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NPUC Targets Small Conferences for Growth

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https://nwadvent.st/116-4-NPUC-83

The North Pacific Union Conference executive committee recently voted to focus more resources on evangelistic outreach in strategic areas. The Gleaner sat down with John Freedman, NPUC president and David Prest, Idaho Conference president to talk about the Grow Small Conference Initiative. 

Q: John Freedman, what is the role of the NPUC?

A: The union is a unique part of the Adventist Church’s structure that serves more than 500 Adventist churches and more than 100 Adventist elementary and secondary schools. We perform two vital functions for our members.

First, we serve your local conferences with valuable support services. For example, our education team at the union handles all teacher certifications across the Northwest, making sure all our educators have the necessary education and ongoing training to stay current with national and state requirements. This important and time-consuming task is critical to maintaining Adventist education’s high standards. 

We also serve the local conference with leadership development, mentoring and support for directors and administration. This important role helps your conference leadership provide the best possible resources and guidance to local churches, schools and ministries working to be centers of influence in their communities. 

The NPUC also serves as a leadership hub facilitating communication and collaboration between NPUC conferences. We all have the same Gospel Commission and it’s vital to bring everyone together intentionally to dialogue and plan. Helping our conferences work together exponentially expands kingdom growth.

The second important role of the union is to serve as your voice in Seventh-day Adventist church governance. We are part of a worldwide church of believers looking for Jesus' soon return. The union is the body that represents conferences and local churches at the national and global levels. We are actively involved with the North American Division and the General Conference to ensure our Northwest policies, plans and initiatives align with what our Adventist brothers and sisters are doing around the world.

Q: Freedman, what is the Grow Small Conference Initiative?

A: The NPUC is made up of six conferences. Three of them (Alaska, Idaho and Montana) are much smaller than the others (Oregon, Upper Columbia and Washington). Through the years our union has helped support ministry efforts in the small conferences by sharing a small percentage of tithe income from the larger conferences. While this support structure will continue, the union decided, in discussions with our conference presidents, to look at additional ways to provide more tangible ministry support.

The Grow Small Conference Initiative is a plan to help our small conferences share the gospel with more people than they are currently able to reach on their own. This initiative provides support for small conferences through additional evangelism funding. It also shares key support staff from the union and our larger conferences to help with the outreach. 

Q: David Prest, how will this make a difference in the Idaho Conference.

A: The Idaho Conference is poised for growth. Our conference is home some of the fastest growing cities in the nation. We know there are people living all around us who are searching. I believe God is giving us the opportunity to bring them the assurance of eternal life. 

We've used the union's support to create an evangelistic initiative called Operation Exponential Growth. I encourage our pastors and members in the Idaho Conference to wholeheartedly embrace this initiative and move forward with faith. Each of us can play a part. God will bring the results.

Read more about Operation Exponential Growth

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Academy Students Dig Up Dinosaur Bones

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The North Pacific Union sponsored Northwest students and teachers to go on a hunt for dinosaur bones. The team was made up of 6th -11th grade students, teachers and parents. In total, 27 people traveled to the dig site near Newcastle, Wyoming.

Under the direction of Stan Hudson and Marella Rudebaugh from the NPUC Creation Study Center, students and teachers from four schools participated in Southwestern Adventist University's annual DinoDig in Wyoming. The dig took place on a ranch owned by a Christian family. It contains the remains of literally thousands of dinosaurs that were transported some distance by water, then buried and preserved. It is one of the largest deposits of dinosaur bones in the United States and reveals much evidence of the Genesis Flood.

The dig provided real hands-on experience for the students and teachers. Everyone found something in the dense bone bed. Each participant gleaned information that strengthened their faith in God's word.

"I saw more of the beauty of God's creation," said Stephanie Benna, Columbia Adventist Academy biology and physical science teacher from Battle Ground, Washington. "This trip just reinforced how much I want the students in my classroom to be able to see that in nature and through what we study. I saw how my students encouraged each other and were eager to learn. They [also] learned about patience and the reward that comes with it."

