2021 PELC Issue

• • • OFFICE FOR REGIONAL CONFERENCE MINIS TRY IN NORTH AMERICA • • •

PELC 2021 https://adventistregionalministries.org

C.D. BROOKS WALTER PEARSON

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eginning January 8, 2022,

his NBC Television Special, in collaboration

live from Oakwood University

with the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission (IBC), will

DR. CARLTON P. BYRD

Church in Huntsville, AL,

feature a Christmas message from Dr. Carlton P. Byrd,

new Breath of Life Television

Speaker/Director of the Breath of Life Television Ministry

Broadcasts will be recorded

and President of the Southwest Region Conference in

featuring the preaching ministry

Dallas, TX. This special will also feature Grammy

of Pastor Debleaire Snell,

Award-winning Musical Artists, Michael W. Smith, Erica Campbell, and Kirk Whalum.

Dr. Carlton P. Byrd, Speaker/Director

Senior Pastor of the Oakwood University Church and Speaker/ Director of the Breath of Life Television Ministry.

DEBLEAIRE SNELL

Michael W. Smith

Erica Campbell

Kirk Whalum

Watch on NBC on December 25, 2021 For a list of stations and times, call 256.929.6460 or visit breathoflife.tv

www.breathoflife.tv

•

www.oucsda.org

- Part II

PUBLISHER’S COMMENTARY

Why I Hope You'll Physically Return to Church

Published by the Office for Regional Conference Ministry in the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists 7000 Adventist Boulevard Huntsville, Alabama 35896 (256) 830-5002 Website: https://adventistregionalministries.org PUBLISHER Dana C. Edmond EDITOR Kyna Hinson ASSOCIATE EDITOR Bryant Taylor ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER Howard I. Bullard COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Darriel Hoy COPY EDITOR Clarise J. Nixon PAGE PROOFING Patrice T. Conwell CONSULTANTS Elaine Allston, Yvonne Collins, Melonie Gurley, Wanda Lott, Margaret Neckles EDITORIAL For all correspondence and letters to the editors, write: OFFICE FOR REGIONAL CONFERENCE MINISTRY 7000 Adventist Boulevard Huntsville, Alabama 35896 or fax to (256) 830-5078 We reserve the right to publish and edit your submissions and letters.

REGIONAL CONFERENCE OFFICES

ALLEGHENY EAST CONFERENCE PETER PALMER, PRESIDENT LaTasha Hewitt, Communications Director P.O. Box 266 Pine Forge, PA 19548 (610) 326-4610. www.myalleghenyeast.org ALLEGHENY WEST CONFERENCE MARVIN BROWN, PRESIDENT Benia Jennings, Communications Director 1080 Kingsmill Pkwy. Columbus, OH 43229 (614) 252-5271. www.awconf.org CENTRAL STATES CONFERENCE ROGER BERNARD, PRESIDENT Cryston Josiah, Communications Director 3301 Parallel Parkway Kansas City, KS 66104 (913) 371-1071. www.central-states.org LAKE REGION CONFERENCE GARTH GABRIEL, PRESIDENT 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

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n our last edition, we began our discussion on physically returning to our houses of worship. In my travels and in my dialogue with pastors around the country, I am sensing that the majority of our members who attended church pre-COVID have not come back, even though many of our churches have been open for several months now. It is hard to escape the conclusion that many of those who have not already come back, will not come back.

Often, the immediate response is, “Oh, people have come back—they just haven’t come back to the building.” And that sounds good. “Is it good? Does it really matter to God whether His people assemble?”

In our last edition, I shared the story of my football season-ticket holder friend, Kim Taylor. Kim and I sat next to each other for 10-12 years, through good times and bad, through the broiling early season 90 plus degree heat and through late-season sub-freezing, windy, rainy cold weather. I remember one time, it was so cold that when I got back to my car, my hands were too cold to grip the steering wheel.

The weather that late December afternoon was bad, and the team that year was worse. But I stuck it out to the end of the game to watch a bad team. I had paid money to sit outside in the cold to watch a game I could have watched at my warm house for free.

And I did it because there is an experience that happens when you are with other people in a stadium, that does not happen when you watch a game at home. For years, Kim was part of that experience.

I also told you in the last edition that Kim passed away this past spring. I remain devastated by the loss of my stadium friend.

I believe that just as there is something different and special about coming to a football game that you don’t get by watching from the convenience of your house, there is also something different and special about worshipping with those of “like previous faith,” as the Bible calls it, that you don’t get from worshipping from the convenience of your home.

COVID-19 no longer allows that experience for everyone.

For some people with health issues, attending church physically places them at risk. I would not even suggest that people in that category physically attend. Nor could I judge who has legitimate health concerns and who does not. That is between you and your health care provider.

But while there are absolutely people at risk if they attend church, what does not seem to get discussed very often are the people who are at risk because they stopped coming. A part of the 60 to 70 percent that I am seeing and hearing, who no longer attend, have simply “checked out.” In the times in which we live, that is frightening to me.

Then to hear people who were faithful, involved, regular attendees of our church admit in their more candid moments, “I don’t want to come back”—not because they have become discouraged or because they no longer believe what they once did, but simply because worshipping at home is easier and more convenient—that is disconcerting to me too.

But because something is easier for us, does it make that thing better for us? Does no longer coming to church—because staying home is what we want—mean that staying home is what God wants?

Here are some of the things, besides fellowship and community, that I think we lose with this tendency to stay away from church. But what I think is perhaps the greatest loss of all is this: The Spiritual Growth of Children and Youth.

Now let me be clear: the people most responsible for the growth of their children are their parents. It is a mistake to believe that any church or any church school can do the work that the Lord intends godly parents to do.

But the church and the church school have a role to play as well. If parents could provide everything their children needed for their children’s spiritual development at home, then Christian homes would have been all the Lord would have provided.

Even if you think that you don’t need fellowship and community (and you do—no man or woman is an island), if you have children, they need fellowship and community. They need to hear the Word of God; six and seven-year-olds are not engaging in sermons on Zoom.

They may not always engage in the sermon in person, either. But I have had enough small children come up to me (pre-COVID) after the sermon and say things like, “You preached good,” to know that they do listen sometimes. (Of course, I have also had them tell me “You talked too loud!” Children are honest, if not always tactful!)

I felt my first call to the ministry as a little boy sitting in the balcony of the old Glenville Church in Cleveland, Ohio, listening to Elder C. D. Brooks. I probably slept through most of those sermons as a little boy. But I heard enough of them to hear God speaking to me even back then. That would not have happened if my parents decided to stay at home.

I hear parents of children saying things like, “Instead of going to church, I want to take my family to the park on Sabbath.” I am not clear on why that has to be an either/or proposition. My parents regularly took us to the park on Sabbaths—they just did it after they took us to church and before they took us back to MV. That way, I was able to be with my family and my friends. And make no mistake about it—parents, your children want to be with their friends. Unless children have changed since I had children and since my youth director days, if you as a parent think that the only company your children want on Sabbaths—especially your teenage children—is yours, you are simply mistaken. Your children want to be with their friends.

And they will be with their friends. But by staying away from church, we are keeping them away from the friends who believe what they believe and the friends that share the same hope they have.

Part II

I am so thankful that when my children were teenagers, they went to a church that had lots of activities for them: Bible Bowl, choir, puppet ministry, drill team and a church basketball league. The committed adults who ran those programs reinforced the things we were trying to teach them at home. It helped them build relationships with people—some of which they have maintained throughout their lives.

My children were so grateful for those adults that when they became adults, they got involved in some of those same activities—to “give back,” they said.

The activities that the church had for my children connected them to their friends. And we were able to use their desire to be connected to their friends to help connect them to God. The church is, or can be and should be, an indispensable resource in the spiritual growth of our children. Parents cannot replicate the role of the church in the spiritual development of their children, any more than the church can replicate the role of the parent.

Some time ago, the majority of Adventist parents decided that the role of the church school was no longer important in the spiritual development of their children. Is it possible that in these very last days of earth’s history, parents are making the same decision about attending church as well?

A few years ago, my wife and I were privileged to travel to Kenya. While there, we went on a safari. Our guide pointed out some deer-like animals; he said they were impalas. (I always thought an Impala was just a car!) He said that in order to survive attacks from lions, the impalas had to stay on the high ground, and they had to stay together.

Shortly thereafter, we saw one impala—off by himself in the lower part of the park. My wife and I had the same thought at the same time: “This impala is about to become lunch for some lion.”

The Bible tells about our adversary, the devil, a roaring lion, as he is called in 1 Peter 5:8, “seeking whom he may devour.” His attacks are only going to get more fierce in these last days.

The Bible advises us to stay together in Hebrews 10:25, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is;” but [assemble] “so much the more, as we see the day approaching.”

That suggests to me that the closer we get to the end of time, the more we need to come together—to protect each other from that “roaring lion” of 1 Peter 5:8.

So, if you are physically able, I hope you’ll physically come back to church. I need you to help me and encourage me in my struggle to stay away from the clutches of the lion.

And I rather suspect that you could use a little help as well. t _________________________________________________________ Dana C. Edmond is Director, Office for Regional Conference Ministry, and Publisher of Regional Voice magazine.

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Page 4 PUBLISHER’S COMMENTARY Why I Hope You’ll Physically Return to Church - Part II

If you are physically able, I hope you’ll physically come back to church. I need you to help me and encourage me in my struggle to stay away from the clutches of the lion.

By Dana C. Edmond

Page 8 NOW: Embracing God’s New, Discovering God’s Next

Find your favorite PELC’21 speakers and session topics here.

Page 10 In Transition Dr. Margaret Neckles

Dr. Neckles is at ease in the corporate world of financial analysis and equally so at work in business, education and denominational finances. She is the newly elected treasurer and CFO of the Office for Regional Conference Ministries.

Page 11 In Transition Dr. Delbert W. Baker

Dr. Baker’s service includes work as a senior pastor, a senior editor, a vice president, president and provost in higher education, a vice president in Seventh-day Adventist global administration and continuous work as a scholar. He comes to the Regional Conference Retirement Plan as the Director of Research and Development.

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Page 13 In Transition Elder Julius R. Everett, Sr.

Elder Everett, seasoned pastor and conference administrator, will continue his career of service as the Lake Region Executive Secretary.

Page 14 In Transition Mrs. Yolanda Pruitt Stonewall

Mrs. Stonewall is an experienced senior security consultant, an executive manager in accounting, and an executive in corporate and church treasuries. She was recently elected Interim Treasurer for the Lake Region Conference.

Page 15 In Transition Mrs. Je’Nean Lendor

Page 20 Ministry Connections 2021

A group of 40 juniors, seniors, graduate students and recent graduates of the Oakwood University Theology Department participated in Ministry Connections 2021, a special career fair designed to link those pursuing their callings with Adventist entities offering employment.

Text and Photography by Darriel Hoy

Page 24 Pastor Christopher Clark Jr., From Prison to Pulpit

While he was in prison, Chris began studying the Bible in a new way. And it was while he was prison that he began to understand what the Bible said.

