02 19

INSPIRATION & INFORMATION FOR NORTH AMERICA

INCLUDED Adventist Journey

Contents 04 Feature 10 NAD Year-End Meeting Report Appetite for Influence Well Wishes for Three Retiring NAD Leaders

08 NAD Update 13 Perspective Community Pulls Together After A Legacy of Empowerment California’s Deadliest Fire

My Journey

The restaurant has been operational for two years. It’s been a journey—ups and downs, difficult days but also more positive days. One thing I’ve learned is that when you follow Christ’s method and do as the Bible says, “Let your light . . . shine” (Matt. 5:16), people begin to notice. Visit vimeo.com/nadadventist/ ajgwchew for more of Chew’s story.

GW CHEW, restauranteur/entrepreneur, The Veg Hub, Oakland, California Cover Photo by Dan Weber

Dear Reader: The publication in your hands represents the collaborative efforts of the ADVENTIST JOURNEY North American Division and Adventist World magazine, which follows Adventist Journey Editor Kimberly Luste Maran (after page 16). Please enjoy both magazines! Senior Editorial Assistant Georgia Standish

Art Direction & Design Types & Symbols Adventist Journey (ISSN 1557-5519) is the journal of the North American Division of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The Northern Asia-Pacific Division of the General Conference of Seventh-day Consultants G. Earl Knight, Mark Johnson, Dave Weigley, Adventists is the publisher. It is printed monthly by the Pacific Press® Publishing Association. Copyright Maurice Valentine, Gary Thurber, John Freedman, © 2019. Send address changes to your local conference membership clerk. Contact information should be available through your local church. Ricardo Graham, Ron C. Smith, Larry Moore Executive Editor, Adventist World Bill Knott PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. Vol. 2, No. 2. February 2019. Adventist Journey Publication Board Daniel R. Jackson (chair), G. Alexander Bryant (vice chair), Kimberly Luste Maran (secretary), G. Thomas Evans, Tony Anobile, Larry Blackmer, Paul Brantley, Debra Brill, Alvin M. Kibble, Gordon Pifher, Kenneth Denslow, Daniel Weber, Julio Muñoz, Karnik Doukmetzian, legal advisor Scripture References Unless otherwise noted, all Bible references are taken from the The Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Email: [email protected] | Web site: nadadventist.org

