God's People,” April 23, 2021 S5:E14

TUCSON, ARIZONA, August 17, 2021 — Bradford C. Newton has been elected president of the Pacific Union Conference, replacing Ricardo B. Graham, who is retiring after 14 years of service as president and more than 46 years of ministry. Elected to fill the role of executive secretary that Newton has held since 2008, Sandra E. Roberts, president of the Southeastern California Conference, is the first woman to be elected to serve in the administration of the Pacific Union Conference and within the North American Division.

Delegates returned Stephen V. Mayer to the position of treasurer, while Leon B. Brown, Sr., president of the Nevada- Utah Conference, was elected to serve as vice president, replacing Jorge Soria, who is retiring after 47 years of ministry. The elections were a signiﬁcant part of the agenda for the delegates of the 31st Paciﬁc Union Constituency Session, held August 15-16, in Tucson, Arizona.

Printed: October 2021 - Page 1 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. Held every five years to conduct the official business of the church, more than 350 delegates participated in the constituency session. Elder G. Alexander Bryant, president of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, served as the chair of the Nominating Committee for the constituency session, and led the delegates inthe balloting process. “You have just elected the most diverse group of officers in the history of the Pacific Union Conference,” said Bryant, a remark that received standing applause from delegates. Speaking directly to themembers of the new administration, Bryant said, “This body elected you in an overwhelming fashion. Lead this union to the next level as we prepare for the soon return of Jesus Christ.”

Delegates also voted on the coordinators for ethnic ministries and adopted changes in the bylaws that redesignate these positions—along with the director of education—as vice presidents for specialized ministries. Serving in these positions are VicLouis Arreola III, vice president for Asian Paciﬁc ministries; Virgil S. Childs, vice president for Black ministries; Berit von Pohle, vice president for education; and Alberto Ingleton, vice president for Hispanic ministries.

In his role as executive secretary during the previous term, Elder Bradford C. Newton has chaired the Bylaws Committee, and he spoke to the importance of these new designations. “We believe that this will both broaden the administrative leadership for the Paciﬁc Union Conference and deepen the opportunities for all of our ministries to come together in shared ministry and mission.”

The delegates also received the treasurer’s report from Stephen V. Mayer on the financial status of the position of the Pacific Union, which has seen steady and continuous growth since the last constituency session in 2016. “We have seen the Lord’s faithfulness repeatedly demonstrated in the last five years. We are committed to responsibly use these sacred resources for His kingdom.” An accompanying report from the G.C. auditor confirmed that Pacific Union Conference entities audits affirmed the highest level of compliance with standard financial practices. Reports were also received from education and healthcare, and they may be found on the Pacific Union Conference website, as well as in the Recorder magazines for July, August, and September.

The retirements of Elder Ricardo Graham and Elder Jorge Soria prompted emotional responses of gratitude from the delegates. They each spoke with affection for the Seventh-day Adventist Church and their appreciation for the many years of service in the Pacific Union. The retiring leaders each expressed gratitude to their spouses as their partners in ministry. Acting on behalf of the Pacific Union Conference, Bradford and Jennifer Newton formally recognized and expressed appreciation to Elder Ricardo Graham and his wife, Audrey Weir-Graham, and to Elder Jorge Soria and his wife, Lina Soria, for their dedicated service.

“I want to thank you for your prayers through the years,” Graham told the assembly, with his wife, Audrey Weir- Graham, by his side. “I never planned to be any type of administrator, but I’ve always been willing to go where God

Printed: October 2021 - Page 2 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. sends me, and I’ve had the great support of a great wife every step of the way.” He continued, “I have full conﬁdence in the team you have elected, that God will lead them as He led the previous team, to prepare to meet Jesus.”

Elder Bradford C. Newton now takes up the leadership for the Pacific Union in the field in which he had served in pastoral and administrative roles since 1995. “We stand in a very monumental time in earth’s history,” Newton stated. Reflecting on the theme for the 31st Constituency Session, he continued, “How we respond to Christ’s words, ‘So Send I You’ will impact not only our lives but our churches, schools, and communities. The Seventh-day Adventist Church is uniquely called to a prophetic role in our society. The way the Lord has led us in the past, and the promise of the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, gives us confidence for the important work that lies before us.”

