Southwestern Union
September | October 2020 After 4 Looking Your Blessings
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Mother’s Love, Heaven’s Treasures
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Grown Up Play Time
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Friendships that Last
My Responsibility
Making Stewardship Relevant in Our Lives
Making Stewardship Relevantin Our Lives
September | October 2020 Vol. 119, No. 05
My Responsibility
Features
Columns
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Every Day Steward Mother to Many Grown Up Play Friendships that Last
The Record is an official publication of the Southwestern Union of Seventh-day Adventists. EDITOR
3 On The Record 6 Wholeness: Get and Stay Moving 7 Equipping: Getting Personal
Jessica L. Lozano jlozano@swuc.org MANAGING EDITOR
Kristina Pascual Busch kpascual@swuc.org LAYOUT/DESIGN
News
Back Pages
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Southwestern Union Southwestern Adventist University Arkansas-Louisiana Conference Oklahoma Conference Southwest Region Conference Texas Conference Texico Conference
CIRCULATION
Tammy G. Prieto tprieto@swuc.org ADVERTISING
Bradley Ecord becord@swuc.org
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
45 Classified Ads 45 Obituaries
ARKANSAS-LOUISIANA Frances Alcorn, news@arklac.org
Editor’s Note A steward is a caretaker—protecting, providing for and managing the things with which they have been entrusted. Stewardship is often seen as solely a financial responsibility, however, while finance is included, the topic is far broader. Consider your family; how do you care for, protect, provide and manage your home and your relationships with your spouse, children or parents? What about your health? What does it look like to properly care for, protect, provide for and manage your physical, mental and emotional health? What about personal spirituality, relationships with others, church assignments, free time, and yes, finances? In this issue of the Record, we explore the topic of stewardship and personal responsibility. The Lord has blessed and entrusted each of us with many people, talents and things. Let’s take a moment for honest self-reflection with God’s guidance to reveal the areas where we are stewards and assess how well we are taking care of what has been entrusted to us.
Jessica L. Lozano Jessica L. Lozano
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Rachel Ortiz info@rortizdesign.com
OKLAHOMA Daniel Ortega, news@okla-adventist.org SOUTHWEST REGION Leslie Soupet, news@swrgc.org TEXAS Kenn Dixon, news@txsda.org TEXICO Debby Márquez, news@texico.org SOUTHWESTERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY Timothy Kosaka, tim@swau.edu
Southwestern Union Conference P.O. Box 4000 Burleson, TX, 76097 Phone: 817.295.0476 Email: Record@swuc.org
Our Mission: The Mission of the Southwestern Union is to equip and inspire the Southwestern Union territory with the distinctive Adventist message of hope and wholeness.
On the Record
My Responsibility
Making Stewardship Relevant in Our Lives
Larry Moore | President
Often when we think of stewardship we think of personal finance. Today, let’s explore an area of stewardship from the pastor and church’s perspective. Pastors work together with leaders and members to manage church finance and carry out the mission of the church to its members and its community. In thinking about the physical building, we can honestly say that many Adventist church buildings are attractively maintained, while unfortunately others are not. Years ago, I was privileged to pastor the Lake Charles Seventh-day Adventist Church in Louisiana. This particular congregation had a large female membership with prayer warrior spirit. I was a witness to their determination and God’s power as He answered prayer and worked through the congregation. In three years a beautiful church was built and paid for. They started a school with just six students and soon their school building was also built and paid for. Nearby, the DeRidder Seventh-day Adventist Church also needed a new building. Their congregation also prayed hard and worked hard, resulting in a new church and school built to God’s glory. I’m still amazed at how God led those two churches and their members to pray and build. It reminds me that we are God’s stewards. All we have belongs to Him. If we are willing, God promises to pour out His blessings on us.
We have been challenged with a stewardship responsibility that is inescapable: stewardship of time. A steward is tasked with the management of something entrusted to his care. Stewardship is broad and covers everything that we have been blessed with. Consider the element of time and our current use of it. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” The Lord needs His people to take time to consider and become acquainted with Him, to contemplate the wonders of His creation and re-creative acts toward mankind. The challenge: taking time to do that. Every person has the same amount of time—no one has more or less of this precious commodity. It’s the utilization of time that often serves as a barrier between us and God. The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced some excuses for not taking time. How have you used this “pandemic time” as it relates to God? Solomon declares, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven,” in Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV). Many have spent time catching up on home projects and repairs. Others have taken advantage of reconnecting and reviving the joy of family solidarity. The list of creative things accomplished during this “pandemic time” is long and varied, which is good. But what about our time with the Lord? The challenge for each of us is quality and quantity of time spent with the Lord and the study of His Word. This builds the faith we all need for such times as these.
John Page | Treasurer
Buford Griffith, Jr. Executive Secretary
How do I obtain eternal life? In Matthew 19, a rich young man approaches Jesus with this question. Jesus tells him to keep the commandments and the young man tells him he has. Then Jesus asks him to give away everything he owns and follow Him. That was not what the young man expected. Sorrowful, he walks away. He can’t bear to let go of his things. In John 6, Jesus feeds at least 5,000 people who have followed him to a mountainside. When Jesus asks his disciples where they should buy bread to feed the multitude, Andrew brings Him a boy and in verse nine says, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish.” Jesus gives thanks and the food is passed out to the people. Not only do the more than 5,000 get enough to eat, but there are also twelve baskets left over. I wonder what the little boy told his mom when he came home with more food than he had left with. This boy went all in; he gave all he had to Andrew. There is so much to learn from these two stories. First, recognize that Jesus has given us what we currently have; you don’t have to wait until you have a lot to give. Second, be thankful. Jesus gave thanks before the disciples passed out the food. When you give to Jesus and others, you will still have more than enough. The boy’s heart was aligned with Jesus and the results speak for themselves. Let’s go ALL IN with Jesus with our heart, time and possessions.
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EV E RY DAY
Steward
Choosing to Look After Your Blessings
LookYour BlessingStewardship. This is perhaps one of the most misunderstood words in the English language. If you were to ask most people in the church what stewardship means, they’d probably say money or tithing or giving. However, giving is only a part of stewardship and tithing is only a part of giving. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines stewardship as “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.” Stewardship is managing something that isn’t your own. The key word in that definition is the word “management.” The word “steward” means “manager.” Stewardship is management.
Ownership is a Myth, Stewardship is a Reality
King David understood this principle clearly, and 1 Chronicles 29 articulates how we can become faithful stewards according to God’s plan. In verses 10 through 13, David affirms God’s greatness. God, he says, is the source of past and future blessings. Psalm 24 says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” God doesn’t have to be helped, supported or subsidized. He made and owns all things, and that includes your life and mine. A Christian steward simply acknowledges what is already true. We show both our sinfulness and our ignorance by living under the illusion that anything on this earth really belongs to us. The Bible says, “The earth is the Lord’s.” That’s not
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good advice—it’s a great truth. We must adjust to it. Without acknowledging that, nothing else will come out right. I once heard of a parable about some little field mice who settled in a field of corn. Everything they needed was there. One day the farmer who owned the field came to reap his harvest. This turn of events meant tragedy for the mice. What seemed so snug and secure suddenly came crashing down around them. It never occurred to them that the field didn’t belong to them. We are not the owners, but we have been trusted with resources and the care of everything—Creation, gifts and talents, money, time, the gospel—for the sake of God’s purposes in the world. Personalize this. Think about the Creation around you, your gift and talents, your money and time. Think about your family. Think about the gospel you know and love. How are we managing these for the sake of God’s purpose in the world?
A Steward Acknowledges His Accountability to God
The other side of God’s ownership is our stewardship. Throughout the Bible in passages such as Genesis 1, Psalm 8 and other places, we are told that God gives us dominion over the earth. However, we are managers, not owners. A steward is entrusted to manage what belongs to the owner. With that trust comes accountability. In 1 Chronicles 29:15, David confesses the brevity of life.
Making Stewardship Relevant Life is not permanent. He points to a day of reckoning, saying, “We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.” Paul in Romans 14:12 echoes the same reality: “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” Many parables of Jesus deal with trust and accountability. The parable of the talents reminds us that however little or however much we have, we are accountable for its use—all of it. We must give a final answer to God. Our auditing day is coming, and the report must be filed. We are accountable not just for physical and financial resources; we are accountable for life itself and the experiences that come with it. We are responsible to God for what we allow sorrow and suffering, happiness and joy, to do to us and through us. The Christian steward realizes and acts on his accountability because it matters in this life and in the life to come.
Owners Have Rights, Stewards Have Responsibilities While owners have rights over their possessions, stewards have responsibilities over them. We see this truth expressed in 1 Chronicles 29:16-19. David recognizes God’s priceless gifts and asks for help in managing them for his son’s benefit. The Christian steward seeks to use his time wisely. He will ask God to teach him to number his days so he may get a heart of wisdom and make the minutes, hours and days count. One of my mentors would say to me all the time, “Elton, structure breeds freedom. You are the one who is your time manager.” My time management is under my control. In Ephesians 5, Paul echoes the theme of time management in many of his letters. However, he says this to the church in Ephesus: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.” Ephesians 5:15-16. Paul is essentially saying, “How you live matters.” Friends, how you choose to orient your time, your schedule and your life—it matters. And you have two choices. You can be wise or unwise. Paul understood that every moment was brimming with redemptive potential. It was an opportunity for God to use him, for Paul to use the spiritual gifts that God had given him, and he did not want to miss a moment. Have
you ever missed a moment in which God wanted to use you? You see, our lives are built on moments. The wise see moment after moment, opportunity after opportunity; they want to do whatever they can to orient their lives to be ready for when God wants to use them. The Christian steward will also use his body wisely and care for it. In a world of excess and overindulgence, we quite often ignore God’s commands about how we are to treat our bodies. They are the temple of the Holy Spirit and we are charged to take care of them and keep them in good shape. Paul writes, “Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.” Romans 12:1. The Christian steward will use his spiritual gifts for the sake of others. He will believe this truth, along with Peter, who wrote: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10. Each of us has differing gifts, but as stewards, we will seek to use those to God’s glory and humanity's service. The Christian steward will also share the gospel, remembering that Jesus said, “You shall be my witnesses.” Acts 1:8. By their words and their actions, the Christian steward will say to others, “Jesus Christ is the most important priority in my life, and I want you to know Him and love Him as I do.” Equally as important, the Christian steward will give his financial resources with compassion. He will give, invest and spend to the glory of God and out of gratitude. Faithful stewardship challenges us to think about how we are using what God entrusts to us, with the intent to help grow His kingdom here on earth. Is it possible we might choose comfort and safety over risk? We can either end life with great remorse for lack of trying or we can hear Him say “good and faithful servant,” our Creator’s words of affirmation for trusting Him in every aspect of our lives. By Elton DeMoraes, D.Min. DeMoraes is the Southwestern Union Vice President for Church Ministries, Ministerial Director and Stewardship Director. He lives in Burleson with his wife Alessandra and their daughter, Isabella.
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Wholeness
Get and Stay Moving The Importance of Physical Activity By Vesa Naukkarinen, Ph.D., ACSM-CPT, ACSM-EPC, CSCS, Southwestern Adventist University Professor of Exercise Physiology The Word of God teaches us to honor God with our bodies. He gave us the responsibility of caring for our bodies, which are temples of the Holy Spirit. This includes eating healthfully, getting enough rest and being physically active, among other things. God desires us to enjoy exceptional physical, spiritual and mental health; physical activity plays a crucial role in this. Research shows that adopting a physically active lifestyle leads to positive physiological changes that reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality. Lesser-known benefits of physical activity include increased bone density; improvement in mental health; preservation of brain structure and function; decreased fall risk and reduction in the risk of certain cancers.
provide the same health benefits as long periods. Examples of short bouts of activity include taking one-minute screentime activity breaks or going for a brisk walk for five to ten minutes. We should let go of “all-or-nothing” thinking. All individuals are encouraged to simply sit less and move more.
RISK OF INACTIVITY
Physical inactivity plays a major role in the development of many chronic, debilitating conditions, including cardiovascular disease and Type II diabetes. The World Health Organization has called physical inactivity an urgent public health priority. It is the fourth leading risk factor for death worldwide. In the United States, 80 percent of adults do not meet the minimum guidelines for physical activity, and the COVID-19 pandemic has led to higher levels of inactivity. It is estimated that insufficient physical activity accounts to $117 billion or 11 percent of national health care expenditures annually. Federal physical activity guidelines recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity each week, in addition to muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week. Recent studies show that physical activity can be accumulated throughout the day in shorter periods of time, and shorter bouts may
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TAKE BACK YOUR HEALTH
How can we start taking responsibility for this essential part of our health? Those who have been sedentary and who want to adopt a physically active lifestyle should go through a health status screening. You can find one at www.ePARmedx.com. To start or maintain a physically active lifestyle, it is essential to choose activities that we enjoy. Setting challenging yet achievable goals should be developed and using fitness apps might also be helpful to stay motivated. It is important to progress slowly when starting a new physical activity program. There should be a gradual increase of stress placed upon the body. Doing too much too soon can result in injury or reduce a person’s resistance to disease. We don’t need to be sore to benefit from physical activities. In fact, too much soreness can be damaging and debilitating.
