2022 PELC Issue

OurTelling Story

PELC 2022 https://adventistregionalministries.org

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

MARCELLUS ROBINSON, PRESIDENT

LaTasha Hewitt, Communications Director P.O. Box 266 Pine Forge, PA 19548 (610) 326-4610. www.myalleghenyeast.org

ALLEGHENY WEST CONFERENCE

MARVIN BROWN, PRESIDENT

Benia Jennings, Communications Director 1080 Kingsmill Pkwy. Columbus, OH 43229 (614) 252-5271. www.awconf.org

CENTRAL STATES CONFERENCE

ROGER BERNARD, PRESIDENT

Cryston Josiah, Communications Director 3301 Parallel Parkway Kansas City, KS 66104 (913) 371-1071. www.central-states.org

LAKE REGION CONFERENCE

GARTH GABRIEL, PRESIDENT

JeNean Lendor, Communications Director 19860 South La Grange Road 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

CALVIN B. PRESTON, 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

ORCM GRAND OPENING THE CHARLES E. DUDLEY CENTER 2022

Here are excerpts from remarks by a wide array of leaders. To view this entire historic event and to receive the full, rich experience, go online to YouTube and type: Dedication Service of the Charles Edward Dudley Center Office for Regional Conference Ministries ORCM

OPENING PRAYER

“Dear Lord, This idea. This notion. This possibility. This dream. This vision has finally become a reality. And as we begin this Dedication Service, we want first of all to invite Your presence to be with us. Everything that takes place today is a recognition that we know from whence we have come.”

“We return this building to You. You know we are thankful and we give all praise and honor and glory to You.”

Mrs. Phyllis Lee, Retired ORCM/RCRP Chief Financial Officer and Major Project Designer of Finances

and enjoy what God is doing for us. Thank you.”

Dr. Margaret Neckles ORCM Chief Financial Officer and Chairperson, Building Dedica tion Committee

THANKS to GUESTS

your check for $99.00!”

Elder Dana C. Edmond ORCM Executive Director and Chairman, ORCM/RCRP Building Committee

SOUTH CENTRAL MEMORIES

“I’m probably one of the last leaders (along with Elder Edmond), to be mentored by El der Dudley—still in active ministry.

They said, “You can’t do that!” Elder Dudley said, “Watch me!”

WELCOME

“Good morning everyone! On behalf of the Regional Presidents and coordinators, I welcome you. We are thankful for you taking the time to come out and celebrate what God has done, as we acknowledge that all good and perfect gifts come from the Lord. This collaboration between the Regional Conferences and the North Pa cific and Pacific Unions and Bermuda and Breath of Life and MESSAGE Magazine and Oakwood University—this initiative, this building—I could simply say this: Yes we can! Yes we can! Yes we can! . . Also, we ask you to pray. Pray that the Holy Spirit will rest, rule and abide here.”

Elder Roger Bernard, President Central States Conference and President, Regional Conference Presidents Council

“I would like to introduce and thank the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mutual of America, Mr. John Greed. His generous corporate and personal con tributions got us started in the building. There were some hurdles that we had to clear in terms of finances. So while we were negotiating with the bank, we need ed funds to start the project. And Mutu al of America and John Greed personally committed nearly half a million dollars for this project to start. Chairman Greed if you will stand, please. Thank you for your contribution!”

“Then I would also like to acknowl edge that she and I started in this road five years ago. That is our architect from KPS, Ms. Kristine Harding. Ms. Harding, would you stand please?”

“I certainly want to acknowledge our contractor and his father—the president and vice president of P&C Construction. We would not be able to dedicate this building debt free if P&C had not built the building almost to the penny to the amount they said they would! And so Mr. Nic Cornelison and son, Mr. Jordan Cor nelison, if you will stand please! We thank you for yourministry.”

OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY

“We too join the cascade of voices congrat ulating the Office for Regional Conference Ministry and the Regional Conference Re tirement Plan for this beautiful and magnif icent edifice. If you’re going to do something, it should be done with excellence and this reflects excellence! . . We are grateful for the fact that this wonderful edifice now rests on the campus of Oakwood University. And so we welcome you (Oakwood University ad ministrators, student body members and board members stand with President Pol lard.) We are one in solidarity with the work that’s going on.”

Dr. Leslie N. Pollard, President Oakwood University

“He was a quiet-spoken man but he was the greatest man of courage who I have ever worked for or worked with. He was able to serve as the longest-running president in the North American Division, not because of his political power, but because of his moral power and character. He demonstrated such love for his people that the people were will ing to follow him to hell and back. They be lieved Elder Dudley had a vision of God.”

“He trained us that though you were a black man in a white church, you were still a man of God. And that though this church didn’t recognize you under full engagement, God recognized you. And under God, you could do anything.”

Mrs. Bonita Dudley Parker, Daughter, Elder Charles and Mrs. Etta Dudley

DEDICATION

Mrs. Elaine Allston recounted the stellar career of Elder Frank L. Jones, who lived from 1926 to 2007. He worked as the associ ate treasurer at the World Headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the first black person to serve in that capacity. After his retirement, he agreed to serve as the first ORCM and RCRP Director.

According to Mrs. Allston, “When God made Elder Frank L. Jones, He truly broke the mold!” The beautiful meeting place is rightfully named The Frank L. Jones Board Room.

MORE PUBLIC THANKS

Mrs. Elaine Allston, RCRP Assistant Director and Longest Tenured ORCM/RCRP Staff Member

PUBLIC THANKS

“He thanked everyone else. But I praise God for him! Elder Dana C. Edmond, your perseverance, your steadfastness, your com mitment to all of this! Will you join me in giving him a great round of applause at this time?” (The congregation stands and gives applause.)

Dr. Carlton P. Byrd, President Southwest Region Conference and Devotional Speaker

“I stand to thank Elder McCoy. Certain ly, the vision for ‘greater’ has been a part of our long- term heritage as leaders. In terms of this facility, the person who pushed the hardest for it was Elder Joseph McCoy. What he did has made a major difference.”

“We’re at a point that through this facility, we will be able to direct and educate a work from our perspective and not others’ per spectives.”

PROJECT HISTORY

“I want to thank you, the constituency in this room, who saw fit to fund this building. Pastors, thank you so much! Thank God for the pastors! And thank you Sister Jill Ed mond. Behind every good man, there is an excellent woman! Praise the Lord for her!”

WELCOME

“I just want to welcome all of you. We con sider ourselves blessed to have you cele brating with us; to celebrate what God is doing for the Regional Conferences. We just want to thank you for your prayers, for your support. . . We want you to continue to keep us in your prayers. Enjoy yourself

“Dr. Leslie Pollard allowed us to choose this site and then said, “I will recommend to the Oakwood University Board of Trust ees that we lease it to you for $1.00 per year for 99 years!” We would have probably had to pay $1 million for prime property like this. So Dr. Pollard, for taking the heat, (because everyone was not in favor of this) we thank you. This building is in large part due to your vision. And we do today have

SOUTHERN UNION COMMENDATION

“Thank you for sustaining the vision. Thank you for embracing what God has placed be fore you.”

“Let’s continue to factor God into our journey.”

‘In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths’ (Proverbs 3:6).

“Let’s continue to dream big.”

‘Where there is no vision, the people per ish. . ‘ (Proverbs 29:18).

“Let’s continue to push hard and to work hard. The proverb says: ‘Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise’ (Proverbs 6:6).”

Dr. Ronald C. Smith, President Southern Union of Seventh-day Ad ventists

FAMILY MEMORIES

Early in his South Central Conference pres idency, Elder Dudley took his family with him as he visited churches and schools. His daughter recalled how “he was appalled” and how she “was shocked to be sitting in one of our churches, looking at the ground through a hole large enough” for her to slip through in that church.

“Dad said, ‘I believe God’s people need to worship in God’s house. And God’s house doesn’t look like this.’

“When he went to the union president and brethren, they said ‘Charlie,’ (which he did not like) ‘we don’t have the funds.’

Elder Dudley finally said to the union, “We’re going to keep our percent [of confer ence funds] and we’re going to build some churches and schools for our people.”

“Prior to this building that’s opening to day, [the ORCM and the RCRP] had sever al homes. There’s a little house on the Oak wood campus—that building was dedicated on December 5, 1996, and we were there for approximately 20 years. Once that “Little House on the Prairie” caught fire, we had to migrate to a different location.

Then we moved to a location just out side the Oakwood campus, built to ORCM/ RCRP specification, by an Adventist AfricanAmerican developer, Stan McCall. That’s the building we [occupied since 2017, and dedi cated] in the Spring of 2018. But two months earlier, the Board voted to . . grant the lead ership [permission] to build a building of this magnitude. This facility is beautiful!

I want to thank all of you, our two leaders and all of the staff,” for all the work that has been done.

“He that shall come, will come, and will not tarry.”

Mrs. Yvonne Collins RCRP Chief Financial Officer

Elder Benjamin Jones, President South Central Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Dr. William T. Cox, Executive Director, RCRP

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Page 4

LEADERSHIP COMMENTARY

ORCM Grand Opening – The Charles E. Dudley Center

If you were not able to attend, and if you haven’t visited online, treat yourself to a rich experience by reading what was said and done to mark this glorious new begin ning.

By An Array of SDA Leaders

Page 8

COVER STORY

CLOSER – Celebrating the Promise, Living the Hope Make plans to enjoy the free concert! Find the speakers and workshops, then build your virtual or in-person schedule for PELC’22.

Pages 10, 12, 14, 16, 17

TAKE A TOUR!

The Charles E. Dudley Center is Open

Go through our pages to take in the sheer beauty of this facility and to learn more about God’s leading, the careful planning and the financial responsibility that led to this day.

Event Speakers - Photography by Bryant Taylor

Devotional Message – Dr. Carlton P. Byrd

Perspective – Dr. G. Alexander Bryant

History and Cultural Center Dedication –

Elder and Mrs. Joseph McCoy

The Adventist African-American Museum –Dr. Queen Robinson

The Presidents Dining Hall Dedication –Elder William Winston

The Charles E. Dudley Center Dedication –Elder Calvin Watkins

Page 18

NATIONAL NEWS

Dr. Prudence Pollard and Dr. Calvin Rock Accept Awards

President Biden gives these Adventist scholars the highest civil honors, Lifetime Achievement awards for their years of vol unteer service.

