Issuu

Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Volume 17, Number 3 • June–July–August, 2001

Enriqueciendo el Compromiso Matrimonial. Septiembre 2123. Radisson Beach Resort, Ft. Pierce. $245, o $265 después del 22 de agosto. Incluye todas las comidas y materiales. Facilitadores: Luis y Luisa Moreno. Registración: (407) 644-5000.

2001 PHOTODISC, INC.

RON QUICK

CINDY KURTZHALS

2001 PHOTODISC, INC.

English-language Marriage Commitment Retreat. September 28-30. Radisson Beach Resort, Ft. Pierce. $245, or $265 after August 22. Includes all meals and materials. Facilitators: Ken and Helen Bryant. Registration: (407) 644-5000.

KENLLY IGIRIO

2001 PHOTODISC, INC.

Coming Up…

hirty-one elementary schools, six junior academies, and two senior academies open their doors August 13 for the 20012002 school year. (Some opening dates may vary.) Florida Conference schools Larry Ford are committed to a balance of intellectual integrity and traGospel Concert— ditional, Christ-centered values. “We’re pleased to operate Sept. 24, 6:45-8 p.m. a system of schools which focuses on academic quality, King low student-teacher ratios, Chapel, character development, and Camp service to the community,” Kulaqua, High Springs. The says Eugene Brewer, Ed.D., suconcert, open to all members, will be held during the Confer- perintendent of schools for ence Teachers’ Convention.

—continued on page 2

Advantages of Adventist Education in Florida:

• Celebrating Quality—More than just “great teachers,” our educators are carefully-selected “mentors”—individuals trained to bring out the best in each student. They understand technology, grammar, creation, basketball, art, history, grace, and how the brain functions. • Educating the Whole Person—Everything that happens here is designed to educate mind, body, and soul. ë Science—New textbooks with a Christian perspective. ë History—The adventure of living—with God. ë Language—Thinking wisely. Communicating clearly. ë Health—Yes, it still includes playing 4-square at recess! ë And More! Math for the millennium, Christianity on the internet, art for everyone, social action for kids… • Investing in Eternity—Adventist education is “childhood, with all the good times left in!” Florida Conference schools are still places where youth sharpen their learning skills while being immersed in an environment which encourages an ever-deepening relationship with Christ.

School’s Starting!

—from page 1

21ST CENTURY TECHNOLOGY FOR EDUCATION Anticipating teaching needs in the twenty-first century, educational leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church established a distance learning program in 1997. It has incorporated cutting-edge technology to deliver quality education to

schools throughout North America. The Adventist Education for the 21st Century (AE21) Distributed Education program links students and teachers while upgrading resources available to the local school regardless of size or location. The initial pilot project in 1997 linked fifththrough eighth-grade students and teachers together. Ninth grade was added in 1998 and tenth grade in 1999. Today, AE21 offers a complete grade 9-12 high school program. According to Brewer, Florida Conference is the anchor for this program which utilizes the internet and video technology. Through a consortium membership, the AE21 high school program enjoys both national and international accreditation. —Cindy Kurtzhals

Fast Facts: n’s worldwide

The denominatio cles ir c m te s y s n o ti a c u K-16 ed the globe with: • 5,932 K-12 schools niversities • 95 colleges and u 1,066,184 • total enrollment = t projec• Florida enrollmen 3,500 = 2 0 0 2 10 0 2 r fo s tion the including students in rogram distance learning p

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Florida Conference. “We follow a prescribed curriculum which is designed to equip students with all the tools for academic excellence. Teachers are professionally trained and certified, and the schools are accredited. We’re also an active member of the Florida Association of Academic Non-public Schools (FAANS), the liaison organization with the State Department of Education for private education.”

