Arizona Connect - Az Conference President

A Communiqué from the Office of the President June 2025 TOGETHER -- WE'RE SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE ARIZONA CONFERENCE It is a pleasure to share with Arizona constituents and friends the many wonderful things happening within our Conference. May you catch our vision for winning men and women, boys and girls to Jesus! "Joy in God's House" “I was glad when they said unto me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’” — Psalm 122:1 (KJV)   Gathering in God's house is deeply beautiful and comforting. Whether it’s a grand cathedral, a small country chapel, or a quiet living room where believers meet, His presence makes it holy ground. David’s words in Psalm 122 overflow with joy, not because of the building itself but because of the presence of God and His people found within it.   Too often, we see attending church or joining a gathering as a duty. But when we remember what truly happens there: worship, teaching, prayer, and fellowship, our hearts begin to stir with gladness. We are not just checking a box; we are stepping into the presence of the King, joining a family, and being reminded of our eternal hope.   In God’s house, burdens are lifted, hearts are healed, and souls are refreshed. Joy isn’t surface-level happiness; it’s a deep-rooted gladness born of communion with God and His people.   As you’re on your way to church next time, ask yourself, • Do I enter God’s house with joyful anticipation or out of obligation? • How can I prepare my heart before gathering with other believers to make space for joy? • How might I contribute to the joy of others in God’s house?   This week, try to arrive early, greet someone new, or pause and reflect on the privilege of being in His presence. Let joy be the tone of your church experience. On May 1 and 2, I visited with friends working on the Maranatha Camp YavaPines project. It was great to see all the improvements being made to the camp. I’m so thankful for all the ministry that takes place there. On May 3rd, I spoke at one of our Hispanic churches in Phoenix. I had a great time with a very enthusiastic group.   May 4-9, I was in the Arizona Conference office in several meetings. I also participated in several interviews with future pastors and teachers for positions in this wonderful territory that God has given us to work in. On May 10, I had the privilege of speaking at the Wickenburg Seventh-day Adventist Church. I was truly blessed with a beautiful worship service and a great Sabbath school lesson, and I’m thankful for the leaders of this church, as they have been holding down the fort for four months now without a pastor. May God bless them until the Lord provides the right shepherd for this precious church. From May 11th through 13th, I was in the office as we had our academy board meeting for Thunderbird Adventist Academy, Arizona Conference Board of Education meeting, and some more interviews.   May 14-16, I was at Pacific Union College for their biannual constituency meeting, which was a real blessing as PUC has increased its enrollment for three consecutive years. May God continue to bless them and their leadership as they move forward. We also had the president’s council for the Pacific Union Conference presidents and the Pacific Union executive committee. It was a full three days.

On May 16, I celebrated my birthday by working on some items for the Arizona Conference. However, I took May 17 off and did not preach that day. This is the first Sabbath I haven’t preached this year.   May 18 and 19th, I visited with the Arizona Conference staff before I headed to La Sierra University in Riverside, California, to inaugurate their new college president, Dr. Christon Arthur. That was a beautiful event in the traditional style of an academic institution with typical regalia and robes for all the staff, board members, and former university leaders.   On May 21 and 22nd, I was at La Sierra University for various committee meetings and a board of trustees meeting. God has blessed La Sierra with some wonderful staff and a godly Christian president. Let us continue to pray for LSU and all of our schools.

On May 23, I was at the consecration service for Thunderbird Adventist Academy. I was truly blessed to see the wonderful spirit of each of these graduates as they move forward in their academic careers. Many students will attend Seventh-day Adventist colleges and other colleges to further their training for future jobs. I was also blessed by Chaplain Jonathan Picon’s wonderful message. I am so thankful that our young people are being trained to love Jesus and serve this world for Him.

May 24 and 25th, I was at our Native American camp meeting held at Holbrook Indian school. I was truly blessed to be asked to preach for the special event. I enjoyed trying to sing in the Navajo language with Pastor Dale Wolcott and his team leading out. 

www.azconference.org/campmeeting

Arizona Camp Meeting Live Stream:

For those unable to attend, you can tune into all AZ Camp Meeting programs throughout the week including the Sabbath worship services on Good News Website. https://www.MyGoodNewsTV.com/camp. Many Arizona churches will also be streaming the worship service from Camp Meeting. (If your church needs instructions, please call Good News TV at 480-264-1116.)

Arizona Camp Meeting Auditorium Sale, June 8: Pacific Press and Howell Mountain Foods Distributors will be at the main pavilion on Sunday, June 8, at 1:15 p.m., for the annual auditorium sale.

