Jesus Wins! - Indiana Conference Seventh
Transcription
Jesus Wins! - Indiana Conference Seventh
CONFERENCE CONNECTION Volume 26, Number 4 4th 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 CONTENTS 2 Grandparents: Crucial 7 Making Time for God by Conference President Steven Poenitz 8 Indiana Churches: Unlock Revelation Series Teens in Action! Partners in Mission 3 Abide in Me by Superintendent of Education Herb Wrate 4 Called to Serve LUC Youth Evangelism Congress 5 Pathfinder Leadership by Pastor Charlie Thompson 6 More Than Just Mountain Biking! by Pastor Charlie Thompson 9 by Evangelism Coordinator Harvey Kornegay by Kathy Griffin 11 Hispanic News by Pastor Antonio Rosario 12 News Big Five+ Plan, Hope for a World in Crisis, Jesus Wins!, Ncube Family, IA Health and Fitness Day, Transitions GRANDPARENTS: CRUCIAL PARTNERS IN MISSION Why are some third-generation “believers” so angry at the religion of their grandparents? That’s the question Leslie Hardinge asks while probing the fall of Babylon in 539 B.C. and Belshazzar’s rebellion. In his book Jesus is My Judge Hardinge poses this question: “Why was Belshazzar, the grandson of good king Nebuchadnezzar, so set against God? Perhaps it was the knowledge that what he possessed had come as blessings from Jehovah. Or that his position was contingent on Daniel’s guidance of Babylonian politics. All this aroused his resentment. He sensed that he was not really independent, and felt hemmed in by principles he did not wish to accept. He considered himself threatened by the faithfulness of those who did. Their righteous lives condemned him every time he encountered them. Whatever the combination of factors, Belshazzar was in a rage (especially the night Babylon fell) against God and chose a path of defiance against His principles“ (page 67). But we must explore Belshazzar’s grandfather, Nebuchadnezzar. God worked on behalf of Belshazzar’s grandpa through a series of divine interventions. In Daniel 1, 2, 3, and 4, this heathen king testifies of God’s relentless pursuit of his own soul. After Daniel appealed to this Babylonian ruler to set his house in order—God took him to the pasture for 7 years. But through lycanthropy (humans behaving like animals) Nebuchadnezzar’s pride was removed, and he discovered the Lord God rules in the kingdoms of men as the Real King (Daniel 4:34-37)! God made one final appeal through dramatic handwriting on the wall of Belshazzar’s palace and God’s aging prophet. Daniel reminded Belshazzar of his grandfather’s journey in the fields of grass. In fact Leslie Hardinge suggests (p. 71) that Belshazzar knew well the story of his grandfather’s 7-year lapse from the throne. He probably knew the story from sitting on grandpa’s lap many years earlier. Scripture states, “But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this” (Daniel 5:22). You’ve seen them too—grandparents who make sure to bring their grandchildren with them to camp meeting! And from those camp meeting connections students have made friends and enrolled in Indiana Academy or one of our Indiana church schools. I am impressed with the devotion of grandparents who envision a bright future for their descendants. While grandpa and grandma may not be standing in line with a student registering for one of our Adventist church schools, often they have almost totally covered the enrollment and tuition fees! A Thanksgiving luncheon I’ll not forget occurred at our church school where grandparents were honored for being stakeholders in the young—investing in and developing leaders for our church. Those septuagenarians provided abundant resources for our church school—new lunch tables, PA and PE equipment, etc. Beside finances and material resources, grandparents assisted classroom teachers by volunteering many hours tutoring students. That Thanksgiving meal experience cheered my heart as I watched our sharply-dressed students waiting on the tables of grandpas and grandmas! Grandparents, you are partners in God’s mission for your children and grandchildren. Don’t give up on those precious loved ones. God wants to use you as His partners in His mission to save