FLAME | Spring 2013 by THE FLAME | Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

{editor's note}

{CONTENTS}

eVery so often we need A chAnge. Whether it’s a new outfit, a new paint color in the living room, a new job, a new car, we all have a need for change. The same concept applies to magazines. As editors, every so often we ask ourselves: are we being as effective as possible with this vehicle of communication? And every so often, the answer is: we can do more; in fact, we need to do more. On that note, it gives me great pleasure to introduce you to the all-new FlAME magazine. Over the last few months a team of dedicated professionals has taken on the task of redesigning the eight-year-old magazine, more closely aligning its design and content with the needs of today’s reader and with the core values of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Those who’ve read the magazine in the past will notice a few changes. Several new sections have been added, which include insights into theology, fitness, practical faith, family matters and healthy cuisine. Many of these new sections are curated by experts in the field. A word of appreciation to our partners in ministry for providing knowledgeable section editors, including: Southwestern Adventist University, Huguley Memorial Medical Center, the Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Full Plate Diet and the Texas Adventist Book Center. You’ll also notice an emphasis on profiling those leading in ministry throughout our conference as pastors, teachers, or volunteer ministry leaders. What remains from the previous version of the FlAME is a commitment to highlight what’s happening in our churches and schools, which means that we are always looking for compelling and inspiring stories. Share your story with us today or let us know what you think of the new magazine by emailing us at FLAME@txsda.org. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the all-new FlAME magazine. Happy reading!

Costin Jordache Editor-in-Chief

April 2013 6 DISCIPLESHIP Authentic: Where True, Life-Changing Christianity Begins

2 From the Editor 5 Leadership Moment 11 Fitness 19 Calendar of Events 24 On the Shelf 27 Advent Movement

7 MAKING MINISTERS FOR THE MASTER Inspiring young people to change the world. 8 HUGULEY MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER CREATION Health – the new vision of Adventist Health System. 9 EDUCATION Teaching Students to Serve 10 LIVING FAITH Connecting with Your Neighbors

12 FAMILY MATTERS Technology and Family 13 RECIPE White Bean Pesto Soup

{contributors}

In Every Issue

14 THE LEAST OF THESE What we can do to help stifle staggering poverty statistics. 16 WEST HOUSTON REACHING OUT Homeless man finds church home. 18 HISTORY Beginnings: The Birth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Texas 20 TEXAS FAMILY SPOTLIGHT South Texas member highlights.

JASON BUSCH is the assistant communication director at the Texas Conference and on page 11, he offers practical insights into kickstarting your exercise routine by getting back to the basics.

2 | FLAME b

Spring 2013 b

RUBER AND KETTY LEAL are the family ministries coordinators for the Texas Conference and on page 12 they suggest ways to have technology work for your family instead of against it in their article, Parenting Your Kids in a MediaDriven Society.

TOM GROVE is the executive pastor for the Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church. In his article on page 10, Three Ways to Connect with Your Neighbors, he gives down-to-earth advice for befriending the people you live closest to.

JORGE RICO, D.MIN., PH.D, is a professor of religion at Southwestern Adventist University. In this issue he tackles the tough questions of how do we worship God? and what is the most appropriate way to worship God? on page 26.

KRISTINA P. LOCKHART is the associate communication director for the Texas Conference. In this issue, she connects with our younger audience in the Kidz Korner, page 25, and also introduces you to some of our members in South Texas in the Texas Family Spotlight, page 20.

22 LORDSHIP, NOT HOARDSHIP Using wealth to bless others. 25 KIDZ KORNER Stories and activities.

26 THEOLOGY How Should We Worship?

FLAME | 3 b

Spring 2013 b

{editor's note}

{CONTENTS}

Costin Jordache Editor-in-Chief

April 2013 6 DISCIPLESHIP Authentic: Where True, Life-Changing Christianity Begins

2 From the Editor 5 Leadership Moment 11 Fitness 19 Calendar of Events 24 On the Shelf 27 Advent Movement

12 FAMILY MATTERS Technology and Family 13 RECIPE White Bean Pesto Soup

{contributors}

In Every Issue

JASON BUSCH is the assistant communication director at the Texas Conference and on page 11, he offers practical insights into kickstarting your exercise routine by getting back to the basics.

2 | FLAME b

Spring 2013 b

22 LORDSHIP, NOT HOARDSHIP Using wealth to bless others. 25 KIDZ KORNER Stories and activities.

26 THEOLOGY How Should We Worship?

FLAME | 3 b

Spring 2013 b

leadership moment

CARLOS CRAIG

GARY BRADY

EDWIN ROMERO

every great and successful organization has a bAg—a big Audacious goal. what is ours in the texas conference? I believe that our goal and ultimate mission as a conference is to infuse the state of Texas with the love of Christ. The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Texas needs to become known for more than going to church on Saturdays and abstaining from eating or drinking certain things. We need to invest in people, with love as our core motivation. In other words, we should strive to make our daily contacts with others intentional and meaningful. We should leave such lasting positive Christian impressions that people cannot forget us, and seek us out long after the fact.

effective organizations are known to have a sharp focus. what does that look like for our organization and how do we get there? Sharp focus begins with an awareness of the amount of “noise” that comes our way. Then, we filter out what doesn’t contribute positively to our mission. I’m convinced that one of Satan’s key strategies is keeping us busy, distracted and scattered. We need to stay connected to the Word of God and His voice in our lives. To aid in the process, the Texas Conference offers a resource called Focusing Leaders. The two-year program enables pastors and lay leaders to identify and clarify their individual and—together as a local church— their corporate mission and calling.

An organization’s health also depends on the stability of its ﬁnancial foundation. What makes up our ﬁnancial foundation in the seventh-day Adventist church? Our financial foundation consists of three main elements. tithe, a tenth of our income, supports pastors’ and a portion of teachers’ salaries, evangelism, and the operation of our Texas headquarters and conference-wide ministries. local church giving, an amount determined by each giver, supports local ministries, Sabbath School, events, and the local school, as well as building utility expenses. planned giving, wills and trusts, allow givers to leave a legacy by benefitting any ministry they designate. All three elements are important and allow our church family to further the mission of Jesus Christ.

president

LIFE

CHANGING NOTES

By rosy Arizaga, North Dallas Adventist Academy lower School Principal and 2nd Grade Teacher

one mornIng durIng church, four of my students sat by me coloring and talking to each other as the pastor preached. In an effort to keep them quiet, I reached for a notebook and asked them to write down the scripture verses and anything else the pastor said that jumped out at them. They got to work immediately writing as quickly as they could while the pastor continued. By the end of the sermon they had written three full pages. The following Friday, during our weekly Sabbath preparation worship at our school, I asked our elementary students to begin taking notes during the sermon in their own churches. I made them a deal: for every full set of sermon notes they would receive five Principal Tickets to be redeemed at our Rewards Store. Monday I received three notes and more thereafter. I talked to area pastors and shared what I had learned through our students’ notes. Their notes were very accurate and organized.

secretary

The pastors also encouraged their young members to continue taking notes and sharing with others. There is a strong connection between scripture and education. Psalms 119:130 reads, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Along the same lines, author and church pioneer Ellen White—a champion of Christian education—wrote, “The study of the Bible will give strength to the intellect.” It has only been about three months since we started sermon note taking at North Dallas Adventist Academy. We have four or five students from each class taking notes from Kindergarten to 8th grade. It’s no longer about the Principal Tickets. Our students are excited about their writing and sharing. What effect is this little experiment having on note taking in other subjects? From my experience, it is really making a difference. Our reading rates are on the rise and comprehension and memorization of concepts have become an easier task. Our students are successfully learning. They are developing note taking skills using their Bibles and strengthening the link between church and school by engaging with their pastor. This unique combination would be a great addition to any curriculum. ________________________________________ * Christian Education, page 105

treasurer

perspectives

Students of North Dallas Adventist Academy take sermon notes at their local churches each week.

FLAME | 5 b

Spring 2013 b

leadership moment

CARLOS CRAIG

GARY BRADY

EDWIN ROMERO

president

LIFE

CHANGING NOTES

By rosy Arizaga, North Dallas Adventist Academy lower School Principal and 2nd Grade Teacher

secretary

treasurer

perspectives

Students of North Dallas Adventist Academy take sermon notes at their local churches each week.

