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September 21, 2026 Five Years of Continued Mission-Driven Growth and Community Care
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September 15, 2026 Mid-America Union Delegates Elect Leadership at Constituency Session
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September 15, 2026 Union Adventist University’s Nine Great Achievements of the Last Five Years Looking back on a half-decade of progress
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Adventist News
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OUTLOOK 2026 Survey Results
– September 24, 2026A total of 102 participants from our six local conferences responded to the “Help Shape the Future of OUTLOOK” survey, providing feedback on the future direction of OUTLOOK magazine, OUTLOOKmag.org, and the Mid-America Union e-Newsletter. Thank you to those who mailed in their responses and took the survey online. Takeaways Readers showed strong interest in spiritual growth, evangelism, health and wellness, community outreach, leadership training, and youth-focused content. Participants consistently requested practical, mission-focused, and inspirational content that supports local church ministry. Many respondents asked for evangelism ideas, downloadable resources, youth engagement tools, and stories highlighting small churches and behind-the-scenes ministry leaders. Strong Interest in Health Content Survey participants expressed significant interest in a regular “Health” section in the OUTLOOK print magazine, supporting expanded health and wellness storytelling and partnerships with health-focused ministries. Website Priorities (OUTLOOKmag.org) The most requested website improvements included searchable article archives, topic organization, conference-based story organization, short videos, and downloadable resources. Newsletter Preference Most respondents preferred receiving the OUTLOOK e-Newsletter once a month. Written Responses Readers repeatedly asked for: More evangelism and outreach ideas Practical ministry resources Inspiration for local church mission More youth and family-focused content Recognition of small churches and lay members Strong biblical and spiritually grounded content One respondent summarized the overall sentiment well: “I am inspired by the outreach that is happening, and it gives me ideas for my own outreach.” We Welcome Your Feedback At OUTLOOK, we value hearing from our readers. If you have ideas, story suggestions, feedback, or ministry highlights to share, please contact us anytime at: info@outlookmag.org
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2026 OUTLOOK Middle & High School Essay Contest Amazon Gift Card and scholarship will be awarded to winner
– September 20, 2026OUTLOOK magazine is excited to announce the 2026 LouAnn Howard Student Essay Contest, formerly known as the OUTLOOK Student Writers Contest. The contest has been renamed in honor of LouAnn Howard and her many years of service to Seventh-day Adventist education. Her commitment to students and Christian education reflects the purpose of this contest: encouraging young people to grow, develop their talents and share their voices. Now in its fifth year, the contest is open to middle and high school students attending Adventist schools throughout the Mid-America Union. Who Can Enter? Seventh-day Adventist students in middle or high school who are currently enrolled in a Mid-America Union Adventist school during the 2026–2027 school year. Pick a Topic(s) about Adventist Education: How has Adventist Education deepened your faith in Jesus? How has it helped your relationship with Christ grow? What role has your school played in connecting you to your church community? Share a story about a teacher, chaplain, or friend at your school who has strengthened your walk with Christ. How has your school helped you build spiritual habits (prayer, Bible study, service)? What is one lesson you’ve learned in Adventist Education that will stay with you for life? In what ways does Adventist Education prepare you to live your values in real life? How has Adventist Education shaped your goals for the future? What difference do you think your school experience has made compared to a non-Adventist school? How will you carry the values of Adventist Education into your career, relationships, and future church life? What