FLAME | Fall 2015 by THE FLAME | Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Fall 2015

Igniting a Passion for Living and Serving in Texas

CAN YOU REALLY ACHIEVE PERPETUAL

Gratitude? PAGE 5

ACTIVITIES FOR THE COUCH POTATO CLAN PAGE 10

A Publication of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Texas

PRAYER HEALING TO-GO PAGE 15

Golden

OPPORTUNITY FOR

Adventist PIONEER PAGE 18

Faithful IN THE SMALL THINGS

{editor's note} ONE OF THE IMPORTANT REALITIES OF BEING A CHRISTIAN is that it produces a Christian life, or at least it should. While we may think it’s obvious, we often don’t stop to assess our own “Christian lives” and verify that the Christian is in fact generating such a product. I really enjoy Paul’s letters, as well as those of other authors, because they provide examples of said product that allow us to create an evaluation of sorts. Here are a few highlights: “Be devoted to one another in love, honor one another above yourself, be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer, overcome evil with good, protect, trust, hope, persevere, be courageous, be strong, do everything in love, forgive, comfort, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace, carry each other’s burdens, rid yourself of bitterness, rage, anger, slander, and malice, be kind and compassionate, do not be anxious, think about noble, true, pure things, never tire of doing what is good, be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, be humble, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be companionate.” If we examine our lives with these parameters, we may be disappointed with the result. I know I have been. The notes above are actually highlighted verses in my Bible. It’s as if God knew I needed reminders of humility and compassion. Imagine that! The secret is in recognizing that these characteristics can only be produced by spending time with God. We reach others with the good news of God’s love by connecting, sharing and serving. However, the wife, daughter, sister, friend or employee that I am is my biggest witness for God. My life is my witness; it is my mission. Let’s strive to produce these characteristics as a result of our intimacy with God. In this issue you will find articles that underscore this point including the Leadership Moment and Theology sections. Our feature tells the story of an unassuming entrepreneur whose devotion and faithfulness to God have proven to be priceless investments. Check out the activities in Fitness and read Bridges for a unique ministry happening in Houston. Thank you to our awesome team of editors, contributors, translators and designers. Special thanks to our Summer Intern, Saul Asiel Flores, for his long hours, and varied workload; and to the Texas Conference GC News Interns Andrew Austin and Geordi Thomas. We’d love to hear from you! Share your stories and feedback to FLAME@txsda.org. On behalf of the FLAME staff and the Texas Conference Administration, happy reading!

{contributors}

ANDREW AUSTIN is a senior journalism major at Southwestern Adventist University and worked as a Texas Conference GC News Intern this summer. Andrew writes about the impact of General Conference Session on page 9, and about Houston Central Church’s Drive-thru Prayer ministry on page 15.

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Kristina Pascual Lockhart Editor

SANDRA GOODRICH and YVETTE AKAR are teachers at Knowledge Seekers Christian School in Lewisville. In the Education section on page 8, they share how their small school is changing its students’ lives in a big way.

JASON BUSCH is the FLAME Associate Editor, as well as Associate Communication Director for the Texas Conference. In this issue’s cover story, Jason tells the story of a St. Lucian immigrant who stayed faithful with little and was blessed with so much more.

ROSIBEL ORDOÑEZ is a full-time Bilingual Fourth-Grade Teacher and also Lake Whitney Ranch Summer Camp Director. On page 19, she remembers a time when God protected her while she was camping in Yosemite National Park.

INGO SORKE is a Professor of Religion at Southwestern Adventist University. On page 20, he offers a glimpse into what the Bible says on rocks and why Southwestern Adventist University’s 2013 graduating class settled on such a unique gift.

In Every Issue 2 From the Editor

{CONTENTS}

4 Leadership Moment 4 Perspectives

Fall 2015

17 Stewardship 22 Calendar 23 Advent Movement

5 LIVING FAITH

14 FAMILY MATTERS

Regaining the lost art of thankfulness.

Mission Trips are an extraordinary opportunity to make a difference. However, they don’t necessarily need to take place in a far off land.

7 MINISTRIES How are churches born? What does it mean to plant a church? Boyan Levterov, Church Planting Coordinator, shares some insight into Church Planting in Texas. 8 EDUCATION

15 BRIDGES The Houston Central Seventh-day Adventist Church has made news headlines for one of their original ministries. 16 RECIPE

A two-teacher school is making big waves in the lives of students through an unconventional, yet impactful method.

Just in time for the cooler weather, this biscuits and jam recipe is the perfect cozy combination!

9 PARTNERS

18 HISTORY

How did the 60th General Conference Session fare in the great state of Texas? Read about San Antonio’s largest and longest convention on record.

Many early Texas settlers traveled to the west with hopes of finding gold and striking it rich. Although he didn’t become a millionaire, pioneer A.W. Jenson’s legacy is still noteworthy today.

10 FITNESS Get your family active again with these fun, easy to do exercises.

Aaron Thomas Photography

12 FEATURE Nerv Thomas landed in the United States with no job, no place to live, and a bag full of wet clothes. By remaining faithful with little, Nerv began to find opportunity in ways he could have never imagined.

20 THEOLOGY While rocks may not appear to have much importance, they embody much deeper biblical significance. 21 KIDZ KORNER

page 12

Camping in Yosemite National Park under the stars connected these young people with nature, but it may have been more than they bargained for.

FLAME | 3 Fall 2015

leadership moment

Living Life

as Day-to-Day Mission CARLOS CRAIG

EDWIN ROMERO

president

treasurer

THERE ARE CERTAIN VERSES IN THE BIBLE that only have theoretical significance until you actually live them out. One such verse for me is found in Psalms 103:13, “As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.”As a father I have learned so much more about God! But I know that my value as a father would be severely lacking without the supportive relationship of my beautiful, loving and encouraging wife. I think of how weakened my mission would be without the great gift that God has given me through her! She keeps me grounded and when I am tempted to host a pity party for myself, she ratchets me back up to normalcy. When you live and mature as a father, you learn to “pity” your children just as you have been convicted that your Heavenly Father pities and uplifts you. There have been those times when I have been called to nurture them through some difficult experiences – even when I have not totally felt like doing it. Yet, there is absolutely nothing that my children could do that would make me stop loving them. Watching them grow in commitment and service to God is extremely rewarding and I am even honored to by joined in the field of ministry by my son. It’s also a joy to have my two amazing grandchildren nearby and to be able to show them who God is as a part of their upbringing. My family drives me to live mission-focused every single day!

WORDS OFTEN FAIL TO EXPLAIN HOW GOD WORKS in us

and reveals His purpose for our lives. Acts 13:47 puts it plainly though, “…I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” I want to continually be a light to those in need of Jesus and the first step is caring for my own family. My wife, Benjie, and daughters, Marlett and Dalena, are the most precious gifts the Lord has entrusted to me and they are my primary mission on earth. Benjie and I have committed to always hold family worship and prayer with our girls in order to strengthen our family bond. Nothing should be more important than ministering to our own families or keep us away from our time together. My parents have been such an inspiration in my life and it is also an honor to care for them. Growing up, I experienced a true example of the character of Jesus through them. Exodus 20:12 says, “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God has giving you.” I wholeheartedly believe in this beautiful promise and I want to repay the love and tenderness I received as a child. Friends, our families are our greatest investment and our greatest capital. With your family, you’ll find the highest rate of return!

perspectives

God’s Endless Supply By Marshall Gonzales

WHEN WE JOINED THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH, we learned about the tithe principle. Before this, I always just put whatever was in my pocket into the offering basket. Now, I had learned that 10-percent of my earnings belonged to God. Wow! That was a different concept for our family, but it was biblically based. Once I received each paycheck, the first thing I put aside was God’s tithe. Then, I would divide the rest among our other bills. During one of these times, I noticed we didn’t have any money left for groceries and our food pantry was empty! There were four little mouths to feed in addition to my wife and myself, and we couldn’t decide what to do. As I thought things over, there was a voice telling me, “There is always the tithe money. You can use that.” “No,” I told myself, “that

4 | FLAME Fall 2015

belongs to God.” “It can just be a loan,” said the other voice, “you can pay it back later, with interest.” “No,” I said out loud, “That belongs to God and God promised to take care of us.” We drove to church that week, but told no one of our dilemma. When it came time to return what was God’s, we did so cheerfully and with a peaceful heart. No one knew, not even our family, that we had nothing to eat at home. As we pulled into our driveway after the service, we noticed something strange by our front door. We exited the car and slowly walked toward the door, wondering what it might be. On the porch were three huge boxes filled with food! As we looked through it all in shock, we discovered there was enough food to take care of us until my next paycheck.

