Adventist Christian Fellowship Retreat A Weekend Getaway
Every October university students come together at Timber Ridge Camp for our fall Adventist Christian Fellowship retreat. This year’s event, “A Weekend Getaway,” was a time to get away from the hustle of life, the deadlines, the struggles, and just be together. We enjoyed having student representatives from Indiana University and Notre Dame and spent time reflecting on our relationship with God and each other. Pastor Charlie led us on a mountain bike expedition, and Trish Thompson hosted us at the A-Frame for a delicious fall meal around the campfire. We also had rock wall climbing, hiking, and basketball. Overall the weekend was a great success and allowed students to catch a much needed breath from their busy school schedules.
We have over 70 colleges and universities in Indiana, and your church may be near one. If you want to learn more how you can support public campus ministries, reach out to our PCM Director, Pastor John Leis jleisiii@gmail.com
(765)318-3138.
Women's Ministries Retreat Held
at Brown County State Park
A very thankful group of ladies gathered in person at the Abe Martin Lodge of Brown County State Park for this year’s Indiana Conference Women's Retreat. The event, which took place November 5 – 7, featured presentations by Susan Payne of Adventist Frontier Mission, who provided a dialogue on forgiveness and healing titled “And the Truth Will Set You Free.” With wonderful warm weather and fall-colored trees, the ladies enjoyed spiritual renewal and companionship with fellow church members and friends.
Tammy Begley
Women's Ministries Volunteer
Top photo left to right: Conference President Vic Van Schaik; Dr. Allen Shepherd, Hammond pastor from 2003-2015; Elder Carmelo Mercado, Hammond pastor from 1976-198; current pastor Ovid Radulescu; and retired Lake Region Conference President Elder Jerome Davis.
HAMMOND SDA CHURCH CELEBRATES 100 YEARS
by Woodrow Wilcox
On October 2, 2021, the Hammond Seventh-day Adventist Church celebrated its 100 years of existence with a special service and luncheon after the worship service.
Started in 1921 by five church leaders, the church grew gradually. In the early days, a portable school house was purchased and placed at 620 Spruce Street in Hammond. In 1984, a fire destroyed that building.
For a few years, members of the Hammond church attended nearby SDA churches while property was sought and plans were made for a new church building. Groundbreaking ceremonies took place on November 29, 1995, for the church's present location at 6910 Walnut Avenue.
The first worship service at the new location was on September 7, 1996. In October 2006, the church celebrated paying off the mortgage on the new sanctuary with a “mortgage-burning service”.
Over thirty pastors have served the Hammond church during its 100-year history. The two longest serving pastors were Carmelo Mercado and Allen Shepherd. Both men served as pastor over twelve years. The current pastor is Ovid Radulescu.
Evansville First Church-Marshallese Group
At the start of Covid with churches being shut down, Evansville First church Elder Xerxes Maun, his wife Japine, and the late Elson Lang began online church through Zoom to other Marshallese throughout the world. Throughout the year this group has grown to over 70 weekly on Zoom and has become an official group. They also have Sabbath School, Women’s Ministries, Vespers, Prayer Meeting, and do mission outreach back in the Marshall Islands. During the end of summer, Pastor Jose Gonzales (now retired) and Xerxes and Japine Maun traveled to Washington State, Maui, and Honolulu, Hawaii. During this time several weddings and baby dedications were performed, and 21 persons were baptized, who are now members of the Marshallese group of the Evansville First church.
Picture 1 – Two members were baptized in the ocean in Honolulu, pictured with Xerxes Maun (left) and Pastor Jose Gonzales (right).
Picture 2 – Eleven new members were baptized in the ocean in Maui.
Picture 3 – Eight new members were baptized in Washington State.
Pastor Abraham Jimenez reports 12 new baptisms for Clarksville, Evansville and Huntingburg Hispanic churches following evangelistic meetings in the Hispanic District South.
Psalm 9: 1 (NKJV)
I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version(r). Copyright (c) 1982 byThomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Lord,
It is clear to me that I owe everything to you.
Your mercy, grace, and patience humble me.
I proclaim your great works to others.
And I praise and give deep, heartfelt thanks to you,
