„SOUTHWESTERN UNION

RECORDSEPTEMBER 1994

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"Back Where I Belong STORY OF A LONG-LOST MEMBER WHO WAS WELCOMED HOME s they emerged from the baptismal pool their faces radiated the joy Aand excitement they had found in their new faith in God. Empty pews Having searched for some time, they had finally found a church that believed the entire Bible, even to worshipping on the sev- Why do we have enth day! But, as the months have passed, this couple's zeal has them? declined. Their faces no longer radiate with joy, and they're not enthusiastic about coming to church. In fact, sometimes they come, and sometimes they don't. And one of the old-timers says, "I knew they wouldn't last long. They weren't grounded well Empty pews enough in the church. The pas- tor baptized them too soon." Tragedy! Tragedy in our church! They're a story of Tragedy in the church this couple had found to have the tragedy. answers to all their longings! Why do we expend so much energy winning Empty pews people to the Lord and then sit back while they There's a story behind lose faith in the church? each vacant seat. In the business world it's gen- erally known to be easier to re- gain a lost client than to establish a new one. It's the same in the church. While we continue to bring new converts in through the front door, we seldom ex- Empty pews pend sufficient prayerful energy on those disenfranchised mem- bers leaving through the back door to even let them know we care. Why not show them that we • They're a weekly really do care! On most Sabbaths less than half our members are present in reminder that church. The average attendance reported in a number of confer- ences that participated in a weekly something's not right. head count during worship was COVER PHOTO: Mike Holland oper- ates the sound system at the Keene, Texas, church. Holland developed his skill with audio equipment working in the music industry. SEE COVER STORY ON PAGE 5. (Photo: John Beaman)

2 RECORD / September 1994 about 50 percent of the book The members of her class cause they may not have reached count, and those head counts in- should have recognized what was the same commitment level in cluded non- members and visitors What can be done happening when her attendance church doctrine as others in the as well. It is estimated that al- became sporadic, but it was some congregation have." though the North American to prevent young time before someone commented PastorJack: "How do you feel Division's official membership list people from on her absence. Several people about your children and the stands at approximately 800,000, called her. She was always polite church?" there are between 1 and 2 million having a "faith but had little to say. A few mem- Becky: "When my children former members who live in North spasm?" bers knew she was going through were smaller, I did take them to America. Having once accepted a crisis, but since she was a very an Adventist Church on and off. the teachings of the Adventist ♦ "HAVING MORE ACTIVI- private person no one felt they I hoped they would get an under- message, these persons have some- TIES for young people. Hardly could pressure her into talking. standing of the love of Jesus, but how slipped out the "back door." anyone in my small church was In a thank you note she wrote to I felt no real love in the Adventist my age, and I felt out of place and one of the members who sent her Church. Rules seemed to be the ♦ AS CHURCH ENDED she as if little was for me." Denny, 18.* a gift at Christmas time she wrote, prominent issue. The atmosphere came walking down the isle to- "Thank you for remembering me. was very legalistic. I hoped the ♦"I'D COME BACK if I felt it ward me with tears in her eyes. I may come back to church some- church would help teach my chil- were entirely my decision. I could "My son," she said, "my son is in time, but right now the church dren about a personal relation- not be forced or dragged back— terrible trouble! We need your doesn't meet my needs." ship with Christ, but the rules as I was when growing up. An- prayers. We have a women's about what we can and cannot do other thing that prevents me from prayer group at our church," she was the theme most often taught. going to church now is that I continued with trembling voice. Knowledge about a loving God need to learn to accept church What causes "He was brought up in the church. was obscured. members as they are. I am tired He knows what we believe. He people to become "I have found Adventist people of seeing hypocrites. I know ev- knows about God. But now it very quick to correct others about eryone is in need of God's love, seems he's given all that up. He disenfranchised their innermost beliefs. I share but I don't like it when some doesn't want to hear about reli- the gospel and how my faith in people think they are better than from the church, gion and . . . and . . . and I think God strengthens me on a day to others." Rosie, 28.* maybe he's on drugs! What can I and what can be day basis, but I do not take it do? Please, pray for us!" ♦"WE WOULD COME BACK done to reverse upon myself to discount another's if the Adventist Church didn't personal worship habits because have so many rules. In both our this trend? they do not parallel my own. "It is my job as a parent to see experiences—from grade school ♦BECKY WAS REARED IN A What happens to that my children learn that God through college—the church has CHRISTIAN HOME with her six is real, that He sent His Son for cause young focused on the rules: 'Don't drink brothers and sisters. Her mother our redemption, and that we can Coke; don't buy hamburgers on took them to the Adventist people to turn communicate with Him through band tours, etc . . .' The church Church each Sabbath. When it prayer. I did not see that happen- has failed to stress the impor- was time for Becky to enter col- against religion ing in the Adventist Church so I tance of a relationship with God. lege, a kind Adventist couple looked for another church home. when it's been a Instead, it has made us feel guilty whom she admires very much "I feel that children need to be when we don't conform to the helped make it financially pos- part of their prepared to meet the challenges rules—even if we're doing what sible for her to attend Southwest- of the world. I believe that when upbringing? we feel to be right. We find it ern Adventist College in Keene. Christ returns denominational easier to stay away from the But now, years have passed, Every individual faces a time boundaries will not preclude in- church and develop our relation- and you won't find Becky in the when they question religion. It's dividuals from being saved." ship with the Lord than to come Adventist Church, nor will you known as a "faith spasm." To Pastor Jack: "Thanks, Becky, back." Sandy, 26, and David, 28.* find her five children there. What every thinking person comes for your willingness to share happened? Becky was gracious that question—is this what I want your feelings so freely with us." out of life? It's usually during enough to share her story with the late teens and early twenties WHAT ABOUT Pastor Jack Francisco of the that this becomes an all-consum- ADULTS? Oklahoma Conference. ing question. lf, up to this time, Pastor Jack: "Would you care What could have to share with me why you no . they have not had a personal Are there times been done to encounter with God where they longer worship in the Adventist know Him as a personal friend, when going to Church?" keep Joan and as one who loves them and wants church is Becky: "I still attend church, to be their guide, young people just not the Adventist Church. Becky from can become difficult. They may meaningless? The strict religious observance I leaving the "kick up the traces," break the experienced as a member in the ♦ JOAN HAS BEEN A MEM- rules and get rebellious. They'll Adventist Church seemed to dis- Adventist Church? BER of a lively Sabbath school not want any part of religion, tract from the actual worship of class where everyone participates In a recent Gallup Poll it was because it has not been mean- God. But I want to quickly add in the discussion. Her comments determined that 70 percent of ingful, only restrictive. It's only that I have only good things to are always thought provoking and Americans believe most when they've had a personal say about the Adventist people." carefully worded. It appears she churches and synagogues are encounter with God that they Pastor Jack: "What can has a meaningful relationship not effective in helping people will, once again, recognize the Adventists do to help people stay with her Lord. But now she's no find meaning in life. George H. importance of religion in their in the church?" longer coming to Sabbath school Gallup, Jr., points out that the lives. Becky: "Not alienate them be- or church. September 1994 / RECORD 3 on-going vitality of congrega- nized into small groups of six or and challenging sermons." angered me," she says. tions depends, in a large mea- eight where they can become Sammy, 37.* Cheryl's mother had been tak- better acquainted with each ing Cheryl's daughter to Sabbath sure, on their effectiveness in ♦"THOUGH I GREW UP AS A other, where they can study to- school each week, and when a responding to sb cspiritual needs SUPER-STRICT, conscientious gether, and where there is nur- new pastor, Lester Jones, arrived, as identified in his surveys: Adventist, determined to live up turing and caring for each other. she approached him about visit- 1. To believe life is meaning- to everything the church taught, "The formation ofsmall compan- ing her daughter. ful and has a purpose I how don't agree with the doc- ies as a basis of Christian effort "Pastor Jones came to see me 2. To have a sense of commu- trines or standards anymore. In is a plan that has been presented on different occasions, trying to nity and deeper relation- recent years I have come to feel before me by One who cannot encourage me to return to church. ships that all those works mean little err." (Ellen White, Evangelism, Then one day he came again and 3. To be appreciated and re- compared with salvation by faith spected p. 115) urged me to attend some evange- in Christ's gospel. I am now much listic meetings to be held by an 4. To be listened to and heard happier." Alicia, 63* 5. To feel that one is growing evangelist, Pastor Lyle Albrecht. My rebellious self said I didn't in the faith ♦"I EITHER NEED TO SEE A 6. To have practical help in What will it take need to go, but at the same time CARING LOCAL CHURCH, or I something was urging me to at- developing a mature faith for former need to change my expectations "The churches of America tend. members to of what a Christian fellowship is "My mother and another eld- have two choices: either they can supposed to be. When my hus- remain as they are and lose their erly lady begged me to take them return? band lost his job last year, things to the meetings. I finally agreed, already-waning influence upon got rough financially. And when the world around them, or In talking about people who since my mother couldn't drive I lost my job a few months later, at night. Right from the begin- change!"says Craig A. Dossman, no longer worship in the we couldn't keep food on our Sr. in his book, From House to Adventist Church, Fordyce W. ning I was hooked. Pastor table for several months. We fed Albrecht's messages were so com- House. Dossman continues by Detamore writes in his book, our little boys, but we grew thin; emphasizing the importance of Seeking His Lost Sheep, pp. 5 pelling. We hardly missed a single our bills piled up. It was then, night, even though I was work- having church members orga- and 6, "... few become backslid- when we needed help, that no ers because they ing the 'graveyard shift' at the one from the church visited us or were poorly indoc- hospital, which made it hard to even offered to help, even though be at the meetings as well. trinated . . . only a we kept coming to Sabbath school small fraction give "The night he spoke on heaven In Contact With and church. Eventually we is what changed my life. He made up because of doc- stopped coming. Like I said, Others trinal misunder- it so real that I wanted to be maybe I'm the one who needs to there—I had to be there. I made standings, or dis- change my expectations of the Every association of life calls agreements. Many my decision and gave my heart to for the exercise of self-control, for- local church before I would want God. I asked for rebaptism. My are out because of to come back." Sharon, 42* bearance, and sympathy. We dif- things that we as life has been different since then." fer so widely in disposition, habits, evangelists, pastors, But, as Cheryl continues with conference presi- her story, the devil wasn't going education, that our ways of look- to let go that easily. While going ing at things vary. We judge differ- dents, conference What has been treasurers, college down the steps from the baptis- ently. Our understanding of truth, presidents, church the experience of mal pool, she tripped and fell all our ideas in regard to the conduct elders, and deacons those who have the way down. She was not hurt, of life, are not in all respects the have done or said but it was a bad jolt. Then Cheryl same. There are no two whose ex- to them. We will returned? came down with pneumonia. How is life treating her now perience is alike in every particu- have to accept our ♦ share of the blame; "Life looked so rosy and ap- that she is back in church? Does lar. The trials of one are not the peared to hold so much for me as she ever get discouraged, or is trials of another. The duties that and if we will admit our guilt, we will a 16-year old that religion and she ever tempted to revert to her one finds light are to another most have taken the first church meant little to me. In fact, old ways? difficult and perplexing. big step toward re- it was boring, and the kids just Cheryl is lucky, because she So frail, so ignorant, so liable to claiming the lost— hung around the halls laughing has a support group made up of misconception is human nature, meeting them more and joking," says Cheryl women who really care. "These than halfway." Campbell. "I felt that life had so ladies were so genuine in wel- that each should be careful in the much more to offer than being coming me back in to church estimate he places upon another. ♦ "I MUST BE- restricted by rules and regula- fellowship. They often call me to We little know the bearing of our COME CON- tions. I felt no need for God. I find out how I'm doing. They acts upon the experience of oth- VINCED that the could just do my own thing." support me when I'm feeling dis- ers. What we do or say may seem Adventist beliefs are Cheryl quit going to church couraged, and they pray with me. to us of little moment, when, could sound. I left because and "went the way of the world." It's so wonderful to be back in a our eyes be opened, we should see I didn't find spiritual "Later I heard that a pastor had church where people love the nurturing. It seemed arranged to have my name taken Lord, where we care for each that upon it depended the most off the books because I no longer other and where we're looking important results for good or for the church I at- tended before was attended church. That hurt and forward to living with Jesus in evil." Ellen G. White, Ministry of stuck on legalism heaven," are Cheryl's closing re- Healing, p. 483. and parochialism. I marks. would need a wealth of caring activities * Adventist Review, May 4, 1989

