Contents Editorial MAY 2008 SETH T. BARDU In Every Issue Is Your Name Written There? 3 | Editorial hen I was a student, I heard a preacher speak about the subject of books. WHe noted that when we first arrive on Earth, our names are recorded in a 4 | Newsline book. When our parents first take us to the doctor, our names are written in a book. When we start school, join an organization, or get married, our names are 8 | Potluck written in a book. Even when we die, our names are written in a book. His point that we live and die by the book is well taken. If I could continue the discourse of this preacher a little further, I would add that Newsletters there is a record being kept on each of us in a Book, which will determine our eternal destiny. In light of that fact, God, through His Book, encourages us to “study to show thyself approved 31 31 Allegheny East unto God” (2 Tim. 2:15). And Jesus, while in dialogue with the Sadducees, told them, “You do err, not 35 Allegheny West knowing the Scriptures” (Matt. 22:29). Knowing and understanding God’s purpose for our lives is very News & Features 39 Chesapeake important if we desire to have our names recorded in the Book of Life. And we also will err if we deviate 43 Mountain View from His holy Book. 10 | Missions Abroad 2008— 47 New Jersey BLESSED WITH THE BOOK BUSINESS South Africa 51 Ohio God has not only blessed mankind with His Word, He has blessed the Seventh-day Adventist Church 55 Pennsylvania with the Spirit of Prophecy. These books are to guide us to our future eternal home. The publishing min- Celeste Ryan Blyden 59 Potomac istry of our church has a major role in equipping the saints for life on this Earth and the Earth anew. Some may see our publishing houses and Adventist Book 63 Blue Mountain Academy While the 2007 focus was on India, the Columbia Union’s Centers (ABC) only as places of business. Not just ordinary 2008 Missions Abroad emphasis is on Africa. Read about the 65 Columbia Union College businesses, they are about the King’s business. The places we visited, the projects we launched, and the people 67 Spencerville Adventist resources God has made available to us are not just for whose 50-year-old dreams are coming true. Academy members of the church. They are designed to reach every 69 Shenandoah Valley corner of this globe. 18 | Recognizing the ABCs of Ministry Academy In one of her writings, Ellen White states, “This is a work that should be done. The end is near. Already much time Susan Phelps Harvey 70 Takoma Academy has been lost, when these books should have been in circu- Today’s Adventist Book Centers have come a long way from their 75 | Bulletin Board lation. Sell them far and predecessor “tract societies.” Meet the current ABC managers and Above: In 1921 the Review & near. Scatter them like the discover why—despite the growing competition among sellers of Herald Publishing Association leaves of autumn. This veggie meat, health supplements, and Christian books and litera- 79 | Last Words presses could produce between work is to continue with- ture—they continue to thrive. 1,500 and 1,800 impressions per out the forbidding of any- On the Web hour (IPH). Right: Today the one. Souls are perishing out of Christ. Let them be 22 | Haystacks, FriChik, New Videos, Podcasts, Blogs: Harris M-300M 6 unit web press and Stripples This month we feature our can run the at an average warned of His soon Missions Abroad 2008 projects 36,000 IPH andVisitor uses approximately appearingReview in the andclouds of in South Africa. In addition to the Jaclyn Wile 1,140 feet of paper per minute. Heraldheaven” ( eight-page report (see pp 10-17), , Aug. 13, 1908). Where did veggie meat come from? And visit our website to see where we went, what we did, and who we The Great Controversy How appropriate that, how did Adventists’ rejection of America’s met along the way. as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the writing of , we can tell the world that our beloved bacon-n-eggs tradition launch a www.columbiaunion.org loving Father has a special Book—The Book of Life. We can tell them that He desires everyone to have billion dollar industry? their name written in His Book, which, in turn, will guarantee them a place on the Earth made new. In this place they’ll be no more sorrow, crying, or dying, and we will live with Him forever. 31 | 2008 Camp Meeting Guide With such an important work at hand, how can you help spread the word? I would love to see each About the Cover: your Illustration by Ralph Butler congregation present newly baptized members with a selection of books from White’s writings and Vanisitor Find out what’s happening at conference camp meeting this engraved Bible. They’re all available at your ABC, which you’ll read more about in this issue of the . summer in our jam-packed, 32-page program guide. Columbia Union Conference treasurer Seth T. Bardu ([email protected]) also serves as publishing director. 