News

Cascade Christian Academy Student Honored with National Arts Award

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:20:13 GMT

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) named Eryn Fletcher, a junior at Cascade Christian Academy, as a 2026 National High School 'Heart of the Arts' honoree.

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has named Eryn Fletcher, a junior at Cascade Christian Academy , as a 2026 National High School 'Heart of the Arts' honoree. She is the only student recognized from Washington state.

Fletcher was nominated by her coach and teacher and selected for exemplifying the “heart of the arts.” A talented visual artist, athlete, and student leader, she balances rigorous academics with service and mentorship.

Established in 2014, the NFHS Heart of the Arts Award honors individuals who demonstrate dedication, creativity, and the positive impact of the arts across disciplines such as music, theater, speech, debate, and visual arts.

Read the full article in the Wenatchee World .

Home of Shalom Brings Music to Spokane Mall

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:00:54 GMT

From January 10 to April 11, Home of Shalom hosted public worship services on the second and fourth Sabbaths at the Northtown Mall food court in Spokane, WA.

By Isaac Meythaler

UCCCommunication Coordinator

From January 10 to April 11, Home of Shalom hosted public worship services on the second and fourth Sabbaths at the Northtown Mall food court in Spokane, WA. The first event on January 10 opened the series with more than 300 attendants. Since its opening night, the Loft Sessions averaged between 200-300 people in attendance.

“People are looking for a community, not just a program to attend,” said Home of Shalom pastor, Tyler Kern. “That's our church, a safe place to call home, where your family is there for you, no matter what you're going through.”

Following an introduction from Kern, local Christian artists led a service blending praise music and their own personal testimony. Following the Christian artist, Kern would present a short Serve One More testimony on a recent Simple Act of Kindness Event (SAKE) before giving an altar call and a prayer where people were invited to come forward, and to join an upcoming SAKE opportunity along with other upcoming Home of Shalom events.

The day before each event, the Home of Shalom ministry team would walk through the mall praying for God’s intervention and presence. The team ensured that volunteers were in place to greet people as they entered the food court area, engaging people in worship by bringing them closer. Volunteers also had prayer with everyone that was interested for a transformation to happen in their lives.

One young adult, named Jon, came to the mall for a haircut, and left with a community. After his haircut, Jon heard live music playing and wandered over. Out of the crowd of people, he approached Kern who gave an introduction of the Loft Session and Home off Shalom. Jon shared that while he believed in Jesus, he had distanced himself from attending church. Two prayer warriors asked if they could pray with Jon, which he gladly welcomed. And, at the end of the evening his name was drawn in the raffle. Since that pivotal evening, Jon has become an active participant in Home of Shalom’s community.

Home of Shalom first came to the Northtown Mall for a Simple Act of Kindness Event in December 2025 providing free gift-wrapping in the Northtown mall in partnership with Faithful Chocolates, a Christian bookstore/chocolate shop. The owner introduced Kern to the Northtown Mall’s management to get approval for the all-day service project. A week later Kern returned with his idea for The Loft Sessions and, because of a relationship that started with service, it was approved.

“Starting a conversation, a prayer, or sharing encouragement are all ways we’re intentionally trying to reach people,” said Kern. “Through radical hospitality that extends beyond our circle.”

With good weather around the corner, Home of Shalom will be hosting Get Together outdoor worship experiences in Minnehaha Park on the second and fourth Fridays during the summer.

“We'll also be starting a new ministry called ‘Unplugged,’ which will be an outdoor Sabbath service with no amplification and no phones,” said Kern.

For more information on Home of Shalom’s ministry, see homeofshalom.org .

Jesus Restores Lives In Wenatchee

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:00:25 GMT

At the end of the last quarter of 2025, the East Wenatchee Hispanic Adventist Church experienced a tremendous blessing.

By Pastor Antonio Ix Rosique

Wenatchee Hispanic Adventist Church

At the end of the last quarter of 2025, the East Wenatchee Hispanic Adventist Church experienced a tremendous blessing.

The church concluded its final stage of the Pentecost 2025 program with a series of conferences titled "Jesus the Restorer of All," held from December 10 to 13 with David Jamieson, President of the Upper Columbia Conference, as evangelist, along with sister Herendira Montalvo as special guest for worship music, who traveled from Arizona.

Over the course of the week of evangelism, East Wenatchee Hispanic Church welcomed more than 40 visitors who came to learn about Jesus and respond to His heavenly call. They experienced the transformative power of the gospel, which is the heart of our church’s mission. Each message delivered came with powerful invitations, leading many to make heartfelt decisions for Christ, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Additionally, as part of our children's evangelism efforts, we hosted an activity called "Jesus Lives in My Heart," which welcomed more than 30 children. An interesting aspect of this initiative was that the children themselves encouraged their parents to arrive early for the conferences.

The week was filled with God’s presence, and the motivation within the church community was immense. As a testament to the week’s impact, José Ríos and Deyanira Méndez chose to be baptized. They have since become active participants in the church's community service, regularly attend worship, and are committed to tithing, reflecting their own experiences.

"We were searching for a church to worship in, but instead, we found a family," they shared.

Like them, many others have been touched by the restoring power of the Holy Spirit and are preparing for baptism. Through these living testimonies, the Hispanic church in Wenatchee has witnessed firsthand that "Jesus is the restorer of all things."

El cierre del último trimestre de 2025 fue de gran bendición para la Iglesia Adventista Hispana de East Wenatchee.

Por: Pastor Antonio Ix Rosique

Iglesia Adventista Hispana de East Wenatchee

En la última etapa del programa Pentecostés 2025, cerramos con un ciclo de conferencias titulado: "Jesús el restaurador de todo” que se llevó a cabo del 10 al 13 de diciembre. En esta ocasión tuvimos el grato privilegio de tener como evangelista al Pastor David Jamieson, Presidente de la Upper Columbia Conference. En la adoración musical, nuestra invitada especial vino desde Arizona fue la Hna. Herendira Montalvo, quien vino de Arizona.

Durante esa semana, registramos más de 40 visitantes que vinieron a conocer de Jesús y a aceptar el llamado del cielo para sus vidas. Ellos pudieron experimentar el poder del evangelio, que es la razón por la cual, como iglesia, enfocamos nuestra energía y nuestro servicio. En cada mensaje que se predicó, se hacían poderosos llamados. Las personas, con la sensibilidad que el poder del Espíritu ocasionaba, tomaban decisiones que movían sus corazones hacia Cristo. Simultáneamente, como parte del evangelismo infantil, se llevó a cabo esa misma semana la actividad titulada "Jesús vive en mi corazón”. A estas reuniones asistieron alrededor de 35 niños. Un dato interesante fue la dinámica que se desarrolló, ya que eran los propios niños quienes motivaban a sus padres a llegar temprano a las conferencias.

Fue una semana llena de poder; Dios se manifestó y la motivación de la iglesia fue muy grande. Como testimonio, de esa poderosa semana, José Ríos y Deyanira Méndez, tomaron la decisión de bautizarse. Ellos, desde ya, se están involucrando en el servicio a la comunidad que realiza la iglesia, son constantes en su asistencia y han decidido comenzar a ser fieles en la entrega del diezmo, según su propio testimonio. Ellos nos describen, en sus propias palabras, lo que han experimentado desde que llegaron a nuestra congregación: “Buscábamos una iglesia para congregarnos, pero no encontramos una iglesia; encontramos una familia”.

Así como ellos, hay otras personas que fueron influenciadas por la acción restauradora del Espíritu Santo y se están preparando para ser bautizadas, y es a través de estos testimonios vivientes que la iglesia hispana en Wenatchee pudo experimentar de primera mano que "Jesús es el restaurador de todo”.

Prayeradigm Shift Impacts UCA Students

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:00:25 GMT

Starting on Feb. 19, 2026, Upper Columbia Academy sent a group of students to Camp MiVoden to attend Prayeradigm Shift, an event full of spiritual growth and bonding.

By Eden Wiltison

UCA Senior

Joined with other schools from across the Pacific Northwest, students spent the weekend participating in early morning prayer, personal time with God, and group sessions with the main speaker, Kevin Wilfley, a recently retired pastor. With these diverse activities, everyone was brought together through powerful prayer and bonding moments.

Lydia Gillham, UCA junior, Prayeradigm leader, and a returning participant, shared that she felt drawn back to this retreat due to the impactful spiritual atmosphere she had experienced last year. Gillham said her favorite part of Prayeradigm was authentically connecting with other people outside of their comfort zones.

“I felt a spiritual impact through the other students here,” Gillham responded, when asked what impacted her this year. “Seeing other people being changed and challenged so drastically really made my heart happy and full.”

Zury Sanchez, UCA freshman, stated that her older sister had attended Prayeradigm retreats since her sophomore year, and ever since she has always wanted to attend herself. Sanchez added that she had recently been going through a rough time and needed to spend time with God. The topic of the retreat discussed the two components of prayer: God’s part, and our part, a topic that Sanchez found relevant.

“I always thought it was God’s duty to fix everything we were going through,” said Sanchez, “but I learned that even though He knows what we need, it is our choice to give it to God.”

Sanchez added that she would absolutely attend Prayeradigm again.

“I recommend it to everyone. It was so life changing and I feel like everyone needs God in their lives.”

Ellasyn Smith, UCA Sophomore, attended Prayeradigm for the first time this year, commenting that she was drawn to go due to other students having life-changing experiences and her wanting to deepen her relationship with God.

Smith plans to attend next year, stating that it was a spiritually high moment for her. She added, “I would love for others to go; I think everyone should experience it too.”

The weekend retreat consisted of the same daily schedule, including waking up early, yet everyone was eager to get up every morning and achieve a deeper spiritual connection with God.

The retreat concluded with students sharing their testimonies and spending many hours in worship. This recurring event at Camp MiVoden is a highlight for many students and plans for next year’s Prayeradigm retreat are already in place.

Following Prayeradigm Retreat, Upper Columbia Academy experienced something incredible during its Student Week of Prayer. Forty-seven students stepped forward, committing their lives to Christ.

“There is nothing more powerful than a generation saying yes to Him,” said Jeff Deming, UCA principal. “We continually keep our students in our prayers as they continue to grow in their faith.”

Learn more about what UCA offers students at ucaa.org

Jam 4 Cans Collects More Than 1,500 Pounds of Food Donations

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:00:11 GMT

This winter, Summit Northwest Ministries continued a seventeen-year tradition of combining high-octane snow sports with community outreach.

By Caleb Foss

Program director, Camp Mivoden

This winter, Summit Northwest Ministries hosted the Jam 4 Cans Ski and Snowboard Charity Rail Jam Series, continuing a seventeen-year tradition of combining high-octane snow sports with community outreach.

Jam 4 Cans is a competition series designed to showcase regional ski and snowboard talent while benefitting local food banks. In 2026, two high-energy events were held — the first on January 31 at Tobler Marina in Hayden, ID, and the second on February 7 at Summit Northwest Ministries in Post Falls, ID.

The two events collectively brought in more than 1,500 pounds of food for local food banks, directly benefiting families in need throughout the region. It also gave members from Summit Northwest Ministries a chance to positively impact local ski and snowboard culture by interacting with athletes and their families.

Members were encouraged to meet riders and their families, learn their story, and when appropriate, invite them to connect with the Summit Northwest Ministries community.

“Events like Jam4Cans are a good example of how the Gospel travels through relationships,” said David Wolf, a volunteer at the event for the last two years. “When we gather around something fun and meaningful, it opens doors for real conversations and lasting connections.”

Veteran MC Terry McLeod kept the crowd energized and entertained. Having been involved with Jam 4 Cans for more than 15 years, McLeod once again brought enthusiasm, humor, and passion to the microphone, while simultaneously calling the local ski and snowboard community to think about those in need.

“I feel my job is to help spectators feel like the interaction they are having that evening with a Christian community is actually a good and fun thing,”said McLeod. “And maybe it shapes their opinion a bit more favorably about the role of the church in our community.”

Despite rainy weather during the Post Falls event, a strong and spirited crowd turned out for both rail jams to support the riders. Their energy fueled competitors ranging from talented amateurs to local professionals. Both events showcased a diverse group of athletes from across the region, highlighting the depth of skill and passion within the local ski and snowboard community.

Transforming two bare downtown parking lots into winter terrain parks is no small feat. Over 100 yards of snow were brought in for each event and carefully shaped using Jam 4 Cans’ custom infrastructure to create a fully functional ski and snowboard terrain park.

Summit Northwest Ministries also brought in food trucks, a bounce house and a slide to the Post Falls event to create something for the whole family. There were numerous giveaways to riders and spectators alike, and a raffle of items provided by sponsors with proceeds going to help local food banks.

The ministry goes beyond single events. Several members are active skiers, and find opportunity to pray with people on the slopes, encourage young Christian riders in their faith, and provide mentorship on chair lift rides.

With two successful events completed and a meaningful impact made in the community, the 17th year of Jam 4 Cans once again demonstrated how skiing and snowboarding can be used as powerful tools for connection, generosity, and Gospel influence — rather than just competition.

More information on Jam 4 Cans can be found at www.jam4cans.com

WWVAS Students Choose Christ After Spiritual Retreats

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 07:00:04 GMT

This school year, God has been moving powerfully among students from Walla Walla Valley Adventist Schools (Rogers Adventist School and Walla Walla Valley Academy Campuses).

By Holly Bryant

Head of Schools | Walla Walla Valley Adventist Schools

Each year, WWVA students attend the Oregon Conference Bible Camp and Rogers Jr. High students attend the Upper Columbia Conference 7-Up Retreat at Camp MiVoden. At these spiritual retreats, multiple students made life-changing decisions to give their hearts to Jesus through baptism.

Faculty members shared that what stood out most was the authenticity of the students’ decisions. “These weren’t emotional, momentary responses,” one teacher reflected. “Students were asking deep questions and thoughtfully choosing Jesus.”

Walla Walla Valley Adventist Schools is a faith-filled learning environment, empowering students and fostering connection with Christ. For these students, what began through weekends of worship, bible classes, friendships, and spiritual reflection, quickly became something deeper. As speakers called young people to respond to Christ’s love, enthusiastic hands went up across the room.

In the days that followed, several students formally requested baptism. For some, it was a culmination of years of Adventist education and spiritual nurturing at home. For others, it marked a new and personal decision to openly claim their faith as their own.

Some students wanted to be baptized immediately upon making their decisions at the retreats but were also eager for their families to be present. Teachers and administrators didn’t want to delay, so in a beautiful and personal celebration, some students were baptized in a special ceremony held in a family’s swimming pool the following weekend.

Surrounded by classmates, teachers, pastors, and family members, each student publicly declared their commitment to Christ. The setting may have been simple, but the moment was profound. Gathered around a small pool, smiles, tears, songs of praise, and prayers of dedication filled the air as young people took an important step in their spiritual journey.

“We praise God for the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of our young people,” said Scott Rae, WWVA princ

ipal.

Learn more about WWVAS at valleyadventistschools.org

WWU Church Announces New Lead Pastor

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 22:48:39 GMT

Walla Walla University Church announces Albert Handal as new lead pastor.

By Caeden Rogers,

Walla Walla University Relations supervisor

Albert Nejib Handal was formally installed as lead pastor of the Walla Walla University Church on March 14 during a service that included David Jamieson, president of Upper Columbia Conference; Eric Brown, vice president for administration of the Upper Columbia Conference; and Alex Bryan, president of Walla Walla University. Handal brings more than two decades of pastoral and chaplaincy experience to the role, along with deep personal roots at the university.

“We are so pleased that Pastor Handal accepted the invitation to become our senior pastor,” said Stephanie Mays, chair of the search committee that recommended him. “He is engaging, compelling, deeply spiritual and committed to our congregation. His relevant and powerful sermons invite each of us to step more deeply into what it means to be a child of God. We also appreciate his validation of student-led worship, and his vision of being a pastor, preacher, teacher, and shepherd for our entire congregation.”

Handal earned a bachelor of arts in ministerial theology from Southern Adventist University (Collegedale, Tenn.) in 2004, followed by a master of divinity from Andrews University (Berrien Springs, Mich.) in 2009. In 2023, he completed a doctor of ministry in practical theology from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminar, with a dissertation titled, “Preaching as Conversation: The Development of a Dialogical Homiletic in a University Setting.”

His pastoral career has included serving congregations at Calhoun Adventist Church (Calhoun, Ga.), Stonehill Seventh-day Adventist Church (Austin, Texas), and Keene University Church (Keene, Texas). In 2017, he joined Walla Walla University as lead chaplain, where he oversaw spiritual programming, mentored associate chaplains and student leaders; and provided grief and emergency support to students, faculty, and staff. In August 2025, he was appointed pastor for administration at Walla Walla University Church, where he managed financial, facility, and operational logistics while deepening the church’s unique focus on Adventist education at the university, secondary, and primary levels.

His appointment as lead pastor was announced March 3 by Interim Pastor Darold Bigger, who said the selection followed a monthslong process that considered nearly 50 candidates.

“Working with Albert for the past seven months has been my personal pleasure,” Bigger said. “I have found him to be creative, considerate, transparent, discreet, honest, gentle, and very other-centered. I anticipate a very good future for us all under Pastor Albert’s leadership.”

For Handal, accepting the role felt both new and deeply personal.

“Taking the role as senior pastor at the University Church is a thrilling, and yet familiar, experience,” he said. “This place has befriended, supported, and welcomed my family with so much love. It’s a privilege to build on the warmth we’ve already experienced for years while serving in other roles.

Handal’s connection to Walla Walla runs deeper than his own tenure. His grandfather, Bert Elkins, met his grandmother, Louise Anderson, on campus. Elkins served as ASWWU president, the couple married in Village Hall, and both graduated 80 years ago this spring. They went on to serve as full-time missionaries in South America.

“I feel a sense of God’s leading that is incredibly urgent on my heart when I walk through our campus,” Handal said. “Lives formed here impact the world. I’m excited to find my place in a sacred Walla Walla tradition of world changers and gospel proclaimers that is much bigger, and much older, than me.”

Born in Louisiana, Handal describes himself as a “third-culture kid” — his father is from Honduras, his mother from Argentina, and he grew up in a small Tennessee town near the Kentucky border with Spanish as his first language. During high school, he worked as a colporteur and Bible worker, an experience he credits with shaping his approach to building trust and rapport with others. He was ordained by the Georgia-Cumberland Conference in May 2011.

Handal and his wife, Allison, a hospital chaplain and pastor, have three children: Edward, Rosa, and Dalia. Conference leaders say Handal’s background makes him ideally suited for the mix of university students and community members who make up the Walla Walla University Church.

“With his academic qualifications and significant pastoral and campus chaplaincy experience, Pastor Albert is well qualified and has ability to connect with both groups in a personable way that we believe will engage members of all ages,” Jamieson said. “It is our prayer that through Pastor Albert and his team, Walla Walla University Church can continue to reach out to the Walla Walla community and Serve One More.”

Established in 1891, Walla Walla University Church is a congregation of more than 2,500 college students, faculty, staff, and com-

munity members who worship together on the campus of Walla Walla University in College Place, Wash. The church is one of more than 130 Adventist churches in the Upper Columbia Conference, which is part of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church based in Silver Spring, Maryland.

This article originally appeared on Walla Walla University's website at wallawalla.edu/news on March 16.

President's Report: A Time to Grow

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:08:07 GMT

David Jamieson discusses growing Upper Columbia Conference.

Last week, as I walked outside, I noticed new buds sprouting up and the sounds of birds excitedly filling the air. The signs of spring are approaching and I would like to take this opportunity to talk to you about seasons of growth.

Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to plant and a time to harvest.”

Every season has a purpose, but growth doesn’t happen by accident — it happens when we are faithful in the season we’re given.

I believe that in 2026, God is providing us with a time to grow, an opportunity to grow deeper in our faithful stewardship to Him and His church.

Now when we hear the word stewardship, many people immediately think about money. But stewardship is much bigger than that.

Stewardship is about how we manage everything that God has placed in our hands — our time, our talents, and our treasure.

First, we grow when we steward our time.

Did you know that the average lifespan in the United States is just about 80 years? The average person spends 26 of those 80 years sleeping; 11.4 years are spent on screen time; 1.4 years are spent commuting to jobs that consume 13.2 years of our lives; but only 1.2 years, or 1.45 percent of our lives, are spent attending church.

I encourage you to invite God into every moment of your life — into both the secular and the sacred activities of your life. This includes your commute, your career, and your calling to walk with Him — to intentionally make Jesus the center of the entirety of your life.

Second, we grow when we steward our talents.

I believe that God is calling each of us to use our unique skills, abilities, and passions to serve His purposes in our church and community.

I want to invite you and your church to reach out to your community in creative ways this year to Serve One More. The Conference is here to help you to do just that by providing ideas, funding, and support through our Serve One More initiative.

Thirdly, we grow when we steward our treasure.

Jesus taught that those who are faithful with little can be trusted with much and that where your treasure is there will your heart be also.

God doesn’t ask us to give because He lacks something. Rather, He invites us to give because giving grows us. It stretches our faith, it aligns our hearts with His purposes, and it reminds us that everything we have comes from Him.

I am genuinely thankful for the dedicated faithfulness of God’s people in Upper Columbia Conference who have returned a faithful tithe and offering to fulfill the mission He has called us to accomplish together — to share the Good News of the Gospel in the context of the Three Angels’ Messages.

Since 2015 our tithe has increased by 25 percent, but unfortunately, our average employee costs increased by 50 percent which caused us to have to make some reductions.

Yet despite this challenge, God is still moving in our Conference. In 2025 we were blessed with one of the highest number of baptisms during the last ten years.

But can you imagine what could happen in Upper Columbia Conference in 2026 when we steward well together in every aspect of our lives.

More lives could be changed, more needs could be met, more ministries could be strengthened, and there could be more impact beyond our church and school walls.

During this year, we have invited our pastors and elders to share a conference-wide stewardship emphasis in our churches to focus on growing every aspect of our stewardship.

I believe that when we choose to be faithful in this season, God can and will bring incredible and miraculous growth — in us, through us, and beyond us.

As we step into Spring 2026, it is my prayer that your faith will grow deeper, your joy will overflow abundantly, and that your life will be a faithful testimony to God’s goodness and grace through your time, your talents, and your treasure.

This article is from the President's Report from March 2026. The original report includes actions from the recent Executive Committee meeting. To view the report, see news.uccsda.org/president326.

Pendleton Church Brings Community Free Auto Service

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 17:11:00 GMT

For Pendleton Church, Serving Others Includes Servicing Cars.

When Pendleton Seventh-day Adventist Church members learned that Serve One More funds were available from Upper Columbia Conference to help churches serve their neighbors, Brendan Griffin started to imagine what was possible. With a background in auto mechanics, Griffin understood how crucial a safe, reliable vehicle is for families living on the financial edge.

“From what I’ve seen, when families are struggling with finances, car maintenance is often one of the first things to be cut back,” said Griffin. “But a dependable car can mean the difference between keeping a job or losing it, making a medical appointment or missing it.”

Griffin shared his vision of a community automotive maintenance program with Pendleton church Pastor Stephen Farr, and together they turned that dream into a Serve One More funding request. The church agreed to cover thirty percent of the project's total cost.

Serve One More dollars give churches permission to dream big about how they can benefit the people around them. When those dreams begin to take shape and get moving, people want to be part of it. The momentum keeps growing, paving the way for another project, another outreach, and another person experiencing God’s love first-hand.

When Serve One More project funds arrived to purchase the equipment for what would become the Pendleton Auto Care Co-op, excitement spread quickly. In an unforeseen generous act, a beautiful trailer was donated to house the equipment. With the value of the trailer and the church’s pledged funds combined, every Serve One More dollar had already been equally matched by the local church and its community.

With the trailer stocked and ready, it was time to get the word out. Church members went out into their community to promote the Pendleton Auto Care Co-op’s first free oil change and maintenance event. As more neighbors showed up, greater needs surfaced — new tires for one vehicle, a transmission repair for another. The costs were significant, but the needs were urgent, and within ten days, church members raised $2,000 to cover both repairs.

In the end, for every dollar given through Serve One More, the Pendleton church contributed $1.25. That kind of multiplication happens when God blesses the faithfulness and generosity of His people.

Yet what’s happening in Pendleton is about far more than wise stewardship. It’s about peace of mind for families who now know they can safely get to work and care for their loved ones. It’s about the joy and energy experienced when church members rally together to create a welcoming, hope-filled space for their community.

“It is amazing to watch the members of the church come alive with excitement when we serve our communities,” said Pastor Farr. “Being part of Serve One More has not only created a benefit for our community but it has also caused revival in our church family.”

Through Serve One More, great things become possible. And as more churches join the movement, they’re discovering that generosity doesn’t just change their communities — it transforms themselves.

Visit www.ServeOneMore.org to discover how you can make an impact.

To learn more about the Pendleton Auto Care Co-op, watch their story at news.uccsda.org/servecafe126 .

Sharing the Story of Christmas Beyond Wenatchee Church Walls

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:32:38 GMT

The East Wenatchee Church expanded its Christmas outreach by moving its annual Christmas program beyond the church building and into the community.

Contributed by Glenn Perry, East Wenatchee Seventh-day Adventist Church member

In 2025, the East Wenatchee Church expanded its Christmas outreach by moving its annual Christmas program beyond the church building and into the community. Through the church's Neighbor to You ministry, the congregation hosted a public Christmas program at the Wenatchee High School auditorium.

An 80-member cast and crew spent months preparing for the event, creating and repairing costumes, building props suited for the larger venue, and portraying more than 60 characters. The program featured original musical arrangements and opened with a bell choir prelude by students from Cascade Christian Academy.

More than 500 people attended the event, the majority from the local community. The high school stage manager commented that this was the first time a church had presented a program at the auditorium. Adding, “I’ve been impressed by the quality and professionalism of the production. Everything has been very well organized.”

Following the program, attendees were invited to enjoy refreshments and visit ministry tables hosted by the church and Cascade Christian Academy, where literature and resources were shared.

Many guests expressed appreciation and interest in future events.

Plans are underway to return to the Wenatchee High School auditorium on December 19, 2026 with the goal of continuing to share the message of Christ’s birth and the hope of His soon return with the surrounding community.

Cheney Church Shares Christmas Cheer With Local Families

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:39:03 GMT

Jesus said “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Wisdom from the book of Acts that the Cheney Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cheney, Washington, experienced first-hand at their Christmas party in December 2025.

Contributed article

Jesus said “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Wisdom from the book of Acts that the Cheney Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cheney, Washington, experienced first-hand at their Christmas party in December 2025.

“It started with a conversation,” said Janice Atkins, Cheney church social committee chair. “The social committee wanted to do something different — something more meaningful than our usual Christmas celebrations. It was suggested that the church could host a party for needy families in the Cheney area, complete with Christmas gifts for the whole family.”

The church board and members heartily agreed, excited by the prospect of serving others.

With an average attendance of 22 people each week, and many of those retired or on limited incomes, the church was unsure of how much they would be able to help their community. One committee member knew a man named Dave, who serves as the head of the Cheney Outreach Center and Food Bank. Dave was able to reach out to find families with needs in the community.

Dave said there were various entities in the area hosting charities during the holidays, but appreciated that the Cheney church wanted to help as well. He said that anything the church did would be appreciated, even if it couldn’t be much. Dave knew of two very needy families and would see if they could commit to the date and time suggested. Once that was confirmed, the church group went into action.

“With limited knowledge of the gift recipients, it was amazing to see how the Holy Spirit prompted members to purchase or make all the different gifts for the families,” said Atkins. “Both families only wanted to make sure their children had a nice Christmas, but the church group made sure to include something for the parents as well.”

Having never seen any of those who would be coming, the church prayed the families would have a good time and that the Christmas party would be a blessing. The event began in the sanctuary singing Christmas hymns and sharing Bible prophecies of Jesus’ birth and their fulfillments before moving into the fellowship hall for a light supper and opening of gifts.

Along with more typical gifts like toys, the church made sure to address more pressing needs with gifts of daily necessities, such as clothes, rolls of quarters for laundry, gift cards for food and gas, diapers, and toiletries.

As the gifts were opened, more than once it was heard, “This is just what I needed!” or “How did you know this was on my wish list?”

The Cheney church also included more personal items. Each family member received hand-made plush pillows and blankets in their favorite colors, and each family received a large, hard-bound copy of Desire of Ages, along with other Christian books.

Both families expressed their deep appreciation for each of the gifts. The parents had special appreciation for some of the more practical items.

“We had just put our last roll of toilet paper on the dispenser just this morning,” said one of the parents, “and here’s a whole new package!”

When all the gifts had been opened, and the clean-up began, both mothers said this was the most gifts they had personally received since they were children, with one mom exclaiming, “This little church did all this?” She was overwhelmed with amazement and felt so loved. “Being newly divorced,” she said, “I had thought this would be one of the worst Christmases of my life, but it turned out to be the best one!”

When the families left, there were more gifts than they could haul on their own, so church members loaded up what couldn’t fit into their own vehicles and delivered the gifts to the families’ doorstep. Meanwhile church members who stayed behind talked of how much fun it was to help people truly in need. One member shared, “This was the most fun I ever had at a church Christmas party in my life!”

The Cheney Church looks forward to hosting another Christmas party for the community again next year.

Photos Provided by the Cheney Seventh-day Adventist Church

UCC Family Ministries Reorganized

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:31:13 GMT

Upper Columbia Conference is reorganizing its approach to family ministries — incorporating men's, women's and children's ministries under the youth and young adult leadership team.

By Isaac Meythaler
Communications Coordinator, Upper Columbia Conference

“After much prayer and deliberation, it was decided that combining our ministry efforts was the best path forward,” said Jeffery Wines, director of the UCC youth, young adult, and family ministries.

Recent financial challenges brought several discussions on how best to serve the conference as a resource center more efficiently. Following the retirement of Patty Marsh, former UCC director of women’s ministries, children’s ministries, urban ministries, disaster relief, and Adventist Community Services (ACS), the executive committee decided not to rehire her position as part of cost reduction measures.

“Given the limited financial resources that we have and limited personnel, we really needed to take a closer look at how best to organize our ministries in a way that can help facilitate volunteers while maintaining our service as a resource center to the entire conference,” said Eric Brown, UCC vice president for administration. “Moving our family ministries together under one roof made a lot of logical sense and we pray that God continues to bless in these ministries and that our churches are able to use these resources.”

Departmental directors submitted reports on their current operations and capacities to the administrative committee and the executive committee. In this process, the youth and young adult department team saw several ministry areas that fit closely with its current ministry focus. After discussion, the administrative committee decided to merge youth & young adult ministries with family ministries.

“Our primary concern was maintaining and supporting the vitality of our ongoing ministries, while facing the reality of less office staff,” said Wines.

While some time has been needed to adjust to the new integration, some areas have already shown promise. Planning events, for example, has remained a strength for the department. For example, since several ministry events take place at Camp MiVoden, communication and planning require less steps than before.

“There is a good amount of overlap,” said Ryan Whitehead, youth, young adult and family ministries associate director. “Our team is well suited for event planning and coordinating volunteers, skills that all these ministries rely on.”

Wendy Urbin, who has served for several years as administrative assistant for women’s, children’s, and urban ministries, along with Adventist Community Services will be continuing her role in these various ministries and coordinating the many events and resources available.

Youth, young adult and family ministries has a unified goal: growing and nurturing church families, bringing men; women; children; youth, and young adults into connection with Christ.

For more information on these ministries, see uccsda.org/youth and uccsda.org/familyministries .

Shine 104.9 Chaplain Serves One More in Spokane

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:10:31 GMT

From stranger to community leader:

Kern's is a story of faith and connection.

By Isaac Meythaler

Communications Coordinator, Upper Columbia Conference

Tyler Kern, Shine 104.9 chaplain and Home of Shalom pastor, first moved to Spokane in April 1, 2024. Shortly after his arrival he began volunteering and making connections with organizations serving the community. Home of Shalom is a Spokane-based ministry of Upper Columbia Conference.

“When I first moved here, I didn’t know anyone,” Kern said. “I couldn’t just start a new church with a church service. Nobody knew who I was, who would come? So, I started by finding how I could serve the community and where other people were already serving.”

Kern quickly connected with food pantries, local parks, and other non-profits aimed at community service. Through volunteering to clean up trash with the Spokane Riverkeeper program, Kern got into contact with local park officials who were eager to help Kern organize additional park clean-up days.

On June 9, 2024, Kern launched his first Simple Act of Kindness Event (SAKE) inviting Shine 104.9 listeners to help with painting over graffiti at a tennis court in Minnehaha Park in east Spokane. The graffiti in question was particularly vulgar and filled with hate speech. Several community members passing by expressed gratitude for the work.

After several hours of work, while most other volunteers had already left, Kern’s family and a small group of volunteers carried on until the job was finally done.

“The donated paint was exactly the right amount,” Kern said. “After my kids scraped the bottom of the paint buckets to get the last drops, it covered the entire court.”

Following their first SAKE project, Kern continued to invite people to a large variety of service projects. Including writing letters to first responders, volunteering with food banks, cleaning parks, praying with the homeless, and shoveling snow.

At the end of 2025, Kern estimated nearly 100 SAKE projects, contributing at least 800 total volunteer hours, with 220 of those hours spent cleaning up trash at local parks.

Kern frequently includes his family in SAKE projects, including his children. However, that isn’t the only time his family serves their community.

“Something we’ve done on our own as a family is adopting some of our neighbor’s houses that need someone to shovel snow off their driveway for them,” said Kern. “It’s something that doesn’t seem that big to us, but for our neighbors it can determine whether or not they make it to an important doctors’ appointment they’ve waited months for.”

Beginning in February of 2025, Kern developed the Home of Shalom church plant. Home of Shalom currently has no permanent location, instead gathering regularly in local public spaces like coffee shops or parks. Most members participate in regular SAKE events.

“Personal invitation has been my approach, said Kern. “Saying ‘come with me, come serve alongside me.’”

In January, Shine 104.9 and Home of Shalom kicked off the new year by hosting biweekly worship events featuring local Christian musicians in Spokane’s Northtown Mall food court. The concerts began in January and will continue every second and fourth Saturday through April 11, 2026.

For more information on SAKE, see shine1049.org/events.

Serve Café: Sharing Stories That Inspire Every Month

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 01:13:52 GMT

God is growing a spirit of extreme generosity in Upper Columbia Conference.

By Richie Brower

Serve One More associate director

Have you heard? Something exciting is happening across Upper Columbia Conference through the Serve One More initiative. These stories of churches, schools, and small groups taking bold leaps of faith are truly amazing. While these stories are incredible, they are also becoming more and more common as our movement grows. Here’s what’s going on.

God is growing a spirit of extreme generosity in Upper Columbia Conference. We are eager for you to hear more about how God is working. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce something new for 2026: a fresh Serve Café story every month, highlighting faith in action from throughout the inland northwest. These stories are designed to be easy to share through short video format — whether during a Sabbath service, on social media, in your church newsletter, classroom worship, or on your website. Wherever these stories are shared, they will show that God is alive and touching lives through His people.

Serve Café isn’t a new idea — it’s a continuation of something beautiful that began in 2025. Last year, we celebrated incredible moments of service: HOPE for Tekoa, where students from Upper Columbia Academy’s HOPE Taskforce focused their energy to bless one small town; an Orofino home makeover that transformed a family’s living space just in time for the winter; a Fairfield seed-starting workshop that planted more than just vegetables; an Ellensburg oil change event that showed practical love in action; and a Pathfinder trail clean-up that restored beauty to the outdoors.

In 2026, we’re taking that momentum and making it even more accessible. Every month, you’ll find a new episode at serveonemore.org/stories . These videos are short, heartfelt, and perfect for sharing with your congregation or friends online. Our hope is that these stories will celebrate what God is accomplishing through His people and inspire others to step out and serve in their own communities.

These stories matter because serving not only changes our surroundings… It changes us.

Imagine the ripple effect: one story shared in a church service sparks a conversation, which leads to an idea, which becomes an act of kindness expanding God’s kingdom. That’s the vision behind Serve Café’s monthly stories — creating a culture of service that grows stronger with every episode.

So, mark your calendars, bookmark the link, and join us in spreading these stories far and wide. Together, we can encourage, equip, and inspire others to serve one more person — because every act of love matters.

See more and share at: serveonemore.org/stories .

See January's episode below, or at news.uccsda.org/servecafe126

A Time to Grow: 2026

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 01:01:04 GMT

Every season has a purpose, and growth doesn’t happen by accident — it happens when we are faithful in the season we’re given.

Transcript of David Jamieson

Upper Columbia Conference President

"Hello Church Family!

At the beginning of this new year, I would like to take this opportunity to talk to you about seasons of growth.

Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that every season has a purpose, and growth doesn’t happen by accident — it happens when we are faithful in the season we’re given.

I believe that in 2026, God is providing us with a time to grow deeper in our stewardship to Him.

Now when we hear the word stewardship, many people immediately think about money. But stewardship is much bigger than that. Stewardship is about how we manage everything that God has placed in our hands — our time, our talents, and our treasure.

First, we, grow when, we steward our time. Did you know that the average lifespan in the United States is just about 80 years? The average person spends 26 of those 80 years sleeping. 11.4 years are spent on screen time. 1.4 years are spent commuting to jobs that consume 13.2 years of our lives. But only 1.2 years, or 1.45% of our lives, are spent attending church.

I encourage you to invite God into every moment of your life - into both the secular and the sacred activities of your life, -to intentionally make Jesus the center of the entirety of your life.

Second, we, grow when, we steward our talents. I believe that God is calling each of us to use our unique skills, abilities, and passions to serve His purposes in our church and community.

I invite you and your church to reach out to your community in creative ways this year and the conference is here to help you by providing ideas, funding, and support through our Serve One More initiative.

Thirdly, we, grow when, we steward our treasure. Jesus taught us that where your treasure is there will your heart be also. I am genuinely thankful for the dedicated faithfulness of God’s people in the Upper Columbia Conference who have returned a faithful tithe and offering to fulfil the mission He has called us to accomplish together.

Since 2015 our tithe has increased by 25%, but unfortunately, our average employee costs increased by 50% which caused us to have to make some reductions. But can you imagine what could happen in Upper Columbia Conference in 2026 when we steward well together in every aspect of our lives?

More lives could be changed, more needs could be met, more ministries could be strengthened, and there could be more impact beyond our church and school walls.

During February or March, we have invited our pastors and elders to share a conference-wide stewardship emphasis in our churches to focus on growing every aspect of our stewardship.

I believe that when we choose to be faithful in this season, God can and will bring incredible and miraculous growth — in us, through us, and beyond us and it is my prayer that your faith will grow deeper, your joy will overflow abundantly, and that your life will be a faithful testimony to God’s goodness and grace through your time, your talents, and your treasure."

Watch the full video below, or at news.uccsda.org/timetogrow26

Serve One More Inspires Community Partnerships to Give Veteran New Roof

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:00:14 GMT

A Walla Walla home that serves as a neighborhood gathering place has a new roof thanks to the Serve One More initiative, Elsom Roofing, and SonBridge.

By Kimberley Kuzma

SonBridge Strategic Communications Manager

Air Force veteran Jose Guel and his wife Carmelita had been trying to get their leaking roof repaired for several years. Roofing bids were unaffordable and, after repeated attempts to get a loan fell through, the Guels had resigned themselves to patching the roof on their own and using tarps to try to keep the rain out.

But every time it rained at night, they would wake to water dripping into their living room and bedroom. The ceiling warped and began to mold. The home that served as a gathering place for their family and the children of their neighborhood seemed less like a place of shelter.

“We were waiting for the ceiling to drop on us,” said Jose. “It was getting bad.”

Meanwhile, Paul Rasmussen, a SonBridge founder and longtime volunteer, and Dan Elsom, from SonBridge community partner Elsom Roofing, had just finished a roofing project for a veteran’s family and discussed how much they would like to continue helping veterans in need of new roofs. Mere hours later, they received a call letting them know about the Guels and their leaking roof.

“We both thought, ‘This is absolutely amazing!’” Rasmussen said. “Dan and I both felt like our conversation was directed by God to prepare us for doing another roof.”

SonBridge began planning the project with Elsom Roofing, who, with support from Upper Columbia Conference’s Serve One More initiative, provided funding for the project. Once the funding was in place, Rasmussen informed the Guels that they would receive more than just patches for their leaking roof. They were being given an entirely new roof.

“It was like a Godsend,” Jose said. “That roof is our miracle,” Carmelita added.

SonBridge and Elsom Roofing were initially hoping to involve volunteers in the project in keeping with the spirit of Serve One More. But the Guels’ roof was in such bad shape that it was deemed too dangerous for volunteers to work on.

Instead, a dedicated Elsom Roofing crew removed all of the old, water-damaged wood and added new trusses, plywood sheeting, insulation, shingles, and even installed ventilation where it hadn’t existed before.

Everyone involved in the project was touched by the kindness of Jose and Carmelita. Rasmussen coordinated the project and worked closely with the family.

“They are a real pillar in their community,” he said. “They look after tons of kids after school. I’ve been to their home many times now and they’re always full and busy with kids running around. They are a huge hub of support for neighbors and family.”

During the project, that support extended to bringing drinks and donuts to the roofing crew.

After the roof was completed, Jose sent Rasmussen a heartfelt text. “You don’t know just how grateful we are to you and everyone involved that made this miracle happen. Words just can’t explain how you lifted a harrowing burden off my wife and I.”

“This story belongs to all of us,” said Richie Brower, associate director for Serve One More. “The generosity of our constituents and donors in conjunction with great partners like the team at SonBridge, make extreme generosity like this possible.”

For more stories of extreme generosity, see serveonemore.org

See how SonBridge Center for Better Living is bringing hope and wholeness to its community at sonbridge.org

Art Lenz Retires After More Than 45 Years of Service

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 21:49:36 GMT

For Art Lenz, what started as a 6-week-long job turned into a career of more than 45 years.

By Isaac Meythaler

Upper Columbia Conference Communications Coordinator

For Art Lenz, what started as a 6-week-long job turned into a career of more than 45 years in Information Technology. Art began his career on August 4, 1980, working to convert and write programs for Upper Columbia Conference’s computer. The work he began took longer than six weeks, and soon he was offered a full-time position to continue his work further.

“I think God placed me here,” said Lenz, “My brother’s coworker drove him home from work one day and asked if any of my friends knew IBM Report Program Generator, which I happened to know myself.”

Art has helped UCC through numerous transitions in technology, continually adapting to find ways to support the conference’s mission to spread the Gospel. Shortly after his arrival, Art saw a need for an additional hard drive to run the conference computer.

Installing the 75 mb hard drive cost $22,500 at the time, and the machine itself was roughly the size of a washing machine. As a relatively new employee, it was a large but necessary request. One that was granted.

Only a few months later, Art one day felt a sudden need to back up the new hard drive — no small task at the time — working late into the night on a Thursday. The following Monday, Art came into work to find out that the computer was no longer working. The data on the computer was lost entirely, but thanks to the recent back up, it was able to be recovered.

“Working at the conference has given me leadership experience,” said Lenz, “which I have been happy to use to help my community.” Outside his professional life, Art, and his wife Ruth, have been active members of Spokane Central Church, and played a significant part in the planning and construction of Palisades Christian Academy in Spokane.

A career highlight for Art was creating the Upper Columbia Accounting Navigator (UCAN) payroll and ledger system. In collaboration with Joy Rogers, Art spent more than a year in 1999 developing the software, which remained in effective use for many years following and remains the only fully interactive payroll system in the world church.

“The project started when Jon Corder asked me ‘why can’t our system show us taxes and net check as we enter data?’ and I started to theorize a solution,” said Lenz. “Then I started working with Joy and we got support to create a new system for the conference.”

Art also supported Camp Meeting PA and video production. Early video recordings of camp meetings were taken on Sony U-Matic tapes before VHS cassettes.

“I’ve had a lot of people ask me if the conference building burning down was the most difficult time, but it really wasn’t the worst time,” said Lenz. “Because right then, it didn’t matter how much burned or where the office was located because the people of the office were working so well together towards rebuilding and continuing the work of the church.”

In retirement, Art plans to continue serving his community in Spokane in a new capacity alongside his wife Ruth. He also looks forward to spending more time with his family, including his kids and grandkids. As for hobbies, Art also has several projects on his mind, including retrofitting a MIDI interface to the Spokane Central church’s pipe organ, and restoring his dad’s 1950 Ford F1.

“The people that I work with . . . that’s what I will miss most,” said Lenz.

President's Report: Getting to Know Our Schools

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 23:17:01 GMT

David Jamieson discusses the importance of Adventist education.

Did you know that the Seventh-day Adventist school system is the largest Protestant educational system in the world?

It all began when Martha Byington opened the first known Adventist school in Buck’s Bridge, New York, in 1853. Today, you can find more than 7,500 Adventist schools in nearly 150 countries, with 85,000 teachers, and more than 1.5 million students.

Here’s another statistic that should astound you: did you know that students who attend Adventist schools are uniquely successful? Did you know that more than 85% of our graduates pursue higher education and 80% of our students successfully complete college/university degrees?

Our schools are unique because they intentionally offer both a scholastic and spiritual education. We are in the business of “Educating for Eternity.”

Seventh-day Adventists believe that we are created in the image of God, that we are thinkers, that we are lovers, that God has made us by and for love, and that He longs to be in a loving personal relationship with every one of His children.

Adventist Education is a wholistic vision for the development of the whole-person: spiritually, physically, intellectually, socially, and emotionally. We don’t just educate students for this life.

In 1872 in her book Education , Ellen White stated, “In the highest sense, the work of education and the work of redemption are one.” (p.30).

It is crucial that the spiritual story of God in Christ redeeming the world be the very air we breathe, and the scaffolding around the schools we build.

Whether we are behind a desk, at bunsen burners, or on the baseball field, all of the work of our schools needs to be centered in this bigger story — and we need to constantly search for ways to tell that story.

This is why my wife and I attended Adventist schools. This is why we led our four children to attend Adventist schools, through Walla Walla University and beyond. After all, what more valuable investment is there than our children?

If Adventist education is going to continue to capture the imagination of future generations, we need to not only let our children see our passion for and our financial support of our schools, we need to also share the many success stories that provide a witness to the unique education received there.

Stories such as Jeffrey Kuhlman — former physician to several U.S. Presidents. Jeffrey attributes his success to the preparation he received through Adventist education. He once said, “I cannot speak enough of the solid education that I received. It prepared me to be the physician to Presidents’ Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.”

Stories such as Cynthia Chea Péan — a trained and certified plant-based celebrity chef to some of the biggest names in Hollywood, such as Will and Jada Smith and Stevie Baggs Jr. a three-time All-American NFL linebacker. She isn’t intimidated when she walks into the homes of billionaires, because, as she says, “all of my Adventist education prepared me to stand before kings and by the grace of God, do just fine.”

Stories like Alvin Chea — a musician and recording artist with Take 6, the renowned a cappella group. Alvin says, “Everything that I have been blessed to do in my life, I can look back on Adventist Education and say that it all originated there.”

Almost ten years ago a family moved across the country, and one of their children had a particularly difficult time with the move and the transition to a new school.

In fact, the parents had totally underestimated the angst the relocation had generated for their son, and they didn’t quite understand that all his acting out, fighting at school, and the uncharacteristic anger issues were his way of trying to grapple with the disorientation caused by the move across country.

The notes and calls coming home from school became a steady stream of concern. When it came time to attend their first parent-teacher conference with Mrs. B. They braced for the experience, expecting to be both scolded and embarrassed.

They were ready to face the music about their failure as parents. So, they sat down with Mrs. B. and she quickly announced, “I love your son.”

They tried to point out to her that they were the Smiths and wondered, “Was she perhaps expecting a different family? Had they shown up at the wrong appointment?”

However, they quickly learned that Mrs. B. was very earnest: she loved their son.

She loved their son because she was a teacher caught up in the messy narrative of redemption, the story of God’s gracious love in Christ, the drama of God’s hope for this broken world.

She loved their son because she knew that our God plays a long game and isn’t surprised by anything. And she saw in their son a disciple in the making, a follower of Jesus buried beneath all his fear and bewilderment. And she loved him.

He saw love modeled and he absorbed God’s story through his teacher’s example.

Job 36:22 asks, “Who is a teacher like God?”

Most of us could stand up right now and share how much we were blessed by the Godly teachers in our lives.

The truth is that this sort of education happens every day, and over a lifetime, in schools across our conference. And we can’t afford to lose it.

Our teachers love our children.

Our teachers pray for and worship with our children.

Our teachers educate our children about God every day of the school year.

It is an education that makes an eternal difference!

Let’s remember to keep hoping and dreaming with oversized hopes and dreams for our Adventist Schools.

Let’s imagine how all God’s children could be loved, shaped, and formed by such an education.

Let’s renew the sacrificial love of generations past who made it possible for our Adventist schools to continue. And as a community of faith, caught up in the story of God in Christ…

Let’s recommit ourselves with renewed passion for Adventist Education here at Upper Columbia Conference and beyond! Let’s not just tell the next generations; let’s show them.

As this year comes to an end, may you experience the joy and love of Jesus Christ this Christmas. Take this time of the year to pause and reflect. May our light shine out to the world until He returns!

This article is from the President's Report from December 2025. The original report includes actions from the recent Executive Committee meeting. To view the report, see https://news.uccsda.org/president1225 .

A UCC Christmas Story

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 05:08:37 GMT

How one Nativity blesses thousands each year.

By Dustin Jones

UCC Director of Communications

Anyone who drives through Spokane via the interstate on a cold December evening is in for a treat. Just before you descend the hill into Spokane, if you glance to your right, is a very large, colorful, nativity scene.

You may have noticed this scene on one of your recent drives, but what you may not have known is the story behind the lighted display that has stood on the grounds of Upper Columbia Conference for almost 35 years.

According to Darin Patzer, general manager of UCC’s radio station, Shine 104.9 FM, the display arrived at UCC through a somewhat surprising turn of events.

“This Christmas Nativity light feature was originally part of a much larger city of Spokane Christmas light display,” says Patzer. “Cars would drive through one of the city-owned golf courses at Christmas time each year to admire it.”

However, an activist group complained about the annual display and threatened to sue the city if the light display wasn’t removed.

“I think it was due to it being Christian and glorifying Jesus, but located on government property,” adds Patzer.

Because Upper Columbia Conference is located prominently beside Interstate 90, Jere Patzer, president of UCC at the time, had been searching for the perfect lighted display to host on the property.

“As the city was forced to sell their popular Nativity scene, UCC was able to step in and purchase it,” says Patzer.

Kathy Marson, who served in multiple positions in UCC for decades, remembers fondly the first time the display was put up next to the interstate.

“The whole office staff gathered in the evening, I think it was a Friday night, and had a dedicatory prayer at the display,” says Marson. “It was cold, but many prayed that this display would serve the Lord!”

Each year, as the Nativity scene lights up a small section of Interstate 90, it serves as a reminder of the Christmas story to the thousands of cars that pass by.

But the story doesn’t quite end there. Because after Jere Patzer served as president of UCC for several years, he became the president of NPUC in 1996.

“When the potential new North Pacific Union Conference office property was being considered, my husband Jere and I would drive out there on the knoll,” remembers Sue Patzer, director of women’s ministries for NPUC. “He would have his stopwatch. We would sit there, and he would have me help him time the number of cars that passed by the property per minute. Then he’d do the math and find out how many cars in a week, month, year, etc.”

The new NPUC office was finally finished in the fall of 2006 and plans were made to get a nativity set like at the UCC. However, when it was up, it was a disappointment because of its size. Even though it was the same size as the UCC display, the necessary placement of it on the NPUC grounds meant that it had to be further from the freeway. The distance made it look too small as cars drove by.

“That dilemma was solved by the next year when Montana Conference bought the smaller NPUC one, as they also have frontage on Interstate 90 in Bozeman!” remembers Sue Patzer.

This allowed NPUC to purchase a larger size that can be seen from their location on Interstate 5.

Archie Harris, UCC associate superintendent of education, was serving as superintendent in Montana when it was purchased from the NPUC and has very fond memories of everyone in the Montana office working together to set it up.

“It took the president, the stewardship office, the vice president for finance, the human resources office, the trust services, maintenance, ministerial department, personal ministries, education, youth department, summer camp staff, health department, Pathfinders leadership, and communications directors to get it put up properly,” says Harris.

“But to be clear, that was just four people,” quips Harris.

Though Jere Patzer passed away in 2008, what he started in UCC on 1-90 shines further east in Montana and also on I-5 north of Vancouver.

“I’m always so grateful for those who work on those displays every year,” adds Sue Patzer. “From the bulbs to replace, the rickety parts that need strengthening, and periodic rewiring, it takes work. Special thanks to all the volunteers who set these up each year, often enduring biting cold, wind, and snow.”

What began as a small light display seen by only a few hundred cars on a golf course, has multiplied into several displays seen by hundreds of thousands of cars annually for the last 35 years.

“God has a sense of humor,” says Darin Patzer, “and He always gets the final word.”

Shine 104.9 Presents Glisten Christmas

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 01:19:06 GMT

Shine 104.9 FM in Spokane, Washington, has prepared a special station for Christmas this year.

By Dustin R. Jones

Upper Columbia Conference Communications Director

“We’ve created a Christmas music station called Glisten Christmas, which features the most variety of any station you’ll find,” said Darin Patzer, Shine 104.9 manager. “In addition to classics from Bing Crosby like 'White Christmas,' you’ll also find lesser-known renditions of traditional Christmas songs featuring Christian artists, as well as country singers and hits from decades past.”

The music is completely commercial-free and is free for anyone to listen to. Just download the Live365 app on iPhone or Android and search for “Glisten Christmas.” The station will play Christmas music from November 2025 to January 2026.

“We hope it becomes a part of your Christmas tradition,” said Patzer.

To listen online, go to news. uccsda .org/Glisten1223

Palisades Christian Academy Breaks Ground on Early Learning Center

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 16:00:31 GMT

On October 30, 2025, Palisades Christian Academy gathered around an excavator to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new building for Palisades Christian Learning Center (PCLC).

By Isaac Meythaler,

Upper Columbia Conference Communications Coordinator

On October 30, 2025, a crowd gathered around an excavator on the Palisades Christian Academy soccer field to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new building for Palisades Christian Learning Center (PCLC).

Children participated in the ceremony singing “This Little Light of Mine,” dedicating the new center to shine hope, love, and learning into the surrounding community.

Eric Brown, UCC VP for administration, invited students, parents, and teachers to close their eyes and imagine the building that would one day be where he stood.

“Even though we can’t see the building yet, and it might be hard to imagine, we know it is coming,” said Brown. “Which is a lot like Jesus. We know about Him, we have the blueprints for His kingdom, but it can be hard to imagine. Today, just as we imagine the moment when Jesus returns, we find ourselves waiting, hopefully and eagerly for what we know is coming.”

PCLC was first envisioned more than 10 years ago with the desire to provide young children with an opportunity to learn and know about Jesus.

“PCLC was always in the plans when we were building the campus here at Palisades Christian Academy, but we didn’t have the funds to complete it at the time,” said Tim Windemuth, PCA development director.

PCLC offers Christ-centered daycare services for children between 2 ½ - 5 years of age in a positive Christian environment where children can learn and grow. Once operational, the new building will be able to facilitate up to 80 children with four classrooms.

The building project is estimated to cost $2.2 million.

“It may cost more or less, it’s hard to know for sure since we’re about a year away from completing the building,” said Windemuth. “But the Lord knows what we need, and He’s in charge.”

An anonymous donor has generously donated $1.8 million towards the project. PCA will continue to raise additional funds for the remaining $400,000.

“The amazing team at PCLC provides a safe, loving, nurturing, and Christ-centered space for young minds to grow and develop,” said Adam Littell, UCC VP for education. “I am thrilled that there is going to be an expansion to this very important educational ministry in the Spokane area so even more students can get to know Jesus through the dedicated work of the teachers at PCLC.”

PCLC currently uses three classrooms in the main school building, which with the construction of a dedicated space for early learning, will be made available to further expand PCA programs.

To learn more about the PCLC program, go to news.uccsda.org/pclcprogram. To learn how to make a contribution towards the PCLC building, call (509) 325-1985.

UCC Prayer Summit Makes a Vital Difference

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 21:05:54 GMT

From the moment attendees set foot at Camp MiVoden, God’s presence was clear.

By Isaac Meythaler

UCC Communications Coordinator

The Vital Prayer Summit, held October 3-5, 2025, marked UCC’s third prayer summit. In the beautiful outdoors at Camp MiVoden, attendees experienced a change in their spiritual lives with God by learning about and practicing prayer.

“I saw God move in powerful ways in my life and in others this weekend,” said Kathy Marson, a volunteer who organized the event. “Praying together, as a group led by the Holy Spirit — that makes a lasting impact on each individual and the world around us.”

From the moment attendees set foot at Camp MiVoden, they were met with an offer of prayer. Two or three people would pray over each person as they came in and then gave them directions to registration.

Guest speakers for the weekend included Randy Maxwell, vice-president for administration and director of prayer ministries, Washington Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; Kevin Wilfley, recently retired pastor for Upper Columbia Academy; and David Jamieson, president of Upper Columbia Conference.

More than 120 gathered for the retreat, not counting all the prayer groups across Upper Columbia Conference who prayed in advance for the Vital Prayer Summit for many months, as well as prayer leaders from all across the North American Division.

God’s presence was clearly felt by the event’s organizers and those in attendance. At meetings, there was time dedicated for prayer groups to pray for God’s Holy Spirit.

“When God’s Holy Spirit is present, it is noticeable,” said Marson. “We often found God leading our time; whenever something went off schedule, we could see that God was in the details turning our problems into blessings.”

The Vital Prayer Summit was made possible by many volunteers. Local prayer leaders helped lead the early morning prayer “Power Hour.” Members of the Prayer Action Committee and volunteers were also busy helping with registration, praying with people, offering blessings and prayers at meetings and hosting seminars. Many came early to help with setup and stayed late to help pack up.

Feedback forms from the weekend were received by event organizers and were very positive.

One attendee gave thanks saying, “This was an unmeasurable blessing. Everything was spot on perfect. All I have is incredible gratitude for all of the amazing effort put into this summit.”

“This was a life-changing weekend for me; I will never be the same. Praise God!” said another participant.

The next annual prayer summit will be held October 2-4, 2026. For the latest updates from UCC prayer ministries, see uccsda.org/prayer

God Saved Pathfinder Camporee: A Testimony of Provision and Purpose

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:27:48 GMT

Smoke and flames shut down the venue, undid months of planning — and nearly burnt up all hope.

By Isaac Meythaler,

Upper Columbia Conference Communications Coordinator

Months of careful planning came dangerously close to unraveling in a single moment. Just two weeks before the long-awaited UCC Pathfinder Camporee of 2025 came devastating news: the campground had to be evacuated due to a sudden wildfire in the area. Smoke and flames shut down the venue, undid months of planning — and nearly burnt up all hope.

When the news came, there were only 14 days until the camporee. “The odds of finding a suitable location on such short notice was slim,” said Josh Penhallurick, who helped organize the camporee. “We needed enough room for 23 clubs — roughly 490 people in total. It felt impossible.”

For many, the Pathfinder Camporee is more than just a weekend event; it is a spiritual milestone, a place where young people connect with nature, each other, and most importantly, with God. Leaders, volunteers, and Pathfinder club staff had been praying, preparing, and investing time and energy into making this camporee a memorable, meaningful encounter. The unexpected news of the campground closure hit hard.

But what started as a setback became an invitation to pray harder and trust deeper.

Within 48 hours of the original campground closing, the UCC club ministries leadership team was already calling contacts, churches, and camps, while praying without ceasing. That was when the first miracle happened.

After a string of dead-ends, Lara Dowie, administrative assistant, UCC club ministries, suggested contacting the Palouse Empire Fairgrounds near Colfax, WA.

“It felt like a long shot, but we followed up,” she said. “To our amazement, not only did the camp have that weekend available, but it offered everything we needed — and more.”

The fairgrounds included open fields for clubs to camp at, buildings for teaching honors on Sabbath afternoon, and a central gazebo large enough to hold meetings at. It also had additional fields for drill and marching, as well as a big building for playing games on Sabbath evening.

The second miracle? A warm welcome with open arms. No red tape. No lengthy approval process. They had heard what happened and were ready to help.

“In less than a week, our team pivoted everything,” said Ryan Whitehead, UCC club ministries director. “We developed new transportation plans, adapted programs for the new location, and communicated all the updates to our volunteers, our Pathfinders, and their parents. We watched in awe as everything fell perfectly into place. Not just ‘good enough,’ but better than what we had originally planned!”

When the weekend arrived and the buses pulled in, the excitement was electric. Pathfinders raced to explore the new site, their laughter echoing through the pines. Staff stood amazed at how well everything worked out. Even the weather cooperated — clear skies, warm days, and cool, starlit nights.

During evening worship, the music team and guest speakers Alyssa and Mike Morauske led a worship on the camporee’s theme of heavenly road trip. Alyssa spoke about belonging, the love of God, and how God wants us on His Heavenly Road Trip.

“In that moment, we weren’t just campers on a weekend trip, we were witnesses to God’s faithfulness,” said Whitehead. “His provision came right on time—not early, not late, but exactly when we needed it.”

Looking back, Pathfinders say with confidence that God saved the Pathfinder Camporee. Not just by finding a new location, but through a reminder of His presence, His timing, and His ability to do the impossible: Transforming what felt like a crisis into a testimony of His grace and power.

“Let this be a reminder: when the fires of life close one path, God has already cleared another,” said Penhallurick. “All we have to do is follow Him.”

Home of Shalom Organizes Acts of Kindness

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 01:32:15 GMT

On a sunny fall afternoon, nearly 100 volunteers set out to do good by serving the Spokane Community.

By Isaac Meythaler,

Upper Columbia Conference Communications Coordinator

Be Bold for Jesus, a Christian Conference in Spokane, WA, took place from October 3-5, 2025. Tyler Kern, Shine 104.9 Chaplain and Home of Shalom Pastor, represented Shine 104.9 as a guest speaker and organizer of the event’s community service projects.

Kern was given the opportunity to speak to an audience of youth and young adults during the event, giving his testimony on his spiritual journey finding purpose in Jesus. He shared his history growing up in the church, how he left the church, and pursuing filmmaking until he felt called to ministry.

“We all have a story to tell,” said Kern. “When someone asks you ‘how are you so sure that God exists?’ You can say ‘I know because I have experienced His presence in my life.’”

For more than six years, Shine 104.9 has partnered with the Be Bold 4 Jesus Conference as a local sponsor, promoting the event and coordinating the final evening concert, which features a Christian artist.

At the end of 2024, event organizers reached out to Shine 104.9 to help plan for 2025’s event. With the news that the upcoming conference would only be held on Friday and Saturday, Shine Chaplain Tyler Kern saw an opportunity to practice bold faith in service of others.

Kern suggested holding a community service project as part of the conference, which was met with enthusiasm. Kern continued to coordinate and organize the events in collaboration with BB4J, and in exchange, Home of Shalom received a free sponsor booth at the event where people could sign up to participate in the service project.

On Sunday, almost 100 volunteers split into three groups focused on doing good through service in the Spokane community.

One group served at a local food pantry, sorting donations and stocking shelves. For every can and box sorted, a family was relieved of the burden of hunger. Another group rolled up their sleeves and cleaned up trash and debris in High Bridge Park. The final group walked through the heart of downtown Spokane, engaging in a prayer walk with homeless people.

A single mom with her two young children attended the prayer walk. Violet, at only 5-years-old, was eager to reach out and pray with people, often holding the hands or touching the heads of the people she prayed powerful, authentic prayers of healing over.

“This wasn't just about praying for them,” said Kern, “it was about being a non-judgmental, loving presence with them — reminding them they are seen and valued.”

Kern reports that several people who signed up at the BB4J conference are now regular participants in service projects, continuing to serve their community in bold, impactful and faithful acts.

“These events were simple, but their impact is huge,” said Kern. “They are a tangible reminder that we don't have to wait for a grand opportunity to show the love of God: We can do it right now, right where we are.”

Learn more about Home of Shalom at homeofshalom.org and Shine 104.9 at shine1049.org .

President's Report: Leading by Serving Others

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 15:13:50 GMT

David Jamieson shares how serving others is a reflection of the leadership of Jesus.

By David Jamieson

UCC President

Serving One More can be accomplished through a variety of actions. For some this is physical service for someone in your local community, church, or neighborhood. For others, it is building long-term friendships with this same group. For still others, it is through quiet servant leadership that they Serve One More. Two such examples came to mind recently.

Tyler Kern serves as the chaplain for Shine 104.9 FM in Spokane. In this context, Tyler connects with friends in our community. He is building relationships and finding ways to serve. This has resulted in Home of Shalom, a worship experience for those in the community who have been wounded by their church. During their last worship event, more than 140 people from the community were present.

Tyler organizes regular opportunities for service that is uniting these new friends and changing neighborhoods. From serving at food pantries to cleaning up graffiti and trash in local parks to fellowshipping and praying with their transient neighbors, Tyler’s group is making an impact both in downtown Spokane, but also in the hearts of those who choose and desire service.

Home of Shalom is also partnering with other organizations to address suicide prevention in our public schools. Tyler’s servant leadership is helping others develop a relationship with Christ.

Another example, is Pastor Darayl Larsen. Darayl passed away August 26, 2025, at the age of 83, following a brief illness. He has served on our Executive Committee for the past several years, which is how I met him. He was very humble, and so I had no idea of his long history of leadership and service in the conference and around the world.

I also want to honor him for his many years of faithful and dedicated service as a pastor of seven different churches in UCC, and his work as an elder. In addition to this, Pastor Darayl was a church and conference Pathfinder leader for more than 40 years, impacting the lives of young people for generations.

Throughout his life, Pastor Darayl was deeply committed to pastoral service, notably spending 13 years pastoring Moses Lake Adventist Church.

Before settling in the Northwest, he dedicated 13 years to church service in Colombia, South America, alongside his wife and family, serving God and his church in many different capacities. During this time, he spent three years in the Amazon jungle piloting a small boat along the Nechí River, where he and his wife, who is a registered nurse, provided health care to remote villages. He also learned basic dental care and extracted hundreds of teeth for villagers who had no access to dental or health care.

Upon returning to the United States and later residing in Moses Lake, he proudly served as a chaplain at Samaritan Healthcare and volunteered many hours helping young people through Pathfinders.

When Pastor Darayl was not busy at church or the hospital, he enjoyed leading mission trips, hiking and camping.

What a beautiful life well-lived! Pastor Darayl spent his life living out the motto of Upper Columbia Conference, to Serve One More. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with his wife Sandy and the Larsen family.

Christ has asked each of us to live in this manner — to love all, to reach out to those around us, and to serve all in servant leadership.

May we all be committed to serving one more and looking for ways to be a blessing to those around us.

David Jamieson

President, Upper Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

I wanted to share what happened at our recent executive committee in my President's Report with you, along with how God continues to bless in our Conference. We prepared the report as a pdf that will allow you to share it with your church, school, or friends easily. You can view my report by going to news.uccsda.org/president1025 .

Riverside Baptisms at Wilderness Gateway Campground

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 14:45:00 GMT

The regional church campout brought together members for riverside baptisms, spiritual growth and celebration.

By Cathy Law

Kamiah Seventh-day Adventist Church, Communications

“I Want to Go to Heaven” was the succinct theme of a regional campout which included four churches and a company from Upper Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Tucked away in the Wilderness Gateway Campground of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests the weekend meetings drew campers from August 13-17.

Morning and evening devotions challenged campers with the aspects of preparing for Jesus’ coming. Topics included discerning and defending the truth of the Word of God, experiencing the mercy of God and extending that mercy to others, understanding the importance of our cooperative response to Christ’s sacrificial death for us, and the need for continued growth after making a decision for Christ and being baptized.

Up to 150 members and guests from as far away as Arkansas gathered for Sabbath worship. The keynote speaker, Pastor Steve Rogers, encouraged campers to stay connected to God's church for nurture and for protection from those who would try to deceive and draw us away.

In Acts 20:29 it is written, “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.” This admonition from Paul echoes Jesus’ own warning from Matthew 24:4-5, “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name....”

Following a traditional lunch of haystacks (a delectable blend of beans, chips, and a variety of salad toppings), the members from the Kamiah, Orofino, Weippe, and Grangeville churches, Kooskia Company, and other guests gathered on the shore of the beautiful Lochsa River for five baptisms.

John Stinson (from Weippe), Joshua DePaula (from Kooskia Company), Joshua Prado (from Orofino), Caleb Prado (from Orofino), and Angel Padilla (from Kamiah) followed through with their commitment to Christ as Pastor Rogers baptized them “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.”

As the campout ended, members soaked in the beauty of God’s creation, reflected on God’s mercy, and returned home with five words in mind: “I want to go to heaven.”

Camp MiVoden Staff Member Reflects On God's Blessings

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 15:00:08 GMT

Joshua Penhallurick, former Camper now serving as MiVoden Staff Member, reflects on and shares how God continues to Shower Blessings at Camp MiVoden.

By Joshua Penhallurick

Camp MiVoden Staff Member

This last summer marked my fifth year working at Camp MiVoden. I first went to camp MiVoden when I was eight years old. I was hooked. I kept coming back each summer up until I was able to work there as a staff member. I started out in maintenance, then the kitchen, an activities counselor, and this last summer was my second year as boys’ director.

This summer was one of the most memorable summers of my life. When I arrived at camp, I had no idea what God had in store for us. At staff orientation week, everyone quickly bonded and got to know each other.

Then, with the first week of campers, there was a different atmosphere. The tight-knit connections between staff quickly spread to the campers too. Walking around camp, you could feel the love and joy being spread around camp. How people acted and treated each other, there was an overwhelming sense of God’s presence everywhere you went. It was clear to me that this summer wasn’t just about having fun at camp with your friends, there was a spiritual transformation in the hearts of everyone coming to camp.

This year’s five-night play told a story of how Jesus actively pursues us, even when we’re not looking for Him. The story took place in a medieval fantasy setting, reminiscent of The Princess Bride. From the youngest adventure camper to the wisest family campers, everyone was excited about the story of Jesus. Every week, the final night of the play included a reenactment of the crucifixion, showing just how far Jesus is willing to go to pursue us. And all week long, the counselors began and ended each day with worship, continuing to tell campers the stories of Jesus’ love.

I was amazed at the effect that MiVoden was having on people. Then teen week happened. That week, pastor Sam Smith shared his personal journey with Jesus and religion. He was completely open and honest. It was vulnerable. It was real and it resonated with campers and staff alike. After his first night speaking, we had campers in tears, and several who wanted to be baptized that week on Sabbath.

After that night, the staff made a quick decision to offer additional early morning Bible studies, and Pastor Smith offered baptismal studies. We had around 45 campers getting up earlier in the morning to go to these studies!

As we saw this unfold, our leadership team at camp decided that we should set aside a time and space where campers could ask more personal questions that they had about God or their personal struggles. We asked Pastor Smith and he agreed to do it with Pastor Jeff Wines. It was a leap of faith, we had no clue how many people would go or even be interested, but we knew that it would be worth it even if only a few showed up. After the program on Friday, we ended up having around 60 campers asking questions and fully engaged in conversation. All of this led to Sabbath afternoon, when we traditionally offer baptisms at camp. Teen week this year had five baptisms in a single afternoon!

God worked wonders this summer at camp MiVoden. We had at least one baptism every week this summer, something I have never seen before in my five years working there. But it wasn’t just the baptisms that made this summer special. It was all the seeds that were planted in the hearts of everyone that came that will continue to grow for years to come. This summer I found a renewed faith, a full heart, deeper friendships, and a gratitude for everything God has done and continues to do at Camp MiVoden.

To learn more about Camp MiVoden, or to register for 2026, see mivoden.com .

ShineFest 2025 Gives God the Glory in Spokane

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 22:47:57 GMT

More than six thousand people gathered on the grass of Spokane's Riverfront Park at this year's ShineFest concert.

By Isaac Meythaler

Communications Coordinator, Upper Columbia Conference

More than six thousand people gathered on the grass of Spokane’s Riverfront Park for a free Christian concert giving God the glory at this year’s ShineFest, held August 1. KEEH Shine 104.9 invited artists including Hope Darst, Ryan Stevenson, and Micah Tyler to perform along the scenic downtown river, along with local Christian musicians.

“Our foremost goal with ShineFest, and in everything else we do, is to lift up and glorify the name of Jesus,” said Darin Patzer, KEEH Shine 104.9 manager. “As an outreach ministry, we try to reach across all denominations to bring together followers of Christ and encourage their faith journey.”

This August marked the third ShineFest, an event Shine 104.9 hopes to continue annually.

Stage set-up began that morning at 6 a.m. with volunteers arriving throughout the morning, artists arrived at mid-day for a sound-check, and attendees started to line up at 3 p.m. for the concert, which ended after 9 p.m.

“We’ve had nothing but positive experiences with the Christian artists we’ve partnered with over the years,” said Patzer. “We have found them to be humble, patient, gracious, and willing to serve and interact with their fans while understanding that Jesus is the real star of the show.”

Preparations for ShineFest began early in 2025, contacting the venue, coordinating production and staging logistics, and finding artists that listeners were familiar with. The event cost more than $50,000, between artist fees, staging/sound production and other rentals and licenses. The event’s costs are partially covered by sponsorships and donations at the door, but as a non-profit event, it’s also presented as a gift to the community.

“People seemed to really enjoy their time and have a positive worship experience, but that doesn’t happen without a team,” said Patzer. “I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all our staff and volunteers that helped make ShineFest a smooth experience, and we are grateful that God blessed us with beautiful weather each year.”

For more than 30 years, KEEH/Shine104.9 has provided the greater Spokane region with a message of hope and encouragement. As of 2025, Shine 104.9 is ranked #1 overall in Spokane and North Idaho across all radio demographics (Copyright Nielsen Radio Ratings, Spring 2025).

“KEEH has built up tremendous awareness and bridges of friendship for the Seventh-day Adventist Church,” said Patzer. “We invite dozens of pastors and community leaders into our studio to share their hearts and become friends, and our chaplain, Tyler Kern, hosts weekly community service events — like park cleanups, food drives, and group worships.”

The KEEH radio ministry is 100% community-funded and is owned by Upper Columbia Media Association.

“We are ever grateful for the vision and support of the leadership of UCMA and at Upper Columbia Conference, as well as the local Adventist members, who care about this outreach ministry aimed at the community!” said Patzer.

For updates on concerts and events, or to listen to the station online or through Shine 104.9’s free radio app, visit Shine1049.org .

Eric Sayler Appointed as UCC Ministerial Director

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 18:54:27 GMT

During a meeting of the Upper Columbia Conference executive committee held Thursday, September 25, Eric Sayler was appointed as ministerial director.

By Dustin Jones,

Director, Upper Columbia Conference, Communications

During a meeting of the Upper Columbia Conference executive committee held Thursday, September 25, Eric Sayler was appointed as ministerial director.

Eric Sayler is well acquainted with the inland northwest with more than 15 years of ministry in UCC. Sayler currently serves as the lead pastor at Walla Walla Eastgate Church in Walla Walla, WA.

“Eric is a very spiritual and capable young man who is wise beyond his years,” said David Jamieson, president, Upper Columbia Conference. “We are delighted that he has accepted the role of being a pastor to the pastors.”

In 2006, Sayler graduated with a major in theology from Walla Walla College along with a minor in history. After graduating, he spent a year as a bible worker at Eastgate Seventh-day Adventist Church from June 2006-July 2007 and continued as a Bible worker at Pendleton Seventh-day Adventist Church the next year. As a Bible worker, he gained valuable experience mentoring and discipling others through Bible study, planned and co-taught several evangelistic series, and organized regular youth group activities.

In 2008, Sayler received his certificate in pastoral coaching from the North American Division Evangelism Institute. He furthered his studies at Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, graduating with a master’s degree in divinity in 2010.

In 2010, Sayler began serving as lead pastor for the Pendleton/Pilot Rock Seventh-day Adventist Churches in Oregon. There, Sayler developed a vibrant family ministries team, worked in tandem with the local Adventist School and oversaw significant church growth over the course of four years.

In 2014, Eric Sayler accepted a position as lead pastor for the Eastgate Seventh-day Adventist Church in Walla Walla, where he has served for eleven years. At Eastgate, he has had the opportunity to mentor theology students from Walla Walla University yearly and lead several evangelistic series.

He has taken on numerous challenges during his pastoral leadership of Eastgate, including recovery following a fire in the church’s kitchen/fellowship hall, and raising $260,000 in funds for physical plant renovations.

The Eastgate church has flourished during Sayler’s pastorship, with average attendance increasing from 165 to more than 265 people. In response to church growth, Sayler oversaw the addition of a second worship service to accommodate kingdom growth and facilitated the formation of community engagement teams and the ongoing development of small group ministries. Recently, Sayler became a certified pastoral field mentor through the Center for Community Change at Andrews University.

“What an honor to join this talented team at the conference office and beyond,” said Sayler. “I’m looking forward to working alongside and supporting our Upper Columbia pastors and church leaders.”

Eric, his wife Stacie, their son Joshua, and daughter Jillian, all enjoy a rural, country lifestyle. They raise golden retrievers, dairy and pack goats, and ride horses. In addition to ministry and farming, Eric spends time hiking with his goats in the mountains, fishing, and reading.

Why Thank Your Pastor This October?

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 15:53:04 GMT

Every October, we celebrate Pastor’s Appreciation Month, and some have wondered why we set aside a whole month to appreciate pastors.

By Eric Brown

UCC Vice President for Administration

Every October, we celebrate Pastor’s Appreciation Month, and some have wondered why we set aside a whole month to appreciate pastors. After all, we only set aside one day to appreciate veterans, one day for workers, one day for Mothers and one day for Fathers. We don’t even have a day for the fire fighters, police, EMTs, and medical staff that do so much to keep us safe. What’s with a month for pastors?

I can tell you the idea didn’t come from pastors. If you must know, the whole idea of being appreciated publicly is just a little bit embarrassing for pastors. Having people make a public fuss about you is awkward. Most pastors don’t do what they do for public recognition. They serve because they were called. In their best moments they know that what they do is for an audience of One, and just like He said of Jesus, he says of his pastors, “This is my beloved child. In them I am well pleased.”

Given the public perception of what pastors do, or don’t do, the whole idea of pastor appreciation can seem a bit over the top. A pastor once asked a young boy what he wanted to do when he grew up. He replied, “I want to be a pastor.” The pastor was pleased with that response and asked the young man why. “Because they only work one day a week,” the boy replied.

Why celebrate a month of pastor appreciation when others who give their lives get so much less, when it makes your pastor uncomfortable, and when you’re not really sure what your pastor is up to most of his workday? That’s a great question and it has a whole book of great answers! I’ll just share a few with you right now.

We take a month to celebrate Pastor Appreciation because chances are pretty good your pastor has more than one congregation and they might not see you in person before the month has passed. Besides, trying to get a group of people to participate in one act of thanks can take some time and effort. If you’re in the midst of trying to get the rest of the people in your congregation to pay attention to their emails and you’re tired of hearing, “I forgot” or “You wanted that today?” then you understand a little bit of what your pastor deals with every week.
Your pastor is human. No matter how high and holy their calling may be, they struggle with the same doubts and insecurities that you do. Except that they willingly expose their hearts and the lives of their families to public scrutiny and criticism. And believe me, they do hear every critical word that is spoken. They chose to become a pastor because they wanted to make a difference for God. Instead of lives changed and souls won to Christ, most of what they hear is how they failed. So, making time to focus on the positives goes a long way.
But you said public appreciation is embarrassing for pastors. Yes, I did, and you should embarrass them anyway! They do what they do because they want to serve, but knowing that their service is making a difference will help them keep going back into the fray. Your pastor is a soldier, but the enemy they do battle with is invisible, so its hard to know how much ground they’ve captured. Your pastor is a fire fighter, but the fires they fight are often impossible to extinguish and they are usually outnumbered by the arsonists. Your pastor is an EMT, but they respond to shattered hearts and wounded souls, so a bandage and an IV won’t help. The embarrassment your pastor feels when you thank them publicly is more than made up for by the knowledge that you noticed everything they do behind the scenes.

So I hope you’ll do something to tell your pastor how much they mean to you and your church family this month. And if you’re struggling to know what to get your pastor (they can be hard to buy for), here are a few ideas that might help.

Time away with the family is always a winner. Non-monetary gift cards to a nice restaurant or even a weekend for two at a nice resort is overwhelming but appreciated. If your pastor is single, a trip to see family is great idea!
Surprise your pastor with new office furniture. If your pastor has an office at the church, there’s a good chance the office could use an update. Let your pastor know the budget they have and let them pick out a new desk and chairs.
Stop right now and set a monthly reminder in your calendar to send your pastor an encouraging text, DM, or email on a particular day. Hearing some unexpected encouragement throughout the year will give your pastor a great boost.

Your pastor knows that the best treasure to lay up is in heaven and they’ll probably keep serving in your church whether you do anything for Pastors Appreciation or not. But it’s wonderful to know that some of that treasure they are working to store away up there recognizes what a difference they are making down here. So go ahead, embarrass them a little bit. It will mean the world to them!

UCC Equips and Empowers Educators Through In-Service

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:24:47 GMT

UCC Educators began the school year with professional development, spiritual encouragement, and holistic support.

By Isaac Meythaler

Communications Coordinator, Upper Columbia Conference

Upper Columbia Conference (UCC) recently gathered all teachers from across the conference for in-service training meetings designed to equip, encourage, and empower educators in their vital work of Adventist education. The meetings took place at the UCC office in Spokane, WA. Each day provided focused professional development, practical strategies, and spiritual encouragement for the educators.

Renae Young, early childhood education coordinator for North Pacific Union, opened the in-service meetings by leading K–2 teachers in a specialized training on new skills for teaching reading. With literacy at the foundation of student success, teachers were given tools and strategies based on the Science of Reading to strengthen early learning and ensure students are building a solid foundation for reading.

Adam Littell, Upper Columbia Conference vice president for education, shared a special message with educators on the second day of in-service. “Adventist education prioritizes whole-person development focusing in spiritual and academic growth,” said Littell. “Our mission is to provide a safe environment for students to grow in their relationship with Jesus, that is at the forefront of all we do as educators.”

Following Littell’s message, the meeting room buzzed with joyful reunions and shared stories with the entire team of K-12 educators present. Training continued with Renee Whiting, associate director of education for Southwestern Union, providing information on the use of MAP testing results. Teachers explored how to interpret data effectively and apply it in their classrooms to guide instruction and support student growth. The training helped educators connect the MAP assessment results with teaching in practical applications.

“It’s no small task,” said Littell, “Teachers have an incredible number of responsibilities and opportunities, our in-service prepares them for both.”

On the third day, Mindy Salyers, who partners with UCC to provide counseling services for teachers and students, presented on a range of relevant topics. Her sessions included strategies for addressing bullying and discussing teacher self-care. Her expertise reminded educators of the importance of mental, emotional, and spiritual health in building strong, resilient school communities.

“The most valuable thing we can give our students and teachers, is time,” said Littell. “Showing up, being present, volunteering without being asked, that’s what they will remember most.”

Upper Columbia Conference provided more than just professional growth, as the time together was also a spiritual blessing. The training equipped and empowered UCC teachers to better serve their students, while also reinforcing the mission of Adventist education: To enable learners to develop a life of faith in God, and to use their knowledge, skills, and understandings to serve God and humanity.

Prepared for the 2025-2026 school year, UCC teachers returned to classrooms following in-service meetings knowing that they are supported in their mission by a community of educators, and the loving Teacher who invites little ones to come to Him.

To learn more about Adventist Education at UCC, see uccsda.org/education

Upper Columbia Conference Launches "Kingdom Assignments" to Inspire Bold Acts of Faith

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 14:55:45 GMT

As part of UCC’s broader Serve One More movement, Kingdom Assignments seeks to mobilize believers of all ages to invest in creative, Spirit-led service across the globe.

By Dustin Jones

UCC Communications Director

Upper Columbia Conference (UCC) is preparing to launch a bold new initiative in 2026, inviting thousands to take part in an exciting short-term adventure with God. As part of UCC’s broader Serve One More movement, the new project — called Kingdom Assignments — seeks to mobilize believers of all ages to invest in creative, Spirit-led service across the globe.

“The vision of Kingdom Assignments is to invite 4,000 school classrooms, Pathfinder or Adventurer clubs, ACS groups, Sabbath school classes, women's ministry groups, prayer teams, and more across our conference to join in a short-term adventure with God,” explains Richie Brower, UCC associate director for Serve One More. “Each group will have their project approved by their school or church board.”

Starting in early 2026, UCC will distribute $40,000 (given by a UCC donor) in one hundred-dollar bills to participating groups ready to take on the challenge. The money is intended as seed funding to grow God’s kingdom in creative and tangible ways. Whether supporting mission projects, meeting local community needs, or launching new ministries, the possibilities are endless — but the mission is the same: make an eternal impact.

Each group that receives $100 must agree to three simple, yet powerful stipulations:

I understand that this is God’s money, not my money.

My group and I will invest this money in kingdom work somewhere in the world.

In 90 days, we will share the story of how God multiplied the funds.

Participants will be able to upload stories and photos of their journey on the ServeOneMore.org website, creating a shared testimony of faith and action across the conference.

UCC President David Jamieson offered a compelling example from his past experience.

“When my church in Canada did this as a congregation, one group hosted a marathon soccer tournament and multiplied their $100 into $25,000 for a community family whose child had an extended stay at a children’s hospital which prevented mom and dad from working,” said Jamieson.

With its simple model and powerful potential, Kingdom Assignments is poised to ignite a movement of service, creativity, and faith throughout Upper Columbia Conference. From classrooms to small groups, this initiative invites everyone to step into God’s mission with just $100 and a willingness to serve others.

“I hope groups will start talking and praying about what they will do to partner with Jesus on their own Kingdom Assignment in the new year,” Brower said.

As next year approaches, the challenge is clear: What will your Kingdom Assignment be?

For more stories of faith in action, see ServeOneMore.org

Maranatha Volunteers Show Care Through Repairs at Upper Columbia Academy

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 21:26:25 GMT

Maranatha Volunteers Chose Service at UCA this Summer

By Sidney Needles

Maranatha Volunteers International Communication Specialist

Summertime is vacation season, but the volunteers who gathered at Upper Columbia Academy didn’t seem to get the memo. From June 22 to July 2, the 62-member team provided free labor at the campus. They remodeled the school’s home economics classroom, reroofed a staff house, painted fire escapes and a large pavilion, and reinforced a footbridge. Their service project was organized by Maranatha Volunteers International, a supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

“For our plant services team, it has been a sigh of hope and relief that someone is there to help,” said PJ Deming, principal of Upper Columbia Academy. “Most of the time we have difficulty finding the time to do maintenance; we do crisis management. Maranatha helps us get ahead of the game a little bit. It helps us have things done that usually go unnoticed just because of the volume of other things that need done.”

Maranatha volunteers’ labor may be free, but it’s far from cheap. “They come with an expertise, they find the project and get to work, which is a huge benefit,” remarked Deming. “I’ve often seen many projects at our churches and schools left unfinished, but Maranatha finishes a project and that’s crucial.”

The physical impact of this project is obvious. “We see the improvements, and those improvements are long lasting,” said Deming.

But volunteers’ care for the campus also had an emotional impact. “When they come, it helps you feel like the mission you are doing is valuable,” explained Deming. “It makes us feel like we’re not alone — that they see the value. And to think that we are being seen as valuable enough for someone to care about and invest in — it leaves me speechless.”

Maranatha Volunteers International mobilizes volunteers to build churches, schools, water wells, and other urgently needed structures around the world, including North America. Since 1969, Maranatha has constructed more than 16,000 structures and more than 3,500 water wells in nearly 90 countries.

UCC Launches Regional Approach to Camp Meeting

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 23:07:26 GMT

This year, Upper Columbia Conference launched a new approach for camp meeting.

By Isaac Meythaler

UCC Communications Coordinator

This year, Upper Columbia Conference launched a new approach for camp meeting. Rather than one large event, this year UCC spread out into six regional camp meetings at Northeastern Washington, Spokane Valley, Tri-Cities, Walla Walla Valley, Wenatchee, and Yakima.

In 2023, UCC conducted several surveys about the future of camp meeting. A key finding was that while 55% of respondents responded positively towards one large camp meeting event, when asked if they were planning on attending, only 37% responded yes.

In response, a new camp meeting plan was approved by the Conference Executive Committee on a two-year trial basis, beginning in 2025. This regional approach to camp meeting saw increases in local church collaboration and total attendance, significantly lowered overhead costs, and allowed for a greater focus on serving communities across the conference.

Northeastern Washington’s camp meeting joined at Sheridan Meadows in Republic, Wash. to enjoy a week of fellowship and worship in nature. During the week, youth carried out daily service projects in town, giving a report of their projects on Friday night.

Spokane Valley’s camp meeting convocation chose the theme “Revealing the Character of Christ.” More than 1,300 individuals were present for guest speaker Pastor Doug Batchelor. Church members gave blood and sweat to their local community in a variety of service opportunities including a blood drive, yardwork, and going door to door with needs assessment surveys and Christian literature.

Tri-Cities hosted this year’s Hispanic camp meeting, with attendees from across the conference. Cecilio Clayton, José Rojas, and Rubén Muñoz were the featured speakers.

Walla Walla Valley’s camp meeting convocation chose the theme “Created for Community,” featuring guest speaker Pastor Karl Haffner. Local Walla Walla Valley churches gathered at Walla Walla University Church for a time of fellowship, praise, and service. Attendance exceeded expectations, with almost 1,000 gathered for worship on Sabbath.

“Perhaps the most heartwarming moment for me came when nearly 20 volunteers served 21 single parents with complimentary oil changes,” said Andreas Beccai, WWU Church lead pastor, “Two vehicles received much-needed new brakes, and another was blessed with two new front tires. These mothers and fathers were deeply moved by this unconditional demonstration of Christ's love, freely given without expectation of anything in return.”

Wenatchee convocation gathered in August under the theme “On Call” with guest speakers David Jamieson, UCC president, and Eric Brown, UCC vice president for administration. Jamieson and Brown shared passionate stories of community engagement and finished the convocation with several service projects, a theme across this year’s regional camp meetings.

Yakima closed out the camp meeting season with a focus on mission and service.

“All told, we experienced significant growth in the number of individuals that received a blessing at the regional convocations as compared with the one large camp meeting at Upper Columbia Academy,” said Dustin Jones, UCC director of communications and camp meeting coordinator. “We were also able to accomplish this at a much lower cost than what our usual camp meeting costs.”

Video recordings of UCC’s camp meetings are available at uccsda.org/campmeeting .

President's Report: Summer is Over; Let's Refocus on Mission!

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 15:11:00 GMT

David Jamieson shares his experience at GC Session and initiatives for UCC moving forward.

By David Jamieson

UCC President

When I moved to the Pacific Northwest from British Columbia, I noticed an unusual phenomenon. The rest of the year seemed to pass at a normal rate, but summer just seemed to fly by.

This summer was no exception, with General Conference Session, our Camp Meeting Convocations, and various other retreats and meetings. GC Session is our world church gathering that occurs every five years. The two delegates for Upper Columbia Conference were Erna Marquez, a member of our executive committee, and myself. I deeply appreciate Erna’s involvement, and I was especially glad to see her selected to serve on the nominating committee. Her presence also brought valuable Hispanic representation to our delegations, reflecting the diversity within our conference family.

There are a few items that are worth noting from GC Session. Ted Wilson was recognized for his 15 years of leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. “What a privilege it is for all of us to be a part of God’s last-day remnant church proclaiming Christ, His three angels’ messages, and His soon coming,” Wilson said.

Erton Köhler, GC secretary, was elected as president of the General Conference. I hope that you will join me in prayer for Erton as he takes on this monumental task of leading our global church.

He said a few things during his first Sabbath sermon that really stuck with me: “Our focus is on a church rising powerfully for mission, but only if mission is the priority of our initiatives, meetings, personnel, and resources.”

Later in his sermon, he said, “We can’t be a church that measures its growth by a simple ABC — Attendance, Buildings, and Cash —but one that is strongly committed to the “D” of Disciple-making.”

It is a reminder of our calling to Serve One More in our church, communities, and neighborhoods.

John Bradshaw, speaker for It Is Written, gave an inspirational talk about our Adventist logo, which utilizes a cross and an open Bible with a flame emerging from its pages.

“Our message is so vital, vibrant, and alive that we would best depict it with flames,” said Bradshaw. “This message is going to set the world ablaze. Let us not go soft on the fundamental beliefs. Hold them tight, because Satan wants you to surrender. It is our privilege to let people hear the message of the open Bible set on fire by the Holy Spirit.”

I love the imagery of a message setting the world ablaze!

We are just nearing the final weekend of our Camp Meeting Convocations. This two-year pilot project had a goal to significantly increase attendance and significantly decrease costs. Previously, our camp meeting at Upper Columbia Academy cost more than $200,000 and usually saw attendance between 1,000 to 1,300. So far, we have increased attendance to more than 3,000 at a cost of approximately $30,000.

At each of these events, there has been a service component for our members to Serve One More in their local communities. It is our hope that we can continue to grow these service projects, both in scope and in impact.

Our administration is now at full strength, with Adam Littell joining us as VP for education and Eric Brown as VP for administration. These two key roles are already putting action plans in place and are working to execute them.

As the summer winds to a close, our conference is refocusing on mission with several key priorities that we are developing for late 2025 and early 2026. Some of our upcoming initiatives include:

• Church Revitalization

• Mission Center Pilot Project

• Lay Volunteer Training

• Serve One More Initiative

• Kingdom Assignment

Each of these initiatives are very exciting for our conference and will help push mission forward.

Would you be willing to keep these initiatives in your prayers? It would be a blessing to our pastors, staff, and administration to know that we are all bringing this before God.

There are many opportunities for everyone to participate in one of these initiatives. As we talk more about these in the coming months, think of ways your church can take part!

David Jamieson

President, Upper Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

SonBridge Celebrates 20 Years of Service

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 21:18:42 GMT

SonBridge Center for Better Living held an open house in July commemorating 20 years of bringing help and hope to the Walla Walla Valley.

By Kimberley Kuzma

Strategic Communications Manager

SonBridge Center for Better Living

SonBridge Center for Better Living in College Place, Washington, held an open house and resource fair on July 13 to celebrate 20 years of bringing help and hope to those of greatest need in the Walla Walla Valley.

The open house brought together more than 130 friends of SonBridge, including church members, current and former staff and volunteers, and curious community residents, to celebrate SonBridge’s legacy of service. The event also highlighted several area service organizations that partner with SonBridge to ensure that no person in need falls through the cracks.

Open house guests enjoyed tours of the SonBridge facility, including stops where they could watch videos to learn more about historical highlights; speak with SonBridge Dental Clinic, SOS Health Services and KLRF Radio staff; and talk with some of the original founders of the organization. Guests were also encouraged to stop at the SonBridge Thrift&Gift Store.

“SonBridge embodies our commitment to Serve One More through its genuine service to the people of the Walla Walla Valley,” Upper Columbia Conference president David Jamieson said in a video welcoming open house guests. “When I say genuine service, I mean serving with no strings attached, and with bold generosity, serving all people with dignity and respect because of their God-given value. Service that costs something, yet with faith that God will provide.”

Over the last two decades, SonBridge has grown from an idea in the hearts of some service-minded church members to an organization that has grown and adapted to meet the ever-changing needs of its community. The flexibility and resilience present throughout SonBridge’s history were the focus of a short talk given by executive director, Norman Thiel.

“With a twenty-year history of successfully helping people, our community continues to ask SonBridge to do more,” Thiel says. “We have no idea what the future holds or what God has in store for the next twenty years of SonBridge, but we are committed to meeting the challenges and needs that arise, and following His leading in order to continue bringing help and hope to our community.”

SonBridge was founded in 2005 as an Adventist Community Services Center by eight Walla Walla Valley Seventh-day Adventist churches who recognized the importance of direct access to low-cost community services. For twenty years, SonBridge has sought to understand community needs and extend programs and resources to meet them. SonBridge provides help to the underserved through family assistance services, education and support groups, dental and medical care, and job skills training.

SonBridge is funded in part by the Serve One More initiative. "SonBridge does incredible work engaging with the community and providing ways for people to serve their neighbors," said Richie Brower, Serve One More Associate Director, "We look forward to continuing to serve together with SonBridge."

The mission of SonBridge is to share the love of Christ, bringing hope and wholeness to the people of the Walla Walla Valley. Our vision is to build a community where God’s unconditional love is expressed through resources and services to revitalize the whole person.

“… SonBridge serves the community as Jesus did by meeting physical needs first,” Jamieson said. “In meeting these needs for clothing, medical and dental care, financial assistance and much more, SonBridge offers something even more valuable — meaningful connection. Meaningful connections with a caring community and the chance for a life-changing connection with our Creator.”

To learn more about SonBridge and support this ministry, visit sonbridge.org .

Community Comes Together to Re-Roof Local Home

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 14:30:00 GMT

What began as a small community initiative soon grew into one of the largest projects the team had ever undertaken.

By Richie Brower

Associate director for Serve One More

In a powerful act of compassion and teamwork, Upper Columbia Academy (UCA) Church, HOPE Taskforce, and Upper Columbia Academy students and staff came together to bless a local resident, Lora, with a much-needed new roof. What began as a small community initiative soon grew into one of the largest projects the team had ever undertaken.

Lora’s home was in critical need of repairs — so much so that daylight was visible through the ceiling in her bathroom. Recognizing the urgency, HOPE Taskforce collaborated with UCA Church to make the re-roofing project a reality. Lake City Roofing stepped up by generously donating all roofing materials, and additional expenses were covered by the Serve One More project fund.

“This is probably our biggest project thus far that the HOPE Taskforce and UCA volunteers have undertaken,” said Tekoa City Clerk/Treasurer Eliza Evans-Teague. “Just coming for a morning or afternoon may not seem like that big a deal, but that opens people’s eyes to a bigger world of people who care about them.”

Led by UCA Bible teacher Sid Hardy, the team of volunteers committed their Sundays and evenings to the task. Their dedication didn’t go unnoticed. Neighbors observed the transformation and offered words of encouragement, with one neighbor bringing out a roof shovel and asking if he could donate it to help with the project. “As long as it’s used to help people and I never have to see it again!” He said cheerfully.

Though the project was demanding, the spirit of service kept morale high. Students, faculty, and church members worked side by side, hammering, hauling, and repairing — united by a common goal to improve someone’s quality of life.

Beyond fixing a roof, the initiative served as a lesson in love, service, and community engagement. For many of the students, this hands-on experience showed how small actions, when multiplied by many, can lead to lasting change.

Now, with a secure roof over her head, Lora can breathe a little easier. As for the volunteers, the reward goes far beyond the physical work — it lies in knowing that their efforts made a meaningful impact.

This project stands as a testament to what is possible when community members, organizations, and local businesses come together with a shared purpose. As the HOPE Taskforce and UCA look ahead, their commitment to service remains strong — one roof, one home, and one heart at a time. It’s just one more example of what’s possible when we Serve One More.

Watch the video story about this project at news.uccsda.org/tekoaroof725 .

UCC Transportation Ensures Vehicle Safety

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 19:59:51 GMT

School buses, vans, trucks, and other Upper Columbia Conference vehicles received a safety inspection in June.

By Isaac Meythaler

UCC Communications Coordinator

Released of their typical duties, a convoy of school buses, vans, trucks, and other large vehicles from across Upper Columbia Conference encircled the UCC office and Spokane ABC in June.

Brent Tungesvik, UCC Transportation and Safety manager, in coordination with Washington State Patrol commercial vehicle Enforcement officers led by commerial vehicle enforcement 2.CVEO II Paul Austin, to conduct an annual level 5 safety inspection on the majority of all passenger and commercial vehicles managed by Upper Columbia Conference.

These intense inspections took 2 days to complete. Each vehicle was thoroughly inspected inside, outside, and underneath for proper maintenance and safety. As part of the inspection, officers also reviewed records to ensure commercial driver certification compliance.

“We take safety at UCC very seriously, especially when it comes to the more vulnerable in our community, such as children and the elderly,” said Tungesvik.

All commercial vehicle drivers within UCC are vetted ahead of time, receive full and complete training for the vehicles they will be driving, and hold a current commercial driver’s license.

“We are proud to report that all but two vehicles passed the inspection and received 2025 CVSA certification,” said Tungesvik. “The two vehicles that did not pass inspection will only need minor service repairs to be fully certified.”

The transportation department manages buses, passenger vans, Class A Tractor Trailers, and other large vehicles needed to serve ministries throughout the conference, including Adventist schools, foodbanks, and more. The transportation department also provides logistics and moving services nationwide.

Adventist Risk Management, which provides safety education, guidelines, and insurance policies for Seventh-day Adventist ministries around the world, released new guidelines this year for 15-passenger vans. UCC has ensured that all UCC vehicles comply with the new ARM guidelines.

Tungesvik recommends that safety become something that all members think about. “Prevention and planning are our front-line defenses to ensure safety,” he said. “That doesn’t mean being afraid of everything, just making it a habit to think about safety and be prepared in cases of emergency.”

Updates from 62nd General Conference Session • July 3-12, 2025

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 22:42:21 GMT

Highlights from the highest governing body of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

By Dustin Jones

UCC Communications Director

GC Session began Wednesday, July 3, and will continue to July 12. We ask for your continued prayers for this important event. The following are highlights and updates that may be of interest from General Conference Session so far:

For full information about decisions and updates, please see gcsession.org .

Erton Köhler Elected GC President

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 22:01:21 GMT

Köhler previously was serving as the secretary of the General Conference.

By Jarrod Stackelroth

Adventist Review

Erton Köhler has been elected the twenty-first president of the General Conference (GC) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The Nominating Committee of the sixty-second General Conference Session, held in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, recommended the name, which was passed by delegates with a vote of 1,721 to 188 on July 4 during the afternoon session.

Köhler is the first South American president, as well as the second president to be born in the Southern Hemisphere. He replaces Ted N. C. Wilson, who has served as GC president since his election at the General Conference Session in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2010. Wilson has had a strong focus on mission, including initiatives such as Global Total Member Involvement, Revival and Reformation, I Will Go, Mission to the Cities, and comprehensive health evangelism.

Köhler made a short speech when accepting the nomination. “You can imagine how challenging this moment is. No one is prepared for [this]. I’m speechless now. But before any other work, I’d like to tell you that I’ll move forward, renewing my confidence in the Lord and in His church.”

He highlighted a verse his family often uses for Friday evening family worship: Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

Köhler used his acceptance speech to express his gratitude to the church, including those who “express different opinions.”

“You are part of the family, and we appreciate you, as well,” he said.

Köhler thanked Wilson for his leadership. “Deep gratitude to Pastor Ted and Nancy Wilson, who together led this church for the past 15 years. He’s someone that I learned how to appreciate, how to recognize the integrity of a leader—someone that gives the best of his life to the church. Thank you very much for your leadership, and may God guide your next steps.”

Köhler has served as secretary of the GC since 2021, when his predecessor, G. T. Ng, retired. When originally elected to the secretary role, he vowed to be available, serving with a heart “completely focused” on the mission of the church. “I will be open to [listen] and to learn,” he said. “My job is to build bridges, not walls.”

At the time of his election to the GC, Köhler was serving as president of the South American Division (SAD), a role he had held since 2007. During his time at SAD, Köhler was the driving force behind much of the media growth and the success of Novo Tempo, a 24-hour broadcast on satellite and cable networks in South America. He was the youngest division president to head the SAD at the age of 38.

“We are a global church with a global mission,” GC secretary Köhler said during the GC Secretary’s Report at the 2022 Annual Council. “We cannot focus only on our local needs; we need to look at our global challenges to finally preach the gospel of the kingdom to all the world.” And he added, “At Secretariat we are working focused on that commitment.”

