FLAME | Summer 2017

Vol. 4 Issue 2 SUMMER 2017

God did not send his Son to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. John 3:17

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CONTENT SUMMER 2017

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Stewardship

Recipe

History

Make your money work for you with the first of our series on smart, yet practical money management.

These bite-sized, snackable cauliflower wings are poised to be a hit at your next get-together.

Be your own historian with these proven resources on finding your local church and area history.

Living Faith

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Feature

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Have you ever wondered about the impact our choices make? Pastor Kevin Wells explains why the ultimate choice in life comes down to one thing.

Ralph Blank had it all - a great job, big family, and all the money he could ask for. But something still seemed to be missing. God, however, had big plans for Ralph even as he lost a child, lost his job, and moved across the country to Texas.

What has the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America been up to? Find out in News.

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Discipleship

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Insight

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What makes modern disciples? Dive into Jesus’s ministry and learn how to turn work into cause.

Read Part II of Why God as we uncover Revelation’s importance in our daily lives, and why it’s so vital to understand its events.

God has a way of protecting us, even as danger closes in. When disaster almost struck Carlos, he learned the importance of that invisible protection.

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News

Kids

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Profiles

Bridges

Calendar

Christian education is a pillar of the Seventh-day Adventist faith. Discover how our Education Department helps develop the youngest among us.

Social media has taken the world by storm. Learn how you or your church can use it to better reach out to those around you.

Save the date for these exciting events, training sessions, camporees, and much more.

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Wellness

Word of Mouth

Advent Movement

The benefits of plant-based eating continue to be uncovered by medical professionals. Wellness gives a few of the best reasons to make the change.

Wanting to take your local youth ministries to the next level? Using cutting edge research, NEXT STEPS gives you the tools needed to do just that.

Stay informed with the latest updates among Texas Conference staff and pastoral transitions.

EDITOR

Editor’s Note It seemed like Summer came exceedingly early this year, with Texas reaching 90 degrees by mid-March. Nevertheless, welcome to the Summer issue of the FLAME! By now, I hoped you’ve enjoyed some of the things that make Summer great like cookouts, swimming, nature hikes, outdoor sports, or maybe even a vacation. Whatever your perfect summer encompasses, we hope it’s filled with more of it!

The FLAME continues its journey into Why? The Spring issue incorporated the why of God. To that end, we featured stories covering the health benefits of belief, the fingerprints of God found in His creation, and the miracles that often only have a supernatural explanation. In the Summer issue, we look at the why of Christianity.

What separates Jesus from the rest of the field? While the full answer couldn’t be contained in these pages, we trust you’ll catch a glimpse of it here.

Most people, whether religious or not, know John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son, so that everyone

who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” It’s arguably the single most iconic verse of the Bible, but I’ve always been partial to the verse after it and feel it holds the key to this why of Jesus and Christianity: “God didn’t send His Son to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” That’s the short answer to this question for me. Jesus came to this world for the sole purpose of saving each and every one of us.

This issue has some great stories, but be sure to check out Ralph’s feature on page 12. Ralph had it all – a great job making great money and respect in his industry. Losing it all, however, flipped his world upside down and left him bitter toward the God who’d allowed it to happen. After 10 years and a chance move to Texas, Ralph decided to give church another try and wound up at the San Marcos Seventh-day Adventist Church. His journey leads us back to the question, Why Jesus? Come and read for yourself.

Jason Busch | Editor STEWARDSHIP

Make Your Money Work, Part 1 A big part of Stewardship has to do with money; it might even be the first thing most people think of when they hear the term.

Whenever stewardship is discussed, however, topics usually range from why tithing is important to, well, that’s about it. Tithing is still extremely important, but over the next few issues I’d like to open up stewardship to include some practical examples of smart money management and how your money can start working for you.

In the coming months, we’ll talk about additional ways to accomplish that. First, let’s look at one of the most important steps you can take for solid financial footing: starting an emergency fund. This is one of those things that isn’t much fun to have, since you aren’t supposed to touch what’s in there. But the peace of mind that comes with it is worth its weight in gold! When my water heater

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exploded a few years ago, my emergency fund saved me from having to pay with credit.

Although credit cards can be useful tools, the last thing you want is for interest to pile up while you figure out how to pay it off.

Financial author Dave Ramsey suggests immediately working toward an emergency fund with $1,000 if you have nothing currently in place with it eventually holding about three to six months’ worth of income.

It may not seem like much, but $1,000 can sometimes make all the difference.

Now that we’ve established the importance of an emergency fund, where should you put it? This is much more subjective, but a high-interest savings account through an online bank like Ally or Capital One 360 can earn money at a more favorable rate than a traditional savings account. Certificates of Deposit (CD) offer higher interest, but

the purpose of an emergency fund is to have easy access to the money if or when you might need it. With CDs, your money is out of your control for anywhere from a few months to several years. With more than half of Americans unable to cover a sudden $500 expense, it’s time to take a second look at the emergency fund.

LIVING FAITH

Chances. Choices.

Changes.