###

Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Mail to: PO Box 5005, Westlake Village, CA 91359

Street Address: 2686 Townsgate Road, Westlake Village, CA 91361 [email protected]

By Ron Rasmussen

CLOVIS, CALIF.,—August 12, 2021, Dan Serns has been elected as President of the Central California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (CCC). His eﬀective start date has yet to be determined.

Pastor Serns currently serves as Director of Evangelism (for English-speaking persons) for the Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He has been ministering in this capacity since 2014. His previous ministry experiences include the following: Developing a language school and serving as a pastor in Brownsville, Texas (1979 – 1984), Director of Youth Ministries, Church Ministries, and Vice President of the Texas Conference (1984-1995), Pastor in the Kansas-Nebraska Conference (1995-1999), Senior Pastor in the Upper Columbia Conference (1999-2004), Ministerial Director/Soul Winning, Global Missions, Church Planting for the North Paciﬁc Union Conference

Printed: October 2021 - Page 4 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. (2004-2010), and Senior Pastor of a 1,000 member church in the Texas Conference (2010-2016).

Serns holds undergraduate degrees in Business Administration and Religion from Paciﬁc Union College in Angwin, California. He also received the Masters of Arts in Pastoral Ministry degree from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

Serns and his supportive wife Lois have three married children (Jacob, Dustin, and Danesa), who are all serving the Lord by God’s grace. The personal mission of Pastor Serns is: “The Adventist Message to All the World in This Generation!” We welcome Dan and Lois Serns and rejoice that they are joining us in ministry in Central California.

The CCC was established in the year 1911 and has grown to where today there are 34,133 members, 150 congregations, and 29 schools, over a territory of 17 counties in California.

Read this press release on the CCC website.

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Fire Updates from Northern California

Current and recent ﬁres are impacting residents in Northern California. The Northern California Conference published updates on the River Fire. Read the details via the link below.

Learn More

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Printed: October 2021 - Page 7 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. Constituency Sessions – What Are They For?

When Elder W.T. Knox, president of the Paciﬁc Union in 1902, spoke to that very ﬁrst session, he posed the fundamental question, “What can be done for the improvement of the ministry?

When the delegates to the very first Pacific Union Conference constituency session met, many were surely asking the same kind of questions we ask today. Way back in 1902 at that first meeting in Portland, Oregon, some were probably asking, “What is a constituency session actually for?” Elder Knox answered their question with a question: “What can we do to improve our ministry?”

There’s certainly a lot of organizational business to attend to—electing administrative and departmental oﬃcers, dealing with policy matters, making sure we take care of the “nuts and bolts” of “doing church.” Doing things “decently and in order” has always been an important Christian principle for us. But that’s not really what sessions are all about.

Every ﬁve years we take this opportunity to come together and think seriously about fulﬁlling the Great Commission given to us by Jesus. This year the theme is “So Send I You,” a direct reference to the task Christ has given His church.

From its beginnings in 1901, the Paciﬁc Union has played a major role in shaping the Adventist Church. Many of its best innovations came from the West in areas as diverse as healthcare, education, and evangelism.

A Prayer of Gratitude and Consecration

In February 1959, at the 18th session of the Paciﬁc Union Conference Constituency, held in San Francisco, it was reported that there were over 72,000 church members in the churches in the Paciﬁc Southwest. In gratitude for God’s providence and blessing, the delegates took this action:

As representatives of the cause of God in this territory (sensing deeply the urgency of our task as we view present world conditions), we rededicate our hearts and lives to the service of God in this mighty hour, with a high resolve that we will labor energetically and pray earnestly for the speedy ﬁnishing of God’s work on earth, and with united hearts we oﬀer the following prayer of gratitude and consecration:

For thy numberless blessings, O God, we give Thee thanks.

Printed: October 2021 - Page 8 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. For Thy protection and tireless care, O God, we do rejoice.

For Thy presence with our workers in all parts of the Paciﬁc Union Conference, we acknowledge Thy goodness.

For Thy work upon the hearts and minds of men—resulting in thousands of baptisms—we praise Thy great and holy name.

For the sacriﬁcial liberality of Thy people in supporting Thy work so loyally, we are thankful.

For numerous openings for the advancement of Thy work, we are challenged and deeply grateful.

For the happy, hopeful, united family of Advent believers in all the earth, we lift our hearts and our voices in thanksgiving.

