NORTH PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE GLEANER Editorial November 2, 1987
Ninety-eight fat, round tulip bulbs were tucked snuggly into their beds in the Miracle of ground, covered with a seven-inch blanket of soil and bark chips. I put my equipment away in the garage, and came into the the Tulips house. In less than an hour, the temperature had plummeted to slightly above five degrees above zero — and it was to remain bitter and cold for several weeks. Truly this By Charlynn J. Steele had been a miracle! As I reflected upon this small miracle, I eavy gray clouds hung gloomily over H thought how often we are overwhelmed by the Montana countryside on a cold day in problems in our lives — some small and November. I shivered as I got into my car others veritable mountains! But I know now and started the 17-mile trip to work at Cor- that the Lord does care about all the small vallis, a small town in the Bitterroot Valley. details of our lives. I Peter 5:7 — "Casting I had always enjoyed this drive — it was a all your care upon Him, for He careth for peaceful 20 minutes of beautiful scenery. you:' When those problems threaten to Many days, graceful deer leaped across the overwhelm us, we can recall the small road in front of my car, and wild ducks, miracles in our lives that happen to each geese, pheasants and hawks could be seen in abundance. I had come to view this time of us. As those tiny green shoots will emerge as my special time to talk to the Lord, with in the spring and burst into joyous color, the strains of a "Praise Strings" instrumen- so will we emerge victorious from the prob- tal tape in the background. lems of life. And I will always recall the As I crossed the Bitterroot River and Miracle of the Tulips. headed east toward the Sapphire Moun- tains, the heavy fog from the river settled Charlynn J. Steele writes from Stevensville, down like a shroud, slowing my progress to Montana. a crawl. For the past few days, a minor problem had occupied my mind. Earlier in the spring, I had put up a sign advertising our Missouri Fox Trotter horses, and had land- scaped all around it. I decided the crown- ing touch would be to have some tulips in the landscaping, to emerge in the spring and brighten up the area. The problem was, I had procrastinated in ordering the bulbs, trying to find some oranges and yellows to go with the color- verses came to mind about the heavens be- ing in the sign. I had finally located some ing rolled back as a scroll! Then the thought back East, and had ordered them, but ship- occurred to me that I had an answer to my ping took several weeks. And in Montana, prayer. I had seen the smile of God — and North Pacific Union Conference it is not wise to wait until November to I knew that I would get those tulips in the (USPS 394-560) ground! Address all correspondence to: plant anything! However, I had covered the GLEANER planting area with black plastic, and was A few days later, on my next day off from North Pacific Union Conference hoping that the 10-degree-below-zero nights work, I ran to the window to look outside P.O. Box 16677, Portland, OR 97216 that we were having would not see — only to see gray skies and big fat (503) 255-7300 everything frozen until the bulbs arrived. So snowflakes lazily drifting down. In just a few Editor, Morten Juberg Associate Editor, Ed Schwisow as I drove along, this problem filled my minutes, heavy snow was falling. Where was Published by the North Pacific Union Con- mind. my faith in this project now? ference of Seventh-day Adventists Was it a silly thing to ask God about? But at 9 a.m., the snow stopped falling Please Note — Every reasonable effort is made Does He not care for each small sparrow, and blue skies appeared. I had intended to to screen both editorial and advertising materials and make the beauty of the lilies? So as I wait until afternoon when it would be and to avoid error in this publication. But the drove slowly through the fog, I began to talk warmest. However, I had the feeling I should North Pacific Union Conference GLEANER does not accept responsibility for categorical or to the Lord about the unplanted bulbs. go out immediately. So I donned insulated typographical errors, nor for advertisers' claims. No sooner were the words spoken, than coat and pants, heavy boots, mittens and Second-class postage paid at College Place, Wash- a miraculous sight began to unfold before hat. I gathered all my gardening tools, gar- ington. Published semimonthly at Color Press, my eyes! As if an unseen hand had unzipped den cart and peat moss. Lifting the black except one issue in December. Subscription, a portion of the sky, the heavy fog and plastic gingerly, I found that the soil was $8.00 per year. Litho U.S.A. CP39819 clouds were instantly rolled back, leaving soft and moist, not at all frozen. The tem- POSTMASTERS: Send form 3579 to North a section of blue sky and sunshine stream- perature was about 18 degrees, but the sun Pacific Union GLEANER, P.O. Box 397, Col- ing through — right above the Sapphire warmed me as I worked. Neighbors cast lege Place, Washington 99324. Mountains. The sun coming up had painted disbelieving glances as they drove past, but Don't send correspondence, GLEANER copy or the tops of the mountains with an edge of I continued undaunted! Three hours later, advertisements to the above address. All such gold. the wind began to whip the snow into a materials should be sent to GLEANER, Box It was totally breathtaking — and Bible small blizzard, but I was almost done! 16677, Portland, OR 97216. NPUC Gleaner Editorial 3