02 / 19 ADVENTIST 03 FEATURE Photography by Dan Weber

Chew has always had a passion for entrepreneurship, mission- GW Chew has always had a ary work, and food. Starting The Veg Hub restaurant as a center of passion for entrepreneurship, influence in the community was a no-brainer. “We looked at our restaurant as being that kind of missionary work, and food. solution where you really get to mingle with people and you get to special holiday celebrations with [conscious] decision to follow Christ, show sympathy because your cus- macaroni and cheese, ribs, fried follow God, and follow this amazing tomers come on a daily basis. We chicken, ham, even squirrel. Bible that I had learned about. I re- have some customers that come His mother, who had been raised ally didn’t know what to do, but as a every day during the week when in an Adventist home but did not at- Christian, that love relationship with our restaurant is open,” said Chew. tend church when Chew was a child, Christ began to develop.” He took The people who frequent The sent him with relatives to church on business classes in college, eager Veg Hub become friends. “One of Saturdays. Through this Chew was to learn how to start and operate a BY KIMBERLY LUSTE MARAN my mottos in the restaurant is: introduced to meatless meals and business. Soon he was baptized. ‘Friends First, Customers Second,’” potlucks. “I had the blessing of veg- Chew’s love of cooking and Chew said. “We look to establish etarian food since I was in the third Sabbath dinners combined with those relationships with our cus- grade—when I’d have this delicious his love for God and desire to serve tomers. Then we get to meet their vegetarian meal on Sabbath.” Him. “Very early on I began to get needs. We do cooking classes and Nostalgia and a firm desire to convictions about this being my health education for kids all the create good-tasting, healthful lifework,” said Chew. “I began to way to adults. Those become foun- foods helped propel Chew toward read the writings of Ellen White dational experiences. Then people what some may see as an uncon- about food—and the power of begin to ask questions about our ventional ministry. “Because of APPETITE faith. The last part of the process those moments of my life, when I Chef GW Chew shares a menu favorite: Philly in Christ’s method is that He won had those great dinners and those for cheeze steak wrap and sesame kale salad. their confidence. Then He bade great conversations with my family, them ‘Follow Me.’” I look at food as this wholistic INFLUENCE Chew explained that the staff is experience—loving your family and well aware of the restaurant’s mis- having those intimate moments n The Veg Hub vegan restaurant Community Impact sion—and ready to engage. “We’re around the food that you’re eating,” Adventist in Oakland, California, Uno cards and For the past several years the Sev- realizing, as we make friends, that Chew explained. entrepreneur Tabasco sauce bottles share equal enth-day Adventist Church has made spe- friends talk,” said Chew. “Friends “I realized that vegetarian food, billing in the small wire condiment cial effort to reach people in the world’s ask questions. ‘Why are you closed if it is cooked properly, cooked and restauran- Icaddies perched at the centers of several cities. One of the church’s initiatives, the on Saturday?’ ‘Why do you do this?’ deliciously, can be pretty amazing. I wooden tables. A chalkboard mural of the Adventist Mission Centers of Influence, is Those become the questions that had this dichotomy of both experi- teur serves the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge fes- based on Ellen White’s counsel to “estab- people begin to ask as a result and ences growing up, but the constant toons the far wall. Behind the front count- lish in all our cities small plants which as it relates to what we’re doing here was family.” city of Oakland er, across from the fresh vegetable prep shall be centers of influence.”1 in the restaurant. So for us it’s a gift. Chew received a full scholarship plant-based station, steaming pots and pans boil and According to Adventist Mission the It’s a way that we can love people to run track for Howard University sizzle. A sandwich board bearing The Veg idea is simple: start wholistic ministry in a very practical way. We’re seeing in Washington, D.C., but about a meals and Hub name and logo is parked outside the centers in urban areas to connect the the impact on a regular basis.” week after he signed the scholar- restaurant’s unlocked glass doors. church to needs in the community. Ellen ship, he broke his leg in a race. Christian GW Chew, chef and entrepreneur, White mentioned restaurants in partic- Chew on This “It was a turning point for me and prepares the first lunch order, capable ular, writing that “hygienic restaurants For Chew, food, friends—and fam- my experience,” said Chew. “I wasn’t friendship. hands moving confidently and wide smile are to be established in the cities, and ily—have always been important. actually a Seventh-day Adventist at greeting customers. Christian music plays by them the message of temperance is He grew up in rural Virginia, the time. But I’d grown up around quietly in the background. to be proclaimed. Arrangements should raised on meaty, comfort foods them, and I decided to give my schol- It’s noon, and this center of influence is be made to hold meetings in connection and family fellowship. Lots of arship up so I could keep the sev- open for business. with our restaurants.”2 home-cooked meals, cookouts, and enth-day Sabbath. That was my first

