Pastor Goetz Swears
This past month, Pastor Micheal Goetz was sworn in as a Loveland Police Department chaplain and he answered a few questions on why and what this means.
He is pictured at right with Police Chief Ticer.
How did you become involved with the Loveland Police Department?
While I was sitting in a meeting with community leaders a few months ago, Loveland Police Chief Robert Ticer was also there. He shared the need for support and help of chaplains in the police department. He shared his own heart and convictions as a Christian and I felt impressed to follow up with a conversation on how I and we as a campus could bless our community. Chief Ticer noted that there are two graduates of Campion Academy serving with the department and they would welcome any other support.
What does a police chaplain do?
I am joining a small team of chaplains that volunteer their time to support in crisis or community needs as well as provide service to and with the officers and their families. The ministry is to be a support and a presence when there is pain in our community.
With the busyness of campus and church, why add this?
When I first became a pastor in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, I was invited to serve as a police chaplain in that community. What I found was an incredible opportunity to interact and support the leaders and influencers. I also found that church often tends to be people looking and acting their best, but working in the community as a police chaplain, I had the opportunity to reach those who would never darken the doors of a church. As a police chaplain I have the opportunity to care for the most broken and hurting around us. We are very blessed with the ministry on campus – this just widens the circle of our impact.
Interview by Ken Albertsen
|
Pastors Thank Greeters
Thank you, greeters, for being our front-line evangelists every Sabbath. You are the first people that our guests and members see, and your friendly smiles and loving service make all the difference. I remember watching one of the greeters welcome a guest family to our church. This congenial greeter left her post and walked with the family through our new addition and led them to a Sabbath school class. If you are a greeter and reading this note, please know that we appreciate your loving service!
|
|
Ministry Team
Lead Pastor
Micheal Goetz
Evangelism/Worship Pastor
Nestor Soriano
Discipleship/Family Pastor
Michael Taylor
RMC Literature Ministry Pastor Matt Hasty
Campion Academy Chaplain
Nancy Meszaros
Office Administrator/Treasurer
Teresa Johansen
Head Elder
Dick Stenbakken
Member Care Team
The Pastors
Elders
Carol Turk
Becca Herber
Campion Academy Principal
Don Reeder
HMS Elementary Principal
Paul Bragaw
|
Our Mission
The Campion Church is a part of the Seventh-day Adventist movement seeking to
Know
Jesus as our Friend and Savior
Grow
a Caring Community
Go
Share the Everlasting Gospel
|
|
Pastor Nestor, May I Ask You About Your Doctoral Program?
Interview by Ella Jean Albertsen
Q: What degree are you working toward?
I am working toward a Doctor of Ministry degree in Christian Apologetics.
Q: Please define Apologetics
The term “apologetics” comes from 1 Peter 3:15, “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense (apologia) to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you." Christian apologetics (CA) then is branch of theology that defends Christianity against objections.
Q: What triggered you to focus on this topic?
I’m interested in Christian apologetics because our modern western world is becoming more secular and antagonistic toward Christianity. Christians are called to give a reasonable defense to anyone who questions and inquires about their faith. I’ve noticed that many believers are ill-equipped to provide answers for their faith. I’m studying apologetics because I long to acquire knowledge to reasonably share my faith and to develop the skill of reasonable engaging with a nonbeliever.
Q: When did you start? And when do you aim to finish?
I started in January of 2019, and aim to finish in December of 2022.
Q: What University are you in? Why did you choose this University?
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I chose it because the seminary was one of the only schools to offer a Doctor of Ministry degree in Christian Apologetics.
Q: How is attending a non-Seventh-day Adventist University challenging you?
This is a great question. I’m learning that Southern Baptists and Seventh-day Adventists have more in common than we think: a high view of Scripture, a belief in salvation by grace alone, a passion for evangelism and mission, a belief in regeneration, and the new birth. But I have been questioned by students and even a professor about my Adventist beliefs, particularly about our dietary rules (avoiding unclean meats), the Sabbath, annihilationism (utterly destroyed instead of an eternal hell), and the role of Ellen White. Their challenging questions have only strengthened my Adventist convictions and developed my skill in respectful argumentation.
Q: Do you attend in person or are all the sessions online?
My classes are online/distance, but we are required to fly to Louisville, Kentucky for four one-week intensives (typically in January and July).
Q: What have you studied so far?
Some topics include:
· History and formation of the New Testament
· The history and reliability of the resurrection
· The relationship between science and faith
· Secularism and Christianity
· The history and stain of racism in Christianity
Q: Where are you in the process of this program?
I finished my 4 core classes. Now I am focusing on my doctoral project work.
Q: What new insights have you come away with?
