Lake Union Herald for 2005
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“Telling the stories of what God is doing in the lives of His people” 20 Cover photo by iStockPhoto. in this issue... in every issue... he Psalms encourage us to enter God’s gates with thanksgiving, to sing 3 Editorial by Walter L. Wright, Lake Union president Twith thanksgiving, to glorify God with thanksgiving, and to join the festive 4 New Members Get to know throng with shouts of joy and thanksgiving. some recent additions to the Lake Union. 6 Youth in Action One of my favorite books in the Bible is Paul’s letter to the church in Colosse. 7 Beyond our Borders Three times in this short letter he encourages the church in thankfulness. We are 8 Family Ties by Susan E. Murray to overflow with thankfulness, devote ourselves to prayer with thankful- 9 Healthy Choices by Winston J.Craig ness, and live at peace with one another, being thankful. 10 Extreme Grace by Dick Duerksen So thank you for your suggestions, your prayers, your encouragement; 11 by Ann Fisher Adventism 101 and thank you for the privilege of serving you. 12 Sharing our Hope 13 ConeXiones en español by Carmelo Mercado Gary Burns, Editor 22 Adventist Midwest Health News 23 Andrews University News features... 24 News 14 Share the Light Convention Highlights by Diane Thurber 35 Mileposts 17 Grateful Hearts & Caring Neighbors by Beverly Stout and José Vazquez 36 Classifieds 20 Miracles, Marriage & Mission by Ann Fisher 41 Announcements 42 One Voice 43 The Lake Union Herald (ISSN 0194-908X) is published monthly by the Lake Union Conference, P.O. Box C, Berrien Springs, MI 49103. Profiles of Youth Periodicals postage paid at Berrien Springs, MI, and additional mailing o≈ces. Yearly subscription price is $8.50. Vol. 97, No. 11. POSTMASTER: Send all address changes to: Lake Union Herald, P. O. Box C, Berrien Springs, MI 49103. 2 | November 2005 • LAKE UNION HERALD The Lake Union Herald is available online. President’s Perspective BY WALTER L. WRIGHT, LAKE UNION CONFERENCE PRESIDENT BlessingsCount Your ow it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe “Ncarefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and over- take you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God” (Deut. 28:1, 2 NKJV). What a precious promise! The natural exchange for blessings is diligent obedience to God. Now that seems easy. There are so many benefits from obeying God, and then He grants bonus blessings because we have obeyed! When we pause to count our blessings it is true, in the words of our text, that the blessings will “overtake you.” In other words, God pours out blessings in such abundance there is “not room enough to receive them.” I am actually writing this article on the first anniversary of my cancer surgery. Jackie and I are sit- ting under palm trees at the South Queensland Camp Meeting outside Brisbane, Australia. Can you put up with me listing my blessings here? I think how blessed I am to have a wonderful, dedicated wife. Think of being helpless and vulnerable with a wife you have not built a good relationship with. Fortunately, we do have a beautiful relationship, and I reaped the blessings. My children came from across country, one by one, to minister to me and relieve Jackie. Trusted friends served our every need, and went beyond the expected to do extraordinary things for us. My officer corps and staff stepped in to take up the slack and kept our offices running smoothly at the Lake Union. The local conference presidents, officers, and you wonderful saints showered us with prayers and well-wishes that truly seemed to “overtake us.” And then the Lord raised me up and allowed me to return to the work I love with adequate energy and enthusiasm. His name be praised! These are tremendous blessings, and I haven’t even mentioned God’s provision, protection, grace, mercy, patience, love, redemption, and salvation. And add the awesome privilege of working in His vineyard for the salvation of men, and you see that my blessings are truly more than I have room enough to receive. Pause my brother, my sister, and count your blessings. If you are discouraged or sad, it will be a healing for your attitude. Visit www.LakeUnionHerald.org LAKE UNION HERALD • November 2005 | 3 Michigan Joe Rivera first walked into the Metropoli- tan Seventh-day Adventist Church in Plymouth, Michi- gan, in Fall 2004. Dennis Sawyer, a Metropolitan Church member, began to develop a friendship with Joe while he was visiting his neighbor in Westland, Michigan. When Joe showed an interest in spiritual