EDITORIAL
VISITOR STAFF Editor: Richard Duerksen Managing Editor: Charlotte Pedersen Coe Assistant Editor: Randy Hall Project Editor: Tamara Michalenko Editorial Assistant: ecide what you want. Elaine Hamilton OUR Discover what the customerD wants. Deliver 100 per- Design Service: Reger Smith Jr. GROWING cent plus one. Kenneth Blanchard and Sheldon Production/Design: Bowles reveal those as the three secrets of producing Diane Baier FAMILY Raving Fans in their new book by that title. We've The VISITOR is the Seventh-day Ad- ventist publication for people in the Colum- been working on those three secrets in the Visitor of- bia Union. The different backgrounds and spiritual gifts of these people mean that the fices this year and so will be changing the Visitor a VISITOR should inspire confidence in the Saviour and His church and should serve as bit to better match what you, our customers, want. a networking tool for sharing methods that Our changes include: members, churches and institutions can use in ministry. Address all editorial correspon- • A new staff member, Tamara Michalenko, who dence to: Columbia Union VISITOR, 5427 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045. will be writing feature articles and serving as project One-year subscription price-67.50.
editor. Tamara's responsibilities will also include COLUMBIA UNION CONFERENCE overseeing production of a newsletter for "twenty- (301) 596-0800 (410) 997-3414 President R.M. Wisbey somethings" and editing a newsletter for Baby Boom- Secretary H. Lee Treasurer D.J. Russell ers. Tamara's first feature article was published in Undertreasurer R.J. Jensen. Visitor. Assistant Treasurer C. Wright the June 1 Revolving Fund Treasurer P. Lee • A Visitor reader survey. This survey will be ASI H. Otis Church Ministries coming to 1,500+ readers of the Visitor in early fall. Associate B. Manspeaker Communication R. Duerksen RICHARD DUERKSEN The results will guide us in meeting your needs and Assistant C. Pedersen Coe Data Processing M. Connor Editor interests. Associates B. Rowe. N. Lamoreaux Education R. Osborn • A redesigned Visitor. Our goal is to adjust the Associates F. Hoffer, A. Westney design of the Visitor so that it is more graphically Ministerial F. Ottati Religious Liberty A. Westney consistent throughout. You should start noticing Women's Ministries N. Sahlin some of these changes in the early fall. COLUMBIA UNION CONFERENCE ASSOCIATION • A new column, Spotlight on Vision 2000. This President R.M. Wisbey Vice President D.J. Russell column will feature thoughtful Adventists and will fo- Secretary H. Lee cus on major issues facing church members in the Treasurer R.J. Jensen LOCAL CONFERENCES 1990s. This feature begins with a five-part series by ALLEGHENY EAST: Alvin M. Ribble, President; Robert Booker, Visitor Corres- Dr. Alden Thompson of Walla Walla College in Wash- pondent; P.O. Box 266, Pine Forge, PA ington state. His first article, "Beast Bashing Has 19548. Telephone: (215) 326-4610. ALLEGHENY WEST: Willie J. Lewis, Got to Stop," is on page 6. If there are subjects you President; Robert C. Lewis, Visitor Corres- pondent; 1339 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH would like to see covered in this feature and writers 43205. Telephone: (614) 252-5271. whom you would like to read, please let us know. CHESAPEAKE: J.W. Coulter, President; Neville Harcombe, Visitor Correspondent; Our goal is to keep the Columbia Union Visitor one 6600 Martin Rd., Columbia, MD 21044. Telephone: (410) 995-1910; Washington, THE YOUTH AND YOUNG of the most interesting and valuable magazines you D.C., area, (301) 596-5600. receive. We are determined to deliver "100 percent MOUNTAIN VIEW: Randy Murphy, Pres- ADULT RESOURCE AND ident; BunnyAbbott, Visitor Correspondent; plus one." 1400 Liberty St., Parkersburg, WV 26101. RESPONSE LINE: Telephone: (304) 422-4581. NEW JERSEY: Robert W. Boggess, Pres- ident and Visitor Correspondent; 2160 Brunswick Ave., Trenton, NJ 08648. Tele- 1 (800) SDA-7738 phone: (609) 392-7131. OHIO: Ed Motschiedler, President; Jeanie Haldeman, Visitor Correspondent; Box 831, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. Telephone: (614) 397-4665. PENNSYLVANIA: Jerry Page, President; Sheldon Seltzer, Visitor Correspondent; 720 Museum Rd., Reading, PA 19611. Tele- COVER: Gabriel Marc Beaven and Michael Jeffrey Beaven phone: (215)374-8331. ABC, P.O. Box 3641, are the adopted twin sons of Pastor Mark and Phyllis Hamburg, PA 19526. Telephone: 1215) 562- Beaven of Cherry Hill, New Jersey. During 1991, while con- 5156. POTOMAC: Ralph W. Martin, President ducting the first evangelistic series held in Romania in 50 and Visitor Correspondent; P.O. Box 1208, Staunton, VA 24401. Telephone: (703) 886- years, the Beavens fell in love with these two orphan boys 0771. ABC, 8400 Carroll Ave., Takoma and began a demanding and traumatic adoption process. Park, MD 20912. Phone: (301) 439-0700. Our cover photo is a victory hug for two young boys who Printed by the Review and Herald Publish- are growing up Seventh-day Adventists in America. Happy ing Association in Hagerstown, MD 21740. freedom! Happy Fourth of July! July 1, 1993 Vol. 98, No. 13
2 VISITOR, July 1, 1993 MI=11111117 O C/J
Because Jesus Christ is both our Lord and our Saviour: • "The local church will be the central focus and the driving force of the denomination. • The joy and celebration of worship will attract people to our churches, allowing the Sabbath to become a major evange- Zeal listic tool. • Church fellowship will be so vibrant that retention of members will improve on and conflicts over lifestyle issues will wheels decrease. Several months ago the members from Elizabeth Frank's Members of the class found out what happened to their of- adult Sabbath school class at the Mount Vernon Hill church fering when a letter was received in May from Do Hen Pau, in the Ohio Conference agreed to contribute to a special offer- treasurer of the Myanmar Union Mission in Burma. "Indeed, ing—beyond their regular missions donations—to purchase we appreciated your help and generosity greatly," he wrote. bicycles that would be used by pastors in Burma. "Workers living in remote areas need transportation. Bicycles According to Sharon Terrell, associate director of develop- are very handy for them to use when going about their work. ment for the conference, enough money was raised to buy two They also are very grateful to you." bikes, even though most of the members in the class are living The class was blessed by the news that the funds were re- on a fixed income. A check for this special missions project was ceived and used to tell others about Jesus' love. Who knows then sent to the General Conference in Silver Spring, Mary- how many additional souls will come to know the gospel as a land, with a request that the class be informed as to who would result of the sacrificial giving shown by these Sabbath school use the bicycles. class members?—RH
FACE TO FACE: Profiles of newly baptized people
ti Terry Hopper, Gary Kinder, Tami Kinder, Eric Washing- Constance Valencia Lit- Isabella Ta- Hyattsville, Po- Pearisburg, Pearisburg, ton, Waynes- Holleman, Hy- tles, Hyatts- mas, Perth Am- tomac. A Mont- Potomac. Gary Potomac. April boro, Potomac. attsville, Poto- ville, Potomac. boy Hungarian, gomery College and his wife, of 1993 was Studies with mac. "Every The reason New Jersey. Is- student, Terry Tami, were when Tami and Pastor Rick day that I learn Valencia joined abella was one was baptized in among the four her husband, Greve led to more of the the Adventist of the 31 people February of people who Gary, joined Eric's baptism truth, I feel church through baptized during 1993 after at- were baptized two other peo- in July of 1992. closer to the baptism in Feb- April of 1993 tending an at the end of ple in baptism He has since Lord," stated ruary of 1993 after an It Is evangelistic se- Ken Wilbur's after coming to been elected a Constance, who was because it's Written semi- ries held by Revelation Ken Wilbur's junior deacon of was baptized "the only church nar held by Leo John Emhart of Seminar in Revelation the Waynesboro during Febru- that goes by the and Tammy Amazing Facts. April of 1993. Seminar. congregation. ary of 1993. Bible." Schreven.
