The Cutting Edge October 10, 2014 Here s what s happening across our Conference, at least what I ve heard about. Feel free to share this with anyone.

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1 The Cutting Edge October 10, 2014 Here s what s happening across our Conference, at least what I ve heard about. Feel free to share this with anyone. 1. Brad Phipps was baptized into my Ottawa, KS church recently, says Pastor Jim Martin. Brad shared a moving testimony of righteousness by faith and how God has worked in his life. The Voices of One choir shared a concert which made the Sabbath very special, says Pastor Jim. 2. Eric & Michelle Hansen shared stories of their daughter, Jackie, just prior to her baptism at the close of the Sabbath last week at our Chapel Oaks Church, says Reba Lucky. Jackie, who has been studying with Pastor Mike Fenton, gave testimony of her decision to give her life completely to Jesus. She was surrounded by family and friends as her father had the privilege of baptizing her. Following her baptism all who were in attendance gathered around her as her father offered a prayer of thanks and asking God's blessing for Jackie, shares Reba. 3. Last Sabbath after potluck those who could stayed for the much awaited ground breaking ceremony at the Harper, KS Church for our new fellowship hall, shares Ken Enochs. Shovels were handed out to break the ground while others stood by. Our visiting pastor, Dr. Mike Steenhoven from Topeka, shared a few well-chosen words. Prayer was given asking for God's blessing on the construction. We all went away with joy in our hearts for our newest project, one that is so needed for our continued work here in Harper. Please pray for our growth in Harper as we search for ways to reach out to the community! asks Ken.

2 4. This is Miguel (center) with me and Pablo Lopez from the Lexington, NE Hispanic Company, says Pastor Jorge Zelaya. Three weeks ago, Miguel was at a the hospital in Lincoln with a critical condition. Both kidneys had totally collapsed, and he had to depend on dialysis. Last night, during our prayer meeting, he testified that the dialysis treatment was stopped because his kidneys are functioning normally. Praise God! We still can see his miracles! says Pastor Zelaya. 5. Pastor Lawrence Francis let me know, Our Area Ministerial Association meeting of the Western Nebraska pastors retreated from our work for a full day and met at the Eagle Canyon Hideaway in Ogallala, NE this week. We were surrounded by the beautiful Lake McConaughy, white sandy beaches along with its own lighthouse and gorgeous setting sun over the rolling hills of western Nebraska as our back drop. We met to learn about each other and from each other, share our burdens and lifted each other in prayers and discussed various aspects of ministry and spirituality. It was a precious block of time we got to share in the midst of our busy schedule and are happy we were able to do this. We truly believe the Holy Spirit guided our time together, says Pastor Lawrence.

3 6. Omaha Memorial Church enjoyed an anniversary celebration honoring 50 years of worship at the present location this past weekend, share Debra Dehning. Elder Jim Hoehn, one of our former pastors and past KS-NE Conference President, presented a stirring message for the worship service. Elder John and Muriel Sharp, another former pastoral couple were also present as special worship guest participants. Tributes were shared in letters, s, and well wishes from a variety of previous pastors further complimenting the delightful walk down memory lane. The move from the previous downtown location was relived when a video was shown documenting the actual move and the uncovering of the cornerstone on the first Sabbath celebrated at Omaha Memorial Church in A delicious fellowship lunch provided just the right venue to "remember when" and reaffirm the bonds of church family ties. Sabbath evening Vespers featured the musical talents of past and current members as well as historical presentations highlighting golden memories from the past. Sunday was "Family Fun Day" with several games, jump houses, face painting, a dunk tank, loads of popcorn and a bake sale. The festivities culminated in an outdoor veggie burger lunch with all the trimmings. It was a weekend to remember as we witnessed the way the Lord has blessed Omaha Memorial Church, says Debra. 7. I was asked to be a presenter for "God In Shoes" last year in Grand Island, NE, shares local Adventist school teacher, Regina Harvey. My subject was, Helping Your Kids Make the Grade; Keys to Success. After the program, the mother of one of my student's parents was walking toward me with another lady who had been attending the program. She told me how much she enjoyed it and how she wanted her two grandchildren to go to my school and be their teacher. A week later, I was somewhat surprised when this grandmother (not an Adventist) came to the school for a visit with her two

4 grandchildren! Well, long story short, they have been attending my school for a year now. I thought God would allow me to present to a bunch of people I didn't know and then go back to my comfortable classroom and continue life as usual. But no! God brought someone to me so that I can practice what I preach! Every morning, at my school, there are two students with the cutest smiles on their faces and a grandmother with tears of joy in her eyes that her grandchildren can walk into my school, greeted with a happy "Hello!" and feel like they are a worthy part of my day. God In Shoes? For two special students and a grandmother, I was their "God In Shoes!" says Regina. 8. Thanks to a very generous gift by a group of alumni Union College has been able to remodel the whole first floor of the administration building, says Union College Chaplain, Pastor Rich Carlson. Now, before the snow flies, the finishing touches are being completed with a new entrance and new steps to the front of the building. We are very blessed to have such supportive alumni, says Pastor Rich. Also, last Sabbath Union College students helped collect over 1,000 pounds of food for the Good Neighbor Center, our Adventist community service facility in Lincoln, adds Pastor Rich. 9. Four of our Lincoln pastors really enjoyed taking part in Christian Record's Eye Run on Sunday. Andy Moseley lead the charge with a blistering 10K while John Abbott, Michael Halfhill and I did what we could to make a good showing, says Pastor Dean Carlisle. For more about this story, click here.

