OFFICE
FOR
REGIONAL
CONFERENCE
MINISTRY
IN
NORTH
AMERICA
Telling
Our
Story
FALL 2015 www.regionalconferenceministry.com
PELC ISSUE
PASTORAL CARE LETTER TO MOTHER EMMANUEL IN CHARLESTON GLOBAL HEBREWS STAND WITH SISTERS IN CLERGY Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere WHAT POPE FRANCIS CAN TEACH US TRANSFORMATIONAL FINANCIAL LEADERSHIP WE HAVE THIS HOPE— TRIBUTES TO FALLEN LEADERS
THE STATE OF
BLACK ADVENTISTS 2015 REPORT II
OAKWOOD PRAYS FOR BALTIMORE
Pastoral Care Demonstrated at Oakwood University The Oakwood University Office of Spiritual Life held a prayer service for unity and peace in April, 2015, after the tragic events that occurred in Baltimore, Maryland. At the time, Oakwood University had eight students from the Baltimore area, as well as three staff members with ties from “Charm City” who were surrounded by the group of fellow students and employees on the Eva B. Dykes Library patio. Local Huntsville news affiliate stations WAAY (ABC network), WHNT (CBS network) and WAFF (NBC network) came to cover the story. Report from Inside Oakwood, April 29, 2015 edition.
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OFFICE FOR REGIONAL CONFERENCE MINISTRY Statement of Vision, Mission, Core Values The Office for Regional Conference Ministry has posted this document for your review and understanding. Our Statement of Vision: The Vision of Regional Conferences is to passionately embrace the second coming of Christ. Our Statement of Mission: The mission of North American Division Regional Conferences is to present the Adventist message with a primary focus to black Americans and to any and all other people groups without regard to race, culture or national origin. Our Core Values: 1. Excellence: We commit to spiritual, effective, efficient, collaborative leadership, and responsible service to God and people. 2. Respect: We follow the practice of open membership without regard to race, color, or national origin. 3. Integrity: We are above reproach in all that we do ensuring that our actions are consistent with the character of Christ. 4. Stewardship: We receive gifts from the generosity of Gods’ grace and other resources to support His ministry. 5. Preaching: We proclaim new life in Christ in public speech and action giving all glory, honor and praise to God. 6. Unity: In and with Christ as our model of service we stand in unity with the oneness of purpose, mission, structure, and goals of the church. 7. Worship: We believe that God is worthy and we gather together each Sabbath with praise, giving glory to salvation in Christ.
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GuestCommentary Published by the Office for Regional Conference Ministry in the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists 7000 Adventist Boulevard Huntsville, Alabama 35896 Telephone (256) 830-5002 www.regionalministry.org JAMES L. LEWIS PUBLISHER KYNA HINSON EDITOR TIM ALLSTON MANAGING EDITOR HOWARD I. BULLARD ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER CLARISE J. NIXON COPY EDITOR CONSULTANTS PHYLLIS WARE LEE, ELAINE ALLSTON EDITORIAL For all correspondence and letters to the editors, write: Office for Regional Conference Ministry 7000 Adventist Boulevard Huntsville, Alabama 35896 or fax to (256) 830-5078 We reserve the right to publish and edit your submissions and letters. REGIONAL CONFERENCE OFFICES Allegheny East Conference HENRY J. FORDHAM III, PRESIDENT LaTasha Hewitt, Communications Director P.O. Box 266 Pine Forge, PA 19548 (610) 326-4610. www.myalleghenyeast.org Allegheny West Conference WILLIAM COX, PRESIDENT Bryant L. Smith, Communications Director 1339 E. Broad Street Columbus, OH 43205 (614) 252-5271. www.awconf.org Central States Conference MAURICE R. VALENTINE II, PRESIDENT Philip Baptiste, Communications Director 3301 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, KS 66104 (913) 371-1071. www.central-states.org Lake Region Conference R. CLIFFORD JONES, PRESIDENT John Sconiers, Communications Director 8517 South State Street Chicago, IL 60619 (773) 846-2661. www.lakeregionsda.org Northeastern Conference DANIEL LAMARTINE HONORÉ, PRESIDENT JeNean Johnson, Communications Director 115-50 Merrick Blvd. Jamaica, NY 11434 (718) 291-8006. www.northeastern.org North Pacific Union Conference ALPHONSO MCCARTHY, VICE PRESIDENT 5709 N. 20th Street Ridgefield, WA 98642 (360) 857-7000. www.npuc.org Pacific Union Conference BOBBY MITCHELL, DIRECTOR African American Ministries 2686 Townsgate Road Westlake Village, CA 91361 (805) 413-7100. www.puconline.org South Atlantic Conference WILLIAM L. WINSTON, PRESIDENT James K. Lamb, Interim Communications Director 294 Hamilton E. Holmes Drive, NW Atlanta, GA 30318 (404) 792-0535. www.southatlantic.org South Central Conference DANA C. EDMOND, PRESIDENT Marvin Allison, Communications Director 715 Youngs Lane Nashville, TN 37207 (615) 226-6500. www.scc-adventist.org Southeastern Conference HUBERT J. MOREL JR., PRESIDENT Bryant Taylor, Communications Director 1701 Robie Avenue Mt. Dora, FL 32757 (352) 735-3142. www.secsda.org Southwest Region Conference CALVIN WATKINS, PRESIDENT Kenn Dixon, Communications Director 2215 Lanark Avenue Dallas, TX 75203 (214) 943-4491. www.southwestregion. adventistchurchconnect.org
This is what Pastoral Care looks like.
2015 Regional Directors/Coordinators Roster Bobby J. Mitchell, Sr. Director | Regional Ministries | Pacific Union Conference Cell: 909-225-6438 | bmitchell@puconline.org Kingsley Palmer V.P. African American Dept. Arizona Conference Cell 775-338-0858 | genx58@gmail.com Frederick Anderson Coordinator | African American Ministries | Central California Conference 831-262-3838 | famar@sbcglobal.net O’Neil Madden Coordinator | African American Dept | Nevada-Utah Conference Cell 702-875-5979 | pastoromadden@aol.com Dr. Leon Brown Coordinator | African American Dept. | Northern California 209-423-3335 | Leon.brown@nccsda.com
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Telling
Our
Story
2015 PELC ISSUE www.regionalconferenceministry.com
Contents 4 STATEMENT OF VISION, MISSION, CORE VALUES AND ACTION STRATEGIES The Office for Regional Ministry has posted this document for your review and understanding.
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GUEST COMMENTARY—LETTER TO LEADERS AT MOTHER EMMANUEL, CHARLESTON These words exemplify concern and compassion from a veteran administrator who brings our theme of pastoral care to life. By William L. Winston
8 REGIONAL NEWS Southwest Region Conference presents new officers and its departmental leaders. By Kenn Dixon
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8 14 WOMEN’S ORDINATION RECAP ROUNDTABLE, Part I What happened at the General Conference Session in July, and what has been the immediate response? Coordinated by Tim Allston, with data from Global Reports
18 GLOBAL HEBREWS! Seventh-day Adventist pastors around the world stand with their professional sisters in the clergy and against the injustice of sexism. By Michael Polite
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Lake Region Conference, the first one established in the United States, celebrates 70 years of growth and development in ministry. By Helen C. Bryant
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REGIONAL NEWS Making a bold, courageous move, Lake Union President Don Livesay apologizes on behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for long-standing and deeply-rooted racial discrimination. Lake Region President Clifford Jones responds.
THE AMERICAN POPE During his recent visit, Pope Francis took the United States by storm. There are many lessons Seventh-day Adventists can learn from him and his personal style. By G. Russell Seay
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OAA in Our DNA! This rallying cry came when Oakwood Adventist Academy Alumni recently celebrated decades of their history—and as they funded future growth. By Everett Roper
29 AN ALUMNUS REMEMBERS Our Cover design by Art Director Howard Bullard beautifully illustrates how every matter on this earth still falls in God’s hand.
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Elder Charles Bradford reaches a great milestone, then offers great support to the next generations. By Sharon Lewis
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32 REGIONAL PASTORAL CARE Come take a behind-the-scenes look at the outreach of pastoral care, and some unfair, unfortunate consequences, in Charleston, South Carolina. By Kyna Hinson
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Courage is in no short supply. Note these actions taken by Allegheny East pastors, and new programs more committed leaders have implemented in the heart of Baltimore, Maryland. Reported by V. Michelle Bernard, Columbia Union Visitor
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TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERS: IMPACTING ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS Making a strong, positive difference in financial management calls for a true transformation in leadership! By Theodore Brown Sr.
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36 REGIONAL CONFERENCES REPORT ON FINANCES Here are the official 2015 stats for membership and tithe, from all conferences and regions. Compiled by Phyllis Lee
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WE HAVE THIS HOPE. . . Pause with us to pay tribute to these faithful soldiers on God’s battlefield—pastors, workers, old and young, who have gone to their rest.
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SOUTHWEST REGION
President Calvin Watkins and Mrs. Ruth Watkins
Elder Stephen Brooks Executive Secretary
Philip Palmer Treasurer
Southwest Region Constituents Elect Officials By Kenn Dixon
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n September 19, 2015, the constituents of the great Southwest Region Conference (SWRGC) elected new officers for the next Quadrennium. Although there are some familiar faces, the most noticeable change was the Office of the President. The delegates overwhelmingly selected Elder Calvin Watkins, who was the Director of Ministerial and Evangelism for the South Atlantic Conference to serve as the next president of the SWRGC.