NORTH

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND JUNIOR ACADEMIES LOWER GOLD REGION Greater Miami Adventist School (305) 220-5955 Miami Springs Adventist School (305) 888-2244 William A. Kirlew Jr. Academy (Opa Locka) (305) 620-9523 UPPER GOLD REGION Gold Coast Jr. Academy (Boynton Beach) (561) 364-7388 James E. Sampson Adventist School (Ft. Pierce) (561) 465-8386 Melbourne Adventist School (321) 727-8877 Okeechobee Adventist School (863) 763-0763 Sawgrass Adventist School (Plantation) (954) 473-4622 West Palm Beach Adventist School (561) 689-9575 EAST CENTRAL REGION Cocoa Adventist School (321) 636-2551 Orlando Jr. Academy (407) 898-1251 University Adventist School (Orlando) (407) 657-6904 WEST CENTRAL REGION Forest City Adventist School (Altamonte Spgs.) (407) 299-0703 Indigo Christian Jr. Acad. (Daytona Bch.) (904) 255-5917 Deltona Adventist School (904) 532-9333 2

WEST CENTRAL

New Port Richey EAST Adventist School CENTRAL GULF RIDGE UPPER GOLD LOWER GOLD

Osceola Adventist Jr. Acad. (Kissimmee) (407) 348-2226 Westminster Center for Education (Leesburg) (352) 787-2400 Forest Lake Education Center (Longwood) (407) 862-7688 Mt. Dora Adventist School (352) 383-9920 Beryl Wisdom Adventist School (Orlando) (407) 291-3073 NORTH REGION Z.L. Sung Adventist School (Gainesville) (352) 376-6040 North Florida Adventist School (High Spgs.) (386) 454-2777 Jacksonville Adventist Acad. (904) 268-2433 Heritage Jr. Acad. (Ocala) (352) 236-2420 Tallahassee Adventist School (850) 656-1259 GULF REGION West Coast Jr. Academy (Bradenton) (941) 755-9667 Clearwater Jr. Academy (727) 442-7080 E. Pasco Adventist Education Center (Dade City) (352) 567-3646 Lakeland Adventist Jr. Academy (863) 682-1637

(727) 842-8919 Gulfcoast Adventist School (St. Petersburg) (727) 345-2141 Tampa Adventist Acad. (813) 228-7950 RIDGE REGION Walker Memorial Jr. Academy (Avon Park) (863) 453-3131 Naples Adventist School (941) 597-2033 Port Charlotte Adventist School (941) 625-5237 Venice-North Port Adventist School (941) 493-0997 Winter Haven Adventist School (863) 299-7984

S ENIOR A CADEMIES

Forest Lake Academy (Apopka) (407) 862-8411 Greater Miami Academy (305) 220-5955

lorida ocus

VOL. 17, NO. 3 JUNE–JULY–AUGUST 2001

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

Lewis Hendershot COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR

Cindy Kurtzhals Editor, Creative Director ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Martin Butler Writer, Photographer ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Lee Bennett Desktop Publishing OFFICE SECRETARIES

Margaretta Cone Gladys Neigel

AROUND THE CONFERENCE WITH THE PRESIDENT... FROM HIS UPDATE, JUNE 26, 2001, A NEWSLETTER FOR PASTORS AND EMPLOYEES every weekend. The following are a few “snapshots” of the president’s recent travels. —The Editor

PAUL GRANT

• Bill Crofton and Sergio Torres report that our day camp programs are meeting with great success this summer. Lots of young people are attending—many of whom are from nonAdventist homes. I’ve had the opportunity to drop The Norland church hosted more than 600 people in on a couple of lofor its Community Guest Day this spring on March cations and have 31. Florida Conference President Lewis Hendershot, been greatly imleft, was guest speaker. The Honorable Pearnel pressed with the Charles, right, was among those in attendance at quality of our staff this special event, and presented Hendershot with of young people. A copies of three books he has authored. Charles was number of pastors formerly a member of the Jamaican government. He have shared that currently is vice president of the Bustamante Industhey feel this is a trial Trade Union. —Burnett Robinson great benefit in their church program. ewis Hendershot ence weekly and, with Let’s continue to travels through Anne, his wife, visits pray for the young out the Conferchurch families nearly

people leading these children in the various day camps. • Our MagaBook teams are working in Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami this summer. The spirit of these young people is high, and they are making many tremendous contacts with people as they go door-todoor with our truthfilled literature. This is front-line evangelism that takes a lot of energy and courage, and I trust we will continue to pray for these teams of young people as they share their faith. I’ve had the privilege of meeting with two of the teams thus far and am extremely encouraged by their enthusiasm and commitment.

