Blog

When you meet Remington Hill, you feel you are in the presence of someone who knows her own mind. She exudes joy and playfulness, but also understands discipline and focus. She is 15 years old and a freshman at Campion Adventist Academy in Loveland, Colorado.

It’s hard to sum up Remington’s interests. Raised on a ranch in Trinidad in Southern Colorado, nature and hard work were the elements that molded her early years. But she soon began to win poetry contests and her interest in music moved her to teach herself to play piano and guitar.

Remington has an aura of authenticity, a mixture of fun and seriousness. What stands out is her love for Jesus.

Remington agreed for us to take a peek into her life at Campion through a few of her journal notes. —Editor

TUESDAY: I’m stressing out this morning. It’s Tuesday and I have a test. I have to do good. I want my “A”. I feel like I left my brain in my bed.

WEDNESDAY: I’m tired. I have a lot of homework still. I woke up extra early to get it in on time. I just need the weekend.

THURSDAY: I love Bible class. It’s my favorite class. I love it because we actually get to discuss and share our thoughts about what we are feeling. It’s completely different than going to church where all you do is listen. It’s interesting to hear what other students’ opinions are because I can relate to them. It’s nice to know that I can relate to the other students and they have the same questions or concerns that I do. Teenagers might often feel as if they can’t be heard, but not in Bible class. We’re all very transparent. We are currently studying the book of Luke. We read the verse and try to make it more interesting by putting it in our perspective and making it into a story. We really elaborate on and question each sentence. For example, we were reading Luke 8 and discussing the demoniac, and asking why when He [Jesus] cast the legion of demons out, they chose to enter the pigs. And what’s the bottomless pit? We ask these question and many, many, more. It becomes interactive which makes it fun to discuss. It’s not just a class to me; it’s more a spiritual impact.

FRIDAY: I’m trying to focus in earth science. It’s not working. But at least no school tomorrow! Singing all day! Go Music Fest!

A friend from my old town came and visited the school this week. She liked it a lot! She said how cool it was that we have worship every day in every class before we start our assignments. She likes our schedules and all the events that we have throughout the week.

It’s really not easy for students, even as Christians, to keep our eyes on Christ all the time. We have the demands of any other school, the pressure to get good grades, the social aspects, and extracurricular activities like sports and music. We get so busy doing all these things that we can lose sight of Christ. I’m very thankful for the spiritual activities that Campion offers because it helps me to refocus on what is really important, and that is my relationship with Jesus. Chapel, for example. Chapel is every Wednesday from 11:30- 12:00. The whole school—students and staff—come together for worship. Even though this time is short, it makes you stop and think about where you are with Christ.

Other examples are vespers and Sparks. Vespers happens every Friday night. We welcome the Sabbath and put our minds in a state of peace as we realize the week is over and Sabbath has arrived. Sparks is every Wednesday night, and is a small worship service that reminds us of how much the world distracts us. Taking time out of the week and spending time with God slaps us back into reality.

One of the spiritual activities that I find most moving is Week of Prayer. Week of Prayer happens three times each year, when the school comes together every night for a whole week to have worship. Every Week of Prayer is different because either the staff, a guest speaker, or students host each one. My favorite is student-led because not only are the speakers teenagers that I can relate to, but they are also my friends. It makes me take a step back and realize how special it is that ordinary high-schoolers use Christ to make such an impact on their peers. That is a major reason I cherish going to school in a Christian environment.

MONDAY: I got an “A” on my test in earth science! Ahhh-hhh! I’m so excited!

(Later). I am exhausted. I can’t stop yawning. I have piles and piles of homework and I don’t want to do any of it. This last quarter is killing me.

TUESDAY: We’re going on a singing trip to California after class gets out and I cannot focus right now! I just wanna leave! But I’m freaking out about how much school I’ll miss! A whole week!

MONDAY: We’re back, and now it’s time to catch up! Cali was fun and I don’t want to be back, but I really need to focus this last quarter.

It’s ridiculous how many people don’t take school seriously. They just play games and mess around. And here I am studying so hard to get “A”s and others are just happy they passed! It’s really hard for me to understand.

