Published Five Times Annually by the Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Volume 18, Number 2 • April–May 2002
FROM CLUB HOUSE TO GOD’S HOUSE
©
2002 PHOTODISC, INC.
Coming Up…
©
2002 PHOTODISC, INC.
English-language Marriage Commitment Retreat. See p. 2.
CINDY KURTZHALS
Enriqueciendo el Compromiso Matrimonial. Ver la página 2.
Hispanic Youth Retreat. May 24-27. Camp Kulaqua, High Springs. Registration: (305) 225-0528.
CAMP MEETINGS ARE COMING UP • Florida Keys—May 3-4. (305) 743-5268. • English-language— May 24-June 1. See insert between p. 4-5. • Spanish-language— June 5-9. See page 4.
Pastor Luc Pierre at the new Béthel: Eglise Haitienne des Adventistes facility at 5431 Rio Grande Avenue in South Orlando. The former Universal Vacation Villa—the Club House—was transformed into Bethel—the house of God and a door of Heaven.
T
he building was an eyesore. Once called the Universal Vacation Villa Club House, it had been a popular night spot open nearly ’round the clock. Its earlier, legendary history included a gun battle with two individuals being shot to death there—one a local official. When tragedy struck, the rules changed—the building could become an apartment complex or a church.
When the Béthel French congregation purchased the location, they found it full of homeless people living in deplorable conditions in the skeleton of the premises. Drug dealers also found prey. Today, the former Club House is transformed into a house of worship to a living and loving God by members of the Béthel: Eglise Haitienne des Adventistes du 7e Jour, Pastor Luc Pierre, construc-
tion crews, and the Conference church property development department. And, the transformation didn’t come easy. Pastor Luc Pierre and members, wearing face masks, worked every Sunday for two months to clean the place just so they could stand to work in there as part of the demolition crew. Today, it is finished and they walk tall and wear broad smiles. —continued on page 2