Helena, and Napa Spanish churches.

What struck me most was the sheer scale of the event. The crowds, the logistics, the planning: everything was on a level I had never seen in a church setting. Yet underneath the structure and coordination, I was reminded that the church is made up of people—authentic, imperfect, Spirit-led people. That incarnational reality deepened my appreciation for how God works through His people.

Being young often comes with world-changing

ideas—but to shape the church’s future, young people must first show genuine interest in the things of God. Passion is not enough. We need young adults to engage deeply, care about what happens, and be present where decisions are made.

My advice: step in. From what I have seen, the church is not turning volunteers away. Speak up. Share your interests. Be dependable. A willing heart and a responsible spirit can have more impact than expertise. Willingness is the first step—experience and growth will follow.

Sonja Cartwright

NCC Pastor, Woman, Young Adult

Currently, I serve as the associate pastor at the Santa Rosa church, a position I have held for the past year. Before this, I worked as a youth pastor in Hawaii and a high school teacher in California. During my time at the seminary, I was actively involved in a variety of discipleship ministries that helped shape my spiritual leadership and deepen my commitment to ministry.

I am deeply grateful to God for the opportunity to serve as a delegate at the General Conference session and participate in voting on decisions that shape our global church. It was a joy and an honor to represent both young adults and women pastors on this international platform.

The idea of speaking to the global church from a microphone was intimidating. But my extroverted side enjoyed connecting with both old and new friends, and a few fellow delegates encouraged me to practice my

speech with them. Their support gave me the confidence I needed to step up and speak. It was exciting to see other young adult delegates eloquently voicing their perspectives from the floor and contributing to updates in the Church Manual. I felt a renewed sense of hope when Crystal Ward was elected as the first female pastor to serve as associate ministerial secretary for the General Conference. It was a beautiful reminder that the Holy Spirit has been preparing and calling more and more women to step into ministry leadership roles!

Young adults, your voice does matter. Not someday, but today! Start sharing your perspectives at home, at church, and or on social media platforms. Your testimony and ideas can encourage and inspire others. Jesus will use every experience in your life to prepare you for even greater opportunities to serve Him. You are needed. You are capable. And your voice matters.

To the young women wondering if they belong in church leadership—especially in pastoral ministry— please hear this: there is a seat for you at the table! There are men and women who will advocate on your behalf. The enemy may try to fill your mind with excuses and fear, but Jesus will sustain you and provide everything you need for the path He has called you to walk.

Let God’s voice be the loudest in your life. Stay close to your mentors. Laugh often with your friends. Embrace the journey and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime.

A President’s Reflection – Marc K. Woodson

It was both a privilege and a profound joy to lead this dynamic group of young adult delegates to the 62nd General Conference Session.

Seeing them actively participate—voting, speaking, and serving on committees—filled me with immense pride. Their energy, insight, and faithfulness were evident in every moment.

This experience reaffirmed that the church thrives when we empower young adults and women to serve boldly. Their voices matter, their presence shapes the future, and their leadership reflects the movement of the Holy Spirit. I remain committed to equipping and supporting the next generation as they continue to answer God’s call.

By Laurie Trujillo

1,400 Strong: A Festival of Faith, Fellowship, and Gospel Mission

Nearly 1,400 members from the Hispanic churches of the Northern California Conference gathered at Pacific Union College for a vibrant festival of faith, joy, and gratitude.

Pastors, members, lay workers, and families from across the region gathered to recognize the inspiring work and workers in their local churches. The day was alive with music, heartfelt worship, and testimonials of service. Groups paraded joyfully, bearing banners that noted their particular ministry, publicly declaring their passion for spreading the gospel and advancing God’s kingdom.

A highlight of the gathering was the recognition of more than 50 lay leaders who have faithfully served their congregations and communities.

Nominated by pastors and leaders of their respective churches, they were celebrated as shining examples of active discipleship and commitment to God’s mission. One visitor, who is receiving Bible studies, received an award on behalf of his mentor, who was unable to make the trip.

Paul Guevara, Hispanic Ministries coordinator, stated, “This was an important celebration, and thank you to the many passionate pastors and dedicated volunteers who serve our communities.”

By Ken Miller

Coming Home on Mission: Dr. Richardson’s SECC Return

After more than a decade away, Dr. David Richardson is returning to the Southeastern California Conference (SECC) in a powerful way—as the newly appointed Black Ministries evangelist. With a rich background in ministry and higher education leadership, Richardson brings a passion for mission, discipleship, and collaborative evangelism.

Prior to accepting this new role, Richardson served as vice president for student life and mission at Oakwood University, the only historically Black Seventh-day Adventist institution. There, he focused on the spiritual development of students; oversaw co-curricular programming such as athletics, residence life, and counseling; and worked to ensure

that the university remained aligned with its Adventist mission. His career also includes leadership roles at Walla Walla University and pastoral service in several churches throughout Southern California.

Richardson is no stranger to SECC. “This is where I started ministry in 1995, after being sponsored to attend seminary by the conference,” he shared. “I served at 31st Street, New Hope, and Maranatha churches, and also spent time at 16th Street and Imani Praise Fellowship.” Now, he’s excited to return with a fresh perspective and a heart ready to serve.

When asked about his vision for Black Ministries, Richardson emphasized alignment and collaboration: “I’m not here to do evangelism—I’m here to partner in it. Every church has a unique vision, and I want to work alongside pastors and congregations to create strategic plans that are sustainable and community focused.” His approach centers on discipleship, leadership development, and spiritual growth that extends beyond events and into daily church life.

