85408_Indiana_Conference_Newsletter.indd 1 9/15/15 10:31 AM
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85408_Indiana_Conference_Newsletter.indd 1 9/15/15 10:31 AM
85408_Indiana_Conference_Newsletter.indd 1 9/15/15 10:31 AM CONTENTS Steven Poenitz Indiana Conference President 1 Spiritual Empowerment 3 Empowering Young Adult Leaders 5 The Highest of All Gifts 6 Evangelism 7 The Priesthood of All Believers 9 Indiana Academy 11 Hispanic News 12 News Dear Indiana Brothers and Sisters, CONFERENCE CONNECTION Volume 26, Number 3 3rd Quarter 2015 A quarterly publication of the Indiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists® for its constituents. P.O. Box 5000 Westfield, IN 46074 www.indysda.org Editor in Chief: Steven Poenitz Managing Editor: Colleen Kelly Layout/Design: April Silva Printer: Color Press Spiritual Empowerment This past summer I’ve encountered three distinct episodes of spiritual empowerment1. At Timber Ridge Camp (TRC) on a Thursday night I encountered a spiritual passion to lead young people to Jesus by our youth staff. The campers responded to the spiritual appeal at the campfire program. While mingling with one staff member, he told me that’s why he came to TRC because of the spiritual appeal he found at our camp. Four hundred young people gave their hearts to Jesus this past summer with eight baptisms so far! Thanks, Pastor Charlie & Trish Thompson and youth camp staff for empowering our young people! My second encounter with spiritual empowerment came from a report that nearly 100 Timber Ridge campers from the West Indy neighborhood church plant (WIN) were sponsored to camp this summer. On Sabbath, August 8, four of those WIN boys were baptized! Thanks to Pastor Nelson & April Silva and the Brownsburg Church for empowering our youth and sponsoring them to a full week of evangelism and outreach at camp! These are life-changing experiences for eternity. 85408_Indiana_Conference_Newsletter.indd 2 9/15/15 10:31 AM On Sabbath August 1, we witnessed a stirring passion for mission as nearly 200 Maga-book students2 revealed spiritual empowerment for mission. At our Indiana Academy campus the Maga-book teams from Indiana and Michigan celebrated the conclusion to their summer doorto-door work by a weekend iShare Rally highlighting God’s providences. How was that passion demonstrated? Through rousing song services, testimonies reported, and victories recounted from door-to-door literature sales and Bible study enrollments across Indiana—Evansville, Columbus, Crown Point, Lafayette, etc. Many rally attendees exclaimed, “That was an inspiring Sabbath!” As our Lake Union President Don Livesay appealed to those students for future full-time service as pastors, teachers, and treasury workers, 50-plus young people responded to the call. Moments later the remaining young people chose to commit their lives to Jesus for life-long ministry in their anticipated professions. iShare Sabbath demonstrated how the baton of leadership can be handed to our young people. They are being empowered as able leaders of God’s cause. “With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world” (Ed 271)! Thanks, Pastor Matt & Amanda Hasty, for coordinating the summer Maga-book ministry with the students in Indiana! Yes, they uplifted Jesus in outreach to campers and door-to-door ministry; Yes, our youth experienced spiritual empowerment for ministry; Yes, many will attend Adventist Christian institutions this coming school year; Yes, like our Seventh-day Adventist® forbearers, young people were mentored in the prime of their life for ministry; And yes, many responded to the call to become church Back in May our pastors met at Timber Ridge Camp leaders as pastors and teachers—thus carrying on to chart the future course for the Indiana Conference. the legacy of the Three Angels’ Messages. The pastors now recommend that the laity of Indiana consider these Big Five+ as initiatives to be presented Should we not each summer prior to the General in Fall Focus Groups around the state: Conference 2020 Session in Indianapolis support and recruit more youth as we plan our outreach efforts?! 