SOUTHERN JUNE 2003 -Nk - ••• "444. -N. .94 (-111.1 (:) jrj SJ VANTAGE POINT MALCOLM GORDON Southern Union President We Shall Come Rejoicing, Bringing in the Sheaves In this issue we take a look at the State of the organization which was birthed in the Southern Union 56 Union for the 2002-2003 fiscal year. I am so pleased to years ago. Church Ministries also provides leadership in announce that our growth has been outstanding (be sure the areas of children, youth, adults, community service, to see the cover feature), and our departments continue to disaster response, Pathfinders, Sabbath school, steward- strengthen the Southern Union with their dedicated ser- ship, NSO, and so much more. vice to conferences and constituents. The results of our Evangelism leaders are clearly Treasury reports the blessing of increasing tithe and shown in the membership growth. This figure is assisted mission offerings. Our treasurer, Richard Center, reports by the tremendous growth of our Hispanic membership, that more tithe has been received from the Southern served by the new Hispanic Ministries department. Now Union to bless God's work around the world than from ministering to a long-ignored population group is the any other union in the world field. In fact, more tithe is office of Native American Ministries. Meeting the needs received for God's work in the Southern Union than in of and promoting growth among women is the special any other world division. Our Association Revolving concern of Women's Ministries. Fund notes that church members have so increased their Communication continues to spread the good news investing that we now have more money available to through outstanding publications such as the Southern loan to churches and schools than ever in our history. Tidings, evangelism marketing, and the church and high- Likewise, Planned Giving/Trust Services continues to way sign program. Another behind-the-scenes department offer our membership many excellent ways to invest and is Computer Services, which endeavors to keep us all help Adventist organizations at the same time. working efficiently. One department that you may not be The umbrella of Church Ministries has seen tremen- dous enthusiasm displayed by laymen in ASI, a national please turn to page 7 PAGE 6 • COVER STORY Calendar 30 We're GROWING Again Classified Advertising 26 by Malcolm Gordon NEWS Carolina 4 PAGE 23 • FLORIDA FEATURE Florida 9 Women in Need Georgia-Cumberland 12 by Karen Spruill Gulf States 14 Kentucky-Tennessee 16 PAGE 24 • SOUTHEASTERN FEATURE South Atlantic 18 Dare to Dream South Central 19 by Olson Perry Southern Adventist University 20 Features GAAA's Concert Choir Builds Professional Legacy 3 COVER PHOTO BY RON QUICK Making a Difference 21 SOUTHERN TIDINGS (USPS 507-000) VOLUME 98 NUMBER 6, JUNE 2003. Published monthly by the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. School Opens Doors to Church 31 Free to members. $8 yearly subscription to others. Periodical postage paid at Decatur, GA, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER send changes of Cover: Each dedicated church member of the Southern Union family is cred- address to SOUTHERN TIDINGS, P.O. Box 849, Decatur, GA 30031. ited for its tremendous growth in tithes, offering, and membership. 2 • SOUTHERN TIDINGS • JUNE 2003 SOUTH ATLANTIC FEATURE BY OLSON PERRY GAAA'S Cattail Choir Builds Professional Legacy Luther Washington playing the Oakwood College church organ. ixty-five students stood in elegant purple robes, trimmed with eventually injure their vocal cords and voices in general, and dam- white and gold, in the Oakwood College church choir loft age their vocal cords irreparably in the long term," she continued Swaiting for the director, Luther Washington, to cue the open- as she beamed with excitement. "The literature they sing is very ing notes. balanced. It shows their ability to sing all kinds of genres of music As I sat in the congregation of about 2300 worshipers, I an- and do it in a very correct and professional way. They are a credit ticipated the sounds of a typical high school choir—decent, but to the academy, and I'm exceptionally proud of the director, who lacking experience and professionalism. Instead, along with the is a former student." members of the congregation, I was amazed at the sounds which In describing the uniqueness of the choir, Leola Wade, GAAA were released. principal, sums it up as "the genius of Mr. Washington." She says, The Greater Atlanta Adventist Academy Concert choir from "he just knows how to get that sound out of the choir." He has been Atlanta, Georgia, sounded like a professional, well rehearsed choir doing just that for 15 years. familiar with its vast repertoire of classical, contemporary, and "I am proud of the way the students have demonstrated such liturgical manuscripts usually