Summer 1998

A Quarterly Publication of the Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Volume 14, Number 3 • July–August–September 1998

NET SUCCESSES

NET ’98: BEAMED TO EVERY INHABITED CONTINENT ON EARTH

MARGARET TAYLOR-FISHER

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hawn and Anjanette (Angie) Brailsford were two of eight people baptized by Pastor Harry Robinson on November 9, 1996, at the South Orlando church following Net ’96—Discoveries in Prophecy. “Until I went to listen to Mark Finley, we never understood what it was to keep the Sabbath. We were very impressed with the meetings,” said Angie.

Active in service for their church during the 1998-99 year, Angie is the Social Committee leader and Shawn is a deacon, teen Sabbath school leader, Adventist Youth Services (AYS) leader, and a member of the Building/ Refurbishing Committee.

—Margaret Taylor-Fisher

NET ’98

October 9-November 14, 1998—7:30 p.m.

Nightly except Mondays & Thursdays.

For information, including satellite channels, call (800) 226-1119 or visit the web site: http://www.net98.org

et ’98 is being positioned to reach the vast numbers of Generation X’ers and Baby Boomers whose lives are often consumed with short-range goals and struggles. As a university pastor with 3,000 young adults in my parish, I have had the privilege for the last fourteen years of living life and sharing ministry in their midst. This generation, without question, represents the most significant challenge Christianity and Adventism have ever faced. I am grateful that the leadership of our Church has seen God opening a wide door of opportunity to reach out to the Dwight Nelson young of the entire world.

The message of Net ’98 will reach the young at their point of need as it focuses on the great relational truths of God that challenge us to experience who He is. We will discover and share the compelling love of God in Christ that radiates His character from the cross, the Sabbath, the truth about death, and apocalyptic prophecies defining this hour of history— from every Bible teaching. By His grace, we will communicate all of this truth in the context of pursuing a contemporary, personal relationship with the very God these great truths reveal.

One of the most important priorities of Net ’96—Discoveries in Prophecy was to enlarge the sphere of the ‘net’ by adding over 40 nations to the growing audiences in the United States and Canada. Net ’98—The NEXT Millennium Seminar must build on the very solid foundation that has been established as it continues its expansion throughout the entire world. Net ’96 Speaker Mark Finley has been a dynamic spokesman for the Gospel of Jesus. I am honored to step into his footprints as we continue this successful satellite ministry.

As we move toward Net ’98, we must reach out to every person within our sphere of influence to communicate and share the truth about God. I want to thank you for your support and look forward to forging an even stronger Net evangelism movement in the future.

Here at Pioneer Memorial church on the campus of Andrews University, our mission statement begins with the words “Forward on our knees.” May we shape our vision and deepen our passion for this ministry as we daily and hourly move forward on our knees.

—Dwight Nelson

The Greatest Soul-winning Adventure in the History of the Church Begins October 9

NET ’98—THE NEXT MILLENNIUM SEMINAR “FINDING A FOREVER FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD”

OCTOBER IS PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH

DANIEL PALASKE

Last October, on Pastor Appreciation Day, Robert and Mae Kachenmeister were presented a thank-you gift of airline tickets on behalf of the Pompano Beach church by member Carolyn Forrest. They used the tickets to visit their children in California and Minnesota in August.

ABSOLUTE PHOTOGRAPHY

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thanked Niemeyer for refurbishing their facility with the help of High Springs Pathfinders. They filled cracks, painted walls and floors, and installed new siding. Most important, their church has since grown by 12 new members.

Pompano Beach members also appreciate a pastor who rolls up his sleeves to help around the church. Kachenmeister doesn’t just feed them spiritually. With the help

of Mae, his wife, he also willingly gives much time to do physical work for the good of the church— scrubbing floors, painting, landscaping, and all manner of work associated with caring for the church.

“Pastor K,” as he is affectionately called, came out of retirement 10 years ago as interim pastor and

—Jane Allen

Pastor Appreciation Sabbath has been set aside to encourage Seventh-day Adventist congregations to express a word of thanks to their pastoral leaders. For ideas and assistance, a Clergy Appreciation Month Planning Guide is available from Focus on the Family for $2.50. Call 1-800-A-FAMILY

Stephan Wilson

years in Atlanta, Georgia, and two years in Orlando.