By Kevin Wells | Senior Pastor at Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church We all confront the illusion of a world full of choices. For instance, we can choose Ford, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen, Kia, or a host of other vehicles to transport us between a hundred different locations on any given day. If you want to satisfy your hunger, most people live within minutes of a plethora of fast food or sit-down establishments, presenting foods from fifty different countries, or you can open the refrigerator at home and sort through another set of options.

This can sometimes seem overwhelming.

However, when you stop and think about it, all you really are trying to do in the first instance is select a vehicle to safely take you from point A to point B. In the second instance, all you really want to do is satisfy your appetite, which will go away and come back again later anyway. You see, we really don’t have to be

overwhelmed when we think simply about the choices we face.

The most important choice any of us will ever make is limited to one choice of two. Will we accept the offer of Jesus to come into eternal relationship with Him or will we accept the call of Satan into a temporary relationship that ends only in disaster?

In this age of tolerance and diversity, to be a Christian requires we make the conscious choice to choose Christ over a host of other options. In many of the larger communities in Texas there are mosques, Hindu temples, Buddhist monasteries, Christian Science libraries, and a ton of other religious options available for practice. Most of the people who follow the teachings presented in these venues would readily self-identify as “good people” who just desire to be able to practice their religion without fear of persecution. Freedom to worship is, after all, a biblical teaching. The God presented in both testaments of the Bible compels no one to follow. He merely extends to us the offer of life eternal with Him or all that is available apart from him.

Make no mistake about it; every system, religious or philosophical, claims, in its own

fashion, to be the exclusive way to god or some form of enlightenment. Anyone who teaches otherwise is either being disingenuous or is just plain ignorant. So, for the Bible to assert the only way to life eternal is through a voluntary relationship with God is really no different than these other options.

However, the one thing that no other system provides for its followers is grace. God, through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, secures salvation, renewal, and, ultimately, eternal life. Anything else is, simply, less than that and amounts to nothing at all.

God extends his call to all of humanity to have their thirsty souls satisfied. According to John in the book of Revelation, “the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” So even the most important decision you will ever make should really be quite simple.

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DISCIPLESHIP

MODERN DISCIPLESHIP FOR TODAY’S LEADERS

By Gabriel Perea | Teaching Pastor for Advent Project Church

One of the most profound commands that Jesus gives in His Great Commission is to go and make more disciples. It is here, in this passage, that the original eleven followers transition from being disciples to being apostles. They are given the command “Go!” and, by this command, their discipleship transitions to apostleship.

Apostle, or “apostolos” in Greek, means “a messenger, one sent on a mission.” And here, in this first assignment, the very first mission that these freshly minted leaders are given is, “make disciples.” How then, do today’s church pastors and leaders make disciples? How can we fulfill this first great mission from Christ in today’s church?

Over the coming issues, we will journey into the Gospels and try to glean key discipleship principles from Jesus on how to turn church members, leaders, and young adults into His own disciples.

Turning Work into Cause At least four of Jesus’s disciples were fishermen; individuals who had learned a trade handed down to them from previous

generations. There was not only skill or art that went into being a fisherman, but a sense of duty to provide something of worth to their family and communities. There was a sense of accomplishment at the end of every night of fishing when these men went ashore and unloaded their boats with that night’s catch. As a result, they knew that their family would have food because of their work. It was that accomplishment, that sense of cause, that Jesus pinpointed when He spoke to Peter, Andrew, James, and John. He called individuals like these and took their labor, their work, their trade, their skills, and their art and turned it into a cause. Biblical discipleship is about Jesus taking people and giving purpose to their life by having them be involved in His cause.

The average NFL playbook has 500 plays depending on formations and personnel.

There are 11 players from each team on the field at any given time, and there are constant changes on the typical four downs of play.

This makes it difficult to accomplish anything in unison when there are so many variables.

So how do these players ever win games when

each player must be on the same page in order to run the play successfully? By understanding that the goal is to either move the ball forward if you’re on offense, or stop the ball and move it back if you’re on defense. This is the duty, this is the work, this is the common cause of every player when they step onto the field.

This cause is clear. This cause motivates and guides the movement of the ball to the end of every game.

When Jesus called these fishermen, He turned their work into cause. When making disciples within our church, the duty of leaders is to help every member understand how their role furthers the cause of Christ.

Without a sense of cause, the work of the church will only ever be just work. To start modernizing discipleship, tap into the why of someone’s service to their church and help them understand that what they are doing is a meaningful component in the cause of Jesus.

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PROFILES

A NEW HORIZON ADVENTIST EDUCATION IN TEXAS

By Carol Bradley | Associate Superintendent

AARON THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY

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The Texas Conference Office of Education seeks to develop a life of faith in God and respect for the dignity of all human beings, to build character akin to that of the Creator, to nurture thinkers rather than mere reflectors of others’ thoughts, to promote loving service rather than selfish ambition, to ensure maximum development of each individual’s potential, and to embrace all that is true, good, and beautiful.

