nder Camporee The Pathfinders witness march through Plains, Georgia. 'AN ARMY of...YOUTH' by George A. Powell
Flags fluttered in the Southern breeze. Lowell Litten, editor of Guide; experiences from the life Youthful feet stepped to a lively cadence. of Ellen White by Paul Gordon of the White Estate, in- Posters proclaimed messages on better living, citizen- cluding a chance to see and touch the large Bible Mrs. ship, and Christian commitment. White held aloft while in vision; a worship-hour chal- As some platoons neared the reviewing stand, they lenged by World Rithfinder Director Leo Ranzolin; and broke into singing We are the Pathfinders strong; the a fun-tilled evt•r,;nE, wit, ventriloquist Wade Johnson servants of God are we!" and company. Plains, Georgia, had never witnessed anything like it! Sunday morning, before breaking camp, the Nearly 2,000 young people and youth leaders in a com- Pathfinders raced to an open field just in time to be munity half that size. Young people with a mission—a showered by thousands of peanuts dumped from an story to tell and a faith to share. airplane flying overhead. In the downpour were 13 prize "We've had many groups come to Plains who were peanuts, painted red, black, blue, or silver, all of which against something," said Mayor Godwin to the were promptly discovered! Pathfinders, "but this is the first time we've had a group "The weather could hardly have been better," accord- like this come in that was for something!" ing to Ralph Peay, associate Southern Union youth di- The witness march in Plains, the home of President rector, who oversees Pathfinder activities. "The nights Jimmy Carter, was just one of the highlights of the trien- were cool and the days were warm, with sunshine until nial Southern Union Pathfinder Camporee, held April Sunday morning. We have since learned that after all the 5-8 at Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park near Cor- campers had gone home and all equipment had been dele. loaded, foul weather caused the camp to be without Mrs. Lillian Carter, the president's mother, was on electrical power for five hours!" hand to welcome the campers Thursday night. "I suppose we'll never know the full impact the cam- Friday was devoted to field events such as fire build- poree had on those Pathfinders," states Southern Union ing, tent pitching, compass reading, and knot tying. Youth Director Clay Farwell. "But based on what we're The inspirational high of the four-day event had to be hearing, we know that the inspiration, Christian fellow- the appearance by Bonnie Consolo Friday night. Born ship, and wholesome fun experienced by these youth without arms, Mrs. Consolo has learned to do almost will linger in their minds for a long time. On behalf of anything with her feet—from peeling apples to driving, these Pathfinders, I extend my thanks to the Southern from writing to making bread! Her triumph over what Union youth team for their leadership. But more than would appear to be insurmountable obstac les made that, when I think of the 73 clubs that were there, I think deep impression on the Pathfinders. of scores of pastors, teachers, parents, and other con- Scores of special features accented the sc heoule-- cerned adults who aren't too busy to spend time with the nature nuggets by Dr. Jim Tucker, a naturalist with the youth. They are living, working, and loving testimonials Texas Department of Education; stories and songs by to what Pathfindering is all about!"
Volume 73 SOUTHERN TIDINGS (USPS 507-000) Number 6 TWO Published monthly. Second-class postage paid at Collegedale, Tennessee 37315. Subscription rate—three dollars per year. POSTMASTER, send form 3579 to SOUTHERN TIDINGS, Box 849, Decatur, GA 30031 World Pathfinder Director Leo Ranzolin This hillside overlooking the lake (left) commends Ben Newsome. blind was the site of general meetings for Pathfinder director from Jackson, Mis- the 1,809 Pathfinders. staff, and sissippi. guests.
Bonnie Consolo visits with Lowell Litten (left), editor of Guide, Ralph Peay, and Clay Farwell prior to her tes- timony of triumph over tragedy.
Pathfinders stretch to touch the Bible Ellen White held aloft while in vision, dis- played by Paul Gordon of the White Estate.
Starting the fire with only four matches was a challenge in the fire building/ water boil contest.
V
Wade Johnson and company entertain t.. the Pathfinders with Mrs. Lillian Carter welcomed the songs and humor. Pathfinders on opening night. Here Jacksonville, Florida, Pathfinders display the blue ribbons they earned in the she visits with Peay and Farwell. field events. The first of the buildings to be built in the Fine Arts Complex will be the $1.5 million Music Building. Construction, hopefully, will start in the summer or early fall.