4 RECORD / September 1994 COVER STORY pier and that life was less stress- ful. I finally sold the company. Mike was so wrapped up "About this time my wife was with making money and get- invited to sing in a local band. Everyone needs to feel they ting rich that he often worked She did so well and her voice belong and that they are a 16- hour day, seven days a sounded so good that I intro- week. He had little or no rest. duced her to someone I knew appreciated. Surveys of inactive who had a real big band. She is ♦ "I MUST PROVIDE THE very talented—she plays many members suggest that dropouts BEST for my wife," he'd say, and musical instruments including are those who never bonded when she suggested that they go piano, flute and banjo, so she to church on Sabbath, he'd reply, went over big with the band. Later with the core group in their "You go, honey, I've got to work— I helped her put together her remember you told me that if I own band. She did this rock and congregations, never felt a part worked hard we'd be rich." roll stuff all around the metroplex "I did work hard, and I did and other places." of the "inner circle." make a lot of money," Mike con- One morning Mike woke up tinues. "I became owner of a fac- early feeling weird. It was a Sab- tory that designed and screen bath morning. He rushed to printed the outfits worn by BMX Huguley Hospital thinking he was have some things in your life that come back to the Lord, Mike. bike riders. I'd always been inter- dying of a heart attack. are very stressful. You've got to May Cod be with you!" ested in clothing design. And I "When the doctor came in to let go of these things that are Mike used to be the sound was also into bike racing. So I see me," Mike continued, "he said, bothering you." engineer for several rock bands, thought I had to give up every- 'Mike, what are you doing here?' "And that's when I started and because of his skills he re- thing to be successful. It was Dr. Stan Seiger. I knew 'cleaning house,' " Mike contin- ceived requests from a number "After some time my wife sug- him pretty well. I told him I was ued. "I realized I'd not been to of the major bands in the five- gested that I work 10 hours a day dying of a heart attack." church for over five years so, I state area who played for the best for five days a week, so I started "You're not dying of a heart decided I should go back to rock and roll stars. One day he doing this and found I was hap- attack," the doctor said. "You church. I told my wife about my bumped into a former friend, Joe feelings—that something was Cavallaro, who invited him to his missing in our lives, but she didn't home for Friday vespers. think so." "I got there late," Mike recalls, Even though Mike started read- "but as I drove by I saw a band set ing the Bible and praying more up in the garage with Joe playing than he had ever done before, he the acoustic guitar, so I stopped was still unhappy. Things weren't and joined him." going well. Then on June 13 his "Yes, we play Christian songs wife walked out of his life. for various groups who invite us "She walked out of the door to their meetings," commented saying she didn't love me any- Joe when Mike questioned him more—this was just six weeks ago. about the different instruments. My life has been filled with lots of As the conversation progressed, things that would seem unfair, Joe realized Mike was well versed but having my wife leave has been in musical instruments and sound the worst," Mike says, "and I could systems, so he said, "Hey Mike, go crazy, commit suicide or get you know the Keene church drunk, but then I've realized needs someone just like you to something. I forgot that six handle their sound system. Do months ago I made a commit- you think you could help? Let's ment. I said to the Lord (I was go look at the system sometime scared when I did this), 'God, this week." here I am. You know my skills. Mike met with Lee Montoya, Here I am for whatever I'm worth. the sound systems operator, and Use me.' I was so scared when I when they went to the church for said this! And then I said to my- Mike to look at the sound equip- self, 'My wife's walking out on ment, it became evident to Lee me must be part of the deal.' that Mike knew all about the job. "I found comfort knowing that Lee turned to him and said, "Mike, whatever happens, God will take I believe you are an answer to care of me. When my wife left I our prayer!" wrote her a letter telling her how "Me!" Mike stammered. "That much I loved her but that I was can't be! I've come straight from becoming a Christian and noth- hell and the rock bands, and I ing would stop me. Before I even have a ring in my ear! I can't mailed it, I showed the letter to be an answer to prayer!" Lee as- my mother. She cried when she sured him that he was. read it." Joe invited Mike to church the Mike Holland operating the sound system at the Keene church. "I can't tell you," she said, "how following week, but he said he long I've been praying for you to couldn't come because he was

September 1994 / RECORD 5 committed to be at Glen Rose people appreciate their music." will do the same for my wife and tion visitors should get when they from 8:00 a.m. to midnight to "The Anavitartes invited me other young people who should come to an Adventist church. (It operate the sound system for 12 home to dinner. We sat there, be worshiping in church." is a fact that most visitors come different rock bands. He needed and we ate and talked. They (Can't you hear Cod and the to an Adventist church for a spe- the money, and it was to be big prayed for me to have strength— angels singing, "Welcome Home cific reason—not just to attend money. to keep trusting in the Lord. Children?") church.) With three churches to "I understand your commit- 'Dave,' I said, 'you know what pastor, Charles Kohley is a very ment," Joe replied. "Just go and that song busy pastor, but his well-trained pray about it." greeters let him know about the Pray he did, and when visitor. He was able to chat with Monday morning came, a David after church and learned woman called to say that to look of his interest in Bible study. the show had been can- Are we willing This was a very busy time, for celled! at ourselves as others see us? Why the whole church was involved "I took this as a sign that in preparations for an evangelis- I was to go to church," said is it taking so long for us to tic series. David expressed his Mike, "so I decided to check eagerness to attend the series the church out—to see how welcome home those who once and when, six weeks before the things are in the Keene blged to our congregations? meetings were to begin, the church. I asked God to give e on church held weekend rally and "There's a young woman who is just starting back to church me a special sign that I was a prayer breakfast on Sunday doing what He wanted me to after many years," a pastor tells me. "She said she used to attend morning, David was there. He do. Imagine my surprise," church as a little girl with her family in another state, but then made a passing remark about Mike continues, "when I something happened. Another member hurt them badly byh. encouraging his father and walked into the church foyer saying or doing something. And they stopped attending mother to attend. and a number of people came "They did not lose their faith, though. This woman remem- Sure enough, Melvin and his to me saying how happy they bers having worship at home throughout her growing up years. wife came. They were intrigued were to see me. Some even grown, with her own profession, she feels it is time to by the meetings. But then, hugged me. One lady even had Andcome back to church. I hope," the pastor continues, "our Melvin had some decisions to tears of joy in her eyes. I've members will treat her kindly!" make. In preparation for his lived in the Keene/Cleburne "Behold," says God in Revelation 22:12 and 14, "I am coming retirement, he had quit one of area all my life, so many people I will give to everyone accord- his two jobs, keeping the less . soon! My reward is with me, Blessed are those who wash their know me. I was surrounded with stressful one which required love. I felt," Mike hesitated, "I ingrobes, to whatthat theyhe has may done have . . the. right to the tree of life and may working on Sabbath. How- ever, once he began attend- felt like I was coming home!" go through the gates into the city." As Mike walked in through It's time to fill the empty pews. November 19 is Homecoming ing the meetings, he decided the sanctuary door, he asked God Day in the Southwestern Union. The stories of tragedy can be at his own initiative to to give him a special blessing changed to stories of celebration and joy. Maybe Devin can sing change back to the job that and message, and there, stand- didn't require working on ing on the platform was little that"You song were once gone, more: now you're back, welcome home! Sabbath. He quit the one Devin Anavitarte singing,"You You were lost, now you're found, welcome home!" job on a Wednesday and were gone, now you're back, wel- Jean Thomas, editor went to church the next come home! You were lost, now week. He was able to give you're found, welcome home!" up smoking as well. Both "I started crying," Mike con- Melvin and his wife were tinues. "It hit me like a brick! • THE CON- baptized with David during the 'That's my blessing,' I said. I had did for FLICT IN HIS HOME was so campaign. to listen to that song three times me, don't you!' Imagine attend- great after Melvin Isles rejoined What's going to keep these that day. ing church for the first time in the Adventist church in 1982 that people as active members in this "At the end of the first service five years and being invited on his wife left. He was devastated. church that now has 14 new Lee Montoya came over to me the first Sabbath back to operate He gave up attending church and members? and invited me to run the sound the sound equipment!" went to make reconciliation with "It's more critical than ever," system. I did, and that gave me a "I was going to take my ear- her. Smoking and working on remarks Pastor Kohley, "that we real blessing as well. During the ring out, but I haven't because I Sabbath became part of his life— build hedges around these new second service everyone started want my friends to know that this third generation Adventist members, for there are elements clapping after Devin sang his song they will be welcomed back to And the years passed by! that seek to destroy confidence again. I turned to Lee and said church just as they are. I want On a Sabbath morning toward in the church. It's strange how 'Lee, when did Adventists start them to know that the church is the beginning of this year, greet- soon literature denigrating the clapping in church? It seems for sinners like me, and that they ers welcomed a young man, church begins to arrive in new church artists have always had to will be loved just as I was loved David, to their services. The greet- members' mailboxes," Pastor be satisfied with a loud amen. when I came back. I don't know ers gave David the special atten- Kohley continues. "Our churches But this clapping, well it might what the future holds, but I do operate with a 'buddy' system, stop some of our talented people know Who holds the future. I am where a stable family adopts a from singing in rock bands. This confident that God will continue new family to mentor and be- clapping tells our artists that to be my guide. We've got to get friend. I am fortunate in having the young people back into the church. I know God is working in my life, and I'm praying the Lord

6 RECORD / September 1994 What are the most common criticisms dropouts have of the church? In compiling the results of two focus groups dealing with why people left and why they'll return to church, Norman Yergen makes the following remarks in his report. Certain similarities in the perception of the church by former members are that the church is: (a) Cold and unfriendly (b) Hard to be assimilated into (c) Judgmental, critical and negative (d) Perfectionistic and legalistic (e) Too money-oriented What would encourage people to return to church? Although some inactive members feel leery about receiving a call from the church, they are still hoping someone will call. A common response is, "Why have you waited so long to do something for us?" What are these inactive people looking for? (1) Good biblical preaching (2) Good music (3) Acceptance and friendship When asked what they dread most about returning to church, again and again different ones responded, "I dread most that nothing will have changed." When asked what needed to be changed, one person said, "I could never get past the sense of being an outsider." Another one said, "I wish I could change the politics. I just wanted to be involved." And a third man said, "I wish, if I came back, that I'd be given hope instead of condemnation." And to the question as to what response returning members would not like to have, one said, "I just wish I could slip in and out unnoticed. I don't want anyone to fuss over me." Another response was, "I just hate it when I come in and everyone hugs me and says, 'Oh, Brother C, where have you been?' I want to shout, What do you mean? I've been at home. My picture is in the church directory! Where have you been?'"

members who are very sensitive ule a Sabbath potluck and plan- work toward during the new year. agreed to postpone nominating to the needs of others and who, ning session when we discuss One of our doables for 1994 is to committee until the conclusion instead of condemning and lec- plans for the following year. Our share our testimonies, and that is of the campaign in order to in- turing them about behavior, are members make suggestions as to just what our members are do- clude the new members when accepting and kind. They shep- what they believe to be priorities. ing. They're sharing their under- assigning responsibilities to our herd these new members into full We compile these for the church standing of God's love with oth- congregation." membership and involvement in board's study. They choose the ers, and it's working wonderfully. the church. suggestions they feel are In all 20 years of ministry, I've How did you find a congrega- "doables" and those are what we never seen better support for an tion with such an accepting atti- evangelistic effort and retention tude? of new members as we've had Each year in October we sched- this year. Our members even

"What saps the power of the church today is the lack of love ...Unchurched people are seeking for spiritual interested only in perpetuating their own customs. New pro- renewal like never before and the challenge of the church is to grams and ideas are offensive to power brokers because they meet those needs ... If there were ever an area that the church represent change. And change is a dirty word in the vocabulary needs to get back to basics, it would be in the area of establishing of a power broker. Power brokers are not usually interested in caring ministries in the congregation and community." doing ministry in the community. Their needs and values are Having experienced phenomenal growth in his Los Angeles more important than those of Christ or the church. church, Dossman, now pastoring in Oklahoma City, continues "Most congregations seem to have a small group of well- with this remark: entrenched power brokers. They are often allowed to dominate "The promise of Christ to the church was that it would the decision-making processes. Power brokers are many times `receive power.' The source of this power is the Holy Spirit . . . allowed to keep a tight grip on the church even when the However, power brokers have emerged in our congregations; a majority know they are wrong, because the members would vocal minority who seem to believe that the church belongs to rather avoid controversy. them. "Power brokers are often not excited when inactive members "Power brokers want to hold all of the major offices in the come back to church. They refuse to own up to the fact that they church and extend their power base. They allow new believers might have been part of the reason they left in the first place!" to join the church only on their terms. Power brokers are Craig Dossman's book, From House to House, pp 34-36.

September 1994 / RECORD 7 How to Prepare for Homecoming Sabbath, November 19

What to do right away: 1. Address the need for change in your church. Look at • Attitudes of condemnation • Programs that are too stuffy and old-fashioned • Terminology that might need to be updated • Services that should be more meaningful 2. Begin praying specifically for those who are not attending. Pray for a wonderful Homecoming Sabbath. 3. Try to make contact with all inactive members by making a friendly visit. If this is not possible, write a letter invitating them to the homecoming Sabbath. But before mailing them, take time at the beginning of a church service to place these letters before the Lord, to ask for His blessing and the intercession of the Holy Spirit. 4. Encourage Sabbath school leaders to upgrade their programs, making them short but meeting a need. 5. Retrain Sabbath school teachers to become more discussion-oriented rather than preacher oriented. 6. Encourage members to make things right with those who have been alienated from the church. 7. Train greeters to be gracious hosts and hostesses who will be sensitive to the needs of visitors. Plan for November 19 • To be a day of celebration and joy • To have a meaningful Christ-oriented program to meet the needs of the heart • To have music to draw the heart to God • To have regular members to sit with visitors at the fellowship luncheon, to visit with them and to let them know how much they care After the November 19 Homecoming, what then? • Have a follow-up plan where specific members take an interest in specific guests/inactive members by visiting them on a regular basis. • Invite these guests/inactive members to join a small Bible study group held in one of the members' homes.

