Winter 1999

A Quarterly Publication of the Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Volume 15, Number 1 • January–February–March–April 1999

FLORIDA IS #1 IN LITERATURE SALES AND SALES MEAN SOULS

COMING UP—MAY 28-JUNE 5

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lorida Conference’s 25 full-time and student literature evangelists had the highest book sales in the Southern Union Conference in 1998— and the North American Division for the seventh time.

Their $1 million+ sales earned them a trophy and special recognition at the December 30-January 3 year-end Convention in Daytona Beach. Total sales were $163,736.

Florida also had the top salesperson; highest baptisms; and highest district sales: • Top Sales: $163,736.

Jesus Garcia, Forest

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hat a moment to be alive,” exudes Conference President Gordon Retzer. “Together, the Florida family looks to our glorious future in Christ as we come together for this 105th annual convocation—the last Camp Meeting of this millennium. As the —continued on page 2

Florida’s literature evangelist family.

Lake church.

• Top Baptisms: Eight.

Mike Owens, Lake City church.

• Top District Sales: $327,206,71. Les McCoy, Forest Lake church.

ence publishing director. “People are thinking about the future, and our ministry and mission is to let them know what the future will be through these truth-filled books.

“Personal contacts SALES MEAN SOULS by literature evangelists “The year 2000 is is a vital, effective, and fast approaching,” says economical method of Joe Holloway, Conferreaching men and women, and boys and girls today.”

Each book placed in a home creates the opportu3 2 nity for people to read about 1) Southern Union Conference PresiGod and His dent Malcolm Gordon, left, presented Son, Jesus Florida Conference Publishing Director Christ and to Joe Holloway with the trophy for the make an eterConference with the highest book sales. nal-life deci2) Jesus Garcia, right, top sales. sion for Him. 3) 4)

LAST CAMP MEETING OF THE MILLENNIUM

Mike Owens, right, most baptisms.

Les McCoy, right, top district sales.

—Cindy Kurtzhals

Guest Speakers Gordon Retzer

Dan Matthews

José Rojas

Roy Adams

William Johnsson

Don Jacobsen

Joel Tompkins

Hyveth Williams

Philip Samaan

James Cress

Byard Parks

Charles Bradford

WORKING TOGETHER—REACHING MIAMI FOR CHRIST

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wenty Miamiarea hispanic churches prepared extensively for the Miami Esperanza 2000 evangelism campaign taking place at press time, April 10-17.

Alejandro Bullón, guest speaker, is an evangelist and the ministerial director of the South American Division in Brasilia, Brazil.

The campaign took place in south Florida’s largest meeting facility—the Dade County Fair Expo Center at Tamiami Park in Miami.

Campaign organizers hoped that everyone who received advance Bible studies could attend and that the campaign would inspire even more

Conference President Gordon Retzer and Jorge Mayer, Conference vice president for Spanish language ministries, pictured center, spoke at a lay workers meeting early in the year at Greater Miami Academy. They thanked those who were working diligently for Miami Esperanza 2000.

south Florida residents to get to know God. Miami Central church Pastor Isaac Suarez attracted interests to study the Bible by placing advertisements in the local newspapers for a free Bible and study guides about the family.

In three months, 1,420 people studied the Bible—considered to be a true evangelistic explosion. The church’s goal was for 1,600 people to complete Bible studies by April 3, one week before the evangelism campaign began. The goal was ex-

ceeded with 1,686. The number who responded to the newspaper ads and studied was 230.

Evangelistic preparations started last November and have given results. There were baptisms and conversions of leaders from various churches including a former Pentecostal pastor from Palm Springs.

A recently-baptized young adult, Carolina Acosta, worships with the South Dade group and began conducting two Bible studies not long after her baptism.

IN THE WORKS FOR 1999 CAMP MEETING… —continued from page 1

spiritual messages and music crescendo, we can preview our destiny—forever praising Jesus.”

WHERE IS CAMP MEETING? Camp Meeting is held on the campus of Forest Lake Academy in Apopka at 3909 E. Semoran Blvd., northwest of Orlando.

The 9-day annual convocation is packed with activities for kids of all ages, infants through collegiates and young adults; Pathfinders; singles; and families. One of the best parts of Camp Meeting is the fellowship and seeing old friends. And, new this year—more programming on Sunday.