"On the DinoDig, I learned some pretty amazing and incredible things about dinosaurs. I also felt a lot closer to God," said Sydney Barker, recent eighth grade graduate of Palisades Christian Academy in Spokane, Washington. "When I was digging up dinosaur bones, it made me think about how much God loves us and how He wanted to give this world a second chance. That became a lot more real to me on this trip."

The week of discovery included stops at a dinosaur museum, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, in nearby South Dakota, as well as The Little Big Horn National Monument near Gillette, Wyoming.

Jared Wood, Southwestern's director of the project, appreciates the NPUC’s support of their research. For four years, the NPUC has sent the largest group of volunteers to the dig site. This season, participaing schools came from Spokane and Battle Ground, Washington, as well as from Sitka, Alaska. 

https://nwadvent.st/116-5-NPUC-15

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Evangelism Shark Tank Grants Awarded

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https://nwadvent.st/116-5-NPUC-40

In April 2021, the NPUC rolled out a program called Evangelism Shark Tank. Northwest pastors were asked to submit their ideas on how to better reach their community. Grants for as much as $15,000 would be awarded in each conference. Here is a little bit about the winning projects.

Crosspoint is a new church plant in Portland, Oregon that plans to reach out to those in the area who have become disconnected with the church. From Oct. 9 through the end of 2021, members of Crosspoint will make an intentional effort to reach the disconnected or disillusioned. One way they will do this is by having a “Love Well” outreach opportunity so that when they gather, they focus on a loving God, loving each other and loving their community well.

Inside Out, a Portland church plant, will offer their community a weeklong spiritual retreat on the Santiam River, away from hard city life. The weekend features food, fellowship, Bible studies and spiritual messages.

The Billings Church in Montana plans to utilize online platforms to host an evangelism video series. They will create a 12-15 part series to share relevant Biblical teachings that tie into what we believe as Seventh-day Adventists. This series will be promoted through online advertising using social media and Google based AdWords. It will have its own web domain which will allow for leads to be generated to contact and follow up with those who watched.

The Hamilton Church in Montana will be doing a more traditional approach of a 24-part evangelistic series targeting their population of 50,000. The funds will cover handbills, newspaper ads, Facebook, etc. They will have a children’s program, nightly Bible studies and several books as giveaways to attendees.

LifeBridge, a new church plant in Tacoma, Washington, has a full schedule for utilizing their funding. They will hold a community fall festival in October where each family in the church will seek to connect with a family from the community. In November, a free dental clinic will allow every patient to receive treatment as well as prayer, an invitation to Bible studies or the opportunity to participate in the various ministries of the church. A Christmas outreach will provide 50 stockings to children in the local children’s hospital. A live nativity scene in a local park and a Christmas worship experience will invite guests to commit to Christ through Bible studies and baptism. Spiritual revival groups will host several concurrent groups in homes reading and discussing a book such as Steps to Christ or Steps to Personal Revival. Finally an evangelistic reaping seminar entitled What is God Doing about Suffering will share the Adventist beliefs through themes of The Great Controversy. They will invite people to make decisions for Jesus and continue involvement in LifeBridge Church.

Bonners Ferry Church in Idaho will do one or more video series to target specific populations and draw them into a connection with their local church community. The videos would be hosted on a platform that would allow an automated follow up and response system to prompt inactive viewers that a video is waiting. It can also prompt them to watch another recommended series, join an online study, connect with a local small group, start a correspondence Bible study or have someone come to their home to study the Bible.

Palmer Church in Alaska will launch a podcast entitled More BetterIt will invite people into a life with Jesus that is more and better than anything else. The podcast will tell stories through pastoral journalism. Much like an investigative journalist would take listeners on an audio journey, an audio recorder will capture the moments and conversations that illuminate where God is at work. Every episode will follow a plotline to communicate one main point: to call listeners into a Jesus-centered missional life that is more and better.

Idaho is partnering with the NPUC on a project called Operation Exponential Growth to provide resources for personnel, finances, training and discipling. It will include several parts, beginning with prayer as the foundation, it will lead to revival, then to baptism and will follow with new church plants. The plans also include work to reclaim members who have fallen away from the church. Evangelistic meetings will take place throughout the conference either conducted live by the local pastor or through a livestream of evangelistic meetings by Bill McClendon in the Nampa Church in Idaho.