Page 26 Pastor Kimberly Bulgin is First Female Pastor Ordained in Central States

Mrs. Lendor has worked as a producer, director, event consultant and photographer for a number of corporations and ministries. She was recently voted the Lake Region Conference Communication Director.

Coverage by Bryant Taylor Photography by Harris Davey

For the first time in the history of Central States Conference and the Mid-America Union, a female pastor, Pastor Kimberly Bulgin, was ordained to the gospel ministry.

By Darriel Hoy Photography by Darriel Hoy and Jason Bulgin

Page 16 Debleaire Snell Voted Senior Pastor of Oakwood University Church

Page 28 Educator Nathaniel Snow Accepts Major Award

Elder Snell has pastored extensively in the South Central Conference—at the Salem SDA Church in Columbus, Mississippi; the Lee Memorial SDA Church in West Point, Mississippi; the Lima Drive SDA Church in Lexington, Kentucky and First SDA Church of Huntsville, Alabama. He was also named Speaker/ Director-Elect for Breath of Life Television Ministries in July 2021.

By Roger Wade

Nathaniel Snow, veteran educator and member of Blessed Hope Church, Cincinnati, Ohio, recently received the Ohio Department of Education’s 2021

Teachers of Ohio Representing Character and Heart (TORCH) award.

By Benia Jennings

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Pages 32, 34, 36 In Memoriam

DR. ERNEST E ROGERS, beloved scholar, was the first full-time professor of Biblical Languages in the Oakwood University Department of Religion. He served there for 34 years, training and shaping thousands of scholars after him.

MRS. SHARON BRADFORD LEWIS was a dedicated educator, musician and administrator. She was an equally dedicated wife, mother and daughter.

She supported her husband and parents in ministry that spanned the globe, her colleagues in local SDA church schools, and countless students in learning and character-building.

ELDER GERALD WELLS worked as a pastor all over the North American Division: the Allegheny East, Lake Region, Northern California, South Atlantic, and Southwest Region Conferences, along with the Bermuda Mission were his places of service.

Tributes by The Rogers and Dulan, Lewis, and Wells Families

Page 38 Breaking News Mrs. Celeste Ryan Blyden Elected Union Executive Secretary

The Executive Committee of the Columbia Union of SDAs has elected Mrs. Blyden Secretary. Her term begins at the beginning of 2022.

Page 40 Northeastern News Dr. Paula Olivier Voted Youth Director

Constituents of the Northeastern Conference elected Dr. Olivier youth director for their conference, making her the first female to hold this position in the conference.

By Darriel Hoy

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Page 42 South Central News Joseph Hyde – From Intern to Employee

With churches not meeting during the pandemic, there was a need for the conference to stay in touch with their constituents through videos and the South Central website. His skill set helped his ministry for the summer and beyond.

Page 44 The State of Black Adventists

The numbers are in for 2021 tithe and church membership. They continue to reveal the faithfulness of God’s people despite tolls of the pandemic.

Data Compiled by Mrs. Phyllis Lee

Page 46 NEWS FEATURE A Crecer--Development of Hispanic Growth in Regional Work

The development of the Hispanic work in Regional conferences has been God-led, pastoral supported and lay driven. There are four basic ingredients of its development. Read on to learn how God makes them work.

By Roger Hernandez Coverage coordinated by Dr. Bryant Taylor

Page 48 HISTORICAL FEATURE

As a teenager, Jacqueline’s parents allowed her to travel from New York to participate in the definitive March on Washington. She went back on to participate in two more commemorative marches more than 50 years later. Her observations show that some things have changed— and some haven’t.

By Jacqueline Galloway Blake Coverage coordinated by Wanda Lott

56 Page 52 IN TRIBUTE

General Colin L. Powell was the highest ranking Black leader in several presidential administrations and in the military— as National Security Advisor, Chair of the Joint Chiefs and as the U.S. Secretary of State. In later years he founded an alliance to help children and youth. He succumbed to COVID with underlying health complications.

Page 53 CORONA Stats

The U.S. has reached almost 780,000 deaths as of November 10. Vaccines have made an impact in slowing the awful toll—but not as much as they could. Americans are still falling ill and dying, and the numbers are climbing again. Work to follow proven guidelines—practice good hygiene; stay masked and sheltered when possible—and consider vaccines and boosters if your health allows.

Page 56 HOPE SERIES DAP Celebrates Changed Lives

The Drug Alternative Program (DAP) has fostered deep spiritual, mental and physical changes in lives it has touched. Recently participants paused for a time of celebration.

Founders Cliff and Freddie Harris have labored faithfully—and share new visions for development and growth.

By Patrice Thomas Conwell Photography by Joe Booth and Rachele Shoats

REGIONAL VOICE • PELC 2021

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RV PELC FEATURE

2021 Featured Speakers

2021 Schedule Sunday 6pm: Recognition Service 7pm: Evening Service - Jesse Wilson Monday 8:30am: William Lee

DR. W IL L I A M L E E

P R. NDUB UIS I N WA DE

DR. E RR OL S T ODD A R T

DR. C Y N T HI A H A L E

10:30-11:30am: Breakouts Noon: Sheleta Fomby 3:30pm: Plenary 5:00pm: Michella Mota 7:00pm: Cynthia Hale Tuesday 8:30am: Errol Stoddart

P R. MIC HE L L E MO TA

P R. D A MI A N C H A NDL E R

DR. W E S L E Y K NIGH T

P R. S HE L E TA F OMB Y

10:30am Breakouts Noon: Damian Chandler 3:30pm: Plenary 5:00pm: Ndubuisi Nwade 7:00pm: Dana Edmond Wednesday 8:30am Wesley Knight

P R. D A N A E DMOND

DR. JE S S E W IL S ON

10am-12 Noon: Bootcamps Noon: William Winston •

For more than 40 years...

PELC has provided inspiration and continuing education for pastors and church leaders. It is the largest and longest running conference of its kind in the Adventist Church with over 1500 leaders in attendance.

This conference is designed to provide world-class training for religious leaders 8

REGIONAL VOICE

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REGIONAL VOICE • PELC 2021

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IN TRANSITION

IN TRANSITION

Dr. Margaret Neckles Joins ORCM Staff

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he Office for Regional Conference Ministries (ORCM) and the Regional Conference Retirement Plan (RCRP) board of directors each had their quarterly board meetings on October 19, 2021. In each meeting, the respective boards voted to call individuals to join their staffs.

ORCM voted to call Dr. Margaret Neckles to be its treasurer and chief financial officer.

Dr. Neckles has more than 20 years of financial experience in both the corporate world and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She began her career in corporate America as an accounting clerk. She worked her way up the corporate ladder to become a senior financial analyst at the firm Fried, Frank, Harrison, Shriver and Jacobsen in New York City.

In 2013, she began her denominational career as senior accountant in the Northeastern Conference. She served there for five years prior to being promoted to associate treasurer, where she currently serves.

Dr. Neckles is a native of Grenada. She immigrated to the United States in 1985.

She is a certified public accountant and has a master’s degree in business administration (MBA), as well as a Ph.D. in business management. She is scheduled to receive a second Ph.D. in education in 2022.

Dr. Neckles is the mother of three daughters: Tonya, Alexandra and Timara. She is slated to begin her tenure at ORCM on November 29. We welcome her to the ORCM / RCRP team. t

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Dr. Delbert W. Baker Joins RCRP Staff

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DR. MARGARET NECKLES

SHE WORKED HER WAY UP THE CORPORATE LADDER TO BECOME A SENIOR FINANCIAL ANALYST AT THE FIRM FRIED, FRANK, HARRISON, SHRIVER AND JACOBSEN IN NEW YORK CITY.

fter a rich career of more than 40 years, Dr. Delbert Baker is joining the Regional Conference Retirement Plan (RCRP) as the Director of Research and Development.

This position will help to achieve the vision that the RCRP Executive Director, Dr. William Cox, Sr., has to provide more value than just a monthly retirement check to the more than 800 Regional Conference retirees. With the 70 million Baby Boomer cohort reaching retirement age in 2030 and with large segments of the church and society moving into retirement, RCRP is positioning itself to better serve this important area.

Dr. Baker’s responsibilities will include strategic planning, research and program development, missional projects and retirement preparation. One of the new developments he will coordinate is the Association for Development, Enrichment and Life-Long Learning (ADEL).

Featuring a creative a web based program, ADEL will offer varied development and community creating opportunities for retirees, spouses and beneficiaries.

Dr. Baker has served the Seventh-day Adventist Church as a pastor, educator, and administrator. He was the President at Oakwood University and, most recently, the Vice-Chancellor of the Adventist University of Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. He also served as a Vice-President in the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; the Special Assistant to the President, Director of Diversity at Loma Linda University; Editor of Message Magazine and was an Associate Director at the Ellen G. White Estate.

He graduated from Oakwood College, now Oakwood University and holds a Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University. His Ph.D. is in Organizational Communication from Howard University. He is married to Dr. Susan Baker, a physical therapist and educator. They have three adult sons—David, Benjamin and Jonathan—two daughters through marriage and six grandchildren. t

DR. DE L BE R T W. B A K E R

DR. BAKER’S RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE STRATEGIC PLANNING, RESEARCH AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, MISSIONAL PROJECTS AND RETIREMENT PREPARATION.

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IN TRANSITION

Seventh-day Adventist Regional Conference Retirement Plan

The Regional Conference Retirement Plan (RCRP) celebrates more than 20 years of dedicated service to Regional Conference retirees and spouses.

As the third decade of RCRP service dawns, a new line of exciting services will be unveiled that includes retirement preparation, support and updates.

Among services offered in 2022, look out for helpful communications and the innovative Association for the Development, Enrichment and Life-Long Learning (ADEL).

ADEL will facilitate online community, growth and development for anyone interested in maximizing their retirement years and potential.

Look for more details of RCRP programs in the first quarter of 2022.

SEASON'S GREETINGS 2022 FROM THE RCRP TEAM William T. Cox, Sr. Executive Director

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Elaine Allston Assistant Director

Yvonne Collins CFO/Treasurer

Michele Chester Pruitt Executive Assistant

Darriel Hoy Communications Director

Wanda Lott Accounting Clerk/Office Assistant

Delbert W. Baker Research and Development Director

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P.O. Box 5386 • Huntsville, Alabama 35814 • 256-830-5002 • www.regionalretirement.org

Julius R. Everett, Sr. Voted Lake Region Executive Secretary

By DARRIEL HOY

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he Lake Region Executive Committee voted Elder Julius R. Everett, Sr., to serve as Executive Secretary on October 28, 2021.

Previously he served in the appointed position of Assistant to the Acting President and now President of Lake Region Conference, Elder Garth Gabriel.

Elder Everett is a native of Chicago, Illinois. He attended Indiana University, studying policy and administration.

During his senior year, he accepted the call to the gospel ministry. He transferred to Andrews University where he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Religion and Business Administration. He later completed a Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University Theological Seminary. Elder Everett is currently studying for his doctoral degree in Christian Counseling at Andrews University Theological Seminary.