by William H. Taylor Photography by T. Fred Miller
,outhern Missionary College will Jones Hall and Lynn Wood Hall will be WSMC-FM, will be housed in the begin construction this summer or replaced, making for savings in fuel, communications building. This year, early fall of a Fine Arts Complex at an upkeep, and maintenance. 15 students are working and training at estimated cost of $3,300,000. The $1,500,000 music center will the radio station. WSMC has been in The complex will include three house a 400-seat recital hall, numerous operation for 10 years at 100,000 watts buildings which will be utilized to class and practice rooms, offices, and and is a major outlet for locally created teach music, the arts, and communica- a tracker organ. SMC has been offi- productions and programs. tions, plus other subjects that are cially recognized as the national de- 0. D. McKee, a graduate of SMC presently taught under crowded and pository for religious band music. and chairman of the board of McKee unsatisfactory conditions. Chattanooga architect, Klaus P. Baking Company, bakers of "Little The complex will consolidate the Nentwig, designed the facility. Debbie" snack cakes, will serve as the Music Department, which now meets It is estimated that the art building general chairman of the $3,300,000 in five locations; the Art Department, will cost about $900,000. Along with capital campaign, entitled "SMC Proj- which presently meets in a basement; many study and craft rooms, the build- ect 80." and the Communications Depart- ing will house a large art exhibit hall. Gifts will be sought from the Board ment, now using one of SMC's oldest The communications building will of Trustees, the SMC Committee of buildings. The new buildings will also cost $900,000. This building will house 100, the SMC faculty and staff, alumni, be made available for other curricula numerous classrooms, workshops, of- as well as individuals, corporations, classrooms and for general campus fices, and support equipment and and foundations in the greater and community functions. Eventually, facilities. Chattanooga/Cleveland area. upon completion of the new complex, SMC's classical music station, Based on a standard economic mul-
FOUR SOUTHERN MISSIONARY COLLEGE tiplier, it is estimated that this area an- equipment and processing proce- nurses decided to serve at local hospi- nually receives more than $50,000,000 dures in the baking industry. tals and clinics. from SMC-generated business. SMC's He is owner and president of the • SMC musicians regularly perform fiscal budget is in the realm of American Engineering Corporation at Miller Park with the Chattanooga $12,000,000. The academic budget av- and the McKee Development Com- Symphony Orchestra and for the en- erages about $4.9 million dollars each pany. He serves the Hewitt Research tertainment of local service organiza- year. Center as chairman of the executive tions. As with past construction projects, committee. He is also the founder and • The Collegedale Caroliers and students entered in the college's president of the Professional and Bus- SMC recently performed at Disney- "Earn-in-Learn" program will do much iness Men's Association which assists land, and this summer the choir will of the work under the guidance of in building churches in the South. So perform for the fans at the Atlanta their supervisors and instructors. SMC far, the group has built 37 churches. Braves' and the Atlanta Hawks' games. has its own construction crew com- He is also one of the charter members • A number of SMC students and prised of the school's plant engineer of SMC's Committee of 100. faculty members are musicians for and lead craftsmen who oversee all McKee is an active member of the local churches not affiliated with the construction and maintenance work. Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce Seventh-day Adventist faith. Eighty-five per cent of this year's stu- and serves on its board of directors. • SMC is noted for the leadership dents are enrolled in the "Earn-in- He is a director and member of the and programs it provides this area in Learn' program. The do-it-yourself trust committee with the Pioneer disease prevention, nutrition, health- philosophy at SMC reduces construc- Bank. ful living, disease detection and re- tion costs by more than one-third. General Chairman McKee made the lated problems, along with its very Commenting on the "Earn-in- following points regarding SMC's con- popular and effective five-day "Stop Learn" work-study program, Dr. Frank tributions and relationships with this Smoking Program." A. Knittel, SMC's president, said, area. Solicitation of pledges for "SMC "Southern Missionary College be- • A large percentage of local Project 80" has begun. Gifts are tax- lieves that any person, even though nurses, teachers, accountants, and deductible and will cover a five-year lacking funds, should have the secretaries, along with leaders in bus- pledge period. privilege of obtaining a higher educa- iness, finance, and industry, received Campaign headquarters are located tion. When financial assistance is their college education at SMC. In in Suite 1004, American National Bank needed, we assist by offering aid with 1978, 30 per cent of the 166 graduating Building in downtown Chattanooga. scholarships, grants, loans, and en- couragement to pay one's own way by working. We feel that students who work hard learn the traditional values such as honesty and integrity while learning a skill and attitude that will help them throughout their lives." Project 80's General Chairman 0. D. McKee graduated from SMC in 1928. While at SMC, he was entered in the "Earn-in-Learn" work-study program.
McKee is noted for his accomplish- Second to be built in the complex will be the Art Department building, which includes the Art Exhibit ments in designing of automated Hall. Cost approximately $900,000.
The Communication Department Building and WSMC-FM will be third in order. The two connected buildings will also cost $900,000.
FIVE SOUTHERN ADVENTIST HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SYSTEM A Growing Witness
by Tamara Russell
When completed in the spring of 1980, Florida Hospital/Altamonte should closely resemble this artist's sketch.
The two new floors, which add space for 86 beds, will be enclosed before the rainy season begins. Work on the interior should be finished early next year.
Nine years ago the area was just a cow pasture with a dirt road running past. Today, Florida Hospital/ Altamonte sits on that former pasture—a thriving, ex- panding Christian witness to residents of the rapidly growing south Seminole County area. The Altamonte satellite of Florida Hospital took form through the efforts of Don Welch, administrator at that To keep pace with community growth, the expansion time. After studying population growth patterns of the will add 86 medical and surgical beds. Trauma and area, he knew it would only be a matter of time before a emergency, radiology, dietary, and surgery are also hospital was built to serve the area, and felt it should be being enlarged. This $5.6 million expansion will bring an Adventist one. A very low-key meeting with 30 of the the number of available patient beds to 225 and is top businessmen in the area emphasized community scheduled for completion early next year. interest in such a project and encouraged Welch to Adding more beds will help meet the community's begin concrete plans. physical needs and at the same time challenge Chaplain To keep costs as low as possible and to avoid duplicat- Clyde Smith to meet their spiritual needs. He feels there ing expensive services, the new hospital was to be a is an interest in spiritual matters among many of the satellite of Florida Hospital, located eight miles south. patients who have had no previous contact with Specialized services such as radiation therapy, open Seventh-day Adventists. About 50 per cent of the pa- heart surgery, total hip and knee replacement and other tients claim no religious affiliation when they enter the diagnostic and treatment methods are only offered at hospital, yet many do appreciate visits with the chaplain. the main hospital. Also, the dietary department at the Because patients are served vegetarian entrees unless larger hospital prepares all the main meals for the Al- they specifically request meat, questions arise giving tamonte satellite. Smith many opportunities to talk about not only health, Because the Altamonte Springs area was growing, the but also God's plan for people's lives. original design for the new hospital included plans for The community also is reached through health educa- two major expansions. The first section of the hospital tion. At present, several Five-Day Plans to Stop Smoking opened in early 1973 with 103 medical/surgical and are run there each year. Once the expansion has been intensive-care beds. Later, 24 mental health and seven completed, more health-education classes will be of- coronary-care beds were added. fered at the satellite. These new classes may include the Today, Florida Hospital/Altamonte is filled to capacity "lifestyle cooking" series, which emphasizes low-fat, and in the midst of its first major expansion program. Ed low-salt vegetarian meals. Weiss, administrator of the satellite, says they some- During the past few years, Florida Hospital/Altamonte times have to postpone nonemergency surgeries be- has been working to meet the physical and spiritual cause they have no available beds. Even emergency pa- needs of the people living in the south Seminole area. tients are occasionally treated, then transferred to Through this new expansion, an even greater number of another hospital, because of lack of space. area residents will come to know God through the minis- "I feel we have a responsibility to the community to try of Florida Hospital/Altamonte. expand to provide the needed services," says Weiss. "Since this is the fastest growing community in Central Florida, we need to keep up and even stay ahead, if Tamara Russell is an editorial assistant at Florida Hospi- possible." tal.
