THE MID-AMERICA ADVENTIST
OutlookVol. 5, No. 6 Lincoln, Nebraska June 7, 1984
Last summer Camp counselors there were 2,210 not only teach campers at the swimming, ten camps in canoeing, horse Mid-America, 353 riding and crafts, decisions for but they present Christ, and 197 Christ in a unique baptisms. and wonderful way.
Summer Youth Camps 1984 See page 3 SHE PRESIDENT'S PAGE THE MID-AMERICA ADVENTIST
Dear Fellow Believers, One of the most exciting things that is happening in our area is the story 1100k that has just come out of La Vida Mission. The mission, including the school, a Official organ of the Mid-America Union Con- modern medical and dental clinic, a beautiful new church, and additional ference of Seventh-day Adventists, P.O. Box 6127 (8550 Pioneers Blvd.), Lincoln, NE 68506. (402) buildings, is located on the Navajo Indian Reserva- 483-4451. tion some 50 miles south of Farmington, New Editor Halle G. Crowson Mexico. The Mission director is Elmer Duncan. Assistant Editor Shirley B. Engel The story I want to relate is regarding two Typesetter Michelle Steward Printer College View Printers Navajo sisters, Alfreda and Debbie Nez. Alfreda Change of address: Give your new address with serves the mission as secretary and accountant zip code and include your name and old address while doubling as Bible instructor for her people. as it appeared on previous issues. (If possible clip your name and address from an old OUTLOOK.) Debbie has served for a number of years as the first News from local churches and schools for publica- and second grade school teacher. Because of the tion in the OUTLOOK must besubmitted through faithful and untiring efforts of these very special the local conference Communication Depart- ladies, they have just recently witnessed the bap- ment, not directly to the OUTLOOK office. Mid-America Union Directory tism of more than 30 Navajos at La Vida Mission, President J 0. Tompkins and some 15 at Waterflow Mission just west of Secretary D. E. Holland Joel 0. Tompkins Associate Secretary George Timpson Farmington. It seems that the breakthrough with Treasurer Lee Allen the Navajo people has occurred during the past two years through the Assistant Treasurer Arthur Opp Sabbath School class taught by the Nez sisters. Adventist Health System According to Pastor Orville Baer, Debbie lived with an Adventist family Middle & Eastern J. R. Shawver Communication, while she was in her teens. During this time she studied the Voice of Prophecy Religious Liberty, A.S I Halle G. Crowson Bible lessons. Pastor Baer further stated that four years ago there was only one Education Randall Fox adult Navajo attending church at La Vida. At the present time, the church has Associate Education Melvin E. Northrup Health, Temperance, a membership of 90 with approximately 100 in attendance in La Vida and also Inner City George Timpson at Waterflow. Ministerial & Evangelism The mission, a private corporation, works very closely with the Rocky Coordinator James A. Cress Associate Ministerial, Mountain Conference. Maranatha Flights International built the church just a P.R.E.A.C.H. Seminars Halle G. Crowson few years ago. A number of medical people including several dentists and Personal Ministries, Sabbath optometrists give their time one or two days a School W. E. Peeke Publishing and HHES Hoyet L. Taylor week to keep the clinic going. Dr. Wetzel Associate Publishing Ron I hrig Williams, a physician in Farmington, has been Associate Publishing R. W. Belmont going to La Vida for the past 25 years. Dr. James Trust Services Lee Allen Youth and Family John Thurber Dunn, a physician from Grand Junction, flies his Local Conference Directory plane to the mission on a regular basis to help in CENTRAL STATES: S. H. Cox, President, Leroy Hampton, the medical clinic, too. Secretary-Treasurer; P.O. Box 1527, Kansas City. MO 64141, 5737 Swope Parlokay. Kansas City, MO 64130; As you can see this is a cooperative venture Telephone (816) 361-7177. with many areas of the church working together. Correspondent, Nathaniel Miller DAKOTA CONFERENCE: Ben I. Liebelt. President; However, much of the credit must go to Alfreda Errol L. Eder. Secretary-Treasurer; P.O. Box 520.217 North and Debbie Nez for the constant witness they Grand, Pierre, SD 57501; Telephone (605) 224-8868. ABC, Star Route 9, Box 170, Bismarck, ND 58501; Tele- have provided, and for the many hours they have phone (701) 258-6531. spent and the many miles they have driven in Correspondent, Marvin Lowman Debbie Nez with a student IOWA-MISSOURI: W. D. Wampler. President; Robert G. visiting in the homes of the Navajo. Union Peck, Secretary; D. F. Gilbert. Treasurer; P.O. Box 65665, Evangelist Bill Zima just recently conducted a very successful crusade at the 1005 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50265; Telephone (515) 223-1197. mission, and saw 33 Navajos baptized. Alfreda and Debbie served as Zima's Correspondent, Herb Wrale translators. KANSAS-NEBRASKA: L. S. Gifford, President; J. Roger McQuistan, Secretary; Norman Harvey. Treasurer; 3440 I wanted to share this exciting story with you, and I hope that we can see Urish Road. Topeka, KS 66614-4601; Telephone (913) some more of this story in the pages of the Outlook later on. Incidentally, the 478-4726. ABC, 4745 Prescott, Lincoln, NE 68506; Telephone (402) Waterlow building project was made possible by the Investment offering in 488-3395. 1981 Correspondent, Teddric Mohr MINNESOTA: E. E. Lutz, President; C. Lee Huff,Secretary; Yours in the Master's service, Marshall Chase, Treasurer: 10001 Wayzata Blvd., Minne- tonka, MN 55343; Telephone (612) 545-8894. Correspondent, Beverly Dickinson ROCKY MOUNTAIN: Wm. C. Hatch. President; Gordon Retzer, Secretary: L. D. Cleveland, Treasurer; 2520 So. Downing, Denver, CO 80210; Telephone (303) 733-3771. Correspondent, Robert McCumber Adventist Book Centers Each conference operates its ABC with the same address Joel 0. Tompkins, President and telephone number as the conference except those Mid-America Union Conference listed separately.