He has served 32 years in ministry in the Lake Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He has pastored in Detroit, Michigan, Benton Harbor, Michigan, and South Bend, Indiana. He has also served as the Michiana Area Leader of pastors.

Elder Everett has been married to Dr. Regina L. Spears-Everett for 26 years.

They have been blessed with six wonderful children between them: Julius, Freddie, Josiah, Lindsey, Eve, and Layla.

Elder Everett has a deep love for family and the Word of God. He has a tremendous burden for the pastorate and

for all churches to be unified, working together for the hastening of Christ’s soon return.

He lives by the hope of Colossians 1:25-29 which says, “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.” t _______________________ Darriel Hoy is Communications Director, Office for Regional Conference Ministries and the Regional Conference Retirement Plan.

JULIUS R. EVERET T

HE HAS A TREMENDOUS BURDEN FOR THE PASTORATE AND FOR ALL CHURCHES TO BE UNIFIED, WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE HASTENING OF CHRIST’S SOON RETURN.

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IN TRANSITION

IN TRANSITION

Mrs. Yolanda Pruitt Stonewall Elected Interim Lake Region Treasurer

Mrs. Je’Nean Lendor Voted Lake Region Communication Director

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he Lake Region Conference Executive Committee has elected Mrs. Yolanda Pruitt Stonewall as Interim Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer.

She succeeds former Treasurer, Mrs. Yvonne Collins, who recently left to accept a call from the Regional Conference Retirement Plan to become Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer of this organization.

Mrs. Stonewall comes to this office with broad experience in corporate America. She served as senior security consultant in the Indianapolis-based security firm, Ponderance. She then worked her way to executive management at the accounting firms of Ernst and Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers. (Please Note: This is how the company lists itself.) Additionally, she has also served as a consultant.

Denominationally, she has served as treasurer for both the Indianapolis Capitol City SDA Church and the Haughville Praise and Worship Center.

She had no expectation that she would end up in conference administration. However, the Lord and newly-elected Lake Region Conference President, Elder Garth Gabriel, called and she responded.

Born and raised in Elkhart, Indiana, Mrs. Stonewall is a graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, with a concentration in Accounting and Information Systems. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

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She is the mother of two sons, Erick and Halen. Halen precedes her in denominational financial service. He currently serves as Senior Accountant for the Gulf States Conference, located in Montgomery, Alabama. She has two grandchildren.

Mrs. Stonewall enjoys road cycling and orienteering - a competitive international sport that combines navigational skills, decision-making, and racing using a map and compass to navigate from one point to another.

We welcome Mrs. Stonewall to the Regional Conference administrative team. t

YOL ANDA PRUIT T STONEWALL

DENOMINATIONALLY, SHE HAS SERVED AS TREASURER FOR BOTH THE INDIANAPOLIS CAPITOL CITY SDA CHURCH AND THE HAUGHVILLE PRAISE AND WORSHIP CENTER.

Coverage by BRYANT TAYLOR

he Lake Region Conference Executive Committee voted Mrs. Je’Nean Lendor to serve as Communication Director. Upon accepting this position, she says that she takes on this responsibility with a thankful heart and humility, because she knows that only with God are these things possible. She desires to use her God-given gifts and talents to serve others and to show the love of Jesus in creative, practical and life-changing ways.

Je’Nean is married to Neville Lendor, in-coming pastor of the City Temple Seventh-day Adventist Church in Detroit. He most recently pastored the Voice of Hope and Amazing Grace Seventh-day Adventist churches in the Northeastern Conference.

Mrs. Lendor is a product of Christian education, including Pine Forge Academy and extending to Oakwood University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Public Relations with a minor in Art. She then pursued a Master of Arts degree in Television Production and Communication Arts from the City University New York Institute of Technology.

She has worked as a producer, director, event consultant and photographer for a number of corporations and ministries, including The Sesame Workshop, Breath of Life Television Ministries with Pastor Walter Pearson, General Conference Communications, North American Division Communications,

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HARRIS DAVEY

Adventist Media Productions, Allegheny East Conference Media, Atlantic Union Adventist Media and Praizevision.

Mrs. Lendor was employed by the Northeastern Conference in 2005 as the administrative assistant in the Youth Department. In 2012 she was elected by the Northeastern Conference constituents as the first female and lay person to serve as the Communication Director and the Assistant to the President for Communications. During this time she enhanced the information relationship between the conference headquarters, the global Church organizations and the field through print and visual media. She also trained local church leaders and pastors and developed branding solutions for the conference departments.

Additionally, she served as a moderator for the Black Adventist Youth Directors Association (BAYDA) National Bible Bowl Association; Camp Victory Lake staff director and a member of numerous Union and Conference committees as an event and production advisor. She served in the Northeastern Conference until 2021. t

JE'NEAN LENDOR _______________________ Bryant Taylor, D.Min., Associate Editor of Regional Voice magazine, coordinated this coverage.

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OAK WOOD UNIVERSIT Y CHURCH NEWS

DEBLEAIRE SNELL VOTED SENIOR PASTOR. OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY CHURCH PASTOR SNELL RECENTLY SERVED AS SENIOR PASTOR OF THE TWO CAMPUSES OF THE FIRST SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH (FIRST CHURCH AND “THE BRIDGE”) IN HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA.

By ROGER WADE

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ongratulations to Elder Debleaire Snell, the new Senior Pastor of the Oakwood University Church!

The South Central Conference Executive Committee voted to assign Elder Snell to serve the Oakwood University Church as its 22nd Senior Pastor.

Pastor Snell was also named as the Speaker/Director–elect of the Breath of Life Ministries in July.

Elder Snell succeeds Dr. Carlton P. Byrd, who accepted a call to the Southwest Region Conference to become president. Pastor Snell recently served as senior pastor of the two campuses of the First Seventh-day Adventist Church (First Church and “The Bridge”) in Huntsville, Alabama. His dynamic ministry has enhanced the members and the community over the past 11 years.

Elder Snell has served in the South Central Conference since 1999. He has pastored the Salem SDA Church in Columbus, Mississippi; the Lee Memorial SDA Church in West Point, Mississippi;

the Lima Drive SDA Church in Lexington, Kentucky; and First SDA Church of Huntsville, Alabama.

Elder Snell is married to the love of his life, the former Gianna Norman of Nashville, Tennessee. The Snells have three gifted, miracle children!

Elder Benjamin Jones, president of South Central Conference, solicits your prayers for the Snell family; Breath of Life Ministries; and members of the Oakwood University Church, First Seventh-day Adventist Church, and “The Bridge.” t ________________________ Roger Wade is Communications Director for the South Central Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

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ORCM 2021 CAREER FAIR OPPORTUNITIES

ORCM AND OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY PARTNER FOR MINISTRY CONNECTIONS 2021 Text and Photography by DARRIEL HOY

Gamaliel Rodriguez, Jezer Castillo, Osias Morales Ruiz, Dr. Juleun Johnson and Benjamin Ospina.

Theology Forum president Daniel Golovenko and Dr. R. Clifford Jones, Dean, School of Theology, meet with group.

Elder Pete Palmer, President, Allegheny East Conference and Elder Gene Donaldson interview senior Kristian Dunson.

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ressed in their best church attire, 40 juniors, seniors, graduate students, and recent graduates of the Oakwood University Theology Department participated in Ministry Connections 2021. Formerly called the Theology Career Fair, Ministry Connections links students pursuing their calling in min20

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istry with Adventist entities that have pastoral and chaplaincy job vacancies.

This year’s employers included the nine regional conferences: Allegheny East, Allegheny West, Central States, Lake Region, Northeastern, South Atlantic, South Central, Southeastern, and Southwest Region; Bermuda Conference; Pacific Union African-American Ministries; North Pacific Union Regional Ministries; and AdventHealth.

Adventist Health will conduct virtual interviews with students in the month of November.

The School of Theology, the Career Connections Center, and the Office for Regional Conference Ministries (ORCM) worked together to make Ministry Connections possible. The theme, “For Such A Time As This,” was selected to encourage students to use their unique gifts to share the gospel in a rapidly changing world.

“We firmly believe that our students’ leadership will significantly contribute to the transformation of people and communities,” shared Dr. R. Clifford Jones, Dean of the Oakwood University School of Theology. “We have no qualms that each will be used by God to grow God’s church and hasten the soon-

coming of Jesus Christ.”

Ministry Connections began on Tuesday, October 19, with networking and a panel discussion facilitated

by Central States Conference President, Elder Roger Bernard. Conference Presidents Elder Pete Palmer (Allegheny East), Elder Garth Gabriel (Lake Region), Elder Benjamin Jones (South Central), Dr. Michael Owusu (Southeastern), and Dr. Carlton Byrd (Southwest Region) were joined by Dr. Juleun Johnson, director of Ministry and Mission at AdventHealth, and Dr. Robert Edwards, Southeastern California Black Ministries director who represented Pacific Union African-American Ministries. The dialogue included topics such as 21st Century ministry, work-life balance, being successful at

Dr. Juleun Johnson of Advent Health interviews Surisaday Almodovar-Belen.

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ORCM 2021 CAREER FAIR OPPORTUNITIES

your first church, leading change, and church-community partnerships. The night ended with Elder Benjamin Jones offering a prayer of consecration for the students.

Conference leaders and students gathered for worship on Wednesday morning. Oakwood University President, Dr. Leslie Pollard, and Theology Forum President, Daniel Golovenko, gave greetings. Student Liz Adams provided a musical selection, and Elder Joe Grider, retired and former ministerial director for South Central Conference, shared a devotional message. After the message, 34 students participated in interviews.

When asked what was most helpful about the Ministry Connections event, senior Jose Lache responded, “Listening to the presidents’ perceptions of what being a minister means to them.”

Senior Kitrell Lucas said, “I learned some of the requirements for getting hired.”

ORCM Executive Director, Elder Dana Edmond, shared his thoughts about Ministry Connections: “As the baby boomer generation retires, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is facing a critical shortage of pastors in North America. Ministry Connections is a collaboration that helps students, Oakwood University, the regional work, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Our goal is to open doors and provide opportunities for women and men called to proclaim the everlasting gospel to every nation, tongue, and kindred.”

ORCM will survey students about their Ministry Connections experience.

In addition, ORCM hopes to collaborate with the School of Education and the School of Business to help conferences recruit teachers and financial officers. t ______________________ Darriel Hoy is Communications Director, Office for Regional Conference Ministries and the Regional Conference Retirement Plan.

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WHEN ASKED WHAT WAS MOST HELPFUL ABOUT THE MINISTRY CONNECTIONS EVENT, SENIOR JOSE LACHE RESPONDED, “LISTENING TO THE PRESIDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF WHAT BEING A MINISTER MEANS TO THEM.”

Junior Tiffani Jackson interviews with Dr. Robert Edwards, representing Pacific Union African-American Ministries.

Elder Benjamin Jones, center, offers prayer of consecration for students. (l to r): Dr. Juleun Johnson, Elder Roger Bernard, Dr. Robert Edwards, Elder Pete Palmer and Cynthia Blaylock.