Köhler spearheaded the Mission Refocus initiative, a strategic plan for the GC Secretariat between 2022 and 2025. Included was a focus on reclaiming missing members, disciple-making, and streamlining the international call process.

Köhler was born in southern Brazil and grew up with a desire to follow in the footsteps of his father, who served as an Adventist pastor. He completed a bachelor’s degree in theology at the Adventist Teaching Institute (now BrazilAdventist University) in 1989 and graduated from the same school in 2008 with a master’s degree in pastoral theology. Currently he is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree from Andrews University.

From 1990 to 1994 Köhler served as a local church pastor in São Paulo. He was then elected Youth Ministries director of the Rio Grande do Sul Conference in 1995, and in 1998 became the Youth Ministries director of the Northeast Brazil Union. In July 2002 Köhler returned to the Rio Grande do Sul Conference to serve as secretary. The following year he was elected Youth Ministries director for the eight countries comprising the South American Division. After serving for four years as Youth Ministries director, he became the South American Division president in 2007.

Köhler is married to Adriene Marques, a nurse, and they have two adult children.

Jarrod Stackelroth, managing editor of Adventist Record and Signs of the Times AUNZ. During this 62nd GC Session, he is working as a correspondent for Adventist Review. This story was originally published by the Adventist Review and can be seen at https://session.adventistreview.org/kohler-elected-gc-president/ .

SonBridge Shares Love of Christ Through Free Dental Care Fair

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 18:35:25 GMT

The SonBridge Dental Clinic in College Place, Washington gave 157 people with unaddressed dental issues relief at a free community dental fair in May.

By Kimberley Kuzma

Strategic Communications Manager, SonBridge Center for Better Living

Over a long weekend in May, 157 people with challenging, unaddressed dental issues found relief from their pain at a free community dental fair sponsored by the SonBridge Dental Clinic in College Place, Washington.

During the 3-day dental fair, volunteers provided 749 procedures, sending patients home free from dental pain and on the road to a better quality of life.

Nearly 25 percent of Walla Walla County residents are only covered by state dental insurance, and many more have no dental insurance. Of the few dentists who do accept state insurance, many have family stipulations that limit who can become a patient. This lack of available care results in decay and infection that affects people’s overall health. Because patients aren't able to see a dentist, they often end up in the emergency room.

“When I moved here two years ago it was hard to get any care,” says Peggy, dental fair patient. “I’m a heart patient and I couldn’t get a doctor, I couldn’t get a therapist, I couldn’t get a wide variety of things that I had before.”

But at the dental fair, Peggy not only found a solution for her chipped tooth, she also had an opportunity to see what a caring community of people can do when they come together to help those in need.

“I found the whole thing absolutely amazing because everyone that I saw was happy to be there,” Peggy says. “The people that were working there, the people that were waiting, and the translators, they were really happy."

Forty volunteers from around the Northwest came together to fill many different roles during the fair – dental professionals, sterilizers, greeters, translators, parking attendants and registration clerks worked together to help the weekend flow smoothly. The fair was supported by Caring Hands Worldwide, who provided all of the mobile dental equipment and supplies.

One volunteer, David Hernandez, so appreciated the care he received at a previous SonBridge dental fair that he returned this year as a volunteer. He spent the fair taking patients’ blood pressure and translating (nearly half of the patients at this year’s fair spoke Spanish).

“Coming from [being] a patient, to be able to give back as a volunteer gives me the opportunity to kind of pay back,” Hernandez says. “Personally, that gives me some value. I’m still a person that’s viable in this community and can do something. That’s what this means to me.”

SonBridge Dental Clinic manager, Lorinda Shelden, was instrumental in putting the fair together. She volunteers at free dental fairs throughout the Northwest and is passionate about giving back to the community.

“Dental pain is a downward spiral,” says Shelden. “It’s hard to pay bills when you can’t work. You can’t work when you can’t think. You can’t drive when you’re on drugs because of the pain. We held this fair to help stop that pain spiral.”

The SonBridge Dental Clinic opened at SonBridge Center for Better Living in 2013. Since then, the clinic has provided accessible and affordable dental care to thousands of underserved patients in the community.

This year, the clinic has been struggling to find dental providers to staff the clinic. Without providers, a fully equipped, four-operatory clinic sits empty. This leaves a major community need unaddressed and many patients suffering with very few solutions available.

Dental fair volunteers helped patients to find more than just dental care, they met patients where they are at, without shaming them for their situations. This genuine care gave patients a sense of connection that helped calm their anxieties. They also found Jesus, some through the caring hands meeting their dental needs, others more directly through conversation.

One patient in particular was experiencing extreme anxiety about her procedure when her dentist asked her, “Do you know a man named Jesus?” Hearing the story of what Jesus has done for her dentist brought her the sense of calm she needed to go ahead with her dental procedure without fear.

Just as Jesus met people in their pain, connected with them, and met their needs in order to open their hearts to His love, we at SonBridge care for our community, showing and sharing the love of Jesus to others.

To learn more about how SonBridge cares for our community, go to sonbridge.org

62nd General Conference Session • July 3-12, 2025

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 18:06:47 GMT

The General Conference Session will be held July 3-12 in St. Louis, Missouri. The theme for the session is "Jesus is Coming, I Will Go!"

By Dustin Jones

UCC Communications Director

GC Session is the highest governing body of the Adventist Church. Convened every five years, except in rare/extraordinary circumstances, this global gathering brings together thousands of delegates, church leaders, and members to worship, elect leadership, vote on policy, and seek God’s guidance for the Church’s future. This is an official business meeting of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Please pray for the delegates and that the Holy Spirt will be present during this monumental event.

For more information and updates regarding this General Conference Session, see the resources below:

UCC Pathfinders Climb Courageously

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 16:00:05 GMT

Suspended 60 feet off the ground, there’s only one thing holding you up: trust.

By Isaac Meythaler

UCC Communications Coordinator

Suspended 60 feet off the ground, there’s only one thing holding you up: trust. Spiritual lessons in faith like this were experienced first-hand by teens at this year’s Pathfinder Teen Extreme Rock Climbing event April 25-27.

This year saw a large increase in attendance, with 70 teens and 44 adult staff for a total group of 114, representing 17 UCC Pathfinder clubs.

“God provided in miraculous ways and our team really stepped in to make it possible to accommodate the larger group. Rather than controlled chaos, the weekend was characterized by a spirit of enthusiasm, comradery, and encouragement,” said Sara Maniscalco, UCC Teen Extreme Rock Climbing Coordinator.

Pathfinders began arriving at Spokane Valley Adventist School on Friday afternoon for registration and supper. The rest of the evening included group ice breaker activities, worship, and fundamental safety information for climbing. By the end of the evening, everyone was fitted for their gear for the weekend and excited to start climbing the next day.

Sarah Thomas spoke during the weekend’s worships on the event’s theme of courage, challenging teens to have courage to trust and follow God and to speak courage into the lives of others.

“Our goal for the weekend is spiritual and personal growth; rock climbing offers an incredible opportunity to talk about faith, courage, encouragement, and prayer,” said Maniscalco.

After worship on Sabbath, pathfinders headed out to McLellan Rocks in Riverside State Park in North Spokane. In the morning, pathfinders rotated through five stations focusing on learning skills needed for the afternoon: the foundations of rock climbing, rappelling, and belaying, how to use anchors and tools, and a trust fall. In the afternoon, Pathfinders rappelled down rock walls, completed Prussiks, and a horizontal traverse.

To complete a Prussik, climbers use lanyards with Prussik knots to ascend a 30-ft rope, then meticulously descend the same rope in reverse. The Prussik challenges a climber’s strength, flexibility, and endurance, and is a valuable skill for climbers.

“There were many shorter rappels available, but the ‘Big Rappel’ involved a 60-foot rappel off an overhang where the climber ends up free hanging in mid-air away from the rock wall,” said Maniscalco. “Talk about trust!”

After a full afternoon of climbing, pathfinders enjoyed a hearty meal, evening worship, and free time to socialize.

Sunday morning, Pathfinders cleaned up and packed up basecamp at SVAS before heading out for a final day of climbing at Q'emiln Park in Post Falls, Idaho. Pathfinders took turns climbing and belaying each other spread out across 17 ropes on two side-by-side rock walls.

UCC Teen Extreme regularly offers rock climbing, caving, and mountain biking events. UCC has held Teen Extreme events since 2004. Started by Rick Pummel, then lead events coordinator for UCC Pathfinders, who was inspired by similar events he had helped coordinate in Oregon Conference.

For more information on upcoming pathfinder events, see uccsda.org/pathfinders .

UCC Spring Women’s Retreat Hits Record Enrollment

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 22:56:48 GMT

Women of all ages enjoyed a restorative day of worship at this year’s spring women’s and young women’s one day retreat held on May 3. This year’s theme, Crafted by Grace, emphasized God’s abundant grace-filled plan for our lives.

By Isaac Meythaler

Upper Columbia Conference Communications Coordinator

The assembly room was jam-packed with more than 160 women in attendance, representing more than 40 different churches and including several non-Adventist community members. Those who attended the event appreciated beautiful music, stirring speakers, fresh food, hand-made artwork, and a warm and welcoming community of women.

Keynote speaker Jean Boonstra, associate speaker for Voice of Prophecy and creator of the radio show Discovery Mountain, shared powerful personal stories highlighting grace, as well as how empathy acts as an antidote to shame.

Additional guest speakers included Shauna Cruttenden, manager and treasurer of the Bonners Ferry Community Thrift Center, hospice chaplain Heidi Jones, and UCC health ministries coordinator Cindy Williams.

“We invited Jean Boonstra to come speak in 2021, but due to Covid that ended up being online instead, which was still such a blessing,” said Patty Marsh, UCC director of women’s ministries. “It was a delight to have Jean with us in person this year, and with one of her daughters as well!”

Special music for the weekend was provided by several talented musicians; Including cellist Olga Grigoryan and accompanying pianist Tatiana Sirotinskaya, as well as vocalist Sarah Droze accompanied by Ellen Tupper. Worship throughout the day also included musical praise led by Tracy Ganson, Jenni Won, and Michelle Carlile.

“We prayed for a good attendance and should not have been surprised by how quickly people signed up,” said Wendy Urbin, UCC women’s ministries administrative assistant, “and for a good number of attendees this was their first year attending.”

With record-high enrollment for this one-day retreat, registration closed two weeks early due to limitations on space. The women’s ministries team worked hard to find ways to squeeze more people in and was able to invite every person on the wait list to still attend.

One community guest who has attended for the last two years said, “I loved every portion of this special day! I am so glad that I came and am looking forward to next year’s. Thank you so much!” Gratitude was echoed by many other attendees. “I felt seen,” said another woman, “and that was exactly what I needed right now.”

More information regarding upcoming UCC women’s retreats and other initiatives can be found at www.uccsda.org/womensministries.

UCC Students Receive 2025 Caring Heart Awards

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 18:58:16 GMT

Three academy students from Upper Columbia Conference received the $500 2025 Caring Heart Award scholarship, made possible through three-way funding from North Pacific Union, local conferences and academies.

By Isaac Meythaler, UCC Communications Coordinator

Students were selected by their schools for exemplifying the spirit of the Caring Heart — a willingness to serve others. Each student is gifted with a plaque and an engraved Bible, courtesy of North American Division. The scholarship funds may be used toward tuition at an Adventist school or on a short-term mission trip.

Halle Gates

Cascade Christian Academy

Halle Gates has spent her entire academic journey — from kindergarten to senior year — at CCA. As the senior class president, she has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, earning the respect and admiration of her peers. Halle has a deep compassion for those with special needs, as well as for anyone who might be considered an underdog.

This empathetic nature is evident in her everyday life. She has cared for her older brother with special needs since childhood, a role many have witnessed firsthand. In elementary school, Halle also volunteered alongside her mom to provide lunches at the park during the summer through an organization called Small Miracles.

Her passion for helping others extends globally, as she has participated in a mission trip to Belize, where she assisted at an orphanage. Halle’s hard work and commitment to excellence are reflected in her impressive 3.8 high school GPA. This fall, she will be attending WWU, where she plans to study business communication with a focus on both Spanish and French.

Kaitlyn Rivas

Upper Columbia Academy

Kaitlyn Rivas, UCA senior, has attended all four years and UCA Elementary School for seventh and eighth grade. She and her family have been instrumental in service projects at church and school.

As a member of the UCA student body, Kaitlyn has been a leader as a cafeteria worker and supervisor and is essential to childcare on campus. She has volunteered many hours on weekends at UCA and at Providence Medical Center in Spokane.

She has a heart for service, though sometimes this is only noticed behind the scenes. UCA has been blessed to experience the gifts that God has given Kaitlyn. She hopes to become a nurse where she will surely be the face of Jesus for many of her future patients.

Asher Peterson

Walla Walla Valley Academy

Asher Peterson, WVAA senior, is the ultimate caring heart. Asher is always cheerful and kind. He is a friend to everyone — especially students who might struggle to connect with others. He is friendly, always greeting students and teachers by name in the hallways. He always gives someone the benefit of the doubt, even when they don't return the favor. He looks you in the eye and asks how you're doing — and he genuinely wants to know!

Asher is an athlete, a musician, a thespian and a leader. He always wants to help. He offers heartfelt compliments, and he never gossips. Students trust Asher, which is some of the highest praise that can be offered.

The faculty and staff at WWVA are honored to know Asher and support him as our Caring Heart representative.

For a full list of 2025 Caring Heart Award recipients, see nwadventist.com/feature/2025-caring-heart-awards .

Adventist schools across Upper Columbia Conference create active opportunities for Christian growth. Find an Adventist school near you at uccsda.org/schools .

Eric Brown Appointed as UCC Vice President for Administration

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 20:21:09 GMT

During a joint meeting of the nominating committee and executive committee held Wednesday, May 28, Eric Brown was appointed as UCC vice president for administration.

By Dustin Jones, MA

UCC Director of Communications

During a joint meeting of the Upper Columbia Conference nominating committee and executive committee held Wednesday, May 28, Eric Brown was appointed as UCC vice president for administration.

Brown has served in three different conferences as a local church pastor for more than 25 years. Most recently he served Upper Columbia Conference for five years as ministerial director, evangelism coordinator, and director for men’s and family life ministries.

“Eric has extensive knowledge of and a deep understanding of the culture of our conference, which I believe will be invaluable as we continue to navigate the issues facing us and remain committed to our mission,” said David Jamieson, president of Upper Columbia Conference. “His thirty-one years of pastoral ministry along with five years of working here in the office will help lead our conference forward as we Serve One More together.”

Brown’s passion is to encourage and equip others to know Jesus and follow Him and serve others. He has led multiple churches through recovery from catastrophic conflict into revitalization using Biblical principles of church health.

“I made a commitment when I entered the ministry that I would follow wherever I felt that God was leading me,” said Brown. “God has consistently surprised me throughout my ministry by placing me in roles that utilized my gifts and passions in ways I was not expecting.”

Brown is a graduate of Walla Walla University, with a degree in theology. He earned his master’s of divinity degree from Andrews University in 1998 and is certified in several areas of ministry, including men’s ministries leadership training.

He is happily married to his wife Robin an amazing teacher and has two incredible adult children, Aaron and Alyssa.

Brown fills the vacancy following Rodney Mills’ departure after his appointment as president of Alaska Conference earlier this year. Also during its May 28 meeting, the Executive Committee voted an enabling action to begin the search for a new ministerial director for the conference. Please keep these matters in prayer.

Wenatchee Adventist Church Opens Garden for Community

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Fri, 30 May 2025 23:15:48 GMT

Community members in Wenatchee now have a place to grow their own food, thanks to Wenatchee Adventist Church.

By Isaac Meythaler, UCC Communications Coordinator

and Richie Brower, Serve One More Associate Director

The community garden, called The Edge, is more than just a community garden; it’s a shift in perspective based on Leviticus 19:9-10: “When you harvest, leave the edges for those who are poor and aliens.” This simple yet profound idea speaks to the importance of leaving room for others. In a world often consumed by scarcity and isolation, The Edge serves as a powerful reminder that generosity can turn barren spaces into places of connection, growth, and hope.

“The Edge began with the idea that if the edges of our properties, our time, and our lives were surrounded by generosity; hunger and isolation would diminish,” said Wenatchee Adventist Church pastor Troy Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald first began The Edge in 2014 at Walla Walla Valley Academy where it operated for 2-3 years. In 2021, work began on a new garden across the street from the Walla Walla University church. When Fitzgerald moved to Wenatchee in 2024, he brought The Edge idea with him.

The Wenatchee project began with a locally funded garden behind the Avamere Retirement Center, transforming a vacant plot of land into a flourishing community garden.

As roots in the garden grew deeper, so did interactions between residents, their families, and volunteers. One resident shared with a volunteer how the growing garden has given them hope while going through difficult changes.

Shortly after The Edge started in Wenatchee, word of a garden offering free vegetables only a mile away from campus spread to local college students. Students began regularly coming to pick vegetables they couldn’t afford elsewhere, or to relax in between their studies.

One volunteer shared how residents often stopped to chat, reminiscing about their own gardening experiences. “It’s a beautiful thing,” she said. “This garden brings everyone together.”

“My favorite story from the garden is when I found Hector, a local taco vendor, quietly gathering ingredients for his business from the garden,” said Fitzgerald. “When I said hello, Hector nervously explained how he was trying to make ends meet and how his kids needed shoes and school supplies, and he said he didn’t want to take too much. I listened and reassured him that this garden was made for moments like this, leaving room for a little more.”

Hector’s story reflects the heart of The Edge’s mission: It’s not about who benefits more or less; it’s about creating space for others to thrive, whether through a fresh meal, a moment of relief, or the simple joy of connection.

“The Edge is a living reminder that when we leave room for others, life flourishes—not just in soil but in our hearts and communities,” said Fitzgerald. “In these last months I’ve been amazed to watch generosity, connection, and joy grow in ways I could never imagine.”

Serving one’s community is very much a part of the Serve One More project at Upper Columbia Conference. If you would like to join the mission to Serve One More, either by volunteering, donating, or simply sharing the harvest, see www.serveonemore.org.

Patty Marsh Retires After 25 Years of Service

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Tue, 27 May 2025 23:51:48 GMT

Patty Marsh, director of UCC women’s ministries, children’s ministries, urban ministries, disaster relief, and Adventist Community Services (ACS) is now retiring after 25 years of service in Upper Columbia Conference.

By Isaac Meythaler, UCC Communications Coordinator

When announcing her retirement, Marsh acknowledged the numerous people that she has been privileged to work alongside throughout her career.

“Anything valuable that has been accomplished during this time is because I have worked with other talented individuals. Much can be accomplished when we collaborate!” said Marsh.

Before working at UCC, Marsh was a full-time mother and an active member of her local church volunteering with women’s ministries, ACS, and teaching sabbath school for several decades.

In 1992, Marsh took a position at Upper Columbia Academy, initially working in communications, tutoring, and alumni relations before serving as registrar until 2000. Then in 2008, Marsh returned to UCC as a ministry director. Marsh brought a vision for expanding community outreach in UCC as well as developing a robust disaster response program.

“When I first began as a UCC director, I lamented to my husband that I was concerned about being bored because my job description was only a half page. I need not have worried — the job description now encompasses several pages!” said Marsh with a smile.

In time God opened the door for Marsh to engage in an ambassador role, especially in the Greater Spokane area. Opportunities opened for Marsh to attend council meetings, board meetings and engage with other non-profits connected with communities in the conference. Over time, Marsh has had the ability to build relationships with city officials, religious leaders, and philanthropists; representing what Adventist churches are currently doing, and finding places where churches can fill community needs.

“Adventist Community Services is an external ministry — we build relationships with the community and let Jesus shine through,” said Marsh.

A passionate pioneer of community outreach for the conference, Marsh has debuted several programs and initiatives during her service. Including the development of UCC’s urban ministries department, Renew Spokane, His Travelers, S.T.E.A.M. Ahead, VBS in the Park, and a yearly Children’s Leadership Expo. Throughout her years of dedication, Marsh has secured millions of dollars’ worth of grants to support conference initiatives.

“Little did I realize that training in the area of writing taken early in my new position would be of great assist — we’ve been able to do so much more because of the grant funds God has brought our way,” says Marsh.

Marsh began the UCC urban ministries program, which has so far primarily focused on addressing the large urban population of Spokane. Because urban populations are largely secular or unchurched, and have different needs than other areas in the conference, urban ministry requires a different approach. The Better Living Center has been one of the key focal points of urban ministry in Spokane.

Marsh and her husband, Larry, plan to spend more time with their children and grandchildren and look forward to having more time to appreciate God’s creation. Marsh still plans to be active in her community during her retirement.

“With faith, openness to new methods in meeting the needs of our ever-changing world, and with courage to face inevitable challenges, there is no limit to what God can do through us!”

Good News Broadcasting Network Purchases He’s Alive Broadcasting in Spokane

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Wed, 07 May 2025 14:52:14 GMT

Spokane-area residents can now access the broadcast for free with a digital antenna.

By Isaac Meythaler

UCC Communications Coordinator

There is good news for those living in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene valley. Starting May 2, a new television broadcast is available for anyone with a digital antenna. The new broadcast is a result of a recent purchase of He’s Alive Broadcasting (KHBA) by Good News Broadcasting Network (GNBN), based in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“This is fantastic news for anyone living in the Spokane area,” says Dustin Jones, MA, director of communications for Upper Columbia Conference. “Our community will continue to hear a message of hope and wholeness from a variety of Adventist content creators.”

The deal has been in the works for more than a year following the decision of the board of directors of He’s Alive Broadcasting to sell off its assets in 2023. As a board member, Jones took on the responsibility of facilitating the sale and contacted several Adventist broadcasting networks to see if there was any interest in purchasing He’s Alive Broadcasting.

“After a discussion with Luke Skelton, president of GNBN, I knew that we had found a partner that could bring fresh vision and content into the Adventist broadcast in the Spokane area,” says Jones. “I am very excited about the future of GNBN in this region.”

Good News Broadcasting Network has grown from a single English television channel broadcasting in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2009 to 4 channels (English, Spanish, Children’s, and Nature/Music) broadcasting on 14 television stations in 4 states. These communities have a total population size of more than 11 million people.

The Network delivers a balanced variety of the highest quality compelling Bible-based Christian programs for all ages, that inspires vibrant physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health, leading viewers to a personal, saving relationship with the loving Savior, and further encouraging continued spiritual growth and Christian service.

“Based on our analysis over the last 5 years, churches in areas where we broadcast experience a considerable increase in souls being saved due to the ministry,” says Skelton. “Furthermore, viewers are more likely to become strong Christians who understand the Bible, want to become active in their church and helping their community, and they want to share their faith with others. It is exciting to be impacting the lives of so many in our communities!”

The broadcast in the Spokane region will include Good News TV, Good News TV Latino, Good News TV Kids and Good News TV Music. For more information on this new outreach, please see www.gnbn.com .

In the photo, Dustin Jones (left), UCC director of communications, officially closes the sale of He's Alive Broadcasting with Luke Skelton, president of Good News Broadcasting.

Highlights of the GC Executive Committee Spring Meeting

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 22:05:14 GMT

Key points included the church's financial position and GC rules of order.

By Isaac Meythaler

Upper Columbia Conference Communications Coordinator

The General Conference Executive Committee met in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, April 8 and 9 for the Spring Business meeting. Items of interest included an update on ADRA , a Treasurer's report , and amendments to church business proceedings .

"We praise the Lord for the strong financial position of the church, considering the prevailing global economic conditions,” said GC treasurer Paul H. Douglas, who reported that the GC ended the financial year with approximately US$338 million in net assets, 94 percent of which was in cash and investments.

Read more about the treasurer’s report at: news.uccsda.org/gctreasurer425 .

A motion to amend the GC rules of order included clarifying how methods of voting are determined, clarifying rules for abstentions during a vote, defining points of order, and added a new section aimed at dealing with questions of privilege or points of order that are obstructive in nature. The motion passed 131 to 1.

Read more about the Rules of Order at: news.uccsda.org/gcrulesoforder425 .

ADRA Discusses Agency Changes, Sets the Record Straight

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 17:25:39 GMT

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency faces major funding reductions as a new leader takes over.

By Marcos Paseggi

Adventist Review Senior News Correspondent

“ADRA [Adventist Development and Relief Agency] is a wonderful agency that has existed for decades, helping people in the name of Christ physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually,” said General Conference (GC) president Ted N. C. Wilson while introducing an update report on the Adventist Development and Relief Agency. The presentation took place during the second day of the Spring Meeting of the GC Executive Committee (EXCOM) in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, April 9.

Wilson thanked Michael Kruger, who left his position as ADRA president at the end of March to transition to Adventist HealthCare. “We are extremely grateful for what he has done,” Wilson said.

Unexpected Changes

Wilson explained that “almost at the same time, but in no way related, certain developments here with the United States government took place.” Wilson explained that those changes “have put in jeopardy many programs, not only with ADRA, but with many nongovernmental organizations that serve in humanitarian ways because of the reduction in budgets.”

He shared that as the humanitarian arm of the Adventist Church, ADRA is now “reacting and trying to find ways to respond to that reduction in finances.”

In his address minutes later Kruger acknowledged that the recent “collapse of USAID [United States Agency for International Development] has had a very material impact on ADRA, not only on ADRA International [at the agency’s headquarters] but on ADRA globally.” He explained that USAID funds were responsible for sustaining “the infrastructure and the framework of ADRA’s work globally.” ADRA now is working to determine how to “continue in a different way,” he said. “There will be changes coming.”

Addressing Rumors and Allegations

In his opening words Wilson also acknowledged that regarding ADRA, lately “there have been some completely false rumors, innuendos, [and] allegations that have spread through social media.”

He singled out the accusations that ADRA is involved in illegal immigration and that ADRA is supplying double salaries to board members. He called those allegations “ridiculous,” asking members of the GCEXCOM to “correct people” when they start spreading those rumors, which again he called “absolutely false.”

“You can be purveyors of truth,” Wilson told the assembly. “I want us, by God’s grace, to build back complete confidence on the part of our Seventh-day Adventist members in the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, and I want you to be an agent in doing that.”

Setting the Record Straight

As part of his remarks, Kruger built on what Wilson had alluded to. Kruger reminded EXCOM members that we are living “in a world of misinformation and disinformation.” For many years, he added, ADRA was spared from many of the accusations that other bodies have faced. But that began to change in the last few years, he acknowledged.

Kruger then tried to set the record straight. Regarding the accusation that ADRA facilitates, either directly or indirectly, illegal migration to the United States. “ADRA does work with migrants and people on the move,” he acknowledged. “These are some of the most desperate people on the planet.” Probably the largest intervention assisting migrants took place in Ukraine, he shared, as millions moved west to escape from war. ADRA works in partnership with agencies and governments to help those people to resettle. But “this accusation that ADRA works basically as a ‘coyote’ in the southern border of the United States is patently false,” he emphasized. “It’s not the way that we work; it’s not what we do.”

Regarding the accusation of alleged double payments to ADRA board members, Kruger explained that that is based on “a misreading and misunderstanding of the 990, which is the tax return that ADRA needs to file here in the United States.” He said that “many of the salaries of the officers and people are reflected in that document.”

Kruger also referred to an accusation that he himself had a seven-figure salary, which he said was false. “I don’t know where people get this information, but . . . it creates all kinds of distortions in the messaging. It has created all kinds of misunderstandings with our donors and supporters,” as they are now trying to figure out “where the truth genuinely lies.”

A New President

During the ADRA update GC general vice president and ADRA board chair Geoffrey Mbwana also thanked Kruger for his vision and support during the years at the helm of the humanitarian agency, as he introduced the new president, Paulo Lopes, who took over in April. He emphasized Lopes’s experience, including, more recently, ADRA director in the South American Division. “He led a dramatic growth in the level of impact ADRA made in the region,” Mbwana said.

Kruger agreed. “Paulo is a man of God,” he said. “I have seen him operate, and I know that ADRA is in very good hands.”

In his remarks Lopes said that if there’s a reason he was standing there, it was “by the grace of God.” He acknowledged that they have been working to ensure a smooth transition “and no gaps in leadership” at ADRA International.

Regarding the current challenges ADRA is facing, Lopes acknowledged that the agency is “going through a difficult time,” which included a reduction of its workforce at the ADRA International headquarters. He lamented the loss of some colleagues, but emphasized that “every crisis comes with an opportunity for growth.” He added, “We are assessing how we work, whom we will work with, and even what ADRA will look like in the future, so we can rebound from this crisis stronger and more resilient for what comes next.”

Lopes was adamant. “We are not intimidated by [the current challenges], because we have a great God,” he said. “The One who owns ADRA; the One who has always provided for ADRA, . . . will keep providing in the future.”

This article originally appeared in the Adventist Review and can be found at: news.uccsda.org/gcadra425

Camp MiVoden Achieves Monetary Goal for Second Year

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 23:15:00 GMT

Thanks to longstanding effort and dedication, Camp MiVoden has achieved a key goal by remaining under budget for two years in a row as of this year.

By Isaac Meythaler

Upper Columbia Conference Communications Coordinator

“This was possible because of the support of our Camp MiVoden vision to connect campers with Christ that we’ve seen from church members, camp alumni, camper’s parents, pastors, teachers, each member of our full-time and seasonal Camp MiVoden staff, and Upper Columbia Conference office staff,” said Jeff Wines, Camp MiVoden director since 2016. “Each person contributes something and that is so crucial to what we do here at camp.”

In recent years, Camp MiVoden has operated over budget for several reasons, including the lingering effects of the 2020 pandemic, rising costs and low registration in some camp programs.

While Camp MiVoden stayed open for summer camp in 2020, the accompanying lack of facility rentals for five months during the pandemic and the additional costs of running camp created a deficit. However, given time, Camp MiVoden’s facility rentals resurged due to the work of Caleb Foss, Camp MiVoden program director who works with rental groups that use Camp MiVoden year-round. In the past few years, Camp MiVoden has remained booked nearly every week from UCC ministry events, church retreats and rentals to other organizations.

To address financial shortages, Wines worked with Camp MiVoden board members and UCC administration to compare the average support of camp ministries from Adventist conferences in North American Division. They found that UCC was below the median average. A plan was made to gradually raise the annual conference support for Camp MiVoden to the lower end of the average.

“To be clear, Camp MiVoden is a ministry first and foremost and always will be; however, good stewardship means we have to make decisions to keep camp ministry running with what God has provided,” said Wines.

Camp MiVoden began its mission to connect campers to Christ in a wholistic outdoor environment in 1940, providing a ministry of hope for youth as the world descended into WWII. Eighty-five years later, Camp MiVoden’s ministry remains crucial as it specifically grows the spiritual life of campers, families and young adults.

Camp MiVoden has a unique ability to connect people with Christ who would never set foot in a church building. Camp forms a first impression for many Adventists.

Research sponsored by NAD Camp Ministries found that 50% of campers reported that their spiritual life grew because of their experience at camp, and nearly 65% of campers saw an increase in their spiritual identity.

“Camp MiVoden is a special place,” said Wines. “There’s a unique community at camp, like the fellowship of believers found in Acts 2. You don’t find that just anywhere.”

KLRF Christmas Float Wins Second Prize

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 22:37:30 GMT

KLRF Radio took a new approach to share hope with the Walla Walla Valley last Christmas.

By Terri Heagy

In the Walla Walla Valley and beyond, listeners can hear sacred sounds of hope through KLRF 88.5 FM. The General Manager and board carefully choose the music and programming to reflect a prayerful, meditative spirit 24 hours a day. After 25 years, KLRF has gained a large audience of appreciative listeners. KLRF continues, through the work of devoted volunteers, spreading the word of the full-powered radio station through means such as the county fair, newsletters, and saturation mailers.

In 2024, the board decided to make a float for the two Christmas light parades in College Place and Walla Walla, WA. A small committee planned and organized to acquire a trailer, lights, and costumes to create a manger scene complete with a 13-foot star and Pathfinders dressed to act the parts. Shepherds leading two live donkeys and passing out KLRF share cards walked along the side of the float.

After the parade, the news came that the KLRF float won second prize. This gave more publicity of the radio station through the local newspaper. Janice McKenzie, the float committee chairman, realized that KLRF represented one of the only spiritual floats in the whole parade of lights. With God’s blessing KLRF strives to spread the gospel by bringing His light to a world in darkness.

Serve Summit Fans the Flames of Community Engagement in Ellensburg

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 16:39:33 GMT

Serve Summit, held at Ellensburg Church on Feb. 21-22, marked a significant moment in the church's efforts to engage with and serve its local community.

By Richie Brower

Upper Columbia Conference Serve One More Associate Director

The weekend began with a teleconference call that brought together key figures from the City of Ellensburg, including Rich Elliott, mayor; Heidi Behrends Cerniwey, city manager; and several other city hall employees. During the call, the city officials shared a comprehensive list of needs that the church could help address, highlighting areas where the church’s involvement could make a meaningful impact.

The needs discussed during the call ranged from disaster response and family preparedness to connecting with residents of local assisted living centers and tackling housing instability. These areas were identified as pressing concerns that could benefit from the church’s active engagement. As church members heard the report on Friday night, their enthusiasm was palpable and their eagerness to get involved was evident.

The heart of the Serve Summit training is to equip churches with practical tools and creative ideas to engage with their communities effectively. Kathy Marson, Upper Columbia Conference prayer ministries coordinator, encouraged participants to blanket their community with prayer and shared a powerful and fun presentation that taught members how to create prayer blankets for members of their community.

One of the main goals of the training is to help participants recognize the vast array of resources available to them that often go untapped. Whether it’s the congregation’s talents, existing partnerships or financial resources, churches often have more at their disposal than they realize. This shift in perspective can help churches better plan, fund and follow up on service events.

In addition to the workshops and discussions, Serve Summit provided attendees with a wealth of creative ideas for connecting with their communities.One standout aspect of the training was the focus on sustainability and long-term impact.

Participants were challenged to not only meet immediate needs, but also build lasting relationships within their neighborhoods. This wholistic approach to service ensures that the church’s outreach efforts continue to bear fruit in the years to come.

One attendee shared their enthusiasm, stating, “It was wonderful! I feel encouraged and excited to see how God leads our churches to help others.”

Serve Summit not only energized Ellensburg Church, but also set the stage for a future of compassionate service and collaboration with the wider community as they partner to Serve One More.

Spokane Countryside Adventist Church will be the location of the next Serve Summit, April 25-26.

To schedule a Serve Summit weekend in your church or district, email richieb@uccsda.org .

Atlantic Natural Foods Files for Bankruptcy

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 19:56:22 GMT

Atlantic Natural Foods, the plant-based company behind Loma Linda food products and Tuno, has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy

Since withdrawing from a takeover deal by Above Food five months ago, Atlantic Natural Foods has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in order to reorganize its business over the next few months.

The ABC Bookstores in Spokane and College Place do not anticipate a supply shortage in the meantime. Please do not panic buy, as this disrupts supplies on hand. There is enough for everyone now and for the foreseeable future.

For further reading on this story, see greenqueen.com.hk/atlantic-natural-foods-loma-linda-bankruptcy-plant-based-acquisition/

Adam Littell Joins UCC as Vice President for Education

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 23:09:56 GMT

Littell previously served as the director of education and superintendent at Oklahoma Conference.

By Dustin R. Jones, MA

UCC Director of Communications

Adam Littell has accepted the invitation to serve as vice president for education at Upper Columbia Conference. Previously, Littell served as director of education and superintendent at Oklahoma Conference in Oklahoma City, a position he has held since 2022.

“I am honored and excited to join the team at the Upper Columbia Conference,” said Littell. “My wife, Nina, and I believe that God has called us to UCC and we are answering that call. It is my desire to seek God’s will and to daily carry it out because He is the ultimate and perfect leader of all. I have heard great things about UCC in general and about the education team across the Conference.”

With a wealth of experience spanning from teaching math and science at Union Springs Academy, in Union Springs, New York, to serving as the principal at Midland Adventist Academy, in Shawnee, Kansas, Littell brings a unique blend of expertise, dedication, and vision to his role.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with certification to teach sciences and math at a high school level. He has a master’s in science degree in education with a focus on instructional leadership. Both degrees are from Southern Adventist University, Collegedale, Tennessee. He is currently in a PhD program through Liberty University, with a focus in educational leadership that he will complete in May 2026.

“We are looking forward to Adam joining our administrative team, leading our educational ministry, and motivating our teachers, students, and schools to Serve One More,” said David Jamieson, president. “Many of our school principals were able to take part in the interview process and are excited about his arrival on June 1st and look forward to his leadership during the 2025-2026 school year.”

Littell’s journey into education administration began at Mount Pisgah Adventist Academy, located in Candler, North Carolina, where he enjoyed being a vice principal for academics. He went on to become a principal at Midland Adventist Academy. His leadership has always been characterized by a steady, level-headed approach, underpinned by his strong background in math and science. Littell values data-driven decision-making and collaborative efforts, ensuring that every step taken is well-considered and inclusive.

Beyond his professional achievements, Littell considers himself a family man. His commitment to quality time with his family is evident from the heartwarming story of his 40th birthday, where family members from across the country gathered in Oklahoma to celebrate with him. This dedication to family and the importance of quality time is a core value that Littell brings to his interactions with colleagues and the community.

In his free time, Littell enjoys exploring the great outdoors with his wife, Nina. Whether it’s hiking, canoeing, kayaking, or playing sports like golf, baseball, and volleyball, Littell embraces an active lifestyle that reflects his love for nature and recreation.

Littell’s favorite cuisines, Italian and Mexican, speak to his diverse tastes and appreciation for rich flavors. His guiding principle, derived from John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease,” exemplifies his humility and reliance on divine guidance in his role. Littell believes that true success in education comes through God's leadership, not his own.

Littell has an unwavering commitment and a passion for continuous growth—both personal and professional.

“We eagerly look forward to being there soon,” said Littell.

He will start his work at Upper Columbia Conference in June and will begin with meeting and interacting with educators, students, and families across the conference.

The UCC bylaws require that the position of vice president for education be filled.

Shine 104.9 Wraps Up Annual Spring Friendraiser

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 00:35:46 GMT

Listener support and innovative pledge goals successfully "razered" funds during Shine 104.9's Annual Spring Friendraiser.

By Isaac Meythaler

UCC Communications Coordinator

Shine 104.9 (KEEH-FM) just wrapped up Spring Friendraiser this past week, with 99% of the ($165k) goal received — with more gifts trickling in — an increase of several thousand dollars from the past Spring event. The station is non-commercial and receives 100% of its revenue from community and listener support.

“The Pacific Northwest is one of the least-churched regions of the country," said station manager Darin Patzer, "so year-round we try to pour hope and encouragement into these local communities, as well as supporting other non-profits and churches, thus our sharathons are a time when we ask the listeners to invest if they feel Christian radio has value and is making a difference. We share a lot of the testimonies which have been recorded from listeners who have had their lives changed by the influence of the station.”

Roughly seventy-five of several hundred pledges were from brand new ministry partners. Darin adds: “One man gave a $5,000 challenge gift in honor of his late wife, who he said loved the station. It was special to see her being honored through his challenge gift, which was matched by other listeners.”

Chaplain Tyler Kern, who leads the station’s community outreach and acts of service projects, went so far as to shave off his manly beard, which added several thousand more dollars in pledges.

KEEH is a non-commercial, contemporary Christian radio station, owned by Upper Columbia Media Association with studios located at the Upper Columbia Conference office. It reaches the conference’s largest population area of Spokane, WA (as well as Coeur d’ Alene and Sandpoint, ID).

Shine 104.9 has been ranked the #1 overall radio station in the region multiple times over the past several years, as ranked by Nielsen.*

You can find out more about the station on their website: Shine1049.org . Or, download the free Shine 104.9 app and listen anywhere world-wide.

*Copyright Nielsen radio ratings, Mon-Sun, 12+

Troy ACS Thrift Store Remodeled and Reopened in Idaho

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 23:43:05 GMT

Distance made the heart grow fonder for residents of Troy, Idaho, after ten long months of separation from a trusted community member: The local ACS thrift store and food bank.

By Isaac Meythaler

Upper Columbia Conference Communications Coordinator

The Adventist Community Services thrift store and food bank in Troy, Idaho, reopened on January 20, 2025, after 10 months of renovations. More than 80 people attended the ceremony celebrating the thrift store’s reopening. June Miner, director of Adventist Community Services in Troy and Deary, Idaho, spoke about the history of the building and recognized those that contributed to the renovation project.

“This building has a long history of serving its community, stretching back to when it was first built in 1897 as a church in Nora Creek, Idaho,” said Miner. “Since its construction, it has moved to Troy and taken on new functions as a meeting place, a foodbank, and a thrift store.”

ACS Troy and Deary have established themselves as trusted members of their local community through more than 35 years of service; beginning with a thrift store and foodbank in Deary and expanding to Troy 12 years ago.

The Troy thrift store aims to provide essentials such as clothing and household items at very low prices so that all people can afford them, especially those on low-income in the community.

However, ACS goes beyond operating thrift stores and food banks. ACS has supported several families escaping wildfires who have lost homes, belongings, and for some, family members. ACS also regularly provides Christmas gifts and warm clothing to low-income families during the winter.

Over time, it became increasingly apparent that the Troy thrift store needed renovation. Single paned windows gave poor insulation, rickety stairs to the basement were dubious, and old siding with lead paint posed a potential health hazard.

“The old building started to lean towards the right and overall had become more and more unsafe,” said Miner. “It was time to do something, so in 2022 we began to raise money for remodeling.”

Renovations to the Troy Thrift Store began on March 20, 2024, and were finished 10 months later on January 20, 2025.

The main floor and basement were completely remodeled. The old floors, windows, and siding were taken down and replaced, the store was completely rewired, and an old stage from the building’s original function as a church was removed. These changes left a clean slate for the architect and contractor to improve the functional capacity of the building.

Space was made for a donation bin, a donation sorting area with washer and dryer, a shipping room and a dedicated cashier area. A brand-new heating and air conditioning system was installed, and the building was made more accessible with a ramp and a stair climbing chair.

ACS has two community non-profit thrift stores located in Troy and Deary, Idaho, as well as a 5,000 square feet warehouse that sells secondhand furniture and other larger items. ACS also operates two community foodbanks alongside the thrift stores, which service more than 1,000 people per month and receive roughly 18,000 pounds of food monthly.

ACS has become a pillar of the community in Troy, with growing support. All kinds of people are drawn in by the thrift store, regardless of social or economic status. The operations of ACS in Troy and Dear rely on approximately 65 regular community volunteers.

“When we began to fundraise for the renovation, there was overwhelming support from the community,” said Miner. “We raised $285,000 for this remodel project thanks to generous donations and grants we received in large part due to the active involvement of Kandy Nelson, our accountant.”

Renovations were completed debt-free, with enough funds remaining to put a new roof on the building in 2026.

Setting A Solid Foundation for the Future

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 18:36:52 GMT

President Jamieson shares recent actions from Executive Committee to address financial challenges.

By David Jamieson

UCC President

When I last communicated with you at the end of last year, it was to review the highlights of 2024, and to also share with you the financial challenges that we face as a conference.

Tithe was trending down late last year, and our hope was that we would finish strong by year end. However, even though our tithe in 2024 was the second highest we have ever received, it was lower by approximately $1.4 million or just about 4.3% less than in 2023. This decrease in tithe, along with inflation and rising employment costs, have significantly impacted UCC with a total $3 million shortfall to address in our budget for 2025. Careful planning and saving by our administrative team helped to reduce this amount by $1.2 million, leaving UCC with a $1.8 million deficit that needs to be addressed for 2025. Planning is underway to address 2026.

Financial challenges are not just limited to Upper Columbia Conference. Many conferences across the North American Division are facing similar and even more difficult situations. In fact, 41 of the 59 conferences ended 2024 with less tithe than the previous year.

So, as we move forward together into 2025, we have developed a plan to address this financial shortfall and to ensure that we will be fully prepared to fulfill the mission of our conference in the future.

First, our Executive Committee reviewed staffing information from the office and across the entire conference. This governing body is made up of members just like you, elected by the constituency and representing regions throughout the conference. These business and healthcare leaders, pastors, teachers, and homemakers considered the future of our conference and how best to achieve our mission and vision to Serve One More.

A sub-committee of lay members from Executive Committee analyzed our staffing in both the office and in the field. As a result, we determined that any necessary changes to our staffing should begin with the office first and then move to the field.

Second, our administration conducted an analysis of our conference departments to determine which departments make the greatest impact on helping our churches and schools grow and are essential to operations.

Third, we tasked all of our departments to reduce their budgets as much as possible in 2025.

Fourth, we provided a retirement incentive to our office and pastoral workforce to assist us by natural attrition.

However, these reductions, though helpful, will not be enough to address the long-term financial health of our conference, since the largest budgetary expense is salaries.

So, even though it is very difficult to consider, a reduction in force is necessary to continue to move the mission of our conference forward and at the same time to ensure that we are financially viable well into the future. This means that we have chosen to make five full-time equivalent reductions in the office and ten full-time equivalent reductions within our pastoral workforce in the field.

It is important to remember that these are not just employees, they are our friends, neighbors, and family. We care about each one of our employees very much and we will be taking additional measures to ensure that their transition will be as respectful, compassionate, and as caring as possible for everyone who is impacted.

This reduction in force may impact a ministry that you are part of, or it may impact your local church or school, and we will make every effort to communicate with you regarding any changes in a timely way.

We are all committed to doing the best that we can with the resources that God has given us. We ask for your prayers for the members of our Executive Committee, our pastors, teachers, and our office staff.

Pray especially for those employees who will be impacted by these difficult decisions. Pray that God will provide each one of them with a sense of His guiding presence and a new chapter in their lives and ministry.

If you have concerns or questions about these challenges, please email us at communications@uccsda.org .

This letter is part of the President's Report, which includes actions from the February 27, 2025, Executive Committee meeting. Click here for the full report.

Hold a Community Wide National Day of Prayer

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 21:32:30 GMT

Churches considering a community event can hold a special National Day of Prayer event!

by Kathy Marson

The National Day of Prayer this year is on May 1, 2025. Appropriately on May Day. Did your church hold a special time of prayer last year? Now is a great time to consider holding something for your community for the upcoming National Day of Prayer.

The theme is based on Romans 15:13. "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." With all the things happening in the world, this might be a calm in the midst of the storm for many people.

Last year the Chewelah SDA Group held an event for their community. You can find that story here: https://www.uccsda.org/praying-for-our-nation .

Days of prayer events can be held year-round. If you would like more information about the the National Day of Prayer go to: https://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/2025-theme

To see the prayer that several people prayed at Upper Columbia Conference last year, for the National Day of Prayer, go to: https://www.uccsda.org/prayer-resources .

Opinion: Will The Real Christian Please Stand Up?

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 21:12:40 GMT

This author asks: "What does it mean to be a Christian?"

By Les Leno

Walla Walla University Adventist Church Member

The classic game show “To Tell The Truth” was a favorite of mine. It featured a person of notoriety and two impostors who matched wits with a panel of four celebrities as they tried to determine which of the three guests was the actual person associated with a given story. The aim of the game was to trick the celebrities into casting their votes for one of the two impostors.

As I recall, the episode’s host told a short, often dramatic story or fact about one of the guests, but he did not reveal his or her identity. The guests were then asked to introduce themselves. They did, but they all gave the same name, the name of the actual person in the story or fact. To help discover the identity of the person in question, the celebrities were then allowed to interview each guest. In their answers each imposter did their best to convince the panel of celebrities that they were the real person. After the interviews each panelist voted on which guest they believed was telling the truth. The climax of the show was when the host asked the real person to stand up.

If you or I were on the show and the panelists were looking for the real Christian, would we qualify to stand up? According to a 2023 Gallup Survey nearly 67% of Americans Claim to be Christian. Just because they identify themselves as such, does that make them a real Christian? Is it possible to be a church member in good standing, be involved in church activities and not be a genuine Christian?

Apparently, it is possible, because Christ Himself said, "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord! Lord! Didn't we prophesy in your name? Didn't we drive out demons in your name? Didn't we do many miracles in your name? … But Jesus responds, ‘Then I will tell them clearly, I never knew you. Get away from me, you who do evil!’” (Matthew 7:21-25 NIRV). Because of what they did in the name of God these people thought they were real Christians. The apostle Paul warned Timothy about people like this. He said that in the last days they “will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.” (2Timothy 3:1-5 NLT).

Ellen White also warned about this condition. “Let church members bear in mind,” she wrote, “that the fact that their names are registered on the church books will not save them.” (Counsels for the Church p. 67, 68). “He who feels whole, who thinks that he is reasonably good, and is contented with his condition, does not seek to become a partaker of the grace and righteousness of Christ. Pride feels no need, and so it closes the heart against Christ and the infinite blessings He came to give. There is no room for Jesus in the heart of such a person. Those who are rich and honorable in their own eyes do not ask in faith and receive the blessing of God. They feel that they are full, therefore they go away empty.” (Mount of Blessing p. 7). So, if we think we are Christians, but do not admit our condition, feel our need, and seek Christ’s healing power in our lives, we are Christians in name only.

What does a real Christian look like? “Those who know that they cannot possibly save themselves, or of themselves do any righteous action, are the ones who appreciate the healing that only Christ can bestow. They are the poor in spirit, whom He declares to be blessed.” (Mount of Blessing p.7). They realize and accept God’s diagnosis of their sin sick condition and their utter inability to make themselves well. Their highest desire is to know God and become like Him. They trust in the promises and the power of the One who is faithful to save. “Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through Him” (Hebrews 7:25 NIV). God will save them from the guilt that sin has produced in them. He will save them from the power that sin has over them, and He will save them physically from this old world of sin and He will cause them “to stand in the presence of His glory free from blemish and full of exultant joy.” (Jude 1:24 Weymouth NT).

Are we genuine Christians or just going through the motions? Are we actively, daily, seeking “the help that Christ can bestow” or relying on our own power? Peter states that “God made great and marvelous promises, so that his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.” (2 Peter 1:4, CEV). Notice that this happens in a literal sense— “his nature would become part of us.” What an incredible gift and promise! We can become like God in our thinking and doing! This is genuine transformation. How does this happen? According to Jesus it happens through knowing Him. Jesus said, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3 NIV).

As we see from the above passage the sincere Christian actively seeks to know Him better. They really want His nature to be theirs, and act accordingly. The apostle Paul explains that it is by focusing on Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life—by studying Him, the Word—His death and His life; by getting to know Him personally that we are transformed into His likeness. He said, “…we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV). It is a natural fixed law of the mind that we become like that upon which we focus. That’s what happened to Israel of old. “When they came to Mount Peor, they began to worship Baal and soon became as disgusting as the gods they loved” (Hosea 9:10, GNB).

This is the way it works for the genuine Christian. “When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us.” (Desire of Ages 668). Just prior to this statement Mrs. White gives us this incredible assurance and promise “… if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses.” (Desire of Ages 668, Italics supplied). Notice it’s all God’s doing, and it comes through knowing Him.

So "This is what the LORD says: "Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know Me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!" (Jerimiah 9:23, 24 NLT).

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20 NLT).

The Upper Columbia Conference (UCC) welcomes submissions from all its members. The opinions expressed in this article are solely that of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of the UCC. The UCC communications department reserves the right to edit, use or not use any submissions received. Have a story for us? Submit it here .

Dinner With A Doctor Educates Spokane Valley

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 16:00:00 GMT

The three-day event began with a healthy three-course meal on Thursday, followed by a series of presentations on mental health.

Dinner With a Doctor presented Matters of the Mind: Optimizing Brain Health, a free informational event held at Spokane Valley Adventist Church in November 2024 that aimed to share evidence-based presentations on mental health as well as actionable lifestyle changes with the local community.

The three-day event began with a healthy three-course meal on Thursday, followed by a presentation on stress management. Friday’s presentation addressed the root causes of depression and anxiety and how to deal with them. Finally, the third day included a special church service focusing on God’s prescription for healing trauma and an afternoon presentation on improving the mental health of young people.

The keynote speaker for the event was Daniel Binus, Beautiful Minds medical director and a wholistic mental health service provider based in Auburn, California.

The event was well attended with about 100 people counted on Thursday and Friday and about 90 at the afternoon session on Saturday.

Sarah Hess, one of the event’s organizers, said, “It was a great opportunity to engage with the local community. It was amazing to see community members mingling with church members and beginning to form meaningful relationships. We also had members of the community ask us about future events being held at the church.”

Mental health was determined as a topic of interest during the annual community needs assessment undertaken by Renew Spokane at the Spokane County Fair each year. Renew Spokane helps coordinate the efforts of individual Adventist churches, ministries and volunteers from all walks of life to offer physical, emotional, spiritual and social help to those in need.

Based on the assessment responses from the community, the event is held on a weeknight and spreads the content over several days to better accommodate the schedules of community members.

Dinner With A Doctor began in 2017 with the goal of improving the lives of the Spokane Valley community with practical approaches to health education. Previous topics have included information about insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes, habits for better sleep, ways of optimizing gut health and emphasizing healthy living through nutrition and exercise.

More information on future community events in the Spokane area can be found at renewspokane.org.

Pathfinder Teen Retreat Record Attendance Shows Promise For Next Generation

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 23:02:11 GMT

Teens enjoyed a weekend filled with fun activities, time to connect with peers, and worship that challenged their understanding of God.

By Isaac Meythaler,

Upper Columbia Conference Communications Coordinator

In the middle of a cold and dark winter, teens found rekindled hope and the warmth of friendship at the “Trust His Promise” 2025 Pathfinder Teen Retreat. A group of 70 adults and 111 teens attended the annual retreat at Camp MiVoden January 24-26, the highest attendance in the last five years.

“For many teens and staff, it marked their first time attending Teen Retreat,” said Ryan Whitehead, associate director, UCC Youth & Young Adult Ministries. “For others, Teen Retreat is a longstanding tradition spanning generations. One staff member remarked on coming to Teen Retreat as a teenager, and now their own children are attending.”

First timers and seasoned veterans of Teen Retreat enjoyed a weekend filled with fun activities, time to connect with peers, and worship that challenged their understanding of God.

The weekend’s worship thoughts were led by Pastor Jason Calvert, Oregon Conference associate director of youth ministries. Pastor Jason’s vivid sermon illustrations spoke to God’s character and His promises of unconditional love.

Saturday night, 21 pathfinders shared on response cards that they had a desire to study for future baptism. These responses are shared with Pathfinder club leaders and the Pathfinder’s home church to follow-up on.

Teens strengthened their relationships and formed new ones during a rotation of trust and team building activities on Sabbath afternoon. Building on the theme of the weekend, activities included blindfolded tent building, blindfolded obstacle courses, working together to untangle ropes, and several other activity stations.

Pathfinders were able to express their creativity in several ways during the retreat this year. During meals, Pathfinders socialized as they drew on paper table settings with crayons. A talent show was held on Saturday night, featuring numerous vocal and instrumental performances, and even included a puppet show. Pathfinders also contributed their musical talent on praise teams and in special music during worships.

“We wanted to showcase the gifts our pathfinders have and demonstrate that we want them to be active participants in their church and their community,” said Whitehead. “Our whole mission with Pathfinders is to see our youth in The Kingdom one day by creating a space where young people can make lasting relationships with God and their community.”

The food provided by Camp MiVoden’s kitchen staff was widely celebrated by teens all weekend long. “I look forward to the food at teen retreat every year,” said one Pathfinder. On Saturday night teens also enjoyed swimming, time with friends old and new, and playing games.

Pathfinder membership has grown, rather than shrunk, following the International Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming.

“Richie Brower laid a strong foundation for Pathfinders in the UCC before I came here, and we are seeing our pathfinder clubs grow because of it,” said Whitehead. “I’ve been glad to see the overwhelming support this conference has for its young people, at every level.”

Family Receives Home for the Holidays in Orofino

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 16:00:06 GMT

In 2024, Orofino Adventist Christian School, with support of the Serve One More initiative and the Adventist Church, repaired a family’s home in time for Christmas.

By Richie Brower

Upper Columbia Conference Serve One More Associate Director

A family living in Orofino, Idaho, had endured years of housing insecurity, moving from one unstable living situation to another. Things started looking up for the family when someone sold them a 50-year-old mobile home at a price they could afford.

Though the structure had potential, it was in dire need of repairs. The roof was leaking, the siding was compromised, the sub-flooring was rotten and the kitchen was outdated and barely functional. Despite their hardships, Buddy, the father, was determined to make it work for his family.

However, the family quickly realized they couldn't handle these repairs alone. That’s when Orofino Adventist Christian School stepped in, inspired by the Serve One More initiative and supported by the local Adventist church family.

The school, with the assistance of Serve One More funding, began to transform the family’s home. The project included fixing the roof, replacing the siding, installing new sub-flooring underneath fresh floorboards, refurnishing the kitchen cabinets and installing a wood stove complete with a year’s supply of firewood.

The atmosphere on the first day of work was nothing short of festive. Volunteers from the school and church community swarmed the house, working together as a united team. Laughter and encouragement filled the air, as people of all ages pitched in — some working on the roof, others tearing out old flooring and a few in the kitchen prepping cabinets to be refinished at the school. For the first time in years, the family could feel the weight of their struggles lifting, replaced by hope and the excitement of a fresh start.

Maeby, one of three girls in the family, could hardly contain her joy. “We haven’t had a house for quite some time,” she said, her voice full of gratitude. “I’m just super excited to have it fixed up so we can have a place to live.”

Buddy stood nearby as the renovation progressed, overwhelmed with emotion. “I’m blessed to have this,” he said. “I can’t even tell you what it means to me because I never thought it would happen.”

As the project continues to unfold, the family is not only being given a newly renovated home, but also a renewed sense of security and belonging. The efforts of OACS and the surrounding faith community have not only fixed a house, but also changed lives forever.

For more information on the Serve One More initiative and how lives are being changed in Upper Columbia Conference, see uccsda.org/serveonemore.

UCC Young Adult Retreat Makes Timely Return

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 16:00:13 GMT

More than 130 young adults from 42 cities and 15 church groups gathered at Camp MiVoden for a weekend filled with connection and spiritual growth.

By Isaac Meythaler

Upper Columbia Conference Communications Coordinator

The Upper Columbia Conference Young Adult Retreat exceeded expectations Nov. 22–24, 2024, creating lasting memories for participants.

The retreat emphasized giving young adults a time of rest and spiritual reflection. Jeff Wines, UCC youth and young adult director, opened the retreat saying, “This weekend is for you. If you want to sleep in or spend time with your friends — that’s fine! What matters to us is that you leave this place feeling rejuvenated and that you enjoy your time here together.”

After Wine’s announcement, the evening continued with worship from a praise team led by Isaac Peterson, Walla Walla Eastgate Church pastor, and a message on "Living Faith in Community" from Michael Smith, College Place Village Church pastor.

The weekend’s speakers and events of the retreat focused on topics relevant to young adults. Each morning, a prayer time was held for all who wished to pray or talk about prayer.

Featured speaker John Betlinski, an Adventist psychiatrist affiliated both clinically and academically at Oregon Health and Sciences University, gave presentations on “A Time To Laugh” and “A Time To Heal,” discussing how the brain works and how to have improved mental health. On Sabbath afternoon, Jaci Cress Solis, Walla Walla University Church member care pastor, talked about how “Curiosity Cultivates Compassion.”

In addition to presentations, a dialogue was extended on Saturday afternoon between a panel of the weekend’s speakers and the young adults who attended. “Our goal was to create a space for young adults to have community in the context of following Jesus tailored specifically for them,” said Wines. “It was important to make sure they had a voice in the discussions.”

When asked about their experience, young adults shared that they were happy to have a place to meet new people their age and have a chance to be in a relaxing environment. “I really wanted to get out and meet new people because I’m not always good at that,” said one young adult.

Saturday night, young adults were able to enjoy archery tag, table tennis, board games, a pool and hot tub, and excellent food by Camp MiVoden’s kitchen staff and Jorge Jimenez, chef, which was provided the entire weekend.

“I was impressed by an incredible sense of community; people were happy to spend time together and be genuinely engaged with one another. It was a breath of fresh air, and I’m glad we were able to foster that community here,” said Wines.

Plans for another young adult retreat in 2025 are already underway.

Kennewick Spanish Church Brings 'The Cobbler's Christmas' to Tri-Cities

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 16:00:02 GMT

A musical performance gave Tri-Cities a new perspective on the image of God.

By Sasha De Dios, Richland Spanish Church member, and

Isaac Meythaler, Upper Columbia Conference Communications Coordinator

The church, covered in darkness, listened in anticipation as Giselle Morales set the opening scene with piano. A young man walked onto the stage and turned on the light hanging over his workbench. He straightened his tools and set to work on his next pair of shoes.

The musical performance of The Cobbler's Christmas was presented as a gift to the community by the Tri-Cities Hispanic churches during their Christmas program on Dec. 14, 2024 at Kennewick Spanish Adventist Church.

The story followed Martin, played by Carlos William, a faithful Christian shoemaker who longed to experience the awe and joy of seeing Jesus. His wish was answered one Christmas Eve when Jesus, voiced by Alejandro Juarez, called to Martin in a dream, saying He would visit the shoe shop on Christmas day.

Excited, Martin prepared for the special visit as his friends mocked him. Despite his friends’ doubt, Martin went about his day expecting Jesus to show up at his door. But there was no shining, white-robed Jesus.

Instead, Martin found an assortment of people in need: an elderly man, a woman in need of a doctor, an ex-prisoner shivering in the cold, a girl frantic to keep her sick grandmother warm and a boy caught stealing apples. The shoemaker dutifully cared for the people in need at his own expense.

When night fell with no sign of Jesus, Martin was confused, questioning whether Jesus spoke to him. At the climax of the story, the audience was left in suspense by three musical performances by Eliana and Emma Rodriguez and Caleb Reynoso.

“The melodies of piano and violin pulled open the strings of our hearts to hope it had been more than a dream,” said Sasha De Dios, Richland
Spanish Church member.

The service concluded as Martin fell asleep, dreaming again of Jesus. “Thank you, Martin,” Jesus said. “Thank you for accepting Me into your home this day.” One by one each cast member returned to the stage for Martin to see them in a new light. Martin then realized that Jesus had come to see him that very day.

According to De Dios, the performance was well attended and the ending really connected with the crowd, which included church members and people from the surrounding community.

“Just as Martin saw that the boy who stole an apple, the elderly man and the sick mother of three were the very image of God, we also saw that God had visited our church that night in the form of our friends who filled the pews,” said De Dios.

“It was then that the audience fully understood Matt. 25:40,” De Dios continued. "'The King will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me."'"

Information for Churches Regarding Immigration Enforcement

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 16:51:04 GMT

What to know if immigration officers come to your churches, schools and hospitals.

By André M. Wang

North Pacific Union Conference general counsel and director of public affairs and religious liberty

In the past, churches, schools and hospitals were designated as “Sensitive Locations,” commonly known as “sanctuary spaces,” where federal immigration officers would not question, arrest or detain individuals for immigration violations. In the first days of his new administration, President Trump signed an executive order revoking this designation, allowing immigration officers or other government officials to enter a church to conduct such activities.

The following is information relating to common questions from pastors and churches regarding possible enforcement actions by federal immigration officers at local churches. This information is not legal advice and does not substitute for consultation with an attorney.

Federal law prohibits the concealing, harboring, shielding from detection or transporting of undocumented persons when such action aids their unlawful stay in the country.
As a general rule, immigration officers, like all other law enforcement officers, cannot enter and search private homes and private spaces of public buildings — such as churches — without a warrant signed by a federal judge.
If an officer visits your church, they cannot search the premises unless they have a warrant. Similarly, without a warrant, they cannot order you to provide membership information, such as a church directory.
Immigration officers do not normally have search warrants but only immigration-related arrest warrants identifying who to take into custody. (This document is officially called a ‘Notice to Appear’.) This document does not give them authority to search the premises but only take the specific person into custody.
In typical situations, an officer will introduce themselves and then ask, “We have a Notice to Appear for [name]. Do you know where [name] is?” Pastors and churches are under no obligation to cooperate or assist immigration officers, nor can the pastor or church get in trouble for not cooperating. An appropriate response would be, “I do not know where [name] is.” If they ask for membership or residential information say, “I will provide that information if you have a warrant.”
Always be polite and respectful.
The main priority for immigration officers is to locate undocumented persons who have criminal histories, such as outstanding criminal charges or serious criminal convictions. Foreigners who are out of status — such as visa overstay — are at low risk but could be taken into custody if they happen to be with a high-priority individual.

Our churches continue to be open to membership, worship or participation in church ministries to all people regardless of immigration status.

There are valuable community resources for individuals to get immigration legal advice or assistance in the Pacific Northwest. A complete list can be found at:

Immigration Advocates

If someone in your church is arrested or detained, there are organizations that may be able to provide assistance.

This article is used with permission from nwadventists.com. To read the original article, click here .

Adventist Response to Southern California Fires featured in Spokane News

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 01:37:38 GMT

"No organization can do everything, but as faith-based organizations, we should do something,” said Marsh.

By Isaac Meythaler

Upper Columbia Conference Communications Coordinator

Since the fires began in Southern California on January 7, Adventists across the country have leapt into action to provide immediate relief to victims in need of food, water, shelter, and other needed supplies.

Those further away, such as Adventists in the Upper Columbia Conference, have contributed to wildfire victims through financial support.

FāVS News (formerly Spokane Faith and Values) published a story on January 22, 2025, highlighting how faith communities in the Spokane area are providing aid in response to the Southern California wildfires. Reporter Cassy Benefield interviewed several religious organizations in the Spokane region for the story.

Patty Marsh, UCC director of Adventist Community Services/Disaster Response, was also contacted for comment on the article.

“No organization can do everything, but as faith-based organizations, we should do something,” said Marsh.

To read the full article, see https://favs.news/spokane-faith-communities-support-southern-california-wildfire-victims .

Rodney Mills Accepts Call as President of Alaska Conference

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 17:05:04 GMT

Mills and his wife, Pamela, will transition to Alaska Conference over the next few months.

by Dustin Jones

UCC Director of Communications

Elder Rodney Mills, UCC vice president for administration, accepted an invitation Friday, January 10, 2025, to become president of Alaska Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

“This decision follows a comprehensive and prayerful process guided by the Holy Spirit,” says Brenda Campbell Johnson, director of communications at Alaska Conference. “With prayerful discernment, thoughtful deliberation, and valuable feedback from members shaping the candidate profile, the process reflected a shared commitment to God’s leading.”

Mills has served as vice president at UCC since 2019. Prior to arriving in Spokane, Mills served in the Texas Conference as ministerial director. In addition to his experience in administration, Mills has pastored for 35 years in Texas, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana. He received his doctorate in evangelism and church growth from the Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University in Michigan.

“I look forward to ministering together across Alaska and seeing what God is going to do as we join hands to share the love of Jesus from Barrow to Ketchikan from Tok to Gambell and all points in between,” Mills said.

Mills and his wife, Pamela, will transition to Alaska Conference over the next few months. They are looking forward to settling down in Anchorage and getting to know all the pastors, staff, and teachers throughout the conference. Elder Mills will be making every effort to visit all the churches and schools during 2025.

“Please pray for God’s sweet anointing of the Holy Spirit on Pastor Rodney and Pamela as they transition to Anchorage and begin their ministry of uplifting Jesus Christ before the Alaska constituency and focus on bringing the Good News of the Three Angels’ Message of Jesus Christ and His soon return to the Alaskan people,” said John Freedman, president of North Pacific Union Conference.

A Year of Joys and Challenges

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 16:42:20 GMT

President Jamieson shares an update on Serve One More and financial challenges.

By David Jamieson

UCC President

Hello to each of you. As 2024 comes to a close, I want to share with you an update on how our conference is doing. It has been an amazing year of service for our church members, students, teachers, pastors, and office staff. Many of you shared your stories of how lives are being changed in your local community through Serve One More.

During our recent Executive Committee, Richie Brower, our Serve One More associate director, told a story about how volunteers were able to make a difference in the life of one family in Orofino. Living without a home of their own for some time, this family had the opportunity to purchase, at low cost, a 50-year-old mobile home in need of major repairs. Volunteers from the Adventist school, church, and local community were able to restore the home, sealing the roof, replacing siding, and installing a beautiful new floor.

The family’s three children shared with Richie what this means to them. You could feel the pure excitement as each child shared how they were going to paint their room and how they would finally have their own home to decorate for Christmas.

Stories just like these are happening across our conference. And I would just like to say thank you for your dedication to sharing the message of Christ’s love to your community.

Also, across our conference, our membership numbers continue to set new UCC records, and we now stand at an all-time high of 27,463. Our weekly attendance has also increased to more than 10,300.

However, with these incredible achievements, there are also challenges. Health care costs for our pastors, teachers, and office staff continue to climb dramatically. In 2025, it is projected that the increase will be approximately $800,000. The Washington Minimum Salary Threshold is another challenge for this conference, as this mandates the minimum that salaried, exempt employees can be paid. There are many reasons for these cost increases, including inflation pressures and uncertainty in the national economy.

These challenges are, unfortunately, beyond our direct control and are impacting many of the conferences across the North American Division. In addition, as our costs continue to rise, the tithe that we have received so far this year has decreased by 6.13% or $1.5 million.

These two factors are contributing to a significant budget shortfall for 2024. Our conference executive committee will have to make some very difficult decisions in 2025 regarding staffing, programming, and services.

We know that God will continue to bless and provide for this conference in a mighty way. The evidence of this is apparent in the many stories that we could tell you of lives being changed.

However, I am personally asking for each of you to help our conference with two things as we approach the end of this year: the first is prayer. Please pray that God will pour out His blessings in full measure for this conference and our work to Serve One More. Secondly, I ask that each of you prayerfully consider your year-end giving of tithes and offerings to Upper Columbia Conference.

Tithe is what supports our pastors, teachers, and support services. 75% of tithe received supports UCC church programs, elementary schools, academies, and Walla Walla University. The rest goes to support world missions and our world church.

Thank you so much for considering these two requests. It is my prayer that God will continue to grow our conference and its influence in our communities. May He also continue to guide, protect, and bless you and your family during this Christmas season and in the new year.

This letter is part of the President's Report, which includes actions from the December 5, 2024 Executive Committee meeting. Click here for the full report.

Wenatchee Adventist Church Delivers Hope for Christmas

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 17:58:21 GMT

In only seven days, the Wenatchee church received approximately 7,626 shoeboxes filled with gifts and essentials for children in need.

By Kristen Merchant

Wenatchee Adventist Church was honored to serve as a donation drop-off location for 2024’s Operation Christmas Child shoebox campaign, a heartfelt initiative bringing joy and hope to children around the globe. From November 18 to November 25, contributions poured in from the Wenatchee community as well as from neighboring areas, including Twisp, Moses Lake, Othello, Omak, and even further beyond.

Volunteers began the campaign by assembling and stacking empty boxes in preparation for the donations. Each large box was carefully packed to hold 15 to 16 shoeboxes, ensuring they were ready for their journey.

Throughout the week, 7 to 15 daily volunteers dedicated their time to the effort, including students from the local high school, who brought youthful energy and enthusiasm to the project. Volunteers handled donation intake, packing of shoeboxes, and loading shoeboxes into larger boxes for shipping. At the end of the week, the collected shoeboxes were loaded up and sent to Southern California to be sorted and distributed to children around the world.

Special recognition goes to Kristi Rich, whose unwavering dedication and countless hours of effort were instrumental in the success of this event. Heartfelt thanks also go out to all the people who contributed their time, resources, and support to this meaningful cause.

The church community offers a prayer for each child who will receive a shoebox, hoping these gifts bring as much blessing to them as the church felt in collecting them. Operation Christmas Child continues to inspire and unite communities through its mission of love and generosity.

Operation Christmas Child is a Christian non-profit organization that works with local churches outside the United States to share the gospel with children affected by war, poverty, and natural disaster using gift-filled shoeboxes as a symbol of God’s freely given salvation.

A Legacy of Service Bears Fruit in Pendleton

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 16:22:43 GMT

The secret to a growing community? Sewing seeds of service.

By Richie Brower

Upper Columbia Conference Serve One More associate director

What happens when a church hits its knees in prayer, gets in the Word and serves its community consistently over time? Energy, enthusiasm and growth!

Pendleton Church is a congregation that is reaping the returns on decades of creative service and bridge-building in its community. For years, the leadership has had an outward focus in their ministry. They have built bridges in their community, established themselves as a trusted community partner and built a reputation as people who are there to help when it’s needed.

Community-focused ministries are plentiful in Pendleton. The Pathfinder club members have established themselves as the go-to volunteer resource for sorting and packing monthly grocery boxes for the local food pantry.

There are also the ladies of the Blessing Box ministry, who watch the paper for obituaries and see that every family in town receives a handmade gift box when they lose a loved one. When the Umatilla River flooded several years ago, Adventist Community Services led the local response in managing donations and helping families with recovery.

“When I arrived in Pendleton, I was excited,” said Stephen Farr, Pendleton Church pastor. “All of the pieces were in place. Many good things were already happening and the foundation for the possibility of even greater things was already placed.”

When Farr arrived, he brought a strong commitment to corporate prayer, as well as a desire to get the congregation into the Word together. Seeds sown some time ago began to bear fruit. The energy at church gatherings became palpable to visitors. It soon became clear that the congregation had a heart for their community.

Recently, the church held a reaping series of meetings featuring Farr. Because of the long-term investment in community relationships and a fervent prayer covering, the church experienced an unheard-of response. More than 60% of the attendees were from the community!

“My prayer leader told me after prayer meeting recently that she had been praying that God would bless us with one baptism every month,” said Farr. “I went and looked at all the baptisms that had happened in my first three years and we in fact had an average of one baptism a month for 36 consecutive months."

“It hasn’t happened without challenges. But as we keep our eyes on Jesus, He is keeping His promise from John. ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing’" (John 15:5).

"It is causing us to be the hands and feet of the one we love and He is doing great things for the people we are serving. To God be the glory!” said Farr.

The unfolding story in Pendleton is a fantastic example of the power of the Serve One More initiative voted by Upper Columbia Conference constituents. As the people pray, dig into God’s Word and serve with generosity, Pendleton will be just one of many revival stories in UCC.

South Hill Podcast Echoes Past the Pulpit

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 20:25:13 GMT

South Hill Church has found a new way to share messages that resonate with members of their community.

By Isaac Meythaler

Upper Columbia Conference communications coordinator

Stephen Carlile and John Roney, South Hill Church pastors, started a podcast in September 2024 to “explore how God’s grace and love echo through our lives.”

The South Hill Echoes podcast features interviews with members of the church community as well as discussions diving deeper into the Bible in a conversational setting between co-hosts Carlile and Roney. New episodes are released each week and are typically around 25 minutes long.

The podcast is a new avenue to connect with members of the community throughout the week. Outside the time spent together during worship services and church events, the podcast lets members get to know their pastors better, as well as fellow church members, at whatever time they can fit into their schedule.

The podcast has been well received by South Hill Church members according to Carlile. “It’s a great conversation starter,” he said.

While the podcast focuses on South Hill Church and its members, it also reaches outside the church.

“We’re trying to be inclusive,” said Carlile. “We’re interviewing our church family, but we are thinking of an outward audience as well and trying to give context into the Adventist Church.”

The first two episodes of the podcast expounded on recent sermons, which covered the first three chapters of Ephesians, delving into topics such as the assurance of salvation, how to forgive after being hurt and the importance of prioritizing inward transformation rather than a focus on outward behavior.

A podcast allows for in-depth discussions on topics that are more difficult to apply. “Taking a sermon and going deeper into the spiritual aspect of people’s lives is the overall goal of the podcast while connecting with our audience,” said Carlile.

The format of the podcast also comes with added accessibility for community members who are unable to attend in-person services but still wish to remain connected with their church family.

Podcasting is nothing new for Carlile, who previously recorded his own podcast, The Pastor Stephen Podcast, for more than two years. When Carlile joined South Hill Church, he said, "There was immediate interest and support for having a podcast. The church leaders asked what all I needed to get a podcast up and going, and we got to work right away.”

If you’d like to hear more for yourself, South Hill Echoes can be found online at substack.com/@southhillchurch

Controversial Gospel unveiled at Women's and Young Women's Retreat

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 17:30:25 GMT

Lives were changed for the better during a weekend of rejuvenating inspiration.

By Patty Marsh

Upper Columbia Conference children's ministries, community services and women's ministries director

Heather Thompson Day, interdenominational speaker, kept listeners riveted with “Controversial Gospel” messages during the fall Upper Columbia Conference Women’s and Young Women’s Retreat held at Camp MiVoden in October 2024.

Through the four messages given, Thompson Day passionately described the covenant of God with His children, “Love God; Love Man.” This love in turn will find His children reaching out and touching the lives of others — especially the quartet of the vulnerable including the poor, widows, orphans and immigrants.

“God is not demanding our righteousness, but rather providing our righteousness,” said Thompson Day, ECPA bestseller and past contributor for Religion News Service, Christianity Today, Newsweek and the Barna Group. She is now the founder of It Is Day Ministries, a nonprofit organization that serves churches, leaders and content creators in maximizing their communication messaging.

The 150 multi-generational attendees came from more than 50 churches. Young women ages 13–18 attended breakouts led by Christina Kinney, inspirational speaker and ABC Christian Bookstore manager in College Place, Washington.

Thompson Day also presented a breakout for the young women titled, “I Did It on Purpose.” Years ago, separate breakouts and speakers were planned for the young women, but several came to retreat leaders and requested, “We love your main speakers — could we hear them too and have our own breakouts?”

This year 20 family groups — moms, daughters, grandmothers, mothers-in-law and sisters — came together during this retreat creating an added layer of family memories.

Saturday night relaxation included a spa supper and two classes: an art party with Dean Sherman and a flower arranging workshop under the tutelage of Angela Ford, owner of Blooms and Berries in Leavenworth, Washington. The hot tub and pool were popular among the attendees, along with ping pong, a campfire by the lake, games and popcorn by the fireplace.

The retreat concluded with Michele Davis, who recently returned from a five-year assignment with her husband with ADRA India. She told the story of Hope, a young African girl in a large Indian city whose life changed forever through her encounter with Davis. As attendees all listened to Davis weave the powerful story, they realized, “Our lives have been changed as well.”

The one-day spring Women’s and Young Women’s Retreat with Jean Boonstra, Voice of Prophecy associate speaker, will be held at UCC headquarters on May 3, 2025. All are welcome to attend.

Idaho Sonshine Brings Healing to Northern Idaho

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 20:14:52 GMT

From healthcare to haircuts, Idaho Sonshine met the needs of over 500 community members.

By Denise Beatty

Idaho SonShine chief operations officer

More than 500 underserved members of the northern Idaho community were impacted by Idaho SonShine during the North Idaho State Fair in Coeur d’Alene in September 2024.

Approximately 300 volunteers from 12 different Adventist churches and other denominations joined together for what is planned to be an annual event providing free medical and dental care, in addition to other services, to those in need.

“I have worked on many similar events, but the guests and volunteers have been second to none,” said Nila Salsberry, who served as a volunteer during the event. “Volunteering was such a blessing, and I am looking forward to next year.”

For this first annual event, three main services were provided — dental, vision and medical. In addition, chiropractic, physical therapy, massage therapy, speech therapy and mental health services were also provided.

A local cosmetology school was on hand to provide haircuts. This service was very popular and was busy during the entire event. A professional photo booth was available and free lunches were provided at noon on both days. As an added bonus, community organizations were available to share their ministries or services.

“It was really wonderful seeing all the Adventists from different cities coming together and non-Adventists working hand-in-hand to make this event spectacular,” said Reuben Rodriguez, another volunteer.

ABC Channel 4 came out for the event to record footage of the services and interview volunteers and those being served. The footage was premiered on the evening news and Idaho SonShine has received very positive responses from the coverage.

Several years ago, a vision was conceived by a group of healthcare providers, out of which the SonShine non-profit organization arose, to provide a wide menu of healthcare services at one location on an annual basis to those residents of northern Idaho who might not otherwise receive services. There is no means test, and anyone who needs services receives services — until the event reaches capacity.

“Our goal is to be the hands of Jesus, to meet people’s needs in a real and tangible way, through action,” said Steve Salsberry, Idaho SonShine CEO and founder. “Volunteers were happy and blessed to work in the busy but relaxed and organized environment, and many guests were in attendance on both days and promised to return next year.”

Idaho SonShine springs out of Arizona SonShine, which has been in operation with similar services in Arizona multiple times a year for the last 10 years, and several key members were able to travel to Idaho to support the first Idaho event.

“We are already planning our next Idaho SonShine at the same venue on Sept. 19 and 21, 2025,” said Salsberry. “Please prayerfully consider joining us.”

If you are interested in volunteering or donating to this ministry, go to IDSonShine.org . The ABC report can be viewed at news.uccsda.org/idSonshine24 , or below.

Annual Prayer Summit Prepares for Pentecost 2025

isaacm@uccsda.org (Isaac Meythaler) — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 21:43:41 GMT

The annual UCC Prayer Summit was held at Camp Mivoden on Oct. 4–6, 2024.

By Isaac Meythaler

Upper Columbia Conference communications coordinator

The weekend retreat featured seminars on prayer, prayer-centered activities and times of worship surrounded by the beauty of nature. Around 100 prayer leaders attended the summit, a significant increase from 2023's attendance of 60.

Three keynote speakers were featured at this year's summit. Joseph Kidder, Andrews University professor of pastoral theology and discipleship, shared how prayer reveals the heart of God through the Holy Spirit and how to create a culture of prayer. Shintell Izquierdo, who has served as Wapato Spanish Church, Granger Spanish Church and Central Valley Spanish Church district pastor, spoke about handling disappointment with prayer by looking to Jesus. David Jamieson, UCC president, spoke about keeping your eyes on Jesus.

Kidder started the weekend off with a valuable lesson. “Prayer is a privilege. It’s an honor and it’s one of our main weapons against the devil,” he said.

The goal of Prayer Summit is to train, encourage and inspire prayer leaders within UCC to more effectively utilize the power of prayer to bring people closer to Jesus. The activities and seminars during the event provide prayer leaders with effective tools for organizing and inspiring their local church’s prayer ministry.

The theme for the 2024 Prayer Summit was “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus." The constant presence of Jesus was also emphasized throughout the event. In one of his seminars, Kidder noted that as believers, we are made particularly aware of, and are comforted by, God’s presence during prayer.

“God’s presence is the assurance that God will never forsake us,” said Kidder. “God’s presence gives us confidence. Practice letting God’s presence into your life — your life will be changed.”

Also featured at the Prayer Summit was Paulet Howard, North American Division Pentecost 2025 initiative prayer coordinator. Howard spoke about the evangelistic initiative and how prayer leaders can support it.

“I encourage leaders to pray simply and sincerely and to pray with their communities in preparation for the upcoming evangelistic initiative,” said Howard. “Prayer is integral to the mission of Pentecost 2025, both in preparation and during evangelistic meetings.”

The prayer focus for UCC in 2025 is "Grounded and Growing Vertically," which challenges members to pray for Pentecost 2025 with different topics emphasized throughout the year, to read and pray through a 14-day study of Steps to Christ by Ellen White, and to create or join a weekly study group reading from Prayer also by White. Participants will receive a commemorative medallion at the end of the year. To sign up for the Grounded and Growing Vertically 2025 challenge, go to uccsda.org/grounded2025 .

For more information on Pentecost 2025, visit pentecost2025.com .

If you would like to see the presentations from the Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus Prayer Summit, go to uccsda.org/prayersummit .

Post-Filing Announcement Regarding KHBA

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 00:08:12 GMT

Information about the future of KHBA

On November 18, 2024, He’s Alive Broadcasting Association licensee of KHBA-LD, Channel 35, Spokane Washington, filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for consent to assign the station to Good News Broadcasting Network, Inc. Members of the public wishing to view this application or obtain information about how to file comments and petitions can visit www.fcc.gov/stationsearch and search in the list of filed applications for KHBA-LD.

Notice: KHBA-LD is not affiliated with Upper Columbia Conference. This posting is provided as a community service only.

Richland Spanish Church Serves One More in Brazil

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 17:13:48 GMT

In July, several members of Richland Spanish Adventist Church traveled to Brazil on a mission trip through ShareHim.

By Sasha Gabriela De Dios

Richland Spanish Church member

The first words you’ll hear from us about Brazil are unbelievable, caring and loving — unbelievable experiences, caring congregations and loving details. We felt love not only of God but of the people.

With smooth flights to Brazil and no delays, we arrived on time. We were blessed to stay at a hotel located in front of the iconic Ponte Estaiada in São José dos Campos. Throughout our stay, we were continuously blessed.

On nights when we were nervous, we prayed. How could we as first-time preachers fulfill our mission of 10 sermons each in one week? Our answer came as a feeling of being illuminated by God’s presence.

Goose bumps tickled our skin as we felt the Holy Spirit work through us. We thank God for the calm that wrapped around us as we stood before a crowd. The more we prayed to touch people’s hearts, the more love seemed to be poured over us each night.

Our respective church families smiled across tables as we tried new foods like a cashew drink, palmito and acai. Fruit like bananas and papaya were sweeter and grape juice was richer.

Food wasn’t the only blessing we experienced. Laughter, testimonies and wisdom woven into each conversation satisfied a hunger deeper than the rumbling of our stomachs.

Members lovingly reached out to us, prayed for us and thanked us for a sermon they identified with most. They marveled at how young we were, some as young as 16. We in turn still marvel that our Creator connects us despite our cultural differences. Through conversations, we understood how large the Adventist family really is and how our beliefs and ideals pull us together globally.

If we did anything, it was surrendering ourselves to God — allowing Him to use us to comfort and show kindness. By living under His hand, we inspired other teens to try preaching about God in a different country. We witnessed seven baptisms. What was once ink on paper tucked inside our Bibles has now become something we breathe and touch.

Our eyes have been opened and we now see something we were only told about before. We are important to God. He finds it important to use us to influence others. And the beautiful part of this revelation is that it came through people including pastors, elders, translators and church members. Their smiles, tears and hugs spoke louder than ink and proved the quote true: “To love another person is to see the face of God."

Iglesia Hispana de Richland Sirve a Uno Más en Brasil

En julio, varios miembros de la Iglesia Hispana de Richland viajaron a Brasil en un viaje misionero a través de ShareHim.

Las primeras palabras que escuchará de nosotros sobre Brasil son increíbles, cariñosas y amorosos — experiencias increíbles, congregaciones cariñosas y detalles amorosos. Sentíamos amor no solo por Dios, sino por la gente.

Con vuelos tranquilos a Brasil y sin retrasos, llegamos a tiempo. Tuvimos la bendición de alojarnos en un hotel ubicado frente al icónico Ponte Estaiada en São José dos Campos. A lo largo de nuestra estadía, fuimos bendecidos continuamente.

En las noches en que estábamos nerviosos, orábamos. ¿Cómo podríamos nosotros, como predicadores primerizos, cumplir nuestra misión de 10 sermones cada uno en una semana? Nuestra respuesta llegó como un sentimiento de ser iluminados por la presencia de Dios.

Se nos puso la piel de gallina al sentir que el Espíritu Santo obraba a través de nosotros. Damos gracias a Dios por la calma que nos envolvió mientras estábamos frente a una multitud. Cuanto más orábamos para tocar el corazón de las personas, más amor parecía derramarse sobre nosotros cada noche.

Nuestras respectivas familias de la iglesia sonreían a través de las mesas mientras probábamos nuevos alimentos como una bebida de anacardo, palmito y acai. Las frutas como los plátanos y la papaya eran más dulces y el jugo de uva era más rico.

La comida no fue la única bendición que experimentamos. Las risas, los testimonios y la sabiduría entretejidos en cada conversación satisfacían un hambre más profunda que el rugido de nuestros estómagos.

Los miembros se acercaron amorosamente a nosotros, oraron por nosotros y nos agradecieron por el sermón con el que más se identificaban. Se maravillaron de lo jóvenes que éramos, algunos de tan solo 16 años. Nosotros, a su vez, todavía nos maravillamos de que nuestro Creador nos conecte a pesar de nuestras diferencias culturales. A través de conversaciones, comprendimos cuán grande es realmente la familia adventista y cómo nuestras creencias e ideales nos unen globalmente.

Si hicimos algo, fue rendirnos a Dios — permitiéndole que nos usara para consolarnos y mostrar bondad. Al vivir bajo Su mano, inspiramos a otros adolescentes a intentar predicar acerca de Dios en un país diferente. Fuimos testigos de siete bautismos. Lo que una vez fue tinta sobre papel metido dentro de nuestras Biblias ahora se ha convertido en algo que respiramos y tocamos.

Nuestros ojos se han abierto y ahora vemos algo de lo que solo se nos había hablado antes. Somos importantes para Dios. Considera importante que nos utilicemos para influir en los demás. Y la parte hermosa de esta revelación es que vino a través de personas como pastores, ancianos, traductores y miembros de la iglesia. Sus sonrisas, lágrimas y abrazos hablaron más fuerte que la tinta y demostraron que la cita era cierta: "Amar a otra persona es ver el rostro de Dios."

Four Churches Evangelize to Okanogan County

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 00:16:33 GMT

Only God could have predicted the high level of enthusiasm that resulted in this county-wide collaboration.

By Dustin R. Jones

Upper Columbia Conference communications director

What started as an idea quickly materialized into a phenomenal outreach for four churches in Upper Columbia Conference. The churches in Brewster, Omak, Oroville and Tonasket joined forces to present a seminar series from April 2–27, 2024.

“It was a big step of faith when our speaker, Brian McMahon, suggested that I consider doing a multi-church meeting,” said Dan Cole, Omak, Oroville and Tonasket pastor. McMahon is a speaker from Prophecy Unsealed.

“I was not confident that all the churches would buy in, but one at a time they joined in enthusiastically as the Holy Spirit moved them,” continued Cole. “UCC and North Pacific Union came through with evangelism funds in a great way!”

Omar Rodriguez, Brewster Church pastor, brought his congregation on board and work quickly began with more than 80 volunteers.

“We have had local church prophecy seminars before and had some success, but this is the first time we have done a county-wide meeting before,” said Cole.

The first night had an attendance of 206 at Okanogan County Fairgrounds' Agriplex. The event featured a children’s ministry and was also streamed online.

Through the event, more than 75 individuals recommitted their lives to Jesus. Twenty-six of those were decisions made for baptism, to join the church by profession of faith and/or be rebaptized. Of those 26 decisions, nine have been baptized, one has joined by profession of faith and three have been rebaptized so far.

“We had one baptized at Oroville Church — Kaiza El-Haj, who was prepared for baptism by her grandpa, Bill Hughes, and filled out a decision card for baptism during the meetings,” added Cole.

Two individuals are preparing to join by profession of faith, four individuals are planning to be rebaptized and three teenagers and one individual will be baptized in the next couple of months.

“My faith has grown as I’ve watched God work in the lives of men, women and children who have chosen to accept Christ and be baptized,” said Cole.

Several other individuals have attended some of the churches and are taking Bible studies in English and Spanish — all thanks to the series the churches hosted together.

“We continue to praise God from whom all blessings flow as the Holy Spirit clearly was poured out and so tremendously blessed our Okanogan Countywide joint outreach,” said Cole.

A video documentary was made on the seminar series and can be viewed at vimeo.com/941670927 .

UCC Churches Collaborate in Local Mission Project

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:53:15 GMT

Some mission trips are far from home, others are closer than you'd think.

By Grand Coulee Adventist Company members

After months of planning and preparation, members from Abundant Life Adventist Church in Wenatchee, Washington, went to "Serve One More" by helping a fellow church in Grand Coulee with facility renovations.

Grand Coulee Adventist Company had a previous location with multiple sets of stairs to access any level of the facility. They found a new single-level location to meet for worship services, but it required some big renovations.

The pandemic halted much of the renovation process. When Abundant Life members approached Grand Coulee members about a potential partnership, Grand Coulee welcomed the help.

Volunteers arrived to serve from March 31 to April 5, with a few key volunteers arriving a few days earlier to help with project preparation. They helped install new siding on the sanctuary and connecting areas, as well as painting the entire building. Next, Abundant Life members helped drywall, mud, sand, prime and paint the sanctuary. Additional tasks included landscaping and building a new platform.

Grand Coulee members reported feeling grateful for all the help provided by Abundant Life members, friends and extended family members who joined in the week of volunteering.

Marlene Oddie, Grand Coulee treasurer, shared a gallery of images from Abundant Life’s week of mission service.

“There is still a lot more work to do, but we were grateful for the opportunity to have such an angelic experience,” Oddie said.

Blue Mountain Valley Church Celebrates 60 Years of Service

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 00:38:17 GMT

A celebration of history filled with music, storytelling, and familiar faces.

By Jacqueline Biloff

Blue Mountain Valley Church member

Earlier this year, Blue Mountain Valley Adventist Church in Athena, Oregon, celebrated the 60th year of their chartering.

Previous pastors, as many as were alive and could be contacted, were invited to return and share in the event. Seven did: Loren Fenton, Doug Johnson, Roger Kruger, Ole Olesen, Matthew Lombard and Lloyd Perrin. Nancy Canwell was not able to be present but sent a message to be read.

The pastors were allotted 10 minutes to share whatever was on their hearts, followed by special music. At least three pastors provided music — one with his wife as a violin duet. There were also memoir moments by previous members. After a delightful two hours of reminiscing, a meal was served for all in attendance.

As attendees made their way from the sanctuary to the fellowship room, they were treated to a Hall of Remembrance, featuring pictured bulletin boards of the history of the chartering, the building of the church, the growth of the school and years of Pathfinders adventures.

After the meal, a story hour ensued. The church has served its local community with two medical clinics, a healthful bakery, Bags of Love — a quilt, stuffed animal, book and toiletries for displaced children — quilt ministry, card ministry, prayer ministry, YouTube series — "Stories for Kids by Aunt Myla" — missionaries and many mission trips.

Some of the highlights of the memories included the years of work on the Umatilla Reservation, where a church and school were located in Mission, Oregon. Lee and Verna Clay spearheaded that venture. Though the couple has long passed, many church members remember them fondly.

Another story shared was from an elderly couple who attended the celebration. Ed and Ruth MacKenzie were original charter members who told of how they sent a letter several days later explaining why, although signing the charter, they never became members.

In January 1964, the couple, both 20 years old, signed their church charter. They married in June of that same year and, on their wedding weekend, planned to move their mobile home from College Place, Washington, to Pendleton, Oregon, for work at Harris Pine Mills. As they passed the Weston, Oregon, junction, strong winds caught their trailer and tipped it over.

“It broke the hitch and sent us towards the bank,” the letter from the MacKenzie’s stated. “The trailer had slid across all four lanes of traffic. We were not hurt but very shaken. The trailer was totaled but thank God our belongings were OK.”

The couple went to Idaho instead to sell books, but the silver mines had closed and people didn’t have money for books.

“We came back to Walla Walla College, and Ed went to school and I worked,” the letter continued. “It is how we became involved in missions."

An evening concert was also held with the 60-member orchestra portion of Inland Northwest Musicians, who were celebrating 25 years of serving small, underserved communities in Washington and Oregon. Musicians drove hours from all directions to participate. One flew in from Colorado, where she currently lives. The sanctuary again filled and overflowed into the balcony as spectators enjoyed an hour and a half of spectacular music.

President's Report: Bringing Camp Meeting To You

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 21:10:18 GMT

David Jamieson shares exciting news plans for camp meeting for 2025 & 2026.

By David Jamieson

UCC President

Our Upper Columbia Conference camp meeting has always been a time where we are reminded of our faith in God, gather with our larger UCC community, and recognize the need for spiritual revival, evangelism, and discipleship. This past year was no different, with incredible messages from Ty Gibson and Ben Orian, and a phenomenal musical concert and worship experience from Selah.

However, I wanted to write to you about our exciting plan for camp meeting for 2025 and 2026. We are bringing camp meeting to you! We have listened very closely to what our members are telling us and created a plan that we believe can take camp meeting to a new and exciting level.

We have identified four regions throughout the conference where we will work with local committees to provide an area camp meeting experience. We will help find speakers, musicians, and provide funding for these local camp meetings.

Through these area camp meetings, we believe that we can reach and connect with a greater percentage of members in our conference. This camp meeting plan was approved by the Conference Executive Committee on a two-year trial basis, beginning in 2025.

Changing our approach will also help minimize the exponentially increasing costs of conducting a four-day camp meeting at Upper Columbia Academy. As costs increase across the board for the conference, our administrative team and Executive Committee are working hard to invest in initiatives, projects, and programs that will spread the message of God’s love in the context of the Three Angels’ Messages to as many men, women, boys, and girls as possible.

In our strategic plan for 2023, we promised to conduct a UCC-wide research survey regarding the future ministry of camp meeting. We distributed surveys to all of our members in their local churches, and solicited input from across the entire conference in an online survey. We also surveyed our Executive Committee, as well as all of the delegates during our UCC Constituency Session in September 2023, to gather information and comments regarding the future direction of our camp meeting.

One of the key results of the surveys was that 55% responded positively towards one large camp meeting event, and when asked if they were actually planning on attending, only 37% responded yes.

Additionally, as we reviewed the attendance historically, our administrative team identified a trend. One of the challenges we face is a lack of attendance from constituents living outside of the Spokane area. While attendance for our Sabbath program is fairly consistent, the attendance for any of the weeknights is very low. Sadly, the low attendance during the week does not justify the expense of having a four-day camp meeting. In addition, despite significant time and effort put into developing programs for children, our young families are not able to attend a week-long event in the form of a large camp meeting.

It is our hope that in bringing camp meeting closer to you that each of you will be excited to participate and contribute to their success. Bring a friend or a neighbor. Ask how you can help. Find a community service project that can be an integral part of your local camp meeting experience so that you can be a blessing to your community, just like the early pioneers of our church intended.

Most importantly, pray that God will bless this ministry and use it to bring others closer to Him.

David Jamieson

President, Upper Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

PCA Serves One More in Peru

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 23:02:05 GMT

Students from Palisades Christian Academy partnered with Maranatha volunteers during spring break in Peru.

By Sidney Needles

Maranatha communication specialist

In March, a group of 25 volunteers from Palisades Christian Academy did construction work on a project in Peru with Maranatha Volunteers International, a supporting ministry of the Adventist Church. The Volunteer Team laid the block walls of a church building for the Villa Jesus Congregation in the city of Pucallpa.

Having formed in 2011, this church family endured years of worshiping in cramped homes and nearly dissolved during the COVID-19 pandemic. The congregation’s current 85 members now have a brand new, spacious church building, thanks to Maranatha and its volunteers.

The team from PCA, located in Spokane, Washington, included 13 students and 12 adults. Their passion for service bridged the age gap, blending members into a cohesive and efficient unit. The group worked so well together that they finished the church building’s walls a couple of days early — just in time to meet another important need.

For the duration of the trip, several team members led a Vacation Bible School program, which proved very popular among local children. “On the very day the building team finished the church, the VBS team returned, wondering how they could properly provide for more children, as 100 had joined by day six,” recalled Ruth Lenz, PCA teacher and Peru project coordinator.

The construction team provided the extra hands necessary to accommodate more than 120 kids on the second to last VBS day and more than 140 on the final day.

“The children responded exceptionally well to our VBS team,” said Lenz. “They loved our students and adults so much that many children and parents arrived an hour early so they could spend more time socializing.”

The VBS program also made a special impact on Audrey Staben, Palisades Academy freshman. “While I was working on the VBS site, I was pretty shy at first because I’m not super good with new people, and there was also a huge language barrier,” recalled Staben.

Staben was able to step out of her comfort zone and form strong connections with the local children. “As we started to become closer and closer to the end of the trip, I definitely grew a lot. I wasn’t feeling as shy with them,” Staben said. “On the last day, it was sad because I was going to miss the kids a lot. I wish we could visit them again.”

Maranatha mobilizes volunteers to build churches, schools, water wells and other urgently needed structures around the world. In addition to projects open to the public, Maranatha helps church and school groups organize their own mission trips at no additional cost. Since 1969, Maranatha volunteers and crews have constructed more than 14,000 structures and more than 3,000 water wells in nearly 90 countries.

God Speaks Through Prayer

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 20:47:53 GMT

It was a reminder that His Word is alive and active, speaking to us in our times of need. A miracle for sure! And just at the time we needed it.

by Kathy Marson

This story was shared with me by someone who asked to remain anonymous.

"I want to share an experience I had that is a beautiful testament to the power of prayer and the way God speaks to us through His Word. Here’s a reflection on my story that was sparked during a discussion, with my husband, about Bible promises:

In a moment of deep emotional turmoil, I found myself grappling with the interpretation of Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” My husband argued that this verse, in the Old Testament, was a promise specifically meant for the Israelites in their time of exile and was not directly applicable to us today. This interpretation shook me, as it felt like a dismissal of the personal relevance of the Old Testament, something I have held dear my whole life.

While I believe my tears were a natural response to this perceived loss, it wasn’t just about a single verse to me, it was about the connection and comfort I had always found in all the Old Testament Scriptures. I went to bed that night saddened, searching and exhausted.

But then, in the quiet of the next morning, God led me to these verses in 2 Timothy 3:16 & 17: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”. This was amazing salve to my heart, and ready for me first thing the next morning! This verse reaffirmed to me that every part of the Bible, including the Old Testament, holds value and purpose for my life today.

That evening, my husband shared that God had given him a verse in the New Testament that morning that says ‘All Scripture’ is applicable to us today. After comparing, it turns out God gave him the exact same verse that He had given to me. What a profound moment of divine confirmation. Both of us received the same message independently, a clear sign that God was at work, bringing unity and understanding to our hearts. It was a reminder that His Word is alive and active, speaking to us in our times of need. A miracle for sure! And just at the time we needed it.

This experience not only strengthened my faith but also deepened the spiritual connection between my husband and I. It was a powerful answer to prayer, showing that God listens, understands, and responds in ways that bring peace and clarity. It’s truly awe-inspiring how God can use moments of doubt and confusion to reveal His truth and to bring us closer to Him and to each other. We have an amazing God and Savior who cares about every detail of our lives."

Pentecost 2025 Call to Prayer

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 15:37:34 GMT

Join Adventists across the world in praying for the success of this event.

By Randy Maxwell

Vice president for administration, Washington Conference

Pentecost 2025 is a prayer and evangelism movement inviting Seventh-day Adventists in North America to collectively hold 3,000 or more proclamation events throughout 2025.

But what takes this initiative to a higher level than evangelism programming alone is the intentional call to prayer for the Holy Spirit to bring a second Pentecost.

North American Division leadership has asked each union and mission within the division to set aside specified months to pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Such a revival comes only in answer to prayer, as referenced by Ellen White, church co-founder, in Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 120 .

North Pacific Union has been asked to join the prayer circle and cover the months of October 2024 and July 2025.

The prayer emphasis for October 2024 is “The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our teachers and students.” The emphasis for next July is “The Holy Spirit to make us a loving and caring church.”

On Wednesday, Aug. 14, NPUC executive committee approved a recommendation from John Freedman, NPUC president, and the president’s council to adopt a prayer strategy involving all six conferences and Walla Walla University starting this October.

Each conference will cover four days of the month, praying every third hour at 6 a.m., 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m. and ending the day at 6 p.m. Conference officials and prayer leaders are encouraged to host a 30-minute prayer call or Zoom at the beginning or end of each day.

Members are to pause and pray individually at the designated prayer times, thereby maintaining a “personal concert of prayer” throughout the day.