Here is a list of all of the departmental directors for the next four years: 1. Calvin Watkins-President 2. Stephen Brooks-Executive Secretary 3. Phillip Palmer-Treasurer 4. TBA-Vice-President for Hispanic Ministries 5. Eddie Polite-Ministerial & Evangelism 6. Durandel Ford-Community Service and Church Ministries 7. Charles Sanders-Stewardship/Sabbath School/Children’s Ministries 8. Buford Griffith, III-Adventist Education 9. Terry Foster-Under Treasurer 10. Maggie Moore-Assistant Treasurer 11. W. S. Lee-Family Ministries 12. Tyrone Douglas-Youth / Young Adult Ministries 13. Kenn Dixon-Communication & Media Relations We ask for the prayers and the support of the saints as we move forward together to make the next four years the greatest we have ever seen in the Southwest Region Conference. t Pastor Kenn Dixon is Communication and Media Relations Director for the Southwest Region Conference. w 8
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Buford Griffith, III
Adventist Education
Eddie Polite
Durandel Ford
Charles Sanders
Elder Kenn Dixon
Elder Tyrone Douglas
Elder Willie Lee
Ministerial & Evangelism
Communication and Media Relations Director
Community Service and Church Ministries
Youth & Young Adult Ministries
Stewardship/Sabbath School/ Children’s Ministries
Family Ministries
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LAKE REGION CONFERENCE
LAKE REGION CONFERENCE CELEBRATES
70 YEARS OF SERVICE “STILL PAVING THE WAY” BY H E L E N C . B R YA N T
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n September 4, 1944, the Lake Union Herald published an official notice calling a special meeting of the “Colored Constituents” of the Lake Union Conference. The meeting convened at the Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church on September 26, 1944. Courageous men and women, both clergy and laity, with vision and purpose, came together. They voted for the formation of their own local conference now known as the Lake Region Conference and later referred to as “the regional conference.” Its great mission was to preach the everlasting gospel of Jesus Chris—the Three Angels’ Messages of Revelation 14:6-12. The charter officers elected were J.G. Dasent, President; F. N. Crowe, Secretary–Treasurer; Virgil Gibbons, Publishing Secretary; W. J. Kisack, MV and Education Secretary; and L. B. Baker, Book and Bible House Manager. The Lake Region Conference was the first organized regional conference. Its first office opened in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1945. With a small beginning its church membership grew exponentially, particularly in the large urban areas. On September 26, 2014, seventy years later, at the Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church in Chicago, the Lake Union President, Donald Livesay, joined the Lake Region Conference in commemorating and celebrating its formation, mission, and journey. With the purpose of renewal and reengagement, re10
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commitment and revitalization, focus-driven prayer; praise and thanksgiving services were conducted throughout the Lake Region Conference. The services were held in the four territories of the conference. They were hosted by Dr. Leeroy Coleman, Shiloh (Chicagoland); Dr. William Lee, Capitol City (Illiana); Dr. Zebron Ncube, Highland Avenue (Michiana); and Elder Leon Bryant, Sr., City Temple (Motor City). The grand culmination of the celebration and commemoration services was a one-day convocation held at Camp Wagner in Cassopolis, Michigan. Each service was meaningful and the momentum continued to escalate. The Mass Choirs directed by Rozita Gabriel, Anita Green, Pastor and Mrs. Leroy Logan, Zelda Solomons, Mary Skinner, Donnell Smith and Ramona Minisee rendered inspirational and nostalgic music such as Total Praise, For Every Mountain, Soona Will Be Done, And He Blessed My Soul, All Hail the Power, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, Trust Me and The Midnight Cry. Dr. Karen Allen chaired a Sabbath School of diversity with participants representing several cultures and hearts burned from within as guest speakers delivered soul stirring, messages of triumph and hope: Dr. R. Clifford Jones (How We Got Over), Dr. Walton Rose (Help is on the Way), Dr. Calvin Rock, (What Mean These Bones) and Dr. Carlton Byrd (21st Century Life Lessons). Dr. Timothy Nixon, Lake Region Executive Secretary, facili-
Lake Region Historic Conference Office
Dr. Carlton Byrd preaches during Lake Region 70 Years Celebration.
Elder Charles Bradford – The Elder Fred Crowe – LRC fourth Lake Region President, Oldest Living Former and the Oldest Living President. Secretary/Treasurer, (100 years of age).
Sister Anita Mackey– Lake Region Oldest Living Former Church School Teacher
Elder Samuel Flagg, Sr., - Oldest Living Lake Region Pastor and Department Leader
tated “A View From the Past.” Pioneers and pillars of the conference, many of whom had been children or young adults at its formation, shared meaningful experiences steeped in nostalgia and history. They spoke of the good, the bad, the ugly; while all revealed the overwhelming evidence of God’s blessings and what they envisioned for the future. “We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord led us and His teaching in our past history.” Testimonies, Vol. 9. p. 10. Several meaningful, yet emotional landmark moments emerged. During the capstone, one-day, seventieth anniversary convocation held at Camp Wagner, Don Livesay, president of the Lake Union Conference (LUC), apologized for the racial failures and inequities of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. At the end of his acknowledgement, the Lake Region Conference President, Clifford Jones, accepted the apology and called for Adventists to “aggressively and vigorously and intentionally” work together to “eliminate this scourge of racism that is so prevalent and pervasive in our land, yea, even in our church.” God blessed the planning committee, its participants, congregants and special guests with a spiritual, high day. During the final service, Lake Region Conference was delighted to recognize and honor the following: • Elder Charles Bradford – LRC 4th & Oldest Living President • Elder Fred Crowe – LRC Oldest Living Treasurer/Secretary (100 years of age)
Sister Helen Fox – Lake Region Oldest Living Former Literature Evangelist
Dr. Calvin B. Rock, global Adventist leader, also pastored the City Temple SDA Church in Detroit.
Conference Pioneers share experiences in a panel discussion.
• Elder Samuel Flagg, Sr., - Oldest Living Pastor and Department Leader • Sister Katherine Bland – LRC Oldest Living Bible Instructor • Sister Ruby Johnson – LRS Oldest Living Administrative Assistant • Sister Anita Mackey – LRC Oldest Living Church School Teacher • Sister Helen Fox – LRC Oldest Living Literature Evangelist and • The 1940 Pioneers whose lives have left enduring values. The theme “Still Paving the Way” was used to commemorate and celebrate this historic occasion. As we paused to trace our history and to thank God for His amazing benevolence, Dr. R. C. Jones, Lake Region Conference President, reminded us, to move forward with renewed purpose and fervor–doing so with the hope and an abundant mentality that is grounded in the promises and power of God. Lake Region Conference ministry of mission and vision to preach the everlasting gospel was realized once again. t ________________________________________________________________ Helen C. Bryant served as Chair of the Lake Region Conference 70th Anniversary Commemoration and Celebration in 2015. ________________________________________________________________
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LAKE UNION
Lake Union President Don Livesay, flanked by his officer team that includes Gary Thurber, executive secretary; Glynn Scott, treasurer; and Carmelo Mercado, general vice president, offered the apology.
One Courageous Apology Lake Union President Don Livesay Takes Historic Stand
A
s president of the Lake Union Conference, it’s a special joy to be here to give you a greeting on behalf of all the membership of the Lake Union Conference, with my fellow officers standing here. But I want to read a statement to you that’s been on my heart for some time. I want to go beyond just reading. I want to go to the statement that is very important for this celebration. Over the past several months with the leadership of the Lake Region officers, we have celebrated the milestone of the establishment of this conference. A review of the conversations in the early- to mid1940s reveals key reasons why that major change in approach to the ministry to the Black community took place. It was seen that the mission to the Black individuals in this country would be more effective with Black conferences. It was seen that leadership development could progress better with Black conferences. But we all know there was an additional serious factor. A simple, honest look at the segregated church of the past—the segregated General Conference cafeteria, the Negro Department of the General Conference that was first directed by White men, the
Editor’s Note: As the first Regional Conference marked the great milestone of 70 years, their Union leader offered these amazing words: 12
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segregated hospitals that led to the death of Lucy Byard, the dismissive attitudes and actions—these and more issues were also major contributors to the establishment of the Regional work. That simple and honest look reveals the recalling in history and takes in a simple heartbeat of time. Let us recognize the Church at that time failed the Black community; specifically the many pastors who were loyal to the mission, the teachers, the members who stayed true to the message and the mission of this Church in spite of its deep and many failures. Some might attempt to excuse the behavior of the Church, through those years, because of the culture of society of that specific time. One could say that the White church, the White members, the White leadership merely reflected what was going on around us, but God has not called His Church to reflect the evil of the world. God has called the Church to reflect His character, to treat each other in love, with the Golden Rule, in respectful ways, and to honor each other as all of God’s children. But if only, if only, our failures were just in the past. The election of President Barack Obama was seen, by many, as a monumental step in progress in crossing over the barrier of race relations. It was a point in history that many, both Black and White, thought would never happen. But it is clear that even that significant event did not mean that we had arrived. Awareness of our lack of racial equality and social justice has been heightened, and Black lives have been needlessly
Lake Region Conference President Clifford Jones responded to the apology.
and carelessly taken in Ferguson, New York, Baltimore and other locations, both recently and through the years past, and now even in Charleston. We have been stunned, as Clementa Pinckney, Sharonda Coleman Singleton, Cynthia Hurd, DePayne Middleton Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Myra Thompson, Ethel Lee Lance, Daniel L. Simmons, and Susie Jackson were gunned down, in the sanctuary, of their historic church, as they simply sought to seek God as His children in Bible study and prayer. And because they were Black. How could it be? Through this enormous tragedy, the world has seen another depiction of hatred. But the world has also seen godly and heroic grace expressed by family members of those victims who through their pain, their tears, their anger, and their loss have reached beyond humanity into the very courts of Heaven and expressed to that hatefilled murderer their forgiving grace. How could it be? So as we celebrate 70 years of the Lake Region—the progress, the mission, the tens of thousands of people brought to the Lord who may not have ever heard the message, children educated, the expansion of the message and mission of God’s remnant people, I come to you with my fellow officers of the Lake Union with a heart that compels us to not only bring our joy in the success of Lake Region, but also to bring a personal and an official apology to our brothers and our sisters of the Lake Region Conference on behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of the Lake Union. We apologize with sorrow for the failures
of the Church in regard to race for individuals disrespected, for the lack of time taken to understand, for the mistreated, the leadership marginalized, and for students of our college who were only able to sit with Black students in the cafeteria, for Lucy Byard and for the slowness, reluctance, and the stubbornness to do the right thing. We are sorry that we as a Church did not rise above the sins of society that day, and we are sorry for the lack of progress our church has made in the last 70 years in the establishment of the Regional work. Our apology is from our hearts, but we recognize an apology is not enough. We are also committed to seek deeper, more meaningful understanding of each other, more sensitive approaches, more inclusive and stronger partnerships that will make us more united as God’s people and for His cause, that we may come closer together, march together, arm-in-arm, then and now and then someday together into the Holy City to spend eternity with our God and with each other. There are many here who have and continue to suffer under racism. I thank you for the patience you’ve had with your Church. I thank you for pioneers like Elder Bradford, and so many others, who were misunderstood, yet stood for what was right in a godly way. President Jones, thank you for allowing me to have a few minutes to express our hearts on this. May God bless the Lake Region Conference and all of our Lake Union conferences, as we quest together to go home for Jesus. t ________________________________________ Livesay’s complete speech (video and full text) can be found on the Lake Union web-
site: http://www.lakeunion.org/news_entries/ 1153.
President Clifford Jones of the Lake Region Conference offered this response to the apology: On this historic occasion, in the wake of what took place this week in South Carolina, the fact that we were all shocked, shaken, and shattered by these senseless killings of innocent brothers and sisters who were simply aspiring to dig deeper into the word of God only to have their lives senselessly snuffed out, we want to thank our Union president for his courage, for looking at the history of our people in this Church, God’s remnant church, and for offering this heartfelt and meaningful apology. Mr. President, on behalf of the officers, departmental directors, pastors, Bible instructors, principals, teachers, all of our committee members from the Executive Committee on down, and on behalf of the constituency of the Lake Region Conference, I’d like to say that we accept your apology. And as you stated, an apology is good, but let’s work aggressively and vigorously and intentionally now to eliminate this surge of racism that is so prevalent and pervasive in our land and even in our Church. Let’s work to that end. t
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RV FEATURE
WOMEN’S ORDINATION RECAP ROUNDTABLE PART I
What happened? What has been the immediate response? TIM ALLSTON, COORDINATOR
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rom July 2-11, 2015, Seventh-day Adventists converged on San Antonio, Texas, from around the globe, more than 60,000 from 230 mission fields, including the U.S. They came the largest-ever gathering in America’s seventh-largest city to pray, praise and prepare corporately and personally for the promised return of the soon-coming Sav-
ior. But at center stage was whether its delegates—each one representing 7,000 co-religionists—would approve corporately its trained females to become ordained pastors—a designation equivalent to being awarded full tenured professorship in higher education. Women as regional conference congregants comprise easily 60-70 percent—and their numbers are growing. Their leadership, influence and brand—from Sister Ellen G. White, to 21st century pioneers Drs. Ella Simmons (GC general vice president) and Heather Knight (Pacific Union College president)—continue to grow increasingly. Presented in two segments, the Women’s Ordination Initiative will be reviewed by: • Claudia Allen, University of Maryland/College Park, doctoral candidate specializing in 19th and 20th century African American Literature; • Brenda Billingy, associate ministerial director, North Amer14
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ican Division, and senior pastor, Metropolitan SDA Church, Hyattsville, Maryland; and • Pauline Christian, president, Black Business Professional Association, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Part I:
What happened? RV: In your opinion, what was the purpose of the “Women’s Ordination Initiative”? CHRISTIAN: The Women Ordination Initiative is a process to acknowledge, recognize, appreciate and confer on Seventh-day Adventist women (whom have been called to ministry and have earned the credentials, experience and exercise spiritual soundness as their male counterparts), a high level of religious authority, allowing them to function in a higher capacity in the religious realm.