...on the COVER Photos courtesy of the Youth Depart- ment, Iowa-Missouri Conference
Vol. 5, No. 6, June?. 1984. The Mid-America Adventist Outlook (ISSN 0274-922X) is published monthly by the Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 8550 Pioneers Blvd., Route 8, Lincoln, NE 68506. Printed at College View Printers, Second-class postage paid at Lincoln. Nebraska. Annual subscription price, $8.00. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mid-America Adventist Outlook, P.O. Box 6127, Lincoln, NE 68506.
2 .OUTLOOK Camping In Mid-America
By John Thurber
s Jimmie is picked up to week at camp in preparation, in hundred or more college-age go to camp on Sunday praying and asking God to direct young people that are on the camp morning, and as he starts them as they touch the lives of the staffs each summer. They receive a running toward the car his mother young people. Anticipation scholarship to Union College as might be at the door, saying, mounts to excitement as the first well as, in some cases, receive "Jimmy do you have your tooth- buses and cars arrive and the first credit for certain classes. But the brush? Flashlight? Tennis shoes? week of camp opens. real serendipity is that future youth And what about your pillow? One of the youth directors leaders are born as they work for Where is your sleeping bag?" The shared a thrilling story of last year's other young people at youth camps. They may not become exciting moment has come for camping season. A Catholic girl youth leaders in a conference, but many Jimmys and Janes who have was invited to come to camp with a they do dedicate their life to perhaps saved their birthday and friend. As she met the young working with the youth in one of Christmas money along with people, attended worship and many areas such as teaching, youth money from odd jobs. It is an began to study God's Word each pastorate, youth leader in the local day, she became very interested in adventure they will never forget as church, and in many other youth- they travel toward the conference the lifestyle and the message of related fields. This is a very impor- summer camp. Seventh-day Adventist youth. She tant opportunity for our college- age young people to really get In 1983, there were 2210 campers at the ten involved in youth ministry. There are six dedicated youth camps in Mid-America resulting in 197 baptisms. directors in our union. I thank the Lord for the talents He has given to Last summer, 1983, there were talked with her counselor and each one to minister to the chil- 2210 campers at the ten camps in asked lots of questions about the dren. Would you pray with me that Mid-America. And during the win- Bible and about the Seventh-day this could be the most successful ter those that were opened for spe- Adventist faith. She became more and most soul-winning summer cial youth rallies and Bible camps, and more interested until finally our camps have ever had? You see school retreats and church retreats she asked the camp director to the main thrust of our camps is the soul-winning, nurturing and caring served another 4643 young people. study the Bible with her. After for the wonderful young people! You might ask, "Why do we studying for some time she request- The youth department program in spend the monies we do to keep ed to be baptized. Not only did she Mid-America Union fits hand-in- our camps looking good and in love the camp, but she wanted to hand with the Caring Church shape?" Well, first of all it is an learn more about the church. Her program that we have all been evangelistic center. Last year there mother was Catholic also, and asked to support and nurture. were 353 decisions for Christ and when the girl talked over the pos- 197 baptisms. That is a thrilling sibility of baptism she was not report to the people here in Mid- happy about it. But as the Mother America Union! It tells that our saw the sincerity of her daughter's directors and counselors not only heart, and considered the condi- teach the campers how to swim, tion of the world and the tremen- canoe and ride horses, but that the dous temptations—drugs, music, main thrust is to present Christ in a theatre and all the things that the unique and wonderful way. world offers, she said, "Well if my One of the activities the young daughter wants to take this kind of people really enjoy participating in stand and have these high stan- is crafts. Many of you have seen the dards I don't want to stand in the things they make with their own way." So the young lady was bap- hands and how happy they are to tized. As her lifestyle and her deep bring them home. They also work love and devotion to the message on honors, spending time learning was unveiled to her mother, her about such things as trees, birds, mother became very interested swimming, canoeing and horses. and within the year was baptized. Last summer the campers earned It is one of the stories that could be 1063 honors. repeated every summer.
