2022 Spring Issue by ORCM

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Telling Our Story SPRING 2022 https://adventistregionalministries.org

RUSSIA ATTACKS UKRAINE; ADVENTISTS OFFER HELP HONOR AND FAREWELL TO GREAT LEADERS

THE CHARLES E. DUDLEY BUILDING OPENS SOON

EASTER SPECIAL

PASTOR DEBLEAIRE SNELL

This ABC Television Special, in collaboration with the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission (IBC), will feature a special Easter message from Pastor Debleaire Snell, Speaker/ Director of the Breath of Life Television Ministry and Senior Pastor of the Oakwood University Church in Huntsville, Alabama. This special will also feature Grammy Award-winning musical artist, CeCe Winans, along with Selah, and violinist, Patrick Bogui.

CECE WINANS

SELAH

PATRICK BOGUI

Watch on ABC on April 17, 2022 For a list of stations and times, call 256.929.6460 or visit breathoflife.tv

PUBLISHER'S COMMENTARY

Published by the Office for Regional Conference Ministry in the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists 7000 Adventist Boulevard Huntsville, Alabama 35896 (256) 830-5002 Website: https://adventistregionalministries.org PUBLISHER Dana C. Edmond EDITOR Kyna Hinson ASSOCIATE EDITOR Bryant Taylor ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER Howard I. Bullard COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Darriel Hoy COPY EDITOR Clarise J. Nixon PAGE PROOFING Patrice T. Conwell CONSULTANTS Elaine Allston, Yvonne Collins, Melonie Gurley, Wanda Lott, Margaret Neckles 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 PETER PALMER, PRESIDENT LaTasha Hewitt, Communications Director P.O. Box 266 Pine Forge, PA 19548 (610) 326-4610. www.myalleghenyeast.org ALLEGHENY WEST CONFERENCE MARVIN BROWN, PRESIDENT Benia Jennings, Communications Director 1080 Kingsmill Pkwy. Columbus, OH 43229 (614) 252-5271. www.awconf.org CENTRAL STATES CONFERENCE ROGER BERNARD, PRESIDENT Cryston Josiah, Communications Director 3301 Parallel Parkway Kansas City, KS 66104 (913) 371-1071. www.central-states.org LAKE REGION CONFERENCE GARTH GABRIEL, PRESIDENT JeNean Lendor, Communications Director 8517 South State Street Chicago, IL 60619 (773) 846-2661. www.lakeregionsda.org NORTHEASTERN CONFERENCE ABRAHAM JULES, PRESIDENT Duddley Francois, Communications Director 115-50 Merrick Blvd. Jamaica, NY 11434 (718) 291-8006. www.northeastern.org SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE WILLIAM L. WINSTON, PRESIDENT James Lamb, Communications Director 3978 Memorial Drive Decatur, GA 30032 (404) 792-0535. www.southatlantic.org SOUTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE BENJAMIN JONES, PRESIDENT Roger Wade, Communications Director 715 Youngs Lane Nashville, TN 37207 (615) 226-6500. www.scc-adventist.org SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE DR. MICHAEL OWUSU, PRESIDENT Arnaldo Cruz, Communications Director 1701 Robie Avenue Mt. Dora, FL 32757 (352) 735-3142. www.secsda.org SOUTHWEST REGION CONFERENCE DR. CARLTON P. BYRD, PRESIDENT Norman Jones, Communications Director 2215 Lanark Avenue Dallas, TX 75203 (214) 943-4491. www.southwestregion. adventistchurchconnect.org 2021 REGIONAL DIRECTORS/COORDINATORS ROSTER Virgil Childs, Vice President Regional Ministries Pacific Union Conference 2686 Townsgate Road Westlake Village, CA 91361 (805) 413-7100. www.puconline.org Cell: 909-225-6438 Kingsley Palmer, Vice President African American Dept. Arizona Conference Cell: 775-338-0858 | genx58@gmail.com James Scarborough, Coordinator African American Ministries | Central California Conference (831) 262-3838 | famar@sbcglobal.net Oneil Madden, Coordinator African American Dept. | Nevada-Utah Conference Cell 702-875-5979 | pastoromadden@aol.com Byron Dulan, Vice President North Pacific Union Conference 5709 N. 20th Street Ridgefield, WA 98642 (360) 857-7000. www.npuc.org Robert Edwards, Vice President, Black Ministries Southeastern California Conference (909) 202-0147 | kinggm@seccsda.org Royal Harrison, Director G.L.A.R. | Southern California Conference (503) 819-1498 | hroyal2@yahoo.com

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ELDER CHARLES EDWARD DUDLEY, SR.—

MY PERSPECTIVE OF AN AMAZING MAN

he cover of this edition of the Regional Voice reveals the new Regional Conference Office Building. It houses the major ministries of Regional Conferences and will include an African-American Adventist History Museum, which will allow us to tell even more of our own story in depth. The building also has a 300-seat auditorium. We have already extended an invitation to North American Division President, Dr. G. Alexander Bryant, for the North American Division to hold their year-end meetings in our building. When the auditorium is not being used for major meetings, the space is configured to be used as two classrooms. We have invited Oakwood University to hold classes there so that each school day, future administrators, pastors, church school teachers and constituents of the regional work will pass through that building and gain a sense of the legacy that is being passed on to them. The Office for Regional Conference Ministries (ORCM) Building Naming Committee and the ORCM Board voted to name this building The Charles E. Dudley Building, after the person who is such a large part of the legacy of the Regional Conferences of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He was born in South Bend, Indiana, the youngest of seven children and the grandson of slaves. He graduated from Oakwood College (now Oakwood University) in 1947, and served the Adventist Church for approximately 50 years. He worked first as a pastor, then mostly as president of the South Central Conference. That is the biographical information. Here is my perspective: Elder Charles Edward Dudley was simply the greatest leader that I have ever encountered, and I do not say this from the perspective of someone who always saw eye to eye with him. Anyone in the South Central arena in the late 1980s and early 1990s knows that was not the case. But even as I struggled with him—often from my youthful ignorance and sometimes from principle—I still had an idea of how special he was. It was a lot easier for me to think I had the answers to his job in those days until years later when I actually did have his job! However, even then I thought, “There will never be another Elder Dudley.” I thought that back in those days, and today I am sure of it. There will never be another Elder Dudley. Here’s what made him special: 1. He genuinely loved people. That made him good with people. I have never seen anyone who could match Elder Dudley’s people skills. He could talk birds out of trees. In my day, he was the most important black person, by far, in the Adventist Church. Today, we have an organization (ORCM) to coordinate the joint affairs of the Regional Conferences and to help set our joint agenda. But before there was an ORCM, there was Elder Dudley. God has helped to build a beautiful building as the headquarters of the regional

It was a lot easier for me to think I had the answers to his job in those days until years later when I actually did have his job!

work. In Elder Dudley’s day, the headquarters of the black work was wherever he and his briefcase were. But despite his importance, when he talked one-on-one with others, he made them feel as though they were the most important matters on his agenda; in fact, he was willing to sacrifice his own agenda to talk with others. I remember as a young pastor, showing up unannounced in his office one day. He spent the next five hours with me, talking and pouring into me. It was only years later, when I had the awesome responsibility and honor of sitting in his seat, that I realized what an absolute schedule-wrecking intrusion I was that day! But Elder Dudley never indicated that to me. To him, people were most important. 2. He was a visionary. What an understatement! The list of his innovations would make this article far too long: the Supplemental Retirement Program, the Infiltration Program, the 100 new church and school structures built in his administration, federally subsidized housing complexes—the list could go on and on. He was the most widely copied administrator in the church. The saying, “Frequently imitated but never duplicated,” applied to him more than any person I have known. 3. He was a spokesperson for social justice before the term social justice became widespread. He was a supporter of black institutions to his core. Though soft-spoken in the pulpit (there were times when I had to strain to hear him when he was preaching), his was a strong voice for justice and equality. I do not believe that he was ever disrespectful to those higher

up in the church hierarchy. I do not understand why some seem to believe that being disrespectful to leaders and derisive of them is somehow effective in getting what they want from those same leaders! Elder Dudley was not disrespectful, but he was not afraid to “speak truth to power.” He spoke to power, and they would listen and respond. 4. Finally, he taught me and everyone else who served under his leadership that I had a responsibility to do what was best, not only for South Central, but for the overall Regional work. He taught me to love South Central. But he also taught me that the Regional work was larger than South Central. Elder Dudley had the unique experience of hiring each of the four people who succeeded him as South Central presidents when each one of us was a young pastor. He trained us, which means that even though it has been nearly 30 years since he was the South Central president and 12 years since he passed away, his influence still lives on. With this building, his legacy will continue. It has always been my hope that this building would honor God and also honor the legacy of Elder Charles Edward Dudley, Sr. I am a better person and church administrator for having had the privilege of knowing him. The Seventh-day Adventist Church at large—and the regional work in particular—are better because of him as well. t _________________________________________________ Dana C. Edmond, Director of the Office for Regional Conference Ministry, (ORCM), is also publisher of Regional Voice Magazine. REGIONAL VOICE •

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CONTENTS Instead, they set an example for the world by forfeiting their game to observe the Sabbath, and the governor took note.

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PUBLISHER’S COMMENTARY Elder Charles Edward Dudley, Sr.—My Perspective of an Amaing Man Elder Dudley was simply the greatest leader that I have ever encountered, and I do not say this from the perspective of someone who aways saw eye to eye with him. (See the list of reasons!). By Dana C. Edmond

Regional Conference Retirement Plan Remix: A New Perspective on Retiring Successfully It makes sense to take a fresh new look—a remix—at how we can all work together to make retirement an anticipated phase that works for us versus an avoided area that is often neglected. By Dr. Delbert W. Baker

Regional Conference Office Building Becomes a Reality It’s taken four years of strategic planning, hard work and trust in God’s leading to construct headquarters during a global pandemic. And soon, Welcome! By Dana C. Edmond

The ORCM Winter Session Convenes Administrators from the nine Regional Conferences, Bermuda, and the Regional Ministries of Pacific Union and North Pacific Union safely assembled in Destin, Florida, and met virtually. Their purposes were to reflect on ministry in 2021 and to chart ministry goals for 2022 and beyond. By Darriel Hoy

Oakwood Adventist Academy Team Forfeits Game to Honor God They could have set a school record by advancing to the Class 1A Northeast Final. 6

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IN TRANSITION Elder Pierre Omeler Voted President Elder Omeler was recently voted President of the Atlantic Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, after serving as executive secretary. By Ednor Davison IN TRANSITION Southwestern Adventist University Names First Woman of Color as President, Mrs. Ana Patterson Mrs. Patterson formerly served as special assistant to the president and had been the interim president of the university. Southwestern Adventist University Release

PELC 2021: Now, New, Next This conference tackled the reality of a pandemic-impacted ministry with the theme for 2021, “NOW: Embracing God’s New, Discovering God’s Next.” After being completely virtual in 2020, the conference converted into a hybrid arrangement for 2021. By LaTasha Hewitt

SPRING 2022

36 North Pacific Union Conference territory. Washington Conference Release

36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42

31 Nevada-Utah Conference and the first Black female elected as Executive Secretary in a state conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. By Darriel Hoy

IN TRANSITION Pastor Chanda Nunes Elected As Nevada-Utah Executive Secretary Pastor Nunes is the first woman elected to this position in the

10 GLOBAL NEWS WAR! One KGB officer looked on in horror as the Berlin wall came down. His name: Vladimir Putin. He would never “get over it.” He would spend the next 30 years in his own quest for power, to recapture glory for Mother Russia. Now Ukraine suffers. ADRA and church members offer assistance.

wood school in its early days and met Sister White when she visited. He followed her wise counsel. By Byron Dulan Coverage coordinated by Dr. Bryant Taylor

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IN TRANSITION Elder Larry Bailey Voted South Central Conference Executive Secretary Elder Bailey has worked as a pastor, Director of Church Management and developed software for church treasurers, still in use today. By Dana C. Edmond

IN MEMORIAM Elder Richard Barron Dean Claude Thomas Mrs. Juanita Peay Mrs. Fern Freeman Mrs. Brenda Barber Elder Martin Howard Tributes and Statements by The Barron, Thomas, Peay, Freeman, Barber and Howard Families.

IN TRANSITION Elder Tyrone Douglas Invited to Mid-America Union as Church Ministries Director Elder Douglas has served in the Southwest Region Conference as a pastor, director of Children’s Ministries; director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries and as treasurer of the Black Adventist Youth Directors Association (BAYDA). By Brenda Dickerson

Activate: Finding the Savior in Social Justice Jesus didn’t do social justice alongside His ministry. Instead, His ministry, His exemplification of the love of God, His manifestation of God in the flesh was social justice. By Claudia M. Allen Coverage coordinated by Dr. Bryant Taylor

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HISTORICAL FEATURE Joseph Laurence, Seventh-day Adventist Pioneer His ministry spanned from the Southern states to the Pacific Northwest, and points in between. He attended the Oak-

NEWS FEATURE Wright Verdict and Sentence “I’ll never be able to forgive you for what you’ve stolen from us.” Katie Wright to former Officer Kim Potter, who shot and killed her son Daunte Wright. Potter received an 18-month sentence for manslaughter.

NEWS FEATURE Tragedy in Waukesha, Wisconsin Darrell E. Brooks, 39, of Milwaukee, is the suspect accused of killing six, (including a child) after running them down during a Waukesha, Wisconsin, Christmas parade. He never should have been out on the streets.

IN TRANSITION Derek Lane Appointed Washington Conference Community Services Director Pastor Lane has a passion for outreach ministries and community engagement work, and is the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) representative on the Conscience and Justice Council for the

Social Justice in the Word of God Dr. Calvin Rock, Dr. Mervyn Warren, and a distinguished panel of writers and editors of color came together in a historic collaboration. This collaboration produced this first, brand new Black History Study Guide series. By Dana C. Edmond

NEWS FEATURE The Arbery Verdicts Ahmaud Arbery, 25, shot dead. Guilty. Guilty. Guilty on all counts. Learn about the verdicts rendered to three defendants by two juries in two trials.

CORONA Stats The U.S. death count stands at 971,422 as of March 22. Vaccines administered in the U.S. – 558,649,472. COVID is still attacking and killing. Repeat the proven guidelines—practice good hygiene; stay masked and sheltered when possible— and consider vaccines and boosters if your health allows.

follow them into farming. Instead, he took their work ethic and followed his destiny, lighting up stage and screen with electrifying performances. He was the first black man to receive an Academy Award for Best Actor, in 1964.

SCHOLARLY FEATURE Mental Health—Is it All in Your Head? This world, the times and life as we know it have all changed, and we are STRESSED. This physician and psychiatrist offers straight talk and strategies with a hefty dose of compassion. By Dr. Marcellus R. Cephas Coverage coordinated by Howard I. Bullard

IN TRIBUTE Bishop Desmond Tutu broke many barriers in his native South Africa. He was loved there and around the world. He had an easy laugh and was easily moved to tears. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. He was not afraid of using negotiation with enemies, or breaking up life-threatening fights by walking right into the danger to cool the heat.

IN TRIBUTE By providence, Sidney Poitier was born in Miami, Florida, when his parents came to visit from the Bahamas. He did not

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HOPE SERIES A Charmed Life They seemed to lead blissful lives, but they were too fragile to live them. There is so much unseen beneath the surface. This psychologist offers just the right mixture of help and hope for those on the edge. By Dr. Courtney Ray Coverage coordinated by Darriel Hoy

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RV FEATURE

REGIONAL CONFERENCE OFFICE BUILDING BECOMES A RE ALIT Y BY DANA C. EDMOND

he process of moving into the new Regional Conference Office Building has begun. The process of adequately housing the headquarters of the Regional Conference work and its major affiliated ministries, began four years ago when the Office for Regional Conference Ministries (ORCM) Board voted to task the leaders with constructing an office building. At that time, the ORCM and the Regional Conference Retirement Plan (RCRP) were housed in a 3,000 foot building on Millennial Drive, just off the campus of Oakwood University. They leased office space in a facility they paid to be retrofitted for their use. Then ORCM began the process of fulfilling the responsibility given by the board. The leaders held discussions with Dr. Leslie Pollard, Oakwood University president, about placing the Regional Conference Office Building on the campus. Oakwood University is the largest African-American Adventist entity. Though some disagreed, Dr. Pollard recognized the unique partnership between Oakwood University and the Regional Conferences of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Each Regional Conference contributes a percentage of tithe to the operation of Oakwood. The University resides in South Central Conference territory, and this conference contributes the largest amount to the school. Some conferences subsidize not only Oakwood but the Adventist college or university in their own unions. However, the requirement to subsidize a second school does not lessen the commitment of Regional Conferences to Oakwood. The contributions come to $6 to $7 million each year. Recognizing the partnership between Oakwood University and the Regional Conferences, the school agreed to lease the land for the Regional Conference Office Building to ORCM for 99 years at $1 per year. Moreover, when ORCM asked for the property across from the McKee Building, a prime location, that request was granted. The next step was to secure the services of an architectur-

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al firm. We selected KPS, the firm that designed a number of Adventist facilities in Huntsville—the Oakwood Academy building; the Oakwood University Church Family Life Center; and oversaw the complete renovation of the new First Church facility and others. The lead architect for the project, Mrs. Kristine Harding, and her team originally designed a three-story, 45,000 square foot structure, modeled after both the McKee Building and the Allegheny East Conference Office. The original price tag was approximately $6.2 million. The next steps were to secure the financing and to find a contractor. Just as those processes reached closure, COVID 19 made its unexpected and unwelcomed appearance. Churches were closed. The ability to receive the necessary funds from the conferences to move the project forward was in serious jeopardy. ORCM was also sensitive to the potential plight of the conferences. No one wanted to construct a building during a global pandemic. Furthermore, employees in some conferences were being laid off. So the project was understandably put on hold. That was a difficult decision because building costs were rising steadily. The original $6 million, 45,000 square foot building increased to $9 million, even though the size had been reduced to 32,000 square feet to cut costs. The $9 million cost was determined to be the most affordable. The 32,000 square foot size was determined to be optimal for the building—without cutting components essential to ministry. The fear was that at whatever point the project could be resumed, the costs would have escalated beyond affordability.

