Del Delker, Adventist Music Icon, Asleep in Jesus

Del Delker, longtime soloist for , passed away on Wednesday morning, January 31, 2018, in Porterville, Calif., at the age of 93.

Del, as generations of listeners and fellow believers knew her, spent much of her life and ministry in the Pacific Union and ministered to listeners around the globe with her rich and deep vocal talent.

Though known for her musical career, Del is also treasured for the friendship she offered those who knew her. “Del

Printed: September 2021 - Page 1 of 3 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on March 2018 2021© Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. Del Delker, Adventist Music Icon, Asleep in Jesus truly loved people,” said Ken Wade, writer and former executive producer of Voice of Prophecy. “She was a much- admired and emulated woman of faith, courage, fortitude, and compassion.”

For more than five decades, Del Delker was the Voice of Prophecy soloist. She traveled the world with Elder HMS Richards, Sr. and Elder HMS Richards, Jr.—and at thousands of events, she shared the musical billing with Brad and Olive Braley and The King’s Heralds. Adventists around the world fell in love with her contralto voice, and her quick- witted humor and dedication to ministry impressed her associates and audience alike.

Her music career began in 1947 when she joined the Voice of Prophecy as a secretary and musician. Despite feeling inadequate due of her lack of training in music, Del blossomed in her role. In 1948 she learned to sing in Spanish, opening a door to reach out to the Latin-American and Hispanic community. Del later learned to sing in Vietnamese and 12 other languages, and she sang of the love of Jesus in countries around the world, including the Philippines, Australia, and Brazil.

By 1951 she was finishing her first of over 40 albums. In 1958 Del graduated from ​ with a Bachelor of Arts degree, after which she devoted her life to a ministry of music to others through song and her work with the Voice of Prophecy. She was a favorite artist at camp meetings and convocations, and she frequently collaborated with other musicians and groups.

“Perhaps Del, along with the HMS Richards family and the King’s Heralds, helped bring out the softer side of by talking and singing about the goodness of God,” Wade said.

Though she retired in 1990, Del Delker continued to travel with Voice of Prophecy as her health permitted.

Many employees of the Pacific Union remember Del fondly and were inspired by her work. “Del Delker touched more people around the world with her music and her testimony than any other single person I know,” said Connie Jeffery, associate communications director for the Southern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

More details about Del Delker, the independent spirit and musical visionary who graced the world with her poise and sincere devotion to Jesus, were shared in the Friday, February 2, 2018, episode of All God’s People.

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