At that moment I was assured that I could trust God for all our needs. Do you have a need today? It could be a financial, physical, mental, marital, or spiritual need. Nothing is too big or too hard for God! Trusting God through our difficult times isn’t always easy, but we can be sure He will take care of us. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Don’t hesitate; you can trust God for everything! Marshall Gonzales is the Pastor for the Longview Seventh-day Adventist Church, Longview Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Company and Marshall Seventhday Adventist Church.

living faith

The Art of

Gratitude By Tom Grove

AS WE APPROACH THE FALL we think of giving thanks. I, for one, am very thankful for my wife, Deborah. After many years as a working mom, she is now a housewife and grad student. Our family has a deep appreciation for everything she does for us. There are a few things she is thankful for that I believe other housewives may agree with: • Automatic dishwashers since they make it possible for Mom to get out of the kitchen before the family comes back in for after dinner snacks. • Husbands who attack small repair jobs around the house because they usually end up making them big enough that they require calling in the professionals. • Children who put away their things and clean up after themselves. They’re such a joy that Mom hates to see them go home to their own parents. • Teenagers, because they give parents an opportunity to learn a second language. • Smoke alarms because they let Mom and Dad know when the turkey’s done. While Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday of November, we as Christians are called to live a life of thanks 365 days a year. Paul says, “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” in Ephesians 5:20. But how do we do that? How can we truly give thanks all year round? I would like to suggest three ways we can have perpetual gratitude 1. HAVE A THANKSGIVING JOURNAL. If you are anything like me, sometimes my devotional prayers can go something like this, “Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for another day. Thank you for all the blessings you give me. Now I ask…” and I go into a litany of prayer requests that are very specific. When was the last time you thanked God specifically for those blessings that He has given you? I think we are all familiar with the hymn, Count Your Blessings. The refrain is: “Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your blessings, see what God has done!” One of the ways that we can count our blessings and thank God for them is by writing them down. First, it cements them in our minds and second, it allows us to look back in those times of difficulty to see truly how God has poured His blessings on you. It can be a simple notebook that you just use as your thanksgiving journal. Try it for a few weeks and see if your awareness of God’s blessings grows as you write down what He continues to do in your life. 2. BE THANKFUL FOR THE SMALL THINGS. You know, we’re funny as humans. We tell ourselves not to sweat the small stuff but we also tend to not be grateful for the small stuff either. I mean, when was the last time we thanked God for giving us things as simple and significant as breath, a new day of life, food on the table, a

steady paycheck or a home to live in? We often thank God for the big things, miracles wrought and circumstances changed, but do we thank God for the small stuff? Let’s be thankful all year for both the big and small things God does. 3. EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO OTHERS. I was taught as a child to always say thank you when someone does something for you, be it holding the door open, making you a nice meal or giving you something that you wanted. But thinking about it, saying thank you has become less and less common. A simple thank you is one of the most tangible ways of living a life of thankfulness all year long. Saying thank you isn’t too hard, but can you recall the last thank you note you wrote? I know handwritten notes are so 20th century. However, one of our office employees was blown away when she did something for my 10-year-old son and the next day received a written thank you note from him. You would have thought I had given her a million dollars. People still value the thoughtfulness of a handwritten thank you note. Whichever way you choose to express your thanks, continue to live a life of thanksgiving every day. I firmly believe that if we change our thinking from Thanksgiving being only a “November thing” to a daily practice, our hearts and many others will indeed be changed as well. How will you show your thankfulness and gratitude today?

Dr. Tom Grove holds a doctorate of Ministry with an emphasis in leadership and is the Executive Pastor of the Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church.

FLAME | 5 Fall 2015

Did you know there is a way to make a gift to the church while creating security for you and your loved ones? It’s called a

And We’ll

charitable gift annuity. What’s more, it’s as simple as transferring cash or your low performing investments such as CDs and stocks to us in exchange for fixed lifetime payments. You might be surprised at how high your payments could be and your payment rate will never change. Call or visit our website today to learn more about receiving fixed payments from a charitable gift annuity and begin feeling more secure!

A Secure Future nnuity

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Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Department of Trust Services P.O. Box 800 • Alvarado, TX 76009 Phone: 817-790-2255 Toll Free: 800-847-2792 Fax: 817-783-2698 • Email: trust@txsda.org www.TexasConferenceLegacy.org

ITY

GIFT ANNU

OUR ATION ORGANIZ

DONOR

Adventist Book Center Come see us as we travel around Texas

D2U is our new delivery program that brings the Dates ABC direct to you 3 to 4 times each year. Please remember D2U is not the bookmobile. If you do September 21-24 not place an order it will not be on the van. The order deadline for each route is the Thursday October 5-8 before the route begins. Also each order will be charged a $5.00 delivery fee. To make sure you receive our bi-monthly updates please call us at 800-333-1844 and give us your name, address, phone number and email, or you can email us your information at d2u.abc@txsda.org. We are also on Facebook. Check us out at www.facebook.com/keeneabc To order call us at 800.333.1844.

D2U Route

Locations

Louisiana/East Texas

Athens, Tyler, Longview, Marshall, Jefferson, Beaumont, Lufkin, Rusk, Corsicana

West Texas/ Southern NM

Brownwood, San Angelo, Big Springs, Midland, Odessa, Van Horn, El Paso, Lubbock, Abilene, Weatherford

November 2-5

Arkansas/East Texas

Greenville, Mount Pleasant, Paris, Jefferson, Longview, Mineola, Terrell

November 30December 3

Austin/ San Antonio/ Valley

Georgetown, Austin, San Marcos, San Antonio, Floresville, Beeville, Corpus Christi, Alice, Brownsville, Harlingen, McAllen, Edinburg, Laredo, Kerrville, Killeen, Temple, Waco

December 14-16

Houston

Round Rock, Austin, Elgin, Bastrop, Victoria, Rosenberg, Katy, Houston, Conroe, Huntsville, Bryan/College Station

ministries

Church PLANTING

What is Church Planting and how does it help spread God’s message of hope throughout the world? This Texas Conference ministry equips people with the resources they need to start a church in their local communities. With over 10 years of Church Planting experience, Boyan Levterov and his team strive make Church Planting in Texas the best it can be. FLAME had an opportunity to speak with Boyan, a fourth generation Adventist whose family’s faith is a direct result of this vital ministry, and give our readers a look at what church planting is all about. FLAME: How did you first get involved in Church Planting Ministries? BOYAN: After attending a seminar on Church Planting as a young pastor, I decided to always keep church multiplication as an inseparable part of the long-term vision in every church I minister. After initiating the plans for a new church plant on the western slope of Colorado and planting a church in northeast Wyoming, my wife and I decided to accept a call to start a new church in Frisco, an affluent area of Dallas. In 2014, I accepted the responsibility of coordinating the Church Planting Department and its work in the Texas Conference. FLAME: How has this impacted your life? BOYAN: Every time I see the excitement of those involved in starting a new church plant, I remember my own during the birth of our church in north Dallas. It is a humbling experience, because no matter how much knowledge or know-how a person has, the core team soon realizes that the power of God’s Holy Spirit trumps human expertise. Yet, the greatest impact for me is to see new members giving their lives to Jesus. The ultimate goal is to lead people to God’s kingdom. FLAME: Why is Church Planting an important ministry for today’s world? BOYAN: If the local church is doing effective ministry it will not only grow numerically, but also result in the formation of new groups in new areas or among new people. Statistics show that two healthy churches in the same geographic area will grow larger than one church of the same size. Planting new churches helps us continue spreading the gospel while growing the ministry of our existing churches.