Are the Judges Looking For? We want students to know what makes a strong entry. Essays will be judged on the following: Word Count: Essays should be 600–650 words. Clear Writing: Ideas should be easy to understand and sentences should communicate the writer’s thoughts clearly. Organization: The essay should have a clear beginning and flow naturally from one idea to the next. Creativity: We want to hear your voice. Look for an interesting and personal way to tell your story. Strong Theme: The essay should have a main idea that remains clear throughout the article. Sources: Each essay must include at least one academic source and one spiritual source, such as a Bible verse or a religious author. Sources should support the ideas in the essay rather than simply being added to meet the requirement. Photo: Include a photo of yourself or an image that helps illustrate your article. Deadline: Entries must be received by October 19, 2026. A Note About Artificial Intelligence One purpose of the LouAnn Howard Student Essay Contest is to help students develop the basic skills of good writing—forming ideas, organizing thoughts, choosing words, revising their work and developing their own voice. For this reason, we strongly discourage the use of artificial intelligence to write or rewrite contest entries. Teachers, parents and others may provide guidance and feedback, but the ideas, words and final essay should reflect the student’s own work and voice. Prizes 1st Place: $100 Amazon gift card plus $300 applied to the Adventist school of the student’s choice. 2nd Place: $75 Amazon gift card plus $200 applied to the Adventist school of the student’s choice. 3rd Place: $25 Amazon gift card plus a $100 Adventist school tuition scholarship. Winning articles will be featured in OUTLOOK magazine and on OUTLOOKmag.org. Submission Please email your article and photo to Hugh Davis, hugh.davis@maucsda.org OUTLOOK publisher. Past Winners The 2022 winner was Jesse Campbell from College View Academy within the Kansas-Nebraska Conference. The 2023 winners were Annika Swanson-Lane from Maplewood Academy and Camron Miranda, Midland Adventist Academy. The 2024 winners were Nolice Matumano from Sunnydale Adventist Academy and Damaris Lopez, Campion Academy. The 2025 winners were Evie Lange from Campion Academy, Isabella Becker from College View Academy, and Eden Henton from College View Academy. Subscribe to the Mid-America Union OUTLOOK e-newsletter to be one of the first to know who the winners will be!
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Pathfinders, we’re going back to Oshkosh! 2029 NAD International Pathfinder Camporee
– September 17, 2026For months the North American Division International Camporee office staff and executive committee have been praying, meeting, and exploring options for the NAD International Pathfinder Camporee in 2029. After much consideration, the 2029 Stand Strong North American Division International Pathfinder Camporee is going back home to Oshkosh, Wisconsin!” While the 2024 Believe the Promise Camporee out west in Gillette, Wyoming, was a phenomenal, unforgettable experience, there is a distinct joy in returning to our roots,” shared committee members. “Oshkosh is the place where the international camporee dream truly matured into a worldwide event, and we cannot wait for a brand-new generation of Pathfinders to experience this.” The exact location for the 2029 camporee is the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), which has gone through an expansion since the last International Pathfinder Camporee in 2019. This allows the camporee the opportunity to come back to this awesome venue. “We are excited that the newly developed property will give us the space we need to hold the nighttime program,” organizers added. As the camporee team continues preparations for Pathfinders to experience this world renowned camporee, they invite the global church family to cover this event in prayer. Please lift up the newly appointed camporee executive director Pastor Pedro Perez and the entire camporee team. Pray for wisdom, safety, and vision as they provide an atmosphere where more than 50,000 Pathfinders from around the world can explore the story of Elijah, grow their faith, and find the courage to stand strong for Jesus. Don’t forget to buy your tickets, and we’ll see you in Oshkosh on August 20-26, 2029!