For Thy promises, we love Thee.

For the opportunity to live for the glory of Thy name, we thank Thee.

For the privilege of speaking to others concerning Thy matchless love, our hearts breathe humble gratitude.

For all this we speak our thanks. But for the gift above all gifts—the gift uplifted for us on Calvary—the gift of Thy Son, through whose blood we have remission of sins—our hearts find no fit words with which to respond. We, Thy people, in Union Session assembled in the year 1959, can only express our thanks by a complete and unreserved rededication to all that we are to the speedy finishing of the task committed to us. This we now do.

The Paciﬁc Union Conference Constituency Session takes place this weekend, August 15 & 16, in Tucson, Arizona. May the same spirit of gratitude and commitment demonstrated in 1959 be with the delegates and attendees this weekend.

Read the 1959 Recorder Magazine

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“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1:2

By Christine Pickering

ROSEVILLE, Calif. – Scott Reiner, the visionary Adventist Health CEO who has led the nonproﬁt, faith-based company to reimagine the future of healthcare, is leaving at year end to establish a family foundation that is

Printed: October 2021 - Page 10 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. focused on global health and well-being, Board Chairman Dr. Ricardo Graham announced on July 30.

“Scott has served Jesus’ healing ministry exceptionally well for more than 30 years,” Graham said. “The board and I are deeply grateful for all that he has accomplished and are excited for his new calling.” The board will identify candidates to carry on the organization’s sacred work during this next chapter at Adventist Health, he said.

Reiner, who has served as CEO since 2014, is conﬁdent in the company’s future, given its dynamic and experienced leadership team and the company’s bold 2030 strategy that extends its reach beyond sick care into well-being, he wrote in a letter to all associates on July 30. “Personally, our work has always been about living our mission and expanding love and care to those in need, and I am looking forward to carrying these values with me into the next chapter of my journey.”

After beginning his healthcare career as a registered nurse at Adventist Health’s Glendale hospital, Reiner served in a variety of leadership roles, including president and CEO of the 515-bed Glendale medical center and executive vice president/chief operations oﬃcer of Adventist Health.

Accomplishments during Reiner’s tenure as CEO include:

Strategically repositioning the hospital-centric company to a care, health and well-being organization, including the acquisition of Blue Zones, to fully align with its mission commitment Creating a new operating framework across 24 hospitals in 10 distinct service areas, while creating signiﬁcant clinical, cost and performance improvements, achieving outcomes in the top 10% or 25% nationally Welcoming six new communities with hospitals and clinics to the system Creating new innovative oﬃces of Mission, Culture and Consumer as well as a Well-Being Division Serving as chair of the California Hospital Association

“I am thankful for the experiences and relationships that have enriched my life during my time at Adventist Health, and I will always be humbled by the trust you have placed in me,” Reiner wrote in his letter to associates. “I will continue to work during the remainder of 2021 to keep Adventist Health on a trajectory to achieve our vision and fulfill our mission, and I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities you have given me to make a difference and serve you.”

# # #

Printed: October 2021 - Page 11 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. Adventist Health is a faith-based, nonprofit integrated health system serving more than 80 communities on the West Coast and Hawaii as well as others across the U.S. through its Blue Zones company, a pioneer in taking a systemic and environmental approach to improving the health of entire cities and communities. Through this work, Adventist Health is leading a 21st century well-being transformation movement. Founded on Seventh-day Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides care in hospitals, clinics, its innovative Adventist Health Hospital@Home program that provides virtual in-patient care at home, home care agencies, hospice agencies and joint-venture retirement centers in both rural and urban communities. Our compassionate and talented team of 37,000 includes associates, medical staff physicians, allied health professionals and volunteers driven in pursuit of one mission: living God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope. Together, we are transforming the American healthcare experience with an innovative, yet timeless, whole- person focus on physical, mental, spiritual and social healing to support community well-being.

Through modifications, the ministry of summer camp was able to return to Pine Springs Ranch (PSR). A task force of summer camp veterans with knowledge in the medical and ministry fields crafted four weeks of safe camp experiences. Starting on Wednesdays and running through Sundays, PSR hosted up to 30 families for five days of fellowship, worship, and connection in the great outdoors. Family cohorts rotated through outdoor activities, including archery, go-karts, and horseback riding—the first time PSR has had horseback riding since 2013. Also included in the schedule: nap times! “In case you haven’t had one in a while,” the camp shared on their website.

