July | August 2023

In His Footsteps

Editor’s Note

In this issue, we explore the transformative power of compassion. In a world that often seems fractured and divided, we seek to shine a light on the essence of Christ's teachings and the profound impact they can have on individuals and communities. The life of a compassionate Christian is a journey of understanding, empathy and action. Join us as we delve into Christ’s example of compassion, exploring its role in fostering love and unity. Together, let us embrace the compassionate path of a Christian life.

Kristina P. Busch

Kristina P. Busch

July | August 2023

Vol. 122, No. 04

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SOUTHWESTERN UNION OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS SWURECORD.ORG | RECORD@SWUC.ORG

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KRISTINA P. BUSCH KBusch@swuc.org

ASSISTANT EDITOR

TAMMY G. PRIETO TPrieto@swuc.org

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Arkansas-Louisiana Conference

FRANCES ALCORN | News@arklac.org

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KENN DIXON | News@txsda.org

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President Carlos Craig

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VP Education Carol Campbell

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Desiring and Doing Good for Others

Matthew 25:40 (CEV) says, “The king will answer, ‘Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.’”

There is one question that would haunt me when I was the pastor of a local church: “If your church shut its doors, would your community miss you?” When I had the privilege of serving as the Arizona Conference president, we did a survey to find out what the community thought of our conference office. The answer was disheartening: most thought our office was a warehouse. While this was not the answer I was hoping for, the good news was and still is, we can do something to change that!

I have come to be passionate about the following quote in The Ministry of Healing, which we know well and use a lot: “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’” It’s very interesting to note that Jesus spent more time healing people than preaching to them. How well do you mingle with people? I’ll be honest, one-on-one

conversations are not easy for me. But, I realized that if I’m passionate about sharing the good news of Jesus, I have to mingle with people. Then I discovered something. Most of the time, people were very willing to have a conversation with me. It wasn’t as awkward as I had thought. It’s not as complicated as we make it.

In Arizona, our neighbors to the right of us would have loud parties on a regular basis and a lot of alcohol was consumed. The next day, bags full of beer cans were placed outside to be picked up by the city. The problem was that only trash in the “official bin” would be picked up.

Well, I had an extra trash can, and I would often offer my second trash can for them to use. Did I give them a Bible study as well? No! I mingled with them and established a friendship. They knew we were Christians, and I knew the moment would come when God was going to use my family to be a specific witness to them, which would lead to sharing the beautiful truths found in God’s Word.

A significant moment in my ministry came at a retreat when Angel Manuel Rodriguez, the director of the Biblical Research Institute at the time, made the following statement, “Seventh-day Ad-

ventists must go to the marketplace.” In other words, we need to be present, relevant and involved. Matthew 25 is significant, isn’t it!

Notice that Jesus did not mention preaching, or indoctrinating, as important as they truly are. He mentioned deeds of compassion. How are you and your church doing with that? Every day God will give us opportunities to be His hands and feet, and for some that may be their only moment to see God. May we not miss those precious moments, but may we be looking for them and willing to engage so that we can share the wonderful news that Jesus loves everyone and is coming soon!

By Tony Anobile Vice President for Church Ministries

Strangers in the Southwest

Local Adventists Can Help Refugees

“Jeffrey’s my best friend,” the Afghan man says with a sincere smile. The friendship began when Jeffrey Lee and his wife picked up this man and his family arriving as refugees at the airport. Right away the two families hit it off, and they stayed connected. When it was time for the Afghan family to move to San Antonio, Texas, Lee drove the U-Haul, going not just the extra mile— but the extra 350 miles.

In 2020 and 2021, approximately 1.5 million immigrants entered the United States, including 23,000 refugees. This influx has given Americans the opportunity to obey God’s command to love foreigners in Deuteronomy 10:17-19.

With large groups resettling in the Southwestern Union, several church members have been particularly active in organizing Adventists to respond to refugee needs.

In Houston, Texas, Scott and Julie Griswold have a special project under ASAP Ministries called Reach the World Next Door. Their purpose is to mobilize

church members to actively care about refugees, international students and immigrants. They have been active in Houston for the past six years with 1015 churches in the area working with them to reach out to refugees.

In Oklahoma, Ira Farley, who has been working with Muslims for decades, has organized a team of about 35 Adventists to support refugees in their community. When Farley saw a need, he approached Catholic Charities, the organization that coordinates reception and transportation needs for refugees, to offer help. They asked for help with airport pickups. So far, Farley and his team have picked up approximately 425 arriving Afghan refugees.

Church members have been helping these refugees in many ways, including but not limited to picking them up from the airport. helping refugees get settled; helping with transportation to appointments, grocery stores, the DMV, etc.; picking up or delivering large items; helping them acquire furniture,

diapers, back-to-school supplies, etc.; participating in food distributions; hiring refugees who are looking for work; teaching ESL classes; acting as extended family (substitute grandmothers are particularly needed); being there for refugees (grab some crayons, chocolate, or tea and just show up); providing after-school tutoring; helping with social services; connecting refugees with those who can meet their needs; helping them navigate life in America; conducting health expos; volunteering at Catholic Charities (cleaning toilets, sorting clothes, etc.); hosting baby showers; organizing Adventure and Pathfinder programs and providing emotional and spiritual support.

“We have taught [the volunteers] to pray in a way that is acceptable to both Muslims and Adventists,” says Farley, noting that Adventists and Muslims have many things in common, such as abstinence from pork and alcohol and appreciating modesty.

The Griswolds have been amazed at

the openness of the Afghan community to friendship and conversations. “I have no background with Muslims,” Scott admits, “but the Lord made it clear, ‘It doesn’t matter. This is the need.’”

“Every time we hear their stories of loss and heartache, we are moved to spend more time with them,” adds Julie. “The children in the Adventurer and Pathfinder clubs are so eager to learn. We love every minute.”

The Griswolds provide online training at ReachTheWorldNextDoor.com, which uses videos, small group studies and assignments to train volunteers how to work with refugees. However, Scott said, “Don’t wait to get through all the training. Just jump in and do something!”

As refugees begin leaving the resettlement centers for jobs and homes across the country, there is a need for Adventists everywhere to reach out and lend their support in the next stage of the transition. “I would love to connect

the family who moved to San Antonio with Adventists in Texas,” says Farley, expressing how wonderful it would be to find Adventists who would love this family the way the Lee’s did.

Would you like to help? Those in Oklahoma (or in San Antonio who would like to connect with the family mentioned above) can contact Ira Farley at IraFarley@gmail.com.

In Houston, contact Scott Griswold at Scott@reachtheworldnextdoor.com. Those elsewhere can contact Gabby Phillips, North American Division coordinator for Adventist Muslim Relations, at GabrielaPhillips@nadadventist.org. a

By Lori Futcher.

Futcher is a freelance writer based in Idaho. Ira Farley is a member of the Edmond Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Oklahoma Conference. Scott and Julie Griswold are members of the Conroe Seventh-day Advenist Church in the Texas Conference.

Finding Compassion in a Small-town Food Pantry

“You know, I don’t think I am a naturally compassionate person,” says Kyong Weathersby. She sits at the dining table of what is both her home and the location of God’s Feeding Hands Mission Center, a food pantry ministry in Mena, Arkansas, that she runs with her husband, Larry. The confession may seem surprising, as she and Larry have spent most of the last decade developing this service for those in need, yet she says it sincerely. Some might think that caring for and seeing the suffering of others requires a specific personality type, but, “It doesn’t come naturally to me,” says Kyong.

Larry chimes in, “It really is all about Jesus. We pray for God to show us the need, and He does. Our goal is for oth -

ers to see Him.” For Kyong and Larry, compassion comes from Christ. They pray daily for God to show them the needs of those around them, and they pray that God will send those who are truly in need to receive food from the pantry. Instead of looking down on these people who may look or behave differently than they do or being suspicious of their motivations, they must trust that God has sent each person to them.

The Weatherbys began God’s Feeding Hands Mission Center in 2014, and they watched God help them do it at every turn. They had worked previously with the local Adventist church’s soup kitchen but felt called to do something more as they realized a deep desire to do something, anything, for those

around them. They studied the life of Christ, especially His methods of caring for people. They prayed for God to show them the needs of those around them.

They had lived in Texas prior to moving to rural Polk County for retirement, and as they learned more about the issues people faced in the county, including poverty and a lack of food security, they concluded that they should start a food pantry. They did not know where to begin but, in faith, they began anyhow. They searched for just the right location, and one quickly became apparent. The facility that they found was in a residential area, had previously been a daycare and was perfect for their needs. They needed donations to

In His Footsteps Feature

purchase food, and they came right when they were needed. They needed a website, and Larry was able to learn enough to create one. They applied for tax-exempt, non-profit status, and it came much quicker than expected.

“Every time there has been any obstacle, God has shown us the way,” says Larry.

They wanted to create a space where people could meet Jesus without the barriers that humans sometimes create. While they are called God’s Feeding Hands, they do not promote their religious affiliation or require that any of those who use their services participate in any religious services. They do

not require proof of residency, nor do they require that those in need even share their names. This attitude of giving freely rather than what can be perceived as transactional giving has lowered barriers to creating real relationships within their community. While they don’t have these requirements,

they are ready and willing to shepherd those who ask questions about what they believe.

“A lot of people will thank us, but we always say, ‘Don’t thank us, thank God!’ Everything belongs to Him, and we’re only able to share it because of Him,” says Larry. And, of course, people are curious. “They ask us what church we belong to, and we tell them.”

Larry points out Bibles and literature on their shelves and a desk where he and Kyong have studied with those who are interested. “We have Bible study courses and Bibles to share with anyone who shows interest, but it’s not a requirement. They’re there for when the Holy Spirit leads them to it. They’ll know where they can go when they’re ready,” he says.

For a time, the Weathersbys traveled back and forth between the facility in town and their home in the country, but they soon felt convicted that they could do more good if they were present in the community as people who also lived there. They sold their home and acreage and moved into a room in the mission center.

Many of the individuals who come to the mission center ask for prayer or leave a prayer request in a stuffed-full submission box. “I tell them, ‘You can pray to God, He hears you the same as me.’ But I also tell them we are happy to pray for them,” says Larry.

As they greet their neighbors and community members who come to the Mission Center for assistance, they pray that they embody the directive of Colossians 3:12: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Kyong shares the story of one woman who came to the mission center. “She was so happy because the food that she was able to take wasn’t for herself. It was for her neighbor, a 10-year-old girl whose parents were under addiction and were not feeding her. She came here to get groceries that she

would then cook and feed to the girl.”

They also share the story of another man who regularly came to receive food. He became concerned about whether the center would be able to remain open during the uncertainty of the pandemic. He gave the Weathersbys $20, saying, “You’ve helped me so much, I just want to give something back and make sure you all are able to stay open.”

The Weathersbys have countless stories of how God has touched lives through the mission center. They say they have also been forever changed through this experience.“Some have told us it is bold to name the mission center God’s Feeding Hands. Well, it’s not our mission, it’s God’s,” says Kyong. The Weathersbys say that God gave them

His inspiration and guidance, and He has continued providing this food pantry to their community, and they want to make sure everyone knows where credit should be given. “It’s all about Him, all about Jesus,” says Larry. a

By Jessica L. Lozano. She is a writer and consultant who lives with her family in Northwest Arkansas.

Through the Eyes of a Child

By Kathy Clifford, Children’s Ministries Director, Texico Conference

I have heard the phrase “the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are childlike” many times, and I assumed it was talking about a child’s innocence, but I think there is more to it than that. Children are wonderful teachers, whether it is invoking the no-mercy rule during a pillow fight, going on a bug rescue mission or using their imagination to turn stuffed animals into “lepers” to find out how Jesus treated outcasts, they have a way of showing us how to live a compassionate life. When we take the time to observe the way children interact with others and the world around them, we can learn valuable lessons that can guide us on our own spiritual journey.

Unconditional Love

Children teach us to give without expecting anything in return. The Persian poet Hafiz said it perfectly, “Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth, ‘You owe me.’ Look what happens with a love like that. It lights the whole sky.” When we observe how children love and care for others, we can see their love is not based on what someone looks like, how much money they have or what they can do for them. A child’s sense of friendship can be as simple as “you want to play?” They only see the potential for a new friend. Children love because they see the inherent value in every human being. This is the type of love that Christ teaches us to have, and it is a powerful force that can transform our relationships with others.

Forgiveness

In a matter of minutes, a child can go from screaming because their playmate just took their toy to happily playing together again. When a child is hurt or wronged by someone, they may feel angry or upset, but they also can forgive and move on quickly. They do not hold grudges or dwell on past mistakes. Instead, they choose to focus on the present moment and the joy that can be found in it. This is a valuable lesson for all of us as we learn to let go of past hurts and live in the present moment, free from bitterness and resentment.

Generosity

Children are generous, and they often give without expecting anything in return. Whether it is sharing toys with a friend, offering a hug to someone who is sad or giving their own money and toys to a charity, children are constantly finding ways to give to others. This kind of generosity is something that we can all learn from as we strive to be more giving and selfless in our own lives.

Empathy

If a child sees another child crying, they quickly become genuinely concerned. They have an innate ability to understand and feel the emotions of others, and they often go out of their way to offer comfort and support to those who are hurting. They are quick to offer a hug or a kind word to someone who is sad, and they are always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. This kind of empathy is something that we can all cultivate in our own lives, as we strive to better understand and connect with those around us.

Joy

Have you ever seen the way a child’s eyes light up when they see a fire truck passing by or a puddle just right for jumping in? Or how about sprinkles on their ice cream? They find joy in the simplest things, whether it is playing outside, spending time with loved ones or simply experiencing the wonder of the world around them. They approach life

with a sense of curiosity and awe, and they are always seeking out new experiences and adventures. As we seek to live a compassionate life, we must also learn to find joy in the present moment and to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around us.