No one wanted to construct a building during a global pandemic.

But God… Several miracles occurred. First, despite Regional Conference churches being closed for approximately 18 months and six percent of Regional Conferences have no online giving capability at the outset of the pandemic, Regional Conference tithe remained approximately the same in 2020 as it did in 2019. And it went up substantially in 2021! There were no pandemic-related layoffs in any Regional Conferences. That was Miracle Number 1. Second, when the building project resumed in the summer of 2021, building costs—which had previously skyrocketed—remained where they were when the project was paused. That was Miracle Number 2. Miracle Number 3 occurred when the building was built with virtually no cost overruns. With the exception of some changes requested by ORCM and the Retirement Office for things such as safety measures related to COVID, unforeseen at the start of the project, the building is being essentially completed for what P and C

Construction said costs would be. And Miracle Number 4—When the building is completed it will be dedicated debt-free, without using retirement funds (as some mistakenly thought) and without requesting additional funds from any of the Regional Conferences. We give thanks to a plan designed by God through then ORCM and RCRP Chief Financial Officer, Mrs. Phyllis Lee, the Regional Conference Officers, and a key suggestion at the end by RCRP Executive Director, Dr. William T. Cox, Sr. The building will be called the Charles Edward Dudley Building, after the late, long-time South Central Conference president, The Godfather of the Modern Regional Conference Work. In addition to office space for the major entities, the facilities will include the following: • An African-American Adventist History Museum • A Regional Conference Retirement Plan Cultural Center • A Studio for the Breath of Life Telecast

Dr. Charles Edward Dudley

• A Conference Room that can seat 50 people for Regional Conference Board meetings • An Auditorium that can seat approximately 300 individuals. It will be used for Oakwood University classrooms when the auditorium is not in use. The Regional Conference Office Building is scheduled to open to the public in mid- to late July 2022. t ________________________ Dana C. Edmond, Director of the Office for Regional Conference Ministry, (ORCM), is also publisher of Regional Voice Magazine. Elder Edmond completed this report as a Special Assignment. REGIONAL VOICE •

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RV REGIONAL NEWS

LE ADERS REFLECT ON 2021; SET GOALS FOR 2022 AT THE ORCM/ RCRP WINTER OFFICERS’ MEETING BY DARRIEL HOY

ELDER CALVIN WATKINS

he Winter Officers’ Meeting is one of the four quarterly business sessions of the Office for Regional Conference Ministries (ORCM) and the Regional Conference Retirement Plan (RCRP). It includes the RCRP board meeting as well as ORCM breakout groups for the conference administrative offices of president, treasurer or vice-president of finance, and executive secretary or vice-president of administration. COVID 19 protocols and the technical expertise of Pastor Roger Wade, Communications Director of South Central Conference, enabled administrators from the nine Regional Conferences, Bermuda, and the Regional Ministries of Pacific Union and North Pacific Union to safely assemble in Destin, Florida, and virtually. The Winter Officers’ Meeting was held Jan. 23-26, 2022. The purposes of the ses10

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sion were to reflect on ministry in 2021 and to chart ministry goals for 2022 and beyond. Morning Worship An essential element of Winter Officers’ Meeting was morning worship, consisting of prayer, praise, and the Word of God. Daily worship was a time of refreshing and refocusing for leadership. The worship services were livestreamed for constituents, and are viewable on the ORCM Facebook page and YouTube channel. Elder Calvin Watkins, vice-president of the North American Division, was the devotional speaker for Monday morning worship. Preaching from 1 Samuel 3:12-14, Elder Watkins admonished us to stay humble and close to God. His message about Eli’s self-destruction through “delusional clergy syndrome” encouraged us to stop trying to

An essential element of Winter Officers’ Meeting was morning worship, consisting of prayer, praise, and the Word of God. fix others and, instead, allow God to fix us. Tuesday’s devotional speaker was Elder Julius Ray Everett, executive secretary for the Lake Region Conference. With a message from Malachi 4:5-6, Pastor Everett painted a picture of clergy families in distress. He pleaded with pastors and conference leaders to prioritize families and to invest in pastoral family care. Elder Pete Palmer, president of the Allegheny East Conference, delivered the final devotional message for the Winter Officers’ Meeting. With a burden for evangelism, he preached from Ezekiel 37. PasPhotography by Roger Wade

tor Palmer challenged listeners to form strategic partnerships that foster evangelism. Presidents Council Regional Conference Presidents and the Vice-Presidents for Regional Ministries of the Pacific and North Pacific unions met with Dr. G. Alexander Bryant (NAD President), Dr. Kyoshin Ahn (NAD Executive Secretary), Elder Randy Robinson (NAD Treasurer), and Elder Calvin Watkins, Sr. (NAD Vice-President for Evangelism). Discussion topics included the 2021 “miracle tithe year;” capital reversion funds designated for South Atlantic, South Central, and Southeastern conferences in 2022; and the General Conference Session. Elder Bryant and Elder Watkins also presented The Antioch Initiative that provides financial and human resources for existing min-

ELDER JULIUS R AY E VERE T T

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RV REGIONAL NEWS

ELDER PETE PALMER

istries in urban areas. Dr. Leslie Pollard, president of Oakwood University, celebrated the increasing number of theology majors, in his report to the Presidents Council. This year, 25 theology / ministerial students will graduate. Dr. Pollard also highlighted Oakwood’s receipt of a $1 million grant from the Lilly Endowment through its Pathways for Tomorrow initiative. Oakwood will utilize the funding to better train pastoral leaders in the areas of diversity, health, and social justice. Other key agenda items for the Presidents Council included pastoral family care, best practices for ministry, and evangelism. Dr. Ivan Williams, NAD ministerial director, offered research on why pastors leave ministry. Dr. William Joseph, ministerial director for Allegheny West Conference, proposed strategies to provide resources, employment assistance, and spiritual care for ministerial spouses who relocate along with their pastor spouses. In addition, Dr. Joseph shared best practices for ordination, and Elder Joseph Ikner, ministerial director for Central States Conference, presented the Efficiency Subcommittee Report with recommendations for innovation and technology, finances, and human resources. Conference presidents and Union vice-presidents discussed the 12

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Conference Executive Secretaries utilized the Winter Officers’ Meeting to deliberate on post-pandemic ministry. Year of Evangelism and committed to personally conducting evangelistic meetings. The Presidents Council recognized Dr. Calvin Rock and his team for their research and publication of the Social Justice in the Word of God Bible Study guide. The Bible study guides were widely distributed throughout the conferences, and copies were also given to retirees by RCRP. Treasurers and Vice-Presidents for Finance The second caucus meeting during the ORCM Winter Officers’ Meeting was the Conference Treasurers and Vice-presidents for Finance session. They were joined by North American Division Treasurer, Elder Randy Robinson, and North American Division Vice-President, Elder Calvin Watkins. Elder Randy Robinson affirmed Re-

gional Conference treasurers and praised God’s faithfulness during the global pandemic. Elder Calvin Watkins shared information about the Regional Scholarship Fund and asked treasurers to help spread awareness about the available money. The Regional Scholarship Fund is available for full-time graduate students enrolled in recognized educational programs leading to doctoral or master’s degrees. Applicants must be citizens of Bermuda, Canada, or the USA (NAD’s territory); must be enrolled in schools based in NAD territory; and must be members in good and regular standing in one of the nine Regional Conference or Regional Ministries churches in the Pacific Union or North Pacific Union. For more information about the Regional Scholarship Fund, visit https://www. nadadventist.org/departments/treasury. There is an equivalent scholarship for Hispanic students processed through Hispanic coordinators. Tithe was a major discussion during the Treasurers’ caucus. Despite job losses and illness and economic downturns, church members gave faithfully in response to God’s goodness and generosity. In 2021, every Regional Conference experienced a tithe gain! The total tithe for Regional Conferences in 2021 was $203,584,203.53, a $12,564,396.41 increase from 2020.

Treasurers emphasized continually seeking God’s wisdom, being the first to return tithe and offering, and fiscal accountability in their roles as financial leaders. Their Bible verse for the year is James 1:5 and their motto is “Look Forward in 2022.” In addition, Regional Conference treasurers are committed to offering training, as well as mentoring students to meet the accounting staff needs of conferences. Executive Secretaries and Vice-Presidents for Administration Conference Executive Secretaries utilized the Winter Officers’ Meeting to deliberate on post-pandemic ministry. Their dialogue included the advantages and the challenges of conducting virtual church. Of particular concern is how digital church and evangelism will impact church membership in the future. In 2022, the following six of the nine Regional Conferences are scheduled to have constituency sessions: Allegheny East, Allegheny West, Lake Region, South Atlantic, South Central, and Southeastern. Veteran executive secretaries committed to helping new executive secretaries prepare

for and execute constituency sessions with excellence. The highlight of the Executive Secretary caucus was church growth statistics. The total number of baptisms and professions of faith for Regional Conferences in 2021 was 5,256, an average of 14.4 souls added daily to our churches. According to ChristianTrendWatcher.com, the growth rate for Christianity in North American is 0.27 percent and the global growth for Christianity is 1.18 percent. Last year’s growth rate for Regional Conferences, 1.65 percent, exceeded both! Regional Conference Retirement Plan The Regional Conference Retirement Plan (RCRP) board met to discuss invest-

A VI E W BE H IN D TH E SCE N ES IN D ESTIN

RCM is responsible for the logistics and the planning of these meetings. The Executive Directors of ORCM and the Regional Conference Retirement Plan (RCRP), co-leaders in the Huntsville office, decided that they would give staff members the option of in-person or virtual attendance. While technology gave the staff the ability to fulfill many of their responsibilities virtually, some things could not be done from a distance. Each morning the worship service was live-streamed. That meant that someone had to set up and operate the equipment providing this service. There were separate daily meetings for the presidents, vice-presidents for administration /executive secretaries, and vice-presidents for finance /treasurers. Microphones and computers had to be set up and operated to allow the individual administrators from each group who were attending virtually to participate. This required additional workers “on the ground” to fill in for the staff who opted to work remotely. ORCM / RCRP Communications Director, Elder Darriel Hoy, recruited South Central Conference Communications Director, Elder Roger Wade, who lent needed equipment and expertise. Together, they handled the mammoth task of providing the technology required for hybrid sessions. The administrative support staff chose to work remotely, so Mrs. Jill Edmond, the wife of ORCM Executive Director Elder Dana C. Edmond, provided administrative support on the ground. She operated the equipment that allowed the Regional presidents attending virtually to participate. The two Chief Financial Officers, Dr. Margaret Neckles (ORCM) and Mrs. Yvonne Collins (RCRP), also stepped in to provide administrative support. t _______________________________________________________________________ Dana C. Edmond, Director of the Office for Regional Conference Ministry, (ORCM), is also publisher of Regional Voice Magazine. Elder Edmond completed this report as a Special Assignment.

ments, conference contributions, fiscal accountability, and new ministry ideas to engage retirees. Dr. Delbert Baker, Research and Development director for RCRP, outlined plans for the Association for Development, Enrichment, and Life-long Learning (ADEL). Through financial webinars, Bible studies, continuing education classes, social events, and other activities, RCRP seeks to create an online community for seniors and provide retirees with more than a retirement check. To receive updates about retirement benefits, ADEL, and other RCRP news, retirees should call the RCRP office to ensure their email addresses, phone numbers, and beneficiary information are on file and correct. Ministry Reports All of the officers convened for a final day of presentations at the Winter Officers’ Meeting. Elder Debleaire Snell, the new speaker/director of Breath of Life Ministries, introduced plans for 2022, including training church leaders in evangelism. Attorney Carmela Monk Crawford emphasized Message Magazine’s digital expansion and the goal to distribute Message in prisons and community venues. Dr. Jesse Wilson, Pastoral Evangelism Leadership Council (PELC) director, shared 2021 PELC evaluations as well as the theme and speakers for 2022. Elder Patrick Graham (president) and Dr. Donovan Washington (vice-president) of the Black Adventist Youth Directors Association (BAYDA) announced the dates for the upcoming BAYDA Youth Congress (August 3-5, 2023). The ORCM / RCRP spring meeting is scheduled for April 14, 2022, in Huntsville, Alabama. t ______________________ Darriel Hoy is Communications Director for the Office for Regional Conference Ministries and the Regional Conference Retirement Plan. REGIONAL VOICE •

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OFFICE OF GRADUATE EDUCATION

OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY OFFERS FOUR MASTERS DEGREES by John Anderson, Ph.D.

In alignment with its mission to transform students through biblically-based education for service to God and humanity, Oakwood University currently offers four graduate programs: • The Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS) is a professional degree designed to foster the spiritual development and integrative practical skills of pastors and lay leaders, with emphasis on the development of Christian identity, integrity, and service to others. • The Master of Arts in Urban Ministry (MAUM) is both a professional and academic degree that emphasizes the role of the Christian Church in ministry in and for the urban community.

MASTER YOUR NEXT MOVE By enrolling in one of Oakwood University’s graduate degree programs: • Master of Public Health • Master of Arts in Urban Ministries • Master of Business Administration • Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies

ACCESSIBLE Online/Distance Learning available

ACCELERATED Complete degree in 18 Months to two years

AFFORDABLE Competitive pricing/Financial Aid available

Contact Oakwood University:

w gradadmissions@oakwood.edu # graduate.oakwood.edu 8 256.726.8091

The MAPS and MAUM degrees are offered in hybrid formats where students complete elements of the coursework online (asynchronously) as well as in real-time settings (synchronously). Both degrees can be completed in as little as 18 months. • The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree prepares current or prospective health professionals with knowledge for providing innovative evidence-based nutrition education to diverse communities. Graduates will be able to articulate cultural approaches to food, nutrition and health with an emphasis on plant-based diets; assess population needs; and evaluate programs and health policies. • The Master of Business Administration in Leadership (MBA) degree is designed for anyone desiring to effectively meet the challenges of the global marketplace with application of sound ethical leadership and management principles, as well as practical skills for using a research-driven approach to address an array of leadership and management issues. The MBA and MPH degrees are offered fully online and can be completed in as little as 18 months. If you have any questions, contact Kenesha Bennett, '16, at (256) 726-8091. Click here to apply to Oakwood University’s Graduate programs, and send the required documents by email to: gradadmissions@oakwood.edu, or by U.S. mail to Office of Graduate Education Oakwood University 7000 Adventist Blvd. Huntsville, AL 35896 ___________________________________ Dr. John Anderson is the Dean of the School of Business, and Assistant Provost for Graduate Education and Distance Learning, at Oakwood University.

RV NEWS FEATURE

OAK WOOD ADVENTIST ACADEMY TEAM FORFEITS GAME TO HONOR GOD The 2021-2022 OAA Mustangs boys basketball team was poised to make it further in post-season play than any of the school’s varsity boys’ teams before them.