FLAME: What determines where a new church gets planted? BOYAN: There are two ways we determine where a new church should be planted. The vision of the Texas Conference Church Planting Department is to target one of the five major metropolitan areas each year and to start a new Adventist congregation in the most densely populated parts of the city, where we currently do not have an Adventist presence. The other way we plant churches is by supporting, training, mentoring and providing long term coaching for churches, pastors, or individuals whom God has moved to start new congregations in a particular area. The two important questions we ask before considering a church plant are, “Is the new plant driven by a desire to reach out to new people?” and “Does the target area support another Adventist church?” We have also developed a short list of guidelines to help ensure that each new core team develops into a healthy congregation.

FLAME: How can people help out a church that is just starting? BOYAN: If you feel that God has called you to be a part of or lead a church plant, visit TXChurchPlanting.org for the latest news and information. We will help answer any questions and connect you with a local church plant from your area. Prayer for new church plants is always welcome if you’re unable to help directly. Or, if you’d prefer to financially support the church planting work in Texas, please contact us directly or use your local offering envelope by designating Church Planting Department.

FLAME: If someone wants to start a new group what do you suggest they do? BOYAN: Begin by praying for God to reveal the focus of this planned ministry. Then, consider what you can start doing on an individual level to reach that group or area. Check the guidelines for starting a new plant on our website, and email or call the Church Planting Department. We are here to provide all the support, training and coaching you need to help you fulfill these goals. We have developed hands-on training, as well as local church planting rallies to help people get started. We also plan to have a variety of free church planting training classes online by the end of 2015.

FLAME: Are there any new churches being planted around Texas? BOYAN: As a result of the outreach efforts proceeding the General Conference Session in San Antonio, we have three new Hispanic churches, one English-speaking church plant targeting young adults, and a second English-speaking church plant in the city’s northern section. In addition, one more church was started jointly with the Southwest Region Conference on the south side of San Antonio. Since the beginning of 2014, Texas has 15 new plants, six new groups getting ready to start, six groups organized as companies, and five companies moving to full church status!

©Hernandez Imaging by Peter Hernandez

FLAME | 7 Fall 2015

education

Bringing the Bible

to Life By Sandra L. Goodrich and Yvette Akar

THE KNOWLEDGE SEEKERS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL in Lewisville, Texas uses a special curriculum in preparing students for the kingdom of God. The small Pre-K through 8th grade school undertakes a mammoth feat as it instills a passion for prayer and the Word of God in its young students through weekly Bible verse memorization and a monthly prayer walk. The school takes time to impart the supreme importance of committing God’s precious words to memory, and how Jesus used what He learned from the Holy Scriptures to combat temptation during His time in the wilderness. The school emphasizes the importance of quoting Bible verses out loud. As a result, we have witnessed the miraculous power of God in solving challenges that may arise in our school, church, and families. Every week, Knowledge Seekers Christian School students memorize a new Bible verse. The students then recite the new verse each Friday, as well as all the verses learned in the prior weeks. One of the school slogans is “Repeat, Repeat, Repeat, Learn!” The children are reminded that this is most likely the exact method that Mary, the mother of Jesus, used to teach Him scriptures. Students learn that Jesus’ childhood knowledge of the Word of God astonished the minds of the rabbi priests in the Gospel of Luke. Those learned men were surprised by Jesus’ scriptural wisdom, which surpassed the “superior” education they had received from their intense training. Another method used to instill spiritual fortitude is our monthly prayer walk, a time for students and teachers to celebrate a day of prayer and fasting for KSCS. The prayer walk commences at the front of the school with either the reading of a short Bible story or having students quote a few verses from memory. We continue with prayer, songs and Bible verses around the church and school until we arrive back at the front doors. Before entering, we pause one last time to quote several Bible verses and have a final prayer. A few years ago, the Lewisville mayor approached us with a unique request. The Knowledge Seekers Christian School was invited to recite Bible verses from memory in a city parade. A float was provided and students rode up and down every street in downtown Lewisville quoting 50 Bible verses from memory. We could hear the surprised voices of the people lined up near every curb saying, “Can you believe those children are saying all of those Bible verses without reading them?” On average, students memorize between 40 and 50 new Bible verses every school year. Before bidding them farewell each summer, the staff encourages the students to quote aloud the scriptures they have learned whenever they need to draw near to God.

8 | FLAME Fall 2015

Sandra L. Goodrich and Yvette Akar are teachers at Knowledge Seekers Christian School in Lewisville, Texas. Sandra is the principal and K through 2nd grade teacher, while Yvette is the teacher for 3rd through 8th grades. Find out more about the Knowledge Seekers Christian School at www.KnowledgeSeekersSchool.org.

partners

By Andrew Austin THE 60TH GENERAL CONFERENCE SESSION was held in San Antonio, Texas this summer. The 10-day quinquennial event drew to a close on Saturday, July 11, and brought in over 85,000 worldwide visitors to the city, making it the largest and longest convention to take place in San Antonio. According to local news reports, the event also brought in over $40 million into the city. The Adventist presence was evident as local restaurants offered special vegetarian menus and stores hung signs welcoming Seventh-day Adventists. Texas Conference President, Carlos Craig, welcomed the crowd on opening night, Thursday, July 2. During the service on the following night, several individuals from San Antonio were baptized by their local pastors, marking the first time baptisms have been carried out during a GC Session. The baptisms celebrated the work that has taken place in San Antonio over the last few years. Pastor Mark Finley briefly shared each person’s story and the 60th GC Session commenced with a spirit of love and mission. The final program began with multicultural music that filled the entire Alamodome with awe and worship. A visit from San Antonio Mayor, Ivy Taylor, elaborated the impact that the Seventh-day Adventist Church had on the city while present. The message of the last day, presented by General Conference President, Ted Wilson, strongly emphasized mission once again. As guests prepared to return to their respective countries and homes, the message was clear: We are one church with one mission to bring hope, wholeness, compassion and the love of God to every community in which Seventh-Day Adventists live and work. The Session culminated with the Mission on the Move presentation, a parade that included all of the nations that make up the Seventh-day

Adventist Church in the order they joined along with a video describing the history of the Church. Emphasis was put on the fact that while the Church has members working all over the world, the potential for growth is still astronomically high. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has always been proud of its international heritage. While originally formed in the United States, missionary work around the world has been a foundation since the beginning and is still a major factor today. Toward the end of the presentation, however, it became obvious that there are many places the Church still has much work to do. While we may have houses of worship in almost every country, many of these congregations still face restrictions that make worshiping incredibly difficult. It lies on the brave and faithful to take the message of Christ into areas where the mission field is still in need of the message of the Gospel. With the conclusion of the General Conference Session, people can see that the Seventh-day Adventist denomination is made up of a united congregation of believers from every corner of the world. As members, it may become too easy to simply see the Church on the local level, but there is no denying our General Conference Sessions offer an international experience like no other. ê

Arise! Shine! Jesus is Coming! Andrew Austin is a senior journalism major at Southwestern Adventist University and served as a Texas Conference GC News Intern this summer.

FLAME | 9 Fall 2015

fitness

Family Fitness

FUN By Jason Busch

It might seem effortless to go to the gym, plug in some headphones and knock out your exercise routine. Going for a run or taking your bike out is as simple as finding the time when you’re exercising on your own. But with the threat of childhood obesity and inactivity reaching new heights, getting your family active is more important than ever before. What works for one individual, however, might not work for the entire household. So, consider the following list of activities to get your family moving.

