2021 Fall Issue

• • • OFFICE FOR REGIONAL CONFERENCE MINISTRY IN NORTH AMERICA • • •

Telling Our Story FALL 2021 https://adventistregionalministries.org

PRECAUTIONS FOR POST-

PANDEMIC WORSHIP +

PACIFIC UNION MAKES DIVERSITY OFFICIAL + STRAIGHT TALK FROM

JUDGE MATHIS

ELDER CHARLES BRADFORD A LEADER AND HIS LEGACY

PUBLISHER’S COMMENTARY

Elder Charles Bradford:

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 COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Darriel Hoy EDITOR Kyna Hinson ASSOCIATE EDITOR Bryant Taylor ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER Howard I. Bullard COPY EDITOR Clarise J. Nixon PAGE PROOFING Patrice T. Conwell CONSULTANTS Phyllis Ware Lee, Elaine Allston, Wanda Lott 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 Paul Young, 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

Dana C. Edmond Director, Office for Regional Conference Ministry

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f you are into sports—which is the case in my entire family (Mrs. Edmond is a huge football fan)— you have heard of the designation GOAT. It is an acronym meaning “The Greatest of All Time.”

If you are my age or a little younger, a lot of the same names come to mind when we think of “GOATs” among Seventh-day Adventist preachers and administrators. One must always be careful in praising men—for even the most anointed struggle with their flesh—just as the rest of us do.

But I do not think it wrong to recognize and appreciate men and women with special gifts that God has given them.

And a person who I believe that the Lord especially gifted and who is on my “GOAT list” is Elder Charles E. Bradford, who recently passed away at the age of 96.

If you are around my age, there are certain iconic and towering figures in the Seventh-day Adventist Church: Elder C.E. Dudley, Elder E.C. Ward, Elder E.E. Cleveland, Elder C.D. Brooks, Elder W.L. Pearson, Elder C.E. Bradford.

It was my incredibly blessed experience to have had some level of relationship with all of them. I am related to Elder Dudley by marriage—my sister married his son. Elders Brooks and Pearson were my Pastors in Cleveland, Ohio; Elder Ward was my Pastor at the Oakwood University Church.

The three of them were enormous influences on my ministry.

Elder Cleveland and Elder Bradford were good friends of my parents. I often tell the story of Elder Cleveland and I winding up on opposite sides of a major issue when I was a young pastor. Shortly thereafter, I ran into Elder Cleveland.

From his height of about 6’3” or so, he looked down at me and said in that oft-imitated voice, “Young man, I don’t know about you. But my wife likes you.” And she did, partly because she was good friends with my mother and partly because she was just a sweet person.

Eventually, Elder Cleveland decided that if his wife liked me that I couldn’t be that bad. And so began a relationship that I valued until the day he died.

Elder Bradford was good friends with my parents. My late aunt, Lorraine Edmond, was a schoolteacher and Bible worker for him when he was a young pastor in St. Louis. My parents took trips to their homes when the Bradfords lived in both New York and Chicago. Once, when I was about 12, they took me along.

The next time I saw Elder Bradford, he was the President of the North American Division (NAD). You have to be old like me to appreciate how special that was back then. Elder Bradford became the President of the NAD—the very first Presi-

A Shepherd and a GOAT

dent of the NAD. In those days, the NAD did not have its own president; a vice president from the General Conference was assigned to be the leader of the NAD in 1979.

There were very few leaders back then of any institutions that were not black. There were no black U.S. Senators at that time, and there had been only one black U.S. Senator, Edward Brooke, since Reconstruction. At that time, there had never been an African-American elected as Governor of any state in the Union. Blacks had only been elected mayors of large cities for about 10 years. There were no black National Football League head coaches. And so on and so on.

The Adventist Church was not much further ahead of the world. There had never been a black person elected as president of a Union Conference. The administrative leadership of the church beyond the Regional Conferences in those days was overwhelmingly Caucasian.

Into that void stepped Elder Charles E. Bradford. It was not enough for him to be a good administrator. He had to be better than good—good enough so that the door of leadership that had been opened a crack in the church for him would remain open for others like him.

And it did. There is now another African-American NAD president, some NAD vice presidents, several Union Conference presidents—even some African-American presidents of State Conferences, not to mention an African-American female General Conference vice president. I do not think it is an exaggeration to say that these distinguished leaders would not have received the opportunities they did had Elder Bradford not made the most of the opportunity he received.

In addition to being an exceptional administrator, Elder Bradford was an exceptional preacher. He had a presence in the pulpit; I can’t describe it, but one could sense it. His administrative and preaching gifts get him a place on my “GOAT” list in terms of Adventist leaders.

Elder and Mrs. Bradford eventually retired in Huntsville. It was during those years that I really connected with him. He was a major source of encouragement during my time in South Central. He would email me messages of support. And his support was not just verbal; he was a financial supporter and fund-raiser for the school building project for Oakwood Academy.

I never stopped being in awe of him. I remember asking him to preach for Church Officers Meeting. For me, staying on time is a big deal. That meant sending letters to virtually everyone that I ever asked to preach and telling them how long they had to preach and my expectation that they stay within that time frame.

But give a time limit to Elder Bradford? He was a legendary figure—had been almost since I was little boy. Me tell Elder Bradford how long to preach?

I stammered through my “time limit” speech to Elder Bradford. He was very gracious, and he stayed within his time limit.

Though he was a legend and I always felt insignificant in com-

parison to him, he never made me feel that way. He always referred to me as “My President,” even after I left office.

I remember the last time I saw him. It was about a month ago.

He was in the hospital. He could no longer walk, but his mind was as sharp as ever. He remarked that I had a different mask on from one I had the last time I visited him. I didn’t remember that.

But after I thought about it, I realized he was right.

We talked; I tried to mostly listen. I always learned from my time with him. I prayed with him and I left. I had no idea I would never speak to him again.

Because legends are so different from people like me, for some reason, I am always surprised when they pass away. It was almost as though to me, Elder Dudley would innovate his way around death, that Elder Ward would organize his way out of death, Elders Brooks and Pearson would preach their way out of death, that Elder Cleveland, in his kind of brash way, would mock death and that Elder Bradford—in his articulate and well-read manner—would talk his way out.

But I am reminded again that legends die, too. With the passing of Elder Bradford, everyone on my “GOAT List” is gone. And unless Jesus comes first, one day, I will be, too.

The good thing is that all my life I have heard all of the people on my “GOAT” list preach about the fact that though death may come, Jesus will come. There will be “a better day—afterwhile.”

May that day come soon. Until then, rest well, Elder Bradford. t __________________________________________________________ Dana C. Edmond, Director, Office for Regional Conference Ministry, is publisher of Regional Voice Magazine.

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Page 4 PUBLISHER’S COMMENTARY

Elder Charles Bradford: A Shepherd and a GOAT He was truly one of the great ones: in intellect; in spiritual gifts; in the pulpit; in leadership; in wit and wisdom. He brought God’s blessings to the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

BY DANA C. EDMOND

Page 8 Elder Charles Bradford Passes Away

Seventh-day Adventist global and national leaders share thoughts and tributes to this life of service.

BY KIMBERLY LUSTE MARAN

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Page 11 Statement on the Loss of Elder Charles Bradford

Regional Conference Presidents; North American Division leaders and those in the Office for Regional Conference Ministry and the Regional Conference Retirement Plan express their sadness.

Page 12 Return to Church or Not? What I Learned from My Friend Kim

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Page 18 IN MEMORIAM

Elder Henry Fordham III and Mrs. Sharon Fordham, President and First Lady of the Allegheny East Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, passed away in a house fire July 18, 2021. See our Regional Voice Special Edition to commemorate their ministry at https://adventistregionalministries.org

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Part I Kim Taylor was a passionate football fan who had season tickets since the Titan stadium opened in Nashville. Our families sat next to each other for 10 years.

She was Caucasian, but she had lungs that this black preacher admired. Kim was one of the first to arrive and one of the last to leave—and she always gave big hugs.

BY DANA C. EDMOND

Page 19 CHANGING OF THE GUARD President Pete Palmer •

FALL 2021

Offers Words of Consolation to Grieving Conference

Elder Pete Palmer, President, Allegheny East Conference, sought to comfort hearts of members, pastors and leaders in the wake of this tragedy.

Page 22 CHANGING OF THE GUARD Dr. Abraham J. Jules President, Northeastern Conference Dr. Jules and officials begin terms of service after Northeastern Conference constituents meet.

Coverage by DANA C. EDMOND, JE’NEAN LENDOR Photography by NEVILLE LENDOR

Page 26 CHANGING OF THE GUARD Lake Region Conference Elects New President

After hours of careful and prayerful deliberation, on Sunday, September 19, 2021, the Conference Executive Committee elected Elder Garth Gabriel President of the Lake Region Conference.

ORCM REPORT

Page 27 IN TRANSITION Bryant Taylor Voted Associate Director of Communication, Southern Union

Bryant Taylor, D.Min., has been voted to serve as the associate director of Communication for the Southern Union Conference in Peachtree Corners, Georgia.

BY R. STEVEN NORMAN III

Pages 30, 31 CHANGING OF THE GUARD Pacific Union Elects Diverse Leaders

Elder Brad Newton, President Dr. Sandra E. Roberts, Executive Secretary Dr. Leon Brown, Executive Vice President Elder Virgil S. Childs, Vice President, Regional Ministries

Page 32 IN MEMORIAM Carol Yvonne Lindsey Wright

Loving, Witty, Gracious, Classy, Precious – Unforgettable!

Tributes by Janice A. Lindsey Willis, Henry Wright, Sons, Family Members and Friends

Page 34 2021 NAD Regional Black Caucus Report

Representing 1,200 churches and over 300,000 members, Black Caucus leaders dedicated time to praying, hearing God’s word, reviewing mission, discussing issues, sharing wisdom and experience, and planning collaborative ministry.

Reported by DARRIEL HOY Photography by IAN CAMERON

Page 40 SCHOLARLY FEATURE Interview of Dr. Milton Brown – Part II

Take time to study these protective methods in preparation for your return to church and worship, though COVID-19 and variants remain.

Conducted by DR. BRYANT TAYLOR

Page 45 CORONA Stats

The death toll in the U.S continues to climb. The vaccination rates have climbed as well—but will this be enough?

Page 46 NATIONAL NEWS

Hurricane Ida made landfall 16 years to the day after Katrina, then took her killer winds and rain from the Gulf Coast to basement apartments in New York City!

Page 50 HOPE SERIES Judge Greg Mathis Gets Real

His no-nonsense courtroom manner was shaped by a rough-and-tumble childhood, an absent father, a godly mother who had to work through the night to support four sons, the foundation of SDA Church School, expulsion, guns, jail, a caring pastor and a hard wake-up call to turn him around.

