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We value (A)dventist education, (C)oaching leaders,
(T)otally involving members in ministry, & (S)piritually growing in Jesus. This is Washington ACTS!
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Daily Reminders to Love Well
by Doug Bing, Washington Conference president
People living in Hawaii recently received a warning over the airwaves about an incoming ballistic missile headed towards their island home.
Of course there was panic in the street. Parents were pictured dropping their children into manholes in the sidewalk. Others were running to the mountains. Some were fortunate to have boom shelters built into their homes. Everyone was seeking safety of some kind.
One man interviewed said he just called family to tell them that he loved them. It certainly was a terrifying ordeal that ended up being a false alarm.
But stop for a moment and think about life. Life itself is uncertain and can be snuffed out quickly. A train derailment recently took lives south of Tacoma. Accidents happen on the highway each day that end lives. People are stuck by cars crossing the street.
This is the reason to each and every day stop and tell those in your life that you care for them. Romans 13:11,12 states, “And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over, the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light."
This gives us a daily challenge to pay attention to the important things each day. Stop and give your life anew each day to Jesus and tell Him you love Him and then tell your family and those in your life the same.
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:: THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTON
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FROM JERRY RUSSELL
God Answers Tithing Prayer
The Washington Conference financial staff learned awhile back about the importance of praying with purpose and specificity for things that were on our hearts. This past year, we prayed for a five percent annual tithe gain.
This seemed like an impossible goal to us because we had 53 Sabbaths in 2016 and 52 Sabbaths in 2017. You can usually count on a loss in that situation and are grateful for a breakeven year.
God bigger plans for us.
God answered our prayers with a tithe gain of 4.97 percent for 2017. This was celebrated with conference office staff, committees, and our pastor’s meetings. We celebrated: God is good and the tithe gain is close enough that we can round up to 5 percent in conversations. This was an exciting time and we praised Him for His goodness and provision.
Yet I personally questioned why would God bring us right to the threshold and not let us cross it with a 5 percent gain. But then...
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FROM DAVID SALAZAR
Pathfinder & Adventurer Ministry Report
Pathfinder and Adventurer club ministries are growing in western Washington. In the 2016 season, we had 24 Pathfinder clubs. In the 2017 season, we have 34 Pathfinder clubs.
We are also seeing an increase in Adventurer clubs for younger children. This was particularly evident during the Adventurer Family Camp where average attendance is 125-150. The October 2017 attendance was 239! It was a full, exciting, and fun time praising God through kid-styled music, Bible and nature activities, and talent sharing.
Our Pathfinder leadership team is eagerly anticipating the "Emoji" Pathfinder Teen Retreat this February 9-11. We'll discover how we can be real to ourselves and be real with God with our emotions.
My favorite part of Pathfinders and Adventurers is interacting with clubs. Clubs are welcome to invite me to club meetings, activities, and investitures. (The featured photo collage is from this week's visit to the Bremerton Blue Herons.) Clubs may also request youth and parent training sessions. Please let me know how I can best serve your club!
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FROM DAVID SALAZAR
Starting Right Training
On February 3 from 2:00-5:30 pm at North Cascade Adventist Church in Burlington, trainers David Salazar, Nitza Salazar, and Jan Fautheree will be presenting a training workshop for parents, teens, and mentors about issues facing today's society.
Topics will include: dealing with teenagers and mobile pornography, building teenage self-esteem, being aware of self-cutting harm, the power of introverts, and creating engaging Sabbath School sessions for teens. (No RSVP required.)
We presented these workshop topics at Pathfinder Leadership Retreat. They generated lots of positive conversations with adults and teenagers. You'll want to attend the February 3 session or arrange for a training at your local church.
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AN INVITATION FROM BILL ROBERTS
Third Annual Men's Day
Fellowship with your brothers in Christ on Saturday Sabbath, February 3, from 10 am to 3 pm at Auburn Adventist Academy's Dower Chapel. Dr. Jon Paulien from Loma Linda University School of Religion will be the keynote speaker. He is able to communicate deep truths in simple to understand language.
Lunch will be provided (donations accepted). Afternoon breakout workshops on men's topics will soon be announced.
Questions? Email bill.roberts@wc.npuc.org, call 253-681-6008, or leave a Facebook event message for Pastor Bill Roberts.
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FROM ADVENTIST RISK MANAGEMENT
Get Ready for Safety Sabbath
The safety of every church is a top priority for Adventist Risk Management, and we believe that Safety Sabbath is a way for church leaders to learn how to truly protect their congregations. We hope you will join us in conducting a safety drill in your church on March 24.
Safety Sabbath is all about preparation and practice. It is a day set aside for churches to emphasize emergency and safety planning. It is a day to practice the plan you have prepared, and make sure the congregation is ready for emergencies. It is an opportunity for churches to learn about the risks and potential incidents they may face, and prepare themselves to navigate those incidents.
You'll find a wide variety of #SafetySabbath2018 resources online for registered participating sites.
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FROM DOUG BING & CRAIG CARR
Urban Centers of Influence
Today, the huge and rapidly growing urban areas of the world loom as our greatest mission challenge, and ministry opportunities exist to invite urban residents into Adventist fellowship.
One of the ways: a Global Mission Urban Center of Influence. It's a project that is usually built on a business model for the specific purpose to leading unreached urban people groups into Adventist fellowship. The primary outreach approach involves relationship building and meeting specific community needs in long-term, day-to-day interaction.
Thirteen (13) key urban areas are located here in western Washington! We are seeking your feedback! What ideas do you have for a Center of Influence? Read more about the concept of Centers of Influence, and then send us your ministry ideas!
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Find Personal Revival in Your Life
"Jesus said in John 15:4: "Abide in me, and I in you." E.G. White says concerning this: "Abiding in Christ means a constant receiving of His Spirit, a life of unreserved surrender to His service." That is why we need to daily ask for the Holy Ghost by faith and surrender ourselves to the Lord every morning with everything we have and are." - Helmut Haubeil, p. 40.
Steps to Personal Revival shares stories, insights, encouragement, and prayers. It is perfect for personal devotions, prayer groups, and Sabbath reading. Read it now!
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