Each year, the Mid-America Union Conference’s OUTLOOK magazine invites students from across the region to share their experiences through personal essays that reflect the heart of Adventist education. These authentic stories offer a window into how our schools shape faith, character, resilience and purpose. The following selections highlight just a few of the powerful voices from the Rocky Mountain Conference whose journeys illustrate the profound mission of Adventist education and its enduring impact on students’ lives. Across the Rocky Mountain Conference, students are experiencing Adventist education as more than academics. It is an environment that dignifies their stories, strengthens their faith, and calls them into purpose. Their voices reveal a truth we cannot ignore. When Christ is at the center, lives change. For seventh grader Harper Drane, the impact was immediate. After hearing her friend describe her experience in public school, Harper realized what she had gained. “My teachers care, and they value you and your opinion,” she shares. “They always help, no matter how busy they are.”  In a world where young people often feel unseen, Harper has found belonging and guidance. At Campion Academy, Lillian Resz stepped into a spiritual transformation she didn’t expect. Leaving a public school environment that had pulled her away from church, she discovered a community that brought her back to Jesus. “I now see education as something that helps me grow spiritually and learn real things about life,” she writes. “I view devotion, prayer and my relationship with God as a gift.”  Then there is Max Bicknell, whose journey from skepticism to baptism began with one unexpected moment during Week of Prayer. “I felt like a weight had been lifted off of me,” he remembers. That moment changed the trajectory of his life. “Adventist education helped me realize what I want to do with my life: lead others to Him.” And beyond the classroom, Adventist education continues shaping lives. Luca Lu, a student who entered Youth Rush carrying “fear, anxiety and depression,” found God waiting for him at the door of a stranger’s home. After a long, discouraging day, his simple prayer was answered when he met a woman who spoke his language and bought every book he carried. “It wasn’t a coincidence,” he writes. “God had prepared that door for me.”  Through friendships, worship, and one powerful encounter, Luca discovered that mission is not about numbers. It is about revealing God’s love to people who need it most. These students’ stories converge into one resounding message. Adventist education empowers and shapes students’ lives through Christ-centered learning so they can influence the world and fulfill God’s eternal purpose. Supporting this mission means investing in students who are finding faith, courage, identity and hope. These lives are being transformed. Their future impact will be immeasurable. Diane Harris is education superintendent for the Rocky Mountain Conference.  

History has a way of repeating itself—not because people fail to remember facts, but because they fail to recognize patterns. One of the most enduring and dangerous patterns in both biblical and world history is this: when religion aligns itself with the power of the state, conscience is inevitably compromised. What begins as an effort to preserve morality or unity often ends with coercion, exclusion, and persecution. The tragic irony is that this pattern frequently unfolds in the name of God. A Pattern as Old as Scripture The Bible does not shy away from documenting the failures of God’s people when spiritual authority reaches for political power. In the book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar erects a golden image and issues a law requiring universal worship (Daniel 3). The issue was not the image itself, but the enforcement. Worship compelled by law crossed a boundary God has never authorized. Faithful obedience suddenly carried a death sentence. Centuries later, in the time of Christ, the roles reversed but the pattern remained. Religious leaders, threatened by Jesus’ influence, turned to Roman authority to accomplish what they could not do alone. “It is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people” (John 11:50). Rome provided the power; religion provided the justification. Christ was crucified—not by pagans alone, but through a union of religious pressure and state enforcement. The lesson is sobering: the greatest injustices are often carried out when religion believes it is defending truth by force. Power Over Conscience Conscience is sacred because it is the place where God speaks to the individual soul. Scripture consistently affirms that worship must be voluntary. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15). God invites allegiance; He never compels it. Yet when religion partners with the state, conscience becomes regulated. Laws begin to define devotion. Compliance replaces conviction. What should be an inward response to God becomes an outward requirement of citizenship. The apostle Paul warned of this very dynamic when he described a system that would exalt itself above God and sit “in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4). The issue was not atheism, but misplaced authority—a human power claiming the right to dictate matters of faith. Why This Matters Today For many modern readers, these examples feel distant. We live in an age of religious freedom, constitutional safeguards, and pluralism. Yet history shows that freedoms are often surrendered gradually, especially during times of crisis. When societies face fear—whether from moral decline, social unrest, or global instability—the temptation is strong to seek unity through legislation. Religious