Interview by CARLTON P. BYRD REGIONAL VOICE • FALL 2021

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RV FEATURE STORY

ELDER CHARLES E. BRADFORD PASSES TO HIS REST

HE MADE AN INCALCULABLE IMPACT ON OUR LIVES, ON OUR CHURCH, AND ON OUR WORLD.

Reported by KIMBERLY LUSTE MARAN

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harles E. Bradford, first president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America (NAD), passed away on Thursday, September 9, 2021, in Huntsville, Alabama. He was 96.

In 1979 Bradford was elected to succeed Neal C. Wilson as president of the NAD. Wilson, who served as a vice president in the General Conference with responsibility for North America, moved on to become president of the General Conference. Bradford, the first African American to serve as NAD president, and his administrative team, were instrumental in the NAD’s development toward functioning as a division territory of the Adventist Church. Bradford joined the NAD after serving as associate secretary of the General Conference from 1970 to 1979. He served as NAD president until 1990.

During a special interview with Bradford and his wife, Ethel, at the 2017 NAD Year-End Meeting, Bradford, who started his ministry in the 1940s as a pastor, spoke passionately about the local church. He said, "Everything is contained in the small little egg of the [local] church. Love those people, respect them, know how to talk to them!" Bradford added, “Don't think the early church was perfect ... The church is made up of human individuals. But God is working with us.”

“Elder Bradford was a spiritual giant among us. The impact of his legacy and ministry can never be fully measured or ascertained. It continues in the lives of generations of leaders, pastors, and members who have been influenced and inspired by his life,” said G. Alexander Bryant, current NAD president. “He always encouraged us to excel in our God-given talents and assignments.”

Bryant added, “Elder Bradford had a rare collection of passion, grace, power, and humility. He made an incalculable impact on our lives, on our church, and on our world. Indeed, a prince of Israel has passed away, but his legacy lives on.”

Ron Smith, president of the Southern Union Conference, said, “It is with

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“DON'T THINK THE EARLY CHURCH WAS PERFECT... THE CHURCH IS MADE UP OF HUMAN INDIVIDUALS. BUT GOD IS WORKING WITH US.” REGIONAL VOICE • FALL 2021

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a sense of deep grief and sadness that we experience the loss of one of the outstanding Seventh-day Adventist leaders of all time. Elder Charles Bradford, a pioneer, consummate preacher, conference president, division president, and chair of multiple institutional boards, leaves an enormous vacancy and gigantic hole in the hearts of myriads of clergy and Christians within and without the Seventh-day Adventist denomination.”

“We will miss him and will continually intercede for his dear wife Ethel, adult children, and members of his family. Our prayer will also embrace the millions of grieving Adventists around the globe,” said Smith.

“Elder Bradford was a giant in so many ways—faithful follower of Christ, wonderful preacher, diligent Bible student, dynamic intellect, experienced administrator, caring pastor, loving husband and father, encouraging brother in Christ, long-time friend," shared Ted N.C. Wilson, president of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. "As a student and young worker, it was a privilege to watch the close working relationship and friendship between Elder Bradford and my father.

They had a very collegial rapport as they helped to guide God’s church through the power of the Holy Spirit. Elder Bradford seemed to always have things under control and had a way about him that, even in difficult situations, you would know that he was thinking three steps ahead of others and, by God’s grace, things would work out well to God’s glory."

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ilson continued, "On behalf of the world family of Seventh-day Adventists, Nancy and I wish Mrs. Bradford and the family our warmest regards, Christian sympathy, and deepest condolences. May the Comforter come especially close to the entire Bradford family at this time of sorrow. Soon, however, Jesus will come and we will again see Elder Bradford and our loved ones who have died in Christ. What a day that will be!

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September 10, 2021 The Regional Presidents Council, the Office for Regional Conference Ministries, and the Regional Conference Retirement Plan Office mourn the loss of a spiritual giant - our beloved leader, mentor, friend, and former North American Division President, Elder Charles Bradford.

Elder Bradford knew Jesus, and his stalwart faith in God was contagious! All that he accomplished in life Elder Bradford attributed to his relationship with God and the faithfulness of our God. He was a gifted preacher, an exceptional administrator, a wise and trusted counselor, a bold leader, and an encouraging teacher.

Elder Bradford was a pioneer in Regional Conference ministry, serving as a pastor and conference president.

He was a courageous champion not only for the Black work but for women’s ordination and race relations within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. As the first African-American to serve as North American Division president, Elder Bradford was a trailblazer whose impact is still felt today. His legacy of love, integrity, and faith continue to inspire Regional Ministries and the entire Seventh-day Adventist Church body.

We thank God for the life and exemplary service of Elder Charles Bradford. Our hearts go out to Mrs. Ethel Bradford, their children, and extended family. We pray God’s comfort and peace for all who grieve the loss of Elder Charles Bradford.

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

Bradford, a graduate from Oakwood University, was awarded a doctor of divinity degree from Andrews University. He is the author of several books, including The King Is In Residence and Sabbath Roots: The African Connection. t ____________________ Kimberly Luste Maran is an associate director for the North American Division Office of Communication. An award-winning writer, she is primarily responsible for editing Adventist Journey magazine and NAD NewsPoints, the weekly e-newsletter of the division.

Elder William L. Winston, President, South Atlantic Conference / President, Regional Conference Presidents Council Elder Pete Palmer, Vice-President for Administration, Allegheny East Conference Elder Marvin C. Brown, President, Allegheny West Conference Elder Roger Bernard, President, Central States Conference Elder Garth Gabriel, President, Lake Region Conference Dr. Daniel Honore, President, Northeastern Conference Elder Benjamin Jones, President, South Central Conference Dr. Michael Owusu, President, Southeastern Conference Dr. Carlton P. Byrd, President, Southwest Region Conference Dr. Kenneth Manders, President, Bermuda Conference Dr. Leslie Pollard, President, Oakwood University Elder Virgil Childs, Vice President for Regional Ministries, Pacific Union Conference Elder Byron Dulan, Vice President for Regional Ministries, North Pacific Union Conference Dr. William T. Cox, Executive Director, Regional Conference Retirement Plan Elder Dana C. Edmond, Executive Director, Office for Regional Conference Ministries Elder Darriel Hoy, Communications Director, Office for Regional Conference Ministries / Regional Conference Retirement Plan REGIONAL VOICE • FALL 2021

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RV FEATURE STORY

RETURN TO CHURCH OR NOT? WHAT I LEARNED FROM MY FRIEND KIM PART I B y DANA C . EDMOND

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y son and I are season ticket holders for the Tennessee Titans football team. I suppose we have had those tickets for 10 or 12 years. For each of those years, Kim Taylor has sat next to us.

Kim was a passionate football fan who has been a season ticket holder since the Titan stadium opened. I think she used to come with her husband, but he passed away. Kim kept his ticket and would

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bring other people with her. But no matter who she brought with her, she always spent the entire game talking to us. We would talk sports and about our children and grandchildren—at least, we would talk when she wasn’t yelling at the refs or the team or the opposition. Kim was Caucasian, but she had lungs that this black preacher admired.

Kim was always one of the first fans to arrive in her seat and one of the last to leave. She was always there when we arrived and she would always get out of her seat and give both of us a big hug. Every-

one who really knows me knows that I am not a hugger, but Kim was an exception.

Because of COVID, I had not seen Kim in two years, though we had occasionally texted each other. As I ran up the stadium steps and prepared to turn the corner to my seat, I was excited—as was my whole family. All of them had gone to a Titans game with me and knew and liked Kim. As I rounded the corner, I adjusted my mask in anticipation of receiving my game-day hug from Kim. I did not want

POINTING DOWN TO KIM’S SEAT, I ASKED, “HAVE YOU SEEN KIM?” THE LOOK ON HIS FACE TOLD ME WHAT WAS COMING NEXT WOULD NOT BE GOOD. IT WASN’T.

to give her any sort of germ. But there was no Kim. I was slightly concerned. Kim had not responded to my last text and that was not like her. While both of us often took forever to respond to each other, we did respond.

But I put it out of my mind. I assumed that just as I had been intending to reach out to her, likewise she intended to respond to me. It was just another one of our “forevers.”

I took a picture of Kim’s seat, with the intent of texting her a picture of it saying,

“We missed our favorite Titans fan.” After taking the picture, I turned to another season ticket holder that we had connected with. Pointing down to Kim’s seat, I asked, “Have you seen Kim?” The look on his face told me what was coming next would not be good. It wasn’t. I heard the dreaded words, “Kim passed.” He simply said, “Heart complications.”

Hearing that, I suddenly had heart complications. Except mine was broken.

For 10 years or so, Kim, my son and I sat there, through good times and bad.

We had broiled in the late summer sun REGIONAL VOICE • FALL 2021

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THAT’S WHY I BELIEVE THAT MOST OF US NEED TO RETURN PHYSICALLY TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOR WORSHIP. and shivered in the late winter cold together. (I always had on multiple winter coats—she never wore more than one).

We were spending money to sit outside in the elements to watch a game we could see in the comfort of our homes for free.

And we did that for more than 10 years because there is a fellowship and community that you get from coming together at a stadium that you cannot get from staying at home. And that fellowship and community got us through the times when the team was bad and the weather was worse. The fellowship and the community helped us to make it through.

That’s why I believe that most of us need to return physically to the house of the Lord for worship. Not everyone, 14

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because there are those among us with various medical conditions that make returning unsafe. And I worry about our small children who are not able to get vaccinated yet.

Anyone who has been around small children knows that they pass around germs like Pat Mahomes passes a football. Since no one built their church with the idea of keeping members safe from a contagious disease in a pandemic, some of our more medically vulnerable members may be members in church facilities where they cannot return safely as long as the pandemic continues.

Who is and who is not really in that category is not for me to say.

But everyone is not in that category. From what I am seeing and hearing, somewhere around 60 to 70 percent of

the people who were attending church pre-COVID have not returned. All of those individuals do not have prohibitive medical conditions.

For those of you who are in that anecdotal 60-70 percent “not returned group” and also not in the medical challenges group, here are a few things I would want to suggest for your consideration: 1. We all need fellowship and community. It helps get us through the difficult times. Maybe something that you have gone through in the past can help me with what I am going through right now. Or maybe something I have gone through can help you. I know there have been times when I was struggling (yes, pastors struggle, too) and I came to church and someone told me they were

praying for me, or something happened in the house of God that let me know I could make it.

2. Maybe you don’t think you need the community and fellowship that comes from coming together in God’s house (you do), but maybe there is

someone in your faith community who needs you to bring community and fellowship to them.

