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August 3, 2026 Men of the Iowa-Missouri Conference Take Up the Shield
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August 3, 2026 AdventHealth Expands Access to Care Across Johnson County Offers infusion services, sports medicine and full spectrum care for patients of all ages
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July 22, 2026 More Than Shoes: Central States ACS Welcomes Community at Camp Meeting
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Adventist News
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A Harvest of Hope: Five Years of Faith
– August 13, 2026True gospel ministry rarely happens in quiet comfort behind closed doors. It lives on the sidewalks of our neighborhood, unfolds in the warm smiles shared across a crowded table, and takes root in those sacred, gentle moments when we pause to pray with someone. Half a decade ago, Tabernacle of Praise Adventist Church set out with a simple, prayerful burden: to relieve the overwhelming financial strain that St. Louis families face each August, and to ensure our community’s children step into the school knowing they are deeply loved, valued, and prayed over. What began as a humble leap of faith has, by the abundance of God’s grace, blossomed into one of our church’s most sacred annual traditions—BackPack Sabbath. This year marked our fifth anniversary, and under the Spirit-led action of Stewardship Leader Beverly Diggs who said, “1,0000 backpacks, 1,000 futures, and the Tabernacle of Praise church coming together to make it all possible.” The Lord multiplied our efforts beyond what we could have asked or imagined: 1,000 Children Blessed: One thousand students were blessed with brand-new backpacks filled with school essentials, empowered to begin their academic year with dignity, confidence, and joy. 180 Sacred Encounters: We had the privilege of connecting personally with 180 local families—not merely passing out supplies, but listening to their hearts, and laying the foundation for lasting spiritual relationships. Kingdom Partnerships: We were deeply honored to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with incredible community allies, including Save Our Youth–St. Louis and Behind It All, whose generous collaboration allowed us to widen our reach and surround our city with love. Faith in Action: The Heart of Every-Member Evangelism Putting tools into the hands of a thousand children requires far more than logistical planning; it requires a church family willing to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Members from our youngest youth to our cherished seniors answered the call. Some spent hours packing and distributing backpacks, others fixed lunch or offered warm words of welcome to visitors, or prayed before the throne of grace. Ministry is not confined to the pulpit or the sanctuary; sometimes, the gospel is a fresh box of crayons handed to a child. Sometimes, it is reminding a struggling person that they are not alone. And so often, it begins with the simple, heartfelt declaration: “We are so glad you are here!” Those 180 families we met are not just numbers. They represent 180 divine appointments, 180 open doors, and 180 precious opportunities to witness to the glory of God, offer tangible support, and introduce them to a Savior who cares about them. With Grateful Hearts Stewardship team member, LaKeta Carrell said, “This was a joyous occasion to see the church united and engaged in ministry.” To every church member who donated, every volunteer who packed a bag, every partner who stood beside us, and every warrior who covered this day in prayer: thank you! Your selfless devotion poured the physical love of Christ directly into the hearts of St. Louisans. Five years of backpacks. Five years of compassionate outreach. Five years of planting seeds of hope and building eternal relationships. We praise God for all He has accomplished, yet we move forward with expectant hearts, knowing that in His hands, this is only the beginning. To God alone be the glory! “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 15:58 Lee Carrell works with multiple church projects in St. Louis, Missouri.
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Born to Create: Using Creativity as Ministry
– August 13, 2026Creativity is not limited to artists, designers or people working in media. The desire to create is part of who we are—and it can become a powerful way to serve God. That idea is at the heart of “Born Creators: Bridging Art, AI, and Ministry,” presented by Felipe Gutierrez at the 2025 Society of Adventist Communicators Convention. The presentation is now available through the Adventist Learning Community. Gutierrez explores creativity within the Adventist community and reminds communicators that God is the original Creator. Throughout Scripture, people used the gifts God gave them to build, write, design, teach and communicate. But being creative also brings challenges. Technology continues to change, artificial intelligence is reshaping creative work, and it can be easy to compare our work with what others are producing. Gutierrez encourages creatives to remain humble, collaborate with others and never stop learning. His message is also a reminder to protect the curiosity that made us creative in the first place. New tools may change how we create, but they don’t have to change why we create. Whether you design graphics, produce videos, take photographs, write stories or simply have an idea you want to explore, your creativity can be used for ministry. Watch Gutierrez’s presentation through the Adventist Learning Community and be inspired to keep creating, learning and sharing. Want to continue learning alongside other Adventist creatives? Registration is open for the 2026 Society of Adventist Communicators Convention, Oct. 15–17 in Orlando, Florida.
