A Call to Prayer

July 21, 2010

Imagine pastors, elders, and congregations coming together in the Man-Sask Conference every Wednesday evening to pray for their churches, families, communities and the world. Prayer groups meet in different areas at each of our churches, studying God’s Word and the Spirit of Prophecy writings. Imagine songs of praise filling our churches as God’s people rejoice in His answers to our prayers.

Imagine the prayer meeting moving into our homes each evening as God’s people search out His will for their lives each day. The joy on the lips of our people as we fellowship in church on Sabbath mornings, coming together to pray.
“It is our privilege to open our hearts and let the sunshine of Christ’s presence in. My brother, my sister, face the light. Come into actual, personal contact with Christ that you may exert an influence that is uplifting and reviving… Let gratitude to God fill your hearts.” Sons and Daughters of God, p 199.

Prayer is the central avenue that God uses to transform us. When He does, great things will happen. James 5:16 says, “…The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” Yet our goal as God’s people is not to just pray more, but also to listen to the voice of God who reveals His will through His Word, the Bible. He speaks to us through His Spirit.

God’s voice often seems drowned out by the noise of the world. Spiritual discernment must be prayerful, informed and intentional in order to distinguish God’s voice from the other voices that influence us. We must be in a spirit of prayer.
As you sit, walk or drive in your community, whether alone or with others, listen and pray. Encourage and lift each other up in prayer.

If your church has not already begun a prayer ministry, I suggest to first select a prayer coordinator. Together, we can join as a conference and link prayer requests from each church. At times our loved ones are in danger, and there are projects and evangelistic efforts that the evil one does not want completed. We must join forces to pray.
Prayer walking can be a real blessing to God’s work, revitalizing the church and community. It is walking and talking quietly to God. People can gather in groups of two to three for this powerful time of prayer. You may choose to daily or weekly walk and pray for those living on your block or in your neighbourhood. You may also choose to pray for the activities of worship that are taking place in your church.

While prayer walking, our eyes, ears, feet, mouth and all our senses are open to God. What we should pray for may be right in front of us. “Prayer walking is simply praying in the very places where you expect God to answer your prayers.”
You may choose to start a prayer group. Here are some suggestions for things to do in your group:

1. Encourage all members to know why they are meeting — to pray for renewal in themselves, their church, community, nation, world and to pray for concerns of each other.
Read or recite scripture promises during prayer. What to pray for can proceed from the scripture itself – this gives guidance and focus.
Write down what the Lord has done and is doing between prayer group meetings -this gives excitement and anticipation.
Listen to God, thanking and praising God for responding and working in the lives of members -this deepens the relationship with God.
Establish a ritual of a starting and ending on time.
Remember that prayer should:
- Foster unity. “In Christ we [all] have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” Ephesians 1:7
- Fill us with thankfulness. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
- Acknowledge God’s greatness and sovereignty. “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom.” Psalm 145:3

In closing, may I remind you to be praying for our upcoming camp meeting. Once again we will be setting up our prayer tent. Please join us and bring your ideas with you about what you have done to make prayer more meaningful in your life and in the life of your church.
~ Pastor Rick Harwood

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Prairie Health Seminar May 10-21

March 22, 2010

The Prairie Health & Education Center is hosting a two-week Natural Remedies Seminar for laymen and professionals. The Education Center is 25km north of Tisdale on highway 35 (west side of hwy). The Seminar covers the application of natural remedies to many of today’s health challenges – and includes a short hands-on guided practice for hydrotherapy. A complete binder of seminar materials will be provided. There will be delicious vegetarian cuisine and daily exercise breaks. There are a limited number of “on-campus” rooms available or there are several nearby motels.

Please check out the attached brochure and then call Cathy Reed at 306 873-4409 or email to: prairiehealthacademy@sasktel.net

Prairie Health Seminar Brochure

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Men’s Ministry – SK Event

March 22, 2010

Mike Wells is the Men’s Ministry Leader for Saskatchewan in our Man-Sask Conference. Mike has organized the second Annual Men’s Ministry Convention to be again held at the Blackstrap Cedar Lodge near Dundurn Saskatchewan April 16-18 2010. Please note the changed weekend and new dates – made so that more men can plan to be there! The guest Speaker this year is Kent Hansen – author of “Grace at 30,000 ft” and other titles. Men in Saskatchewan are encouraged to register as soon as possible to take advantage of this important learning and growing experience with other like minded Christian men. Please see the PDF Brochure by clicking on the link that follows, then register before April 5th by calling Mike Wells at 306 921 3140 or the Conference Office at 306 244 9700 and ask for Aris.