AZ Sonshine Announcement:

Volunteers are needed for Arizona Sonshine on June 5th and 6th. Arizona Sonshine is an Arizona Conference Ministry where we offer free dental, vision, medical, hearing, etc. to guests. We need dentists, dental assistants, dental hygienists, doctors, vision doctors and personnel, nurses, massage therapists, barbers/beauticians to cut hair, and many people just to help move the guests around the event. Please go to www.arizonasonshine.com and sign up under 'Upcoming Events' if you can help.

The Planned Giving & Trust Services Department Camp Meeting Announcement 2025

The Planned Giving & Trust Services department of the Arizona Conference is offering free estate planning appointments at camp meeting. If you are interested in taking advantage of this service, please call 480-991-6777 or email kstevenson@azconference.org

Hispanic Ministries Camp Meeting 2025, June 16-22: “Hasta lo Ultimo de la Tierra” is the theme for Campestre Familiar at Camp Yavapines 16-22 de Junio. www.azministeriohispano.org for registration. For information call (480) 991-6777 ext. 107. 

We are excited for our Arizona Sonshine event in Prescott Valley on June 5 and 6. At this event, we will serve the underserved of Yavapai County with FREE dental, medical, vision, hearing, and healthy living information. We need volunteers, both professional and non-professional. Please consider registering to help at www.arizonasonshine.com, or you can also donate from the website. Please pray with us that God blesses this event as He has in the past and that His Will be done.

-Your Arizona Sonshine Administrative Team
 

40 Days to Your Harvest: The Black Ministries Team, lead by Pastor Jonathan Smith, has added a series of videos to complement Dr. Jesse Wilson’s 40 Days to Your Harvest workbook. This 40-day program prepares a church for an upcoming evangelism program or revival event. The videos can be found on the Black Ministries page on our website at https://www.azconference.org/black-ministries-40days

Speaker’s Bureau Listing: https://www.azconference.org/ministerial/speakersbureau

2025 VBS TRUE NORTH: TRUSTING JESUS IN A WILD WORLD

Get ready to join the fun of Vacation Bible School, Sunday, June 1-Thursday, June 5, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at the Glendale SDA Church in the gym located at 6801 N. 43rd Ave., Phoenix, 85019. This VBS program is for ages 3-12. To register, call Director, Michele Pallassino at 845-499-9413 or go online at vbspro.events/p/e74da2

To all high school students working on their community service hours, you can start working on those hours this summer by volunteering to work during our VBS. That is about 20 hours.  In addition, we also need help setting up and cleaning up the week before and the day after. You could accumulate all the hours you need just doing that! If interested, call 845-499-9413.

KINGMAN SDA CHURCH'S VBS IS SLATED FOR JUNE 23RD-JUNE 27TH FROM 9:30 AM TO 12:30 PM. REGISTRATION BEGINS JUNE 2ND. DIRECT QUESTIONS TO PATTIJO PICINICH (951)285-9249.

APACHE JUNCTION SDA CHURCH WILL HOST THUNDER ISLAND VBS JUNE 23rd-JUNE 28^th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday and at 11am Sabbath the 28^th. The program is for children ages 5 to 12 years old. If you have any questions, you can contact Nancy Andersen 480-254-1878. Pre-registration is not required. Location: 1650 S Ironwood Drive, Apache Junction, AZ.

Thunderbird Adventist Academy is looking for a part-time to full-time bookkeeper

The qualified individual is personable and possesses sound judgment, self-initiative, organizational abilities, strong oral and written communication skills, and interpersonal skills while performing administrative and office support activities for multiple supervisors with minimal day-to-day supervision. The Bookkeeper will possess well-developed keyboard and general computer literacy skills. They will be required to develop an understanding and a working knowledge of Church policy and its organizational structure. They are responsible for Church, Student, Tenant and Vendor Billing and managing certain accounts receivable and accounts payable.

Candidate must be a Seventh-day Adventist member in regular standing. Bookkeeping or accounting experience/knowledge is required. Previous coursework in accounting is preferred. A bilingual candidate is desired, but not required. Knowledge of Microsoft products, such as Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, Adobe, etc. If interested, please send a resume to Cindy Brown at cbrown@azconference.org

Maricopa Village Christian School (MVCS) has an opening for a full-time Teacher Aide starting in August for the 2025-26 school year. The paid position provides instruction and support services for K-5th grade students. Please contact Al Chatman for details at 860-985-4012.

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Arizona Connect -Ed Keyes, President EdKeyes@azconference.org -Ray Navarro, Executive Secretary rnavarro@azconference.org -Reggie Leach, Treasurer rleach@azconference.org  Information: 480-991-6777  Email: info@azconference.org