“This is a tremendous loss for Florida Conference,” says Gordon Retzer, president. “Steve is capable, talented, and has served the Conference with great skill and financial ability. I will miss working with him.”

The Gilchrist County Journal newspaper ran this photo of Wayne Niemeyer as he cut a cake that members prepared for Pastor Appreciation Day. With him are some of the new members of the Jennings Lake church.

members soon realized they needed to look no further for a replacement.

To say thanks, local elder Daniel Palaske suggested the church do something to honor the Kachenmeisters. Under his leadership, members held a special church program. Then, to further express their appreciation, they gave both Pastor and Mrs. K two sets of round-trip airline tickets to use to visit their children who live in California and Minnesota.

“A Focus on the Family study shows that 80 percent of pastors feel isolated,” says Noel Shanko, Florida Conference ministerial director.

Appreciation doesn’t have to be in the form of a formal church service, newspaper article, or a gift of airline tickets. The important thing is to let pastors know they are genuinely loved and appreciated.

follow-up

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Xite98 was the tiein to the August 8 Youth Sabbath as churches across the nation invited someone under age 35 to preach that day. Florida encouraged churches to invite someone under age 25.

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More than 1,800 youth gathered at the eXcite98 conference in Riverside, California, August 6-9. Guest speakers included Net ’98 Speaker Dwight Nelson and General Conference President Robert Folkenberg.

Follow-up reports are on eXcite98’s web site— http://www.excite98.net —A. Lee Bennett, Jr.

ELMER ALLARD

the Jennings Lake church.

“Pastor Wayne is just what we needed. He is a preacher who helps you understand the Bible … and he’s there when you need him.”

In a special church program, later reported in the Gilchrist County Journal, the members

TREASURER ACCEPTS HEALTH CARE POSITION lorida Conference Treasurer Stephan Wilson has accepted the position of director of internal auditing for Adventist Health System in Winter Park. He will continue as Conference treasurer until the transition takes place.

(See Executive Committee Highlights, pg. 7.)

Wilson was hired July, 1991, as controller and then elected treasurer July, 1993, by the Executive Committee upon the retirement of the prior treasurer, Relious Walden.

Prior to 1991, Wilson served as an auditor with the General Conference Auditing Service for four

WINNELLE HORNE

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hink back to the last time someone said to you, “Thanks. I appreciate what you’re doing.” Every pastor can use a heartfelt “thank you” from time to time, too.

Florida Conference churches are being encouraged to celebrate Pastor Appreciation Sabbath this October during Clergy Appreciation Month.

Among Florida pastors honored last October were Wayne Niemeyer of the Jennings Lake and High Springs churches, and Robert Kachenmeister of the Pompano Beach church.

“When a new pastor comes in, no one knows what to expect, but you always hope for the best,” says Winnelle Horne of

Greg McManus, age 29, presented the August 8 Youth Sabbath sermon at the Inverness church. His sermon topic was about reverence to God.

1998 CHURCH GROWTH IN THE FLORIDA CONFERENCE

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lorida Conference recognizes that one of its major responsibilities is to plant churches. Matthew 28:19 and 20 and Mark 16:15 point out that the Savior’s commission to carry the Gospel to all the world means preaching the message, as well as ensuring the welfare of those who accept that message.

This involves shepherding as well as housing the membership.

Such a situation calls for the formation of mission groups, companies, and churches. With this responsibility in mind, working policies are put into place for Florida Conference.

PURPOSE OF GROUP ORGANIZATION The main reason for any of the three levels of local church organization is to evangelize. Expanding the membership of God’s Kingdom is fundamental to being Christian. The depth of a church’s Christian love can be measured by how much time is spent in recruiting new members. When an organized church reaches a size at which its officers can best perform their task of shepherding, nurturing, and training members, it is well to extend the ministry of the church.

General issues are considered prior to the formation of a new organization. While outreach is encouraged, counsel and approval from the Area Church Planting Committee and from the Conference Administration are suggested before laying plans or starting a new group. This is so it can be coordinated with the Conference Strategic Plan for growth in the Conference.

