SWAU to present "Lamb of God" concert
Southwestern Singers present traditional "Lamb of God" concert: Southwestern Adventist University - For the third year in a row, Southwestern Adventist University's Mizpah Choraliers will start the Christmas season with a performance of Michael W. Card's "Agnus Dei." The university's main choir will perform this composition in honor of the "Lamb of God" on Friday night, December 5, in the Keene Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Men's Ministries impacting lives
Texico Conference - The first annual Men's Ministries Retreat was held in June 2008, in Corrales, N.Mex. Eighty men from local churches and various areas of the conference came together for three days of fellowship and wor?ship. The event, led by Pastor Hector Quinones, Texico Men's Ministries coordi?nator, featured guest speakers Min?ner Labrador, Men's Ministries leader of the North American Di?vision, and Ray Car?dona, elder and Men's Ministries director of the North Valley church. The theme "Guardians of the Gate," centered on man's per?sonal connection with Christ the Sav?ior. Breakout sessions presented faith-based fundamentals concerning family and church. A Saturday evening of humor and laughter from comedian Thor Ramsey "brought the house down."

Reaching out to those who are hurting
Members help Hurricane Ike victims: Houston Hebron - Following Hurricane Ike, members of our Adventist Community Services department went into the community to help those who were affected by floods in the Houston area. Residents of the "Community at the Garden" apartments were touched by the compassion of the disaster relief team led by Noel Chandler. Many came and expressed their joy. "God bless you," they said again and again, "We are so glad you came to share with us."

Women's group dresses the poor and feeds the hungry
San Antonio Greater Randolph - (Schertz, Tex.) Our church in the Central Texas area is the location for fellowship during the week. The deaconesses started a women's group that gets together every Wednesday morning. They do art, quilting, and cooking, just to mention a few activities. The older ladies have a desire to pass their knowledge on to the younger generation of the church and to share the gospel with the community by dressing the poor and feeding the hungry. They have plans for the future that include working on throw blankets for the local nursing home for the winter and they plan to have a soup kitchen for the community.

Day camp a fun event for kids
Hot Springs - (Ark.) On July 11, the Hot Springs SDA Day Camp sponsored a carnival for twenty-three campers and guests at the Hot Springs Adventist School. Thomas Trout, the balloon man, "created" balloon figures for each of the attendees. The children seemed to especially enjoy the Joyful Bounce Castle. A merry clown was available to pose with the children for their pictures. Carnival events included a coin toss, face painting, peanut toss, a sucker tree, a prize walk, and the final event--a chance at bursting the pi?ata. Hot dogs, popcorn, ice cream, and drinks were sold to help cover the cost of the carnival. It was deemed a huge success by all those attending and plans are already underway for our second annual Day Camp carnival next summer.

Revival week brings hope and baptisms
Pharr Spanish - (Pharr, Tex.) Our church hosted a week of revival entitled "There is Still Hope." A young evangelistic team from Venezuela known as Youth to Youth Ministries presented the good news of Jesus Christ with power through evangelistic efforts and beautiful music. The 23-year-old evangelist, Luis David Osorio, shared his personal testimony of how Jesus helped him to overcome a tragic past that resulted in his commitment to reach others who feel they are without any hope. His ministry partner, Wolfgang, turned his back on a promising career in secular music to dedicate his musical talents in service to the Lord. Prayer petitions were collected all week and on the last night, they were burned as they were presented to the Lord. The week of revival bore much spiritual fruit with 11 precious souls giving themselves to the Lord through baptism and two more wanting to prepare for baptism.