Men’s Convention Brochure

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God’s Amazing Grace – April 30-May 2, 2010

February 16, 2010

The Saskatchewan Adventist Christian Women’s Ministries presents a special weekend to give all women a time to refresh their lives and gather strength from the Lord. Registration starts at 4:00pm. For more details, check back here soon, phone (306) 249-1545 or email kvwiebe@sasktel.net. Click on the Link to see this year’s brochure.

Women’s Retreat Brochure

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First Adventist church planned for Gulf region

January 21, 2010

Source: Adventist News Network

Seventh-day Adventists in the Middle Eastern Gulf region anticipate worshipping in their first permanent church building by year's end, local church officials said at a January 8 groundbreaking ceremony.

Builders break ground for the Gulf region's first Seventh-day Adventist Church January 8. The building will also serve as church headquarters for the United Arab Emirates and surrounding countries. [photos courtesy Roger Taer/MEU]

Victor Harewood, church leader for the United Arab Emirates and Oman, along with some 250 local members met on the plot in Ras Al Khaimah to unveil the building's cornerstone, officially opening the construction site.

Ras Al Khaimah is one of seven emirates in the UAE. Its crown prince and deputy ruler, Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, approved the building project in 2008.

"[The move] will give Adventists official registration, recognition ... and ability to have our own church building," said Rajee Mathew, building project manager.

Previously, Adventists met in church members' homes or rented worship spaces owned by other Christian denominations.

Church officials expect construction on the three-story building to wrap up in 8 months. The first level is slated to house a worship hall seating up to 500.

Local Adventists help unveil the cornerstone for their forthcoming church.

The building will also serve as headquarters for the Gulf Section of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Harewood said, with space reserved for residences and office space for administrative staff. The region comprises Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Yemen.

"We are all very excited about this development and pray that this project will be the start of a new era for our church in this part of the world," said Jóhann E. Jóhannsson, treasurer for the church's Trans-European region, which oversees the Gulf Section.

Support from the Trans-European region, as well as from the local Middle Eastern Union and Seventh-day Adventist world church headquarters will help cover the projected cost of the building -- approximately $3.2 million with an additional $170,000 to furnish and equip it.

With the recognition the building will give the Adventist Church in the Gulf Section, Adventists will "finally be able to organize the [church's] work in the region," said Kjell Aune, church president for the Middle Eastern Union.

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Women’s Retreat Speaker Ginger Church

January 20, 2010

GChurchF14 Ginger Church delights in serving God in various ways. She has been involved in the editorial process of such magazines as The Adventist Review, Insight, and Celebration; and in recent years she has served as editor of Renewed & Ready magazine and Kid’s Ministry Ideas. Ginger also spent many years in the sales and promotion of most of the Seventh-day Adventist published magazines — especially Women of Spirit. She has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada speaking at women’s retreats and leadership training events. Currently, she serves as Webmaster for Renewed & Ready online and works part time as a chaplain at a large nursing home complex near her home. She has authored two books: “A Woman’s Walk With God,” and “Ask God for a Miracle”.

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ACS Convention – March 2010

October 6, 2009

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Baptism 101: Adventist ministers-to-be take to the tank on training day

October 5, 2009

Source: Adventist News Network

Derick Adu, left, prepares to baptize Ivan Sierra as professor Stanley Patterson looks on, Wednesday, September 30 at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. About 45 students practiced baptizing each other as part of the class Foundations in Pastoral Ministry. [photo: Ansel Oliver/ANN]