Richardson is energized by the opportunity to help SECC churches grow in impact and mission. “There is no greater joy than pointing people to Jesus,” he said. “We’re going to work together—pastors, elders, members—to transform lives through intentional, mission-driven ministry.”

Richardson is married to his best friend and biggest supporter, Chasity Richardson, who previously served as the Director of Operations at Oakwood University. To the SECC community, his message is simple, yet profound: “I’m excited to be back. I’m here to partner with all our churches and help us think intentionally about how we do evangelism and discipleship. Let’s grow together.” As he settles back into familiar territory with renewed purpose, Richardson is ready to lead with humility, heart, and a clear focus on the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

By Jordyn Wright

David Richardson and his wife, Chasity.

Pastor Isaac Lee Ordained to the Gospel Ministry

I“f I could summarize this journey, it’s simply about gratitude,” said Pastor Isaac Lee. “God and His people have affirmed this calling, and I don’t take that lightly.”

Lee was ordained to the gospel ministry at Yorba Linda church in late March. He currently serves as executive and associate pastor, working with every department and focusing specifically on youth, collegiate, and young adult ministries. He began serving at Yorba Linda in November 2023.

His ministry began in 2009 as a part-time pastor at Fort Lee church in New Jersey. But the calling started even earlier—before he even knew it.

“My parents dedicated me to God to be a pastor,” he shared. “But they didn’t tell me that until I had already made the decision on my own.”

That quiet thread of providence has woven itself throughout his ministry journey. After seminary at Andrews University—where he earned both his undergraduate and Master of Divinity degrees—he received his first full-time call and served churches across the country.

One of the most defining chapters came after leaving Loma Linda Korean church. As he sought God's

President Park leads the call and response during Lee’s service.

direction for his next step, he received offers from 8 to 10 churches across North America. But one offer stood out—not because it made sense but because it moved his heart.

“Queens, New York, offered the lowest pay, no service credit, no insurance. It made no logical sense,” he said. “But I was moved with compassion for my people.”

What happened next stunned even him. Despite the Greater New York Conference’s typical policy against granting service credit for local hires, he was given four years of credit—double what he would have earned elsewhere.

“When I told the church members, they wept with me,” he recalled. “It was impossible. But God had a plan.”

Fifteen years since his first pastoral assignment, Pastor Lee says his ordination is not a marker of his worth but of God’s faithfulness.

“There’s nothing about me that I can boast in,” he said. “Only that Christ chose to use a sinner like me. If anyone sees anything good, it’s just Him working through me.”

Now, settled into his ministry in Orange County, he’s prayerful for what’s ahead: “This is a new chapter—a balance between work and personal life, maybe even preparing for family. But as always, I’m just waiting and listening upon the Lord.”

Congratulations to Pastor Lee!

By Danni Thaw

Lee is blessed by several pastors.

FAR RIGHT:

73 Years Young, 50 States Strong

At 73 years old, Pastor Ron Du Preez, senior pastor of the Beaumont church, set out on a remarkable journey: walking (and sometimes cycling) 50 kilometers a day in 50 states over 50 consecutive days. Aptly titled “Senior Strides,” the initiative was far more than a physical feat—it was a mission to inspire health, faith, and community among seniors nationwide.

Starting in Hawaii on May 15 and finishing just before sunrise on July 4 at the General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri, Du Preez’s journey captivated both local communities and national media. At each stop, he visited senior centers, offering motivational talks and personal encouragement.

“People don’t respond to the ordinary anymore,” he shared. “But when they hear 50km a day for 50 days, they ask, ‘Why?’ That’s when I can share the mission: to energize and empower those over 65 to engage in fitness in a fun and friendly way.”

This is not the first time Du Preez has used fitness

to build community. A story on the beginnings of his Senior Strides running group, local to Beaumont, was published in the January 2025 Recorder. This time, Du Preez chose to walk and cycle—making his journey more relatable and inclusive. In between walking and indoor cycling, he juggled logistics, coordinated with centers, and made time to connect deeply with seniors, often praying with them or gifting books like The Great Controversy and The Ministry of Healing.

At the 62nd GC Session, Du Preez was invited to give a special presentation, sharing his experiences and the impact the journey had on him and the communities he visited. This great feat garnered the attention of Miami Dolphins running back Alexander Mattison and local news stations. Showing him support, the news stories reached thousands across Indiana, Michigan, and Southern New England.

Throughout the journey, Du Preez promoted a wholistic health message rooted in the Adventist lifestyle—encouraging movement, plant-based eating, rest, and spiritual well-being. "Stronger legs, longer life," he quoted from a Time article published during his trek. “Physical health strengthens your mental, social, and spiritual life.”

For Du Preez, Senior Strides wasn't just about miles—it was about momentum. “No matter your age or stage,” he concluded, “you can improve your health, bless others, and live the abundant life God intended.” You can learn more at seniorstrides.org.

By Jordyn Wright & Taji Saleem

Du Preez presents on the 62nd General Conference Session stage.

RIGHT: Alexander Mattison of the Miami Dolphins films with Du Preez.

Du Preez keeps a steady pace over his 50 days.

From Canvasser to Calling: How Youth Rush Shaped a Future Pastor

At 16, Joshua Roman joined Youth Rush as a shy teenager.

Today, he serves as the San Diego program head and is spending his eighth summer with the organization. He is also pursuing a theology degree at Southern Adventist University. For Roman, Youth Rush was more than just a summer job; it was a catalyst for transformation.

Youth Rush is a summer literature evangelism program for young adults that equips students with meaningful skills and ministry experience. Each day begins with optional morning devotionals, followed by practical chores such as food preparation, inventory, or accounting. After breakfast and a mandatory worship session, students receive training on how to engage with the public safely and effectively. From 1 to 9 p.m., they canvas neighborhoods and parking lots, offering books on health and spirituality on a donation basis. Students keep a portion of what they collect, while the remainder supports the program’s operational costs, such as transportation and housing.