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Creation Study Center Announces New Resource for Churches

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For the first time ever a seminar on creation, produced for and by Seventh-day Adventists, is now available for pastors and lay leaders. The program is called “Origins” and has been two years in the making. 

Previously any time a church wanted to present science-based materials on creation, they had to go to non-denominational ministries like Answers in Genesis. However, the Adventist church doesn’t hold the same beliefs on all topics, like the age of the universe or eternally burning hell. Now those topics are addressed from the Adventist point of view.

The program consists of the following format: about 35 minutes of science-based PowerPoint slides, then a 10 minute video featuring interviews of scientists and theologians on the chosen topic of the day, then the program concludes with about 15 minutes of Bible-based PowerPoint slides on what Scripture offers on the topic. There are six lectures, complete with word-for-word scripts, covering six topics. 

The first topic is the “Origin of the Debate.” This explains why popular science and Christianity seem to be at odds, especially as it relates to creation versus evolution. The second topic is the “Origin of Humankind.” This takes a hard look at the candidates presented as human ancestors in the fossil record, while sharing the royal ancestry view of humankind as recorded in the Bible.  The third topic is the “Origin of the Oceans,” which deals with the flood of Genesis and the fossil record.

The fourth topic is the “Origin of Dinosaurs.” Surprisingly, the study of dinosaurs has shed much light favorable to creation. The fifth topic is the “Origin of the Earth,” where the more difficult subject of the age of the earth is considered.  The age-dating of rocks is explained in laymen’s terms and why it might not be as reliable as it is presented to be. The larger topic of decay is treated from a Biblical perspective.

The final topic is the “Origin of the Universe,” where the larger questions of ultimate purpose and destiny are discussed. The Big Bang is highlighted along with the “Big Crunch” which some feel is how the universe will conclude. Here’s where the topic of hell is examined and how Charles Darwin felt, such was a “damnable doctrine.” The video features It Is Written’s John Bradshaw, giving an excellent response to the popular view.  

The emphasis of the series is beginnings, but the last program closes on a hopeful view of endings. This has been put together as a possible “bridge event,” which could easily lead into a follow-up on a prophecy seminar. It could be teased as, “We’ve studied how things started. Would you like now to study how things end?”

The Geoscience Research Institute in Loma Linda was heavily consulted, with their key scientists interviewed in the videos. SermonView produced the high-quality slides. Plus they have produced a variety of marketing tools to advertise these meetings. And Advent Source, the North American Division’s major resource ministry for pastors and churches, is handling the distribution of the seminar itself. Those interested in obtaining the seminar or having questions should go to: creationstudycenter.com/origins. 

Efforts were especially made to lessen worries about the technical science concepts being presented. Several “how to” videos were produced, including trailers for congregations and even an invitation suitable for Facebook and other media. The kit contains about 18 videos, a sample of a Participant’s Guide, a Coordinator’s Guide and lecture scripts.

We are called to share the Three Angels’ Messages of Revelation 14 to a world that has largely forgotten its Creator. Now we can share solid scientific evidence for this great truth.

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NPUC Creation Center Acquires Mammoth Bone

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Along with a number of other fossil and geological specimens, the Creation Study Center in Ridgefield, Washington, has acquired a giant leg bone of an ancient mammoth. It's a part of the lifetime collection of retired science teacher, Joe Young from Walla Walla, Washington.

The rear femur is 41 inches long and weighs 47 pounds. “It’s in beautiful condition and, thus, rare,” says Stan Hudson, the Creation Study Center’s director. “We want to put it on display in our museum, but its size is going to require a customized mount. It’s too big for our cases.” 

Young dug the bone up himself nearly 50 years ago near Walla Walla where more than 30 mammoth sites are recorded in the area. The bone has been part of Washington’s official “state fossil" collection. The official Washinton state fossil is the Columbia mammoth (Mammuthus columbi).