LIVE VIA SATELLITE Camp Meeting will be broadcast across Florida and North America over the Adventist Communication Network (ACN). Spanish translations of the evening and Sabbath programs will be available and sign language for the hearing impaired is available on site.

Alejandro Bullón, speaker for Miami Esperanza 2000, will also be speaker for La Red ’99.

Pedro and Altagracia Pozo, members of the Miami Beach First Spanish church, are dedicated lay workers who are bringing people to God. They conducted about 25 Bible studies.

Two of their five children have also been involved with Miami Esperanza 2000 and helped look for more people with whom to conduct Bible studies.

—Ulises Mastronardi

1998 BAPTISMS 2,174

OFFERINGS FOR EVANGELISM Offerings in the Main Auditorium this year will go toward Florida evangelism.

KIDS AND YOUNG ADULTS Friends. Field trips. Picnics. Jumping in the pool. Sunday’s Wet ’n Wild private party. Sabbath afternoon concerts for youth and young adults. Learn to know Jesus as an awesome friend. Cooperative child care will be available.

SEMINARS BALANCING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE— Gerard & Kathryn McLane BELONGING—Ron & Nancy Rockey AC/DC: HOW ARE YOU CONNECTING? Seminar for singles—Ron & Nancy Rockey HEALING THE BROKEN BRAIN— Elden & Esther Chalmers THE JEWISH CONNECTION IN LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL—Mordecai DuShey TRANSFORMING PRAYER—Richard O’Ffill VIDEO EVANGELISM: HOW TO DO IT—Ralph Ringer 2

TOTAL MEMBERSHIP 43,218

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lorida ocus

VOL. 15, NO. 1 JAN–FEB–MAR–APR 1999

Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists 655 North Wymore Road Winter Park, FL 32789-1715 Phone: (407) 644-5000 Fax: (407) 644-7550 http://www.adventist-fl.com/ PRESIDENT

Gordon Retzer COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR

Cindy Kurtzhals PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Lee Bennett

MIAMI BOOK CENTER HITS $1 MILLION SALES

NEW BOOK CENTER AT KULAQUA

CINDY KURTZHALS

A. LEE BENNETT, JR.

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embers will be able to bask in the breeze on the wrap-around veranda at the new Camp Kulaqua Trading Post in High Springs.

The Trading Post is the newest Adventist Book Center which will also house the Camp Store and include storage for the cafeteria.

The grand opening ceremony is July 18.

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he Miami Adventist Book Center hit $1 million in sales in 1998—the exact figure was $1,017,004.18.

“Sales translate into numbers of books, Bibles, music, and vid-

RISPOLI-SOSA ARCHITECTURE, INC.

The Miami branch opened July 7, 1996, at 1 South Royal Poinciana Blvd. in Miami Springs.

eos placed in member and guest homes to enhance their Bible knowledge and relationship with God,” says Gerald Bond, manager of the four Florida branches.

The Camp Kulaqua Trading Post in High Springs is Florida’s newest Adventist Book Center. It’s under construction adjacent to the camp’s cafeteria.

—Cindy Kurtzhals

BIBLE FEST ’99

JEWISH OUTREACH TOUR TO WALK IN FOOTSTEPS OF YESHUA

A. LEE BENNETT, JR.

SOUTHERNMOST CAMP MEETING IN U.S.

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he Key West, Marathon, and Islamorada churches invite everyone to attend the second annual Bible Fest mini Camp Meeting from April 30-May 2.

“You will feel the presence of our Creator as you see fiery sunsets, soaring pelicans, and crystal blue ocean waters,” says district Pastor Robert Sparenberg.

Services will be held in a tent pitched next to the Atlantic Ocean at Knight’s Key Camp-

ground in Marathon, located at mile marker 48 on U.S. Highway 1.

Guest speakers include Gordon Retzer, Dan Matthews, Dr. Hans La Rondelle, and Virginia Smith. The youth will take a boat trip to a re-creation of the Isle of Patmos to hear the words of John the Revelator.

Reservations/details: Kathy Saladino, (305) 743-5268, or Robert Sparenberg, (305) 292-5016.