That old-time religion won't cut it anymore "Why don't you go to church?" was the question a God in our prayers in the archaic second person ... Our nationwide poll put to bunch of twentysomething baby hymns . . . often express a Victorian and rarely a "big busters. Their top two answers were that it was boring enough" idea of God . . . At baptism, matrimony, and and that they perceived the church as irrelevant. A burial, we continue to use language which ordinary study by George Barna found that 90% of all Ameri- people can hardly understand . . . Sermons and ad- cans would like to know more about God, but 62% who dresses again and again are stuffed with religious don't attend worship services think the church isn't jargon and technical terms which strike no answering relevant to society, and 91% of nonChristians believe chord in the modern heart. that Protestant churches are not sensitive to their Where people have been "conditioned" by a Chris- needs. Each year 2,000 new churches are started but tian upbringing, the worship of the average church over 6,000 shut down permanently. Why? It appears may to some extent satisfy . . . But to the average that many churches are building tomorrow's ministry young person of today, brought up without such back- plans on yesterday's models. As 1. B. Phillips puts it in ground, conventional Christian worship will appear his book, YOUR GOD IS TOO SMALL, pp 24, 25, "The reactionary and old-fashioned ... His pressing, though Bible is read in beautiful but old-fashioned language, inarticulate, need is not for the God of the ancient as a rule. Our church services are often conducted in Hebrews . . . but the God of the Atomic Age—the God a form of language that no one uses today. We address of energy and wisdom and love today."

8 RECORD / September 1994

Cyril Miller President's Bulletin Bo

Wanted: Christian Role Models

In a society that is rapidly fragmenting To mark the start of this spiritual renewal from lack of positive role models, it is clear for the men in our union, Sabbath, October that our families, churches, and communi- 8, has been designated as a Men's Day of ties need Adventist men and women who Prayer. Pastors and congregations are being are experiencing a personal walk with encouraged to make this a special weekend Christ, men and women who know how to for the men in the church. Several different pray and who are empowered for service by programs could be held over this weekend the Holy Spirit. and in the months that follow could include: The women's retreats held around the Southwestern Union have brought inspira- • A Friday evening vespers when wives, tion, empowerment and blessing to many mothers and sisters affirm the men in women and their families. Now it is time to their families provide special nurture and support for the • A fathers dedication service on Sabbath men in our churches. We need strong morning with every father receiving a Christian men who know how to stand for boutonniere the right, men who can be looked up to in • A quarterly event especially for men the community, men who have a steadfast • A men's support and prayer group to faith in God. We need fathers who are the meet weekly head of the family, fathers who take care of • A series of social events for men the spiritual and emotional needs of those • A series of service events like painting in their care. We need fathers to be positive someone's house, a yard work party, role models for their children, to nurture mission trip, or auto mechanics instruc- and support their wives and be strong lay tion class. leaders in the church.

"Men of stamina are wanted, men who will not wait to have their way smoothed and every obstacle removed, men who will inspire with fresh zeal the flagging efforts of dispirited workers, men whose hearts are warm with Christian love and whose hands are strong to do their master's work." Ellen G. White, Ministry of Healing, p. 497.

September 1994 / RECORD 9

NET '95 Lay nars commented, "For some time the difference in the world," Bohr I've had the urge to be more effec- Adventist says. "These people don't just Training Event tive in my daily contacts with share religion, they have cultural people. Now I've learned how, Communication and tribal bonds." The experience of sitting at the and I'll be able to help one man Network (ACN) Max Martinez, director of the feet of some of the foremost and accept the peace that only Christ camp meeting through it's five- most experienced soul-winners in Programming can give him." year history, says at least eight the North American Division far The preparation for NET' 95 is Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m. (all time tribes were represented this year. outweighed any weekend plans underway. More training week- zones) "They came from all over the coun- that the 300 lay persons and pas- ends have been scheduled for the "First Wednesday" try to be here, some from as far tors might have cancelled to be in Galaxy 4, Channel 13 coming months. These include: away as Tennessee." attendance at the NET '95 lay September 16-18 Sept. 19, Noon-3:00 p.m. "Normally we have about 300 training event held at Southwest- Camp Berkshire, NY Eastern Time people here," says Martinez, "but ern Adventist College in Keene, September 23-25 Net '95 Evangelistic Planning all our youth are away at camp. Texas the weekend of August 5-7. Camp Kulaqua, FL Mark Finley and his team will You can imagine what this place The Friday evening address by October 7-9 walk through the pre-campaign, would be like with 150 more young It Is Written speaker, Mark Finley, Laurelwood, OR preparation,advertising and people filling the pews." set the tone for a spirit-filled week- October 14-16 how-to for successful meetings The 150 who are here, how- end. The workshop material on Southern College, TN and effective follow-up. ever, have spent the weekend lis- Sabbath and Sunday was particu- Further information can be Galaxy 7, Channel 18 tening intently to Bohr's sermons larly meaningful, since it covered obtained by calling (800) 331- Sept. 24, 4-6 p.m. EST on the state of the dead. Martinez the methods the presenters are 2767. Jean Thomas, Editor Net '95: Recapturing a Vision for chose the topic, because ancient currently using in their soul-win- Witnessing Native American tribal beliefs still ning work. Camp Meeting on Galaxy 4, Channel 10 pervade theology. "We all want to Mark Finley shared how he Native Ground Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m. (all time zones) understand doctrine clearly to help helps people come to a decision It's a far cry from the legendary "First Wednesday" others," says Martinez. "There are for Christ. His wife, Ernestine, Native American powwows. There Galaxy 4, Channel 7 still Native Americans who believe told how she first began giving aren't any war dances, head- Oct. 22, 4-6 p.m. EST that the dead are more important Bible studies and is now able to dresses, or hunting tales. The ste- 150th Anniversary of Millerite than the living," he adds. share the gospel story to people reotypical group of tee-pees sur- Movement As the sermons drew to a close without depending on her hus- rounded by fires doesn't fit into From William Miller Farm in New in the evening, another interest- band. Don Gray, who has been the reality of this gathering. York ing element of this camp meeting involved in soul-winning in Michi- Galaxy 4, Channel 22 But the atmosphere of eternal began. People lined up for per- gan and the Northwest for many brotherhood and tribal bonds that The Adventist Communication sonal testimony. "One year, we years, told of his step-by-step graced the gatherings of old is Network is a service of the North had people lined up 20 or 30 deep," method of finding names, keep- still evident here. America Division ofSeventh-day says Martinez. "Testimonials went ing an interest file, and making a Adventists. The Native American Inter- on for four hours." successful visit Through the years Tribal Camp Meeting in Holbrook, "They don't mind," he says. "It's he has been particularly interested Arizona, isn't what you'd expect the most important part of camp in following up on inactive and fiefs, while at the same time draw- of a Seventh-day Adventist camp meeting for them. They really want former church members. His wife, ing together a group of people meeting, either. everyone to know what God has Marge, author of a children's Bible who share a common heritage that This year's assembly brought done for them." study workbook, also shared some stretches back far beyond this Native Americans from all over "Yes, it's hard to get everyone of her experiences. nation's history. the country to the campus of the to the meetings on time," he re- One of the foremost trainers in Steve Bohr, Texico Conference Holbrook Seventh-day Adventist veals, "but they don't worry about small groups, Kurt Johnston, told ministerial secretary and a guest Indian School for a weekend that how late they stay for testimo- of his personal experiences in speaker at the camp meeting, says enriched their understanding of nies." Jeremy Martin running a successful small group the common cultural background their Seventh-day Adventist be- Associate Editor geared particularly for non-mem- is something special. "It makes all bers. His material covered the (Left) Study sessions at the "do's and don'ts" for small groups. Native American Camp Pastors Bruce Babienco and Meeting highlighted the Don Dronen gave practical point- state of the dead. Native ers on how to make Bible study Americans hope to share interesting for children and how that truth with others who still harbor ancient tribal to be effective in home visitation. beliefs about ancestral spir- "I wish I'd had this instruction its. (Photo: Jeremy Martin) years ago," commented one of the pastors. "There have been so many practical pointers that would have helped make my min- (Right) Style of dress is just istry better if I had known them as diverse as cultural back- before." ground at the Native Ameri- A truck mechanic who had can Camp Meeting. (Photo: taken time off to attend the semi- Jeremy Martin)

10 RECORD / September 1994

IN THE Southwestern Union/Texico Conference Women's Retreat

• A time of spiritual renewal and intellectual stimulation for women.

• October 7-9, 1994; 5:30 p.m. Friday evening through Sunday noon.

• Located at the beautiful Glorieta Conference Center just north of Santa Fe, New Mexico and nestled in wooded mountains with areas for quiet walks.

• Featuring lots of music, banquet and concert Saturday evening, Review and Herald, Adventist Book Center, signing for the deaf, Spanish translation of general sessions, and breakaway sessions in Spanish.

SPEAKERS TOPICS

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Questions? Virginia Cason "In The Heart of Jesus" Contact Dorane Jeffries, WORKSHOPS: Texico Conference Hazel Curtis "Hearts Apart" - When you and those you love are spiritually different. Women's Ministries Rosalie Flores "Mind and Heart in the Image of God" - A workshop in Spanish. Director, at: Tami McGrew "The Hurting Heart" - Finding blessings from God in our pain. Retta Michaelis "Her Heart's Desire" - A mother on her knees. 1704 Robert Dale Drive Dr. Rheeta Stecker "The Healthy Heart" - Women's health issues and information. Albuquerque, NM 87112 Reneta Taylor "The Female Heart" - Women's ministries. (505) 292-6169 Anna Mae Vaughn "The Sad Heart" - Grief or loss and how to deal with it.

Registration Form

Name.

Address:

Phone:

Home Church• Conference• Postmarked by Postmarked after 9-1-94: 9-1-94: Non-refundable Retreat Fee due when registration form is returned: I $20.00 $30.00

The following additional lodging fees will be due upon check in at Glorieta. The fee includes five meals and two nights accomodations at a first class motel with private bathroom and two queen size beds in each room.

Please check your preferences: Roommate Names:

- $ 56.25 (4 women to a room)

- $ 62.25 (3 women to a room)

$ 70.25 (2 women to a room)

$112.25 (1 woman to a room)

Please assign me roommates. I need shuttle service between the Albuquerque Airport and Glorieta ($60.00 charge). Confirmation packet will include shuttle departure times. - I need Spanish translation. - I would appreciate signing. Return registration form and retreat fees to: In The Heart of Jesus 8565 Stream St., NE Albuquerque, NM 87113 (Make checks payable to "In The Heart of Jesus".) A confirmation packet with information will be mailed to you upon registration.

Arkansas-Louisiana PETER A. KOSTENKO, CORRESPONDENT New Orleans First First Spanish Celebrates Church in Anniversary Arkansas Former members, current Organized members, and friends of the New Fifty-four members Orleans First Church came to- joined the first Spanish gether to celebrate the church ever organized in congregation's twentieth anni- Arkansas at a special versary on June 24 and 25. service in Springdale on Guest speakers Tom Kopko June 18. and Jim Griffin, two of the Lay pastor Jorge Alcon church's former pastors, and and newly assigned pas- former members from across the tor Milton Quijano joined country sang the theme song, Arkansas-Louisiana Con- "Family of God." ference administrators to The worship service featured present the dedication a sermon by Jim Griffin that service. Joe Espinosa, a recounted the challenges and retired General Confer- miracles that led to the church's ence field secretary, bap- beginnings. Ray Daniel (far right) and Carlos Pardeiro watch as members sign the charter of the tized six new members Harriet Butler presented a first Spanish church in Arkansas. The church grew from a Spanish Sabbath school into the church during sponsored by the Springdale church. Fifty-four members signed the initial charter. special feature that gleaned his- the service. tory from records of church The Spanish congregation Adventists at Shreveport, Louisiana, Sep- meetings. LEGAL NOTICE grew from a Spanish Sabbath tember 25, 1994. The first meeting will People who attended called Louisiana Conference convene at 10:00 am. the reunion of former members school program sponsored by the Association of The purpose of this meeting is to elect and old friends "a little fore- Springdale church. The members Seventh-day Adventists a Board of Trustees for the ensuing trien- had been holding Spanish-lan- nial term and to transact such other busi- taste of heaven." Notice is hereby given that the con- ness as may properly come before the guage services on Sabbath after- stituency meeting of the Louisiana Con- Association. Delegates to the Arkansas- (Below) Former members of the New noon, but can now look forward ference Association of Seventh-day Louisiana Conference Session are also Orleans First Church who returned for to meeting as an independent con- Adventists will be held in connection with delegates to the Association constituency a twentieth anniversary celebration. the Triennial Session of the Arkansas- meeting. William L. Woodruff, President gregation. Louisiana Conference of Seventh-day Ray F. Daniel, Secretary

12 RECORD / September 1994 "2..zi oar unitEd pray&rs o.sczni to de

Efizonz of yzazz. Zzt ouz ze.9uzsid. ITE mingled ayitk 12rai1z and tizanklgiving." -- Ellen White

GENTRY • ARK.