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But they also do classes. They love ers to a church plant and to church- has always been on time,” he said. on you. When you come into the es in the local community.” “God is teaching me how to trust space, it feels like home.’ We really Chew said, “God wants us to be in Him. I feel that it’s a lesson I try to create, again, that experi- in the community and serving great still haven’t mastered. I don’t know ence where we’re a part of their food. I just feel that that’s a part of if I ever will master it. But I feel family. We have food that’s going who He is. . . . He fed the children of that this process is helping me to to help nourish them and is good Israel in the wilderness with manna. see His love as I’ve never seen it for them.” This is the manna of the last days. before. My business, my ministry, Said Chew, “Customers come for Feeding people with great food, is deeply connected with my faith.” our mac and cheese. We’re giving healthful food, but also loving on Chew added, “I’ve learned not to them healthy comfort foods, things them. . . . We look at our restaurants strive to be the greatest business in that they’re familiar with, but done as being feeders to creating church the world. Just strive to be who God in a way that they can enjoy without plants. We hope to see that become wants me to be and be faithful to those off-textures and off-flavors— a reality in the next 10 years or so. Him.” Chew keeps Matthew 6:33 in GW Chew prepares a sandwich with fresh greens, and at the same time, it’s more health- We’ll see what God will do.” mind: “But seek first the kingdom of cashew cheeze sauce, and plant-based protein. ful, which is also important.” God and His righteousness, and all The Veg Hub is described as a Next Level these things shall be added to you.” fast, casual restaurant that’s afford- Chew takes Ellen White’s words As for the future, Chew said he ably priced with food that people to heart: “Christ’s method alone continues to strive prayerfully to A Restaurant Tale are willing to come back for again will give true success in reaching be a good husband, father, boss, With an entrepreneur’s drive and a pastor’s heart, Chew was and again. It’s also a place that the people. The Saviour mingled businessman, and servant—used operating a booth at the ASI convention when Marc K. Woodson, influences the community through with men as one who desired their by Jesus. “I believe that every then executive secretary for the Northern California Conference the classes, outreach, and Christian good. He showed His sympathy for member should do the same. It’s (now conference president), stopped by. Woodson was impressed literature available to customers. them, ministered to their needs, a blessing when you can be used with what he saw, and excited about Chew’s vegan restaurant and won their confidence. Then He by God.” 4 food—and and some of and ministry. bade them, ‘Follow Me.’” 1 The Veg Hub Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific those things about the history of our church. I “He felt that that would be a great ministry model for Oakland,” Chew added, “I couldn’t do min- Press Pub. Assn., 1948), vol. 7, p. 115. 2 Ibid. was really enthused by these discoveries. This said Chew. “In Oakland, they wanted to do something called Bridges is described as istry effectively if the food wasn’t 3 Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific to the Bay, which was reaching the cities of Oakland and San Fran- Press Pub. Assn., 1905), p. 143. began the early development of seeing that I good. People come to a restaurant 4 Ibid could use food as a way for ministry.” cisco through practical love and service and ministry. That began a fast, casual because they want to eat delicious Chew left college and became a Bible our conversation in 2012; I ended up moving out here in 2014 to food. So the great thing about our Kimberly Luste Maran, worker/literature evangelist, selling litera- begin the journey.” restaurant that’s restaurant is that I’ve been able to, an associate director of ture and homemade granola and bread door It took a few more years to secure funding from the General affordably priced as chef, create my own plant-based Communication for the North to door. It seemed natural to Chew to take Conference and the North American Division and open the loca- proteins. My own veggie meat. American Division, is editor his passion for good food and the gospel tion on MacArthur Boulevard in the heart of Oakland’s dimond with food that We’ve created some really amazing, of Adventist Journey. message to the next level. district neighborhood. delicious textures.” Tinkering with plant-based proteins as he Today The Veg Hub proudly plates completely plant-based people are willing In fact, Chew is working with experimented with different recipes, tech- lunches and dinners Monday through Thursday. In addition to Whole Foods to sell his plant- niques, and processes to make meat substi- serving Philly cheeze steaks with original bar-b-Chew sauce, to come back for based “meat” product, Better tutes, Chew opened a restaurant in Virginia hubster fries, sesame kale salad, vegan fried chicken, and other Chew. The product launches into that operated for several years, then moved savory dishes, Chew and the staff use the restaurant as a place for again and again. the market next year in Whole to Arkansas. He continued to work on his cooking classes and Bible studies. The restaurant partners with Foods and other local regional meat substitute recipes and do ministry on a the Oakland public school district on several youth development But Chew isn’t satisfied stopping markets in California. regular basis in churches and the community. programs. They prepare Thanksgiving dinner for the elderly at a there. “The reason we started a He said, “Again, it was important having that retirement home. restaurant was with the end goal Food and Faith dual ministry model, but also now connecting “We see how the power of Jesus feeding the 5,000 can be done in of creating a church plant,” he said. While there are challenges in it with a community business.” today’s time frame through a vegetarian/vegan restaurant model.” “Our long-term vision is to see a the restaurant business every day, A conversation at the 2012 Adventist-lay- restaurant franchise where we have Chew relies on God. “There’ve Two customers enjoy a plant-based lunch a vegan restaurant, the vegetarian men’s Services and Industries (ASI) convention A Full Serving been times in my life when just at The Veg Hub in Oakland, California. charted a course toward what seemed inevita- The Veg Hub has become known as a place that serves the restaurant model, in every urban having the resources that were The restaurant is a Seventh-day Adventist ble: a restaurant as a center of influence for the community. “We’re more than a restaurant,” Chew said. “Most of center of the country. Within that, needed wasn’t always in view, but Church center of influence. Adventist Church. our customers say, ‘They have great food. The food is delicious. those urban centers become feed- there are countless ways that God