We should be physically active throughout our lives. The principle of reversibility states that when we stop being physically active, we lose the benefits we had gained. One example of this is the significant reductions in VO2max, the body’s ability to take in and utilize oxygen, that begin to occur within just two weeks of inactivity. What makes the biggest difference to our health? Studies have shown repeatedly that it is physical activity. As Hippocrates stated, “Walking is man’s best medicine.” To get moving, find more information about physical activity visiting, Health.gov/MoveYourWay and ExerciseisMedicine.org.
Equipping
Getting Personal Navigating Finances, Debts, Budgets, Retirement and Estate Plans By Tony Cash, Arkansas-Louisiana Conference Director of Stewardship, and Planned Giving/Trust Services Personal finance is, well, personal. Every household will have its own story, with its own set of circumstances. Even the same household will find itself in different phases of life. Starting out, a person may have more debt than assets. In midlife, a family may have concerns about funding kids’ education and saving for retirement. Later in life, thoughts about leaving a legacy through estate documents may present themselves. Of course, any of these can be interrupted by events, both good and bad, that make personal finance very personal.
FEAR AND FINANCES
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it on the seas and established it on the waters,” says Psalm 24:1-2. God is both Creator and Sustainer of this world. This is why Jesus encouraged us not to worry about the necessities of life. Since God knows we need them, we should, “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33. Be intentional about giving tithe and offerings soon after receiving your paycheck and trust that God will provide for your needs. There are many resources available on this subject online at NADStewardship.org and Stewardship.Adventist.org.
STRESS AND DEBT
The Bible has some great advice concerning debt. Romans 13:8 sets the bar high: “Owe no one anything except to love one another.” (NKJV). A great goal in retirement planning is to be debt free, including the house. Search online for strategies such as the debt snowball or debt avalanche to help achieve the freedom of debt-free living.
BIBLICAL BUDGETING
Budgeting is Biblical. “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herd,” says Proverbs 23:22. A monthly, zero-based budget starts after tithe, offerings and taxes. Assign every dollar that remains to a category such as housing, transportation, food, clothing, loans, savings, etc. If a category runs out of money during the month, stop spending in that area or fund it from another category. Spend less than what is budgeted and you will have savings; spending more than what is on hand will cause debt. Web-based budgets connected to your accounts can help simplify the process and give you realtime information about your finances.
RETIREMENT SEASON
Isaiah 46:4 says,“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you.” According to Solomon, we can learn from the ant who, “stores its provisions in the summer.” Proverbs 6:8. Saving for the winter years is an important practice throughout our earning years. It is rare to find pension plans; rather, many employers make tax-deferred retirement accounts available. Take advantage of matching
programs to gain “free” money from your employer. Once retired, stay engaged. In Selected Messages Book 2, Ellen G. White wrote, “It is better, far better, to die of hard work in some home or foreign mission field than to rust out with inaction.”
LEAVING A LEGACY
Have clear estate documents concerning your assets and guardianship of your dependants. While doing so, balance these two verses: “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children” and “An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end.” Proverbs 13:22, 20:21. Ellen G. White further gave this advice in Testimonies for the Church Volume 3: “If parents, while they live, would assist their children to help themselves, it would be better than to leave them a large amount at death.” For more information on estate planning, visit us.WillPlan.org.
TRUSTED STEWARD
He has trusted us to manage His resources. Pray for wisdom, and when Christ returns, may you hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23.
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Making Stewardship Relevant
Mother
to Many Raising Treasures for Heaven
Grieta Tallios loves children. Since 1992, Tallios, a member of the Tyler Seventh-day Adventist Church, has cared for over 70 children as a foster mother. Each child that entered through her front door became a treasured member of the family. Those little ones received a safe place to live. More than that, they received the true love of a mother and a chance to know Jesus. Now, Tallios is “retired” from foster care, but her love for the children continues strong. “I fell in love with every baby and I cried tears when every baby left,” says Tallios. “But I always took a picture the day they came and the day they left. Now I look back and think, ‘Look what I did for one little life.’ It’s my hope that more people will become foster parents and do that, too.” As a small child, Tallios recalls feeling “halfway to heaven” any time she got to hold a baby. “God just gave G r i e ta me an extraordinary love for children,” says Tallios. She remembers snuggling up to her aunt in church, letting her baby cousin’s feet rest on her lap. Spending time with children always filled Tallios with joy. She even decided to make a career out of it, studying elementary education at Andrews University. Before she started teaching, though, Tallios worked as the Dean of Girls at Southern Adventist University. Even then, she could not stand life without a small child around. That’s why, as a young single woman, Tallios decided to adopt her daughter, Hyka.
“I was not going to be without babies,” says Tallios. “It was a bit of a controversy on campus, as you can imagine, but that’s ok. I survived it and so did they.” Tallios met her husband, Nicholas, several years later. He had five grown daughters of his own. They lived in many places across North America as a husband and wife ministry team. Tallios worked as a teacher and Nicholas as an ordained minister. For five years, they also lived as missionaries in Cyprus, where Tallios ran a small church school. She never had any biological children of her own, but she was always surrounded by little ones. Grieta and Nicholas worked with care and commitment. A well earned retirement was the natural next step in their life journey together. There was only one problem. “I had been a school teacher and didn’t want to give up being around the Tallios children,” says Tallios. “My husband was already retired and wanted me to retire, too. He got tired of me taking off to school while he was home alone. So, we decided to start fostering.” This new chapter of life would allow Grieta and Nicholas to retire together while also fulfilling her call to care for children. So, they took the class to be licensed, they prepared their home for children, and then they waited for the call. A premature baby boy was brought into their home faster than they could have imagined, and the entire neighborhood celebrated. Friends and neighbors even gave Tallios a baby shower
“God just gave me an extraordinary love for children”
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Making Stewardship Relevant for her first foster child! She also found support at church. The church members at the Tyler Seventh-day Adventist Church were more than happy to help watch and care for babies when Tallios told children stories or helped during the service. “If you don’t have a support system of relatives around, choose a church, make some friends, and they will help you,” says Tallios. “And if this article can get one more good foster parent going, then I will be so happy because we desperately need them. Some of these children, their only contact with God is in that foster home.” Over the next 28 years, the Tallios house was never without a child. Tallios’s favorite memories are of getting to see improvements in a child’s health and happiness, or helping find a loving adoptive home for a child. Many children in the foster system have biological parents who are substance abusers. Others have been physically abused. If a child has medical needs, it takes them longer to be adopted. So, the children that need the most care often stay at a foster home the longest. “I got this little foster baby boy that had a double skull fracture,” says Tallios. “It was probably caused by him being
thrown in a corner. He was extremely premature, weighed less than two pounds, and was on six medications.” As a premature baby, the boy also had lung problems. His lungs would hemorrhage. The doctors gave him a fifty percent chance of drowning in his own blood before he turned five. One day, a doctor in Dallas suggested that a dairy allergy could be part of this boy’s problem. “I made him dairy free and no more hemorrhaging,” says Tallios. “And he started to grow!” Yet, the boy still had many medical problems. At that same time, Tallios also cared for a baby boy with a cleft palate. The boy with lung problems was a very white baby. The boy with a cleft palate had dark black skin. When Tallios cared for children of different races, she took special care to treat them with love and equality. She learned how to style black hair for girls, and how to make sure children were given the specific care needed for their differences, while also letting them know that they were the same on the inside, and that they were loved equally. “This boy had speech problems because of his cleft palate, and in his little garbled speech, he let me know that the white
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Making Stewardship Relevant
baby boy was like me, but that he was not,” says Tallios. “I knew, then, that it was time to have a little chit-chat.” Tallios placed the boy on her lap, speaking to him with tenderness. Then, she made a comparison. “I am like a marshmallow,” Tallios said to the boy. “I am white on the outside and sweet on the inside. You are like yummy chocolate candies, brown on the outside and sweet on the inside. You and I are made of the same sweet stuff.” The boy hopped down and smiled at Tallios, happy with the comparison. Around that same time, Nicholas became ill and had to go to the hospital. “My husband held my hand in the hospital and he said, ‘Promise me that you will hold it together.’ And then he named the two little boys. Those were his last words to me.” So, Tallios held it together. She continued to care for children. After the boy’s cleft palate was fixed, he was adopted into a loving family. The other boy who had a skull fracture and lung problems still had many medical issues. The foster system decided not to put him up for adoption. They decided to let him age out of the system because of his medical issues. One day, he approached Tallios with a serious look on his face. “He said to me, ‘Mom, won’t you adopt me so I know that I can stay forever?’ So, he is the one who got to stay forever,” says Tallios. She adopted the boy, named David. Now, David is 25 and is helping to care for Tallios. He picks up groceries and chauffeurs Tallios as needed. He was also a big help with the babies, once he was old enough. Over the years, Tallios considered each child placed in her care to be a treasure. Whether a child stayed with Tallios for
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less than a month or for more than a year, she did everything in her power to show each child how much they are loved by God. She treated each child with the love of a true mother. “Not only does Tallios care for the children at home, but she attends church regularly, bringing the children,” says Michael Tuionetoa, Tyler church pastor. “She is a real inspiration. It’s obvious when she comes to church that she really cares for them as a good mother would care for her own child.” Although Tallios is no longer a foster mother, she finds joy in the letters and updates from parents of those children she had once watched over. As she sees the children grow up, Tallios is filled with joy at their success, knowing that she helped make that success possible in the time she was given. “What better reward could there be?” asks Tallios. “Little David, when he came, couldn’t even roll over. Now he’s driving me around town. Rewards in fostering don’t come in great big fancy things. They come in the little things. Every foster parent can have these experiences if they’re just willing to do it.” “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” Matthew 19:14. Over 70 little children have had a glimpse of heaven thanks to Grieta Tallios and her family. By Makala James. James is a freelance writer based in Granbury, Texas. Grieta Tallios and her adult children, Hyka and David live in Tyler, Texas.
Making Stewardship Relevant
Grown Up
Play
i s ESSENTIAL to Health and Happiness
Sound sleep, money in the bank and a leisure day at the pool are all missing from my life as a parent, but something else is also missing. This one thing missing from my life as an adult is something that I make sure is not missing from my kids’ lives. In fact, I’ve always budgeted for, allowed time for and protected against other options. It is a must for my kids. It’s play. Even when they were babies, I followed the structured schedule of eat, play, sleep. And as they grew, I made sure that not only did they have play dates, but tht they also were involved in extracurricular activities. That’s because I knew that play was vital to their overall health. But somewhere along the way, I forgot that play is just as essential to my own health. Once I graduated college, play disappeared from my schedule and it was replaced with work. I no longer felt like I could schedule play into my life. As an adult, fun and play felt like a luxury I couldn’t afford. I worked and worked with no play. In our culture, we are conditioned to value exhaustion—and we wonder why we are lacking happiness. When I started looking at people who seemed to be the happiest, most of them seemed to incorporate some aspect of play into their life. Psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Stuart Brown explains that play shapes our brain, helps us foster empathy, helps us navigate complex social groups and is at the core of creativity and innovation. As we became adults, we forced play out of our lives thinking that we had to choose between work and fun. But from
this research, I would argue that we need to play because it benefits both our work and our relationships. Dr. Brown goes on to say that “the opposite of play isn’t work—the opposite of play is depression.” Play is connected to our health and happiness. The challenge for myself and for you is to think about what you can do for fun. Think about how you can budget not only money but also time to play. Your budget will look different in different seasons, but I want to challenge you (and myself) to think about allocating some money and time every month to a play budget. Maybe you decide to finally take horse riding lessons for yourself or take that painting class. Maybe you decide to purchase a paddleboard to use this year. Whether you can spend money or not, push play to the top of the priority list. Each week, as you think about your time and money, plan to do one thing for fun. After a long day at school, I make sure my kids have time to play outside and play whatever makes their hearts happy. What would it look like if you did the same for you? I think that you’d find yourself healthier and happier with your work and relationships. By Sarah Bragg. Bragg has a degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. She is an author and host of the “Surviving Sarah” podcast, where she helps others survive where they are in life. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and two daughters.
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Making Stewardship Relevant
Friendships that Last
Embracing Acceptance, Honesty & Forgiveness What is up?! We are Kevin Bruce and Stephen Carlile–you may know us as the hosts of Two Guys and the Word! Two Guys and the Word is a youth and young adult ministry that tackles real-life issues with God’s Word in the coolest way possible. Kevin and Stephen are the best of friends, but we weren’t always best friends. We want to share with you a conversation that led us to become the friends we are today and some lessons we've learned along the way! In 2010, we were eating at our favorite Chinese restaurant in Tulsa, Oklahoma when Kevin said to Stephen, “I need to tell you something.” Stephen said, “Sure bro, what’s up?” Kevin: Remember back in 2004 when we were at Pacific Union College and you were up for a vote to be the Spiritual Vice President of Adventist Intercollegiate Association? Stephen: Yeah…
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Kevin: Remember there was a guy who basically talked everyone out of voting for you? Stephen: Yes… Kevin: Umm... Yeah, I was THAT guy. Stephen: Oh... Stephen: Kevin is my best friend. We both pastored in the same city, less than five minutes from each other. We had two very different congregations. We come from two very different backgrounds. Kevin is very much an extrovert, and I am very much an introvert. Kevin is black, I am white. By most cultural expectations, Kevin and I really shouldn’t be friends, let alone best friends, yet here we are, closer than most brothers. But it didn’t just happen overnight. Kevin: It definitely did NOT happen overnight. I remember thinking to myself in that restaurant, will this be the end of our friendship? Maybe things will just get awkward and
Making Stewardship Relevant each other and try to understand where the other person is coming from. We are mindful of and empathetic towards one another. Acceptance is so important in a friendship.
