Canadian Adventist Messenger for 1990 - Vol. 59 - No. 01

30 Pages·2013·3.61 MB·English

1 /riti
or ni
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D. Douglas Devnich
While considering what I should write as a New Year's and quietly spoke of deep suppose he meant the
perspective, a friend gave me a wonderful Christmas gift—a things. The time came when abbot? Yes, if he meant
book. It is entitled The Different Drum by M. Scott Peck, M.D. the abbot had to leave. anyone, he probably meant
The theme of the book is community-making and I im- They embraced each other. Father Abbott. He had been
mediately found it peculiarily appropriate as to what the "It has been a wonderful our leader for more than a
Church in Canada ought to consider at the beginning of this thing that we should meet generation. On the other
new and final decade of the 20th century. I have decided, "If after all these years," the hand, he might have meant
only the thousands of Seventh-day Adventist Christians in abbot said, "but I have still Brother Thomas. Certainly
Canada could come to know a genuine sense of 'community' failed my purpose for Brother Thomas is a holy
among us, we would then fulfill the purpose for which Jesus coming here. Is there man. Everyone knows that
Christ established us as His Church." nothing you can tell me, no Thomas is a man of light.
Please, thoughtfully and prayerfully consider the meaning piece of advice you can give Certainly he could not have
of the following story which, although fictitious, like the me that would help me save meant Brother Elred! Elred
parables of Jesus may teach us at least one profound truth. my dying order?" gets crotchety at times. But
"No, I am sorry," the when you look back on it,
The Rabbi's Gift
rabbi responded. "I have no Elred is virtually always
advice to give. The only right. Often very right.
thing I can tell you is that Maybe the rabbi did mean
HE STORY concerns a rabbi was in his hermitage.
the Messiah is one of you." Brother Elred. But surely
monastery that had "The rabbi is in the woods,
When the abbot returned not Brother Phillip. Phillip is
Tfallen upon hard the rabbi is in the woods
to the monastery his fellow so passive, a real nobody.
times. Once a great order, again," they would whisper
monks gathered around him But then, almost
as a result of waves of to each other. As he
to ask, "Well, what did the mysteriously, he has a gift
antimonastic persecution in agonized over the imminent
rabbi say?" for somehow always being
the seventeenth and death of his order, it
there when you need him.
eighteenth centuries and the occurred to the abbot at one "He couldn't help," the
He just magically appears
rise of secularism in the such time to visit the abbot answered. "We just
by your side. Maybe Phillip
nineteenth, all its branch hermitage and ask the rabbi wept and read the Torah
is the Messiah. Of course
houses were lost and it had if by some possible chance together. The only thing he
the rabbi didn't mean me.
become decimated to the he could offer any advice did say, just as I was
He couldn't possibly have
extent that there were only that might save the leaving—it was something
meant me. I'm just an
five monks left in the monastery. cryptic—was that the
ordinary person. Yet
decaying mother house: the The rabbi welcomed the Messiah is one of us. I
supposing he did? Suppose
abbot and four others, all abbot at his hut. But when don't know what he
I am the Messiah? 0 God,
over seventy in age. Clearly the abbot explained the meant."
not me. I couldn't be that
it was a dying order. purpose of his visit, the In the days and weeks
much for You, could I?
In the deep woods rabbi could only and months that followed,
As they contemplated in
surrounding the monastery commiserate with him. "I the old monks pondered
this manner, the old monks
there was a little hut that a know how it is," he this and wondered whether
began to treat each other
rabbi from a nearby town exclaimed. "The spirit has there was any possible
with extraordinary respect
occasionally used for gone out of the people. It is significance to the rabbi's
on the off chance that one
hermitage. Through their the same in my town. words. The Messiah is one
among them might be the
many years of prayer and Almost no one comes to the of us? Could he possibly
Messiah. And on the off, off
contemplation the old synagogue anymore." So have meant one of us
chance that each monk
monks had become a bit the old abbot and the old monks here at the
himself might be the
psychic, so they could rabbi wept together. Then monastery? If that's the
always sense when the they read parts of the Torah case, which one? Do you Continued on page 13