Maybe there is someone whom God wants to use you to help realize that they are not alone. Someone who can help them feel that they can make it be-

cause they don’t have to try and make it by themselves.

That’s a part of being a part of what the Bible calls “the household of faith.”

And the need for that house did not leave when COVID came.

“I need you. You need me. We’re all a part of God’s family.” Then the song closes with these words: “You are important to me. I need you to survive.”

Those words are still true. We need each other to survive. t _____________________ Dana C. Edmond, Director, Office for Regional Conference Ministry, is publisher of Regional Voice Magazine.

REGIONAL VOICE • FALL 2021

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REGIONAL VOICE

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• 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.

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.

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Office of Graduate Education Oakwood University 7000 Adventist Blvd.

Huntsville, Alabama 35896

REGIONAL VOICE • FALL 2021

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IN MEMORIAM

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

••• OFFICE FOR REGIONAL CONFERENCE MINIS T RIES IN NOR T H AMERICA •••

Words of Consolation

By PE TE PALMER Dear Allegheny East Conference Family, Friends and Supporters—

SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

A Celebration of Life HENRY J. FORDHAM III & SHARON E. (WRIGHT) FORDHAM

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e were awakened Sunday morning, July 18, to the news that we had lost our beloved First Couple, Elder Henry J. and Sister Sharon Fordham, in a devastating fire that consumed their home.

This unimaginable tragedy has broken our hearts. I imagine that many of you have questions.

Questions like, How did this happen?

You want to know all of the details— and unfortunately, right now, we don’t have these answers.

What we do know is that when the fire started, there were three people in the home: Elder and Sister Fordham and their middle son Shawn, who serves as a pastor in Allegheny East Conference. Shawn tried valiantly to save his parents. . . . When separated from them, he was unable to get back to them.

Shawn was hospitalized with injuries from the fire. It is only by the grace of God that we did not lose Shawn as well.

One of the challenges that we are facing is trying to make sense of this incomprehensible loss.

Why fire? Why lose both of them?

Why should three sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren be deprived

of both of them in one day? Why would God allow this? Why should we as a conference lose our First Couple; lose our leadership; lose a beloved pastor, a beloved colleague? Lose a beloved Mother in Israel? Lose wonderful counselors and advisors? And why in this way?

And while these may be the questions that many of you are ruminating on, can I share with you what Scripture and life have taught me about these kinds of questions?

The answers ultimately don’t matter.

I know that may be hard for some of you to hear, but when we consider the story of Job, what we know about the backstory of Job’s struggles and tragedies is never shared with Job—because they [explanations] . . . ultimately would not have made a difference.

Could there be any explanation that would have made Job and Sister Job grieve less? Was there any elucidation that would have made Job and Sister Job miss their children less? Could there have been any answers that would have filled the void in their lives from the lossof friends, possessions and most importantly, their children— their 10children?

If such enlightenment existed,

I believe the God of love that we serve would have given it. . . . That is why when God finally speaks, He offers no answers; no rejoinders; no come backs; no retorts.

All He offers is Himself, because the comfort we need at times like these is not to be found in making sense out of that which makes no sense. The relief we seek is not to be found in explaining the inexplicable. The respite that we desire is not to be found in comprehending the incomprehensible. [We] know the comfort, the relief, the respite, the healing, the liberation our souls need is to be found in God. t ___________________________________ Editor’s Note: This text captures the first three minutes of a seven-minute message Elder Palmer offered online right after the tragedy. To view the rest, look for “A Message from Pete Palmer” at the Allegheny East Conference website: https://www.visitaec.org

________________________ Elder Pete Palmer is President of the Allegheny East Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

This Special Edition, in Tribute to Elder and Mrs. Fordham can be viewed online at:

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CHANGING OF THE GUARD

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

Allegheny East Conference Statement

Allegheny East Conference Statement

On Sunday, September 26th, AEC's Executive Committee voted to elect Elder Pete Palmer (formerly VP for Administration) as President for the remainder of this term.

On Sunday, September 26th, AEC's Executive Committee voted to elect Dr. Marcellus Robinson to fulfill the role of VP for Administration for the remainder of this term.

Thank you for your prayers.

Thank you for your prayers.

ELDER PETE PALMER

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DR. MARCELLUS ROBINSON

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CHANGING OF THE GUARD

he 28th Session of the Northeastern Conference—and the first indoor Regional Conference session since the pandemic— saw 1,200 delegates elect Dr. Abraham Jules, pastor of the Queens Community Worship SDA Center, as the NEC President. The theme for the session was “The Church Built on the Rock.”

This session was delayed for a year due to the pandemic and was moved to the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in order to allow for social distancing. The meeting began with a powerful devotional from Dr. Leslie N. Pollard, President, Oakwood University. Coming from the book of I Samuel, Dr. Pollard compared and contrasted two kings—Saul and David—calling one “appointed” and the other “anointed.” He urged the delegates to choose an anointed leader.

President Daniel Honoré and Executive Secretary Dr. Oswald Euell, then formally convened the session. Dr. Honoré was constitutionally ineligible to stand for a third term as NEC President. In his final hours as President, he began by welcoming the various North

American Division, Atlantic Union and Regional Conference leaders from around the country who were attending the session.

After adding several churches and dropping two churches from the sisterhood of churches in Northeastern, Dr. Honoré gave his report—and farewell— to the delegates. He spoke passionately of the blessings of the Lord over his nine years of service. He put a picture on the screen of himself as a little boy, attending his late father’s ordination as a Northeastern Pastor. He spoke of never imagining that little boy growing up to be the conference President. He thanked the delegates for the privilege of serving the conference where both of his parents served.

Highlights of Elder Honoré’s report

THIS SESSION WAS DELAYED FOR A YEAR DUE TO THE PANDEMIC AND WAS MOVED TO THE WEBSTER BANK ARENA IN BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

showed the large number of congregations that the Lord had enabled to be housed over the past five years—some rather miraculously. An even larger blessing was the nearly $100 million senior citizen housing project that had recently opened in New York City, allowing both Adventist and non-Adventist seniors to have affordable housing in this area of the country where the cost of housing can be exorbitant.

The delegates were cheered by news that the debt of the conference to various denominational entities, the North American Division and the Regional Conference Retirement Plan—which totaled several million dollars—had been fully paid off. They were also excited and grateful to God that the conference’s cash reserves—which had once dwindled down to the equivalent of the operating expenses for a single day— had rebounded to the cash equivalent of operating expenses for nearly four months. At the conclusion of Dr. Honoré’s report, the delegates gave him a prolonged standing ovation.

After Secretary Euell’s report, which outlined the numerical growth of Northeastern—the largest of the nine Regional Conferences and the fourth largest conference in the North American Di-

President Abraham Jules

“THE CHURCH BUILT ON THE ROCK” NORTHEASTERN CONFERENCE ELECTS

DR. ABRAHAM JULES PRESIDENT

Repor ted by DANA C. EDMOND • Research by Je’NEAN LENDOR Photography by NEVILLE LENDOR 22

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Mrs. Rose Chandler and Treasurer Robert Chandler; President Abraham Jules and Executive Secretary Eldeen King.

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Dr. Leslie Pollard

Dr. Daniel Honoré, outgoing president.

vision, the session adjourned for lunch. That preceded the signature event of the session: The vote of the delegates on the Nominating Committee report.

This report had been the source of some contention at past Northeastern sessions— some of which stretched into the very late hours of the night. But in the early afternoon hours of this session, the votes were counted and Atlantic Union President, Dr. G. Earl Knight announced the overwhelming vote of the delegates for Dr. Abraham J. Jules as President of the Northeastern Conference.

In a gracious and classy transfer of power, both Drs. Jules and Honoré spoke appreciatively of each other. The outgoing First Lady of Northeastern, Mrs. Fritzie Honoré, also spoke graciously of her successor, Dr. Dominque Jules. The new First Couple were joined on the platform by their two children, Raven-Aniah and Dylan. The incoming and outgoing administrative couples knelt for prayer and Dr. Honoré prayed a moving prayer for the new President, asking God “to be with him, as He had been with me.”

The session continued with a vote of the Nominating Committee’s recommendation for Executive Secretary. Dr. Eldeen King was elected by a 90 percent majority.

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Northeastern Conference Departmental Leaders Elder Mario Augustave, Adventist Community Services Pastor Duddley Francois, Communications Director Dr. Samuel and Mrs. Andrea Blair, Family Life Pastor Serge Lamour, Franco-Haitian Coordinator Dr. Joshau Deonarine, Health Ministries Pastor Hector Ramos, Hispanic Ministries Dr. Dedrick Blue, Ministerial Dr. Walton Rose, Personal Ministries Pastor Marcus Seifert, Portuguese Coordinator Dr. Allen Martin, Religious Liberty Pastor Easton Marks, Sabbath School Pastor Clifford Manie, Stewardship Dr. Ferron Francis, Trust Services Dr. Donnett Blake, Women’s Ministries Dr. Paula Olivier, Youth Ministries Pastors Javier Alcon and Duddley Francois, Associate Youth Ministries Directors

Atlantic Union President G. Earl Knight and President Jules.

Dr. King, a native of Antigua, currently serves as Pastor of the Brooklyn Emmaus SDA Church. He began his ministry in the East Caribbean Conference. For the past 30 years, he has pastored in the Northeastern Conference. He and his wife, the former R. Lorraine Philips, an educator from Newport News, Virginia, have two children and five grandchildren.

The third member of the Northeastern administrative team, Treasurer Robert Chandler was re-elected overwhelmingly. He had the highest vote percentage of the administrators.

The new Northeastern departmental team is listed separately in a box. Of historic note is the election of Dr. Paula Olivier, the first female Youth Director in the history of Northeastern and only the third in the history of Regional Conferences.

May the Lord bless Dr. Jules and this new team. t _________________________ Dana C. Edmond, Director, Office for Regional Conference Ministry, is publisher of Regional Voice Magazine and provided live coverage of this Northeastern Conference Constituency meeting.

Executive Secretary Eldeen King.

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IN TRANSITION

IN TRANSITION

ELDER GARTH GABRIEL ELECTED PRESIDENT, LAKE REGION CONFERENCE

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ongratulations to Elder Garth Gabriel, the newly elected President of the Lake Region Conference. On Sunday, September 19, 2021, after almost seven hours of careful and prayerful deliberation, the Conference Executive Committee voted to elect Elder Gabriel as president of the Lake Region Conference for the remainder of the 2018-2022 term.

Elder Gabriel served as acting president from July 1 until the September 19 vote after Dr. R. Clifford Jones vacated the position of president to serve as Dean of the School of Theology for Oakwood University.

