Hello, from Pastor Ron

Prayer - Petition & Praise

Just Claim It 3: As the conference is quickly approaching, please pray for all those involved in the planning process. Also pray for those in attendance to gain a blessing from the conference.

Personnel Changes

Andres Flores: After serving in the Nevada-Utah Conference, Andres has accepted a position with the Illinois Conference. He will be planting a church for 2nd and 3rd generation youth and young adults.

Benjie Maxson: In previous years, Benjie was in charge of Campus Ministries at Campion Academy. He is now the new Rocky Mountain Conference Youth Director.

Ministry Seekers

Kasper Haugton, Jr.: After serving as a worship pastor, youth pastor and young adult ministry leader, Kasper is now looking for a full-time pastoral position upon graduation from the Seminary's MDiv program this May. He is passionate about multi-generational ministry, including emerging generations. More Info: Email Kasper or Review Resume Here.

Matthew Hutchins: Some of Matthew's passions include youth and pastoral ministry, evangelism, chaplaincy, church planting and teaching. He has a MA in educational Psychology and Mental Health, BA in Theology, Clinical Pastoral Education (Chaplaincy) and more. More Info: Email Matthew or call at 269.861.6623 or 269.815.5156.

Julián Anderson-Martín, MA, LLPC: He currently serves as a Clinical Therapist in marriage & family, anger management, domestic violence and substance abuse. He is searching for a postion to provide biblical based counseling support & services to individuals, couples, families and groups within a church or office setting. More Info: Email Julian or Call at 630.863.5445.

Ministry Openings

Michigan Conference Youth Task Force: Ken Micheff, Michigan Conference Youth Director, is looking for a two female and two male task force volunteers. More Info: Contact Ken Micheff.

Adventist Resources

Story Power: A new workshop on evangelistic storytelling produced by the Center for Secular & Postmodern Studies, featuring Pastor David Edgren from Australia. There are six parts, each focusing on reaching different audiences. More Info: Visit SecularAndPostModern.org.

Adventist Christian Fellowship Newsletter: Sponsored by the NAD and Young Adult Department, this newsletter contains information on campus ministry news, events, resources and ideas. More Info: Visit ACFLink.org.

2012 Youth Week of Prayer Files: The General Conference Youth Ministries Department has taken the time to translate the 2012 Senior Youth Week of Prayer into both Spanish and French. More Info: Visit GCYouthMinistries.org. 

Non-Denominational Resources

Hollywood Prayer Network: This non-denominational Christian ministry was designed for the purpose of praying for the people, the projects and the powerful influence of the entertainment industry. They have a newsletter that goes out every month in which you can sign-up for. More Info: Visit HollywoodPrayerNetwork.org.

Research

As a partner with Roger Dudley and the Institute of Church Ministry CYE will be featuring research in the area of youth and young adult ministry.

From Angels to Aliens: Teenagers, the Media, and the Supernatural is a provocative study by Lynn Schofield Clark published in 2003 by Oxford University Press. Clark interviewed teenagers and their parents from various social classes, ethnic groups, and faith connections to discover how their religious understandings are related to their beliefs in the supernatural.

2 Major Categories for Supernatural:

• Angels
• Forces for good as opposed to demons, witches, and aliens from other planets

4 Patterns of Media Interpretation:

• Resisters - no interest in organized religion, but expressed belief in the possibility of supernatural beings
• Mysticals - no interest in organized religion, but are familiar with it and unconsciously embrace beliefs that are related to religion’s relationship to Sacred Others
• Experimenters - identify with a religious tradition, but take a step farther and try out different ways of tapping into the supernatural realm
• Traditionalists - have a serious level of religious commitment, may discount much on television, but are concerned with personal morality that frames their understanding of religion and the media

Young people who seemed most interested in initiating contact with the supernatural:

• Those whose parents had also experimented with things like séances or spent time thinking about visitations from deceased relatives
• Those who see supernatural intervention in individual terms (how am I benefited or threatened?) rather than in social change toward a less oppressive situation

It would be interesting to know how Seventh-day Adventist teenagers relate to television and movies as concerns their religious belief system.  How do they interpret portrayals of the supernatural whether benevolent or threatening?  How do they relate what they see to their moral behavior?