Daily Schedule OCTOBER 18-22, 1994 8:30 - 9:00 Music - Praise - t his event captures the beginning roots of the Prayer and Small Group Prayer Conferences. If you have never attended or if you want a renewal of a past 9:00 - 9:30 Group Prayer experience come to Gentry! Because of the testimony of changed lives of Arkansas-Louisiana church members who have participated in past events, the 9:30 - 9:45 Break Conference leadership has planned and is hosting this six-year-old traditional 9:45 - 10:30 Lecture Session event. 10:30 - 10:45 Break Inspirational singing, inspirational preaching, ministry in small groups, prayer and 10:45 - 12:15 Workshops small group training will provide a life-changing event you cannot afford to miss. 12:30 - 1:15 Lunch This five-day conference 2:30 - 4:30 Meet in Groups will be held at the 5:30 - 6:15 Dinner Gentry, Arkansas, SDA Church. Motels, some 7:00 - 7:30 Music - Praise - housing with families, RV Prayer parking and tenting areas 7:30 - 8:30 Lecture Session are on campus and the Fayetteville, Arkansas, 8:30 - 9:00 Group Prayer Dick Duerksen Jerry &Janet Page Juanita airport only an hour's Kretschmar drive away. Oj Iplxibia 1 , 'Tweed 4212ottunity 1#otzsozEd SCHEDULE tr. ciaarmal-Zoulsiarui ConfEzznaz Begins — Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. • Concludes — Saturday, 6:00 p.m. 6 and fizz Sliozd .,inzzzizcuz Lbiviiion of SAMPLE WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTERS c.S'EvEnt-fi-day dickEntilts.. Prayer and Spiritual Renewal: Small Groups — Personal Involvement Featuring: Gary Burns, Dick Duerksen, Craig Dossman, Don James, Ruthie Jacobsen, Merlyn & Juanita Kretschmar, Jerry & Janet Page, Kevin Wilfley, and Walter Wright. TYPES OF MINISTRY TRAINING Registration Fee: Small Groups and Prayer CONTACT Arkansas/Louisiana Conference • P.O. Box 31000 • Shreveport, LA 71130 By Sept. 15 - $120 Bill Woodruff • (318) 631-6240 For Housing: Phone (501) 524-6958 • Fax (318) 631-6247 After 9/15 - $130

Registration for Prayer & Ministry Conference REGISTRATION FEE includes four noon meals, study materials, entry to all plenary sessions and Name workshops. Address HOUSING will be your expense. Call or Fax for information on City State Zip motel availability, motor home or trailer hookups and tenting space. Home Phone ( ) Daytime Phone ( )

September 1994 / RECORD 13 Amarillo Cooking or Consequences, New Mexico district to pastor the Clovis and Class Teaches Portales, New Mexico churches. The Whites have served the Lord Health for 25 years in both the United A natural lifestyle cooking class States and in Canada, six years of was recently conducted at which David served as hospital Amarillo's Olsen Park church, chaplain. In addition to his former using Mark and Ernestine pastoral duties in Truth or Con- Finley's book Natural Lifestyle sequences, David was chaplain Cooking as a basis. Health and for the Sierra Vista Hospital. temperance leader Becky Garvin David and Mary Alice have organized the classes, and Mark three adult sons, Jeff, Dave and Phillips was the weekly lecturer. Carl. Mary Alice is a registered Ruth Chapman began the dietitian and enjoys healthful food weekly demonstrations by show- preparation; however, now she is ing how to make several kinds of spending most of her time teach- healthful, nutritious and tasty ing family life seminars with breads. The second topic centered David, who is the Texico Confer- around making breakfast a bet- Tony Crawford prepares simple, healthful desserts at a cooking class in ence family life director. They are ter meal, and Pastor David Sitler Amarillo. both dedicated to reaching as and his wife Cinda Lea shared many people as possible with the ideas for a balanced menu. Third Bible studies for the inmates. studying with three women pris- love of Christ. Karen May was a session devoted to the ad- Rose and Darlene are still study- oners, one said, "Will you teach vantages of a vegetarian diet and ing with inmates at Roosevelt me to pray?" how to inexpensively obtain ad- County jail. The first prisoner has A couple of inmates have got- equate protein. In the final dem- been transferred, but occasion- ten out of prison and stopped by o n s tr ati on, Tony Crawford ally keeps in contact by letter. He to see the women and thank them showed how to make simple, has struggled with his relation- for helping to change their lives. healthful desserts. At the end of ship with God, but recently he Rose keeps in contact with one each session, the participants reports "Jesus, I am back!" On who works at a local business enjoyed sampling the fruits of one visit a staff member said that establishment in Portales, and one their labors. Anna foie-Swingle he recognized their good litera• man plans to go to church in ture and books and asked if they Portales on Sabbath. Bible Enrollment could bring more of it. Card Leads to Jail The women keep the prison New Clovis and library supplied with good char- Ministry Portales Pastor David and Mary Alice White are now acter-building literature, the most pastoring the Clovis and Portales After distributing literature in popular of which is Listen Maga- David and Mary Alice White churches. January of 1989, Portales mem- zine. One time when Darlene was recently moved from the Truth bers Rose Shelton and Darlene Lauterbach had an extra copy of the book Steps to Christ with a Bible study enrollment card in the back of it. They decided to take it to the Roosevelt County jail. In a couple of days they re- ceived a card from one of the inmates requesting Bible studies. When they arrived at the prison, the guard discouraged the Bible study because the prisoner was incarcerated for murder. But Rose and Darlene said they would still like to study with him, and for several weeks they shared scrip- ture with the man who was eager to learn. The inmate soon invited his friends to join him. It wasn't long before the staff at the prison saw The newest Pathfinder group is in Alamogordo, headed by Celeste Siebel. The group had its investiture service on May 28, and now they have brand new uniforms. Pictured on the front row are: Aaron Stickney, Ryan Siebel, Amanda Klump, a difference in this prisoner, and Jonna Klump, Bryan Carruthers, and Gabriel Carrillo. Back row: Mara Cohen, Dianne Stickney (Deputy Director), they invited Rose and Darlene to Jennifer Hembree, Lacey Klump, Telia Murphy, Diana Klump (Deputy Director), Kimberly Siebel, and Celeste Siebel. come on a weekly basis to hold 14 RECORD / September 1994 TARGET EAST TEXICO

TEXICO CONFERENCE EVANGELISM CRUSADE - SEPTEMBER 24-OCTOBER 15, 1994

ABILENE, AMARILLO, AMARILLO SPANISH, BIG SPRING SPANISH, BIG SPRING, BORGER, r0 p SON BROWNFIELD, CLAYTON, CLOVIS, DALHART, HEREFORD, HOBBS, HOBBS SPANISH, KERMIT, LOVINGTON, LUBBOCK, LUBBOCK SPANISH, MIDLAND, MIDLAND SPANISH, ODESSA, ODESSA SPANISH, PAMPA, PLAINVIEW, PORTALES, ROSWELL, RATON, SAN ANGELO, SAN ANGELO SPANISH, TUCUMCARI.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY:

April-September: Urgent card follow-up. 1. Praying for the Holy Spirit. July-Sept: Every church member visited. 2. Inviting friends, relatives, former SDAs. August 13: Convocation. 3. Attending the meetings. September 3: Evangelism offering. 4. Serving on one of the commissions. September 10: Media interests contacted. 5. Visiting the interests. September 10-17: Week of revival. 6. Contributing financially. September 17: Day of fasting & prayer. 7. Distributing literature. September 24-October 15: CRUSADE 8. Being positive! October 15: BAPTISMAL SABBATH November-December: Crusade follow-up. Dec 31-Jan 1: New Year's prayer vigil.

"God demands that every soul who knows the truth shall seek to win others to the love of the truth." Christian Service p. 8

September 1994 / RECORD 15 JACK FRANCISCO, CORRESPONDENT

Broken Arrow Vacation Bible School

Children who attended Vacation Bible School at the Broken Arrow church weren't just from the Broken Arrow church. Twenty-three of 40 attending were visitors from the community.

FRANK TOCHTERMAN, CORRESPONDENT "Uncle Ole's church members bought a plot of but died during the 1918 flu epi- western Junior College, and her land about two miles from the demic. A daughter, Belinda, took daughter, Marjorie Stowe, gradu- Church" site of his capture. Here they nursing at St. Helena School of ated from nursing at Loma Linda Several rough-living individu- worked together to build a small Nursing in California. Another University and taught at South- als accepted Christ during a se- church. They painted it white and son, Thomas, had a daughter, western Junior College, Union ries of meetings held in 1881 by furnished it with pews and an Olive May, who became a nurse College, Paradise Valley Hospital a Danish Adventist minister, A. organ. How thrilled they were to and worked for many years at School of Nursing and Glendale W. Jenson, near Turkey Creek, have a church in which to wor- Santa Anna Hospital in Texas. Her Hospital School of Nursing. Bosque County. After some time, ship. This church was used for daughter, Linda Stair, graduated Another daughter, Ruth, had a one of these men, John Wilson, services until 1927 when the at- from Union College and has been son, Ray, who was vice president who had made a dramatic turn- tendance dwindled down to five. a nurse in Adventist hospitals in of Harris Pine Wood Products around in his life, became a The children of these families went Texas. Thomas's second daugh- and another son, Don, who was preacher. away to school, with several at- ter, Edmee Wiedner, took nurs- publishing director for the Ne- One individual who was con- tending Southwestern Junior ing at Paradise Valley Hospital braska Conference. verted at Wilson's meetings was College, now Southwestern and worked at Loma Linda. Her This little church, now known Ole T. Nystel, the son of a Norwe- Adventist College. daughter, Carlene Bogle, is a li- to the local people as "Uncle Ole's gian immigrant who had settled Ole and Annie Nystel had a son brarian at Loma Linda University. Church," has stood as a monu- Bosque County in 1866. He was who went to teach at the Indian A daughter, Agnes, was secre- ment to the three angels' mes- captured by the Comanche Indi- Mission in Thoreau, New Mexico, tary to three presidents at South- sages for over 100 years. Ole and ans at the age of 14 and marched his wife, Annie, and 15 others are far away from home. After attempt- buried there awaiting the resur- ing his escape several times, the rection day. Indians sold him six months later Since 1983 a yearly service has to a Mr. Eli Sewell for $250. Nystel been held each October. The an- finally made his way back home nual services commemorating this and was met on the way by his group of believers will be held at father who had heard of his re- the Clifton Seventh-day Adventist turn. church on October 1, 1994 Once safely home, Nystel spent Services will begin at 10:00 time reflecting on his experiences a.m. and 11:30 a.m., followed by and how God had saved him on a potluck dinner on October 1, numerous occasions. Upon hear- 1994. To find the church, those ing Wilson preach about the judg- traveling through Meridian ment, Nystel became a convert of should go south on Highway 6 the Seventh-day Adventist toward Clifton (about eight Church. miles). Turn right on FM 2136, In memory of his capture and then turn left on the second gravel road. The church is lo- in honor to God for his deliver- The Clifton, Texas, church ance, Nystel and several other cated about one mile on the left 16 RECORD / September 1994 Cleburne Church International Begins Family Center Sabbath Celebrates The Cleburne First church Diversity broke ground for their new Fam- Members of the Texarkana ily Life Center on July 6. The first church wore international cos- phase of the project includes a tumes on May 7 to celebrate the 9,800 square foot addition to the global mission and cultural diver- current church building. sity of the Adventist church. The building will provide Sab- Costumes represented the cul- bath school classroom space, a tures of Scotland, South Africa, new meeting area for the Path- India, Pakistan, Hawaii, Mexico, finders, and a fellowship hall. and the United States. Steve Gifford, Texas Confer- The fellowship dinner follow- ence president, took part in the ing the service featured foods from ceremony. In his address, he en- individual cultures. couraged the members in their Mike Tomlinson, the church's campaign to raise funds to com- pastor called the event a success. plete the building. "It was not only fun and educa- The church has raised $97,000 tional, but it reminded each mem- of the $167,000 needed to com- ber of the global mission of the plete the initial phase. Bob May church," he said. Members of the Texarkana church wore international costumes on May 7 to celebrate the global mission and cultural diversity of the Adventist church. Rhonda Tomlinson Fort Worth Handley Contributes Quilts Divine The members of the Fort Worth Encounters (From left) Handley church contributed 103 Seminar Richard quilts for donation to the ADRA Peterson, Steve quilt project. September 17 Gifford, and The majority of the quilts were Houston International Harold Gentry sewn by Beverly Kirby, accord- Church look over blueprints for an ing to Ginger McCurry. Kirby took Speakers: addition to the the quilts to the church to be Merlin and Juanita Cleburne First completed by other members. Kretschmar church at a Texas volunteers donated 925 ground breaking quilts to the ADRA project. The Call (713) 271-2452 for ceremony on quilts will be distributed to needy information. July 6. children all over the world. Family Matters What's are the recipients of spankings. often choose a spanking. I'll never ments later with a clear con- But just because someone thinks forget the evening four-year-old science. What did he learn about Richly a spanking is "richly deserved," Kevin did something wrong (I the importance of being careful? Deserved Is isn't a good enough reason to can't remember what) and needed Nothing. He just endured what administer one. a consequence. My husband gave he thought he deserved and was Not Always Because I feel strongly that him three choices: losing the privi- free of guilt. Best spankings are not nearly as effec- lege of going with his cousins So, is a spanking ever de- tive for changing behavior as that next afternoon, going to bed served? Probably not. What chil- by Dr. Kay Kuzma imposing logical consequences, I without a story, or getting a spank- dren really deserve is a conse- enjoy asking children what they ing. At first he chose not going quence that will teach them QUESTION: You made a ref- think they deserve if they dis- with his cousins, but after a few important lessons about how they erence to spanking in one of obey Mommy or Daddy, or mis- minutes he came back and said should behave. In most cases the your columns and mentioned it behave and cause trouble. Even he'd rather give up his bedtime momentary pain of a spanking is was probably "richly deserved." when I give specific situations, story. It wasn't long before he quickly forgotten and is seldom When is corporal punishment like "throw a dish and break it," reconsidered and told his daddy, as effective as consequences that richly deserved? Should it be? or "pull the dog's tail even after "Just spank me and get it over teach the child what he should ANSWER: In my experience your mommy told you to stop," with." do, rather than what he shouldn't. there are two classes of people kids tell me that they deserve a Then there was the time when (Read more from Dr. Kay Kuzma who consider corporal punish- spanking. This answer has my little brother came home rush- in the FAMILY TIMES newspaper. ment (spankings) as "richly de- puzzled me, especially when chil- ing into the house and called, For a FREE year's subscription con- served." The first is parents who dren don't like spankings. "Mom, spank me quickly. I just tact, FAMILY MATTERS, P.O. Box do at times administer spankings. Even when given a choice of broke Mrs. Jones' window." She 7000, Cleveland, TN 37320 or call And second, the children who various consequences, children did, and he left the house mo- 615-339-1144.) September 1994 / RECORD 17 Southwestern Adventist College JENELL RUSK, CORRESPONDENT