Prior to his election as president, Elder Garth Gabriel served for three years as the Executive Secretary for Lake Region Conference. He is a graduate of Atlantic Union College and has pastored in the Lake Region Conference

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for nearly 25 years including the Conant Gardens, Highland Park, and Community Fellowship churches. He is known as a compassionate and effective leader who empowers others. A former singer with The Heritage Singers, Elder Gabriel and his wife of 42 years, Rosita, have four children and four grandchildren.

The Lake Region Conference Executive Committee and the remaining members of the 2018 Nominating Committee thank the constituents of the Lake Region Conference for interceding on behalf of the Conference and the process to elect a conference president.

Prayers are solicited as the Conference Personnel and Executive Committee meet later in September to elect an Executive Secretary for the rest of the 2018-2022 term. t

BRYANT TAYLOR VOTED SOUTHERN UNION ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION By R. STEVEN NORMAN III

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ryant Taylor, D.Min., has been voted to serve as the associate director of Communication for the Southern Union Conference in Peachtree Corners, Georgia. He succeeds Nathan Zinner who accepted a call to be the Communication director for the Georgia-Cumberland Conference.

Taylor comes to the Southern Union with more than 30 years in communication, pastoral ministry, and leadership experience. He has served as pastor, communication and information technology director in the Allegheny West and Southeastern conferences, and is currently the worship and media pastor at the Azure Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church in Grand Terrace, California. In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, he is the associate editor of the Regional Voice Magazine, as well as the president of the Society of Adventist Communicators.

He is a native of St. Louis, Missouri.

He holds a B.A. degree in theology and psychology from Oakwood University in Huntsville Alabama, a Master of Divinity degree from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

He, and his wife, Tara, have been married for 30 years, and have a 26-year-old bird they call “Birckey.”

Taylor says, “I am humbled by this opportunity and honored to serve in this position. The Southern Union is vibrant and I am excited to work with this

team, and I look forward to serving as we communicate Christ. “ Editor’s Note: Dr. Taylor will also continue his work as President, Society of Adventist Communicators and as Associate Editor, Regional Voice magazine. t ______________________ R. Steven Norman III is the Communication Director for the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and editor of the union magazine, The Southern Tidings.

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CHANGING OF THE GUARD

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

THE PACIFIC UNION ELECTS PRESIDENT BRAD NEWTON AND DR. SANDRA E. ROBERTS, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

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he Pacific Union elected a historically diverse group of Union administrators in their recent elections. Meeting in Tucson, Arizona, the Pacific Union delegates elected Elder Brad Newton—formerly the Executive Secretary of Pacific Union—as the new Union President of the Pacific Union Conference. The Pacific Union, with 223,000 members and nearly $190 million in tithe, is the second largest Union in the North American Division behind the Southern Union.

Elder Newton succeeds the retiring Dr. Ricardo Graham, one of the first African-Americans to become President of a Union conference in the North American Division. Dr. Graham served the Adventist Church for 46 years—the last 14 as President of Pacific Union.

The historical portion came in the election of Dr. Sandra E. Roberts as the Executive Secretary of Pacific Union.

After becoming the first elected female conference president in the history of the North American Division when she became President of the Southeastern California Conference, she now becomes the first female to become a Union Conference Executive Secretary. t

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PACIFIC UNION DELEGATES ELECT DR. LEON BROWN, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND ELDER VIRGIL S. CHILDS, VICE PRESIDENT

P Brad Newton

Dr. Sandra E. Roberts

acific Union delegates also chose Dr. Leon Brown as Executive Vice President of the Union.

Dr. Brown served as one of the first African-Americans to serve as the President of a state conference when he was elected in 2016 to that office in the Nevada-Utah Conference.

Dr. Brown is a native of Kingston, Jamaica, whose family moved to Rochester, New York. He grew up in the Northeastern Conference and is a graduate of Pine Forge and Oakwood. After graduating from Andrews University, Dr. Brown worked in corporate America as an accountant prior to being called by the Northern California Conference in 1998. He pastored in three districts prior to being called to serve as that conference’s Regional Ministries Coordinator. He served there for two years prior to being elected as the President of Nevada-Utah.

He is married to the former Julie Albritton, a native of England, who grew up in Northern California.

The delegates also chose to elevate the African-American, Asia Pacific and Hispanic Coordinators to Vice Presidents. Among that group was Elder Virgil S. Childs.

Elder Childs is a native of Pensacola, Florida. His parents later migrated west to Northern California. He is a graduate of Oakwood University and Andrews University.

He began his ministry in the Northern California Conference in 1987. After

Dr. Leon Brown

Elder Virgil S. Childs

pastoring several churches in that conference, he became the Regional Ministries Coordinator in 2006. He became the Union Regional Ministries Coordinator in 2016.

Elder Child’s is married to the former Pat Brown of Los Angeles, California.

We celebrate God’s selection of all these individuals and pray God’s blessing upon their leadership and ministry. t

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IN MEMORIAM

CAROL YVONNE LINDSEY WRIGHT 1946 - 2021

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Loving, Witty, Gracious, Classy, Precious – Unforgettable!

er smile lit up a room. “What an awesome lady who consistently radiated grace and charm with a ready smile and a spontaneous laugh for as long as I’ve known her since we were little kids,” is how a friend remembered her. Carol left an indelible impression on those whose lives she touched, not only because of who she was, but Whose she was.

Carol was born into the loving family of Elder Harold and Corinne Lindsey on February 21, 1946, in Pasadena, California joining her brother, affectionately known as “Ronnie.” It wasn’t long before her sister, Elaine joined the family. For eight years it was the three of them as stairstep siblings, until sister Janice became the last child. Carol was the wise, and unassuming older sister, but at the same time she was full of laughter and fun.

From early childhood, Carol demonstrated a simple understanding and love for Biblical teachings.

She not only spoke of her commitment to God, but lived it, impressing a friend unknowingly who saw her Bible sitting on the front passenger’s seat of her car. In spare moments she would read it. It served as her daily bread—she loved the Word. These were the roots for her being recognized as a strong woman of faith in her adult years.

Her teenage years were spent in Oakland, California, where she attended Golden Gate Academy (GGA). Comments of her GGA classmates reveal the impact she made, even in the tender years of her life.

“I lived with the Lindsey family a short time as a teenager. Carol was a dear, sweet person who truly loved the Lord.” Love for her was a recurrent theme: “Loved that lady—she was a role model of mine.”

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“Such a beautiful person inside and out.”

“I have wonderful memories of Carol from our days at GGA. She always had a beautiful smile and a warm heart.”

“We reflect on how God has touched her life and how she has blessed us through the years.”

Long-time family friend, Adrian Watkins, shared his experience. “I worked for Carol on the Anchor (school yearbook) campaign as an assistant in charge of advertising. What a HOOT! Meetings were a laugh fest! We even rode to GGA together for a year. She drove.

I didn’t have a license. There’s soooo much more.”

Carol loved her family. Childhood friend, Leanor Johnson shared, “During her teenage years she would curl her arms around her father’s shoulder and declare to onlookers,

‘This is MY Daddy! My Daddy.’ From childhood onward she sought his wisdom on life and Biblical issues.”

She cried when [brother] “Ronnie” left to go away to college, and she and Elaine spent many a day laughing in their upstairs bedroom as they went about daily life. When it was her turn to go to college, Carol attended Oakwood College (now Oakwood University). Her classmates remember her fondly, one saying she was the only friend he wrote a letter to over summer after that first year and another stating his fond memories of Carol as his freshman classmate. While those guys were friends, the beginnings of a romantic seed had already been planted the Spring of 1963 just prior to her attendance.

The Oakwood College Choir was on their first West Coast Tour to perform a concert at the Grand Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church in Oakland. Elder Lindsey (“MY Daddy!”) who pastored the Market Street SDA Church in the area and his wife were a host family. In those days choir members were spread out amongst the homes of church members to stay while on tour. A young man by the name of Henry Wright, a friend of her brother, who was also in the choir, stayed at the Lindsey’s home.

Their friendship began that weekend.

Henry recalls, “The next year she came to Oakwood as a freshman. Our friendship grew over the school year which was my senior year. Our first date was a taco party hosted by the California students of Oakwood in the Spring of 1964. Each west coast student invited an east coast student who had never had tacos. Carol invited me....

We were stuck on each other from that date forward.”

Carol also attended Pacific Union College and her roommate, Vicki Jackson, shared: “Carol and I were roommates at PUC our junior year of college. We also had a third

‘bestie,’ Judy, and she shared the room next to ours. The three of us were very close and had many fun times during our year, taking walks, going to social events; getting to know each other. Carol was also up for engaging in various activities including vespers. It was a very active, fun time.

Carol invited me home on some weekends, since I was far away from my home in Detroit, Michigan. I felt so welcomed at the Lindseys.

“Carol was such a friendly person, always thinking of ways to make people feel welcomed and comfortable—so caring. I will always remember her lovely personality and outgoing manner, making people feel comfortable in her presence. She was so happy planning her wedding, which was fantastic.”

One of the other wedding participants commented, “I had the honor to be in their wedding 55 years ago, that fabulous celebration... the singing wedding! ‘Aunt Eleanor,’ of the Blendwrights, wrote a song entitled ‘Take My Hand’ and the entire wedding party learned and sang that song at their wedding.”

Her husband recalls: “After marrying August 21, 1966, Carol and I lived in Greenville, Mississippi. I pastored four churches in the Delta area. She became the first African-American employed as a secretary in the Greenville City Hall, and worked for the City Engineer. Carol was the pianist in my first two tent crusades.

“These were the ‘firsts’ of our lives —our first two sons were born, Henry Monroe Wright II (Hank) and Harold Michael Wright (Mike) after we moved to Jackson, Mississippi. We had the joy of owning our first new home. Carol was an attentive, caring mother, and she decorated it with such joy and good taste! I had a four-church district which grew to six churches due to evangelism. Carol never complained. She stuck with me. In those early years Carol shared with a dear friend by letter: ‘My sorrows are cut in half and my happiness doubled.’”

“We moved in 1972 to our first big church—Ephesus SDA Church in Columbus, Ohio, which also served as the home church for many of the Conference leaders. We were the youngest pastor and first lady in the history of the church. I was 29. She was 25! All of the church elders were old enough to be our fathers or grandfathers. Carol was totally unintimidated. The members adored her and our two energetic boys. Hank was 3, Mike was one. She gave birth to our third son Herbert Marcel Wright (Herbie) in Columbus, Ohio.”

Carol was a wonderful mother to her sons.

These words describe their relationship: her sense of discernment; loyal, honest feedback

but never judgmental; their biggest fan, with enough love for all of them.