The Bible tells us, “The Kingdom of heaven belongs to people who are like these children.” Matthew 19:14 (ICB). At the core of every child is an innocence of humanity that should be an example to all of us. They are some of the best teachers when it comes to living a compassionate life that is centered around Christ’s teachings. They offer us a valuable example of what it means to live a life guided by compassion and kindness. As we strive to become more compassionate Christians, we must also learn to cultivate these same qualities in our own lives and to look to the example of children as we seek to live a life that is pleasing to God. a

Overcoming Compassion Fatigue

By Jessica L. Lozano and Randall R. Phillips, DO, FAOCO, Health Ministries Director

Compassion fatigue is a form of burnout that can occur when someone is regularly exposed to the suffering of others. This exposure can lead to emotional and physical exhaustion, a reduced sense of empathy, and a decreased ability to care for others. Compassion fatigue is common in professions that require caregivers to witness the suffering of others, and it can be particularly challenging for those who work in highstress environments.

How does compassion fatigue affect Christians? Christians who work in ministry are often exposed to the suffering of others on a regular basis. They may work with people who are struggling with addiction, mental health issues, or trauma. They may minister to people who have experienced loss or are in crisis. This exposure to the suffering of others can lead to emotional exhaustion, which can make it difficult for them to care for others. Besides affecting the ability to properly care for others, it leads to impaired ability to care for oneself; and can lead to anxiety, apathy and depression besides the physical and emotional exhaustion.

How can Christians overcome compassion fatigue?

PRACTICE SELF-CARE

One of the most important ways that Christians can overcome compassion fatigue is by practicing self-care. This means taking care of their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. This may include getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and spending time with loved ones. It may also include engaging in activities that bring them joy and help them relax, such as reading, listening to music, or spending time in nature.

SET BOUNDARIES

Another way that Christians can overcome compassion fatigue is by setting boundaries. This means being intentional about how much time and energy they spend caring

for others. It may mean saying no to additional responsibilities or taking time off when they need it. Setting boundaries can help prevent burnout and ensure that they are able to continue to care for others over the long term. This is not selfish behavior, but is self-preserving so as to ensure that you maintain your optimal ability to help others.

SEEK SUPPORT

Christians who are experiencing compassion fatigue can benefit from seeking support from others. This may include talking to a trusted friend or family member, seeking counseling or therapy, or connecting with a support group. Having a support system can help Christians process their emotions and experiences and gain a fresh perspective on their work.

ENGAGE SPIRITUALLY

Christians can overcome compassion fatigue by engaging in prayer, Bible study, or attending church. Engaging

in spiritual practices can help Christians connect with God and gain strength and wisdom for their work. It can also provide a sense of purpose and meaning that can help them overcome the challenges of their job. Engaging spiritually with other like-minded and purpose-motivated Christians is also one of the ways that God revitalizes us.

Compassion fatigue can be a real and challenging issue for Christians who work in ministry. However, by practicing self-care, setting boundaries, seeking support, and engaging in spiritual practices, Christians can overcome compassion fatigue and continue to care for others with compassion and grace. By prioritizing their well-being, Christians can ensure that they are able to care for others over the long term and make a lasting impact on the world around them. a

I Was in Prison, and You Visited Me

By Lori Futcher, Record Contract Writer

“I’m doing so much better because I learned how to do the right thing when nobody was looking.” This is what a former inmate told Tyrone Boyd before breaking down in tears, explaining that he hadn’t had a father at home to teach him the things that he eventually had to go to prison to learn.

“Some of these guys are just like you or me,” says Boyd, Southwestern Union Prison Ministries coordinator, who also serves as the Southwest Region Personal Ministries director. “They need hope.”

With more than 2 million people incarcerated nationwide, the United States is home to 25 percent of the

world’s total prison population. If we are to follow Jesus’ command to take the gospel into all the world, Boyd believes that includes prisoners. “Most people are going to be released at some point,” Boyd reminds us. “They come back into society and move next door to you, so it behooves you to try to impact change while a person is in a position where they’ve got to listen.”

During his years working in prison ministries and previously as chief of chaplains for the federal prison system, Boyd has seen the positive impact that ministry has on prisoners. “This thing about ‘jailhouse religion,’ that’s not fair, nor is it true,” says Boyd. “Religion

is the greatest change agent.”

That being said, Boyd also reminds us that “nobody’s in prison because they sang too loud in the choir,” so those who feel called to minister to prisoners will need to undergo training to prepare themselves for a different environment.

“You have to walk a tight line between security and religious instruction,” says Boyd. For example, in addition to the importance of being punctual, a prison ministry volunteer must be flexible. They may have a scheduled event and show up to be told they cannot go into the prison as had been arranged. “They’re not stopping you just to stop you,” Boyd says.

There are many reasons something like this could happen: there may be blood on the floor, or the prison is on lockdown, or COVID-19 broke out or a staff member is hurt. Volunteers need to be understanding and patient, even when they don’t know what is going on. “A volunteer who cannot be flexible won’t be there long,” says Boyd.

In addition, those volunteering inside a prison need to be able to practice disinterested benevolence. Though you are there to help the prisoners, you cannot take on a parental role, or you are more likely to get duped.

Despite these warnings, Boyd says that those who follow the rules are safe. “I’ve never had a volunteer that I know of that got hurt,” he says. “Prison may actually be one of the safest places to minister.”

If you feel called to become involved in prison ministries, you can get started by leaving a message for Boyd with Neyra Greenidge at the Southwestern Union at 817.295.0476. a

Professional Development Matters

By Carol Campbell, Vice President for Education

Seven PK-12 educators from the Southwestern Union recently met in Denver, Colorado, for the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) annual convention. ASCD is a global education organization focused on empowering educators to advance and elevate learning to meet the needs of all students equitably and wholly. Several Southwestern Union educators are nominated by their superintendents each year to attend this premier convention.

This is just one example of ways in which the Southwestern Union’s Office of Education supports its educators in their quest for knowledge. Research confirms that the most important factor contributing to a student’s success in school is the quality of teaching. Thus, schools should be places where both adults and students learn. When educators learn, students learn more.

In PK-12 schools in the Southwestern Union, professional development is the strategy schools use to ensure that educators continue to strengthen their practice throughout their career. Professional development yields three levels of results:

1 • Educators learn new knowledge and skills.

2 • Educators use what they learn to improve teaching and learning.

3 • Student learning and achievement increase because educators use what they learned in professional development.

Since improvement requires change and all change requires learning, it's important to identify and develop structures and processes for professional learning that build the collective capacity of staff to support a culture of change. Professional development can take many forms, but the most effective and sustainable structure engages

teams of teachers to focus on the needs of their students. Educators learn and problem solve together in order to ensure all students achieve success.

This process is often embedded in what is referred to as a Professional Learning Community or PLC. A PLC is a collaborative culture that is committed to continuous improvement and collective responsibility for teaching and learning through active learning, modeling and coaching.

As one researcher notes, a PLC facilitates the building of human capital through social capital, which over time yields decisional capital. An added benefit of PLCs is that professional development occurs in the context of educators’ daily work; they benefit most

by learning in the setting where they can immediately apply what they learn.

During the 2022-2023 school year, the Southwestern Union Office of Education began a two-year onboarding process for educators to engage in PLCs. Professional development is a critical component of the process, with curriculum-based learning focused on a set of math competencies. Initial data indicates that the process is having a significant impact on student learning. In addition, educators who have participated in PLCs are beginning to define learning as a “two-way street”: student learning depends on every teacher learning all the time! a

“SCHOOLS SHOULD BE PLACES WHERE BOTH ADULTS AND STUDENTS LEARN. WHEN EDUCATORS LEARN, STUDENTS LEARN MORE.”

July

June 30-2

OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE

Spanish Campmeeting (Campamento Hispano)

Wewoka Woods Adventist Center OkAdventist.org

2-7

TEXAS CONFERENCE

Teen Week (Ages 15-17)

Lake Whitney Ranch Clifton, Tex. TXYouth.org

2-9

ARKANSAS-LOUISIANA CONFERENCE

Teen Camp Camp Yorktown Bay DCraig@arklac.org

3

TEXAS CONFERENCE

Standing in the Gap Virtual Prayer Initiative

TexasAdventist.org/Prayer

5-15

TEXAS CONFERENCE

10 Days of Prayer | Texas Focus Virtual Prayer Initiative TexasAdventist.org/Prayer

7-15

OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE

Camp Meeting

Wewoka Woods Adventist Center OkAdventist.org

8 TEXAS CONFERENCE

Elders’ Encounter

Local Church Elders’ Training Houston Area

TexasAdventist.org

9-16

ARKANSAS-LOUISIANA CONFERENCE

Family Camp

Camp Yorktown Bay DCraig@arklac.org

15

TEXAS CONFERENCE

Elders’ Encounter

Local Church Elders’ Training Valley Area

TexasAdventist.org

20-23

SOUTHWESTERN UNION

Worship and Sports Weekend

Keene, Tex. Mmauk@swuc.org

20-31

ARKANSAS-LOUISIANA CONFERENCE

Young Adult Mission Trip

Scotland DCraig@arklac.org

22

TEXAS CONFERENCE

Elders’ Encounter

Local Church Elders’ Training

D/FW Area

TexasAdventist.org

23

TEXAS CONFERENCE

Elders’ Encounter

Local Church Elders’ Training

East Texas Area

TexasAdventist.org

30

TEXAS CONFERENCE

Local Church Treasurers’ Technical Support and Training

San Antonio Area

TexasAdventist.org

August

7

TEXAS CONFERENCE

Standing in the Gap

Virtual Prayer Initiative

TexasAdventist.org/Prayer

7-10

NORTH AMERICAN DIVISION

NAD National Teacher Convention

Phoenix, Ariz.

KAmparan@swuc.org

11-12

OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE

Tulsa Area Children’s Ministry Training Wewoka Woods Adventist Center OkAdventist.org

20

OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE

Father + Son Pool Day

Wewoka Woods Adventist Center OkAdventist.org

25-26

TEXAS CONFERENCE

Virtual Prayer Ministries Conference

TexasAdventist.org/Prayer

25-27

TEXAS CONFERENCE

Volunteer Lay Pastor Certification

Lake Whitney Ranch

TexasAdventist.org

26

TEXAS CONFERENCE

Evangelism Training

San Antonio Area

TexasAdventist.org

Spring Executive Committee Highlights

BURLESON, TEX. – On March 22, 2023, a quorum of members was present at the Southwestern Union Executive Committee regularly scheduled meeting. Southwestern Union President Carlos Craig called the meeting to order at 9 a.m. The meeting began with an inspiring devotional given by James Shires, Oklahoma Conference president.

CONFERENCE PROGRESS REPORT

Carlton P. Byrd, D.Min., Southwest Region Conference president, gave a victorious report of the progress in the Southwest Region Conference.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

Stephen Brooks, Southwestern Union executive secretary, presented both the Southwestern Union 2022 annual membership report and the 2023 yearto-date membership report for Feb. 28, 2023. The Southwestern Union report-

ed 3,541 baptisms and professions of faith for the year 2022, and during the same year, it experienced an adjusted total membership growth of 2.21 percent. As of Feb. 28, 2023, the Southwestern Union reported a year-to-date adjusted membership of 122,135 souls. To God be the glory for continued growth in the Southwestern Union.

ORDINATION

It was voted for the Southwest Region Conference to ordain Emmanuel Kumah to the gospel ministry.

FINANCIAL REPORT

John Page, Southwestern Union treasurer, presented the Southwestern Union financial report. In the year 2022, the Southwestern Union experienced a 4.6 percent increase in tithe. Page expressed his appreciation for the continued faithfulness demonstrated by the

church members of the five local conferences in the Southwestern Union.

CHURCH TRANSFER

A vote was taken to approve an Inter-Conference and Union transfer for the Bloomfield Spanish Church of Bloomfield, N.M. to be transferred from the Rocky Mountain Conference of the Mid-American Union to the Texico Conference of the Southwestern Union.

GROWING TOGETHER

The Committee voted in support of the Growing Together Initiative.

The meeting adjourned with prayer by Southwestern Union President Carlos Craig. The next Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for Sept. 6, 2023.

By Stephen Brooks Executive Secretary

Pathfinder Bible Experience: 29 Teams Went to Nationals

BURLESON, TEX. – We are excited to share with you what God has been doing in the Pathfinder Ministries. Many of you may have heard of the Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE). If you have never heard of this event, let me share with you that the activity involves Pathfinder clubs being given a book or books of the Bible to study as well as memorize, and then as teams, they have a test of their knowledge of the book or books that have been assigned. This year the book was the book of John.

What an exciting gospel of Jesus Christ given to us by John, which talks about the everlasting life in John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This is excellent news.

I’m excited to share with you that on April 1, 2023, the Southwestern Union Young Adult and Youth Ministries Department hosted the Pathfinder Bible

Experience at Southwestern Adventist University. Thirty-two teams attended, hoping to advance to the National level. Out of the 32 teams, 29 teams did advance to the National Pathfinder Bible Experience. We are also excited to share that this time every conference in the Southwestern Union had at least one team advance to the Nationals, which is a historical moment. Twenty-nine teams traveled to Tampa, Fla., on April 21-22, 2023, to participate.

The Nationals PBE hosted 155 teams, 151 teams in person and four teams remotely. Teams flew from Korea, London, Canada and traveled from all over America. The Southwestern Union’s 29 teams made up almost 20 percent of the total teams. Our representation shows that the Southwestern Union is excited that we have youth studying the Word of God and preparing for heaven. Out of our 29 teams, 26 teams placed first and three teams placed

second. Each conference in our union had at least one team receive first place at the National level.

To all Pathfinders, if you studied and came up short on advancing to the next level, or even if you didn’t do as well as you thought you could have, don’t stop studying the Word of God. Pathfinders, if you made it to the National level and received first place, do not stop studying the Word of God. Remember only what you do for Christ will last!