your children and grandchildren. Claim the prophet’s promise from the days of Judah’s exile: “For I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children” (Isaiah 49:25). Steven Poenitz Indiana Conference President __________ CONNECTION 2 in Me Abide On the path to Gethsemane Jesus asked the 11 disciples to pray and abide in Him. If they had followed His counsel, the next few hours and days would have been less difficult. Jesus told them: “I AM the true vine, you are the branches… He who abides in Me, and I in him bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:1,5 Since Jesus is the TRUE Vine, it would be reasonable to believe there is a false vine. We need to be cut off from that false vine and be grafted into the True Vine, Jesus. Mrs. White writes “He (Jesus) grafts us into His life and into His character.” TSBAD 135 Being grafted is great, but having a relationship with Jesus for only a couple of hours Sabbath morning, an hour at prayer meeting, and five minutes each morning just doesn’t add up to “ABIDING. ” Without being attached to the grapevine constantly, the branch withers and dies. Gen. 5:22,24 tells us that “Enoch walked with God 300 years…and he was not, for God took him.” “As you go about your daily labor, let your heart be often uplifted to God. It was thus that Enoch walked with God.” (Steps to Christ p. 68) Are we walking with God? My wife Phyllis and I regularly walk together about two miles most days. As we walk we sometimes pray individually, we talk, we memorize scripture and Spirit of Prophesy quotes. We abide together. Paul, in 1 Thess. 5:17, admonishes us to “Pray without ceasing.” That would be one excellent fulfillment of the request of Jesus to Abide in Him. The natural result of living attached to the vine includes bearing fruit. By abiding in the True Vine, Jesus, He promises: “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit.” John 15:5 In Gal. 5:22,23 the fruit of the Spirit is defined as “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, gentleness, self-control.” __________ 3 CONNECTION Fruit can also be exhibited by our helping God to graft children, neighbors, fellow workers, etc. into a relationship with Jesus. How is your fruit developing? by Herb Wrate, Superintendent of Education, Indiana Conference THANK YOU HOOSIERS! Thank you Hoosier church members for your faithful Stewardship during the month of October. Your increase in tithes contributed to the health of our organization and mission for Christ. N ovember 6 - 8 more than 160 Adventurer and Pathfinder leaders converged at Timber Ridge Camp for a weekend of intense training. There were three main tracks to choose from: Master Guide Certification, an Adventurer Basic Staff Training, as well as a Pathfinder Basic Staff Training. Our special keynote speaker was Armando Miranda, NAD associate youth director. Next year’s leadership weekend will include certifications for Club Directors, TLTs and all staff positions for both Adventurers and Pathfinders. Save the date of November 4 - 6, 2016! Join us for another great weekend of fellowship, inspiration and learning as we prepare our army of youth to finish God’s work here on earth! r e d in f h Pat ership d a e d L n e k e e W __________ 5 CONNECTION on r ps ecto m ir ho r D nce T e e e rli find nfer a Ch ath Co by h/P na ut ia Yo Ind Each year in October, young people from around our conference get together at Timber Ridge Camp for a weekend of camping, great food and world-class mountain biking at Brown County State Park. More importantly, we spend special time learning more about our Creator and His plan for our lives. This year was no exception! Our special guest speaker was Pastor Manny Ojeda, youth director from Illinois Conference and an avid mountain biker. school, they traveled to a trail 20 minutes away. These young people, who live in one of the roughest neighborhoods in Indianapolis, learned to ride the trails while hanging out with Christian role models. Their reward for riding twice a week was to be invited to join our Brown County Blowout weekend. One of the boys, after his first ride on the trail, told the leaders