The role of “First Lady” was one Carol handled with grace and poise. She and Henry served at both the Community Praise Center SDA Church (CPC), Alexandria, Virginia, and the Takoma Park SDA Church, Takoma Park, Maryland. She was a tremendous support to Henry and a bright and shining light in the lives of the members.

Their accolades are filled with respect and admiration: “She was my beloved First Lady for many years.”

“She always was so sweet and had a smile and a quick squeeze or hug.”

“She always demonstrated the miracle of God’s love.”

“She’s been such a strong and positive influence within the Church. I’ve admired her for years!”

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fter devoting her life to supporting Henry and her boys, Carol went back to school, earning an AB degree from Howard County Community College in 1992; a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University) in 1994; and, ever in the pursuit of excellence, she achieved her CPA in 2001.

Carol served in various capacities for the Seventh-day Adventist Church for 39 years.

Several years were spent working in the Finance Office at Oakwood College (now University), and she later was awarded Alumnus of the Year for in 2012. For 28 years, from 1989 to 2017, Carol served the Columbia Union, working in the Treasury Department.

Her last position prior to retirement was Undertreasurer for Columbia Union Conference.

On the occasion of her retirement, Dave Weigley, Columbia Union president, said: “Carol has given stellar service to the Columbia Union. She has contributed in moving the mission forward in so many ways—from her expertise in finance, to her cool, calm demeanor as the Human Resources leader for our office team. She helped create an incredible culture of support and care in the Columbia Union office team. . . . Her friendship was very meaningful to me and many others. She will be deeply missed.”

Seth Bardu, former Treasurer stated, “I am eternally grateful for her role at Columbia Union. She saw people before policies.

She always saw people as people and not as objects. I may have been her boss, but I learned much from her.”

At the conclusion of the occasion, Carol stated: “I’ve enjoyed the camaraderie, I’ve

enjoyed the spiritual emphasis, never taking our eyes off our mission, why we do what we do. … Thank you for the privilege of allowing me to serve you and to work here at the Columbia Union Conference. It has been my joy; it has been my pleasure and I’m very, very grateful!”

Her unwavering faith in God shone through in the deepest of life’s disappointment, the death of her son, Mike. A friend was visiting the DC/Maryland area not long after and struggled over what words of comfort to share with Carol. “I visited CPC and when she sighted me standing, she summoned an usher to make room for me to sit next to her. Before I could say a word, she said: ‘I miss my son, I miss my son! But God is just, loving, and faithful!!’ Her unshakable faith shook me.” Her life exemplified faith and grace—even in the face of hardship.

Carol and Henry celebrated 55 years of marriage and are loved by an innumerable host. She lived a beautiful life, following God’s lead. She was kind, gentle, gracious, genuine, warm, special, caring, sweet, down-to-earth, profound, humble, non-judgmental, friendly, elegant, beautiful inside and out. And—FUNNY!!!

She passed away on September 9, 2021, at the age of 75, after an extended battle with Dementia and Parkinson’s disease, surrounded by loved ones. Her family will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest. We can’t wait to meet her in heaven when Jesus comes and hear her laugh. Won’t that be glorious!

Carol is survived by her loving husband, Henry Monroe Wright; her sons, Henry Monroe Wright II and Herbert Marcel Wright; Stacia Dulan Wright; grandchildren Henry Monroe Wright III, Mikelah Jeanne Wright Bur, Jonathan Marcel Wright, Ginneh Michelle Wright; siblings Elaine Arthur, James Preston (J.P.) and Janice A. Willis; nieces, nephews and their families, Paul and Michelle Lindsey Buckmire (son Aidan); Ronald A. Lindsey II; E. Neal and Kelly Arthur, (children Dash and Maceo); Lindsey Arthur; Deanne Arthur (son Titus); Carol Janae (C. J.) Willis, James Preston Willis III and Jocelyn, and numerous cousins, family and friends. Carol was predeceased by son Harold Michael Wright, brother Ronald A. Lindsey, and parents, Elder Harold and Corinne Lindsey. t ________________________________________

Special Thanks from Regional Voice Magazine to the family members and friends of Mrs. Carol Wright. Her sister, Mrs. Janice A. Lindsey Willis, authored this tribute. Her husband, Elder Henry Wright and their sons contributed their memories and photography.

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BLACK CAUCUS REPORT 2021

2021 NAD

REGIONAL BLACK CAUCUS CELEBRATES GOD’S GRACE, WELCOMES NEW LEADERS

Kimberly Bulgin, Devotional Day II Wintley Phipps, Devotional Day I

Reported by DARRIEL HOY Photography by IAN CAMERON Leaders pause for season of prayer.

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dministrators from all nine Regional Conferences, Bermuda, and Regional Ministries of Pacific Union and North Pacific Union convened in Orlando and virtually August 1-4 for the annual NAD Regional Black Caucus.

Representing 1,200 churches and over 300,000 members, Black Caucus leaders dedicated time to praying and hearing God’s word, reviewing mission, discussing issues that impact our churches and communities, sharing wisdom and experience, and planning collaborative ministry. It was evident from the reports presented, statistical data offered, and testimonies shared that in the midst of a global pandemic God has led his people safely thus far.

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Morning Worship Black Caucus morning devotion was worship elevated! Every song, prayer, and sermon connected leaders to God and the mission of sharing Him with a dying world. Elder Wintley Phipps, pastor of the Palm Bay Church and founder of the US Dream Academy, was God’s trombone for Monday morning. Elder Phipps’ message, “Communication Soldiers in a War of Words,” urged administrators to invest in innovation and to inspire different methods of communicating the gospel.

On Tuesday, Pastor Kimberly Bulgin from the New Beginnings Church in Wichita, Kansas, stepped up to the pulpit and told Black Caucus leaders to “Sit Down Somewhere.” She pointed out that on the day of Pentecost, the disciples were sitting in a posture of prayer

and total dependence on God before the Holy Spirit gave them power. Pastor Bulgin reminded leaders that the power to tackle problems, influence others, and lead ministry now and in the future comes from God and is available to those who commune with and rest in God. Dr. Hubert Morel, Jr., executive secretary for the Mid-America Union, was the final devotional speaker for Black Caucus. Interweaving vignettes from his own life with the account of the blind man in Mark 5, Elder Morel offered assurance that when people write you off as a failure, Jesus shows up intentionally to say, “Victory Is Possible.”

Remembering Colleagues Two chairs were noticeably vacant at Black Caucus. In the place of the people

General Session

who previously sat in those chairs were their portraits. Leaders paused to acknowledge the deaths and celebrate the lives and ministries of two colleagues: former Southeastern Conference President Gregory Mack, and former Allegheny East Conference President Henry Fordham III. Both men were remembered for their kindness, approachable spirit, and unwavering faith that God can do anything. Leaders also remembered Mrs. Sharon Wright Fordham, wife and ministry partner of Elder Henry Fordham, and offered prayers for the Mack and Fordham families.

Caucus Committees To ensure the safety of all participants and decrease the likelihood of spreading the Coronavirus, attendance at the Black Caucus was scaled down

Special Prayer for Phyllis and Preston Lee

to executive officers and invitees from unions and the North American Division. Presidents, executive secretaries, and treasurers met separately to plan according to their administrative roles.

Hubert Morel, Devotional Day III

Presidents North American Division administrators, Dr. G. Alexander Bryant (President), Dr. Kyoshin Ahn (Executive Secretary), and Elder Calvin Watkins, Sr. (Regional Liaison / Evangelism) gathered with Regional Conference presidents and Regional Ministries representatives. The Presidents Council was chaired by Elder William Winston, and reports were given by Elder William Cox, Executive Director of the Regional Conference Retirement Plan, and Elder Dana Edmond, Executive Director of the Office for Regional ConREGIONAL VOICE • FALL 2021

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BLACK CAUCUS REPORT 2021

THE OFFERINGS ALONG WITH FUNDS SAVED BY DISCONTINUED TRAVEL DURING THIS TIME ALLOWED CONFERENCES TO GIVE BACK TO MEMBERS EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES AND TO FUND UPGRADES IN TECHNOLOGY FOR CHURCHES.

Post-COVID Ministry Discussion

ference Ministries.

One of the challenges discussed in the Presidents Council was the unprecedented change in Regional leadership.

The Presidents Council revisited the administrative leadership development initiative and voted names for committee members.

Regional Conference Retirement Plan Board Plan board renewed its commitment to helping workers retire with dignity and a reasonable standard of living.

Trustees voted to increase the retirement benefit for surviving spouses of individuals who died while still working from 66 and 2/3 percent to 100 percent of retirement benefits. This payment was voted as an increase in the monthly allotment and not as a lump sum.

Treasurers & Vice-Presidents for Finance Conference Treasurers and Vice-presidents for Finance testified that God still keeps His promise of 36

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Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over…”

Throughout the pandemic, members remained faithful in their giving. Despite job losses, sickness and economic downturn, members not only returned tithes, but they gave generous offerings as well. The offerings along with funds saved by discontinued travel during this time allowed conferences to give back to members experiencing financial difficulties and to fund upgrades in technology for churches. Mrs. Merkita Mosley, treasurer of South Atlantic Conference, started an initiative to help members pay rent and mortgage. She shared the idea with treasurers of other conferences who also mobilized to bless church and community members. For example, South Central Conference implemented Operation Impact, assisting members, schools, and churches with more than $600,000.

Executive Secretaries The baptism report was the highlight of

the executive secretaries’ committee.

From house churches to live streaming to meeting community needs, God used church members and pastors throughout Regional Conferences, Bermuda, and Regional Ministries in Pacific Union and North Pacific Union to share His love worldwide. As a result, God added souls to His church daily. From January 1, 2021, to July 31, 2021, a total of 1,949 new members (nine souls daily) were added to Regional churches through baptism and profession of faith!

Celebration of Ministry “Trailblazer, innovator, financial genius, and the treasurer who keeps on giving” were all words used by colleagues to describe Mrs. Phyllis Ware Lee and the powerful impact her ministry has made in the Regional work and the entire Seventh-day Adventist Church. Mrs. Lee retired after 38 years of denominational service, including positions as Chief Financial Officer for Office for Regional Conference Ministries and the Regional Conference Re-

Session for Treasurers

Special Prayer for New Leaders

tirement Plan, Central States Conference Secretary-Treasurer, and interim President. Dr. Carlton Byrd, President of the Southwest Region Conference and former Senior Pastor of the Oakwood University Church thanked, Mrs. Lee for being ministry-minded.

Elders Roger Bernard (President) and Cryston Josiah (Executive Secretary) of the Central States Conference called Mrs. Lee a living legend and expressed their gratitude for her financial care of pastors and their families. Treasurers of each conference presented Mrs. Lee with gifts and committed to continuing her legacy of financial excellence and making room for female leaders.