People really need to stop gossiping and talk to the involved parties first before believing and spreading rumors. But I guess that’s what you get when you come to high school. Thought I was done with that when I was out of grade school. Nope, people still act childishly. Even seniors.

Mondays are really slow. At least the sun is shining and today is an A day (we have different schedules on different days). That means easy classes. On second thought, in all honesty, freshman classes are all easy. You just have to have enough motivation to do the work!

WEDNESDAY: I just heard someone say that they don’t know if they can come to Campion again next year because of money. Now that I think about it, I’ve heard that several times. I have heard that in my own household. I’m not going to lie: Campion is expensive. It’s not the average family that pays for their child to go to school, especially high school! Coming from public school that is free to paying thousands of dollars to go to a Christian school was a very large adjustment for my family. My family has sacrificed a lot for both my brother and me to have a Christian education. But let me tell you, it’s so worth it. Being in an environment that surrounds you with the love of Christ, welcomes you and treats you like family, and gives you the freedom to express your faith publicly, is unlike anything I’ve experienced. If my family would have just focused on how expensive it was,

we would have never gone. We, like many families, have to weigh the costs and benefits. The benefits completely outweigh the costs, and I am thankful for the opportunity to attend Campion. I wouldn’t be here without the help of my parents, my friends, my church, and Campion itself. They provide lots of financial support if you need it and, with God’s provision, He makes it possible.

THURSDAY: This morning I’m up early to study for another test! I feel good about it, but everyone says it will be hard. Six weeks left and I’m definitely feeling the summer pull. Oh! This weekend is Academy Days! So all the kids who are thinking of attending Campion next year come and visit! It’s super fun and I hope for more students to enroll into the freshman class because there are only 16 of us.

I’m really hungry! It’s almost lunch and I’m listening to some of my friends studying chemistry. I don’t want to take my test! I have been drinking a lot of water because I learned more about other drinks and how they’re really unhealthy and have a lot of calories! So, water weight-loss!

(Later). I’m so not focusing. Friday should come quicker. Academy Days start tomorrow! Super excited! Two of my friends and I are singing the national anthem for the soccer tournament Saturday night! That will be lots of fun! I’m grateful for the opportunity!

I have a job before I go to school every day. What is that about? When I first started, I thought it was kind of cool to say, “I have a job.” But then I realized it’s not that great. Especially when there are limited options and I’m doing something that I would not necessarily pursue as a career. Not only is the job difficult, but also having to study on top of work is challenging. Why do we have to work? Well, actually, I know why I have to work. The most obvious reason is that it helps pay my tuition bill. But I’ve come to realize that it also improves my work ethic and helps me learn how to manage my time. I guess you could say it prepares teenagers very well for the future. It’s not fair that some students don’t have to have jobs. What would I do with that extra time? Sleep and study, I guess.

Even though it’s not that fun to work, I do think it’s awesome that Campion provides a means to help students pay tuition, and even though it takes up time, it’s one of those things that we benefit from. The benefit is all the opportunities we get at this school that are not offered at public schools.

I don’t think any of my friends actually enjoy working, but we have a sense of pride in saying that, “Hey, I played a part in paying for my education.” Work gives us a sense of responsibility and adulthood, and we get to see what the future will be like.

Enough!
A few more words about me:

I sing, I sing, and I sing. I taught myself piano and guitar. I believe that music is the gift that God has given me. I love music and I sing in church almost every week. I am in choir and Koinonia—a select choir that travels and performs. It is so fun! Other activities that I enjoy are playing volleyball and hanging out with my friends. I am president of my class, have about a 3.9 GPA, and definitely take school seriously.

I am an extrovert. As extroverted as they get. I am very people-oriented. I am also very loud and laugh all the time. I love to have fun and hang out with my friends as often as I can.

I became a baptized Seventh-day Adventist in March of 2013. Pastor Mitch Williams baptized me at the Adventure church in Windsor, Colorado. I am a member of the Adventure church. I suppose you could say I am a Seventh-day Adventist, but I don’t really like to put a label on my faith because people tend to group all religions under one category. I am a student who loves Jesus, accepts Him as my Lord and Savior, believes that the Bible was written by the inspiration of God, and that the seventh day is the true Sabbath. I am involved in both Campion and Adventure churches weekly, mostly in music, but I love to help wherever I’m needed.

