Columbia Union Visitor--April 2005 by Columbia Union Visitor

Table of Contents

In Every Issue Editorial

Newsline

Healing Ministry

p 23

News & Features

Newsletters 27 Allegheny East

Special Feature: 16 People Who Make a Difference

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Louvenia Anderson

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Hazel Burns

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Shalini David

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Betty Dennis Brown

Esther Freed

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31 Chesapeake 33 Columbia Union College

This issue features 16 of our members—representing various ages, experiences, and walks of life—who, as conduits of God’s grace, have found creative ways to use their talents for Him. Some give and some serve, yet all minister in a mighty way. The Visitor is proud to recognize: Jack Anders

29 Allegheny West

Richard and

Cornelia Geer ■ Paul Glenn ■ Bill Jackson ■ Paul Kim ■ Dora

35 Mountain View 37 Mt. Vernon Academy 39 New Jersey 41 Ohio 43 Pennsylvania 45 Potomac 47 Takoma Academy

Lores ■ Erwin Mack ■ Naomi, Gary, and Machelle Mattingly ■

Elisha Pulivarti ■ Madelynn Witkus ■ Grayce Zimmett

Bulletin Board

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About the Cover: Touched by the needs of orphans, Shalini David followed her heart halfway around the world and opened The Agape Home in Uganda. Photography by Hooshar Karimabadi

Editorial Edward Motschiedler Celeste Ryan ■ Editor LaVerne Henderson ■ Associate Editor for News & Features Kelly Butler Coe ■ Art Director Sandra Jones ■ Copy Editor & Bulletin Board Editor Monte Sahlin

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Publisher

PUBLISHING BOARD: Harold L. Lee (chair), Celeste Ryan (secretary), Raj Attiken, Charles Cheatham, Dowell Chow, LeRoy Finck, J. Neville Harcombe, Ray Hartwell, James L. Lewis, Edward Motschiedler, Monte Sahlin, Dave Weigley, Kingsley Whitsett MISSION STATEMENT The Visitor provides news and information, resources for effective ministry, and insight on issues with a spiritual focus to help people celebrate God's transforming grace in preparation for His return. COLUMBIA UNION CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS 5427 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045 (301) 596-0800 or (888) 4-VISITOR http://www.columbiaunion.org Free to Columbia Union members. All others—$15 per year. COLUMBIA UNION CONFERENCE President Harold L. Lee Edward Motschiedler Executive Secretary Dowell Chow Treasurer Vice President/Education Hamlet Canosa Robert Patterson Vice President/General Counsel Monte Sahlin Vice President/Creative Ministries Asst. to the President/Communication Celeste Ryan Harold Greene Information Technology Curtis Boore Plant Services Trust Services/PARL Robert Patterson Peggy Lee Revolving Fund Carol Wright Undertreasurer CONFERENCES ALLEGHENY EAST: Charles L. Cheatham, President; Robert Booker, Visitor Correspondent; P.O. Box 266, Pine Forge, PA 19548. Tel. (610) 326-4610 ■ www.myalleghenyeast.com ALLEGHENY WEST: James L. Lewis, President; Robert C. Lewis, Visitor Correspondent; 1339 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43205. Tel. (614) 252-5271 ■ www.awconf.org CHESAPEAKE: Neville Harcombe, President; Rob Vandeman, Visitor Correspondent; 6600 Martin Rd., Columbia, MD 21044. Tel. (410) 995-1910 MOUNTAIN VIEW: Kingsley Whitsett, President; Brian Jones, Visitor Correspondent; 1400 Liberty St., Parkersburg, WV 26101. Tel. (304) 422-4581 ■ www.mtviewconf.org NEW JERSEY: LeRoy Finck, President; Aura Garcia, Visitor Correspondent; 2160 Brunswick Ave., Trenton, NJ 08648. Tel. (609) 392-7131 ■ www.njcsda.org OHIO: Raj Attiken, President; Bette Toscano, Visitor Correspondent; P.O. Box 1230, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. Tel. (740) 397-4665 ■ www.ohioadventist.org PENNSYLVANIA: Ray Hartwell, President; Tamyra Horst, Visitor Correspondent; 720 Museum Rd., Reading, PA 19611. Tel. (610) 374-8331 ■ www.paconference.org POTOMAC: Dave Weigley, President; Janet Olsyne, Visitor Correspondent; 606 Greenville Avenue, Staunton, VA 24401. Tel. (540) 886-0771 ■ www.pcsda.org COLLEGES COLUMBIA UNION COLLEGE: Randal Wisbey, President; Scott Steward, Visitor Correspondent; 7600 Flower Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912. Tel. (301) 891-4000 ■ www.cuc.edu KETTERING COLLEGE OF MEDICAL ARTS: Charles Scriven, President; 3737 Southern Blvd., Kettering, OH 45429. Tel. (937) 395-8601 ■ www.kcma.edu HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS ADVENTIST HEALTHCARE: William G. Robertson, President & CEO; Ray Tetz, Visitor Correspondent; 1801 Research Blvd., Suite 400, Rockville, MD 20850. Tel. (301) 315-3030 www.adventisthealthcare.com KETTERING ADVENTIST HEALTHCARE: Frank Perez, President & CEO; Kenneth Chaij, Visitor Correspondent; 3965 Southern Blvd., Kettering, OH 45429. Tel. (937) 395-8167 www.kmcnetwork.org Published by the Columbia Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Printed at the Review & Herald Publishing Association.

The Most Important Person in the World

You are the most important person in the world. Today, tomorrow, and everyday you will be the most important person in the world to someone. It could be a child as you wipe away the tears from some little hurt they suffered. It could be your spouse or best friend as you offer words of support that have extra meaning— “Whatever because they come from you. It could be some person you meet you did for causally, yet your words or actions one of the are a great blessing to them, without your even realizing it. least of these, I believe that God brings us in touch daily with people who need brothers of mine, you our help. I like to refer to that moment as a “Godly intervention.” did for Me” (Matt. 25:40). God uses us to do His work in a way that only we can do at that particular moment, at that particular place. As God leads us, we become ordinary people doing extraordinary deeds. For example, my wife teaches nursing. One night she will come home and tell me about a student who came to her office to share a personal problem. Another night she will share how she helped a student deal with the emotional pain of a dying patient in the hospital. In each of those moments she is performing a “Godly intervention.” One Sabbath after church an older couple came up to me and said, “We would like to invite your children home for dinner. Knowing they were wonderful cooks, I said, “Let me ask my wife. I don’t think we have anything planned, and we would be glad to come.” “You were not listening very well, Pastor,” the man replied. “I didn’t invite you and your wife, I only invited your children. We want you and your wife to have a quiet Sabbath all by yourselves.” This story will have added meaning when you learn that, at the time, our oldest girl was 3 years old and the twins were 18 months. As we handed over our three children and the diaper bag, that wonderful couple became—for that moment—the most important people in our world.

Small Acts, Great Deeds We sometimes feel we should be doing something great for God. Yet most of us have never started an orphanage, served as foreign missionaries, or held an evangelistic meeting. Yet every time we do some “small” act, we are doing something great for God. Recently I was walking some distance behind a woman in a mall parking lot. I noticed that she dropped something, and when I came up to the object I found that it was a set of keys. I rushed to catch up with her and gave her the keys. What do you think? Was this a small act or a great deed for God? I think for a moment I was the most important person in her world. Remember Jesus’ words, “… Whatever you did for one of the least of these, brothers of mine, you did for Me” (Matt. 25:40, NIV). Edward Motschiedler is executive secretary of the Columbia Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Volume 110 ■ Issue 4

APRIL 2005

Newsline Allegheny West and Pennsylvania to Host Evangelism Training The Pittsburgh Metro Initiative, consisting of churches in the Allegheny West and Pennsylvania conferences, will come together for worship and evangelism training on April 30 at the Ethnan Temple church in Wilkinsburg, Pa. North American Division President Don Schneider will be the worship speaker. “The goal is to mobilize members for mission,” says Monte Sahlin, Columbia Union Conference Vice President for Creative Ministries. “There will be 14 training seminars in two sections, so each person can participate in two areas.” According to Sahlin, Pittsburgh has the lowest Adventist density (one for every 1,263 people) of any major United States city. This event marks the first time that Pittsburgh area churches, from both conferences, will worship together. For more information, call (800) 438-9600.—LaVerne Henderson

Colleges Prepare for Graduations Columbia Union College’s (CUC) three-day graduation exercises will take place at Sligo church in Takoma Park, Md. The Consecration Service is April 29 at 8 p.m., with the Chemistry Department’s Marlon Rhem as the speaker. Charles Bradford, former North American Division president, will speak during the Sabbath, April 30, Baccalaureate service. And the May 1 Commencement features United States Congressman, and former Washington Training Institute (now CUC) graduate, Roscoe Bartlett. CUC’s 2005 class includes approximately 200 undergraduate and seven MBA candidates. Benjamin Carson, M.D., preeminent pediatric neurosurgeon and director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, will be the commencement speaker for the April 30 Kettering College of Medical Arts evening graduation service. Dr. Carson will address 188 degree candidates in the Dayton Convention Center. —Scott Steward and Winona Wendth

Executive Committee Applauds Reorganization Study At the Spring Meeting of the Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee, it was voted to continue and expand the work of a taskforce created to study reorganization models of the Union’s eight-state 4

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territory. “I have a question for you,” stated Union Executive Secretary Edward Motschiedler, chair of the Columbia Union Reorganization Taskforce, in his report about its work. “Should the members of 2005 have a chance to reorganize what the members of 1905 decided was best for them?” After explaining that with the present system, it would take at least 27 committee meetings to reorganize the Union’s conference and academy structure, Motschiedler answered the question: “Faithful stewardship and common sense tell us that at least every 100 years, we should [reevaluate] our structure.” He then presented several models—brainstormed by the Taskforce—for how to reorganize the Union in terms of conference boundaries. Noting that the Taskforce did not bring any recommendations, he reminded Committee members why the options were even being considered. The issue was first raised at the Union’s Joint Retreat of Committees and Boards, convened in May 2002. At that historic meeting, members and leaders of all eight conference executive committees, both healthcare systems, and the Columbia Union College Board, gathered for three days to discuss and pray about governance, education, mission, and the future of the Columbia Union. The need for evaluating the current structure grew as conferences struggled financially, spurring the Union Executive Committee to commission the Taskforce last year. “Our tendency is to isolate ourselves from one another and act independently,” explained Union President Harold Lee. “But we must continually ask how we can perform the church’s mission better so we can make disciples in the context of the third angels’ message.” After considerable discussion on the report, members agreed that the Taskforce should prioritize the models outlined, and consider additional models of reorganization. “We must also bear in mind that God’s model may not have been discovered yet,” added Potomac Conference President Dave Weigley. The Committee also voted to expand the Taskforce to include representation from all eight of the Union’s conferences—Allegheny East, Allegheny West, Chesapeake, Mountain View, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Potomac. “I’m thankful we have administrators who are willing to objectively consider this,” noted Neville Harcombe, president of the Chesapeake Conference. Dennis Austin, a young adult member and pastor in Pennsylvania agreed: “Members in my generation will be pleased to see this discussion taking place.” The issue will be discussed further in May when officers of each conference gather at the Union for Midyear Meetings. Next Meeting: May 12—Celeste Ryan

16 {ColUMbiA

Union}

PEOPLE W H o

M A k e

DIFFERENCE There are 117,956 Adventists in the eight states that comprise the Columbia Union Conference. That means God has at least 117,956 pairs of hands and feet available to love and serve others, and do His work. Who are these servants of God and how do they make a difference? The following pages feature 16 of our members—of all ages, experiences, and walks of life—who have found creative ways to use their talents for God and have become conduits of His grace to others. Some give money, while others give hugs. Some share talents, while others share time. Some serve abroad, while others serve the community. Some use their voice to minister, while others minister to those without voice. Most importantly, all are working to impact their corner of God’s universe. Scripture admonishes: Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. Here’s to our brothers and sisters who daily walk that talk! 6

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Photograph: Hooshar Karimabadi

Shalini David ❉ orphan Advocate For Shalini David, daughter of Pastor Franklin David, service is a family legacy. Not to long ago, she gave a sermonette at the Potomac Conference’s Southern Asian Seventh-day Adventist Church (SASDAC), in Silver Spring, Md., not too long ago, on the importance of worldwide evangelism. “At some point in every person’s life, [evangelism] is a calling,” she says. “It’s our responsibility, as Christians, to win souls for Christ.” David, an alumnus of Maryland’s Takoma Academy and Columbia Union College, has always been involved in mission trips and outreach activities. She was recently afforded the opportunity to go to Uganda for an evangelism effort. David traveled to Kasese, a small city about six hours from the capital of Kampala. Her assignment, while the adult sessions were taking place, was to help with children’s meetings. “Since the meetings were in the evenings, I was curious to find orphanages and other organizations where I could volunteer during the day,” she states. She soon found an orphanage near her hotel. “I learned that, due to rampant tuberculosis, malaria, and AIDS, there are lots of orphans in Uganda,” David explains. “In fact, Uganda has one of the highest percentages of orphans in the world.” Even children with one parent are considered orphans. In many cases the father is deceased, and the mother, with no education or means of income, cannot support her family. This leaves children to fend for food, clothing, and shelter. David knew she had to do something. “I took people that I’d just met and went to two or three different areas to feed the children,” she recounts. “Then I asked my newfound friends to interview the children, in their language, and get their stories. When you’re at home watching TV, you think, ‘Somebody will help them’ or ‘I’ll send money,’” she reasons. “But when you are there, with the child right in front of your eyes … how can you just turn your back?” David spoke to the local pastor and gained his assistance in finding more children. She also contacted her mother Elizabeth, back in Maryland, who talked to people and started raising money. Then David found a facility and started the paperwork—all within the span of her three-week trip. Wanting to see the project through, another SASDAC member, Evon David, quit her job, went to Kasese, and set up the orphanage, which is called The Agape Home. “We now have 15 children,” says David. “The Agape Home is a safe place, filled with love and a family atmosphere.” To learn more about The Agape Home visit www.theagapehome.org. To contact Shalini David call (240) 381-5169.—Wilona Karimabadi

APRIL 2005

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Betty Dennis Brown ❉ Raw Food Guru Betty Dennis Brown is on a mission. The 60-year-old wife, mother, and grandmother wants everyone to learn the secrets of great health and happiness. She’s written a book; conducts cooking seminars; does food preparation, consulting, and one-on-one counseling; and even opened a restaurant that serves gourmet raw vegetarian cuisine. “I have a burden for people to be healthy,” says the Philadelphia resident and member of Allegheny East’s Willow Grove (Pa.) congregation. “You can’t put a price on health!” Though a vegetarian for 35 years, her raw food health quest started a few years ago when her father faced a major health crisis. When he agreed to try Brown’s diet, his health improved immensely. But after he grew tired of the plant-based fare, and fell back into his old eating habits, his health failed and he died. Though devastated, Brown believed she was on to something. “I became totally convinced that an enzymerich diet is God’s prescription for a healthy, abundant life,” she says. “I wanted that kind of life.” Brown changed her lifestyle and embraced a plant-

Jack Anders ❉ Hugging Counselor Every Sabbath, for the past 12 years, Jack Anders has been greeting members at the east door of the Spencerville Seventh-day Adventist Church. No ordinary greeter, Anders shakes tiny hands, scoops little ones in his arms, and gives every passerby a big hug. Though there are additional entrances, members with children, young people, and adults stream through this particular door—just to get their hug. “It’s a blessing to me,” he enthuses. “It’s my mission and ministry to the church. I’m at the back door, greeting people for two hours, but it’s the best two hours of my week!” A teenaged boy saunters past when he sees Anders busily greeting a parent, but then goes back to get his hug. And just like that, Anders’ smiling eyes and warm hug kickoff another happy Sabbath. Hugs are not Anders’ only ministry; he’s also a great listener. On Tuesdays, he can be found at the Chesapeake Conference’s Spencerville Adventist Academy spending time talking with students. They open up, telling him about their problems and woes. A clinical psychiatric social worker, Anders counsels a variety of people. “They come in many shapes, sizes, and ages,” he notes. “Everyone is hurting and wants relief.” An ordained minister, he also does premarital counseling and performs marriages. One family, who recently benefited from his counseling, renovated Spencerville’s kitchen in his honor—the same kitchen that Anders and his late wife Bette Jo provided funds to install when the church was built. When asked what he considers to be his highest accomplishment, Anders replies, “When people find me instrumental in bringing their lives together, it makes it all worthwhile.” The fact that most members can’t start their Sabbath without a greeting from Anders, and that he equally savors the affectionate hugs from children and adults alike, is also worthwhile. What a difference a hug makes.—Kelly Butler Coe

based diet for one year. She researched the topic and consulted with experienced health experts and raw foodists. Armed with a quality juicer, dehydrator, and food processor, she began experimenting and soon developed recipes for pizza, burgers, soups, breakfast foods, and dessert items. “My energy went through the roof,” she says. “In five months, she lost weight and went from a size 12 to a stable size 5; her skin became smoother; and her vision improved. In addition, Brown and her husband Cyril, who joined her two months later and lost three inches from his waist, also experienced improved sexual stamina. The word spread through her church and community, and Brown, known as “Aunt Betty,” was invited to cater events and teach others her healthy recipes. Then people starting encouraging her to open a restaurant. After some resistance and much prayer, she opened Aunt Betty’s Delicious Raw Foods in the basement of a retirement complex in the Cheltenham community. The menu includes burgers, pizza, meatballs, corn salad, collard greens, Aunt Betty’s Banana Crème Pie, Sweet Potato Pie, and Tantalizing Apple Pie, which patrons deem “very good.” “When we follow God’s original plant-based, enzyme-rich diet,” Brown says, “we too will be able to say, ‘It is very good.’” For information on her book, Five Weeks to Sexual Bliss, catering services, or the restaurant, contact Brown at (215) 885-1050 or livediet@aol.com.—Celeste Ryan

APRIL 2005

“You never know what God is going to do until you say yes,” says Hazel Burns, associate pastor of the Kettering, Ohio, Seventh-day Adventist Church and clergy-member of The Emmaus Walk Ministry. “I never thought my work would take me down this road, it’s been a great blessing.” Burns has served at Kettering for about 12 years. She combines her busy role as associate pastor for women’s ministries, community outreach, family life, and church involvement with her work in The Emmaus Walk Ministry. “The Lord prepared me to be in this place, at this time, a long time ago,” says Burns, who learned of the program over 15 years ago. Prior to that time she was involved in another Bible study program for a multi-faith Christian women’s organization. This Bible study ministry introduced her to many community leaders, including some from Emmaus. The Emmaus Walk Ministry is a community, leadership training program that focuses on spiritual renewal. Held four weekends a year, it provides opportunities for women from all faiths, and walks of life, to come together in an intensified format to strengthen their spiritual lives. About 40 women participate, along with 30-40 teachers and interfaith clergy, and prayer warriors.