SIX CAROLINA
Spared to Serve
by Michael D. Hanson
0 n April 1, 1979, the Carolina constituency in The experience brought conviction to Mal's par- business session re-elected Malcolm D. Gordon pres- ents that he had been spared to serve the Lord so they ident of the two-state Carolina Conference. Previ- enrolled him at Cedar Lake Academy from which he ously Gordon had come into the office by action of graduated three years later. the conference executive committee when the During a youth congress in Michigan in 1950, Mal- former president, E. S. Reile, accepted a call to a colm met Hazel Johnson when he asked her to ac- similar position in Kentucky-Tennessee. company him at the piano while he played the cornet. Malcolm Gordon was reared in the beautiful Dutch They dated during his junior and senior years at community of Holland, Michigan, home of the fa- Cedar Lake. Both attended Emmanuel Missionary mous Tulip Festival, by his parents, Douglas and College (Andrews University) and continued dating. Jerine Gordon. They were married in 1954 just before Mal's junior Early in his life, Malcolm was deeply impressed by year. one of his father's 17 brothers and sisters, Alfred Graduating with a B.A. in theology, young Gordon Gordon, who served as president of the Idaho Con- was sent to Michigan's Upper Peninsula for one year, ference for 13 years. Young Mal became convicted then to Potomac University for an M.A. in applied that he, too, should serve the Lord in the ministry. His theology. After earning his master's degree, Mal and mother teases him today that he used to save Our Hazel returned to the Upper Peninsula to continue Little Friend for sermon material. He was baptized at pastoral work. From Michigan he was called to serve 11 years of age. as a district pastor in North Dakota. Through the years All of Malcolm's early education was in the public he served North Dakota as a pastor, conference school system until something happened that evangelist, and director of education, youth, and changed his life. Normally very active, 14-year-old temperance. Malcolm contracted a rare joint disease that caused In 1969 he was called to Southern New England and him to have to be immobilized in a body cast stretch- later came to be the ministerial secretary. Gordon ing from his chest to his toes. After a few weeks he was in Southern New England when the call from lost 50 pounds, causing his doctor concern for his Carolina came in 1975. He came as secretary, ministe- life. rial secretary, and evangelism coordinator. The rest When the decision to take Mal out of the cast was you know. made the doctor expected to have to put a permanent It is easy to understand this man's love for pin in Mal's hip. But when the cast came off and x-rays evangelism and soul winning which has been a key to were taken, there was no longer any evidence of the his endeavors in Carolina. We thank God for sparing disease at all. It was gone. Malcolm didn't even need young Mal's life that he might be God's man for this crutches. It was a miracle! time in this place.
SEVEN ;eIp in eh Wate
by G. N. Kovalski Photography by R. R. Hallock and J. Marvin Whitney
Up to 60 individuals per meal were served for six days in Morgantown, housands of residents in parts of Mississippi and Mississippi. Alabama were driven from their homes during mid-April flooding. Heavy rains which swelled the Pearl River and filled the Ross Barnett Reservoir to overflowing resulted clock preparing food, serving, sorting and distributing in flooding of over 20 feet in areas around Jackson. clothes, and relocating with the levee workers. Other Mississippi towns seriously affected included As the flood waters moved south, the Alabama- Monticello, Columbia, and Morgantown. Hard hit Mississippi conference van was dispatched to Morgan- Alabama towns included Livingston, Bellamy, De- town where Pastor Marvin Whitney and others spent mopolis, and others along the Tombigbee River. Besides long hours in the emergency activity, serving hundreds residential areas, many business and industrial areas of meals. Pastor Mario Cruz and several church mem- were badly flooded, including downtown Jackson. Sev- bers from Columbia and Hattiesburg joined in the work eral Adventist families' homes and businesses were hit in that area, also. by the high water. Hundreds of pieces of clothing were rushed by the The Seventh-day Adventist Community Services or- Meridian First church into Bellamy and Livingston, just ganizations of local churches, along with the Alabama- across the state line in Alabama. The Seventh-day Ad- Mississippi and South Central Conference Community ventist work there was at the request of the State De- Services vans and personnel, joined with the Red Cross partment of Pensions and Securities which handles such and local authorities, according to W. M. Abbott, Jr., emergencies in Alabama. Southern Union lay activities director. Work was con- Students from Bass Memorial Academy volunteered fined primarily to Jackson and Morgantown, Mississippi, their time on a daily basis to travel the 100 miles to and Livingston and Bellamy, Alabama. Jackson to help in clean-up operations. The Jackson First church put its Community Services Alabama-Mississippi Conference Community Ser- van into action, along with some private vehicles. The vices Director Richard Hallock has received expressions conference vans and other vehicles loaded with comfort of "great appreciation" from the American National Red packs, sized clothing packs, sheets, and blankets also Cross for the work of the Seventh-day Adventist church operated in Jackson. The church school opened its gym during this disaster. Area residents are cognizant that as a distribution center. the church suffered with them through this emergency "Though a considerable amount of clothing was dis- and ministered to their needs. tributed, especially after the emergency of rising water In Nashville, Tennessee, flood waters swept through was over, the majority of work was feeding victims, some residential areas the first week in May. The South emergency workers, and volunteers," according to Central van was taken to the stricken area to provide Richard Bell, pastor of the New Heights congregation. mass feeding. Thousands of full meals were served. Pastors Milton "Tragedies such as these cause dreadful distress to Hallock and Wendell Stover report that members of the thousands," states Abbott. "Some have lost their Jackson First and Florence churches worked around the homes, businesses, and even loved ones in these disas- ters. The kindness shown to these people may or may not result in additions to the Adventist church, but I believe Jesus will say that by helping those in need, we did it unto Him."