“One family told me that this was the best vacation they’ve ever had together,” said Carmen Ibanez, executive

Printed: October 2021 - Page 13 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. director at PSR. “They appreciated the chance to do activities together, to laugh and have fun.”

Learn more about Pine Springs Ranch.

P.S. Did you Know?

Pine Springs Ranch has operated as a place for Christian camping in Southern California since 1961.

Printed: October 2021 - Page 14 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. New adult hospital and Children’s Hospital tower expansion home to advanced patient care

By Ansel Oliver

Loma Linda University Health on Friday, Aug. 6, oﬃcially opened the Dennis and Carol Troesh Medical Campus, home to a state-of-the-art adult hospital and Children’s Hospital tower expansion — a momentous occasion years in the making as leaders celebrated with a jubilant ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Built to meet updated state seismic codes for acute care facilities, the campus is home to LLUH’s new 16-story Medical Center and 9-story Children’s Hospital tower. The campus incorporates leading advances in patient safety and comfort and was designed to continue the organization’s 115-year legacy of care and healthcare education in what has become one of the most medically complex regions in the nation.

Printed: October 2021 - Page 15 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. The new campus was made possible in part by the philanthropy eﬀorts of Vision 2020 – The Campaign for a Whole Tomorrow. Leaders thanked philanthropists Dennis and Carol Troesh for their lead gift of $100 million to the initiative.

“This is truly a historic day in the legacy of Loma Linda University Health,” said Richard Hart, MD, DrPH, president of Loma Linda University Health. “There are no words to adequately express the sincere gratitude and excitement that we feel as we open these doors to the community.”

Printed: October 2021 - Page 16 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. Hart recounted his personal journey. He was born in the Loma Linda Sanitarium, which was located on a nearby hill and now houses two university schools. He attended the Loma Linda University School of Medicine and helped to move patients into the Medical Center’s cloverleaf towers when they opened in 1967.

On Sunday, Hart took part in the transfer of patients to the new Medical Center on the Dennis and Carol Troesh Medical Campus.

“What a remarkable transition in one lifetime from a quiet sanitarium with a College of Medical Evangelists to a world-renowned academic health center known as Loma Linda University Health,” Hart said. “We stand today on the shoulders of many who have made this transition a reality.”

Printed: October 2021 - Page 17 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. The acute care facility, built upon 126 base isolators to reduce the impact of seismic activity, is the second-tallest hospital in California. The Medical Center has 320 licensed beds, while the Children’s Hospital expansion brings its total bed count up to 84.

Kerry Heinrich, CEO of Loma Linda University Health Hospitals, reﬂected on the Seventh-day Adventist legacy of the organization, highlighting LLUH’s co-founder Ellen White arriving to the area in 1905 and remarking “this is the very place” that would be used to bring hope and healing. The new campus, Heinrich said, begins a new chapter in that legacy.

“This very place will be home to thousands of dedicated physicians, nurses, and clinicians, a place where they will provide world-class clinical care and education,” Heinrich said. “This very place will support the intense eﬀorts of researchers whose discoveries will make an impact around the world.”

LLUH leaders thanked the state of California for its support of $165 million in funding. State Treasurer Fiona Ma, MS, MBA, expressed her appreciation at the ceremony. “I want to thank the Loma Linda community for all your good work and your persistence in making this happen,” she said.

A special additional ceremony was also held on the new facility’s ﬁfth ﬂoor for the San Manuel Maternity Pavilion. Leaders thanked the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for their contribution of $25 million. The gift, the largest in the tribe’s history, recognized the century-long partnership between the hospital and the tribe.

Loma Linda University Health comprises eight schools, six hospitals, and approximately 17,000 employees. LLUH is the ﬂagship academic health sciences center of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and it has sponsored numerous missionaries and served as a consultant for the establishment of the six other Seventh-day Adventist medical schools worldwide.

“The future physicians and healthcare professionals who learn here will have many opportunities to train in multidisciplinary teams and come to understand that meaningful patient experiences must be at the center of everything we do,” said Tamara Thomas, MD, executive vice president for medical aﬀairs at Loma Linda University Health. “It is my hope that the work taking place within these walls will transform the lives of both our current and future healthcare professionals and the diverse community we serve.”