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support for the fire recovery. The But “there are some things that fire NAD has sent out this same message cannot destroy. Our church family and standby to offer help as needed. is amazing. Our sister church in through December 1 to aid the Marshall and Julie Gonzalez, filling Chico has welcomed us with open Northern California Conference in in for me in my time away [assessing arms. High-talent people are flying its relief efforts. Typhoon Yutu damage in Saipan], and driving into town to help us have been in communication with put our lives together. Friends and Community Helps Community both Southern and Northern Califor- family from across the country and According to a CNN report, in nia conferences.” the world are showering us with the days immediately following Local Adventists helped in some resources to get us through the the start of the fire, 1,385 residents immediately tangible ways. Nancy tough times.” lived in shelters. While many are Hamilton, a Chico resident and vid- still struggling, there continues eographer from Golden Eagle Films, About the Camp Fire a surge of support from Paradise used her press credentials to video The fire was named after Camp and the surrounding communities. homes, going street by street, to help Creek Road, where it started in the Adventist church members have those who couldn’t go into the area morning on November 8. Shortly joined with their neighbors in the to ascertain if their property had after the fire started, the Butte community to help. been damaged. Hamilton also shared County sheriff’s office ordered the “Our members are working earlier footage for the Fox 5 news re- evacuation of Paradise and sur- closely with local organizations port, including video of first respond- rounding locales. Within the first and have pulled together to face ers and the smoldering Adventist day the fire had destroyed up to 90  The Camp Fire in this crisis,” a spokesperson for church properties. She has posted to percent of the town of Paradise and COMMUNITY PULLS TOGETHER California leaves the Paradise Seventh-day the Pacific Union Conference said both Facebook and YouTube. the Concow community. Adventist Church in in a November 10 news release. On Facebook, Katlyn Dordevic Strong winds approaching 50 AFTER DEADLIEST WILDFIRE IN smoldering ruins after it The release stated: “The Paradise from Napa, shared photos from her miles per hour and dry conditions burned through the facility church members who have lost volunteer nursing work in Chico. fueled the fire’s quick movement CALIFORNIA’S HISTORY on November 8, 2018. their sanctuary will be worshipping She said it was “such a blessing through the area, trapping residents Nancy Hamilton/ with nearby congregations, and our to volunteer as an R.N. in Chico who had little to no time to flee, and Nearly 1,300 Adventists affected by the Camp Fire. Golden Eagle Films pastors and members have reached with all the other staff helping at making it impossible for firefighters BY KIMBERLY LUSTE MARAN, NAD OFFICE OF COMMUNICATION out to help meet the extraordinary a shelter, then going to Walmart to to stop/contain the blaze. needs created by this disaster.” help at ‘tent city.’ Lots of dressing “Financial support for the fire changes, blood pressure checks, first saw the picturesof history, has claimed the lives of 88 Adventist Health Feather River recovery is the most important way and quick triage to [determine] the church Friday afternoon in the vicinities of Concow and Par- reported that some of its build- our members can help right now,” medical needs.” as I was having my lunch,” adise. According to reports coming ings were damaged. “Part of the said W. Derrick Lea, North Ameri- Dordevic shared that the large said Dan Martella, admin- from U.S. national news outlets, upper level of the hospital is can Division (NAD) Adventist Com- group at Walmart expressed “so Iistrative pastor for the Paradise more than 52,000 were evacuated standing, as is OB, ED, outpatient munity Services Disaster Response much gratitude that melted my Seventh-day Adventist Church in from the area; about 14,000 homes surgery center, home health, can- (ACS DR) director. “People need the heart. Everyone had nothing but California, during a November 12, and 4,800 other buildings have cer center, and sleep medicine,” basics—clothes, shoes, food, wa- good things to say about the care 2018, Skype interview with the been destroyed. As of early Decem- the report stated. “The lower level ter—and these needs will continue they were receiving.” She added, Fox 5 Washington, D.C., television ber, 25 people are still missing. of the hospital, the chiller and in the near future.” “Continue to pray for them. Personal station. Martella has been a pastor Nearly 1,300 Adventist church utility area, and most of the other On November 11 Lea reported, items [are] needed, such as socks, there—and community mem- members have been affected, with outbuildings did sustain damage.” “Ed Fargusson, the assistant to the [underclothes], and warm items such ber—for three years. On Thursday many losing everything except On November 15 the Pacific president of the Northern Califor- as blankets, hats, and gloves.” evening, November 8, the church their lives. One elderly church Union Conference approved a spe- nia Conference, continues to work Martella lost his home to the fire. burned to the ground as the Camp member died as a result of the fire. cial appropriation of $100,000 to with his local community onsite But he is heartened by the love and Fire swept through Paradise. Five pastoral families lost their the Northern California Conference and the NAD has offered support support coming from the church “It was a sucker punch. Then a homes, as did several retired pas- for use in immediate relief efforts as appropriate. Charlene Sargent is community, friends, and family. day later we got the pictures of our tors and 15 teachers. for the church and school in the meeting with local leadership within “The smell of smoke and death house,” Martella said. His family In addition to the church, the Paradise community. the disaster response community in fills the air. The devastation is  Some of the residents who evacuated home was completely destroyed. Paradise Adventist School lost its Churches in the neighboring southern California. She is providing beyond comprehension,” Martella and lost their homes to the Camp Fire, which destroyed most of the town of The Camp Fire, now considered K-4 building, and sustained dam- North Pacific Union Conference support to the leadership there. Both wrote in an NAD Ministerial article Paradise, California, find shelter in a age to the gymnasium basement. held special offerings on Sabbaths the deadliest fire in California’s conferences have asked for financial posted online on November 21. nearby community. Katlyn Dordevic