We, the Southwestern Union administrators and entire office staff, are very proud of all of you. Keep up the good work, keep studying and preparing for Jesus Christ’s second coming!

By Helvis C. Moody Youth and Young Adult Ministries Director

More Compassion Mission Trip

EL PASO, TEX. – In March, the Southwestern Union’s Youth and Young Adult Department brought together young people from across the union for its annual “Living With More Compassion” mission trip within the union territory. This year, they chose to visit El Paso, Texas.

Living with more what? Compassion? You may say, “I’m kind, I’m good, I’m patient, I’m compassionate!” We often say these things just as the rich young ruler told Jesus when he asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” in Mark 10:17-30.

Compassion is defined as “a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering” according to Dictionary.com.

These young volunteers who heeded the call to live more compassionately were able to organize and distribute thousands of pounds of supplies for

the homeless in El Paso who have experienced misfortune and unfair struggle. When walking the streets of El Paso, you may not think there is a pandemic of misfortune, but as you enter the area where shelters are common, you soon find out that compassion doesn’t even begin to describe the feeling you experience when you see the amount of need that is there!

During the week, Helvis Moody, Southwestern Union Youth Director, along with Eric Chavez, Texico Conference Youth Director, led out in organizing several outreach opportunities for any young people who wanted to participate. Young people from Southwestern Adventist University came to help lead out in music, worship, and the outreach opportunities. The week consisted of park cleanup, clothing closet organization, visits to the elderly in assisted living centers, and street ministry to the homeless. The Southwestern

Union’s Community Service Department, led by Bo and Debra Gendke, also sent a large box truck full of supplies for El Paso churches to share with the community in the future.

Every day of the mission trip ended with worship by a different guest speaker. On Sabbath, Jason North, Southwestern Region Conference executive secretary, shared a powerful message of why we move and serve the less fortunate as Christians. The Sabbath day was also met with more than 150 people volunteering to go on several different missions around El Paso and serve in different capacities.

We ask that you keep the city of El Paso in your prayers. The work of living with more compassion will continue within the Southwestern Union territory.

By Eric Chavez Texico Conference Youth Director

Unto the Least of These

Many years ago, I remember an awful flood that we had on the plaza in Kansas City. In one of the most affluent places in the city, many lost their lives trying to get their cars out of the underground parking garages. In other parts of the city, there was great devastation to homes in low lying areas. Folk who had lived there 30-40 years lost everything they had.

I remember looking into the faces of a lot of folks. Their eyes were glassy. Their faces stunned. Their hearts were broken. Until you have seen or experienced that kind of loss, it is hard to imagine what it is like.

I was part of an Adventist Community Services team. Our team was responsible for providing food for folk and providing cleaning supplies to families that were devastated.

I remember our team pulling up in front of some homes in one area. Homeowners were busy trying to clean up, and it was still raining off and on. I asked folk if they would like to stop for a few moments for some hot food and something to drink. Several stopped

and came to our truck. As I began sharing food, a couple of the homeowners broke down and cried. They shared that this was the first food they had eaten in a couple of days. They began to relate how they were ready to throw up their hands and give up. Then they communicated that they felt refreshed by the food, from the kindness that someone cared. They would push on.

A couple days later, our team delivered cleaning supplies to a woman who was by herself, without any family. She took us through her home and was shaking her head, not sure what to do. When I showed her our supplies and asked if she needed help, she grabbed my hand and smiled as tears ran down her cheeks. She was overwhelmed with gratitude.

In both cases, I was asked what group we represented. I remember sharing that we were from the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I will never forget how these folk responded. They had never given church a thought, but they would now, because we came and helped meet their immediate needs.

It hasn’t changed in our world, the principle is still the same: when we meet people where they are and genuinely care for them, then they are open to hearing the gospel.

Jesus said it best long ago in Matthew 25:40, “The King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (NASB)

By Richard C. Dye, Sr. President

A Surprise Gift for Greater New Orleans Christian Academy

NEW ORLEANS – The Greater New Orleans Christian Academy (GNOCA) playground is in the middle of New Orleans. Often when students play at recess, several balls get stuck on the other side of the fence where Mr. Paul lives. Mr. Paul is a kind, generous neighbor who often picks up and throws the balls back into the schoolyard. One day, as he picked up the balls, he noticed how tattered, dirty and worn out they were. So, in a surprising act of kindness, Mr. Paul bought a brand-new set to replace the ragged ones. He showed up at the school and handed them to the principal. Now the students can play with a brand-new set of great-quality balls. Mr. Paul’s attitude of generosity is an

inspiring message that reminds us of the character of Jesus. The Bible states in Deuteronomy 15:10, “Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work

and in everything you put your hand to.” Thank you, Mr. Paul, for your act of kindness and generosity. May God bless you in all your work.

By Rodil Capobres

Arkansas-Louisiana’s Second Master Guide Campout

MOUNTAIN PINE, ARK. – On April 13-16, 2023, Arkansas-Louisiana Club Ministry made history again by holding our second Master Guide Camporee at Camp Yorktown Bay. The theme was, “Press On Forward.” More than 240 campers from the entire Arkansas-Louisiana Conference territory attended.

It was a great weekend where the Master Guides showed their abilities, skills and knowledge; but the most important thing was that the presence of the Holy Spirit was among us. Each

day we had the opportunity to receive the Word of God from our main guest speaker, Nelson Silva. Through Silva we learned that we are in a world full of sin, but what man thinks is impossible, God makes possible.

The Holy Spirit was working in the hearts of the individuals and for the glory of God. Two young people made the best decision of their lives— they surrendered to Jesus! These young men told us that they had not planned to make this decision, but during this

camporee, they felt the voice of God speaking to their hearts.

Today, by the grace of God, they are members of our Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Arkansas-Louisiana Conference, and they now wish with great joy to be able to share with others what God has done for them. May we continue to offer our young people opportunities for the dedication of service to the Lord.

By Juliana Mercado

Community Services and Disaster Relief

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. – The Arkansas-Louisiana Conference Community Services and Disaster Relief team have been hard at work the past several months responding to areas that were hit by tornados this spring. In the area surrounding Little Rock, there were more than 3,000 homes affected. More than 200 homes sustained major damage or are totally gone! Many people had to just relocate as all the motels were full and no rental housing was available. Where do you begin when everything is in chaos and people have nowhere to go home to?

We began by taking out our mobile unit with supplies we had on hand. Sometimes it takes time to gather supplies, so we are grateful for our small churches that have stocked supplies and can mobilize to help pass out the necessary items when disaster strikes. We have worked with the state in the past, and as our suppliers began to respond to the demand, we had to find a place to stage our distribution site.

The Little Rock Central Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church rose to the occasion and provided space in their church for our core volunteer staff. Two blocks from the church, one of the members provided a 60-by-60-foot metal building that has met our needs and has been the hub of activity for supplies coming and going. Between the Spanish churches and the Shiloh Regional Church, many volunteers have delivered supplies to people in need.

The Little Rock Seventh-day Adventist Church has provided areas that people can drive through and obtain supplies. You have no idea how happy people can be when given a flood bucket containing cleaning supplies. The Little Rock Pathfinder Club and older church school students have helped put these cleaning buckets together as they work to get their Community Service honor. Trees have been cut down, but yards are a mess, and many older people need help with the cleanup.

Lavida Whitson, Arkansas-Louisiana

Adventist Community Service Disaster Relief (ACSDR) director, sent in a grant request to the North American Division ACSDR and received $24,000 to help buy supplies. They ordered 25 kitchen kits from Amazon, which were very much needed. Mike and Ellie Hitt have been at the site most of the time, and David Grover, from the Michigan Conference, has become a familiar face with the crew.

If you are interested in going out with the mobile unit or can help the yard cleanup crew, call Lavida Whitson at 501.317.0997. One more important thing everyone can do to help is to pray for the families who are hurting and to pray for the ACSDR response. We can never respond without the Lord’s help. He opens doors that we cannot!

By Lavida Whitson and Sylvia Downs

An Encounter With Adventist Education

GENTRY, ARK. – On Jan. 21, 2023, the administration, staff and K-8 students at Ozark Adventist School led the worship service at the Gentry Seventh-day Adventist Church. The service included a slideshow testimonial of the first semester of the year.

Students shared the children’s story, rendered a memory verse recital and sang beautiful music in both Spanish and English. The staff and their families led out in the preliminaries and the sermon was presented by the principal, Tara Bailey, along with the seventh- and eighth-grade classes.

Bailey, a certified trainer for the Encounter Curriculum, presented the two-fold objective for the morning’s Bible class. The essential question: How does God get my attention? The Big Idea: God sometimes gets our attention by sending people to us with a message from Him. These objectives were met by intentionally focusing on

the important note: Talking is not teaching and listening is not learning. Your involvement will seal your learning. The congregation instantly involved themselves in an interactive lesson on the prophet Elijah and how important it is to answer when God calls.

The student speakers shared their research on Biblical examples of God’s call to different individuals in the Bible, messages from God provided in the story of Elijah and how the division of God’s people resulted in the reign of good and bad kings. All of this emphasized how important it is to trust God as He leads.

The message culminated with a demonstration of how distractions in this world take us from the Lord’s side and far from hearing His call. The demonstration included the three eighth grade students holding bowls that represented Elijah, Baal and Ashtoreth. Each bowl held small balls that

DeRidder Celebrates a High Sabbath

DERIDDER, LA. – Audry Austin is one of those people that makes you feel special. She is willing to help in any capacity. From helping clean the church, to counting the offerings or making sure everyone is comfortable, she seems to always be in the Lord’s service. She moved from Baton Rouge to the DeRidder area to be with family. While living in Baton Rouge years ago, she met a woman who introduced her to the Adventist faith. After relocating to the DeRidder Seventh-day Adventist Church, she rededicated her life to the Lord through baptism on Jan. 28.

The blessings did not end there as two more individuals were also baptized and married Luis and Imelda went from saying, “I will,” to the 13 baptismal vows to saying “I do” to God and each other. Luis and Imelda’s story began in Texas three years ago when they

represented the nation of Israel. As Elijah took balls from the other bowls, Baal and Ashtoreth could simultaneously take balls from his bowl. This was to illustrate how distractions and sin in our lives take us away from God. At the conclusion of the message, everyone received an invitation to choose Christ above all other things in this world.

immigrated separately from Mexico. When she arrived in Texas, she met Luis, and they began dating. Together, they relocated to the Leesville, La., area and started attending the DeRidder Church. After several months of baptismal classes led by Hector Torres, they decided it was time for them to get baptized along with getting married.

Hillis Jeffries, pastor of DeRidder Church, provided marriage counseling, and on Jan. 28, they committed themselves to God and each other through baptism in the morning and their wedding that evening.

As the Sabbath ended that day, Luis and Imelda began their new lives together by professing their love for each other in front of family, including their three beautiful children and friends.

By Rosemarie Jeffries

Church Member Turns 105

NEW ORLEANS – The most notorious events in 1918 included an influenza pandemic and the end of World War I. Uruguay, a small country in South America, reported a total of 296 deaths attributed to the influenza, and after breaking off diplomatic relations with Germany, British forces sank an enemy ship near its coast. It was during this time that a baby named Romualdo Costa was born on Feb. 7, in Paso de la Cruz, Uruguay.

Romualdo grew up on a small farm with his parents, Felipe Costa and Lidia Fernandez, and eight siblings. The family lived off of what the land provided. They thanked God for their crops and livestock, which included chickens, horses, cows and pigs. The children attended a one-room country school where some students were very young, while others were in their twenties.

At that time, the Costa family followed the popular church’s teachings; however, they did not own a Bible. When a colporteur visited their home, Romualdo’s father was moved to purchase a copy of the Word of God and two additional books the seller promised would help them understand the Bible in its context: Steps to Christ and The Great Controversy by Ellen G. White. The literature broadened their religious concepts, and soon most of the members in the large family accepted the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s beliefs and were baptized by Luis Ernst. Romualdo was 15 years old.

The decision to follow Jesus motivated Romualdo to become a colporteur. Three years after his baptism, he left his family, wore a blue tie and traveled by horse for three years, going door to door spreading the message of salvation through literature evangelism. It was a difficult post-war time, and his last months on the job coincided with the beginning of World War II. However, he always felt the presence of angels protecting him and the assurance that God’s blessings would provide him

with shelter and food.

When Romualdo finally returned home, he found out that his mother, Lidia, had passed away and his father had remarried. After helping with the farm for a few years, Romualdo decided to move to a nearby city and live with his sister’s family. There he began to work for the city’s water system. When the heat affected him physically, he obtained work selling ice cream on a bicycle. During one of his outings, he observed a man painting a landscape. This inspired Romualdo to try his hand at art. He collected sackcloth sugar bags imported into Uruguay from Cuba and began painting beautiful flowers on them. Next, he successfully sold these as rugs in the marketplace. At the same time, Romualdo continued his passion of sharing the gospel by giving Bible studies to many people and preaching about prophecies in churches on Sabbaths.

By age 30, Romualdo married Alba Estades, who passed away not too long ago, in 2020. Together they had three sons, Enrique, who lives in Uruguay and is retired; Robert, who is the speaker/ director of the Spanish telecast of “It Is Written” and serves as ministerial associate of the General Conference and Ronald, who is a pastor in the Arkansas-Louisiana Conference. For more than 70 years, Romualdo used his talents to create and sell nature-filled paintings for income that allowed him to send all of his children to Adventist schools. He claims that there was always a prayer behind each canvas and a promise from God in each brush stroke.

Romualdo just turned 105 this year and is currently a member of the New Orleans Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church in Louisiana. He acknowledges God’s promise that He will renew his life and sustain him in his old age from Ruth 4:15. He feels blessed to be a grandfather of four adult grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and he continues to paint and read the

Bible, Steps to Christ and The Great Controversy. In fact, he always has worn versions of these books in his hands or on his nightstand. It is evident that though he is wearing out, inwardly, he is renewed day by day as 2 Corinthians 4:16 says.