Another time he had to contend with water snakes during a river baptism in Texas. "The thing is to just be cool and stand still and they'll go on," said Paterson, now a professor at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. "Hopefully afterward you can chuckle about it." Throughout a career, a pastor might baptize hundreds or thousands of new believers through the act of lowering a candidate under water and raising them back up. While most ceremonies are a joyful occasion for the candidate and their church, a rare few can have glitches, leading a congregation to snicker or sometimes collectively gasp. Now, as co-instructor of the class Foundations in Pastoral Ministry, Patterson takes a few days each semester to teach soon-to-be pastors the basics of a baptismal ceremony, and warns against problems that can occur. Last year, the Adventist Church baptized about 1 million people, according to the church's 2008 statistical report, set for release this month. Patterson is sure that not all have gone smoothly. He warns students about some people's fear of water, candidates who flail their arms under water, large candidates who float and won't submerge, and how to negotiate swift river currents. Many pastors around the world can remember an outdoor ceremony for less than ideal reasons. "There are some bad stories from river baptisms," said Larry Evans, undersecretary for the Adventist world church. "Let's just say you've got to keep the robe facing downstream." In 1995, Pastor Jean-Pierre Mulumba Tshimanga had to be rescued from the Congo River after misjudging the swift current. A tall candidate was swept away and hung on to him, holding both of them under water. Fortunately, strong swimmers were positioned downstream. In Southern Mexico, church leader Raul Lozano was once brought to a rural area to baptize candidates in a pond originally dug for watering cattle. The water grew murkier with each candidate stirring up the pond floor. "The last ones came up with their heads basically stuffed with mud," Lozano recalled. Indoor ceremonies can also have their mishaps. Adventist world church public relations director Garrett Caldwell recalled a story of a fellow pastor who wore a robe with no weights. During his speech in the baptistery the robe floated above his swim trunks, all of which was visible through the glass tank. "Everyone in the congregation was laughing and he had no idea why," Caldwell said. One recent morning at Andrews University, the seminary class of 34 men and 11 women sat in the first few rows of pews in Pioneer Memorial Church. Many brought towels and wore swim shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops. The class's co-professor James North Jr. offered some tips on safety. On cold water outdoors: "There's not much you can do about the cold. Have some towels, hypothermia can happen pretty quickly." On river current: "The water should be coming from behind them. Otherwise it's going to go up their nose or it can carry folk away." Patterson said the pastor has primary leadership responsibility for safety during the ceremony. He recommended having a second person assist, either helping the candidate up slippery stairs or standing nearby for a river baptism. He said knowing basic safety and using common sense can help prevent the worst disaster. "People have drowned in river baptisms," Patterson said. "But they don't put that in the Review," he said, referring to the Adventist Church's magazine. And never touch a corded microphone, he told students. About 30 years ago, he said, an Adventist pastor in New Orleans touched an improperly grounded microphone, electrocuting him and the candidate in front of a horrified congregation. Having an extra person assist can also help a smaller pastor baptize a larger candidate. In the previous day's class, a small woman had baptized a large man. The assistant stood behind the candidate and lifted him by the armpits. "They did such a wonderful job, it was beautiful," Patterson said. Standing in front of the platform, he called up student Ryan Whitehead to assist in demonstrating for the class proper baptism technique. Whitehead, the candidate, stood in front of the minister perpendicularly. Paterson had Whitehead grab his own wrist. "That allows you to hold their wrist and they can put their own hand to their face," Patterson told the class. The method is a slight variation of the technique in the Minister's Handbook, which has the minister covering the candidate's face. After instruction, it was then time for practice. The male and female students each went to their own changing rooms behind the baptistery. Until five years ago, the exercise was practiced in the campus swimming pool. In line behind the platform, several students remembered seeing some mishaps over the years. Andy Arends recalled his own baptism day -- the candidate after him got his head banged on the side of the tank. Today, however, no injuries would occur. Both Professors Patterson and North stood next to the tank as students took turns rotating through, each raising their hand and offering a small speech to the candidate and the congregation of empty pews before the baptism. Most students did it twice. Michelle Hill nearly slipped when she baptized fellow student Pierre Quinn. "Michelle, put your foot out to keep that from happening," Paterson said. "I want you to do it again." She lowered Quinn down a second time and brought him back up. Patterson smiled. "There you go, that looked good," he said. Later, Hill said baptizing someone was more difficult than she had anticipated. "Technically, I could improve a bit," she said. The experience was also an emotional one for her. "I thought of all the people I'll baptize in the future." A minute later, an "Oops" echoed throughout the empty church. Student Mary Ratsara was having trouble on her first try of dunking a fellow student who was about a foot taller than she. "It's tough if you're short, but I think it comes with practice," she said. After class, Paterson said he was pleased with his students' performances. "You're not expecting first-time perfection," he said. --additional reporting by Bernard Onditi One of Stanley Patterson's first baptisms was in a mountain lake so cold that it put his diaphragm into such a spasm he could hardly talk.

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Non-profit Leadership Certification Program

September 28, 2009

NLCP is designed to equip nonprofit leaders with the practical skills and perspectives they need to operate effectively by emphasizing the distinctive character of nonprofit operations and the collaborative nature of modern problem-solving.

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Lifeline – Practical Answers to Common Health Questions

September 17, 2009

Check out these 60 second audio clips that give you practical answers to common health questions. For more free health tips, call 1-877-Life-Tips or visit www.VibrantLife.com.