WE BID FAREWELL TO STALWART LEADERS AND MOTHERS IN ISRAEL
REGIONAL CONFERENCE AND INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION LEADERS HOLD SUMMIT
EARTHQUAKES! HOW YOU CAN HELP
This NBC Television Special, in collaboration with the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission (IBC), will feature a special Easter message from Pastor Debleaire Snell, Speaker/ Director of the Breath of Life Television Ministry and Senior Pastor of the Oakwood University Church in Huntsville, Alabama. This special will also feature Grammy Award-winning musical artist, CeCe Winans, along with Dove Award-winning artists, Selah and violinist, Patrick Bogui.
Watch on NBC on April 9, 2023
For a list of stations and times, call 256.929.6460 or visit breathoflife.tv
CECE WINANS SELAH PATRICK BOGUI
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
DR. 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
Ihave known Elder Kelly all of my life. We were both from the same place: Cleveland, Ohio. I may also be one of the few people who remembers his mother. She had an identical twin sister, if I remember correctly (of course, that was so long ago! And I am at the age that I may not be remembering correctly)!
Elder Kelly sang with a quartet from Cleveland that was formed when they all were teenagers. The group consisted of T. Marshall Kelly, Charles Terrell, Mylas Martin and my cousin, James Hill. I think they must have sung together for about 60 years; I used to enjoy listening to them until time did to them what time eventually does to everyone. I had the sad privilege of going to the funerals of the other three quartet members. In fact, I gave remarks or did the eulogy for two of them. Elder Kelly was the last surviving member of the group and he sang at each of their services. As a church administrator, I attend a lot of funerals. Because I have served in the territory where Elder Kelly lived, almost inevitably, he was asked to sing at many of those funerals. It was almost as if Elder Kelly was the official Adventist Funeral Soloist.
Though it became increasingly apparent toward the end of his life that he did not remain as strong as he once was, that reality did not apply to his voice. That bass voice remained rich, even until the last time I heard it. This was one of a number of things very special about him.
Elder Kelly hosted a weekly radio program called “Think it Over,” every Sabbath afternoon for years. When I worked in the South Central Conference, it was my privilege to be a guest on that program on a number of occasions. He used a studio in Huntsville, and I would go there when we would tape the programs.
I was impressed with his professionalism and his voice. His conversational tones were as impressive on radio as they were when he was singing. He also had a way of making you feel that [despite the vast audience] just you and he were talking together about Jesus. I have no doubt that there will be people saved in the kingdom of God because of Elder Kelly’s radio program.
There are two things I remember most about Elder Kelly: First, we lost my father 23 years ago to cancer. He had one of the deadliest types of the disease—pancreatic cancer. As the one of four siblings geographically closest to my parents’ home in Huntsville, I spent a lot of time shuttling back and forth between Huntsville and Nashville to take care of my father during the final weeks of his life.
With the kind permission of then-South Central Conference President, Elder Joseph McCoy, I was permitted to work from my parents’ home in Huntsville (though there was no such thing as remote work in those days, he permitted me to work remotely) during the final two weeks of my father’s life. I slept on the floor next to my father’s bed, listening to his breathing become increasingly labored—knowing it would not be much longer before he wouldn’t be breathing at all.
During one of those trips to Huntsville, when I pulled up to my parents’ home, Elder Kelly met me at the door. He was coming from my father’s bedside. He had prayed with him and now he was leaving.
As I was pulling into my parents’ driveway, Elder Kelly and I noticed the same thing: One of my tires had just gone flat. My plan was to run upstairs to my father’s room and see if he needed anything and then come back and change my tire.
Typically, Elder Kelly asked, “Would you like for me to change your tire?” The short answer I gave him was “No, thank you, Elder Kelly. I’ll change the tire after I check on Dad.”
The longer, unsaid answer was: No, Elder Kelly, you cannot change my tire because:
1. You’ve reached the age of 70—and I haven’t;
2. You have on a shirt and tie—and I don’t;
3. And most of all you’re Elder Kelly—and I’m not!
I ran up the steps to my father’s room, (I was still young enough then to do that) took care of whatever he needed and returned to change my tire. Elder Kelly was gone. And my tire was changed. I should have known he would do that because I knew Elder Kelly. That’s just who he was.
Second, I had the wonderful privilege of being around the great preachers and church administrators of my time: The very first pastor I really remember when growing up was Elder C.D. Brooks. Later on, pastors at my home church included Elders H. L. Cleveland and Walter L. Pearson. My parents were good friends with Elder and Mrs. Charles Bradford. Toward the end of her life, my mother became good friends with Mrs. Celia Cleveland. Mrs. Cleveland helped convince her husband, Elder E.E. Cleveland, that even though he and I were on opposite sides of some major issues, that I really wasn’t so bad after all. He and I eventually developed a wonderful relationship (Elder Cleveland thought so highly of Mrs. Cleveland, with good reason, that except for Lucifer, she could have convinced him that anyone wasn’t so bad).
Elder Eric Ward was probably the best church pastor I was ever around. When I was an inexperienced, unordained 27-year-old, who no one had ever heard of and who pastored one of the smallest churches in the conference, he allowed me to preach for Divine Worship at the Oakwood College Church. Elder Charles E. Dudley, who hired me and every person who has served as president of the South Central Conference for the past 30 years, was the greatest church administrator I’ve ever known. Not only did I know him as an administrator, but because my sister married
his son, I knew him as family.
Each of those great men of God influenced my life and ministry, and I am so very privileged that each of them touched my life. On some level, I wanted to be like each of them.
But while I wanted (in vain) to preach like and lead like all of those great men, the person I wanted most to be like was Elder Kelly. He was probably the kindest, most Christ-like man that I have ever met. I think that anyone who was ever around Elder Kelly knows exactly what I mean. He not only changed tires, but being around him changed people’s lives.
If you never had the privilege of being around him, today would be a good day to get to know the God Elder Kelly so obviously knew—so you can get to know Elder Kelly in the kingdom. I am sure he will be there. t
Page 4
PUBLISHER’S COMMENTARY
Remembering Elder T. Marshall Kelly
He was probably the kindest, most Christ-like man that I have ever met. I think that anyone who was ever around Elder Kelly knows exactly what I mean.
By Dana C. EdmondPage 8
COVER STORY
The Iconic Life of T. Marshall Kelly
Elder T. Marshall Kelly was truly a man of God. He was also real; he was funny; he was caring; he was the living embodiment of what a Christian should be.
By Dr. Victoria JoinerPage 14
HISTORIC SUMMIT
Regional Conference and In -
ter-American Division Leaders Meet
Their purpose? To discuss ways and means for the two groups to collaborate in mission and ministry.
By Dana C. EdmondPage 19
ORCM/RCRP NEWS
In Transition
Gerson Pancorbo is Named
ORCM/RCRP Communications Director
A native of Jaen, Spain, Brother Pancorbo holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in audiovisual communications from Valencia University in Valencia, Spain. We welcome him.
By Dana C. EdmondPage 20
ORCM/RCRP NEWS
In Transition
Brendon Henfield Joins the RCRP Treasury Team
The Regional Conference Retirement Plan (RCRP) office family recently gained a new member, Brendon Henfield. He joins the Treasury team as an accountant. We welcome him.
By Dana C. EdmondPage 21
LAKE REGION NEWS
In Transition
Kent Nichols is Elected Lake Region Conference CFO
The Conference Executive Committee has voted for Pastor Kent Nichols to serve as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for the Lake Region Conference. Lake Region Conference Administrative Press Release
Page 22
NORTHEASTERN NEWS
In Transition
Brian S. McDonald Elected Northeastern Conference Treasurer/ CFO
The Conference Executive Committee has voted for Elder Brian S. McDonald to serve as the Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer and for the Northeastern Conference.
Northeastern Conference Administrative Press Release
Page 23
SOUTH CENTRAL NEWS
In Transition
Angela Walton Voted South Central Conference Superintendent of Education
Mrs. Angela Walton has been voted to the position of Superintendent of Education by the South Central Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Executive Committee. She was chosen to lead the Office of Education after a national search.
South Central Conference Administrative Press Release by Roger Wade
Page 24 NEWSMAKERS
Oakwood Adventist Academy
Boys’ Basketball Team—Still Champions
This 2022-2023 OAA Team may have come just short in the Alabama 1A Championship Game but at the risk of using a cliché, they are champions in the game of life.
By Dana C. EdmondPage 28
PELC 2022 REPORT
“Celebrating the Promise, Living the Hope”
The Oakwood University Church and campus in Huntsville, Alabama, welcomed more than 573 in-person pastors, chaplains, ministry leaders, ministerial spouses, and vendors from all over North America and beyond, with 166 online viewers to these enriched sessions.
Text and Photos by LaTasha Hewitt
Pages 34, 36, 38, 40 IN MEMORIAM
Dr. Daniel Honoré
Dr. Mildred Johnson
Mrs. Carolyn T. Hinson
Dr. Harold L. Lee
We pause to pay tribute to stalwart leaders and Mothers in Israel with the Honoré, Johnson, Hinson and Lee families as they bid farewell to their remarkable loved ones.
Page 44
RCRP FEATURE
Activate Your ADVANCE Plan to Finish Well
Old or young, male or female, the goal for us is to finish life, ministry and our calling with the flame of devotion to Jesus still burning bright. Here’s a plan to do that.
By Dr. Delbert W. BakerPage 48
HISTORICAL FEATURE
Byron Spears: The Walking Bible
He possessed a mighty voice, a prodigious scriptural memory and a poet’s grasp of the king’s English. B. R. Spears, proved to be a persuasive, effective messenger for God.
By Byron DulanCoverage coordinated by Dr. Bryant
Taylor
Page 52
BOOK SUMMARY
Where Jump Shots Meet Jesus
This book pairs the last five NBA dynas-
ties and their top servant leaders with best practices from the Bible. Believe it or not, winning NBA dynasties demonstrate Jesus’ service model through their top servant leaders.
By Tim AllstonPage 55
GLOBAL NEWS
The National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan
Currently, 215 million Americans are fully vaccinated, and an estimated twothirds of eligible adults have received their booster shot. Vaccinated and boosted people are 41 times less likely to die of COVID-19 than unvaccinated individuals. This report brings hope.
The White House
Page 58
HOPE SERIES
Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Brings Aid to Earthquake Region
The nations Turkiye (Turkey) and Syria have been devastated by two deadly earthquakes and hundreds of aftershocks, killing more than 50,000 and leaving four million refugees to cope. See how ADRA has responded and just how you can help.
ADRA Report
An icon is defined as “a person or thing widely admired especially for having great influence or significance in a particular sphere.”