more evidences of His presence in their lives. It is good to be in this place. I recall His instruc- tion to another of His children: "Go home to Wise Witness S thy friends, and tell them how great things the LE= Lord hath done for thee, and hath had great com- Letters are we corned for publication. The passion on thee' editor reserves the right to reject letters and Vera Nelson where necessary, to edit for continuity and space Pocatello, Idaho requirements. Letters must be signed and should not be more than 150 words in length except, where, in the editor's discretion, more space is available. Address letters to Editor, Box 16677, Portland, OR 97216. Thinking Too Much? I would not find it surprising if most of your readers missed Alden Thompson's series of articles in the Sept. 7 and 21 issues of the GLEANER. Thanks for Covers In the Sept. 7 issue, Dr. Thompson spoke of the intellectual and spiritual loneliness of bright ... Willard Colbum and his sister Kathryn students. The people of this church need to were among my beloved students at Laurelwood realize this is true. Academy in the 1940s. It would give me so much I have faced ostracism, anger, an ignoring of pleasure to be able to send him a personal note my desire to participate in discussion, and prayers expressing my pleasure in the lovely photo he for my soul and redemption (which I appreciate) took of the rosy-capped finch which was on the all because of questions I have asked. With a cover of the Sept. 21 GLEANER. reputation for asking difficult questions during There must be hundreds of others, who like discussions in the church, there is an aching "Honey, guess who found Junior's skater c''s me, rejoice in the wonderful quality of the pic- loneliness that sets in when you know that many tures you see as covers and especially for arrang- of the attempts made to understand and par- Not to be reproduced without permission. ing your masthead in such a way it doesn't ticipate will be viewed as heretical impinge on the pictures. animadversion. Helen Hawley Most who have a "thirst for knowledge" are not Coeur d'Alene, Idaho trying to disrupt or subvert the church or its stan- dards. We are trying to understand. The church GLEANER Cover Pictures, and its people need to realize that too many of ---111'10 We have put reader Hawley in contact my friends, colleagues, and peers are asking why 1988 with photographer Colbum. they should continue to love, support, and remain Each fall the GLEANER purchases in a church which views them with suspicion transparencies for the next year's covers. This because they know or think too much. year the cover judges will look at transparen- Joy of Remembering I am thankful for the love and support my cies during Nov. 30 - Dec. 1. The following parents have given me as I question. I am also rules will apply. Read them carefully. It was the last church camp-out before school thankful they encouraged me to attend WWC. 1. All transparencies must be mailed or de- would begin. We did the same things we usually It was in that environment that I was able to grow livered in person so as to be in the do: set up the tents and parked the RV's; built and mature while receiving the support I needed GLEANER office by Wednesday, Nov. 25. For a fire, and set out the vittles. We shouted greetings to maintain my faith. mailing from distant areas you should allow as others of our kind arrived and put in our two- Gregory Warren a week or 10 days. cents about the best place to pitch another tent. Boston, Mass. 2. Each photographer may submit up to 10 A nosey new moon peeked over the ridge to transparencies. Submissions of greater see who was singing praises at vespers around the amounts won't be considered. (Slides and fire, keeping tabs on us till we were all tucked transparencies mean the same to us.) away for the night. Needs Not Met 3. Transparencies should be 35 mm only. Early morning walkers and joggers, returning Don't send color negatives or prints. They to camp, were accosted by Kay, out in the After reading the article "Northwest Women's can't be used. "highways and byways compelling" us to come Commission Holds Initial Session:' in the Sept. 4. All transparencies must be of a vertical and eat some of the pancakes because Ron had 21 issue of the GLEANER, I decided to respond. format. whomped up a lot of batter. Thus we were I especially empathized with the paragraph 5. The slides must be taken in the North- strengthened for the nature hike that filled our discussing the alienation women suffer from the west, which includes the states of Alaska, morning. church. Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Then the sun stared down hard, chiding us for For me it is increasingly difficult to attend the 6. Put your name and address on each sub- eating too much lunch, and melted our margarine Seventh-day Adventist Church, for I feel that mission. and Jell-O as a reprimand. But never mind, we women who have little say in church policy or 7. Send original slides only. Slide copies had a treat for our souls waiting under the shade hold few church offices (aside from secretarial will not be considered. of the trees on the hillside. Our worship service positions) cannot be held in very high regard by 8. Slides submitted shouldn't be similar to began with favorite songs and the usual prayers. the church. The men who make church policy covers used during the past two years. If you Maybe it was Bruce's re-telling of the story of cannot possibly consider all of the needs of have recognizable people in the picture, you Jacob with his self-inflicted trials and his smash- Seventh-day Adventist women. This means that should be prepared to furnish a model release hit victory that opened our hearts. Some began women's needs are being inadequately met. All for each one. to bear wimess how the Lord had changed things of these things concern me and I wonder why 9. Be prepared to furnish your biographical for them at their jobs, at the college, or in a rela- any woman who holds herself of any value would information as well as data on your picture tionship. Close on the heels of trial came the joy stay in a church dominated by men's problems if it is purchased. of recognizing the hand of God in the affairs of and men's solutions. 10. The GLEANER pays $35 for a one-time His loved children. Now we are truly worship- Elizabeth Munson cover use for each transparency purchased. ing God. My heart is lifted up as others recount Orlando, Fla. All slides submitted will be returned promptly. Those selected for publication will be held for approximately two months or until color separations are completed. 11. We will return entries at regular postal rates, which we pay. If you want your materials insured or handled in a different manner, in- ABOUT THE COVER clude extra postage. 12. Submissions for GLEANER covers Computer programmer Lorance Van Tassel, Tenino, Wash., found these colorful autumn leaves in the should be mailed to GLEANER, Box 16677, lava beds north of Carson, Wash. The Kodachrome 64 film in the Canon F-1 Camera captured accurately Portland, OR 97216. the beauty of a facet of God's creation. 4 Features November 2, 1987 Oregon Conference Reviews School System at Beginning of Year
By Jay E. Prall day, a drop of 24 students from the begin- no 10th grade.), only 52 percent stayed in ning of school last year. the Oregon Conference system this year. On The decrease, according to PAA Principal a school-by-school basis, the individual The first report card of the academic year Dick Molstead, "is due primarily to smaller percentages ranged from 27 to 70 percent. has been issued for Oregon's 42-member than usual eighth-grade classes last year" in Though nearly half are no longer par- school system. As expected, there are a the academy's main feeder schools. In a let- ticipating in Oregon's education system, number of bright spots as well as some areas ter to parents Molstead added: "By careful three have enrolled in academies outside that need improvement. budgeting and with appropriate belt- Oregon and five are attending other Chris- Total elementary through high school tightening procedures, we will be able to tian schools. The public school system is enrollment is on the increase. Opening-day have a successful year financially and main- now educating 19 of the 64 students—one statistics indicated 2,933 students had ar- tain the quality of schooling that we desire or more from each of the junior academies. rived for class, 50 more than last year. Cen- PAA to offer." The Oregon Conference also attracts tral Coast School in Newport, which was students from other conferences. Nine per- closed last year, reopened with 12 students; Retention is Critical cent of Columbia Adventist Academy's stu- that was more than the combined enroll- dent body are from out of conference. At Where did the 226 students in last year's ment for the school's '84-85 and '85-86 Milo the ratio jumps to 17 percent. eighth-grade class enroll this year? The school years. Portland Adventist Elemen- Another interesting statistic is that 24 Education Department has compiled tary discovered there were so many student percent of CAA's students come from out- statistical evidence that 71 percent found applicants that waiting lists had to be de- side the traditional constituency of the their way to one of the conference's