• While visiting at Camp Kulaqua a few days ago, I had the pleasure of seeing our summer camp in action. It’s going forward in a tremendous way under the leadership of Rick Faber and his staff of 90+ young people. At that time, they were serving well over 220 campers. This represents a huge opportunity for many, many young people to be influenced in a positive way by our dedicated staff who are serving them in this unique ministry. • We had 287 baptisms and 39 new members added by profession of faith (for a total of 326) during the month of May. June figures were not available at press time.

HONORING THESE RETIREES FOR THEIR YEARS OF DENOMINATIONAL SERVICE Retired In 2001 February—Beverly Rhodes, S. Carmen Perez May—Daphine Green, July—Ina May Palmer August—Joan Yeary DeWitt Thank you for your commitment and dedication. Best wishes as you begin a new chapter of your life.

PASTORS TRAINED FOR PREMARITAL/MARITAL COUNSELING

JOHN WOLFE

nother 28 Florida pastors are now certified to administer and interpret Life Innovations’ Prepare/Enrich, a premarital and marital counseling inventory. Pastors volunteer to be trained to use this inventory as a counseling tool for their ministry. Sponsored by the Florida Conference family life ministries department, about 75 percent of Florida’s pastors are now certified. Eight Hispanic pastors, including three nonAdventist clergy, were among 28 recent attendees during the May 30 Camp Meeting training. Tampa Spanish pastor Daniel

Amich conducted the seminar in the Spanish language. “Pastors of all denominations are using this inventory to enhance their ministry because it’s affordable, easy to administer, and the information gleaned is extremely

valuable to the counselor/pastor,” said Donna Marie Kostrub, M.A. Kostrub, one of the trainers, is a counselor for LearnPros, Inc., a Longwood, Floridabased counseling and learning center. She frequently assists the family life ministries

department with seminars and workshops. “Sometimes premarital and marital counseling gets a bit overwhelming,” she says. “This tool helps pastors stay focused on specific areas that need to be covered in a categorical way. It’s also a

non-threatening tool for pastors because feedback is based solely on how clients answer each question. There is no need for biased interpretation.” At the close of the training session, the family life ministries department awarded Kostrub with a certificate from the North American Division family life ministries director, Willie Oliver. This certified her as completing the Family Life Ministries Curriculum for Local Church Leaders. Kostrub is the first in Florida Conference to complete this training. —Ken Bryant

VETERANS BAPTIZED AFTER ALL THESE YEARS FAMILY CHURCH INCREASES ITS FAMILY

“

e’re a family church,” Nancy Phair exclaims, “and it’s exciting to see the family growing.” Nancy is speaking of the baptism of her father William Tjaden, her father-in-law Dan Phair, Sr., and fellow church member Edward Robinson. All three, ages 79–80, attended the Islamorada church for many years, but were baptized just last year in a special ceremony at the Bashinsky Estate in Islamorada. “It was a moving experience as the men thanked God for His patience in their lives,” stated pre-

vious pastor Bob Sparenberg. Four years ago, Nancy’s sister passed away. Through the years, their father, William Tjaden, tried to reason why this happened and that pushed him further away from God. When he arrived in the Florida area, he told Nancy that he didn’t want anyone to coerce him into going to church. Nancy agreed she wouldn’t do that, yet she continued to pray for him. Eventually, he did come to church and, when there was a call for baptism, he asked Nancy why she had never asked him if he wanted to be

baptized. “It was such a surprise to me that he wanted to be baptized,” Nancy states. Tjaden, a former marine, praised God for His protection and thanked God for the Holy Spirit that moved upon his heart. Dan Phair, Sr., Nancy’s father-in-law, also attended the Islamorada church on a regular basis. He felt impressed when the pastor made the call for baptism that it was the right time for him to be baptized. “It’s such a comfort to me to have my entire family all baptized,” adds Nancy. “Now I know we’ll all be in Heaven together.” Lieutenant Colonel 4

Left: Lieutenant Colonel Edward G. Robinson, Bob Sparenberg, center, and Daniel Phair, right.