Anderson. "She is a polite, capable campaigns against televised sex ancient to modern. Board Names New person who treats everyone with and violence. "Although only a Doroftei, a Rumanian who Academic Vice respect. In addition, she has dem- small content of television has been moved his family to the United onstrated total commitment to her changed, Don Wildmon has raised States in 1980, chose to receive President work and to this school. I believe the awareness of the issues in- his doctoral degree from his na- tive country, which has a very In a special July 21 meeting, the she is an outstanding individual volved to a higher level," says Southwestern Adventist College and will be a very capable aca- Mendenhall. demanding and comprehensive music curriculum. Board of Trustees selected Marie demic vice president" Mendenhall received his master's degree in communica- A violinist since the age of five, Redwine as the Redwine replaces W.G. Nelson, Doroftei played with orchestras in school's new aca- who resigned to assume the presi- tion/journalism in 1977 from Romania after his graduation in demic vice presi- dency of Walla Walla College in Texas Christian University. He is 1970 from the Bucharest Conser- dent. College Place, Washington. well-known and respected among vatory of Music. He established a Redwine is re- Redwine is a member of the Keene Adventist communicators and has reputation as a composer and ar- spected at the col- Seventh-day Adventist Church, served as president of the Adventist ranger of Rumanian folk music. lege and in the where she serves as a local elder. Radio Network. Keene community. She and her husband Don, a In 1970, he came to SAC as In 1980, he came to the United She is a 1956 teacher in the Keene Independent assistant men's dean and began States seeking freedom from com- graduate of South- School District, have three grown teaching communication in the munist restrictions and settled in western Union children. Jenell Rusk mid-1970's. Mendenhall helped New York City, where he found College and received her Ph.D. in establish the college radio station musical opportunities with the child development from Texas Two Professors in 1974. Throughout his tenure as Queens Symphony and with stu- Woman's University in 1980. Complete Doctorates the only general manager of KJCR, dents at the Julliard School of "I'm delighted that Dr. Redwine Mendenhall has used the radio Music. In 1981, he moved to Keene. For Robert Mendenhall and has been elected to serve as SAC's station to provide employment and Doroftei is the founder and di- academic vice president," said El- Mugur Doroftei, faculty members hands-on experience for commu- rector of the Keene Camerata, an at Southwestern Adventist Col- der Cyril Miller, chairman of the nication majors. orchestra which successfully com- lege, the summer of 1994 marked board of trustees. "She brings with His commitment to experien- bines the talents of young musi- the end of doctoral studies and her a wealth of experience and tial learning and the success of his cians, college students and com- the end of their life as "mister." productivity which gives assurance students has opened many career munity members. Because the Each successfully defended his that the academic program of this opportunities for SAC graduates. Camerata is a string orchestra with dissertation and received a Ph.D., a wide range of talent, nearly all college is in good hands." Mendenhall is quick to praise his the highest degree in education. Redwine is an example of some- student employees. "I could not music must be arranged by Mendenhall, an associate profes- one who has prepared for an ad- have done both my dissertation Doroftei himself. His dedication sor of communication and gen- ministrative position through aca- and managed the station without to the orchestra and to the indi- eral manager of the college radio demic experience, with over 30 the help of a lot of students." vidual musicians is obvious in his station, KJCR 88.3FM, received years of teaching, including 21 Doroftei, artist-in-residence at arrangements—music to challenge his degree from the University of years at the college level. She SAC and director of the Keene the first violins and, at the same Texas in Austin. His dissertation, taught at Chisholm Trail Academy Camerata string orchestra, com- time, keep the third violins from titled "Responses to Television one year before joining the faculty pleted his doctorate at the Ruma- becoming overwhelmed. from the New Christian Right: The of SAC in 1973 as an assistant nian Academy of Music in Doroftei and his wife, Cornelia, Don Wildmon Organizations," professor of home economics. She Bucharest, Romania. His disserta- a registered nurse and graduate explored the impact of organized went on the become the depart- tion was a study of rhythm, from of SAC, have three children. ment chair, was named director of Jenell Rusk the Adult Degree Program in 1984, and achieved the status of full professor in 1993. She has served Healthcare on committees and was a member ing, a variety of toys from Toys "R" $500,000 needed to complete the of the accrediting team for an- Kids Playroom Opens Us, a mural of the chain's giraffe project. Efforts have already other college. mascots, and a television. brought in $225,000 and the As director of Southwestern's at Huguley Ellen Dowling Mabee Foundation has offered a Adult Degree Program, Redwine A family of well-dressed giraffes $100,000 challenge grant. has acquired knowledge of most passed out gift bags to young pa- Crystal Heart Gala "With the enthusiasm of our of the academic departments at tients to mark the grand opening Crystal Heart Gala Committee, the college. The Adult Degree of a Toys "R" Us Kids Playroom at Scheduled Community Advisory Council, Program allows working adults Huguley Memorial Medical Cen- Volunteers for Huguley Memo- Hospice Advisory Council, and across the nation and around the ter on June 28. rial Medical Center's Hospice other friends, it seems sure that world to earn a college degree at The new addition to Huguley's House project may see its fund- our goal can be reached by Decem- home through periodic on-cam- pediatric department is one of many raising finished at the Crystal Heart ber 31," says Keith Dobbs, admin- pus seminars, videotaped lectures fully furnished hospital play areas Gala, scheduled for October 16 in istrative director of business de- and personal communication with opening across the country. The Fort Worth. velopment "Our gala is already professors. toy retailer developed the playroom The black-tie event will offer a drawing interest from businesses "Dr. Redwine understands that program several years ago to help live performance by Louise and individuals who want to help the primary role of the administra- hospitals offer bright and comfort- Mandrell and a charity auction of fund the project and have fun at tor is to support the learning activ- able play areas for young patients. donated items, including a new car. the same time," added Dobbs. ity between teacher and student," Volunteers hope the event will Huguley's version of the play- Kurt Adamie said college president Marvin room features wall-to-wall carpet- help them reach their goal of 18 RECORD / September 1994 General News 11111111111 Unused Cars Help putting a postcard appeal for used associate editor, and Merwin means the most to you? Your automobiles in the Adventist Stewart, designer. donation can and will make a Humanitarian Action Pack, a miscellaneous "I want to make Signs a maga- difference. Outreach nationwide mailing from a Cali- zine of the end time prophecy, Your gift may change one life fornia firm. From this mailing doctrine, and lifestyle—that has or many for eternity. Address it Old unused cars sitting in Bierlein received an offer of three Christ's soon coming in view," to the principal of the academy of people's driveways or yards can automobiles. This and other gifts says Moore. "I also want to make your choice. Ginger Church be a means of helping unwed are providing the seed money for Signs as useful a tool as possible Periodicals Director teenage mothers in the Portland the organization to get started. for Adventists to witness to their area. Living Hope is incorporated friends and relatives." Monument Valley This is part of a dream of Len with a board of directors and has Glen Robinson, Pacific Press Bierlein, an adult care home op- applied for a tax exemption. What Publishing Association Hospital Reaches erator, a real estate agent, and an began as an idea has grown into Crossroads active member of the Pleasant a program with many possibili- Because You Care Valley church in suburban Port- ties. Monument Valley Hospital, land. The thinking process started Bierlein has opportunity to The words jumped off the page which has served the Navajo when Bierlein accompanied his accept donations of unused cars and made my heart do a flip-flop. people for more than 30 years, Kiwanis Club to a Portland high from individuals living in the I read them again just to be sure. has reached a financial cross- school to meet and eat with the Southwest. He can be contacted Sure enough, I had read them roads. After much work and many teenage unwed mothers. He said at 1-800-238-4673 or fax 503-658- correctly the first time. "I would negotiations, the hospital's rela- his heart was touched when he 5826. Mort Juberg, Oregon be willing to pay one half of the tionship with the local public saw a hundred young mothers cost of providing an Insight maga- health clinics has changed and with their babies in this one zine to each room or half as many the patient load broadened, giv- school who are attending classes New Editor for Signs copies as students in the dormi- ing the hospital more patients. to better their lives. Marvin Moore has been named tories if Academy would More patients means more Out of this visit came the idea as the new editor of Signs of the pick up the other half of the cost" business, business which the for an organization Bierlein Times magazine, Picking up the phone, I called hospital believes will mean fu- named Living Hope International. effective August, the academy involved. How ex- ture financial stability. However, He said he asked himself, "In my 1994. For the cited they would be when I told the patients are poor, and the retiring years, why would I want past nine years, them of this offer. What can I say, hospital still has to rely very to get myself involved in working Moore has served for the story takes a sad turn— heavily on contributions to sub- for young people?" The answer as a book editor "No money in the budget." If we sidize some of the care that is he found was simple, "The Lord at Pacific Press in just had some others who took offered. asked me to do it, and when you're Boise, Idaho, the needs of our youth seriously Monument Valley is the princi- asked, you have to do it!" with the title of and would step forward. pal institution providing A dozen people met recently at associate book editor, and most What about you? Are you in- Adventist contacts among Native the Pleasant Valley church to hear recently as book acquisitions terested in making an investment Americans. It not only serves a a report of the beginnings of Liv- editor. for eternity? As a parent, grand- great medical need, but it also ing Hope International by Moore replaces Greg Brothers, parent, uncle, aunt, concerned provides mental, spiritual and Bierlein. He outlined his short who has returned to school to bystander, you know how Friday physical uplift by the programs it term goals which include raising finish doctoral studies. nights and Sabbaths can often be offers in the community. For in- funds to purchase what he calls a Many Seventh-day Adventists the longest and most lonely times stance more than 600 winter coats "Teen Haven" in Portland. Here are familiar with Moore through of the week—even in a crowd— were distributed by hospital em- unwed mothers would receive the 23 books he has authored, when you are away from home. ployees to needy individuals. This counseling, career guidance, edu- including Crisis of the End Time That's the time when you long coat drive, supported by church cation on homemaking and child and The Antichrist and the New for familiar things: family, favor- members in Toms River, New care as well as health care infor- World Order, published by Pa- ite foods and Insight magazine. Jersey; California, Texas, Geor- mation. cific Press, and The Gospel vs. Why not accept the challenge. gia and Pennsylvania, surpassed Naturally the question of fi- Legalism, published by Review Daily our youth are bombarded last winter's efforts when about nances is a problem that arises and Herald. In addition, since with enticements the world has 300 coats were donated. with the start of any organiza- 1990, Moore has conducted semi- to offer. Will you, right now, de- "I was just overwhelmed by tion. Then Bierlein got the idea nars on the end time in many termine to make sure Insight goes the response," said nurse Dawn about unused automobiles. He parts of the United States and to each room in the academy that Cairn, who headed the drive. "Not thought they could be donated Canada. to Living Hope International to Born in Lima, Peru to Adventist be sold. He mentioned the idea missionary parents, Moore lived briefly to his Sabbath school class. in Argentina and Cuba before Gift Card At the close of the period a mem- coming to the United States. A Please accept my donation for Insight magazine ber came to him, "Come and see graduate of Union College and for our students: me next week," he said. Andrews University Theological Later as they met, one member Seminary, Moore also received S5 S10 $15 S25 $100 _S1,000 _Other said, "I have a car you can have an M.A. in creative writing from that belonged to my parents." He the University of Dallas. Ordained Name signed over the papers, and within in 1961 in Southern California, a few days the car was sold. This Moore served as a pastor in Texas Address brought in $800, one of the first for six years. gifts to Living Hope International. Moore joins a Signs editorial Phone This led to another idea of team that includes David James, L September 1994 / RECORD 19 only did the coat drive double in sand strong, those lively how to EAT TO YOUR HEART'S CON- in 1993. Is the estrogen supplement used size, but it also marked more "gramps," grandmas and singles, TENT, spiritually as well as physically. in hormone replacement therapy partly to Lifestyle Magazine (telecast #1226). blame? community integration for the sang and prayed and listened. COMPLICATIONS DURING CHILD- Voice of Prophecy (radio). Sunday: hospital. The local Navajo Tribal They fellowshipped with unbe- BIRTH. Up to 35% of all adult women IMMORTALITY; M-F Sept. 19-23: Chapter House joined in the dis- lievable enthusiasm, made new carry a life-threatening infection they don't TWELVE MEN AND A DEVIL- 2. H.M.S. tribution efforts." friends and revived old friend- even know they have until their baby is Richards, Jr. continues his series about born. Are there any warning signs to the 12 apostles, giving behind-the-scenes In addition, monthly food ships. banks have become routine. Since watch? details about their later lives and deaths They contributed $43,000 to Voice of Prophecy (radio). Sunday: that are not mentioned in the Bible. September, 1993 the program has church enterprises including VOICES FROM HEAVEN; (M-F) Sept. 5- expanded on a monthly basis. WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 25 scholarship assistance to third 9 JOY IN PRISON. Lonnie Melashenko Through the same Flagstaff, Ari- provides important insights from Paul's It Is Written (#62694). Mark Finley world students attending zona, food bank that sends dry prison letter to the church at Philippi on presents God's unconditional love as the food stuffs to Monument Valley, Andrews University. how to have joy under adverse circum- bread of life that nurtures every frustrated stances. need for the right kind of love. To demon- Dawn Cairn, wife of hospital presi- The speakers included, Gen- eral Conference President Rob- strate this LOVE THAT STICKS TO dent, Ray Cairn, arranged for WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 11 YOUR RIBS, Teenie Finley shows view- monthly deliveries of fresh pro- ert Folkenberg, North American It Is Written (#55892). Violent crime ers how to make Oatmeal Raisin Bread. duce for needy Navajo families. Division President Alfred is invading more and more neighborhoods Lifestyle Magazine.(#1229)GENET Concern has surfaced, as the McClure, and others like Roland across the country. In FEAR ON YOUR ICS. Genetic engineering has already made Hegstad, retired editor of Liberty STREET Pastor Finley shows how the dramatic changes in produce and plants. government programs that sup- eternal law of God can make a difference Are humans next? A molecular biologist ply food are being cut back. and Neal C. Wilson, retired Gen- in our world. **Connie Vandeman Jeffery and an ethicist discuss genetic engineer- "But we're trusting in the Lord, eral Conference president sings "In Times Like These."*" ing. like we always do," Cairn said. A pre-convocation seminar on Lifestyle Magazine (#1227). SEXU- Voice of Prophecy (radio). Sunday: As the only Seventh-day "Retiree Club Leadership" under ALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES. HELL'S TWO UNANSWERED Adventist mission hospital in There are an estimated twelve million new PRAYERS; M-F Sept. 26-30: STRESS: the direction of Delmer Holbrook, sexually transmitted disease infections TAMING THE TYRANT. Lonnie North America, this hospital is former president of Home Study each year in the United States. What are Melashenko interviews Richard Neil, M.D., run like a mission. It cannot exist International, attracted some 65 the symptoms? What are the conse- author of a new book by this title, on how without its supporters. It serves club leaders and union and local quences? to reduce the wear and tear of life. one of the poorest ethnic groups Voice of Prophecy (radio). Sunday: conference coordinators. WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 2 in the country. Church members THE POWER OF KINDNESS; (M-F) The next annual convocation Sept. 12-16: TWELVE MEN AND A It Is Written (#61593). Why So Many across the North American Divi- of senior workers will convene at DEVIL -1 They were quite ordinary men— Denominations Series, Part I. If Christ sion are invited to share this Walla Walla College, August 16- not rich, not famous, not politicians, not is supposed to bring human beings to- hospital staff's mission of provid- on the social register. But it took them gether, why have His followers taken RE. ing Christ-centered health care 21, 1995. only 30 years to turn their world upside LIGIOUS DETOURS and split into so to the Navajo peoples of the D.A. Dela field down. Capsule stories depict their lives on many different groups, each claiming to this two-week series by H.M.S. Richards. be the one true church? Pastor Finley Southwest. Jack Stenger helps viewers zero in on the essentials of Public Relations Faith For Today, It Is WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 18 biblical faith. Written, Voice of Prophecy It /s Written (#63294). In response to Lifestyle Magazine (#1230). DIET recent TV network specials on psychic AND HEALTH. Drs. John McDougall and Senior Workers September Program prophecies of the end time, Pastor Finley Terry Shintani join host Dan Matthews to Highlights shows how REVELATION CHAL- discuss the health benefits of a low-fat diet. Meet at Annual LENGES THE PSYCHICS as occult Voice of Prophecy (radio). Sunday: Convention WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 4 prophecies collide with a different kind of FOUR REASONS NOT TO WORRY; prophet and a different picture of "the M-F Oct. 3-7: IT HAPPENED INCUBA. It Is Written (telecast #56393). Loma end." **Wintley Phipps sings "I Want to Lonnie Melashenko reports on his recent The thirteenth annual convo- Linda University's Dr. Richard Hart shares Be Ready."** trip to Havana with La Voz de la cation of retired church employ- with Pastor Finley the latest medical find- Lifestyle Magazine(#1228). ESTRO- Esperanza speaker Milton Peverini. This ings about reducing the risk to your heart. ees came together at Andrews GEN AND CANCER. One in eight U.S. was the first visit to Cuba by a VOP team Hear tips on exercise, healthful living and University, June 22-27. A thou- women was diagnosed with breast cancer in more than 30 years. Global View