VISITOR, July 1, 1993 3 SPOTLIGHT ON LIVING THE VISION
Prayer is a carefully planned presentation I make to God. It is the wildly disorganized cry of my wounded soul. minutes dedicated to prayer. God and I talk a lot, but never quite It is the silence of my listening for the sound of His " enough. We plan the day and gentle blowing." imagine what crisis may walk in It is father hoping impatiently before midnight. I go over the for his children. specifics on my mental list, tell ... and it is much more. Him all my frustrations (that's the wildly disorganized part) and then sit back and listen silently beside the semis. "Gentle Blowing" is what y head fills often with Elijah called it. The quiet voice familiar-sounding prayers. of the present God. The voice "Lord, help me make some that reaches past my plans and sense out of life today." around my cries. The voice that `Lord, patience. Please!" "Lord, pours directly into my heart, fills I'm exhausted. I need a little en- me full and opens the overflow ergy." "Lord, ..." The words truly gates. resemble a wildly disorganized cry I've discovered that when I from my wounded soul. talk and ask and don't listen, my Lots of stuff wounds my soul. days fill with frustration and Computers that capriciously lose spiritual poverty. I've also dis- files and then download Courier covered that when I remember to when I order GillSans Ultra Bold. let His Spirit waft into my life, I Photo developers that destroy the overflow with thankfulness and "most important" roll of slide film. peace. Dogs that love to walk "away" Pastor Jim Richards spoke for from home and then lie down in the baccalaureate service at fake exhaustion on the return Ozark Academy in Gentry, Ar- trip. Teachers who make students kansas, a few weeks ago. In the cry. Students who give teachers middle of his sermon, a wonderful reasons to make them cry. The talk on Jesus, He asked one of list is longer, frighteningly longer, the graduates to sing "He is and gives me much to pray for. Able," a song about God's power. Then I watch the news, read I closed my eyes and let the Spirit the newspaper and wonder what a wash over me. Just as the song good Christian should pray about. was ending I opened my eyes and Should I plan a special silent time glanced at the platform. There for the nameless dying of Angola, was Jim, kneeling before one of Bosnia and Sri Lanka? Should I the graduates and washing his pray for the Serbs, Croats or Mus- feet. I was overwhelmed with the lims? Or should I dedicate all my symbolism. God, powerful enough to prayers toward the United Nations I worry about graduates. My friend be Creator, big enough to be my ser- High Command on Refugees? I Eric is still in Florida hoping for a job vant. started a "prayers from the news" list as an academy English teacher. Acad- Maybe God created the world as a once, but it grew too long to pray. emies used to practically hold a draft shout to the universe, telling all cre- Maybe my prayer attention should for graduating English teachers, espe- ation the deepest joys and hopes of go to the 1993 graduates of Adventist cially ones with M.A. degrees. But His life. Then He created women and schools. This year I've listened to doz- today Eric's skills are going begging. men so He could listen. ens of graduation prayers by students, Along with a number of M.B.A.s, Tell, listen and serve. It's a tension parents, friends, guests and speakers. C.P.A.s and B.Mus., M.Div., History I feel in prayer each day. My favorite was from a baccalaureate B.A. and even L.L.D.s. And the acad- Prayer is a carefully planned inter- speaker who prayed, "Lord, help me!" emy graduates are working at sum- action I have with God. He listens. I think the graduates need more mer camps, selling "magabooks" and Then I listen. Then we go do. help than the speakers. The speakers battling with old folks to bag fries at fly home tomorrow, but the graduates McDonalds. walk out into the real world today. Guess I better keep the kids in my Dick Duerksen communicates profes- They enter the pro-am tournament for prayers. sionally as Columbia Union's vice jobs, power and success. And the field Every morning I drive 20 miles up president for creative ministries and is crowded. Interstate 95 to Columbia. That's 25 communications.