By Lael Caesar and Marcos Paseggi Adventist Review

Page 24

REGIONAL NEWS

The Allegheny East Conference Elects New Team

President Marcellus T. Robinson and VP for Administration Gary Wimbish are newly elected. Constituents re-elected Lawrance E. Martin as VP for Finance.

By LaTasha Hewitt

Photography by Steven Woods

Page 26

RCRP

CYM – Choose Your Mindset!

Take these Five Steps to help in realizing your Growth Goals.

By Dr. Delbert W. Baker

Page 32

ANNUAL REPORT

The State of Black Adventists

The numbers for 2022 in tithe and church membership show increases overall. God’s people are faithful.

Data Compiled by Mrs. Phyllis Lee

Page 34

SPECIAL FEATURE

Latino Adventists in Regional Conferences and Social Action

One of the benefits for immigrant church es in the Regional Conferences that is not often mentioned is the exposure to social action from their African American coun terparts. This is a major benefit.

By Roger Hernandez

Pages 36, 38, 40

IN MEMORIAM

Mrs. Barbara Warren

Mrs. Winifred Bailey Rivers

Mrs. Mary D. Taylor

We pause to pay tribute with the Warren,

Rivers and Taylor families as they bid fare well to their extraordinary loved ones.

Page 42

RV SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMENTARY ACTIVATE: A Call to Sacrifice Like Jesus

Social justice that rebukes oppression, re stores oppressed people, and replaces op pressive systems, calls for willingness to sacrifice our flesh and our privileges.

By Claudia M. Allen

Coverage coordinated by Dr. Bryant Taylor

Page 44

BOOK OFFER

The U.S. COVID-19 CRISIS God-inspired lessons learned from the Pandemic are now available on multiple platforms.

By Tim Allston

Page 48

HISTORICAL FEATURE

Reckoning With the Past

Read another fascinating, historical ac count of the incredible race massacre that took place in 1921, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Black Adventists suffered loss—with no re corded calls for support from the Adven tist Church.

By Byron Dulan

Coverage coordinated by Dr. Bryant Taylor

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Page 52

CDC REPORT

Dangerous RSV Infects Thousands of Children

Following these official guidelines could prevent your young children, toddlers and infants from this infection that’s sending so many precious ones to hospitals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Page 53

CORONA Stats

COVID is still with us, across America and around the world. Globally, more than 6 Million have died. Here in the United States, the death rate has climbed past 1 Million this year and is slowly building. This is not the time to relax your guard. Continue to practice good hygiene; stay masked and sheltered when necessary. The holidays are here. Take vaccines and boosters as your health allows.

Page 56

HOPE SERIES A Walking Miracle

When Jayzlyn Yeboah suffered severe inju ries after being struck by a car, doctors ex tended little hope to the child, her family and her church family in the Philadelphia Ghana Church. But God. . . .

By LaTasha Hewitt Photography by Appiah Kwarteng and Joseph Ampong

TAKE A TOUR THROUGH THE NEW CHARLES E. DUDLEY CENTER

GREATER!

GRAND OPENING THE CHARLES E. DUDLEY CENTER

BY DR. CARLTON P. BYRD

Ihave just one text; one verse, John 14:12 NIV. “Very truly I tell you, who ever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

Prayer – Lord God, bless us now. We praise You for what You have done—en abling and allowing us to be in this build ing. Now God, as we begin this journey, this new chapter in this new building, we pray for your divine direction on this journey. Bless this work we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Jesus says if we believe in Him, we will do greater things than He did. How can that be. What does Jesus mean? . . . But don’t get it twisted. Jesus is not promising that He will do whatever you ask as long as you tack on “In Jesus’ name, Amen” to your prayer.

Prayer isn’t a means of getting God to give us what we want so we can be more comfortable. Prayer is the means by which we ask God to do His will on earth as it is in heaven.

What is Jesus talking about? He’s talking about quantity rather than qual ity. Jesus’ departure was the catalyst for the disciples’ ‘greater.’ Even though Jesus’ earthly ministry had ended, His work would go on.

‘Whoever’ is every believer. ‘Whoever’ is all of us. All of us. We’re all believers. We’re all followers. We’re all disciples. We all can do greater things for the Lord. . .not merely greater offices or greater boardrooms or greater technology but greater ministry and greater methods. We live in a changing world and these changes impact the church. In spite of these changes, God is still calling us to ‘greater.’

How can we do greater in our post-modern, contemporary world? Peo ple don’t want to hear the gospel; the Advent message. It’s counter-cultural. . . How do we achieve ‘greater?’

Well, I’m pleased to say that the devil is a liar. This is God’s church. This is still

God’s agency to reach lost people. This is still the place where hopeless men and women can find hope in Jesus. This is still the place where we believe the blood of Jesus covers our sins. This is still the agency that has been empowered by the Holy Ghost to take this timeless message to a changing world.

Doing greater through the power of the Holy Ghost should not be foreign to us because. . our forefathers who set the foundation for Regional work saw the need for change to achieve greater.

Greater was achieved when seven Region al conferences were established between 1944 and 1947. Lake Region Conference was the first; Northeastern Conference; the Allegheny Conference; the South Central Conference; the South Atlantic Conference; the Southwest Region Con ference and the Central States Confer ence.

Some thought that the newly-formed Regional Conferences would fail and go bankrupt in months. But when God is in something, no devil in hell can stop what God is in. Because what began with one conference has now gone to nine. Great er. What began with 230 churches has now grown to 1,200 churches. Greater. What began with 17,814 members has grown to more than 300,000 members.

Greater. What began with $204,000.00 in annual tithe has now grown to more than $200 million in annual tithe. Greater!

What was Oakwood Junior College is now Oakwood University. Greater!

We have our own magazine, MES SAGE, the oldest continuously [published] Christian magazine in the United States. Greater!

We have our own television broadcast, Breath of Life, which is carried on three networks nationally and one internation ally. Greater!

We have our own retirement fund, with net cash assets of more than $260 mil lion. This allows our workers to retire in dignity, making 70 percent of what they earned when they worked full-time—for

30 years—as opposed to only $900.00 per month after working 40 years. Can some body say ‘Greater!’

And today as we cut the ribbon on our new state-of-the-art, 33,000 square-foot facility housing the Office for Regional Conference Ministry; housing the office for the Regional Conference Retirement Plan; housing Breath of Life; housing other offices of Regional Ministry, all I can say is Greater!

We’ve come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord. But where do we go from here? How do we achieve continued ‘greater?’

There are some who question the valid ity of Regional Conferences. Is there still a need for them? Are they still relevant? Are they even necessary?

Record it. It’s online. I’m saying it un equivocally—Yes!

We must still be able to employ, grow and develop prized leaders. We must still have a voice in denominational gov ernance. We must still specifically and intentionally evangelize urban commu nities which are primarily made up of black and brown people. We must still develop black entities in institutions to have a sensitivity to reaching black and brown people. We still have a mission. We still have to preach the Second Coming of Christ. We still have to preach the Advent message, but God is calling us to Greater.

He has not called us to mediocrity or maintenance ministry. God says, through the power of the Holy Ghost, ‘Greater things I have for you.’ t

Dr. Carlton P. Byrd, President of the Southwestern Region Conference, delivered these devotional thoughts at the Charles E. Dudley Center Grand Opening. To view and enjoy the message in its entirety, go online to YouTube and type: Dedication Service of the Charles Ed ward Dudley Center

Office for Regional Conference Minis tries ORCM

WHAT MEANETH THESE STONES?

“On behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, we salute you for this singular accom plishment; the marvelous accomplishment of this building to the glory of God. Regional conferences have made and continue to make an indelible impact on the Seventh-day Adven tist Church in North America and around the world. Regional conferences continue to inspire people to do excellence. And when the question is asked, ‘What meaneth these stones?’ [from Joshua 4:6]; when I look at this building, my mind goes back. I look around and see how far we’ve come.”

“Brutally and savagely ripped from the arms of Mother Africa, we have come.

Brought here on slave ships against our will, we have come.

Through generations of cruelty, degradation and abuse, designed to rob us of our dignity and to strip us of our vision and hope for a better day, we have come.

Through Jim Crow laws and police brutality, we have come.

And being denied entrance into Adventist schools, we have come.

From the death of Lucy Byard, we have come.”

“This building, Dr. Byrd, represents the ‘Greater’ that you talked about. But I pray more than this that these stones will forever be a re minder of what we can do by standing together, empowered by the Spirit of God. . . May this building point us to the time when we will occu py another building that’s made without hands.”

“And when the question is asked, ‘What meaneth these stones?’ the generations to come can say, ‘These stones mean that a people who have been oppressed can rise up out of oppression and do the greater things that God has called us to do.’” t

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DR. BRYANT TAYLOR

Dr. G. Alexander Bryant is President of the North American Division of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

The Daniel R. Jackson Hall of Nations

The Dudley Children share their memories.

Mrs. Ethel Bradford, the last original Regional Conference worker.

Introduction

“One of them was the 1940s, when Re gional Conferences were started.”

“Listening to this wonderful program, makes me think about years recently in Africa, in Nairobi. A phrase there when everyone was filled with exclamations of happiness or even [if there was] a big prob lem, they would simply say ‘We thank God! We thank God!’”

“When I was hearing the comments to day, the wonderful statements, . . I simply said, (and Susan knows it well), ‘We thank God for this occasion!’”

“My role is to say a word about the Cul tural Center. I’m going to ask if Elder Mc Coy and Sister Judith McCoy will come to the front and stand with us.”

“When I think about the Regional work, I think about a few major milestones:

“Then we have the Retirement Plan in about 2000. That was another major, huge pivotal point.”

“And now we have this facility. What an incredible blessing it is! The Cultural Cen ter is a special spot in this building to rec ognize the wonderful contributions of re tirees; of the McCoys.

It was the decision of the good leaders of this program, Elder Edmond; Dr. Cox and the Board to name this center in their honor, for the pivotal work they’ve done.”

