Keep on Shining

Since 1897, people in Provo, UT have been making friends with Jesus Christ through the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Today was a defining moment for the community that gathered in the newly-completed Community Center of this historic congregation.

As Jennifer and I walked into the Center the smell of paint still lingered in the air. Over 200 chairs were readied for the crowd that would assemble to dedicate this space to the Lord's service at 11:00 a.m. As we toured the offices, classrooms, and large gymnasium I recalled just a few months before when it was a dirt parking lot, unfinished walls, and exposed electrical and duct work that greeted the eye.

Transformation occurred quickly! And not only the physical space but also in the paradigm of purpose for this new location on the church grounds. What makes this project unique in my eyes is that the church is not hoarding this space exclusively for its own use. The Red Cross, the Utah Bell Choir, the Boys and Girls Club, the United Way, and many others will use this as the gathering place for service.

By church time every seat was occupied. Special guests included the mayor and all the contractors that made this facility possible. It was evident from all the community friends that joined in this hour of dedication that this was truly an event that had captured city-wide attention. We sang, I offered a dedication meditation and prayer, local elder Brad Walton presented a gracious biblical message, and Linda Walton recognized the contributions of the people who had made this day come to reality. This joyous day ended with food--lots of it!

As we departed Provo Church it occurred to us that rather than an end this was truly a new

beginning. The spirit of service that brought the first Adventist evangelist to Provo, UT in 1897 will continue to light the way for this special congregation. Driving off to our next appointment the words of Jesus came to mind, "Let your light shine before men that they may glorify your Father who is in heaven."

Keep shining, Provo Church!

esprit de corps

In 2004 I was introduced to my first Nevada-Utah Regional Convocation in Salt Lake City, UT when I had been President of the Conference for just a few months. Still getting to know people around my field, I was impressed with the warmth and esprit de corps that exuded this gathering.

This Sabbath Jennifer and I returned for my 5th Convocation, this time in Sparks, NV. Pastor Kingsley Palmer has organized these events each time I have attended and has been used by the Lord to create an inspirational environment for members to draw closer to one another and to Jesus.

The music and preaching for the Sabbath worship hour was rich. Following lunch we adjourned to the neighboring Y.M.C.A. for the "Bible Bowl"--yours truly was drafted as one of the "judges." How exciting to see these young people energized by their knowledge of the Scriptures.

After a change of clothes following the setting of the sun the evening was devoted to a friendly basketball round-robin tournament. I insisted that "the union office is officially neutral" about which region of the field won. Jennifer enjoyed holding the babies and little kids on her lap while we clapped for our favorite players. Trophies were presented to every team as we shut down the place at 12:15 a.m. Sunday morning.

What a great way to start the week! It was a blessed Sabbath fellowship with our brothers and sisters.

Catching Sparks!

The Sabbath dawns bright and beautiful today in Spark, NV as the Northern Nevada Youth Federation gathers to worship and praise the Lord. The Sparks Amphitheater is the setting for singing by "United in Christ"--a talented group of local young people who's rendition of "The Midnight Cry" carries well beyond the confines of the pavilion into the streets of Sparks.

Young (and young at heart) are challenged by the speaker of the hour, Elder Philip Baptiste, pastor in the Rocky Mountain Conference, as he leads the assembled congregation through the question, "Who are you?" I am impressed as Pastor Baptiste takes us through the list: "I am a Man, a Christian Man, a Seventh-day Adventist Christian Man, a Seventh-day Adventist Christian Man who is Changed!" It was a message that stays with you beyond the worship hour. The altar call at the close yielded about a dozen precious souls who will be preparing for baptism!

Jennifer and I enjoyed seeing our friends from the area, showing wedding pictures to those who asked, and being encouraged by the talent and commitment of the people who sang, praised God, and proclaimed the Gospel in such a public venue this Sabbath day.

Experiencing New Life In Las Vegas

Sabbath morning, February 7, was a rainy one in Las Vegas, NV. As the needed precipitation drenched the dry lands of southern Nevada the chill quickly vanished as we received a warm welcome from the New Life greeters.

My first impression was, "A studying church is a growing church." The Sabbath School program focusing upon the Bible's teaching regarding the "gift of tongues" was the most creative approach I had ever witnessed. More than just passing along information, the Biblical lessons were ingeniously reinforced by an "interview" with a "surprise guest" that in an engaging manner helped the audience experience the practical impact of "Truth." I shared with the teachers of the day how wonderful it would be for more members to hear this clear presentation.

The Divine Service was highlighted with beautiful congregational music, a children's story that kept adults engaged, and the challenge to each young person to watch "Gifted Hands", the TNT story of the Adventist neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin Carson. Their written reports would be judged at the upcoming "AY" meeting with the best essay rewarded with a prize. (This was just one example of how this congregation intentionally works at and succeeds in helping the youth of the church feel fully engaged in "church.")

The congregation was both attentive and responsive as I presented the sermon on building one's relationship with Christ through a commitment to His Word. A wonderful surprise for us was hearing the lovely songs sung by vocalist Pam Carter--the daughter of our own Bobby Mitchell--which capped off the Sabbath service with musical inspiration.

Jennifer and I were blessed by continued fellowship at the home of our friends Pastor Donald and Katrina McCloud. As she always does, Sister McCloud had an abundant feast for her guests which included new friends visiting from out-of-town. After several hours of stimulating conversation, we closed the Sabbath together with the prayer and promise to see one another soon.

What Makes A Church?

Today I witnessed the practical manifestation of Peter's words, "...you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5).

At the Sparks, Nevada, Seventh-day Adventist Church you'll meet Elder Kingsley Palmer who serves, with his wife Lorraine, as the lead pastor of a vibrant, multicultural congregation in the greater-Reno area of Northern Nevada. But he'll be the first to tell you that there is no church without the faithful service of scores of volunteers.

This Sabbath was officer dedication day at Sparks and it was my privilege to join Pastor Palmer in the service. His theme was being the "hands of Christ" with an emphasis on the kinds of hands one can be in the various roles of elder, clerk, Sabbath school teacher, children's ministry, etc.

We also laid the hands of ordination on two local elders. As I joined in the prayer of dedication it reminded me of the the thousands of other elders across our world church as well as across the years who have felt the touch of hands pressed gently upon their shoulders. This simple act triggered the memory of my own father's ordination in the Orange, California, church one Sabbath in the 1960's as well as my own ordination as a minister in 1988. That moment is a living connection to Peter's words--we're now part of the framework of the "spiritual house" that God is constructing in each generation.

My message for the worship hour was taken from John 15:1-9 where we're reminded that connection with Jesus is the sole criteria for success in both life and ministry. And as Jennifer and I shook hands with the congregation at the door we touched the "living stones" that God is cementing together with the mortar of heavenly love to accomplish His work in Spark, Nevada-- just one of the thousands of places where God is at work in the Vineyard of the Pacific Union Conference.