—Florida Conference Executive Committee STORY CONTINUES, PAGES 4-5

THANKS TO MEMBERS

F 14,624.0

M FLORIDA EVANGELIS ns: tio ibu ntr Jan.-June 1998 Co

$14,624.00

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lorida members contributed $14,624 to frontline evangelism in the first six months of 1998. This is nearly $4,000 more than the same period last year— $10,814.38.

These monies helped fund several evangelistic meetings which were beyond what the Conference evangelism budget could sponsor. As a result of these meetings, 50 people were baptized! What a blessing to bring the Gospel to so many hearts.

—Ralph Ringer

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Steps of Church Organization MISSION GROUP The objective of the mission group is to expand the ministry of a local church into a different population group—differentiated by geographic region, ethnic, cultural, or social identity.

The goal in the development of the mission group is to service church members located in areas that are not able to sustain their own church and to have missionary outreach in new areas in line with the Conference strategic plan.

COMPANY When a group grows to the point where it anticipates joining the sisterhood of churches in the Conference, it becomes a company on an interim basis.

ORGANIZED CHURCH The organized church is the fully autonomous church that has its own relationship to the sisterhood of churches.

Churches and Companies Organized in 1998 DeBary church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 7 Eliathah church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 7 Hialeah Gardens Spanish church . . . . . . . . . March 14 New Community company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 6

Churches and Companies That Have Paid Off Property Mortgages In 1998 Ft. Lauderdale Spanish church . . . . . . . . . . . . . January Ft. Myers church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January Ft. Pierce church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January Gainesville church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .February Boynton-Delray church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March East Pasco church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March Jacksonville Southpoint church . . . . . . . . . . . . . March Pine Hills Spanish church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May Mt. Dora church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May Poinciana Spanish company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May Key Largo church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June Maranatha church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June Tampa Korean church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June University church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June Vero Beach church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August In most cases, mortgages for church and school building projects or purchases are funded by Southern Union Revolving Fund loans. These loans make it possible for churches and schools to borrow money at a rate of interest lower than what they can get from other lending organizations. Constituents can invest money into the Fund and earn 5% interest by contacting the Florida Conference estate services department.

GAINESVILLE BURNS $86,000 MORTGAGE

HERE’S HOW THEY DID IT Blandford says there were three basic steps to enable them to raise more

than $100,000 in 11 months.

• Create a spirit of unity among the members. Blandford says they succeeded because they united their time, talents and monies—a key factor to an effort like this.

Member Aurora Martin said, “We had a goal, and we worked together.”

• Share the monthly financial statement with members.

When members saw the whole picture of income and expenses for themselves, they found areas that could be cut.

• Adopt a bare-bones budget and stick to it.

Besides making personal donations and “trimming the fat” from the budget, members came up with dozens of ways to create cash. They held

INGRID STRUBLE

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ongregations wanting to pay off their church mortgage in a few months can take lessons from the Gainesville church.

Pastor Gordon Blandford says the process began with a challenge. “The church needed to be on a solid financial footing if we were to be effective in church growth and evangelism.”

Last February, after years of mortgage payments and nearly a year of intensive work to end those payments, the Gainesville church paid off their mortgage. On March 21, they celebrated with a dedication and mortgage-burning.

Enough money had also been raised to rid the church of a $17,000 budget deficit.

Burning mortgage papers marked the end to many years of payments for the Gainesville church. To accelerate the pay-off, members raised more than $100,000 in 11 months and were able to pay off the mortgage as well as a budget deficit. Pictured left, Pastor Gordon Blandford; local elders Ben Crawford, Charles Ferguson, and Dr. Artemio Martin; Aurora Martin; and Steve Wilson, Florida Conference treasurer.

garage sales, fruit sales, Asian food sales, and flower sales.

Members Dr. Artemio and Aurora Martin, who led the church’s fund-raising activities, became representatives for Thermomix,® a small kitchen appliance. They were paid for each demonstration and donated that money to the church.

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED BY WALKER MEMORIAL CHURCH/SCHOOL Walker Memorial’s 50th anniversary was covered in local newspapers. The Highlands Today paper carried nearly a half-page story with a large color photo advertising the upcoming event. The paper’s winter circulation was 25,000. The anniversary was also reported on page 1 of the News-Sun paper with a winter circulation of 17,000. A color photo of General Conference President Robert Folkenberg taken during the service as he delivered the sermon was run, bottom right.