senior veloped for kindergarten, third-, fourth-, school. Many of those students are living academies or enrolled in the ninth grade seventh-, and eighth-grade classes. in faculty homes near the campus of the at their local junior academy. In fact, 33 per- former boarding academy. cent of last year's graduating class decided More Children — More Teachers to remain at home and continue attending A Changing Environment As enrollments fluctuated at conference- their junior academy. Another 12 percent operated schools, seven found it necessary enrolled in correspondence classes, regis- Some students and parents are also see- to hire additional resource people. Roseburg tered at an academy outside the Oregon ing changes this year in the condition of Junior Academy added a kindergarten, thus Conference, or moved away. However, the the school buildings as well as the way in opening the door for a teacher who also Adventist school system was unable to re- which two schools are operated. Dormitory coordinates the school's fine arts program. tain 18 percent of the graduating class; those students at Milo returned to refurbished However, three two-teacher schools cut 40 students enrolled in other parochial or dorms that sported fresh paint inside and back to one teacher, while another trimmed public schools. out, and new carpets and draperies. Roof its budget by changing one full-time posi- In another statistical report, the con- repairs were initiated at Columbia this sum- tion to a half-time assignment. ference's Education Department looked at mer. Jobs at Harris Pine's Battle Ground fac- The increased interest in kindergarten the 64 students who this spring completed tory awaited Columbia students, though the classes has produced substantial growth for their final year at one of Oregon's seven j un- corporation's bankruptcy plan for the future Oregon's parochial school system. Total ior academies. Of those 10th-graders and remains uncertain. And soon local consti- enrollment has climbed to 129, nearly dou- Hood View's ninth-graders (The school had tuencies will become the hands-on ble the 68 students who registered for the '83-84 academic year. This year's largest elementary grade level is claimed by the 281 second-graders. In a virtual three-way deadlock for second place are the fifth-, sixth-, and seventh-graders. At the high school level, sophmores rule the halls with a total of 215 classmates; this year's senior class of 151 students is the smallest among first- through 12th-grade levels. The numbers of sophomores and freshmen, plus the large classes of students in their final years of elementary school (K-8) present a bright picture for Oregon's secondary schools. Fall teachers' conventions provide an oppor- Though enrollment at Oregon's three sen- tunity to honor those who have devoted their ior academies is down 24 students, both Co- careers to youth. Cecil Roy, Oregon's superin- Central Valley School near Corvallis is Oregon's lumbia and Milo Adventist academies have tendent, awarded 35- and 40-year pins to newest junior academy. Eric Nelson, Tyrone Set- exceeded the number of students they Frances Dixon (Hood View Junior Academy) tlemier, and Jennifer Price, who will be the first and Lorraine Miller (associate superintendent budgeted for this year. Portland Adventist 10th-graders to graduate from the school, are of education), respectively. This year's conven- benefiting this year from a school construction Academy (PAA) had projected 230 students tion was the first time that the senior academy project that was necessitated by the school's jun- but found only 216 registrants on opening staff members have been included. ior academy status. NPUC Gleaner Features 5 managers of Portland and Columbia year. Female head teachers in five of daily as Oregon youth leave their dorm Adventist academies. New constitutions for Oregon's smaller schools and principals in room or home and head for another day of both schools will transfer operating two larger schools helped increase that per- classes with their Seventh-day Adventist authority from the conference office to the centage. teacher role models. schools' constituents. New management And for those who are not participating in Adventist schools, there is an increasing boards for both schools will begin function- A Dream Awaiting ing as soon as the ratification process by the sense of urgency among adults that afford- constituent churches can be completed. Though the challenges in Oregon's family able, relevant Adventist education for all Women educators are increasingly join- of schools require constant fine-tuning, is a goal that is still awaiting fulfillment. ing the administrative ranks in Oregon's Christian education is still a major commit- school system. Their percentage jumped to ment for a significant number of conference Jay E. Prall is Communication director of 30 percent this year, up from 21 percent last members. That commitment is played out the Oregon Conference.
