Adventist News
New Pastoral Faces Join the Minnesota Conference
– July 11, 2024
Minnesota Conference leaders are thrilled to introduce several new faces on our pastoral team who are bringing a wealth of experience and passion to their respective roles. After months of prayer and searching we are finally almost finished filling our open positions and we are thankful for God’s leading in our conference. First off, we extend a warm welcome to Pastor Rachel Hyman, who has taken on the responsibility of starting a church plant in Blaine. With over 20 years of experience in preaching, marketing, evangelism and strategic planning, Rachel’s expertise will undoubtedly contribute to the growth of our community, particularly as we continue to strive for multicultural inclusion. Joining us in the Andover/Cambridge district is Pastor Ingrid Moon, who boasts two decades of ministry experience and a background in education. Her focus on leadership and discipleship, coupled with her ongoing participation in the Masters in Pastoral Ministry (MapMin) program, promises exciting developments for our congregation. From Brazil, we’re pleased to introduce Pastor Tony Ferreira, who will be leading the St. Cloud district. With over 30 years of diverse leadership experience spanning church planting, evangelism, pastoral care and academic instruction, Tony brings a global perspective and depth of knowledge to his new role. In the Brainerd district, we welcome Pastor Josh Jeresek and his wife Emily, who together bring 15 years of ministry experience. Their commitment to service, along with their upcoming enrollment in the MapMin program, reflects a dedication to personal and professional growth as they embark on this new chapter. Since mid-November, Pastor Pete Maldonado has been serving diligently in The Way district, drawing upon over two decades of pastoral experience. His passion for youth, marriage and families at risk, coupled with his wife Virginia’s invaluable contributions, enriches our community and outreach efforts. We also extend our gratitude to Pastor Lester Bentley, who has been leading the Bemidji church district since October. A Minnesota native with a strong foundation in scripture and teaching, Pastor Lester’s presence strengthens our spiritual journey as we navigate everyday life. Additionally, we acknowledge Pastor Daniel Hauck and his family, who have transitioned to the Pipestone church district as of January, and express our appreciation for their ongoing commitment to our conference. Furthermore, we celebrate the growth of our community with the appointment of Pastor Rachan Ritti-traiphop, who is serving in the St. Paul area and contributing to the flourishing Hmong congregation. Lastly, we extend heartfelt thanks to our dedicated conference office staff for their unwavering support during a challenging period of transition. Their resilience and hard work have ensured the smooth operation of our conference, laying the foundation for continued growth and success. As we move forward, let us embrace the diverse talents and experiences of our pastoral team, united in our shared mission to serve and strengthen our community. Together, we look forward to the journey ahead, guided by faith and fellowship.
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Hispanic Members Experience the “Staircase of Belief” in Rome
– July 11, 2024
In March, a group of Hispanic members of the Kansas-Nebraska Conference had the opportunity to take a trip to learn about the Protestant Reformation. Many of them were taught in the traditions of the Catholic Church and had dreamed of taking a trip to Rome and climbing the Scala Santa. For many Catholics, traveling to Rome and being able to ascend the Scala Santa staircase on their knees is as essential as for a Muslim to be able to go, at least once in their life, to Mecca or for a Jew to be able to go pray at the Wailing Wall. However, they were there not to climb it on their knees but to thank God for Christ Jesus and the power in His Word. Although there is no written documentation, tradition says that Helen, the mother of Emperor Constantine and an avid collector of relics of Jesus in the 4th century, had the ladder with 28 steps brought from Jerusalem in the year 326. Tradition says it is the same ladder as Jesus went up on Friday before being condemned by Pilate and crucified. The marble staircase was covered with wood in 1723 due to the wear and tear on the marble from the number of people who climbed it on their knees daily. In the wood, there are small glass windows through which one can see, according to tradition, where drops of Jesus’ blood fell on the marble. People usually kiss these little windows while they ascend on their knees and pray on each of its 28 steps. In 1510, a young Catholic priest seeking inner peace was sent to Rome. Martin Luther believed it was necessary to follow the customs of pilgrims, and, among other things, he climbed the Scala Santa on his knees, praying for Our Father on each step. It is said that during his ascension he remembered in a contradictory way the quote from the apostle Paul: “The righteous will live by faith.” And standing up with shame of his beliefs and confusion, he walked down the stairs and returned to Wittenberg, Germany. There he devoted himself to studying the Holy Scriptures and found the peace he sought. Luther dedicated all his strength to preaching that peace, summarized in a famous phrase: When I look at myself, I see it is impossible to save myself; When I look at Christ, I see it is impossible to lose myself. Humans naturally look at ourselves and judge whether we are worthy of entering heaven. And what’s worse, we often compare ourselves to other people to convince ourselves that we are good enough to be saved. We can spend our lives doing this, climb a Scala Santa, or pray in some particular place, believing that this puts us in a better position before the Judge. But none of this will give us peace or salvation. That is why Jesus repeated the same thing so many times: TRUST ME. Our eyes must look to Jesus daily to learn that we can trust Him with everything. When the trip concluded we all returned, like Luther, with the conviction to continue preaching the gospel of peace, the message of Christ: TRUST ME.