An icon is defined as “having great influence or significance in a particular sphere.” The irony is this: Calling Elder T. Marshall Kelly an icon in the Seventh-day Adventist Church would drive him to quickly deflect that moniker away and direct any focus back to Christ. Still, that was what he truly was—an icon— widely admired, of great influence and of great significance.
Elder Thomas Marshall Kelly’s influence began 92 years ago in Cleveland, Ohio, when he was born as the only child of an Adventist couple, Louis and Mary Kelly. Though a precocious boy, unfortunately, he developed a severe stutter that made expressing himself difficult. Other children teased him, and he later spoke about a teacher who completely wrote him off and declared that he would never amount to much. But God had a much different plan for his life. His amazing baritone singing voice began to develop, and it would soon change his life.
A product of Adventist Christian education, El-
der Kelly went from Ramah Academy to Oakwood Academy and Oakwood College in the 1940s. He became featured in a quartet called “The Velvetones” that toured with Elder E. E. Rogers around the nation to recruit students for Oakwood. He transferred to Emmanuel Missionary College (now Andrews University) to receive his four-year degree in Theology in 1952. A popular student, he became the class pastor and was a charter member of a choral group called “The Collegians.” Upon graduation, he was called to serve in the Lake Region Conference, where he would pastor for 25 years.
In 1952, he married a girl he had known since kindergarten named Jean Garland. Their romance would span 63 years and produce two talented children named Eric Marshall and Karen Nadine. Marshall and Jean never had a life of ease. As a pastor’s family in the SDA church, there would be many years of relocating from one area of the Midwest to another and ministering in eight different congregations. As a young couple, they would experience the pain of a pregnancy loss. But in the midst of their sorrow, the Lord gave Marshall a song that would forever be one of his most famous – Never Doubt His Love. His lyrics, “He who sends the sunshine, He allows the rain, but never,
Elder Kelly began a recording career when
never doubt His love,” would soothe hearts of the brokenhearted for generations. God’s great love for His people would forever be a recurring theme throughout the ministry of T. Marshall Kelly.
It Takes Everything to Serve the Lord …
Elder Kelly began a recording career when it was not the most popular or even an acceptable enterprise for an Adventist pastor to conduct. The irony is that scripture is very clear that the duties of the Levites include the ministry of music. His musical gift was to be shared in “temples” around the world. In fact, his powerful, musical ministry would draw countless people to Christ in numerous evangelistic efforts and campaigns. As Ellen White said in the book Patriarchs and Prophets, “Singing, as a part of religious service, is as much an act of worship as is prayer.” Elder Kelly’s albums and performances became a part of the rich lexicon of musical ministry as he toured throughout the years with church evangelists Elder Don Jacobsen, Dr. E. E. Cleveland, Elder C. D. Brooks, Elder W. C. Scales, Jr., Elder Tim Lewis, and Elder John Carter. His songs broadcast over loudspeakers drew people to countless tent efforts— including those of my own father, Elder Murray E. Joiner’s “Big Bible Tent” meetings in Mississippi and Alabama. We will never know how many lives were changed as he ministered around the world in Canada, Bermuda, Japan, Ghana, New Zealand, Fiji, New Guinea, and South Africa. He had the honor of singing at the world-renowned Sydney Opera House in Australia.
All That Thrills My Soul is Jesus …
For more than 40 years of ministry, Elder Kelly was featured on various media outlets. His first televised appearance was on the program Faith For Today with Elder William and Virginia Fagal. He sang and spoke on the 3ABN television network over the years and was featured on The Voice of Prophecy’s Family Reunion series. He began his own talk show on Oakwood University radio station 90.1 FM WOCG/ WJOU called Think It Over. Think It Over has run continually every Sabbath afternoon for more than 44 years. It has the distinction of being the longest-running program in station history and has always started with the greatest scripture of all—John 3:16 and 17: For God so loved the world …
PASTORAL MINISTRY
Lake Region Conference
Illinois, Indiana and Michigan
Morgan Park
Fort Wayne
Springfield
Marion
tist Academy to open doors and greet each student with a courtly bow and a cheerful, “Good Morning, Miss, or Good Morning, Sir!” His music ministry continued at countless concerts, weddings, funerals, and church services. His weekly talk show never ended, even when he was commuting between Texas, California, and Alabama. Well into his 80s and early 90s, he kept up with the latest technological advances in radio broadcasting and gave weekly messages online through Zoom meetings throughout the pandemic and beyond.
And finally, one of his most cherished ministries was his gift of intercession. He spent countless hours over the years visiting the sick or calling friends, loved ones, and leaders to pray earnestly with or for them. To be the recipient of those phone calls and prayers was truly a gift from God.
All That Thrills My Soul
It Takes Everything to Serve the Lord
But even as his fame grew, Elder Kelly became even more grounded in Jesus. He never wanted accolades from people and would often shy away from award ceremonies and declined honors. He said in one of his last interviews, “I never thought that I would go some of the places I have gone. But God has never been impressed with me!” Everywhere Elder Kelly went, he lifted up Christ and Christ alone.
Never Doubt His Love – Marshall Kelly in Australia Hymns for Him For Your Encouragement
Songs of Inspiration Songs to Remember
After 25 years of pastoral ministry in the Lake Region Conference, Elder Kelly made the difficult decision to step away from the pastorate and move from Detroit, Michigan to the Tennessee Valley. He did not even have a job but felt led by the Holy Spirit to take time away to focus on his family. He had ventured into education in Chicago, where he was pastoring when he taught Bible classes at Shiloh Academy. It was a natural fit for him to continue at Oakwood Academy and Oakwood College as a teacher and chaplain. Pastor Kelly’s kindness and tender love endeared him to the students over the many years in Huntsville. At his recent memorial service, dozens of former students lined the rostrum of the Oakwood University Church to pay homage to their beloved teacher and friend.
In his latter years, he was called to pastor several churches, including congregations in Harvest and Athens, Alabama, as well as the Breath of Life and Westminster Good Samaritan churches in southern California. He tried to retire over and over again but was called back into service as a pastor and later as Interim Chaplain of Oakwood University. Early in the mornings, he would venture to Oakwood Adven-
Muncie
East St. Louis
Peoria
Shiloh – Chicago
Burns Avenue, Detroit
South Central Conference
Alabama
Harvest SDA Church
Athens SDA Church
Southern California Conference
Inglewood Breath of Life SDA Church
Southeastern California Conference
Westminster
Westminster Good Samaritan SDA Church
Educator
Shiloh Academy
Oakwood Adventist Academy
Oakwood University
Chaplain
Oakwood Adventist Academy
Oakwood University
Huntsville Hospital
Crestwood Hospital
When word came of his passing, tribute after tribute poured out across social media with one recurring theme – Elder T. Marshall Kelly was truly a man of God. We all knew he was connected completely to the Holy Spirit. Everyone repeated the same story, “When I was at my lowest, the phone would ring, and he would say, ‘The Lord placed you on my heart today, and I called to pray with you.’” It was always right on time! He was always there when we needed a word of encouragement or even a word of admonition! He was real; he was funny; he was caring; he was the living embodiment of what a Christian should be. He was not perfect, but he was always quick to ask for forgiveness. He was so generous, loving, and so very kind to the point that everyone felt as if they were members of his family.
This loss hurts. Our beloved icon rests now. He leaves to mourn this loss his son and wife Eric Marshall and Lori; daughter Nadine and husband Dane; grandson and wife Justin Marshall and Sheree; granddaughter Marissa and her mother Marci; his grandson Korey and his father, Vernon, and his great-grandchildren Adella Lynn and Charles Marshall, as well as a host of family and friends in the worldwide community of faith. Thanks be to God, we have this hope. God will swallow up death in victory, and He will wipe away all tears from our eyes. One day we will all be reunited around the throne to sing with Elder Kelly and all of the saints of God. But until then, we must pick up the mantle that Elder T. Marshall Kelly has left for us. Let us all follow after him as he followed after Christ. Let us remember to live as Elder Kelly said, “When you help somebody, don’t help them for a plaque, or for praise, or to be called a nice person. Do it for Jesus.”
“A new commandment I give to you that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34 ESV t
Victoria L. Joiner, Ed.D, is a professor, veteran broadcaster, historian, speaker, musician, writer, and mother. For more than 30 years, she and Elder Kelly served as colleagues at Oakwood University radio station WOCG-FM that later became WJOUFM.
it was not the most popular or even an acceptable enterprise for an Adventist pastor to conduct.
Richard Barron and Vivian Barron were a husband-wife team who supported the gospel commission in many fields. Upon graduation from Oakwood, the Barrons began a ministerial career that spanned 60 years which included pastoral, administrative, and chaplaincy. After retiring from the General Conference in 2003, Elder Barron became the Assistant to the President at Advent Health Sebring. He had a special place in his heart for the youth, and was known as the “Youth’s Friend.” How appropriate that he and his wife, a nurse by profession, included Oakwood University Religion and Nursing Departments in their trust for educational pursuits of young people.
� If you are interested in a living trust to support the work God has placed on your heart, please contact our Planned Giving office.
Call
256.726.7508
Miriam Battles Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving
BY DANA C. EDMOND
Gerson Pancorbo was called to serve as the Communications Director for the Office for Regional Conference Ministries (ORCM) and the Regional Conference Retirement Plan (RCRP), in early 2023.
Brother Pancorbo is a native of Jaen, Spain. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in audiovisual communications from Valencia University in Valencia, Spain. He has approximately 15 years of experience in the AV field, which includes experience both inside and outside of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He discovered that he had a passion for using the skills which God gave him to be of service to His church. His denominational service commenced in his native Spain, in the Communications Department within the Spanish Union. Upon coming to the United States, he served as a Project Leader in the Pan de
Vida Ministry. From there, he was called to the Allegheny West Conference in 2019, to serve as the Visual Ministry Specialist/Communications Director.
He arrived just in time to lead the conference into doing something they had never done before, but now had to do because of the pandemic—live stream 10 days of Camp Meeting. Allegheny West was the first Regional Conference to do so. They were excited to discover that they could reach far more people online than had attended Camp Meeting in person.
Brother Pancorbo revamped the Allegheny West website and created the television studio at the conference office. He also developed a new app for the conference. He is married to Priscila Buituron, also of Spain. They are the parents of two young children, Shiloh and Genesis. We wish the Pancorbo family God’s blessings as they take up their new endeavors. t
February 9, 2023
The Office for Regional Conference Ministries (ORCM) and the Regional Conference Retirement Plan (RCRP) office family recently gained a new member. He is Brendon Henfield and he joins the Treasury team as an accountant.
Brother Henfield is a native of Nassau, Bahamas. He is the younger of two sons.
He is also a “double” graduate of Oakwood University, having received a Bachelor of Arts in 2020 and a Master of Business Administration, with a concentration in Leadership from our school in 2022.