Senior Eliakim Moise interviewing with Dr. Michael Owusu, President, Southeastern Conference.

Robert Wilkins during interview with Dr. Abraham Jules, President, Northeastern Conference.

Students attending panel discussion: Row 1: (l to r): Tyjeeha Baldwin, Surisaday Almodovar Belen, Jarold Camarena, Jose Lache.

Row 2: Joshley Hinds (red shirt).

Senior Jose Lache meets with North Pacific Union Vice-President Elder Byron Dulan.

Students listen during panel discussion: Row 1: Innocent Tuyishime (dark suit).

Row 2: (l to r): Kristian Dunson (beige sweater), Gevenson Ylluste (jeans; black mask), Wilguens Gustave (feet crossed, brown shoes).

Row 3: (l to r): Eliakim Moise (gray jacket), Moises Morales Ruiz (checkered shirt), Jonathan Laroure (light suit). Row 4: Unknown attendee, seated. Last row: (l to r) standing: Dr. Gilbert Ojwang (gray suit), ORCM staff members Ms. Melonie Gurley, standing, and Ms. Wanda Lott (gray blouse), seated.

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RV FEATURE STORY

LAKE REGION NEWS

Pastor Christopher Clark Jr.— One Whom the Son Made Free IT WAS WHILE HE WAS IN PRISON THAT HE BEGAN STUDYING THE BIBLE IN A NEW WAY. AND IT WAS WHILE HE WAS IN PRISON THAT HE BEGAN TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE BIBLE SAID AND WHAT HIS WIFE HAD BEEN SAYING FOR YEARS: “THE SEVENTH DAY IS THE SABBATH OF THE LORD.”

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” John 8:36 KJV

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his is a text that many people know. The problem is that sometimes, the Son does not free us as quickly as we might expect.

Ask Joseph. He was wrongly imprisoned for years before he was set free.

But since Joseph is no longer here for us to ask, we can ask Chris Clark, Jr., pastor of the Independence Boulevard Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in Chicago, Illinois, about his remarkable and unlikely journey from a prison to a pulpit.

It began when he returned to his hometown after serving in the U. S. Army. Looking for ways to support his young family, he wound up in the wrong place at the wrong time, talking to the wrong person. That

PASTOR AND MRS. CLARK

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Chicago photograph by Max Bender-Unsplash

particular person was under police surveillance. Chris was accused of being involved in the planning of alleged criminal misdeeds, along with the person under surveillance.

Seeking to avoid a longer sentence, he pled guilty and received a 12-year sentence in a federal penitentiary. His wife, Ebony—who had introduced him to Adventism—was now left to raise their young child alone.

Although Chris’ incarceration forced him to leave home, it helped him to find God and His remnant church. It was while he was in prison that he began studying the Bible in a new way. And it was while he was in prison that he began to understand what the Bible said and what his wife had been saying for years: “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord.”

In a somewhat unusual twist, he was released on bond after serving a year in jail. During that time, he became a member of the Independence Boulevard SDA Church and eventually became a deacon. He also went back to school. Given the obvious changes in his life, there was hope that his sentence would be reduced—just as Joseph hoped that the butler whose dream God had interpreted through him would facilitate the reduction of his sentence and help get him released.

But it was not to be—either for Joseph or for Chris. He would end up spending nearly seven more years in prison. But instead of allowing the

devil to crush him, Chris decided to allow God to use him. He decided that even if man would not set him free, God had already done so. And if the Son makes a person free, that person is free indeed, no matter what man says.

Chris began giving Bible studies in prison. It became obvious that somehow, some way, someday, God had plans for him.

The arrival of that day became clear when he was released from prison. His pastor, Elder Robert Best, encouraged him to attend Andrews University Theological Seminary. It seemed like an impossible dream, just like Joseph’s journey from a prison to the palace.

“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” Matthew 19:26 KJV. Armed with only an associate’s degree, very little money, and a whole lot of faith, Chris applied and was accepted into Andrews Theological Seminary.

He graduated from the Seminary in 2019.

Today, Pastor Christopher Clark, Jr., with the support of his wife, who “hung in there” with him, pastors the church they attended as members—the Independence Boulevard SDA Church. It is fairly uncommon in the Adventist denomination for someone to pastor their home church.

But Pastor Clark’s story is anything but common. And his story— the one that tells about whom the Son made free—is not over yet. t

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RV FEATURE

CENTRAL STATES NEWS

First Female Pastor Ordained In Conference and Mid-America Union

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF CENTRAL STATES CONFERENCE AND THE MID-AMERICA UNION, A FEMALE PASTOR, PASTOR KIMBERLY BULGIN, WAS ORDAINED TO THE GOSPEL MINISTRY.

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B y DA R R IEL HOY

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n October 23, 2021, members of the Central States Conference convened at the G. Alexander Bryant Youth Center in Kansas City for a momentous occasion. For the first time in the history of Central States Conference and the Mid-America Union, a female pastor, Pastor Kimberly Bulgin, was ordained to the gospel ministry.

Pastor Bulgin’s ordination was made possible by the September 12, 2021, vote of the Mid-America Union constituency: The Mid-America Union recognizes the right and responsibility of each local conference to prepare and recommend names for ordination and will consider all recommended persons for ordination as submitted by the respective local conference executive committees.

Pastor Bulgin’s call to ministry was affirmed and celebrated along with Pastor Brian Irby of the Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church and the New Life Christian Ministries in Iowa.

Pastor Bulgin hails from Toronto, Canada, and is the daughter of Pastor Joseph and Mrs. Patricia Bulgin. She started playing piano at the age of four and by age eleven was a church pianist in one of her father's churches. She earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Andrews University and a master’s degree in music and theology from

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Trinity Lutheran Seminary. She served as the chair of the music department at the Spring Valley Adventist Academy and as worship pastor at the Grace Community Church in Ohio.

Pastor Bulgin is an international speaker, author, life coach, musician, and songwriter. Pastor Bulgin currently serves as the lead pastor of the New Beginnings Seventh-day Adventist Church in Wichita, Kansas.

We congratulate Pastor Kimberly Bulgin and Pastor Brian Irby on their ordination. We thank the leadership of Central States Conference and Mid-America Union for partnering with

God to facilitate His promise of Joel 2:28-29: And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also, on My menservants and on My maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days. t _________________________ Darriel Hoy is Communications Director, Office for Regional Conference Ministries and the Regional Conference Retirement Plan.

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ALLEGHENY WEST NEWS

VETERAN EDUCATOR RECEIVES PROFESSIONAL AWARD

By BENIA JENNINGS

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EDUCATOR NATHANIEL SNOW

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athaniel Snow, veteran educator and member of Blessed Hope Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, recently became a recipient of the Ohio Department of Education’s 2021 Teachers of Ohio Representing Character and Heart (TORCH) award.

TORCH celebrates teachers who model strong character and a heart for their students, colleagues, and communities.

Stories of teachers from across Ohio, dedicated to educational equity and who make firm, personal commitments to their students, were submitted to the TORCH recognition selection committee by parents and colleagues. From these nominations, TORCH recognized five teachers in the spring of 2021.

Snow works as a math teacher at Withrow University High School, part of the Cincinnati Public Schools district.

Snow spends countless hours coaching and mentoring students. An advocate for recruiting and retaining more African American males in the field of education, he serves as a professional mentor to students at Miami University and leads the Omega Psi Phi fraternity’s scholarship for high school seniors.

“I feel good about being recognized in this way, but I know it’s all God,” says Snow.

“I don’t do anything special; I just let God lead out. I always say, ‘Lord, if this is where you want me to be, you’ve got it, and no matter what, I’ll make it work. ‘” Snow is currently pursuing his doctorate to expand his sphere of influence in promoting more equitable practices in mathematics instruction.

“I’ll be done with my Ph.D. this December, and my goal is to become a school district superintendent to make some real changes to impact African American students.”

According to Snow, two of the most significant challenges affecting African American students are the lack of proper parenting and the educational system.

“Our kids learn differently. What we now see happening is that when they’re young and hyper, our kids are not properly assessed and then placed in special education classes. We’ve seen the Special Ed numbers increase drastically over the last 10 years. In 2010, Special Ed kids made up approximately 10 percent of the student population in my school district. Now, in 2021, they make up 47 percent. You can’t tell me that almost half of our kids are Special Ed,” he said.

With students carrying the Special Ed label, Snow believes that they are

not challenged in the classroom. This results in African American students falling further behind academically.

“There’s also no accountability now,” laments Snow. When George Bush introduced [the] ‘No Child Left Behind’ [plan], all that meant was ‘push them through.’ We now have seniors reading at a second-grade level. Although they graduate with a diploma, it’s useless if they can’t read or write. You’ve now put them in a situation where they can’t be successful.”

“So, what do they do? They take the easy way out and turn to a life of crime, resulting in our jails being overpopulated with people who look like us. When I say ‘system,’ that’s what I’m talking about,” he said—with a nod to educational and penal institutions.

Snow’s advice to the African American students he mentors is to persevere.

“Press on,” he encourages. “Keep moving forward. Delay doesn’t mean denial. It may take you a couple of times, but that’s OK. Just find something you’re passionate about and ‘work that!’” t ________________________ Benia Jennings is the Communications Director for the Allegheny West Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

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IN MEMORIAM

Dr. Ernest E. Rogers 1916 – 2021

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n Friday, November 5, 2021, Dr. Ernest E. Rogers passed to his rest. His son-inlaw, Dr. Garland Dulan, shared the sad news with Oakwood University President Leslie Pollard, who made the public announcement.

Dr. Rogers was the first full-time professor of Biblical Languages at Oakwood College. He was the Greek teacher for Dr. Pollard, and thousands of students over the 34 years that he served in the Department of Religion.

He was born June 17, 1916, and was a delightful soul to whom God granted 105 years of living life to its fullest.

“We are grateful that he can now rest from his labors, and that his works will follow him,” said Dr. Pollard.

Dr. Rogers was the first full-time professor of Biblical Languages at Oakwood College. He was the Greek teacher for Dr. Pollard, and thousands of students over the 34 years that he served in the Department of Religion.

He was born June 17, 1916, and was a delightful soul to whom God granted 105 years of living life to its fullest.

“We are grateful that he can now rest from his labors, and that his works will follow him,” said Dr. Pollard.

The cover of the Spring 2019 issue of the Oakwood Magazine featured the family of Dr. E.E. Rogers, ’41, whose love of Oakwood spans generations. All of his children (Jeannette, Eugene, Sherman, ‘73) began grade 1 at Oakwood. Seated are (l-r) Dr. Jeannette Rogers Dulan, part-time professor of Education, who attended Oakwood through ‘64; great-granddaughter Zeniyah, a 2nd grader at Oakwood Adventist Academy (OAA); great-granddaugh-

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ter Zoe, a 6th grader at OAA; and granddaughter-in-law Kelli Carter Dulan, ’96. Standing behind them (l-r) are Dr. Rogers’ son-in-law Dr. C. Garland Dulan, ‘64, retired Oakwood administrator; great-granddaughter Zahra, an 8th grader at OAA; and grandson Dr. Stanton Dulan, ’97, assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Oakwood University.

