The greatest shortage in God’s work is not money, time, materials or equipment. It is workers. Working workers. Two thousand years ago Jesus said “The harvest is great but the workers are few.” (Luke 10:2). That is still true today.

Jesus told us to ask the Lord of the harvest to throw out workers into His harvest. Then, through His interaction with the 12 (Luke 9) and later the 70  (Luke 10) He modeled how to develop these workers.  He gave them training, provided all the equipping they needed, activated them and sent them out into the harvest, and then for three years He provided on-going mentoring to help them become Christlike in their thinking, actions and ministry.

How would your congregations be better off if you had a clear plan to train, equip, activate and mentor your members in soul winning? In time would you see exponential, rather than numerical, growth? Would God send you more and more people because you were ready to help grow them? Would your members be better off at the end of next year spiritually than they are right now?

NPUC Conference and Union leaders have decided to make lay soul winning training, equipping, activating and mentoring a priority for several reasons–

1. Jesus made this a priority in His ministry.
2. We have Ellen White counsel to make this a priority. (See for example books such as Acts of the Apostles, Christian Service and Evangelism)
3. The early Seventh-day Adventist Church made this a priority.
4. This is what is happening in all the consistently fast-growing churches of all ethnicities and languages in the NPUC (based on spring 2009 research). At least two of the three characteristics we discovered these churches have in common can only happen when lay members are trained, equipped, activated and mentored in soul winning-
   • Regular reaping meetings at least twice a year
   • Lots of members giving Bible studies
   • Small groups of some type

Local pastors and churches and conferences can continue to develop plans to train, equip, activate and mentor their lay members in soul winning. In addition the NPUC and Conference leaders are providing training and equipping at “Momentum Festivals” in the major metro areas on Sabbath afternoons in January and February 2010, and at other locations in the northwest throughout the rest of the year.

At each Momentum Festival there will be two specific types of training–

• The Andrew TEAM will train, equip, activate and mentor members in how to SHARE their faith, distribute literature and give Bible studies.
• The Jethro TEAM will train, equip, activate and mentor members in how to LEAD small groups

Plan now to bring a group from each of your churches to one of the Momentum Festivals near you or contact your Conference Evangelism Coordinator or Pastor to have one scheduled near you during this next year.

“The formation of small companies as a basis of Christian effort has been presented to me by One who cannot err. If there is a large number in the church, let the members be formed into small companies, to work not only for the church members, but for unbelievers. If in one place there are only two or three who know the truth, let them form themselves into a band of workers. Let them keep their bond of union unbroken, pressing together in love and unity, encouraging one another to advance, each gaining courage and strength from the assistance of the others. Let them reveal Christlike forbearance and patience, speaking no hasty words, using the talent of speech to build one another up in the most holy faith. Let them labor in Christlike love for those outside the fold, forgetting self in their endeavor to help others. As they work and pray in Christ’s name, their numbers will increase; for the Saviour says: “If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 18:19.” {Testimonies for the Church, vol. 7: 21.4}

Blessings to you,

Dan Serns

The North Pacific Union had the privilege of hosting the NAD Hispanic Net meetings held October 23-31, 2009, from Portland, Oregon. The satellite series was titled: “SECRETOS DE LA VIDA” with evangelist Ramon J. Canals. The meetings were aired by Esperanza TV throughout the North American Division and other countries. These meetings were a result of the combined and united work of lay people, pastors and church administrators at all levels of the church organization. More than 500 small group leaders were trained to invite their friends to their homes, teach Bible studies and prepare people for the meetings. More than 500 satellite dishes were purchased and installed in their homes and some churches, including 11 Pentecostal homes and 1 Pentecostal Church.

The reports are still coming in but so far 354 people have been baptized in the NPUC as a result of these meetings. Our goal was to baptized 1500, train 500 small group leaders and plant 5 churches. I am excited to tell you that by the time we began the satellite meetings more than 1000 people had already been baptized. In addition, that same week, there were free medical services offered to the community. More than 1200 people were giving medical care during the day. These include, diabetes and cholesterol testing, medical and dental exams, eye examinations, chiropractic treatments as well as cooking classes and preventive medicine. About 200 people from the community were line up for registration two hours before we began the nightly meetings. About 50% of those who came for medical reasons stayed for the evangelistic meetings. We praise the Lord for His guidance and directions and we thank all those who participated and prayed for the success of these meetings.

