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Concert
Louis and Melissa Michael
on Saturday, October 3
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View this email in your browser Iowa-Missouri ConferenceIssue #12 · September 14, 2026Share your church’s, school’s, or area’s inspiring stories and photos with our community! Send them to communication@imsda.org to be featured in upcoming newsletters.Featured MessageDear Iowa-Missouri Conference Family,If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven …..Over two decades ago, I was driving with my parents to the high school graduation of the daughter of long-time family friends. I was in the driver’s seat, my dad in the front passenger seat, and my mom in the back. My dad and I were conversing about work he had done on the car when my mom asked, “Del, did you put new tires on the front of the car?” My dad, who has spent much of his life farming and working fields with tractors long before soundproof cabs came along, doesn’t hear so well. His response to my mom was, “No, I put them on the front.”Communication can be an interesting thing. Even two people with perfect hearing can struggle to communicate effectively with each other. What seems clear in our minds as we communicate a message isn’t always clear to the person receiving it. In 20 years of ministry, I have experienced many times when people talked past each other or said the same thing in different ways without realizing they were in agreement. I think we have all been in a position where our words or actions were misunderstood, meaning something different than what we intended.As we have been processing through 2 Chronicles 7:14 in regard to spiritual revival, the passage describes communication between a people and their God. If we will humble ourselves, pray and seek the face of God, and acknowledge and turn from our sin, then God will hear.I don’t want us to misunderstand this verse. At first glance, it would seem as if our heavenly Father is up there just waiting for us to get our lives in order before He will listen. But the greater context of the Bible proves otherwise.Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.”God isn’t just sitting back waiting; He is actively trying to reach our hearts and minds, within the context of the free will each of us is given. The fact of the matter is God doesn’t distance Himself from us — we distance ourselves from Him. It is His desire to fill us with His Spirit, to give us a living, thriving spiritual experience. But we have to open up our hearts to Him.As I type, the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector comes to mind from Luke 18. The Pharisee, with arrogance and self-righteousness, thought himself to be closer to heaven than others. The tax collector, on the other hand, counted himself unworthy, crying out for God to have mercy on him. Jesus made it clear which one was more justified in the sight of God.As we think about the need for spiritual revival, it is important to remember that Jesus is actively seeking to reach our hearts and minds. We have to be intentional about opening ourselves to Him.Let us continue to pray for spiritual revival….In our personal lives…. In our homes…. In our churches…. In the entire world church….  Lee RochholzPresident Pathfinders   Leadership Fall Retreat2nd weekend of September was the Pathfinder leadership retreat/training. We appreciate everything these leaders do for our clubs during the year and look forward to the coming year of events that Pathfinders will enjoy!Churches  Nixa Women’s PotluckOur Better Together Women’s Potluck & Friendship Gathering was a special time to share a meal, enjoy an activity, and most importantly, slow down and get to know one another better. We laughed, talked, learned new things about each other, and were reminded that friendships grow when we simply take the time to be together.A sincere thank you to our Women’s Ministry Team and especially to every woman who brought a dish and set aside time to spend with us. Your presence is what made this gathering so special. We are grateful for every woman in our church family and look forward to many more opportunities to grow in friendship, encourage one another, and do life Better Together. “Two are better than one… for if they fall, one will lift up his companion.