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Some members even gave up Christmas and birthday gifts. A 60th birthday party was thown for Dr. Martin. Instead of bringing gifts, guests were asked to make donations to the mortgage fund. This raised about $15,000.

GAINESVILLE’S HISTORY The Gainesville

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alker Memorial church and Walker Memorial Junior Academy (WMJA) both celebrated a half-century of service in the Avon Park community.

General Conference President Robert Folkenberg, WMJA alumni, and staff from Florida Hospital Heartland Division were featured speakers at the weekend ceremonies.

From a one-student, one-teacher school, WMJA now boasts nearly

church has been in its present site on 39th Street since 1974, and the sanctuary was completed in 1980. Believers began meeting in the Gainesville area around 1887, and have had several church homes including an old cotton gin, a Moose Lodge, an Odd Fellows Temple, and three previous churches.

—Jane Allen

200 students and a teaching and support staff of more than 15. With a current membership of 900, Walker Memorial church has grown along with the hospital it is associated with—Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Center, formerly known as Walker Memorial Medical Center.

“The story of Avon Park is just one of many success stories that reflect the hard-working history of Adventism,” said Folkenberg.

—Lisa Ziegele

ELIATHAH REJOICES AT ITS ORGANIZATION AND NEW BUILDING pany and membership had grown to 90.

Sacrificial giving from the members and assistance from Florida Conference made it possible to purchase a permanent church home in July, 1997. Several months of renovation ensued and the members moved into their new church for Sabbath services on April 25.

During the renovation, membership grew to 140 and the Eliathah company officially organized into a church on March 7.

PHOTOS: ALTIMONT ANDERSON

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Lewis Hendershot, left, Florida Conference vice president for administration and pastoral care, joined Eliathah pastor Lenworth McLean to conduct the church’s organization service.

Eliathah maintains an internet web site, right, which offers visitors free Bible studies and materials, a history of Adventism, a profile of the pastor and the upcoming sermon topic, directions to the church, and a photo album. www.southernunion.com/churches/eliathah.flc/

—Donna Cheddar

NEWSPAPERS COVER CHURCH GROWTH

A. LEE BENNETT, JR.

SPRING HILL OPENS NEW CHURCH HOME

Spring Hill pastor Melvin Landers, center, was joined by previous pastors for the ribbon-cutting. Hershel Mercer, left, was pastor from 1990-1998, and Marc Genton, right, was pastor from 1986-1990.

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fter worshipping in homes, other church buildings, and even a funeral home, what had been a dream is now a reality for members of the Spring Hill church.

It has taken more than 10 years to reach this pinnacle which began in late 1986 with four families from New York, one from Tennessee, and another

from Massachusetts.

“We could have become part of the Brooksville church, but thought Spring Hill should have its own church,” said Spring Hill charter member Leona Olsen.

Before renting other meeting facilities for separate Sabbath services, Spring Hill families met for Bible studies in each other’s homes while still

Adventurers Nakiea Bell, Kandece McLean, Bryan Cheddar, and Christopher Black carried a basket of scissors which were used in Eliathah’s grand opening ribbon-cutting.

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he Eliathah congregation, whose name means “the Lord comes,” is one of the newest organized churches in Florida Conference.

They began in December, 1993, as a 15-member branch Sabbath school class associated with its nearby parent church, Maranatha. The Group members purchased a house and met there until they outgrew the space and rented other meeting facilities.

By June, 1996, Eliathah organized into a com-

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hen the East Pasco church (formerly known as Zephyrhills/Dade City) broke ground for a new facility on April 12, the Zephyrhills News—spring circulation, 4,700—ran the photo on the left. The Building Committee anticipates construction to begin in October and hopes to complete their new church home a year later.

The newspaper also ran a short article and photo, pictured right, of the Wesley Chapel church—a converted convenience store. The article reports that the building was purchased on March 14, 1996, and the first worship service was held on March 23 after “some extensive cleaning.” Wesley Chapel member Winnifred Churchill was quoted saying, “[They] purchased the pews for the church in January, 1997, after sitting [for nearly a year] on white plastic lawn chairs they had bought at Scotty’s®.”

—A. Lee Bennett, Jr.

attending services at the Brooksville church. They soon decided to branch out from Brooksville and hold their own services— even if it meant meeting in a funeral home. After renting space from the United Church of Christ for nine years, Spring Hill 5

members raised approximately $300,000 to build a sanctuary of their own.