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n Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, the Oakwood Adventist Academy (OAA) varsity boys’ basketball team could have set a school record by advancing to the Class 1A Northeast Final. Instead, they set an example for the world by forfeiting their game to observe the Sabbath. The 2021-2022 OAA Mustangs boys basketball team was poised to make it further in post-season play than any of the school’s varsity boys’ teams before them. Unfortunately, their regional semifinal game began at 4:30 p.m., one hour before sunset on Sabbath. In an attempt to play in the tournament, OAA contacted teams who were scheduled to play after sunset and asked the teams to switch time slots. Decatur Heritage Christian Academy supported OAA’s religious beliefs and was willing to swap times. However, the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA), which sets the rules of the tournament, denied the requested schedule change several times. To honor God by observing the Sabbath, the OAA varsity boys’ basketball team forfeited the game. When Gov. Kay Ivey of Alabama learned the OAA team was forced to forfeit, she wrote Principal Judy Chiles-Dent a letter of support and wrote AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs a letter challenging the REGIONAL VOICE •

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association’s actions that denied the OAA team their opportunity to participate because of their faith. This was a denial of their rights to practice freedom of religion under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The OAA team expressed their commitment to God over basketball. “When God created the earth, on the seventh day He rested; He calls us to rest on that day and give that day to Him,” said Raynon Andrews, senior captain of the team. “I’m not going to play on that day no matter what, because it’s bigger than basketball.” The team hopes their decision to honor God inspires other youth and creates change so that the religious beliefs of other teams can be accommodated in the future. t _______________________________

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST REGIONAL CONFERENCE RETIREMENT PLAN

REGIONAL CONFERENCE RETIREMENT PLAN REMIX

A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON SUCCESSFUL RETIREMENT

Dana C. Edmond, Director of the Office for Regional Conference Ministry, (ORCM), is also publisher of Regional Voice Magazine. Elder Edmond completed this report as a Special Assignment.

Revised Website

• For retirees and planners • All your questions answered • Everything retirement & preparation • Free one-stop website

The OAA team expressed their commitment to God over basketball.

ADEL Online Program

• ADEL is the Association for Development, Enrichment and Life-Long Learning • Online platform for growth, enjoyment, community and service

RCRP Remix = Security + Service + Selection + Success After May 15 go to RCRP/ADEL website for information and to sign up for automatic ADEL emailing, special monthly programing and other features. For questions or inquiries, contact: Regional Conference Retirement plan P. O. Box 5386 Huntsville, Alabama 35814 256-830-5002

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Launch date is May 15, 2022.

RCRP NEWS

REGION A L CONFERENCE RE T IREMEN T PL A N REMI X:

A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON RETIRING SUCCESSFULLY BY DELBERT W. BAKER

or more than a decade, an estimated 75 million Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, in the period after WWII, have been retiring at the rate of 10,000 per day! This Baby Boomers cohort will all have reached retirement age during the years 20302031. The Boomer cohort (ages 58-76) is overlapping with the preceding Silent generation (ages 77-94), as well as with the succeeding Generation X generation (ages 42-57). Three generational cohorts converging into retirement has created a boom. Some social scientists are suggesting this may become a retirement crisis (https://ageingbetter.org.uk/publications/boom-andbust). Each cohort brings with it unique gifts, virtues and vitality as well as unique challenges, concerns and needs. They all converge in the retirement arena. Retirement is the great meeting ground. Everyone is either retired, going to be retired, and/or is actively related to a retiree. It makes sense to remove any stigma or blinders, to take a fresh new look—a remix—at how we can all work together to 20

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make retirement an anticipated phase that works for us versus an avoided area that is often neglected.

Interestingly, after their retireThree generational ment, the Levites cohorts converging would still “astheir brothinto retirement has sist Attitude Adjustment ers in the tent of created a boom. Revising our views on remeeting in cartirement begins with getting a rying out their Biblical perspective. The Bible duties” (Num. reveals retirement as a different life chap- 8:26). As they did so, their experiential ter but not a checking out chapter. Before KABS (knowledge, abilities, behaviors and after retirement we are to be about the and skills) were still utilized. Subsequentwork of loving and serving God and othly, their judgement, wisdom, and insight ers. Numbers 8:25-26 is the first and onwould increase as they shifted roles and ly time the word retire is mentioned in the continued to be of service. At the LevitiBible. Literally the Hebrew word for retire cal retirement, no Biblical reference was means to turn back or retreat from the made of ceasing to be of support to God’s work being done. work and of devoting one’s self to continFrom 25 to 50 years of age, young, uous leisure and worklessness, as some strong Levites were able to carefully erect societal mores would perpetuate. and transport the tabernacle with all its sacred articles. Besides the technical duFavored Chapter ties of erecting and dismantling the tabIf approached properly, retirement may ernacle, the Levites also had to routinely be a productive and fulfilling part of life. inspect the populous’ skin for illness, dis- The Bible displays advanced aging as eases, and ailments (Leviticus 13). So, it a period that is designed to be crowned made sense that at 50 this arduous work with honor and blessing resulting in a fabe set aside. vored chapter of life (Psalm 92:12-14). In

his book, Retirement: Your New Beginning, Sid Miramontes says: “Retirement is a new beginning, and that means closing the book on one chapter in order to begin the next.” Regarding the ongoing vibrancy of the senior years, Ellen White counsels: “The true minister (worker) of Christ should make continual improvement. The afternoon sun of his life may be more mellow and productive of fruit than the morning sun. It may continue to increase in size and brightness until it drops behind the western hills” (RH April 6, 1886). She observed in relation to the aged Apostle John: “It was after John had grown old in the service of his Lord that he received more communications from heaven than he had received during all the former years of his life” (Acts of the Apostles, Page 573). By incorporating these dynamic concepts into our thinking, life, and leadership, our view of retirement would be revolutionized. ADEL Introduction: Tools In response to the current retirement landscape, the Regional Conference Retirement Plan (RCRP) has established a broad-based online program called the Association for Development, Enrichment and Life-Long Learning (ADEL). ADEL and other RCRP innovations are designed to respond to the changing retirement needs and to the concerns of the more than 850 Regional Conference retirees. More broadly, they respond to the needs of SDA retirees of color in the Regional Conference areas. ADEL is a useful line of programing services to provide information, community, education, entertainment, and growth opportunities. Executive Director Dr. William Cox, Sr. summarizes the intent of ADEL, in the overall RCRP strategy, as fulfilling the goal of providing “more than just a check” for the dedicated Regional retirees. In short, ADEL is a comprehensive response to the new demands and challenges of the world of retirement. It’s a remix in that it builds on the work of the past to meet the demands of the future. In preparation for the creation of ADEL, RCRP recently conducted a retiree survey and a series of retiree Focus Groups. The purpose was to get a balanced perspective of the concerns, challenges, joys, and fears of retirees of color Photography by iStock

ADEL is a useful line of programing services to provide information, community, education, entertainment, and growth opportunities.

in areas of the nine Regional Conferences. The survey and feedback revealed that the following 10 desires, concerns and needs were priorities in retiree thinking: 1. Sociality: Community, fellowship, news/updates, and enjoyment venues; 2. Finances: Reliable financial tools, budgeting, gifting, and related expert info/referrals; 3. Solutions: Practical life answers, life hacks, information and resources; 4. Services: Clear explanation of retirement benefits, policy answers, and pre-service planning; 5. Health: Wellness, fitness, wholesome living, medication, and healthcare “howto” tips; 6. Spiritual: Growth, missional/church service opportunities, and grief counseling support; 7. Self-Development: Continuing education, self-help training, and development opportunities 8. Mentor/Coaching: Info on how to assist others as mentors; in coaching and tutoring; 9. Media Venues: Groups, blogs, vlogs, podcasts, webinars, tech tips, and social media opportunities; and

10. Preparation: Retirement training during employment years and even youth preparation promos. ADEL Launch Date RCRP/ADEL will methodically address the above 10 retirement priorities and others that may arise. How will this happen? Via the online ADEL programming, monthly social media blasts, and website resources. This information will be disseminated in cooperation with Regional Conference leadership, the Conference designated Retirement representatives, churches, pastors, Regional Voice, and all of the Regional Conference entities. May your retirement years be mellow, productive and favored. t _____________________________________ Launch Date: ADEL and the new RCRP website will officially launch to Regional Conferences the first half of May (1-14). _______________________ Delbert W. Baker, PhD., is Director of Research and Development for the Regional Conference Retirement Plan. REGIONAL VOICE •

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RV GLOBAL NEWS

WAR! One KGB officer, a member of the Soviet security and intelligence force who had lived in Berlin looked on in horror as the wall came down. His name: Vladimir Putin.

nce we were allies. The Big Three: British Prime Minister Winston Churchill; American President Franklin Roosevelt, and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin formed a solid alliance during World War II against Germany, Italy and Japan. The Allies won. After WWII they carved up the world. The Soviets took much of Eastern Europe dividing Germany itself into East and West. The remaining Allies took the Western World, intent on rebuilding nations, economies and prosperity. Stalin’s rule was marked with cold brutality, and when he died, he died a dictator who had consolidated power by sheer force. By the time Nikita Khrushchev made his own climb to power within the Soviet Union, President John Kennedy was the American leader. His administration discovered the Soviets had nuclear missiles arrayed in Cuba, aimed at the U.S., a mere 90 miles from Florida. Kennedy stood up to his Soviet counterpart, placing a blockade of ships around Cuba to prevent more missiles coming in; demanding that Khrushchev remove the ones already 22

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there. The missiles were removed. From then on, the two Superpowers engaged in every type of race—warheads, more missiles, space exploration and earthly territory. Leaders in both nations came and went. President Mikhail Gorbachev came to power during the Reagan years in the U.S. Gorbachev’s signature tenant was “glasnost,” meaning “openness.” It was a conciliatory signal to the West, and an absolute abomination to the Communist hardliners within his own government. But one crack in the wall was all it took—literally. In 1989, Germans on the East and West sides of Berlin, helped by others from around the world, took everything from axes and tools to their bare hands to tear down the infamous Berlin Wall. One KGB officer, a member of the Soviet security and intelligence force who had lived in Berlin looked on in horror as the wall came down. His name: Vladimir Putin. He would never “get over it.” He viewed the Soviet Union crumbling

like the wall as an absolute humiliation. He would spend the next 30 years in his own quest for power, to recapture glory for Mother Russia. He would take back as much territory as he could, starting with the country next door—Ukraine. He would erase the Western, capitalist influences as he went. Whatever got in the way—neighborhoods; apartments; schools; churches; hospitals; mothers and children; the elderly and frail; civilians trying to flee; even the unborn— were simply to be crushed. It was war. *** SDA Relief for Ukraine The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is scaling-up operations to deploy humanitarian assistance for children and families displaced by the war in Ukraine. The relief agency has launched a fundraising campaign to strengthen programs for refugees from Ukraine and other global communities. According to the United Nations, about

100,000 Ukrainians have been forced to flee from their homes. More than 5 million people are expected to seek refuge in other countries, including the U.S. “The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) calls for peace and the protection of the millions of people impacted by the crisis in Ukraine. Join us in prayer for the safety and wellbeing of tens of thousands of children and families who are in harm’s way, are and will be displaced,” said Michael Kruger, ADRA president, in an official statement. “We are taking measures to ensure the protection of our staff on the ground and working with trusted partners and the Adventist Church to ensure our humanitarian aid can quickly reach those in need.” “ADRA is closely monitoring the situation on the ground. There are refugees on the move inside of Ukraine leaving the cities under attack. Many have already crossed the border into Poland or are now making their way to Slovakia, Hungary, and nearby countries,” says Mario Oliveira, ADRA director for emergency management.

“Adventist church volunteers from those regions are helping us to distribute food, water, and hygiene supplies. In Romania, we are already providing shelter to refugees in youth centers and church buildings and expect to accommodate hundreds of families,” Oliveira added. ADRA will also supply welcome packages with clothes, basic needs, and cash vouchers since banks in Ukraine have suspended operations. ADRA plans to provide long-term psychological counseling support and other health care services to the vulnerable population residing in isolated settlements. In this context, the “Hope for Ukraine” project coordinated by ADRA Romania will help those affected by the war. Immediate needs will be met by providing information, food, drinking water, clothing, shelter, social assistance, and counseling. Additionally, ADRA Poland, ADRA Hungary, and ADRA Romania, along with churches and church members, are preparing support for Ukrainian refugees as they continue on their way across the Ukrainian border to safety.

At the NAD headquarters on March 2, Randy Robinson, North American Division Treasurer, echoed the sentiments of Kruger and Adventist World Church president Ted. N.C. Wilson, calling the division’s membership to prayer. Robinson also announced that the division authorized a “Ukraine” offering button in AdventistGiving. The button is under the “World” offering tab after first clicking on “donate” and selecting your local church. The offering category is a clickable field under “More Offering Categories.” “This offering is designated specifically for humanitarian aid in Ukraine and the surrounding area due to the war. We must pray for our brothers and sisters in turmoil. And we must help in the ways we are able,” said Robinson. t _____________________________________ Coverage by ADRA International, with additional reporting from the NAD Office of Communication, ADRA and NAD statements, March 2022. See the Adventist News Network (ANN) for updates through the SDA Hope Channel and YouTube. REGIONAL VOICE •

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RV PELC 2021 REPORT

PELC 2021: NOW, NEW, NEX T BY LATASHA HEWITT

ELC 2021 tackled the reality of a pandemic-impacted ministry with the theme, “NOW: Embracing God’s New, Discovering God’s Next.” After being completely virtually in 2020, the conference converted into a hybrid set-up for 2021. When the planning committee met in January 2021, the question became, do we plan for an in-person conference as it has traditionally been, or a virtual one, or both? And then secondly, “Will anyone come?” After all, the pandemic was still in play. However, PELC director, Dr. Jesse Wilson encouraged the team not to plan as though no one would come, but plan like everyone was coming. So, they planned as they normally did, inviting speakers, presenters, and vendors. In the end, over 700 registered, with close to 200 viewing online and more than 500 gathering in-person. In previous years, if you could not attend PELC in person, you were able to tune in to the worship services on YouTube and Facebook. This year all content was streamed to registrants on PELC's website (pelcpower.com). “We felt that building parameters around our own real estate would make for a more focused and intimate experience for online attendees,” said Pastor After being completely Richard Martin, PELC committee member. virtual in 2020, the Another new feature was the addition of the lobby desk. conference converted into The primary goal was to keep online attendees engaged in real a hybrid set-up for 2021. time, similar to what happens in sports broadcasting. The hosts previewed the services, reflected on the messages, and interviewed speakers, vendors and attendees. Both online and in person attendees expressed their appreciation for the live desk. The weekend jumpstarted on Saturday, December 4th with a special service dedicated to chaplains serving in the United States armed services. A special message was given by Dr. Barry Black, chaplain for the U.S. Senate, including a musical performance by gospel award-winning singer, CeCe Winans. Chaplains enjoyed a special dinner and photo session later that evening. Sunday evening marked the official start to the conference. It began with a special memoriam video, which recognized pastors and leaders who passed in 2021. Elder Dana Edmond, Director of the Office of Regional Conference Ministries, gave a special tribute to three of the deceased individuals who were particularly special to him, Dr. Charles E. Bradford, Henry Fordham, III, AEC President, and Gregory Mack, SEC President. The honor program followed, recognizing pastors and leaders who have a major impact in the field. This year’s honorees included Oster Harrison Paul (posthumously), whose award was accepted by his son, Pastor Anslem Paul, as 24

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RV PELC 2021 REPORT

well as Nathaniel Hollis and Bryan Mann. Music from the dynamic praise team and the Steve Manders and Decree group set the tone for a wonderful service and conference. This year the committee decided not to invite any national music artists, but instead use the musical talent within the Adventist church. “I felt that we needed to highlight the musical gifts right within our own praise team, not just for praise and worship time, but for special musical selections, as well,“ said Wilson. Wilson was the opening night speaker, making it his first time as a featured speaker at the conference. Monday and Tuesday were the first full days of the PELC experience, which included three worship services, 8:00 AM, 12:00 PM and 7:00 PM, all happening inside the Oakwood University Church. Wednesday only included the 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM followed by two boot camps. Throughout the day, attendees could par26

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ticipate in various breakout sessions and plenaries, which included topics such as post-pandemic mental health, establishing an online presence, how to get members involved in ministry, and church organization in times of conflict. Pastor Glen Allen, who pastors the Danville, South Boston, and Clarksville district in Allegheny West Conference said the seminars were his favorite part of the PELC experience, particularly the workshop on praise and worship. “It was eye opening; we learned about the importance of worship, including preparation, holiness, and treating worship like a separate service altogether,” said Allen. Dr. Andrea Trusty King, Communication Director for Southeastern California Conference and Baron Savory, pastor, and Delroy Brooks, pastor, presented on the topic “Collaborative Ministry in the New Church Space. “In the age of quarantine and isolation, collaborative ministry is a game changer and a life saver, so I hope attendees left understanding how

collaboration can take their ministry to the next level and ideas on how to do it,” shared King. The Hispanic caucus, chaplains, and the ministerial spouses also gathered in Moseley Complex for special messages and presentations. Genoice Hampton, who attended the spouses’ session shared, “There was a sense of sharing and transparency in a safe environment. I truly believe we left this meeting better for having been there.” Though the number of vendors were reduced, it did allow for them to move closer to the action, being positioned in adjoining classrooms inside the OU church. One PELC vendor, Paco Juf, who has been exhibiting since 2015, set up his African attire and goods in the corridor between the church and the community center. Originally from Senegal, Africa, he first connected with PELC through an Adventist church in Orlando, Florida. “PELC has been great for my business (The African Outlets), but also has been an opportunity to meet great people,” he shared.