FLAME | 5 b

Spring 2013 b

ministries

discipleship

Making

MINISTERS for the

By Gary Blanchard, Texas Conference Youth and Young Adults Director uncle lelAnd wAs the son of a faithful Minnesota colporteur and a true man of faith himself. He witnessed his father’s faith as a child, learning his ways, and then passed his own knowledge of and experiences with God on to his children and others within his sphere of influence. Leland was a man that was known for reading and rereading many spiritual books, especially his Bible. His family will always remember him as a man of great faith who found his strength and purpose in life while on his knees. My uncle’s life was a testimony to those around him, and he challenged and inspired many others to find their own faith as well. Just before the memorial service I asked to see Uncle Leland’s Bible. It was a real privilege to hold in my hands the Scriptures that he read so many times and had practically worn out. Interestingly, the two most underlined passages in his Bible were the Ten Commandments and Hebrews 11. Hebrews 11 has greatly influenced many people through the centuries—my great-uncle Leland and those whom he discipled for Christ being just a few of them. Many of them ended up becoming heroes of faith themselves as well. They became heroes because they witnessed both the faith in the lives of the people recorded in the Bible and the faith of those around them. That is how the gospel commission works— we witness the faith of those witnessing to us, then become witnesses ourselves in return. Let’s take a moment to discuss how this works. A witness is someone who sees something and can attest to the fact that it is true. Witnesses can give their version of an accident or crime, or they can relate how they have experienced someone or something. Testimonials are considered the most effective type of advertising, and testimonies at church are often the most convicting type of witnessing, because another person’s experience can inspire us to pursue and discover our own. Testimonies put flesh and blood and a face on what a relationship with Jesus looks like. Witnesses to God’s grace naturally give amazing testimonies that are the foundation for effective disciple-making. And keep in mind that our teachings will lead to the creation of more disciples if they are true. If our teachings bear no fruit and we reap no results from our efforts, obviously there is a problem somewhere. It shows the importance of having a vibrant spiritual life, because a “changed life” is an infinitely more powerful witness than mere teachings alone. Once again, while teachings are critically important, they cannot stand alone. That is why Hebrews is so powerful. It is a listing of some amazing accomplishments of people who loved and trusted God and committed their lives to Him in intimate relationships. It is important as you read Hebrews 11 to not merely admire the people you are reading about, but to think through your own life and ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of the ways He has used you to be a witness in the past and to reveal the ways He would like to work through you in the world around you right now. Remember that those you read about in scripture were people just like you who surrendered their lives to Jesus, were filled by the Holy Spirit, and were sent out to change the world. Jesus deeply desires to do the same thing through you today.

you mAy hAVe reAd this powerful quote by author Ellen White regarding youth ministry: With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a cruciﬁed, risen, and soon-coming Savior might be carried to the whole world!* What an inspiring thought! And yet, it raises a question that we have to grapple with. What elements of youth and young adult ministry lead to the most effective results? For instance, our youth groups should be interesting and fun. However, if our primary emphasis is not on training and development—on making ministers for the Master—we are selling the next generation short and not being faithful to the Word of God. In 2 Peter 4:10 the apostle said, “each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve (minister to) others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” The Seventh-day Adventist Church began as a youth and young adult movement. Young people, empowered by the Holy Spirit and trained for ministry, planted churches, pastored congregations, and started publications, oversees missions and clinics. It’s no wonder Ellen White wrote that an army of young people who are rightly trained could carry the gospel message to the entire world. So then we may be safe in assuming that the secret to finishing the work of proclaiming the everlasting Gospel and the three angels’ messages around the world may just be in inspiring youth and young adults to become “Ministers for the Master.” How does that happen? This simple acronym may help: M.A.K.E.

K know

empower

Young people need an example of spirit and faithfilled ministry. In Acts 1:1, we learn that Jesus didn’t just teach, but also let His actions speak for Him. Interestingly, the twelve individuals He involved in His ministry were young people.

We need to inspire them to participate in training programs and events. Mission trips also offer invaluable ministry experience.

When you get to know a young person you learn what their talents, gifts, and ministry passions are. We need more Eli’s who can help young people, much like Samuel, discern the voice and calling of God.

Connect them with a ministry that fits their gifts or help them start one that does. Then, get out of the way! Be the wind beneath their wings rather than the wind that crops their wings.

model

arm

“Making Ministers for the Master,” is the motto and mission statement for the Texas Conference Youth & Young Adult Department. It may be simple, but it’s easy to remember and has the potential of helping us become the youth and young adult movement we are still called to be.

6 | FLAME b

Spring 2013 b

By Gary Blanchard I have imagined the first summer camp at Lake Whitney Ranch, since I became Youth Director. I imagine kids swimming, canoeing and water-skiing from our one mile of waterfront. I imagine kids racing mountain bikes, riding horses, making crafts and learning about Jesus on our 900 acres of land. I imagine Lake Whitney Ranch becoming “A Light in the Heart of Texas” and the premier summer camp in the North American Division! Join me as we make it a reality June 9-July 14, 2013. Our talented and dedicated camp staff has been working with our department to ensure that our first summer at Lake Whitney Ranch is amazing. Stepping away from their busy daily lives will allow campers to refresh their minds and bodies and learn more about their Savior.

2013 Texas Conference Summer Camp Lake Whitney Ranch

Dates to save!

June 9-15 Cub Camp June 16-22 Junior Camp June 23-29 Tween Camp June 30-July 7 Teen Camp July 7-14 Teen Camp 2 Visit TexasAdventist.org and register today!

*Education pg. 271 Excerpt from Scott R. Ward’s book, Authentic: Where true, life-changing Christianity begins, pages 85-86.

Summer Camp

Texas Conference Youth and Young Adults Event Calendar & Newsletter, The Glance, at TexasAdventist.org

FLAME | 7 b

Spring 2013 b

ministries

discipleship

Making

MINISTERS for the

K know

empower

We need to inspire them to participate in training programs and events. Mission trips also offer invaluable ministry experience.

Connect them with a ministry that fits their gifts or help them start one that does. Then, get out of the way! Be the wind beneath their wings rather than the wind that crops their wings.

model

arm

6 | FLAME b

Spring 2013 b

2013 Texas Conference Summer Camp Lake Whitney Ranch

Dates to save!

June 9-15 Cub Camp June 16-22 Junior Camp June 23-29 Tween Camp June 30-July 7 Teen Camp July 7-14 Teen Camp 2 Visit TexasAdventist.org and register today!

*Education pg. 271 Excerpt from Scott R. Ward’s book, Authentic: Where true, life-changing Christianity begins, pages 85-86.

Summer Camp

Texas Conference Youth and Young Adults Event Calendar & Newsletter, The Glance, at TexasAdventist.org

FLAME | 7 b

Spring 2013 b

education

partners

CREATED for Fitness fItness hAs dIfferent meAnIngs for different people. To some, it means walking around the neighborhood, but to others it means running a marathon. In essence, it’s all about what you can do physically to improve your body, mind, and soul. Choosing to be active helps your sleep pattern, stress relief, depression, anxiety, energy level, weight control, appearance, and everyday bodily functions. Did you know fitness actually goes back to the Garden of Eden? God put Adam and Eve in the garden to work and take care of it – that means physical labor. Adventist Health System has taken its philosophy of whole person health and identified eight principles for optimal health from the Creation story in Genesis. These essentials are explained in the book CREATION Health Discovery, Your Path to a Healthy 100. One of these principles is that we were created for activity. To make activity a part of your lifestyle, your fitness pattern needs to be one you will keep. Don’t go overboard with your first workout or you may never take another step

By Teri Foreman, Huguley Fitness Center Director

in the right direction. You need to assess your needs and capabilities. Make it an enjoyable time, one that benefits your whole body. Over time you can add to your activity and continually improve your fitness level. Don’t be afraid to ask for help in understanding the steps you need to take towards becoming healthier. Always look for educated counsel on your exercise and nutrition patterns as they go hand-in-hand in reaching your goals for a healthy body, mind, and spirit. As you increase your activity and see the changes in your body, you will begin to see yourself in a different light, paving the way for a long life of wellness. You will be more self-assured, have more energy, and have a new outlook. At any age, being fit can really change how you feel about yourself. God created us to be mentally fit, physically robust, spiritually vital, and socially comfortable, and we can trust that a loving and kind God wants us to experience the full life He designed for us.

If you are in the Burleson area, stop by Huguley Fitness Center’s front desk for a free copy of CREATION Health Discovery and a two-week gym pass. Look for the Fitness section of each FLAME issue for suggestions and ideas for staying fit and active!

