NN June 2024

Charles Metz – Ward, Colorado … The Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Youth Summer Camp season launched at Glacier View Ranch (GVR) in Ward, Colorado, June 16. The camp theme this year is “Anointed.” Brandon Westgate, RMC Youth Department director, and Jade Teal, RMC Youth Department assistant director, aren’t hesitating to implement this in every step of camp life, including the staff member preparations.

Charles Metz, the camp’s summer program director and staff pastor, recalls the time prior to the campers arriving for the first session: “We expect campers in two days. We have all the training we need. I sit on the floor of the auditorium, surrounded by friends, new and old. It’s already 11:00 p.m. and there isn’t a dry eye in the room as we pour out our hearts to each other and to God.”

“Brandon anoints [each staff member] with a small bottle of oil. A few others pray, bringing their requests before God to pour out His love, healing, and mercy on our friends,” Metz continued.

“Our staff bonding is vital because it’s what makes or breaks camp,” said Sarah Schneider, camp summer daytime event coordinator. “Knowing that I’m always supported and loved by my camp family gives me the courage that I need.”

Explore Week was the first session geared for ages eight to eleven. Many of the campers enjoy the rodeo, a weekly segment that has grown to take up almost two hours of kid-friendly and country-themed fun. Throughout the day, kids enjoyed delicious meals from the kitchen staff, activities led by experienced camp directors, and a nightly play based on the story of David.

By the conclusion of session, 13 campers were baptized, and several have requested Bible studies through our partnership with the Voice of Prophecy.

One camper celebrated her birthday at GVR, and told Christine Savage, the camp’s office assistant, that it was her best birthday ever. “I’m not a counselor, and I have struggled with worrying I would not be able to develop deeper relationships with the campers,” Savage said.

“God gave me a divine encounter with a camper. She shared her testimony with me … even though what she shared was difficult, what reigned true over and over again was how … she wants to use that to get closer to God. In turn, God also blessed me and used the life experiences I have been through to share what He has been teaching me about His character with her,” she continued.

Michael Blood, a camp senior boys’ counselor and first-time staff member, is challenged but excited to see where the summer goes. “God is showing me how to have patience through my campers,” he shared.

“Now, halfway through Tween [Camp Session], our summer camp team is excited to continue ministering to and ultimately having fun with our campers. Our mission statement at RMC Youth is to ‘make it easy for kids to know God.’ At each activity, roll call, and party, our kids are invited to lift their eyes to the hills, quite literally, and realize that their help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121:2, NLT),” concluded Metz.

—Charles Metz is the RMC Summer Camp summer program director and a staff pastor. Photos supplied.

Danita Ray Juan – Holbrook, Arizona … The Native American Ministries Camp Meeting was held at the Holbrook Indian School (HIS) in Holbrook, Arizona, May 24-26, with the camp theme “Jesus Calls Us.” HIS is an Adventist Native American boarding school in Arizona. Several members of the La Vida Mission Seventh-day Adventist Church in Farmington, New Mexico, attended the camp meeting.

“My husband and I went to Holbrook for the first time to a Navajo camp meeting with our La Vida Mission* friends, VJ and Beth Panganiban, who invited us to join them. La Vida Mission director, Kim Ellis, also attended,” commented Danita Ray Juan, wife of La Vida Mission staff member Harrison Juan Jr.

“It was a very beautiful campus and very welcoming to us. Our first-time experience at the Camp Meeting was a delight,” she continued. “The speaker was Bill Payne. He taught us about our spiritual visions, what they are, and how we need to prepare ourselves for our journey God will send us on.” Dr. Bill Payne is the director of Voice of Prophecy (VOP) Bible School at VOP.

Participants found the speaker’s presentation very motivational and uplifting. After the nighttime meeting, there was a campfire for those who wanted to hear more about God’s Word and get to know one another.

The next morning, there was an early devotion at 7:00 a.m. followed by breakfast. Danita remarked, “It was a very beautiful Sabbath morning with everyone sitting together and encouraging one another with Bible Scriptures and comforting words to start our Sabbath day. We had our breakfast, which I’d like to say was very delicious and filling. Thank you to those who provided the food.”

After breakfast, participants prepared for the Sabbath School portion of the event. The Sabbath School started out with songs and then moved into a study of Ellen G. White’s The Great Controversy. There was a panel discussion with five speakers to explain the readings, breaking it down for participants to understand the messages better.

Dr. Payne presented on God’s infinite wisdom and the perfect order that is the result of His work at the Sabbath service. Payne also spoke on how all can work in harmony together to show God’s work for others and themselves as one.