—Robert Sparenberg

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eople will walk in the footsteps of the King of the Jews during a tour of Israel, April 18-27, and another trip is planned for March, 2000. From a Jewish perspective, the trip will retrace the travels of Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem. The tour is sponsored by the Jewish outreach office, a ministry of the Florida Conference evangelism department.

“This is a spiritual journey back to the roots of Christianity,” said Pastor/Rabbi Mordecai DuShey, Conference evangelist.

“We’ll experience the life of Yeshua Ha Mashiah—which, in Hebrew, means ‘Savior, 3

A bar-mitzvah ceremony in Israel.

the Annointed One.’ ” Themed “In Search of Abraham’s Seed— The Messiah,” the tour begins on the shores of Galilee and explores the Jewish roots of the Savior’s life. Participants will take part in bar-mitzvahs, re-enact the Last Supper (Passover), and visit the Temple Western Wall.

They will also open the

Sabbath (Kabalat Shabbat) Mordecai and DuShey close the Sabbath (Havadalah) at the Kibbutz Rachel in Jerusalem overlooking the ancient city.

INFORMATION: (954) 382-0037, or mordecaid@msn.com —Mordecai DuShey

Triennial Update

Where We’ve Been…Where We’re Going

TRIENNIUM PRIORITIES BEING CARRIED OUT any activities and emphases continue to reflect the Conference priorities that resulted from the Town Hall Meetings held in April, 1997, and were approved by vote at the Constituency Meeting October 26,

GORDON RETZER, PRESIDENT, FLORIDA CONFERENCE “Region Church Planting Coordinating Committees give grass roots input and local participation.”

1997,” reports President Gordon Retzer.

“Over the past yearand-a-half, local church leaders and Conference leaders have been carrying out the mission that Christ has for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Florida Conference.”

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to Christ and the Church.

New churches planted through coordinated master plan for church planting.

Effective communication to people in Florida through mass media.

Enthusiastic support of global outreach opportunities of the Church.

Members active in their neighborhoods.

YOUTH AND EDUCATION • Youth enfranchised as full participants in the mission of EVANGELISM/ CHURCH GROWTH the Church.

• Innovative, creative, • The local church relevant, and culturand community as ally sensitive meththe focus of youth ods to attract people programs and ac-

This update focuses on the priorities of Evangelism/Church Growth, specifically, two of its components: a master plan for church planting, and communicating to people in Florida through mass media.

—Cindy Kurtzhals

CHURCH PLANTING MASTER PLAN

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he Executive Committee voted December 13, 1998, to accept

VOTED PRIORITIES FOR TRIENNIUM SPIRITUAL NURTURE • Enjoying an abiding assurance in the saving grace of Christ and a commitment to the distinctive teachings of the Word.

• Demonstrating unity among members and unity among sister churches.

• Churches permeated with Holy Spirit power.

• Growing expression of the fruit of the Spirit.

• Moving mountains through prayer.

• Family life enriched.

What has happened since that time? In another series of Town Hall Meetings which concluded March 31, reports were shared with pastors and members regarding growth, finances, trends and statistics, and distributed education.

tivities.

• Retreat opportunities accessible to all children and youth.

• Adventist education accessible and affordable for all children and youth.

EQUIPPING • Able to effectively express our spiritual gifts.

• Fostering an environment where each person can discover his/her significance in Christ and the body; an environment of safety, authenticity, empowering, and hope.

• Local church leaders empowered and trained for effective participation in the mission of Adventism.

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the recommendations of the Region Church Planting Committee and establish the basis for the Church Planting Master Plan.

Twenty-four population centers have been identified within Florida that do not have a Seventh-day Adventist church.

Their combined population is more than 1.7

million people.

These locations are now a priority for the future growth of the Church in Florida Conference. Studies will be made on how to enter these areas, decide how to fund this initiative, and ensure that existing churches remain strong and financially viable.

—Gordon Retzer

CINDY KURTZHALS

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Church Planting meeting with area pastors.

BUILDING ON THE PAST

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hurch planting is not a brandnew, 21st century concept. The development of new companies and places of worship began more than 100 years ago in small towns across Florida, with one or two sacrificing

laypeople identifying a need for a church.

The first church to be organized in Florida was Terra Ceia in 1885—now known as Palmetto.