1. Promote Outreach/Evangelism How about your summer? Did you empower young 2. Empower the laity people in mission? Maybe distributing GLOW tracts together, conducting Bible studies with our youth, 3. Foster Adventist Christian education taking a young person with you on a hospital visit, 4. Mentor Youth/Young Adults as spiritual leaders sponsoring a young person from your church for Adventist Christian education, or preparing a young 5. Support our Teachers and Pastors person to conduct an evangelistic meeting on March + Prepare for GC 2020 Session in Indianapolis 28, 2016 (our churches will be holding meetings with the other Lake Union churches)—you and the Holy Question? Did the episodes cited above about the Spirit fill in the blanks! camp staff, the West Indy Church Plant, and the 20 Maga-book students fit the recommended Big Five+ Yours for empowering our young people as church and community leaders, Vision? Bro. Steve 1Spiritual empowerment is the process whereby people (especially our youth) are given the ability, authority, and agency to make decisions and to experience the Holy Spirit’s work in their own lives and the lives of other people. 2Maga-book students are summer literature evangelists who seek donations for Seventh-day Adventist® message books. They go door-to-door finding thirsty souls for eternal matters. 85408_Indiana_Conference_Newsletter.indd 3 __________ CONNECTION 2 9/15/15 10:31 AM Written by Charlie Thompson Youth/Pathfinder Director Indiana Conference Photos by Colleen Kelly Indiana Conference Many people think of Timber Ridge Camp (TRC) as a place where campers spend a week experiencing new activities, meeting new friends and learning more about Jesus. This is all true. However, TRC has another mission as well; the mission to train young adult leaders. Through the years, hundreds of young people have worked at camp as counselors, lifeguards, wranglers in the horse barn and many other areas. Their experience has led them to make life decisions and has enhanced their leadership potential. Empowering Young Adult Leaders As an example, after a week of orientation and training, counselors are put in charge of 8-12 campers. They are responsible for making sure the campers are on time for meals and all the daily activities. They are responsible for discipline and personal needs of these campers. They also become aware that they are Christian role models for each child in their cabin. It is amazing each year to watch counselors embrace this role and grow into youth leaders. There are also opportunities at camp for young adults to learn management skills. TRC is divided into areas with a young adult “ADMIN” staff in charge. As an “A-STAFF,” they are responsible to take care of the needs of those working under them as well as keeping each area running safely and smoothly. Many of our TRC staff members who have attained this level of leadership at camp move on to become successful pastors, teachers, doctors as well as other leadership areas. Many have commented that they learned much about leadership while working at camp. Arlene Giron, Girl’s Director, and Richard Davisson, Boy’s Director (pictured right), will be using skills learned at TRC as they move forward in their lives. Arlene is now an Assistant Girls Dean at Bass Memorial Academy in Lumberton, Mississippi. Richard is a teacher at the Village Elementary School in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Both of these Christian young adult leaders acknowledge that they will be using skills in their new positions that they learned at TRC. “Camp has groomed me for my new job,” Arlene said. “I learned how to discipline with a fair, kind and just manner.” __________ TRC is more than just a summer camp. It’s a place where Christian leaders are developed! 3 CONNECTION 85408_Indiana_Conference_Newsletter.indd 4 9/15/15 10:31 AM Arlene Giron, Joe Rivera, and Rabel Ortiz at the activity headquarters table down by the lake. Camp instructors taught teens many skills during the week. Camper Kaylyn Hession has been attending Timber Ridge for 11 years. She is also a canvasser with the Maga-book ministry. Lorrain Alicea Adrienne Samos Erica Bradfield Nature Center at Timber Ridge Camp 85408_Indiana_Conference_Newsletter.indd 5 9/15/15 10:31 AM The Highest of All Gifts! New Holy Spirit Curriculum for Indiana Schools Indiana Adventist schools will be blessed with a new Bible studies curriculum this year. The Lake Union Conference Mission-Driven School Committee with authors Amanda Hasty, teacher at Cicero Adventist Elementary School, Heidi Bullock, Heidi Hunt and Kristen