A few years before even hearing about Campion Academy, my mom and dad found a book in the middle of the road on a vacation trip to Wyoming. The name of the book was The Sunday Law. From that day forward my mom was on a mission to find the truth. We began church hopping—from Baptists, to Nazarenes, to faith-based, to finally finding Amazing Facts on television. After a series of Bible studies online, we began to search for a Seventh-day Adventist church. That summer (2012) we were introduced to Glacier View Ranch. This is where I was divinely guided into a cabin with Gabrielle Williams along with a group of Campion girls. A month later, our family packed up everything, and with no jobs and no place to live—quoting Scripture in the car—we arrived in Campion, Colorado. We were again divinely guided to live with a family that we had met the first day of school. Mitch, Lena, Gabrielle, Colette, Jenna, and Olivia Williams are now among those I consider to be part of my own family. I attended HMS Richards Elementary School for 7th and 8th grades before starting at Campion Academy. This story is evidence of God’s miraculous leading and guiding for those who seek Him and believe that He has plans for each and every person.

By Rick Mautz

Why a caveman? With all the great food options available today, why would anyone even think of going back to the difficulties of cavemen? Apparently, a lot of people want to. The Paleo (caveman) diet is currently one of the most popular diets. And it is promoted for health reasons, so I’m interested. You should be too—because don’t we all want to be healthy?

But wait—don’t rush down any health path without checking it out. What is true? What information can you trust? With so many conflicting ideas out there, we need to find out what is fact and what is myth.

I have learned, perhaps more from error than trial, that things are usually neither black nor white, but contain aspects of truth that we can learn from. When I first heard about the Paleo diet, I was totally against it. I tried to talk people out of their obsession with it. Then I listened to a cross-fit trainer who was quite convincing about the health benefits of this low-carb, non-vegetarian diet. Even though I was not thoroughly convinced, I did decide I needed to do what I could to discover the truth about this subject.

Before you start thinking that your health ministry director has totally given up on the health message, I need to tell you that I believe we are not, as a church, where we should be in our lifestyle practices, and that our best path to health will be found by going back—not to the caveman, but back to God’s original plan that is clearly described in His Word.

I realize that nearly 50 percent of our church member- ship is not vegetarian much less vegan, and I need to minister to those of you in that group as well. I am hoping that once you get on the path to health—wherever you start—you will continue to make small steps toward the place God wants you to be as you endeavor to reflect Him in your words, actions and even lifestyle.

But there are things we can learn from our Paleo friends. They teach us to eliminate refined and processed foods, to eat only grass-fed, no-hormone-rich meats. We often pride ourselves on being vegetarians, but eat pastries and cakes and processed artificial meat. Our Paleo friends will probably find better health even though they eat meat. As in our spiritual life, so in our lifestyle. It may be that what we do counts far more than what we don’t do. I used to call myself “vegan” until I realized that my dietary focus was on what I wasn’t eating. I realized that I was not getting good nutrition even though I was avoiding some bad things. Now when people ask me about my diet, I tell them that I eat “the most nutritious food I can.” They often want to know more, whereas when I used to tell people I was vegan, that was the end of the conversation.

I do have to confess that it was difficult for me to study the Paleo diet, because the whole idea of going back to the “hunter gatherers” is tied to evolutionary theory, which takes us back to our supposed ancestors, the apes. But if we stick with the research, it is possible to find some valuable help in our quest for health.

Let me address a few of the more important facts you may need to consider in making healthy decisions. High insulin levels are responsible for much of the increase in diabetes and heart disease. One argument for a low carbohydrate Paleo diet is to avoid the high insulin levels that come from eating lots of carbohydrates. It turns out that the meat eaters had twice the levels of insulin as vegetarians. In fact, insulin levels from eating meat were equal to eating pure sugar.