2. HONESTY & VULNERABILITY.
we won’t hang out anymore. At the same time, I knew I had to be honest and own up to what I had done to Stephen at PUC. Back then, I didn’t know him. I simply judged him by his outward appearance and the fact he didn’t come to any of the meetings for Spiritual Vice Presidents. Stephen: I did go to a meeting! Kevin: One meeting! Stephen: We’ve been over this a hundred times. You guys were snobs. Kevin: We were not snobs! Stephen: Moving on... Kevin: Fine. Thanks for interrupting me... where was I? Stephen: You were judging me from my outward appearance... Kevin: That’s right, Stephen was a long blonde-haired, blue-eyed, California boy with Ken-doll looks! Stephen: I’m from Oklahoma. True friendship is being able to be honest, vulnerable and full of grace. This moment at the restaurant was the start of those things in our friendship. To be honest, Stephen didn’t remember all of the details of that meeting in 2004, but the fact that Kevin was willing to open up and reveal something he had done to him and apologize made him realize our friendship was worth more than anything else. Kevin was thankful that Stephen chose to forgive him, and Kevin knew at that point that this was a friendship that would last a lifetime. Stephen and Kevin have a youth ministry called Two Guys and the Word, where we talk about real issues and see what the Bible has to say about it. Working together in this capacity has stretched our friendship, and we haven’t always seen things the same way, but it seems like our friendship continues to grow stronger even when we are challenged with differences. So we thought we would share a few things that have helped fortify our friendship.
1. LOVE & ACCEPTANCE.
As we mentioned earlier, we are very different from each other, but we choose to accept each other the way we are, no matter what. Although we think differently, look differently and act differently, we accept those differences. We listen to
We realize that these things don’t happen overnight. Trust must be formed in order to be honest and vulnerable with one another, but we have found that if we aren’t honest or vulnerable with the other person, we allow things to hinder our friendship. If we are hurt by the other person, we share our hurt. If we feel disrespected by the other person, we share our heart. If we are going through difficult things in our lives, we talk about it, knowing the other person will accept us no matter what.
3. GRACE & FORGIVENESS.
We aren’t perfect. We are human. We make mistakes. When we share our hearts with one another, no matter what the issue has been, we extend grace and forgiveness to each other. In other words, we move forward. We don’t hold grudges, we don’t hold it over one another, we don’t keep score. We choose to forgive. Of course this list is not exhaustive, but it’s a good place to start as stewards of a friendship. Maybe you have some friendships to improve, or even some friendships to make. It’s time to move beyond our differences, our pride, and our beliefs, to be a friend who God has called us to be. Stephen Carlile is the pastor of the Billings and Bridger Seventh-day Adventist Churches in the Montana Conference. He lives with his family in Billings, Montana. Kevin Bruce is the pastor of the Hope Adventist Fellowship and Oklahoma International Seventh-day Adventist Churches in the Oklahoma Conference. He lives with his family in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Find them at TwoGuysandtheWord.com.
SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2020 13
Southwestern Union News
Engaging Little Hearts Children’s Ministries Goes Digital in 2020
BURLESON, TEX. – The Southwestern Union’s Children’s Ministries’ service is not done by one person; it takes a team. Several are volunteers and they are amazing! We met together in 2019 to plan our annual children’s ministries training event for 2020. In early March, approximately 300 leaders from across the Southwestern Union participated in our “Engaging Little Hearts” training retreat, where we presented track 1 of the North American Division’s certification curriculum. We also presented the planned 2020 Vacation Bible School program, “Heroes,” and shared many ideas and resources. We were prepared and eager to minister to children! Shortly thereafter, however, we were hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. We rapidly became familiar with many
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digital tools. Sabbath School classes for children were presented online, and we presented a “Children’s Church” in April. More than 200 children heard a praise team from San Antonio, participated in a prayer activity with a leader in Dallas and received the Word of God from a presenter in Tulsa. Our next challenge was to create “Heroes: Home Edition,” a VBS program to be presented at home. We prayed and God gave three answers! Our VBS became home, church and live editions, developed from all kinds of talents that we did not know we had! We became producers, stage decorators (small rooms at home became studio sets) script writers and videographers, and some of our presenters are now famous actors! We continue to share resources, ideas
and certification training in English and Spanish on the fourth Thursday of each month between May and November. It is very exciting having our children’s ministries coordinators from the different conferences sharing and training all the leaders in the five states of the Southwestern Union territory. We praise God for His Holy Spirit! God’s promises and message are forever. We pray for every child to say “Yes to Jesus” and to become a faithful disciple, especially in difficult times like the one we are having. Pastors, parents and children’s leaders: thank you for all you are doing to minister and reach out to the children. Together we are preparing them to see Jesus! He is coming soon! By Sonia Cano, Children’s Ministries Director
Southwestern Union News
Faith and Finances
Teaching Stewardship Through a Global Pandemic BURLESON, TEX. – The Southwestern Union’s stewardship team started 2020 with a bold stewardship program to benefit the conferences and churches in our Union. One of them was a program called Faith and Finances, a program designed to bring training, information, networking and resources to our territory. The first part of our goal is for every member in the Southwestern Union to put God first in their life. Putting God first is the ultimate fundamental principle for Christian stewards. Matthew 6:33 admonishes us, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Seeking God first begins with our daily personal communion with Him and filters to every area of our life, even to our finances. The second goal is to
equip and encourage our Southwestern Union members to become debt-free in the next five years. We began our “Faith and Finances” program in El Paso, Tex., on Feb. 15, with a second meeting in New Orleans in early March. At both training events, we saw attendees ready to learn about the correlation between faith and finances, the importance of placing God first and the blessing of becoming debt-free. COVID-19 hit and we quickly had to adapt. Online meetings became the new normal and virtual church replaced traditional in-person worship services. Because of these changes, members asked about online giving and if God approved of this method. Many people who were not using the platform were surprised at how easy and safe it is to
donate online. We received reports that many churches were not on AdventistGiving, the Adventist Church’s online giving platform. But, those churches were able to connect with their conferences and get set up for online giving. We also began helping members and churches to navigate the financial challenges the pandemic created for many. While in-person stewardship training is currently postponed, we invite you to join our virtual event, Faith and Finances in the Midst of a Pandemic, featuring North American Division Stewardship Director Michael Harpe on Oct. 17. Visit SouthwesternAdventist.org/Stewardship for details. By Elton DeMoraes, Vice President for Church Ministries
MAY | JUNE 2020 15
Southwestern Union News
Blessings Through the Storm Members and Conferences BURLESON, TEX. – We can always find God’s blessings, even in tough times. We’re thankful for our members’ continued support of their churches, schools and conferences. Usage of the Adventist Church’s online giving platform, AdventistGiving, has increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic. If your church would like an online or app option, contact your conference treasurer or AdventistGiving.org.
In order to assist churches and conferences during these times, the North American Division (NAD) and the Southwestern Union provided reserve funds to alleviate the financial impact that conferences had as a result of COVID-19. The NAD appropriated $448,890 and the Southwestern Union added $224,445. These combined funds of $673,335 were sent to our five conferences in July.
The Southwestern Union Revolving Fund also continues to benefit our conferences and churches by providing loans to purchase or build churches at a low interest rate. There are over 200 loans with over $72 million loaned out. The Revolving Fund also provides a place for churches and schools to deposit funds and receive a good interest rate. By John Page, Treasurer
It’s My Time
Southwestern Union Camporee Planned for 2021 BURLESON, TEX. – The Southwestern Union and its five conferences are prayerfully planning and preparing for the Unionwide Pathfinder Camporee, themed “It’s My Time,” currently scheduled for April 1-4, 2021, at Lone Star Camp in Athens, Tex. We are excited about this opportunity for our youth and young adults to learn more about Jesus Christ, to engage with nature, to make new friends and to work hard to earn honors. Our last Union-wide camporee, themed “Stand Firm,” took place at Lake Whitney Ranch in Clifton, Tex. It was exhilarating to see over 4,000 Pathfinders and leaders. One of the most exciting things was to see precious
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lives decide to give their hearts to Jesus Christ and be baptized. There is no greater joy than seeing young people say yes to Jesus Christ, accepting Him as their Savior and dedicating their lives to serving Him. When I think of Pathfinder Ministries, I think of an army of young people trained to do the work of God and sharing this gospel with all the world as witnesses for Christ. I pray that over the last few years Pathfinders and Master Guides have been “Standing Firm” for Jesus Christ. Our theme for the upcoming Unionwide Camporee in 2021, “It’s My Time,” is intended to let our youth and young adults know that it’s their time to
shine for Jesus Christ! We have to shine at school. We have to shine at home. We have to shine in our jobs. Even during a pandemic, we have to shine for Jesus Christ! Our theme is based on the Bible passage in Matthew 5:14-16. Verse 16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Pray for our leadership teams as we prepare for this camporee. Let’s pray that we will “let our light so shine” and our Pathfinders will know that this is their time to shine. By Helvis Moody Youth and Young Adult Director
Southwestern Union News
NAD President
G. Alexander Bryant Confirmed as Division Leader
BURLESON, TEX. – On July 9, 2020, the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s General Conference Executive Committee met virtually to receive the name of G. Alexander Bryant, the recommendation for division president, from both the North American Division’s (NAD) nominating committee and executive committee. Bryant was confirmed in a vote of 153 to 3. Ted N.C. Wilson, General Conference president and, as policy indicates for the vote of division president, chair of the NAD nominating and executive committees held on July 6 and July 7, said, “I'm looking forward to a renewed focus on the three angels’ messages and I believe that Elder Bryant can help lead in that great adventure, because that is what is entrusted to each of us. [He] is a mission-focused individual. He is someone who is a careful listener to people. He will take [these cares] to the Lord and ask for guidance...I believe that God can use him in a very, very special way.” “I am first indebted to God for His call to ministry and secondly to those who have poured into my life over the years,” said Bryant in response to the vote. “I am deeply humbled by the confidence Elder Wilson, our chair and the NAD and GC executive committees have placed in me with this assignment. This task is too big for one individual or office. It is abundantly clear to me that
it takes all of us working together to advance God’s kingdom and I just deeply covet your prayers.” He added, “I ask for my wife and for myself — that you would continue to lift us up daily as we will you...Hopefully, by our efforts together, we can hasten the coming of the Lord through our mission work throughout our territory and beyond; and Jesus will come and we can go home.” Wilson affirmed the decision for NAD president, saying, “Alex, we will place you in prayer — that God will be with you and Desiree and your family as you take up these new responsibilities in a powerful way. … I know he will have a tremendous evangelistic imprint on North America for the future and it’ll be a privilege to collaborate with him on that.” All world division executive officers serve as elected officers of the General Conference, and their nomination and election by the region they represent must be approved by the General Conference Executive Committee. The division’s nominating committee is termed a standing committee. It was appointed by the NAD Executive Committee in 2015. During the past five years the nominating committee has recommended the names of individuals to the executive committee for vote in order to fill division vacancies.
Bryant replaces Daniel R. Jackson, who served at the NAD headquarters since his election in June 2010 at the GC Session in Atlanta, Ga., and reelection in 2015 in San Antonio, Tex., until his retirement on July 1, 2020. Glenward Alexander (“Alex”) Bryant most recently served as executive secretary of the NAD and associate secretary of the GC, positions he’s held since October 2008 when elected at the GC Annual Council in Manila, Philippines. Bryant was reelected at the 2010 GC Session. Before coming to the division, Bryant served as the president of the Central States Conference in Kansas City, Kan. Bryant is married to the former Desiree Wimbish, who served as superintendent of education for the Central States Conference as well as former principal of the V. Lindsay Seventh-day Adventist School in Kansas City, Kan. Desiree currently serves as assistant director and projects coordinator for Adventist Education in the NAD. The Bryants have three adult children and three grandchildren.
MAY | JUNE 2020 17
Southwestern Adventist University News
Market-Driven Additions
SWAU Adds New Emphases to Existing Programs KEENE, TEX. – The Department of Business Administration at Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) announces it is adding three emphases to its curriculum beginning January 2021 Human Resources Management, Digital Marketing and Esports and Gaming Administration. “The liberal arts preparation that Southwestern provides teaches students to think critically, strategize and operate independently,” Donna Berkner, vice president for academic administration, shares. “These new emphasis areas were selected because they provide a strong and well-rounded knowledge base of business and business concepts that can increase a student’s skills to succeed.” The human resources management emphasis is designed to prepare business students to coordinate the administrative functions of an organization and hire and train employees, as well as handle disputes within a company. Students will learn and develop specific skills relating to human resources while also receiving a traditional business education.
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In the digital marketing emphasis, traditional and digital marketing techniques will both be covered to ensure students are equipped with the most in-demand skills. Students will learn about social media, email marketing and digital analytics. They will learn to apply marketing techniques in this digital age. The esports and gaming administration emphasis will educate students about the nuances of the gaming industry. Students will learn about the process by which games are made, develop their skills in marketing strategies within the gaming industry and expand their knowledge of the elements that create a successful esports event or league. Additionally, some of the newer degrees also offered at SWAU include online media, criminal justice and cybersecurity. The online media emphasis, offered by the Department of Communication, is designed to prepare students who are interested in becoming social media managers, content media specialists or bloggers, just to name a few options.