Monte Sahlin, Institute of Church Ministry Associate Director, has provided CYE with two different research articles.

The first article is "Helping Youth Have a Faith of Their Own," where sociologists have found that youth see great significance in religion but not always in institutional form of religious life.

The second article is "Young, Underemployed and Optimistic: Coming of Age, Slowly, in a Tough Economy." This article discusses how young adults have been hit in the recession and how the economic times are altering young adult's daily lives and long-term plans.

CYE Events

Andrews University Music & Worship Conference: March 29-31, 2012, in Berrien Springs, Michigan. This 9th annual conference will provide theologically-grounded training opportunities for those involved in worship ministry to our changing world. Registration is still open. More Info: Visit CYE.org/MWC and watch the video below. (Clases están disponible en español.​)

WeCare Mission Trips: Group leaders and youth work together with WeCare Misions to reach out to communities in the United States and around the world. If you are interested in setting up a mission trip please Email Vern Byrd or Call 269.208.7183. More Info: Visit CYE.org/WeCare.

The following trips are confirmed and closed:

• March 13-23, 2012, in Lamo Luz, Belize. Mission Work: Construction, Medical and Vacation Bible School.
• March 15-23, 2012, in Ladyville, Belize. Mission Work: Construction.
• April 13-23, 2012, in Puerto Rico. Mission Work: Construction.
• April 13-23, 2012, in Dominican Republic. Mission Work: Construction.
• August 10-19, 2012, in Belize. Mission Work: Construction.
• December 16-28, 2012, in Belize. Mission Work: Evangelism, Construction and Vacation Bible School.

Adventist National & International Events

Just Claim It 3: March 7-10, 2012, in Greensboro, North Carolina. All youth and young adults, as well as youth and young adult leaders, are invited to attend this weekend of dynamic worship, community outreach and much more. More info: Visit JCI3.org. (Sponsored by the NAD Youth Department)

Pathfinder Bible Achievement/Bible Bowl: March 31, 2012, in Berrien Springs, Michigan. A fun way to encourage Pathfinders to study the Bible, while they also learn team work and study skills. More Info: Contact Terry Dodge, or Visit PathfinderBibleAchievement.org. (Sponsored by Lake Union Conference & Andrews University Theological Seminary)

Adventist Christian Fellowship/NAD Campus Ministry Conference: April 13-15, 2012, in New York City, New York. ACF/NAD join together, on the campus of Columbia University, to invite students from across the division to talk about campus ministry. More Info: Visit Columbia.edu. (Sponsored by the North American Division)

Denver Youth Congress: April 19-22, 2012, in Denver, Colorado. “I Am the Church” is the theme for this congress. Youth and young adults will be challenged to take ownership of the mission and ministry of the church.  More Info: Visit IAmTheChurch.me. (Sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Conference)

Pathfinder Bible Experience: April 21, 2012, in Silver Spring, Maryland. NAD Pathfinder Ministries introduces a Pathfinder team challenge on immersion in the Word of God. More info: Contact W. Gene Clapp, or Visit the Event Page. (Sponsored by the NAD Youth Department)

Traverse 2012: June-August, 2012. College age young adults are invited to take a break from the classroom, without interrupting the process of preparing for life as a responsible adult, either for a summer or a year. Experiences include adventure, travel, service and faith. More Info: Visit TraverseGapYear.com.

Camp Yorktown Bay 50 Year Celebration: June 30-July 1, 2012, in Mountain Pine, Arkansas. Ron Whitehead will be speaking and the Bond Family will be providing music. More Info: Contact Ray House or Visit CampYorktownBay.com.

Impact Tampa: July 8-22, 2012, in Tampa, Florida. This youth and young adult mission trip is open to all from the NAD. There will be various forms of outreach opportunities, worship, small groups and more. More Info: Contact Robert Hines, Call 407.644.5000, Visit the Event Page or Watch the video below. (Sponsored by the Florida Conference & NAD Youth Departments)

The Ultimate Workout: July 15-30, 2012, in Nicaragua. During this mission trip, teens will be full of projects and will be full of fun, hard work, adventure, service, and spiritual growth. More Info: Visit Maranatha.org. (Sponsored by Maranatha Volunteers International)