The schedule for October follows:

Oct. 1 — NPUC Kickoff via Zoom (evening host)
Oct. 2–5 — WWU
Oct. 6–9 — Alaska (evening host)
Oct. 9–12 — Idaho
Oct. 13–16 — Montana
Oct. 16–19 — Oregon (morning host)
Oct. 20–23 — Upper Columbia
Oct. 23–26 — Washington
Oct. 27–30 — WWU
Oct. 31 — NPUC Closing via Zoom (evening host)

In addition to the main prayer emphasis, each conference and institution can add other prayer items specific to their community. Let’s answer the call to pray for rain, now in the time of the latter rain.

White wrote, “We should pray as earnestly for the descent of the Holy Spirit as the disciples prayed on the day of Pentecost. If they needed it at that time, we need it more today” (Prayer, p. 119:3).

Now is the time!

Join in Prayer

Most of the prayer times will be available via the primary prayer Zoom links below. You may join these Zoom calls in audio only mode (muted unless you are praying). Conferences and local churches may have their own established prayer call times; please join whatever prayer call time works for you.

Daily Zoom Link – Mornings

6 a.m. Pacific / 7 a.m. Mountain / 5 a.m. Alaska

Meeting ID: 976 9497 1379

Passcode: 721561

Daily Zoom Link – Evenings

6 p.m. Pacific / 7 p.m. Mountain / 5 p.m. Alaska

Meeting ID: 942 4642 2345

Passcode: 961056

Prayer Reminder Tips

Save the Zoom link in your calendar
Set prayer alarms on your phone
Create a prayer journal to track requests, praises and answers
Find a prayer accountability partner

Praying for Teachers and Students

Each day of prayer will have a specific scripture and prayer focus. You are welcome to add additional prayers for your family of faith.

Teachers

Pray ...

That they know the love of Christ and the fullness of God (Eph. 3:19).
That they enter their classrooms strong in the Lord and clothed in the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10–20).
That they will understand what is right and just and fair — every good path. That wisdom will enter their heart and knowledge will be pleasant to their souls. Let discretion protect them and understanding guard them (Prov. 2:9–11).
That they will trust in the Lord with all their hearts and lean not on their own understanding. In all their ways let them acknowledge the Lord, and He will make their paths straight (Prov. 3:5–6).
That the Spirit of the Lord will rest on them — the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord — and they will delight in the fear of the Lord (Isa. 11:2–3).
That they will each experience the new birth and will help their students experience new birth in Jesus in their classrooms (John 3:3,5).
That they will refresh their students and be refreshed themselves (Prov. 11:25).
That they will train their students in the way they should go (Prov. 22:6).
That teachers receive a fresh anointing of the Spirit that will remain in them and anchor them in Christ (1 John 2:27).
That the Word of Christ dwells in our teachers richly as they teach and admonish their students with wisdom and praise to God (Col. 3:16).
That our teachers teach with integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech (Titus 2:7–8).
That our teachers are committed to truth and diligence in their profession, correctly handling the Word of God (2 Tim. 2:15).
That our teachers receive strength through faith in Christ, empowering them to face any and all challenges (Phil. 4:13).
That in moments of fatigue and discouragement, teachers will renew their strength and hope as they wait on the Lord (Isa. 40:31).
That the blessing, favor and peace of God rests on our teachers, their families and their students (Num. 6:22–27).

Students

Pray ...

For their protection (Psalm 17:8–9; Psalm 91:1–2, 9–12; Isa. 54:17).
That they feel loved and accepted (Isa. 41:9; Jer. 31:3; Rom. 5:8).
That they establish an eternal future (Col. 1:9–10; 1 Tim. 2:3–4; 1 John 5:11–13, 20).
That they honor their parents and resist rebellion (Eph. 6:1–3; Isa. 30:1; Prov, 1:8–9; Col. 3:20).
That they maintain good family relationships (Matt. 5:9; Psalm 133:1; Rom. 12:18; 15:5–6).
That they have Godly friends and role models (Prov. 4:14; 12:26; 22:24–25; Psalm 1:1).
That they develop a hunger for the things of God (Psalm 86:11–12; 119:2; Prov. 14:27; Matt. 5:6).
That they follow truth and reject lies (Prov. 3:3–4; 12:22; John 14:15–17).
That they enjoy a life of health and healing (Isa. 58:8; James 5:16; 3 John 2).
That they identify their God-given gifts and talents (Prov. 18:6; 22:29; Rom. 11:29; 1 Peter 4:10).
That they enjoy freedom from fear (Psalm 27:1; 34:4; 2 Tim. 1:7; Isa. 41:10; 1 John 4:18).
That they receive a sound mind (Phil. 2:5; 2 Tim. 1:7; Eph. 4:17–18, 22–24; Phil. 4:8; Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 10:4–5).
That they invite the joy of the Lord (Psalm 35:9; 105:43; 118:24; Isa. 61:3; Rom. 15:13).
That they avoid alcohol, drugs and other addictions (Deut. 30:19; John 8:36; Rom. 8:13).
That they reject sexual immorality (1 Peter 2:11; James 1:12; 1 Thess. 4:3–5; 1 Cor. 6:13,18; 1 Cor. 10:13).
That they grow in faith (Heb. 11:6; Matt. 17:20; James 1:6–8; Gal. 6:9–10).

This article is provided by North Pacific Union Conference. You can read the original article at nwadventists.com/news/2024/09/pentecost-2025-call-prayer .

Prayer Summit Will Recharge Your Prayer Life Each Year

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 17:52:36 GMT

Attendees will find the benefits of turning our eyes upon Jesus throughout the many aspects of this year’s event including the seminars.

by Kathy Marson

The second annual prayer summit will soon be underway in Upper Columbia Conference. This year’s speakers are Joseph Kidder from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan; Shintell Izquierdo, former pastor in Upper Columbia Conference; and David Jamieson, president of UCC. The seminar takes place October 4-6, 2024 at Camp MiVoden which is UCCs summer camp on Hayden Lake, Idaho.

The speakers will share rich truths about Jesus. Joseph Kidder who often prays with his students will share how we can journey to the heart of God through prayer. Shintell Izquierdo is sharing a timely message of how to deal with disappointments by looking to Jesus. David Jamieson will focus on How each one of us can turn our eyes upon Jesus.

The theme is “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” and attendees will find the benefits of turning our eyes upon Jesus throughout the many aspects of this year’s event including the seminars. The seminars offered this year include Joseph Kidder sharing “How to Create a Culture of Prayer in Your Church;” Richie Brower, director of UCCs new “Serve One More” will share ways to be active in our communities and to pray for our community leaders; Paulet Howard from North American prayer ministries will talk about Pentecost 2025. There will also be a seminar on ways to pray creatively for others that involves creating tangible prayer items.

The Prayer Summit registration the first year was 60. This year, the second annual prayer summit is almost 100 attendees. The leaders are pleased to surpass last year’s attendance. Registration has also been extended to midnight Thursday, September 26.

The Prayer Summit is slated to become an annual event with speakers scheduled for 2025 and 2026 on the first weekend of October. In 2025 Randy Maxwell and Kevin Wilfley will be the main speakers. In 2026 Rick and Cindy Mercer are on the docket. So mark your calendars and hold the first weekend in October for the yearly Prayer Summit.

The Upper Columbia Conference administration is very supportive of prayer ministries. And here is just a small reason why. Attendees of the 2023 prayer summit were so appreciative. In fact here is the article written after last years summit. https://www.uccsda.org/the-impact-of-the-first-annual-ucc-prayer-summit, The summit literally changed lives for the kingdom.

For more information and to register, go to: www.uccsda.org/prayersummit.

ABC Christian Bookstore Announces Fall Delivery Schedule

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 17:40:29 GMT

The ABC is coming to a location near you!

The ABC Christian Bookstore has announced its Fall delivery schedule. Here are the details on how our ABC deliveries will work:

Call 509.838.3168 or email abc@uccsda.org
Place your order — we will bring anything that we carry in the ABC, not just the advertised items.
Choose your pick-up location.
Pay for your order over the phone or arrange to pay at pick up.
Arrive at your location or plan for someone to pick up your order — we will only be at each location for a few minutes. Please arrive on time so we can stay on schedule.
Take your products home and Enjoy!
If you would like to order from another area that is not on this schedule — especially Montana, please call! We will work with you to complete your order!

Thank you for supporting your UCC ABC Christian Bookstore!

October 4 — Coeur d’Alene, ID

12:30 PM—1:00 PM Coeur d’Alene SDA Ch., 111 East Locust Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID

October 4-6 — Hayden, ID

TBD Retreat Hours Conference Prayer Retreat—Camp MiVoden, Hayden, ID

October 9 — Sandpoint, ID

9:30 AM—10:00 AM Sandpoint SDA Church, 2235 Pine Street, 83864

October 9 — Bonners Ferry, ID

11:30 PM—12:00 PM Bonners Ferry SDA Church, 513353 Highway 95, 83805

October 9 — Libby, MT

2:30 PM—3:00 PM Libby SDA Church, 206 Airfield Road, Libby MT 59923

October 13 — Tri-Cities, WA

9:00 AM—9:30 AM Richland SDA Ch., 1807 McMurray Ave, Richland WA 99354

October 13 — Hermiston, OR

11:00 AM—11:15 AM Hermiston SDA Ch., 855 W Highland Ave, Hermiston OR 97838

October 13 — Pendleton, OR

12:30 PM—12:45 PM Pendleton SDA Ch., 1401 SW Goodwin Place, Pendleton 97801

October 13 — College Place, WA

2:00 PM—2:30 PM ABC Christian Store 505 SW College Ave, College Place WA

October 16 — Brewster, WA

10:00 AM—10:30 AM Brewster SDA, 17 Hospital Way, Brewster WA 98812

October 16 — Omak, WA

11:30 AM—12:00 PM Omak SDA Church, 425 2nd Ave W, Omak WA 98841

October 16 — Republic, WA

2:30 PM—3:00 PM Republic SDA Church, 5 Advent Lane, Republic WA 99166

October 16 — Colville, WA

4:30 PM—5:00 PM Colville SDA Church, 138 E Cedar Loop, Colville WA 99114

October 23 — Moscow, ID

1:00 PM—1:30 PM Moscow SDA Church, 1015 West C Street, Moscow ID 83843

October 23 — Lewiston, ID

3:00 PM—3:30 PM Beacon Christian School, 615 Stewart Ave, Lewiston, ID 83501

October 27 — Yakima, WA

11:00 AM—11:45 AM Yakima SDA Church, 507 N 35th Ave, Yakima 98902

October 27 — Wenatchee, WA

2:30 PM—3:00 PM Wenatchee SDA Church, 508 N Western Ave, Wenatchee 98801

October 27 — Moses Lake, WA

5:00 PM—5:30 PM Moses Lake SDA, 1601 W. Valley Road Moses Lake 98837

For more information, see the ABC webpage .

To see the flier with the Fall specials, click the button below.

UCC Pathfinders Introduce New Honors

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 18:21:27 GMT

Have you ever wondered how pathfinder honors are created?

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

Have you ever wondered how pathfinder honors are created? Upper Columbia Conference club ministries wondered the same thing and began researching and creating their own honors. Their guide question was, “how do we keep introducing our kids to new crafts, activities, career options, and ways of serving in ministry?” The answer — pathfinder honors.

“Over the last several years, coordinators in Upper Columbia Conference, led by Luke Torquato, have created an astonishing number of new honors,” shared Richie Brower, outgoing UCC associate director of young adult, youth, and club ministries. “At the International Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming, UCC introduced more than 25 brand new conference-developed honors. The focus of these honors ranges from needle felting to agricultural technology, tidepools, and health evangelism.”

The team, known as Activity Outpost, began the process of piloting honors because they noticed some holes in the honor options that pathfinders had. The process is strenuous. The team first needed to get approval from the North American Division honors taskforce to begin piloting honors. Once they were approved, they realized several problems.

“First, a piloted honor can take years to go through the piloting stage before it is available to purchase at AdventSource,” shared Torquato. “Second, pathfinders who pilot a new honor may never receive the patch that they earned if they don't stay in pathfinders long enough. Lastly, club directors and instructors are less likely to teach a piloted honor if there are published honors with all the resources available.”

Although they recognized these problems, Activity Outpost felt that this was extremely important to continue creating honors.

“It is a way for us to give back to our Pathfinder organization as a whole,” explained Torquato. “It is my hope that Pathfinders around the world can benefit from the work that our team is doing. In addition, the money that is received from the sale of piloting patches is given to Hope Builders, our conference's service-oriented organization, for pathfinders to serve in our communities.”

Activity Outpost has taught a series of honor pilots at the Union Camporee and had large-scale presentations of new regional honor pilots like Palouse, explorers of the west, Oregon trail, and Pony Express, at the 2024 International Camporee.

“These honors are the result of young and energetic team members who invest their creative energies into creating exciting learning opportunities for our kids,” said Brower. “It’s fun to be part of a team that makes space for innovation and the chaos of a creative process.”

Many of these honor pilots created will grow up to become full-fledged NAD honors over the next several years. In Gillette, the UCC team, along with their partners, will introduce thousands of pathfinders to the new honors, eventually passing them on to the NAD honors taskforce to refine into official NAD pathfinder honors.

“The reason that I have become involved with writing new honors is because of my own experience with Pathfinders. I believe that Pathfinder honors are a great tool, helping Pathfinders learn new skills or knowledge that they use for the rest of their lives,” shared Torquato. “Even more importantly, each honor must have a way to connect the Pathfinder spiritually with Christ. Without this, earning honors is essentially pointless. It is my hope that for every activity that Pathfinders choose to do, there is an associated honor that draws them a step closer to Christ.”

If you completed one of the 25 pilot honors during the 2024 International Pathfinder Camporee, you can order your patch by clicking the button below.

Archie Harris Named Interim Superintendent

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 00:09:41 GMT

Harris has served in the UCC education department since 2018.

Archie Harris, associate superintendent for education at Upper Columbia Conference, has been named interim superintendent until the position can be filled permanently. The position has been vacant since Brian Harris, former vice president for education at UCC, took a position at North Pacific Union Conference.

Archie Harris has extensive experience in education, having taught grades 1-12 previously. Harris began his teaching career in Farmington, Washington, and spent 19 years teaching in the Montana and Upper Columbia Conferences.

He became the education/youth/communication/health director for the Montana Conference in 2006, then went on to serve as vice president for education for the Washington Conference.

All together, Harris has more than 17 years experience as an education administrator. During the 2017-2018 school year, Harris took a break from administration and taught in a one-room school.

Harris joined Upper Columbia Conference as associate superintendent in 2018. He is married to Deanna, who he met in high school at Mount Ellis Academy, Bozeman, Montana. Archie and his wife have two adult daughters, Alix and Joni.

Northwest Pathfinders Experience God's Enduring Promises

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 00:26:29 GMT

Northwest Pathfinders experienced travel adventures, activity selection and an intense storm at this year’s International Pathfinder Camporee.

By Heidi Baumgartner

NPUC Director of Communication

There’s a quip about how life is 10% what happens to you and 90% about how you react to it. This is particularly true for the Pathfinder experience at this year’s International Pathfinder Camporee which saw a variety of travel adventures, the realities of having 60,000 people gathered in one place and the resiliency before, during and after an intense prairie storm.

Travel Adventures

Many Pacific Northwest Pathfinder clubs planned fun sightseeing outings on the road to Gillette, Wyoming.

David Perrin from Oregon Conference reported a “big loop” driving adventure with stops at Mesa Verde National Park, the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park, Great Sands Dunes National Park, the Focus on the Family and Adventures in Odyssey Visitor Center, and finally Rocky Mountain National Park — all before arriving in Gillette!

Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, Jewel Caves, Shoshone Falls, Deerlodge National Forest, Hayalite Reservoir, Mount Rushmore and even the Idaho Potato Museum also provided a break from the road for many Pathfinder clubs and families.

Seven clubs from Oregon Conference attended Idaho Falls Church on Sabbath morning, shared Nate Hellman. “We brought the attendance from about 40 members to a packed sanctuary,” he wrote.

Michelle Lemon from Idaho Conference shared a photo of a family van decked out with car art showcasing how they were bound for Wyoming from Idaho and sharing a message about God’s love.

Various clubs and families reported seeing “Believe the Promise” camporee-decorated vehicles along their drive and having opportunities to chat with fellow Pathfinder club members at rest stops.

Laurel Rogers from Oregon Conference shared one memorable rest stop experience where she overheard a Pathfinder mother from New York say that it was her twins’ birthday.

“The entire bathroom of total strangers — many not Pathfinders — erupted into singing, ‘Happy Birthday,’” Rogers recounted on a @NWAdventists social media post.

As Pathfinders traveled, the popular listening options were Discovery Mountain, Pilgrim’s Progress, Adventures in Odyssey and more.

Two teens from Cascade Eagles shared in a Washington Conference recap video how they flew to Denver, Colorado, and then rented cars to drive the final distance to the camporee.

“We drove in separate cars, so each car was a different experience. Audiobooks, music, we just had a fun time driving here,” they said.

Not all was fun and adventures: Multiple clubs reported mechanical issues with cars, whether hot brakes, broken air conditioning or other situations. Yet, each club saw how God provided for their needs.

“The first day, we started with the bus losing A/C, so it was a little interesting,” shared a Puyallup Pioneers Pathfinder in a Washington Conference recap video. “We all prayed, we got our A/C fixed and we all made it.”

Arrival and Activities

Arrival at CAM-PLEX Multi-Event Facilities in Gillette, Wyoming, brought a frenzy of activity for getting campsites set up. The North Pacific Union camping area is housing clubs from Oregon, Washington, Upper Columbia, Idaho, Montana and Alaska conferences. NPUC is also hosting Pathfinders from Palau.

Oregon Pathfinders shared a video clip featuring Pathfinders with their expectations for the week: lots of pin trading, honors, meeting new friends, making memories and learning more about God.

As Pathfinders started in with their camporee experience, they soon discovered the realities of having 60,000 people gathered in one place. There are a lot of people for one camporee facility! The exhibit halls and honor learning spaces are full, and some spaces have crowd control monitoring to let in a certain amount of people at a time.

The NPUC Creation Study Center museum led by Stan Hudson, NPUC creation ministries coordinator, and his wife, Cindy, is set up at the camporee. “Our booth is in the southwest corner of the East Pavilion,” Cindy shared. “We were wondering if the Pathfinders could find our booth. Silly me, Pathfinders take orienteering and hike over mountains. We have great volunteers. 60,000 Pathfinders is a lot of people to navigate through our honors and scavenger hunt.”

The Creation Museum is partnering with Geoscience Research Institute to present honor classes for Geology, Rocks and Minerals, Meteorites and Dinosaurs.

Peter Simpson, NPUC vice president for Hispanic ministries and ministerial director, and his wife, Carolina, NPUC Hispanic ministries administrative assistant, are volunteering at the Creation Museum. They are reporting seeing booth guests from Ghana, Hong Kong, Japan, Argentina and British Columbia, Canada, along with domestic clubs from Texas, Arkansas and Tennessee.

Northwest conferences are contributing many honor classes and activities with Upper Columbia Conference Pathfinders presenting multiple regional pilot honors for topics including: agricultural technology, animal rescue, astronomy, deep sea oceanography, equestrian vaulting, health evangelism, heroes of the Reformation, homeless ministry, integumentary system (an honor about human skin), musical notation, Oregon Trail, Pony Express, popcorn, Ten Commandments, thunderstorms, tide pools, tundra, Word of God and 3D printing.

Additionally, Idaho Conference is teaching basic pewter casting and pewter casting II and Washington Conference is offering a silk screen printing class and activity.

Oregon Conference meanwhile has activities like a cave maze and human foosball. Alaska Conference is sponsoring a Daniel & Revelation-themed escape room were small groups of 3-5 participants go through a collection of puzzle challenges to solve riddles using their Bibles to receive the final combination code for the lock to “escape.”

Walla Walla University is hosting the Great Ball Contraption activity in an attempt to gain a world record to bring the most built and finished models for testing. The goal is to attempt to run 400 modules.

Storm Interruption

The first full day of camporee activities was well underway on a hot day when a storm started brewing. As the dark clouds drew closer in the 4 o’clock hour, the initial instructions to shelter in place soon became an urgent directive to seek shelter in one of the facility buildings.

As the storm began arriving, Lara Dowie, Upper Columbia Conference youth ministries administrative assistant, posted on her Facebook profile a request for prayers as the second storm of the camporee flooded their clubs.

“Even though we flooded twice in 14 hours, everyone is still positive and working together,” Dowie said. “I love this team. One person quipped that the theme this year shouldn’t have been Moses. It should have been Noah!”

As the storm moved on, Pathfinders assessed their situation. The storm — with its influx of rain and wind — did cause some low-lying campsite flooding and damage. The main stage sustained some damage as well. However, there are no reports of personal injury.

“Sunrise Pathfinders from Walla Walla City Church fared well,” reported Carrie Bergherm on @NWAdventists social media. “The roadway to our site became a river and the campsite across from us had a lake in the kitchen tent and one camper tent in the water. The group next to us had their kitchen tent destroyed. Most seem to be in good spirits, and they set to work cleaning up.”

“Graham Standard Bearers sheltered in our van behind the hotel,” said Heather Holdener from Washington Conference. “We had our He is Our Song books and we sang and prayed the whole time. We were scared but we were believing the promise that God and His angels would keep us safe. Compared to some clubs we were extremely lucky. We just lost two of our EZ Ups and a little food. It was amazing to watch the spiritual battle of the Great Controversy that was happening all around us!”

Tualatin Valley Pathfinders from Oregon Conference along with Pathfinders from Montana all reported they were safe, although wet.

In early reports, the area dubbed “International Village” sustained the most damage, according to North American Division. Reports indicate that at least 40% of the international club campsites were wiped out, largely due to flooding.

With a canceled evening program on Tuesday night and delayed programming on Wednesday morning, clubs had a chance to regroup. There are many reports of random acts of kindness from fellow clubs and the Gillette community.

Diane Thurber, Christian Record Services president, shared how on Wednesday morning she went to a local breakfast restaurant called Lula Belle’s where the locals like to eat.

“People at the table nearest us wanted to know if we were out at the camporee,” Thurber recounted. “When we confirmed we were, one told us how he took a tent out to Cam-Plex as soon as the storm passed. He said he told his wife when he saw the storm coming that they needed to pray. His wife heard some campers needed dry bedding, so she filled two bags with bedding and gave two brand-new pillows. Another said her car is filled with supplies, and she’s heading to drop off them off after breakfast. Such wonderful people in Wyoming!”

Multiple club leaders commented how Pathfinders were keeping good attitudes and understanding how God’s promises endure even through the storms of life. The best visual reminder after the storm: a full double rainbow.

Interested in how the Pathfinder International Camporee began? Watch the video presented by the General Conference at news.uccsda.org/camporee824 .

This story originally appeared on the NW Adventists website at nwadventists.com/news/2024/08/northwest-pathfinders-experience-gods-enduring-promises . See the original story for additional photographs.

WWU Students Receive Awards for 'Serving One More'

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 23:51:08 GMT

Liberty Anderson and George Perez were honored for their commitment to service at an event in Seattle.

By Stacy Wisener

WWU University Relations student writer

On April 19, 2024, George Perez, Walla Walla University senior psychology major, and Liberty Anderson, WWU junior business major, traveled to Seattle to each receive a Student Civic Leadership Award from Washington Campus Coalition for the Public Good.

This award recognizes the efforts of individual students from universities across the state of Washington for their commitment to civic leadership in their community. Every year, students are nominated to receive this award, and each university chooses who has been an influential leader on their campus. John McVay, WWU president, proudly chose Perez and Anderson as this year's recipients.

Both Perez and Anderson have dedicated their time at WWU to being examples of civic leadership. Perez began his journey by joining the university’s Enactus club and has served as club president for the last two years.

Enactus is an international network of young leaders who are committed to using business skills as a catalyst for positive social and environmental impact. The WWU chapter has grown significantly in membership under Perez’ leadership and pitched award-winning business ideas at a variety of competitions.

“It has been a privilege and an honor to lead Enactus to have a bigger impact,” Perez said, crediting his success to opportunities given to him by the university, which allowed his team to gain new experiences and foster their independence.

Anderson has been involved on campus for the last three years working for the Center for Humanitarian Engagement and Black Student Christian Forum. “WWU has given me so many opportunities to be involved in civic engagement, specifically through CHE,” she said. One of those opportunities was serving on the board of Blue Mountain Action Council, a local agency committed to helping people who are experiencing poverty.

The students and faculty of WWU have played a key role in both of their journeys. Perez said that his fellow students influenced him to lead and make a difference. Anderson credits David Lopez, CHE executive director, as pivotal in her success, allowing her to take on many opportunities and modeling what it is like to be a good citizen.

Perez and Anderson are just two examples of students stepping up and practicing civic leadership at WWU. For more about what generosity in service looks like at WWU, visit wallawalla.edu/che .

This story originally appeared in the NW Adventists website at nwadventists.com/news/2024/07/wwu-students-receive-state-civic-leadership-awards .

Positive Life Radio Collects 14,000 Pounds of Donations for Local Food Banks

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 15:12:30 GMT

This was the 25th annual Christmas in July food drive.

By Dustin R. Jones,

Upper Columbia Conference communications director

Positive Life Radio listeners once again made a significant impact in the fight against hunger across the Northwest during the 25th annual Christmas in July Food Drive. As part of their Hands and Heart program, Positive Life Radio listeners and volunteers came together to collect more than 14,000 pounds of food and cash donations for local food banks, from Portland, Oregon, to Lewiston, Idaho.

“It was particularly encouraging to see listeners donate more food than last year while grocery prices are so high,” says Chris Gilbreth, general manager of Positive Life Radio.

This community effort is particularly crucial as food banks nationwide continue to face challenges due to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and a decline in support during the summer months. The generous contributions from Positive Life Radio listeners will help replenish dwindling supplies and provide much-needed support to families in the Northwest.

Positive Life Radio is a non-profit Christian radio network based in Walla Walla, Washington. They have multiple signals across the northwest and its flagship station has been on the air for 60 years. They believe in creating nurturing and enduring friendships through active involvement in the local community, local and international humanitarian projects, and sharing encouraging music.

Christ Our Living Hope Camp Meeting Brings Out 1,400

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 23:45:28 GMT

Ty Gibson, David Jamieson, and Selah all presented at Upper Columbia Academy.

By Autumn Dunzweiler

More than 1,400 people attended the 2024 UCC Camp Meeting, held June 19-22 on the campus of Upper Columbia Academy. The theme was “Christ Our Living Hope,” and featured Ty Gibson, co-director of Light Bearers and pastor of Storyline Adventist Church in Eugene, Oregon, as the main speaker.

“Pastor Gibson kicked off our camp meeting on Wednesday night, threw it into high gear and kept the momentum going the whole weekend,” said Dustin Jones, UCC director of communications and coordinator of the camp meeting event. “He challenged all of us with our preconceived notions of Adventism, made our sides hurt with laughter, and through it all, kept pointing us to Christ, our living hope.”

Ben Orian, media director for Arkansas-Louisiana Conference, presented the mid-morning programs in the big tent, and also presented seminars on Thursday and Friday. Orian’s focus was on church revitalization and engagement.

There were programs for kids throughout the weekend. When the kids weren’t learning more about God and making new friends, there was plenty of time to enjoy the bouncy castles and games on the lawn.

On Friday, several groups left campus to engage in service projects in the communities around Upper Columbia Academy.

Richie Brower, associate director of the Serve One More initiative, arranged for the projects, including a major removal of overgrowth on one individual’s property.

Brower presented the before and after photos of the project on during the Sabbath program, along with a video featuring all of the work that went into the project the day before.

“The before and after photos of the property were amazing,” reported Jones. “As the teams worked in each of the communities, you felt a real sense of fellowship and mission.”

The Sabbath afternoon concert was presented by Selah, a musical group who has won 11 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, and has more than 900 million streams across all digital music platforms.

Among the highlights of the concert was the final song. As Selah led the crowd in singing “Amazing Grace” Selah quietly left the stage and let the audience finish the song acapella.

“It was truly a meaningful moment,” said Jones. “We all stood there with our eyes closed, singing ‘Amazing Grace’ and praising God. What a blessing!”

The final program for camp meeting was presented by David Jamieson, UCC president. Jamieson presented “Go With God,” based on the story of the prodigal son.

Jamieson challenged the audience to reach out to others in humility and love. To serve fellow man and through our service exhibit the true nature of Jesus. As he closed, he shared a few lines from Selah’s song “Benediction.”

“As you go, may you rest in Christ. Receive His grace and love all men in spite of all of our differences. May your words be filled with life that crumbles walls of fear and pride. Take up the cross and serve the least and the lost. As you go, go with God. Go in peace!”

With those final words, Selah came onto the stage and sang the song.

“I spoke with Selah earlier in the day, and they related to me how meaningful it was to sing that song for camp meeting,” said Jones. “It was a beautiful way to end our time together.”

To watch the big tent programs and the concert, go to www.uccsda.org/campmeeting .

UCC Students Receive Caring Heart Award

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 22:26:17 GMT

Three students received a $500 scholarship.

By Dustin Jones

UCC director of communications

Three students from Upper Columbia Conference received the $500 Caring Heart Award scholarship, made possible through three-way funding from North Pacific Union, local conferences and academies. Angie Buursma (Upper Columbia Academy), Meghan Davis (Cascade Christian Academy), and Clara Scully (Walla Walla Valley Academy) were selected by their schools for exemplifying the spirit of the Caring Heart — a willingness to serve others. Each student is gifted with a plaque and an engraved Bible, courtesy of North American Division. The scholarship funds may be used toward tuition at an Adventist school or on a short-term mission trip. To read the full story, see news.uccsda.org/caringheart724 .

Preparing for the International Camporee

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 22:13:33 GMT

Gillette, Wyoming is the new host for roughly 60,000 young people in August.

By Christelle Agboka

North American Division

In less than a month, the International Pathfinder Camporee will have moved west. For the first time in the event’s history, Gillette, Wyoming, will host the camporee’s week of learning, worship, and community service for Pathfinders and their supporters. From August 5-11, 2024, roughly 60,000 young people from 100 countries will transform the Gillette Cam-Plex Facilities into a tent and RV city.

Over numerous site visits since 2020, camporee officials have found significant interest among community members in attending the nighttime mainstage events. However, because minors attend the camporee, background checks would be necessary for these additional guests. Thus, camporee leaders decided to host a “night at the camporee” on August 4. This special event will offer community members a 90-minute sneak peek of the “Believe the Promise” evening program , focusing on the inspiring story of the Old Testament character Moses.

For the rest of the story, see www.nadadventist.org/news/gillette-residents-be-welcomed-night-camporee .

Adventist Couple Tackles Homelessness With Compassion

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 21:09:14 GMT

Shelley and Barry Bacon work to give skills and purpose to individuals in need.

By Cassy Benefield

Reporter, FāVS News

When Shelley and Dr. Barry Bacon see someone homeless in their small town of Colville, they perceive a son or daughter of God. They see an individual with a serious health disparity that can begin to heal with a roof over their head and a safe place to rest.

“People who are living without shelter live on average 17 years less than people who are in shelter,” said Barry Bacon, who co-founded Hope Street Project in 2015 with his wife Shelley Bacon. “You have to talk about housing.”

See the full story at https://favs.news/adventist-couple-tackles-homelessness-with-compassion-in-rural-washington-town/ .

WWU Launches Oceanfront General Studies Program

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 22:56:12 GMT

Topics will include ocean and society, writing, religion, and art.

WWU University Relations

Beginning in spring 2025, Walla Walla University will offer a 16-credit, general studies program at their Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory campus. The eight-week program will be open to WWU students from any major and will feature nature-integrated courses in an extraordinary oceanside learning environment.

WWU’s Rosario campus is located next to Deception Pass State Park, Washington’s second most-visited state park and situated about an hour and a half north of Seattle. The campus has primarily been a center for biological research and learning.

The new Spring Tide program will feature four carefully crafted two-week courses that count for general studies credit. This makes it an excellent opportunity for students from any major to explore new disciplines while fulfilling degree requirements and learning in a singular setting.

The academic curriculum is designed to utilize the unique learning resources of Rosario and to integrate themes across all courses. Topics will include ocean and society, writing, religion, and art.

“One thing we do extremely well at Rosario is hands-on learning,” said Kirt Onthank, associate professor of biology and Rosario director. Spring Tide classes at the oceanfront location will allow professors to include activities such as boat rides, hikes, and nature observation into their curriculum. Non-traditional class schedules will also make more outdoor learning opportunities possible.

This program is designed to be comprehensive — blending academic, spiritual, and social experiences to provide a holistic learning experience that extends beyond the classroom. “Many students returning from Rosario say it was one of the most impactful experiences they had at WWU,” said Onthank. “Everyone deserves to have the chance to study at Rosario.”

The Spring Tide term is also designed to be financially accessible, allowing students to apply their existing financial aid to the quarter at Rosario. Spring Tide will offer a tight-knit community, uniquely structured courses, and time spent in a beautiful learning environment that has previously only been available to students taking biology classes.

“Spring Tide is open exclusively to Walla Walla University students, and is a learning opportunity that almost no other college or university in the world can provide,” said Howard Munson, associate vice president for academics. Learn more about Spring Tide by visiting wallawalla.edu/spring-tide .

Praying for our Nation

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 15:43:09 GMT

Prayer events can be held year round.

The National Day of Prayer was a few weeks away and this small group wanted to make an impact in their town by holding a prayer time for our nation.

Local Church Ministry leader, Shirley Holmes, and others pounded the pavement during the weeks in advance, putting up 20 posters throughout Chewelah and placing an announcement for two weeks in the weekly newspaper.

On Thursday evening, May 2, 2024, people came, both from the community and from the church group. They were greeted at the door with a prayer request card and a list of Bible promises. Many enjoyed the short program with music and stories of how God answers prayers. Following the program there were light refreshments of homemade cookies and punch.

Neighbors came and some who couldn’t come said they would come next time. Holmes and her helper, Terry Todd, hope to hold this again next year. The Seventh-day Adventist group in Chewelah meets weekly at 2310 Sand Canyon Road in Chewelah.

Prayer events can be held year round. For information about National Day of Prayer go to: www.calendardate.com/national_day_of_prayer_2025.htm .

Let’s Start a Conversation

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 14:53:03 GMT

Young adults from around Upper Columbia Conference gathered at Walla Walla Eastgate Adventist church for the second annual Let’s Start a Conversation.

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

In Spring 2024, young adults from around Upper Columbia Conference gathered at Walla Walla Eastgate Adventist church for the second annual Let’s Start a Conversation. This event, hosted by David Jamieson, UCC president, and Jeff Wines, UCC director of young adult, youth, and club ministries, gives young adults the opportunity to mingle, eat together, and discuss the tough conversations. This year the group doubled with 40 young adults in attendance.

“We had a really good group come together to eat and discuss with each other,” shared Wines. “There were good conversations that touched on a number of topics that our young adults are concerned with.”

The evening began with a meal and mingling. About half the young adults in attendance were currently at college and the other half were just out of college, a few couples and some married. Jamieson shared a short devotional to end the Sabbath about his personal walk with God and his choice to follow Jesus as a young adult.

The conversations began immediately after with Jamieson and Wines facilitating the conversation. Several topics were discussed including the desire for community, friendlier churches, LGBTQ+, mental health, the need for intergenerational relationships, and worship. The conversations were honest, authentic, and Bible-based.

Many of the young adults expressed their appreciation of the question-and-answer format.

“It was cool being a part of a conversation like this and brainstorming with people who think similarly,” said one attendee.

Community, friendlier churches, and intergenerational relationships was a reoccurring desire among the young adults. Many wish to attend churches that are more open and engaging with young adults. They want multiple generations that come together to create a community. At the core of their desire is a need to have intergenerational relationships. Relationships that provide mentorship, guidance, and create a safe space for learning.

A common response among the group was that they want to learn from older generations. They want to see a handoff in church responsibilities, but still want to be supported, they don’t want the older generations to leave or feel pushed out. The young adults expressed a yearning to work together and for every group to feel included.

“They don't like the us versus them mentality,” shared Wines. “They don't want it to be boomers against millennials. They feel like there’s been a lot of segregation in churches and it's unhealthy.”

Jamieson asked the group their thoughts on worship style and how it can set the tone. The young adults there agreed but shared that style is not that important if worship is intentionally between them and God and that it is in community, then they were happy.

Overall, the young adults reported that they are looking for authentic community. They want to discuss the tough topics and have a deep relationship with God. Many are craving community, but don’t feel welcomed because of judgement or not feeling needed. They don’t want to show up, they want to be involved at church and in the community.

If you know a young adult or wish to be included in the next event, a young adult retreat this fall, email Jeff Wines at jeffw@uccsda.org to be added to the group text.

Spokane’s Shine 104.9 Welcomes New Chaplain

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 18:38:04 GMT

Spokane’s Shine 104.9 (KEEH) welcomes Tyler Kern as its new chaplain.

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

Spokane’s Shine 104.9 (KEEH) welcomes Tyler Kern as its new chaplain. Kern is a fifth generation Adventist that grew up in the Midwest. After experiencing much heartache early on in his life, Kern has worked to overcome his life challenges and makes it his mission to share God’s word and minister to the community.

“We’re excited to welcome Chaplain Tyler and his young family,” shared Darin Patzer, Shine 104.9’s general manager. “Our goal in hiring a chaplain is to more deeply serve our radio audience.”

Kern went to Illinois State University and majored in mass communications-video production. While there, Kern met his wife, Amelia. Although Kern had strayed away from the church, he and his wife knew it was important to have a church community to raise their children in. They both began baptismal studies and committed their life to God in 2018. They now have five children.

“I have a heart for reaching people who have strayed away because I have lived that life and I know what it’s like,” shared Kern. “For me, growing up in the church, I feel like I’m a living example of training up a child. I understand the rareness it is for somebody to come back.”

Feeling moved by the Holy Spirit, in 2019 Kern applied and was accepted to attend seminary at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. During the 2020 pandemic, Kern realized his background in videography was an asset and began assisting churches by integrating live streaming and Zoom into their services. After graduation, Kern began his doctor of media ministry at Andrews University.

“Today in our city, we see so many who aren’t connected to a Christian community,” shared Patzer. “Ultimately the aim is to provide a spiritually led community of healthy activities, service projects, and worship gatherings.”

As chaplain, Kern has plans to reach listeners through the radio station and in the community. His goal is to minister to those who have been turned off by church or burned by church members, “the nones and dones,” that still have a faith in Jesus and want a personal relationship with Him but are no longer interested in traditional church.

“After praying about it, it’s clear that I felt called to this ministry and unique opportunity, through Shine 104.9, Serve One More, Simple Acts of Kindness, Renew Spokane, and to build a faith community,” explained Kern. “As a millennial, I’m the bridge between the generations. I want to incorporate intergenerational ministry and show authenticity. While hurt people hurt people, healed people heal people. That’s where I want to be.”

If you are interested in sharing your input or being a part of this new outreach, reach out to Tyler at chaplain@shine1049.org .

Not Every Classroom Has Four Walls

Tue, 28 May 2024 15:22:11 GMT

Fifth and sixth grade students spent the week at Camp MiVoden participating in an activity-based curriculum that provided many unique opportunities for learning.

By Laura Silva

Camp MiVoden social media coordinator

Oobleck, egg drops, potato launchers, chemical reactions, explosions, electrocuting pickles, welding lessons, high ropes course, building and cooking over a fire, new songs, new friends, and new experiences. Sounds like too much fun to be school! However, those were just a few of the experiences that fifth and sixth graders were able to have when they attended outdoor school at Camp MiVoden. Students spent the week participating in an activity-based curriculum that provided many unique opportunities for learning.

“When we leave one class the students say, ‘That was epic, definitely the best class!’” remarked one fifth-grade teacher. “Then we attend the next one and they say, ‘Wait, that was epic! That one was the best class.’”

Camp MiVoden’s outdoor school program emphasizes connections between teachers/sponsors and students. It is a fun way for teachers to engage with their students in such an exciting learning environment.

“When we created the states of matter curriculum our goal was to provide opportunities for teachers and sponsors from each school to connect with and mentor their students,” said Caleb Foss, director of programming at Camp MiVoden. “By using volunteers and MiVoden staff to run the classes and activities instead of teachers, we provide numerous opportunities for these connections.”

Teachers and sponsors from the schools agreed, with one reporting that it was so nice to be able to focus on bonding with her students instead of running a program.

Students also took part in an engaging worship program throughout the week. Pastor Jeremiah Smart from Coeur d’Alene Adventist Church spoke every morning and evening, sharing many stories illustrating God’s love and desire for a friendship with each person. Each class that students attended during the day included Biblical applications of the concepts they were learning and had a chance for them to do some journaling in response. The focus of MiVoden’s outdoor school is connecting with God, nature, and each other, and there were numerous opportunities for all three.

The MiVoden outdoor school program has been steadily growing, maxing out this year with 278 participants from all across Upper Columbia Conference. Pastor Jeff Wines, UCC director of young adult, youth, and club ministries, was able to come and talk about summer camp ministry and even offered a discount for outdoor school students to come experience Mivoden’s summer program for the first time. Coming together in this setting has been a great way for Upper Columbia Conference schools and teachers to collaborate.

“Not every classroom has four walls,” said education specialist Steve Whewell. This was certainly evident for all in attendance at the 2024 Camp MiVoden outdoor school program.

New Associate Director Selected for UCC Young Adult, Youth, and Club Ministries

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 21 May 2024 21:50:46 GMT

Ryan Whitehead joins Upper Columbia Conference to lead the club ministries program.

By Dustin Jones

UCC Communications Director

After an exhaustive search, Ryan Whitehead has been selected as the new associate director for UCC young adult, youth, and club ministries. Whitehead is currently serving as the associate pastor for Adventist Community Church in Vancouver, Wash.

“Over the last few months as I have gotten to know Ryan and his wife, Bridget, I have been more and more impressed,” said Jeff Wines, UCC director of young adult, youth, and club ministries. “It is evident that Ryan is passionate about young people knowing Jesus and his excitement to be part of the Youth and Young Adult team is wonderful!”

Whitehead has more than seven years of experience working on a church team with young people and three years of experience as a district pastor in Washington Conference. He has recently graduated from the seminary at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Mich., with a doctoral degree in ministry with a focus on discipleship. His master’s degree in divinity is also from Andrews University, with his undergraduate degree from Southern Adventist University, Collegedale, Tenn.

Prior to his work at the three-church district, Whitehead was assistant pastor at Auburn Adventist Academy Church, Auburn, Wash. Ryan and Bridget also have one young daughter, Brynna.

“The value I bring to this position, in addition to a life lived in ministry to youth and young adults, is my full-time ministry experience involved with this same age group,” said Whitehead. “My ability to connect with youth and adults allows me to support both well as we journey together toward the kingdom.”

Whitehead replaces Richie Brower, who has served in the position for several years. Late last year, Brower was named as associate director of the new Serve One More Initiative.

Wines is already looking ahead to see what kinds of plans Whitehead will be initiating.

“Both Ryan and Bridget are kind and engaging people,” said Wines. “Our department can’t wait for his family to move to the Inland Northwest. We are very much looking forward to seeing what they will do in this conference.”

President's Report: The Beauty of Prayer

Wed, 15 May 2024 00:37:15 GMT

David Jamieson shares excerpts from the recent National Day of Prayer event and executive committee actions.

By David Jamieson

UCC President

There is a wondrous beauty in prayer. As I travel across this conference worshiping with each of our churches and visiting each of our schools, I am struck by the intense power of prayer. Prayer can move mountains, it can save lives, and it can repair wounded relationships. Most importantly however, it can change our hearts. As you know, we have put a tremendous focus on prayer during the last two years. Through our Vertical prayer initiative, we have worked with members throughout the conference to refocus on prayer.

Our recent executive committee happened to occur on National Day of Prayer. What a great moment to spend in prayer! I wanted to share with you an excerpt from our prayer that day, based on II Samuel 22: 29-31.

“For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.”

The World

Overarching all the troubles and disasters on this earth is the beauty of our Creator, who is a God of glory, Lord of love. On this National Day of Prayer let us remind ourselves to pray often for our nation. To seek God’s path for our nation and for God’s love to soften the hearts of many people. We thank God that His promises in the Bible put love in our hearts for others and give us a peace that the world cannot give. These promises in His Living Word, the Bible. They are powerful and life changing. May we be mindful that as God’s children, we are part of the large family of God — the human race. As His children we are to Light Up The World.

Family

We ask you to bless all the families in America and help each parent to lead their home with love, discipline and selfless service. May the hearts of the children unfold like flowers before you and open to the sun above. We pray that our homes will be places where our children are taught discipline, sacrificial love, and selfless service. That they will discern between right and wrong and resist evil.

Churches

We pray for our churches where individuals may seek the truth of your word. We ask you to mend broken people and bring peaceful relationships by melting the clouds of sin and sadness: Driving the dark of doubt away. We pray for churches to be led with the spirit of love and become beacons of hope to those who are hurting in their communities. May each member be a conduit of love and peace — giving and sharing immortal gladness and be filled with the light of day! May your Holy Spirit empower churches to work together to bring the light of God’s word — His Gospel to all!

Nation

As we think of this great nation, the wide-open spaces and the towns and cities, we thank you for raising this great nation to existence. We pray that all people in this nation might reflect and praise you. And while all is not perfect in America, we seek your wisdom for our nation’s leaders so that they may know what is right and have the courage to do it. We claim this promise: “If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14. May you surround us with joy and may the beauties of your creation displayed in this great country call us to rejoice in you.

Thank you Father that you will help all seeking people to find love, joy, and a song to sing as we march onward, victors in the midst of strife, joyful music leads us Sonward in the triumph song of life. We pray this In the name of Your Son, Jesus, our savior, AMEN!

David Jamieson

President, Upper Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

I wanted to share what happened at our recent executive committee in my President's Report with you, along with how God continues to bless in our Conference. We are also including additional information regarding the upcoming Biblical Sexuality Symposium, hosted by our Office of Education. We prepared the report as a pdf that will allow you to share it with your church, school, or friends easily. You can view my report by going to news.uccsda.org/president524 .

Biblical Sexuality Symposium Equips Pastors and Teachers with Biblical Foundation

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 14 May 2024 23:21:21 GMT

Nearly 200 pastors, teachers, and office staff attended the Biblical Sexuality Symposium, held March 31 – April 3 at Camp MiVoden.

By Dustin Jones, MA

UCC director of communications

Nearly 200 pastors, teachers, and office staff attended the Biblical Sexuality Symposium, held March 31 – April 3 at Camp MiVoden. The event focused on equipping pastors and teachers with tools and training on how to appropriately respond to LGBTQ+ issues within a Biblical framework.

“A discussion of human sexuality is one of the most controversial topics of our contemporary culture and such a discussion requires much wisdom and compassion,” said David Jamieson, president of Upper Columbia Conference.

The genesis of this discussion came from listening to UCC pastors and teachers. In 2019, two years prior to Jamieson arriving, the UCC Office of Education conducted a visioning process. During that process, UCC educators and pastors shared that they were dealing with issues relating to LGBTQ+ and requested tools and training in how to appropriately respond. So began the journey of what it might look like to provide a safe space for gaining clarity on how to uphold the Biblical position on human sexuality as understood by the Seventh-day Adventist Church while expressing the gracious love of Jesus Christ toward all people. Recognizing that this was a pressing need, conference leadership agreed to host the symposium.

“I appreciated the UCC leadership providing time and resources for this necessary discussion,” said Donivan Andregg, Upper Columbia Academy teacher. “It is timely, and we cannot look the other way, hoping difficult issues will just go away. I think that the attendees were convinced that no matter the individual perspectives and discomfort with topics, we all need to behave as Jesus would. Treating our brothers and sisters with love and compassion is always appropriate, no matter the lifestyle of another person.”

Michael Carducci, from Coming Out Ministries, provided morning worship each day and shared about how a church loved him and the Spirit moved in his life.

Richard Davidson, Old Testament scholar and author of Flame of Yahweh, led the attendees through what Scripture says about human sexuality. During his six-part series, Davidson addressed not just the Biblical position towards homosexual behavior, but also in regards to adultery, sex outside of marriage, and sexual relations during menstruation.

On Tuesday, Bill Henson from PostureShift Ministries provided practical guidance that focused on faithfully honoring God and radically loving people. Henson shared several stories of young people he has encountered in his ministry who had attempted to take their own life because of isolation and abandonment due to their lifestyle choice.

“Post-traumatic stress is a real issue among young people in the LGBTQ+ community,” said Henson. “Whether this trauma is a result of discrimination or other mistreatment, this PTSD is a very real thing that increases the risk of suicide significantly.”

Henson provided examples and scenarios of how church members can maintain their Biblical sexuality position yet reach out in love to minister to LGBTQ+ individuals. He also shared how he holds the same position on Biblical sexuality but has committed his life to reaching this community and teaching and equipping others to reach out as well.

“We must uphold Scripture and under the direction of the Holy Spirit find our way forward to minister to people as Jesus did,” says Jamieson. “Why? Because when we talk about human sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity, we are not just talking about abstract ideas. Rather we are talking about people — people we know and love, our relatives, our neighbors, and in some cases even our own children and grandchildren. We are not just talking about what is happening in our world but what is happening in our own churches, schools, and families.”

On the final day, Todd McFarland, deputy general counsel for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, discussed various legal risks to consider regarding LGBTQ+, including the official Church statements regarding sexuality (see links to statements below).

To wrap up the symposium, Jamieson stated that often only two options are given concerning the LGBTQ+ community.

“The narrative that our culture puts forward today regarding marriage and human sexuality is that there are other alternatives beyond God’s original design found in Scripture,” he said. “Our culture reasons that God’s biblical worldview and design for the sanctity of marriage and human sexuality is either antiquated, irrelevant, too restrictive, misunderstood, or all of the above. Our culture says that in regards to this cultural worldview, we have only two options — affirmation or alienation.”

Jamieson continued that through the life and ministry of His son, Jesus, God shows us that there is a third option possible — a God-designed gospel response.

“We need to submit our desires to Scripture, not Scripture to our desires,” said Jamieson. “We need to minister to everyone around us, like Jesus did, full of grace and truth. We need to be a reflection of God’s redemption and restoration.”

During the post-symposium survey, the attendees gave a 4.4 out of 5 average rating for the overall experience. Bill Henson’s presentation was rated as the most helpful, followed by Richard Davidson and David Jamieson.

“The symposium on human sexuality hosted by the conference was outstanding!” said Myckal Morehouse, pastor of Sandpoint Adventist Church. “It was balanced, it was biblical, filled with compassion and honesty, and I think was above bar in its challenge to every minister and teacher to represent Jesus. Our biblical standards were constantly affirmed, and our need to approach the LGBTQ+ community with humility and love was definitely there. I think the conference administration did a great job in keeping to their commitments and putting together an exceptional symposium.”

Other Resources

Official church positions regarding sexuality

The purpose is to equip and empower our pastors and educators with education, guidance, and approaches that are Biblically grounded, relationship-based, and grace-filled in 100% harmony with the GC and NAD Statement on Human Sexuality (see news.uccsda.org/GCsexuality ).

Locally-Sponsored Activities Promoting or Supporting Non-Biblical Human Sexuality Lifestyles

Sexual Behavior

Homosexuality

Transgenderism

Biblical Sexuality Symposium Guiding Principles

These guiding principles ensured that this training is 100% in harmony with the GC and NAD statement on human sexuality.

We believe in and uphold the traditional Biblical view of heterosexual marriage as a loving relationship between one man and one woman for life, male and female.
We believe that any sexual activity outside the circle of a heterosexual marriage is defined by scripture as sinful.
We believe that homosexual activity, like all sinful behavior, needs to be radically repented of and forgiven by the redeeming grace and power of Jesus Christ.
We believe in Christ’s transforming power to live according to Biblical truth as we surrender our will to Him and allow Him to live out His life within us.
We believe that Scripture calls us to follow the example of Jesus Christ to love, care for, and minister to all individuals, no matter their circumstances or choices.
We believe that we can radically love and accept people without affirming a particular choice of lifestyle that is not in harmony with Scripture.

Harris to Lead Northwest Secondary Education

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 14 May 2024 22:54:39 GMT

Brian Harris has served as vice president for education at UCC since 2019.

By Heidi Baumgartner, director of communication, North Pacific Union Conference, and Dustin Jones, MA, director of communication, Upper Columbia Conference

Brian Harris accepted an invitation from North Pacific Union to serve as the next director of secondary education. He will be replacing Keith Waters who plans to retire this summer.

Harris has been serving as vice president for education at Upper Columbia Conference in Spokane, Washington, since 2019. He was instrumental in developing a strategic plan for the UCC education department and has a passion for bringing teachers together to learn from each other and advance education throughout the conference. Harris has also invested in future educators through higher education instruction at Walla Walla University.

Prior to his time in conference leadership, Harris served as principal of Walla Walla Valley Academy from 2012 to 2019. During his tenure, his tireless efforts to build a mission of empowering students for Christ renewed the school’s commitment to students, family and alumni.

“Brian Harris is well skilled for his role on our Northwest leadership team with his many years of successful leadership in secondary schools and at the conference level,” said Keith Hallam, NPUC vice president for education. “His passion for Adventist education is vital to helping us fulfill our vision for every Seventh-day Adventist early childhood through grade 12 program and school to be a valued asset to the ministry of the local church.”

Harris has a Master of Education, with endorsements in administration, physical education and history. He is a member of Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and The National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Harris began his career as an athletic director and physical education teacher for Rio Lindo Academy, in Healdsburg, California, in 1997. He then served as principal at Palisades Christian Academy in Spokane and Cascade Christian Academy in Wenatchee.

Harris and his wife, Ayrin, met at Pacific Union College and married in 1996. They live in Walla Walla with their children, JT and Ellie. The family enjoys backpacking, camping, golf, baseball and their two dogs, Molly and Moses.

“I am humbled and excited for this new ministry opportunity,” said Harris, who will be joining the NPUC education team in summer 2024. “I love Seventh-day Adventist education and feel so blessed to be able to continue to contribute to the educational mission in NPUC. God is good!”

NPUC serves more than 7,500 students and 680 teachers and administrators in 125 schools and early childhood programs with the intent purpose to lead students to encounter Jesus, accept His gift of salvation, and follow Him.

Dr. Alex Bryan named next WWU president

Tue, 07 May 2024 18:51:49 GMT

Dr. Alex Bryan named next WWU president. He will serve as Walla Walla University's 24th president.

By Jodi Wagner

WWU vice president of University Relations and Advancement

On Monday, May 6, the Walla Walla University Board of Trustees unanimously elected Dr. Alex Bryan, to become Walla Walla University’s 24th president.

“We are excited that Dr. Bryan accepted our invitation to serve as Walla Walla University president,” says John Freedman, chair of the Board of Trustees and president of the North Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. “He has a deep love for and walk with God and His Son, Jesus Christ, which will bless our university students, faculty and staff. He is committed to our Seventh-day Adventist beliefs and mission, and I and our church members across the Pacific Northwest will lift him up in prayer as he takes this responsibility at Walla Walla University.”

For 13 years Bryan served as a pastor in Georgia and Tennessee before joining the Walla Walla University Church (College Place, WA) as senior pastor in 2009. In 2013, he became president of Kettering College (Ohio) for one year, and then returned to Walla Walla University Church to serve as senior pastor another four years.

In 2018, Bryan joined Adventist Health (Roseville, CA), where he now serves as senior vice president and chief mission officer, leading strategy and discourse about ethics, alignment to mission, spiritual care, relationship to faith communities, global mission, theological foundations of healthcare, and also overseeing philanthropy and grants initiatives.

Over the past 16 years Bryan has served as adjunct professor teaching theology, business, communication, and honors studies at numerous Seventh-day Adventist universities. He has served as a member of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists Executive Committee, the Upper Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Executive Committee, Adventist Bioethics Consortium, SonBridge Community Center Board, Rogers Adventist School Board, and Walla Walla Valley Academy Board. He currently chairs the Walla Walla Valley Adventist Schools Board.

“I am honored to be called to serve such a special place, one that is dedicated to God and to His glory and to His purposes in the world,” Bryan says. “Our family has called College Place home for 15 years, and we’ve been deeply blessed by the peerless mission of Walla Walla University and its people. I believe that the Christ-centered university is the hope of the world, and we are excited to contribute to this bold venture.”

Bryan earned bachelor of arts degrees in history and religion from Southern Adventist University (Collegedale, TN), a master of divinity degree from Andrews University (Berrien Springs, MI), a doctor of ministry degree from George Fox University (Newberg, OR), and a master of science degree in bioethics from Albany Medical College (Albany, NY).

His wife, Nicole, earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from Walla Walla University, and while a student served as president of the Associated Students of Walla Walla University. She holds a master’s degree in education from Georgia State University (Atlanta, GA), and works in the Health and Physical Education Department at Walla Walla University. They have two children.

Bryan will replace John McVay, who is retiring after serving as Walla Walla University president for 18 years.

This story originally appeared on the Walla Walla University webpage and can be found at https://www.wallawalla.edu/news/detail/news/24th-president .

Authentic Engagement: Ministry in the Third Space

Tue, 07 May 2024 15:57:29 GMT

In the 21st century, the concept of a third space — a place between work and home where people build community and foster connections — is increasingly elusive.

By Caleb Foss

Northwest author & Camp MiVoden program director

In the 21st century, the concept of a third space — a place between work and home where people build community and foster connections — is increasingly elusive, with nearly 50% of Americans reportedly feeling alone¹

Historically, the church served as a cornerstone of third spaces and fulfilled an important role in community building. But as people step away from religious settings, a need for determining a new third space has presented itself.

These trends highlight the need for the church to rethink the typical forms of ministry and engage in meaningful social and spiritual interactions outside the third spaces generally accepted as part of the Adventist norm.

As we minister to people outside our normal circles of life, it is crucial to first understand our identity and value in Christ so we can see each person we encounter as a cherished child of God.

This perspective enables us to shift our focus from being interesting to being interested, allowing us to authentically listen and minister in unique ways.

As you read these stories about Northwest third spaces of ministry, ask yourself, “What third space in my life is God calling me to minister in?”

After my first year of college, some friends and I decided to go on an adventure. We spent the week in Florida learning to surf, eating fast food and sleeping in a nearby field.

When the weekend arrived, we decided to perform a social experiment, which involved attending one of the local churches and seeing how they responded to our shaggy crew. None of us had brought any church attire, and we arrived with matted hair, T-shirts, board shorts and flip-flops.

The service was already underway, and the greeters were gone when we walked in the front door. Upon opening the next set of double doors, we found ourselves standing in the center aisle at the back of a crowded sanctuary. The room was filled with gray hair, fancy dresses and three-piece suits.

As it happened, our entry coincided with the end of opening prayer. As if on cue, every head turned to look, and then gawk, at the newcomers at the back of the room. The only empty seats were in the front row, and we gleefully, in the name of science, walked down and planted our board-shorts-covered behinds right in front of the pastor.

During the service, it was hard to tell exactly what the response behind us was without being too conspicuous, so we had to wait until the end to truly assess our impact on the local congregation.

Small groups of dignified men and women huddled together, casting occasional glances in our direction as we stood in the lobby.

Eventually, a group sent a couple of emissaries to engage us in awkward conversation. Once they found out we were on a surf trip, they found what seemed to be the one youngish person in attendance who had some surfing experience to pass us off to. We stuck around until most of the members had cleared out before the pastor took pity on us and invited us home for lunch.

Have you ever wondered why making new connections is so difficult? Why is it that when new people walk into a church environment, most of us avoid interacting or even making eye contact with them? And why is this especially true if they are young or look different from us?

We know we should be welcoming to people who walk through our church’s doors. Pastors regularly preach sermons about the importance of reaching out to the people around us.

A study by Lifeway Research² found that 66% of young adults stopped attending church regularly after graduating high school. The primary reason wasn’t a difference in theology, worship style or culture; it was a lack of relational connection.

The church had never connected with them in a way that made them miss it when anything else came along. What keeps us from reaching out?

I think many of us are afraid to make new connections with younger — and honestly all — generations because we struggle with our own sense of identity and value.

Most of us base our identity on what we believe are our valuable traits. Work, recreation, appearance, organizational skills, leadership, money, wisdom, influence, righteousness, self-discipline, etc. all are sources of value. Yours may not be on this list, but all of us have areas where we are tempted to find our self-worth.

The problem is all of these attributes will eventually let us down. Athletics and looks fade. Influence diminishes. People retire or are fired.

If our identity is based on these assets, we will eventually be let down. This leads to depression, midlife crisis, loneliness, loss of purpose and more. It also causes us to judge others based on the same criteria.

Biblically, we're reminded that our identity is based in Christ. 1 John 3:1 says, “The Father has loved us so much that we are called children of God. And we really are His children.”

Our identity isn’t in our earthly works or what we deem valuable. Our identity is that we are all children of God.

Furthermore, the gospel tells us that our value doesn’t come from anything we produce — see Eph. 2:8–9. Instead, we are valuable simply because God says we are.

Think about it. The most powerful being in the entire universe chose to become one of us and suffer simply for the chance to establish a friendship with you.

It is ludicrous if you take the time to actually process the concept. This isn’t something you earned. Your good works and positive characteristics did nothing to make you more worthy. Instead, they are simply the things people do and have when they've truly experienced grace in their lives.

Conversely, the bad things you've done don’t make you any less valuable to God. You are an important part of God’s family. Even if you decide to opt out, you are still loved and God waits for your return with open arms. See the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11–32 for a key example.

The beautiful part about understanding where our value comes from is that we don’t have to spend our lives trying to prove our worth to others. Instead, we can focus on helping others understand their identity in Christ and how valuable they are. We don’t have to prove we are awesome so others will listen to us talk about Jesus.

This is what 2 Cor. 5:17 refers to when it says we are a “new creation.” Now that we know every person on this earth is a child of God and we are all valuable because He simply says we are, we can see people the way that God sees people. They are incredibly valuable, and the best way to show someone they are valuable is to listen to their story.

Everyone is looking for a safe place to be known for who they really are and valued. There are very few places in this world where that can be found.

So where do we start? First, we immerse ourselves in the good news of God’s love every day.

Instead of focusing on producing more, focus on experiencing the love and grace Jesus offers so fully in your life that it naturally flows out of you. Allow God to teach you how valuable you are so you can better recognize the value of the people around you.

Take time to learn their story instead of telling yours. Ask questions. Focus on being interested instead of interesting . Invite others to do the same.

Through listening, we will become a meaningful part of someone’s journey and earn the right to be a voice of truth in their life. When we do, our communities and churches will never be the same.

Reflection Questions

Have you ever felt alone or unseen, whether within your faith community or one you were visiting? What emotions did that produce? What did you do to deal with the situation?
In what ways do you seek to make yourself valuable to others? Have any of these ever let you down?
What are some steps you can take to spread the gospel of grace you have been given to the people around you?

Caleb Foss is the author of A Way Forward, a book focused on helping Christians better understand their own identity and build meaningful connections across generational divides. Foss also serves as Camp MiVoden director of programming and staff mentorship.

Sources:

[1] The Week Staff. “An Epidemic of Loneliness.” theweek, January 6, 2019. theweek.com/articles/815518/epidemic-loneliness .

[2] Earls, Aaron. “Most Teenagers Drop Out of Church When They Become Young Adults,” Lifeway Research, Lifeway, 2019.

This story originally appeared on the Northwest Adventist webpage and can be found at https://nwadventists.com/feature/authentic-engagement-ministry-third-space .

Wenatchee Spanish Church Saves Souls

Wed, 01 May 2024 15:12:53 GMT

God's influence has been evident at Wenatchee Spanish Adventist Church as He blessed them with in-person and virtual visitors.

By Antonio Ix Rosique

Wenatchee Spanish Church pastor

God has demonstrated His love and kindness powerfully in Wenatchee Spanish Adventist Church in Upper Columbia Conference during the latter part of 2023 and the early months of 2024.

Each Sabbath, we have rejoiced in having 10–20 visitors attend our worship services. During the week of Oct. 1–7, 2023, approximately 50 people visited the church.

During Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations, many identified with the church, formed friendships and have continued to visit. It's worth noting that some, in their testimonies, have expressed coming to us on their own seeking Bible studies.

During last year's fall evangelism period, we held Friends Day accompanied by a concert prior to the evangelism week. It was interesting to see how our guests expressed their need for God and how the congregation actively invited their friends, family, neighbors and coworkers.

2024 began with high expectations for the church, as a mission-focused spirit has been growing among church families. In January, we continued sharing the message through our radio program on one of the city's most popular stations and on social media through our virtual church coordinated by the UCC Hispanic ministries department.

Our virtual church has many followers — or what we call "members of our borderless virtual church” — which operates every weekday at 7 a.m. on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

We began planning our eagerly awaited evangelism week — scheduled Feb. 24 through March 2 — with our committees, the evangelist and the entire church service team’s collaboration.

A week before our event, we organized a family-focused weekend with Mike and Laura Rosario, a couple who were a great blessing to the church. The number of visitors prior to our evangelism week continued to rise. Daily attendance reached an unprecedented 215 people worshiping in our sanctuary.

We conducted our week of evangelistic meetings and the Holy Spirit moved powerfully! Thirty-three individuals were accepted as new church members: 24 through baptism and nine through profession of faith.

We continue to provide follow-up care and support to our new church family members through our discipleship class held on Sabbaths at 10 a.m. We continue to prayerfully plan to plant three new congregations in our area and surrounding communities with our new members and guests.

We thank God for His blessings, the support of the entire church and supportive church leaders. We continue to serve and work joyfully for Christ.

This story originally appeared on the Northwest Adventist webpage and can be found at https://nwadventists.com/news/2024/04/wenatchee-spanish-church-saves-souls

Abba’s Child: A Camp for Grieving Children

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 18:08:11 GMT

Camp MiVoden partners with Abba's Child to give campers a chance to experience all the activities Camp MiVoden has to offer while attending grief groups.

By Lauren Vizcarra

Camp MiVoden Staff

Each year, Camp MiVoden has the privilege of hosting kids from the nonprofit organization Abba’s Child. Since its founding in 2004, Abba’s Child has partnered with summer camps to bring children, ages 9-16, who have experienced the death of a parent or sibling, to camp for a week–free of charge.

At camp, the Abba’s Child campers get the chance to experience all the activities Camp MiVoden has to offer, from ziplining to cake decorating, while attending grief group sessions led by mental health professionals twice a day. This camp is unique because the kids get to experience the excitement of camp while simultaneously acquiring tools to help them deal with their losses.

Grief groups sessions are what set Abba’s Child apart from the rest of the kid’s camps. Twice a day, between meals and camp activities, the children gather to share both the cherished and the more difficult memories they have of their deceased family members.

In one of the sessions, the kids formed a circle, and one child was given a ball of yarn. Each kid said the name of their lost loved one and a memory or fact. Then, holding on to one end of the string, they threw the yarn ball to someone across the circle; letting it unravel as it went. In the end, everyone was holding a portion of the yarn, and it created a web — a physical manifestation of what links them together and that they are not alone.

Last summer, MiVoden hosted 11 Abba’s Child campers. MiVoden’s Abba’s Child camper age is 9-11 years old (junior camp) and the team of five camp staff that lead and care for these campers alongside the counseling team from Abba’s Child is wonderful! Many of the staff have experienced similar losses and several were once Abba’s Child campers themselves.

Hanging out with the kids on the first full day of camp was a whirlwind of noise, rambunctiousness, and barely controlled energy. From the outside, an Abba’s Child camper looks like any other kid. But, inside, the grieving child hides invisible scars from their trauma, sometimes presenting itself in chaotic and unhealthy behavior.

The mission of Abba’s Child is “to provide experiences that boost hope in the lives of grieving children and families.” MiVoden’s mission is connecting campers to Christ. Together, MiVoden and Abba’s Child join hands, showing God’s love through our actions, providing a safe place for campers to feel, and be heard.

The ministry at Camp MiVoden is more subtle, but no less important for it. Throughout the week, staff work hard to make these children feel accepted and cherished. During grief group sessions, they wrestle with questions of why their loved one died and often irrational — but very real — guilt. Some of the campers have trouble reconciling a loving God with the death of someone they cared deeply about. Staff at Camp MiVoden strive to share God’s love by connecting with them.

The founder, Monte Torkelsen, launched Abba’s Child to heed the Bible’s call-to-action to care and comfort those who mourn. Camp MiVoden is actively seeking to answer that call.

The Healing Power of Touch

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 19:03:57 GMT

SonBridge is impacting lives in Walla Walla, WA community.

By Victoria Smith Alvarez

SonBridge community engagement associate

Each day, a person is touched and helped at SonBridge Center for Better Living in College Place, Washington. Whether it’s through the Thrift&Gift Store, the Helpline@Sonbridge resource assistance office, or the dental clinic, SonBridge is impacting lives. Currently, it seems the importance of the service at SonBridge has been highlighted by the word touch.

Samuel, a recent patient of the SonBridge Dental Clinic, arrived for his appointment visibly nervous. In the dental chair, he couldn’t calm down enough to stop shaking and sweating. The dental manager sat with him and held his hand, promising to be patient and gentle with him and to work at his pace. When Samuel left, the dental manager doubted he would ever return. But a week later, the clinic received a call from him to set up another appointment. Samuel was still comforted by the gentle hand of the dental manager during his second and third appointments. By his fourth visit a month later, he fell asleep in the chair for two and a half hours! When the dental manager asked him how he could sleep through a full dental procedure, Samuel simply said, “I felt safe.”

SonBridge Thrift&Gift Store employee Mara has been working at the store for seven years. She came broken after several terrible life experiences and was in need of healing. Although she first arrived at SonBridge needing help, she now extends the touch of healing to others. “I’ve learned so much at SonBridge,” Mara says. “I’ve grown into who I am today because of the people I’ve met and the work I’ve done here. It has touched me in unbelievable ways.”

In late February, SonBridge held their annual Constituency Meeting, where members of eight constituent churches gathered to learn about and vote on decisions for the year to come. Opening the meeting with a devotional thought was David Jamieson, UCC president. Jamieson shared about how Jesus never let go of those who needed Him. He reached out to those who society had marginalized, like lepers and tax collectors, and reawakened their humanity, by touching them, both physically and spiritually. Jesus was even aware of the financial state of those he served, by healing those who were sick and allowing them to provide for themselves and their families once again. Jamieson took the hand of SonBridge’s executive assistant Kitty Haney, illustrating how tenaciously Jesus holds on to us, his sinners in need of healing and his sheep in need of finding.

Every day, people walk into SonBridge in need of restoration; sometimes financial, sometimes material, sometimes physical, but always spiritual. The mission of SonBridge is to restore hope and wholeness, while sharing God’s love, to all who are broken. Whether it’s through the calming, appropriate touch of a hand, a hug between friends, the touch of hope for a struggling family or a spiritual touch through prayer, SonBridge is daily touching the hearts, hands, and lives of those they serve.

UCC Digital Prayer Ministry Pilot Program

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 22:21:36 GMT

Upper Columbia Conference has put significant focus on prayer since 2021 and God has answered prayer to grow this ministry with the digital prayer ministry initiative.

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

Since 2021, Upper Columbia Conference has put significant focus on prayer. Since 2022, UCC has held many prayer focused events including 40 days of prayer, Zoom rooms with special guest speakers, and an annual prayer summit. In addition to these events, prayer ministries has been praying for more ways to expand and reach people through prayer and God answered with the digital prayer ministry initiative.

David Jamieson, Upper Columbia Conference president, attended the North American Division year-end meeting last year when he heard a story from Justin Kim, Central California Conference digital evangelism director, about digital prayer ministry. It grabbed his attention, so Jamieson shared it with Kathy Marson, UCC prayer minitries coordinator.

“I found the video from Kim’s presentation and after watching it I was so inspired,” explained Marson. “Several churches in CCC partnered with NAD Adventist Information Ministry to offer prayer in their communities through social media. The outcome was amazing! They had so many requests that they had to stop advertising their prayer posts in order to handle the requests that already came in.”

Marson shared the video with several others and a committee was formed to make this ministry a reality. In early January, Jamieson; Marson; Art Lenz, UCC IT director; and Dustin Jones, UCC communications director, met with Brent Hardinge, AIM director, to talk about digital prayer ministry in UCC. During the meeting AIM and UCC finalized plans to form a partnership to provide a pilot program in UCC to begin this year.

“The program works like this: The church records a video ad offering to pray with and for people in their community,”shared Marson. “The ad is delivered on social media to anyone within a 6-mile radius of the church. AIM employee student chaplains respond to the messages from call centers located at Andrews University and Walla Walla University. Students handle all of the interests in a timely fashion and turn the contact over to the church as soon as they have shown an interest in a local prayer contact.”

Following the committee meeting, six churches in UCC were invited to participate with the prerequisite that the churches currently have a presence on Facebook and/or Instagram.

“It is the hope and prayer that this will be successful and can be implemented in many more churches in the future,” shared Marson. “God’s timing and miracles are evident. Thank you for your prayers for digital prayer ministry.”

More information about this ministry can be found at Digital Prayer Ministry .

Walla Walla University CHE Hosts CARE Weekend in Spokane

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 18:50:00 GMT

Walla Walla University’s Center for Humanitarian Engagement paired with the Spokane Central Adventist Church for a full day of service.

By Emily Fry

CHE CARE Project Manager

On Saturday, February 10, Walla Walla University’s Center for Humanitarian Engagement (CHE) paired with the Spokane Central Adventist Church for a full day of service. Volunteers ate, sang, and ministered at a homeless shelter together.

After a haystack lunch, volunteers struck out for Spokane House of Charity, a homeless shelter for men. There they washed feet, passed out socks, and listened to residents’ stories.

“It was kind of a boost get us up and moving,” said Spokane Central member, Wenda Livingston.

The volunteers rejoined with those that had stayed behind to sort Bible felts at the Spokane Central Adventist Church. The day ended with a hymn fest and game night complete with nachos.

This service day was an example of what WWU’s CHE wants to do through their Community Action Relief Experience (CARE) project. CARE Weekends push the idea of service and sabbath by helping people use their free time to give back to their communities.

As one WWU volunteer said, “It was the by far most impactful and tangible Sabbath I have ever had.”

Spokane Central Church has been coordinating with the CHE to bring the CARE project to their congregation. They hope it will expand the work they have been doing for the homeless population in Spokane.

WWU is a private Christian liberal arts university that offers rigorous academic programs achievable in a supportive atmosphere from dedicated professors. The Center for Humanitarian Engagement (CHE) promotes a campus-wide lifestyle of service by connecting the WWU campus with service-oriented tools, resources, and opportunities. For more information visit wallawalla.edu .

Eat your Veggies!

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 16:34:35 GMT

Is eating your veggies really that important? Cindy Williams, RN, health ministries coordinator at UCC shares why eating your veggies is so beneficial to your health.

By Cindy Williams, Rn

Coordinator, Health Ministries

“Eat your veggies!” I wonder how many of us grew up hearing this on a regular and frequent basis and struggled to do it. The table in my childhood home didn’t offer many options other than vegetables and fruits so I might have always been hungry if I didn’t eat them. I happen to like vegetables a lot. Students in my high school health class asked me recently what my favorite vegetable is, and I couldn’t really give an answer. I like them all. I do like some methods of preparation better than others though.

Research has been accumulating that proves your mom was right to encourage you to eat your veggies. We know that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can prevent some types of cancer, help regulate blood sugar, lower the risk of digestive problems, may help prevent cataracts and macular degeneration, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. The strongest evidence is on the reduction of heart disease and stroke.

A review of data from the 1999-2014 National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey showed that “Greater vegetable variety and amount are associated with lower prevalence of coronary artery disease”.

A 2019 review of the results of observational epidemiological studies concluded that “intake of leafy green and cruciferous vegetables may confer strong cardiovascular health benefits”.

Research conducted by Edith Cowan University over a 23-year period found that people may be able to significantly reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by “simply eating one cup of raw (1/2 cup cooked) nitrate-rich vegetables each day”. Nitrate-rich vegetables include spinach, kale, Swiss chard, arugula, celery, and beets.

Mom was right. Of course, these are the foods that God gave us in the beginning. He certainly knew what He was doing!

Here are some ideas to help you eat more fruits and vegetables every day:

Choose something new from the produce aisle every time you shop for groceries. You can find recipes and instructions online on how to use every kind of fruit and vegetable from anywhere in the world.
Eat at least one serving from every color of the rainbow every day.
Try recipes that make vegetable the star. Salads, soups, curries, and stir-fries make wonderful main meals with the addition of legumes and peas.
Prep your fruits and vegetables when you bring them home. You are much more likely to eat them if you only need to pull them out of the refrigerator ready to go. There are storage tips on the Internet that will help you preserve your investment.
Don’t give up if you don’t love a particular vegetable or fruit. Try something else or find a completely different way to prepare the one you didn’t care about.

Resources

Greater vegetable variety and amount are associated with lower prevalence of coronary heart disease: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2014

Cardiovascular Health Benefits of Specific Vegetable Types: A Narrative Review

One cup of leafy green vegetables a day lowers risk of heart disease

The 13 Healthiest Leafy Green Vegetables

Eating 1 Cup of Green Leafy Vegetables Can Support Heart Health

The Nutrition Source: Vegetables and Fruits

Lake City Academy Adventist Robotics

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 20:50:50 GMT

Lake City Academy learns programming, problem solving, presentation preparation, and much more in the field of science and technology through robotics.

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

Lake City Academy, Coeur d’Alene Idaho, began their robotics program three years ago with just eight students. Now, three years later, they have two teams with sixteen total students participating.

“The group learns programming, problem solving, presentation preparation, and much more in the field of science and technology,” shared Anne Blech, LCA robotics coach. “Core values are an important part of robotics. Everyone on the team must learn how to work together and share ideas. We learn about gracious professionalism and cooperation.”

In February, LCA had 2 teams out of 10 participate in the NPUC robotics regionals at Auburn Adventist Academy. Students from 5th-8th grade participated by presenting to a panel of judges their project based on the year’s theme, core value, and robot engineering.

“Having two teams in our program at LCA can be a challenge, but the teams learn together and help each other,” said Blech. “Our group meets once a week after school for a couple of hours. Sometimes students will go to the robotics lab at a recess to finish programming a mission on their robot.”

During regionals, each team was given a 30-minute judging in front of a panel of judges to present their projects. Then the robot games began, each team had 2 ½-minute robot runs to score as many points as possible completing missions on the table.

Awards are given in each of the categories that are judged. This year, Eagle Studios, one of LCA’s teams, won the award for core values. The other team, Abstract Eagles, placed third and are advancing to the First LEGO League Championship that will be taking place at Forest Lake Academy in Florida.

Now comes the challenge of fine-tuning the robot programming and getting everything ready to go to Florida.

“I’m looking forward to the robot runs at the FLL Championship,” said Caleb Whalen, Abstract Eagles team captain and 7th grader at LCA. “It’s the best part!”

“Our team is excited to represent our school, conference, and union at the FLL Championship. Robotics is a great way to enhance our science programs,” shared Blech. “I'm excited for the students getting to meet other students from around the country who share the same interests in science. It’s fun to see how each team approaches their team projects and how they design their robots.”

Visit www.adventistrobotics.net for more information about Adventist robotics and how to watch the championships.

UCC Ordains Two Pastors

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 23:46:04 GMT

Ordination or commissioning is a significant milestone in a pastor’s professional development and it’s wonderful to see the church affirm these men in their ministry.

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC Communications Coordinator

Upper Columbia Conference recently ordained two pastors into the ministry – James Ash and Jacob Wilkinson

“Ordination or commissioning is a significant milestone in a pastor’s professional development and it’s wonderful to see the church affirm these men in their ministry,” shared Eric Brown, UCC ministerial director.

Ash, pastor of Stateline and Dayton churches, was ordained on November 18, 2023, at the Stateline Adventist Church. Rodney Mills, UCC vice president for administration presented Ash as a candidate into the ministry and gave the homily. At the end of the service, Brown presented the certificate of ordination.

“Receiving a certificate is nice, but being ordained isn’t at all like receiving an achievement award,” shared Brown. “When we pray over a pastor like James, it’s a symbol of the trust and responsibility we as a church are placing in him as a spiritual leader.”

Ash was born to missionary parents in Taipei, Taiwan. He attended Far Eastern Academy for three years in Singapore and finished his senior year at Upper Columbia Academy.

From there Ash went to Walla Walla College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in theology and minors in biblical languages and history. Ash then attended Andrews University where he met his wife, Joy, and graduated with a master’s degree in divinity.

While Joy attended classes to become a nurse practitioner in Loma Linda, California, Ash did literature evangelism and focused heavily on becoming a certified pilot.

When Joy graduated, they moved to Guyana to become a missionary pilot family. For eleven and a half years, Ash served the Guyana Conference as a school administrator, project leader, and chief pilot. During this time, they were blessed with two daughters, Julianna and Jenna Ash.

In 2021, feeling the calling of God, Ash accepted a call from Upper Columbia Conference to pastor the Stateline/Dayton district.

Wilkinson, pastor of Ellensburg and Cle Elum district, was ordained on December 2, 2023, at Ellensburg Adventist church. Mills presented Wilkinson as a candidate into the ministry. Cary Fry, Kennewick Adventist Church pastor gave the homily and Brown presented the ordination certificate.

“Sometimes ordinations can seem very formal and stiff, but not Jake’s,” shared Brown. “His service matched his love for people and his sense of humor perfectly.”

Wilkinson was born and raised in Soldotna, Alaska. He graduated from Walla Walla University with a degree in theology and served for two years as an intern pastor at Spokane Valley Adventist Church and School. After completing his internship, Wilkinson spent two and a half years in seminary at Andrews University and has spent the last three and a half years in the Ellensburg and Cle Elum district. He and his wife, Crystal, currently live in Ellensburg with their two dogs and fish.

“God has blessed us in Upper Columbia Conference with an incredible team of dedicated pastors,” shared Brown. “I am so grateful to have these two men as a part of it and to welcome them to the ranks of ordained pastors in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.”

When Youth Pray

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 23:43:32 GMT

Prayeradigm Shift focuses on teaching principles of prayer, helping youth grow in prayer in their lives, and empowering them to share what they learn.

By Sara Maniscalco

UCA Church member and Prayeradigm Shift Team member

In February, 99 high school students from 8 schools and a home school co-op in the NPUC gathered at Camp MiVoden in Hayden, Idaho, to participate in a prayer retreat for youth. This event was put on by the UCC education department in partnership with Prayeradigm Shift ministry team. The retreat focused on teaching principles of prayer, helping youth grow in prayer in their lives, and empowering the youth to share what they learned.

“This event sparked a new relationship and a new connection with God,” shared Tyler. “I was not as serious about my prayer life before. Now I’ve been praying every morning with God, something I would have never done before.”

Students were challenged to know God more and desire a deeper relationship with Him. Pavel Goia, editor of Ministry Magazine and associate ministerial secretary, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, shared many stories of the power of prayer and how he has experienced God’s presence. Goia talked about what it means to live a life of total commitment to God and full surrender of ourselves.

“Goia inspired us all and showed us that God is not just a person to ask things from but a friend,” explained Sydney.

The weekend was filled with opportunities for students to get to know each other and pray together. Every morning started with one hour of prayer time where the entire group met to sing, focus on Scripture, and pray together.

“Being around people your age where you don’t feel a single bit of shame to talk about God is just the most fulfilling thing ever,” said Clara.

After each presentation, students circled up in small groups to talk and pray about what most impacted them, from this a list of 105 “Prayer Principles” that they had learned was created.

“My whole perspective on prayer is completely flipped, and I'm so excited to start applying some of the prayer principles to my life,” shared Joanna.

The Prayeradigm Shift weekend was a tremendous blessing and changed many lives. The last evening of the retreat included a powerful testimony time where students shared how God had showed up and impacted their life personally.

“I used to be intimidated to pray; now I can’t wait to prayer,” said Jonathan.

Before leaving, students met together as school groups and spent an hour answering the question, “where do we go from here?” The enthusiasm of the weekend was channeled into having a prayer partner, committing to regular group prayer times back home, and planning intentional next steps to grow prayer in their lives and on their campuses.

“It was extremely exciting to see the moving of the Holy Spirit in the lives of students who were there,” shared John Spano, Prayeradigm Shift team member. “Our prayer is that God’s Holy Spirit will fan the flames that were started this weekend and that we will see the power of what God can do when youth pray.”

Longer, Stronger Living

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 22:04:20 GMT

As Kamiah, Idaho, like the rest of the world, experienced sickness from the pandemic, church members asked one another, “What can we do?"

By Cathy Law

Kamiah Church communications

As Kamiah, Idaho, like the rest of the world, experienced sickness from the pandemic, church members asked one another, “What can we do?" Out of those days of loneliness, isolation, and fear an idea was born.

“Why not share the simple remedies God has given us with our friends and neighbors?” the church members decided. They began to organize “The Immune Boosters Conference.” Members volunteered as prayer warriors, greeters, communication managers, table coaches, public address system staff, presenters, registrars by phone and on site, and above all, kitchen hostess and crew.

Timing obstacles plagued the six-session conference from the start, but despite that, God blessed with 23 community guests attending throughout the conference and up to 56 total crowding into the fellowship hall one evening.

On the “Nutrition” night, the attendees not only heard about considering their food to be their medicine, but they got their hands sticky fixing vegan recipes like “Chick Salad Spread,” and “Chunky Avocado Dip.”

During the “Water” session, Presenter Gwen Dyson, a retired respiratory therapist, referred to an incident from the pages of history when 90 of the staff and students of Hutchinson Seventh-day Adventist Seminary contracted symptoms of the dreaded influenza of 1918 epidemic.* Bed rest was prescribed with a careful diet, and fomentations were applied to the throat, neck, and chest. Drugs were not administered. Health officer of Hutchinson city, Dr. Fred Shephard, later reported that every case recovered without one death. Dyson then demonstrated the procedure to the captivated crowd.

Attendees lingered long after the close of each session, exchanging ideas of simple, effective ways to build the immune system and heal a diseased body.

“Do you people ever get to the end of giving?” a community guest asked one evening as she sipped the soothing flu tea made from citrus, honey, and ginger.

Break-out sessions, such as “Reason for Vegan Cuisine,” “Healing Herb Applications,” and “Gardening in Central Idaho” were presented after the final “Immune Booster Conference” session.

*Northern Union Reaper, Dec. 17, 1918, p.2. Available online at https://www.adventistarchives.org/

Photos submitted by Cathy Law and Sonia Borgert

Biblical Sexuality Symposium Scheduled for Pastors and Teachers

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 01:01:39 GMT

Event focuses on equipping pastors and teachers with tools and training on how to appropriately respond to LGBTQ+ issues.

What is the Symposium on Biblical Sexuality and why is it happening?

The genesis of this discussion came from listening to our field. In 2019, two years prior to President David Jamieson arriving, the UCC Office of Education conducted a visioning process. During that process, our educators and pastors shared that they were dealing with issues relating to LGBTQ+ and requested tools and training in how to appropriately respond. So began the journey of what it might look like to provide a safe space for gaining clarity on how to uphold the Biblical position on human sexuality as understood by the Seventh-day Adventist Church while expressing the gracious love of Jesus Christ toward all people. Recognizing that this was a pressing need, conference leadership agreed to provide an appropriate time and space for that discussion. We ask you to join us in keeping this time together in your prayers.

Our purpose

Biblically Grounded

As Seventh-day Adventists, we accept the Bible as our only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. To help set the foundation, Richard Davidson, Old Testament Scholar and author of Flame of Yahweh, will lead us through what Scripture says about human sexuality.

Relationship-based

We will hear the testimony of Michael Carducci from Coming Out Ministries about how a church loved him and the Spirit moved in his life. After setting the foundation, we focus on the practical nature of building relationships. Bill Henson from PostureShift Ministries will provide practical guidance focusing on faithfully honoring God and radically loving people.

Grace-filled

Jesus has paid the price for each one of us! This grace is truly amazing. As we look forward to how the rubber will meet the road, we look back to Jesus Christ as a model. As understood through Ellen White’s writings, Christ’s method alone provides us with just such a model.

How does this symposium relate to the official position of the Church?

To assist us in the planning, we have developed some guiding principles to ensure that this training is 100% in harmony with the GC and NAD statement on human sexuality.

We believe in and uphold the traditional Biblical view of heterosexual marriage as a loving relationship between one man and one woman for life, male and female.
We believe that any sexual activity outside the circle of a heterosexual marriage is defined by scripture as sinful.
We believe that homosexual activity, like all sinful behavior, needs to be radically repented of and forgiven by the redeeming grace and power of Jesus Christ.
We believe in Christ’s transforming power to live according to Biblical truth as we surrender our will to Him and allow Him to live out His life within us.
We believe that Scripture calls us to follow the example of Jesus Christ to love, care for, and minister to all individuals, no matter their circumstances or choices.

We believe that we can radically love and accept people without affirming a particular choice of lifestyle that is not in harmony with Scripture.

This event is reserved for UCC pastors and teachers only.

If you have questions or concerns about this symposium, please contact the communications department at communications@uccsda.org .

This information is also available via a flier .

President's Report: In The Word — Deuteronomy

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 00:48:43 GMT

David Jamieson shares a message about how God is ever leading us, along with the actions from the recent Executive Committee and the upcoming Biblical Sexuality Symposium.

By David Jamieson

UCC President

Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible and the final book in the Torah. Deuteronomy means the second law and is comprised of three sermons.

It’s 1400 BC, and 40 years have passed since the Exodus took place. Moses is 120 years old and is about to give the law to a new generation of Israelites 40 years later, just before they enter the Promised Land. First of all, he reminds them of their journey:

Israel had been delivered from slavery in Egypt.
They spent one year at Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments.
After accepting the report of the 10 spies, they wandered around in the wilderness for 40 years.
Once again, they are on the border of the Promised Land, ready to go in.

Moses gives this new generation of Israelites a pep talk, which, in reality, is the gospel of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy is all about Jesus, and I hope you will encounter Jesus in Deuteronomy like never before.

Let me begin by saying that we live in a world that is out of control; a world that is full of trouble, turmoil, and wars. There are difficulties on all sides and uncertainty all across our planet. Many times, we can become blinded by our circumstances, and we forget Who is really in control.

The good news of Deuteronomy is that there is Someone who is in control. It’s not the Republican party. It’s not the Democratic party. It’s not the President, Congress, Senate, or the Supreme Court. There is only one Person who is in control, who has complete control over all things on planet Earth.

Deuteronomy 9:1-3 says it is the Lord God Almighty, the One who is the Beginning and the End; the Alpha and the Omega; the First and the Last. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, the God of the galaxies. So, no matter what your situation is, God is still in control.

I know that sometimes when we walk through the challenges of life, it may be hard to see that God is in control, but we must not forget that God is there, and He has all power in heaven and earth in His hands. If you believe this, then you are on the right path for God to do something special in your life and world.

Like the children of Israel of old, God was about to make a way where there was no way. God was up to something. The question is: Do you believe in this God? It’s easy to trust God when things are going well, but do you trust God when things are in Turmoil? Trouble? Temptation?

The truth is that sometimes God allows us to go through something to test us and to allow us to become a testimony. He did that for Moses, the children of Israel, Job, and He does this for you and me.

Yes, there are giants on the other side; a people who are tall and strong and mighty. Their cities are fortified. They are stronger than you, mightier than you. This is the same story of the 10 spies 40 years earlier. You know who they are, but this time there is a reminder that if God is for you, who can be against you?

It’s time for us to go to the other side! But if you have any doubt in your mind: The Lord your God will go ahead of you like a consuming fire. The battle belongs to the Lord. He will consume anything in His path, for fire is the picture of the holiness of God.

If you are a child of the heavenly King, remember that troubles will come into your life. But there is a Holy God who sits on high, and He is well able. God is about to do something!

It’s time for us to stop sitting around. It’s time for us to go to the other side. God will go before us as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

Is there anyone here who is ready to break camp and go to the other side? Are you ready to step into the water and go to the other side? Are you ready to give God praise, to give God glory? No matter what your situation is, God is able.

Notice something incredible about this passage that speaks to the gospel of Deuteronomy and the grace of God. Just like Leviticus, this is a strange place to find grace! He says, “I love you just because I love you.

You are a small nation, a poor nation, a weak nation, but I will go ahead of you because I love you.” God’s love is the love of grace, not the love of merit. Even though we break God’s law, He will not break His word. Rather, He will come and break all of our brokenness.

“Hear, Israel: You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky. The people are strong and tall—Anakites! You know about them and have heard it said: “Who can stand up against the Anakites?” But be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the Lord has promised you.”

—Deuteronomy 9:1-3

David Jamieson

President, Upper Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

You Do Not Have, Because You Do Not Ask

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 18:27:07 GMT

Construction was going well; the cement block walls were getting higher every day. Our group of Northwest missionaries worked hard, too hard, but we had a goal.

By Sandy Larsen

Moses Lake Adventist Church Member

The following is a first-person account of the Moses Lake Adventist Church, Mission Adventure Team, mission trip to Mexico.

It was time to ask. Can you make concrete without water? It doesn’t work. Not a chance.

Children’s classrooms and a bathroom were the projects set before our group, Mission Adventure Team, in the Baja Peninsula of Mexico. Creating a place for the students was “muy importante.”

Construction was going well; the cement block walls were getting higher every day. Our group of Northwest missionaries worked hard, too hard, but we had a goal.

One afternoon near the end of our trip, someone noticed water running down the street. After further investigation, the water was from the damaged mainline. We checked our faucet, the only water supply. Nothing. Nada. No more water. The 50-gallon blue plastic water container was all we had left and that was almost empty.

There was still lots of cement mixing left to do on this warm afternoon. A lot of blocks were left to lay when the cement mixer ground to a halt.

We checked our options, and they were few. Leaving the worksite early was not an option. No, not for this crew. There was work to do, blocks to lay. Could God get water for us in this little desert town? That would be a big miracle because the locals said it often took three days to fix a problem that big.

Knowing we didn’t have the answers, a circle was formed, and 20 volunteers earnestly prayed for water. We could not wait three days: we would be heading home by then. We needed water today, we needed it that afternoon, we needed it now.

This seemed like a big request, but it was going to a big God. We began praying. They were simple prayers, we only asked for water.

Just then someone looked back to the street, the street where water had been running just a few minutes earlier. A water truck was driving by. “Run!” someone shouted, and they did. The water truck was parked just up the muddy street.

“Señor, por favor, we need some water. Could you fill our plastic container? It is just down the street.” He did not look very agreeable, tired from a long day of filling everyone else’s water buckets. But he concurred and backed up the street and into our driveway. With his long hose, he filled the plastic bucket all the way to the top with water.

God’s Water! The cement mixer perked right back up and another batch of concrete was started. More mud was mixed, more blocks were laid, and the Lord was thanked and praised. We had because we asked.

WWVAS Students Captivated by Dorothy Knight Marsh Story

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 23:09:46 GMT

Dorothy Knight Marsh shares an inspiring journey from cotton fields to mission fields at Walla Walla Valley Adventist Schools.

By Holley Bryant

Head of Walla Walla Valley Adventist Schools

In three separate presentations for grades Kindergarten through 12th grade, author Dorothy Knight Marsh captivated the students from Walla Walla Valley Adventist Schools as she shared the remarkable journey of her great aunt’s life, chronicled in her book, From Cotton Fields to Mission Fields, the Anna Knight Story. Marsh's presence illuminated the auditorium as she recounted Anna’s life's trials and triumphs.

Marsh, a Mississippi native and celebrated figure known for her dedication to humanitarian efforts and her unwavering faith, recounted Anna’s upbringing in the cotton fields of the South, where she experienced the harsh realities of racial segregation and economic hardship. Anna’s father was a Confederate soldier. Her mother was biracial. As Ms. Marsh describes it, “Anna was too black to go to the white schools and too white to go to the black schools.” She eventually learned to read from her cousins whom she would bargain with by doing their chores in payment for teaching her how to read. Despite her challenges, Knight found solace and strength in her faith, which ultimately propelled her towards a life of service and mission.

Anna fought for her right to an education and eventually graduated in 1898 with a nursing degree from Battle Creek Sanitarium. After graduation, she started a school in Gitano, Mississippi where she taught students from primary age to adult. Her school was met with prejudice and hatred and at one point was even burned to the ground. She built it again, determined to provide an education to black students in Mississippi. Anna went on to become a missionary in India, the founder of many more schools, and even the founder of the first black YWCA in Mississippi.

From Cotton Fields to Mission Fields serves as a testament to Anna's resilience and her commitment to making a difference in the world. The book offers a timely reflection on her journey from humble beginnings to becoming a beacon of hope for countless individuals around the globe.

During her presentation, Marsh emphasized the importance of education and empowerment in overcoming adversity. She spoke passionately about the transformative power of faith and community, urging the audience to embrace their potential to effect positive change in the world.

School Counselor, Tricia Lofthouse, was touched by the event. “This is a story of tragedy and racism turned into moments that exhibited Anna’s remarkable fearlessness. Nothing could stop her. Need a church? She’ll build it. Need a school? She’ll start it. School is destroyed? She’ll build it again. Nothing could stop her.”

The event, which was attended by students, faculty, and community members alike, served as an inspiring reminder of the impact that one individual can have on the world. Marsh's message resonated deeply with the audience, sparking conversations about social justice, compassion, and the enduring power of the human spirit.

In addition to sharing her aunt’s personal story, Marsh took the opportunity to engage with attendees, answering questions and offering words of encouragement to those seeking guidance on their own journeys. Her warmth and authenticity left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of hearing her speak.

As Valley Adventist Schools continues its mission to educate and empower future generations, Dorothy Knight Marsh’s visit served as a powerful reminder of the importance of faith, perseverance, and service in shaping a brighter tomorrow.

Heart Health & Heart Disease Prevention

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 23:37:48 GMT

February is American Heart Month learn about preventative measure you can take.

By Cindy Williams, Rn

Coordinator, Health Ministries

Valentine’s Day has just passed, and February is American Heart Month, so this seems like a good time to focus on heart health.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. One in four Americans die from heart disease. Many people are living with the limiting effects of heart disease for years before an early death from it. The monetary cost is staggering: roughly 422.3 billion dollars in direct and indirect costs between 2019 and 2020.

What is heart disease? The term heart disease covers a variety of conditions that include coronary artery disease, arrythmias, congenital heart defects, heart valve problems, and diseases of the heart muscle. By far the most common condition is coronary artery disease, which reduces blood flow to the heart.

People who smoke, have high blood pressure, and/or high blood cholesterol are at very high risk for heart disease. Other significant risk factors include being overweight or obese (risk increase of 36%), being physically inactive (30% increase), eating an unhealthy diet (13.2% increase), excessive alcohol use (72% increase), and having diabetes (9% increase).

The good news about heart disease is that 80% of cases can be prevented. Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn calls it a “paper tiger” in Forks Over Knives. Many of the risk factors are closely connected and influence each other. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Stop smoking (or never start).
Avoid alcohol use.
Add physical activity into your daily routine. Begin with 10 minutes of walking at a moderate pace and gradually add minutes.
Add 1 or 2 servings of dark green vegetables to your meals each day. This simple change packs a punch nutritionally and will get you started on a path to a healthier diet.
Work with your health care provider to control your blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. You may need medications while working on lifestyle changes.

Resources

About Heart Disease | cdc.gov

Heart disease - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

Risk Factors for Heart Disease (webmd.com)

Heart Disease: Risk Factors, Prevention, and More (healthline.com)

Prayer Breakfast Unites Granger Church Family

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 00:09:40 GMT

The Granger Adventist church prayer committee desired to foster a greater sense of community, so they decided to host an event to unite their church.

By Susan Bailey

Yakima Adventist Christian School administrative assistant

Heidi Baumgartner

North Pacific Union communication director and Gleaner editor

The Granger Church prayer committee desired to foster a greater sense of community, gratitude and spiritual connection within their church family and decided to host an International Day of Prayer program.

Marcie Duim and Allyson Williams, prayer leaders, orchestrated a thoughtful sequence of prayer, scripture readings and a devotional story for the Nov. 12, 2023 program.

In addition, each table of participants created a gratitude list to share what they were thankful for, further reinforcing the theme of gratitude and appreciation for various aspects of life, including the church family, divine blessings, freedom to worship and family bonds.

A brunch spread included a delightful range of foods from fresh fruit to savory casseroles and a hot chocolate bar. Vegan alternatives were thoughtfully included, ensuring that everyone could partake in the feast.

The event drew a significant turnout, with the majority of the church actively participating and contributing to the shared spirit of gratitude. Laughter, meaningful conversations and the aroma of a lovingly prepared meal filled the air, creating an atmosphere of unity and fellowship.

The prayer committee’s vision went beyond organizing an event. This prayer breakfast served as a way to cultivate a deeper sense of community by fostering gratitude and strengthening the bonds that unite a church family.

This story originally appeared on the Northwest Adventist webpage and can be found at https://nwadventists.com/news/2024/02/prayer-breakfast-unites-granger-church-family .

Spokesman Review Features Shine 104.9

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 16:44:56 GMT

Shine's 30th year saw an expanded range in region, hits top in market.

By Dustin Jones

Shine 104.9 experienced a banner year to celebrate its 30th anniversary. In addition to expanding its market to Sandpoint, the station also hit the top of its market, according to Nielsen. The February 17, 2024, issue of the Spokesman Review features Shine 104.9 and its success.

For more information on how KEEH has impacted the larger Spokane community, read the story at the Spokesman Review .

A Marathon of Prayer

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 16:50:36 GMT

From 7 in the morning till 7 at night, two rooms in Kennewick Spanish Seventh-day Adventist church were witness to a myriad of members and nonmembers coming in to pray

by Sasha De Dios

On September 2, 2023 the Tri-Cities district welcomed the new month with a marathon. The winners? Those who saw God. Those who noticed Him in fervent hymns after group prayers. Who smiled with an overflowing heart of gratitude. Who cried knowing God listened and cared. Those with renewed hope after a fellow church member prayed for them.

From 7 in the morning till 7 at night, two rooms in Kennewick Spanish Seventh-day Adventist church were witness to a myriad of members and nonmembers coming in to pray. Some with heavy hearts, poured out their worries in silence. Others, pressed to share God’s goodness, wrote on post-it notes how God had worked in their lives. Still others read and recited Bible promises to one another, remembering God’s faithfulness.

To celebrate this marathon of prayer, the Tri-City churches gathered in the Kennewick Spanish church at 6 p.m. for a closing program. While prayers continued in both rooms, the rest of the members shared moving testimonies of answered prayers and presented songs of praise in the sanctuary. Together, the congregation sang, Sweet Hour of Prayer before going home knowing they’d seen God.

Brower to Lead UCC Serve One More Initiative

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 15:49:54 GMT

Richie Brower currently serves as associate director of club ministries, youth, young adult ministry, and Camp MiVoden.

By Dustin Jones, MA

Director of Communications

After a recruiting search of more than three months, Richie Brower has been tapped to oversee the new Serve One More initiative throughout Upper Columbia Conference. Brower, currently the associate director for club ministries, youth, young adult ministry, and Camp MiVoden, will begin the transition to his new role as associate director for Serve One More effective immediately. However, due to major events on the club ministry calendar, the transition will not be complete until September 1.

“Richie has a passion for service and an incredible knack for connecting with people,” says David Jamieson, UCC president. “This initiative is a critical piece of our strategic plan to reach every man, woman, boy, and girl in the Inland Northwest.”

The Serve One More initiative was established as part of the 2023-2025 strategic plan with the goal of focusing lay people, pastors, teachers, and students in our churches, schools, Pathfinder Clubs, Adventist Community Services agencies, and other UCC entities on Christ’s method of mingling with, ministering to, and serving others in our local communities. Brower’s new role will help direct Serve One More funds to new community service initiatives as well as to provide much needed training and resources into our field to encourage innovative community engagement.

Brower has already demonstrated a keen passion for community engagement in his now previous role as Pathfinder leader for the conference.

