OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE NORTH AMERICAN REGIONAL CONFERENCES OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS VOLUME 7 JULY, 1985 NUMBER 5 General Conference Session )RLD SESSION ice. Kosovan was a professional singer in Parade of Nations the U.S.S.R. until he became a Seventh- On Monday afternoon the city of New COVER STORY day Adventist. He sang in Russian, but for Orleans was treated to a parade. Not just a moment I felt as if I understood every an ordinary parade, but one representing The 54th General Conference Session word. His voice coupled with his expe- over 4.5 million believers in 190 countries. As I sat in the New Orleans Superdome, rience projected such depth and under- The parade participants were from all listened nightly to the International Festi- standing. over the world: Cuba, Africa, Eastern Eu- val of missions, and talked with people For the first time in the history of the rope, U.S.S.R., Lebanon, Syria, Nicaragua, from all over the world, I realized that we Church we recognized the talents of a Tennessee, China, in all there were 2,000 are one big family. Throughout the 54th number of Adventist artists. The First In- participants marching under the banner of General Conference Session held in New ternational Exhibit of Adventist Art was 184 flags. Orleans, Louisiana, June 27-July 6, with over 45,000 in attendance from 184 Coun- tries; my mind turned to the text in Revela- tion 6:13, 14. "...what are these arrayed in white robes? And whence came they? And He said to me, 'These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.'" Every phase of the world session re- flected the universality of the church and the common bond that unites regardless of race, geographical boundaries or lan- guages. The daily devotional speakers came from around the world, yet all spoke of the blessed hope. The speakers were: G.J. Christo, President of the Southern Asia South African Choir from Bethel College. Division; Carlos Aeschlimann, Ministerial Secretary, Inter-American Divison; F.W. Wernick, Vice-President, General Confer- ence; Irene McCrary, lay member from Cal- ifornia; Jovan Lorencin, President of the Yugoslavian Union Conference and H.M. Wright, President of the Allegheny West Conference. Throughout the session prayers were offered in a variety of languages, among them; Fijian, Polish, Spanish, German and Pidgin English. Music, Music, Music Music - choirs, soloists, instrumental- Oakwood College Choir - Huntsville. ists, bands, orchestras, - from all over the displayed at the French Market in the Hyatt As I stood among the cheering crowd, I world performed at the Session in their Regency Hotel. This art exhibit was coor- fought back the tears as I saw the Roman- various languages and dress. The South dinated by Greg Constantine and featured ian delegation and my friend, Elder Dorol- African Choir directed by Victor Kwapeng approximately 70 artists from 24 countries. fei, bowed down with age after serving so sang the Lord's Prayer in Zulu. The Tri- long and under the most difficult circum- nidad Steel Band and the Marimba Band The GC Session seemed to offer some- stances in Romania. "These are they which from Mexico gave our hymns a Latin fla- thing for everyone. During the week days, came out of great tribulation." vor. Among the many other musicians women (and some male observers) ga- were: The Rainbow Choir from Korea, the thered at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom for On Wednesday evening, China and the Aeolians, the New England Youth Ensem- "Women for Christ and Humanity". On U.S.S.R. were the featured countries of the ble, Murgur Doroftei, Violinist; Edwina Tuesday morning the Association of Ad- Humphrey, Wintley Phipps, the Pine Forge ventist Women honored Eleanor Hetke, International Festival of Missions. Both Academy Choir and Sonoko Mimura, flutist. humanitarian; Kathleen K. Zolber, teacher countries working under the most difficult and administrator and Rosa L. Jones, North- circumstances gave such an inspiring re- Russian Baritone Captures the Spirit eastern's premier Bible Instructor. They port. Not one word of pessimism entered In my opinion, the most sublime music were the recipients of the 1985 Interna- their mouths. Rather they spoke with con- was rendered by Ivan I. Kosovan, from tional Woman of the Year Home/Com- fidence and joy, looking anxiously for U.S.S.R. He has a rare, deep baritone vo- munity Life Award. Christ's second coming. Page 2 Cover Story July 1985/North American Regional Voice On Friday night and during the Sabbath Donald Gilbert, Assistant Treasurer for services, the Cuban delegation was intro- the General Conference was elected Trea- duced to the audience. For 26 years they surer to replace retiring Lance L. Butler. were not allowed to attend the world ses- Frank