|
|
|
|
|
|
President's Corner - 2017 Texico Camp Meeting
On the frontier, during the Second Great Awakening of the early 19th century, camp meeting was held for worship, preaching and communion. Since most churches did not have a pastor, camp meetings on the frontier land of the United States was a very special time when people would travel miles on horses, oxen and wagons to get together and listen to itinerant preachers.
It was a time for spiritual development, fellowship with other believers, singing, and a diversion from their hard life of toil. Camp meeting became a major component of the Second Great Awakening promoted by our forefathers.
This year the Texico Conference will hold its annual camp meeting at Bonita Park Camp and Conference Center, near Ruidoso, New Mexico beginning Thursday, June 29 and ending Sunday, July 2. It will provide a special opportunity to spend time with our Lord in nature and enjoy fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Our theme this year is “Following God’s Call: Making Disciples.” The main speaker for the English meetings will be Mike Tucker, speaker/director of Faith for Today. Omar Grieve, speaker/director of La Voz de la Esperanza will be the Spanish main speaker. Preparations are also being made for the young adult, youth and children’s programs.
Mike Tucker, speaker/director, Faith for Today
Omar and Nessy Grieve, speakers/directors,
La Voz de la Esperanza
There will be limited provision for lodging to accommodate individuals, families and small groups. Other options include RV and tent sites located within walking distance of the meeting places. Reservations for these facilities should be made through the Texico Conference office at texico@texico.org or call (505) 244-1611 and ask for Margaret Whetsell.
Hotel accommodations will also be available in the Ruidoso area, about 6-8 miles from Bonita Park. We are in the process of negotiating special rates and block reservations for this important event. In addition, there are numerous vacation cabin rentals nearby.
Unfortunately, Bonita Park will not be able to provide food service for the number of campers we anticipate. Therefore, all meals will be on your own. This will be a great time for fellowship while sharing meals with your family, friends and church groups.
We hope you will make plans to be a part of this spiritual retreat as we return to our roots and experience an old-fashioned camp meeting.
Lee-Roy Chacon,
Texico President
|
|
Seven Make Decisions for Baptism at Española
Jose Dominguez (87) rejoices at his baptism.
The Española Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church began the New Year with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit as seven beautiful souls made the decision for baptism. On January 7, Pastor Ricardo Castro, with much joy in his heart, baptized these seven individuals who ranged in age from 11 to 87! They had prepared for this special day through Bible studies and personal spiritual nurturing by Pastor Castro.
Over 100 people gathered to witness this beautiful event, which was followed by a potluck meal where our church enjoyed fellowship with many friend and family visitors of the newly-baptized members.
Baptized into Christ were Jose Dominguez (87); Loretta Gonzales (84); Desirae Lujan (18); mother and son, Prescilla Salazar (36) and Justin Sena (11); and mother and daughter Rochelle Lineberry (49) and Tru Leigh Zamora (11).
Mr. Dominguez, the eldest to be baptized, made a tearful plea to Pastor Ricardo during a visit recently that he was ready to be baptized as he was "anxious to once again be reunited with his wife," who is resting in the grave until Jesus comes.
We all look forward to Christ's second coming where we await the blessed hope of being together with our Lord and loved ones face to face.
Rochelle Lineberry said about her baptism, “I lived the first 25 years of my life in fear of living and the last 25 years in fear of dying. But now, I don’t have to be afraid anymore.”
May the Lord continue to pour out His Spirit upon our pastoral family, Pastor Ricardo and Miriam Castro along with their children Ruth and Jaasiel, as they continue their powerful ministry of touching souls with the love of Christ in the challenging community of Española, New Mexico!
Diahann Cordova,
Clerk, Española Valley Church
|
|
Texico Welcomes New Team Member
America Alvarez is the new junior accountant for the Texico Conference.
It is a pleasure to introduce our newest Texico team member, America Alvarez. Originally from Mexicala, Mexico, she has been a resident of Albuquerque for the past 13 years and is a member of the Albuquerque North Valley Spanish Church. America recently graduated from Central New Mexico Community College with a degree in accounting and business.