“Can we give one more hand for their vi sion—for the McCoys; for the Edmonds; for the Coxes?”

“This is a great day for me. My name is Jo seph. I am a dreamer. Take me out and shoot me! I can dream! It is not a night mare—it’s a dream. And this building is the fulfillment of a dream. “. . What a privilege it is and an honor to be here to day, and to have my bride of 56 years! Some friends of mine said, ‘You’re not gonna stay married two weeks!’ How do you like me now!”

“I’m from New Orleans, Louisiana. Bil ly Cox and I and Roger Bernard—we all grew up in the same church. I think it’s very special for us to be where we are, and to have done what we’ve done, coming out of that environment. It’s a testimony to our parents and our forebears that we are here today.”

The McCoys “were the darker family in a lighter-skinned, black neighborhood.

Hmmmmmm! And there are back stories that I will not venture to tell today. Among many others, our parents taught us three outstanding things:

‘Get your own answers.’

‘Get your own stuff,’ and ‘Play in your own yard.’”

“Talking about the Regional Confer ences in the United States—for the first time in our history, today, we are not homeless, nor are we renters! We are in our house! And I’m very thankful for that! You will never know how important it is to me and how proud I am today that we are here. And this is a beautiful building!”

“This Cultural Center was inspired by a retiring worker who said, ‘I don’t mind retiring, but I will no longer be involved.’

And that stuck with me—that a work er because they were retiring, would feel that they were no longer connected to the work. And my mind began to work to see what we could come up with to celebrate them. That was the birth of the idea for the Regional Conference Retiree Cultur al History for Fellowship, History and En richment in this building. So [the center] certainly is for that purpose and I’m happy that it exists. Putting my name on it is a bonus. But I want the retirees to know that this is their place. They can come here whenever they feel like it! We’ll have some goodies for them and just see all the wonderful things we will plan in this cen ter.”

“I stand here today to celebrate Dana Edmond and Billy Cox, who have run this leg of the journey. We have gone through

several generations of leaders from 1996 un til now. They are the ones running this leg. I hope and pray that we understand that this is not the last leg, because we’re still on a journey. There are many more things we must accomplish. It’s not the end but it’s just getting us warmed up for the rest of the way that we have to go, un til the coming of the Lord.”

Elder Joseph W. McCoy, Retired RCRP Director

“Everybody in this room represents Re gional Conference leadership. One of the things we often say is: ‘Behind every good man stands a good woman.’ But I’d like you to remember our children. Everything, good, bad, indiffer ent, affects our children. We’re blessed with three wonderful daughters who are all graciously working in the church. But that’s not the story out of every home. So if you want to evangelize, I’m asking you as ministers and leaders of this church— go after our children! Apologize to our

children for what they have had to see. Love them back into the church. Love them back into the church! And again, congrat ulations on this building.”

Dr. Delbert W. Baker, Director RCRP Research and Development

Powerful Reminder from Mrs. Judith McCoy

THE REGIONAL CONFERENCE MUSEUM OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

“It is my honor and privilege to be part of this astute committee of experts who have taken on the job so concisely and cou rageously, to share with us the rich and profound history of our journey as Sev enth-day Adventist African-Americans and people of color, who made our way through the struggles and the successes of our denominational work throughout our Regional Conferences. Brave men and women to whom it was our privilege to hallmark. It was these people, these ser vant leaders as the late Charles Dudley would say, ‘have brought us thus far along the way.’”

“And it is most proper that this magnif icent edifice being dedicated today would grace the property of this beloved Oak wood University, prophesied by Ellen G. White and anointed by the Most High

God. I thank Elder Dana Edmond for his vision. We the committee thank him. And at this point, I would like anyone who was on [the Museum Committee] to stand.”

“This museum is a memorial to our Ad ventist movement. . . It has “acquired the most accurate information. It preserves the integrity of its artifacts and brings the community together to celebrate its unique history. . . . This committee has meticulously gathered the most relevant and timely information, preserved the integrity through thorough and careful research, digitalization, innovation and technology.

From the introduction of the Seventhday Adventist education system through the Morning Star ; through the channels of spiritual and gospel songs; visions; sol id preaching of the Word; the Spirit of

Prophecy; sacred literature, to the educa tion and religious freedoms we enjoy to day—these men and women have blazed a path to help those coming after us to appreciate the freedoms they possess. Here in this museum. . know that as you browse and as you look at the historical sequence of events, [and the lives] of these pioneers, you will more clearly under stand and learn of a God and His purpose for people of color. A God who guides and leads and blesses this particular work that we do.”

Dr. Queen Robinson Retired Associate Superintendent of Education, South Central Conference

REGIONAL PRESIDENTS DINING HALL DEDICATION

“I am honored and delighted to be here today with a woman who, in exactly one month, we will [have been] married for 55 years.”

“I purposed in my heart when I became an administrator and especially when I became a Regional president and involved with this caucus, that I would pray for my colleagues every day. Well I missed a cou ple of days along the road. But it was not until I was relieved of these duties and this weight was taken off of my shoul ders that I realized that I didn’t pray any where near enough!”

“One of the things that we don’t do, and I’m guilty of it, we don’t take time to break bread together. That’s a big theme in the Bible—sitting down, eating together. . . .

The times that I have asked Ad Com to work through lunch or not have lunch at all; the evenings that I stopped having dinner with my wife to answer a telephone call with somebody, when I should have been spending time with my wife. And you do it! And I have earned the right to call you out on it! Those things we can’t go back and undo. In the last three weeks, I have had more supper meals with my wife than I’ve had in a long, long time.”

“We started this [service] with proverbs. And you’ve heard the proverb, “This too shall pass.”

“But I’m going to give you a new prov erb today in regard to this dining hall and your own personal time with one anoth er. And that proverb is this—“This too can wait!’”

“Spend time together. Do what the Lord has called you to do, but not at the ex pense of your family and your marriage. God bless you.”

William L. Winston , Retired President, South Atlantic Conference and President, Regional Conference Presidents Council

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

“If not for God, there would be no Region al work.”

“If not for God, there would have been no Morning Star going down the Missis sippi to take the message to former slaves.”

“If not for God, there would have been no little white woman with a vision to purchase a rundown slave plantation in Huntsville, Alabama.”

“If not for God, there would have been no men of vision like Elder Dudley; Joe McCoy; Frank Jones; Robert Woodfork; Elder Earle.”

“If not for God, none of this would have

been possible. So at this very moment in history, on this day, we ask Oh God that every brick, every steel beam, every door be dedicat ed to You.” “May this building be a place of refuge. May it be a sen tinel of hope. May it be a place where there is justice, equality, for all. Make it a center of evangelism. May it be a place that welcomes men and women of every race, creed, color and nationality.

“Oh God, we dedicate every room to You, in the name of the Father; in the name of the Son and in the name of the Holy Ghost, so we dedicate. “Let everyone say Amen and Amen and Amen.”

Elder

Elder Calvin Watkins North American Division of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

DR. PRUDENCE POLLARD AND DR. CALVIN ROCK RECEIVE THE PRESIDENT’S LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

BY LAEL CAESAR AND MARCOS PASEGGI

Adventist scholars Dr. Calvin Rock and Dr. Prudence LaBeach Pollard were among four individuals awarded the President’s Lifetime Achieve ment Award in Washington, D.C., earlier in 2022. The award is the highest possible civil award for volun teer service awarded by the president of the United States. Pollard, current ly acting vice president of Oakwood University, was particularly recognized for spearheading the university’s min istry to the so-called “food deserts” in Huntsville, Alabama, United States, where the school is located. Rock, a former president of the same institu tion as well as a former vice president of the world church of Seventh-day Ad ventists, was cited for his more than 60 years of service in a variety of areas including academe, pastoral ministry, and church administration.

President Joseph Biden’s letter of recognition stated that America’s suc cess depends “not on one of us, or some of us, but on all of us.” He added, “By sharing your time and passion, you are helping to discover and deliver solu tions to the challenges we face — solu tions that we need now more than ev er.” Biden wrote that today we live “in a moment that calls for light and hope

and love.” His letter concludes, “The country is counting on you.”

Dr. Rock drew laughter from attendees to the ceremony at The Army and Navy Club when he said that he was “righteously embarrassed” to re ceive this recognition, “but at the age of 91, I’d better take it while I can get it.”

Dr. Pollard thanked President Biden and the people of the United States for the award. She mentioned specifically those “who died on the campus of Oakwood University when it was a slave plantation.” Pollard explained that she has realized that she stands on a legacy that exposed her to the idea of service to the community and to the people around where she lives.

During her brief remarks, Dr. Pollard also highlighted the Healthy University Initiative, which seeks to improve health markers, especial ly among African Americans at Oakwood and the surrounding community. The school was certified as a Healthier Campus in 2018. She also mentioned the initiative of delivering fresh fruits and vegetables in the community around Oak wood. “We call that ‘campus beautification,’ and ‘having a healthier campus,’” she said.

The ceremony, sponsored by the Lowcountry Rice Culture Project, recognized two other hon orees: Brigadier General Terence Adams and Dr. Kimberley Jeffries Leonard. General Adams, cur rently special assistant for Cyber Effects Opera tions, Air Force Headquarters, works to facilitate students’ access to STEM (Science, Technolo gy, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects. Dr. Leonard is the seventeenth national president of The Links, Incorporated, and The Links Foun dation, Incorporated. The Links, Incorporated, works for equity in education, easier access to health care, criminal justice reform, and an end to environmental racism.

At the start of the program, Barry Black, chap lain of the United States Senate, offered an invo cation. Chaplain Black thanked God for His gen erosity in giving us the gift of the four honorees and prayed that their service may be an inspira tion. “May it help all to be ready to answer the six questions of Matthew 25 concerning care for the hungry and thirsty, for strangers and the na ked, for those who are ill and people in prison,” he said. t

Read more at: https://adventistreview.org/news/ two-seventh-day-adventists-awarded-the-u-svoluntary-service-highest-honor/

Lael Caesar and Marcos Paseggi, Adventist Review

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF DR. CALVIN ROCK

ALLEGHENY EAST DELEGATES ELECT NEW OFFICERS AND LEADERS

BY LATASHA HEWITT

During Allegheny East Conference’s Second Quinquennial Constituen cy meeting, delegates and guests reflected on the conference’s chal lenges and opportunities over the last term, which was held under the theme, “More than Conquerors.” The Metropolitan church in Hyattsville, Mary land hosted the event.