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Men of the Iowa-Missouri Conference Take Up the Shield
– August 3, 2026Around 50 men from across the Iowa-Missouri Conference gathered at Camp Heritage April 24–26 for Man Camp 2026: Shields of Faith, a weekend retreat built around brotherhood, spiritual growth, and the call to stand firm in faith. Conference president Lee Rochholz and Chapel Oaks Adventist Church senior pastor Mike Fenton served as guest speakers, leading sessions that challenged attendees to examine what it means to take up the full armor of God as described in Ephesians 6. This year’s event also introduced something new: a dedicated young men’s camp for ages 10–14, running alongside the main retreat and investing in the next generation of men of faith. More photos from the weekend are available on the Iowa-Missouri Conference Flickr page: www.flickr.com/imsda
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AdventHealth Expands Access to Care Across Johnson County Offers infusion services, sports medicine and full spectrum care for patients of all ages
– August 3, 2026AdventHealth is expanding access to high-quality, patient-centered care with the opening of the Infusion Clinic at AdventHealth South Overland Park and the new AdventHealth Medical Group Primary Care at Bluhawk, providing patients in Johnson County, Kansas, with convenient options for advanced care close to home. The addition of infusion services at AdventHealth South Overland Park builds on AdventHealth’s existing infusion locations at AdventHealth Lenexa City Center and AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, giving patients and referring providers greater flexibility when choosing where care is delivered. AdventHealth South Overland Park’s location offers a comfortable, physician‑supported setting designed to meet the needs of patients receiving ongoing or specialty infusion treatments. “Expanding infusion services is about meeting patients where they are and making care more accessible,” said Dallas Purkeypile, president and CEO of AdventHealth South Overland Park. “By adding this location, we are giving patients more choices, reducing travel time and ensuring they receive the trusted, high-quality care they expect from AdventHealth, closer to home.” Infusion services may be used to treat a variety of conditions and are delivered by a dedicated clinical team focused on safety, coordination and patient comfort. AdventHealth South Overland Park’s Infusion Clinic, located through the Emergency Room entrance, is part of AdventHealth’s continued investment in expanding outpatient services across the region to support growing community needs. In addition to the clinic, a new AdventHealth Medical Group Primary Care location is now open at Bluhawk. Patients of this clinic will be treated by family medicine and sports medicine physician Andrew Johnson, MD and a dedicated team of advanced practice professionals. AdventHealth South Overland Park and AdventHealth Medical Group hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, April 8, to celebrate its official opening. “Not only is AdventHealth adding more primary care medicine services to the rapidly growing South Overland Park community, we’re adding sports medicine services to help patients of all ages who are active in sports and physical well-being feel whole so they can play at their best,” said Purkeypile. Dr. Johnson provides the full spectrum of care for patients of all ages. He draws on his sports medicine education to keep patients functioning at the level they desire for as long as possible. “I believe in empowering and educating patients so that they meet their health goals, emphasizing the importance of preventative care for all patients,” said Dr. Johnson. Patients can learn more about the Infusion Clinic at AdventHealth South Overland Park or explore referral options by visiting AdventHealthSOP.com/Infusion and visit the new AdventHealth Medical Primary Care at Bluhawk located at 7840 W. 165th Street, Overland Park, KS 66223.