It was a shock to me to learn that even though vegetarians showed an advantage in lower cholesterol, obesity, hypertension, and colon cancer, they had no advantage in deaths from heart disease. Why would that be, since they do not eat much cholesterol? Even though vegetarians are careful to avoid meat, they are not necessarily as careful in other choices, such as avoiding refined and processed foods. These lead to an unhealthy ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 fatty acids. This factor alone took away the expected reduction of death from heart disease. It was found that a ratio greater than 4 to 1 of Omega 6 to 3 of these essential fatty acids interfered with the production of DHA and EPA, important heart healthy elements. An easy solution to this heart disease dilemma is to avoid all oils but Omega 3-rich olive and canola oil. And to take 1-2 tablespoons of (high in Omega 3) ground flax seed per day. This has been shown to cut death from heart disease by 70 percent.

You may have heard that vegans need to take vitamin B-12 because it is not found in plant sources, but it seems to be helpful for everyone—even meat eaters. It lowers homo- cysteine, a major cause of destructive inflammation, which should be below 10, but averages 12 in meat eaters, 17 in vegetarians and 27 in vegans (not good news for us vegans). You can drop that number to a safe 8 by just chewing one B-12 tablet (2000 mcg) each week. The benefits of adding this health practice is to reduce inflammation, the major cause of heart disease and neurologic deterioration such as Alzheimer’s disease and it has the added benefit of elevating your mood.

If you are serious about being healthy, you will want to avoid the leading causes of death. Research continues to confirm that there is no better way than to enjoy a whole foods, plant-based diet. If you are on the path to health, but haven’t reached the plant-based mile marker in the road, some of the positive ideas of Paleo may be for you. The diet cuts out refined foods and encourages grass fed, “healthier” meat. Of course this is a compromise, but it is a move in the right direction.

So, should you adopt a caveman diet? It may not be the best diet, but it could be healthier than a vegetarian or even vegan diet that includes refined foods. If you do choose to include meat in your diet, you may want to consider what you can add to it in the area of good nutrition, as well as the other positive lessons we can learn from the cavemen.

–Rick Mautz, PT MS, is RMC health director.

By Craig Carr

Beginning in the fall of 2014, the Rocky Mountain Conference initiated a process with congregational leaders in cooperation with their pastors to gather feedback and communicate ministry plans for 2015. This yearly procedure has already produced many wonderful results, such as clarity of mission and objectives, as well as improving communication between pastors, church leaders, and conference leadership.

The objectives of the planning and evaluation process include prayer, healthy dialogue, and clarity of purpose. Not only is it important that the pastors and church leaders evaluate how things are going, but the intentionality of this dialogue has helped produce clarity regarding who is responsible for what.

The mission and purpose of a congregation resides in both the pastor’s role and the board’s role in accomplishing agreed-upon goals. Of supreme importance to this entire process is the time spent in prayer in which pastors, church leaders, and conference leaders are praying for the Spirit’s guidance. The evaluation process helps all involved to understand the question, “Where have we been?” while the planning process helps identify, “Where do we go from here?”

Evaluation: A Process of Review and Affirmation

Initiated by the Ministerial Department, church board members (either through the board chair or head elder) are sent a packet of evaluation forms to be completed by each board member. For simplicity and comparability, questions are answered on a 1 (disagree) – 5 (agree) scale and the forms are returned to the ministerial department to be tallied.

The following is a breakdown of the 31 evaluation questions:

The first ten are designed as a self-evaluation tool for individual board members and their perceptions of their congregations. Questions are related to the individual’s church involvement and the overall direction of their church.

The next nine questions regard the effectiveness of the involvement and support of the Rocky Mountain Conference. This feedback is helpful to conference leaders on specific ways in which the churches may be better served.

The final 11 questions serve as an evaluation of the pastor. Leaders rate their perceptions of their pastor’s ministry effectiveness, from prayer and preaching to leadership and training.

The evaluation form allows for general comments to be written that also proved insightful.

The evaluation process would be incomplete without the voice of the pastor. Each pastor completes a set of self- evaluation questions that include the same 11 questions their board members complete. The average of the board member’s responses and the pastor’s self-assessment are com- pared and discussed with the pastor. These comparisons have been helpful to identify areas in which the pastor’s self-perception may differ from that of the leaders.