this was his first time to ever be in the woods! In the end four boys from the program joined the weekend This year we added a new component. Starting the of fun and spiritual emphasis. end of August, Nelson Silva, Ray Stephenson, Nick Harris and Pastor Charlie Thompson When we visited the homes of the boys who were dedicated two days a week to an planning on attending the mountain bike weekend, after school program at George Carl’s* mother, with tears in her eyes, told us he was Washington public school. in trouble; he desperately needed Jesus. During the They introduced inner weekend, we watched this hardened, angry young city students to the sport man fall in love with mountain biking. He showed a of mountain biking. receptive heart to Pastor Manny’s messages of God’s After picking the love and His plan for his life. students up Getting young people outdoors, in God’s second book t from the of nature, is more important than ever! This world is ! s g u n J full of an overwhelming array of distractions that take n Biki a h our eyes off of Jesus. Summer camp, Pathfinders and T ain e weekends like these are powerful tools that can or unt be used to help our youth turn their eyes M o M on Him. N Y T T W U N O O U R B COLOW B *Name was changed to protect minor __________ 6 D uring the time of ancient Israel, most of Israel forgot the God of heaven. They were so caught up with life and false worship that they forgot their calling. They were to prepare the whole earth for the first coming of the Messiah. We as God’s last day church can, if not careful, fall into the same way of life. We may not serve an idol of wood or gold, but one that has a flat screen, working for a living, family, or one that fits in your hand. We forget to put God first and foremost in our lives. We forget to make the preparation of the world for the coming of the Messiah our first priority. God has commanded us to “Go” make disciples. The territory is vast, the entire world. Our part of this vast territory is the community around our churches, neighborhoods, work places, etc. He has asked us to love, care for and teach the people we come in contact with in preparation for Jesus’ soon coming. We are living in an amazing time to preach and teach. The world’s financial system is falling apart. World conflicts are rising. The antichrist system is going around the world and growing in influence. The morals of man have slipped to an all time low. Paul stated it like this: “1But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5having a form of godliness but denying its power.” II Timothy 3: 1-5 We are living in a time when our message is being written in the morning newspaper and seen on television. We have an opportunity to join hands with fellow believers across the Lake Union and make 2016 a time to finish the last day message in our part of the vineyard. In March churches across the Union will hold meetings at the same time proclaiming the Three Angels’ Message with power and in unity. There will be extra evangelism funds made available from the Lake Union and Indiana Conferences for these meetings. We have the opportunity to come together in unity with the mighty Spirit of God and make a difference in our churches and communities. Please pray that God will work on the hearts of our members and draw us close together as partners in vision, as we “Go” into our Indiana communities to finish His work. MAKING TIME for God’s Work Harvey Kornegay __________ 7 CONNECTION Indiana Conference Evangelism Coordinator, Senior Pastor Glendale Seventh-day Adventist Church For more information about meetings in your area, check your local church website or the Indiana Conference website at www.indysda.org. __________ CONNECTION 8 Project 58 is a focus that our campus embraces because it gives us opportunities to minister. During the last four years Indiana Academy young people have taken one afternoon each month to demonstrate selfless acts of kindness. We believe that serving the greater community in practical ways will help prepare our students for life-long ministry. Showing our neighbors in tangible ways that we are caring people