During the session, delegates elected Marcellus T. Robinson as president and Gary Wimbish as vice president for admin istration. Lawrance E. Martin was re-elect ed as vice president for Finance. After the vote, Robinson stated, “I want to humbly thank you for this opportunity. By God’s grace, I look forward to serving you as we work together to do God’s will.”

One new departmental leader, Anthony Medley, joined the team as the health direc tor, succeeding Leah Scott who retired after serving for 19 years.

AEC and Columbia Union Conference leaders expressed appreciation to Pete Palmer and his wife, Dahlia, for their ser vice to the conference over the last year.

Pete Palmer, who served as president since Henry J. Fordham, III’s tragic passing in 2021, shared a report consisting of video interviews with departmental leaders, as well as a video tribute to Leah Scott, cele brating her health ministry. There was also a tribute video and a moment of silence recognizing Henry J. Fordham III, AEC’s former president who began the term in 2017. The vice president for administration also presented a video report, highlighting the growth and dips in membership over the term. The vice president for finance began his report with an animation that explained how tithe dollars are used, which was followed with examples of how the conference remained vibrant financially during the pandemic, despite predictions to the contrary.

Delegates also voted on changes and made recommendations to the bylaws, then heard and voted on a report from Pine Forge Academy. Visit visitaec.org/constitu ency to view video presentations from the session.

Roger Bernard, president of the Central States Conference, was the speaker for the worship service. Other special guests included, Dana Edmond, director of the Of fice of Regional Conference Ministries; Dr. Abraham Jules, president of Northeastern Conference, and Robert Chandler, treasurer from Northeastern; Cryston Josiah, execu tive secretary of Central States Conference; Marvin Brown, president of Allegheny West

Conference; Benjamin Jones, president of South Central Conference and Sonja M. Crayton, treasurer of South Central Confer ence; Abraham Henry, executive secretary, Lake Region Conference; Philip Palmer, treasurer of Southwest Region Conference; and Columbia Union officials, Dave Weig ley, president; Celeste Ryan Blyden, secre tary; and Emmanuel Asiedu, treasurer. t

LaTasha Hewitt is Communi cation Director for the Allegheny East Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Photography by Steven Woods

From left: AEC Officers Wimbish, Robinson and Martin

CYM—CHOOSE YOUR MINDSET!

Five Steps for Realizing Your Growth Goals

BY DR. DELBERT W. BAKER

In 1967, 20-year-old Kathrine Switzer, became the first woman to run the Boston Marathon as an officially regis tered competitor. At the time, she faced the prevailing mindset and challenge that women were not physiological ly able to run 26.2 miles. The pervasive thinking was that women couldn’t do something that arduous. One physician told Switzer that if she ran a marathon her uterus might fall out. For a considerable time, she debated whether she would even try. But she eventually came to believe that if anyone could complete the course, she could. The rest is history.

Now, at 75 years old, Switzer is an accomplished marathoner, author and television commentator. She believes that achieving the apparently impossible things in life all start with the proper mindset and a willingness to initiate ac tion.1 We too can profit from having the right mindset.

Mindset Definition

Mindset is the collection of beliefs, attitudes and processes that we use to interact with all the circumstances we face in life. It is your internal blueprint for action. Your mindset determines how you perceive, approach and conceptualize situations and how you respond to them.

Further, your mindset is contagious, as it influences the range of your thoughts and goalsetting.

You know the saying, “If you can con ceive it, you can achieve it.” Well, it’s your mindset that sets your mental parameters as to what you conceive, how you perceive

it, and if you persist to achieve it. Mindset provides the confidence, context, and the positive mental impetus to attempt your visions and dreams.

Mindset is crucial at all ages and stag es of life—but it’s easy to neglect. In the early years of life, a proper mindset is the foundation. In the middle years, it is the scaffolding and in the latter years, it is the roof that shelters you. Suffice it to say, mindset is most important and affects all the dimensions of life.

Stubborn Obstacles

Interestingly, we humans have elaborate mental rationales for why we do what we shouldn’t or why we don’t do what we should. Author and advocate, Lynne Twist, observes we too often allow inadequacies and insecurities to dominate our mindsets and thereby block our progress toward a life of increasing meaning and fulfillment.

“For so many of us, our first waking thought of the day is ‘I didn’t get enough sleep.’ The next one is, ‘I don’t have enough time.’ Whether true or not, that thought of not enough occurs to us auto matically before we even think to question or examine it. We spend most of our hours and days of our lives hearing, explaining, complaining or worrying about what we don’t have enough of. Before we even sit up in bed, before our feet touch the floor, we’re already inadequate, already behind, already losing, already lacking some thing.”2

Two Mindsets

Our challenge then is to cultivate the

effective mindset; one that will move us from our inabilities toward our abilities.

A vital understanding is that there are basically two types of mindsets— growth mindset and fixed mindset.

• A person with a growth mindset views intelligence, abilities and talents as learn able and capable of improvement through effort. They exercise a willingness and motivation to improve.

• Alternately, someone with a fixed mindset views those same traits as inher ently static and unchanging, experiencing life from an unempowered perspective. They say, “I haven’t done this before, so it’s not possible to do now!”

The concept of growth and fixed mind sets was coined by psychologist Carol Dweck in her 2006 book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. According to Dweck, challenging situations can be cat astrophic for those with fixed mindsets because they believe that if they don’t already have the skills or intelligence to complete a task, there’s no chance of im provement. However, those with a growth mindset know they can gain the knowl edge and skills necessary to succeed. This makes every challenge a development op portunity and learning adventure.

Consequently, a growth mindset is necessary for development and progress, while a fixed mindset prevents improve ments that involve learning and doing new things. Those with fixed mindsets say, “I can’t!” Those with growth mindsets say, “I can!”

The encouraging news is Christians have an added power to help them change

their mindsets. It happens through a cooperative partnership with Christ (Ro mans 12:2 and Philippians 4:13). These spiritual principles empower us to rise and strive for improvement with every chal lenge.

Mindset Predicament

Notice the riddle, however. Because of a fixed mindset, some people find it vexingly difficult to resist inertia and exercise en ergy to change. The fixed mindset blocks people from improving beyond what they’ve done in the past. It obstructs the very pathway that leads one to receive the needed help. They struggle to break free from “can’t thinking” to “can thinking.” This hinders them from shifting from the fixed mindset to the growth mindset. It

If you are serious, here are five simple but effective steps, with backup principles, to help you make the shift successfully:

1. Activate growth mindset thinking into your life. Resolve to shake off inertia and start a new growth chapter with the promised benefits. Ellen White encourages healthy growth mindset thinking: “Our first duty toward God and our fellow beings is that of self-development. Every faculty with which the Creator has endowed us should be cultivated to the highest degree of perfection, that we may be able to do the greatest amount of good of which we are capable” (Counsels on Health, Page 107).

Nurture Hope: Be confident, talk hope, trust in God (Psalm 42:11).

Review Benefits: Divine partnership re sults in success (Zephaniah 3:17).

2. Be serious and assess your current mindset hon estly. Examine yourself to see if you have a can or can’t mental default. Regardless of your assessment, specif ically map out 1-3 SMART* goals you want to accom plish. This will get you on track to begin the action process. Undergird your plan with prayer and initiation. Do Assessments: Examine yourself (2 Corinthians 13:5). Lockdown Goal(s): Press toward the mark (Philippi ans 3:14).

5. Engage a trusted friend(s), and/or a professional, to share your growth goals. Schedule time with them. Empower them to hold you accountable in your develop ment journey.

Encourage Accountability: Frequent occasions to support and be responsible (Hebrews 10:25).

Don’t Quit: Doggedly stick to your growth goals until they are achieved (Ga latians 6:9).

If you do the above, you will develop a growth mindset and be successful! Bene fits and satisfaction will result. This will be a turning point for good in your life. Achievement will lead to new opportuni ties and possibilities. Then you can even model the power of CYM, as you Choose Your Mindset.

We end this challenge with the inspir ing words of Teddy Roosevelt: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have do ne them better.

REGIONAL CONFERENCE RETIREMENT PLAN

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thereby impedes the flow into fulfillment and contentment.

Admittedly, a mindset shift can be diffi cult. But that’s OK . Embrace the difficulty! Accept the struggle and anticipate the reward. Be prepared to talk power, hope, success, then move into action without de lay. No discouraging weak talk! See Psalm 42:11 for positive self-talk

A growth mindset works. It facilitates progress toward desired areas of devel opment and improvement. It’s also effec tive with facilitating better approaches toward dismantling destructive habits, correcting eating disorders, management of chronic pain, initiating exercise reg imens, and the overall cultivation of a wellness lifestyle.

Five Steps

What can you do to break out of a fixed mindset and move to a growth mindset?

*SMART—Your goal should be Specific (detailed), Measurable (Assessable), Attainable (Re alistic), Relevant (Appropriate), and TimeBased (Goal with target start and end).

3. Challenge and reject anything that creates negativity and doubt. Deliberately think, talk and act toward your growth goals.

Correct Negativity: Don’t be mad. Co operate with God’s providences (Genesis 4:6–7).

Develop Trust: God will strengthen and help you to banish fear (Isaiah 41:10).

4. Develop confidence in your will pow er to exercise growth thinking with your SMART plan. It’s a process. Move forward with intention; know that God and good people will help you as you help yourself.

Exercise Confidence: When God is for us, nothing can stop it (Romans 8:31).

Enthusiastically Persist: Do the plan with everything you have (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor de feat.” t

Delbert W. Baker, PhD, is Director of Research and Development and the ADEL Program, for the Regional Conference Retirement Plan/ Office for Regional Conference Ministries, in Huntsville, Alabama.

