EDITORIAL FEATURE PERSPECTIVE THE HARDEST CLIMB 7 INGREDIENTS FOR CHANGE FROM WHERE I STAND Not too long ago and not too far away, a 20-something man walked hesitantly into a small Adventist church. His ripped jeans and T-shirt stood out in stark contrast with the typical Sabbath attire. The tattoos and piercings on his body also set him apart. ... LOVING like JESUS CONTINUED ON PAGE SEPT/OCT 2020 VOL.115, Nº5 The Lord watches over you — the Lord is your shade at your right hand; Psalm 121:5 “Beautiful Red Fox Posing on a Fallen Tree,” CONTENTS september/october 2020 NORTHWEST ADVENTISTS IN ACTION 25 19 36 EDITORIAL CONFERENCE NEWS 4 The Hardest Climb 16 Acción 14 OUR TABLE FEATURE 18 Alaska 46 FAMILY 6 LOVING LIKE JESUS 20 Idaho 50 ANNOUNCEMENTS PERSPECTIVE 22 Montana 58 Live With Jesus to Love Like Jesus 50 ADVERTISEMENTS 24 Oregon 60 Learning How to Party Like Jesus 57 JUST FOR KIDS 30 Upper Columbia 62 From Where I Stand 36 Washington 42 Walla Walla University 44 Adventist Health 44 45 World Church JOHN FREEDMAN Copyright © 2020 SUBMISSIONS: Timely announcements, Gleaner STAFF September/October 2020 features, news stories and family Editor: Jay Wintermeyer Vol. 115, No. 5 notices for publication in the Gleaner Digital Editor: Anthony White may be submitted directly to the Managing Editor: Desiree Lockwood Gleaner (ISSN 0746-5874) is published bimonthly for a total of 6 managing editor at the address listed Copy Editor: Laurel Rogers issues per year by the North Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day under Postmaster. 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On a Fallen Tree,” for advertisers’ claims. p. 41: stock.adobe.com/ © Joshua Resnick in Anchorage, Alaska, p. 58: iStock.com/Onfokus POSTMASTER: send all address changes to: ® p. 60: iStock.com/skynesher ADVENTIST and SEVENTH-DAY p. 62: iStock.com/olaser by Gary Lee Lackie, North Pacific Union Conference Gleaner ADVENTIST® are the registered of Anchorage, Alaska. 5709 N. 20th St. trademarks of the General Conference Ridgefield, WA 98642 of Seventh-day Adventists®. 360-857-7000 [email protected] LITHO U.S.A. gleanernow.com 3 september/october 2020 The Hardest Climb HAT IS THE MOST difficult love for humans is so much selfless love, determination, mountain to climb — Everest greater than my own. This commitment, humility, or Calvary? For me, I’d have to painful truth has driven me strength and courage say Mount Calvary stands out to Calvary, to reflect again needed to climb Calvary’s as the most difficult mountain on the victory of Jesus mountain was so great, we to climb, not just in the world over death, pain, sickness, will be talking about it for all but in the universe. Only one suffering and heartache. eternity. person ever conquered that Jesus’ path to Calvary What was it about mountain: Jesus Christ. required Him to humble God’s character that Jesus Like many of you, my Himself. The Son of God came to reveal? There’s a personal world has been very became a lowly human in challenging this year. COVID-19 order to help you and me has affected our family, causing begin to understand God’s intense emotional pain. The true character. The pure pain has driven me to my Lamb of God, the One who knees. The pandemic and the never sinned, became sin for shift away from face-to-face us. It cost Him His life. The ministry AUTHOR John Freedman have given me pause to consider the ways I love and relate to other people. I’ve realized that, when it comes to reaching others, I have so much to learn. God’s story in the Old Testament compassionate, kind, loving, Reflect on His life. Talk about to work. We can confidently that illuminates the answer. truthful and always seeking His accomplishments and hold tightly to the only One Moses asks God, “Show me to glorify His Father. what He has done for us. who can save us: Jesus. His your glory.” God then reveals This small reflection Ask for the Holy Spirit, who victory becomes our victory. His character, saying, “The on Jesus always blesses my guides us to the truth about When our heart is emptied of Lord, the Lord God, merciful soul. It shows the attitude Jesus. Read the living Word of self-reliance, the Holy Spirit and gracious, longsuffering, I am