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FEBRUARY, 1988 So4th mantic Confetence Office and One Million Dollars Raised Paae 27 20,000 and Climbing by Sam Gooden and Olson Perry to properly administer a conference covering such a vast geographic area—more than 1..150 miles north to south." The financial demands of establish- ing and maintaining a new confer- ence organization had prevented the move. The financial problem has never been really solved, but the growth of the membership had over- ridden all other concerns and thus it finally happened. The northern por- tion of the conference remained South Atlantic while the southern por- tion was named Southeastern, with James A. Edgecombe as president. Following the division in January, 1981, the new South Atlantic Confer- ence contained 13,448 members, 72 churches, 10 schools, 30 pastors, and two Bible workers. R. B. Hairston The division of the conference can be likened to pruning a tree for growth. The figures in each category speak for themselves. civilization rises and is cul- Thirty-four years later, in 1980, MEMBERSHIP: By the end of 1987, tivated and flourishes by South Atlantic's membership had in- the membership was 20,500, a net the whims, caprice, and creased to become the largest in the gain of 7,052 over the last seven prowess of men. Like a tree, Southern Union. It was deemed pru- years. Ait is rooted in a certain place, and dent to divide because of the growth EVANGELISM: The South Atlantic there remains until it dies. and vastness of the territory, stretch- Conference is noted for its outstand- The church that God planted oper- ing from the North CarolinaNirginia ing exploits in public evangelism. Ac- ates differently. It starts to flourish line to the Florida Keys, and the need cording to Hairston, "The Holy Ghost from its inception and will not cease for closer administrative supervision. is moving and impelling ministers until the end of time. The record of December 31, 1980, there were and laymen to reach, teach, and the South Atlantic Conference is a fit- 21,959 members in 130 churches and preach the gospel in every city in the ting example of an organization companies. The organization had Conference." According to the most which had the approval of heaven grown from 26 ministers to 65; from recent report 9,642 individuals were from its genesis. Its territory includes 28 church school teachers to 69; from baptized during the first seven years North Carolina, South Carolina, and three literature evangelists to 43. of the "New Beginning." "We have portions of Georgia. As the second Financially, the growth was tre- baptized over one thousand souls largest regional conference and the mendous. For the first year of opera- every year for the last seven years," tenth in membership among the tion ending December 31., 1946, the says Hairston. North American Division conferences, tithe was $141, 372. For the 34th year, 1981 — 1,210 the South Atlantic Conference has at the time of the division, the tithe 1982 — 1,126 reached a milestone in its history. It was $4,003,907. 1983 — 1,924 has reached and surpassed a mem- During these years (1946-1988), 1984 — 1, 026 bership of 20,500. there have been five presidents. The 1985 — 1, 656 On January 1, 1946, the South At- first was H. D. Singleton. The second 1986 — 1,300 lantic Conference became the fourth was J. H. Wagner. Then came W. S. 1987 — 1,400 regional conference in the nation. It Banfield, followed by R. L. Woodfork, NEW CONGREGATIONS: In the last was organized out of the Southeast- and currently R. B. Hairston, who was seven years since reorganization, 22 ern states with 3,614 black members also president when the conference new congregations have been or- scattered among 62 churches and split. "We simply had to split into two ganized, for a total of 90. companies in the four states, which conferences," says Hairston. "It had NEW CHURCH BUILDINGS: The Con- included Florida. There were 26 black been a long and difficult struggle, ference has erected or bought 41 preachers and 28 church school which started in the early 1960s. church buildings. Fourteen in Geor- teachers. Everyone realized that it was difficult gia, 12 in South Carolina, and 15 in 2 ■ Southern Tidings February, 1988 North Carolina. tremendous growth in financial sup- ence employed 72 pastors and six CAMPGROUND: May 30, 1983, the port since its division. The 1981 re- Bible workers. Conference Executive Committee port shows a tithe income of Hairston believes it is crucial to ac- voted unanimously to purchase the $2,643,857.03. By the end of 1987 celerate the "dark" county program new Orangeburg, South Carolina, the figure was $4, 550,000. by establishing new churches in these campground property consisting of The future looks bright for the counties. lie has set a goal of at least 106 acres. Forty-two