n A 1/ „lobe/ / et 5 19,9 ,, vo/o, / /04 20 uay I January 20b0 Think about FRANK OTTA Y2K is coming! COLUMBIA UNION Monte Schen Editor Run to the mountains in fear, or head for hope? Denise Valenzuelo Editorial Director Randy Hall Production Coordinator everal families I know have moved outside city limits, to the George Johnson Jr. News 8 Informonon Coordinator mountains—some even leaving the country—in fear of what will Greg 10hIsnom Design 8 Graphics Coordinator happen as we enter a new millennium. Everywhere around us, George Johnson Jr. Advertising S there is an inundation of all kinds of messages about Y2K and the year 2000. I find that people have mixed reactions. There is indiffer- The VISITOR is the Adventist publication for people in the Columbia Union. It is printed to inspire confidence in the Saviour and His church ence, and then there is fear. Some are making preparations such as and serves as a networking tool for sharing methods members, chur- storing food, clothes and money. Others are preparing spiritually. ches and institutions con use in ministry. Address all correspondence to: Columbia Union VISITOR. Free to Columbia Union members. Non- The basis of our Christian hope is not fear and panic; it is in the member subscription—$1.50 per year. Lord. If our hope is in the Lord, then whatever happens in the fu- ture has an anchor in three fundamental beliefs: God's presence is COLUMBIA UNION CONFERENCE 5427 Twin Knolls Rood, Columbia, MD 21045 watching over us. God's purpose is working on us. God's place is (301) 596-0800 or (410) 997-3414 waiting for us. illpt//www.columbiounion.org After Jesus fed more than 5,000 people, the Lord strongly urged His disciples to go down to a boat and row to the other side of the lake. They got into their boat and, after ADMINISTRATION Harold Lee President they rowed for three miles, a great wind threatened to sink their fragile vessel. Ellen White Edward Motschiedler Secretary says that "Jesus had not forgotten them. The casual observer on the shore saw fear- Dale Beaulieu Treasurer stricken men battling with the tempest. Not for a moment did Jesus lose sight of his dis- VICE PRESIDENTS ciples. As a mother in tender love watches her child, so the compassionate Master watched Education Hamlet (anosa His disciples" (Mark 6:45-52 NKJV; The Desire of Ages, page 381). Frank Nati Evangelism/ Multilingual Ministries The Bible says: "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I Robert Patterson General Counsel will strengthen you (make you strong), I will help you, I will uphold (support) you with Monte Goblin Creative Ministries my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10). Consequently, we have nothing to fear for the OFFICE OF EDUCATION future because the Lord has promised not only to be with us, but also to watch over us Hamlet Coosa Director (Matthew 28:20). Ian Kelly Associate LaVona Gillham Associate Whatever happens in the future, we should remember that our hope must stand on the Christine Greene Certification solid Rock, Jesus Christ, because not only is His presence with us and He is watching over us, but also His purpose is working in us—for those who love the Lord—and His place is SERVICES Adventist Fleann(cre waiting for us (John 14:1-3). Ron Wisbey Board (hair As the song says: Communication Denise Valenzuelo Director George Johnson Jr. Assistant Sing the wondrous love of Jesus. When we all get to heaven, Greg Kihlstrom Intern Sing His mercy and His grace. What a day of rejoicing that will be. Management Information Servos Harold Greene Director In the mansions bright and blessed, When we all see Jesus, Choral Kindopp Assistant He'll prepare for us a place. We'll sing and shout the victory. Preethie Meesorapu Assistant Plant Don Settle Director With or without Y2K, entering a new millennium or facing the storms that confront Revolving Fund Peggy Lee Secretary Treasurer us every day, we still need this reminder: "I will lift up my eyes to the hills from Peggy Jean Lee Assistant whence comes my help. My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth" Treasury (Psalm 121:1). Carol Wright Undertreasurer Deanna Trimarchi Assistant A 10-year-old boy was reading a book late one evening. His father came to his room to Trust/PARL ask him to go to sleep. He heard the boy repeating: "If you knew what I know, if you Robert Patterson Director knew what I know, if you knew what I know." His father asked the boy: "Why are you LOCAL CONFERENCES saying those words?" The boy answered: "Dad, while I was reading this book, this crimi- ALLEGHENY EAST: Alvin M. Ribble, President Robert Booker, Visitor (Dues. nal was beating, mistreating and cursing the sheriff to the point where I couldn't take it pondent; P.O. Box 266, Pine Forge, PA 19548. Telephone: (610) 326- 4610 anymore. So I went to the end of the book to see how everything will end. I found out