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9–10Churches  Muscatine Hispanic Group BaptismsHeaven is rejoicing for the two souls that joined the church recently in Muscatine, Iowa.Churches   Independence Schools Supplies GiveawayBackpack & School Supplies Giveaway Blesses Local FamiliesOn August 16 and 23, Independence Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted a community backpack and school-supply giveaway, welcoming families from across the area. Each child received a backpack filled with grade-appropriate school supplies, helping them start the school year confident and prepared.In total, the church distributed 182 backpacks along with 15 copies of Steps to Christ and 25 Bibles. Remaining backpacks were donated to the Independence School District, where they will be given to students throughout the year as needs arise.The outreach reflects the church’s ongoing commitment to supporting local families, strengthening community connections, and sharing Christ’s love in practical ways.Churches Mexico Church Booth at Soybean FestivalMEXICO, MO — August 25, 2026 — Members of the Mexico Seventh-day Adventist Church connected with thousands of area residents on August 22 at an outreach booth during the annual Mexico Jaycees Soybean Festival, collecting 71 interest survey cards and handing out water, popsicles, and prizes for children’s games. “Our goal was simply to show the love of Jesus practically and listen to the needs of our community,” said Pastor Ricky Wisecup, District Pastor. “To have 71 individuals express a direct interest in what our church is doing shows that Mexico is hungry for hope, health, and connection.” Leaders are now planning fall follow-up, including neighborhood Bible study circles and wellness workshops; visit mexicomo.adventistchurch.org for details.Schools  SAA Helps Centralia Public Library CleanupPastor Sixto Ramos, Yuliana Ramos, and six student volunteers spent their morning giving our front flower beds some much-needed TLC!Schools   College Park Patriot DayToday, on Patriot Day, we pause to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, honor the courageous first responders, and pray for the families and communities forever affected by that day.“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” — Matthew 5:9Schools    SAA Visits Maranatha Adventist SchoolThank you to Sunnydale Adventist Academy for visiting our school earlier this week! We really enjoyed joining together for worship, launching balloon rockets during our science experiment, and of course, making time for a great game of kickball. We truly enjoyed our day together.Churches Kimberling City August RecapWe are happy to have a new family member transferring from Mountain View, Arkansas. Blessed with Patricia, who completed 91 at the beginning of this month; God has been so good to her. Over the last 2 weeks, we have been blessed with guest speakers and visitors. We appreciate the time they take to come all the way to Kimberling City and deliver the message God has for us all.MAUC News Conistituency ellects new Officers for the UnionDelegates to the Mid-America Union Conference’s 10th Quinquennial Constituency Session have elected Hubert J. Morel Jr. as president, Craig Carr as vice president for administration, and Roy Simpson as vice president for finance.We ask for your prayers as these officers serve the Mid-America Union for the next five years.MAUC News  Special Thank you to Gary ThurberAfter more than 40 years of ministry, Elder Gary Thurber was recognized for his service to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, including the past 11 years as president of the Mid-America Union Conference.During his final remarks, Thurber reflected on his years of service and offered a final challenge to the Mid-America family. “It’s been an honor to serve you, and I love you all,” Thurber said. “We are known as Christians when we love. Let Mid-America be the place where people know they will be loved and people that trust God.” Throughout his ministry, Thurber has served the Seventh-day Adventist Church in various capacities, with his leadership touching every Union within the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists Upcoming Events in the Conference  Alive Youth ConferenceSeptember 18-20 · Des MoinesMark your calendars—the ALIVE Youth Conference is coming to Des Moines Seventh-Day Adventist Church (2317 Watrous Ave, Des Moines, IA 50321) this September 18–20! Get ready for an inspiring weekend of worship, growth, and fellowship you won’t want to miss. Follow Alive Youth Conference on Facebook and @imaliveconference on Instagram for registration details and sneak peeks! Sunnydale Academy AlumniOctober 4th · 10 AM · Sunnydale Academy Women’s Retreat 2026October 9th – 11th · Des Moines, IARegister Here → Creation Science WeekendOct 10th 2026 Man Camp NE IowaOctober 9-11 · Yellow River State ForestMore Info → SAA Project 51:10Sunnydale AcademySign Up → Sign Up for My Outlook NewsletterSign Up →We are always eager to share the wonderful things happening in your church or school. Please send your stories and pictures to communication@imsda.org or tag us when posting on Facebook.communication@imsda.org |
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Seventh-day Adventist Church
4444 W. Kimberly Rd.
Davenport, Iowa 52806
(563) 391-3016
Website: www.davenportsda.com