language returns to political platforms. Moral concerns are framed as national emergencies. And slowly, the idea that faith should be enforced “for the common good” gains traction. The book of Revelation describes a final crisis that follows this very pattern: religious authority influencing civil power to enforce worship (Revelation 13). The warning is not aimed at a single group of people, but at a recurring system—religion empowered by the state to rule the conscience. The Issue Is Not Belief, but Authority It is important to be clear: the biblical concern is not about sincere believers, nor about moral values influencing society. The issue is who has the right to command worship. Jesus Himself drew a clear line when He said, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). When that line is crossed—when Caesar claims what belongs to God—faith is corrupted, and liberty erodes. Ellen G. White summarized this danger with remarkable clarity: “The union of the church with the state… is the sure precursor of persecution.” (The Great Controversy, p. 297) Her warning was not political, but spiritual. Any system—past, present, or future—that uses civil power to enforce religious observance places itself in opposition to the spirit of Christ. A Call to Vigilance, Not Fear This pattern is not revealed in Scripture to produce anxiety, but discernment. The final conflict described in the Bible is not primarily about dates, events, or personalities. It is about loyalty, authority, and love freely given. God’s kingdom advances through truth, persuasion, and sacrificial love—not legislation. The moment faith reaches for coercive power, it ceases to reflect the character of Christ. As history moves forward, the question for believers is not simply what we believe, but how we defend it. Will we trust truth to stand on its own? Or will we be tempted to secure it through force? The pattern is clear. The warning is ancient. And the choice, as always, remains deeply personal. R Scott Holder writes for OUTLOOK on a variety of topics.

If we are honest, women’s ministries throughout the Mid-America Union is one of the most effective, impactful and appreciated ministries in which our church is involved. Mid-America has only had three leaders at the union level. It began with Evelyn Glass. She served nearly 18 years as leader and then Nancy Buxton began her tenure, which lasted 20 years. Just a year ago, we asked Elder Donna Brown to provide leadership for the union when Nancy retired. Donna is doing a wonderful job standing on the shoulders of both Evelyn and Nancy. Over the years, some have questioned the need for women’s ministries. I have heard criticisms like: “Why do they need to meet separately?” and “What needs do they have that cannot be addressed when we are all together?”  The truth is there is a great need for women’s ministries in our churches. They have shown, time and again, that this is not about getting together to be critical of the men in their lives but, rather, to support one another in their journey with their Savior. The retreats our women ministries leaders provide offer a wonderful time of fellowship, worship and commitment. Young women often find mentors with whom they build life-long friendships. Many women find women’s ministries to be a home in which they can use the gifts of ministry they have been given to help others. The outreach alone that happens with women’s ministries is powerful.  Additionally, most of the women’s ministries events that take place in our union are not funded. They happen because volunteers give of their time and resources to make them happen, and the women themselves contribute to attend.  Loving outreach I personally can attest to the heart and soul of our women’s ministries leaders. While local conference women’s ministries leaders met together in November in our union office for Year-End Meetings, they decided to do some outreach together. One of the places they visited was the assisted living facility where my mother lives. My father passed away six years ago, and Mom is no longer able to live independently. There are some sweet people in our community and church who visit her on occasion, and it just makes her day! Carol Huenergardt, an elder at College View Church here in Lincoln, is one who visits my mother and often brings communion to her, prays with her, and spends time with her.  My mother was just overwhelmed with joy because of a surprise visit she received from the women’s ministries leaders, planned by our very own Donna. They did not just stop by, have a short prayer, and then leave. They brought her a meaningful gift, and even sat on the floor and asked her to tell them her story. You cannot put into words the worth of that kind of loving outreach to someone who is not able to be a part of church life in the way she loved to be for years and years. Before the visit concluded, these ladies asked my mother to pray for them, too, and she cherished this opportunity to bless them by lifting them up to Jesus. Support for the future What can we do to support women’s ministries? For one thing, decide not to be a critic but rather a supporter of all they do to bless the women in our churches and communities. Lift up our leaders in prayer as they go about their work. Most of all, thank our women’s ministries leaders for the hours they volunteer to plan and provide events and outreach programs that touch the lives of women, young and old.  It has been a pleasure to watch women’s ministries grow in our union over the years under the direction of wonderful leaders. It will be exciting to watch where it goes from here! Blessings to you, Donna, as you continue to provide leadership for women’s ministries happening around our union.  