“I really appreciate the evaluation process implemented by RMC,” comments Pastor Blake Jones of the Twin Peaks (Louisville) and Vista Fellowship (Longmont) churches. “While knowing how the pastor and congregation truly feel may be uncomfortable, it does help facilitate a healthier relationship between churches, pastors and the conference.”

Ed Barnett, RMC president, says that he is sold on the idea of evaluations. “Evaluations are great tools to get feed- back on how the local church, pastor or conference are doing. As we discussed evaluations with the pastors, nearly all came away encouraged. And if there were areas that showed that they needed growth, we were able to help them with additional assignments. I feel that it has raised the bar for our congregations, ministers, and the conference itself.”

Commenting further, Barnett says that having annual evaluations will further strengthen ministry and mission. “Turning in evaluations every year not only looks at what is happening in the immediate period, but even five years out. I believe that due to that process this year we have had more requests for evangelism budgets as churches have begun to take their mission perhaps more seriously.”

Planning: A Time to Unite in Mission and Purpose

The Ministerial Department sends planning documents to each pastor who then facilitates discussion and agreement with local church leaders on plans for the up-coming calendar year. Plans include the local church’s top ministry priorities, activities and events planned for spiritual nurture, leadership training, as well as outreach and evangelistic efforts.

While most churches already make plans each year, the added challenge of creating a five-year strategy helps pastors and church leaders see a longer view of the impact of the yearly activities, providing a lengthier trajectory and greater sense of purpose. With ministry plans comes the need for resources, so it is at this point that pastors make their church’s financial requests known for evangelism for the coming year.

The plans submitted by each pastor are reviewed by conference administration and direct the conversation at the pastor’s annual review with the ministerial director and member(s) of administration. This meeting with the pastor takes place toward the end of the year, reflecting on the current year using the feedback provided and discussing together the plans for the coming year which were created by the pastor and local church leaders.

On a personal note, I have found this process to be very affirming of the many things our pastors are doing well in pastoral leadership. It has also been helpful to review the honest feedback from leaders to help identify specific areas that need improvement.

With goals of providing healthy dialogue between pastors, church leaders and conference leadership, this yearly process has already proven to be a useful tool. It is our hope that clear and consistent communication, clearly defined goals and strategies, and healthy accountability at all levels can produce a united effort in ministry, “according to the effective working by which every part does its share, caus(ing) growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:16)

–Craig Carr is RMC ministerial director.

By Agape Hammond

Mile High Academy will hold a grand opening celebration welcoming students to its new location for the 2015-2016 school year on August 16, 2015. However, before that can happen, there is work to be done.

Currently the roof renovation, a four-phase project, is underway. Soon the interior of the school will receive a whole new makeover. All this is part of a carefully outlined remodel and expansion plan that will bring the property into the 21st century. This will be a school worthy of both our excellent academic standards and the students who walk the halls daily.

The new site, nine miles south of the current location, is in the Highlands Ranch community. After 65 years in its current Denver location, MHA is excited to explore the south Denver area.

The move is intended to provide an opportunity for growth while continuing to provide students excellence in Christ-centered education. There is already an atmosphere of anticipation.

Alexis, a sophomore who will be making the move with us in the fall spoke excitedly about what MHA has meant to her. “I’m not just a number here. I have students and teachers that want me to grow. They challenge me.”

She went on to say that she is excited for the move.

“There will be opportunity for growth. I can’t wait to go to a newer facility, a place where we can expand. And the view— it’s a prettier view.”

Have we mentioned the views from the new location? Looking out the large panoramic lobby windows reminds us again of how much we have been blessed.

The principal, Toakase Vunileva, says, “What an exciting time to watch God move! Every step of the way, I have watched God open doors for the future and the continued growth of excellence at MHA. We read stories about miracles that are both past and present and we may think to ourselves, ‘That’s amazing but it’s never happened to me.’ When we celebrate the opening of our new school, it will be because God saw fit to make it happen and we were tools in the process. What a testimony to the faithfulness of our great God!”

The future of Mile High Academy has been a vision in the making since 2008. From planning to prayer to the hard work and determination of leaders, board members and parents, this is an opportunity that has long been anticipated. We look forward to another hundred years of Christ-centered education through God’s leading.

–Agape Hammond is marketing director at Mile High Academy.