FAMILY 5K RUN/WALK

With the scorching Texas summer behind us, a family 5k run or walk is a great way to get everyone active and outdoors. If this is your first big run, be sure to spend at least one month training for it by running two to three times a week. If your family plans to walk instead, spend some time each week showing your children how long the race might take. Most importantly, have fun! Exercise shouldn’t be viewed as a chore to cross off the list; show your kids how to incorporate excitement. Start a reward system for how often the family walks or runs every week, make your own matching uniforms for race day or take up a cause and have friends and family donate money for each mile you complete.

10 | FLAME Fall 2015

WEEKLY

SPORTS NIGHT

With the cooler temperatures comes the return of football, basketball, and ice hockey. Set aside a night every week to emulate your favorite players and get moving. Find people from the neighborhood or your children’s school to toss the pigskin, shoot hoops, or kick a soccer ball around. Join a family softball league or start a sports night for your church. This is about having fun and staying in shape, not about winning or losing. As discussed in the Summer 2014 FLAME, being a Christian on and off the field comes when you aren’t overzealous, when you remember whom you represent, and when you look for the chance to build new friendships and strengthen existing ones.

TV COMMERCIAL

EXERCISE BREAKS

They’re everywhere, almost inescapable. If you watch television at all, then you’ve seen them and oftentimes more than you’d prefer. Commercials are an unfortunate part of the TV experience. Instead of placidly waiting for them to finish, why not get the family moving during each break? See how many jumping jacks everyone can do during that same snack food commercial you’ve all seen a dozen times. Have a push up or sit up contest in place of every movie trailer that comes on. Or, start a circuit workout and do a new exercise for each commercial break for the entire show. Watching TV doesn’t have to be as lazy as some may think!

fitness

Autumn is the perfect time to take up a new outdoor hobby. Spend a day hiking through nature trails, bike to school with your children (if it’s nearby) or take the dogs for a walk (if you have them). Find the weekend that works best for you and take the family on a camping trip for a breath of fresh air. For something a little different (at least in Texas), try visiting an outdoor ice skating rink. If you want your family to get active and make a difference at the same time, consider washing cars and donating the proceeds to your church or a local charity.

Now that trees are beginning to shed their leaves, what better way to get the kids outside than for a little yard work? Maybe Mom and Dad are more excited about an extra set of hands than the Burns hundreds of calories, improves heart youngsters willhealth, be, so take notes from cholesterol, stamina and endurance, and lower impact than asphaltthem and concrete. the family 5kis training and reward for their help. Discover what they might like the most and let them have at it. They could enjoy gardening, landscaping, or using power tools (with parental supervision). Make it a family affair by getting everyone involved. After all, many hands make light work. Whatever you decide to do, make sure each person stays hydrated and wears sunscreen if outside for an extended period.

Summer might be most closely associated with water parks and pool parties, but that doesn’t mean the festivities have to end with the season. Swimming isn’t just fun, but good for you too. It helps build endurance and muscle strength while the buoyancy of the water lessens the impact stress on your body. It improves flexibility, is available almost anywhere and is enjoyable for the whole family. Check out your local health club or YMCA for indoor swimming classes or lessons if it’s too cold outside for the pool or lake. Whether they’re strong swimmers or not, always take precaution to stay safe so that everyone can have a good time.

Health Facts

P LAYGROUND HIJINKS

If you live close to a neighborhood park, then taking your kids to the playground is a great way to exercise without it really feeling like it. Jungle gyms strengthen arms and legs as you climb, monkey bars target your shoulders and core muscles as you swing from one to the other, and the bridges, ramps, and slides encourage running up and down, back and forth. Turn the playground into an obstacle course and time how long it takes each person to make it through. An important benefit beyond the physical is the chance for your kids to play with others and learn the importance of social fitness. Maybe they’ll even meet some new friends!

help k to

p you ﬁ ee

W EEKEND YARD WORK

FUN IN THE WATER

FINDING A NEW HOBBY

30 mins

On the Treadmill Burns hundreds of calories, improves heart health, cholesterol, stamina and endurance, and is lower impact than asphalt and concrete.

Upper Body Weights

Build Muscle Strength

Increases strength in major muscle groups through chest, back, arms and shoulders, and can boost bone density resulting in reduced risk of fractures.

Pilates

Stretching for Flexibility

Jason Busch is the FLAME Associate Editor, as well as Associate Communication Director for the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Stretching exercises like Pilates improve core strength, posture, balance, stability and flexibility. Pilates focuses on training every part of the body, and is a challenging but effective workout.

FLAME | 11 Fall 2015

feature

Finding Favor through

with a family member in New Jersey. It was there that Nerv began his first job picking apples, tomatoes, and blueberries. “The one thing I could do well was work,” Nerv said. “But $20 a day wasn’t going to be enough for my family.” While in New Jersey, Nerv’s future wife

Faithfulness By Jason Busch

he air held a sweetness beyond description and the weather was fairer than he had imagined. The sun shone a little brighter and each new step held the promise of greatness. Everything was working out perfectly for the wide-eyed, 21-year-old as he strode off the plane in Miami. For the young, St. Lucian immigrant, the United States embodied the land of opportunity and he was so eager to begin chasing his American dream that the clothes he packed were still damp from the washing machine. In 1980, Nerv Thomas journeyed from his lifelong home to search for a better life in Houston. Upon landing in south Florida, he called the family friends he hoped would take him in. “Unfortunately, the people who were supposed to meet me said they had no place for me,” said Nerv. “At that point I made up my mind that I was not returning home. Somehow, I had to fulfill my dream.” When traveling to Texas was no longer an option, Nerv steeled himself and decided failure wasn’t an option; that God had already brought him this far and wouldn’t abandon him now. Nerv recalled a cousin in Philadelphia and figured that if he asked around enough, then someone could unite them. However, Nerv began to feel the impact of the decision on his flight to Pennsylvania. What would he do? Where would he go? The thoughts bombarded him with each passing mile. During the conversation with the couple sitting next to him, Nerv was asked where he was headed. His reply: “I don’t know.” He recounted the troubles he had had so far and the couple decided that he’d stay with them. “She shared later that the only reason they were flying was because they missed their train,” Nerv said. “I knew God still had a plan for me.” Within three weeks, it was clear that there was nothing for Nerv in Philadelphia and so, his hosts made arrangements for him to stay

12 | FLAME Fall 2015

and her family arrived in Houston and invited him to live with them. After six months, he would finally be at his original destination. In December 1980, Nerv got a job at a railroad company and spent his first winter in the U.S. repairing railroad ties. The work was so difficult and the cold weather so brutal that Nerv almost gave up and moved back home. He called his parents to give them the news, but their advice was the kind of tough love he needed to press on. It was then that the Lord revealed to him that to redeem the time he had lost, Nerv must recast the experience in order to tell a different story. From that point forward, his fortunes began to change. “What I thought were wasted years were actually years of my greatest learning,” Nerv said. In 1987, Nerv was working for a freight company at the airport and began making plans to start his own business-to-business delivery service. When his boss uncovered this plan, Nerv was fired on the spot. With a family and no job, Nerv became desperate and pleaded to God for guidance. What looked like another setback became the catalyst for his biggest boon. Though he had only one delivery truck at the time, Nerv recalls being led to two businesses that would form the foundation of his clientele. “The Holy Spirit clearly showed me where to go, and in the same day I received two accounts and plenty of work,” Nerv said. “That was the beginning of Swift International Service Company.” Swift did well and carved a niche in the Houston energy corridor. The business began to present new challenges that Nerv hadn’t anticipated, but ones that could make or break the company. In 2008, Swift was the preferred transportation partner for an oil refinery plant expansion in Beaumont – an opportunity worth $25-40 million for Swift. Nerv understood, however, that the work would involve operating on Sabbath. Turning