Adventists in Action Blacksmithing Is an Interesting Avocation for a Washington Resident
By Morten Juberg "It gives you an exhilarating feeling to take a blob of metal and end up with a shiny Editor's Note: This is one of a continuing blade," he said. series on North Pacific Union Conference Giddings compares this feeling of crea- members, how they make their living, their tion to what God must have felt when He outlook on life in the 1980s and their relation- created. ship to God. Contributions or story ideas are "Of course God started with nothing and welcomed. ended up with something;' he added. Giddings has made a study of black- Many a child has had to memorize smithing and had intended to publish a Longfellow's immortal poem about the newsletter but after advertising it widely, village smithy but few today have ever seen found little interest from the general public. a blacksmith at work. He has compiled his research and plans to It used to be that almost every farming publish a single volume. community had a smith whose beating iron Tempering or hardening a piece of metal, on an anvil would echo throughout the such as a knife, is done today in gas furnaces village. Today it is almost a forgotten art ex- but for the hobbyist it is a process perfected cept for farriers who shoe horses and some through experimentation. dedicated hobbyists. "You have to rely on the color spectrum One of these is Ray Giddings, Kennewick, of the metal after it is heated," he noted. Wash., whose interest in metal working goes "For example, if you wanted a blade that back to his youth. would keep an edge and still be brittle like "I got interested in metal working when Ray Giddings gets a great deal of personal a razor, you would stop at light straw color I was in junior high school;' he recalled. satisfaction from transforming a piece of metal and quench it to get the proper hardness:' "My father showed me how to grind a knife into a useful tool. According to Giddings, some of the prim- from a file, something he must have picked itive societies have found unusual methods up when he was young:' For Giddings this is an avocation rather for tempering machetes or bolo knives. His interest lay dormant until he taught than a full-time occupation. As a scientist "They will cut a squash so it has the same at Mount Ellis Academy and met Robert for the Westinghouse Corporation, he curve as the blade," he said. "After heating Allaway, who taught industrial arts. manages the pest control program on the they will bury the blade about half an inch "He was an old-time blacksmith and sprawling Hanford Project. in the squash. This allows the part not in could do almost magical things with iron "We deal mostly with insect pests," he ex- the vegetable to cool off more slowly. The and steel," Giddings said. "I spent all the plained, "though we have a couple of edge will be hard but the back part will be spare time I had in the shop watching him species of mice that like to come inside and more flexible:' at work:' make themselves at home:' Giddings is an elder in the Richland, As time passed, Giddings began to col- But when he has spare time he is apt to Wash., Church and says his hobby has been lect blacksmithing equipment and tools be found at his forge and anvil, shaping a means of getting acquainted with many wherever he could find them. Today he has something for the home. He finds a great others of like interest. a complete shop with a forge, anvil and the deal of satisfaction in the creativity of his necessary hand tools. hobby. Morten Juberg is editor of the GLEANER. 6 Features November 2, 1987
A panel discussion dealt with the problem of promoting the Home and School program and how to generate support. Sharon Fellow, second from the left, from the Spokane South Hill Church moderated the discussion. Joining her were, on the left, Betty Schaak, Kamiah; Vance LaGrone, Spokane Junior Academy; Jesse Cone, Sandpoint; Jerry Stevens, Spokane Valley; Fred Quaile, Tri-City Junior Academy; and Alex Nischuk, Colville.
Practical Help Is Offered To Upper Columbia Educators and Leaders
By Morten Juberg said the School Management group had Dr. Arnold Kurtz, a retired pastor and met annually for many years but this was educator from Idaho, discussed how God Upper Columbia elementary schools only the second meeting for the Home and uses individuals of diverse talents, calling received a double-barreled boost recently in School heads. it "a strange experiment:' a meeting held at the conference office. The The division in the two meetings seemed He continued the discussions with the session brought together Home and School to segregate by sex, women dominating the management group focusing on group leaders and principals and school board Home and School while men comprised the dynamics and the problems of chairing chairmen. management team. meetings, both large and small. Education Superintendent Carl Jorgensen In the opening devotional for both groups
Dr. Arnold Kurtz adjusts an overhead projec- Vance LaGrone, Spokane Junior Academy prin- Sue Patzer served as the chairperson for the tor in preparation for his discussions with the cipal, showed materials from a social science fair. Home and School group. School Management group. NPUC Gleaner Features 7