He follows in the footsteps of his mother, Brenda Henfield, who also served as an Accountant prior to her retirement and who is also a graduate of Oakwood University. He counts her as the major influence in his life.
It was his mother who “encouraged” him to come to Oakwood. She wanted him to attend a Seventh-day Adventist school. She advised Brendon that the Adventist school to which her money was going was Oakwood. Brendn complied and is glad that he did.
After graduating with his MBA, Brendon was told by a friend that there was an opening on the ORCM/RCRP staff. The Dean of the School of Business of Oakwood University, Dr. Ted Brown, referred him to Mrs. Yvonne Collins, the Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of RCRP and he was quickly hired.
He says that he enjoys working with
the Regional Conferences and that he especially enjoys the privilege of meeting with the office staff for staff worship each morning.
We welcome Brother Henfield to the ORCM/RCRP office family. t
Dana C. Edmond is Director of the Office for Regional Conference Ministry (ORCM). He is also publisher of Regional Voice magazine, and completed the coverage of the new ORCM/ RCRP personnel.
The Lake Region Conference Executive Committee voted for Pastor Kent Nichols to serve as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer for Lake Region Conference, effective March 1, 2023.
Kent Nichols earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Oakwood University and a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry from Andrews University. Pastor Nichols has an extensive background in finance that spans more than 25 years.
As an African-American accountant and entrepreneur, he has held the distinct honor of being a treasurer/comptroller for the city of Hopkins Park, Illinois. He has managed multimillion dollar budgets and led treasury teams of various sizes.
He is also a financial consultant and has supervised and trained various employees in financial sales and governance. As a product of the Lake Region Conference, Kent Nichols has served as a medical chaplain and senior pastor, most recently of the Ephesus and Body of Christ SDA Churches in Marion and Ft. Wayne, Indiana, respectively.
Following being voted to this new position, Pastor Nichols shared his words of appreciation. “God has amazing ways to guide our lives. He takes our talents and uses them for His glory. I am excited about working with our pastors, the treasury team, the directors, and the administration as we serve together, doing God’s work.”
Pastor Nichols is married to Abayomi Nichols and they are the parents of three young adults—Gabrielle (26), Paige (24), and Micah (23). We solicit your prayers for Pastor Nichols and his family as they enter this new role in ministry. t
This statement, For Immediate Release, was prepared by the Lake Region Conference Administration. Regional Voice magazine thanks them for this report.
January 22, 2023
February 6, 2023
The Northeastern Conference Executive Committee has elected Elder Brian S. McDonald to serve as Treasurer/CFO with immediate effect. This position was vacated when Pastor Robert Chandler accepted the invitation of the Columbia Union to serve as Assistant Treasurer.
Prior to his appointment, Elder McDonald chaired the Northeastern Conference Finance Committee. His responsibilities were wide-ranging and included reviewing the annual budget, recommending fiscal policies and overseeing financial reporting.
Elder McDonald has cultivated an extensive pedigree in financial administration. He is an experienced Certified Public Accountant and attorney who has worked in the financial sector for over two decades. His background includes auditing, corporate governance, financial compliance, risk management and tax law.
A graduate of Northeastern Academy, McDonald is a product of Christian education. He completed his undergraduate studies at City University of New York – Lehman College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, Cum Laude. Elder McDonald continued his post-graduate studies at Brooklyn Law School and was conferred the Juris Doctor degree in 2011.
A son of Northeastern and a lifelong member of the Mount Vernon Church, Elder McDonald expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve the conference that has fostered his spir-
itual development. Furthermore, he thanked Pastor Robert Chandler for his leadership and willingness to facilitate a smooth transition. He also stated, “I am committed to working to the very best of my ability to build on the successes of this great conference and tackle the challenges that lie ahead.”
We solicit the prayers of the Northeastern Conference membership on behalf of Elder McDonald, his wife Lorraine, and their three daughters as they embrace God’s call for their family. t
prepared by the Northeastern Conference Administration. Regional Voice magazine thanks them for this report.
Angela Walton has been voted to the position of Superintendent of Education by the South Central Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Executive Committee. After a national search, Walton was chosen to lead the Office of Education. She has a history of successful experience in early childhood education, elementary education, secondary education and administration.
Walton is an educator and administrator who holds a Bachelor’s degree in African American History and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She has more than 27 years of experience as an educator, with 15 of those years as an administrator in Adventist Education.
Walton previously served as an Associate Superintendent for the Georgia Cumberland Conference, specifically as the Southern Regional Director. In this role she was responsible for presiding over 12 Elementary schools in her territory.
“Walton brings a uniqueness to the South Central Conference Office of Education, due to having worked on a conference level from a different structural approach to leadership and decision-making,” commented Johnny Holliday, former Superintendent of Education. He added, “she has conveyed to me her intent to build on the present
systemic initiatives that have proven to be effective for our students and teachers. Further more, Superintendent Walton plans to challenge all stakeholders to envision and diligently work toward moving the bar higher for the students and staff in the South Central Conference schools.”
As she reflected on some of her accomplishments in her previous role, she highlighted the following:
• Establishing a Conference-wide Equity program that brought awareness to the various social, emotional, cultural and academic needs of students.
• Ensuring safe learning environments where students can thrive as learners.
• Assisting schools in restoring financial stability and community support.
• Evaluating data to develop strategic plans to improve academic excellence.
Walton is known for having a reflective, measured style of leadership that aligns with her motto, “Christ, Character and Curriculum.” She intends to utilize this style of leadership to enhance and innovate any bipartisan best practices put in place during the leadership of Interim Superintendent Johnny Holliday.
“I want to welcome Mrs. Angela Walton to our South Central Family,” said President Benjamin Jones, Jr. He continued, “I have great confidence that she will help us build on the great work that has been accomplished in the last six years in the education ministry. Christian Education is a high priority and a key factor to our future success as change agents in the Church and the world around us. We look forward to working with Mrs. Walton and our team of South Central Conference educators. Again, I welcome Mrs. Walton and her family.” t
The 2022-2023 Oakwood Adventist Academy Boys’ Basketball Team may have come just short in the Alabama 1A Championship Game (50-46). But at the risk of using a cliché, they are champions in the game of life. Last year, they were denied the opportunity to compete for the 2022 championship because they refused to play on Sabbath—principles that attracted national attention. Their cou-
The OAA 2023 Roster:
Coach: Melvin Allen
Principal: Mrs. Judy Dent
Athletic Director: Calvin Morton
The Players:
TYSEAN ALLEN
MICAH ANDREWS
CAMDEN EDMONDS
ANDREW TSOI
WILL LEWIS
JAIDEN MORTON
DYLON POGNON
CAYDEN PYFROM
JAYDEN NESBITT
JORDAN REID
AERIC REID
DAVID STILL
JONATHAN WALDEN
ELEAZAR WILLIAMS
Thank you, Oakwood Academy Mustangs, for being great representatives. Indeed, you did “Keep the Faith.”
rageous actions forced those running the tournament to change the way the competition was operated and earned the team a trip to the office of Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. While visiting her, they had an opportunity similar to Daniel and the three Hebrew Boys to share their faith. CNN picked up their story.
Led by Coach Melvin Allen, the Oakwood Mustangs returned to the 2023 tournament this year. They won the Alabama 1A Northeast Region Championship and made it all the way to the Alabama 1A Championship Game, at Legacy Arena, in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Mustangs were cheered on by a large, loud and enthusiastic crowd of proud and grateful parents, relatives and Adventist supporters from Huntsville, the Birmingham area, and from as far away as Nashville, Memphis, Cleveland, Ohio, and Maryland. The South Central Conference administration, led by President Benjamin Jones, Jr., and Chief Financial Officer, Mrs. Sonja M. Crayton, interrupted their busy schedules and traveled to Birmingham to support the team.
General Conference Counsel, Attorney Todd McFarland, who represented the school in their action against the tournament organizers who denied Oakwood the opportunity to compete last year, also came to demonstrate his support.
Buoyed by the chant from the crowd, “Keep the Faith!,” the Mustangs stormed back from an early 15-point deficit to cut the lead to three points against the multi-time champion, Covenant Christian, with 10 seconds to go.
Oakwood guard Jonathan Walden appeared to hit the game-tying three-point shot, with seconds left. But, anticipating Walden’s shot, Covenant fouled him just before he shot—nullifying the basket. The game ended a few seconds later, with Oakwood on the short end of the basketball scoreboard, but winners on God’s scoreboard.
Two Oakwood Academy players, Jaden Nesbitt and Jonathan Walden, made the All-Tournament Team. All 12 of members of the Oakwood Academy Mustangs represented themselves, their families, their school, their church, and their God, very well. t
Dana C. Edmond, Director of the Office for Regional Conference Ministry, (ORCM), is also publisher of Regional Voice Magazine. He completed this assignment with great enthusiasm and support for this outstanding team.
The Oakwood University Church and campus in Huntsville Alabama welcomed over 573 in-person pastors, chaplains, ministry leaders, ministerial spouses, and vendors from all over North American and beyond, and 166 online viewers. “Celebrating the Promise, Living the Hope” was the theme for the 2022 Pastoral Evangelism and Leadership Conference, which highlighted the second coming of Jesus in multiple ways.
PELC
Singing ensemble, Steve Manders and Decree opened the PELC festivities on Saturday evening with a concert at the Oakwood University Church. Sunday evening’s tradition of honoring stalwart leaders in the regional work continued with a special honoree program. The 2022 honorees included Byron Dulan, who served in the Pacific and North Pacific Union for over 50 years; Ricardo Graham, who mostly recently served as president of the Pacific Union Conference with close to 50 years of ministry experience; Melvyn Hayden, Jr, who recently retired from over 50 years of ministry in Allegheny East Conference; and James Lamar, Sr, who served Northeastern Conference for over 50 years.
THE PELC OVERVIEW
The opening service featured inspiring music, welcoming remarks from Debleaire Snell,
host pastor, Jesse Wilson, PELC Director, and Leslie Pollard, Oakwood University President. Tricia Wynn-Payne, a pastor in Lake Region Conference, was the opening night speaker. Monday and Tuesday included full days of activities, such as worship services, seminars, break-out sessions, and vendor visits. Attendees also had opportunities to tour updates to the Oakwood University campus, as well as the newly constructed Office of Regional Conference Ministries, building also located on the campus.
Each year the PELC experience evolves
to meet current ministry needs. One change at this year’s conference was that there was no noon worship experience. This allowed for musicians and media teams to recalibrate between services, and provided attendees more time for fellowship. Another shift was the use of predominantly Adventist musicians for the musical selections, as well as taking time to affirm the PELC praise team, which celebrated 10 years as a group.