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Mid-America Union Delegates Elect Leadership at Constituency Session
– September 15, 2026Delegates to the Mid-America Union Conference’s 10th quinquennial constituency session elected administrators and executive committee members on September 13, 2026, to serve five-year terms. Nearly 320 representatives from the Central States, Dakota, Iowa-Missouri, Kansas-Nebraska, Minnesota and Rocky Mountain conferences gathered at the College View Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, under the theme “One In Christ: United For Service.” In addition to electing leaders, delegates also reviewed and voted changes to the union’s constitution and bylaws, largely editorial in nature. The session began with worship as Union Adventist University shared beautiful musical selections, followed by an inspiring devotional from North American Division resident Dr. G. Alexander Bryant. Bryant reminded delegates that God’s mission unites us, much like the interconnected roots of the great redwood trees, which draw strength from one another. The opening worship concluded with prayers for God’s presence and guidance throughout the session. The MAUC nominating committee, chaired by Bryant, met in person on August 2 to select names to present to delegates for the officer positions (president and two vice presidents). The committee met again a week later by Zoom to complete their work. Delegates received packets containing the nominating committee report and all other pertinent information for the session three weeks prior to the event. Delegates expressed strong confidence in the Union’s leadership, voting overwhelmingly to elect Dr. Hubert J. Morel Jr. as president and Dr. Craig Carr as vice president for administration for the next five years. Morel received 85 percent approval, while Carr received 89 percent. Elder Roy Simpson was returned to the position of vice president for finance with 98 percent approval. Voting for personnel was conducted using electronic voting devices. Morel is the 8th president to serve the Mid-America Union Conference. His term begins immediately. Morel spoke briefly about the importance of the mandate to “occupy” until the coming of the Lord. “We must utilize the resources we have to grow the kingdom of God until He returns,” stated Morel. ADDITIONAL LEADERS ELECTED Delegates also elected the following individuals to the MAUC executive committee for 2026-2031: Mid-America Union Ex Officio: Hubert J. Morel, Jr., Craig Carr, Roy Simpson Central States: Cryston Josiah, Bern Yuot, Bertha Garduno, Dwayne Williams, one additional TBD Dakota: Vernon Herholdt, Richard Ray, Harold Chin, Kelli Wasemiller Iowa-Missouri: Lee Rochholz, Kent Dunwoody, Abelardo Rivas, Steve Bascom, Matt Cook Kansas-Nebraska: Ron Carlson, Jim Jensen, Simon Liversidge, Brad Moutray Minnesota: Jeff Scoggins, James Davis, Jeff Deming, Denzil McNeilus, Yvon Fils-Aime Rocky Mountain: David VandeVere, Nathaniel Gamble, Leonardo Jimenez, Jennifer Sigler, Liz Cornett Union Adventist University Yami Bazan AdventSource: Brad Forbes (through 12/2026), Andre McCloud (beginning 1/2027) Christian Record Services: Dexter Thomas AdventHealth: Brett Spenst, Sam Huenergardt MAUC: Donna Brown, one rotating department director Legal Counsel/Religious Liberty (invitee) Darrel Huenergardt Members were also elected for the Constitution and Bylaws Committee and the Association Board. The union’s departmental personnel will be appointed by the MAUC executive committee in November. SHARED ACCOUNTABILITY A constituency session is similar to a shareholder meeting of a publicly held company. Each local conference elects delegates for this session; the number they send is based on their membership size. They are also invited to submit agenda items for the session and suggestions for the constitution and bylaws committee. Reports on church membership showed a slight gain, and the union received a clean financial audit from auditors at the General Conference. All reports are available at outlookmag.org as articles or on OUTLOOK’s YouTube in video format. Dr. Yami Bazan, president of Union Adventist University also presented a report since their constituency session occurred on the same day, and attendees were delegates to both sessions. Additional representatives from the North American Division were in attendance, including Judy R. Glass, treasurer, and Kyoshin Ahn, secretary. SPIRIT OF COOPERATION Delegates expressed appreciation for the level of pre-planning and organization that made processes clear and easy to understand—from registration, to proposed changes to the bylaws, to financial business. “I liked that there was a spirit of cooperation and oneness of mission,” said a first-time delegate. “It was encouraging to see.” Thanks was expressed to retiring Dr. Gary Thurber for his leadership as MAUC president for the past 11 years. During his final remarks, Thurber said. “It’s been an honor to serve you and I love you all…We are known as Christians when we love our neighbor. Let Mid-America be the place where the people love one another and the people trust God.” BEYOND REPORTS AND VOTES As always, there is more than business reports and votes at constituency sessions. The session is also a celebration highlighting mission, evangelism and the blessings of the Lord in the past five years. It is a time to reflect on the accomplishments and activities of the departments. It is also an opportunity to analyze the state of the MAUC—organizationally, financially and statistically—and consider how next to advance the work of the church throughout the region. The Mid-America Union is currently comprised of 67,813 members, 554 congregations, 63 ECE/elementary/secondary schools and one university in its nine-state territory. In addition, there are 21 Adventist Community Services centers, 10 hospitals and 8 camps.* *as of June 30, 2026 For more photos visit OUTLOOK’s Facebook page or Flicker site.