Like Roman, many students enter Youth Rush with little experience in social interaction or evangelism. Over time, they develop essential communication skills that strengthen their confidence and character, which extend beyond their time in the program.

“Youth Rush helped me break out of my shell,” Roman shared. “I used to be terrified of talking to people. After facing rejection day after day, I stopped being afraid. I gained confidence, learned how to make

friends and how to reach people’s hearts.”

Students often experience moments where they see their faith come to life. Roman recalled one student who had been praying for an “angel experience.” One day, while canvassing, people kept glancing over his shoulder, and someone gave him two water bottles— one for him and one "for his friend." The student was alone. When he shared what happened, a leader suggested, “Maybe that was your angel.” The student was overjoyed; his prayer had been answered.

The process of engaging their faith through service makes this a life-changing experience for many. It certainly was for Roman. Though he once planned to follow his family into medicine or the military, he now sees ministry as his calling.

“Youth Rush changed my path and my heart,” he said. A journey that began with a simple “yes” continues to shape his purpose and the stories of other young adults, one summer at a time.

By Ezrica Bennett

Youth Rush summer 2025 team.

LEFT: Joshua Roman sees ministry as his calling. RIGHT: Left to right: Andrew, Ariel, and Joshua, the San Diego program head leaders.

Called to Serve: Belinda Simoni Is Appointed SCC Human Resources Director

This summer, the Southern California Conference (SCC) Human Resources (HR) Department welcomed a familiar face into a new role. Belinda Simoni, with 24 years of corporate human resources management experience prior to her roles as SCC HR generalist and assistant director, brings her deep faith and passion for people to her new position as HR director.

Before her career in HR, Simoni thought she was going to be a child psychologist. Although God redirected that path, she knew He placed in her a heart for service. Moving from corporate HR to HR in a ministry context was an act of faith that God prepared her for all along.

“He seemed to have opened these doors that I never intended to walk in—ever,” Simoni said. “Each one led to the next step on my journey.”

After the unexpected loss of her father, Simoni leaned heavily on God. During this time, she realized it was possible to have a close, personal relationship with God. Simoni recalled praying, “Lord, I don’t know how I’m going to get through this because we were so close, but I need You.” She recounted that, “All of a sudden, I could hear the Holy Spirit so clearly, and

“I knew I wanted to work for the Lord and I knew He was calling me. Wherever you want me, I will go.”

I started seeking Him truly with all my heart and soul.” Through prayer, Bible study, and prayer and fasting, her relationship with God grew.

“I started hearing God so clearly,” she said. “One day I heard the Lord say, ‘and now you’re going to work for me.’”

Simoni didn’t know what that meant, but months later, Paulo Oliveira, pastor of Northridge church when she started reattending, asked Simoni for her résumé because there was an open position for an HR generalist at the conference office. Though on the outside it looked like a step backward in her career, God’s plans were greater.

“I knew I wanted to work for the Lord,” Simoni said, “and I knew He was calling me. Wherever you want me, I will go.”

When this position became available after the previous director’s retirement, Simoni wasn’t sure about applying at first. God placed it on her heart to read the book of Joshua, and as she read about God guiding the transfer of leadership from Moses to Joshua, it became clear this is where God was leading her. This promotion comes years after Simoni had already worked in the other two positions in the department, perfectly positioning her to manage it.

Simoni’s love for people and seeing them thrive is what drew her to HR. In this new role, she wants to focus on training and development to equip pastors, teachers, and staff to confidently do the work God has called them to and to strategically align HR initiatives to SCC’s mission of cultivating healthy churches and schools.

“I look at my position as a ministry,” Simoni said. “With compassion and respect, I look forward to serving God’s people.”

By Araya Moss

Women’s Ministries Revival in Southern California Conference

After a period of inactivity, Women’s Ministries in the Southern California Conference (SCC) is experiencing a revival. Known to nurture, encourage, support, and equip women as they follow Jesus and share Him with others, the ministry aims to meet women where they are and empower them in faith, leadership, and emotional wholeness. With quarterly gatherings underway, SCC Women’s Ministries is building a community of sisterhood.

Women’s Ministries Coordinator Loretta Shields has found that the needs of many women go unmet at the local church level as churches are not always equipped to address them. “I love women’s ministries because there are things that are just for us,” she said. “Some of us want and need leadership training, some of us need a space where we can pour out our hearts and deal with our emotions. This is a great opportunity to try to gather all our issues, assess what our needs are, and make a plan to meet them.”

The ministry relaunched in May with ElevateHER as the theme for the year. The first ElevateHER worship gathering in June saw more than 100 women in attendance at Alhambra church. Three speakers— Shields; Celeste Harrison, Alhambra church pastor; and Gladys Alfaro, Hispanic Women’s Ministries coordinator—poured into attendees with the goal

to build community and create a space for women to be transparent and emotionally free in Christ. The next event in August, ElevateHER Heart, focused on dealing with loss and creating space to heal and find God in your pain. Plans for an ElevateHER Leadership event next spring are also in progress.

With a background in public health, pastoral ministry, and counseling, Shields is channeling her efforts toward creating healthy relationships and collaboration among a diverse sisterhood.

“We want women to be healthy, happy, and whole,” Shields said. “When they come to SCC Women’s Ministries, they’ll be fed from the inside out and equipped to move forward in God’s call for their lives.”

To connect with SCC Women’s Ministries, visit https://scc.adventist.org/womens-ministries.