Blogs
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The Gift—and the Limits—of the Health Message Faith, Health, Prayer, and Medical Care -- Part 2
– August 13, 2026One of the greatest blessings of growing up in the Seventh-day Adventist Church was learning that our bodies matter to God. Long before “lifestyle medicine” became popular, Adventists were encouraging principles that research continues to support: eating nourishing foods, exercising regularly, getting adequate rest, avoiding harmful substances, spending time outdoors, building healthy relationships, and trusting in God. These practices improve health, reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, and often contribute to longer, healthier lives. I am deeply grateful for the Adventist health message. But somewhere along the way, I think many of us unintentionally began believing something it never promised: “If I live the right way, I won’t get sick.” Or perhaps even more damaging: “If someone is sick, they must not have lived the right way.” I have had these thoughts, but the health message was never meant to make this promise. Perhaps these thoughts give us the feeling of being able to control our health and prevent bad things. Control I certainly wish I had. Healthy living changes probabilities. It does not eliminate human frailty. We live in a world where genetics, congenital conditions, autoimmune diseases, infections, accidents, and aging are realities. Many illnesses are partially influenced by lifestyle. Others are not. My own story is a reminder of that. I first saw an orthopedic specialist when I was three years old because of problems with my knees. More than fifty years later, I underwent my first total knee replacement. Healthy choices helped me care for my body over the years, but they could not change the structural problems I was born with. That doesn’t diminish the value of healthy living. It simply reminds us that caring for our bodies is not the same as controlling what happens to them. Jesus challenged this very way of thinking. When His disciples encountered a man who had been blind from birth, they immediately wanted to know whose fault it was. Was it his sin or his parents’? While this was influenced by their culture and religious beliefs of the time, I still see people asking similar questions today, looking for what the person did to cause their suffering. Jesus answered, “Neither.” Never did He ask someone coming for healing to confess their shortcomings or sins before healing. Never did he say, “You should have avoided all the cake and donuts.” Jesus rejected the assumption suffering always has a simple explanation. As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, I’ve also seen how painful it can be when people believe their illness is evidence they have somehow failed God. I’ve cared for individuals with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, ADHD, and schizophrenia who quietly wondered if they just needed more faith or needed to pray harder. Prayer is powerful. Healthy habits matter. Medical care matters. These truths don’t compete with one another—they complement one another. God often works through physicians, nurses, therapists, medications, surgeries, and researchers just as surely as He works through prayer and the support of a caring community. The Adventist health message is at its best when it is offered as an invitation rather than a judgment. It encourages us to steward the bodies God has given us, not to assume we know why another person is suffering. When someone is hurting, our first response should not be to ask, “What did they do wrong?” Jesus never asked that question. Our question should be like Jesus’ response, “How can I help?” One day, God promises to make all things new. Until then, we do the best we can to care for our bodies, seek appropriate medical care, pray faithfully, and extend compassion to others. Perhaps the greatest evidence that we understand the health message isn’t simply found in the food we eat or the exercise we get. Perhaps it’s found in how we treat people whose bodies—or minds—are hurting. Because while good health is a blessing, compassion (or love for our neighbor) is a commandment. (Click for Part 1)
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#TUESDAYTALK: A Closer Look at the Gospel A Poem About the Bridegroom and More
– August 11, 2026I said “yes” I wore the ring I shouted from rooftops I danced and sang I said “yes” Wore my best gown I fixed my hair But was let down I said “yes” But someone said I can’t be with Him Until I’m dead I said “yes, I will wait” I said “yes, until that day” I said “yes” but didn’t say There’s got to be a better way. There is a better way, though I didn’t learn it until I was squarely in the category of “grown up,” and I always wonder how great it would’ve been to learn the truth of the gospel at an earlier stage of life. Waiting to experience the transformation of the gospel until I’m dead was a pretty bleak outlook. So what does the Bible actually say about the gospel and how and when it’s accessible to us? Let’s continue with the concept of marriage and see if we can better understand: Immediate Unification In Galatians 3, Paul discusses the relationship