For Parents of High School Students
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EDITORIAL PERSPECTIVE YOU SAID IT YOUNG ADULTS, WHATABOUTISM WHICH ONE DO YOU YOUNG LEADERS BELIEVE? NORTHWEST ADVENTISTS IN ACTION THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR PARENTS OF HIGH MAY SCHOOL STUDENTS 2018 VOL.113, Nº4 The Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 NKJV CONTENTS may 2018 NORTHWEST ADVENTISTS IN ACTION 16 37 20 FEATURE CONFERENCE NEWS 4 EDITORIAL 6 A Year of Action for Northwest 12 Acción 5 INTERSECTIONS Students 13 Alaska 10 Essential Guide for Parents of 41 FAMILY High School Students 14 Idaho 43 ANNOUNCEMENTS YOU SAID IT 16 Montana 49 So Which One Do You Believe? 18 Oregon 44 ADVERTISEMENTS PERSPECTIVE 27 Upper Columbia Whataboutism 50 32 Washington 52 Almost Killed ... Again 38 Walla Walla University JUST LIKE JESUS 49 54 The Procrastinator 40 Adventist Health KARIE MACPHEE Copyright © 2018 POSTMASTER: send all address changes to: ADVENTIST® and SEVENTH-DAY May 2018 North Pacific Union Conference Gleaner, ADVENTIST® are the registered trademarks Vol. 113, No. 4 5709 N. 20th St., Ridgefield, WA 98642 of the General Conference of Seventh-day Phone: 360-857-7000 Adventists®. [email protected] gleanernow.com LITHO U.S.A. Gleaner (ISSN 0746-5874) is published Gleaner STAFF once per month for a total of 12 issues per SUBMISSIONS: Timely announcements, features, news stories and family notices for Editor: Steve Vistaunet year by the North Pacific Union Conference Copy Editor: Laurel Rogers ® publication in the Gleaner may be submitted of Seventh-day Adventists , 5709 N. 20th Advertising and Project Manager: St., Ridgefield, WA 98642. It is printed directly to the project manager at the “Intense Eyes” address listed above. Material sent directly Desiree Lockwood and mailed at Pacific Press Publishing Digital Media Coordinator: Anthony White in Winston, Ore., Association®, 1350 N. Kings Rd., Nampa, ID to local conference correspondents may be forwarded to the Gleaner. Digital Media Assistant: Nina Vallado by Peter Hernandez, 83687-3193. Subscription rate: $13 per year. Design: GUILDHOUSE Group Periodical postage paid at Ridgefield, WA PLEASE NOTE: Every reasonable effort is of Days Creek, Ore. 98642 and additional mailing offices. made to screen all editorial material to avoid error in this publication. The Gleaner does IMAGE CREDITS: OUR MISSION: Connecting Northwest not accept responsibility for advertisers’ p. 50: iStock.com/drbimages Adventists with an expanding hub of news claims. p. 52: iStock/leremy and inspiration. 3 may 2018 YOUNG ADULTS, YOUNG LEADERS ’m writing some thoughts here from the South Guate- The mission of the North mala Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Pacific Union is to REACH the Pacific Northwest and the world By the time you read this, more than a month will with the distinctive, Christ- have passed, but now, during the final few days of centered, Seventh-day Adventist March, it’s hot and humid here. Amidst the humid- message of hope and wholeness. ity, though, the songs and colors of a myriad spe- We recently established four cies of birds are enchanting, and the local church strategic priorities to effectively accomplish this mission: young members are amazing — kind and gracious to adult engagement, unity in Christ, our group of Northwest pastors and students. We have total member involvement and joined with them to bring hope and wholeness to a leadership development. community of several towns and villages in a largely In planning this mission trip, we intentionally focused on two Roman Catholic area of southern Guatemala. of those priorities: young adult GROWING YOUNG rowing Young” is a as Valuegenesis and the Barna people can move in,” says Ben term being heard Group’s You Lost Me compara- Lundquist, who in addition to frequently around tive project, which have accurate- serving as young adult director some Northwest ly pointed out the challenges of for the Oregon Conference is also Adventist churches. youth and young adult disengag- coordinating the Growing Young It tops the list of current priorities ing. And now California’s Fuller initiative throughout the NPUC. for the North Pacific Union Youth Institute has created six “The wisdom of experienced Conference (NPUC). In last essential strategies as a pathway to- members and the creative energy es in Idaho, Beaverton and Mead- month’s Gleaner feature, John ward reengagement. This Grow- of younger members are both ow Glade churches in Oregon, Freedman, NPUC president, ing Young process is based on essential for these efforts to be Spokane Valley Church in Upper said, “Our churches are growing solid research, is consistent with successful.” In a very real way it’s a Columbia, and the Emerald City, older. Let’s stop … kicking the earlier Adventist findings and journey of prayer, asking the Holy Port Orchard and Volunteer Park this down to some future spot promotes