Caucus members also appreciated

the distinguished service of Dr. Daniel Honoré, whose term as President of Northeastern Conference ended in September, and Mrs. Yvonne Collins who transitioned from Treasurer of Lake Region Conference to Chief Financial Officer for the Regional Conference Retirement Plan. Elder Pete Palmer, Vice-President for Administration for Allegheny East Conference, was acknowledged for his leadership and spiritual care of the conference during Elder Fordham’s family leave and after Elder and Mrs. Fordham’s tragic deaths. Elders Garth Gabriel (Acting President, Lake Region), Michael Owusu (Southeastern), and Carlton Byrd (Southwest Region) were

welcomed as new presidents; Mrs. Keisha Stubbs-Bone (Allegheny West) as a new treasurer; and Elders Joel Johnson (Allegheny West), Carl Ware (Southeastern), Jason North (Southwest Region), and Julius Everett (Assistant to the Acting President, Lake Region Conference) as new executive secretaries.

Elder Virgil Childs, Vice-President for African-American Ministries for Pacific Union Conference, led a dedicatory prayer for Caucus members and a prayer of discipleship for constituents of each territory. The 2021 NAD Regional Black Caucus concluded with encouragement from Elder Dana Edmond to be open to the new things God will do to grow His kingdom and to accomplish His mission in our world. t ______________________ Pastor Darriel Hoy is Communications Director for the Office for Regional Conference Ministries and the Regional Conference Retirement Plan.

REGIONAL VOICE • FALL 2021

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RV SCHOL ARLY FE AT URE

DR. MILTON BROWN—

INSIDE A SCIENTIFIC MIND

MY RESEARCH IS SHARED WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES [SUCH AS] THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, NIH, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. . . . FOR ACADEMIA, I’VE GIVEN ALMOST 100 LECTURES AROUND THE COUNTRY AND AROUND THE WORLD AT UNIVERSITIES IN AMERICA, KOREA, CHINA, JAMAICA, AND BRAZIL.

PART II Editor’s Note— In our last issue, the Regional Voice Summer 2021 Edition, we were pleased to bring a careful, in-depth study of COVID-19, its point of origin, its effects, known and unknown, along with case studies, historical references and methods of prevention in the first segment of this scholarly article.

In this concluding segment, Dr. Brown offers specific plans for leaders and congregations as churches reopen. Once again, give yourself time to read and to reflect upon Dr. Brown’s detailed concepts.

FROM PART I:

R

V: Please share your professional background and your areas of study.

Dr. Brown: I have a Bachelor of Science from Oakwood University; it was then Oakwood College. Then I went to the University of Alabama at Birmingham and received my Ph.D. in organic chemistry; the first African American [to earn a doctorate] in organic chemistry from this university. From there, I went to the University of Virginia School of Medicine and received a Ph.D. and received an M.D. medical degree. These studies brought my decision to develop a career in experimental therapeutics. I was invited to the faculty [during the] second year

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at UVA as an M.D., and I decided to bring the two areas together to do a career in experimental therapeutics.

I was appointed as Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and in the Department of Neuroscience at UVA. I was also tenured there and later promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in [the next few] years.

Three years later, I was asked to come to Georgetown University to build the first Center for Drug Discovery and Development. I moved there and was appointed in the Departments of Neuroscience and Oncology and had additional appointments in the Department of Neuroscience in molecular physiology, physiology, and of ecology in biochemistry. I became a full professor at Georgetown University with an endowed chair.

RV: You have developed a magnifi-

cent series of labs in Washington, D.C. Could you please share the areas of emphasis you and your team studied there?

Dr. Brown: We studied making oncology therapeutics. We have studied developing drugs for heart disease, for kidney failure and for COVID-19. There are ledger teams on all of those therapies.

RV: Could you list some of the institutions with which you shared your research and study and in turn share the general nature of that research?

Dr. Brown: My research is shared with government agencies [such as] the National Institutes of Health, NIH, and the Department of Defense. . . . For academia, I’ve given almost 100 lectures around the country and around the world at universities in America, Korea, China, Jamaica, and Brazil. All lectures

have been on the development of new therapeutics and drugs, which is my area of expertise. Actually [this] is more than my area of expertise; this is my purpose. This is why I was created.

PART II RV: Well now, churches are starting to open. Many of them are doing that, based on the premise that their members have been vaccinated. What advice do you have for them?

Dr. Brown: It will be based on this criteria. The criteria that keeps people safe is whether you have a virus or not. . . . We don’t want people who have the virus to come to church. So how do you detect whether a person has the virus, or whether they’re vaccinated or unvaccinated?

It’s the same way we detected people

who had no symptoms. It is the PCR test. {PCR means polymerase chain reaction. It’s a test to detect genetic material from a specific organism, such as a virus.

The test detects the presence of a virus if you have the virus at the time of the test.

The test could also detect fragments of the virus even after you are no longer infected.

Explanation from The Cleveland Clinic.} Checking temperatures is not enough. People who have the virus but are asymptomatic will not have a fever, so you will not stop them [at] the door because they [have normal] temperatures. Taking temperatures is only [effective] for those who have symptoms.

And guess what? More than 40 percent of people who are infecting others are asymptomatic.

RV: Yes, that is true.

Dr. Brown: You already have a virus.

Right? Right. And they’re infecting you.

And so how do we protect our churches? This is what I want people to know; this is important. How we [reach] that level of protection is to require people who want to come worship in the church to have a PCR test.

RV: Okay. Okay.

Dr. Brown: That’s how we’re going to know that you don’t have the virus. So if you take [a PCR] test on Wednesday or Thursday, and you get a negative result back by Friday, then you can come to church on Sabbath. That’s the only way REGIONAL VOICE • FALL 2021

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we can ensure that people coming into the church don’t have the virus and aren’t spreading the virus. So we’re talking about changing lifestyles.

T

he second option is to have a quick test. Instead of a PCR test, have a testing station where you can get the test results back in 30 minutes. The quick tests have about a 30 percent false negative/false positive rate. So you’re going to miss some people. I don’t care about false positives, actually; the false negatives are more dangerous. With a false positive, the worst thing that’s going to happen to you is what? They’re going to send you home. But then you can get another test in a couple of days that will most likely come back negative, and you can come to church the [next] week.

But if you get a false negative [test result], that’ll get you in the church.

So it’s possible to take a quick test with the virus, get a false negative, and be admitted into the church. Then you infect people while you’re there. So for me, I don’t really care about false positives, but I do care about false negatives because it’s more dangerous.

People are much more likely to take off their masks or avoid other COVID protocols because they had a test that was false negative, but they actually have the virus.

The antigen antibody quick test has about 30 percent false negative/false positive results, whereas the PCR can be anywhere between five to 10 percent false positive/false negative results. Here, we run around five percent.

There’s a smaller chance of allowing someone in with a false negative from a PCR test. So churches should be very cautious because you don’t want to admit people inside who have the virus but don’t know it because they are asymptomatic and haven’t been tested.

So how do we protect people in the church? There need to be changes in the physical structure and changes in our worship service. Singing is a big way to infect people. There are thousands and thousands of patients who’ve gotten infected from singing in church because 42

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SO HOW DO WE PROTECT PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH? THERE NEED TO BE CHANGES IN THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE AND CHANGES IN OUR WORSHIP SERVICE. of the air droplets.

I would say screaming in church, too, [spreads the virus]. You know, sometimes we preach and we can get really wound up. So I think we’ll have to make some changes in church where we put Plexiglass up between the preacher and the front pews. Maybe we should remove people; maybe the deacons and deaconesses no longer sit on the front pews.

But it’s important to have six to 10 feet distance between the speaker and those in the pews, and make sure that there is one speaker for one mic. If you have five people speaking, you’re going to have to have five different microphones.

We’re going to have to make some changes with Plexiglass for our greeters or people who pass out the bulletins in the vestibule. They are exposed directly to people coming in with the virus. The church secretary who’s in the pastor’s office should have Plexiglass for people coming to the church to give tithes or

[to make] requests. Those in the front office will be subjected to the virus so you’d have to put some Plexiglass up and they would have to wear their masks.

A

nd then inside church, people will have to wear masks during the service.

We would have to seat family units six feet apart. And then what about Sabbath School classes and children’s church services or having kids come up onto the rostrum for the children’s stories? That’s an issue, especially in the children’s churches.

You know, with these viruses, we’ve got some new ones that are affecting [children]. They are more deadly in kids and young adults than they are in older adults. And we have to protect the children.

How do you keep kids safe who are now holding hands and grabbing each other? They can be infected; they may not show the symptoms, but they can

bring it home. And that’s where you have the perpetuation of this virus. And so how we handle children’s church services, how we [handle them at their] houses and schools—it is all so important.

I know at African American churches, when you leave, you like to shake the pastor’s hand at the door after service.

But what’s being passed on to the pastor? We’re going to have to make some changes in the way we [relate because we’re dealing with] a virus. Usually, we like to hang out in the vestibule after church. I love talking to my friends and family after church! It’s just an enjoyable time to hug and see how people are doing. We can’t do that anymore! We’ll have to make changes! So I’m bringing the reality.

I’m talking about not only changes to the [way we] worship, but also with how we will come to know who can come in. In fact, everyone that comes to your door will have to be put on a list just in case someone gets infected so you can

then [trace them].

RV: You can know who’s there?

Dr. Brown: Right. That’s a difference.

We never had to put down names. In fact, [in some of] our churches, we’re thinking about doing reservations since we can only fill 50 percent of the church’s capacity. So it’s going to be, potentially, not enough room for everybody to come in. So we’re going to have to have list.

You know, use registration.

RV: Do RSVP? Dr. Brown: Do RSVP. And you’re going to have a percentage [of seating] for visitors just in case they come. But the problem for visitors is, they may not have taken the PCR test. There

must be local tests for [visitors] before they come in. If they come from another town, they may want to come to the church, right? But we don’t want them to bring COVID into the church.

RV: Yes, exactly.

Right.

Dr. Brown: And to be clear, I’m not saying it’s nefarious people doing this. Churches just have to be careful and test.

RV: So then how do we prepare for the next pandemic? Or will this one simply stay with us indefinitely? And let me ask the polling question.

What about collecting money in the church?

Dr. Brown: Online giving has been strong—online giving and people mailing [ofREGIONAL VOICE • FALL 2021

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U.S. COVID 19 STATS

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CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC THE LATEST STATISTICS GLOBAL AND USA VIEWS

226,236,577

WE’RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE CHANGES IN OUR STYLE OF WORSHIP. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS VIRUS HAS [EVEN] CHANGED OUR WORLD VISION. VISITING THE SICK; ADMINISTERING COMMUNION. THE VIRUS HAS AFFECTED IT ALL.