Planting churches has continued ever since through the efforts of the laity and paid ministry.

To guarantee that

Church Planting NORTHEAST TALLAHASSEE POPULATION 32,900

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SOUTHEAST JACKSONVILLE 114,785

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NORTHWEST GREATER NORTHDALE 7,687

STATEMENT ON THE VISION

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JACKSONVILLE BEACH 26,694 SOUTH LAKESIDE 59,572

UNIVERSITY WEST 33,394 LAND O’ LAKES 14,220

PALM HARBOR 44,615

he focus of the Church Planting Plan, voted by the Executive Committee, will be on new churches whose primary goal is growth by accessions from the communities in which they are planted.

The Conference Workbook for Organization recommends that churches utilize their knowledge and familiarity of their own “home bases” to develop relevant outreach programs and culturally-sensitive calls to worship, and identify creative ways to share the Word of God in their own locales.

SIX STEPS OF THE PROCESS—ACHIEVE EVENTS, ACTIVITIES, AND/OR ORIENTATION • Active community outreach program • Stewardship education including an appropriate level of understanding of church financing and local church financial relationship to the Conference • Visioning process • Adventist church organization including resources available to the local church • Church clerk and church treasurer orientation • Lay leader training

church planting is carried out in a way that is both sacred and systematic, members who attended the 1997 Constituency Meeting requested that a Master Plan be devised that would ensure, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that new churches were planted through a coordinated approach.

In other words, the Con-

ference is not imposing cultural or social differon members and comences in areas of popumunities, but is working lation growth. together with laypeople As the membership and pastors. grows in SACRED & Florida and The objective is to deSYSTEMATIC the general velop new population churches, expand the expands, there is a ministries of existing greater need for overchurches, and extend flowing churches to ministries to various branch out in order to groups by geographic minister more closely to location, ethnicity, and the spiritual needs of

CLEARWATER 180,479 SOUTHWEST TAMPA 44,576

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SOUTHWEST PORT CHARLOTTE 36,137

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CAPE CORAL—144,364

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LAKELAND ❖ 19,375

WEST PORT NORTHWEST ST. LUCIE LAKELAND ❖ 89,730 47,970 NORTHEAST WEST PALM BEACH ❖ 96,382 WEST PALM BEACH 163,456

❖ ❖ SOUTHWEST WEST

SOUTHWEST FORT MYERS 61,759

PALM BEACH 69,694

NORTHWEST PEMBROKE PINES 27,273 PEMBROKE PINES 87,376

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SOUTHWEST HIALEAH—17,539 LARGE HISPANIC POPULATION

SOUTHWEST KENDALL—143,022

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VERO BEACH 67,537

the community and its membership.

In the past five years, churches have been active in ministering to these neighborhood and community groups via church planting.

Thirty-nine companies or churches were established since 1994 and more are in the process. (See p. 6).

WHERE WE’VE PLANTED—1994-1998 Church Organization Date Brazilian Temple Company January 8, 1994 Coral Springs Company February 19, 1994 Altamonte Springs Spanish Company April 2, 1994 Marion Oaks Spanish Company April 30, 1994 Shiloh French Company July 16, 1994 Emmanuel Company August 17, 1994 Poinciana Spanish Company October 8, 1994 Kendall Spanish Company October 29, 1994 Miami Korean Company November 26, 1994 Tampa Bay Company December 17, 1994 Miami Portuguese Company January 21, 1995 Norland Company March 18, 1995 Coral Springs April 15, 1995 Altamonte Springs Spanish May 27, 1995 Sebring Spanish October 14, 1995 Brazilian Temple January 6, 1996 Wesley Chapel Company January 29, 1996 Kendall Spanish February 3, 1996 DeBary Company February 17, 1996 Plymouth-Sorrento Company April 13, 1996 Spring Hill Spanish April 20, 1996 Venice-Yugoslavian April 27, 1996 Eliathah Company June 29, 1996 Miami Portuguese September 7, 1996 Margate Spanish Company October 12, 1996 Naples Spanish Company November 9, 1996 Pine Hills Spanish Company December 14, 1996 Hialeah Gardens Spanish Company December 21, 1996 Palmetto-Tampa Spanish Company February 14, 1997 Interlachen May 10, 1997 Plant City Spanish Company April 19, 1997 Lake Worth-Lantana Company August 16, 1997 Margate Spanish November 22, 1997 Wesley Chapel January 17, 1998 DeBary February 7, 1998 Eliathah March 7, 1998 Hialeah Gardens Spanish March 14, 1998 New Community Company June 6, 1998 White Springs Spanish Company December 19, 1998