Romuald knows that God has pardoned all his sins, and put upon him the white robe of His righteousness. All He requires of him now is to rest in His love. He has him in His keeping. He has fought the battles of the Lord Jesus Christ, he has kept the faith, and henceforth there is laid up for him a crown of life, to be his reward in that day when life and immortality shall be given to all who have kept the faith and have not denied the Savior’s name.

Romualdo Costa has lived through two world wars, several world epidemics and has observed how science and technology have advanced. Yet he patiently awaits the most important event, much more important to him than counting another year of life, the soon return of Jesus Christ, which will be the most amazing event ever seen.

By Patricia Costa

A Life of Service, The Legacy of Jesus Christ

Have you ever contemplated what it really means to be the hands and feet of Jesus? When you pass a person with a sign asking for money at the end of a road, do you turn to look for money until the light turns green, or look the other way in disgust or embarrassment because you are not sure what to do besides judge or be angry? What are your thoughts when you see a family going car to car in the Walmart parking lot, and one of them is a breastfeeding infant? Are they thoughts of love, or do you hurry, get groceries in your car and lock the door?

In February of this year, my wife and I lost our second son, who was 25 years old. The mind and body go places one cannot even imagine, let alone think about what needs to be done. Hearing about his death at 1 p.m., we flew out as quickly as possible, meeting our eldest son as soon as we hit the ground at 10 p.m. in Ontario, Calif. We immediately started receiving messages about a place we could stay and a meal to fill us since we had been flying all afternoon. It was such a whirlwind of chaos in our hearts that none of us could make any decisions.

We shared our plans for the next day with the unfamiliar woman reaching out

to us, and she began to try to meet our needs: could she get us boxes and tape to pack up our son’s belongings, could she purchase and deliver food to us because we were too busy to go and get anything, could she help us pack if we needed her to, etc. Several more people in the area began to contact us; professors from our son’s school, people we didn’t know, local pastors and conference officers. At that moment, I could only think about Jesus and His hands and feet coming to us in every direction to comfort and help. Since then, we have been flooded with wonderful thoughts and love in cards, flowers, food and hugs.

A friend said this weekend that we should never pass up an opportunity to help another; homeless, rich, grieving, spiritually lost and so on. When the Lord calls us to speak to someone or give a hug or a kind word, to pull out a dollar, or say a prayer, don’t take that anointed moment to think bad thoughts or ask if you should or should not, but respond “Here am I, Lord. Take me and use me for Thy kingdom.”

I have to say, in all honesty, many have turned their faces from my grieving family and said nothing, but I am sure that it is because they do not know

how to meet this specific need.

I didn’t. The Ministry of Healing says, “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’”. Thank you, Church family, for all the love, gifts and shared tears. You have been Christ’s hands and feet to my family.

I humbly bow before all of you in thanksgiving. Thank you, Father, for this wonderful “family” of Yours.

By Apple Park Executive Secretary

A New Beginning at Tahlequah Church

part of a rescue plan for the church. It was agreed that we would attempt a rescue. I was sent there as a Bible worker to coordinate the rebuilding of a congregation and the needed repairs and cleanup of the building, which had been vandalized.

plete kitchen and bathroom remodel, interior repainting and new carpet.

TAHLEQUAH, OKLA. – Last August, the Tahlequah Seventh-day Adventist Church was set to close its doors. As the Native women’s ministry director, I couldn’t sit back and do nothing! I sent an email to James Shires, Oklahoma Conference president and Oklahoma Native Ministries Director Robert Burnette, asking if Native ministries could be a

I am pleased to say that we currently have six attending members and several others attending church services or prayer meetings or both. There are some potential new members as well, as more formerly-attending members are warming up to the idea of coming back to help grow a community of disciples. We can see the Lord leading in even the smallest details. We are planning on using local talent and resources for classes. The building has a new roof, and the plan includes new exterior paint, a new sign and paving the parking lot. Inside updates include a com -

Everything about this project is about a new beginning, not only for the building but for the people and for our spiritual walk with the Lord as well. As we enter into the beginning of the new year, our focus will be on discipleship and training. We are currently going through the “Equip” series to determine the spiritual gifts of each person, so we can serve in the areas that complement our strengths and gifts, helping us to function more smoothly. Each position comes with a full job description and available training, and new members will receive this training throughout the year as they join. Our goal is to become a total-member-involvement church. Stay tuned, and keep Tahlequah in your prayers.

By Deborah Warden

Teens Learn to Save Lives With First-Aid Training

TULSA, OKLA. – Each year, the Tulsa Twisters hold a Health Honors (First-Aid) Day. This day allows our Pathfinders to complete the requirements for the curriculum and to earn the respective honors. In past years, we have done various types of scenarios and mass casualty situations to simulate medical emergencies and disasters. The handson, real-world scenarios really help emphasize how to take care of individuals experiencing these types of crises.

This year, Teen Leaders in Training Katelyn Dohlman and Gwen Lorenz, under the guidance of Heather Lorenz, planned the event. Using a template done in years past, they planned the didactic portion of the day using a game of Kahoot, and they organized individuals to play the roles (characters) in each scenario. Amber Ruszenas, our moulage expert, helped to set each scene by creating the “wounds” that could help simulate the medical emer-

gencies. Our Pathfinder squads moved around to each scenario until all were completed. The squads had a certain amount of time to assess the situation and render care/help to the individual experiencing the medical emergency. The squads were scored on giving out first-aid kits for scene safety, identifying the emergency, providing appropriate first-aid measures, verbalizing the risky decisions that led to the injury and reporting to emergency medical services (EMS).

These scenarios included CPR and choking at a restaurant; carbon monoxide poisoning from a space heater in a dorm room; heat exhaustion/heat stroke from walking in the desert; a snakebite; fractures/splinting/litter carrying; a head injury during rock climbing and a scenario where a babysitter must call poison control.

It is our prayer that by learning how to assess situations and by acting out

how to care for the individuals in each scenario, our Pathfinders will be better equipped to handle any type of medical emergency they witness or may be involved in.

By Deborah Zigo

Global Youth Day

TULSA, OKLA. – Recently, the Adventist Church celebrated its annual Global Youth Day on March 18, 2023. This year’s theme was “Love is a Verb,” and it was an opportunity for youth to serve their communities in tangible ways.

Two Tulsa groups stepped up to the challenge and put their faith into action. The first group was from the Zomi Church. Their youth group gathered at a local nursing home and sang songs of praise, bringing joy and smiles to the residents. After the uplifting performance, the group ended the day by making 100 bags full of toiletries and sandwiches for the homeless. This ges -

ture of generosity was a tangible way of showing the love of Jesus to those in need.

The second group was made up of two churches, Central Tulsa Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church and Independence Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church. The church program was directed by the young people who led Sabbath school, skits and the church service. They shared lunch together, and then 80 youth went out to knock on doors. The group distributed 200 bags with books and a card for people to return by postal mail. They finished the day at Tulsa Adventist

Academy with food and social games for the community. This was another way of showing the love of Jesus to those around them

Global Youth Day is a special time to remind us of the importance of serving our community, and we’re encouraged to see so many young people eager to serve.

By Leonardo Castillo

Children Making a Difference

SHATTUCK, OKLA. – Who makes the best volunteers in our churches? Children! Who always has tons of energy and a huge desire to help? Children! Who barely complains unless they’re tired and hungry? Yes, the children!

There’s definitely wisdom in the story of Jesus telling the disciples to let the children come to Him (Luke 18:16, 17). He knew children would be useful in the ministry. He knew children would love Him, follow Him, obey Him and serve Him with all their hearts, minds and souls.

Have you noticed that when you ask a child to help out that they readily and happily do it, especially if it’s something that involves helping others? Our little Bethany loves helping out at the Ellis County Food Bank located in Shattuck. With her God-given gifts of strength, energy and vitality, she helps bring food, such as a bag of oranges, along with her dad and other volunteers as they carry other food items to the vehicle where the clients wait. She also helps carry empty boxes back to the filling station to be filled with different kinds of food for those in need. There’s lots of running and going back and forth. It’s definitely a workout, and at the end of the day, she’s wiped out and sleeps like a log. Remember Ecclesiastes 5:12? It says, “The sleep of a laborer is sweet.”

Bethany’s volunteering at the food bank has been bringing joy and inspiration to volunteers and clients alike. There are always lots of smiles and encouraging words when she’s there helping out. God is good! Praise the Lord for this ministry opportunity and also for church leaders that allow little children to be a part of the ministry!

Our food bank ministry has been serving about 90-100 households in Shattuck, Gage, Fargo and Arnett since 2009. It is supported by church and community donations with an average of 15 volunteers who serve each second and fourth Wednesday of the month.

Most of the clients have been longterm clients of the food bank and come on the second Wednesday of the month for fresh produce, milk and eggs. Homebound clients receive their food through Ellis County Transportation Services.

So, what do volunteers do? They help unload fresh produce, frozen items, staples and more from the truck, fill 110 boxes with food, stack filled boxes in the hall, bring boxes to the front for loading, load boxes into cars, bring empty boxes back to the filling station, fold boxes, stack boxes and clean up. Anyone can help.

Pat Stock, who has been leading out this ministry for about 13 years now, says, “Come and see! Anybody can come and help. Until you do something

like this, you don’t realize the true poverty of the area. You don’t appreciate it until you’re actually seeing it. It’s a blessing to do it. We feel blessed to have been able to do it since 2009 and hope to continue on.”

If our little Bethany can help, I am sure anybody can help. We just need to make ourselves available for God. “The King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40 (KJV).

By Sheila Burkhardt

Oklahoma Missionaries Plant a Church in Cambodia

SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA – “Each one, reach one.” Challenge accepted! But what is involved for one person to reach one person with the message of salvation? What does it look like, sound like, feel like to share the gospel truths with a searching soul? What does it take?

We have been living by faith, volunteering in Siem Reap, Cambodia, for over a year, and God impressed my husband to start an English-speaking church in September 2022. It took time, but by God’s grace and through His leading we had permission from the pastor of the city church to hold services in English in the afternoons after the Khmer service and potluck.

We didn’t know what to expect or if anyone would come, but we prayed, and God directed. On that very first Sabbath of the little English service, Oct. 22, 2022, God brought nine people together to worship Him.

This included a man from Ireland by the name of Paul. Paul was not an Ad -

ventist and told us that he was searching for a church that had the truth. Paul had previously lived life for himself with no worries about the consequences. It was this lifestyle that he got tired of, and feeling that there was something more, he decided to sell everything and leave it behind. While searching the internet and reading from many different viewpoints, Paul was convicted of the truth and found Jesus. Feeling the need to find an Adventist church, he found one just down the street from where he was staying. This was a week before we started the English church on Oct. 22.

Paul is now joining our small congregation and is on fire with the Holy Spirit. He has changed his diet and claims God has given him victory over lust. He is now a changed man, a new creation and a beautiful believer in Christ.

He is studying the Bible with us, has read many of Ellen G. White’s books, is currently reading the beliefs of the

Baptisms at Oklahoma Penitentiary

STRINGTOWN, OKLA. – For about 15 years, Floyd Thornton and his team of volunteers have been holding weekly meetings at Mack Alford Correctional Center in Stringtown, Okla. This began with a rather miraculous invitation extended to Thornton by the chaplain. The everlasting gospel, including the three angels’ messages, gets shared in a variety of ways depending on the particular individual leading out and the observed or expressed needs among the incarcerated attendees. Sometimes the leader gives a doctrinal sermon, and sometimes various means are used as Bible studies in groups ranging from two to three, up to an average of about 20 people. Over the years there have been periods of baptisms, and periods that didn’t seem so productive, but there have always been expressions

of great interest and requests for Bible studies by mail. Current volunteers include Ernest Rosa and the Sandviks, along with Chris Clayton, his wife, Julie, and friend, Julia.

Chris shares this experience, “At the beginning of 2022, I spoke with one of the regular attending inmates about having an evangelistic meeting. We were getting some new inmates in the worship service, and I wanted them to know more about what Seventh-day Adventists believe. He thought it was a great idea, so I started the “Landmarks of Prophecy” Bible studies, giving two studies a month for a year (supplemented by doctrinal meetings during alternate weeks by other team members). Before long, there were on average 25 men showing up on Sabbath to hear the studies. It took a year, but we got

Seventh-day Adventist Church, and spends most of the day reading the Bible or listening to sermons.

Please pray for us, our English church start-up, and for the people of Siem Reap, for God only knows how many other “Pauls” there are out there that He wants us to reach. By God’s grace and with His leading and help, each one really can reach one!

By the Elliott Fulmer Family

through the studies, and after the last study, I had promised them I would give them all their own copies of the studies. Then they could use them to study the topics again and give their own studies to someone else. On the next available Sabbath, I used about two minutes per topic to review and had a sermon on choosing either Jesus or Barabbas. Afterward, I appealed to the men to follow Jesus and be baptized. Eight men responded and five were baptized into the Church. I was doing the same in the minimum security facility, and one was baptized into the Church there. Later, another person was baptized, and others have requested baptism. Praise God, we give Him all the Glory. What a privilege to work in the prison ministry field.”

By Chris Clayton and Floyd Thornton

Ministry That Matters

Evangelism has often been coined the “lifeblood” of the church. Over the years, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has engaged in numerous public evangelistic campaigns to foster membership growth from open-air tent revivals to prophecy seminars. As a result of these initiatives, countless individuals have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior along with this wonderful Advent message! Praise the Lord!

However, as time progresses and societal indifference to Christianity increases, it is incumbent that the church strengthen its relationships and ministries with neighboring community residents through felt-need, “scratchingwhere-it-itches” ministry, in order to facilitate propitious evangelism in our postmodern context. Although given over 100 years ago, Ellen White’s counsel in The Ministry of Healing is very appropriate to our current evangelistic environment, “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with people as one who desired their good. He

showed sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’”

Preaching is good! Bible study is great! Proclaiming the good news of Jesus’ soon return is paramount! Yet, for individuals to be receptive to the gospel, people want to know you care. The old adage is true, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Through food pantries, clothes closets, health clinics, disaster relief efforts, tutoring classes, after-school programs, and the like, people will know we care. These ministries are relevant to many of our community residents and positively serve as an entering wedge to reach and build relationships with them.