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Covenant Church Celebrates Haitian Flag Day
– July 4, 2024
Haitian Flag Day is a vibrant holiday celebrated worldwide by Haitians as a time to showcase their national pride and honor the country’s rich heritage, resilience, and revolutionary spirit. This day offers a fantastic evangelism opportunity for the Covenant Seventh-Day Adventist Church located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Every year, the church hosts an exciting picnic for the Haitian community, transforming this special day into an unforgettable experience. The event is marked by the deaconesses’ culinary skills as they prepare an array of delicious dishes that reflect the rich Haitian culture and heritage. The youth contribute by playing music that poignantly depicted Haiti’s historical struggles and triumphs. The elders play a crucial role in making the event accessible to all, offering transportation to ensure everyone— regardless of their ability to drive—can partake in the festivities. This year, the picnic drew an impressive crowd of over 300 attendees. Church members hope to continue to highlight the importance of this celebration not only for those who migrate to the Cedar Rapids area but also for those who contribute to the community.
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Topeka Church Celebrates 50 Years The Adventists' journey in Topeka
– June 27, 2024
In the early 1870’s Seventh-day Adventists from around Topeka, Kansas, were organized into a church. They met in rented buildings until 1882 when they moved into their own large frame church downtown which served them well for nearly a hundred years. Following evangelistic meetings in 1927 the building needed to be enlarged, so this was accomplished by lifting the church off its foundation and turning it to run east and west. Large, well-lighted rooms were made in the basement for the church school and Sabbath school rooms. However in 1954 an opportunity came to buy the Quinton Heights Elementary school building, so the rooms in the basement could then be used exclusively for Sabbath school. The Quinton Heights school was old when they bought it, and no amount of repairs seemed to be able to hold it together too long. With the encouragement of Elder S. S. Will, the current conference president, a vote was taken at a church business meeting on June 11, 1967, to buy land for a new church school. A 10-acre building site was located west of Topeka on a gravel road running through farm land, and was purchased for $9,000. Pastor Fred Schultz did much of the work himself and urged the members with expertise in carpentry to donate labor as well as funds, and in the fall of 1968 the Topeka Church School on Wanamaker Road was ready for the boys and girls. The members knew they had outgrown the old church, but churches aren’t bought and sold every day. So God’s providence was evident again when in 1970 before they advertised the church for sale, the church board was offered $30,000 for the old church building down town. With a few tears and regrets from the old-time members, the church on the corner of 5th and Western was sold with the provision that the Adventists could continue to use it for 18 months or until they could get a new church built. At least they had land beside the new school where the church could be constructed. Pastor Dwight Taylor, the volunteers and hired contractors worked together, and the building slowly took shape. The final building cost was about $165,000. By 1974 everything was in readiness, and on March 23 the happy people braved an early spring snowstorm for the first meeting in the new church. That was 50 years ago this year, so on March 16, 2024, there was a big anniversary celebration where current and former members joined in reminiscing and sharing memories of God’s providence in choosing the site on a gravel road west of town which today is a five-lane busy thoroughfare. Of course through the years there have been changes on the inside of the building, but the mission is still the same–to have a place to bring families and friends for fellowship, study of God’s Word and progression of spiritual maturity. What has God wrought!
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Blogs
The Teacher’s Notes–Controversies, Lesson 3 Adult Bible Study Guide, 2024 3Q, "The Book of Mark"
– July 13, 2024
Sabbath School Lesson for July 13-19, 2024 Overviews of Lesson 3, Controversies Memory Text: “And He said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.’ ” Mark 2:27, 28 NKJV Before Jesus made the astonishing statement about the Sabbath being for man in Mark 2:27, religious leaders expressed alarm about His healing on the Sabbath and about His disciples plucking grains of wheat to eat while walking through a field on the Sabbath. Both behaviors ran counter to prescribed ways they had determined the Sabbath was to be kept. Like most of us, Jesus encountered controversy during the time He spent on earth. It’s helpful to see how He handled the daily back-and-forth disagreements that interrupted His ministry. Both His church family and close relatives had concerns about the way He chose to live and serve God. It’s helpful to know how Jesus patiently countered these critics, using their claims as story links that helped reinforce His message. His thought-provoking questions were also meant to pierce the heart and change minds. The second and third chapters of Mark provide us with insight into the nature and role of the Messiah. It was obvious that His critics, after years of false ideas and relying on tradition, were the slowest to understand Him. These two chapters will open our eyes and help us see how… Sunday: Healing a Paralytic–Jesus forgave the sins of a paralytic lowered through the roof. Monday: Calling Levi and the Question of Fasting–Jesus wasn’t afraid to eat and socialize with tax collectors like Matthew. Tuesday: The Lord of the Sabbath–By healing someone on the Sabbath, Jesus showed us that it was acceptable to help others on that day. Wednesday: Sandwich Story: Part 1–Scribes and Pharisees thought Jesus was of the devil. Thursday: Sandwich Story: Part 2–Jesus’ mother and brothers thought He was crazy. Sunday: Healing a Paralytic Many teaching nuggets are in the heartwarming story about a paralytic, who was lowered through the roof of a crowded house to be healed. But one aspect of the story proved to be