The seminars tackled subjects related to the theme. One of those was a super session entitled, “How Social Justice Prepares Us for the Second Coming,” presented by Claudia Allen, lay pastor for Allegheny East Conference and a Community outreach Supervisor at Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity. She believed the topic was important for pastors to effectively minister to the felt needs and systemic inequities of those they serve. “Black pastors are always seeking to serve and preach to a people whose physical and social being is in a constant flux between access to opportunity and oppression. And you cannot tell someone about an invisible God when they are struggling with visible inequities,” Allen shared. Other seminar topics included, “How to Communicate the Second Coming to Youth and Young Adults,” “Best Practices for Evangelism Today,” and “Conspiracy Theories and End-Time Preaching.”
Within the schedule several groups also came together such as the Spanish ministries, ministerial pastors, bible workers and local elders. The members of the Black Adventist Youth Directors Association (BAYDA) also met. The Spanish Ministries held their program in Moran Hall’s chapel. Speakers and messages ranged from a variety of topics:
• Manuel Moral: contemporary religious movement.
• Ciro Sepulveda: the background of Adventist theology in today’s evangelism.
• Michael Castro: How to work with young people and disciple and integrate them into the work of evangelization.
• Roger Hernandez: Pastoral leadership and American myths.
• Minervino Labrador: North American Division’s evangelistic programs forthe next five years.
“I enjoyed the spirit of unity, the motivation, as well as the tools shared to reach new generations,” shared Sergio Romero, multicultural director for Allegheny West Conference. The ministerial spouses gathered in the Bradford Cleveland Brooks Leadership Center. Gi-
• Tricia Wynn-Payne: “Laundry Day”
• Keith Goodman: “Keep Calm and Carry On”
• Amanda Hawley: “It’s Okay if It’s Unclear”
• John Faison: “When Blessing You Burdens Me”
• Joseph Ikner: “Whatcha Looking At?”
• Greg Fontus: “A Singing Preacher”
• Carl Byrd: “Don’t Miss the Party”
• Carl Ming: “It was a Move of God”
anna Snell, one of the presenters reflected on her experience, “The time with the spouses was transformational. Many times, as a pastor’s spouse, we feel the need to hold our deepest pains and heartaches in because we are taking care of everyone else. It felt good to have a safe space to cry, to share and to pray.”
Snell also prayed over the women to conclude her session, something she has benefited from in the past. “I’m still here in ministry because other pastors’ spouses ministered to me, prayed for me and encouraged me when I was going through [experiences]. I was hum-
Between the morning service and the evening service,
PELC has a way of meaning different things to different people, but common threads include touches of inspiration, restoration and revitalization.
William Christopher Dykes, chaplain in Special Operations Command Airborne in Fort Bragg, North Carolina shared, “PELC 2022 was refreshing to my soul! I was able to connect and reconnect with ministry colleagues from Andrews University and Oakwood University, senior leaders, and even myself. Community is everything.”
Richie Halverson, who serves as the Director of Church Growth and Revitalization at Southern Union College, attended PELC in-person for the first time and felt the difference, “PELC was incredible. Every aspect of the conference was done with excellence. I’ve attended virtually for the past few years, but there is absolutely nothing like being there in person.”
A couple from Portsmouth, VA who were also attending for the first time were
bled to be able to encourage and pray for the spouses on this occasion. I believe the Spirit fell down and bonded us in an unforgettable way.”
Michelle Young, a pastoral spouse from Lake Region Conference, shared similar sentiments,” I appreciated having an opportunity to meet and connect with spouses from other parts of the country.”
PELC MESSAGES
The sermons delivered on the PELC stage remain one of the most anticipated features of the conference. In selecting speakers, PELC leaders choose a prayerful and democratic process. “We seek to be mindful of what the person can bring to the theme, gender inclusivity, generational diversity, and conference representation,” says Orville Brissett, PELC committee member.
surprised by all that PELC had to offer. The husband, Willie Scott, who is currently working on completing his Masters of Divinity degree at Liberty University wanted to experience PELC before graduating. “I thought it would be a great time to network and establish relationships will fellow ministers,” he said.
His wife, Dr. Donesha Scott, thought she was just coming along to support her husband since it was their anniversary week, but she soon discovered that there was something in store for her. “When I stepped into the first worship service, I knew this experience was for me.” She also noted that it had been a rekindling of their marriage and even lowered their blood pressure.
Medgine Bonzil, pastor of the Agape Haitian American Church in the South Central Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and the only Haitian female lead pastor installed in a Haitian Church in the United States enjoyed her PELC experience, as well. “It was refreshing reconnecting with many pastor friends and colleagues. I was doubly blessed to meet many who are faithfully and diligently working for the Lord’s cause, especially in the Haitian community.”
Ultimately, attendees were able to reflect on the promise of the Savior’s return while learning, worshipping, and connecting with other ministry leaders from all over the world.
Seminars and sermons from PELC2022 can be accessed at pelcpower. com. t
LaTasha Hewitt is Communication Director for the Allegheny East Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
pulpit, or litigating in the courtroom, he ardently represented the disadvantaged and voiceless.
On January 13, 2023, Dr. Daniel Honoré, President of the Minnesota Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, went to sleep in Jesus.
Dr. Honoré began his ministry as Minnesota Conference President in September 2022 with a consecration service dedicating the conference to the work of bringing souls to Jesus. During this service, he shared his love and passion for evangelism, education, and multi-generational ministry.
Prior to accepting the call to Minnesota, Dr. Honoré served for nine years as President of the Northeastern Conference in New York. He oversaw the acquisition of nearly 40 church buildings, the liquidation of debts, the construction of a 158-unit senior housing facility, and an expansion in membership from 50,000 to 60,000 souls. He brought this same energy and passion to every position he held throughout his career.
Honoré received the call to ministry at a young age and earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from Washington Adventist University and a bachelor’s degree in history from Southern Adventist University. He then obtained a Juris Doctor from Ohio Northern University. Most recently, he graduated from Montemorelos University with a PhD in business administration.
Honoré’s pastoral ministry began in 1995, when he was called to pastor the Brockton Temple and Ben Emmanuel Franco-Haitian churches in Massachusetts. During his pastorate, he baptized 150 people and founded the Brockton Area Seventh-day Adventist Academy, which today claims over 130 students.
In addition, Honoré conducted evangelistic campaigns in New York, Peru, Brazil,
Jamaica, Haiti, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic. He has also served on a number of boards and committees including the NAD Executive Committee, the Oakwood University Board of Trustees, the Atlantic Union Conference President’s Council, and the Northeastern Academy Board.
As an ordained minister, Elder Honoré was a second-generation conference worker. He was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic to a Haitian father and a Dominican mother on December 22, 1963. Growing up in a pastoral family involved relocations and exposure to various cultures. As a result, he became fluent in English, French, Haitian Creole and Spanish.
Prior to engaging in full-time ministry, Honoré operated a law practice specializing in immigration law with two offices in Boston, Massachusetts. In addition, Honoré’s professional work led him to help
families in Boston through the Concilio Hispano De Cambridge, as an investigator with the Boston Fair Housing Commission, and as the executive director of the Mattapan-Dorchester Churches in Action, training local leaders to develop strategies for solving community problems.
Dr. Honoré’s passion for social justice led him to become a fierce advocate for civil and human rights. Whether marching with young people, preaching in the
On February 5, 2023, more than 2,000 mourners gathered at the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, New York, to lay Minnesota Conference and former Northeastern Conference President, Dr. Daniel L. Honoré to rest.
A host of dignitaries from both the Seventh-day Adventist Church and from the Federal and New York City governments attended the service. From the United States Congress, remarks were given by United States House Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries, of New York’s 8th Congressional District. He was followed by United States Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, of New York’s 9th Congressional District. Former New York City Mayor and former Presidential candidate Bill de Blasio also gave remarks.
Denominational leaders present and giving remarks included North American Division President, Dr. G. Alexander Bryant and Vice President, Elder Calvin Watkins. From Dr. Honore’s current Union-the Mid-American Union-came President Gary Thurber and Vice President, Dr. Hubert Morel. Presidents from the Southern Union (Dr. Ronald C. Smith), the Lake Union (Elder Ken Denslow) and the Atlantic Union (Dr. Pierre Omeler) were in attendance as well. The host Regional Conference President, Northeastern’s Dr. Abraham Jules gave opening remarks and the rest of the Regional Conference Presidents were represented by remarks by Regional Conference President Council Chair, Elder Roger Bernard of the Central States Conference and the Vice Chair, Dr. Carlton P. Byrd, of the Southwest Region Conference. t Official
“Daniel Honoré was an amazing leader who gave his whole life to helping others. Not only was he an excellent leader for our church, but his compassion for others on his journey made him much respected and beloved by all. Daniel leaves behind him a legacy of service for God and his fellow man. He was gifted with a brilliant mind which he dedicated completely to the Lord. He will be greatly missed by all of us in Mid-America,” said Gary Thurber, president of the Mid-America Union Conference.
Dr. Honoré planned to begin an educational endowment fund in Minnesota, modeled on the work he accomplished in Northeastern Conference. “He was passionate about not only bringing people to Jesus but creating a legacy that would bring future generations to Christ. His passion inspired and encouraged our team, and to honor his memory, we are establishing the Daniel Honoré Educational Endowment Fund here in Minnesota,” said Vice President for Finance Gayln Bowers. “We hope this endowment fund will allow Adventist education to thrive and grow in Minnesota for years to come.”
Dr. Honoré’s unexpected passing has affected us greatly and we grieve with all those who knew him. Our thoughts, prayers, and love are with his wife, Fritze, his children; Gamaliel, Gabriel, Nathanael and Danielle, his brother, Joel, and his extended family. t
Special Thanks to the Minnesota and Northeastern Conferences from Regional Voice magazine for sharing these reports on the outstanding, extraordinary life of this historic leader, Dr. Honoré and the tributes that followed.
Mildred Poole was born on May 3, 1930, in Birmingham, Alabama. She excelled in school and as a teenager, was a lifeguard at a segregated pool in Birmingham. She prepared for a career in nursing following high school.
After the completion of her nursing program, she met Washington Johnson Sr., who had just returned from serving in the military during World War II. They were later married and over the years, the family expanded with the arrival of Janice, Cynthia, Stephanie, Rosalind, Washington II, and Grayland. As parents, the Johnsons emphasized that faith in God and achievement in higher education were two important keys to open the doors of opportunity. Mildred continued her education, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Religious Education from FaithGrant College in Birmingham.
During the 1950s, after having prayed for God to reveal His plan for her, Mildred soon found herself in a thriving Bible study class, where she became very knowledgeable of the Bible, and invited many others to join the class. After the new converts were baptized into the Ephesus SDA Church in Birmingham by Elder Donald Crowder, without any prompting, his new member, Mildred Johnson, took it upon herself to nurture them. Pastor Crowder perceived her as having a special gift and anointing for the work of evangelism and Bible Instruction.