The criminal justice emphasis, from the Department of History, prepares students for careers in probation, asset management, crime scene investigation, corporate security, corrections administration, federal protective services, law enforcement and more. The cybersecurity emphasis, which is offered by the Department of Computer Science, is particularly timely. There is a growing shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals. Students will earn valuable cybersecurity certifications in addition to this degree. Ken Shaw, SWAU President, shares that each of these degrees and emphasis areas are meeting today’s market needs with practical knowledge and experiences that will help our students be successful upon graduation. To learn more about these and the other degrees offered at Southwestern Adventist University, visit us online at SWAU.edu/academics. By Brisa Ramirez Social Media Manager
Southwestern Adventist University News
A Foundation for Excellence SWAU Rolls Out New Strategic Plan KEENE, TEX. – Southwestern Adventist University has launched its 2020-2023 strategic plan: A Foundation of Excellence. The plan, built around six goals, promotes the advancement of quality and affordable academics, Christ-centered relationships and a vibrant environment. An updated set of seven core values are designed to encourage students, employees and graduates to continually seek wisdom, live with integrity, be good stewards, treat others with respect, be humble, unselfishly serve and remain forever faithful.
This bold plan will ensure that students from all corners of the world receive the holistic Christian education of SWAU. “The carefully drafted objectives set forth within these goals will be used as benchmarks to measure progress towards achieving success,” says SWAU President Ken Shaw. “I look forward to working closely with our excellent faculty, staff and administrators to meet and even exceed these expectations.” By Tim Kosaka Marketing and Public Relations Director
Transitions at SWAU
Welcoming New Faculty and Staff to the Faculty KEENE, TEX. – We have had several transitions and there are now a few new faces at Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) for the 2020-2021 school year. Ana Patterson (pictured right) is now special assistant to the president. She previously worked in the Department of Business Administration. In her new role, she will assist with the management and coordination of institution-wide projects and initiatives. “I am excited to have the opportunity to serve young adults during such a pivotal time in their
lives,” says Patterson. “I look forward to joining a team that is dedicated to making our campus a welcoming place where students from all walks of life can grow in knowledge and faith.” Rahneeka Hazelton (pictured left), has worked at SWAU for eight years and has transitioned to the role of Assistant Vice President for Enrollment. Hazelton shares, “I am enthusiastic at the opportunity to learn new and innovative ways to make the Southwestern experience even better.” She wants future students
to know about the value of a Christian education. “Here at SWAU, we are more than friends; we are family. I know that sounds cliché, but I mean it and I am ready to prove it.” Erin Maloney, Satyanarayana Ramella and Keila Santos-Crespo have also joined the SWAU faculty. The staff and faculty at SWAU work together to ensure quality education is provided within a Christian environment. By Brisa Ramirez Social Media Manager
SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2020 19
Arkansas-Louisiana Conference News
Lessons Learned God Always Takes Care of You
W
hen I was growing up, our family really didn’t have a whole lot of anything. By most standards we were fairly poor. The truth is, we didn’t know it. My grandmother used to say we were the richest people in the world. I would ask, “How can you say that?” And her reply was always the same. “We love the Lord, He loves us and we love each other, what more do you need?” Pretty wise woman! I had the privilege of growing up in a home where Jesus was made first and best. Our lives were centered in walking with Him, living with Him and growing in Him. Therefore, from the earliest age, we put Jesus first. When we sat down to have a meal, we thanked God for food. When we attended church, we returned our tithe and offerings. The amount wasn’t important. When we saw someone in need, we did all we could to help alleviate their challenge or difficulty. I remember one year was so bad that we frankly didn’t know where the next meal was coming from. But we still had prayer before a meal and we still helped people and we still returned our tithe and offering. As I mentioned, it was financially tight. And faced at Christmas time with really nothing at all, I remember my dad saying he was going to trust God no matter what. I remember my parents returned their meager amount in the offering plate that Sabbath. We went home and had a simple meal. God was good. I had heard my parents pray for God to supply our needs, to keep a roof over our heads, food on the table and enough money to keep the house warm and the lights on. That Saturday night, there was a knock on our door. It was friends of ours who had come to visit. After visiting for a while, they handed my dad a new book. Dad thanked them and they went on their way. When dad looked at the book more carefully, he noticed a slit in the cellophane and realized there was something else. Opening the book, he discovered a crisp new $50 bill in the book. I remember my mother broke into tears and my dad sat there stunned. God had made another one of His remarkable “back door deliveries” to sustain His people. We had a special thank you prayer that evening. I learned a valuable lesson that night. If God is first in my life, then He will take care of me! I’ve heard all kinds of sermons and seminars about stewardship. But in the simplest terms, it is like Jesus said long ago, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 (NASB). I invite you to always seek Him first and let Him take care of you. By Richard C. Dye, Sr. President
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Arkansas-Louisiana Conference News
Focused on Him
A Testimony from Louisiana State Prison
ANGOLA, LA. – I have always had a knowledge of God and who He was. From childhood I was educated in scripture. Unfortunately, as I got older, I became more arrogant than humble. The importance of family was instilled in me from an early age. I was a very protective sibling. I surrounded my life with my family, and as a church-going and law-abiding person, I felt that all was well and I was strong enough in God to face any obstacle. I was wrong. In April of 1995, my life was drastically changed. My youngest brother was taken from me. Murdered. Just around the corner from where I stood. I was supposed to be there protecting him. I begged God to have mercy and let him live, but he still died. This did not sit well with me. I blamed myself and then I became obsessed with hating God until I suffered from a mental breakdown. I would black out and find myself in places I should not have been. I began to participate in criminal activity, especially seeking out those responsible for my brother’s death. I surmised in my mind that if I couldn’t hurt God then I’d hurt His creation, but my actions brought
more pain to those I loved. Eventually, I found myself incarcerated. I began to lose all sense of emotions. I became like a stone. Upon my release, things did not get better; they seemed to get worse. One day my mother uttered these words to me: “I want my son back.” Whether she was talking to me or God didn’t matter, it had been said. I no longer wanted to hurt anybody, but I did not know how to get back. I had graduated from college and decided to put these skills to work again. I started a business, but there was a struggle still within me. The business contracts were lucrative and solid but every so often, however, I had violent outbursts. I would become calm again, but I never knew for how long. One day, knowing I was not living right and needing God to hear me, I prayed. I was afraid that I had gone too far. I asked God to help me, to stop me before it was too late. Days later I was arrested for armed robbery. I laughed when they recited the charge; surely they had picked up the wrong guy. I was sure I would be out soon, but the days turned into
months and I’m still here. Before bitterness began to swell, a Seventh-day Adventist friend reached out. I began participating in cognitive-behavioral counseling programs. God changed my life, but the programs helped me to reach out. I remembered my mother’s words. I am no longer bitter and sad. I am an Adventist, the church leader at the prison where I am incarcerated. I know that God will prevail on my behalf. I am working on getting an advanced degree in rehabilitative counseling. The church is sponsoring the spiritual recovery program that I started. Its goal is to assist individuals in erasing the criminal and addictive thinking from their cognitive mind and to think differently, which is more positive. I believe that God will grant my wish to accomplish my educational goal and to assist in my freedom. My only concern is doing His will. My job is to provide the necessary assistance to others that I receive and to show the love and compassion of Christ. This is my testimony and God is my life. By Demetrius Bradley
SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2020 21
Arkansas-Louisiana Conference News
Kindness Delivered
Gentry Women’s Ministries Makes a Difference
GENTRY, ARK. – It changes nearly every week. One week it may be those familiar vibrant green carrot tops that are peeking above the top of the box. Another week you might see the silky smooth tassels of mouthwatering yellow sweet corn nestled snugly in the corner of the stiff cardboard boxes, or maybe you’ll see some of those little cherry tomatoes that just don’t taste like the ones in the grocery store. The boxes from KT Produce in Lowell have fresh off the farm produce that varies by what the farmers may have just pulled out of the ground and taken from their gardens and farms. No week is ever exactly the same and the food boxes they sell can contain anything from red cabbage and asparagus to eggs that haven’t been too long out of the hen house. These are the boxes that the women’s ministries team from the Gentry Seventh-day Adventist Church decided to use to make a difference in the
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community around their church. And these boxes are the ones Dona Young, women’s ministries director, had in her car that day as she drove past his house delivering food boxes to families affected by the current COVID-19 crisis. She couldn’t put it away, that feeling—the one that made her feel like she should stop and visit there. As her car eased into a full stop in front of his house, it just didn’t look like anyone was home. No one answered the doorbell, and as she stood there looking around her, there seemed to be no alternative but to gently set the box on the porch floor and walk quietly away. But before she could back out of the driveway, there he was pulling up behind her. He wasn’t someone she knew well or had ever visited before, but as he and his son stood there and talked with her, she could feel the tears that would later spill down her cheeks when she was again alone.
He was probably somewhere in his fifties, way too young to have just lost his wife in the last few weeks to a sudden and totally unexpected illness. And he told her as they talked together in his front yard, in the last 16 years he had lived there no one had ever done anything like this for him before and he added that “no one has ever even driven in my driveway.” When Young again sat there, alone in her car, with tears spilling down her cheeks, she must have seen through the parable of her own life a glimmer and a glimpse of Christ’s unending compassion for each of us in our trials. And it must have fanned the desire in her heart to grow more like our great pattern and encourage those whose hope has departed, and like Him, ease the sufferings of the afflicted. By Debbie Upson
Arkansas-Louisiana Conference News
Big Problem, Bigger God Camp Yorktown Bay Goes Virtual MOUNTAIN PINE, ARK. – No summer camp? That had never happened before at Camp Yorktown Bay! But due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, there would be no in-person camp in 2020. But with campers already signed up, our camp staff came together to offer a virtual summer camp themed “Big Problem...Bigger God.” With 140 campers, the week began with campers assigned to virtual cabins. They were able to enjoy morning and evening worship through livestream channels each day. We had daily
activities each day led by camp staff and guest instructors. There was even a week-long cabin challenge. Campers performed challenges throughout the week and earned points for their cabin. These 107 different challenges ranged from making a cardboard boat to sharing what they learned from the pastor’s evening messages. We thank God for a memorable week, and we pray and look forward to being together in person next summer at Camp Yorktown Bay. By David Craig, Youth/Camp Director
Stewardship
Taking Personal Responsibility in Texarkana TEXARKANA – Thinking of stewardship, my mind immediately jumps to the financial aspect, and even though our church members are faithfully supporting with tithes and offerings in this time of trouble with COVID-19, my thoughts now turn to our local leaders and their faithfulness in their service to the members, to the sanctuary and with other responsibilities. These leaders still have had to get the job done without the assistance of their usual teams. I am so grateful for their faithfulness and the understanding of the members who
have adhered to the guidelines supplied by our conference. I am amazed at those attending and expressing their appreciation to those ministering to needs as they follow COVID-19 guidelines. Thinking about the theme of stewardship and taking personal responsibility, a large picture of faithfulness flashed through my mind. Thank you, Texarkana church members, for the continued financial support, the cleaning and sanitizing, the prayerful phone calls and the continued time spent in prayer teams and studying. Thank you
for understanding what the church board has agreed to do to keep you as safe as possible. Thank you for recognizing the real enemy and showing your support to your local leaders, your pastor and the conference. Our personal responsibility as a good steward covers every part of our lives as we minister to our own families and our church family. By Lorretta Johnson Texarkana member Dawn Domanski weeds around the church’s flagpole.
SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2020 23
Arkansas-Louisiana Conference News
God’s Garden
Trusting Him with the Big and the Little Things
SHREVEPORT, LA. – I planted my garden in early March this year because of the shelter-in-place directive issued by the State of Louisiana. I wanted to have fresh produce to enjoy and enough to freeze for later, so I planted early. I knew I was taking a chance because there could be a late freeze, but I dedicated the garden to the Lord and asked that He would bless it, not only so my wife and I could enjoy them, but also so we could share the bounty. In late April, we took a short walk. After we returned, the sun was still high
in the sky, so I watered my garden. I picked a few tomatoes and broccoli. I noticed that my squash and zucchini plants were starting to bloom and already had many baby squash on the vine. My pepper plants were peppered with bell peppers. The green bean vines were starting to flower, the purple hull plants were growing and our okra plants were about five inches tall. That night a storm brought heavy rain and hail. I watched the yard turn white with the small hail. I reminded the Lord that this was His garden and
Rededication Slidell Church Reopens SLIDELL, LA. – On May 30, the Slidell Seventh-day Adventist Church reopened for members to gather and worship together again with about 25 members. The service was a rededication of the church and its elders, deacons, deaconesses, and members. Paul Bordlee and Vasanth Bethala led the service. Bethala reminded us of God’s love in trying times. With songs and prayers, our hearts were lifted up in reverent worship. By Seema Bethala
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asked Him to please shield it. The next day, I went out to the garden, and tears were held in check as I surveyed a miracle! God had protected every newborn plant in His garden! Despite the pain and suffering during this pandemic, know that our omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent and loving God is in total control of our universe! Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” He even preserves a garden during a hail storm! By David Farmer
Oklahoma Conference News
Ten T’s of Stewardship Being a Good Steward in Troubled Times
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his uncertain year has left many thinking about the end of the world. But what do end time events have to do with stewardship? Look at the parable of the ten virgins. Five wisely planned ahead, while five foolishly did not. Learning to manage God’s resources will help you be prepared for perilous times. The words of Jeremiah ring true today: “If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?” Jeremiah 12:5. To be wise and prepared, consider these areas of stewardship in your life. 1: Time. Time is perhaps the most important of all our resources, because the management of everything else is largely based on how much time we allocate to it. Learn more: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. 2: Talents. Even if you think you don’t have a God-given talent, you do! God has given everyone the ability to contribute in a unique way to the building up of the body of Christ on Earth. Learn more: Matthew 25:14-30. 3: Testimony. Just as Paul was always ready to give a defense for his beliefs, we too must be ready. However, like Jesus, we must know when it is appropriate to share and when it is best to stay silent. Learn more: 1 Peter 3:15. 4: Treasure. Jesus spoke about money more than other resources. He taught how important it is to learn and apply biblical principles to finances. Learn more: Matthew 6:19-21. 5: Temple. We uphold the healing ministry of Jesus when we take care of every aspect of our health: mind, body and spirit. Learn more: 1 Corinthians 6:19. 6: Territory. When we do small acts, such as plant a garden, show kindness to animals or choose to recycle, we are a part of the stewardship of the Earth that God assigned humans at Creation. Learn more: Genesis 1:28. 7: Truth. God entrusted us with the truth that will set us free. Good stewards seek to understand the truth and present it with love. Learn more: Ephesians 4:11-15. 8: Tongue. Words have the power to give life or take it away. By only choosing uplifting words, we make the most of the resources of the tongue. Learn more: James 3:1-11. 9: Technology. What we look at online, how much time we spend on the phone, what we post on social media–all of our digital decisions affect our quality of life and our relationship with God and others. Learn more: Ecclesiastes 12:12. 10: Tribe. Friends and family are a gift from God. When we invest in relationships, it is a blessing to us and others. Learn more: Joshua 24:15. By Robert Quintana, Pastor and Stewardship Director
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Oklahoma Conference News
Dedicated to Serve
New Community Center Helps Distribute Food
TULSA, OKLA. – God’s people recently shared His love in caring service for their community with a ceremony and inaugural event for the new Tulsa Community Service Center (TCSC). The event’s participants were blessed with violin music from AnnaRose Jones and Sean Shin; an introduction by Apple Park, Oklahoma Conference executive secretary; prayer by Carlos Portanova, Oklahoma Conference treasurer; an inspirational history of the center by Park and Bill Carlile and a motivating dedication sermon and prayer by James Shires, Oklahoma Conference president. Through the love of God, we were encouraged to love others and provide for their needs as if we were serving Jesus himself as described in Matthew 25:35-40.
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The facility is now officially open to provide health, medical, optometry, and legal and spiritual services, along with cooking classes and a food pantry. TCSC hopes to provide dental services within the next year. The TCSC goal is to serve our community, and its inaugural event to fully dedicate the center was a massive food giveaway organized by the TCSC board and the Go Fresh company. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Go Fresh company was awarded a $50+ million grant from the FDA to help farmers distribute their products. Farmers were going to lose their crops and income, and people impacted needed food. Go Fresh brought a truckload of 1,500 boxes of food, which weighed more than 20 tons and was valued at more than $50,000. Our team helped
stage the rows of cars and kids with signs directing them where to line up for the food distribution. We had eight teams of food distributors split into two rows ready to receive each car and give them a box of food and milk, one per family. With this arrangement, God’s love and people willing to serve, we gave away all 1,500 boxes in three hours to many happy people in the Tulsa area. I witnessed the blessing of great teamwork, loving hearts, hard, sweaty work and smiling faces on both those serving and those receiving. We ask for your prayers and support to continue to serve our community. For more details about the center, visit the Tulsa Community Service Center on Facebook. By Brit Whittington
Oklahoma Conference News
Surprises and More
Tulsa Adventist Class of 2020 Graduation TULSA, OKLA. – “Surprise! Happy graduation!” Tulsa Adventist Academy (TAA) students in kindergarten, eighth and twelfth grades did not have traditional graduation ceremonies this year, but they certainly had celebrations. Amid a flurry of flowers, balloons, cupcakes and TAA teachers, our kindergarten and eighth grade students were treated to a graduation song (“Happy Graduation to you” a la “Happy Birthday”) and the TAA principal, Shaun Lazarus, hand-delivering diplomas to each graduate. TAA teachers traveled across Green Country in Northeast Oklahoma to surprise each student and welcome the graduates to either first or ninth grade. It was a blessing for them and the teachers to be together for a few minutes,
as they were last united physically as a school on March 13, 2020, before turning to virtual learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. TAA’s four seniors donned their caps and gowns on May 12 at Tulsa First Seventh-day Adventist Church for a physically distant commencement with their parents, with families sitting in separate pews. The commencement was just like any other—spiritual, inspirational, encouraging—but no juniors, families or friends were present. Some special features of the event were yearbook editor Sophia Fisher presenting and dedicating the Golden Embers yearbook to Jennifer Whittington, one of TAA’s incredible secretaries. Enga Almeida, Southwestern Adventist University vice president for enrollment,
presented scholarships and awards to each graduate (three are now attending Southwestern). Nic Coutet, pastor of Tulsa’s Adventist Fellowship, gave the seniors advice for their upcoming higher education with his hallmark enthusiasm, throwing in a few memories from their teachers. Afterward, the graduates enjoyed cupcakes and gifts with the few attendees and capped the evening with “masked” photos. Watch each senior contribute to the commencement with special music, parent tributes and more at TulsaSDA. org on the “Media” tab or at TAA Graduation on the church’s YouTube channel. A big congratulations to TAA’s Class of 2020! By Caroline A. Fisher
SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2020 27
Oklahoma Conference News
Congratulations Graduates! Celebrating Something Big in Small Ways MUSKOGEE, OKLA. – It was a very interesting end to a school year for all of us. When students were told that they would need to begin school from home after Spring Break, the eighth graders had one very important question: “Will we still get to have graduation?” Happily, we were able to have a small ceremony, only for the graduates’ families, in Muskogee Seventh-day Adventist Christian Academy’s gym on May 21. We wish our graduates, Lily Kurtz and Misty Page, congratulations and pray they do well! By Audrey Fabriga
Native Ministries Seminars Encourages Healthy Living Practices SHAWNEE, OKLA. – A main focus of Native Ministries is to help Native American tribes and others learn healthier living practices. A great tool for this is a program called “Diabetes Undone,” that can reverse Type II diabetes through diet and exercise. The Shawnee Seventh-day Adventist Church was planning a series, sponsored in part by Native Ministries. Pastor Jim Landelius was contacted by Victoria Jernigan, who, along with her husband, a medical professional, present the program as a ministry.
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The series began on Feb. 12. The evening started with a lecture; materials were made available to those who participated, including a workbook, videos, cookbooks and recipes. Sixteen people came each evening, including the Second Chief of the Seminole Nation, Lewis Johnson, as well as an Elder of the Tribe. Before the lecture, Landelius cooked a simple plant-based meal for guests to sample. Those who were unfamiliar with plant-based whole foods were amazed at how delicious the nutritious dishes
were. After a few minutes of exercise, the group learned important health principles to combat and reverse Type II diabetes and better manage Type I. At the end of the program, all of the participants pledged to make healthier choices and Johnson asked if a program could be done for his nation. As soon as it is safe to do so, Native Ministries will continue its efforts to present this program to the Seminole Nation, other Native tribes and others in the community. By Jim Landelius, Native Ministries Director
Oklahoma Conference News
New Experiences
Oklahoma’s Virtual Camp Meeting and Family Day Camp
WEWOKA, OKLA. – The Oklahoma Conference recently completed its 128th Camp Meeting. It was unlike any other. The seats were empty of people; there were no tents, no RVs, no children’s divisions, no ABC, no burger barn. It was very different, but God sent His Holy Spirit to bless the meetings streaming live from our Wewoka Woods auditorium. This year’s theme was “Preparing For His Coming.” U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black started us off with a message called “The Cure for a Troubled Mind,” with excellent counsel from God’s word. James Rafferty’s evening series was on how to “abide” in Christ as the end draws near. His morning series was entitled “Coronavirus, a Biblical Perspective.” Buster Swoopes, Jr., from Southwestern Adven-
tist University presented a series on the Three Angels Messages of Revelation 14. It was very Christ-centered. Michael Campbell, also from Southwestern, held a series called “Turning Points,” about key times in Adventist history when God intervened to help move us forward. John Bradshaw, president of It Is Written, had three excellent messages on preparation for Christ’s coming. I had the privilege of closing out the meetings with the message “Watch and Be Ready” from Matthew 24 and 25. There were also online meetings for children, youth and young adults put together by our pastors. According to our records, we had 2,200 views on livestream and 3,800 on YouTube. We praise the Lord for each one who was able to watch.
Special thanks to the three pastors who worked on the AV/technology aspect. They worked very hard and worked through many issues and a major learning curve. We also appreciate Daniel Ortega and his wife, Yesenia, along with the summer camp staff who organized and ran a special five-day “family day camp,” as well as our camp ranger, Sam and his wife, Laura. The day camp allowed people to visit during the day and experience pool, horseback riding, boating, canoeing, archery, nature classes and crafts. Jesus is coming soon. Let’s all get ready for that great day and share Him and the good news with everyone. By James Shires, President
SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2020 29
Southwest Region Conference News
Personal Stewardship
Our Responsibility for Body, Relationships and Priorities
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od is bringing us back to the basics of our responsibilities. He is showing us how to steward well what He considers the most important things in our lives. First, He has given us authority over our bodies, and second, responsibility over our relationships, which includes those with our spouses, our children and God. The parable of the talents, in Matthew 25:14-30, illustrates the results of stewarding well or poorly. The master entrusted three servants with talents. Two servants invested their talents and doubled their amount while the third buried his talent and produced the same amount. The third was thrown out by the master and his talent given to the one who had the greatest increase. Like the wise servant, it is time for us to start taking personal responsibility for everything God has entrusted us. Responsibility Over Our Body: Our body is the first gift we received from God. If we steward our bodies by exercising, eating and resting properly, our quality of life will improve and we will be stronger, capable of accomplishing more tasks and living longer to enjoy future generations. When we do not steward our bodies well, our health will suffer. If we just bury our body in unhealthy behaviors, our risk of disease will increase and our life expectancy and quality of life will decrease. Let’s honor God with our bodies as we invest in our health. This will allow us to give more from our gain. Responsibility Over Our Relationships: Marriage is one of the most precious gifts that God has given us and a relationship that we must steward. It takes two to make a marriage work, and when one does not put forth effort, the marriage will fail. A married couple must continually invest in the marriage by spending time with one another, reaching out to the other in love, participating in marriage seminars or counseling, opening up and listening to one another’s needs, etc. When true love is cultivated, the result will be joy and peace while in each other’s presence and fulfilled intimacy. What we cultivate in our marriage increases and multiplies. As in a marriage relationship, let’s invest in all our relationships. As we learn from the experience, we will be able to give more abundantly. Responsibility Over Our Priorities: The parable of the talents applies to many areas—work, home, ministry, possessions, parenting, finances and of course talents. But we must tithe our time, energy and affection to God. Making God our priority includes the responsibility of our testimony about God and sharing the good news. As with the first fruits of our tithe, when we prioritize our relationship with God, He will be faithful to multiply what we offer and the rest will fall into place. When we neglect God as our first priority, we will constantly be running on empty in every area of our lives. Let’s invest in ourselves and our relationships, but above all, in our relationship with God. By Oswaldo Hernandez, Stewardship Director
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Southwest Region Conference News
Southwest Region Conference News
West Texas Miracles
Baptisms Take Place Amidst the Pandemic EL PASO, TEX. – On Oct. 23, 2019, I received a call from Amazing Facts asking if I would contact Luz Maria Holguin, pictured in the red shirt below, who had asked for Bible studies. I gave the name to Cesar and Patty Marquez, a couple in the church who enjoy giving studies, and they connected with Holguin. They visited her for a few months into 2020, but by the spring, social distancing recommendations were in place due to COVID-19 and the visits were reduced. During the pandemic’s peak, the Marquez family stayed in touch, calling Holguin to see if she had any questions about the studies she had been receiving. As they spoke, the Marquez family invited her to consider baptism. Holguin accepted the invitation with excitement.
Another miracle story is that of Patricia Muñoz, pictured below in black. Muñoz came to the church on her own. She was looking to know more about God. Having found in our church what she was looking for and not wanting to delay any longer, she asked to seal her commitment to the great God whom she loves through baptism. We made plans for the baptisms and they took place at the El Paso East Spanish Seventh-day Adventist church on Friday, July 3. Five people were present, including those who recorded the ceremony in order to show it the next day during the Sabbath worship hour. We could have postponed the baptisms, but being convicted that when someone wants to be baptized, we must not delay, we pressed forward.
The enemy of the souls does not stop his work amid pandemics or viruses. As a well-known Hispanic chorus says, “The church continues to advance and will only stop to preach.” We now say that, with or without COVID-19, the church continues to preach and will only stop to baptize. Matthew 28:19 encourages us to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” By Pedro Ledezma, Pastor
SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 31
Southwest Region Conference News
Shine Your Light
You Can Brighten the Corner Where You Are!
BATON ROUGE, LA. – “Brighten the corner where you are.” This old primary Sabbath School song outlines a responsibility of Christians to help those in need through acts of kindness, consideration and true concern. In a world filled with uncertainty, fear and despair, we are called to be light. COVID-19 has taken our world by storm. Across the country and in Baton Rouge, we faced challenges. The local food bank experienced a great shortage of food and help. The Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank announced the desperate need for non-perishable goods. Ivy Jones, Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church member in Baton Rouge, La., was motivated to help others, shining her light of love. Her desire to serve illuminated her corner of the city.