PELC also provided an opportunity for attendees to witness the “passing of the baton” for Breath of Life Ministries.

Representatives from the North American Division officially welcomed Pastor Debleaire Snell, with his wife, Gianna, as

“A WORD T O REMEMBER” Takeaway phrases from PELC messages Jesse Wilson: “While waiting for Jesus, go to work.” William Lee: “The champ is here – Fill me with the Holy Ghost.” Don Darius Butler: “Preach a big God; The King has another move.” Michelle Mota: “Find life in Christ who died.” Cynthia Hale: “Dare to dream.” Errol Stoddart: “Now is the antidote to procrastination; do it now.” Damian Chandler: “Keep on painting.” Ndubuisi Nwade: “All you have to do is move.” Furman Fordham: “God uses new methods, same mission.” Dana Edmond: “Hold on…Don’t let go!” William Winston: “Reclaim your destiny.” ________________________________________________________________________ Lifetime access to the messages are available for purchase at pelcpower.com

the new speaker/director of the broadcast. They also affirmed the ministry of former speaker/director Dr. Carlton Byrd and his wife, Danielle, who served in the post faithfully in for 12 years before transitioning to the role of President of the Southwest Region Conference. Byrd thanked the audience for their support over the years and assured Snell that he would be there for him during the transition. Snell expressed his appreciation for being entrusted with the role, and solicited the prayers of the audience. All-in-all, the PELC 2021 experience was reflective of its theme, embracing what’s new for the longstanding conference, but also, being open to what’s next for its promising future. t __________________________ LaTasha Hewitt is Communications Director for the Allegheny East Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and a veteran reporter for PELC sessions. REGIONAL VOICE •

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IN TRANSITION

ELDER PIERRE OMELER ELECTED PRESIDEN T OF ATL A N TIC UNION CONFERENCE

SOUTHWESTERN ADVEN TIST UNIVERSIT Y N A MES FIRST WOMA N OF COLOR AS PRESIDEN T

BY EDNOR DAVISON

n Nov. 17, 2021, The Atlantic Union Conference Executive Committee elected Pierre Omeler to serve as the new president of the Atlantic Union Conference, effective as of that date. The vote came as a result of outgoing President G. Earl Knight’s decision to retire after 44 years of ministry. Before the November 17 vote, Omeler served as executive secretary of the Atlantic Union, a position he held since his election during the 2016 union constituency session. His previous experience in the church includes serving as the Atlantic Union Conference Haitian Ministries vice president (2011-2016); president of the North American Division (NAD) Haitian Caucus and director of NAD Haitian Ministries (2012-2016), and as Northeastern Conference departmental director (2008-2011). He served in the Northeastern Conference as an associate pastor (19861989) and a senior pastor (1991-2011). Omeler graduated from Oakwood

Before the November 17 vote, Omeler served as executive secretary of the Atlantic Union, a position he held since his election during the 2016 union constituency session. College (now Oakwood University) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology with a minor in biblical languages. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University and his Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary. He has published three books and many articles. He is also a Certified Seniors Advisor (CSA). Knight’s 44 years of ministry in the Ad28

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ventist church include serving as a pastor, evangelist, conference executive secretary, conference president, union president, and mentor. “I want to thank the constituents of the Atlantic Union for the opportunity to serve as president of this great conference. As we take up this responsibility, we seek your prayers, God’s Spirit, and wisdom. Thank you to Dr. G. Earl Knight for 44 years of ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We wish him God’s best in retirement,” said Omeler. The position of executive secretary will be filled at a later date. t _________________________ Ednor Davison is Communication Director for the Atlantic Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and editor of the Atlantic Union Gleaner, a monthly publication.

he Southwestern Adventist University Board of Trustees in a unanimous and historic vote selected Ana Patterson to be the new president. Mrs. Patterson formerly served as special assistant to the president and had been the interim president of the university after the departure of Ken Shaw, who accepted a call to serve as president of Southern Adventist University. Mrs. Patterson is the first female and the first Latina to serve as president of Southwestern Adventist University. She is an alumna of Southwestern, having graduated in

President Patterson has taught for nearly 10 years at Southwestern and served as the chairperson of the university’s diversity and inclusion committee. 1999, with a Bachelor of Business Administration in long-term health care and a Master of Business Administration in 2012. President Patterson has taught for nearly 10 years at Southwestern and served as the chairperson of the university’s diversity and inclusion committee. She was awarded Educator of the Year for 2016-2017. Congratulations to President Patterson and kudos to Southwestern Adventist University for continuing the march towards full equality and diversity in God’s church. t ______________________________ Southwestern Adventist University provided this statement. REGIONAL VOICE •

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IN TRANSITION

ELDER L ARRY BAILE Y VOTED SOUTH CEN TR AL CONFERENCE E XECUTIVE SECRE TARY

PASTOR CHA NDA NUNES ELECTED AS NE VADA-UTAH E XECUTIVE SECRE TARY

BY DANA EDMOND

BY DARRIEL HOY

lder Larry Bailey was recently elected the executive secretary of the South Central Conference. He succeeds Dr. John S. Nixon, who retired after nearly 50 years of service to the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Though reared in New York, Elder Bailey actually is returning to the territory of his birth. He was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, the third of six children. At an early age, his family moved to Bronx, New York, where he was educated from elementary school to Queens College, where he pursued a degree in electrical engineering. Little did he know that while he was pursuing electrical engineering, the Lord was pursuing him. There came a day when he was asked to speak for the early morning prayer service at Oakwood College. While an invitation to share the word of God at the mecca of black Adventists— Oakwood College—is an honor for any preacher, this honor came with an unusual catch: he had to pay his own way to Huntsville from New York. Undaunted and unreimbursed, Elder Bailey made his way to Oakwood and was hooked. Even though the school did not have an electrical engineering major, Oakwood had Elder Bailey. He decided to transfer to Oakwood and, soon thereafter, he felt the call of God upon his life. He then switched his major to Theology. He graduated from Oakwood College in 1974 and began a ministerial career in the Northeastern Conference that lasted nearly four decades. For the first 15 years of that time, he pastored in the New York City area. In 1989, Elder Bailey was appointed as Director of Church Management in the Northeastern Conference. In that capacity, he worked with the local church treasurers. He developed a software program for them that some church treasurers continue to use to this day. He also served as Stewardship Director, Director of Online Ministries and Informa30

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tion Technology, and Assistant to the Conference Secretary prior to being elected as Conference Executive Secretary in 2002. His administrative peers quickly recognized his God-given skill set and they asked him to serve as the secretary of the Black Caucus and the chairperson of both the Regional Conference Retirement Plan Screening Committee and the Regional Conference Secretaries Caucus.

Elder Bailey made a lasting contribution to youth ministries when, at the behest of then South Central Conference Youth Director Elder Joseph McCoy, he designed the very first Bible Bowl system. It was used for many years and was the model for the systems that are used today. In 2012, Elder Bailey accepted a call to the South Central Conference. He pastored and renovated churches in Northern and Central Alabama, concluding with his appointment as Senior Pastor of the Birmingham Ephesus SDA Church. For approximately 47 years, his wife, Diane, has ministered along with him in his various ministerial assignments. A native of New Bern, North Carolina, she and Elder Bailey are the parents of three daughters, Nicole, Shantel and Dione. They have five grandchildren. t _________________________ Dana C. Edmond, Director of the Office for Regional Conference Ministry, (ORCM), is also publisher of Regional Voice Magazine. Elder Edmond first completed this report for the ORCM Website.

n a historic vote on Feb. 24, 2022, the Executive Committee of the Nevada-Utah Conference elected Pastor Chanda Nunes as executive secretary. Pastor Nunes is the first woman elected to this position in the Nevada-Utah Conference and the first Black female elected as executive secretary in a state conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Pastor Nunes is a trailblazer and has been a “first” in every church position she has held. She currently leads the Pacific Union College (PUC) Church as senior pastor, and is also the first person of color and the first woman to serve in this capacity. With compassionate care, godly wisdom, dynamic preaching, and contagious joy, she shepherded the faculty, students, and community surrounding PUC through a global pandemic and devastating wildfires. “I’m amazed by God’s love and how He leads,” she shared. “I’m humbled by this opportunity, and I’m looking forward to being used by God in this new assignment.” As executive secretary, Elder Nunes will be the conference officer responsible for developing, implementing, and interpreting church policies; addressing personnel and membership issues; documenting meetings; maintaining employee records and credentials, and compiling statistical reports. Nevada-Utah Conference President, Carlos Camacho, expressed his appreciation for Pastor Nunes: “God called Pastor Chanda Nunes for such a time as this. Let me say that again. God called Elder Chanda Nunes, and we were obedient to Him. Whether it’s our congregations or schools, pastoral staff or educators, department directors or executive officers, Nevada-Utah is committed to reflecting and celebrating the diversity of our conference, our world, and the kingdom of God with gifted and faithful leaders of all races, male and female.” Nevada-Utah Conference has one of the most diverse conference leadership teams in Adventist history. The administration includes Carlos Camacho, president; Chanda Nunes, executive secretary; and Karen

Schneider, treasurer; a Hispanic man, a Black woman, and a Caucasian woman, respectively. Pastor Nunes is no stranger to leadership. She began serving God and the Seventh-day Adventist Church as a child. She was born to God-fearing, Jamaican parents—Lee Nunes and Myrtle Carby-Nunes— and was raised in Toronto, Canada. Pastor Nunes recognized her call to ministry at age 9 and credits many church leaders who acknowledged her gifts and calling by assigning her various leadership roles. She nurtured these gifts of ministry through education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies with a minor in Biblical Languages from Burman University (formerly Canadian University College). She completed rigorous study at the Seventh-day Theological Seminary at Andrews University and obtained a Master of Divinity degree. She also received associate degrees in Private Investigation and Paralegal Studies, and is a Certified Life Coach Practitioner. The Alberta Conference called Pastor Nunes to ministry on the campus of Burman University in 2003. She was the first Black female pastor at the College Heights Seventh-day Adventist Church. She quickly became known as a powerful preacher, organized administrator, and spiritual caregiver to diverse populations of people. In 2008, Pastor Nunes was called to the Kansas-Nebraska Conference to serve as associate pastor of the New Haven Seventh-day Adventist Church. She was the first Black pastor in the conference as well as the first Black female pastor in the Mid-America Union. She served the Kansas-Nebraska Conference from 2008-2015

and was commissioned in 2011. In addition, she often preached, presented seminars, and conducted special services at churches in the neighboring Central States Conference. The Northern California Conference called Pastor Nunes in 2015. Once again, she was the first Black female to pastor in the conference. She served the Capitol City Seventh-day Adventist Church in Sacramento, and was ordained to the gospel ministry in 2018. Pastor Nunes enjoys interior decorating, and appreciates meeting new people and hearing their stories. She is a car enthusiast who relishes road trips. She loves spending time with her three brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. Wherever God has led her, Pastor Chanda Nunes has served with excellence, bold vision, and faithfulness. Through her, God has opened the doors of ministry for other women and people of color, and is changing our Church’s culture for the better. As God continues to use Pastor Nunes in the Nevada-Utah Conference and beyond, we pray her favorite scripture on her behalf. Psalm 91:1-2 promises, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God in Him will I trust” (NKJV). t __________________________ Darriel Hoy is Communications Director for the Office for Regional Conference Ministries and the Regional Conference Retirement Plan. Pastor Hoy first completed this report for the ORCM

Website.

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IN TRANSITION

ELDER T YRONE DOUGL AS TO SERVE AS MID-A MERICA UNION CHURCH MINISTRIES DIRECT OR

DEREK L A NE APPOIN TED WASHINGT ON CONFERENCE COMMUNIT Y SERVICES DIRECT OR

BY BRENDA DICKERSON

astor Tyrone D. Douglas has accepted the invitation of the Mid-America Union Conference Executive Committee to serve as Church Ministries director for their nine-state territory. He began his new role on Jan. 1, 2022. Douglas comes to Mid-America from the Southwest Region Conference headquartered in Dallas, Texas, where he has been serving as director of Children’s Ministries/ Sabbath School and associate pastor of City Temple Church. In addition, he previously served the conference as director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries and as treasurer of the Black Adventist Youth Directors Association (BAYDA). “We once again are blessed to have someone join our MAUC family with such a wide array of church ministries experience. While Pastor Douglas has spent much of his ministry with our youth, from children through young adults, he also brings experience with community services and disaster relief. He will be a wonderful blessing to our field,” said President Gary Thurber of the Mid-America Union Conference. Douglas was born on the island of Barbados in the West Indies. There, he was first exposed to the influences of Adventism as his young, impressionable mind was introduced to the gospel as presented in Revelation 14. After graduating from Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Academy in Chicago, Illinois, Douglas enrolled at Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama. As a student he earned the distinction of being the recipient of the Mosely-Warren Homiletics and Preaching Award. He also spent a year as a student missionary in the Marshall Islands, where he taught high school religion and physical education at Ebeye Seventh-day Adventist Academy. Following his graduation from Oakwood 32

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University with a religion major and communication minor, Douglas served for five years as a bi-vocational pastor. He then continued his educational pursuits at Andrews University Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, Michigan, where he graduated with a Master of Divinity degree. For the next 20 years he pastored various churches in Texas and Oklahoma before joining the Southwest Region Conference staff. Pastor Douglas has had the privilege to minister in a number of other capacities, including as the founder and speaker of The Word Only radio broadcast. He has preached and conducted seminars and

weeks of prayer across the United States, in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Philippines. In addition, he has coordinated Pathfinder events, youth retreats, family retreats, and summer camps. Douglas stated that one of his goals as MAUC Church Ministries director is to utilize his gifts and talents in ministry through faithful service to God by nurturing, mentoring and facilitating the development of Spirit-filled leaders. He added that he plans to integrate his “strong belief in the priesthood of all believers in organizing and mobilizing for ministry.” He believes that victory is realized through prayer and time spent in communion with God through His Holy Word. His favorite text is Psalms 16:8: “I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved” (NKJV). He is married to the lovely Venus Decano-Douglas of the Philippines, and is the proud father of Arielle Jolie Douglas, a graduate of Andrews University. t __________________________ Brenda Dickerson is the Mid-America Union Communications Director and Editor of Outlook Magazine.

ashington Conference introduced Pastor Derek L. Lane as its new Adventist Community Services director. Lane started his new role on Nov. 1, 2021. He is carrying forward the Adventist Community Services legacy nurtured by Byron Dulan, North Pacific Union Conference vice-president, and Colette Newer, newly elected North American Division Adventist Community Services Associate Director. Pastor Lane has a passion for outreach ministries and community engagement work, and is the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) representative on the Conscience and Justice Council for the North Pacific Union Conference territory. He is a contributor to the recently published 2022 devotional book, Let Justice Roll. In addition to his new role, Lane will continue in pastoral ministry at Maranatha Church in Seattle, Washington, but not at Lighthouse Christian Fellowship. Pastor Lane is a graduate of Oakwood University, Mississippi State University, and the Nonprofit Executive Leadership Institute at Stanford University. He is principal owner of The Lane Consulting Group and a fundraising consultant with North American Division’s Philanthropic Services for Institutions. He is known across North America for his community services involvement and fundraising skills. In a variety of roles over 30 years, Lane has launched more

than a dozen non-profit agencies and has secured more than $20 million in grants and resources. “Ministry is the shape of the cross. The vertical beam symbolizes our relationship with God while the horizontal beam represents our service to humanity,” Lane said. “My vision for Outreach Ministries is to see everyone intentionally engaged in service and mission for our Savior.” Pastor Lane is married to Mae Aldridge-Lane. They have four adult children and a granddaughter. t ____________________________________ Washington Conference Release