4 VISITOR, July 1, 1993 is inion Moldova
he collapse of communism and a $10 bill becoming worth only encouragement so that they can effec- the breakup of the former So- slightly more than $1 in one year. tively witness for your Lord and theirs viet Union has opened to the Church building and development of in this time of urgent opportunity. T Seventh-day Adventist Church church supplies has become virtually unprecedented opportunities for ex- impossible without outside help. pansion in these former totalitarian And that is part of what "adoption" Robert Boggess is president of the New and largely gospel-inaccessible coun- is about. We can provide evangelists. Jersey Conference. tries. In an attempt to take advan- We can provide funds for evangelistic tage of these opportunities for Christ, meetings, church buildings and evan- the church has encouraged "adoption" gelistic educational materials. We can benefiting hundreds of children. pray and provide funds for the educa- The Columbia Union Conference tion of workers, the purchase of equip- Executive Committee voted to "adopt" ment and the provision of simple the former Soviet nation of Moldovia, things we take for granted like cray- now Moldova, and the New Jersey ons, Sabbath school lesson felts, Conference adopted Northern Bibles, Bible study guides and Sab- Moldova as a part of the Columbia bath school quarterlies. If we don't Union project. send them, they won't have them. Moldova sits just below the Nestor They in turn will provide stories of River south of the Ukraine between the triumph of God over atheism and Romania and the Black Sea. About the rescue of young men and women half of the residents are of Rumanian from hopelessness, alcoholism and Above, left: While visiting in New Jer- background, most of Moldova having defeat. They will provide pictures and sey, Ivan Melnichuk traveled to the been a part of Romania prior to World other tokens of their appreciation and Columbia Union office in Maryland War II. love. And, of course, when a leader and presented President Ron Wisbey Our church the in Moldova Union from Moldova comes to the United with a small symbolic token of the has about 6,800 members divided into States for various church require- love of the Moldovan people for their two conferences, North and South. ments, he will share with our congre- brothers and sisters in the Columbia Recent crusades by evangelists from gations the excitement of frontier Union—a pair of carefully crafted glass crystal swans. Swans mate for America and Europe or Australia have evangelism as Ivan Melnichuk, minis- life, Melnichuk explained, and he resulted in explosive church growth. terial director of the Moldova Union, prays that the Columbia Union and The economy of Moldova is largely did recently. the Moldova Union can work together agricultural, although business and What can your church do? Adopt a to meet the challenge of the many op- some light industry is being developed sister church! What can your confer- portunities now present in his land. in the three or four major cities. Ram- ence do? Adopt a sister conference! Above: Ivan Melnichuk is interviewed pant inflation that is escalating at What can you do? Adopt a sister fam- by Alyce Boggess, editor of Dateline nearly 800 percent per year is a major ily and provide Bibles, money for sup- New Jersey, during his recent visit. problem. Try to imagine the impact of plies, felts and letters of Photos by Robert Boggess.
VISITOR, July 1, 1993 5 SPOTLIGHT ON VISION 2000 ADVENTISTS AND THE BEAST—PART 1
-7-1teef,' W e may have less to say in some any time. God is Master of the world, lines, in regard to the Roman not Newsweek or CBS. power and the papacy."' Furthermore, I'm convinced beast When some who take the bashing is not just missing the point; name of Adventist think it's time to it's damaging and dangerous. We put up billboards attacking other should know why the beast is evil. Christians, then surely it's time for And when we see beastly behavior, we Adventists to ponder Ellen White's should address it firmly. But we must comments on the study of Daniel and present the truth as it is in Jesus. Revelation. The quotations brought And we must speak the truth in love. together in Testimonies to Ministers, If we want to be Christian, most of pages 112-19, are particularly strik- us will have to say less about