During the Civil Rights Movement, Mildred faithfully carried out Bible instruction work at the Ephesus SDA Church. Throughout her life she prioritized sharing the good news of the gospel while simultaneously advocating for social justice, equality, and freedom. She and her husband were inspired to advocate for social justice by conversations with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as well as the work on behalf of her father’s family-owned funeral home in Birmingham to provide financial support for the cause. Pastors of the Ephesus Church affirmed Mildred’s natural gift for soul winning, and invited her to serve as a Bible Instructor. By God’s grace, every meeting in which she participated produced an abundant harvest of souls.
Elder Charles Joseph introduced Mildred to Elder Calvin Rock, sharing that “Millie” would be an asset to his soul-winning team. She was soon contacted by Rock to serve as his lead Bible Instructor in an evangelistic meeting in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1969. The host pastor, Elder Jackson Doggette, Sr, welcomed her and other members of the Bible instructor team that included Barry Black, a ministerial student from Oakwood College, and Benjamin Browne, a pastoral intern. Through the soul winning team’s efforts and prompting of the Holy Spirit, more than 200 souls were baptized into the
Longview Heights Seventh-day Adventist Church. Remarkably, 100 of them came from Mildred’s list. With a spirit of humility, she deflected all accolades and attributed her success to God. Over time, the Associate Secretary of the General Conference, Elder Charles E. Bradford, contacted the President of the South Central Conference, Elder Charles E. Dudley Sr., and recommended that he hire Mildred Johnson as a full time Bible instructor. This would break tradition, since most of the women hired in the church at that time were administrative professionals. The South Central Conference executive committee voted the action. Now this wife, mother, and nurse would become a full-time (and most productive) Bible Instructor in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Johnson’s having broken “the glass ceiling” in evangelism was particularly evident with her singular female role during the initiation of the Evangelism Council at Oakwood College in the late 1970s, where she facilitated all the Bible Instructor seminars. In later years, she was occasionally invited by the Oakwood University School of Theology to lecture to ministerial students as well. Her zeal for soul-winning did not cease when she retired in the late 1990s. Even while recovering in a rehabilitation center from a broken hip in 2020, she would invite others into her room every Sabbath morning to watch the Oakwood University Church worship service.
She was honored to receive numerous awards and official recognition from denominational and renowned organizations for her outstanding work, including an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (DHL) from Faith-Grant College. In spite of her busy schedule, she always found time for family and enjoyed traveling. She visited five of the seven continents, took the family’s annual winter vacation to Florida; went shopping with her daughters, enjoyed interior and floral design, and fishing. Looking back over her career, she attributed her success to God, and to the loving support of her husband, Washington Sr. He played an integral role in her ministry as she traveled and participated in kingdom-building activities. Her ministry efforts resulted in many baptisms, some of the converts becoming Seventh-day Adventist pastors, and the successful establishment of three churches. The magnitude of Mildred’s work as a religious educator was featured in the book, A Star Gives Light. She established a scholarship at Oakwood University to assist women pursuing ministry careers in 2017. She established an additional scholarship at Oakwood for future teachers in memory of her late daughter, Cynthia. In partnership with the C.C. Taylor Foundation, she made a significant contribution to a scholarship for high school students at Oakwood Adventist Academy in memory of her late son, Grayland.
Dr. Mildred Poole Johnson, beloved matriarch and iconic pacesetter in evangelism, closed her eyes for the last time on March 12, 2023, but will be awakened
soon by the sound of the trumpet on resurrection day. What a day that will be, when she will be reunited with her family and the thousands of souls harvested by her faithful labor!
She was preceded in death by her husband, Washington Johnson Sr.; daughter, Cynthia Yvette Johnson and son, Grayland Dewayne Johnson (Blanca). She will be sorely missed by her four children, Janice Browne (Benjamin) of Nashville, Tennessee; Stephanie Dingome (Gill) of Birmingham, Alabama; Rosalind Adedokun (Muyiwa) of Nashville, Tennessee; Washington Johnson II (Joyce) of Fort Meade, Maryland; two siblings, Earnestine Poole and James Poole; and a host of other relatives and friends. t
Special Thanks to the Johnson family from Regional Voice magazine for sharing this tribute to Dr. Mildred Johnson, whose wonderful life was dedicated to God’s work for humanity.
During the Civil Rights Movement, Mildred faithfully carried out Bible instruction work at the Ephesus SDA Church.
Carolyn Lucille Thomas was born July 23, 1930, to Walter and Theodosia Thomas, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She was the sixth of eight children. The Great Depression was in full force. Her father was not around enough to make a positive difference in the lives of his wife and children.
Because of this, the family moved frequently to find cheaper rental homes to start anew. Lucille, as she was called by her family, grew up knowing poverty, cold, hunger and want. Despite bleak beginnings that would discourage many, Lucille found some bright spots. She actually flourished in her schoolwork. Under her mother’s gentle encouragement, she developed a life-long love for learning. A good education would become part of her staircase to a much better life.
Lucille’s faith was another essential part of her staircase. As a good Baptist Youth, she joined an ensemble of teens who excelled in scripture and poetry recitations and spoken word performances. Mrs. Sarah Horne was their dedicated church leader. She took them all over the state and they won many competitions. Soon, the student now known as Carolyn Thomas, was graduating with her Atkins High School class of 1948. Her good grades and faithful participation in church activities earned her a full scholarship to Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina.
She went off to Shaw in the fall of ‘48, successfully completing her freshman year and the first semester of her sophomore year in ‘49. While at Shaw she also pledged with the sorority Delta Sigma Theta, thus solidifying her love for the color red. Then, scholarship funds ran low. The church was only able to fund their seniors. Carolyn would have to return home.
What seemed to be a disaster was merely God working behind the scenes. Before she went off to college, Carolyn had two life-changing encounters. The first was with Joseph Hinson, a worldly-wise WW II veteran who escorted her to her senior prom. Then he led her to the second encounter—this one with E.E. and Celia Cleveland and their evangelistic campaign (the first of three in Winston-Salem). Convictions in her own heart to follow God’s leading meant she would build on her faith foundation and accept the Bible-based truths she was learning. She became a baptized Seventh-day Adventist. By that time, Joe was attending Oakwood College. She saw no reason to leave Shaw—until that major pause in scholarship funds. Joe never stopped praying, writing, convincing. Carolyn prayed, wrote and listened. She began studies anew at Oakwood in winter, 1951, working her way through at industries on campus and as a literature evangelist or Bible worker during school breaks. She graduated in 1954. She returned home from college to find her beloved mother dying of cancer, and threw herself into caregiving with her sisters. (She unknowingly created a blueprint for her own daughters to follow decades later, just by word of
mouth). Mrs. Theodosia Thomas would pass away only three heartbreaking weeks before Joe and Carolyn Hinson were married, on June 20, 1954. Still, her mother was delighted to see this daughter realize these accomplishments in academics and in love for life.
What came next? The beginning of marriage, joint careers in ministry and education, then children. Each child marked a different place in their work: Kyna in Winston-Salem; Lisa in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Marla in Atlanta, Georgia.
All the while she worked as a teacher,
both in and out of the classroom. She taught high school English in Charleston, South Carolina; taught in a multigrade, elementary classroom for the Fort Lauderdale Mt. Olivet Church school; taught at the Bethany SDA Union Academy in Miami, then later joined President Lyndon Johnson’s Head Start program in Miami, teaching and eventually directing centers to boost underserved, inner city children. A few years after the family moved to Atlanta, she was asked to become director of the Berean SDA Church Day Care Center where she gave a decade of service.
Even so, every summer she assisted her husband in 35 evangelistic campaigns fashioned after the ones that led them to a deeper understanding of God and His Word. Sometimes that meant moving her entire household to distant cities, laboring through 18-hour days as a Bible worker and bookkeeper. If she were working, each weekend she would drive from the family home to apartments all over the South Atlantic Conference, bringing cheer, handbills and Vacation Bible School supplies to Joe and her girls, the VBS workers!
Ironically, the little girl who would hide under tables on moving day, grew up, moved constantly with her husband and brought words of encouragement to thousands in private, in their homes or hers, or in public. She spoke for Women’s Days and Women’s Ministries. She served as an ordained church elder; Children’s Sabbath School teacher and division leader; Sabbath School superintendent, and Community Services
worker. She was a vital part of church Grief Ministries, sending cards and offering many words of reassurance to every member who experienced bereavement.
When she left the day care center at Berean, she still couldn’t stay out of the classroom and worked as a substitute teacher for the Fulton County Board of Education. A professor at Georgia State University created a curriculum for teachers with degrees to become certified in Special Education. Carolyn took on the challenge, earned undergraduate and graduate credits, took multiple exams, and emerged successfully with credentials in Special Education. She ran her classroom with firm kindness; then ran the entire department with competence and generosity. She retired from this work in 2000 to enjoy more years of life with Joe before his demise in 2004.
Though heartbroken over this loss, she still embraced life. She accepted the invitation of daughter Marla and beloved son-in-law Walter (Skoog) Fordham III, to live in a ground-floor apartment they created for her in a home they built especially to her taste and to meet her needs.
She later traveled to Jamaica; to Ghana, West Africa, a gift from her children; took a Christmas cruise to Caribbean islands and a crown jewel of a trip with Lisa to Hawaii. She absolutely lived.
Carolyn loved all types of music, from hymns and great gospel by legends Andre Crouch, Donnie McClurkin and Richard Smallwood to Whitney Houston and Frank Sinatra. On the morning of her 90th birthday, she wanted to hear George Beverly Shea sing “How Great Thou Art” during a replay of a Billy Graham Classics crusade. She loved good books and reading and passed these loves onto her children. She met
famous authors such as Alex Haley and Maya Angelou and had them inscribe their works for her library.
She came to love running. She trained for her first Fourth of July Peachtree Road Race during the 1980s when she was in her early 50s. She finished that race, earned her T-shirt, and was hooked. She finished more than 25 Peachtree races and influenced a troop of family members and friends to join her for Peachtree races.
Her last work in education was to take care of little newborns to toddlers at a Goddard School in Tyrone, Georgia, for several years.
However, nothing gave her more joy than becoming “Nana-Nana” to the Buttons, twin girls Selah and Logan, born to Marla and Skoog. They would never be parted, and what grand times they had for 10 years.
The only clouds on her horizon came from increasing mishaps—lost keys, cell phones, money; fender benders; just getting lost. The diagnosis: Alzheimer’s disease that would take her independence, freedom, and pleasure in everything. The end came swiftly, over a course of days. Carolyn Hinson took her last breath in the early morning of December 7, 2022. She lived 92 full years, but if you ask any she loved and who loved her in return, it wasn’t long enough.