problematic for Jesus at the time. Jesus, understanding the sin-sick paralytic’s spiritual need, first forgave him, relieving his guilt-ridden heart. This was utter blasphemy in the thoughts of some in the crowd. Only God could forgive sin, they rightfully claimed. Jesus, reading their cynical doubts about who He was, called them out and proceeded to do something much greater. He told the paralytic to get up and walk; which he did, amazing them all. By making someone walk by the power of God, they should have had confidence that this itinerant preacher was the Messiah. Being God in the flesh, He also had the power to forgive sin. Bible Verses to Explore: Mark 2:1-12 and Psalm 103:3 How was this healing problematic for Jesus? How did it prove the divinity of Christ? Mark 2:8 Besides forgiving and healing the paralytic, what other indication is given in the story that Jesus was actually God in the flesh? Micah 6:8 Why were the religious leaders so blind about who Jesus was? What three things did they lack? Monday: Calling Levi and the Question of Fasting More controversies erupted when the religious leaders noticed that Jesus was associating with known sinners. The fact that Matthew Levi, the son of Alphaeus, was a tax collector, automatically made him guilty of theft. Many tax collectors of the time certainly overcharged people, in order to make themselves rich. It was troublesome that Jesus had actually called Matthew, a tax collector, to be one of His disciples. And to make matters worse, He chose to dine with him and other tax collector friends–something that was forbidden by Jesus’ critics. When questioned about this “unholy” behavior, Jesus explained that His purpose was to save sinners, much the same as a doctor heals sick people. Shouldn’t a doctor go where sick people are? There was also the question of fasting. Jesus’ disciples didn’t fast, as the Pharisees, and even John’s disciples, did. But Jesus pointed out that those with the bridegroom certainly wouldn’t fast at the wedding feast. There would be plenty of time for fasting, Jesus added, when the Bridegroom was no longer with them–speaking of His coming death. Bible Verses to Explore: Mark 2:13-17 How did Jesus justify eating and befriending sinners? How and why should we associate with secular, worldly people, and those of other faiths? Mark 2:18-20 Why didn’t the disciples need to fast? Mark 2:21-22 How did this culturally-driven illustration help them understand that Jesus, the “new”, did not fit into their “old” ideas and practices? What was “new” about Jesus, and what was “old” about their traditions? Tuesday: The Lord of the Sabbath Jewish tradition determined that there were 39 kinds of labor prohibited on the Sabbath. One of them was plucking, or harvesting, grain. Jesus defended His disciples for doing this on the Sabbath by reminding them of what David’s men did when they were hungry. See Mark 2:23-28. But later, the scribes and Pharisees began to question Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath after healing a man’s withered hand in the synagogue. People were drawn so much to His miracles of healing that they thought this would be an excellent way to make Jesus look bad to the people and question His authority. Jesus, however, countered their argument with the question, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” (Mark 3:4). Matthew’s account includes that Jesus also asked them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out?” (Matthew 12:11). Besides using story illustrations, these incidents show that Jesus also used emotionally-piercing questions to handle controversy. Bible Verses to Explore: Mark 2:23-28 What did the disciples’ behavior actually tell us about The Teacher’s Notes–Controversies, Lesson 3 Adult Bible Study Guide, 2024 3Q, “The Book of Mark”“>Read more…
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The Teacher’s Notes–A Day in the Ministry of Jesus, Lesson 2 Adult Bible Study Guide, 2024 3Q, "The Book of Mark"
– July 6, 2024
Sabbath School Lesson for July 6-12, 2024 Overview of Lesson 2, A Day in the Ministry of Jesus Memory Text: “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’ ” Mark 1:17 NKJV The second half of Mark’s first chapter reveals a typical day in the life of Jesus during His ministry. His days were spent gathering and training disciples, teaching in the synagogues, visiting the homes of His friends, healing the sick. And, to fuel all this evangelism, He managed to reserve hours of private prayer time with His Father. Other Gospel writers concentrate on just one of these activities to introduce His ministry. Matthew, for example, has Jesus calling His disciples, and then preaching His signature Sermon on the Mount. Luke, on the other hand, presents Jesus’ teaching in His hometown of Nazareth, which resulted in His unexpected rejection there. And, John, pictures Him calling disciples and performing a miracle at a wedding in Cana. Mark’s emphasis on action-packed adventure, especially involving miracles of healing and casting out demons, might be expected of a follower of Jesus so young. In all, the Gospel of Mark provides a comprehensive description of Jesus’ itinerant ministry, one that has significantly changed the world for all time. We will explore these topics during the week: Sunday: “Follow Me”–What attracted His first disciples to follow Him? Monday: An Unforgettable Worship Service–Why were people so amazed at the synagogue in Capernaum? Tuesday: More Sabbath Ministry–What can we learn about how Jesus healed the sick? Wednesday: The Secret of Jesus’ Ministry–Why is praying to God so important to us, and those we serve? Thursday: Can You Keep a Secret?