She has accepted the position of junior accountant for the Texico Conference and believes that God has led her here for this special work. With a thankful heart, she is enjoying the opportunity to serve in this capacity.
America is married to Roberto Ramirez, her husband of three and a half years, and they have a two-year-old son, Caleb. Her hobbies include soccer and sharpening her baking skills.
Sue Hinkle,
Texico Communication Director
|
|
International Sabbath at Odessa Church
The Odessa English Church hosted the annual International Sabbath on December 17, 2016. Attendees from other neighboring churches came to support this annual event. The Midland, Odessa and Big Spring (TX) churches, under the care of Pastor Abner Razon, are collaborating to make this event a yearly reality. The Grace Notes singing group from Lubbock also came to support the occasion.
This year’s celebration was a great success as it was in the previous year. Nineteen countries from around the globe were represented with their most colorful and diverse national costumes, flags, languages and appetizing exotic native dishes.
Nineteen countries from around the world were represented at the Odessa Church during the International Sabbath event.
Each country was introduced by its native representative focusing on how and when the country started embracing the Adventist faith. Emphasis on the current denominational population and its progress in advancing the cause of Christ was presented. Churches from Asia, Africa, Europe, Central and South America were represented. A special fellowship lunch introducing the different dishes from various countries was hosted by Savannah Morales and Stephanie Burciaga and other members.
 
(left photo) Serkalem from Ethiopia and Violeta Villamizar representing El Salvador and (right photo) Kenya is represented by Robai Nabibya and Mariam Athumani. Pastor Abner Razon and Gladys Boicourt are dressed in their native Filipino attire.
Pastor Phil Robertson (4th from the left) was the guest speaker for the weekend.
Pastor Phil Robertson, executive secretary/treasurer of Texico Conference was the invited speaker for all the services which began on Friday evening. He challenged every member to be faithful in spreading the Advent message. He also pointed out that we can have unity in the midst of diversity.
The event was such a blessing as it foreshadowed a small glimpse of what heaven will be like when all nations will be represented. Maranatha!
Dodie Pelopero,
Communication Director of the Odessa English Church
|
|
One Man's Vision
Morris D. Lewis, built two sets of tabernacle furniture to help teach others the meaning of the Old Testament tabernacle service.
In the late 1950's and 60's, a man by the name of Elder Morris D. Lewis had a passion for teaching about the Old Testament tabernacle. He wanted people to understand that this amazing structure was not an outdated concept. Rather he wanted them to know that the tabernacle was a structure that helped the Israelites see forward to the time of the coming Messiah. He also wanted to help them understand the plan of salvation.
For this purpose, he built two sets of tabernacle furniture. The first set was large and needed a trailer to move it from place to place. The second set was much smaller and could be packed and carried in the trunk of a car.
Over the past year, I have been preaching about the Old Testament tabernacle in many of the Texico Conference churches. Thanks to the Hopps Museum and the Welcome Center of Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, TX, I have been able to use both sets. Now over 50 years later, hundreds of people have had the opportunity to experience the Old Testament tabernacle firsthand. I believe Elder Lewis understood that the tabernacle was best taught visually. I cannot explain the look on people's faces when they have a chance to see these amazing displays up close.
The Raton (NM) Church displays the Old Testament tabernacle furniture created by Morris D. Lewis.
Elder Lewis had a vision for spreading the message of God's love through the Old Testament tabernacle. His work continues helping people realize that without a good understanding of the tabernacle we cannot truly understand the plan of salvation or God's love for us. We need to know this message now more than ever.
Exodus 25:8 says, '"And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them."' God is still saying the same words to each of us today. He still wants to dwell among His people. When we see how this Old Testament structure is still connected with a New Testament church, we realize that it still serves as a symbol pointing to Christ. It is here that Christ is revealed. As we start to understand the earthly sanctuary, then we can begin to comprehend the heavenly sanctuary and Christ's role as our High Priest.