Ed Robinson, a former B47 pilot, attended the Islamorada church with Dottie, his wife, the church organist. When he decided to be baptized, he shared stories of God’s protection in his 20 years as an Air Force pilot. He has since accepted the posi-

tion of church treasurer. Actively involved in their church, all three men praise God for the positive witness their church family and friends were to them. —Tamara Michalenko Terry, Bob Sparenberg

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YOUTH SAY “NO” TO DRUGS AND “YES” TO LIFE

Calendar of Events

Complete calendar online: http://www.adventist-fl.com/calendar.html Florida Pathfinder Events: http://www.floridapathfinders.com/ August ———————————————————

everal Florida Conference departments are helping youth face today’s challenges by providing children and teens with Winner and Listen magazines. These magazines focus on what interests young people while letting them know why it is not cool to smoke cigarettes or marijuana, to drink alcohol, or to engage in any other practice that destroys life’s true freedom and enjoyment. • The Conference office of education encourages church schools and academies to use Listen and Winner magazines while helping young people avoid self-destructive behavior. • The health ministries department provides funding for Winner in Florida church schools and has done so for more than 18 years. This year, 32 of the

39 schools have accepted this assistance. “Investing in our young people is part of our ministry to the wider community,” said Richard O’Ffill, department director. • Donna Williams, children’s ministries director, urged Vacation Bible School leaders to use Winner this year. • The Suzuki Dream Team, a mobile antidrug education ministry, provides Winner and Listen to thousands of public school young people, said Robert Sparenberg, Conference evangelist and director of the Team. Private donors place subscriptions in other schools and teen organizations throughout

Florida. Recently, the director of the Pace Center for Girls in Key West praised Listen for the positive influence it has on the girls. A donor had provided 100 subscriptions. Parents as well as local church leaders who work with young people can provide the most appropriate of the two magazines to children and teens. Subscribe through Adventist Book Center by calling 1-800-7656955. Church members who want to perform a ministry to the community by becoming subscription donors can call Ron Clark, director of Listen and Winner sales, at 1-800-548-8700. —Ron Clark, Lynn Sauls

Evangelistic Series. Brevard County-wide Evangelistic Series—Aug. 17-Sept. 15. Cocoa, Bob and Charlene Sparenberg; Melbourne, Marc and Sarah Swearingen; Melbourne Spanish, Oliver and Judith Mastrapa; South Brevard, Art and Margo Swaningson; and Titusville. Ric and Dawn Swaningson. Aug. 18-Sept. 29. Jacksonville Spanish. Bob and Mary Goransson. Sept. 1-Oct. 6. Pinellas Spanish/Spring Hill Spanish. Rolando de los Ríos. Oct. 27-Dec. 1. Hollywood Spanish. Rolando de los Ríos. Florida Adventist Bookmobile. Shop online: www.adventist-fl.com/ abc/ or order by e-mail: FloridaABC@southernunion.com. Aug. 18. Naples. Aug. 19. Ft. Myers, Ft. Myers Shores, Arcadia, Walker Memorial in Avon Park, Lake View in Haines City, Winter Haven. Aug. 25. North Miami. Aug. 26. Ft. Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Pompano Beach, Boynton-Delray. Sept. 8. St. Petersburg. Sept. 9. Clearwater, New Port Richey, Spring Hill, Brooksville, East Pasco in Zephyrhills, Lakeland. Sept. 15. West Palm Beach. Sept. 16. Jupiter-Tequesta, Ft. Pierce, Cocoa, Titusville. Sept. 22. Port Charlotte. Sept. 23. North Port, Venice-Nokomis, Sarasota, Palmetto, Brandon, Tampa First. Sept. 29. Maranatha. Sept. 30. Plantation, Lauderhill. Oct. 6. Jacksonville Mandarin. Oct. 7. Jacksonville First, St. Augustine, Palatka, New Smyrna Beach. Singles’ Ministries Fellowship Dinners. Aug. 18. Markham Woods. Sept. 22. Kress Memorial. Aug. 25. Kress Memorial. Sept. 29. Deltona. Sept. 8. Forest Lake. Oct. 13. Forest Lake. Singles’ Ministries Spiritual Renewal Bible Study—Aug. 24, Sept. 7, Sept. 21, Oct. 5. Forest Lake church community services building, rear classroom. 7:30 p.m. Details: Diane Miller, (386) 789-3235. Camp Kulaqua Summer Camps. Details/registration: (386) 454-1351, http://www.campkulaqua.com/ or sdacamps@campkulaqua.com Aug. 31-Sept. 3. Family Camp. Oct. 21-25. Autumn Senior Citizen’s Camp. September —————————————————