Blogs
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Whose Fault Was It Glass Children — Part 5
– September 24, 2026People do not usually say it outright anymore. It comes wrapped now. Everything happens for a reason. God gave you this child because He knew you could handle it. He only gives you what you can bear. The older version was blunter, and it is in the Gospel. When Jesus and His disciples passed a man who had been blind from birth, the disciples asked the obvious question: whose fault was it — his, or his parents’? Somebody must have sinned. Jesus said neither. (John 9:2-3) Put the question of blame to Him directly, about a man with a lifelong condition, and He refused the premise. I think I know why they asked. I think we all ask for the same reason, and it has very little to do with theology. We cannot live inside the arithmetic If you thought about the actual risk every time you got into a car, you would not be able to drive. If you considered, every time you walked under a tree, that trees sometimes come down, you would stop walking under them. We are not built to hold that much randomness at once. We need to believe there is some control available to us, or we could not get through an ordinary Tuesday. So we look for where the blame goes. Watch what happens at a funeral. Almost the first question anyone asks is what caused the death. We ask it gently, and we think we are asking out of sympathy, and sometimes we are. But listen to what we do with the answer. He smoked. She never went to the doctor. They were driving too fast. He had let himself go. I do not think we are being cruel. I think we are checking. Because if there is a cause, and the cause is something we do not do, then we have found the edge of the danger and we are standing outside it. This will not happen to us. Our children are safe. The question is not really about the person who died. It is about the people still in the room, guarding themselves against their own mortality. The answer nobody wants Mostly, we are bystanders. Ecclesiastes says it without flinching: time and chance happen to them all. (Ecclesiastes 9:11) Sometimes a terrible thing lands on a person and there is no reason anyone will ever find. Sometimes there was a decision behind it — and even then, usually not malice. Just someone choosing wrongly, without knowing what the choice would cost. That answer leaves everyone exposed, which is exactly why it is so rarely the one people offer a grieving family. Two things that are not the same thing Here is where I think we get genuinely tangled, and pulling these apart is most of what my mother gave me. God can bring good out of anything. I believe that. I have watched Him do it, in my own family and in other people’s. That does not mean He brought the bad thing in the first place. Those are two entirely different claims, and we say the first while meaning the second, and we say it to people standing beside hospital beds. A God who schedules a child’s brain injury in order to teach a family patience is not the God I was raised to know, and He is not the one I have found. What I actually believe Satan has purposed to cause as much havoc in this world as he can. That is not a metaphor to me. And I believe there would be a great deal more of it if God were not holding back what He holds back. I cannot prove that. It is not an argument. It is what I have come to after fifty years of living my life. I do not understand why He steps in some times and not others. I have stopped requiring myself to understand it. I suspect He has been present in far more of this than I can see. And not all of it is settled in me. Other loads have come, heavier than I could carry, and I have found myself having to forgive God — not because He sinned, but because I was frustrated that He had not prevented it, and I could not set that down until I said so out loud. About my brother, I never had to do that work. About other things, I have. Both are true. Lord, keep us from explanations that comfort us at someone else’s expense. Where we cannot understand, hold us anyway. And where we are angry with You, give us the courage to say so. Amen. Next time: the afternoon on the lawn swing, and the promise I made before I could read. Click here to see the 1st in this series.