Our department has a passion for education and embraces the philosophy that teachers can, and do, change lives. We are here to support the teaching ministry.

Through the reliance of the Holy Spirit, we pray for wisdom and understanding to assist our teachers as they lead, direct, and educate the children and youth of the Texas Conference.

Each member of our department considers us both a coach and a model. It is our desire to inspire our teachers to serve with determination, dignity, humility, and above all else, represent our God in everything.

We demonstrate our goals in supporting Adventist education in Texas in a variety of ways.

One goal involves the collaboration with pastors and school boards in the selection of quality teachers. This process involves screening and referencing applicants, and matching their academic and interpersonal skills with the needs of various schools. A major portion of this process is to select knowledgeable, inspirational teachers who exude enthusiasm and passion for educating their students.

Another goal includes effective mentoring, appropriate supervision, and evaluation of over 180 teachers in Prekindergarten through grade 12 classrooms. This role is imperative because our teachers are on the frontlines assisting parents in providing a positive, productive learning climate for their children. Once again, having a passion for educating our youth must not be overlooked or understated.

An additional goal is to provide activities

PROFILES

to support the learning that takes place in the classroom. An annual Freshmen Bible Camp in the Fall is designed to help students begin their high school experience with a strong spiritual foundation while connecting with the teachers and other freshmen throughout the Texas Conference. Approximately 180 students participate each year.

Outdoor School each Spring results in nearly 300 hundred fifth and sixth graders assembling for spiritual rejuvenation through Bible talks and the study of the surrounding nature.

During our school evaluations throughout the Conference, a common concern stated by parents and teachers has emerged. That concern involves meeting the needs of all students, including those with learning differences. This concern has prompted the Texas Conference to be proactive in addressing the challenge.

The Texas Conference Office of Education is committed to responding to the needs of our students, including those

with difficulties. This sector of students has previously been neglected and unserved. We are excited to announce that a new initiative to get students testing and assessments has been approved and significantly funded by the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. In coordination with the national headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the North American Division REACH Manual 3rd Edition now guides the formal process with specific documentation items that will allow for students who are at-risk to receive testing and assessment for identification of learning differences. The teachers will use the test results to meet the needs of students facing these challenges.

To apply for testing and assessment, teachers may find the link on the Texas Conference website to obtain the checklist for the documentation that is needed to initiate the process. Teachers are encouraged to work with their administrator or a superintendent of the Texas Conference in properly utilizing the REACH Manual in documenting.

As the implementation of this initiative has launched, we have observed a renewed passion for meeting the needs of all our students. Through ongoing workshops, one-on-one teacher assistance, and readily available resources, our students are the recipients of valuable strategies to help them be successful, productive individuals.

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WELLNESS

PURSUIT OF HEALTHINESS Plant-based Goodness

Plant-based eating regimens have been around for thousands of years. Human beings operate just as well off of entirely plant-based diets as they do mixed ways of eating, and vegetarian or vegan diets offer a tremendous amount of health benefits. Beyond being a better way of eating for the environment, healthy plant-based diets are also often inexpensive ways of eating. The best part is that vegetarian diets offer a massive variety of foods and lend themselves to nearly any style of cooking. Here are just a few examples of what plant-based eating can do for your health.

Heart Healthy

Nearly all plant-based foods are naturally low in cholesterol and fats, making them perfect for those who have heart issues. With some outliers, like avocado and coconuts, vegetables and fruits have little impact on dietary fats, and even fatty plant foods like those mentioned above are filled with healthy, nutritious fats. In addition, the fiber found in plants, seeds, fruit, and vegetables helps clear the blood of bad cholesterol. Most people don’t get near the 38g of daily fiber recommended, so increasing your plant intake is essential for good heart health.

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Weight Loss

Because plant-based foods are light in calories but nutritionally dense, you can eat significantly more of them at a time to meet your energy needs. However, since they’re so bulky because of their fiber content, they digest slowly and you tend to get much more full off of a big salad than a small piece of meat. The good news is that huge salad can be full of healthy, satisfying veggies, and still have fewer calories than a burger, helping you eat less (in terms of calories) and lose weight.

Stellar Nutrition

Because vegetables, fruits, grains, and nuts are intended to create new plant life, they are nearly complete foods, particularly nuts.

This means they’re full of vitamins and other micronutrients that are essential for health and function. By eating a wide variety of plants, you ensure that your body has all the nutrients it needs for daily life, essential functioning, and good health.

Improved Hormone Balance

In the standard American diet, insulin and leptin, the two hormones that control hunger, are often completely out of whack. A wholefoods, plant-based diet cuts the processed, unhealthy “food” from your plate, replacing it with vibrant, nutritive meals. This makes insulin sensitivity go up in your body, helping

to control or prevent type 2 Diabetes. As leptin increases, your hunger signals start to normalize, helping you eat rationally and based on need, rather than out-of-control hunger signals.

Digestive Health

Diets high in fiber improve the way your digestive system works, in addition to having solid evidence for preventing colon cancer.

Furthermore, high-fiber diets improve the condition and variety of gut flora, making for a more robust immune system.