By makala Coleman

AdVentIst chrIstIAn AcAdemy of texAs, located in Conroe, is a school that teaches more than science and math. It teaches students how to serve the Lord. The school, also known as ACAT, has 104 students in pre-kindergarten through grade twelve. Although relatively small, they make a big impact on the community. “Our biggest focus is on service for Christ,” says Russell Shafer, principal of ACAT. Project Impact is an example of that service. The school spends a day each semester as community volunteers. They paint houses, bring blankets to homeless shelters, sing at nursing homes, sort donations at the food bank and more. “The kids come back with huge smiles,” says Shafer. “They know they made a difference, and they shine with the light of Christ.” A complimentary goal at ACAT is that finances would never stand in the way of a service-oriented Christian education. Scott and Tabita Stomberg have two sons that attend ACAT. When the Stombergs traveled to Minnesota for a family reunion, their family almost doubled in size. “I ended up taking in three of my The Stomberg family’s commitment to Adventist Education, younger half-brothers,” says Stomberg. along with Adventist Christian Academy of Texas school board’s “They were in a bad situation and we determination to provide opportunities for students allowed knew they needed a place to go.” The Christian influence of the Conroe the school to provide three full scholarships so all five children The Conroe Seventh-day Adventist church community changed the lives of those could attend. and ACAT stepped up to help the Stomberg three boys. In just a year, they went family. from hardly knowing God to “I wanted these boys to attend being leaders of the church. ACAT because they had come The oldest has plans to from a limited Christian backAdventist be baptized in May. ground,” says Stomberg. Christian Academy of “God uses all “I knew I couldn’t afford it, Texas strives to make an of us, especially so I shared my story with impact in its community through the school, the school board and they and providing playground to reach young ended up giving all three equipment for a sister school people at a time boys full scholarships.” motivates and inspires the when they’re ready faculty and students to accept Christ,” to serve. says Stomberg. “I can’t say enough good things The school also donated a playground about the school. It’s an to Triangle Adventist Elementary, its sister incredible institution.” school in the city of Groves. Originally, the ACAT has also participated in five mission equipment was intended to expand the ACAT trips in the last four years. They keep the playground, but the school remembered that prices as low as possible and fundraise so Triangle had lost its playground in a hurricane that anyone can attend. Their next trip is with and decided to reach out. ACAT came in on the organization “Eight Days of Hope” and a Sunday and installed all the playground will take place in Louisiana. equipment as a surprise. Fundraising is important at ACAT, but not “In this society there’s so much pressure always for reasons a person might expect. with a ‘me, me, me’ focus,” says Shafer. “We Each class sponsors a child in India to receive try to give a different emphasis. We want our a Christian education through the organizastudents to come away with a focus of serving tion, Adventist Child India. Christ by helping other people.”

FLAME | 9 b

Spring 2013 b

education

partners

By Teri Foreman, Huguley Fitness Center Director

By makala Coleman

FLAME | 9 b

Spring 2013 b

fitness

living faith

Back to the

Basics

Pushups

By Jason Busch, Texas Conference Assistant Communication Director By Tom Grove, Executive Pastor at Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church

It is a challenging command to say the least, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27) Granted, Jesus pointed out that everyone is my neighbor, but what about my literal neighbors: the families who occupy the houses in the same neighborhood I live in. That realization led me to a question, “How can I love my neighbors if I don’t even know them?” Are you in the same boat? How many of you actually know your neighbors beyond just a friendly wave? Do you even know their names? Sadly, I must confess that I don’t know my neighbors.

Now, I do know that the neighbors who live across the street from me are huge Texas A&M fans. Not because I have talked to them about the Aggies, but because of the A&M memorabilia that dots the outside of their house. Or what about the neighbors next door to me who just moved in. What do I know about them other than they are relocating from another city in the Metroplex? The only reason I know that is because a piece of their mail was mistakenly put in our mailbox. Really? How am I to love my literal

neighbors if I don’t even know them? Here then are three ways we can connect with our neighbors:

Take the first step.

Proverbs points out that, “A man who has friends must himself be friendly” (Prov. 18:24). When you see your neighbors outside, take the opportunity to walk over and start a conversation. Introduce yourself and your family. As you interact with them, remember that you have two ears and one mouth. Listen more than talk.

Do something nice for them.

If you can cook or bake, make something they might like. I’m not sure breaking out the Special K loaf at this point is a good idea. Stay neutral with your gift until you learn more about them. If you don’t have culinary skills, do something small for them that brightens their day.

Invite them for a meal.

Nothing helps people get to know each other more than sitting down and sharing a meal together. Again, remember that your diet may be different than theirs so this may not be the time to try out your new recipe for pumpkin soup. Make it simple because the food isn’t as important as the conversation that happens during the meal. One last word and that has to do with our motivation for getting to know our neighbors. You are not connecting with your neighbors so that you can hand them a copy of The Great Controversy right away or to discuss theology, unless they have an interest and bring it up. Instead, you are showing them Jesus by loving them, no strings attached. The rest will work itself out. Well, I better close now, I have some neighbors to meet.

10 | FLAME b

Spring 2013 b

It’s April and you’re months into your grueling New Year resolution of exercising morning and evening, six days per week.... Wait. You are, aren’t you? If you, like many others, made a resolution to exercise regularly but have since given up on it, don’t worry! An estimated 80% of people who make the infamous annual resolution quit by mid-January. The good news is there’s never a bad time to start again, which is why we’ve assembled these three simple exercises you can do in the comfort of your home.

Pushups

are the best bodyweight exercise in the world and work multiple muscle groups, including the chest, abs, shoulders and arms, and core stabilizer muscles. Even legendary running back Herschel Walker eschewed weightlifting in favor of bodyweight exercises like pushups. For proper form, lie down on your stomach with your legs shoulder-width apart, toes curled under, and your hands directly underneath your shoulders. Keep your elbows tucked into your midsection and lift yourself up, while keeping your back as flat as possible. If this position is too difficult, rest your knees on the ground, point the bottom of your feet toward the ceiling, and lift your upper body from there.

Squats

are great core exercises because they, like pushups, strengthen several muscle groups simultaneously. When most hear the term ‘core’, they commonly believe it’s just the abs. In actuality, the core is made up of the abs, upper and lower back, hips, and even the neck area. Here’s the correct posture for your squats: Stand with your feet a little wider than your shoulders and move your weight into your heels. Keep your back flat and your arms straight out in front of you; then sit back until your knees and thighs are in line with each other, while preventing your knees from going past your toes. Returning to your original position makes one full squat.

Plank

Not to be confused with Planking (see: fad), the plank is one of the most endurance-building core exercises you can do. What looks like an easy exercise quickly requires Herculean effort to finish. To begin, lie face down with your legs shoulder-width apart and your elbows under your shoulders. From there, raise your body onto your toes and forearms, then contract your abs by envisioning your belly button being pulled to your spine. Keep your back flat and hold for as long as you can while maintaining correct form and you’re done! These simple workouts may not be part of your regimen five years from now, but start with what makes you comfortable. Walk the dogs, go hiking, play sports—it doesn’t matter as long as you can commit to doing it regularly. Change won’t come overnight, but neither does it have to wait until the beginning of each new year. Get started today and you’ll find yourself fitter, healthier, and happier.

Plank

FLAME | 11 b

Spring 2013 b

fitness

living faith

Back to the

Basics

Pushups

By Jason Busch, Texas Conference Assistant Communication Director By Tom Grove, Executive Pastor at Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church

neighbors if I don’t even know them? Here then are three ways we can connect with our neighbors:

Take the first step.

Do something nice for them.

Invite them for a meal.

10 | FLAME b

Spring 2013 b

Pushups

Squats

Plank

FLAME | 11 b

Spring 2013 b

recipes

family matters

White Bean Pesto Soup Submitted by michelle Jones and reprinted from FullPlateliving.org

By ruber and Ketty leal, Texas Conference Family Ministries Coordinators

two teenAge gIrls were excited to meet again after several months of not seeing each other. Their parents had agreed to meet briefly as they were passing through that city on a family trip. Less than five minutes into the reunion, the girls transitioned their conversation to their smart phones, where they connected with each other online and started playing a video game. Our world has changed dramatically in the last few years. The way we define being “social” and the nature of community are both being debated and much of our time is now spent engaged with one technology or another. So how do families navigate these changing times? More specifically, how do parents engage their kids, who are immersed in a media-rich, socially connected world? First, we ought to be aware that while there are tremendous benefits to the use of technology in all areas of life, there are also some down sides. For instance, daily and uncontrolled exposure to the stimulating

TAlK To Your CHilD

Regardless of their age, it’s important that your children understand your perspective on your family ground rules for technology use. Technology isn’t a right. It’s a privilege. Talk to your child about the benefits and dangers of technology. Allow your child to ask all kinds of questions. It’s important for you to know what technology means to your child and how he/ she uses it throughout the day. From there, write up your own technology contract with clear boundaries established, and after explaining clearly what it means, allow both of you sign the contract. Be confident and courageous here. Hard decisions today will have positive effects tomorrow.

beams of technology such as video games, computers and smart phones has been found to cause prolonged adrenaline arousal which extends our stress threshold beyond its designed limits. Consequently, our kids may not be experiencing their full potential in their ability to concentrate, learn, and meditate. A professor of psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary, Dr. Archibald Hart, argues that the effects extend to a child’s ability to experience a deep knowledge of God. Let’s be clear, it is not technology that is at fault; it is the misuse or abuse of it. Which means that the question that parents should be asking is, how can we create an environment in this media driven society where, together with our children we can develop a balanced and responsible behavior toward technology and one that adds positively to our family values and our bond? Here are three basic principles parents can keep in mind when bringing a balanced approach to technology at home:

STAY iNVolVED

As a parent, find creative ways to stay involved in the cyber-world of your children. Find time to play their favorite video games together, which will allow you to evaluate the games they play. Know who they’re texting and talking to on their phones on a regular basis and browse websites together for school projects or to plan a family vacation. “Like” their posts on Facebook and retweet their posts on Twitter. Have them notify you every time a new app is downloaded on their phones. Choose a password together, and from time to time, let them know that you’ll be checking their accounts.