Visitors are welcome to the Creation Study Center to see the bone and many other acquired fossils. For more information, contact the North Pacific Union Conference office museum hours as well as the latest pandemic protocol: creationstudycenter.com.

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Wenatchee Remembers Beloved Community Leader

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More than two hundred people gathered at the Wenatchee Adventist Church Saturday, October 30, 2021 to celebrate the life of Charles R. Steinberg.

The prominent Wenatchee attorney and two-time Chelan County judicial candidate died September 21, 2021 after collapsing at his home.

The service, held in Steinberg’s home church, was attended by people from all walks of life. Dozens of people took the opportunity to share memories of this humble man who touched all who knew him. Many were moved to tears as friends and family recounted how Steinberg befriended, cared for, mentored and served all in his sphere of influence.

People shared how Steinberg had served them in a professional capacity with genuine care and attention. A Washington state chess champion, he enjoyed applying his analytical skills to solve people’s legal problems at his law practice. 

“I worked with Charles for 8 years. He was one of the nicest business owners in the whole town and I’ve delt with a lot [of them],” said a radio ad rep. “He always treated me extremely well.”

Another person sharing memories said, “I was nervous about seeing a lawyer but Charles put me at ease right from the start.” It didn’t take long and they knew they had a life-long friend.

This sentiment was echoed by yet another friend. “Charles was my lawyer, but beyond that, it’s kind of unique when your lawyer is one of your best friends. Charles always had good advice for me.”

People of all ages attended the service including many friends of Steinberg’s daughter, Sophia. As they shared their memories, it was evident that Steinberg genuinely took an interest in each one of them. 

“The Steinbergs’ moved next door to us when I was growing up,” said a young neighbor. “Charles shared my competitive spirit and was always up for whatever game I was in the mood for.”

Another young person said, “Their house was always just a very safe place. Charles and Joni are some of the most truly warm, kind and respectful people I’ve ever met.”

Steinberg felt joy when serving others. He often helped feed homeless people in Wenatchee’s Locomotive Park on Saturday afternoons. His generosity was the subject of many stories. 

Steinberg is also known for the pro bono work he performed on behalf of religious liberty organizations, including the Northwest Religious Liberty Association, a nonprofit advocacy arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to which he belonged. He was vice president of the association for 22 years.

Andre Wang, North Pacific Union religious liberty director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Northwest shared his memories in a video.

Steinberg frequently argued on behalf of churches and institutions challenging civic law on religious-freedom grounds. In 2001, he helped strike down a King County moratorium on the construction of large churches or private schools in rural areas. 

His religious liberty work wasn’t limited to local issues. In 2021, he won a U.S. District Court case in partnership with the Becket Fund that guarantees accommodation for sabbath keeping athletes.

Steinberg grew up in Shoreline, Washington and studied law at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, before relocating to Wenatchee in 1994. He opened his private practice that year. He twice ran for Chelan County Superior Court judge, in 2012 and 2018.

Steinberg is survived by his wife Joni, and an adult daughter, Sophia. He was 55.

https://nwadvent.st/117-1-NPUC-76

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Stronger When We Grow Together

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https://nwadvent.st/116-6-NPUC-95

Do you know what would be music to my ears? I've been praying for a young adult testimony that goes something like this:

“Hey Rob, I had a really hard decision whether or not to work at camp this summer because I love my local church family so much. They’ve become such a blessing to me and every Sabbath is like a family reunion.”

My prayer was answered recently, when Danny Ramos, a staff member at Big Lake Youth Camp, shared this exact story during staff training.

Danny's experience is one I long for in churches across the Northwest. In times of societal fracture and generational disconnect, a healthy, Christ-centered church stands as a beacon of hope to all generations. As people are polarized by modern ideologies and philosophies, the message and methods of Jesus are still the answer. 

An insightful book, entitled Growing Young, has outlined an effective model for a church to attract young adults and grow to become a thriving community. All generations become involved when we intentionally apply Jesus' approach as seen in the New Testament. Many churches have decided to no longer stand idly by. Instead, they have chosen to put their hope into action for their young people and the future of the church. It is inspiring to see what happens through prayer, learning, connecting and the implementation of proven biblical strategies.  

