Current news from across the KS-NE Conference View this email in your browser The Cutting Edge March 3, 2017 Here's what's happening across our Conference, at least what I've heard about. Feel free to share this with anyone! "Last Sabbath I had the privilege to preach at and visit the Columbus Adventist Church," says Pastor Roberto Correa (Hispanic Coordinator). "It was a high Sabbath for them because two people gave their lves to Jesus publicly through baptism. May the Lord keep blessing our brothers and sisters in that community," says Pastor Correa.
"Today the first group of Mission Trippers left from Kansas City to Portland Oregon!" says Tim Floyd (Youth/Young Adult Director). "The second group will meet up with us from Omaha on Sunday. We are all really excited and open to what God will do through our group this week. Please keep us in your prayers and keep an eye on the KS-NE Conference Youth Ministries Facebook group click here for updates & pictures throughout our trip! Thank you to everyone who helped sponsor a young person be able to be a part of this ministry!!" says Pastor Tim.
"Look what came to the Conference office today!" says Sue Carlson (Children's Ministries Director). "These Cactusville backdrops, banners, stands and critters would love to come to your church to help with your Vacation Bible School! They go with this year's Adventist produced Vacation Bible school program, "Cactusville VBX!" The "X" stands for Xperience! If your church would like to use these props free of charge when you use the Cactusville VBX program, simply contact me to reserve the date you plan to use them. There is no charge. You just have to transport them to and from your church! 'Yee-Haw!'" says Sue.
ASI (Adventist-laymen s Services & Industries) is having a special rally this weekend at the Omaha Memorial Church. ASI is a cooperative network of lay individuals, professionals, business owners, and ministries who collectively support the global mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Their motto is, "Sharing Christ in the Marketplace." The weekend begins at 6:30 this evening and continues all day tomorrow, beginning at 9:30 a.m., with lunch provided. "All are welcome to attend for inspiration and fellowship," says organizer Karen Phillips. Omaha Memorial Church 840 North 72nd St. Omaha, Nebraska "The kiddos really enjoyed their field trip to the Exploration Place, Kansas' premier science center!" says Megan Tidwell (teacher at Wichita Adventist Christian Academy). "We had a blast and learned some stuff in the process!"
"It's the start of spring break at College View Academy," says Missy Sorter." As many students look forward to enjoying a relaxing break from school and getting caught up on their sleep, we have two groups of students that have decided to give back instead. Early this morning a group of CVA students and College View Church members flew to Honduras to work at an orphanage. They will spend the next 10 days being the hands and feet of Jesus! On Sunday, another group of CVA students will join KS/NE Conference youth director, Tim Floyd, on a mission trip to Portland, OR to help the less fortunate. We are so blessed to have students that want to serve and are committed to spreading the love of Jesus," says Missy.
"Stepping out in faith while thinking outside the box was what inspired Hastings' head elder Loren Wehling to come up with an idea," shares Regina Harvey. "Being a trained conscientious objector himself, he felt God leading him to re-show the movie, Hacksaw Ridge, and use his own personal testimony as a spring board. Buying the movie, Loren then rented the Hastings Imperial Mall food court and set up a huge
screen with projector. He advertised, offering two free nights of the movie with free popcorn. At the end of each showing, everyone received a copy of the biography of Desmond Doss. It was a huge success! The first night, 40 visitors came and on the second night, 60 visitors attended. He was able to answer questions and witness to many people. He has also been invited to speak and show the movie at the local Legion," says Regina. "This week I was able to attend the North American Division ehuddle in Orlando, FL, says Virgil Covel (Ministerial/Evangelism Director). "Administrators from North America came together to think and talk about evangelism and to hear some innovative approaches to sharing the gospel and church growth. It was thought provoking and educational," says Virgil. (Can you find him?) "On Tuesday evening the Activity Center at Chapel Oaks was transformed into a lush garden as the Mentor Moms, under the leadership of Anne Wham, treated the MOPS/MOMsNext ladies to
Spa LaLa!!" says Reba Lucky. "We began with devotion & instruction for the flow of the evening. The ladies were given a card on which to write any concerns they have in their lives. The cards were sealed and the Mentor Moms will meet later to pray for those concerns. The ladies then rotated through the five stations facial, hand, pedicure, massage, and cafe. At each station there was an activity and correlating Bible verse. Everyone left feeling very rested, refreshed and pampered," says Reba.