PrACTiCE A DiGiTAl FAST In the end, we could all use

a break from technology. Choose a day of the week when you and your children disengage from technology, turning off iPods, computers, iPhones, televisions, etc. As hard as this may sound, your body, mind and soul need it. Use that day to engage in meaningful ways: Play a board game, explore a part of your city on foot, visit a local museum or create a family art project. You won’t regret the time you spend together, even if you do feel unplugged from the rest of the world.

Quick and easy to prepare, this Mediterranean inspired soup is a simple way to power up meals that may be lacking in fiber.

totAl tIme | 25 min prep | 5 min cooK | 20 min yIeld | 6 Servings

IngredIents 3 cups water 2 15-oz cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 3 tablespoons of basil pesto 3 cups fresh spinach

dIrectIons Drain and rinse the beans, and add to the water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook for 5 minutes. Add pesto and cook for an additional 5 minutes. (If you’d like, you can add salt if needed). Turn off heat and stir in the fresh spinach. Serve while hot.

FLAME | 13 b

Spring 2013 b

recipes

family matters

White Bean Pesto Soup Submitted by michelle Jones and reprinted from FullPlateliving.org

By ruber and Ketty leal, Texas Conference Family Ministries Coordinators

TAlK To Your CHilD

STAY iNVolVED

PrACTiCE A DiGiTAl FAST In the end, we could all use

Quick and easy to prepare, this Mediterranean inspired soup is a simple way to power up meals that may be lacking in fiber.

totAl tIme | 25 min prep | 5 min cooK | 20 min yIeld | 6 Servings

IngredIents 3 cups water 2 15-oz cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 3 tablespoons of basil pesto 3 cups fresh spinach

FLAME | 13 b

Spring 2013 b

feature

By Costin Jordache, Assistant to the President for Communication Some things are truly optional. Take for instance heated car seats. Assuming we already have a dozen vents blowing warm air through the vehicle, how critical to the driving experience is it to have our seats turn into personal toaster ovens? Tack on pricey upgrade fees and you may agree that most of us can easily survive without heated seats. However there are auto parts that are not optional at all—tires, brakes, even windshield wipers in a rainstorm. Which brings up an interesting question. When it comes to spiritual matters, are there elements of faith that are optional as opposed to those that are critical? Are there items on Christianity’s perceived a la carte menu that we can choose to opt out of simply because we don’t think they’re necessary to our personal faith experience? Perhaps that’s not a fair question. Maybe a better question is: are there elements of our faith that are nearer and dearer to the heart of God than others? Are there issues that touch God more deeply? Arguably, the answer is, yes. That’s a challenging thought. But reading through the scriptures one cannot miss certain moments in which God clearly communicates what is truly important to Him. Consider a memorable passage found in Matthew 25. Jesus has just told a couple of parables that describe His second coming. He then transitions to a different kind of parable. It’s a narrative, though the characters are not fictitious. The narrative features Jesus, or “the Son of Man” returning to earth and the masses of people that will greet him. At that point, Jesus separates the masses into two groups. The first is rewarded. The second is not. The question that should peak our interest is: what was the criteria? In that final moment of earth’s history, according to Jesus own words, what criteria does God use to separate one group from the other? And what does it say about what is deeply important and meaningful to God? “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’” When they ask how this is possible, Jesus simply replies: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” What a fascinating passage. Who would have thought that out of all His options, God would choose to place

value on our relationship with those who are in need; those who are marginalized; those who are underprivileged and underserved—the hungry, the thirsty, the incarcerated, the sick. The story continues and the second group does not receive their reward, based on the same criteria. So based on what Jesus has just said, would you categorize this issue as a heated seat or as a tire? There is a remarkable story that has captivated me ever since I heard it. The story is told by a well-known pastor, speaker and author who, along with a group of fellow seminarians, decided to go through the Bible verse by verse and identify all the instances where God calls His family, His people to remember those in need. They decided to find an old Bible and as they read through it they cut out every verse that matched the criteria. In the end, there were over 2,000 verses in Scripture that call believers to remember and to proactively minister to the least of these, including going as far as protecting them from injustice. When all the verses were cut, the group of seminarians were left with a hole-y Bible. And they asked themselves the question: if this issue is so pervasive throughout the Bible and so closely aligned with the heart of God, is the church truly responding to this call? That’s quite a question for our own faith family to struggle with. Have we, as Seventh-day Adventist Christians, come to grips— based on Scripture—with how important this issue is and how have we responded to the tangible needs of those around us? On the one hand, our corporate report card looks pretty good. The Seventh-day Adventist Church operates the international Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and Adventist Community Services (ACS) in North America. Through those agencies, the Church is involved in nearly every major world disaster and in numerous projects throughout the developing world. In fact, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has officially appointed the Seventh-day Adventist Church as one of only five recognized organizations that provide mass care in case of crisis in the US. That’s quite commendable! And yet, something is still missing. Not necessarily at the national and international level, but at the local level. More specifically, at the level of individual believers. Despite our stellar organizational achievements, many who hunger are still hungry, many who thirst are still thirsty, continued on page 23

FLAME | 15 b

Spring 2013 b

feature

FLAME | 15 b

Spring 2013 b

stats

bridges

By Jaclyn Shields and Ashwin Somasundram, West Houston Seventh-day Adventist Church Member and Pastor

On January 19, 2013 the West Houston church family rejoiced with Ernesto Parada as he entered the waters of baptism and gave his life to Christ. While every life offered to Christ is unique and worthy of celebration, Ernesto came to this moment in a bit of a different way. Ernesto was homeless and living in a park near the West Houston church. Eventually, his fellow homeless friends told him of the church’s ministry to Houston’s homeless and invited him to come. This he duly did and began attending on a regular basis. He told us that after attending he was so impressed by the love and warmth shown to him by the volunteers, that one day he hoped to be part of such a loving church. In fact, Ernesto began attending the weekly Bible study taught by West’s senior pastor Ashwin Somasundram and youth pastor Steve Solero. During a study one Wednesday morning, Mark 16:16 was read and it fully convicted him that he needed to surrender his life to Christ and be baptized. He followed through with his conviction. Ask Ernesto how he feels after his baptism, and he’ll tell you that a huge weight has been lifted off his shoulders and that he is much happier now. Previously he had suffered with severe health problems, family separation and feelings of rejection. He thought his life had no purpose and no future. For Ernesto, that picture is very different today. Everything has changed for the better. Ernesto’s story is a moving one, but it is typical of the impact our ministry is making in the community. Over the last few years the Houston West church has baptized 13 who have come through the homeless program. Esther Murray who ably leads the Community Ministries team, of which the homeless program is a significant part, shares its mission and vision. “We respond to the biblical call of Matthew 25 for the church to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and welcome strangers. We have a continuing commitment to provide community service and outreach to those in our neighborhood and throughout Houston.

16 | FLAME b

Spring 2013 b

Most importantly, we’re dedicated to living out our commitment to serve God by serving others.” That mission is more than just a wonderful idea. It is lived out on a weekly basis and not just on Sabbath morning. Each Wednesday morning a dedicated team of volunteers kicks into gear, sets up and then prays. At 10 a.m. the doors open and the participants check-in. Next, they get to choose a clean set of clothing and are given a bag full of toiletries. This is followed by a healthy breakfast of oatmeal,

fruit, bagels and orange juice. They then wait their turn to shower and shave. Afterwards, Bible studies in both English and Spanish are shared. When the study is over, a delicious three course vegetarian lunch is served. The 25 homeless residents and up to 100 community participants are tremendously blessed each week, as are those who serve out of love. Everyone leaves feeling refreshed and renewed, both physically and spiritually. God is at work!

Ernesto Parada smiles with Youth Pastor, Steven Solero, (left), and Senior Pastor, Ashwin Somasundram, who have helped propel the homeless program at West Houston Seventh-day Adventist church.

stats

bridges

By Jaclyn Shields and Ashwin Somasundram, West Houston Seventh-day Adventist Church Member and Pastor

16 | FLAME b

Spring 2013 b

Ernesto Parada smiles with Youth Pastor, Steven Solero, (left), and Senior Pastor, Ashwin Somasundram, who have helped propel the homeless program at West Houston Seventh-day Adventist church.

calendar

history

BEGINNINGS

{CALENDAR OF}

Events

The Birth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Texas

4 || houston Area elder’s

APRIL 21 || women’s ministries Left: The first Seventhday Adventist Church in Dallas, Texas. Above: The Rust brothers with their mother and her sister. Right: Elbridge G. Rust. Below: John E. and Judith Rust.