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“It’s been great to serve you,” said NAD YEAR-END MEETING UPDATE Tom Evans, NAD treasurer, during the YEM meeting. “It’s been a joy  Tom Evans, outgoing NAD treasurer, delivers his address to the NAD Executive and a delight.” Committee on November 5, 2018, as Shirley, his wife, looks on. Mylon Medley collaboration among Adventist Adventist Christian. That’s really higher education institutions, and what stands out, followed closely “It’s been great to serve you,” said the growing number of education by the fact that he loves Adven- Evans during the meetings. “It’s courses available through the tist education. Whatever he does been a joy and a delight.” Adventist Learning Community. from his office is filtered through Evans became the chief financial “Larry has been both a mentor the lens of what’s best for kids.” officer of the NAD in June 2007 and a coach and a friend over the Blackmer was instrumental and was re-elected in June 2010. years,” said Arne Nielson, NAD in the creation of the Adventist He was previously vice president Education director of secondary Learning Community, Data for finance for the Southern education, who was voted by the Rollup (an Adventist education Union Conference. Before being executive committee to replace toolkit), T-Deck (the technology employed at the Southern Union, Blackmer on January 1, 2019. committee for the division that he held the same position in the “One of the things I’ve admired is used for education), and the Mid-America Union Conference for most about him is that he’s Guam-Micronesia Mission edu- 12 years. Prior to that, he served as exemplified a very dynamic faith cation partnerships with NAD treasurer for local conferences and both in his professional life and union conferences. He’s been a secondary academies. his personal life,” added Nielsen. strong advocate for accredita- “[With] five decades to schools, “He’s a very strong Seventh-day tion for distant learning courses, conferences, unions, divisions, division’s consolidated finan- he’s extended himself. He’s given FINAL REPORTS SPUR cial statement, including net of himself. He’s done all he could assets, tithe dollars received to advance [God’s] work,” said G. WELL-WISHES TO THREE in 2017—more than $1.02 Alexander Bryant, NAD executive billion—tithe dollars sent to secretary, during a special prayer NAD LEADERS PREPARING the General Conference, mis- over the officer and his wife, sion offerings received, and Shirley. “We will miss him, but FOR RETIREMENT investment portfolios. we know that he will continue to Evans concluded his report work for You.” Before the prayer, Daniel R. BY MYLON MEDLEY, NAD OFFICE OF COMMUNICATION with a quote from Ellen G. White: “Heaven is watching Jackson, president of the NAD, to see how those occupying presented Evans with a plaque as n officer of the North and lasting impact on the division positions of influence ful- an expression of gratitude. “We American Division and the church’s mission of spread- fil their stewardship. The give this to you with our cher- (NAD), a vice president, ing the gospel. demands upon them as ished memories, and with our and a ministry director stewards are measured by love,” said Jackson. Agave their final respective reports Tom Evans the extent of their influence. during the division’s 2018 year-end G. Thomas Evans, treasurer In their treatment of their Larry Blackmer meeting as they prepared for their of the NAD, who has served the fellow-men, they should be Larry Blackmer, NAD vice retirements at the end of 2018 (Ev- church for more than a half cen- as fathers—just, tender, true. president for education, delivered ans, Blackmer) or the beginning of tury, delivered his final financial They should be Christlike in his final educational report to the 2019 (Mathews). Executive commit- report to the NAD executive com- character, uniting with their executive committee on November  During the 2019 NAD YEM, Larry Blackmer, who recently retired from his role tee members seized the opportunity mitment on November 5, 2018. brethren in the closest bonds 6. He highlighted the division’s as NAD vice president for Education, thanks the division for its commitment to to thank the leaders for their service The routine report outlined the of unity and fellowship.”* enrollment turnaround, increased Adventist Education. Pieter Damsteegt

