Newsletter - Arkansas-Louisiana Conference

ARKANSAS-LOUISIANA CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS
Newsletter
Pastor Oregon baptizing man
Pastor Prieto baptizing lady
Mega
Mega Evangelism =
The Spanish churches in Central
Arkansas have had the joy of seeing
the Lord work in a marvelous way.
May through June were busy months
of evangelism for the Little Rock, North
Little Rock, and Hot Springs areas. The
three Spanish churches began making
plans more than a year ago and united
their forces to gain souls for the kingdom
in a mega campaign. All departments of
the churches worked in unity.
Each church, during the month of
May, held a crusade simultaneously for
two weeks. Pastor Argenil Vega from
Columbia spoke at the North Little Rock
church. Pastor Gerson Granobles, also
from Columbia, held the campaign in
Little Rock, while Counselor Pedro Morales
held the meetings in Hot Springs.
After two weeks of nightly meetings,
the three churches joined efforts for
one last week of reaping at a large
theater in the heart of Little Rock with
evangelist Cesar Cardenas, also from
Columbia. It was truly a wonderful ex-
Volume 3, No. 7 - June 2010
RESULTS
Evangelism and soul-winning is the number one priority of our conference. It is the
fulfillment of the gospel commission given to us by Jesus which is also our “Mission
Statement.” (Voted as Conference Priority at the 2008 ARKLA Constituency Session)
By Tena Oregon
perience. Everyone was inspired by
the evening messages on the theme,
“Save Me Where I Am” (Rescatame Tal
Como Soy) along with a different musical
artist each night. Attendance was
250-300 nightly not including children.
After three weeks of going every night,
everyone was tired yet thrilled for the 93
precious souls that gave their hearts to
the Lord in baptism!
The editor of the Hispanic newspaper
attended nightly and took pictures
to go in the paper at no charge. Pastors
from other denominations attended the
meetings bringing some of their members.
The manager of the Spanish radio
station requested additional interviews
at no additional charge. The Sabbath
attendance was over 400, and when
Pastor Cardenas made a call for a sacrificial
offering to have meetings next
year at the same place for the same
purpose of winning souls, $10,000 was
collected! Praise God for all the mega
results!
www.arklac.org

news
Jose Inestroza
Page 2
n e w g r o u p f o r m s in l a fay e t t e
Jesus has commanded us to go into the entire
world and tell others about Him. The Lafayette
Seventh-day Adventist Church is excited to have a
part in reaching a new group in our own city – those
who speak Spanish. To accommodate the growing
number of Spanish-speaking people attending each
week, we began to have the sermon translated
live each week from English into Spanish. Soon a
Spanish Sabbath School was formed. Pastor Juan
Fresse, who grew up attending Spanish churches,
is encouraging their dream to someday become the
first Spanish SDA Church in Lafayette.
In June 2010, at a church business meeting,
Stephen Burton and Rebecca Burton
that process was started. The
Lafayette Seventh-day Adventist
Church officially voted into existence
the Lafayette Seventh-day
Adventist Spanish Group. It was
exciting for the group to see the
support offered by the church,
and the church was thrilled to witness
and assist in the first steps
of a church plant.
Right after
the group was
formed, they
were blessed
with the opportunity
to have
Pastor Harif
Cerrano, from
Nicaragua, come do an evangelistic
series for them. At the
end, two people gave their lives
to Christ through baptism! The
group is excited that less than
two months after forming, they
already have two new members
with several others currently in
Bible studies.
As we look toward the future
and continued growth, we know
there will be tough times; yet
we choose to focus on the positive
and see God’s hand working
in our church and in our city. He
brought us together despite our
language barriers, and now as two
groups we can each reach people
that the other could not. We pray
that both groups will continue to
New Superintendent of Schools
We extend a great big welcome to
Stephen Burton who was elected by the
Conference Executive Committee to serve
as the new Superintendent of Schools for
the Arkansas-Louisiana Conference. Burton
is not new to the conference as he has
taught here for the past 25 years – eight
years in Mena, and the past seventeen
years at the Ozark Adventist School in
Gentry, serving as Principal during the last
nine of those years. He began his teaching
career in Santa Anna, Texas following
his graduation from Southwestern Union
College (now Southwestern Adventist University).