“I am very excited to help our churches, schools, Adventist Community Services groups, and clubs effectively connect with their local communities and understand how we can serve them best,” says Brower.

Brower will be instrumental in encouraging pastors, members, teachers, and students in engaging in community activities and events that will bring the presence of Jesus into the life of the communities all throughout our conference.

“As this exciting initiative unfolds, it will encourage our members to effectively engage with their local communities, and we believe each person they interact with will learn more about Jesus and fall in love with Him,” says Jamieson.

Brower has spent his career in Upper Columbia Conference, both as a pastor and chaplain, and more recently focusing on youth and young adults. Brower and his wife, Timi, have three boys and love to speak as a team on topics related to marriage and relationships. They live on a small farm in the Palouse.

Post Falls Shares Quilted Prayers

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 22:50:00 GMT

Members from Post Falls Adventist Church found a tangible way to bless veterans through handmade quilts.

By Jeanne Barrett

Post Falls communication secretary

Members from Post Falls Adventist Church found a tangible way to bless veterans through handmade quilts.

Most recently, the congregation in Post Falls, Idaho, presented five quilts to new members by quilt ministry leader BethAnne Moseanko.

The Post Falls quilt ministry has blessed many veterans with handmade quilts in the last six years.

The quilts are part of the 350,000 quilts given by Quilts of Valor Organization, who keep a record nationwide of the recipient, their duty years and branch of service. Their mission is to cover service members and veterans whose lives have been touched by war, with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.

The five newest quilt recipients are: Gary L. Alvarado, U.S. Air Force, 1981–1991; Karl E. Llewellyn, U.S. Army, 2004–2007; Lawrence L. Johnson, U.S. Navy, 1960–1962; James L. Rathbun, U.S. Air Force, 1974–1978; and Gerald A. Jones, U.S. Army 1965–1967.

During a quilt presentation ceremony, Moseanko read these words of blessing: “Our prayer is that you find comfort in it ... that each time you wrap yourself within these fibers you will feel the love we have for you in every stitch, the perfect and the imperfect. We love you all and want to thank you for your service.”

This story originally appeared on the Northwest Adventist webpage and can be found at https://nwadventists.com/news/2024/02/post-falls-shares-quilted-prayers .

UCAES Students Share Love for Their School

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 22:31:05 GMT

Upper Columbia Academy Elementary School students share what they like best, in their own voices, about their school.

By Kristy Plata

Upper Columbia Academy Elementary School head teacher

By Lorna Hartman

UCA Elementary School administrative assistant

Upper Columbia Academy Elementary School leaders recently asked upper-grade students to answer the question, “What do you like about this school?” Here’s what they said, in their own voices.

“Every time I finish an assignment, I go out with the sweet assurance that I have done my duty.” — Sixth-grade student

“There are lots of things I like about this school ... The first thing is that it is small, so you know everyone in the school by name. The second thing is that you are never in the wrong group for your skill level when it comes to school subjects ... I like that we all play games together at recess, even with the lower-graders.” — Eighth-grade student

“I like the fact that I have many friends here ... the system of specific time periods for specific subjects ... the creativity of most of the field trips, and that events are heavily influenced by what the students want to do. I like the time I can take during social studies to draw, and I love the trips we go on, like 7Up and Froyo. I love how Mrs. Plata spoils us.” — Eighth-grade student

“I love that my school is small, so I know almost everyone. We usually go outside every day. My teacher is nice, and she gives fun assignments. We don’t have a gym — although the school is building one — so we walk up to the high school. I love being here.” — Fifth-grade student

“I like my school because it is small, so you get more one-on-one time with the teacher. Also it has two great teachers. We get to play fun games like gaga ball ... and we know everyone at school. This year we are getting a new gym.” — Sixth-grade student

“I love my school because it is small and I know everyone. I love that there is gaga ball and foursquare. I like being able to socialize ... I like the way Mrs. Plata teaches. I like the people at school and being able to talk to friends. I like being able to go to the gym and play badminton.” — Sixth-grade student

An eloquent seventh-grade student wrote the following essay:

“I go to a tiny school in Spangle, Washington, called UCAES. What I love about my school is that it’s so small that all the friends you make here would be either for life or still a long time. We are all really close and we have fun together, share our thoughts and enjoy school. Although I have gone to much bigger schools, this one is pretty special.

“Another reason I like this school is because of the teachers. They are all nice and caring. They care for their students and take care of us. This school might be tiny, but I really enjoy being here. Eh, I don’t like doing the actual schoolwork, but I like my friends here ...

“A bunch of people might say school is to learn and not to make friends, but for me, if you’re going to do something that is going to change your life, for example school, you better at least enjoy the journey and the company, and that’s something I do at this school. I love that about this school.

“I also love the things we do here — games like gaga ball, foursquare, Apples-to-Apples and nine square in the air. I like all my classmates ... I also love my teacher, Mrs. Plata. I love how she spoils us even though we are extremely annoying, loud and obnoxious. She takes us to frozen yogurt, and we had a fun 7Up trip at Camp MiVoden .

“My school might be tiny but it’s a pretty special place.”

This story originally appeared on the Northwest Adventist webpage and can be found at https://nwadventists.com/news/2024/02/ucaes-students-share-love-their-school .

GACS Students Live Out School Motto

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 19:07:29 GMT

Goldendale Adventist Christian School lives out their school motto by sharing Jesus’ love in works of service.

By Brenda Sutherland

Head teacher/principal Goldendale Adventist Christian School

Wednesday afternoons often find grades 5-8 of Goldendale Adventist Christian School living out their school motto by sharing Jesus’ love in works of service within the little community and surrounding area of Goldendale, Washington.

As a small three-room school, Goldendale Adventist Christian School equips and challenges each student to reach his or her potential: spiritually, academically, socially, and physically.

Serving the community in a variety of ways, students have spent their Wednesday afternoons stacking wood, weeding the yard of the Great Goldendale Chamber of Commerce, assembled cabinets for an elderly person, washed chairs at Goldendale Grange Hall for upcoming mission fundraisers, singing, and doing crafts with the residents of New Hope Farms, a place where intellectually or developmentally disabled adults can call home.

Occasionally, students will hand out little packets of encouragement including Bible verses, Glow tract, and school information to the local businesses. In addition to Wednesday afternoon service, Goldendale Adventist School built a Candy Cane Lane parade float. During the parade hundreds of the little packets of encouragement were placed in the hands of onlookers.

Learning to love, prepare, and serve others is the motto to live by and students at Goldendale Adventist Christian School do that every day.

First of four WWU presidential search phases begins

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 22:09:34 GMT

The first of four presidential search phases to name the 24th president of Walla Walla University has begun.

By Aaron Nakamura

WWU director of marketing and university relations

The first of four presidential search phases to name the 24th president of Walla Walla University has begun. Supporting firm, FaithSearch Partners, will conduct several meetings on Wednesday, February 7, and Thursday, February 8, at Walla Walla University’s College Place campus to meet with key stakeholder groups to document expectations, needs, and other information that will play a pivotal role for the Presidential Search Committee.

The presidential search process will take place in four stages:

Phase 1: Assessment and inventory of ideal candidate traits and skills
FaithSearch Partners meets with all key stakeholders related to the position, including members of the Board of Directors, Presidential Search Committee, direct reports to the position, and other important constituents. The input from these meetings is synthesized into a comprehensive assessment report which is provided to the Presidential Search Committee. The report includes the ideal candidate profile and goals for the position, among other essential details.
Phase 2: Research and sourcing conducted by FaithSearch Partners
Based on the approved candidate profile, prospects, referrals, and candidates are contacted. Those expressing interest are screened and evaluated against the ideal candidate profile.
Phase 3: Candidate list evaluated, semi-finalists identified
FaithSearch presents a recommended slate of candidates to the Presidential Search Committee. Selected candidates are interviewed by the Presidential Search Committee.
Phase 4: Presidential Search Committee recommends final candidate(s)
The search committee selects a finalist who will visit the campus and meet with a variety of stakeholders. The search committee will then make its final recommendation to the WWU Board of Trustees.

Nominations for presidential candidates can be sent directly to Doug Duffield, a 1994 graduate of WWU and senior vice president of FaithSearch Partners, at dduffield@faithsearchpartners.com , or Ed Fry, president of FaithSearch Partners, at edfry@faithsearchpartners.com . Nominations are encouraged by March 15, 2024.

FaithSearch Partners is an executive search firm with extensive experience working with faith-based organizations like WWU. They have supported similar search processes at Seventh-day Adventist institutions such as Union College, Kettering Health Network, Southern Adventist University. Other Christian institutions of higher education that FaithSearch Partners has supported are Biola University, Seattle Pacific University, and Point Loma Nazarene University.

WWU is an institution of higher education founded on Christian teachings and values as understood and appreciated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The university has more than 1,300 students enrolled across four campuses in the Pacific Northwest, including College Place, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Anacortes, Washington; and Billings, Montana.

Church Planting is Still Essential for God's Mission in UCC

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 18:07:41 GMT

Church planting has always been a key part of how Seventh-day Adventists have forged into new territory with the good news of Jesus' soon return. It hasn't always occurred with consistent effort, however. Church planting throughout the years tends to ebb and flow like waves washing over our territories.

By Eric Brown

UCC ministerial director

Church planting has always been a key part of how Seventh-day Adventists have forged into new territory with the good news of Jesus' soon return. It hasn't always occurred with consistent effort, however. Church planting throughout the years tends to ebb and flow like waves washing over our territories.

The most recent church planting wave to wash through Upper Columbia Conference began in the 1990s. With the support of the North Pacific Union, UCC began a church planting focus that has started more than 50 churches since 1993. Dozens of communities have been impacted as hundreds of new members found spaces to participate and become leaders.

Some of the successes have been extraordinary. One church began planting "daughter" churches in the late 1990s. By 2005, they had planted three churches. Twelve years later, the "mother" church had returned to its previous attendance numbers. Two of the three "daughter" churches were approaching an average attendance of 200, and total tithe giving for all the churches had more than quadrupled. One of the "daughter" churches even planted another church nearby.

Our Spanish-speaking churches have also experienced phenomenal growth. Almost 50% of the church plants in the last 30 years have been for Spanish-speaking ministry, with one planted to serve second generation Hispanics in both English and Spanish.

Of course, not every church plant has succeeded. Some struggled for several years before finally closing. Others have never grown much beyond their initial core group. Differing priorities began to fill the gap as the wave moved on. In the last 10 years, the only new churches planted in UCC have been within our Hispanic ministries. English-speaking church plants have come to a halt.

Was church planting just a fad? Does it make sense to add more church groups when we struggle to fill the ones we have? Or is there room for another wave of church planting to wash over UCC?

The answer: No, it's not a fad that has faded away. UCC still believes in church planting for all people groups. We believe that planting new churches is essential to completing God's mission in our territory.

As UCC approached 2023, its administrative team initiated a conference-wide visioning process. Churches chose representatives from around the conference to vision and dream of where God is leading UCC. More than 55 initiatives were identified, and three directly addressed church planting. We believe God is calling us to plant nine churches by the end of 2025.

Seven of those churches will be Spanish-speaking churches. This will continue the trend of church planting UCC has experienced among our Hispanic ministries. Additionally, we plan to double our churches reaching out to our Russian-speaking population as we minister to those displaced by the war in Ukraine. We also see a new wave beginning with another English-speaking church plant as well.

Our partnership with NPUC has been key to the previous successes we've seen in church planting, and it will continue to be an essential part of future church plants. The North American Division and the union have invested both leadership and significant financial resources to help new churches get started.

Even with all the planning and financial support, this vision seems overwhelming. Though the challenges are too great for us to accomplish on our own, God is the One who has called us to this task, and we believe He has the strength and resources to make it happen.

A new wave of church planting is building in UCC, and we can't wait to see where God takes us!

This story originally appeared on the Northwest Adventist webpage and can be found at https://nwadventists.com/feature/church-planting-still-essential-gods-mission-ucc

New Adventist School System in College Place

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 21:26:53 GMT

Last year, the combined constituencies of Rogers Adventist School and Walla Walla Valley Academy voted to merge into the K-12 school system of Walla Walla Valley Adventist Schools.

By Scott Rae

WWVA Campus Principal

Last year, the combined constituencies of Rogers Adventist School and Walla Walla Valley Academy voted to merge into the K-12 school system of Walla Walla Valley Adventist Schools.

“After many years of conversation around the benefits of a K-12 collaboration, both the Rogers and WWVA boards voted separately, in May of 2022 to give study to the details, benefits, and logistics of a combined school system,” shared Holley Bryant, head of schools.

The boards assigned a task force made up of individuals from both boards, Upper Columbia Conference, Walla Walla University, Rogers, and WWVA faculty. This taskforce was assigned one year to research and present a recommendation back to the boards.

“The task force evaluated church subsidy and approval, school subsidy from Upper Columbia Conference, board governance, and branding and naming,” explained Bryant. “The task force met with seven different focus groups, these focus groups helped inform the future direction of the taskforce.”

The taskforce then presented their findings separately to both school boards, along with their recommendation to pursue the K-12 collaboration named Walla Walla Valley Adventist Schools. Both boards unanimously accepted that recommendation and voted to send the final decision to the joint constituencies of both schools.

In April of 2023, members of the joint constituency met and heard the report and recommendation from the boards. All constituent churches were represented including College Place Spanish, City Church, Eastgate Church, Milton Church, Stateline Church, Touchet/Umapine, University Church, Village Church, and Walla Walla Spanish.

The constituency voted with a 90 percent positivity rate to formally merge Rogers Adventist School and Walla Walla Valley Academy into the K-12 system named Walla Walla Valley Adventist Schools, effective July 1, 2023.

The doors opened on August 21, 2023, to 474 students in this new, shared, school system, quickly shortened to Valley Adventist Schools.

Students maintain their current strong academic programs, but with options for collaborations in music, athletics, math, drama, and more.

One combined spiritual plan strategically engages all students in age-appropriate worships, service, study, and connection.

“From one consistent application and registration process to joint calendars and schedules, officially working together with one shared goal is a better experience for the student, parent, and teacher,” says Bryant.

“The new logo is a nod to both campuses with an emphasis on our Seventh-day Adventist heritage,” she adds. “The shield also represents strength and truth as we put on the full armor of God, teaching Christian courage and bravery.”

Camp MiVoden Summer Camp Schedule 2024

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 01:29:41 GMT

Summer and Ultimate camps for Camp MiVoden, Hayden Lake, Idaho, will run June 30–July 21.

June 30 – July 7, 2024

Junior Camp
Abbas Child Junior Camp
Extreme Teen 1 Camp
Junior Equestrian Camp
Tween Survival Camp
Teen Wakeboard 1 Camp

July 7 – July 21, 2024

DiscipleTrek

July 7 – July 14, 2024

Adventure Camp
Extreme Teen 2 Camp
Teen Equestrian Camp
Junior Survival Camp 1
Teen Wakeboard 2 Camp

July 14 – July 21, 2024

Teen Camp
Extreme Tween Camp
Tween Equestrian Camp
Junior Survival Camp 2
Tween Wakeboard Camp
Ultimate Art

Other camps:

July 21 – July 28, 2024

Advanced Equestrian
SIT Camp
Family 1 Camp

July 28 – August 4, 2024

Med/Dent Camp

August 4 – August 11, 2024

Family 2 Camp

August 14 – August 18, 2024

Family 3 Camp

'Each One Reach One' Chosen as UCA School Year Theme

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 00:19:06 GMT

How do you choose a theme that will guide a whole school for the year? At Upper Columbia Academy, the students are asked.

By Krista Mikkelson

Upper Columbia Academy Alumni and Enrollment Services director

How do you choose a theme that will guide a whole school for the year? At Upper Columbia Academy, the students are asked. John Spano, history teacher and the head sponsor of the associated student body officer team, has gained considerable experience mentoring student leaders throughout his teaching career. “Each year, I encourage the incoming officers to pray about a theme,” says Spano. “I don’t want them to just think of something catchy—I want it to be God-led because that’s what will make all the difference.”

“The ASB team came into the year with excitement to decide the new theme,” says Torin Smith, ASB president. “We brainstormed and prayed about each idea, but the one that rose to the top was ‘Each One Reach One.’ We wanted to encourage an environment on campus where students interact with one another with kind and thoughtful words.”

The other officers echo Smith’s sentiment. Eric Olson, ASB vice president, mentioned he has noticed that his conversations with his peers seem to turn more often to how to positively influence others for Christ. “It has definitely been an emphasis in everything we do as a leadership team,” he says.

The theme was introduced on the first night of the school year at the Handshake, a kick-off event for students to get acquainted with each other. Several of the ASB officers spoke for worship, talking about the difference that one person can make. The idea was reiterated at the Agape Feast, also planned by the student leadership team. During the fall Week of Prayer, the theme was reinforced by the speaker, Dale Goodson, who is a missionary returned from Papua New Guinea. “Hearing ‘Each One Reach One’ multiple times throughout the school year helps me think more about how I relate to others,” says Joseph Lee, a senior. “It is a great reminder that I can have an effect on those around me.”

Halfway through the year, the ASB leadership team paused to reflect on what they’ve done and what they still want to accomplish. “Most of our meeting time was taken up by a discussion of how we will continue to incorporate our theme into each activity we plan,” Spano relates. “We want it to stick with people.”

“Honestly, I don’t believe that the theme has changed our campus, but that the change that God has been working out in us is what inspired the theme,” says pastor and Bible teacher Fred Riffel. “These words beautifully express who we are as a school family.” Riffel goes on to point out that observing kind acts and hearing encouraging words are not rare occurrences at UCA. “We have been praying for God to become part of our DNA, and this is yet another evidence of His answer — seeing His character reflected in our students and colleagues.”

Reaching others doesn’t end at the edge of school property, according to Smith. “UCA needs to be a center of hope for the community, as well, and that is what we want to encourage for the rest of this year. My fellow officers and I want to lend a helping hand wherever we are to touch people like Jesus did.”

In addition to the activities planned on campus, the team has initiated several outreach activities, including a visit to a nearby nursing home.

Milton Stateline School Receives Funds for Student Aid

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 16:16:19 GMT

Christian education is such an important aspect in a young person’s life. Milton Stateline Adventist School realized that significance and wanted to provide Christian education to as many children as possible with God’s help.

By: Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

Across Upper Columbia Conference, Christian education has become such an important aspect in a young person’s life. Milton Stateline Adventist School, located in Milton-Freewater, Oregon, realized that significance and wanted to provide Christian education to as many children as possible with God’s help.

“As long as I can remember there have been individuals who have made donations of various amounts to the school that we used for financial aid,” shared Jeanne Goodhew, principal at Milton Stateline. “However, there were still many students that we wished to provide education to.”

Every summer Goodhew made it a point to contact as many donors as possible, although funds were received, they never amounted to enough to provide significant financial aid. According to Goodhew, about eight years ago a donor suggested that the school should accept students from low paying families after school budget needs had been met.

“We were not too sure about the idea,” explained Goodhew, “but after much prayer we decided we would not turn anyone away because of finances.”

As the students began to enroll that year, staff would take it to the Lord and ask that He send the finances to cover the expenses. As the word got out that the Milton Stateline school did not turn students away for financial reasons, more donors came forward with money. The donations would vary from $50-$10,000. Every year the donations total around $100,000.

“Some of the donors were members of the constituent churches, former students, people whose children went to Milton Stateline Adventist School years ago, some wanted to pay it forward after receiving help themselves, and some were foundations that donate every year,” said Goodhew. “I still contact others about donating again each year, however God is the one who directs most of the people to come to us.”

Leaving funding in God’s hand can be scary. Goodhew shared that one year they were low on funds and one of their staff members prayed that God would impress someone to donate at least $10,000. “A couple of days later I received a call from a gentleman who said God kept impressing him that he needed to donate $10,000. It was a direct answer to prayer that really bolstered everyone's faith!”

According to Goodhew, God continues to provide and every family that wants their children to get a Christian education should be given that opportunity.

“We truly feel that this is God’s school, and He will send the students who need to be here as well as the funds to support them,” said Goodhew.

UCC In the Word

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 15:57:09 GMT

Have you ever thought of reading the Bible through in one year?

By David Jamieson

UCC President

Upper Columbia Conference invites you to participate in UCC In the Word , a journey through the 66 Books of the Bible, surveying God’s gracious work from creation to the cross to the consummation of time.

It takes as little as 15 minutes a day with our One Year Bible Plan. And every Saturday morning, many of UCC's pastors will be preaching on what you’ve read during the week.

If reading through the Bible is something you’ve always wanted to do, then join us for UCC In the Word : Reading Through the Bible in One Year.

Beginning Saturday, January 13, 2024 at a church near you! For more information visit www.uccsda.org/intheword .

His Travelers Team Hold VBS in the Park

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 21:28:49 GMT

His Travelers team held their seventh VBS in the park for local neighborhood children in Spokane, Washington.

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

This summer was the seventh summer His Travelers team, a team of young people who are tasked with supporting children’s programming which includes Vacation Bible School, day camps, and community outreach projects, held VBS in the Park. This special event, located in Ruth Park in Spokane, had 55 children in attendance.

“I wasn’t sure what VBS in the park would be like,” shared Jonathan Kasper, a member of His Travelers. “I had heard it was really fun, but I didn’t know what to expect. However, after planning it out with the team, I realize that it is so much better than I was expecting!”

His Travelers is a program run through the Upper Columbia Conference children’s ministry department. The program began in 2010 and is currently led by Wendy Urbin, children’s ministries administrative assistant. His Travelers works hard every year assisting churches to put on VBS programs across Upper Columbia Conference ministering to hundreds of children; however, VBS in the Park is put on solely by the His Travelers group in a local public park.

“VBS in the Park began many years ago to provide a group of Nepalese refugees something for their children,” shared Gayle Haeger, UCC urban ministries coordinator. “The idea was to provide something close for the neighborhood children to come to.”

Since then, His Travelers has provided a VBS in the Park almost every year, except when COVID prevented it, to the local children. What makes this VBS unique is that many of the children that participate are refugees. This year children from Nepal, Congo, Russia, Ukraine, and other neighborhood children were in attendance.

“I look forward to leading the His Travelers team as they lead out VBS in the Park each summer,” shared Urbin “It is such a blessing to serve these precious children from many different nationalities to share Jesus’ love! It is so meaningful to see them have fun, smile, share, eat together, become friends, and fellowship with each other and the team.”

Unlike years prior when His Travelers have had the summer to prepare for VBS in the Park, this year’s event was held earlier than expected. This was not a problem for the group of five. They began planning and quickly created their own VBS program, being sure to include singing, games, snacks, crafts, and Bible stories.

“VBS in the Park is basically a ‘homemade’ VBS program,” said Kasper. “We come up with everything from scratch, looking for materials here and there to provide. It’s so impactful because I see these kids having so much fun and enjoying the program, and without VBS in the Park, they may never get to know Jesus.”

The theme for the 2023 VBS in the Park was “The Lord’s Prayer.” Each day, the His Travelers — Emmalyn Logan, Melani Dubon, Jonathan Kasper, and Rachel Johnston — taught a new section with a script written by each member. The group made the book of Matthew come alive for the children using puppets. The children were so engaged and listened intently.

“VBS in the Park is a unique experience because over time, I've gotten to know a lot of the kids who come every year,” shared Logan. “This summer was special because one of our volunteers, a girl who came to the very first VBS in the Park when she was younger, now was able to help. That's really cool to me, because it means that VBS in the Park is making an impact on a lot of these kids. It’s a good reminder to me that even just one week, given to God, can make a difference.”

The His Travelers team continued the summer and participated in ten VBS programs and two Adventist Community Services projects. “The team is such a blessing to the children within Upper Columbia Conference,” said Haeger.

2024 Sunset Calendar & Offering Schedule

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 19:00:08 GMT

2024 Sunset Calendar & Offering Schedule

The Upper Columbia Conference 2024 sunset calendar and offering schedule is available in English and Spanish, to download, go to uccsda.org/stewardship .

Experiencing a Walk with God

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 19:08:48 GMT

At this moment, he had the striking mental clarity to realize his two feet belonged on the ground, not where he currently dangled.

By Allen Stafford

UCC youth taskforce

“I can’t! I can’t do it!” cried Extreme Camper Josh. He had just leaned over the edge to begin repelling only secured by a thin strand of rope, but with the desire to prove something to himself. However at this moment, he had the striking mental clarity to realize his two feet belonged on the ground, not where he currently dangled.

Camp MiVoden, nestled on the eastern shore of Hayden Lake in Idaho, has an extensive selection of camps during the summer months. Basic youth camps occur at main camp where campers participate in all activities available around camp. Ultimate camps include a variety of outpost camps for a specific area of interest. These camps include extreme, wakeboard, equestrian, survival, Disciple-Trek, Abba’s Child, and brand new this summer, art camp. Each of these camps offer unique experiences unlike anything else. Extreme camp allows campers to participate in rock climbing, repelling, mountain biking, and white-water rafting.

“Hey! Josh, look at me,” said a Camp MiVoden staff member. “I want you to take a deep breath and slowly let the rope slide through your hand.” The extreme camper hesitantly took his eyes off the ground, off the foreboding cliff in front of him, and met the confident gaze of the MiVoden staff member standing above. Josh realized the staff member was watching out for him and hesitantly began to follow his directions. As he did, Josh found himself starting to lower closer to the ever-welcoming ground. Right as Josh started getting comfortable, the staff member told Josh, “I want you to try something new now that you’re getting the hang of it. I want you to let go of the rope.” Josh looked up at him in disbelief as he gripped the rope even tighter, “What!?”

Camp MiVoden’s ministry is a positive and encouraging atmosphere to grow in. It is a window of time in which many experience the love of Christ in a way they have never had before. Camp MiVoden passionately believes that Matthew 18:5 is why camp has the impact it does, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”

“Trust me,” the MiVoden staff member said in answer to the question in Josh’s eyes. While Josh had been distracted processing the severe implications of letting go, Summer Neil, extreme camp director, who was holding the other end of the rope, explained she had control and could stop or lower him even if he let go. Once Josh understood, he slowly released his grip and instead of falling, as he had imagined, he didn’t move. After the exercise, the staff handed control back over to Josh and he lowered himself the rest of the way down. The moment his feet hit the ground, staff asked him how it went, a big smile spread across his face as he said, “Great! Can I do it again?”

At the end of the day, extreme camp staff debrief the experiences of the day, talking through with the campers the challenges they faced, the victories made, and most importantly how the experiences of the day related to their individual spiritual journeys. It is without question the most important part of the day; it is the time when each person realizes that their experiences are representative of their walks with God. Campers get to experience growth and realize there are ups and downs in life. Josh grew not only in his confidence, life experience, and how to be a team player, but also in his trust in God.

If you want to be a part of the ministry of Camp MiVoden, we welcome your participation in person as a staff member, as a volunteer, as a camper, and/or financially at mivoden.com/summer-camps .

Vertical Conversations with God

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 15:47:50 GMT

Join for reading and prayer of God's Word so that all can experience a daily Conversation with God !

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

In 2024 UCC Prayer Ministries invites you to begin the year with Ten Days of fasting and prayer for “UCC In The Word”. Let us pray for God’s Holy Spirit to teach and reach each man, women, boy and girl through the Bible. Pray that God's plans for each one are revealed through prayer and reading His Word.

10 Days of Prayer January 1-10, 2024.

Ways to participate:

1. Choose a Prayer Partner

2. Choose a Fast ( uccsda.org/verticalresources )

3. Sign up to receive daily devotionals ( uccsda.org/vertical )

4. Join daily Zoom rooms ( uccsda.org/prayer )

For more information visit uccsda.org/vertical .

President's Report: An Uncommon Faith

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 07:14:22 GMT

David Jamieson shares a message about how an uncommon faith changed the history of the world and the actions from the recent Executive Committee.

By David Jamieson

UCC President

There’s a story found in Joshua 10:7-13 that is incredible. Joshua was in the midst of a great battle. The sun was going down, and he knew that if he couldn’t totally defeat the enemy’s army, they would rise up later and cause even more problems for Israel.

So, he boldly asked God to stop the sun from going down, something that had never been done before. Miraculously the sun remained visible for a prolonged period of time—it did “not go down.”

God answered his prayer, and in effect said, “Joshua, if you’re bold enough to ask it, I’m bold enough to do it.”

Joshua’s uncommon faith brought a smile to God’s face. As a result, God interrupted the course of the entire universe because of one man’s uncommon faith.

Do you believe that this actually happened? Do you have uncommon faith in the God of the Bible?

Uncommon faith is above and beyond faith. It gives you a boldness and a confidence to believe the extraordinary and step into the unknown. You actually believe that God can do anything. You see, average faith says, “God, help me to survive the current economic times.” Uncommon faith says, “God, I believe You will not only help me, but rather you will prosper me in the midst of everything that is happening around me.”

Uncommon faith believes that our God will not only lead us out of any crisis we may be facing, but that He will bring us out better off than we were before.

So Joshua moved forward in faith to take the land, and we are to move forward in faith as well. Our churches are not to be content to sit back and do business as usual. We cannot rest on past victories or be paralyzed by past defeats.

We are to move forward in uncommon faith personally and corporately as the body of Christ.

But how does that happen? There are three quick principles found

in this story.

I. We need to be persistent in prayer. (v:7)

Our churches will only move forward in uncommon faith when they recognize the need for persistent prayer and send up their petitions to

God. In fact, over and over again God has promised His blessings to those who will seek His face.

II. We need to believe the Word of God. (v:8)

It was not simply a matter of prayer. Following his petition, Joshua believed in and placed uncommon faith in the Word of God. He avoided the pitfall of attempting to win the battle in his own strength — by spending time in and believing in the Word of God. Victory for believers only comes when we depend on God in prayer and believe in the Word of God with all of our hearts.

III. We need to move forward in faith and act upon the Word of God. (v:9)

Verse 9 says “After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by surprise.” Joshua not only prayed, not only believed in the Word of God with all of His heart, he also acted upon the Word of God and moved forward with uncommon faith. God intervened because the people of God followed His plan and acted upon the Word of God.

My friends, if God is for us, who can stand against us? I believe that the God who fought for Israel will enable us to face all that comes our way as well.

David Jamieson

President, Upper Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

The Ruts We Leave Behind

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 22:08:02 GMT

Lessons from a Country Road

By Richie Brower

UCC youth, young adults, & club ministries associate director

It was the first real snow of the season at the Rusty Wagon Farm. That meant more than four inches of snow had fallen. The wind on this day was strong enough to whip it horizontally over the fields creating snow drifts.

Rusty Wagon Farm is the only farmstead on a five-mile stretch of gravel road, meaning we are rarely visited by snowplows. The shortest route to pavement is more than a mile away. But the road is often the first to drift shut. The next shortest path to a county road is two miles – but that route is a sure-fire way to get stuck once the drifts begin to grow. The remaining path out of the farm is three miles of winding gravel road. It’s the regular route to school and church, but the direction the wind blows the snow makes all the difference in whether this road is open enough for vehicles to get through.

The last seven winters, our morning routine has been to wake up early and check the wind and snowfall to see if a scouting mission is required before the family heads out for school and work.

If drifts are forming, I bundle up, load my winter emergency gear, and jump in our four-wheel drive to see if the roads are passable. It’s important to scout before the sun comes up. Once it’s light outside, depth perception becomes a challenge and it’s easy to get stuck before you even know there’s a drift.

That day marked the first scouting mission of the winter. But this time my mission was different. This day, the question was not whether I could get us out, but rather I was driving to see if my son would be able to safely navigate the road after me. Before I reached the end of the driveway, I knew his car couldn’t handle the snow. So immediately the three-mile drive became an exploration to see if he would be safe driving the Subaru.

The snow was wet and heavy. The kind that grabs your car and moves it against your will. Even our 4X4 truck was tossed around a little. My initial thought was to council my son to “choose your ruts wisely.” I came around a corner to discover the heavy snow had dropped a dead tree across the road. After moving the tree and cleaning up the debris, I continued the climb out of the canyon and up onto the plateau where the worst of the drifts would be waiting if there were any. As I drove, the idea of my son following me in a short while continued to play in my mind. “Choose your ruts wisely.”

And then it hit me. My job this morning was more than evaluating the road was passable, I was creating the ruts that I hoped would keep him safe. I was inviting him to follow my path.

“Take the same path I’ve taken son, and you’ll be just fine.”

Paul the apostle had this same insight but worded it a little differently. He said, “And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.”1 Corinthians 11:1.

As Christians we are essentially saying the same thing to those around us. “Follow my example as I follow Christ.”

You can be sure I drove with more intentionality when I realized that my gift to my son was tied up in the ruts I would leave for him. “Drive where you want him to follow.”

UCA Boys' Soccer Team Wins Washington State Championship

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 16:23:53 GMT

“I wouldn’t trade that moment, when the game ended, for anything else,” shared Ethan Fly, freshmen forward.

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

On a chilly November weekend, the boys’ soccer team from Upper Columbia Academy (UCA) embarked on a journey to western Washington, uncertain of the triumphs that awaited them. UCA had earned their spots in the 2023 Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) state soccer tournament.

“The year did not start off as we had planned for our boys’ soccer team,” shared coach Ryan Irwin, UCA athletic director. “At Walla Walla University’s Fall Classic, the team lost in their first match, but took the loss and improved the rest of the season.”

The tournament began the weekend before with eight schools, by that Saturday evening UCA’s soccer team, the Lions, had advanced to the final four with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Mount Vernon Christian School from Mount Vernon, WA.

“Not only did these guys dominate on the soccer field, but I have been impressed at the way they connect with players from the other teams, support each other, and the way they kept their focus on God throughout the season,” explained Irwin.

When the weekend finally arrived, the team was uncertain if they could play because of the Sabbath. However, WIAA accommodated the Lions’ schedule, allowing their state final games to be played outside of Sabbath hours at the Federal Way Memorial Stadium in Federal Way, WA.

The semi-final game was played Friday afternoon. After a 4-0 win against Riverside Christian School from Yakima, Washington, the Lions secured their spot in the final game against Orcas Island High School from Eastsound, WA.

The highly anticipated final game took place on a Saturday night, and it lived up to the excitement. Parents and supporters from Adventist communities across the state rallied to support the Lions. UCA quickly took a 1-0 lead within the first two minutes, courtesy of a long crossing pass and score from senior Maddox Mack to freshman Ethan Fly. Before the 8-minute mark, senior Owen Hickok extended UCA’s lead with a mid-range strike. Throughout the match, the Lions’ defense showcased resilience with several saves, while junior goalkeeper Saylor Jordan exhibited superb goalkeeping skills.

As the final whistle echoed, the crowd and team erupted in celebration of UCA’s win. “Winning state and making history in front of my dad and grandpa was one of the best experiences of my life,” shared Ethan Fly, freshmen forward. “I wouldn’t trade that moment, when the game ended, for anything else.”

The UCA sports program not only delivered a historic victory but also imparted valuable lessons to the team.

“I am really impressed with the guy’s win at State Championships,” said Irwin. “They made a conscience effort at the beginning of the year to set goals and achieve them!”

In recognition of their achievement, UCA’s first state championship banner will be presented by the WIAA and proudly displayed in the gym, serving as a lasting testament to the team’s dedication and success in the 2023 WIAA Boys Soccer State Championships.

Prayer Ministries Works to Blanket UCC

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 22:33:03 GMT

The concept is simple: create a prayer blanket and gift it to someone you are praying for, spreading warmth and love throughout the community.

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

Upper Columbia Conference prayer ministries began a remarkable project that is impacting the lives of many of its constituents. The prayer blanket ministry began with the goal to provide a blanket to each church and school in the conference.

“When the idea of this project was brought to me, I felt so impressed that this was something we needed to do for Upper Columbia Conference,” shared Kathy Marson, UCC prayer ministries coordinator. “This ministry will work to blanket the conference in prayer.”

The prayer blanket ministry was designed to create fleece tie-blankets, which would then be given to churches or schools. Upon receiving the blankets, a group would gather to tie knots in the blanket while praying. Once the blanket was completed, it would be gifted to someone within the church, school, or community who was going through a challenging time. The recipient would be the focus of prayers and blessings as they received this beautiful blanket.

“As I took on this project, we decided that we would pre-cut each of the 160 blankets before they were presented to the churches and schools at the 2023 Constituency Session,” explained Marson. Realizing the need for assistance, the group opened up the opportunity for a one-day mission.

The first one-day mission welcomed 20 volunteers, eager to help cut in the 5-hour time frame. At the end of the first day 29 blankets were completed. With only two weeks left before constituency, there was pressure to complete the other 131 blankets.

“Several volunteers offered to help each afternoon to get more blankets completed. We also set another one-day mission project the following Sunday,” said Marson. “We managed to complete 71 blankets that week, totaling 100 blankets! We only had 60 left to complete, and my brain was having a hard time computing this.”

The final one-day mission involved 10 volunteers who miraculously completed the remaining 60 blankets. “I don’t know how it was possible, but I know God was involved,” shared Marson. “He helped us complete this project.”

At the 2023 Constituency Session, the prayer blankets were beautifully presented around the UCA gym for the constituents. During worship, before the session began, David Jamieson, UCC president, invited attendees to go and pray while tying some of the knots on the blankets. The blankets were blessed with hundreds of prayers. Then at lunch, constituents were invited to take a blanket back to their church or school.

Each blanket featured a label that read, “From Upper Columbia Conference and prayed over at the Constituency Session.” Directions for creating these no-sew fleece tie blankets can be found at uccsda.org/prayer . The concept is simple: create a prayer blanket and gift it to someone you are praying for, spreading warmth and love throughout the community.

7UP Retreat: A Spiritual Journey for 7th and 8th Graders

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 22:32:43 GMT

What happens when you bring together more than 140 enthusiastic 7th and 8th graders, around 30 dedicated sponsors, uplifting music, and thought-provoking worship experiences in a unique setting?

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

What happens when you bring together more than 140 enthusiastic 7th and 8th graders, around 30 dedicated sponsors, uplifting music, and thought-provoking worship experiences in a unique setting? You get “7UP,” — a spiritual retreat weekend designed for 7th and 8th graders, hosted by the Upper Columbia Conference (UCC) office of education.

The creation of the 7UP retreat stemmed from UCC’s strategic plan, “Serve One More.” Brian Harris, UCC vice president for education, shared “When we evaluated the available programs for this age group, we realized that we had a gap to fill. While our 5th and 6th graders have their annual outdoor school experience at camp, there was nothing in place for our 7th and 8th graders.” He continued, “Bringing these kids out to worship at camp aligns perfectly with our overarching goal: to guide students towards an encounter with Jesus, acceptance of His gift of salvation, and the decision to follow Him.”

From September 29th to October 1st, the inaugural 7UP Retreat unfolded at Camp MiVoden, welcoming 7th and 8th graders from across the Upper Columbia Conference eager to participate in the inspiring event.

“This retreat offers students the opportunity to worship together, establish new friendships, and immerse themselves in the wonders of God’s creation found at Camp MiVoden,” explained Harris.

The central theme of the weekend was “The Love of Jesus,” with inspiring messages delivered by Lindsey Haffner, associate pastor from Redlands Adventist Church in Redlands, California. Haffner has Pacific Northwest roots and is an alumna of Rogers Adventist School and Walla Walla University. Leading the praise and worship was a musical team that featured WWU students and alumni, led by Luke Irvine.

Among many of the standout moments during the retreat was the Sabbath afternoon activities, where students ventured outdoors to connect with the natural world. The options were abundant, with hiking, canoeing, and boat rides topping the experiences the retreat participants enjoyed.

“During this time, Caleb Foss, program director at Camp MiVoden, orchestrated team-building activities that were not only fun, but also held valuable spiritual lessons for the attendees,” shared Harris.

The success of the 7UP retreat has set the stage for it to become an annual event, with the date for the 2024 session already marked on the calendar.

“This retreat not only strengthens the spiritual bonds of these students but also serves as a testament to the commitment of UCC office of education to provide meaningful spiritual experiences for the students in our schools,” said Harris. “The 7UP Retreat represents a promising initiative that reinforces the mission of nurturing young hearts and souls in their faith journey.”

A Prayer for Recovery

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 21:06:15 GMT

Nothing he did was able to retrieve the lost programming.

by Laurinda Cutlip

Our IT director has been working very hard at programming for us. We are getting very close to the time when we need to officially begin using the new software.

He’d been tirelessly programming for three days with great progress and realized that, somehow, he’d lost his work.

Our associate IT director spent several hours throughout the afternoon and evening reviewing backups and trying various recovery techniques. Nothing he did was able to retrieve the lost programming.

They let our department know what had happened, and of course, we were all very sobered and feeling heartsick about the news. Time was of the essence, and the loss was great and disappointing.

As our team was processing the news, we bowed in prayer, reaching out to God for a miracle. We know that God cares about every detail of our lives, including every detail of His church work. We praised Him for that, asking Him to reveal Himself in our need and for the purpose of giving Him honor and glory.

We often don’t know how God works, but we know we can trust His faithfulness. The next morning when our IT director opened the same program to begin recreating the programming he had lost, God graciously answered our request for help by having more than two days’ worth of programming recovered – an answer to our prayers and a beautiful tribute to His faithfulness and care. We are humbly reminded that He is ever present in the activities of our lives, and we praise Him for His goodness and that He wants us to seek His face and ask for His presence and divine intervention!

Let’s all claim Philippians 4:6,

“Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God,

which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and minds

in Christ Jesus.” NIV

UCC Pathfinder Adventure Camporee

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 00:51:15 GMT

Adventure Camporee was the best way to describe the 2023 Upper Columbia Conference Pathfinder Camporee. The weekend began as 470 pathfinders, staff, and coordinators from 21 clubs gathered at Sheridan Meadows just outside of Republic, Washington.

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

Adventure Camporee was the best way to describe the 2023 Upper Columbia Conference Pathfinder Camporee. The weekend began as 470 pathfinders, staff, and coordinators from 21 clubs gathered at Sheridan Meadows just outside of Republic, Washington.

“This weekend wasn’t your typical gathering; it was an epic weekend of non-stop adventure and fun!” shared Richie Brower, UCC associate director for club and youth ministry. “The weekend was a great success as we tried a new format for the 2023 Pathfinder Camporee and thought that Adventure Camporee would be the most fitting way to capture this unique experience.”

The Adventure Camporee was all about activities and creating experiences for the pathfinders to build community, have fun, and participate in team challenges. No meetings were in the schedule — instead it was designed with the idea that all worship and learning was built into activities. The theme ‘Puzzled’ set the stage for pathfinders to tackle the questions that perplex them the most.

“Many of our pathfinders are at a point in their life where they are learning to find their way,” Brower explained. “They wonder if they have a place in God’s Kingdom or if they are needed in the church.”

The “Puzzled Adventure Camporee” was the perfect opportunity to help Pathfinders discover the answers to some of these questions.

The weekend’s activities included a color run, challenging obstacle course, fossil dig, community service, and many other learning opportunities. On Sabbath, pathfinders engaged in active learning followed by facilitated discussions about how to live out the Pathfinder pledge and law and continuing to discover where they each fit and how they contribute in the Kingdom of God.

Among the business of the weekend, one moment left everyone talking. Friday night all 470 pathfinders gathered in the mountain meadow under the starry skies. While sitting there admiring God’s creation they joined in song.

“Friday night we lifted up our voices in worship,” shared Brower. “It was truly a goose bumps worship experience.”

The impact of the Adventure Camporee was tangible, with 100 Pathfinders desiring to learn more about Jesus and 72 Pathfinders making a profound decision to prepare for or be baptized.

Upper Columbia Conference Hosts Successful Young Adult Camp Meeting

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 01:07:49 GMT

Many churches across the Upper Columbia Conference are noticing that their congregations have a hole in attendance in the 20-40 age group. This hole is also seen in many conference events, but especially during camp meeting.

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

Many churches across the Upper Columbia Conference are noticing that their congregations have a hole in attendance in the 20-40 age group. This hole is also seen in many conference events, but especially during camp meeting. To eliminate this vacancy the conference tasked five pastors, Jason Worf, Stephen Farr, Jake Wilkinson, Howard Tello, and Jefferson Ortiz, to coordinate a young adult camp meeting alongside the 2023 Serve One More camp meeting reaching that 20-40 year-old age group.

Hosted at Heyburn State Park just 50 minutes east of the Upper Columbia Academy campus, young adults gathered for a time of spiritual renewal, lakeside camping activities, and friendship building. “We were located in a cozy spot in the park close to the water,” shared Worf, pastor of the Pasco Riverview Adventist Church. “The goal of young adult camp meeting was to create a space for young adults to come together to fellowship, eat good food, and spend time in the word.”

The event began Friday, June 16, with 42 young adults from Upper Columbia Conference. Since the event was new, many did not know what to expect. The pastors decided to have an informal style event that focused on conversation and connection.

“The program was created for everyone to be apart,” explained Farr, district pastor for Pendleton and Pilot Rock Adventist Churches. “Our goal with doing young adult camp meeting this way was to ensure that everyone was involved with the process of sharing the gospel and learning from the word of God.”

As the weekend continued, many of the pastors realized that the young adults in Upper Columbia Conference are very interested in their spiritual life, but don’t like being preached at, rather they prefer having open conversations about the gospel.

“Giving them space to be young adults and ask questions, express opinions, and grapple with their spiritual life, was extremely helpful,” said Worf. “We provided them a safe space to have time to talk in an environment with like-minded individuals their age.”

Since the young adult camp meeting was held in a campground, there was some concern about being a disturbance. However, the group found that they were the opposite. During each Bible study the group began with music. They quickly found that the other campers enjoyed the music, and many began to join in the singing and making requests. Many of the young adults were moved by this and their ability to witness to other campers.

“The way this event was structured for young adults was amazing,” said Josh Boram, Walla Walla Eastgate Adventist Church young adults leader. “I felt that this type of camp meeting was more authentic and created an active environment less about listening and more about getting involved. I was able to lead out and it made me excited about what was being discussed and how personable and meaningful the conversations were.”

Along with the morning and evening Bible studies attendees had the opportunity to participate in mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, and swimming. “There were a lot of activities that everyone was included in,” shared Ashley Olson, attendee. “I appreciated the relaxing environment where we could be out in nature, camping, and enjoying time with people my own age talking about spiritual topics.”

With any event structured around young adults, the food was a highlight. A chuckwagon was brought and food was prepared by Rachel Boram. The menu included food from all over the world and everyone worked together to help prepare and clean up, as well as enjoy the food.

“Those that attended felt like they contributed,” explained Farr. “Our young adults want to be a part of a movement and not just sitting in pews. The 20-40 year-old age group is not reaching the same life goal the older generations were until much later in life. Because of this, many young people feel like they are the third wheel to the environment of a traditional camp meeting.”

With a new take on camp meeting for a younger generation there was uncertainty how it would be received. A survey was sent out to the participants after the event.

“The feedback was so encouraging! There were comments about how refreshing this event was, how they really felt God, how there is a desire for more events like this year-round,” shared Farr. “The young adult camp meeting showed me that if we dwell among the young adults and show we care and want them to be a part of our church that they will get excited about serving, and being involved and on fire for the church.”

If you know a young adult from 20-40 in UCC or wish to be included in the next young adult event email Jeff Wines, UCC youth & young adult director, at jeffw@uccsda.org to be added to the group text.

UCC Welcomes Sandi Bowman as New ABC Manager

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 01:11:51 GMT

Upper Columbia Conference welcomed Sandi Bowman as the new Adventist Book Center manager in November.

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

Upper Columbia Conference welcomed Sandi Bowman as the new Adventist Book Center manager in November. Bowman was voted to serve in this position during the 2023 UCC Constituency Session in September.

“I am excited be a part of the Upper Columbia Conference and serving in the ABC,” shared Bowman. “Literature is a very important ministry, and I am thankful to be a part of reaching people through our books, tracts, and bible studies.”

Bowman and her husband, Chad, both graduates of Walla Walla College, now Walla Walla University, have two children, Alyse and Taylor. Bowman graduated with a degree in business administration and has worked in ABCs since being in college.

“ABCs have been a part of my life since college when I worked as a student employee,” explained Bowman. “Later in college, I was able to work as a summer intern for Pacific Press facilitating events, camp meetings, and filling in for store vacancies.”

Since then, Bowman’s experience has included working for Pacific Press as the retail marketing director. Most recently Bowman worked at the Arizona Conference as the ABC manager and literature ministries director for 10 years. With her time there she learned the importance of literature ministry and how it is involved in every ministry including schools, summer camps, and churches for evangelistic series, Bible studies, and Sabbath school classes.

“The ministry of the ABC has limitless possibilities, and I am excited to explore the potential of Upper Columbia Conference in addition to the other territories we serve,” said Bowman. “I am planning to implement much of what I have learned in my other positions and see where God leads us in this store.”

Upper Columbia Conference has two ABC branch locations, Spokane and College Place, Washington. The UCC ABC also serves the territories of Alaska, Montana, and Washington conferences.

“Sandi has a wealth of experience working in literature ministry,” shared Allee Currier, UCC vice president for finance. “We welcome her back to the Pacific Northwest and are excited to see how God will lead in this ministry.”

The purpose of the ABC is to equip, serve, and meet the needs of the constituents in UCC, other territories, and the community by providing Christian literature, bookmobiles, and vegetarian food.

“I am so thankful to have the opportunity to work in ministry and share my love for Jesus openly with others all day,” said Bowman. “Without question God has been with me, helped me, and guided me all my life. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to share my faith through my daily work.”

He’s Alive Ministries Releases “The Law of Life” Media Series

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 16:33:03 GMT

He’s Alive Ministries, based in Spokane, WA, has just released a new media series focusing on how to biblically improve your physical health, mental health, and overall life.

He’s Alive Ministries, based in Spokane, WA, has just released a new media series focusing on how to biblically improve your physical health, mental health, and overall life. The series, “The Law of Life Media Edition: Healing from Damaged Relationships, Depression, and Disease” is based on a 278-page book written by Mark Sandoval, MD, founder and president of New Paradigm Ministries. The media series includes more than 16 hours of in-depth instructional videos, in addition to the book.

“Our goal for this series is to really reach out to communities that are struggling with physical and mental health and show them a way forward that is biblically based,” said Rupert Salmon, general manager of He's Alive Broadcasting and CEO of 3 AM Network, LLC. “We know that those who take part in this series will be truly blessed by Dr. Sandoval’s message.”

Sandoval is board certified in emergency medicine and lifestyle medicine. He has served as the founder and chairman of H.E.A.L.T.H. by the Book, president and medical director of Uchee Pines Institute, and health ministries director of the Gulf States Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. His “Law of Life” series is a dynamic combination of print and visual media intended for small group study, book clubs, or health ministries that want to gain perspective on the inner workings of the mind from a biblical standpoint.

“Disease? Depression? Damaged relationships? This book is for you!” said reader Dee Dee. “A friend of mine spoke about some of the contents of this book, which sparked my interest, but it is far better than I was told. The examples, rationales, correlations, etc. are simple yet so profound! Dr. Mark Sandoval goes deep into cause and effect, choices and change. This is a must-read book. I have difficulty putting it down! I will read it again, and have been encouraging others to read it as well.”

Salmon’s plan is to set up book clubs in churches using the book, workbook, and videos to invite friends and neighbors to join in at members' homes or through Zoom to discuss chapter by chapter.

For more information on the project, contact Rupert Salmon at (509) 508-8115 or by email at ruperts@hesalivetv.com . The series can be purchased at givebutter.com/hesalivetv .

He’s Alive Broadcasting is a local Christian television station in existence for the past 28 years in the Spokane, Washington area. Over the past 2 years, He’s Alive has been under new management and will soon be transferring ownership. Under this new leadership, He’s Alive Broadcasting will become 3 AM Network, a minority-owned and operated media company, broadcasting over 5 digital channels, KHBA-LP channel 35 Spokane, Washington.

Collaboration to Share Bible Truth

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 15:39:14 GMT

The success of Dinosaur Encounter is a testament to the power of collaboration, communication, and prayer.

By Damen Therkildsen

Renew Spokane communications coordinator

In a remarkable display of community collaboration, Spokane Valley Adventist Church, Spokane-area churches, and Renew Spokane orchestrated an unforgettable evening. This event, free to the community, was a hit among both children and adults in the Spokane area. The 75-minute show, Dinosaur Encounter, presented by speaker and author Rich Aguilera, captivated the audience to bring together nature, science, and the Bible to provide answers to the question of dinosaur’s existence from a biblical perspective.

“I was so impressed with our group pulling together not one, but two shows for Dinosaur Encounter,” shared Patty Marsh, Renew Spokane director. “Thanks to generous donors, the normal $15 registration cost was covered in the Spokane-area churches providing a free event to the community.”

The event ran for two sold-out showings, and attendees were treated to an enchanted experience, filled with information, insights, and showmanship that deepened their understanding of these extinct creatures. Dinosaur Encounter proved to be an educational and entertaining experience that left everyone in attendance with a newfound appreciation for the world of dinosaurs.

“This was a great show for the kids, but also stimulated my thinking about dinosaurs like never before,” shared a participant. “Rich definitely challenged me! My kids loved the 3D aspect, especially when the rain fell on them.”

The success of Dinosaur Encounter is a testament to the power of collaboration, communication, and prayer. In just four days of opening registration, all 600 spots for the first showing were sold out, with an additional 600 spots filled for a second showing. The event attracted many attendees from local Adventist churches and from the community, a clear indication that the outreach efforts were successful in reaching out to a broader audience.

“We were thrilled that so many from our local community attended, due to the various advertising avenues,” shared Teddy Shupe, pastor of Spokane Valley Adventist Church. “The positive feedback after the events as people left the venue was very encouraging.

The outreach was fun, it connected with the interest of people of all ages, it spoke well of God and the credibility of His Word, and winsomely shed light on our Adventist faith community in the Spokane area!”

The event’s success was significantly enhanced by the strong emphasis on collaboration and communication, which aligns with Renew Spokane’s mission of reviving hope, facilitating healing, and nurturing a sense of community. After the event, numerous adults and children stayed behind to engage in meaningful conversations, providing yet another occasion for Christ's Method to work together with the Holy Spirit in a tangible effort to introduce people to Jesus. This collaboration served as a means to share the truth of the Bible.

“The key factor that contributed to the success of this event was quality programing and the importance of personal evangelism,” said Marsh. “Attendees made an effort to share the event with people within their sphere of influence, recognizing that inviting friends, family, and neighbors is the number one-way people come to know Jesus. This approach proved to be effective, as many attendees heard about the event through word of mouth.”

If you’re interested in upcoming events like this and other community opportunities, visit Renew Spokane at renewspokane.org .

The Impact of the First Annual UCC Prayer Summit

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 19:07:19 GMT

One big takeaway from the weekend was the fact that prayer is under great attack.

by Kathy Marson

“I was blessed by God immensely and I will never be the same!” This statement was heard by many at the recent Prayer Summit, held at the Upper Columbia Conference headquarters in Spokane, Wash., October 13-15, 2023. Stephen Farr and David Jamieson were the main speakers.

From God placing special messages on people’s hearts, to His orchestrating an anointing service for all who desired this, many attendees expressed heartfelt thanks to God and leaders that this event was exactly what they needed.

Seminars by Jeremiah Smart, Jimmy Johnson, Jim Kilmer, Perry Flerchinger, and Kathy Marson were instrumental in giving people information on how to create space for more prayer in our churches; how to prayer walk, how to put into action our prayers and how to make them tangible. Many appreciated the seminar titled, “Don’t Take the Bait” The Healing Power of Prayer. These are available to listen to at: www.uccsda.org/prayersummit . You can also watch all the main meetings at this link.

Stephen Farr, local pastor from Pendleton and Pilot Rock, Ore., kept the attendees spellbound with stories of answered prayer as God led him from a dysfunctional home, homelessness, and to becoming a pastor. Pastor Farr shared talks on "War Room," "Armor of God," and "Battlefield."

Answers to prayer were shared throughout the weekend. Another takeaway from the weekend was the fact that prayer is under attack. Prayer is the battlefield. When God's people pray, we win. When we don't, the devil wins. Many people who came were determined to come even though there were health issues or other roadblocks in their path. During Friday evening meeting there were sound issues with the PA system. At one point, with nothing visibly wrong, an individual prayed for God to remove any evil blocking the sound, and right away the sound worked again. It is clear to many that prayer is power from God that the devil seeks to halt.

David Jamieson, president of Upper Columbia Conference, shared the importance of Vertical Prayer, of really creating the space for prayer in every church. He shared how we can look to God as we face all kinds of battles, for our kids, for our finances, for our families, we can look up to God vertically and He will help us win. We win through the power of prayer. As David spoke, he recognized that God's Holy Spirit was giving him words to say.

These are words all members need to hear. Please ask God to create space in your days to listen to these timely messages on prayer from the Prayer Summit. We have seen throughout history, that spending time in prayer is behind every big movement of God. When we all make prayer a priority through God’s help, He will do great things!

Watching and listening to the 2023 Prayer Summit is one of the most important things you can do!

Though this Prayer Summit, may you be blessed by God, and never be the same!

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything

by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation,

be constant in prayer.

Romans 12:12

Shine 104.9 Celebrates 30 Years

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 00:07:04 GMT

Shine 104.9 Celebrated 30 Years with Shinefest Event Drawing More than 5,000

By Dustin R. Jones, MA

UCC Director of Communications

Shine 104.9 FM (KEEH), headquartered in Spokane, Washington, celebrated its 30th anniversary this year with a Shinefest event at the Lilac Bowl in downtown Spokane’s Riverfront Park. The free listener appreciation concert drew a crowd of more than 5,000 to hear special guests Johnny Diaz, Brandon Heath and Mac Powell.

“At a time when media surveys point to the decreasing relevance of faith in the lives of our community, we are working to make Spokane a lighthouse of hope for the local region and beyond,” said Darin Patzer, KEEH station manager.

In 1993 KEEH began broadcasting as a non-commercial radio ministry from a studio housed in the Upper Columbia Conference office.

Over the years, the station has focused on being of service to the various denominational churches and non-profit ministries of the local community. From offering free radio promotion and inviting community leaders and pastors into the studio for interviews to handing out Christian materials at events like the Bloomsday race or community fairs, KEEH has developed a reputation for being an integral part of the Christian community in Spokane.

“God has blessed and given our station tremendous influence,” said Patzer. “Shine 104.9 is fully funded by our community and has grown to be ranked as the number one station* out of all radio stations in Spokane for three separate years. That kind of success is almost unheard of nationwide for a station playing Christian music. With 1 in 9 residents of Spokane and Kootenai County reporting that they listen to the station for roughly an hour a day, tremendous bridges are being built for Christ and for the Adventist church.”

Beyond its role as a radio station, Shine 104.9 has actively engaged with the community it serves. Through charitable events, partnerships with local organizations or hosting concerts and gatherings, the station has fostered a sense of togetherness. This commitment to community building has made it an integral part of Spokane's social fabric.

The past several years, Shine 104.9 helps put on the biggest Christian discipleship conference in the Pacific Northwest.

The Be Bold for Jesus conference features Christian speakers and worship leaders who are bold for their faith, like Tim Tebow, Kirk Cameron, Lauren Daigle and Jeremy Camp. This year, the conference included Lee Strobel, Ken Ham, Greg Laurie, Adrienne Camp, Alisa Childers, Ted Cunningham, Danny Gokey and a closing keynote from Jeff Foxworthy, Christian comedian.

Additionally, KEEH has partnered annually with Water for Life in the digging of hundreds of fresh-water wells in hand with the sharing of Bible studies in rural villages of Guatemala, as well as hosting the Christmas in July food drive, which brings in thousands of pounds of non-perishable food each summer for the underprivileged in partnership with local food banks.

These and other projects are giving hope and sharing the Water of Life through the radio station’s partnership with listeners. The station attempts to give back to its listeners by providing faith-affirming events and tours to locations such as Mount St. Helens and the Holy Lands, as well as spring and fall tours of the Creation Museum and The Ark Experience in Kentucky.

“I don’t know that we can fully comprehend the reach that this station has in the Spokane community,” said Jimmy Johnson, KEEH board chair. “God continues to open doors for this ministry to impact the lives of the people in our region. We are so grateful for God’s providence in starting this station and, in turn, very mindful of His provision.”

KEEH has recently expanded and is now available in three locations: Spokane, Washington; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and Sandpoint, Idaho. You can tune in from anywhere to listen to Shine 104.9 through the app or website at shine1049.org .

*Copyright Nielsen Ratings, Spring 2023

Gains in Grangeville

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 23:54:26 GMT

The Grangeville Adventist Church building has a new sanctuary thanks to volunteers from across the country.

By Sidney Needles

Maranatha Volunteers International communication specialist

A whirlwind of activity ensued in early September when 25 volunteers and one crane gathered in rural northcentral Idaho to build a 5,700 square-foot addition onto the Grangeville Seventh-day Adventist Church building. Interior and exterior walls needed to be raised, trusses secured, plywood sheathing attached, and windows and doors installed. Volunteers tackled this imposing to-do list with the drive of a linebacker on Superbowl Sunday. When the sawdust settled two weeks later, a beautiful new sanctuary and various smaller rooms stood attached to the original church building.

The Grangeville Adventist church had worshiped in the same, too-small building for more than 25 years. It included several small rooms and a fellowship hall that was multipurpose, to say the least. As the only room large enough to fit the full congregation, it housed Sabbath School classes, worship services, sermons, and potlucks.

“You had to do a lot of things in the fellowship hall that you’d normally want to do in a sanctuary,” said Pastor Steve Rogers.

Tired of Sabbaths spent constantly repurposing their space, the congregation needed more square-footage, more specifically a sanctuary where they could hold full-congregation worship services comfortably. Additionally, rising church attendance–while delightful–had exacerbated the decades-old dilemma. But the high price of materials, equipment, and labor continued to put a pin in all plans for expansion. Through it all, church members remained hopeful that their situation would one day change.

September 3, 2023, was that day. A group of volunteers, organized by Adventist non-profit Maranatha Volunteers International, arrived to start building the addition. With the Grangeville Church covering material costs and volunteers serving as free labor, the addition’s price tag was finally realistic.

During the project, church members worked alongside volunteers on the construction site, cooked meals, and opened their homes for volunteers to stay in.

“They [the congregation] seemed to go out of their way to take care of us,” said Maranatha’s project leader, Edward Jensen. “Just the fact that we were there, you know? They were very thankful for what we were doing.”

Today, the Grangeville church building addition stands as a physical reminder of the incredible power of prayer. “It means everything because they’re an answer to our prayers,” said Rogers. “The people are the miracle on this project. They sacrificed their time, resources, expertise, and equipment. It’s meant the world because we could not have done it without them; so we’re eternally grateful for Maranatha.”

Maranatha Volunteers International mobilizes volunteers to build churches, schools, water wells, and other urgently needed structures around the world. Each year, Maranatha works with organizations in the United States and Canada to provide volunteer labor for various construction or renovation projects at summer camps and retreat centers, schools, and churches. Work ranges from renovations of existing buildings to new construction, and saves thousands of dollars in labor costs.

UCC Delegates Commit to Serve One More

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 15:07:19 GMT

2023 Constituency Session sets stage for next four years at UCC

By Heidi Baumgartner & Dustin Jones

Sunday, September 24, 2023, was a special day! First of all, it was the culmination of the Vertical:24-10 Prayer Experience where local church members all across Upper Columbia Conference were praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the conference. Second, delegates excitedly gathered on the beautiful campus of Upper Columbia Academy to participate in the 79th Session of the Upper Columbia Conference. In total, 504 of 713 eligible local church delegates and delegates-at-large came together in anticipation of a business meeting.

“You’ve come anticipating a meeting,” said David Jamieson, UCC president, as he welcomed the delegates, “however, I love ministry more than meetings. In a gathering of this size, there are many people who have come who may feel alone in the crowd or maybe there’s someone who is hurting and needs to be ministered to. My purpose in being here today, is through the blessing of our Heavenly Father, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, to minister to you and to point you to Jesus Christ, the only hope of this world.”

Jamieson invited delegates to join him in focusing on worship, prayer, mission, ministry, and service through the conference-wide emphasis to Serve One More.

The Serve One More devotional culminated in a tangible time of prayer in which Jamieson invited delegates to blanket the Upper Columbia Conference in prayer. Delegates slipped out of their seats and tied prayer knots onto the fringes of 160 sunflower-patterned fleece blankets. These blankets were then gifted to each church and school to share with someone in their church, school or community who needs God’s healing touch.

In his devotional Jamieson unpacked the story found in Mark 5 of the woman suffering with an issue of blood.

“The gospel stories don’t just talk about what Jesus did as He went from village to village serving one more but rather what Jesus does,” continued Jamieson. “These stories build faith in the goodness, graciousness, and greatness of our God. Jesus changes absolutely everything in a person’s life when they get to know who He really is. It doesn’t matter when you come to Jesus, where you come to Jesus, or how you come to Jesus. The only thing that matters is that we do choose, hopefully sooner than later, to come to Jesus Christ.”

In the past four years, UCC allocated $1.7 million to evangelism activities including 235 reaping events, 1,000 sowing events and more than 1,500 baptisms. Additionally, more than 55 churches are engaging their local communities through 111 Adventist Community Services and SonBridge outreaches and projects. This practical, hands-on approach to ministry led into the vision to “Serve One More.”

“We are beginning a new chapter in the life of Upper Columbia Conference,” said Jamieson. “A chapter that envisions God calling us to even greater moments and greater ministry to expand His kingdom in the Inland Northwest.”

First, the Upper Columbia Conference has a vision to truly become a resource center to its field in ways that can’t fully be imagined yet. The conference wants to assist, support, and resource its members, families, churches, schools, and all the conference entities to build a legacy for God by following His vision to sacrificially Serve One More.

Second, as a Resource Center, Upper Columbia Conference commits to Serve One More by modeling its core values and core actions to every person that its members interact with.

Third, UCC desires to make a greater impact for the kingdom of God by serving the felt needs of individuals and families in the Inland Northwest through innovative community service initiatives. So, it is currently fundraising between $2-3 million dollars to equip, empower, and resource local church pastors, lay leaders, congregations, and schools in their efforts to Serve One More. This fundraising campaign is leading to a conference-wide offering on October 27, 2023.

“As we practice ‘Christ’s Method Alone’ accompanied by the power of persuasion, the power of prayer, and the power of the love of God, our work will not and cannot be without fruit,” Jamieson noted.

Elected to serve for 2023-2027 term are the following officers: David Jamieson, president; Rodney Mills, vice president for administration; Allee Currier, vice president for finance; and Brian Harris, vice president for education.

Delegates also appointed ministry directors including: Patty Marsh, Adventist Community Services & Disaster Response, women’s ministries and children’s ministries; Jeff Wines, Camp MiVoden, club ministries, young adults and youth; Dustin Jones, communications; Walter Pintos-Schmidt, Hispanic ministries; Stephanie Bailey, human resources; Art Lenz, information and technology services; Eric Brown, ministerial and evangelism; and Andrew McCrary, trust services. Additionally, delegates voted for Sandi Bowman from Arizona Conference to serve as Adventist Book Center manager.

Additionally, four new churches were welcomed into the sisterhood of churches, including two Spanish churches and a Slavic church. It was also the first session to include documents that were translated into Spanish, an acknowledgement of the growth of Spanish-speaking members in the conference.

The Constitution and Bylaws Committee, led by Lowell Cooper, a veteran church governance administrator and member of the Pasco Riverview Church, processed with the constituency several amendments. These amendments ranged from formatting changes to aligning future sessions with the North Pacific Union Conference constituency sessions.

The session ended with delegates voting in a new executive committee, board of education, and finance review team.

Jamieson closed the meeting by calling all those present to fulfill the promise of Isaiah 52:7 and to go back to their churches and schools as representatives of Christ who understand “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’”

“This is our time!” Jamieson said as he challenged the delegates. “It is our time to be persistent in prayer, to receive the promise of Christ’s Righteousness, to daily experience the power of the Word of God, to proclaim the Three Angels Messages in verity and love, and to personally participate in Christ’s mssion to Serve One More , to Sevir Uno Mas! ”

What is a Constituency Session and How Does it Impact Me?

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 20:14:33 GMT

If you have been a part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for long enough, you will inevitably hear the term: Constituency Session.

If you have been a part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for long enough, you will inevitably hear the term: Constituency Session. There usually seems to be a finality to the term when it is used. It often sounds big and heavy. In a lot of ways, that is true. To describe it simply, a Constituency Session is how our church operates.

As a member, a Constituency Session could seem uninteresting and uninviting. However, it is how our denomination as a whole is organized and how all members have the opportunity to help make decisions for the church. The decisions impact your local church, your local conference, your local union, your local division, and so on.

During Constituency Session for Upper Columbia Conference, officers and department directors are elected, amendments to the constitution and bylaws are considered, and committees are formed. This includes the executive committee, which provides guidance and governance for the conference throughout the term and makes decisions when the constituency is not in session.

Delegates are the driving force during a Constituency Session. These delegates are selected by all local churches in the conference and participate in voting along with the at-large delegates. At-large delegates consist of pastors and local conference personnel.

Though all members are invited to attend the Constituency Session, only delegates are allowed to address the constituents and vote.

This year is the 79 ^th Constituency Session of the Upper Columbia Conference and will be held on the campus of Upper Columbia Academy on Sunday, September 24.

To learn more about constituency sessions, you can read the article the North Pacific Union Gleaner published titled “How the Church Works.”

Upper Columbia Conference Holds Young Adult Event

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 18:36:05 GMT

On Saturday, April 22, 2023, Upper Columbia Conference president, David Jamieson and UCC youth & young adult director, Jeff Wines, hosted Start a Conversation, an event empowering collegiate age young adults to be involved in conversation about the church.

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

On Saturday, April 22, 2023, Upper Columbia Conference president, David Jamieson and UCC youth & young adult director, Jeff Wines, hosted Start a Conversation, an event empowering collegiate age young adults to be involved in conversation about the church. The event was held at Lake City Academy in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with the goal of bringing the young adults in the area together to fellowship, connect, and discuss the tough conversations.

“This was a wonderful experience that provided an opportunity for young adults in this part of our conference to come together to begin the conversation about what they are challenged with in their churches,” shared Wines. “David and I listened, discussed, and answered their questions, working to include each person so they felt heard.”

The event began with a meal allowing the young adults to mingle and meet others their age. As the evening continued, the group transitioned into a vespers service led by Jamieson. Then the conversation began. Jamieson and Wines invited the group of 20 young adults to gather in a circle to make the conversation more personable. Jamison began by sharing about himself and his role in the conference.

“After David finished sharing, I was prepared to begin with the list of questions I had pre-prepared; however, when the floor was open to discussion the group jumped right in,” explained Wines.

The conversation lasted an hour and a half with Wines facilitating the conversation while Jamieson engaged the questions. Many of the reoccurring themes that were shared by the young adults included: their desire to be heard and included in church. They wish that their church members would be gracious mentors that are willing to guide them. Many want to be involved in a church that is non-judgmental that they can bring their friends to. Others want to be involved in a church, but find it hard to navigate how to fit in.

As the evening came to an end, the young adults expressed how grateful they were for the event. They felt that their voices had been heard and they are confident that Jamieson is here to help and listen. Before the event ended Jamieson prayed for the group and, in return, the group surrounded Jamieson with their hands on him to pray for the work he is doing in Upper Columbia Conference.

With the positive feedback, there will be another young adult event held in the future. If you know a young adult or wish to be included in the next event email Jeff Wines at jeffw@uccsda.org to be added to the group text.

Vertical Questions and Answers

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 18:26:48 GMT

Ten Days of 24-hour prayer begins September 15, 2023. Is God calling you to fast and pray?

In Upper Columbia Conference there are many churches participating in Vertical 24-10 Prayer Experience. This event is right around the corner and is happening September 15-24. Many are signing up to lead out in the 24-hour prayer zooms. Many are signing up to receive the Daily Devotional which is from the book, 50 Days of Prayer to Prepare for the Latter Rain and Christ's Return, by Dennis Smith.

Even though flyers and posters have been sent to each church and information sent to key people in each congregation, here are some answers to questions that have come to the UCC Prayer Ministries.

What is Vertical 24-10 Prayer Experience?

Praying together 24 hours a day for 10 days for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was born out of a desire to follow the example of the disciples when Jesus asked them to pray for ten days for the Holy Spirit to come. Prayer leaders were inspired that God is asking us to do this. For more in-depth description of this, go to: https://www.uccsda.org/vertical

How to I receive the daily devotional?

For all who sign up to “Join the 24-10 Vertical Experience at https://www.uccsda.org/vertical , a daily devotional about the Holy Spirit will be sent early each day. Early at 12:15 a.m., since this is a 24-hour day. In the devotional, you will be invited to choose a prayer partner to pray with each day.

How can I pray each day with others?

You can go into Zoom Room For each day of Vertical 24-10. A Zoom has been set up for each day from September 15 to 24. Prayer Coordinators and leaders throughout the conference have signed up to lead out in these prayer rooms so members can join anytime of day or night with them in prayer. These zoom room links are found listed at https://www.uccsda.org/verticalresources at the top of the left column. There is a PDF File of all 10 Days which has the phone number and password to call in. Each day is also listed and should work for people with a computer to join in quickly.

Do You Need More Leaders in the Prayer Zoom Rooms?

Yes, we can still use Zoom Prayer Room Leaders and you are invited to be a part in helping with the zoom rooms. Here is the training time If you cannot make this time and need training, email to: prayer@uccsda.org .

September 12, Tuesday from 6 to 7 a.m.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84493737042?pwd=alJ0YUdWSkZTRkswZThHZHEzaDE1QT09

Meeting ID: 844 9373 7042 Passcode: 713891

One tap mobile (to Join by phone)

+12532050468, ,84493737042#,,,,*713891# US

+12532158782, ,84493737042#,,,,*713891# US (Tacoma)

Are you asking volunteers to pray for 24 hours?

No. Volunteers sign up to pray during a segment of time within the 24-hour window. We are hoping that volunteers throughout the conference will keep the prayer chain intact! And so that someone is aways praying.

Can I just pray alone for this?

Yes! We hope all who can, will spend extra time in prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. If you wish to let us know what time of day you are praying, here is a short form for those who would like to make a prayer time commitment: https://forms.gle/xsXpMY4ZevWN4jrg9

Is there a promotional Video about Vertical?

Yes, David Jamieson and the UCC Communication Department created a short video that you can show at your church. It is in the list of “Current Vertical Promotional Resources” at https://www.uccsda.org/verticalresources .

I Did not get any flyers or posters, How can I get Flyers and Posters?

Flyers and posters in both English and Spanish are available at the same place as the question above. They were handed out to pastors at the summer retreat and mailed to each church without a pastor.

Can others outside of our conference participate?

Yes, you can share this with anyone. Perhaps your prayer partners is in another state. That is okay.

Is there something available to share with our church each Sabbath?

There are “Sabbath Readings about Vertical” that you can print out and share from the front each Sabbath. This is also listed at https://www.uccsda.lorg/verticalresources just above the video by David Jamieson.

Thank you all for what you are doing and what you will be doing for Vertical 24-10 Prayer Experience. We know that when God asks us to pray, that He will bless abundantly our time spent in praying for an outpouring of His Holy Spirit.

And when they had prayed, the place in which

they were gathered together was shaken,

and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit

and continued to speak the word of God

with boldness.

Acts 4:31

Burnout Prevention

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 15:53:49 GMT

Summer Health Tip #4: "Did you take a vacation this summer? I hope that the answer is yes! Over and over research has shown that there are significant benefits when you take an extended break from your work routine."

By Cindy Williams, Rn

Coordinator, Health Ministries

Did you take a vacation this summer? Even a mini get-away or stay-cation? I hope that the answer is yes! Over and over research has shown that there are significant benefits when you take an extended break from your work routine. Vacations result in improved productivity, lower stress, better mental health, and greater creativity.

The pandemic and economic pressures have pushed many of us to make vacation plans that are different than they likely were in the past. That doesn’t mean that they can’t be fun and provide us with great benefits. Here are some tips to make the most of that time away.

Plan something that truly refreshes you and your family. What recharges you? What is your idea of fun and recreation? Is it exploring, learning a new skill, engaging in a sport, or trying new food? Do you need good sleep, warmer & sunnier days, or new acquaintances?
Set realistic expectations for your vacation. It isn’t likely to cure burnout or cure everything that needs fixing.
Spend time in nature. Studies show that spending time outdoors has physical and mental benefits. It doesn’t matter whether you are simply taking a walk in your neighborhood, having a picnic, or at the ocean.
Create memories. What you do isn’t as important as the people you do it with. Record some of those memories on video or with still pictures. Technology has made saving memories easy.
Cut the cord. Limit the time that you are available at your office. It’s best if you are completely away. If that isn’t possible, limit work to specific times of day so both your office and your family know how to plan.
Come back from vacation a day early. This may seem like you are cutting your vacation short but it’s likely that you will feel more relaxed when you return to work if you do this. Give yourself at least enough time to unpack, clean up your home, and get a good night’s rest before you return to work.

References:

https://hbr.org/2020/08/thinking-of-skipping-vacation-dont

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brain-waves/201906/how-much-time-in-nature-is-needed-see-benefits

Gray and Oregon Road Fires: UCC Adventist Community Services Disaster Response

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 15:08:09 GMT

“I received several emails that evening,” shares Marsh. “As the sun began to set, communication that evening ended with ‘stand by.’”

By: Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

Friday evening, August 18, just hours after two massive fires, Gray and Oregon Road broke out, Spokane County Emergency Management (SCEM) reached out to Patty Marsh, director of Upper Columbia Conference Adventist Community Services.

“I received several emails that evening,” shares Marsh. “As the sun began to set, communication that evening ended with ‘stand by.’ I knew that meant you may be rapidly deployed, be ready. Throughout the last week, dozens of conversations continued.”

Then Thursday evening at 4:49 the request came to Marsh, “Can you provide eight volunteers tomorrow to greet and guide the survivors who will visit the Spokane County disaster assistance center (DAC)? We would like ACS for the full day.”

Marsh began reaching out and within an hour eight individuals had said yes to a four-hour shift. The volunteers knew that they could not relate to what the individuals experienced, but arrived with a caring, pleasant, and gracious demeanor. They spent the day supporting and uplifting the survivors, but most importantly, offering a listening ear.

After volunteering on Friday, Wendy Urbin, UCC ACS administrative assistant, was asked to oversee the DAC volunteer orientation over the weekend. With her training in spiritual and emotional care, she agreed.

“People arrived stressed and left calmer and at peace. Thank you for all your help and support,” said one SCEM administrator. “The ACS volunteers spent time with each person and made a huge difference in their life. Our leadership team all said the ACS volunteers were top-notch. I am so grateful for our partnership — sincerely!”

As of August 28, ten days after the fire, it has been reported that between both fires 21,025 acres and 366 homes have burned, and 2 lives lost. Air quality alerts after the fire reported hazardous as the AQI value hit 500, now return to moderate. Gray Fire is 85% contained and Oregon Road Fire is 79% contained.

“I want to thank Larry Mays, NPUC ACS/DR coordinator; Leonard Westermeyer, Spokane-area ACS/DR coordinator, who will take the lead in the warehouse; Richie Brower, UCC club ministries associate director; and volunteers,” said Marsh. “This is the beginning to a long-term recovery, please keep those involved in the fire in your thoughts and prayers.”

Over the next few weeks ACS/DR volunteers will continue to support the DAC, as well as assist with the fire response effort of Spokane Donations Warehouse outreach, ‘Our Place.’ If you wish to volunteer, please contact Wendy Urbin at wendyu@uccsda.org . Monetary donations can still be accepted by going to news.uccsda.org/giving .

Pathfinders Host Bare Necessities Drive

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 23:58:21 GMT

Food pantries provide so many needs for the community, but there are many more needs that don’t get met. Necessities like soap, shampoo, and toothpaste are all essential needs that many can’t afford.

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

Food pantries provide so many needs for the community, but there are many more needs that don’t get met. Necessities like soap, shampoo, and toothpaste are all essential needs that many can’t afford. When Richie Brower, associate director of youth and young adults at Upper Columbia Conference, asked what the Pathfinders, a group of youth in the fifth grade through the eighth grade, could do for the Spangle, Washington community, the bare necessities were at the top of the list.

“It started with a conversation I had with Pastor Lonnie Scott, Spangle Community Church pastor,” shared Brower. “I told him Pathfinders were coming to the area in March and May and we’d love to help with the food pantry at their church, as we have in the past. He told me that their greatest need was necessities.”

Ideas began to form and many more wanted to get involved. Then after much brainstorming, a friendly competition was decided upon. The Bare Necessities Drive Challenge would be between the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes at Upper Columbia Academy, and the Upper Columbia Academy Elementary School and Upper Columbia Academy Church combined. The contest was hosted by the Wheatland Coyotes Pathfinder Club at UCA Church, led by Cindy Williams.

Beginning February 1, thirteen members of the Wheatland Coyotes Pathfinder Club and twenty-four students at the elementary school along with UCA church members, would be up against the 275 students at Upper Columbia Academy. The drive was from February 1-15 with the goal to collect as many household, cleaning, or personal hygiene items as they could. After the contest, the items would be donated to the food pantries in the area.

Everyone was excited to get started, but to make the challenge more enticing, the group that collected the most personal hygiene items (100 unit minimum), would win a prize of $500 offered by the Upper Columbia Conference youth department for their class or school fund.

“Partway through the contest, we heard a rumor that the sophomore class had hundreds of items,” shared Lorna Hartman, UCAES administrative assistant. “We kept on working because you never know about rumors.”

As the 15 days came to an end, the items were collected and counted. On Wednesday, February 22, the winning team was awarded the $500 prize after collecting 705 items. The Wheatland Coyotes Pathfinder Club and UCAES, supported by the UCA church, won.

“The team worked hard and won,” shared Hartman. “We are thankful for everyone’s donations that made it happen, and we salute the other teams and their donations as well.”

Overall, 1,051 items were collected. “It was exciting to see all the items collected and to think how many people will be blessed by them,” said Cindy Williams, Wheatland Pathfinder Club director. “We are distributing them to three food pantries – Fairfield, Spangle, and the Better Living Center in Spokane. We would like to do another necessities drive in the future.”

Intercessory Prayer

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 19:24:45 GMT

Praying for others in 2023-2024

By Kathy Marson

Prayer ministries coordinator

Praying for all churches and schools in Upper Columbia Conference is the goal of prayer ministry by creating a weekly prayer list on our web site. The upcoming year of focused prayer is August 23, 2023 through August 14, 2024.

This year we will focus on praying for each teacher and pastor by name and for each church without a pastor. Also in our lineup are the public servants who lead state legislatures, and who serve in the US Senate and Congress. We want to also pray for each ministry such as Pathfinders, prayer ministries, food banks, school boards, women’s ministries, community outreach ministries.

If you would like us to pray for your ministry, feel free to send a quick email to prayer@uccsda.org .

We can never out pray our God. He wants us to bring our requests to Him. There are no verses in the Bible that talk about praying too much! Instead, we are given advice to pray for people in high positions. We are to claim promises in God’s word by praying through them. God’s words in scripture are powerful. If we knew how much God wants to answer specific prayers, we would be in prayer more and more.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions,

and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all

who are in high positions,

that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life,

godly and dignified in every way.

1 Timothy 2:1-2.

“‘And I will give you shepherds after my own heart,

who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Jeremiah 3:15

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another,

as good stewards of God's varied grace:

1 Peter 4:10.

Camp MiVoden Named Among Top US Summer Camps

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 15:09:55 GMT

While Camp MiVoden is known locally for its engaging summer camp programs and year-round retreats, that recognition became national this year after Newsweek named it among the top summer camps in the United States.

By Lauren Vizcarra

Camp MiVoden journalist

While Camp MiVoden is known locally for its engaging summer camp programs and year-round retreats, that recognition became national this year after Newsweek named it among the top summer camps in the United States. But what makes Camp MiVoden different? If you asked around, the universal answer would be: the staff.

Camp could not happen without the ardent efforts of all Camp MiVoden staff members. Summer is an especially busy time and takes a lot of preparation and dedication to run. Before opening the camp to the youth, seasonal Camp MiVoden staff arrive one to two weeks earlier than the campers to train and acquire any necessary certification.

“I always dreamed about working at camp when I was a camper,” said Alyssa Brown, equestrian camp director. As a long-time camper of six years, Brown graduated to staff member last year. This is her second summer working at Camp MiVoden. “I love the mission of camp and the ability to spend my summer connecting campers to Christ and creating a loving community with Christ at the center.”

There are many reasons why summer staff choose to work at Camp MiVoden. Zachary Damm, Disciple Trek and Abba’s Child counselor, said MiVoden is the only place he’s truly been able to do what his heart desires and he plans to let God take the reins this summer.

Micalyn Haugsted, who works in the same position, said her goals this summer are to show campers the love of Christ and to bring them joy. She wants to give them the same fond memories she has of camp.

Wilderness Trekking staff member Branden Ermshar said his goal this summer is to bring others to Jesus and make sure every kid feels loved and cared for. He emphasized how every child comes from a different walk of life and that a simple hug can make a big difference.

“Camp is one of the coolest ministries because it not only creates an environment for our campers to commit their lives to Jesus, but for our staff to do the same, deepening their relationship with Him,” said Megan Olfert, wakeboard girls’ counselor and boat driver.

There are many things which drive Camp MiVoden, but a fundamental piece is the staff’s desire to be the hands and feet of Jesus and allowing Him to lead them. According to staff members Makenna Shirinzadeh and Hailey Fischer, Camp MiVoden is where they feel closest to God.

Camp MiVoden staff come from all different backgrounds and experiences, but the one thing they all have in common is a desire to share God’s love with campers in whatever way — be it big or small — they can.

UCC Camp Meeting Brings Meaning to Serve One More

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 00:27:36 GMT

The first in-person camp meeting in Upper Columbia Conference since 2019 reunited many old friends and families and provided the opportunity to Serve One More.

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

The first in-person camp meeting in Upper Columbia Conference since 2019 reunited many old friends and families and provided the opportunity to make new friends. Held on the campus of Upper Columbia Academy in Spangle, Wash., the theme was Serve One More.

“For many of us, it was our first time hosting a full camp meeting,” said Dustin Jones, UCC director of communications and camp meeting director. “Those that attended came away with amazing experiences under our theme of Serve One More."

After three years of virtual or hybrid camp meeting, UCC staff busily prepared for a spiritually uplifting weekend in person. Beginning Wednesday, June 14, UCC welcomed Carlton Byrd, president of the Southwest Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in Dallas, Texas, as main speaker.

Dr. Byrd began camp meeting by sharing the story of Moses from Exodus 3: 9-15, emphasizing, Go and Serve. “I’ve learned over the years that God isn’t quite so interested in calling the equipped, but more into equipping the called,” shared Byrd.

Thursday morning David Jamieson, UCC president, shared inspiring testimonies from his time working at The Church in the Valley in British Columbia, Canada. He shared the impact his former church made in the community and expressed his desire to ignite the spark in UCC to Serve One More.

“Service changes our churches. Service changes our communities. Service changes each of our hearts and minds,” said Jamieson. “Jesus laid down His everything for our nothing. How much more should we, being nothing, serve those He considered to be something worth everything?”

In the mornings and afternoon children’s programs were put on for children in beginners to youth. Kids enjoyed interactive meetings with singing, crafts as well as bounce houses, and slip and slides.

On Thursday and Friday morning and afternoon, seminars were being presented on a variety of topics. Those that were in attendance expressed their interest in the seminars with reports of as many as 50 in attendances at several meeting.

Early each morning UCC pastors shared the importance of prayer. Friday morning, pastor Stephen Farr, district pastor of Pendleton and Pilot Rock, shared his life story and how prayer impacted his life. Later that morning he shared with a smaller group during seminar time, “how prayer starts the fire of revival in your church and community.”

A prayer room was provided to all that attended to open their hearts to the Lord as a group or personally. Each evening after the meeting a spiritual anointing service was held, encouraging attendees to pray for the messages that were presented.

Mid-morning Friday, Jamieson finished his two-part series on Servolution, “a significant change in the course of human history sparked by simple acts of kindness.”

With Serve One More as the theme of the 2023 camp meeting, service projects were a part of the week’s schedule. The first group, the youth class, went out into the community to serve by transforming a yard in Tekoa, Wash. Then Friday afternoon, two groups served the communities of Fairfield and Spangle. Yard clean up, weeding, pruning, and debris removal kept the many volunteers occupied. There were 100 volunteers putting the Serve One More theme into practice.

Sabbath morning John McVay, president of Walla Walla University, presented the Sabbath School lesson, and Camp MiVoden director, Jeff Wines, and staff shared about the ministry they are providing at camp this summer. Then a thousand people gathered under the Big Tent for a final message by Byrd.

“We need a revival,” shared Byrd. “We have a responsibility to make Jesus famous! When you say yes to Jesus, then you say no to the devil, and he will try to get you to take back your yes.”

Sabbath afternoon attendees spread out over UCA’s campus enjoying each other’s company and partaking in potluck. Soon after, they gathered to hear musical guest, Fernando Ortega share in song and piano.

Wrapping up the weekend of service, song, and worship Jamieson presented, “Jesus is the CEO of UCC.” Jamieson explained that, “when we follow Jesus and lift Him up miracles happen in our own lives because it is God’s work.”

If you missed camp meeting visit news.uccsda.org/CampMeeting2023 to listen to Carlton Bryd and David Jamieson share the importance of Serving One More.

Accidental Drowning Prevention

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 00:27:10 GMT

Summer Health Tip #3: Summer is a great time to get outside and cool off in the water, but remember to take precautions to prevent accidental drownings.

By Cindy Williams, Rn

Coordinator, Health Ministries

Between 2011 and 2020, there was an average of 4,012 accidental drowning deaths each year in the United States. That is an average of 11 drowning deaths per day. There was also an average of 22 nonfatal drownings per day, 8,000 per year during that same period.

The CDC also reports that in the United States more children ages 1-4 die from drowning than any other cause of death. For children ages 5-14, drowning is the second leading cause of accidental injury death after car accidents.

Some groups of people are at higher risk of drowning. Children ages 1-4 have the highest drowning rates. Nearly 80% of drowning victims are male. This may be due to increased exposure to water, more risk-taking behaviors, and alcohol use. Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native peoples have a higher drowning death rate than Caucasian people. Seizure disorders, heart conditions, and autism also are associated with higher risk of drowning.

We can prevent many, if not most, of these drowning deaths by taking a few steps.

Learn to swim and teach your family water safety. This seems obvious but many adults and children have never learned to swim. Sign your children up for swimming lessons.
Fence home pools with four-sided fencing that isolates the pool from the house and yard. Keep the gate locked when the pool is not being used.
Supervise. Drownings happen in five-gallon buckets of water, bathtubs, pools, as well as lakes and oceans. Children who can’t swim should have “touch” supervision when in the water – an adult is always within reach. Others should have “eyes on” supervision – an adult has visual contact all the time. Designate a watcher during group activities.
Never swim alone without a water watcher.
Wear a life jacket during water activities.
Avoid using alcohol and be aware of any medications that may impair thinking and decrease motor skills as side effects.
Learn CPR.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/facts/index.html#:~:text=While%20children%20are%20at%20highest,11%20drowning%20deaths%20per%20day

https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/summer-water-safety

https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/sun-safety/campaigns-and-events/slip-slop-slap-seek-slide

Avoiding the Heat

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 22:03:22 GMT

Summer Health Tip #2: Heat is historically the top weather-related killer in the US and most of these deaths could have been avoided with a few simple steps.

By Cindy Williams, Rn

Coordinator, Health Ministries

My daughter and I were on a road trip from Colorado to Spokane when we had the opportunity to spend some time in Arches National Park. We stopped to take a quick look at something along the road on the way to the trailhead to Delicate Arch.

We jumped out of the car empty-handed and headed down a short trail. A park ranger immediately stopped us and sent us back to the car for our water bottles. I appreciated his concern and reminder even though we were not planning to be out of sight of the car.

The trailhead to Delicate Arch had a huge sign in the middle of the trail entry point warning people not to enter the trail unless carrying two liters of water per person. It also encouraged people to take other precautions to prevent illness. The hike is three miles round trip. Did I mention that it was the end of June and that it was well over 100 degrees?

Despite all the warnings, we saw multiple people hiking on the hot, rocky trail with no water with them. Quite a few also had their children along. Some were attempting to take advantage of the small amount of shade along the trail. It didn’t work well since there were no trees and the shrubs were, at the most, two feet high.

More than 1,500 deaths were considered heat-related in the United States in 2021. That is a 56% jump from 1,012 in 2018. Heat is historically the top weather-related killer in the US. I have seen multiple news reports during the last few weeks of heat-related deaths in Texas (more than 12), Arizona, Nevada, and Florida.

These deaths are not only from heat stroke in which the body loses its ability to control the body temperature and can’t cool down. Blood thickens and clots form more easily, causing blood pressure to rise and the heart to work harder. The kidneys must work harder too.

Most of these deaths could have been avoided with a few simple steps. Protect yourself by putting these into practice.

Anticipate high temperatures so you can be prepared.
Exercise early in the day or in the late evening. Avoid the middle of the day.
Drink one gallon of water per day when you are active outdoors in the heat.
Always carry at least two liters of water with you when you are hiking, biking, or other active pursuits.
Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing and a broad brim hat.
Rest frequently and, if possible, in the shade.
Get wet.
Eat salty snacks.
Stop activity immediately and take measures to cool down if you begin to feel a headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness, muscle cramps, or a significant change in the level of sweating.

References:

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news/2022/extreme-heat-us-linked-increased-number-deaths

https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-heat-related-deaths#:~:text=Some%20statistical%20approaches%20estimate%20that,set%20shown%20in%20Figure%201.

https://www.valuepenguin.com/heat-related-deaths-study

https://apnews.com/article/us-heat-wave-deaths-9205d9c93882ff84906c5846ef1a6d6d

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-extreme-heat-is-so-deadly/

CARE Project Launches First Site at Spokane Central Adventist Church

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 15:18:51 GMT

Spokane Central Adventist Church is the first of the four locations to launch the CARE pilot project with two student missionaries from Walla Walla University.

By Andrea Keele

Walla Walla University Associate Chaplain for Missions

The whiteboard slowly filled with clusters of colorful sticky-notes after the fellowship meal. Several tables of service-hearted church members reflected and discussed the needs of their community and their own gifts and skills they were ready to share with their community. From bi-monthly fellowship meals to an after-school STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) program, a multi-church food bank, a clothing closet for kids, around 80 Bible study requests, and several baptisms, Spokane Central Seventh-day Adventist Church is already engaged in their urban community. Their compassion leads them to spring into action in caring for their neighbors in downtown central Spokane. This opened the door to their involvement with the Community Action and Relief Experience (CARE) project and this weekend of visioning—and sticky-notes.

Originating in the Pacific Northwest, the CARE project is coordinated out of the Center for Humanitarian Engagement (CHE) at Walla Walla University with partial funding from Adventist Community Services (ACS) at North American Division (NAD) of Seventh-day Adventists, with oversight from the North Pacific Union Conference (NPUC) ACS. The CARE project has a vision to increase involvement of young people in community service through a comprehensive, assessment-based engagement plan, supported by a small team of CARE student missionaries and resident expert partners.

“This project encourages students to bring their unique backgrounds, interests, and fields of study to partner with the local work of Adventist Community Service centers,” said David Lopez, executive director of the CHE. CARE student missionaries will learn best practices for community development and gain hands-on experience, working closely with passionate professionals, volunteers, and community partners, serving for three to nine months.

Four sites have been selected to be a part of the pilot project, including Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Portland, Oregon; Nooksack, Washington; and Spokane, Washington. Spokane Central Church is the first of the four to launch with two student missionaries from Walla Walla University. The student missionaries will serve over the summer months of 2023 in areas such as social work, communications, and assisting with summer programming for kids in the community. Samantha Wawondatu, a graduating strategic communications major, is also using this experience for internship credit. “As someone who has always been passionate about the idea of community development, I am looking forward to bringing my skills and talents into the field and using them to serve the people around me,” explained Wawondatu.

The May 19-20 weekend served as a kick-off for the pilot project at Spokane Central. A small team from Walla Walla University, including Lopez, Wawondatu, and Andrea Keele, associate chaplain for missions, along with Colette Newer, associate director of NAD ACS, and Patty Marsh, Upper-Columbia Conference ACS director, met with Pastor Greg Carter and key leadership on Friday afternoon. Together they toured facilities and discussed various projects and needs. On Sabbath, the visiting team joined the church service through informational videos, a children’s story, a sermon, and celebrating the baptisms of five new church family members. Afterward, everyone enjoyed a fellowship meal together before Lopez led out in some activities and discussion to get to know the church members and their awareness and involvement in their community. Late in the afternoon, the weekend wrapped up with a final meeting of key church leaders to discuss ideas and start planning for their two summer student missionaries.

This project would not be possible without funding from NPUC, NAD ACS, an anonymous donor, Walla Walla University, and the most recent support from Versacare Foundation. Being sensitive to the Spirit’s leading and ownership of the local church, these CARE project partners are excited to see dreams come to reality to expand the positive impact in Spokane Central’s community and to continue welcoming more into their family of hope.

Teens Spend Spring Break Serving Others

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 15:23:12 GMT

Pathfinders from UCC and Idaho conference met at UCA to participate in the 2023 Teen Pathfinder Mission Adventure, Palouse Project. This year was the 25th year of the event, with most of the Pathfinders experiencing the project for the first time.

By: Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC Communications Coordinator

Spring break is a time for students to reset, enjoy the warm weather, and get some extra sleep. However, sixteen young people and nine adults had an experience opposite of that, but a lot more meaningful. Pathfinders from Upper Columbia and Idaho conferences met at Upper Columbia Academy to participate in the 2023 Teen Pathfinder Mission Adventure, Palouse Project.

“If I were asked to describe TPMA, these would be my main points: We had a chance to serve others, it was a lot of work, but it was fun,” shared Lillian Wall Hayes, TPMA participant.

Each year, Pathfinders from across the conference are invited to participate in the Teen Pathfinder Mission Adventure. This year was the twenty-fifth year of the event, with most of the Pathfinders experiencing the project for the first time.

During the week, two groups were formed and sent into the communities of the Palouse. The groups helped with several service projects, including moving gravel, building a goat pen, digging fence postholes, building three different fences, and doing one extreme yard makeover in the small town of Tekoa.

“TPMA enables Pathfinders to take responsibility,” said Hayes. “As Jesus said, ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ – Matthew 5:16. TPMA allows Pathfinders to help those around them, without needing to travel far.”

Near the end of the week, the group went to the Spokane Valley Adventist Church to help prep the area for Journey to the Cross. The group worked on smoothing the pathway and raking leaves.

“These teens and adults joyfully represented Jesus and His church in the communities they served. Our neighbors took note of their enthusiastic service. Their smiling faces will represent us here for months and years to come,” said Richie Brower, Upper Columbia Conference associate director of club ministries.

As the week ended and the weather became more unpredictable. The groups celebrated their efforts with a special dinner, then attended the Fairfield Adventist church Sabbath morning and helped with the service.

“One of the coolest parts was learning a little more about the area, specifically the land, different animals and birds, and plants,” said Hayes. “We were able to earn the Palouse honor.”

Many students enjoyed this project and appreciated helping others. For more information about clubs and activities for kids and teens, go to uccsda.org/club-ministries .

Food Poisoning Concerns

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 22:42:24 GMT

Summer Health Tip #1: Food poisoning is something that affects people year-round but, here in the US, it seems like it is more common during the summer months.

By Cindy Williams, Rn

Coordinator, Health Ministries

Is there a word that summarizes summer for you? Vacation. Hiking or backpacking. No school. Swimming. Water skiing. Picnics and barbecues with friends and family. Warm weather. Fireworks. Forest fires. Paddleboarding, canoeing, or kayaking.

I love the warmer, even hot, temperatures of summer. I suppose it’s a leftover from growing up in Arizona. It also makes many of the things I enjoy much more pleasant.

This is part one of a short series of summer-related health tips. There aren’t many things that will spoil your summer as much as getting sick or hurt.

Food poisoning is something that affects people year-round but, here in the US, it seems like it is more common during the summer months. Warmer temperatures and frequent outdoor gathering provide ample opportunities for this to strike.

Food poisoning is any illness or disease that results from eating contaminated food. The US Federal government estimates that there are about 48 million cases each year. That is the equivalent of 1 in 6 Americans each year. There are also an estimated 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths each year from food poisoning.

Most foodborne illnesses are caused by bacteria and viruses. About 90% of these are from seven pathogens: norovirus, salmonella, clostridium perfringens, campylobacter, listeria, E. coli, and toxoplasmosis. Hepatitis A, clostridium botulinum, and staphylococcal aureus are other pathogens that cause us problems. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, dehydration, and stomach cramps. They can range from mild to severe depending on the pathogen and your own body. Pregnant women, senior citizens, children under five years of age, and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to get sick from contaminated food and to have more serious illness.

Because the pathogens causing foodborne illness are spread by either contaminated food or person-to-person (or both), preventing foodborne illness focuses on personal hygiene and safe food handling practices. The single most important thing you can do is wash your hands – after using the toilet, after changing a diaper, after touching a pet, after tending to a sick person, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, and before and after handling food. Yes, that is a lot of hand washing!

Here are some other things you can (and should) do to prevent illness:

Wash your kitchen surfaces frequently, and well, with hot, soapy water.
Keep raw food separate from cooked food. Use separate utensils, plates, and cutting boards.
Cook to the right temperature. Use a food thermometer to be sure.
Refrigerate foods promptly after serving and eating.
Keep hot foods hot (above 140°), and cold foods cold (below 40°).

References: https://ucanr.edu/sites/camasterfoodpreservers/files/341233.pdf

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/cleanliness-helps-prevent

https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/barbecue-basics-tips-prevent-foodborne-illness

https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/keep-food-safe.html

Upper Columbia Conference Constituency Session Announced

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 18:11:50 GMT

Notice is hereby given

Notice is hereby given that the quadrennial session of the Upper Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is called to convene at the Upper Columbia Academy convocation center in Spangle, Washington, on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. The purpose of this meeting is to receive from the officers and department directors of the Conference reports pertaining to the work carried on within its territory since the last Quadrennial session; to elect for the ensuing term officers, department directors, and the Conference Executive Committee; and to transact any other business that may properly come before the delegates in session. Each church shall be represented at the sessions of the Conference by two delegates for the church organization and one delegate for each 75 members, or major fraction thereof, each of whom shall be a Seventh-day Adventist member in good and regular standing of the local church, which he or she represents.

David Jamieson, president

Rodney Mills, vice president for administration

Upper Columbia Academy: After his family fled Cuba, Sammy Lores seeks to help others

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 20:45:33 GMT

From the restrictions and deprivations of Cuba to the freedom and abundance of the United States, Sammy Lores has traveled far.

By Cindy Hval

Spokesman-Review

From the restrictions and deprivations of Cuba to the freedom and abundance of the United States, Sammy Lores has traveled far.

He and his family fled Cuba in January 2022.

“I came here because life in a communist country is so bad,” he said. “No food in the market, and when you find it, it’s so expensive. Clothes have to be purchased on the black market.”

His father is a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, and the family felt the strong arm of the government around their worship.

“If my dad wanted to do a week of prayer, the government wouldn’t allow it,” he said.

School proved equally restrictive.

“If you’re not a communist, you get kicked out of school,” Lores said. “I didn’t want to think like them, so I kept my mouth shut.”

Their four-month journey to the U.S. took them to Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico, where they were jailed because they’d entered the country illegally.

“That was a very hard time,” he said. “We’d sold everything we had to get here.”

With the help of a family friend in Coeur d’Alene, they were released and settled there. His father started a Hispanic church in the city.

“It’s grown to 25 people in less than a year,” Lores said.

But life in the States took some getting used to.