There are so many reasons to switch to a plant-based diet, from being easier on the environment to a lower grocery bill.

Most importantly, though, is your health.

Vegetarian diets, when full of healthy fruits, vegetables, and grains, provide ample nutrition, keep calories down, and help your body be at its best.

RECIPE

RED CURRY CAULIFLOWER WINGS Summer is in full swing, and that means barbecues, sports, and good old-fashioned get-togethers. With their lightly spicy, Indianinspired boldness, times like that are what these wings were made for. Whether you take them to your next party or save them all for yourself, they’re sure to be a hit.

INGREDIENTS BATTER 3/4 cup brown rice flour or chickpea flour Pinch sea salt 1/2 tsp curry powder 2 tsp tandoori masala spice 1/2 cup unsweetened almond or rice milk 6-8 Tbsp water CAULIFLOWER 1 head cauliflower, large stalks removed, cut or torn into bite-sized pieces SAUCE 1/4 cup red curry paste 2 tsp melted coconut oil 2-3 tsp maple syrup (to taste) Water to thin For this recipe and more, visit minimalistbaker.com.

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FEATURE

SIGNS OF HIS LOVE

By Makala James | FLAME Staff Writer

AARON THOMAS PHOTOGRAPHY

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FEATURE

Overflowing with anger and calloused with pain, Ralph Blank told his wife, “I am not a Christian.” Patricia wept. Early in their relationship, Ralph and Patricia chose to be baptized together. Much had changed since then. Yet even in Ralph’s darkest moments, God had a plan.

“I never argued against the truth,” said Ralph. “I knew that God is good and God is love, but I wanted nothing to do with it.”

Ralph grew up in a household where both of his parents were deaf. It was the act of interpreting that first brought scripture alive for him. By age 16, Ralph started to give Bible studies. He served as an elder and preacher, and even as a keynote speaker in meetings for the deaf. Still, something was missing.

“I had a deep desire to serve Christ, but I can’t say there was a true devotional relationship,” said Ralph. “It became very emptying.”

Ralph hurtled toward a spiritual crisis, but met Patricia before giving up. She challenged him spiritually and he felt a renewed desire to follow God. The two decided to be baptized together, and married that same year.

Still, Ralph struggled to maintain a deep connection with Christ. The problem was exacerbated when the couple experienced tragedy. Seven months into pregnancy with their first child, Patricia and Ralph lost their son in a miscarriage.

“I lost a child, the most horrible and terrible thing one can imagine,” said Ralph.

“I developed a hard edge. The grief turned to anger. I became thoughtless and neglected my own spirituality.”

Patricia eventually gave birth to three children over the next few years and Ralph became obsessed with making money to provide for them.

“I got this idea that, by my own sheer

willpower, I was going to be rich,” said Ralph.

“I spent all my time at work and was exhausted when I was home. I had no time for anybody; certainly not for God.” The more successful Ralph became, the more frustrated and angry he felt. It all came to a breaking point when Ralph suddenly lost his income. Feeling despondent, alone, and angry at God, he stopped going to church.

Shortly after that, he told Patricia: “I am not Christian.”

“A Christian is a disciple of Christ” said Ralph. “I didn’t want to be a hypocrite, so I cut the whole thing. It wasn’t defiance, it just didn’t matter to me. I was empty, I was tired, and I got darker and angrier in my spirit.”

This darkness continued until a friend from Texas began to pressure Ralph into looking for work opportunities in the Austin area, where there is a large Deaf community.

The problem was that Ralph and his family lived in California, had no reliable car, and no money.

With a bad credit score and no money for a down payment, purchasing a car seemed impossible. But, Ralph decided to try anyway.

Against all odds, he found a car and made the journey to Texas. In addition, long-time friends offered Ralph and his family a place to live until they could find a more permanent home. They also helped Ralph set up a job interview, and within a few days of buying a car, Ralph also had a job in Austin.

“I am not superstitious, but I know signs when I see them,” said Ralph.

The next two years in Texas were filled with hope. The family did not practice any faith, but seemed to be led by God. It soon became apparent, however, that Ralph and Patricia needed to remove their children from public school. While searching for schools, Ralph began to look for

a Seventh-day Adventist church. He wasn’t ready to be a Christian, but felt drawn to attend.

“I was basically challenging God to speak to me at this point,” said Ralph. “I missed Him so much. I found the San Marcos church, but didn’t want to know anybody so I always got there late and left early, every single Saturday.”

When Ralph realized that the Seventh-day Adventist Church also had a school, he felt that his children should enroll. They couldn’t afford it, but people in the church took care of Ralph’s family and sponsored his children to attend.

“That was the final blow on the chisel to break through the stony exterior of my heart,” said Ralph. “That God would care enough to lead me to people who care so much about my children.”

The Holy Spirit moved Ralph. He crumbled on the floor, broken and weeping. It was as if God spoke directly to him, showing Ralph how every experience led to this moment. Ralph felt that the time had finally come to return to Christ.