Singles’ Ministries Picnics—Sept. 1, Oct. 6. Lake Lotus Park, Altamonte Springs. Details/directions: (407) 862-1331. Community Services and Prison Ministries Workers’ Convention— Sept. 7-9. Camp Kulaqua, High Springs. Guest speaker: Phil Hamman, pastor, Chesapeake Conference. Cost: $28.50-$46 for lodging plus $6.25 per meal. Details/registration, (386) 454-1351. First Annual Young Women’s Retreat, Ages 16-20—Sept. 21-23. Camp Kulaqua, High Springs. Details: (407) 644-5000 x188. Marriage Commitment Seminar, Spanish—Sept. 21-23. Radisson Hotel Resort, Ft. Pierce. $245 prepayment required by Aug. 22. Details: http://www.adventist-fl.com/familylife/ or (407) 644-5000 x150. Florida Conference Teachers’ Convention—Sept. 23-26. Camp Kulaqua, High Springs. Details: Office of Education, (407) 644-5000. Marriage Commitment Seminar, English—Sept. 28-30. Radisson Hotel Resort, Ft. Pierce. $245 prepayment required by Aug. 22. Details: http://www.adventist-fl.com/familylife/ or (407) 644-5000 x150. October ——————————————————

Filipino-American Association Annual Retreat—Oct. 5-7. Camp Kulaqua, High Springs. Guest speaker: Ralph Ringer, Florida Conference evangelism coordinator. Details: Jerry Malabrigo, (941) 4520223 or jereann@strato.net.

—A. Lee Bennett, Jr.

Publishing Department To help acquaint Florida members with the scope of ministry, helps, and resources available to them from the various Conference departments, most issues of Florida Focus will contain a departmental report or summary.

e are pleased to share how God’s love has been revealed to tens of thousands of people through the faithful efforts of the Florida Conference literature evangelists and summer students. Circulating our Church publications is indeed a ministry, not a business—a calling and not just employment. Because of the impact that literature evangelism brings upon the lives of people, it is necessary that careful preparation and training be given to literature evangelists. The literature evangelist is often the first—sometimes the ONLY—Seventhday Adventist many people will meet. He or she usually has no second chance to change a person’s first impression about them and the Church which they

represent. The influence and literature left behind will “preach” for months and years after the literature evangelist is gone. LITERATURE EVANGELIST VISITS PENTECOSTAL CHURCH Two Hispanic literature evangelists from the Tampa district, Ernesto Espitia and Humberto Godoy, visited with a Pentecostal church one Sunday. Before the pastor gave them permission to show their books in his church, he asked them to go to the ministerial congress being held in Tampa to get permission from the superintendent who allowed Espitia and Godoy to share their books in Pentecostal churches in Tampa as well as Miami, Orlando, Georgia, and South Carolina. “We have already visited three churches