ADEL MONTHLY PROGRAMS (AMP) Sign-up for at www.regionalretirement.org or www.ADEL.Today

REFERENCES

1. Andy Frye, “Kathrine Switzer Talks Boston Marathon, 1967 And Now,” Forbes, April 2, 2019, www.forbes.com.

2. Lynne Twist, The Soul of Money: Trans forming Your Relationship with Money and Life (Norton, 2017), Page 32.

BLACK SDA 2022 REPORT

BY PHYLLIS LEE

TITHE

Conference 2022 2021 Difference

Allegheny East 26,168,089.00 26,043,647.00 124,442.00

Allegheny West 6,224,139.00 5,907,683.00 316,456.00

Central States 3,618,416.00 3,655,051.00 (36,635.00)

Lake Region 8,998,780.00 8,928,615.00 70,165.00

Northeastern 36,726,981.00 34,368,378.00 2,358,603.00

South Atlantic 20,145,740.00 19,086,913.00 1,058,827.00

South Central 17,850,905.00 17,005,750.00 845,155.00

Southeastern 22,077,053.00 20,974,782.00 1,102,271.00

Southwest Region 10,138,333.00 9,306,272.00 832,061.00

Total 151,948,436.00 145,277,091.00 6,671,345.00

Mrs.

MEMBERSHIP

Conference 2022 2021 Difference

Allegheny East 32,324 32,215 109

Allegheny West 17,331 17,300 31

Central States 9,171 9,160 11

Lake Region 31,445 31,355 90

Northeastern 61,081 60,579 502

South Atlantic 55,027 50,834 4,193

South Central 39,007 38,024 983

Southeastern 59,844 58,044 1,800

Southwest Region 20,870 27,400 (6,530)

Total 326,100 T 324,911 1,189

Phyllis Lee, now retired, worked as Treasurer/CFO for Regional Conference Ministries and the Seventh-day Adventist Regional Conference Retirement Plan

LATINO ADVENTISTS IN REGIONAL CONFERENCES AND SOCIAL ACTION

BY ROGER HERNANDEZ

One of the benefits for immigrant churches in the Regional Con ferences that is not often mentioned is the exposure to social action from their African American counterparts. The legacy of faith-based social activity has a direct positive influence over the Latino congregations in our conferences, but more could be done for greater impact. While not every church is active in its community, the effective ones do so in the following three levels:

1. Charity - This level focuses on provid ing assistance for immediate needs. Most Latino churches expend their efforts and budget at this level. Examples are:

• Food bank

• Clothes closet

• Utility or rent assistance

• Funeral expense Jesus said we will always have the poor with us, so it is perfectly biblical for churches to “do good.” We don’t want to eliminate charity, but we do want to en hance and expand it. I have seen over and over how Latino churches are mentored in their cities by the Regional Conference African American congregations.

2. Certification - A smaller percentage of churches provides training that can help persons improve their situations. ESL classes, job training, job fairs, and comput er skills are all examples of certification. The objective here is that the people who are in need can acquire skills and connec tions that can help them go to another lev el. This level is harder for them to achieve because of language constraints and access to services. Once again, partnership is key.

3. Change Systems - An even smaller percentage of churches work in this third level, especially in Hispanic churches where human trafficking is a very real problem. This level works through word and deed to address systemic deficiencies. If these systems were improved or trans formed, opportunities could increase. Then, the probability of people continuing in generational, vicious cycles of poverty, abuse and neglect, could decrease.

Since this is where the need is the great est, I would encourage African American churches in the community close to a Hispanic church to mentor the pastors to “navigate the waters;” to help pastors un derstand processes and methods to effect change. Take him or her under your wing and help them process the fear and con cern of speaking out. Using our influence and voice to address the abuse, injustice, and system dysfunction is, I believe, not just an option but a mandate.

Consider this quote from Mrs. White: “A religion that leads men to place a low estimate upon human beings, whom Christ has esteemed of such value as to give Himself for them; a religion that would lead us to be careless of human needs, sufferings, or rights, is a spurious religion. In slighting the claims of the poor, the suffering, and the sinful, we are proving ourselves traitors to Christ. It is because men take upon themselves the name of Christ, while in life they deny His character, that Christianity has so little power in the world. The name of the Lord is blasphemed because of these things” (Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, Page 137).

Find a Hispanic pastor. Bless them with

the gift of knowledge. The partnership has just begun. Let’s strengthen it and… Be intentional.

Be bold. Be like Jesus. 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 hus band of one, and a pastor to many. He has served in the ministry for more than 28 years. One of six pastors in his fam ily, 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. Hernán dez 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.

Jesus said we will always have the poor with us, so it is perfectly biblical for churches to “do good.

MRS. BARBARA WARREN

Baby Barbara said hello to life May 4, 1937. Being reputedly the first baby born in the Riverside Sani tarium in Nashville, Tennessee, delivered by Dr. T.R.M. Howard, her birth called for splendid cel ebration.

Her birth brought joy to her mother, Mrs. Harriet Slater Moseley, and her father, Elder Calvin E. Moseley, who was the first African-American to chair the Religion Department at Oakwood College (now Oakwood University) and first pas tor of color the for the Oakwood College Church. Mother Moseley was the campus nurse, having graduated from Hinsdale Nursing School. Their first daughter, twoyear-old Harriet Ann, had also been await ing the arrival of her new sister.

Barbara graduated from Oakwood Elementary School, Oakwood Academy and attended Oakwood College through her sophomore year. She transferred to Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University) for her junior and senior years when her dad was called to the General Conference. The family lived in walking distance to CUC in Takoma Park, Maryland. Her sister had been the first African-American to enroll there. Barbara graduated from CUC/WAU. Her student years at Oakwood Academy and Oakwood College characterized her as intelligent in her studies while voted by her peers as best “personality” with “enthusiasm” and in “leadership.” To this day, her school-mates reminisce about preferring her to play the piano for skating because of her rhythm with the keyboard.

Having met her special friend, Mervyn Warren, before transferring to CUC, she and Merv married upon her graduation while he was attending the SDA Semi nary also located in Takoma Park before it was relocated to the campus of Andrews University. When her husband complet ed graduate studies at Andrews, they both returned to Oakwood, where he began teaching in the Religion Department. To their marriage were born Mervyn E.; Karis and Shana. Barbara exemplified her per sonal dedication to child development by staying at home until the last of her three children started elementary school. (At the time, a Child Development Center did not exist on the OU campus).

Barbara earned her Master of Science degree from Alabama A&M University with straight As (summa cum laude) and taught in the Home Economics Depart ment (later Family and Consumer Sci ence) for 32 years. Her specialty: Early Childhood Education. This helped her in becoming a major force if not the inau gurator of Oakwood University’s Child De velopment Lab.

Her hobbies were cooking, brisk walk ing, playing “Scrabble,” and thinking of ways to raise funds to improve self-securi ty, and contribute to the church, Oakwood University and charity.

Immediate family surviving her passing are Mervyn A. Warren, husband; Mervyn E., son; Karis, daughter; Shana War ren-Byers and Timothy, daughter and sonin-law; Ashlee Byers, Asia Byers, Autumn Byers, Ayana Byers, Imani Dobson, and Shelli Warren, granddaughters; Malachiae

Warren and Michael Dobson, grandsons, and Sage, great granddaughter; Harriet Keith, sister; Lori Keith Fullard and Lar ry, niece and nephew, and Karmen Keith, niece. t

Special Thanks to the Warren family from Re gional Voice magazine for sharing this loving tribute to the beautiful and innovative life of Mrs. Barbara Warren.

MRS. WINIFRED BAILEY RIVERS

Winifred Carmen Rose ta Bailey was born on October 25, 1929, at home on 125th Street in Harlem, New York. Her parents were Lambert Augustus Bailey and Estava Maughn Bailey, who were high ranking officers in the Salvation Army, and already parents of five chil dren, Cecil, Ruby, Doris, Mabel and Enid. Despite having the obligatory French horn during “street ministries,” Winifred’s in terest in the piano increased. Her parents recognized her interest in music early and allow her to take piano lessons at a very young age.

Upon graduation from the renowned Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C., her parents were sent back to New York, where, after an evangelistic effort by Elder Jeffries, Winifred was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. While continuing to support her parents’ minis try on Sundays at the Salvation Army, she also served at both the Ephesus and City Tabernacle SDA Churches, where she met some her lifelong friends, including Ruby Charles, who later married Gilbert Foster. While playing for many groups and choirs, she heard a beautiful bass voice, which belonged to her future husband, Beryl Thomas Rivers. They married in June 1956 and headed for Huntsville. Beryl enrolled at Oakwood, and Winfred began her career at the Redstone Arsenal. Over time, they became the parents of Theo dore, Gerald, Linda and Beverly.

An African-American woman getting hired at a military base in the South, in 1956, was unheard of. Getting that job was only “the Lord.” After taking the person nel test, her scores were so high that she was hired sight unseen, so her employers were quite surprised to see that she was

Black. It was challenging being one of the very few African-American secretaries on the base. However, once they got to know her, she was highly sought after for the hardest assignments. She played at several Sunday churches to supplement the family’s income, and was honored when asked to play for the Oakwood College Church and the Aeolians.

Beryl as the pastor and Winfred as the Minister of Music, and often choir director, were blessed to serve numerous congregations in the New York area. She played in a tent effort in New York with Pastor E.E. Cleve land. The couple was commissioned as “missionaries” to Bermuda, and later served at the Emmanuel Temple in Buffalo, New York, where she met another lifelong friend, Elaine Willis McKnight.

From Buffalo, Winifred and her family moved to Bakersfield, California, and from there to Loma Linda. While grieving the loss of both of parents, she relocated back to Huntsville in 1975. She resumed her role as organist for the Oakwood College Church, with Pastor E.C. Ward. She also went back to work at

the Redstone Arsenal and played at the Post Church on Sundays.

In 1976, she accepted the call from Luther R. Palmer to be his executive secretary at the Allegheny East Con ference. After two years, she took a position at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in the ADRA office. Winifred was often requested to play for morning wor ship, conferences and retreats. She ministered at the First SDA Church on Sabbath, and the Florida Avenue Baptist Church on Sundays. She even had the opportunity to play at the White House. It wasn’t long before Elder Charles D. Brooks asked her to be the organist for the Breath of Life Evangelistic Crusade at the Warner Theater. In addition to serving as a musician, she often filled in as Bible worker, counselor and administrator.