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“Thank you BY CARLTON P. BYRD

so much for Ellen G. White wrote that slavery is “a sin of the darkest dye.”2 Then in 1894 letting me work James Edson White boarded a steam- boat and traveled throughout the South here at the to establish schools and share the A Legacy of Advent message among African Amer- North American  NAD officers, G. Alexander Bryant, G. Thomas Evans, and Daniel R. Jackson, present John Mathews with an award for his service to the division’s icans. As a result of that movement, Division,” said John Stewardship Ministries. Mylon Medley Empowerment was established in 1896; and a steady stream of leaders Mathews, retiring Celebrating ’s History of Social Engagement have also emerged to add to the legacy North Carolina and Takoma Academy in Takoma Park, . of empowerment. Blackmer also served as associate superintendent in the Michigan Stewardship Conference and as superintendent of schools in the Idaho Con- t was one of the most iconic moments in biblical antiquity. Adventist Activism ference. Prior to serving as the vice president of education for the God spoke to Moses and enlisted him in the divine work of These leaders include James K. Hum- director. “It’s NAD, Blackmer served as an associate director. deliverance. Moses would not deliver Israel from sin; that work phrey, who founded the First Harlem the best place was reserved for the Messiah. Moses would, however, prefig- Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1929, John Mathews ure the work of the Messiah by delivering Israel from slavery in and later started Utopia Park, a self-suf- John Mathews’ final stewardship reports featured a glimpse I on earth.” Egypt. This single event of deliverance in the Exodus would forever ficient community designed to combat of the creative footprint he’s leaving on the ministry—two video change the course of human history. poverty and poor health. By the mid- series, and expanded features on the stewardship app. The initial call of Moses often arrests my attention. This call was 1940s another leader, E. E. Cleveland, “John has as many creative ideas as birds have feathers,” said unique. Unlike the disciples (who were approached by Jesus), or the was already a seasoned evangelist con- Jackson. seminary integration, and faith and prophets (who simply heard the voice of God), in the call of Moses ducting revivals all around the world. In “The only thing about his creativity is that since I’ve been in science curriculum for higher education God chose a multimedia presentation complete with pyrotechnics 1957 an Adventist teenager by the name stewardship, I don’t think he’s slept. [I think it’s] because he’s and K-12 education. and miraculous displays using nature and animals as props. of Terrence Roberts helped desegregate lying awake at night just thinking of new things to do,” said Bonita Lisa Beardsley-Hardy, Education I love the way the apostle Stephen tells the story of Moses’ call Little Rock’s school system. Joyner Shields, associate director of Stewardship Ministries, who Department director for the General in the book of Acts just before he was stoned to death. The King The list of Adventist was elected to serve as director beginning in January 2019. Conference, thanked Blackmer for James Version translates this calling with a repeated phrase. God activism and accom- Mathews is the principal author of the first quarter 2018 Adult strengthening the partnership between says to Moses, “I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people plishment is too long God has always Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, “Live Stewardship . . . Live Hap- Adventist educators and pastors. which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come to