You can only wonder, why people come to these meetings. You look into their eyes, and see that the Holy Spirit has been working on their hearts. We can only present a message that the Lord has prepared for us to speak. It is not just the speaker who is speaking, but we speak through our smiles we speak through our caring eyes, and the message is carried home by God’s Grace.

We pray that we might have eyes like Jesus did, and see the potential in every person that walks into our church. Jesus hasn’t given up on this world, and we, his servants, continue the ministry Jesus has called us to do. Miracles still happen every day. When we witness someone coming in their sins and guilt, and by the end of these meetings giving their lives over to Christ is the most amazing thing.

We had about 40 guests come to our meetings at the Vancouver Seventh-day Adventist Church, 15 or so regularly, and out of that, 8 decisions for Jesus. We praise the Lord, He still moves hearts. To see another 40 members come to the meetings was such an encouragement to everyone.

Our work is just beginning, not only do we to see baptisms, but we want see them become active members of our church. There were many who came to the meetings that did not make a decision yet, we will continue reach out to them, and know that Jesus is still working in their hearts.

For the greater area of Vancouver, there are so many to reach. The Gospels is still the Good News, and if we can get the message out there, Jesus has promised He would draw all to Himself. We hope that this is just a start of a Revival in our city. That people that drive past our church, and live in our neighborhood, would know that people love the Lord here, and we worship the God of Creation spoken in the Bible.

We are anxiously waiting for the coming of our Lord, but until that day comes, may His promises hold us firm in the Faith of Jesus.

I met a young woman named Samantha about eight months ago while I was working at Andy’s Market. She and I were employees working in the same department. She was raised as a nominal Christian and didn’t really know much about God. She often would express confusion as to what she should do with her life. She has since told me that my interactions with her and everyone around us in the workplace led her to become more open to receive the Gospel message. She saw that I had peace of deportment that she did not; I had a happy family—this spoke volumes to her.

By this time I had come to know that Samantha was struggling with bad habits. I had to be very careful in my conversation with her, because I knew she needed Christ in her heart. By this time we had only a few conversations about spiritual things, but one day, as a proposed answer to her problems, I gave her a book centering upon the life of Jesus called, The Desire of Ages. She is an avid reader and read most of the book within a week. I was very surprised and excited for her.

A couple weeks went by and I invited her to a weekly Bible study that was taking place at my house. She started attending regularly. Not long after that time I arrived at work and she told me that she had given up smoking and drinking. Praise the Lord! Over spring quarter I led out in Friday night vespers service at Village Church—Samantha began attending those as well. She also brought others with her. Her influence produced a rippling effect on everyone around her.

On January 10 Samantha signified her belief in Jesus and was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist church. She has continued to walk with God and presently volunteers at a local non-profit ministry and has most recently found herself leading in group Bible studies. Praise the Lord!

Trevor Staten

We are gearing up for the next mission trip to Peru. God has blessed us with a “good” problem. So far we are counting on a total of 41 sites with an estimated 120 people. The teams for these sites will come from the following:

• OR – 10
• UC – 6
• WWU – 1
• Schools – 11
• NPUC – 4
• Misc. – 8

That’s great news, so what’s the problem? We only have about 20 confirmed translators.

So here’s where you can help!

If you speak Spanish or know someone who does and is interested in joining our mission trip. Please email Marella.Rudebaugh@nw.npuc.org.

To learn more about the mission trip or to register for Peru go to our website at www.npuc.org/missions.

