JANUARY 22, 1988 "He whoj from zone to zone; Guides through the thy certain fhghtj In the Co ngway that I must tread one; W itt lead my steps aright” — From "To a Waterfowt,” Bv W ittiam Cullen Bryant, Pfioto by CftarCes R, B eeler An Open Door for Adventist Television by George Vandeman Let’s face it, Christian televi­ with timely subjects and pres­ tainment, but our viewers come sion today is not held in high ented in a professional way.” from a much broader spectrum esteem by the general public. A Catholic viewer from Cali­ than a Sunday morning "reli­ Too many viewers think TV fornia writing us at It Is Written gious ghetto time” might preachers merely take advan­ spoke gratefully of seeing "the suggest. tage of the gullible. And many authentic message of Christ — Here’s what people are telling regard their message as an and Him crucified.” A New It Is Written. A California viewer insult to the intelligence. We’ve Yorker commented, “The sincer­ thanked us for "breaking all been em barrassed and sad­ ity of your joy in Christ shines through the heart of a hard­ dened by the excesses of some through.” core skeptic... with love, His of the more flamboyant People are noticing a differ­ love.” An Indiana viewer who televangelists. ence. I believe this is a moment hadn’t been to church in 20 Some may think we should of awesome opportunity and years wrote saying, "Thank you pull out of the whole tainted responsibility. People are disillu­ for being there to bring the love business. But I think God has sioned with the merchandising of God into my life.” better things in mind for of Jesus Christ, but there is still A Vietnam veteran from Adventist Television. In fact, I a tremendous spiritual hunger Georgia who lost his spiritual believe this unfortunate situa­ out there, a hunger for spiritual mooring wrote: "Thanks to you, tion may actually prove to be a truth that touches our deepest my faith is returning to me.” A providential opportunity of human needs. Massachusetts viewer tells us enormous significance. And, thank God, Adventist tele­ the program "has helped change Those people out there who vision is meeting those needs. an atheistic, uncaring young are fed up with religious scan­ There are some who believe we man from a troubled family into dals are recognizing something: are reaching a very narrow a born-again Christian eager to Adventist programs are unique. cross section of the public with live God’s way of life.” Something very different is our Christian programming. It’s And listen to these responses going on at Breath of Life, Faith true we don’t have the huge to Faith For Today’s Christian For Today’s Christian Lifestyle audiences of prime time enter- Lifestyle Magazine program. A Magazine, and It Is Written. Dan Matthews, host, and Lena Nozizwe, cohost, A New Yorker wrote to George Vandeman on the It Is Written set. on the Christian Lifestyle Magazine set. Charles D. Brooks, director and speaker of the Breath of Life telecast to say, “I think (your program) is the most beautiful in the world.” Another letter stated, "Truly your ministry is unique and special.” A viewer of Faith For Today’s Christian Lifestyle Magazine wrote this to its director/ speaker, Dan Matthews: "I love your show. I think it is the best show of its kind on Sunday morning... very informative and inspirational.” An Arizona view­ er thought Christian Lifestyle Magazine is “a great program George Vandeman is the director/ speaker of the It Is Written telecast. 2 RECORD / January 22, 1988 Four television programs featuring the preaching format were produced for Breath of Life at the Central church, Honolulu, Hawaii, in March, 1987. The cameraman (left foreground) focuses on the audience (about 1,300) and the Samoa-Tokelau choir (right background), as Charles D. Brooks presents the sermon. man trying to put his life back Breath of Life, thanks for spot in prime time could have in together in the Dade County caring.” North America. We live in an Florida jail wrote, “Your pro­ A deeply appreciative Georgia age when a grandmotherly fig­ gram is truly a blessing.’’ A woman, enrolled by Breath of ure asking, "Where’s the Beef?” fourteen-year-old caught a seg­ Life in our Bible school, sent a can become a national symbol ment on a rehabilitation pro­ letter: "Just to let you know this in a matter of weeks. A com­ gram for teenage law breakers is the first diploma I have ever mercial for Wendy's became a and wrote, “I’m glad to finally received and very important to part of mass culture. see people . helping young kids me because I got it by reading How wonderful it would be if like me when we get in trouble.” God’s words. Thank you all very we could fully tap into this A New York family "going much, and may God smile on powerful communications through a very traumatic time” you all and bless you forever.” resource! What if we could get told us, "Your programs always This is a time to move for­ people all over North American offer us new hope and cour­ ward as rapidly as possible. The to start asking, "Where’s the age.” A former drug abuser Adventist media plan, put truth?” Just imagine the Advent­ “looking for something to revi­ together by a General Confer­ ist church as a widely recog­ talize my self-esteem and hope” ence study commission, calls for nized symbol of Bible-based was grateful for a program that us to do exactly that. We must integrity. "aroused my spirit and gave me add to our program diversity. Your help on February 13, hope for a better life in God.” Far from cutting back, we must Adventist Television Offering Breath of Life also reaches keep at the challenge of touch­ Day, can help make that a real­ wide with its unique ministry. A ing the diverse population of ity. That’s your opportunity to twelve-year-old from the West North America. place a special gift in a tithe Indies sent an earnest request: One exciting new challenge is envelope and mark it "Adventist "Please continue your message.” the production of prime time Television.” And please A Maryland viewer said, “I am television spots for the church. remember, your regular encouraged and strengthened Half of the population know monthly support is the lifeline by your television message.” absolutely nothing about which keeps Breath of Life, And a woman from South Adventists. But imagine how Faith for Today, and It Is Writ­ Carolina stated simply, “Dear much impact one 30-second ten alive and growing. • January 22, 1988 / RECORD 3 PRESIDENT’S BULLETIN BOARD 1988 — Year of the Teacher cym Miller The Seventh-day Adventist The teaching ministry will be recognized Church has five basic minis­ and exalted during 1988 — The Year of the tries which are Administrative, Pastoral, Teacher. We wish to give special honor and Publishing, Medical, and Educational. All recognition to these 356 wonderful people five are important and play a vital role in who serve the cause of Christian Education achieving the mission of the church. in the great Southwestern Union. 1988 has been officially declared The Year of the Teacher by the Southwestern Union In the Adventist Church, the work of educa­ Executive Committee. This means that we tion and redemption are one. The teacher is salute our loyal church school, academy, a minister to our children and youth. They and college teachers who have given their are co-workers with Christ — laborers lives for the children and youth of the together with pastors and other ministers, church. for the salvation of souls. Landmarks of Adventism Rallies! All Area Churches Are Invited Some are saying, “The Seventh-day Adventist March 19 — New Orleans Ephesus SDA Church Church is in crisis because — the messages to the 2400 Delachaise Street 1888 General Conference Session in Minneapolis have New Orleans, LA been ignored; the new theology has invaded our pul­ pits; the General Conference Is no longer God’s voice; March 26 — Oklahoma City Tenth Street SDA Church the Spirit of Prophecy is being disregarded; the church 1407 N.E. 10th St. has departed from the landmarks of our faith!” Oklahoma City, OK However, all of these accusations are false because April 9 — Shreveport Philadelphia SDA Church the 1888 Righteousness by Faith messages have been 3401 Greenwood Road accepted, the so called "new theology” has been Shreveport, LA soundly refuted by the church, Ellen White strongly endorsed the General Conference after the 1903 reor­ ganization, the Gift of Prophecy has been exonerated as never before, and all of the landmarks of Adventism are solidly in place. All area churches are urged to attend the Landmarks of Adventism Rallies scheduled Friday evening, Sab­ bath morning and Sabbath afternoon by the Union officers. We urge all of our members in sister churches Cyril Miller W. C. Jones Clayton R. Pritchett to attend. president vice president secretary Southwestern Union Fourth ’87 Ingathering Report —December 28 , 1987 Conference Goal Raised Per Capita Arkansas-Louisiana ... .......... $170,000 $113,614.12 $13.83 O klahom a...................... .......... 153,350 146,615.57 23.90 Southwest Region .......... 97,000 79,452.78 6.45 Texas .............................. .......... 460,000 397,270.00 18.67 Texico ............................ .......... 116,000 77,257.04 16.51 T o ta is..................... ......... $1,001,000 $814,209.51 $15.47 Cyril Miller Robert Wood, Director Seated at a computer terminal, Art Chadwick, President Church Ministries chairman of Southwestern Adventist College’s biology department, works on a research project with Julia Berrospi, a junior medical technology student from Lima, Peru.