Evangelistic Caravan “There is Still Hope”
and Hispanic Camp Meeting
The recently completed Hispanic Evangelistic Caravan proved to again be a blessing to many conference members and friends. The purpose of this unforgettable event is to impact our Indiana Hispanic churches with the good news of salvation, and to motivate and train our members for missionary work. The caravan toured several churches throughout the state and was also livestreamed via Facebook and YouTube. Our guest speaker, Pastor Melchor Ferreyra, and guest singer, Lisbeth Melgar, shared a message of hope and salvation.
On Sabbath, August 27, the caravan began at the Hammond Hispanic church at noon, then continued at the South Bend Hispanic church in the evening. The event proceeded to the Fort Wayne, Indianapolis Central, Indianapolis North, Indianapolis Second, and Evansville Hispanic churches. On Friday, September 2, the caravan ended at Timber Ridge Camp (TRC), where many Hispanic members from the conference gathered for the annual Hispanic camp meeting, which ended on Sunday, September 4.
On Sabbath at TRC, more than five hundred friends and members answered the call to serve, and received training to fulfill the mission of preaching the gospel and hastening the second coming of Jesus. The camp meeting ended on Sunday with recreation and Christian fellowship at the camp.
We are incredibly grateful to God for all the blessings and protection received during the Caravan and Hispanic Camp Meeting. Thank you to our local church leaders, pastors, Indiana Conference administrators, and Timber Ridge Camp staff for their arduous work, support, and fervent prayer. What a blessing to know that “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Amen! (Matthew 24:14). The camp meeting ended on Sunday with
Pastor Noel Ojeda, Multicultural Ministries Director
Indiana Academy Starts A New School Year
As it begins its 120th year of ministry, Indiana Academy welcomed 101 amazing students to campus for the start of the school year. As the students returned to campus, there were several noticeable changes to campus, especially in the dorms. After experiencing years of capacity issues due to the limited number of beds available in the North Dorm, the decision was made to “swap” dorms. With the Boys moving into the North Dorm and the Girls taking up residence in the East and West Dorms, the school has already been able to accept three additional students that would not have otherwise been able to attend.
Just three weeks into the year our students have already been able to participate in a number of engaging and exciting activities beyond the typical classroom experience. From Boys & Girls Club retreats to floating the White River, the program at Indiana Academy is designed to give students the opportunity to grow in their own personal faith while building friendships and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support of this critical ministry as it serves the young people of the Indiana Conference.
Steve Baughman, Indiana Academy Principal
New Associate Pastor for South Bend First SDA Church
With a degree in business information systems, Omwocha Nyaribo was head of a digital marketing company in Nairobi, Kenya. At the same time, he was also actively working in evangelism at his local church. Eight years into his career, he felt the tug of the Holy Spirit on his heart to become a minister. Moving his family to the United States, he enrolled in Andrews University’s (AU) PhD in Religion program, then began volunteering at the South Bend First SDA Church. As of August 1, 2022, Pastor Omwocha officially became the associate pastor there. Lead pastor Throstur Thordarson says: “Pastor Omwocha is a kind and energetic pastor that loves evangelism and reaching out to our community.”
Pastor Omwocha and his wife Ruth (who is also working on a PhD from AU in Family Life studies) have four children – Joshua 12, Caleb 10, Russell 5, and Sarah-Rachel 2 months. We warmly welcome the Nyaribos to the Indiana Conference family.
Ladies, plan to join us for the Indiana Conference Women's Fall Retreat, taking place October 21-23 at the Blue Gate Garden Inn in Shipshewana with guest speaker Janet Salazar.
To register on the Indiana Conference website CLICK HERE .
Lake Union Pathfinder Camporee
September 15-18, 2022
Berrien Springs, Michigan
Featured Speakers
There are two featured speakers for the weekend: Armando Miranda, the associate youth director for the North American Division; and Andrés Peralta, the associate youth director for the General Conference.
Restoration International Family Retreat Sept. 28-Oct. 1
Many of you will remember Tom and Alane Waters, who were our family life speakers at this year's camp meeting. Please see the information above for more details.