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What Genealogies Tell Us X A different genealogy, a different story
– September 23, 2026The genealogy in chapter ten exhibits a structure at once similar and quite different from the genealogies in chapters 5 & 11. But it operates in the same way. The author establishes a pattern and then breaks it. Both the pattern and the break tell a story. Every generation in this genealogy follows this pattern: a son or sons are named, followed by details about where they settled. The author mentions most of these individuals only by name, but after naming all the sons of Japheth and their territories, and eleven of the sons of Ham the pattern breaks and tells us much more about one particular individual. “Now Cush fathered Nimrod; he became a mighty one on the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore, it is said, ‘Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the Lord.’” Confronted with this break in the pattern, we ask our crucial questions: “Why does the author tell us so much about Nimrod, when he tells us so little about the others,” and “Why does he tell us now, in the middle of a genealogy?” Without more information, we cannot answer either question, so we must read on. Next the author returns to this genealogy’s pattern and describes Nimrod’s territory: “And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.” Note Nimrod’s first named city: Babel. This genealogy records the filling of the earth with people. It tells what they did, but not why. Cain had escaped death, but still received a sentence to be ‘a restless wanderer on the earth.’ Ever rebellious, he founded a city instead. Chapter 11 tells us Nimrod did the same thing. Commissioned with filling the earth twice, once at creation, and once again at re-creation, rebellious humanity seeks to defy part of that commission. Instead of dispersing to fill the earth, they cluster together. Lest we doubt their intentions, they state them explicitly: ”Come, let’s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top will reach into heaven, and let’s make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered abroad over the face of all the earth.” They build a city to avoid being scattered. Remembering the Flood, they set about to not only defy His commission, but to eliminate his ability to punish them for that defiance. They will “a tower whose top will reach into heaven.” That way, they can survive a flood of water that covers the earth. And they “will make a name for themselves.” In the Old Testament, name is character. Jacob the supplanter becomes Israel, the one who wrestles with God. After the birth of Ishmael, Abram becomes Abraham, the father of many nations when God foretells him of Isaac as the son of the promise. The inhabitants of Babel will make their own character, thank you. This demonstrates they still believe the Serpent’s lie: they think they can become as God, resisting his power and pursuing their own desires. But God will not be mocked. They have chosen the path of the Serpent, the path of chaos and disorder, so God gives them what they have chosen: confusion of languages. Pentecost will later reverse this for at least one day, where communication bridges different languages. But at Babel, confusion reigns and renders their efforts futile. All this leaves the reader with a significant question. God used a flood of water to cleanse the planet from a culture of violence, but the central problem of sin remained. God had delivered humankind through Noah, but neither he nor his descendants can overcome the problem of sin that infects all humankind. The renewed Fall, the renewed defiance of humanity’s true calling, the tower of Babel made that clear. So the reader wants to know, “How will God act to deliver humanity from sin itself?” And the answer to that begins with yet another genealogy.