ALLEN: By entitling your roundtable the “Women’s Ordination Initiative,” the reader is immediately educated to the fact that there is a religious organization not in favor of the ordination, or public acknowledgment of the ministerial and/or sacerdotal gifts, talents, and/or functions, of women. The word “Initiative” comes from the Latin verb “initiatus,” an action, meaning, “admit (to) with introductory rights.” By using the word the reader assumes that while a religious organization is currently unwilling to ordain women an action in favor of such is about to begin. This leaves the reader with no choice but to perceive the inherent political and activist nature and purpose of this conversation. The title states plainly that the following is a response to the refusal of religious organization(s) to ordain women. The following intends to provide a discourse whose purpose is to promote a social and legislative change within religious organization(s) who participate in such exclusionary practices. This dialogue possesses the introductory rights necessary to begin a change within religious legislative bodies in favor of the ordination of women.
BILLINGY: To answer this question adequately, I think we need to first clarify what is “ordination”? Does the candidate receive any special “power” or “anointing” by the laying on of hands, so that one group deserves such power and authority over another group? Of course the answer is No. The ordination process is simply an affirmation of the gifts already exemplified/utilized by the candidate. If the gifts are already being demonstrated, then there is no real reason to withhold the affirmation. (We all know of pastors who have been ordained but have demonstrated minimal giftedness and have very little impact on their community. What do we do with this group?) This GC ordination question was a prime example of the “wrong question being asked to the wrong group”. Posing the question of female ordination to cultural groups where female input is not valued and women are not considered as equals can only result in a negative vote. One speaker on the floor indicated that “we make accommodations for men to practice polygamy in some parts of the world so as not to disrupt their culture, then why can’t we make accommodations for another part of the world to practice equal-
ity in ministry according to their cultural norm?” RV: In your words, what happened or did not happen at GC/San Antonio? ALLEN: The 2015 General Conference was a 10-day conference that included prayer, praise and worship, and sermonizing. In addition to the spiritual focus of the meeting, there were several matters on the agenda including the election of General Conference officials, amendments to the fundamental beliefs, the church’s constitution, and women’s ordination. Wednesday (July 8) was the big day! In fact, it mattered so much to the world church all delegates were present for the vote. That is NOT common, nor was it common at this session. While people flooded to the Alamo Dome for the women’s ordination vote, the Alamo Dome was almost empty on a matter like the fundamental beliefs. With the floor open to comments from the delegates, people talked all day. The women’s ordination discussion started at around 11am and the vote was not cast and relayed until after 6pm. People were fighting! People were going to the microphone making a stance for their God and
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PEOPLE BELIEVED THEY WERE EXPERTS ON THE PURPOSE OF WOMEN, THEIR ROLE IN REGARDS TO MEN, OTHER WOMEN, GOD, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY—THE CHURCH BODY.
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their church. People were prayed up. People were well read. People came prepared. People had studied every text in the Bible that had the word “woman” in it. People believed they were experts on the purpose of women, their role in regards to men, other women, God, and more importantly— the Church body. It was in this vein that both sides argued their points, passionately. Young women were against women’s ordination and old men were for it. There was no one group that could be identified as for or against. People, individuals, based on their interpretation and understanding of scripture articulated their beliefs and ultimately cast their votes. Unfortunately, the vote came out 1381-977 against. The world Seventh-day Adventist Church determined that the ordination of women, even at the Union and division levels, was against the Church’s constitution, and more importantly against the will of God.
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RV: Why did the vote fail? CHRISTIAN: The Dialogue around the Women Ordination Issue has been a controversial and divisive issue for many, many years in the Seventhday Adventist Church. Many liberal Seventh-day Adventist are of the opinion that with the advancement of women in critical leadership roles in government, businesses, private and public sectors, coupled with women taking on major leadership in the homes, it made natural sense to leverage our rich resources found in women in the church to hasten the Second Coming of our Lord and Saviour. From a planning perspective with an intense sense of urgency to reach the four corners of the world for His glory, one would concur that it makes natu-
ral sense to multiply and maximize our resources. However, there seems to be a clash, perplexity or non-conformity by some astute bible scholars/theologians as it relates to exercising this secular view within the context of the church. Some believe that the humanistic/social view towards accommodating women leadership in the church conflicts with the spiritual order of God as it relates to gender roles. Other ultra-conservatives believe that allowing women ordination is another way of confusing our society as to the roles God ordained for His people which will lead to homosexuality and the breaking down of the family as it relates to leadership and headship which also transits into the church. On the other hand, many Liberal Adventists believe that this is extremists views since we have very effective women holding very powerful positions in the world of work and are very successful mothers, wives and church leaders. When God is in it, He makes the difference and creates a balance in how we conduct ourselves when we ask Him to order our steps and are obedient to his call. ALLEN: To me, the world church voted against women’s ordination because the majority of the delegates believed that women are not equal to men and are therefore incapable of practicing ministry at the caliber of men thereby distracting the desired soul from making a decision for Christ. RV: Pastor Billingy: please describe your pioneering NAD position and responsibility(s). In what way does the GC/San Antonio vote make your assignment easier—or, more difficult now? BILLINGY: I have the blessed opportunity as an Associate Ministerial Director for North American Division, to work with the building block for recruiting, mentoring, and hiring qualified women for pastoral ministry. Approximately half of our pastoral work force (2,000 pastors) will be eligible for retirement in the next five years. If we are serious about “fin-
ishing God’s work”, we will need all hands on deck to fill those slots and intentionally move the work forward. The goal of this building block is to double the number of female pastors in the next five years—(presently we only have approximately 107 females out of 4,000 pastors). That would mean hiring at least 20 females per year for the next five years: A modest, reasonable goal. We are grateful to the leadership of the North American Division for being willing to share in the financial responsibility to accomplish this goal in partnership with the Unions and Conferences. The three-way support for hiring a qualified female pastor will be for a three-year term. I’m happy to report that we have already met our quota for 2015 by hiring 28 qualified female pastors!!! God be praised! And the doors are still open to any conference still willing to participate in this initiative.
TO ME, THE WORLD CHURCH VOTED AGAINST WOMEN’S ORDINATION BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF THE DELEGATES BELIEVED THAT WOMEN ARE NOT EQUAL TO MEN...
ALLEN: Absolutely! In fact, both the Norwegian Union and the Danish Unions of Seventhday Adventists have suspended the ordination of all pastors as of September. In direct response to the GC vote against women’s ordination this past July, the Danish Union stated “On the basis of this request and the statement on equality, which is based on a biblical understanding that both man and woman is created in the image of God and that the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts equally to women and men, it was voted in the Union Executive Committee 20 September 2015, to move away from the terms ordination and commission but from now on simply ‘set apart pastors.’” t _________________________________________
sesses many restricting conditions. On the basis that the refusal to ordain women is not biblically based but rather an exercise in sexism, these men decided to forgo the privileges associated with ordination status as protest and message to the SDA legislative body. That message I believe is, if the Seventh-day Adventist Church is unwilling to acknowledge the prophetic and pastoral calling God has placed on the lives of women and grant them the ministerial privileges men have been granted for the church’s some 150+ years, we as men currently serving the Seventh-day Adventist church in pastoral ministry return the privileges of ordination until they are made available to all regardless of gender. Pastor Fordham and Pastor Hinds both welcome and encourage their male colleagues to do the same. Let’s make it a movement! If the Union receives enough requests to waive and suspend already granted ordination papers, they will have to respond. So to my men of God, “let’s give em somethin’ to talk about!” ________________________________________
h t t p : //s p e c t r u m m a g a z i n e . o r g /a r t i cle/2015/09/23/adventist-church-denmarkjoins-norway-suspending-all-ordinations
h t t p : // s p e c t r u m m a g a z i n e . o r g / a r t i cle/2015/10/08/southern-union-presidentscouncil-votes-uphold-ordination-protest
This protest was not restricted to European countries but found itself in the regional work here in the NAD. As of September 27, 2015 Pastor Furman Fordham II and Pastor Kymone Hinds, both pastors in the Southern Union, petitioned that their ordination status be waived for the status of “commissioned.” This is the classification women in ministry possess and the term itself pos-
This is just the tip of the iceberg! It’s about to go down! #Titanic #WomensOrdination #WomensEquality #SDAEqualRights #JusticeInThePastorate
RVM: What if any has been the fallout—formally or informally?
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Closing Note—Join us next issue for Part II: What’s next?
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Tim Allston, M.S.M., is Managing Editor for Regional Voice Magazine.
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GLOBAL HEBREWS
SOUTHERN UNION PRESIDENTS COUNCIL
VOTES TO
UPHOLD ORD BY MICHAEL POLITE
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INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A THREAT TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE.
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isters in order to bring more attention to n September 27, 2015, the decades-old “glass ceiling” that has the Southern Union been placed over female, Adventist clergy. Presidents Council In his official letter to the South Central voted to approve the Executive Committee, Pastor Fordham, appeal of two local pastors, Pastor Furpastor of the Riverside Nashville Church man Fordham II and in Nashville, Tennessee argues, “This rePastor Kymone Hinds, who are protesting quest is based primarily upon my personthe discriminatory practices of the Seval conviction that we have ‘arbitrarily deenth-day Adventist Church against female termined’—without any biblical basis— MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., clergy. The appeal requests that their stathat certain functions can only be performed by, and certain offices can only be tus as ordained pastors would be waived LETTER FROM held by, ordained ministers; and since by in favor of taking on the classification of BIRMINGHAM JAIL, policy we do not ordain women, they are commissioned ministers (a classification APRIL 16, 1963 prohibited from performing these functraditionally reserved for female clergy). tions and from serving in these offices.” Pastor Hinds, pastor of the Overton Protests such as these have grown in Park Seventh-day Adventist Church in momentum since the delegates of the 60th General Conference Memphis, Tennessee, explains, “When I look at the statement Session “turned down a motion that would have allowed each our church has made, saying that women are fit to be trained, division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to decide for itwomen are fit to preach, and women are fit to pastor, but women self whether [or not] to ordain women to the gospel ministry.”1 are unfit to receive the same opportunities as their male counterparts, it is clear to see that we have an inequality issue.” Although the July 8, 2015 vote attempted to end the debate on This type of protest is not the first of its kind. Over the past women’s ordination, local pastors are discovering creative ways 90 days, multiple pastors throughout the Western Hemisphere to stand in solidarity with female clergy as women continue to have opted to take on the classification of commissioned minfight for equal standing within the denomination. Pastor Hinds
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“IF WE ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE OUR SISTERS EQUAL WITH US, I WANT TO STAND WITH THEM WHERE THEY ARE.”