New Albany’s Kentuckiana Health and Wellness Expo
The New Albany Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted its first-annual Kentuckiana Health and Wellness Expo at the Indiana University Southeast Hoosier Room on July 10th. The expo was a four-hour, one-day event which hosted 8 health screening stations that attendees could visit at their pleasure. After visiting the stations, the guests enjoyed a powerful health lecture by Dr. Ryan Wain and relaxing chair massages. With one-on-one counseling, those in attendance were sent home with a hope-filled, encouraging, and prayerful sendoff. And with the one-on-one counseling they experienced a hope-filled, encouraging and prayerful send off.
The 40 plus volunteers were blessed to serve numerous people during the Expo. It was well received and many left in tears at the love shown. Even a news crew showed up to see what all the action was about. Friends were made and some friendships were renewed during the day. As the church worked to meet the needs of the people, the work continues. The church is following up with a health series called “Ancient Health Secrets Revealed”. The first few meetings have been promising as relationships are continuing to be built, and we were delighted to see several guests join us at our regular monthly Supper Club meetings.
Pastor Wyatt Allen, New Albany SDA Church, Conference Evangelist
Chapel West Prophecy Seminar
Following the Your Best Pathway to Health mega event in Indianapolis, the Chapel West Seventh-day Adventist Church launched a health and evangelism series. The health program was hosted nightly by Dr. John Kelly following the Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP), which has helped thousands of people around the world defeat diabetes, heart disease, and overweight issues, all through simple lifestyle changes. All who attended were blessed, and several stuck around for the following prophecy meetings that I was blessed to present. The Seminar concluded with two precious souls, Rodney Lehn and Charlene Hungerford, being baptized and two more making their commitment to Jesus at the Indiana Camp Meeting in June 2022.
Pastor Wyatt Allen, New Albany SDA Church, Conference Evangelist
Erik and Cassidy Oprisu recently joined the Shelbyville SDA Church. Cassidy’s mother brought her to the SDA Church when she was young. The family didn’t attend the SDA Church long but a seed was planted in her heart. Three years ago, Cassidy began attending a large Christian Church where she surrendered her life to Jesus and found healing from childhood hurts including the feeling of abandonment. She also found a new purpose in Christ as she had been searching for purpose in money and success. One Sunday, her Christian minister talked about the Sabbath. He mentioned that one could keep any day as the Sabbath. His statement troubled her. The seed that had been planted at the SDA Church when she was young was about to grow. Cassidy searched out the truth on the subject of the Sabbath which led her to an online evangelistic series done by Adventist World Radio speaker Cami Oetman. They then searched for an Adventist church nearby and found the Shelbyville Church and have been attending faithfully for about a year with their two precious daughters.
Pastor Eric Freking, , Shelbyville/Irvington SDA Churches, Conference Evangelist
Hammond SDA Church - the oldest church member, MaryEtta Johnson, who's going to be 101 in a couple of weeks, prays for the newest baby in Christ, Marilyn F. Hoskins, who was recently baptized.
Pastor Ovid Radulescu, Hammond/Northwest SDA Churches
Glenda Sanchez was baptized at the Hammond Hispanic SDA Church on August 27. We praise God for Glenda, who has turned her life over to Jesus.
On Sabbath August 27, 2022, under the leadership of Pastors Michelet William and Andre Trofort, the Philadelphie French-Haitian SDA Church culminated the Grand Reveil Spirituel Evangelistic meetings. The Evangelist, Pastor Gedeon Estime from Haiti, preached and seven precious souls were baptized.
Small group meetings were conducted in four city-wide locations with a concentration of Haitian residents. The people were invited every night to the meetings, and they were fed spiritually. To God be the glory! We are continuing to build the kingdom as we are growing and looking forward to the next baptism.
Pastor Andre Trofort, Philadelphia French-Haitian SDA Church
Hebrews 4:9-10 NKJV
There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.
For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased
from his works as God did from His.
Lord God,
I am humbled by your constant care for me;
providing not only Sabbath rest,
but true rest for my body and soul.
Sovereign, God of us all, teach me to always take the time to rest
from the cares of this life, as you Lord, ceased your work and rested.