By Araya Moss

LEFT: Alfaro shares a message at the ElevateHER worship event. RIGHT: Shields (left) and Harrison (right).

Attendees at the ElevateHER worship at Alhambra church.

WFAR LEFT: The store stocks many shelf-stable and frozen vegan foods. LEFT: The store, officially named Christian Books & Veggie Foods, sits across the street from the Adventist Health Glendale hospital, sharing a parking lot with the conference office.

Glendale Adventist Book Center: A Place for Hope and Wholeness

hen a customer walks into the Southern California Conference (SCC) Adventist Book Center, it’s not just about business or transactions. Often, the store is a place where customers can find a listening ear and receive a prayer. The shelves are stocked with encouraging and thoughtful books to uplift their spirits. The variety of healthy food items support a wholesome lifestyle. Families can find items for all ages, and gifts are available for every occasion. Customers are greeted with friendly smiles as they enter and encouraged to “have a blessed day!” as they leave.

Sandra Foldvary, store manager since 2017, sees the store’s mission as a ministry. “Every single morning, I pray that the presence of God can be over every employee,” she said. “We pray for every customer that will come through those doors, because we know they are carrying so much pain, so many problems.”

“The prayers made in this place, we can see the answers,” Foldvary shared. The answer may not always be that someone got baptized the next week, but “just for them to know that we have a Father who takes care of us and He’s for us, not against us.”

From Ellen White books and children’s items, to English and Spanish devotional books, to vegan favorites and meaningful Christian gifts, the wide selection ensures something for everyone.

“The atmosphere is nice here; it’s a peaceful environment,” shared Daisy, one of the employees. “That’s what people need. If you’re feeling depressed or down, we have books here to help you lift up your spirit.”

Unique vegan and vegetarian food items are a valuable offering for the community. Some of the food products are hard to find elsewhere, and new products—like unMEAT canned items—are often added. Some customers even drive hours to the store for the food items that can’t be found many other places. “I pray every morning that God can put His Holy Spirit over every snack, every soda, everything,” Foldvary said.

Foldvary likes to think of purchases as more of an investment—not in the stock market but in the kingdom of heaven. “If a customer buys something for themselves, they are supporting the store and helping us stay open,” Foldvary explained. “But if they buy for somebody else, they are blessing people. They are investing in the kingdom of God things that they may never know.”

By Lauren Lacson

1501 E Chevy Chase Dr., Glendale, CA, 91206 (818) 546-8552 I abc@sccsda.org

Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday: 9:00 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Saturday: CLOSED Sunday: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Uplifting Christian gifts—like mugs, water bottles, bookmarks, keychains, home décor, and more—are a popular find.

University Church Brings Hope and Gifts to Its Community

The last Sunday in June was a much-anticipated day for the University church in Los Angeles to work with God for the community. Members from the community received free gifts such as health screenings, literature about the Bible and good health, baby supplies, haircuts, new clothing, backpacks, and more. There was even a Kid’s Zone where parents could watch their kids play various games: a cornhole toss, basketball arcade, and giant Connect 4. Everyone was welcomed to a free lunch with veggie burgers, pizza slices, and snow cones.

The event was made possible by a partnership with Vituity Cares, a nonprofit organization that produces health care and free essential needs events nationwide. They arranged for local community-oriented vendors to offer their services, and University members helped work different booths.

“This is wonderful,” Shea Armstrong, University church elder, said of the event. “Showing the love of God, contacting other people who love God and love community to do something nice for people—especially in these times—it’s just a blessing.”

While the main even took place outside in the church parking lot, volunteers from Comfort Cases, a nonprofit organization that “inspires communities to bring dignity and hope to youth in foster care,” were inside packing backpacks for youth in Los Angeles entering foster care. Comfort Cases partnered with Women of the NFL, who helped pack 200 backpacks. One Comfort Cases volunteer explained that when youth are placed in foster care, they are often given trash bags to carry

Comfort Cases partnered with Women of the NFL, who help pack 200 backpacks.

their belongings. With these brand-new backpacks filled with blankets, pajamas, toiletries, reading material, and other age-appropriate goodies, the children feel loved and travel with dignity.

God blessed to bring close to 300 people to the event—families who left with smiles on their faces, bags full of gifts in their hands, and new hope for tomorrow.

“This event was a perfect template for ministry,” said Lawrence Dorsey Sr., University church senior pastor. “It personified the vital characteristics of service: compassion, empathy, generosity, thoughtfulness, and cooperation. These partnerships with various organizations proved beneficial and edifying to our community, letting them know that Jesus cares—and the University church does, too. To God be the glory!”

By Beverly Dangervil

LEFT: University church members help work different booths. RIGHT: Volunteers from University church and Vituity Cares.

PHOTO: BEVERLY DANGERVIL

PHOTO: BEVERLY DANGERVIL

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Start of School Year. La Sierra University’s 2025-2026 school year begins with classes on Sept. 22. For access to university and academic year calendars, visit https:// lasierra.edu/calendars-events/.

Freshman Orientation. La Sierra University freshman IGNITE orientation activities take place Sept. 16-18. For registration and information, please visit https:// lasierra.edu/ignite/.

Pierce Street Jazz. La Sierra University’s professional artist series, Pierce Street Jazz, returns this fall on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m., Troesh Conference Center, Zapara School of Business. Featured artist is saxophonist Gerry Pinter, a two-time Grammy-nominated artist. Admission is free. For details, please visit https://www. facebook.com/piercestreetjazz/.

The La Sierra Report. To keep in the know about La Sierra University events, people, programs, and impact, subscribe today to The La Sierra Report newsletter. Send a subscription request with preferred email address to pr@lasierra.edu.