INATION PROTEST comments, “God was showing me something that wasn’t right, and here is something I can do to express my solidarity with my sisters in ministry.” Pastor Fordham’s official letter echoes these sentiments: “According to our church policy there are only four differences between ordained (male) ministers and commissioned (female) ministers. The differences are that only the ordained can: 1) serve as president of a conference or union; 2) participate in the ordination of local elders, deacons and deaconesses; 3) participate in the portion of [the ordination ceremony] where the ordained pastors lay hands on the ordinand(s); and 4) organize churches. . . This means that by policy we currently allow women (commissioned ministers) to serve as senior pastors of our churches, presidents of our [educational] institutions, and even as general vice-presidents of our world church, but we deny them the opportunity to serve as conference and union presidents because we have “arbitrarily determined” that these offices can only be held by the ordained and we don’t ordain women. In my humble opinion, that is institutional discrimination.” Both pastors are hoping that this bold step leads to other bold steps being made in support of combating discrimination against women within the denomination. Pastor Hinds entreats, “Adventism is a movement that follows God’s leading and speaks for truth . . . so, if we are not going to make our sisters equal with us, I want to stand with them where they are. We
challenge others to take their own bold and courageous step towards gaining equality for our sisters in ministry.” t _________________________________________________________ Editor’s Note—The historic, discriminatory vote taken at the 2015 General Conference session against women’s ordination in the Seventh-day Adventist Church has not shut down the discussion or the actual issue of discrimination. Just as the three Hebrews stood for God and refused to bow to social pressure, so have Adventist pastors and leaders around the world taken a stand with and for their sisters in clergy. To learn more, next time in our Spring 2016 issue, read Pastor Polite’s examination of “The Adventist Imposition: Revisiting the Topic of Ordination.” Michael Polite, MA, is the Associate Chaplain of Faith Development and Lead Pastor of the New Life Fellowship, at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan. REFERENCES 1. McChesney, A., & Paseggi, M. (2015, July 8). Delegates Vote ‘No’ on Issue of Women’s Ordination. Retrieved from: http:// www.advenistreview.org. 2015 PELC Edition | REGIONAL VOICE MAGAZINE
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RV FEATURE
POPE FRANCIS:
THE AMERICAN POPE BY G. RUSSELL SEAY JR .
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he meaning and impact of Pope Francis’ whirl wind visit to the United States in September of this year is still being assessed and debated within and without the Catholic Church. Because of Seventh-day Adventist eschatology that sees a special relationship between the United States and Catholicism in the closing events of earth’s history, his visit has special significance. One burning question that is raised asks, is this the beginning of the formation of the
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image of the beast of Revelation 13? Even so, this article will depart from such speculations. Instead, it will provide an assessment of the potential impact of the Pope’s visit on how the Seventh-day Adventist Church may capture a renewed commitment of engagement in the pressing issues of millions of Americans. The anticipation of the Pope Francis visit was extremely high for a number of reasons. Popes’ visits to America are extremely rare. There have been only four visits to the United States in her nearly 140-year
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history. So the possibility of seeing a pope in one’s life time on United States soil is limited. Then consider Pope Francis’ unique place in the history of the papacy. He is the first non-European pope since 741. He is the first pope from the Americas in the Western Hemisphere. And he is the first pope from the southern part of the Americas. Many Americans, especially immigrants for the southern nations, saw in this pope themselves. To them, it was as if he were a son returning home after making good in life.
THE CHURCH MUST SPEAK AND ACT IN SUCH A WAY THE COMMUNITY CAN UNDERSTAND AND EMBRACE THE GIFTS OF GRACE, AND TO REMEMBER THAT THE CHURCH IS THE TRUSTEE OF THAT GRACE.
its), and entered in the priesthood (1960). Most of his ministry was in Argentina, South America. While, moving from Bishop (1992) to Archbishop (1997), his ministry was characterized by a strong pastoral commitment to the poor and the vulnerable. He was appointed Cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001.
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THE MAN Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buena Aires, Argentina, to an Italian immigrant father and mother of Italian descent. In his welcome speech on the White House lawn, Pope Francis did not miss the opportunity to draw out the similarities between President Obama and himself –sons of immigrants to the Americas. He was raised Catholic and after pursuing a career as a chemical technologist, he experienced a call to the priesthood. He joined the Society of Jesus (Jesu-
ardinal Bergoglio’s formative realities produced a Pope that is a mixture of liberal social justice, conservative Catholic values, and pragmatic political realism wrapped in the garb of deep personal humility. Taking the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, he signaled what would be important for his tenure as Pope. Saint Francis, known for his devotion to the needy and the poor, is the patron saint in Catholicism for animals, ecology, and merchants. While steadfast in his advocacy of Catholic positions on birth control, abortions, homosexuality, woman clergy, and the celibacy of priests, this pope argues for a more liberal view of addressing the needs of those who are most vulnerable in society –the poor, children, and women. Pope Francis has chosen to live a simple life, by not living in the official papal residence. He lives instead in the Vatican guest quarters. In his second encyclical letter, Pope Francis addresses human negative impact on the environment. In it he calls for a change in our view and treatment of nature. THE MESSAGE During Pope Francis’ visit to the United States, he delivered 20 public speeches in Washington, DC, New York City and Philadelphia. The contexts were varied, chosen to maximize his message. On the same day he spoke to joint session of the Unit-
ed States Congress, he also spoke to the homeless at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. On another day he addressed the United Nations General Assembly, an interreligious gathering at Ground Zero, immigrant children at a Harlem school, and to the faithful at Madison Square Gardens. While in Philadelphia to speak to the Bishops that would participate in the World Meeting of Family, he also addressed victims of sexual abuse, visited a prison and conducted Mass. There were three major themes that Pope Francis consistently addressed in most of his public speeches –social justice, religious liberty, and tolerance through dialogue. Through his speeches he revealed that he attempted to rise above the political [fray] to be seen as a moral leader urging those in power (United States Congress and the United Nations Assembly) to live up to their stated creeds and missions. In the case of the United States government, the equality of all humanity is ensured by the protection of their inalienable rights –life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Especially sensitive to the debate over immigration reform in the United States, he reminded us that we are a nation of immigrants. Americans have the responsibilities to make those same opportunities available for those who have recently come. He connected the environmental concerns with concrete concerns for the poor and the greed of capitalist societies to those who rape the land without regard for its impact on clean water supplies, air qualities and the ability of the land to sustain human life. The theme of religious liberty was prominent in Pope Francis’ speeches. Speaking in Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, he extolled the vision of the Quakers who
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ANOTHER IMPORTANT INSIGHT IS THAT THE CHURCH CANNOT IGNORE SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
formed the colony in Pennsylvania dedicated to religious liberty and tolerance. He combined the notion of religious tolerance, access to education, and basic civil rights into what he terms spiritual freedom. He argued against what he called “a one-dimensional uniformity” that undermines the pluralistic religious voices that call us to affirm the transcendent dimension of our being in the world. Through education we learn from others traditions and perspectives in order to build a society that defends the weakest among us. Pope Francis consistently reminded his audiences and congregations that dialogue is critical for forging the necessary support to address the staggering issues facing every level of the global community. Speaking to the Joint Session of the United States Congress, he used Thomas 22
Merton as a man of dialogue that can be modeled when dealing with competing interests. He called the United Nations Assembly to live up to the words of its charter to avert wars against humanity and nature through transparent negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. To the gathered bishops at the Cathedral of St. Matthew in Washington, D.C., he urged them to leave the isolation of administrative duties and move among the people. He contended, “The path ahead, then is dialogue among yourselves, dialogue in your presbyterates, dialogue with lay persons, dialogue with families, dialogue with society. I cannot tire of encouraging you to dialogue fearlessly.” THE MEANING Pope Francis’ visit was as much an at-
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tempt to shore up the American Catholic Church, which has been losing members for some time, as it was to achieve any of his other goals. He attempted to speak to those issues important to the moral values of the Catholic Church that are in conflict with the American culture. He spoke compassionately, without abandoning core Catholic morality. While what he said did not generate a consensus around these issues, he did not avoid them. Neither did he respond in the language of the medieval or modern church. He spoke of one who has listened seriously to the culture and understands the pain of those who are struggling with the faith in this post-modern world. Here is the central insight that must be gleaned from Pope Francis’ visit to the United States. Let’s take an internal assessment. Chris-
OUR INVOLVEMENT MUST NOT BE A STRATEGY FOR CHURCH GROWTH, BUT CENTRAL TO OUR SELF UNDERSTANDING THAT WE ARE TO BE SALT AND LIGHT. tianity in the developed world is radically different from that in the developing world. While it is important to celebrate the growth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Africa, Latin America, China, and Russia, the World Seventh-day Church must take serious the radical impact of post-modernity on the North America and Western Europe, especially as it relates to the experiential nature of truth apprehension. The church, if it is to be relevant in its communities, must listen deeply to the culture and attempt to understand our communities on their terms, and not through the church’s perspective. This is not to suggest abandoning the church’s core moral values. It is to suggest that the church must speak and act in such a way the community can understand and embrace the gifts of grace, and to remember that the church is the trustee of that grace. Another important insight is that the church cannot ignore social justice issues in our communities. Our involvement must not be a strategy for church growth, but central to our self understanding that we are to be salt and light in our communities. It is easier to challenge personal morality than to address social morality because that would mean speaking truth to power. Social justice means that you attempt to dismantle structures of power that oppress and devalue the worth and dignity of individual persons. While we preach about the time of trouble that is to come, we must address the trouble that is already here. While we alleviate the hun-
gry by giving food baskets and meals, we must also address the capitalistic corporate conglomerates that control the distribution of food. Pope Francis’ visit should remind us that gospel is to be lived out in our service to the poor, the weak, and the most vulnerable in our society. We must be the voice for the voiceless in the halls of power and in the boardrooms of America. We are to work to realized the petition in the Lord’s
Prayer, “Thy will be done in earth, as it is heaven.” We recognized that this earth as it is will never be heaven, but through our lives and work we can model what the kingdom will look like when it comes. t G. Russell Seay, Ph.D., is a professor in the School of Religion at Oakwood University, Huntsville, Alabama.
Dr. Mervyn Warren introduces new book:
A Tree Grows in Huntsville. . .
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ake a trip to northern Alabama. See with your own eyes what was once a tree-planting; a “miracle in the making.” It has now become a full-grown oak. We speak here of Oakwood University. This prestigious school ranks high by U.S. News and World Report among all liberal arts colleges and universities in the South and among institutions of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) nation-wide. How did such a young sapling emerge out of resistant Alabama clay to become a global center of Christian education? How did Oakwood become an epicenter for inquiring minds that truly “prepares them for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy and wider service in the world to come?” (Ellen G. White, Education, 13) One clue to this miracle growth success story points you to the presidents of Oakwood and their caliber of leadership. Buttressed by their accompanying administration, staff, faculty, and alumni, they all knew their simple purpose of serving the needs of students and equipping them to seek love, justice, equity, success, and salvation for all. What manner of men were these Oakwood presidents? How did they cast their vision? How about their leadership style? Is there a profile of their standout accomplishments? In what unique ways did they really make a difference in the delivery of higher education? What were intricate dynamics necessary not merely to plant but definitely grow the Oakwood tree? For the rest of the story, check out the book introduced by Pacific Press at the recent General Conference session in San Antonio, 2015, entitled: Sprucing the Tree (Up Close from the Inside): Saga of Oakwood University Presidents/1896-2015. t
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BIBLE STUDY GUIDES
A discipleship series for new member classes, mid-week meetings, small groups, or Sabbath School.