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Daily Healthy Habits How To
– September 22, 2026https://youtube.com/shorts/BzkamiSBhNY?si=T3EfL2tMXOI03ELt
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ANTI -Inflammatory Add To Food To Reduce Inflammation
– September 22, 2026https://youtube.com/shorts/S7g5ht-9Tmc?si=5QmXGlYPC5UjIIp9
Featured Stories
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State of the Dakota Conference Remaining hopeful through faithfulness
– September 21, 2026Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that there is a time for everything, whether we are walking through seasons of joy or seasons of difficulty. As we look back over the past few years, we can truly say that God has been faithful. The Dakota Conference has walked through significant change. We experienced a difficult decision by the special constituency to close our academy. For many, that season brought uncertainty, sadness and concern. Yet even when the future seemed unclear, God was still present in the details. He has continued to lead His people with purpose, and today we can see evidence of His guidance as it has opened up other fields of service. Stewarding God’s resources The administrative team has sought to lead by example, especially in the stewardship of God’s finances. Our members give faithfully, and we want to honor their faithfulness through responsible management and thoughtful distribution of funds. Under the watchful care of our treasurer, conference reserves have increased to between five and six months, in line with the NAD policy. By the grace of God, we maintain that financial strength, though tithe can fluctuate in an agricultural setting. We are grateful for the way God continues to impress His people to support the mission. Following the closure of the academy, the conference began meaningful conversations about how to use the facility in a way that would continue to serve the mission. Today, our ministries are using the campus for retreats, conferences and ministry events. The administrative team has been intentional in maintaining and upgrading the property, with the hope of developing it as a conference center for evangelism and outreach. Caring for our facilities is part of stewardship, hospitality, safety and readiness for ministry. Growing the kingdom together We are here to grow the kingdom of God as we prepare for the return of Jesus. With that in mind, the conference has identified areas where growth is possible and has invested in Bible workers and a church-planting pastor. Through this initiative, an active group is growing in Brookings, South Dakota. Work is also developing in Sioux Falls through the combined efforts of the Hurley and Sioux Falls churches. More churches have expressed interest in joining the Bible worker initiative, and we look forward to seeing how God will continue to bless this work. Connecting growth to local mission Membership growth is most meaningful when it is connected to local mission. Our desire is for our churches to be known not only as places where truth is preached, but as places where love is practiced. Community service, Bible studies, prayer ministries, health outreach, visitation, food distribution, and family support can open doors for people to experience Christ in personal and practical ways. Caring for those who serve Conference leadership has also been intentional about caring for employees. Switching medical insurance to Blue Cross has provided employees with zero monthly contributions, putting more money into employees’ pockets. In a territory that can sometimes be overlooked, we desire to create a work environment that attracts and retains workers by showing that they are valued, supported and cared for. Looking ahead with hope As we look ahead, several hopes guide our hearts: To reach more youth through summer camps, children’s ministries, and mentoring. To continue supporting Adventist education in all its forms. To grow through local mission initiatives that connect our churches with their communities. To continue caring for and improving our facilities so they remain useful for ministry. To expand evangelism by training pastors, equipping churches, and providing practical resources for the field. The Dakota Conference is hopeful as we reflect on how God has brought us through change, sustained us through uncertainty, and positioned us for mission. Now we move forward together with faith, gratitude, stewardship and a renewed commitment to proclaim the gospel. Vernon Herholdt has served as president of the Dakota Conference of Seventh-day Adventists since 2024. He and his wife, Melanie, cherish time spent with their growing family.
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State of the Central States Conference One spirit, one mission
– September 21, 2026Brothers and sisters, we have been on a spiritual high as a conference after our inspiring and amazing recent camp meeting experience, June 10-13, 2026. Our theme for the year is “One Spirit, One Mission: United By The Fire” and each of the camp meeting speakers shared powerful messages on various aspects of our theme. The foundational element of our theme is the biblical reality that it is only when we are of one mind, purpose and spirit that the Holy Spirit will be poured out on us. It is then that we will have the ability to fulfill the mission that Christ intends for us to complete. Dr. Lola Moore Johnston, the speaker for the main adult English speaking Sabbath morning worship service, challenged us to not be satisfied with giving our communities “just a little bit of change” as the lame man who sat in the Temple had become