2 | VISITOR MAY 2008 | 3 Newsline Newsline CELESTE RYAN BLYDEN Kettering Names says. “I look forward to the Union Entities Support Academic Dean opportunity of working with William “W.G.” Nelson, Jr., our president, Charles Scriven, Education in Ghana has accepted the position of and KCMA’s faculty, staff, stu- dean for Academic Affairs at dents, and administrative team, Kettering as we chart a strategic direction A transatlantic partnership art environment, with state-of- College of for the college’s future.” between several Columbia the-art knowledge, was very Medical Arts Nelson joins Kettering after Union Conference entities has powerful and, for me, very per- (KCMA). spending six years as a graduate that will lead to a highly quali- made possible a new academic sonal,” noted Perez. “They will “It is clear professor in the School of fied workforce that is both avail- building on the campus of the be an extension of our ministry to me that Education at La Sierra University able to current employers and Seventh-day Adventist Church’s for decades to come.” Kettering (Calif). Since 2006 he also has attractive to future employers Valley View University (VVU) The three-story health educa- is a positive educational and chaired the university’s throughout the state of in Ghana. In the presence of tion facility, built to accommodate healthcare environment where Department of Administration Maryland, helping it compete in Ghanaian government officials, the university’s newly established good things are happening,” he and Leadership. Prior to his term the 21st century. The board’s church leaders recently dedicated nursing and medical equipment at La Sierra, Nelson served as work was highlighted at the 2008 the new building. A Columbia technology programs, has already president of Washington state’s Governor’s Workforce Creation eased space problems on the cam- From the Walla Walla College (now Walla Summit, which drew 500 stake- pus of 2,500 students. It houses a The partnership between the Pulpit Walla University) from 1994-2001. holders from business, education, departmental library, lecture Columbia Union and the Ghana From 1988-94 he served in vari- government, and nonprofit rooms, a conference hall, a science Union was formed in 2005 to ous positions, including as vice organizations, and was hosted by “Lisa Brown-McNeil invited her Gov. Martin O’Malley laboratory, offices, and a nursing “enrich and improve the president for academic adminis- . co-worker Ronnie Harrell to skills development center. Church’s work in Ghana,” tration at Southwestern Adventist church. She hadn’t been coming Sabbath Offering to Much of the money needed Laryea explained. Lee spear- University (Texas). During the regularly for 10 years. But when to complete the project came headed it through the Columbia 1980s, he was principal at Benefit CUC she received our Revelation semi- Union’s Missions Abroad initia- Potomac Conference’s nar flyer, she invited Ronnie to The Columbia Union tive, which supports projects in Shenandoah Valley Academy in attend with Conference has designated May many parts of the world. New Market, Va.; at Indiana her. He did 31, as “CUC Sabbath,” a time “When leaders of our health- Academy; and at Mile High and he’s for congregations to dedicate a Union delegation (above) partici- care systems, conferences, and Academy in Denver. been com- portion of their Sabbath servic- pated in the celebration, includ- I visited the university and saw Nelson, who will begin work ing every es to learning more about their ing retired Columbia Union what they were attempting to at KCMA this summer, is a week since college and showing support by president Harold Lee; current do, we were so impressed with 1972 graduate of Atlantic October and giving a special offering. “This Columbia Union officers Dave from Adventist HealthCare, the vision, mission, and faith of Union College (Mass.), where studying is a great opportunity for our Weigley, Neville Harcombe, and Kettering, and AEC. “Since the President Laryea, that we want- his predecessor, Norman with me. Now he’s getting bap- churches to get firsthand infor- Seth Bardu; Allegheny East Columbia Union is the umbrella ed to help,” Lee recalls. He also Wendth, now serves as presi- tized. … So you don’t have to do —Mindy Claggett mation on the recent changes at Conference body for the donor organiza- sent Gina Brown, chair of dent.