is the first step in building relationships. Best of all, being involved in this program first-hand has given our students many insights into why ministry is so important. Agape Therapeutic Riding Center pod - Andrew Rupert, Caleb Whitman, & Edwin Schultz Here are three accounts of student experiences and how they feel service has impacted them: “Working in the Agape Therapeutic Riding Center pod is a great experience. We get to help the volunteers who work there on a regular basis so they can spend more time helping their disabled participants. At first it seems like we really aren’t making a difference. We do small jobs like spreading new layers of mulch, cleaning out the horse enclosures, replacing old hay, etc., but then the volunteers who work there all the time tell us how much it helps, how every job that we do allows them more time to spend helping those who need it. Sometimes working behind the scenes like that can really make a big difference, and it feels amazing!” -- Caleb Whitman, IA Senior & Student Association President __________ 9 CONNECTION Annual Leaf Rake day - Group Photo “I really enjoy Project 58 because it has given me a chance to see what real service toward others is like. In the Birthright Pod, I get the chance to make things like blankets and teddy bears. I love that by doing this, we are bringing comfort and joy to mothers in need. When we put on our IA shirts and go out into the community, I feel like I am not only representing our school, but our Heavenly Father. “ -- Jessica Leal, IA Sophomore Class Parliamentarian “This year I have had the opportunity to work in the Wheelers Mission pod for Project 58. Wheelers Mission has many shelters for homeless people. During our time there we get to sort through food and clothing donations and also help organize their thrift store. God has blessed me so much and it feels good to be able to help give back to those less fortunate than me.” Birthright pod - Jillian Eskridge & Alex Eskridge; Mrs. Jenny Smith, Adrien Guzman, Tyra Castle -- Taylor Uphus, IA Sophomore Class President Most students are eager to help those in need. The future that our young people face requires them to not only be well prepared academically, but to also be steeped in Christ’s ministry methods. The pod that each student joins is a seed that will grow and be an asset all along life’s way. To make this happen, young people in this age group must be engaged in ministry many times over in different capacities. SCHEDULE Helping Hands pod - J.D. Todd-Pickett, Chad Trubey & Josh Smith We consider ourselves blessed to have this ministry along with students who love it and look forward to participating. Although Isaiah 58 is the biblical model for this program, Matthew 25:40 is our motto: “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Selfless acts of kindness and compassion are how Christ approached His ministry. Our goal is to be like Him by showing humanity that there is hope in Jesus and love in mankind. Training 115 teens in ministry might seem like a daunting task, but it is well worth it! Please put these teenagers on your prayer list as they go beyond their comfort zones and develop ministry skills to be effective ambassadors for Christ. Bread & Cookie pod Mr. Greg Mosher & Amber Kwon by Kathy Griffin, Marketing and Development Director, Indiana Academy Jan 16 Senior Dedication Jan 18 Day of Service Feb 3-7 Feb 9 Feb 14 Feb 19-20 Feb 27 March 2-5 March 8 Home Leave Project 58 Day Mother-Daughter Brunch IN Youth Rally at IJA Junior Recognition AU Music Festival Project 58 Day March 10-20 Spring Break Mar 31-Apr 2 IN Conf. Music Festival April 12 April 18 - 24 Apr 29-May 1 May 4-5 Project 58 Day Senior Class Trip Spring Music Tour Biology Trip May 10 Project 58 Day May 14 Spring Concert May 15 SA Olympics May 27-29 Graduation __________ CONNECTION 10 HISPANIC OFICINA MINISTERIOS HISPANOS NEWS 2016 Mayores Eventos Enfasis del Calendario ENERO DEVOCIÓN ESPIRITUAL PERSONAL Enero 4 - 6 Enero 6-16 Enero 17 FEBRERO AMOR Y AMISTAD MARZO EVANGELISMO PERSONAL ABRIL ESPÍRITU DE PROFECÍA MAYO EVANGELISMO JUVENIL JUNIO MINISTERIO INFANTIL JULIO MINISTERIO