With assistance from the Conference, construction on the new church began in 1997.

Former Spring Hill pastors Marc Genton and Hershel Mercer, along

with Florida Conference President Gordon Retzer, were featured guests at the church’s grand opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting held June 20.

—Lisa Ziegele, with files from Hernando Times staff writer Jean Johnson

CONFERENCE AUDITORS

Editor’s Note: Every three years, a Triennial Report of how the gospel is being spread in Florida is prepared for delegates to the Constituency Meeting. Continuing issues of Florida Focus will contain portions of this report.

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lorida Conference continues to experience rapid growth which results in the need for more church facilities. Though the physical land and buildings are not the primary means used to win souls for the Kingdom, they provide a place for the congregation to come together to worship and often serve as a first impression for those wanting to learn more about the Seventh-day Adventist Church. These facilities also provide a place for each Florida congregation to conduct evangelistic meetings and outreach programs in their communities.

The church development department serves churches by coordinating the sale and purchase of properties and providing guidance and assistance through the numerous steps of the building or

acquisition process. Such steps include site visits to determine if the property is suitable for the churches’ need, financial budget reviews, loan applications, Conference subsidy applications, contracts, leases, blue prints, etc. As necessary, the director serves as a liaison between the church and attorney(s). Final implementations are the responsibility of the local congregation.

LEADERSHIP The church development department was formerly under the direction of Fred Wilson. He was a Conference vice president who directed the department since 1991 and gave leadership to special projects, including Camp Meetings.

He worked closely with Attorney Frank McMillan to complete numerous major projects

John Gilbert Cynthia Wills, director, church development, Conference property, and auditing.

prior to his retirement in February, 1996. Upon Wilson’s retirement, Arnt Krogstad became the director and led the department until December, 1996, when he, too, retired. Under his brief leadership, he reorganized the department and gave it a new vision.

Upon Krogstad’s retirement, Cynthia Wills was appointed to assume his responsibilities. She now serves as auditing director, church development director, and Conference properties director. She has served as a paralegal in law offices in Florida for more than 20 years. At Florida Conference, she has served as

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Bill Murrill

a paralegal for the past four-and-one-half years.

Her credentials include a real estate license, a mortgage broker’s license, and courses in property management and real estate financing.

PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT RESOURCE SEMINARS The first Property Development Resource Seminar was held in April, 1996, under Krogstad’s direction. It was designed to educate pastors and other church leaders in the issues and details involving the acquisition, construction, or disposal of real property. Eighty local church members from 24 Florida Conference churches met to learn from experts in the areas of property purchasing, construction,

Myrtle Thomas

sound systems, architecture, landscaping, and legal and environmental issues. Following the formal presentations, discussion and question/ answer sessions allowed the participants to deal with specific needs.

The seminar consisted of presentations by three volunteer experts from the Building Resource Committee, comprised of Seventh-day Adventist professionals who provide their expertise to the Conference and the local churches in planning and building.

The department’s goal is to have at least one Property Development Resource Seminar a year.

AUDITING Florida Conference is served by three auditors: John Gilbert, Bill Murrill, and Myrtle Thomas, and a part-time accounting assistant, Lily Wilson.

They audit the accounting records of local churches and assist the local church treasurers in following proper accounting procedures.

The director meets with the auditing staff periodically to check the progress of the audits being conducted, lay plans, and deal with any improprieties or other issues.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS local church and therefore should not be considered a Conference asset in the strictest sense.

Thus, the Conference officers and Committee will take a more conservative position than the General Conference auditors in order to ensure that there be no confusion regarding local church properties.

We VOTED an “umbrella” board for the coordination of electronic media outreach such as radio, television, internet, etc. This board will provide the structure for local churches, individuals, and the Conference to hold licenses, and will give guidance to affiliates who wish to be part of this coordinated thrust. This is in response to the Conference-voted priority to maximize media opportunities in Florida Conference.

Pastors David Canther and Haskell Williams,

along with Conference Communication Director Cindy Kurtzhals and many laypeople, have been leading this process.

The Electronic Media Board members will be appointed by the Committee (some having been recommended by the Lay Advisory Council) and will answer to the constituents through the Executive Committee.