Ten thousand dollars ($10,000) will soon be presented to the Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists on behalf of the Keizer Spanish SDA Company as part of the 30-30-30 Church Planting Assistance Plan. This is the second NPUC church to qualify. (The first was the White Center Spanish SDA Church.) God has been working in a remarkable way among the Spanish-speakers of the Keizer community near Salem, Oregon. Here are some highlights—

Keiser- Meeting as a lay-led initiative in a house that they soon outgrew, they moved to a church and were organized in the June 2009, almost 100 people attend on Sabbath. From the beginning the leadership was strong and committed.

1. Total population: Keiser is located in Marion County. Population is 34,010 Population has grown very fast in the last decade.
2. Population of community cared for by existing SDA churches: none in Spanish, closest is Salem.
3. Area of evangelism: Keiser. There are several established families that live yearround in what used to be a mostly temporary, transient Hispanic community.
4. Total number of people living in the proposed area: 34,010, 12.5% are Hispanic.
5. The source for the above infonnation: US Census, internet search for 2009.
6. The company is a Hispanic congregation.
7. Distance from Salem Spanish- about 12 minutes driving distance.
8. Very open, there are not many Hispanic churches in Keiser, the Salem church has been a staple in that community for at least 10 years.
9. School they will be supporting: Livingstone Adventist Academy. Confirmed by the Principal.

Keizer, Oregon

Keizer, a growing community along the Willamette River and adjacent to the capital city of Salem, was founded by pioneers who – immigrated to the Oregon Territory in the mid- 1850s. Keizer was incorporated as a city in 1982, and has been one of the fastest growing cities in the state in the past decade. The city increasingly attracts newcomers because of its pleasant suburban neighborhoods, good schools, strong youth organizations and relatively low tax rates. It is home to a Class A baseball team, the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes.

Bobby Moore, pastor of the Highline Seventh-day Adventist Church district (WA Conf) shares what works for him in making time for God as a pastor in a cover story “Making space for God: Contemplation as praxis” in Ministry Magazine, August 2009.

“Oftentimes pastors become so busy and enthralled in keeping their church or churches functional they seldom have or take time to commune with the Lord of the church. To spend time contemplating the Divine when things more measurable need to be done and should be done may seem inappropriate or an anachronism. In the light of the pastor’s busyness, they view contemplation of God as an extravagance that can be postponed for a more convenient season. (Read more)

“When I meet with groups of pastors through the years I like to ask them which two Ellen White books did she say would especially help new members be grounded in their faith. Almost every time they mention The Desire of Ages and Steps to Christ. Those books are wonderful and helpful, but the two she said that would establish new believers in the truth are Patriarchs and Prophets and The Great Controversy.”* 

               – Dale Galusha, President, Pacific Press Publishing Association. Dale Galusha has been a pastor and is now president of the publishing company that prints Ellen White books. He Knows What He Is Talking About. (H.K.W.H.T.A.)

* “Many will depart from the faith and give heed to seducing spirits. Patriarchs and Prophets and The Great Controversy, are books that are especially adapted to those who have newly come to the faith, that they may be established in the truth. The dangers are pointed out that should be avoided by the churches. Those who become thoroughly acquainted with the lessons in these books will see the dangers before them, and will be able to discern the plain, straight path marked out for them. They will be kept from strange paths. They will make straight paths for their feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way.–Letter 229, 1903.” {Colporteur Ministry p. 129.3}

Recently one of our northwest Seventh-day Adventist pastors went through a very difficult experience. He was encouraged by several friends to attend a weekend in Portland called “Foundations.” He paid the fee and attended but had such serious reservations about some of the process that he left early. He wrote down his experience and perspectives . Afterwards he started doing more research into “Foundations” and other related activities. He came across an article titled “White Collar Cults” and stated that even though the article was written over 15 years ago it described numerous parallels with what he had just experienced.