“Everything was so different,” he said. “Costco! Walmart! Ross! So overwhelming!”

So was finding a school. Though Lores had graduated from high school in Cuba, the government wouldn’t release his school records, so he needed to redo his senior year. He knew exactly where he wanted to go – Upper Columbia Academy.

“I’d always dreamed of attending an Adventist school, but there are none in Cuba.”

Initially, no spots were open at the school, and Lores was put on a wait list.

“Two weeks before school started, I got a phone call at 7:20 a.m.,” he said. “They said I could come. I’m not going to lie – this has been the best year of my life.”

Teacher Judy Castrejón said Lores fit right into the school.

“He radiates love and happiness,” she said. “Sammy is such a humble young man. If he sees anyone sitting by themselves at a table, he joins them. This is the new kid reaching out.”

Lores said UCA was everything he’d hoped for.

“I like the environment. Everybody helps each other, and I needed help to improve my English,” he said. “The teachers are so patient with me.”

He didn’t need assistance on the soccer field – he grew up playing the sport. The school’s team went to state this year and won the Fall Classic in Walla Walla.

Lores enjoys math and science. He plans to pursue a career in nursing and will attend Walla Walla University in the fall.

“Sammy is very motivated,” Castrejón said.

She recalled how he described his family’s arduous journey and time spent in jail.

“He said it was the best thing that could have happened to him because he spent time thinking about what he was leaving and what he was going to.”

Castrejón has no doubt Lores will be an asset to the medical community.

“He’s very caring. I’m sure the Lord will use him in the ministry of nursing,” she said.

Lores is excited about what comes next. He expressed gratitude for Ben Rodriguez, the family friend who helped them relocate, and for Mandy Weber from the Foundation One program that helped with financial aid.

As he looks to college, he said working in a hospital setting is his great dream.

“Since I was a boy, Mom and Dad taught me to help people,” Lores said. “I feel so glad I’ll be able to help others. It makes me happy to make others happy.”

This story originally appeared on the Spokane-Review webpage and can be found at https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/jun/06/upper-columbia-academy-after-his-family-fled-cuba-/

2023 Camp Meeting

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 02:35:48 GMT

Camp Meeting 2023 is happening now!

The 2023 Upper Columbia Conference camp meeting is 14-17, 2023, at Upper Columbia Academy. Join us! There is great programming for kids, youth, and young adults, Fernando Ortega as the musical guest, along with inspirational speakers including Carlton Byrd and David Jamieson. For additional information, announcements, and registration visit uccsda.org/campmeeting .

President's Report: Jesus Changes Everything

Tue, 30 May 2023 23:52:24 GMT

David Jamieson shares a message about how "Jesus Changes Everything" and the actions from the recent Executive Committee.

By David Jamieson

UCC President

There’s an incredible story found in Matthew chapter 8:1 where it says, “When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.”

Now if you know your Bible at all, you’ll recognize that in Matthew chapters 5 through 7, Jesus had just preached the greatest sermon that was ever preached on planet earth. He had just preached a sermon to thousands of people up on a mountain, a message we call the Sermon on the Mount.

The Gospels indicate He came down from the mountain to the edge of the sea of Galilee near the village of Capernaum, and the crowd was so large that He had to step into a boat and use it as a pulpit.

But there was someone at the back of the crowd listening to every word that fell from the lips of Jesus. In fact, he also watched breathlessly as Jesus healed the lame, deaf, and blind, and soon something happened in his heart that caused him to not just be a hearer of the word, but a doer of the word, and he quickly decided to come to Jesus.

The truth is that it doesn’t matter when you come to Jesus, where you come to Jesus, or how you come to Jesus. The only thing that matters is that you do choose to come to Jesus at some point in your lifetime. Matthew 8:2 says a leper came to him and bowed down before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

Well, the crowd panicked and parted like the Red Sea, because of all diseases known in the Middle East two thousand years ago, leprosy was most dreaded. It was contagious, incurable, and its’ horrible effect upon its victims filled the bravest man with fear.

But notice how Jesus responded because He still responds the same way today toward every human being who has ever lived, to every one of His children.

Matthew 8:3 says, “Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him.” Now let me ask you, Did Jesus need to touch this man to heal him? No. He could have healed him in any number of ways, but Jesus deliberately chose to touch him. Why? Because Jesus had much more in mind for this man than he even asked for.

First of all, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him to heal him emotionally. It’s possible this man had not experienced the touch of another human being for years. So, when Jesus touched him and embraced him, He healed him emotionally.

Secondly, Jesus reached out and touched him to heal him socially. The leper was not permitted to be in the crowd. He was supposed to be in isolation. He wasn’t able to attend the synagogue on Sabbath morning. Does that sound familiar? He was an utter outcast, but when Jesus touched him, He made him whole socially.

Thirdly, Jesus touched him and healed him financially. A leper was not able to work to make a living because he wasn’t able to associate with people. His family likely had to bring him food on a daily basis, just so he could survive, but Jesus touched him and healed him financially.

Fourthly, Jesus touched him and healed him physically. Luke, a physician, said that the man was covered with leprosy. (Luke 5:12) His fingers, toes, and nose were likely rotting away. His larynx was under attack so much so that he called out in a raspy voice, “Unclean! Unclean!”

But this man knew the urgency of his situation. He knew that never since the days of Elisha had anyone ever been healed of leprosy, but he also knew that Jesus was his only hope. That there is no other hope for this world, except in Jesus.

Finally, Jesus healed the leper spiritually. Among the Jews leprosy was regarded as a curse, a judgment against some terrible sin, and was called the stroke of the finger of God. However, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him to let him know that he was not cursed. That he was not under the judgment of God. That he was not an outcast. That he belonged to the family of God, as a son of Abraham, and child of the heavenly king.

My friend, when Jesus touches you, He makes you completely whole. Jesus changes everything!

David Jamieson

President, Upper Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Donations Help God's Closet Serve Spokane

Tue, 23 May 2023 20:18:53 GMT

God’s Closet, an outreach under Renew Spokane, recently celebrated its thirteenth year serving the Spokane community. However, God’s Closet requires further donations to sustain operations.

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

God’s Closet, an outreach under Renew Spokane, recently celebrated its thirteenth year serving the Spokane community. God’s Closet collects new and gently used clothing to provide at a Shop Day event held every three months, where families can leave with several bags of clothing for just a $1 entry fee.

During the latest Shop Day, KXLY, a local Spokane radio station, donated nine bags of coats from their Coats for Kids drive surplus. Many mothers shared how appreciative they were of the new coats.

“There were nine huge bags donated,” shared Gayle Haeger, Upper Columbia Conference urban ministries coordinator. “We didn’t even get the chance to count them — we just pulled them out and hung them up as fast as we could.”

The event served 160 families, providing clothing for 399 children. Among those who attended, 70 were first-time visitors to God’s Closet, with many saying that Shop Day is the only time they go shopping all year.

Patty Marsh, Upper Columbia Conference Adventist Community Services director shared, “It was so impactful watching young fathers shopping for newborn clothes, seeing different family units, and listening to mothers express their gratitude.”

God’s Closet works in collaboration with various Adventist churches and around 50 volunteers, all who have been vital in making each Shop Day successful. Volunteers frequently express their gratitude for the opportunity to help the community through God's Closet.

“I really love working with all the volunteers who make God’s Closet happen,” said Sara Maniscalco, God's Closet director. “Each week volunteers come together to sort clothes for several hours at a time.”

God’s Closet has also provided a platform to share other outreach opportunities, such as STEAM Ahead, summer programs, Vacation Bible School, Sabbath School, and dental clinics that distribute toothbrushes and educate families on the importance of dental hygiene.

God’s Closet is reliant on donations to keep its doors open, and the recent large donation from KXLY was much appreciated. However, God’s Closet requires further donations to sustain operations. Their most recent Shop Day was canceled due to a lack of clothing donations.

“The charity’s name is fitting, as volunteers acknowledge that this is God’s ministry, and they rely heavily on Him to provide clothing, volunteers, and resources to sustain their operations,” said Maniscalco. “Despite facing numerous challenges, the charity has repeatedly witnessed God’s provision and remains honored and blessed to serve alongside Him.”

The next Shop Day is scheduled for August, but God’s Closet would be thrilled to receive an overwhelming amount of donations that would compel them to open even earlier. Those that wish to donate can call (509) 328-5900 and set up a time to drop off preemie through teen clothes, bedding, textile items, shoes, or diapers.

Patty Marsh Named Citizen of the Month

Mon, 22 May 2023 14:46:59 GMT

UCC ACS director Patty Marsh named citizen of the month in Spokane Valley, Washington.

Food banks, backpack distributions, after-school programs, community gardens, flood — all this and more are part of Patty Marsh's efforts as director of Adventist Community Services and Disaster Response for the Seventh-Day Adventist Church Upper Columbia Conference. The Spokane Valley resident says, "We can't do everything but we can do something." Marsh oversees an area that includes all of Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho and part of Central Idaho, two counties in Oregon and 111 outreach programs. Marsh also serves on the Greater Valley Support Network Leadership Team. Locally, Adventist Community Services has collaborated on a food back in Otis Orchards and backpack distribution with Liberty Lake Kiwanis. "I have my ear to the ground," said Marsh. "I just want to be faithful." Patty and her husband Larry have been married 54 years and have two grown daughters and three grandchildren.

This story originally appeared on page 19 in The Current and can be found at https://issuu.com/valleycurrent/docs/2023_may_current .

The Current is a Valley-wide community news magazine direct mailed to 20,000 households and an overall distribution of 28,000 connecting to readers in Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Millwood, Otis Orchards, Newman Lake, Rockford, and Valleyford, Washington.

Angels Whisper

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 18:17:37 GMT

This answer to prayer is short and sweet!

by Jim Kilmer

My son's and I were lost in the dense woods along a rugged west coast hike. We were along the ocean where there were no roads.

In dense darkness, fatigued and hungry, I cried out in my heart, not out loud, "Lord we need a place to camp."

Immediately there was a voice in my left ear which is stone deaf "There is a camping place right over here. Follow me and I will show you."

I said "Are you an angel?" He replied, "yes" and led us to a perfect camp spot.

"And this is the confidence that we have toward him,

that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask,

we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him"

1 John 5:14-15.

WWU Center for Humanitarian Engagement Opens Tool Library

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 14:57:42 GMT

In partnership with Upper Columbia Conference Adventist Community Services, the Center for Humanitarian Engagement at Walla Walla University opened the tool library, a trailer with hundreds of tools that helps empower the community.

By: Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communication coordinator

Walla Walla University Center for Humanitarian Engagement staff, along with community leaders, gathered for a ribbon-cutting event for the Walla Walla Tool Library in College Place, Washington. The event, held on February 28, 2023, announced the opening of the tool library to the community.

The ribbon cutting was attended by Norma L. Hernández, mayor of College Place; John McVay, president of WWU; David Lopez, CHE executive director; Patty Marsh, director of Upper Columbia Conference Adventist Community Services; Megan Lersbak, CHE tool library project specialist; and CHE employees.

“We are so excited to be offering this resource to empower our community,” Lopez shared. “There are many individuals that have a need for tools but can’t afford them.”

The tools in the tool library have been used by WWU for service days, an annual event held for last 29 years to help the surrounding communities. However, many of the tools go unused for the majority of the year.

“When Patty Marsh mentioned that the ACS disaster response trailer had not been used in several years, I let her know that we had a purpose,” explained Lopez.

The tool library, in partnership with ACS, is a trailer with hundreds of tools that have been organized by Lersbak, a WWU senior business/entrepreneurship major and CHE’s project specialist. Lersbak was excited to get involved with this project to help empowers the community to live more sustainably.

“The tool library gives people the tools they need to succeed,” Lerbak shared. “Many individuals have the skill to do home repairs or community projects but might not have the resources or funds to spend hundreds of dollars on expensive tools.”

Marsh was exited that the trailer was able to be used again.

“It’s a win-win for everyone,” said Marsh. “The trailer is an asset that we did not have a consistent use for. When David asked about the trailer, it was an honor to know that we are using it to its fullest.”

Not only is this tool library for the community, but in the event of an emergency the trailer is fully prepared to be deployed to provide tools and resources for volunteers working with ACS. For more information about the Walla Walla tool library, visit, heynn.com .

UCC Youth Bible & Mission Conference

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 22:32:48 GMT

The Upper Columbia Conference youth department held their first annual UCC Youth Bible & Mission Conference. This was a one-day event to connect high school age teens.

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

The Upper Columbia Conference youth department held their first annual UCC Youth Bible & Mission Conference. This was a one-day event to connect high school age teens. Youth groups from Pendleton, Pasco, Richland, Kennewick, Othello, and College Place Village churches all joined together. Throughout the day youth were provided a place to worship, be spiritually challenged, and participate in service projects.

Richie Brower, UCC associate director of youth and young adult ministries, shared, “We encouraged them to join the mission of the church as we work to Serve One More — both on the day of the conference and as they return to their churches.”

Stephen Farr, district pastor of Pendleton and Pilot Rock and main speaker of the event, shared three messages — to believe, belong, and become. These three messages focused on who God has created us to be, which was the theme of the conference.

The service project for the event was held at the Pasco Riverview Community Outreach Center and a local senior care facility. At the food bank location, hundreds of families come each week to pick up food. While there, the 75 young people were tasked to re-package beans. That afternoon they helped package 2,700 pound of beans helping to feed 900 families.

“It was a breath of fresh air. I saw the young people really enjoying themselves,” explained Farr. “I want to see revival in our church, and that means spending time with young people. We want them back in church, so we need to be friends and mentor them, to cheer them on, to work side by side with them, to let them lead, and support them and help them make it happen. I was so impacted by this event — the singing, the service, and the time with these young people.”

Later in the evening a shark tank-style event was held to hear how the youth felt they could make an impact. Two youth groups, Pendleton and Richland, made presentations to their peers and leaders. There was only one cash prize to be awarded, however, adults in the room were so moved by their proposals that another donation of $500 was made and both teams were awarded a prize.

“We had two goals for this event,” shared Brower. “First to begin creating space for our teens — especially those who may not be in an Adventist school to gather, interact, and worship. Second, to start building a network of youth leaders around the conference who will partner with us to make conference youth events happen. I believe we are starting to accomplish these goals.”

To get involved and know about upcoming youth events and youth leader training, email Cheryl Wallace at cherylw@uccsda.org to be added to the NextGen Youth Leaders email list.

Pasco Riverview Community Service Food Bank Grows

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 21:51:22 GMT

“The Pasco Riverview Community Service Food Bank is a true ‘community’ organization.”

By: Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

The Pasco Riverview Community Service Food Bank has a long history of providing services to the Tri-Cities area. In 2012, about 50 families were served weekly by the food bank; however, as the population has grown, so has the needs of local families. More than a decade later and almost 900 families are being served weekly.

“The Pasco Riverview Community Service Food Bank is a true ‘community’ organization,” shared Stan Arlt, co-director of the Pasco Riverview Community Service Food Bank. “Little did we know that the food bank operations would become so dynamic after all these years.”

Last year the food bank distributed 1.4 million pounds of food with the help of two donated trucks, one that hauls eight pallets of food and another that hauls four pallets. Along with the truck, they have two forklifts, one donated and one obtained from a grant.

The bulk of food received is from three Washington food suppliers — 2nd Harvest in Pasco, Northwest Harvest in Yakima, and Blue Mountain Action Council in Walla Walla. Additionally, supplemental food is purchased from donations and grant funding to supplement nutrition.

The food bank is open every Wednesday and run solely by a team of volunteers. “The group we have continues to work like a well-greased machine,” said Arlt. “Our operation is very fast paced now with 200 families signing in for food per hour, and 50 new families registered each week. On average we now are handing out food to more than 2.5 families per minute.”

The process involves several steps. It begins inside the facility with the shelf food, canned food, dried beans and rice, and spaghetti put in the food boxes. From there the boxes go on a roller conveyer outside to be placed in a food wagon. The wagons are then taken to tables of food where produce, cold cereal, chips, and bread is added. After the boxes are filled the wagons are queued and ready for the clients.

They serve the community for 5 hours every Wednesday always maintaining a friendly welcoming atmosphere.

“What the future holds for our operation hold we do not know,” shared Arlt. “We will follow Gods leading. Some weeks food supplies are limited as our food suppliers indicate, there is less food available to them to distribute. However, we move forward in faith — it seems like when we have needed something, the Lord has provided.”

Upper Columbia Academy Scandinavia Music Tour

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 23:19:59 GMT

Upper Columbia Academy students were a true blessing with their musical talent during their spring break Scandinavia music tour.

By Tor Tjeransen

Norwegian Union Conference communication director

The Upper Columbia Academy Choraliers and Orchestra thrilled audiences in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark with their music. The group of 74 students and leaders from the Seventh-day Adventist school in Washington state traveled 4,500 miles to arrive in Oslo, Norway for a two week Scandinavia Tour from March 14 - 27.

In Norway, the group from the USA gave concerts in the Mjøndalen and Ulsrud Adventist churches. At the Norwegian Junior College (Tyrifjord videregående skole) they were responsible for the entire Sabbath service on March 18. The congregation was blessed by the testimony and musical performances of the students. In one of the songs the choir from the USA formed a combined choir with the school choir at the Norwegian Junior College.

On Sunday, March 19 there was a concert in the local parish church in the nearby town of Hønefoss. As in the other places, the young musicians age 15-18 presented a varied program and performed with confidence and musical skill.

During this concert, the choir and orchestra performed, among other things, "The Ground" by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo.

Choir conductor Curtis Anderson was very grateful for the reception the musicians received, and he was amazed at the opportunity to play and sing in the beautiful Lutheran parish church in Hønefoss.

Impressed by the quality

The concert in the church of the Swedish Junior College (Ekebyholmsskolan) on Wednesday March 22 was a great success.

Göran Hansen, former president of the Swedish Union of Churches, lives near the college and was very excited after the concert.

“I am hugely impressed by the quality of the choir. Both choir and orchestra performed a repertoire that was both deep and genuine,” says Hansen.

People in the area understood that the choir and orchestra from the USA had something extraordinary to offer. The church was completely full for the concert in the middle of the week.

“In the history of the Junior College, we have never heard such beautiful and fine music,” said one of the audience members who has lived at the college since the 1960s.

He was not alone in appreciating the music. The audience at Ekebyholm was so enthusiastic that their sustained applause led to three encores.

Moved to tears

After the performance in Sweden, the tour continued to Nærum in Denmark. There, too, the young musicians played and sang in a packed church. Those musically responsible for the tour said that it was in Denmark they performed at their very best.

The last stop on the Scandinavia Tour was in Malmö, Sweden. There they participated in the divine service on Sabbath morning March 25 and gave a concert in the afternoon.

Christopher Laubscher is the congregation's pastor. He says that the church in Malmö was completely full for the concert. Organizers had to open an adjacent hall to accommodate everyone.

“The last few songs when the choraliers and orchestra performed together were so beautiful that we were moved to tears,” says Laubscher.

Upper Columbia Academy is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and located in a rural area near the town of Spangle 20 miles south of Spokane, Washington. The school has 270 students, 200 of whom live in the school dormitories.

Music plays an important role in school life. The choir practices four times a week, while the orchestra has three practices a week.

“It has been a pleasure to collaborate with the people from Upper Columbia Academy”, says Elbjørg Keyn Lundström, a music teacher at the Norwegian Junior College who helped organize the tour in Scandinavia.

This story originally appeared on the Norwegian Union Conference webpage and can be found at www.adventist.no/nyheter/amerikanske-adventistmusikere-pa-skandinaviaturne/ .

To view more photos from the tour visit media.adventistexchange.org/pages/search.php?search=%21collection3219&k=bb4443da58 .

New Christian Radio Station Arrives in Bonners Ferry

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 00:42:51 GMT

Over the last couple years, the Bonner Ferry Adventist Church has been praying for a way to reach their community.

By: Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

Over the last couple years, the Bonner Ferry Adventist Church has been praying for a way to reach their community.

“I had been stewing over the problem of how to communicate the gospel, but specifically to children and families in the Boundary County area,” shared Jason Worf, the pastor of the Bonners Ferry Adventist Church.

In 2021, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opened a one-week enrollment period for non-commercial, educational, full-power radio stations.

“The radio stations in our area didn’t provide any children’s programming,” explained Worf. “We had considered trying to buy programming time on other radio stations, but when the opportunity presented itself to apply for a radio station, we jumped at it.”

The goal was to create a family-friendly radio station with solid Bible teachings, good music, and programming for kids.

Church members promptly began researching, looking for funding, and finding professionals to help with the application and setup process. Cornerstone Christian School, a ministry of the Bonner Ferry Adventist Church, eagerly got involved and were excited about the opportunity to have a radio station connected to their school.

On November 9, 2021, the application for a radio station was submitted for 90.7 FM frequency in Bonners Ferry through Upper Columbia Corporation. The school and church began to pray for God’s will to be done and didn’t let any time go to waste as they waited. An operating board was elected and detailed plans for equipment and budget began.

Several months went by before they heard the news—the FCC granted a license to build a radio station on February 14, 2022.

Call letters were discussed and KQFR – Cornerstone Family Radio was decided upon. As soon as the authorization to build came through, the board stepped into action and began purchasing equipment. On September 7, 2022, an antenna was installed on Black Mountain, and the first test broadcasts began on 90.7 FM.

The radio station board submitted a request to the FCC for the final license to broadcast, which was granted on November 4, 2022, almost a year after the initial application was submitted.

Since then, students from Cornerstone Christian School have been recording content.

Adelyn Worf, student at Cornerstone Christian School shared, “I love recording for Cornerstone Family Radio, it’s cool hearing my voice on the radio and possibly being heard by thousands of people.”

Isabella Coddington, another student at Cornerstone, explained, “I like all the stories played on Cornerstone Family Radio. When I’m in the car I don’t want to stop listening to it.”

Jason Worf recalls, “We had a problem of how to communicate the gospel, to children and families in our community. God answered that prayer and we launched KQFR 90.7 FM, Cornerstone Family Radio. Our mission is to bring hope and healing to the families of North Idaho through music, stories, and teachings from the Word. With this radio station we can do just that.”

Holy Spirit Fuels UCA “Igniting the World” Campaign

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 15:23:19 GMT

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

By: Linda Klinger

FoundationONE, executive director

Upper Columbia Academy has a passionate, determined alum who has been working alongside UCA administrators for more than three decades, ever articulating a vision for excellence and giving strong support. At the recent alumni weekend — October 15, 2022 — this long-time friend offered an $800,000 challenge. If alumni and friends would give $800,000 to the “Igniting the World” campaign by January 31, she promised to match each gift, dollar for dollar.

The news of the matching challenge filled the ”Igniting the World” fundraising team with both excitement and terror. How would they ever raise $800,000 in just three months? The previous nine months they had worked their “fingers to the bone” and only raised $400,000. This was clearly a God-sized challenge. The team dropped to their knees begging God to show them the right moves to make.

They began promoting the matching challenge via email and Facebook. Then, in December the “Igniting the World” staff sent out a direct mail appeal about the matching challenge. God used those simple communications to touch hearts.

Alumni, parents, grandparents, and church members began pulling out their checkbooks and credit cards. Letters and gifts arrived almost every day. There was one young lady who had no connection whatsoever to UCA, who even felt impressed to give. When asked why she donated, she said, “Because a friend of mine told me that God is on the move in Upper Columbia Conference, and I just want to be part of His work!”

For three months the fundraising team was busy entering data, printing receipts, and signing thank-you letters. They receipted hundreds of $10 to $100 gifts; many, many $100 to $500 gifts; dozens of $1,000 to $5,000 gifts; a few 5-figure gifts; and one 6-figure gift. As the team worked, they often sent up praises to God, for they realized that this activity was not of their making. By mid-January — even before the end of the matching period, the full $800,000 had been raised.

The matching challenge donor was ecstatic! “God has been my business partner for the last 40 years. I love partnering with Him!” she says. “This experience affirms not only that there is tremendous community support for our academies, but it tells us how God feels about our academies—they are an essential part of His work here on earth.”

The “Igniting the World” campaign, which will continue until December 31, 2024, is all about excellence and sustainability for Upper Columbia Academy. For more information or to join the joyful givers who have already given in support of this $15 million campaign, go to www.ignitingtheworlduca.org .

God Hears and Heals

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 19:11:19 GMT

Joyce saw the seriousness of the infection and advised she get to the hospital right away to check it out.

by Kathy Marson

Fireworks were going off in the Filipino town. It was January 1 and in all the excitement a dog got loose from one home. Dorothy Nelson, who was a guest in the home, was the dog’s owner. Even at 94-years of age, she hurried out the door, and in so doing she fell against some furniture. She got a deep cut and with the pain she could not get up. The noisy fireworks kept people from hearing her calls for help.

Finally, the gardener found her. He put on gloves and helped wash the wound which was bleeding profusely. The wound was painful and became infected. She was put on antibiotics and after two rounds, the redness and pain had not gone away. So she sent a photo of her wound to her daughter, Janet, who shared it with her friend, Joyce, a nurse. Joyce saw the seriousness of the infection and advised her to get to the hospital right away to check it out. The hospital visit would mean a flight to Manila.

Janet and Joyce prayed for Dorothy that night and Joyce even thanked God for healing Dorothy before she knew she would be healed.

Dorothy was planning to take a flight the next day to Manila, but instead she woke up with no pain. When she felt her leg, the big scab was gone. There was new smooth skin. What had been a deep wound was simply gone. She was so thankful. Her fears of losing her leg were now gone!

She shared her thankfulness to God for healing her by sharing a video with her kids, telling them about the divine intervention, and how thankful she was that she didn’t need to fly to Manila. Her family praises God for working this healing miracle.

Dorothy is still active in the Philippines as a missionary. She loves the Philippines and says, “here people respect and love the elderly.” No stranger to miracles, Dorothy wrote, Mayday Over the Arctic , a miraculous story of survival and rescue. It is also interesting to note that this missionary, pilot, nurse, and author still takes speaking appointments and was in the National Geographic issue that featured Blue Zones.

CCA Holds Annual Fall Festival

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 15:36:49 GMT

Cascade Christian Academy children gathered together for fall fun. CCA recognizes that it is important to allow kids to have an exciting event to look forward to in autumn.

By: Kasey Bais

Cascade Christian Academy writer

Cascade Christian Academy children gathered together for fall fun. CCA recognizes that it is important to allow kids to have an exciting event to look forward to in autumn. Every year, students plan a booth that their class will host for CCA’s annual fall festival. The festival is held in the school’s gymnasium with tickets for purchase to use at any fun festival booth.

The theme of this year’s fall festival was children’s books. Each class picked a children's book to center their booth around, and boy, did the kids get creative! Second-graders chose Dr. Suess’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go as their book, and partnered with Flying L Farm to host a fun petting zoo. There was a wide selection of animals, including a cow, goats, bunnies and more!

The kindergarten class chose to have a bouncy house for their booth, which was always busily occupied with jumping children. Eighth-graders hosted the box maze, a yearly staple in the festival fun, per their chosen book Pete the Cat. There were many other exciting booths as well, such as a mini theater where students performed a small production, a golf putting booth and food booths serving delicious treats ranging everywhere from spring rolls to Italian sodas.

To show their true spirit in celebrating the event, students also dressed up in fun costumes to help bring the books to life for all festival attendees. Some popular costume favorites were Cheryl Gabel, CCA music teacher, as a caterpillar and Jenesis Hetterle as The Man in The Yellow Hat with Rachel Carter as Curious George. There was also a pie-eating contest that featured many strong contenders, including Manny Larios (right) and Kaylyn Baerg (left), but Tobiah Barry (middle) was the ultimate winner!

“CCA families came out in amazing support of our fall festival, students and classes, and spent time visiting," said Stephanie Gates, CCA principal. "It was an event full of so much laughter, joy and connection.” CCA would like to thank everyone who came to the fall festival and is overjoyed to already see students getting excited about next year!

This story originally appeared on the Northwest Adventist webpage and can be found at https://nwadventists.com/news/2023/03/cca-holds-annual-fall-festival .

The Benefits of Sunlight part three

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 16:49:56 GMT

Melatonin goes through the body in the bloodstream cleaning up the oxidative stress molecules that it finds. Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant that also works during the daytime by means of a different system that God created in our bodies.

By: Cindy Williams, RN

Coordinator, Health Ministries

In the last article I talked about circulating melatonin that is produced in response to the rhythm of day and night, the rising and setting of the sun. This melatonin goes through the body in the bloodstream cleaning up the oxidative stress molecules that it finds. Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant that also works during the daytime by means of a different system that God created in our bodies.

Remember the mitochondria – the powerhouses of cells? They generate ATP and, as a result, produce free radicals or oxidative stress. Those mitochondria also manufacture melatonin in response to Near Infrared Radiation (NIR). This part of the solar spectrum, 700nm to 1400nm, is what we experience when we feel the warmth of the sun. You can feel this warmth and get the benefits even in the winter, on cloudy days, through light clothing, and through single pane glass.

These wavelengths can penetrate deep into our body and touch large numbers of cells, stimulating each cell to produce melatonin. This melatonin does its job of cleaning up oxidative stress right there in the cell that made it. It does not circulate in the bloodstream.

Our amazing Creator also made it so we can experience the benefits of NIR without being in the direct warmth of the sun. Much of nature, especially greens and blues, reflect this radiation. Sitting under a tree on a beautiful sunny day helps stimulate those mitochondria to produce melatonin. Isn’t that incredible?

As if that isn’t enough, scientists are looking at research findings that indicate that some of the harmful effects of UVA are mitigated by the benefits of NIR. You just must be out in the sun and in nature enough to get the full spectrum of solar radiation! Spring is nearly here in the Pacific Northwest. Do yourself a favor and spend lots of time in the sun and in nature.

Connecting Church and Campus

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 18:25:39 GMT

Natashia McVay, associate pastor at the Moscow Adventist church in Moscow, Idaho, featured in the 2023 March/April issue of the Gleaner.

By: Becky St. Clair

NPUC Freelance writer

If you were to visit Natashia McVay, Moscow Church pastor in Idaho, and her husband, Marshall, at home on a Friday evening, you would enjoy a meal and Bible study with a group of local college students. On another day, you might find them in the middle of a game night or out skiing with a group of students.

“Over the six years we’ve been here, we’ve had well over 400 different kids come through our home,” McVay said. “We try to create a safe space for them, especially during Sabbath hours, as most have no options for God-focused activities available to them.”

Moscow is home to the University of Idaho, a campus of 25,000, and is 15 minutes away from Washington State University, a campus twice as large. McVay was specifically hired to reach out to the students in the area, which she has done by establishing Adventist Christian Fellowship as an official club on each campus. Through ACF they can hold campus events, hang posters and generally establish a visible presence.

“We can’t make people do things they don’t want to do,” she pointed out, “but if we provide opportunities for them to be involved and meet other young people their age interested in spiritual things, we give them a chance to continue or start a relationship with them and with God.”

"These efforts, completely funded by the church, have impacted the congregation, as well, who have become more open to new things such as guitars up front and young people involved in the service — a significant shift for a smaller, more rural church," said McVay.

“It has been incredible to see church members talk to every student who comes on Sabbath, instead of just letting them sit in the back, unseen,” McVay said. “We love seeing older generations not just acknowledging the importance of this ministry, but loving it and being excited about what’s happening. We want to see that continue well into the future.”

This article is part of a larger story that ran in the March/April issue of the Gleaner. For the full story, see https://nwadventists.com/feature/one-small-word-six-women-who-said-yes-god .

When God Moved the Heat Gauge

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 00:08:55 GMT

I prayed, “Lord I know I should have kept this car in better repair, but I simply can’t be late for that meeting. I ask You to work a miracle ...

March 7, 2023 - by Jim Kilmer

I loaded the tough little car with supplies in Portland. It was a hot day. The trunk and back seat were full. Books and materials filled the passenger side of the front seat as well. The fliers, signs, books, and Bibles were heavy. It was vital to get these materials into the hands of volunteers so they could begin placing yard signs and passing out brochures. We had a mailing deadline in order to get the brochures out in time for people to plan to attend the meeting.

The needle on the temperature gauge of the Peugeot moved quickly to the red zone declaring danger of an overheated engine. I had eighty-five miles to drive and no time to stop if I were to be at my strategic planning meeting on time. If the gathering were cancelled it would disrupt the vital flow of timing for advertising.

If there were no delays or heavy traffic, and if I traveled as fast as the law would allow, I could possibly drive to the Corvallis Church from Portland in time. Everything must click like clockwork.

While the car was in motion air had moved through the radiator so the fan was not needed. This gave more power and better fuel efficiency on the highway. When the car stopped, however, a heat switch was designed to trip the fan on to keep the engine cool. Since the engine heated with each stop, I knew that the switch was not working. I had multiple stops in Portland. The idling engine heated quickly at each stop.

I tried turning off the engine then starting it quickly when the light turned green, all the time mentally calculating the time it would take to drive the 85 miles to Corvallis. Traffic situations did not always allow the best timing. The engine continued to heat up until the radiator pressure cap released with hot water and steam bursting all over the engine through the overflow tube.

I stopped and ran cold water on the radiator to cool it down to the point where I could remove the cap and fill it. It was essential to keep the engine running while filling in order to keep from cracking the block with shock cooling. All this took time and I realized that I would need to take a shortcut in order to get to the meeting on time.

After a few more stops I finally reached the highway with speed enough for impact air to cool the radiator. I realized, however, that I would need to drive through a small town with numerous stop lights on the shortcut. With slower speeds on the shortcut road the needle moved toward the red zone again. I knew the blowing steam and loss of coolant would follow.

To make matters worse it was getting dark and the instrument lights must have been on the same circuit as the clutch fan switch, for they were not working either. I prayed, “Lord I know I should have kept this car in better repair, but I simply can’t be late for that meeting. I ask You to work a miracle and as You turned the sun dial back for Joshua, please turn that instrument needle backward as I stop for these lights. Oh, and please have it read normal as I pass under the last street light, so I can be confident to drive the rest of the way to the meeting.”

I waited at the first stop. The overhead streetlight illuminated the instrument panel. I noticed that the needle on the water temperature indictor had not passed the red mark to the pin. At the next light it had moved lower. Rather than rising higher as it had all day, each stop revealed a lesser reading. When I waited at the final stop the overhead street light beamed down on the temp gauge, which had miraculously dropped to the normal range as I had somehow expected it would.

I drove the last 50 miles without worry and arrived just in time for the meeting. The next day I was elated. I told myself, “I am never going to worry about that car again. I will go merrily about the Lord’s work and leave the car to Him.” It was a cool morning. I jumped in the Peugeot and headed for the church. I had scarcely moved beyond the driveway, when the needle hit the red and the radiator boiled over. Needless to say I learned not to ask God to make up for my foolishness. I got the problem fixed. I realized, however, what a miracle God had performed for his less-than-perfect servant.

UCC Provides Grief Support to Those Experiencing Loss

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 17:26:51 GMT

The last three years have been a whirlwind for many. With the uncertainty in this world, it becomes more apparent that loss is a reality that all will have to face at some point in their lives.

By: Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

The last three years have been a whirlwind for many. With the uncertainty in this world, it becomes more apparent that loss is a reality that all will have to face at some point in their lives.

Patty Marsh, Upper Columbia Conference director of Adventist Community Services shared, “Too many deaths have intruded into the lives of members, families, neighbors, and friends, begging the question, ‘What can we do to support those enveloped with grief?’ And the prayerful answer came in several forms.”

Heidi Jones, a hospice chaplain and program coordinator for Renew Spokane, took the lead in developing a program for those dealing with grief during the holidays. Renew Spokane is an innovative grant funded program through the Adventist Global Mission Urban Center, North American Division, North Pacific Union, and UCC that develops resources to collaboratively serve the unreached urban community in Spokane. Jones partnered with five Spokane-area Adventist churches to provide a Blue Christmas service.

“Many find themselves processing experiences of grief, loss, and loneliness amidst a season often filled with holiday bustle and merriness,” shared Jones. “We wanted to give these individuals a quiet place of beauty to be authentic with their feelings and reminded of God’s enduring presence with them amidst this time.”

Along with this service, Spokane Central Adventist Church held a grief group study with a 6-session series presented by Faith for Today and facilitated by Pastor Gerald Haeger. These sessions provided a space for those that are coping with grief into a group setting to provide support for each other and learn how to face their loss together.

Another resource that UCC provides is a supportive newsletter focusing on grief and loss called Peace, Be Still. Authors for Peace, Be Still include Adventist chaplains, pastors, and grief counselors from across the country, sharing their insights in how to address grief and bring healing. If you are interested in signing up for the Peace, Be Still newsletter visit www.uccsda.org/peacebestill .

UCC Laymen Renew their Pact

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 18:59:50 GMT

Cowlitz Falls Campground vibrated with passion and energy as 100 laymen, or “Faith Warriors,” from Upper Columbia Conference gathered late summer of 2022 under the leadership of UCC multi-cultural ministries department.

By: Florencio Bueno

Pastor Sunnyside-Mabton-Grandview District

Cowlitz Falls Campground vibrated with passion and energy as 100 laymen, or “Faith Warriors,” from Upper Columbia Conference gathered Aug. 5–7, 2022 under the leadership of the multi-cultural ministries department.

During the summer of 2021, a group of approximately 23 leaders, along with their local pastor, took the initiative to plan a leadership retreat to seek God in prayer and to renew their vows with Him. That original group grew exponentially into a group of about 100 men representing each of the UCC Hispanic churches along with their pastors, whose intention it was to “return to the mountain and renew their pact."

Antonio IX Rosique, pastor and guest speaker, presented powerful messages indisputably inspired by the Holy Spirit that moved the hearts of the attendees and generated genuine brokenness and full surrender. The sessions of intercessory prayer, as well as the testimonies of transformation shared by several of the attendees, created a beautiful atmosphere of authentic worship.

Unquestionably, one of the most moving moments was when David, a young man who had been invited by a friend, was yearning to experience the “new birth” he had heard about and decided to surrender his heart to Jesus through baptism.

During the process of listening to spiritual reflections, moments of prayer, testimonies, singing praises, eating together, laughter, the strumming of guitars, games and sports, they experienced a weekend of genuine revival and full surrender to God in the midst of Christian camaraderie. This fine group of men from UCC were positively impacted by a power on high.

This story originally appeared on the Northwest Adventist webpage and can be found at nwadventists.com/news/2023/02/ucc-laymen-renew-their-pact .

The Benefits of Sunlight part two

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 16:03:52 GMT

Antioxidants have become a “buzz” word in the nutrition world. Consumers are constantly bombarded with advertisements and labels that tout the benefits of various antioxidants. But how does this relate to sunlight?

By: Cindy Williams, RN

Coordinator, Health Ministries

Antioxidants have become a “buzz” word in the nutrition world. Consumers are constantly bombarded with advertisements and labels that tout the benefits of various antioxidants. Manufacturers are making hundreds of thousands of dollars on antioxidant supplements. In the meantime, our bodies are capable of manufacturing a powerful antioxidant, melatonin.

Melatonin? Yes, even though we usually associate it with promoting sleep, it is also an antioxidant with twice the antioxidant power of vitamin E. Melatonin is produced in our bodies by two different systems. One of these operates at night, the other in the daytime, both in response to light.

To understand the system that produces melatonin at night, we need to begin at sunrise. Sunlight hits our eyes and stimulates intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells in the back of the eye. A message goes to the suprachiasmatic nucleus which then tells the pineal glad to stop production and secretion of melatonin. We have increased alertness and energy hormones in our brain flood out impacting our mood and many of the body functions kick into gear that we need for daytime activities.

Those light sensitive ganglion cells are clustered toward the lower part of the retina so that light from above easily hits them. When the sun goes down, darkness stimulates the pineal gland to produce melatonin and secrete it into the bloodstream. It tells our body to prepare for sleep and begins shutting functions down so we can sleep well. The circulating melatonin goes through the body while we sleep, mopping up oxidative stress molecules that it finds.

Most of us don’t go to bed when the sun sets. We are often up and busy for many hours after that. In the winter here in the Northwest the sun goes down around 4:00 during the month of December. It would be extremely hard to stop work and shut down all the lights, televisions, computers, etc. that early. I’m not suggesting that we should go to bed at 4:00! Let’s think about what our ancestors did during the winter. Certainly, they slept more than they did in the summer. Their sources of light were much different than ours and had less impact on melatonin production. Fires and candles produce light that is in a different color spectrum than our LED bulbs and computer screens. Research shows that light in the warm end of the light spectrum (reds and oranges) as well as dim, low light (like a fire) have minimal impact on our natural circadian rhythm. Blue light has a significant impact.

Here are some things you can do to maximize production and secretion of circulating melatonin:

Get as much bright sunlight as you can early in the day. Early morning is best.
Consider writing to your congressman and senator to encourage the discontinuation of daylight savings time. Research shows that our bodies do best with early morning light.
Use dim, low, and red light after sunset. Place light bulbs rated in the warm end of the color spectrum in tabletop lamps and reduce use of overhead lights.
Avoid blue light at night. Use a blue light blocker if you need to be on a device.

Upper Columbia Academy Equestrian Center Flourishes

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 23:41:35 GMT

For numerous reasons, it just isn’t practical to allow animals in a school setting. However, all that began to change when the Upper Columbia Academy Riding Center opened on the UCA campus making it possible to bring your horse to school.

By: Krista Mikkelson

Upper Columbia Academy director of alumni and enrollment services

“Mary had a little lamb…” Almost everyone recognizes the nursery rhyme about Mary’s pet lamb and the ensuing chaos when he followed her to school one day, so it’s no surprise that most people don’t ever question the “no pets” rule at boarding academy. For numerous reasons, it just isn’t practical to allow animals in a school setting. However, all that began to change when the Upper Columbia Academy Riding Center opened on the UCA campus making it possible to bring your horse to school. This is a dream come true for horse enthusiasts, and for several current students, it was the deciding factor in choosing to attend.

Now in its fifth year of operation, the riding center has more than 25 students enrolled in a variety of programs and classes. Students can bring their own horse from home and board it at the school’s boarding facility or partially lease one of the horses already contracted to the school from Camp MiVoden. With an active United States Pony Club Riding Center and Certified Horsemanship Association instructors, the barn is also a resource for the local community.

“Students thrive in the barn in ways that are unavailable to them in other academic settings. Direct involvement with horses inspires a type of connection and empathy that is not found anywhere else,” says Holly Haeger, program director and head coach. Haeger is passionate about horses and kids. Her commitment to excellence is apparent in the way she interacts with staff and students, and in her day-to-day management of the barn. As an educator for more than 20 years, in addition to her professional equestrian experience, Haeger is well aware of the advantages of interacting with horses, and she is dedicated to making this opportunity available to as many as possible. Limited scholarship funds are available now, and the goal is to grow these so the program is accessible to anyone, regardless of economic background. Reduced anxiety and stress, sharper focus, and improved communication skills are just a few of the many benefits Haeger has observed.

“I had almost no exposure to horses before I came to UCA,” says senior Chloe Whitmore. “I had ridden a couple of times, and horses were very interesting to me, but I was scared,” she admits. “Now I’ve been part of the program for almost four years, and somewhere along the way the fear stopped. I started as a beginner, but now I have the knowledge I need to enjoy horses for the rest of my life. My time in the barn has been important because I learned real life skills. Everyone takes responsibility for feeding, grooming, and cleaning up — it’s so much more than just riding.” Whitmore goes on to say, “The skills I’ve gained from working with the horses follow me into other parts of my life. I’m much more confident.”

“The culture of the barn is positive, encouraging, and a place where students are taught how to learn and teach,” says Haeger. “If you need an entirely different kind of learning and growth, this is where it happens. Here we work on facing our fears and competing with ourselves. It is the best life preparation I know, and what better way to get to know our Maker than to work with and care for His creatures daily?”

ACS Diaper Bank Making a Difference in Tri-Cities

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 23:09:56 GMT

The Tri-Cities Diaper Bank has been making a difference in their community since 2011. This program, run through Adventist Community Services is a Washington State non-profit organization. They are the first diaper bank in the area and the first ACS, Seventh-day Adventist Diaper Bank in the country.

By: Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

The Tri-Cities Diaper Bank has been making a difference in their community since 2011. This program, run through Adventist Community Services is a Washington State non-profit organization. They are the first diaper bank in the area and the first ACS, Seventh-day Adventist Diaper Bank in the country.

For many families, government assistance programs and food stamps don’t allow families to purchase diapers. Many daycare facilities require parents to provide disposable diapers to attend. “With a lack of diapers, it can force desperate parents to choose between leaving babies in soiled diapers for extended periods or to try to wash and reuse disposable diapers,” shares Renèe Martin, program director for the Tri-Cities Diaper Bank.

The Tri-Cities Diaper Bank works with local social services, community partners, and faith-based organizations to meet this unmet need in their community. Run solely by volunteers, the Tri-Cities Diaper Bank has distributed more than three million diapers, 300,000 annually, to more than 1,200 children in the Tri-City area in Washington.

A note from one of Tri-Cities Diaper Bank’s community partners, the Catholic Family Charities, shares, “We are most grateful to the Diaper Bank and the Seventh-day Adventist Church…you, our brothers, and sisters in Christ have brought so much for years to struggling families, it’s our responsibility and privilege to give back to a church that has been a beacon of hope for so many. You have been instrumental in meeting our mission ‘Motivated by Christ, We Bring Hope to Life to Those Most in Need’ each day for so many, for more than a decade.”

During the summer of 2012, the senior pastor of the Richland Adventist Church, Eric W. Shadle, set out, “to raise community awareness that diapers are ‘basic human needs’ like food and shelter, and that these needs are not being met for children living in poverty.” As stated in the mission it continues, “To advocate for policy reform so that diapers will be included in the definition of and provision for the ‘basic human needs’ of families.”

“He was so touched by this need, that he used his Sabbatical time to ride his bicycle all the way across America to raise awareness of local diaper needs and to raise funds for our diaper bank,” says Martin. “He also spoke with people on Capitol Hill about the need for diapers to be considered a ‘basic human need.’”

Over the years, the ACS Tri-Cities Diaper Bank has been making a difference in their community and will continue to make a difference in the future. For more information visit, www.tricitiesdiaperbank.org .

The Benefits of Sunlight part one

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 16:19:24 GMT

I find it interesting that God created light, day, and night before He created the sun, moon, and stars. I think of day and night based on the rising and setting of the sun. I wonder what the light created on day one was like.

By: Cindy Williams, RN

Coordinator, Health Ministries

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void, and darkness was on the face of the deep...Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light...God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night...Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also." Genesis 1:1-5, 14-18

I find it interesting that God created light, day, and night before He created the sun, moon, and stars. I think of day and night based on the rising and setting of the sun. I wonder what the light created on day one was like. On day four, God created lights that rule the day and night, clearly marking the transition from darkness to light, night, and day. Is there a connection between this daily cycle of darkness and light and our health?

In this article, and the next, I am going to look at the benefits of sunlight. I think all of us recognize that we feel better on bright sunny days and get a little down when we have day after day of gloomy, cloudy skies. But the benefits are far beyond this!

Energy from the sun comes in a full spectrum of energy waves. 7% of the energy is in the ultraviolet range, 39% visible light, and 54% infrared. Each area of the spectrum is important to our health in different ways.

The benefit that most people think of from sunlight is the synthesis of vitamin D from sunlight hitting our skin. This comes from UVB rays in the ultraviolet range. UVA is what causes skin damage from sunburn. Most sunscreens are broad spectrum and block both UVA and UVB. This means that we can become deficient in vitamin D if we are never outside in the sunshine without sunscreen. We need to have a minimum of 5 – 15 minutes each day on bare skin to make an adequate amount of vitamin D. During fall and winter in the north the sun does not hit our skin at the correct angle to stimulate vitamin D synthesis. Those of us who live here should have vitamin D levels checked and supplement if levels fall below 30µg/ml.

Here is a diagram of a cell. You may remember that mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, producing ATP. In the process, they generate “heat” which is known as free radicals or oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress causes inflammation, cancer, dementia, diabetes, and learning disabilities, among others. In an engine, this type of heat is dissipated by the engine coolant system, the radiator, etc. Our body uses antioxidants to “cool” the free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.

Stay tuned for information about a very powerful antioxidant and two amazing coolant systems that God put within us which use the solar spectrum to function.

Prayer Makes 180 Turnaround on a Guided Missile Cruiser

Sun, 12 Feb 2023 22:35:10 GMT

Each day Korter walked the ship and prayed for the 355 crew members.

by Kathy Marson

Pastor Brandon Korter is not only pastor of the East Wenatchee and Leavenworth Seventh-day Adventist Churches, but he is also a Chaplain holding the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Reserve. As such he was called to serve for three months as Command Chaplain onboard and deployed on a Guided Missile Cruiser. When Pastor Korter asked why they called him up for this assignment, United States Fleet Forces Command told him that he was desperately needed because the ship had a spiritual problem.

Praying before he arrived, Pastor Korter felt impressed by the Holy Spirit that this was no ordinary spiritual problem but a problem with the occult. So, in preparation for this deployment, he spent time in advance praying for the armor of God and praying under the authority of Jesus that God’s Holy Spirit would help him.

He was flown to and landed on an aircraft carrier underway. He was then transported by helicopter to the Guided Missile Cruiser that was also deployed underway with the aircraft carrier. Within five minutes of landing on the ship, he was enemy number one to an officer onboard who was involved in the occult. Pastor Korter was greeted by this officer with an evil sneer. This officer was not the only one. Many onboard were involved. Pastor Korter knew that God was confirming that he was indeed needed onboard this ship to serve as a Chaplain who understood spiritual warfare.

Each day Pastor Korter walked the ship, interacted, and prayed with various crew members, while praying continually for the 355 souls onboard the ship. He let them know by email, a friendly smile, and warm personal engagement that he was praying for them. For three months this was his daily routine. The first thing in the morning he would pray for covering with the armor of God. He began to see an attitude change. He was soon greeted with, “Hi, Chaps!” The ships entire crew began interacting with him more and more.

When he finished his time onboard, a high-ranking officer from the ship and officers from United States Fleet Forces Command communicated to him that there had been a miracle on the ship. These same high-ranking officers also reported to the Pentagon that there had been a 180-degree turnaround in attitude and morale on the ship!

Pastor Korter served on the Guided Missile Cruiser from August through October of 2022.

In telling this story, he is humbled by what happened and knows that it had only to do with the Power of God! He knows he was able to pray against the devil under the power and authority of Jesus! Pastor Korter says that every single follower of Jesus should know that there are conditions where we all have this ability!

God answers the prayers of his people if they are willing to:

1. Ask for forgiveness of hanging on to sin. Ask God to reveal if you are dabbling in something you don’t realize is permeated by the occult. Ask for forgiveness and turn away from whatever God reveals.

2. Ask God to help you forgive others, let go of grudges, and let go of being right all the time.

3. Ask God to forgive you of holding a critical spirit against people and leaders in God’s Church, or any entity that seeks to lead people to Jesus. God will deliver you from a proud spirit and will help you to be willing to apologize.

One person can make a 180-degree difference when they pray under the authority of Jesus name, by His blood, and put on the armor of God!

What Happens Next?

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 21:38:08 GMT

The Gospels make it clear that Jesus, more than anyone else, knew what the future held, both for His followers and for the rest of the world. But "What Happens Next?"

By: Sergio Manente

Richland Adventist Church Pastor

The Gospels make it clear that Jesus, more than anyone else, knew what the future held, both for His followers and for the rest of the world.

“What Happens Next?” is a series that probes into the words of Christ about the days ahead of us; what to expect and how to be ready. Insight drawn from all four Gospels will reveal essential truths for our generation.

In John 16:33, Jesus said to His disciples, "I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world."

This sermon series helps us to be more informed about these vital realities and experience the courage and peace that Jesus promised.

We are blessed to have baptized 12 souls so far and to be studying with three more. God continues to bless us with new visitors every weekend.

Our church leaders are mission-focused and enthusiastic to nurture each current member and serve our community. Growing our members as mission-minded disciples and investing personal energy, time and resources to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and His message to the unchurched in our community has always been our focus.

We are always praying about ways to establish connections in our community and helping the unchurched in Richland, Washington, experience Christ.

I am thrilled with how many members are actively involved with the community and how many new connections are being made every day. Our attendance is up and we are continually seeing a stream of new seekers coming through our doors.

I am excited about growing the amazing leaders we are blessed with here in Richland in the next few years and collaborating with them in this endeavor to figure out new ways to bridge the gap between members and our community.

I love the everyday evangelism and discipleship that happens at Richland and absolutely look forward to the proclamation evangelism series that will harvest all the hard work each dedicated member has worked towards and prayed for. We are all so blessed and enriched by God’s great mercy to partner with us to usher His soon return.

Until the nets are full!

This story originally appeared on the Northwest Adventist webpage and can be found at https://nwadventists.com/news/2023/01/what-happens-next .

Band Festival — Academy Students Visit WWU to Create Music Together

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 19:50:08 GMT

The Walla Walla University Department of Music will host the 2023 Band Festival beginning on February 8. The four day event will bring together around 80 students from eight high schools in the Pacific Northwest to collaborate with their peers in a large instrumental setting.

By: Emma Dodds

WWU university relations student writer

The Walla Walla University Department of Music will host the 2023 Band Festival beginning on Feb. 8. The four day event will bring together around 80 students from eight high schools in the Pacific Northwest to collaborate with their peers in a large instrumental setting.

Visiting high school students will have the opportunity to rehearse and study with Brandon Beck, WWU professor of music. Participants, chosen by the festival’s directors, have been practicing festival repertoire for the past month in preparation to join the larger ensemble. Ensembles will learn and collaborate on a variety of collegiate level repertoire in preparation for a festival concert on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 4 p.m. in the Walla Walla University Church sanctuary. While on campus, the students will also have the opportunity to hear WWU ensembles perform on Friday, Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Students participating in the Band Festival will get to experience campus life at WWU and explore opportunities in the Department of Music. Conducted by Brandon Beck, they will also get a sense of the style and approach to music that WWU professors take. Many former participants in music department festivals remember the event as a key factor in their decision to attend WWU.

The Band Festival performance is free and open to the public. The University Church is located at 212 SW Fourth St., College Place. To learn more about Department of Music events, visit wallawalla.edu/music .

This story originally appeared on the Walla Walla University webpage and can be found at https://www.wallawalla.edu/news/detail/news/band-festival .

UCC Unveils Strategic Plan with Vertical: Vision Sabbath

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 18:38:56 GMT

On January 21, 2023, Upper Columbia Conference held Vertical: Vision Sabbath in every church in UCC, with David Jamieson, president, preaching the sermon, “Beating Around the Burning Bush.”

By: Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

On January 21, 2023, Upper Columbia Conference held Vertical: Vision Sabbath in every church in UCC, with David Jamieson, president, preaching the sermon, “Beating Around the Burning Bush.”

During this sermon, Jamieson shared the story of Moses and his encounter with the burning bush in the Midian desert.

Jamieson began by asking, “Are you living the dream? Are you living out your ultimate purpose?”

For many, answering that question can be difficult, but he continued, “Everyone has a dream, a vision for their life that fills them with passion and purpose.”

Beginning in Exodus 3:1-10 Jamieson recounted the story and shared how uncertain and scared Moses was. Moses was living comfortably, he didn’t want to do anything that would put him outside of his comfort zone, even if it meant not doing God’s will.

Jamieson then asked, “Did Moses believe? Do you and I believe that God has a purpose for our life?”

Believing in God is a gift because, “God is real. God is alive. God is active. He is a person, but He is also a verb. He does stuff, incredible stuff, previously unbelievable stuff in people’s lives when they believe,” shared Jamieson.

So, “Are you living the dream? Are you living out your ultimate purpose?” Jamieson answers, “God takes ordinary things, ordinary people, and makes them extraordinary. What God did then, He can do again!”

Ending his sermon, Jamieson shared the new motto for Upper Columbia Conference: Serve | One More. Since September 2022, church members, pastors, teachers, administrators, and employees have been praying for God’s leading in the conference. To Serve | One More as Jesus did is the focus of the UCC Strategic Plan for 2023-2025.

The document includes 15 strategic priorities and 55 unique initiatives that the conference will focus on for the next three years as well as continuing to pray for God’s vision in the conference, for renewal in your life, and to serve one more lost man, woman, boy, and girl.

To view the document or to watch the sermon in English and Spanish visit, www.uccsda.org/strategicplan .

Vertical: 31 Days of Renewal "Where to Go from Here"

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 01:31:22 GMT

Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me."

Isaiah 6:8

By: David Jamieson

UCC president

Well, we’ve reached the end of Vertical: 31 Days of Renewal, but is it really the end? The word “end” can have two possible meanings. It can mean that something has come to a stop, or it can refer to reaching an ultimate goal or end.

So, what was our ultimate goal during Vertical: 31 Days of Renewal? Where do we go from here? I think we can find the answer to these two very important questions in the fascinating story of Isaiah and his incredible experience of seeing a vision of God’s glory found in Isaiah Chapter 6.

Isaiah entered the temple to pray, and he experienced a life-changing vision of God’s glory. The awesome God of the universe was seated on a throne “high and lifted up” (Isaiah 6:1). His robe filled the temple as six-winged angels sang in reverent and yet jubilant chorus “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isaiah 6:2). Then as God began to speak, the doorposts of the temple began to shake, smoke filled the entire temple, and Isaiah cried out, “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” (Isaiah 6:5)

Isaiah experienced God’s glory when he turned to the Lord in personal prayer. As he prayed, he was awed by the holiness and majesty of God, but God does not reveal Himself purely for our astonishment. God’s revelation of Himself is usually followed by a request. This was the case, for instance, when God gave Moses a revelation of Himself amidst the brilliance of the burning bush on Mount Horeb. In true Godly form, He asked Moses a serving question about going to Egypt to deliver His people from bondage. Likewise, when God revealed Himself to Isaiah, He asked “Who will go for us?” God was looking for someone who was willing to share His message of love and warning to the world. Truly Isaiah’s answer was one for the ages: “Here am I! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)

However, Isaiah’s decision to accept God’s mission was made during a private prayer experience with God. The power he would demonstrate in public for God was power that he received in private with God. Anointed preacher, faithful prophet, fearless proclaimer — all of Isaiah’s outward abilities were but a reflection of who he was on the inside. He had spent personal time in prayer in the presence of God!

As we end our Vertical: 31 Days of Renewal experience, it is our prayer that you have begun to prioritize your own personal habit of daily worship and prayer so that God can show you vision for your life. Our ultimate goal is that as many people as possible in UCC will have covenanted to spend time each day with God. But more than that, we pray that you will accept God’s special invitation to go and Serve | One More . In so doing you will be richly and deeply blessed! Ellen White wrote about this deep abiding experience with God through personal daily devotions and prayer in Gospel Workers, p.23, which says, “To those who make so full a consecration that the Lord can place His touch upon their lips, the word is spoken, Go forth into the harvest-field. I will cooperate with you.”

May God richly bless you as you covenant to personally enter into His presence each day so that you, too, will receive a vision of His glory to fulfill His calling and purpose for your life.

Adapted from “Back to the Altar” by David Jamieson.

Conversations with UCC Scheduled Prior to Constituency

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 19:36:53 GMT

Conversations with UCC are for every member to come and hear what is happening in our territory.

In advance of the Upper Columbia Conference (UCC) Constituency Session to be held Sept. 24, 2023, at Upper Columbia Academy, there will be several Conversations with UCC throughout the conference territory. Conversations with UCC are for every member to come and hear what is happening in our territory. This year we will have a meal, a devotional, prayer time, and Q & A together. Locations and dates for Conversations With UCC are as follows:

March 11: Lewiston, ID area
March 12: Spokane, WA area
April 15: Coeur d’Alene, ID area
April 29: Wenatchee, WA area
April 30: Yakima, WA area
May 6: Walla Walla, WA area
May 7: Tri-Cities, WA area

Please find a location where you can attend and mark it on your calendar. Each event begins at 6pm.

“Every person in Upper Columbia Conference is so important to our mission of reaching our communities with the Christ-centered Seventh-day Adventist message of hope and wholeness,” said David Jamieson, Upper Columbia Conference president. “We have spent 40 days in prayer focusing on what God has in store for this conference and helping us focus on connecting with every man, woman, boy, and girl. It is my prayer that you will join us and discover the wonderful things that are happening in our churches, schools, and communities throughout this conference.”

For more information about Conversations with UCC and specific locations, please see the website at www.uccsda.org/constituency .

Adventist Woman Named Among Idaho Women of the Year

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 17:36:38 GMT

In the fall of 2022, Idaho Business Review recognized 50 Idaho Women of the Year honorees, from across Idaho for their outstanding professional achievement, leadership, mentorship, and community service. Lynda M. Freeman was one of the 50 women recognized.

By: Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

In the fall of 2022, Idaho Business Review recognized 50 Idaho Women of the Year honorees, from across Idaho for their outstanding professional achievement, leadership, mentorship, and community service. Lynda M. Freeman, DHSc, MPH, MBA, clinical associate professor and academic skills specialist in the WWAMI medical education program at the University of Idaho, was one of the 50 women recognized. Freeman attends the Moscow Adventist Church in Moscow, Idaho.

“I was honored to be one of the 50 women in Idaho to be selected for this year’s award from the Idaho Business Review,” shared Freeman. “It was nice for my hard work and contributions to be recognized.”

Freeman is co-founder of The Liberation Movement, Inc., and was this year’s guest speaker at The League of Women Voters. Freeman is also the first Black female faculty member in the University of Idaho WWAMI medical education program.

“Lynda is always mentoring the future of healthcare and medicine,” shared Jeff Seegmiller, EdD, director of the WWAMI medical education program. “She is meeting with underrepresented students and has used her privilege and experiences to help those who are less fortunate. She believes in equity for all.”

The leadership skills that Freeman has shown over the years includes faculty advisor for students in the Idaho WWAMI National Medical Association; member of the University of Idaho Black Faculty and Staff Association; and faculty co-advisor for the Black Student Union.

“I wish to share with other women to stay true to their mission,” said Freeman. “When operating in God's will, He will honor you even when others intend the opposite for you. My faith is the reason I can effectively do that work that I do. There have been numerous challenges and opportunities for discouragement, but the Holy Spirit has imparted the wisdom and encouragement necessary to navigate the bumps and boulders on this journey.”

Freeman was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, to two loving parents, Fred and Jackie Murphy.

“My parents valued Christian education,” Freeman recalled. “They made sacrifices to put my siblings and I through Adventist schools from kindergarten through college.”

Freeman attended Greater Atlanta Adventist Academy and Oakwood University where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She has studied community health, including rural health, and designed educational tools for health care professionals serving these communities. Her experience coordinating a rural health education network in rural Alabama sparked her interest in adult learning and education. She obtained her doctoral degree in health science from Nova Southeastern University, and her master’s degree in public health and master’s degree in business administration from University of Alabama at Birmingham.

“I strive to impact students, organizations and the community with compassion and excellence,” Freeman said. “I am so grateful for this award acknowledging my work and I hope it inspires more women — especially women of color — don’t stop. Even when it may, at times, feel lonely and hopeless, keep your faith. Get some rest, but don’t give up.”

Good News From Funeral

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 16:35:46 GMT

Wait a minute. Something significant happened here.

Each Wednesday I am the leader of the World Prayer Team in Spokane. We have been meeting together since 2003 and I have been involved since 2005. We are always praying around the world for nations and for the Good news to go forth and penetrate every unreached people group. When there are wars or places ravaged by catastrophe we pray for the missionaries, indigenous or foreigners there. We know that the Lord moves in a mighty way but the events surrounding the Queen of England’s death caught me by surprise!

We are told that there are times that try men’s souls. For me, this is a time that refreshes my soul. I did not expect it; I did not ask for it; but it happened. I receive it; I accept it. And I praise the Lord that I have been chosen for such a change in my life.

Death is not new to me. I grew up in a funeral home where death was all around my family. It is a part of the continuum of creation as a finite man.

Nor am I a “royal.” As an American citizen, I pay little attention to royal happenings. Following the Queen’s funeral, I was nudged by the Lord to explore this event. More than a nudge, I was almost shoved to watch the television coverage of September 19 from beginning to end.

Wait a minute. Something significant happened here. Between the transporting of the late Queen’s remains to Westminster Abbey for the funeral services, I noted the hymns sung, the Scriptures read, and the involvement of leaders from different churches joining those of the Church of England. This was a highly Christian service. The British Monarch was the head of the Church of England.

Television and radio broadcasters, probably greatly secular people, frequently announced that this service went around the world to billions of people.

Those in the nations saw and heard the reading of Scriptures of John 14:1-9:

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?

Jesus Christ was proclaimed! But that is not all. Before the service concluded, churchmen read I Corinthians 15:20-26 to all the world:

20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. 21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. 22 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 23 But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back. 24 After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. 25 For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. 26 And the last enemy to be destroyed is death.

The heart of these Christian passages concluded with I Corinthians 15:53-58:

53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. 54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Joining the Scriptures with the hymns and prayers, Queen Elizabeth II completed her journey with the proclamation of the Good News to the whole world.

These observations rattled me. I knew there was a passage in Matthew where Jesus answered his disciples. They pressed him on what “sign will signal your return and the end of the world,” Matthew 24:3. Later in that chapter, Jesus said:

“And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come,” Matthew 24:14.

Jesus spoke in the future tense over 2,000 years ago.

However, on September 19, 2022, “the Good News about the Kingdom WAS preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations HEARD it.” Those billions of people watching the Queen’s funeral on television or heard it on radio were bathed in the Good News about the Kingdom in the past tense, rather than than the future tense.

My mind was racing. Was this the first time, the last time or the 104th time the Good News was preached throughout the whole world?

I don’t know. But it happened in September.

In addition in the book of Isaiah we are told:

It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. Isaiah 55:11.

There it is. The Good News went out to all the world. And God’s Word produces fruit in accomplishing His will.

In our minds’ eyes do we see God’s Word percolating in the hearts and minds of people from India to Indonesia, from Mozambique to Mongolia, and from Saudi Arabia to South Carolina?

Who else has recognized this event? Who is talking about it? What is happening in the lives of people, far and near?

Have you been praying for the Gospel to go to the world?

The Good New spread throughout the world on September 19, 2022.

(David Wallace is an elder at the Spokane Central Seventh-day Adventist Church in Spokane, Washington. Davidwallace539@gmail.com

All Scripture from New Living Translation

WWU Facilitating Service

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 18:15:29 GMT

Walla Walla University students respond to a natural disaster in Wallowa, Oregon.

By: Kayla Hastings

Walla Walla University Relations student writer

For two days in early November, 13 university students volunteered, as part of the Center for Humanitarian Engagement’s (CHE) Care Weekend program, to help the city of nearby Wallowa recover after a hailstorm.

Liberty Anderson, a sophomore business marketing major and the Care Weekend coordinator, orchestrated the students’ involvement in the recovery project. About a month ago a hail storm hit Wallowa, a city about 2 hours from the university. According to Anderson, the hail had torn into peoples homes leaving broken windows and large dents in metal buildings and cars.

Anderson explained CHE’s Care Weekend consisted of organizing a community social on Saturday, playing games, making food, and setting up booths to help community members recover. Sunday morning they went and helped the community by insulating, covering windows, and picking up glass from the destruction of the storm.

Allison Simmons, a senior biology major and premed student, said of the project, “As a college student, I felt this was my service to pay tithe in my time and ability. God gives us the abilities and I wanted to use what he gave me to help others.”

CHE hopes to return and replace the insulation and waterproofing they did that weekend with permanent windows.

Anderson was quick to mention the key role United Way of the Blue Mountains played in the planning process by determining which residents needed help after the storm. “CHE could not have done the work they did without the preliminary work of United Way,” says Anderson. CHE and United Way both strive to create connections through service within their communities.

CHE focuses on connecting students with service opportunities such as service days and Care Weekends. Care Weekends occur every Saturday and provide a weekly service opportunity for students to practice being the hands and feet of Jesus.

To learn more about the service projects CHE organizes, visit wallawalla.edu/CHE .

This story originally appeared on the Walla Walla University webpage and can be found at https://www.wallawalla.edu/news/detail/news/facilitating-service .

Colville Church Member Provides Jobs for Homeless

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 22:59:01 GMT

Shelley Bacon was featured in the January 10, 2023 issue of Spokesman Review

Shelley Bacon, a member of Colville Adventist Church, is featured in the January 10, 2023 issue of Spokesman-Review, a newspaper in Spokane, Washington. The newspaper explored her ministry, Hope Street Restoration, a company which aims to employee homeless people. To read the full story, click here .

Comfort Zone

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 20:27:08 GMT

Comfort zone: “a situation in which you feel comfortable and in which your ability and determination are not being tested.”

By: Cindy Williams, RN

Coordinator, Health Ministries

Comfort zone: “a situation in which you feel comfortable and in which your ability and determination are not being tested.” “A behavioral space where your activities and behaviors fit a routine and pattern that minimizes stress and risk.”

We benefit from being in our comfort zone in some obvious ways. We experience regular happiness and relatively low levels of stress and anxiety. It provides us with a state of mental security. Things feel familiar, we feel at ease and in control of our environment and life. Our job performance is generally at a steady level.

Being out of our comfort zone is, well, uncomfortable. Most of us avoid it fervently. But is it good for our health?

The answer is yes. Researchers have found that we need a state of relative anxiety where stress levels are slightly higher than normal in order to maximize performance. They term it “optimal anxiety”. There are several known benefits to both our health and our lives. Here are a few:

Taking risks on purpose after weighing the pros and cons gives us practice for the unwelcome surprises in life.
Decreased risk of depression.
It gives you the opportunity to learn what you’re really made of.
Naturally increases adaptability.
Sharper focus, improved creativity, drive, working memory, and task management leading to increased productivity are experienced.
Mistakes aid in learning and support personal growth.
Life becomes more colorful and fun as we have more experiences. You are likely to feel less bored.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said; “Do one thing every day that scares you.” But you don’t have to take up rock climbing, travel to a foreign country, or sky dive to experience the benefits of getting outside of your comfort zone (although those may be on someone’s list to try). Instead, add newness to your life. Make small changes in your routine that pull you just a little out of the familiar. Here are some ideas:

Find a new devotional plan for this year – something that truly brings you closer to God.
Try a new food.
Tell someone about Jesus, your Friend.
Listen to a genre of music or a musical artist that you haven’t experienced before.
Try your hand at some form of art or a new craft.
Change your exercise routine.
Drive a different route to work.
Learn a new sport.
Develop an interest into a new hobby.
Invite someone you don’t know well to your home for dinner or games.
Volunteer in a new capacity or a new place.

May 2023 be a year in which we grow personally and in our relationship with God!

References

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/comfort-zone

Bardwick, Judith M. (1995). Danger in the Comfort Zone: From Boardroom to Mailroom--how to Break the Entitlement Habit That's Killing American Business . AMACOM Div American Mgmt Assn. ISBN 978-0-8144-7886-8 .

White, Alasdair (1 December 2009). From Comfort Zone to Performance Management: Understanding Development and Performance . White & MacLean Publishing. ISBN 978-2-930583-01-3 .

https://lifehacker.com/the-science-of-breaking-out-of-your-comfort-zone-and-w-656426705

https://www.wellandgood.com/stepping-out-of-your-comfort-zone/

My Fight With Anxiety and Faith

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 18:29:03 GMT

" It's OK, I leave everything in Your hands, Lord, but it sure would be nice if Buddy would come home now."

by Jim Kilmer

He is good about coming in for his wet food when it begins to get dark.

Neither Buddy nor I were prepared for the abrupt cold snap that came in November. He enjoyed his outdoor romp, but did not come to the garage when the sun sank low.

The thermometer showed temperatures below freezing. I called and called but Buddy did not come home.

I prayed, but could not shake the anxiety I felt. I was afraid I did not have faith since I felt so anxious. I tried claiming promises and then remembered to praise God for answered prayer in the past, and the present and the Future.

Jesus prayed with confidence when He said to the Father, "I know You always hear me."

By this time the temperature was headed for the teens. I read that cats can get hyperthermia when the temp drops below freezing. I tried to make myself believe but anxiety kept getting in the way. I felt guilty for letting Buddy get out when God expects me to be

responsible. I walked down the stairs to the lower level of the

house praying and confessing my lack of faith, my anxiety, and fears, my neglect.

When I reached the front door level of our split level home I prayed, "It's OK, I leave everything in Your hands Lord, but it sure would be nice if Buddy would come home now."

I glanced through the glass along the door of the front porch. There was Buddy with wide open eyes and a friendly face. Both Fran and I had tears as I told her about my battle with anxiety, and God's tender mercy.

False Start

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 17:00:04 GMT

One of the worst feelings is watching your football team mess up at the end of a game.

By: Natashia McVay

Moscow and Pullman Church associate pastor

One of the worst feelings is watching your football team mess up at the end of a game.

Your team is on the 5-yard line, they need a touchdown to win the game, everyone is lined up and ready and suddenly a man jumps forward too soon. "False start," yells the referee, and now they are sent backwards 5 yards. They never recover from the penalty and end up losing the game. All because one player jumped the gun and moved too fast.

Every new year people make lists of things they want to accomplish, goals they have, dreams for the year and resolutions. The challenge is that most people don’t accomplish even half of what they resolved to do in the new year. They work at it for a few days or weeks, but it is often lost before too long.

So what should we do at the beginning of a new year? Is it wrong to make plans or goals? Simply put, it’s not bad to have goals. In fact, we need things we work towards and things we aim to accomplish. However, I would suggest that we start a little smaller or more realistic than we might be tempted. Rather than jumping forward so fast and then failing, why not try a more realistic goal?

As with general goals, in the realm of spiritual growth we often make unachievable goals too, like, “I’m going to read the whole Bible twice and journal every day.” This is a great goal, but if you haven’t been doing any real devotional time, this might be a bit lofty. Instead, maybe aim for doing some devotional time each day, even if it’s just reading a couple verses and trying to spend some time in prayer.

Prov. 16:3 has good wisdom for us as we begin the new year: “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”

God wants us to set goals and have plans, but He also wants us to be successful in our goals. God promises that if we start with Him, He will help us.

Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Start this year on the right foot, start by putting God in charge of your life, goals and dreams. When He is our leader, we can rest easy knowing He will help us.

If you start this year with God, you can be assured success!

This story originally appeared on the Northwest Adventist webpage and can be found at https://nwadventists.com/news/2022/12/false-start .

Upper Columbia Academy Elementary Grows Through Prayer

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 02:33:10 GMT

Upper Columbia Academy Elementary grows through prayer. Everything the group undertook was bathed heavily in prayer.

By: Lorna Hartman

Upper Columbia Academy Elementary administrative assistant

Like many schools, Upper Columbia Academy Elementary School lost students during the COVID-19 pandemic due to more parents choosing to homeschool their children. When this happens, small schools don’t have a lot of safety margin when it comes to drops in enrollment.

Kristy Plata, UCAES principal, Brenda Ermshar, UCAES teacher’s aide, and Lorna Hartman, UCAES administrative assistant, began to pray and put together a marketing plan to make the school more visible in the community and attract the students God wanted to send.

The three sat down with school board members, a pastor and school staff to strategize. Starting with the ideas from staff planning sessions, the group finalized a marketing plan. Though it was difficult to decide to spend money at that moment, the group realized the need to invest in the future of UCAES.

These efforts started before the 2021–2022 school year ended. First, Hartman ordered low-cost branding stickers to put on water bottles with a plan to give them away at events.

The school attended a Memorial Day event at a nearby town wearing school t-shirts and handing out free water bottles. The bowl of free candy also didn’t hurt. This gave Plata a chance to talk to local parents about the school and invite them for a tour.

Plata and Hartman went to a second community event without the students after the school year ended to hand out water bottles again and connect with people.

Ermshar took photos to post on Facebook more frequently and added an Instagram account to enlarge the school’s social media presence.

Ermshar targeted families with young children, mailing postcards to invite them to a K–1 Roundup event at the end of the year. It featured a balloon banner, school-branded water bottles and a bouncy castle. They loved it. While the kids were enjoying the fun castle, the parents were given an in-depth presentation and slide show by Plata discussing the benefits to each family if they sent their child to UCAES.

The school also sent out a general postcard mailing to all local families who have grade-school children to announce the enrollment period and advertise discounts.

As registration time rolled around, a contact of Ermshar’s donated a beautiful set of outdoor feather flag banners. The school ran an ad series on Facebook targeting local families with children, which looked the same as the general postcard to provide continuity.

Finally, the group asked PJ Deming, Upper Columbia Academy principal, if the elementary school could have a table of free water bottles at UCA's registration day. Landyn, UCAES fourth grader, joined staff members and helped out at the water bottle table.

Everything the group undertook was bathed heavily in prayer. The school needed to rebound enrollment fast. When Plata sat down at the end of the 2021–2022 school year to tally the number of students the school could be certain of having for 2022–2023, the number was 11. This amount sent the group to their knees praying fervently for God’s blessing on their efforts.

The group knew UCAES is God’s school, and He would have His hand over the school. It wasn’t long until we saw His plan playing out for this 2022–2023 school year. Currently, the school has 25 students enrolled, indicating a miraculous and blessed answer to prayer.

The school was able to promote Ermshar from part-time teacher’s aide to full-time lower-grade teacher. Plata has done a sensational job for two years with a temporary one-room school situation, so this too was an answer to prayer.

One can only imagine the thanks that went up, and is still going up today, when the group looks around and sees 25 bright faces in school. Praise the Lord! God is definitely in the business of answering prayers.

Rogers Adventist School Celebrates Culture

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 17:47:29 GMT

Rogers Adventist School set a goal in 2020 to celebrate, appreciate, and acknowledge their students' cultures. "We are all stronger when we work together and understand each other’s backgrounds," said Holley Bryant head of Rogers Adventist School.

By: Holley Bryant

Head of Rogers Adventist School and Walla Walla Valley Academy

In March 2020, Rogers Adventist School was visited by a team of accreditors from North Pacific Union. As all schools do when going through accreditation, the RAS school board, administration and staff set lofty goals in their Continuous School Improvement Plans. One of the goals was to identify ways to address the diverse cultures and backgrounds of individual learners and promote acceptance and inclusion. A lofty goal, to be sure, but staff were excited about the challenge.

And then just a few days after that accreditation visit, RAS shut down for the COVID-19 pandemic, like every other school in Upper Columbia Conference.

However, the goals weren’t forgotten. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and to the present, Rogers has continued to pursue these goals of acceptance, inclusion and diversity in their student body.

Native American Heritage Month is a favorite at Rogers. A team of educators and leaders from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation comes each November to share a special presentation where RAS students, along with their family groups, rotate through four different stations: dancing and drumming, first foods, storytelling/language and beadwork/regalia. This is a highlight for students and teachers alike as we learn from our local tribes about their cultures and traditions.

Hispanic Heritage Month gives us the opportunity to honor students in our school who speak two languages! Games like lotería, piedra/papel/tijera (rock/paper/scissors), pato, pato, ganso (duck, duck, goose) and more are always fun to play together. Teachers focus different aspects of their curriculum to honor this month as well. Art is a wonderful way to learn about different cultures. During the 2022 celebration, students in third and fourth grade learned about and created alebrije (carved and painted animal figurines) and Zapotec weavings with bright colors and geometric designs.

Black History Month has brought us excellent speakers in the past like Gwendolyn Trice, who spoke about her father who worked in a logging town called Maxville which used to be close to Wallowa, Oregon. Her stories of segregation and cross-cultural friendships were inspiring. Hearing from Robert Bartlett who shared the history of the Triple Nickles, a secret World War II smoke-jumping mission based in Oregon staffed by black soldiers, was equally as inspiring.

In celebration of Asian American Heritage month in 2022, we turned the time over to our Asian American and Pacific Islander parents and students. They made us Asian delicacies like steamed rice buns, shared the scripture and prayer for our chapel in Japanese and Korean and taught us how to make an origami Samurai hat.

We want our Hispanic, Asian, Black and Native American students to feel accepted, appreciated and valued. Teachers and administrators at Rogers heard over and over from these households how much they appreciated the acknowledgment of their cultures and histories. We are all stronger when we work together and when we understand each other’s backgrounds.

Walla Walla Valley Academy Agriculture Program

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 01:05:19 GMT

Walla Walla Valley Academy starts an agriculture program. In a nation where many children believe that fruits and vegetables come from the grocery store, its more important than ever we educate our students about agriculture.

By: Holley Bryant

Head of Rogers Adventist School and Walla Walla Valley Academy

In a nation where many children believe that fruits and vegetables come from the grocery store, its more important than ever we educate our students about agriculture.

Grocery prices are rapidly rising, so Walla Walla Valley Academy finds value in teaching students how to grow their own food and how to share that bounty with their community.

At WWVA, Bob Nobuhara, science and agriculture teacher, is dedicated to helping students learn and discover the process of farming from seed to harvest. Mr. Nob, as the students call him, is a marine biologist and avid agriculturist. He teaches chemistry, earth science, biology, anatomy and physiology, and agriculture for students from grades 9–12 where they learn valuable knowledge and hands-on skills.

Nobuhara models his agricultural philosophy and curriculum after Paul Gautschi’s Back to Eden Gardening method, recreating a sustainable ecosystem where plants thrive in their natural environment. Jean Martin Fortier, “The Market Gardener,” is an inspiration for his agriculture program, which centers on regenerative agriculture focusing on the health of the ecosystem as a whole.

“When students watch the progress of things growing, they get excited — they take ownership and it allows them to enjoy and be blessed by getting their hands into the dirt, into the soil,” said Nobuhara.

The students are actively part of all the workings on the WWVA farm. They help prepare the soil for planting. During the second semester, they grow seedlings in the classroom using artificial light. Once the plants are thriving, students transplant them to the farm. The planting process for most of the crops starts at the end of March and early April. However, students planted garlic in November because hard and soft neck garlic winter over till spring.

During the summer, the students join Nobuhara in working the farm. Weeding, watering, pruning and harvesting are just a few of the important tasks essential to maintaining the 2-acre farm. The harvest period in the late summer and fall shows students the reward for their hard work. Corn, garlic, tomatoes, peppers, onions, kale, eggplant, cantaloupe, Crenshaw melon and watermelon are just a few of the crops grown on the WWVA farm.

Students share their harvest locally. Most afternoons in September, families can purchase fresh-picked corn off the truck in the WWVA parking lot. The tomatoes, corn, peppers and other produce harvested are shared with families in the community and with students to take home.

WWVA students aren't the only ones who get to participate in learning about farming and agriculture. Nobuhara also shares his wisdom and passion for agriculture with local Pathfinder and Adventurer clubs, touring students though his garden and giving them the chance to get a close-up view of different vegetables on the farm.

Macyn Scherger, WWVA graduate and University of Idaho student, is currently working on her urban agriculture, horticulture and crop science studies. She credits Nobuhara’s agriculture class for inspiring her to pursue her degree in agriculture. “Mr. Nob’s class was a great way to learn and embrace agriculture from multiple perspectives, including the Eden method. His passion for teaching others inspired me to open my own microgreen business and spread the word about how fun it is to grow your own food.”

“The future of agriculture will come from people — from a new generation of farmers who embrace small scale, ecological, nourishing farming techniques,” said Jean Martin Frontier, author of The Market Gardner. At WWVA, we value encouraging a new generation of students who care about farming and food sustainability.

Watching and Waiting

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 00:56:07 GMT

There is a story told about a boy who desperately wanted a watch for Christmas. This was no ordinary watch. It was one of those fancy, high-tech watches that had many features and functions. As Christmas approached, he begged and begged his parents every day to receive this gift for Christmas.

By: David Jamieson

UCC President

There is a story told about a boy who desperately wanted a watch for Christmas. This was no ordinary watch. It was one of those fancy, high-tech watches that had many features and functions. As Christmas approached, he begged and begged his parents every day to receive this gift for Christmas until finally they had heard about it so much that they said, “Johnny, please don’t mention it again or you won’t get it.” Well, Johnny wasn’t one to give up easily, so he began to devise another plan of action to highlight his desire for this watch. He knew that his dad occasionally asked each person in the family to share a favorite Bible verse during family worship, so he selected his Bible verse strategically. When the family gathered for worship, sure enough, his dad asked everyone to share their favorite verse. When he came to Johnny, the boy said, “Dad, I’m not sure I should share my favorite Bible verse with you.” To which his dad replied, “Of course you should. Please tell me.” So, Johnny said, “Are you sure, Dad?” “Yes”, his dad replied, ‘I’m sure.” So with a deadpan face Johnny said, “Ok. It’s Mark 13:37 which says, “What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

As we bring 2022 to a close, it strikes me that for a child, watching and waiting are very difficult things to do. How too for us! How hard it can be to wait on God! As we wait, it can seem that nothing is happening and that He never will answer us. But the Bible shares over and over again that when we place our trust in God and seek to know Him intimately every day, we no longer have to worry about delays or temporary problems. We know that He is with us, loves us, and watches over us. And we begin to have the patience to wait on Him. In fact, this kind of waiting demonstrates that we trust Him. Those who do not have an intimate relationship with God can tend to be preoccupied and worried, filled with turmoil, anxiety, uncertainty, and doubt. The Bible says, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). God wants to have an intimate relationship with you. He wants you to have complete confidence in Him. We are not to panic but are to trust in Him. We are to remember that He loves and cares for us, and that He never leaves us. I want to encourage you to spend time in prayer with God. Read His Word. Listen to His voice and wait on Him. Trust Him to renew your strength and give you His peace.

That’s why we are inviting everyone who wishes in the entire Upper Columbia Conference and beyond to join us for Vertical: 31 Days of Prayer for Renewal beginning January 1, 2023. We invite you to pray that God will pour out His Holy Spirit among us and give us a vision for how to reach men, women, boys, and girls for His kingdom – but this can only be fulfilled through renewed hearts.

Yes, watching and waiting are difficult. However, that’s how we can experience renewal. So, as we begin 2023, it is my prayer that you will join us for Vertical: 31 Days of Prayer asking God to renew your heart! May God richly bless you and your fam-ily this Christmas, and as you turn the page of your calendar to January 1, 2023 please join us in waiting and watching for the greatest day of all — the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

David Jamieson

President, Upper Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Traditions Around the Holidays

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 23:32:19 GMT

Traditions are not something we talk much about. Changes, upgrades, and improvements are pushed on us at a rapid pace and seem to make the old less needed. Yet most of us value and welcome traditions.

By Cindy Williams, RN

Coordinator, Health Ministries

Traditions are not something we talk much about. Changes, upgrades, and improvements are pushed on us at a rapid pace and seem to make the old less needed. Yet most of us value and welcome traditions. Birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, Sunday football, and holidays are more meaningful because of traditions.

Traditions also have a Biblical origin. God commanded the children of Israel to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Passover, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles as “holidays”. He even gave them specific instructions on how to celebrate these holidays. God promised Israel that when they faithfully kept his commandments, they would live long and well. These feasts promoted spiritual health by helping the Israelites remember what God had done for them in the past and was doing in the present. They promoted mental and emotional health by providing a rich social environment in which family and friends shared meals, a trip together, and worshiping together. Physical health was enhanced by camping in fresh air as well as the long walk to get to Jerusalem.

I believe that traditions can impact our health in a profound way. And I’m not talking about the impact on our waistline from Thanksgiving dinner!

Traditions:

Provide a sense of consistency and structure. Our world is desperately in need of this stability. We also have something to look forward to in this chaotic world.
Provide a sense of identity and belonging. It is a setting in which we can obtain a healthy perspective on our place in the world as we realize that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. We can learn who we are as we observe others.
Provide an avenue to create lasting memories. These experiences shape who we are and who we will be in the future.
Connect people to each other and strengthen family bonds. Traditions are glue that help hold a family or group of people together. We need these shared experiences.
Remind you of what really matters. Values are reinforced through interactions with role models from all generations. You have an opportunity to pause and reflect on meaningful things.

I pray that your Christmas will be filled with meaningful traditions that draw you and your family closer to each other and to our wonderful Savior. God bless!

ASB Leadership Team Initiates Prayer Focus at Upper Columbia Academy

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 00:49:37 GMT

“I believe that prayer unites us as a community and brings us closer to God,” said Sidney Folkenberg, ASB president.

By: Krista Mikkelson

UCA director of alumni and enrollment services

Everyone can agree that a team of dedicated Christian teachers and staff is essential for a successful school year, but when you combine that with student leaders who deeply love Jesus and who want to share Him with their peers, you have a powerful force!

Upper Columbia Academy is blessed this year with just such a team. As Upper Columbia Conference kicked off Vertical: 40 Days of Prayer on September 1, 2022, Jeff Deming, pricipal, asked the faculty to pray daily at 9:31 (morning or evening). This specific time of day was chosen by Deming because of Spangle’s zip code, 99031. The Associated Student Body team enthusiastically joined in with their own twist on the concept of daily prayer. They created a prayer board, positioned prominently in the Campbell Administration Building.

During the 40 days of prayer, students were encouraged to post requests and praises. Torin Smith, ASB historian shared, “The hope is that we will get in the habit of praying for each other. We intend to continue the prayer board throughout the school year.”

“I believe that prayer unites us as a community and brings us closer to God,” said Sidney Folkenberg, ASB president. Each Monday just before lunch, students gather in front of the cafeteria for prayer on the plaza, another student-lead event inspired by the 40 days of prayer. Folkenberg continued, “This prayer time adds to the spiritual life at UCA. Students and teachers join together to share struggles and praises and to pray for guidance. When the weather gets cold or rainy, the group meets inside, but the blessing is the same.”

The ASB officers arrived on campus several days early to work and pray with their sponsors in preparation for introducing the 2022–2023 school year’s theme, “A Journey Together.” It was apparent from the beginning that the students had put time and thought into what it means to be leaders.

Madi Divers explained, “My role as an officer has nothing to do with being ASB chaplain. That is just a title. What being in this position really means to me is living out my life the way Christ did. This leadership position has given me a chance to serve others daily. I used to find myself thinking I was unworthy of this position because of who I was. However, God calmed my mind and humbled my heart, and now I view my role as an officer as a calling God wants me to fulfill during my senior year at UCA.”

“ASB officers have provided church services and worship talks,” Folkenberg said. “These programs bring us all together and closer to God. Events are important, but I don't think there has to be an event in order to impact others. Anyone can represent Christ through their character in day to day life.”

Even though Vertical: 40 Days of Prayer has finished, there are definite plans to continue making prayer a daily practice. ASB officers are recreating the prayer board with a theme of Thanksgiving and praise, and several staff members’ phone alarms continue to ring at 9:31. “What a gift it is to have staff and students invested in the opportunity of connecting through the power of prayer,” says Deming. “We are daily asking for God to be the leader of our Journey Together.”

SonBridge – A Place for Education

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 16:33:01 GMT

Service-oriented individuals are finding opportunities with SonBridge Center for Better Living, whose goal is to provide education and professional development to its employees, volunteers and community members.

By: Victoria Smith Alvarez

SonBridge intern

In Walla Walla, Washington, service-oriented individuals don’t need to look further than SonBridge Center for Better Living to take hold of educational opportunities.

From internships for Walla Walla University students and high school work opportunities to employee training programs, community members are offered a unique place to further their education and gain experience.

Kiersten Ekkens, recent WWU communication graduate, completed a summer social media and marketing internship to help her explore a future career path. “This internship has been a great stepping stone between my college and professional career,” she shared. “I have been able to put into practice so many skills that I learned at university, and now I know better what aspects of communication I want to pursue.”

SonBridge hires between 12 and 15 students from Walla Walla Valley Academy each school year for their high school student worker experience. The students sort and stock donations in the store, do janitorial work and maintain meeting space. WWVA and various home churches subsidize the students’ wages, so their work gives them job experience while helping them pay for Christian education.

Kitty Haney, co-executive assistant, manages the students’ work experience. “It’s not just cleaning and sorting work,” she remarked. “They learn responsibility and practical skills in the office or at the store cash register. This job teaches them to take initiative and look for ways to serve, not just follow a list.”

SonBridge Teen Connect is another program geared towards youth in middle and high school. “Our main focus is to offer a safe space where teens can get assistance with homework. We also want to begin training such as personal finance and maintenance to teach them real life skills,” shared Alex Engels, programs director.

SonBridge often partners with the Blue Mountain Action Council to provide job training programs for community members who lack adequate work skills. BMAC uses SonBridge’s space to host financial security workshops, life skills classes and parenting classes, bringing relevant knowledge to many eager learners.

To connect with the older community, SonBridge works with the American Association of Retired Persons' sub-program, Senior Community Service Employment. This program connects retired individuals with participating organizations to help them reintegrate into the workforce, while providing in-job skills training. Kathryn Frost went through the program with a very positive experience. “I can’t recommend AARP’s SCSEP enough,” she shared. “It’s just a stellar program, and I’m very thankful for their support.” She was offered a position at SonBridge while still in training with SCSEP and now works in the administrative office.

The goal of SonBridge Center for Better Living is to provide education and professional development to its employees, volunteers and community members. The center continues to succeed in their mission to Connect Lives and Empower Change by reconnecting people with valuable work and learning experiences. Through these programs, they embody God's call to “begin the process of education which will last through eternity.” [1]

1. White, Ellen G. Education, Mountain View, California, 1951, p. 307.

Upper Columbia Academy Guitar Teacher Killed

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 01:10:31 GMT

Doug Brant, elder and member of the Upper Columbia Academy church, registered nurse, and guitar teacher at Upper Columbia Academy, was killed Thursday, December 1, 2022.

By: Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

Douglas (Doug) Brant, 56, elder and member of the Upper Columbia Academy church, registered Providence nurse, and guitar teacher at Upper Columbia Academy in Spangle, Washington, was shot and killed Thursday, December 1, 2022.

Brant's life was cut short Thursday, when a 33-year-old man shot and killed him while treating the shooter's grandmother at her Spokane home. After a manhunt that lasted nearly a day, police arrested the shooter on Friday near where the shooting occurred.

Brant was active in his local church, serving as an elder, musician, and audio/visual technician .

“It’s a shocking and tragic loss,” said Kevin Wilfley, pastor at Upper Columbia Academy church. "His greatest desire was to love and honor Jesus. To say he will be greatly missed is an understatement."

To read more on this story, visit news.uccsda.org/brant1222 .

Milton Adventist Church Introduces New Pastor

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 01:21:38 GMT

Milton church, the oldest Adventist congregation in the Pacific Northwest, had an exciting service with the introduction of a new pastor.

By: Loren L. Fenton

Milton adventist church member

November 12, 2022, was an exciting day for the Milton church, the oldest Adventist congregation in the Pacific Northwest, as Pastor Howard Tello was officially introduced as the new lead pastor for the Milton/Blue Mountain Valley/Mission (Athena, Oregon) churches by Brian Harris, UCC vice president for education.

“Pastor Howard Tello is a man of God, a powerful preacher, and a skilled Bible expositor,” said Pastor Lloyd Perrin, former lead pastor. “I am so pleased to have him and his family here to carry forward the pastoral responsibilities I have been privileged to lead for the last ten years. I pray God’s richest blessings for the Tello's in this new era of ministry in their lives.”

Tello, together with his wife Hannah and their three children, previously served the Chewelah and Deer Park churches in Northeastern Washington.

In his inaugural sermon, Tello shared, “The stronger the Christian’s connection is with God, the more impact you make on the people that surround you — even your enemies. In that connection, God gives super-human power. Not your power, but His.”

New App Unveiled for Camp MiVoden

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 19:56:00 GMT

“Camp MiVoden is on social media, but we wanted to connect with people in a different way,” Wines explained.

By: Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

In February 2022, Jeff Wines, director of Camp MiVoden, noticed how much time students were spending on their phones while recruiting summer staff at different colleges and high schools. This struck him because he saw how truly important an online presence was.

“Camp MiVoden is on social media, but we wanted to connect with people in a different way,” Wines explained. “I wanted to carve out a spot for MiVoden in their world. MiVoden needs to be on their phones!”

In April 2022, the idea of creating an app for Camp MiVoden started becoming a reality. “Creating the app would create the ability to communicate with all groups of people attending camp,” said Wines.

Luke Irvine, MiVoden assistant director and a graduate of the computer science program at Walla Walla University, was asked to work on this project.

“Few people are lucky enough to work on something that aligns with their passions,” shared Irvine. “I had been looking for coding projects that aligned with my other hobbies and passions, so when Jeff asked me to develop an app for camp, I was stoked.”

The primary focus of the app is to highlight camp content such as week-in-review videos, promo videos and camp photos, some of which are exclusive to app users.

“We also wanted the app to have some features that would be handy for campers while at camp,” Irvine explained, “so we built a way to show schedules for any given week and an interactive map with all the landmarks and activities at camp.”

Jeff was excited to make this app a reality. Camp began in June 2022, which allowed the beta testing to begin. The app went through several beta tests. The primary group to test the app was the summer staff. They used the app throughout the summer helping to fix bugs and getting the kinks out.

“The beta testing was great because the staff got to use the app without it needing to be perfect enough for an App Store release,” shared Irvine. “The staff were good at giving feedback, and it made it easy to quickly roll out updates that fixed little bugs they found.”

The app was formally released during Family Camp for the family campers to use.

Since Irvine was also the assistant director this summer, he was quite busy. When asked what his experience was like creating an app, he explained, “Creating this app was a lot of fun because it was all about camp, which I love so much. There was a lot of personal investment, since I got to build features that would make my job as assistant director easier.”

Irvine has worked at Camp MiVoden for seven years. “Working at camp helped to really capture the essence of camp and bring camp to life digitally,” Irvine explained. “Creating the app for Camp MiVoden was a unique idea that became a reality this summer.”

The app is currently created for Apple iOS users, but for those with Android, there is a version being created. If you are interested in downloading the Camp MiVoden app, you can find it on the iOS App Store. You’ll be able to view a host of videos from this last summer, but you’ll need to be at camp to view the map and schedules for safety reasons. For more about Camp MiVoden visit mivoden.com .

Walla Walla University Ranked Fourth Best Value College in Washington

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 18:35:26 GMT

The study compared colleges and universities across the country based on a variety of financial factors including tuition, living expenses, scholarships awarded, starting salary for new graduates, and student retention rate.

By: Kelsi Nash

Walla Walla University, University Relations Supervisor

SmartAsset has ranked Walla Walla University as the fourth best value university in Washington for 2022. WWU was only topped by the University of Washington’s three campuses.

The study compared colleges and universities across the country based on a variety of financial factors including tuition, living expenses, scholarships awarded, starting salary for new graduates, and student retention rate. By comparing these factors, the study explores where students can get the best return on their investment in higher education.

In 2021-22, Walla Walla University awarded $46.4 million in financial aid, with students receiving an average of $26,266 each year. Students also benefit from Washington’s high minimum wage while working part-time on-campus or summer jobs.

Cassie Ragenovich, director of student financial services, said, “We know that an Adventist education is a great investment—perhaps the most important one students and families will ever make. It’s great to see that others see and recognize the value we offer.”

Learn more about the methods to obtain these rankings on the SmartAsset website .

This story originally appeared on the Walla Walla University webpage and can be found at https://www.wallawalla.edu/news/detail/news/best-value-university/ .

Walla Walla University Church Celebrates 60 years of Worship

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 23:13:10 GMT

The Walla Walla University Church celebrated the 60th anniversary of the current church building and the many years of ministry and worship that have filled it since that first day.

By: Kelsi Nash

Walla Walla University, University Relations Supervisor

The Walla Walla University Church celebrated the 60th anniversary of the current church building and the many years of ministry and worship that have filled it since that first day. The day-long celebration, on October 15, included an array of events beginning with stories from 1962 at 10:00 a.m. and ending with singing in the narthex at 5:30 p.m.

In the morning, five alumni or former professors shared their memories of the 1962 march to the then new building. Carlton Cross, alumnus and professor emeritus of engineering, said, “The massive march to the new church, led by trumpeters and the choir, seemed like going to the promised land, minus, of course, the desert and the Jordan River.”

A special church service called congregation members to consider how the church has grown and changed since its opening day. A brass ensemble and ICantori of Walla Walla University filled the service with music reflective of that first day and the power of collective worship. One of the songs, a latin motet by Anton Bruckner, is often sung at church dedications and translates to, “this place was made by God, a sacred sacrament.”

After the service, members and students reassembled to listen to a panel discuss the role of the University Church and its future. The afternoon also held a particularly popular tour of sanctuary art and the organ. WWU music students led more than 200 people through a tour of the organ pipes. The tour attendees also learned about the numerous works of art created for the sanctuary from the artists themselves.

“The University Church is the nexus for our campus community,” said Andreas Beccai, senior pastor of the University Church. “It is the place we gather for worship, celebration, and inspiration. The 60th-anniversary of our building was an opportunity to trace God's faithfulness in our history and ponder his leading for our future.”

This story originally appeared on the Walla Walla University webpage and can be found at https://www.wallawalla.edu/news/detail/news/years-of-worship/ .

Columbia Basin Pathfinders Learn Skills for Life

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 21:42:39 GMT

Learning new topics and completing honors is an essential part of Pathfinders, however, just as important is building practical skills.

By: Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

Learning new topics and completing honors is an essential part of Pathfinders, however, just as important is building practical skills. The Columbia Basin Pathfinder district took this to the next level by holding their second annual Life Skills Day, October 16, 2022.

“Life Skills Day is solely focused on teaching kids the ‘life skills’ they seem to be missing these days,” shared June Cross, Columbia Basin Pathfinder district coordinator. “Whether it’s from parents being stretched too thin, single parent families that are challenged in so many ways, or any number of other reasons.”

Life Skills Day was created to share practical, hands-on skills that pathfinders will use for the rest of their lives. This year the skills included everything from how to properly change a flat tire and checking car fluids, to learning how to freeze their own food or dry their own veggies and herbs.

“I helped with food drying, focusing on herbs and onions for spice mixes and food freezing,” said Cindy Johnson, director of the Othello Outreachers Pathfinder Club. “My favorite part of the event was working hands-on right with the Pathfinders, sharing stories and life values. I listened to the pathfinders share their own stories and we began building relationships and trust between us.”

There were 64 participants in all, 42 of those were pathfinders ranging in age from 9 to 17 years old. The skills were taught by instructors from across the district. Pathfinders learned how to properly sharpen knives and other blades, the basics of cutting hair, as well as math skills, sewing, home maintenance, and lawn care.

“The instructors did an amazing job, and it was so fun to watch the pathfinders learn and be challenged,” said Cross. “The skills that the pathfinders learned, can be taken with them, and applied at home, in the kitchen, in school, and when the need arises.”

This event is unique because the entire Columbia Basin district gets involved. Several instructors and directors shared that Life Skills Day was all the pathfinders talked about on the way home. Johnson explained, “it was very rewarding to hear them say, ‘I'm going to make this at home!’”

“The pathfinders that participated in the event have not mastered the skills they were taught, but we scratched the surface, piqued their interest, and let them know what they truly can do,” explained Cross. “We’re on our way to preparing better equipped young people to be a blessing in an ever-challenging world!”

HealthMotivate Clinic Celebrates with Dedication Ceremony

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 22:30:39 GMT

HealthMotivate Clinic Celebrates with Dedication Ceremony attended by 150 community and church leaders.

By: Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

Community and church leaders, along with members of the public, gathered for the dedication ceremony for HealthMotivate Lifestyle and Medical Center in Pullman, Washington. The event, held on September 28, 2022, welcomed more than 150 people to the clinic’s ribbon cutting and open house.

The morning ribbon cutting was attended by Glenn A. Johnson, mayor of Pullman, Washington, and Dr. Fred Hardinge, HealthMotivate board member. Doug Venn, General Conference director of urban centers of influence, shared the history of HealthMotivate’s mission at the dedication ceremony, and David Jamieson, Upper Columbia Conference president, provided additional remarks.

“HealthMotivate Clinic is a great example of an urban center of influence (UCI) that will meet the identified needs of the community and will serve as a platform to make disciples,” said Venn.