Pacific Union College

Volleyball Tournament, Oct. 2-4. PUC will host several academies for their women’s volleyball teams to enjoy games starting on Thursday through the championship on Saturday night. Academy students will also get the chance to meet players from other schools and get a glimpse of the PUC experience.

PUC College Days, Nov. 14-17. PUC is looking forward to welcoming academies to the campus for their fall College Days. Academy students will enjoy a unique experience at the college by attending events such as Pioneers games, vespers, hiking, and visiting classes. Students get to use this time to see what it’s like to be a PUC college student. For more information, email visit@puc.edu.

Connect Ministries is a group of Pacific Union College students passionate about Jesus and sharing through music and worship. The bilingual team leads the worship services, retreats, youth events, and any programs where they can inspire other young people to become worship leaders. Any school or church interested in having them visit, please email connectministries@puc.edu

Add PUC News in Your Church Bulletin. With many updates to share at Pacific Union College we designed a printable bulletin insert for churches to use. Just print the PDF double sided and cut in half, then include

as a bulletin insert. Download at puc.edu/bulletin.

Subscribe to the PUC Now Newsletter. Stay up to date with Pacific Union College by subscribing to their monthly newsletter at puc.edu/subscribe. From campus stories and alumni features to student interviews, you’ll be in the now with PUC.

Southern California Conference

Finding Hope, Healing, and Recovery Through Community and Wellness, Sept. 5-7. Join Santa Barbara church for a weekend-long health ministries event. Neil Nedley, M.D., president of Weimar University, will present on topics covering depression and anxiety, emotional intelligence, mental and emotional health, and nutrition. Info: knowjesusfully. com. Questions, call 805-967-9615. Santa Barbara church, 425 Arroyo Rd., Santa Barbara 93110.

EQUIP25, Sept. 6, 3 p.m. This year SCC is introducing a new conference-wide training created to inspire, encourage, and equip pastors and leaders. This free training event will include 15 seminars on important aspects of church ministry, such as training for elders and deacons, Bible study and community engagement, hospitality and greeting, small groups and prayer, sermon preparation, and so much more. Dinner will be provided to all who attend. Vallejo Drive church, 300 Vallejo Dr., Glendale 91206.

Smyrna 45th Anniversary and Concert , Sept. 13. All day, ending with a concert at 5:30 p.m. featuring Anthony Bailey and Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles. Speakers for the day are retired SCC Pastor Adolphus Garnett and Dr. Rhonda Williams. Theme: “Celebrating 45 Years of Love & Faith, Awaiting Jesus’ Return.” Must RSVP for lunch. Call 323-732-4464 or email hello@smyrnala@gmail.com by Sept. 1. Smyrna church, 4394 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles 90016.

Classified Employment

Holbrook Indian School is currently in need of a Maintenance Director, a Maintenance Associate I and Maintenance Associate II. These are paid positions. If you or someone you know are mission-minded and would like to serve American Indian children, please see or share our jobs page at HolbrookIndianSchool. org/jobs.

The Miranda Seventh-day Adventist Church is looking for a missionary-minded couple to care for its church. The couple will rent the church trailer home and be responsible for maintaining the church grounds. For more information, please call Mike Michelli at 707-296-5518.

NOTE TO OUR READERS: “Faithful Waiting” by Janis Lowry, which appeared in the July issue of the Recorder on pp. 18-20, is an abridged and modified version of the chapter that appeared in the book Resonate! The full article may be read on pp. 339-347 of Resonate!, which is published by Oak & Acorn and available from Amazon.

Wanted: Live-in housekeeper, some cooking, errands, dog care for senior widow in gorgeous estate in Henderson, NV. Private quarters, great lifestyle, guard gated community in Lake Las Vegas. Flex hours, days, must have a car. Send info to curtismyrna@verizon.net or call Myrna at 310-613-9549.

Manage estate home in Henderson, NV, part time. Perfect for semi-retired person to help with housekeeping, some cooking, dog care, and errands for widow who travels. Flex hours, gorgeous new Casita home with garage. Fantastic upscale living in guard gated community. Must have car. Call Myrna at 310-613-9549.

Live-in caregiver available for a senior person. Highly skilled. 26 yrs experience. I "spoil" each client to make their lifestyle easy, comfortable, and worryfree. Lower cost than any facility. References. FBI background check. Open to relocating. Feel free to call: Candace 509-386-3198.

Pacific Union College seeks dedicated Executive Director to lead Human Resources operations and

strategy and oversee well-being and development of talented team members. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills are essential. https://sdawest.pub/job_posting. Email hr@puc.edu, 707-965-6231.

Pacific Union College seeks qualified candidates to fill open positions in fulfilling our mission to Learn with Purpose, Rise in Faith, and Serve in Love. Beautiful mountain campus, minutes to shopping, an hour+ drive of ocean and skiing. Current openings at https:// sdawest.pub/candidates.

Camp Cedar Falls is hiring! Live and work in God’s beautiful nature. Positions available include: Camp Ranger/Custodial and Camp Ranger/Maintenance. Opportunities available to singles, couples, and families. To learn more or apply, visit https://sdawest. pub/openings. For questions, call Camp Cedar Falls at 909-805-4104.

You can change lives! Canvasback Missions is seeking dedicated couple of strong faith to be co-directors of our Wellness Center, Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands in the tropical North Pacific. More information: https:// canvasback.org/career/ or call 707-746-7828.

Real Estate

PUC Commercial Space for Rent. Pacific Union College has commercial real estate space available for lease. The spaces are in various sizes and functionality and are available for inquiries. For additional information, please email Sam Heier at sheier@puc. edu.