In Christ’s parable of the sheep and goats as recorded in Matthew 25, Jesus uses the picture of a shepherd separating sheep from goats to explain what the judgment will be like. On judgment day, there will be a separation of people. The sheep, those who have placed their faith in God, done the things He

cares about and positively ministered to people, will join Him in heaven. On the other hand, the goats, those who have not shown care to their fellow brothers and sisters, coupled with being disengaged in ministry efforts, will not inhabit eternal life.

The greatest sermon ever preached is the one that is lived. Through our humanitarian ministerial efforts, may others see the “sermon” in us. Relevant ministry–it matters!

By Carlton P. Byrd, D.Min. President

Jehovah’s Jewels

ATHENS, TEX. – “More Precious Than Rubies” was the theme of the weekend retreat at Lone Star Camp for our girls ages 10-19. The Women’s Ministries Coordinator Anysia Archibald was blessed with an awesome vision for this young group. With that vision and God’s blessing, she rallied her faithful team of inspiring sisters, and the vision was made sight on April 14-16, 2023.

The excitement was contagious as the young ladies led out with praise and worship along with prayer and a devotional thought for the opening program Friday night.

Sabbath morning service was highlighted with a word from Janae Blackwood on the unique qualities of rubies and how it parallels the character of a virtuous woman. She is still in high school, but the message was full of spiritual meat, and her delivery was riveting and firm. The special music from the praise team was led by Melodi Moline.

Throughout the Sabbath, the young women were divided into groups according to their ages. Their presenters were Leslie Soupet, Linda Penick and Lulu Kottonya, who is the children’s ministries assistant coordinator.

The attendees participated in “Helping Hands” by assembling packages for the homeless. They spent time in the prayer experience stations, and they also paired off into groups asking God for specific blessings in their lives.

The retreat included sessions for the parents who stayed for the weekend. Led by Audra Turner Holt, they were charged with being more intentional and diligent in grooming their daughters for the world outside of home.

LeShel Taylor packed Sabbath afternoon with fun team-building games and projects. The “Cook It, Eat It” class, led by Syliva Weech, was fun, tasty and easy.

A hangout time after sunset was complete with beauty tips and facials led by Raquel Del Orbe, as well as volleyball, games and tons of laughs.

The weekend wrapped up with another beautiful devotion and a great brunch. Weech led out again with a sewing class in which the girls made their own purses.

At the close of the retreat, the attendees were recharged, energized and spiritually stronger. We look forward to

the next time when God’s daughters can empower our precious jewels and one day present them to Jehovah as bright gems in His crown.

By Audra Holt

Dallas City Temple Presents Humanitarian Award

areas, with a focus on leadership development, school readiness and college scholarships. Pat and Emmitt’s love for kids birthed this charity, labeled by Pat as their “heart connection,” evidenced by five kids of their own.

City Temple Seventh-day Adventist Church, presented the Humanitarian Award to Emmitt Smith on behalf of the Dallas City Temple Church, the Southwest Region Conference and the entire Seventh-day Adventist community.

DALLAS – The Dallas City Temple Church welcomed NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith as part of its Easter Divine Worship Celebration on April 8, 2023. Smith retired from the NFL in 2005 after a 15-year career. While breaking many records during his NFL career, Smith’s life post football is just as impressive.

In 2006, Smith and his wife, Patricia, founded the Pat and Emmitt Smith Charities, a 501(c)(3) public charity that creates and funds unique educational experiences and enrichment opportunities for underserved children in urban

Smith also hosts an Annual Emmitt Smith Celebrity Golf Tournament, which has raised more than 3.5 million dollars since it started eight years ago. Proceeds from the event are used to fund summer camps, after-school programs, college tuition and other educational programming that impacts more than 25,000 children annually.

Emmitt Smith has 14 years of experience as a licensed real estate professional and is Chairman of his namesake company, E. Smith Advisors, a partnership with Newmark, a premier real estate solutions and services provider. E. Smith Advisors is part of a global network with operations in more than 400 offices worldwide.

In honor of Smith’s accomplishments post football, Carlton P. Byrd, D.Min., Southwest Region Conference president and interim pastor of the Dallas

A Special Visit to Bethel Church

TEXARKANA, TEX. – On March 18, 2023, W. S. Lee and Wilma Kirk Lee came to Bethel Seventh-day Adventist Church and lit it up with love and sweetness! Lee’s message was entitled, “Is Jesus Safe in the Black Family?” and Wilma Lee blessed our souls with a beautiful solo entitled, “When Jesus Comes the Tempter’s Power is Broken.”

The Lord has truly blessed these two with a sincere love for talking about the love of the family. The Lees are famous for their Thursday evening broadcast at Southwest Region Conference called “Table Talk.”

After a lovely prepared luncheon by the members of the Bethel Church, the Lees blessed our souls with a presen -

tation and exercise about the family. Bethel Church Family Ministry Leaders are brother and sister Leon Elijah. We offer a special thanks to the Lees for a fruitful visit! May the God of heav-

Smith graciously accepted the award, acknowledging that who he is today is only because of those who poured themselves into him, coupled with the shoulders of the giants upon whom he stands. Smith shared nuggets of wisdom from his parents: to “always finish what you start,” to “always remember where you came from and “no matter where you go, be willing to extend a helping hand.” Smith also spoke about the weekly family prayer group that provides spiritual growth for his immediate and extended family.

The Dallas City Temple Church is committed to community outreach and honored to celebrate those who contribute to the better good of our communities.

By Carolyn Medlock

en continue to bless you both as you travel spreading the message of love to many more families!

By Sandra Clemons

The Good News Brings Great Revival!

NEW ORLEANS – This spring the churches of Southwest Regional Conference in the city of New Orleans, La., did something they had not done in a long time: a city-wide revival! Entitled “The Good News Revival,” six churches, 18 Bible workers, and three area pastors along with the leadership of the Southwest Regional Conference united in faith and worked for the salvation of souls and the growth of our local congregations. While we all agreed that we believed that God was going to do something awesome and miraculous, when it was all said and done, it was the days and weeks in between that made this event a true revival!

Three days a week pastors and Bible workers met for workers meetings. We sang, prayed, taught, and testified to encourage one another as we set out for another day on the “battlefield.” With each meeting, we gained new strength and confirmation that God was with us, and that this revival was right on time. Testimonies included stories of parents reunited with their children, overhearing total strangers talking with excitement about receiving a flyer to the upcoming revival, and the story of one person whom a couple Bible workers had led to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior the day they met him and was excited about coming to the revival. Sadly, he passed away a few days later. We thank God he chose

Christ before it was too late!

When the revival began, we had to suddenly change locations. We feared that the change would greatly disrupt all the work we had done leading up to opening night! But praise God, there was a blessing even in changing locations! The new location held more people and was more technologically advanced. Even with the change of the location, the people came in droves! Some were transported on school buses, some caught a ride with friends and some even walked from close by. Almost 500 people attended the revival!

Each night as Carlton P. Byrd, D.Min., preached, it was evident that the truth of God’s Word was resonating with the audience! Each night a new topic brought new light and greater clarity to both visitors and current members who attended. The uniting of the six local churches brought a new sense of energy and gladness among us all as we each did our parts to glorify God with our service during the revival. For 10 nights and 11 days the revival brought about endless smiles and countless hugs shared by those of us who would normally be separated into our own churches.

On April 29, 2023, the “Good News Revival” culminated with a grand baptism! All week long the weather forecasted thunderstorms, which might not have been so bad if the baptism wasn’t

scheduled to take place outside! That morning the clouds rolled in and so did the baptism candidates, but no rain. All during church service and as Byrd gave a final and moving appeal, more people decided to accept Christ and be baptized, and still it didn’t rain! Yet, as all the baptismal candidates and church members marched down two blocks to the massive outdoor pool, it began to sprinkle. The crowd gathered around the pool and sang songs while we baptized 7 to 8 people at a time, and it only sprinkled ever so slightly. It wasn’t until the last person got out of the pool that the storm broke and the rain poured down!

God held up the storm and 112 people were baptized, with an additional six more joining the church through profession of faith for a total of 118 people that day!

The revival wasn’t just for the new souls but for every one of us involved! It showed us what we can accomplish when we all come together to fulfill the divine commission our precious Savior has given us! As of this writing, we now have 122 baptisms with more on the way! Please pray that God will continue to rain down showers of blessings upon the work here in New Orleans.

By Timothy Lee Pastor

Who Is My Family?

BATON ROUGE, LA. – Darriel Hoy, pastor of the Faith Seventh-day Adventist Church, made February’s Black History month a celebration to remember. It included a seminar on discovering/ exploring one’s genealogy. Guest presenter, Louisiana native Ja’el “YaYa” Gordon, a historian and genealogist, shared with us her 20 years of group research with the focus on the deep South’s antebellum/plantation history. Her presentation reminded us of the long-term effects of slavery and how that institution broke up families. Gordon emphasized that our genealogical research should begin with the four W’s: Whom do I talk to? What am I seeking? Where were my ancestors (to know where to begin)? and When is the time span I’m seeking? all culminating in the question, Who is my family?

“In building a Family Tree, begin with yourself. Don’t be afraid to talk to people regardless of their background, but be respectful of that background information by always getting prior permis-

sion before any recording. And, stay on the topic,” she cautioned. “Because older records are easier to obtain, those before 1950 will be more readily available.” We also learned that some of the best sources of information are on the headstones of graves in cemeteries. Another accurate source is one’s local clerk of court’s office. “Because slaves were property, that office will have records that show the value of the respective slaves,” said Gordon. Other genealogical records are available through the military; baptismal, birth or death certificates; obituaries; news clippings; Social Security; Census records; the Latter-day Saints’ free genealogy site and of course, Ancestry.com.

“Virginia and Maryland were hotspots for slaves sold to Louisiana. The Catholic Church is the primary source of this information,” Gordon emphasized.

Each of us was given a four-page Family Tree handout courtesy of FreeFamilyTreeTemplates.com. In closing, Gordon admonished, “The best way to

OFFICIAL NOTICES

create a legacy for the next generation is to begin now to try and preserve as much history as possible from the current generation.”

Even though the information seemed like a lot to digest, we promised Gordon that we were eager to get started on our personal histories as we thanked Hoy for bringing such an invaluable source of information to us.

By Evelyn Edwards

SOUTHWEST REGION CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

Notice is hereby given that the Fifth Quadrennial Session of the Southwest Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will convene Sept. 23-24, 2023, at the Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church in Keene, Tex. Registration for the session is scheduled to begin at 7:45 p.m. Saturday night, Sept. 23, 2023. The purpose of the session is to elect officers and departmental personnel for the ensuing quadrennial term, and to transact such business as may properly come before the session. Each church is entitled to one (1) delegate for the organization and one (1) additional delegate for each forty-five (45) members or major fraction thereof and who holds membership in the local church or company, which accredits them.

Carlton P. Byrd, President; Jason C. North, Sr., Secretary; Philip G.

Palmer, Treasurer

SOUTHWEST REGION CONFERENCE ASSOCIATION OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

Notice is hereby given that the Fifth Quadrennial Session of the Southwest Region Conference Association of Seventhday Adventists will convene Sept. 23-24, 2023, at the Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church in Keene, Tex. Registration for the session is scheduled to begin at 7:45 p.m. Saturday night, Sept. 23, 2023. The purpose of the session is to elect officers and departmental personnel for the ensuing quadrennial term, to consider revisions to the constitution and bylaws, and to transact such business as may properly come before the session. Delegates to the Southwest Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Fourth Quadrennial Session are also delegates to the Southwest Region Conference Association.

Carlton P. Byrd, President; Jason C. North, Sr., Secretary

The Power of Compassion

Jesus’ sole plan for His followers was to touch the world. He didn’t talk much about services, though they can be good. He didn’t talk about buildings, though they provide a place to gather. He didn’t draw an organizational chart or spell out plans for how to institutionalize and organize His movements. He focused on one strategy: to “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.

Ellen G. White in Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing shared, “As the rays of the sun penetrate to the remotest corners of the globe, so God designs that the light of the gospel shall extend to every soul upon the earth. If the church of Christ were fulfilling the purpose of our Lord, light would be shed upon all that sit in darkness and in the region and shadow of death. Instead of congregating together and shunning responsibility and cross bearing, the members of the church would scatter into all lands, letting the light of Christ shine out from them, working as He did for the salvation of souls, and this ‘gospel of the kingdom’ would speedily be carried to all the world.”

When Jesus left the scene, His followers had no money, influence, power, soldiers or weapons. What they did have was a community. It was a small one at first, but it was unlike any community that had ever existed in the world. In this community, the rich gave up what they had to help the poor.

The good deeds that were done by the men and women of this “city on a hill” were so radiant that they overwhelmed the world. They overwhelmed a Roman empire filled with wealth and power. You could not keep people out.

How brightly is your life shining these days? Are you involved, at least sometimes, in acts of compassion that have the result of causing people to say, “How good God is that He would cause someone like this to be in my world, in my life!” Or has your wattage dimmed?

If you get to the end of your life and you have not let your light shine, you have not lived a life of compassion, and it will be because of only one reason— you only partially intended to share your light.

In a world that is filled with hungry people, poor people, illiterate people, people getting stomped on and

oppressed and people far from God having no idea they matter to anyone, Jesus is still looking for people who are willing to go into the lifesaving business. He wants people willing to encourage others, to lift them up. He doesn’t need people who are negative and put people down. The devil does enough of that already.

Are you ready to tell God, “I want my light to shine?” You could be the kindness and compassion someone is looking for today.