“The entire Sabbath service was done with good faith, praise, and prayers,” commented Danita. “I felt that the entire community was very welcoming and loving. The members of the camp meeting came up to us and introduced themselves. They were very polite and helpful.”

Participants would like to thank the Holbrook camp meeting organizers for their efforts and making the experience a huge blessing. Danita closed the experience by saying, “The beautiful community has done a great job, and we will be returning to the next camp meeting. May God bless you all abundantly.”

* Please note that La Vida Mission is not affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) nor the Seventh-day Adventist denomination.

—Danita Ray Juan writes from La Vida Mission and is wife of Harrison Juan Jr., Navajo staff member at La Vida Mission. Photos supplied.

Frank Wilson – Denver, Colorado … Ten dedicated pastors from the Bay Island Seventh-day Adventist Conference, part of the Honduras Union Mission, led a remarkable spiritual renewal in the Front Range region of Colorado, June 8-15. This week-long event focused on revival and evangelism resulting in 26 baptisms and marking a significant transformation of faith in the lives of many.

Representing diverse regions of the Bay Island Conference, the pastors united with a common purpose: to ignite a spiritual awakening and share the message of hope and salvation. “Their collective strength attracted individuals from all walks of life,” remarked Frank Wilson, lead pastor at the Aurora, Denver, and Westminster Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Churches in Aurora, Denver, and Westminster, Colorado, respectively. “The atmosphere was charged with anticipation and faith as the pastors delivered impassioned sermons and led heartfelt worship sessions.”

Revival meetings were held throughout the week in various locations around the region, ensuring the message reached a broad audience. Each day showcased the power of worship, prayer, and impactful preaching that deeply resonated with the attendees.

“The pastors’ words were not mere rhetoric but a catalyst for change, encouraging individuals to embark on a profound personal transformation. The response was overwhelming, with people of all ages and backgrounds attending the meetings, many for the first time. The pastors’ messages of hope, redemption, and new beginnings struck a chord, leading to heartfelt confessions of faith and a renewed commitment to spiritual growth,” Wilson continued.

The highlight of the week was the baptism ceremony where 26 individuals publicly declared their faith through baptism. This moment was a testament to the power of the revival and the impact of the pastors’ evangelistic efforts.

The baptisms were not just a symbolic act, but a testament to the transformative power of faith and community. Each baptism represented a unique journey, a life touched by the power of faith and the support of the community. For the newly baptized, it was a significant milestone, symbolizing a new beginning and a deepening of their spiritual commitment. The week of revival and evangelism in Colorado was not just a series of events, it was a movement of faith and hope.

“The pastors’ dedication and the community’s response highlight the enduring power of collective spiritual efforts. As the newly baptized individuals embark on their spiritual journeys, they carry with them the support and prayers of their community, strengthened by the profound experiences of the past week. This event serves as a reminder of the transformative power of faith and the importance of coming together as a community to support and uplift one another,” Wilson concluded.

The ten pastors who led this revival have left an enduring mark on the hearts of many, inspiring a renewed commitment to faith and spiritual growth. In the wake of this successful revival, the community looks forward to continuing the momentum and nurturing the “seeds of faith” that have been planted. This week’s legacy will undoubtedly inspire future efforts in evangelism and community-building, ensuring that the spirit of revival continues to flourish.

—Frank Wilson is lead pastor at the Aurora, Denver, and Westminster Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Churches. Photos supplied.

Emma Bahnmiller – Fort Lupton, Colorado … Youth from eight different states converged at the Fort Lupton Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fort Lupton, Colorado, for the Rocky Mountain Youth Retreat (RMYR), May 16-19. The retreat strived to ignite young people’s passion for God and His mission with the weekend’s theme “For His Glory.”

As attendees arrived the afternoon of May 16, the weekend launched with fellowship, fun icebreakers, and an evening wrap-up meeting. Each day of the retreat held spiritually engaging meetings accompanied by rich worshipful music, scripture memorization, and preaching, all planned and performed by the youth. This gave the youth a safe place to become comfortable in leadership roles and activities of church life such as public speaking, music participation and leadership, audio/video (AV) and public address (PA) systems management, and leadership in the spiritual growth of others.

Outreach education and training also played a central role in the retreat’s schedule with opportunity for the youth to use what they learned out in the community. Outreach education took the form of break-out sessions in which the youth formed into two groups led by Alex Rodriguez, director of Evangelism and Field Services and an associate director of the World Bible School for the Voice of Prophecy, and Matt Hasty, Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Literature Ministry director.