accustomed to receiving from the worshippers. But once we have been filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, we can then live out what Peter and John demonstrated, and transform people all around our conference with His power. Blessing the community The heart of the Central States Conference’s mission statement is that we “live and proclaim the Three Angels Messages.” The emphasis on living this message and impacting people from every nation, kindred, tongue and people came alive in many ways during our encampment. One example that came to fruition regarding our willingness to make a difference took place during our camp meeting. Over 400 families from our Kansas City community came out on the camp meeting Friday to receive free shoes, pampers, food, etc. And while they were signing up and waiting, Pastor Trevor Barnes preached a powerful message on the love and intentionality that Jesus has for saving sinners. Camp meeting became not just a typical worship experience by us, for us, and to us, but it was a tremendous blessing to our community. Another experience that showcased our conference’s reach and impact among diverse communities was the Parade of Nations held on Sabbath afternoon. We celebrated and praised God for the faithful members of our conference who come from Indonesian, Haitian, Hispanic, Caribbean, Kenyan, Ghanaian, Ethiopian and other backgrounds. More importantly, they are living and proclaiming the everlasting gospel within their communities. Membership growth and retention Our conference total membership now stands at 9,886 with 40 churches and 16 companies. By God’s grace, we believe we can surpass 10,000 members soon. So far in 2026, we have recorded 93 baptisms and 196 professions of faith—to God be the glory. Excluding letters of transfer, these 289 new members represent true kingdom growth. Our vice president for administration, Joseph Ikner, who also serves as the conference evangelism coordinator, has encouraged our pastors and churches to focus on both evangelistic growth and the retention of new members. Earlier in the year, our conference was blessed with some additional, unanticipated outside funding for evangelism, and our pastors have been allowed to make requests for funding that give attention to church growth and evangelism. Our prayer of thanksgiving is that another portion of our mission statement is being realized as we seek to “grow healthy, Bible-based, multicultural communities of faith.” Money follows mission When it comes to the financial position and growth of our conference, we want to thank our faithful and dedicated members for their commitment in funding the mission. Our current tithe at the end of May 2026 was $2,502,048 compared with $2,332,605 at the same time last year. That represents a tithe increase with the same number of Sabbaths of $169,443 which is a percentage increase of 7.26%. Amen! Our vice president for finance, Delbert Pearman, has emphasized that the money should always follow the mission, and God is indeed proving that statement to be true. In addition, our leadership team and governing committee has been making some tough decisions to help reset and recalibrate our conference to establish and create thriving churches and high-functioning pastors. Cryston Josiah is president of the Central States Conference.
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State of the Minnesota Conference Making disciples who make disciples
– September 21, 2026What a joy to watch God work in Minnesota during the past few years! We’ve seen Adventists take a week off work to feed their neighbors during a crisis. We’ve watched teenagers pound nails and preach sermons on their first mission trip. We’ve seen the Holy Spirit turn financial impossibilities into possibilities. And we’ve seen eyes light up when visitors to evangelistic meetings find out that Bible prophecy is actually good news. We’ve watched and received so many incredible answers to prayer. Several years ago Minnesota Adventists set specific disciple-making goals to keep us focused on the mission of Jesus. We rejoice in God’s blessings: 1. We exceeded the goal of sending at least 10 college students from Minnesota as theology or education majors. 2. We sent about 200 Minnesota Adventists on mission trips over the past three years. After all, Jesus didn’t say “Go ye into all the conference.” He said “Go ye into all the world.” 3. And we are working to send two families as overseas missionaries. The Kitching family is already preparing to serve in Japan, and we are still praying for one more family to say yes to full-time mission work. Navigating economic challenges Along with most conferences in North America, Minnesota continues to grapple with the uncertain economy and high inflation. But God is blessing, and we are beginning to see increased stability in conference finances. Celebrating Adventist education A constant bright light in Minnesota is our schools, where our children are taught by teachers who are supremely interested in their eternal salvation. Minnesota churches operate 11 elementary schools, a senior day academy and two junior academies, with Minnetonka Christian Academy now being approved as a secondary school serving the twin cities. Next to the dedicated Adventist home, Adventist schools are our most powerful resource for discipling young people and preparing them to serve Jesus. Running a school takes resources—ask any church operating one. But also ask whether it’s worth it, and you will hear a resounding Yes! Renewing Maplewood Academy Thanks to miraculous generosity, Maplewood is currently out of debt, and working creatively to fix