The biggest insight I’ve gained thus far is this: Adapt my ministry to my audience. The way I share the Gospel with a believer will be completely different from the way I engage with a nonbeliever. I need to understand their world in order to reach their world.
Q: How are your courses impacting your ministry?
I am growing in:
· My knowledge of the fundamentals of Christian faith
· The skill of thinking, writing, and speaking clearly
|
|
Fulfilling the Mission: Know, Grow, Go |
|
Outreach Group Begins Evangelistic Push in Johnstown |
Photo and article by Sarah Schwisow
Since January, the Johnstown Outreach Group is a group of several families from the Campion Church under the leadership of Pastor Nestor Soriano and Eddie Schwisow. They have begun intentionally reaching out to the residents of Johnstown and Milliken in an attempt to strengthen the presence of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in that area.
Most Sabbath afternoons members of the group can be found together. On alternating Sabbaths, the group engages in outreach and then spends time in fellowship and planning. Initial outreach has included door-to-door surveys and visiting Campion members living in Johnstown and Milliken. All Campion members living in the area were invited to a brunch held on Sunday, April 25 at the Johnstown YMCA. There, time was devoted to fellowship and an invitation was given to attend No More Fear, the short series presented by Pastor Nestor.
The group has been blessed by the efforts of Bible worker, Eddie Camacho, who has established several Bible studies in Milliken and Johnstown. It is the group’s hope to continue developing relationships with the families Eddie has been studying with when he leaves to be part of the Youth Rush megabook evangelism team in June.
All Campion members are invited to join in the family-friendly outreach endeavors in the Johnstown area with no strings attached for long-term involvement. To learn more how your family can be involved, please contact Pastor Nestor or Eddie Schwisow.
|
|
Our pastoral team, evangelism council, and board have all begun the conversation of what an emphasis and intentionality in digital evangelism would look like. Meaning, what would it look like if we intentionally reached people through social media and digital devices. There are ways to hone in and send ads to those who are searching for related content online. One of the ideas already implemented is an online digital evangelism series called Love & War (see the graphic) – but in a way and presentation you have probably never heard before. It is perfect for sharing with the churched and unchurched, young and old. |
|
Two Cooking Classes Attract Guests |
Andre Tapia's interactive demonstration of Peruvian food gave attendees a fast and easy way to prepare a puposa, somewhat like a tamale, by cooking it on a griddle. The puposa was served with a mild tomato sauce and cabbage salad.
Rene Cleveland shared vegan/gluten free recipes followed by a health lecture by her husband Tom, a physical therapist.
Photo and article by Charlene Clegg
|
|
|
Introducing Member Care Elders |
Five elders, Bill Hay, Kim Mehlenbacher, Dick Stenbakken, Ben Trujillo, and Wes Williamson. are designated as “Member Care” elders. Although all the elders are responsible for looking after the welfare of all the Campion Church members, the Member Care elders are dedicated particularly to reach out to those members who have “identified needs.” These individuals may be in the hospital, have lost someone to death, are shut-in, have been missing church for some weeks, or are meeting any type of crisis. For this reason, all prayer requests and praises should be sent to the church office so that this team receives the request and can react appropriately.
Bill Hay has been a member of Campion Church for just about 24 years, and one of his favorite things to do is teaching the Junior Sabbath School class. During the week he works with Planned Giving and Trust Services for Adventist World Radio (AWR). That means he gets to travel, which he loves, especially on mission trips. And he has always loved cars!
Most of us know that Kim Mehlenbacher, a building contractor, has spent the majority of his time for the last year or more supervising the new addition to our church. Now that it is completed, Kim is looking toward retirement and to enjoy some things he has been unable to do. He loves most sports—playing, not watching, He grew up playing ice hockey, which is probably tops, but likes skiing and golfing as well. The Mehlenbachers have been members of Campion for about five years.
One of Dick Stenbakken’s favorite things is to make the Bible stories come alive, so he has developed a ministry of portraying Bible characters (and sometimes other historical characters) in the first person. He enjoys making his own costumes and studying about first century Rome. He is an ordained minister who served as a US Army Chaplain for almost 24 years, and headed the Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries department at the General Conference for 13 years He has been a member of the Campion Church for 16 years.
The elder who has been a member of the Campion Church the longest is Ben Trujillo, since 1982. After he began drawing a railroad pension, he turned his time to repairing chips in windshields. In his spare time, he says his favorite thing is Bible study, although he also enjoys wood working, building, gardening and playing racket ball.
Wes Williamson has been a member at Campion Church about six years. A retired tool and die maker, he enjoys fabricating things, but also loves classic cars and gardening. He is working on developing some sort of business for himself at this point.
|
|
The Campion Church welcomes Roland and Audrey Pichot (the “t” is not pronounced) to the Campion Church. Roland graduated from Campion Academy in 2016. Audrey is from Tennessee and they met there, but have moved here to be closer to his family.