At the conclusion of the Committee meeting, Steve Wilson, Conference treasurer, announced his decision to seek another position inasmuch as there are challenges in his marriage. He said he wants to be out of the limelight for now. No one asked Steve to make this decision—he feels this is best right now due to personal circumstances.

Steve accepted the position of director of internal auditing for Adventist Health System.

—Gloria Becker

STEWARDSHIP CHALLENGE FROM A LAYPERSON

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any people have been blessed with unexpected capital gains from stock and security ownership last year and, so far, this year as well.

As much as 30% of our investments has been added to our portfolios.

I believe there are many business professionals and private investors who would be willing, after prayerful consideration, to gift all or a portion of these gains if they knew of a conve-

nient way to do so.

Good news: your Conference does have such a brokerage account that is available to receive your stock transfers without additional fees.

Recently, my wife and I transferred a sizeable amount. We were able to specify the portions we wished to go for special Conference projects— some as unrestricted monies and a portion to revert to our local church.

It was a unique privilege doing this without compromising our initial

investments.

I would challenge you to consider using this method to further the Lord’s work. Would it not be a tragedy to allow these funds to remain in the portfolios until they were dissolved by market shifts?

If you are interested in this type of contribution, contact Associate Treasurer Wes Quale, or adult Sabbath school/ stewardship Director Glen Altermatt, at the Florida Conference office: (407) 644-5000.

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JULY 12, 1998 We had a unique devotional given by Executive Committee Member Manuel Pérez. He told how he had been in prison because of his involvement with a drug cartel. His wife, an Adventist, had been praying for him. Later, he was converted, baptized, and is now a leader in his local church as well as a member of the Executive Committee. God’s grace is amazing!

We heard the report from the auditors, and the Committee VOTED to REAFFIRM the Florida Conference position to not include local church property values on the Conference Financial Statement, thus requiring the auditors to give a qualified opinion.

The Committee feels that while the church properties are held by the Conference, they are held in trust on behalf of the

Calendar of Events

September ————————————————— Sept. 25-27 10th Anniversary Southern Society of Adventist Communicators (SSAC) Convention. Celebration, FL. Details: Southern Union Conference communication dept., (404) 299-1832.

Sept. 25-27 Filipino-American Association of Seventh-day Adventists Annual Retreat. Camp Kulaqua. Guest speaker: Charles Bradford. Details: Eliseo Liwag, (407) 381-2887.

Sept. 25-27 Project Whitecoat Servicemen 25th Year Celebration Reunion. Seventh-day Adventist church, Frederick, MD. Details: Frank Damazo, M.D. (301) 662-4502.

Sept. 27 Executive Committee. Florida Conference office.

Florida Pathfinders —————————— Sept. 26 Pathfinder Administrative Committee (PAC) Meeting. Conference office, 4-6 p.m.

Oct. 2-4 Reveille Companion. North area, Camp Kulaqua; South area, Jonathan Dickinson State Park, West Palm Beach.

Nov. 6-8 Counselors in Training (CIT) Retreat. Camp Kulaqua.

Nov. 13-15 Fun Day. Eager Beaver/Adventurer.

Nov. 20-22 Reveille Explorer. North area, Camp Kulaqua; South area, Jonathan Dickinson State Park, West Palm Beach.

Nov. 25-29 Thanksgiving Caving Trip. Raccoon Mountain, TN. Reservations/details: (407) 644-5000 x127.

Adventist Singles Ministries Fellowship Dinners ——————————— Details: Doug Hursh, (407) 321-1217.

Sept. 26 Kress Memorial church.

Oct. 10 Forest Lake church.

Oct. 24 Kress Memorial church.

Oct. 24 Barn Party 8:00 p.m. Home of Irene Moorehead.

Oct. 31 Deltona church.

Florida Adventist Book Center ——— Orders accepted by e-mail: gwhitt@southernunion.com Sept. 27 Adventist Book Center Open House. Winter Park and Miami Springs locations. 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Bookmobile Schedule: Call (800) 765-6955.

October —————————————————— Oct. 9-11 Women’s Ministries Directors’ Workshop. Pine Lake Retreat.