a scripturally solid map Spirit how every generation can churches in Washington. Under in the road. It’s possible to for intentional progress. It does be engaged in living the principles Lundquist’s guidance, they have make decisions today that will not introduce new theology, but of the kingdom. formed a cohort for ongoing proactively engage our young rather seeks to draw every mem- Ten churches in various con- learning and support. Once they people with Christ and the ber together on a gospel-centered ferences around the NPUC are have completed the initial year of church.” mission. currently working on this togeth- this journey, they may become Adventist realities have been “It’s not about moving our er: Anchorage Samoan in Alaska, the training centers for a second clearly represented in studies such seasoned members out so young Cloverdale and Meridian church- wave of Northwest churches 4 may 2018 engagement and leadership devel- to share Jesus Christ authentically schools as well as conducted Vaca- young adults. I invite you to pray opment. We strategically chose a in the churches they are assigned tion Bible School. This is the first with me that it will never go out. group of Walla Walla University to preach in. They really love the time many have been given the Soul-winning is contagious, and theology students and several local people they are ministering to, and responsibility to present the gospel I’m sure these young adult lead- conference pastors from the Idaho people are responding. to large groups of people and to ers — men and women, children and Washington conferences who This mission outreach is offer a nightly invitation to follow and grandchildren of our faithful are young adults and relatively new not only engaging young adults Jesus. All are wrestling with how Northwest members — will never to pastoral ministry. The presidents in ministry but also providing an to give effective evangelistic calls be the same. from both conferences, David Prest opportunity to strategically develop in this culture. They are learning Having the opportunity to and Doug Bing, graciously assisted their leadership skills. Our newest to ask the local church leadership share life with and coach these these efforts. Our team of 21 is priority, leadership development, what works best. amazing young adults in a different composed of 75 percent young encompasses three strategies: 1) Still, doing something for the setting is very encouraging. I am adults. identifying potential new leaders, first time is always awkward. Daily, thankful the Lord is raising up a These young adults are inspir- 2) coordinating leadership resourc- we are sharing what things are go- new generation of committed Sev- ing to be around, filled with what es and 3) providing leadership ing right, but also the things that did enth-day Adventist young people seems like an unlimited amount of opportunities. not work. The evil one has tried to lead our church forward until enthusiasm, energy and resiliency. Like any mission adven- to disrupt several meetings with the soon coming of our Lord and They are even witnessing to people ture, we’ve encountered several inebriated visitors. Several of our Savior Jesus Christ. in the hotel, some even getting up challenges that provide real-time students are making house to house early to play football with some of leadership lessons. Many of our visits with those who have already John Freedman, North Pacific the guests. I’m especially impressed young adults have been on mission been given Bible studies by local Union Conference president with the deep desire they possess trips where they built churches and members. All are praying fervently for a baptism of the Holy Spirit. I am watching a new fire Respond to any Gleaner topic by being lit in the hearts of these emailing [email protected]. It’s important to note these commitments intentionally avoid superficial efforts to create a “cool” factor around worship styles, entertainment, big budgets or drifting standards. Instead, the Growing Young journey calls every age toward faithfulness to who have caught the vision for judging or criticizing, step generational friendships. Jesus and His way of approaching Growing Young. into the shoes of this gen- » Prioritize young people the message of the kingdom. Each Growing Young church eration. (and families) everywhere: Northwest Adventists of all is learning to adapt and intention- » Take Jesus’ message seri- Look for creative ways to ages can learn more by picking ally practice six essential commit- ously: Instead of asserting tangibly support, resource, up a copy of Growing Young ments. formulaic gospel claims, and involve them in all fac- from AdventSource. We also » Unlock keychain leader- welcome young people ets of your congregation. encourage each member to ship: Instead of central- into a Jesus-centered way » Be the best neighbors: watch this newly created video izing authority, empower of life.