2 MESSENGER/JANUARY 1990 Cover Photo—''Three Valley Gap", Revelstoke, B.C., by Deryk Bodington
eCAsNsADeIANn ADQVENTeISTr
Vol. 59, No. 1, January 1990, Oshawa, ON
June Polishuk/Editor
June Ulett-Culmore/Associate Editor
Allan Colleran/Art Director
Robin Carby/Associate Art Director
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
D. Devnich, Chairman, A. Colleran, J. Fox, D.
Lawson, F. Maitland, T. Morgan, J. Polishuk,
J. LTIett-Culmore
CONFERENCE EDITORS
Donald King/Alberta
Ken Wiebe /British Columbia
Lester Carney/Manitoba-Saskatchewan
Robert Schafer/Maritime
Global Evangelistic Explosion David Crook/Newfoundland
James Fox/Ontario
Gosnell Yorke/Quebec
January to March 1990
This Issue
This program of total and permanent evangelism involves the
forces of the church and uses successful methods of soul winning
to prepare thousands of candidates for baptism.
2/President's Perspective
Local Fields
(cid:9) D. Douglas Devnich
q Dedicate the entire quarter for evangelism.
q Organize an evangelistic campaign for the whole field including the par- 4Iup front: From Across Canada
ticipation of all church members.
q Invite all administrators, departmental leaders, pastors, and lay members 6/Happy New Year and Let
to participate in some type of soul-winning activity. Christmas Begin
q Ask each department to prepare a plan for evangelism. (cid:9) Beverly Connors
Local Churches 8/Can You See Them? Adventist
q Organize an evangelistic campaign. Television Ministries . . . Dan Matthews
q Launch many Revelation Seminars. 12IHealth-Wise: Aspirin: Working
q Organize at least three baptismal classes.
q Reclaim former Adventists. Wonder Drug
(cid:9) Raymond 0. West, M.D.
q Make frequent calls for baptism.
q Hold monthly baptisms.
PLUS
Pastors
Focus On 3
q Dedicate the entire quarter to evangelism. General Conference 1990 5
q Conduct an evangelistic campaign or Revelation Seminar. ADRA UPDATE 7
q Mobilize, train, and put the laity to work. AE King Memorial Physical
Fitness Complex 10
Church Members Teacher Feature 13
CUC 14, 15
q Use 25% of the membership to win souls. Conference News 16-21
q Involve the remaining members in missionary activities. Milestones, Obituaries,
q Suggest that 50% of the church members use their homes for community Weddings, Births, Ads 22-27
evangelism. CUC 28
q Encourage each family to win a relative or friend to Christ.
GOAL
The Canadian Adventist MESSENGER is the official organ of the
Mobilize all church and institutional employees and lay persons to Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada. Issued monthly, annual
subscription price in Canada $5.00. Out of union $10.00. Printed
obtain the most extraordinary harvest of souls in the history of the by Maracle Press Limited, Second class mail registration number
0912. Address all enquiries to 1148 King Street East, Oshawa,
Adventist Church. Ontario LIH 1H8.
ISSN 0702-5084
MESSENGERIJANUARY 1990 3
and more children are returned home CNIB with the blind and visually im-
when that is possible. paired. She brings "something special"
Marg and Frits have been involved to those she works with as she, also, is
with the birth parents of the children in blind. Presently she serves as second Vice
their care as well as with adoptive Chairman of the CNIB Board of Manage-
parents. They have become Nanna and ment in Manitoba and has been on the
Granddad to a number of children who CNIB National Council for many years in
still come to visit. the past. Along with the many con-
They have worked with the families gratulations received from the Premier
and with the children in both rehabilita- and Ministers, the Silver Heights church
tion and counselling. The rewards of extends its warm salutations to Marion
fostering have been many over the years. for her work.
The many "first smiles" or "first steps",
the number of children that can trust an
adult once again after some bad ex- Church Member
periences, that is what makes it all Honoured
worthwhile.
Foster Family
Margaret and Frits have also been in-
of the Year Award volved in the Foster Parent Association
wherever they have lived. Margaret is
In early November at a banquet dinner currently a Director of the Edmonton
the Honorable Helen Hunley, Lieutenant Association. Frits was recently elected
Governor of Alberta together with the President of the Alberta Association. He
Alberta Foster Parent Association Presi- is also a Director of the Canadian
dent, Norm Brownell presented Frits and Association.