Rodriguez gave a powerful presentation on the importance of young people being active in church ministry and leadership, while Hasty presented an inspiring and practical session on ways that anyone can simply and boldly share their faith.

In addition to the daily activities on May 17, was a youth favorite activity: “outreach prep.” Assembly lines were formed by the youth around tables laden with Adventist literature, prepackaged mint candies, and bags to put it all in. Just as outreach prep finished, the youth were surprised by an unplanned visit by Doug Batchelor, pastor and president of Amazing Facts*, who urged them to continue to open the Bible and develop a personal relationship with God.

RMYR youth were responsible for Sabbath worship services at Fort Lupton Church with Hasty leading the youth Sabbath School class. After services, they made use of their outreach training, and the youth went out into the surrounding community.

At each door, prayer was offered for the residents, and they were given a bag and offered free Bible studies. The youth passed out about 800 books and gathered contact information for 21 people interested in Bible studies by the end of the outreach event.

“Rocky Mountain Youth Retreat was such a blessing! Being able to go out there and make a difference is such a good and rewarding feeling. Hopefully we will be able to change lives,” shared Lydia Glick, youth participant from Tennessee.

As the retreat concluded and the young people regrettably said goodbye to each other, they eagerly talked about the next retreat. “Each young person left empowered, encouraged, and on fire for the Gospel, and ready to take that inspiration and zeal to their local churches and communities,” remarked Emma Bahnmiller, youth participant and event secretary and vice president for programming.

“Rocky Mountain Youth Retreat sent me back home reinvigorated and inspired to do Gods work! So many young people excited about God! We enjoyed amazing heartwarming music, genuine worship and prayer, and fellowship with tasty food! We memorized verses, went out on outreach, and heard inspiring messages from young speakers. RMYR was an unforgettable experience with like-minded believers, who had a love for souls, and I’ll be back next year!” commented Nathan Hebert, youth participant from California.

“Going to the youth rally was a huge blessing!” commented Lulu Schlisner, youth participant from Colorado. “I really liked how we had an opportunity to make new friends. And most of all, the outreach! I hope lots of those people come to accept Christ. It was amazing, I’m glad I went and would do it again!”

RMYR’s vision is to see young people realize that God can work through them as they step out in faith, participating in the retreat through outreach, speaking opportunities, leading a devotional, or taking part in programing. The hope is that the fire then started will spread back to their local communities.

Join RMYR for their next retreat and click here to stay updated on future events by visiting their website and subscribing to their emailing list.

* Please note that Amazing Facts International and its media and publications are not affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) nor the Seventh-day Adventist denomination.

—Emma Bahnmiller writes from the Fort Lupton Seventh-day Adventist Church and is the secretary and vice president for programming for the RMYR. Photos supplied.

Nathan Cranson – Montrose, Colorado … The Montrose Seventh-day Adventist Church in Montrose, Colorado, was very blessed to have Nathaniel Gamble, Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) Religious Liberty and Public Affairs director, as a guest speaker, June 8.

Gamble gave a powerful and informative sermon concerning the biblical basis for the concept of Liberty of Conscience at the Sabbath worship service. He also assured the congregation that he was happy to help anyone that needed assistance with Religious Liberty issues and that they could reach out to him directly.

The previous evening, Gamble shared a short message concerning how religious liberty can be used as a tool for evangelism. “I was surprised at how many people came out. We had about 60 people show up,” he remarked.

Gamble then opened it up for a period of questions that lasted for nearly two hours. At one point, he asked if everyone was ready to close the meeting, but the questions just kept pouring in: “[The attendees] were very open with their questions and concerns, but they were also very amicable even when there were a few disagreements. There were a few times that we weren’t going to see eye to eye, but everyone was very kind and very warm and welcoming. It was just a pleasure to be there throughout the whole weekend.”

The attending audience asked a range of questions concerning Christian Nationalism, religious liberty, and evangelism. They found Gamble’s answers to be honest and informative.

When asked what the main topics of discussion at the session were, Gamble commented, “The first line of questions [from the audience] was basically church freedom. There was Covid, there was vaccination, there was masking, there was social distancing. They were shutting down churches. So, ‘what do I do in this situation if it happens again?’”

“The second line of questioning was really about Christian nationalism but also about how to be a good neighbor,” he continued. “It wasn’t ‘is Christian nationalism good or bad?’ It was ‘what is it and is there an alternative to it?’ And there comes in that good neighbor part. Lots of people ask questions about evangelism and outreach in in light of religious freedoms, but they also ask, ‘how do I be a good part of my community?’”