things, Dennis invited him to attend the Hope for Our Day evangelistic series already un- derway. Indiana Delight Olson attended summer camp at Tim- Joe wanted to attend, but indicated he had no way to ber Ridge Camp every year for the past several years. Each get there. Dennis was happy to provide transportation for year response cards are passed out for the campers to com- Joe, even though it meant a one-hour commute each night plete. These cards provide an opportunity for campers to after a hard day’s work. It was nearly midnight by the time indicate an interest in Dennis got home. Bible studies or bap- Dennis had overlooked the external signs that are often tism. And each year barriers for many church goers. To Dennis, Joe had value as Delight checked the one for whom Christ died. He saw Joe through God’s eyes. box saying she want- It was Christ’s compassion that moved him to care for this ed to be baptized. young man whose father died when he was only one year Last school year old, whose baby sister died in her crib, whose older sister Dave Fish, Spencer was raped and murdered by an acquaintance, and whose pastor, began Bible mother suffered from HIV. classes with the stu- Because he was the primary care-giver for his mother, dents at the Spencer Joe’s attendance at school was sporadic. Circumstances led Adventist Christian him to homeless shelters and foster homes. To get away Elementary School, from his nightmare in Detroit, Joe even considered moving where Delight just As raindrops fell, Delight Olson (left) was to Los Angeles to join his older brother, who was involved completed the fourth baptized last summer at Timber Ridge Camp, in the occult. Yet, with all his grief, misery, and temptations, by David Fish, Spencer Church pastor. grade. She took the by God’s grace Joe remained out of trouble and spiritually first opportunity to open. tell the pastor of her As Joe attended the meetings, his heart was drawn to desire for baptism. accept Christ through the invitations given by Robert Delight completed Stewart, Metropolitan Church pastor. Each time an invita- the Bible studies and tion was given, Joe responded. Robert was sensitive to Joe’s plans were made for sincerity, realizing that he had much to learn. And God her baptism. provided a loving community of friends to help him in the On a Sabbath af- process. ternoon during the Within a very short time, Joe became endeared to the summer, her desire for Sawyer family, the pastor and his wife Sandi, and several baptism was granted Delight Olson (front left) stood with David other members of the Metropolitan Church. They knew in a special ceremony Fish, Spencer Church pastor, as he prayed something had to be done about Joe’s living arrangement; before her baptism. at the Timber Ridge moving to Los Angeles was not an option. It quickly be- Camp lake. Even though the weather was rainy and stormy, came a matter of prayer. there was much rejoicing. Sunshine was on the faces of De- One Sabbath afternoon, during a meeting of Metropol- light’s friends and family as they witnessed the blessed out- itan’s spiritual guardianship group, Sandi shared Joe’s situ- come of the team effort between the summer camp workers, ation. She hoped someone would take Joe into their home, church school, home, and church. but one member had an even better idea. Why not send Judith Yeoman, Indiana Conference correspondent, as shared by Sandra Joe to Great Lakes Adventist Academy (GLAA)? Some- Culp, Spencer Church communication leader one volunteered to sponsor him and in a short time Joe was 4 | November 2005 • LAKE UNION HERALD The Lake Union Herald is available online. enrolled and living at GLAA. and Suites, Jake The transformation Christ had came, too, along made in Joe’s life helped him with his wife feel perfectly at home with the Rhonda and two other students and staff. children, Tevin Joe’s love for Jesus deep- and Alexi. Each ened during his time at GLAA of the 29 charter and he looked forward to being members were baptized at his Metropolitan delighted when Church home at the end of the they were offi- school year. It became a wel- cially organized come reality for Joe and his new into a company Joe Rivera church family on June 4, 2005. earlier this year, Photos by Rachel Terwillegar Rachel Photos by Joe still faces many struggles and uncertainties, but he with Jerry Wei- Jake Wyse (left) was the first person baptized by Gabriel now has a relationship with Jesus, walking by faith and land as their Barden, pastor, (right) as a result of the ministry of the Crystal Lake Adventist Fellowship.