in which members purchased the Bible Stories and Desire of Ages. We also had prayer with them. We have now started visiting the other churches,” said Espitia and Godoy. STUDENT MAGABOOK PROGRAM The Florida Conference Student MagaBook Program is exploding. They are taking the message of God’s love door to door to the masses. Students are also training church members to become Bible instructors with the support from the Conference adult ministries department. • After two weeks of work, 55 college and academy age students earned scholarships during the summer program of May 31 through August 4, 2001. • They have knocked on the doors of 216,000 homes in Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami areas with sales of $143,445. • Their 389 Bible study interests are followed up by three Bible instructors and 27 lay people. This specific outreach will result in many baptisms by the end of the year. • During the door-to6

door contact, people were given the opportunity to request information and were invited to seminars based on their area of interest. The number of requests to seminars were: stop smoking—91; cooking school—234. MIAMI STUDENT STORY Patti Sweat, a college freshman who will be attending the Southern Outreach Leadership School (SOULS) next year, met a former church member while working in Miami. The woman purchased several books including Christ’s Object Lessons. After a friendly conversation, Sweat invited her to the Miami Temple church for a youth service to be put on by the literature evangelists. The woman was glad for the invitation and came to church on Sabbath. The service consisted of experiences and sermon presented by the literature evangelists. Afterward, the woman approached the Bible instructor, Claudette Prieto, and with tears in her eyes told Prieto how much the service had touched her. She is now receiving Bible studies from Prieto, and assisting her as she gives Bible

Joe Holloway, director, publishing department.

studies to people in the community. Bryan del Valle, associate director and coordinator of Youth Publishing Department has provided leadership in establishing the MagaBook Program throughout Florida. We have appreciated his great leadership for the past three years. We wish him God’s blessings as he leaves to attend Andrews University Seminary. The Conference Executive Committee has extended a call to Charlie Kendall to replace del Valle. Kendall is a graduate of Southern Outreach Leadership School (SOULS), and attended Southern Adventist University. Charlie has tremendous talent and vision that he will bring to the youth publishing ministry. Forest Lake Academy will enter its third year of operating a MagaBook industry on campus. This program helps students with scholarships and contributes to the great spirituality of the students and school. The

“The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest.” —Matthew 9:37, 38

new industry leader is Alfonzo Green, a graduate of Forest lake Academy and Oakwood College. SOULS—SOUTHERN OUTREACH LEADERSHIP SCHOOL SOULS continues in its third year of operation. Bringing with it a greater outreach support of Bible work to the Central Florida churches. • 18 students/1 director/3 staff members • Located at Pine Lake Retreat in Groveland • Offers four certifications: Literature Evangelist, MagaBook Leader, Bible Instructor, and Outreach Coordinator • SOULS is developing young people who can meet the growing demand in the Southern Union

Conference for strong spiritual, well-prepared student leaders. • As part of their practicum, they are in the community three days a week finding Bible study interests and earning their educational tuition. MISSIONARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE FULL-TIME LITERATURE EVANGELIST Missionary Report—1994-2000: • Bible enrollments— 16,322 • Bible studies— 11,197 • Baptisms—230 • Former Adventists contacted—5063 • Free pieces of literature given away— 82,869 • People invited to at-

tend church—5,602 • Prayers in homes— 38,871 • Sales— $6,882,569.00 • Bible school—Each person who graduates from the Amazing Facts Bible Correspondence Course is given a Bible by a local pastor during followup. Currently, there are about 90 ongoing students. Paid-out customer accounts are sent to pastors and Conference evangelists upon request. These figures tell a great story, but are inadequate to reveal the real facts of literature evangelism. There are words of hope and courage, presentations of spiritual thoughts, and prayers. These have a powerful effect,

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHING DIRECTORS

Alfredo Gonzalez

Les McCoy

Robert Scheibe

Charlie Kendall

yet only eternity will reveal the results of the visitations done by the literature evangelists. The publishing ministry is a faith work.