Because of one man's vision to bring the Old Testament tabernacle to one generation, countless others will also be blessed.
Bobby Harris
Pastor of the Amarillo and Tulia Churches
|
|
Abilene Junior Academy Celebrates 100 Days of School
Principal/Teacher, Susan Zimmermann celebrates 100 days of school with her students.
Recently, the students of Abilene Junior Academy celebrated the 100th day of school. We celebrated this milestone by listing 100 blessings Jesus has given us. Our number one blessing was Jesus. He is the best blessing of all. Other blessings included parents, the sun, food, animals, the Ten Commandments, and the clothes we wear each day.
We wrote our blessings on three large sheets of chart paper and numbered each blessing. Students drew pictures of some of the blessings and they were glued on the chart paper. It took us nearly an hour to write and draw pictures of our many blessings. Our last blessing was that we had been in school for 100 days.
At lunch, each student received a bag with two cookies with a note stating they were 100 days smarter and they were one smart cookie! Our 100th day of school was filled with blessings and each day afterwards will give more of God’s richest blessings.
Susan Zimmermann,
Principal/Teacher of Abilene Junior Academy
|
|
Treasure Trove
"The Shock of Spring"
Although I have met many, many people who dread the bitter cold of Winter or loathe the scorching days of Summer, I have never met a single person who doesn’t love Spring (except those afflicted with severe allergies that is).
There are so many wonderful things to love about Spring----the new green adorning of leaves on trees so long brown and barren; flower buds and blooms adding a profusion of color to a once bleak and monochromatic landscape; and abundant sunshine that not only looks bright and cheery, but also results in temperatures above the freezing point! The contrast between Winter and Spring is so stark as to be shocking. And when I think of Spring, I can’t help but be reminded of God’s faithful love and His constant provision-----so unmerited, so unexpected, so . . . well . . . so shocking!
Beyond these more obvious comparisons, the shock of Spring represents a new birth----a resurrection from the grave of Winter’s dormancy. Even though we are living in the “dead of winter”, on this cold, blighted earth, we should always remind ourselves that SPRING AND ITS NEW LIFE IS COMING!
My prayer is that the hope of Spring will warm our hibernating hearts and thaw our frozen faith. So, what exactly does any of this have to do with Stewardship? Absolutely nothing and absolutely everything!
By Jeff Metherell,
Texico Association Secretary, Planned Giving and Stewardship Director
|
|
GLOW Testimony: "Pastor Sharing GLOW"
GLOW is a fun, easy and creative method for all, both young and old, to share the gospel through small pocket size pamphlets.
During a recent canvassing program, a literature evangelist approached a home. Unbeknownst to her, this home belonged to a Baptist pastor who had recently discovered the truth about the seventh-day Sabbath.
Having been convicted of Sabbath truth after an encounter with a Seventh-day Adventist, he began searching for denominations that kept the Sabbath. Not being satisfied with what he found, he returned to his Baptist congregation.
What a divine appointment for the literature evangelist that day! She showed her books that talked about the Sabbath and the pastor was so excited about what she shared that he requested any literature that he could use to share this Sabbath truth with others. He was able to connect with a Seventh-day Adventist Church that provided him with 2,000 GLOW tracts. He began distributing the tracts to anyone he talked to - even in his own congregation!
It is inspiring to know that people who have found truth, after searching with all their hearts, are not content to stop there. They feel compelled to share with others the light they have received. In this time of history, when spiritual hunger is at its peak, God is using every honest heart to spread the good news of His second coming. We pray your heart is one of them.
Story shared with permission from "GLOW - Giving Light to Our World" Weekly Newsletter, October 14, 2016.
Sign up to receive GLOW e-updates: glownews.org
If you are interested in becoming involved with the GLOW ministry or purchasing GLOW tracts, please contact Derrick Williamson, Texico Literature Ministry Director, at dwilliamson@texico.org or 505-244-1611.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