In 1981, she received an invitation to be an executive secretary to the president, and to help create the infrastructure for the new South eastern Conference in Orlando, Florida, with Elder James Edgecombe as the inaugural president. During this time she was recruited to be the Minister of Music, choir director,

piano and voice teacher at the Mt. Sinai SDA Church. She also served with Dr. Carlton Byrd at the Berean SDA Church in Atlanta.

Returning to Huntsville in 1992, Winifred joined the Music De partment at Oakwood College as departmental secretary and ac companist. She happily played for Sabbath School at the Oakwood College Church, and on any given Sunday, she could be found playing at either the First Baptist Church or the St. Phillips CME Church. She immensely enjoyed playing for South Central Camp Meeting, and traveled extensively as accompanist for Elder T. Marshall Kelly.

Winfred felt that the Seventh-day Adventist Church was a blessing in her life, which ended on August 3, 2022. She prayed that she would see all of you “In That Great Gettin’ Up Morning.” t

Special Thanks to the Rivers family from Regional Voice magazine for shar ing the wonderful facts of this tribute to the beautiful, extraordinary life of Mrs. Winifred Rivers.

A Time for Reflection

MARY D. TAYLOR

(1931-2022)

Mary D. Taylor, 91,”Lucy,” as she was affectionately known, lived a beautiful and dignified life. She provided comfort, care, solace, and sanctuary for friends and family while ask ing for very little in return.

Mary was born on February 28, 1931, to Fred and Mary Beasley in Matthews, Georgia. She was well acquainted with living in the South. One night when the Klan pounced on their property, her grandmother met them at the door with a shotgun and told them, “Not tonight, boys!”

They promptly left. Mary vividly remembered her uncle from St. Louis, Missouri, sneaking her father out of Georgia under the cover of night. Once her father could support his family in St. Louis, he sent for his wife and daughters, Mary and Hattie.

Mary matriculated through the St. Lou is public school system, proudly gradu ating from Sumner High School. Short ly after high school, on December 18, 1949, she married Lamandres Taylor Sr., and to this union were born three children; Kar en, Lamandres Jr., and Bryant. Mary lived by example. While stressing the impor tance of education, she enrolled in cours es at Harris Stowe Teachers College. While she was not a college graduate, she proud ly wore the honor of six bachelor’s degrees, six master’s degrees, and one doctoral de gree in her family—celebrating the aca demic achievements of her children and grandchildren. Mary had complete confi dence her great-grandchildren would con tinue the tradition. She loved her family.

Mary attended an evangelistic tent meeting, later joined Berean SDA Church and was baptized by Charles E. Bradford. She faithfully served her church in multi ple capacities: Treasurer, Sabbath School teacher, Deaconess, Usher, and Communi ty Service Center Director. She was a com mitted and dedicated worker for the cause of Christ. While the pandemic stopped many things, one thing it did not deter her from nor prevent, was her attendance at worship services. Although online, she was faithful in watching them. She loved her church.

She had a stellar career with the United States Postal Service as a senior processor in the Data Processing Center. After work ing for 30 years, she retired at the age of 58. She loved her career.

Mary was strong, vibrant, and lived in dependently. Then, in August of 2022, her health began to decline. She became more dependent on her family, mainly her daughter, Karen. Her body slowed, but her spirit never faltered. On Monday morning, November 14, 2022, her Heavenly Father called her to rest. She peacefully departed this life in the comfort of her home, with her children by her side. She loved life un til death.

Mary was preceded in death by her par ents; Fred and Mary Beasley, best friends Bennie Mills and Eileen Nelson (The Gold

en Girls). She leaves to cherish her mem ory three children: Karen Forbis; Laman dres Taylor Jr. (Aretta), and Bryant Taylor (Tara); sister Hattie Slater and dear friend and neighbor Lottie Lewis. Her four grandchildren include: Monique Forbis; George Fobis (Briggitte); Gerald Taylor (April), and Lauren Taylor. She also leaves three great-grandchildren: Abraham, Jor dan and Christian Taylor, along with a host of family and friends. t

Special Thanks to Associate Editor Dr. Bryant Taylor and his family from Regional Voice magazine for sharing this narrative from the beautiful, godly life of their mother, grand mother and great-grandmother, Mrs. Mary D. Taylor.

ACTIVATE: A CALL TO SACRIFICE LIKE JESUS

BY CLAUDIA M. ALLEN

Welcome back to another installment of “Acti vate,” a column explor ing contemporary social justice issues through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. In today’s column, you’ll learn that activating a social justice that resembles that of Jesus is going to require us to sacrifice as He did. To activate a social justice that rebukes op pression, restores oppressed people, and replaces oppressive systems, we must be willing to sacrifice our flesh and our privileges. In fact, attempting to live the activism of Jesus is incomplete unless you are willing to sacrifice your life.

Huey P. Newton speaks to this point in his memoir. He takes the reader on a powerful journey with his own comingof-age story. Newton begins as many revolutionaries do—in prison with a manifesto. Titled, “Revolutionary Suicide: The Way of Liberation,” Newton shares an epiphany he received while in soli tary confinement awaiting trial for the murder of Officer John Frey. Sitting in his cell, Newton somehow got his hands on a copy of the May 1970 issue of Ebony magazine. In this issue there was an ar ticle written by Lacy Banko summariz ing the research of Dr. Herbert Hendin.

At the time, Dr. Hendin had recently conducted research on suicide among African Americans in some major Amer ican cities. While reading this article, Newton also began to reflect on the work of Emile Durkheim, a French so ciologist who published the pivotal text Suicide in 1897. Newton shared that “to Durkheim all types of suicide are relat

ed to social conditions. He maintains that the primary cause of suicide is not individual temperament but forces in the social environment. In other words [according to Durkheim], suicide is caused primarily by external factors, not internal ones.” Newton labels this kind of suicide “revolutionary suicide,” when “a man takes his own life in response to social conditions that overwhelm him and condemn him to helplessness.”

In thinking about the life of a revo lutionary, Newton realizes that every revolutionary, (by committing their lives to the cause of justice), commits a kind of suicide—revolutionary suicide. In his manifesto Newton defines revolutionary suicide as the decision to believe it is better to:

“Oppose the forces that would drive me to self-murder than endure them. Although I risk the likelihood of death, there is at least the possibility, if not the probability, of changing intolerable conditions. This possibility is important, because much in human existence is based upon hope without any real understanding of the odds. . Revolutionary suicide does not mean that I and my comrades have a death wish; it means just the opposite. We have such a strong desire to live with hope and human dignity that existence without them is impossible.”

For Newton, the revolutionary, the activist, the liberator, is one who must embrace the requirement of revolution ary suicide because he believes that to truly activate justice in the Earth, one must be willing to commit to the cause of justice, the process of justice, the

demonstration of justice even if such demonstrations result in your death. With a contemporary cultural inter pretation of the text, some readers could find Jesus making a similar declaration.

In John 10:17-18 Jesus says, “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have the power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Fa ther” (NKJV).

One could read this and posit that Jesus is both exemplifying and advo cating a kind of revolutionary suicide that is pleasing to God the Father. Has Jesus deemed sin and the social inequi ties perpetuated by the Roman Empire and Jewish legislatures a force that would drive one to self-murder? Has seeing those with leprosy living on the margins, the widows struggling with poverty, and the hungry continuously ignored caused the Savior to believe the best solution to a life without hope and human dignity is death?

On the contrary, in Christ we do not have to commit revolutionary suicide. We do not have to look at the external factors of inflation, racism, sexual ha rassment, poverty, food deserts, illitera cy, and the criminalization of black chil dren and see death as the only option to our helplessness.

We must be clear. Jesus did not com mit suicide. Jesus conquered death, hell, and the grave by allowing the State to crucify Him. When the God of the uni verse permitted fallen humanity to cru cify Him by giving Himself over to them,

He overcame every trial and tribulation humanity would ever face in this world. Jesus’ sacrifice of His power, His privilege, and His proximity to the Father gave Him new permissions that serve as the fuel to this admonition to His disciples: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NKJV).

In other words, because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we can have peace about our earthly trials. We live with the hope that because Christ has overcome every single thing in this world, one day we too will overcome this world and reign with Him in eternity.

For now, I want you to pray and reflect on the following questions:

1. Where can I sacrifice my power, priv ilege, or proximity for the advancement of someone else who is less fortunate than I am?

2. Where am I struggling with hopeless ness and the need to be reminded of the sacrifice of Jesus so that I may have the peace of God and the hope of His Second Coming?

If we can reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus, then we’ll have clarity on the kinds of sac rifices we need to make to activate justice on behalf of others. We will also gain clar ity on the sacrifices we don’t need to make, because our Savior has already made the greatest sacrifice on our behalf. t

tificates from the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Howard University School of Divinity.

Claudia M. Allen is the Community Outreach Super visor for the Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity in Columbia, Mary land. Claudia is a Lay Pastor at Emmanuel Brinklow SDA Church, with a Master of Arts degree from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Andrews University. She also holds cer

REFERENCES

1. Newton, Huey P. Revolutionary Suicide New York: Penguin Books, 2009. Print. p. 1-6

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

Bryant Taylor, D.Min., is Communication Director for the Southern Union of Sev enth-day Adventists and Editor of Southern Tidings maga zine. Also Associate Editor of Regional Voice magazine, he coordinated this coverage.

THE U.S. COVID-19 CRISIS

GOD-INSPIRED LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE PANDEMIC

BY TIM ALLSTON

When President Biden and Dr. Fauci in mid-2022 said that COVID-19’s two-year pandemic phase was over, God instead told Tim Allston to move forward and fill in the breach. The result is his latest bestsel ler, THE U.S. COVID-19 CRISIS: What was Experienced in 2020? What was Learned in 2021? What Now?

These print/digital/audiobooks contain lessons to be used in your ministry, to help folks understand how to overcome daily challenges. In THE U.S. COVID-19 CRISIS, Allston uses Biblically-inspired lessons on how he survived C-19, which can be used by others to navigate their daily lives.

“The 97,000,000 American C-19 victims-turned-survivors might be your congre gants, ministry leaders, family members, or friends. Or even you.