$5 99
EACH
iFollow is a series of six-week Bible studies created by the North American Division. Each Bible study guide features suggested Scripture readings, fundamental belief applications, questions for discussion, and additional study resources. iFollow is ideal for midweek meetings, small groups, and Sabbath School classes. Leader’s guides are also available.
NEW!
NEW!
Do Justice, Love Mercy
A Hole in the Soul
What does “justice” mean in the Bible, and what does it mean in our broken world today? This Bible study guide will lead you through Scripture to discover the different meanings and applications of God’s version of justice.
The purpose of this Bible study is to introduce participants to Jesus—by way of a man named Solomon—so they can see the joy and peace of having a real relationship with Jesus, who wants nothing more than to transform our lives.
By Seth Pierce (AdventSource) #417851
By Omar Miranda (AdventSource) #417849
Find more iFollow resources at www.adventsource.org or call 402.486.8800
NEW!
The Unbelievable Beatitudes This Bible study will provide an in-depth, researched perspective of the process of growth we experience as Christians while maintaining a relationship with a loving, all-powerful Savior. By Lori Peckham (AdventSource) #417845
THE MERCIFUL
By Lori Peckham Adapted from The Unbelieveable Beatitudes
More than a decade ago I heard this story about a young boy, and I’ve never forgotten it. He was an orphan in need of help, and so he sought out the home of a Christian family. He walked up to the front door and knocked. When a woman answered, the boy said, “Ma’am, I’m an orphan and need help. Will you please take me in?” “Oh, dear,” the woman answered. “I have a full house already.” And she closed the door. The boy knocked again. When the woman came back to the door, he said, “I don’t have any family. May I be part of yours?” The woman sighed and replied, “I have a large family to care for already.” And she closed the door once again. A third and final time the boy knocked. When the woman opened the door, he asked her for help one last time. When she appeared ready to refuse him, he looked into her eyes and said gently, “Ma’am, I am the Christ you claim to love.” The women’s words of rejection were never spoken, and she reached out to embrace the boy. “You’re right!” she exclaimed, drawing him inside to his new home. The Bible also provides inspiring examples of individuals showing mercy to others. And interestingly, most of their stories clearly prove the cause and effect aspect of this beatitude: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” The gospel writers record numerous stories of Jesus encountering people who had blindness, deafness, crippling disabilities, social isolation, and chronic pain and illness. What did He do? First, He noticed them. He stopped walking—no matter how important the day’s agenda or how tired He felt. Next, He listened to their pleas. Most of the time, their needs were pretty obvious. Still, He asked them what they needed and wanted, and then He touched them and met their needs: He healed them. He forgave their sins. He explained salvation. He assured them that they mattered. He restored their spirit. And this is what He asks us to do, too—to notice, to listen, to touch, to meet needs, to love.
RV FEATURE
CELEBRATING
“OAA IN OUR DNA!”
OAKWOOD ADVENTIST ACADEMY ALUMNI MARK JOYFUL WEEKEND BY EVERET T ROPER
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emories of times gone by flooded back as strains of the gospel favorite “Glory, Glory! wafted through the Oakwood University Church sanctuary. This was an old-fashioned AYS singalong, part of the Oakwood Adventist Academy (OAA) Alumni Day afternoon program. The weekend reunion brought a high for all in attendance. The third Annual OAA Alumni Sabbath, September 5, 2015, honored the history, present, and future of the school which opened its doors in 1896. Dr. Everett Roper, (Class of 1988), president of the Oakwood Adventist Academy Alumni Association (OAAAA) and his team rolled out the celebration with Sabbath School and Divine Worship. Platform participants ranging from the Class of 1959 to 2015 led the service. The OAA Choir, under the directed by Dr. Philip Williams (Class of 1972), provided music, interspersed with selections from the Elementary Choir directed by Ms. Purette Mills. Renowned speaker and vocalist Pastor Wintley Phipps provided the Spoken Word, and was also featured in an afternoon musical concert. U.S. Navy Chaplain Robert W. Peters III, (Class of 1988).gave a spirited Vespers charge. The afternoon program also included special recognition for several honorees especially for the way they’ve represented and supported OAA through their professional contributions around the world. Emcees Kym Richardson Thurman (Class of 1988) and Dar26
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en Florence (Class of 1985), brought enjoyment to the crowd between affirmations spoken by various persons to the four honorees. The distinguished list included: 1. Mrs. Zeola Belle Germany Allston 2. Mr. Robert L. Pressley, Jr. 3. Elder T. Marshall Kelly, and 4. Ms. Regina Malveaux Mrs. Zeola Belle Germany Allston began her teaching career in 1949 at the Magazine Street SDA Church School in Louisville, Kentucky. Mrs. Allston came to OAA in 1979 where she taught for more than 30 years. In 1989, Mrs. Allston received the SDA world Church’s coveted Thomas and Violet Zapara Award for Excellence in Teaching and co-authored “A Star Gives Light,” the first definitive Black SDA curriculum primer. Mrs. Allston has more than 60 years of service in the classroom—an awesome feat of dedication, commitment, service and skill. Mr. Robert L. Pressley, Jr., is a 2006 graduate of OAA. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, to a family of musicians, he and his sister, Joyce (Class of 2003), sang frequently at churches, hospitals, and nursing homes. By the time he was 14, the sibling duo had recorded their first album, God is Good. While attending Oakwood University, Robbie joined the group Committed which went on to establish national and international acclaim after winning season two of the NBC show, The Sing Off. Robbie has shared the stage with artists such as Boys II Men, Take 6, Tramaine Hawkins, Wintley Phipps,
Top photos: Honoree T. Marshall Kelly delivers a message in song, and pauses between emcees Kym Richardson Thurman and Darren Florence. Middle photo: OAA Alumni from left, Ivan Allston, Joel (Joey) Kibble, Everett Roper and Jeffery Johnson take a joyous selfie. Bottom photos, from left: Honorees Zeola Allston and Regina Malveaux.
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Overcome with Love – Former students rush to embrace their beloved “Elder,” T. Marshall Kelly.
ONE OF THE BIGGEST HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEKEND WAS THE GENEROSITY AND SUPPORT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW ACADEMY BUILDING PROJECT (PHASE 3).
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Fred Hammond, Aretha Franklin, and Patti LaBelle. He recorded a duet with gospel recording artist Erica Campbell and recently headlined with Amber Bullock and Kathryn Eastwood in the 2014 film House Slave. In April of 2015, Committed was featured at the White House Gospel Celebration and was honored to meet President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
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lder T. Marshall Kelly, a bassbaritone singer and composer, is a 1947 graduate of OAA who has enjoyed a career as an internationally known soloist, ordained minister, radio personality, and award-winning religion teacher in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. From his earliest years, religion and music have been focal points in his life. Kelly helped raise the spiritual tone at OAA and did so by establishing a strong Bible program, leading out in Agape suppers, student weeks of prayer, youth days, and community outreach. Kelly received a
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Zapara Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1990 for his work as a teacher, counselor, and campus chaplain at OAA. Kelly retired in 1995 yet continues to be a featured singer and speaker at church events and gatherings. For more than 30 years he has hosted a Sabbath afternoon radio talk show, “Think It Over” which airs on WJOU, 90.1 FM. He has released recordings, including a recent CD, For Your Encouragement, and is presently preparing another CD, Hymns for Him, for future release. Ms. Regina Malveaux is a 1987 graduate of OAA and is recognized as a tenacious advocate for women, youth and children. Ms. Malveaux has served on a number of boards aimed at advancing racial justice and economic empowerment including the San Diego NAACP, San Diego Dress for Success, and Second Chance. She has also worked to train a new generation of advocates as an adjunct professor in Political, Women’s and African American studies at La Sierra University, San Di-
An Alumnus Remembers. . .
O Honoree Robert L. Pressley Jr.
ego State University, and at the Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at Old Dominion University. Malveaux previously served as executive director of the YWCA South Hampton Roads in Norfolk, Virginia, and as a legal advocate for the YWCA San Diego. She is also the founding director of the Women’s Legal Center in San Diego. Currently, Malveaux is the executive director for the YWCA of Spokane in Spokane, Washington. Malveaux holds an undergraduate degree in Social Policy from San Diego State University and a law degree from Howard University School of Law. During law school, Malveaux served as both a White House Intern, for First Lady Hillary Clinton and then Congressional Intern for the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Honorable Maxine Waters.
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ne of the biggest highlights of the weekend was the generosity and support for the construction of a new Academy Building
Project (Phase 3). After a Sprit-filled appeal, committed alumni contributed more than $18,000, and this amount does not include additional pledges received! This year’s OAA Alumni day demonstrated the significance and lasting impact of “OAA in the DNA” of its former and current students. Now, with renewed vigor, OAAAA pushes ahead to great things for Oakwood Academy with one mission in mind: to support the school in preparing students for the future and for eternity! t Everett Roper, Ph.D., is President of the Oakwood Adventist Academy Alumni Association (OAAAA), and one of the planning leaders for this special weekend.
n Sunday, July26, hundreds of family members and friends gathered at the Oakwood University Church to celebrate Elder Charles Bradford’s 90th birthday. The guests were treated to a pictorial history of Bradford’s life of service, beginning with the family connections to the Morning Star boat and continuing through his service to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. His service spanned six decades as pastor, evangelist and administrator. Family and friends shared personal reflections and musical tributes. The guests then moved to the Oakwood Adventist Academy Multi-Educational Complex, to enjoy a meal served in the gymnasium/Leonard T. Douglas Sr. Court. A passionate supporter of Christian Education, Elder Bradford (Oakwood Academy Class of 1943) requested that in lieu of gifts, contributions be made to his beloved alma mater. Through the generosity of friends all across North America, more than $41,000.00 was raised for the school’s Phase III building project. The Bradford family rejoices in the goodness of God for allowing Elder Bradford to reach this wonderful milestone. t
_______________________________ —Reported by Sharon Lewis, Director of Education for South Central Conference, and former principal of Oakwood Adventist Academy.
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This ABC special will feature an Easter message from Dr. Carlton P. Byrd, Speaker/Director of the Breath of Life Television Ministry and Senior Pastor of the Oakwood University Church in Huntsville, Alabama. Music by Grammy Award winning vocalist CeCe Winans, violinist Jaime Jorge, and the internationally renowned Oakwood University Aeolians Concert Choir.
Cece Winans
Under the power and direction of God, this Easter program can reach millions of curious and interested individuals, whom could otherwise not be reached through other methods, with the gospel of Jesus Christ—and at just the right moment. Please join us in this special evangelistic initiative with your prayers and financial support.
Jaime Jorge
Aeolians Concert Choir
For more information, visit: www.breathoflife.tv • (256) 929-6460 Oakwood University Church • 5500 Adventist Blvd., NW • Hunstville, AL 35896
The taping will take place at the Oakwood University Church on January 30, 2016 at 11:00 am. All are invited to attend this special taping.
