Role Models for Fernando Stahl The General Conference Church Ministries Department requested that Mission Spotlight gone with us back to their field of serv- create an audio-visual series directed especially to the junior and earliteen age levels. ice. But, most often that is not possi- Director and producer of this series titled Hall of Faith is Jerry L. Heinrich, who has been ble. Many times we rely on members a part of the Mission Spotlight team since its inception in 1968. of the family who have memorabilia —diaries, letters, old pictures — and Jerry, what is the Hall of Faith? States was during the Civil War. Eighty stories that have been passed down in The Hall of Faith is recognition of 24 percent said John Kennedy. While this the family. Then, of course, there are individuals, or couples, who made is almost amusing, it is also tragic. If books that have been written by, or themselves available for the Lord to young people are missing the history about, some of the subjects. Many of use them — most often in service of their country, what are Seventh-day the books, however, are out of print away from their homeland. Adventist youth missing in the herit- and difficult to find. Basically, we just age of their church? have to dig to find what is needed. Why is it limited? Certainly it is difficult to make the How are individuals selected for Do you find a common element decisions about who might be in- the Hall of Faith? — something linking them to- cluded because there are, by far, In this series of 24, we need a gether? more than 24 people whose story is world-wide perspective — stories that There is a common thread. And that an inspiration. But, everything has to come from many parts of the world. common thread, obviously, is total have a beginning, and we are commit- We have tried to select a wide variety commitment in service to the Lord ted to 24 stories in this series. of personalities and areas of service. and sharing the gospel. Many are people who made their decisions very Where do you get the informa- Why is Hall of Faith needed? early in life — people like Kata Ran- tion for the stories? The other day I heard on the radio gosa, Sam Dick, Hans Mayr. They that a teacher asked his high school If the persons are still living, we in- knew and decided at ages of 10 and class who the president of the United terview them. Occasionally, they have 12 years that they were going to be ministers. The Holy Spirit touched their hearts, and there was no turning back—ever! Then, there are those like Fernando Stahl who grew up as a street boy— bounced around—had a tough life! In his early twenties, he met a young Swedish girl. After they were married, they purchased a book, The Great Controversy. They learned something they had never before known, decided to give themselves to mission service, and went to South America. I understand you recently re- turned from Peru? Yes, the highlands of Peru and Bolivia are location for some well- known Adventist mission stories. Our visit was to secure pictures and in- formation for the Fernando Stahl story. During the 10 years the Stahis spent in the Lake Titicaca area, the Adventist mission grew from two members to 2,200. What was South America like when they arrived there? The Andes Mountains are location for one of the most advanced cultures and civilizations in the history of mankind. The Inca Indians were re- nowned engineers. It is unbelievable to visit places like Machu Picchu and see ruins of the cities that these Ruins of the lost city of the Inca Indians, Machu Picchu, lie 8,000 feet above sea level in the people built. They also had tremen- Andes Mountains of Peru. dous knowledge of astronomy. But, 2 ■ Southern Tidings April, 1988 young people can imagine they are actually visiting the places where the story took place. Then, we have Col- Adventist Youth lector's Cards—and lithographed posters so Sabbath schools can when the Spanish conquerors came, got a little donkey. He named this create their own Hall of Faith. The they broke the spirit of these donkey Samson because he felt sorry Pacific Press is also publishing a book people—broke their will and their for it when he got on its back. He on each of the 24 subjects. motivation. Early missionaries intro- would dress in white, get on Samson, duced them to the Catholic system of ride into a village, pull out his "six- Tell us about these plaques on Christianity, and this, too, kept them shooter" and fire into the air. The the wall. subdued. Stahl came to a people people would come running. Then, A plaque is being produced for each whose spirit had been broken. he tucked his gun away, pulled out his of the subjects. These plaques have a Bible and began to preach. So, in portrait, a Mission Spotlight medal- flow was Stahl's approach diffe- many ways, maybe he was unpredict- lion, and a plate engraved with the rent? able, but a very interesting man. name and a resume of service. We Stahl was an interesting and in- have two Hall of Faith locations — this novative man—quite a personality. What about the Adventist work one here at Mission Spotlight and one He recognized that the people needed there now? on the West Coast at the Northern something to replace the social part All across the area there are California Conference camp. of their lives — the festivals and cele- brations that usually ended in drunk- enness. lie knew he had to break them away from such festivities. He recognized that they liked music, so he got friends here in the States to donate instruments and he also raised money to buy some. Then, he taught them how to play and or- ganized bands. Was Stahl educated to be a minister? Actually, Fernando and Ma were both nurses. When they joined the church, they were very interested in the health message. Did he begin his work by caring for the physical needs of the In- dians? His medical knowledge was always a tremendous help, but he recog- nized very soon that he alone could never reach the thousands of people he had come to serve. So, he made education his priority. lie opened one school after another. There is the story of a chief who wanted a school in his village, so he came to see Stahl. Stahl explained he would have to wait because there were no teachers right then. The chief refused to leave. Stahl picked up a stone, broke it in two, and "This," says Jerry Heinrich, "is the very saddle Fernando Stahl used on his trusted donkey, Samson." handed the chief half of it. "This," said Stahl, "is my covenant. Take this back to your village, and when someone churches. And, the students in our How may a Sabbath school or in- comes with the other half of this schools touch your heart with their dividual secure these items? stone, you will know I sent them." music. The work is growing. On the Everything except the books is Well, that is a brief of the marvelous Sabbath we were there, several available through the Church Minis- story of the Broken Stone Mission so hundred Indians stood along the tries Department of the local confer- well-known by our church. shore of Lake Titicaca to witness a ences. The books are stocked at the large baptism. ABCs. Or, for brochures and direct in- Stahl must have been an un- formation, people may call Mission usual man — maybe a little unpre- In what form are these stories Spotlight toll free, 1-800/221-8663, dictable. being produced? Ext. 222. COVER: He would have been a very wonder- Each story has a film-strip and Fernando Stahl ful man to know. He was a big man, programmed cassette. We use many A "Hall of Faith" release and to get from village to village, he realisms in the sound track so the Painting by Jim Padgett Volume 82 SOUTHERN TIDINGS (USPS 507-000) Number 4 Published monthly by the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Box 849, Decatur, GA 30031. ■ April, 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. teacher Ben Roy, assisted by several of his students. Each log was carefully tagged and transported to Cohutta Springs Camp. An additional wood cabin has been built at Mountain Lore and Ben Roy, with technical assist- ance from Scott Thurmon, North Georgia area Pathfinder coordinator, will construct an authentic-style barn this summer. At the camp council worship every morning and during the devotional presentation to close the evening campfire program, the camp pastor uplifts Jesus Christ as the Friend who makes the difference in our lives. The camp day concludes with campers and counselors reflecting on the day's activities and praying together at bed- The 1987 Cohutta Springs Camp Staff. time. Christian Camping by Dave Cress here can your child ride a Last summer more than 40 college After six action-packed days of re- horse, learn to water-ski, and academy students were creational activities, some might discover the wonders of employed in this ministry. The objec- wonder what the Sabbath hours offer nature, and make a com- tive of the Cohutta Springs Camp staff the camper that can compare with all mitment to Jesus Christ? Where can a is to promote the physical, mental, this excitement? Stimulating Bible child master the techniques of canoe- moral, and spiritual development of games, music, camper participation ing, meet Christian friends, sleep our campers.