• Features
  • News
  • Print
  • Home
  • Features
  • Perspectives
  • News
  • Lifestyle
  • Gallery
  • Family
    • Weddings
    • Milestones
    • Obituaries
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Share a story
  • Contact us
  • Sign in

Latest News

  • Art Lenz, smiling

    Lenz Retires After More Than 45 Years of Service

    January 05, 2026, by Isaac Meythaler
  • Small Group Ministry Training Is Ready for Launch

    January 05, 2026, by NW Adventists Team
  • A Vocal Music Performance

    Never Alone: Finding Courage Amid Fear

    December 29, 2025, by Isabella Millen

Print magazine

Spirit Lake Reaches Out Through Cooking

By Beth Duffey, March 26, 2015

Community outreach starts with healthful approaches to cooking at the Spirit Lake (Idaho) Church. Several church members have formed a food prep crew and are having a great time welcoming new friends in the fellowship hall to experience ongoing monthly cooking classes. Through these free classes, participants learn the preparation and great tastes of vegan cuisine.

The classes were developed after discovering a real need and growing interest in Adventist Bible-based health practices. They are advertised in flyers and local newspapers.

The program began with a holiday cooking class. The current series has a focus on diabetic health, with classes directed at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Each class offers tools for fighting chronic illness, presents short lectures by medical professionals, demonstrates easy recipe preparation, and offers delicious samples.

Josh Vasquez, Spirit Lake Church Bible worker, has had experience working as a chef and is contributing his gourmet expertise. The church is blessed with several members who are exceptional vegan cooks and willing teachers. Everyone is looking forward to learning more about the abundance God has provided in nature. One of the cooks is also an experienced forager. She will be teaching this spring and summer.

Image
Image

Participants and guest lecturer meet monthly to explore vegan cooking.

Credit
Beth Duffey
Image

Josh Vasquez, Bible worker and class instructor, helps during demonstration.

Credit
Beth Duffey
Image

Healthy Living Cooking Class crew members are using healthy cooking to reach others at the Spirit Lake Church.

Credit
Beth Duffey
Print Friendly and PDF

Featured in: April 2015

Author

Beth Duffey

Clark Fork Church communication leader
Section
Upper Columbia Conference

You may also like

  • Art Lenz, smiling

    Lenz Retires After More Than 45 Years of Service

    January 05, 2026, by Isaac Meythaler
  • PCA Breaks Ground on Early Learning Center

    December 04, 2025, by Isaac Meythaler
  • God Saves UCC Pathfinder Camporee 2025

    December 03, 2025, by Isaac Meythaler
  • UCC Prayer Summit Makes a Vital Difference

    December 02, 2025, by Isaac Meythaler
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Submit
  • Reprint/Repost Request
  • Style Guide
  • Change of Address
  • Subscriptions
  • Sunset
  • RSS
  • Contributor Login
  • Contact

The Gleaner is a gathering place with news and inspiration for Seventh-day Adventist members and friends throughout the northwestern United States. It is an important communication channel for the North Pacific Union Conference — the regional church support headquarters for Adventist ministry throughout Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. The original printed Gleaner was first published in 1906, and has since expanded to a full magazine with a monthly circulation of more than 40,000. Through its extended online and social media presence, the Gleaner also provides valuable content and connections for interested individuals around the world.

Copyright 2026, North Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. All rights reserved. Legal disclaimer & privacy policy.