By Costin Jordache with Tomasia leatherwood,

Texas Conference Assistant to the President for Communication and Dallas First Church of Seventh-day Adventists Historian

It would be sAfe to Venture that the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Texas began with a bang. Perhaps with a large, well-advertised meeting that was part of a larger strategic plan. After all, everything—so they say— is bigger in Texas. Rather, the birth of the Adventist church in Texas began with somewhat of a whimper. It began with a family, not well-known but passionate about the message that had affected their lives. In 1875, three brothers, Elbridge G. Rust, Alfred B. Rust and John E. Rust, together with their families moved from Battle Creek, Michigan to Dallas, Texas not for the climate, but to share the core message of the Adventist Church— then still in its infancy. They weren’t ministers; they were local church leaders, businessmen with missionary hearts. The families moved to a small settlement west of Dallas, now known as

18 | FLAME b

Spring 2013 b

Grand Prairie. Elbridge Rust shared his first impression with the Review & Herald, a well-read Adventist magazine: It is the most beautiful face of country that I ever saw, being rolling prairie with numerous little streams or branches, along the banks of which there is sufﬁcient timber for fuel. Almost every farm may include timber, and may have a stream or two running across it, formed by springs. The soil is very productive.1 As picturesque as that sounds, life was anything but easy for these pioneers. Having to build their own house, the family lived in tents at first, struggling with excessive Texas heat, floods and other conditions. Regardless, along with their occupations, the Rusts began ministry work by immediately sharing the gospel and the unique discoveries that the Adventists had made in Scripture. By the end of the first year they had started various small groups that met in area homes and buildings. By then, these developments in Texas had caught the attention of Adventist leaders. Several notable leaders and speakers were dispatched to capitalize on the momentum including, Merritt E. Cornell, Dudley M. Canright, and Robert M. Kilgore, who later became the first president of the Texas Conference.

Building on the work of the Rust brothers, these efforts led to the establishment of the first Adventist church in Dallas with 18 charter congregants. From there, churches were organized in Grand Prairie, Cleburne, and Terrell. The movement grew so rapidly that within three years of the Rust families settling in the area, James and Ellen White attended a Texas camp meeting at which the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was officially organized. Texas has always seemingly stood out and even back then the pioneers thought that Texas offered some unique possibilities. Elbridge Rust again, I regard this state as one of the very best ﬁelds in the country for missionary labor and look forward to no distant day when Texas shall number its hundreds, if not thousands of faithful and consistent brethren and sisters doing all in their power to advance the cause of the Master here and spread the glorious news of His soon-coming Kingdom.2 And so it began. Not with a bang, but with ordinary people who had an extraordinary vision for the cause they believed in. 1 2

Review & Herald, April 29, 1875 Ibid.

leadership Certiﬁcation training Dallas Fort Worth Area at the Arlington Church.

28 || mid-term constituency

meeting at the Keene Church at 10 a.m. Delegates review the business of the Conference over the past two years, and transact such business as may properly come before the Constituency.

MAY 1 || texas conference teacher

training: elementary math & Kindergarten at Burton Adventist Academy in Arlington.

2 || texas conference teacher training: elementary math & Kindergarten at San Marcos Adventist Junior Academy.

3 ||

texas conference teacher training: elementary math & Kindergarten at Adventist Christian Academy of Texas in Conroe.

3-5 ||

southwestern Adventist university graduation weekend, tickets required.

8 ||

training at West Houston Church for current and incoming church elders.

san Antonio/Austin Area elder’s training at the San Marcos Church for current and incoming church elders.

14 || texas conference

8 || Adventist community

teacher training: elementary math & Kindergarten at South Texas Christian Academy in McAllen.

services leadership development class, for all areas of ACS, from 3-7 p.m. at the ACS Disaster Response Depot in Keene.

17-18 || spanish women’s

19 || women’s ministries

Acs disaster response warehouse management class and Forklift Safety Certiﬁcation from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the ACS Disaster Response Depot in Keene. ACS DR class Donations Operations is a pre-requisite for this class.

25-26 || spanish women’s

women’s ministries Leadership Certiﬁcation training Austin area at the Austin Stonehill Church.

ministries leadership Certiﬁcation Training Houston area at the Houston Spanish Spring Branch Church.

Leadership Certiﬁcation training Houston area at the Houston Central Church.

ministries leadership Certiﬁcation training San Antonio area at the San Antonio Valley View Church.

JUNE 1 || dallas Area elder’s

training at the Arlington Church for current and incoming church elders.

2 || east texas Area elder’s

training at the Tyler Church for current and incoming church elders.

9 ||

15 || Valley Area elder’s

training for current and incoming church elders.

2-16 || staff in training

ages 10-12 at Lake Whitney Ranch.

23-30 || tween camp

summer camp week for kids ages 12-14 at Lake Whitney Ranch.

30-July 7 || teen camp I summer camp week for teens ages ages 14-17 at Lake Whitney Ranch.

JULY 7-14 ||

teen camp II specialized summer camp week for teens ages 14-17 who would like to focus on one activity at Lake Whitney Ranch.

14 ||

lake whitney ranch super sprint triathlon. Open to all participants 10 years old and up. Proceeds benefit Lake Whitney Ranch Swimming Pool Complex.

summer camp week for teens ages 16-17 who would like to work at Summer Camp at Lake Whitney Ranch.

9-16 || cub camp summer camp week for kids ages 7-9 at Lake Whitney Ranch

16-23 ||

Junior camp summer camp week for kids

Want more info? Registration, information and more events on the Texas Conference website at TexasAdventist.org

FLAME | 19 b

Spring 2013 b

calendar

history

BEGINNINGS

{CALENDAR OF}

Events

The Birth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Texas

4 || houston Area elder’s

By Costin Jordache with Tomasia leatherwood,

Texas Conference Assistant to the President for Communication and Dallas First Church of Seventh-day Adventists Historian

18 | FLAME b

Spring 2013 b

Review & Herald, April 29, 1875 Ibid.

leadership Certiﬁcation training Dallas Fort Worth Area at the Arlington Church.

28 || mid-term constituency

meeting at the Keene Church at 10 a.m. Delegates review the business of the Conference over the past two years, and transact such business as may properly come before the Constituency.

MAY 1 || texas conference teacher

training: elementary math & Kindergarten at Burton Adventist Academy in Arlington.

2 || texas conference teacher training: elementary math & Kindergarten at San Marcos Adventist Junior Academy.

3 ||

texas conference teacher training: elementary math & Kindergarten at Adventist Christian Academy of Texas in Conroe.

3-5 ||

southwestern Adventist university graduation weekend, tickets required.

8 ||

training at West Houston Church for current and incoming church elders.

san Antonio/Austin Area elder’s training at the San Marcos Church for current and incoming church elders.

14 || texas conference

8 || Adventist community

teacher training: elementary math & Kindergarten at South Texas Christian Academy in McAllen.

services leadership development class, for all areas of ACS, from 3-7 p.m. at the ACS Disaster Response Depot in Keene.

17-18 || spanish women’s

19 || women’s ministries

25-26 || spanish women’s

women’s ministries Leadership Certiﬁcation training Austin area at the Austin Stonehill Church.

ministries leadership Certiﬁcation Training Houston area at the Houston Spanish Spring Branch Church.

Leadership Certiﬁcation training Houston area at the Houston Central Church.

ministries leadership Certiﬁcation training San Antonio area at the San Antonio Valley View Church.

JUNE 1 || dallas Area elder’s

training at the Arlington Church for current and incoming church elders.

2 || east texas Area elder’s

training at the Tyler Church for current and incoming church elders.

9 ||

15 || Valley Area elder’s

training for current and incoming church elders.

2-16 || staff in training

ages 10-12 at Lake Whitney Ranch.

23-30 || tween camp

summer camp week for kids ages 12-14 at Lake Whitney Ranch.

30-July 7 || teen camp I summer camp week for teens ages ages 14-17 at Lake Whitney Ranch.

JULY 7-14 ||

teen camp II specialized summer camp week for teens ages 14-17 who would like to focus on one activity at Lake Whitney Ranch.

14 ||

lake whitney ranch super sprint triathlon. Open to all participants 10 years old and up. Proceeds benefit Lake Whitney Ranch Swimming Pool Complex.

summer camp week for teens ages 16-17 who would like to work at Summer Camp at Lake Whitney Ranch.