Landfare developed this resource with a passion to make the Gift of the Holy Spirit more understandable and meaningful to children. “We desire our students to experience the power of the Holy Spirit working in them and through them each day,” said Hasty. This resource is a compilation of interactive lesson plans on the Holy Spirit, designed to be used as worship thoughts throughout the school year. The lessons are divided into four different themes: The Trinity, Who the Holy Spirit Is and What He Does, How to Receive Him, and The Fruits of the Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit cannot be seen, children are given real world objects to compare: The Holy Spirit is like a Dove, the Wind, like Glasses, and a Comforting White Blanket. Students will understand that even though you cannot see the Holy Spirit, He is there. “We desire our students to experience the power of the Holy Spirit working in them and through them each day.” “We pray that in each classroom the work of the Holy Spirit will be evident in the lives of students and teachers alike, and that the presence of Jesus may be deeply felt,” Amanda said. Amanda Hasty There are three sets of materials, one for K-4, one for 5-8, and another for 9-12. __________ 5 CONNECTION 85408_Indiana_Conference_Newsletter.indd 6 9/15/15 10:31 AM EVANGELISM more.” Eloise Wineland, another Hammond church member, agreed. One of the visitors asked Pastor DeLong why he was teaching them about Bible Prophecy symbols. Pastor DeLong answered, “In Apocalyptic Prophecy, God often speaks with symbols and shrouds Bible truth from One of the visitors asked the proud at Pastor DeLong why he was while Pastors Stephen DeLong and Allen Shepherd teamed heart, people with an teaching them about Bible up to hold a 10-day evangelism series on “The Last Days, an Intelligent Look into Bible Prophecy” in August. open heart who Prophecy symbols. Seven graduate students from Andrews University want to learn assisted with the meetings, helping with videotaping will be led by God’s Word through the Holy Spirit as the talks and event support. The meetings were they discover Prophetic truth.” Luke 8:10, Luke 10:21. held at the Clarion Inn in Merrillville, Ind., and served DVD’s of this series are available at: the Hammond and Crown Point area. More than [email protected]. forty visitors as well as area church members came to learn about end times. David Kaemerer, a long- More evangelism meetings like this will be held time attendee of Hammond Seventh-day Adventist® around the state this fall. Plan to attend and take a Church, said, “I am fascinated and just want to learn friend or neighbor. Revelations of Prophecy Series Held in Merrillville __________ CONNECTION 6 85408_Indiana_Conference_Newsletter.indd 7 9/15/15 10:31 AM The Priesthood of All Believers The Seventh-day Adventist Church® is greatly indebted to the Protestant movement which took place in Europe during the 1500’s. One of the main reformers, Martin Luther, restored the New Testament teaching that every believer in Christ is a priest and has equal access to God. The Bible teaches we do not need a human mediator to represent us, for we can approach the throne of God directly through the one mediator Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). He intercedes for us in the heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 8:1-5, 4:15-16). By faith in Christ’s shed blood, we can find the forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9). As liberating as the truth of the priesthood of all believers is, we have not yet seen the full implications of this teaching in the Church. The Protestant Reformation has gone only so far. There still remains in the minds of many members a distinction between clergy and laity. The clergy are considered to be the main players- they are the capable ones, the trained ones, the “called” ones. The laity see themselves in an inferior role which leads them to often sit on the sidelines and watch the “professionals” do ministry. This distinction has created serious problems for the church down through the years. Primarily, God’s work has been stifled because only a few are doing ministry. Much more could be done if God’s people would sense their calling and use the gifts and talents they have been given through the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, it