By Elton DeMoraes, D.Min. President

The Ultimate Pathfinder Director

MESQUITE, TEX. – It was an answer to prayer when I heard about the Texas Conference Determined Cycling tour coming through Mesquite, Tex., during their first weekend of the six-day, 400mile tour as they headed to East Texas. They were riding to promote health and to raise funds for a Texas Conference Education Endowment that, when raised, would provide scholarships for students wanting to attend a Texas Conference school but needing financial assistance to do so.

Our Pathfinder leaders had been praying about fundraising options for our Pathfinder club as we want to attend the International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, Wyo., in August of 2024. When I learned they were offering donations for Pathfinder clubs fundraising for Gillette in exchange for feeding the cyclists and support staff, it seemed like an answer to prayer.

Our wonderful Mesquite Church family, including Loretta, pictured center, with her husband Charles Sutphin, right, and Wayne Webb, a Determined volunteer, left, went to work and provided roughly 100 meals throughout the weekend. The Determined group

became like family as we dropped off meals at their hotel and hosted them at the church during their days in the area.

Shortly before they arrived, our church men’s group started a Thursday night gathering—a relaxing time with food and fellowship. Since the Determined group was coming, I contacted the City of Mesquite Mayor Daniel Alemán Jr. Our pastor, Will Klinke, also reached out, so the mayor came to see what it was all about. He welcomed the Determined group to our city and spoke positively about the Determined goal. It was such a special time. I am pictured, left, with him, right, during the presentation. He also posed with the Determined cyclists, support staff and evening visitors.

During our Sabbath evening meal and last meal at the church, it was exciting to share with our new Determined family that our Mesquite Pathfinders placed first in the Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE), so we were headed to Tampa, Fla., for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists PBE finale.

Sunday morning, after a light breakfast, we said goodbye to the Deter-

mined group as they began their sixday, 400-mile ride to East Texas. They were so inspiring that I am determined to help them reach the $1.5 million goal, as only God can do.

Join others determined to reach that $1.5 million goal. Find giving options at TexasAdventist.org/Determined or donate to the Determined campaign through AdventistGiving.org. Email Trust@txsda.org about legacy giving.

Thank you, Texas Conference President Elton DeMoraes, for joining us for a picture taken by our pastor, Will Klinke, with our first-place PBE winners in Tampa. We are so proud of our Pathfinders and families for their hard work and dedication to participate in the PBE.

If you have a Pathfinder club in your area, please see how you can help them financially, as many want to go to Gillette. It is a life-changing experience to gather with 50,000 Pathfinders from all over the world to complete honors and worship our Lord and Savior, the ultimate Pathfinder Director.

By James Ayonga

Educating the Whole Student

ALVARADO, TEX. – Education is so much more than reading, writing and arithmetic, and Adventist Education is so much more than adding a Bible class. Lives are changed in classrooms, mission trips, outreach opportunities and special events. Being a part of something gives students purpose, a feeling of belonging and of making a difference. Throughout the Texas Conference, school staff at our 22 schools work hard to educate the whole student.

The Texas Conference Office of Education assists this process by organizing special events, such as Bible Camp for freshmen, a Music Conference for seventh and eighth graders, and Outdoor School for fifth and sixth graders. These events offer a special time for students to come together. View pictures on the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Flickr account at Flickr.com/photos/texasadventist.

“It is especially helpful for our smaller schools,” said Kisha Norris, vice president for Education. “These events provide students with opportunities they wouldn’t be able to do otherwise because of the number of students at their school.”

Focused on the spiritual aspect of the students, Texas Conference Ministry and Evangelism is helping to fund a chaplain at each Texas Conference academy campus to encourage biblical conversations and Bible studies.

“Thirteen to 18 is such a critical age for students,” said Nathan L. Krause, vice president for Ministry and Evangelism. “We want to make sure we have someone on campus available to help them with the most important decision of their life, their relationship with their best friend, Jesus.”

“Serious mental stress is a fact of life for many American teens,” Drew DeSilver shared in an online Pew Research Center article titled, “The Concerns and Challenges of Being a U.S. Teen: What the Data Show. “In the new survey, seven-in-ten teens say anxiety and

depression are major problems among their peers.”

“We must be talking about more than just their GPA,” shared Ellen Thomas, principal of Burton Adventist Academy (BAA) in Arlington, Tex. In recent years, BAA has added classes to its Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) curriculum to guide student discussions and critical thinking, helping to process some of the mental stress they are feeling. “Not everyone is a great test taker, but everyone is an important member of society. We need to find each student’s gift and encourage them.”

South Texas Christian Academy (STCA) in McAllen, Tex., celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2022. Houston Adventist Academy in Cypress, Tex., had a tremendous increase in students since it was flooded during Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and offered online school during the pandemic.

“We are so proud of all our students, staff and schools!” Norris added. “Most of our schools have seen an increase in enrollment since COVID-19.”

See if you have an Adventist school near you. Click “Find a School” at the top left of the TexasAdventist.org website for the list of schools. Contact the school for a visit. Consider sponsoring a student or volunteering with meals, tutoring, field trips or whatever needs the school may have to help educate the whole student.

“As the expression goes, ‘It takes a village,’ said Elton DeMoraes, Texas Conference president. “We must work together to provide the resources our young people need. The Determined campaign is designed to create a $1.5 million education endowment. When we reach that goal, the interest will provide scholarships for students desiring to attend a Texas Conference school but need extra financial assistance.”

Join us in making an eternal difference for our young people.

View other pictures at Flickr.com/ photos/texasadventist/albums.

By Tamara Michalenko Terry Associate Director for Communication & Public Relations

Bathhouses and Baptisms

Until then, after the bathhouses, the priorities are to complete more cabins to accommodate the larger group requests.

Perez continues to praise the volunteers who work tirelessly to transform old spaces into usable spaces for the ranch and for summer camp staff and campers. “Each year, we have something new for them to make their LWR experience even better,” Perez shared.

Whether staying in a cabin, sleeping in a tent, using a new bathhouse or a portable shower, the best part of LWR is the baptisms. Heaven rejoices when each person chooses Christ as their savior and partakes in baptism either in the portable baptistry, in the lake or at their home church.

“Every conference-sponsored event at LWR has a spiritual component encouraging a lasting connection,” shared Elton DeMoraes, Texas Conference president. “Whether through a sermon, music or the friendships made, LWR provides a Christ-like atmosphere designed to make a difference. Only in heaven will we see the true impact of this ministry.”

CLIFTON, TEX. – In life, it is easy to focus on the “To Do” list and forget to appreciate the “Done” list. The same thing can happen in our prayer life. How often do we give God the list of what we want or need and forget to praise Him for what He has done, especially when He worked something out better than we could imagine?

Lake Whitney Ranch (LWR) has seen incredible improvements, especially in the past year. Volunteers transformed a saddle barn into a beautiful space with additional sleeping quarters. Adventurers and Pathfinders were able to use two of the new bath and shower houses during their camping weekends, RV guests enjoyed the new amenities designed for them and LWR has seen an increase in reservations.

“We can’t build accommodations

fast enough,” Hector Perez, Lake Whitney Ranch director, stated. “It is exciting to have different groups joining us during the week or weekend. Once we can build the additional cabins, we can accommodate even more groups.”

“I applaud the LWR committee for working in phases to finish the projects,” Randy Terry, Texas Conference treasurer, shared. “As much as it would be nice to have everything built all at once, it is appreciated even more knowing we are being fiscally responsible with God’s money.”

“That being said, if someone wants to donate money for a pool, we would be happy to move that project up on the priority list,” Perez added with a chuckle.

Perez has had requests for a pool, but a donor has yet to come forward.

Be a part of this impactful ministry by scheduling a visit, volunteering to help, donating at LakeWhitneyRanch.org or giving in a tithe envelope marked Lake Whitney Ranch Development. Email LWR@txsda.org if you are interested in giving larger gifts or items.

As the LWR website shares, Lake Whitney Ranch is a heart haven, bringing healing and hope through education, recreation, wellness training and spiritual guidance in a grace-filled community of believers, surrounded by nature.

Thanks for keeping the LWR projects in your prayers as they strive to be “A Light in the Heart of Texas.”

By Tamara Michalenko Terry Associate Director for Communication & Public Relations

Legacy Givers: Jo Frazier-Meyer and Alice Capps

CLIFTON, TEX. – It was an honor to present two symbolic checks to Hector Perez, Lake Whitney Ranch (LWR) director, during the Texas Conference Pathfinder Camporee and Adventurer Family Camp on behalf of two estates: Jo Frazier-Meyer and Alice Capps.

Ministry is taking place at LWR. While on earth, Jesus would preach, teach and heal (Matthew 4:3), LWR strives to do the same. LWR allows the body, mind and spirit to relax and reconnect to God through nature and the Bible, which is conducive to change and character development.

Some people are investing in youth through the support of our ranch. They want to continue their legacy and further the gospel work here in Texas by including legacy gifts in their estate plans for Texas Conference departments and ministries.

This was the second check for LWR I presented on behalf of the Jo Frazier-Meyer estate. After she retired, she prayed, asking God how she could do more for Him. The Lord gave her a new opportunity, and before she passed away, she arranged to continue the Lord’s work after her death.

Similarly, long-time educator Alice Capps (pictured bottom left) wanted to reach children with the Everlasting Gospel. She did her best as a teacher and missionary to share the love of Christ with her students. But as the years into her retirement progressed, she decided to also support Christian education out in nature through a gift to LWR. In nature and away from so many distractions, we can be more receptive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

LWR in the spring is beautiful with its acreage, landscape and access to

water or wildlife. It is special, however, because it has been consecrated to advance the Lord’s work. Baptisms are the highlight of every camporee, summer camp and retreat.

“We appreciate the gifts received at LWR,” Hector Perez, LWR director, shared. “We have so many exciting plans and projects to complete at LWR, and each gift allows us to be closer to reaching those goals.”

“It is an honor to assist our Texas Conference members with their final wishes,” Lynette Ecord, Texas Conference Planned Giving & Trust Services director, shared. “It is rewarding to see the appreciation from the ministry often surprised by the gift. Whether the gift is for evangelism, education, a specific local church or school or LWR, it is furthering God’s work here in Texas.”

Would you like to become a legacy giver? Visit TexasGiving.org, email Trust@txsda.org or call 800.847.2792 to speak with a trust officer.

You can view the “check” presentations at YouTube.com/TexasAdventist, under Live during the Sabbath morning programs, April 8 and 22, 2023, and April 16, 2022.

By Uzziel Maldonado Associate Director, Stewardship Coordinator and Trust Officer for the North Texas area for Stewardship | Planned Giving & Trust Services

Inasmuch as . . .

Reflecting on the ministry of Jesus, we find that He always acted on the principle of compassion, to really grasp the value of a person, to meet them in their greatest need. We often miss addressing these greater needs and rather act on our need to tell them what we think they should believe, or be or do as our most important message.

In the gospel of Matthew we find two very interesting accounts of the way Jesus related to people. In chapter 9:36, we read that “when He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them.” His compassion was an overwhelming reservoir of love and mercy that washes over the one who is being seen by the greatest Source of Love in the universe.

When Jesus fixes His gaze on you, He doesn’t just take a look at your physical appearance or what you happen to be doing at that particular time. Rather, He truly sees you all the way to the depths of your soul. In that moment, His heart is moved by your need. It is clear that there is a great difference between being looked at, and actually being seen.

We understand compassion as that characteristic of Jesus that far surpasses a simple awareness of a particular need, but rather engages by investing His love and mercy to care for, resolve, restore, reconcile and completely satisfy someone’s concern. For us to be a conduit of His compassion to another

person can be difficult, it can be messy, time consuming and inconvenient.

The apostle Paul provides some very clear counsel in Colossians 3:12, “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion.” Isn’t it interesting that he uses the metaphor of clothing.

When we meet each other, the very first thing that we may see is what each of us is wearing, because our clothes often confirm who we are and what is important to us. As His disciples, Jesus calls us to fairly represent Him as we share His love with them.

Jesus wraps up one of His greatest sermons in all the Gospels recorded in Matthew 25:34. In this passage He wants us to understand what is of utmost and eternal importance. Jesus makes it clear how our lives and our story will be evaluated for entering the “kingdom that has been prepared since the creation of the world.”

In what is a very moving and inclusive description of the ways that we can serve Him, Jesus presents a broad list of our activities that extend directly to Him. What confuses His listeners is that these actions describe things that are done to someone else. Here we find a dialogue between the Lord, the Righteous Judge, and the people He is describing as being righteous and welcomed into His eternal kingdom.

We hear the response of those who are being identified with the righteous asking Jesus when they did all those things for Him. and He says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.”

For us to do these things requires that we truly see people as being part of God’s creation and recognize in them the image of their Creator. If we truly see them, we will respond by stepping into their lives to meet their greatest need. When we commit to that level of compassion, the people whom we serve will be more likely to recognize Jesus in us.

By Phil Robertson Treasurer/Executive Secretary

Live With More Compassion El Paso 2023

University, and they led out with music and worship and were involved in the different projects, including park cleanup, clothing closet organization, visiting elderly living centers and providing street ministry to help those in need. Activities were followed by worship experiences that were led by a different guest speaker each day.

El PASO, TEX. – Dictionary.com defines the word compassion as “a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.” Live with more what? Compassion? “I’m kind. I’m good. I’m patient. I’m compassionate!” We often say these things just as the rich young ruler told Jesus when he recited his good attributes in Mark 10:17-30.

On March 8-11, the Southwestern Union’s annual “Live with More Compassion” outreach, where youth, young adults and adults come together to do mission projects, took place in El Paso. They brought more than 20 young people and thousands of pounds of supplies for the immigrants, homeless, those that have experienced misfor-

tune and those who are struggling. As you walk the streets of El Paso, you may not think that there is a pandemic of misfortune, but as you enter Shelter Row, you soon find out that compassion doesn’t even begin to describe the feeling you experience when you see the amount of need that is there. This year, the week’s activities centered around the theme “small things bring big changes.” Change, whether big or small, is exactly what volunteers tried to create.