9-16 || cub camp summer camp week for kids ages 7-9 at Lake Whitney Ranch

16-23 ||

Junior camp summer camp week for kids

Want more info? Registration, information and more events on the Texas Conference website at TexasAdventist.org

FLAME | 19 b

Spring 2013 b

spotlight

Texas Family Spotlight Amado Vento

is an elder, young adult Sabbath School teacher and lay pastor for outreach at the Weslaco Church. He grew up in the Rio Grande Valley and recalls his first car, a ’65 Buick LeSabre, as one of his favorite childhood memories. He enjoys gardening and Italian food, and hopes to visit Italy one day. He wasn’t born into a Christian home, but loves seeing other people’s lives changed like his was. Vento’s human hero is Dr. Ben Carson, a Seventh-day Adventist with an inspiring testimony, who is the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Trinidad Torres is the principal at Valley Grande Adventist Academy in Weslaco. He grew up

in the Rio Grande Valley area and resides there with his wife and three boys. He graduated from Southwestern Adventist University and enjoys riding his motorcycle on country roads. Torres is the first elder at the Harlingen Spanish Church and encourages canvassing and door-to-door ministry for reaching others. His very sharp 92 yearold father is his hero and he dreams of visiting Alaska.

Karen Saviñon, a pastor’s daughter, grew up in Mexico and wanted to be a

graphic designer as a child. She attended the Adventist University in Montemorelos, Mexico and now is the Choir and Handbell Choir Director for South Texas Christian Academy in McAllen. She also runs her own small photography business and considers taking pictures of her siblings on black and white film one of her fondest memories. A member of the McAllen Central Valley Spanish Church, she feels that music is a gift from heaven. She loves helping teens and adults use their talents to praise God. Saviñon says it is important to do community outreach to those who have needs, including those who may not have physical needs. She encourages creative outreach through media channels like television, radio and Internet.

Encile Brown

grew up in Jamaica. He had wanted to become a pastor as a child, but pursued Chemistry in college and received his PhD. He enjoys going on mission trips, giving Bible studies and training members to do evangelism. Dr. Brown’s favorite childhood memories are from participating in church activities as a child. He started a small group at his home that later grew and became the Mission Hope Company, where he happily serves as the lay pastor.

Kathy Pfeiffer grew up in Minnesota and has four grown children. She was baptized in Missouri

after being introduced to the Seventh-day Adventist Church by her daughter. She is involved with Women’s Ministry at the Pharr Church and believes reaching out to the community with a soup kitchen or similar need-oriented activity can help our churches reach their neighbors. Pfeiffer enjoys the outdoors and traveling.

20 | FLAME b

Spring 2013 b

This section highlights a few of our church members and leaders across the Texas Conference. Our Texas Family Spotlight this issue features individuals from the South Texas region, commonly referred to as, “The Valley.”

Amirah Joy Zambales wanted to be an astronaut as a child because she believed space

would be a fun place to work. She is a nursing student who loves haystacks and playing her cello. She remembers hearing her grandparents praying for their children and grandchildren by name nightly and considers them her heroes. As a member of the Edinburg Church, Zambales helps with the Young Adults and C.A.R.E. Group ministries, which allow young adults from the area to get together in small groups during the week for short Bible studies.

Ana Tenorio is a fourth generation Seventh-day Adventist and is married to Paolo, South Texas

Christian Academy Chaplain. She grew up in Cuba and Miami and enjoys working with young people. She is glad that she can use her experiences to share inspiring thoughts with teens and likes seeing young people give their hearts to Jesus. Tenorio is a nurse and loves the outdoors. She enjoys sand volleyball and her dream vacation would be in Tahiti.

Sean Eric Acebedo

was born in Harlingen and after living in Colorado for a few years, made his way back to the Harlingen area where he graduated from Valley Grande Adventist Academy in 2004. He is a registered nurse in the ICU of Rio Grande Regional Hospital, and dreamed of becoming a marine biologist as a child. His parents were also nurses and he was raised in an Adventist home. Acebedo looks up to his dad and is inspired by his testimony of overcoming great obstacles and immigrating to the US. His dad graduated from Southwestern Adventist University and later became a director at a hospital, eventually owning his own business. Acebedo is a member of the Edinburg church where he leads out with the Young Adults and C.A.R.E. Group ministries. He encourages the Adventist Church to involve the younger generations in outreach, as well as focusing on the needs of those around us. He believes that the best way to bring someone to Jesus is to intentionally build relationships with people.

Joel Bermudez and his wife have three kids and nine grandkids. He enjoys writing and door-to-

door ministry. He was a member of the San Benito church when he started meeting with a group of members for prayer meeting at his home. The group began looking for a new place to meet after they had reached over 40 people attending regularly. Thus was born the Los Fresnos Spanish Company, where he serves as the lay pastor.

Samantha Yulia Pechero-Loewen is an 8th grade student at South Texas

Christian Academy in McAllen. She is interested in becoming a veterinarian or a lawyer when she is older. She enjoys singing and is a member of the school choir. Pechero-Loewen attends the Weslaco church and feels it is important to praise God with music. She looks up to her mom who encourages her to do her best in school, as well as reminding her that God has a special plan for her life.

FLAME | 21 b

Spring 2013 b

spotlight

Texas Family Spotlight Amado Vento

Trinidad Torres is the principal at Valley Grande Adventist Academy in Weslaco. He grew up

Karen Saviñon, a pastor’s daughter, grew up in Mexico and wanted to be a

Encile Brown

Kathy Pfeiffer grew up in Minnesota and has four grown children. She was baptized in Missouri

20 | FLAME b

Spring 2013 b

Amirah Joy Zambales wanted to be an astronaut as a child because she believed space

Ana Tenorio is a fourth generation Seventh-day Adventist and is married to Paolo, South Texas

Sean Eric Acebedo

Joel Bermudez and his wife have three kids and nine grandkids. He enjoys writing and door-to-

Samantha Yulia Pechero-Loewen is an 8th grade student at South Texas

FLAME | 21 b

Spring 2013 b

i am DEEPLY COMMITTED

stewardship

“I fell in love with Southwestern. I know God has a purpose for me here.” A freshmen, Alex is already very involved on campus. In addition to his classes, Alex is a photographer/videographer for the Marketing Department, a member of the University Singers, has his own band for which he is the lead singer and guitarist, and is a member of one of the praise teams. His signature grin can be found all over campus as he volunteers his time to help with various programs. “God has a specific place for everyone,” says Alex. “I’m just listening to Him, happy to be where He wants me to be.” By Gordon Botting, Paciﬁc Union Conference Stewardship Director

you mAy hAVe reAd at one time in your local newspaper a story similar to the following. It is a story of an elderly gentleman who has lived in a rundown house in the community for as long as anybody can remember. Over the years, people see him shuffling through the neighborhood, pushing a rusty, rickety grocery cart, rummaging around for scraps of metal, discarded bottles and cans. Then one day, people notice they have not seen him around of late and his disappearance is reported to the local police, who find the man’s cold lifeless body sitting in his tattered old armchair. The old house is sold and a contractor begins to demolish it to build a new home. To the contractor’s surprise, he finds between the walls, instead of regular insulation, stock and bond certificates, non-cashed bank checks, and other securities worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. It is found that this gentleman, who to all outward appearances appeared all but homeless, was extremely wealthy. Jesus told a parable about a rich man who one year had an extraordinary bumper crop. Realizing the abundance of this crop, “He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ Then He said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry’” (Luke12:16-21 NIV). Instead of seeing his windfall as a blessing to others, he uses it for his own selfish pleasure — and God takes it away from Him. What about you and me? Here are two practical suggestions for our contemplation and action: Accept all monetary blessings and personal opportunities as gifts from our Heavenly Father. Determine, from this day forward, to be more generous to God’s cause, to family and to neighbors.

Reprinted from The Stewpot, the Stewardship newsletter produced by the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

22 | FLAME b

Spring 2013 b

APPLY TODAY!