What makes HealthMotivate different from other clinics is that clinic staff meet daily to pray for patients before they arrive. HealthMotivate is committed to unite the best of science and research-based medicine with the body’s own natural healing process to support wholeness. Invested in the infinite value of each person, physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, health educators and coaches make up the support care team.

“HealthMotivate Lifestyle and Medical Center was built to fulfill the goals and work to pursue wholeness in order to learn to make healthier choices in the community,” shared Jayne Peterson, HealthMotivate business manager. “Our clinic offers pathways to wholeness for everyone, building relationships and providing tools and resources to experience one’s full health potential.”

HealthMotivate also works to partner with local churches and community groups to offer classes, programs and services that encourage daily choices for healthy living. The goal is to help others with pursuing good physical health and creating wholeness and purpose.

“HealthMotivate is working to focus on relationship building to engage with patients, identify realistic starting points for change and then plug the patient into opportunities to work with the in-house lifestyle coaches and participate in lifestyle group programs,” said Peterson.

HealthMotivate continues to bring together resources and talents that provide the best opportunities for improved, lifelong wellness. They work to improve and grow their mission and vision and continue to actively recruit additional providers. To learn more visit HealthMotivate.org .

Walla Walla University Hosts Adventurer Day

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 21:56:09 GMT

Walla Walla University hosts Adventurer Day for Upper Columbia Conference Adventurer Clubs.

By: Emma Dodds

Walla Walla University Relations student writer

Early in October, Walla Walla University and Walla Walla Valley Academy hosted Upper Columbia Conference Adventurer events for children ages 4–9 across the conference. The Award activities were designed to help Adventurers and their families grow in Christian community, find common areas of interest to explore, make new friendships, and become acquainted with resources for their futures.

The events of the day began with a worship service, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the Adventurer Pledge and Law. Then children and families began to rotate through activities at WWU’s Roger’s field, Winter Educational Complex pool, Kretschmar Hall, Chan Shun Pavilion, and at WWVA’s pond habitat area, horticulture classroom, and biology classrooms.

At the WEC, water safety instructors Rachelle Lebold and Chrystal Flerchinger taught participants how to use life jackets correctly, how to help others in the case of an emergency, and other safety information. Pool Safety Awards, which mirrored Red Cross swimming level requirements, were received by the children based on the level of skill they demonstrated.

Engineering department faculty taught the Adventurers about flight, which included an opportunity to earn the Build and Fly Award. “The simplest things like running with a balloon dragging behind them garnered the most squawks and giggles,” said Bryce Cole, WWU engineering professor, who assisted with the activities.

At WWVA, the Adventurers had the opportunity to win the Habitat Award, after observing a natural habitat including ducks, wildlife footprints, birds, and a pond. Bob Nobuhara, WWVA biological sciences teacher, showed the Adventurers how to examine pond water under a microscope in the lab. They also learned to plant garlic in a garden and picked ripe tomatoes to eat.

A wide variety of projects allowed each Adventurer to engage in an area they found interesting. Event coordinators saw participants develop their motor skills, learn to navigate large group settings, and discover potential studies and careers. “The major achievement was participating in organized activities with friends while learning more about technology and God's creation,” Cole said.

After the day’s activities, both parents and children expressed excitement to gather together again. The UCC will be holding Family Fun Day in the spring, before holding Awards Day again next fall. Interested families are encouraged to ask about the Adventurer Club at their local church or contact Conference Head Coordinator Anita Lebold at atlebold@charter.net .

This story originally appeared on the Walla Walla University webpage and can be found at https://www.wallawalla.edu/news/detail/news/ucc-adventurers/ .

Team Prays at Vertical Vision Summit

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 03:25:06 GMT

The Prayer Team stopped cars as they arrived, to pray. This was how the weekend began for many.

"How often have you personally felt out of your element?" says Cheryl Wallace, part of the UCC Prayer Team who served in that same capacity the weekend of October 7-9, 2022. "I felt a keen burning in my heart about two years ago when I joined the team. Convinced each time that I knew nothing and was worthless to the team, I have since learned that it was the adversary convincing me not to pray. Now when I feel that way, I trust the LORD to give me the wherewithal to trust HIM!"

That Friday, Wallace, and others on the Vertical Visioning Prayer Team (VVP Team) embarked on an adventure they will not forget. Praying for a whole weekend event can be daunting. But talking to God as to a friend is energizing. This team is convinced God was at work. They were just one small part of the Vertical Vision Summit held at Camp MiVoden October 7-9. This report is just about this prayer team.

Busy? Yes. The VVP Team placed a yellow or pink rose in each room with a Bible verse on prayer. Part of the team helped set up registration items and the prayer room. Then the team prayer-walked the lower camp. Jean Gassman, Kathy Marson, Cheryl Wallace, and Anne Curnow were joined by Pastor Stephen Farr for this activity. They surrounded the camp with prayer for over an hour.

They prayed in Maple Auditorium, the cafeteria, the dorms, the campfire bowl, the ballfield, and behind the dorms. They prayed for each attendee; for each corner of each room of the camp; for each person who had ever been to camp as staff or camper; for each member of each family still home and not part of the summit; and for every aspect of the weekend. Their heartfelt prayers asking God to bind all evil and to give them the armor of God were visibly answered throughout the weekend.

The team headed to the north end of the parking lot at 3 p.m. to meet each person driving into camp so they could pray with them. John and James Ash joined this activity and the team soon lost their timidity. Stopping cars, sometimes two or three at a time, they prayed for each arrival.

Meeting strangers driving into camp might be hard. However, Wallace became energized. She says, "The Father unexpectedly allowed our group to pray for missionaries from China, former church members, my son’s classmate from high school, parents, and some who had not been to Camp MiVoden since 1959."

The team felt the prayers were appreciated. As they visited in between arriving guests, they got to know each other and melded together as a team.

During the weekend the team had many divine appointments. They prayed for pastors, mentors, mothers, administrators, and camp workers. They prayed for God to solve arguments, heal rifts, and give safety, wisdom, healing, and discernment. The team may never know the full results of their prayers but they know God hears and answers. And they saw many results of their prayers.

The team visited breakout rooms and prayed while attendees wrestled with questions. Twenty to 30 prayer requests found their way to the prayer box and Bible promises were claimed for each prayer request to fit the need. They were grateful and blessed to use the booklet, Praying the Word, by James and John Ash.

Jean Gassman says, "I feel we offered an opportunity for people to receive prayer which was very needed. The prayer box was a way to connect with people who probably would not have gotten prayer in another way."

On Sabbath and Sunday mornings, three prayer circles were held in Maple Auditorium. Gassman shared a short devotional from Jesus Calling. On Sunday Wallace led the morning prayer time with a timely passage from Testimonies Vol 9 about the importance of prayer.

John Ash said, " I have never seen a prayer team standing at the road entrance of any venue praying for the participants of the meetings. It sent a powerful message that this was to be a spiritual summit.

Anne Curnow, a leader in last fall's Prayeradigm Weekend, said, "It was fun and special seeing little divine appointments happen throughout the weekend in different ways."

Sara Maniscalco joined the prayer team on Sunday. Even in the short time she served, she witnessed a seeking after God and for his purpose and plans to be revealed through this vision process. She said, "There was a spirit of worship and praise, as well as a genuine heart-longing after God and an enthusiasm for His will. It was inspiring to worship and work together with a group of individuals who are passionate for God's will and plans; and who are longing for God to show up in real ways in our lives. The spirit of whole-heartedly seeking after God was tangibly felt during many conversations and prayer times. It was a sweet, sweet spirit!

STEAM Ahead Participants Attend Camp MiVoden

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 17:17:54 GMT

STEAM Ahead @ Discovery Junction ended their school year by sending all 21 of their students to Camp MiVoden.

By: Damen Therkildsen

Renew Spokane communications coordinator

This year STEAM Ahead @ Discovery Junction capped off their school year by sending all 21 of its students to Camp MiVoden. Children and parents were beyond excited about the opportunity to attend Camp MiVoden. This year was the first time in the four years of sponsoring Garfield elementary school students to attend that all the students of STEAM Ahead were able to attend camp — including even the shyest student.

“The kids were so excited and so blessed by Camp MiVoden, Spokane Central Adventist Church, and the STEAM Ahead Board, for each entity to pay a third of the cost to sponsor the remarkable experience each student encountered,” said Gayle Haeger, program coordinator. “The generous giving to these entities has forever left a positive impact on the students’ lives.”

Many parents were so thrilled that they drove their own child to Camp MiVoden to learn more about the camp and see it for themselves. With the thanks of Renew Spokane, the STEAM Ahead van was sponsored to take seven of the students, with Gayle and Gerald Haeger, to camp. Every student came back excited from the transforming week they had at Camp MiVoden. The staff at Camp MiVoden cared for these students using Christ’s method of teaching in a fun, nurturing environment, on the shores of Hayden Lake with life-changing experiences. At the end of the week each student was presented with a Bible with their name engraved on it.

Over the last seven years Discovery Junction has continued to build upon its success in making a positive difference in the Emerson-Garfield community of Spokane, WA. Third graders who attend Garfield elementary school have the opportunity to take part in STEAM Ahead @ Discovery Junction. STEAM Ahead works to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math subjects to further enhance the student’s education in a safe and nurturing environment.

STEAM Ahead students get to interact with a number of guest presenters. This school year the guest presenters included an engineer who made a small hovercraft, that students then replicated with balloon power. An Avista engineer helped students explore gravity, sound, and the atmosphere using hands-on activities. A local art teacher brought the creativity out of every student, creating budding artists. With all these activities it helps to develop the knowledge of the students in a safe and wholesome environment using gifted community members.

You can help support STEAM Ahead @ Discovery Junction by praying for families to connect with this vital urban ministry opportunity that serves our Spokane intercity neighbors. To learn more about Discovery Junction visit www.renewspokane.org/DiscoveryJunction .

WWU Podcast Finalists

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 22:52:10 GMT

Two sophomore students at Walla Walla University finished among the top 10 finalists in the 2022 National Public Radio Student Podcast Challenge.

By: T. Brooke Fisher

Walla Walla University Relations student writer

Lindsey Gispert, sophomore film major, and Naomi Pepper, sophomore English major, were among the top 10 finalists in the 2022 National Public Radio podcast challenge, which urges college students across America to explore topics of interest through podcast storytelling.

The duo’s seven minute episode, recorded under a blanket fort in their dorm room at 3 a.m., tackles the need for diversity in children’s literature. Their inspiration came from a conversation they’d had with a group of their friends about their American Girl dolls growing up. Each girl discussed their favorite dolls that looked like them. They noticed a discrepancy in violent content between the stories of Pepper’s favorite doll, Kit Kittredge, a young white girl, and Gispert’s favorite doll, Addy Walker, a young black girl.

“For context. I’m black,” says Gispert in the podcast. “And those of you who know, know that the only black American Girl Doll who is one of the special historical dolls was Addy, at the time.”

Understanding the nature of historical fiction, Gispert and Pepper are not concerned by the American Girl books including an accurate age-appropriate depiction of what life for Addy Walker would have been. Instead, they are concerned by the fact that many white children aren’t exposed to literature that tells the black experience.

“I’m reading about a girl who looks like me, and I’m all inspired like ‘Oh my goodness! A writer. A journalist. Look at her solving this crime. You’re reading about a girl literally being tortured and watching her family being tortured,” said Pepper. Later she adds, “None of my books that I read for fun had anything to do with [black history].”

“I remember reading about [black history] a lot actually as a kid and loving the stories,” responds Gispert. She later added, “I think maybe there’s a fear of having kids read stuff that is more historical or factual or telling these larger stories. But again, authors are tailoring it to children where it is consumable and understandable. If I got it as a little black kid, anyone can get it as a little kid. It doesn’t make a difference.”

Gispert and Pepper end the episode with a call to action for parents to diversify their children’s library as well as a shoutout to American Girl for improving the diversity in their doll collection. “Kids are so impressionable. Build empathy while you can,” said Pepper.

Lindsey submitted this episode to the 2022 NPR Podcast Challenge after creating it for class assignment for her audio production class taught by Jerry Hartman, professor of communication. The class was required to record their own individual podcast episodes. Hartman highly encouraged each student to submit their episodes to the NPR podcast challenge, but he did not require it.

To listen to Gispert and Pepper’s podcast episode click here .

This story originally appeared on the Walla Walla University webpage and can be found at https://www.wallawalla.edu/news/detail/news/mirror-talks/ .

Shine 104.9 Gives Back

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 22:16:04 GMT

This year the Shine Gives Back program supported many projects and ministries in the surrounding communities serving Spokane and North Idaho.

By: Rachel Sumagpung

Shine 104.9 Office Staff

Shine 104.9 (KEEH-FM) is nearing thirty years in ministry and continues to touch lives in Upper Columbia Conference. The station works to give back through Adventist radio outreach and is consistently ranked near the top of Nielsen’s radio charts, fully funded by listeners donations. This year the Shine Gives Back program supported many projects and ministries in the surrounding communities serving Spokane and North Idaho.

“This year our staff invited multiple community ministry leaders into the studio to interview,” shares Darin Patzer Shine 104.9 manager. “We ended each interview by presenting donation checks towards the work their ministries are doing.”

Shine 104.9 staff have also hosted a local food drive benefitting five regional food banks; partnered with Cure International to provide listener-sponsored surgeries in third-world countries; sponsored the digging of freshwater wells in Guatemalan villages; and during the station’s own pledge drive invited callers to allow a portion of their gift to be shared with a third-world radio ministry (FEBC) broadcasting the gospel into North Korea.

Playing contemporary Christian music with a mix of daily programs like Family Life Today, and Every Word from It Is Written, a local Saturday sermon, and a mix of Christian announcers, Shine shares how passionately their love for Jesus is to the community.

“We want to share Jesus with as many people in the Pacific Northwest as we possibly can,” adds Patzer.

With the decline of church attendance in the Pacific Northwest, many listeners have written that the radio station serves as weekly spiritual encouragement for their family. For more than two decades, the station has hosted a Discover Bible School, offering both mail and website Bible studies. Gina, a listener wrote, “My husband and I just recently rededicated ourselves to following Jesus, and since that day I have only listened to this station. I get to hear the Word, praise, worship, and pray all day every day! I look forward to turning on the station every morning. This radio station really is helping in the changing of lives.”

KEEH works to partner on dozens of local ministry events challenging listeners in their faith, while building bridges in the community. Examples include, arena concerts, and providing publicity to the Journey to the Cross and Journey to Bethlehem experiences bringing thousands of viewers in from the community. At this year’s annual October Be Bold for Jesus weekend featured speakers shared their testimonies, including Tim Tebow, Laura Story, and Kirk Cameron.

Mable Dunbar, a ministry leader in the community sums up the impact this radio ministry is making, “Shine 104.9 has blessed our organization, Women’s Healing and Empowerment Network through informative interviews for our community and with financial support that helps us to continue the mission of Jesus, which is to preach the gospel to the poor, heal broken hearts, help the blind recover their sight and set at liberty those who are bruised.”

The Shine 104.9 live-streaming app can be downloaded on the website: www.shine1049.org .

Positive Life Radio Expands to Portland

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 22:25:05 GMT

Positive Life Radio Expands to Portland, Oregon, and Beach Cities

Contributed report

Walla Walla University-based Christian music network Positive Life Radio has significantly expanded its coverage for the first time since 1997 with its purchase of a station to serve the Portland, Oregon, area.

"Serving the Portland area has been our dream for more than 20 years," says general manager Chris Gilbreth. "We're looking forward to serving new listeners in the area and helping the local churches have a voice in the wider community."

With the new signal, KPLP 104.5 FM, Positive Life Radio has a new potential audience of more than 2,500,000 — about four times as many potential listeners as they had before. Two transmitters will serve the Portland area: one in the west hills of Portland that signed on July 7, and another near Hood River that will sign on later this year.

In addition to the Portland signals, Positive Life radio has expanded into Astoria, Oregon/Long Beach, Washington, areas on KCPL 90.5 FM in conjunction with its partner organization, Growing Christian Foundation.

Since its humble beginning in 1963 at KGTS 91.3 in the Walla Walla Valley, Positive Life Radio has expanded to a total of 5 full-power stations and 13 translators serving a potential weekly audience of more than 2.5 million.

For more information on Positive Life Radio, see www.plr.org .

UCC Welcomes First Female Lead Pastor

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 19:47:56 GMT

Shintell Izquierdo joins Upper Columbia Conference as the first female lead pastor in conference history.

By: Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

Shintell Izquierdo joined Upper Columbia Conference in September as the first female lead pastor in conference history, leading the Wapato Spanish, Granger Spanish, and Central Valley Spanish church district.

“Shintell was employed as a Bible worker for a short period of time in our church,” says Lowell Cooper, former General Conference vice president and member of the Pasco Riverview Church. “She quickly won the hearts of the members and was loved by people of all ages. I have the highest confidence that she will fulfill with distinction her calling to ministry. I applaud the Upper Columbia Conference for extending to her the invitation to be the lead pastor in a district.”

Izquierdo was born into an Adventist home and is the daughter of immigrant parents. “My father is from Mexico and my mother is Tejana,” she shares. “I pride myself in being a Chicana. My parents worked hard growing up and as a result, I saw their Christ-like example, and the Holy Spirit’s care through them. I fell in love with Jesus at a young age. At the age of 12 I knew I wanted to be a pastor and work with Hispanic churches. My parents and brother have always been supportive and have encouraged me along the way.”

Izquierdo graduated from Walla Walla University with a degree in theology in 2016, from there she worked at Pasco Riverview Church, until she accepted a call to be a missionary in Costa Rica in 2017. Upon her return from Costa Rica, she received an opportunity to be a pastoral intern at Kettering Adventist Church. Since then, Izquierdo has been continuing her education by working on her master of divinity degree from Andrews University and will graduate in December of this year. Izquierdo has many years of experience working in ministry and was most excited about living out her dream.

“I’m excited to work with people and encourage them to walk closely with God,” she says. “To give Bible studies and teach others about God’s Word. I’m excited to preach! To cast vision and together work towards the mission.”

Izquierdo has previously served at Walla Walla University as part of the Hispanic ministries team and Women’s dorm chaplain under Pastor Paddy McCoy, now lead pastor for Crosswalk Portland.

“I have often said that Shintell has some of the best pastoral instincts of any young adult I have ever worked with, and that’s in 23 years of ministry,” McCoy shares. “She is kind, caring, and committed to the Way of Jesus. She is willing to push where push is needed, listen when listening is critical, and make tough choices when tough choices must be made in order to care for the flock. I am so excited that she has a place to serve.”

As part of her work in UCC, Izquiero has been given a commissioned minister license in accordance with General Conference working policy.

“Serving at Wapato, Granger, Central Valley District feels unreal,” says Izquierdo. “All I wanted was a place at the table with other pastors, so I could have the opportunity to work full time in introducing others to Jesus. All those years of waiting and now I see God really did have a plan. God is good!”

President's Report: Continuing the Prayer Journey

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 23:44:07 GMT

David Jamieson shares a message about the recent Vision Summit and the actions from the recent Executive Committee.

By David Jamieson

UCC President

What an amazing experience this Vertical: 40 Days of Prayer has been for me personally. Though Vertical has concluded, your journey with Jesus is only going to get better as you keep seeking Him. As you’ve been part of this 40 Days of Prayer journey, it is my prayer that you have truly experienced the power of God in your life each day, and that you’ve sensed the Holy Spirit bringing a little bit more of a revival and ongoing reformation into your heart and life.

I also hope that as you paged through the Book of Acts that you were thrilled to see the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit at work in, and through, the disciples to empower them to spread the good news of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the entire world. Truth be told the Book of Acts, often referred to as the Acts of the Apostles, is better titled the Acts of the Holy Spirit. Why? Because it sheds light on how in only three decades, a small group of frightened rag-tagged believers in Jerusalem were transformed into an empire-wide movement of people who through the outpouring, and the indwelling, of the Holy Spirit became Christ’s witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.

In virtually every chapter, apostles such as Peter, Paul, and others prayerfully and tearfully testified to the power of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to individuals and large crowds of people throughout many of the major cities of the then-known world. In fact, these apostles portrayed in the Book of Acts who were shining with evangelistic zeal and preaching with power, were in striking contrast to the often-misguided disciples before they received the promised power of the Holy Spirit in answer to their persistent prayers in the upper room. Clearly the power of the Holy Spirit had produced a noticeable change in the apostles’ faith in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

But, my friend, where the Book of Acts ends, we must begin. The mission of Jesus continues with us, as we, through the power of the Holy Spirit also accept the call of God to fulfill the Great Commission in our day.

That is why I believe that the precious experience that we’ve had shouldn’t stop at the end of the Vertical: 40 Days of Prayer, but should continue until Jesus comes. I encourage you to continue journeying with God each day and to join with the many others across Upper Columbia Conference who have a sincere desire to continue praying together to ask God to show us His vision as to how to reach One More lost man, woman, boy and girl for His kingdom.

Continue the journey of reading a daily devotional that will lead you into the presence of Jesus each day. Let’s continue the journey!

Let’s praise God for what He has done in your life over these past 40 Days of Prayer. Let’s praise God for what He is going to do in you and through you in the future. Let’s praise God for how He’s working, and going to work, in the lives of those you’ve been praying for during Vertical: 40 Days of Prayer.

Let’s be persistent in prayer until He answers our prayers through the power of His Holy Spirit or until Jesus comes through the clouds of glory to take us home.

David Jamieson

President, Upper Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Centered in You

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 23:45:47 GMT

October is Pastor Appreciation month, and Upper Columbia Conference wants to take a moment to thank our pastors for everything they do!

By: Rhondeen Smith

Called to the field, whether cold or dark
Molded to minister to the weary heart
Bold to preach, words of life to impart
The gospel of Christ as the solitary mark.

Answering they enter into the fray
Pliable in the hands of the Potter
Humble to help every son and daughter
Fill with the Holy Spirit, we pray.

Lead and guide them to Your throne
May they behold Your glory
Help them to tell Your sweet story
Though they are weary to the bone.

Center our pastors, Lord, in You
Blind them to self each day
Obstruct the enemy’s incessant foray
May Your heart they always pursue.

Women's & Young Women's Fall Retreat October 21-22

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 17:15:00 GMT

Join us at Upper Columbia Conference for Women’s and Young Women’s Retreat, October 21-22, 2022. There is power in prayer and God’s Word!

Join us at Upper Columbia Conference for Women’s & Young Women’s Retreat, October 21-22, 2022. There is power in prayer and God’s Word! Come in-person or online as Cindy Mercer shares how she was giving up, but God was only getting started! In her gripping and transparent story, you will join Cindy’s journey of hope, failure, growth, and healing amid seemingly insurmountable odds. Cindy Mercer’s book, Pray Big, is currently offered at the ABC at 15 percent off to those registered for the retreat, on a first come, first serve basis. Call the ABC at (509) 838-3168 to order your prepaid book now! Registration for the Women’s Retreat at uccsda.org/womensretreat .

Men's Summit Scheduled for October 28-30

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 17:00:00 GMT

Men from across the conference gather for fun and fellowship at Camp MiVoden.

Join us at Camp MiVoden for the Upper Columbia Conference Men's Summit; a weekend of spiritual renewal, fun, and fellowship on October 28-30, 2022.

After two years, the UCC Men’s Summit is back. Join us the last weekend

in October for the beginning of the greatest adventure of your life. Greg Phillips writes, “Learning to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading will take you places you never imagined and unlock the identity that God has for you — an unbreakable Father–son connection.” Romans 8:14-15 says, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’”

Teen Pathfinders Find a Mission at Home

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 18:31:40 GMT

The 24th annual Teen Pathfinder Mission Adventure

By: Glenn Perry

On March 27, 2022, 39 teen Pathfinders and staff gathered for the 24th annual Teen Pathfinder Mission Adventure, TPMA. They arrived ready for a week full of community service, worship and fun at the East Wenatchee Valley View Church.

The premise of TPMA, is to show young people there is "a mission field" right outside their door. It also gives pathfinders a mission trip experience despite barriers like cost or being reluctant about traveling far from home.

TPMA began in 1997 under Steve Meharry, and the assistance of Frosty and June Cross. Through the years, TPMA has served UCC Adventist churches and schools and their communities, as well as Camp MiVoden, WWU Rosario Beach Marine station, and Union Gospel Mission Camp.

This years TPMA was lead out by Jared Meharry and other outstanding staff, the teens worked at the East Wenatchee Valley View church assisting in painting the exterior of the church, parking lot markings and curbs. Many of the pathfinders also helped with the landscaping and surprised many church members when cleared overgrowth exposed a rock retaining wall. Some said they didn’t even know a wall was there!

Other projects included building a retaining wall and landscaping at the Abundant Life Church and Cascade Christian Academy. They made it a point to deliver gift baskets to members who lost spouses due to Covid or other illnesses. The group also spent time removing trash along the Columbia River Bank which was featured on the front page of the local Wenatchee World newspaper!

We have also found that while these teens and their staff members accomplish an amazing amount of work within the week, the real "mission" is the mentoring, training and spiritual investments that take place.

Upper Columbia Academy Artisan Bakery

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 16:21:00 GMT

Upper Columbia Academy Artisan Bakery is offering deliveries to the ABC each Thursday.

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Vertical: Prayer Zoom with Randy Maxwell

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 21:48:01 GMT

Join the conference-wide prayer zoom featuring Randy Maxwell on October 6.

By Dustin Jones, MA

UCC communications director

Randy Maxwell, vice president for administration for Washington Conference, will be the featured guest for the Vertical: 40 Days of Prayer zoom meeting on October 6, starting at 6:30 p.m.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend this last zoom prayer meeting prior to the Vertical Vision Summit, scheduled for October 7-9 at Camp MiVoden. To join the event, go to uccsda.org/vertical or go to news.uccsda.org/prayer1022 .

Since September 1, churches and schools from across Upper Columbia Conference have been dedicating time to prayer. The Vertical: 40 Days of Prayer initiative is praying for God’s vision in the Upper Columbia Conference and beyond. The purpose of the prayer initiative is to encourage members and churches to dedicate themselves to prayer for 40 days, from September 1 – October 10, 2022.

Following the 40 days of prayer, representatives and thought leaders from across the conference will come together for a Visioning Weekend at Camp MiVoden to develop a vision for Upper Columbia Conference moving forward.

For more information on Vertical: 40 Days of Prayer, along with resources and other tools, please see the webpage at www.uccsda.org/vertical .

Equipping for Service Comes to Wenatchee

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 21:33:14 GMT

The event is open to all church members in the Wenatchee area on October 14 & 15.

By Dustin Jones, MA

UCC director of communications

Upper Columbia Conference is hosting an Equipping for Service in Wenatchee and the surrounding area on October 14 & 15. EFS provides a weekend of training for all local church members and includes seminars, sermons, vespers and a Q&A session that allow you to learn and be engaged with UCC as we work towards bringing One More to His kingdom!

For more information about EFS Wenatchee, including the speaker schedule and seminar topics, please visit uccsda.org/equipping .

God Protects the Garden

Sun, 02 Oct 2022 18:13:42 GMT

I asked for Him to shelter the garden under His wings and protect it from freezing.

I was happy to hear this from my friend Linda on how God answered her prayer for her garden.

She was rejoicing that morning at God's gift! The weather report predicted that on Friday and Saturday nights the temperature would be in the upper 30's with Sat being colder. Sabbath morning there was sign of a light frost on the garden boxes. So Linda took blankets out in the last few rays of light in the evening and asked God for undeserved mercies. She asked for Him to shelter the garden under His wings and protect it from freezing.

Awaking very early she went out at 2 a.m. to check the temperature and it was 55F! It was much warmer than the night before! She was prepared for the worst and received the BEST! God is so good!

God Sends Rain

Sun, 02 Oct 2022 18:05:31 GMT

You know it's going to rain because Grammy prayed!

A few weeks ago, Jim, a member of our prayer team, prayed for rain. We had had quite a dry spell and with the threat of forest fires, it was certainly a good time to "pray" for rain.

I shared with my twin granddaughters that Jim had prayed for rain. They were commenting on the hazy sky and how they wished to see blue sky. So I said, Since we prayed for rain today in our prayer time, let's pray for rain too before we drive home. So I prayed and invited them to pray too.

As I was driving home, I overheard them saying to each other, "You know it's going to rain, because Grammy prayed ...."

That night it rained and the next night it rained and it was not in the forcast. The hazy sky cleared up. God is good!

CCA Students Help in Hawaii

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 15:01:40 GMT

Camp Waianae welcomes CCA's help

By: Kasey Bais

Cascade Christian Academy writer

As Christians, God compels us to go out and serve others. Cascade Christian Academy understands this call, and works to create opportunities for students to help others and grow closer to God in doing so.

For two school years, the COVID-19 pandemic thwarted CCA’s plans for their regularly planned mission trips to Belize. However, with travel restrictions being eased, the school administration was on the hunt to find a fun mission trip for 2022. After much prayer and consideration, it was decided that the students would go to Hawaii.

From April 3-12, 2022, 22 students and 10 adults, set out for Camp Waianae on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Camp Waianae is an Adventist summer camp that was in need of some renovations and repairs. The CCA students were happy to offer their helping hands.

CCA students conquered many projects throughout their time at Camp Waianae. Tasks included removing or repairing screens for the cabins, digging ditches, staining the pool pergola, as well as cleaning the pool, washing the basketball court and repairing toilets. Some students also helped with cement work, gardening and organizing the storage sheds.

During their time there, CCA students were taken on fun island excursions. They were able to explore the USS Arizona at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and learn all about the attack on Pearl Harbor and the United States' subsequent entry of the into WWII. They were also able to explore Diamond Head, Lanikai Pillbox and Hanauma Bay. All of these excursions proved to not only be fun, but also very educational outings that the students will not soon forget.

The students of CCA came home physically exhausted, but with full hearts, knowing they had faithfully served. Galatians 5:13 says that we are free in Christ. But it also offers us words of advice saying, “... do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love,” (Gal. 5:13). CCA students certainly answered this call on their Hawaii mission trip.

Randy Maddox, Camp Waianae manager was incredibly thankful to the CCA team for all of their hard work. CCA students were happy for the opportunity to serve and are already eagerly awaiting next year’s outreach adventure to help serve more people in need of God’s helping hands.

NPUC Pathfinder Camporee 2022

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 00:40:26 GMT

NPUC Pathfinder Camporee

By: Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

Last weekend 1,600 Pathfinders from across the North Pacific Union Conference gathered in Kalispell, Montana. Among them were more than 800 Upper Columbia Conference Pathfinders, who were busy earning honors, participating in service projects, and connecting with Jesus and others from across the Pacific Northwest.

“There were thousands of hours of planning that went into this weekend, but the impact we had on these Pathfinders is life changing,” shares Richie Brower, UCC associate director for club ministries.

Although the Pathfinders were rained out the first day, they made the most of their time and didn’t let the weather get in the way. The Pathfinders and Adventurers had many honors to choose from, as well as shows in the afternoon to attend.

Pathfinders had a blast earning honors and had nearly 30 to choose from. The honors that the Pathfinders were earning at Camporee were unique, because many of them were pilot honors. Not only were these pilot honors, but several were created by Upper Columbia Conference Pathfinders and staff. Some of these honors included: Tombstones, Glaciers, Wildfire Preparation & Prevention, Land Surveying, and Disc Golf.

During the afternoon programs, organizations like Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks presented a wildlife bear show and Montana Wild Wings brought several rescued birds to show off. The Mountain Man Village Show was quite a booming experience as locals shared and shot a gunpowder musket to signify when it was time to rotate through stations.

There were many service projects that took place within Kalispell as well. Pathfinders were mulching trails in local parks, while the Adventurers teamed up with each other and their parents to put together 125 flood buckets through Adventist Community Services (ACS).

Unique opportunities at this year’s Camporee included a travel booklet for each Pathfinder to document the experience, a teen café, and the prayer wall/room.

On Sabbath, the Pathfinders loaded up and headed to Glacier National Park. They enjoyed hiking, lunch, and a worship service with fantastic views.

“When walking on the trail you continued to hear groups of Pathfinders exclaiming ‘Happy Sabbath’ to everyone they passed with a club shirt on,” says Cheryl Wallace, UCC administrative assistant for club ministries.

Ending the weekend with presenter, Ron Whitehead, director of the Center for Youth Evangelism, made an alter call inviting Pathfinder to make a decision for Jesus. Out of all the Pathfinders in attendance, 251 made a decision for baptism with 98 of those from Upper Columbia Conference Pathfinder clubs.

Read the full recap at nwadventists.com/feature/lets-go-explore-serve-and-share-npuc-camporee-2022 .

Kettle Falls Church Holds Immersive Vacation Bible School

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 00:39:22 GMT

Jerusalem Marketplace

By: Marilyn Morgan

Sunday afternoon, on June 25, 2022, fifty children registered for Vacation Bible School at the Kettle Falls Church, titled “Jerusalem Marketplace.”

The children were immediately immersed in the experience beginning with being assigned to one of four tribes, each child then chose a shepherd’s robe from a large collection provided by the Deer Park and Linwood churches. Thirty adult volunteers, who came from a variety of churches, also wore robes while they assisted with crafts, registration, and other responsibilities led by Marijke Schlittenhart. Several structures built from cardboard boxes were covered with plastic, sticker windows, and bricks setting the scene, which added to the experience.

The VBS continued with the children traveling in their tribes to learn about Christ’s journey. It began with a trip into Jerusalem, then to the cross, and on the last day, his resurrection. Each child enjoyed activities such as crafts, one of which included making a small usable saw for themselves from two strips of wood and a file. At a herb and spice booth children could make sachets and play with the pestle and mortar. In a bakery the children made different kinds of breads every day, and enjoyed them once they were baked.

At the synagogue school, the pastor taught Hebrew and wore yarmulkes. Short recreational periods at the village playground provided times for children to use their energy.

After a light meal with fruit and sandwiches, they went into the church auditorium, sang, and listened to stories about Jesus’ journey from birth, to death, and then resurrection told by Chris Reeves before heading home.

All Nations Center Adventurer Club Members Prepare to Share God’s Love

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 15:42:16 GMT

Adventurers learn from community members

By: Kalyse Weijohn

Assistant club director, All Nations Center Adventurer Club

The Adventurers at All Nations Center Adventurer Club are learning from community members about ways they can help others around them. Their goal is to learn how to share God’s love through helping meet physical needs.

Two activities to highlight from their learning this year is the First Aid Award in March and the Road Safety Award in April, 2022. Both included support from community members and taught the Adventurers skills they could use to help others.

The First Aid award was completed on March 27, 2022. The director and staff organized three learning stations that the Adventurers rotated through. At the stations they learned about bandages and how to care for a bloody nose, how to use a first aid kit, and what an emergency medical technician does.

The Adventurers were excited to have an EMT come and share with the class. He taught the kids about various injuries that he deals with, and the kids each got to practice with some of the safety equipment. It is amazing how much the kids learn and remember about these special events. Each child received a brand new, fully stocked first aid kit, and a better understanding of how to help those in need.

The second award, Road Safety Award, was completed on April 27, 2022. For this award there were two different stations that the kids rotated through. At the first station the children learned about various road signs and how to follow them, why it is important to wear a seatbelt while in a motor vehicle and safety measures that should be taken when walking or riding a bike on the road.

At the second station the kids got to play a fun safety game. The Adventurers were surprised by a special visit from a police officer. The police officer spoke to the kids about road safety and then spent some time answering their questions and showing them some of the equipment that he uses regularly. The kids said the experience was “Awesome!” and some parents informed Adventurer staff that their kids were identifying road signs on the drive home.

Parents say that Adventurer club has been “fun and educational.” One parent stated, “My girls loved it [the road safety award] and have loved every minute of Adventurers. Thank you to everyone who has made it possible.”

Cascade Christian Academy Welcomes New Staff

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 17:21:46 GMT

Cascade Christian Academy welcomes three new staff.

By: Kasey Bais

Cascade Christian Academy writer

For more than 100 years, Cascade Christian Academy, a Seventh-day Adventist day school in Wenatchee, has been known for its amazing staff of kind and caring teachers. Together, through demonstrating God’s love and a dedication to learning in the classroom, teachers are able to guide their students into great educational achievements. Aspiring teachers have taken note of this loving environment that CCA’s staff creates and are ready to join the team this fall!

Eliana Kearns recently graduated with her degree in secondary education, along with a minor in both Spanish and music, and will be taking over the position of school chaplain as well as teaching high school Bible and Spanish. Kearns enjoys fun activities such as horseback riding and photography. When asked what inspired her to become a teacher, she stated, “My dream to be a teacher is deeply rooted in a desire to aim students heavenward and instill in them a love for languages and learning.” She is going to be a great addition to the CCA team.

Marianna Qualie will be coming in to take over as CCA’s new K-12 Athletic Director. She has a masters degree in science of recreation and sport sciences, as well as a bachelor of arts degree in religion and a math minor. She has a passion for coaching and is excited about the opportunity to join the CCA team and encourage students in their faith, saying, “I believe there is no greater mission than to work with young people as they develop their walk in Christ.” CCA is very proud to have her join their family of staff.

Rex Hossler loves working with multiple levels of students and will be CCA’s new teaacher for seventh grade homeroom, middle school science, and ninth grade technology. Hossler has had over 17 years of Adventist education, earning him a bachelor of science degree in biology and a chemistry minor. His hobbies include being outdoors, reading and traveling. He is excited to help lead CCA students even closer to Christ alongside the rest of the amazing staff.

With such great new teachers starting this fall, this new school year is guaranteed to be one for the books. All the teachers and staff at CCA are excited for the students to return and hear all about how God has blessed their summers.

Collaboration in a Time of Need

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 18:30:33 GMT

Flood buckets in a time of need

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

Just before Thanksgiving in November 2021, several groups throughout Upper Columbia Conference coordinated together with HopeBuilders, a partnership connecting organizations with young people and adult volunteers in their communities, to help provide necessary resources for victims of major natural disasters.

The volunteers included individuals from UCC Adventist Community Services; UCC Pathfinder coordinators; Osburn, Idaho, Pathfinders; Spangle, Wash., Wheatland Coyote Teens and Pathfinders; and North Pacific Union Disaster Response. The volunteers were tasked to fill five-gallon buckets, with cleaning supplies for flood victims, to provide the necessary resources they need after a major natural disaster.

“I believe we packed 225 buckets,” explained Richie Brower, associate director of club ministries at Upper Columbia Conference. “The buckets were donated by Lowes stores in Spokane and Spokane Valley. The contents were provided by funds from NPUC Adventist Community Services Disaster Response.”

Patty Marsh, UCC director of community services/disaster relief, was pleased with all the help and cooperation from so many organizations. “There is great power and impact when organizations and ministries collaborate,” said Marsh. After spending many hours filling buckets, the volunteers put them in storage for safekeeping until a need for them surfaced.

“The buckets were originally packed just before Thanksgiving 2021 in response to the flooding in NW Washington,” said Brower. “However, another agency met that need so ours waited in the HopeBuilders warehouse in Spangle until another need arose.”

On June 13, 2022, Montana conference was hit with catastrophic flooding leaving communities vulnerable. Gabriele Laub, Montana Conference disaster response coordinator, reached out to Larry Mays, NPUC disaster response coordinator, requesting 100 flood buckets. A couple days after the flooding, Mays delivered the flood buckets filled with cleaning supplies to the Montana Conference.

Patty Marsh expressed appreciation for the volunteers saying, “Thank you to Richie Brower and Pathfinders, Larry Mays, and others who assisted in filling these buckets several months ago in readiness of such a disaster occurring. Through this collaborative effort, resources helped to assist a community in great need.”

For more information about volunteer opportunities through Upper Columbia Conference Pathfinders or Adventist Community Services, visit hope-builders.com .

Upper Columbia Academy Students Volunteer in Malden, Washington

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 14:58:25 GMT

UCA partners with HOPE in Malden, WA

By Camryn Clark

UCC communications intern

Students from Upper Columbia Academy spent a school day volunteering in Malden, Washington in May 2022. The high schoolers helped paint and landscape houses that were built to replace homes lost in a fire nearly two years ago.

Started by a tree branch falling on a power line on September 7, 2020, the Babb Road Fire burned through 15,000 acres of land. The fire destroyed the neighboring towns of Pine City and Malden, Washington after burning more than 80 percent of the cities’ structures to the ground. Ever since the event, the residents of Malden, with the help of local volunteers, have been steadily working on rebuilding their community.

On May 12, 2022, 130 kids from UCA traveled the short distance from their school to Malden to help with the town’s restoration. The students worked on painting and landscaping homes that were recently built with disaster relief funds granted by the American Red Cross. After the construction of the houses, the leftover grant money was used to purchase the supplies needed for painting and landscaping the new buildings. With the help of the high school volunteers, Malden residents were able to finish painting the exterior of nearly six houses.

The students volunteered in Malden as a part of UCA’s Helping Other People Everywhere task force. Founded by students in 1993, HOPE is an outreach program that strives to get students involved in the community. The day spent in Malden was one of four HOPE task force events that UCA planned for their students and staff over the 2021-2022 academic year.

In the nearly thirty years since its implementation on the UCA campus, HOPE has made a big impact on the school. “I believe that the HOPE task force is one of the most important things we do on this campus,” said Curtis Anderson, coordinator of HOPE at UCA. “It is a chance for our kids to get outside of their comfort zones and do something good for someone else.”

Students reported being especially inspired by their work in Malden and were excited to be involved in a project that made real change in people’s lives. “The kids were moved by the feeling that they made a difference,” said Anderson. “That is always the goal, but sometimes it doesn’t happen.”

In addition to other volunteer work, UCA’s HOPE task force plans to continue working with the residents of Malden to help rebuild their town. For more information on how to help the Malden community, visit hope-builders.com/malden .

Equipping for Service Comes to Sandpoint

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 14:38:20 GMT

The event is open to all church members in the Sandpoint area on September 9 & 10.

By Dustin Jones, MA

UCC director of communications

Upper Columbia Conference is hosting an Equipping for Service in Sandpoint and the surrounding area on September 9 & 10. EFS provides a weekend of training for all local church members and includes seminars, sermons, vespers and a Q&A session that allow you to learn and be engaged with UCC as we work towards bringing One More to His kingdom!

For more information about EFS Sandpoint, including the speaker schedule and seminar topics, please visit uccsda.org/equipping .

Prayer, an Essential Part of East Wenatchee Meetings

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 23:08:31 GMT

Thirteen newly baptized members

By Glenn Perry

In the fall of 2020, East Wenatchee Valley View Church planned to have Pastor Brian McMahon present a series to their church. However the series was canceled because of pandemic restrictions. With much prayer and the grace of God, the series was rescheduled for February 26 to March 19, 2022. Leading up to the series, the church gathered virtually for 30 days in prayer.

Although prayer did not stop there. Many church members prayed for specific people, but especially for family members. One individual, Jeff, had known the church but had wandered. When his wife, Shanda, heard about the meetings she began praying for him in earnest. She invited him to the meetings periodically, and after a while he decided to join her. His searching heart was changed and he was baptized after the meetings.

There were many more individuals like Jeff. Milagro, a catholic, was searching for the truth. Lupe, a church member, knew about Milagro and began praying. Lupe invited her to come to the meetings and Milagro was convicted of the Sabbath truth and God’s forgiveness. She, too, was baptized and added to the ranks of the faithful Sabbath keepers.

Katie, a newly baptized member, had been praying for her sister Kathy. Kathy was resistant to church and the bible, but her sister’s persistent prayers were answered and, through the impressions of the Holy Spirit, she finally gave her heart to Jesus. Kathy was baptized soon after the meetings.

The East Wenatchee Valley View Church believes that their thirteen newly baptized members would not be here if, not for the series put on by Pastor McMahon and his wife Heidi. They also thank their dedicated pastor, Pastor Korter, for leading in the many petitions that went up to heaven starting well before the meetings. Prayer works!

Equipping for Service Comes to Yakima

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 15:30:49 GMT

The event is open to all church memb ers in the Yakima area on A ugust 26-27 .

By Dustin Jones, MA

UCC director of communications

Upper Columbia Conference is hosting an Equipping for Service in Yakima and the surrounding area on August 26 & 27. EFS provides a weekend of training for all local church members and includes seminars, sermons, vespers and a Q&A session that allow you to learn and be engaged with UCC as we work towards bringing One More to His kingdom!

For more information about EFS Yakima, including the speaker schedule and seminar topics, please visit uccsda.org/equipping .

Vertical: Praying for God’s Vision

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 23:28:41 GMT

The purpo se of the prayer initiative is to encourage members and churches to dedicate themselves to prayer for 40 days, beginning September 1 – October 10, 2022.

By Autumn Dunzweiler

UCC communications coordinator

The Vertical: 40 Days of Prayer initiative is praying for God’s vision in the Upper Columbia Conference and beyond. The purpose of the prayer initiative is to encourage members and churches to dedicate themselves to prayer for 40 days, beginning September 1 – October 10, 2022.

“Prayer connects you and me to the source of all power. Prayer changes things,” explains David Jamieson, UCC President.

Vertical: 40 Days of Prayer officially kicks off in September, but there are many events to participate in prior to the September 1 start time.

During the August 26-27 Equipping for Service in Yakima, Washington, the program will specifically be focusing on prayer. Equipping for service is an Upper Columbia Conference Ministries Training weekend, dedicated to training local church members to bring One More to His Kingdom! Wrapping up the training weekend in Yakima will be a Prayer Supper Sabbath evening.

The College Place Village Church will hold a Prayer Breakfast at 9:00 a.m. on August 28.

The prayer meeting on August 29 at 6:30 p.m. features Ruthie Jacobsen, former prayer coordinator for the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. She will be leading out in worship on Zoom. Jacobson hosted a weekly talk show on 3ABN, “When God’s People Pray,” where invited guests shared experiences of God’s faithfulness. She has conducted Prayer Conferences across North America and a score of other countries.

“We want to encourage the members of Upper Columbia Conference to participate in all the prayer Zooms for an inspiring hour, three times — before, during, and after the 40 days of prayer,” says Kathy Marson, UCC prayer ministries coordinator.

August 29 will be the first of these three Vertical prayer times on Zoom with David Jamieson and Ruthie Jacobsen at 6:30 p.m. During the 40 days of prayer, Pavel Goia will join a Vertical Prayer Zoom on September 19 at 6:30 p.m. and then on October 6, just before the visioning weekend, Randy Maxwell will join a Vertical Prayer Zoom at 6:30 p.m.

“These are set to really encourage members to ask for God’s power throughout our conference churches, schools, and homes,” adds Marson. “Now more than ever we need to be in prayer, giving God permission to use us and mold us to His purpose.”

All are invited to participate and attend the many events leading up to the Vertical: 40 Days of Prayer initiative from September 1 until October 10.

“The goal of the Vertical prayer initiative is to reach out to lost men and women and boys and girls for the kingdom of God,” Jamieson states, “but one of the great challenges that we face in the Upper Columbia Conference is, how we do that?”

For more information on Vertical: 40 Days of Prayer, along with resources and other tools, please see the webpage at www.uccsda.org/vertical .

Brain Dead Man Sits Up

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 04:05:28 GMT

She looked at me wide eyed as if to say, “How can you say that? Are you not a minister of God? Why are you here if God can’t do anything?

August 16, 2022

by Jim Kilmer

Sometimes the Gentiles may have more faith than experienced disciples do. I received a phone call from a woman who was not a church member. She had been taking studies from one of our members. She called from the hospital and asked if could come immediately.

When I arrived, I met the woman’s sobbing daughter. Her husband was in ICU. Through tears, the young woman told me that her husband had been having an affair with another woman. He was out with her and drunk when he had the accident.

I talked to the nurse on duty and asked if she could share anything that would help me be of support to the family. I was shocked at the nurse’ reply.

“You need to tell them that this man will die. We ran tests and his brain is dead. As soon as we take him off life support, he can no longer live.”

This news was difficult to share with his young wife. She looked at me wide eyed as if to say, “How can you say that? Are you not a minister of God? Why are you here if God can’t do anything?”

I mumbled, “well of course God can always work a miracle.”

I opened my Bible and read from Psalm 103,

“ Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

² Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

³ Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

⁴ Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;”

The young wife straightened up, relaxed, and dried her eyes. God had said it, that settled it. We went in and had a brief prayer. Then I left.

The mother told me later that right after the prayer the brain-dead man sat up and motioned for the tubes to be taken out of his mouth. He spoke to his wife and was sent home. He had a slight loss of memory for a week or so, but was free from all effects of the accident.

Prayerwalking with Jeremiah Smart

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 16:28:40 GMT

If you are interested in prayerwalking, this is a prayer activity that is best described as praying on-site with insight.

August 9, 2022 - by Kathy Marson

Is Prayerwalking new to you? Do you wonder what it is all about? Since this concept is new to me, I talked to Jeremiah Smart, pastor of the Coeur d’Alene (CDA) Seventh-day Adventist Church, who has experience in Prayerwalking. This is a prayer activity that is best described as praying on-site with insight.

Smart began Prayerwalking in Nashville. He found this was a good way to build relationships with neighbors and to potentially invite them to church. When one prays for their neighbors and gets to know them and hears about their needs, a friendship follows.

Once he began pastoring in North Idaho, several of his CDA members went with him to the Prayeradigm shift weekend where they saw how prayer is an important part of ministry through Pavel Goia.

This group began planning ways to make prayer more important and laying the foundation for more prayer to happen. The CDA church is starting “Life Groups.” These are groups formed by a common interest such as boating, hobbies, or eating out. Because of “Life Groups” they have a variety of ways to invite people they meet prayer walking into a group of the church.

They also have a group of Praying Grammas that has been meeting for some time. They felt an urgency to pray and have now grown to two group and they are wanting to begin a group of Praying Grampas.

Prayerwalking is just beginning at Smart’s church so there are no big stories yet to tell. But they have laid the foundation for it to be successful.

“Just start somewhere, even with just one group,” says Smart. “Let a variety of prayer groups grow naturally. Leadership does not need to tell people what to do. Let them do it by the Holy Spirit.”

Smart says that Prayeradigm was huge for getting members excited about prayer. They have a group of 20 *including their children or more young adults who meet regularly following Prayeradigm. There are also other specific groups that meet to pray together.

When it comes to prayer walking, I recommend those who are interested in Prayerwalking resources, go to www.uccsda.org/vertical . Then gather other like-minded pray-ers and get started. Let the Holy Spirit lead you with His insight.

Here is a link to A Guide to Prayerwalking .

President's Report: When The Church Prays

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 22:30:15 GMT

David Jamieson shares a message about the upcoming Vertical event and the actions from the recent Executive Committee.

By David Jamieson

UCC President

There’s a remarkable story in the Book of Acts that describes what can happen when the church prays.

King Herod Agrippa had cast James, the brother of John, into prison, and sent an executioner to kill him with the sword. Seeing that many people in Jerusalem were pleased with this, he then decided to imprison Peter also.

However, when Herod sent a squadron of sixteen soldiers to arrest Peter the entire church began to pray for his release.

Acts 12:5 says, “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.”

In other words, they began to pray without ceasing for Peter, for they knew that he could not be spared from God’s cause. They began to realize that they had reached a place in time, that without the special help of God, the church would not survive.

However, you know how the story ended. It was the last night before Peter’s execution and while the church was earnestly praying God heard their prayers and sent a mighty angel from heaven to rescue Peter.

This amazing story illustrates what can happen when God’s people come together with one heart to pray and to make Jesus king over all of our life’s circumstances and needs. It is then that God chooses to do the miraculous!

In Steps to Christ, Ellen White wrote, “Prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven's storehouse where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence.”

Prayer connects you and me to the source of all power. Prayer changes things. Prayer can do anything that God can do. God’s ear is always open when we come to Him in prayer, and He is always available, and we never get a busy signal.

The reality is that, when we start praying, God starts working!

When the church prays, God hears our prayers.
When the church prays, God answers our prayers.
When the church prays God answers our prayers with power.

When the church prays, lives are changed. When the church prays, sinners will come running and asking what must I do to be saved? When the church prays, drug addicts are released from their addictions.

When the church prays, the wayward child that you've been praying for comes home. When the church prays, the sick are healed. When the church prays, the truth will be preached from the pulpits. When the church prays, we will forgive one another.

When the church prays, the church will know that God hears from heaven. When the church prays, blessings will come down. When the church prays, the Holy Spirit will pour out His latter reign.

So, if there was ever a time for the church to pray, it is now!

We are told that every revival in history has started with prayer. There has never been a mighty outpouring of the Spirit in a revival which did not begin in the persistent prevailing prayer of a desperate people. Wouldn’t you like to see a revival begin throughout all the Upper Columbia Conference and beyond?

My friend, what the church needs today is not more machinery or better machinery. Not new programs or more novel methods. What the church needs today is men and women whom the Holy Spirit can use — men and women of prayer.

One of the great challenges that we face in UCC is how to reach out to lost men and women and boys and girls for the kingdom of God. No matter where you go all around the world it seems like we don't know how to really go about reaching the many people all around us in our communities, but God says, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3

So beginning on September 1 for 40 days until October 10, we are inviting anyone who wishes in UCC and beyond to pray every single day for one specific thing — that God would pour out His Holy Spirit among us and give us a vision for how to reach lost men and women and boys and girls for His kingdom.

It is my prayer that you would accept this invitation and join me in this special 40 Days of Prayer.

Pray when you’re driving down the road, when you’re out for a walk, when you have family worship, or when you have your own personal time. Pray any way you want, but I ask that you would sincerely pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon UCC that we might receive God’s vision for reaching lost men and women and boys and girls for His kingdom.

For more information and Prayer Resources for you, your family, your church and school to use during the 40 Days of Prayer please visit uccsda.org/vertical .

To read the full President's Report along with actions from the most recent Executive Committee, please click the button below.

Igniting the World – One Student at a Time

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 22:38:08 GMT

UCA and FoundationONE set fundraising goal of $15 million

By Pastor Jeff “PJ” Deming, UCA principal &

Linda Klinger, FoundationONE executive director

Upper Columbia Academy and FoundationONE recently determined to raise $15 million to assure long-term sustainability for Upper Columbia Academy (UCA). This unprecedented three-year joint endeavor will empower UCA to reach the highest level of educational excellence, enable UCA to update its aging facilities, and provide a long-term solution to the affordability issue through a strong endowment.

Upper Columbia Academy and its predecessor, Yakima Valley Academy, have been providing teens with a remarkable Christian growth opportunity for more than 100 years.

One young alum expressed it this way: “When I came to UCA, I was at a crossroads. The teen years are a critical period in a child’s life. There is something magical about seeking God with your peers and being guided by teachers/mentors who have a wonderful picture of God. It really is life transforming! As long as this world continues, UCA’s ministry must continue!”

Through the years, UCA has had its share of ups and downs. In 1980, UCA was grappling with huge debt and one board member recalls, “When I first joined the board, at every meeting we talked about how to shut down the school. But then Elder Jere Patzer, board chair, made this suggestion, ‘Let’s take the first few minutes of every board meeting to read the book Education , by Ellen G. White, and pray for our school.’ After that, things began to turn around.”

Since then, UCA has been carefully adhering to the core values of Adventist education and UCA’s ministry has flourished. Average enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year was 270. Besides offering quality academics, UCA offers several vocal, band & string ensembles; basketball, volleyball, golf; horsemanship; farming & gardening; culinary & baking; building & automotive; a vibrant spiritual climate; and an enriching social culture.

“The challenges now facing our Adventist educational system are real and urgent," says Dr. Richard Hart, president of Loma Linda University Health, and “Igniting the World” campaign honorary chair. "So, I have been delighted to see the creativity of Upper Columbia Academy leadership. Their campus programming retains an emphasis on productive work skills, undergirded by the strong spiritual foundation that has always distinguished UCA. We need this proven model of life changing, residential education, together with a robust endowment, to keep our school unique and sustainable. And now the integration of FoundationONE’s successful fundraising combined with backing from the Upper Columbia Conference has brought a permanent solution within reach. I urge you to join Judy and me in bringing the ‘Igniting the World’ dream to reality.”

“Igniting the World” officially began July 1, 2022. To date more than $2.5 million has been raised. For more information about “Igniting the World”, go to www.ignitingtheworlduca.org or call Linda Klinger at (509) 939-1716.

Listen so You Can Stop!

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 16:57:44 GMT

Recounting a miracle of how she almost did not listen to the voice telling her to stop.

by Cheryl Wallace

The sun was shining in my face as we drove up Rail Canyon Road. I was rushing up this mountain road. I knew this road like the back of my hand. Higher and higher we climbed in our car. The boys were grabbing a quick nap as we traversed more than ten miles through the forested mountains. The only time the sun was not shining in my face was during the switchbacks as the curving road took us higher. I briefly wondered as I had many times before why it was called Rail Canyon there were not any railroad tracks near this desolate and at that time sparsely populated area of Stevens County, Washington.

I was exceeding the speed limit and had been for some time when I heard a voice audibly in my head “Stop.”

In my mind I asked incredulously, “stop”? We are late and I was not going to be later. Not late again! I kept speeding around another curve. At least the sun was out of my eyes for a bit. I continued driving. “Stop!" I heard it once more. This time I was more than a bit agitated but this time I was also bothered.

I stopped the car and realized that as I was rushing through the blinding sun, I was further up the road than I thought. I got out of the car and walked in front of the car, only to realized that I was perhaps a full car length from a precipice that would shortly take the car over the edge. The car would have gone off the road and down towards many, many trees before resting somewhere below.

I could not see the bottom. I turned around – realizing what our fate could have been if I had continued to ignore that “voice.” I begged forgiveness and physically shook as I got back in the car and drove carefully out of the mountain pass to TumTum and onwards to Spokane.

Thank you, Jesus, once again for saving our lives.

Camp Meeting 2022: Meet The King's Heralds

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 16:27:38 GMT

The King's Heralds, an award-winning music group, will be holding a concert at the 2022 Camp Meeting at Spokane Valley Church.

The King's Heralds will present a concert on Sabbath afternoon, June 1 8, at 4:00 p.m. for Camp Meeting 2022. Thirty-four men have been a part of the King’s Heralds since its founding in 1 927.

They’ve recorded more than 1 00 albums in thirty different languages in a variety of musical styles, making them a favorite with audiences of all ages. The rich blend, harmony and balance of their a cappella style has been enjoyed not only the United States, but also in more than 50 countries including the islands of the Caribbean, all of Latin America, the South Pacific, Australia, Asia and Africa.

The King’s Heralds have received twenty-three Silver Angel Awards© for “Excellence in Media”, including six for “Best Male Vocal Group”, fourteen for “Best Album” and a “Best International Broadcast” award for their own radio program, “Sounds of Praise”. The group also received a Gold Angel Award© for being the oldest continuous Gospel Quartet in America.

For the full schedule and how you can be a part of Camp Meeting 2022 go to www.uccsda.org/campmeeting .

Camp Meeting 2022: Meet John Bradshaw

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 16:26:32 GMT

Bradshaw, president of It Is Written, is the main speaker at the 2022 Camp Meeting at Spokane Valley Church.

John Bradshaw, president of It Is Written, is the main speaker at the 2022 Camp Meeting at Spokane Valley Church. Bradshaw is president of It Is Written, a media evangelism ministry based in Collegedale, Tennessee. It Is Written programs have been filmed on six continents and are viewed globally, and on It Is Written’s own channel, It Is Written TV.

Pastor Bradshaw has held more than 100 evangelistic series in cities around the world. He is thankful to work alongside a dedicated team of people committed to sharing the everlasting gospel. He is married to Melissa, and they have two children. He will be speaking on Friday, June 17, and Sabbath, June 18.

For the full schedule and how you can be a part of Camp Meeting 2022 go to www.uccsda.org/campmeeting .

Camp Meeting 2022: Meet David Jamieson

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 15:28:09 GMT

Jamieson, president of UCC, kicks off the 2022 Camp Meeting at Spokane Valley Church.

David Jamieson, president of Upper Columbia Conference, will speak Thursday, June 16, at 7:00 p.m. for Camp Meeting 2022. He will be kicking off a new prayer initiative to reveal God's vi sion for the conference. Prior to arriving at UCC, Pastor Jamieson was lead pastor of Church in the Valley, located in Langley, British Columbia, Canada, where he led the church for more than 20 years.

David grew up in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada and attended Canadian Union College (now Burman University), where he met his wife, Shandra. He later went on to receive a Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University in 1989 and returned in 2009 to receive a Doctor of Ministry degree with an emphasis in evangelism and church growth. Before pastoring at Church in the Valley, David served as president of the Newfoundland Conference in Eastern Canada. David and Shandra have four grown children and one grandson.

For the full schedule and how you can be a part of Camp Meeting 2022 go to www.uccsda.org/campmeeting .

Rodgers Adventist School Students Care for Walla Walla University Students

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 15:18:29 GMT

Third and fourth graders wrote cards to university students to show kindness.

Early this year, Rogers Adventist School joined the challenge of caring for Walla Walla University students at their home away from home. At different times throughout winter quarter, some WWU students found themselves quarantined, and the community pulled together to keep students’ spirits up while isolated from their peers.

Rogers Adventist School’s third and fourth g raders chose to write cards to the WWU students in quarantine as part of their curriculum for Big Life Journal , a daily journal workbook that prompts social and emotional learning. The students were practicing ways to show kindness to others and when they heard that there were college students in need of cheering up, they jumped at the chance to shower them with love. With construction paper, markers and glitter pens, they got to work.

The students drew art, wrote encouraging notes and even made pop-up cards for WWU students quarantining in Meske Hall. Tricia Lofthouse, Rogers’ guidance counselor, made sure the cards were delivered.

Several third and fourth graders shared their motivation behind making these care cards. One student said that she knew that making these cards would help the WWU students because “when someone believes in you, you get better faster.” She said that even though she couldn’t see how their cards effected the college students, it made her feel happy just to know she was helping.

A Rogers' student who had experienced COVID-19 said she knew firsthand how uncomfortable feeling unwell can be. She wanted the WWU students to remember that Jesus would help them through it. She remembered how hard it was to be in quarantine where she couldn’t hang out with friends. She understood the college students must be lonely, and hoped her card would make a difference.

A different student expressed that she wanted to do what Jesus would do and show her support for the WWU kids. Several of the third and fourth graders were giddy thinking “us, little third and fourth graders, can actually help college students!”

Other members of the community also pitched in to take care of the quarantined students. In early January, the University Church teamed up with the WWU Counseling and Testing Center to deliver whole pizzas to every student in Meske Hall. The church paid for the pizzas and the counseling department team delivered them to the dorm. “We were grateful to be able to collaborate with others to ensure that our students felt loved and cared for in this difficult season,” said Jaci Cress Solis, member care pastor.

Several of the quarentining students in Meske Hall expressed gratitude for the unexpected care they received from the Rogers and church communities.

The children from Rogers Adventist School set out with the goal of spreading kindness and making a difference. They proved that no one is too young to make a difference in the lives of others.

This story originally appeared on the NWAdventists.org website. You can view the original story here .

Wilson Re-Elected as GC President and Other Actions From GC Session

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 21:23:51 GMT

The Ted N.C. Wilson was re-elected president during the 61st General Conference Session

The 61st General Conference Session kicked off on June 6, 2022, in St. Louis Missouri. More than 200 countries are represented from around the world for this first-ever hybrid session.

On Tuesday, June 7, President Ted N.C. Wilson was re-elected as president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

For the full story and other actions from the session, see news.uccsda.org/GCsession22 .

Full coverage is available from the Adventist Review at adventistreview.org and Adventist News Network at adventist.news .

Begin a Prayer Circle

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 05:13:09 GMT

“It really was as simple as creating a space for those who wanted to pray to come and do it. We didn’t take a lot of time, sharing requests, because the group got so big so fast and we didn't want to break into smaller groups at that time. We didn’t do anything complicated, we just felt the need and joined together to pray.”

by Jered Spano

When I graduated from Walla Walla College and entered my first church district God placed a burden on my heart to give prayer a more prominent pace in our church. I was an intern at the time and so I approached my mentor, the senior pastor with the idea. He loved it.

There were several challenges we were facing in pulling this off, however. For one, we already had a prayer meeting, and it was more of a book reading time than an actual time of prayer, and the leaders were pretty set in their ways. Changing something that is established, and a tradition is not usually easy, so rather than try to change prayer meeting at that time we decided it would need to be at a different time. The problem then was, when?

We decided that Sabbath would have the best chance of exposure and participation. So, we approached the worship coordinators. They were all excited, except one, the head. We wanted it to be part of the actual worship service, but the head coordinator said it would make the service too long and suggested that people would be frustrated at getting out later. The head coordinator then said, "this idea will never work."

I left the meeting really discouraged. I shared my heart with the senior pastor after the meeting and his reply was simple, "We are the pastors, and we are going to do it anyway." To avoid conflict with the head worship coordinator we decided to do it at the end of the worship service, after the church had been dismissed.

I preached a sermon on the privilege of prayer and the power God promised to give us if we would humble ourselves and pray. Then as I closed the sermon, I said, “After the postlude we will start a new tradition for all who want to join. I invite you to meet me at the front of the church for prayer.” So as others exited the building after church, those who wanted to stay and pray went to the front of the church.

The first Sabbath we probably had about a dozen people who joined us to pray together. The focus of our prayer was ultimately, the direction God would lead us as a church, and His blessing of our efforts to be faithful and live a life of service. Some would share burdens on their hearts as they prayed, but we all kept the main focus the main focus. It really was as simple as creating a space for those who wanted to pray to come and do it. We didn’t take a lot of time, sharing requests, because the group got so big so fast and we didn't want to break into smaller groups at that time. We didn’t do anything complicated, we just felt the need and joined together to pray.”

Invite Three to Pray For You

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 20:12:26 GMT

More and more people will be added as Warriors and the numbers will grow by leaps and bounds – VERTICALLY!

by Laurinda Cutlip

"Prayer Warriors need prayer coverage too! Inviting three people to regularly pray for you as one of God’s Warriors will not only cover you in prayer, but will give you an opportunity to share your passion, vision and focus with at least three people. As they pray for you, you can expand to sharing requests, needs, and other things as God places these on your heart. Prayerfully sharing together becomes contagious, habit forming, makes all crave God more, and pray more. The necessity, privilege, and importance of prayer will become clearer, more evident.

The three people you invite may catch the vision to ask three people to pray for them, as they are now Prayer Warriors! This will make the prayer experience vertical – it will grow in both directions! And, the best part is that every Prayer Warrior will get to watch and experience God at work. And, God’s Prayer Warriors are not silent! They will tell others about what they’ve seen, heard, experienced. More and more people will be added as Warriors and the numbers will grow by leaps and bounds – VERTICALLY! Faith will grow. We will be exercising God’s authority that He has given to us!

Preparing for the 2023 Washington Salary Threshold Increase

Wed, 25 May 2022 15:08:08 GMT

New salary requirements impact UCC starting in 2023

By David Jamieson

President, Upper Columbia Conference

At our UCC Executive Committee on April 28, 2022, we discussed the far-reaching implications of the 2023 Washington Salary Threshold implementation upon Upper Columbia Conference.

In 2019, Governor Jay Inslee and the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries established new guidelines regarding overtime pay, paid sick leave, and other requirements impacted by the state’s Minimum Wage Act. These new guidelines affect who is considered “exempt” and what salary and benefits exempt employees can expect to receive.

Why am I hearing about this now?

While the implementation schedule began in July 2020 and increases every other January through 2027, the required changes begin to significantly impact UCC and our employees in 2023.

How does this impact Upper Columbia Conference?

For 2020-2022, the impact to UCC was minimal. However, the incremental increase in 2023 will begin to impact the Conference significantly. As required pay increases for all exempt employees, our expenses will soon begin to outpace income.

What is the Conference doing about it?

The Conference established a Washington Salary Threshold Committee in 2020 to determine the impact of these new guidelines on UCC. The committee consulted with colleagues from the North American Division, North Pacific Union Conference, Washington Conference, and legal counsel. Based on these discussions, recommendations were submitted to the UCC Administrative Committee (ADCO). A plan was developed by ADCO, in conjunction with our Washington Salary Threshold Committee, our Administrative and Finance Committee, and was presented to the UCC Executive Committee on April 28 to proactively meet this challenge head on.

The following 5 Part Strategy was voted by the UCC Executive Committee to help navigate the implications of the Washington Salary Threshold on our Conference:

Radical prayer — We ask for your devoted prayers and financial support for our 2022 Tithe to exceed $500,000 above budget. We need your faithful generosity to exceed $28,600,000 in tithe in 2022.
Reserves — To give us some breathing room, we will plan to use up to $500,000 from our Conference reserves in 2023.
Reductions — To create future financial sustainability, it was voted to reduce our work force by 5 full time employees, between the Conference office and field, in 2022. Wherever possible, these reductions will be made through attrition.
Re-status and re-district churches — We will begin the process of developing a plan to better meet the needs of smaller churches and companies in remote locations, which includes balancing expectations for pastoral resources and serving the spiritual needs of our members in innovative ways.
Review employee benefits — Employee benefits will be reviewed with the goal to temporarily offset the increase in wages. Our goal is to limit, as much as possible, any negative impact to our employees.

We recognize that none of these strategies are going to be easy to implement and that we must approach this challenge not with a mindset of scarcity, but rather one of abundance.

We also fully believe that as we place our complete trust and confidence in God, that He will ensure that the mission of the Upper Columbia Conference will continue to move forward in a mighty way for His honor and glory. The truth is that every problem or challenge that is presented is yet another opportunity for God’s power and majesty to shine through!

As we work to bring One More to the kingdom, we ask for your prayers and faithful financial support.

For the full Washington Salary Threshold Implementation schedule for minimum wage as established by the State of Washington, see news.uccsda.org/WAsalary522 .

This article is part of the President's Report May 2022. To read the full report, including actions from the 4.28.22 Executive Committee, see news.uccsda.org/president522 .

Omak Lego Robotics Teamwork Pays Off

Tue, 17 May 2022 21:12:05 GMT

Omak Adventist Christian School's Team Terabyte received the top three awards at the NPUC Lego Robotics Qualifying Tournament, including the First Place Champion’s award.

By Julene Cole

Omak Church communication leader

Omak Adventist Christian School's Team Terabyte received the top three awards at the NPUC Lego Robotics Qualifying Tournament, including the First Place Champion’s award.

The February 27 event, held at Auburn Adventist Academy in Auburn, Washington, earned Team Terabyte an invitation to participate at the national Adventist Robotics FIRST LEGO League Challenge Championship in Apoka, Florida.

Team Terabyte members, Jesse Read, a seventh-grader, and Jaden Skelton, sixth-grader, spent six months preparing for their win.

Each year, Lego Robotics teams throughout the U.S. prepare to accomplish three tasks at the tournament. First, they design and program their Lego robots to be able to complete many different missions within the short space of 2.5 minutes. The second objective is to design a solution to an assigned real-world problem. And third, they share a presentation about their solution to a panel of judges.

The robots don’t always perform perfectly, and there are many problems to solve. But, as Read explained, good things can come from determined effort over time.

“Last year, we didn’t score as high at the meet," said Read. "But all the learning we did that year was one of the reasons we were able to [get the Champion’s award] this year, and be invited to nationals.”

All this learning is why Jennifer Hoffpauir, OACS teacher and Robotics Team sponsor, goes the extra mile for her students. “Watching team members gain useful life skills, such as problem-solving, teamwork and creativity, is a joy, she said. "Team members gain confidence when things go well, and resilience when things don’t go as planned."

The two team members are excited to travel and meet others from across the country who are also interested in Lego Robotics. Each of them are excited to take their experience to the next level. Participating in Lego Robotics translates into life experience that will help them gain skills and confidence for their future.

This article originally appeared on the nwadventists.org website.

Counting the Answers

Mon, 16 May 2022 17:03:32 GMT

Can you imagine a loving God saying, “No, I’ll let them stay stupid today.” Or “No, I want them to get lost today.”

Do you count sheep to go to sleep? I pray and I fall asleep. It is a blessing and a curse because in the morning, while well rested, I remember my prayer list was only half prayed for. It makes me feel guilty that I didn’t get the last half prayed for. In spite of this, God is answering those half-prayed prayers and here is how I know he is.

I am seeing God’s answers to those prayers! We may fall asleep, but God does not! God has a wonderful work ethic because he still answers those prayers that were intended. God is good. Even when we don’t need to count sheep to fall asleep, He helps us count His answers to our prayers.

God answers many prayers with, “yes,” because he has a path for everyone. He wants all His children in heaven. He wants us to be healthy, to trust and obey him, and He wants us to share Him with the world so that others can go to heaven too. I try to keep this in mind when I’m praying for others. God wants what they want; and more than anything God wants a friendship with people.

These prayers that He always answers with “yes” are when we pray for salvation. He always says “yes” when we ask for wisdom. He always says "yes" when we ask for His direction. Can you imagine a loving God saying, “no, I’ll let them stay stupid today.” Or “no, I want them to get lost today.”

God always answers. Yet there are times when we wish we could know the answers to those prayers we prayed for healing for a friend. We wish we knew if God solved that mountain of a problem. We want to know that God changed someone’s mind. Praising God for BIG answers is in our DNA. We look forward to God answering BIG prayers.

I’m going to count some answers to prayer. Our prayer team has a list we pray for on a regular basis. Some on our team have long lists of people and situations they pray for. Our UCC staff also prays together weekly. Here are 10 wonderful answers.

1. An elderly dad had a calm weekend with God’s presence when he was prayed for. He had been angry at his caregiver, but God calmed the storm.

2. A person with a fatal illness was healed completely!

3. A couple who needed a new direction in their life decided to be baptized. This was an answer to many people’s prayers.

4. A teacher had surgery and while some would be fearing the worst, God has given her complete peace about the situation. And she found just a few days ago she is cancer free.

5. People were praying for a brother and sister to come to a relationship with Jesus and now they have both been baptized.

6. A family was having a conflict and asked for prayer. Now it has been resolved.

7. A life was spared because of prayers.

8. An organization that was having disfunction is , through many prayers, turning around.

9. A large group of children, not attending church, were invited to a UCC Church. Expecting maybe 10 would show up, over 40 showed up. God is at work there.

10. A baby was in the hospital with multiple problems. After much prayer, the baby is going home and doing much better.

Don’t you love it when God allows us to see answers to our prayers? It is encouraging, emotional and the highlight of my day when I hear how God is working in the lives of those I’m praying for. Counting God’s answers continues as we count on God!

Do you want to share some answers? Email us at prayer@uccsda.org .

A Safe Space: Youth Ministering to Youth

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 22:53:52 GMT

Emma Busto just graduated from high school, but that hasn't stopped her from seeing needs and getting involved at her local church to make a difference. At 18, she is the youngest Pathfinder director in the Northwest.

By Becky St. Clair

Freelance writer

By Jay Wintermeyer

North Pacific Union assistant to the president for communication and Gleaner editor

Quite literally, Emma Busto grew up in Pathfinders. She unofficially became part of her first club at five years old, when her mother started helping out at their local church. Now, at 18, she is the youngest Pathfinder director in the Northwest.

"When we got to the Osburn Church, I asked about Pathfinders," Busto said. "No one wanted to direct, so I said I would."

It wasn't a stretch for her to take over a Pathfinder leadership position. With 13 years of experience in clubs, Busto has countless honors of her own, and has begun the five-year process of becoming a Master Guide. She led her first Pathfinder meeting in September, and it was an "awkward success," Busto said with a laugh.

The club is still going strong, though she admits they can't do all the things she wants to yet, due to lack of supplies. For example, the camping honor is top on her list, but they don't have tents. For now, they're working on the honors that don't require a long list of supplies, such as health, nutrition, fitness and origami.

Busto plans to take the club out to the community later in the year to do leaf-raking, snow-shoveling and other tasks to serve their neighbors. She also wants to make sure the young people themselves are ministered to.

"I was bullied a lot as a kid, and Pathfinders got me through it," she said. "Pathfinders was safe, and I knew I could be myself there. I had a voice. It's really important to me to provide that for these kids, too. They matter here, and they matter to God. It's my job to make sure they see that.

Women in leadership, like Emma, are being used by God to bring people from all across the Northwest into His kingdom. This is good news indeed!

Emma is just one example of what so many are doing for God. Northwest women from all walks of life are answering Jesus' call to willingly and prayerfully follow in His footsteps. Their combined passion, energy and dedication can and do fuel thousands of efforts for Christ at home, in the courtroom, among refugees, in a hospital, from the podium, doing financial counseling, speaking on TV, providing health education or myriad other situations.

If you are feeling God's call to ministry, at any level, take courage from these women who said yes when Jesus said, "Follow me." Step forward in faith and minister to a world longing for our Savior's love.

This story was adapted from an article that appeared in the March/April 2022 issue of the Gleaner. For the full article, see nwadventists.com/feature/answering-his-call-northwest-women-leading-ministry .

Cowboy Camp Meeting: A Lasting Legacy and the End of an Era

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 15:36:10 GMT

Cowboy Camp Meeting is holding its final Adventist Horseman's Association Round-Up on May 22 in Hermiston.

By Eric Brown

UCC Ministerial Director

After 36 years of trail dust, gospel music and great fun a Fourth of July tradition in the Northwest is coming to an end.

Cowboy Camp Meeting started out along the Tucannon River near Dayton, Wash., in the summer of 1984. The Blue Mountain Chapter of the newly formed Adventist Horseman’s Association wanted to bring their love of horse camping and their love for Jesus together in one joyful celebration.

“What began as a weekend camping trip with a few families quickly grew in popularity and the Adventist Horseman’s Association soon adopted the event as an annual meeting for all its chapters,” said Charles Brown, founding member and current chaplain of the AHA. A weekend get-together soon grew into a 5-day Fourth of July celebration with as many as 250 people and 150 horses and mules in attendance.

As the event grew, the AHA sought out new locations to camp. Sites as far south as Prineville, Ore., in the north near Omak, Wash., to the east in Stanley, Idaho, or as far west as Mt Adams, Wash., each became home base for the festivities. The big tent would go up, sound set up, portable toilets in place and the rigs would begin to pour in. Horses, dogs, mules and sometimes even an exotic animal or two would all unload and get ready for a week of trail riding, storytelling and worship.

“Each morning we would open with gospel music, stories for the kids and Christ-centered preaching to start the day,” explains Brown. The remainder of the day would be filled with trail rides, mounted games, hiking and a lot of good old-fashioned relaxation in the beauty of God’s creation. Over time several traditions developed like the children’s Fourth of July parade with decorated horses, patriotic dogs and enthusiastic spectators.

“Worship on Sabbath in the mountains was always special and the amount of food that would be produced for potluck was a constant source of amazement,” said Brown. “The sun would set, and the lights would come on for the annual auction followed by stories and songs around the campfire late into the night.”

Word of Cowboy Camp Meeting began to spread. People from as far away as Colorado and California began to make Cowboy Camp Meeting an annual tradition. Similar events began to spring up in British Columbia, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas, all attracting people with a common love of horses and the outdoors, but there was always a bigger purpose in mind for the AHA.

Founded in 1984, The Adventist Horseman’s Association grew from the seed of an idea by Charles Brown and some friends that their love for horses and the outdoors could be more than just a hobby—it could become a connection point where people with the same passions could also meet Jesus Christ. Faith in God was never a pre-requisite to join but was an ever-present part of local chapter meetings. At the annual Cowboy Camp Meeting pastors, evangelists and lay people were invited from across North America to proclaim the gospel. As a result, hundreds have committed their lives to Christ and more than 20 new Christians have been baptized in streams, lakes, ponds and even the stock tank in the North Pacific Union Conference alone.

“The Wise Man of Ecclesiastes pointed out that there is a season for everything under heaven and that has proven true for the Adventist Horseman’s Association,” said Brown. As the cost of owning horses increased and lives became busier, attendance at Cowboy Camp Meeting had begun to wane in recent years. Forced cancellations from COVID in 2020 and excessive heat in 2021 spelled the end of an era. On January 6, 2022, the board of the Adventist Horseman’s Association voted to end the Cowboy Camp Meeting and disband the AHA for good.

“While it is hard to see such a wonderful experience end, we can celebrate all the lives transformed by its ministry through the years,” said Greg Middlestetter, current AHA board member.

Even as the AHA closes its ministry, blessings continue to flow. Assets such as a large meeting tent, PA equipment and other gear will be donated to the Upper Columbia Conference youth department to bless their ministries going forward. Remaining cash assets will be donated to the Upper Columbia Academy and Milo Academy horsemanship programs to help grow a future generation of riders.

There’s one last event yet to come for the AHA. All are invited to the final AHA Round-up on May 22 at the Hermiston Oregon Seventh-day Adventist Church fellowship hall. Come enjoy:

• Gospel music from the Jenks and Coleman families, Hand Picked, Randy Pierce and others

• Lots of pictures and memories from 34 years of Cowboy Camp Meeting

• Honoring those who have led out in this amazing ministry through the years

• Special stories for kids

• And, of course, great food

Registration will open at 10:30 a.m. Everyone from long-time AHA friends to those with a brand-new interest are welcome.

How God Used a Closet Jesus Freak

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 18:07:34 GMT

When Joe took Sociology in High School from a professor, disparaging to Christians, he didn't expect God to ask him to speak up in class. But He did.

It was the beginning of my high school senior year. Due to finances, attending academy was not possible and I'd have to spend my first semester at a local public school. I knew no one, and I was somewhat shy and tried to keep to myself. Still, I was growing to love Jesus more and more, and hoped the public high school atmosphere wouldn't mess with my spiritual growth too much. I prayed that God would use me, even in an environment like this, and as shy as I was.

The 70's hosted the marriage of the hippie culture and the "Jesus movement." A new printing of the Living Bible, called "The Jesus Book," had an overtly Christian cover and was selling like hotcakes. I carried one with me to school, but kept it upside down on my desk so as not to be noticed and branded a "Jesus freak."

But alas, while reading my Jesus Book during lunch, I was discovered by a very kind Jesus freak named Ken. Ken invited me to sit in with his lunchtime Bible group on the lawn. I did once, then distanced myself for fear of being heckled by others. I'm not proud of that now.

Selecting an elective class was required, and all that seemed interesting to me was sociology. The professor was a haughty know-it-all; a cool dude who announced that he was paid more than anyone else in the district. He packed his classroom with couches along with a few student desks here and there. His name was Chuck, and he had some disparaging words for religion and Jesus Christ in particular. Chuck warned us that he'd challenge practically any personal philosophies we believed. After all, it was a sociology class.

Chuck had assigned us a book report. We were to choose any book we wished, and give an oral report about it. Only a few reports could be given each day. And today, knowing it would not be my turn, I positioned myself in a solo desk, partly hidden in a corner behind a file cabinet so I could do homework for another class.

No, it was not my turn to give a report, but it was Ken's! Yes, my Jesus freak acquaintence was also in my sociology class. Chuck said to Ken, "Please tell us the name of the book you've chosen." And Ken replied, "Ezekiel!"

The room got deathly quiet and you could feel the tension. The whole class looked at Chuck only to see his eyes roll and hear his long sigh. I thought, "Oh no," and entered into prayer on Ken's behalf.

Chuck said, "Okay, let's hear it," and Ken got busy explaining how God had called Ezekiel to give a special message to a rebellious nation. Chuck let Ken speak only a couple of minutes before interrupting.

"Ken, I have to stop you. No one's listening to you. I'll give you a choice. You can take a fail on this report, or you can take the hot seat."

The hot seat was fairly cut and dry. Anyone could ask you anything and you'd have to answer truthfully. It wasn't really a choice, so Ken took the hot seat.

Chuck got it started: "Do you really believe all that? I mean, all that's in the Bible? How do you even know it's true?"

Ken looked glad to have been asked that question. He thought his answer would settle it. "Yes, I believe it," he explained, "because 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. So, it has to be true!"

Chuck's response won the class: "You're trying to prove the Bible with its own words." Something isn't necessarily true just because it claims to be, is it?" Chuck began to work Ken over with his cunning, more than Ken could rebut. He attacked the creation story, the unscientifically proven miracles of scripture, and charged that science has disproven it all. And in no time, most of the class was echoing Chuck: "Yeah, Ken, what about that?" Ken was in trouble.

All the while, I sat sheepishly, too timid to get involved, but unable to ignore it. Finally, it was like God said, "It's time, Joe. You're on."

I caught myself interrupting. "How about this, Chuck? Do you actually believe what science says, just because it says it? It seems to me that it's a lot harder to believe what science says about the origins of life than what the Bible says."

I'm not sure Chuck knew I existed until then. He turned and answered, "Really? We have scientific proof for the theory of evolution. We have carbon 14 dating."

My comeback was swift (I hardly realized what I was saying!) "Oh, really, Chuck? Did you know that carbon dating is most accurate within only the past 50,000 years? Just look at your hand." And the whole class suddenly did. "Look at the veins and think of the blood running through them. Think of all the systems that work to keep that blood moving and that make you able to feel and see and smell and hear and taste. Are you suggesting that, given enough time, all that just happened?"

The class was reluctant, but began chiming in, "Yeah, Chuck, what about that?"

God was on fire! And He then brought to my mind a recent lesson at church. "Chuck, have you ever heard of entropy? It's pretty much Murphy's law applied to the entire universe. If something can go wrong, it will! Part of entropy tells us that the universe goes from order to chaos, not from chaos to order. Did you shower today? And why? Because if you don't, you'll stink at best and you'll die at worst. If you don't clean your house, it will fall apart & spiders will move in. That's entropy. Without intervention, things get worse, not better. Ken and I happen to believe that God intervened and made order out of chaos."

God had turned the class in His favor! Talk about an exercise in sociology! All Chuck could say was, "Are you finished?"

I only said one more thing. "Chuck, how about we let each other believe what we believe, and try showing a little more respect to each other than we did today?"

And amazingly, right then, the bell rang.

My friends, I did not win that battle; God did. He took a shy, timid, low GPA student and launched him into the fray at the moment of His choosing. I learned that He is real, active, and answers prayer.

Celebrate Easter with Journey to the Cross

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 17:46:18 GMT

Spokane Valley Adventist Church continues event from previous years.

The Spokane Valley Adventist Church presents the “Journey to the Cross” outdoor walk-through event on Easter weekend. You won’t just hear the story, you’ll be in it as you are surrounded by a cast of 250! More than 3,000 people each year experience the power of the Easter story first hand through this event.

The event will be held:

Friday, April 15, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 16, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 17, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Tours start every 10 minutes and last approximately 45 minutes. This event is free of charge. For more information and to reserve your tickets, see www.journeyspokane.com .

Our Time is In His Hands

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 22:48:14 GMT

Rachel prayed for something to do on her husband’s business trip and God helped her to be in the right place at the right time.

by Kathy Marson - April 6, 2022

Rachel* was tagging along with her husband on a short business trip and while she loved traveling, she had been hesitant to go since she did not know anyone there and she was not sure what she would do. Worried that she would be bored just hanging around the hotel, she wavered back and forth until she felt impressed to purchase her ticket and go.

A friend heard she was going and was excited for her and arranged for Rachel to tour a university for something to do. Rachel liked to plan something special to do each day and she thought this would be fun. For one of her final days, she began to browse the internet to find something else interesting to do.

An article caught her eye that was about Mina*, a student at the university she had toured. She happened to be from the same small country where Rachel grew up. That seemed like an amazing coincidence since Rachel rarely ran into people from that part of the world. She searched for Mina on Facebook and had a strong impression that she needed to find her and reach out to her to see if there was anything she could do to help.

She found Mina on Facebook and sent her a message. She simply asked if she could meet her since she was from her same small country. Rachel knew it was a long shot that she would even answer. So, she prayed that if she should reach out to her that Mina would respond to her message.

To Rachel’s surprise Mina responded immediately and was very excited that someone from her homeland had reached out to her and was willing to meet up. Mina had a short period of time between classes and she set a time and place to meet Rachel.

As Rachel pulled into the meeting place, she found Mina, and they walked toward each other with tears rolling down their cheeks. They felt they were greeting each other for the first time, across the world from where they both grew up. Rachel began to feel at ease about coming with her husband on his trip. This was why she was here.

She asked Mina if she had had lunch. She had. Then she asked if she could buy her some groceries and where she liked to shop. Rachel knew that a student in America from her small country was likely in need.

Mina agreed that some groceries would be okay. Rachel got a large grocery cart and started getting her groceries. Mina had not expected so much generosity and she asked with tears in her eyes, “Are you buying all these groceries for me?”

Rachel said, “That is correct, I am buying groceries and household items that you need.”

Mina could hardly believe what was happening and she asked again, “Are you really buying these things for me?”

Rachel said, “Yes.”

She cried and said, “You’re an Angel. This morning, we had the last of the bread, juice, and food we had left. I told my sons that we must pray, because we don’t know what we will eat when you get home from school today. We haven’t done laundry for a week because we ran out of laundry detergent.”

Rachel knew at that moment that this was why she had come on the trip.

She drove to her home and her son helped to bring in the groceries and put them away. He could not believe someone had taken his mom shopping and got her all the things they needed.

Mina told her son, “Rachel is an aunty I met today, and she has brought these groceries to us.”

Her son said, “She’s an angel. I have been praying about our food situation today.”

Rachel was overjoyed, thanking and praising God for this opportunity to help them. She was very emotional to hear of their situation. Mina told Rachel that she was the first person from her home country she met in person here in the United State since she came to the university for studies.

For Rachel to travel with her husband on a business trip and end up at this location and run into a person from her own small country was such an inspiration. Rachel then offered to come back after classes were over for the day and take the little family of three to dinner. They accepted.

Rachel hoped to take them to a lovely restaurant but they insisted on McDonalds. So that is where she took them. The family was so happy to enjoy a meal with Rachel. They told her, “God answered our prayers and you’re an angel.”

God’s timing is impeccable when we put our time in His hands.

But God was not through surprising Rachel. As she visited with Mina, she heard an amazing story. Seven years earlier Mina had been at a large Pathfinder Camporee in the USA with a club from her small country. The group had arrived without some necessities as they were from a warm climate and the Pathfinder Camporee was in a chilly part of the U.S.

Rachel was there as a part of another Pathfinder Club in the USA and she had heard in advance about a club coming from her home country, so she had brought two full suitcases of warm clothing, sleeping bags, tarps and a couple of tents and water to share with them. She did not know they needed these items. But she learned, upon delivery, that they were needed. Mina had watched as Rachel hugged some of the Pathfinder leaders as if she knew them (she did).

Mina was remembering this generous gift as Rachel was shopping with her and wondered if this lady could possibly be the same lady from the Pathfinder Camporee.

Mina asked Rachel, “That lady who helped our club was such a blessing. We couldn’t believe she brought us just what we needed. Was that you?”

Rachel recalled that incident with amazement. She said, “Yes, that was me, my husband and son.”

Rachel has kept in touch and helped Mina find others in the USA from her small country so she will no longer feel alone. Rachel knows that God is awesome and can use her to help others anywhere. Even when you don’t know what they need. She also learned that God always answers heartfelt prayers – both her prayer to have something to do, and Mina’s prayer for food. God’s timing is perfect.

*Pseudonyms

Otis Orchards VBS Leads to Young Adult Baptisms

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 14:45:01 GMT

God called the Otis Orchards Seventh-day Adventist Church to hold a Vacation Bible School in 2021. Little did they know it would result in two baptisms in 2022.

By Makena Horton

Communications Coordinator

When members of the board of Otis Orchards Seventh-day Adventist Church felt God urging them to hold a Vacation Bible School program in the summer of 2021, they weren’t sure if they would find the volunteers to pull it off. Nevertheless, they continued to feel God calling for them to do it and stepped out in faith that He would provide the help they needed to hold a successful VBS program.

“If you look at the return on investment, meaning how many people become a part of the church or take an active role to get more people into the church, VBS has a much better return on your investment of time and money than do regular evangelistic series,” said Matthew Burton, Bible worker at Otis Orchards.

“Generally with a standard evangelistic series you can expect maybe a few individuals to become interested in your church, whereas with VBS you can sometimes get a whole family and even a few friends,” he explained. “The plus of teaching kids about Jesus, the reason why the return is better with VBS, is that kids are so excited to learn more about Jesus.”

The church board applied for help from His Travelers, a volunteer group of young adults led by the Upper Columbia Conference children’s ministries department. Luckily, His Travelers were able to assist with the program, putting on a Bible skit and volunteering as rotational group leaders.

His Travelers were a clear blessing to VBS, and suggested they add a final program to be held during church at the end of the week. That Sabbath, the church was packed full of members, children and guests. Michelle, a mother who had been bringing her young son to VBS every day, attended the church program, and continued to attend church every Sabbath following that program. Michelle became a regular attendee of the young adult sabbath school at Otis Orchards and started becoming more involved in the church.

In addition to sending His Travelers, Michelle and her young son, and others, God also sent a couple from a neighboring church to assist with the program. Following the completion of VBS, the couple felt impressed by God to provide more leadership and assistance at Otis Orchards, transferred their membership and began attending church there, bringing their son, Christopher, with them each Sabbath.

Christopher also became a regular attendee of the young adult sabbath school and became more involved with the church. After several weeks, Michelle and Christopher each expressed interest in baptism, and were both baptized in February 2022.

“I think that VBS played a significant role in the baptism of Michelle and played an indirect role in the baptism of Christopher,” shared Burton. “These two individuals are taking an active role in our church,” he added. “Right now, what Otis Orchards Church needs is leadership, so that is by far the most valuable thing that has come out of our outreach.”

Otis Orchards is planning another VBS for the upcoming summer with the help of His Travelers, and they are excited to form more connections with the community.

Long-time College Place ABC Employee Reflects on Her Years of Service

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 15:29:19 GMT

Kathy Geoghegan, manager and long-time employee of the College Place ABC, reflects on her 22 years of service

By Makena Horton

UCC Communications Coordinator

After 22 years of service, relationship building, and sharing stories with customers at the ABC Christian Bookstore in College Place, Wash., manager Kathy Geoghegan retired at the end of March.

Geoghegan began her time at the ABC after relocating to College Place in January 2000. “We just became Adventists a year before we moved, so we were excited about all the churches and schools and of course the ABC Bookstore,” she shared.

She began as a part-time salesclerk while renewing her real estate license. Geoghegan continued to volunteer at the ABC while working in real estate for approximately twelve years. When the manager position became available in 2014, her experience made her a perfect fit for the role.

“Thinking back over the years at the ABC, my favorite part was selling Bibles to someone who has just given their life to the Lord, someone who has never even owned a Bible,” shared Geoghagen. “It thrills my heart to see how excited they are and how they are filled with so much hope. They will come back and share how God is working in their lives. That never gets old!”

During her time at the ABC, Geoghegan formed lasting bonds with the customers. “As I look back over the past 22 years, my customers have become my friends,” she shared. “I have laughed with them, cried with them, and prayed with them. I will truly miss them all.”

Geoghegan plans to remain in College Place and continues to pray for God to guide her and her husband where He wants to use them next. When asked what she is excited to about retirement, Geoghegan shared, “I am looking forward to, if you can believe this, reading some books!”

“I am so grateful to the Upper Columbia Conference for letting me serve this wonderful community for so many years,” said Geoghegan. “The bookstore has been my passion and I am truly going to miss every part of it.”

Upper Columbia Conference Ordains Two Pastors

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 15:29:15 GMT

Howard Tello and Jon Jennette, two new pastors in the Upper Columbia Conference, were ordained in January.

By Dustin Jones

UCC Director of Communications

Two pastors that have recently arrived in Upper Columbia Conference this year were ordained in separate services in January — Howard Tello and Jon Jennette.

Jennette, pastor of Grandview, Prosser, and Sunnyside churches, was ordained on January 8, 2022, at Sunnyside Adventist Church. Eric Brown, UCC ministerial director, was on hand to present the candidate.

“Jon has already made an impact on these small churches,” said Brown. “God has plans for Jon and I am excited to see what is in store.”

Rodney Mills, UCC vice president for administration, gave the homily, and David Jamieson, UCC president, presented the certificate.

Jennette was born and raised in Nashville, Tenn. He was baptized into the Adventist church in June 2007, attended the Amazing Facts Center of Evangelism by July 2007, and was doing full-time Bible work in January 2008.

Following AFCOE, he did Bible work for ten years. During the last four of those years, Jennette completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in theology at Walla Walla University. Jennette and his wife, Frances, were married in 2011 and have an eight-year-old daughter.

Tello, pastor of Chewelah and Deer Park churches, was ordained on January 29, 2022, at Chewelah Adventist Church. Pierre Steenberg, assistant professor of religion, Union College, presented the candidate.

“Howard has an amazing journey to share and I believe God has called him to this conference for a special reason,” said Brown.

Mills gave the homily for Tello and also presented the certificate of ordination to him.

Tello started ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist church at the age of 19. Serving as a Bible worker, evangelist, senior pastor, and a developer of leaders, he has added value and made an impact wherever he has served. He desires to inspire men and women to yearn for God with all of their hearts, minds, and souls. He is eager for them to reach their fullest human potential through Christ and to impact the lives of all those they contact.

Tello and his wife, Hannah, have three children: Isaiah, Ariana, and Gabriel.

“God has been using both these men to change lives,” said Brown. “I am so pleased to see them join the ranks of ordained pastors.”

Pictured above-

Left: Howard Tello and his wife, Hannah

Right: Jon Jennette, his wife, Frances, and their daughter, Amy

Shine 104.9 Partners With Local Organization to Build Wells in Guatemala

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 21:20:46 GMT

More than a decade ago, Shine 104.9 (KEEH-FM) began their partnership with Water for Life, a charity local to Spokane, Wash., that works to build wells in Guatemala.

By Makena Horton

UCC Communications Coordinator

Water for Life, founded by Gary and Rod Bartholomew, originally started as a group of volunteers that wanted to provide uncontaminated water for an Adventist orphanage and school in Guatemala, and has since grown into an organized 501(c)(3) charity.

The organization says they seek out to share the good news of Jesus to the people of Guatemala through providing them with clean water that improves health and increases longevity. Water for Life operates entirely based on volunteer donations and all work is accomplished through volunteers, including drilling the wells.

Shine 104.9, the radio ministry of the Upper Columbia Conference, holds an annual one-day, on-air Water for Life event to raise money for the organization. Listeners typically pledge between $15,000-25,000 to the cause. In addition to this event, Shine 104.9 asks people that donate during their annual Sharathon event if they would allow $5 of their donation to be shared with other ministries, including Water for Life. The funds generated from this partnership have assisted Water for Life in drilling and maintaining approximately 200 wells in Guatemala.

Recently, Darin Patzer, general manager for Shine 104.9, was able to travel to Guatemala with volunteers from Water for Life and visit some of the rural villages that have received wells. Patzer shared that his sister was adopted from an orphanage in Guatemala in the 1980s, and Water for Life’s founding family, the Bartholomews, also adopted a daughter from that same orphanage.

“Not only did I see the country where my sister was born, but also to experience first-hand the joy of the villagers in receiving new wells, was rewarding,” said Patzer. “Because of the donations from our local community in the Pacific Northwest, the lives of babies are being saved each year, and the quality of life of villagers is enhanced through fresh water and learning of the Living Water offered by Jesus.”

To learn more about Water for Life, visit guatemalawells.com .

‘One Shoe Does Not Fit All’

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 22:32:26 GMT

Renew Spokane’s collaborative outreach efforts address various community needs

By Makena Horton

UCC Communication Coordinator

It doesn’t take long to get a sense of community needs in downtown Spokane and other large northwest cities. With a population of well over 500,000, the greater Spokane-Coeur d’Alene area has significant gaps in services available for those in crisis.

Patty Marsh, urban ministries director for the Upper Columbia Conference, worked with leaders of Total Health Spokane and several other individuals with the goal of better coordinating Adventist programs in Spokane and the surrounding areas. They applied for a grant through Mission to the Cities, an initiative introduced by General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which focuses on reaching urban areas for Christ and provides funding to assist in meeting this goal.

In early 2020, the grant was selected to go to UCC’s new collaboration, Renew Spokane. The grant provides nearly $1 million dollars spread over five years and will strengthen the outreach efforts of the program.

The formation of Renew Spokane tied together the efforts of several existing UCC outreaches supported by multiple churches for a common purpose: to provide urban centers of influence throughout the city of Spokane and meet the needs of its people with no strings attached. In the two years since the grant was originally implemented, Renew Spokane is growing and becoming increasingly involved in the community.

“To use an old adage, ‘One shoe does not fit all,’” said Marsh. “Our world is changing quickly, and needs evolve. Health topics are important to some; the needs of children abound, but not all have children. Over the last two years, mental health issues affect many individuals. Refugees face multiple challenges. With these few examples, you see that one outreach alone would reach only a sliver of Spokane.”

One of Renew Spokane’s programs, STEAM Ahead at Discovery Junction, provides free, week-long summer classes for community children ages 8-13, giving them the opportunity to learn about Lego robotics, art and cooking. During the school year, children from the local public school come after classes twice a week and enrich their understanding of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM).

During the initial COVID-19 shutdown in early 2020, Gayle Haeger, UCC urban ministries coordinator, asked the local public school if there was any way that Discovery Junction could help the students in their neighborhood. “They asked us if we could provide a safe place with wireless internet to help children who were having difficulty staying on task at home,” said Haeger. “We served eight children over several months. The teachers and administrators expressed deep gratitude for that service.”

Another well-established outreach project is the Better Living Center, which is one of the largest food banks in Spokane. The BLC provides the surrounding area with close to half a million pounds of food annually, as well as holds health and wellness classes that are open to all community members at no cost to them.

God’s Closet is another outreach initiative under Renew Spokane. The program collects new and gently-used clothing and has a Shop Day every three months, where, for a $1 entry fee, families are able to leave with several stuffed bags of clothing for their whole family at no additional charge.

His Travelers, a group of young adults in UCC, assisted Renew Spokane with different outreach programs for children and teens. During the eight weeks they served this past summer, His Travelers took the lead of VBS in the park, another popular Renew Spokane outreach project.

“What is unique about Renew Spokane is the collaborative effort,” said Marsh. “There is Holy Spirit power and efficiency in strategically planning and working together. In God’s power, great good can result! Our team looks forward to involving more members and more churches in supporting the ideas and visions of how they can reach out as God opens doors.”

To learn more about Renew Spokane and its many outreach efforts, visit renewspokane.org .

Why I Said 'Yes'

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 00:32:15 GMT

Nancy Canwell, associate pastor of Milton Seventh-day Adventist Church, shares why she accepted the call to ministry.

By: Nancy Canwell

Associate Pastor of Milton Seventh-day Adventist Church

Standing in an oversized robe, I waited my turn to be baptized. That’s when it happened. That’s when I heard, in my head and heart, God’s voice calling me to be a pastor. The year was 1967 and the Adventist church didn’t even have women local elders then. “Why did you say, ‘Yes’ to your call?” some have asked. Perhaps these stories can help answer that question.

Sharing Life

A phone call from the hospital interrupted our Christmas Eve celebration. Elle,* a 16-year-old girl, had tried to end her life and asked to see a pastor. I sat next to her bed and placed my hands in hers. Looking at her bandaged wrists made me feel a little woozy.

I did my best to bring hope to this girl who had none. I told her that hope for her troubled world arrived 2,000 years ago in the form of a Baby who was her Wonderful Counselor, her Mighty God, her Everlasting Father, and her Prince of Peace.

Jesus became real to Elle on that silent night. She made the decision to live! And I was so glad I’d said “Yes.”

Sharing Salvation

I was a guest speaker at a church and preached on surrender. Afterward, a man walked up and said, “I’ve been away from God for 17 years. This morning something told me to go to church, and this church was the closest. Your sermon reached me. I’ve given my life back to God.”

By Monday, Jeff was a quadriplegic. He’d fallen out of a tree and damaged his spinal cord, broke every bone in his upper back, and sustained multiple other injuries.

