January 12, 2025

The year 1999 was a major year in my life. I graduated from Academy and made the transition from high school to college. I started taking general college classes at a community college and heard chatter about Y2K. There was a lot of speculation about what would happen when the clock struck midnight, and we hit the year 2000. People were talking about computers crashing, gas pumps not working, and that society would collapse. Well, we survived.

As Seventh-day Adventists, part of our name leads us to focus on the second coming of Jesus. Much time and money has been spent over the years of our history proclaiming that Jesus is coming again and the markers or points in history and the future that help us know where we are in the timeline. I am grateful for our Biblical perspectives and the truths we hold up.

I remember one evening during a church prayer meeting, we were studying such prophecies. Members were talking, more speculating, of what God's people will face at the end of time. I could see the fear come over a newer member. My wife Jessica and I pulled her aside afterward, and she broke down into tears. She explained there was no way she would be saved because she didn't know if she would be strong enough to face the end.

We spent some time talking to her about the power of God and how Christ will never ask us to face or go through something without His power and strength to get us through. We encouraged her not to focus on what might happen but on what Jesus can do.

I have been reading through the book of Psalms for my morning devotional time. I recently read through Psalm 91, which starts with "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.'"

This verse really encouraged me. It gave me great courage for future trials that we may face in the future as followers of Jesus, but it also gave me courage now currently. We face great challenges as a denomination. There are challenges we are currently facing as conference leadership. The message for myself in this chapter was clear: my focus needs to be on the Most High, looking to Him not just for guidance in various challenges, but to abide in Him, knowing and trusting He is moving in all situations. My responsibility is not to ask for guidance and then move. Actually, my responsibility is to abide in His shadow, to understand He is already leading and working through difficulties, and follow in the direction He is moving.

This gave me a great sense of peace. If you are currently frustrated, struggling, or scared for the future, I encourage you to read and pray over Psalm 91. There is much peace to be found there.

Lee Rochholz

President

Jan 3-4, 2025 the IM Alive Conference held its second semi-annual conference at the Independence Ebenezer Spanish Church in Independence, MO with Pastor Elique Semaboye of the Kansas City Ububyutse Church.

75 registered attendees enjoyed a weekend filled with friendship, faith-building activities, and fun. Pastor Elique asked “Why are you tripping?” digging deeper into what is it that keeps us from fully experiencing what God has for us. Pastor Elique reminded us that no matter what situation we find ourselves in, no matter how much it hurts, that just like God was with Moses, He is with us also.

The next IM Alive event is scheduled for Sept 12-14, 2025. Location and cost is to be determined. To keep up to date with the latest information, go to alive.imsda.org, follow us on Instagram at imaliveyouthconference or on Facebook at Alive Youth Conference.

We're always eager to share the wonderful things happening in your churches. Your stories inspire us all and help keep our community connected. Whether it's a special event, a heartwarming moment, or any experience you'd like to share, we want to feature every church in our future newsletters. Please send your stories and pictures to communication@imsda.org.

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, "God with Us."
 
The sun is about to set on the year 2024. As a young child, I remember hearing adults talk about the fact that it seems like the older they become, the faster time passes by. As I have grown from childhood to being a teenager, to young adult, to middle age, I have concluded what I heard - time seems to pass at a faster rate the older I get. The number of memories in my mind grows as I continue to add years to my life. Some memories are positive, and some are not so positive. But some of those positive memories in my mind include people who are no longer here on this earth to fellowship with.
 
From the time I can remember, Christmas Eve and Day included my grandparents. But a time came when that ended, and they were resting in Jesus. That created a hole. I imagine as you read this, your thoughts go to loss. Those losses create holes.
 
Other memories - negative memories - maybe don't create holes but spaces of pain within us. While I have fond memories of my upbringing, as I grew and became more aware of the world we live in, there are those who didn't have the privilege I did in their upbringing, or they have faced pain as they have grown.
 
I share this because I have found that pain or the holes of missing people who are not in our lives become prominent in our hearts and minds during the end-of-year holiday season. While for some, the holiday season is a time of light, for others, darkness can fill the soul.
 
What is the answer? "Immanuel – God with us." The Bible records Christ's words in Matthew 11:28, 29: "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
 
The world seems bent on finding peace through things that cause more pain. Jesus calls us to seek him to fill the holes of missing relationships and mend our internal pain.
 
As Christians, we know that Jesus was most likely born in the fall rather than this time of year. As the world is giving more attention to Christ than it usually would, I pray that we would emphasize Jesus' healing ministry and find it more fully for ourselves.

Lee Rochholz

President

This year on November 16th, the Macon Seventh-day Adventist Church in Macon, Missouri held its annual cookie distribution after potluck.  Members were asked to bring 2 dozen cookies or more to share with fellow church members, missing church members, friends, neighbors, nursing homes, first responders etc. We set up an assembly line and filled up 65 large heaping plates of cookies with a special message that they were from their friends at the Macon Seventh-day Adventist Church.  It’s a wonderful way during the holiday season to reach out and let people know that you appreciate them are thinking about them. With each plate of cookies, members would ask if they could pray with the cookie recipients. Wonderful way to spread joy during the holiday season.

Decemeber 3, 2024 - The 21st annual Live Nativity presented by the Poplar Bluff Seventh-day Adventist church in conjunction with a Christmas community event at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff was a huge success.  Many children marveled at the real baby “Jesus” in the manger. Joseph and Mary along with the shepherds and wise men were there too for the kids to see.  The children especially liked the stuffed animals located in the stable.  Ornaments were given away with the manger scene and “A Savior is Born” message.  Beverly Walker organized the event.  

We're always eager to share the wonderful things happening in your churches. Your stories inspire us all and help keep our community connected. Whether it's a special event, a heartwarming moment, or any experience you'd like to share, we want to feature every church in our future newsletters. Please send your stories and pictures to communication@imsda.org.