that ALLEGHENY WEST: Willie J. Lewis, President Robert C. Leeds, Visitor Conespon- the criminal will be put in jail and punished. Then, I went back to where I was reading, dent 1339 E. Brood Sr., Columbus, OH 43205. Telephone: (614) 252-5271. and every time the criminal hurt the sheriff, I told him: If you knew what I know! If you CHESAPEAKE: Neville Howombe, President Rob Vandeman, Visitor Cor- respondent; 6600 Martin Rd., Columbia, MD 21044. (410) 995-1910; knew what I know!" Washington, D.C., area, (301) 596-5600. When the devil tries to sink our boat, we have to tell him: "If you knew what I know!" MOUNTAIN VIEW: Randy Murphy, President; Cheri Hawkins, Visitor (oriespondent; 1400 Liberty St., Parkersburg, WV 26101.1304)422-4581. Whatever storms we encounter, remember to read the last book of the Bible to see how NEW JERSEY: Dowell Chow, President and Visitor Correspondent; 2160 everything will end. Every time storms threaten our ship, we have to tell the devil: "If you Brunswick Ave., Trenton, NI 08648. (609) 392-7131. knew what I know! If you knew what I know!" OHIO: Rig Aitken, President Bette Iowan, Visitor Correspondent, P.O. Box 1230, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. (740) 397-4665. So, be afraid and run to the mountains? No, take the opportunity to share a living PENNSYLVANIA: Mike Cooley, President; Celina Wodey, VisitorCoirespondent Jesus wherever you go. Don't scare others, but give them hope. Hope of a Saviour who is 720 Museum Rd., Reading, PA 19611. (610) 374-8331. ABC, P.O. Box 3641, Hamburg, PA 19526. (6101 562-5156. with us always, hope of a Saviour whose purpose is working in us always and is preparing POTOMAC: Herbert Browkel, President Sue Bendel], Visitor Correspondent a place for us! 606 Greenville Avenue, Staunton, VA 24401. (5401886-0711. ABC, 8400 Condi Ave., Tama Park, MD 20912. (301) 439-0700. Frank Ottati is vice president of evangelism and multilingual ministries for the Columbia Union Conference. Printed by the Review and Herold Publishing Association in Hagerstown, MD 21740. Volume 104 Number 20 2 VISITOR, October 15, 1999 GEORGE JOHNSON JR. Assistant Director of Communication Services Contents Adventist women Columbia Union honored in a "Ready for Y2K Sabbath?" Cincinnati newspaper Columbia Union College Gateway 6 7 Jesus Christ transforms human life through His Church; therefore, Columbia Union each congregation will mobilize members to actively live "other-cen- tered" lives, sharing the gospel, offering compassion and seeking justice Church school enrollment is up in the wider community. The Cincinnati Herald featured two women from the Alle- A Healing Ministry gheny West Conference who were honored as "Women of 9-12 Achievement." Sponsored by the Cincinnati public school system, this local newspaper's special program selects women based on 13-16 Chesapeake Challenge their service to the children of Cincinnati. Florestine Gaskins is a member of Maranatha Church in Cin- cinnati. Her husband, church Pastor Harold Gaskins, nominated 17-20 Dateline New Jersey her. She serves beside her husband as the first lady at Maranatha and is an elementary school teacher at Shiloh Preparatory School. Florestine and her husband have been married for 31 years and 21-24 Mission Ohio have raised three children, all college graduates. Florestine has a master's degree in education from Converse College and this past summer pursued higher education classes 25-28 Pennsylvania Pen at Columbia Union College in Takoma Park, Maryland. Accord- ing to Pastor Gaskins: "She believes in putting her heart, soul and mind into her labors, especially her teaching and love for 29-36 Potomac People her students." Also paid tribute, Ivy Jackson is a member of Shiloh Church in Cincinnati. Her daughter, Marquis Jackson, felt compelled to 37-40 BMA Communique write about her mother because of the strong Christian witness she is to her, her dad and her 3-year-old sister, Mariah. Marquis relates how this past year, the Jackson family experi- 41-42 Your Resource Guide enced the passing of a family member who was very dear to them. This was an especially difficult time for Marquis because she went away to college the following week. "What helped me through 43-44 News/Dr. Kay's Q&A the coping process were my mother's constant prayers and her letters of encouragement." She continued: "She is not only my mother, but also my heroine and friend." 45-46 Bulletin Board 47 Last Words Columbia Union Conference resource & response rite to us! line—you call, we listen and respond! Is your church making special plans to welcome the year 2000? Will your congregation make praise and prayer part of "52K Sabbath" in your church or community? If so, send your information to: Visitor, 5421 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, Maryland 21045; or send on E-mail to [email protected]; or send a fox to (410) 772-9724.