What becomes abundantly clear from these experiences is that many people are searching for answers to deep relationship and emotional challenges. The ultimate solution can only be found in a deeper relationship with Jesus and healthier relationships within the body of Christ, in spite of all its flaws. As Seventh-day Adventists we have the tremendous advantage of have inpired counsel to help us filter out false therapies and embrace those in harmony with the principles of the Bible. For those who have never read them I highly recommend the two-volume set of Mind, Character and Personality (read some chapters online at Google Books and see free online study guides here) which has inspired counsel and Chapters such as Heredity and Environment (Chap 17), Security in the Home (18), Christ deals with Minds (21), Selfishness and Self-centeredness (30), Infatuation and Blind Love (32), Guilt (48), Worry and Anxiety (50), Depression (52), Pain (55), Anger (56), Hatred and Revenge (57), Communication (62), Imagination (63), Emotional Needs (66), Rejection (69), Thought Habits (72), Mind Controlling Mind (78), Hypnotism and Its Dangers (79), Safe Mind Therapy (80), Dealing With Emotions (84) and Safe Mind Therapy (81). There is no need to be led astray in these last days.

Adventist Health Study-1

This cohort study was different to the earlier mortality study in that it investigated factors related to the incidence of disease and mainly compared Adventist with Adventist.

Key Results

• On average Adventist men live 7.3 years longer and Adventist women live 4.4 years longer than other Californians
• Five simple health behaviors promoted by the church for more than 100 years (not smoking, eating a plant based diet, eating nuts several times per week, regular exercise and maintaining normal body weight) increase life span by up to 10 years
• Increasing consumption of red and white meat was associated with an increase of colon cancer
• Eating legumes was protective for colon cancer
• Eating nuts several times a week reduces the risk of heart attack by up to 50%
• Eating whole meal bread instead of white bread reduced non-fatal heart attack risk by 45%
• Drinking 5 or more glasses of water a day may reduce heart disease by 50%
• Men who had a high consumption of tomatoes reduced their risk of prostate cancer by 40%
• Drinking soy milk more than once daily may reduce prostate cancer risk by 70%

In summary, frequent eating of fruits and vegetables lowers the risk of several cancers. Eating nuts and whole grains reduces the risk of heart attack.

Preliminary Key Results

• 1% smoke tobacco
• .6% are current drinkers of alcohol
• About 50% drink soy milk ( the relationship between soy milk and certain cancers and heart disease is one of the major themes of the study)
• There is a wide distribution of diet:

1.  
   1. Total vegetarians (vegan)—4%
   2. Lacto-ovo vegetarians—31%
   3. Pesco vegetarians—i11% (eat fish and dairy)
   4. Semi-vegetarians—6% (eat meat more than once per month, but less than once per week)
   5. Non-vegetarians—46%

• Type of diet is a significant factor for body weight:

1.  
   1. Our data shows a progressive weight increase from a total vegetarian diet toward a non-vegetarian diet. For instance, 55 year old male and female vegans weigh about 30 pounds less than non-vegetarians of similar height.
   2. The closer you are to eating a vegetarian diet, the better you can control your weight.

• Levels of cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure, all had the same trend—the closer you are to being a vegetarian, the lower the health risks in these areas.

Loma Linda Adventist Health Studies – better health for everyone! Report 2008 Volume V

Bernie Paulsen - to sleeping in Jesus, from long time singing evangelist. Bernie and his wife, Carol, worked throughout the U.S. with evangelists such as Don Jacobsen, Dan Matthews, Bruce Johnston and George Knowles. They joined William Fagal at Faith for Today for several years and were in charge of music for Mark Finley during one of his meetings in Moscow, Russia. They teamed with Cliff Walter for evangelistic meetings in every state in the Northwest. Bernie Paulsen, died Nov. 2, soon after suffering extensive burns in an accident at home.

Andre Wang – to State Representative from Immigration Attorney. Seventh-day Adventist Attorney and Northwest Religious Liberty Association (NRLA) board member Andre Wang announced on Sunday night, November 15, that he is running as a State Representative for Oregon House District #50 located in Gresham, Oregon, which is a large metropolitan suburb of Portland, Oregon.

Last Monday evening I rang the doorbells of twenty of my closest neighbors.

Was I nervous? Yes, even though I’ve done things like this hundreds of times before.

So why did I do it? Three main reasons.