Education and ministry to our young
people has been a passion with Mr. Burton
for many years. Besides his emphasis on
classroom teaching, he has been a strong
by Elizabeth Fresse
“He brought us together
despite our language barriers,
and now as two groups
we can each reach people
that the other could not.”
Yensys Ortega
Education and ministry to our young people has been a passion with Mr. Burton for many years.
grow spiritually and
numerically, and
that we will always
treasure our brothers
and sisters in
our hearts, regardless
of our differences.
supporter of outdoor school. Over the past
ten years, Mr. Burton has organized and directed
the outdoor school program at Camp
Yorktown Bay in behalf of the Education Department.
Mr. Burton worked as a carpenter for
five years which lead to his appointment as
an interim ranger at CYB in 1979 for eight
months and a member of the summer camp
staff. It was during that time that he met
Rebecca Gunter who later became his wife.
Rebecca Burton will also work in the Education
Department, serving as office secretary.
Mr. and Mrs. Burton have two adult
children, Julie Bowes, who lives with her
husband, Rodney, in California, and Kevin,
who just moved to give mission service in
Korea.

New ARKLA Pastors
Yvonne & Gary Ford
Jeff & Darlynn Villegas
For one week (July 25-30), the Siloam
Springs SDA Church became the headquarters
of “KGCN” – Kids’ & God’s Communication
Network, “broadcasting” the good news about
Jesus. Between 26 and 32 children improved
their communication skills with God, a remarkable
result for a small congregation.
A positive perception of the church in the
community made a difference - most of the children
came from non-SDA homes. Ruth Duncan
assisted by Carmen Radulescu, led a team
of hard-working and incredibly dedicated VBS
volunteers. This is just the beginning of other
activities planned by the Siloam Springs Church
as pre-work for the September “Creation-Evangelism,”
in cooperation with the Gentry Church.
Good News – God’s News! Always!
News reported by anchorman, Pastor Ovidiu
Radulescu
The new district pastor for the Springdale and Fayetteville Churches is Elder
Gary Ford who comes to us from the Southeastern California Conference where
he has been serving as Conference Evangelist for the past two years. Prior to that
Elder Ford served as senior pastor of the El Cajon Church for four years and the
founding pastor of the Desert Hot Springs Church for 14 years. God has blessed
his ministry with the gifts of evangelism, lay training, financial planning and fundraising,
and church construction. He is also a professional photographer and
published author of two books on soul-winning. Elder Ford attended the Seminary
at Andrews University where he earned the MDiv degree. We feel he is already
a part of us since he was the key presenter at last year’s Conference Lay Leadership
Retreat and keynote speaker for our ministers’ meeting this past January.
His wife, Yvonne, is a certified teacher that has taught on the elementary, secondary,
and college levels. The Fords have three grown sons. Jason and Jonathan
live in California, and Todd, who is married lives in Winnipeg, Canada. We are
delighted to welcome the Ford’s to our conference and to our ministry team.
Pastor Jeff Villegas has just completed his seminary training and earned his
MDiv degree from Andrews University, and has accepted the invitation to pastor
the Shreveport South Church. Pastor Villegas previously served as a district pastor
in the Carolina Conference where he early demonstrated strong leadership
and soul-winning skills. While at the seminary, Pastor Villegas developed a strong
senior youth/young adult program for the Paw Paw, Michigan Church. Because
of his skills in working with youth, an additional assignment for him is a monthly
visitation to one of our conference churches where he will conduct youth emphasis
Sabbaths. Being bilingual, he will be able to minister effectively to both English
and Spanish speaking congregations. Pastor Villegas’ wife, Darlynn, is a Certified
Medical Assistant. We welcome Jeff and Darlynn Villegas to our conference
pastoral staff.
Kids’ & God’s Communication Network
Siloam Springs VBS
Page 3

news
HISPANIC CAMP MEETING
The Spanish Camp Meeting in Gentry, Arkansas, July 16-
18, brought inspiration and blessing to all in attendance. Elder
Eddie Canales, Vice-President for Hispanic Ministries for
the Southwestern Union Conference, was the key presenter,
along with Eusebio Diaz, guest vocalist from Atlanta, GA. Elder
Canales spoke of the importance and significance of small
group ministries in facilitating church growth. During the worship
service, Canales addressed the gospel commission as
given by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20, emphasizing that the call
of Jesus was not just to grow the church numerically, but first
and foremost, to make disciples – men and women who follow
Jesus and live as He did.
