Rhythms & Roots: Letters to the Churches
April 2026
Friends,
Grace and peace to you.
There are moments in the life of the Church that require us to hold two realities at once.
Gratitude… and humility.
Joy… and grief.
Endings… and new beginnings.
This is one of those moments.
Honoring Faithful Ministry
In recent weeks, we have walked through significant changes together as a Yearly Meeting.
Diane Hutson has stepped down from her role as pastor of Las Animas Friends Church, after a lifetime of faithful ministry within Rocky Mountain Yearly Meeting. Diane’s leadership has shaped lives, strengthened the Church, and carried the Gospel into her community with perseverance and love.
We will gather on Sunday, April 29th at Las Animas Friends Church to honor her years of service, give thanks for what God has done, and formally decommission the meeting.
Moments like this matter.
They are not just endings—they are sacred acknowledgments of a life poured out in faithfulness.
When a Season Comes to a Close
After prayerful discernment, the decision has also been made to lay down the ministry of Las Animas Friends Church.
And in Lamar, following the passing of Pastor Galen Burnett, Faith Friends Church has not resumed regular gatherings. The building is no longer safe for use, and those who had been attending have found new places to worship or are gathering in smaller ways.
These are not easy realities.
But they are not without meaning.
This is not failure—it is the result of faithfulness.
These churches represent years—often generations—of Gospel witness. Lives have been changed. Communities have been served. Faithful pastors and leaders have given themselves fully to the work of Christ.
We honor that.
We do not rush past it.
The Church Still Lives
And yet—even here—this is not the whole story.
Because while some doors close, God continues to open others.
During a recent visit to the Arkansas Valley, I had the privilege of sitting down with Pastor Dave Debus of Hasty Friends Church. Over a simple meal, I listened as he shared story after story of what God is doing in that community.
In just two years, the church has seen significant growth. This Easter, they gathered 71 people—a remarkable moment for their community. But more than numbers, he spoke of a people who love Jesus, who worship deeply, and who are seeing new salvations.
It was the encouragement I didn’t know I needed.
Before leaving Denver, I had prayed quietly, asking the Lord for just one glimpse—one reminder—that He is still at work.
Hasty was that reminder.
Easter Reminds Us
And it wasn’t just Hasty.
Across Rocky Mountain Yearly Meeting, we saw signs of life this Easter:
- In Hay Springs, a small gathering more than doubled in attendance at a sunrise service and joined with another church for Good Friday worship.
- In Paonia, there was renewed energy, strong attendance, and a sense of hope as they continue searching for a pastor.
- In Beaver Park, new families are coming, and new believers are being discipled.
- In Colorado Springs, growth continues, with over 70 gathered on Easter and young leaders stepping forward.
- In Denver, new families are finding their way into the life of the church, and anticipation is building for what’s ahead.
- And at Neighborhood Friends, we have seen more than 10 new salvations in the past two months, with people returning to faith and new people finding a home—so much so that chairs are being added to make room.
These are not small things.
These are signs of resurrection.
A Living Hope
Scripture reminds us:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
— 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)
We are not a people defined by what ends.
We are a people shaped by resurrection hope.
A hope that tells us:
- God is not finished
- The Church still stands
- The Gospel still transforms lives
- And new life is still breaking through
Moving Forward Together
So we move forward—not ignoring what has been lost—but honoring it.
We move forward—not discouraged—but attentive.
We move forward—not in fear—but in faith.
Because the same God who was faithful in Las Animas…
the same God who worked through Faith Friends…
is the same God who is now moving in Hasty, in Denver, in Colorado Springs, and across our region.
And He is not finished yet.
Friends, let us remain faithful in this season.
Let us pray.
Let us encourage one another.
Let us keep our eyes open to where God is working.
Because even now…
He is opening doors.
In Christ,
Donnie Hinshaw
Superintendent
Rocky Mountain Yearly Meeting