Helvis Moody, Southwestern Union youth director, along with the Texico Conference Youth and Young Adults Department, organized several outreach opportunities for anyone interested in participating. Most volunteers were from Southwestern Adventist

Visit From the Mayor

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. – It was not long ago that building plans for Canyon Christian Academy (CCA) were in their initial stages. Today, students of CCA are thriving and enjoying their beautiful school that is nestled in the Sacramento Mountains in the Tularosa Basin of Alamogordo, N.M.

On March 2, they received a wonderful surprise from Alamogordo’s Mayor Susan Paine. Paine visited the school in honor of Dr. Seuss Day. She read a story to each of the classrooms and the stu -

dents were very excited to spend time with her, ask her questions and proudly tell her all about their school. Paine was very happy to spend time at the school, and she told the administration that she was very impressed with CCA. She added that the school is just what the community needs. Praise the Lord that CCA school can be a light in the Alamogordo community!

By Cyndy Grange Head Teacher

On Sabbath, Jason North, Southwest Region Conference executive secretary, shared a powerful message on the responsibility we have as Christians to move and serve the less fortunate. That same day, more people joined the outreach efforts and more than150 volunteers served in different capacities and volunteered at various missions and resource centers around El Paso.

Bo and Debra Gendke, who lead the Community Service Department of the Texico Conference, and the Southwestern Union sent a large truck full of supplies to be left in El Paso for area churches to share with the community in the future.

Please keep the city of El Paso in your prayers. The work of “Living with More Compassion” in the Texico Conference continues!

By Eric Chavez Youth, Young Adults and Club Ministries Director

“Una Vez Más” FESJA Texico 2023

RUIDOSO, N.M. – More than 100 young people gathered on Feb. 24-26 for the first Texico FESJA (Adventist Youth Federation) retreat of 2023. FESJA, which aims to enrich the spiritual lives of Hispanic teens and young adults throughout the Texico Conference, has taken place twice a year for more than 14 years.

This year, attendees gathered to worship and hear from guest speaker Moises Tarango, former FESJA director. Tarango centered his message around the book of Hosea. Several attendees shared powerful testimonies of how God gave them a second chance. The worship music was led by “Ilumin8,” a group of five young people from the El Paso West Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Early Sabbath morning, several attendees participated in a contest on the book of Hosea and battled to see who would win the first-place prize, which included free registration for the next FESJA in the summer. First place winner Jurlef Salazar, from Amarillo, won for the second consecutive time. Michael A. Klassen, from Hobbs, came in second, and Torres, from Amarillo, came in third place.

Later that morning, attendees separated into different groups and had an hour to create something. The groups came up with many great ideas. One group composed a worship song with its own music, other groups prepared a drama, a sermon and project ideas around topics like mental health, church beyond the walls, outdoor survival and using social media ideas to spread the Word of Jesus. Saturday night’s theme was “Under a Neon Mood.”

Attendees enjoyed games at the gym and participated in other activities, such as a leap of faith, which involved climbing a ladder and leaping off to grab a trapeze bar or punching bag. The weekend ended on a spiritual high note on Sunday with a last session with Tarango.

There is no doubt that this year's FESJA was a blessing for all those who attended. FESJA is a great opportunity for young people throughout the Texico Conference to grow spiritually and head home refreshed and eager to serve their communities and churches.

Plans for the next FESJA are underway and will take place in Cloudcroft on July 28-30, 2023. The FESJA team encourages youth directors, pastors

and churches to support the next event by promoting and assisting their youth to attend. For more information about FESJA and ways to get involved, contact us through our social media accounts and the Texico Conference Young Adult Department.

By Paola Miranda FESJA Director

Texico Conference Welcomes New Church

BLOOMFIELD, N.M. – The Texico Conference is pleased to welcome the Bloomfield Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church into its sisterhood of churches. Earlier this year, a vote was taken to accept the Bloomfield church officially, changing their church affiliation from the Rocky Mountain Conference to the Texico Conference.

Bloomfield is in San Juan County, which is the northwestern-most county in New Mexico. It is the only county in New Mexico that did not become a part of the Texico Conference when it was established in 1916. Instead, San Juan County became a part of the Inter-Mountain Conference that same year. It was believed that the churches located in San Juan County would be better served by the proximity of the Inter-Mountain Conference. At the time, the Texico Conference office was in the eastern part of the state, in Clovis, N.M. In 1932, the Inter-Mountain Conference was dissolved and united with the Colorado Conference, which later merged with the Wyoming Conference to be -

come the Rocky Mountain Conference.

“As we have visited with the members of the Bloomfield church, we have sensed their commitment to the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, however, they were longing for a greater sense of community with Spanish-speaking members,” said Phil Robertson, Texico Conference executive secretary/treasurer.

With changes to the area’s demographics, ease of transportation and the Texico Conference offices now centrally located, the Bloomfield church is the only church in San Juan County to belong to this Conference and is look-

ing forward to being a part of Texico’s events, training events and fellowship. The church joins the Albuquerque North Valley Spanish and Albuquerque La Roca Spanish Church district and will be led by Saul Flores and Joslen Lache.

The Bloomfield church is a friendly church that is enthusiastic about evangelism and Bible studies and enjoys serving its community. We are thrilled that they are joining our conference.

By Debby Márquez Communication Director

Lubbock Church Hosts First Hub City Summit

community and pray for the Holy Spirit. Approximately 40 young adults from cities across the Texas and Texico Conferences attended the event, coming from as far as Austin, Midland, Houston and San Marcos. Parents from nearby churches attended as well.

ner, while the young adults socialized and played games. Sabbath evening included additional testimonies, an ACF presentation and vespers.

LUBBOCK, TEX. – On April 14-16, the Lubbock Seventh-day Adventist Church and its Young Adult Ministry (YAM) hosted the first Hub City Summit. The Summit is an event designed to bring young adults together, introduce young people to the Adventist Christian Fellowship (ACF) campus organization, spread the love of Jesus in the Lubbock

The event kicked off on Friday evening with vespers and continued Sabbath morning with Sabbath School and a worship service led entirely by young adults. After an abundant haystack lunch, the youth participated in outreach activities, including feeding the homeless, passing out literature and prayer with neighbors. A testimony session also took place.

Later, the Lubbock church’s Filipino community prepared a delicious din -

The weekend concluded on Sunday morning with a gathering, devotional, recreation and a lunch that took place at the Urbanovsky City Park on the Campus of Texas Tech University. The event was entirely planned and executed by the young adults from the different churches. Messages on discipleship were presented by Greg Santos, Luke Hamel and Tendaishe Nembaware (young adults themselves), interspersed with soulful musical selections.

By Samuel Garbi Pastor

El Paso Northeast Joins Global Youth Day Celebration

EL PASO, TEX. – The El Paso Northeast Seventh-day Adventist Church joined thousands of churches across the world to celebrate Global Youth Day (GYD) on March 18. From the announcements to the closing hymn, the morning’s worship service was entirely led by the young people. The stage lit up with motivated and dedicated kids of all ages.

Using the GYD theme “Love Is a Verb,” the sermon was given by two active young men, Elias D. and Joshua T. who spoke about “Love Is to Share.” Joshua is a recent high school graduate and is hoping to attend Southwestern Adventist University this fall and major

in theology. He was on fire at the podium during his part in the sermon as he talked about “Love Is to Wait.” The entire congregation was captivated by both messages based on our hope in Christ.

Music for the worship service was provided by all sections of the children’s Sabbath School, from Kindergarten to the Junior classes. Leading the hymns and special musical selections, they showed themselves not only capable but willing and enthusiastic. After a fellowship luncheon, the youth made a special visit to the Montana Villa nursing home to continue spreading

the Gospel and to bring some light and love into all the lives of the residents.

In addition to having the youth conduct the service on GYD, the El Paso Northeast church has placed its first youth in a church leadership position. Isaac D., the technology coordinator, is now the first teenage church board member. His contributions and his participation in GYD have made church members realize that the younger generation has a lot to offer, and when the Holy Spirit leads, all things are possible!

By Harald Halseth

The Fight for Her Life

BURLESON, TEX. – It was a weekend of fun for the Yell family as they vacationed at Jellystone Park in Burleson, Tex. But the family trip quickly turned into one they would never forget.

Tara started to feel unwell, and Tyler, her husband, asked their 10-year-old daughter Emerson to go with her mom to the bathroom, only to see her minutes later running from the bathroom yelling that Tara had passed out. He tried to wake her, but she did not respond. A lifeguard administered CPR while they waited for an ambulance.

Unbeknownst to Tyler, Tara had gone into cardiac arrest. From the moment the emergency team arrived at the scene to their arrival at Texas Health Huguley Hospital Fort Worth South, Tara was resuscitated no less than eight times. “She was further gone than I even realized,” shared Tyler.

Tara flatlined in the ER and was once again stabilized to go to the Cardiovascular ICU (CVICU) where she would

stay for two weeks, fighting for her life. “There was a wonderful charge nurse who kept us updated every step of the way as they were trying to determine what had happened,” said Tyler. While the family fought for Tara’s life, the CVICU team fought that battle with them. “She became the heart of our ICU. Everyone was pulling for her. She was our inspiration. We see so many sad things, and she was our hope,” said Emily Conn, a team leader of the CVICU.

Over those two weeks, Tara endured multiple treatments, including an induced coma. The Yell family and the care team stood firm in their faith and prayed together for Tara’s healing. “One of the main reasons God called us to Huguley and our profession is that we get to walk through the journey with our patients and their families,” said Katherine Howell, a team leader of the CVICU. “You experience something so emotional with these families and to be that type of support is an honor.”

Committed to Community

Tara has now made a full recovery after the team identified electrical issues with her heart. Her experience left a lasting impact on not only her family but also the team that stood by her side throughout her healing journey. She shared, “When I think of the hands and feet of Jesus, I think about how loving and comfortable they made me feel. I think about Huguley.”

By Kaitlyn Braddock Marketing and Communications Manager at Texas Health Huguley

MANSFIELD, TEX. – Texas Health Hospital

Mansfield is committed to their community. For the hospital team members, that saying encompasses their

goal to humbly serve others. Whether in a hospital room or in a local food pantry, they strive to serve as Christ served. Since opening their doors in 2020, this team has volunteered nearly 1,000 hours at local nonprofit organizations. Each quarter, the hospital partners with a local nonprofit and runs a hands-on volunteer program. Having the ability to be involved with their community in this capacity has led to beautiful lasting relationships with nonprofit owners and community members alike. “Sending money to support great causes is nice, but our team believes that our presence and work in person is even more impactful. We love helping people!” said Kenneth Rose, Texas Health Mansfield president and CEO.

In early 2023, the hospital team volunteered with Harvesting in Mansfield

(HIM) Center, a food bank and food pantry passionate about feeding hungry people across North Texas. Over a two-week period, team members volunteered a total of 56 hours, packing grocery bags for families in need.

While the hospital aims to make a lasting impact on their community, the community also makes a lasting impact on the team members involved. “It is amazing to be able to have a handson experience in helping someone,” shared Juan Perez, Texas Health Mansfield business development manager.

By Taylor Weaver Marketing Coordinator at Texas Health Hospital Mansfield

A Blessing from Above

KEENE, TEX. – Professors Kathrine Davis and Ann Smith of Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) have successfully secured a $2.7 million grant from the Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans Program (PPOHA) Title V Part B grant to develop a Master of Science in Nursing Education program. The program will offer state-of-the-art wrap-around student success services and scholarships for the first cohorts of nursing educators. A $250,000 Nursing Educator Endowment will also be created to support nursing educators for generations to come.

The program is specifically designed to prepare educators for post-secondary teaching positions in community colleges and universities offering nursing programs across the nation. There is a significant need for nurse educators in the southern region of the country, where the program will have a particular emphasis. The Master of Science in Nursing Education program will be delivered completely online, in an asynchronous format, allowing students to attend on their own schedules and limit the costs and barriers of a traditional in-person program.

The urgency for the nursing education community to address the impending exodus of senior faculty and to develop younger faculty for succession is increasing. One-third of the current nursing faculty workforce in baccalaureate and graduate programs is expected to retire by 2025, and U.S. nursing schools turned away 91,938 qualified applications from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in 2021 due to an insufficient number of faculty.

Haylie Bowman, a senior nursing major at SWAU, expressed excitement about the new program, saying that it is a dream come true to continue her education on a graduate level among faculty who have now become mentors. Bowman hopes to one day become an

educator to inspire the next generation of nurses.

The Master of Science in Nursing Education program at SWAU will provide students with an unparalleled educational experience, emphasizing academic excellence. The university's dedicated faculty members are experts in their fields and passionate about teaching and mentoring. The curriculum is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in their chosen field of study and to foster critical thinking, problem-solving and creativity.

SWAU’s Master of Science in Nursing Education program will bridge the discrepancies in the nursing community and address the growing demand for nursing faculty strategically. The grant awarded to SWAU for the development of the program is an exciting opportu-

nity for the university to make a significant impact on the nursing education community. The hard work and dedication of Davis and Smith in securing this grant award are greatly appreciated.

In conclusion, the Master of Science in Nursing Education program at SWAU is poised to meet the growing demand for nursing faculty and address the impending exodus of senior faculty. The grant awarded to SWAU for the development of the program will create opportunities for future generations of nursing educators and inspire students like Haylie Bowman to pursue their dreams of becoming nursing educators.

By Ann Smith and Kathy Davis Nursing Professors

The Hands and Feet of Jesus in the Workplace

KEENE, TEX. – The Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) Nursing Department recently announced that two former students, Cindy Knights (’21) and Tanner Hoskinson (’21), recently won awards at the hospitals where they work. Ironically, they are both medical surgical nurses, and they work in two different hospitals, both located in Mansfield, Tex. Knights was honored as Team Member of the Month for January at Texas Health Hospital Mansfield, and Hoskinson received the Nursing Excellence award and was nominated for Rookie Nurse of the Year at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center.