Audrey works at Medtronic, a company that makes surgical equipment, but may be looking for new work soon. Roland works Elementum 3D in Erie as the inventory manager. Elementum 3D is a metal composite materials research company that produces and researches metal materials for 3D printing. It sounds fascinating—he can tell you more about it.
Like so many who live in this area, when they have spare time, they enjoy outdoor activities; Audrey would especially like to try rock climbing. Roland enjoys making music and would like to be part of a brass quartet here at the church when the Covid pandemic allows. He also loves Legos and uses them extensively; right now, he is involved in hosting a grow group for Legos with his brother Elliot Kahler.
At the Campion church, Audrey has been involved in teaching in the Adventurers and says she has enjoyed teaching the little kids. Roland is already involved in helping Dave Oden with the audio/visual, and would like more involvement with the music.
Interview by Ardis Stenbakken
|
|
Cheryl Nilsen, daughter of Campion members Dave and Charlotte Dennis and sister of Sam and Michelle Dennis, rejoined the Adventist church by baptism. She will be a member of the Clarksville, Maryland church. Her family rejoiced for their answered prayers. |
|
|
Service Schedule
Saturdays:
First Service 9 - 10:10
Sabbath School 10:20 - 11:20
Second Church 11:30 - 12:40
Services streamed live from campion.church
|
|
|
Adopt-a-Student Revealing--May 2 |
Every Campion Academy student was adopted by someone in the Campion Church, but who adopted the students has been a secret. Until now.
If you were one of these people, you are invited to reveal yourselves to our Campion students on May 2 at 11:30 am on the Campion soccer field. We will have a "meet and greet" with some physically distanced games so you can get to know your students better and make some new connections. The students would love to meet their adoptive church families so please come join us for the fun.
|
|
Study Bible Bible Study-May 6 to June 17 |
Dr. Dick Stenbakken, one of our elders who has taught from high school through the graduate level, will lead a 7-week study of John’s Gospel. Here is an opportunity to receive a new, valuable, and widely acclaimed Andrews Study Bible, and to engage in a study of the Gospel of John. It’s all free. Yes, even the Study Bible.
Attend four sessions and you can keep the Study Bible. Seating is limited to 30, so make your reservation by May 4, to officecampionchurch@gmail.com. Church members are highly encouraged to bring a guest. We will meet in the Community Center on Thursdays at 6:30 pm starting May 6 and ending on June 17.
|
|
Teacher Appreciation Sabbath--May 8 |
On a campus full of some of the best educators and school staff anywhere, we should be taking a week each month to celebrate them. But we’ll contain ourselves and join with campuses in applauding our teachers during the week of May 3-8. Pastors have invited the teachers to stop by for lunch at the church during that week and we as a congregation will pray and praise God for them on Sabbath, May 8. Please take the opportunity to drop a blue card note of appreciation to one or more of the teachers in our congregation. |
|
Business Meeting, May 17 at 7 pm |
|
May 19 – Kindergarten Graduation @ 2:00 pm on the campus RV Park
May 19 – 8th Grade Graduation @ 7:00 pm in the sanctuary.
May 28 -- Academy Senior Vespers in the church
May 29 -- Academy Senior Consecration 2nd Service in the church
May 29 -- Academy Class night 9 pm in the gymnasium
May 30 -- Campion Academy Graduation 10 am in the gymnasium
|
|
Community Sabbath--May 22 |
On May 22, we will be inviting several community organizations to join us for our annual Community Sabbath and use this opportunity to introduce and offer to them our church (with the latest addition) as a place to meet and use. That Sabbath will be a great time to invite your friends and coworkers. |
|
Connect Weekend--June 4 and 5 |
Karl Haffner will be the speaker here on June 4 & 5. |
|
Kids of Courage VBS June 7 to 11 |
|
Ever wonder how Daniel stood as true as a needle to a pole, or what it’s like to be a Christian in a country where Christians aren’t welcome? In this year’s VBS, our children will learn five principles for living faithful lives by engaging in interesting Bible stories, intentional crafts, international snacks, and interactive games.
Join us and invite your friends June 7 to 11 from 9 am to noon at the Campion Church Community Center!
|
|
Women's Emphasis Weekend--June 18 and 19 |
Save the Date:
June 18, 19: Women’s Ministries Emphasis Weekend: “Grief, Grace, and Gratitude”
Enjoy a weekend of spiritual growth with Alicia Patterson on Friday evening, Sabbath morning, and Sabbath afternoon.
|
|
Campion and HMS Richards School News |
|
HMS Richards Coming Events
May 4 – Accreditation: Please remember HMS in your prayers on this day. School accreditation is a big task in evaluating how our school operates. We pray for the highest rating to continue excellence in Christ-centered education.