The local conference youth di- Another outstanding feature of John Thurber, Youth Department Director, rector and the staff spend the first the camping program is the one Mid-America Union.
June 7, 1984 3 -IOWA-MISSOURI Constituency Meeting Report Drama By Walter E. Brown They came from the east and the west. They came from the north and the south. They came from all parts of Iowa and Missouri to Sunnydale Academy on Sunday, April 15 to attend the first triennial session of the Iowa-Missouri Conference. There were 466 delegates plus other interested observers. Interest in the leadership and affairs of the conference was demonstrated by the large attendance, and the wholesome discussion that occurred as various suggestions and reports were brought before the delegates for final action. W. D. Wampler was re-elected Young people of the Sioux City Seventh-day Adventist president of the conference as well Church recently presented a drama by Adventist playwright as the staff being re-elected to the W. D. Wampler, Conference president, gives James Pappas, which they entitled -To See or Not to See". following positions: his report. The drama is a sometimes humorous account of the restoring of sight to blind Bartemaeus, and focuses on the Don F. Gilbert - Treasurer, ASI Secretary refusal of the Jewish rulers to acknowledge the miracle of Walter E. Brown - Secretary, Stewardship Director restoration of sight to a blind beggar—simply because it D. E. Latham - Association Secretary-Treasurer, Trust Services Director was performed by the hated Jesus. Richard Judson - Personal Ministries and Sabbath School Director The picture shows blind Bartemaeus presenting the account of his healing to the skeptical rabbis. James King - Ministerial and Religious Liberty Director Fordyce Koenke - Youth and Health/Temperance Director Howard Scoggins - Publishing Director Kemp Sisters Concert Herbert Wrate - Education and Communication Director Sherri and Arlette Kemp, college stu- Harold Zacharias - Adventist Book Center Manager dents from the Bahamas, presented a Careful consideration was given to concert of gospel music in the Sioux City Church. Arlette (at the piano) is a junior the financial statement presented by Social Work major at Northwestern treasurer Don Gilbert. While a number College in Orange City, Iowa. An accom- of very difficult and challenging financial plished pianist who also sings with her situations have been faced by the con- sister, Arlette plans to use her education ference during the past triennium, it was to better conditions in her homeland. pointed out that the conference is Sherri, who does most of the solo work operating in the black, and that the in the team, also plays the piano. She is an financial outlook is much improved. Elementary Education major at Northwes- "The large conference debt is some- tern, and looks forward to teaching English thing," according to Elder Gilbert, "that in some distant land, or perhaps back yet needs to be resolved. Surely as we home. think of God's blessing on this confer- Both girls received musical training from ence during the recent months, we have their mother, beginning in early child- reason to believe that this situation too Don Gilbert, treasurer, explains the financial hood. Besides teaching music, Mrs. Kemp statement. can be cared for." is also a pre-school instructor in Nassau, A number of other important decisions were made at the session. The the girls' home town. Their father owns an constitution and bylaws were reviewed and several significant changes were independent contracting business there. made. Some very positive actions were taken regarding the disposal of excess With fellow-believers everywhere they properties owned by the conference since the merger over three years ago. look forward to the soon return of Jesus, A strong executive committee of 23 members was chosen to direct the affairs and eagerly use their talents to hasten that of the conference during the coming triennium. The makeup of this committee day. reflects the desire of the laity in the conference to be actively involved in the decision-making process of their church. In addition to the three con- ference officers, 10 lay persons from various areas of the conference, 9 ministers and the principal of Sunnydale Academy were selected to serve on this important committee. In spite of the challenges facing this Conference, the future looks bright for Iowa-Missouri. With the blessing of God and the help of His people, great things can be accomplished in the months to come. Joel Tompkins, Mid-America Union presi- dent worked with the Nominating Com- Walter E. Brown, Secretary, Iowa-Missouri mittee. Conference. Sherri and Arlette Kemp.