“I cried out, ‘Lord I am your servant, do with me as you will,’” said Ralph. “I am your disciple!”

Ralph decided to be baptized once again, this time with conviction, understanding, and most importantly, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

“God was patient with me,” said Ralph. “I was mad and God could handle it. No matter what you are going through, you can come back. It’s okay. God’s not mad; He loves you.

You can always come back.”

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INSIGHT

WHY GOD? PART II

By Jorge Rico

The Ministry of Jesus

The ministry of Jesus on behalf of His church is understood in light of His description.

John saw Jesus walking in the midst of seven candlesticks and dressed as a High Priest (Rev. 1:13; 2:1). The candlesticks and the priestly garments were used in the earthly sanctuary. Hence, this description connects Jesus with His priestly ministry in the heavenly sanctuary (Heb. 4:14-16; 8:1-5; 9:24). This is significant because it indicates that Jesus’s message for His church comes directly from the heavenly sanctuary where Jesus is ministering on its behalf. What is His message?

The Seven Candlesticks

Jesus’s interpretation of the candlesticks provides three pivotal principles. First, it seems to indicate that John was shown, in his vision, the church as being in heaven.

Through this vision, the Lord is telling Christians that we need to live as being continually in the presence of the Lord. This thought is significant because it assures us that, although the church is physically on earth, it can also be spiritually in heaven through the ministry of Jesus (Eph. 2:6).

Second, by seeing Jesus walking in the midst of the seven candlesticks, the Lord is indicating that He knows His church by heart and that He knows its work well. He knows

everything through the two-edge sword (Rev. 1:16 cf. Heb. 4:12) and eyes like a burning fire (Rev. 1:14 cf. Heb. 4:13).

Third, the church can also be the light of the world as long as Jesus walks in its midst (Rev. 2:5). As one reads the messages to the seven churches, the individual will see how the church has enlightened the world whenever it was in the right relationship with the Lord.

Dressed as High Priest

In his vision, John also saw Jesus dressed an Old Testament high priest (Rev. 1:13). This means that they served as symbols of Jesus Christ, our heavenly High Priest (Heb. 4:1416). In Old Testament days, each time the high priest entered the sanctuary, he carried with him the breast piece girded to his chest by golden girdles (Exo. 28:15-29). Through this process, he brought the children of Israel before the Lord as a perpetual memorial. In like manner, John saw Jesus wearing golden girdles around His chest. As our heavenly High Priest, Christ continually brings His church before the Father as a perpetual memorial. As a result, God sees us through Jesus and imparts His righteousness to us.

The Seven Stars

In Revelation, Jesus is also described as having seven stars on His right hand (Rev. 1:16). Those stars represent the seven angels of the seven churches (Rev. 1:20). This portion of the vision indicates that the angels of the Lord have a special ministry within the Church. They are to minister to the needs of those who will be heirs of salvation (Heb. 1:7, 14). Not only does Jesus intercede for us in heaven, but He also sends His angels to minister to our needs on earth.

Why God?

Through this apocalyptic vision, the Lord is assuring His children that He has not changed. The way He worked to protect and save His people in history is the same way that He will work in the future on their behalf.

Therefore, we shouldn’t be discouraged or dismayed when tested because He is still our High Priest who intercedes.

We are living in times when the assurance and invitation of the Lord is especially needed. Would you like to live as being in the presence of the Lord? Claim God’s promises of intercession and protection for you and your family today!

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BRIDGES

IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA

By Herman Aguilar | Staff Writer Social media is one of the most impactful forms of communication in the world.

However, many churches worldwide neglect its use or even its full potential. Yet, social media can have a positive or negative impact on your church, depending on how it’s used.

Although Millennials and other young people form the largest group of social media users, the fastest growing user base on social media is people aged 65 or older while the most active group on social media is mothers with children under five-years-old.

In other words, social media is a platform used by all kinds of people. This offers a great opportunity for churches to use and optimize the impact of social media to reach more people.

The two most important purposes for using social media in churches is to engage with the congregation and to reach out to new people. Social media is about trust, so starting with your congregation first is a good idea. Engage with them. Post things that are

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relevant to their everyday lives. Interact with them when they update their statuses. One of the best parts of social media is that people give you explicit permission into their lives.

Use that permission to show you value them.

The best way to reach out to new people on social media is to have a viable presence.

Being active on social media and interacting with new people will allow you to build relationships with them, which then helps them feel more comfortable with your church.

The three most popular social media platforms in the world today include Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

Combined, these social media platforms have over 3.6 billion users. That alone should let churches know how many people can and still need to be reached. Finding someone who has experience with how social media works would be a great candidate to run your social media accounts. However, having different people on a social media team can be even more effective, as people like to interact with different types of personalities.

As with everything in life, social media also has some guidelines to live by, so that its use, especially in churches, can be successful.

These five guidelines include: don’t do it all, be yourself, listen, give value, and be consistent. In other words, don’t try and sign

up for every social media account out there.