Oct. 9Net ’98—The NEXT Millennium Seminar: “Finding a Forever Nov. 14 Friendship with God.” Via satellite from Berrien Springs, MI. Oct. 14-17 Southern Union Conference Medical/Dental Congress.

Gatlinburg, TN. Details: Maurice Abbott, (404) 299-1832.

Oct. 16-17 Young Alumni Weekend. Forest Lake Academy. Details: (407) 862-8411 x233.

Oct. 18- International Mission Outreach Project. Adventist Singles Nov. 1 Ministries evangelistic series and new church construction in Cabildo, Chile. Details: Lorraine Hansen, (704) 697-2409.

Oct. 23-25 Parent Weekend. Forest Lake Academy. Details: (407) 862-8411 x234.

Evangelistic Meetings ————————— Oct. 9-Nov. 14 South Brevard. Lester Pratt and Roy and Amy Pauley.

Oct. 9-Nov. 14 Boca Raton. Ric Swaningson.

Oct. 9-Nov. 14 Miami Springs. Bill and Cora Waters.

November ————————————————— Nov. 6-8 “Partners for Life” Marriage Seminar. Pine Lake Retreat. Preregistration required. Cost $135. Details: Ken Bryant, Conference family life/singles director, (407) 644-5000 x123.

Nov. 25-29 Hispanic Families’ Retreat. Camp Kulaqua. Speaker: Joaquin Casares, Arizona Conference. Details: (407) 644-5000 x153.

January, 1999 ——————————————— Jan. 1-5 National Singles New Year’s Retreat. Camp Kulaqua.

Registration/details: Shannon, (904) 454-1351.

—Elaine Jeffers 7

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PRESENT GIFTS TRUSTS - WILLS ANNUITIES THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THOSE WHO PREPARE FOR IT.

_____________________ Address _____________________ _____________________

Sept. 26 and Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31 . . . . . Adventist Worship Hour 11 a.m.-Noon

_____________________ State, Zip (______) _____________ Telephone

Oct. 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . First Wednesday 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Oct. 9-Nov. 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net ’98— The NEXT Millennium Seminar: “Finding a Forever Friendship with God” Broadcast live from Pioneer Memorial church on the campus of Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Speaker: Dwight Nelson.

Nightly except Mondays and Thursdays 7:15-8:30 p.m.

MAIL TO: Estate Services Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists P.O. Box 2626, Winter Park, FL 32790-2626 OR CALL: (407) 644-5000 x186 FAX: (407) 644-7550 E-MAIL: 102555.1016@compuserve.com

WHO NEEDS ESTATE PLANNING? WHY DO I NEED THIS? WHAT ARE THESE DOCUMENTS? HOW DO I OBTAIN ASSISTANCE? To learn more about estate services, complete and mail the coupon on the right.

Would you like an Estate Services Representative to visit you? ❑ Yes ❑ No

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FOR COMPLETE TIMES, UPDATES, SATELLITE CHANNELS, AND PROGRAM INFORMATION, CALL ACN — 1-800-226-1119 OR VISIT THE WEB SITE — http://www.acnsat.org

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NET ’98 PRESENTS… Net ’98—The NEXT Millennium Seminar will place a contemporary frame around the everlasting gospel that Seventh-day Adventists proclaim to the world. It will address the compelling needs of this generation’s secular and urban society. Knowing their driving quest for meaningful relationships, the time is right to share God’s last message of mercy with this revelation of His character of love.

Fresh, contemporary, short, and well-prepared Bible lectures will be presented by Dwight Nelson each night. Every evening will feature a fast-paced, three- to four-minute video segment featuring a personal testimony of a changed life, or a man-on-the-street response to that night’s subject. Each presentation will show how the God of the Scriptures is the most authentic fulfillment of our deepest human longings.

Dates: October 9-November 14, broadcast via satellite to a local Seventh-day Adventist church near you or your home dish. Complete schedules and satellite information are available on the Net ’98 web site, http://www.net98.org or call (800) 226-1119.

A Quarterly Publication of the Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Volume 14, Number 3 • July–August–September 1998

FLORIDA CONFERENCE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS P.O. BOX 2626 WINTER PARK, FL 32790-2626 (407) 644-5000 FAX: (407) 644-7550 OF

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT #4190 ORLANDO, FL

Purposing to reach each of Florida’s 14.7 million residents with the Gospel