down such a lucrative contract was painful, yet he was confident that remaining faithful to God’s biblical day of rest was the right thing to do. “People often strain to understand why we’ve declined or lost so many highly profitable contracts. It’s because we believe the Sabbath offers a greater blessing than money, even large amounts of money, ever could,” Nerv said. He didn’t have to wait long for God to open another door. Shortly after saying no to the millions offered by Motiva Enterprises, Nerv realized that the Sabbath is not a hindrance or impediment to conducting business. Rather, it paves the way for alternatives. That thought led him to move most of his assets into a rental service that exponentially increased his size and revenue in only a few years. Today, Swift manages a fleet of over 400 trucks and was recently awarded a contract that will yield the same $25-40 million they gave up, but this time requires no Sabbath work. “Nothing is lost with God,” Nerv said. “The challenge of honoring the Sabbath caused us to look at things differently, which resulted in the creation of a rental business that has blessed us beyond anything we envisioned and returned all we thought we lost.” The story doesn’t end there; instead, Nerv insists it has just begun. All the land, the trucks, various assets, and even his house are debt-free. Because of the gifts God has given him, Nerv is able to redirect that favor back to his community, his church, and his childhood home. He’s even helping fund a large-scale mission trip to St. Lucia for the expansion of L’Abayee Seventh-day Adventist Primary School and the construction of a retirement home in the community. Through all the adversity Nerv faced, he has never forgotten those who helped him along the way. By staying faithful in the small things, God has granted greater opportunities at every turn. Nerv concludes, “That’s the excitement of the Christian life, and of trusting God. When we believe that He sees, organizes, orchestrates, and facilitates all of these things for His glory, then big things can and will happen.” Nerv Thomas and his wife, Melinna, live in Houston and attend the Northwest Houston Seventh-day Adventist Church where he serves as First Elder. They have three children. Nerv is President and Founder of Swift International Service Company, Melinna is Vice-President for Administration, and his son, Arthur, is Vice-President for Business Development. Jason Busch is the FLAME Associate Editor as well as Associate Communication Director for the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

feature "The challenge of honoring the Sabbath caused us to look at things differently"

Aaron Thomas Photography

FLAME | 13 Fall 2015

family matters 1. Custom T-Shirts

Have a family meeting to design your own logo and wording to have printed on t-shirts that you can wear as a family on all your stayssionary trips around town.

2. 9V Battery Project

Buy 9V batteries in bulk and go around your neighborhood offering a free replacement battery for smoke detectors. When appropriate you may also offer to replace it.

3. Windshield Washers

Ask permission at a local gas station to offer free windshield cleaning for customers filling up.

4. Free Bottled Water

Go to local parks, sporting events, or safe intersections and offer free bottled water. You could even add a printed card that says something like: “May Jesus satisfy the needs of your soul.”

5. Graffiti Cover Up

Drive around town and look for walls covered with graffiti. Speak to the owner and tell them your family would like to offer free labor to either cover up the graffiti or repaint the entire wall. Some may even give you the paint to do it.

6. Deliver Care Packages

THE STATIONARY Stayssionary FAMILY By Ruber and Ketty Leal

WE’VE ALL SEEN a family walking together at a park, strolling down the street, or entering through the church’s front door. There’s something magical about seeing a family together and having a good time. The image of a joyful family is always inspiring, but the busyness of life can often hinder our family unity. Experts have suggested many ways to grow healthy families, and vacations are one of the preferred remedies. You perhaps have heard the common term staycation, which implies a family that chooses to take time

14 | FLAME Fall 2015

off for vacation at home. Today, we propose that a family can grow even stronger when they team up for a stayssionary experience. In other words, when a family may not have the means to travel overseas for a mission trip, they can choose to stay home and plan mission projects that impact their local communities. Few things are more gratifying than connecting through mission and helping those around you. Here are few ideas for how to have a stayssionary experience your family won’t forget!

Find a predominantly homeless section of your city, invite other families to join your own in preparing care packages, and offer them to the homeless or have them handy in your car to give to panhandlers. Suggested items for a homeless care package are socks, combs, wipes, lotion, tissues, bandages, toothpaste, toothbrush, and granola bars.

7. Remember Your Church

Speak to the church office or pastoral staff and ask what needs to be cleaned, organized or repainted in your local church. Get a group of families together and be proud of making your church a better place for all to worship.

Ruber and Ketty Leal are the Texas Conference Family Ministries Directors. Ruber also pastors the Garland Faith Community Church, while Ketty is a supervisor in the Microbiology Lab at Methodist Richardson Medical Center. Find them on Facebook and online at BeForeverOne.org.

bridges

Drive Thru

Transforms Ministry By Andrew Austin

CHRIST ASKED HIS FOLLOWERS TO BE WITNESSES to others around us about what He had done. To this day, the most important mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is to share the gospel with those who need it most. However, it is often easy to rest on one’s laurels and become an inclusive community. When this happens, more should be done to reach all who may walk, or drive, by the doors of the church on a daily basis. This has become the mission of the Houston Central Seventh-day Adventist Church. Marla Ilona, now the leader of the Drive-thru Prayer Ministry, observed several church organizations in large metropolitan areas witness to their neighbors by setting up locations for prayer. People who would walk by on the street had the opportunity to pause for a short prayer. Ilona was impressed by these ministries and decided to try a similar idea at her church. It wasn’t long before Ilona had developed a plan of action. But, the new ministry had to be tested before it could be put into full effect. For three consecutive weekends, volunteers from the Houston Central Seventh-day Adventist Church set aside time to advertise to the surrounding community, organize details, manage logistics, and pray with those who earnestly felt the call to stop by. Through the volunteers’ hard work, the ministry became a resounding success. The Drive-thru Prayer Ministry has been active the first Sunday of every month since 2014 when the project began to operate full-time. Since then, volunteers from the church have taken the time to be a light in the community to those who have desperately needed it. The constant sight of friendly banners and welcoming smiles is an image several drivers have never forgotten. “We’ve had feedback from numerous people who have seen the signs or banners and wanted to drive by, but hesitated at first,” said Ilona. “This is why persistence is so important. It may take people several months of seeing the prayer stand go up before they ever dare to come. That’s just human nature and the same principle that requires us to watch a television ad multiple times before we’ll buy the product.” Members of the community have had moments of revelation and enlightenment often resulting in a complete breakdown into humility. Whether it’s for a sick child or a struggling relationship, so many people need the peace that only Christ can offer. Some might not see themselves as being sociable enough to pray with

others, but the chance to share a life-changing and spiritual experience with someone in need can change that. Angel Rodriguez, Senior Pastor at Houston Central Church, said, “We’re providing an exceptional service to the community through Drive-thru Prayer, ministering to them at their point of need. It’s a wonderful ministry that’s been a blessing to both our community and our church.” The importance of ministering to those outside of the church’s front door cannot be understated. When the love of God is shared earnestly and effectively, Christ can heal the soul of both parties. Evangelism is never a one-way street, but rather a way for the Holy Spirit to change the world of both the receiver and the vessel through which He works.

Andrew Austin is a senior journalism major at Southwestern Adventist University and served as a Texas Conference GC News Intern this summer.

FLAME | 15 Fall 2015

O range Jam Thyme

JAM: • 5 cups sweet orange segments (about • • • • • •

8 medium-sized navel oranges peeled and quartered) 1 tbsp fresh orange zest 1 cup raw, natural cane sugar 1/4 cup fresh orange juice 2 sprigs or 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme juice of half a lemon pinch sea salt

Pumpkin

Sage

What’s better for the chilly mornings this season than some warm biscuits and jam? Both treats only require one bowl for each recipe. The simple jam with fresh oranges and thyme produces a luscious, not-too-sweet jam perfect for waffles, toast, pastries and buttery biscuits. The savory pumpkin sage biscuits take just 30 minutes and are deliciously fluffy. Enjoy this perfect pairing for breakfast or for fall and holiday gatherings!