1. I really believe Jesus is coming soon and I want my neighbors to have the best chance possible to be ready for that universe-shattering event.
2. During a recent Week of Prayer here at the NPUC office I updated my special prayer list. I asked God to impress me with who I should invite to accept Him as Savior and Lord, embrace all Bible truths and unite with a vibrant Adventist group. The Lord impressed me to list the names of many of my neighbors, some by name and others by description (“big boat neighbors”, “loud neighbors”, “new neighbors”, “borrowed ladder from neighbors”, etc.). As I have prayed for the people on the list, God has put a growing urgency in my heart to somehow connect with them.
3. I have recently been reading Christian Service and came across statements like this–
   • “If there is one work more important than another, it is that of getting our publications before the public, thus leading them to search the Scriptures.” p145
   • “Let every believer scatter broadcast tracts and leaflets and books containing the message for this time.” p145
   • “publications will do a far greater work than can be accomplished by the ministry of the word alone.” p145
   • “Let not the canvassing work be left to languish… The presidents of our conferences and others in responsible positions have a duty to do in this matter.” p145
   • “Our publications are to show that the end of all things is at hand.” p146
   • “Whole churches have been raised up as a result of their circulation.” p146
   • “Carry with you, wherever you go, a package of select tracts, which you can hand out as you have opportunity. p151
   • “In our erring judgment we may think it unwise to give literature to the very ones who would accept the truth most readily.” p153

Before leaving the comforts of home (from 6:30-7:30pm) I prayed again and wrote my name and cell phone number on the back of the twenty Amazing Facts lesson #1 tracts that I had picked up at work (Our Ministerial Department stocks a literature stand for anyone in the NPUC office that would like some). Then I practiced what I’d say at the doors.

[Smile] “Hi I’m Dan Serns, your neighbor over there [pointing in the direction of our house]. I giving these out to each of our neighbors [handing them the tract]. If you have any questions my name and phone number are on the back. If you like it I’ll be back next week to give you another one.”

The responses? I left literature on the five doors where no one answered. Of the fifteen where people answered all fifteen accepted the tract! Most said “Thank you” (including “big boat neighbors” and ”loud neighbors”!). One said “Are you still having those Bible studies at your house?” (We had passed out invitations 2 1/2 years ago!). And I came home pumped up spiritually, wondering why I had been so fearful at the beginning.

Several of our NPUC conferences have hired young people to serve as the Conference Literature Ministries Coordinator. This is a vital part of our ministry, both as a church and as individuals.

• “Satan is busy…scattering literature which is debasing the morals and poisoning the minds of the young….Why should not every member of the church be as deeply interested in sending forth publications that will elevate the minds of the people, and bring the truth directly before them?” p146
• “I was shown men and women studying with intense interest papers and few pages of tracts upon present truth… I saw them holding papers and tracts in one hand and the Bible in the other, while their cheeks were wet with tears; and bowing before God in earnest, humble prayer, to be guided into all truth… And when the truth was received in their hearts, and they saw the harmonious chain of truth, the Bible was to them a new book; the hugged it to their hearts with grateful joy, while their countenances were all aglow with happiness and holy joy… they began to work for others…” p149-150

I’m looking forward to next Monday evening about 6:30pm when I take Amazing Facts Lesson #2 around to the same twenty homes. The cover should be great just in time for Halloween! Why not try it in your neighborhood?

Blessings to you,

Dan Serns

The Bible says that there is a feast in heaven when a sinner repents. This year we will be celebrating a great feast from the 23rd -31st of October; a feast I like to refer to as a party for God. It’s a great celebration which will include music, prayers, gifts, exposure to God’s word but above all, we will witness the birth of hundreds of people who will give their lives to God. I invite you to begin to pray for 3 people who you wish to see in the kingdom of heaven. I ask that you not only pray, but also invite these people to study the Bible, to join a small group, and to participate in this special festival where you will see God working miracles through His word.

The 2009 Net  meetings began on Friday evening, October 23. Free medical consultations will also be available each day. On hand are Dentists, Phychologists, Chiropractors, and more. They are offering general medical help, diabetes exams, cholesterol screening, and other free classes.

Please keep these meetings in your prayers.