associated with institutions which maturity in their execution of the selections," said Washington. specialize in training musicians. The choir responded to every "The students have sung with such musical accuracy and precision, motion, gesture, and command of the director, echoing his demon- as well as displaying pathos and emotion in their singing," he said. stration of musical techniques that provided color and interpretation Washington reminds us that the typical teenager is shy and laid to familiar works, brought to life by Washington's direction. back in their approach to life, and getting them to be aggressive in "They were absolutely wonderful. Exquisite!" said Eurydice their musical delivery is a feat. "I must admit," he said, "I've had Osterman, PhD., professor of music, Oakwood College. "I was a few high school choirs that failed to project vocally, even though most impressed with the mature sound of these high school students, I insisted. They just couldn't." some of whom have changing voices. Even when they sang the As Mr. Washington lays down his baton at GAAA, he reflects gospel songs, I could hear the implementation of the vocal train- and cherishes the great moments and highlights of his teaching ing. It's not typical of the way gospel singers sing today. Many of career at GAAA. "I trust that the person to follow me will have today's performers are not trained and generally scream. They'll the same commitment to excellence that I've tried to display and execute. What a challenge it's been, but I have no regrets. I praise God for giving me the talent and ability to share with the young people as I have, and that they will remember the lessons of life I've tried to teach them as well," said Washington Recent performances include the California State Legislature; the Elmshaven Estates, Ellen White's last home; Sacramento Adventist Academy; Capitol City church, and Oakland's Immanual Temple church where they were greeted by packed audiences who rewarded with standing ovations. A performance at the Sacramento Central church was recorded for later broadcast throughout the Sacramento area. GAAA's Concert choir and chorale in performance. JUNE 2003 • SOUTHERN TIDINGS • 3 CAROLINA • CONFERENCE BY L.V. STAMP Captain David Arrendondo is a chaplain for the 503rd Military Po- Four Weeks and Sixteen lice Battalion (airborne), recently deployed to Iraq. Arrendondo began his military career in the U.S. Navy Souls Later... as an enlisted man. It was aboard ship, while studying his Bible, that During the weeks beginning March 8, ters, soloists, and chefs. The pastor he discovered the Sabbath. The 2003, and ending April 5, 2003, seeds of opened each meeting with prayer and was young sailor wanted to follow the spiritual harvest were planted by John available to anyone who needed more in- direction of the Holy Spirit in the Earnhardt accompanied by his wife Crys- formation about the church. Each church matter of Sabbath observance, but tal and the musical ministry of Kevin and member is looking forward to the next he had some difficulty. Karen Pires. time they will be able to sow the seeds of When Arrendondo refused to The result of this evangelistic harvest the gospel in whatever capacity they may pull duty on the Sabbath, he was or- reaped eight new members into the find. dered to clean out some abandoned Fayetteville church through baptism and lockers. It was in those lockers that eight current members who rededicated he found Adventist literature which their lives. Earnhardt, the first cousin of led Arrendondo to the Three Angels Dale Earnhardt, presented a powerful Message and the Adventist Church. seminar on the book of Revelation that After his tour of duty in the Navy, touched the souls of all who sought the Arrendondo studied at Southwest- word of God. ern Adventist University in Texas Kevin and Karen Pires provided their and the Seminary at Andrews Uni- music ministry and blessed the commu- versity. nity through their personal visits to homes We're proud of Captain of the guests attending the meetings. Mrs. Arrendondo as we are with all of Earnhardt's health talks were eye-openers. our servicemen and women. Keep Eating habits of many were modified as a these brave men and women and result of her insight. their families in your prayers as The Fayetteville church family they proudly serve their country strapped on their "let's get busy" belts and John and Crystal Earnhardt (left), during these difficult times. served as greeters, child care providers, along with Karen and Kevin Pires, led parking lot attendants, musicians, choris- out in the meetings. 4 • SOUTHERN TIDINGS • JUNE 2003 CAROLINA • CONFERENCE Taking Care of the Marines The Jacksonville, NC, church takes an active roll in support of the Marines that are deployed from Camp Lejeune, re- ports Tom Poole, pastor.