ADRA's Relief quarters in Silver Spring, Mary- ing health care for 100,000 refu- The agency has committed an land, and the other at the Alexan- gees, concentrating specifically on additional 100 tons of clothing Efforts to Rwanda dria Adventist Church. Between cholera treatment. The team is for the refugees. People in the Washington one and five p.m. on Sunday, a equipped with 2500 cholera kits In addition, a United Nations metro area have responded to total of $3,400 was collected to- which will aid about 4000 people. plane loaded entirely with 2.5 tons ADRA's request for donations of ward the relief effort, and more Two ADRA trucks have been of ADRA equipment including money, clothing, and medical than $16,000 was donated by ceaselessly purifying and distrib- medicines, water pumps and supplies. phone over the weekend. uting water, serving between hoses, and water purification tab- "On TV they tell you what's One Washington, D.C.-based 20,000 and 30,000 people daily. lets flew from Nairobi to Goma. happening, but they don't always physician called to say he was Fifty tons of clothing from the Aboard this plane was a medical tell you how you can help," one moving his practice to a different agency's east coast warehouse team of 5 persons. ADRA's Uganda contributor said. "When we heard office location and wished to have been delivered to Tanzania office has sent two trucks of food, on the news what ADRA was donate all the old office's equip- enroute to Goma. This amount clothing and water pumps in addi- doing, we decided this was our ment and medical supplies to the will clothe about 70,000 people. tion to the air-freighted supplies. chance to pitch in." relief effort. This shipment contained 35,000 The agency set up two collec- A 12-person multi-national medi- pounds of high-protein biscuits, tion sites, one at ADRA head- cal team, comprised of seven phy- enough to feed about 55,000 refu- sicians and five nurses, is provid- gees. One biscuit a day is enough to keep a person alive. 20 RECORD / September 1994 Stewardship

Getting with the 3:9,10) Being systematic in put- made in accordance with the gifts on the present needs of His ting Cod first gives Him the op- which day by day He bestows to church. From a Biblical perspec- Program portunity to bless the balance us. The steady, unfailing flow of tive, acceptable offerings are It seems that organized people that we have discretion over. Jehovah's goodness testifies of His motivated by our desire to offer get the most accomplished. Busi- As part of the specific instruc- love and benevolence. Then shall ourselves to God. We recognize nesses and homes that are man- tions to the disciples, Jesus com- we not, with hearts filled with God as Lord of our lives. There- aged well seem to prosper. Some- manded, "You shall be witnesses gratitude for all His blessings, fore, our offerings become an act how it just makes sense that when to Me in Jerusalem, and in all respond by dispensing His gifts as of homage and submission to the we conduct our spiritual busi- Judea and Samaria, and to the faithful stewards?" (Review and One who redeemed us and is now ness it, too, should be done in a end of the earth." The support of Herald, Dec. 14, 1897). our Lord. Offerings also demon- systematic and businesslike man- our offerings, accordingly, should The idea of bringing offerings strate that we have faith in God's ner. In fact, we are told, "If sys- include our local church, our to God is found throughout the providential care. Our offerings tematic benevolence was univer- community, our conference and Bible. In most cases, offerings say that our relationship with our sally adopted, according to God's the world-wide program of the were brought in response to the God is more important than plan, and the tithing system car- church. Again, He said, "If any blessings of God, not in order to "things" and that we trust Him to ried out as faithfully by the man will come after me, let him secure favor or for a special pur- provide for our needs. An accept- wealthy as it is by the poorer deny himself, and take up his pose. For example, when the able offering is an embodiment classes, there would be no need cross daily, and follow Me," (Luke wise men from the East came to of the worshiper's gratitude, of repeated and urgent calls for 9:23). If something is done daily see Jesus at His birth, their stated thanksgiving, joy, and love. We means at our large religious gath- it becomes a habit—a part of our purpose was "to worship Him" all know that God doesn't need erings. There has been a neglect, lifestyle. In an article on Chris- (Matt. 2:2). And when they found the money. "Yet God permits us in the several churches, of keep- tian benevolence in the Review Him they did worship Him, and to show our appreciation of His ing up the plan of systematic and Herald, January 11, 1898, as part of that worship they gave mercies by self-sacrificing efforts benevolence, and the result has Ellen White states, "It is not Him gifts (Matt. 2:11). to extend the same to others. been an impoverished treasury emotional spasms of piety that As Christians we give to our This is the only way in which it is and a backslidden church." (Re- make us children of God. He God because He is God. He is our possible for us to manifest our view and Herald, Jan. 1, 1875) calls upon us to work for prin- Creator, Redeemer, and gratitude and love to God. He The Scriptures abound with ciples that are true, firm, and Sustainer. When we accept the has provided no other," (Coun- counsel on having a definite plan abiding." Lordship of Christ we acknowl- sels on Stewardship, p. 18). regarding our response to God's After all, God's blessings come edge that He is the One who daily Finally, an acceptable offering, goodness and our efforts to carry on a regular and systematic basis. provides for us. When Jesus although spontaneous, is at the out the great commission. "God's children should be edu- taught the disciples to pray, He same time systematic. God blesses Solomon states, "Honor the Lord cated to see that He has claims reminded them that it is the Lord us on a regular and continuing with thy substance, and with the upon them. As regularly as the that provides "our daily bread." basis, and we respond in a regu- first-fruits of all thine increase; so seasons come round, He gives us Though we are to be concerned lar and systematic way. shall thy barns be filled with the harvest of the earth. His lib- about meeting the various needs Ed Reid, Stewardship plenty, and thy presses shall burst erality is constant and systematic; of God's church, the primary Director, North American out with new wine."(Proverbs and our returns to Him are to be motives for giving are not based Division Announcements Upcoming programs and events that may be of interest to Record readers are announced here in brief. Additional information is available as indicated in each item.

plenaries. For registration or inquiries, Ham Operators Can Childbirth Instructor Burleson Announces call the Institute of World Mission at 616/ Golf Tournament 471-2522. Contact GC Training Offered The Burleson SDA Church social com- The General Conference "ham" shack Have you wanted to become a Bradley mittee is making final arrangements for Andrews Academy is in the process of including "Packet" Childbirth instructor but felt it was impos- our fall golf tournament. The tournament Alumni Weekend This makes it possible to have contact sible because you keep the Sabbath and across the North American Division and will be held the afternoon of October 16, Andrews Academy alumni weekend will training workshops are held during the around the world through computer and Sabbath? The American Academy of Hus- 1994, at Mountain Valley Country Club in be October 14 and 15. Reunion and honor radio. Any ham operators in the South- band-Coached Childbirth (Bradley Joshua, TX. Form your own team, or come classes are the years ending in "5" and western Union who are on "Packet" should alone and we will assign you to a team. 1970. All who attended or graduated from Method) has opened their Dallas work- have access to the General Conference shop to SDAs October 26-30 (Wed.-Sun. The cost is $32.50, which includes green Andrews Academy, Andrews University through radio in the near future. except Sabbath). For more information, fees, 1/2 cart rental, and entry fee. Inter- Academy, and Emmanuel Missionary Col- ested persons contact Gene Fox at 817/ lege Academy are invited to attend. call 1500-4 A Birth (422-4784). Be sure to 295-2796 or Greg Reaves at 817/295- Association of Adventist say that you want the non-Saturday work- 3106 for additional details. College View Church Women Plans shop. Young Adult Missions Celebrates Centennial Conference Adventist Singles The College View church in Lincoln, The Association of Adventist Women Ministries Retreat Conference Nebraska will celebrate its centennial the plan their 12th annual conference in Ar- September 30 - October 2 is the date of Andrews University will be the site of weekend of September 23 and 24. Special lington, Virginia, Sept 29-Oct. 2, 1994. the ASM Smokey Mountains Gatlinburg GO '94, an international young adult mis- guest speakers will be former pastors "Nurturing and Nourishing the Spirit" is retreat in Townsend, Tennessee. Reserva- sions conference, to be held December 27- Murray Deming, Wilbur Chapman and the theme for this year's sessions, exhib- tions are required with a $25 deposit 31,1994. GO '94 will provide information Floyd Bresee. All former members and its, networking, fellowship and more. All before September 16. Contact ASM, P.O. about new and traditional mission oppor- pastors are invited to attend. For more designed to open new ideas and opportu- Box 1361, Collegedale, TN 37315. tunities available around the world as information contact the College View nities for you! For more information call well as chances for small group fellow- church at 4015 S. 49th St., Lincoln, NE Betty Howard at 301/270-4527. ship, morning devotionals, and evening 68506 or call 402/486-2880. September 1994 / RECORD 21 MANAGEMENT • Accounting • Business • Computer Information Services • Computer Science • POSITIONS 0 Due to organizational restructur- It is never too late for ing, seven management positions &dem are open at Shawnee Mission l Medical Center. ia an education, 3 Soc

Leadership and supervisory e experience are important • and never too considerations, as are specific ion skills in the area. Successful Playing God li. soon for success. candidate will play a role in 0 planning and developing for the Celeste perrino Walker Re Since 1977, Southwestern

future. • This is a story of a h Adventist College's Adult Degree 0 lis

couple whose religious Manager positions open in the . Program has helped hundreds of to following areas: fervor begins to destroy adults complete a degree at home. to • Pharmacy their church and the peo- En • NutritionServices/Production • It's even easier now that most of m • Nutrition Services/Clinical ple they love. the classes are on video. Call today • Respiratory Care US$10.95/Cdn$15.35. logy

ho for dates concerning the required

• Environmental Services c To order, coil toll free 1-800-765-6955, • Materials Management or visit your ABC. eight-day on-campus seminar. If •