By Barbara Parrott

Rocky Mountain Conference staff members, along with other friends and family, continue to remember the legacy of Gerry Chapman, director of trust services. Born and raised in Loma Linda, CA, he spent more than 43 years in pastoral ministry in Iowa, Colorado, New Jersey, Ohio, and Illinois.

His pastoral ministry continued even as director of trust services for the Rocky Mountain Conference, beginning in 1997, when he served as interim pastor for Denver South Church and as a Sabbath School teacher and membership clerk. He considered it a privilege and an honor to serve.

A memorial service was held February 7, 2015 at Denver South Church where he held membership during his sojourn in Colorado. Gerry was honored for his many years of faithful service, which continued in spite of his own battle with illness.

His colleagues have commented on the strength he showed, never missing a day of work until his last two weeks. “It was apparent to all of his co-workers,” shares Bill Hay, associate to Gerry, “that Gerry was a man of strict integrity. He placed faithfulness to his convictions and responsibilities ahead of everything else on earth. It mattered not what others thought, he would always remain true.”

Gerry’s pastor, Ramon Ulangca says, “Gerry’s legacy of service in the Rocky Mountain Conference was one of total commitment and sacrifice for the cause of Christ and the welfare of His church. His quiet demeanor masked a steely resolve based on clear convictions that consistently guided every decision he made. As a pastoral colleague and friend, I will always cherish the memory of his unwavering support and wise encouragement of my ministry.”

Rick and Joan Rosvall give an example of Gerry’s dedication to his clients: “Gerry was a very caring and out-of-the-ordinary servant.” He delivered comforting words at Joan’s mother’s funeral, performed our marriage ceremony and administered all four of our parents’ trusts. We can’t say enough great things about what this man did for us. Gerry was a beacon of light and we will always miss him.”

Gerry’s passing was a great loss for the staff of the Rocky Mountain Conference and an even greater loss for his family. Our prayers continue for those who survive him; his mother, Margaret Chapman; wife, Pat Chapman; daughter and son- in-law Jennifer and Eric Bishop; son and daughter-in-law Patrick and Emily Chapman; and grandchildren Ava, Olivia and Allison.

–Barbara Parrott is RMC director of property and trusts.

By Michele Stotz

The Voice of Prophecy ministry officially opened the doors of its new home in Loveland, Colorado, on April 9, 2015, following 86 years in California. This new location felt like a bit of a homecoming, since H.M.S. Richards—the ministry’s founder—spent his early years in Loveland.

Voice of Prophecy speaker/director Shawn Boonstra said that his leadership team searched across America for the ministry’s brand-new home. After narrowing down the search to 11 cities, one candidate rose to the top: Loveland. And the Voice of Prophecy’s deep history in the area helped to cement this choice.

“I wish H.M.S. Richards were still alive to see that we’ve not only found a new home, but in a way, we’ve brought his ministry back home,” said Boonstra.

A Rich History

Richards and his family moved to Colorado when he was five, and the state made such an impression on him that he would become nostalgic later in life at the sight of the majestic Rocky Mountains.

For a time, his father, H.M.J. Richards, was pastor of the West Denver Church, and even received a speaking lesson from Ellen G. White after she heard one of his sermons and was concerned that he was straining his voice. His father later became vice president of the Colorado Conference— now the Rocky Mountain Conference—and the entire family was deeply involved in the church’s early days in this area.

Richards’ grandparents owned a farm on the outskirts of Loveland, so the family spent a lot of time there prior to building their own home in Loveland.

Education was also important to the family, and Richards’ father founded East Colorado Academy, which later became Campion Adventist Academy. Richards was one of the school’s first graduates, and today its elementary school bears his name.

These early years in Colorado stoked Richards’ passion for evangelism. While assisting and attending local evangelistic meetings, he made a decision to dedicate his life to Jesus, and in 1907 was baptized by his father in Lake Loveland. A few years later, he preached his first sermon  in Fort Lupton, just north of Denver. Of course, that was just the beginning, but it laid the groundwork for a ministry that now reaches around the world with the Good News of Christ’s soon coming.

Looking to the Future

It was with this history in mind that the Voice of Prophecy opened its doors in Loveland and looked to the future with anticipation.