"We have to adopt Robert's Rules of Or- der for smaller groups," he said. "Each meeting has to establish the way they want North Pacific Union Conference the session to proceed. After all, the rules Comparative Statement of Tithe and Mission Offerings were formulated for the British Parliament" He discussed voting procedures as well as 8 Months (35 Weeks) Ended August 31, 1987 methods of getting agreement on points COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF TITHE covered in a meeting. Sue Patzer, a secretary in the Education Increase or % Increase Tithe 1986 Tithe 1987 Decrease - Decrease - Department, organized the Home and Conference Membership 1987 955,683.78 821,660.51 -134,023.27 -14.02 School section. She told of her frustration Alaska 2,023 4,798 1,495,834.08 1,520,539.07 24,704.99 1.65 when she became a Home and School Idaho 888,185.97 34,692.22 4.06 leader in her local church and how there Montana 3,268 853,493.75 8,926,472.60 540,187.41 6.44 seemed to be no materials to use. Oregon 25,761 8,386,285.19 "I wrote to all the conferences asking for Upper Columbia 18,869 5,987,034.54 6,123,123.72 136,089.18 2.27 4,342,602.86 179,413.59 4.31 their materials:' she said and began to Washington 12,394 4,163,189.27 gather information that would be helpful. Union 67,113 21,841,520.61 22,622,584.73. 781,064.12 3.58 Later when she began work in the Educa- tion Department, she was asked to lead out COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF MISSION OFFERINGS in promoting the Home and School. Increase or % Increase Per Capita Per Week Discussions centered on the practical Conference 1986 1987 Decrease - Decrease - 1986 1987 aspects of getting more help from parents Alaska 55,825.36 47,805.40 -8,019.96 -14.37 0.81 0.68 along with means of raising funds for school Idaho 113,354.95 122,281.84 8,926.89 7.88 0.69 0.73 projects. Montana 67,653.30 63,261.47 -4,391.83 -6.49 0.59 0.55 There were many exhibits from various Oregon 646,019.15 663,232.71 17,213.56 2.66 0.72 0.74 organizations to aid the Home and School Upper Col. 469,967.14 470,135.93 168.79 0.04 0.71 0.71 leaders in their work. Washington 262,627.39 268,926.36 6,298.97 2.40 0.61 0.62 Union 1,615,447.29 1,635,643.71 20,196.42 1.25 0.69 0.70 NPUC Elects Publishing Director, Faces Alaska Finances
By Ed Schwisow tion outflow and a decrease in average earn- an opportunity for input before the Nov. 19 ings, has resulted in a decline in tithe executive session. Members of the North Pacific Union receipts. In a move to give higher visibility and Conference Executive Committee in ses- During the first seven months of 1987, recognition to Seventh-day Adventist sion Sept. 17, spent a great deal of their day tithe income had dropped 18 percent from teachers, it was voted to proclaim 1988 as acting on Publishing Department person- the January-to-July 1986 figure. A com- "Year of the Teacher?' nel matters, but also passed an important pounding difficulty has resulted from in- The committee was shown a copy of Steps . motion designed to financially assist the creasing Alaska Conference obligations to to Christ, by Ellen G. White, as translated Alaska Conference. the General Conference. into the Yupik Eskimo tongue. The lan- Melvin R. Lyon was called to fill the As a mission, the organization did not guage is spoken by approximately half of all vacancy created by the departure of K. Dick send the standard percentage of its tithe to Eskimos in the state, and those who speak Thomas, North Pacific Union Conference the world conference. As it makes its tran- the language are centered in Bethel, and Publishing director. Thomas has accepted sition to conference status, however, it has generally live along the Kuskokwim River. a position with the Review and Herald been following a schedule of increasing its The geographic region is approximately the Publishing Association. Lyon has accepted annual rate of remittance by two and one- size of the state of Oregon. By committee the call to direct the department, duplicat- half percent each year. This increase will action, a request for a translation approval ing a move that brought him to the North cease when it reaches the 20-percent level, has been sent to the White Estate. Pacific Union Conference position in 1973, the denomination standard. In commemoration of the bicentennial and which he filled until 1978. In a move to provide financial relief, the anniversary of the ratification of the United The position of Follow-up Evangelist for North Pacific Union Conference Commit- States Constitution, committee members the Publishing Department, recently held tee voted to request that the General Con- and North Pacific Union Conference staff by Lew Blumenberg, was discontinued for ference place a freeze on the rate of increase and secretaries joined in a special service economic reasons. Blumenberg was granted for 1988. which included a litany on liberty, a homily, full termination and moving allowances The scheduled presentation of a report a hymn, the Pledge of Allegiance and the according to policy. by the North Pacific Union Conference national anthem. The committee also responded to Publishing Taskforce on ways to increase the budgetary problems reported by the Alaska rate of literature distribution and to better Ed Schwisow is associate editor of the Conference administration. A downturn in remunerate literature evangelists was post- GLEANER and acting director of the Com- the state economy, with a resulting popula- poned to give the new Publishing director munication Department. 8 News November 2, 1987 Student Literature Evangelist Finds God Is Still Able