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Jones determined to be part of the solution. She began planning a four-day food drive for that week. Jones contacted the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank with a proposed partnership and was approved to collect on behalf of the food bank. Jones, a former teacher of Martin Luther King, Jr. Christian Academy, contacted the principal to use the school as a site for food collection. She also contacted her pastor at the Berean church and presented a plan to use the church as an additional site for food collection. Announcements about the “Drive-Thru Food Drive” went out and support flooded in! Friends, family, neighbors, church members, former students and current students’ parents drove through the parking lots with canned goods and other non-perishable
items. A small, dedicated staff armed with masks, gloves, willing hearts and helping hands collected the much-needed food. Passing drivers and pedestrians wandered in to investigate, returning later with donations. The drive-thru food drive attracted the attention of two local news stations that came out and recorded and aired the community service, publicly announced the event and invited others to participate. Over 1,500 canned goods, non-perishable food and hundreds of dollars were donated to the food bank. There is no limit to what God can do when we place our trust in Him and move out in faith to accomplish what He places in our hearts. Ivy Jones listened to God’s voice, sprang into action and God provided. By Ericka Jones Johnson
Southwest Region Conference News
Virtual Camp Meeting
A New Thing in Southwest Region Conference DALLAS – Isaiah 43:18-19 reads, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” God has already informed us that we are not to limit ourselves to what and how God has performed in the past. God is telling the Southwest Region that I can and will do a new thing. I will do it in a way that will blow your mind. In these last days, God is still wowing His people. In response to the violent assault of COVID-19, all Southwest Region Conference events had been suspended in the interim, including camp meeting. But after much discussion and prayer, the executive officers decided to offer a virtual camp meeting broadcast for the members. The virtual Camp Meeting aired for nine days. Camp meetings were presented in Spanish on June 19-21 and in English on June 22-27. The theme was “Southwest Region Conference Rising Up.” God blessed us with three dynamic sermons every day by pastors from around the Conference. Guest speakers
included: Jose Cortes, Sergio Romero, Arnaldo Cruz, Roger Hernandez, Desiree Bryant, Clifford Jones, Calvin Rock and Wintley Phipps. Along with the thought-provoking, powerful preaching, we were blessed with beautiful praise music from choirs, ensembles and soloists from around the conference. Viewers were elevated and challenged by daily segments dealing with family, health, public affairs and religious liberty, women’s ministries, fatherhood, youth and young adults, children, stewardship, prayer and personal ministries. There was special programming on the history and the progress of the Adventist Message in the Caribbean, the Philippines and Africa. Additional education and edification were given during a series on the history of Regional Conferences. The camp meeting experience was concluded with the very first virtual ordination services in the Southwest Region Conference when S. Eliot Brooks, pastor, was set aside by the laying on of outstretched-sanitized-gloved-hands of Calvin Watkins, conference president; Stephen Brooks, executive secretary;
Bufford Griffith, Southwestern Union executive secretary and Elton DeMoraes, Southwestern Union vice president for Ministerial and Church Ministries. Southwest Region Conference Camp Meeting was carried on four online platforms: the conference website, Facebook, YouTube and Roku TV. Because of the number of platforms that were used for Camp Meeting, we are still attempting to ascertain the complete viewer numbers, but the partial virtual camp meeting report is that there were over 1,100 sustained viewers for Sabbath Services and more than 20,000 viewers who tuned in to Camp Meeting. Southwest Region Conference is now working to launch the SWRC TV Channel. Praise God for such an opportunity to carry the gospel. Praise God for doing a new thing. Even though the year 2020 will be known by many as the year of COVID-19, I submit to you that 2020 should be known as the year that God once again has done a new thing. By Stephen Brooks, Executive Secretary
SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 33
Southwest Region Conference News
Southwest Region Conference News
Rising Up to the Challenge Women’s Ministry Virtual Camp Meeting Segments
DALLAS – It is not unusual for a women’s ministries department to provide programming for camp meetings. What is unusual is providing programming for a virtual camp meeting. “Southwest Region Conference Rising Up” was the theme for the conference’s first totally online camp meeting held June 22-June 27, 2020. The women’s ministries department, led by Anysia Archibald, was tasked with providing prerecorded half-hour segments for five days of meetings. When the request was made by the conference to the women’s ministry department, calls and appeals immediately went out to a variety of speakers for presentations to be taped as soon as possible. The Lord blessed! Women rose to the challenge!
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Devotionals were provided by motivational speaker, Lola Moore-Johnston (pictured top right), pastor from the Potomac Conference, and Yvonne Collins from the Lake Region Conference. Personal testimonies were provided by Enid Larriu (pictured bottom left) and SaMonna Watts (pictured top left). Women’s health tips and information were provided by a panel of doctors hosted by Maxie Birch-Moore from New Orleans, La. Dr. Jenny Baysa from Houston, Tex., provided us with important tips on how to properly use doctor-prescribed medications. Leslie Soupet (pictured bottom right) led us on a tour of her garden, providing a refreshing respite. Helen Dawes from Missouri City, Tex., provided a delicious cooking demonstration.
The week ended on a high note with special music by Fay Cumberbatch from Baytown, Tex. All of these presentations were taped days ahead to be broadcast at the appointed time each day. The women’s ministries department is thankful and praises the Lord for all the women who were willing to use their talents to make this first ever virtual camp meeting a success. By LeShel Taylor
Texas Conference News
Where Are Your Treasures? Right Living and Right Giving Go Hand in Hand
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ne of the most well-known passages in scripture is that of Matthew 6:20-21 (NKJV): “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” I find it intriguing that this statement by Christ tells us first and foremost that God doesn’t have a problem with individuals investing in themselves. What? Is that not what we are to understand by His words: But lay up for yourselves treasures? Superficially and selfishly, we might proclaim that God gives us the right to invest in ourselves first and foremost. Ah, but the second part of the statement is the key: “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” The investment programs between earth and heaven are vastly different. The first order of business is to comprehend the term “stewardship” through the lens of heaven. Dictionary.com defines a steward as “a person who acts as the surrogate of another or others, especially by managing property, financial affairs, an estate.” Renowned poet Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Things are in the saddle, And ride mankind.” One of the great lifelessons that has emerged from our plight with COVID-19 is the sinister fact that we as citizens of this land of plenty quickly learned that our possessions have been governing our existence. When we come up lacking, we seek the Source of the substance! Emil Mettler was a restaurateur in London. He was a close friend of Albert Schweitzer. Mettler would not allow a Christian worker to pay for a meal. He once opened his cash register in the presence of the Secretary of the London Missionary Society. The man was astonished to observe among the bills and coins a six-inch nail. He asked Mettler what the nail was doing there. Mettler explained, “I keep this nail with my money to remind me of the price that Christ paid for my salvation and of what I owe Him in return!” Our tangible response to God as His stewards is based on an intangible commitment. Right living and right giving go hand in hand! When we commit our lives to the King, the commitment of our resources follows closely behind. How could we withhold from Him our life, our time, our talents, our money or our potential? By Carlos J. Craig, President
SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2020 35
Texas Conference News
More Than Just Talk
Ongoing Conversations to Improve Race Relations
HOUSTON, TEX. – “Recognizing the restlessness of the country regarding race relations and the seeming indifference from the Christian community, local pastors in the Houston area said, ‘enough is enough, it is time to talk,’” shared Kenn L. Dixon, vice president for communication and public relations. The inaugural Houston Pastors’ Roundtable was held on June 13 at the Houston West Seventh-day Adventist Church. The emotive and complex subject of racism was discussed in depth. Panelists represented different parts of the city of Houston from both the Texas Conference and the Southwest Region Conference. This multicultural group of pastors and friends featured in the photo above include (from left to right) Eric Smith, Denton Rhone, Salomon Espinoza, Keith Goodman, Ashwin Somasundram, Roderick Bishop and Jifiah Reeves. This historic and interactive event was streamed live via Facebook and YouTube and was watched by thousands of viewers. The rationale for this program was based on the horrific racist murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and countless others at the hands of the police. In the aftermath, we noticed something profound taking place as thousands upon thousands of
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diverse protesters in every city in the nation, indeed, in the world, stood up and spoke out against racism towards Blacks by the police, which has tragically ended in death. The conscience of the nation had been awakened and we were witnessing a seminal moment. Hence, as pastors and friends, we felt it important to gather together and speak to this watershed moment, speak to this moment with the purpose of bringing healing and racial reconciliation to our churches and communities, for many of our church members and friends in our communities were struggling with how to respond to this social crisis. The response to this event was overwhelmingly positive from members, pastors and church administrators. They appreciated the panel framing this discussion within a biblical and Adventist context, sharing their personal experiences of police racism and harassment and sharing words of hope for the future. The program was an important first step on a journey that will include regular monthly Round Tables that will tackle hot subjects such as racism and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. By Ashwin Somasundram Houston West Church Pastor
TEXAS CONFERENCE STATEMENT From Los Angeles to Miami, Dallas to New York, our nation is trying to make sense of the recent deaths of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, Breonna Taylor in Kentucky, George Floyd in Minnesota and the countless families who have lost loved ones due to injustice, racism and hatred. The Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists strongly condemns the mistreatment of individuals and violence against those who are created in God’s image, and pleads for calm amidst the unrest, encouraging dialogue over violence so the lives lost would not be in vain. Christ has called us to be “light… in the darkness,” John 1:5, and an example of His character on this planet; WE are His disciples. As we see the nation and the world spiraling out of control with fear, hopelessness and hatred, let us remember that it is God who holds our future, and we must trust in Him. We must follow the teachings of Jesus to “love your neighbor,” in Mark 12:31.
Texas Conference News
Public Campus Ministries
Five Chapters Form Texas-Adventist Christian Fellowship ALVARADO, TEX. – Texas-Adventist Christian Fellowship (Texas-ACF) is an official ministry for Seventh-day Adventist college and university students on public campuses within the Texas Conference. Currently, there are five chapters registered with the Texas Conference. They are located at University of Texas at Arlington; University of Texas at Austin; Midwestern State University; Texas State University and Texas A&M University. If you know of other chapters, please email YoungAdults@txsda.org. The North American Division of Sev-
enth-day Adventists (NAD) in Columbia, Md., reported that approximately 70-80 percent of Adventist students are on public campuses creating one of the largest mission fields in the NAD territory (Bermuda, Canada, Guam/Micronesia and the United States). ACF’s ministry and outreach is rendered by students for students. On any given week, students are gathering for Bible studies and witnessing to their peers on campus, with local churches hosting other events. By Justin Yang, Young Adult Director
The Cheerful Giver
Happily Giving Your Time, Talents or Money ALVARADO, TEX. – It’s easy to be a cheerful giver when everything is going right, isn’t it? But how do we be cheerful givers when it’s not? 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 shares, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Many think of finances when they read that verse. As the treasurer for
the Texas Conference, I appreciate the faithfulness of our members to return 10 percent of their earnings as tithe to their local church as God instructed, as well as financially supporting their local church budget for building and ministry expenses. But I also know that the Lord appreciates when we cheerfully give of our time and talents. When the Texas Conference started the online church experience this past July, many office personnel had to step out of their comfort zones to participate in the services.