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Named after Jesus’ walk and experience with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, the ministry focuses on grace, discipleship, and what it means to be a church. “We explain Scripture and bring women to a place where they are faced with the reality of what Christ did for them on the cross,” she states. “They leave with a new experience and a new walk, ready to work for the Lord.” A number of Kettering members have attended the program and several Adventist pastors are getting involved. Burns’ ministry and acceptance are possible because she doesn’t “teach Adventism.” “I simply live the life,” she says. “People see the joy and peace within me and respond to that.” Many already know about the Adventist Church’s grace-based beliefs. “Without God’s grace we can do nothing; with God’s grace, we can do anything,” she says. Burns’ community involvement is a perfect complement to her pastoral role at Kettering. It allows her to impact the community, witness, and make many friends. “The Emmaus Walk Ministry has changed lives,” she says. “I’ve seen it; no one leaves without being transformed.”—Sherry English

Photograph: LeeAnn Yahle

Hazel Burns ❉ Community Pastor

Elisha Pulivarti ❉ Governmental Witness “It is my duty to recognize outstanding leaders from the Asian Pacific community,” says Elisha Pulivarti, executive director of the Governor’s Office on Asian Pacific American Affairs for the state of Maryland. “Since I am the only South Asian and Adventist in this position, I also do whatever I can to spotlight our denomination and heritage.” Potomac Conference member Pulivarti works directly with Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., and the 17member Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs. A native of India, Pulivarti attends events important to Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist faith groups. “In my role, I meet Hindu leaders, Muslim imams, and Buddhist monks,” he says. Pulivarti uses every opportunity to witness about his beliefs, while encouraging friendship and camaraderie. “My passion is working with community members; I am active in several interfaith groups in the Washington, D.C., area,” he notes. Overall, Pulivarti has done much to increase awareness of the Adventist presence throughout Maryland. He’s presented numerous congregations, schools, and businesses with Governor’s citations for noteworthy contributions to the Asian Pacific community. “Since the Governor cannot attend all of these functions, it is my responsibility to provide representation,” says the Beltsville (Md.) church member. “I am thankful to the Lord for using me to serve Him and the community.” To learn more about the Governor’s Office on Asian Pacific Affairs, visit www.marylandasian.org. —Wilona Karimabadi Photograph: Hooshar Karimabadi

Bill Jackson ❉ Friend to the Amish Imagine looking out your window on a Sunday morning to find a miles-long horse and buggy processional slowly clip-clopping down the road—to church. “I love Amish country,” says Ohio Conference Pastor Bill Jackson. He and his wife Roberta have integrated themselves, and the Seventh-day Adventist lifestyle, into a large, ultra-conservative Amish-Mennonite community, in central Ohio. “When I retired, there was no other place we wanted to live,” says Jackson, who spent over 40 years in New York, many as an Adventist pastor. He now pastors part-time at the New Philadelphia (Ohio) church. Upon his arrival, Jackson immediately became involved in the community, meeting neighbors and volunteering at various museums and community events. His friendship evangelism paid off, and he was invited to attend a worship service. “The Amish community is very tight-knit and closed,” he says, “So, this was an honor.” Over the last six years he has attended Amish church and baptismal services, which are usually held in a member’s house, barn, shed, pasture, or field. He has developed strong relationships with local ministers, assisting with sermon points when asked. Many of the 200-plus Amish congregations worship next door to Adventist churches. “One thing the Amish appreciate about Adventists,” notes Pastor Jackson, “Is that we also have a lifestyle reliAPRIL 2005

Paul Glenn ❉ book baron You’ll be the same in five years as you are today, except for the people you meet and the books you read. That statement pretty much sums up Paul Glenn’s life. “I read it many years ago in a book called Life is Tremendous,” he says. As book department buyer for the Potomac Adventist Book Center (ABC) for the past 33 years, his affinity for the written word is obvious. “I’ve been with the ABC since 1972 when it was in Columbia, Md.,” states Glenn. The store is now located in nearby Silver Spring. Glenn basically selects and stocks books with positive themes, regardless of the author’s denomination. A prime example is the book Pilgrim’s Progress. “It’s been around for years,” he says. “Next to the Bible, it’s probably the best selling book of all time. Ellen White recommended it very highly. As Adventists, we’ve come to realize that some points, in certain Christian literature, should be overlooked.” On-the-job perks include exposure to life-changing books along with meeting people and ministering to them by recommending spiritually uplifting reading material. “It means a lot when people come back and say, ‘That book was a blessing to me,’ or ‘That book really helped my friend,’” he states. This interaction— which includes organizing book signings and meeting authors from around the state, country, and world—has broadened his perspective, he says. Glenn, who is physically challenged, doesn’t allow his disability to hamper his performance. “When something happens to you early enough in life, you think that’s just how life is.” He gives this illustration: “I once read a story about a musician who was badly burned and his face was disfigured. Whenever he performed, he said, ‘People always remember me because I look different.’ Well, I walk a little different, and I’m sure people remember me because of that,” Glenn explains. “My disability also reminds me that my strength has to come from God. “The Seventh-day Adventist Church has the best literature in the world,” surmises this Chesapeake Conference, Triadelphia church member and deacon. Glenn’s profession also spills over into his personal life. Married to Marthanne for 22 years, he says, “My wife and I love to read books together; we take turns reading to each other. I always encourage people to read good books; you can never underestimate their power.” —LaVerne Henderson

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Dora Lores ❉ Traveling evangelist Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28:19-20 has come to mean the world to Dora Lores. Her travels, as a lay evangelist, have taken her around the world to places like Nepal, Norway, Panama, Costa Rica, Peru, Madagascar, and El Salvador. “I’ve come to understand the truth and strength of these texts,” she says, “because the Lord has given me the courage to preach sermons and lead others to baptism.” Lores was born in Peru and migrated to Los Angeles, Calif. She taught nursing at California State University before relocating to Maryland. A member of the Chesapeake Conference’s Spencerville (Md.) church, she was also a nursing professor at George Mason University, in Fairfax, Va., before retiring. Then she pursued her desire to travel and work for the Lord. Lores initially volunteered in Nepal, with ADRA International, utilizing her nursing skills. From there, she participated in church building projects in Norway, Panama, and Costa Rica, with Maranatha.

Next, Lores took on the role of lay evangelist with the Global Evangelism Program. Her first stop was Peru. Traveling in conjunction with the Quiet Hour telecast, she says, “I was asked to do the health and family segments, because I speak Spanish.” Then Lores delivered her first, full evangelism series in 2004 when she went to Madagascar. “I preached 19 sermons in the Tamatave region,” she explains. “Although extremely apprehensive, I started to calm down around the fourth or fifth sermon,” she says. Working with a translator, according to Lores, was difficult—and humorous. “Sometimes I wondered if they were saying exactly what I’d said or adding their own words,” she laughs. “One time the lights went off as I was speaking; I was very anxious after that,” she states. “But those were the most powerful sermons. During one appeal the entire church came forward. I knew it was the Lord, because I couldn’t have done it on my own. We baptized 90 people. (A total of 712 were baptized from four different sites.) Last month Lores traveled to El Salvador, excited about preaching in her native language. It’s safe to say that she is one of many lay people who take the gospel commission literally—voluntarily traveling, often paying all of their expenses, and taking the gospel to the ends of the earth.—LaVerne Henderson

APRIL 2005

Naomi, Gary, and Machelle Mattingly

❉

better living Specialists

“Thrift stores are a wonderful way to evangelize the community,” says Gary Mattingly of the Rainelle Better Living Center and Thrift Store in Rainelle, W.Va. Gary and Naomi, along with daughter Machelle, have owned and operated the Center since last May. Located on a main street, the 7,000 square-foot building stocks nearly 4,000 donated garments, furniture, radios, and other household items. Although guarded at first, customers have gradually warmed up to the retired couple and their daughter. “The store is our opening wedge,” says the Mountain View resident. The Mattinglys distribute free literature or offer Bible studies with each purchase. The prominent posting of the Ten Commandments, in their entirety, also leads to witnessing opportunities. Because the Center is closed on Sabbath, people ask questions. “When they do,” states Mattingly, “we point to the fourth commandment.” In order to capitalize on the “better living” part of their name, they started a natural foods section and now carry bulk items. In a similar vein, the Mattinglys conducted a Breathe Free smoking cessation course last fall and hope to present a lifestyle seminar this spring. West Virginia in the nation ranks high for heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, Mattingly notes. “As a Church we’ve learned that Revelation seminars don’t always work,” he states. His goal is to open the Center one night a week to hold prayer meetings, Bible studies, or just to give people a chance to ask questions. Our bottom line,” Mattingly concludes, “is not about selling clothes—it’s about changing lives.”—LaVerne Henderson

Paul Kim ❉ Missionary Filmmaker Paul Kim doesn’t lay brick on mission trips—he tells mission stories through film. Recognizing that film is often the closest a person may come to traveling abroad, he uses his media talents to give others a mission experience. “My passion is giving a voice to those who don’t have one,” he states. “We’re apathetic. Many of us need to experience things for a change of attitude, a change of heart.” Through missions-promoting documentaries, Kim hopes to shake the average church member out of apathy. His award-winning film, Unto the Ends, about the Béré Adventist Hospital in Chad not only gained exposure for the small hospital but allowed armchair missionaries a frontline view of the mission field. While Kim doesn’t think of himself as a missionary in the traditional sense, he very much wants to impact his peer group. A recent graduate of Pacific Union College, Kim’s diverse talents are now put to use as a producer for the Church Resource Center at the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, headquartered in Silver Spring, Md. He attends the nearby Spencerville Korean church and plans to earn a Master of Fine Arts that he will use to produce more films on mission work in the “two-thirds” world, as well as social issues. He also wants to teach social awareness filmmaking to other Adventist young people. “As a Church we don’t have a department or organization whose sole purpose is to fight for social causes. I want to use media to promote social awareness and bring about social action.” —Maria Bastien 14

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Photograph: Elwyn Platner

Esther Freed ❉ Wheelchair evangelist Esther Freed recently preached her heart out in a small Caracas, Venezuela, church. Never in her wildest imagination did she expect to be doing this, let alone to travel outside the United States. Even more remarkable is that Freed is an 80-year-old, wheelchair-bound, lay evangelist. “The devil didn’t want me to do it, but I’m kind of a stubborn old lady,” she confesses. Freed has been overcoming obstacles since she contracted polio at age 3 and became paralyzed from the waist down. She attended Kent State University in Ohio, won a scholarship to Oberlin College, met and married a blind musician, and raised four children. During the years following her husband’s death, she reared 20 foster boys. She was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1984 and is a member of the Oberlin (Ohio) church in the Allegheny West Conference. Years later, her adult son Ben became involved with the Global Evangelism Program. He told her how hundreds of lay Adventists—most of whom had never preached a sermon—were volunteering to go to other countries to conduct evangelistic meetings. In 2004, while recruiting Ohio laymen to participate in the program, Ben broached the idea to Freed. “She’s fiercely independent,” he says of his mom. Although Freed didn’t think she would have the stamina to be out

of the country for three weeks, she responded, “Why not.” They settled on Venezuela and secured the necessary equipment and a set of sermons. “I know Satan didn’t want me to do this,” Freed says of the pre-trip mishaps. “First I had an accident on a bus and banged up my face. Then I had a mini stroke, but was stabilized with medication. I was determined to go.” Once there, the Lord began to work and, one by one, the hurdles were removed. Her Caracas hotel room was adjusted to accommodate her wheelchair. “The members of the Propatria church built a ramp so I could get into the building and made other changes,” she explained. “It was good because I really don’t have a comfort zone. Every place is different, and we’re always needing to make adjustments.” During the meetings things began to go wrong; one night the projector wouldn’t cooperate. “I just laughed at the devil and went right ahead preaching,” Freed says. “If I can do it, others can too.” Summarizing the experience, she says, “The people were absolutely phenomenal. I left a big chunk of my heart in Venezuela.” In 2004, over 900 lay members conducted evangelistic meetings around the world. More than 1,000 are needed for this year’s meetings. For more information, visit www.global-evangelism.org.—Elwyn Platner APRIL 2005

Photography: Richard Herard

Louvenia Anderson ❉ Youth Fitness Trainer Louvenia Anderson’s heart sank when her 165-pound, 12-year-old cousin asked her, “What happens to obese children when they have too much fat around their heart?” Recognizing a great need, Anderson sprang into action. “I went back to school to become a personal trainer for children,” she says. “I am now a certified personal trainer as well as an aquatic aerobics instructor.” But this Allegheny East Conference member didn’t stop there; last May she opened Totally You: Weight Management for Youth—a ministry targeting overweight/obese children ages 5-15. Based at the Miracle Temple Worship Center and Ministry Complex in Baltimore, Md. (where she is a member), the program is designed to show children, and their families, how to make healthy decisions. “This is an excellent opportunity to address a vital community need that often goes unnoticed,” says Miracle Temple Pastor Fredrick Russell. There are eight children enrolled in the current program, with the majority coming from the community. Anderson describes Totally You as a seven-week mentoring and counseling program that focuses on participants’ social, educational, psychological, spiritual, and physical well-being. Classes meet three times a week and cover weight management, nutrition, etiquette, hip hop aerobics, and karate. “These classes build stamina, discipline, self-esteem, and confidence,” says Anderson. There’s also a weight room at the church, grocery and health food store tours, and more. Anderson knows that obese children go through bouts of depression, emotional pain, loneliness, low-self esteem, feelings of isolation, or just being ignored because of their weight problem. “We have social workers on staff to do either group or individual assessments to combat those issues,” she continues. Another way Anderson works to encourage the participants is by focusing on girth measurement, rather than weight. “We only measure inches,” explains Anderson. “By showing a child how much they’ve lost in inches, it makes them excited and they can see a physical change. This gives the child something to be proud of and a sense of accomplishment.” Once the seven weeks are over, participants return to the center for weekly exercises and to meet with their social worker. Obesity can be attributed to genetics, environment, or lack of exercise. Experts say that 10.4 percent of children ages 2-5 are overweight, as are 15.3 percent of children ages 6-11, and 15.5 percent of children ages 12-19. This increase in obesity has skyrocketed over the last 20 years. Statistics also show that being obese as a youth can lead to adult obesity and increase health problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, cancer, hypertension, and respiratory disorders. Baltimore community leaders have acknowledged the outreach efforts of Totally You, and recently presented Anderson with the 2005 Martin Luther King Jr., Community Service Award. For more information on Totally You, visit www.Totallyou.com or call (410) 254-1555.—George Johnson

APRIL 2005

Richard and Cornelia Geer Dedicated Volunteers “Get involved; bite the bullet for God and your fellow man,” is the rallying cry of Adventist Community Services (ACS) Disaster Response volunteers Richard and Cornelia (Connie) Geer. After taking disaster response training courses in 2004, the retired Chesapeake Conference couple assisted at an ACS center for West Virginia flood victims. Then, with one day’s notice, they were off to a distribution center near Pittsburgh, Pa., to assist victims of Hurricane Ivan. Located in a vacant J.C. Penney’s store, volunteers collected and disseminated nonperishable food, cleaning supplies, clothing, furniture, bedding, toys, small appliances, and other household goods for 45 days. The Geers, who volunteered 10 of those days, felt the stress of working 12-hour days was worth it. “We distributed about 1,000 items to nearly 75 people per day,” reports Richard. Connie acted as floor manager, supervising the 15 to 30 daily volunteers. Richard managed the center, maintained client records, collected donations, and distributed goods. The couple’s reward was hearing people say, “I can’t believe you came from Delaware to help us!” The Geer’s volunteer spirit also extends beyond ACS. Richard tutors and teaches at Wilmington Jr. Academy, while Connie assists at their West Wilmington church’s clothing distribution center. —Pecita Lonewolf