Dr. Carlton P. Byrd Speaker/Director
REGIONAL PASTORAL CARE
LIFEBLOOD–
LESSONS IN THE AFTERMATH OF CHARLESTON When lives are lost in violence, what shall we do? BY KYNA HINSON
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fter the gun shots rang out in ral courage to offset this particular case. Charleston, South Carolina, Elder William Winston, President of the on June 17, 2015, spilling life South Atlantic Conference of Seventh-day blood during a prayer meetAdventists, also extended words of comfort to the Emmanuel AME leaders and congreing in the Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal gation, sent funds to help with expenses and Church, after the heavy coverage and all of burials, and visited the city in the wake of the interviews, the satellite trucks with their the shootings with the same motivation of reporters and news teams packed up and sharing pastoral care. (His beautiful letter “Mother Emanuel” Church cleared out. The cameras and hot lights were of condolence is our Guest Commentary for gone. The crowds had thinned. Life would this issue. See page 5.) never be the same, but the everyday rhythms had returned—for Three pastors from the Allegheny East Conference of Seventhsome. For many among them, rest and sleep remain elusive. The day Adventists, Reginald Exum, pastor of the Edmondson Heights nightmare continues. Those gun blasts shattered their lives, their church; David Franklin, pastor of Miracle Temple; and DuWayne peace, and peace will never return. Privette, pastor of Sharon church, joined scores of other clergy, Many, many Seventh-day Adventists, clergy and laity, completely brothers and sisters from many faiths, to walk the streets of Baltigrasp this. We know that our strong and accurate understanding of more, Maryland, for peace and safety in that city, in the wake of anbiblical doctrine on the state of the dead will not necessarily relieve other Black man’s death, Freddie Gray, allegedly at the hands of poruptured hearts, strained nerves and shattered lives after violence lice officers. (Find their story online in the Columbia Union Visitor, and bloodshed have stolen loved ones, young or old. We know that April 27, 2015, “Baltimore Adventist Pastors Join Forces for Peace,” one of the best ways to put our biblical beliefs into practice is to do by V. Michelle Bernard). what Jesus did, to put love into action; to wrap neighborly concern The Columbia Union is also supporting new, volunteer afterin that love and then serve others. When we do this wholeheartedly, school programs planted by the Allegheny East Conference in Balwe truly seek to follow Jesus. When the pastors who lead us do this, timore—a sure way to grow seeds of hope and faith and belief in a they are sharing that level of care at its very best. better future in hearts and minds of those who need it most. (See Elder Eugene Hamilton pastors the Shiloh Seventh-day Adven- the Columbia Union Visitor, October 6, 2015, “Columbia Union tist Church in Charleston, which is not very far from “Mother Em- Supports Allegheny East Churches Afterschool Programs in Baltimanuel.” He and his congregation have comforted, and continue to more,” also by V. Michelle Bernard). minister to one mourner who lost her own mother in the shooting. And finally, one Seventh-day Adventist administrator’s courShe still struggles. She still grieves. The Shiloh church still shows age in the face of these tragedies stands out in bold contrast to raclove and offers support. ist disregard everywhere: that of Lake Union President Don LiveIt was in this spirit that Dr. Delbert Baker, then an official of the say, who brought his executive officers Gary Thurber, executive General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, went to Charleston secretary; Glynn Scott, treasurer; and Carmelo Mercado, general to mingle with and to comfort those that mourned. He attended the vice president, when offering an apology at the Lake Region 2015 funeral for the Mother Emmanuel pastor, the Rev. Clementa Pinck- Camp Meeting, on behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to ney, where U.S. President Barack Obama gave the eulogy. Baker did Black church members in North America. Lake Region Conference so as an individual and as a pastor. Sadly, there was no official del- President Clifford Jones graciously accepted, and added his own egation from the General Conference. thoughtful appeal. We are proud to reprint all of their words on And in fact, for this very action, Dr. Baker received words of cen- pages 12 and 13 in this issue. Godspeed to us all in learning these sure and reprimand for his efforts in this regard from General Con- valuable lessons. t ference President Ted Wilson, the highest official in the Seventh- ______________________________________________________________________________ day Adventist denomination. Thankfully, though this action may Kyna Hinson, M.A., teaches journalism in the Department of Communistrike many as appalling, there are other shining examples of pasto- cation at Oakwood University, and is Editor of Regional Voice Magazine. 32
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AND BALTIMORE
WE KNOW THAT ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO PUT OUR BIBLICAL BELIEFS INTO PRACTICE IS TO DO WHAT JESUS DID, TO PUT LOVE INTO ACTION; TO WRAP NEIGHBORLY CONCERN IN THAT LOVE AND THEN SERVE OTHERS.
Dr. Delbert W. Baker
State Senator Clementa C. Pinckney and 8 other victims
Baltimore, Maryland
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TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERS: IMPACTING ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS BY THEODORE BROWN, SR.
L IS IT POSSIBLE FOR GLOBAL ORGANIZATIONS TO MAKE CHRIST THEIR MODEL? YES, HE REALLY IS THE WAY!
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eaders greatly influence, impact and shape the operational path and success of an organization. According to Noel Tichy, (2014) “building an effective leadership pipeline in today’s world demands the cultivation of transformational leaders, who are able to maintain the continuity of the core culture while continuing to hard-drive internal and adapt to external change” (p. 85). As communities and societies become more global, the challenge is for organizations to grow, compete and remain relevant to changing industry expectations. They must reach diverse groups and populations of people, while maintaining a commitment to core values. This mission continues to be a stringent task for its leadership. While successful organizations are often embedded in a philosophy of developing and sustaining highly structured operating and productive systems, the foundation of any vibrant organization is rooted in those who make those systems work—its people. Without competent and capable human resources, properly aligned in the right posi-
REGIONAL VOICE MAGAZINE | 2015 PELC Edition
tions and places at the right time, and without inspiration from leaders and managers to achieve the goals of the organization, the overall effectiveness of said organizations will become compromised, minimized and/ or unproductive. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or President, depending on the organizational industry or type, is expected to articulate and demonstrate the essential leadership philosophy, skills and styles that will result in organizational effectiveness. Transformational Leaders strategically address challenges necessitating the engagement and enhancement of an organization’s climate, culture, creativity, capital and competiveness while impacting in a positive manner the perceptions of the organizational stakeholders. (McKenna, 2015; Kim and Yoon, 2015; Barrick, Thurgood, Smith and Courtright, 2015). Transformational Leadership: Origin, Definition and Characteristics The term transformational leadership was first coined by Downton (1973). Burns (1978) is credited for initiating a movement defin-
ing leadership as a transformational process, stating that leadership occurs “when one or more persons engage with others in such a way that leaders and followers raise one another to higher levels of motivation and morality” (83). Bass (1985) stated that transformational leadership is the modern idea of leadership where one creates in people an inner commitment to social goals, of transforming a person’s self-interest into a larger social concern. Northouse (2013) describes transformational leadership as being a process that changes and transforms people. It is concerned with the individual’s emotions, values, ethics, standards, and long-term goals. Some key conceptual bedrocks of transformational leadership are integrity, creativity, collaboration, diversity and cultural competence, intentionality, emphasis of followership and self-awareness (McKenna, 2015; Kim and Yoon, 2015; Herrmann and Felfe, 2014; Osula and Ng, 2014) Four essential components of transformational leadership (4ls) are idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration. 1. Idealized Influence: transformational leaders talk about the importance of universal or company values, beliefs, purposes, a collective mission, and the benefits of trusting each other. They set aside their self-interest for the good of the group. 2. Inspirational Motivation: transformational leader’s behavior involves developing and articulating a vision. 3. Intellectual Stimulation: transformational leaders values followers’ rationality and intellect; and creative problem solving and innovation. 4. Individualized Consideration: transformational leaders’ ultimate aim is to develop followers into leaders themselves; leaders spending time listening, coaching, and teaching for followers’ development. (Northhouse, 2013; Rickards, 2012; Sosik and Jung, 2010; Bass, 1985). Transformational Leadership: Modeling Christ The ultimate impact of a transformational leader can be best described in the following scriptures pertaining to the Master Transformational Leader, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: • “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17 NKJV);
• “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples….” (Matt. 28: 18-20); • “Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, Look Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” (Luke 19: 8-9 NKJV); • “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4: 13 NKJV). Throughout the Bible we find examples of leaders called and positioned by God to do a special work at a unique time whose service was transformational. In today’s world, festered with unethical business practices, government corruption, immorality, religious hypocrisy and open defiance of God’s Law; should anything less than transformational be expected of the people occupying leadership positions in God’s church, who have responded to His call to lead? t _______________________________________ REFERENCES 1. Barrick, M. R., Thurgood, G. R., Smith, T. A. and Courtright, S. H. (2015). Collective Organizational Engagement: Linking Motivational Antecedents, Strategic Implementation, and Firm Performance. Academy of Management Journal. Feb 2015, Vol. 58 Issue 1, p. 111- 135. 25p. 3 Diagrams, 3 Charts, 3 Graphs. 2. Bass, B. M. (1985). Leadership and performance beyond expectations. New York: Free Press. 3. Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership, New York; Harper & Row. (p. 83). 4. Dowton, J. V. (1973). Rebel Leadership: Commitment and charisma in a revolutionary process. New York: Free Press. 5. Herrmann, D. and Felfe, J. (2015). Effects of Leadership Style, Creativity Technique and Personal Initiative on Employee Creativity. British
“THEREFORE, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATION; OLD THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD, ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW” (2 COR. 5:17 NKJV)
Journal of Management, Vol. 25 Issue 2, p209227. 19p. 6. Kim, S. and Yoon, G. (2015). Public Personnel Management. Vol. 44 Issue 2, p147-168. 22p. 7. McKenna, P. J. (2015). Leadership Truths We Don’t Talk About. Of Counsel. Vol. 34 Issue 3, p. 5-11. 7p. 8. Northhouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice (6th ed.). Sage Publications Inc.: Thousand Oaks, CA (p. 5). 9. Osula, B. and Ng, E.C.W. (2014). Toward a Collaborative, Transformative Model of NonProfit Leadership: Some Conceptual Building Blocks. Administrative Sciences (2076-3387). Vol. 4 Issue 2, p87-104. 18p. 10. Rickards, T. (2012). Dilemmas of Leadership, (2nd ed.). Routledge Taylor & Francis Group: New York, NY. p. 115. 11. Sosik, J. J., and Jung, D. I., (2010). Full Range Leadership Development (p.14, 50). Routledge Taylor & France Group: New York, NY. 12. Tichy, N. M. (2014). Succession. (p. 85). Penguin Group: New York, NY. Holy Bible: New King James Version (NKJV): Scriptural Passages. Theodore Brown, Sr., Ph.D., is a Professor of Management and Leadership at Oakwood University. He is also an ordained minister who pastors the Decherd/Fayetteville SDA Church District in the South Central Conference. Dr. Brown is founder and CEO of MoneyCare Financial Ministries, a community-based financial literacy organization facilitating seminars and workshops in money management, stewardship and leadership. Contact him at: tbrown@oakwood.edu.