4 OUTLOOK __10WA-MISSOUR1 Scales Speaks At KC 13th Sabbath Central Thirty-one Kindergarten child- ren held the adults' attention William C. Scales Jr., Ministerial Direc- on 13th Sabbath as they turned tor of the North American Division of on the "On Time" light when Seventh-day Adventists, was the guest they came in and put their speaker at the Kansas City Central offerings in the baskets. With Church February 11. Chuck Bucklew playing his gui- His sermon topic \Aid , " Gods Hand is tar the children had song serv- On the Wheel". ice, and then Mrs. Rose and In using texts from Mrs. Van Scoy presented the Jonah, Elder Scales Kindergarten Sabbath School pointed out that program just as it is in the God had a specific regular class room. work for Jonah and then applied it to Church Members Honored Kansas City and e- Some of the "Mothers and Fathers in Israel" were honored at Kansas City Central vangelistic meetings Church on January 23, 1984. A few of these are still active in the church, some have that he will lead in William C. Scales slowed down a bit, but all are still attending regularly. July and August. Those being honored have held and performed the following positions: elders, From Psalms 139 he showed that "legs are deacons, deaconesses, Dorcas and Welfare leaders, choir members, literature distribu- too short to run from God". He told of tors, church treasurers, conference treasurer, church school teacher, and an Academy different ships that could be taken to principal. For their years of service, which totaled 1,033 years, each was given a rose and Tarshish: "Procrastination","Tradition" a certificate of appreciation. Thoses honored were: Mr. & Mrs. George Canine, Mr. Al and "Not Enough Time". From other Cossetta, Mr. James Donnelly, Mrs. Emma Dyson, Mr & Mrs. James Jay, Mrs. Dorothy texts he showed God's guidance, God's saving hand and God's protecting hand. Lewellen, Mr. Charles Marsh, Mrs. Mabel McHenry, Mrs. Mary Ruth Mills, Mr. James During the afternoon meeting Elder Mitchell, Mr. & Mrs. Bill Pennington, Mr. & Mrs. Ned Pulley, Mrs. Ruth Shedrick, Mr. & Scales introduced Don King who will Mrs. Charles Van Scoy. assist him and present health education. Don King pointed out with quotations from Evangelism and Bible texts that health reform goes hand in hand with the rest of the Seventh-day Adventist message. Elder Jim Cress, Mid-America Union Conference Ministerial Director, an- nounced that three Bible Workers from the Lake Union Soul-winning Institute and Rosalie Lee, Editor of the "Bible Instructor News Letter" would be as- sisting with the meetings. Needless to say, Kansas City is excited and preparing for the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit. TV Program Wins Awards In Muscatine "Encounter", a television program pro- duced by the Muscatine, Iowa church, Message For Today received a Director's Award for two con- By Lan Nowotny tinuous years of programming, a Golden Despite near blizzard conditions, the Seventh-day Adventist radio program "Message For Today" entered a Cassette Award for "Best Religious Pro- vehicle in the annual Cedar Rapids St. Patrick's Day parade. The program is aired on stations KXEL 1540 AM, gram" and a nomination for "Excellence Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday, 10:00 p.m.; KTOF 104 FM, Cedar Rapids, Sunday, 7:15 a.m.; KDMI 97.5 FM, Des in a Single Program", as M uscatine Cable- Moines, Saturday, 7:30 a.m. and Sunday, 8:45 p.m.; and on KLTI 1560 AM, Macon, Missouri, Sunday, 12:45 a.m. vision aired it's third annual Golden Cassette Awards live on television chan- nel 26. IRISH EYES Encounter, is aired Monday at 6:30 and ARE SMIL/NG Thursday at 7:30 on channel 26. ON MESSAGE FOR TODAY
Second from left is Pastor John Matthews, program host.