—additional reporting by Larry Becker and Sheann Brandon

In July, seven members of the Hayward Spanish Explorers Pathfinder Club earned their First Aid and CPR certification. The youngest one to be certified is only 10 years old! Each year the club sponsors a First Aid and CPR class in Spanish for the Pathfinders and any church members who want to attend. The instruction helps the kids gain the necessary skills to complete the requirements for Pathfinder classwork and honors. Unlike many clubs, the Explorers meet year-round.

“A lot of parents are working, so we try to do more summer activities with the kids,” said Cesar García, director. Running a Pathﬁnder club is a big investment of time and energy for the leaders. But it’s worth it! “The Pathﬁnders are the future of our Church,” said García. “They are the ones who will take our positions in the coming years.”

To learn more about the Hayward Spanish SDA Church, click here. Learn more about Pathﬁnders in the Northern California Conference.

Printed: October 2021 - Page 21 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. Printed: October 2021 - Page 22 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. Hayward, CA | Northern Calif. Conference

Literature Evangelism in the SECC

The opportunity to bless others is a driving force for those participating in student literature evangelism—and until mid-May, it was uncertain what would happen to the summer program in the Southeastern California

Printed: October 2021 - Page 24 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. Conference. With two weeks to prepare, the leadership team praised God for providing everything needed to accommodate 12 students in their modiﬁed program.

Though prepared for a hesitant reception at doors, the team witnessed more openness and interest than ever before. Many showed gratitude to the students who oﬀered to pray for them and encourage them.

“We met many people who lost family members to COVID and were personally aﬀected by the pandemic,” shared Eric Isaia, assistant student literature evangelism director. “Many of them thanked our students for praying with them, and for leaving positive, uplifting, and hopeful literature with them.”

Though the smallest student literature program for the conference, participants set a record high for scholarship earnings in the history of the conference’s Youth Rush summer program.

“We have been able to put more literature into homes than in any previous summer,” Isaia shared. “We have seen that ministry is needed and desired more than ever before. Now is the time to seek and save the hurting, confused, and lost!”

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La Sierra PSAs

La Sierra University students and staff have created a powerful media response to the continuing challenges being created by the pandemic. As the Delta variant is spreading in our union and in our country, La Sierra film students have made seven Public Service Announcements in English and in Spanish to help address vaccine hesitancy. Along with the rollout of the vaccines have come many questions. To address some of the most common concerns and to encourage its campus and community members to receive the vaccine under the guidance of their healthcare providers, La Sierra University is offering these informational and inspirational messages presented by members of its campus family.

Printed: October 2021 - Page 27 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. A big thank you and shout out to the La Sierra University Film and Television Production department and Associate Professor Carrie Specht, who led her students in the production of these important messages about COVID-19 vaccines.

La Sierra PSAs

An Interview with Nancy Crosby

Native American Ministries is one of our vital volunteer-led ministries in the Paciﬁc Union. Recently, we spoke with Nancy Crosby about some of her personal highlights in ministry with Native Americans. You can read more about Native American Ministries in the September Recorder.

Recorder Online

Celebrating a Milestone

The Recorder magazine celebrated a big milestone this week! On August 1, 1901, the first edition of the Pacific Union Recorder magazine was published for members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It comprised 16 pages—with approximately 16,300 words and no pictures—and highlighted the mission work taking place in both the Pacific Southwest and Pacific Northwest. The first line of the magazine reads as follows, “God has a special work for His servants to do in the preparation of people to stand in the great day of the Lord. This work is to commence in our own hearts. We need the faith that works by love and purifies the soul.” After 120 years, this monthly magazine is still keeping members inspired and informed. Read recent editions of the Recorder or the very first edition via the links below.

Recorder Online

1901 Recorder Edition

Printed: October 2021 - Page 28 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. Video Tributes to Elder Graham and Elder Soria

The past two weeks on All God’s People we’ve featured two of our retiring administrators—Vice President Jorge Soria and President Ricardo Graham. We hope you’ve had an opportunity to watch these tributes. Below are links to these special episodes—as well as to other media resources related to the Constituency Session.

Elder Graham Video

Elder Soria Video

Nominating Committee Report

Constituency Session is almost here. It will be held August 15 and 16 in Tucson, Arizona. Next Friday, All God’s People will feature a special episode called “Constituency Sessions—Why Do We Have Them?” We hope you will join us for that program!