Six of our office staff and ten or our pastors attended The One Project gathering last weekend with about 1,200 other Adventists in San Diego. Some of Adventism's best preachers and teachers shared insights and inspiration from the book of Revelation. Some reactions from our group were: I met some great people and renewed my commitment to get closer to Jesus. I was greatly blessed by most of the presentations, but even more by the times of dialogue that followed. Getting to know the people who attend the conference and their thirst for relevant SDA impact. They want to discuss issues relevant to today, and not answers to the questions no one is asking. Great preaching. Showing Jesus can be found everywhere in the book of Revelation Christ centered messages and also the deep concern to increase our worship and relationship with the Lord! The worship opportunity with like-minded people wsa wonderful Fellowship, Worship, Networking made it worthwhile. This was such a blessing to go and be spiritually fed! A breath of fresh air for my soul! I felt a reaffirmation of why I work for the Church, and what our true purpose is. Jesus. Positive, gospel-centered preaching. Inspiring music.
"This past Sabbath we had our monthly community dinner in El Dorado," shares Pastor Francois Erasmus. "We invite anyone in our community to come and share our meal with us. Some of the people that attend have done so for years, though they do not attend church (we always invite them to join us) we feel that this endeavor is responsible for a lot of goodwill toward our congregation. A lady we sat with was attending for the first time, she could not express her appreciation enough for what our church was doing. Sometimes small things have big impacts," says Pastor Francois.
"The Chapel Oaks Explorers Pathfinder Club had a fun lock-in at Greenbrush last weekend full of team building games, socialization with the club, and even a zip line before the weather got too cold to be up on the launch platform," shares Pastor Anthony Whitlow. "The weekend was fun and delightful (and tiring) to be with all of the Pathfinders!"
"Last weekend I had the honor to be one of the co-leaders of Generation One, the youth program for the One Project," shares Pastor Kyle Smith. "It was awesome getting to work with some great youth pastors and youth leaders. I also brought one young adult and three youth from New Haven! They had a great time and said they learned so much from the sermons!" says Pastor Kyle.
"Our Hutchinson congregation is having monthly socials," shares Jan Sexton. "A game night with snacks was enjoyed by all last month. Last Saturday night we met at The Alley after vespers to bowl and fellowship together. The group picture is of some of those who bowled. The other pictures were of game night at the fellowship hall. It was fun!! I haven't bowled for 40 years!" says Jan.
"Tonight at 7:00 p.m. a great group of Children's Ministry Leaders from around our Mid-America Union will gather at the Lincoln Hispanic Church for the Children's Leadership Conference," says Sue Carlson (Children's Ministries Director) "We will be treated to a weekend of inspiration, networking and instruction! This weekend is featuring resources and inspiration from North American Division Children's Ministries Director, Sherri Uhrig. Instruction in puppetry from the 'Be Ready Puppeteers' who were featured at the General Conference in San Antonio, Drama from Union College Pastor Brett Hadley, Assoc. Professor of Communications and Drama, Praise and Worship with Joann Herrington, professional musician and educator, Ballooning with Teresa Peckham and Candi Sartin, professional clowns and Saturday night we will experience Cactusville VBX, our newly produced Adventist
Vacation Bible School! There will be classes in both English and Spanish. We are excited to learn new ways of sharing Jesus with our children and in turn teaching them how they can share their faith with others!" says Sue. "I was in Orlando last weekend as a guest of Adventist Health System (AHS) attending their Mission Conference," says New Haven's lead pastor, Doug Elsey. "While there, it was good to run into our old buddy (former Conference Youth Director), Travis Sager. I guess he was there because he, too, has an AHS hospital near his church in Hinsdale. He seems to be doing well as the 'Superman of Hinsdale,' says Doug.
Tomorrow's offering is for your local church budget. This regular offering provides the resources to carry forward the many ministries in the name of Christ in your community. "A group of men were discussing a diverse number of topics when one of them declared, Money can buy anything. read more. Here's what some from the office are up to. John & Susan Sweigart (VP for Administration) will be at home in Topeka this weekend. Sue Carlson (Children's Ministries Director) is in Lincoln participating in the Union-wide Children's Leadership Conference. Norm & Jan Zimmerman (Trust Services Director) will be at Chapel Oaks tomorrow where Norm will preach and Jan will share music. "Sunday I will be busy with appointments," says Norm. Virgil Covel (Ministerial Director) will be in Topeka this Sabbath serving as elder and teaching Junior Sabbath School. I will be in Omaha tomorrow where they are having a special ASI weekend. **If you know 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 66614 785-478-4726
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