800-433-2240 · 817-202-6794 enroll@swau.edu · www.swau.edu

continued from page 15 many who are incarcerated have never been visited and many who are sick, linger on in loneliness. We are surrounded by poverty, injustice and abuse, while the voices, hands and feet of those who are called to action are often silent and still. Why is that? Consider the following several assumptions that may lead to seeming inactivity. someone else must be doing this. It’s classic reasoning. Social science has proven that as the number of people present in a negative circumstance increases, the more likely all of them are to think that someone will step up and address the situation. It’s a bit of the vicious cycle. The more of us there are, the less likely we are to take action—unless we choose not to believe the assumption and choose to act, regardless of what anyone else is doing. The ofﬁcial organizations are taking care of it. This is the downside of having such successful aid and relief agencies. The illusion is created that the need is met because we have such well-developed organizations capable to responding to the need. Nothing could be further from the truth. The needs are so significant that they dwarf the combined efforts of all agencies put together.

but I’ve been told that handouts only make the problem worse. It’s true that a temporary fix doesn’t address a long-term challenge. However, glance back at the scene that Jesus describes. In it He says, “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.” No fancy business plan on how to make the operation sustainable. No political debate on what is appropriate. The tangible need is met with that which is necessary. Simple. Jesus is coming so soon that we don’t have time to worry about “earthly” things. The reality is that Jesus is coming soon. Only that we don’t know how soon. Notice that the scenario described by Jesus concerning that same return emphasizes what believers are doing while waiting. They are serving, feeding, visiting and connecting with the least of these. They are waiting in the most effective way possible, by being the hands, feet and voice of God in every moment before He comes. So then, how do we transcend our unspoken assumptions? How do we continue to fill in the holes in the Scriptures? Here are a some possible ideas. • Identify the need. Begin by identifying the underprivileged around you—the hungry, the thirsty, the lonely. Look for those who no one else is looking for. Jesus calls them “the

least of these”. • make a decision to act and start small. Don’t set your sights on the entire world, or even your entire city. Begin with one person or one family. Our family has “adopted” a homeless individual that we pass every single day on our way home. Based on the time of year, we ask him what he needs and as a family, purchase and deliver these essential survival items to our friend on the corner. • stand up for justice. This type of involvement goes beyond meeting the daily needs of those who have them. Called by God to minister to those struggling on the margins of society, we keep our eyes and ears open for injustice and its victims. Human nature guarantees that someone is always trying to get away with something. Many times, the underprivileged become the perfect victims. It comes down to a simple commitment. If you see something, say something and if it’s in your power, do something about it. In the end, one thing seems clear. The heart of God breaks for the forgotten, for the downtrodden, for those on the margins. What a tremendous privilege we have to be His chosen hands and feet; trusted, empowered and sent into the world to make a difference where it’s needed most.

FLAME | 23 b

Spring 2013 b

i am DEEPLY COMMITTED

stewardship

Reprinted from The Stewpot, the Stewardship newsletter produced by the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

22 | FLAME b

Spring 2013 b

APPLY TODAY!

800-433-2240 · 817-202-6794 enroll@swau.edu · www.swau.edu

FLAME | 23 b

Spring 2013 b

kidz korner

On the Shelf BOOK REVIEW

Sponsored by Adventist Book Center® Keene

The Blueprint: A Manual for Reaching the Cities Rico Hill | Jared Thurmon

We Also Recommend Authentic

Imagine standing in the middle of

Now imagine standing in the middle of your nearest major city. Try to see it through God’s eyes—a city filled with His children. Imagine how you can reach them for Christ. As the song by Brandon Heath goes “Give me your eyes for just one second, give me your eyes so I can see, everything that I’ve been missing, give me your love for humanity….”

US $8.99 Regularly $12.99 ISBN 978-0-8280-27144 Mention “The Flame” when ordering to get special price. *online code: Flame2

Download the e-book!

Nick, Martin, Santino and Georgina’s Keeper If you’ve ever wanted a genuine, thriving relationship with Jesus but didn’t know exactly what to do to make it happen, this book was written for you. Even if going through the motions has left you empty, if reading the Bible and praying are just two extra items on your daily to-do list, if you feel far from God, there is hope.

Houston, Dallas, Ft Worth, San Antonio or Austin. All of your senses are taken to the limit by the flashing lights, rushing traffic, towering buildings, blaring music, overflowing crowds coming in for the huge music and arts festival happening that weekend. Take it all in—the fast-paced, never-slowdown atmosphere. How can we ever reach people living in these environments with the gospel? In The Blueprint: A Manual for Reaching the Cities the authors, Rico Hill and Jared Thurmon present the Beehive method, a tried-and-true approach to urban ministry with a new twist. They explain the dream that inspired the method and describe how this model can serve as an effective prototype for modern urban outreach.

By Kristina P. lockhart,

Scott R. Ward

The summer right before my seventh birthday was a typical hot Texas summer and I spent most days running around barefoot in the yard with my younger brothers Nick and Martin. We built forts, climbed trees and ate ice cream from our parents’ ice cream truck. Yup, my dad was the ice cream man and there was always a truck parked in our driveway. One afternoon, Nick and I slipped passed our nanny and headed two houses down to Mr. Gregory’s, our retired neighbor who had promised to help fix my bike. When Nick got bored and started bugging us with questions I pointed down the street. Two kids were walking towards us and I asked, “Hey don’t those guys owe you money for the turtles you sold them?” In addition to selling ice cream, my family (Nick and Martin) had decided to sell turtles. Nick charged down the street to confront his customers. A minute later, I heard screeching tires and an agonizing scream. I turned to see a car right where Nick had been standing just moments earlier. In Genesis 4, God asks Cain where Abel is. Out of jealousy and anger Cain had taken his brother Abel's life, and now stood before God, lying. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” He shot back at God, basically saying, am I responsible for my brother? God tells him, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.” Of course Cain was Abel’s keeper—he was the big brother! One of the very first things God gave us at creation was family. We were meant to watch out for and take care of each other. I didn’t know this story at the time, but I knew that I was responsible for Nick. I knew that something horrible had happened, and it was my fault. I flew across the street and saw Nick’s tiny foot covered in blood. The driver, a teacher from our public school, was holding him and they both were crying in anguish. In the hospital waiting room I saw my broken-hearted mother. She hugged me and told me Nick would be okay. The tire had only caught his right foot, ripping oﬀ some skin and fracturing one small bone. God had protected him! Nick has a large scar on his foot that is a constant reminder of God’s mercy and how He saved his life. Jesus’ scars on His hands are also a reminder of His love, mercy and sacrifice for us. Just as Jesus is my keeper, I want to be my brothers’ keeper. I want to take care of my loved ones and tell them about Jesus, my best friend. How about you?

US$12.99

Face Time

General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists It isn’t easy being a teen in today’s world. More than ever, it seems that issues are more complicated, distractions more powerful, and faith less important—a spiritually lethal combination for young people trying to chart their own course through life. The Bible studies inside this book are not onesize fits all, fill-in-theblank questions. These studies address thorny topics with the dual goal of provoking thought and discussion—on both sides of the issue—and connecting youth with the truths found in God’s Word. There’s no one right answer expected—rather an honest exploration of the subject at hand, with the freedom to stand for personal convictions.

US$16.99

• The Bible was written over a period of about

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/KEENEABC

• Your story could be in the next FLAME magazine! Tell us in 300 words of a time that you felt God protecting you and your family.

2. Make Rice Krispies Treats • Easy! No cooking! Look for recipes online.

3. Build a bird feeder

• Buy a kit, build your own or use peanut butter on a pinecone and roll it in birdseeds.

4. Have a mini spa day

• Soak your toes in a bubble bath and carefully clip your nails. Give yourself a facial using one ripe banana, 2 tablespoons of honey and the juice of a small lemon. Mix everything together well, apply to your face and wash oﬀ 15 minutes later with cool water.

5. Build a pillow fort

• You know what to do!

• The Bible was the first book to be printed, in 1454. • The first three words in the Bible are ‘in the beginning’

• • Adventist Book Center® Keene 201 S Old Betsy Rd | Keene, TX 76059 | keene.abc@pacificpress.com DFW Metro 817-558-0100 | National 800-333-1844 | www.adventistbookcenter.com

1. Write a Story

Do you have a story of God impacting your life? Share it with us! Send us your story and we may use it in the “kidz korner” of the next FLAME issue! Email stories, 300 words or less, to FLAME@txsda.org by May 20, 2013.

As a leader or parent, we are provided a road map for navigating topics that range from abuse, spiritualism, and premarital sex to poverty and suffering, ecology, and forgiveness. Questions to pose, scriptures to examine, and ideas for sharing the concepts internalized are included in each lesson.

www.adventistebooks.com

Here is some stuﬀ to do if you get bored at home or after church or school. Some you can do all on your own, but for others you need permission and help from an adult.

•

1,600 years. About 40 people wrote the Bible. Only about four New Testament authors actually knew Jesus personally, Matthew, Mark, John and Peter. The Bible was written on three continents Asia, Africa, and Europe.

•

and the last word in the Bible is ‘Amen’. There are 66 books in the Bible. Remember it like this: Remember the numbers 3 and 9. There are 39 books in the Old Testament. Multiply 3 X 9 and the answer is 27. There are 27 books in the New Testament. If you add 39 and 27, the answer is 66. There are 66 books in the Bible.

FLAME | 25 b

Spring 2013 b

kidz korner

On the Shelf BOOK REVIEW

Sponsored by Adventist Book Center® Keene

The Blueprint: A Manual for Reaching the Cities Rico Hill | Jared Thurmon

We Also Recommend Authentic

Imagine standing in the middle of

US $8.99 Regularly $12.99 ISBN 978-0-8280-27144 Mention “The Flame” when ordering to get special price. *online code: Flame2

Download the e-book!