The Montrose Church looks forward to having Gamble back again sometime soon. “It was truly a reach and meaningful time!” remarked Nathan Cranson, lead pastor at Montrose Church. “A special thank you to Nathaniel for being willing to make the drive to the other side of the mountains to share the knowledge and wisdom God has blessed him with. The Montrose Church highly recommends inviting Nathaniel Gamble to speak at your local church sometime soon.”

—Nathan Cranson is lead pastor at the Montrose Seventh-day Church. Photos supplied.

Samantha Nelson – Cody, Wyoming … It seems like June is the month for field trips and this year was no exception. Four youth from the Cody Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cody, Wyoming, took a trip to Vernal, Utah, to see Dinosaur National Monument on the Colorado and Utah border during the week of June 10.

On the way down to Utah, the group got to explore the historic South Pass City in the mountains of Fremont County, Wyoming. They also visited the historic Josie Bassett Morris cabin in Jensen, Utah, the 1,000-year-old Fremont Indian petroglyphs in Sevier, Utah, and the Utah Field House of Natural History Museum in Vernal, Utah.

The group hiked to the Red Fleet Dinosaur Trackway in Vernal and swam in the cool lake waters after a very hot trek down to the tracks. On the return trip home, they enjoyed exploring Red Fleet Dinosaur Trackway, where they observed several fossils from sea creatures and dinosaurs to plants and small insects. They also had the opportunity to earn the Park’s Junior Ranger badge and Junior Paleontologist badge and participated in a swearing in ceremony led by the park ranger on staff.

For three of the youth, this was their first field trip with the church youth group and the first time they’d been to these particular places of interest. Cedar Jeffers, Cody Church youth, was the “veteran” traveler who had been to these locations previously with her brother, Dean, in 2021. Cedar remarked, “It was so much fun to hang out with the other girls and revisit Vernal and learn about all the cool things God has created.”

The age range of the youth was from 10 to 16, with Sage James, youth participant, being the youngest. The older participants rallied together to help make it the best trip possible for her. As Sage put it, “I honestly really liked it because I got to get away from some things in Wyoming for a while. I enjoyed viewing the things Jesus created for us to see, including all the lizards. I’m going to miss this trip. It was the funnest [sic] experience I’ve ever had.” Sage did, in fact, see many lizards and spent much time trying to catch them as the group hiked various places.

While an extra excursion to Moab, Utah, had to be canceled due to a medical issue of a chaperone, the youth were very supportive and enjoyed an extra day just exploring and relaxing in Vernal and enticing Steve Nelson, trip co-chaperone and pastor at Cody Church, into a game of laser tag.

“Steve, who was the driver and co-chaperone—along with me, of course—exhibited great patience being the only male in a group of young ladies and he did an excellent job of showing God’s love to them,” commented Samantha Nelson, Steve’s wife and co-chaperone. “What made trip extra unique is that he missed his doctoral graduation ceremony to take the girls on this trip and they were so grateful they made him a special card and we all celebrated his graduation and Kailyn’s birthday together with cake.”

Steve explained, “What a wonderful opportunity to see amazing dinosaur fossils and the beauty of God’s creation. We are extremely thankful for God’s blessing and protection on our trip and the privilege to share this with the Cody youth.”

“The girls had a great time and even let me beat them at laser tag,” He continued. The question of who actually won may be debatable, but all that participated in laser tag had a great time. As Kailyn Jones shared, “It was the best trip ever because I got to hang out with everyone and see the fossils at Dinosaur National Monument.”

There were Bible studies about dinosaurs and creation and a daily devotional that helped the youth participants think more seriously about the choices they make in life and how to be a good friend to others.

One of the highlights of the trip for Samantha was “the blessing of watching the girls grow closer to Jesus and to each other. Yes, it was inevitable with a group of young ladies to have discussions about life, boys, struggles at home, etc., but when two of the girls asked for prayer for their mothers and the challenges they were facing, it showed a real depth of desire to know Jesus and to be more like Him and to see others follow Him, too.”

“It was a nice and eye-opening trip because we got to learn more about God and dinosaurs. It also helped build relationships as we all got to know each other better,” commented Katarina Black, youth participant. And that is exactly what the trip organizers had in mind when arranging this trip—an opportunity for the youth to grow closer to Jesus and to each other. Mission accomplished. Thanks be to God!

—Samantha Nelson writes from Cody Adventist Church where her husband is a pastor. Photos by Samantha and Steve Nelson.