–Why was it hard to keep Jesus’ identity a secret, and why did Jesus sometimes request silence from those He healed? Sunday: “Follow Me” It must have been thrilling to young Mark that, seemingly, the first men Jesus found to join His ministry were strong, physically-active, common laborers like the fishermen–Andrew, Simon, James, and John. These two sets of brothers may have been fishing partners working their nets together by the Sea of Galilee, when they were captivated by the unusual invitation of Jesus to become fishers of men. Luke 5:1-11 provides the added details of a miracle that day. Jesus, after speaking to a crowd from one of their boats, told Simon to go out into the deep and cast their net again. Simon Peter expressed doubt, because they had fished all night and had caught nothing, but they, nevertheless, did as Jesus suggested. After catching so many fish their net was about to break and their boat sink, Jesus announced that if they followed Him, they would become fishers of men. Bible Verses to Explore: Mark 1:16-20 What did Jesus mean by saying they would become “fishers of men”? In what way would that invitation appeal to these fishermen? Luke 5:1-11 How do you understand Peter’s statement about wanting the Lord to depart from him? What was he really saying about Jesus, and himself? Monday: An Unforgettable Worship Service The next verses in Mark 1:21-28 describe one of the ways Jesus reached the people. He taught in their synagogues. It was the kind of teaching that got attention, because His words seemed to carry so much authority. People were amazed at His understanding of Scripture. Of course, the One who inspired the Scriptures would naturally be the best one to interpret them. Mark then told us of a man with an unclean spirit, who cried out forcefully in the synagogue at Capernaum, asking Jesus to leave, because he knew this new Teacher was “the Holy One of God”. When Jesus told the demon to come out of the man, he was instantly silenced, astonishing those in their worship service. Jesus even had authority over Satan’s demonic angels. Bible Verses to Explore: Mark 1:21-22 What kind of authority did Jesus have when He taught in the synagogue? Mark 1:23-24 Why were the demons who possessed the man so afraid of Jesus? Mark 1:25-28 What caused the increase in Jesus’ fame around Galilee? Why did people want to hear and be near Him? Tuesday: More Sabbath Ministry Sabbath keepers, even today, enjoy gathering in the homes of friends for a meal and fellowship after the worship service. Jesus, likewise, went to the home of Peter and Andrew, along with James and John, after worshiping in the synagogue one Sabbath. Their hearts sank when they discovered that Peter’s mother-in-law was sick with a fever. Back then, a fever often led to death, so it was with anxiety that they gave Jesus the sad news. Jesus, out of love and mercy, quickly came to her, took her hand, healing her at once. Happily, she was well enough to help serve their meal. By sunset, when the Sabbath hours were over, word had spread about Jesus’ miracle in the synagogue. There was a great gathering of those who were sick or demon-possessed outside Peter’s door. Jesus was especially quick, Mark reports, to heal those who were demon-possessed; because those demons, like the one in church that Sabbath, would noisily reveal who He was, and it wasn’t time for that news to get out. His ministry needed to continue unheeded by those who would eventually cut it short by crucifying Him. Bible Verses to Explore: Mark 1:29-30 What does this healing tell us about Jesus, and what does it tell us about ourselves when we are sick? Mark 1:31-34 Was it selfish of the people to come to Jesus for the purpose of healing? Why does healing, or the need of it, fill us with a desire to be near God? Wednesday: The Secret of Jesus’ Ministry Mark, who seems so eager to share the action-packed episodes of Jesus’ ministry, does not neglect to tell us about His solitary prayer life that empowered everything He did. Mark 1:35-39 noted that Jesus rose earlier than anyone, long before daylight, in order to have distraction-free time to The Teacher’s Notes–A Day in the Ministry of Jesus, Lesson 2 Adult Bible Study Guide, 2024 3Q, “The Book of Mark”“>Read more…
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The Teacher’s Notes–The Beginning of the Gospel, Lesson 1 Adult Bible Study Guide, 2024 3Q, "The Book of Mark"
– June 29, 2024
Sabbath School Lesson for June 29-July 5, 2024 Overview of Lesson 1, The Beginning of the Gospel Memory Text: “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.’ ” Mark 1:14, 15 NKJV The subject of Jesus’ preaching seems to be exactly that of John the Baptist. They both came to share the gospel of salvation, proclaiming that people should repent of their sins, in order to be ready for God’s kingdom. All the authors of the New Testament either had firsthand knowledge of Jesus’ brief life on earth (such as the disciple gospel writers, Matthew and John), or mostly knew Him secondhand (such as with the gospel writers Luke and Mark). Apparently, Mark was a companion of both Paul and Peter. We, therefore, have great confidence in Mark’s rather short record of Jesus’ life. We, too, know that Mark was a failed missionary at first. Like many of the disciples, he had some growing to do. But, in the end, he was successful in his appointed work of sharing God’s Word, as he does so effectively with his writing of this gospel. Here’s what the week’s study of Mark 1:1-15 will include: The Failed Missionary (Sunday)–How was Mark a disappointment with his first missionary attempts? A Second Chance (Monday)–Why was Mark given a second chance, and by whom? The Messenger (Tuesday)–How important was the ministry of John the Baptist? Jesus’ Baptism (Wednesday)–What was the purpose and result of Jesus’ baptism? The Gospel According to Jesus (Thursday)–What exactly was Jesus preaching in Galilee? Sunday: The Failed Missionary Mark is thought to be John Mark, referred to in Acts 12:12. After the resurrection, when Peter had been thrown in jail by Herod, the house of John Mark’s mother was fervently praying for Peter’s safety. Suddenly, Peter showed up at their door, surprising them all with the story of his miraculous rescue by an angel. The writers of the Gospels seem to want to keep Jesus foremost in their stories, so they typically used anonymous ways to inject themselves into their own stories. John, for example, called himself “the disciple whom Jesus loved”, not revealing the name John even once in his gospel record (John 13:23, 19:26, 20:2, and 21:20). Mark may also have identified himself earlier in his own narrative in the curious, stand-alone verse of Mark 14:51. Here he may have been describing himself as the “certain young man [who] followed Him [after Jesus was arrested in Gethsemane] having a linen cloth thrown around” him, which was torn off as he fled the mob. Knowing about his young age might help explain why Mark left his cousin, Barnabas (Colossians 4:10), and Paul on their first missionary trip to Cyprus. He most likely was still young, because he was referred to as an assistant (Acts 13:1-5). Although we aren’t given