She leaves to mourn her loss: The Buttons, Selah and Logan; their parents, Walter and Marla Fordham III, (also her caregivers); daughters and caregivers Lisa and Kyna Hinson; nieces Roslyn Thomas and Jean Good; great niece Tiffany Dover; nephews George Thomas, Brian Thomas and Marcques Dudley (Nina); honorary daughters, Flora Johnson and Patricia Harris and honorary granddaughters Alexandra Quettan and Nia Lester. She had a host of life-long friends from churches and schools, and extended family members from across the nation and around the world. We await that promised day of New Life. “Even so, come Lord Jesus.” t
The family of Carolyn Thomas Hinson expresses deep appreciation for every prayer and demonstration of love in our time of great loss.
On June 13, 1936, in Wellsburg, West Virginia, Robert Lee and Lillian Armstead greeted their son Harold Lee and his twin brother, Harry. Harold’s father had relocated his family to West Virginia. Although segregation was the order of the day, the Lees became quick friends with their neighbors in a predominantly white county. In 1954, Harold graduated with honors from Lincoln High School in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Following his high school graduation, Harold enlisted in the United States Air Force. By the time he was honorably discharged in 1958, he had ascended to the noncommissioned officer role of Sergeant First Class. During his military years, his young heart was captured by Barbara L. Kilgore. After exchanging vows, the couple was blessed with Debra’s birth; then the young family relocated to Cleveland, Ohio.
Harold’s sister invited him to attend evangelistic meetings conducted by the late Walter M. Starks. Convicted by the Holy Spirit, Harold was baptized into the Glenville Seventh-day Adventist Church. Mentored by Elder Starks, it did not take long for Harold to sense his calling to ministry.
Harold entered Oakwood College resolving to learn everything that would sharpen his ministerial calling. He graduated magna cum laude in 1962 with a double major in theology and history. By this time, his tribe had expanded with the births of Robert, Everett, and Angela.
The Lee family relocated to Berrien Springs, Michigan, where he received a Master of Arts in Systematic Theology from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary in 1964. He was then called to pastoral ministry by the Allegheny Conference and was assigned to the New Hope Church in Canton, followed by the Bethel Church in Akron, both in Ohio. He was ordained in 1968.
Elder Lee and his family were called to serve the Caribbean Union Conference, to organize and establish the Department of Stewardship and Development. He also sharpened his academic skills by teaching stewardship theology and methodology at Caribbean Union College.
Returning to the United States in 1974, the Lees settled in Huntsville, Alabama, where he served his beloved alma mater as Vice President for Development and Public Relations, and taught classes in the Department of Religion and Theology. He fulfilled a teenage dream of attending the Harvard University School of Business, where he received a Certificate in Financial Management.
Following this time at Oakwood, he assumed pastorates in the Southwest
Region and Allegheny East Conferences, strengthening congregations in Houston, Texas; the Dupont Park Seventh-day Adventist Church in Washington, D.C., and the Church of the Oranges in New Jersey. Elder Lee was later asked to serve as Stewardship Director for the Allegheny East Conference. From there, he accepted calls to serve as Associate Stewardship Director for the General Conference, the North American Division, and the Columbia Union.
After serving in the Stewardship Department of the Columbia Union, Elder Lee was elected Executive Secretary and later President of the union in 1998. His academic pursuits culminated with a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership, Organizational Theory, and Behavior from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois.
Dr. Lee chaired the Board of Trustees at Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University), the Columbia Union Revolving Fund Board of Directors, the MidAtlantic Adventist HealthCare and Adventist HealthCare, Inc., and Kettering Health and Kettering Medical Center Network. After a successful tenure modeling stellar leadership, Dr. Lee officially retired from full-time, renumerated denominational work.
His “retirement” found him serving on the Board of Trustees of Oakwood University, the Ellen G. White Estate, and Adventist Health International.
He was actively involved in growing and maintaining denominational hospitals in Trinidad, Guyana and Curacao. Until recently, he was actively spearheading a development project for the hospital in Trinidad. Dr. Lee served as the chairman for the Sabbath in Africa Study Group, the brainchild of one of his mentors, Dr. Charles E. Bradford.
Oakwood University needed a visionary leader for the Bradford Cleveland Brooks Leadership Center, and the Lees returned to the Huntsville area again. In record time, Dr. Lee coordinated the development efforts, oversaw building construction, and launched leadership training programs for conference executives, pastors, and local elders.
Dr. Lee published several biographies: Brad: Visionary Spiritual Leadership; E. E. Cleveland: Evangelist Extraordinaire; and (with Dr. Benjamin Baker), C. D. Brooks: The Man Behind the Message. He also served as the review editor for the volume on his spiritual father, Walter Starks: Principles of Stewardship.
Few can deny that Dr. Harold L. Lee fought valiantly, finished a challenging course, and kept an empowering faith until he drew his last breath on November 9, 2022. t
Special Thanks to the Lee family from Regional Voice magazine for sharing this fitting tribute to the prolific, groundbreaking life of this leader, scholar and administrator, Dr. Harold L. Lee.
His
academic pursuits culminated with a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership, Organizational Theory, and Behavior from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois.
1. And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
One thing I’ve learned from running marathons is “It is important to start right, but it is imperative to end well!”
The goal of a race is to successfully cross the finish line. In ancient Greece, there was a unique game in their Olympics. In that race, the winner was not the runner who finished first. The winner was the first runner who finished with his torch still lit. Old or young, male or female, the goal for us is to finish life, ministry and our calling with the flame of devotion to Jesus still burning bright. This may sound simple but it’s what life is all about.
The goal is clear but there is a challenge. Many offsetting things can happen from the start of your career to its peak, and then into retirement. Events may happen that throw you off track.
Among many distractions, there is that timeless list of Seven Deadly Sins, the threatening behaviors: pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, anger, and laziness. It is the enemy’s plot to derail your life with any one, or combination, of the above.
The entrapment strategy is simple yet sinister. Allure the believer, at any stage in life, through apparently innocent avenues, “through devotion to worldly interests, Satan receives all the homage he asks. The door is left open for him to enter as he pleases, with his evil train of impatience, love of self, pride, avarice, overreaching, and his whole catalogue of evil spirits. Man is charmed and treacherously allured on to ruin.”2
Finisher Types
Fuller seminary professor and researcher, Dr. J. Robert Clinton conducted a 13-year study of more than 1,200 leaders from the Bible, church history, and today. He discovered that 70 percent of the leaders didn’t finish their mission successfully. Only 1 in 3 (30 percent) of the leaders finished their calling well. That meant that twothirds of leaders did notable things and then imploded. They abused their power, were involved in scandals or obviously fell short of their goals. Clinton says, the statistic is the same, or worse, today.3
From his studies, Clinton outlines the four types of life finishers…
First, the Runners: This successful category had people like Abraham, Joseph, Daniel and Paul. They sacrificed and stayed close to God and never stopped learning and growing in their personal and spiritual walk. They remained spiritually strong. It was clear that Holy Spirit control was on their life. They developed their full potential and significantly advanced the purpose of God. They completed the task God gave them to do.
Second, the Walkers: This category contained people like David, Hezekiah and Jonah. These were good leaders but were slowed down, impeded in their service to God and people because of sin or pampered weaknesses. They loved God and realized some success but clearly fell short of what God had for them.
Insidiously, weaknesses and the ramifications of their sin continued to plague them, even though they may
wise, we can avoid the pain and disappointment of finishing poorly. Personal commitment, intentional planning and good choices make a difference.
race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” t
have been walking with God at the end. Third, the Limpers: These leaders finished the race but barely crossed the line and in poor shape. Leaders like Gideon, Eli and Solomon, they had obvious ups and downs, and experienced clear failures in phases of their ministry. Their weaknesses were often multiple and are recorded in history. Their finish was in the midst of pain and shame and was reflected in their relationship with God, others and in the fluctuating effectiveness of their ministries.
Fourth, the Disqualified: In this category, some leaders were taken out of the race prematurely. People like Saul, Absalom and Ahab were removed from leadership by assassination, or death in battle; were denounced or overthrown. They were removed from leadership or places of service because they persistently failed in responsibilities and obedience. It is tragic when leaders and workers end their lives and missions in this category. Yes, God’s grace is abundant and available, but the damage and spiritual cost to God’s plan, themselves and others is heavy and far-reaching.
The Clinton Finishing Well data is fascinating in its implications and allows room for discussion and debate. However, the overall conclusion is evident. The rate of leaders who finish well is low. It illustrates the need and challenge to thinking people. By the grace of God and personal commitment, we can finish well or as well as possible. Despite earlier mistakes and missteps, by cooperating with God where we are, we can experience the joy and satisfaction of finishing well. Like-
The challenge to finish well applies to the area of one’s retirement, as well as to the realm of career and service in the maturing years. If we are blessed to reach the retirement stage, it is crucial to bear this concept in mind. Life continues with its joys and highs, as well as its rigor and tests. In this life chapter, the key focus is on how to manage the preparation for and transition into retirement, to move through it successfully all the way to its conclusion. Theologian, pastor and author, J. I Packer (1926-2020) observed:
“Runners in a distance race… always try to keep something in reserve for a final sprint. And my contention is that, so far as our bodily health allows, we should aim to be found running the last lap of the race of our Christian life, as we would say, flat out. The final sprint, so I urge, should be a sprint indeed.”4
The Association for Development, Enrichment and Lifelong Learning (ADEL) Program of the Regional Conference Retirement Plan (RCRP) is committed to help to prepare any participating retiree to Finish Well and Finish Strong.
Two guiding texts provide divine insight on finally finishing well. First, we see that the Apostle Paul offers a mindset model for finishing well when he said to Timothy (see 2 Timothy 4.68, NKJV):
4. Finishing our Course with Joy: Guidance from God on Engaging with our Aging, J. I. Packer (2014). https://www.monergism.com/we-grow-old-j-i-packer
“The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Second, when we read Hebrews 12:12, we are assured of the partnership of Christ as we enter this life chapter: “Let us run with endurance the
Delbert W. Baker, PhD, is an author, educator, administrator and pastor. He is Director of Research and Development at the Regional Conference Retirement Plan Office in the Charles Dudley, Sr. Regional Conference Ministries Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
1. William Clubertson (1905-1971), pastor, educator and former president of Moody Bible Institute.
2. Ellen White, Testimonies, Vol. 4, page 45, (1876).
3. Robert Clinton, The Mantle of the Mentor, (1993); The Making of a Leader: Recognizing the Lessons and Stages of Leadership Development (2012 edition).