list here. Yet the been active in the py,” and coauthored with his wife, Janice, Smoky Mountain Rescue. “I’d like to add my thanks on behalf of down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt” mission is incomplete. He is also a musician, having recorded the gospel CD Keeper of My work of deliverance, the world church for what you’ve done,” (Acts 7:34, KJV). As long as there is Heart. He produced the film The Mysterious Note for the ministry, liberation, and said Beardsley-Hardy. “You’ve not only The phrase “I have seen” is repeated twice, accentuating the poverty, injustice, and and has worked for years alongside his labradoodle “Stewardship helped develop K-12, despite a lot of emphasis God places on this call. Even in the New International oppression, the Lord empowerment. Jack,” his canine companion who helps teach honesty and gener- pressures and the trends that are going Version God is translated as saying, “I have indeed seen,” which still has a work for us osity to kids ages 3-7. the other way, but you’ve helped update also highlights the importance of this calling. to do. He challenges us “One of his greatest impacts in stewardship was the writing of what we’re doing for the education of Yet the King James Version translation gives me overwhelming still today, saying that whatever we do the Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide. Following the release pastors. As a result, the new international pause whenever I read it. God is pronouncing with definitive clar- for “the least of these” (Matt. 25:40, KJV) of this quarterly, tithe increased around the globe. In the North handbook for ministerial and theological ity that His patience has run out on oppression; thus He has cho- it’s as though we did it to Him directly. American Division alone we went from a little more than 2 per- of education has a component that one sen to enlist Moses to execute His judgment. The rest is history. I want to be on the right side of histo- cent tithe increase trend to more than 8 percent through Septem- of the competencies of pastors’ need is to ry. How about you? ber 2018. Well done, John!” added Shields. understand how the ministry of educa- Legacy of Empowerment Mathew’s ministry has included serving in Florida, Alabama, 1Sojourner Truth, “Personal Letter to Amy Post,” Oct. 1, 1865. tion is very much a part of pastoral work.” When I survey the history of the Bible, it’s obvious that God has 2Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Iowa, Missouri, Tennessee, and Nebraska. He has conducted stew- Press Pub. Assn., 1948), vol. 1, p. 359. Blackmer has served at Grand Ledge always been active in the work of deliverance, liberation, and em- ardship and family finance seminars throughout the NAD since Academy in Grand Ledge, Michigan, powerment to those who are oppressed. The prophets all spoke of 2010. Carlton P. Byrd, Ph.D., is speaker/direc- as both teacher and principal; at Adel- God’s judgment against those who sought to abuse His children. “Thank you so much for letting me work here at the North tor for the Breath of Life Telecast and phian Academy in Holly, Michigan, as What gives me courage is that God has never ceased this work. American Division,” said Mathews. “It’s the best place on earth.” senior pastor of the Oakwood University vice principal and boys’ dean; and as In 1865 Sojourner Truth spoke with power saying, “It is hard 1 church in Huntsville, Alabama. principal at in *Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1915), p. 495. for the old slaveholding spirit to die, but die it must.” In 1868

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Visit discoverycenters.com/believe2019 to learn | more about this upcoming pastors’ convention.

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