BISCUITS: • • • • • • • • • •

3/4 cup unsweetened plain almond milk 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice 2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1 tbsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 3/4 tsp sea salt 4 tbsp non-dairy, unsalted butter (plus a little more for topping) 1/4 cup pumpkin puree 3 tbsp roughly chopped fresh sage or 1 tsp dry sage pinch each of ground cinnamon and nutmeg

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. 2.

INSTRUCTIONS: 1.

Bring oranges, orange juice, lemon juice and sugar to a low boil in a large saucepan over medium to medium-high heat, stirring frequently to combine. Once it reaches a low boil, reduce heat to medium-low and add a pinch of salt and stir. Simmer for about 30 minutes and then add thyme and orange zest. Continue cooking until the mixture is reduced by about a third. It should be thick and syrupy, but be patient as the whole process may take up to an hour. Add a bit more sugar to help it thicken even more. Once thickened, remove from heat and let cool. Transfer to clean jars and store in the fridge for up to two weeks.

16 | FLAME Fall 2015

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Measure almond milk in a large measuring cup and add lemon juice. Let it curdle for 5 minutes, then whisk in pumpkin puree. 3. Mix flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg in a large bowl. 4. Add cold butter and use a pastry cutter or fork to combine until small pieces remain and it looks like wet sand. Work quickly so the butter doesn’t get too warm. Add chopped sage and mix once more. 5. Using a wooden spoon, stir gently while pouring in the almond-pumpkin mixture 1/4 cup at a time (you may not need all of it). Stir until just slightly combined; it will be a little sticky, but not too much. 6. Turn onto a lightly floured surface, dust the top with a bit of flour and then very gently turn the dough over on itself a couple times. 7. Form into a one-inch thick disc, handling as little as possible. 8. Use a one-inch thick dough cutter or a similar-shaped object with sharp edges (such as a small drinking glass) and push straight down through the dough, then slightly twist. Repeat and place biscuits on a baking sheet in two rows making sure they just touch (this will help them rise uniformly). Gently reform the dough and cut out one or two more biscuits (you should have 7-9 depending on the size of your cutter). 9. Brush the tops with a bit more melted non-dairy butter and gently press a small divot in the center using your thumb. This will also help them rise evenly, so the middle won’t form a dome. 10. Bake for 13-17 minutes or until fluffy and golden brown. These take a little longer to bake than traditional biscuits because the pumpkin adds extra moisture. 11. Let remaining biscuits cool completely before storing them in an airtight container or bag. Will keep for up to a few days, though best when fresh. Recipe by MinimalistBaker.com

stewardship

Managing Money & Debt By Minner Labrador Jr.

GOD OWNS EVERYTHING! Whether it’s our breath of life, the cattle on a thousand hills, or the money in our piggy bank, it’s all His. He allows each of us to keep 90 percent of every thing we earn, claiming only one-tenth, a tithe, from those who love Him. Furthermore, He declares that tithe is holy. Leviticus 27:30 says, “and all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord.” God further clarifies in Numbers 18:21 that the tithe was to be used to support the Levites whose job was to serve as priests in His Sanctuary. They were to depend on God’s people supporting their ministry through tithe, like our ministers today. When it comes to tithe, two principles are especially helpful. Counting the Cost. In Luke 14:28 Jesus asked this question, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” In other words, everyone should have a budget. According to a 2012 Huffington Post article, half of Americans are spending more than

they earn, but don’t realize it. Of those who are spending more than they earn, “36% are dipping into savings, 22% use a credit card and 8% are borrowing money in other ways” to cover the shortage. What a sobering commentary on modern finance! Following the world’s financial principles instead of God’s may be the reason the prophet wrote in Haggai 1:6-7, “You have planted much, but harvested little…You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it. This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.’” Surety and Debt. The definition of surety is agreeing to be legally responsible for a personal debt or a debt for another. Most often, debt is incurred by too many swipes of our credit card. Proverbs 22:26 says, “Do not be one who puts up security for debts.” Every time we use a credit card, we are borrowing money from a credit card company and may end up paying 10 to over 20 percent extra for each dollar we spend. Unless we can pay the balance by the end of the billing cycle or have a firm plan of action for repayment, credit

cards should be avoided. We are encouraged by 3 John 1:2, “Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.” I urge you to seek Biblical understanding in all matters of finance and stewardship for your family. Visit SouthwesternAdventist.org/Stewardship for resources on stewardship principles and tips to help you manage your money the way God intended. Minner Labrador is Vice President for Ministries, Men’s Ministries, Sabbath School and Stewardship Director for the Southwestern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Week 1:

Mission 4

GUATEMALA Evangelistic Outreach Mission Trip

NOV 19-30 Week 2:

NOV 29-DEC 8

The Texas Conference youth team will be present November 19-30

Mission4Guatemala offers you an exciting opportunity to serve the Lord near Poptun, Petén, Guatemala. The Lord has blessed the mission team during the past four years. If you have never been on a mission trip, you may be surprised to see what God can do when you go where He leads. Teams serving this year include: • Evangelism and Christ Centered Outreach • Children’s Evangelisms • Nursing Program • Facility Planning and Construction • Medical • Health Education

For more information and to register visit:

YoungTexasAdventist.org

FLAME | 17 Fall 2015

history

Central Gold Rush Texas By Alfredo Vergel

NEWS OF GOLD IN TEXAS, which drew national attention in 1853, brought prospectors to the state from far and wide. Word of the possibility of striking it rich in the state’s Hill Country probably reached all the way across the Atlantic, further fueling an already significant immigration wave to America that would not end until the Reconstruction Era. Among the masses seeking better fortunes in the new world was 28-year-old A. W. Jenson, who eventually became a pioneer Adventist minister in Texas. Jenson, a native Danish, came to America with the last large Scandinavian influx to Texas in 1872. Like many other prospectors before him, he eventually faced the reality of the hype over the not-so-abundant gold deposits in the state. Nevertheless, he stayed. As a Bible student, the treasure he found was in God’s word. He discovered the Sabbath through personal study, and soon joined the Seventh-day Adventists. In Battle Creek, Michigan he became better acquainted with the Adventist Church. The news of Adventism making inroads in Texas led to the assignment of Robert M. Kilgore to lead evangelistic work in the state, with Jenson coming along as The Norse Seventh-day Adventist Church is located on CR4155 in Clifton, TX. his tent-master. In this formative period of his Adventist While there are no weekly services, an annual worship service is held in October. experience, Jenson played a role in Kilgore’s successful public work and was a witness to the organization of the Texas Conference of 1878. However, his faith would also be tested as Bosque County became home to their largest enclave. Jenson’s native he worked under fellow Adventist, A. H. King. Scandinavian background served him well among a community that King, who came to Texas at the request of Adventist Church hung tight to their native language and customs. co-founder James White to manage a broom-making operation, was In 1880, in the Norwegian settlement of Norse near Clifton, on very poor terms with Jenson as a result of the latter’s scrupulous Jenson had enough success to witness the birth of a church whose and outspoken demeanor. Writing later to King about this, James’s building still stands today as the oldest Adventist church building wife, Ellen, vouched for Jenson as “a man who has the fear of God in Texas. “This little church is the first-fruits of my labor, and I feel at before him.” True, he had ruffled King’s feathers by openly criticizing home here,” he once reported. Through the end of his life, his work his lax management. But Jenson was still “subject to like passions as extended southward to Travis, Milam and Mills counties, and even other men.” She added, “He is true and conscientious, and is a faithful played a significant role at the Texas Conference headquarters. worker, a man of sterling integrity.” A number of congregations in and around Austin can trace their Since 1875, Jenson had also been a literature evangelist. Having history back to Jenson’s work in that area. One of Jenson’s primary been relieved from his tent-master duties under Kilgore, Jenson lifetime goals was “to provoke others to love and good works.” By had an opportunity to branch out on his own the following year. word and example, he led his own family and many others to a closer He found a somewhat promising field in a Norwegian settlement in walk with God, and mentored future church leaders. By all accounts, Bosque County, located between Fort Worth and Waco to the west of Jenson failed to find the gold he was seeking in Texas, but discovered Interstate 35. a treasure worth so much more. In the wake of a long series of military defeats and territorial losses, as well as ensuing economic disaster back home in the recently separated Denmark and Norway, large numbers of Scandinavians Alfredo Vergel is the Public Services and Special Collections Librarian, as well as Ellen had crossed the Atlantic in pursuit of the American dream. In Texas, White Research Center Director for Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, TX.