between the Gentiles and the Jews, famously saying, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:23). See, the unification with and for Christ is not something that steadily happens over time. It is something that happens as quickly as falling in love with life with a person, as soon as you fall in love with the person. You’re at once family together, brothers and sisters with Christ, and children of God as quickly as you are in-laws with your spouse’s family upon marriage. It is instantaneous, this union of God’s people. Why would He make us wait? Marriage Gifts In Ephesians 4, Paul speaks more on unity—”one body and one Spirit” (Ephesians 4:1-6), and then comes to a very important concept that we seem to get wrong often. In the context of marriage, the Spirit brings good gifts when we are united with Christ, in the form of individual gifts and fruits. These gifts are not something we have to strive for. In fact, there is no imagery of that from Paul or any New Testament writers. The gifts are just that—gifts—freely given and free to use. To be united with Christ is to have the Fruits of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-25). Mutual Submission Paul doubles down on the imagery of being united with Christ in Ephesians 5: “For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones” (Ephesians 5:30). He doesn’t use this strong imagery arbitrarily, but to emphasize the complete and instantaneous unification with Christ. Just before, Paul makes the point that you cannot hate yourself, so if you are in Christ, how can you hate Christ? It follows that if you are in Christ, you submit to Christ as you submit to yourself: “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body” (Ephesians 5:22-23). Why do we submit to Him? Because He is our Savior and we are subject to Him, in that we live because He saved us. Mutual Love Ephesians 5 is not just a message for the wives. Paul writes, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word… So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself” (Ephesians 5:25-28). This is where Paul asserts that if a wife is in you, which, scripturally, she is, you must love her: “For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and bones” (Ephesians 5:29-30). So, love toward yourself, your wife, and between Christ and the church looks like nourishing, cherishing, sanctifying, cleansing. The Great Mystery We do not understand love. It is hard to articulate even to the one whom we love. Falling in love is one thing, but commitment, other-centered selflessness, and the unconditional nature of mutual love and emotional and physical intimacy are just as difficult to comprehend. Speaking on this, Paul says, “‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:31-32). Paul rightly sees that the husband and wife becoming one flesh is a mystery, and we should likewise see that becoming one with Christ is just as great a mystery—more so even. Does our inability to understand it make it any less true? It is hard to understand that you are one with Christ, walking in the Spirit, dead to flesh, and forgiven of all unrighteousness, but that doesn’t make it untrue. If we believe Paul was met on the road to Damascus, transformed in heart by Christ, and that his teachings and lifestyle were meaningful to the church and Christ, we must also believe his gospel teaching. If you doubt your immediate standing with Christ now , and not a future destination you may reach, take the next week and read these passages: Ephesians 1 – God’s free grace means we are free to choose Him and believe in the power of His blood, the fullness of His grace, and our position as adopted sons and daughters. Ephesians 2 – It is by grace we are saved through faith, putting the entire redemption process squarely on Jesus’ shoulders, and our only work is belief. Ephesians 3 – The mystery of God, His process through Christ, and <a class="cat-post-excerpt-more" href="https://www.outlookmag.org/tuesdaytalk-a-closer-look-at-the-gospel/" title="Continue reading #TUESDAYTALK: A Closer Look at the Gospel A Poem About the Bridegroom and More“>Read more…
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Health Optimization Scientifically Proven For Better Health
– August 9, 2026https://youtube.com/shorts/gpzgXiNHOIA?si=74h9D-Sp8Zy78i47
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Scientifically Proven Daily Habit One Daily Habit For Health
– August 9, 2026https://youtube.com/shorts/rhQPQn8HRDM?si=STG5j63Xg9j3iGfb
Featured Stories
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Books To Believe In Podcast Tackles Tough Questions
– August 13, 2026Since its launch on October 28, 2025, Books to Believe In, a video podcast hosted by Daniel Royo and sponsored by Pacific Press, has featured authors and thought leaders behind meaningful Adventist books. For its 21st episode, Books to Believe In welcomes renowned Adventist historian, author, and educator George R. Knight for a conversation about Oysters, Hogs, and the Adventist Story and the questions behind his approach to Adventist history. To watch this and other episodes of Books to Believe In Podcast, visit the @AdventistBooks YouTube channel and explore the full podcast playlist here.