Just stick to a couple and focus on those. Also, let whoever is running your church’s social media presence know that the best thing they can do is be themselves. People value interaction when you are genuine and truthful with them. Social media can help churches show value to people in many different ways. A simple gesture such as posting an uplifting verse or video to someone’s wall or page can brighten a person’s day. Finally, being consistent on social media is crucial as it builds trust and establishes a deeper connection with your audience.

Chances are that your church is active on social media in some way, but if not, there is no better time to start than now.

Incorporating some of the tips listed above can enable the journey of your church’s social media platform to get off to a fast start, or help your church’s existing social media accounts reach new heights.

WORD OF MOUTH

A Brand New Offering of Adventist Learning Community!

The NEXT STEPS course intends to empower a research-informed, relevant approach to young adult ministry by exploring the Adventist Millennial Study conducted by the Barna Group. Eager to help your local church love young adults better? By the end of NEXT STEPS, you and your team will be able to apply the research findings from the Adventist Millennial Study to young adult ministry in your context. Find NEXT STEPS at nextsteps.ygchurch.com.

“Fact: Millennials are disengaging and leaving the church. Instead of being paralyzed by the problem, take this opportunity to learn from one of the leading voices in Millennial ministry. NEXT STEPS offers an engaging combination of field research and experience-based wisdom to guide you towards a thriving young adult ministry.”

Tara VinCross, DMin Senior Pastor, Azure Hills Church

“Of the many available resources in the Adventist Learning Community [ALC], I believe that NEXT STEPS is one of the most important courses. This research comes readily available in clear, compact, and comprehensive servings.”

Geston Pierre, MDiv Bass Vocalist, Committed Outreach + Social Justice Pastor, Grand Advent Church

“Through NEXT STEPS, I would encourage others to do as I have done and glean from its teaching. Your life and your church will be better for it.”

Roger Hernandez, MDiv Ministerial and Evangelism Coordinator Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

“NEXT STEPS promises to be a transformational process to assist you in taking the young adult ministry you lead to greater success in retaining and reclaiming our most precious resource. Dr. A. Allan Martin is a proven young adult pastor, ministry professional, clinician, and communicator who will make the time you spend in this training a worthwhile investment.”

Willie Oliver, PhD, CFLE Family Ministries Director General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

“Lots of talk and hand-wringing seem to be the typical response to, ‘Youth and young adults are leaving the church.’ NEXT STEPS combines expertise, passion, experience, and research to provide action steps to address this great need.”

Steve Case, PhD Doctor of Ministry Coordinator for Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Andrews University

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HISTORY

UNLEASH YOUR INNER HISTORIAN

By Alfredo Vergel | Public Services Librarian & Ellen White Research Center Director at Southwestern Adventist University

The oft-quoted words “we have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and his teaching in our past history” are as true today as when they were penned by Adventist church pioneer, Ellen G. White. While usually applied to denominational history, they are also relevant to local congregations. Like people, congregations have a life cycle, and their members do well to be familiar with local church history as they strive to stay relevant.

Anyone interested in learning more about the history of their own congregation or of the Adventist church in their town should find this guide to information sources useful.

These are the sources that most often support compelling articles published in this column.

While some of them are only available in print and may require a visit to a library or denominational organization, many are increasingly available online and easily within reach of anyone interested.

Union and Conference Headquarters In-depth research into the history of local congregations may require getting a hold of the minutes of church meetings, as well as membership and school records. Such records are often only available at the Union and Conference offices. Other sources listed here can help with local history and will provide context for it, but Union and Conference offices are the repositories of the most detailed local records.

Southwestern’s Adventist Heritage Center Southwestern Adventist University’s collection of records documenting its

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history and that of Adventism, especially in the American Southwest, is located on the second floor of the Chan Shun Centennial Library and online at library.swau.edu. The collections include records of Southwestern and its predecessors, rare and fragile books, and other published materials related to Seventh-day Adventism and to local history, collections from individuals and organizations related to Southwestern, and containing photographs, documents, letters, and memorabilia, in addition to published volumes and photocopies of transcribed letters and other manuscripts by Ellen White and other Adventist pioneers. Selected items from all of these collections will soon be available in digital format. Email heritage@swau.edu if you need help.

Adventist News and Periodicals For historical church magazines and periodicals (e.g., Southwestern Union Record) available in electronic format, go to the website of the General Conference Office of Archives & Statistics. Recent issues of many Adventist periodicals may be found in their respective websites. For a citation to articles and obituaries in over 40 past and present Seventh-day Adventist journals and magazines, go to the Seventh-day Adventist Periodical Index or obituary index at andrews.edu/library. For prominent news on the church organization, its members, and their activity in the world, visit Adventist News Network at news.adventist.org.

Adventist Datasets For row data about the church, you can use the Adventist Statistics website, where you can search membership statistics of the worldwide church, view maps of the church’s organizational world divisions, and read Church Annual Statistical Reports with data from 1899 to present on worldwide church membership, finances, ministries, employees, educational and healthcare institutions, publishing houses, food industries, Adventist Disaster Relief Agency, and much more.