It is reasonable to calculate that during his more than 50 years of full-time service at Oakwood College, Dr. Rogers was involved with the training of 90 percent or more of all ministers in the Region-al Conferences of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

On November 10, 2016, during Oakwood’s Founders Day and 120th anniversary celebration, the E.E. Rogers Biblical Languages and Resource Center was dedicated at the Bradford-Cleveland-Brooks Leadership Center to honor him and his service to Oakwood from 1945 to 1979.

The Center fosters the learning and use of Biblical languages, and provides computer-based resources for students.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Royal Funeral Home in Huntsville.

You may send messages via the Electronic Guest Book at the Royal Funeral Home.

You may view a Media Report of Dr. Rogers’ 105th birthday in June 2021 at the Royal site. t ___________________________________

IT IS REASONABLE TO CALCULATE THAT DURING HIS MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF FULL TIME SERVICE AT OAKWOOD COLLEGE, DR. ROGERS WAS INVOLVED WITH THE TRAINING OF 90 PERCENT OR MORE OF ALL MINISTERS IN THE REGIONAL CONFERENCES OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH.

The Funeral: Tuesday, Nov. 16 - 12:00 noon - Oakwood University Church.

___________________________________ Please keep the family and loved ones of Dr. Rogers in your prayers during this time of bereavement.

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IN MEMORIAM

Sharon Louise Bradford Lewis 1951 - 2021

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haron Louise Bradford Lewis was born June 21, 1951, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the firstborn child of Elder Charles and Ethel Bradford. In her early years, she was a devoted and loving sister to her younger brothers Charles and Dwight. As Elder Bradford’s commitment to ministry moved the family to places such as Dallas, Kansas City, St. Louis, New York City and Chicago, young Sharon could always be found at tent efforts watching her younger brothers as her father preached the word of God and as her mother played the piano or organ. Sharon grew up, found favor with the Lord and was enamored with music at an early age. Just like her mother Ethel, she took to playing the piano and singing. Her love for music would be a major influence on her life and the lives of everyone blessed by her ministry.

Sharon attended Shiloh and Andrews Academy for high school and after a year of college at Oakwood College (now Oakwood University), she enrolled in Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University), in Washington, D.C. Sharon was a member of the illustrious group Pro Musica during her time at C.U.C. She had the opportunity to travel the country sharing the gospel of Christ in song. It was during her college years where she met the love of her life, James L. Lewis Jr. They married on June 9, 1974. They began a life of ministry together, serving in the Allegheny East Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. In June of 1978, James and Sharon were blessed with their only child, James III. If her family was her first love, Sharon’s love for teaching and mentoring

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HER PASSION FOR WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND COMMITMENT TO CHRISTIAN EDUCATION WAS UNPARALLELED AND UNMATCHED.

was her second. Her passion for working with young people and commitment to Christian education was unparalleled and unmatched. Sharon spent the majority of the 1980s teaching middle school students at Baltimore Junior Academy as her husband James served as Senior Pastor at Miracle Temple and then Sharon Seventh-day Adventist Churches.

She was most proficient teaching English and possessed a mastery of the language. She was an avid reader and could often be found at the Columbia, Maryland, library during the summers checking out as many books allowable with her young son James III, teaching him how to read and write.

In 1987, the Lewis family moved to Trenton, New Jersey, and then in 1989 to Columbus, Ohio, as James accepted a call to become the treasurer of Allegheny West Conference. Ultimately Sharon landed at Griswold Christian Academy

in Worthington, Ohio, where she served for more than a decade as teacher and eventually principal. During the Griswold years, Sharon created a culture of learning, support, encouragement, and advancement. Respect for her capabilities crossed cultural and racial lines within the omnipresent church politics of this era, reflecting a panoramic view of what God’s kingdom shall be. Under her leadership, Griswold Christian Academy expanded from their traditional format of K to 8 by adding grades 9 and 10 and ultimately merged with another local Seventh-day Adventist institution to provide the best possible learning experience.

Sharon was always equally committed to her home church, Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church, as a choir director for the group Oasis. She could often be seen leading song service on Sabbath mornings. As time elapsed, James was voted into the role of president of Allegheny West Conference and James III graduated from Pine Forge Academy. He continued the Bradford/ Lewis family tradition by enrolling at Oakwood University. Sharon was faced with another calling—to spearhead the

The Bradford Family: Left to Right, Mr. Charles Bradford Jr., Mr. Dwight Bradford, Mrs. Ethel Bradford, Elder Charles Bradford and Mrs. Sharon Bradford Lewis.

rebuilding of the Ephesus church school.

Under her leadership, Columbus Adventist Academy became a community institution of education and athletics.

The next call to ministry for the Lewis family was to Huntsville, Alabama, where James became the Director of the Office for Regional Conference Ministry. Sharon became the principal of Oakwood Adventist Academy. Of all her roles she perhaps most cherished her time with OAA. She always offered a steady hand of pragmatic leadership, pushing her students to be the best scholars possible. After several years of leading OAA, Sharon was called to be the Superintendent of Education for the South-Central Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Sharon could often be seen in her little green Toyota Corolla driving up and down I-65 from Nashville, Tennessee, to Mobile, Alabama, meeting and mentoring her principals and teachers while discussing process improvements, test scores and teaching

rubrics. One of the cornerstones Sharon evoked in her career was to never seek leadership roles or to take an egocentric approach to service, but to focus on being diligent and a light to others instead.

In 2018, Sharon, now semi-retired, dedicated her life to family. She loved to take care of her father, Charles, and mother, Ethel, shopping for them, managing their well-ness and providing spirited daily companionship and conversation.

She was a loving wife and stood side-by-side with her husband James, through 47 years in ministry. Their home was always open to young people needing a hot meal and some encouragement on Sabbaths and during holidays.

Even as her health suddenly declined, she never gave up her faith in God or complained. The word of God was instilled in her and she leaned on it throughout her illness. On October 10, 2021, Sharon Louise Bradford Lewis passed away surrounded by loved

ones, leaving a legacy of service to God, family, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She joins her father Charles Edward Bradford in rest after a long race. She is survived by her husband, James Lewis II, son, James III, mother, Ethel Bradford, brothers Charles and Dwight Bradford, niece Marquita Bradford-Brown, nephew Dwight “Brad” Bradford Jr. and mother-in law Claudia Lewis. Sharon is also survived by the thousands of students who matriculated through her classrooms over a four-decade career in teaching and ministry.

We are confident that we will see her again on the Sea of Glass and in the New Earth. t ___________________________________ Special Thanks from Regional Voice Magazine to the family of Mrs. Sharon Bradford Lewis for this tribute. Mrs. Lewis also often added her proofreading skills to the pages of this publication, and she will be missed.

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IN MEMORIAM

Gerald Nathaniel Wells 1934 - 2021

1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

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astor Gerald Nathaniel Wells was born on August 2, 1934, and passed away on October 4, 2021, in Huntsville, Alabama. He was 87.

Service Record of Elder Wells: 1960 - 1964 - Lake Region Conference 1964 - 1968 - Northern California Conference 1968 - 1970 - Bermuda Mission 1970 - 1976 - South Atlantic Conference 1976 - 1983 - Southwest Region

Conference 1985 - 2003 - Allegheny East Conference It is with our deepest sorrow that we, his family, inform you of the death of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. There are no words to express the sadness we feel, so we will not try to feign strength we do not currently possess. At this time, we welcome your prayers and ask that you use this time to reflect on his life and share your fondest memories.

We already miss him and know that this loss is deeply felt by many. t ______________________________________

Special Thanks from Regional Voice Magazine to the family members of Elder Gerald Wells for this statement.

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2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

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IN TRANSITION

Celeste Ryan Blyden Elected Executive Secretary Story by COLUMBIA UNION VISITOR STAFF

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n November 11, 2021, the Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee elected Celeste Ryan Blyden to serve as executive secretary. She is the first woman to fill the role in the union’s 114-year history.

“Celeste has demonstrated a real passion for mission and effective leadership in her current position,” says Dave Weigley, Columbia Union Conference president. “She has been a pastor, shepherd and encourager to those around her as she led her department very effectively over the years.”

Blyden says, “I am thankful that Columbia Union Executive Committee members saw what God is doing in my life and affirmed it. So many women who have worked tirelessly for the Church we love never got this opportunity. In this historic appointment, the door has been opened for all of us!”

Blyden, a lifelong Seventh-day Adventist of Caribbean descent, has worked for the denomination for 28 years. She has served in her current role as vice president for Strategic Communication and Public Relations since 2014, when she made history as the first female vice president for the Columbia Union. She was re-elected at constituency sessions in 2016 and again in May 2021.

Blyden joined the union in January 2002, when she was appointed communication director and Visitor editor. In 2004 she was promoted to assistant to the president and added Visitor publisher to her portfolio.

Blyden, who grew up in upstate New York, attended camp meetings at Northeastern Conference’s Camp Victory Lake and spent her formative years at NEC’s Ellenville (N.Y.) church.

She graduated from Pennsylvania Conference’s Blue Mountain Academy, double-majored in Counseling Psychology and Journalism/Public Relations at Columbia Union College, now Washington Adventist University in Maryland, earned a masters in

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organizational communication from Bowie State University in Maryland, and will soon complete a Masters in Pastoral Ministry from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University in Michigan. She is an ordained local church elder.

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lyden began serving the Seventh- day Adventist Church in 1993 as a volunteer taskforce worker at the North American Division, where she created Adventist View magazine.

“So many of my generation were leaving the church, and I felt God calling me to do something to keep them connected,” she recalls.

During the next nine years, she worked at the division in several roles, including administrative assistant, marketing coordinator, media relations manager, and eventually as the division’s assistant director of communication.

Among the many initiatives and achievements to her credit is her 2013 book, Crisis Boot Camp, and her work to help the church communicate effectively during crisis situations. She is the editor of the 2020 Communication Handbook, as well as project director and publisher of the Columbia Union’s

2021 Words of Life devotional book.

She’s been invited to speak in Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, the Middle East, and many places across the United States.

Blyden is married to Austin from St. Thomas, and they have two daughters, Larraina 12, and Sarita, 10. t

BREAKING NEWS During the Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee meeting, held on November 11, members voted to elect Celeste Ryan Blyden as the next executive secretary.Rick Remmers, the current executive secretary, will transition to his new position as assistant to the president at the North American Division at the end of the year. Remmers leaves the position after serving for almost a year.More information to come. _________________________________

The Blyden Family

This statement was released on the Columbia Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Website.

BLYDEN SAYS, “I AM THANKFUL THAT COLUMBIA UNION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS SAW WHAT GOD IS DOING IN MY LIFE AND AFFIRMED IT.