Grayce Zimmett ❉ Music Minister When I first saw Grayce Zimmett making her way to the dining hall at a women’s retreat, I had no idea she could make a piano sing. But later, at the worship service, as I strained my neck to see who was tearing up “I Go the Rock,” on the baby grand, I recognized her face. Though in her 70s, there she was, tinkling the ivories for Jesus, with her curly, auburn locks keeping time. Zimmett, a pianist, organist, composer, director, arranger, music teacher, and member of Allegheny East’s North Philadelphia church, grew up in Camden, N.J. “Even when I was very young,” says the 1953 Oakwood College graduate, who also has a doctorate in music education, “people used to come to my house so I could teach them to play.” Teach them she did, and teach them she still does. After more than 60 years, Zimmett is still giving piano lessons. In addition, for over 40 years she’s been the pianist and choir director at her church and travels with a group called Grayce Unlimited! Zimmett is also very involved in prison ministries, and every Thursday, you can find her at the nearby senior center playing the piano and leading a choir. “She’s a very spirit-filled person, and when you meet her, she’s not a stranger. It’s like you’ve known her all the time,” says longtime friend Romel Coulibaly, also a North Philly member. Why is Zimmett still using music to make a difference? Because “teaching is my profession, but

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Madelynn Witkus ❉ Child Philanthropist Thanks to her parents, 7-year-old Madelynn Witkus has become quite mission minded. Chris and Bobbie Jean have always encouraged Witkus to share with the less fortunate. And Christmas 2004 presented an excellent opportunity. Each year the Pennsylvania Conference’s Hamburg Community Seventh-day Adventist Church chooses several ADRA International (Adventist Development and Relief Agency) mission projects to support during Christmas. These projects cover a wide variety of needs and include an equally wide financial range to fit everyone’s pocketbook. Witkus and her little sister Kylie listened carefully as their mother read the list of 2004 projects. Her sibling decided to give five dollars to purchase a warm blanket for a disaster survivor. Witkus was undecided, until she heard that children in Tunisia needed wheelchairs. Her mind was made up! She would give her money to buy a

wheelchair so that a disabled child in Tunisia could go to school. The cost of a wheelchair was $160. After counting all of the money in her piggy bank, she only had $10.75. Hardly discouraged, Witkus said to her mom, “Let’s ask our neighbors to help.” They went doorto-door, but still fell short of the full amount. Witkus gladly gave her Christmas money and even asked cousins to donate some of their piggy bank funds. “Maybe if I send messages to other people, they will send messages back with money,” Witkus said, determined to raise $160. She painstakingly wrote her request and gave it to her mom (who included her own note and a return envelope) to photocopy and mail. The little girl prayed that the message would touch someone’s heart so that a disabled child could get a wheelchair. When money-filled envelopes began to arrive, so did her excitement. The funds grew to $323.13—enough for two wheelchairs! With a heart full of joy, Witkus remembered to thank Jesus for the money. Then she and her mom sent thank you notes to the generous friends and relatives. That Sabbath was a happy one for Witkus. She placed her money in a special offering envelope and hung it with the others on the ADRA Mission Projects tree at church. Hamburg’s total ADRA Christmas offering was nearly $13,000, which is being used to finance various projects. Witkus, however, is looking forward to going to heaven. She can’t wait to meet two Tunisian children who were able to attend school using the wheelchairs she helped provide.—Edith Galambos

APRIL 2005

Erwin Mack ❉ Community Advocate When Erwin Mack left Seventh-day Adventist denominational employment 23 years ago to purchase a mattress shop near his Takoma Park, Md., home, he had no idea he’d become a community advocate, spokesperson, and developer. But shortly after a local banker asked the former schoolteacher, principal, and General Conference departmental director to help set up a business association, that’s exactly what happened. Invited to serve as the first president, Mack convinced 158 businesses to join and organized the group into Maryland’s largest commercial district management authority. Because of their location at the crossroads of two major roadways, two multicultural cities, and two counties, the association was called Takoma/Langley Crossroads Development Authority, Inc. Mack, the only Adventist member, served as president for 13 years and now serves as executive director. Mack has tirelessly led the group through a number of significant accomplishments: To fight crime, they secured state funding and got city police to open a satellite station in the community. To address issues of public safety and transportation, they got the governor to commission a taskforce, which continues to meet. To

find ways to increase pedestrian safety at bus stops and street crossings, they united community, police, faith, and education leaders in a think tank. His efforts have not gone unnoticed. Because of his dedicated leadership, Mack has been appointed by county and state officials to serve on several committees and commissions, including one that’s working with Washington Adventist Hospital to address the issue of public inebriation, and one that holds public hearings for citizens with grievances against attorneys. In February, Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele publicly acknowledged Mack for his work. In addition, he’s been asked to work with the Maryland Downtown Development Authority, a state board that helps municipalities find ways to revitalize. What does this Sligo church elder, elementary school board member, Model T Ford collector, and sometime repairman do in his spare time? He’s chairing the newly formed Adventist Community Action Council, which works to identify and address community needs. “Retired people should not retire,” he says, explaining why he’s still so involved in community affairs. “As I always tell people, ‘I am not a pest; I am responsibly persistent.’”—Celeste Ryan

EALING MINISTR A

NEWSLETTER ABOUT ADVENTIST

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The Horizon of Hope

onfused and bewildered by his sudden and terrible calamities, Job listens to his “friends’” explanations for his plight. He responds by defending his integrity but not before expounding on the might and majesty of God. In the middle of the statement about who God is and how powerful He is, Job says, “He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters for a boundary between light and darkness” (Job 26:10, NIV). What does it mean to mark out the horizon? I love to look out over the ocean as the light plays on the waves, and they crash onto the beach. Most of all, I enjoy seeing the sun set on a distant horizon— one of life’s most consistent and satisfying experiences. From our perspective, on planet earth, it does seem as if the sun “goes down” into the darkness of the horizon, as it disappears from view. Actually, the earth’s orbiting causes it to look that way. Job is not a man of science, so his statement is not scientific. It’s the statement of a man whose viewpoint has been shaped by his recent troubles and life’s constants. Those constants include the rising and setting of the sun and a distant horizon that stretches like a boundary line between the light of the day and the darkness of the night. Job believes that even if everything else in the world is turned upside down, threatened or destroyed, the distant horizon remains unchanged and certain. And in that certainty there is hope. Job’s story asks us to believe the impossible—that Job (who represents any man) will continue to believe and trust God in spite of the worst imaginable circumstances. How can he continue to believe? How can he not “curse God and die,” as his wife suggests? Peace in Life’s Constants Job’s answer is in the horizon—the one thing that has not changed in all of his existence. He knows that darkness will come with the night, but that light will return with the sun. Regardless of what happens to him, the horizon remains steadfast and stable. His hope is founded on the one thing that is even more

He holds the very world in His care and has fixed the horizon between light and darkness, forever.

certain than his troubles. He takes hope in knowing that this boundary never wavers and that the One who marked the arc of its horizon is God. Everyday, in healthcare and Adventist hospitals, we see things that are not easy to understand. We have experiences and face circumstances that test our beliefs and challenge our values. In the world around us we see problems that seem unsolvable, natural disasters, calamities, wars, and senseless conflict. But we can also see the horizon. We can watch the sunset and feel the darkness close around us and know that the light will return in the morning— because the darkness knows its boundaries. And we have faith that the One who set those boundaries is also mindful of us. He regards us as His children. He holds the very world in His care and has fixed the horizon between light and darkness, forever. William G. “Bill” Robertson is president and CEO of Adventist HealthCare.

APRIL 2005

HEALING MINISTRY

Adventist HealthCare Grows Ray Tetz

dventist HealthCare (AHC) is being reshaped by growth, change, and challenges in virtually all of the hospitals, centers, and services in its unique system. In particular, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland, Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health Center, and Adventist Home Health are charting a continual course of services throughout the Mid-Atlantic States. Through careful stewardship of resources, innovative leadership, and the dedicated service of a 6,500-plus workforce, these entities are meeting needs and enhancing lives. Here’s an overview:

Left to right: Barbara Kallish, Marshall R. Ackerman, Janet Lawless, Joanne Genevish, and Kathy Senger have served at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital since it was founded in 1979.

Shady Grove Celebrates 25 Years In late 2004, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital (SGAH) celebrated its 25th anniversary. Over the years, the once country hospital has become a vitally important medical center for one of the fastest growing areas in the United States. SGAH President Deborah Yancer (pictured left) notes, “It is truly amazing to contemplate how our 24

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hospital has grown in just 25 years. We have transformed from a small hospital in the midst of farm fields, to a 281-bed facility that serves as a primary healthcare resource for 250,000 people. Last year, we treated more than 85,000 emergency patients and delivered more than 4,500 babies!” As the surrounding community continues to grow, so does the hospital. A plan for a dramatic expansion of SGAH has been developed and is being pursued through the approval and funding process.

Hackettstown Gets a New Wing Founded in 1973, Hackettstown Community Hospital recently gained a new west wing and a new name. Now called Hackettstown Regional Medical Center (HRMC), the Hackettstown, N.J., facility is undergoing a dramatic expansion and renovation effort. New or expanded facilities include the Intensive Care Unit, Operating Room, Same Day Surgery Center, and Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology Department. The Maternal/Child Services and the Medical Surgical areas will also be expanded. Construction of a 50,000 sq. ft. four-floor Medical Services Building to the rear of HRMC is well under way. The first floor will be home to the hospital’s new $6 million Cancer Center, which will include a Linear Accelerator as well as an MRI unit. The new Cancer Center, tentatively scheduled to open in early 2005, will provide a full range of radiology procedures for diagnosing cancer, such as digital mammography, as well as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and a full range of support services. HRMC has recently joined the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Network, giving it access to the expertise of one of the country’s premier cancer centers. “The future of healthcare for Hackettstown Regional Medical Center is a new and exciting concept of a regional medical center without walls,” says Gene Milton, president of HRMC (pictured above). “Our future will be built around developing relationships with the best healthcare providers of services that we do not provide on our campus. This will bring high level, cutting edge technology and proce-

HEALING MINISTRY

and Expands

Kessler Rehabilitation Hospital became Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital in 2004. dures to our patients without the high cost of having everything on our campus.”

Adventist Rehab Joins the Family The newest member of the Adventist HealthCare (AHC) family is Adventist Rehabilitation Hospital of Maryland (ARHM). Previously co-owned by another company, ARHM became a fully owned AHC hospital in 2004, marking the transition with an appropriate name change. The Hospital was opened in 2000 as the first and only center of its kind in Montgomery County, Maryland. Serving the greater Washington, D.C., area, with locations adjacent to Shady Grove Adventist Hospital and within Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, Md., ARHM combines nationally recognized expertise in rehabilitation, with Adventist HealthCare’s outstanding, community-based medical care.

Potomac Ridge Fills the Gap Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health Center, which joined Adventist HealthCare in 1999, is the largest provider of mental health services in Montgomery County. It operates an 87-bed, acute psychiatric

and dual diagnosis (psychiatric and substance abuse) treatment facility in Rockville, along with an 83-bed residential treatment center for adolescents and various outpatient services. Potomac Ridge also provides outpatient chemical dependency services for adolescents and adults and operates a partial hospital program for adolescents. President Craig Juengling (pictured below, left) is passionate about serving hurting adolescents: “I simply can’t imagine a mission more significant than saving the life of a child who wants to take their life. The Children’s Unit at Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health is the only one of its kind in the Maryland area. It will save lives and make a difference to the families and children we serve.”

Adventist Home Health Values Healing A unique division of Adventist HealthCare, Adventist Home Health is meeting the growing needs for homecare through nurses, therapists, and social workers. Working closely with physicians, patients, and families, Adventist Home Health responds to the pressure on hospitals and nursing homes to quickly move patients through their facilities and return them to their homes and families. Being in a familiar, comforting environment with family and friends actually lifts spirits and quickens recovery. “We focus on meeting the patient needs in a manner that values dignity and spiritual worth,” states Keith Ballenger, Adventist Home Health vice president. “We are very proud of our faith-based heritage and consider it a privilege to care for those patients who have invited us into their homes.” “As our communities change, so will Adventist HealthCare,” says President Bill Robertson (pictured above). “Being a faith-based, Adventist-sponsored organization is the gift we share with our communities. The changes that are reshaping Adventist HealthCare indicate that we will continue to be a resource for health and healing throughout our region.” Ray Tetz serves as a communication consultant for Adventist HealthCare. APRIL 2005

HEALING MINISTRY—NEWS Washington Adventist Hospital Names New President Adventist HealthCare (AHC) recently announced the appointment of Jere Stocks as president of Washington Adventist Hospital (WAH) in Takoma Park, Md. Stocks was previously chief operating officer (COO) at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Neb. “Jere is a talented, effective executive, and we are very pleased that he is joining the Adventist HealthCare team,” said AHC President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) William G. Robertson. “Washington Adventist Hospital has served our community for nearly 100 years, and we are excited as he arrives to head up the already strong leadership team.” Stocks brings more than 20 years of healthcare experience. His background includes serving as COO with two different healthcare institutions, managing a physician billing and practice management service, serving as director of strategic planning at Lakeland Regional Health System in St. Joseph, Mich., and serving as a senior manager in the national healthcare consulting practice of KPMG (Klynveld, Peat, Marwick, and Goerdeler). He received his bachelor’s degree from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich., and earned an MBA from Loyola University in Chicago, Ill.

Economic Development. Robertson was recognized for “superior leadership, drive, and commitment” as chairperson of the Maryland Healthcare Workforce Initiative. The workforce system, according to Robertson, focuses on “training, recruiting, and working more successfully in establishing solid careers for job seekers and meeting the healthcare community’s workforce needs.” Shady Grove Adventist Hospital’s patient registrar, Valicia Gordon, received the Participant of the Year Award by the Workforce Investment Board for “overcoming the odds.” Her determination, commitment, and “can-do” attitude have been the driving force behind her success. The determined, single mother of three daughters—ranging from 18 years old to 17 months—has worked at Shady Grove since January 2004 and hopes to begin surgical technician certification courses at Montgomery College soon. The mission of the Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board is to ensure that Montgomery County has a wellprepared, educated, trained, and adaptable workforce to meet the current and future needs of businesses in Montgomery County.

Shady Grove Showcases Disaster Preparedness A Maryland state delegation, including Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary S. Anthony McCann, recently visited

President and Registrar Recognized by County The Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board recently recognized two Adventist HealthCare individuals for their work and accomplishments in supporting workforce initiatives. AHC President and CEO Bill Robertson received the Leadership Award from this business-led advisory group for the county’s Department of 26

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A special decontamination tent was set up outside of Shady Grove’s Emergency Department.