18 | FLAME Fall 2015

School of Evangelism in Texas

For youth and young adults who are hearing Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s call to work the harvest in these last days!

Registration is now open for S.E.N.T 2016! School of Evangelism in Texas is designed to train youth and young adults to be effective ministers for The Master. The goal of S.E.N.T is to prepare young people to partner with their local pastors/elders in reaching their communities with the Three Angelsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Message.

DATES 2016: January 22-24, April 22-24, July 22-24, October 21-23 Houston Central Church & Houston Spanish Spring Branch Church

Color logo on white background

All general sessions will be translated into spanish. Some classes will also be offered in spanish. Visit us online for details.

YoungTexasAdventist.org

& Young Adults making ministers for the master

theology

Living Like a Rock By Ingo Sorke

I’VE ALWAYS BEEN ATTRACTED TO the subtle beauty and quiet strength rocks seem to possess. It became more apparent when as a child I began my own rock collection. The better ones (smelly yellow sulfur, mesmerizing purple amethysts) rested on a soft velvet display and I charged five cents for people to view them as a walk-through exhibit. From the beginning of time, rocks have been the core of altars, memorials, even the Ten Commandments where on two stones the character of God was carved. In Genesis 31:49, Jacob set up stones as a covenant memorial between him and Laban. The verse says, “May the LORD watch between you and me when we are absent one from another.” The Mizpah Gate, which is the entrance to Southwestern Adventist University, pays homage to this famous line. Stones exude such strength and permanence that David clings to God by confessing, “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer,” in 2 Samuel 22:2. “Rock” and “salvation” are tandem expressions in Psalm 18:2, 46; 62:2, 6. Interestingly, to prevent any notion of rock worship, the translators of the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) replaced the term “rock” with the word “strength” or even left it without translation. Still shrouded in mystery is that cryptic set of stones in England: Stonehenge. Though its witness is cloaked in silence, almost a million visitors descend on the rock formation every year. In contrast, Southwestern Adventist University’s senior class of 2013 offered a unique gift to the school. Outside of Barren Chapel stands an altar whose side is engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Revelation and also prominently featured are the Ten Commandments. According to James Milam, pastor and former stone mason, “we wanted to leave a reminder of the most valuable item for the lives of all mankind: God’s eternal law of love.” Pastor Jerry Pinzon echoes these sentiments when he affirms, “As long as there is a people not only willing to display them as stone monuments but also writing them on their hearts, this world will have to recognize God as the ruler of the universe.” This theme of rocks leads me to just a couple of pointed questions: Has our witness grown silent? Conversely, what does our witness say in

20 | FLAME Fall 2015

places like our homes where facades are so transparent and any form of hypocrisy is quickly identified? After all, the voice of a clear witness is so urgent that during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem in Luke 19 Jesus countered the Pharisees with the incisive words, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” As the Bible shows, our mission is to exclaim God’s message before the rocks have to do it for us. So the next time someone asks how you witness you can tell them, “Like a rock!”

Dr. Ingo Sorke holds a doctorate degree in New Testament studies and is a Professor of Religion at Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas

kidz korner

a G nd Yosemite r e h T ADVENTURE

Here is some stuff to do when you get bored. Some you can do on your own, but you need permission and help from an adult for others.

WITH A HOMEMADE LEAF STAMP! 1PAINT

Gather large falling leaves to craft into a homemade stamp. Just color the leaf with brightly colored paint and press onto paper.

PLAY PIE-EATER TAG!

Split into two groups, each named after a different flavor of pie. One player is the “Pie Eater” and stands in the middle of a field. He or she will call out the name of a pie and the group with that name must run past the “Pie Eater” without getting eaten!

A NEW FLAVOR OF POPCORN! 3CREATE

Explore the pantry to find the perfect popcorn seasoning. Pop a bag of plain popcorn and have fun making a brand new popcorn flavor!

4CRAFT A COZY BLANKET!

Take two large square pieces of soft fleece and place them on top of each other. Along the edge of the fabric, cut thick fringe. Tie the fringe from both fleece fabrics together for a cozy autumn blanket.

5GORACE!ON A LEAF-BLOWING

Race your friends to see who can use a straw to blow a leaf across the kitchen table fastest.

FUN FACTS

By Rosibel Ordoñez,

Social Butterfly and Nature Aficionado

California has always been a source of adventure

for my siblings and me, especially the enchanting Yosemite National Park. Knowing our love for camp and for the west, our friend Edna recommended that my sister Sabrina and I apply to work with her at Camp Wawona in Yosemite. Thankfully, all of us were hired. Friends, hiking, mountains, rivers and bears, a great recipe for an adventurous summer! That summer was unlike any other we had ever experienced! We often chilled by the river and hiked at night with only our sleeping bags and water in tow. Our fellow staff friends were highly skilled and familiar with the outdoors. They shunned the use of flashlights while hiking because “it would interfere with their night vision” and wore all-purpose (funny looking) shoes that were just not stylish enough for us Texas girls. They were so outdoorsy that they would stop to identify animal droppings to see what had been in the vicinity. We didn’t care for the droppings, and they often laughed at our novice expertise, but we enjoyed these excursions nonetheless. One weekend, while my brother Sammy was visiting, we decided to sleep outside on the breathtaking lookout area called Glacier Point. During the course of the summer, we had witnessed our friends get engaged there, observed adrenaline junkies jump off to hang glide, and soaked in the wondrous view Glacier Point offers. It was one of our favorite spots! The breeze was cool and the stars shined so brightly it felt as if you could reach up and touch them. We snacked a little and put the food away in the cars. If you know anything about camping around bears, you surely know the cardinal rule: Never leave food out! We hung out, joked around and marveled at the majestic night as we drifted off to sleep. As the rays of the sun began to peek over the horizon, we woke to the sound of indistinct conversation between two men who were looking over the ledge. “Oh no,” we thought. “We’re in trouble!” We quickly gathered our sleeping bags, but noticed they were only tourists. They beckoned us over and we hesitantly approached. They pulled out their video camera and played back what they had recorded a little earlier. A bear had visited us while we were sleeping! The bear sniffed around us as if searching for food and at one point completely hovered over Sammy. We were so shocked that our eyes almost popped out of our heads! I don’t know what we would have done if we had woken up to face a bear. There’s no way we would have played it cool and there wasn’t anywhere to run. We didn’t do anything particularly special in order to stay alive. In fact, we were sound asleep in the face of present danger. God protected us from a possible tragedy and we didn’t even know it! The Bible says in Psalm 34:7, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.” I learned that we are protected by angels and by God’s almighty hand daily, in big and small ways and a lot of times without Do you have a story? knowing. Share it with us! Send us That summer is etched in my memory as your story and we may use it the gateway to my curiosity toward nature. in the “kidz korner” of the Even as nature provides an incomparable stillnext FLAME issue! Email ness, mystery, and grandeur, we humans are the stories, 400 words or less, crown jewel of God’s creation. I encourage you to to FLAME@txsda.org seek Him in the purest form. God’s love surrounds us everywhere we go!