Forthcoming New Sources Various church entities are currently collaborating to improve access to information and sources related to the Adventist church and its history. One that is already available is the Adventist Digital Library, which provides unlimited access to Adventist historical materials that were formerly only available through a variety of separate sources like the General Conference Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research, the Ellen G. White Estate, the Center for Adventist Research at Andrews University, the Department of Archives and Special Collections at Loma Linda University, and archival collections from other Adventist colleges and universities. The other source that should be available within a couple of years is a free online version of the Seventhday Adventist Encyclopedia that would update the print version last revised in 1996.

If you feel the urge to satisfy your inner historian, use these valuable resources to uncover your local history today!

NEWS

GLOBAL YOUTH DAY 2017 Thousands of Seventh-day Adventists impacted their communities in more than 100 countries on Saturday, March 18 during the annual Global Youth Day event. Young people from around the world went the extra mile doing community service work throughout the month of March. In Australia, they mowed

WORLD CONGRESS FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Do you care about the future of religious freedom, both in North America and around the world?

You won’t want to miss the 8th World Congress for Religious Freedom on Aug. 22-24 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. This year marks the first time this event has been

lawns for neighbors. Taiwanese youth cheered up new friends in nursing homes. In Spain, Madridbased youth ran a “Love Expo” where passersby could learn more about how to express love to others through their own “love language.”

As pictures and videos were shared on social media, the campaign generated an impact of more than 137 million impressions across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

hosted in North America. This event brings together religious freedom advocates from many different countries to focus on crucial issues and challenges. Visit irla.org for more information, registration, and hotel reservations.

STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS ATTEND SONSCREEN FILM FESTIVAL More than 200 student and professional filmmakers and guests attended the 2017 Sonscreen Film Festival held at Loma Linda University in California. The three-day festival, run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America (NAD), screened 39 official selections from student filmmakers. The event culminated with a closing reception and awards ceremony, with 10 student

films garnering awards. For 17 years, Sonscreen has provided young adult filmmakers the opportunity to share their work, learn from professionals, and receive recognition.

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KIDS

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

By Carlos Pasillas | Children’s Pastor at Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church As I was growing up in California, my family and I always enjoyed the outdoors. We spent most of our weekends camping, hiking, and swimming as often as we could. Where I lived in California also had tons of lakes, so we lived in the midst of what we loved the most! On one particular weekend in late July, we had just finished camping and were finally ready to get to the water.

My parents and the parents of my friends took the dedicated path to get down to the water. However, all the kids and I decided to hop rocks the entire way. I remember everyone laughing and having a great time while hopping on these rocks. As we got to the last rock, I jumped as my mom shouted my name. “Carlos!” was all I heard as I turned. It even felt like I was suspended in the air longer than normal.

All the adults had seen something that I hadn’t. At first, I thought I was going to get scolded for jumping rocks with the older boys but then I saw everyone running and cheering.

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My mom had tears in her eyes and she quickly embraced me. I was really confused! Was my mom proud of me jumping those rocks so well? On the contrary, she was praising God because what I didn’t see and everyone else had was a giant rattlesnake coiled up and striking at my leg. If I had jumped just a few seconds later, the snake would have bit me.

My mom later told me that it was a miracle I jumped when I did. God protected me in that moment and I didn’t even notice it.

Can it be that God protects us even when we don’t notice Him? Of course, the Bible is covered with verses that tell us that His angels watch over us. Proverbs 3:24-26 says, “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.” We will never know how many close calls we’ve had like this. One thing we know for sure is that God is always watching over us.

The angels might have to work overtime with some of us, since we often put ourselves in harm’s way. We like to do risky things, yet that’s not what God is asking from us. He watches over us, but we to have to be smart and not put ourselves in too much danger.

God loves us so much that he wants us to be happy and safe. So let’s thank God today for all His invisible care.

Summer Camp 2017 at Lake Whitney Ranch Staff Camp June 4-11 Cub Week June 11-18 Junior Week June 18-25 Tween Week June 25-July 2 Teen Week July 2-9 *Family Week July 9-16 (*minimum of 50 participants in order to hold event) Lake Whitney Ranch Day Camp in the Valley July 16-30 | Monday-Friday | 8:30 am - 5:30 pm Visit YoungTexasAdventist.org for more information

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EVENTS June

3 | San Antonio Area Elder’s Training at San Marcos Seventh-day Adventist Church.

11 | East Texas Area Elder’s Training at Tyler Seventh-day Adventist Church.

July

2 | Dallas-Fort Worth/East Texas Area English Women’s Ministries Leadership Certification Training, Level 4 at the Texas Conference Office in Alvarado.

6 | Central Texas Area English Women’s Ministries Leadership Certification Training, Level 4 at Georgetown Seventh-day Adventist Church.

2-9 | Teen Camp at Lake Whitney Ranch.

12 | Valley Area Church Leadership Summit at Edinburg Seventh-day Adventist Church.

8 | Dallas-Fort Worth Area Elders’ Encounter at Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church.