the monthly income shortfall. We have received nearly $7 million in gifts for the school and have established three new endowments to help fund student tuition and academy operations. And with input from dedicated constituents and our new principal, Jeff “PJ” Deming, we are exploring renewed, mission-minded directions for the school. Re-imagining North Star Camp North Star Camp is hosting more visitors than ever before. Camporees, summer camps, spiritual retreats, outdoor school, Master Guide training, and church campouts allow both young and old members to encounter God out in nature. We’re also dreaming about the future. What if the camp could become a learning resource for families, churches, and schools? One option is creating a nature center with educational displays, classes, and live animals to hold. Or imagine an evangelistic trail system where people could hike a Sabbath trail with signs about Creation and the seventh day, or other trails teaching about salvation, finding peace, or making disciples. We have so much potential for helping visitors study God’s second book at North Star Camp. Prioritizing disciple-making Even as our world staggers toward its end, God’s mission presses forward in Minnesota. We’ve chosen to focus single-mindedly on making disciples for Jesus. That includes making disciples who go on to make more disciples. Jesus invited us, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19, NKJV). Great job description! And what a privilege! Minnesota has become a world mission field, allowing us to disciple people groups in our own towns who are unreachable in their home countries. We must seize these precious opportunities. The coming of Jesus is closer every day, and what a thrill it is to share present truth with seekers from every nation and language. One day soon we will kneel together around the throne of God and praise Him in one voice for the extravagant gift of salvation. Jeff Scoggins is president of the Minnesota Conference.
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State of the Kansas-Nebraska Conference Sharing a common mission
– September 21, 2026The Kansas-Nebraska Conference exists for one purpose: to share the love of Jesus and prepare people for His soon return. While reports often include statistics and financial information, they ultimately tell the story of lives transformed by God’s grace. Behind every number is a person, a family, or a congregation experiencing His saving power. During the past five years, nearly 1,400 individuals have joined our churches through baptism or profession of faith. These new believers are finding forgiveness, hope, and a church family committed to helping them grow as disciples of Christ. Our 58 pastors faithfully serve 93 congregations across Kansas and Nebraska. They are called not only to preach and provide pastoral care but also to equip members for ministry. We continue to invest in the next generation of pastoral leaders by mentoring new pastors and providing opportunities for growth, while also affirming the gifts of experienced pastors and qualified women in ministry. Prioritizing mission Adventist education remains one of our highest priorities. Forty-five dedicated teachers serve nearly 500 students, helping young people grow academically and spiritually. Through conference scholarships funded by farm income, endowments, and generous donors, approximately $400,000 is invested each year to assist families with the cost of Adventist education, ensuring that more children have the opportunity to know Jesus through our schools. God continues to open new doors for mission throughout our territory. Growing immigrant populations have created opportunities for outreach, including ministry among the Karen people from Myanmar. Hispanic ministries continue to expand through new congregations and church plants, while new church properties and ministry facilities are providing additional opportunities to serve communities and share the gospel. Broken Arrow Ranch has also experienced significant growth. More than $1 million in donor-funded improvements, including new cabins, upgraded facilities, and expanded infrastructure, have strengthened our ability to provide life-changing experiences for children, youth and families without using conference operating funds. Financial stability The conference has also been blessed with continued financial stability. Faithful stewardship by our members, combined with careful financial management, has resulted in tithe growth during each of the past five years. These resources allow us to strengthen local churches, support Adventist education, expand evangelism, and respond to new ministry opportunities across Kansas and Nebraska. Throughout every area of ministry, we strive to be faithful stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us. We continually evaluate our programs, pastoral assignments, budgets and ministries to ensure that our greatest investment remains where it matters most—in frontline ministry through our churches and schools. Common goals The Kansas-Nebraska Conference is made up of ordinary people from many different backgrounds, united by an extraordinary Savior. Though we are diverse, we share a common mission: to make disciples, strengthen churches, and proclaim the everlasting gospel. As we reflect on God’s blessings over the past five years, we do so with gratitude and confidence. We believe that the God who has faithfully led His work in the past will continue to guide His church in the future. As Philippians 1:6 reminds us, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Ron Carlson is president of the Kansas-Nebraska Conference.