For the next three months all Jeff could do was move his eyeballs. He had a lot of time to pray — and pray he did! His revived friendship with Jesus gave him hope.

Every time I hear of something wonderful God has done through Jeff, I rejoice with him, and in my heart, I am glad I said “Yes.”

Sharing Hope

I stood beside him as one of his pastors at the graveside service for his wife. While the casket was being lowered into the ground, I looked him in the eye and said with conviction, “She’s not staying in there, Rick,” reminding him that Jesus had won the ultimate battle against death. Leaving that graveside of sorrow mixed with hope, I was glad I’d said “Yes.”

I’ve officiated at many funerals during my ministry, never knowing that the texts used to comfort others would someday comfort me—the Pastor. In 2020, I helped officiate my own husband’s graveside service after his 15-month battle with glioblastoma. There were times during his illness, and especially after his death, that I wondered if I could go on pastoring. I was mentally and physically exhausted, and didn’t know if I had enough left to give.

But that same voice I heard when I was ten kept calling me back. And I listened. And I’m so glad I said “Yes” once again. I want to preach it because I’m not ashamed of the good news. It is God’s power to save everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16, NIRV)

* All names are pseudonyms

A Special Call to Prayer and Executive Committee Report

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 23:29:51 GMT

This message from the president is part of the President's Report – March 2022, which includes the Executive Committee Report.

By David Jamieson

President, Upper Columbia Conference

One scene in the Bible that sticks out in my mind is the scene where we find the amazing story of Jesus and his disciples in the midst of a storm. Jesus had just finished feeding 5,000 men, not counting women and children, and then He asked the disciples to get into the boat as He dismissed the crowds. Once He dismissed the crowds, He chose not to go with the disciples in the boat, choosing instead to go up to the mountaintop by Himself to pray.

While the disciples were in the boat experiencing a storm, Jesus was on the mountaintop praying. Why? Because Jesus believed in the power of prayer. He realized that no matter the chaos and confusion of earth’s problems, we can find God’s solution in prayer.

There is an incredibly powerful lesson for us here! Because we are in the midst of a storm right now too, but if we follow the example of Jesus then the wisest thing we can do in the midst of the chaos and confusion of our world is to seek our God in prayer.

All of us are aware of the conflict that has been taking place in Ukraine. Many in our community have family and friends in Ukraine and have been directly affected by the turmoil that has resulted in the loss of many lives.

So, the leadership of the Upper Columbia Conference, following the example of our Savior Jesus, is calling for each member of our conference to pray for all our brothers and sisters in this troubled part of the world, including the more than 43,000 members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, who are impacted by these acts of war.

We know that the church is powerless in its human ability to make any measurable changes in the current situation, but we know Someone who has the power to intervene and to put an immediate end to this violent incursion and to turn this situation from war toward peace.

Recently, Elder Ted Wilson, our General Conference President, made a special call to our world church family to join together in united prayer at 7 p.m. each evening until March 4. In addition, we are asking that this Sabbath, March 5, in each of our churches we would make this terrible situation in Ukraine a matter of corporate prayer.

We invite you to join our precious brothers and sisters around the world in this special time of prayer, as we pray for peace and for God's Spirit to bring healing and peace not only in Ukraine, but to all the challenging settings around the world.

We know that Jesus, the Blessed Hope, is coming again soon and that we can rest securely in His hands, especially when we turn to our Mighty God in prayer.

Thank you in advance for joining us in this special call to prayer.

This message is part of the President's Report. The full report, including the Executive Committee actions from February 24, 2022, can be accessed here .

The Dream of Ukraine

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 23:20:24 GMT

Volody Nesteruk stood before his congregation at Linwood Adventist Church. As he explained the current situation in Ukraine, his voice started to crack and his eyes began to water.

By Dustin R. Jones, MA

Volody Nesteruk stood before his congregation at Linwood Adventist Church in Spokane, Washington, on February 26, 2022. As he explained the current situation in Ukraine, his voice started to crack and his eyes began to water.

“Today is the winter. It is cold in Kyiv, just like here and it is Sabbath. Our people are there. But their hearts are warmed with God’s strength and protection and care. They are singing and they are praising God!” he said. “God is on the throne and He is overseeing this whole situation. He is in control and He defends the oppressed.”

The unprovoked aggression from Russia has hit Nesteruk especially hard. He was born in Rivne, Ukraine, in 1969 and grew up there under the Soviet Union. He was drafted for mandatory military service at the age of 18 and served in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republican army for two years.

Nesteruk has a heart for sharing the love and Gospel of Jesus with those around him. This love led him to enter the seminary following his military service.

After graduating from Zaoksky Adventist University, located near Moscow, in 1995, Nesteruk pastored in Ukraine for 9 years. The last two years that he was in Ukraine, he pastored a congregation of more than 600 members in a church located in central Kyiv.

“Our church was meeting right in the heart of the city, if you see that downtown square on many of the news broadcasts, the building to the right is the building that we were worshipping in every Sabbath,” says Nesteruk.

He was invited by Upper Columbia Conference to minister to the Slavic people here in the Pacific Northwest in 2004. Though Nesteruk and his wife, Natasha, now call Spokane their home, Ukraine will always hold a special place in his heart. He still has many family members and friends that live in Ukraine.

“The Ukrainians are on the frontlines of democracy,” says Nesteruk. “We have chosen democracy. We don’t want to give it up. This isn’t just about Ukraine, this is about democracy in the rest of the world.”

According to Nesteruk, life in the Soviet Union was one of fear. There was so much fear involved that everyone kept to themselves and reported on each other. Now that Ukrainians have had a state of democracy, they want to live a Western kind of life.

They would rather die than go back to fear.

“The Ukrainians are proving that they are a strong enough people that they can stand up to the military giant that most of the rest of the world was afraid of,” says Nesteruk.

As the battle rages on, the Russians continue their attack on the heart of Ukraine. The world’s largest plane, named “the Dream” and built in Ukraine, was destroyed in their attack.

“Though they destroyed the Dream plane,” says Nesteruk, “they will never destroy the dream of Ukraine — the dream of democracy.”

If you don’t know how to support the people Ukraine in this conflict, support them through prayer. The whole world is uniting in prayer. On March 5 Linwood Adventist Church hosted an event in support of Ukraine. To watch this moving event, see www.youtube.com/watch?v=55uv7dHK13c .

All financial donations for Ukraine are being directed towards ADRA International at www.adra.org . To listen to Volody Nesteruk’s sermon, “How to Prepare for Final Crisis,” see youtu.be/n5emagQGRtM?t=1973 .

Spokane to Host First 2022 Equipping for Service Event

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 18:36:45 GMT

The event is open to all church members in the Spokane area on February 18-19.

Upper Columbia Conference is excited to announce the return of Equipping for Service, kicking off February 18-19 in Spokane. EFS provides a weekend of training for all local church members and includes seminars, sermons, vespers and a Q&A session that allow you to learn and be engaged with UCC as we work towards bringing One More to His kingdom!

For more information about EFS Spokane and see if there is an upcoming date near you, please visit uccsda.org/equipping .

UCC Welcomes Newly-Dedicated Mabton Spanish Church

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 21:44:23 GMT

The Mabton Spanish Company was officially named Mabton Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church at their dedication service on November 20, 2021.

By Makena Horton

Communications Coordinator

The former Mabton Spanish Company was originally conceptualized in the fall of 2015 by Erik Van Doren, a member of the Grandview Spanish Church (GS). Doren shared with the leaders of the Grandview Spanish Adventist Church that the Mabton Church could be acquired through an arrangement with the City of Mabton.

Doren and the GS leaders were soon in agreement. The GS leaders allowed the Mabton Spanish Company to occupy the church rent-free for four years with the understanding that they would bring the building up to code.

In February 2016, Tito Espinoza, the lead on the Mabton church plant project, worked with Walter Pintos, director of multicultural ministries at Upper Columbia Conference, to move forward with the plant with the blessing of UCC, and a plan was developed.

On October 12, 2016, Espinoza held a meeting to recruit members from each of the district’s Spanish churches to form the team that would initially work at the Mabton church plant. Seventeen baptized church members stepped forward and accepted the mission to spread the gospel to the Mabton community.

By December 2016, the Mabton church plant became an official Mission Group, and on October 27, 2017, it was officially recognized as Mabton Spanish Company. Members of the company went throughout the community handing out printed materials, praying with residents and held Bible studies to grow it into what it is today, a church of 41 members.

Florencio Bueno, pastor of the Mabton Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church, has been with this church since 2019. Bueno shares that the church has a strong focus on community outreach, with programs specifically for children and families, feeding homeless individuals, and providing support groups.

“Mabton is an impoverished territory with migrant farm-worker families, a high level of crime, and a lack of sociocultural activities,” said Bueno. “This is a great opportunity to impact the community through our Christian love, using events such as weekly breakfast for the homeless on Sundays, monthly event for children in the community, and our women’s and men’s ministry programs."

Adventurers Experience God’s Love Across Cultures

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 21:44:21 GMT

Wenatchee Spanish Adventist Church hosts Upper Columbia Conference Adventurer Awards Day

By Anita Lebold

Upper Columbia Conference Adventurers Head Coordinator

At the Upper Columbia Conference Adventurer Awards Day we celebrated a number of firsts: first in-person Conference Adventurer event since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, first Conference Adventurer event hosted in Wenatchee, and first Conference Adventurer event hosted by a Hispanic church.

Steffany Pacheco, the director of Wenatchee Soldaditos de Jesus Adventurer Club presented the idea of having an event to teach about countries. At the Wenatchee Spanish Adventist Church there are people from many different countries. The club has a very culture-rich experience and wanted to give all the Adventurers a glimpse of Jesus through different life experiences. The Upper Columbia Conference Adventurer coordinators were excited to team with Steffany to implement the idea. The event was planned initially for fall of 2020 but was postponed for the safety of all involved.

The event was able to take place this year with face covering and sanitizing protocols in place, which allowed participants to attend safely. Approximately 70 members and parents from as far away as St. Maries, Idaho, attended the event. Pastor Marco Larumbe and the members of Wenatchee Hispanic Church were very supportive and hospitable, offering the full church and church yard for the event. They provided juice and pre-packaged snacks for attendees to enjoy while others were registering.

The event started with a short worship time and welcome. The newest Adventurer Club in the Conference, Spokane Spanish Warriors of Jesus, led the recitation of the pledges and the law and helped the Soldaditos de Jesus club lead the song service. The program continued with a series of awards, one for each class level.

The awards presented were:

· Little Lambs – Bible Friends taught by Rachelle Lebold

· Curious Cubs/Eager Beavers – Recycling taught by Leonie Goertzen

· Busy Bees, Sunbeams – Music Maker taught by Leticia Bartha

· Builders – Olympics taught by Linda Schaffer

· Helping Hands – Geologist taught by Jennifer Watson

After the first set of classes, the Soldaditos de Jesus and members of the congregation served a lunch made up of foods from different countries. Things like papusas, enchiladas and empanadas were included in the offerings and kicked off the afternoon.

Following lunch, the Adventurers learned about five different countries: Argentina, presented by Andrea Larumbe; El Salvador, presented by Steffany Pacheco; Mexico, presented by Tony and Teresita Guerrero; Nicaragua, presented by Martha Reyes; and Sweden, presented by Pastor Marco Larumbe.

Jesus traveled to different countries and cultures sharing the gospel with all people and has commissioned us to do the same. Pastor Larumbe shared that he had always dreamed of visiting Sweden. God opened the door for him and his family to spend time working at a Spanish Adventist church in Sweden, and that opportunity helped him love that country and the people there even more.

Experiences like this special Awards Day help inspire the Adventurers and parents to do as Jesus did, love all kinds of people and “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15, King James Version)

UCA Celebrates Graduation with 38 Baptisms

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 00:34:44 GMT

In June 2021, the graduation weekend at Upper Columbia Academy was blessed with 38 individuals committing their life to God and getting baptized.

By Makena Horton

UCC Communications Coordinator

The service was originally planned to baptize a few individuals that wanted their families to be present to witness their baptism that weekend. Upon witnessing their commitment, other students, staff members, parents and UCA alumni lined up to be baptized at that time.

More than two hours into what became nearly a three-and-a-half-hour baptismal service, Sid Hardy, chaplain and bible teacher at UCA, commented on how the blessings kept rolling in. “Today I’ve lost count,” said Hardy. “Every time I go back there, I think, ‘Okay, we’ve got three more left,’ and then I go back there, and there’s more than three left. It’s just multiplying.”

Families came up to the baptismal to get a close-up view as their loved ones publicly proclaimed their love for Christ, and the stage surrounding the baptismal was flooded with those that wanted to show support.

Clair Barrutia, volunteer dean of women, was among those who decided to get baptized during the service. Barrutia was previously a student at UCA and returned to serve as a dean following her graduation from Walla Walla University.

“God works in really mysterious ways,” shared Barrutia from inside the baptismal. “I told him to give me a sign tonight because I’ve been thinking about this for a while. I was like, ‘Oh, I’ll do it next year or something.’ Then Franny got up here, and she said, ‘why wait?’”

Barrutia echoed the sentiment, “Yeah, why wait when you’ve got today?”

In addition to the 38 individuals that stood up in their faith and were baptized that evening, many other lives were touched, including two younger children in the audience, who later shared with their family that they wanted to attend UCA for high school and to be baptized as well.

“Baptism is a witness,” Hardy shared with the crowd. “It is a witness of your life, it is a witness of your decision, of something that has already happened in your heart. Now you are doing this as a witness, and it’s exciting.”

For more information on Upper Columbia Academy and how to apply, see uccaa.org/apply .

Register Now: Free, Online Prayeradigm Shift Event

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 00:02:50 GMT

Upper Columbia Conference presents virtual prayer weekend

By Makena Horton

UCC Communications Coordinator

Join together with fellow Upper Columbia Conference members February 25-26 for a virtual Prayeradigm Shift, an online prayer weekend presented by the Upper Columbia Conference and sponsored by Prayer Ministries at the North American Division.

Messages from Pavel Goia, associate ministerial director for the General Conference Ministerial Association, will be available to view online from the comfort of your church or home, and will highlight powerful and practical biblical principles on prayer, including unpacking God’s desire to align our prayeradigm with His prayeradigm.

A paradigm is our sense of “normal,” our frame of reference for our day-to-day based on the things we see and believe. These things guide our thoughts, feelings, and actions. When we change or begin to look at things with a new frame of reference, with a new “normal,” this is called a paradigm shift.

We normally recognize the value of prayer in our personal lives and in our communities. We understand that it is powerful but still feel there is more to be tapped into. Are we in need of a prayeradigm shift?

A prayeradigm shift allows us to shift our understanding of prayer, in our desires in prayer, and in how we pray. This allows us to align our thinking with God’s, seek His will, and surrender to His leading in our lives.

Registration is free and open now! To register yourself, your church or your small group, visit prayeradigmshift.org .

UCC Hosts Pastors for 2022 Winter Retreat

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 23:13:06 GMT

Annual event serves to reconnect pastors with each other, mission, and God.

The 2022 Winter Pastor's Retreat was held at the headquarters of Upper Columbia Conference from January 10-12.

Pavel Goia, editor of Ministry Magazine, and associate director of ministerial for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, was on hand for the plenary session. Goia energized the pastors with the importance of prayer in continuing the mission of Christ.

The sessions were recorded and are now available to view on the UCC YouTube channel .

Trust God With Your Mountain

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 15:38:40 GMT

A shovel was a must, but we had an ice scraper.

by Kathy Marson

Last week during prayer time, we prayed for the various mountains we face and I asked for prayer for our family Christmas near Chelan, Washington. We had rented a house near there and given the storms and the closing of Snoqualmie Pass, I wasn’t sure we would actually be able to be together.

God answered and provided in many ways. I want to share his answer to our literal mountain of snow.

When we arrived at the house after a four-hour drive, I was dismayed to see very deep snow. Three and a half feet or more lay on an expansive driveway -- not the kind of snow one can power-walk through. A shovel was a must and we had an ice scraper.

I breathed a prayer and drove toward a nearby community. As I drove, I noticed a plow and waved him down. Getting out of my car, I asked if he could plow the driveway. He said no. He was only allowed to plow certain properties, not the private home we’d rented. (The owners aware of our arrival had tried to get their maintenance crew to plow but due to being snow bound they could not plow till Saturday morning.)

I explained my situation and he again said no, but quietly he said he would clear just enough room for my car and I’d have to figure out the rest. I agreed. As he left he handed me a regular garden shovel and said, “Use this, just give it back when you’re done.”

God knows that praising and complaining can come out of the same mouth at the same time. Clearing a narrow path 20 feet to the front door was not easy with a garden shovel which the snow stuck to like Velcro. I was thankful for the tool but stressed as well. While I shoveled to the front door our next carload of family arrived. Being appraised of the mountain of snow they’d stopped at a hardware store. Not finding a proper tool they borrowed one – again something they said they don’t do, but after saying that they miraculously found one they loaned us.

One more shovel allowed us entry into the house where right in the foyer was another very nice snow shovel. With three shovels we were able to clear a narrow path to park one car in the garage. We were also able to get a handicapped family member into the house.

God provided each shovel and we were able to park all four cars where that mountain of snow had been. The next morning the plow crew, hired by the owner, was able to dig the rest out so we had full access.

Family took the borrowed snow shovel to the hardware store with a dozen donuts, which was definitely an answer to the employees prayers.

Whenever a family goes through hardship, the memories made are deeper and harder to erase than if they had not gone through them. You probably can recall some in your own family.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

And let steadfastness have its full effect,

that you may be perfect and complete,

lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4

In the end looking back on the family Christmas, we lacked nothing. Facing the mountain of snow was a trial that God, in His wisdom, allowed us to go through. God turned our mountain into a driveway. In the trials and mountains of this life we must remember that God will always carry us through. He has the resources. He answers our prayers.

In closing, I want to share two promises that are appropriate for the times we live in. The world is crazy, upside-down. Many things said on the news do not make sense to many people. But we can focus on God and his promises to take care of us through our trials.

Have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,

for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Because you have kept my word about patient endurance,

I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world,

to try those who dwell on the earth.

Revelation 3:10

May our prayers to God be like a continuous breath of communication to our creator, building trust and faith that will endure to the end of time.

Register Now: Pathfinder Teen Retreat 2022

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 19:47:04 GMT

Register now for the Pathfinder Teen Retreat, "Within the Struggle," held at Camp MiVoden January 28-30, 2022.

By Makena Horton

UCC Communications Coordinator

This year's Pathfinder Teen Retreat, "Within the Struggle," will highlight the issues teenagers are currently facing both personally and spiritually.

The topics were suggested by 75 teens from across the conference who filled out a survey sharing what they would like to talk about at this year's retreat.

The retreat will be held at Camp MiVoden on January 28-30, 2022. Teens will be joined by Pastor Saul Dominguez from Hermiston, Oregon and Pastor Larissa Bitton from Richland, Washington.

To register, please visit https://ucc.regfox.com/struggle . A discount of $10 per teen is available if you register before 11:30 p.m. on January 20 and enter code EARLY at checkout.

A Dream Brings an Unexpected Gift

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 19:47:02 GMT

Jared had a dream about Jesus' second coming, and God used it to initiate a journey back to Him.

By Joe Reeves

Pastor of Spirit Lake Adventist Church

Jared, career military man and former Adventist , had a dream one night about Jesus' second coming. It was more of a nightmare really.

Jared did everything he could to forget the nightmare. Nothing in the dream changed his heart or his habits. When his wife, Carissa, gave him an early anniversary gift, he expected nothing more than a bottle of wine. To his shock, it was a Bible. That’s when Jared regretted ever mentioning anything about the dream.

Carissa had minimal understanding of Christianity, but Jared’s Adventist upbringing came back to him when he dreamed of Jesus coming in the clouds of heaven. The dream ended unhappily when Jared realized he was not ready for Jesus to come.

After leaving his childhood faith community, Jared embraced military life surrounded with lots of buddies and lots of drinks. His career most recently landed him at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington. His responsibilities include refueling military aircraft, mid-flight, from the back of KC-135 refueling planes.

Jared first opened the gifted Bible to mock God and show his wife that the Bible does not really add up. But Carissa questioned him. When trying to show where things do not line up, he started seeing things in a new light. Where the dream failed to change his heart, reading the Bible began to soften him. Jared remembered hearing certain things as a kid. But until now he had never read it. As he studied the Bible, read The Great Controversy and listened to sermons, his childhood training came back.

Carissa had to start with the basics. She did not even know that the ten commandments were in the Bible. Although they both came from such different backgrounds, Jared and Carissa began feeling God move in their hearts at the same time. Together, they chose to let go of alcohol, swearing and more. Both decided to prioritize the Sabbath over advanced studies and careers. Carissa discontinued her graduate studies after being denied Sabbath accommodations. At the right time, God led Jared to a new job without Sabbath conflicts.

On Sept. 4, 2021, Jared was re-baptized and Carissa was baptized for the first time. Surrounded by family and friends, they openly declared their devotion to Jesus.

A Hike, A “Random” Encounter and A Prayer of Faith

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 22:32:11 GMT

I started to get worried, not because of the phone itself, but because its case held some very important things.

.I have so many testimonies of how God has answered prayers this year and in past years, but the one that stands out most to me is a prayer I prayed while overseas. During my time as a missionary in Korea, I went to another town to hike in the mountains with a couple of friends. At some point during our excursion, I realized that I no longer had my cell phone. I was looking at it earlier, but now I couldn't find it.

By the end of our hike, I realized that it was lost somewhere in the mountains. I started to get worried, not because of the phone itself, but because its case held some very important things: the key to my apartment, my Korean alien registration card, my card to ride the subway, my debit card, and a little bit of cash. All of these were items that I needed.

Thankfully, my friends were prayer warriors who immediately sent up petitions along with mine to God asking him to restore my phone with all its contents. We had strong faith and believed that God would help me find it. Unfortunately, I left that area without my phone that day.

Yet, I prayed continually that evening that God would make up for what I had lost so that I could get home. Since I didn't have my debit card or any cash, and my subway card was also gone, I needed money to pay for the bus and the subway ride. God provided for those things that very night. I prayed about the missing apartment key as well, and God worked amazingly to get me into my apartment gain.

I kept on praying after I got home. I also asked others to pray for me. My specific prayer was that God would allow my phone to be restored to me with all its contents, and that it would arrive before another trip I was to take that coming Friday. Seeing as it was the beginning of the week and I had no idea where my phone was or how I could get it back, this was definitely a prayer of faith.

Before I went into the mission field, I had surrendered my heart to God and asked him to order my steps so that the decisions I made would be in line with his will for my life. Months prior to my hiking excursion, I was in a bus station where I'd met a young Korean lady who was witnessing for her faith. Somehow, I felt impressed to share contact information with her, and we started a dialogue via Kakao Talk, a Korean messenger app that can be used on a cell phone or on a computer to make calls or send messages. God would use this exchange between us to work a miracle.

Going back to the week after losing my phone: A couple of days later, I checked Kakao Talk on my computer and noticed that I had made a recent outgoing call to the Korean young lady that I had met in the bus station. The only thing was, I hadn't made that call because I didn't have my phone. This let me know that someone had found my phone and contacted her. So, I reached out to her via the messenger system on the computer and asked her who had called her. That's when she told me that the police had my phone because someone had turned it in. When they saw our dialogue and realized she was Korean, they had called her trying to locate me. Because she didn't know where I lived, she couldn't find me. But when I reached out to her, she was able to help me get the information I needed from the police for them to send me my phone.

God allowed my phone to be found! This was a partial answer to prayer. But the second part of my prayer was that the phone would arrive before my trip that Friday. There were only a couple of days before that could happen, and I wasn't sure if it would. But I prayed fervently and pleaded for God's mercy for this to happen.

On the morning of the trip, the phone still had not arrived. But, as the day drew on, about an hour or so before I was to leave, I was notified that I had received a package. I ran out to collect the box and opened it excitedly. To my amazement, I found not only my phone in its case, but every single item was still intact!

God heard and answered my prayers. While God’s initial answer was to wait, he exceeded my expectations in his timing when he said yes.

The Bible tells us to ask and seek for what we need. My encouragement to you is to ask God for what you need no matter how big or small. Be persistent, but always have a heart to surrender to his will. God will go above and beyond what you could ever ask or think because he truly does care for you.

God Provides Leadership for YACS Following Sudden Loss

Tue, 28 Dec 2021 22:51:35 GMT

Former teachers of Yakima Adventist Christian School step up to provide leadership in a time of need.

By Andrew Bigelow

Yakima Adventist Christian School correspondent

Following the 2019–20 school year and the impacts of COVID-19, the Yakima Adventist Christian School family was excited about a new school year and in-person classes with friends and teachers.

Denise Carey, YACS principal, had spent countless hours during the 2020 summer vacation working with the Yakima County Health Department, the school board and others to ensure a safe and smooth return to in-person education. Little did they know the other challenges awaiting.

Following a silent battle with cancer, Carey suddenly passed away on Oct. 17, 2020. Since many were unaware of Carey’s battle, the news of her death hit hard. The sudden vacancy in leadership prompted many questions.

The book of Isaiah says, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please” (Isah. 46:10, NIV). The text continues, “Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear” (Isah. 65:24, NIV).

Knowing the end from the beginning, and answering our prayers before they were breathed, God was already providing.

Karen Wasiczko, school board chair and retired YACS teacher, along with her husband Wayne, retired YACS principal and teacher, stepped up to provide leadership as a temporary principal team until a more permanent solution could be found.

In late October, Delmar Wolfkill, 9-10th grade teacher, was selected to fill the role as principal for the remainder of the school year.

As Wolfkill transitioned to principal, YACS needed a replacement teacher for second semester. Once again, God already had a solution. During the December break, Rick Blumenschein moved from Wisconsin to Yakima to finish the school year as the 9–10th grade teacher.

A Sandwich, a Random Act of Kindness and a New Opportunity

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 23:47:28 GMT

A chance encounter led to a Christian education for Sandpoint Junior Academy student Baylee Gonzales.

By Michael Lee

Sandpoint Junior Academy principal

Stephanie Gonzales was standing in line at Subway ordering lunch one afternoon, when she saw Paul Munilla, a Sandpoint Junior Academy board member, reading a book. She struck up a conversation with him about the book, and as divine providence would have it, the conversation steered into the topic of Christianity.

He offhandedly shared with her that he was a member of the Sandpoint Seventh-day Adventist Church, that we have a school, and that she should come check it out sometime, almost without giving it another thought. Since Gonzales was ahead of him in line, she finished her order and ended up paying for his lunch. “I had just been blessed with a little extra money, and I wanted to pay it forward with an act of kindness,” she later would say. Munilla hardly had a chance to thank her, and didn’t get to talk much more with her before they parted ways.

That chance-meeting planted a seed that would lead Gonzales and her daughter, Baylee, to take a tour of SJA. “I had been wanting to get Baylee into a new school, especially a faith-based one, but I never thought it would be possible to make that happen,” Gonzales mentioned, as she recounted her visit. She also shared that she had had a negative experience in her last church congregation and was looking to find a new church community.

When Baylee met her teachers in the classroom, there was no doubt that this was where she needed to be. “You were so kind and welcoming," said Gonzales. "And when we saw that Mrs. Wall was the music teacher, it was great, because she was Baylee’s choir teacher in the after-school program at her previous school.”

Baylee was accepted at SJA and has been thriving as a student. When asked about her experience so far, Baylee said she “loves doing math” and that “friends here are more exciting [than in her last school].”

“Baylee always comes home excited about history and science and Bible and shares what she is excited about,” beamed Gonzales. “She wasn’t excited about school before. This is a more positive environment. Ever since she started here, she is a whole new kid. Even other people who know her are noticing.”

It wasn’t until Baylee joined other SJA students in helping to lead praise and worship one Sabbath morning that Gonzales saw Munilla again. At the church, Gonzales and her daughter were greeted and welcomed multiple times and were also invited to stay for lunch. Gonzales' positive experience, her connection with the school as well as the initial conversation with Munilla, led to her to say, “I felt like we were connected naturally and normally when I visited the church. I want to get in the habit of coming to church regularly.”

It is wonderful when the church and school work in tandem to provide a positive experience for newcomers. In a world where tribalism and politics threaten to divide communities, our churches can be a haven where Jesus is lifted up, and all people are drawn to Him.

Rogers School Surpasses Goal by 100%

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 23:47:22 GMT

RAS Students Raise $80,500 at annual jog-a-thon.

By Holly Bryant

Rodgers Adventist School principal

Rogers Adventist School organizers were at the Martin Field Track setting up for a fundraising jog-a-thon on a beautiful fall morning in College Place, Washington, but the students were nowhere to be found.

Ironically, students were missing because of the very same problem the fundraiser would help to solve. The school's bus had broken down again.

Every year, RAS students choose a fundraising goal, then participate in a jog-a-thon to reach their goal. In past years, they’ve raised money for picnic tables and computers. This year, they set their hopes high, and decided to raise money for a transit vehicle that could be used for field trips, music tours, athletic games and more.

The students wanted to try to raise the $40,000 needed to fund the new vehicle, and invited friends and family members to sponsor them for the jog-a-thon and donate funds for the miles they would run. When the bus broke down on the day of the event, students and donors alike felt extra motivated to meet the goal.

Transportation rescue options eventually brought all the students to the track, where they ran and walked for two hours. Three students won the highest lap count in the school. Sofie Edwards (right) ran 12 miles, while Jackson Bryant (left) and Micah Lopez (center) both ran 13.5 miles.

At the end of the day, and after all their hard work, students more than doubled their goal! Contributions from generous RAS donors came to $80,500 allowing RAS to purchase not one, but two transit vehicles. God blessed RAS through the school community's hard work and generosity.

Prayers for Kentucky

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 01:30:06 GMT

Kentucky and five additional states were affected by what is being declared as the largest tornado in history.

On December 10, 2021, a deadly tornado moved across Western Kentucky, causing havoc on numerous towns in the state. Crossing through twelve counties during its lifespan, the tornado traveled over 200 miles that produced a series of strong tornadoes in five additional states. It is declared to be the largest tornado recorded in history.

North American Division Adventist Community Services (NAD ACS) is assisting with purchasing supplies to assist with the relief efforts of ACS Disaster Response in Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Arkansas, Missouri and Mississippi.

To read more on how to help those displaced and experiencing loss, visit the ACS website.

UCC Names New President and Executive Committee Actions

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 23:37:51 GMT

The December 2, 2021, Executive Committee welcomes the new UCC president.

By UCC Administration

After much prayer and waiting on the Lord, Pastor David Jamieson has accepted the call to serve as president of Upper Columbia Conference beginning in January. He is currently lead pastor of Church in the Valley, located in Langley, British Columbia, Canada, and has been serving there for just over 20 years. For the full article on Pastor Jamieson, see https://www.uccsda.org/david-jamieson-named-president-of-upper-columbia-conference .

In addition to welcoming Pastor Jamieson, the Executive Committee met on December 2, 2021. The full report, including actions from the December 2, 2021, Executive Committee can be viewed here .

David Jamieson Named President of Upper Columbia Conference

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 23:27:01 GMT

Pastor Jamieson, pastor of Church in the Valley in British Columbia, Canada, accepts call to serve as UCC President.

By Makena Horton

UCC Communications Coordinator

“My passion in ministry is reaching out to lost men and women and boys and girls with the everlasting gospel, in the context of the three angels' messages, and helping them prepare for the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ,” said David. “We want to encourage everyone everywhere to love God, love people, and serve the world.”

In July, the North Pacific Union Conference released a survey and John Freedman, NPUC president and chair of the nominating committee, encouraged all UCC members to fill out the survey and share their hopes for the future of the conference.

As the survey closed, more than 200 names were put forward for presidency. The NPUC administration prayerfully worked with the UCC nominating committee to select the person God had chosen for the position.

Before pastoring at Church in the Valley, David served as president of the Newfoundland Conference in Eastern Canada. David has traveled worldwide, speaking at conferences, and sharing seminars for pastors and laity highlighting topics related to pastoral leadership, community outreach, and evangelism. Additionally, he has been the speaker-director for Faith Out Loud Canada, a 30-minute, five-days-a-week radio program, broadcast throughout all of Canada.

Shandra has supported David in ministry during their 36 years of marriage in multiple roles, including serving in many children’s ministries divisions, VBS programs, local church guest services, and teaching in our Adventist Schools. Shandra also worked to ensure that their four children, Shantel, Stacia, Joshua and Jared, were raised in a strong, Adventist home, which contributed to their children’s continued love for Christ and passion for ministry.

Shantel, their oldest child, lives in Burlington, Washington, with her husband, Nathan, and their son, Jamieson. Stacia, their second daughter, lives in Mount Vernon, Washington, with her husband Michael. Their eldest son, Joshua, daughter-in-law, Emily, and youngest son, Jared, live in Loma Linda, California. All four children attended Walla Walla University.

“I am deeply humbled by and consider it an honor and a privilege to serve the Upper Columbia Conference,” said David. “It is also abundantly clear to me that it will take all of us working together to advance God's kingdom in the Inland Northwest and beyond. So Shandra and I deeply covet your prayers and we look forward to meeting each of you.”

Photo credit: Makena Horton

Goldendale Celebrates Enrollment Blessing

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 20:01:49 GMT

GACS blessed with record-high enrollment

By: Ulena Robinson

Goldendale Adventist Christian School

When teachers Dave and Ulena Robinson came to Goldendale Adventist Christian School in August 2015, they were excited about teaching at a rural school, surrounded by cow pastures. Having been missionaries overseas, they wanted to carry the same spirit here at home.

When the school year began, only one full-time student had registered and just a few of the homeschooled students would be attending part-time. It would not be enough students.

The Robinsons didn’t know if they should stay or look for another job. But God helped them. The local church had faith, so they voted to go ahead with another year of school, even if there was just one student.

With prayer and diligent work, God brought three more students in December, the very week leaders at the Upper Columbia Conference education department were praying for the school. By the end of the school year, even more students had enrolled.

The GACS program grew when the Robinsons invited local church members to share their talents teaching music, art and science.

The local homeschooling community was reached out, as well. Soon, many of them began attending part-time — receiving help in science, art and physical education while enjoying fellowship with other children.

God kept blessing the school, and attendance continued to grow each year. The pastor's wife was praying for 30 students, which seemed like a challenging goal for the school. But they believed, through their hard work and their faith, God would provide. So, they rested-assured.

As enrollment increased, GACS made adjustments to accommodate class sizes. Additional church members became active board members, and a talented volunteer-secretary joined the team to do office work. An added pergola and paved play area, expanded space for outdoor activities, and GACS was able to add a third teacher!

Now, six years later, God has blessed the GACS family with three teachers and 36 students.

The GACS school board, teachers and staff know that God has been preparing them for such a time as this. To go from one student to 36 students has been an experience in witnessing God’s miracle-working power.

"He can do the same for you and your school," says Dave Robinson, GACS principal and head teacher. "May God bless all of our schools that are teaching the elementary children, many of whom are not Seventh-day Adventists, about His soon coming. Pray, have faith, work hard, reach out to the community and trust in God. God will grow your school!"

Palisades Christian Academy Opens New Gymnasium

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 20:01:45 GMT

PCA held a ribbon cutting ceremony to open their new gymnasium in October 2021.

By: Palisades Christian Academy

In October 2021, Palisades Christian Academy (PCA) in Spokane, Washington, conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of their brand-new multipurpose building/gymnasium. The new addition is more than 15,000 square feet and includes two full-sized basketball courts and a large stage at one end. The gym space has been laid out to accommodate two full volleyball courts, badminton, pickle ball and more.

“We hope to use this space for community gatherings, church nights, and after-school sports,” shared Monte Fisher, principal of PCA.

PCA, formerly Spokane Junior Academy, completed their new main school building in 2009 and was renamed during the relocation of the school campus. Since the relocation, the school has used their bus barn to conduct physical education classes during the winter months.

Now, more than 10 years after the completion of the main building, students finally have a gymnasium to play in, and a large location for social gatherings and events, which is especially appreciated during Spokane’s winter months.

During the ceremony, Fisher thanked all those the contributed to this important addition. The project was heavily impacted by PCA’s development director, Tim Windemuth.

“Coach Windemuth’s unquenchable enthusiasm and driving energy inspires those around him,” said Fisher. “He does this for the kids and loves every minute of it.”

Windemuth served as the athletic director of Walla Walla University for 30 years and is still finding ways to serve the Lord. Windemuth raised a significant portion of the funds for the project, led out at inception and organized volunteer groups to help keep the project on budget. When Windemuth was asked why this is so important, he shared, “We just want to see these kids in heaven.”

Others that were thanked included Wesslen Construction, owned and operated by Jerry and Jeff Wesslen, and Cox Construction, owned and operated by Kenton Cox. The firms united their efforts, agreeing to take on the project in late 2019. The Wesslen and Cox families both attend the South Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church in Spokane. The state of the country during the months of the project were uncertain.

Construction costs sky-rocketed, materials became less accessible, and the workforce changed dramatically, yet the project miraculously continued steadily forward. “Despite the challenges that arose in the project, God seemed to always have an answer,” said Fisher. “When we were at a loss, God would open the doors and it was clear who was in charge of this effort,” he added.

Brian Harris, vice president for education, Upper Columbia Conference, was asked to cut the ribbon for the ceremony. Harris was formerly the principal at PCA and was heavily involved in the initial project.

Harris reminisced about the challenges faced during the building of the school, telling a few of the stories about when the school was built more than 10 years ago.

“We take on projects like these,” he reminded the audience of more than 200 students and community attendees, “to bring just One More to the kingdom.”

Forged Men’s Retreat Encourages Connection

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 22:35:08 GMT

Summit Northwest Ministries held their second annual Forged men’s event at Camp MiVoden in September.

By Terry McLeod

Summit Northwest Ministries youth leader

Organizers used the previous year's event as a template for planning, but this year's event ramped up with more forges, more toys to play with and more friendship building and strengthening.

The event tagline, “a retreat for men who don’t go to retreats,” allowed the emphasis to remain on offering time and space to rejuvenate without a full seminar schedule. The scheduled reserved a generous amount of time for activities like blacksmithing at the forges, boating, cycling, archery, target practice, zip lining, paddle boarding or even carving out a new section of mountain bike trail.

There were three speaking sessions, each focused on owning one's identity as a friend of God and recognizing that same identity in the people around us.

One attendee shared that “things had been on edge” between him and his son, but by the end of the weekend, “all the barriers had been broken down.” They were back to sharing high-fives and having a great time together.

Several men confessed that their wives had told them to attend the event because of the positive experience they had had at Summit Northwest’s Flourish women’s event last May. Flourish, for women, and Forged, for men, are complimentary events designed to meet the needs of somewhat “non-traditional” Christian men and women.

One of the main goals of the Forged event is to encourage guys to make an intentional effort to connect with other men in their local communities. Many men from Summit Northwest men's groups said Forged events have personally benefited them in their church and family relationships, affirming that the leaders are meeting their goal.

The Forged retreat is an annual event each September. For more information on Summit Northwest Ministries and its events, see www.summitnorthwest.org .

Hayden Lake Adventist Church Holds Free Dental Clinic

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 15:56:06 GMT

Over 200 local people were provided with free dental care from volunteer dentists and hygienists.

By Annie Morgan

Hayden Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church

The Hayden Lake Seventh-day Adventist church was filled with excitement in late June as over 200 Kootenai County residents came to receive free dental services, including cleanings, check-ups, fillings and extractions provided by 13 dentists and 5 dental hygienists.

This large scale dental clinic was provided through the generous leadership and equipment offered by Randy Meyers of Caring Hands International, an Adventist ministry dedicated to improving the dental health of those in need by partnering with churches to strengthen communities throughout the western United States and remote countries. Caring Hands works to better lives through access to dental care in rural communities, providing quality services without charge to the patients who receive care.

Those who received dental care at this event expressed deep gratitude. “I’ve waited years to have this work done,” shared one patient. Others shared of their gratitude for the wonderful services provided.

As part of the dental clinic, participants were invited to attend an on-site health expo directed by Pedro Naranjo and highlighting God’s eight laws of health. These eight laws are precepts that help a person achieve optimal health and wellbeing.

Denise Beatty, a local member at Hayden Lake, first brought this wonderful opportunity to the attention of our church and encouraged us to host the event. In God’s providence, doors opened and many volunteers were available at just the time we needed them. We are thankful for these blessings and for Lorraine Gabriel, our local health ministries leader, who guided the project from start to finish. Over 100 volunteers put their heart into this powerful ministry.

“The dental clinic was a first-time event for our church. We ran into obstacles that only God could solve,” said Gabriel. “On the first day we needed somebody that knew how to do digital x-rays and the Lord sent a lady from the community that came and helped us all day. We started out with a budget that grew three times in size but the Lord provided the funds. The dental clinic is a way to reach people’s hearts to know that there is a living God.”

Dr. Scott Johnson, a member of the North Idaho dental community, was among those providing care. “It was pleasure to give back in the form of a free dental clinic,” he shared. “It was gratifying to see all the smiles of appreciation that were expressed throughout the weekend here at the Hayden Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church. It was inspiring to see dentists and hygienists gather together for a weekend of service to others who may be less fortunate.”

David Morgan, pastor of the Hayden Lake Church, shared the impact the event had on the community. “It was amazing to witness how a church congregation came together and ministered to the dental and spiritual needs of over 200 people,” said Morgan.

Not only did patrons receive dental care, but they also received love and genuine care from over 100 volunteers who prayed with them, shared books, and personally encouraged them in simple ways to improve their health.

Photo credit: Lindsay Gruwell, Lindsay Gruwell Photography

Three Evidences from God

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 02:20:29 GMT

A personal account from Prayeradigm Shift of the evidence God showed up!

by Kathy Marson

Perhaps you have heard of the Prayeradigm Shift that was held at Camp MiVoden this past weekend. The main speaker was Pavel Goia. I’m not able to share the weekend training because it was like learning from a fire hydrant. It would take too long to unpack what I have learned about prayer.

If you are interested in learning more about the Prayeradigm Shift, the team that held it have asked those who attended to host it in their churches or prayer groups on February 25-26, 2022.

I believe God led the 180 people from 47 church to attend the weekend event for a reason. God wants his people to be in more prayer for each other. He wants us to ask for His path in our lives. The weekend underscored the importance of prayer in my own prayer life.

To give you a small, tip-of-the iceberg look at the weekend from a personal perspective, I want to share three things – evidence of answered prayer, evidence of God speaking, and evidence that God is leading.

1. It was evident the team prayed for us

The getting away was different. Whenever I leave for an event, there is usually a scurry of activity, stress, and shopping. For Prayeradigm Shift, my Friday was unusually calm. I did not need to shop, I drove away with no stress, I took a nap before I left for MiVoden. This is unheard of. During the weekend I learned that the leaders of the even had been praying for months for every participant. I’m sure their prayers were answered. I don’t know if I’ve ever attended a more positive prayerful event where the leaders spent two years preparing and praying for the event.

2. The Evidence of God Speaking

Each morning there was a prayer walk before breakfast. The prayer was simple but personal. The leaders shared Bible verses. The Lord’s prayer was our prayer the first day. The next day was focused on praying for others as we walked to the soul tree. The soul tree is a fallen down tree as well as a standing tree where campers have nailed their shoes to the tree to signify their desire to follow Jesus. On the way back we walked silently as we prayed for our own revival, our turnabout and repentance. As we turned around and walked back, we were to ask God how and what he wanted to do in our life and what it looks like from His perspective.

Not wanting to put God in a box, I prayed that God would reveal a personal need or change of direction in my life that is not ordinary, not something that would typically be in my thoughts. I prayed that he would reveal something that would help me in my walk with Jesus, considering, I give my life to Christ daily. I did receive a revelation – an interesting picture. If you ask God to reveal something, He will.

It’s a long walk back to camp from the soul tree. All 50 plus people walked quietly, praying. As I prayed for God’s revelation, I saw a potter’s wheel. The potter took a pile of clay and formed a vase-like tall pot with a small but wide spout. It looked like strange pitcher/vase. There was also a little spigot lower on the creation that could be turned like a faucet to let water out. I laughed and wondered if this is what God wants for me or if this is how he sees me. If I’m the clay and He is molding me into this vessel, what does it mean?

He filled me with the sense that both spouts are sharing spouts. This is how he wants to share his life through me. Pouring out love to others or even having a faucet where others can come and get their thirst quenched. was how he filled my mind with a picture of His presence in my life. I’m still unpacking what it means but it was refreshing to have a picture placed in my mind that was from God.

3. The Evidence God is Leading

The fact that you want to learn more about prayer is evidence that God is leading you.

At the end of the weekend, each church group met to talk about how they can bring this weekend back to their church or prayer group. So expect that God will reach out and touch more lives with prayer ministry. I hope you will become a part of it. The fact that you read this article to here is also evidence of God’s leading.

I will share one thing the UCC Prayer Team plans to do. We want to make prayer a larger influence in the office. We plan to make praying for our teachers, pastors, schools and churches more intentional and easy to do. How? We will place all names of teachers and pastors, schools and churches in a box called “Pray For.” Then there will be another box entitled “Prayed For.” As staff go out to walk the trail or drive to an appointment we will encourage them to take some names out of the “Pray For” box; photograph them so they can pray for them; then place the names in the “Prayed For” box. This way we will be able to pray for them much more often.

The main thing is that Prayer is the main thing.

As we pray more intentionally for prayer lists asking God to show up in their lives, we know that God will have more power to work in those lives. We need to remember that God always follows his rules that we all have a choice – to follow him or not. When we pray for others, we essentially unleash God’s power in that person’s life.

“ Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit ” James 5:16-18.

“ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare ^[ ^a ^] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile ” Jeremiah 29:11-14.

Shine 104.9 Raises All-Time High During Annual Sharathon

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 14:49:02 GMT

Radio station raises more than $250k to continue outreach efforts

By Makena Horton

UCC Communications Coordinator

Shine 104.9 (KEEH) raised $258,752 at their annual Fall Sharathon event October 19-21. This is an all-time high for the station, surpassing last year’s record of $251,000. The funding will assist with tower rent, staff paychecks, advertising, electricity and outreach events.

“I can remember my first Sharathon here at KEEH more than 20 years ago,” shares Darin Patzer, general manager for Shine 104.9. “By the end we had raised $77,000. It seems like a lot of money, but when that’s your donation budget for the entire year, well, it made things pretty tight.”

“God has always provided year by year, to the point where today our board is able to vote a few other ministries to share the overflow with, after our own ministry needs are met,” adds Patzer. “Those gifts build bridges of friendship in the community.”

A large part of the funding comes from monthly gift partners continuing to give to the station. One donor, Sarah, shares that she discovered Shine 104.9 during a low point of her life. “I had just moved to this area, didn’t know anyone, hadn’t found a church, and on a drive to church I found Shine. I turned it on and just kept listening to the music that would minister to me. I had shed and released a lot of tears going through a divorce, and the station just ministered to me,” she says.

“During the fund drive someone gave a testimony that they were thinking of committing suicide and they turned on the radio, and it saved them. I thought, the little amount that I can give monthly, if that can save one person, then it’s worth it,” she adds.

Patzer also emphasized how the station can touch the lives of many people. “Sometimes people forget that this is an outreach ministry,” says Patzer. “Yes, the music we play is contemporary and entertaining to listen to, but also it’s encouraging and bringing people hope through the powerful lyrics, which honor God. The music itself is a tool to soften hearts so that we can pour in hope-inspiring programs and teaching directly from God’s Word.”

The station has been providing hope to the communities of Spokane and Coeur d’Alene for almost 30 years, and was recently ranked #1 across all demographics in the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene market,* according to Nielsen, a radio and TV ratings service. Shine 104.9 also hosts events within the community to continue their outreach efforts and bring more people together in faith.

One such event, Be Bold for Jesus, was held the weekend immediately following the Sharathon. The event hosted nearly one thousand attendees and provided a faith-strengthening experience that featured music and presentations by Christian speakers, including former Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow.

Thanks to the generosity of the community, Shine 104. 9 will continue to broadcast Christian-contemporary content and providing listeners with ministry and a sense of God’s love.

To learn more or donate to Shine 104.9, visit shine1049.org .

Walla Walla University Student Pastor Mentoring Program

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 14:48:51 GMT

Theology students from Walla Walla University receive mentorship from UCC pastors

In June 2021, the mentor theology program at Walla Walla University was successfully completed for the school year with 11 participants! Each participating student submitted stories from their year in the program. Read on to hear their experiences.

Matthias Bernard: I was privileged and honored to learn more about how ministry operates behind the scenes for pastors. Being able to work with both Pastor Andreas and Pastor Alareece, I learned about the importance of preaching, meetings, presence and self-care from both pastors. What I saw that was amazing was the fact that God was using both Pastor Alareece and Pastor Andreas in my life to mentor me about the realities of ministry. There are realities that we, as ministers of color, face. Having been mentored by two ministers of color was a witness to God moving throughout this mentorship for me. I saw that the realities of this world we live in are coming into our church, as they should, and it is our responsibility to address these realities and shed the light of Jesus on them through our sermons, our composure, our interactions with people and the way we conduct ourselves in meetings as well.

I learned best while observing how Pastor Andreas and Pastor Alareece conducted themselves. I saw God working in them in the ways we interacted with each other and in the way I shadowed them in multiple meetings with several individuals. I was always included in several conversations even if I did not have much to say. I appreciated every moment I shared with both pastors. In the diverse community we live in, they were the prime examples of inclusivity in everything we did together. As I reflect on this year with both pastors, I recognize the knowledge that I have been given. I have been given this responsibility so that I may practice and apply it to my ministry now and in the future.

Aurora Gault: “Learning to be a pastor during a time of COVID can’t be an easy feat!” This was something I would hear often, but let’s be honest, when is learning to be a pastor an easy feat? Sure, adding in an extra complexity of online church service, the inability to do hospital visits, and the struggle over masks and distancing presented its own challenges, yet before I even started getting to know the Milton and Blue Mountain Valley Adventist churches, God had a plan. It was almost as if everyone had evacuated after some sort of natural disaster, the way everyone dropped everything to shelter in place in the spring of 2020. So, when I arrived in the fall, our work was cut out for us. COVID had changed the world and certainly changed the church, putting me at somewhat of an advantage coming in with an outside perspective.

Little by little, Milton started to re-open, restart, and rekindle the fire and passion in the members’ hearts. It thrilled me to see so much joy coming back together to worship once again. Worship lost any blandness it may have had and now proved to be a privilege we could enjoy when our community was healthy. Despite the steady growth of the Milton church back to what it had been before the first strike of the COVID-19 virus, Blue Mountain Valley Church remained closed, empty and dark. Standing in the church one Sunday morning as we did some repairs on the wind-whipped roof, you could almost hear the walls aching to hold the congregation that had once met there so joyfully. I wondered how the members were feeding themselves spiritually while not being able to attend church. How could we feed them? How can we get them back here?

The answer came in March, on a sunny (but still windy) Sabbath morning, as Blue Mountain Valley opened its doors and, for the first time in a year, filled with people. The joy filled the sanctuary instantly and a soft, happy hum of conversation and connection floated around the room. People longed for connection; it was painfully obvious and we knew we were better together.

“It is not good for man to be alone,” God noted during his masterful creation week (Gen. 2:18 NIV). We recognize the reference of this verse is God making woman for man, but it is not good for any person to be alone. It is not good for communities to be disconnected. This may not be an exciting conversion story or an on-fire youth group or a glorious baptism, but it is the re-opening of church doors, it is a return to connection and communion with one another and it is togetherness in the worship of our loving God.

Levanny Laureano: Uncertainty is probably the word that best describes what was going on inside me at the first meeting of the Pastoral Mentoring Program. It was clear that I was unaware of what and where God wanted me to be. I remember meeting pastor Jaime Flores. From the start, I knew I had gained a friend — but actually, I have gained much more than a friend. I gained a mentor and father and I am thankful for that.

I had the opportunity to pay many visitations to members of all the three churches, and in doing so, believed that I was ministering to them. But I was mistaken. Not only did I have the privilege of ministering to many, but in doing so, I too was ministered to. The motivation to visit is not always present, however, one cannot help but notice that the Holy Spirit has watered the soul at the end of a visit. I laughed, cried, rejoiced and mourned with many members who are now family to my wife and me.

For the first time in my ministry, God has bestowed on me. I presented a Week of Prayer. I learned that it requires a lot of discipline, devoutness, help, rest and God. I was touched by those who declared that God spoke to them through the sermon given that day. I knew God was leading the way. I did not know that an ex-Adventist member came back to church because of the sermon. I give glory to God.

As I previously mentioned, I was able to mourn at the tomb of a loved one of a church member a couple of times. I learned so much from these experiences and I was blessed to be part of them.

We had a Youth Week of Prayer at College Place Spanish where all three churches are involved. We were blessed and continue to be blessed by many of the speakers, who happen to be students of Theology at WWU. We are getting great feedback and can feel God’s presence.

It was more than an internship. I now have family within the members of all three churches. They are my family in Christ, and we (my wife and I) get to have them in our lives from now to eternity. I learned that the essence of ministry is serving, just as Christ did when He walked this earth.

Raven Leonardini: This year has looked different for obvious reasons, but I feel very blessed to have gotten to be a part of so many ministries at the University Church. I have had the opportunity to see the administrative side of the church through board, financial, safety daily operations and facility meetings. Through this, I have been able to gain a greater understanding of how a church functions behind the scenes and what a huge overlooked ministry this is!

I have also had the privilege to be up front this year; preaching, presiding, greeting and floor managing. The task of preaching and presiding is not an easy job, but a privileged one. Recently, I preached about one of the toughest moments in my life and how I was challenged with the issue of theodicy. After the service, many people told me they enjoyed my sermon, but what moved me most was the girl who told me how blessed she was because she had been struggling with understanding how God can be here in the present. My sermon helped her realize that God is with her in the day to day, not just the times of the Old Testament. Not only did I learn to enjoy the task of preaching while working with Pastor Alareece, but she taught me about a wide range of things like church safety, outreach, finances and pastoral care. Getting to use my skills and the knowledge she instilled in me to minister and grow our church members has been so rewarding.

This year the university did a lot of outreach, as we always do, but given the tough year we have had, we have had to be more intentional about reaching out to people. I lead out in a couple of outreach projects, bread deliveries, podcasts and visitations. One of my favorite things I got to do was lead out in a gift bag project. A group of us interns went out and delivered the bags to the faculty around campus. Hearing the feedback of what a blessing that was to people was so beautiful. I also got to work with the youth and do Bible studies with a group of seventh and eighth graders for four weeks. I was really nervous about it; I was not nervous to talk about God, but I was nervous about the age group.

Building relationships with these students was challenging, but being open and honest with them made the group open up quickly. We had so many meaningful conversations and it was so much fun getting to talk about how they live out Jesus’ life in their day to day.

In all, I have been extremely blessed to be a part of so many lives at the Walla Walla University Church. Through children’s outreach, member care and administrative ministries, I have seen God work through me and, even more, through the people around me.

Rachelle Martling: This year I was able to see God work through my ministry with the youth at Eastgate Church in Walla Walla. Before COVID-19, the church hosted a weekly in-person youth nIght. When I started work, one of the first things I did was start up the weekly youth night program over ZOOM video conferencing. Some weeks there was a lot of attendance and other weeks no one showed up. However, we remained committed to continuing the program. Towards the end of my time leading the online youth night, I was able to see those who participated grow spiritually and become better leaders for the younger kids. Now, the youth night is back in-person and I’m thankful I was able to make a difference during those lonely months when we couldn’t be together.

Ryan McMurphy: I have found this experience to be one of incredible growth. When I first learned that I would be working in children’s ministries with Jeremy Foss, I was a little shocked. It’s not a position that I had entertained before and was nervous taking on something I felt like I had little experience with. On top of that, was the fact that the internship was during the early throws of COVID, church wouldn’t resemble what we were all familiar with. There would be masks, six feet of separation and ZOOM meetings.

As it turns out, I actually ended up learning by doing — and I had fun doing it. I developed and presented Sabbath School lessons over ZOOM for the youth class which re-energizing my photoshop and graphic design muscles. I got to spend time with age groups from grade school to high school and learned the different approaches that worked with the various age groups. I was part of putting on events outside of church, such as the Noah’s Ark activity and the Easter Walk at Bennington Lake. From event planning to working with small children, I’ve received a lot of exposure during this internship.

The effect on the children and youth has been positive. I have been able to develop a meaningful relationship with many of the kids, which had previously been impersonal ZOOM calls. While I have had the chance to give plenty of lessons and be involved with the kids, I have been the person that has learned the most. They have equipped me with experiences that will help me have a positive impact on any future youth I may work with. I could not be more thankful. After assisting with getting the children’s ministry ball rolling with Jeremy, I can trust that their spiritual walk will be in good hands even after I’m gone.

Andrew Moeller: Honestly COVID-19 hampered many things this year and in the end I don’t feel like I got all that I could out of the program. There were no baptisms, or recommitments, or a victory over a bad habit, or Sabbath work or a youth who has grown spiritually — at least not that I’ve talked to. I guess, as much as I hate to say it, I’ve seen God more at work in my own life than in those around me. There were certain times when I felt that I needed to go for a walk to clear my mind. I'd leave my room and head out of Sittner Hall on my usual route.

Throughout the entirety of the walk I would talk to God out loud. One night, as I was walking, I heard coyotes in the distance. But I kept going. As I was walking past Martin Field I had this feeling that I need not turn back, but continue forward. Every time I tried to turn around and walk back this strong feeling came over me that I just needed to keep going. It was just too strong to fight, but finally I decided that I’ll fight the feeling and head back because it was getting late. So, I turned around and headed back. As I got to the entrance of Martin Field and I heard the coyotes in the woods to the side of me. Had I gotten there any sooner, I would have encountered the coyotes and potentially have had a bad outcome. I truly believe that God was the strong feeling telling me to continue forward. This event is one in many when I know God intervened in my life and it helped further strengthen my faith in Him.

Angelo Simorangkir: Throughout the 2020–2021 school year, there were many different opportunities to do God’s work. Through the internship at Milton, however, there was much done in these unprecedented times. Although the beginning of the year went by slowly due to the constraints from COVID, we were able to bring people back into the church building. By staying consistent and reliable to the church family, Milton and Blue Mountain churches were able to keep the buy-in from the communities through the season. Eventually, we made the transition from worshiping completely online to in-person/online worship services. At Milton, we were able to put events made for the youth and weekly prayer meetings back into action with around 15–25 people per meeting.

We also were able to bring in students from Walla Walla University to present services for Milton Church and continue in the soul-winning efforts in our valley. While having the privilege of being mentored by Pastor Lloyd and Pastor Nancy, I was able to see what it means to be present with a congregation while having a strong devotional and personal life with God. I was able to sit on board meetings, give devotionals for numerous different events happening within our community, visit the congregation members and help them in their homes, go on hospital visits and so much more. Through Lloyd, I learned what makes a charismatic sermon flow, how to treat those who look to you for leadership and, even more, how to be a good husband. With Nancy, I saw how a sermon can build off of the congregation and level with them in a way that's almost conversational. I saw how she remembered things from her conversations with members and brought up those conversations later and helped them feel heard and validated. Although what I learned from each can be found in either of them, it was through having both of them that I truly grew in my relationship and my ability to be a leader within a church.

Lydia Tupper: In looking back over my Pastor Mentorship program plan for the year, I became a bit discouraged as I thought back over all the plans I had made, and the way that COVID had impacted them and taken away from me those experiences I had been so excited to have. And yet, even as I was thinking this, I began to realize all the work I had done, the unexpected projects, the lessons I learned, the flexibility I gained from facing changing guidelines and world circumstances every Sabbath. I realized that even though this program did not unfold as I expected in a COVID world, I have still gained unique experiences, built relationships with some truly incredible people and am now looking forward to continuing into the summer full time.

I enjoyed this internship for many reasons, but one of the most significant is the fact that between my two churches, I was afforded experience in many different facets of ministry. Things like youth leadership, community outreach, preaching, project organization, visitation and more. One project I helped get off the ground was particularly interesting to me. I worked with members of the good neighbor church to bake fresh bread and put a tag on it with our contact information that stated who we were and that we wanted to connect and support the recipient in any way we could in these troubling times. I then distributed it to the neighborhood surrounding the church. We had the distributors take notes on the responses of each recipient, and then compiled the information into a Google sheet so we could keep track of which of our neighbors would be open to more interaction and ministry in the future.

My favorite part of this project was the distribution process. I loved handing a warm loaf of bread to people who looked like they may be having a rough day and seeing their faces light up in the face of an act of genuine kindness, then making a note to come back and visit again. We received many positive responses and thank-you’s and even a note in our mailbox soon after from someone who told us it was exactly what they needed that day. It is hard to know how far the effects of this ministry will go as it depends on the response of the recipients, but I can say for certain that we planted a seed by demonstrating to our community that being a Christian means exemplifying the Christly value of kindness and caring for others. The church has continued to carry out this project on a semi-regular basis as COVID restrictions have allowed. I hope to get back out there soon!

Madison Turner: My time in the pastoral mentorship program was good. I really liked working with Jaci and Bev because they both live really interesting lives. I love learning from them as they have a lot of things to teach that I am interested in. It was nice growing my relationships with them and to learn more about spirituality.

I would say about 65–75% of my work was online so it was kind of hard to connect with people in the church. It's already a big church, too. But I appreciated the precaution that this church has taken to keep its members safe. I have not felt pushed to be in situations that may lead to more spread of the virus. The pastoral team offers a very healthy environment to work within.

Because of COVID-19, I did not get to work with as many people as I would have liked, but that’s just how it has to be right now. I also am not planning to become a pastor and I think this internship helped highlight that for me. The parts I liked was when I could connect with people, like my mentors, or in Bible study or helping with Junior Sabbath School. I appreciated pastors, but I don’t want to be a pastor for an extended amount of time. And that’s okay. I learned new skills like preaching. But even though it is not my favorite, I am still better at it now. I also liked working with women, since they understood the experiences I have had in my life and were very helpful in learning from moments of sexism.

Since working with people is mostly when I see God’s work and because there were not many opportunities for it, I didn’t have a lot of "come-to-Jesus" moments. But I did experience God on a regular basis when I was having a Bible study with a woman in the church. We talked a lot about the character of God and the Bible. It was nice to be reminded of those things while also applying them to our lives.

Benjamin Watson: One of the favorite experiences I had this year was helping with the Change the Day program. The whole idea of the program is to do kind, little things or things that are out of the ordinary for people. The intention is to burst the bubble of normalcy just enough to change a person's day for the better. Working with each group was a treat, as each one had different ideas for acts of kindness. Sometimes, when in a drive-thru line, they would pay for the people behind us while others gave out encouragement cards and flowers to random people in town.

I think my favorite aspect of the whole experience was that it was a very anonymous series of good deeds. We’d often try to speed away from the drive-thrus or make sure that people knew it was a free gift with no strings attached. That’s something I’ve really learned through my mentorship with Troy this year. It’s not about us. That sounds so obvious to say, but the idea that we need to make everyone feel valued and respected in our ministry is difficult in practice if you’re not careful. I aim now to do small or big things to help people and to find ways to make sure there’s an equitable playing field to ensure no one feels less than and everyone feels valued as a child of God in the Kingdom.

This story originally appeared in in the Northwest Adventists newsletter. For the original article, see https://nwadventists.com/news/2021/09/walla-walla-university-student-pastor-mentoring-program .

Pathfinder Camporee Reminds Kids That They “Belong”

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 17:08:40 GMT

Pathfinder Camporee a success, despite weather.

By Makena Horton

UCC Communications Coordinator

The Upper Columbia Conference held a Pathfinder Camporee at Camp MiVoden in September. The event hosted 11 Pathfinder clubs, totaling 207 people in attendance. The event was also streamed online, and five clubs participated from home.

The speaker for the weekend was Rob Lang, Pathfinder director for the North Pacific Union Conference. Lang shared multiple messages reflecting the theme of the weekend, Belong, which is all about recognizing that you have a place. Lang emphasized to the Pathfinders that they do belong, and they are chosen by Christ.

“When Pathfinder clubs gather like this it reminds us that we are not alone, we are part of something bigger,” says Brower. “Conference events give kids something bigger to look forward to throughout the club year.”

Many of the Pathfinders that attended the camporee expressed their intention in furthering their relationship with Christ. “The part I’m most excited about is that 32 Pathfinders made decisions to prepare for or to be baptized,” states Brower. Additionally, 45 expressed that they want to learn more about Jesus, and 71 shared that they are baptized and want Jesus to know they are His. “That is something to celebrate. That is the reason we do what we do,” Brower adds.

The weekend included multiple activities for the Pathfinders to take part in, including pitching tents, worship, packing disaster kits, hiking, a scavenger hunt, and multiple group activities Sabbath afternoon.

While the weather was dreary and rain poured on the tarps they used for shelter, the Pathfinders maintained a good attitude. “Rain brings out the best in Pathfinders. The spirits of the kids and staff were fantastic,” shares Richie Brower, UCC Pathfinder director. “We had to adjust some of our programs due to the rain, but our volunteers pivoted and made it a great experience for the kids.”

To learn more about Pathfinders in the Upper Columbia Conference and how you can be a part of a local club, see www.uccsda.org/club-ministries .

Destined for Joy: Women’s and Young Women’s Virtual Retreat

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 17:12:00 GMT

Join us on Sabbath, October 23, 2021.

The theme, “Destined for Joy,” will be highlighted by Carla Gober Park, the keynote speaker for the retreat. Music will be provided by Natasha Nesteruk, and Shari Ferrier will also share her encouraging story, “Moments in Time.”

See the schedule at www.uccsda.org/womensretreat .

Why I Believe in a Creator

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 17:57:26 GMT

Natashia McVay, Moscow and Pullman Church associate pastor, shares her belief in a creator.

By Natashia McVay

Moscow and Pullman Church associate pastor

Preface: Let me set the stage for this article by sharing my worldview. I believe in a literal 7-day creation, made, designed and executed by the God of Scripture. I take the Bible literally, and that begins with the book of Genesis. My viewpoint guides my theology as it looks at the concept of creation.

In my own study and research, I increasingly feel more convicted that the creation described in Genesis must be literal. Scripture portrays a loving and involved God. Throughout the entire Bible, I read about a Creator God who loves His creations more than anything else in all the universe.

What I don't find is a God that made things then left them to evolve on their own. This idea of a watchmaker god involves the idea of death and decay to finalize or fully accomplish creation. There doesn't seem to be any scriptural evidence that our Creator God works this way.

Death is always seen as the enemy, not a tool that God uses for any purpose. Take a look at these verses. John 3:16 points to Jesus conquering death so we don’t have to face eternal death. Revelation 21:4 says that after the final judgment there will be no more death, sadness or pain.

The more I study Scripture the more I am convinced that a loving Creator wouldn't use death to accomplish His work. Rather as a God of Love, a God whose whole character is one of love, peace and joy; He would never use something as awful as death to accomplish His work.

If God uses death or evolution to help accomplish His works of creation why would He reiterate over and over that He has conquered death, that death is the enemy and that death will be no more after sin is gone? If death was part of His work, He would celebrate it, not talk of conquering it or destroying it.

The God presented in Genesis is a creator that was hands on, who cared about the details and was involved in the origin of all things. Genesis 1:1 and 2:7 proclaim, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth … Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.”

God Himself created the world and everything in it, including us. He bent down and formed us from dirt, intricately forming all the parts of our bodies. I love this image of God. He cares so much about us that He took the time and energy to physically create us and make us perfectly.

I feel strongly that when we get rid of God as our Creator, we lose much more than just the concept of a literal creation or a creator God. We lose the fundamental beliefs that make up the Seventh-day Adventist church and, in my view, the teachings of Scripture.

Creation is where God set up the tenants that are to give us hope, rest, joy and peace. It wasn’t by accident that God made the family, Sabbath and human relationships before sin entered the world. These are things we can look forward to in the earth made new, post sin.

Without a literal creation, we can easily get rid of the family as God intended; man and woman who then have children. We can get rid of the kindness and love we should show towards other humans by valuing human life. We can get rid of Sabbath, because without a literal seven-day creation, Sabbath can be pretty much any day.

I believe the Godhead, God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, created humanity and the universe — not because they have a power complex, but because they so desired to have creatures that could abide with them and be in a relationship with them. God created everything out of love. I'm grateful to serve a God that loves me that much.

This article originally appeared on the NW Adventists Website and can be viewed here:

https://nwadventists.com/news/2021/09/why-i-believe-creator

Pastries and Produce

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 17:45:01 GMT

The Farm Stand at UCA, filled with baked goods and farm fresh produce, opens to the public.

By Makena Horton

UCC Communications Coordinator

At the start of the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020, Sheila Allison, former food services director, had the idea to operate a temporary bakery at Upper Columbia Academy to provide income for the hourly staff members that were impacted by the shutdown.

The bakery’s success grew over the coming months with the support of the staff and parents, and so the temporary bakery soon became a permanent bakery. The UCA Artisan Bakery has joined with The Farm at UCA to provide products for The Farm Stand, which has become an essential part of the campus.

“I believe one of the most rewarding parts of starting up the bakery here at UCA is our interaction with the community,” shares Sheila Allison, bakery director. “As our neighbors have driven by over the past months, they have seen The Farm Stand take shape and the greenhouse overflowing with produce and have expressed excitement and anticipation of its opening in August.”

The bakery provides a wide variety of baked goods for The Farm Stand, from muffins, scones, and cookies to baguettes, bagels and sourdough bread. The farm also provides seasonal produce, which include peppers, carrots, tomatoes and pumpkins. The Farm Stand at UCA had a soft opening on August 16, but has been selling produce all summer at local farmers markets and to the staff.

All the bakery goods are currently made in the UCA cafeteria, so the number of products they can put out each week are limited. They are working toward funding a renovation of the former UCA cafeteria building so they can operate the bakery out of that facility. Once that renovation is complete, they will be able to offer more options, as well as provide advanced online ordering and cater to special orders.

Jami Fleck, bakery coordinator, and Katelyn Johnson, baker, work with Allison to fill The Farm Stand with fresh baked goods. Once the new bakery facility is open, students will be able to participate in the baking as well. Currently, the students assist at The Farm Stand with selling products, as well as lend a hand at the weekly local market. Students also assist Johnny Kershner, farm manager, with harvesting the vegetables from the fields and the greenhouse.

“Our presence at the local farmers market and the opening of the farm stand on campus has been such a wonderful outreach,” says Kershner. “The students’ involvement with the stand and interaction with the community has really been a cool thing to witness.”

The Farm Stand is currently open to the public Monday-Wednesday from 1-5 p.m. and provides additional hours for UCA students to come by during their free class periods. The Farm Stand follows the UCA school calendar and is closed during school holidays, vacations and home leaves. Once they expand the bakery, they plan to increase the hours and be open every day of the week.

For daily updates on what is available, follow them on Instagram @UCAfarmandartisanbakery.

Pathfinders Restore Hope in Malden

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 22:47:35 GMT

Pathfinders raised a new flag over Malden on the anniversary of the Pine Creek fire.

By Makena Horton

UCC Communications Coordinator

When Malden was hit by the Pine Creek fire in September 2020, only 20 of the 120 structures in the town were standing when the smoke cleared. One year after the devastating event, Malden is rebuilding and recuperating with the assistance of Pathfinders from across Upper Columbia Conference.

The American flag stood tall throughout the fire in Malden and has served as a beacon of hope to town members. During the anniversary event for the fire, Pathfinders were present to take down the flag. The Pathfinders also donated a display case for the flag, which is currently on display in the temporary town hall. The flag will be on display in the town’s firehouse upon completion.

Several media outlets covered the event, including Thurston Talk . The Pathfinders were also shown raising a new flag on the cover of The Spokesman-Review on September 7 and September 9, 2021. Footage of the flag raising can be watched at khq.com .

Milton Seventh-day Adventist Church “Unites 4 Kids”

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 17:49:27 GMT

On August 21, 2021, Milton Seventh-day Adventist Church paused for one day to focus on praying for kids across the Upper Columbia Conference.

By Makena Horton

UCC Communications Coordinator

The day was part of Unite 4 Kids, an event organized by UCC that encourages conference members to come together with their church for a special day of prayer and fasting for the children, teachers and volunteers in the local schools, clubs and Sabbath school programs as they prepare for another school year.

“I think one of the values of a prayer initiative like this, is that it made all of the participants a part of the youth ministry team,” says Richie Brower, associate director of UCC club, youth, and young adult ministries. “It’s also an opportunity for church members to let teachers and volunteers know that we appreciate what they do, and we support them.”

Milton Seventh-day Adventist Church held a special back-to-school church service aligned with the mission of Unite 4 Kids and invited local teachers and staff to attend the service. The service expanded beyond the schools and focused on kids and their families.

While the service was also streamed online, there was high in-person attendance. “We all agreed that this was the fullest in-person service we have had since the beginning of the pandemic,” says associate Pastor Nancy Canwell.

Many children were involved in the service, including a second-grade girl who assisted Canwell with introducing teachers, staff and board members from the local school. “I involved kids of all ages to take over parts of the service. Many proud parents showed up with their kids,” shares Canwell.

Pastor Lloyd Perrin had a prayer of dedication for the teachers and staff and prayed for God’s guidance in the new school year. “Our principal told me after church that introducing and praying for the teachers and staff made them feel loved and supported,” adds Canwell.

The children also felt the encouragement from the church and enjoyed being a part of the service. “I think that the kids also felt support, a lot of love and appreciation,” says Canwell. “When they're the focus of a church service like this—and active participants—the church feels like it’s their church. They all really enjoyed taking part and did an amazing job!”

“Our kids are in the enemy’s cross hairs, and we need to direct focused prayer toward Heaven on their behalf,” says Brower. “Now, more than ever, they need the community and support that we offer in Sabbath School, clubs, and the classroom.”

The Presidential Search Continues

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 23:26:43 GMT

As a busy summer comes to a close, we wanted to take this moment to update you regarding the search for a new president for our conference.

By UCC Administration

As a busy summer comes to a close, we wanted to take this moment to update you regarding the search for a new president for our conference.

Following the announcement from Minner Labrador Jr. that he had accepted a call to North American Division, the North Pacific Union leadership developed a survey that was sent out to Upper Columbia Conference members in late July.

The Union received several hundred responses to the survey from our members in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Thank you for taking the time to submit your opinions about the future president and the future of this conference. From this survey, two things happened, a profile of what kind of person would be a good fit for our conference was developed, and about two hundred names were submitted for consideration by the presidential search committee.

The committee has continued its work narrowing down the many nominations, checking references, and prayerfully considering next steps.

The process is long and can often seem cumbersome, however, the most important point of the process is that the right person be selected to guide our conference. Following God’s direction is critical.

We continue to pray for this process and those who are involved in it for God’s will to be done. It is our hope and prayer that God will continue to bless this conference and its work through our churches, schools, and members. Our communities have never needed to hear the loving Word of God more than now. Please continue to pray that God will direct the committee to the right person to lead our conference.

This article is part of the Administration Report. The full report, including actions from the September 23, 2021 Executive Committee can be viewed here .

Prayer Increases Faith

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 17:33:15 GMT

Lord increase thou my faith and help thou, my unbelief.

Luke 17:5

by Cheryl Wallace

As a child growing up I learned the Lord’s prayer and each night I prayed The Christian Child’s Prayer, ”Now I lay be down to sleep…. ." Long prayers to God speaking to him as a friend to another friend was not something I was taught.

As a mother, I looked for ways to strengthen the faith of my boys. I leaned very early to ask the LORD to increase the faith of my sons since I believed strongly as boys one day to be men, they would need a strong faith in the LORD. So, during times of trials, I begged that he strengthen their faith. I encourage all mothers to do the same.

We moved to Spokane after living in Tennessee for six years. At this time, I had three boys ages 5, 3, and 1. Frequently we traveled from Icebox Canyon to Spokane to shop, visit friends, attend church, and travel to school. Several times we met strangers who we believe to be angels.

We knew no one in Spokane. After shopping we returned to the car only to find out that the keys were plainly seen in the ignition. In our desperation I explained to the boys that we needed to pray and ask GOD to send us help. I'd like to believe that we did this immediately but no, we prayed after we had tried every door and the trunk of the car. Then we gathered together on our knees and asked the LORD to help. After the last prayer, I begged in my heart LORD please increase the faith of my sons.

The next instant, a man in a black suit with a white shirt spoke to us. We were surprised since he was standing next to our car and when we bowed our heads to pray, there wasn’t a soul in the parking lot.

When he spoke, he asked if he could help? I remember explaining in my amazement to see him what had transpired.

He asked, "do you mind if I try?"

I said, "yes."

He shook the back door on the passenger’s side. The door flew open.

I thanked him profusely the boys were happily saying thank you. As we climbed into the car, Joshua or Steve asked me, “Where did the man go, Mommy?”

I was really surprised because the man was nowhere to be seen. Then we babbled over how God had sent us an angel and we were happy.

You’re Invited: Prayeradigm Shift

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 00:13:32 GMT

Upper Columbia Conference sponsors prayer retreat at Camp MiVoden

By Makena Horton

UCC Communications Coordinator

Join fellow Upper Columbia Conference members at Camp MiVoden from October 29-31 for Prayeradigm Shift, a weekend prayer retreat sponsored by Prayer Ministries at the North American Division.

The retreat speaker is Pavel Goia, associate ministerial director for the General Conference Ministerial Association. He will share messages focused on powerful and practical biblical principals on prayer, including unpacking God’s desire to align our prayeradigm with His prayeradigm.

Scholarships for the retreat are available and childcare is provided. For more information or to register, visit prayeradigmshift.org .

Eager to Serve

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 18:56:49 GMT

Abby Alcantara, junior at Walla Walla University, recounts her faith journey

By Jay Wintermeyer

North Pacific Union assistant to the president for communication and Gleaner editor

You've probably been there, looking around a room full of people who all seem to know each other. They're laughing and chattering, while you stand awkwardly to the side wondering how to fit in. The host walks by with a tray of snacks, and you immediately offer to take over so you finally have something useful to do. "No, no, I've got it," your host replies. Bereft of any way to connect or contribute, you step back into the shadows and wonder why you ever came in the first place. You just want to leave.

Young adults often find themselves in a similar situation at church. American writer and businessman Alvin Toffler penned these words:

“The secret message communicated to most young people today by the society around them is that they are not needed, that the society will run itself quite nicely until they — at some distant point in the future — will take over the reins. Yet the fact is that the society is not running itself nicely ... because the rest of us need all the energy, brains, imagination, and talent that young people can bring to bear down on our difficulties. For society to attempt to solve its desperate problems without the full participation of even very young people is imbecile.”

Toffler is known for his works discussing modern technologies, including the digital revolution and the communication revolution. His incisive commentary about our youth is more important in 2021 than ever before. Young people are an indispensable lifeline for society and for our church.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is here today because a group of young people, including James and Ellen White, formed a core part of the leadership in the early days when it was formally organized in May 1863. Their energy and talents helped build up a foundation for the fledgling church.

Ellen White experienced firsthand the power of youth. In later years she would write about their importance in the book Education: “With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Savior might be carried to the whole world!” (p. 271).

More than 150 years later, the Adventist Church is facing a twofold crisis. Young people are leaving the church at the same time the Adventist Church is facing the retirement of more than half its current leadership.

More than ever before the Adventist Church needs young people. What will the next decade look like? Who is going to take the torch and lead this faith community while we wait for Christ’s promised return?

Abby Alcantara, a junior religion major at Walla Walla University, knows she’s here for a reason. Listening to Abby recount her faith journey, it’s clear to see God’s divine hand at work. Considering all that’s happened in her life, she could have easily ended up in a very different place.

“I shouldn’t be here today,” says Abby. “I know God has brought me to where I am right now.”

Abby is a fourth-generation Adventist. “I’ve always believed what my parents believed,” she says. “What they believed was very foundational for me. It was a good structure for me as a kid growing up. I went to church and sang the songs and read all the stories.”

When Abby’s parents went through a divorce, life took a dark turn. The Sabbath School stories and songs didn’t feel the same. She doesn’t talk much about that time in her life, but one thing is clear: She wishes things had gone differently. She wishes her church would have done things differently.

When she started high school, Abby began to discover some important things about herself and God. She realized God was way more than what her parents had told her. He was a personal God. “My Bible teacher helped us cultivate our spiritual gifts,” says Abby. “He helped us understand that each one of us is unique and different and showed us how God can use those differences in special ways.”

When Abby graduated from high school, she decided to attend a local community college in her hometown in Medford, Oregon. “When I started college,” Abby says, “I fell backward and was out of touch spiritually. I went to church on Saturday, but there wasn’t a connection. The only time I felt a spiritual high was during the summer when I would go to Camp MiVoden for work.”

When Abby talks about camp, her eyes light up. Camp MiVoden showed her again how God is more than someone you read about in a book. He is someone that can and is working in people’s lives. Being able to witness that through camp ministry for the past four years has been a huge boost for Abby’s spiritual journey.

“I’ve noticed a huge spiritual turn these past four years,” says Abby. “But during the past two years I’ve realized where my own faith foundation was with God.”

While Abby grew up in the Adventist Church, she didn’t exactly know why she was a member. “Honestly, I’m still figuring it out," she says now. "I claim Adventism because it is the closest to what I see as Bible truth.”

Over the past four years, Abby’s camp experience has challenged her to find a life calling where she can use what she went through growing up to help others. Her search prompted her to keep reading her Bible and to dig deeper into it.

“One of the ways God showed up for me recently was how he brought me to Walla Walla University,” says Abby. “It was going to be my last summer at camp and I had plans in place to move on to other things. One day at the camp director, Jeff Wines, came up to me and asked me if I wanted to work for him as an intern. I was so excited because I had always wanted to work for him. Working as an intern at Upper Columbia Conference I was able to keep a job when many of my classmates weren’t able to keep a job because of the pandemic.”

The job at the conference was a growing experience for Abby. In addition, the finances from the internship allowed her to enroll for religion studies at Walla Walla University.

Over the past two years Abby has grown in her faith journey with God and her church. “Church isn’t just a building,” she says. “… It’s people. When we have a building, we have a hierarchy that comes into play. When we hear the word 'church,' we think of a steeple and bells. For me, church should be a safe place to grow and be open with each other.”

Abby describes her view of church as a place without entrance fees or requirements for people to feel welcome. “I’d love to have a place where you don’t have to put on a mask to appear perfect. I long for a place to be open and real with each other,” she says.

Abby wants to make a difference and serve. When asked about how she and her peers feel about working for God, she says, “I would like to see us be able to lead without fear. We want to help. We want to take action, but we often have to second guess what we’re doing. Are our leaders going to despise us for this? There are leaders who are supportive, but you have to look for them. When we don’t have that support, we get nervous and fearful of getting involved.”

While the Adventist Church is struggling to keep young people engaged, there are those like Abby. Young eyes see a church they are passionate about, love their faith community and want to make a difference. It’s up to us to encourage them and let them lead. It’s time for the young and old, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to build vibrant, active, and safe place for all whom God sends our way.

This story was adapted from an article that appeared in the March/April 2021 issue of the Gleaner. For the full article, see nwadventists.com/feature/adventism-2021 .

Shine 104.9 Named Top Radio Station in Spokane Market

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 20:20:34 GMT

The station received a #1 ranking across all demographics from Nielsen ratings service for Spring 2021.

By Makena Horton

UCC Communications Coordinator

For almost 30 years, Shine 104.9 (KEEH-FM) has been providing hope to the communities of Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. The Christian contemporary station was recently ranked #1 across all demographics in the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene market,* according to Nielsen, a radio and TV ratings service.

“People today are really discouraged in this world, and thus they are looking for the hope and encouragement which Christian radio offers, and we package that with fun, relevant music,” says Darin Patzer, general manager for Shine 104.9.

Nielsen distributes surveys nationwide and reports the results to the media industry. According to Nielsen, KEEH listeners average eight and a half hours of tune-in time weekly. This, combined with the audience size, earned the station a 7.6% share, which tops the market’s roughly 50 stations.

Serving its local community has been a priority for the station. Including broadcasts and messages from local pastors to hosting live music performances and conferences, Shine 104.9 works hard to serve the local community.

“Being a local station brings added relevance to this community, because listeners know we’re right here living with them,” adds Patzer.

Patzer and his team fully understand how important it is to have a radio ministry as part of a local conference. KEEH is able to reach areas of its community that are often difficult for a local church ministry to enter. The station currently has 23 active Discover Bible School students.

“I messaged one of my students today who completed 5 lessons the past few days,” says Rachel Sumagpang, a KEEH staff member. “She asked, ‘I was taught Sunday was the Sabbath. Do I have to change to Saturday to honor God?’ I prayed before I responded to her but please pray that the Holy Spirit guides her to make the decision to worship on Sabbath for herself.”

Sumagpang, Patzer, and the rest of the team know from experience that these kinds of tough questions can help ignite a real relationship and bring these listeners closer to Christ. KEEH is truly able to touch people that consider this ministry their church.

KEEH broadcasts from its studio at Upper Columbia Conference headquarters. The station has a translator covering North Idaho at 94.9, but can also be listened to worldwide through their app. Shine 104.9 also has a second channel featuring LifeTalk radio programming, heard on their HD2 channel in Spokane. The Shine 104.9 – KEEH app is available for iPhone and Android and can be downloaded from www.shine1049.org .

Discovery Junction Offers Free Morning Programs to Local Children

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 17:50:49 GMT

During the month of July, Discovery Junction offered free week-long morning programs for kids ages 8-13 in the surrounding community.

By Makena Horton

UCC Communications Coordinator

“This summer we did a week of Lego robotics, a week of cooking, and a week of art,” says Gayle Haeger, urban ministries coordinator at the Upper Columbia Conference. “We added another Lego robotics class in the afternoon during the last week.”

Former librarian Chris Koppel has been leading the Lego robotics program for many years, and the Spokane Public Library lends the kits to Discovery Junction for their Lego robotics program.

“I think technology is a real draw for many children. They make some really fun robots,” shares Haeger. “They are specific projects with plans provided with the software and pieces in the kits. One is called ‘Reptar’ and is a snake-like robot with ability to move in all directions and a heat sensor that makes it strike at a warm object, like your leg. Another is called ‘Tracker,’ and it can throw marbles.”

The summer programs vary in subject matter each year and have previously included courses in microscope studies and biology. Discovery Junction has been holding these summer sessions since 2016, but due to last year’s COVID-19 precautions, they were unable to offer them. While the restrictions were in place, they continued their community outreach in other forms.

“Last winter during the COVID shutdown, we asked the school if there was anything we could do to help,” says Haeger. “They asked us if we could provide a safe place with wireless internet to help neighborhood children who were having difficulty staying on task at home. We served eight children over several months. The teachers and administrators expressed deep gratitude for that service.”

During the academic year, Discovery Junction worked with a nearby public elementary school to provide an after-school program twice a week an emphasis on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics.) Discovery Junction then began providing summer programs for neighborhood children with various focus areas.

The summer programs had a slow start in their early years, but now are flourishing and are full each week.

“When we began six years ago, the classes were very small,” says Haeger. “This year they were full. Our limit is 12 because our space is not large.”

Discovery Junction is a small house between the Spokane Central Church and its fellowship hall. It was previously privately owned until the church purchased it in 2015. Soon thereafter, they converted the more than 80-year-old home into a space for ministry.

With volunteers from Upper Columbia Academy, church members and pathfinders, donated supplies and computers, as well as the financial gifts of generous donors, the house was converted into a safe place for local children to take part in extracurricular activities. Find out more about this community outreach at www.facebook.com/SteamAheadDJ .

Special Call to Prayer

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 03:01:23 GMT

Because of this God-Sized Situation, please pray continuously from Friday evening and throughout the Sabbath Hours.

September 10-11, 2021

Prayer Leaders, Pastors and Friends,

We are called by God to pray "together," to agree in prayer for such a time as this. I already asked our UCC Prayer Team this week to cover us with prayer for God to halt the plague (SARS-CoV-2). And then I got a call from Richie Brower. It was on similar lines. I think God's Holy Spirit was speaking to both of us.

The following message is from his heart. I am asking every church to invite all to pray continuously for 24 hours, beginning this Friday evening and throughout the Sabbath hours that God will work mightily on behalf of all his people.

Read on:
-----------------------------------

COVID-19 cases are surging in many parts of our conference. The strain on our healthcare systems and front-line providers is tremendous. Many are fatigued from long hours working to serve the needs of patients and some are in positions to make heartbreaking decisions about the level of care that will be administered to patients.

This weekend let’s join together in lifting our healthcare workers up in prayer. Let’s ask God to give them strength, courage, compassion, wisdom, and bulletproof immune systems.

But let’s boldly ask for more. Let’s beg God to stop the plague – even as He did in Bible times (2 Sam 24:14-25) This disease is beyond our ability to contain. This is a God-sized problem. This weekend, let’s acknowledge our complete inability to manage this crisis and, as the people of God, seek His deliverance for ourselves and our nation.

Beginning at sundown Friday evening, through the Sabbath hours, join in prayer for deliverance to our loving God who is “Mighty to save.”(Isa. 63:1)

Perhaps, as in times past, God will spare many in response to the prayers of a few.

Richie Brower
Associate director
Club, Youth, Young Adult Ministries & Camp MiVoden

--------------------------------------------------
Jesus says, " In that day you will ask nothing of me.

Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name,

he will give it to you. "

John 16:23

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting,

for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea

that is driven and tossed by the wind.

James 1:6

As we pray, let us be bold as the spirit moves us, because we know that God answers prayers through miracles, angels, and His people!

UCC Prayer Ministries
Kathy Marson

LLU Health: We've Been Here Before

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 15:12:13 GMT

Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, shares how he sees a way forward through the COVID pandemic.

Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH

President, Loma Linda University Health

The degree of polarization around the COVID-19 vaccine today is not surprising. One perspective comes from those who are champions of individual rights, bolstered by what they read and hear about the dangers of the vaccine. On the other side are those who accept the reported science and believe vaccinations are the only solution to the pandemic.

Those of us who have had the privilege of watching human nature for many years remember similar battles around compulsory use of seat belts, motorcycle helmets, fluoridation of water supplies, and various other public health mandates. Perhaps the most pertinent example is smoking. As long as your smoking was just a danger to you, we were willing to let you pursue your habit. But when research showed that second-hand smoke from you is damaging my health, the tide turned, and smoking bans were instituted in public places.

That seems to be the crux of the controversy today. If someone wants to risk their health, and even life, by not being vaccinated, that is their right. But when their decision puts others at risk, it assumes a broader public health impact for all of us. That is what so many of our health professionals feel today, as we are now faced with caring for many unvaccinated patients who neglected or refused to be vaccinated.

More than 90% of admitted patients and deaths at hospitals and throughout the country today are among this group. And their decision enables the virus to continue to spread, placing children and others at risk of the infection. The frustration and even anger from many of these working health professionals caring for ill and dying patients is increasingly being expressed.

But what about all the dangers of the vaccine that are reported in our information-saturated society? I could try to chase down all the stories, from embedded microchips, to fertility threats, to long-term genetic alterations, to its experimental status (although Pfizer’s vaccine is now approved by the FDA for general use). But I am afraid that suspicions are hard to change, as we all tend to look for evidence that bolsters our beliefs. In these situations, one needs to balance the data from all sides when seeking to make a wise decision. It is also important to check credentials and find trusted sources of information.

As an old public health doctor who has worked in vaccination programs for 50 years, I have seen the incredible benefit of vaccines. We have eliminated smallpox, largely stamped out polio, and controlled measles, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, and many other infectious diseases. Many of these are what we call live-attenuated vaccines, meaning the virus has been modified in the lab to largely eliminate its infectivity and danger but still retain enough characteristics of the virus to stimulate the production of antibodies.

While there has been controversy around each of these in years past, they are all accepted now by the vast majority of people and have become required in this country for our children to attend school and health professionals to work in health care settings. Everyone has benefited from these vaccines.

But this one is different, they say. Yes, it is born out of the urgency of a rapidly spreading pandemic. We have benefited from an advanced understanding of how our immune system works and ways to use it more effectively against infections. We are also blessed with a delivery mechanism, mRNA, that was developed in 2005 and can now be used to stimulate antibody production and inhibit viral growth. These new vaccines use our own God-given defense mechanisms to target the spikes on the COVID-19 virus and inactivate it. The mRNA vaccines never enter the cell nucleus and cannot change our DNA. Like most vaccines, they are not 100% effective and do have minimal side effects. But the risk from the actual disease is many times greater than any risk from the vaccine, as shown in many studies and the 170 million Americans who have now received them.

So how will this end? It is hard to say, though some believe this virus will continue to circulate through our society until everyone has either received the vaccine or had the infection. That would be a tragedy when we have such an effective tool and can avoid many needless deaths.

It is unfortunate that many organizations, including hospitals, are having to resort to mandates to push up their vaccination coverage of employees. It seems that these mandates, especially from the government, only accelerate the suspicion about the vaccines. Some feel outside forces are seeking to control us. Others believe this is a fulfillment of prophecy or evidence of evil forces. But most of us accept that these mandates are apparently necessary to protect us from ourselves in these situations. This is very similar to what we have gone through with other public health measures when society determines the greater good requires the subjugation of individual rights, as sincerely held as they may be.

We have been here before, and it usually takes a decade for any new measure to be fully accepted. My hope and prayer is that logic and understanding will prevail, and our class warfare can end as we seek to protect each other. Until we do, COVID-19 infections and deaths will continue to ravage the world.

This article originally appeared in the August 26, 2021, Notes From the President. To subscribe to the LLUH newsletter, call (909) 558-5010.

Refreshing Camp MiVoden

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 14:38:09 GMT

Maranatha Volunteers International wrapped up work at Camp MiVoden in late spring.

The volunteers came to Camp MiVoden to assist with various projects, including digging a pipeline, constructing steps to a teepee, stocking the camp store with new supplies, and creating a frontier theme at the horse corral. With 91 volunteers on the project, one of the biggest challenges was making sure there was enough work to keep them busy.

Initially, 20 work assignments were handed out, but because of the large number of volunteers and their efficiency, many of those jobs were completed quickly. Camp management then created new tasks, and they were amazed with what was accomplished. Local Seventh-day Adventist leadership spent Sabbath with the volunteers and praised their efforts and dedication.

For Melody Wheeler and her husband, Doug, serving at a summer camp connects them back to their own childhoods. “We both went to camp as kids, and we know that people gave to make our camps good,” she says.

Wheeler has served on this project 10 times, leading seven of them, including the most recent.

“Those are memories we cherish, and it’s a wonderful feeling to know that we’ve helped and improved a camp for kids today,” Wheeler adds.

Volunteers worked on many tasks throughout the project, including landscaping, cleanup, new construction, and even building a new frisbee golf course. Other items completed included work on the horse corral, carpet cleaning, dock repair, and enlarging the beach area on the lake.

Each year, Maranatha works with organizations in the United States and Canada to provide volunteer labor for various construction or renovation projects at summer camps, retreat centers, schools, and churches. Work ranges from renovations of existing buildings to new construction and saves thousands of dollars in labor costs.

Story and images provided by Maranatha Volunteers International.

In-Person Pathfinder Teen Retreat Offers Opportunities for Connection

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 18:53:03 GMT

The Upper Columbia Conference Pathfinder Teen Retreat, the first in-person event for UCC Pathfinders in more than a year, was held at Camp MiVoden in April.

One of the highlights of being a Pathfinder is the opportunity to join other clubs at a variety of conference, union and global events. Pathfinders are able to experience being something much bigger than their local club, make friends and form connections.

Jared Spano, pastor of Riverview Seventh-day Adventist Church, was the speaker for the weekend. The teens attending the retreat were engaged every moment he was speaking as he shared messages highlighting the cost Christ had paid for the lives of his beloved creation.

Many teens question their value in the world as their self-confidence waivers during this transitionary period between no longer being children and becoming adults. Spano challenged them to dwell on the fact that God found them so valuable that they were worth sacrifice of Jesus’ life.

The weekend also included time spent in nature. Sabbath afternoon was spent on an extensive scavenger hunt. Groups followed the instructions shared by eleven clues that lead them all across the camp. Once the groups figured out where to go, getting there became the next challenge. Most clues were accompanied with a challenge that had to be fulfilled between locations. Some of these challenges included carrying one of your team members to the next location, one team member going blind-folded to the next location having to trust another to lead them, and two team members having to tie their legs together in three-legged race fashion to get to the next location.

Sunday morning’s worship was followed by a communion service overlooking Hayden Lake. The young people were engaged and showed such respect for this ordinance that reminds us to follow Jesus’ example of service. Spano again reminded everyone of the magnitude of the sacrifice paid to restore the lives of each of us.

After the communion service, the Pathfinders packed up their belongings and shared some of their favorite moments of the weekend. There were many reflections, laughs, and hollered goodbyes teens and their club leaders loaded their vehicles and headed home.

The Pendleton Pathfinders shared their reflections of the weekend during their trip home. “The pastor really got me into the message. You could tell he was genuinely excited about what he was preaching,” said Luke Clayville. Other club members shared that they enjoyed the meetings, band and music.

Questions About Vaccine Religious Exemptions?

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 21:47:09 GMT

What are personal religious exemptions and what are the pros and cons of using one?

By Andre Wang

Legal Counsel, North Pacific Union Conference

Recently, the North Pacific Union office of public affairs and religious liberty has heard from many people who are seeking to find ways to avoid the vaccine mandates that public and private employers are beginning to enact.

Customarily, church members can get religious exemption letters for matters such as Sabbath accommodation in the workplace or schools. However, because the official position of the Seventh-day Adventist Church supports vaccinations , your local Adventist church, conference or union is not able to provide you an official exemption letter.

If you are seeking a religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination, there are four important things to keep in mind.

To qualify for a religious exemption, it must be based on a sincerely-held religious belief, not a personal or political opinion. While our office cannot provide an exemption letter on church letterhead, you can still provide your employer a personal letter that asserts your sincerely-held religious belief opposing vaccinations and explains that, under the law, it is not necessary that your denominational affiliation espouse the same belief.
If an exemption is granted by the employer, it does NOT mean the employee gets to continue working normally without the vaccine. What is required is that the employer provide a reasonable accommodation to help the employee and others work safely without the vaccine; e.g., require wearing a mask, regular COVID testing, working in a different location or working remotely.
If accommodating the employee causes an undue hardship to the employer, then they do not have to accommodate the employee and it can result in termination.
Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, religious institutions — which could include health care — are exempt from granting religious accommodations since these organizations are, by identity, religious. However they still are required to accommodate for disability. So if you wor k in a faith-based health care system, a religious exemption request could possibly be denied.

Keep these four points in mind as you seek a religious exemption in the workplace. Even if you are granted an exemption, you need to be aware that your job will likely change in some way.

This article is from the North Pacific Union Conference. The original story can be found here .

Photo by Daniel Schludi on Unsplash

Pathfinders Serve Communities in Meaningful Ways

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 18:53:09 GMT

Pathfinders in the Upper Columbia Conference have been assisting in their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Makena Horton

UCC Communications Coordinator

The COVID-19 pandemic has created multiple unprecedented circumstances. While some are unable to serve the surrounding areas during this time, Pathfinders in the Upper Columbia Conference have been hard at work assisting in their communities.

Richie Brower, UCC associate director of club ministries, shared that the pandemic has come with its ups and downs for Pathfinder ministry. “The Pandemic has been the best and worst of times for our Club Ministries program,” says Brower. With the ever-changing safety protocols of the past year, many clubs chose to shut down. This decreased participation in conference events by 66 percent.

However, while some were deterred by fear and the chaos, some of the clubs and staff felt God calling them to minister to their communities during these changing times. They began asking the question, “What can we do to serve our community in meaningful ways?”

One Pathfinder club that asked that very poignant question is the Walla Walla University Church Torchbearer Pathfinders. They have been very active in their community during this pandemic, and during the Christmas season, the Torchbearers worked to help package a very large number of meals for holiday distribution at the Walla Walla University Church.

During this time, a previously-founded collaboration between Club Ministries and Adventist Community Services blossomed into a partnership, earning the name HopeBuilders. Whether it be in response to natural disasters or impacting housing instability, HopeBuilders connects organizations with young people and adult volunteers to their community’s needs.

Their website, www.hope-builders.com , highlights the mission and collaborative projects in progress, including their Malden projects, which have been spearheaded by the Spangle Wheatland Coyotes Pathfinders.

When Malden was hit by the Pine Creek fire in September 2020, only 20 of the 120 structures in the town were standing when the smoke cleared. HopeBuilders worked with the Pathfinders to help the town of Malden get back on its feet. The projects they worked on included designing a new park, presenting the new park design to the Malden Town Council, building clothing racks for their donation center, refurbishing lawn mowers for the community members and leading multiple beautification projects around the small town.

In addition to this, the Pathfinders made pre-cut, pre-drilled garden boxes which have been shared in Malden and Deary, Idaho. They also launched the Blazing Grains Granola line by implementing an online store on the HopeBuilders website. The nine flavors of granola available for order raise funds for Malden and other communities in need.

To learn more about the HopeBuilders collaboration, shop the Blazing Grains Granola line, or read about the projects currently being taken on by the Pathfinders, visit www.hope-builders.com .

Crosswalk in the City: Urban Ministries Convention

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 20:37:06 GMT

The North Pacific Union Conference is holding a virtual Urban Ministries Convention on September 16-18.

The seminars presented will include topics such as Children’s Ministries, Health Ministries, Conscience & Social Justice, Disaster Response, and more.

Speakers will highlight innovative, successful and sustainable ministries operated by Adventist churches in the urban context and provide tips on community engagement that will address the needs of your community. This convention will help you serve and influence your community regardless of your locale in a rural or urban setting.

For Upper Columbia Conference members, please contact either Patty Marsh at pattym@uccsda.org or Wendy Urbin at wendyu@uccsda.org for a discount code for registration or for questions.

To register and for detailed information, visit www.nwadvent.st/urban2021 .

The Miracle Mobile

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 18:52:57 GMT

From Mouse Mobile to Miracle Mobile? "Before they call, I will answer."

By Pastor Lloyd Perrin

“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” Isaiah 65:24.

Prayer and miracles… I believe in both. Thursday, June 10 at 7am I made this specific request of God with a small group of church prayer warriors: “God, if you want me to move ahead right now and get a wheelchair assessable van without having all the funds in hand, I need a “sign”; I need to sell my Mouse Mobile. Lord, I don’t want to go into debt. Would you provide the rest of the funds needed and, also, the perfect van I need?”

Let me share how God answered this prayer. My Mouse Mobile, a 2004 Honda Ridgeline with every corner dented—the previous owner who was near blind and deaf drove by feeling vibrations or impacts—was mechanically in excellent condition, however the body work was anything but. Dubbed ‘The Mouse Mobile’ by Methodist Pastor Tilly MakePeace—because of the overpowering stench from the family of mice who had died in the pickup’s heater system before I bought it—was not a likely candidate for a quick sell. An impossible prayer? Perhaps. But I, and others, offered it up to God anyway because God majors in impossible prayers.

One much-loved religious writer makes this observation: “Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing.” Let me share how God choose to answer this prayer. Here’s “The Rest of the Story”:

On “Good Friday,” March 30, 2018, I experienced a total “medical surprise” when suddenly, without any warning or symptoms that something might be wrong, I slumped to the floor. An MRI and a CAT Scan at Walla Walla’s Providence Medical Center revealed I had multiple malignant Melanoma tumors in my brain, lungs, liver, and other organs. That same day I was Life Flighted to OHSU in Portland, Oregon. “Easter Sunday,” all my family with some friends gathered in my hospital room for an ‘Anointing Service’—praying for my healing and restoration and that God’s will would be perfectly fulfilled in my life. The next day I underwent brain surgery at OHSU to remove the tumor that had bleed out (about a teaspoon of blood). My right side was left paralyzed by the brain tumor bleed, and I lost the ability to speak for a period of time. When I arrived home, I spent two weeks in the Milton-Freewater Cascade Rehabilitation Center and was so deeply grateful for the incredible care and empathy their staff provided. Two more weeks of rehabilitation followed in Providence Medical Center where, again, I experienced phenomenal care.