a reason for his hasty return home, the issue caused enough distress between Paul and Barnabas that they afterward went separate ways, when Barnabas wanted Mark to accompany them on their next missionary journey. Bible Verses to Explore: Acts 12:12, Colossians 4:10, and Mark 14:51 How do these verses help us identify the author of Mark? Acts 13:1-5, 13 What caused Paul and Barnabas to go separate ways after that first journey together? How might we justify such a response to the problem, and in what other ways might it have been handled? Monday: A Second Chance Missionary life is often difficult, but Paul revealed that it was especially hard for those first Christian missionaries. They suffered beatings, imprisonment, dangerous travel, robbery, and other distressing circumstances (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). For whatever reason, John Mark decided to return home and did not complete his first missionary assignment with Paul and Barnabas. We know Barnabas trusted the young assistant cousin enough though to request his aid again on their next journey. Paul, however, was not willing at the time to have him, It caused enough strife among the two evangelists that they thought it wise to split into two teams on their next missionary trip. Evidently, Barnabas’ willingness to give John Mark a second chance was a move that paid off. Mark later became a trusted companion to both Paul and Peter. Giving someone a second chance, in many cases, is not a bad choice. After all, God does it all the time with us. Bible Verses to Explore: Acts 15:36-39 Why do you think Barnabas wanted his cousin John Mark along that second time, and why was Paul so opposed to the idea? How willing are you to give people second chances? Give examples. 2 Timothy 4:11, Philemon 23, 24, and 1 Peter 5:13 What does Paul calling Mark his “fellow laborer”, and Peter referring to Mark as “my son”, tell us about Mark’s later success as a missionary? Tuesday: The Messenger Mark dives into his action-packed narrative without any details about Jesus’ lineage or miraculous birth. For him, the real journey began with the unusual messenger, John the Baptist. Amos 3:7 tells us that God does nothing without revealing it to His servants the prophets. As Jesus’ ministry drew near, a messenger was sent in the person of John the Baptist to prepare people for Him by calling them to repentance. The prophet Isaiah revealed that there would be a voice, crying in the wilderness, to help prepare the way of the Lord (Isaiah 40:3). Mark 1:2, 3 even quotes that verse. John the Baptist indeed was God’s messenger at the appointed time before Christ’s ministry began. Mark described this unusual prophet as a man clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, who ate locusts and honey in that wilderness setting (Mark 1:6). The ancient prophet Elijah, likewise, was said to be a hairy man with a leather belt around his waist (2 Kings 1:8). His task was The Teacher’s Notes–The Beginning of the Gospel, Lesson 1 Adult Bible Study Guide, 2024 3Q, “The Book of Mark”“>Read more…
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The Teacher’s Notes–The Triumph of God’s Love, Lesson 13 Adult Bible Study Guide, 2024 2Q, "The Great Controversy"
– June 22, 2024
Sabbath School Lesson for June 22-28, 2024 Overview of Lesson 13, The Triumph of God’s Love Memory Verse: “And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’ ” Revelation 21:3, 4 NKJV Sometimes we forget that the most appealing thing about heaven is that it brings us so close to our victorious God, whose strong, steadfast love has made it possible to be there. Having mansions, beautiful gardens, tame wildlife to entertain us, and the most delectable cuisine to feast upon is nothing, compared with the joy of being friends with the Creator of the universe on such a deep, personal level. Dwelling with him and being His people in that glorious atmosphere also means that pain, sorrow, and death will be eliminated from our lives forever. Our past difficulties will have melted away from our minds to the extent that they no longer cause us crying or distress of any kind. Jesus Himself will wipe away our tears with His tender hands that still bear the scars of His sacrifice for us. The whole purpose of studying about closing events in the book of Revelation is to give us hope and a tiny glimpse of such a marvelous future and what it will mean for all of God’s creatures. Read chapters 39-42 of The Great Controversy for more hope and inspiration about this week’s topic. Sunday: Hope in the Time of Trouble–How will we be shielded from it? Monday: Hope in Jesus’ Soon Return–Why do we cling to this “blessed hope”? Tuesday: The Millennium on Earth–What does Satan do during the millennium? Wednesday: Judgment in the Millennium–What will we be doing during the millennium? Thursday: Two Eternities–Why will the entire universe rejoice over both destinies of man (salvation of the righteous and destruction of the wicked) Sunday: Hope in the Time of Trouble Most people feel like they’ve had enough trouble during their own lifetime, but the seven last plagues that fall just prior to Christ’s return will be something more dreadful than we’ve ever experienced before on this planet (Daniel 12:1). Remembering the plagues that fell on Egypt during Moses’ day gives us a small idea of how terrible it will be in the future. Surely, the plagues described in Revelation 16 will be dreadful indeed. Jesus gave us two reasons not to fear these disastrous events though. He said first in Matthew 24:22 that for our sakes those troubled days at the end will be shortened. And just before He left His disciples to go to heaven, He promised that He, through the Holy Spirit, would be with them and us to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). At the end of Revelation we find that not only will Jesus come, but He’ll come quickly, and His grace is always with His children; that would mean even through the dreaded plagues (Revelation 22:20, 21). Our hope, therefore, extends beyond our desire for the Second Coming and the resurrection of our loved ones. The faith and hope needed to get us through the predicted time of trouble has also been promised and is greatly appreciated by God’s people. Bible Verses: Revelation 22:11, 12, Daniel 12:1, 2, and Jeremiah 30:5-7 Why do you think probation will be closed, when our final destiny is determined, just before the last plagues fall and Jesus comes again? Philippians 4:3, Revelation 13:8, 20:12, 15, and 22:19 Who are the ones whose names are in the Book of Life, and why is this Book mentioned so many times in Revelation when talking about our final judgment? 