Held on the campus of Ozark Adventist Academy, attendance
was at an all time high at 600. Including the South Louisiana
Spanish Camp Meeting, over 1,100 Hispanic members
attended camp meeting this year.
JONESBORO DISTRICT
PRAYER WEEKEND
Page 4
Alice Scarbrough
The Jonesboro, Arkansas church hosted a Prayer weekend
for the district, July 16-17, 2010. The theme for the weekend
was “A Call to Prayer and Spiritual Renewal”. The purpose
was for the congregations to be able to come together
as God’s people, to pray for and with one another, and seek
God’s will for His people in these momentous times.
The opening meeting Friday evening was a presentation
by Rita Neptune with the subject “Communicating with God”.
All were blessed by the inspirational talk as they were challenged
to bring all their needs to the One who alone can help.
Personal experiences and stories helped demonstrate how
God wants to talk to us, as well as hear from us, on a daily
basis.
Sabbath morning, Marian Parson shared the message,
“Let the Fire Fall.” The sermon presented the need for us
as Seventh-day Adventist Christians to take God at His word
and claim the promises to give us the Holy Spirit – both for
Rita Neptune
our own spiritual growth and to experience the final outpouring
of His Spirit in Pentecostal power so as to finish His work
on this earth.
In the afternoon, we were blessed by a talk by Alice Scarbrough
on “Intercessory Prayer in the Spirit” for others. Alice
gave a convincing exposé on the various situations we face
that should bring us to intercede for others. She helped us
understand how God’s word can be used to uplift those we
are concerned about to the greatest of all Intercessors.
Small group prayers, prayer testimonies, and stories were
an inspirational and enjoyable part of the weekend and drew
the group closer to God and each other. All were blessed
with the musical presentations and song service led by the
Tesch family. The evening was completed with a devotional
by Marian Parson on the “40 Days of Prayers and Devotions
for the Second Coming” by Dennis Smith.
As Prayer Ministries Coordinator for the Arkansas-Louisiana
Conference, Marian is encouraging every church to take
advantage of this valuable resource and begin the “40 Days”
challenge to prepare members to receive the daily “baptism of
the Spirit” and finally the great “outpouring of the Holy Spirit”.
May this take place in every church in Arkansas-Louisiana is
her prayer.

Baton Rouge
Bentonville
Bonnerdale
DeQueen
Gentry
Education
GEARING UP FOR A
NEW SCHOOL YEAR
By Stephen Burton, Superintendent of Schools
Ingo Sorke Stacey Gusky
The Arkansas-Louisiana Conference
has twelve elementary schools.
Five of these schools offer 9th and
some even 10th grade. There are
thirty-four teachers. The teachers
spent three days at Camp Yorktown
Bay the week before school began
for teacher’s convention. They were
blessed by the spiritual messages
from Ingo Sorke, Religion Department
Chairman at Southwestern Adventist
University. Our theme was
“Have you learned your ABC’s?” Dr.
Sorke’s messages focused on our
models of Adventism, the Bible, controversies
over Creation, and Disaster
relief for our schools.
Stacy Gusky, Small School Minder
facilitator, helped teachers learn
how to set up our new NAD administrative/grading
software. This is the
first year of mandatory use of this
software by all schools in the North
American Division. This software
will create a division-wide school
system where data and reports can
be managed at all levels. Another
plus is the software enables schools
with school-connect websites to allow
parents to view student’s grades
online. The other huge blessing is
the NAD has made the cost very affordable
for schools.
Other presenters were Jack Francisco,
Oklahoma superintendent,
who is a member of the technology
committee on the NAD level. He
shared what was available to teachers
in the area of technology. We
visited several educational websites
which help teachers teach kids.
Rodney Dyke, Conference Associ-
Harrison
ate Treasurer, shared information
about various available conference
benefits and how to access them.
