Arizona SonShine Brings Healing and Hope
BY JEFF ROGERS
On September 4-5, Arizona Sonshine brought hope and healing to the community of Willcox, Arizona, through a free healthcare clinic that served more than 160 patients in a town of just 3,000 people. With 125 dedicated volunteers, the event offered a wide range of services at no cost, providing care to many who might otherwise have gone without it. Offering medical, dental, ophthalmology, and optometry services—in addition to massage therapy, diabetes counseling, and healthy living information—volunteers sought to alleviate the basic medical needs of community members.
“This is so needed in this community. We are serving our community,” said Willcox church
member Ernie Lyons, one of the volunteers who helped make the event possible. Patients not only received medical, dental, vision, and wellness services from professionals and support staff who gave their time, but local church members and pastors were on hand to provide spiritual support.
Arizona Sonshine President Randy Fields praised the teamwork behind the clinic: “I have a great team that makes this happen.” That teamwork did not go unnoticed. Both the mayor and the city manager of Willcox visited the site, recognized the event's impact, and even suggested that next year’s clinic be hosted in the local high school gym to allow for even greater capacity. The various elements of the clinic maxed out the town community center’s capacity. The massage therapy clinicians were working on the stage; the legal services volunteers were in the city’s library a block away.
Many of the volunteers who attend Arizona SonShine events are “repeat volunteers” who have come for years to each event. Some have moved away to other parts of the country but return each time to serve, bringing healing and hope. Arizona Conference Volunteer Health Ministries Director Ugonna Woods quickly calculated how many events she had attended. “I think I have been part of over 20 of these events over the years,” she said.
Attorney Russell Duerksen, who volunteers his time to provide legal services at Arizona SonShine events, listed some of the services they provide. “We work with individuals on creating wills and trusts and bankruptcy documentation. We see a variety of needs in these communities.”
The free clinic events demonstrate the power of service and compassion in bringing a community together. Arizona Sonshine’s presence in Willcox left a lasting impression—an example of faith in action and love in practice.
Esther Green Joins Chandler Church
BY JEFF ROGERS
The Chandler church is celebrating a new chapter in its ministry as Pastor Esther Green begins her pastoral assignment alongside Pastor Ed Anderson.
Born and raised in New York City, Pastor Green is the product of a strong Christian education, having attended RT Hudson School and Northeastern Academy. Her academic journey reflects both depth and breadth: a degree in psychology, an M.A. in education from Columbia University, an M.Div., and currently, the pursuit of a Th.D. at Andrews University Theological Seminary.
While her academic preparation is extensive, Pastor Green’s ministry
has always been more than exegesis and theory. She has ignited revivals, promoted lay evangelism, and written four dynamic Bible study workbooks that continue to bless many: The Everlasting Gospel in Genesis, The Testimony of Jesus in Exodus, Following Jesus with John, and Behind the Veil of Revelation.
Reflecting on her journey into ministry, Pastor Green said, “My call to ministry began with refusals, denial, years of running, and feigned deafness. And here I am: happy as a lark...and out of breath! When I said yes to God in 2007, I also told Him that I am a fighter. I explained that should I ever fight Him, I didn’t want to win—but I also didn’t want to be injured!”
Her passion is discipleship, which she believes is the very heartbeat of the church. “When discipleship is even partially done well, it leads to organic lay-evangelism—and that is the driver of the church as it relates to its sustenance, proliferation, and survival,” she said. For Pastor Green, discipleship is not simply a program but a lifestyle of believing, trusting, loving, learning from, and co-laboring with Christ.
Zimmerman in Payson and Camp Verde
BY JEFF ROGERS
The Payson and Camp Verde churches are welcoming a new shepherd to their congregations: Pastor Norman Zimmerman. Though he officially retired from full- time denominational work on Jan. 1, 2025, Pastor Zimmerman is far from retired in his service to the Lord. He has now accepted the call to serve as pastor for the Payson and Camp Verde church district.
Pastor Zimmerman is a graduate of Southwestern Adventist College and holds an M.A. in pastoral ministry from Andrews University. His ministry spans over 40 years, including 25 years in Planned Giving, Trust Services, and Stewardship—six years in the Texico Conference and 18 years in the Kansas-Nebraska Conference. “Most Sabbaths, you would find my wife and me out in one of the churches throughout the conferences in which we served. We enjoy meeting people where they are in life, far and near,” he reflected.
Pastor Zimmerman is joined in ministry by his wife, Jan, who celebrated 50 years of marriage with him this past April. Jan is an active partner in his work and often shares her musical gifts during church services. Together, they have three children and are the proud grandparents of seven grandchildren spread across Florida, Texas, and New Mexico.
Though his career in denominational administration has come to a close, Pastor Zimmerman’s passion for ministry remains as strong as ever. With decades of experience, a heart for people, and a love for sharing the gospel, he and Jan bring a spirit of warmth and dedication to their new church family in Payson and Camp Verde.
Social Media Boot Camp
BY JEFF ROGERS
On September 5-6, the Arizona Conference office became a hub of creativity and innovation as Hispanic Ministries hosted a Social Media Boot Camp led by Pastor César Sánchez. The event drew 80 participants, many of them youth from local churches, eager to learn how to harness digital media as a tool for evangelism.
Throughout the weekend, attendees engaged in dynamic presentations from experienced communicators and content creators. The sessions explored practical strategies for utilizing social media to share the gospel, foster connections, and engage with online communities.
The training culminated in a hands-on project. Participants were divided into groups and tasked with creating videos as their final assignment— an exercise that allowed them to apply the skills they had learned immediately. Laughter, collaboration, and creativity filled the building as teams worked together to bring their projects to life.
The boot camp was more than just training; it was a movement of empowerment. By embracing digital platforms, the church can reach hearts and minds in new ways, particularly among younger generations who spend their time online. When placed in the hands of passionate disciples, digital tools can become powerful instruments for spreading hope and truth in today’s world.
A Fresh Look for TAA’s Auditorium
BY KERYSA FORD
If you’ve stepped into Thunderbird Adventist Academy’s auditorium recently, you’ve probably noticed an exciting transformation! The stage now boasts a permanent extension, new flooring, an updated back wall, and enhanced lighting—all part of Phase 1 of our auditorium renovation project.
This project began with a vision to enhance our campus gathering space for chapels, concerts, Alumni Weekend programs, Arizona Conference events, and other events. Thanks to the leadership of Mrs. Randall Harrison, former Director of Advancement and Engagement, and with the success of our first two annual TAA Golf Tournaments, Phase 1 fundraising goals were achieved by the end of the 2024-25 school year, thanks to the generosity of our donors.
Construction began in late May of this year, led by Millwood Construction Services LLC, and the new stage made its debut during Student Orientation on August 6. Looking ahead, Phase 2 will bring updated seating and new flooring for the audience area, creating an even more inviting space for worship and community gatherings.
A heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Harrison, Millwood Construction, and our incredible donors for making this beautiful improvement possible.