GLOBAL CONFIRMED CASES

4,654,548

GLOBAL CONFIRMED DEATHS

216

COUNTRIES, AREAS OR TERRITORIES WITH CASES Last update: 16 September 2021 DATA PROVIDED FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

ferings] in. So we can adapt. You know, we may have offerings in the church where people touch money from people who potentially have been infected. We have to protect the treasurers.

RV: Right.

Dr. Brown: Musicians [as well]. Musicians are multi-talented. They can play the bass, piano, keyboards and the organ. Music is going to have to be organized [to protect them!]

RV: Right, right. Right! The singing itself is a problem.

Dr. Brown: And we love praise teams!

What black church doesn’t love a good praise team, right?

RV: Very true.

Dr. Brown: We’re going to have to have changes in our style of worship.

Unfortunately, this virus has [even] changed our world vision. Visiting the sick, administering communion. The virus has affected it all.

RV: So how do we prepare for the next pandemic? Or will this one simply stay on with us indefinitely?

Dr. Brown: Well, let me say this clearly. Every mutation that exists [can 44

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become] another pandemic. So we are going to have this virus around until [one of] two things happens: the virus goes away, or Jesus comes!

There are mutations in other countries. In India, for example. But who’s to say we can’t have the same mutation here? It doesn’t even have to come from India to come here. The virus just has to make that mutation here!

And that will cause much more infections than [ones we] already have, [such as] the one in Texas, which is much more infectious in young people.

So we’re going to have viruses: coronaviruses, COVID-19, mutations that affect young people; that affect older people; that affect different groups. We could have even more infectious than what we see in India.

And so the point is that you’re going to have to have multiple shots, probably every six months, that give you [what you need to fight] the mutant from Brazil, from South Africa. You’re going to have to have these booster shots to overcome the mutations. The antibody levels that you need to be effective at

USA 41,593,179

TOTAL DEATHS (At 666,440) CDC | Updated: September 16, 2021, 10 PM EST inhibiting the virus only last about three months. So you’re going to need a booster for two reasons: to get your antibody levels back and also to give cross antibody neutralization to the immune spike proteins.

RV: Okay, good! You have helped us. You shared your wisdom and your time. This is great. We need this! t ________________________ Dr. Bryant Taylor, Associate Editor, Regional Voice Magazine, coordinated this coverage and conducted this interview.

Mr. Howard Bullard, Art Director, Regional Voice Magazine, coordinated the photography for this coverage.

USA

380M PLUS - TOTAL VACCINE ADMINISTERED 210,700,361 – FULLY VACCINATED 180,086,143 - ONE DOSE

GLOBAL 5,634,533,040 – TOTAL VACCINE ADMINISTERED Getvaccineanswers.org | Updated: September 16, 2021, 10 PM EST

TOP 19 STATES - CASES Jurisdiction

Total Cases Over Seven Days _______________________________ California 4,610,847 Texas 3,908,248 Florida 3,473,873 New York 2,356,680 Illinois 1,586,741 Georgia 1,519,522 Pennsylvania 1,365,049 Ohio 1,327,614 North Carolina 1,322,587 Tennessee 1,171,722 New Jersey 1,126,322 Michigan 1,102,957 Arizona 1,058,774 Indiana 922,320 Virginia 822,985 South Carolina 814,254 Missouri 800,584 Massachusetts 788,775 Wisconsin 768,318 Alabama 761,865

TOP 20 STATES - DEATHS State/Territory

Death Rate Over Seven Days _______________________________ Illinois 925,212 Michigan 920,219 Alabama 856,262 Florida 811,237 Pennsylvania 768,225 New York 742,281 Wisconsin 682,149 California 664,171 South Carolina 532,224 North Carolina 520,148 Missouri 515,188 Georgia 460,230 Massachusetts 423,267 Arizona 360,266 Tennessee 278,209 Ohio 265,182 Virginia 207,143 Texas 205,211 New Jersey 148,306 Indiana 46,223 DATA SOURCE – JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR SYSTEMS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING REPORTED BY CNN September 16, 2021.

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RV NATIONAL NEWS

HURRICANE IDA

HURRICANE K ATRINA

Killer Storm Makes Landfall – Takes Surprising Turns Reported by KYNA HINSON

T

wo killer storms hit land with fury in the same general area of the United States, on the same day, exactly 16 years apart. On August 29, 2005, Category 5 Hurricane Katrina tore through New Orleans with winds up to 175 miles per hour and waters that burst through levees with destruction, leaving those who could not evacuate to struggle with heat and filth or drown in a contaminated surge. The storm killed 1,800.

On August 29, 2021, Category 4

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Hurricane Ida hit Port Fourchon, Louisiana, 100 miles south of New Orleans with winds up to 150 miles per hour. This time, thanks to billions spent to upgrade the levee system, and thanks to officials such as Mayor LaToya Cantrell and the city police, fire and first responders who organized mass evacuations—then thanks to citizens who heeded the warnings and got out—thousands upon thousands of lives were spared.

Still, as of mid-September, Ida killed 96 in the United States, including the bizarre case of one man being mauled by an alligator when checking

high waters in his own garage. Weeks later, officials found human remains inside a 500-pound beast after killing it. Further, at least six elderly patients from an area nursing home died after being moved to an overheated warehouse with poor sanitation, inadequate staff and care.

Most of Louisiana was left without power for days that melted into weeks, and two workers lost their lives trying to restore that power. Ida also shut down oil and gas refineries throughout the state, leading to an indefinite increase in prices at pumps nationwide.

Ida did even more damage, though downgraded to a storm. She tore through interior states, pushing all the way up to the Eastern Seaboard.

She killed people in states completely unfamiliar with hurricanes and resulting tornadoes, such as Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with final, fatal drenchings in New York. Many deaths were caused with people drowning in illegal basements or cellar apartments. They did not know that it was vital to heed the warnings and flee to higher ground or to other locations. They were trapped when the waters surged—with no way out.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio held a press conference on storm recovery efforts after Ida ravaged the entire area. People helped each other or were helped by first responders out of flooded subway trains and cars on roads “literally hundreds of times” during the storm, according to Mayor de Blasio. “We’ve got a lot of work to do right now to help New Yorkers recover. But we also have a lot of work to do to change the very approach. I agree with the governor—it’s time for an entirely different approach, because we’re getting

a signal here and it’s not going to be easy. . . . But in our time, we have to make this change” [in infrastructure and warning systems, etc.]. t ___________________ Kyna Hinson is Editor of Regional Voice Magazine. Data gathered from ABC and CBS Television News reports, the All Hands and Hearts disaster relief organization reports on Ida and Katrina, and PBS News Hour Storm Tracking.

REGIONAL VOICE • FALL 2021

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R E GPrOgrAm IONAL VOICE DrUg48 AltErnAtiVE

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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.

REGIONAL VOICE • FALL 2021

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HOPE SERIES

STRAIGHT TALK FROM

JUDGE GREG MATHIS Interview by CARLTON P. BYRD

D

r. Byrd: We want to say, “Happy Sabbath!” to each and every one, and we’re grateful that once again you have joined the Oakwood University Church virtual worship experience in collaboration with the Breath of Life Television Ministry. Today, I am excited because my friend, my judge, and one of our church members—that’s right, our virtual church member—Judge Greg Mathis is with us today. Now, some of you are saying, “Virtual church member?” Yes, that’s correct. Judge Mathis watches our broadcast each and every week, and so we’re grateful that he can join us in person today, virtually, as we share and celebrate fathers this weekend recognizing that it is Father’s Day weekend here in the United States.

Judge Mathis is a friend of the Oakwood Church, friend of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, alumnus of Peterson Warren Academy there in Detroit, Michigan, [and] former member of the City Temple Seventh-day Adventist Church there in Detroit, Michigan, as well. And so we’re grateful that Judge Mathis is able to join us this Sabbath here in our virtual worship experience. Judge Mathis, welcome.

Judge Mathis: Thank you, thank you so much Pastor Byrd. You know, you’re my favorite pastor in all of America. Many churches invite me to speak. I go and visit, and I am enjoying myself most when I’m there, no fooling, and now watching virtually. You give the best message for me. Folks have to

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I GREW UP IN THE TOUGHEST HOUSING PROJECTS IN DETROIT, [WITH] THREE BROTHERS— FOUR BOYS, RAISED BY A SINGLE MOTHER. find where their message comes from best, and you provide the best ministry to me. Therefore, I watch you and tape you when I cannot watch.

Dr. Byrd: Praise the Lord! Thank you. I’m glad that our ministry has been a blessing to you. You have been a blessing to me and my family and our ministry, and the local university church and the Breath of Life ministry.

And we’re grateful that you have joined us today to bless us once again.

This weekend we’re talking about fathers. Father’s Day is the third Sunday of the month of June. And so we are here to celebrate our fathers with specificity. Not just all fathers, but black fathers. With that in mind, we want to go ahead and get into our conversation today. I would like for you to share with all those who are viewing what your perspective was on fatherhood through the lens of an adolescent growing up in Detroit, Michigan.

Judge Mathis: Certainly. Well, Pastor Byrd, unfortunately, neither myself nor 80 to 90 percent of the young men and boys that I grew up with had a father. I grew up in the toughest housing projects in Detroit, [with] three brothers—four boys, raised by a single mother. She worked midnights serving the sick, and then worked half a day the next morning serving the rich as a housekeeper. And so that limited amount of oversight, as well as a lack of understanding of manhood by way of being taught through fatherhood, was missing in my life.

The good news is

Elder Calvin Rock, who baptized me, was my father, and many others at City Temple Seventh-day Adventist were my fathers as well. You know, my mother force fed us. I say force fed but today I’m grateful. She forced fed us church and force fed us Adventism. When she couldn’t bring us to church during the week, perhaps Bible study or choir rehearsal, she’d have the deacons come and take us to church. The only problem was she worked midnights and part of the day, and when she was at work, and we weren’t at church, all hell broke loose. God forgive.

Dr. Byrd: Understood. So judge, you’re saying that unfortunately, as you stated, you grew up in a home with a single mother, no father in the home, but yet you mentioned pastors at City Temple, elders, and Dr. Calvin Rock who played a pivotal part in your adolescence, in your growth and in your development.

You’re talking about one of the toughest housing projects in Detroit, and then you get into your teen years. The fact that there is not a father in the home—does that in any way have an impact positively or negatively in your life as a teen?

Judge Mathis: Well, absolutely.

You know, I felt unprotected, I felt unsafe. Growing up in a tough housing project, I was confused as to how to handle it. All I knew [was] to get a gun at age 12 to protect myself. All I knew was to go along with the peer pressure that involved a life of teenage crime.