called to have toward God and gaze on the One who fills the void with Christ’s and abounding in goodness God’s children, regardless of is full of grace and truth. Make divinity. The Holy Spirit and truth, keeping mercy for whether someone is a fellow Jesus the focus of life. imparts the life of Christ in thousands, forgiving iniquity member or not. In this issue, During the Last Supper, us, empowering us to love and transgression and sin …” we’re looking at ways we Jesus said, “Love another as with a God-sized love. When (Ex. 34:6,7). can more effectively foster a I have loved you … love one the world sees that, they will As I think about this culture of sharing God’s love. another. By this all will know know we are His followers by in the light of our Great As a church we’re facing that you are my disciples, our love. Commission, Jesus gives challenging times in light of if you have love for one us a road map for effective COVID-19. Many churches another” (John 13:34–35). A John Freedman evangelism during the across the Northwest are life worth living is one where NORTH PACIFIC UNION pandemic. He was selfless, closed today, and members we love Him who first loved CONFERENCE PRESIDENT are asking, “How do we find us and have love for one the way forward?” another. The only life worth When asked, “How can living is a life centered in and we know the way?” Jesus surrendered to Jesus. said, “I am the way, the truth Ironically, the climb and the life” (John 14:6). up Calvary begins with us The way forward is to falling down. When we fall follow Jesus. Love like He on our knees as beggars, loves. Serve as He serves. confessing our sin and great need of a Savior, God will go ... For several minutes, he stood awkwardly in the corner of the lobby looking nervous. A few people nodded to him, but no one approached. Finally, a gray-haired saint approached with purpose. 6 september/october 2020 LOVING like JESUS CREATING A CULTURE OF EVANGELISM ... For several minutes, he stood awkwardly in the corner of the lobby looking nervous. A few people nodded to him, but no one “Young man,” she said. “We don’t come to God’s house looking like that. You should show some respect and rethink how you look.” Wordlessly, the boy spun on his heels and walked out approached. Finally, a gray-haired saint the front door. He hasn’t been back. This tragic true story forces us to ask some critical questions. What is the culture of our church? Are we a “come and get clean” kind of church or a place only approached with purpose. for the “already clean”? Does the culture of our weekly worship services and small groups invite people to “come as they are” and seek love, help and healing? Do we know how to receive broken sinners in the midst of their pain, or does the culture of our church work against people admitting their hurts and faults until they are all better? Leaders often ask me what programs can churches use to produce fully devoted disciples who are engaged in evangelism, ministry, worship and hospitality. Specifically, by S. JOSEPH KIDDER they want to know how a church can have a successful evangelism program. My answer surprises some. I’m convinced it’s better for our church to have an evangelistic culture than just a se- ries of evangelistic programs. While there are many great programs that do reach some people, there is a sense of dissatisfaction among church members, pastors and the community regarding evangelistic programming and the fact they often have very little effect on increasing local church membership.1 7 september/october 2020 2 INTRODUCTION CONTINUED INGREDIENTS for CHANGE HERE ARE SEVEN SPECIFIC THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP CREATE AN EVANGELISTIC CULTURE IN YOUR LOCAL CHURCH. In a church with a program-driven 1 approach to evangelism, sharing the gos- The Gospel: The Fuel for an pel can become something reserved for Evangelistic Culture certain people at certain times, like when WE GET EXCITED ABOUT SPORTS, food and politics. In the the evangelism team goes out visiting or same way, if we want to create a culture in our churches where when the church organizes public evange- it’s natural for members to talk about the gospel message with listic meetings.