13 | Dallas-Fort Worth Area Church Treasurer Training at Keene Seventhday Adventist Church.

11-18 | Cub Camp at Lake Whitney Ranch.

9-16 | Family Camp at Lake Whitney Ranch.

20 | Dallas-Fort Worth Area Clerks Training at the Texas Conference Office in Alvarado.

16-17 | Engage Conference Youth Fest at Southwestern Adventist University.

16-30 | Summer Day Camp in the Valley area.

11 | Dallas-Fort Worth/East Texas Area English Women’s Ministries Leadership Certification Training, Level 3 at the Texas Conference Office in Alvarado.

18-25 | Junior Camp at Lake Whitney Ranch.

24 | Houston Area Elders’ Encounter at Houston Central Seventh-day Adventist Church.

25 | Central Texas Area English Women’s Ministries Leadership Certification Training, Level 3 at Georgetown Seventh-day Adventist Church.

25-Jul 2 | Tween Camp at Lake Whitney Ranch.

23 | Houston Area English Women’s Ministries Leadership Certification Training, Level 3 at Houston Central Seventh-day Adventist Church.

29 | San Antonio Area Church Leadership Summit at Scenic Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church.

30 | Valley Area Clerks Training at Edinburg Seventh-day Adventist Church.

August

2-5 | ASI National Convention at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

5 | Austin Area Church Leadership Summit at Austin Spanish First Seventhday Adventist Church.

6 | Houston Area Church Treasurer Training at The Oaks Adventist Academy.

20 | Houston Area English Women’s Ministries Leadership Certification Training, Level 4 at Houston Central Seventh-day Adventist Church.

25-26 | Valley Area Youth Evangelism Training at McAllen Valley Central Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church.

26 | Houston Area Church Leadership Summit at Houston Spanish Spring Branch Seventh-day Adventist Church.

27 | Central Texas Area Church Treasurer Training at Scenic Hills Adventist Academy.

Find registration, information, and more events at TexasAdventist.org.

ADVENT MOVEMENT Employees of the Seventh-day Adventist Church often change leadership positions and areas of responsibility. This section is to help you keep up with who's where in Texas.

FLAME A publication of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Texas

EDITORIAL

Publisher: Carlos Craig Editor: Jason Busch Assistant Editor: Herman Aguilar Spanish Editor: Osvaldo Rigacci Layout & Design: Zack Posthumus | zackpostdesign.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church Advent Project Church Southwestern Adventist University Feature and Profile images by Aaron Thomas Photography | aarontphoto.com Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists PO Box 800, Alvarado, TX 76009 Contact us at 817.790.2255 or visit TexasAdventist.org

Randy Terry

Treasurer Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Deyvy Rodriguez

Field Representative Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Sullivan Dutra

Pastor for Music and Worship Edinburg Seventh-day Adventist Church

Brody Woodard

Pastor Marietta-New Hope and Atlanta Seventh-day Adventist Churches

Sven-Inge Frantzen

Associate Pastor Richardson Seventh-day Adventist Church

Adrian Solis

Pastor Mount Pleasant, Paris, and Cooper Seventhday Adventist Churches

Marshall Gonzales

Pastor Jefferson Central, Longview, and Longview Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Churches

Andy Moseley

Pastor Cedar Park, Georgetown, Round Rock Lightbearers Seventh-day Adventist Churches Associate Pastor San Antonio Laurel Heights Seventh-day Adventist Church

Steve Solero

Associate Pastor/Bible Worker Mission Hope Seventh-day Adventist Church

Fenades Obinchu

Ernesto Illingworth

Pastor Dallas New Life and Dallas International Seventh-day Adventist Churches

President: Carlos Craig Executive Secretary: Elton DeMoraes Treasurer: Randy Terry

PRINTING AND MAILING

Director: Mario Ledezma Pressman: Miguel Gomez Designers: Madelein Terreros, Sora E. YaĂąez Print Shop Assistant: Doug Denny Administrative Assistant: Erica Manzano

Steve Im

Pastor Harlingen and Lyford Seventh-day Adventist Churches

Nahum Mendes

ADMINISTRATION

Pastor Marshall and Linden Seventh-day Adventist Churches

The FLAME is a publication of inspiration and education of the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

It is sent free of charge to all members of the Texas Conference. If you have any questions or comments, please email FLAME@txsda.org.

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Ft. Worth, TX Permit No. 3310

TXCSDA FLAME PO Box 800 Alvarado, TX 76009

august 2-5, 2017 Each year, ASI members, supporters, and friends gather at the ASI International Convention to encourage one another and exchange ideas vital to their lay-driven ministry goals. The annual convention is an energetic, inspiring affair where networks are formed and plans are made that one individual or institution could never accomplish alone.

register now

asiministries.org George R. Brown Convention Center

houston, texas

speakers include:

KYLE ALLEN

shawn boonstra

steve dickman

Mark Finley

todd guthrie

andi hunsaker

james rafferty

Register online: asiministries.org or by phone: 301-680-6450

Lyndi Schwartz

ted wilson