1 John 3:1-3 and Revelation 3:10-12 What will our lives be like now, if our names are in the Book of Life? Psalm 27:5 and 91:1-11 How are we protected now and especially during the time of trouble? Monday: Hope in Jesus’ Soon Return Ever since Jesus’ resurrection and return to heaven in the clouds, His disciples have longed for His promised return. This is truly the desire of all ages: for the final conflict between Christ and Satan to be over. We are confident in His victory over our adversary, the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10). It’s been estimated that one in 25 verses in the New Testament talks about the return of Jesus. Surely one of the most beloved passages in the Bible about our hope for the Second Coming comes from the Lord Himself in John 14:1-3. He says confidently that He will come, and Paul assures us that we can be ready for Him (Titus 2:11-14). Both messages are comforting to hear. There will be a marked difference in the reaction of people when Jesus does return, however. Many will want to hide from Him (as Adam and Eve did in the Garden), and others will be overjoyed and thankful for the event. Will we be filled with fear and guilt, or with joy and peace when that time comes? The choice is ours, Bible Verses: John 14:1-3 and Titus 2:11-14 What is most comforting to you in these verses? Revelation 6:15-17, 19:7, and Isaiah 25:8, 9 Why do people react so differently to the Second Coming when it actually happens? Tuesday: The Millennium on Earth When Revelation 20:1-3 tells us about a “bottomless pit” that the devil is bound and cast into, many people think of an actual hole in the ground, a subterranean cavern of some kind where Satan will spend a thousand years. However, the word for this bottomless pit, or “abyss”, is the same word used in talking about the formation of the earth in the beginning. Genesis describes how the earth was “without form, and void” The Teacher’s Notes–The Triumph of God’s Love, Lesson 13 Adult Bible Study Guide, 2024 2Q, “The Great Controversy”“>Read more…
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Changing Careers
– July 11, 2024
It’s no secret that the country is in a national teacher shortage. Education Week recently reported that this past year there were 55,000 vacant teacher positions in the United States. As more teachers are retiring, fewer university students are pursuing a career in teaching. Adventist education is not exempt from this situation. There is a growing need for more individuals who are willing to consider a change in career. As you read the following stories of individuals who have done this very thing, prayerfully consider if the Lord could be leading you to the classroom. Mr. Andrew Boaz – Sunnydale Adventist Academy Mr. Andrew Boaz teaches History, Government, and Vocational technology at Sunnydale Adventist Academy. The students in his classroom would probably be surprised to learn that teaching wasn’t Mr. Boaz’s first career. Andrew actually worked as an industrial and commercial electrician and acquired a journeyman electric license long before becoming a teacher. It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy working in construction. In fact, he found great satisfaction in his work. Looking back, Andrew realized there were a series of experiences the Lord used to guide him into teaching. At age 38, he returned to college considering a career in social work or law enforcement but as God led, Andrew realized he could have a greater impact as a teacher. Andrew began his teaching journey in the public school system where he worked with second-chance students, the majority of whom had been in trouble with the law. He taught at three Adventist schools before coming to Sunnydale. When asked about his calling to teaching, Andrew said, “God is using me at Sunnydale Academy, in the same way that He is using all teachers, staff, pastors and individuals who are working for Him. God takes their personality, their skills, their talents, and creates in them someone who can draw others to Him.” Mr. Boaz reminds anyone who is considering changing careers that God can take all the experience and wisdom you learned in your first career and use it in the classroom. Mrs. Julie Olson – Andrews Christian Academy In my first career, I was a neonatal nurse at the University of Iowa. I worked 10 years in this field and really enjoyed it. There were a couple of things that inspired me to make a change. First, there was my dear fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Anderson. She often said I was equipped to be a teacher. I loved teaching my little sisters and would often have “school” for all the neighborhood kids. However, when I went to college I decided on nursing. I was incredibly shy and it was a major where I didn’t have to take speech class! Fast forward a few years and I had a family and chose to stay home and raise my four children. When it became necessary for me to go back to work, I knew it would be challenging to have a nurse’s schedule and get them to church school and be with them in the summer. I remembered what my teacher had said and was really impressed to go back to school to complete the courses I needed to be a teacher. Mrs. Anderson was still my greatest cheerleader! I have just completed my 18th year of teaching. My children have long grown up, and here I am still teaching at Andrews Christian Academy in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and loving it! Our schools are evangelism in action every day. I may not be comfortable doing door to door witnessing, but there is nothing I love more than sharing the love of Jesus with my students every day and weaving it throughout our lessons! We don’t have to go far away to be a missionary—God is bringing His dear children to us, especially the immigrant and refugee families we serve. If you feel God nudging you to be a teacher, know that He will equip you. I even passed speech at 40! I have never regretted following God’s prompting. Being a nurse was right for that specific time in my life, and as life changed I feel God led me to a career that I enjoyed, that worked well for my family—and it is such a precious ministry.