Many millions of dollars in damage was caused by flooding in Jackson, Mississippi. Flood waters reached nearly to the third floor in certain This family in Demopolis, Alabama, is having lunch atop their nearly commercial buildings. submerged mobile home.
EIGHT Dateline Data
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — — — ABC news commentator Paul Harvey dedicated a weekly newspaper column, a television broadcast, and the first five minutes of his noon radio program on April 21 to an article published in the March issue of These Times. The article completely disproved the claims of modern-day psychics and astrologers to knowledge of future events. In his three-page news release, which went out to some 300 newspapers, and was read over 800 radio and 400 television stations, Harvey quoted several times from the article which appeared as the feature story on the cover of the March issue. The author of the article, Paul Harvey said, "collected all the predictions of our nation's 30 leading psychics and astrologers for the year 1978. Then he carefully compared what they predicted with what happened." After listing many of the unfulfilled predictions given in the article, Paul Harvey added: "Out of 250 specific published predictions for 1978 only six came to pass. That's less than three per cent accuracy. They were 97 per cent dead wrong!" Paul Harvey concluded his five-minute discussion of the article by stating, "Before Ralph Blodgett began his research he believed that psychics had to be led either by God or by the devil. Since his research he has concluded that they are led by no one at all." NEWBURY PARK, CALIFORNIA — — — Faith for Today has been notified that its Westbrook Hospital series has been nominated for a National Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Religious Programming. Computerized balloting is currently under way among Television Academy Members and the winning nominees will be announced by the end of June. Competing with Faith for Today are two network produced programs and one other independently produced program. WASHINGTON, D.C. — — — Current projections indicate that the Inter-American Division surpassed the North American Division in church membership early in March at about the 569,000 figure, according to F. Donald Yost, director of archives and statistics for the General Conference. These projections are based on the net growth of each field during 1978. Inter-America is the first world division to surpass North America. On December 31 the membership in North America was 566,453; in Inter-America, 561,681. With Inter-America growing at an annual rate of 8.03 per cent, or 114.4 persons a day, and with North America growing at an annual rate of only 2.64 per cent, or 39.9 persons a day, apparently it took only 65 days in 1979 for Inter-America to overtake and pass North America. Official confirmation of these projections can be made about June 1, when all first-quarter statistical reports are in. DECATUR, GEORGIA — — — Membership in the Southern Union Conference experienced a net increase of 535 during the first quarter of 1979, with six of the seven conferences registering gains. The first quarter is frequently the slowest time for evangelism. The South Atlantic Conference continues to consolidate its lead as the largest conference, with 19,546 members. Following are: Florida, 18,628; Georgia-Cumberland, 15,786; South Central, 12,310; Carolina, 9,658; Kentucky-Tennessee, 8,888; Alabama-Mississippi, 6,011. Baptisms through April 30 were 1,336, slightly ahead of the first quarter figure for 1978. DECATUR, GEORGIA — — — Literature evangelists' sales advanced 17 per cent during April over the same month a year ago, upping the year-to-date gain to 12 per cent. The Georgia-Cumberland Conference is first in sales, with $208,368. Kentucky-Tennessee, Alabama-Mississippi, and Carolina lead the union in sales increases, with 44 per cent, 32 per cent, and 21 per cent, respectively.
NINE SOUTH ATLANTIC
by Kyna Hinson
here are not too many occasions more beautiful Louisanna and Richard Henderson, Jr., Deborah and than a wedding, and if the joy of one ceremony is shared George Hodges, Bashie and Samuel Jallah, Gwen and by 13 couples, the beauty is multiplied. That is exactly Frank Johnson, Josephine and Jimmy Linston, Peggy and what Pastor and Mrs. Vanard Mendinghall and 12 other Lee Linston, Ill, Shirley and John Melton, Sarah and John couples from the Athens, Georgia, district planned Morgan, and Betty and Willie Sanders, representing when they repeated their wedding vows. more than 100 years of marriage. The group included Joan and Herbert Barden, Arlene The February 24 service at the Mount Olive church in and Tommie Davis, Norma and Standley Gellineau, Athens was a perfect climax to the week's Sabbath school lesson, "Obligations in the Home." The discus- sions that morning took on new meaning, and the prac- tical applications were valued by both the married and single. The spirit exhibited on the "wedding day" was one of pure Christian cooperation. Miss Louise Lewis directed the ceremony, and worked hard to make it "as close to a real wedding as possible." She made arrangements with the Athens Baldwin Piano and Organ Studio to use an organ just for the Sabbath, and it was provided free of charge. Don Bagwell, manager of the Baldwin Studio, agreed to play at the wedding, also at no charge. Local elder Jimmy Linston, one of the grooms, was especially happy about the organ. "It adds so much to the service," he remarked. M. G. Cato (center), with the grooms, waiting patiently for the brides to appear. M. G. Cato, a former pastor of the Athens church, was
Each bride came with pride along with her escort to relieve the anxiety of her husband.