Margaret Wortman (nee Toop) and their The Wortmans currently make their
children Rick Wortman and Debra home in Sherwood Park, Alberta. They
Korvela the Foster Family of the Year have three foster children in their care at
Award . this time.
Steve Sakamany has worked for the Oshawa
Winnipeg Food Group for 20 years. It is the only kosher
bakery to sell products for regular use and for
Church Member religious purposes. He is accompanied here by
Rabbi Langer who is always there to bless the
Receives Canada
bread and to oversee Old Testament rituals.
Volunteer Award Steve is respected for his religious beliefs and
was recognized for his excellent performance
by the president and general manager and was
Receiving the Canada Volunteer
presented with a gold watch, reports Pastor
Award as a representative of Manitoba,
George lkov.
was a member of the Silver Heights
Seventh-day Adventist Church in Win-
nipeg. As one of 28 selected from 300
across Canada, Marion Bilyk received a
Letters to the Church:
gold medal and certificate in recognition
of her efforts in community services. The
awards were presented at the Parliament
Dear Brother Devnich:
Buildings in Ottawa by the Minister of
National Health and Welfare, Perrin I received the "Messenger" November
Beatty. Marion has worked as part of the issue and I read your editorial. It was the
most inspiring encouragement I have
read in ever so long a time.
There was an effort held and a small
group was organized and we met in
halls. Then there was an opportunity to
purchase an old church 80 miles away.
We were all near our 65th and 70th years.
We went ahead without going ahead
Left to right: Frits and Marg Wortman and to count the cost. It is now over 15 years.
Helen Hunley. The church is not completed and so now
just 10 members. It is impossible to even
The Wortmans have been foster
keep up the expense of it as this is out
parents to over 60 foster children over the
on the cold wind-swept prairies.
past 25 years. Children of many different
May God inspire you to help the
ethnic, economic and racial backgrounds
members to help in the proper perspec-
have found a haven in their home.
tive, and the funds used wisely.
Fostering over the past 25 years has
May God continue to bless in wisdom.
changed a great deal. At first
Marion Bilyk receives congratulations from
the emphasis was on adoption as soon Silver Heights Church Members on receiving Sincerely,
as possible but in more recent years more the Canada Volunteer Award for Manitoba. A concerned member.
4 MESSENGER/JANUARY 1990
visit with these students who have students who have chosen to pursue this
A Salute To Our
chosen teaching as their profession. occupation of service.
Teachers Of Tomorrow Because, as leaders, we have not
TEACHERS OF TODAY,
always been aware of the significant role
On Sunday 3rd December, 1989, the that our teachers perform in child and WE APPRECIATE YOU!
Office of Education, S.D.A. Church in youth evangelism; because we have not TEACHERS OF TOMORROW,
Canada, hosted a luncheon in honour of always recognized teachers as called to WE SALUTE YOU!
the Junior and Senior Education majors their specific ministry, and because we
at Canadian Union College. The have not always demonstrated apprecia- May God's wisdom be given to all
members of C.U.C.'s Board attended the tion for our teachers, the Union office of teachers across our Union as we begin
luncheon and had the opportunity to Education would like to recognize those the decade of the '90's.
Pictured from left to right—Dave Higgins: Ontario Associate Superintendent; Myron Wareham: Man./Sask. Superintendent; Kevin Straub, Frank
Skoretz: B.C. Superintendent; Lynn Straub, Susan Nauss, Dayna Manweiler, Lorraine Martin, B.C. Associate Superintendent; Lisa Rose, Rayette
Hetland, (nee Manweiler), Esmon Emmons, Lee Buckler, Rosalie Nickel, Sean Borthwick, Dan McGuire, Victor Fitch: Alberta Superintendent,
Jim Jeffery: Newfoundland Superintendent.
delegates (each representing 200,000
70 genenal Contertence 1990
members), and 528 delegates (25% of all
other delegates, regular and at-large).
55th Ontennational Seadion • Seventh-dati Adventiat •tjulti 5-14 9ndianapolia
That totals to 968 delegates-at-large.
Numbers aside, a wide variety of
delegates from different countries will be
represented at the session. According to
mission pageant coordinator Carol
GENERAL CONFERENCE EXPECTS
Grady, two Pygmy natives are attending
from Africa-Indian Ocean Division as is
THOUSANDS AT 1990 SESSION a Gypsy choir from the South American
Division.