motel rooms, a South Atlantic Conference. Its presi- three each year. dining room, an auditorium seating dent hopes to share the Three Angels' There is a plan to hold an evangel- 1,200, and a caretaker's home have Messages with as many as possible istic meeting in every church with at been added. of the more than four million black least one baptism in every church. lb EDUCATION: Interest in the future people who reside in the three states, assist in accomplishing this there is is demonstrated in the growth in the especially those who live in "dark" a pastor/evangelist, T. A. McNealy, number of educational facilities since counties. and one departmental evangelist, Joe the "New Beginning." The Conference "More dedicated workers are Hinson, along with Conference Evan- now boasts 14 schools, a 12-grade needed to divide districts with three gelist J. J. Rodriguez. day academy organized in Atlanta— or more churches. In the last four It is hoped that with this type of Greater Atlanta Adventist Academy— years we have employed more than increase, and with new and old mem- in 1982. A proposed new educational 21 special interns. We have divided bers returning to God a faithful tithe complex called Metroplex is in the already every district with four or and offerings, the tithe should reach planning stages for the immediate fu- more churches, or assigned an assist- well over $4 million, effecting an ac- ture. ant pastor to each district," says celerated expansion of the confer- FINANCE: The Conference has seen Hairston. As of December the Confer- ence. (treater Atlanta Adventist Academy is South Atlantic's senior academy. Volume 82 SOUTHERN TIDINGS (USPS 507-000) Number 2 Published monthly by the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Box 849, Decatur, GA 30031. February, 1988 Second-class postage paid at Decatur, Ga., and additional offices of entry. Subscription rate—five dollars per Southern Tidings • 3 year. POSTMASTER: send changes of address to SOUTHERN TIDINGS, Box 849, Decatur, GA 30031. and fund raising for Pathfinders, how to lead a young person to Christ, and using visual aids in the youth minis- try, to name a few. Practical examples of typical prob- lems were discussed. The six cries of a parent were examined, the seven goals an adolescent seeks to achieve for the fixture during the teen years were high- lighted, Ellen White's warning that a youth could be lost while attending Sabbath school regularly and ex- periencing a formal religion was examined carefully, and several pre- senters pointed out the big mistake leaders and parents make in faulting, criticizing, and demeaning the fum- bling efforts of a child. They pointed out instead, the importance of look- ing for opportunities for the youth to feel useful. Dual Conference Camporee A Sabbath morning dress parade included Four hundred and eighty-eight Pathfinders from two Carolina Pathfinders combined with conferences. 528 Pathfinders from Potomac Con- ference for the annual camporee at North Bend Park, near Buggs Island, in Southeastern Virginia. by Robbi Pierson, Bill Wood, Janice Marie Walker Activities were coordinated by Phil and Olson Perry Rosburg, Pathfinder director for Potomac Conference, and Bucky Weeks, former youth director for number of events geared volve Parents in Youth Ministry," and Carolina Conference. for youth leaders occurred viewed the film "The Wait of the Children and leaders voiced en- during the latter part of World," which showed a family in thusiasm and appreciation for the 1987. These events were an crisis with various problems, yet still combined-conference event. Not only A each family member wears his own attempt to train AYS leaders, Path- did they find being part of such a large finder staff members, youth pastors, mask to church. group of Pathfinders more exciting, youth, juniors, and earliteen Sabbath According to Allan Williamson, as- but they also enjoyed the opportunity school leaders, academy and college sociate director of church ministries of meeting young people from a chaplains, lay youth sponsors and for youth and young adults, it was "an different part of the country. young adult leaders to minister to to- intensive weekend gathering of men Many Pathfinders carried on the day's youth culture. The meetings and women who are concerned about tradition, which began at Camp Hale were carefully planned to meet the reaching and ministering to young in 1985, of trading items unique to needs of both the veteran youth people. Specifically we hoped to give their areas of residency. worker as well as the newcomer to resources to help in the youth minis- Dr. Jim Tucker, president of Educa- youth ministry. try. In addition, we look forward to tional Directus, Inc., was guest sharing ideas, and having new ex- speaker for the weekend.

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