GRUPOS PEQUEñOS AGOSTO EDUCACIÓN ADVENTISTA SEPTIEMBRE SALUD Y TEMPERANCIA OCTUBRE EVANGELISMO PÚBLICO NOVIEMBRE ÉNFASIS DESARROLLO LIDERES DICIEMBRE MAYORDOMÍA & CONSAGRACIÓN Febrero 12-15 Febrero 19-20 Febrero 21 Marzo 13 Marzo 19-27 Abril 17 Abril 22-24 Mayo 6-7 Mayo 8 Mayo 15 Junio 3-5 Junio 5-9 Junio 12-18 Junio 18 Junio 26 Julio 3-5 Julio 17 Agosto 21 Sept 2-5 Sept 3 Sept 9-10 Sept 15-18 Octubre 15-22 Octubre 22 Nov. 18-19 Nov. 24 Dic. 17-24 Pastors’ Winter Retreat NAD 10 Días de Oración Apertura ICTLAI (Instituto Entrenamiento) LUC Youth Evangelist Congress Indiana Conference Youth Rally ICTLAI ICTLAI CAMPAÑA SEMANA SANTA ICTLAI Retiro Líderes Grupos Pequeños LUC – Entrenamiento Juvenil Indianápolis Día de las Madres ICTLAI LUC –CONÉCTATE Pr Bullón Clase “Evangelismo Público” Indiana Camp Meeting DÍA HERMANDAD HISPANA (Cicero) ICTLAI Inicio Campañas Barrios –Grupos Pequeños ICTLAI ICTLAI CAMPESTRE HISPANO Graduación ICTLAI Adventurer Family Weekend LUC Pathfinder Camporee “Festival de Fe” Bautismo de Cosecha Retiro de Líderes TRC Acción de Gracias Semana Mayordomía y Consagración 11 CONNECTION Andrews University – Institute of Hispanic Ministries www.ihmandrews.com Junio 5 - 9 Bullón: Public Evangelism Todos los pastores bienvenidos Báez: Reading in Daniel Octubre 16 - 20 Graham: Leadership Development Octubre 23 - 27 Bentancur: Christian Social Ethic Junio 12 - 16 Instituto de Capacitación Teológica y Liderazgo Asociación Indiana (ICTLAI) CALENDARIO CLASES 2016 NIVEL: Predicación Domingos 1:00 - 4:30pm Iglesia Central Indianápolis 821 Denison St –Indianápolis IN 46241 Costo: $5/ clase Enero 17-Apertura/ Febrero 21/ Marzo 13/ Abril 17/ Mayo 15/ Junio 26/ Julio 17/ Agosto 21/ Septiembre 3 -Graduación NEWS 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, Christ-centered Three Angels’ Messages which lead people to become fullydevoted disciples of Jesus. 1. Promote Outreach/Evangelism 2. Empower the laity 3. Foster Adventist Christian education HOPE FOR A WORLD IN CRISIS Hope for a World in Crisis series of meetings was held at Hamilton County Fair Grounds October 23 to November 21 featuring Pastor Vic Van Schaik, senior pastor at Cicero Seventh-day Adventist Church and speaker for Hope for Life TV which airs four times each week on WHMB Channel 40.1, Dish Network and Comcast in the Indianapolis area. It was a powerful Christ-centered series discovering hope for the last days and a rare opportunity to see world events from a new perspective. More than 130 people regularly attended the meetings and learned how to understand the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation. A free children’s program for ages 3-11 was provided as well. 4. Mentor Youth/Young Adults as spiritual leaders 5. Support our Teachers and Pastors + Prepare for GC 2020 Session in Indianapolis The Indiana Conference Executive Committee established a Master Planning Committee in November to oversee and monitor progress on the five strategic goals. This committee welcomes feedback and input, so please send your thoughts and ideas to the Conference Office at: Respond on our Contact page at www.indysda.org Or mail to Indiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists President’s Office PO Box 5000 Westfield, IN 46074 Or call us at (317) 844-6201 What a profound message is carried in these two words – “Jesus Wins!” This phrase became an exclamation of hope for the ladies in attendance at the Indiana Conference Women’s Retreat, held October 16-18 in Indianapolis. This year’s speaker was Pastor Elizabeth Talbot, who is the Speaker/Director for Jesus 101 Biblical Institute, the newest media ministry of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. Combining solid Biblical teaching with a passionate presentation style, Dr. Talbot engaged the audience with the good news of Jesus Christ as our Redeemer and loving Savior. Several of the 85 women in attendance commented that this was, in their estimate, the best retreat they had attended. A special thank you goes out to Tammy Begley (Women’s Ministries co-director) and her team for a well-planned and inspiring weekend. “Jesus Wins!” CONNECTION 