Cottage for Rent. Are you looking for serenity and peace? Then this rental is the perfect place for you. A small and private cottage, complete with picket fences and gardens. 1 bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms, skylights, and unique shower. Located in foothills by Collins Lake, CA. Contact John at Mountains. skyz@gmail.com.

Summit Ridge Retirement Villages, an Adventist community in a rural setting, offers affordable homes or apartments and caring neighbors, with fellowship you will enjoy. Onsite church, planned activities, and transportation as needed. Onsite Wolfe Living Center offers independent living and nursing homes. Visit SummitRidgeVillage.org or call Bill Norman 405-2081289.

Choice mountain land in the Cherokee Nat’l Forest in East Tennessee. Six tracts ranging from 2+ acres to 7+ acres; gated community off a county-maintained road. Large creek. Underground power. 50 miles from SAU. Wonderful Christian neighbors. 15 minutes from the Hiwassee River basin. Country living at its best. Call, text, email for more info and photos: 706-7661825 or drdickmiller@gmail.com.

Country living with contemporary luxury in this newly remodeled 3-bed 2-bath 2700 sf home with open floor plan bathed in natural light with gourmet kitchen, SS appliances, granite countertops, LVP flooring. A master suite with a large bathroom and shower with a huge walk-in closet. Also a large game room/office, all on a single level. House on 1.6 acres backed by a pond and stream; more acreage available. Any questions or pictures, contact me at ptnbear@ gmail.com.

Country Living in Northern California: 3-bedroom, 2-bath, newly renovated home for sale on one acre, quiet street 15 minutes from Redding, mature fruit trees, grapevines, 50x80 fenced garden area with small greenhouse, irrigation system, landscaping, 3-car garage, gym, and large 18x30 shop with RV hookups. Call, text 909-735-2745.

Near Pacific Union College, in Pope Valley, CA. Beautiful 3-story, 4 BDRM, 3 full bath home for sale. Downstairs could be apartment. Peaceful, secluded, sits above creek. Own water access. Dock possible. Kayak, swim, picnic, hike. No neighbors either side, rolling hills across. $525,000. See listing: www.listing4. com/1060deputydrive. Kris Chun, Brokerage License 01870237; phone: 707-853-5747.

Reduced price, rare mountain jewel, 21.67 acres in high Sierras, out of valley fog, east of Jackson, CA, near Silver Lake, Kirkwood, and south Lake Tahoe. Horse corral, miles of forest trails, 5th wheel and camping trailer on site. Hunting, and fishing on river. A great weekend retreat or home site. $99,000. Terms, owner seller must sell 209-745-2302

For Sale

Outpatient Physical Therapy and Aquatic Therapy in the foothills above Sacramento, CA. Turn-key practice, in business for over 30 years. Great referral base and solid practice. Lots of potential for growth. Great opportunity for someone wanting to establish a medical mission outpost or wellness center as well. 5400-sq-ft facility. $450,000. Flexible options to the right party. Contact levi2000@sbcglobal.net or leave message at 209-304-7455.

Well-established medical practice for sale in beautiful East Tennessee, one hour from Southern Adventist University. Low capital investment, 4000-sqft office building with 8 exam rooms, excellent support staff, completely furnished, 10 years of patients in electronic medical records. Transition assistance available. Please contact William H. Taylor II, CPA, MBA at whtayloriitn@gmail.com indicating level of interest.

Vacation Opportunities

Travel on a faith-based biblical tour to Egypt (Dec. 2025) or Israel (March 2026) with Dr. Carl Cosaert, Dean

of the School of Theology at Walla Walla University. To learn more, visit www.adventtours.org or email info@ adventtours.org.

Bulletin Board

Smarter Kids. Research shows excessive TV causes kids to have trouble paying attention and thinking clearly. But when they listen, their imagination is actively engaged. So fuel their imagination! Kids grow better with radio. Encourage them to listen at: LifeTalkKids.net

Canvasback Missions: Help the Lord’s ministry of healing in Micronesia by donating your car, boat, bike, RV, or truck. All proceeds help provide free medical services to the island peoples of Micronesia. Canvasback Missions, a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, has been serving since 1986. For more info: www.canvasback.org or 707-746-7828.

Shop for new/used Adventist books: TEACH Services offers used Adventist books at www.LNFBOOKS. com or new book releases at your local ABC or www. TEACHServices.com. Authors, let us help publish your book with editing, design, marketing, and worldwide distribution. Call 706-504-9192 for a free evaluation.

Living Trusts by SDA Paralegal with 30 years experience and great references. Protect your assets from probate and illegal claimants. (A simple will can be contested in court.) Fully comprehensive estate plan. Twoweek turnaround. Single person $550; couple $700.

Why pay thousands? donnadeblauw9@gmail.com (California only).

At Rest

Ballou, Lionel – b. June 1, 1944, Newton, KS; d. July 30, 2025, Loma Linda, CA. Survivors: sons, Kenneth, Jason; siblings, Betty Dover, David Ballou, Barbara Burns; four grandchildren.

Binkley, Glenda – b. Sept. 12, 1942, Youngstown, OH; d. July 6, 2025, Loma Linda, CA. Survivors: husband, Philip; children, Jocelyn McKay, Jennifer Cirrincione; sisters-in-law, Paula Binkley Spencer, Joan Binkley; two grandchildren.

Cowper, Jeanene (Klinger) – b. July 29, 1938, Coeur d'Alene, ID; d. June 18, 2025. Survivors: sons Dan, David. She received her nursing degree from Paradise Valley Sanitarium and Hospital in 1963. With her husband, she helped start the first school and build the church in Big Bear.