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Global Church and Regional Conference Statistics Church Growth from 1945 to 2015
Statistics Compiled By Phyllis Lee 36
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PASTORAL CARE LETTER TO MOTHER EMMANUEL IN CHARLESTON GLOBAL HEBREWS STAND WITH SISTERS IN CLERGY Injustice Anywhere is Injustice Everywhere. . . WHAT POPE FRANCIS CAN TEACH US TRANSFORMATIONAL FINANCIAL LEADERSHIP WE HAVE THIS HOPE— TRIBUTES TO FALLEN LEADERS
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FEATURE
A TRIBUTE TO HELEN HARRIS TURNER
FORDHAM
FINDING THE PATH TO TOTAL FULFILLMENT
SPECIAL FINANCIAL ISSUE
“Bring all the tithe into the storehouse...” How your funds are handled Are you unemployed? Crushed by debt? Look inside for real answers Economist Henry Felder offers revealing analysis
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THE RESPONSIBLE EXECUTOR
We Have This Hope. . .
ELDER SAMUEL THOMAS, SR. 1918 – 2015
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orn in the community of Tutwiler, Mississippi, August 15, 1918, Elder Samuel Thomas, Sr. met Christ and Biblical values through reading the classic book Bible Readings for the Home. Deprivation and near starvation in his childhood built a man who was not easily dissuaded from his focused goal. Growing up during the Great Depression and serving in World War II left an indelible impression on the necessity of being frugal, responsible, accountable, building character values in his children, crafting manly sons, and teaching a strong work ethic. He and his wife, Laura Hubbard, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were avid supporters of Christian education and fostered within their four children (Loleta, Samuel, Jr., Ouida and Leander) a love for God, respect for country, and uncompromising dedication to the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church. Elder Thomas loved being a dad. His background of a godless home and a generational unchurched family system, established within him a steadfast commitment to family worship, family vacations around the country, and loyalty to God’s Biblical instruction and the Spirit of Prophecy. Uncompromising in principle, Elder Thomas never lost sight of teaching his children the necessity of independent and analytical thought. Military training and his conversion from the gang land years of prohibition made him especially particular about maintaining truth and advancing the truth. Determined, committed, dedicated, creative, and a lover of people were some of the characteristics which made Elder Thomas one of the most beloved pioneers within Regional Conference history. Early in his ministry, in the South Atlantic Conference, Elder Thomas developed several strategies for mobilizing churches for effective evangelism. While director of Personal Ministries, 1956—1967, he organized the first Lay Persons’ Congress, hosted by the Berean SDA Church in Atlanta, Geor38
Elder Thomas’s innovative methods and stellar results for empowering members to public evangelism drew the attention of the Columbia Union Conference in 1976. After serving the AWC for nine years, he transitioned to the new post in Takoma Park, Maryland, and became the first African-American Director for the Columbia Union (now with headquarters in Columbia, Maryland). His ministry portfolio consisted of Personal Ministries, Sabbath School Ministries, Inner City Ministries, Community Services, and ASI. Elder Samuel Thomas, Sr. passed to Christian rest Wednesday morning, March 26. The family of this beloved patriarch celebrated his 96 years of life, and 56 years of ministry on Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 1:00 p.m., at the Oakwood University SDA Church, in Huntsville, Alabama. t ________________________________________ gia. When he was called to serve as the first Personal Ministries Director in the newly formed Allegheny West Conference (AWC) in 1967, Elder Thomas transferred the effective strategies gained from lay evangelistic meetings facilitated in the South Atlantic territory and launched the second Lay Person’s Congress hosted by the Glenville SDA Church in Cleveland, Ohio. Both churches were pastored by Elder H.L. Cleveland, although several years apart.
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Editor’s Note – Elder Samuel Thomas Sr., also had a special place in hearts of the Hinson Family. Early in his ministry, he served as a Bible worker in an evangelistic campaign directed by Elder E.E. Cleveland, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He met another U.S. veteran during this series, and encouraged him to accept God’s truth. That vet was my father, Elder Joseph Hinson, who joyfully became a lifelong Soldier of the Cross. We offer our thanks from the Regional Voice to the Thomas Family for sharing this beautiful tribute.
Compassion Fatigue People in a variety of fields, not just pastors, spend all day (and sometimes all night) helping others. Southern equips students to avoid burnout while on this path of Christ-like service. BY DEBBIE BATTIN SASSER FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, Southern has graduated scholars and sent them into the world with skills that extend beyond the classroom, beyond hands-on learning experiences, beyond travel and internship opportunities. The university’s vision statement describes the value faculty and staff place on graduating “servant leaders … committed to living balanced lives.” That’s no small goal. Balance can be elusive, especially for those quick to put the needs of others before their own. PASTORAL CARE Southern’s School of Religion offers a pastoral care degree with approximately 10 students enrolled in this track each year. They study psychology and social work alongside theology in preparation for chaplaincy and other ministerial roles with an emphasis on caring and counseling. To make sure students are well-suited for the difficult task ahead, faculty evaluate applicants for this program by considering their spiritual and theological commitment, moral character, emotional stability, grades, and professional skills. But no one method or program can fully prepare students for how best to maintain balance. Staying connected with loved ones and establishing professional boundaries are lifelong skills and crucial components for avoiding compassion fatigue, a condition characterized by hopelessness, a marked decrease in pleasurable experiences, constant anxiety, and sleeplessness. Chris Sorensen, ’01, and his family have served as career missionaries in Thailand since 2003. After more than a decade of service, he still remembers an encounter on campus that helped shape his approach on how to stay healthy. “In college I saw one of my theology professors, Derek Morris, walking around the track with his wife and I went over to ask him something,” Sorensen said. “He answered the question very briefly and politely; but at the same time, he made me feel like he was busy with something very important—his wife! He needed to focus on her and the conversation they were having; that experience modeled balance for me and I’ve never forgotten it!” SERVANT LEADERS Pastoral work can be draining, but so can many other vocations: counseling, education, nonprofit administration, nursing, and social work, just to name a few. Faculty across a variety of disciplines at Southern are proactively equipping students with the tools to avoid exhaustion from a life of service to others. Students in the Global Community Development (GCD) master’s program are likely to work in refugee camps, orphanages, remote villages, and other challenging environments—both during their studies with Southern and upon graduation. GCD Professor Sharon Pittman, PhD, believes that one of the best ways to prepare students to help others is by teaching them to maintain their own emotional, mental, and physical health.
“We require our students to develop a self-care plan before we allow them to work with vulnerable people groups,” Pittman said. “We don’t place them in real-life stressful settings without this tool!” Education professor Faith Laughlin, EdD, encourages students to utilize the most readily available and most powerful tool in the battle against burnout. “In all of my classes we discuss how draining teaching can be,” Laughlin said. “This is even more likely to be true if we don’t remain plugged into Jesus as our power source.” SAU_PastoralCare.jpg (caption)… School of Religion dean Greg King, pictured above, is just one example of Southern faculty who spend time preparing students for a life of service.
Tips for Avoiding and Overcoming Compassion Fatigue 1. Know yourself, listen to your body 2. Find an accountability partner 3. Establish personal and professional boundaries 4. Take breaks during the day 5. Eat a healthy, balanced diet 6. Sleep 7-8 hours each night 7. Spend time doing recreational activities, exercise 8. Prioritize prayer and Bible study 9. Practice reflective journaling focused on gratitude 10. Go on a spiritual retreat
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We Have This Hope. . .
MURRAY E. JOINER, SR. A Beautiful Life . . . 1935 - 2015
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e came into the world on a cold, November day – the warmest of spirits and the kindest of hearts. Elder Murray E. Joiner, Sr. was the first born and only son of a Methodist minister and his lovely wife, Reverend Elijah, and Geneva Barley Joiner. A native son of Huntsville, Alabama, he spent his first happy years playing on his grandparents David and Rhoda Barley’s nearby farm, surrounded by his large extended family. His introduction to the Seventh-day Adventist Church as a young boy came through the sweet Vacation Bible School ministry of a neighbor. Sister May Davis invited him to her home on Friday evenings for worship and gave him The Voice of Prophecy Bible Studies. He eagerly accepted the teachings and signed to be baptized. However, his father was less than enthused when the men showed up to take him to church to be baptized! It was many years later before Pastor Joiner heard this wonderful message again. As with all of the young African American teens in the city of Huntsville, he spent his days walking the railroad tracks to Councill High School where he excelled as a young scholar. He was industrious as a shoe shine boy in the Black Business district of Church Street and Holmes Avenue. He often worked in his uncle’s restaurants and eventually secured a position at the Russell Erskine Hotel while working his way through college at Alabama A & M. Always fascinated with science and medicine, he majored in Biology and Chemistry, hoping to one day become a physician. He was active as a popular singer in the group The Melody-Aires and active with the brothers of Omega Psi Phi. What would become a 60-year love story began on the campus of Alabama A & M 42
his wife was baptized soon after. A talented artist, Elder Joiner was eventually hired by the Chrysler Corporation as a detailed draftsman at Redstone Arsenal. His designs of internal components were eventually used in the building of the Saturn Five rocket. But something had changed Murray Joiner; he was on fire for the Lord! He became a lay minister in the area and went into the city of Decatur to share the message and give Bible studies. Working alongside the other pastors, the Alpha SDA Church was started in Decatur, Alabama. He was thrilled to bring others to Christ and knew he had a call on his life to the full-time gospel ministry. . . .
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when he spotted the love of his life across the campus and declared, “There’s my wife!” The beautiful Nannie B. Hammonds was a 17-year old freshman when he pursued her. He invited her to hear him sing with his group at church and she too fell in love when she heard him singing, Precious Lord, Take My Hand. In 1957, they eloped along with his sister Verdell and her fiancé Allen “Pete” Pope to Mississippi. The two couples went on to share anniversaries for more than 58 years.
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he Joiners’ lives were forever changed when they attended a tent effort sponsored by the First Seventh-day Adventist Church. He happily took his stand and was baptized the week his first daughter, Nanetta, was born and
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hrough a series of miracles, the young couple now with two children, Nanetta and Murray Jr., traveled to Michigan. They found acceptance to the seminary and employment for Sister Joiner! While at Andrews University, Elder Joiner was privileged to be a part of the Field Training school with Elder E. E. Cleveland. Soon, the South Central Conference sent an invitation to join the team as a pastor in the Greenwood, Mississippi district. The letter of invitation was dated January 18, the day of his youngest daughter Victoria’s birth. Soon Elder Joiner’s The Big Bible Tent evangelistic efforts were drawing hundreds to Christ Jesus in Yazoo City and Columbus, Mississippi; Montgomery, and Birmingham, Alabama. Tireless in his preaching night after night, the Lord blessed with hundreds of baptisms. Each congregation held a special place in the heart of M. E. Joiner. A champion of SDA Christian education, Elder Joiner and his wife started schools where there were no schools, sponsored children, raised funds, and supported all of
We Have This Hope. . .
WILLIAM PERGERSON 1967 - 2015 BY ANDREW MCCHESNEY
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lthough he was a gifted administrator, Elder Joiner missed his great love – pastoral ministries. In 1993 he accepted a call to pastor in Detroit, Michigan. He then ended his ministerial career in the Lake Region Conference in Chicago, Illinois in 2001. This native son of Huntsville returned home upon his retirement. Over the next 14 years, he served diligently as an elder at the Oakwood University Church and enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was known for his wisdom, kindness, and loving encouragement. On another cold, autumn day, Murray Evans Joiner, Sr. spent his last Sabbath with his loving wife, N. B. J., (as he affectionately called her) and their daughter Nanetta. Surrounded by prayers, songs of praise, and love, his beautiful life on this earth ended. Elder Joiner rests now as he awaits the voice of the great Life-giver who has promised him a beautiful new home and a beautiful new life in the New Jerusalem. t ____________________________________________ Obituary lovingly submitted by the family of Elder Murray E. Joiner, Sr.