has created many “Monday morning quarterbacks”. The spectator becomes the professional critic. “Why was this done?” “What kind of committee decided this anyway?” “Why did she say that?” “Why did he do that?” Spectator Christianity ultimately becomes a critical, sterile Christianity. When we look at the early years of the Adventist church, we see that the church was mainly a lay movement. During this time, the church saw tremendous growth. Why? Members were actively serving in ministry. There were no settled pastors in North America until the early 1900’s. __________ 7 CONNECTION 85408_Indiana_Conference_Newsletter.indd 8 9/15/15 10:31 AM The time has come where ministry needs to be done differently in God’s remnant church. Due to the strain on finances, we are being driven back to our Protestant roots where everyone is a minister. God intends that all His followers should care for and nurture others. All are to be visiting, praying, and giving Bible studies. Such roles are not just limited to the pastor. In fact, many in the church can do these ministries more effectively because there is only so much that the pastor can do. In light of this New Testament teaching, what are we willing to put on the altar for Jesus Christ? What are we willing to give up for the cause of the gospel? Every believer is a priest. Everyone has a ministry to perform. What a privilege! What an honor! Having such a royal status, let us grab hold of the role God has given us to further His work. ”But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:4-5) by Pastor Vic Van Schaik Cicero SDA Church 85408_Indiana_Conference_Newsletter.indd 9 9/15/15 10:31 AM Indiana Academy Students Return to Campus The excitement was contagious as students began piling onto the IA campus on August 18. Registration for the 2015-16 year was underway! Although every student was required to preregister, there were still some stations to visit and a few long lines to endure! But that was okay, because everywhere students were smiling, laughing, and having fun reuniting with friends and meeting new ones. “As I came back to the campus, it was good to see everyone, especially my classmates and realizing that we are now seniors,” said Marialexxa Holman, IA senior. A few hours later the rain was really coming down as the students were headed to handshake, a long-time Indiana Academy SA event where everyone gets to put faces with names. The gym was full of planned events that enabled the returning students to “break the ice” with those that were new. “When I walked into the gym, I was amazed at how many new students there were and the opportunities there were to make new friends,” said Taylor Uphus, IA sophomore. After joint worship, a tired bunch headed to the dorms or home to rest up for the first week ahead. We are grateful and feel very blessed to have 120 wonderful young people to teach, mentor, and point to Jesus. There are 34 freshman, 38 sophomores, 22 juniors, and 26 seniors. We covet your prayers as the staff and We are grateful and feel very blessed to have 120 wonderful young people to teach, mentor, and point to Jesus. __________ 9 CONNECTION 85408_Indiana_Conference_Newsletter.indd 10 9/15/15 2:42 PM students daily seek God’s direction in our lives and on our campus. We know that when the Holy Spirit is present, lives are changed; and the atmosphere is catching. We are almost at capacity, but if you know a young person who desires to receive the benefits of Adventist Christian Education, please call Kathy Griffin at 317.694.3260. We will do whatever we can to make it happen for them. by Kathy Griffin Marketing and Development Director Calendar of Events: September Home-leave September 16 - 20 Project 58 October 6 Alumni Weekend October 9 & 10 Fall Festival October 11 Parent-Teacher Conferences October 14 Home-leave October 14 Junior History Trip October 14 - 22 PMC Church Service/Dunes October 24 Senior Dedication November 7 Thanksgiving Break November 20 - 29 Journey to Bethlehem December 5 & 6 Night of Hope December 12 Christmas Break December 16 - Jan 3 www.iasda.org Indiana Academy Facebook Page www.iaalumni.org __________ CONNECTION 10 85408_Indiana_Conference_Newsletter.indd 11 9/15/15 10:32 AM HISPANIC NEWS Voluntarios participantes en la Feria de Salud llevada a cabo el 16 de Agosto en la Iglesia Central. Estudiantes UCTLAI Steven Poenitz