Yosemite National Park is the home to the tallest waterfall in America. The water drops 2,425 feet. That’s over seven times taller than the Statue of Liberty!

Over 7,000 species of plant can be found at Yosemite. That includes the giant sequoia tree, which is considered the largest living thing on the planet. The seed of a sequoia tree is only the size of a grain of oatmeal.

Mountains grow, just like trees! The process is very slow. In Yosemite, mountains grow an average of 1 foot every 1,000 years.

calendar

Events SEPTEMBER 13 ||

Disaster Response and Donations Operations Class at Jefferson Academy Seventh-day Adventist Church.

19 || Missional Compass

Local Church Ministry Leadership Training at Austin Stonehill Seventh-day Adventist Church.

19 ||

Children’s Sabbath School Training at the Dallas First Seventh-day Adventist Church.

20 || Women’s Ministries

Leadership Certification Training Level 4 at the Houston Central Seventh-day Adventist Church.

26 || Children’s Sabbath

School Training at the Keene Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church.

3 ||

Missional Compass Local Church Ministry Leadership Training at Alpha International Seventh-day Adventist Church.

3 || Children’s Sabbath School

Training at the Tyler Seventh-day Adventist Church.

4 ||

Dallas-Fort Worth Area Women’s Ministry Leadership Certification, Level 4 at the Texas Conference Office.

9-11 ||

Journey to Wholeness, North American Division training for Recovery Ministries at Southwestern Adventist Univserity.

16-18 ||

Adventurer Family Camp at Lake Whitney Ranch.

17 ||

Missional Compass Local Church Ministry Leadership Training at McAllen Valley Central MISSIONAL Spanish Seventh-day COMPASS Adventist Church.

23-25 ||

S.E.N.T. School of Evangelism at San Antonio Scenic Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church.

13-14 || Keene and Fort

Worth Area Young Adult Bible Camp for ages 18-35 at Lake Whitney Ranch.

14 || Estate Planning Seminar at San Antonio Korean Seventhday Adventist Church.

22 ||

Guatemala Mission Trip hosted by the Texas Conference Youth Department.

Week 1:

Mission 4

GUATEMALA Evangelistic Outreach Mission Trip

10 ||

Missional Compass Local Church Ministry Leadership Training at Houston Central Seventh-day Adventist Church.

10 || Estate Planning

Seminar at Donna Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church.

15-17 || Southwestern

Adventist University Days at Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, TX.

24 || Children’s Sabbath

School Training at the Edinburg Seventh-day Adventist Church.

24-Nov 14 ||

MOREhope Soul-Winning Festival in East Texas.

31 ||

Children’s Sabbath School Training at the Austin Spanish First Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Want more info?

EIGHT TOPICS PRESENTED OCTOBER 18-19

Sabbath, October 18th, 3-8 p.m. continued on October 19th, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

NOVEMBER

Training Certification available for anyone who works with the children in your church.

OCTOBER Tips and training

in all areas of children’s ministry, interactive classes, question and answer session, and much much more !!!

For information call Barbara Craft at 817-790-2255 ext.2118 TEXAS CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

Austin Spanish First Seventh-day Adventist Church 100 W Rundberg Ln., Austin, TX 78753

2-4 || Master Guide

Camporee at Lake Whitney Ranch.

22 | FLAME Fall 2015

16-18 || Retiree Retreat

at the Texas Conference Office.

7 || Children’s Sabbath School Training at the Houston Spanish Central Seventh-day Adventist Church.

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

NOV 19-30 Week 2:

NOV 29-DEC 8

The Texas Conference youth team will be present November 19-3

For more information and to register visit:

YoungTexasAdventist.org

advent movement

FLAME A publication of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Texas.

EDITORIAL Publisher..............................................Carlos Craig Editor.......................................Kristina P. Lockhart Associate Editor.................................... Jason Busch Assistant Spanish Editor.................Osvaldo Rigacci Layout Design....... Madelein Terreros, Sora E. Yañez Translation Coordination.........Kristina P. Lockhart Translators......... Mariangela Busby, Jorge Ordoñez, Silverman Terreros, Jackie Martinez, Alfredo Vergel

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.

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church Southwestern Adventist University

movement

Ruber and Ketty Leal Feature images by Aaron Thomas Photography

Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists P.O. Box 800, Alvarado, TX 76009 Phone: (817) 790-2255 www.TexasAdventist.org

Arturo Quintero, Jr:

Robson DeOliveira:

Associate Pastor Austin Spanish First and Kyle Spanish Churches

Pastor Houston Spring Creek and Katy Churches

ADMINISTRATION President...............................................Carlos Craig Treasurer...........................................Edwin Romero

Luis Cabrera:

Stephen Kabah:

Pastor Dallas Spanish Love Field and Mesquite Spanish Churches

Pastor San Antonio Fil-Am Church

PRINTING & MAILING Director...........................................Mario Ledezma Pressman .......................................... Miguel Gomez Designers..................................... Madelein Terreros Sora E. Yañez

Austen Powell:

Sergio Ochaeta:

Associate Pastor Cleburne First Church

Associate Pastor McAllen Spanish Valley Central Church

Jerrod Songy:

Byron Corbett:

Associate Pastor Joshua Crossroads Fellowship

Associate Pastor Richardson Church

Print Shop Assistant............................Doug Denny Administrative Assistant...................Erica Manzano

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: FLAME@txsda.org

FLAME | 23 Fall 2015

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

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Ft. Worth, TX Permit No. 3310

Join a team of family life specialists as they make this event an unforgettable experience for you and your spouse

IIam amSucceeding Succeeding Saturday “I“Inever neverimagined imaginedfour fouryears yearsago, ago,when whenI was I was called calledtoto night couple’s date night ministry, ministry,that thatone oneday dayI would I wouldbebethe theAssociate Associate Pastor Pastor & dinner will be on your own! atatthe theCleburne CleburneFirst FirstSeventh-day Seventh-dayAdventist AdventistChurch. Church. The Theonly onlyreason reasonI am I amhere heretoday todayis isbecause becauseofofthe the spiritual spiritualmentorship mentorshipand andacademic academicexcellence excellencethat thatI I found foundatatSouthwestern SouthwesternAdventist AdventistUniversity. University.AllAllI can I can say sayis,is,thank thankyou youSouthwestern Southwesternforforshaping shapingme meinto intothe the pastor pastorI am I amtoday.” today.” Austen, Austen,Theology, Theology,2015 2015 Associate AssociatePastor Pastoratatthe theCleburne CleburneSDA SDAChurch Church

Experience Experiencethe theSpirit SpiritofofSouthwestern! Southwestern! TEDx TEDx SouthwesternAU SouthwesternAU September September 2727

The The Power Power ofof Children Children exhibit exhibit November November 14–January 14–January 33

Parents’ Parents’ Weekend Weekend October October 2–4 2–4

Christmas Christmas break break December December 16–January 16–January 1010

University University Days Days October October 15–19 15–19

University University Experience Experience March March 17-20 17-20

University University Experience Experience University University Experience Experience Visit our website for weekend details and registration! www.BeForeverOne.org October October 29–November 29–November 11 April April 14-17 14-17 For questions call (817) 790-2255 EXT. 2108

Gala Gala Fundraising Fundraising Dinner Dinner November November 1212

199 Early Bird (per couple) Dates Dates areare subject subject to to change. change. Please Please check check our our website website to to stay stay upup to to date date onon allall events. events. + Lodging ($109 per night + tax) $

800-433-2240 800-433-2240 | enroll@swau.edu | enroll@swau.edu www.swau.edu www.swau.edu

• includes three meals per person, seminar materials, and a special gift • deadline july 15 extended to september 15 ┃ children not allowed