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“For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal,” declares the Lord. – Jeremiah 30:17

By Faith Hoyt

I got my first real Pathfinder experience in August 2019 in Oshkosh, Wis., where I photographed and reported on the Pacific Union Conference clubs attending the International Pathfinder Camporee. The enormity of the event and the excitement of the campers left quite an impression on me. Chatting with shy but proud teens about the new honors they earned and watching the baptisms of countless young people—including the 200 from our union—gave me a glimpse of the impact of this club on their lives. While wandering through four hangars filled with booths, expos, and activities, I learned about the history and roots of this ministry—and about a man named Laurence A. Skinner, the first world Pathfinder leader.

Laurence Skinner loved Pathﬁndering, and when the General Conference adopted Pathﬁnders worldwide in 1950,

Printed: October 2021 - Page 30 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. Skinner’s advocacy and encouragement helped build up the programs that we have today. His impact on Pathﬁndering here in the West—and throughout the world—is very real.

Many remember Elder Skinner, but none as well as his daughter, Donna Warren, whom I had the opportunity to interview this summer. Donna is a native of the Southeastern California Conference and wrote from her home in Rancho Mirage, Calif. She described her father, his ministry, its impact on the family, and some of the remarkable memories she treasures as the daughter of the ﬁrst world Pathﬁnder leader.

Printed: October 2021 - Page 31 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. Who was Laurence Skinner?

When I asked Donna to tell me about her father, she described a devoted and loving Christian gentleman—a conservationist, nature lover, teacher, and leader. “His smile was the sunshine of our lives!” she shared.

This quiet and dedicated man helped cast a vision for a global movement, and I wondered how his journey started. Looking back to the start of his career, Donna recounts the experiences that fueled and inspired her father’s vision for Pathﬁndering.

His ministry began with a teaching assignment in an elementary school in the Southeastern California Conference.

“Perhaps it was here that he realized the importance of a ministry for the youth of the church,” she said. “I believe it was in these early years that he realized that he loved teaching.”

After his time in the classroom, Donna’s father assisted in the ﬁrst Youth Camp in Julian, Calif., and in 1932 he directed the ﬁrst youth camp in Idyllwild, Calif.

“The sign read ‘J. M. V. Pathﬁnder Camp,’” Donna said, noting that the word Pathﬁnder came into use at about that time.

Printed: October 2021 - Page 32 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. Youth ministry at the local and global level

I’ve heard it said the best ministry leaders are those who worked at the local level. This was the case for Laurence Skinner, who focused on youth ministry in local contexts. From his youth work in the Hawaiian Mission in Hilo, to youth ministry in two local conferences in California, Elder Skinner gained both experience in the ﬁeld and a vision for what young people needed—perspectives that he took with him when he was invited to come to the General Conference.

Printed: October 2021 - Page 33 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. “It was when he was Associate Youth Director in the General Conference that he put together the materials and wrote the official Pathfinder Handbook for the world Pathfinder program, which actually started in the Pacific Union Conference years before,” Donna shared.

Prior to the launch of Pathﬁnders, Donna remembers hearing her father say he wished there existed something like Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts for the youth; a program that honored Adventist values on health and diet and respected the seventh-day Sabbath.

“I think he saw this as his mission,” she said.

Her memory of her father’s words reminded me of my own experiences in Girl Scouts and Awana club and the many Sabbath afternoons when I wished for a Pathﬁnder club within driving distance.

Distance didn’t seem to deter Elder Skinner. He traveled the world conducting Youth Congresses, Pathﬁnder Jamborees, and other youth meetings in the Far East, Europe, South America, India, Australia, the South Paciﬁc, and the Middle East.

Printed: October 2021 - Page 34 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. Skinner’s favorite aspects of Pathﬁnders

From conversations with many church leaders, I’ve deduced that travel drops oﬀ their list of favorite things about ministry. This was the case for Elder Skinner. Donna believes the hands-on conducting of nature classes, giving Bible quizzes, promoting the Pathﬁnders’ goals of completing the progressive classwork to become a Friend or Companion—these mentorship moments where he was directly involved with campers brought her father much joy.

“He was a born teacher,” she stated. “He studied diligently and received much satisfaction by imparting this

Printed: October 2021 - Page 35 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. knowledge to young people with whom he came in contact during the camping experience.”