TEN ony
Photography by John E. Fair
invited to officiate at the evening service. He and the grooms waited at the altar as 13 brides prepared to meet them. The Sabbath had been chilly and overcast, but as Bagwell began to play, the sun broke from behind the clouds and filled the church with a warm glow. It seemed as if God Himself wanted to honor His first institutions, marriage and the Sabbath, all over again. The wedding was also a special delight to the children of the couples. Even toddlers sat quietly and watched with rapt attention to "see Mama march in." There were smiles and some "happy tears" during the procession, but there were no mistakes. Not one groom confused his "original" bride with another! At the close of his sermon Cato pronounced them all "still married," to everyone's satisfaction. As groom Standley Gellineau put it, "I wasn't nervous at all—this time." The ceremony was followed by a formal reception at Don Bagwell, manager of the Baldwin Studio, not only agreed to supply the organ for the evening free of cost, but also agreed to play for the the Young Women's Christian Organization (YWCO) occasion free of cost. headquarters in Athens. The evening festivities included a "Newlywed Game" designed just for the occasion by needed much consolation though, because in a wed- Yvonnie Moore, Janis Wilson, and Kyna Hinson. ding with 13 couples, the joy is multiplied. Gifts for the "winners" of the games were books by Ellen White and other Adventist favorites. All of the Kyna Hinson is a graduate student in communication at participants received "consolation" gifts. No one the University of Georgia.
The mass wedding was not only a novelty but an inspiration.
ELEVEN FLORIDA
faithful members of an Adventist church in Tennessee. While attending the Vero Beach lectures, Richard be- came acquainted with a fascinating invention—the Basic Bible and Encounter study systems. The messages on the screen and tapes were captivating, yet simple and con- cise. His reservations about giving studies were elimi- nated. When an announcement was made regarding the start of another evangelistic series to be conducted in Ft. Pierce, some 50 miles from Melbourne, Grafe contacted the pastor and offered his assistance. He wanted to put the Bible study system to work. Richard explained, "We set up a booth at a Ft. Pierce shopping center displaying the Basic Bible machine, and we also told the public about the meetings. Many of those contacts attended. A friend and I were planning to buy a 4x8-foot sheet of Grafe (left) explains to Stan Dombrosky, Florida Conference lay ac- tivities director, his approach to conducting Bible studies. plywood which we were going to cut into sections and construct a table on which to display a Basic Bible machine. We were short of funds but trusted in God, Iprayed as I walked along the beach that the Lord and He gave us a piece of wood that was the exact size would help me find the means to purchase, among other we needed." things, a 4x8-foot sheet of plywood. I stopped close to Following the meetings in Ft. Pierce the pastor at the the shoreline and prayed again and then opened my Melbourne church asked this aspiring layman to be- eyes just in time to see the waves carry a new 4x8-foot come the lay activities director. There was no reserva- piece of plywood to the shore, about one foot from tion, for his greatest ambition was to be used of God. where I stood." This and many other remarkable experi- One of his first objectives was to encourage church ences of God's providence have been told and retold by members to become active for God, particularly by Richard Grafe. using the Basic Bible study system. No church funds It was less than three years ago when Grafe received were available to purchase such equipment, but that did an invitation in the mail to attend some evangelistic not stop Richard. meetings in his hometown of Melbourne, Florida. After Again the Lord provided the tools to purchase just the his baptism nothing could contain his effervescence. needed materials. Oddly enough they came in the form Life took on new meaning—a triumph over the past, and of Bibles—family Bibles—which were sent to Grafe by a glorious hope for the future. Now his compelling drive the Florida Conference. Actually the Bibles provided a was to be used of God to share this freedom with others. two-fold blessing—revenue and an opportunity to wit- But how? And who would he share it with? ness. Church members began to sell the Bibles, going The answer was not long in coming. His appetite for door to door, and with the purchase of each Bible they God's word was insatiable. So, when another series of offered a free 20-series Encounter Bible study course. meetings began in Vero Beach, 30 miles from his home, "Every day," Richard said, "I asked God to guide me." Richard began attending, and praying that he would be And then doors began to open to homes, hearts, and a used of God. Then it happened. His brother and sister- church. One of the many individuals who gladly re- in-law, who lived in Tennessee, came to Florida for a ceived the Bible presentation was a Pentecostal minis- visit. While staying with Richard, the name Seventh-day ter. When he learned of the Bible study program, he Adventist and the teaching of the church were intro- invited Grafe to present the entire 20 lessons, one each duced to the vacationing couple for the first time. They week, to his congregation. too began attending the Vero Beach meetings. Their Enough money was finally available from donations vacation time had ended, but they prolonged their stay and the sale of family Bibles. The Bible machines were until the series concluded, at which time they were purchased and put to work. When a lesson was shown to baptized. Today, both husband and wife are active and one man, he immediately called 24 friends in 24 minutes
TWELVE by Pat M. Batto and invited them to attend a showing. During the follow- ing week each one of those contacts viewed an En- counter lesson. One hundred Bible studies had been conducted. The seed had been planted. It was harvest time. Local Mel- bourne church members, on their own, agreed to fi- nance an evangelistic series. "Operation Andrew" shifted into high gear. Members went two by two to their neighbors and friends for three weeks prior to the meet- ing, distributing literature and books. Some valorous members even attended non- Adventist churches on the same Sunday the meetings were to begin to invite everyone to attend. Rather than meeting them with antagonism, the churches gladly re- ceived the invitation. In fact, the pastor of one church went so far with his approval of the meetings that he discontinued evening services at his church so he and his congregation could attend. At the conclusion of the tent series, 47 people were baptized; and after 15 months of witnessing by Mel- bourne church members, a total of 97 individuals have found the family of God. Another of Richard's many lay ministry projects is a cassette tape lending library, which he makes available to anyone for the cost of It all started with an invitation. postage.