Why? Because either you were predator, or you were prey, and I didn’t want to be prey. Well, I had been preyed [upon] so much. I decided that [it was because] I hadn’t had a father. I believe

if I’d had one, I’d have been protected; I would have felt protected for sure. I would have felt as if I had a man to look up to, and to learn the ways of manhood—not the twisted sense of manhood that I learned on the corner from my fellow street guys.

And so yes, it had a tremendous effect on me. I really don’t believe I would have engaged in the life of juvenile crime had I had a father, and so it is that the majority of the young men in prisons have had no father in their lives.

There’s a direct correlation between juvenile delinquency and fatherless homes.

Dr. Byrd: People see you Judge Mathis; they see you on television each and every day on an Emmy Award-winning show Judge Greg Mathis. They see

it all the time, but people don’t know, many of them, your story. You talk about juvenile delinquency. Share with our audience a little bit about some of the challenges you experienced as a teen.

Judge Mathis: Certainly. You know, [I was] running with the crew, if you will, again, that I ran with, and the Harmon Gardens housing projects REGIONAL VOICE • FALL 2021

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“TRAIN UP A CHILD. . .”

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was [at that time] a dilapidated public housing project. I’m grateful to say that I played a role in the rebuilding of that project some 30 years after leaving and coming to television.

But then the pressure was so heavy that yes, I engaged in a lot of criminal activity and was arrested several times.

As a young person, I was jailed and tried as an adult at the age of 17 for carrying a gun for protection in a violent drug and crime infested community.

And that was my experience.

The good news, however, was that, even though I strayed away from the values that I was taught, the Bible tells us that if you raise a child in the way of the Lord—I’m paraphrasing—then he won’t depart from it. And in my opinion, he’ll return to it if he departs.

And so that is what happened with me.

When I was in jail for nine months, ma-

ny guys wanted to change their lives.

And many of the guys I grew up with, at some point, [also] wanted to change their lives. But the problem was and is, they don’t have anything to fall back on.

They don’t have the sense of spirituality that I was taught. They don’t have the strong values that I was taught.

They don’t have the emphasis on a quality education that I was taught. You know, I was kicked out of Peterson [Peterson Warren Academy] four different times!

And I was unable to return. They gave me every chance. I was telling someone yesterday, “Oh yeah, I had a Peterson Warren alumni [gathering] here in Detroit—a cookout at the Mathis Community Center.”

We were laughing about how once I had to get in front of the entire school for morning chapel and apologize.

That was a condition of me remaining at Peterson Warren, because of the disruptive activities that I was engaged in there that affected all the other students. So I had to get up and apologize, otherwise I wasn’t going to be able to return. That is the foundation that I grew upon. We know that a building must be built on a strong foundation, otherwise it will collapse, and I had something. I had something to turn back to—a strong value system, a great sense of right and wrong, and also a strong basic education that I obtained in grades one through six, the most formidable years of education.

Dr. Byrd: Very good. So you recognize that your foundation was strong and praise God for the City Temple Church! Praise God for the Peterson Warren Academy! Praise God for your mother and also the influential persons that played a pivotal part in your life in setting that foundation. Now, you talked about being jailed. You talked about juvenile delinquency. Judge Mathis, what turned it around for you? Yes, it’s that firm foundation. Yes, you’re being prayed for; “train up a child in the way he or she should go, and when they are old, they will not depart from it.”

But when, if you will, did you come

to yourself? When was that period? Or what was that moment where it was a turnaround for you in your life?

Judge Mathis: Yes, as I said, the light comes on, momentarily, sometimes. And sometimes for an extended time. When you’re incarcerated, at your lowest point in life, many do turn to God. And so as is typical, one of the main inspirations is to please their parents. Believe it or not, black men (and it’s been my experience) who’ve engaged in criminal activity or [are] incarcerated, really do love their children.

And they love their mothers the most.

So my mother came to visit me. She had never come to visit me during the time I was there in an adult jail. And this time she came. I was very curious as to why she was there. Well, when she came, she spoke to me perhaps some of the most precious words I’ve ever heard that stick with me today.

She said, “Gregory, you’ve embarrassed me in the community. You’ve embarrassed me at the church, and you’ve embarrassed me at school. I’ve just left the doctor yesterday. After all you’ve done now, he tells me I only have 12 months to live. I’ve been stricken with cancer. Would you please change your life before I die?”

So if that doesn’t change anyone, you have no soul! And we know that God grants everyone a soul. And in that case, I changed my life, or at least my mindset, immediately. It was the love of my mother, and even the resistance of rebellion that I had against Adventism. Because as we all know, as young people, it’s a little rigid. You can’t do the things on Sabbath that many of the other kids do. And you’re taught differently.

And if you go to an Adventist school, you’re a little smarter. (Thank God for Adventist education!) You’re a lot smarter than your peers in the neighborhood. I got into college, taken by the hand to the Admissions Department by Addison Hines, a cousin who was an avid Seventh-day

SHE HAD NEVER COME TO VISIT ME DURING THE TIME I WAS THERE IN AN ADULT JAIL. AND THIS TIME SHE CAME. Adventist, and has been for the majority of his life. And so it was, he took me.

And after getting into college, I was able to matriculate because of the educational foundation.

Dr. Byrd: Things are turning around, you’re able to attend college; you go further and obtain your JD, juris doctorate. Praise God for that! And now you’re on a court room reality television show, Judge, and we want you to know you make us proud. You do make us proud. But you’re now also happily married. You’re a father—how many children do you have?

And what lens do you see through now, as a father?

Judge Mathis: Yes, I have four children. Two young ladies and two young men.

What I’ve done most is set an example. That’s what I believe that fathers must do, in addition to the counsel and advice, and sometimes the discipline, they must administer. The leadership, by example, is very important. My wife

has nurtured them very well. My wife helped them with their after-school homework very well. She was a teacher.

So it was me setting the example, giving the counsel, any advice and supporting them in every way I could, in every way I thought manhood should look like. I taught my sons that a real man is someone who respects women; a real man is someone who will resist the destructive lifestyle that is otherwise awaiting them in society, not subject themselves and succumb to it, and stand on the corner, feeling sorry for themselves. I taught my sons and my daughters, if there’s something you believe is holding you back, then fight. If you believe it’s racism, join the NAACP and fight. Don’t go to the corner and sulk about the white man— fight back!

Dr. Byrd: Very good, very good. I want to ask you one more

question, if you will.

Would you mind sharing with us, you talked about manhood earlier? For all those

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question. Would you mind sharing with us, what you said about manhood earlier—for all those that are watching?

You know, our church is situated on a college campus, so there are a lot of young people watching. Can you share some of the characteristics that are commensurate with manhood?

Judge Mathis: Certainly. Men and women share many of the characteristics that are required for success. But there are some unique characteristics that young men must graduate into to be men. That is the ability to think and act independently, to become independent, and not someone who is still a child at 25 or 30, but a real man. So that means you take care of yourself, as an adult, you don’t lean on anyone else. Real manhood means that instead of succumbing to the peer pressure, you’re a leader, and you change those in your midst. And so that is the real manhood that we must teach our young men and get them to understand.

If I can speak a little more, frankly, and you’ll probably have to edit this out. But I must tell our young men, they must stop punking out, stop giving up, if someone’s holding you back.

And I’m referring to this because I hear [this] so often, particularly with the young men, and those living in the impoverished communities. They’re blaming other folks for their condition.

Certainly racism, and the history of oppression that we’ve suffered is one of the primary causes, if not the primary cause, of our condition. However, I have that condition, which is separate from mainstream society. However, as men, we can’t just lay back and take it and complain and sulk about it. Have courage. That’s what I mean by stop giving up. I used a little more tough term, because sometimes we have to speak tough to our young men. We have to challenge their manhood.

If you’re a real man, show me a sign, get off the corner, get some courage, be a leader, not someone who runs and is scared to fight back. You know, they held my law license for three years after I passed the bar exam because of my juvenile record.

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Well, I could have given up. They held my law license up for the first year, I could have given up. Instead, I appealed. Second year, after the appeal was denied by a fitness committee, I could have given up and crawled back into a hole with all my buddies from the street. They were telling me, “See, white folks—I knew they weren’t going to give you an opportunity. They don’t want us as a part of that system.”

I said, “They’re gonna try to cross me, but I’m not scared. I’m going to keep fighting my third round.” And they denied me once again.

I then took it to the state Supreme Court. And it was there that I won my license to practice law. And then a few years later, after years of Community Service in Detroit, [after] working for city council, working for the mayor, and working in the community, I decided to run for judge. I could change the lives of other youth as the judge had done with me. And here they came again, threw a roadblock in the way— they brought up my background. The news media followed me around at all the election events [saying] you have a criminal background, what makes you

think that…?

Well, man had a plan and God had a plan. And we know that God has the Master Plan. And so what man thought would destroy me, God used it to lift me up. And so that’s what I say to our young men: Fight, continue to fight, fight with God on your side. I know I’m not a preacher, but I know the Bible. And I’ve known that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. That’s what I live by.

Dr. Byrd: Amen. Amen. Well, that’s the word right there, Judge. That’s the word and I hope all who are listening are men. Fathers are listening to this straight talk and this undiluted counsel if you will: Number 1. Be an independent thinker, independently behave. At 25 years old, young men should be able to be independent and take care of themselves.

Number 2. Be a leader. Don’t be always influenced, but lead.

Number 3. Show some courage. Be a courageous man. Be a courageous, independent thinker. Be a courageous leader. Be a courageous father. Be a courageous man.

Straight talk with Judge Greg Mathis. We thank you. We appreciate you. In addition to saying Happy Sabbath, we say Happy Father’s Day. Keep watching our ministry. We are blessed

because of you. And we hope and trust that you are blessed because of us.

Thank you, Judge Mathis.

Judge Mathis: Thank you very much and Happy Father’s Day to you.

Dr. Byrd: Amen. Amen. Well, that’s the word right there. Judge. That’s the word. I hope God will bless you. You’ve heard it. Judge Greg Mathis. We thank him once again for sharing with us today. t

_______________________ Dr. Carlton P. Byrd conducted this interview while serving as Senior Pastor of the Oakwood University Church, in Huntsville, Alabama. He was recently elected President of the Southwest Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, with headquarters in Dallas, Texas.

AND SO THAT’S WHAT I SAY TO OUR YOUNG MEN: FIGHT, CONTINUE TO FIGHT, FIGHT WITH GOD ON YOUR SIDE. I KNOW I’M NOT A PREACHER, BUT I KNOW THE BIBLE. REGIONAL VOICE • FALL 2021

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