Dr. Eunice Warfield, Southwestern
Union Director of Education, spent
time with our new teachers explaining
the Pathways language arts
curriculum and Kay Sutherland,
teacher at Ozark Adventist School,
in-serviced multi-grade teachers on
how to use Pathways. Kay gave
an update on the new Kindergarten
Pathways materials. She has lead
out in the development on this curriculum.
A final challenge to make
a difference in the lives of students
was given by Stephen Orian, Conference
President, at the close of
the teachers’ convention.
Teachers enjoyed lots of “Make-it,
Take-it” materials that had been prepared
by Rebecca Burton. A special
thank you is due Renae Frase for
her donation of handmade games,
folder activities, bulletin board letters,
etc. The teachers really appreciate
all the work she puts into this,
and the kids will be blessed by her
thoughtful gift.
We have a dedicated professional
group of teachers who love
Jesus and your kids. If your children
are not benefiting from an Adventist
education and you desire that for
them, please contact Stephen Burton
or any one of our teaching staff.
God can make a way even when
there seems to be no way!
Hot Springs
Texarkana
Springdale
Shreveport
New Orleans
Little Rock
Page 5

education
change the world and make dreams come true.
It is my desire to see each student attain his or her goals in life
through good Christian education and to know that through God they
can change the world around them. I have seen so many great things
happen at Ozark Adventist Academy because of prayer. Many projects
have been completed because of prayer in the last few years. We have
a new industry, complete with an industry committee, that is providing
guidance and monetary assistance to the school—because of prayer.
Our new bus is paid for—because of prayer. New heat and air units in
the gym, windows in the ad building, tours to various churches, remodeling
of many structures on our campus by local members in the community,
new bathrooms— all completed this last year because of prayer.
Incredible support has come from the local community, churches around
the conference, and even outside of our conference in supporting the
academy—because of prayer.
The sponsoring of OAA Music Fest, ASI and the Union wide Youth
Prayer Conference are all answers to prayer. Many wonderful donations
make it possible for numerous students to stay in school as well as providing
necessary materials for teaching––all through answered prayers.
If we want to have a successful school, a positive community, as well
as alumni support, we all must be diligent prayer warriors in today’s
world. We must remember that it is not the people that are in charge of
a school that make the difference, it is the power of prayer and the faith
that prayers will be answered that make the real difference. God will
send us angels in many forms if only we believe. Let’s not try to reinvent
the wheel any longer. Step out in faith and do what God expects us to
do and miracles will happen, just like has been witnessed here at Ozark
Adventist Academy. My goal is to see our academy become a reflection
of what God expects us to be; a success with Christian education in the
lives of our young people––one prayer at a time!
By Mike Dale, OAA Principal
Page 6
OAA – Success in Education,
One Prayer at a Time
When it comes to Christian education,
we need to get back to the basics instead
of trying to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes
we lose the vision that was given to us because
we become so involved in trying to
make changes that we think will solve our
problems today. We have great counsel
and all the resources that we need at our
discretion, yet we seem to have lost the focus
of our goals when it comes to educating
our young people. Romans 12:2 says, “Do
not conform any longer to the pattern of this
world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and
know what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
We must teach our young people not only to be productive citizens, but to be leaders
in society and leaders in their churches. They must learn the importance of making
credible decisions, of setting goals and living dreams, accepting the expectations required
for responsible decisions that can change the world one step at a time. They must
understand that with responsibility comes challenges that each one must meet. Most
importantly we must teach them faith in the power of prayer and to know that prayer can
Kellogg’s Label Investment Program
The Kellogg Company is pleased to announce another
year of support for the UPC/Label Investment program
between Worthington/Kellogg and the Seventh-day Adventist
church. There has been quite a sizable increase
in the participation of this support program in the last few
years since they have increased the support to $.05 per
label and they are looking forward to continuing the program.
Please continue to bring your labels to your local church,
which will in turn process a report to our conference office.
Remember that the program covers the products
under the Worthington, Loma Linda, Morningstar Farms,
and Morningstar Farms Organic brands. Thank you for
your support and continued partnership as we strive to
make a difference in Investment projects around the
world.
Cedar Lake-MGM Foods is also involved in the Label Investment
program and they also pay $.05 per label. They
are a different company, and must be turned in separately
from the Worthington/Kellogg group. We are happy
when you bring your labels to the church to be counted
and we get reports from them. Your Investment Leader
can calculate your Investment increase at $.05 per label.