Additionally, Donna recalls that one of her father’s great delights was the lively campfires every evening where he would “absolutely shine.” She describes how he loved leading the campers in spirited songs and always told a continued story that ended each night with a cliff-hanger so that the campers eagerly waited for the next installment. Oh, to have been a camper at one of those campfires!

Elder Skinner’s role and its impact on the family

Having a dad who visits camps and camporees around the world comes with a cost. Donna’s memories of homelife when her father was away gave me a picture of the sacriﬁce involved in this kind of ministry.

“While we were always so proud of our father’s accomplishments and the fact that he was doing something signiﬁcant that he loved, we became aware over time that there were sacriﬁces that impacted our family, especially our mother,” Donna shared.

During her father’s time in the General Conference from 1947 to 1963, her father’s world travels took him away from home for at least six to eight months out of every year. During this time, Donna’s mother managed everything by herself.

“My sister and I were teenagers, and I’m sure there were many times she missed having my father around to provide support,” she said.

There were many missed birthdays, graduations, and other special events. But Donna mentioned a bright side: occasionally when her father attended camps or youth gatherings that were held in the summer and were within traveling distance, the family accompanied him. “That was always a treat!”

Printed: October 2021 - Page 36 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. A foundation for youth ministry

Donna remembers one of those summer trips to Camp Wawona in Yosemite National Park. It was around 1940, and her father was the Youth Leader in the Northern California Conference. This trip created some of her all-time favorite

Printed: October 2021 - Page 37 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. memories, which included riding around on a Shetland pony with her sister Jolene.

Talking with Donna about her camp memories made me think of my own favorite memories from Leoni Meadows camp. I realize I still haven’t forgotten the hand motions the staﬀ used when we sang with campers.

If you ever wore the Pathﬁnder uniform, earned your way to Master Guide, or worked hard for badges, Bible Bowls, and camporees, you can be thankful for the opportunities Laurence A. Skinner sought for young people. His legacy lives on in Pathﬁndering and in the personal impact of being a thoughtful, appreciative, dedicated father—one with a vision for youth ministry.

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The following minutes were recorded during the 11th meeting of the ninth regular session of the Paciﬁc Union Conference, held on February 19,

The committee on Plans, through its secretary, C. W. Erwin, reported a preamble to resolution no. 19, calling for a special training in our churches along medical missionary lines. The resolution as passed, follows:

WHEREAS, the recent epidemics which have swept the world have led us to see more clearly the wonderful possibilities opening before our churches and giving to suﬀering humanity the blessing and help of medical missionary work as outlined in the Spirit of Prophecy,

WE RECOMMEND, (a) that deﬁnite plans be set in operation to train our people in hydrotherapy and simple treatment, as remedial agents in the treatment of such epidemics as may come in the times of trouble before us.

(b) that for the purpose of accomplishing this plan, there be formed in each church, so far as possible, a medical missionary class and that such classes be equipped with the necessary facilities.

These notes are archived in the Paciﬁc Union Conference Session Minutes for 1920

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During 18th Regular Session of the Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh- day Adventists held in February of 1959, it was voted to adopt the following expression of gratitude and consecration submitted by the Plans Committee—

Printed: October 2021 - Page 43 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. For thy numberless blessings, O God, we give Thee thanks.

For Thy protection and tireless care, O God, we do rejoice.

For Thy presence with our workers in all parts of the Paciﬁc Union Conference, we acknowledge Thy goodness.

For Thy work upon the hearts and minds of men — resulting in thousands of baptisms — we praise Thy great and holy name.

For the sacriﬁcial liberality of Thy people in supporting Thy work so loyally, we are thankful.

For numerous openings for the advancement of Thy work, we are challenged and deeply grateful.

For the happy, hopeful, united family of Advent believers in all the earth, we lift our hearts and our voices in thanksgiving.

For Thy promises, we love Thee. For the opportunity to live for the glory of Thy name, we thank Thee.

For the privilege of speaking to others concerning Thy matchless love, our hearts breathe humble gratitude.

For all this we speak our thanks. But for the gift above all gifts — the gift uplifted for us on Calvary – the gift of Thy Son, through whose blood we have remission of sins – our hearts find no fit words with which to respond. We, Thy people, in Union Session assembled in the year 1959, can only express our thanks by a complete and unreserved rededication to all that we are to the speedy finishing of the task committed to us. This we now do.