It reflects so well on SWAU’s dedicated and hardworking nursing professors to have their students go into the field and be recognized in these ways. But deeper than that, these two nursing alums thought right away to contact their professors to tell them the news, because their bonds went beyond the classroom.

Knights texted Terri Gibson, her advisor and friend to tell her the good news. And on the day Hoskinson finished his one-year Medical Surgical Nurse Residency, he made a trip to SWAU to see his professors, particularly his advisor and friend, Associate Professor Marcia Azevedo.

“We still stay in touch,” Hoskinson says of his mentorship friendship with Associate Professor Azevedo. “She was a big part of my nursing career. She encouraged me when I was at my lowest point in nursing school and wanted to give up. She sat down with me and said, ‘Tanner, you are going to become a nurse. God has brought you this far for a reason.’ I was failing one of my classes at the time and felt very discouraged. I had already failed a course the semester before, and likely I would have dropped out of nursing school, but Marcia Azevedo saw my potential and believed in me. I stopped by the day I finished my residency to say thank you!”

Knights says, “I was well prepared for my career by the many teachers and staff that taught us and cared for us like family, making sure we understood that our goal is patient safety and working as a team to improve the life of everyone we come in contact with,” which is exactly what Cindy was recognized for doing.

We would like to congratulate Cindy and Tanner for being the hands and feet of Jesus in your workplace and being a light in your community! Thank

you for living out SWAU’s mission, using your knowledge, combining it with your faith and serving others in ways worthy of recognition. Thank you to our SWAU Nursing Department, for your genuine care for students as they learn from you how to skillfully and excellently care for their patients.

By Michelle Bergmann

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OBITUARIES

Daniell, April, born April 17, 1972, Longview, Tex.; died March 21, 2023, Fort Worth, Tex. Church membership: Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Imler, Dr. Nyla Juhl, born Jan. 26, 1952, Burlington, Iowa; died Oct. 31, 2022, Amity, Ark. Preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Richard Juhl; daughter, Heather; two sisters, Lois and Marla; and brother-in-law, Gordon Walker. Survivors: husband, Dr. Toby Imler; children, Korine (Nick) Jensen of Longmont, Colo., Toby Jr. (Tanya) Imler of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Kristal (Daniel) Ikpeama of Lincoln, Neb.;

siblings, Doris Semadini of Calimesa, Calif., Merwin (Joyce) Stigge of Quemado, N.M., and Janene (Mike) McGuire of Aylmer, Ontario, and four grandchildren.

Lemaitre, Anthony Wayne, born Oct. 16, 1948, died Feb. 26, 2023. Church membership: Forest City Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Pugh, Ricky Wayne, born Aug. 24, 1952, LeCompte, La.; died Feb. 6, 2023, Baton Rouge, La. Church membership: Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church. Preceded in death by parents, William and Edna Jones, and brothers, Williams Jones Jr. and Charles Jones. Survivors: wife, Corine Pugh of Baton Rouge, La.; sons, Kevin Pugh and James Smith; daughter, Joslin Dupas; sisters, Clara (John) Booker and Cynthia Jones; and brothers, Michael, Benjamin (Celia), Chris (Shondra), Jeffrey (JoEvelyn) and Paul; six grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Robinson, Dorothy, born March 29,1937, Mount Pleasant, Ark.; died Jan. 11, 2023, Mountain Home, Ark. Preceded in death by her parents, Hayden and Lucy Johnson Sipe. Survivors: husband, Kenneth; sons, Anthony and Christopher (Kelly) Robinson; brothers, Dale and Douglas Sipe; two grandsons and one greatgrandchild.

Savage, Jean, born May 22, 1934, Hargill, Tex.; died March 20, 2023, Mansfield, Tex. Church membership:

50th Wedding Anniversary

James and Sherrie Jenkins

June 17, 1973-2023

James first saw Sherrie Muirhead in the foyer one Sabbath morning at the Oak Cliff Seventh-day Adventist Church. They were just 15 years old, and they both attended church school. By the age of 17, James and Sherrie had become sweethearts who married one year after their high school graduation from Jefferson Academy in 1972. They married June 17, 1973, at the Oak Cliff Seventh-day Adventist Church. Pastor Jere Webb officiated.

They made their residence in the Dallas area. They both went to work for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). Three years later, they welcomed their beautiful daughter, Amy Sherie’, in 1976, and their precious son, Jonathan Alan, in 1984.

Sherrie decided to stay home with Amy until she turned six years old, then Sherrie took a teaching position working with four-year-olds in preschool so that she could be near Amy. James continued at AAFES and then went

Fort Worth First Seventh-day Adventist Church. Preceded in death by her husband, Brian Savage Sr. Survivors: daughters, Beverly Will of Everman, Tex., Deanna Lauro of Tex., and Melanie Beaudreau of Granby, Mass.; and her son, Brian Savage Jr. of Lansing, Kan.

Smallmon, Lillie Lara Elizabeth, born Dec. 26, 1941, Jonesboro, Ark., and died Nov. 17, 2022. Preceded in death by her parents, John Wesley and Ruby Lee Gibson; husband, Leamon Smallmon; son, Gary Smallmon; three sisters, Virginia Oswald, Maxine Weldon and Donna Meadows; two brothers, L.C. “Pete” Gibson and James Gibson; three grandsons;

one great-granddaughter and two infant siblings. Survivors: three daughters, Lori (Michael) Baker of Fayetteville, Ark., Victoria (Jimmie) Henderson of Walnut Ridge, Ark., and Rebecca (David) Hibbard of Pocahontas, Ark.,; two brothers, Larry (Brenda) Gibson of Maryland and Michael (Cindy) Gibson of Idaho; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Wolcott, Mae Evelyn Burrow, born April 26, 1931; died April 11, 2023. Church membership: Beacon Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church. Survivors: son, Steve (Brenda) Steward of De Queen, Ark.; daughters, Deborah (Tracy)

to work for a CPA. In 1986, with God’s help, they opened their own business, Strategic Ent., Inc., in Duncanville, Tex., a tax and consulting practice.

When Jonathan started school, Sherrie and James worked together again building their business. They eventually built a building for the business with extra rental office suites. Later they became grandparents to Alyssa and Preston Stewart, whom they adore.

Sherrie has always enjoyed making a home for her family, making cards for friends and family, home decorating and landscape design. She has also tirelessly worked and advocated for the elderly and for those individuals with special needs.James worked many long and hard years until he retired from his professional tax and consulting practice in 2020 after 42 years. He enjoys coin collecting, classic cars, history and reading.

They both enjoy traveling and have visited many places across the world. They fell in love with San Diego, Calif., which became their second home. They contribute the success of their long marriage totally to God. How else could a guy from Virginia, by way of New York City, meet, fall in love and marry a young lady from Texas?

Smith of De Queen, Ark., and Glenda (Mike) Icenhower of Dierks, Ark.

Wynne, William “Jerry,” born Sept. 4, 1930, Shreveport, La.; died Nov. 3, 2022. Church membership: Shreveport First Seventh-day Adventist Church. Preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Mae Wynne, and brother, Johnny (Martha) Wynne. Survivors: wife, Norma Generoso Wynne; son, Richard (Molly) Wynne; two daughters, Deborah (Jim) Shanks and Susan W. Deen; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Submissions

Back Pages: Submit announcements, milestones, obituaries and address changes to Record@SWUC.org or visit SWURecord.org.

Advertising: Cost information and deadlines: Bradley Ecord at BEcord@swuc.org.

News and Articles: Send local church or school news, along with high-resolution photos, to your local conference communication department listed on page 2. If you are interested in writing for the Record, email Record@swuc.org.

J.D. Frakes was born Jan. 19, 1938, to Gladys Jewel and O.P. Frakes in Keene, Tex. J.D. had two older sisters, Mardee and Maxene. In 1956, he attended Southwestern Adventist Junior Academy. He graduated from Amarillo College with an Associate of Science degree in 1959. While attending there, he was a member of the very popular Four Steps Quartet. In 1964, he received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Through the years, his occupations were mechanical aerospace engineer, real estate broker, college administrator and farmer/rancher. He worked for Bell Helicopter, General Motors, Frakes Aviation, Amarillo College, Century Aircraft and was self-employed.

He married the love of his life. Kay Smith, Jan. 16, 1960, and they were married 63 years. They remodeled all the homes they bought and sold them at a profit.

He served on the Texico Conference Association

Board of Seventh-day Adventists (the financial arm of the Conference) and was also on the Salary and Credentials Committee. He made several inventions over the years and built a sports car from scratch in his mid-20s. He was a genius at figuring out how to fix things. He served as a head elder, a teacher, and he also preached and sang for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He was a member of the Abraham Lincoln Presenters Association. He performed as Lincoln in many areas of the U.S. and was also related to Abraham Lincoln.

In March 1972, J.D. and Kay bought a house, improvements and 800 acres of cultivated land near Happy, Tex.

J.D. is survived by his wife, Kay Frakes; his daughter, Sherri Frakes; his son, John Frakes; daughter-in-law, Deborah Frakes and a host of loving family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Maxene Lovell and Mardee Myers.

Carol June Koobs Workman was born June 12, 1934, in Pekin, Illinois, and passed away Nov. 30, 2022, after a brief illness. Many members of her parents’ generation accepted the Adventist message while in Illinois, and she gladly followed in the truth. Multiple family units moved to the San Antonio area where she worked alongside her parents, aunts and uncles, siblings and cousins to help construct the current Laurel Heights Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Carol raised her children in the same church and was active in teaching primary Sabbath School. She served as the church organist and church secretary for many years. She also served as a Sabbath School teacher and church organist at the Dallas Central Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Carol made it her mission to put her children, all survived by her, Jana, Shari and Andy, through Church school all the way through college.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Dick and Marie Koobs of San Antonio, Tex.; sister, Helen; brother, Dr. Dick Koobs of Loma Linda, Calif.; husband of 30 years, Lyle Workman of West Virginia, and her nephews, Jeff and Johnny. She is survived by her three children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was excited before she passed to learn that she was going to be a great-grandmother for a second time. This granddaughter, due summer of 2023, will carry her name. She is also survived by her brother, John and Barbara (Bischoff) Koobs and of Keene, Tex., and multiple nieces and nephews, and cousins spanning three and four generations, also many of her in-law family that she considered her own. Family was everything to Carol. She trusted wholeheartedly that the day would soon arrive when we would all be reunited.

Her wish was that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Amazing Facts Ministries. She was very loved and is missed by many.

Helen A. Richter Barber was born June 30, 1925, in Keene, Tex., and died Dec. 12, 2022, in Weatherford, Tex. Helen was born and raised on the family farm near Keene. After high school, a friend asked her to go to Fort Worth with her to attend nursing school at City County Hospital, now John Peter Smith. She worked as a nurse in several areas but lastly for years as a nurse for the state of Texas in tuberculosis control. Being a RN was the pride of her life. Helen was preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters; her husband, Gene Barber and son, Terry Barber. Her survivors are a son, Craig (Beth) Barber of Millsap, Tex.; grandson, Chase (Andrea) Barber of Cleburne, Tex.; granddaughter, Brandy Robinson of Burleson, Tex.; grandson, Ross (Brittany) Barber of Burleson, Tex.; two great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was buried in Spring Creek Cemetery near Weatherford, next to her husband and son.

Mavis Lynn Schnell was born Sept. 30, 1939, in Clay County, Illinois, and died March 12, 2023, at age 83. She and her husband, Galen Schnell, moved to Ardmore, Okla., in 1968, when both found work at Ardmore Adventist Hospital. She worked for hospitals and doctors’ offices most of her life. The last 25 years she worked for Dr. Neil Nedley.

Mavis loved being outdoors. Family vacations were trips to mountains or deserts. Her recreation was camping with family and friends. Most of her life she was a bird watcher and liked to take road trips, especially to Santa Fe, N.M. She loved mowing the yard and often helped her husband in the garden. Mavis loved animals and always had pets. Her favorite pet was a cat she had for 17 years named Nuisance. In the last five years, she spent a lot of time at home with her two dogs, Chica and Sugar.

Dealing with multiple medical issues over the past 12 years, Mavis was appreciative of her doctors and nurses, especially her kidney doctor, Dr. Khan and his staff. Mavis loved God and was a member of the Ardmore Seventh-day Adventist Church for more than 50 years.

Mavis is preceded in death by her sister, Linda Dugan; parents, Orvel and Alice Patterson; and husband, Galen Schnell. She is survived by a daughter, Brenda Schnell of Ardmore, Okla.; a son and daughterin-law, Jeff and Betrille Schnell of Hot Springs Village, Ark.; and two grandsons, Jess and Jared Schnell.

Hiring Full-Time Faculty Members

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 3:12

COWBOY & BIKER CAMP 2023

September 29October 1, 2023

Camp Yorktown Bay 361 Camp Yorktown Lane Mountain Pine, AR 71956

Registration closes on Sept. 10

REGISTRATION & INFO: SouthwesternAdventist.org

Southwestern Union of Seventh-day Adventists

PO Box 4000, Burleson, TX 76097

Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ in All Stages of Life

AdventHealth, through its Global Missions program, has created partnerships with Adventist hospitals across the globe. One of these partnerships, established in Paraguay in 2022, provides cooperation, training, medical equipment and community care through medical mission trips to two medical facilities: the Asunción Adventist Sanitarium and Hohenau Adventist Sanitarium.

In a recent medical mission trip to Paraguay, a mother sought care for her three-day-old baby at an AdventHealth clinic. Through a careful wellness check, the baby was found to be in perfect health. Thanks to this partnership AdventHealth continues to extend the healing ministry of Christ to more communities. And even to the tiniest patients!

To learn more about AdventHealth Global Missions, visit AdventHealthGlobalMissions.com.