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NORTHEASTERN NEWS

Dr. Paula Olivier, Trail Blazer

By DARRIEL HOY

D

r. Paula Olivier is a powerful preacher, inspiring author, beloved pastor, respected community leader, and now, youth director of the Northeastern Conference. On September 26, 2021, at the 28th Regular and 5th Quadrennial Session, constituents of the Northeastern Conference elected Dr. Olivier to this post, making her the first female youth director for their conference and the third female youth director in the history of regional conferences.

“Our number one priority is the salvation of youth and young adults,” says Dr. Olivier. “Northeastern Youth Ministries will be a safe place for youth and young adults to dialogue and discuss relevant issues that our church generally shies away from. We will be a ‘grace place,’ because the heart of the gospel is God welcoming and using imperfect people as He transforms them. Northeastern Youth Ministries will also be a ‘growth place.’ We’re challenging youth and young adults to grow in Christ and while they are growing to go witness, preach, teach, and serve.”

Dr. Paula Olivier, née Fils-Aimé, was born in Brooklyn, New York. She spent the early years of her life in Portau-Prince, Haiti, and then moved to Miami, Florida. In 1996, after weeks of prayer and fasting, Dr. Olivier answered God’s call to the gospel ministry.

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in ministerial theology and a minor in psychology. Pastor Olivier also earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Seventh-day Theological Seminary at Andrews University and a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary. She is the author of two books: Battle Tested: Breaking through Challenges to Build Your Best Life Now! and Haiti 101: A Primer for Haitian Americans and Those Who Love Haiti.

Dr. Olivier began pastoral ministry in the Allegheny East Conference serving the Miracle Temple Worship Center in Baltimore, Maryland and later the Church of the Oranges in New Jersey as an associate pastor. She transitioned to the role of lead pastor at the First Seventh-day Adventist Church of Montclair (now Grace Pointe SDA Church) and recently served as lead pastor of the Ebenezer Church in Freeport, New York, in the Northeastern Conference.

She is a trailblazer: the first female lead pastor of Haitian descent in the Seventh-day Adventist denomination.

And she is also happily married to Dr. Smith Olivier, an ordained minister of the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Her favorite text comes from Galatians 2:20: “ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (KJV).

This is Dr. Olivier’s motivation for

ministry—a deep sense of indebtedness to the Cross of Calvary. t _____________________ Darriel Hoy is Communications Director, Office for Regional Conference Ministries and Regional Conference Retirement Plan.

ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2021, AT THE 28TH REGULAR AND 5TH QUADRENNIAL SESSION, CONSTITUENTS OF THE NORTHEASTERN CONFERENCE ELECTED DR. OLIVIER TO THIS POST, MAKING HER THE FIRST FEMALE YOUTH DIRECTOR FOR THEIR CONFERENCE AND THE THIRD FEMALE YOUTH DIRECTOR IN THE HISTORY OF REGIONAL CONFERENCES.

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SOUTH CENTRAL NEWS

ORCM Summer Internship Leads to Conference Position

T

he Office for Regional Conference Ministries initiated a summer internship program in 2019. It provided $5,000.00 each to two college students to work with a conference in the fields of pastoral ministry and business. The conference receiving the internship is responsible for providing housing and a meal allowance for the summer interns who are working away from their homes.

The goal is to expose young people to denominational service while giving them the opportunity to earn funds for their college expenses. At the same time, it gives conferences the opportunity to see how potential employees might work and fit into their particular organizational culture.

This program has led to the full-time employment of two summer interns in their respective conferences after their graduation from college. The first is Pastor Max Gomez in the Allegheny West Conference. The story of his journey—from an internship to the pulpit— is carried in the Winter 2019 Edition of Regional Voice magazine.

The conferences are granted the internships on a rotating basis. The summer of 2020 brought the program to South Central Conference. The internship was for a position in the conference office.

The Conference Treasurer, Mrs. Sonja Crayton, led out in the selection process. Hyde, a 2020 graduate from Southern Adventist University, was chosen as the South Central summer intern.

But there was a problem: the

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COVID-19 pandemic closed the conference office. How could an intern work in the office if it was closed for the summer?

Undaunted, Mrs. Crayton decided—in a paraphrase of the old show business slogan—“The internship must go on.” While the conference office was closed to the public, with virtually the entire staff working from home, a few individuals still came to the office for work. It was decided that Hyde would have a hybrid schedule, working from home two days per week and working at the conference office two days per week.

The pandemic actually demonstrated the need for Hyde’s skill set. With churches not meeting, there was a need for the conference to stay in touch with their constituents through videos and the South Central website. Hyde’s ministry for the summer was in those areas, as well as other responsibilities that the conference administration assigned.

A communication major with an emphasis in photography, Hyde had previously worked with the South Central Communications Department as a camp meeting intern. Additionally, according to South Central Conference Communications Director, Elder Roger Wade, Hyde’s “familiarity with the conference set-up because he is a ‘PK’ (Preacher’s Kid—his parents are Pastor and Mrs. Mark Hyde, of the Columbus-West Point, Mississippi district) and his skill set, made him the ideal candidate.”

Hyde was so ideal, that when the summer internship time was completed, the South Central Conference administration asked him to stay on and

continue his ministry in the communications department, where he works under the direction of Elder Wade.

Though he had not envisioned himself working in the conference, Hyde says that there “are different ways to minister.” He says that working in the conference office has allowed him to see in a new way how the church functions and how and why things are done.

Because of Hyde’s faithfulness during his internship, he enabled the ORCM Internship Program to work exactly the way it was intended—to give a young person the opportunity to operate in full-time ministry. t

HYDE WAS SO IDEAL, THAT WHEN THE SUMMER INTERNSHIP TIME WAS COMPLETED, THE SOUTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE ADMINISTRATION ASKED HIM TO STAY ON AND CONTINUE HIS MINISTRY IN THE COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT, WHERE HE WORKS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF ELDER WADE.

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RV NEWS FEATURE

2021 BLACK SDA REPORT

The State of Black Adventists 2021 Data Compiled by Phyllis Lee

Conference Membership Conference Tithe Conference

Mrs. Phyllis Lee recently retired as Treasurer/ CFO for the Office for Regional Conference Ministries and the Seventh-day Adventist Regional Conference Retirement Plan.

2021

2020

Membership

Variance

Percentage

Allegheny East

30,215.00

31,883.00

Allegheny West

17,300.00

17,198.00

Central States

9,160.00

Lake Region

Percentage -5%

102.00

1%

9,198.00

(38.00)

0%

31,355.00

31,382.00

(27.00)

0%

Northeastern

60,579.00

60,355.00

224.00

0%

South Atlantic

50,834.00

50,757.00

77.00

0%

South Central

38,024.00

37,368.00

656.00

2%

Southeastern

58,044.00

57,605.00

439.00

1%

27,400.00

27,320.00

80.00

0%

322,911.00

323,066.00

(155.00)

0%

23,806,441.00

2,237,206.48

Allegheny West

5,907,683.34

5,136,801.00

770,882.34

15%

Central States

3,655,050.73

3,386,842.00

268,208.73

8%

Lake Region

8,928,614.59

7,734,337.00

1,194,277.59

15%

Northeastern

34,368,378.46

31,983,888.00

2,384,490.46

7%

19,086,912.02

18,007,979.00

1,178,933.02

6%

Southwest Region

South Central

17,005,750.15

16,454,579.00

551,171.15

3%

TOTAL

Southeastern

20,974,781.62

19,696,310.00

1,278,471.62

6%

Southwest Region

9,306,272.49

8,977,033.00

329,239.49

4%

145,277,090.88

135,184,210.00

10,092,880.88

7%

TOTAL

Variance (1,668.00)

26,043,647.48

9%

2020

Allegheny East

South Atlantic

2021

Updated September 30, 2021 These figures are as of September 30, 2021, representing the end of the Third Quarter.

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RV NEWS FEATURE

2021 HISPANIC SDA REPORT

A Crecer — Development of Hispanic Growth in Regional Work

By ROGER HERNANDEZ

D

id you know that “One day we’ll be your neighbor” is the unofficial slogan for Hispanics in North America? I am only saying this in jest, but as a Hispanic-American, I can vouch for the friendliness and “family first” attitude of our Latino churches, where the moment you arrive you are one of us.

The development of the Hispanic work in Regional conferences has been Godled, pastoral supported and lay driven.

There are four basic ingredients of its development. These four key principles are:

Church Planting One important note you must understand about Hispanic churches in the Regional work is that extremely large congregations are not common. This is by design. The Adventist church started (and if our prophetic understanding is correct) will end as a church planting movement. Many of our Latino brothers and sisters are first generation immigrants, and church planting is in their DNA. Growing by multiplication through church planting means exponential growth. Rather than just adding members—it is adding churches. It is common to see a church of 200 or less plant several congregations in its lifetime, even under duress.

Take for example a church in the southern United States. It started in a train wagon. Yes, you heard that right. A small group of believers began meeting in a small town and were looking for a more permanent facility. The first available option was a donated train wagon.

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use, installed porta potties outside and started worshiping God! It is not uncommon for a Hispanic Coordinator in a Regional conference to share how the number of churches has grown exponentially in the last 20 years. Church planting works.

Empowered Discipleship Some pastors lead as many as nine congregations. One such pastor leading nine churches was planting a tenth one.

This reality presents the clear expectation that the local church leadership must be empowered if the churches are going to grow. The local leaders are given responsibility and authority. If one of those ingredients is missing, the church bike [metaphorically speaking] will try to move on a flat tire, which is not very effective. In order to develop local leadership, regular, intentional trainings are held in every conference. The clear expectation is that the local elder does much more than just organizing the platform participants on Sabbath. They are not elders in name only. They visit members and prospective ones; give Bible studies, preach, teach, lead and serve.

The Hispanic coordinators that I’ve spoken to have regular training sessions built into their calendars. PELC en Español has been instrumental in training pastors to become more intentional in this process.

ty—one the leadership is aware of and working to improve. The opportunity is that since half the board is composed of people under 40, the vitality, innovation and desire to involve everyone is reality, not just a goal.

Adventist Education I have placed Adventist education at the end of this list because I want the readers to pray for this specific item. In a general sense, Hispanic Adventists in North America have a favorable view of Adventist education and the desire for their children to attend a church school.

Of course, the greatest barrier is finances. Yet at our flagship educational institution, the great Oakwood University, there are more than 125 Latino students, including 22 theology majors. Your future pastor might well be of Latin descent. The administration at Oakwood has made a concerted effort to recruit and attract Latino students, hiring employees who reflect that goal. The result is the enrollment of students from Latino homes has more than tripled.

bers are committed. Yet there are challenges ahead. Three key ones are: 1. Generation Next Contrary to popular opinion, reaching first generation Hispanics is not easy. It’s not like we open the church and people line up outside to get baptized. It is, however, easier to win a first generation anything than to win the second generation.

Acculturalization produces different priorities that must be met with different types of churches. Since every church is one generation away from extinction, being forward thinking and using prevention—rather than just seeking remedies—must be paramount in our strategic planning.