Even before that, when many churches had to close because of COVID-19, pastors and members alike learned to minister in new ways. God blessed those efforts as He said He would in the verses mentioned at the beginning. We may not know what the future holds, but we do know Who holds the future. Just like the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:14-29, we have a choice. How will you choose to give today? By Randall B. Terry, Treasurer/CFO
SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2020 37
Texas Conference News
Serving in Christ’s Name
Finding New Ways to Provide Food for Those In Need KEENE, TEX. – Since COVID-19, the drive to provide food to those in need tripled. Many of our churches accepted the challenge and are serving their communities. They found new ways to do this such as using social distancing, wearing gloves and masks, having drive-by food pantries and registering clients online. The important thing is our churches didn’t give up, but found ways to safely serve their community, even as the cost for food increased. Texas Adventist Community Services (Texas ACS) has been able to help many
of our churches by obtaining a $25,000 COVID-19 Food Relief grant from the North American Division and a $10,000 grant from ADRA. This has greatly helped these churches purchase more food to distribute to their communities. Along with the grant money, Texas ACS has been able to provide gloves, masks and hand sanitizer to various churches in our conference while providing these same items to many other non-profit agencies across Texas. By Marshall Gonzales Adventist Community Services Director
Nigerian Proclaim Project Praying for Ways to Connect Back Home IRVING, TEX. – It started as a dream in 2017. How could Irving Living Springs Seventh-day Adventist Church members share the attractive, well-produced books in the United States with people in our home country of Nigeria? After much discussion and with the church board’s approval, the initiative Nigeria Proclaim Project was created. Choosing the beautifully illustrated copy of The Great Controversy by Ellen G. White, members were surprised when the initial price tag to purchase the books and ship them to the post in Lagos, Nigeria, was
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estimated at $5,646. Excited about the vision, though, Tunde Obrimah, an elder, shared the dream with the missionary-minded Potters Outreach Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ikoyi, Lagos. With their church board approval, both churches started fundraising. The premier educational institution in Nigeria, Babcock University, also donated funds. Recognizing that sending religious books without the health message would be incomplete, we searched for an easily-readable health message book
and found Habits that Heal by Monica Fukuda and David Fukuda. Unexpectedly, a donation of $1,000 was received, enabling the books to be shipped to Nigeria as shown below. Team members Dapo Oke, Chibuzor Onyema, Kayode Arigbede and Babatunde Obrimah gave their time and resources. “The Lord blessed this project,” Cornelius Ayodeji Osuntade, Irving Living Springs pastor, shared. “And allowed the books to arrive in Nigeria just before COVID-19 reduced travel.” By Emeka Ukegbu
Conference News
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Texico Conference News
Love is the Answer A Solution for a Broken World
D
o you ever marvel at the powerful points of teaching that Jesus sometimes packed into a short ‘sermon’? One such illustration is recorded in three of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark and Luke. In Matthew 22:34-40, Jesus replies to one of the question traps that the Pharisees set by asking Him which of the commandments He would rank as the most important. Jesus’ response was unequivocal as He reached into the Torah and quoted two passages. He said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” This passage from Deuteronomy 6:8 was well known to the Pharisees, as they understood this to be a directive from the mouth of God through Moses when the Israelites were at Mount Sinai. Then Jesus quoted from Leviticus 19:18: “And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” To say that the second is like the first suggests that Jesus is declaring it as an equally important commandment. These students of the law recognized this directive since it had long been accepted as being God’s absolute command. In yet an additional comment, Jesus ties these two statements together in a way that may have seemed unusual to the Pharisees. His concluding words were these: “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” His answer was that both of these commandments are the greatest and each is as important as the other. They are the greatest because all the other commandments flow from these two. Everything that we do and everyone with whom we have a relationship can actually be impacted by our decision to take God seriously and abide by these two very important commands. As we consider the Ten Commandments, we understand that the first four relate to our love for God and the last six are related to our love for our fellow human beings—our neighbors, Jesus calls them. When we love God with all our hearts, souls and minds, we will delight to worship Him supremely. We will honor His name and we will remember the Holy time that He created for us to experience each week. These acts toward God reflect our love for Him as He has commanded. But, when we consider the gravity of the relational brokenness so evident in our world today, let’s try adopting a new way of looking at the commandments that relate to others like this: Love our neighbors and don’t take anything that belongs to them. Honor our parents by not denying them the respect they are due. Don’t take someone’s life–every life belongs to God, it is His gift to them. Don’t commit adultery–which is stealing the intended blessing from God’s plan for marriage. Don’t take anything that belongs to someone else. Don’t give false witness by gossiping or stealing someone’s reputation–their good standing is priceless. Don’t covet anything our neighbor has. Attaching our desire to have something that belongs to our neighbor is dangerous. Loving God and also loving our neighbors as ourselves is the formula that God gives us to honor Him and live in peace with everyone else. Our neighbors may not speak the same language or share the same ethnicity; however, in the eyes of Jesus, we are all His children, members of the same human family. What would our families, our churches and our communities look like if all of us truly lived our lives in accordance with the principles of these two great commandments? I believe the time is now when we must do just that! By Phil Robertson, Executive Secretary/Treasurer
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Texico Conference News
For Such a Time as This
El Paso Church Creates A New Way to Minister EL PASO, TEX. – “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14. Ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic has presented a special challenge. Although live-streaming services have extended our ability to connect with members, the El Paso Northeast and El Paso Central Seventh-day Adventist churches agreed that just wasn’t enough. Recently, both churches began to look into new ministry opportunities to help our communities and members. The churches came up with a plan to prepare and distribute care-packages consisting of non-perishable items, canned goods and other items to those in need during the pandemic. With the help of church elders, members and extended families, God worked in our midst, blessed this idea and turned it into something that far exceeded our expectations. Although we faced several challenges, such as finding fresh fruits and vegetables at a good price, we received help from members. Javier Garcia from the El Paso Central Church connected us
with a distribution company who gave us fresh boxes of produce for free! Not only were they willing to provide 25 pounds of produce, they were willing to donate as many boxes as we needed. We were also blessed with additional financial support from the Texico Conference to help offset the costs of assembling the food and other basic necessities. On Sabbath morning, May 23, Northeast and Central Church members came to their respective churches and participated in nicely packaging many boxes for distribution. That day, we became God’s hands and feet during a time of uncertainty for many families. After distributing all the boxes, members came back with stories of individuals who told about praying for God to help them with the things that they needed. What a blessing it is that God used us to answer those prayers. Some of the people we visited not only accepted the food but also became interested in spiritual food as well. Several of our new friends and neighbors expressed an interest in coming to church.
At the end of the activity, we had quite a lot of food left over and we did not have a proper place to store the extra food. However, church members from the Northeast church did not hesitate and swiftly went door to door to distribute the remaining packages to other neighbors. After all the unloading, packaging and distribution was done, I sat down exhausted. Our senior pastor approached me with a smile and said, “Happy Sabbath!” We shared the joy as we realized again that the Sabbath day was more than a day to take a nap. On that Sabbath morning, it was a day to tangibly share God’s love with people in our community. What a blessing to remember that God doesn’t just ask us to wait for people to come to church, but rather He wants the church to go to them. Maybe this is a good time for you to ask yourself, was your church put in your community for just “such a time as this?” By Eliab Quiñonez, Pastor
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Texico Conference News
A Long-Awaited Moment
Hobbs Seventh-day Adventist Church Welcomes New Members HOBBS, N.M. – Several weeks after the Hobbs Seventh-day Adventist Church reopened for in-person worship, siblings Allen Gabriel T. Hamol and John Mark T. Hamol were welcomed as its newest members. The Hamol brothers were baptized on June 13 and their mom and sister, Razelle and Kate, were very grateful for their exciting decision to follow Jesus’ example. Gabriel, 12, took Bible studies for several months and was ready to be baptized in February. However, his brother John Mark, 16, had not yet completed
his Bible studies, so Gabriel decided to wait until they could both be baptized at the same time. As the Hobbs church temporarily closed due to COVID-19, Gabriel and John Mark’s baptism plans were put on hold. They were thrilled to finally reach the baptismal waters during their summer break. Their mother was equally delighted that her sons accepted the truth of God’s word. Praise God for Gabriel and John Mark’s decision and patience! May God bless them as they continue to grow in Christ. By Ken Davis, Pastor
Pastoral Transitions
Texico Conference Welcomes New Pastoral Family ALBUQUERQUE – Since 1980, the Albuquerque Central Seventh-day Adventist Church has been an active congregation of enthusiastic members with a passion for ministry. For the past three years, Bill Kasper has served the Central church as pastor. Kasper has accepted an invitation to a church in Spokane, Wash. In late July, the Texico Conference and members of the Albuquerque Central Church were pleased to welcome John Abbott as Central’s new pastor. Abbott is coming to Albuquerque from Celebration, Fla. He is an ordained
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minister with vast experience, having also pastored in Lincoln, Neb.; Honolulu, Hawaii; Niles, Mich. and Boulder, Colo. Abbott believes God does not call us to merely be involved in ‘religion,’ but rather to participate with Him in a life-changing relationship. His ministry passion is to invite people to join the journey of learning how to experience this relationship with God. Abbott is grateful for his wife, Maria, who is very supportive and involved in his ministry and the church. They have two children, Hannah and Noah. It
is our prayer that God will bless them greatly as they share their ministry gifts, and their hearts, with all of us. The Texico Conference was also pleased to welcome back Jerry Pinzon and Mabio Gomes, who graduated from the Seventh-day Adventist Seminary with Master of Divinity degrees. Pinzon is pastoring the Española Bilingual, Canon Plaza Spanish, Dixon Spanish, Taos and Tres Piedras Bilingual Seventh-day Adventist Churches in northern New Mexico. Gomes will assume pastoral ministry as assigned.
Texico Conference News
My Value to God? Worth More than Many Sparrows
ALBUQUERQUE – After being in isolation with only a few visits outside my room, I was excited to finally be able to go for a jog. I did not jog long or fast, but I was happy to no longer be feeling fatigued and sick. Five weeks earlier, on April 4, I received the news that I was tested positive for COVID-19. My heart sank and I spent the day preparing for isolation and thinking about what I was going to do to protect my wife and son from contracting the virus. The next morning, as I sat in my room alone, my heart was heavy and the fear and dread began to set in. I reached for my Bible and I began to read the book of Matthew. As I sat by my window, I noticed a little bird had landed on the screen of the window. Seconds later, another bird landed right next to it. I was amazed to see these two tiny birds just hanging there, holding on by their claws.
No more than a few minutes later I came to Matthew 10:29-31: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” In an instant, God’s word came to life and spoke to me with undeniable truth and sharpness. These words came to life in a dramatic realization. Matthew made it clear to me that we underestimate how involved God is in our lives. If He pays attention to every sparrow, then He is definitely interested in what ails us. In the midst of my sadness, and the chaos affecting our world, God took the time to reassure me that I am indeed special to Him. What I loved most is that He could have sent one bird to get His mes-
sage across to me, yet Matthew 10:29 mentions two sparrows and He sent two birds to my window that day. What a caring and detailed God we serve! It was truly an amazing way to remind me that He is, and will always be, in control. I spent the next few weeks drawing closer to God and trusting that, no matter what happened to my body or the “hairs on my head,” God would know how to restore me fully, if not on earth, for sure in heaven. I invite anyone who is feeling a need for hope and encouragement today to pick up God’s living Word and hear a message from Him as He speaks to you through the Scriptures. By Oswaldo Amaya
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Texico Conference News
Drive-thru Recognition
North Valley Church Celebrates 2020 Grads NORTH VALLEY, N.M. – On May 31, the North Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted a drive-thru graduation celebration for its high school and college graduates. Over 30 cars drove around the parking lot honking their horns in celebration. Graduates stood distanced in a line and received gifts and cards from their fellow members. The graduates from the Class of 2020 who were honored included: Alanah Ambriz, Lydia Denise De Lira, Isaak Oscar Calderón, David López Jr., Alyssa Ramos, Perla Perez, Gizell Rebecca Reyes, Frida Rosas, Alejandro Gabriel Saldívar and Ivonne Quezada. North Valley church’s youth director, Karen Márquez, who helped coordinate the event, said it had been challenging to meet the needs of the youth during
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the pandemic, but the church wanted to honor its seniors and congratulate them for persevering through this time. “It feels surreal, yet very exciting to have graduated under such unusual circumstances,” said Perla Perez. “The drive-thru celebration was really touching and encouraging!” Perez graduated from Sandia View Academy and plans to study to be a physician assistant. Fellow graduate Frida Rosas also expressed how grateful she was for the celebration. “It is a little disappointing that as a senior I didn’t get to experience the usual senior activities and the traditional graduation ceremony,” said Rosas. “It was amazing and gratifying to see all the support and love from many church members. They not only took time to celebrate our accomplishments, but it
reminds me that I have people who are cheering me on in life.” Rosas graduated from Sandia High School and is attending nursing school. Despite what is going on in the world, members of North Valley church say they are a family committed to sticking together during difficult times. The drive-thru celebration was just one of the ways the church remained connected while the physical doors of the church were closed. “I felt so loved and happy that so many members came to support me,” said Perez. “It made me proud to be a part of North Valley. It is not just a church but a family that is with you through thick and thin. I am very grateful!” By Debby Márquez, Communication Director
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Obituaries Astrup, Evie Helen, born April 26, 1936, Tallinn, Estonia; died Jan. 24, 2020, Shreveport, La. Survivors: husband,
Alvin Astrup of Greenwood, La. and a sister, Melissa Douglass, of Loma Linda, Calif.
Lueck of Alvarado, Tex. and Jeff Lueck of Rogers, Ark.; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Battles, Lafane, Sr., born Feb. 7, 1935, Smith County, Tex.; died June 24, 2020, Houston, Tex. Preceded in death by parents; two sisters, Parthenia McDonald and Helen Thompson; one brother, Arthur Lee Battles, and son-in-law, Murville King Jr. Survivors: wife, Kathryn Battles; son, Lafane (Keffie) Battles, Jr. of Tyler, Tex.; daughter, Alafane Battles of Humble, Tex.; daughter, Lavonne (Clarence) Richardson of Kingwood, Tex.; seven siblings: Pearlene Domino of DeSoto, Tex.; Elizabeth Holmes of Tyler, Tex.; James Battles of Moore Station, Tex.; Shirley (Chester) Cobb of Fort Worth, Tex.; Claudia (Floyd) Ferguson of Tyler, Tex.; Maurice (Betty) Battles of Fort Worth, Tex.; Fredrick (Helen) Battles of Ft Worth, Tex.; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; Godmother, Helen Harden, and Goddaughter, Linda Singletary.
Broussard, Katie Fautheree, born May 30, 1930, Caledonia, Ark.; died March 8, 2020, Baton Rouge, La. Preceded in death by her husband Arthur Broussard, Sr. and her son Ronnie Broussard. Survivors: sons, Arthur, Jr., (Debbie), Roger (Cheryl), Allen (Robin); her daughter Tina (James) and 11 grandchildren, 25 greatgrandchildren and four greatgreat-grandchildren.
Bradshaw, Frances, born Aug.