Richard Grafe and his mother go door to door, inviting the com- munity to view and hear the Bible studies.
THIRTEEN GEORGIA-CUMBER AND
Calhoun banker and longtime friend of Seventh-day Adventists Bert Lance addresses over 600 people gathered for the Cohutta Springs Adventist Center groundbreaking on April 29.
Three earthshaking explosions climaxed the groundbreaking activities at Cohutta Springs. CflHVTTEI SPRINGS
by F. Clifford Port
unshine. Speeches. Fellowship and fun. All introduced Bert Lance, former director of the were present in abundant measure for the Office of Management and Budget of the United official groundbreaking ceremonies of the new States Government. Lance challenged those Cohutta Springs Adventist Center on April 29. present to build a center that will provide Over 600 representatives from physical and spiritual refreshment and healing. Georgia-Cumberland's 105 churches were present He stated that the greatest possible enterprise is for the official launching of this $3.8 million the offering of the Water of Life to a thirsty construction project. world. A concert by the Georgia-Cumberland The groundbreaking ceremony climaxed the Academy Band opened the ceremonies, followed day's activities. Three mighty explosions by Pathfinders posting the colors. Youth Director triggered by the conference officers sent smoke Lewis Hendershot gave the invocation, and and flames over 60 feet into the sky. As echoes Conference Secretary Don Aalborg and Murray from the blasts faded away, people lingered to County Commissioner Kirby Patterson welcomed examine architects' drawings and discuss plans the assembled guests. Special visitors included for the development. Construction of the dam, James Hufstatler, mayor of Chatsworth, Georgia; which will impound a 50-acre lake, is scheduled Albert Ledford, the original land owner; to begin June 1. Next will come the youth camp architects George Hailey and Ross Howard, and and spiritual growth center. Visitors to Cohutta engineer Gary Bailey. Springs on April 29 left with the conviction that Conference President Desmond Cummings they had witnessed the beginning of an exciting outlined plans for the development, and advance in Georgia-Cumberland.
FOURTEEN late news .fit.. conferences
ALABAMA-MISSISSIPPI "WPM W. D. Wampler, Alabama-Mississippi Conference president, reports that CONFERENCE MEMBERSHIP SURPASSED 6,000 during the first quarter of 1979. The Bass Memorial Academy ACADEMY DAYS program was attended on April 29-30 by over 100 prospective students. Another high enrollment is expected at BMA. During the spring vacation in March, eight Bass Memorial Academy students, under the direction of campus Pastor Jerrell Gilkeson, spent a week in an OUTREACH PROGRAM in Lucedale, Mississippi. Activities included a door-to-door survey designed to invite residents to a Five-Day Stop Smoking Plan. The impact of the young people on this town was felt in a positive way. The mayor personally thanked the students for their concern. One hundred ten students from 10 schools participated in the first ELEMENTARY AND JUNIOR ACADEMY MUSIC FESTIVAL to be held in the Alabama-Mississippi Conference. Sponsored by Superintendent of Education Gerald Kovalski, the program featured a mass choir, band, instrumental and vocal solos, and school choirs. The festival was held on the Bass Memorial Academy campus April 12-14, and is scheduled to be an annual event. Clinicians were BMA music teachers Carmen Swigart and Katherine Micklewright. South- ern Union Education Director D. K. Griffith and Conference President W. D. Wampler were guest speakers. Members of the Panama City church and the Florida Community Services health screen- ing personnel worked together at a HEALTH FAIR held in the Panama City Mall March 1-3. Blood pressure, hemoglobin and diabetes tests were given to over 300 participants. Seven individuals were baptized and 20 others are studying following Amazing Facts EVANGELISTIC MEETINGS in Sylacauga, Alabama, by Charles Wheeling and his as- sociates. A company of believers is being organized and meeting in a rented church.