“I’m offering to you ministers and church ministry leaders a complimentary digi tal copy of this book, in the hope that some of you may see the value of using this as a teaching tool for your congregants,” explained the former Regional Voice Magazine managing editor.

“Additionally, if you feel that this book has value as a learning tool or ‘conversa tion starter,’ I’m offering it also as a fundraising opportunity for your congregation, church schools, or ministry groups.”

For every paperback ($14.97) or digital book ($9.97) purchased through the www. timallston.com website, Allston will donate directly to your non-profit group a “10 percent tithe”  of either $1.50 or $1, respectively.

And as a Bonus Offering, embedded in both the paperback and digital book ver sions will be a free download of the audiobook version—making it an attractive two-for-one price bonus for this 61-page book.

This best-selling book has resonated with folks worldwide. It is currently in the

top 1 percentile of Amazon’s worldwide bestseller rankings.

But it has special value for church peo ple in understanding how to see current events and newsmakers with Biblical in sights that can be applied to one’s every day challenges.

This is Allston’s fourth leadership book. It builds upon the momentum, trends and lessons of his previous three leadership books, which are 1. 7 Steps to Manage Ego Problems: The How-to Guide for “Somebody Else” (2017) -

a free downloadable at www.timallston. com;

2. The U.S. Coronavirus Crisis And The Rise of the “Silver-Mettle” Leaders 11 Steps Up A Silverpath (2020) and

3. U.S. Politics: The Rise of Silver-Mettle Leaders (2021). These leadership books highlight the challenges, opportunities, and value of “silver-mettle leaders.”

What’s a Silver-Mettle Leader?

A “silver-mettle leader” is a person who:

• Reports to someone in their organiza tion, (or silver);

• Performs his or her duties with char acter, fortitude, and courage (mettle); and • Is fruitful in their responsibilities NOT because of their title or position, but through their influence and relation ships (leader).

Silver-mettle leaders or SMLs are those often un-noticed and lightly-regarded leaders from the middle, responsible for “making sure the trains run on time” for their organizations—such as their homes, social groups, workplaces, or places of worship.

There has never been a better time or opportunity than right now to write, publish, and share your life experiences with the hope that others will benefit from your lessons learned.

“God has given each of us life - and therefore a life-story - that is as unique as a snowflake or a fingerprint,” said Allston, a multiple Amazon best-selling author. More specifically, God has allowed you and me our own unique series of experi ences and exposures, for us to share as stories with others - especially our victories over hardships, hurts, and pain, he continued.

As Pastor Rick Warren said in his Purpose-Driven Life: “God never wastes a hurt! In fact, your greatest ministry will most likely come out of your greatest hurt. . .  Who could better help an alcoholic recover than someone who fought that demon and found freedom? . .

“The very experiences that you have resented or regretted most in life - the ones you’ve wanted to hide and forget - are the experiences God wants to use to help others. They are your ministry!

“For God to use your painful experiences, you must be willing to share them. You have to stop covering them up, and you must honestly admit your faults, failures and fears. Doing this will probably be your most effective ministry. People are always more encour aged when we share how God’s grace helped us in weakness than when we brag about our strengths.”

Create your own 1st Audiobook in just Seven Steps

According to a New York Times survey, 81% of adult Americans say they want to write a book; yet, less than one percent actually do so.

And of those who write and publish a book, only seven percent turn theirs into the wide open market of audio books!

Now, you can become one of those seven-percenters who create an audiobook in just seven steps:

1. Once you finish your story’s rough draft;

2. Simply read it out loud to hear how it would sound to your readers;

3. And then, simply read it aloud again -

4. But this time, read it into a recording device;

5. Then, send it to an editor to clean it up; and

6. Presto! You now have an audiobook to reach people on the go -  driving, riding, commuting, housekeeping, or just relaxing!”

7. And again, remember: There’s a lot to be learned, and exchanged when you share your life experiences in books. Your writing and narrating will extend well beyond your local congregation! t

Yes, such organizations can make it for a short time without their top leaders but none can either thrive or even survive without their leaders from the middle. Oftentimes and perhaps unbeknownst to many SMLs, they succeed by follow ing the servant leadership model of Je sus Christ, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, . . .” Matthew 20:28. This member of the fully-divine Holy Trinity chose to descend to earth, become fully human and die to save hu manity. Summarily, there could be no US without JES-US - being #One at being #Two!

In THE U.S. COVID-19 CRISIS, Allston recaps his own unique SML perspective with chapters that draw their lessons from Biblical references:

• Was this COVID-19 Crisis God’s Dress Rehearsal? (Chapter 1)

• The 2020 Rise and 2021 Fall of An drew Cuomo in Three Steps (Chapter 4);

• Single Moms: The Invisible Silver Mettle “She-roes” (Chapter 6); and

• “Want-to-preneurs”: Get Ready for the “Roarin’ 2020s”! (Chapter 8).

All four books are available for pur chase at www.timallston.com; but to re ceive your complimentary digital copy of THE U.S. COVID-19 CRISIS, or to inquire about bulk orders, contact Tim Allston directly at either 256-212-0949 or at in fo@timallston.com, and use the promo code “PELC2023.” t

Tim Allston, former Manag ing Editor of Regional Voice magazine, has completed ma ny interviews and reports. His latest offering is a book of in sights based on his experienc es with COVID-19, designed to help others.

For every paperback ($14.97) or digital book ($9.97) purchased using a unique promo code and purchased through the www.timallston. com website, author Tim Allston will donate directly into your non-profit group a “10% tithe” of either $1.50 or $1, respectively.

To receive your complimentary digital copy of THE U.S. COVID-19 CRISIS, or to inquire about bulk orders, contact Tim Allston directly at either 256-212-0949 or at info@timallston.com Use

RECKONING WITH THE PAST : A RETROSPECTIVE ON THE 1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE

BY BYRON DULAN

This title is taken from the theme of the June 2021 National Geographic magazine that gives a comprehensive perspective of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, one hundred years after the event.

The Tulsa Oklahoma riot and massacre took place when a mob of white citizens killed an estimated 300 black citizens and burned down the Greenwood District of the town. This happened more than 101 years ago. The massacre was possibly the worst expression of hatred and pure evil in the ra cial history of the United States of America. In the immediate aftermath of the event, authorities did little or nothing to bring the perpetrators to justice, to compensate for the loss of homes and businesses or even to ex hibit regret for what was done.

As many racial stories begin in America, this event started with a lie that a black teen ager sexually accosted a white teenager in a building elevator. When the dust settled, it turned out that the boy merely stepped on or stumbled over the girl’s foot. The lie was passed from mouth to mouth and was eventually published in the white newspaper. The boy was arrested. Subsequently a lynch mob showed up at the jail house. Black citi zens also showed up to resist any attempt by the mob to break into the jail and lynch the boy—without a trial. Shots were fired and the race war began. But it was a one-sided battle.

The police and National Guard aided the white citizens in killing blacks and burning down the black section of town. Even though 101 years have elapsed, the details of the massacre are still startling. A white mob burned 1,115 black homes, numerous business and other properties including 41 groceries and meat markets, 30 restaurants, five hotels and 11 boarding and rooming houses. The mob looted 314 homes, burned several churches and a school—with an estimated 300 deaths and 714 injuries. The Oklahoma National Guard was called, not to stop the massacre, but to quarantine the blacks in internment camps, allowing whites to continue burning and looting the Greenwood District, now known as Black Wall Street .1

As a child, I heard about the event through whispers of conversation from family mem bers who were living during that time. My mother lived in Muskogee, about 40 miles southeast of Tulsa, and one of my uncles narrowly escaped the shootout with his life. What has always been puzzling to me is the closely guarded secrecy, maintained even by black folk, and their reluctance to reveal the truth of what happened.

“For nearly 80 years, the city of Tulsa was haunted by silence over what had happened. Black survivors who’d returned to rebuild kept quiet about the massacre. City leaders, calling the rampage an embarrassment,

The Tulsa Oklahoma riot and massacre took place when a mob of white citizens killed an estimated 300 black citizens and burned down the Greenwood District of the town.

covered it up. Local newspaper accounts, many of which were biased, were torn out of the University of Tulsa archives. 2

In reading many of the accounts of the event published during the last 30 years, I failed to realize that a black Seventh-day Adventist church was one of the houses of worship that was burned. This was re vealed by the National Geographic exposé. Here’s my question: Why did it take 100 years to reveal that an SDA church was destroyed in this racial disaster? It seems reasonable to me that such a catastrophe should have been heralded throughout our then small denomination and assistance in recovery supplied. I began digging through Adventist journals to find some reference to the massacre and what response the church requested of its members. Sadly, I found nothing. That silence is the point of this article.

It is interesting that the Southwestern Union Record ran an article written by El der H.J. Miller, the leading black minister in the Oklahoma Conference, giving a glowing picture of the growth of the black

work in Tulsa in 1920.3 The article reports a 66 percent increase in tithe and an 82 per cent increase of total funds remitted to the conference in 1920 over those sent in 1919 by the combined black membership. It is obvious that the “Colored Churches” of the conference— Guthrie, Muskogee, Oklaho ma City and Tulsa—were doing very well financially during this period. 4

I expected to find at least one note in the Adventist Review and Herald on the event, but there was no such item. The Adventist Archives have only 24 issues of the Review between June 2, 1921, and October 5, 1922, in its on-line archives. Amazingly, there is no mention of the worst race massacre among blacks in the history of America. However, there are ardent appeals for the China Relief Fund (June 2, 1921) and the European Relief fund (June 23, 1921) in these issues.

Were blacks exempted from the pages of the Review? No. On the contrary, there was a general appeal from the General Confer ence Committee for offerings to “Advance the work among the colored people in the South” in the October 5, 1922 issue. There is an article about the colored work in At lanta in the December 22, 1921 issue; a re port from Oakwood in the January 26, 1922 issue and a report on the North American Negro Department by William Hawkins Green, Secretary of the Department, in the June 15, 1922 issue, barely one year after the massacre. But there is nothing but silence about the massacre. There was also an im mediate call for funds to rebuild the Dime Tabernacle in Battle Creek, which burned down on January 7, 1922, in the January 26, 1922, issue of the Review

This research leads me to believe that either the event was totally missed in the news coverage of that time or reporting on it was deemed “toxic.” Therefore, silence and fear ruled the day. Our collective si lence on this issue is uncharacteristic for Adventist publications, which have pointed out the sins of social movements and sov ereign governments and chronicled natu ral and manmade disasters throughout our history.