12 by Colleen Kelly Marketing and Communication Specialist Indiana Conference NORRIS NCUBE AND FAMILY WILL BE REMEMBERED NEWS A grand funeral was held on October 19 for IJA Principal Norris Ncube, his son Joshua and niece Malia Siziba, at Broad Ripple High School Auditorium. The three were tragically killed in a car accident on West Washington and Interstate 465 exit in Indianapolis on the morning of October 6 while driving to school. His daughter Jessie Ncube survived and is recovering at home. Two other students, Deon Siziba and Anita Nkoma have been released from the hospital and are attending school again. There was an outpouring of community support during this tragedy. A GoFundMe account has been set up to help with funeral and medical expenses. Principal Ncube will be remembered for his kind and gentle manner with children, and his innovative spirit to expand the horizons of Indianapolis Junior Academy and its students. Glendale’s Associate Pastor Daniel Ortega has been named Acting Principal for the remainder of the school year. 13 CONNECTION INDIANA ACADEMY HOSTED A HEALTH & FITNESS DAY Students from all Indiana Adventist elementary schools (Pre-K - 8th grade) were invited to participate in Indiana Academy’s Health & Fitness Day on Sunday, October 25. Hundreds of parents and children came to IA to enjoy the beautiful fall day and participate in sports and fitness activities. Twelve activity areas were set up in the morning along with FitnessGram assessments followed by a sack lunch. In the afternoon the crowd enjoyed a one mile Colorful Life in Christ Fun Run. Students performed push-ups, curl-ups, sit-and-reach, trunk lift, pacer run, 50 meter dash, punt/pass/kick football challenge, long jump, hot shot basketball challenge, disc golf accuracy challenge, softball throw and field events. Along the fun run, color guards greeted runners with clouds of colored cornstarch in red, yellow, blue, green, and purple. Shouts and giggles permeated the air along with the color clouds. Indiana Academy Preview Days continued the next day for interested potential registrants for next year. TRANSITIONS Pastor David Tenold and his wife Marie have moved from Loveland, Colorado, to Carmel Indiana, to pastor the Carmel Seventh-day Adventist Church. Pastor Allen Shepherd retired from his assignment at Northwest and Hammond churches. Pastor Daniel McKibben and his wife Nerida will be serving the Terre Haute, Lewis and Greencastle churches starting January 15th. Terre Haute church has applied for an FM full power radio station that would serve a 25 mile radius. If accepted, the station would air 3ABN and some local programming to spread the Word. Pastor Daniel McKibben and wife, Nerida CONNECTION 14 Indiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists® P.O. Box 5000 Westfield, IN 46074 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED EVENTS The Indiana ABC in Cicero is your source for the best in Adventist Bibles and books! JANUARY 4-6 8 - 10 Call us toll free today, 1- 866 - 222 - 6687 FEBRUARY 1 6 Financial Report YTD OCTOBER 2015 YTD Gross Tithe Income Indiana Advance 2014 $6,566,378 $119,473 Pastors’ Winter Conference TRC Pathfinder Winter Campout & Ski Weekend TRC 2015 $7,074,333 $123,294 %Inc 7.7% 3.2% 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% 12 - 14 19 - 20 Pastors/Teachers Conference IA Pathfinder Bible Experience: Northern Area - La Porte Central Area - Anderson Southern Area - New Albany Lake Union Evangelism Congress - Called to Serve -Chicago www.lucyouth.org/ article/5/2016-congress Indiana Youth Rally MARCH 5-6 18 - 19 18 - 27 28 Pathfinder Bible Experience - Statewide IA Pathfinder Bible Experience - Union IA Spring Break Union Wide Evangelistic Meetings Begin Good Stewards Having a current estate plan is integral to being a good steward of the Lord’s assets. It is our privilege to serve you. Our Offices are located at: Indiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists® 15205 Westfield Boulevard Carmel, IN 46032 APRIL 1-2 2 For more information contact the Indiana Conference at 317.844.6201 www.indysda.org IA Music Festival Sabbath Celebration