Enterprising Sabbath school members in Tryon, North Carolina, conducted a BREAD- MAKING DEMONSTRATION in a Tryon restaurant as a lay activities project on March 27. The demonstration, scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. and continue until 12 noon was sold out hours before the event. The prepaid reservations also included lunch at the restaurant. , Tryon, North Carolina, pastor, noted that 45 guests attended the COMMU- NITY GUEST DAY services on March 17. Many of the visitors stayed for lunch. The YMCA in Fayetteville, North Carolina, hosted a FIVE-DAY PLAN for its community January 22-26 which was conducted by Barry Mahorney, local pastor. Thirty-eight persons attended the series. The "Y" prepared all of the community advertising. Ever active in community health programs, the Fayetteville church also held COOKING CLASSES with emphasis on disease prevention through nutrition February 5-8. Elder and Mrs. Mahorney conducted the series. The students really enjoyed the pastor's bread- making session. Forty persons attended this series on healthful eating. On March 4 the WESTERN ELEMENTARY MUSICAL FESTIVAL began in the Mt. Pisgah Academy gym at 1 p.m. The featured theme was "Around the World in Ninety Minutes." Grade school students from the western Carolina elementary schools brought music from 11 different countries. ., challenged a large congregation attending a VOICE OF PROPHECY AFTERNOON RALLY in Kernersville, North Carolina, on April 21 to deliver the Lord's message to a dying world. On a tour to do what he has been doing all of his life, Richards presented the needs and challenges facing the Voice of Prophecy as they reach out around the world over the radio. Dr. Harold Moody, a family practice physician from Spartanburg, South Carolina, and also the conference medical secretary, was the principal speaker for the MARRIED COUPLES' SEMINAR held at Nosoca Pines Ranch April 6-8. Moody's series stressed the components of maintaining family health. Dr. Moody also serves as chairman of South Carolina's Commis- sion on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. The Fletcher, North Carolina, church conducted a special series of meetings in the church April 21-28. FAMILY-LIFE specialists presented topics each evening at 7:30 p.m. designed to "turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of children to the fathers." (Mal. 4:6) Speakers included David C. Zerbst, a specialist in psychotherapy, marriage, and family counseling; Dr. Harold and Marge Schutte, pediatrician and nursing instructor; Dr. Walter Howe, former director of secondary education for the General Con- ference; Dr. Roger Dudley, teacher and counselor from Georgia-Cumberland Academy; Pastor Don and Melinda Vollmer, associate pastor for family ministry and full-time pastor's wife and mother.
FIFTEEN Fletcher Hospital, Inc., hosted its first "Carolina Canter" on April 1. The 10-mile "FUN RUN" attracted over 350 runners. Nationally known Gary Bjorkland entered and ran the 10-mile course with a winning time of 50 minutes, 39 seconds. Bjorkland averaged 11.83 • mph over the course. One-and three-mile races were also run. • FL Capacity crowds are attending the Blandford-Pauley EVANGELISTIC CRUSADE being held at the Lake Wales church. Approximately 80 regular interests are hearing the nightly messages of vital truth. Robert Kurth is the pastor. Evangelist Don Edwards opened with a DOUBLE SESSION in the West Palm Beach church on April 28. Interest is continuing. TEN SOULS WERE BAPTIZED at the conclusion of the evangelistic series held in St. Augustine by Floyd Powell and Lanier Hanchett. Florida has had 253 BAPTISMS through March. Approximately 250 are attending the EVANGELISTIC CRUSADE being held by Dan Bentzinger at Brandon. One hundred sixty are new interests, 80 of which have been attending regularly. Although the Sabbath has not yet been presented, 15 have already made decisions for baptism. An excellent number of interests are attending the EVANGELISTIC MEETINGS being conducted b Harmon Brown! w in the Apopka church. FORTY- IX PEOPLE WERE BAPTIZED at Miami Springs following a series of meetings held in April by Don Edwards and Mike Coe. According to Elizabeth Hudak, Florida curriculum supervisor for elementary education, elementary schools in the conference raised money in various ways for three MISSION PROJECTS during the Christmas Sharing Project. The total funds, which were recently tabulated, were as follows: Bibles for India, $472.98; Colombia-Venezuela Union College music and library program, $238; Colombia-Venezuela Union College elementary school, $1,020.63. The annual "APPROACH TO JUDAISM" SEMINAR was conducted in Orlando during April, according to ministerial secretary Vic Zuchowski. Guests included R. A. Wilcox, general field secretary of the General Conference; Orley M. Berg, assistant ministerial secretary, General Conference; and Don Lewis, an SDA evangelist of Jewish descent in charge of the Times Square Center, New York. Instruction was given for pastors and laymen on how to reach the Jews with the gospel. Thirty-one pastors attended the meeting, which was held for the first time in Orlando. A CARDIO-PULMONARY RESPIRATION (CPR) COURSE, sponsored by Jacksonville Junior Academy, was presented during February by Ron Dorsett, a paramedic and Red Cross-certified CPR instructor. The class was attended by 47 students who will receive a certification from Red Cross as basic rescuers. Two churches in the South Atlantic Conference and four from the Florida Conference, all located in the Tampa area, organized and staffed an EXHIBIT at the Florida State Fair April 4-15 portraying the church as interested in the total life of Florida residents. It was estimated that more than 250,000 persons saw the exhibit. Working together at the exhibit were Mt. Calvary, Town and Country, Brandon, Tampa First, Tampa Southside, and Tampa Spanish churches. The 22nd annual MUSIC FESTIVAL of 22 elementary schools and junior academies in the Florida Conference was hosted by Forest Lake Academy on April 26-28. Dr. Marvin Robertson, Southern Missionary College Music Department chairman, was the choral clinician. Guest participants at the three-day festival were the "Collegedale Caroliers" from Spalding Elementary School, under the direction of Dr. Robertson. Norman Krogstad was the band clinician.