Left to right: Peter Monge, president and CEO of Montgomery General Hospital; Anthony McCann, secretary of Maryland Dept. of Health; Deborah A. Yancer, Shady Grove president; and Bill Robertson, CEO of Adventist HealthCare were present during the event. Shady Grove Adventist Hospital (SGAH). Their purpose was to view disaster preparedness materials and equipment that were purchased by the Montgomery County HealthCare Collaborative on Emergency Preparedness (MOCO). Representatives from other County hospitals, including Montgomery General, Suburban, Holy Cross, and Washington Adventist were also present. The delegation walked through a decontamination tent, which was set up outside of the emergency department, and were shown examples of disaster products and equipment. The next stop was the incident command center, where they learned about the steps taken to centralize and organize response to a Montgomery County disaster. “We hope that today’s visit will lead to continued collaboration between state officials and local hospitals as we work to prepare for a possible disaster,” noted Susan Glover, vice president and chief quality officer for Adventist Healthcare and MOCO chair. According to Shady Grove Adventist Hospital President Deborah Yancer, “This visit provided an opportunity for Shady Grove to showcase the important efforts that we have made to prepare for a possible community disaster.”—Marisa Lavine

APRIL 2005

Church of the Oranges’ Youth Lauded by Mayor he Adventist Youth (AY) Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of the Oranges, in northern New Jersey, desired to have its young people experience Christianity in a practical and profound way. But they struggled to develop an innovative mechanism for presenting spiritual and social activities. They soon discovered, however, that ministry does have its rewards. During a Wednesday night “Nitro” (youth rap) session, the young people—Adventist Youth with Purpose (AYP)— developed a plan for community outreach, which they launched in mid-January. On the appointed Sabbath, 45 of them arrived at the Lincoln Hotel—a homeless shelter—armed with food and hygienic products, ready to minister to the destitute and rejected residents. They rotated responsibilities; while some served food, others distributed tracts or gift bags containing soap, deodorant, toothpaste, and lotion. The mayor of Orange, Mims Hackett, was so impressed with this ministry that he rewarded the AYP with 41 tickets (each valued at $100) to two New Jersey Nets basketball games. He also came to the church for a photo op with the youth and released the photos to the local paper. He was truly excited about the outreach effort and expressed an interest in working with the youth in the future. Pastor Paula Olivier; William Charles, an elder; and Marthe Leveille, the AY leader are enthusiastic about the impact of the ministry on the youth. They are planning to diversify this outreach program, which will take place on the third Sabbath of Adventist Youth with Purpose pose with Mayor Mims Hackett from Orange, N.J. each month.—Trevolyn Sullivan

Breath of Life Vows to Address Community Problems embers at the Breath of Life Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fort Washington, Md., recently commemorated Black History Month with a special service that garnered a large feature in the Sunday Washington Post. Their goal was to bring attention to the “health crisis and high levels of violence” plaguing their predominantly black Prince George’s County and discuss ways to make a difference. Though Pathfinders and many members are already engaged in a number of service projects, the congregation wants to have a greater impact on the community. “It is not enough to pray for an end to the serious crime problem in our county,” church leaders wrote

Pastor Marcus Harris leads Breath of Life members in prayer during a special service where members vowed to address community violence. Photo by Debora Palmer.

in a press release. “The time has come to take positive steps of prevention.” As a first step, the new pastor—Marcus Harris—has asked retired law enforcement officers who are members, to work together to strengthen links between residents, police, and community organizations. “We’re trying to build relations with community organizations and see how we can be a bridge,” Harris told a Post reporter. “We see our faith as an added tool and avenue for help.”—Rocky Twyman

Trained in Disaster Response? We are assembling a database of trained individuals in the Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., areas, and we need you! If you are a member of the Allegheny East Conference who’s had Disaster Response Training within the past three years, please contact the Adventist Community Services Department secretary at (800) 830-0224, ext. 206, or via e-mail at tellis@myalleghenyeast.com. APRIL 2005

No Time to Fall

n May 29, Pine Forge Academy will graduate another class of seniors. In this charge, President Jessica T. Johnson shares a few words of wisdom with her classmates:

Dear Class of 2005, The saying goes, “There’s many a slip between a cup and the lip.” Keep these words in mind as we approach this last lap. Yes, we’re close, but there’s plenty of time to fall through the cracks. Class of 2005, we’ve lost some; we’ve gained some; and we’ve been through the good, the bad, and the ugly; but we have survived. Now our tomorrows rest completely in our hands. No longer can we blame our bouts of carelessness on the folly of youth and hide behind the bliss of ignorance. Consider the truism, “To whom much is given, much is required.” The legacy we have yet to leave depends on how diligently we build now. While the path ahead may appear nebulous, we have been predisposed to a Power that exceeds the bounds of our best attempt at any goal we ever endeavor to accomplish. In other words, “We may not know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future!” So as the pressure to succeed intensifies with every passing day, know that hope exists beyond the graduation ceremony. As we advance to the next “mark of maturity,” don’t forget to remember Christ—the Chief Cornerstone. Jessica T. Johnson President, Class of 2005

Upcoming Events April April 3

Kenlyn Designs Benefit Fund-Raiser Fashion Show and Dinner, Philadelphia

April 9

PFA Choir, Sharon Temple, Wilmington, Del.

April 17-23 Week of Prayer Speaker: Emil Peeler

April 24

Junior/Senior Banquet

May May May May May

2 13 14 27–29

Academy Day Creative Arts Year-end Program PFA Choir Year-end Program Graduation Weekend

Allegheny East Conference PO Box 266, Pine Forge, PA 19548 ■ Phone: (610) 326-4610 www.myalleghenyeast.com ■ President, Charles L. Cheatham Communication Director, Robert Booker Pine Forge Academy (800) 390-9529 ■ www.pineforgeacademy.org e-mail: pfa@pineforgeacademy.org ■ Headmaster, Cynthia Poole-Gibson ■ Principal, Shelly Weeks Channel

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APRIL 2005

Pittsburgh Gets New Church Plant llegheny West Conference (AWC) administration “caught the vision” and saw the great need for a church plant in Pittsburgh, Pa. Although this large metropolitan area ranks twenty-first in the country, there were only two AWC churches there, until recently. That’s when Allegheny East Conference Evangelist Gene M. Donaldson, along with AWC pastors Allen Baldwin and Jeffrey Baskin, from the Ethnan Temple and Hillcrest churches, held a Revelation Seminar in Pittsburgh’s North Side. Members of both congregations formed a united coalition to distribute literature, transport visitors, prepare meals, sponsor children’s ministries, and park and secure vehicles. They also assisted Bible workers Delores Ruff, George Howard, John Wynn, and Mae Williams in visiting homes in One of 20 new members is baptized the community. into the new Pittsburgh church plant. During the four-and-a-half-week event, Donaldson did a masterful job preaching powerful, pointed messages. When all was said and done, the Lord delivered 20 precious souls to be the nucleus of a new congregation. Pastor Etta Calvert, a former assistant pastor of a Pittsburgh A.M.E. Church proclaimed, “It was the love that I felt and received each night that made all the difference!” Members from both churches were chosen as a support team to nurture the new believers. Ernest Young, who served as a professor at Andrews Pastor Gene Donaldson hosted the University for 11 years, was recently installed as pastor. Revelation seminar.

YWCA Honors Ephesus Member alerie Lee, Ph.D., a member of the Ephesus church, will be honored at the YWCA Columbus Women of Achievement Award Luncheon April 13. Since 1986 the YWCA has recognized 179 outstanding community women who have made extraordinary contributions to their families, communities, charities, and businesses. Dr. Lee has achieved many “firsts” in her career. Currently she is a professor and chair of the English Department, and former chair of the Women’s Studies Department, at Ohio State University. She is

the first woman and African-American chair of the Department of English. In addition, she was the first African-American in the English Department promoted to full professor. At Denison University, in Granville, Ohio, Dr. Lee was the first African-American woman to earn tenure and become a full professor. Her most recent book is titled Granny Midwives and Black American Writers. The Anthology of African-American Women’s Literature is her forthcoming book. The Oakwood College Alumni Association recently named her and attorney husband James Lee “Parents of the Year.” The couple currently has four children at Oakwood: daughters Erica and Jessica and twin sons Adam and Andrew. In addition to faithfully serving Ephesus in numerous departments, Dr. Lee is the recipient of many community service awards.—Lori Diaz

APRIL 2005

Central Member Saves 312 Lives am Martin (pictured) has been a deacon at Columbus’ Central church for 20 years. For 17 of those years he has been an American Red Cross blood donor. Because of his faithfulness and dedication, Martin received the Charles Drew gold collectors pin during a recent church ceremony. He was honored for having made notable contributions to the community. According to the Red Cross, one pint of blood can save three lives. In the course of 17 years of donating, it is estimated that Martin has preserved 312 lives. What a wonderful testimony of serving God and his fellow man! He started giving blood during his mother’s illness and has been giving ever since. Lets pray for him as he continues to contribute to saving lives.—Kim S. Lee

God Reveals Himself in West Cleveland hat would it take to motivate a predominately Catholic community to attend a three-night-perweek, seven-week-long Revelation Seminar? Aside from a great deal of prayer, faith, hard work, planning, and strategy, it takes the power of God manifested in His people. Such was the case recently when R.C. Lewis presented this series at the Carl F. Shuler Middle School, in West Cleveland, Ohio. Pastor Luke Robinson and Elder Danny Milton headed an able team of workers and volunteers. The work preceding a Revelation Seminar is crucial to its success. The initial door-to-door contact, and subsequent weekly follow-up, allows the Bible instructor to establish a solid relationship with neighborhood families. Zip code mailings and radio advertising are

A Revelation Seminar yielded 32 baptisms and the formation of the new West Cleveland church. 30

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also essential elements. Lastly, it helps tremendously to have a great teacher, preacher, and presenter! With several hundred community Bible studies in progress, the first night yielded almost 100 participants! Average attendance ranged Luke Robinson from 40 to 50. The audience was attentive and responsive to the bold and energetic teaching (and preaching) of Lewis. The students looked forward to nightly quizzes, with the majority completing their lessons. The three Bible instructors handled registration, the distribution of lessons, home visitations, and transportation. Food distribution and counseling services were also available. God’s power was revealed as 32 individuals were baptized at the Southeast church. Their new birth resulted in the formation of the West Cleveland Seventh-day Adventist Fellowship. Under the able leadership of Pastor Robinson, they are currently worshipping at a nearby Lutheran church. Our prayer is that God will continue to reveal Himself through His people, for His glory and honor! Catch the Vision is published in the Visitor by the Allegheny West Conference 1339 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43205 Phone: (614) 252-5271 ■ President, James L. Lewis Editor, Robert C. Lewis ■ www.awconf.org

APRIL 2005

Our Greatest Assets hile looking over the conference financial statement for the past fiscal year and thinking about our assets and liabilities, I was so thankful for our blessings as a conference. Then, my thoughts turned in other directions. What really are the assets of our conference? Are they the church and school facilities, the conference office, the youth camp, the accounts receivables, or the investments and savings accounts? Or are our greatest assets you—the people of Chesapeake? Again, I was thankful for the blessings. Then I wondered: Are we managing our assets carefully and using them effectively? My thoughts then turned to our spiritual experience and the tremendous assets we have at our disposal. Christians fail many times, not because they do not try, but because they do not make use of their assets. As one author put it: “The Christian life is not difficult, it is impossible. Only Christ can live it!” That is the essence of the Christian faith; that Christ literally lives within us—working in and through us to accomplish God’s will. I remember the story about the great protestant reformer Martin Luther. A knock came at Luther’s door one day and before opening the door, Luther inquired as to who might be knocking. “Does Martin Luther live here?” the man at the door asked gruffly. Luther responded with keen theological insight that seemingly passed right over the inquirer’s head. “No,” said Luther, “He died. Christ Jesus lives here now!” As Luther was quick to attest, God does not leave us to our own devices to attain righteousness. In Christ, God has provided all we need to be everything He requires! The wise person, recognizing his or her own inadequacy, enjoys confidence in the sufficiency of God’s grace in Christ and by faith draws upon that supply continually. Christian growth is a matter of learning the necessity of dependence upon Christ within. And the very first step in drawing upon the resources is to recognize that they are actually available. As the apostle said, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord J. Neville Harcombe President Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings … in Christ (Eph. 1:3).

NEWS Three Clubs Advance in Pathfinder Bible Achievement

Wilmington Students Raise Funds for Tsunami Survivors

Of the 16 Pathfinder clubs participating in the Area Level PBAs (Pathfinder Bible Achievement) in early February, 10 clubs advanced to the Conference Level competition held at the Atholton church on February 26. The Atholton Crusaders, Spencerville Polar Bears, and Triadelphia Sparks all received scores in the 1st Place range and will represent Chesapeake at the Union Level PBA in Williamsport, Md., early this month. Clubs scoring again at the 1st Place level will then proceed to the North American Division finals at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich., April 16.

Students at Wilmington Junior Academy (WJA) participate monthly in some type of a community service project. In January they turned their attention to helping with the tsunami relief effort. Their assistance came in the form of several fund-raising projects. They made personal contributions, paid $5 each to participate in a “dress-down day” and leave their school uniforms at home, and stood in bitterly cold weather in front of area businesses to solicit funds from customers. Even the local cable channel sent a camera crew to cover the story for the evening news. WJA students collected nearly $1,000 in support and shared a report on what ADRA International was doing to help the tragedy-stricken region affected by the tsunami.

Meet Me in St. Louis? The Linthicum church is once again organizing a trip to the General Conference Session in St. Louis, Mo., July 5-10. The $450 cost includes travel on a custom motor coach, motel accommodations (double occupancy) en route, and daily transportation to the convention center. The bus will depart from, and return to, the Chesapeake Conference office. Contact Michele Engels at (410) 768-1916 or LaVonne Warner at (410) 789-0989.

APRIL 2005

Chesapeake Leaders Share Insights With Venezuelan Leaders eville Harcombe, Ramon Chow, and Eduardo Munoz, Chesapeake’s president, treasurer, and associate treasurer, respectively, recently spent the weekend with 75 church leaders in the South Central Venezuelan Mission. At the invitation of Mission President Orlando Rosales, they presented workshops on stewardship, the work of the local church treasurer, and church leadership. Rosales, who served as the featured speaker for the first Chesapeake Conference Spanish Camp Meeting last summer, pleaded with the leadership: “Come to Venezuela and help us.” The Mission, while recently reorganized, has 53 churches and slightly more than 12,000 members. Chesapeake has 57 churches and slightly less than 12,000 members.

Attendees at the leadership retreat for the South Central Venezuelan Mission met with visiting Chesapeake leaders (front row, left to right) Eduardo Munoz, Ramon Chow, and Neville Harcombe.

Treasurers Build and Baptize in Peru

ow do you build and fill a church in one week? Here is a simple recipe that is guaranteed to work:

Take one union treasurer Add treasurers from the Allegheny East, Chesapeake, New Jersey, and Ohio conferences ■ Blend in lay members from around the Columbia Union and several members of Maranatha International ■ Sprinkle in a host of local church members; work them hard by day doing construction and again each evening doing evangelism ■ Bake in a hot, humid climate for one week The result is a new, 120-seat church and a congregation that nearly fills it. As part of the Columbia Union’s Missions Abroad initiative, local conference treasurers were invited to participate in the Maranatha project in Comas, Peru, in mid-February. The project location was less than an hour ■ ■

On the first Sabbath in the new church, 37 people responded to an appeal for baptism.

from the capital city of Lima and the same distance from the Adventist university where the group was housed. After working on the church site all day, the group split up to do evangelism in three different locations each evening. Nearly 50 new members were received into the new church at the end of the week of meetings, and another 37 responded to an appeal on Sabbath. Chesapeake Treasurer Ramon Chow was impressed with the quick construction process, noting that preplanning by Maranatha was the key ingredient in this successful project.

This new church in Peru was built and dedicated in one week.

VISITOR

The Challenge is published in the Visitor by the Chesapeake Conference ■ 6600 Martin Road, Columbia, MD 21044 Phone: (410) 995-1910 ■ Editor, Rob Vandeman Editorial Assistant, Barbara-Lee Boyd

APRIL 2005

Student Interns at the White House hen senior Kyle Allen left Chattanooga, Tenn., to begin his college career at Columbia Union College (CUC), he never dreamed that his experience at CUC would lead to a position in the White House itself. Allen, a junior political studies and religion double major, credits CUC with the amazing internship opportunities he has had. He was able to take both his congressional and White House internships for class credit. “I’ve had two internships during my three years here,” he says. “The summer of my junior year, I applied to work at the White House. I applied a little late, so I didn’t get it. I prayed that God would open doors. Reluctantly, I went to my congressman’s office—Zach Wamp, of the third district of Tennessee. I think the Lord wanted me to go there.” Allen’s experience in Wamp’s Capitol Hill office was positive and helped pave the way for Allen’s White House internship. “Last fall I gave the White House another shot, and my congressman’s office gave me a letter of recommendation,” he explains. “I applied, and this time I got in.” The internship, in the Office of Presidential Correspondence, lasted three months, from September to December 2004. The Office of Presidential Correspondence is the biggest in the Executive Office of the President. Within this office, Allen was assigned to the Agency Liaison Department. Allen notes that people write to the president about “anything under the sun. The most common issues are with immigration, military, veterans requesting help with their benefits, and Social Security.” One event he enjoyed during his internship was the

During his three-month internship at the White House, senior Kyle Allen (left) enjoyed working with these employees and meeting many well-known Christians.

weekly White House Christian Fellowship, where Christian White House workers lead Bible studies. These meetings are frequented by White House guests and allowed Allen to meet several well-known Christians. “I met Steven Curtis Chapman, Franklin Graham, Rebecca St. James, Lee Stroebel and other authors, and Mike Middleberg from Willow Creek Church,” he says. Another memorable moment was meeting the president. “I got to have my picture taken with the president,” Allen recounts. “I told him I was praying for him, and he thanked me.”—Elisa Rodero

Students Perform The Marriage of Figaro Opera tudents in CUC’s Performance Workshop class recently performed The Marriage of Figaro, Mozart’s comic opera, at the nearby historic Takoma Theatre. The Performance Workshop is a class taught by Professor Deborah Thurlow, of the music department. Over the years, the class has involved students learning music, from operettas, operas, and one-act musicals, in a small production on This year’s Performance Workshop campus. Every class presented The Marriage of Figaro, Mozart’s comic opera. spring, the campus community looks forward to enjoying a high-quality musical performance from these students. Thurlow was extremely excited that, this year, the students were able to present three performances of a full-scale opera. “We have a cast of 18 singers and 20 instrumentalists—largely our music majors and minors—who put in extremely long hours of rehearsal for these performances,” Thurlow said. “I am grateful to my colleague, Michael Stepniak, for training our student orchestra, and to my colleague, Ron Warren, for his hours at the piano.”—Randy Preston

APRIL 2005

Two New Employees Welcomed rofessor Teresa Timko is the newest member of the Edyth T. James Department of Nursing faculty. Timko graduated from CUC in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. In 2003, she completed her master’s in nursing at The Catholic University of America, where she is currently a doctoral candidate working on her dissertation—a historical review and documentation of parish nursing. Timko, who lives with her daughter in Hyattsville, Md., is very proud that CUC offers parish nursing certification.

ane Ogora joins the staff as assistant professor for Library Services and access services librarian. Her past job experience includes the University of New Jersey, St. Peter’s College, the New York Public Library, and the Livingston Public Library. Ogora graduated from the University of Eastern Africa in Baraton, Kenya, in 1991, majoring in English education with a minor in religion. She went on to receive her master’s at Rutgers University in 2000. Ogora and her husband Evans have two children, Masongo and Kwamboka, who attend Takoma Park’s John Nevins Andrews School.