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IN MEMORIAM

RICHARD EDWARD BARRON 1931 – 2021

astor Richard Edward Barron, known to his family and lifelong friends as “Dicky,” was born in Newark, New Jersey, on November 29, 1931, to Edward Barron and Cora Crowell Barron. He was the second of their eight children that consisted of four boys and four girls. The Barron family lived in a three-story, two-bedroom home from which many humorous stories emerged. According to Pastor Barron, he did not know what was more challenging, growing up so close to the city streets of Newark or being raised by Edward Barron who was determined to keep his sons off the streets. His mother told him at an early age that he was born to be a preacher—but Dicky had other plans. He wanted to travel and see the world. As a teenager, Dicky suffered from rheumatic fever that left him with a life-long heart condition. This presented as a problem when he signed up to join the Army in 1952. Beyond wanting to serve his country, he had a desire to travel and see the world beyond Newark. The military doctor noted Dicky’s enlarged and weakened heart. However, Dicky appealed to the doctor to allow him to prove his heart was strong enough to handle the physical demands required to get through boot camp. The doctor relented. Richard successfully completed boot camp, earned his GED, and served his country as a hospital orderly while staHis mother told tioned in Germany during the Korean War. While in the service, he met and him at an early age served alongside his good buddy that he was born to and life-long friend, the late be a preacher—but Pastor St. Claire Phipps. When Dicky returned to Dicky had the states after being honother plans. orably discharged from the service, he boarded a bus headed to New Jersey and sat next to young man named James Parker. As they traveled, they talked. Dicky found out that James was headed to Oakwood College, a college for Negroes, in Huntsville, Alabama. Parker explained that this college prepared young men for the ministry. Suffice it to say, Dicky did not get off the bus in Newark. He went on to Huntsville with Parker where they both enrolled, settled in as roommates, and entered the ministry. They remained lifelong friends. God said that it is not good for man to be alone, so while Dicky Barron wasn’t looking, God was preparing Vivian Virginia Steele in Battle Creek, Michigan. One day, while Dicky was walking across Oakwood’s campus with his camera, he noticed two young ladies, Marie Kibble and Vivian Steele, sitting on the steps of their dorm. Vivian, all of 5’3”, flashed her smile towards Dicky’s lanky 6’7” frame. He asked Vivian if she would pose for him. She consented. After several days, Vivian asked Dicky to show her the pictures he had taken of her. Dicky told her that his camera did not have any film in it. Per his version of the story, “I had to remind her that I only asked her to pose.” The rest is 36

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history. They were joined in marriage munity leaders filled up the church on September 30, 1956, in Battle to talk and hear about Jesus. The Creek, Michigan. conference began sending him out to In 1960, during Dicky’s last year other churches to share his process for at Oakwood, he was diagnosed with attracting young people and to preach cancer of the kidney. By January 1961, God’s Word to larger congregations. It the doors of the church. As such, the young Dicky’s health took a turn for the worse. was clear to everyone that God had called pastor began outreach programs targeted Vivian, eight months pregnant with their Dick Barron to minister to the youth. In at introducing young people to a “down to third daughter, called his parents to come January 1967, Central States Conference earth” Jesus. Initially, to find his audience, from New Jersey to say goodbye to their leaders invited Pastor Barron to work as he went to the street corners and local son. When they arrived, the doctors told community centers to share his message of the Missionary Volunteer and Education Vivian and her in-laws that Dicky might Secretary for Seventh-day Adventist God’s love. not live through the night due to his failing churches in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, In a few months, he opened the church kidney. Iowa, Colorado and Wyoming. The Barron on Friday nights to hold Youth Service Vivian called the “Bishops of Oakwood” meetings. Although this was during the family relocated to Kansas City, Missouri. to come to the hospital that night to anoint time of the Civil Rights Movement, diverse To be clear, during this time period in the her husband. Due to her condition, Vivian SDA church, ministers were rarely affordgroups of young people and local comwas sent home to rest while his ed the luxury of flying to their mother remained by her son’s appointments. As such, Pastor bedside. The next morning, VivBarron traveled by car on Friday G LOBAL MINISTRY ian rushed to the hospital after evenings, in all types of weather, hearing that Dicky had made it to deliver God’s Word on SabCentral States Conference through the night. The doctors bath. See the box of information • Pastor, New Hope SDA Church, informed her that they had reexto tour his Global Ministry. Pueblo, Colorado amined him and could not find On November 29, 2021, Pas• Missionary Volunteer and Education Secretary a trace of cancer in his kidney tor Barron celebrated his 90th • Camp Master at Camp Shady Hill, full Summers or anywhere in his body. Dicky birthday, surrounded by a small Assignments: was sitting up, asking for food, group of family and friends in Camp Meeting; Junior Camp; Teen Camp; Couples Retreat weekend and and wanted to go home. He was his hospital room that was decoA long weekend for the annual Pathfinders’ Retreat. completely healed. Upon gradrated with balloons, flowers, and Pacific Union Conference uating from Oakwood College streamers. Northern California Conference, Pleasant Hill in 1961, he moved his gorgeous Early Sunday morning, De• Temperance Secretary wife and three daughters—Tere, cember 12, 2021, Pastor Barron Lake Union Conference, Berrien Springs, Michigan Shelley, and Caryl-Marie, ages took his final breath and is now • Temperance Department 6, 4, and 2, respectively—to Anresting from his 60 years of Vienna, Austria – Attended General Conference session, 1975 drews University Seminary in serving and loving the Lord. He General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Berrien Springs, Michigan. Here is survived by his three loving • Associate Youth Director, Youth Ministries Department he earned his master’s degree in daughters: Teresa Ann Barron • First African American in this capacity theological studies. Pinkney, Dallas, Texas; Shelley India – 1976 During the summers, Dicky Barron Gibbs, Zephyrhills, Flor• Evangelism Assignment and Vivian worked with veteran ida; and Caryl-Marie Barron, Southwest Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 1986 evangelists conducting six-week EdD, Zephyrhills, Florida; two Dallas, Texas evangelistic tent efforts in St. sisters: Carol Barron Thomas, • Elected Conference President Louis, Missouri. During the day, Avon Park, Florida, and Joahn General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 1990 to 1995 the young men from the semiBarron Frazier, Hagerstown, • Associate Director of Christian Ministries nary pitched and maintained the Maryland. He will be missed by General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 1995 to 1998 tents, knocked on doors to invite his by four grandchildren: Viv• Youth Department, Worldwide Christian Ministries and Youth Teams people to come to the evening ian Pinkney Warrick, Desiree Bermuda Conference, St. George’s Parish, 1998 to 2001 meetings, and sold literature. Pinkney Miles, Timothy Pink• Ministerial Director After completing the seminary ney, and Richard Dante-Barron Retirement, Avon Park, Central Florida in 1963, Central States ConferWright, and 10 great-grandchilSoutheastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists ence invited Dick and his family dren. Pastor Barron was preced• Part-time pastor of The Ridge Area Seventh-day Adventist Church to serve as pastor of The New ed in death by his wife, Vivian Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Center, Sebring, Florida, Hope Seventh-day Adventist Steele Barron, in 2012. t Now known as AdventHealth Sebring ____________________________ Church in Pueblo, Colorado. • Assistant to President Tim Cook for Mission and Ministries Pastor Barron referred to his exThe Local Prison and Local Pulpits Special Thanks from Regional periences at New Hope Church • Conducted Bible studies and church services Voice Magazine to the family of as ground-zero for what God had South America, Canada, and Australia Elder Richard Edward Barron for called him to do: to reach and to this thorough, colorful, inspiring • International Revival Work preach to young people beyond tribute. REGIONAL VOICE •

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IN MEMORIAM

CL AUDE THOMAS, JR.

JUANITA ERMA JACKSON PE AY

1932 - 2022

1932 – 2022

laude Thomas, Jr., “Jackie” to family and friends, was born on April 30, 1932, in Bronx, New York to Wilmeth and Claud, Sr. He was the third of their children, joining older siblings Sarah and Russell. As many New York families do, the Thomases moved to different boroughs, spending time in Brooklyn, Harlem and the Bronx. During those years, Claude graduated from DeWitt Clinton High, and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from City College. At a church party, Claude met Carol Laverne Jones, the daughter of Rosa Lee Jones who was a Bible worker in the Northeastern Conference, and a noted choral director at Ephesus SDA Church in Harlem. Their love blossomed and they married in September 1953. Together they had three children; Claude, III, Brian, and Patrice. Sadly, their union was not destined to last. Tragically, Carol died on Oct. 23, 1964, after an unexpected illness. But it was not God’s plan to leave Claude to raise his young family as a single father. In April 1965, although still grieving his wife’s death six months prior, Claude’s aunt convinced him to take her and her husband to attend Youth Congress in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was there that family friends and relatives introduced him to Jocelyn Bernice Reid, or “Jo,” the daughter of Bernice and Elder D.B. Reid, a pastor in Buffalo, New York. The two began a whirlwind courtship that ended in marriage six months later on Oct. 31, 1965. Their union added two more children to the family: David and Russell. While working as a parole officer in New York City, Claude accepted an invite from Oakwood College President Frank Hale in 1967 to serve as Dean of Men. The city-born and bred Thomas headed to the Deep South with his family. Thus began his 32-year employment at Oakwood College, now Oakwood University, impacting and influencing the lives of hundreds of students. After two years as dean, Claude took a 38

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study leave to attend Andrews University, earning a master’s degree in counseling and psychology. Upon returning to Oakwood, he held positions as Director of Development and then Dean of Students. After another leave to engage in doctoral studies at Andrews, Claude returned to head Oakwood’s Counseling and Testing Center as its director. During his doctoral studies in educational psychology, Claude became fascinated with the relationship between the compatibility of individuals and successful marriages. Marriage and family became a specialty area of study for him and, subsequently, a huge part of his counseling practice. Before “The 5 Love Languages” and other relationship tests that are now common, Claude integrated the use of personality, loving style, and spiritual gifts tests in his pre-marital and marriage counseling practice. Claude and Jo established the Institute for the Biblical Study of the Family, sharing their relationship expertise with church congregations and other groups across

the nation for more than 30 years. They were known for unabashedly using their personal experiences as a couple and parents through which to teach valuable relationship lessons. Claude also shared his knowledge and experience with students who took the Marriage and Family course that he taught at Oakwood. The magnitude of his ministry in marriage and family compelled Elder Charles E. Dudley, Sr., then president of the South Central Conference, to ordain Thomas as a minister in the conference. After retiring in 2002 from full-time employment at Oakwood, Claude served as a special assistant to the Vice President of Student Affairs for several years. He also continued presenting relationship workshops with his wife until a decline in his health prohibited travel. But that didn’t stop their family ministry. In 2017, the Thomas’ self-published a book, Becoming a Professional Lover: A Weekly Devotional for Learning to Love God’s Way, offering 52 tips from their personal experience on building strong marital and family relationships. On Jan. 20, 2022, Claude finally succumbed to health challenges that had plagued his body for many years. Pre-deceased by his parents, siblings, and one grandson, Thomas leaves to celebrate his legacy his wife of 56 years (also a former Oakwood employee), five children and their families, including 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; many adopted children and grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; Oakwood alumni, and Huntsville community members and friends. The celebration of life service for Claude will be held on Friday, April 29, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Oakwood University Church. t _____________________________________ Special Thanks from Regional Voice Magazine to our own Patrice Thomas Conwell for composing this inspiring tribute to her father.

uanita Erma Jackson was born November 11, 1932, in Jacksonville, Florida. Her biological parents were the late Erma Davis and Isaac Jackson Sr. Before the passing of her mother, she requested Juanita to be raised by relatives, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Singleton. The Singletons are the parents of the late Harold D. Singleton, who was the first president of the South Atlantic Conference. These godly parents sent Juanita to church school from kindergarten in Jacksonville until she enrolled in the Oakwood Junior Academy in Huntsville, Alabama. When Juanita became a teenager, her biological father wanted to be involved in her life. He called the Singletons from Akron, Ohio, one day and told them, “I’m coming to get my daughter.” Though not a practicing Christian, Mr. Jackson was careful to respect the Adventist beliefs and religious practices the Singletons instilled in Juanita. He agreed to send her to Oakwood Senior Academy where she graduated. He then sent her to Andrews University where she was a “quota token.” She graduated with a major in Secretarial Science in 1954. Because of her Christian lifestyle, her step-mother, Ruth Jackson, converted to Adventism and was baptized by the late Elder Aaron Brogden. While a senior at Oakwood Academy, she met this “cool dude” from Greensboro, North Carolina. He asked her to be his girlfriend on March 17, 1950. She happily agreed. They dated for four years while he was completing his master’s degree in Practical Religion at the Seventh-day Adventist Seminary. Elder Harold D. Singleton officiated at their wedding September 5, 1954. Their union lasted 67 years, three months and 28 days.

She loved music and played the piano. She was always willing to use this gift in the churches where “we” pastored and in the evangelistic meetings “we” conducted. In 1958, the daughter we chose, Ralita— Ral from Ralph and Ita from Juanita—was born and made our family complete. She blessed us with beautiful granddaughters and great grandchildren. Juanita loved flowers. She had a green thumb. She loved music and played the piano. She was always willing to use this gift in the churches where “we” pastored and in the evangelistic meetings “we” con-

ducted. She loved antique shopping, especially in Huntsville, Alabama. Through the years, her secretarial skills were employed in service to the Mississippi Valley State University administration and to the Riverside Hospital medical staff. In the mid-1960s, she began a career in medical records and became a nationally Certified Registered Medical Records Secretary. She served in this capacity at Riverside Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee; Hackensack Hospital in Hackensack, New Jersey; and for 19 years at the Grady Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Though she never planned to marry a minister, she made an excellent first lady in all the congregations we served. Our journey included pulpits in Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. She was also a classy first lady of the South Atlantic Conference. She always dressed appropriately for each occasion. One year, while still a student at Oakwood, she was awarded the title “Best Dressed Lady on the Campus.” Juanita loved to travel. She went to Europe, Africa, Asia and of course, the Americas. Even though she retired in 1995, she continued to enjoy a pleasant, active quality of life. In late 2020, declining health began to take a toll. Our family will forever have fond memories of the one I called “Sweetie.” Surviving members include her husband Ralph; daughter Ralita Fowler (Nathan); sistersin-law; a brother-in-law; nieces and nephews; special friends and a host of other ex-tended family and friends.. t _____________________________________ Special Thanks from Regional Voice Magazine to Elder Ralph Peay for composing this touching, inspiring tribute to his wife. REGIONAL VOICE •

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IN MEMORIAM

FERN ELIZ ABETH FREEMAN

BRENDA LOUISE BARBER

1951 - 2021

1951 - 2022

Celebration of Life of

ern Elizabeth (Harris) Freeman was born on May 5,1951 in Kokomo, Indiana. She was the second child born to Mabel and Karl Von Harris Sr. Fern attended Lasalle High School in South Bend, Indiana. She graduated in 1970. Following graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Alvin Earl Freeman, Sr. on December 3,1971 and to this union were born four children: Anthony, Andre, Alvin Jr., and Tiwanna. Fern and her husband, the love of her life, accepted Christ together in 1974 and joined the Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church in South Bend, Indiana. For 39 years, Fern partnered with her husband in ministry in the South Atlantic Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Fern’s passion as a caregiver led her to work several years in healthcare and special education. Her desire as “Pooh Bear,” sons, Anthony (Kelly); to continue in the education field led her Andre (Jennifer); Alvin, Jr. (Rhonda); to obtain an Associate of Science degree daughter, Tiwanna (Jerrod); brother, Paul from Reinhardt College. She graduated Harris; 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grandCum Laude from Brenau University with a children and a host of nieces and nephews. Bachelor of Science degree. Who can find a virtuous woman? for her After teaching for more than 30 years, price is far above rubies, … strength and Fern retired from Berean Christian Juhonor are her clothing, … she openeth her nior Academy in 2015. Fern’s pride was mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is in her school and students, and she shared the law of kindness… they call her blessher passion for learning with thousands ed” (Proverbs 31:10,25, 26, 28, KJV). t ovember 21, 2021 12:00 p.m. of children over the years. Fern was a car- N_____________________________________ W e s t e nd Seventh-day Adventist Church ing wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and Special theStFreeman friend. She was preceded in death by her 84Thanks 5 Lawto ton . SW family from Regional Voice Magazine parents, Karl Von Harris, Sr. and Mabel Atlanta, GA 3031for 0 this tribute to Mrs. Fern Elizabeth Freeman, which was Harris; two brothers Karl Von Harris, Jr., much like her life, inspiring and elegant. and Arthur Harris. Fern passed away November 12, 2021. Fredrick Russell, Officiant She is survived by her husband, Pastor AlCalvin Watkins, Eulogist vin Earl Freeman, Sr. affectionately known

May 5, 1951-November 12, 2021

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renda Louise (Allen) Barber was born on December 8, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York, to the late William Anthony Allen and Mary Elizabeth (Bell) Allen. She was the youngest of their five children. Brenda was born and reared in the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, attending the Mount of Olives SDA Church in Brooklyn during her formative years. She was baptized at an early age. Brenda was educated at Bethel Elementary School in Brooklyn, New York, and Northeastern Academy in Bronx, New York. She graduated from Oakwood College (now Oakwood University) with a major in home economics. Additionally, she was certified in elementary education. Brenda was employed as a dietitian at Kings County Hospital, Brooklyn, and at Idlewild Elementary School, Charlotte, North Carolina. She started her career in education as the Day Care Director at Ramah Jr. Academy, then eventually became an elementary school teacher in Savannah, Georgia. She taught at Decatur Adventist Jr. Academy and Greater Atlanta Adventist Academy, both in Georgia. She retired as the librarian and resource teacher at Greater Atlanta Adventist Academy in 2016. She was married to Drake P. Barber on October 3, 1982, and their union was blessed with two children. The Barbers shared pastoral ministry at the following churches: Zion Temple SDA Church, Greenwood, South Carolina; Northeast SDA Church, Charlotte, North Carolina; Ebenezer SDA Church, Augusta, Georgia; Wrens SDA Church, Wrens, Georgia; West Broad SDA Church, Savannah, Georgia; Mount Olive SDA Church, East Point, Georgia; East Market Street SDA Church,

Greensboro, North Carolina; Shiloh SDA Church, Smyrna, Georgia; and Maranatha SDA Church, Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to serving as First Lady, Brenda held the position of President of the Clergy Spouses Organization. Brenda enjoyed reading, creative cooking, and playing various board games. She excelled as a literature evangelist throughout her life. She loved people and enjoyed teasing them and laughing with them. She was partial to the color red. Brenda had an infectious sense of humor; she was full of fun. As the “baby sister,” Brenda occupied a special place in the hearts of her siblings. She was always the center of lighthearted mischief and witty conversation. Brenda was also a serious Bible scholar

who served in Sabbath School, Personal Ministries, Health Ministries, and Women’s Ministries. She also was called upon to deliver sermons from time to time. She was known for her generosity and for the encouragement she gave to others, especially her students. She will be remembered as a determined person, a critical thinker, and a loyal friend. She was a devoted and supportive wife and mother who loved Jesus and her family. On February 15, 2022, Brenda departed this life in Douglasville, Georgia, after a prolonged illness. She leaves to cherish her memories her husband Drake; children Drake Juliane and Brittany Terese; stepdaughter Tauriette Prince; adoptive daughter Charisse Matthews; siblings Theresa Allen, William Allen (Andralyn), Jean Wallen (Victor), Gregory Allen (Carol); grandchildren Astoria, Avonte, and Deandre; godchildren Jada Felder and Courtney Weston; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins, along with many beloved friends. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord” (Revelation 14:13 KJV). t _____________________________________ Special Thanks to the Barber family from Regional Voice Magazine for sharing this beautiful tribute to the beautiful, dedicated life of Mrs. Brenda Barber.