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHING DIRECTORS The four associate publishing directors and territories are: Alfredo Gonzalez, Miami—English and Spanish; Robert Scheibe, Tampa, Ft. Myers, Gainesville, and Tallahassee; Les McCoy, Orlando, Melbourne, and Jacksonville; and Charlie Kendall, publishing youth coordinator. APPRECIATION The publishing department is thankful for every dedicated literature evangelist and leader. For all, we give God the glory! Surely Jesus’ request to His disciples is more urgent now than ever. Your prayers are solicited.

STAFF CHANGES

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS

PINE LAKE RETREAT MANAGER Byron Voorheis was voted camp manager of Pine Lake Retreat in Groveland by the Conference Executive Committee on May 22, 2001. Serving as interim manager since January 9, he replaces previous manager Tom Hall who is now manager of Carolina Conference’s Nosoca Pines Ranch in Liberty Hill, South Carolina. Voorheis served at Camp Kulaqua in High Springs as summer camp director, 1994-97, and most recently as office manager and a weekend manager.

MAY 22, 2001 DEVOTIONAL– Ken Bradley, administrator of Florida Hospital Winter Park, presented a devotional from the book of Mark, telling of three cases of healing. He also shared a personal experience and a report of the various activities and community services offered by Florida Hospital Winter Park. He shared a letter from Ellen G. White to the president of the Florida Conference written in the 1900s. The letter encouraged and supported the opening of a hospital in the Orlando area. Bradley encouraged the committee to focus on healing— physical, mental, and spiritual. EVANGELISM REPORT–Evan Valencia, Conference secretary, presented an update on the South Florida meetings. To date, 600 baptisms have been reported with a projected total of 1,000. Jimmy Cardoso, Brazilian Temple and Brazilian Chapel district pastor, held meetings that resulted in 50 baptisms. A number of human interest stories

ADVENTIST BOOK CENTER ASSISTANT MANAGERS Adventist Bookmobile Fred Neigel was voted assistant manager by the Executive Committee last summer, May 7, 2000. He is responsible for the operation of the Book Center Bookmobile which crisscrosses the state. Neigel has served Adventist Book Centers for 25 years. The past 13 years, he was manager of the Ohio Conference Book Center. Gladys, his wife, is a part-time secretary in the Conference communication department. They are the parents of two adult daughters. Advertising/Promotion & Wholesale Distribution The Executive Committee voted Bruce Otis as assistant manager on May 22, 2001. He is responsible for advertising and promotion and a new wholesale food distribution program. Otis served as manager of the Gulf States Conference Book Center for two years. He was also branch manager of Florida Conference’s Hialeah Book Center for more than three years. He and Cathy, his wife, are the parents of Justin, 13, Donnie, 11, and David, 9.

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

were shared. Other updates included Ralph Ringer’s meetings in Clearwater which resulted in a number of interests. Ward Sumpter, Southern Union Conference secretary, shared that in his home church, there have been 31 baptisms to date from an evangelistic effort. APPROVED the March 18, 2001, Period 3 Financial Statement for the Florida Conference and Association, subject to audit, as presented by Randee Reynolds, Conference treasurer. APPROVED the following Personnel Committee recommendations: Bob Boggess, field ministerial secretary, Gulf and North regions; Tim Nichols, field ministerial secretary, East Central, West Central, and Ridge regions; Abel Paulin, field ministerial secretary, Upper Gold and Lower Gold regions; Fidel Soto, North Port and Ft. Myers pastor; Reuben Middleton, Lehigh Acres pastor; Phillip Hosten, Norland associate pastor; David

Cook, New Community and Miami Temple associate pastor; Isaac Suarez, Forest City Spanish pastor; and Gus Scheuneman, estate services field representative. INVITED Lynell LaMountain to serve on the Personnel Committee. He replaces Ken Burrill who now serves as Conference vice president for administration/ministerial. APPROVED the following Executive Committee members to serve on the North American Division Executive Committee: John Appel, pastor; David Lopez, lay person; and Naomi Olsen, lay person. APPROVED the organization of the WestDade Adventist mission group into company status, with district arrangements with the Westchester Spanish church. APPROVED the organization of the Deerfield Beach Brazilian company into church status, with the name Brazilian Chapel Seventh-day Adventist church.

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