Alumna Gives Stirring Black History Message UC opened Black History Month with a chapel program that included music and a stirring message. The presentation, entitled “Remember Moses,” was given by Rhondda Thomas, a CUC alumna and former English and journalism professor, who is currently a doctoral candidate in the Department of English at the University of Maryland. She detailed the many times that the model of Moses leading the children of Israel out of Egypt to the Promised Land has been invoked as a symbol of a people’s flight to freedom. “America became a Promised Land for one group and an Egypt for another, even though both groups saw themselves as God’s chosen people,” Thomas said. After an a cappella rendition of the song “Go Down Moses,” sung by a CUC staff member, Thomas reminded students, faculty, and staff that the needs of the community require them to remember Moses and realize that if Moses was willing to have

April

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CALENDAR

1-3 Alumni Weekend 10 Open House and Tastes of Takoma

17 Communication’s Award Banquet

18 Psi Chi (Psychology Rhondda Thomas

National Honor Society) Induction

23 Spring Sports Athletic his name blotted out of the Book of Life to save the Israelite people, “[We] can step out of [our] comfort zone and help others.” Jean Warden, vice president for Student Life and Retention, was pleased with the program. “This was wonderful—well thought out and put together. I was particularly blessed by the ending—the spiritual tie to history and how we can apply the lesson to our lives today.” —Randy Preston

Banquet

25 Final Exams 29-May 1 Graduation Weekend

Gateway is published in the Visitor by the Columbia Union College 7600 Flower Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912 Phone: (800) 835-4212 ■ www.cuc.edu Randal Wisbey, President ■ PR Director, Scott Steward

APRIL 2005

Re-Kindling the Fire! e are so dependent upon electricity. While attending a recent North American Division’s (NAD) Presidents’ Retreat at Pine Springs Ranch in southern California, the electricity went out one night. Kerosene lanterns were fired up and provided necessary light in the darkness. Well, in Bible times, people weren’t so dependent upon electricity; they used fire to provide light. In the spiritual sense, light refers to God’s truth that shines to those in darkness. Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” In Mountain View, we are endeavoring, by God’s grace, to re-kindle that fire in every believer to share the light with the world. Our five-year “Your World to Win” initiative has two aspects: On-fire Adventist believers, sharing the light, and on-fire reaping meetings transforming hearts. Our goal is a 33 percent increase in membership in five years. To launch this aggressive initiative, three Sabbath “Your World to Win” rallies have been scheduled this year: February 12 at Charleston, with NAD President Don Schneider; March 12 at Summersville, with All Power Seminar Evangelist Leo Schreven; and April 30 at Morgantown, with NAD Vice President for Evangelism Jim Gilley. These rallies will include “Faith on Fire” experiences by Mountain View believers, and testimonies about transformed lives. Rich Cavaness, evangelism coordinator, is promoting the “Soul-winning Success Cycle,” a Christ-ordained plan for successful discipling. Bob Tate, Personal Ministries director, and Larry Boggess, executive secretary, will provide training for the new “Care to Share Plan,” a simple yet effective way to share the light of Christ’s love and truth. As God’s remnant people we must adopt the following: 1. Christ’s Purpose - We are commissioned to make disciples by sharing His love and present-truth. Matt. 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15 2. Christ’s Plan - He allows us to let our light shine before all men, as we touch lives while discovering and ministering to needs. Matt. 5:14, 16; Isa. 58:6, 7; Ministry of Healing, p. 143 3. Christ’s Provision - He will fill us with power to be effective witnesses. Acts 1:8; Zech. 4:6 4. Christ’s Promise - As a fired-up believer, He will be with you to the end. Matt. 28:20; Isa. 58:8; 60:3; Eze. 37:10 5. Christ’s Plea - Our Savior pleads with us to “arise, shine, for your light has come, and Kingsley Whitsett the glory of the Lord has risen upon you” (Isa. 60:1, NIV); Rom. 13:11-12 President Isn’t it time to re-kindle that fire and shine for Jesus?

Weston Evangelism Sparks Growth ituated at the crossroads of two major highways is Weston, a town with two hospitals, many businesses, and no Adventist church. So the neighboring Buckhannon and Glenville churches teamed up to sponsor an Amazing Facts evangelistic series at the Weston middle school. About 95 residents came on opening night to hear Evangelist Jason Morgan launch his “Prophecy Now” series. Despite bad weather and competing ball games, audience retention was good. Although the preaching of unpopular testing truths caused attendance to decline, those who remained were fervently loyal. Interest intensified and the series culminated with 10 baptisms and one profession of faith. During testimonies at Buckhannon, a number of newly baptized members said they’d heard limited Bible truth all their lives in various mainstream churches. But for the first time they received answers to their questions along with a clear, convincing, and well-supported explanation of many practical and prophetic Bible themes.

Pastor Rick Cutright (left), Pastor Brian Jones (right), and Evangelist Jason Morgan (kneeling right) pose with newly baptized members.

APRIL 2005

Becoming a New Creation hen Brandon Smith heard of the changes in the life of his friend John Weaver, he reached out to him. The news of Weaver’s conversion and newfound life of sober living came at a time when Smith was also searching for peace and meaning in his life. Smith and Weaver had often gotten together to experience the illusoroy pleasures of alcohol and drugs. But now in his phone conversations with Weaver, who lived several states away, Smith could tell that a radical change for the better had taken place. Weaver, a new Adventist, had been led to Christ by his older brother Eric only weeks before. Recognizing the unmistakable change in Weaver’s life, Smith told him, “I want the same kind of experience.” After his baptism in Arkansas, Weaver moved back to his home state of West Virginia and started attending the Spencer church. He invited Smith to spend time with him learning the Bible truths that had so vitally transformed his life. Smith joyfully accepted the offer and immediately started learning about the Bible. Already familiar with some

“generic” views of Christianity, Smith had never learned of the keys to victory through faith in God, the prophetic truths that give definition and direction to life, or the joys of a personal fellowship with Christ. Smith committed his life to Christ and began attending church and prayer meeting. His studies with Weaver were supplemented by several intensive sessions with the local pastor. Under the Holy Spirit’s power, Smith made rapid progress. The chains of addiction were replaced by the cords of love that now bind him to Christ and a life of active devotion to His cause. Smith’s mother is recovering from a serious illness. Since his baptism he has returned home to care for her. Smith is now equipped to help her both physically and spiritually. She too is now interested in the truths that have made so vital a difference in her son’s life. Of special note was the baptism of Charles Starcher, on the same day as Smith’s. Starcher has become very active in the Spencer church, helping with the radio station, general church upkeep, and

as a greeter with his wife Annabelle, who also recently became a member.—Communication Department

Charles Starcher (left) seals his decision for the Lord in the waters of baptism.

Mountain View

EVENTS April 8-10 Family Fun and Olympics Valley Vista

April 18-27 MV Mission Trip Mexico

April 30 Your World to Win Rally Morgantown

May 2 MV Executive Committee

May 9 Departmental Council

May 15-20 MV Outdoor School Canada

May 22 Board of Education

Brandon Smith (left) was baptized after witnessing the change in his friend John Weaver.

VISITOR

Mountain Viewpoint is published in the Visitor by the Mountain View Conference 1400 Liberty Street, Parkersburg, WV 26101 ■ Phone: (304) 422-4581 President, Kingsley Whitsett Editor, Brian Jones ■ www.mtviewconf.org

SpiriT MOUNT VERNON ACADEMY APRIL 2005

Our Cups Overflow he goal of a Christian is to spend eternity with Christ, the One we love. To that end, we accept His sacrifice and believe in His promises. As we contemplate and experience the love of Christ, it builds within us a desire to spread that love to others. We cannot help but ask: What can I do for my brother? The recent tsunami in southern Asia created a stir on the campus of MVA. The people living in and around the city of Mount Vernon asked themselves what they could do for their brothers and sisters suffering from the effects of the natural disaster. It was evident that the greatest need immediately after the devastation was money to help with the relief efforts. An appeal was made. No prizes or awards were given, and no recognitions or acclaim were handed out. Only a gift from the heart was accepted. As the early Christian church shared everything they had, the believers in Mount Vernon examined the blessings that God had given to each one. Student groups even removed money from class funds, helping to raise $7,315 which was used to aid ADRA International’s relief efforts. Not only do natural disasters stir our hearts, but so do the needs all around us in the local and worldwide community. Mount Vernon Academy believes in providing opportunities for Christian service wherever the need may be. Students take advantage of all kinds of opportunities to help people like praying with local residents, voluntarily shoveling driveways during snowstorms, shoveling river mud from the living rooms of homes damaged in local flooding, and shoveling paths through rocky soil in Lima, Peru, to help complete new drainage lines for the less fortunate. In doing so, the students express satisfaction at the blessings they not only have given, but have received. Tim Soper Truly our cups do overflow. May we continue to bless others with the blessings God Chaplain has given us.

Mount Vernon Academy Appoints New Principal he Mount Vernon Academy (MVA) Board of Trustees, at its January 24 meeting, voted unanimously to appoint David Daniels principal beginning with the 2005-2006 school year. This appointment comes following a decision by the current principal, Dale Twomley, to transition out of that role at the end of the current academic year. Daniels currently serves as MVA’s vice principal. He is a graduate of Columbia Union College (B.S.), and has an MBA from Franklin University. Prior to coming to MVA, Daniels served seven years at the Liberty Christian Academy in Columbus, Ohio, as teacher and college counselor, assistant principal, and then elementary and high school principal. David Daniels He also taught a

year at the Griswald Christian Academy operated by the Worthington church. During his time at MVA, Daniels has demonstrated exceptional leadership and managerial abilities, a strong commitment to the spiritual and academic interests of MVA, and a deep love for the students, faculty, and staff. In March 2001, when the school was facing a crisis of survivability, the Board of Trustees turned to Twomley to step in as interim principal. Prior to that time, he had been president and chief executive officer of Worthington Foods for 18 years. The “interim” status soon became permanent, as Twomley developed and led a major revitalization strategy for MVA. During his tenure, enrollment has doubled; over $3 million was raised and invested in remodeling and refurbishing all the campus facilities; the academic and spiritual programs have been enhanced; and the overall quality of operations has been improved. The Board of Trustees and the constituency of the Ohio Conference are deeply grateful to Twomley for the outstanding leadership he has given to MVA. Although a transition is to occur in leadership, Twomley will remain engaged in guiding the strategic future of the school in the coming years.—Raj Attiken, President, Ohio Conference

APRIL 2005

SpiriT Projects, Painting, and Backpacking in Peru s the morning of February 4 dawned bright and cold, 28 excited students and six staff members from MVA departed for Peru. After traveling countless hours on busses and airplanes, we finally arrived at the Peruvian airport in refreshingly warm Lima, Peru, around 1:30 a.m. the next day. After another bus ride, we arrived at our home for the week—Universidad Peruana Union. Our project for the week was to prime and paint a Seventh-day Adventist church about an hour away from the University. The job required taping and edging before rolling paint onto the concrete walls. We cleaned the church by sanding windows and doors and scraping paint from the floor with wire brushes. Happily we completed all of our projects. After our tasks were finished, our group separated for an excursion day—a reward for our hard work. Half of the group visited the beautiful Incan ruins at Machu Picchu while the other half went white-water Senior Brian Moore gets acquainted rafting. Both trips with some of the boys. were very successful and exciting. On Sabbath, we attended the church where we had worked all week. Seeing the smiling faces of the church members made us feel great. That afternoon, some of us visited local villages to distribute toys, candy, and trinkets to grateful children. Many were so poor they wore rags and had no shoes. Despite their living conditions, they

Karie McGill, junior, says she was touched by meeting the children of Peru.

were happy and content. It was a touching experience. This mission trip was a great experience because God used us to help others in need. Visiting a different culture, meeting the friendly people, and seeing how they live was eye opening. Many times we don’t realize how blessed we are to live in America, and we take for granted the small blessings God has given us.—Karie McGill ’06

calendar of

events

April 15-17

Academy Days

22-24

Alumni Weekend

27-May 1

Homeleave

May

Some of the 34 students and staff from Mount Vernon Academy visit with their newfound Peruvian friends. 38

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Awards Night

Mother’s Day Brunch/Spring Concert

SA Picnic and SA Elections

18-19

Senior Exams

20-25

Senior Trip

27-29

Graduation Weekend

Spirit is published in the Visitor by Mount Vernon Academy 525 Wooster Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050 ■ Phone: (740) 397-5411 ■ Principal, Dale Twomley ■ www.mvacademy.org

APRIL 2005

Following in the Footsteps he members in New Jersey are following in the footsteps of the early Christians after Pentecost. They are determined to “Turn on a Light in New Jersey.” “The ambition of the believers was to reveal the likeness of Christ’s character” (Acts of the Apostles, p. 48). And so it is with us; by abiding in Christ we will let our light shine, and thus enlarge God’s kingdom. Many with whom we meet and talk each and every day do not know what God is like; they do not know of a better way to live, a better way to be, than what they see around them. If they are surrounded on all sides with lying and cheating, and if all they learn is to take care of self—at any cost—then that is who they also become. How can these people discover there is a better path? We must reveal in our words, deeds, and love, the character of Christ, and a way of life that will lead them to peace and joy at the foot of the cross. We must let our light shine. We must daily reveal God’s image. When we can look at our brothers and sisters in the pew next to us and see only the benevolent love of God in them, as did the early Christians, and follow in their footsteps, then we LeRoy Finck President can step into our communities and “Turn on a Light” for someone else.

Camden Spanish Member Ministers to Drug Addicts fter living, for 15 years, in the darkness of drug trafficking and taking drugs, I now thank God for the changes He has made in my life. Eight years ago I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ and these have been the happiest eight years of my life. I am completely healed of my heroin and cocaine addiction. My home has been completely rebuilt and now I have a beautiful family in Jesus Christ in which I have finally found real happiness. God has been my Guide and Strength through these last eight years. He has given me the victory over many

Members of Camden Spanish church’s small group—The Remnant—offer messages of hope to those addicted to drugs.

obstacles. I always say that in Christ Jesus there is hope for all problems, and there is nothing that Christ cannot solve. Jesus offers us a better life here on earth, and an even better future—an eternal life in the Kingdom that He will establish very soon. Currently I lead a small group called The Remnant, which began in Camden, N.J., in 1998. The purpose of this group is to spread a message of hope to the city of Camden, whose streets are flooded with drugs and violence. As an addict now freed and rescued by the power of God, my commitment is to help those who are immersed in drugs by sharing with them the liberating message of Jesus Christ. It has been so good to pray with members of The Remnant. It is the only small group recognized by the state of New Jersey as a spiritual group that rescues the addicted. As an alternative to prison, many attendees are referred by the courts, and we do our best to share the message of hope with them. Many of them have come to the knowledge of God’s truth and some have been baptized. It is a blessing and a great privilege to work for the Lord Jesus through this ministry. We trust that God will keep touching the hearts of those who should come to this group, and many will be added to His Kingdom. —Juan Ramos

APRIL 2005

Sion Spanish Welcomes Miracle Member n a dark, rainy June night, around midnight, Miguel Angel Calderon was returning home from work on his bicycle. As he neared home, a car struck him from behind. While lying on the pavement, he was struck by other cars. A neighbor who observed the tragic scene, through the window of his house, called the police and ambulance. Calderon was taken to the hospital where he remained unconscious for 11 long days. One day as Calderon’s wife Luz paced nervously up and down the hospital corridors, she came upon Reyna Ramos, a hospital employee, who greeted her courteously. An avid seeker of souls for the Lord Jesus, Ramos invited Luz to find help through prayer. Every day, during her lunch and breaks, Luz could be found with her new friend, Ramos, kneeling in prayer beside Miguel’s bed. After 40 days in the hospital, Calderon was discharged. He returned for many surgeries as doctors tried to repair his eyesight, damaged by displacement of the eye sockets.

When the couple began attending Ramos’ church—Sion Spanish in Newark, N.J.—and taking Bible studies, members like Howard Campusano and his wife began to help. Ramos, personal ministries director, and her team, faithfully studied the Bible with Calderon and transported him to all the church’s programs. Though he actively participated in a spring evangelistic effort, he did not decide to surrender to the Lord. Nevertheless, the process of his physical recuperation continued, and the church kept on supporting him spiritually and materially. Last fall, another evangelism series was held. But this time, before it began, Calderon excitedly announced that he would be baptized. He is now a member of the Sion Spanish church and hopes his wife will join him. Though his sight has not been completely restored, he now looks with the eyes of the soul to his Benefactor and Savior, Jesus Christ, who through many miracles, saved his earthly life so that he might receive eternal life.—Reyna Ramos

Williamstown Members Minister to Nursing Home Residents any people find the cold, gray days of winter depressing. To bring cheer to some in their community, the Williamstown (N.J.) church’s Shining Adventurers Club, along with some adult choir members, recently embarked on a special Sabbath afternoon mission. They collected teddy Joshua Pessoa enjoyed visiting the bears and distributed them to nursing home to distribute teddy bears. residents at a nearby nursing home. “The expression on the faces of the residents and children was awesome,” says Angel Tucker, club director. “The children enjoyed sharing, singing, and bringing happiness to the residents.”