This excerpt is archived in the Paciﬁc Union Conference Session Minutes for 1959

Read more about this session from the Feb. 23, 1959 Paciﬁc Union Recorder.

The following is the Educational Report included in the minutes of the 18th regular session (10th Quadrennial Period) of the Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, held in the Civic Auditorium Grove St., San Francisco, CA, February 9-12, 1959—

Elder A. C. Nelson emphasize that education in the Paciﬁc Union Conference is truly “big business.” It is in the sense of saving our youth to the church, the mid-century report prepared by the General Conference reveals that of the young people from Adventist families who do not attend our own schools and graduate from public colleges, only 32 percent remain in the church. By contrast, the number of young people who DO attend our schools, graduating from

Printed: October 2021 - Page 45 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. our own colleges, are loyal church members. It is also “big business” in terms of statistics. A total of 18,421 students are enrolled in our schools this year; 13,620 in our 165 elementary and intermediate schools, employing 594 teachers; 3,407 in 18 academies employing 406 teachers; 1,754 in our two colleges employing 164 teachers. This means a total of 1,164 teachers and staﬀ members devoting their lives to the business of Christian education. The constant upgrading of education in America presents us with the problem of better trained teaching personnel and improved physical plants and facilities, as well as an increased understanding of the needs of our children.

This is an excerpt from the Paciﬁc Union Conference Session Minutes for 1959

Learn more about Adventist Education in the Paciﬁc Union.

To read the report on this session in the Paciﬁc Union Recorder magazine, click here.

During the 1963 Paciﬁc Union Conference Constituency Session, the manager of Home Health Education Service, H. B. Wiles, presented a report which included a story about how the “Heart–Lift Fund” had helped a mother and her children keep Bible story books that they could not aﬀord to keep making payments on. After sending a letter of explanation and promising to keep their needs in prayer, the mother responded in a letter describing how the Lord had blessed her in several ways.

Printed: October 2021 - Page 47 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Paciﬁc Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. She stated, “I had no way to buy clothes for myself. My sister-in-law in San Jose sent me a lovely winter dress, also a box full of hats. I was amused as I had nothing to wear the hats with, but I thanked the Lord anyway. Three days later a Catholic woman, whom I had never met but who knew a friend of mine, sent me three lovely dresses, and can you believe it, the dresses match the hats. Yesterday, a lady called and said her neighbor had feet the size of mine and for me to come and see if I could use some dress shoes she didn’t want. There were ﬁve pairs of shoes, almost like new. Could it be possible that the Lord even cares if the clothes He gives us match? Each pair of shoes matches the hats and dresses I had gotten… You will never know how much those books mean to my children and to me. I was so sure I would have to return them, and it would have broken the children’s hearts.”

Wiles notes that they sent a complementary subscription to the Signs of the Times and a copy of Love Unlimited to the woman and her family. He also noted that more than 27,500 complimentary copies of Love Unlimited had been sent out since starting the project.

This story is archived in the Paciﬁc Union Conference Session Minutes for 1963

Learn more about Literature Ministries in the Paciﬁc Union Conference.

The Recorder magazine celebrates a big milestone this year! On August 1, 1901, the first edition of the Pacific Union Recorder magazine was published for members of the Seventh-day Adventist church. It comprised 16 pages, approximately 16,300 words (no pictures), and highlighted the mission work taking place in both the Pacific Southwest and Pacific Northwest. Sections introduce the work and reports of Sabbath schools, Adventist education, canvassing, and medical missionary work. A section for Items of Interest also gives unique insights at the church’s specific challenges and opportunities.

The very ﬁrst line of the magazine reads as follows, “God has a special work for His servants to do in the preparation of people to stand in the great day of the Lord. This work is to commence in our own hearts. We need the faith that works by love and puriﬁes the soul.”

Since this ﬁrst issue in 1901 until today in 2021, the Paciﬁc Union Recorder has updated members on the mission of the Adventist church and the ministry being carried out by its members.

Printed: October 2021 - Page 49 of 50 Article reprint from Adventistfaith.com on October 2021 2021© Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Copyright, All Right Reserved. Read the first Pacific Union Recorder from 1901.

Read recent editions of the Recorder online.