• Information Services 01994 Pacific Press Publishing Association 645/9831 Psy you can't go to college, let the Send resume to Human • college come to you. O Resources, Shawnee Mission o. tems Medical Center, 9100 W. 74th St., s Southwestern

Shawnee Mission, KS 66204, or Misha Is Just Sy

call 1-800-999-1844 ext. 2020. Adventist College ion Like You and Me t Keene, TX 76059 0 SHAWNEE MissionEiMi.uicAL C•nati“c For More Information Call: S•rect • lio• 2•73 • Sh•r•ve Maw.. Kames 661,1

010,1W orma 1-800-433-2240 S In 1-817-556-4705 FAX 1-817-556-4742 '1 ice • International Affairs • Journalism • Management • Office Administration • Classified Advertisements Ginger Ketting. Colorful illus- trations and charming text Send all business notices to your local conference office for approval. Rate: $22.50 for one introduce your child to the insertion, 50 words or less, including name and address; $26.50 for 51 to 60 words, plus games, food, and lifestyle of $.45 for each additional word, (Ads originating outside the Southwestern Union: $27.00 for boys and girls in Russia. 50 words or less; $31.80 for 51 to 60 words, plus $.54 for each additional word.) Payment USS5.95/CdnS8.35. Paper. Ages 3-6. must accompany copy. No refund on cancellations. 80 words maximum. Limited display ad space available by arrangement with the editors. Available at your ABC, or Classified advertising in the Southwestern Union Record is published as a service to call toll free 1-800-765-6955. the members of the Southwestern Union Conference and as an accommodation to the She Said No 1994 Pacific Press Publishing Association 647/9831 advertisers. It is printed without any express or implied endorsement or recommendation Kay Rizzo by the publishers. The Record management reserves the right to refuse any advertise- The line between passion ment. Such rejection is not to be construed as disapproval of the product or service involved. The Southwestern Union Record does not accept responsibility for factual or and violence was crossed and typographical errors in advertising. resulted in date rape. She Said No tells both sides of this story and helps heal the emo- EMPLOYMENT tional scars. AR. Light house and yard work and cook- WALLA WALLA COLLEGE is accepting ing. No lifting or bathing. Days off, private US$10.95/Cdn$15.35. Paper. applications for DIRECTOR OF PLANT room(s), and board plus salary. Send re- To order, call toll free 1-800-765-6955, SERVICES operations, including custo- sume and references to: P.O. Box 1199, or visit your ABC. dial and grounds services. Experience and Mountain View, AR 72560. 9-1t 01994 Pacific Press Publishing Association 644/9831 knowledge of building systems required. Send resume and make inquiries through CHRISTIAN PHYSICIAN DESIRES Alberto Can ... the Walla Walla College Vice President of PARTNER for a 12-year established fam- Financial Administration, 204 S. College ily medical clinic associated with a 26-year by RosAnne Tetz Ave., College Place, WA 99324; 509/527- counseling and therapy center located in This read-and-do book 2202. 9-1t east Fort Worth, TX. Call 817/535-1585 for information on this unique setting and is perfect for teaching INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED opportunity. 8-3t your child to say "I'm CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP seeks full- sorry," be brave, and time Christian keyboardist. Send resume, NEEDED: CHRISTIAN SDA GENTLE. photo and demo tape to: The Heralds MAN OR RETIRED COUPLE to care for take turns. Ages 4-7. Ministries, P.O. Box 61, Newbury Park, an elderly man on a small farm in south- US$5.95/Cdn$8.35. Paper . CA 91319. 9-1t western Pennsylvania. Must be able to drive and cook. Free housing, free meals To order, call toll free 1-800-765-6955, ADVENTIST COUPLE OR SINGLE and free garden space. Small monthly or visit your ABC. wanted to live in new home and care for stipend. Contact Pastor or Mrs. Carl Rogers ©1994 Pacific Press Publishing Association 642/9831 elderly couple in beautiful Mountain View, at 614/764-9420 or 614/252-5271. 8-2t 22 RECORD / September 1994 MISCELLANEOUS SINGLES: Now you can meet and date other Adventists throughout the U.S. Dis- EXCITING NEWS FOR SMALL CONGRE- creet, confidential, exclusively for SOUTHWESTERN UNION GATIONS! Amazing Facts, Inc. has devel- Adventists since 1987. Magazine format Record oped an inexpensive, effective evangelis- with enlightening and profitable articles. tic crusade for small churches—one your If you are 18-85 and want friendship and Official Organ of the Southwestern Union Conference congregation can afford. For printed de- fellowship, mail stamped, self-addressed, of Seventh-day Adventists tails, contact Amazing Facts at P.O. Box large envelope to: DISCOVER, 1248 S. Member. Associated Church Press Floral Way, Apopka, FL 32703. 9-10t 680, Frederick, MD 21705-0680 or 301/ 777 So. Burleson Blvd. ♦ P. 0. Box 4000 ♦ Burleson, TX 76097 ♦ 817/295-0476 694-6200 or fax 301/694-7751. 9-1t SINGLE? Adventist Singles News is yours Jean Thomas, Editor MOVING? Montana Conference Transpor- free, plus write your personal ad free: Jeremy Martin, Assistant Editor tation is the choice of thousands of 800/771-5095. ACS voice mail ads free: Carla Baker, Editorial Assistant Adventist families nationwide. Our well- 800/944-7671. Listen/respond to Leroy Hughes and Catherine Siems. Layout and Design Artists known quality service includes competi- Adventist Connection for Singles: 900/ SOUTHWESTERN UNION CONFERENCE DIRECTORY tive rates, packing, full service moves, 446-3400. $2 per minute. 18 or older. President Cyril Miller door-to-door insurance and much more. Respond in writing to ASN and ACS ads: Secretary Samuel L. Green Let our professional Christian drivers and $5. 8-2t Treasurer Max A. Trevino state-of-the-art equipment help you make Associate Treasurer Gregg Baker the right move. For free estimate call toll- WHY BE LONELY? SDA Singles Photo DEPARTMENTS ASI free 800/525-1177. 9-1t Directories, including names, addresses, Ray Hubbartt phone numbers and full descriptions, bring Church Ministries Wafter Wright Communication new Adventist friendships. Ages 18-85. Jean Thomas, Jeremy Martin ADVENTIST GROUP TOURS: Journeys Education Douglas Walker of Apostle Paul Greece tour, Sept. 21, Reasonable. Send stamped self-addressed Evangelism Coordinator James Gilley 1994, host Pastor Morris Venden; Carib- envelope to: SDA Singles, 1467 Osprey HHES Manager Ron Christman bean cruise Oct. 30,1994, hostess Dr. Kay Lane, College Place, WA 99324, or call Publishing Denton James Kuzma; Panama Canal classical music 509/522-2379. 8-6f Religious Liberty S. L. Green Retired Workers Fellowship cruise on QE2 Jan. 8, 1995, host Prof. B. L. Hassenpflug Stewardship Ray Hubbartt John T. Hamilton; Holy Land tour Mar. SINGLE? WIDOWED? DIVORCED? Get TRUST SERVICES 21, 1995, hosts Pastors Bob and Bev listed free (no word limit), confidentially, Director Harvey Byram Bretsch. Contact Mert Allen, Mt Tabor continually (until you cancel) in SDA Friendship Finder-600+ SDAs (US citi- Treasurer Joel Wallace Cruise, 800/950-9234 or 503/256-7919. zens 18-98); birthday/state indexes; reci- 9-1t pes; thrifty tips; income ideas; inspira- LOCAL CONFERENCE DIRECTORY tional insights; gifts; classifieds; success ARC— William L. Woodruff. President; Ray Daniel, Secretary; Arthur Nelson, MUSIC MINISTRY? Award-winning record stories; and more. Applications: SASE. Treasurer; P.O. Box 31000 (7025 Greenwood Road), Shreveport, LA 71130 318/631-6240. producer/vocalistJim McDonald can help Large current catalog: $25. SDAFF, Box OKLAHOMA—Rodney Grove, President; Alf red C. Schnell, Secretary; Douglas J. Fatle, Treasurer; you get started. Winner of 44 albums of 465, Shannon, GA 30172. 7-6f (P.O. Box 32098) 4735 N.W. 63rd St., Oklahoma City, OK 73132; 405/721-6110. the year, over 20 years experience; call SOUTHWEST REGION — Robert Lister, President; B. E. Wright, Secretary; Theodore Brown, Jim at 619/692-2411. Mail rough demo to CASH FOR MORTGAGES AND BUSI- Treasurer; (P.O. Box 226289) 2212 Lanark, Dallas, TX 75266; 214/943-4491. TEXAS— 3808 Rosecrans St, #469, San Diego, CA NESS NOTES: If you're currently receiv- Stephen Gifford, President; Larry Moore, Secretary; Frank Moore, Treasurer; (P.O. Box 800) U.S. 67 & 1-35, Alvarado, TX 76009-0800; 817/783-2223. 92110. No contests, no gimmicks, minis- ing monthly payments from a trust deed, TEXICO — Ralph Orduno, President; George Lloyd, Secretary; Tim Shedd, Treasurer; (P.O. Box try only. 9-3f mortgage or business note and need cash, call Ed at 301/774-3620 for a free quote. 7770) 4909 Canyon Dr., Amarillo, TX 79114; 806/353-7251. SINGLES COMPUTER DATING: Afford- We buy trust deeds, mortgages and busi- Those desiring to make wills, agreements, and annuities, should make them in favor of the ness notes nationwide. 6-4t legal association rather than the conference. Write your conference Director of Trust Services able referrals; annual membership only for further information. $30 for a limited time. Free offer to se- RV'S! Let me see if I can save you money! niors, handicapped on limited incomes. ADVENTIST BOOK CENTER DIRECTORY Buy your next motorhome or trailer di- Free info; send self-addressed stamped ARKANSAS-LOUISIANA — 7025 Greenwood Rd., P.O. Box 31000, Shreveport, LA 71130. 318/ rect from the only Adventist owned and 631-6248. #10 envelope to SDA Computer Cupid, operated RV dealership in the U.S. We've P.O. Box 16823, Wichita, KS 67216. 9-1t OKLAHOMA-4735 NW 63rd St., P.O. Box 32188, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, 405/721-6144; Toll- been savings SDA's money for 20 years Free: 800/522/2665. The Oklahoma ABC also serves the Texico Conference territory. on HitchHiker, Jayco, Coleman, Kountry SOUTHWEST REGION — MOVING? Consider Mountain Home in 2215 Lanark, P.O. Box 226289, Dallas, TX 75266. 214/948-6382. Star, Pinnacle, Residency, Dolphin, TEXAS —1-35 & US 67; P.O. Box 800, Alvarado, TX 76009. 817/645-4744; 783-2261; Toll Free: north central Ark. Low-cost living, pure Seabreeze and many other top brands. 800/333-1844 (orders only). environment, low crime. First quarter We also rent. Call nationwide toll-free TEXIGO — See the Oklahoma listing above. tuition free at church school. New 100- 800/545-0066. Ask for Lee Litchfield and member church. See why others are choos- tell me you're an SDA. Lee's RV City. Communications or copy not originating in a local conference of the Southwestern Union should ing Mountain Home. For more informa- 9300 SE 29th, Oklahoma City, OK 73130. be addressed to the Southwestern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, P.O. Box 4000, tion call 501/424-6957 or 501/491-5852. 3-11t Burleson, TX 76097. ALL COPY, SUBSCRIPTIONS, ADVERTISEMENTS AND CORRESPON- 9-2t DENCE from church members in the Southwestern Union should be addressed to the LOCAL COLORADO VACATION? Yes, for you CONFERENCE OFFICE. Subscription: $9.00 per year. A new E.G.White CD-ROM with over 280 and the family. Come to Filoha Meadows near historic Redstone. Enjoy mountain COPY DEADLINES books, periodicals, pamphlets and collec- Announcement for Events Should Be in Local splendor high in the Rockies. Fabulous on Weekend of Conference Office by tions! Built-in concordance provides fast snow skiing, abundant wildlife, blue rib- word searches. Find, categorize, annotate November 5, 12, 19 and 26 September 16 bon trout fishing, private natural hot min- December 3, 10, 17 and 24 and print those significant quotes with October 14 eral springs, jeeping, hiking and biking January 7, 14, 21 and 28 November 18 ease. Specialized software (QuoteBase) trails. Private duplexes. Great views. Call allows you to organize your own research. 800/227-8906. 7-3t Volume 93, Number 9 September 1994 Free information packet; call 800-382- 9622. 9-2t Sunset Calendar REAL ESTATE BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED CHRISTMAS Sept 9 Sept 16 Sept 23 Sept 30 Oct 7 Oct 14 CARD on sale at cost. One kind, $10 REAL ESTATE. IF SELLING OR BUY- Abilene, Texas 7:55 7:45 7:35 7:26 7:17 7:08 dozen. Proceeds will be used for disasters ING IN NORTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA. Amarillo, Texas 8:04 7:54 7:43 7:33 7:23 7:14 worldwide. Call or write for sample: Margie I would like to be your realtor. Farms, Brownsville, Texas 7:42 7:34 7:25 7:18 7:10 7:03 Ring, 1305 Main St., Franklin, LA 70538; acreages, homes or lake property—Grand. Dallas, Texas 7:43 7:34 7:23 7:13 7:04 6:55 318/828-3624 or 318/828-0476. 9-3f Tenkiller, Greenleaf, Fort Gibson. Con- El Paso, Texas 7:22 7:12 7:02 6:53 6:44 6:35 tact Dorothy M. Wilcox, 111 E. Shawnee. Fort Worth/Keene, Texas 7:45 7:36 7:24 7:15 7:06 6:57 HIGH PROFIT FUNDRAISER! Does your Tahlequah, OK 74464. 918/456-5432 or Galveston/Houston, Texas 7:33 7:25 7:15 7:07 6:58 6:50 group need cash? Sell 1995 scripture cal- 456-1484; fax 918/456-0911. 5-12t Gentry, Arkansas 7:36 7:26 7:14 7:04 6:54 6:44 endars and earn more than 50% profit. Little Rock, Arkansas 7:26 7:16 7:05 6:55 6:45 6:36 Muskogee, Oklahoma 7:36 7:28 7:17 7:07 Liberal credit terms for groups and indi- 6:57 6:48 New Orleans, Louisiana 7:14 7:06 6:56 6:47 6:39 6:31 viduals. Large selection of styles and prices. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 7:47 7:37 7:26 7:16 7:06 6:57 Free color brochure. Sample calendar San Antonio, Texas 7:48 7:39 7:30 7:21 7:13 7:05 $3.00. One time ad. Call now! 800/456- Santa Fe, New Mexico 7:22 7:12 7:00 6:50 6:40 6:30 2640. Enduring Books, 116 Walker, Rolla, Shreveport, Louisiana 7:31 7:22 7:11 7:01 6:52 6:43 MO 65401. 9-1t Tulsa, Oklahoma 7:42 7:32 7:20 7:10 7:00 6:50 September 1994 / RECORD 23 THE HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE Citrus Fund Raising