Others attending will include Philos
General Conference delegates delegates (based on the number of Diu, a seven-foot-tall Sudanese Dinka
attending next summer's session in unions and local fields in each division), student from Middle East College;
Indianapolis will find themselves part of 23 delegates (based on the number of Madeleine and Aime Cosengai of
a large 2,639-member family representing churches and local fields in attached Switzerland, who have spent 49 years in
the worldwide Church body. unions), and 1,149 delegates (based on Cameroon; Fitz Henry, a Jamaican
According to the Proposed the proportion of world membership as construction engineer who has won
Constitution adopted at the 1989 Annual allowed under the present constitution). hundreds through his lay evangelism; a
Council, regular delegates and delegates- That totals to 1,671 regular delegates. Filipino man who pays 13 lay pastors to
at-large will make up the total number of Delegates-at-large will include the evangelize fishing crews working on
delegates. 368-member GC Executive Committee, boats he owns; and Tom Christian,
Regular delegates will consist of 499 44 delegates (four from each division), 28 Bounty descendent from Pitcairn.
MESSENGER/JANUARY 1990 5
Happy New Year and Let
Christmas Begin
by Beverly Connors
NE MORROW full of succulence and fitness craze, bearing psychiatrist Scott Peck calls
LINDBERGH splendid aromatic mystery. infirmary trappings and "an extraordinary respect."
ANwrote that Though she speaks good cheerful readings and We need to hold on to one
there are few women saints English, obviously I do not, soothing elixirs. another in profound ways,
for a good reason...the as something had gone Sunday I got up at 5 a.m. whatever our differences, so
required lifestyle. Even wrong in the translation. to think and scribble and that we can be a model of
before the addition of full- We already had food was mugged by the magnetic community and
time careers, the occupation enough to tide us through sandman about 5:20. I spent not merely members of a
of wife and mother didn't January, and though 19 a wonderful last day of 1989 theoretically correct
leave a whole lot of time for champion appetites with relatives at Kingsway's organization.
wandering in the desert. If chomped for an hour with new A.E. King Memorial I'd have urged us to live
a brief lull permitted closing waning enthusiasm, serious Fitness Complex, to in expectation of dreadful
the door to a quiet room for inroads were not made. We dislodge a few occurrences, awful things
contemplation and study, had to invite another 15 carbohydrates and share a piled on unthinkable on top
someone small or old or people to consume this final round of seasonal of unbearable. But with a
lonely would surely knock second banquet. "I'll write hugs. No one went home difference, shot through
with importunate request, this evening," I thought. till late afternoon, and then with hope and joy because
and nurturers can't very But we were having such a it was time for our quiet these are the heralds of the
well wear earplugs. terrific time that many evening with friends which lovely Lord who said He'd
I am content with my stayed on, and I offered to passed for a New Year's come in the midst of trouble
chaotic lot since I learned an babysit for an over-taxed party. of a type and magnitude
emancipating sentence: "I couple whose 3 delightful Now it's 6 a.m. at the and complexity never seen
used to resent the millstones give them little beginning of the last ten before.
interruptions to my life until time for each other. years of a hectic century, Someone has said "Faith
I realized that the Wednesday was my and I'll have to give a is hearing the music of the
interruptions WERE my sister's birthday. She was dehydrated version of what future, and Hope is dancing
life." So this past week I entering a new decade 2 I'd have embroidered if to it." Trusting that God is
took a kind of wry delight days before the rest of us, there'd been time. with us in every onslaught,
as I saw my plans for this so a serious celebration was I'd have pondered the that His victory is the true
small essay overturned. Let in order. great conundrum, "How Do reality, we can carry a party
me show you what I mean. Thursday my charming You Hear the Still Small in our hearts, and be ready
I'd set Tuesday aside to mother asked me to take Voice on a Roller Coaster?" to stage a Terrestrial Ball at
write inspirational thoughts her to the sales for a new because the safest prediction every lull in the bedlam.