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Authentic Leadership Series #3 - Healthy Processes
– July 11, 2024
How to become an authentic Chistian leader is, I believe, in the heart of each person reading this article. For some of you, it might not have dawned on you that you are indeed a leader! Whether it is at work where team members depend on you, or in the family circle, or as part of a team taking a troop of Pathfinders to Gillette, Wyoming, you are a leader! In previous articles, I focused on the first two requirements for authentic leadership: self-awareness and transparency. In this article, I want to write about the third tenet of authentic leadership: healthy processes. Have you ever stood in line at the DMV and said to yourself, “There has got to be a better way to get this done!” We can see quite easily whether or not processes are being handled efficiently. When processes are not being handled well, much stress can come to both the provider and consumer. Sadly, it is often people who have no control over the process who end up dealing with the frustration and anger that come from the consumer. I was in the Madison, Wisconsin, airport one day waiting to board my flight to Chicago. Suddenly, without any explanation given, the gate agent announced our flight had been canceled. I watched as this poor lady worked with one abusive passenger after another trying to help rearrange their travel plans. The line of disgruntled travelers was long, and the frustration was getting worse by the minute. I thought to myself, “Something is broken in their process for helping stranded passengers.” Pillar #3 Having healthy operating processes is essential both when things are going smoothly and during times of crises. An authentic leader must always own the need for good, thoughtful processes. To have healthy processes takes time and strategic planning. Good processes rarely happen by accident; they only come through thoughtful and collegial planning. In addition, a healthy process in the way volunteers or employees are dealt with is essential as well. Making sure your people are informed and cared for is a must. If your volunteers or employees are not taken care of, it is more likely your endeavor will run into great difficulty or even fail. And of course a healthy process for initially finding your volunteers or employees is extremely importnat. Getting the wrong person on your team can be devastating to the overall health of your workforce and your ability to align your values and mission along the way. In the end, healthy processes come about by having a thoughtful way to make decisions. Here are some reliable steps for making decisions you might find useful in your ministry endeavors. Recognize and name the challenges you are facing. Spend time articulating your needs and how they relate to your mission. Gather all the data you need for making an informed decision. This is true whether you are talking about a particular function that needs to be more efficient or a personnel decision. Put together a list of all your options. This includes even options you know are bad ones. Sometimes compiling a list of every permutation you can think of is a healthy things to do. Consider each option very carefully. Identify your goals, then make sure you understand and prioritize your workplace values. Think about feasibility, acceptability and sustainability. Finally, make your decision. The worst decision you could make is no decision. A leader must be willing to take appropriate action. As the process moves forward, be flexible. You will always have a few curve balls thrown your way so be ready to adjust. Healthy processes can bless everyone. They bless the leader, the team, and especially those whom you are serving. Mission happens at its best when good processes are in place. I truly marvel at all the tremendous ministry taking place in Mid-America territory, including the many ministries at our schools, churches, camps and institutions. It is a joy to see the leadership at each of these places working to fulfill our mission to help prepare people for Christ’s soon return. In the last installment about authentic leadership, we will look at including a moral perspective in all we do as leaders.
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Kids Corner Fiery Fears
– July 4, 2024
When I was in the 3rd or 4th grade, our school invited some local firemen to visit and share with the school about fire safety. We learned to “Stop, Drop, and Roll” if you catch on fire, and then time was spent on what to do if a house ever caught on fire. They showed an instructional video detailing how you needed to keep your bedroom doors closed at night and could use the back of your hand to test for heat before potentially opening the door to escape. They explained where smoke detectors needed to be placed and how often to check and change the batteries. They emphasized the importance of crawling along the ground because smoke rises, so it’s easier to breathe when you’re close to the ground. They recommended that each family determine an exit plan should a fire occur and practice that exit plan to make sure that everyone could safely escape the house. Now I have always had a very healthy imagination and this fire presentation did not help it. I became very scared and anxious about my house catching on fire! My family didn’t have an exit plan–what if our house caught on fire?! One of my friends came over after school and we actually practiced taking the screens off of my bedroom window, climbing out the window, and safely jumping to the ground should there be a fire. Now, if my house was going to burn down, I needed to have my most precious things collected and ready to take with me. I took a sweatshirt and used it to create a bundle full of my treasures, complete with a heavy rock to break a window if I needed to escape. Every night I would put my glasses in their case and then tuck them into my escape bundle. I didn’t sleep well and would often have nightmares full of fire. I would wake up each morning and be so thankful that my house hadn’t burned down. I don’t remember how long this went on. A few weeks? A few months? But eventually, I relaxed and realized that my house and family were safe. Yes, accidents can happen and we want to be ready, but we don’t need to live every day afraid of what’s going to happen. The Bible tells us that God gives us a peace that passes all understanding and it guards our hearts and minds in Jesus (Philippians 4:7). Anytime I start to get scared or anxious and I don’t understand why, I can ask God for His peace and it will guard me. Here are some more tips for the next time you find yourself getting scared or anxious: Box Breathing. Count your breaths as you draw a box in the air.Breathe in for 1, 2, 3, 4. Hold it for 1, 2, 3, 4. Breath out for 1, 2, 3, 4. Hold it for 1, 2, 3, 4. Sing or listen to a song. One of my favorites is the Cares Chorus, #141 in the He is Our Song songbook. It goes, “I cast all my cares upon You. I lay all of my burdens down at Your feet. And anytime that I don’t know what to do, I will cast all my cares upon You.” Go outside in nature. Watch the birds and remember that God knows if a sparrow falls to the ground (Matthew 10:29-31). God sees you, loves you, and cares about what you’re going through.