The dedication ceremony hosted more than 300 visitors and included leadership from the Rocky Mountain Conference, members of the local Chamber of Commerce and the community, and many church members—some of whom drove hours to attend the event.

“For our church in this region, the Voice of Prophecy is more than a place on the map,” said Ed Barnett, president of the Rocky Mountain Conference. “We are excited to officially welcome them as partners in mission.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was followed by tours of the facility, and attendees were excited to hear about ministry projects such as the weekly radio program, the ministry’s recent month-long series in Minneapolis, the DISCOVER Bible School, Bible distribution in the Arctic, and a humanitarian project that is rescuing young girls from human trafficking in India (watch a video about the project at vop.com/india).

“What better place than a city named ‘Loveland’ to tell the whole world about God’s love?” said Pastor Boonstra. “From behind these doors, people from around the planet will be listening!”

To learn more about the Voice of Prophecy’s ongoing projects, and to read Shawn and Jean Boonstra’s latest blog entries, visit vop.com.

–Michele Stotz is Voice of Prophecy director of public relations

The first-known Seventh-day Adventist in Colorado was a young girl who traveled across the Kansas plains in a covered wagon in the 1860s.* She found work in the home of a Denver family, eventually marrying a miner named Shaw. They made their home in Golden.

Others followed—Mrs. Amy Dartt, who came from the 1844 Movement and settled in Boulder, and Mrs. Cora M. Thayer (later Mrs. Cora M. Jones), a long-time member of the Longmont church who eventually settled in Georgetown.

These three women were lights among the scattered mining towns and ignited other flames in the region.

After Elder J. O. Corliss held tent evangelism meetings in Boulder in the late 1870s, a congregation was established in this Old West territory. Another was organized in Longmont in early 1880, quickly followed by another in Denver with 21 charter members and with E.R. Jones as pastor.

In 1872, James and Ellen White traveled to Colorado to enjoy its beautiful scenery and invigorating mountain air and to recoup their health. They stayed in a cabin at 11,000 feet and so enjoyed their time that, according to Boulder County records, they purchased a 320-acre tract, which became a retreat for the White family.

The General Conference encouraged the creation of city missions during the 1880s and several were established, among them a city medical mission and workingmen’s home, a rescue home for women, a Bible school, and vegetarian cafés in Denver and Colorado Springs. These cafes were flourishing as late as 1902.

The Colorado Conference was organized in1882 when the General Conference recognized enough interest. It included Northwest New Mexico’s San Juan County, an easier drive from Colorado than from Texas in the Texico Conference. It was reorganized February 8, 1981 when it merged with Wyoming Conference and became the Rocky Mountain Conference.

The current office location was opened January 1, 1958 on S. Downing Street across from Porter Adventist Hospital which had occupied its facility since 1930.

Today, the Rocky Mountain Conference is one of 601 world-wide local conferences and home to 17,642 Seventh- day Adventists. A part of the 1.2 million members comprising the North American Division, it is made up of 129 churches, companies and groups, two camp retreat centers, and 23 schools, which provide a Christian education to more than 800 students. [Carol Bolden]

*Information taken from “History of the Boulder Seventh-day Adventist Church” in the files of the Boulder Daily Camera, and Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, vol. 10.

By Greg Hodgson

Volunteers from the Adventist hospitals in Colorado have been extending the healing ministry of Christ not only locally, but also internationally. In 2016, Centura Health will celebrate 10 years since the founding of Global Health Initiatives, the medical mission arm of the current Adventist hospitals in the Denver metro-area.

The first volunteers left Colorado for Mugonero Adventist Hospital in Rwanda in January 2006. An orthopedic team from Avista Adventist Hospital led the charge, and was quickly followed by a medical mission team traveling to Nepal in February, and then to Peru in April. Since that time, nearly 1,200 volunteers have participated in these three projects, performing hundreds of free surgeries and seeing nearly 30,000 primary care patient visits. The projects are part of building a long-term relationship that promotes change and improvement of medical care overseas.