May 14 – HMS 1st Annual Color Run from 8:30 am-12:00 pm. Registration is now closed but we welcome those who want to cheer on the runners and join us for a picnic on campus at 11:00 am. Bring your own food, blankets, and chairs.
May 19 – Kindergarten Graduation at 2:00 pm on the campus RV Park
May 19 – 8th Grade Graduation at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary.
Positions needed:
Hand bells teacher for Grades 5-8
School janitor
Hot lunch volunteers
God is truly blessing our enrollment for next school year. Grades 1-2 now have a waiting list, and other classrooms are quickly filling up. To be sure you have a spot, please register online at hmsrichards.org or contact Aubrey Nelson at 970.667.2427 if you are even slightly interested.
Thank you, Campion Church, for your amazing financial support and prayers this year. We have been blessed to have had in-person learning all school year. We praise God for His many blessing and give Him all the glory!
Kari Lange
|
|
Academy Students Produce Drive-Through Pageant |
On Sabbath afternoon of Easter, Campion students joined together to share God through reenacting nine scenes from the life of Jesus in celebration of Easter. Around 100 vehicles with visitors from the community drove around the campus and watched glimpses of scenes from Jesus’ birth to His resurrection.
Produced by Erin Johnson and Nancy Meszaros, the entire student body was involved in representing different aspects of the life of Christ including: Jesus’ birth, baptism, miracles, last supper, Gethsemane, trial before Pilate, His crucifixion, and the resurrection. Students in Johnson’s drama class composed and directed each scene.
Campion News Team with Ryan Bell, Guest Contributor
|
|
What is the Best Way to Support Missions? |
The best way is giving one’s self by becoming a regular missionary. If you cannot do that, you can give money. For many of us it is a temptation to give directly to independent mission projects somewhere in the world. It feels good to see something happen immediately—a church built, evangelistic meetings held, a school started—whatever.
But have you thought about what happens after that? Who supplies the pastor for that church, or builds a church and supplies a pastor after those meetings, or the teacher for the school? And who makes certain that the work continues long term? Often groups start something wonderful but then expect the General Conference or local church conference--- who had nothing to do with the plan---to support it. Think about it. Perhaps supporting the church World Budget is a better thing to do.
|
|
May 1: Local Church Budget
Spring has sprung! Outside work and projects are underway. These require willing volunteers and money for materials. Our church is looking good—thank you for your work and support to help keep it that way.
May 8: Disaster and Famine Relief Offering:
There is no doubt that the world is full of disasters and famine—here in our local community as well as worldwide. We have had fires, floods, and a pandemic. Those of us who are able are fortunate to be able to help others not so fortunate. If you wish your donation to go entirely to this offering, mark it as such on your envelope or online. Otherwise, it will go to the general World Budget of the world-wide Church.
May 15: Local Church Budget
Take a minute to sit in a church pew and look around. There are nice hymnals and Bibles, connect cards, blue cards with which to encourage or thank someone, flowers, bulletins, seasonal decorations, a piano and organ in tune, clean floors and pews, lights and heat or air conditioning as required. If you are watching on-line, you too can enjoy these blessings provided by the audio-visual team. Thank you, everyone, for making all these blessings possible.
May 22: Rocky Mountain Conference Advance:
Church and school buildings, Glacier View Ranch and Mill Spring Ranch and their summer and winter camps, Campion Academy, La Vida Mission, and evangelism all benefit from this offering. Each is a blessing and benefit to us.
May 29: Rocky Mountain Conference Education:
We are an educational campus, and we give thanks for this offering which helps support these important educational and evangelistic programs. These schools are truly “church schools” so we all need to support them whether or not we currently have children receiving a blessing from HMS Richards Adventist School and Campion Academy!
|
|
Kitchen
We are so thankful that we are nearly half way in raising the final amounts for our kitchen remodel. About $75,000 of the $150,000 is in our bank account. The plans have been finalized and are being submitted to the county for a building permit. So for the next couple of weeks we will wait. But soon we will need your help to move and remove parts of the kitchen in preparation for the new cabinets, flooring, and appliances.
Update from Pastor Goetz
|
|
Newsletter: Ella Jean Albertsen, Ken Albertsen, Anita Busby, Muriel Indermuehle, Teresa Johansen, Ardis Stenbakken, Sherie Wirgau.
Website: Jerry Ellquist, Jessie Norris, Steve Phillips
Social Media: Micheal Goetz, Teresa Johansen, Dave Oden, Joyelle Worley.
Copyright © 2021 All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