the pa- ing. Every time I read them, I am pacy. Ellen White warned against amazed. You might be, too. building "unnecessary barriers be- That's where she suggests that we tween us and other denominations, may have less to say about the pa- especially the Catholics, so that they pacy. The essential message of Daniel think we are their avowed enemies. and Revelation is "that the human We should not create a prejudice in agent is to be kept out of sight, hid in their minds unnecessarily, by making Christ, and the Lord God of heaven ALDEN THOMPSON a raid upon them."'2 and His law are to be exalted."2 The Testimonies are equally blunt: Understanding the book of Revela- James and Ellen, was arrested in "We should not go out of our way to tion could lead to "a great revival" 1882 for running Pacific Press on Sun- make hard thrusts at the Catholics. among us.3 Not panic; revival. day. Congress itself debated national Among the Catholics there are many Studying Daniel and Revelation will Sunday laws. You could read Advent- who are most conscientious Christians result in "an entirely different reli- ist eschatology off the front page of and who walk in all the light that gious experience;" the book of Revela- your daily paper.9 shines upon them, and God will work tion teaches "that the connection Now, however, Sunday laws are in their behalf." "Our work is to study between God and His people is close headed in the opposite direction, and to weed out of all our discourses every- and decided."4 Adventists don't know quite what to thing that savors of retaliation and She cautions, too: "But be not too make of it, and some don't want to defiance and making a drive against ready to take a controversial atti- believe it. In the official 1990 General churches and individuals because this tude."5 "Let Daniel speak, let the Conference reports, Charles Bradford is not Christ's way and method."'3 Revelation speak, and tell what is is quoted: "Today there are fewer Sun- What then do we say to other truth. But whatever phase of the sub- day laws being enforced than at any Christians and about them? How do ject is presented, uplift Jesus as the time in recent years."'° we go about evangelism? Those are center of all hope."6 More recently, in Liberty Alert, an questions we must explore. Recently as I was reading in Ephe- insert in the North American Division sians, two phrases jumped out at me, Adventist Review, Roland Hegstad ones I remember hearing in evangelis- pressed the point further: "Over the Alden Thompson is an Adventist theo- tic meetings. "Speaking the truth in past 30 years the growing seculariza- logian and author. The Visitor asked love."' "The truth as it is in Jesus." tion of society has been a greater him to prepare a five-part series on the I'm grateful I heard those words from threat to our church than have Sun- end time. Part 2 will appear in the evangelists who didn't just speak day laws."" July 15 issue of the Visitor. them but put them into practice, too. If Sunday laws seem to be moving As I ponder the world now, it seems in the opposite direction, why the ea- 'Testimonies to Ministers (Pacific Press, 1962), page 112. clear to me why Ellen White suggests gerness to attack the beast in public? 'Ibid. Do we think that angering the beast °Ibid., page 113. saying less about Rome. Given the 'Ibid., page 114. struggle between good and evil, the can hasten the end? I would hope our °Ibid., page 118. enemies of God can loom so large in faith in the Lord's return isn't so °Ibid. our thinking that we lose sight of our closely tied to the fate of the beast and 'Ephesians 4:15. Lord and forget how to love. a sequence of events that we lose sight °Ephesians 4:21. 'See Richard Schwarz, Light Bearers to the Remnant (Pacific Press, In some ways Ellen White's world of Jesus. 1979), pages 250-255. was more frightening than ours. In Let me say with emphasis: Our ' ,Adventist Review, July 17, 1990, page 8. the late 1800s, dozens of Adventists faith must be in Christ Jesus, not in a Liberty Alert 2:1 (Jan/Feb 1993), page 4; insert in Adventist spent time in jail for Sunday law vio- specific timetable of events. Trusting Review, January 7,1993. Him makes us ready for anything at ''Evangelism (Review and Herald, 1946), page 144 (MS 14,1887). lations. Willie White, the son of ' ,Testimonies Volume 9, (Pacific Press, 1948), page 244.