Sadly disappointed with the “white” publications of our church during that era, I turned to the black journal of record during that time, the Gospel Herald. This official journal of the Negro Department of the North American Division of Sev enth-day Adventists was then published at Oakwood. Again, to my disappointment, the July 1921 issue of the Gospel Herald and all subsequent issues contained nothing. I quickly learned why. The Superintendent (President) of Oakwood was J.I. Beardsley,

a white man and the editor of the Herald. He was not a person of color. This silence is another reminder that in a structurally and systemically racist society, color alters perceptions of what is considered news worthy and what demands a just response. But silence has a cost.

The work among black people in Okla homa was severely affected by the mas sacre and it is questionable as to whether it has recovered even now. The Bethel Seventh-day Adventist Church, a black church, was burned down by a white mob. The denomination neither said nor did anything about it. Shame. No recognition of neglect has been noted and no apology has been given. But that is not the biggest mistake. When we as a people ignore pub lic atrocities and fail to speak up for those injured physically, mentally and spiritually, we misrepresent the picture and nature of the Godhead. The silence of our church in this instance is also a reminder that all people, and black people in particular, need to have a voice and need to be un afraid to exercise it in the face of injustice.

I am happy to see the leadership of many of our conferences, unions and in this division issuing statements regarding egregious events of brutality, violence, sex ism or racism in society today. Something needs to be said. But are words enough? No. Sometimes the church must also mo bilize itself to reach out to those who are hurting.

As the people of God, we still have a lot of work to do in reckoning and reconciling ourselves with the past. May God give us the faith and courage to break that silence of the past. t

REFERENCES

1. National Geographic, June 2021, pp. 0,71 bid., p. 77

2. Southwestern Union Record, January 11, 1921, Volume 20, Number 2 pp. 6,7

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

Byron Dulan is Vice President for Regional Affairs in the North Pacific Union Conference.

Bryant Taylor, D.Min., is Com munication Director for the Southern Union of Seventh-day Adventists and Editor of Southern Tidings magazine. Also Associate Editor of Regional Voice maga zine, he coordinated this coverage.

"Little Africa on fire, Tulsa Race Riot, June 1, 1921"

Photograph: Library of Congress

RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS INFECTION (RSV) IN INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN

RSV can be dangerous for some infants and young children. Each year in the United States, an es timated 58,000-80,000 children younger than 5 years old are hos pitalized due to RSV infection.

Those at greatest risk for severe illness from RSV include:

• Premature infants

• Infants, especially those 6 months and younger

• Children younger than 2 years old with chronic lung disease or congenital (pres ent from birth) heart disease

• Children with weakened immune sys tems

• Children who have neuromuscular dis orders, including those who have difficulty swallowing or clearing mucus secretions

Severe RSV Infection

Virtually all children get an RSV infection by the time they are 2 years old. Most of the time RSV will cause a mild, cold-like illness, but it can also cause severe illness such as:

• Bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung)

• Pneumonia (infection of the lungs)

One to two out of every 100 children younger than 6 months of age with RSV infection may need to be hospitalized.

Those who are hospitalized may require oxygen, IV fluids (if they aren’t eating and drinking), and/or mechanical ventilation (a machine to help with breathing). Most improve with this type of supportive care and are discharged in a few days.

Early Symptoms of RSV

RSV may not be severe when it first starts. However, it can become more severe a few days into the illness. Early symptoms of

RSV may include:

• Runny nose

• Decrease in appetite

• Cough, which may progress to wheezing or difficulty breathing

RSV in Very Young Infants

Infants who get an RSV infection almost always show symptoms. This is different from adults who can sometimes get RSV infections and not have symptoms. In very young infants (less than 6 months old), the

only symptoms of RSV infection may be:

• Irritability

• Decreased activity

• Decreased appetite

• Apnea (pauses in breathing more than 10 seconds)

Fever may not always occur with RSV in fections. t

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

THE LATEST STATISTICS

GLOBAL AND USA VIEWS

639,132,486

GLOBAL CONFIRMED CASES 639,132,486

GLOBAL CONFIRMED DEATHS 216

COUNTRIES, AREAS OR TERRITORIES

WITH CASES

Last update: November 30, 2022

DATA PROVIDED FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)

USA

Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, November 30, 2022.

What You Should Do if Your Child is at High Risk for Severe RSV Infection

RSV season in most regions of the U.S. starts in the fall and peaks in the winter.

If you have contact with an infant or young child, especially those who were born prematurely, have chronic lung or heart disease or a weakened immune system, you should take extra care to keep the infant healthy by doing the following:

• Wash your hands often

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and help young children do the same. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Washing your hands will help protect you from germs.

• Keep your hands off your face

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Germs spread this way.

• Avoid close contact with sick people

Avoid close contact, such as kissing, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who have cold-like symptoms.

• Cover your coughs and sneezes

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the trash afterward.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces

Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that people frequently touch, such as toys, doorknobs, and mobile devices. When people infected with RSV touch surfaces and objects, they can leave behind germs. Also, when they cough or sneeze, droplets containing germs can land on surfaces and objects.

• Stay home when you are sick

If possible, stay home from work, school, and public areas when you are sick. This will help protect others from catching your illness.

98,481,551

CASES

CDC | Updated: November 30, 2022, 4:10 PM EST USA

TOTAL DEATHS (At 1,075,779) CDC | Updated: November 30, 2022, 4:10 PM EST USA 37,635,032 — UPDATED BOOSTER DOSES ADMINISTERED

CDC | Updated: November 30, 2022, 4:10 PM EST

TOP 20 STATES - CASES

TOTAL VACCINE ADMINISTERED

DATA PROVIDED FROM THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) Updated: November 23, 2022.

California 11,474,293

Texas 8,066,481 Florida 7,239,181 New York 6,551,954 Illinois 3,877,441 Pennsylvania 3,360,797 North Carolina 3,275,343 Ohio 3,227,759 Georgia 2,942,747 Michigan 2,938,443 New Jersey 2,848,609 Tennessee 2,384,048 Arizona 2,337,547 Virginia 2,149,512 Massachusetts 2,109,719 Indiana 1,959,421 Wisconsin 1,926,437 Washington 1,859,858 South Carolina 1,735,351 Minnesota 1,707,968

TOP 20 STATES - DEATHS

State/Territory Death Rate

California 97,489 Texas 91,928 Florida 82,875 New York 74,152 Pennsylvania 48,387 Georgia 41,070 Ohio 40,466 Illinois 40,303 Michigan 40,085 New Jersey 35,129 Arizona 31,751 Tennessee 28,293 North Carolina 27,371 Indiana 5,138 Virginia 22,418 Massachusetts 22,397 South Carolina 18,707 Wisconsin 15,608 Washington 14,705 Minnesota 14,039

DATA SOURCE – WORLDOMETER November 30, 2022.

Cliff Harris DAP Co-Director

Jayzlyn was in a medicallyinduced coma for several days and went through medical procedures to help drain fluid from her brain.

A WALKING MIRACLE

BY LATASHA HEWITT

One afternoon not too long ago, seven-yearold Jayzlyn Yeboah de parted school with her sister Jenyl. She was attempting to cross the street when she was struck by a car. Immediately, her sister ran the short distance home to get their grandmother while others called emergency services.

A teenager who was also on the scene rushed to Jayzlyn to administer CPR, a certification he had just earned. This preserved Jayzlyn’s life while they wait ed for the ambulance to arrive. Once at the hospital, doctors quickly assessed her condition and were not hopeful that Jayzlyn would survive. Her head injuries were so severe, they predicted that if she did survive, she would lose her ability to see and speak. They prepared her par ents, Afia Johnson and Dickson Yeboah, for the worst. The parents immediate ly reached out to their pastor, Appiah Kwartang, and church family, the Phila delphia Ghana Church, for prayer.

Jayzlyn was in a medically-induced coma for several days and went through medical procedures to help drain fluid from her brain. Even after her condition was stabilized, doctors still predicted that she would be brain dead and blind, but the family remained prayerful

One day, due to trauma from the ac cident, Jayzlyn’s tongue began to swell. The swelling was so severe it protruded

PHOTOGRAPHY BY APPIAH KWARTENG AND JOSEPH AMPONG

HOPE SERIES

out of her mouth and over her bottom lip. Doctors informed her parents that this could cause serious complications with her condition. As they had done so many times before, Jayzlyn’s parents so licited the prayers of their church fam ily. The church members came togeth er for a special season of prayer, and that same evening the swelling in her tongue went down. Her parents and the church family grew in confidence that God was indeed listening to their prayers.

This was evidenced even more when one day Jayzlyn’s father was outside their home and ran into one of their neighbors. The neighbor introduced himself to Mr. Yeboah and informed him that he was a brain surgeon and he had heard about Jayzyln’s prognosis. He went on to volunteer to treat and mon itor Jayzlyn’s progress for free, saving the family thousands of dollars.

After six months of hospitalization, Jayzlyn was finally able to go home. She underwent physical and speech thera py for several months, and now, almost two years later, she has made great strides. Even though the accident oc curred near the beginning of Jayzlyn’s second-grade year, which prevented her from being in school, she was still able to test into the third grade the follow ing year.

Jayzlyn’s family was not able to cele brate her return home due to the pan demic, but recently their church was able to host a special Thanksgiving Service. The family was able to share how God had blessed them through the whole ordeal, from the hospital to her academic improvements.

The highlight of the celebration came when Jayzlyn, who was seated in the congregation, stood and walked several feet to the front of church.

Emotions were high as attendees re sponded with acts of praise. Jayzlyn represented a direct answer to their prayers, as they witnessed a young girl—who doctors predicted would be brain dead and lame—walk and address the crowd. She is truly a walking mir acle. t

Hewitt is Com munication Director for the Allegheny East Con ference of Seventh-day Adventists.

LaTasha

Photography by Appiah Kwarteng

PHOTOGRAPHY BY APPIAH KWARTENG AND JOSEPH AMPONG

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