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| IOWA-MISSOURI CONFERENCEIssue #9 — July 2026 |
| Share 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,Spiritual Revival Part 3 Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glorious grace. There is something so peaceful about this hymn. Anytime I feel worried, stressed, or nervous about something, I silently sing this song in my mind. It’s a reminder to me that God is more powerful than the current circumstances I may find myself in. We have been looking at spiritual revival over the last couple of months through the lens of 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face…” I have been thinking and praying a lot lately about the Gospel over the last several months. It’s clear in the Seventh-day Adventist Church that there are varying perspectives on what the Gospel is, what it means, and its implications. I certainly don’t want to promote or speak a wrong message or misrepresent the Bible and Christ Himself. In my prayer life and in my study, the Holy Spirit keeps bringing me back to the same thought: it is all about Jesus! Jesus is at the center of the Gospel. Jesus is the center of the Old and New Testaments. Jesus is the center of Daniel and Revelation. Jesus is the center of the Sabbath. Jesus is the only one who can free us from worry, guilt, shame, and our fallen human nature. If there is going to be a spiritual revival in our hearts, homes, churches, and the denomination, Jesus must be moved from the back seat and brought to the forefront of our faith. On the heels of telling His disciples not to be troubled, and that He is going to prepare a place for them in heaven, He tells them, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Jesus is the only path to salvation, Jesus is the embodiment of all biblical truth, and Jesus is the only source of true spiritual life in this world. Many people believe that the church is broken, and prominent names within Adventism keep pointing it out. If you heard my opening message at the camp meeting, I threw in my two cents as well. There are varying groups within the church that point the finger at each other for the challenges we are facing, believing that if the other factions were eradicated, that would fix the problems. The reality is it wouldn’t. Until all the varying opinions in the Seventh-day Adventist Church start lifting up Jesus and His perfect righteousness in place of our filthy rags, we will continue to struggle to move forward as a church. 1 John 5:12 tells us, “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” Many agree there needs to be a spiritual revival in the church. We don’t seem to agree on how to get there. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says to humble ourselves, pray, and seek the face of Jesus. Seems like the solution is right in front of us if we will follow it. Let us continue to pray for spiritual revival — In our personal lives In our homes In our churches In the denomination  Lee RochholzPresident |
| CONFERENCE NEWS |
Camp Heritage   Week 1During Junior Camp 1, there were 33 campers along with 11 Light Program participants. |
Camp Heritage   Week 2During Junior Camp 2, there were 81 campers along with 19 Light Program participants. |
Camp Heritage   Week 3During Cub Camp, there were 57 campers and 19 Light Program participants. |
Churches  Cedar Rapids Pathfinders BaptismsAnother High Sabbath for our Club, as we witnessed a Pathfinder choosing to publicly proclaim Jesus as their Savior! Our hearts are full. |
Churches   Nixa Church Outreach CleanupWe didn’t just plant flowers…We planted hope. Thank you to every volunteer who gave their time, strength, and love to bless Gilbert and Lourdes. |
Churches   KC Central Summer Blast |
Kids Camp   Team Creation Kids Camp – Des Moines Karen ChurchWe are thankful to see this ministry taking place at one of our churches, creating meaningful connections with children and families right where they are.Through games, crafts, music, Bible-based lessons, and intentional outreach, Team Creation Kids Camp is more than just a program—it is a way to build relationships, open doors, and share Jesus with the community. Please keep the team, the church, and the families attending in your prayers as this ministry continues! |
Camp Meeting 2027 Thank YouTo everyone who joined us for Camp Meeting, whether in person or online. We’d love to hear your feedback! Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and let us know how we can make future Camp Meetings even better.Link below for SurveyRead full story → |
| UPCOMING EVENTSNE Iowa Backbone RallyBackbone State Park · August 1stMore Info | View FlyerWomen’s Retreat 2026Des Moines, IA · October 9th – 11thMore Info | View FlyerCreation Science WeekendOct 10th 2026More Info | View FlyerMan Camp NE IowaYellow River State Forest · October 9-11More Info | View FlyerSign Up for My Outlook NewsletterMore Info | View Flyer |
| 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 |
| We post all event photos to our Conference Flickr Account. |
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| The sun beat down on the open plains, air shimmering with heat as the young Maasai boy tended his cattle as usual. The cattle started heading toward a field where they normally would rest… but that day, they didn’t. They kept going. Field after field… they walked without stopping. He began to wonder, “What is going on here? Where are my cattle going?” Earlier this week, I shared how a young Maasai boy I met in Nairobi, Kenya, told me, “My cattle led me to Jesus…” And today, I want to tell you the rest of that story. It was an ordinary day… until it wasn’t. The cattle had walked field after field, confusing the Maasai boy, until finally, they stopped at the edge of a village where there was a small field. For the first time, they all laid down, so he sat with them under the sun. As he sat there that day, he looked up. In the distance, a man stood with a Bible in his hands, speaking to the villagers. “I had never heard anything like it,” he said. “The man was speaking about Jesus, His love, His grace… and my cattle were quiet, listening attentively.” “I could not believe it,” he said. The next day, the cattle led him back. And the next. Each time, he heard truth from Scripture, the cross, the Sabbath, the great controversy, the battle between good and evil, and the second coming. And slowly… quietly… conviction grew in his heart. “This man is speaking truth… I have to find a Seventh-day Adventist church,” he said to himself. He began searching, and he found one. Then he told me, “I am a Seventh-day Adventist today… because my cattle led me to know Jesus. God was guiding me.” He paused… and smiled. “Today, I am a pastor and an evangelist, just like you… and I am studying the Bible with other Maasai, because I want to lead them to Jesus too.” Only God can do that. Friend… sometimes we are called to do exactly what that young boy did. Follow the leading of God… even when we do not understand the path. Because even when it doesn’t make sense… God is still leading. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart… and He shall direct your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5–6 Lord, teach us to trust You, even when we cannot understand where You are leading. Yours In Christ, Mark Finley |
| If this ministry has blessed you, would you consider partnering with us to share the gospel with even more people around the world? Your support helps us continue spreading hope, truth, and the love of Christ. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference. If you’re already supporting this ministry—thank you! Your generosity is making an eternal impact, and we are deeply grateful for your prayers and support. You can give securely at HopeLives365.com/Donate or click the donate button above. May God bless you abundantly! |
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Are you ready to step out in faith?
Have you ever felt the call to give Bible studies and share our message, but held back because you were afraid of not knowing all the answers? You aren’t alone! Discover how the IM Called School of Evangelism and Discipleship in St. Louis is helping our church members overcome their fears and turn their desire to serve into bold action. Watch our new video featuring Pastor Rob Alfalah and Pastor Jeremy Clark to hear powerful testimonies, including how an understanding of the Great Controversy is changing lives today. See how God is equipping our laity to reach their communities for Christ before His soon return.
Watch the video here: https://imsda.org/imcalledpromo
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| Conference 2026 Calendars. Churches should have received them already. |
| New Tithe Envelopes! Churches will be receiving new Tithe envelopes soon! |
| We post all event photos we visit to our Conference Flickr Account.Link to the photos |
| 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. |
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Seventh-day Adventist Church
4444 W. Kimberly Rd.
Davenport, Iowa 52806
(563) 391-3016
Website: www.davenportsda.com