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Reyna Ramos (left) and Howard Campusano (right) rejoice with Miguel Angel Calderon after his baptism into the Sion Spanish congregation.

April 1-9

“Seven Signs” Youth Evangelism Series

ABC Open, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

8-9

Church Clerks’ Retreat

ABC Open, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Pastors’ Meeting

Finance/ABC Committee

Education Rally (Parkway South)

22-24

Women’s Spring Retreat Youth P.A.I.D. Backpacking Trip

Education Rally (Waldwick)

29-May 1 Columbia Union College Graduation Weekend New Jersey News is published in the Visitor by the New Jersey Conference 2160 Brunswick Ave., Trenton NJ 08648 Phone: (609) 392-7131 ■ President, LeRoy Finck ■ Editor, Aura Garcia www.njcsda.org

APRIL 2005

Warren Church Hosts Prayer Service for Tsunami Survivors he Warren Area Clergy Association recently sponsored a service of prayer and reflection at the Warren church for the victims and survivors of the tsunami disaster. Shelvan Arunan, pastor of the Warren church and a native of Sri Lanka, opened the service by stating, “In this time of crisis God calls His people to come together in compassion, love, and helpfulness. Thank you, each one, for your love … God will heal all of those families who are hurting in Southeast Asia.” Pastor Martin Hardy of the First United Church of Christ read Psalm 90 and stressed the shortness of our lives in comparison with God’s eternity. In reflection, The special service featured prayers and words of Pastor Steven Ritter of reflection by pastors (left to right) Shelvan Arunan, St. Paul’s Lutheran Steven Ritter, Martin Hardy, and Kelly Faulstich. Church spoke the words of his parishioners, “Oh my God! How could that be?” He closed by saying, “No matter what our faith or race, we are all God’s people!” At the conclusion of the reflection service, there was a candlelight prayer service, followed by a love offering. The offering will help Pastor Arunan’s family members who live in Sri Lanka and lost everything. Pastor Kelly Faulstich of Emmanuel Lutheran Church John and Ann Luketic, members of the Warren closed the program with prayer, petitioning God to “have mercy on church, participate in a candlelight prayer service for those affected by the Asian tsunami. us and hear our prayers.”

In Memoriam—Clarissa McCurdy larissa McCurdy, 8-year-old daughter of Pastor Jim and Becky McCurdy of the Findlay (Ohio) church, died when the van she was a passenger in crashed into a pole on January 30. The McCurdy family was returning home from a church social event when the accident occurred. Poor visibility caused by dense fog was a major factor in the fatal accident. Another daughter, 14-yearold Alicia suffered multiple injuries. Clarissa was born March 15, 1996, in McDonald, Tenn. A sensitive and loving child, she loved to whistle and sing. She is remembered for her joyful music and gentle smile that brightened everyone’s day. Clarissa was artistic and loved to color, make crafts, garden, and help her mom in the kitchen. She is survived by her parents, James and Rebecca (Rempher) McCurdy; four brothers: Michael, James, Russel, and Samuel; and three sisters: Alicia, Kristen, and Susanna.

APRIL 2005

Wooster Pathfinders Send Food, Games to Soldiers in Iraq he idea was born in the minds of the Pathfinders in Wooster, Ohio. Seeing the footage of soldiers facing danger on a daily basis in Iraq made them want to respond. But how? “They need something to play with to get their minds off being where they are,” said Kelsie Halfhill. And so a project was hatched. The Pathfinders would make games to send to the soldiers on duty in Iraq. “What about some food, some goodies, some candy?” they all wanted to know. Lori Halfhill, assistant pathfinder director, contacted the local army reserve to find out what could be sent. “It turned out to be a fairly specific list,” she notes. “They are trying to be careful about what they feed our service personnel.” Saturday night is usually party night. But for the Wooster Pathfinders last January it was a “party with a purpose.” They decorated boxes and filled them with the food supplies donated by community supporters. Next they assembled the triangular peg-board games (similar to Cracker Barrel’s brain-teaser games). Each game was signed by the assembler and accompanied a letter telling the recipient of the Pathfinder’s sincere gratitude. “We don’t know how long our troops will be in Iraq, but we want them to have some stuff from home while they are over there,” said Hannah Gallion. We salute your great idea, Wooster!

Happy Wooster Pathfinders take a break from assembling care packages to goof off for the camera. Back row, left to right: Chrissy Bialecki, Betsy Colon, Hannah Gallion, Kelsi Halfhill, and Keerstin Halfhill. Front row: Lori Halfhill and Bonnie Lilley.

Kelsi Halfhill and Hannah Gallion prepare boxes of food and games to send soldiers.

New Members Join Pomeroy Church Chuck and Judy Bolin (left), two of the newest members of the Pomeroy church, stand with Pastor Ben Luckiesh (center) and a church elder, Rodney Spires.

Mission Ohio is published in the Visitor by the Ohio Conference ■ P. O. Box 1230, Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050 Phone: (740) 397-4665 ■ President, Raj Attiken Editor, Bette Toscano ■ www.ohioadventist.org

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APRIL 2005

The Health Message: Good News! ne of my favorite health ministry quotes is found in Medical Ministry, p. 259: “The gospel of health is to be firmly linked with the ministry of the Word. It is the Lord’s design that the restoring influence of health reform shall be a part of the last great effort to proclaim the gospel message.” The Adventist health message is called the gospel of health. The health message, first of all, is good news, not a list of dos and don’ts. More than 50 percent of all health problems in the United States are caused by lifestyle—but God has given us something better. We don’t have to suffer the effects of high cholesterol or diabetes or stress. Second, it is to be firmly linked with the ministry of the Word. This makes our health message different from that of the world. God’s Word provides the context for our health message, guidelines for holistic health, motivation for change, and promises for everything we need. Third, it has a restoring influence. The dictionary definition of restoration is “to bring back to its former state.” The Bible is filled with stories of the Master Restorer working to save and heal His wounded creation. His promise in Jeremiah 30:17 is sure: “But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord” (NIV). Finally, it is an integral part of end time ministry in reaching the lost. Caring for the sick Lilly Tryon, RN, BSN and hurting, sharing simple guidelines for good health, and pointing people to the Master Health Ministries Director Restorer. I want to be a part of that, don’t you?

NEWS Luncheon Honors Parish Nurses Adventist WholeHealth Lifestyle Medical Center recently sponsored the third annual continuing education luncheon for Berks County parish nurses. The 30 nurses, representing different faiths, were served a plant-based gourmet buffet and heard presentations by Center staffers James Peters, Lilly Tryon, and others. The importance of whole health (mental, physical, social, and spiritual), scientific studies, and Biblical evidence were emphasized in support of Lifestyle Medicine. This holistic approach using God’s natural remedies in the hands of skilled healthcare professionals is unmatched. One nurse reported, “You have the missing link.” Several expressed a desire for future educational seminars and possible collaboration on community projects.

Lifestyle Makeovers to Invigorate Pennsylvania Camp Meeting Reality television shows like Extreme Makeover and The Biggest Loser have viewers longing to improve their health and fitness levels. Whether your goal is to lose weight, lower blood pressure, drop blood sugar and cholesterol levels, manage stress, or become fit, the Lifestyle Makeover program at camp meeting will start you on your way! Sponsored by Adventist WholeHealth Lifestyle Medicine Center, the Lifestyle Makeover begins with a comprehensive health and fitness assessment on Sunday, June 12. Services includes a risk factor assessment, screenings for blood pressure, weight, body fat, and osteoporosis, blood and fitness tests, and more. Using a unique, interactive format, seminar presentations and health activities will be offered each afternoon from 1-5 p.m. Topics include principles of nutrition, vegetarian cooking, physical fitness, health behavior change, and spiritual wellness. Make this camp meeting an unforgettable experience by targeting your physical, mental, social, and spiritual health. For more information, please call (610) 685-9900.

APRIL 2005

Adventist WholeHealth Focuses on Mission he Pennsylvania Considers Adventist WholeHealth Lifestyle Medicine Center, near Reading, Pa., a mission outpost in the mission field. Everyday God leads patients who are looking for something other than traditional medicine to the Center. The Center’s healthcare team looks at the whole person, including lifestyle, to identify the underlying cause as opposed to simply treating the symptoms. They use state of the art equipment and laboratory measures to assess the overall health status. Then the patient receives a personalized Lifestyle Prescription that outlines the changes necessary to achieve health goals. While traditional medications and therapies may be indicated, the demonstration and application of God’s simple remedies are the first line of treatment. Health education is provided through individual consultation and group classes, followed by Lifestyle Coaching to help individuals reach and maintain goals. Lastly, patients are taught that a connection to the Great Physician is the key to long-term success.

The Lifestyle Medicine Center’s unique approach to healthcare has impacted individual patients and the community. One patient was so excited that she referred her husband, a minister of another faith. Both have seen success in reaching their health goals. Touched by the spiritual emphasis, they asked James Peters, their attending physician, where he attended church. The couple visited the Reading Kenhorst church, on a communion Sabbath, and thoroughly enjoyed the service. Another patient was contemplating joint replacement surgery when she first came to the Center. Since trying the natural approach, she’s achieved joint and back pain relief and reached other health goals. “I am so happy that the Lifestyle Medicine Center is here,” she says. “More people need to know about incorporating God into their health goals.” A local Assembly of God pastor is eager to work with the Center’s team in leading his congregation to healthier lifestyles. The lifeskills coordinator for the Opportunity House, an emergency shelter where Center staff members teach a

weekly health class, has also expressed appreciation. Adventist WholeHealth Network is working with pastors, churches of all faiths, and Pennsylvania Conference administration to implement God’s plan of uniting the health message with the gospel message.—Lilly Tryon and Cheryl Thomas

April 10 VBS Training Eastern, Pa.

April 15-16 Prayer Coordinators’ Training Laurel Lake Camp

April 17 VBS Training Western, Pa.

April 22-24 BMA Alumni Weekend

April 22-25 Adventurer Family Weekend

April 29-May 1 Spring into Mission Harrisburg Holiday Inn East

May 1-2 BMA Academy Days

June 10-18 Camp Meeting

Pennsylvania Pen is published in the Visitor by the Pennsylvania Conference 720 Museum Road, Reading, PA 19611 Phone: (610) 374-8331, ext. 210 President, Ray Hartwell ■ Editor, Tamyra Horst ■ Secretary, Daisy Lopez www.paconference.org

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APRIL 2005

C.F. Richards Bell Choir Performs at Inauguration he bell choir from C.F. Richards Academy in Staunton, Va., performed a handbell concert for one of President George W. Bush’s inaugural candlelight dinners. The Blue Ridge Bells, directed by Patti Short, played for two hours for the nearly 2,000 guests of the President and First Lady Laura Bush. The music selections included a wide range of contemporary, sacred, and traditional arrangements. The following day, students and chaperones stood within 50 feet of the glass, presidential reviewing stand and watched the inaugural parade. The Blue Ridge Bells was one of three handbell choirs selected from across the country to perform for the inaugural events according to the group’s manager, Carol Elliott.

Members of the Blue Ridge Bells, from C.F. Richards Adventist School, pose for a picture in the lobby of the Washington Hilton, where they performed for the presidential inauguration. Left to right: Ellen Coon, Kaylin King, Kristin Dickerhoff, Leslie Rada, Emily Taylor, Natalie Dickerhoff, Jessica Eberly, Mollye Coon, Megan Elliott, Austin Short, Jonathan Sharley, Erik Short, Richie Hevener, Evan Taylor, Tiffany Hevener, and Director Patti Short.

Stanley Members Begin 2005 Reading New Testament s their eyes move across the thin pages and they take in passages from the Bible, Kim Schneider and Tim Rickard say they feel inspired. Both Schneider and Rickard attend the Stanley church and read the Bible regularly. So, last New Year’s Eve, for the second year in a row, the pair planned a Bible-reading marathon. Forty-two people from seven denominations read the entire New Testament—all 27 books divided into 15-minute segments—in less than 24 hours. The youngest reader was 8-year-old Julia Seeders and the oldest was 97-year-old Dorothy Bogley. “We had such a positive response last year from the community, when we read the entire Bible in about 90 hours, that we knew we had to do it again,” Schneider

said. “Everyone seemed to feel the moving of the Holy Spirit through this special event.” A prayer room, open during the event, gave participants and guests the opportunity to pray for local and state authorities, the Holy Spirit to be manifested in each life, and a wide variety of other topics. “The whole intent was to get people to maintain an interest in reading their Bible on a daily basis,” Schneider said. “We wanted to end the old year and begin the new reading the Bible. This event draws us together as a community; it’s a moving experience.” If your church would be interested in planning a similar program, feel free to contact Rickard at (540) 778-3536 or Schneider at (540) 778-3909.

North Valley Member Celebrates 104th Birthday arie Cregger celebrated her 104th birthday recently with a small group of family and friends at the Berkshire Health Center, in Vinton, Va., where she has resided for several years. Cregger is a charter member of the North Valley church in Roanoke, Va. She has been a very active member for years in community services and other capacities.—Ruth Wyrick

APRIL 2005

Profile: Tree of Life Christian Preparatory School ree of Life Christian Preparatory School (TLC Prep) first opened in Fredericksburg, Va., last August. Formerly known as Fredericksburg Junior Academy, it had been closed for the 2003-2004 school year. During that time, a group of members from the Fredericksburg church dedicated themselves to reopening the school. With God’s help, they succeeded. Now with a fresh outlook, energy, and renewed dedication, TLC Prep works to create a nurturing environment, and encourage students to excel spiritually, academically, and personally. A new tradition at TLC Prep is to invite senior citizen church members to attend functions. A Grandparent’s Day luncheon, held last September, was the first of a series of events designed to strengthen generational bonds. Specialist teachers bring their expertise to several new classes: Art and Music Education, Etiquette, Spanish, and Physical Education. Future goals for TLC Prep include restoration and expansion of the current building; increased staff based on class sizes of 15-20 per classroom; and more specialist teachers for technology, drama, and foreign languages. The overall goal—to build up the school as an integral and essential part of the church and neighboring community— is now the subject of prayer.—Janet Frank

Arlington Church Remembers Beloved Former Pastor n January, 70 former members and friends of Pastor James “Jim” Frost gathered at the Arlington (Va.) church for a memorial service in honor of their former pastor and friend. Frost was tragically killed in a plane crash along with three administrators, and a departmental director, of the Georgia-Cumberland Conference last December. Attendees participated in the program that included prayer, a scripture reading, meditation, a life sketch, and music. Pastor Tom Jones, from the Adventist World Headquarters, gave a message entitled “One Day.” Remembrances of Frost abounded as people lined up to share a few words, some revealing that they would not be in the Adventist Church today if it had not been for him. They also spoke of his loving kindness to them and his contagious smile. Frost cared about the children and young people

and helped start a young people’s church led by member Kay Miller. He also organized programs for singles and senior citizens. In 1984, Frost was ordained at the Arlington church in the presence of his congregation, family, and friends. During the seven years he served that district, attendance grew from 35 to 89. After the memorial service refreshments were served. It was a bittersweet occasion as friends met those they had not seen for years. Tears, laughter, and many more memories were exchanged. Frost is survived by his wife Cindy, of Calhoun, Ga.; his daughter Brittany of Manteno, Il.; his parents Jim and Joan, and sisters Sandra, Wendy, Loraine, and Carol, who all reside in England. In his farewell letter to the Arlington congregation, Frost wrote, “May the Lord Jesus always be the focus of your faith, and plan to meet me on the longest, straightest, golden street in the New Jerusalem.”

Hampton Roads Church Reaps Harvest ast fall, the Hampton Roads, Va., church completed a five-week prophecy seminar. The seeds planted then are now being harvested. Marjorie Wells and John Suber were recently baptized as a result of the series presented by Amazing Facts Evangelist Lowell Hargreaves. At the end of the series in November, 16 precious souls accepted the truth and were baptized.

Pastor Dan Shafer baptizes Marjorie Wells.