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IN MEMORIAM

FAITHFUL TO THE END—

Adventist education would lay the foundation for his ministerial career.

THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MARTIN LUTHER HOWARD SR. 1945 - 2022

amed after the great reformer and theologian Martin Luther, Howard was born in Fort Myers, Florida, on May 16, 1945. He was the first of three sons born to Johnny and Mary (Perry) Howard. When he was two years old, the family moved to Hartford, Connecticut where he and his two younger brothers would spend their early years. Growing up, Martin had a supportive village that included a host of aunts and uncles, as well as a tightly knit church family. His father served as the Head Trustee and as a deacon in their Baptist church homes in Connecticut and in Georgia, respectively. His mother served as the church clerk for the Faith Seventh-day Adventist Church in Georgia. As an eight year old, Martin responded to Elder Frank Fletcher’s sermon and accepted Christ as his Savior. His parents were committed to the best possible Christian education for their sons, and sacrificed greatly to provide it. Martin developed an extraordinary intellect, became an avid reader and would study for hours on end. Adventist education would lay the foundation for his ministerial career. In addition to his studies, he particularly enjoyed participating in sports. He excelled in basketball and started at the center position for his academy team. Upon graduating from Weaver High School, where he also played basketball and ran track, he matriculated at Atlantic Union College (AUC), majoring in religion and theology. His gifts in ministry and church leadership were striking to those around him. His fellow students asked him to serve as the campus pastor. In this role, Martin 42

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filled a deep need for an African American spiritual experience on campus. He took this experience very seriously and many students were blessed by his efforts. Due to illness in his senior year, Martin had to make up two classes. This prevented him from receiving a sponsorship to the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Undeterred, he graduated from AUC, then took classes at a Baptist seminary in Connecticut. That allowed him to be close to his home and to be of support to his family. Martin’s skills in organizational management brought him opportunities to work in various corporate positions. For a brief time he worked in the insurance industry before transitioning to Detroit, Michigan, where he secured a senior management role with General Motors (GM).

Despite his corporate success, Martin remained committed to furthering his education. While employed at GM, he took courses at Andrews University as his schedule allowed. Later, after moving to Southern California, he resumed his studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena. In the fall of 1976, Martin was introduced to Audrey Jean Vance by their mutual friend Carolyn Florence, via a threeway phone call on a Thursday evening. They met for lunch the next day, then for a game night the following weekend, where Martin managed to intrigue and even baffle this previously undefeated professional wordsmith—in a Scrabble challenge. Martin, recognizing a good thing—and already with a made-up mind—promised to call Audrey when she returned to California the Sunday after they met. One call led to more and more; then into a full-blown long distance relationship peppered with visits to California by Martin and their joint visits to their parents. Their romance led to a secret, civil ceremony on Sept. 2, 1977, to commemorate the day they met. On Nov. 27, 1977, they married in a public, religious service at the altar of the Wilshire United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, where hundreds of loved ones and friends celebrated their nuptials. Over the course of their 42 years of marriage, Martin and Audrey became parents to Martin II, Marjean, Michael and Mark; then the doting grandparents to Jonathan, Jessica, Savannah and Justice. Though professionally employed by the Loma Linda Medical Center, his passion for ministry and “doing the work of the

church,” as he described it, never subsided. What started as his desire to fill a temporary need turned into a part-time pastoral role. In time, his ministry garnered a professional call from the Southeastern California Conference to full-time pastoral ministry. This culminated with his ordination to gospel ministry in 2001. See the box of information to tour his Roles of Service. While dignity, excellence and “doing the work” were at the foundation of who Martin was, nothing was more important to him than his family and maintaining his personal relationship with God. He fought the good fight, finished his race and through it all he kept the faith. Elder Martin Luther Howard Sr. went to his rest in the Lord quite unexpectedly, Jan. 13, 2022. He was predeceased by his beloved Audrey when she finished a protracted battle with ovarian cancer in October 2019. He missed her dearly and often spoke of the plans they had made for retirement. He looked forward to reuniting with her in the Earth made new. There is reserved for them both a crown of righteousness. t _____________________________________ Special Thanks from Regional Voice Magazine to the family of Elder Martin Luther Howard Sr. for this inspiring tribute.

ROLES OF SERVICE Loma Linda University • Division Manager • Manager of Education and Training • Education Computer Instruction • Job Development Coordinator 16th Street SDA Church • First Elder • Interim Pastor, Two terms • Administrative Pastor to Full-time Pastor Southeastern California Conference • Chair, SECC Black Caucus • SECC Representative, Pacific Union Executive Committee, Two terms • Member, SECC Executive and Personnel Committee, Two terms Blythe, California, Blythe Cottage Group • New Church Ministry • Part-time to Full-time Pastor Pastor • Juniper Avenue Church • Perris 5th Street Church • All Nations African Church Pending Assignment at Time of Death • Executive Pastor, • Mt. Rubidoux SDA Church,\ Riverside, California

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S D A' S IN BL ACK HIS T OR Y

JOSEPH L AURENCE, SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PIONEER BY BYRON DULAN

oseph Hermanus Warrington Laurence was a pioneer minister all of his life. He lost his father soon after his birth on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts, in 1885. He was raised by his mother and stepfather as an Episcopalian. Against his mother’s wishes, at 15 he was baptized as a Seventh-day Adventist. When news of his baptism got around the island, he was expelled from the Episcopal School where his stepfather was the headmaster. He was a student there and also a part-time teacher. He was kicked out of his home and had nowhere to go to complete his education. A pastor from Grand Junction, Colorado, who came to St. Kitts, helped him with funds to attend the Oakwood Training School in Huntsville, Alabama. He entered Oakwood in 1903 as its first foreign student. Laurence was a student at Oakwood when Ellen G. White visited and lectured on campus in 1904. During her stay, several “unspeakable things” that were happening on campus were resolved. She personally counseled him to stay away from a particular young woman. Later it was learned that the student was pregnant. Had he not heeded Sister White’s counsel, he would have been implicated and expelled from school and his ministerial career would have ended. Fred R. Rogers called Laurence into the gospel ministry in August 1904. Rogers came from Walla Walla, Washington, to work with James Edson White and the Southern Missionary Society—a ministry dedicated to evangelizing Black peo44

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ple along the Mississippi River. Laurence’s first church was the Lintonia Chapel in Yazoo City, Mississippi. In 1916, Laurence served the Southern Union as an evangelist. Using large-format, glass-mounted slides, Laurence pioneered the use of projected pictures and texts to help communicate the gospel. During his career, he baptized some of the denomination’s most prominent Black ministers, including F. L. Peterson, who became the first Black to serve as a General Conference (GC) vice president; Frank Bland, who also became a GC vice president; William Scales Jr., who became the GC associate ministerial director; and many other influential leaders of the church. “J. H.,” as he was sometimes called, baptized thousands, then planted and built numerous churches throughout America. In 1952, after 48 years of ministry and at the age of 67, Laurence accepted another pioneer assignment. He agreed to pastor a fledgling church on the last frontier of ministry among Black people in the U.S.— the Shiloh Church in Seattle, Washington. Soon after arriving, he moved the church to the northeast corner of 24th Avenue and East Spruce Street. Being a seasoned minister and having a vision for the future growth of the work, Laurence skillfully negotiated with the conference to purchase the entire north side of East Spruce between 24th and 25th Avenues in 1953. By 1956, the newly renamed Spruce Street Church began an eight-grade elementary school. The building is now known as the Emerald City Church.

Laurence was an outstanding preacher and evangelist. Under his leadership, from 1952 through 1962, the Spruce Street Church grew from 48 to 224 members. He was known for having a phenomenal memory and never relied on written notes. He often said, “If I write what I plan to say, the devil will know and keep the very one away who needs the message!” Laurence was a health enthusiast and kept himself in excellent physical shape. He preached and lived the health message. For a while no one knew his age and he would not reveal it for fear that he would be asked to retire. Eventually he was coaxed to retire at the age of 77. After retirement, he continued preaching throughout the Northwest. Although his desire was to live to see Jesus come, he passed away at the age of 102, in 1987 in Huntsville, Alabama. t

_________________________ Byron Dulan is Vice President for Regional Affairs in the North Pacific Union Conference. _________________________ Bryant Taylor, D.Min., Associate Editor of Regional Voice magazine, coordinated this coverage.

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SOCIAL JUSTICE REPORT

Dr. Calvin Rock

Dr. Mervyn Warren

years as a professor, dean of the Department of Religion, and Oakwood provost, as well as one of the major Biblical scholars in the Adventist Church. Dr. Rock shared his idea for writing a study guide on social justice in the Bible with the idea of publishing and distributing it during Black History Month. He then reached out to the executive di-

S C H O L A R S C O M P I L E B L A C K H I S T O R Y S T UD Y GUIDE: SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE WORD OF GOD BY DANA C. EDMOND

n preparation for Black History Month 2022, the Office for Regional Conference Ministries, the Regional Conferences of the North American Division, Bermuda Conference, the Regional Ministries of Pacific Union and North Pacific Union, AdventSource, Dr. Calvin Rock, Dr. Mervyn Warren, and a distinguished panel of writers and editors of color came together in a historic collaboration. This collaboration produced the first Black History Study Guide called Social Justice in the Word of God. The study came as a result of a burden that was felt by Dr. Calvin Rock, former 48

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General Conference Vice-President, former President, Oakwood College (now Oakwood University), and a pastor and evangelist in our church for 62 years. In studying the Sabbath School lessons last year on the book of Isaiah, Dr. Rock was somewhat disappointed at the minimal mention of what the prophet Isaiah said on issues surrounding social justice—particularly since Isaiah 61 contains these stirring and often quoted words. Jesus Himself quoted them in one of His sermons when He was on earth: The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me Because the Lord has anointed me to

preach good tidings unto the meek He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted To proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God To comfort all that mourn Isaiah 61:1-2 Rather than simply complain about what he believed was left undone, Dr. Rock decided to do something. He contacted his long-time friend and Oakwood colleague, Dr. Mervyn Warren, who served for many

Rather than simply complain about what he believed was left undone, Dr. Rock decided to do something.

rector of the Office for Regional Conference Ministries who connected him with the Regional Conference Presidents Council. This group includes the nine Regional Conference presidents, the president of the Bermuda Conference, the vice-presidents for Regional Ministries of the Pacific and North Pacific Unions, and the president of Oakwood University. Along with the executive director of the Regional Conference Retirement Plan, Dr. William Cox,

Sr., who agreed to provide a study guide for each retiree enrolled in the Regional Conference Retirement Plan, they committed to purchase 30,000 plus study guides for their constituents. This enabled AdventSource to produce the 30-page study guides for the unfathomable price of 99 cents per study guide. An eclectic group of scholars was assembled to write and edit the study guide. Along with Dr. Rock and Dr. Warren, the scholars included: • Pedrito Maynard-Reid, Th.D., Religion Professor and Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Walla Walla University • Hyveth Williams, D. Min., Homiletics Professor and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University • Leslie Pollard, Ph.D., President, Oakwood University • Ricardo Graham, D. Min., former President, Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists • Olive Hemmings, Ph.D., Professor of Religion and Ethics, Washington Adventist University • Tarsee Li, Ph.D., Professor of Hebrew and Biblical Languages, Oakwood University. The scholars wrote on the following weekly subjects: • Social Justice in the Old Testament • Social Justice in the Ministry of Jesus

• Social Justice in the Book of Revelation • A Prophet Among You Inside these weekly subjects are daily topics similar to a Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly. The beginning of each lesson features a Did You Know? question, which highlights facts from African-American Adventist History. The authors dedicated the study guide to the memory of the late Elder Henry Fordham, former President of the Allegheny East Conference, and his wife, the late Sharon Fordham. Major kudos to this team of scholars who produced these study guides. There are plans to produce a similar study guide for Juneteenth, as well for Black History Month 2023. Special thanks to Dr. Calvin Rock, who, at the age of 91, is still serving our church. May his example inspire us all. _________________________ Dana C. Edmond, Director of the Office for Regional Conference Ministry, (ORCM), is also publisher of Regional Voice Magazine.

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RV SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMENTARY

RV NATIONAL NEWS

ACTIVATE: FINDING T HE SAVIOR IN SOCI A L JUSTICE CLAU DI A M. A LLEN

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elcome. This column will explore contemporary social justice issues through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Before we continue, I think it’s important to provide a definition of social justice, so we will be on the same page regarding the term as we embark on this journey together. According to the School of Social Welfare of the University of California at Berkeley, “social justice is a process, not an outcome, which seeks fair (re) distribution of resources, opportunities, and responsibilities; challenges the roots of oppression and injustice; empowers all people to exercise self-determination and realize their full potential; and builds social solidarity and community capacity for collaborative action.” Typically, we read definitions like this and believe that social justice is thus a secular responsibility, something that is separate and apart from the Christian walk. However, theologian and New Testament scholar John R. Donahue shows us in his book, Seek Justice That You May Live, that this very process is something that should be part of every Christian commitment. He states that social justice seeks to “establish the equal rights of all to share in those goods and opportunities that are necessary for genuine participation in the human community.” And in her book, The Very Good Gospel, theologian and activist Lisa Sharon Harper posits that the Gospel writers encouraged reconciliation for the human community, while “also [focusing] on systemic justice, peace between people groups, and freedom for the oppressed.” In other words, the kind of social justice followers of Jesus Christ are best equipped to engage in is the kind of social justice the world seeks. We are able to fill that need. Throughout the Gospels, we see that Jesus was dedicated to social justice, even by the University of California Berkeley’s definition. In Matthew 21:12-17, Jesus championed the (re)distribution of resources, opportunities, and responsibilities to the people deemed inferior by those in power—the religious leaders and the Ro50

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mans, Jesus challenged the roots of oppression by boldly confronting patriarchal customs, denouncing xenophobic teachings, and overturning the tables of economic injustice in John Chapters 2 and 4. But Jesus didn’t stop there! In John 10:10 we see Him empowering people to exist in the fullness of their potential in Him when He declared, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” In Acts 16 we see Paul and Silas enact these truths through their dedication to solidarity and community collaborative action when the Holy Spirit empowers them to disrupt the bondage of a slave girl whose demon possession was being exploited for economic and political gain. In other words, from Matthew through the book of Acts we see that Jesus and the early Christian church engaged in a kind of ministry that addressed people’s spiritual and social needs, together. Cornel West, philosopher and activist says, “Justice is what love looks like in public.” Jesus didn’t do social justice alongside His ministry. Instead, His ministry, His exemplification of the love of God, His manifestation of God in the flesh, was social justice. Let us evaluate the gospel we preach by what we practice. If the gospel we preach is not providing holistic freedom that dismantles sinful systems of power that profit from people’s mental, economic, social, and physical bondage, then it is not a gospel rooted in the Bible. What may be even more difficult to receive, is that when we over spiritualize Christ’s concern for the physically and socially oppressed, minimizing His acts of liberation, we inevitably reduce His ministry to that of the Pharisees; a ministry that was always concerned with prophecy but never concerned about people. In this column, my hope is that we find the Bible to be a treasure-trove of spiritu-

al and social principles; a blueprint that provides us the greatest example of social justice work. We will not find examples of how to engage in every single modern-day injustice, but we will certainly find godly principles. It is my prayer that you will find your Savior while engaging in the work of social justice, gleaning principles from His life that will help you to combat every kind of injustice, including those not mentioned in Scripture. Join me on this journey as we discover what it means to speak like Jesus, serve like Jesus, and sacrifice like Jesus. This is your call to activate! t _______________________ Claudia M. Allen is the Community Outreach Supervisor for the Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity in Columbia, Maryland. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Andrews University, a Master of Arts degree in English from Georgetown University and certificates from the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Howard University School of Divinity. She is a global advocate for human rights.