Laicos Ganadores de Almas Listos High School Rescatistas CERT Templo Iglesia Lawrence Saila Pastores Tass / Castillo Retiro Club de Guias Mayores 11 CONNECTION 85408_Indiana_Conference_Newsletter.indd 12 9/15/15 10:32 AM NEWS Indiana Conference Develops Big Five+ Strategic Plan for 2015-2020 Here are the five strategic goals the Indiana Conference will be focusing on for the next five years. Our mission is to reach Indiana and the world with distinctive, Christcentered three angel’s messages which lead people to become fully devoted disciples of Jesus. A more complete document is available from the Conference office. As we implement plans to reach these goals, think how you and your local church members and students can participate. You’ll be invited to participate in fall focus groups on these Big Five+ initiatives at regional meetings. 1. Promote Outreach/Evangelism 2. Empower the laity 3. Foster Adventist Christian education 4. Mentor Youth/Young Adults as spiritual leaders 5. Support our Teachers and Pastors + Prepare for GC 2020 Session in Indianapolis TRANSITIONS Here are some transitions that have occurred over the summer. These moves have been made to empower lay leadership, faithfully steward our resources, and distribute district responsibilities with our pastors. Women’s Ministries Retreat Women’s Ministry weekend will be held October 16-18 at the Embassy Suites North Hotel in Indianapolis. Pastor Elizabeth Talbot’s theme for the weekend is It’s All About Jesus. Sign up now for this opportunity for spiritual growth and renewal. You will find the registration information on the conference website under “Women’s Ministries”. Just click on Registration and Brochure under Upcoming Events! • Pastor Art and Patty Dmytriyev will be serving the Lafayette and Frankfort churches. • Pastor Dave and Marie Tenold have just arrived to serve our Carmel congregation. • Pastor Ernie and Karen Peckham are now working with the newly-formed district of Knox/Plymouth/Rochester/ Warsaw. • Pastor Don and Luann Greulich have taken Wolcottville church in addition to their assignments of Angola and Elkhart. • Pastor Matt and Amanda Hasty will continue to work with the Maga-book ministry, but also serve the Kokomo church. • Pastor Blake and Gina Hall continue serving the Logansport/Monticello district in their retirement. • Pastor Lee Whitman, Anderson church, will partner with Richard Byrd, first elder of the New Castle church. CONNECTION 12 85408_Indiana_Conference_Newsletter.indd 13 9/15/15 10:32 AM Pastors & Elders Workshops Held in September John and Millie Youngberg conducted two workshops in September for pastors and elders at South Bend, Ind. SDA Church and at the Columbus, Ind. SDA Church. The focus was Youngberg’s new book, Jesus - Who is He? Their curriculum featured tools for Bible studies, evangelism, and outreach to one’s neighbors. NEWS Indianapolis Junior Academy Acquires New Van The Indianapolis Junior Academy school board and members of Glendale Seventh-day Adventist® Church and area Hispanic SDA churches have teamed up to fund the acquisition of a new school van for student transportation this year. Principal Norris Ncube takes pride in this accomplishment providing this new service for students. Hector Velasquez, a member of the Central Hispanic church in Indianapolis, has been hired as the van driver. His two children attend IJA. The school will also use this new asset for field trips and other school events. Grow Indiana What is ACS Disaster Response? The Grow Indiana Evangelism capital campaign that started at Camp Meeting in June has now reached $72,000 toward the $100,000 goal. More pledges are coming in that show laity support for spreading the Gospel to people in Indiana. Adventist Community Services volunteers provide disaster response services through the ACS Disaster Response Ministry to assist individuals, families and communities affected by natural disasters and unforeseen tragedies. Richard Norris, pastor at Evansville First Church, doubles his ministry as the Disaster Coordinator for the Indiana Conference. At Camp Meeting last June, Norris distributed yellow Disaster Response Buckets to all Indiana churches and provided a list of items needed to fill the buckets for disaster preparedness. He also has created a page on the Indiana Conference website for disaster response. After leaving the military