The following seven principles are best-practices for successfully planning for and living through the retirement phase. They are the guiding values of the RCRP/ ADEL program and provide any person who practices them with a reliable retirement preparation-maintenance blueprint. Of course, for this approach to be effective, these concepts must be applied. No good implementation, no good outcome. The earlier a person begins to implement and actively practice these principles, the better.
The retirement success principles and plan can be outlined and advocated by the acronym
ADVANCE:
A—Achieving Lifelong Growth: Nurture commitment to maintain purpose, development, health, wealth and total stewardship, undergirded with lifelong learning and continuous development. Growth is good.
D—Developing Enduring Relationships: Believe in being socially connected, relating to, interacting with people as opposed to a tendency to withdraw and be isolated. Relationships are lifeblood.
V—Valuing Authentic Love: Pursue service, compassion, love to others (see Micah 6:8); pour out to family, friends, faith members, world community, using Jesus as the exemplary model. Love is key.
A—Anchoring Lasting Legacy: Practice privileged senior role with wisdom, experience, support; leave footprint by investing in current/future generations via educating, and mentoring. Legacy is crucial.
N—Networking Vital Connections: Schedule daily quality communication association with God, familial social, leisure, church and community circles in appropriate and creative ways. Networks are vital.
C—Connecting Empowering Plans: Deliberately make realistic, SMART5 plans to develop your potential, service, leisure and doing good for your day, week and desired future. Plans are motivating.
E—Embracing Bible Beliefs: Prioritize vitalizing concepts of the Gospel via Bible principles that facilitate godliness flowing from the practice of truth here and hope of eternity to come. Hope is powerful.
With good input, commitment and substantial planning, along with cooperating with God and others, you can have a vibrant and successful retirement life chapter and finish well.
5 S.M.A.R.T. is a popular acronym, used to guide in the setting of goals and objectives; stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound goals.
While recuperating in a lovely beach setting, he managed to commit long passages of Scripture to memory.
igate the crippling effects of the degenerative disease on his body. Although quite ill, Spears nevertheless continued to read his Bible. While recuperating in a lovely beach setting, he managed to commit long passages of Scripture to memory.
Upon returning home to Topeka, Spears began to preach in earnest, reciting whole Bible passages and fluently quoting text after text, entirely from memory. As a means of financially supporting his family, he began a recycling business. During the evenings, he taught Bible studies and conducted public tent meetings. Kansas Conference officials, taking note of his methods and the number of individuals being baptized through his efforts, officially invited him to join their ministerial staff.
On June 18, 1944, alongside his good friend William Penick, Byron Spears was ordained to the gospel ministry by the General Conference President, Elder Nathaniel Carter Wilson, Neal C. Wilson’s father. Subsequently, Elder Spears spent two years pastoring in Wichita, Kansas; and another three years pastoring in Kansas City, Kansas, and the church grew exponentially from 80 members to over 250.
While on vacation in 1949, Elder Spears spoke at the Market Street SDA Church in Oakland, California. A
church member, deeply moved by his sermon, remarked: “I think you should be a full-time evangelist.” R. Wendell Nelson, pastor of Market Street, and also a member of the Northern California Conference Executive Committee, immediately recommended Spears’ name to the conference president. This began the long and fruitful evangelistic career of Byron R. Spears.
In his day, Elder Spears was considered to be an evangelistic innovator. The 1956 Oakland, California, evangelistic meeting gives a prime example of some of reasons why. First, a Bay Area Evangelistic Committee, (chaired by Elder R.W. Nelson) was formed. The committee was comprised of pastors from other SDA churches in the area, and also included their Bible instructors.
Second, a concentrated period of personal and public advertising preceded the start of the meetings. In addition to radio and television announcements, Spears designated 16 full-sized billboards containing eye-catching lettering, strategically placed throughout the East Bay Area. The billboards proclaimed: “Spears is Coming to the Oakland Auditorium!” The public, suitably intrigued, wanted to know “Who is Spears and why is he coming?” Just before the start of the meetings, the signs were updated to read: “Spears is Here!”
Third, the meeting was held at the Oakland Auditorium, a noted art and cultural center in the city. Fourth, outstanding musicians were featured prominently, every week, including: Geraldine Farmar, Georgia Laster, Joyce Bryant, and Joe Lutcher—(the latter two being recent converts to the SDA Church from the world of entertainment.) Additionally, student musicians from Pacific Union College were utilized, including: Harold Anthony, Arthur Washington, Bob Dent, and Ida Phillips, a renowned Oakland pianist. Sartorially, Spears often preached in a white tuxedo. And, famously, he always had a pristine supply of crisp white handkerchiefs stacked on the podium before him. These were needed to wipe away the constant streams of sweat flowing from his brow as a result of his very energetic preaching. Also, due to the ravages of polio, Spears required two canes to walk steadily as he maneuvered around the stage. This demanded an even greater output of his energies. Spears, generally preached without notes, having committed to memory the 40 to 60 texts required, in their rightful sequence. This was typical of his ser mons. Scripture provided both his ser mon outline and its essential substance. Impressively however, he also quoted dictionary definitions, passages from
encyclopedias, and relevant literary references verbatim, to effectively illustrate his point.
Often, after making a key, definitive point, Spears would rhetorically ask the audience, “Am I making it plain?” To which the congregation would respond “Amen!” He would follow this up by then exclaiming: “I shall proceed!” As his sermons progressed, the rhythm, cadence, and volume of his voice would flow in concert with the lofty, eternal themes he sought to convey to the audience, often ending with his favorite concluding flourish, “What shall I more say?” (Humorously, after one such moment, a saint in the audience, not missing a beat, quickly responded back to him: “Say ON!”—at which point, he, and the entire audience, broke into laughter.) B. R. Spears was a masterful communicator, using elements of humor and moments of somber contemplation to influence audiences toward the eternal decision of choosing Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers.
The 13-week evangelistic campaign, held in Oakland, started in February
been baptized (via a portable baptistry), the first baptisms ever conducted in the famous Oakland Auditorium. The meetings were so successful, and Spears’ evangelistic presentations so convincing, that many other regions of the Pacific Union Conference sought his evangelistic efforts in their communities.
Byron R. Spears left a lasting legacy In the Northern California Conference. He conducted a number of evangelistic meetings and subsequently planted churches in, Stockton, Sacramento, Pittsburg, and Oakland, California. He became an official evangelist for the Pacific Union Conference in 1968. In 1970, he was called to join the Voice of Prophecy ministry, preaching throughout the United States, Canada, and Bermuda.
Out of painful and severe physical tragedy, God crafted a mighty warrior of His Word. One, who, through the agency of the Holy Spirit, convinced tens of thousands of individuals to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and join the remnant church. Of this faithful preacher of righteousness, it can rightly be said, Byron R. Spears was indeed,
Bryant Taylor, D.Min., is Communication Director for the Southern Union of Seventh-day Adventists and Editor of Southern Tidings magazine. Also Associate Editor of Regional Voice magazine, he coordinated this coverage.
1. Spears, Byron R., Farewell Service Bulletin, February 8, 2013, p. 4,5
2. Reynolds, Louis B., We Have Tomorrow: The Story of American Seventh-day Adventists with an African Heritage, The Review and Herald Publishing Association, Washington D.C., 1984, p. 230,231.
3. Celebrating 100 Years of Byron Spears, July 8, 2012, Altadena SDA Church, p. 5.
4. Ibid.
5. Reynolds, p. 231,232
6. North American Informant, Evangelism in Northern California, July-August 1956, Volume X, Number 58, p. 1,2
Often, after making a key, definitive point, Spears would rhetorically ask the audience, “Am I making it plain?”
“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” Hebrews 13:2
But I never considered it to mean meuntil December 7, 2022.
Previously, I had been scribbling random notes for an upcoming manuscript. I knew I had a good idea of overlapping the Bible and basketball, . . . . . just needed an alley-oop to jumpstart me.
On that day, my personal Synovus Banker Leteria connected us by speakerphone to Robert Livingston. As an author-publisher, I wanted a Square, the portable device to accept credit/debit card purchases.
After Livingston, the corporate office relationship banker let me down gently, I then told him it was for my upcoming book about jump shots and Jesus.
From a Temporary “No” to a Permanent “Yes”
Even though he didn’t think that the Square was currently justified, he liked the book’s concept, adding, “You do know, Tim, that basketball was started in a YMCA gymnasium!”
Wow! I had forgotten that. Promptly, I declared to him and Leteria, “Livingston: your last seven seconds have outweighed our first three minutes of conversation. That reminder about basketball’s beginning at the Young Men’s Christian Association gymnasium was so much better for me than my not getting a Square!”
According to the Bible text quoted earlier, Livingston’s response made him my unexpected angel! That conversation became my permanent alley-oop and jump-start for this new book.
Where Jump Shots Meet Jesus pairs the last five NBA dynasties and their top servant leaders with best practices from the Bible. More specifically, winning NBA dynasties demonstrate Jesus’ service model through their top servant leaders. I learned that day that not only is every “no” not a permanent “no,” but it can lead to a permanent “yes,” and even deeper thoughts.
The Bank-to-Bible “crossover dribble”
From that Synovus Bank encounter, I began to wonder: are there any parallels between the originators of basketball and Christianity?
Came to the U.S. from Canada, as a foreigner.
Hired as the Springfield, Mass., YMCA chaplain (who provides spiritual care) and an instructor in physical education.
Ordered by the “Y” to calm its “rowdies,” now restricted to indoor activities due to harsh New England winters; it was then and there that Naismith invented the game of basketball!
From that first basketball game in December 1891, Naismith’s invention has become one of the world’s most popular sports.
Here are a few crossover dribbles: This research on Where Jump Shots Meet Jesus began quite innocently and unknowingly nearly 57 years ago, . .
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, . .
.” Zecharaiah 4:10.
On November 5, 1966, my uncles took
their 12-year-old nephew to the nearby Boston Garden for both my first NBA game and four-point play. Little did I realize what I was witnessing:
1. The sport’s greatest one-on-one rivalry, pitting defensive genius Bill Russell against offensive phenom Wilt “the Stilt” Chamberlain.
It showed me the difference between the 20th century’s greatest team winner (Bill Russell’s 11 Boston Celtics’ NBA championships in 13 years) against perhaps the greatest collector of individual (72) NBA records (Wilt Chamberlain);
2.The de-throning of one NBA champion (Celtics) and the eventual coronat-
Came to earth as a foreigner:the first and only fully divine and fully human being.
Provided spiritual care (chaplaincy), and instructed his disciples as they traveled with him from town to town only by walking = physical + education
Prayed all night (Luke 6:12) for divine guidance in selecting his 12 disciples, which resulted in Christ choosing “12 rowdies” such as impetuous hothead Simon Peter, tax gouging Levi Matthew, doubting Thomas, betrayer Judas Iscariot, . . .