The White Springs Spanish company was organized December 19, 1998, by Conference Secretary Gloria Becker, at podium. White Springs is located in North Florida, northwest of Lake City. Five other churches and companies were organized in 1998: DeBary, Eliathah, Hialeah Gardens Spanish, New Community company, and Wesley Chapel.

GROWING A CHURCH AT PEMBROKE PINES

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welve members from four churches in South Florida—Plantation, Maranatha, Miami Springs, and Miami Temple—met to discuss the establishment of an “all nations” church in the Pembroke Pines area.

The dozen individuals had previously expressed an interest in developing a church at the Region Church Planting meeting. They focused on the idea that the church plant-

ing would reflect the demographics of the community with new members coming from that area.

The group met with Conference Church Planter and Lay Evangelist Ric Swaningson on February 2. His role as a liaison to work with community core groups was discussed.

The gathering also was advised of Swaningson’s responsibilities for establishing core values, and for locating a site to hold

evangelistic meetings and worship services.

The Pembroke Pines group held its first church services on February 6 in the home of one of the core members. They plan to rotate homes each week until a suitable meeting place is found.

There are seven young people in the Pembroke Pines congregation in addition to the 12 adults. More people are committed to joining with them.

—Glen Altermatt

CONFERENCE SECRETARY ANNOUNCES CAREER CHANGE

©DALE CLARK PHOTOGRAPHY

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Gloria Becker, Florida Conference Secretary and director of human resource services.

loria Becker, Conference Secretary and director of human resources, has announced that she has accepted the position of director of marketing and risk management at Forest Lake Academy in Apopka.

She made this decision to allow more time to be with her family.

Becker joined Florida Conference May 16, 1983, as an office secretary in the estate services department. She was named Conference assistant Secretary July 1, 1988, and associate Secretary and human resources director, June 20, 1991.

She was elected Conference Secretary and human resources 6

director, January 23, 1994, and is one of two female Conference Secretaries in the North American Division.

When her Secretary term began, membership was 34,499 with 167 churches and companies compared to 43,218 members and 188 churches and companies in 1998.

“Gloria will be

missed in her role in the Conference,” says President Gordon Retzer. “She’s been a leader in human resources not only here, but also in the Southern Union Conference and North American Division. She and her staff have developed several personnel systems that will continue to benefit God’s work.”

FLORIDA LAY ELECTRONIC MEDIA BOARD

✁

COMMUNICATE WITH FLORIDIANS THROUGH MASS MEDIA

Calendar of Events

April –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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hinking minds know that if you want to get the Word out, you utilize the rapidly advancing technology at your fingertips.

Florida laity are taking advantage of the opportunities in electronic media, and have identified ten venues as possible resources to be used in spreading the Gospel, including radio, satellite uplink programs, the internet, religious software production, and TV. In order to make the best use of those venues, the Executive Committee voted on July 21 to establish a lay-driven Electronic Media Board, which has since been renamed the Florida Lay Electronic Media Board (FLEMB). The purpose of the group, with input from laypeople and pastors throughout the state, is to communicate the Biblical message of God’s plan for man and our gift of salva-

Statewide Electronic Media Board Meeting April 25—3 p.m.

Florida Conference Office Everyone Invited

tion through the sacrificial death of Christ.

The FLEMB will serve as a standard-setting body and monitoring source that will approve affiliate applications to “partner” with the Conference in electronic media.

Affiliates—church members who share a mission for spreading God’s message—will agree to abide by standards and principles developed by the Media Board in the interest of establishing professional quality and spiritual accountability.

On April 25, a statewide meeting will be

held at the Conference office to develop a coordinated plan to impact Florida through various electronic media ministries. Laypeople, ASI and Lay Advisory members, pastors, communication professionals, and church representatives are invited.

“The purpose of this meeting is to find out what each local church envisions for electronic media,” says David Canther, chair and Mt. Dora pastor.