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illiam Pergerson, a Seventh-day Adventist evangelist who made Christ and His righteousness the centerpiece of powerful, soul-winning sermons, died in a fiery airplane crash as he prepared for an evangelistic series. He was 48. Pergerson, a longtime pilot, had just taken off from the airport in Battle Creek, Michigan, for the 20-minute flight to his home in Berrien Springs when his kit-built One Easy plane experienced suspected engine trouble on Aug. 27. Pergerson, who was flying alone, tried to land twice, keeping in constant contact with the control tower. But the plane came down in a grassy field near one of the runways during the second attempt at 8:19 p.m., exploding in a ball of fire, the airport said in a statement. Firefighters rushed to the scene and quickly doused the blaze, but little remained of the plane other than the charred engine. Remarkably, Pergerson’s pilot logbook also survived, bearing a record of his many flights between churches across North America, said Sharon Pergerson, his wife of 18 years, his partner in ministry, and the mother of their two teenage children. “We were able to salvage my husband’s logbook out of the smoke,” she said Sunday. “Wow, all the places that he had gone!” William Carlson Pergerson II was born Aug. 7, 1967, in Washington, D.C. After a memorial service at the Battle Creek Tabernacle on Sept. 19 and a memorial service at the Pioneer Memorial Church at Andrews University on Sept. 20, he was buried. In addition to his wife, he is survived by their two children—William III, 16, and Jaissa, 13—his father, William, and two younger siblings, Joel Pergerson
PHOTO BY JUANITA STATEN
their schools with their time and efforts. Elder Joiner was called in 1976 to serve as Director of Personal Ministries and Sabbath School for the South Central Conference region. After 10 years of leadership in South Central, he received a call to expand his role to the even larger territory of the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in the Atlanta, Georgia area. In 1990, the call to serve the world church came when he was elected as Associate Personal Ministries Director in the Church Ministries Department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He traveled to nearly every continent as a specialist in pastoral and lay volunteer ministries.
of Virginia and Kim Pergerson-Williams of California. His mother died in May. t _____________________________________ Andrew McChesney, news editor of Adventist Review wrote this obituary. It appears in its entirety in the August 30, 2015, issue of the online edition. Used by permission.
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We Have This Hope. . .
CYNTHIA YVETTE JOHNSON 1954 – 2015
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ugust 9, 1954 was an extraordinary day in Birmingham, Alabama, when Mildred and Washington Johnson Sr. welcomed a beautiful baby girl. Cynthia brought joy, excitement and creativity to the entire family. As a child Cynthia was bright, vibrant, talented and inquisitive. She displayed early leadership skills. Her parents, who were firm believers in Christian education, sent her, along with her five siblings, to Ephesus Jr. Academy in Birmingham. She dominated the games of four-square and dodge ball. She was a faithful Missionary Volunteer (MV), Pathfinder, junior usher and favored soloist in the children’s choir. She even served as the first Junior Clerk-intraining, under the leadership of Mrs. Lelia Simons, then the church clerk and speech pathologist who selected Cynthia because she articulated her words with clarity and expression. Cynthia went on to Wenonah High School, where she excelled in the sciences and mathematics. She was loved by her classmates and teachers to the point of being elected Homeroom Queen, but because of her faith she refused to be crowned Queen of the Prom on Friday night. This was a testament to her parents’ instilling in her a love for God and His commandments. She went off to college, following in the footsteps of her big sister Janice. She attended Oakwood, but later transferred to Ala44
to her, With various groups of friends she fed the homeless, visited the sick and shut-in, visited prisons, and was involved in the Angel Tree program. She also participated in the “Race for the Cure,” and even ran the New York City Women’s Marathon.
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bama A&M University to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology. She then attended Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development where she earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education. Later she entered the doctoral program in Educational Leadership at Andrews University.
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ynthia went on to have a long and distinguished career in education. She served as an educator in eight schools, from Alabama to the Washington, D.C. and Virginia areas. She designed instructional programs for Learning Disabled students, developed and implemented adult reading programs, and supervised George Mason University undergraduate students. Cynthia and Washington, D.C., were made for each other! She loved living in the area and enjoyed the history and culture of the city. Community was also important
REGIONAL VOICE MAGAZINE | 2015 PELC Edition
he was a member of the Capitol Hill Seventhday Adventist Church in Washington, D.C. for many years. There she served as Sabbath School superintendent, church clerk, usher, a worker in the treasury department, health ministry’s walking club, the Capitol Hill Chorale, drama ministry, the Suddenly Single and Singles’ Ministry. She was also a member of the Allegheny East Conference of Seventhday Adventists K-12 Committee. On August 6, 2015, Cynthia completed her earthly journey. We are all comforted that we will meet her in the earth made new. Let’s all meet on the sea of glass at the foot of the tree of life. Together we will travel with our Heavenly Father, our Elder Brother Jesus, the Comforting Holy Spirit and the Angelic Hosts to galaxies and unknown worlds where no humans have gone before to experience eternal and everlasting joy. t
___________________________________ Obituary of Cynthia Yvette Johnson lovingly submitted by her family.
We Have This Hope. . .
GRAYLAND DEWAYNE JOHNSON 1963 – 2015
S
abbath morning, October 12, 1963, arrived with an abundance of blessings, including a new addition to the Johnson family. This was the day that a second baby boy was born to Washington and Mildred Johnson, making the family complete. God had answered their prayers by sending his older brother a male playmate. Grayland Dewayne Johnson became the youngest sibling, with many rights and privileges! “Gray” was warmly welcomed by his parents and five siblings, all of whom helped to nurture him as he developed into a handsome young man, blessed with intellect, talent, humor and a bubbly, outgoing personality. Following a tradition of the family, Grayland attended Ephesus Junior Academy where he excelled academically and athletically. After completing Ephesus Academy he finished his final two years of high school at Oakwood Adventist Academy in Huntsville. It was during this time that he started to think about a future career in the business world, and possibly even becoming a doctor. After all, he had memorized the periodic table of elements. His parents reinforced this notion by surprising him with a chemistry set for Christmas—every year thereafter. However, Grayland would later choose to follow his dream of becoming a businessman. Following another family tradition, he enrolled in Oakwood University in 1981 to study Communication with a minor in Theology, but warned the family not to get any ideas about him becoming a pastor! He be-
came an outstanding tennis player, golf instructor and lifeguard in his college career. After graduating from Oakwood in 1985 with honors, he earned a certificate in Construction Management from Auburn University’s McWhorter School of Building Science, and also studied in an Master’s in Business Administration program.
H
e worked in business, trained to be an investment banker, then later served as a member of the Birmingham police force. He obtained his real estate license and served as both a developer and realtor. Grayland was employed by the Alabama Department of Corrections at the time of his death where he served as a sergeant, and had passed the exam to be promoted to lieutenant. He was a motivator and mentor, astute in providing wisdom for car and home purchases and financial planning. His welcome expertise in these areas will be greatly missed.
Grayland was happily married to the love of his life, Blanca Medrano of Mexicali, Mexico. They were members of the Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church in Birmingham. They loved God and each other deeply. His legacy will continue as a scholarship fund will be created at Oakwood Adventist Academy for seniors with outstanding leadership abilities. We will truly miss our beloved Grayland Dewayne Johnson. Without a doubt, he believed wholeheartedly in the blessed hope that those who die in the Lord will indeed live again. For it is that very hope that sustains our faith today. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). t _____________________________________________ Obituary of Grayland Dewayne Johnson also lovingly submitted by his family. _____________________________________________ Editor’s Note – Many of our faithful readers and friends will note that in our last issue, the Regional Voice 2015 General Conference edition, we featured the entire family of Washington and Mildred Johnson. We shared their spectacular conversion story based on the Christian consideration of one man, Lane Todd. Every member of the Johnson family then went on to share the gospel with others-- as Bible workers with their Mother, evangelistic meeting workers and/or Adventist denominational workers. Now, just a few short months after the family testimony ran in our pages, it is with great sadness that we run the obituaries of two Johnson siblings, Cynthia and Grayland, laid to rest only weeks apart. Even so, come Lord Jesus. . . .
2015 PELC Edition | REGIONAL VOICE MAGAZINE
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We Wish You A
Safer Holiday H
olidays can be joyous, fun filled times shared with families and friends or a disaster if hazards are overlooked. At home, school, work and in our churches, hazards may lurk that can injure people or destroy property. Christmas Trees Whether live or artificial, Christmas trees are one of the holiday season’s biggest hazards. When the tree is brought home, it should be properly installed and positioned away from any heat sources to avoid fires. The tree should also be set where it won’t be knocked over or block doorways, halls or stairs. Artificial trees can also be a hazard as dust builds up during yearly use. Regardless of what we purchase, nearly everything comes with instructions and/or precautionary warnings. Read all instructions and warning labels. If it happened once, it can happen again.
Decorative Lights Defective Christmas lights or extension cords can result in injuries from burns or electrical shock and are often responsible for destructive fires. Use interior lights indoors, and exterior lights outside. Test lights for 15 minutes before installing on the tree or outdoors. Outdoor lights should be plugged into circuits protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI). Never connect more than three light sets to an extension cord. Unplug decorations, indoors and out, before going to bed or leaving the house.
The Little Ones Children, pets and decorations can be a hazardous mix. Many plants are poisonous and small objects can be chewed on or swallowed, resulting in electrical shock or choking. Older ornaments may also contain toxic paints. Light strings, decorations, tinsel and plants should be placed out of reach of small hands and mouths.
Travel Holiday travel for many people means winter weather driving. Get a good night’s sleep before leaving and take emergency supplies (shovel, sand, salt or kitty litter, chains, blankets, food, first aid supplies, etc). Always allow plenty of time to get to your destination, decrease following distance on slick roads, and slow down to a safe speed for existing conditions.
Candles and Fire Use candles and fireplaces with care. The top three days for home candle fires were Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Day according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Never place candles near combustibles, flammables, or Christmas trees and use in holders that cannot be tipped over. Fireplace screens or glass and spark arresters should be in place, and chimneys cleaned as needed. Ensure that smoke detectors are operating properly and that fire extinguishers are available. Extinguish fireplaces and candles before leaving the house or going to bed.
This holiday, think safety everywhere. Whether at school, church or home, each of us can prevent unnecessary risks from happening. Taking a moment to exercise caution can save you a trip to the hospital, or worse.
For more holiday safety and winter weather driving tips, visit AdventistRisk.org.
“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” (Proverbs 27:12, NIV)
There’s no place like home. Home can be many places. Grandma’s house, the neighborhood playground, or your father’s shoulders. As Seventh-day Adventists, we find spiritual comfort in our home church. But what happens when we can’t go to church because of flooding, roof damage, or equipment failure? With Adventist Risk Management, Inc., your home church is protected from the top of the steeple to the floorboards beneath the pews. You can have complete peace of mind when you’re home away from home.
...our ministry is to protect your ministry®
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