Last year several people in our congregation accepted the challenge put forth by the Folkenberg’s to reach out and “ShareHim”. There were about 10 of us who attended a ShareHim Rally in Walla Walla, WA. Later a young couple, Dan and Stacey Brown, went to the Boot Camp. When Dan shared that he wanted to be a part of preaching a series of meetings in our home church, I was thrilled.

We tentatively set the date for the fall of 2008. However it became clear that our church as a whole was not ready for that. We prayed about what God would have us to do. At a pastors retreat in the summer of 2008, Elder Lee Venden announced that he and and his wife Marji had been called to be the revivalists for the Upper Columbia Conference and he was now ready to accept invitations. The Lord impressed me to ask Lee to come to Sandpoint. I thought that probably dozens of other pastors had already asked him but it turned out that was not the case. He was happy to tell me that the Sandpoint Adventist Church would be his first revival series!

I sensed God was blessing in this since I felt our church needed more spiritual preparation to engage in an evangelistic series. As Lee and Marji lifted up Jesus Christ in a real and refreshing way I saw transformations take place in many of our members, especially our young adults. Several small groups were revived or began after the Venden’s series. A real desire to know Jesus as a close and personal friend grew in the hearts of many members, and I sensed that now we could move forward with plans for evangelism in the spring of 2009.

The devil tried to thwart our plans. I spoke with Dan and his wife Stacey one day as we were facing some obstacles. “This may not be the right time to do this,” I told them. “Pastor”, they replied, “This is what God wants us to do!” I was strengthened by the courage they showed. Dan and I agreed that we would co-present using the ShareHim materials. We would title the series, “Quest For Truth”.

These meetings ran from Friday, March 21 through Saturday, April 11 with some follow up Sabbaths later. There were two presentations on Friday evening, one on Sabbath morning, and two on Saturday evening. We had table groups set up to provide for a social atmosphere and discussions. Our goal was to simply do what God had called us to do, leaving the results up to Him.

Attendance at the nightly meetings was 30-35. The majority of those were members of our church, however, a total of seven individuals who were from the community attended over the course of the meetings.

• We have at this point not witnessed any baptisms as a result of this series, but here is what is encouraging.
• There were some members who have not attended church any more who came to at least one meeting and at least one member has shown a renewed commitment to Christ.
• A total of 35 plus members were involved as part of one of the teams (Greeters, Audio/Visual, Table Hosts, Registration, Child care, etc.) for Quest For Truth.
• Some of the most loyal participants in the entire process were the young adults of our church.
• God has shown us that we CAN do evangelism in Sandpoint! I pray for a culture of evangelism to develop and grow stronger and stronger here.

by Pastor Matt Lombard

One Sabbath, when I had preached, a man came up to me after church and wanted to talk with me. He was visiting that week because his daughter was in a music group that performed that day. He told me that he works at the state penitentiary and confessed that he had been questioning his ministry with the prisoners there. He said that he had been wondering if what he was doing had any point, and he sounded as though he had been discouraged in his profession, possibly seeking to do something else.

But what he said next showed that the Holy Spirit had been hard at work that morning. When I first began working on my sermon that I titled “Fishers of Men” I had no idea how direct of an impact it would make. He told me that something in the sermon had hit him hard. When I had talked about Luke 4:18-19 and how we should follow Jesus’ example he had taken it to heart, realizing a new purpose and renewing his passion for working with the prisoners. He said that he had never thought about Jesus’ statement that God had sent him “to proclaim freedom for the prisoners” in the way he had that morning. I was excited that he was going to go forth and proclaim a spiritual freedom to the incarcerated.

Later, I ran into the man’s wife, and she told me that he was continually talking about the sermon, and all the depths and intricacies that had so surprised him coming from a young student preacher. I know that the Holy Spirit was working because there is no way that by the power of my own words anything such as this could have taken place. This experience validated his career, and it further cemented my decision to be a pastor. God showed me once again that nothing, but ministry will fulfill my cravings and longings for more than this world has to offer.

Landon Paul Schnabel