Davis, Claudia – b. May 25, 1949, Santa Rosa, CA; d. July 14, 2025, Poulsbo, WA. Survivors: sister, Marjorie Sullivan; niece, Vashti Kanahele; nephew, Howard Munson IV; two grandnieces; two grandnephews.

Hardesty, Marti – b. March 2, 1954, Loma Linda, CA; d.

July 21, 2025, Redlands, CA. Survivors: husband, Robert; mother, Alma Baum; brother, Bradley Baum; children, Ashlee Hardesty, Bradford Hardesty, Chelsea Stump, Derik Hardesty; five grandchildren.

Harding, Joan – b. April 12, 1929, Oshawa, Ontario; d. July 11, 2025, Loma Linda, CA. Survivors: daughters, Pam Libby, Marry Ann Schaepper, Carolyn Harding, Julia King, Elizabeth Harrington; 12 grandchildren; 16 greatgrandchildren.

Lopez, Vivian – b. June 26, 1945, Beirut, Lebanon; d. April 18, 2025, Huntington Beach, CA. Survivors: children, Steve Lopez, Jon Lopez, Elias Hakimian, Chaki Hakimian; seven grandchildren.

Perez, Yolanda – b. Oct. 13, 1958, Santa Ana, CA; d. July 12, 2025, Riverside, CA. Survivors: husband, Andres Perez; children, Andrea, Alyssa, Andrew; sisters, Martha Perez, Nora Perez, Carol Hernandez. Yolanda served the Southeastern California Conference treasury department for 19 years.

Schmidt, Paul – b. Nov. 12, 1933, Pasadena, CA; d.

September 2025 Sunset Calendar

City/Location SEP 5 SEP 12 SEP 19 SEP 26

Alturas (Shasta) 7:28 7:16 7:04 6:52

Angwin 7:33 7:22 7:11 7:00

Bakersfield 7:15 7:07 6:57 6:46

Calexico 7:01 6:51 6:42 6:33

Chico 7:31 7:20 7:09 6:57

Death Valley (Furnace Ck) 7:07 6:57 6:48 6:36

Eureka 7:41 7:29 7:18 7:08

Four Corners [E] 7:38 7:27 7:17 7:06

Fresno 7:20 7:10 6:59 6:49

Grand Canyon (South Rim) 6:57 6:47 6:36 6:26

Half Dome 7:20 7:09 6:59 6:48

Hilo 6:31 6:25 6:18 6:12

Holbrook 6:41 6:31 6:21 6:11

Honolulu 6:43 6:36 6:30 6:23

Joshua Tree 7:05 6:55 6:45 6:35

Lake Tahoe 7:23 7:12 7:01 6:49

Las Vegas 7:01 6:51 6:41 6:30

Lodi-Stockton 7:27 7:17 7:06 6:55

Loma Linda 7:08 6:59 6:49 6:39

Los Angeles 7:12 7:03 6:53 6:43

McDermitt [N] 7:16 7:04 6:52 6:40

Moab 7:41 7:30 7:19 7:08

Monterey Bay 7:29 7:18 7:08 6:57

Mt. Whitney 7:07 6:58 6:48 6:39

Napa 7:32 7:21 7:10 6:59

Nogales 6:41 6:32 6:23 6:14

Oakland 7:31 7:20 7:09 6:59

Paradise, CA 7:30 7:19 7:07 6:56

Phoenix 6:47 6:38 6:28 6:18

Pu‘uwaiau, Ni’ihau [W] 6:33 6:26 6:20 6:13

Reno 7:23 7:11 7:00 6:49

Riverside 7:09 6:59 6:49 6:40

Sacramento 7:29 7:18 7:07 6:55

Salt Lake City 7:52 7:40 7:29 7:17

San Diego 7:07 6:58 6:48 6:39

San Francisco 7:32 7:21 7:10 6:59

San Jose 7:29 7:19 7:08 6:57

Santa Rosa 7:33 7:22 7:11 7:00

Sunset Beach 7:29 7:18 7:08 6:57

Thousand Oaks 7:15 7:05 6:55 6:45

Tucson 6:42 6:33 6:23 6:14

[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

May 30, 2025, Aurora, CO. Survivors: wife, Mafalda; children, Gary Schmidt, Lisa Blackburn, Steven Schmidt; sister, Emily. He served as a minister, mainly in youth ministry in California, Colorado, Texas and Arizona.

Shepard, Charles – b. Nov. 13, 1933, British Columbia, Canada; d. May 5, 2025, Apple Valley, CA. Survivors: wife, Edna; children, Chris Shepard, Teire Sturtevant, Steven Harris; six grandchildren.

Thompson, Eunice Irene – b. Oct. 19, 1931, Cozad, NE; d. May 20, 2025, Roseville, CA. Survivors: children Greg Thompson, Becky Evans, Ron Thompson; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Eunice taught elementary school in Kansas, Virginia, and California; worked in the registrar's office at Loma Linda Academy and Sacramento Adventist Academy; and worked for 25 years at the Adventist Media Center.

Wernick, Nancy – b. Oct. 10, 1947, Los Angeles, CA; d. July 18, 2025, Colton, CA. Survivors: husband, Gary; sons, Bryan, Steven, Stanley; five grandchildren.