Jones was re-elected as one of the sion, yet they were constantly remembered Assistant Treasurers. in the prayers of fellow believers. "These Dr. C.B. Rock, President of Oakwood are they which came out of great tribu- College was elected one of the General lation." Vice Presidents. Attractions - Breath of Life Quartet. Praying for the Session with C.D. Brooks. to this position. Publishing: Robert Smith, Associate Director. Communications: Owen A. Troy, Associate Director. Ministerial: W.C. Scales, Associate Director. Church Ministries Department: A new department created at this session which combines Youth, Personal Ministries, Stewardship and Sabbath School. Frank Holbrook was elected to head this de- partment. Richard Barron, Samuel Meyers and C.L. Brooks will serve as Associates. Overseas Division—Harry Cartwright, Mini- sterial Association Secretary, Eastern Div- ision Union. Union—R.J. Wright, Ministerial Associa- tion, East African Union Jason McCracken, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Lindsey and Family serves the South American Division in the Treasurer of East Africa Division of SDA. Youth Department in Brazil. Election of Officers Division Presidents: North American Divis- Harvest 90 One of the main purposes of the world ion, Charles E. Bradford; Eastern African In closing, how I wish for one brief mo- session is to elect officers and lay plans for Division, Bekele Heye; South Pacific Div- ment that E.G. White, William Miller and the next five years. Elder Neal C. Wilson, ision (formerly Australian Division), W.R.L. J.N. Andrews and our other pioneers could was re-elected President of the General Scragg; Euro-African Division, Edwin Lu- have witnessed the world session. Their Conference. He brings to this post great descher; Inter-American Division, George hearts would have leaped for joy. dedication and skill, having served in Egypt W. Brown; Trans-European Division, Jan To us is committed a most sacred trust— and North America. He was educated in Paulsen; South American Division, Joao preaching the gospel to the world. Harvest India and California. His father, Neal C. Wolff; Southern Asia Division, Far Eastern 90 is an evangelistic project which is Wilson, Sr. was a missionary for a number Division, Ottis C. Edwards; and Africa In- geared to reach every inhabitant on the of years and served as Vice-President of dian Ocean Division, J.J. Northey. face of the earth by 1990. To the four the North American Divison. A number of blacks continue to serve on corners of the earth we must preach to a G.R. Thompson, Barbadian born minis- the General Conference level. Associate world filled with hatred, war, famine, ra- ter, was re-elected Secretary of the General Secretaries: W.S. Banfield, C.D. Brooks, cism, poverty, secularism and materialism Conference. Matthew Bediako, first African appointed CHRIST IS OUR HOPE. July 1985/North American Regional Voice Cover Story Page 3 10,000. Every available seat in the stands, have been its distinguishing characteris- under the shelters, even on the ground tics. Despite prevailing economic, social PUBLISHER'S PAGE was occupied by men and women of all or political conditions, church members ages. To the amazement of the citizens of continue to support the work of the church. Kisii, who know of no dry days during the We are being invited to give more than 3,117 BAPTIZED IN KISII rainy season, the sun shone brightly with ever before because God's cause is in THREE-WEEK CRUSADE not a drop of rain in sight. A conscientious greater need than ever before. What is the Miracle in the Rain screening process instituted by the local value of money at this time, in comparison pastors and officers of the South Kenya with the value of souls? Our past indicates The R.P. Stafford Crusade began on Sat- Conference under the leadership of Pas- that we as a people are serious about urday evening, April 4, 1985, despite the tor Ogeto enabled only individuals 14 Christ's commission, "Go ye into all the fact it was middle of the rainy season is years of age and older to become bap- world and preach the gospel to every crea- Kisii, Kenya. Pastor R.P. Stafford, East Af- tismal candidates. The 749 precious souls ture" (Mk. 16:15). We believe that we have rican Union Ministerial Director, reminded baptized that day were only the first fruits been called to proclaim to the world the his workers that the Lord would take care of the miracle that was to be wrought in three angels' message of Rev. 14:6-12. of the rain, and their faith was rewarded. Kisii. Although it was not the largest bap- The Annual Sacrifice Offering program Dark, angry clouds loomed overhead as tism held during the series, it was un- of this church is the responsibility of every over 2,000 people attended the opening precedented in the fact that the Kenya Na- member.