“The main objective of these medical mission projects is to build capacity at existing mission hospitals so that they can better serve their own communities,” comments Stephen King, vice president for mission and ministry at the Colorado hospital system. “We accomplish this through providing continuing medical education for local doctors and nurses, and through leadership training, strategic planning, financial management, and human resource development.” Additional support is provided through the provision of needed medical equipment and supplies, as well as some limited building projects.

“Adventist hospitals in the developing world were started by brave medical missionaries which normally had strong support from their home churches and the larger church organization,” says Greg Hodgson, director of Global Health Initiatives.

Hodgson explains that, “over time these hospitals were transferred to local leadership, which is important in developing national expertise, but unfortunately the international support and funding largely disappeared. But as the world church organization is no longer giving support to these facilities, others come to their aid. We are among the Adventist hospitals which have prospered in the United States and elsewhere, and we want to be involved.”

“We take pride in these global health programs,” adds Morre Dean, president of the south Denver group of Adventist hospitals. “Not only are we strengthening these mission hospitals, which are vital to the health of their communities, but we are also providing our own physicians and associates an opportunity to participate in a life-changing mission. With God’s blessing, this is truly a win-win situation for all involved.”

–Greg Hodgson is director of Global Health Initiatives for Centura Health.

If you were one of the visitors joining “A Journey to the Cross and Beyond,” an Easter commemoration at Campion Adventist Academy, you were likely stopped by Rodney Kelly, a horse centurion sporting an impressive Roman soldier’s garb and riding atop Smokey, his handsome horse. “Have you paid your taxes?” he asked. “Taxes are due on April 15,” I replied. “These are Roman taxes,” he sternly insisted. After responding that I already paid my tithe, he commanded me to “carry on” to Jerusalem.

Rodney was one of 65 re-enactors of a first-century interactive makeshift marketplace erected at Campion Academy, April 4-5, focused on “bringing Jerusalem to Loveland,” according to Dick Stenbakken, a member of the Campion Seventh-day Adventist Church whose concept attracted nearly 900 visitors. “I am elated,” he said. “We had no idea what to expect. We planned for the first group to go through our marketplace at 3 o’clock on Sabbath afternoon and were overwhelmed by a crowd of 160 people.”

As a community event, visitors were encouraged to participate in a practical expression of love, which for many is the significance of Easter. The organizers invited visitors to make a contribution to the food pantry of the local community. After passing by the empty tomb, and before moving to the final stop of the experience in the multipurpose room of the church with refreshments and a display of first-century Roman artifacts and armor, visitors were pointed to a screen depicting a painting of the Second Coming of Jesus by Nathan Green. Assisting in the moment was Ardis Stenbakken, who approached visitors and simply asked, “Do you see yourself in this picture?”

A notable aspect of the event was the obvious engagement and cooperation of the Seventh-day Adventist community in the area. Hosted by the Campion Seventh-day Adventist Church, it brought five other churches into the organizing group. They included the Loveland Church, the Eden Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church in Loveland, the Greeley Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Adventure Seventh-day Adventist Church in Windsor, and the Fort Collins Seventh-day Adventist Church. They are already looking forward to next year!

—Editor

By George Crumley

Tithe is what sustains mission in the Adventist church. It is because of tithe that pastors are able to bless their communities, and teachers are able to reach the hearts of young people. This mission is being carried forward day in and day out across this conference because of our workers’ committed efforts.

In 2012 and 2013, base tithe within the Rocky Mountain Conference was basically flat, meaning there was virtually no increase from one year to the next (base tithe excludes windfall tithes which are non-recurring amounts of tithe in excess of $50,000). This flat tithe created a deficit budget in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 because costs went up from inflationary pressures while budgeted tithe income did not increase. The good news is that even though we had budgeted deficits for these two years, our actual results for each year resulted in financial gains. This kept our working capital strong.

Additionally, in 2014, we had a healthy base tithe increase of 4.39%. This gave us increased dollars to use when preparing our 2015 budget, which resulted in a balanced budget for the conference this year. This enables us to continue to advance our mission of “Knowing Christ and Making Him Fully Known.”

So I want to express my deep appreciation to each of you for your faithfulness in returning your tithes and offerings, and also I want to thank the Lord who is the giver of “every good gift.”

–George Crumley is RMC vice-president for finance.