Norris was employed by DOD Civil Service. He worked In Japan as the Fleet Industrial Supply Centers, Transportation Manager. Many of his responsibilities included fleet support, logistics and disaster preparedness. __________ 13 CONNECTION 85408_Indiana_Conference_Newsletter.indd 14 9/15/15 10:32 AM School Year Off to a Good Start! The 2015-2016 school year is underway! We currently have 120 students registered at Indiana Academy. Some of our elementary schools have gained a significant number of new students due to new Pre-K student enrollments, especially at Indianapolis Junior Academy and Cross Street Christian School. On Monday, August 10, all Indiana teachers completed in-service training before schools opened on August 17. Part of the training included recertification for CPR and First Aid. We have several new teachers joining the Indiana team this year; Chrissy Nedrow at Aboite Christian School (Fort Wayne, 1-4); David Solis at Cross Street Christian School (Anderson, 6-8); Debbie Gottke at Carmel Seventh-day Adventist School (Carmel, 1-8); Jennifer Semillano at Door Prairie Adventist School (La Porte, 1-8); and Tirza Rideout at Indianapolis Junior Academy (Indianapolis, 1-3); Eunice Barney and Yesenia Ortega at Indianapolis Junior Academy (new Pre-K). Herb Wrate from Terre Haute, Ind., has stepped in as our Interim Superintendent of Education, and Rabel Ortiz, from Puerto Rico, has been hired to serve as Administrative Assistant for Education as well as the membership clerk for the conference. She replaces Amy Litzenberger who moved to Florida for a new position. Herb Wrate Interim Superintendent of Education We welcome all of our new staff and students coming to class for quality Adventist Christian education. May the Lord bless our teachers, students, parents, schools and churches who are investing huge support for this ongoing ministry of evangelism/outreach to our young people. Mizo Group Becomes a Company The Mizo Mission Group served by Pastor Chawngthu reached the milestone of “company” status in May. They now have 150 members in attendance at the Southside location where they worship. In addition, Pastor Lalmuansanga Chawngthu was ordained to the gospel ministry on July 25. News by Colleen Kelly Education Marketing Director Indiana Conference __________ CONNECTION 14 85408_Indiana_Conference_Newsletter.indd 15 9/15/15 10:32 AM Indiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists® P.O. Box 5000 Westfield, IN 46074 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED EVENTS New at your Indiana ABC! The Indiana ABC is your resource for spiritual growth, sharing books, health materials, natural foods and much more! Get more out of your lesson study with the 4th quarter lesson helps book. Call us toll free at 1-866222-6687 and order yours today! just $13.99! Financial Report YTD Gross 2015 2014 % Inc Tithe Income $4,887,081 $4,473,764 9.0% Indiana Advance $82,382 $81,300 1.3% INDIANA ADVANCE: Each dollar received as Indiana Advance is used in Indiana and is distributed as follows: Elementary Education: 35% Evangelism: 20% Indiana Academy: 10% Church/School Building Subsidy: 6.7% Youth Camp: 15% Church Ministries: 13.3% Our Offices are located at: Indiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists® 15205 Westfield Boulevard Carmel, IN 46032 For more information contact the Indiana Conference at 317.844.6201 www.indysda.org 85408_Indiana_Conference_Newsletter.indd 16 OCTOBER 2-4 9-10 16-18 16-17 Brown County Mountain BIKE Blowout IA Alumni Weekend Annual Women’s Retreat SEEDS Fort Wayne NOVEMBER 6-8 Pathfinder Leadership Weekend (TRC) 13-15 Pathfinder Coordinators Retreat (TRC) Do You Need a Will? Many people, especially young individuals and those who feel that their estate is too small, believe that a will represents an unnecessary expense. The reality is that you need a plan for the future, and the preparation of a will need not be expensive. A properly written will allows you to name an executor, to appoint guardians of your minor children, and to make gifts to loved ones and charities, as you desire. Without a will, the state will determine how your assets are distributed and who will be named guardian of your children. Please contact the Indiana Conference Planned Giving & Trust Services office for more information about planning for your family’s future. 9/15/15 10:32 AM