23,1939, Waco, Tex.; died June 18, 2020. Church membership: Alvarado Seventh-day Adventist Church. Preceded in death by parents, Herman and Mabel Graser and brother Marvin Graser. Survivors: husband, Tommy Bradshaw of Alvarado, Tex.; sons, Phil
Brower, Karen Sue, born on April 6, 1965, Riverside, Calif.; died Sept. 8, 2019, Jonesboro, Ark. Survivors: parents, Robert and Nancy Odom of Black Rock; husband, Billy L. Brower of Pocahontas; son, Shane (Keri) Brower of Lynn; daughter, Holly Brower of Pocahontas; one grandchild, and special sisters, Helen Simpson and Daffney Weisenbach. Grenz, Kenneth, born Oct. 13,
1932, Hitchcock, Okla.; died May 13, 2020, Mena, Ark. Church membership: Mena Seventh-day Adventist Church. Preceded in death by his son, Lloyd Russell. Survivors: two daughters, Klinda Rath, of Mena, Ark. and Alice Grenz, of Keene, Tex.; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
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Teddy Terry Tubbs, a devoted
husband, father and grandfather passed away May 13, 2020 at his home on the family farm near New Deal, Tex. Teddy was born Aug. 8, 1929 on his parents farm near Lubbock, Tex. His parents and one sister preceded him in death. His parents moved to New Mexico for two years. He graduated from Quemado N.M. High School. He attended Southwestern Adventist Junior College, 1947-1948 at Keene, Tex. He proudly served in the U.S. Army, 1951-1952. He drove an ambulance during the Korean war. He married Dorthy on April 7, 1953. Teddy was a lifelong Seventh-day Adventist. He served his church in several capacities. In his younger years as a song leader, Sabbath School teacher and head elder. He retired from farming at age 62 but continued to drive his son’s newer tractor with all the extras his tractors did not have. He loved to travel in his RV to all 50 states, including Hawaii and Alaska. One of his favorite hobbies was riding his horse at Caprock Canyon State Park. He inspired cheer everywhere with his wonderful sense of humor. He is survived by his wife, Dorthy, married 67 years; son, Terry and wife Pamela; daughter, Linda and son in law Lee Scott; Todd, wife Kirsten and seven grandchildren.
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Hack, Earl Rollin, born Nov.
17,1934, Indianapolis, Ind.; died June 12, 2020. Preceded in death by his parents, Sherman and Lois. Survivors: wife, Leota; children, David (Rhonda) and Carol Tate (Paul); two grandsons, and one great-grandson. Memorial donations may be made to North Dallas Adventist Academy’s Worthy Student Fund
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Morgan, Mary Eugenia Kelly, born Oct. 23, 1921, Eola, La.; died May 29, 2020, Baton Rouge, La. Church membership: Baton Rouge Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church. Preceded in death by her parents, Phillip and Beatrice Kelly; son, George Morgan. Survivors: sons, Gus Morgan (Savanna), Tex; James Morgan, Baton Rouge, La.; Chief Master Sergeant Robert Morgan
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Mary Ellen Lester was born on April 11, 1930, in Fayetteville, Ark. and died in Johnson City, Tenn., on May 19, 2020, following a brief illness. She attended Ozark Adventist Academy in Gentry, Ark., and Madison College in Madison, Tenn. While at Madison, she met and married her husband of 56 years, Albert E. Lester. They moved to Shreveport, La., where she lived for 60 years. Mary was a professional secretary at the office of the Arkansas-Louisiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. In 2015, Mary moved back to Fayetteville and later moved on to Johnson City in order to be closer to the caregiving family. Following her retirement, Mary and Albert established and operated ACTS (Adventists Caring Through Sharing), a ministry in Shreveport that provided food, clothing and other items to house-fire victims. During their period of volunteer service, they helped more than 300 individuals. Mary was the youngest child of nine born to Stephen Lee McComas and Ellie Almyra Chambers of Witter, Ark. Her parents and siblings all preceded her in death. She had no children of her own but is survived by numerous nieces and nephews who all received a share of her love and attention. The family wishes to give special thanks to Sarah Dixson, June McLeroy, Carol Swayze and a dear family friend, Ginger Brooks, for their efforts to care for their Aunt Mary during her final years. Following a graveside service officiated by her nephew, Don Gibson, Mary was laid to rest beside her husband in Forest Park West Cemetery in Shreveport, La.
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(May), Fla.; daughters, Rosalind Morgan, Ala.; Linda Womack (Charles) and Doris Collins (Dan), La.; daughter-in-law, Lubertha Morgan, La.; sisters, Vivian Robinson and Jessie Johnson, La.; 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Moore, Lilianne, born Aug. 7, 1928; died May 30, 2020, Keene, Tex. Church membership: Keene Seventhday Adventist Church. Survivors: husband, Frank
Moore; three daughters; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Nooner, Dennis, Sr., born Dec. 1, 1926; died Feb. 23, 2020, Bonnerdale, Ark. Preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Ovie Noles Nooner; wife, Veda and siblings: Vela, Eudora, Odell, George, Merle and Wanda. For part of his career, he taught at Ozark Adventist Academy. Church membership: Bonnerdale Seventh-day
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Ronald (Ronnie) Hahn was born on March 10, 1941 and passed
to his final rest on March 13, 2020, at the age of 79, after a long illness. He was a loving father, grandfather, sibling and friend. He adored his grandchildren and family.Mr. Ronnie is survived by his son, Darrin Hahn (Brenda); daughter, Erin Henderson (Kevin); three grandchildren, Taylor Hahn, Seth Henderson and Bryleigh Henderson; three siblings, Sharon Roberts, E.J. Hahn (Donna) and David Hahn (Nanette); two sisters-in-law, Barbara Hahn and Loretta Hahn; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Hahn; parents, Gussie and Emma Hahn; six siblings and their spouses. Funeral services were held in Donaldsonville, La. on March 17, 2020, with Pastor Daniel Hoover officiating. Mr. Ronnie served as the head elder of the Hammond Seventh-day Adventist Church and worked untiringly during the church’s building program and as a result of many, the church was built and dedicated debt-free. The Hammond church family shared this following account of Mr. Ronnie: “On March 13, 2020, the Hammond church lost one of their long-time members, Mr. Ronnie Hahn. There aren’t adequate words or even enough paper on which to write when it comes to describing what Ronnie meant to the church and its members. Ronnie was full of love, laughter, compassion, empathy, selflessness and integrity. He spoke often of his beloved late wife Sandra and how much he missed her every day, but was still able to smile, laugh and
Adventist Church. Survivors: two sons, Dennis Nooner, Jr. and Darrell Nooner; two grandchildren.
Peugh, Naomi Ann, born June
25, 1938, Tulsa, Okla.; died Feb. 25, 2020, Tulsa, Okla. Church membership: First Tulsa Seventh-day Adventist Church. Survivors: sons, Mark Peugh (Lisa), Tulsa, Okla.; Roger Peugh (Sue), Tyler, Tex.; Timothy Peugh, Tulsa, Okla.; sister, Henryetta Penny Fenske.
Rucker, Estelle, born March 16, 2020, LaCrosse, Ark.; died June 15, 2020, Batesville, Ark. Church membership:
Batesville Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Tilley II, Sylvester, born Dec. 8, 1952, Baton Rouge, La.; died June 17, 2020, Baton Rouge, La. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Church membership: Faith Seventhday Adventist Church. Preceded in death by parents, Sylvester Tilley, Sr. and Doretha Jessie Tilley; son, Blake Tilley; sisters, Joann Morgan and Alice Seales. Survivors: wife, Janice Tilley; daughter, Jessica Tilley Wright (Damien); one granddaughter; sisters, Claudia Sterling, Sylvia Scott (Charles), Nadine Towns
offer words of encouragement or a shoulder to cry on if needed. Mr. Ronnie was willing to help out whenever or wherever. Whether he needed to step in to help with building the new church, yard work or preach at the last minute, visit ailing members who couldn’t make it to church or stepping in to give love and encouragement to members needing it the most, he was there without fail. Mr. Ronnie was known for his yummy spaghetti at church potlucks. It was a big hit with everyone from kids to adults. Even as his church family came together to fellowship and pray with him during his lengthy final days, he smiled through his tears and the pain and expressed how much he loved everyone. His love, kindness, humor and compassion, as well as his spaghetti, is greatly missed by all. Every so often, we are blessed with someone in life who has the ability to love selflessly and care endlessly. Mr. Ronnie was that person. We look forward to seeing him and Sandra again at the resurrection.”
and Lisa Jackson of Baton Rouge, La.; Vanessa TilleyChristopherson (John) of Little Elm, Tex.; brother, Shawn Tilley of Lacey, Wash.
Washburn, Olivia Vance, born Sept.
14, 1948 near Stillwater, Okla.; died Oct. 25, 2019, Harrah, Okla. Church membership: Choctaw Seventh-day Adventist Church. Survivors: husband, Bill Washburn; daughter, Tanya Bayless (Kris) of Williamsport, Md.; son, Stephen Lustig of Harrah, Okla.; sister, Cindy (Bill Reeves), all of Libby, Mont.
Announcement Indiana Academy Alumni Weekend is Oct. 9-10. The weekend
will be conducted at the academy located in Cicero, Ind., starting with a golf tournament on Friday Oct. 9. For reservations contact Bill Summitt at IAgolfclassic@gmail.com or call 317.437.8104. On Oct. 10, Sabbath services will be streamed via YouTube at Indiana Academy Alumni or on the Alumni website at iaalumni.org. For questions, contact Janet Schalk White at janet.white@earthlink.net.
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Beverly J. Bicek, 93, of Keene, Tex. passed away Saturday, July 18, 2020, at her home surrounded by her five children. Beverly was born in Dickinson, N.D. on Sept. 27, 1926, the daughter of Julia (Halverson) and George Lutz. As a child she excelled in athletics and drama, acting and singing as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. On Aug. 31, 1947, in Grand Forks, N.D., Beverly married Milton J. Bicek. A dedicated Seventh-day Adventist, Beverly was a member of Dallas First Seventh-day Adventist Church before moving membership to Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1969. She was an avid choir member and volunteered in the children’s ministry and at KAES. In her 40’s, Beverly became a postpartum nurse, first working in Cleburne and later at Huguley Memorial. Beverly was preceded in death by her husband, Milton. She is survived by her twin sister, Lorene Harper, of Keene; her five children: Cheryl and husband, Wes-
ley, of Keene; Harlyn and wife, Jerrilynn, of Burleson; Charles of Keene; Doreen and husband, Christopher, of Coppell; and Angela and husband, Robert, of Garland; her five grandchildren: Alissa and husband, Jake; Katelyn, Jordyn, Zachary, and Claire; and two great-grandchildren, Iona and Apollo. Funeral arrangements are pending at this time. You may leave condolences, view photo and obituary at RosserFuneralHome.net
SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2020 49
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Eloisa Purtle, 99, of Kerrville, Tex., passed away on Nov. 15, 2019, in Kerrville, Tex. She was born at “La Paz� Ranch in Delmita, located in Starr County between the cities of La Reforma and San Isidro, Texas, to Ignacio Alvarado and Beatriz Longoria Alvarado on Dec. 1, 1919. She married her husband Reuben Purtle in 1951, who preceded her in death. Eloisa attended kindergarten through 8th grade at the Seventh-day Adventist school built on the property her father donated in the Rio Grande Valley. After 8th grade, the family moved to Mission, Texas, to be closer to the Weslaco Seventh-day Adventist Academy, where she completed 9th-10th grades. Her last two years of academy were completed at the Montemorelos Academy in Mexico, where she graduated in 1943. After completing her academy education, she returned to the Valley to complete a certification in secretarial support, followed by working at the sanitarium where she met her husband, Reuben Purtle. Eloisa worked at the state hospital in Kerrville as a unit clerk, and then was promoted to hospital librarian, where she exceeded high levels of standard performance on her employee evaluations. She later retired after more than 30 years of service to the State of Texas. Eloisa was the foundational member of the Kerrville Seventh-day Adventist Church on Harper Road. She was instrumental in operational support as the church secretary for many years. She was also active in prison ministries, community outreach and an avid pen pal to many, spending many hours praying for the needs of others worldwide. Eloisa was known to have high standards of organization with any programs she was involved in.
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Eloisa is preceded in death by her husband Reuben Purtle; brother, Daniel Alvarado; and sister, Ida Fredrick. Eloisa is survived by Faustina Parfitt, of New London, Wis.; Ygnacio Alvarado, of Madera, Calif.; nieces, Anita Perez, Liz Fish and Dr. Vanessa Greer; nephews, Danny Parfitt, Richard Parfitt, M.D., Timothy Alvarado and Randolph Alvarado; great-nieces, Savonna Greer and Jenna Parfitt; great-nephews, Pastor Austin Greer, Adam Perez, Andrew Perez, David Parfitt and Eric Parfitt. The family of Eloisa Purtle wishes to extend their sincere appreciation for their care to: Charlene McGowan, R.N., Dawn Gonzales, D.O., Deepti Nagpal, R.N., M.S.N., Michah Carney, M.S.W., Peterson Hospice, Peterson Medical Center Emergency Department, Ann Connors, Lucilla Seale, Alice and Lawrence Guille, Sara Kendricks, Tony Lamb, Gary Bates, Alan Johnson of Kerrville Seventh-day Adventist Church. Caregivers; Amy Vela, Rosa Montanez, Rosalinda Salazar and Elsa Benson. Broadway Bank Assistant Vice President, Donna Spencer. The family invites you to send condolences at GrimesFuneralChapels.com.
Submissions Back Pages: To submit family milestones, obituaries, announcements or address changes, visit SWURecord.org or call 817.295.0476. The Record also accepts expanded obituaries. For submission and cost information, contact Record@ swuc.org or call 817.295.0476. News and Articles: Send your local church news and high-resolution photos to your local conference communication representative listed on page 2. If you are interested in writing for the Record, email Record@swuc.org. Advertising: Contact Bradley Ecord at BEcord@ swuc.org or 817.295.0476
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