You know… it does add up! Thank you so much.

youth
JUNK REMOVAL By Brandon Westgate, Youth Director
Job 42:5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You.”
Our theme at camp this year was
C1B1. It seems sort of sappy and cliché
now to say that I actually saw Jesus
at camp, but that is what happened
this year. He was put on display for me;
and while my walk with Jesus as I write
this article has never been better, I was
not aware that I was in any sort of need
prior to camp. I was content. Maybe
you have been there, maybe you are
there now.
I often tell people that I hire some
summer staff because I think they will
be good for camp, and others because I
think camp will be good for them. Camp
was good for me this year. I had some
campers and staff members ask me the
hard questions. “If God loves me like
you say He does, why did He allow this
junk (junk is a word I use to describe
the stuff with which Satan tries to mess
us up, to break our relationship with
God or limit our comprehension of who
He is, whether it is guilt, doubt, fear, addiction,
abuse, etc.) to happen to me?”
It was in the process of helping several
of them work through some junk that I
saw Him.
As they began to see that they can
trust Him to deal with ALL their junk, true
joy began to radiate. Campers and staff
alike became different; “transformed”
seems too little a term for it. Those who
were here know what I am talking about.
The Holy Spirit was thick. He was pouring
out love in a way I have not seen
before.
I saw a group of ten or so teenage
boys praying and crying their eyes out
for nearly an hour, asking God to bless
them and be merciful to them and lifting
each other up in a prayer of thanksgiving.
I watched a young man this summer
fall into the arms of Jesus and become
someone totally different.
I watched a girl come to camp broken
by abuse, leave camp baptized with a
new outlook, and a real friend in Jesus.
I saw long time staff members, close
friends of mine, who on the outside
seemed to have it all together, give Jesus
ALL their junk, not just some of it,
and it made them free!
I saw a high school girl who was questioning
the existence of God, become
overwhelmed with His love as a group of
construction guys prayed for her to see
By the way,
have you
ever let Him
deal with
yours? The
freedom that
results really
is life changing!
Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit.
I saw tears of joy and relief streaming
down the faces of our youth as they
were anointed and washed of the afflictions
Satan had thrown on them.
I saw all that and much more than is
possible to express in this format, and I
was confronted. Jesus was asking me,
“When are you going to deal with your
junk?” Because of what I saw, of what I
witnessed, of what I shared, I gave Jesus
my junk, and I am free. My walk has
never been better, my God has never
seemed BIGGER, and my joy is full.
So, to all the campers and staff that
made CYB home this summer, I say
“Thank you”, for showing me my Jesus
is able to remove all my junk. By the
way, have you ever let Him deal with
yours? The freedom that results really
is life changing!
Page 7

Arkansas-Louisiana Conference
of Seventh-day Adventists
P.O. Box 31000
Shreveport, LA 71130
Treasurer’s Training in Gentry
The conference treasury staff has been in a full swing
training mode since the middle of July when Edwin Romero,
Treasurer; Rodney Dyke, Associate Treasurer; Wirmin
Alcantara, Accountant and Glen Farinola, New Orleans
First Pastor, began leading out in special area-training programs.
The first program was at the Gentry Seventh-day
fi n a n c e s
Treasurer’s Training a Success
by Edwin Romero, Treasurer
Adventist Church on July 18, followed by the Baton Rouge Church
on August 1, and finishing with the Little Rock Church on August 15,
2010. All treasurers, assistant treasurers, safety officers and pastors
were encouraged to attend these special programs. Over 100
church leaders were trained during these area-training programs.
Whether you were beginning as a “new” treasurer or returning
as an “experienced” treasurer, there was something for you. For
those churches doing their accounting locally a special training on
JEWEL (local church accounting program) was available. Training
was also conducted in Spanish. Representatives from Adventist
Risk Management were on hand to make presentations during the
safety and insurance breakout sessions and to answer questions.
The treasury department is very appreciative of each person
who availed themselves of this special training and enjoyed spending
time together in reviewing best practices for the work done in
your local church. Thank you for your commitment to the work of
the church.