As we enter 2026, I find myself reflecting on the journey of 2025—my first year serving at the union level after previously leading as the women’s ministries director for the Central States Conference, one of the six conferences within the Mid-America Union. What began with responsibility for one conference quickly expanded into all six, a trust from the Lord that has been both humbling and enlightening. Ministering across such a wide spectrum of cultures, age groups, and life experiences has deepened my prayer life and strengthened my walk with my Savior. Those who know me understand that I am a people person at heart. I strive to ensure that no one feels overlooked or unheard. Transparency remains our guiding principle, and through it, God continues to use us to touch lives along the way. Indeed, we matter. This past year, we celebrated the trailblazers of the Mid-America Union Conference—women who paved the way for ministry leadership. We honored Sis. Evelyn Glass and Sis. Nancy Buxton for their faithful service as women’s ministries leaders. Toward the close of the year, we visited Sis. Shaeron Turner at Allon Chapel and Sis. Patsy Thurber, mother of our president Pastor Gary Thurber. These seasoned women of the union have set enduring examples of what ministry looks like when led by our Heavenly Father. Focusing on the next generation As I traveled throughout the union during 2025, one pressing need became clear: we must intentionally support young women in their 20s and 30s—whether single, married, working professionals, mothers or wives. These women face unique challenges, often compounded by the subtle stares or quiet judgments they encounter in both church and social settings. To address this, we have formed a diverse focus group of young women to help plan a leadership conference. Among them are Makayla Benson of Salina, Kansas; Amber Patterson of Omaha, Nebraska; Lily Lora of Omaha, Nebraska, Damonica Adams, St. Louis, Missouri; Amber Fellers, Greely, Colorado; Alexis Williams, Kansas City; and Meghan Curtis, St. Joseph, Missouri—along with others from across the Mid-America Union. Together, we aim to equip them with tools for leadership, resilience and spiritual growth. This event, tentatively scheduled for May, will carry the theme: “Come as you are, but you can’t stay as you are.” During our early focus-group discussions, these young women spoke with honesty and depth about what draws people to Christ—and what quietly pushes them away. Again and again, the message was clear: ministry must begin with kindness, safety and genuine relationships. “One of the most important things is making church a safe place,” one participant shared. “Not just inside the building, but everywhere we go. You never know what someone is battling. Instead of judging what they wear or how they look, we should simply say, ‘I’m glad you’re here.’ One act of kindness can bring someone not only to church, but to God.” Another young woman spoke about how everyday life itself can become ministry—through a word, a presence, or even a message on a car window. Others emphasized that inviting someone to church must be rooted in relationship, not just a one-time gesture. “If you invite someone, you should walk with them,” one participant said. “Be their friend first. Ministry should be consistent, not temporary.” Technology also emerged as a powerful outreach tool. From short devotional videos to social media posts and podcasts, these young women see digital spaces not as distractions, but as modern mission fields—places where seeds of faith can still be planted. Our mission is to prepare these women for ministry not with judgment, but with encouragement and empowerment. It is time for us to step aside, while still offering guidance and support, as they rise to lead in the work of the Lord. Building community across the union Our local conference women’s ministries leaders are actively shaping programs that meet the diverse needs of women and families. From single-mom retreats (where children are welcome) to annual gatherings that celebrate cultural heritage, their vision is both inclusive and inspiring. Ministries extend beyond retreats, with community outreach initiatives, Bible study groups, and prayer circles offered both in person and online, ensuring connection for every woman regardless of location. We invite you to explore the women’s ministries page on the Mid-America Union Conference website, where you’ll find details about each conference, upcoming events, and calendars of activities. Take time to get acquainted with our dedicated women’s ministries leaders, whose passion and commitment continue to strengthen the sisterhood across our union. Elder Donna Brown is the women’s ministries coordinator for the Mid-America Union Conference.