_____________________ Bryant Taylor, D.Min., Associate Editor of Regional Voice magazine, coordinated this coverage.

____________________________________ REFERENCES 1. http://socialwelfare.berkeley.edu/social-justice-symposium-about 2. Donahue, John R. Seek Justice That You May Live: Reflections and Resources on The Bible and Social Justice. New York: Paulist Press, 2014. p. 8. 3. Harper, Lisa Sharon. The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong Can Be Made Right. New York: Waterbrook, 2016. p. 6.

TRAVIS

McMICHAEL

GREGORY

McMICHAEL

WILLIAM "RODDIE"

BRYAN

Interference with Civil Rights GUILTY

GUILTY

Kidnapping GUILTY

GUILTY

Using Firearm to Commit Crime GUILTY

GUILTY

jury found the three defendants Travis McMichael, the shooter, his father Greg McMichael, formerly in law enforcement, and their neighbor William “Roddie” Bryan, who filmed the chase and murder with his phone, guilty on all counts in a federal hate crimes trial, February 22, 2022. The next day, February 23, would mark two years since Ahmaud Arbery was killed. The basic question was, did race become a motivating factor in the chasing and shooting of Ahmaud Arbery? The jury rendered a strong “Yes!” They took four hours to deliberate. A lone black, male juror was selected the foreperson. As the sentences were read, he wiped away tears. The federal charges carry a maxi-

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RV NATIONAL NEWS

WRIGHT VERDICT AND SENTENCE IN THEIR OWN WORDS

“I’ll never be able to forgive you for what you’ve stolen from us.” “On this day she did not protect. She failed Daunte, our family, and our community,” “She left our world with so much darkness and heartache.” Katie Ann Wright, Daunte’s mother, Victim Impact Statement *** “How come I have to go see my brother in a metal container [now] just to talk to him?” “I never thought that my brother would be killed by the same people we’re supposed to feel protected by.” “I know that the charge is manslaughter, but I believe it should be called murder.” Diamond Wright, Daunte’s sister Victim Impact Statement, through tears *** Diamond also told about a conversation with Daunte and her mother, who is white, about their skin color. She mentioned that “just maybe we have enough whiteness to not be seen as a threat to police.” Evidently not.

mum life sentence. A sentencing hearing will be set at a later date. In Their Own Words “There’s a big difference between being vigilant and being a vigilante.” Christopher Perras Justice Department attorney Closing argument, federal trial. *** “I’m thanking everybody here that stood by us in this town when my family was going through losing Ahmaud, because Ah52

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maud was a kid you can’t replace.” Marcus Arbery Ahmaud Arbery’s father, after the federal sentencing. *** “I brought Ahmaud into this world and to hear Ahmaud being categorized as a ‘monkey,’ as a ‘n-word,’ being ‘trapped like a rat’ is painful.” “We got victory, but some other families don’t get that.” “What the DOJ (Department of Justice) did today, they were made to do today. It

wasn’t what they wanted to do. They were made to do their job.” “As a mother, I will never heal.” “They gave us a small sense of victory, but we will never get victory because Ahmaud is dead.” Wanda Cooper-Jones Ahmaud Arbery’s mother, after the federal sentencing. _____________________________________ Facts from National Public Radio (NPR) February 22, 2022, report by Liz Baker; court records and public statements.

*** “Kim Potter took my son’s best friend away from him, and things haven’t been the same since.” “I am now a single mother — not by choice, by force.” “My son hasn’t seen his dad in almost a year, and I know he doesn’t understand what’s going on, but he senses his dad being gone.” “Police are supposed to protect and serve the community. How will my son learn to trust the police after what happened to his dad?” “I don’t want my son to grow up afraid of police or hating them, nevertheless it’s only fair that Kim Potter be sentenced to the maximum amount of time for executing my son Daunte Jr.’s father.” Chyna Whitaker,

the mother of Daunte’s young child, Daunte Jr. Victim Impact Statement She added that she often finds their son, who is now 2, staring at a poster of Daunte that she hung in his bedroom. *** “To the family of Daunte Wright, I am so sorry that I brought the death of your son, father, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew, and the rest of your family to your home,” she said. “Katie, I understand a mother’s love.” “Earlier, when you said that I didn’t look at you during the trial, I don’t believe I had a right to. I didn’t even have a right to be in the same room with you. I am so sorry that I hurt you so badly. My heart is broken and devastated for all of you. I pray for Daunte and all of you many, many times a day.” “I do pray that one day you can find forgiveness, only because hatred is so destructive to all of us, and I pray that peace will always be with you and your family.” “Again, I am so sorry, and to the community of Brooklyn Center, I do owe you an apology too. I loved working for you, and I’m sorry for what has happened to our community since the death of Daunte. And the men and women who work for you still are good and honorable people who will work hard for you.” Kim Potter Former police officer who Shot and killed Daunte Wright Statement to his family in court Before her sentencing *** “This is one of the saddest cases I’ve had on the 20 years on my bench,” “On the one hand, a young man was killed, and on the other, a respected, 26-year police officer made a tragic error by pulling her handgun instead of her Taser.”

“This is not a cop found guilty of murder for using his knee to pin down a person for nine and a half minutes as he gasped for air.” (George Floyd’s death). “This is not a cop found guilty of manslaughter for intentionally drawing his firearm and shooting across his partner and killing an unarmed woman who approached his squad.” (Justine Ruszczyk Diamond’s death). “This is a cop who made a tragic mistake.” “Retribution, or serving time as a way for a convicted person to pay for the harm inflicted on a victim, is the sole purpose that applies in this case.” “And in this case, a young man was killed because Officer Potter was reckless. There rightfully should be some accountability.” Regina Chu, Hennepin County judge Sentencing She handed down a sentence below the state’s recommended sentence of seven years for first-degree manslaughter— to be carried out in two phases: 16 months in prison, and eight months of supervised release. Potter was credited for the 58 days she already spent behind bars and will continue to serve the remainder of her 16 months in prison before she is released on probation. *** “There are Black people in prison serving greater time for selling marijuana, which is legal in most states, than this police officer got for killing this young Black man.” Ben Crump, Civil Rights Attorney Statement to the press After sentencing ______________________________________ Facts compiled from People.com February 18, 2022, report by Kyler Alvord. REGIONAL VOICE •

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RV NATIONAL NEWS

RV CORONA STATS

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

THE WISCONSIN CHRISTMAS PARADE TRAGEDY

THE LATEST STATISTICS GLOBAL AND USA VIEWS

470,839,745

GLOBAL CONFIRMED CASES

6,092,933

GLOBAL CONFIRMED DEATHS

216

COUNTRIES, AREAS OR TERRITORIES WITH CASES Last update: 22 March, 2022 DATA PROVIDED FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

arrell E. Brooks, 39, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is the suspect accused of killing six, (including a child) after running them down during a Waukesha, Wisconsin, Christmas parade on Sunday, November 21, 2021. There were 60 more people injured by Brooks as cameras captured him mowing through the parade crowd in a dark red SUV. .Brooks is the only suspect in the parade deaths and injuries, according to Police Chief Dan Thompson of Waukesha. This never should have happened. Earlier in November 2021, Brooks was arrested for the same type of crime, after allegedly running down a different woman while she walked through a parking lot, according to a criminal complaint. She said she was the mother of Brooks’ child. Police noted tire tracks on her pants leg. Prosecutors filed five charges related to the incident: 1. Obstructing an officer; 2. Second-degree recklessly endangering safety with domestic abuse assessments; 3. Disorderly conduct with domestic abuse assessments; and 4. Misdemeanor battery with domestic abuse assessments. 54

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5. Officials also charged Brooks with bail jumping because he was already out on bail following an incident from July 24, 2020. Records show the bail jumping came after Brooks was arrested for allegedly discharging a weapon in another dispute. With all of these charges, the Milwaukee County district attorney’s office set bail for Brooks at $1,000. That means his “get out of jail card” cost $100. Now, in light of the deaths and injuries, this same district attorney’s office has issued these statements: “The State’s bail recommendation in this case was inappropriately low in light of the nature of the recent charges and the pending charges against Mr. Brooks.” “The bail recommendation in this case is not consistent with the approach of the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office toward matters involving violent crime, nor was it consistent with the risk assessment of the defendant prior to setting of bail.”

USA 79,621,004

TOTAL DEATHS (At 971,422) CDC | Updated: March 22, 2022, 10 PM EST

USA Far too little. Too late. There is no redemption for this one. On Tuesday, November 23, Brooks was charged with five counts of first-degree intentional homicide. Prosecutors have added a sixth homicide charge after saying in court that a child had died. The judge set bail at $5 million, citing Brooks as a flight risk. After the mayhem, Brooks allegedly drove away from the parade to a residence and rang the doorbell. He asked to use a phone and was allowed. The resident reported smelling marijuana, saw police cars driving up and down his street, and asked Brooks to leave. He did. Police arrested him once he went outside. Further examination did prove Brooks to be high on marijuana. t ___________________________________ Facts obtained from court records and various media outlets: ABC, CBS and CNN news reports, November 2021.

558,486,889 - TOTAL VACCINE ADMINISTERED 217.1M – FULLY VACCINATED 96.8M - BOOSTER DOSES ADMINISTERED

GLOBAL 10,925,055,390 TOTAL VACCINE ADMINISTERED

DATA PROVIDED FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) Updated: March 18, 2022, 10 PM EST

TOP 20 STATES - CASES Jurisdiction

Total Cases Over Seven Days ________________________________ California Texas Florida New York Illinois Pennsylvania Ohio North Carolina Georgia Michigan New Jersey Tennessee Arizona Indiana Massachusetts Virginia Wisconsin South Carolina Washington Minnesota

9,073,536 6,702,850 5,880,407 5,117,069 3,057,078 2,775,730 2,666,030 2,620,191 2,483,910 2,380,155 2,189,639 2,017,766 1,689,360 1,037,109 1,688,534 1,662,140 1,581,507 1,467,115 1,446,845 1,426,056

TOP 20 STATES - DEATHS State/Territory Death Rate__ _____________________________ California 88,430 Texas 87,297 Florida 72,828 New York 68,362 Pennsylvania 44,091 Ohio 37,608 Illinois 37,534 Georgia 36,615 Michigan 35,425 New Jersey 33,186 Arizona 28,547 Tennessee 25,438 Indiana 23,309 North Carolina 23,091 Massachusetts 20,056 Missouri 19,741 Virginia 19,543 Alabama 19,139 South Carolina 17,493 Louisiana 17,034 ______________________________________ DATA SOURCE – NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO March 22, 2022.

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RV IN TRIBUTE

BISHOP DESMOND TUTU

SIDNEY POITIER 1927 – 2022

1927 – 2021

esmond Tutu was born to father Zachariah Zelilo Tutu and mother Allen Dorothea Mavoertsek Mathlare, on Oct. 7, 1927 in Klerksdorp, South Africa. His father worked as principal of a Methodist school, and for a time, his mother worked as a cook at an institute for the blind. The family became Methodist, then moved to the African Methodist Episcopal Church, then finally to the Anglican Church. Desmond was especially drawn to this faith because of its liberal stance against apartheid, the system of racial discrimination that stifled blacks and all peoples of color in South Africa. During his high school years, Desmond cultivated a lifelong hunger for learning and scholarship. He was greatly influenced by his priest, Trevor Huddleston, a man bold enough to give his mother the same courtesy and respect he would offer to any lady. Desmond went on to practice the same throughout his life—great courtesy to and respect for others; no profanity or gossiping; a hatred for apartheid without a hatred for white perpetrators; an open, generous, childlike spirit that was backed by a solid intellect. As an infant, he suffered from polio but recovered. As a high school student, he contracted tuberculosis and lost 18 months of school. Huddleston was a frequent, encouraging visitor. When Tutu did return to school to take his national exams, his scores were high enough for him to study medicine. His parents were unable to pay for his tuition and fees, so he turned to education instead, earning a scholarship to a college for teachers. Upon completion of his courses, he taught high school English and history. During these years he met, wooed, and married Nomalizo Leah Shenxane in 1955. About this time, the white minority proposed laws to strengthen apartheid rule and education in South Africa even more. Tutu and his wife both left their teaching jobs. Huddleston guided him into the Anglican priesthood. Tutu studied theology and was ordained as an Anglican priest in 1960 and began his ministry. Later, church leaders supported more studies for him at Kings

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College in London, and the government permitted the Tutu family to move to London in 1962. The move liberated the family from oppressive apartheid. For the first time, Tutu ministered to a white congregation. When he completed his degree a Kings College, it was bestowed to him by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother herself. He went on to complete a master’s degree, examining Islam in West Africa. Still hungry for knowledge, Tutu studied Arabic and Greek in Jerusalem. Upon the family’s return to South Africa, Tutu accepted a position at the Federal Theological Seminary (Fedsem) as the only black professor on staff. His climb to national and international prominence began. When college students protested administrative policies with a sit-in and were surrounded by police with dogs, Tutu walked into their midst to pray, break the tension, and prevent atrocities.He left South Africa to teach at the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland. A few years later he was called to become director of the Theological Education Fund (TEF) for Africa, based in England. In a few years, he became Dean of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Johannesburg; then Bishop of Lesotho. Each call, each position, broke the color barriers. Critical calls increased. Tutu’s first call was to become General Secretary of the South Africa Council of Churches. He restructured the organization, insisting on personal consecration and dedication of all, while sharing and delegating responsibilities. He had long since held South Africa accountable for its crimes by supporting global disinvesting in the nation and economic boycotts—and he was heard. The government responded with reprimands and confiscation of his passport. World recognition came when he received

the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. Two years later it was the honor of this editor to be part of the welcoming throng for him at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He was there to receive the Martin Luther King, Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize. At the very time he was in Atlanta, Bishop Tutu was being elected Archbishop of Cape Town, the highest position in the largest diocese in the land— his second critical call. Guests to his installation included Mrs. Coretta Scott King; singer/activists Harry Belafonte and Stevie Wonder; Sen. Edward Kennedy; old friend, Bishop Trevor Huddleston; and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie. The Archbishop’s presence, alone, was thought to have prevented an assassination attempt on Tutu’s life. Tutu had spoken truth to power for decades. Now he walked in power. When the mighty Nelson Mandela was liberated, Bishop Tutu shared great jubilation with his countrymen. When the South African majority voted to make Mandela South Africa’s president, Bishop Tutu rendered the Dance of the Frog before news cameras with joy. He took heart as apartheid was dismantled in their land. Later, when appointed to lead South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, delivering justice made him laugh; reviewing the tragedies made him weep. He sought to help make unspeakable wrongs, right. And then he retired. On Dec. 26, 2021, he died from cancer in Cape Town, South Africa. May the work he has done speak for him. t _______________________________ Facts gathered from various media sources and a personal encounter at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, 1986.

e wasn’t supposed to make it. Sidney Poitier was born in Miami, Florida, Feb. 20, 1927. He was two months premature, born to Mr. Reginald James Poitier and Mrs. Evelyn Poitier. They were farmers, in Miami to sell produce when their son was born, and they remained for three months until he was stronger. The family returned to Cat Island, a distant part of the Bahamas. At 15, Sidney left for Miami again to live with an older brother. Restless, he made his way to New York City at 17, working at humble jobs, and finally finding clarity in the theater. He wasn’t very good. Only tenacity, hard work and determination to sound like a news broadcaster and diminish his Bahamian accent earned him a spot with the American Negro Theater. He had a sense of self and natural dignity that would serve him well when his reviews grew positive as an actor on Broadway, in films, and later as a director. He was acutely conscious of the roles he chose: a doctor treating a bigot in No Way Out; a rebel against the world in Blackboard Jungle; a driven, conflicted son and brother, husband and father, on stage and on screen in A Raisin in the Sun. Then, in a culmination of his craft as a handyman, charmer and challenger to a group of nuns in Lilies of the Field, he broke ground as the first African American and first Bahamian to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1964. In 1967, he became the most successful actor in the business, period— first, playing it cool, as a compassionate engineer-turned-teacher in London to kids facing their own crossroads in To Sir with Love. Then, no doubt drawing on his own life experiences, he played an elegant, gracious physician seeking an interracial marriage in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Finally, he gave a searing performance as a

no-nonsense, Philadelphia detective daring to take on Mississippi realities in the memorable In the Heat of the Night. The films were a backdrop for his other life-changing work—in civil rights. He publicly joined many Hollywood notables at the historic March on Washington in 1963 and privately supported hundreds of like causes in his own quiet fashion. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama in 2009; was named an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 1974; and was appointed ambassador from Bahamas to Japan from 1997 to 2007. He received a Grammy Award; two Golden Globe Awards; an Academy Honorary Award for lifetime achievement in film; multiple British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA); and received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1995. In 1986, he gave the commencement address to the University of Miami graduating class and was given the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Fine Arts. Poitier was first married to Juanita Hardy, with whom he had four daughters; then to Joanna Shimkus, a Canadian actress with whom he had two daughters. Daugh-

ter Sydney Tamiia has followed her father into an acting career. Sidney Poitier, actor, director, author and activist died at 94, in his Beverly Hills, California, home on Jan. 6, 2022. He died from complications of heart failure, Alzheimer’s Disease and prostate cancer. t _________________________ Facts gathered from various media sources. REGIONAL VOICE •

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SCHOL ARLY FE AT URE

MENTAL HEALTH—

IS IT ALL IN YOUR HEAD?