“We’ll take all of the ideas and work them into a master plan so all of our churches are singing from the same hymnal and not working independently.”

LOCAL CHURCHES AND CONFERENCE PARTNER TO BROADCAST THE GOSPEL – PARTIAL LISTING La Voz de Esperanza WQBA Radio—Miami WWFE Radio—Miami WAMA Radio—Tampa WONQ Radio—Casselberry Bible Answers Live with Doug Batchelor WIOJ Radio—Jacksonville WAPN Radio—Holly Hill

The Voice of Hope WAVS Radio—Norland Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) TV Channel 65—Jacksonville It Is Written Television WXVQ Radio—DeLand WKMG TV Channel 6—Orlando

Statewide Florida Lay Electronic Media Meeting—Apr. 25. Florida Conference office. Members interested in sharing the gospel through various media technologies are invited. (407) 644-5000 x121.

Bible Fest ’99 Mini Camp Meeting—Apr. 29-May 2. Florida Keys.

(305) 292-5016.

Metropolitan Connection II North Florida Youth Rally—Apr. 30-May 1. Jacksonville Mandarin church. (407) 644-5000 x129 or 131.

Hispanic Marriage Commitment Weekend—Apr. 30-May 2. Camp Kulaqua. (407) 644-5000 x153.

Florida Adventist Bookmobile—Book Center orders accepted by e-mail: mlthomas@southernunion.com Apr. 30-May 2. Florida Keys Mini Camp Meeting.

May 2. Homestead.

May 8. Walker Memorial.

May 9. Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach.

May 29. Port Charlotte.

May 30. North Port, Venice-Nokomis, Sarasota, Palmetto, Brandon, Tampa First.

June 5. St. Petersburg June 6. Clearwater, New Port Richey, Spring Hill, Brooksville, East Pasco, Plant City, Lakeland.

June 12. Tallahassee.

June 13. Perry, Lake City, Gainesville, Ocala, Silver Springs Shores, Inverness.

June 19. West Palm Beach.

June 20. Jupiter-Tequesta, Jensen Beach, Ft. Pierce, Cocoa, Titusville.

May ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Estate Services Clinics. (407) 644-5000 x184.

May 1. Bethel French.

May 22. Carol City Spanish.

May 8. Margate Spanish.

May 28-June 5. Camp Meeting.

May 15. Deltona.

June 12. Hispanic Camp Meeting.

Florida Pathfinders. (407) 644-5000 x127. Call for complete schedule.

May 1. South Area Bible Bowl Runoff and Area Directors Meeting.

Maranatha church.

May 30. Pathfinder Drill Competition, Parade, and Bible Bowl Championship at Florida Conference Camp Meeting.

June 12. PAC Meeting. Florida Conference office.

June 25-27, July 9-11, & July 23-25. Island Navigator.

Central Florida Youth Council—May 2. Florida Conference office.

(407) 644-5000 x129 or 131.

Singles Career/Spiritual Gifts Assessment—May 7-8. Forest Lake church. Doug Hursh: (407) 321-1217.

English Prepare/Enrich Training—May 26 at Florida Conference office.

June 1 at Forest Lake Academy. Presenter: Ken Bryant, Conference family life director. (407) 644-5000 x123.

Hispanic Youth Retreat—May 28-31. Camp Kulaqua. Details: Sergio Torres, (305) 225-0528.

105th Annual Florida Conference Camp Meeting—May 28-June. 5.

Forest Lake Academy, Apopka. See pages 1 and 2.

June ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Summer Camp at Camp Kulaqua. High Springs. (904) 454-1351. http://www.campkulaqua.com/ June 6-13. Junior I, ages 10-12.

July 4-11. Teen, ages 14-16.

June 13-20. Junior II, ages 10-12. July 18-25. Extreme Adventure, June 20-27. Cub, ages 8-10. ages 14-17. Waterskiing, caving, June 20-27. Specialty, ages 11-16. mountain biking, and whiteJune 27-July 4. Tween, ages 12-14. wa ter rafting.

Hispanic Camp Meeting—June. 9-13. Forest Lake Academy. Speaker: Felix Cortés.

Hispanic Prepare/Enrich Training—June. 10. Florida Conference office.