Potomac People is published in the Visitor by the Potomac Conference www.pcsda.org ■ President, Dave Weigley ■ Editor, Janet Olsyne

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606 Greenville Ave., Staunton, VA 24401

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Phone: (540) 886-0771

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TA Students Participate in Worldwide Service Projects t Takoma Academy (TA), service to others is an important component of the curriculum. So important that students have participated in three worldwide outreach projects this year. “The program has grown as TA has become more involved in outreach projects,” says Floyd Murdoch, Ph.D., Bible instructor. Students raised about $2,000 for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and their funds were matched by faculty and staff. Then they chose from various established projects in countries like Uganda, Tanzania, etc. After the tsunami tragedy struck South Asia in December, they rallied again and collected another $2,000 for relief efforts. For the past three years, TA has also been heavily involved in clothing and toy drives for a Russian orphanage. “This venture was started Math instructor Todd Nelson (left), Floyd by California businessman (and close friend), Gary Stanhiser,” says Murdoch (second from left), and TA students Murdoch, who coordinates the Russia project. It is run in connection take a break from gathering clothing and other items for the Russia outreach trip. with Zaoksky Theological Seminary near Moscow. TA participates along with several other Adventist academies, as well as Florida Hospital. “I’ve always had an international outlook that I wanted my students to share,” Murdoch states. TA students collect clothing, toys, etc., and the items are packaged and sent with a representative for distribution at the orphanage. “We’ve always sent a TA teacher to Russia,” says Murdoch, who hopes to travel with a group this summer, which will hopefully include students.—Wilona Karimabadi

Boyer’s Bible Class Makes Religion Real eWayne Boyer has taught Bible at TA for 13 years. In that time, he has seen students grapple with issues that shape their religious growth. He has also witnessed “light bulb moments” that make every teacher’s job worthwhile. These moments occur when the subject matter, Jesus, interfaces with real life issues and a student’s heart is set on fire. Boyer strives to reach students where they are. “I like variety and doing things to meet different learning styles,” he states. “Sometimes I’ll change teaching methods or incorporate a small group discussion, Bible study, etc. The three biggest themes I want to convey are righteousness by faith, salvation in Christ, and salvation as a gift from God.” Boyer’s students learn more than just religion and are undoubtedly impacted:

“I think it’s really important for teachers and adults to talk to kids and give them real advice. Mr. Boyer is real, he doesn’t sugarcoat anything or say what adults are supposed to say. He

talks directly to you, even in class. Being an Adventist all your life is something you inherit, but not necessarily something you understand. Mr. Boyer instills the concept of righteousness by faith and not works … those things really changed my life.”—Sangeeta Nambi, ’06 “This class is like an outlet. Students are encouraged to express their feelings about God rather than just having the teacher say, ‘This is what we’re learning today.’ We are able to talk to Mr. Boyer; its like we’re conversing. It doesn’t feel like a class, it feels like we’re friends. Learning about Christ has been very beneficial to me.” —Zeon Railey ’05 “I’ve had the privilege of taking Mr. Boyer’s Bible class for three years. The first year, it was like any other Bible class to me and I basically slept. But once I actually opened up, it changed my whole life. I went from not being spiritual, to accepting God.”—Jon Peter ’05

APRIL 2005

PATA Enhances Student Life ften, little is known about parent/school organizations on academy campuses. However, the Parent’s Association of Takoma Academy (PATA) has a unique role that benefits both students and the school. Elaine Oliver (EO), PATA president, explains:

What is PATA’s role and what has it accomplished so far? EO: PATA exists to: Foster communication and cooperation between parents and the school

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Promote an understanding of the school’s philosophy among parents, friends, neighbors, and members of the Church community

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Encourage and foster programs that secure the spiritual, mental, physical, and social growth of every youth

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This year, PATA has accomplished the following: Worked with administration to host fall Academy Days

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Published a monthly newsletter

Participated in Safeway/Giant fundraisers

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Hosted teacher appreciation breakfasts

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Sponsored “Preparing for College Admissions & Financial Aid 101” workshop ■

■ Established a teacher/departmental wish list

Established a parent advocacy team

Tell me about the refurbishing of TA’s weight room. EO: One of our initiatives is to address items on the teacher “wish list” published in our monthly newsletter. Refurbishing the weight room benches was one of those items. PATA board member Mary Scott Gaskins, whose son is a junior, contributed the funds. It was essentially completed over the Christmas break, with a few extra days for the delivery of the cushions. The physical education staff, and students, is thrilled.

Parent’s Association of Takoma Academy President, Elaine Oliver.

What are some upcoming PATA projects? EO: On May 22, we will sponsor the First Annual Spring Takoma Academy Family Gala to bring teachers, students, parents, and board members together for fellowship. The theme will be “A Polynesian Luau.” We will also showcase the choirs, band, orchestra, drama club, and individual classes. In addition, PATA will continue its support of college preparation by sponsoring the annual College Financial Planning Night and a session on new SAT changes. PATA is all about a strong collaboration between parents, faculty, and staff. We work hand-inhand, as a team, to ensure that our children receive a top-quality, Christian education.—Wilona Karimabadi

TA Events April 11-15

Week of Prayer

15-18

Band/Drama Tour

22-24

Alumni Weekend

May 8

SAT Testing

13-14

First Annual International Youth Leadership Summit

Drama Play

TA Band at Sligo

Awards Banquet

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TA Today is published in the Visitor by Takoma Academy ■ 8120 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912 ■ Phone: (301) 434-4700 ■ Principal, Ken Knudsen www.ta.edu

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APRIL 2005

BULLETIN BOARD Advertising Guidelines and Rates The Columbia Union Visitor accepts classified advertising as a service to its members. Announcements such as church-sponsored events, legal notices, obituaries, and retirements of church workers will be printed without charge on a space-available basis. The Visitor reserves the right to refuse any advertisement or announcement and does not guarantee the integrity of any product or service advertised. First-time advertisers who are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church must submit a letter of recommendation from their pastor or conference leadership. First-time advertisers who are not members of the Adventist church must submit letters of recommendation from business members of their community or credit bureaus. Payment must accompany all advertisement(s). We do not bill for classified or display advertising and tear sheets are not provided unless prior arrangements are made. Checks and money orders are accepted. Make checks payable to Columbia Union Visitor and mail together with advertisement and recommendations (if applicable) to: Sandra Jones, Columbia Union Visitor, Classified Advertising, 5427 Twin Knolls Rd., Columbia, MD 21045. Rates for classified advertising are calculated on a per insertion basis in our 12 issues. Minimum charge is $38 for 50 words or less for ads originating within the Columbia Union Conference, and $48 for all others. Additional words: 60 cents each inside the Union and 75 cents each outside the Union. A 20 percent discount is given for 12 consecutive insertions (12 mos.), and a 10 percent discount for six insertions (6 mos.). A column ad (classified ad in a box) is $80/$100 for 80 words or less, and 75 cents/$1 per word for each additional word. Ads must be placed a minimum of four weeks before the issue date. Word count is based upon the spaces between words in normal usage. Display Advertising: For rates and information, go to www.columbiaunion.org or call (888) 4-VISITOR and ask for Sandra Jones at ext. 306.

EMPLOYMENT SOUTHWESTERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY is seeking a person with pediatric and/or medical-surgical nursing teaching/clinical experience. Duties include teaching, clinical supervision, academic advising and interacting with the campus community. The ideal candidate will have a terminal degree in nursing, or related field, or be actively pursuing the advanced degree. Now is an exciting time to join our team as we plan and make the transition to a generic BS program. The program ranked 7th out of 77 programs in 2004 for NCLEX pass rate in Texas. The climate is great, the faculty is well qualified, and we are proud of our very friendly campus. Applicants may send their resume or contact Dr. Penny Moore, Chair, Nursing Department, Southwestern Adventist University, P. O. Box 567, Keene, TX 76059. Tel: (817) 202-6235. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Join the ministry-minded staff of Christian Record Services to help the blind see Jesus, a ministry of the General Conference in Lincoln, Neb. We produce large-print, Braille, audio magazines, and books. Desirable: Degree in English, journalism, or communication; good recording voice; and supervisory experience. Call (402) 488-0981 or prhr@christianrecord.org.

HEALTHCARE Florida Hospital—Memorial Division—located along Florida’s beautiful East Coast, offers a unique combination of career growth and a desirable location. Find out why our three-hospital network has more of what you’ve been looking for! Immediate Florida Opportunities Nursing, Allied Health & Hospice/Home Health • Fun & Affordable Beachside Location Along the Atlantic • Relocation Assistance Available • No State Income Tax • New Pay Grades • 20% Night Diff • Generous Paid Days Off Program • Wellness Program with Health Insurance Discount Visit www.fhmdjobs.com or call (386) 615-4159 for an information packet. . Florida Hospital Memorial Division An Affiliate of the Adventist Health System EOE M/F/D/V Drug-free workplace

REMNANT PUBLICATIONS, a progressive Adventist publishing company, seeks resumes for general manager, national sales manager, and experienced machine operators with mechanical aptitude. Please send resume to 649 E. Chicago, Coldwater, MI 49036, or call (517) 279-1304; fax (517) 279-1804; e-mail: Judy@RemnantPublications.com. MISSIONARY-MINDED REPRESENTATIVES DESIRED to offer free Christian literature to blind and visually impaired, to recruit for camps, and to raise funds for Christian Record Services ministry for the blind. Denominational benefits available. Contact Peggy Hansen (402) 488-0981 or pehansen@christianrecord.org. HOME-BASED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY: Invest under $100, Mia Bella Gourmet Soy/Veggie Scented Candles. Clean burning, self-leveling, triple scented, double cotton wicks, water soluble. Newest technology in candle making. A healthy alternative to traditional sooty candles. Fast growing company seeks motivated individuals/couples. Serious income potential. Toll-free: (877) MIA-BIZZ; www.bjcandle.scent-team.com; bjking@suscom.net.

HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS NEEDED Shawnee Mission Medical Center (SMMC), a Seventh-day Adventist community service, has a variety of openings for healthcare professionals interested in immediate placement. SMMC is a 383bed, acute-care facility located in beautiful Johnson County, Kansas. This family-friendly community offers a safe and relaxed atmosphere, high quality schools, and easy access to museums, cultural arts, and professional sports teams. Please contact the job line: (800) 845-6212 or click on Employment: www.shawneemission.org for a listing of open positions. For more information, contact: Brad Hoffman Administrative Director of Human Resources (913) 676-2020 Resumes may be faxed to: (913) 676-2019

COLUMBIA UNION COLLEGE seeks programmers in ITS. Bachelor's degree or equivalent or 2-4 years' related experience and/or training needed. Knowledge of IIS, Apache, Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2003 Server, Unix, SQL, ColdFusion, ODBC, JDBC, HTML, CGI, VI, Query and Sendmail. Submit CV and letter to Human Resources and Columbia Union College, 7600 Flower Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912. E-mail: hr@cuc.edu; fax (301) 891-4020. NEW HOPE CHURCH seeks a half-time Minister for Children to oversee the Sabbath School Department, children's worship, recruiting, training volunteers, and equipping parents in spiritual development. A bachelor's degree or significant length of experience is required. If you are interested in this paid part-time position, please inquire by calling (301) 776-4122. For more information, visit www.lookingforachurch.org. PROGRAMMERS JAVA/J2EE DEVELOPERS NEEDED: Exciting growing company seeks J2EE developers and project leaders. Stafford and Reston, Va., and Rockville, Md., locations. You can obtain a secret and/or TS Clearance. To apply: recruiting@platinumsolutions.com or call (703) 471-9793 x 215; www.platinumsolutions.com. ADVENTIST JOBNET is the source for finding jobs or finding employees. Designed for Adventist businesses and professionals, we offer a hiring bonus of up to $500 to applicants hired through us. Geared for all professionals-teachers, lawyers, doctors, nurses, etc. New jobs listed daily. Visit us today at www.AdventistJobNet.com.

MISCELLANEOUS BECKER SUBARU has special pricing for members on new Subaru vehicles and used cars. Choose from 300 new Subarus or 150 used cars. Drop shipment on ordered new cars anywhere in the United States available. Call Becker Subaru (800) 6713636 and ask for "member sales." DR. NEDLEY'S DEPRESSION RECOVERY PROGRAM: Break free from the chains of depression! Plan now to attend this special once-a-year, 19-day Nedley Depression Recovery Program, August 7-25, 2005. Receive personal care from Dr. Neil Nedley and the health team at the beautiful Lifestyle Centers of America in southern Oklahoma. Call for free information about this life-changing program at (800) 213-8955 or visit www.depressionthewayout.org. APRIL 2005

BULLETIN BOARD MISSIONARY-MINDED FAMILIES ARE NEEDED to help strengthen our Adventist English church and K-8 church school. Great Bend is located in the farming heartland of Kansas, population 15,000, junior college, medical and cancer center, and industries with low cost of living. Contact (800) 889-9306 or dreile1998@yahoo.com. WHAT TO DO WITH THE BIG WHITE BLOB: The new video, TOFU 1-2-3, shows you how to prepare tofu, starting from the very basics. Runs over 40 minutes. DVD and VHS: $14.99, DVD: $16.99. Order online: www.raw-n-natural.com or call (800) 659-0646. SHOP FOR USED ADVENTIST BOOKS at The Cedar Reader, a Great Lakes Adventist Academy student industry, online at Adventistbooks.org or call (800) 835-1625. Book donations also accepted. GLAA students also finish log furniture sold online at logcabinrustics.com. PREPAID PHONE CARDS: Multiple types and rates for the Continental United States and international countries. Multiple types ranging from one cent to 1.5 cents per minute (no connection fee). Consider using these for your missionary endeavors, gifts for students, or travel. Call LJ PLUS (770) 441-6022 or toll-free (888) 441-7688. DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS with allergies, asthma, breathing difficulties, mold, secondhand smoke, pet and other odors, indoor pollutants? Find out about the amazing Living Air Purification whole-house technology. Amazingly simple (no filters) yet technologically sophisticated and effective. Call (888) 309-8525. MISSION POSSIBLE— Fulfilling the Great Commission requires reaching every soul in one generation. It requires extensive plans. It requires the help of every believer. Discover the explosive combination for helping finish the work: faith, literature, direct mail, and you! Call PROJECT: Steps to Christ today and learn how! (800) 728-6872/ www.projectstc.org. SCHOOLS, PATHFINDERS, FUND-RAISING GROUPS— Make Big Profits with Mia Bella Soy/Veggie Gourmet Scented Candles. Clean burning, self-leveling, triple scented, water soluble, double cotton wicks. Offer value and a healthy alternative to traditional sooty candles. Make $6 per 16 oz. jar. Fast and easy two- to three-week campaign. Toll free: (877) MIA-BIZZ; Individual orders welcome! bjking@suscom.net; www.bjcandle.scent-team.com. 52

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BOOKS—BUY, SELL, OR PUBLISH: We print, buy, and sell Adventist books. Find out-of-print titles fast. Get your book printed quickly. We do it all. Call (800) 732-2664 for information, or visit our internet site at www.LNFBOOKS.COM. EARN YOUR M.D. DEGREE IN BELIZE: Classes taught in English begin in May, September, or January. Contact InterAmerican School of Medical Sciences at (877) DOCSTUDY, or visit our Web site at www.interamericanschool.com.

REAL ESTATE PHYLLIS NEWMAN SELLS MARYLAND REAL ESTATE for both buyers and sellers. Call (800) 586-4669 Re/Max Realty Center, Inc. See our Web site at www.homesdatabase.com/ realestate. This site gives you MLS access by state, county, zip code, price range, bedrooms/bathrooms, etc. Call me or e-mail phyllisnewman@realtor.com. SHENANDOAH VALLEY RELOCATION SERVICES— Are you thinking about buying or selling a home? Relocating to the New Market area in Virginia? Kids coming to SVA? If so, let me help you with your real estate needs. Call Florin at (800) 701-3176 or (540) 335-8330. Visit www.yourvirginiahome.com, for more information.

THE CARRENO CONNECTION Mel & Lisa Carreno, experienced real estate agents with Keller Williams Realty, would be honored to help you buy or sell a home in Maryland, D.C., or Virginia. What is your home worth? Are you ready for a move? Weighing your options? Whether you are thinking of selling, buying, or investing, contact us for a no-obligation consultation. You can also visit our Web site to search properties or to get free home seller or buyer reports at www.carrenoconnection.com

Mel: (301) 237-1650 Lisa: (410) 905-8282 Office: (443) 574-1600 melandlisa@comcast.net Se habla Español

HAGERSTOWN/WASHINGTON COUNTY, MARYLAND— Relocate to a quality lifestyle. Experience country living, beautiful historic homes and cities, great golfing and skiing. Convenient to Washington, D.C., home to the Review & Herald Publishing Association, Highland View Academy, Mt. Aetna Youth Camp, and Adventist churches. Visit www.draperrealtygroup.com for call Mike Draper / Century 21 MG Realty / (800) 733-2121 x 129.

ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN WHO'S BEING PRICED OUT OF HEALTH INSURANCE? Cut your healthcare expenses in half. Join more than 55,000 Christians who share one another's medical bills. Choose any doctor, any hospital, anywhere in the world. Check out this nonprofit program. For a free guidelines booklet, call (888) 346-7895 or visit www.healthcaregodsway.com.

HOUSE FOR SALE: Two-story, three-bedroom, two baths, with garage in basement. Spring water, five acres, orchard, and berries garden spot. Room with unfinished bath in basement. $139,000. Will consider offer. (423) 725-4711; Post Office Box 414, Elizabethton, TN 37644-0414.

MOVE WITH AN AWARDWINNING AGENCY: Apex Moving & Storage partners with the General Conference to provide quality moves at a discounted rate. Call us for your relocation needs. Adventist beliefs uncompromised. Call Marcy Danté at (800) 766-1902 for a free estimate. Visit us at www.apexmoving.com/adventist/.