2. Church Planting Passion After a growth spurt, the tendency is to rest on the laurels and change the conversation, which shifts priorities. Talking about new churches is replaced with talk about just growing the ones we already

have. These two concepts do not need to be in conflict. Every significant church growth statistic reveals that the best way to grow is to continue to plant new churches. I am praying this desire does not wane and the price to be paid for new churches never gets so high that we would rather sustain the kingdom of darkness instead of attacking it.

3. Leadership Opportunities At every level, there needs to be intentionality for developing the next leaders.

Providing access is paramount in order for us to continue fostering the leadership pipeline. Instead of holding on to power and protecting it at all costs, visionary leaders make themselves replaceable. They understand that succession ignored is succession mishandled. The future will be even more Latino than it is today. So let’s ask ourselves about opportunities we need to create for the development and placement of a new generation of leaders.

The past and present have been fraught with hardship, expansion and growing pains. The next 20 years will be crucial in seeing the Hispanic component of the

Regional work continue to grow, to lead and multiply.

Con Jesus, siempre Adelante. (With Jesus, always Ahead.) t __________________________ Roger Hernandez is presently the Ministerial and Evangelism Director for the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He is a father of four, a husband of one, and a pastor to many. He has served in the ministry for more than 28 years. One of six pastors in his family, He received his B.S. degree in Theology as a graduate of Columbia Union College, now Washington Adventist University.

He received his M.Div. from the Adventist Seminary at Andrews University. Born in Cuba and fully bilingual, Pastor Hernandez has participated in events in both English and Spanish.

____________________________________ Roger Hernández - Actualmente es el Director Ministerial de la Unión del Sur, que provee recursos y liderazgo a más de 1,000 pastores (de la IASD). Pr. Hernández es padre de cuatro hijos, esposo de una maravillosa mujer y pastor de muchos. Ha servido en el ministerio durante más de 28 años.

Uno de los seis pastores de su familia, el Pr. Hernández recibió su licenciatura en Teología como graduado del Columbia Union College, ahora Universidad Adventista de Washington. Recibió su MDiv. del Seminario Adventista de Andrews. Nacido en Cuba y totalmente bilingüe, el pastor Hernández ha tenido la oportunidad de participar en eventos tanto en inglés como en español.

What now…?

God has been faithful. Our clergy is growth-oriented. Our mem-

Youth Involvement Hispanic congregations are young, which means that the leadership is also young. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is, how do we pass the leadership baton to the second generation which speaks mostly English? This is a present realiREGIONAL VOICE • PELC 2021

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RV HISTORICAL FEATURE

MARCH ON WASHINGTON— THEN AND NOW

By JACQUELINE G ALLOWAY BL AKE

W At the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, August 28, 2013, Jacqueline Galloway Blake was delighted to receive a VIP ticket.

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hen I was a young teenager living in New York City, my parents allowed me to travel with a community group to the March on Washington in 1963. I vividly remember the details of that historic journey marching for “Jobs and Freedom” with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and more than 250,000 others.

Having witnessed the police brutality on television—water hoses, growling dogs, arrests, and beatings—I was aroused to contribute in some way. I wanted to join the young people bravely protesting but was just a little too young.

So, when the 1963 March was planned, I was thrilled that my parents allowed me to travel alone with a busload of strang-

ers. Looking out the bus window, I was amazed to see so many chartered buses on the New Jersey Turnpike, all travelling south. Once we arrived, I walked among the crowds to the grassy lawn of the Lincoln Memorial plaza and felt an almost palpable aura of anticipation, brotherhood and excitement. Something big was about to happen.

My parents had told me that some of our relatives from the segregated South would be in attendance. Although I never saw my family members, I did recognize celebrities in the huge, multicultural gathering.

Once the program began we were pressed tightly together under that hot August sun.

Those discomforts were overlooked because we were so eager to effect change. I can vividly remember music by folk singers

Peter, Paul and Mary, the soulful stirrings of Mahalia Jackson and clasping hands as that hopeful crowd sang the theme song of the movement, “We Shall Overcome.”

We had come, as Dr. King stated, to “cash the check” that had been returned marked “insufficient funds.” Other Americans could vote without harassment, could sit in the front of the bus, could eat at lunch counters, could sleep in any hotel, could attend the new public elementary school, could use the restrooms at the Howard Johnson’s Restaurants on the New Jersey Turnpike, but not us. Why America, why did you treat us with such disdain? So, for that reason, I marched in 1963.

Marching in 2020 Fifty-seven years later, the dis-

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t

SO, WHEN THE 1963 MARCH WAS PLANNED, I WAS THRILLED THAT MY PARENTS ALLOWED ME TO TRAVEL ALONE WITH A BUSLOAD OF STRANGERS.

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In addition to the words of dain, oppression, and suppresJesus, the example of Paul is a sion are all still alive. And so, model for responding to illeI marched again—same place, gal beating and imprisonment. same date, in 2020.

When the miraculous earthAlthough that version of Jim quake broke their chains and Crow no longer stalks the land, opened the prison gates, Paul (the literal segregation signs spoke up about the unjust treathave been removed) the “new ment he and Silas received from Jim Crow” is now named, James the local officials and refused Crow, Esq., as I heard longtime to leave until justice was served activist Al Sharpton state at Mrs. (Acts 16:22-39).

Rosa Parks’ funeral.

In that same spirit, with voice He wears a suit and may sit in and pen, Ellen G. White supCongress or on a judge’s bench, ported the civil rights issue of or at a prosecutor’s table. her day by protesting against And so, I marched again beslavery. “All the abuse and cruelcause James Crow, Esq. is alive ty exercised toward the slave is and active in America today. Unjustly chargeable to the upholdarmed Black men are being slain ers of the slave system, whether by police brutality and we have a they be Southern or Northern scriptural mandate to “loose the men,” she wrote, Testimonies for chains of injustice….to set the oppressed free” Isaiah 58:6 NIV. the Church (Vol.1, page 266).

Voter suppression has a new Congressman John Lewis, who suffered police brutalAfter emancipation, she conity while peacefully protesting for voting rights, chats look. It’s no longer poll taxes tinued advocating for Black with Jacqueline Galloway Blake at the August 28, 2008 such as the ones my grandfather lives and wrote “Our Duty to Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado had to pay, or being forced to the Colored People,” supportwhen Barack Obama accepted the presidential nomiguess the number of marbles in ing the missionary boat whose nation. a jar, or to read and interpret diftrail-blazing work in the South ficult passages from the United impacted the formation of a States Constitution. Nor is prestraining school for Black youth, ent-day voter suppression being beaten, ing time in prison, even though that now Oakwood University. lynched, stalked, or fired from a job, as same freedom is not allowed to felons in The mandate to take action remains. my uncle was, for simply trying to regis- any other states.

And so, after 57 years, I marched on ter to vote or for protesting injustices.

Between 1963 and 2020, regrettably, Washington again. As I see it, the Today, voter suppression is the wathe need to protest persists. The names steady beat of weary feet marching for tering down of the hard-won Voting have been changed from Emmett Till to “justice for all” continues. t Rights Act of 1965. It’s closing polling George Floyd, but injustices, brutalities ____________________________ places in predominately Black commuand racism remain. nities (more than 1000 have been closed Jacqueline Galloway Blake since the 2013 Shelby v Holder Supreme Why I Keep Marching an educational consultant Court decision). It’s shortening voting The Bible clearly defines the expectand radio host –Save Our hours; it’s new photo ID requirements ed response to a neighbor in need, to a Black Boys Radio (www.Sain seven states. And in Texas, it’s allowstranger under oppression, to victims veOurBlackBoys.net), writes ing a concealed handgun license as votof injustice or to the “least of these my from Michigan. She originally shared her er ID—but not student IDs. It’s sabobrethren.” The words of Jesus at His eyewitness account with Adventist Review taging mail delivery; dismantling USPS coming, when the surprised goats are readers. She chose to share more details in mail sorting machines; college student separated from the sheep (Matt 25:31the pages of Regional Voice, and we offer disenfranchisement, and purging eligi34), leave no doubt about Christians’ re- our thanks for her observations. ble citizens from voting rolls based on sponsibility to the unarmed Black men __________________________ inaccurate data or for illegal reasons. being killed by police brutality, to disWanda Lott is a Regional Voter suppression often targets or dis- proportionate sentencing and incarConference Retirement Plan proportionately affects African-Amerceration of minorities and to the postaff member and a consulicans, students, the elderly, and people lice escaping legal consequences for with disabilities. tant for Regional Voice magtheir inhumane actions. “In as much as Voter inequity is allowing felons in azine. She coordinated this you’ve done it unto one of the least of the largely white populated states of coverage. these my brethren, you’ve done it unto Vermont and Maine to vote while servme” (Matt 25: 40).

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WE HAD COME, AS DR. KING STATED, TO “CASH THE CHECK” THAT HAD BEEN RETURNED MARKED “INSUFFICIENT FUNDS.” Jacqueline Galloway Blake interviewed by media at the August 28, 2020- “Get Your Knee Off Our Necks” March on Washington

MY REMEMBRANCES MARCH ON WASHINGTON – THEN AND NOW August 28th

1963

2020

THEME

“JOBS and FREEDOM”

“GET YOUR KNEE OFF OUR NECKS”

SPEAKER

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King III

CROWD SIZE

250,000

Seemed Larger to Me

DAY

Wednesday

Friday

PRESIDENT

John F. Kennedy

Donald Trump

PREDOMINATE AGE

Middle Age and older

Millennials

WEATHER

Hot

Hot

POLICE PRESENCE

On fringes

I Didn't Notice Any

DISTURBANCES

Zero

Zero

AURA

Brotherhood

Brotherhood

DIVERSITY

White and Black People

White and Black People

MY GOAL

Isaiah 58:6

Isaiah 58:6

UNUSUAL SITUATION

N/A

COVID-19 Pandemic – Masks and Social Distancing

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

“I Have A Dream” Speech

Remarks by Families of unarmed persons slain by Police Brutality

MARCH AREA

From Washington Monument to Lincoln Memorial

From Lincoln Memorial to Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

WHERE I STOOD

Between Reflecting Pool and Lincoln Memorial, to the right in grassy area.

Near my original spot.

I TRAVELLED FROM

New York City by bus

Michigan by airplane

RECENT TRAUMAS

Medgar Evers, NAACP officer, killed by a shot in the back.

George Floyd, killed by knee on neck; Jacob Blake shot seven times in the back.

SCRIPTURAL ADMONITIONS

Isaiah 1:17, Proverbs 31:9,

Psalm 82:3, Leviticus 19:15, Deuteronomy 16:20,

Zechariah 7: 9-10, Jeremiah 22:3, Proverbs 21:3, Proverbs 31:8

Proverbs 14:31, Matthew 25:40, Proverbs 24:11, Matthew 25: 31-46

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IN TRIBUTE

Colin L. Powell 1937 - 2021

G "

eneral Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from Covid 19,” the Powell family wrote on Facebook, October 19, 2021, stating he was fully vaccinated.

General Powell had multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells that suppresses the body's immune response, as well as Parkinson's, Peggy Cifrino, Powell's longtime chief of staff, confirmed to CNN. Even if fully vaccinated against Covid-19, those who are immunocompromised are at greater risk of attacks from the virus.1 “We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American,” said the family statement.