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Health Equity Matters
– July 4, 2024
At the American Hospital Association’s 2024 Accelerating Health Equity Conference, AdventHealth participated in two breakout sessions. Beth Palacios, director of health equity at AdventHealth, was part of a panel on Data Fueled Approaches to Driving More Equitable Care. Alric Simmonds, MD, chief equity officer at AdventHealth, participated in a panel on Building Organizational Infrastructures and Cultures to Advance Health Equity. In Dr. Simmonds’ presentation, he shared some of AdventHealth’s systematic approach to health equity starting in 2021 with a clear directive: identify potential inpatient quality health disparities and develop actionable health equity plans to address them, leading to improved patient health outcomes. In this Clinician’s View by Dr. Simmonds, he shares how AdventHealth is building a “Bridge to Health Equity” in the communities we serve. In the U.S., Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women, and their breast cancer mortality rate is 40 percent higher. Sadly, these startling statistics are just two examples of a long list of alarming health disparities in our country. Many population groups experience inferior health outcomes and higher disease incidences across a range of health conditions that extend beyond breast cancer and maternal health, including diabetes, hypertension, asthma, obesity, heart disease and cancer. We have long been plagued with a two-tier health care system predicated on the socioeconomics of the patients. My first exposure to the breadth and depth of these health disparities came in medical school at The Ohio State University. As part of a volunteer experience with the African American Breast Cancer Survivors Group, promoted through the university, I had the opportunity to attend several breast cancer support group meetings. I heard survivors bravely share their stories and struggles with maintaining employment and holding their families together while gaining access to care and the physical balance of enduring it. Then, during my clinical work as a surgeon, I continued to encounter widespread disparities in clinical presentation of many diseases, especially within the Afro-Caribbean diaspora and Hispanic communities. When I began my career as a surgeon, it was important for me to work with a group of practicing providers who pledged to never turn down a patient with a diagnosis of cancer. I’ve had the privilege of caring for hundreds of uninsured and underinsured patients, witnessing firsthand the heartbreaking hardships they experienced due to lack of early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Many of the women I cared for tried holistic treatments first because they could not afford evidence-based medical care. Younger patients often didn’t know it was possible to have breast cancer at their age. Some of my patients waited so long to seek care that by the time I saw them, their cancer was in egregious stages with the tumors eroding through the skin. We need to do better, and I knew I wanted to do more. In 2020, I took on the role of chief health equity officer with AdventHealth to help transform health care delivery to achieve both equity and excellence. A Daunting Challenge but Clear Calling The Centers for Disease Control defines health equity as the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. If we’re doing health care well, health equity is another lens we must use to evaluate our work. At AdventHealth, our bold mission of “Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ” requires that we deeply understand our patients and their needs — body, mind and spirit. Guided by this mission and the company’s Vision 2030 of providing wholistic care for all people, we are determined to operate as a preeminent, faith-based, consumer-focused clinical care company. To that end, we have made a commitment to ensure that regardless of gender, age, insured status, race or ethnicity, each and every patient in our hospitals and in the communities that use our services will have equal opportunity to achieve equitable health outcomes. In June 2021, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation awarded AdventHealth a $2 million dollar grant to support this commitment, and we are building a “Bridge to Health Equity” in the communities we serve through three key initiatives: Identifying health disparities Developing targeted, collaborative solutions Providing inclusive environments of care training Taking a Data-based Approach to Identifying Health Disparities As scientists, we use data to drive performance improvement. Identifying and addressing health disparities is no different. Thorough data collection and analysis are paramount to developing effective strategies that advance us toward achieving health equity. At AdventHealth, we have intentionally taken an inside out approach. Our team developed a validated, statistically sound, and replicable methodology to identify potential disparities in inpatient outcomes. We examined three years of retrospective data looking at four clinical outcomes — mortality, readmissions, length of stay and complications — across four health equity dimensions: race, ethnicity, gender, and insured status. We also developed support tools, grounded in data, including a Community Driver Dashboard. It uses regression analysis of hospital, population and geographic information system (GIS) data to identify the top health disparities among our patients along with the drivers of those disparities. Collaborating to Develop Effective Interventions Guided by the data revealed in our Community Driver Dashboard, AdventHealth teams have engaged with clinical and community stakeholders to co-create 65 actionable health equity plans with strategies focused both inside and outside of our hospitals. We have already begun implementing plans that address maternal health, substance abuse, diabetic readmissions, sepsis and heart failure. From identification of the disparities to the design of specific interventions, data guides all our work, including our understanding, analysis, communication, education, execution, evaluation and continual performance improvement. We know we cannot do any of this work alone. This means acknowledging and meeting people where they are. Patients are our primary partners in these efforts. Additionally, we are closely collaborating with a variety of community partners, including local non-profit organizations and federally qualified health centers, as well as larger healthcare organizations such as the Health Equity Alliance. Identifying Our Personal Biases, Shifting Mindsets and Building Inclusiveness American Read more…
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