BUYING OR SELLING IN MD. OR D.C.? A home is your most important financial decision. To obtain the best results in this complex, dynamic market requires a knowledgeable and dependable agent. Clyde and Phyllis Kinder/Weichert Realtors offer expertise, knowledge, and experience. FREE Market Analysis. For information without obligation, call (301) 7763380; e-mail jckinder@mris.com.

CONSIDERING HOMESCHOOLING? Home Study International is the only Christian, accredited course provider for preschool through college. All courses can be taken individually or as a total curriculum. Earn a high school diploma or finish a college degree. Home Study International, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600; (800) 782-4769; www.hsi.edu.

MARYLAND ADVENTIST REALTOR— Marie Petrelis with RE/MAX100— (866) 219-2498 or e-mail marie@mariep.com. Specializing in Frederick and Washington counties or helping you find an agent to meet your needs. Search MLS in a five-state area at ww.mariep.com.

CHRISTIANSINGLESDATING. COM— FREE 14-day Trial! Join thousands and thousands of active Adventist singles online. FREE chat, search, detailed profiles, and match notifications! Date chat, 2-way compatibility match, 10 photos, and confidential online mail. Witnessing opportunities to the world through articles, friendships, chat, and forums. Since 1993. Adventist owners. Thousands of successful matches. Top ranked.

END OF THE ROAD PICTURE BOOK LOG HOME for sale on 2 1/2-plus acres; 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, family room, office, laundry, storage, and cold storage areas. Nestled in the woods with private lane, 3-car garage/shop with storage, tool and mower building, small farm animal shed and run, pond, creek, and much more. 50 min. from Baltimore; 60 min. from GC. Ideal place for children with 1/2 hour to church school and church. Come and see. Leaving by fall. (410) 374-6723.

SERVICES MARYLAND ADVENTIST PODIATRIST: Dr. Scott Nutter, highly trained, experienced, and board certified, is available in several locations to help your foot/ankle problems, including arthritis, heel pain, spurs, diabetes, callouses, ingrown nails, sprains, fractures, warts, bunions, etc. Surgery, if it is needed, at Adventist hospitals. Laurel (301) 317-6800; Greenbelt (301) 345-5200; or Columbia (410) 531-6350.

MARYLAND ADVENTIST DENTIST: David Lee, D.D.S., PA, has a comprehensive dental office in Silver Spring and in Ellicott City, Md. He is excellent with children and adults and is highly trained in Cosmetic Dentistry and Implants. For appointments call: Silver Spring (301) 649-5001; Ellicott City (410) 461-6655. Mention this ad and receive 10% discount on all services (excludes third party payers). Our office is a participating provider with Adventist Risk Management.

Successful Computer Dating Exclusively for Adventists Since 1974

ADVENTIST CONTACT P.O. Box 5419 Takoma Park, MD 20913 (301) 589-4440

BULLETIN BOARD SINGLES: Introducing Adventists discreetly and confidentially since 1987. We have a magazine format with personal ads, plus enlightening and uplifting articles. For information on obtaining friendship, fellowship, or companionship, mail a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope to: DISCOVER, 15550 Burnt Store Road, #153, Punta Gorda, FL 33955 or e-mail etmoren@cs.com. MOVING? Special Adventist rates and guarantees! Air Van northAmerican is a nationwide mover. Whether you're moving a few items or a truckload, don't move before calling Air Van. It will assure peace of mind and a costeffective move. Please call (800) 525-1177 to speak with a representative. SINGLE AND OVER 50? The only interracial group exclusively for all singles over 50. Stay home and meet new friends in the United States with a Pen Pal monthly newsletter of members and album. For information, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to ASO50 or EBONY CHOICE ASO50, 2747 Nonpareil, Sutherlin, OR 97479. FOOT AND ANKLE MEDICAL OFFICE: Premier Podiatry Services is eager to help you get "back on your feet." Dr. Rhonda Nelson, an Adventist podiatrist seeks to provide you with exceptional podiatric care while relieving your foot and ankle discomfort. Flexible office hours are available. Office location: Largo, Md.; (301) 773-1199. ARE YOU MOVING SOON? Before you rent a U-Haul and do it yourself, check our price and save yourself the hassle. Plan ahead now and reserve a time slot. Fast, direct, and economical. Contact Gary Erhard, Erhard Furniture, 6681 U.S. 31, Berrien Springs, Mich.; phone (269) 471-7366 evenings from 8-11 p.m., E.T.

TRAVEL/VACATION CAPE COD VACATION: An Adventist family will rent weekly, biweekly, etc., their lovely, fairly new, spacious, and semicontemporary vacation home on beautiful Cape Cod, Mass.Three bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, Jacuzzi tub, washer/dryer, cable TV, dishwasher, microwave, and a great room with a cathedral beam ceiling and skylights, an outdoor shower, a huge deck and fencedin back yard with a small swing set, and a sandbox on 1/2 acre just 900 feet from a great beach. Call (301) 596-9311.

ACTIVE ADULTS: Florida Living Retirement Community near Orlando. Garden Court Rental Room. Includes: Vegetarian meals, utilities, cable, 3ABN, heated pool, maintenance, grounds care, walk-in closet, and private entrance for $920 per month. Church on grounds. Conference owned and operated. Call Sharon: (800) 729-8017. SMcKeeverFLRC@aol.com. MAUI OCEANFRONT STUDIO CONDO for rent on 10th floor. Sleeps four. Well equipped kitchen. Queen bed and a queen hideabed. Almost all the comforts of home. Wonderful whale watching in season. $115 per night, plus tax. Go to www.sdamall.com to view property. E-mail denmarge@frontiernet.net or call Marge McNeilus (507) 374-6747. RV'S!! Adventist owned and operated RV dealership has been helping Adventists for over 30 years. Huge inventory. Courtesy airport pickup and on-site hookups. Satisfied Adventist customer list available. Call toll-free (888) 933-9300. Lee's RV City, Oklahoma City. Visit our Web site www.leesrv.com or e-mail LeesRVs@aol.com.

LEGAL NOTICES ALLEGHENY WEST CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS REGULAR SESSION Notice is hereby given that the Allegheny West Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Regular Quadrennial Session as dictated by the Constitution and Bylaws and scheduled by the Executive Committee of said organization will convene May 22, 2005, at 9 a.m. at the Allegheny West Conference Campground, 6470 Oakthorpe Road, Thornville, Ohio. The meeting is called to receive reports, elect officers and departmental directors and committees, to give consideration to the revision of the Constitution and Bylaws and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the session at that time. Delegates are to be selected as the Constitution and Bylaws direct. James L. Lewis, President Carl R. Rogers, Secretary

ALLEGHENY WEST CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS ORGANIZING AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE MEETING Notice is hereby given that the Allegheny West Conference Organizing Committee will meet

Apr 1

Apr 8

Apr 15 Apr 22 Apr 29

Baltimore

6:31

7:37

7:44

7:51

7:58

Cincinnati

7:02

8:09

8:16

8:22

8:29

Cleveland

6:52

8:00

8:07

8:15

8:22

Columbus

6:56

8:04

8:11

8:18

8:25

Jersey City

6:21

7:29

7:36

7:43

7:51

Norfolk

6:28

7:34

7:40

7:46

7:52

Parkersburg

6:50

7:57

8:04

8:11

8:18

Philadelphia

6:25

7:32

7:39

7:46

7:53

Pittsburgh

6:45

7:52

7:59

8:06

8:14

Reading

6:28

7:36

7:43

7:50

7:57

Richmond

6:33

7:39

7:45

7:52

7:58

Toledo

7:00

8:08

8:15

8:23

8:30

Trenton

6:24

7:31

7:38

7:45

7:52

SUNSET CALENDAR Roanoke 6:43 7:49 7:55 8:01 8:08 SUNSET CALENDAR April 17, 2005, at 10 a.m. at the Columbus Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, 80 South 18th Street, Columbus, Ohio.

POTOMAC ADVENTIST PRISON MINISTRY ORGANIZATION MIDTERM REGULAR BUSINESS SESSION

The Nominating Committee will meet May 15, 2005, at 10 a.m. at hue Allegheny West Conference office, Columbus, Ohio.

Notice is hereby given that the Potomac Adventist Prison Ministry Organization (PAPMO) shall conduct a Midterm Regular Business Session Sunday, April 24, 2005, at 10 a.m., at the Waynesboro Adventist Church, 1700 Lyndhurst Road, Waynesboro, Va.

James L. Lewis, President Carl R. Rogers, Secretary ALLEGHENY WEST CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS CORPORATION MEETING Notice is hereby given that the legal meeting of the Allegheny West Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists will be held in cooperation with the Regular Session of the Allegheny West Conference at 12 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, 2005, at the Allegheny West Conference Campground, 6470 Oakthorpe Road, Thornville, Ohio. The meeting is called to elect Board members for the next Quadrennium and to transact any other business that may be properly presented at that time. The delegates for this Regular Session of the Allegheny West Conference of Seventh-day Adventists are the delegates for this meeting.

The meeting is called to review the affairs of PAPMO and to transact such other business as may properly be brought before the assembly. A banquet and awards presentation will follow the Regular Business Session. Hector Cruz, President

ANNOUNCEMENTS EDMONDSON HEIGHTS SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH is celebrating their 30th year anniversary each weekend during the month of October at the Edmondson Heights church, 810 Walnut Ave., Baltimore, MD 21229. Former pastors will be speaking each weekend. Former members and friends are welcome to celebrate with us. Call for information, (410) 733-8962 or e-mail saint231412@aol.com.

James L. Lewis, President Carl R. Rogers, Secretary APRIL 2005

BULLETIN BOARD THE TAKOMA PARK CHURCH CONCERT SERIES presents the Shenandoah Valley Academy Shenandoan’s and the Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Harlen Miller, with The Handbell Ensemble, under the direction of Cynthia Costen, Saturday, April 9, at 4 p.m. The venue will be at the Takoma Park church located in Old Towne Takoma Park, 6951 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912. The church is accessible via Metro’s Red Line. Parking is available at the church center at 6810 Eastern Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. A free-will offering will be taken. PATHFINDER EVANGELISM IN AFRICA: Fifteen teams of Pathfinders who attended Faith On Fire Camporee in August 2004 will be conducting a series of evangelistic meetings from July 22-August 6, 2005, in Ghana, Africa. More than 30,000 Bibles collected at the Faith on Fire Camporee will be distributed during the evangelisticmeetings conducted by the Pathfinders. Contact Andrews University Center for Youth Evangelism toll-free at (800) YOUTH.2.U or ww.camporee.org, for more information. To sponsor a Pathfinder call (800) YOUTH.2.U., ext. 7.The fire is Still Burning! PLAINVIEW ACADEMY ALUMNI (1910-1965), formerly of Redfield, S.D., please make plans to attend our annual Alumni Reunion, which is set for June 24-26, 2005, on the campus of Dakota Adventist Academy in Bismarck, N.D. Honor classes are those who graduated (or attended) the classes ending in 0 or 5. ALL former PVA students, faculty, staff, parents, and friends are invited. Our "Family" is getting smaller—we need you! You will receive a blessing. For information, contact PVA Alumni Secretary Mrs. Charlene (Scholl) Binder, (402) 489-1702 or rdbinder@ juno.com. POTOMAC PRISON MINISTRY ORGANIZATION will hold their 2005 Awards Banquet, Sunday, April 24, from 2-5 p.m., at the Waynesboro Adventist Church, 1700 Lyndhurst Rd., Waynesboro, Va. Come to show your support for prison evangelism and/or ministry to families of prisoners, while also encouraging and fellowshipping with the awardees and others involved in this ministry. Dress is formal/semi-formal; parking is free; and the dinner is all vegetarian entree. To register, contact any prison ministry worker in your church, or the banquet coordinator, Daniel McManus: by phone, (804) 389-1538, or e-mail mcmanus67@hotmail.com. RSVP deadline: 4/13/2005.

PLAN NOW TO ATTEND MADISON ACADEMY’S Alumni Weekend, April 22-24. Please visit our Web site for more details. Once there, you may also update your personal information, submit a picture and bio, as well as search for classmates and faculty to e-mail. www.madisonacademyalumni.com THE RUSK (TEXAS) ADVENTIST SCHOOL AND CHURCH are planning a joint union of former students/teachers/pastors, May 20-21. For information, contact sclark@txsda.org.

THE TAKOMA PARK SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH CONCERT SERIES PRESENTS A Staged Production of Mendelssohn’s ELIJAH Saturday, April16 7:30 p.m. Under the direction of Francisco de Araujo The performance will be enhanced by sets, lighting, and costumes. The soloists include: Trevor Scheunemann in the title role of Elijah; Faith Esham, of international acclaim, will be featured in the soprano role; with Lori Bryan, mezzo soprano, cast as the evil Queen Jezebel. The Atlantic Union College 80-voiced Oratorio Society and Orchestra will be the featured groups This is a “must-see” production. One performance only. The venue will be at the Takoma Park Seventh-day Adventist Church, located in Old Towne Takoma Park, 6951 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912. The church is accessible via Metro’s Red Line. Additional underground parking will be available across the street from the church at the Takoma Business Center, 6930 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, Md., and at the church center at 6810 Eastern Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20012. For additional information, please call 202-829-4800. A free-will offering will be taken.

VISITOR

CHIP LEADERSHIP TRAINING WORKSHOP at Andrews University, May 19-22. Nearly 200 churches are using the Coronary Health Improvement Project (CHIP) as a powerful lifechanging ministry that also makes friends for time and eternity. CHIP is meeting the real needs of real people. For full workshop information, call (866) 732-2447 (toll-free).

COMINGS AND GOINGS PENNSYLVANIA CONFERENCE Andrew Clark has joined the Pennsylvania Conference as the Director of Community Services for the Pittsburgh Mission Initiative. David Klinedinst has accepted a call to serve with Christian Record Services. He and his wife Marquita moved to Lincoln, Neb., March 1 after serving the Mon Valley, Uniontown, and Washington churches in western Pennsylvania. Linda McCabe is now serving as the lay pastor for the Honesdale church. Her husband, Pastor Mike McCabe, will be the district pastor for the Honesdale-Scranton area, but Linda will give full leadership to the Honesdale church. She is a Certified Mission Pastor through the conference's Mission Training Station and has been involved in pastoral ministry with her husband in several districts in Pennsylvania (Honesdale-Scranton, YorkHanover, Hershey-Lebanon). Frank Van Derhoof is the new lay pastor for the Needmore church. He has been serving as an elder in the Berkeley Springs, W. Va., church just a few miles away and has frequently been a guest speaker at Needmore. Frank works at the Review and Herald Pub. Assn. Jim and Laura Wibberding are fresh from Andrews University, where Pastor Jim just completed seminary. He is the new pastor for the Lansdale church, where he and wife Laura were warmly welcomed recently by their new church family.

OBITUARIES HELLER, Lewis E., born September 21, 1926, in Easton, Pa.; died January 5, 2005, in Stroudsburg, Pa. He was a member of the Stroudsburg church. Survivors: his wife Ruth Heller; daughter Cheryl A. Maguire (Michael); sons, Steve Heller (Linden) of Cresco, Pa., and Randy Heller (Annette) of Oakboro, N.C.; six grandchildren, Shana Piwowarczyk of Cresco, Amy Heller of Allentown, Christina Maguire of Reading, Shelby Maguire of East Stroudsburg, Ashley and Scott Heller of Oakboro, N.C.; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Paul Allen of East Stroudsburg, and a sister, Nettie Martling of East Stroudsburg.

Visitor Subscription Information Would you like to receive the Visitor, or are you on the mailing list, but have an address change? Please e-mail: visitorlist@columbiaunion.net or phone toll-free: (888) 4-VISITOR or mail to: Columbia Union Visitor Subscription Services 5427 Twin Knolls Road Columbia, MD 21045 Please include the name of the conference where your membership is held and your telephone number. If an address change, please send your previous address as listed on the magazine label and your new address. If you live outside the Columbia Union Conference territory, a year’s subscription (12 issues) is $15. Please make check payable to: Columbia Union Visitor and mail to the address listed above. KLINEDINST, Esther L., born October 30, 1907, in York, Pa.; died February 7, 2005, in New Oxford, Pa. She was a member of the York church for over 60 years and was very involved in the Dorcas Society. She is survived by two sons, Richard and Stanley Klinedinst; two brothers, Charles and Ivan Albright; two grandchildren, David Klinedinst and Pamela Huff; two great-grandchildren, Melaney and Angie; and three great-great grandchildren. She was proceeded in death by husband Emanuel Klinedinst, by daughter June; by son Bert; a grandson, Stephen; and five brothers and four sisters. OPELT, Edwin E., born October 9, 1913; died January 13, 2005, in Titusville, Pa. He was a member of the Seneca (Pa.) church. He is survived by his stepdaughter Lois Ellen Angle; stepson William Gray; and stepgrandson Larry Gray.

OBITUARY SUBMISSION Phone toll-free: (888) 4-VISITOR or e-mail: sjones@columbiaunion.net A form will be sent to you for completion. Obituaries are printed in the order they are received on a

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