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A special report on Adventist Health System/Sunbelt Health Care Corporation

Su 45,---)'t--

A one- way ticket to Anytown by Irma King Executive Secretary Anytown Adventist Hospital You won't find Anytown Adventist Hospital listed in the directory of Adventist Health System/Sunbelt. Nor will you find my name on any employee roster. The following is a true story that continues to unfold. But because of threats made against her life, the heroine's name— and all other people and places—have been changed. All other facts Leaving behind a past of abuse and fear, Denise boarded the Greyhound bus with a one- are reported as they way ticket to a city she did not know. Neither did she know what her future would hold — happened. that she would go blind, learn Braille computer skills, "adopt" a new family at an Adventist hospital, and meet Jesus Christ who would become her best friend. Abused by father Denise was born blind she was fascinated by the She received $5 a month sign. A few days later, in one eye. Along with electric light switches she from the state, and she Denise walked to the bus eight brothers and sisters, saw for the first time. saved most of it. Because station and asked the clerk she lived an isolated life in After a trial, her father she couldn't read or write, where her meager savings the country. The children was sent to prison and her she didn't know how much would take her. never went to school; in mother to a mental money she had, but it The clerk suggested a fact, they were never hospital. At that time seemed like a lot to her. one-way ticket to allowed off their property. Denise's father threatened When she was 18, Anytown, and although They were both physically to kill her if she ever Denise was transferred to she knew no one there (or and sexually abused by disclosed what had a nursing home where she anywhere else, for that their father. happened during her had nothing to do but matter), Denise bought a When Denise was 12, childhood. watch television. Three ticket and boarded the her father tortured her so years later she saw a bus. Terrified, she rode for Labeled "unteachable" badly that neighbors two commercial for Grey- 24 hours with nothing to At the orphanage where miles away heard her hound Bus Lines. From eat or drink, and unaware she was sent, Denise was screams and called an her window she saw the that there was a rest room labeled "unteachable." ambulance. In the hospital same dog on a nearby in the bus. S-1 A fellow passenger was baptized into the standing in front of a hospital friends as her hired Denise to do house- Seventh-day Adventist display of cereal and not family and spends many work. She gave her clothes Church. More good things knowing what to do next. I evenings and weekends and let Denise live in her were happening in her life. took her home. with me, the Youngs, and home for two years. She was taking the bus to other friends. She often Surprised by party Before the woman moved classes at a community bakes us cookies as gifts. Later that year, hospital from Anytown, she helped college and had learned to Our mission at friends surprised 30-year- her find a job and a place print three-letter words. Anytown Adventist old Denise with her first to live. Then her one good eye Hospital is more than just birthday party. Sandy Denise came to the began to trouble her, and physical healing It's also Young, a nurse who also Anytown Adventist Denise went to a hospital- to embrace the stranger had befriended Denise, Hospital to apply for sponsored eye screening. within our gates. With told her husband about the work. When she asked me Later, at a follow-up visit persistent love, that young woman. They to help her fill out the job at the Anytown Eye clinic, stranger may even become invited Denise to live with application, I had no idea Denise learned she would a fellow employee, such as them and she accepted. she couldn't read or write. someday go blind from my dear friend Denise. Meanwhile, the hospital retinitis pigmentosa. Life begins to change administrators worked to That same day the When Denise was hired get Denise admitted to the New brochure ophthalmologist dilated in the hospital's house- State School for the Blind. her eyes, and Denise keeping department, her There she earned her GED outlines SDA became disoriented. life began to change in just six months. When Although she couldn't see, history, beliefs dramatically. I remember Denise graduated, 25 she tried to get home. She Patients, employees, how she would walk down hospital families drove heard horns blowing and community leaders, the hall, always staying more than 60 miles each tires squealing around her vendors and many others close to the wall, head way to attend her gradua- as she somehow maneu- who associate with down. She would ac- tion! Denise returned vered across a busy Adventist health-care knowledge no one—not home to Anytown to live highway and ended up at organizations often know even me—although I with the Youngs and the Anytown Mall. very little about the beliefs always greeted her. I still attend a special school to When I stopped at the of the Seventh-day remember the day Denise learn Braille computer mall during my lunch Adventist Church. And, first spoke to me in the skills. hour, I saw Denise and they may not understand hallway. waved. She didn't wave Blindness an some things they do know, Chaplain Jerry Johnson back, so I knew something inconvenience such as Sabbathkeeping had noticed Denise and was wrong. After hearing Today Denise is work- and dietary practices. wanted to help, but her story, I skipped my ing again at Anytown AHS/Sunbelt leaders because of her abusive errands and drove her Adventist Hospital. She felt the need for a bro- father, she was terrified of home. takes pride in supporting chure to briefly describe men. Finally, the She was frightened herself and living inde- the church's history, its chaplain's kindness won about going blind, but we pendently in an apartment health-care mission and her trust, and she began to thought it would happen nearby. Although she's key beliefs and lifestyle talk with him. Chaplain gradually. Just seven been recognized by the practices. Johnson enlisted a psy- months later, Denise was State for her achieve- chologist to help Denise Need to communicate grocery shopping when ments, she insists that her with emotional problems fait and quality suddenly everything went blindness is an inconven- ► dating back to her child- "We felt it was impor- black. ience and not a handicap. hood. tant that the brochure Denise has no contact Again, I just "hap- focus on Jesus Christ and Denise is baptized with her relatives (and is pened" to be in the right the plan of salvation One year after she fearful of the day her place at the right time. I because these are things walked into Anytown father is released from discovered Denise—alone all Christians can relate Adventist Hospital, Denise prison). She counts her and permanently blind— to," says Jane Allen,

S-2 used by hospitals through- training and equipment to out the United States in interested church groups. addition to physicians and CTMC nurses, cardio- churches. pulmonary and education Employees of other staff use videos and faiths, many of whom are hands-on training to teach strong supporters of the church members how to Adventist health-care perform the screenings. mission, have been most Equipment is then donated positive about the new to the church, along with brochure. They say that printed information from knowing Adventist beliefs the American Heart helps them relate to the Association that explains mission of the hospitals. important health facts related to blood pressure. Roll the presses Most congregations Another printing of "A organize screenings once a Mission of Health and month or more. One Healing" is planned as church combines the blood soon as sufficient requests pressure screening with its warrant a large enough weekly food line for the printing to keep the piece needy, thus bringing health cost-effective. For more education to a relatively information, write or call: untapped segment of the Communications Dept. AHS/Sunbelt community. 2400 Bedford Road Orlando, FL 32803-1489 "Park Ridge gave 407-897-1919, Ext. 7177. me back my life" Hospital conducts "In August of this year Employees feel better prepared to relate to the mission of BP screening at I will have been in recov- Adventist health care when they know the church's beliefs. ery from an eating disor- Use and demand for this new AHS/Sunbelt brochure has local churches der for five years. If any exceeded original expectations. of the staff of the Eating Central Texas Medical Disorders Program at Center (CTMC) of San AHS/Sunbelt director of printing-155,000 Park Ridge Hospital Marcos, Texas, has begun corporate communica- copies—the cost was only (Fletcher, N.C.) remem- a cooperative effort with tions. "We wanted the 10 cents per copy. bers me, she can tell you four local churches to reader to sense our high The eight-page, pocket- that no one expected to see teach area residents the regard for our beliefs. The sized publication begins me discharged—they all importance of blood brochure needed to reflect with an overview of expected to transfer me to pressure. Congregations quality in design, art and Adventist health work, some other facility. organize and administer even the touch of the then summarizes major "I was a very sick blood pressure screenings paper." doctrines in one or two young woman, unable to short paragraphs—with for their members. Cost-effective piece function. I had been large easy-to-read head- The program, organized The full-color brochure actively bulimic for 17 ings to help the reader find through CTMC and the called "A Mission of years and had given up specific topics. San Marcos Ministerial Health and Healing" was hope by the time I got to Demand for the bro- Alliance, and supported completed in 1993. Park Ridge in 1989. chure has exceeded by the American Heart Because of the large "I truly believe that the expectations. It is now Association, provides quantity in this initial Lord used Park Ridge to

S-3 give me back the shattered Willa made a tourniquet Hospital conducts Conference on Mission. pieces of my life and begin and applied pressure to Health-care and church the process of making me stop the bleeding. spiritual life study leaders agreed that effort whole again. She elevated the leg and Eight years ago Florida must be made to evaluate "During the past five covered the man to Hospital developed its first the mission emphasis in years I have married a prevent him from going Spiritual Life Master the Sunbelt hospitals. wonderful man and moved into shock. Because Willa Plan, a comprehensive Subsequently an evalua- to California. We found a was on her way home document focusing on the tion process was formal- warm church home, and I from the hospital, she had spiritual aspects of the ized involving among accepted the Lord as my her blood pressure cuff hospital. other things a self- Savior. with her and was able to The Plan, is updated evaluation study and peer "I am now a whole take his vital signs. each year and continues to review. person. I make decisions As she continued to be revised in 1994. The The first peer study was and I live with the results. apply pressure to his leg, Plan seeks to address the conducted at Florida I began graduate school she said over and over spiritual needs of employ- Hospital by a team led by but quit when I realized it again, "I'm a nurse; I'll ees, patients and their Donald Jernigan, execu- wasn't really what I help you. I'm Willa from families, and visitors by: tive vice president of wanted. Huguley Hospital." A. Creating a spiritual AHS/Sunbelt. "Nine months ago my "I was afraid that if I atmosphere in the work- The team's report sister—whom I loved didn't keep his mind place; acknowledges that Florida passionately—died in a focused he'd go into B. Providing spiritual Hospital has been a leader tragic accident. A few shock," Willa says, "so I resources for self-study; throughout Adventist months later I watched as kept repeating, 'I'm Willa C. Utilizing every health care in mission my husband's brother was from Huguley.'" relationship to build a programming, creativity brutally murdered. Life A helicopter ambulance spiritual life; and and implementation. The has not been just roses, yet arrived and transported D. Meeting community report gives significant I am still in recovery. the patient to a Fort Worth needs. commendations, as well as "I wish there was some hospital, where he was Although the Plan recommendations for way to tell you how rushed to surgery. Physi- includes inanimate objects strengthening existing grateful I am to have life." cians said if it had not such as Christian artwork, programs and initiating been for the expert and they are made meaningful new ones. timely care Willa gave 'I'm Willa from through the hands and Systemwide plan him, they would not have hearts of the hospital staff. Similar planning and been able to save the Huguley Hospital' "The essence of spiri- mission evaluation is man's leg. As Willa Williams, tual nurture is the personal underway at all AHS/ "I just did what I was LVN from Huguley touch," says Tom Werner, Sunbelt organizations. trained to do," declares Memorial Medical Center, hospital president. "Spiri- This process is adapted Willa. In more than 19 Fort Worth, Texas, drove tual aids are initiated only and modified for the years of nursing experi- home from work one to foster the personal specific needs of each ence, she had never before afternoon, she saw an contact that will lead facility and community. needed to respond to an accident. A man was individuals to find Jesus Across the system , emergency outside the attempting to repair his Christ the sustenance, experience shows that hospital. car when another automo- comfort and growth they intentional planning for Willa and her husband bile hit him. desire." mission advancement Willa stopped and sized visited the man in the Mission evaluated produces increased up the situation. The man hospital, where he ex- Is it possible to measure understanding and support was suffering a compound pressed his gratitude. "I'll the mission emphasis of among employees, pa- fracture of his leg, as well never forget Willa from an Adventist hospital? tients, community and as other injuries. His leg Huguley," the grateful This question was posed others. was bleeding profusely, so patient said. at AHS/Sunbelt's 1992

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