We have gotten better at recognizing mental health issues, but we still deal with the stigma that is so pervasive in society.

DR. MARCELLUS R. CEPHAS

EDITOR’S NOTE – In these times when so many face great stress and challenges, we invite you to take a look at some solid answers and practices offered by Dr. Cephas, physician and psychiatrist. His compassionate approach can end suffering and bring balance, hope and peace to your life. Please keep reading.

hen we hear the words “mental health,” we may think that it is something new. There are so many celebrities and renowned people who are focused on their mental health. Let’s stop for a moment and ask the question, “What is mental health?” You can go to your doctor or health practitioner and get a physical examination, or you can go to the gym, swim, bike, run, or do a variety of things to get or maintain physical health because that process is well defined. But what about mental health? “Mental Health is a state of well-being in which an individual is able to realize his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community” (medicalnewstoday.com) . This is a good definition, but I would like to add another element: “Peace!” Many have the definition of mental health but do they have the intent? “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart, and the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27, NLT). More on this later. Presently our world, individually and collectively, is under assault! The economy is under strain; there is war, consumer prices are high, COVID has changed life as we know it, and WE ARE STRESSED! What does this look like? 1. We don’t sleep as we should. *

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Photography by iStock

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SCHOL ARLY FE AT URE

God has people in all places to help you in all circumstances, including your mental health or the lack thereof.

2. We are anxious and feel an impending doom is going to happen. 3. We are irritable and impatient with those around us. 4. Junk food makes us feel calm or we even indulge in THC (the main active ingredient in cannabis) as a resource for our anxiety. 5. We have a constant state of tension, worry, and fear. 6. We experience physical manifestations like increased blood pressure, headaches, tiredness or general malaise. (feelings of not wanting to do anything). 7. We feel tension in our bodies and sometimes unexplainable pains. You may be able to function, but do you have peace? More times than not, these signs progress into forms of mental illness such as major depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and even psychotic disorders. The most common disorder that one may experience from a lack of mental health is major depression and anxiety. Major depression: (Clinical Depression) is a mental health disorder that is characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life. Symptoms may include: 1. Changes in sleep (hypersomnolence 60

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or insomnia); 2. Changes in appetite such as eating too much or too little; 3. Changes in energy level, no interest in previously enjoyable activities; 4. Difficulty with concentration and possibly memory; 5. Feelings of being down with low self-esteem or self-worth; and 6. Sometimes even the thoughts that life is not worth living, or that everyone would be better off without you. Mental signs and symptoms may include Generalized Anxiety—severe and persistent worry that interrupts daily activities. Some symptoms are: 1. Persistent worrying or anxiety about a number of areas that are out of proportion to the impact of the events; 2. Overthinking plans and solutions to all possible worst-case outcomes; 3. Perceiving situations and events as threatening, even when they aren’t; 4. Difficulty handling uncertainty; 5. Indecisiveness and fear of making the wrong decision; 6. Inability to set aside or let go of a worry; 7. Inability to relax, feeling restless, and feeling keyed up or on edge; and 8. Difficulty concentrating, or the feeling that your mind “goes blank.” Then there are physical signs and symp-

toms (mayoclinic.org) which may include: 1. Fatigue 2. Trouble sleeping 3. Muscle tension or muscle aches 4. Trembling 5. Feeling twitchy 6. Nervousness or being easily startled 7. Nausea 8. Diarrhea or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, (IBS), and/or 9. Irritability. So you ask, why is this important to me? Why do I need to know this information? What does this have to do with me? I’m so glad you asked! Mental health affects every aspect of your existence. It has an impact on the now and helps form the future. It impacts your physical health, your ability to stay healthy, and your ability to recover when you have been unhealthy. It affects your happiness and those that are in your sphere of influence and effluence. It affects your integration into society and your purpose for existing. It affects your ability to get and sustain wealth for yourself and the generations after you. It impacts how you see, hear, understand, and accept God. It affects how you minister to others. Mental illness does not knock on the front door and announce itself. We have gotten better at recognizing mental health issues, but we still deal with the stigma that is so pervasive in society. “You have to be strong!” “I’m not crazy!” “When Satan attacks you with depression, just hand it over to God and He will deliver you!” While I do believe in the complete power of God to deliver us, I also know that His deliverance comes with two hands and two feet. That is to say, that God has people in all places to help you in all circumstances, including your mental health or the lack thereof. You just don’t come down with the symptoms of depression or anxiety. Over time, handling the stressors in your life, the makeup of your physical being, the resilience you have from your family structure, or just because you are not perfect, may cause you to develop a mental illness within. What should you do if you suspect something is not right, or that you need to manage your mental health? 1. Check your diet. Food affects your energy and your mood. Let’s just face the issue now. A plant-based diet is known to be better for us. That does not infer that the

meat substitutes are better. Just FYI—it appears that the human life span was reduced significantly after God gave Noah permission to eat animals! I’m not saying that they weren’t doing that anyway, however, that is another topic. 2. Get outside into the sunlight. Did you know that sunlight helps to produce vitamin D? I bet you did, but did you know that vitamin D is needed for support of your mood, spirits and resilience? Sunlight also turns on the pineal gland in the brain. This gland is responsible for initiating the secretion of melatonin which helps us to be calm, sedate, and go to sleep. If you don’t have enough sunlight, this gland goes into low production mode. That causes low levels of melatonin to be secreted, which in turn mimics the symptoms of depression, 3. Exercise. This is not the same as physical work or activity. This is the process by which you get the heart rate elevated enough to increase the fortitude of your physical body. 4. Go to sleep. This is not the sleep to avoid issues, but this is the sleep of restoration. If you do not know which one is which, just remember that sleeping all day is not restorative. You have to get enough sleep. Also studies have shown that not enough sleep may be a building block for Alzheimer’s. Think about that when you’re watching the 11 o’clock news. 5. Meditate or take time for yourself. Don’t use this as a chance to escape your responsibilities, but use the time to reset. Here’s an idea—the Sabbath Day is a good start! 6. Find someone to encourage or help.

7. Pray if you believe in the power of prayer. Prayer is the Christian’s advantage. We don’t have to handle anything alone. There are significant promises in the Bible; God’s peace is one of them. 8. Talk to someone who is tight lipped and nonjudgmental. Share what you are going through and allow someone to support and uplift you. And here is a good point: If you find someone approaching you and YOU need to be the one who is tight lipped and nonjudgmental, BE that person. The honor and trust that someone puts in you is “unto the least of these…you were doing it to me” (Matthew 25:40). Here are some of the things that you can do to maintain or restore your mental health. However, if you find that things have progressed beyond the strategies shared here, don’t be afraid to seek professional help. Yes, this means you may need someone who gets paid to help you. “Sometimes the worse type of advice is free advice.” These are the types of professional providers to seek out: A. Your Primary Care Provider. This professional often has a network of trusted providers who have helped in the past. B. Counselors. All are not created equal. So make sure you carefully check them out first. C. Psychologists. These professionals usually have the training and the expertise to help. This is the Ph.D. level to which I’m referring. D. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners. E. Psychiatrists. When things are going wrong, these are medical doctors trained to

treat mental illness. Medication is an option and you must keep an open mind. F. Your insurance company has a network of mental health providers. H. Pastors are good for referrals. By the way, turn off your TV; stop listening to depressive music; turn off social media that is not good for you; and replace all of these with something you want to accomplish in life. You will find more time and better self-worth, not to mention that you will be productive and contribute to your own development and community. This may include getting your children off of video games as well. Just saying! t ________________________ Marcellus R. Cephas M.D., M.B.A., is CEO/Medical Director at Behavioral Healthcare of Maryland; Diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology; Bureau Speaker for Forest Laboratories; Lead Psychiatrist Adventist Health, White Oak Medical Center Maryland; and a Clinical Instructor at Howard University. He is Board Certified in Adult Psychiatry. He is married to Alba Oliver Cephas, and father to adult sons Ryan and Matthew. The entire family practices professions that help and restore.

_________________________ Mr. Howard Bullard, Art Director, Regional Voice Magazine, coordinated this coverage.

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Cliff Harris DAP Co-Director

The miracle God worked for this man, God has worked for others. He can work a miracle for you. Call Us Anytime: 256.232.4400 Email Us at:

dapcalif@aol.com

Visit Our Website:

www.drugalternativeprogram.org The J. L. Moran Alumni Chapter is a member of the Original Oaks Alumni Association This Association is independent from and not aﬃliated with Oakwood University. This Association may not and does not raise funds for or on behalf of Oakwood University. This Association raises funds for alumni activities that the Association sponsors. The Association also raises funds to donate directly to students who now attend, will attend, or have attended Oakwood University to provide assistance with educational expenses. 62

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Christ leads Us to Help You, We’ll lead You to Christ for Help. DrUg AltErnAtiVE PrOgrAm

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HOPE SERIES

A CHARMED LIFE

Externally, people can seem to have everything together, but they can be exceptionally fragile on the inside.

BY DR. COURTNEY RAY

read the comment, “Don’t you think that’s strange?” Several women in my social media group were in disbelief. And while there are definitely real reasons for distrust of the way society treats Black women, this scenario didn’t strike me as strange at all. Sadly, it seemed to make perfect sense. I belong to a reading group made up of Black women. While we obviously talk about books and poetry and other forms of literature, we also discuss current events and issues relevant to our community. So, it was no surprise that when yet another Black beauty queen died by suicide, it became a topic of conversation within the group. I say “another” because the death of Miss Alabama—Zoe Sozo Bethel on February 11, 2022—was the second in as many weeks. Although reframed as “a tragic accident,” police indicated that they had responded to the scene for a suicide attempt (https://theshaderoom.com/missalabama-zoe-sozo-bethel-passes-away-atthe-age-of-27-after-falling-from-a-miamibuilding/). Just 12 days earlier, on January 30, we received news that the same fate had befallen former Miss USA, Cheslie Kryst. Cheslie’s achievement in 2019 had been part of a historic high point for the Black community. When she was crowned, it marked the first time that three Black women were simultaneously the reigning Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, and Miss America! She was a part of a time of cultural pride. Cheslie wasn’t just a pageant champion. She had been a Division I athlete, an attorney who worked in social justice, and a popular YouTuber. She was 64

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Miss USA, Cheslie Kryst

so full of promise and—from the outside looking in—had no cares in the world. This is why it was so tempting to create a conspiratorial narrative. Surely there was no reason to have suicidal thoughts, right? Many of the ladies in my reading group found it difficult to comprehend how anyone with such a seemingly perfect life would harbor suicidality. They decided there must be foul play. “It’s strange,” they concluded. Unfortunately, it’s not strange at all. The beauty queens I mentioned had a lot on their shoulders. Megan Markle, a literal princess, admitted to her own bouts with suicidality while living in England. Picturesque lives that hid pain. The pressure of having to maintain a perfect facade is already stifling. Add to that, being the only or first or one of the few who “looks like you” is a lot of pressure. The cultural expectations to “represent” can be debilitating. And for people who may already have

mental health challenges, those pressures can exacerbate their preexisting issues. It’s a perfect storm. This is the same pattern we see in various professions. The rate of suicidality in medical students/physicians, law students/ attorneys, and dental students/dentists is already high. It’s exponentially higher for people of color. These ladies who battled with suicide had similar expectations for excellence; all performed on a very public stage. And let’s not forget that they were also being judged on physical appearance—something all too familiar to women in every walk of life. So, while to observers their lives may have appeared charmed and flawless, there’s so much unseen beneath the surface. It’s absolutely impossible to deduce someone’s internal emotional state just by looking on the outside. Externally, people can seem to have everything together, but they can be exceptionally fragile on the

inside. No matter how perfect your friends’ lives may seem according to their social media, they’re dealing with struggles, too. Black women are especially prone to be stereotyped as seeming “unbreakable.” Although strength is a virtue, people often believe that being strong means never needing help. That’s simply untrue. There is immense strength in acknowledging and asking for help when we need it. It doesn’t make one weak to be vulnerable. Disappointingly, I’ve seen Black women promote swinging the pendulum to the opposite extreme. They encourage other Black women to embrace being “damsels in distress” to coun-

Miss Alabama, Zoe Sozo Bethel

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HOPE SERIES teract the narrative that we don’t need help. But this too is an imbalance. We don’t need to replace strength with helplessness. We need to recalibrate what it means to be strong. After all, strength doesn’t necessarily mean being rigid. Let’s take a lesson from architecture. If we compare buildings exposed to natural disasters, being too unmoving can actually result in breakage when too much force is applied. But to withstand the most turbulent environments, strength requires flexibility to bend so you don’t break (https://www.kgw.com/article/weather/ earthquakes/seismic-retrofit-withstandearthquake/283-a8e8cfb1-4813-4f24-82ed77efe07f953c). Being flexible means letting ourselves admit to ourselves that it’s OK to not be OK sometimes. The pressures of perfectionism can’t realistically be maintained. It’s necessary to be able to reach out and

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While to observers some lives may appear charmed and flawless, there’s so much unseen beneath the surface. let others know when we aren’t doing well. We have to come to grips with the reality that it’s impossible to have a perpetually idyllic existence. Otherwise, we will be crushed under the weight of impossible standards. Queen Esther appeared to have an ideal life. She was a literal queen with servants at her beck and call. She had riches galore. And according to the biblical account, she was gorgeous. What more could she want?

But she struggled to maintain a secret. And when her challenges became overwhelming, she called on her circle and her community for support as she fasted for clarity. There’s no shame in reaching out. Black people have done this instinctively for generations. We’ve had to survive throughout horrific historical and systematic hardships and injustices. Some have credited our endurance to our individual resilience. This is a mistake. We endured because of our collective fortitude. Even when we were separated from our homelands and even from our families, we still found community. It was our ability to draw strength from each other that bolstered us through our darkest hours. And now more than ever, when we have professionals throughout our communities who’ve specifically dedicated their professional lives to help foster mental health, we shouldn’t hesitate to reach out

People often believe that being strong means never needing help. That’s simply untrue. There is immense strength in asking for help when we need it. for help and support when we need it. You don’t have to tackle your challenges by yourself. You don’t have to maintain a facade of perfection. You can lean on others for help. There’s nothing strange about that at all. t ______________________________ If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org. ________________________ Dr. Courtney Ray is a licensed clinical neuropsychologist, neuroscience researcher, writer, professor, and ordained minister. She is the founder of Array Psychological Assessments and is the current President of the Society for Black Neuropsychology.

________________________

Pastor Darriel Hoy, Communications Director for the Office for Regional Conference Ministries and the Regional Conference Retirement Plan, coordinated this coverage.

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KIA ANNOUNCEMENT: DO YOU NEED A CAR? IF YOU HAVE FINISHED A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY WITHIN ONE YEAR, OR IF YOU ARE IN YOUR LAST SEMESTER AT A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY, YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP TO APPLY TO AN AUTO PURCHASE FROM KIA MOTORS OF AMERICA. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT YOUR LOCAL KIA DEALER.