Jesus’ rowdies-turned-disciples created Christianity, now the world’s largest religion with 2.56 billion followers - one of every three world citizens.
ing of another (Philadelphia 76ers) . . . demonstrating how to win a championship;
3. A milestone in race relations, as new player-coach Russell began that season as the first Black manager in all American sports - . . . showing Black athletes and activism are not mutually exclusive; and finally, I got to observe firsthand.
4. The secret to winning and making NBA dynasties . . this required more than winning a mere one or two championships.
From that November in 1966, I was hooked on NBA basketball and what made winning NBA dynasties - especially from a Biblical perspective.
In its 76 years, the NBA has had eight teams that won championships only one time. They are: the St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks; Portland Trailblazers; Rochester Royals/Sacramento Kings; Seattle Supersonics; Oklahoma City Thunder; Washington Bullets/Wizards; Dallas Mavericks, and the Toronto Raptors.
And two, like the Houston Rockets and the New York Knicks, have captured just two titles.
But my lifelong study of the Bible has left me focused on the number “three” symbolizing perfection, wholeness, or completion. Therefore to me: An NBA dynasty is a team that wins three championships in the least amount of time - either three in a row or three in four consecutive seasons. Only five teams, therefore, qualify as NBA dynasties and featured their top servant leaders:
1. Bill Russell’s 1950-60s Boston Celtics;
2. Magic Johnson’s 1980s Los Angeles Lakers;
3. Scottie Pippen’s 1990s Chicago Bulls;
4. Kobe Bryant’s 2000s LA Lakers; and
5. Steph Curry’s 2010-20s Golden State Warriors.
But what made these five winning NBA franchises qualify as dynasties from a Biblical perspective?
Introducing my “NBA 2.0”
NBA 2.0 or “New Bible Advocacy 2.0” presents NBA events and newsmakers in the light of Biblical best practices. If the NBA’s first 75 years of crowning threepeat champions and dynasties follow any pattern, those teams featured silver-mettle leaders or “leaders from the middle.” Silver-mettle leaders are their team’s
“leaders from the middle,” without whom their teams could not thrive or even survive! They are the Robins for the Batmans.
Back to basketball, . . .
If scoring baskets is the #1 objective, then these leaders from the middle help their scorers score. This occurs through their defensive rebounding, blocking shots, stealing the ball, and assisting or passing the ball to the actual scorers. Many of these leaders from the middle were once top scorers in their high school and collegiate pasts. But in order to create NBA winners or dynasties, they often decreased their scoring prowess and instead increased their rebounding, shot-blocking, ball stealing, and assist making.
Summarily, they served their teammates more often than being served by their teammates.
Perhaps even unbeknownst to themselves, these NBA dynasty-makers mimicked Jesus Christ. In Matthew 20:28, Coach Jesus successfully served as a role model to his 12 disciples, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, . . .” And it worked.
“The Dynasty-making of the Divine” in 11 Steps
Coach Jesus:
1. Scouted and drafted his first-round pick-up ragtag squad (Matthew 4:18-22);
2. Signed them to a binding 11-word contract, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men” (Luke 5:10 NKJV);
3. Enrolled them for three years in his own developmental “G League” ministry (Mark 9:19);
4. Guided them through preseason scrimmages of wins (Luke 9:1-6) and losses (Matthew 17:14-21);
Described who was the GOAT (Mark 9:33-35);
5. Announced first three members of his starting five lineup (Matthew 17:1);
6. In preparation for his and their winner-takes-it-all Game 7 (Crucifixion)
- ‘The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up,’ and they were exceedingly sorrowful,” Matthew 17:22,23,
7. Hosted the pre-game meal, The Last Supper;
Demonstrated first-hand their all-important life-changing strategy for Game 7 (John 13:1-17);
8. Announced his scouting report on his opponent (John 13:21-30);
And after they all fouled out in the first half of Game 7, for Game 7’s second half, he then conducted a 40-day intensive halftime locker-room course between his Resurrection and Ascension (John 20:19-31); then
9. Retired his number (Acts 1:9); and finally
10. Announced his successor-coach and then dismissed their huddle for them to establish and build the dynasty (Acts 1:8).
Again, it worked
Now 2000 years later Team Jesus or “Christianity” is the world’s largest religion. Where Jump Shots Meet Jesus answers questions you NEVER have thought to ask before:
• Compare Jordan’s “The Last Dance” with Jesus’ “The Last Supper”?
• Who’s the controversial Sixth Man on Jesus’ Starting Five?
• Would you pair these NBA Stars with these Bible Characters (ex: Captain Magic Johnson the Super Laker vs. Captain Naaman the Syrian Leper!)?
• What’s the BIG LIE about Bill Russell vs. Wilt Chamberlain?
• NBA: Why did you retire the wrong # for Bill Russell?
• Where’s the Enigmatic Kyrie Irving vs. the Evangelistic Steph Curry?
• Is Ja Morant this decade’s emerging “Kobe Bryant 2.0?”
The Bottom Line Question: When Jesus and the NBA meet for the opening Jump Ball, WHO wins the tip? The answer is Guaranteed to catch you off guard!
BONUS SECTION: Who are the SDAbred/NBA-blessed “starting five”? Buy/order Where Jump Shots Meet Jesus right now! t
Tim Allston is a Leadership Coach and three-time Amazon Best-Selling Author, specializing in “leading from the middle” presentations.
“If you are a person of faith or passionate about sports, Tim Allston’s book will speak to you.”
Pat Williams, Co-Founder, Orlando Magic
BONUS: Get your FREE audiobook version*
Finally, Experience the NBA and the Bible as never before. Together.
WARNING: Where Jump Shots Meet Jesus answers questions you NEVER thought to ask before:
• Compare Michael Jordan’s “The Last Dance” with Michael Jesus’ “The Last Supper”?
• Who’s the controversial Sixth Man on Jesus’ Starting Five?
• Would you pair these NBA stars with these Bible charactersex: Captain Magic Johnson the Super Laker vs. Captain Naaman the Syrian Leper?
• What’s the BIG LYE about Bill Russell vs. Wilt Chamberlain?
• NBA: Why did you retire the wrong # for Bill Russell?
• Where’s the Enigmatic Kyrie Irving vs. the Evangelistic Steph Curry?
• Is Ja Morant this decade’s emerging “Kobe Bryant 2.0”?
For every print ($14.97) or digital book ($9.97) purchased using your unique promo code** and purchased through the www.timallston.com website, author-publisher Tim Allston will donate directly into your non-profit group a “10% tithe” of either $1.50 or $1, respectively.
*As a BONUS OFFERING , embedded in both the print and digital versions will be your FREE download of the audiobook version - making it an attractive 2-for-1 price bonus for this book!
The U.S. government has released the National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan – which will enable America to move forward safely, sustaining and building on the progress we’ve made over the past 13 months. This plan lays out the roadmap to help us fight COVID-19 in the future as we begin to get back to our more normal routines. We look to a future when Americans no longer fear lockdowns, shutdowns, and our kids not going to school. It’s a future when the country relies on the powerful layers of protection we have built and invests in the next generation of tools to stay ahead of this virus.
The President’s National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan focuses on four key goals:
1. Protect Against and Treat Covid 19.
2. Prepare for New Variants.
3. Prevent Economic and Educational Shutdowns.
boosted people are 41 times less like to die of COVID-19 than unvaccinated individuals. And America’s unprecedented vaccination campaign has saved lives: a December 2021 estimate suggested that vaccines saved over 1 million American lives and successfully prevented over 10 million hospitalizations.
The Administration has also expedited the development, manufacturing, and procurement of COVID-19 treatments, building a diverse medicine cabinet filled with more treatments now than at any point in the pandemic. Today about 4 million treatment courses are available to Americans, with 1 million additional courses of the Pfizer antiviral available in March, and another 2.5 million additional courses of the Pfizer antiviral available in April. In total, we have secured 20 million courses of Pfizer’s life-saving antiviral pills, which have been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death by 89 percent.
givers to get vaccinated; public transit authorities and ride-sharing companies that provided free rides to vaccination sites; churches, civic organizations, barbershops, and beauty salons, who opened their doors to be trusted spaces for vaccinations; and the families who made vaccination a family affair.
**To inquire about bulk orders or to get your special promo code, contact Tim Allston at either 256-212-0949 or info@timallston.com
Q: When Jesus and the NBA meet for the opening Jump Ball, WHO wins the tip?
The answer is GUARANTEED to catch you off guard!
4. Continue to Vaccinate the World. In January 2021, Americans had very few tools to protect against COVID-19, and the tools we did have were in limited supply. Over the last year, together, with states, localities, and public and private partners, the Administration has mobilized an unprecedented, whole-of-society effort to give Americans the tools they need to protect themselves.
As a result, today, the vast majority of Americans have the protection of a vaccine—with 215 million Americans fully vaccinated, and an estimated twothirds of eligible adults having received their booster shot. Vaccinated and
The nation’s testing supply has increased dramatically. We now have free testing sites at 21,500 locations around the country. In January 2021, there were no rapid, at-home tests on the market available to Americans; during January 2022, there were more than 480 million at-home tests available to Americans on top of all other testing options. And we stood up COVIDtests.gov so Americans could order tests that shipped directly to their homes — for free. Private insurance and Medicaid now cover rapid at-home tests for free, and Medicare will fully cover these at-home tests starting this spring.
And the U.S. government has successfully put equity at the heart of a nationwide public health response. Hispanic, Black, and Asian adults are now vaccinated at the same rates as White adults. This is the result of an all-of-society effort that got America to where it is today: employers who offered paid time off for their employees; child care providers who offered drop-in services for care-
The path forward in the fight against COVID-19 is clear: we must maintain and continually enhance the tools we have to protect against and treat COVID-19. The Administration looks forward to working with Congress to ensure that we have the resources to do just that.
Because we have these tools, we can begin to get back to our more normal routines safely and the use of public health mitigation measures like masking can be less frequent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its framework for recommendations on preventive measures like masking, so masks are recommended when and where they matter the most and Americans will be wearing masks less often.
Make no mistake, as America moves forward we will leave no one behind. Equity will remain at the very center of our path forward in the fight against COVID-19. And we will be there to support Americans with the long-term impacts of COVID-19, including people experiencing Long COVID or mental and behavioral health challenges; as well as families suffering from the tragedy of losing someone they loved. t
IF YOU HAVE FINISHED A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY WITHIN ONE YEAR, OR IF YOU ARE IN YOUR LAST SEMESTER AT A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY, YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP TO APPLY TO AN AUTO PURCHASE FROM KIA MOTORS OF AMERICA.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT YOUR LOCAL KIA DEALER.