on the New Year and the coat, and that evening I is that the theme song of I'd suggest we take the
Hang On! decade to come. stayed with the wee this decade will not be Old Testament seriously
But as a treat for the horde granddaughter who'd "Row, Row, Row Your when it proclaims God's
of converged relatives, I had picked up Green River Boat, Gently Down the interest in justice here and
asked a kind Middle-Eastern Rhinitis at her 1st Christmas Stream." (probably now, in scales-off-the-eyes
friend to make a dish for mingle. Her parents went to polluted, anyway.) kindness and bend-over-
Christmas dinner the day a clan gathering in Toronto. In my inimitable non- backward fairness. That we
before. When my husband On Friday my mother sequitur style, I'd talk of listen to one another, and
went to pick this up, there became ill too, so I got to treating each other with attempt, if we dare, to see
were seven huge platters "do stairs," the latest what Christian author- Continued on page 1.3
6 MESSENGER/JANUARY 1990
ADRA UPDATE
Cliff Patterson
ADRA Director
Eastern Africa
Signs Makes a
Difference
ADRA,
by Stan Jensen
Susan and her son Ben were two of the
Canada's Mission clumsiest people that my wife and I have
ever met. They were always falling
downstairs or tripping over the strangest
things. My wife had the pleasure of
in Action
working with Susan and soon realized
that Susan had a strong spiritual need.
I Religion was discussed but only for short
periods at a time.
T WAS IN JUNE 1988 when ment. While the roof was not on the We decided to send Susan a copy of
the Adventist Development and house, the spirit of hospitality was our church's missionary journal Signs of
the Times, thinking that we would let the
Relief Agency (ADRA) operating still there. During the course of the
Holy Spirit do His job as we did ours.
in Kenya began a water project to luncheon the vicar who was seated
Susan let us know that her husband,
supply the community of Ngureini in beside me said: "You folks came to Bob, didn't really appreciate religious
the Central Province of Kenya with fulfil a need for water in our com- things. While he didn't like this magazine
drinking water. Up until this time munity, you asked nothing of us, you at all, Susan, however, stated that she
water was carried from streams and made no demands, you have no found it interesting and enjoyable. We
rivers 6 kilometres away. The com- members in this area, but you ex- also learned that Bob was a heavy
munity had decided to do pressed the true christian spirit". drinker, and that Susan and Ben were
something. They formed a commit- Then he went on to say there was not clumsy after all. Bob had a "heavy
hand" when he drank and physically
tee and began contacting various more work in the area than he could
abused the ones that he claimed to love.
agencies. ADRA responded and ap- handle and he would be most hap-
After a few months passed, we found
plied to ADRA Canada for help in py to make land available for us to
that Bob was secretly reading Signs when
filling this need. build a church in the area and come no one was around. Then the miracle
When ADRA began this work and minister unto the people. happened. Bob stopped drinking, stop-
there were no Adventists in this com- Some dedicated Dorcas ladies ped abusing his family as well, and quit
munity of 4,000 people. It was my from other parts of the district learn- smoking! A short while later Bob died ac-
privilege to be present at the official ed of ADRA's work and they decid- cidentally. However, our investment in
opening of two of the wells that were ed the time was ripe for them to hold Signs made a difference in Bob's life. And
drilled in the community. All com- an effort. After consultation with the only for a few pennies a month! Susan
moved away shortly thereafter and we
munity leaders were there including leadership of the Mount Kenya sta-
lost contact.
the local chiefs and also in attendance tion and with the help of some
However, Signs of the Times changed
was a man they referred to as the pastors in the area, an effort was
this family from living under the most
"vicar". He was the local spiritual held. The Holy Spirit moved and the adverse conditions to living with hope
leader for the community. During the result is 16 people including 10 adults and without pain. Now a mother could
ceremony many speeches of thanks were baptized and a Sabbath School rest at night knowing that she and her
were made to ADRA Kenya and it was started. Mrs. Susan Mwikali, little child would not be abused the next
was the wish of the people that their one of the ladies leading out in the day.
appreciation be passed on to the peo- project said: "ADRA drilled for water Signs does change lives. Why not send
ple of Canada. and we drilled on the hearts". As a in several subscriptions right now? $8.95
sends twelve colourfully illustrated issues
During the afternoon a luncheon result of this project, not only have
covering all the precious truths that we
was served to those of us in atten- the physical needs of water been sup-
hold dear. Mail your Signs order to:
dance. This was held in a unfinish- plied but the spiritual water of life
Adventist Book Centre, Box 398,
ed house belonging to a newly has also been planted in that Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7L5.
elected member of the Kenya govern- community.