The North Pacific Union has engaged in an intentional learning journey over the last three years to build Seventh-day Adventist Churches for all generations. The leaders of more than 150 churches, along with conference youth and young adult directors have discovered a very interesting and surprising thing. While this initiative began as an effort to reach young people, the outcomes have turned out to be transformational for all generations.

Beverly Neuman of Palmer, Alaska said, "The cohort inspired our older members to be active and innovative in their purpose for the church. Our talented young people add vitality to the older ones and we all gain a new vision for service. Our church has become a place to belong and grow spiritually."

Church leaders throughout the NPUC are championing “Growing Together” as a practical Adventist model for effective church development. The biblical principles, when applied to a local church, lead to a healthier and more vibrant church for all generations.

We should not be surprised that Christ’s method alone, when applied, works for everyone! For this reason, the North Pacific Union is launching another cohort, accurately named Growing Together. The Growing Together cohort point leader is Benjamin Lundquist, Oregon's young adult ministries director. 

The cohort launches with the first online summit in January, 2022 and concludes in early December of 2022. It is a facilitated year-long learning journey for culture change led exclusively by church leaders from the North Pacific Union.

Would your church like to grow together? Go to growingtogethercohort.com and download the Growing Together Facts Sheet. Share the information with your local team and register as one of the many churches who are committed to growing together. The cohort model is proven, when followed and implemented, to help your church grow together as a family — and that is music to my ears!

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Creation and the Hope it Brings

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There is a rising trend among the youth of today, especially seen among “Generation Z-ers.” They experience despair, depression and more suicide than in previous generations. The future is seen as bleak and without hope. And when one tries to speak optimistically, the resulting skepticism runs deep.

How are we to share hope with them?

True hope for mankind comes from the Biblical narrative. And that narrative starts with an act of creation by a loving and powerful God. And yet much of the modern science of today would promote origins apart from that Creator. Instead, our beginnings are assumed to lie in some bubbling chemical pool where atoms accidently came together to form life. From that lifeform, a long series of fortunate mistakes in reproduction caused life to change into a myriad of delightful creatures  — hummingbirds, whales, puppies and people. And all of these complex forms came to be by pushing against the law of physics called “entropy.” Nature currently is moving steadily away in an opposite direction, from organization to disorganization.   

This model for origins is the only theory permitted to be taught in public schools and is the only model presented to the public via media like movies and science programs. Alternate views involving the Bible are ignored and because of this, science-supported creation is becoming less known.

Recent Gallup polls taken in America regarding origins show a reduction among people’s knowledge of creationism. From 2007 to 2017 those very familiar with creationism went from 50% down to 36%. The science supporting the Designer God is plentiful, but fewer and fewer people know about it. Isn’t this where the Seventh-day Adventist message from Revelation 14 can bring light?

The General Conference has appointed one Sabbath every year as “Creation Sabbath.” The purpose is to emphasize doctrines of creation and the Sabbath with special programming, especially for the public. The third Sabbath of October is the annual designated day, which this year fell on October 16. 

Since our denomination’s birth we have seen, as our corporate mission, the proclamation of Revelation 14’s Three Angels Messages. Set in a last days’ invitation to reconciliation with our loving Creator, the phrasing includes references to the Sabbath (“heaven, earth and seas”) as well as to the flood of Genesis (“fountains of waters”). It is, in fact, a call to worship the God of Genesis, where He is revealed as both Creator and Judge. And since Revelation 14 concludes with images of a harvest, there is a tangible sense of urgency to this message. 

But such a message loses much of its impact if the Book of Genesis is thought to be non-historical; that is, if it is seen to be essentially fairy tales. Where did that view enter into Western thought?

During the rise of the “Age of Reason” in the late 1700s, skepticism in the Bible and most things of supernatural origin led to an effort to understand nature apart from any stories of origin (like Genesis). In the wake of this movement, “methodological naturalism” became the norm in understanding nature. That is, all conclusions must not ever include God in the picture. This humanistic approach has affected academic disciplines in higher education, especially in today's science. But with the resulting skepticism of the hope we share in a future with God, purposelessness remains as a tangible cloud over humanity.