Meanwhile, two dear friends, Sharlene Taylor and Candie Ramirez, produced a vegetarian cookbook (“Feeding the Flock”) of favorite recipes by area Christians. This fund-raiser provided several thousand dollars for medical bills. Then, two other friends, Tammy Tucker and Jessica Burt, organized a community[1]wide dessert fund raiser to further help pay some of the huge medical expenses incurred. A dear couple gave me $5,000 to buy a mobile power-chair, and another precious friend, Ruth Fenton, organized a ‘meal-train’ so that my wife didn't need to worry about food preparation. Thank you so much!

My church granted me a three-month “medical leave of absence” from pastoring for the months of April, May, and June. Eighteen months of immunotherapy, consisting of 29 half-day visits to Providence Cancer Center for Keytruda infusions, followed under the watchful care of Dr. Oliver Batson. And then there was Brain Radiation with Dr. Riegert to deal with the remaining brain tumors. What a claustrophobic and potentially danger-filled trip that was! Sandwiched in between the many medical visits were multiple physical and occupational appointments to learn new ways of doing old skills. And then, July 1, 2018, I began full-time pastoring again!!

December 24, 2019 (Christmas Eve Day) I was told by Dr. Batson that there was no longer any evidence of cancer in my body. And then on March 30, 2021, I received the really good news that I was “cancer free” in my body by Dr. Batson, followed by Dr. Riegert telling me on April 9 that I was “cancer free” in my brain. Praise God!

But now, let me share how God choose to answer my “impossible prayer. On May 11, 2021, I was totally surprised by a Milton Ministerial Agenda Item presented by Presbyterian Pastor Andie Pellicer: “Pastor Lloyd’s need for a wheelchair assessable van.” Pastor Andie Pellicer announced that she had already setup a GoFundMe account and had contributed startup money to get it going! I hate to say this, but for a whole month I was too embarrassed, or felt too unworthy, to do anything. An entire month passed by. Then on June 9, I was listed on the Milton Ministerial Agenda Update again: “Pastor Lloyd’s vehicle GoFundMe. Let’s pray and give.”

Hey, there’s a novel thought, let’s pray. So the very next day, Thursday, at 7am I met with Prayer Warriors in the Milton Adventist Church lobby, and we prayed for a “sign” that I should move ahead in getting a van… by the selling immediately of my pickup. THAT SAME DAY at 1pm, my wife and I stop at the Sinclair gas station in Milton-Freewater to fuel up “The Mouse Mobile” when there was a knock on my window. “Hey, are you interested in selling your pickup?” (Please know that nobody has ever approached me about wanting to buy any vehicle I have ever owned!!) “Yes!”, I said, without trying to sound too eager. One week later without any advertising The Mouse Mobile was sold for cash… for $500 more than I had hoped for!

On June 15 I set out for Madras with my brother Ralph to check out ‘the perfect’ van. It sold before we could get there. Then, on to Portland for the 8 ^th grade graduation of one of my granddaughters, and to check out other potential vans. I did not have the funds in hand to buy a van. The very next day we checked out additional vans and then a whole slew of miracles took place, and we were providentially routed to view a 2016 Town and Country Van with 7,500 miles. It was perfect! One week later Jana and I traveled to Portland to pick up “The Miracle Van” from Erin Hokland of UnitedAccess. We still didn't have the funds to pay for it… but God was busy working one of His “thousand ways” to meet our need.

Consider:

June 25 a dear friend, whose husband had recently passed away from melanoma cancer, gave us $650. She wanted to celebrate how God was still working in all our lives despite seeming overwhelming difficulties.
An area pastor and spouse gave $500 each for the van!
A cousin sent me a check for $1,500; family members gave over $3,000; other dear relatives gave generously too.
My local church family sacrificially shared blessings in so many ways.
Then on July 4 a couple I had baptized and married 26 years ago left their home in eastern Montana to surprise us with a visit and a check for $6,000! We had not visited with them for several years, but they had read via Facebook about my need for a wheelchair accessible van… because of Pastor Andie Pellicer’s GoFundMe project.
Ultimately, nearly $30,000 was given for this van. Wow! Praise God!

So many miraculous blessings came from unexpected sources—friends current and from years ago, and even people I had never met. Yes, indeed, God majors in answering impossible prayers. Bottom line? I no longer drive “The Mouse Mobile,” I drive “The Miracle Mobile!”

“Thank you, my wonderful prayer-answering God! And thank you, thank you, thank you friends, church members, local pastors (who also gave generously) and our dear Milton-Freewater community for your prayers, for your love and friendship, and for your giving! God used you to answer this ‘impossible prayer.’ And my God is your God and He is just as eager and ready to perfectly answer your prayers too.”

Called to Surrender: VBS Returns at Village Church

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 14:43:33 GMT

College Place, Washington's Village Church holds a five-day Vacation Bible School.

By Elizabeth Travis

After more than a year of struggling under virus restrictions, things are slowly getting back to normal for the Village Church in College Place, Washington. This means more group activities, more people meeting face-to-face and more opportunities to connect with the community.

Few things emphasize this point better than the return of Vacation Bible School, live and in-person at the Village Church. Through a five-day event of learning and fun, children were able to spend time together, make new friends and learn about God and His love for us.

The theme of VBS was Called to Surrender, telling the story of Moses and the children of Israel and how God rescued them from Egypt. More than 160 children, ages 5-12, attended the program, where they made crafts, attended worships, sang songs, saw skits and played games. There was a wide variety of activities for all the different ages, and all were designed to help them learn more about the story of Moses and how God works in our lives.

The groups were organized in circuits, visiting rooms where they would engage in different activities. Every day started with an opening worship where the children sang songs, led out by some of their group leaders, learned the day’s memory verse and theme, and watched a skit depicting a scene from the life of Moses. Then the children would split off into smaller groups in different rooms: the prayer room, the craft room, the library, the indoor and outdoor games and the snack market. There was even one room where they got to meet Moses, played by Village Church associate pastor Dan Solis, and listen to the message he would give them. After that, it was back to the main sanctuary for more songs and another skit from the story of Moses.

Each day had its own skit, Bible verse and lesson to explore. Monday began with baby Moses being found in the Nile, teaching the children how to trust God when we don’t know what to do. Tuesday continued with Moses growing up, learning to trust God’s timing rather than his own. Wednesday and Thursday told the tale of the plagues in Egypt and how we can still trust God when things are difficult or scary. The week culminated with Moses and the Israelites crossing the Red Sea, where the children got to see the miracles God can work for us when we surrender ourselves to Him.

Vacation Bible School was a large and exciting project for everyone and it would never have been possible without the hard work and generosity of the volunteers. Every activity and event station required its own dedicated team of helpers, whether it be group leaders to corral the children, organizers to set up the snacks, crafts and games or cast members to portray iconic Bible characters. There were 39 volunteers involved in the making of VBS. Through their hard work and dedication, children were able to see one of the great stories of the Bible brought to life and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to surrender our lives and our choices to God.

The Village Church is sincerely thankful for the helpers and volunteers involved. They are grateful for God and recognize that it’s His helping hands that makes Vacation Bible School possible. The Village Church looks forward to next year’s VBS and is excited to introduce more children to God and His word.

Pathfinder Camporee to Take Place in September

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 20:49:26 GMT

The Pathfinder Camporee in September brings clubs together to remind them that they "belong."

By Makena Horton

UCC Communications Coordinator

We all have questions we ask ourselves in the late hours of the night.

- Is there a place where I fit?

- Can I know that I am chosen?

- Can I know that I belong somewhere?

The answer is yes! You belong, and you are chosen. Galatians 3:39 says, “And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.” (NLT)

You have a place in the Kingdom, and in our Pathfinder family. The theme of this year’s Pathfinder Camporee is Belong, and it is all about recognizing that you have a place. Rob Lang, youth and young adult director for the North Pacific Union Conference, will be the speaker for the weekend.

Come to Camp MiVoden September 17-19 for this year’s camporee. After so much time apart, it is time to come back together with friends and family and connect to kick off the new Pathfinder year.

If you and your club are unable to attend in person, the event will also be available virtually. Registration is still encouraged for the virtual event as it will provide Pathfinder leaders with materials to help best serve their club.

To register your club for free or for more information, visit ucc.regfox.com/belong-21 .

Unite 4 Kids Calls Upon UCC Members to Pause and Pray

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 20:49:23 GMT

This Sabbath, August 21, Seventh-day Adventists across the Upper Columbia Conference are pausing for one day to focus on praying for our kids.

This is the second year that Unite 4 Kids, an event put on by the Education and Club Ministries departments, have called our conference to a day of fasting and prayer focused on our children. This year, Children’s Ministries is joining the partnership.

You can plan to pray together as a church, with your club staff, or join your teachers and plan a special joint time of prayer for the children in your school, club, and Sabbath school programs. Pray for the teachers and volunteers who are working with your kids as well.

This day is a special time of lifting up our kids and those who serve them in prayer as we prepare to kick off a new school year and another year of Sabbath School and Club Ministries.

Deary Youth Bell Choir Concert

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 21:38:26 GMT

Idaho’s Kamiah Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted the Deary Youth Bell Choir concert in April.

By Cathy Law

More than 100 were in attendance at the service, and more than 90 guests and members were served at the vegetarian lunch following the service.

The service included choir members introducing each selection with a short history of the composition or a fitting testimony. Piano, cello, violin and clarinet instrumentation were featured during the service as well.

One attendee, on hearing the the bright harmonies of ringing bells, said, "It sounds like heaven!"

The choir was organized by Tom Hunt. His two sons and five other young people from the Deary (Idaho) Seventh-day Adventist Church became the first members of the Deary Youth Bell Choir nine months ago. Adults (all young at heart) joined also to occupy positions behind the four-octaves of Malmark handbells and three octave chime set.

“We began an 90 minute once-a-week practice sessions in our home in Kendrick last August of 2020. So our group has been together for roughly nine months,” Hunt explained. “Our purpose is to provide a venue for these very talented and gifted young people to share their love of music and their love for the Lord to any group or establishment who would like to listen to them perform.”

MiVoden Teen Camper Shares Personal Testimony

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 21:37:59 GMT

Teen Camper Dani's story began in Brazil, and led him to Camp MiVoden.

Dani’s bike skidded on the dirt trail, throwing dust into the drowsy afternoon air. After a few more pedals, he slowed down, caught his breath and grinned. He was almost there. In just a few miles lay what the 7-year-old thought to be the best place in the world: a steep, gravel hill. The hill--lined with rust-red buildings, dry grass and a half-finished sidewalk--wasn’t much to look at. However, to Dani, it was heaven. After he finished his chores every day, he would race across town to meet his friends at the hill, where they’d dive into nearby businesses’ dumpsters, grab all the cardboard they could find and build “cars'' out of the trash. When there were enough other kids gathered to have a good audience, Dani would race his friends down the hill in their new rides. Only when the sky turned pink and he couldn’t walk up the hill anymore would Dani go home, but not before promising to return the next day for more cardboard contests.

Dani’s childhood in Bragança, Brazil was saturated with vibrant memories. The only thing he and his friends loved more than cardboard races was sports. He and his friends would often play soccer in the street, using whatever they had on hand to make a make-shift goal. On weekends, his mom would take him to his grandpa’s red brick farmhouse and he would help build a church for the surrounding community. When he wasn’t working or visiting with neighbors, Dani loved climbing his grandpa’s many trees, especially the mango ones. As he perched in the lush branches and slurped the sweet orange fruit, he’d look down at the world below and remember once again how much he loved his life.

Despite the happy memories, Dani’s life was far from easy. Growing up, he lived in severe poverty. The city he lived in was underfunded, and his family never could afford to send him to school. When he was little, his sisters moved in with their aunt since the cost of living was cheaper. In effect, he was never able to really know his siblings growing up. When he was five, his parents got divorced. Now that his family was living with only half of their previous income, money got even tighter. Something had to change for them.

A few years later, Dani’s sister moved to America to work as a nanny for her best friend’s new baby. By carefully saving money, Dani’s mom was able to take him to visit his sister in the summer. The first time he went, he was nine years old and absolutely terrified. He thought he had to stay in America forever and leave behind all his friends; in addition to that, he couldn’t even speak English! When the morning of the trip came, Dani got into his best clothes, loaded his luggage, and proceeded to cry the whole way to the airport. By the end of the summer though, Dani loved America and was excited to visit again the following summer.

When he was 13, Dani moved to America. His sister, who’d gotten married to someone in the United States, convinced his mom to move the family from Brazil to live with her and her new husband. After Dani settled in, his sister enrolled him in an American middle school. Not only was it his first time in any school, but he also didn’t know how to speak English. Needless to say, making friends was difficult.

By the time he was in high school though, Dani had made it into a groove. He’d gotten used to the new culture and picked up a lot of the language. His naturally winning personality helped him make many good friends, and he went into his sophomore year with hopes of making the football or basketball team. Then, COVID-19 hit, and Dani’s life was suddenly jolted to a stop. Things turned monochromatic; every day was the same as the one before. He’d do online school, go to work, come home, eat by himself and occasionally play video games with his brother-in-law. Life became bland. The one bright spot throughout quarantine was taking care of his sister’s new baby, Benjamin. Every night, he’d read him books in Portuguese and English; if Benjamin hadn’t fallen asleep by the end, Dani would sing to him. Taking care of someone gave Dani a new purpose and helped ease his feeling of loneliness.

Dani had grown up in the church and had a steady relationship with God all his life. However, a few months before the summer of 2021, his faith was tested enormously when one of his dearest friends suddenly passed away. The friend had been like a father to Dani. Even though he was 61 and busy running a business, he’d always made an effort to spend time with Dani and supported him as he grew up. One of Dani’s favorite memories with him was doing a race together. The race, which lasted a weekend, fostered a bond between the two friends that Dani would remember his whole life.

A week after that race, the friend died in a freak accident. While he, Dani, and a few other people were mountain biking, a few people collided. The friend fell on his neck, which had already suffered previous injuries, and he didn’t make it. Dani felt like he’d lost another father. He lost motivation to do most everything and as grief gave way to apathy, he began struggling with God.

A few months passed, and Dani still felt numb. His sister grew more and more concerned for him. A few weeks before Teen Camp started, she began pestering him to get out of the house and go to Camp MiVoden. He’d gone two years prior and loved it. His sister hoped going now would help him engage with the world again, and it did.

As Dani was one of the oldest campers and had a natural way with people, he quickly became a leader--not just for his cabin, but for the whole camp. Like an older brother, he took care of his cabinmates and helped build excitement for events like Mud Run throughout the week. While he loved the activities, especially sports and 9-square, the music at worship spoke to him, and as he sang, he began letting God help his dry bones come alive.

Thursday night at camp is special. After the finale of the play and the camp pastor’s final sermon, cabins head to the lower ballfield, gather around a little lantern on the grass, and allow space for deep conversation. Dani had formed a special bond with his counselor all week, and that night he got to hear his counselor’s testimony, which had a few similarities to his own. When everyone had finished talking, the whole cabin laid down on the damp ground and looked at the sky. As he gazed at the huge expanse of stars above him, he felt God beside him. He smiled. When Dani returned home the next day, he was sure of one thing: he wanted to learn to walk with God. Maybe he could teach Him how to cardboard box race, too.

God Is Prepared

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 18:34:02 GMT

This story shares how God answered a prayer request about health insurance in His time!

I am often reminded that His timing is better than my expectations.

I asked for our prayer team to petition on our behalf for Health insurance we could afford that would cover our needs. We had an unfortunate start to our new year as my husband, to our surprise, was diagnosed with severe cardiomyopathy. And, no surprise when I started having issues too.

We had been planning on getting health insurance this next opening in October. Even though the insurance through his work was expensive, we decided to find a way to afford it.

Now we were looking at a future of expensive care. We figured that whatever happens financially, we would do without all else. As I searched, I was completely overwhelmed, trying to understand insurances in the marketplace. We wouldn't have enough money for food! What would we do? I was told by a friend that there was a woman at her work that, as a service to the community, helps people through the maze of health insurance to find one that is the best for them!

I made an appointment, which kept having conflicts. Medical bills coming in and increasing. No insurance yet. Why is God not answering me? A month went by. Another rescheduled appointment and we chose to wait upon God completely. At the appointment I cried. The expert told me that there was a new plan that she just received this morning from Biden’s American Rescue Plan

I had asked for an insurance for my husband that his amazing Cardiologist accepts and for myself. I expected her to say $1200.00 a month, even though we were hoping for less than $800.00 a month.

She said, "could you do $10.00 a month.? For the two of you?"

Do you see why I cried? I told her she would make my husband cry. He did.

Of course we have bills to pay and $150.00 copay, but the Cardiologist and my husband are worth it! God is helping us come up with the money for the balances. He thinks of everything!!

We are so humbled, and in awe of God! Praise Him for His timing! God has met us in our time of discouragement and lifted us up. We saw clearly His smiling face looking at us, and felt His loving arms around us as we walk this new path!!

All Glory to God!

Camp Mivoden Continues Success Run During COVID

Tue, 03 Aug 2021 20:56:54 GMT

The summer camp experience is even more important for our campers, given the uncertainty and isolation of the past year.

Jeff Wines

Director, Camp MiVoden

Last year, Camp MiVoden was one of the few camps in the country that were able to operate their summer program. We had a stringent protocol that included masking, distancing, a closed campus, and the use of cohorts designed to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses. We were blessed with a great summer with no positive tests for COVID.

This summer, we are in the middle of another amazing camp season. The summer camp experience is even more important for our campers, given the uncertainty and isolation of the past year. We see the importance of camp on a weekly basis with each group of campers who arrive at Camp MiVoden seeking a closer relationship with God.

With the arrival of the vaccine and in consultation with Panhandle Health District, we relaxed some of our protocol from last year to reduce stress on our staff and create a more natural camp experience.

However, as cases increase in our local community, we are also seeing cases among our staff and campers this summer. With the help of Panhandle Health District we are testing our staff at least once a week. In accordance with our protocol, staff who test positive must isolate for 10 days. They must also be symptom-free before returning to work.

Our strategies to keep our campers safe and mitigate the risk of COVID spread, include:

• Screening of all campers during registration

• Keeping most activities outside

• Wearing masks indoors

• Encouraging handwashing and good sanitary practices

• Campers who test COVID positive are sent home

We are committed to doing everything in our power to keep our campers healthy and safe, while continuing to offer the MiVoden experience. We ask for your continued prayers for the success of this critical ministry for our young people. If you have additional questions about Camp MiVoden, please see our FAQ at www.mivoden.com/faq .

Spokane Youth Learn New Skills and More About Jesus Through Discovery Junction

Tue, 03 Aug 2021 20:53:26 GMT

STEAM Ahead @ Discovery Junction has opened its doors to the community this summer to uplift the children of its Spokane neighborhood.

By Damen Therkildsen

Renew Spokan e

In partnership with the Spokane Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, His Travelers, and Renew Spokane, children have learned about Lego Robotics, cooking, and art. Parents have commented on what a blessing STEAM Ahead @ Discovery Junction has been to their family this summer. The no-cost classes have helped engage their kids in learning new skills while having fun, meeting new friends, and learning about the love their Heavenly Father has for them.

Each day was started with His Travelers staff opening their time together with singing beautiful songs about Jesus, while each of the students participated with joy flowing from their lips. Pastor Gerald then told a story to further their connection to our Heavenly Father. Emmalyn, a His Travelers staff member in her third year with the group, described how each summer you can draw one or two students out of their shy shells to interact with others. She described a highlight of seeing how some of these children cannot be kids at home. But when they are together for a Discovery Junction class or Vacation Bible School, they can be a kid for a little while and let their worries go to have fun with their peers.

During the cooking class, children prepared a different type of recipe each day that was selected by a His Traveler’s staff member who then taught that recipe to the children. Monday was breakfast where whole wheat pancakes with fruit kebabs were introduced. Tuesday was lunch day with pita bread pizza and salad. Wednesday was dinner with breakfast burritos, baked french fries, and sweet potato fries. Thursday was an introduction to fruit parfaits, topped with granola that the children made. Friday was everyone’s favorite course, dessert.

Russell, a cooking class student, enjoyed the dinner menu. It was the first time Russell had ever tried sweet potato fries and he was disappointed with their lack of sweetness, but thoroughly enjoyed the french fries and breakfast burrito. Russell enjoyed the week and learning how to cook new things to try at home, although he is still unsure of those sweet potatoes, he would love to come back again in the future to learn more.

On the last day of the week, cooking class students made a special dessert of cupcakes and ice cream. The children’s eyes lit up with glee when they walked into STEAM Ahead @ Discovery Junction for their last recipe of the week. Shorooq, a cooking class student, enjoyed learning how to measure out recipes and follow the directions that the recipes outlined each day. She also enjoyed learning how to make balloon animals that were then used at Vacation Bible School later that evening in Ruth Park.

To top off the dessert menu on the last day, how to make ice cream was taught by Grandma Gayle. The simplicity of ingredients and how quickly the students made the ice cream was only elevated by the sweet taste of the cool treat to end a great week together. STEAM Ahead @ Discovery Junction is a prime example of how opening our doors to the community is a blessing to families. Success is measured in smiles and laughter knowing our Heavenly Father is creating light in the community through every person who has given their time and talents in making a difference in the Spokane community.

For more information on the program, see www.facebook.com/SteamAheadDJ .

Women Inspired to be “Up From the Ordinary” at Retreat

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 20:38:09 GMT

Women from across the North Pacific Union and the world were inspired as part of the Up From the Ordinary women’s and young women’s virtual spring retreat, held May 1.

By Dustin R. Jones, MA

UCC Director of Communications

The virtual retreat was sponsored by the women’s ministries departments of Upper Columbia Conference and Alaska Conference.

The event featured music and other features from Walla Walla University and Walla Walla University Church and Village Church.

“This spring’s one-day virtual retreat was unique in that the women’s ministries team partnered with ladies from the Walla Walla Valley with Ater Munson leading out, and with Alaska Conference’s women’s ministries director, Jean Gobah, in putting together the program,” says Patty Marsh, director of women’s ministries at Upper Columbia Conference. “And we were blessed!”

The featured speaker for the retreat was Jean Boonstra, associate speaker for the Voice of Prophecy ministry, and executive producer for Discovery Mountain. Boonstra presented several vignettes of characters from the Bible that brought themselves up from the ordinary, including Eliezer, Esther, and Tabitha.

Cindy Walikonis and Gail Lane discussed how their church works to provide meals for the homeless and how that has been impacted by COVID-19. Another feature focused on Eden’s Pantry, a ministry of Walla Walla University Church. Khai-Ling Tan and Susan Willard explored how members of the community have been able to get much needed food from the pantry. Often they serve university students that are not able to afford nutritious meals.

Several musical performers were also highlighted during the retreat, including Alana Glendrange, a lawyer from Walla Walla, and Shalah McCarthy, a student from Alaska Conference.

Emily Poole, a wedding photographer from the Spokane area, presented a feature on how to develop a creative eye for photography and how to use those approaches in your spiritual life.

The retreat has historically been held at Upper Columbia Conference headquarters, however the past two retreats have been held virtually.

“While we look forward to the time when we fellowship in person again for our women’s and young’s women’s retreat, a surprising benefit from our virtual retreats is that participants join from as far-away as places like New York, Illinois, Arizona, California, and even ladies from Great Britain,” says Marsh. “Some guests list various denominations or even “no church” when they register. This year’s keynote speaker, Jean Boonstra, gave hope and encouragement to listeners ranging from no faith to rich in faith focusing our how God uses ordinary people.”

To watch the broadcast of the retreat, go to www.uccsda.org/womensretreat .

Connecting the Pieces

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 18:12:45 GMT

Shley Valencia, born in the Philippines, previously a missionary in the Marshall Islands, is volunteering with Total Health Spokane, a nonprofit ministry in Spokane, Washington.

Schley Valencia was born in the Philippines and is volunteering with Total Health Spokane, a nonprofit ministry in Spokane, Washington. Below, she shares how she got involved in this unique missionary work.

Many people wonder how a volunteer finds their calling and what leads them to that decision. My story begins in December 2019, when I was a volunteer science teacher at the Ebeye Seventh-day Adventist School in the Marshall Islands. With my contract ending at the mission school in June 2020, and the General Conference Session scheduled at the same time frame, I had great hopes of going since the church in Ebeye had secured a booth and was scheduled to participate in special music. However, my plans drastically changed because of COVID-19. I began praying in earnest. Where do I go? What should I do next? Should I leave or stay on the island?

In June I was impressed to fly to my relatives in California, believing that God would be my guide. I knew He would unfold His plan to me piece by piece, like a puzzle. It didn’t make sense at first, but when the few pieces began to connect, I started to see a picture. I must admit, I doubted and I questioned, but I felt God’s hand leading me to the purpose to which He had called me.

Two weeks after arriving in California, I saw a post on Instagram by the North American Division Office of Volunteer Ministries (NADvolunteers), searching for volunteers from all across the U.S. I logged into the Adventist Volunteer Services website and began my own search. I narrowed it down to three choices, one of them being the Total Health Spokane program. I told God that I would go with whichever one responded first, but I favored the Total Health Spokane program because of its wholistic approach to health and unique partnership with both medical and gospel work. I received my answer, and have enjoyed the fellowship of Northview Seventh-day Adventist Church for six months!

Our typical day at Total Health Spokane starts with a group devotional before we interact with clients partnered with each volunteer through online health coaching. Prior to this, we were trained in how to help clients identify their purpose and health goals. Then we motivate and support them on their journey to better physical, mental, spiritual, and social health.

The team is also actively involved in the Northview church activities, both in reach, which includes assisting with worship services, Bible study groups, work bees; and outreach, such as food distribution through a food bank and Better Living Center, Discovery Junction Ministry (which provides education to at-risk children), and book distribution of The Great Controversy.

I’ve grown in this experience. It has taught me that I also need to practice what I am sharing with my clients, to have a lifestyle that I could keep wherever I go in this world. The challenge in this kind of ministry is to truly incorporate what our doctor has told the team about what sets the sacred health coaching apart from the secular: It makes you holy, not just healthy; alters your character, not just your conviction; changes your heart, not just your habits; and you could achieve this, not by your willpower, but by the power of the will of God.

Visit www.HeSaidGo.org to see North American Division Office of Volunteer Ministries service opportunities for individuals 18 to 79 years of age.

This article originally appeared at https://www.nadadventist.org/news/connecting-pieces .

UCC President Search

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 18:46:30 GMT

We need your input in the search for a new president.

As many of you know, Minner Labrador Jr. has accepted a call to serve as the vice president for multilingual ministries at the North American Division. As we prayerfully begin our search process for his replacement, we want to solicit input from a wide range of groups within the Upper Columbia Conference. The North Pacific Union administrative team will collect and collate the information from the survey below and share it with the appropriate committees. One of the sources for developing a list of potential nominees will be the survey submissions.

The survey can be accessed through the button below or directly at www.surveymonkey.com/r/uppercolumbiasearch .

Elder John C. Freedman, president of North Pacific Union, has written a letter to all Upper Columbia Conference members encouraging involvement and prayer in this search. Read the full letter here .

The survey has also been translated into Spanish and can be accessed at es.surveymonkey.com/r/uccbusqueda .

Spokane Slavic Seventh-day Adventist Church YouTube Success

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 19:19:41 GMT

The Spokane Slavic Seventh-day Adventist Church’s YouTube channel multiplies subscribers by streaming church services.

By Makena Horton

UCC Communications Coordinator

The Spokane Slavic Seventh-day Adventist Church's YouTube Channel has recently seen an unexpected amount of growth. Since they began streaming their services regularly, their subscribers have grown from 538 in March 2020 to more than 4,940.

Since the channel's creation in April 2009, the channel has uploaded more than 480 videos. Although they had started their channel many years ago, they were not uploading videos consistently and did not livestream their services.

They began to livestream shortly before the start of the pandemic. “In February 2020 we had a well-known Adventist Russian speaker come to our church to do four presentations,” says Slavik Ostapenko, pastor at the Spokane Slavic Seventh-day Adventist Church. “We had done video recordings of our services before, but this time we decided to do it live.”

Since they started broadcasting before the stay-at-home order was put into place, they were fully prepared to begin streaming their services online for the people at home. “Honestly, I wasn’t even watching the stats at first,” says Ostapenko. “The only thing I saw was that our video quality was very low. We got new a camera and lighting, which improved the video quality dramatically.”

They began to notice that the impressions grew substantially after they broadcasted live consistently for nearly six months. “Starting July 2020 our views went up,” said Ostapenko. “Somebody shared one specific video on Viber and WhatsApp and people started watching. Then YouTube started recommending that video and our views and subscriptions went up from that point on.”

The five countries with the most views of the channel in the last year are Russia (143,798), Ukraine (130,502), United States (45,568), Germany (32,993) and Belarus (13,008).

“Because we have our service in Russian it makes sense that it would be Russian-speaking people watching it, and you have the most Russian-speaking people living in Russia and Ukraine,” explains Ostapenko. “On top of that, our members share it on their social network pages and their friends who live back in Russia and Ukraine are watching it.”

Some may question why Germany is in the top five as they have far less Russian speakers than the other countries listed. Ostapenko shared how the church members impacted this list. “We have a couple families in our church that moved from Germany to the United States and they still have a lot of friends and family members back in Germany. They shared with them, and now we have Germany in the top five countries.”

As far as their reach within the United States, the states that viewed their content the most in the past year are Washington (9,543), California (4,193), New York (839), Oregon (805) and Florida (172).

It may seem shocking that California shows such high view amounts compared to the subsequent states on the list, but Ostapenko shares that it makes sense in regard to the amount of Russian speakers within the state. “California has a lot more Russian-speaking people in general, as well as Seventh-day Adventists,” explains Ostapenko.

The services are available to stream at www.youtube.com/spokaneslavicsdachurch .

Beacon Christian School Rises Against Hunger

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 18:37:35 GMT

Students, teachers and volunteers gathered to package meals for Beacon Christian School’s Rise Against Hunger event in April.

By Makena Horton

UCC Communications Coordinator

Rise Against Hunger is an organization that works to reduce malnourishment in poverty-stricken countries, the majority of which are in Africa and Asia. Inspired by a previous Rise Against Hunger event held at Lewiston Seventh-day Adventist Church, David Gage, principal at Beacon Christian School, wanted to hold an event at the school. “Many of these packets will be distributed to impoverished school children, meaning that education is also being encouraged,” says Gage.

Hadley Bergamo led the fundraising campaign to obtain the $5,000 needed to host the event. She put up posters at school and asked people within her church, Good News Fellowship, to donate to the cause. One donor contributed before the fundraising campaign even began.

The food packages, containing rice, textured vegetable protein and vitamin packets, were put together by the participants using an assembly-line system with several steps. The assembly lines consisted of between six and eight package fillers. Once the package had been filled, one of the students would run it to the scale, where a group of students were waiting to weigh it.

Once the package had been weighed, another participant would run the package to the next station, where volunteers were waiting to seal the package. Another student would run the package to the final station, where a participant would seal the package and box it up. Some of the older students also assisted with setting up tables and unpacking supplies before the start of the event, as well as cleaning up at the end of the event.

In the end, the 56 students, teachers and volunteers had put together about 10,000 meals within the two-hour event. Each package was designed to feed six people, bringing the total number of individuals they were able to provide for to 60,000.

Students shared that they enjoyed being able to bless others during this outreach project, as well as that the event put things into perspective for them. “We should appreciate our food and be glad we have food because some people don’t,” one student commented. Another shared, “We need to help others who don’t have what we have.”

Gage shared the importance of events like this being held at Beacon Christian School. “Probably more important than all the book learning is the lesson that our job on earth is to help and bless others,” says Gage. “My prayer is that we will continually keep our focus on what is good and on how we can take action to bless others.”

The Secret to Long Life

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 21:32:51 GMT

A long healthy life is no accident. It begins with good genes, but it also depends on good habits.

By Cindy Williams, RN

Coordinator, Health Ministries

National Geographic published “The Secrets of Long Life” in its November 2005 issue. This article focused on three places in the world with unusually high rates of centenarians. These residents not only live long lives but enjoy more healthy years and have a small percentage of diseases that are major killers in other parts of the world. The mountain villages of Sardinia, Italy, islands of Okinawa, Japan and Loma Linda, California are now known as “Blue Zones.” Nicoya, Costa Rica and Ikaria, Greece have joined those three locations in subsequent years following additional research.

“A long healthy life is no accident. It begins with good genes, but it also depends on good habits. If you adopt the right lifestyle, experts say, chances are you may live up to a decade longer”, wrote Dan Buettner. Research ultimately showed that all the blue zones share nine specific lifestyle habits.

They move naturally. Their environments are set up in a way that enables them to move without thinking about it.
They have purpose. They know why they wake up in the morning.
They down-shift. There are routines in their lives that help them shed stress.
They follow the “80%” rule. They stop eating before they are completely full.
They have a plant-slant diet.
They all (except Adventists) drink wine moderately and regularly.
They belong to a faith-based community.
They put family first.
They belong to social circles that support healthy behaviors.

This research led to an important question. Could we add ten years to our life without living in Sardinia, Okinawa, Nicoya, Ikaria, or even Loma Linda? Could we create additional blue zones? I will share some things that are being done in the United States in the next article.

References

https://www.bluezones.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Nat_Geo_LongevityF.pdf

This article is part of a continuing series of health during these COVID times. For other articles, please see www.uccsda.org/healthministries .

Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash

Summer Prayer Ideas

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 06:46:10 GMT

Looking for a way to recharge this summer?

We think of vacations when we think of Summer. We also think of recharging our stressed lives and having time with our families. As we do that, let us take time to recharge our prayer life.

Pray with your children more -- meal times, travel times, bedtime, before a summer activity
At the beach, try sculpting a prayer in the sand -- make it a fun time to create something you are praying for.
Hiking? This is a great time to pray for the people on your prayer list.
Have a week of spare time? Create a prayer garden. A prayer bench. Something for your home or church that reminds people to pause and pray.
Try prayer walking
Start a new book on prayer
Start a prayer journal for yourself or for your whole family. List prayers and answers
Are you flying somewhere? Take time to pray for the pilot and those serving on the flight. Praying also for each passenger.
Driving for a few hours? Make some flash cards of questions to ask your children. Any topic can be fun. Write questions that cannot be answered with yes or no, such as: What is the silliest thing you ever prayed for? Who do you want to see first in heaven?
Write a book about prayer. (If you do please share it with us!)
Start a 10-day prayer event in your church (or even a 40 day)

Minner Labrador Accepts Call to North American Division

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 00:32:16 GMT

Pastor Labrador will serve as the NAD vice president for multi-cultural ministries.

On Monday, June 21, Minner Labrador Jr., president of Upper Columbia Conference, announced that he has accepted a call as vice president for multi-cultural ministries for the North American Division. What follows, is his letter to Upper Columbia Conference membership.

A Time of Transitions

I have been so blessed by the messages of Camp Meeting. It has been extraordinary to see how our heavenly Father speaks through these preachers and how the power of the Holy Spirit is sensed even when viewing. The seminars, the singing and the children’s program have been amazing.

Our Father has truly blessed the work of the Upper Columbia Conference. May He Send the Rain!

Yesterday, I spent the day with my father, in what may likely be his last Father’s Day. When I first wrote you a month ago about the health challenges my father was facing, I knew that it was my duty as a son to serve and care for my father, as he did for me when a boy.

In my years working in men’s ministries, I have always underscored how important it is to care for your family — your first church.

It is now clear that my father needs me to be closer to help him as he finishes his final days on this earth. This is particularly challenging to me, as I desire to continue in ministry serving God’s people. I truly felt the Holy Spirit telling me that I needed to be with my father, but what of serving others through ministry?

Only through God’s grace did an answer suddenly appear. The Lord opened an opportunity for me to continue caring for my father while also serving His people throughout the North American Division (NAD). Alex Bryant, president of the NAD, extended me a call to serve as the vice president for multi-cultural ministries. After much prayer, I accepted the call. Evelyn and I expect to make the transition in August.

It has been such a privilege to see how God has worked in this conference.

Praise God, for He has special plans for Upper Columbia, and I can’t wait to see His Rain poured out!

As I prepare for this transition, I want to thank our pastoral and educational teams for all they have endured and persevered through this COVID crisis. As we continue to move towards our new “normal,” I challenge our conference to unite in spreading the Good News of the character of God to a world in turmoil.

I ask for your continued prayers for John Freedman, president of North Pacific Union Conference; Rodney Mills, UCC vice president of administration; Allee Currier, UCC vice president of finance; Brian Harris, UCC vice president of education; and our department directors and staff.

May we continue to push forward with One More Bible study, One More community outreach program, One More prayer walk, One More student in school, One More evangelistic meeting until we all make One More move to our heavenly home, where we will never part.

Minner Labrador Jr.

You can read his full letter at news.uccsda.org/minner62321 .

Tiempo de Transición

He sido muy bendecido por los mensajes del Campestre. Ha sido extraordinario ver cómo nuestro Padre celestial habla a través de estos predicadores y como el poder del Espíritu Santo se siente incluso al mirar en línea. Los seminarios, los cantos y el programa infantil han sido sobresalientes en gran manera.

Nuestro Padre verdaderamente ha bendecido la obra de la Conferencia de Upper Columbia (UCC). ¡Que envíe la lluvia!

Ayer pasé el día con mi padre, en lo que probablemente haya sido su último Día del Padre. Cuando les escribí por primera vez, hace un mes, sobre los problemas de salud que enfrentaba mi padre, supe que era mi deber como hijo servir y cuidar de mi padre, como él lo hizo conmigo cuando yo era niño.

En mis años trabajando en ministerios masculinos, siempre he enfatizado lo importante que es cuidar de nuestra familia - nuestra primera iglesia.

Ahora está claro que mi padre me necesita más cerca de él para ayudarle a terminar sus últimos días en esta tierra. Esto es particularmente desafiante para mí, ya que deseo continuar en el ministerio sirviendo al pueblo de Dios. Realmente sentí que el Espíritu Santo me decía que necesitaba estar con mi padre, pero ¿qué de servir al prójimo a través del ministerio?

Solo por la Gracia de Dios de repente apareció una respuesta. El Señor me abrió la oportunidad de seguir cuidando a mi padre y al mismo tiempo servir a Su pueblo en toda la División Norteamericana (NAD). Alex Bryant, presidente de la NAD, me extendió un llamado para servir como vicepresidente de ministerios multiculturales. Después de mucha oración, acepté el llamado. Evelyn y un servidor esperamos hacer la transición en agosto.

Ha sido un gran privilegio ver cómo Dios ha trabajado en esta Conferencia.

¡Alabado sea Dios, porque Él tiene planes especiales para la Upper Columbia, me cuesta esperar ver Su lluvia derramarse!

Mientras me preparo para esta transición, quiero agradecer a nuestro equipo pastoral y educativo por todo lo que han soportado y perseverado durante la crisis de COVID. A medida que continuamos avanzando hacia nuestra nueva “normalidad,” desafío a nuestra conferencia a unirse para difundir las Buenas Nuevas del carácter de Dios a un mundo en confusión.

Les pido que perseveren en oración por John Freedman, presidente de la Unión del Pacífico Norte; Rodney Mills, vicepresidente de administración de UCC; Allee Currier, vicepresidente de finanzas de UCC; Brian Harris, vicepresidente de educación de UCC; y nuestros directores departamentales y personal de UCC.

Que podamos seguir avanzando con un estudio bíblico más, un grupo pequeño más, una caminata de oración más, un estudiante más en las escuelas, una campaña evangelística más, hasta que todos nosotros hagamos una mudanza más a nuestro hogar celestial, donde nunca más nos separaremos.

Minner Labrador Jr.

Your Health…Depends on Your Address?

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 23:16:52 GMT

Did you know that, between the years 2000 and 2009, there was an 18-year gap in life expectancy between two Spokane neighborhoods?

By Cindy Williams, RN

Coordinator, Health Ministries

Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD) published a report titled Odds Against Tomorrow in May 2012. This report looked at differences in health outcomes in subpopulation groups in Spokane County. It followed the June 2011 release of the National Prevention Strategy: America’s Plan for Better Health and Wellness (NPS) . In its report the NPS “identified four strategic directions and seven targeted priority areas” they felt are necessary to “build healthy communities and increase the health and well-being of all residents.” One of those strategic directions is the elimination of health disparities.

Health disparities are the differences that exist among specific population groups in the “incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions.” Many of the findings on health disparities published in Odds Against Tomorrow are astounding to me. Did you know that, between the years 2000 and 2009, there was an 18-year gap in life expectancy between the neighborhood with the highest, Southgate (84.03 years), and the lowest, Riverside (66.17 years)? Or that the neighborhood with the highest rate of diabetes, Emerson/Garfield (59.3 per 100,000), has a rate more than double that of Spokane County (26.3 per 100,000) and Washington state (24.7)? The incidence of cancer, heart disease, suicide, and chronic respiratory diseases, as well as many others, is significantly higher in certain neighborhoods in our county. I know that these statistics are not unique to Spokane. Neither have they improved in the intervening years. They reflect a trend that is being seen around the world in developed countries.

Dr. Joel McCullough, SRHD health officer, wrote a letter published in the Odds Against Tomorrow report. Here is a small portion of it: “What would you do if you found out that where you lived predicts your life expectancy, that your health is worse if you are poorer, and that your child is more likely to die in infancy if you have less education? These problems are real. …. America’s public debate on “health” has mostly centered on access to and the affordability of health care, even though a large body of evidence tells us that in most cases whether or not a person gets sick has little to do with seeing a doctor. A far greater determinant is the relationship between how we live our lives and the economic, social and physical environments that surround us; some of these we certainly can influence on our own, but many are outside our individual control.”

Why am I sharing this? I believe it is important for us to realize that health is determined by a multitude of factors. Some of these we have control over and some we do not. Health outreach must be more than teaching people how to eat, exercise, and drink more water. It also involves meeting the real needs of real people in all areas of their lives.

References

https://srhd.org/media/documents/HealthInequities-2012.pdf

This article is part of a continuing series of health during these COVID times. For other articles, please see www.uccsda.org/healthministries .

Photo by Meadow Marie on Unsplash

Camp Meeting Begins Monday, June 14

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 20:27:11 GMT

Camp Meeting is here! Join us starting on Monday, June 14, at 6:30 p.m. for a full week of celebrating God's blessings and praying that He will Send the Rain.

Camp Meeting is here! Join us starting on Monday, June 14, at 6:30 p.m. for a full week of celebrating God's blessings and praying that He will Send the Rain. Walla Walla University Church is hosting this virtual event, and if you live locally, there is seating available at the church for in-person viewing. Your church can live stream the event the whole week, including Sabbath!

How to participate

You can be a part of camp meeting in several ways. For starters, you can pray for the programs and that they will touch others and provide an invigorating blessing. You can also attend in person, if you are in the Walla Walla area. To view online, check out the UCC Youtube page. Blue Mountain TV will be broadcasting the program live, as will He's Alive TV.

Main Speakers

Rich Aguilera (children's program, begins every program)
Randy Maxwell (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday)
Ron Halvorsen Jr. (Thursday, Friday, Sabbath morning)
John Freedman (Sabbath evening)

*for bios and photos, see our website at uccsda.org/campmeeting

Seminars
Thursday, June 17

S. Joseph Kidder – A Glimpse of God's Grace and Power
Jonathan Betlinski/Rachel Scribner – Depression & Anxiety: How to Help Our Kids
Ashwin Sukumaran – The Health Message & the Latter Rain
Ray Hartwell – The Joneses Have It All Wrong

Friday, June 18

Dennis Smith – Baptism of the Holy Spirit & Prayer
Lowell Cooper – The Holy Spirit Draws the Mission Map
DeeAnn Bragaw – Go Ahead and Send the Rain, God, But Could We Skip the Mud?
Eric Brown – Starting a Vibrant Men's Ministry
Sung Kwon – Change the Questions, Change the World

*for times and connection information, see our website at uccsda.org/campmeeting

Check out the full schedule at uccsda.org/campmeeting .

Want More Reasons to Care About Your Health?

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 18:57:35 GMT

The United States spends roughly $3.8 trillion dollars each year on health care. Ninety percent of that figure is spent caring for people with chronic and mental health conditions.

By Cindy Williams, RN

Coordinator, Health Ministries

Some time ago I was visiting with a friend whose son was hospitalized for a few days. I was shocked to learn that the bill, after insurance paid, was more than $25,000. The United States spends roughly $3.8 trillion dollars each year on health care. Ninety percent of that figure is spent caring for people with chronic and mental health conditions. I doubt that most of us can relate to how much a trillion is, so I just have to say — “that’s a lot of money.” I would prefer to spend my money on something else. That gives me one good reason to take care of my health.

Here are some other reasons that I wrote down for myself:

I can do more of the things I want to.
I can use my resources for something other than sick care.
I can care for my family and friends better. My health affects others.
I can be more effective in serving God and others.
I can communicate and develop my relationship with God better.
God asks me to do everything to His glory. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
I honor God by taking care of His temple. (1 Corinthians 6:19,20)
God asks me to be a living sacrifice for Him. (Romans 12:1)

I challenge you this week to take a few minutes and jot down your own reasons for putting time and energy into your health. I find that having a purpose, a reason to make good choices, is helpful when faced with laziness or temptation. Prayer is also a powerful tool!

This article is part of a continuing series of health during these COVID times. For other articles, please see www.uccsda.org/healthministries .

Photo by Jp Valery on Unsplash

What Is Health?

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 21:54:22 GMT

Most of us spend very little time, if any, thinking about our health.

By Cindy Williams, RN

Coordinator, Health Ministries

Denis Waitley, author of The Psychology of Winning, said; “Time and health are two precious assets that we don’t recognize and appreciate until they have been depleted.”

Most of us spend very little time, if any, thinking about our health. We simply live our lives. We take care of the urgent and necessary things on our to-do lists. Until something happens. We discover a lump, catch a nasty virus, injure our back, or even experience something simple like an annoying sliver in our finger or stub our toe on the table leg. Taking care of the problem suddenly becomes a priority and our focus changes — at least for a time.

What is health? When I ask my high school health class students to define health, they often look at me blankly. Surely their teacher knows what health is! They give me answers like “not being sick,” “not hurting anywhere,” or “being able to do what I want.” I do not think these give the whole picture although they are certainly a part of health.

I believe that health is more than the absence of disease. Genesis 1:26 and 30 say: “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…. God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.” “Man came from the hand of God perfect in every faculty of mind and body; in perfect soundness, therefore in perfect health.” (My Life Today, page 131) We were created in the image of God, perfect in every way, our mind and body functioning perfectly. Perfect health.

We are now more than 6,000 years after creation. Our minds and our bodies are not perfect. The effects of sin and our own choices have left their mark on us. But there is hope! Desire of Ages, page 1 says: “It was His (Jesus) mission to bring to men complete restoration; He came to give them health and peace and perfection of character.” Re-creation, bringing us back to perfect health, has come at great cost to our Creator. Maybe it is time to honor His sacrifice by valuing our health and considering how to preserve it.

This article is part of a continuing series of health during these COVID times. For other articles, please see www.uccsda.org/healthministries .

Photo by Jenny Hill on Unsplash

Leadership Transition at Upper Columbia Academy for 2022

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Wed, 26 May 2021 15:07:44 GMT

PJ Deming joins Upper Columbia Academy as principal for 2022.

By Dustin R. Jones, MA

UCC Director of Communications

The Upper Columbia Academy Board and Upper Columbia Conference welcome Jeff “PJ” Deming to serve as the next principal for Upper Columbia Academy (UCA). Eric Johnson, the previous principal of UCA, gave notice to the UCA Board at the beginning of April that he will be transitioning to a new position at the end of the 2020-2021 school year. Deming will assume his duties as of July 1, 2021.

“We are very excited to welcome PJ and his family to the Upper Columbia Conference,” says Brian Harris, VP of education at Upper Columbia Conference. “We look forward to seeing how God will continue to bless UCA through his leadership.”

Deming graduated from Union College, Lincoln, Nebraska, with a degree in theology. He also holds a master’s degree in leadership and administration from La Sierra University, Riverside, California. He has previously served as a campus chaplain, development director, youth director, and lead pastor. He brings a wealth of administrative experience at the local church, school and conference levels.

Deming and his wife, Amy, have served for the past eleven years at Monterey Bay Academy, a 9-12 boarding academy located in the Central California Conference. The Demings have three adult children and one grandchild.

Johnson has served as principal of UCA for the past four years.

“Eric has led UCA with distinction and we wish him the best as he and his family make their move to the east coast,” says Harris.

When sharing his decision with his staff, Johnson said “This decision was not easy as I love both the students and staff here at UCA. They are simply the best! It has been a distinct honor to be able to lead Upper Columbia Academy these past 4 years. I cannot tell you how much I have appreciated your prayers and support, especially this year. I am looking forward to a great finish to our school year.”

Relief For When You're Stuffy and Miserable

Wed, 26 May 2021 00:08:21 GMT

Seasonal allergies often cause people to feel quite miserable, even if it is for a limited time. Relief can seem far away.

By Cindy Williams, RN

Coordinator, Health Ministries

Seasonal allergies often cause people to feel quite miserable, even if it is for a limited time. Relief can seem far away. Here are some ideas that may help.

Reduce exposure to environmental allergens by doing the following:

Stay inside when pollen counts are high. This is usually when it is dry and windy. Pollen counts are often highest in the early morning. Pollen counts are posted on many weather apps.
Keep windows and doors closed at night and when pollen counts are high.
Use the air conditioning in your car and house if you can.
Avoid outdoor tasks, such as mowing lawns, if you are allergic to grasses. Find someone to hire for these jobs. It will be money well spent.
Wear a pollen mask if you do have to do outside chores.
Shower and change clothes at the end of the day when you have been outside. This will remove pollen from your hair and skin.
Make sure that the filters in your heating and air conditioning systems are changed regularly.
Put a portable HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter in your bedroom and use it at night.

Treat the symptoms:

Rinse your nasal passages with a saline irrigation solution. Rinsing will flush out allergens and mucus which helps to relieve congestion. A squeeze bottle or neti pot are good alternatives to use.
Use locally produced honey. There is some evidence that this can help desensitize you to pollens.
Make a natural antihistamine drink. Blend two organic/non-sprayed, washed lemons with peel in four cups of water until completely blended. Add water to make two liters. Sweeten with two – four tablespoons of (preferably) raw honey. Drink throughout the day, preferably near or before meals. Many have found this to be helpful although there are no studies to confirm it.
Add nutritional yeast to your diet. One study found that one teaspoon a day over four weeks reduced allergy symptoms significantly.
Use over the counter medications such as Claritin, Zyrtec, or Allegra if needed.
Hot and cold hydrotherapy treatments over the sinus area can provide a great deal of relief from congestion. An easy way to do this is in the shower.
Decongestants like Sudafed can provide temporary relief from a stuffy nose. However, they can make symptoms worse if used for more than a few days.
Allergy shots (allergen immunotherapy), in which regular injections of tiny amounts of an allergen are administered to desensitize a person to the allergen, are available for those who have significant and prolonged symptoms.

References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/in-depth/seasonal-allergies/art-20048343

https://nutritionfacts.org/video/flashback-friday-best-food-for-hay-fever-seasonal-allergies/?utm_source=NutritionFacts.org&utm_campaign=cda3c1cafe-RSS_VIDEO_DAILY&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_40f9e497d1-cda3c1cafe-26492517&mc_cid=cda3c1cafe&mc_eid=d238303415

https://acaai.org/allergies/seasonal-allergies

This article is part of a continuing series of health during these COVID times. For other articles, please see www.uccsda.org/healthministries .

Photo by Brittany Colette on Unsplash

I Can't Stop Sneezing! Is It COVID?

Tue, 11 May 2021 22:13:11 GMT

Runny nose, congestion, itchy, red, watery eyes. What is wrong with me? Is it a cold or COVID-19?

By Cindy Williams, RN

Coordinator, Health Ministries

Achoo! Achoo! Runny nose, congestion, itchy, red, watery eyes. What is wrong with me? Is it a cold or COVID-19? Maybe hay fever or seasonal allergies? The symptoms of all three of these conditions can overlap and make it hard to know what you are dealing with. It is rare to have a fever, difficulty breathing, or diarrhea with a cold or seasonal allergy so the presence of those symptoms should let you know that you need isolate yourself and get tested for COVID-19. Difficulty breathing is not usually associated with seasonal allergies (unless you have asthma). Itchy eyes usually go with allergies and a cough with a cold. The time of year when symptoms occur can also help to determine what is happening.

Seasonal allergies occur because the immune system mistakes something typically harmless for a dangerous intruder. It produces antibodies against that substance. Your body reacts, often strongly, when you are exposed again. The antibodies cause the release of chemicals, including histamine, which cause those annoying symptoms. Triggers in the springtime are a wide variety of trees, flowers, and grasses. Ragweed commonly causes late summer and fall allergies. Sagebrush, tumbleweed, Russian thistle, and pigweed also trigger fall allergy symptoms.

Environmental and climate factors can influence the severity of allergy symptoms. Many tree, grass, and ragweed pollens love cool nights and warm days. Molds, another common trigger, grow well in high humidity and heat. Windy, warm days can cause pollen counts to quickly rise. Rain will often wash away pollen but then plants grow even more quickly after the rain ends. Pollen counts are usually highest in the morning. And, unfortunately for allergy sufferers, moving to a new place only helps for a brief time.

I will look at options for how to cope with seasonal allergies in the next health tip. There are several things that can be done to reduce exposure as well as relieve symptoms.

References

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-it-covid-19-a-cold-or-seasonal-allergies/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/allergies/symptoms-causes/syc-20351497#:~:text=Allergies%20occur%20when%20your%20immune,produces%20substances%20known%20as%20antibodies .

This article is part of a continuing series of health during these COVID times. For other articles, please see www.uccsda.org/healthministries .

Photo by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash

Mission-Minded = Heaven-Minded

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 23:08:25 GMT

Now it is time to share this message with our churches and members. We know that our time on earth is short. Jesus is returning soon!

By Minner Labrador

President, UCC

Much has happened in our conference over the past two months. In my last report, I mentioned our Mission Ignition event. This event featured our department directors presenting their plans to fulfill our initiative to seek out One More for Jesus.

What a blessing these presentations were! As each director shared their plans with clear goals and objectives, I couldn’t help but reflect what great work they are doing to help our Conference bring in One More.

Now it is time to share this message with our churches and members. We know that our time on earth is short. Jesus is returning soon! What can each of us do to bring One More to His kingdom?

I want to share with you two stories of how some of our churches are working towards One More. These stories were also shared recently with our Executive Committee. Slavik Ostapenko, who provides leadership among our Slavic churches in Spokane, is having tremendous success reaching individuals worldwide through his Youtube ministry.

His small Slavic-speaking church has received more than 280,000 views with more than 60 million impressions. These are impressive numbers and show how God is working through technology.

Jason Worf, our pastor up in Bonner’s Ferry, Idaho, has an amazing story about a couple that recently moved to the area. In their move, they stumbled upon an old George Vandeman book, “Planet in Rebellion.” It sparked an interest and they started doing their research. The couple is now scheduled to be baptized this Spring!

God is so good. He is always winning. The Lord is unstoppable!

As COVID numbers start decreasing rapidly over the next few months, pray for our churches that they continue to assemble safely. There is so much to be excited about. How will God work in your life to bring One More to Him? May we all continue to be Heaven-minded!

This article first appeared in the May 2021 President's Report. To read the full report see news.uccsda.org/president0521 .

Clark Fork Church Members Make Christmas Mission Trip to Mexico

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 15:00:03 GMT

I saw families that worked and worshipped together. I saw examples of what our young people can become when raised to work for God

By Beth Duffey

In late December 2020, despite all the odds of it happening, Clark Fork Seventh-day Adventist Church members James Hunt and Yvonne Eller Hunt took off from Idaho for a two-week mission trip to Mexico. They flew to Cancun and were picked up by a local Adventist bus driver who lent his 30-passenger bus at no cost other than fuel.

The pair traveled to Playa del Carmen, about 40 miles to the south. They were joined by several family members, but this was no ordinary Christmas reunion. The group was housed in a school, where they could spread out their sleeping bags.

Every day, the group split into four teams: one leading a Vacation Bible School, the startup crew, the finish crew and the roofing crew. Few had any previous experience laying cement blocks or leading VBS. In addition, speakers from the group held evening meetings, giving people a chance to give their lives to Jesus.

On two successive Sabbath afternoons, the group handed out literature in the poorer areas where they just had built a church or would be building a church in the next few days. The group was able to build eight churches successfully in a very short time.

The Hunts were interviewed for a personal account of their trip.

What persuaded you to give up your Christmas holiday at home and travel outside the U.S. despite the risks of getting COVID?

It is more blessed to give than to receive, so we couldn't think of a better way to give to some people who couldn't give back. This mission trip was scheduled, so we had no choice on the dates. As for COVID — we determined that if we got it, so be it, and we were not worried. We knew that God was in control. Remarkably, back in December 2019, before any COVID restrictions, the decision was made that the 2020 mission group would fly into Cancun instead of the usual plans to drive from the U.S. Little did the planners know that by December 2020, flying into Mexico would be the only way to get there.

Other family members also joined?

Yvonne's son Beaver and his family (wife Rebecca and children Zoe, Benjamin and Liberty) also went. Yvonne's daughter and son-in-law, Shama and A.J., came, as did James's grandson, Daren.

How was this adventure organized and who persuaded you to join? Who paid the travel expenses?

Rich and Pam Sutton, relatives of Yvonne, have been organizing these mission trips for more than 30 years (see mexicomissionsadventista.or g). Rich gave a presentation at Faith Camp at the Hayden Lake Seventh-day Adventist Church in north Idaho in July 2020, and we decided to join about 80 Americans on this Mexico mission trip. Each person paid their own travel expenses as well as contributed $350 per person for church building materials and other expenses.

How were you fed? Where did you sleep?

Rich hired some of the local Mexican church members to cook for us all. We were housed in a school with no students because of COVID. We took camping mattresses and sleeping bags and slept on the floor of the classrooms.

Did you have any previous experience for this work? What were your functions?

Yvonne had been on two mission trips before, but this was the first mission trip for James. Because James had done construction work previously, he helped lay concrete blocks and did other construction jobs. Yvonne also helped with the building, but she mainly helped with the Vacation Bible School for local children.

Why did so many churches need to be built in such a short time?

Mexican cities have many Adventist churches, but more are needed to house its many congregations. Church groups tend to be rather small, and some have to meet in homes because of lack of churches. Lots of American students volunteered to participate on this trip, so construction had to occur during their vacation time.

In your photos, the churches look rather small. Do the churches have roofs and windows and doors, electricity for lights, plumbing for bathrooms, and chairs or pews?

Our mission was to put up the concrete block walls and a metal roof on each church building, which was 60 feet long by 30 feet wide. After we left, the local congregation added the floor and stucco on the walls, installed the doors and windows, and did the electrical work. Some churches use outhouses for restrooms. The churches we built used inexpensive plastic chairs. Once a church is built, I think they fill it fairly quickly.

Who pays for the building materials and where do they come from?

For each church, the Mexican Conference pays $2,000, the local church pays $2,000 and our mission trip money contributed $2,000. All of the building materials were purchased in Mexico.

What were the highlights of your trip?

This was an especially great experience for the young people who came. I saw families that worked and worshipped together. I saw some examples of what our young people can become when raised to work for God. We both really enjoyed handing out literature because the Mexican people eagerly received it. They almost always smiled and gave us a hearty “gracias.” As we walked on and looked back, many already were absorbed in reading the literature. Yvonne really enjoyed working with the Mexican children in the various VBS programs. The children were very enthusiastic and attentive.

Pathfinders as Hope Builders: How to Help a Community Destroyed by Fire

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 14:52:46 GMT

Pathfinders are rediscovering the joy of serving just because that’s what Jesus Followers do

By Richie Brower

On Labor Day 2020, fires ignited all across the Pacific and Inland Northwest. Fueled by high winds and low humidity, they devoured vast areas with incredible speed. While most of those fires burned in Oregon conference territory, several raged in Upper Columbia Conference (UCC), destroying the small towns of Bridgeport and Malden, Wash.

What was left in Malden, where 80 percent of the structures burned to the ground, was ash, scorched trees, burned out car hulks and stories of heroism. Driving into the town, you can smell the stench of burned structures and smoldering dreams. Malden looks like a town with a very questionable future.

Enter Pathfinders.

Only days after the fire, staff of the Wheatland Coyotes Pathfinder club in Spangle, Wash., began talking about the situation in Malden – just 25 minutes away. They determined to find out what they could do to help, hoping to give the Pathfinders real experience being the hands of Jesus reaching out to their neighbors. The first step was to reach out to Patty Marsh, UCC Adventist Community Services director, and ask for direction.

It didn’t take long to set up an appointment for the club to meet with the Mayor and Town Manager in order to see the devastation firsthand. This first visit became an opportunity to talk about ways the club could help. On a Wednesday evening, three car loads of Pathfinders and staff unloaded in a blackened scene of charred remains.

Ash puffed up with every step as the club followed the town officials into the park where Town Hall and the library had stood before they burned. In front of the Malden Park sign, Jenna, Malden town manager, paused and pointing to a small raised bed, asked, “Do you think you guys could replant this?”

The staff laughed and replied, “Sure. But when we come, there will be hundreds of us… think bigger. We really want to make a difference here.”

Later that evening after talking on the drive home from Malden, the staff shared their thoughts. “We really got to wondering what would make people want to move to Malden now. How could we help give this little town a bright future and help it become a place where families would want to raise their kids?”

That’s when the vision shifted from helping families in Malden to doing something for the community as a whole. “Let’s give Malden a new park!”

This is a long (and expensive) process but the Wheatland Coyotes are devoting at least part of every club meeting to planning, preparing, building, or fundraising to serve the people affected by the fire. Recently, a local landscape engineer volunteered to lead the Pathfinders through the process of designing the new park and locating features like a new walking path, a new playground, a Frisbee golf course and parking. In January, the Pathfinders are scheduled to present their proposal for a new park to the Malden Town Council.

“My vision is that the Pathfinders will be inspired with a desire to help others,” says Cindy Williams, Wheatland Coyotes Club. “We are seeking to empower young people with the realization that they can do big things in the world even now. I also hope that the kids will realize just how much excitement, joy and fulfillment can come from being the hands and feet of Jesus.”

Pathfinders are rediscovering the joy of serving just because that’s what Jesus Followers do. UCC Adventurers and Pathfinders are hope builders and we’re here to help.

Are You a Lazy Cook?

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 23:33:46 GMT

Occasionally I enjoy trying new recipes and making complicated dishes. Most of the time I want to make something that is quick, easy, healthy, and tastes good.

By Cindy Williams, RN

Coordinator, Health Ministries

Are you a lazy cook? I am. Occasionally I enjoy trying new recipes and making complicated dishes. Most of the time I want to make something that is quick, easy, healthy, and tastes good. Like most of you, I am also busy. Preparing meals must be quick and easy or we start to rely on convenience and fast foods. There are ways to accomplish this with just a little extra effort.

Create a menu plan. This eliminates staring into the refrigerator asking yourself what you can make with what is in there. It also helps avoid extra trips to the store as you decide what to make and realize you are missing one key ingredient. Your menu can be super simple or very detailed depending on how well-stocked your pantry is and how you like to cook.
Double or triple recipes that freeze well and that you know your family enjoys. It takes very little extra work to do this.
Cook a large quantity of something that will form the base of multiple dishes. Black beans could become soup, chili, taco salad, or rice and beans.
Make your own mixes. Pancake mix, cornbread mix, lentil soup mix. There are dozens of recipes that can be put together in bulk, stored, and used as needed.
Maintain a well-stocked freezer and pantry. Frozen vegetables are especially helpful, and healthy, in getting a meal on the table quickly.
Simplify. Eat your salad vegetables as finger food with a healthy dip instead of making the salad. Skip sautéing onions and garlic at the beginning of a recipe. It will make only a slight difference in flavor and save time and an extra step.
Use your appliances to full capacity. My Instant Pot and slow cooker are wonderful tools. I don’t have to hover over the stove making sure I’m not burning dinner and the house even stays cool. Again, planning is the key to making these work for you.
Think about how to make clean-up easier. I love using parchment paper on baking sheets. It makes cleaning effortless and eliminates spraying the pan.

An investment in meal planning and cooking ahead will pay big dividends. I hope you give it a try.

Resources

Fix-It-Fast Vegetarian Cookbook by Heather Houck Reseck

https://heatherreseck.com/recipes/

https://www.forksoverknives.com/recipes/vegan-menus-collections/easy-plant-based-recipes/

This article is part of a continuing series of health during these COVID times. For other articles, please see www.uccsda.org/healthministries .

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

FoundationONE Acquires Two New Named Scholarships!

Sun, 25 Apr 2021 17:00:02 GMT

Together we can help many, many students get a great education and develop a personal relationship with Jesus

Contributed article

In addition to its general scholarship program, FoundationONE is blessed to have several named scholarship funds. These funds are established in honor of, or in memory of, an individual, group or organization. Recently, two donors stepped forward to create new named scholarships.

Londa (Slawson) Raines Memorial Scholarship

The Londa (Slawson) Raines Scholarship was initiated by Larry and Linda Slawson, Londa’s brother and sister-in-law. “Four generations of Slawsons have been educated in Adventist schools,” they say, “and we would like to help other students experience the opportunity for lifelong friendships, top-notch education and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Raines graduated from Milo Adventist Academy in 1974 then attended Walla Walla College, where she earned an associate’s degree in office administration. At Walla Walla, her roommate was Linda Emick. Larry’s roommates were Scott Raines and John Lowry. As it turned out, the Slawson siblings all ended up swapping roommates — Larry married Linda, Sheryl married John, and Londa married Scott.

Londa Raines enjoyed music. She and Scott sang many duets and performed with numerous choirs and musical groups over the years. She is well-known throughout the NPUC, as she worked many years at the Upper Columbia Conference office, Camp Mivoden and the North Pacific Union Conference office.

Raines is remembered as a supportive friend. She also packed a lot of attitude in her petite frame. Along with words of encouragement, she sometimes shared words of counsel. More than one of her bosses over the years insisted they were not her boss — she was theirs.

Her feisty personality would prove useful in later years. It helped her fight cancer twice — first putting breast cancer into remission for five years and then surviving stage 4 terminal cancer for 20 months. During her long battle, Raines expressed her strong faith as “sky high!” and proclaimed “I believe!" On Saturday, July 13, 2013, she went to her rest.

The Londa (Slawson) Raines Memorial Scholarship will assist Upper Columbia Academy students who need financial assistance and is limited to those who participate in UCA’s vocal music programs. Larry and Linda Slawson invite family, friends and work colleagues to join them in growing Londa Raines’ fund. “Together,” they say, “we can help many, many students get a great education and develop a personal relationship with Jesus.”

The Leadbetter Family Scholarship

The new Leadbetter Family Scholarship was created by Ray Leadbetter, a 1954 graduate of Upper Columbia Academy. The Leadbetter family story is one of hardship and tragedy. Nevertheless, Ray and his family have left their mark.

Ray Leadbetter’s father, Cecil, lost his mother when he was 3 years old. Following her death, Cecil and his infant brother went to live at a foster home. The young Leadbetter children were taunted and abused by the older children, but they endured.

Cecil eventually married Frances, and the couple had three sons. Ray was their second child. When Ray was 5 years old, Cecil was killed in an automobile accident. His young widow did her very best to meet the needs of her three growing boys, but the Great Depression was raging. It was all she could do to keep food on the table.

Eventually, Ray’s mother remarried and had two more children. When her second marriage broke up, Frances moved her family to Colville, Washington, to be close to relatives. At the time of the move, Ray was 12 years old. He attended the local Colville public high school for grades nine through 11.

One day an UCA faculty member visited the Colville Church and talked about UCA. Ray decided UCA was the place for him. That summer he got a job, but at the end of the summer the farmer paid him only $80 — not nearly enough to enroll at UCA. What a disappointment!

Nevertheless, Ray was determined to enroll. He worked two jobs that school year — in the maintenance department and as a monitor in the dormitory. With God’s blessing Ray was able to pay his school bill. “Going to UCA was a life-changing experience,” he says, “UCA pointed me in the direction of a fulfilling life of service.”

Following college, Ray taught history and English at Auburn Academy for eight years. Then he transferred to Andrews University in Michigan, where he served 33 years. Ray retired as a full professor in 2000.

“I can never forget,” he says. That’s why in 2020 — 66 years after graduating from UCA — Ray felt compelled to establish a named scholarship to benefit UCA students. The new Leadbetter Family Scholarship is for UCA students who excel history, English or music performance and who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Family and friends who wish to support either of these scholarships may send a check to FoundationONE, P.O. Box 744, Post Falls, ID 83877 or donate at foundationoneuca.org/give-now/ . A notification of every gift will be sent to the appropriate fund agent.

FoundationONE exists to connect people who care with students who desire a Christian education. For more information about this lay-led group, go to foundationoneuca.org or call

This article appeared in the NW Adventists Gleaner

Shine 104.9 Changes Lives in New TV Promo

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 15:00:02 GMT

God hit me right in the heart

By Dustin Jones

Justin found himself in a rough patch. After turning to drugs and alcohol, he discovered that he was getting in deeper and deeper. After 15 years and two suicide attempts, Justin hit rock bottom. His friends kept telling him, “the first thing you need to change is the music you listen to.” That’s when Justin found Shine 104.9.

“God hit me right in the heart,” says Justin. He is now a leader in his church and celebrating two years sober. His story is part of a new ad promo for Shine 104.9 in Spokane. To watch the promo of how lives are being changed, go to news.uccsda.org/shine31721 .

New Spokane Christian Television Station Launched

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 15:00:02 GMT

What was once an impossible dream for me, I can see God’s hand in making it a reality!

By Dustin Jones

In February, a new Christian television station was launched in Spokane with a different focus — African Americans. The station, Rays of Light TV, will serve as a delivery system for content produced by local Seventh-day Adventists pastors, churches and individuals around the country. In particular, it will carry programming produced by Adventists of color.

Rupert Salmon, who will become the first black Seventh-day Adventist to own a television station when he purchases Spokane’s Channel 35 later this year, announced that Rays of Light TV will present a unique voice in the community.

“I feel quite strongly that God has called me to lead this ministry,” says Salmon. “African Americans in Spokane have not really had Christian programming that speaks directly to them. What we are starting here is something special.”

Channel 35 has been in operation in the Spokane area for several years. It has been operating as a ministry by a group of local churches and providing four Adventist channel streams to the local community.

When Salmon first began volunteering with Channel 35 as a consultant, the idea of buying the station was an impossible dream. Originally, Salmon had joined the Spokane Valley Adventist Church. His abilities led him to the church’s audio-visual department and eventually to advising the group of churches that owned and operated Channel 35. However, the churches struggled to maintain the station financially.

After more than three years as a management consultant for the station, Salmon saw an opportunity to not only continue the ministry to the Spokane area, but to also expand the vision.

“The Word declares that, ‘things that are impossible with man, are possible with God,’” says Salmon. “What was once an impossible dream for me, I can see God’s hand in making it a reality!”

Three of the Channel 35 streams will continue to rebroadcast Adventist programming, including local programming. The fourth stream, operating as Rays of Light TV, will focus on programming from people of color for people of color.

“These stations are providing hope and continuing the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church,” says Salmon. “As with other ministries of this type, we are dependent on financial support from our viewers.”

Rays of Light is currently showcasing the series “40 Days of Preaching, Teaching and Prayer.” This program is on nightly, with the exception of Mondays, presented in collaboration with the North American Division Prayer Ministries Department and the Office for Regional Conference Ministries. It can be accessed via Apple TV, Roku, and Glory Star and by downloading the Rays of Light app. For more information on programming, how to watch, and how to support this ministry, visit www.roltv.org .

Upper Columbia President Hosts New Radio Series

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 14:00:03 GMT

He’s cleared the way in our community to be able to keep reaching one more soul with the hope of Jesus

By Dustin Jones

Minner Labrador Jr., president of Upper Columbia Conference, recently launched a new radio series, Live by Faith. Each week Labrador Jr. shares a short message of hope and renewal by focusing on topics such as being a blessing and a role model, dealing with loss, and how to be a successful Christian. The segments usually run about a minute and a half.

“ With this series, ” says Labrador Jr., “ we are able to speak directly to people in Spokane and the surrounding communities. These are important messages for our time to help those in need prepare for His soon return. ”

The series has recently been picked up for rebroadcast by LifeTalk Radio nationwide. It is recorded in the Shine 104.9 studio and reaches the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene regions.

“ God has blessed KEEH with influence in this community — being ranked as high as the #1 radio station in Spokane/Coeur d’Alene is a privilege that we do not take lightly, ” says Darin Patzer, station manager for Shine 104.9. “ He’s cleared the way in our community to be able to keep reaching one more soul with the hope of Jesus. ”

To listen to the podcast series, you can turn your radio to 104.9 in the Spokane area or 94.9 in Coeur d’Alene. You can also listen to Live By Faith online at www.uccsda.org/livebyfaith .

Surviving the Super Size

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 22:48:55 GMT

Most of you reading this probably eat fast food infrequently, maybe even rarely. It may be only when traveling, when a meeting runs late at work, or after a long day of running errands.

By Cindy Williams, RN

Coordinator, Health Ministries

Super Size Me , a 2004 American documentary directed and starring Morgan Spurlock, focused on the dangers of fast food, specifically McDonalds. Morgan ate and drank only food and beverages from McDonalds for 30 days. His doctors predicted that he would gain a little weight and that his cholesterol and triglycerides would go up. Morgan experienced weight gain of 25 pounds, had headaches, depression, fatigue, massive food cravings, chest pain and pressure, his cholesterol increased, and he developed a fatty liver. His doctors told him to stop the experiment by day 21 because they feared he would permanently damage his body.

Most of you reading this probably eat fast food infrequently, maybe even rarely. It may be only when traveling, when a meeting runs late at work, or after a long day of running errands. You are tired and hungry and fast food is convenient and tastes good. I have been in this situation myself in the past. COVID has reduced the number of trips and amount of time I spend out and about. I have also been thinking about ways to reduce both the need and the temptation to get fast food when I am out. Here are a few things that I have come up with. I hope they are helpful.

Make a car survival kit with healthy snack foods such as dried fruits, nuts, fruit leather, cereal and granola bars, bite-sized whole grain cereal, small containers of canned fruit, vegetarian baked beans, shelf-stable juice or milk boxes, and pretzels. Be sure to include a paring knife, can opener, spoon, and any cups, bowls, or plates that you might need. Put your kit in a mouse-proof container so you don’t have any surprises later.
Make an office survival kit. This could include the same items as the car survival kit but access to a microwave in the office greatly expands the possibilities. Canned and dry soups, chili, and pre-cooked rice and quinoa are available. There are also good frozen options if you have a freezer at your workplace.
Make a plan for days when you know you will travel, have meetings late at the office, or have lots of errands to run. Pack an insulated lunch box with easy-to-grab veggies, a wrap or sandwich, and a cold-water bottle.

This article is part of a continuing series of health during these COVID times. For other articles, please see www.uccsda.org/healthministries .

Photo by Jurij Kenda on Unsplash

Upper Columbia Celebrates Mission Ignition

dustinj@uccsda.org (Dustin Jones) — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 15:15:02 GMT

As we work together with one focus, we allow the Holy Spirit to better work through us to His glory.

By Dustin Jones

At a staff retreat held Monday, March 29, Upper Columbia Conference (UCC) celebrated the official kick-off for its One More campaign. Titled “Mission Ignition,” the event served to focus staff and departments on how best to bring One More to the Kingdom.

“ During these tumultuous times, our conference is singularly focused on serving Him and completing His mission, ” says Minner Labrador Jr., president of UCC. “ In our churches, our schools, and our communities, the love of Christ is so needed. It is our goal to support and inspire others to maintain focus and finish His work strong! ”

Each director presented their department plans for and how they would support the overall strategic plan. Initiatives ranged from building a new studio set for video recording to working with our schools and churches to successfully navigate polarizing topics.

Overarching themes of the strategic plan are unity, engagement, equip & empower, and excellence. Each department organized their strategic priorities under these themes to better facilitate a cohesive approach to One More.

“ As we work together with one focus, we allow the Holy Spirit to better work through us to His glory, ” says Labrador. “ Jesus is coming again soon and it is time for all of us listen to His calling, use our spiritual gifts and work to save as many as we can. ”

The conference is currently planning several local workshops to train and empower churches to better connect with their communities and bring One More to the Kingdom. These workshops will range from developing strong children’s programs to establishing a strong web presence to reaching out to those in need through Adventist Community Services.

The One More campaign was developed during the constituency meeting of 2019 and work to establish the campaign began soon after. The campaign continues the mission of the conference to equip and empower churches and ministries that reach our communities with the Christ-centered message of hope and wholeness.

More information about the One More campaign and the strategic plan of the conference will be released in the coming months. To learn more about what is happening in our conference, see our website at www.uccsda.org.

Steps to Health 2021 at Chewelah Adventist Church

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 15:14:53 GMT

Knowing that the health message is the 'right arm of the gospel,' what could be done to reach their community during a time of Covid restrictions?

By Larelee Misseghers

Member, Chewelah Adventist Church

The health ministries team at Chewelah Adventist Church was faced with a dilemma. Knowing that the health message is the “right arm of the gospel,” what could be done to reach their community during a time of Covid restrictions? Likely, in-person presentations would be poorly attended — if people would even come at all. The solution was to partner with those who had audio-visual expertise in the church and to take their message virtual. That is how Steps to Health 2021 was born.

A series of four meetings covering NEWSTART®, weight loss, heart health, and simple remedies — with healthy food demonstrations also included — was presented via Zoom (to allow for interaction) and YouTube.

God has blessed these videos and allowed them to reach people from all over the world (Australia, England, Japan, Peru) who would have never been able to attend in person. Even now these online videos are being used as an opportunity to witness to others, as it is easy to give interested parties the YouTube information, so they can watch them at a time that is convenient for them.

Interestingly, one member of the health team with relatives in Japan, received a call from a cousin after she saw the NEWSTART® presentation. The presenter had briefly mentioned that Adventists do not believe in an eternally burning hell, and this then generated a discussion about the state of the dead.

If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about these health topics, then please visit the Chewelah Adventist YouTube website at news.uccsda.org/chewelah4121 . All four presentations are available under the Steps to Health Playlist.

Or, you to can use the links below:

NEWSTART

news.uccsda.org/Newstart4121

Practical Steps to Weight Management

news.uccsda.org/practicalsteps4121

How to Combat Heart Disease

news.uccsda.org/heartdisease4121

Natural Remedies

news.uccsda.org/natural4121

A Pandemic Blessing

Sun, 18 Apr 2021 18:17:47 GMT

We have this amazing opportunity to serve — we can’t just let that go!

By Julene Cole

Communication Secretary of Omak SDA Church

The planning committee for Omak Seventh-day Adventist Church’s annual free dental clinic realized they had a real challenge on their hands. The church had previously hosted two dental clinics, using the equipment of nonprofit ministry Caring Hands Worldwide to provide free dental care to community members who otherwise could not afford it. However, both of those previous events were not during a pandemic. It was evident that their September 18 and 20, 2020 event was going to be a very different situation.

One challenge was finding enough volunteers, as the number of people available to help at the clinic was much smaller because of COVID-19. In addition, patient management was a difficulty. In previous years, the community was invited, and crowds of people showed up to stand in line for first come, first served appointments. The committee grappled with ways to ensure appropriate distancing and sanitization, but felt discouraged when nothing seemed workable. Not wanting to give up, one committee member urged, “We have this amazing opportunity to serve — we can’t just let that go!”

Together, the planning committee bowed in prayer asking God to give them insight to solve their dilemma. As soon as prayer was over, the next words spoken were the answer: “What if we made appointments, like a regular dental office?” And with that, a completely new patient management plan was launched. Later, the committee learned from Caring Hands Worldwide that the Omak site was the first to go forward with hosting a free dental clinic with their equipment, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The resulting patient management plan worked so well, that the group says they won’t go back to the old approach. For one thing, the new system took fewer in-person volunteers to manage. In addition, many of those who were unable to volunteer in-person were able help from home by scheduling appointments and conducting patient screenings by phone. The entire process was a more streamlined and pleasant experience for both volunteers and patients. What at first felt like a roadblock — ended up as a blessing.

Though the number of patients that could be served was significantly reduced because of COVID-19 guidelines, the free dental clinic was able to provide badly needed dental extractions and cleanings to 57 community members. The Omak Adventist Church looks forward to serving their community again for many years to come, with the benefit of what they learned by asking God to help them adapt to challenging times.

Photo Information:

Equipment sterilization station: Krystin Cole and Joshua Read (both of the Omak SDA Church) sterilize dental clinic instruments.

Patient Registration: Sara Hartzell and Sarah Cole (both of the Omak Church) register clinic patients.

Provider picture: both sitting: Deanna Harris (left, dental hygienist) and her husband Archie Harris volunteer to do dental cleanings.

Provider picture: both standing, horizontal and vertical formats, Dr. Jung Kim, DDS (who practices in Sunnyside, WA) and his assistant Veronica Skelton (from the Omak Church)

Gowned woman using a computer: Kaiza Jones (Omak Church) manages a patient’s digital x-ray

Kettle Falls Provides DVDs to Community

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 19:10:09 GMT

I will praise thee O Lord among the people and I will sing praises to unto thee among the nations.

By Christine Wong

Member, Kettle Falls Adventist Church

Pre-Covid, our group from Kettle Falls Seventh-day Adventist Church used to go once a month after church to sing at two local nursing homes. The residents would enjoy singing with us following along in the songbooks or would just enjoy listening to the singing. Instruments were commonly included with the accompaniment, a worship thought would be given, and also a special music. We were missing doing this outreach ministry and had the idea to record ourselves singing onto DVDs to circulate among the residents of the nursing homes to watch and sing-along.

Following our church service one Sabbath last month, the nursing home group got together and the children made cards for the residents. Then we spread out into five family groups in the church and sang some songs. There was also a beautiful special music on a harp, and a solo by one of the children. One of the members had the idea to live stream the program so her sons across the country could watch, and then also invite others to watch the recording. It turned out that several people, from all over, joined the sing-along. Some have not been able to attend in-person church since the start of the Corona virus about a year ago, and they said that it was such a blessing.

As the Bible says in Psalms 108:3,4 “I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.” We really wanted to take this to heart.

It was a wonderful blessing for us to sing together and that we could also bless others with our music. We enjoyed it so much that we have decided to get together once a month, as we once did Pre-Covid, and record ourselves singing. Not only so that we can share the DVDs to the nursing homes and let people join us via livestream, but also to pass out the recordings to anyone who would like a sing-along DVD of hymns.

A Child's Prayer

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 20:01:07 GMT

“Lord! Forgive my unbelief and please honor the faith of my little boy.”

By Michele Borders

I want to share an experience for the purpose of strengthening our faith in prayer and particularly encouraging us to build faith in the hearts of our little ones.

Last week our nearly 11-year-old doggy became sick. I should mention here that while he is well-loved, he has always had personality difficulties when relating with people. So we took him to the vet, and as is somewhat expected the vet was not able to examine him because the only thing he could get a good look at was his teeth. He felt he had a cough, or a cold and he would send him home with medication to treat this, rather than putting him through the trauma of somehow sedating him etc.

So, we picked him up, gave him his first dose of medication which he took fine in his meat. But by that evening he refused to take his medication and begin to head downhill rapidly. Through much coaxing and tricking we got one more dose of medication down him 24 hours later and that was it. He would not eat; he would not do anything; he was wheezing and coughing and becoming so weak he could barely walk. So, with grief in my mama heart, I was resigning myself and trying to prepare my children for the fact that I didn't think doggy was going to get better.

Now I must be honest, my prayers turned to, “We know you can make him better Lord, but.... So please just make this happen quick and painlessly for him and us.”

However, that is not the way little boys pray. And they continued to pray for Kip to be made well! Each time for whatever reason my heart kept thinking, “but.... “

Shame shame on me! This hit me Sabbath morning when my little boy again prayed for his doggy to get well in Sabbath school where I was the teacher. And I wanted to paraphrase just a bit... You know, to something that was more realistic for a dying dog. Later I prayed, “Lord! Forgive my unbelief and please honor the faith of my little boy.”

To God be the glory, I kid you not! When we came home from church – while I cannot say that he was 100% – our doggy’s health had changed! When I went to bed Friday night I was expecting to wake and find him not breathing Sabbath morning. On the contrary by Sunday morning, he is eating again; catching his treats in the air; and moving about quite well.

For now, the faith of a child, I fully believe, has brought healing to their doggy. This has been a good reminder to this mommy's heart to never doubt. Only trust and believe for God's will.

Clothing Needy Children Even as the Pandemic Continues

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 19:16:12 GMT

If there was a need for children’s clothes, as we saw then, surely the need was greater as winter approached.

By Gayle Haeger

In August, we wrote about how we operated “God’s Closet” in the face of COVID-19. When October arrived, we began thinking about our November “God’s Closet.” It was clear that nothing had changed as far as the pandemic was concerned. Should we offer another event like we did in August? If there was a need for children’s clothes in August, as we saw then, surely the need was greater as winter approached.

The Spokane team began making plans for November 15. The Monday before, Ruth Lenz, a teacher at Palisades Christian Academy, brought her class to bring all the clothes up from the basement of the Spokane Central Church’s Fellowship Hall — an enormous task. Tables were marked “Girls 3T,” “Boys 7-9,” “Girls 0-3 Months,” etc. Bins were placed under the tables, and piles of sacks of unsorted clothes were stacked in a corner. Some prebagged clothes were left over from August, but many more were needed.

An additional bonus came in the form of our local TV and radio stations, KXLY, donating the coats they had left over from their “Coats for Kids” drive which ended at the end of October. Five huge bags of coats added to our donations.

Keeping the volunteer numbers small was important. Volunteers came Tuesday evening, Thursday evening, Friday morning, and Saturday night to prepare more bags for “Shop Day” on Sunday from 10-12. Facebook notices were sent out. Rain was predicted. But we all wondered, would anyone come?

A long line of people greeted us on Sunday morning. We asked them only their names, the sizes of the children needing clothes, if they needed coats, and if they would like us to pray for them. Many responded that they would like us to pray for their families — several expectant mothers wanted us to pray for their unborn babes, one a set of twins. One grandmother needed clothes for eight of her grandchildren, which she is caring for as a result of disfunction in her family. She was so grateful for the help.

We felt God’s blessing as we helped fill a need in our community. And guess what—not a drop of rain fell on us as we served our neighbors!

The Palisades Christian Academy students came the next day and returned everything to spotless condition. We count our blessings even in the midst of COVID-19!

In a Hurry? Don’t Make This Mistake!

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 20:58:49 GMT

Regular consumption increases your risk of heart disease and can increase your risk of depression by at least 50 percent.

By Cindy Williams, RN

Coordinator, Health Ministries

The revenue from this global industry will reach $781 billion this year. It employs 13,114,684 people in 830,400 businesses. The US market accounts for 34.4 percent of the global revenue. One out of three Americans contribute to this revenue on any given day. And the average American household spends 10 percent of their annual income on this.

Have you guessed the industry yet? Yes, the fast-food industry. Most Americans eat fast food one to three times a week. Eighty-three percent of American families eat fast food at least once a week. McDonald’s is the most popular fast-food restaurant. Two-thirds of Americans visited McDonald’s during 2018. $130.4 billion was spent worldwide at McDonald’s in 2019.

I am shocked at these numbers. I know fast food is popular but the amount of money that is being spent is staggering. I cannot even imagine spending 10 percent of my annual income on fast food!

Why? The most frequent reasons given by a sample of teens and adults who regularly eat at fast-food restaurants were that fast food is quick, the restaurants are easy to get to, and the food tastes good. It seems that we are in a big hurry! We don’t have time to stop and prepare food or even to sit down and eat.

There is another price for our obsession with fast food. It is super unhealthy. The average fast-food meal has 836 calories. It almost always consists of highly processed items with more fat, sugar, and sodium than our body needs in a whole day – sometimes even a whole week! Research has shown that eating fast food twice a week or more can double your risk of type 2 diabetes. Regular consumption increases your risk of heart disease and can increase your risk of depression by at least 50 percent. Processing also strips food of many important nutrients. There are a few healthier options at many establishments but even those are far less nutritious than meals prepared at home.

What do you think? Should fast food be part of our diet? Things are opening up again and I’m guessing that it will be tempting to stop and pick up a quick bite on our way to or from an adventure.

References

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db375.htm

https://www.thebarbecuelab.com/fast-food/#:~:text=%E2%85%93%20of%20Americans%20are%20eating,at%20least%20once%20a%20week

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19027410/

This article is part of a continuing series of health during these COVID times. For other articles, please see www.uccsda.org/healthministries .

Photo by mahyar motebassem on Unsplash

All is Well at CCA

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 17:46:41 GMT

God is still in control and all is well all because of a Baby born in a manger.

By Julie Savino, Vice Principal and Chaplain

Cascade Christian Academy

Each year Cascade Christian Academy in Wenatchee, Washington, students and staff plan church service programs to share with their six constituent churches. With the various restrictions that have come to pass over the last eight months, however, these Education Sabbaths have taken on a different look. Thanks to technology, CCA has continued to “visit” the churches in the Wenatchee Valley.

The usual church service consists of students and staff sharing a Sabbath message based on the school’s annual theme memory verse and musical offerings by various classes and students.

This year the theme verse is Proverbs 3:5–6, which has definitely become a go-to verse for this anomaly of a season.

During December the theme shifted to Christmas, so on Sabbath, Dec. 12, 2020, CCA presented a hybrid program of music and a “Christmas-in-July'' story called “All is Well” about a single mom and her child who couldn’t seem to keep up with the bills, were losing hope, but their neighbors all came together to offer assistance during a very difficult time; the kind of story that reverberates what’s happening in communities today. The program was held at the Wenatchee Church; a perfect venue for the presentation with its stunning vibrant red poinsettias and “forest” of beautiful lit trees.

Mrs. Cheryl Gabel, CCA’s music and technology teacher, was able to coordinate the finale song, “All is Well,” by videoing Google Meets, so the congregation could see the students accompanying on handbells and other instruments, while students of all ages sang the song. In the “grid,” Gabel, as well, could be viewed conducting and playing the piano.

At the close of the service the attendees were given a small dough ornament with the words “All is Well” written on one side and “2020” on the other. Hopefully these ornaments will be a small reminder that God is still in control and all IS well all because of a Baby born in a manger.

Julie Savino, Cascade Christian Academy vice principal and chaplain

Caring for Church Members in Need

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 22:02:37 GMT

God’s church members are truly family to one another — especially when they help each other through difficult times.

By Janelle Klein

It was a cool morning in the mountains of Republic, Washington, when Yarrow Watkins, a longtime Republic Seventh-day Adventist Church member, threw a coat over her pajamas and hurried out the door to start the sprinkler on her lawn. After flipping on the frost-free lever, she stepped back to avoid the water spray.

Suddenly she lost her balance and fell backward, landing on her left hip. “I have had falls before but that was the hardest landing I’ve ever had,” she says. She tried to move her left leg, but it would not move correctly. “Something was definitely wrong in there,” Watkins remembers. Severe pain began gripping her, and she began to shiver. She rolled over and with great effort pulled herself onto a nearby platform. Sitting uncomfortably on the platform she assessed her situation. Her husband was out of town, and she knew it could be days before she would be missed. Sending up a prayer to God, she asked for help to get into her house.

Watkins is no stranger to God’s providential care in overcoming difficult situations. Because of this, one of her favorite verses is Phil. 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Crawling with great effort over more than 50 feet of uneven and rocky terrain, she reached the house door. Grasping the door handle, she pulled herself up and struggled over two more steps, finally settling down on the couch in her living room. She pulled a blanket over herself attempting to get warm. Realizing her severe chill was a sign she was in shock, she roused herself to reach for the phone near the end of the couch.

“I was afraid to call 911 and go off with them, with no one knowing what had happened to me,” Watkins explains. So she first called her son who lives 80 miles away. He told her to call 911 immediately, which she did. Then she called two more church members who kept her talking on the phone until the EMTs arrived about 30 minutes later.

Once at the hospital, Watkins learned that her pelvis had cracked in two places where many muscles and tendons attach. Despite powerful pain medication, any movement of her left leg, especially bearing weight, caused debilitating pain.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions Watkins was allowed absolutely no visitors. The staff struggled to provide acceptable food, and therapy was excruciating. Watkins needed to be able to care for herself independently, as well as be able to climb stairs, in order to return to her trilevel home. Even getting into her home through a multilevel garden that surrounds her house presented a problem. It all seemed to be impossible under the present circumstances. Church members called often, attempted to visit through the closed hospital window, and sent food and flowers to help Watkins cope with the discouraging situation in which she found herself.

But God had already prepared the way for Yarrow in the form a newly found church friend, Kim Gallegos. Gallegos had recently moved from Oak Harbor to Republic after falling in love with the area while taking a health program at Klondike Mountain Health Retreat (KMHR). She began attending the Republic Church, where she became friends with Watkins.

“I feel so bad for Yarrow,” Gallegos told the staff at KMHR. “I want to bring her here for treatments and be her caregiver.” After 17 days in the hospital, the physical therapist did an on-site visit at KMHR and approved Watkins for immediate discharge.

The days passed quickly with treatments, walks to and from meals, and several forays to her house to try the uneven walkways and flights of stairs. After 10 more days, Watkins' husband returned and was able to help Watkins get settled in at home. When asked what part of being at the retreat center that was most helpful to her recovery, Watkins said, “Well, that is hard to say because all of it was helpful.”

“The accelerated healing that Yarrow experienced from the treatments she received at KMHR helped her to be able to better overcome the pain and get back home in a much better condition,” says Martin Klein, RN.

“I think I received the double blessing,” Gallegos confides. “Not only was I able to help Yarrow but because I was at the retreat, I was able to stop smoking. I am 10 days cigarette-free, and it really wasn’t all that bad this time."

Watching these ladies work together was a testimony of how God’s church members are truly family to one another — especially when they help each other through difficult times.

Story provided by Janelle Klein Nurse, Practitioner at Klondike Mountain Health Retreat. Pictures by Martin and Janelle Klein. Pictures, names and medical information are unchanged and used with permission.

Gardening for Life

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 20:08:33 GMT

There are health benefits of having a few indoor plants that are well-documented.

By Cindy Williams, RN

Coordinator, Health Ministries

I have never thought of myself as having a “green thumb.” In fact, I killed many houseplants in my early adult life. I started having more success and enjoying growing things after I met a wonderful lady named Ione in Osburn, Idaho. Ione gardened all her life out of necessity and later to also “get outside and get some exercise.” She gave me some African violet plants, along with care instructions, that are still alive and blooming twenty years after her death.

There are health benefits of having a few indoor plants that are well-documented. Maybe you can start with growing a few easy (harder-to-kill) houseplants. I find spider plants, pothos, snake plants, and dieffenbachia easy to grow. I tend to forget to water my plants and so keep only plants that are happy with being watered once a week. Other plants that are reported to be easy include Chinese evergreen, Christmas cactus, lucky bamboo, and prayer plants.

Sprouting is another very simple thing you can do at home. We love alfalfa sprouts as well as a combination of alfalfa, radish, and clover seeds. Lentil sprouts are another favorite of mine. I use a wide mouth Mason jar with a screen lid made from the jar ring and a piece of plastic canvas cut to fit. It is a great way to get some additional greens in our diet and it is fun to watch how quickly they grow!

Did you know that you can regrow some vegetables from the scraps that you normally throw away? This is a fun experiment to try with your kids. I have had mixed success with this except with green onions. I planted the root ends from store-bought onions in my raised-bed garden last year and quickly had a new bunch of green onions to enjoy. I plan to try this with celery and leeks this year. They take a long time to grow from seed – longer than we have in Spangle!

There are also ways you can grow food in quite small spaces, even on your porch. Two of my favorite non-traditional growing techniques are Square Foot Gardening developed by Mel Bartholomew and the Rain Gutter Grow System by Larry Hall. They are both excellent for those with only a small area to use and those who need their garden to be moveable. They also tend to be much easier to care for than a traditional garden with fewer weeds and no tilling. The Rain Gutter Grow System also waters itself, so it is easy to travel during growing season and not have to find someone to care for your garden. Both systems do require an initial investment but can be well worth it. Be sure to use the recommended planting mixes for these systems! I can tell you from personal experience that regular dirt from the yard does not work well.

There are quite a few links listed below that will give you more information about the various things in this article. The Internet gives us opportunities to explore a lot of options. Give at least one of them a try and see what you can grow this season.

References

https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-home-guide/benefits-of-indoor-plants#7-benefits

https://www.thespruce.com/easy-houseplants-hard-to-kill-4141665

https://sproutpeople.org/growing-sprouts/sprouting-instructions/

https://www.gardentech.com/blog/gardening-and-healthy-living/growing-food-from-kitchen-scraps

https://squarefootgardening.org/

http://www.naturalbuildingblog.com/larry-halls-rain-gutter-grow-system/

This article is part of a continuing series of health during these COVID times. For other articles, please see www.uccsda.org/healthministries .

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Ready Set Go! 40-Day Prayer Challenge

Sun, 28 Mar 2021 23:44:24 GMT

Are You Up for a Prayer Challenge? It begins March 31 live but you can join anytime!

March 28, 2021

by Kathy Marson

I was impressed this past week that we need to come together and pray. This impression mixed with the power of God turned an afternoon into an assignment from God.

Since my job is part-time and I’m retired, a midday nap is often on the schedule. Settling into the pillows, I felt God inviting me to spend a little time praying about prayer ministry. So I did. God revealed to me that we as a people are not ready for Him to pour out His “Latter Rain” Holy Spirit. He wants us to be ready, and so I asked him, “What should we do? What do you have in mind?”

I wasn’t sure exactly what to do and no specific answer was forthcoming, so I wrote down some thoughts. God reminded me that:

When He pours out his Spirit (The latter rain) He wants us to experience it!
When His Spirit falls on His followers, of all stripes, He wants us to be among them.
His Holy Spirit will be poured out on all of His people who are praying for it, and is not confined to one denomination.

These were exciting thoughts and insights and I want to take God seriously when he puts these thoughts in my heart. I have noticed that God has been giving similar thoughts to others about prayer and the Holy Spirit. Perhaps He has spoken to your heart.

Providentially, when the Lord place this impression on my heart, I decided to get up to make supper! Walking into the kitchen, I heard my phone ding. A live feed was on Instagram from Stephen Farr and Melissa. They were talking about 40-days of prayer. They were explaining that people need to pray together for each other and the Holy Spirit. This was a jaw-dropping moment. Here my nap was interrupted with this thought and now here are two people (one who I know) saying nearly the same thing. And they were sharing how this would work and how to join in.

The Event

Stephen Farr* and Melissa* will start a 40-Day Prayer Challenge that starts March 31 and goes through May 9, 2021. Participants will read through the devotional book, 40 Days: Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming by Dennis Smith. Stephen and Melissa will be doing a recap of each devotional and time of prayer via Instagram live @unmistakablymelissa daily at 8 p.m. EST and Thursdays at 5 p.m. EST. This will also be live on Melissa’s YouTube Channel, “A Bible and a Girl.” Here is the link to the introduction: https://youtu.be/waJI00iKvx0

Here is the link to the daily readings: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLABiMv3w38-J7uHiNB8CVOX_PxpRtdUCY

How to Join

First you choose a prayer partner to go through this with you, then you purchase the book, 40 Days: Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming, by Dennis Smith. Call the Adventist Book Center for this book, (800) 286-0161 or you can purchase this on Amazon or ordered directly from from www.spiritbaptism.org . Be sure to find the purple book. There are 8 similar books by Dennis Smith so find this exact title.

The prayer challenge is simple. Each partner reads the daily devotional and you set a time each day to call each other and pray together. Besides praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in your lives you will also each choose five people to pray for. These people should be people who need to commit or recommit their lives to Jesus. The books have detailed prayer cards for each of the five people you choose to pray for.

Free Books for the first two to respond

I pray that many of you will join this event. It would be great to have a core group in UCC participating with Stephen and Melissa. I have found my prayer partner and ordered books. And the first two to contact me to join in the prayer challenge I have a book for you. I purchased 4 extra books so you and your prayer partner will have the books right away.

Expect to have your prayers answered. God is powerful!

If you cannot start on March 31 no problem. Each day’s live event will be available both on Instagram and on YouTube. I will also post the links on the resource page of our prayer site. www.uccsda.org/prayer

*To learn more about Stephen Farr and Melissa and more stories of answered prayer, read the whole story on our prayer web site.

* Who are the leaders?

Stephen Farr is the leader and he is a pastor in UCC that is finishing up his studies at Andrews University. He is currently the Andrews University Graduate Student Association chaplain. He will graduate this coming June and then be assigned to a church in UCC. Stephen met Melissa last Christmas through Instagram. @unmistakablymeliss a. God has given her a message to share the Gospel Commission with the world through His word, the Bible, and through Ellen White’s books. I know you will enjoy this refreshing duo because they are both committed to Jesus and the truth in His word. Melissa has never been through a 40-day prayer event and looks forward to this experience.

Background of Prayer Events for Stephen Farr

Stephen began participating in the 10-days of prayer in 2008. This was before the 40-days books existed. Through the years he has written 80 names in the cover of the book he owns of people he has prayed for. Then 40-days Prayer Challenge books came out by Dennis Smith and he does this as a ministry in the churches in which he has pastored. He buys books for people he thinks should go through the prayer challenge and presents it to them. He feels the Holy Spirit leads him to people to go through this. He encourages people to choose to pray for those that you want to have a relationship with Jesus and to have a salvation experience. This is what the gospel is all about. Going from a life leading to death or a life leading to eternal life.

Answers to Prayer through the 40-Day Challenge

Stephen was discouraged about his health, not being able to run, he had learned about his dad’s stage four cancer and of course the lock downs due to Covid-19. He was asking God to do something in his life when he was walking through an airport in Florida this past Christmas. He opened his phone and saw @unmistakablymelissa . He read her story of how God told her to carry the message of Ellen White and the Bible to the people. He wrote to her and got to know her story. (I won’t share that here because you can find it on her YouTube and Instagram channels.) He began to pray for her. This was just four months ago. Since then he has watched God as she was able to connect with David Asscherick and Tye Gibson. Her ministry has grown exponentially since Stephen began praying for her. She went from just a few hundred followers to 7,000 in just a few months.

Another story of answered prayer

Angry that his sister had married Jason, Stephen decided to add Jason’s name to pray for as he started a 40-day Prayer Challenge. He went away to college. One day he got a call from his sister and she said, “Jason and I are going to evangelistic meetings.” Jason is now baptized and both he and his wife are involved in ministry. Stephen says, “I don’t even recognize my brother-in-law. God changed him.” Stephen did not tell Jason he was praying for him. He simply prayed.

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me

will do the works I have been doing,

and they will do even greater things than these,

because I am going to the Father.

And I will do whatever you ask in my name,

so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

John 14: 12-13.

Hashtags that will be used

#40dayblessings #andrewsuniversity #worldchangersmadehere #worldchangersforachangingwor ld

Melissa’s Back Story

Melissa shares her back story on her YouTube channel. Keep in mind that Melissa has a ministry to thousands of people who are searching for truth on social media. She provides it through the Bible and Ellen White's writings and leads them to Jesus and a relationship with him. https://youtu.be/5zQAXzoClsE