By Kristina P. lockhart,

Scott R. Ward

US$12.99

Face Time

US$16.99

• The Bible was written over a period of about

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/KEENEABC

• Your story could be in the next FLAME magazine! Tell us in 300 words of a time that you felt God protecting you and your family.

2. Make Rice Krispies Treats • Easy! No cooking! Look for recipes online.

3. Build a bird feeder

• Buy a kit, build your own or use peanut butter on a pinecone and roll it in birdseeds.

4. Have a mini spa day

5. Build a pillow fort

• You know what to do!

• The Bible was the first book to be printed, in 1454. • The first three words in the Bible are ‘in the beginning’

• • Adventist Book Center® Keene 201 S Old Betsy Rd | Keene, TX 76059 | keene.abc@pacificpress.com DFW Metro 817-558-0100 | National 800-333-1844 | www.adventistbookcenter.com

1. Write a Story

www.adventistebooks.com

Here is some stuﬀ to do if you get bored at home or after church or school. Some you can do all on your own, but for others you need permission and help from an adult.

•

FLAME | 25 b

Spring 2013 b

advent movement

theology

How should we

Worship?

FLAME A publication of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Texas Conference. Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists P.O. Box 800 Alvarado, TX 76009 Phone: (817) 790-2255 Fax: (817) 783-5266 www.TexasAdventist.org

part one

Editorial

By Jorge E. Rico, D.Min., Ph.D.,

Professor of Religion at Southwestern Adventist University

Worship is a beautiful experience that leads millions of believers around the world to dedicate a few hours of their time each week to attend church. Though practices vary from congregation to congregation, most people return home feeling blessed by the Lord and ready to face another week of challenges. Despite this sentiment, worship has also gained significant attention in recent decades in numerous congregations and denominations. At its center is the growing debate concerning the proper way to worship God. Quite often, while attending Adventist churches throughout the country to present seminars on various theological topics, attendees voice similar concerns: “how do we worship God?” or “what is the most appropriate way to worship God?” Those queries seem to reflect a lot of confusion on the subject and a genuine desire to offer God what He really wants. After reading the Scriptures in search of answers, I noticed that the biblical practice of worship involved some basic ideas. The first two will be discussed in this issue of the Flame. The next two will be addressed in the Summer issue. The first basic idea relates to the meaning of worship. The term worship, that we find in our different Bible versions and translations, comes from two biblical verbs: hawah and proskuneo. The Hebrew verb hawah means to prostrate or bow down and Old Testament writers used it in a singular way to describe the worship of God. In essence, hawah implies the idea of inclining oneself toward the ground before a great God (e.i. Genesis 18:2; 19:1; Joshua 5:14; Nehemiah 8:6). The Greek verb proskuneo literally means to kiss toward. It pictures the Greco-Roman practice of a servant/slave kneeling down to kiss his master’s feet. New Testament believers borrowed this concept and applied it to their relationship with Christ (Matthew 2:11; Revelation 4:10; 19:10). The implications drawn from these two biblical terms are very significant. One, it helps believers understand that worship involves humbling ourselves before our Maker and Redeemer. Two, it invites Christians to acknowledge that we are nothing and God is everything. The second basic idea concerns the manner of worship. In the Scriptures, Bible authors did not prescribe a form of worship or liturgy for believers to follow. Instead, they depicted how biblical characters worshiped God in different periods. For example, while worship in the patriarchal era was characterized by the sacrifice of the lamb without music or singing (Genesis 8:20-21; 12:7- 8; 13:4), during the monarchy, worship in the temple was more structured and included music and songs (1 Chronicles 25:1, 6-7; Psalms 149:1, 3; 150). Despite the differences, neither practice is censured or even rejected by the Lord.

26 | FLAME b

Spring 2013 b

ADVENT Employees of the Adventist Church often change leadership positions and areas of responsibility. This section is to help you keep up with who’s where in Texas.

movement

Alden Ho:

Senior Pastor Jefferson Academy Church

Buster Swoopes:

Senior Pastor Katy and Spring Creek District

Jerrod Songy: Associate Pastor Keene Church

Victor Aispuro: From these two observations of the biblical text, we can draw some initial conclusions. •One•, worship is an ancient practice that shows how believers related to their Creator and Savior. It was an expression of how they felt about such a wonderful God. •two•, biblical characters worshiped God in different ways throughout time. Despite the variations, the foundation of worship remained the same: the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. •three•, worship was centered on what God was doing for man. It was not dependent on the emotional condition of the individual nor was it designed to create the right mood in the believer that would motivate him to seek God (see 1 Samuel 1:9-15; 2 Kings 19). Notwithstanding how they felt emotionally at the moment, believers worshiped God to show their appreciation for what He had done for/in them and to express their dependence on Him as the only source of help and salvation.

Senior Pastor Houston Spanish West and Houston Spanish Central District

Rigoberto Núñez:

Senior Pastor Houston Spanish Northwest and Conroe Spanish District

Gustavo Veloza:

Publisher..............................................Carlos Craig Editor-in-Chief............................... Costin Jordache Managing Editor.......................Kristina P. Lockhart Assistant Editor..................................... Jason Busch Layout Design...............................Tammy G. Prieto Translation Coordination.........Kristina P. Lockhart

contributing Editors Huguley Memorial Medical Center Southwestern Adventist University Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church Ruber and Ketty Leal

Jose Zambrano:

Senior Pastor Houston Spanish Robertson and Houston Spanish Heights District

Tom Patzer:

Administration President...............................................Carlos Craig Secretary................................................ Gary Brady Treasurer......................................Edwin G. Romero

Senior Pastor Denison and Gainesville Churches

Miguel Ramos:

Senior Pastor Houston Spanish Alief, Houston Spanish Love, Houston Spanish Southeast Churches

PRINTING & MAILING Director...........................................Mario Ledezma Designer...................................... Madelein Terreros Pressman...................................................Ivan Cruz Print Shop Assistant............................Doug Denny Administrative Assistant...................Erica Manzano

Ismael Castillo, Jr. and Smith Castillo: Senior and Associate Pastor Houston Spanish Mission Bend and Houston Spanish Spring Branch Churches

Lázaro Sanchez:

Senior Pastor Houston Pasadena Spanish and Texas City Spanish Churches

Senior Pastor Houston Spanish Little York, Houston Spanish North, and Spring-Tomball District Correction, page 19: Houston Area Elder's Training will be held at the Houston Central Church on May 4.

The FLAME is a publication of inspiration and education of the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. It is sent free of charge to all members of the Texas Conference on a quarterly basis. All others may request an annual subscription for a fee of $10.00. It is our prayer that you will find the stories in these pages inspiring and empowering so that together we can share the flame of Christ's love with those around us, both in Texas and beyond. If you have questions or comments, please email: communication@txsda.org.

FLAME | 27 b

Spring 2013 b

advent movement

theology

How should we

Worship?

part one

Editorial

By Jorge E. Rico, D.Min., Ph.D.,

Professor of Religion at Southwestern Adventist University

26 | FLAME b

Spring 2013 b

ADVENT Employees of the Adventist Church often change leadership positions and areas of responsibility. This section is to help you keep up with who’s where in Texas.

movement

Alden Ho:

Senior Pastor Jefferson Academy Church

Buster Swoopes:

Senior Pastor Katy and Spring Creek District

Jerrod Songy: Associate Pastor Keene Church

Senior Pastor Houston Spanish West and Houston Spanish Central District

Rigoberto Núñez:

Senior Pastor Houston Spanish Northwest and Conroe Spanish District

Gustavo Veloza:

contributing Editors Huguley Memorial Medical Center Southwestern Adventist University Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church Ruber and Ketty Leal

Jose Zambrano:

Senior Pastor Houston Spanish Robertson and Houston Spanish Heights District

Tom Patzer:

Senior Pastor Denison and Gainesville Churches

Miguel Ramos:

Senior Pastor Houston Spanish Alief, Houston Spanish Love, Houston Spanish Southeast Churches

Ismael Castillo, Jr. and Smith Castillo: Senior and Associate Pastor Houston Spanish Mission Bend and Houston Spanish Spring Branch Churches

Lázaro Sanchez:

Senior Pastor Houston Pasadena Spanish and Texas City Spanish Churches

Senior Pastor Houston Spanish Little York, Houston Spanish North, and Spring-Tomball District Correction, page 19: Houston Area Elder's Training will be held at the Houston Central Church on May 4.

FLAME | 27 b

Spring 2013 b

TXCSDA FLAME P.O. Box 800 Alvarado, TX 76009

SUMMER CAMP 2013, LAKE WHITNEY RANCH

the journey

shadows OF

hope

You are never too far gone; you are never beyond His reach. There is always hope. For dates, info & registration go to: www.TexasAdventist.org/Youth