MESSENGER/JANUARY 1990 7
dventist
Television
Ministries
February 10
By
Elder Dan Matthews
Director, Faith For Today
ON HASN'T
BEEN TO
CHURCH IN
YEARS. Frankly,
he's turned off by
religion. When brochures for Revelation
seminars land in his mailbox, he
tosses them without even a glance.
Photo to right—
Local villagers
look on as Dan
Matthews and
Maitland DiPinto,
ADRA Director for
the Far East, cut
the ribbon for the
first "Christian
Lifestyle
Magazine"/ADRA
well on the island
of Malaysia.
8 MESSENGER/JANUARY 1990
(cid:9) (cid:9)
IT IS WRITTEN BREATH OF LIFE FAITH FOR TODAY
(cid:9) (cid:9)
with George Vandeman with Charles Brooks with Dan Matthews
Can You See Them?
He doesn't read the paper much, Christians putting their faith to out there who are virtually impossi-
so he never notices ads for vegetarian work. Lately, he's even been temp- ble for our church to reach . . . but
cooking seminars or Breathe Free ted to write in for a Lifestyle Home Adventist Television is doing it.
programs sponsored by our church. Seminar to help him in his marriage. Richard and Sandra Baker recent-
None of his neighbours or work ly relocated to the Washington, D.C.,
associates are Adventists. In fact, he * * * area from Hawaii. Richard chose not
couldn't name one if you paid him. Suzanne was divorced four years to re-enlist in the military after his ac-
There doesn't seem to be any way ago. Once a regular churchgoer, ceptance into graduate school.
the Seventh-day Adventist Church is she's been too discouraged to get up Together with their two sons, they
going to reach Ron. on Sunday morning to attend. Like live in a high-rise apartment complex
Can you see him in your imagina- Ron, she ignores most "junk mail." on the 11th floor.
tion? He may be just ahead of you in Once a week she shops for groceries, Can you see them? Between work
the check-out line of your super- heading right back home to her little and classes, Richard and Sandra
market, or he may be sitting in the house in Billings, Montana, without barely have enough time for their
car idling next to yours at the traffic saying hello to any of her children, not to mention religion or
light, but you'll never know it. So neighbours. She's never even heard an evangelistic meeting. They fit the
close, and yet so far. of Adventists. same hard-to-reach pattern of so
There are millions of Rons out But a couple of times a month she many people.
there. They go about their daily lives watches a program on KULR called A few months ago Richard sat
completely oblivious to the fact that It Is Written. She first saw it on a across from you on the crowded,
a local Seventh-day Adventist church snowy Sunday morning while Metro . .. and you never knew it.'
is filled with people just like you who waiting for a movie to come on, and How can you reach his family?
are eager to share the Good News she liked its calm, honest approach. Just recently they happened to see
with them. Twice she's called the toll-free line to a unique program called Breath of
No, Ron doesn't care much about request free books. Life. "It met a need we weren't even
religion. But he does have a social Can you get a mental picture of aware of," Sandra commented.
conscience and a caring spirit. And her? Last week when you checked "Not only are we regular viewers
he tunes in to a TV program on out those books at the library, she now, but we called in for the Bible
WABC in New York called "Chris- was the lady who stamped your course."
tian Lifestyle Magazine." He ap- card . . . but you never knew it was Can you see that family .. . and
preciates the powerful stories about her. There are millions of Suzannes Continued on page 16
MESSENGER/JANUARY 1990 9
Saturday night, of the physical fitness
December 9, 1989 will department, welcomed
go down in Kingsway everyone and Elder Jim
College's history as an Wilson had the
exciting night to invocation. President
remember. The Ralph Janes received
culmination of many the keys from the
years' dreams and contractor.
hard work was In the ceremony that
realized. Mrs. Betty Jo followed, introductions
King accompanied by were made by Oliver
her daughter Sandra Lofton-Brook and a
Thomas cut the ribbon praise reading was
that officially opened read by Glenda-Mae
our new complex. Mr. Green and Pierre
Gary Dooks, chairman Chartier. These three
Kingsway Proudly Opens
AE King Memorial Physical Fitness
Complex
(cid:9)
10 MESSENGER/JANUARY 1990