He was born on April 5, 1937, in New York City, to parents who immigrated from Jamaica. Their home was in the South Bronx, and he attended New York City public schools. He earned a bachelor’s degree in geology from the City College of New York (CCNY), and participated in the ROTC at his college.

Powell told television interviewers he liked “the look” of himself in military uniform. When he graduated in June of 1958, he received a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

During his first tour in Viet Nam, he was wounded by stepping on an enemy stake. A large infection resulted, making it difficult for him to walk; bringing this tour to a premature close.

When he returned to Viet Nam for a second tour years later, he received a medal for bravery after surviving a helicopter crash. He pulled three others (including his commanding officer), from the burning wreckage, by himself.

He was a professional soldier who

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went from combat to become the first Black national security adviser during the end of the Ronald Reagan presidency. He later became the youngest and first African American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President George H.W. Bush. His leadership in several Republican administrations helped shape American foreign policy in the last years of the 20th century and the early years of the 21st century. He enjoyed great national popularity in the wake of success by the U. S. and allies in the first Gulf War. But that appeal was lost when, as the secretary of state in the George W. Bush administration, during a speech at the United Nations, he gave misinformation about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. That speech, one he regretted, stained his record forever. He served only one term in this Bush administration, and became increasingly disillusioned with the Republican political party.

So much so, that during the 2008 U. S. presidential race, he endorsed Democratic candidate Barack Obama—widely recognized as major support. General Powell was still seen as a stately, successful and responsible leader throughout the remainder of his life.

He received multiple military awards,

decorations, medals and ribbons from the United States and foreign nations. His civilian awards include two Presidential Medals of Freedom (the second with distinction), the Congressional Gold Medal, and the Ronald Reagan Freedom Award.

In 2012, he became the founding chairman of America’s Promise Alliance, an organization that “chose to represent its mission with this simple yet powerful image. The little red wagon is a promise and a challenge. The wagon carried children’s dreams. Early on, we pull our children along and nurture them. As they grow, they begin to pull the wagon for themselves. If the load grows too heavy, people who care will help pull the weight. In time, children can carry back the gifts they’ve received to share with those behind them.”

General Colin Luther Powell is survived by his wife, Alma Vivian (Johnson) Powell, whom he married in 1962, as well as three children. He died at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He was 84.

His funeral was held on November 5, 2021, at the Washington National Cathedral. President Joe Biden, former presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, First Lady Jill Biden, former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton (who also represented her husband, former President Bill Clinton), and a multitude of dignitaries, all attended the service. t ___________________________________ 1. Devan Cole, CNN report, October 19, 2021.

___________________________________ Data compiled from statements by the Powell family on Facebook; CNN reports

by Devan Cole, along with ABC and CBS television news interviews and reports and the America’s Promise Alliance Website.

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC THE LATEST STATISTICS GLOBAL AND USA VIEWS

250,715,502

GLOBAL CONFIRMED CASES

5,062,106

GLOBAL CONFIRMED DEATHS

216

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

USA 46,626,034

TOTAL DEATHS (At 666,440) CDC | Updated: November 16, 2021, 10 PM EST

USA

434,486,889 - TOTAL VACCINE ADMINISTERED 194.4M – FULLY VACCINATED 26.1M - BOOSTER DOSES ADMINISTERED

GLOBAL 7,084,999 TOTAL VACCINE ADMINISTERED

DATA PROVIDED FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) Updated: November 10, 2021, 10 PM EST

TOP 20 STATES - CASES Jurisdiction

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

4,980,105 4,269,229 3,701,310 2,598,730 1,722,590 1,643,945 1,601,086 1,580,271 1,495,521 1,319,724 1,290,122 1,209,785 1,195,483 1,037,109 938,376 904,689 909,159 871,330 867,345 837,250

TOP 20 STATES - DEATHS State/Territory Death Rate__ _____________________________ California 72,699 Texas 72,111 Florida 60,418 New York 56,793 Pennsylvania 31,992 Georgia 29,647 Illinois 28,441 New Jersey 28,119 Ohio 25,282 Michigan 24,027 Arizona

21,486 Massachusetts 19,117 North Carolina 18,336 Indiana 16,976 Tennessee 16,593 Alabama 15,879 Louisiana 14,649 Virginia 14,225 South Carolina 13,898 Missouri 12,795 _______________________________________ DATA SOURCE – NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO November 8, 2021.

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Cliff Harris DAP Co-Director

The miracle God worked for this man, God has worked for others.

He can work a miracle for you.

Call Us Anytime: 256.232.4400 Email Us at:

dapcalif@aol.com

Visit Our Website:

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

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

DrUg AltErnAtiVE PrOgrAm

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HOPE SERIES

DAP — Sharing its Vision for the Future

By PATRICE THOMAS CONWELL

2021 DAP graduates stand with directors. L to R: Cliff Harris, Thomas Gates, Bill Seibert,Robert Reid, Jr., Kalei Luiii (in the framed picture), and Freddie Harris.

2021 DAP graduates. L to R: Kalei Luii (in framed picture held by Emil Castro), Bill Seibert, Thomas Gates, and Robert Reid, Jr.

T

o the naked eye, the farmland on one side of Drug Alternative Program’s (DAP) recovery home is nothing but a field of cotton waiting to be harvested. To the visionary eye, it’s no longer a cotton field but a community facility, a “drug church,” and perhaps one or two additional DAP homes.

That vision is what Cliff and Freddie Harris, DAP founders and directors, shared with supporters who attended the ribbon cutting for DAP’s newest acquisition.

“We are here in answer to your

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prayers and our prayers as we have this 10 acres to develop, and God is going to show us just what to do with it,” Freddie exclaimed to the DAP board and staff members, DAP graduates and clients, church friends, neighborhood friends, and family who witnessed the moment.

“God is going to show us what to do with it” is classic Harris faith—the same faith that led them to start DAP in California more than 30 years ago. And it’s the same faith that led them to restart DAP in Huntsville, Alabama, in 2019.

Originally, they relocated to Huntsville to retire.

After buying the house and property under the Lord’s leading, Cliff began to

DAP Directors, Cliff and Freddie Harris.

wonder who owned all of the land surrounding his property. In his mind, the recovery home—sitting in the middle of that farmland—could be jeopardized by another person buying the land around the house.

When the original owner of DAP’s recovery home came back to see what they had done, Cliff asked her who owned the farmland. “My mother,” she replied. When she willingly gave the couple her mother’s phone number, they took it as a sign to move forward with exploring the possibility of expanding DAP’s footprint. “I had been thinking of building one or two more houses on the three acres we already

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSEPH W. BOOTH AND RACHELE SHOATS

The Harrises cut the ribbon for their new property as supporters watch. Front row: Dr. Leon Seard, Lachelle Fenison, Freddie Harris, and Cliff Harris. Back row: Bill Seibert, Humberto Harrison and Ron Wickerd.

Anthony Frazier, 2001 DAP graduate, shares his testimony before giving the opening prayer.

1995 DAP graduate Bill Seibert makes his long-awaited graduation march to the platform.

Thomas Gates celebrates his graduation with the Harris’.

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had,” said Cliff. “But I knew that would be difficult to do. Once we found out the original home owner also owned the land, we got excited.”

The Harrises made a special trip to visit the landowner, living in Colorado with her daughter. In conversation, the owner disclosed that she’d been approached by several developers wanting to buy the land for commercial use.

But she wanted her land used to serve the community and to help people.

When the Harrises described their ministry and their desire to add a couple of homes to accommodate more clients, the landowner said, “That’s perfect.”

Now that DAP owns 10 more acres of property, the reality of developing the land is a little daunting.

“I’d never thought about developing the land into some big project,” said Cliff. “I was just thinking about a couple of houses.”

But after talking with the landowner, their vision expanded as the Harrises and the landowner brainstormed about how to use the land.

Thus, the idea was born to add a community center, complete with a chapel, to serve as a drug church where addicts can come—just as they are—to receive spiritual nurturing and acceptance. Other ideas included a senior citizen facility and a restaurant. Whichever direction DAP takes, the challenge is raising the first $1 million to start the process of bringing their vision to reality.

But daunting challenges haven’t stopped DAP up to this point. As DAP supporters sat under the backyard trees at the new recovery home, they were treated to a panoramic view of DAP’s past, present and future, and God’s leading each step of the way.

Several DAP graduates from years past traveled to support the future evolution of DAP. All of them, former addicts, are now successful professionals or business owners. Many shared their testimonies of how DAP and the Harrises changed their lives and those of their families.

Tracy Wise—a two-time DAP graduate, most recently in 2013—recalled 58

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how his crack addiction caused him to lie and steal from his mother. She forgave him each time and supported him through DAP. Justin Hansen—a 2015 DAP graduate—shared how the love shown to him by the Harrises and DAP’s treatment was the best form of recovery for him.

He had tried and failed several other types of rehab programs.

Humberto Harrison, a 2003 DAP graduate born and raised in the Seventh-day Adventist church, remembered his difficult decision to go through DAP twice. He admonished DAP’s current clients to “Never, never, never give up.”

A graduation ceremony for DAP past and current clients highlighted the reason the Harrises chose to follow God’s leading to continue the ministry in Huntsville rather than retiring. The celebrated graduates were: • Bill Seibert – DAP’s first client to finish the program, in 1995, but who was not able to march at that time; • Thomas Gates – a 2011 graduate who also wasn’t available to march with his group; • Robert Reid – a 2021, second-time graduate, of DAP and one of two in the first Huntsville recovery group, and a baptized member of the Oakwood University Church, and • Kalei Luii – a 2021 graduate and a native of Palau, who graduated in absentia due to the pandemic.

These graduates reminded the celebration’s attendees of the value and importance of DAP’s ministry to them, and of the program’s long-lasting impact on their families and communities. All recounted how poor choices knocked them off the paths where their Christian parents had set them.

Those poor choices caused them to lose precious time and to embrace lives of meaning. With God and DAP, each has reclaimed a relationship with God and the blessings that have resulted.

With the insurmountable evidence of DAP’s success, it is easy to understand why Cliff and Freddie continue their work. They do this with unwavering faith that God will help them raise the

Freddie Harris shares information about DAP graduate Kalei Luii (in framed picture) from Palau, who graduated in absentia.

DAP supporters.

Cliff Harris is congratulated by DAP Board Chairman Lachelle Fenison.

DAP supporters.

funds needed to move forward.

“This is God’s mission, not mine or Freddie’s,” said Cliff. “This is all about saving souls.”

To that end, event attendees raised their glasses in a toast, saying…

“Here’s to the future!” t ________________________ Patrice Thomas Conwell is a freelance writer for her own business, PeeTee Communications, LLC. She resides in Huntsville, Alabama, with her husband and son.

Contributions to DAP’s land development may be given through https://drugalternativeprogram.org/donate/

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSEPH W. BOOTH AND RACHELE SHOATS

Former DAP employee, Cherise Gardner, serves as the program emcee.

DAP supporters.

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