By Brooke Stafford and I'm going to read them:' the man told "You have to know what you are selling, his wife. have goals, always be positive and keep con- Gross sales of $7,100 for a summer of Looking back over the summer, Kim- stantly in touch with God;' Barry said as working as a student literature evangelist? brough says it was claiming God's promises he left to finish his senior year as a theology Yes, that is Barry Kimbrough's story. as he went from door-to-door that gave him major at Weimar College. When John Silvestri, Idaho Conference strength to keep going, whatever the re- Publishing Director, approached Kimbrough sponse. His favorite: Acts 18:9, 10 (NIV) Brooke Stafford is an assistant in the Per- about spending a summer canvassing in . . . Do not be afraid, keep on speaking . . . sonal Ministries Department of the Idaho John Day, Ore., Barry thought to himself, I have many people in this city." Conference. "Silvestri certainly doesn't know me. I'm no salesman:' But aloud he replied, "I have to make $2,500 to be able to complete col- lege!' Silvestri said, "With God's help, let's try it." And by the end of the first week they WALLA WALLA had taken literature orders worth $1,200. A botanist, Pentecostal pastor, and ex- cavator each bought sets of The Bible Story COLLEGE with Desire of Ages during Kimbrough's sec- ond week. Even a lost dog, returned to its owner by Barry, provided the climate for the sale of a My Bible Friends set. By now he The View From Campus was selling alone. High point experience of the summer started out as a catastrophe. Kimbrough met "Encouraged, but not Ecstatic" a man who thought Christianity was By Alden Thompson Christians, it's a gamble well worth taking. nothing but a fraud; that the Bible was a One of the really encouraging signs at man-made book. "Encouraged, but not ecstatic:' Those Walla Walla this year is a bumper crop of In a young couple's home the next eve- were, the words of Dr. Charles Bell, my freshmen. As I wandered about the alumni ning, Barry noticed the picture of this man counterpart on the Pacific Union College gym during registration, the story was the on the wall. When told it was the husband's campus, as we compared notes shortly after same everywhere — freshman classes were father, Barry was sure there would be no in- autumn registration day on our campuses. bulging. We even had to add some new sec- terest there. But God worked a miracle. The Actually, that's a pretty good line for all the tions, a problem we hadn't been privileged young couple was expecting a baby so felt western Adventist campuses this year. Early to enjoy for several years. a need for children's Bible books. An order figures suggest that Pacific Union College's We are grateful to our constituency in the was placed for The Bible Story and Desire of enrollment will be up a bit; Walla Walla's North Pacific Union Conference for the Ages. will be about the same as last year's — a hearty support given to Walla Walla Col- "Have you ever had a struggle with back- good sign after several years of sharp lege. Through this year we will try to keep sliding from Christianity?" asked a declines. At La Sierra the encouragement you posted as to what's happening on charismatic member one day. stems from the fact that their drop in enroll- campus. There will be good things and some "Yes:' replied Kimbrough truthfully, "but ment was not nearly as sharp as had been not so good — you can count on that. The I gained a lot of strength from reading these feared in the light of the furor over possi- college is a reflection of church life and books over the last few years:' ble consolidation with the Loma Linda human existence, always a blend of the good "Even though these books may be sold by campus. So all three campuses are settling and the not-so-good. But that doesn't hin- Seventh-day Adventists I'm buying them in for another year. The Lord willing, it will der us from setting some lofty goals and be a good one. straining to reach them. But simply because we survived another We would like to develop more ways of scary registration day doesn't mean we are bringing you to the college campus and headed for clear sailing. The annual ritual bringing the campus to you. Building of terror strikes every autumn as nervous ad- bridges between academia and the local ministrators wait for the students to show church is a constant challenge, but one that up on campus. Ask any church school or we want to take seriously. Give us a shout academy principal or any college president. or drop us a line if you have a burden or Running an Adventist school is a form of a concern. The church will be stronger if sanctified gambling. No one knows how we work together. many students will show up on opening day. Barry Kimbrough, right, introduces his litera- So you work like beavers, pray a lot, and Alden Thompson is Provost and Dean for ture evangelism client, Doris Capon, to Pastor guess. But for the privilege of helping our Academic Administration at Walla Walla Dwayne Kluchesky of John Day for follow-up young people grow into mature and stable College. Bible studies.