5 10. Pastor Jeremy Wolk shares, Yesterday I was able to help our teacher, Marva Lee Purkeypile, with the field trip for our Eureka, KS Yates Memorial School. We went to the Wichita zoo and had fun and learned about animals all at once. 11. College View Academy students experienced a week of special chapels for their Fall Week of Prayer this week. Principal Brian Carlson shared with the PreK-8th graders and Union College student, J-Fiah Reeves shared with the high school. Mr. Carlson discussed Psalm 23 with the PreK-4 students as they looked at the story of Sammy the Sheep and his Shepherd. Also, Mr. Carlson talked about facing our giants as grades 5-8 talked about the David/Goliath story. The high school students were inspired to find their identity in Jesus rather than anything in the world. 12. Last weekend we had our Hispanic Youth Congress at Broken Arrow Ranch, shares our Hispanic Coordinator, Roberto Correa. About 140 youth came to be trained how to be better Adventists and lead other young people to God. Pastor Daniel Duffis was the key speaker and after his invitation to be baptized more than 20 young people came up with the firm decision to be a member of our Church and serve God. Some of them are being baptized this coming Sabbath. We are happy to see how the Lord is preparing our younger generation to move forward, says Pastor Correa. 13. The NAD Women's Ministries Convention, held September in Orlando, Fla., was attended by 1,800 service-oriented women eager to draw closer to the Lord and to learn more about how to use their talents for God. These are a few of our KS-NE ladies who were there with me, says Sue Carlson, Women s Ministries Director.

6 14. Pastor Terry Ruebush let me know, The movie Left Behind opened this last weekend here in Great Bend, KS so my wife, Melodie, and I along with four other Great Bend members handed out the Pocket Signs on the Secret Rapture to movie goers as they were entering and leavening the theater. 15. Last weekend the annual Panhandle Camp Meeting occurred in Scottsbluff, NE. Adventists from across western Nebraska and eastern Wyoming met for inspiration and fellowship. To listen to my three messages from the book of Jonah, click here. 16. LOOK AT THIS TIDE OF YOUTH! says Edgar Sanchez. All youth clubs at Omaha Memorial gathered for opening exercises this past Monday evening. We are still adding at this juncture. See how many you can count. Praises to Him, says Edgar.

7 17. As anyone who has experienced a remodeling project knows, things don t always go as planned, shares Vanessa Schaecher. That has held true with Piedmont Park s expansion project as well. Recently when we had several days of rain, the Fellowship Hall flooded overnight on Friday and on Sabbath morning many church members pitched in and helped to clean up the flooding and put sandbags in front of the area that was leaking the most! Thankfully the area that was leaking is now covered and we shouldn t have that issue again. We are very thankful for our members willingness to help care for their church building, says Vanessa. 18. The corn harvest has begun at the Conference s Shelton, NE farm, reports Don Stricker (VP for Finance). Current yields are up to 240 bushels per acre which is considered excellent. $100,000 from this crop will go into the Conference Scholarship Fund to support our Adventist schools and students, says Don.

8 19. Some good church humor: 20. Here s what some of us from the office are up to this Sabbath: Norm Zimmerman (Trust Services Director) will be speaking at the Topeka Wanamaker Church tomorrow. John Treolo (Communication Director) is videotaping the North American Division & Mid- America Union Children's Leadership Conference in Lincoln. Travis Sager (Youth Director) will be in Arkansas speaking at the Springtown Church and helping with Apple Fest in Topeka on Sunday. Sue Carlson (Children s Ministries Director) is attending the Children s Leadership Conference in Lincoln this weekend. Virgil Covel (Ministerial Director) will be sharing a message with at the Wichita Cornerstone Church in the morning. I will be worshiping at the Topeka Wanamaker Church tomorrow then flying to Washington DC in the evening to attend the Annual Council at the General Conference headquarters. This meeting is for the leaders of the Adventist Church of all 13 Divisions and will set the agenda for the 2015 General Conference Session in San Antonio, Texas. **If you know of something that you think would be of interest to other Kansas- Nebraska Adventists, please let me know. I am trying to keep everyone on the "cutting edge" by sending this out each Friday. Have a wonderful Sabbath! Ron ************************************ Ron Carlson, President Kansas-Nebraska Conference of Seventh-day Adventists 3440 Urish Rd. Topeka, KS ************************************* To subscribe or unsubscribe to The Cutting Edge, all you have to do is let me know. rcarlson@ks-ne.org