October 2025 Sunset Calendar

6:01 5:51 5:42 5:34 5:27 Honolulu 6:16 6:10 6:04 5:59 5:55 Joshua Tree 6:26 6:16 6:08 6:00 5:52 Lake Tahoe 6:38 6:28 6:17 6:08 5:59

6:20 6:10 6:01 5:52 5:45

7:30 7:20 7:09 6:58 6:49

Linda 6:29 6:20 6:11 6:03 5:56

Angeles 6:33 6:24 6:15 6:07 6:00

McDermitt [N] 6:28 6:16 6:05 5:55 5:45

Moab 6:57 6:46 6:36 6:27 6:18

Monterey Bay 6:47 6:37 6:27 6:19 6:11 Mt. Whitney 6:29 6:20 6:12 6:04 5:57 Napa 6:48 6:37 6:27 6:18 6:10 Nogales 6:05 5:57 5:49 5:41 5:35 Oakland 6:48 6:38 6:28 6:19 6:10 Paradise, CA 6:44 6:34 6:23 6:13 6:05 Phoenix 6:09 6:00 5:51 5:43 5:36 Pu‘uwaiau, Ni’ihau [W] 6:07 6:01 5:56 5:51 5:47

6:37 6:26 6:16 6:06 5:58

6:30 6:21 6:12 6:04 5:57

6:44 6:34 6:24 6:15

NEW FROM

Oak & Acorn Publishing is a ministry of the Pacific Union Conference.

How to Make Sabbath a Delight for Kids

Attention moms, dads, grandparents, teachers, and anyone who has the honor of caring for kids! The Sabbath can sometimes be a challenge for growing minds. But that’s exactly why God created it. His holy day was designed to be a unique opportunity for interaction with the world—and with Him—on a more meaningful level.

If you’re ever at a loss for what to do with your energetic young ones on the Sabbath, this book should help. It’s filled with suggestions for making the Sabbath a delight for both you and your charges. In it, you’ll find practical suggestions for turning youthful energies outward, using them to fuel busy hands and feet in ways that benefit others.

God’s Sabbath is a gift for anyone who remembers its true value and eternal purpose. So, get ready to find ways to show your children how to enjoy those sacred hours each and every week.

Eternal Delight: Rediscovering God’s Sabbath Gift

It’s a day like any other, except for one very important distinction: It was blessed and made holy by God Himself.

Welcome to the Sabbath—24 hours of time brought into existence during Creation week, right along with sea creatures, towering redwoods, eagles, squirrels, roses, and even the air we breathe. It was God’s finishing touch on a world spoken into existence and made exclusively for human beings to enjoy.

Today, the Sabbath has lost much of its meaning in the minds of many. But the power and potential of that special day remains, waiting to be awakened by anyone who takes the time to remember it.

In the pages of this book, you’ll discover how you can turn God’s Sabbath gift into a launching pad for spiritual reawakening and a catalyst for service. From sundown to sundown, God’s holy day is yours for the taking—and the giving.

The Last Word

By Ray Tetz

Keeping Watch

II remember it as a serious moment during which he was eloquent in explaining the importance of having a good watch and knowing what time it was.

n a small wooden box in which I keep little things that I would be sad to lose, I have an old-fashioned golden pocket watch that my grandpa gave me the year I turned 11. It was not a new watch; it already had a little dent in the back when it became mine. Like so many of my memories of my grandpa, understanding why he thought I should have a pocket watch was never very clear to me.

It was during one of our summer visits to my grandpa and grandma’s home, and I remember that the two of us were still sitting at the dinner table—after the dishes had been cleared and after we had finished up the evening worship that he always took pride in leading. I was the oldest of the grandchildren, so perhaps that’s why the watch came to me; I don’t know.

I remember it as a serious moment during which he was eloquent in explaining the importance of having a good watch and knowing what time it was. (My grandpa could go on and on…) When he finally handed me the watch, he said something like, “It’s been my watch for a long time; now it’s time that you carry it.” It was a burden I gladly accepted. From then on, that watch was in and out of my pocket many times a day. Carrying it to school or at church made me feel special—and connected to my grandpa in a unique way. I carried it for years—until about the time I got my driver’s license, which gave me something different to feel good about. It’s

also about the time my dad gave me an old Timex wristwatch and told me to put the pocket watch away because he didn’t want me to lose it. It’s been in my little box of this-and-that ever since.

Now I look back at the gift my grandpa was seeking to give me, and while it was focused on one of his old timepieces, I think that maybe he was encouraging me to pay attention to my life—to be a watchful person. What better way to make that point than to give a kid a watch?

The word “watch” is one we use in lots of different ways as both a noun and a verb. As in “my watch has stopped” or “a watched pot never boils” or “watch your p’s and q’s.” We say, “watch this space” and “watch like a hawk” and “just you watch.” The visual of “watch your head” always makes me smile.

“Watch” is what you do when you look attentively or follow the action with your eyes. It’s being on the lookout or being on guard or being careful. It’s observing with attention or looking on while something is happening.

At the end of his first letter to the Corinthian church, Paul associates the idea of watching with the best qualities of maturity: “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14, NKJV).

As used here, “watch” is a summons to spiritual attentiveness. Like my grandpa, Paul did like to go on and on, and he doesn’t stop at “watch.” He spells it out: “stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.”

Watching is not just observing; it’s paying attention. Standing fast is not the same as standing still; it’s being faithful to what is true. To be brave is not to be reckless but to be resolved. To be strong is not to dominate but to persevere.

What’s golden in this description of “watch” is

how he wraps it up: “Let all that you do be done with love.” Keeping your eyes open, standing firm, and being brave and strong must not become being domineering or defensive or prideful. These are things that are anchored and enthused by love—the giving, patient, enduring love that Paul described so eloquently earlier in chapter 13. Love is everything, not an add-on or an afterthought but the motivating, energizing life force as real as the beat of your heart or the tick tock of a grand old pocket watch.

I’ve kept that watch a long time. And, as my grandpa hoped, I’m keeping watch as well.

Ray Tetz is the director of communication and community engagement of the Pacific Union and the publisher of the Recorder