Carey Jordan – Loveland, Colorado … HMS Richards Adventist School in Loveland, Colorado, buzzed with excitement and anticipation as students and members of the Campion Seventh-day Adventist Church community, also in Loveland, gathered for their very first Know. Grow. GORUN. 5K Race, May 17. This event marked the dawn of a new tradition for both the school and the local community.

Under the organization of Heidi Sorensen, member of Campion Church, the first-ever 5K race saw an impressive turnout, with participants of all ages eager to embrace the outdoors and run alongside friends, classmates, and neighbors. Her leadership and commitment to ensuring an enjoyable experience for all were instrumental in laying the foundation for this special tradition, promising many memorable races in the years to come.

The enthusiastic participation from HMS Richards and Campion Academy students and members of Campion Church infused the event with a vibrant energy, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and shared achievement that set the stage for the future races.

Starting and concluding at the Campion Academy soccer field, the race treated participants to a scenic journey through the Campion and HMS campus grounds. As runners triumphantly crossed the finish line, many supporters were there to cheer them on.

Looking ahead, organizers are already planning for next year’s event, scheduled for May 16, 2025. With aspirations to expand and enhance the race, they aim to attract an even larger audience, ensuring that this tradition continues to thrive for years to come.

“A big thank you to Heidi for her tireless efforts in pioneering this new tradition, as well as to all the volunteers whose unwavering support contributed to its successful launch,” expressed Carey Jordan, HMS Richards principal.

As the sun sets on this year’s race, anticipation builds for what promises to be an even more exhilarating event in 2025, solidifying the Know. Grow. GORUN. 5K race as a beloved tradition for generations to come.

—Carey Jordan is principal at HMS Richards Adventist School. Photos supplied.

Sandy Hodgson – Denver, Colorado … As the school year has concluded in the Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC), achievements and moments of growth can be celebrated. The 17 RMC schools across Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico graduated close to 160 students representing kindergarten, eighth grade, and high school.

The largest group of graduates was kindergarten with 58 students. The remaining graduates were divided between eighth grade and the high schools, Campion Academy and Mile High Academy (MHA) in Loveland and Highlands Ranch, Colorado, respectively.

“We congratulate our students and are proud of each one of them,” remarked Sandy Hodgson, RMC education assistant director.

And while the end of the school year typically signals the start of summer vacation for many, RMC educators remained committed to their professional growth and the continuous improvement of educational standards. Fifty educators from the Conference, including head teachers from the smaller schools, gathered for additional training led by the RMC Office of Education. This event, held from May 28-30 at MHA, was a testament to the educators’ dedication to excellence.

The training sessions for the head teachers were comprehensive, covering areas such as strategic planning, communication skills, problem-solving techniques, and overarching calendar planning. The training aimed to provide the head teachers with the tools and strategies needed to support student learning while also focusing on areas of administration within their communities.

In addition to training for RMC head teachers, over 40 other educators engaged in specialized training with Dr. Marie Alcock, focusing on Standards-Based Learning (SBL). Dr. Alcock’s expertise in the field of education in curriculum design, meaningful assessment practices, and questing has helped provide the teachers with innovative approaches to help their students learn. Since July of 2022, Dr. Alcock has been training RMC in professional development twice a year, usually in January and May. Dr. Alcock believes that “the science of teaching is an invitational art.”

Jordan Dubini, assistant men’s dean and English teacher at Campion Academy, remarked on what he enjoyed most about the training: “[It] was the flexibility of the guided work sessions that allowed everyone to work on what was most relevant to them. I also appreciated learning about the self-navigation tool which can be integrated into our classroom practice right away regardless of where we are on the SBL journey.”

The RMC educators’ dedication does not end with the close of the academic year. A dozen or more of the teachers are continuing their professional development through additional classes throughout the summer with some working towards their master’s degree. These ongoing efforts reflect RMC’s commitment to providing their students with the best possible education, rooted in the values of faith. By investing in their professional growth, RMC teachers exemplify lifelong learning and the pursuit of excellence that they strive to instill in our students.

As RMC celebrates the achievements of their graduates and the dedication of their educators, they look forward to another year of growth and success in their schools across the Conference. “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all our graduates and express our deepest gratitude to our educators for their unwavering commitment and passion,” expressed Hodgson.

Diane Harris, RMC superintendent of Education, is grateful for “the incredible passion and commitment of our educators. Their willingness to go above and beyond, even during the summer months, reflects deep dedication to our students and their futures. They are not only shaping the minds and hearts of our students but also strengthening the foundation of education within the Rocky Mountain Conference.”

—Sandy Hodgson is the RMC Education assistant director. Photos supplied.