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Three Teachers, One Mission: What Happens When a School Dares to Do Things Differently
– August 10, 2026Ask what drew our three teachers to V. Lindsay Seventh-day Adventist School in Kansas City, Kansas, and you will get the same answer in three different voices: God brought them here. What they found when they arrived was a school in the middle of something remarkable. Over the past two years, V. Lindsay has been reimagining what teaching looks like in a small, multi-grade Adventist school through a strength-based subject specialization model, where each teacher focuses on the subjects they are most gifted in across all grade levels. The story of that transformation is best told through the people who live it every day. Janel Fields: Coming home to something better Janel Fields taught at V. Lindsay more than a decade ago. She left, faced serious health challenges, and felt the Holy Spirit impress upon her heart that this was where she was needed. So she came back, and returned to a school she barely recognized. Where teachers once managed every subject in self-contained classrooms, she now teaches art, Bible, science, and social studies across Pre-K through 7th grade. Her defining moment this year came during the science fair, watching middle school students confidently present concepts she had once been nervous to teach. About 90 percent of her students showed MAP growth by year’s end. She said that felt like a personal victory for her too. What has never changed, she says, is the heart of the school. Every child matters here. That was true before. It is still true now. Jazmyne Damon: Trusting the process when you cannot see the whole plan Jazmyne Damon was here when the transition began and lived through every difficult adjustment. She specializes in literacy and language arts, and her classroom runs on one conviction: every child is a capable learner whose gifts may simply look different from the child beside them. She tells her students there is no such thing as a dumb question, and that getting something wrong does not mean starting all the way over. When the specialization model launched, she anchored herself in Scripture, thinking often about how Moses and Joshua had to keep moving step by step without seeing the full plan. Schoolwide reading scores reflected the effort, climbing more than 30 percent during the pilot year. But she knew the change was worth it when she saw something the data could not fully capture: students who once disliked school were waking their parents up in the morning because they wanted to come. Dr. Reginald Dixon: When the model is all you know Dr. Dixon did not transition into this model. He walked straight into it as a first-year elementary teacher with no prior classroom experience and no frame of reference for the old way. When asked what drew him to V. Lindsay, his answer was four words: it was literally God. He specializes in math, teaches with structured discipline, and gives students three core laws to apply in whatever way works best for them. He was candid about what surprised him: the processes were not as established as he expected. So he observed, adjusted and kept going. What he loves most about teaching this way is simple—watching the children grow and develop. When schoolwide MAP scores climbed more than 30 percent in math during the pilot, he had all the evidence he needed. Three teachers. Three completely different journeys to the same building. Together they are building what one of them calls a kingdom-shaped workplace, where love, grace, excellence and joy are not words on a wall but the daily experience of everyone who walks through the door. If you are a family looking for that kind of environment for your child, or an educator looking for that kind of mission for your gifts, V. Lindsay has a place for you. Come see what God is doing here. At the time of this writing Schari Fontus, Ed.D. candidate, was superintendent of education for the Central States Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
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HMS Students Bring Jesus from the Classroom to the Community
– August 3, 2026What if Jesus comes tomorrow? Are we ready? Are our neighbors ready? Do the people around us know that Jesus loves them deeply and wants to be part of their lives? And if sharing that hope is our responsibility … when does that begin? At five years old? 10? 20? 50? At HMS Richards Adventist School in Loveland, Colorado, we believe the answer is yes—to every age. During the 2025-2026 school year, Pentecost 2025 became more than a sermon series. It became a living reminder that every student, from the youngest to the oldest, can be used by God to share His love in meaningful ways. We believe our community should know that Jesus loves them, and that we can be His hands and feet right now. Over the course of many months, our students immersed themselves in Scripture, researching deeply, asking meaningful questions, writing thoughtfully, and preparing to share God’s truth with courage and conviction. Through our “GOD IS” evangelistic series, our seventh- and eighth-grade students preached full Bible-based sermons centered on who God is—our Salvation, our Hope, our Rest, our Victory, and our Coming King. At the same time, our fifth- and sixth-grade students developed and produced the accompanying “GOD IS” podcast series, learning how to communicate biblical truth through writing, recording, editing and production. Together, students discovered that God can use every gift—speaking, writing, music, technology, encouragement, organization and service—for His work. But perhaps the most beautiful part of this journey happened outside the classroom walls. Students spent intentional time connecting with the 110 homes surrounding our campus, not simply inviting neighbors to a program, but building real relationships through listening, kindness, prayer and service. Through post-storm restoration, hospital visits, yard clean-up projects, encouragement,and practical help, our students learned that evangelism is not only something spoken from a stage—it is something lived. And something remarkable happened in return. Our neighbors began to understand that HMS is not just a school nearby. They now know they can reach out to us when they need prayer, support, encouragement or help—and that we will be there. What made Pentecost 2025 truly special was watching students realize that they do not have to wait until adulthood to serve Jesus in meaningful ways. God is already working through them now. This initiative reflects the mission of HMS: to develop young people who love Jesus deeply, think critically, serve compassionately, and boldly share the gospel with the world. We invite you to experience the series for yourself and to share it widely with others so that the message of God’s love and the truth of Scripture may continue reaching hearts far beyond our own community. Watch the “GOD IS” Sermon Series (Grades 7–8): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWc13wBzJTR1DroKJU6h2UY_hCzUJNFys&si=4Tdfm_vxWvXPFIIH The sermon series is also easily accessible by searching: HMS “GOD IS” on YouTube Listen to the “GOD IS” Podcast Series (Grades 5–6): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWc13wBzJTR2KvNAsjJioa_TzBkNa8CWP&si=HY6Z1O2Nod3NJTYx The podcasts are also available on major podcast platforms. Simply search: HMS Richards Adventist School Podcasts and look for the “GOD IS” series with the Bible image. We invite you to watch these messages, listen to the podcasts, and then share them with others. Our prayer and goal are that these student-led sermons and podcasts will spread far beyond our school and community—reaching hearts across the country and around the world with the love of Jesus and the truth of His Word. Every time you share a sermon, podcast or link, you become part of this mission. Together, we can help others know that God loves them deeply and is calling them to Him. Carey Jordan is the principal of HMS Richards Adventist School.