So how can we share our hope?

Never underestimate the power of hope! In 1 Corinthians 13 it is part of the “heavenly triumvirate” of “faith, hope and love.” If life has no ultimate purpose, personal hope for a better future is gone. That’s why convincing people there are solid reasons to believe Genesis is reliable, through science and history, will open the door to other truths.

Proving the historicity of the flood is one way to start sharing. For instance, virtually every ancient tribal group, from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas remember a universal flood story. Though details differ, there are remarkable similarities, including a Noahic character escaping the waters and beginning the repopulation of earth. There are no similar memories of a great fire or earthquake or other natural disaster — just a world-destroying deluge. As a Native American tour guide once said in the Smithsonian’s Native American Museum, “perhaps there’s something to it!” 

[Insert picture #1 of flood stories list]

Proof from geology is also compelling. A full 75% of all rocks are sedimentary in composition, generally requiring water in its manufacture. The Grand Canyon is almost entirely composed of sedimentary rock, which is easiest to explain using a flood model. There is currently no place on earth where comparable, huge flat layers of rock are being deposited one on top of the other. Creationists spend time proving the flood origins of the earth’s crust; the hope is, if people are led to believe that the flood of Genesis happened, they might also believe the rest of Genesis is historical as well.

[Insert picture #2 of sedimentary rock layers]

Yet another powerful area of proof lies in the fossil record itself. As Harvard biologist and evolutionist Stephen Jay Gould admitted, “The extreme rarity of transitional forms in the fossil record persists as the trade secret of paleontology. The evolutionary trees that adorn our textbooks have data only at the tips and nodes of their branches; the rest is inference ... not the evidence of fossils.” This is the old, yet still strong argument of “missing links.” Fossils are clearly absent where intermediate stages of development in the fossil record should be plentiful. 

[Insert picture #3 of evolution’s tree of life — green circles showing fossil evidence, red ones showing their absence]

As for evolution itself, a scientific theory of origins is heavily influenced by humanistic reasoning. But more scientists are questioning its current standing among biologists. For instance, the mechanism driving evolution is unknown. Darwin’s theory of such a mechanism called “survival of the fittest” has long been abandoned, because it involves no genetic altering. It merely produces very fit animals! It doesn’t change them.

The more current view is called “Neo-Darwinism” and it assumes mutations or mistakes in reproduction can account for change. However, in repeated laboratory experimentation, mutations virtually always result in a defect that includes loss of functions. It rarely or never results in an enhancement. Scientists are now looking for another theory where no God is involved, but one where succeeding organisms would tend to be more complex than their ancestors. So far, no theory has gained traction.

At some internal level, we think that God has “hardwired” us to believe in larger pictures. “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

God has made humankind with “eternity” in their hearts, but left them without the ability the completely comprehend all of His works. We believe that means the desire to know God and greater realities than our visible world is present within us — by intentional design. But we lack the ability or capacity to understand our universe completely. 

It also means people have a natural tendency to believe they were created for a higher purpose. It is to that natural tendency that our appeals will resonate. People long for a story where there is a happy ending and that is precisely the story the Bible offers.

But a rising trend in America is the hostility and energy we see in people making serious cases for their positions, directly challenging others with a spirit that rarely resembles a God of love. As a result, people tend to harden their defenses when challenged. 

What is needed is another spirit, one that does not merely proclaim, “I am right and you are wrong.” 

People often ask for that one “best argument” about God's existence — an argument that is unarguable.

Consider that what works best with today’s youth is honest and genuine personal stories. Young people tend to respect one’s personal journey. Share what the Creator God has done in your life and how a knowledge of Him and His works has blessed you. At some point you can show that you don’t have to sacrifice evidence-based reasoning to believe — that time will likely come later.

 

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Sharing the Hope that is in the Biblical Narrative on Creation

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Northwest Pathfinders Conquer 1 Kings and Ruth

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https://nwadvent.st/117-3-NPUC-90

Quiet whispers and murmurs filled the Gem State Adventist Academy gymnasium during the North Pacific Union Pathfinder Bible Experience, March, 12, 2022. Eight Northwest clubs attended the event where teams pushed their memory banks to the limit, answering specific questions from 1 Kings and Ruth. 