6 VISITOR, July 1, 1993 SPOTLIGHT ON THE COLUMBIA UNION Atekback CHARLOTTE PEDERSEN COE nformed sources tell us that the managing editor Columbia Union Visitor has been published since 1912. We thought it would be fun to look at the ac- distribution among our boys in I the service. 65 years ago tivities and emphasis in our past. WILSON JOHNSON, conference war commission February 16, 1928. Bertha In 1928, the Visitor was issued 50 secretary. times a year by the Mount Vernon Tatman, whose son, George, 25 years ago attended Mount Vernon Academy College Press in Mount Vernon, Ohio, February 8, 1968. Channel 3 in during the school years of 1916- at a cost of "50 cents per year in ad- Philadelphia televised part of the 1927, is interested in track rack vance." The Visitor was issued weekly opening meeting of a recent Five- missionary work. She has a rack in 1943 and was printed by the Wash- Day Plan to Stop Smoking con- in a Middletown, Ohio, interurban ington College Press in Takoma Park, ducted by Dr. J. Wayne station, and now she has ordered Maryland. Subscriptions were pay- McFarland in the Jefferson Medi- one for the bus station in able through the book and Bible house cal College and Hospital in Phila- Middletown. Tatman is using the at a cost of 75 cents per year "in ad- delphia. Almost 100 people were metal racks supplied by the book vance." in attendance at the smoking and Bible house for $1 each. Still printed at the Washington College Press in 1968, it cost $4 per clinic, most of whom were suc- March 29, 1928. Our people of cessful in overcoming the habit. the Columbia Union Conference, insertion to place a classified ad of 50 March 21, 1968. 12,337 in number, have gone on words in the Visitor. "Payment must Ronald J. Wylie, an earnest Adventist and from victory to victory following accompany ads," the instructions read, ambitious government lawyer, the leadings of the Master. In the "and we prefer not to accept tele- recently was admitted to practice four years covered in this report, phoned ads." By 1988, the Visitor was before the Supreme Court of the 2,036 people have been brought a twice-monthly magazine printed by United States in an impressive into the truth by the activity of lay the Review and Herald Publishing ceremony presided over by Chief members. Association. The use of color en- hanced its appearance. Justice Earl Warren. He joins an March 29, 1928. The Chesa- elite handful of Seventh-day Ad- peake Conference has increased ventists enjoying this distinction. its property holdings during the June 27, 1968. Plans to dissolve past four years. Many will re- the West Virginia Conference member the old conference office house effort with Present Truth. as one of the outstanding were rescinded in a special con- building on Rosedale Street in The Dayton colored church or- achievements of the literature stituency meeting held in Baltimore. This property was dered 1,000 of the Signs Sabbath ministry. The grand total of Parkersburg on May 26. On sold and a new location secured special. Handy Washington is $50,350.19 worth of orders taken March 24 delegates voted to set in Catonsville just west of the city the local leader. in one week's time is far beyond in motion plans for a merger of limits of Baltimore. There is a our most liberal estimate. The 50 years ago the conference. These plans two-story building providing of- richest blessing of the Lord has were changed at the May 26 fices on the lower floor and a February 11, 1943. The Harris- rested upon our army of meeting and the conference will living apartment on the upper burg, Pennsylvania, Young colporteurs and field leaders as continue for a two-year period. floor. There is also a good barn People's Society, together with they have gone faithfully from Roscoe W. Moore was re-elected for storing tents and equipment, senior members of the church, door to door. president of the conference. space for an automobile andalso under the leadership of Earl Fos- November 4, 1943. We have in a one-car garage. Between seven ter, joined in singing Christmas New Jersey several army camps. 5 years ago carols to gather funds for the and eight acres of ground are In these different camps there are December 1, 1988. More than needy poor of the city. Two $5 included in this property, making a number of Adventist boys. We 350 young adults and youth lead- bills were received, one of which a beautiful place for the camp are indeed happy to have these ers from across the Columbia was presented to Foster by the meeting with many large oak young men worship with us dur- Union met October 21-23 for governor of Pennsylvania, Arthur trees for shade. ing the Sabbath services in our UPLINK '88, a weekend conven- H. James, who listened atten- May 24, 1928. A profitable various churches. Within the tion and spiritual retreat held at tively to the singing. Almost weekend home missionary con- past six weeks we have spent the Hyatt Hotel in downtown $150 was gathered for the 50 vention was held in the Dayton, over $200 from our union fund to Pittsburgh. Coordinated by bushel baskets of food given to Ohio, colored church May 4 and send the Review, Youth's In- union Church Ministries Director the needy people in the Harris- 5. Besides the outside help, structor and other papers to our Ron Stretter, this "mini-camp burg area. Brethren Wright, Wimberly and boys who have requested these meeting" offered a number of Britton gave interesting talks on April 29, 1943. The Columbia from overseas. We recently pur- sermons and seminars designed important topics. Several of the Union Big Week for 1943 will go chased 10,000 of the new Morn- to meet the needs of today's members begin a house-to- down in denominational history ing Watch calendars for free young Adventists.