GEORGIA-CUMBERLAND I Atlanta area churches joined together for the second annual SEASON OF CELEBRATION on April 14 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The sermon was given by J. R. Spangler, associate ministerial secretary for the General Conference. Calhoun Pastor Norman Lunt was ELECTED PRESIDENT of the Gordon County Ministe- rial Association on April 16, 1979, succeeding First Baptist church Pastor Bob Maddox, who is moving to Washington, D.C., to join President Carter's speech-writing staff. Lunt will finish Maddox's term, which expires December, 1979. Lunt said that his duties will include calling and organizing monthly ministerial meetings for the Calhoun churches and hospital chaplaincy. Curriculum Supervisor HenryFarr conducted WEEKS OF PRAYER at Knoxville Junior Academy and Little Creek Elementary School, April 2 through 6. Education Superintendent Jim Epperson, Curriculum Supervisor Henry Farr, Conference Treasurer Richard Center, and Assistant Treasurer Don Platt led out in a SCHOOL BOARD CHAIRMEN'S WORKSHOP at Georgia-Cumberland Academy April 22. Thirty people at- tended, some from as far as 300 miles away. Conference Treasurer Richard Center reports that Georgia-Cumberland's average weekly TITHE reached $116,093 for the first quarter, an increase of eight per cent. Tithe for the quarter totaled $1,509,209, Sabbath school mission giving reached $131,432, and $39,415 was received for conference evangelism.
SIXTEEN TENNESSEE
Interest has increased in conducting COOKING SCHOOLS throughout the conference. Woodbury, Tennessee. held one in January and February; Cross Plains, Tennessee, had one in progress during May; Gallatin, Nashville First, and Bordeaux, Tennessee, and St. Mat- thews, Kentucky, have scheduled cooking schools in the next few weeks. As a result of the Home Nutrition Instructors' Course, a number of persons are showing interest in this area. treasurer, reports that the tithe receipts at the end of the first quarter show a GAIN of $155,134 over the same period last year. This is a 23.1 per cent increase. On Easter Sunday, 52 people from the Georgia-Cumberland Conference, Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee, all parts of Kentucky, as well as outside the conference, met at Belcher, Kentucky, to raise a NEW CHURCH. As a result of the work that was done on that day and the next, the congregation was able to meet in its new church the following Sabbath, April 21. The MEMBERSHIP of the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference at the end of March, 1979, stood at 8888. H. V. Leggett, conference secretary, states that this is the year, 1979, when he expects the conference to pass the 9,000 mark. According to William E. Miller, publishing leader for the Kentucky-Tennessee Confer- ence, the LITERATURE EVANGELISTS are off to a good start for 1979. As of the middle of April, they show a gain of over $30,000 for the year. J. W. Clarke, stewardship director, reports that for the month of March, 58 churches showed a marked increase in their support of the KENTUCKY-TENNESSEE ADVANCE for the same period in 1978. Thirty-four churches have reached or almost reached their objec- tive. Evan elist Jer Willis opened a SERIES OF MEETINGS in St. Matthews, Kentucky. There were over peop e present for the opening night with over one-half of these being visitors. The South Louisville Church had a successful FIVE-DAY STOP SMOKING PLAN from March 18-22 at the Louisville Junior Academy. There were nine in attendance, three of whom have just been baptized. Clarence Southard is the pastor.
SilrENTRAL
LITERATURE EVANGELISTS, under Benjamin Cone, in the state of Mississippi are enjoy- ing themselves delivering more books than any district in the conference, and having district rallies that draw many more. One such rally was held in Meridian on May 5. The new program designed to evangelize dark counties and give graduate ministers an opportunity, INFILTRATION EVANGELISM, has placed William Gilliard in a dark county in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The program gives the pastor/evangelist a stipend, a small inven- tory of subscription books, and loads of counsel and advice. It is hoped that some of the infiltration evangelists will be responsible for new church congregations in their territory. MINI-WORKERS' MEETINGS held in Birmingham, Alabama, Jackson, Mississippi, Mem- phis Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee, and Louisville, Kentucky, proved to be quite a blessing to pastors, teachers, literature evangelists, and Bible workers. The young people of the Nashville area gave a MUSICAL PROGRAM for the F. H. Jenkins School which netted $2,000+. They are planning to see a new school building soon. Dr. Patrick Vincent and the Chattanooga congregation BROKE GROUND for their new church building last month. One week later the footings were poured and the building was on the way up. It should be completed by the last of August. The New Heights church in Jackson, Mississippi, is planning to OPEN A SCHOOL in its new building this fall. The Educational Superintendent, J. Dent, visited with them in April to lay plans for the opening. "The New Heights members and their pastor have much faith to plan for a school when they are still planning for the building," commented one veteran minister, "But I've seen it done before and I look to see them in their church and school this fall." In a recent meeting of the Southern Union and South Central BOARD OF EDUCATION, the following observations were made, according to President Dudley. Number of teachers, 37; with BA degrees, 26, with MA degrees, 8. Number of students, 880. New schools to open this fall, 6: Meridian, Lexington, Hattiesburg, Jackson, Mississippi, Mobile, and Decatur, Alabama. Dr. C. E. Dudley president of South Central, announced at a recent staff meeting that plans are underway to make the OAKWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL a part of the South S Central school system, under the direction of the educational director Dr. J. F. Dent.
S
S N ADVENTIST HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SYSTEM
Elder and Mrs. E. L. Minchin led out in a WEEK OF INSPIRATION April 16-21 at Takoma Hospital, Greeneville, Tennessee. The Minchins who have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, shared "eight secrets for a happy home." Some of the non-Adventist members of the hospital staff attended Sabbath worship services April 21 to hear Minchin speak.
SEVENTEEN Pictorial Stories
Construction is underway on the new Birmingham, Alabama, First church, to be located in Hoover, south of the main city. Value of the building and property is estimated at more than $1 million, but no indebtedness is expected to remain on the property at the time of its projected August 18 opening.