The Collegiate Project: July 15-30, 2012, in Nicaragua. This mission trip is designed for college aged young adults. Participants will build One-Day Church structures in rural communities. More Info: Visit Maranatha.org. (Sponsored by Maranatha Volunteers International)

The Young Adult Project: August 1-13, 2012, in Nicaragua. This mission trip is for those ages 18-35. There will be construction, community service, new connections and spiritual opportunities throughout this project. More Info: Visit Maranatha.org. (Sponsored by Maranatha Volunteers International)

the One project: February 11-12, 2013, in Chicago, Illinois. Celebrating the supremacy of Jesus in the Adventist Church. Undergraduate student and group discounts are available. More Info: Contact Japhet De Oliveira, or Visit the1project.org.

Non-Denominational Events

Planet Wisdom: Through an in-depth look at God's specific attributes, Planet Wisdom events provide an experience for students to discover practical ways they can change the world by becoming more like Him. Event locations and dates vary. More info: Visit PlanetWisdom.com, or call (888) 346-4179.

Acquire the Fire: 27 hours set apart to give your teens a life-transforming experience with Christ. ATF tours occur periodically throughout the year at various locations. More info: Visit ATFTour.com.

Dare2Share: The 2012 "Game Day" Tour, taking place in various locations on various dates, provides training conferences to "inspire, equip and unleash" teens for the most important competition of all. More info: Visit Dare2Share.org.

No Parent Left Behind: A seminar series of three fast-paced and practical sessions led by Dr. Walt Mueller, founder and President of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding. Host a seminar at your church or school. More info: Visit CPYU.org, or call (800) 807-2798.

Pathfinder Camporees

Pacific Union: March 28-April 1, 2012, at Glen Helen Park, in San Bernardino, California. Theme: "Love, Live, Lead." More info: Visit PUCCamporee.org or Contact Judi Jeffreys at (951) 509-2265.

Northern Asia Pacific Division: August 7-12, 2012, at Jamboree Campsite, in Gosung, Gangwondo, Korea. Theme: "Mission from the Northeast" (Daniel 11:44). More Info: Contact Angela Han.

Mid-America Union: July 25-28, 2012, in Custer, South Dakota. Theme: "Truth to Freedom." More Info: Contact Hubert Cisneros.

Columbia Union: August 8-12, 2012, at Camp Mohaven, in Danville, Ohio. Theme: "Choose Without Compromise." More Info: Visit Camporee Website or Contact Pam Scheib.

British Union: August 13-19, 2012, at Blackwell Adventure Campsite in Bromsgrove, West Midland, United Kingdom. Theme: "Running for Home." More Info: Visit BUCPathfinderCamporee.org.

North Pacific Union: September 13-16, 2012, in Astoria, Oregon. Theme: "My Heart for Jesus." More Info: Visit: NPUCCamporee2012.org.

Southern Union: October 10-14, 2012, at Camp Kulaqua, in High Springs, Florida. Theme: " Making a Difference." More Info: Contact Alicia Zinner.

International Camporee: August 11-16, 2014, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Theme: "Forever Faithful." More Info: Visit CYE.org/Camporee.

Miscellaneous

North America Retracts "Commissioned" Ministers as Top Leader Candidates: An apology has been given by the Seventh-day Adventist world church President, Ted Wilson, in regards to commisioned ministers (including women) to serve as top leaders of local administrative units. More Info: View Article Here.

11 Health Habits That Will Help You Live to 100: This article put out by US News & World Report shares the biggest factors in the way you live that will help you live longer. The 11 habits are:

• Don't retire.
• Floss every day.
• Move around.
• Eat a fiber-rich cereal for breakfast.
• Get at least six hours of shut-eye.
• Consume whole foods, no supplements.
• Be less neurotic.
• Live like a Seventh-day Adventist.
• Be a creature of habit.
• Stay connected.
• Be conscientious.

(Source: US News & World Report, February 2009 - Updated January 2012)

Adventist vs. World: There are 7 billion poeple in the world. That means there is approximately one Adventist for every 407 people. Depending on the country, this ratio could be much less or a lot more.

(Source: General Conference Office of Archives & Statistics and Adventist World, February 2012)

Quote: "The greatest want of the world is the want of men - men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall."

(Source: Education, 57)