"The hardest part was 1 Kings, chapter 4," said one young man from the Middleton, Idaho Pathfinder team.

A team member chimed in, "The Commentary questions are the hardest for me." Other team members agreed. 

"That's because you didn't study the Commentary much," said Mark Warren, their club director.

In addition to detailed questions from the assigned Bible books, Pathfinders are also tested on the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary introduction to each study book.

Before the union competition, teams gathered outside the gymnasium for inspection. Pathfinder leaders from each conference worked together to inspect the teams. They reviewed their uniforms, praised teams for their attention to detail and made recommendations for improvement when appropriate. At the end of each inspection, the leaders prayed with each team and asked God to help them remember all they had studied.

After their inspection, members of the Spokane Valley club talked about what surprised them about this year's PBE experience.

Ella, age 15, said, "I enjoyed learning about people you don't normally hear about in children's Bible stories."

"The hardest part for me was the sugar fast," said another 16-year-old team member. The sugar fast is an exercise teams participate in to learn how diet affects brain health and retention.

During the competition, teams sat in a circle and quietly listened as Kevin Wallin, Washington Conference PBE coordinator and this year's quiz master, read them twice. Then, they had 30 seconds to write their answer down and hand it off to the judges. The teams answered 90 questions in all. 

The Pathfinder Bible Experience is the official North American Division Pathfinder Bible study program. Each year, teams of six club members study a portion of the Bible (alternating Old Testament and New Testament), memorizing large sections of God's word. Large clubs often have more than one team participating. 

There are four levels of competition: area, conference, union and division finale. Teams that placed first will move on to the 2022 division finale on April 22-23 in Eugene, Oregon. 

NPUC Team Placement

  • Third - Boise Ponderosa, Idaho Conference
  • Third - Fort Vancouver, Oregon Conference 
  • Third - Middleton Swords, Idaho Conference
  • Second -  Bellevue Sojourners and Golden Lions, Washington Conference
  • Second -  Spokane Valley Trailblazers, Upper Columbia Conference
  • Second - College Place Village Waiilatpu, Upper Columbia Conference
  • First - Bellevue Ivory Apes, Washington Conference
  • First - Pleasant Valley Carmelites and Mochi Pounders, Oregon Conference

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NPUC Appoints De León Associate Director

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The North Pacific Union executive committee voted on Mar. 9 to appoint Carolann De León as the associate director for Hispanic, ministerial and family ministries. Carolann joins her husband and ministry partner of 35 years, Dr. Cesar De León, serving NPCU conferences in these three important areas. 

Carolann felt called to ministry at an early age. She was always passionately involved in her father’s pastoral ministry during her adolescence and early adulthood. She taught children, early teens and youth; directed vacation Bible schools and offered parenting classes, even as a single, young adult. Her early calling to ministry went unnoticed, as women in ministry were very rarely supported at that time.

Carolann’s first profession was as an intensive care nurse. She later returned to Loma Linda University where she received a master’s degree in marriage and family counseling. She was nearing completion of her doctorate in the same area, at Fuller Theological Seminary’s School of Psychology in Pasadena, California, when she made the decision to devote herself to raising her children.

Currently, Carolann is working to complete a master’s degree in pastoral ministry from Andrews University. She finds optimal joy in sharing the good news gospel of Jesus Christ. Witnessing the holistic transformation as God touches and heals the human heart, mind and life, brings Carolann deep satisfaction.

Carolann’s ministry passions are discipling, training and encouraging and empowering people to become radical followers of Jesus. She aims to help them form emotionally healthy spiritual relationships and communities that are equipped and trained to coach, disciple and empower new disciples effectively, so they can become emotionally and spiritually healthy disciples who repeat the kingdom-building cycle. 

Carolann and Cesar are blessed with two sons; Zac (26) is attending Seminary at Andrews University and Jonathan (24) works as a registered nurse in Salem, Oregon.  

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