Sabbath Celebration Come and celebrate the Sabbath April 6 for Sabbath Celebration at Indiana Academy Gymnasium with guest speaker Pastor Charlie Thompson, Conference Youth Director. He will speak about "Chosen," the upcoming pathfinder camporee in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in August.
9:30 a.m. Sabbath School
11:00 a.m. Worship Service
2:30 p.m. Music Festival Concert You won't want to miss the band, hand bells, and festival choir in concert in the afternoon.
Music Fest
PHILIP BYRD, IA MUSIC DIRECTOR
Choir Clinician Carrie Vandenburgh
Berrien Springs Middle & High Schools
Hand Bell Clinician Andrew Lay Director of Development/Alumni Coordinator
Highland View Academy
Band Clinician Robert Leal
Band Director, IT Director
Indiana Academy
February Rally A special rally was held Saturday, February 16, at Glendale Seventh-day Adventist® Church in Indianapolis and featured Pastor Robert Costa, an evangelist and speaker for the It Is Written television program, aired in Indianapolis on Comcast 1040, WHMB Channel 40.1. The rally was video streamed to 14 remote locations around the state, and approximately 900 people were in attendance.
Pastor Costa exclaimed, “Something big is about to happen in Indiana, and God still opens doors.” Costa gave a whirlwind tour of his global evangelism outreach experiences with visuals showing people in the Ukraine, Italy, Uganda, Columbia, and even the Arctic, and how the gospel message worked in people’s hearts as they were exposed to acts of kindness. He emphasized the timing and urgency for conversion as we live in a continually chaotic and confusing world, and how much we need God’s love and understanding of world events.
CONFERENCE STAFF RETREAT
The Indiana Conference office staff spent the day together on February 9 for a staff retreat at Teter Lodge outside Noblesville. The group enjoyed Sabbath with a worship service followed by a meal and group discussions and games.
Farewell Sheri
In 1994 Sheri DeWitt joined the team here at the Indiana Conference office as executive administrative assistant to the president, serving faithfully alongside six presidents. In addition, she has assisted in the secretariat, communications, and ministerial departments. Her organizational skills and knowledge of the various functions of our conference have been at the very heartbeat of the Lord’s work here in Indiana. With her retirement beginning at the end of January, she is greatly missed in the office and by many throughout our conference.
Here in the Indiana, we are identifying and partnering with key congregations we call Ignition Churches. These are churches that agree to meet the following four criteria:
1. Hold an evangelistic meeting in the spring of 2020.
2. Adopt a cycle of evangelism that includes revival, equipping, outreach, reaping, and retention.
3. Appoint an Ignite Indiana Coordinator in their church.
4. Appoint an Interest Coordinator in their church.
Committing to these key criteria will dramatically improve the evangelistic effectiveness of any church. That's why we are working very intentionally to multiply Ignition Churches throughout our conference. Currently, there are ten Ignition Churches in Indiana. That number is climbing rapidly as more congregations catch the vision of a powerful evangelism engine moving their church into their community for Christ!
Is your church an Ignition Church yet? If not, maybe you hold the key!
Call me at 317-844-6201 x105.
Robb D. Long
Indiana Conference Evangelism Director
Pastor Leonardo Castillo reports that there were 50 training participants for the North Zone of the state:
Fort Wayne: 5
Hammond: 8
Maranatha: 2
Elkhart: 11
Mishawaka: 4
South Bend: 20
Cicero Church Community Health Outreach Events
March 3 was a much-anticipated day as the Cicero Church sponsored a healthcare clinic that included dental, optometry, dermatology, and chiropractic medical services all free to the community. In addition to these services, cholesterol screenings and healthy living education took place as people visited the various health expo booths. Although registration began at 7:30 am, guests began lining up outside at 6 am. One dental guest, a 22-year-old college student, was so thankful that we were able to offer these services as he had no insurance. The line remained steady until the last patient was finished at 5:30 pm.
For the third year running the Cicero Christian Church was invited to bring back-logged patients from their health ministry, Hope Clinic, to be served at our dental clinic. In addition, we were able to offer mammograms and flu shots to our guests through their program. Teaming up together enabled us both to help more of the underserved in our community. “We are thankful for the 100+ volunteers that came out to help. It was such a blessing to serve together with our community friends, healthcare professionals, and church family,” relayed Enid McKinley, Cicero Church Health Ministries Coordinator.
At the end of the day, 157 dental guests were given $59,000 in free services; 55 eyecare guests were given exams and glasses, totaling $19,625 in free services; 47 dermatology guests were given $13,000 in free services; 20 chiropractic guests were served, totaling $500 in free services; 100+ cholesterol & blood/glucose tests were provided totaling $5,000. Randy Griffin, DDS, Director of Health Ministry for the Lake Union, said, “The impact this ministry has is very valuable because it changes lives for the better right in our own communities. These people know that we care about them because we love Jesus.”
-Kathy Griffin
In other health news, a vegan tasting event along with cooking demonstrations was offered to the Cicero community in February and concluded at the end of March. With three down and one-to-go, expert presenters in a four-part series shared the following: Simple Cancer Prevention (January 29), by Dr. James Currier; Depression & Rx Nutrition(February 26), by Muriel Wilson, Nurse Practitioner; Herbs in the Kitchen (March 26), by Windy Skeetes, Herbologist; Natural Remedies to Enhance Your Health (April 30), by John & Windy Skeetes, Lifestyle and Health Educators meeting the needs of Body, Mind & Spirit.