Presenter: Dan Amich, district pastor, Tampa Spanish church/Palmetto-Tampa company. (407) 644-5000 x153.

—A. Lee Bennett, Jr. 7

CONFERENCE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS DECEMBER 13, 1998; JANUARY 31, 1999; & MARCH 21, 1999 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS: Robert Boggess, Miami Temple pastor; Lynell LaMountain, Jacksonville Mandarin pastor.

CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS: North Region—David Stunkard, Jacksonville Southpoint senior pastor. Gulf Region— Ben Holdsworth, Carrollwood/Plant City pastor.

VOTED the 1999 Conference operating budget.

APPROVED the 1998 Adventist Book Center audited financial statement.

VOTED October 22, 2000, as the date for the

next Florida Conference Constituency Meeting.

VOTED, in concept, a recommendation from the Lay Advisory Committee to establish an educational endowment that would generate funds to assist Florida Conference students attending grades 9-12 in Florida Conference schools.

RECOMMENDED for ORDINATION the following nine candidates: Felix Cruz, David Graham, Bob Hayes, Lincoln Llewellyn, Jeff Wood, Daniel DaSilva, Jeff Gang, Minervino Labrador, and Roy Pauley.

APPROVED the organization of three new companies: Brazilian Temple Deerfield Beach, Lauderhill Sunrise, and Lehigh.

APPROVED the organi-

zation of the Shiloh French church.

APPROVED a change in the policy for church loans.

The new policy now reads, “Loans are available for up to 15 years in amounts up to the equivalent of two hundred percent (200%) of the annual tithe of the congregation, or fifty percent (50%) of the project cost.”

APPROVED the establishment of a Forest Lake Academy Master Plan Committee with representatives from a cross section of the Conference and from the entities adjacent to the Academy, such as the Forest Lake church and Forest Lake Education Center.

The purpose of this Committee is to 1) study and make recommenda-

tions for total property usage and how best to ensure quality facilities for the education of Academy students, 2) ensure that the Conference membership is served by Forest Lake Academy for other purposes such as Camp Meeting, and 3) ensure the value of the present asset is maximized.

This Committee will make recommendations to the Executive Committee.

Any major recommendations will also go to the Conference through a constituency meeting.

APPOINTED Vickie Monday, Conference undertreasurer, to be treasurer of the Conference Association in addition to her present responsibilities.

VOTED to accept the

resignation of Gloria Becker, Conference Secretary and director of human resource services. This comes at her request to spend more time with her family. (See page 6.)

VOTED an enabling action for one the following two individuals to serve as Conference Secretary and director of human resource services: Dave Cress, Secretary of Georgia-Cumberland Conference, and Evan Valencia, Secretary of Gulf States Conference. Cress has decided to remain at Georgia-Cumberland Conference. The Florida Conference administration is currently in dialog with Valencia regarding the position.

ADVENTIST COMMUNICATION NETWORK A Quarterly Publication of the Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Volume 15, Number 1 • Jan–Feb–Mar-Apr 1999

Broadcast Schedule Adventist Worship Hour Every Sabbath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 a.m.-Noon First Wednesday 1st Wednesday each month . . . . . 7:30-8:30 p.m.

P.R.E.A.C.H. ’99—Ministry Magazine professional growth seminar for Adventist and nonAdventist clergy.

April 20 . . . 1-5 p.m.

Cross Training—for local church leaders.

Community Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 8 Youth Ministries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 8 HeartBeat ’99—Evaluation event.

May 11 . . . 7-8 p.m.

Florida Conference Camp Meeting—Live from Forest Lake Academy across Florida and North America. See pp. 1-2. . . . May 28-June 5

FLORIDA CONFERENCE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS P.O. BOX 2626 WINTER PARK, FL 32790-2626 (407) 644-5000 FAX: (407) 644-7550 WEB: http://www.adventist-fl.com/ OF

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT #4190 ORLANDO, FL

FOR COMPLETE TIMES, UPDATES, SATELLITE CHANNELS, AND PROGRAM INFORMATION, CALL ACN — 1-800-226-1119 OR VISIT THE WEB SITE — http://www.acnsat.org Purposing to reach each of Florida’s 14.7 million residents with the Gospel