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Finding a Calling in the Storm At Union, a Bahamian marine learned new skills to serve his country.
– July 27, 2026In September 2019, a Category 5 hurricane slammed into the Bahamas. With winds exceeding 185 miles per hour and storm surges reaching up to 23 feet, Hurricane Dorian was one of the most powerful storms ever to make landfall in the Atlantic and the worst natural disaster in the history of the island nation. As a career marine in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF), Jamie Rahming was part of his government’s humanitarian response in the wake of the storm. Working alongside teams from the U.S., U.K. and other nations, he felt a calling: a new way he could serve his country. “Hurricane Dorian devastated our two northernmost islands,” Rahming said. “We did pretty well with what we had, but we needed so much help from other countries. After that, I started looking at how I could enhance our ability to respond to disasters.” He had seen firsthand that the Bahamas needed professional search-and-rescue teams on the same level as those coming from other countries. He and his wife began searching for a program that would train him to lead such a team, and they found Union Adventist University’s International Rescue and Relief Program listed on the FEMA website. “It just so happens that at the time Union had the only hands-on program dealing with disaster management,” he said. “I thought, This is going to work for me because I prefer hands-on learning instead of just book work. So that’s how I ended up choosing Union out of all the schools on the list.” He wrote a proposal to develop a search-and-rescue team. It was sent up the chain of command, and in 2022, Rahming was granted study leave from the military. The full support of the RBDF gave him the financial freedom to bring his family to the U.S. while he earned his bachelor’s degree at Union. “My proposal is to start an urban search-and-rescue team with an emphasis on rope rescue, floodwater rescue, confined spaces, wildland firefighting, missing persons … all the things that we need back home,” Rahming said. “We would have that base of skills within that department, and from there we can build teams that not only assist in the Bahamas but also help other Caribbean countries when disasters strike.” Fortitude and support yields multiple certifications and opportunities When Rahming arrived in Nebraska, it was the farthest he had ever been from home—and the farthest north. “To come all the way to Nebraska, I thought, This is going to take some mental fortitude,” he said. “Even though I didn’t know anyone here, I knew I could do it. And then the winter came. The weather changes 20 degrees one day, and then the next day there’s another 20-degree difference. This is like nothing at home.” Despite the cold weather, he found a warm welcome at Union Adventist University. “I love this place,” he said. “It’s a close-knit community, so the professors are more involved in helping you succeed. It’s been very beneficial in helping me work toward my goals.” When asked what advice he would give a new student considering Union’s IRR Program, Rahming said, “Come prepared. Prepared for what? The weather. Long nights of studying. Time management. It’s not going to be easy, but because of the way Union is set up, you always have a community that will help you. Come prepared to ask for help.” In addition to earning his baccalaureate degree at Union, his four years in the IRR Program mean he is now certified in emergency medicine, search and rescue, swiftwater rescue and flood management, technical rope rescue, wilderness medicine … and more. In fact, he has not only earned the certifications but has also worked as a teaching assistant training others. As part of the university’s disaster response team, he deployed to Arkansas, Florida and North Carolina following natural disasters, putting his training into practice in situations very similar to the hurricane response that started him on this journey. Rahming reached out to Nebraska Task Force One for guidance on how to set up a similar response unit back in the Bahamas, and he has been grateful for the opportunity to learn from one of the top urban search-and-rescue teams in the United States right here in Lincoln. Having graduated from Union in May, Rahming is now heading home. He says his next step is either officer training or a master’s degree in disaster management. “If one doesn’t work out, I’ll do the other. Hopefully they both work out, and hopefully there’s no hurricane soon. Let me get the team together first.”