Praise the Lord that there were 16 community attendees both nights. Cooking School Director, Muriel Wilson, said, “God is helping us to educate people in healthier eating, which is the gospel in a practical way. It is our mission to support people as they embrace a healthier lifestyle.” Some of the favorite recipes enjoyed by the guests were kale chips, millet cheesecake, garbanzo “big macs,” and especially, walnut cookies.
The long-range plan is to recycle the cooking school each spring and fall, expanding into a lifestyle center that the community can count on for on-going nutritional needs. Pastor Aaron Clark, Senior Pastor of the Cicero Church shared this thought: “Compassion ministries help convey that in God’s family everyone has a friend, and everyone has a place to get help. We want our service to the community to have such an impact that they would feel a loss if we had to close our doors.” Health Expos and Cooking Schools are just a few of the needs that people face. The mission of the Cicero Church is to keep reaching their community with opportunities that will better people’s lives and direct them to Jesus.
Recipe for Walnut Maple Cookies:
2 ½ cups walnuts, chopped fine; 2/3 pastry four; ½ tsp salt; ½ cup ground flaxseed, ½ cup carob chips or raisins; ½ cup maple syrup plus 2 TBSP; 2 tsp vanilla.
Directions: Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Drop dough onto cookie sheet and flatten with a fork. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Let cool before removing from the pan.
Pastor Anthony Nix, Glendale Youth Pastor, re-baptized Jeremiah Quinones, 26, on February 16 prior to the February Rally. Jeremiah grew up Adventist; and when he moved to Indianapolis, he looked for a multicultural church like Glendale. Since his baptism, he has been very active in the church and has already given
two Bible studies.
News from Pastor Luis Rivas
During the beginning of the year at our church district Anderson, Indy Second, Indy North, Ephesus and Win, we decided to meet every Friday at our churches for the entire month of January to pray, fast and study the Bible. The goal was to come together as a church, one body in Christ and ask God for a personal revival. Also we had a wonderful baptism, together with a wonderful concert from our students at IA and finally the ordination of two elders from the Ephesus group.
Psalm 100: 1-5 New King James Version (NKJV)
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands,
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
Most Faithful Heavenly Father,
It is with shouts of joy we worship you. All thanks and praise are due you, because your love for us is eternal, you keep all your promises, and you are merciful towards your children.
Thank you for caring for us, just as we are - frail and sinful. We are yours and you, Lord, are forever ours. Please continue to give us strength for this journey.
These things we ask in your most worthy name,
Amen
April April 4-6 IA Music Festival-Indiana Academy (IA) April 6 SABBATH CELEBRATION-IA April 9-13 A Life Changing Journey (It Is Written Training)-TRC
April 13-20 VIDA-GPS (Online evangelistic meeting for small groups)
May May 3-5 Pathfinder Fair-TRC
May 11 Indiana Academy Spring Concert-IA
May 17-19 Adventurer Family Weekend-TRC
May 24-26 IA Graduation Weekend-IA
June June 9-15 INDIANA CAMP MEETING-IA June 15 Teacher Commissioning Service-IA
June 15 Hispanic Fellowship Day-Cicero
June 16-23 National Camps for the Blind-TRC
June 20-23 Single Moms’ Camp-TRC
June 23-30 Cub Camp-TRC
June 30-July 7 Junior Camp-TRC
August August 23-25 HISPANIC CAMP MEETING-TRC
HEALTH EVANGELISM TRAINING Are you interested in learning how you can utilize common
illnesses to introduce people to Jesus? Come attend a 30 hour
seminar that will stimulate your own character growth. Some
of the subjects to be studied from the Bible and science are: Christ’s Method of Working, The Natural Approach to Health
And Disease, Medicinal plants, Simple Natural Remedies, and
Hydrotherapy.
WHO: John and Windy Skeete have been studying and
teaching natural health for over 20 years across America
and overseas. Windy is a trained herbalist and John has
studied massage and hydrotherapy.
WHEN: Six consecutive weekends beginning
Sabbath May 4th 3:00-5:00pm
Sunday May 5th 10:00am-1:00pm
WHERE: Westside SDA Church
1528 Lucerne Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46241
For more Information call the Skeetes at: (765) 795-2039.
3ABN STATION LAUNCHES IN MICHIGAN AND INDIANA
Comcast customers in Indiana and Michigan can now watch Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN). The expanded coverage creates the potential to reach 1.2 million viewers, including the large metro cities of Detroit and Indianapolis. It is aired on (Xfinity) Comcast CH 1677.
Hope for Life TV broadens its coverage with a return to WHMB Channel 40.1. Distributed on cable channels statewide and reaching a potential 1.5 million viewers, the broadcast airs on Tuesdays, 9:00-9:30 p.m., Fridays, 7:30-8:00 a.m., and Saturdays, 8:00-8:30 p.m. You can watch online at www.hfl.tv and (Xfinity) Comcast CH 1040.
Lifestyle Magazine, a television talk show for mind, body, and soul, continues to air in Indianapolis and cable channels in Indiana on Sunday mornings at 6:00 a.m.
WYLJ, 107.5 FM, radio station in Terre Haute, continues to broadcast 3ABN programming along with the Indiana Conference Hope for the Heartland series. Podcasts are listed under Media on the conference website: www.indysda.org.
